《Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi》


 Chapter 1 The Youth Xiao Yi

    "Tian''er, this is the top-quality tea the old Emperor sent over. Why don''t you try some?""Tian''er, the Dingguo Duke is thinking of sending his young granddaughter to the Tianjian Sect to attend to your daily needs..."


    "Tian''er..."


    Xiao Yi looked up at Xiao Zhengde, who was on the main seat with a face full of ingratiating, even somewhat abject, obsequiousness. In his calm gaze, there was a touch of bitterness and helplessness. As his glance moved, it settled on the handsome and extraordinary young man sitting boldly in front of Xiao Zhengde.


    He was Xiao Yi''s own elder brother, Xiao Tianjiao!


    An exceptional genius destined for greatness from birth.


    When Xiao Tianjiao was born, a fire dragon descended from the sky and acknowledged him as its master.


    Not even three years old, he awakened the Supreme Overlord Holy Body, possessing divine power strong enough to lift a thousand-pound cauldron with one arm.


    By the age of five, he had broken through to the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, stepped into the Qi Gathering with Ten Layers at seven, successfully struck the Shentong Realm at eight, becoming the youngest Shentong Realm powerhouse in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty, and entered the Tianjian Sect, the first among the top ten sects of the Great Qin Dynasty, and became its direct disciple at ten years old.


    Now at just twenty, Xiao Tianjiao had successfully stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm and was hailed as the hope of the rise of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The entire nation eagerly awaited his advance into the Longevity Secret Realm, becoming the first everlasting giant since the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Because of Xiao Tianjiao''s existence, the Xiao Family, which used to be a minor household, became the hottest noble family in the Great Qian Dynasty overnight, receiving gifts from the Holy Emperor himself during the holidays.


    One could say that there was not a person in the Qingtian Realm who did not know the name Xiao Tianjiao.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    Under the dazzling light of his brother Xiao Tianjiao, he was without any presence at all. Everyone who saw him would only say how fortunate your life is, to have such an outstanding brother.


    In everyone''s eyes, Xiao Yi was truly lucky��his brother was the number one talent of the age, and also the Saint Heir of the number one sect of the Great Qian Dynasty. Just giving him a little bit of resources could make him a top-notch expert.


    But the reality was that when Xiao Yi turned ten, Xiao Tianjiao strictly forbade him from continuing his cultivation.


    Even the most basic body tempering was not allowed.


    According to Xiao Tianjiao, having him as the one dragon in the Xiao Family was enough.


    He disliked the thought that when people mentioned him, they would remember he had a brother sharing the same blood, who was nothing more than an ordinary mortal with mediocre talent.


    That would tarnish his perfect image.


    If not for Xiao Yi''s mother, who protected him with her life, Xiao Tianjiao''s methods would have long since made him silently disappear from the world, forever eliminating any future trouble.


    Because of this...


    For the past eight years, he had been imprisoned in the most secluded courtyard in the depths of the Xiao Family. Even so, Xiao Tianjiao was still not at ease. To prevent Xiao Yi from escaping, he even arranged for two Shentong Realm powerhouses to watch over Xiao Yi, who was only at the Physical Body Realm, at all times.


    If it weren''t for his mother, who secretly sent him some books and passed him some news, he wouldn''t even know who the current emperor was.


    However.


    The mother who was the only one to cherish him also died suddenly three years ago. Since then, Xiao Yi had not taken a step out of the courtyard for three full years, as if the whole Xiao Family had forgotten about him.


    And today...


    Xiao Zhengde suddenly ordered for him to be called in.


    It had been two hours since he arrived at the great hall, yet Xiao Zhengde and Xiao Tianjiao acted as if they had never seen him.


    Looking at the two, high above and happily conversing, Xiao Yi''s heart turned cold as ice.


    Eighteen years.


    Living for eighteen years like the air, he was long accustomed to being ignored.


    There is no greater sorrow than a dead heart.


    Standing in the vast hall, facing what should be the closest relatives in this world, Xiao Yi was only left with loneliness and tranquility.


    After another half hour, it seemed Xiao Zhengde only then remembered Xiao Yi''s existence. As he turned around, the sycophantic and ingratiating smile on his face vanished, replaced by cold indifference, disgust, and loathing. It seemed he was too lazy to say more to Xiao Yi and said dismissively, "Go back and prepare. You will leave for Nanhuang City in the Tianqing Kingdom three days from now..."


    "The Tianqing Kingdom?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback. The Tianqing Kingdom was a small country subordinate to the Great Qian Dynasty, bordering the vast and barren wilderness, a forsaken place where no bird would lay its eggs. He frowned and asked, "What am I to do there?"


    Xiao Zhengde said impatiently, "Your brother..."


    "Hmph!"


    Xiao Tianjiao snorted coldly, his expression showing a bit of displeasure and disgust.


    In his eyes, being Xiao Yi''s brother was a great shame.


    "Oh my, I misspoke..."


    Xiao Zhengde hastily said a word of appeasement, and, seeing Xiao Tianjiao''s expression slightly mollify, he continued, "The fire dragon of Tian''er took a liking to the Silver Winged Sword Dragon kept by the Fang Family in Nanhuang as their clan guardian beast. Yet the Fang Family absurdly thinks to climb up by this connection with our Xiao Family, stubbornly refusing to hand over the Silver Winged Sword Dragon. After discussing it, we decided unanimously to have you marry into the Fang Family to become their son-in-law in exchange for that Silver Winged Sword Dragon!"


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Xiao Yi felt as if there were no sounds in the world except for his own heartbeat and the cold expressions of Xiao Zhengde and Xiao Tianjiao. His usually tranquil mind, like still ancient wells, was now churning with shockwaves.


    To be sold off like goods just because Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, the fire dragon, took a fancy to the Silver Winged Sword Dragon? To be sent to the Fang Family as a live-in son-in-law?


    Xiao Yi''s head was spinning.


    Incredulous.


    Even though for over a dozen years Xiao Zhengde ignored him, and Xiao Tianjiao saw him as a stain and a disgrace, having imprisoned him for eight long years and prevented him from cultivating any cultivation techniques or martial skills, he had endured it all.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi''s face was full of bitterness, and with the last glimmer of hope in his eyes, he looked at the brother he once idolized and said in a deep voice, "Is this what you want?"


    Xiao Tianjiao glanced at him indifferently, his face showing dispassion.


    It seemed even speaking to Xiao Yi was a disgrace to him.


    "This is the will of the entire clan. Even though you''re useless, having stepped into the Physical Body Realm at eight years old and still remaining there after a full ten years, we have not mistreated you. You''ve never lacked for food or clothing. Now, it''s time for you to repay your debt..."


    Xiao Zhengde thought for a moment before continuing, "Today, I called you here to inform you, not to seek your opinion. You just need to follow our arrangements!"


    Just to inform me, huh?


    Indeed!


    Like my cultivation path, I don''t even have the right to choose!


    Xiao Yi looked up, his gaze intense, wanting to shout at the two of them that he was not useless, that he''d been stuck at the Physical Body Realm for ten years!


    It''s not that he lacked talent for staying in the Physical Body Realm for ten years, but because the seal over something inside of his body had yet to be broken.


    But now...


    It doesn''t matter.


    There''s no need!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, completely despairing of this family. His tense body gradually relaxed, and the fists he had been clenching quietly uncurled. This family no longer held anything worth yearning for. Gritting his teeth, he replied each word with deliberate force, "Becoming a son-in-law of the Fang Family, right? I will go, but before I leave... I would like to pay respects to my mother!"


    His mother had suddenly passed away three years ago.


    Xiao Yi was confined to a small courtyard, unable to pay his respects to his mother, let alone hear of her death. It was only two months later that he learned of her passing from the servants, and to this day he didn''t even know where her grave was.


    This was his only obsession with this family!


    However...


    Xiao Tianjiao looked at him with contempt, sneering, "There''s no need for you to pay respects to mother. I will do it myself."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes turned blood-red, his body shaking like chaff, and he growled through clenched teeth, "Xiao Tianjiao, she''s also my mother!"


    "No, from now on, she isn''t!"


    Xiao Tianjiao spoke calmly, "Your name has been struck from the family records. From this day forth, you will only be an idle son-in-law in the Fang Family of Nanhuang and have no relation to the Xiao Family."


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    A bolt from the blue!


    Upon hearing these words, Xiao Yi stumbled back three steps with his face turning deathly pale, and he bellowed hysterically, "Xiao Tianjiao, are those even human words you speak? Huh? Ashamed of me, you stripped away my right to cultivate, confined me like livestock for eight long years��eight whole years! And now, do you even wish to strip away my right to pay respects to my mother?"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Tianjiao leaned forward slightly, proud and towering, looking down from on high at Xiao Yi, "I am a true dragon above the heavens, and you are nothing but a mudfish struggling in the mire. What right do you have to pay homage to my mother? We are people of two different worlds, and my world is far too high for you..."


    "Too high for me? Hahaha, what a ''too high for me''..."


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his bloodshot eyes like two crimson moons, staring intently at Xiao Tianjiao and Xiao Zhengde, "Xiao Tianjiao, Xiao Zhengde, your bullying is too much... I swear, one day you will regret everything you have done today."


    "A vow, huh? An ant will always be an ant, and a vow is just a weakling''s futile struggle..."


    Xiao Tianjiao didn''t take Xiao Yi''s words to heart at all. He glanced at Xiao Zhengde and said dispassionately, "Father, even with the Dragon Blood steeds running day and night, it would take five days to reach Nanhuang. The longer the night, the more dreams. Better for him to leave right now."


    "Right now? Fine," Xiao Zhengde agreed without the slightest hesitation.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s voice came again, "To prevent any mishaps along the way or his escape, it''s best to knock him unconscious and have someone deliver him directly to the Fang Family."


    Face filled with grief and anger, blood-red eyes brimming with towering rage, Xiao Yi glared at Xiao Tianjiao, "Xiao Tianjiao, your tyranny is..."


    Bang!


    Before Xiao Yi could finish his words, he was struck by a palm from Xiao Tianjiao and sent flying. The violent wind filled his mouth, preventing him from uttering the rest of his words, and then he slammed into a pillar with a thud.


    Everything went black, and he fell into a deep faint.


    However...


    Nobody noticed that in the moment before Xiao Yi lost consciousness, his field of vision, which had turned pitch black, was suddenly pierced by a dazzling light.


    It was as though invisible colossal hands ripped through the darkness, completely engulfing his consciousness.


    In an instant.


    The darkness before Xiao Yi dispersed, and looking ahead, he found himself amidst a boundless expanse of starry sky. Countless stars spilled before his eyes, massive ones whizzing past, stirring ripples of space that stretched for billions of miles.


    Vast, majestic, endless, boundless.


    Not far in front of him in the starry sky, there floated a black mausoleum, ancient and enormous, suspended right there, with four huge black dragons, their bodies like black iron, coiled around the tomb, their heads and tails linked. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Inside that mausoleum, nine sky-supporting pillars stood tall between heaven and earth, as if piercing the entire cosmos. Eighty-one massive black chains stretched from the top of the pillars into the boundless void, firmly locking onto eighty-one suns radiating intense and scorching light.


    The fierce flames emitted from each of the eighty-one suns could incinerate a whole realm, yet they were restrained by the black chains, staunchly supporting the mysterious dark mausoleum.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t contain the shock in his heart as he looked toward the entrance of the mausoleum. Two azure pillars flanked the gate, each inscribed with a line of blood-red characters, similar to a couplet.


    On the left: A thousand tribulations, a hundred hardships, through ancient times in the blink of an eye!


    On the right: An immortal body, an indestructible soul, who can rival throughout ancient and modern times?


    Connecting the two azure pillars was a black plaque, inscribed with four earth-shaking characters...


    Eternal! Celestial! Tomb!


    PS: Xiao Tian has created a public account. Just search for "Ye Tiandi" to find it. Xiao Tian will post some extras and the like there, I hope everyone will join!

 Chapter 2 The Eternal Celestial Tomb

    ```Gazing at the enormous black mausoleum before him, Xiao Yi was overwhelmed with shock.


    Everything he saw was beyond his comprehension.


    To construct a mausoleum in the endless starry sky, using the legendary true dragon as walls, and firmly anchoring eighty-one proud suns, what kind of terrifying existence could possess such means?


    "The Eternal Celestial Tomb..."


    Xiao Yi hesitated before pushing open the great doors of the mausoleum.


    The doors seemed to have not been opened for a long time, emitting creaking noises.


    Clang!


    The gates swung open.


    A surge of air burst forth, forming an enormous tornado that whisked past Xiao Yi, shooting out ten thousand miles away, extinguishing stars and dimming the sun and moon in its path.


    As everything dispersed, a series of chaotic tombs appeared before him.


    "The tomb of the Qingyun Sword Saint, this... Is this the number one swordsman of the Qingtian Realm from eighty thousand years ago, who was known to split heaven with a single sword? Wasn''t it said that he vanished after his battle with the Martial God Zhan Wuji? How could he be buried here?"


    As far as the eye could see, there were only tombs with names engraved on the steles that shocked Xiao Yi, prompting repeated exclamations, "The tomb of the Grandmaster of Formation, the Double Star Taoist? The tomb of the Medicine Saint Feng Lei? The tomb of the Martial God Zhan Wuji? My God, what is going on? Weren''t all of these beings legends who dominated their time and ascended to the celestial realm? They... They are all dead? And buried here? What on earth is happening..."


    Whether it was the Qingyun Sword Saint, the Double Star Taoist, or the Martial God Zhan Wuji...


    Each of them was a super-powerful being well-known in the Qingtian Realm.


    The Qingyun Sword Saint, whose Green Lotus Sword Song dominated all three realms; the Double Star Taoist, who could trap immortals with a wave of his hand in his formations; the Medicine Saint Feng Lei, whose profound alchemical skills were revered; and Zhan Wuji, widely recognized as the Martial God, who withstood the ascension tribulation with his mortal body, dispelling thousands of miles of tribulation clouds with a single punch, capable of annihilating millions of powerful beings.


    Besides them, there were many other names that Xiao Yi had never heard of, who, being buried alongside Zhan Wuji, must undoubtedly also be beings of the same caliber.


    Yet, such mighty beings...


    They had all died?


    And were buried in this mysterious mausoleum.


    Before this...


    He only knew that the reason he had always remained at the Physical Body Realm was due to a mysterious seal inside him that had not been unlocked.


    But when the seal was unlocked, what appeared before him was this strange and eerie mausoleum, leaving him uncertain whether to feel joy or sorrow.


    "Exactly who built this mausoleum, burying so many powerful beings... And how did it end up within me?" Xiao Yi looked towards the depths of the graveyard. This was merely the outermost area, where the tombs were low and simple, where even the tomb of someone as strong as Zhan Wuji was just a few stones piled up.


    The tombs of mighty beings like the Qingyun Sword Saint were nothing more than a mound of yellow soil.


    Although the deeper parts of the mausoleum were shrouded in mist, one could still vaguely make out that the deeper into the mausoleum, the tombs became increasingly taller and more extravagant.


    Especially at the very center of the mausoleum, where one could faintly see nine pyramid-like golden tombs that stood between heaven and earth like piercing swords, with brilliant golden light radiating from those tombs. As his gaze reached the top of the pyramid, a tomb there infused his brow with an invincible aura that seemed to declare supremacy over all beneath heaven and earth.


    "The Divine Enthronement Stele finds its master, the Heaven-Subduing Divine General resumes its position! Subduing the heavens, sealing divinity, and extinguishing immortals!"


    At the same time, a voice containing supreme authority sounded within his mind, and a black stele suddenly rose from the ground in front of him.


    As the voice fell, countless glyphs and information flooded into his mind, morphing into a scripture of cultivation.


    The "Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill". S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "One sand grain, one world; one grass, one universe. Using the body as a tomb, sealing divinity with the tomb, wielding power to subdue immortals, awakening the cells within the body, evolving the God Sealing Seed, absorbing the legacies of the powerful within the celestial tomb, suppressing immortals and sealing gods!"


    Boom!


    At that moment, Xiao Yi''s body shook violently.


    Countless natural energies from heaven and earth converged within his body. With a crisp pop, divine light burst forth from him. At this odd moment, Xiao Yi could see his entire body as though he had a God''s-eye view, with his body appearing transparent, and the eighty million God Sealing Seeds like stars in the night sky.


    At this moment.


    One of the stars shed its surface layer of murky film and shone with an incomparably dazzling divine light.


    This God Sealing Seed was fully activated, and the surging energy feedback caused Xiao Yi''s cultivation to continuously break through.


    First Layer of the Physical Body Realm.


    Second Layer of the Physical Body Realm.


    Third Layer of the Physical Body Realm...


    He progressed all the way to the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm before stopping.


    At the same time, an inconspicuous tomb in front of him was suppressed in an instant, and the legacy of its inhabitant was absorbed immediately, a cultivation technique named "Eight Extremes Fist," which he mastered on the spot.


    "Heaven-Subduing Divine General?"


    ```


    Looking at his continuously advancing body and the legacy that had unexpectedly appeared within, Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed with a glint of puzzlement, for he could feel it, an earth-shattering change had taken place in him at this moment, even his mind and nature had undergone a transformation.


    It seemed as if he himself were that Heaven Subduing Godly General! With the power to subdue the heavens, proudly looking down upon all existence.


    Even the Martial Saints and War Gods appeared so insignificant in his eyes!


    And what about his genius brother, Xiao Tianjiao? He was no more than an ant.


    This consciousness instantly etched itself deep into his bones!


    "Xiao Zhengde, Xiao Tianjiao, you treat me as rubbish, you shame me, you imprisoned me for eight long years. You forced me into an arranged marriage, and even took away my right to pay respects to my own mother... One day, I will return to the Xiao Family, and you will know who the real waste is!"


    With this thought, Xiao Yi suddenly felt a loud noise from outside, pulling his thoughts back to reality.


    His eyes opened, and he was in a simple bedroom.


    At this moment...


    The door had been violently smashed open, half of the broken door panel was lying on the ground, while the other half hung on the door frame creaking, a hulking figure was grabbing the wrist of a slender silhouette, pressing her down on a table, and sneered, "Heh heh, Fang Qingzhu, you pride yourself as the favored lady of heaven and look down on me, huh? Today, I''ll force myself upon you right in front of your waste of a husband, and what can you do about it? Hahaha..."


    The woman being pressed down on the wooden table had a graceful figure, and although her face could not be seen, her voice was incredibly melodious, like that of an otherworldly fairy, "Fang Ao, my husband is a man of the Xiao Family, dare you touch me?"


    "The Xiao Family? If you married Xiao Tianjiao, I would pack my things and flee immediately, not even daring to glance at you. However..."


    Fang Ao, tall and burly, with a cultivation that had reached the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, looked at Fang Qingzhu''s stunning face with hot and greedy eyes, "What you married is nothing but the waste that the Xiao Family cast aside. Forget about him being unconscious now��even if he woke up, I would dare to force myself upon you right in front of him!"


    Despair and bitterness covered the beautiful face of Fang Qingzhu.


    She was the favored daughter of heaven from the Fang Family.


    When news spread that Xiao Tianjiao wanted to acquire the Silver Winged Sword Dragon, the Fang Family proposed an alliance through marriage, and everyone thought she would marry Xiao Tianjiao. Even being a lesser, unloved concubine would have elevated the Fang Family''s status, making them the number one clan in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    For this reason, the Fang Family unanimously chose Fang Qingzhu as the successor to the family head.


    However...


    Only three days prior, when the unconscious Xiao Yi was delivered to the Fang Family, did everyone realize they had been tricked.


    The two families indeed had a matrimonial alliance.


    But the bridegroom was not Xiao Tianjiao, but Xiao Yi, the waste expelled from the Xiao Family''s clan records.


    What''s more...


    Xiao Tianjiao, worrying about a wife overpowering her husband, had Fang Qingzhu''s dantian destroyed, claiming concern that Xiao Yi would be at a disadvantage in the Fang Family. Fang Qingzhu, a woman of heavenly favor and peak Qi Gathering Realm cultivator at eighteen, was reduced to a cripple on her wedding day.


    Together with Xiao Yi, they were truly a couple of wastes.


    The Fang Family not only lost the Silver Winged Sword Dragon but Fang Qingzhu, their favored daughter of heaven, was also reduced to a cripple because of Xiao Yi.


    In the end, they got nothing but a discarded waste of a son-in-law from the Xiao Family, turning the affair into a colossal joke in Nanhuang.


    In a fit of rage, the head of the Fang Family threw Xiao Yi out to this small courtyard, left unattended.


    Only Fang Qingzhu was there to take care of him.


    Whenever Fang Ao thought about how he had schemed to pursue Fang Qingzhu, only to be repeatedly rejected, whilst she willingly took meticulous care of Xiao Yi, the one responsible for her dantian being destroyed, for three days and nights, he couldn''t help but feel enraged, gritting his teeth and asking, "Fang Qingzhu, what are you really after by doing this?"


    Lying on the bed, Xiao Yi heard the conversation between the two and his body involuntarily shook.


    He was very aware of the reason Xiao Tianjiao had destroyed Fang Qingzhu''s dantian. In Xiao Tianjiao''s eyes, Xiao Yi was a waste, and his woman could only be a waste too, regardless of Fang Qingzhu being innocent and uninvolved. He was adamant about ruining her.


    Because he would not allow Xiao Yi to have even the slightest chance of escaping the identity of a waste.


    What he didn''t expect, however...


    Was Fang Qingzhu''s decision.


    Far from resenting him, she actually took great care by his bedside for three days and nights.


    You have to understand.


    Fang Qingzhu had just had her dantian destroyed and was in a period of weakness herself.


    What was she really after by doing this?


    Not even Fang Ao understood, and Xiao Yi was full of doubts as well.


    Apparently realizing she could not break free, Fang Qingzhu stopped struggling. Tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes, and although her voice was soft, her stance was resolute, "To follow the husband like the hen follows the rooster, the dog follows the dog... Now that I have married Xiao Yi, we are husband and wife..."


    "What a fine saying��to follow the husband... You''d rather suffer with this waste than be with me? Very well, I will, right in front of him, make you..."


    Fang Ao''s face contorted with fury as he roared.


    But before he could finish his words, he heard a cold voice from behind, "If you don''t want to die, I suggest you stop!"

 Chapter 3 Beating Up Fang Ao

    "Hmm?"Fang Ao and Fang Qingzhu were both startled.


    Fang Ao turned around to look, only to see Xiao Yi already walking down from the bed, looking at him with an indifferent face. Vaguely, Fang Ao felt as if he was facing a bloodthirsty tiger, the sharpness in his eyes causing him a pain as if being pricked by needles and sliced by knives.


    "You trash actually woke up?"


    Fang Ao was stunned, then immediately grabbed Fang Qingzhu''s hair, his face bearing a brilliant smile, "A piece of trash dares defy me, you''ve woken up just in time. Open your eyes wide and see how I take pleasure with your woman right before your eyes!"


    Xiao Yi patted the wrinkles on his clothes, his gaze calm as he looked at Fang Ao, "Make another move, and I''ll kill you!"


    Even though he had not a single shred of affection for Fang Qingzhu, the mere fact that she had taken care of him day and night for the past three days, not to mention her commitment to ''follow the man she married,'' had made it absolutely forbidden for Xiao Yi to allow anyone to harm her!


    Fang Ao was taken aback, sizing up Xiao Yi with a strange laugh, "You think you are Xiao Tianjiao? If it were Xiao Tianjiao saying this, I would immediately kneel down and crawl out of here. What are you worth? Be smart and just stand there and watch how I play with her. If you dare to spoil my fun again, I''ll make you regret ever being born!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes carried a sense of despair. If her cultivation was still intact, a mere Fang Ao wouldn''t even be worthy of consideration.


    But now...


    Her cultivation had been wasted, and she was no match for Fang Ao.


    As for Xiao Yi?


    He was nothing more than an outcast of the Xiao Family, so what prowess could he have to protect her?


    Fang Qingzhu''s gaze toward Xiao Yi was filled with despairing indifference, "Don''t worry about me, you''re no match for him..."


    "You cheap woman, you are still defending him until now? I''ll do you right in front of him..."


    Fury burned in Fang Ao, his eyes filled with greed and fervor as he reached for Fang Qingzhu''s chest.


    Xiao Yi shook his head lightly, his face turning cold, "Clueless about death!"


    By the time he lifted his head again,


    his calm face showed a hint of indifference, and with a sudden stomp of his feet, there was a muffled bang.


    Xiao Yi, like an arrow released from its bow, shot out like a burst, carrying a violent gale of wind around him, with the sound of a sonic boom, he threw a punch at Fang Ao��it was the Mountain Thrust from "Eight Extremes Fist."


    Powerful and forceful, with tremendous might and heavy force.


    "You trash, get out of my way!"


    Fang Ao didn''t take Xiao Yi seriously at all and turned around to throw a punch.


    His cultivation was also at the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, and a casual punch carried the impact of thousands of pounds, enough to shatter a tiger''s skull with a single blow.


    In Fang Ao''s view, he was at the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, while Xiao Yi was just a piece of trash discarded by the Xiao Family.


    There was no way he could block this punch.


    Even Fang Qingzhu closed her eyes in despair.


    Bang!


    The fists of the two collided mid-air like close combat, creating two gusts of wind in opposite directions that filled the simple bedroom.


    Rumble!


    The old table splintered into pieces, broken wood chips flying everywhere.


    Xiao Yi did not move an inch.


    As for Fang Ao, his face turned shades of pale and green, retreating seven steps and stopping only when his back hit the wall.


    Crack crack crack!


    Fang Ao discharged the remaining force of the impact onto the wall behind him, and cracks spread across the wall like a spider''s web.


    Wow!


    Fang Ao spat out a mouthful of blood, his legs went weak as he knelt on the ground, struggling to raise his head and look at Xiao Yi with disbelief, "How do you have such strong strength?"


    Xiao Yi rubbed his fist lightly, glancing down and said indifferently, "Trash."


    "You mongrel dare to call me trash, go to hell!" Fang Ao let out an enraged roar, his voice also turning cold,


    "Mountain Splitting Fist!"


    Fang Ao didn''t wait for Xiao Yi to speak and snorted coldly, his feet thudding on the ground.


    The punch came down like an axe splitting a mountain, heavy and powerful.


    In the Heavenly Yuan Realm, martial techniques are divided into ten grades, each with three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The "Mountain Splitting Fist" was a first-grade beginner-level martial technique.


    Fang Ao had been practicing this boxing technique since he was young, reaching the pinnacle of mastery with his fists blazing with powerful intent.


    The terrifying fist wind howled towards him, with a force that could split mountains and shatter rocks effortlessly.


    "Be careful!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes split with anger as she cried out a warning, "The Mountain Splitting Fist has great momentum and heavy force, don''t meet it head-on, quick, dodge!"


    Fang Ao sneered, "It''s already too late!"


    Indeed, it was too late!


    His punch came like a sudden storm, leaving no room to avoid it.


    Facing such a fierce assault from Fang Ao, Xiao Yi remained expressionless, instead taking a deep breath that chilled his body.


    His eyes sharpened like never before, and all of a sudden, Xiao Yi took a step forward.


    "Seeking death!"


    Seeing Xiao Yi rushing towards him, Fang Ao''s face grew even more ferocious, his eyes blood-red, exuding a biting chill that seemed eager to devour. Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However...


    The Xiao Yi in front of him suddenly ducked, allowing Fang Ao''s punch to whiz past his shoulder. Following closely, Xiao Yi spun around, his back facing Fang Ao, and with bent legs, he thrust himself forward powerfully, like a bowstring snapping back, and his back collided with a boom against Fang Ao''s chest.


    In an instant, Fang Ao''s complexion turned deathly pale, feeling a sharp pain in his chest as if several ribs were broken.


    Aow!


    Immediately afterwards, a terrible scream rang out from Fang Ao''s mouth.


    Shot out like an arrow, he flew more than ten meters before sliding another seven or eight meters across the courtyard and hitting the wall, only coming to a stop then. Cracks spread all around the wall, as if a breeze might topple it.


    Boom!


    The whole courtyard shook violently.


    Fang Ao leaned against the wall, his face ashen, blood spurting from his seven orifices, looking at Xiao Yi with horror, "You, you..."


    He was too shocked to finish his sentence.


    Fang Qingzhu''s pretty face was filled with astonishment. Everything had happened in the blink of an eye, leaving her momentarily disoriented.


    Xiao Yi walked up to Fang Ao, looking down at him from above, "The title of ''good-for-nothing'' suits you perfectly!"


    "Xiao, Xiao... wah..."


    Hatred filled Fang Ao''s eyes as he ground his teeth. Just as he started to speak, he spat out another mouthful of blood and gasped for breath before slowly regaining some composure. "You''re done for..." he hissed through his teeth. "Just wait, when my brother comes back, he will take your life... and when that time comes, both you and that bitch Fang Qingzhu will die..."


    "By then, you won''t be able to see it!" Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly narrowed, a cold gleam flitted across his eyes as he raised his foot to stomp toward Fang Ao''s head.


    "Stop..."


    Fang Qingzhu''s voice suddenly came from inside the house.


    Xiao Yi paused, frowning as he looked towards her.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face was unable to hide the shock in her heart as she panted heavily and said, "Fang Ao''s younger brother Fang Jin is a master of the Tenth Layer of the Gather Qi Realm, and he is at the Royal Martial Arts Academy for assessment. Once he returns, it''s very likely he will be a Shentong Realm expert. If you kill Fang Ao, Fang Jin will definitely not let you go..."


    Xiao Yi''s brow furrowed slightly.


    Tenth Layer of the Gather Qi Realm?


    He, the Divine General of Zhentian, who commanded the Eternal Mausoleum of the Ages, how could he fear anything?


    Seeing Xiao Yi hesitate, Fang Ao mistook it for fear of Fang Jin and showed a triumphant look. Proudly he said, "So now you''re afraid? Kek, it''s too late... But, if you kneel in front of me now, beg for mercy, and personally bring Fang Qingzhu cleaned and delivered to my bed, I might consider asking my brother to spare you a dog''s life!"


    "I intended to kill you right now, but since you are so confident in Fang Jin, I shall spare your dog life and let you witness how he dies by my hand!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head gently, and under Fang Ao''s horrified gaze, he forcefully stomped down.


    Puh!


    The stomp landed squarely on Fang Ao''s groin, a yellow fluid mixing with the blood flowing from beneath him.


    Fang Ao''s body stiffened utterly, his face turning a ghastly shade of green, veins on his forehead popping like angry dragons.


    Aowu...


    With a miserable howl, Fang Ao completely lost consciousness.


    Xiao Yi, with an expressionless face, grabbed the collar of the unconscious man and threw him out of the courtyard...

 Chapter 4 A Thousand Miles in One Day

    Only Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu were left in the courtyard.Gazing at the woman before him, Xiao Yi felt a twinge of guilt. If not for him, Fang Qingzhu would not have lost her cultivation. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I''m sorry, I''ve dragged you down!"


    "It has nothing to do with you. This must be my fate!" Fang Qingzhu forced a bitter smile and mocked herself.


    Seeing the self-mockery and unwillingness on Fang Qingzhu''s pale face, Xiao Yi frowned and said solemnly, "Don''t worry, I will take responsibility for you!"


    "Responsibility?"


    Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi oddly and shook her head with a cold sneer, unsure if she was mocking him or herself, "A dying person, and you still talk of responsibility? Fang Jin is very domineering and protective. Since you''ve crippled Fang Ao, he will definitely not let you off, and even I will face a lot of trouble..."


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "If he dares to touch you, I will kill him!"


    "Xiao! Yi!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s phoenix eyes suddenly narrowed, and she called out his name coldly, pausing with each word, "Can''t you be a little more self-aware? What is your cultivation level? And what is Fang Jin''s strength? He is a powerful practitioner at the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, who could step into the Divine Passage Realm at any time. With what will you kill him? How will you protect me? Just because you belong to the Xiao Family? The Xiao Family does not acknowledge you, do you understand?"


    Xiao Yi fell silent.


    Depend on the Xiao Family?


    Ever since that day, he had long stopped considering himself a member of the Xiao Family.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s silence, the frostiness on Fang Qingzhu''s face eased slightly, and she sighed, "Don''t worry. There are still three months before Fang Jin returns. I will try my best to delay him and strive to save your life. I''m a bit tired. You get some rest, and I will have someone send you food."


    "Fang Qingzhu..."


    Xiao Yi opened his mouth, but Fang Qingzhu didn''t turn back and walked straight toward the door.


    Looking at her thinning back, Xiao Yi clenched his fists and muttered to himself, "No matter what, you ended up like this because of me. I will change your fate!"


    The Eternal Tomb was filled with countless experts, including many specialists with strange abilities.


    People like Medicine Saint Feng Lei, Immortal Medicine King Xue Shengyi, and so on.


    As long as he could inherit the teachings of any one of them, there would certainly be a way to cure Fang Qingzhu, "Once this debt is settled, I will leave the Fang Family!"


    He had initially agreed to become a son-in-law to the Fang Family to escape Xiao Tianjiao''s control. However, this incident forced him to stay within the Fang Family. At least, he needed to help Fang Qingzhu recover her Dantian so he could leave without any regrets.


    However...


    To earn the inheritance of Feng Lei or the Immortal Medicine King with his current strength was far from sufficient.


    The Physical Body Realm was just the basic stage of martial arts.


    Above it were the Qi Gathering Realm, the Divine Passage Realm, the Golden Core Realm, the Tao Tribulation Realm, and so on...


    He was currently at the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. Even though he had inherited Wu Zhong''s legacy and mastered the Eight Extremes Fist, which was comparable to a top-grade martial art, making his combat power no weaker than an ordinary warrior at the Eighth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, killing him would be as easy as crushing an ant for someone like Fang Jin at the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, let alone Xiao Tianjiao.


    "There are still three months before Fang Jin returns, three months is enough."


    If outsiders heard Xiao Yi''s words, they would likely think he was mad.


    Fang Jin was at the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, while he was merely at the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. Three months to surpass Fang Jin, break through to the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm?


    Even Xiao Tianjiao, hailed as the strongest genius in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty, took two full years to break through from the Physical Body Realm to the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    And Xiao Yi claimed three months would suffice?


    That was pure fantasy!


    But that was just what the world thought.


    With the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill and the control over the Eternal Tomb, these were not difficult feats for Xiao Yi.


    "One flower one world, one leaf one universe..."


    Xiao Yi focused entirely on his cultivation.


    The Physical Body Realm involved absorbing the essence of heaven and earth to refine the body, and the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill''s absorption of this essence was far more rapid than ordinary techniques.


    The speed of his cultivation could be described as skyrocketing.


    Two days later, Xiao Yi entered the Sixth Layer of the Physical Body Realm.


    In four days, the Seventh Layer of the Physical Body Realm, in six days the Eighth Layer, and by the tenth day, he had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Physical Body Realm.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of turbid air and shook his head reluctantly, "After reaching the Ninth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, the pace has slowed. Indeed, the farther one goes in cultivation, the harder it gets�� I''m now at the Ninth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. I wonder how many God Sealing Seeds I can activate with the essence accumulated inside me?"


    He channeled his profound energy, directing the essence to surge wildly into the God Sealing Seeds.


    As flush after flush washed over them, the black membrane on the surface of the God Sealing Seeds continued to shatter.


    Pop!


    One.


    Two.


    Three...


    When all the accumulated essence inside Xiao Yi was depleted, he had activated a total of four God Sealing Seeds. The surging power of the God Sealing Seeds burst forth from within, feeding back into his body.


    His body shuddered, and his cultivation improved further, stepping into the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm!


    "Now that I hold five Divine Sealing Seeds, should I be able to suppress another formidable being?"


    Xiao Yi made a move and entered the Wan Gu Tian Tomb.


    A search ensued.


    His target settled on a small grave just one foot tall. Wu Zhong''s tombstone had only been two inches high, whereas the wooden tombstone before him stood a full ten feet tall, with the inscription: Jin Wuheng from the Heavenly Yuan Realm, known as the Death-dealing Scholar!


    "The Death-dealing Scholar, Jin Wuheng? Could it really be him?" Xiao Yi was visibly surprised.


    The Death-dealing Scholar, one sword to chase the soul!


    This Jin Wuheng was a figure famous in the Great Qian Dynasty a hundred years ago, originally one of the four great talents of the Great Qian Dynasty, who had turned to the demonic path after being betrayed by his beloved. He had killed countless people in his life and once, with the Seventh Layer of the Divine Skills Realm, he had killed an expert of the Golden Core Realm before leaving without a trace, leaving behind a formidable reputation.


    His signature move, the Soul-chasing Life-taking Sword, was an advanced third-grade sword technique.


    "Death-dealing Scholar, Jin Wuheng, you will be the second being I''ll suppress!" With a firm step, Xiao Yi''s body resonated with the sound of the Divine Seeds, erupting into a brilliant light all around him.


    Hum!


    A myriad of lights gathered into a giant palm that swept down towards the grave.


    Boom!


    The tomb shattered apart.


    A figure emerged as a streak of light.


    This man was dressed like a scholar, holding a Green Peak Longsword, with a cold complexion, eyebrows sharp as swords, and eyes bright like the stars.


    With only a glance at Xiao Yi, devoid of joy or sorrow, a sword swept in from the west.


    Whoosh!


    The sword light soared to the sky, like a world-shaking rainbow.


    The sharp Sword Qi whistled in all directions, and in an instant, it appeared in front of Xiao Yi, pursuing him from every angle. These Sword Qi were so refined they were like meticulously crafted mysterious iron longswords. Before they drew near, they caused Xiao Yi''s body to feel waves of intense pain.


    "No matter how dazzling your former achievements were, now you must be suppressed by me!"


    With a single hand reaching into the void, he fully activated the Divine Seed. That giant palm reemerged in the air, and with a humming sound, it formed a massive black cage that with a loud roar blocked the myriad of sword edges and descended from above, imprisoning Jin Wuheng within the cage with a bang.


    "Godly Suppression of Heaven, to suppress all under heaven..."


    The five Divine Seeds shone brilliantly, and bathed in divine light Xiao Yi roared, "Suppress!"


    Boom!


    The figure of the Death-dealing Scholar dissipated into nothing, solidifying within the Divine Seeds into a statue of a scholar holding a three-foot Green Edge Sword, successfully suppressing the Death-dealing Scholar, Jin Wuheng.


    Boom!


    At the same moment.


    A cool sensation spread throughout his body, and in the depths of Xiao Yi''s mind emerged the cultivation method for the Soul-chasing Life-taking Sword. Deeply embedded into the recesses of his mind, this sword technique that once forged Jin Wuheng''s formidable reputation, every move and every form, along with Jin Wuheng''s understanding of swordsmanship, all merged for Xiao Yi''s use.


    Without discussing Xiao Yi''s current combat capabilities, just the theoretical grasp of swordsmanship alone was now no weaker than that of a swordsman who had devoted dozens of years to the pursuit.


    Beyond that.


    What surprised Xiao Yi was that even Jin Wuheng''s expertise in appraising antique calligraphy and paintings had been transferred to him.


    This Jin Wuheng too was an incredibly learned individual, renowned for his unique insights into antique calligraphy and painting, which turned out to be a fine acquisition.


    "Who would have thought that the Death-dealing Scholar, infamous enough to strike fear upon being mentioned, aside from his exceptional talent in swordsmanship, also had such accomplishments in painting and calligraphy!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled and shook his head, suddenly aware of someone entering the courtyard, he promptly left the Wan Gu Tian Tomb.


    Inside the courtyard.


    An elderly woman with a face full of wrinkles walked in. This was Mei Auntie, sent by Fang Qingzhu to bring food to Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Mei Auntie, what brings you here so early today?"


    Mei Auntie cast a cold glance at Xiao Yi, her eyes filled with disgust, and said indifferently, "If it weren''t for the Miss''s request, do you think this old woman would be willing to bring food to a scourge like you?"


    Xiao Yi managed a bitter smile; Mei Auntie had never shown a pleasant expression towards him in all these ten days.


    Bang!


    Mei Auntie threw the food on the ground, saying coldly, "The Miss asked me to tell you that in ten days, the family head will have his birthday feast. Here is one hundred silver coins; go and buy yourself a new set of clothes. She will prepare the birthday gift for you." Throwing a bag of Silver Coins at Xiao Yi, Mei Auntie complained, "You wretch, you''ve not only ruined the Miss''s dantian, but now she might even lose her position as the heir. If you dare do anything to wrong her, I won''t let you off!"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, then frowned and asked, "What family heir?" S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You don''t know?"


    Mei Auntie said coldly, "The Miss was originally the heir to the family head, but now that her cultivation is destroyed, and she''s married to someone who isn''t like Xiao Tianjiao, the family head has decided to pass the position to Fang Jin once he returns. A man who has discarded his dignity to become a live-in son-in-law and can''t even protect his own wife; if I were you, I would simply hang myself with a rope..."


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, completely unaware of what Mei Auntie was talking about.


    "Mei Auntie, please tell Qingzhu that with me here, no one can touch her," Xiao Yi said seriously.


    "You? Forget it. You''ve already crippled Fang Ao, and I''ve heard that he has sworn that once Fang Jin returns, he''ll tear you to pieces. You can''t even protect yourself, yet you talk of protecting the Miss?"


    Mei Auntie rolled her eyes, then sighed and looked at Xiao Yi with a slightly softer expression, "But it''s good you have the intention; you don''t owe the Miss, who has been running around negotiating for you these days... I have other matters to attend to, so I must leave. Leave the food container by the door, and I''ll come to fetch it. Remember to buy a set of clothes, and don''t embarrass the Miss any further!"


    With her hips swaying, Mei Auntie departed.


    Clenching the one hundred Silver Coins firmly in his hand, Xiao Yi''s gaze was sharp and determined, "Heir, you say? I declare it belongs to you, and no one can take it away..."

 Chapter 5 Goldlight Stone Spirit

    Nine days passed in the blink of an eye.Over these nine days, Xiao Yi''s cultivation had become increasingly stable, drawing ever closer to the Qi Gathering Realm.


    At noon, with the sun high in the sky,


    having risen early, Xiao Yi had already practiced the Eight Extremes Fist once and cultivated the Soul-chasing Life-taking Sword for two hours.


    "Xiao Yi, time to eat."


    Mei''s voice came from outside the door. After what happened that day, Mei treated Xiao Yi a bit more gently. Seeing him drenched in sweat, she frowned and said, "Tomorrow is the family head''s birthday feast. Miss asked me to check how your clothes preparations are going."


    "I''ll go in a bit!"


    "You better take this seriously! The family head''s birthday feast will bring all the notable figures of Nanhuang City, many of whom have pursued the Miss. You might not compare to those talents, but you should at least dress decently..."


    Mei nagged, "The hundred silver taels the Miss gave you are enough to buy a fine outfit at the Treasure Pavilion. Remember to go, don''t embarrass the Miss again!"


    ...


    Treasure Pavilion was situated in the south of Nanhuang City, divided into an outer and an inner cabinet.


    The outer cabinet mainly consisted of street stalls with a dazzling variety of goods on offer��everything under the sun, but with no guarantee of authenticity amidst a mix of the genuine and the fake.


    The inner cabinet, however, dealt in high-end merchandise, extremely expensive; a single piece of clothing could cost dozens of silver taels, enough for a typical family of five to live on for half a year. It was rare for ordinary people to shop at the inner cabinet.


    "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes brightened as he passed a street stall.


    The stall owner was a thin old man with nothing but a black iron dragon statue on his display.


    "Goldlight Stone Spirit?"


    With the appraisal ability and experience in antiques and paintings he had acquired from the Life-taking Scholarte, Xiao Yi could tell at a glance that there was something special about the statue; it was not an ordinary object.


    "How much for this statue?"


    The old man said, "Fifty silver taels!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shifted, he said, "I''ll take it!"


    The old man''s face brightened as he reached for the silver in Xiao Yi''s hand.


    But just then, a lazy voice came from the side, "I''ll take that statue, young master!"


    The newcomer was a brocade-clad youth, lightly fanning himself, his face full of arrogance, completely ignoring Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s expression turned slightly cold, "It seems I was the first to take interest in this statue, wasn''t I?"


    "So what if you saw it first? Ask the stall owner if he''ll sell to you," the youth scoffed, looking at the old man, "Old man, who do you plan to sell this statue to?"


    The old man pretended to hesitate, "Indeed, this young brother was the first to show interest..."


    The youth casually said, "I''m offering a hundred taels!"


    The old man quickly looked to Xiao Yi.


    The youth taunted, "What''s the matter? Can''t afford a hundred taels?"


    "Quite a skilled performance,"


    Watching the youth and the old man, Xiao Yi sneered inwardly. Although they masked their intentions well, the small expressions they couldn''t keep in check didn''t escape his eyes.


    This little trick might fool others, but not the current him.


    "If you''re just shifting money from one hand to the other, then take it."


    After finishing his words, without another glance, Xiao Yi turned to leave. A statue containing a Goldlight Stone Spirit, although valuable, was of no great use to him��he was not about to waste his time playing childish tricks with this youth and the old man.


    "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi''s straightforward abandonment caught the old man and the youth off guard. They had used this tactic to provoke buyers many times before, and it was unexpected that this time it had failed.


    "Young brother, don''t leave. Although I love wealth, business is still about principles. You were the first to like this statue, so no matter how much others offer, I will sell it only to you for fifty taels, deal, and no going back!"


    Seeing the deal about to fall through, the youth immediately signaled the old man with his eyes. The old man hurriedly chased in front of Xiao Yi to deliver the statue, afraid that Xiao Yi would change his mind.


    "Deal!"


    Xiao Yi didn''t refuse, casually tossing the fifty silver taels to the old man, he prepared to leave.


    "Hahaha..."


    Once the transaction was settled, the youth suddenly burst into laughter, "Kid, I didn''t expect you actually had some insight, knowing I was maliciously bidding up the price and unwilling to spend more money. But what of it? This statue is just made from scrap iron, not even worth one silver tael. Fifty taels, I made a killing!"


    "What''s going on here?"


    "Didn''t he just try to outbid for the statue? Why is he suddenly saying it''s fake? Is he in cahoots with that old man?"


    The old man respectfully stepped forward, handing the fifty silver taels to the youth, and with a fawning expression said, "Lord Bao, brilliant!" S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Damn, is this a scam?"


    "Lord Bao? Is he Lei Bao from the Black Tiger Gang?"


    Watching Xiao Yi get duped, the crowd felt no sympathy, only schadenfreude.


    Lei Bao flipped the fifty silver taels in his hand, "Kid, there''s no such thing as a free lunch. If it really were a priceless treasure, Lord Bao would have snatched it up long ago. Where would it be your turn? Hahaha..."


    "So full of himself, yet blind as a bat..."


    Xiao Yi glanced once, and smiled coldly.


    Just at that moment...


    An elderly figure emerged from the crowd, heading straight for Xiao Yi, his eyes revealing interest, "Young man, I''m quite intrigued by this statue. May I take a look at it?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "Be my guest!"


    Elder Yan took the statue and scrutinized it carefully.


    The more he looked, the graver his expression became.


    Seeing this, Lei Bao showed a cold sneer, arrogantly saying, "Old man, you might as well not waste your time here. This is just scrap iron my master acquired for a silver tael, not anything valuable..."


    The old man simply turned to glance at Lei Bao, his tone indifferent, "I, Yan Mingli, have managed the Treasure Pavilion for thirty years. Do you think I can''t tell the difference between trash and treasure?"


    "What? Is he actually Yan Mingli?"


    "Holy shit, Elder Yan is the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, unrivaled in Nanhuang City for his ability to appraise treasures. And he''s actually interested in this statue? Could it be a rare treasure?"


    "A rare treasure?"


    Lei Bao was completely dumbfounded.


    He had naturally heard the great name of Yan Mingli, the bigwig of Nanhuang City''s treasure appraisal scene. Swallowing his saliva with a gulp, Lei Bao tentatively said, "Elder Yan, you couldn''t possibly have misjudged, could you? This is really just a piece of scrap iron��"


    Smack!


    Elder Yan turned around and gave Lei Bao a slap that saw stars in his eyes and snorted haughtily, "Even your father wouldn''t dare say I''ve misjudged." Gently caressing the statue with his palm, Elder Yan asked, "Young man, would you be willing to part with this statue?"


    Xiao Yi said, "If the price is right, naturally I''d sell!"


    Elder Yan tested the waters, "How about ten thousand silver taels?"


    Hiss!


    A collective gasp of shock went through the onlookers.


    Especially Lei Bao, whose eyes twitched and turned bloodshot as he stared fixedly at the statue in Elder Yan''s hands.


    Ten thousand silver taels!


    He had originally bought it for nothing more than a single tael, and now it was worth a ten-thousand-fold increase?


    He had just been smug about duping Xiao Yi out of fifty taels, thinking that Xiao Yi was a big-headed fool who didn''t know anything, and now in the blink of an eye, it was a treasure worth ten thousand taels?


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "That price lacks sincerity!"


    "What?"


    "You find ten thousand taels too low?"


    More and more people gathered around, their eyes popping in disbelief as they saw Xiao Yi reject Elder Yan''s offer.


    Burning with jealousy, Lei Bao felt malice rising at his gall and immediately shouted, "Brat, how dare you speak to Elder Yan like that? Elder Yan taking a liking to your item is your good fortune; you should be offering it to him as a gift��"


    "..."


    Elder Yan, however, completely ignored Lei Bao and after contemplating for a moment, nodded and said, "The young man is right, a statue made from a complete Goldlight Stone, ten thousand taels is indeed too stingy of me. How about this, I offer fifty thousand taels, what do you say?"


    Boom!


    Lei Bao swayed, almost tumbling over.


    Fifty thousand taels?


    I was satisfied with setting up a plot for a mere hundred taels, but I ended up gifting away a treasure worth fifty thousand taels?


    Fuck me...


    Lei Bao wished he could slap himself hard.


    "Still too low," Xiao Yi laughed.


    "Hmm?"


    Elder Yan''s brow furrowed, a touch of displeasure on his face.


    Fifty thousand was already a very fair price, and yet Xiao Yi was still not satisfied?


    Xiao Yi sighed, "I had hoped that someone capable of managing the Treasure Pavilion would not disappoint me in his appraisal skills, but it seems I was mistaken!"


    Elder Yan''s face darkened.


    Having managed the Treasure Pavilion for over thirty years, he had seen countless treasures and no one had ever dared to question his appraisal expertise. Now Xiao Yi had the audacity to belittle him as such? Even for someone as tempered as Elder Yan, his face couldn''t hide the growing anger.


    Seeing this, Lei Bao''s heart leaped with joy, and he vehemently reprimanded, "How insolent! Elder Yan has seen more treasures than meals you''ve eaten; who are you to question his appraisal skills?"


    Xiao Yi completely ignored Lei Bao, his clear eyes focusing on Elder Yan, "If it were a statue made from Goldlight Stone, fifty thousand taels would indeed be fair. But what if it were crafted from the Goldlight Stone Spirit?"


    Hum!


    Elder Yan''s body shuddered, and he began to breathe rapidly, "Goldlight Stone Spirit? You mean to say this statue is made from the Goldlight Stone Spirit?"


    Xiao Yi said, "You''ll know once you try!"


    Elder Yan flicked his finger and pure Qi surged into the statue.


    Hum!


    The pitch-black statue suddenly burst forth with dazzling light, the dragon''s body swiftly turning to gold, and within it flowed a ripple-like gold liquid.


    "It really is the Goldlight Stone Spirit! Never in my life did I imagine, Yan Mingli, that I would encounter the Goldlight Stone Spirit, hahaha��"


    Elder Yan was so excited he was moved to tears, leaving the entire crowd including a completely dumbstruck Lei Bao.


    What kind of treasure was this?


    Even the high and mighty Elder Yan was so excited that he cried?


    Lei Bao swallowed hard and tentatively looked at Elder Yan, "Elder, this statue is really worth fifty thousand?"


    Elder Yan said, "Fifty thousand? Hmph, double that is more like it!"


    Hiss!


    Lei Bao was struck as if by lightning, frozen in place.


    Elder Yan, with a newfound respect in his gaze towards Xiao Yi, acknowledged his appraisal skills, his voice solemn, "Young man, I am willing to pay one hundred thousand taels for this statue, what do you think?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Acceptable!"


    Elder Yan glanced around at the increasingly crowded scene and frowned, "There are too many prying eyes here; shall we discuss this in the Inner Cabinet?"


    The two left side by side.


    The crowd turned their mocking and pitying eyes towards Lei Bao, who stood there looking like a stunned chicken, "How awesome, the Black Tiger Gang has set up a lot of traps to harm people, but today, they couldn''t rob the chicken and have lost a handful of rice instead!"


    "A treasure worth one hundred thousand, and he plotted with all his might to hand it over as a gift��"


    "This is what they call karmic retribution!"


    Lei Bao trembled all over, the surrounding voices like invisible slaps to his face, hot and painful!


    "My, my money��"


    Lei Bao felt dizzy, the world spinning around him, his eyes flashing with ferocity and madness as he stared at Xiao Yi''s receding figure, "You damned bastard, daring to snatch food from the tiger''s mouth. I will make sure you spit it all out with interest!"

 Chapter 6 Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll

    Treasure Pavilion, fifth floor of the Inner Cabinet."This is where I usually live; feel free to take a seat!"


    Elder Yan led Xiao Yi into the room, and upon seeing Xiao Yi appraising the collected items around, a hint of pride appeared on his face, as he smiled and said, "Young brother, my collection has caught your eye, hasn''t it?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "These are indeed rare treasures!"


    "Of course, these are the results of the better half of my life''s work!"


    Elder Yan handed Xiao Yi ten silver notes with a face value of ten thousand each, "Here are one hundred thousand taels of silver, all issued by Tianqing Silver Bank. You can count them."


    Tianqing Silver Bank was a royal enterprise of Tianqing Kingdom and one could exchange the notes for cash or directly use them!


    Xiao Yi did not actually count the notes, simply putting them into his bosom.


    This satisfied expression spread across Elder Yan''s face, as he carefully placed the statue on the cabinet and asked, "Young brother, may I know your name?"


    "Xiao Yi!"


    "Xiao Yi? You are the useless son-in-law of the Fang Family?"


    A look of surprise flashed across Elder Yan''s face, as he quickly said, "I''m sorry..."


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "It doesn''t matter!"


    Elder Yan secretly marveled in his heart; rumors had it that Qingzhu from the Fang Family married a useless son-in-law, causing her dantian to be discarded and almost losing her position as the family heir. sea??h th�� N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, facing the Xiao Yi in front of him, he just couldn''t connect the two together.


    But since Xiao Yi himself didn''t make much of it, Elder Yan wasn''t looking to embarrass himself and subtly changed the subject, "Xiao Yi, I have many peerless treasures here, would you be interested in taking a look?"


    "It would be an honor!" Xiao Yi replied.


    Elder Yan immediately began to show Xiao Yi his prized collection.


    One had to admit that Elder Yan''s collection was indeed bountiful, with many rare and unique treasures to behold.


    The value of these collections alone was probably no less than that of any of the four major families'' entire fortunes.


    "Xiao Yi, come over here!"


    Elder Yan pointed to the gold-framed scroll on the wall, with a mysteriously pleased smile on his face.


    Xiao Yi glanced at it, recognizing an Autumn Frost and Rain Painting, "Strong and vigorous strokes, a very forceful style, the brushwork is smooth, a fine painting."


    Elder Yan''s opinion of Xiao Yi grew even more favorable, and he proudly said, "Young brother Xiao Yi has a keen eye. This painting is an original Tang Pu, and within my collection, it can easily rank within the top ten. A prince once offered eight hundred thousand taels of silver for it, but I couldn''t bear to part with it!"


    While Elder Yan was basking in his sense of accomplishment, he noticed Xiao Yi''s eyebrows deeply furrowed, his gaze fixed on the painting as if he had discovered some issue.


    Elder Yan asked puzzledly, "What''s wrong? Does this painting have a problem?"


    Xiao Yi spoke gravely, "There''s something odd about the painting!"


    "Odd?"


    Elder Yan stopped Xiao Yi and frowned, "Xiao Yi, are you saying that this painting is fake? That''s impossible. Several other old fellows and I have appraised it, and this is definitely an authentic Tang Pu!"


    "The painting is real, but I''m afraid the artist is someone else!" Xiao Yi said.


    "Where does this young nobody get off criticizing my teacher''s collection? I think you''re just showing off��"


    Just then, a cool voice came from behind.


    A stunningly beautiful woman appeared behind the two men, clad in a fiery-red qipao, tall and graceful, with long black hair cascading down her back. She bowed respectfully to Elder Yan and greeted, "Teacher, I saw the door open and came in on my own!"


    "No matter!"


    Elder Yan waved his hand and introduced, "Xiao Yi, this is my disciple, Lin Bingxin. Bingxin, this is Xiao Yi!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Hello."


    "I am not well!"


    Lin Bingxin looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of indifference, eyes brimming with disdain, "My teacher has studied Tang Pu''s paintings for decades. In the vast Tianqing Kingdom, if anyone is most familiar with Tang Pu''s works, he dares to claim second place because nobody has the courage to claim first. I don''t know where you get the confidence to say that my teacher''s authentic Tang Pu has problems!"


    "Nonsense!"


    Elder Yan glared harshly at Bingxin, then looked gravely at Xiao Yi, "Young brother Xiao Yi, this painting is one of my most cherished treasures. You just said that it''s not a Tang Pu? Do you have evidence?"


    Lin Bingxin, proud as a lofty swan, slightly tilted her chin upward, "Teacher is right. If you can provide a convincing explanation, I, Lin Bingxin, will acknowledge you!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at her and said indifferently, "Whether you acknowledge me or not, what does it have to do with me?"


    "You..."


    Lin Bingxin''s expression froze.


    She was famous alongside Qingzhu of Nanhuang City, known as one of the four great beauties of Nanhuang City!


    Which man wouldn''t yield to her and strive for her favor?


    And yet Xiao Yi was so dismissive of her?


    Biting her lip, Lin Bingxin said firmly, "If this painting turns out to be fake, I''ll call you grandpa! If it''s real, you''ll kneel and apologize to my master!"


    "To be my granddaughter? You''re too old!" Xiao Yi looked Lin Bingxin up and down and said, "But to be my niece might just be more suitable!"


    Lin Bingxin''s teeth itched with rage as she clenched her jaw and declared, "Deal! Let''s agree on that!"


    Elder Yan hesitated for a moment then said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, if you can prove what''s wrong with this painting, you may choose any one of my treasures. Isn''t the head of the Fang Family hosting a birthday banquet tomorrow? You must be here at the Treasure Pavilion to find a birthday gift, right?"


    Lin Bingxin''s complexion changed, as every treasure here was worth a fortune.


    "Since Elder Yan is so fond of Tang Pu, you should know that among the four great talents of the past, Tang Pu, known as the Calligraphy and Painting Noble, was in fact more skilled in painting rather than calligraphy."


    Xiao Yi, while letting Lin Bingxin take down the scroll, also asked for a dagger and spread the scroll out on the table. He continued, "Among the four great talents, the one who was best at calligraphy was none other than the Lifetaking Scholar, Jin Wuheng. However, due to Jin Wuheng''s excessive killing, almost all of his calligraphic works were destroyed and few remain."


    Lin Bingxin radiated an icy ''keep out'' chill, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed into a tight knot, "Lifetaking Scholar? What does that have to do with this painting?"


    "Just watch closely!"


    Xiao Yi''s hand plunged the dagger into the edge of the scroll with a ripping sound, slicing across the canvas.


    Lin Bingxin screamed in fright, "Are you trying to destroy this painting?"


    Elder Yan''s eyes twinkled with an inexplicable brilliance. Without a word, but with fists clenched white, it was clear his heart was also undergoing great turmoil.


    Whoosh!


    At that moment, Xiao Yi abruptly lifted his hand, peeling away the top layer revealing an image of a young man slaying a tiger with a sword.


    To the left of the painting were four bold characters, flying dragons and dancing phoenixes��Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll.


    In the upper right-hand corner was a verse written with the strength of dragons and snakes: "Sword in hand, jade pendant at the waist, feasting on the head of a beautiful chieftain, drinking enemy''s blood to quench thirst. Love of men and women, set aside for now, the ambition in my endless heart, now I decide. A man travels a thousand miles with sword in hand, and every step on that path is unsettled."


    The handwriting was strong and magnificent, like dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing, with boundless sword intent rising to the sky.


    The signature was none other than the three characters of Jin Wuheng!


    Hiss!


    "This?"


    "It''s really not an authentic work by Tang Pu, even the teacher was mistaken?"


    "And Xiao Yi, he saw through the mystery with just one glance?"


    Lin Bingxin sucked in a breath of cold air, dumbfounded.


    "A man travels a thousand miles with sword in hand, every step on that path unsettled! What a Lifetaking Scholar, what an impressive Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll... It is said that Tang Pu and Jin Wuheng were close friends, and surely Tang Pu did not wish to see the fine works of Jin Wuheng lost to time, so he deliberately covered it with his own to preserve it. I thought I, Elder Yan, was the foremost among Nanhuang''s treasure appraisers, but I failed to notice such a glaring flaw..."


    Elder Yan''s face was flushed with emotion as he turned to Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, I honor my bets. This Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll is yours to take!"


    "Thank you! Though the painting is mine, the sword technique still belongs to Elder Yan." Holding the scroll, Xiao Yi glanced at the sword technique on it. He took the painting but did not want to owe any favors, saying, "Elder Yan, listen carefully!"


    "Sword! Break! Slash! Annihilate..."


    As Xiao Yi spoke, Elder Yan initially appeared puzzled, but as Xiao Yi continued to speak, Elder Yan was completely shocked. His body''s spiritual energy suddenly stirred.


    Every word from Xiao Yi''s mouth seemed like a sacred chant, transforming into human figures before his eyes.


    This... He was imparting swordsmanship!


    This method was unheard of by him!


    But amid his shock, Elder Yan immediately refocused, watching those characters that turned into little figures performing various sword moves. His eyes burst with intense brilliance, fully immersing himself.


    Less than half an incense stick''s time.


    Sword intent suddenly burst from Elder Yan''s body. Then he took two steps backward and respectfully bowed to Xiao Yi, "Respected teacher above, please accept your disciple, Yan Mingli''s bow!"


    "Ah? Teacher, you..." Lin Bingxin gasped in surprise.


    "I have no intention of taking disciples. We should regard each other as equals. As for the sword technique, it''s rightfully yours," Xiao Yi looked at Elder Yan and said.


    "Absolutely not!"


    Elder Yan quickly shook his head. If the identification of the Goldlight Stone Spirit and the real nature of the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll were accidents, now he was completely in awe. Imparting teachings through sound to grasp an advanced third-grade sword technique in less than half an incense stick''s time was no ordinary feat!


    This genuflection was truly deserved by Xiao Yi!


    If he could become a disciple, he, Yan Mingli, would surely reach new heights!


    However, since Xiao Yi refused to take disciples, Elder Yan could only say, "If you don''t wish to take disciples, I can''t force you, but to consider ourselves peers is absolutely unacceptable. How about this, in front of others, I''ll address you as Young Master Xiao, and in private, I''ll call you teacher, would that be acceptable to you?"


    "Suit yourself!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively and said, "I have other matters to attend, so I''ll take my leave now!"


    "Teacher, take care!" Elder Yan said respectfully.


    Xiao Yi cornered his mouth into a smile as he walked past Lin Bingxin, "Good niece, your uncle is leaving now!"


    "You..."


    Lin Bingxin''s face flushed with anger, cheeks puffed out, looking aggrievedly at Elder Yan, "Teacher, you see how he''s taking advantage of me..."


    "Taking advantage? My dear disciple, I would be overjoyed to become his uncle!" Elder Yan joked with a wry smile.


    Lin Bingxin was startled, "Teacher, why do you hold him in such high regard? He''s just been lucky..."


    "Just lucky? Could luck alone allow him to spot the Goldlight Stone Spirit in one day? Could luck discern the mystery behind this Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll? Could luck enable me to master an advanced third-grade sword technique in less than half an incense stick''s time?"


    Elder Yan''s words left Lin Bingxin utterly stunned; upon hearing this, Xiao Yi seemed truly formidable!


    "Everyone says that Xiao Tianjiao, the eldest son of the Xiao Family, is the reincarnation of a true dragon. Although I have never seen Xiao Tianjiao, this second young master of the Xiao Family is no ordinary person. The world, oh how shortsighted it is!"


    Elder Yan took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting wise light as he turned to Lin Bingxin, "Bingxin, go prepare a congratulatory gift. Tomorrow, I shall pay a visit to the Fang Family!"

 Chapter 7 Birthday Banquet

    "This trip has indeed yielded a rich harvest!"Walking home, Xiao Yi was very satisfied with the outcomes.


    Not only had he earned a hundred thousand taels of silver, but he also obtained the only surviving masterpiece of the Life-Chasing Scholar, truly making the journey worthwhile.


    "The ''Subduing Tiger Sword Technique'' is Jin Wuheng''s simplification of the ''Life-Chasing Soul Sword.'' This man truly was a natural-born swordsman!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at the scroll in his hand.


    Nanhuang City was just a remote small town.


    Even being one of the four great families, the Fang Family''s highest-level martial technique was only a third-grade intermediate.


    This ''Subduing Tiger Sword Technique'' could completely serve as a treasure to protect the clan and, as a birthday gift for Fang Tianhao, it would definitely suffice, "This gift should indeed make Qingzhu proud!"


    Presenting such a precious martial technique as a congratulatory gift wasn''t to curry favor with Fang Tianhao.


    It was merely to mitigate his own remorse towards Fang Qingzhu!


    ......


    The following evening.


    The setting sun burned the western sky red, as if a layer of Hongxia had been spread across it.


    Fang Qingzhu came to the courtyard to meet with Xiao Yi, and upon seeing his wrinkled clothes, her eyebrows knitted together, "Didn''t I give you a hundred taels of silver to buy clothes?"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose, "I''m sorry, I forgot."


    He had gone straight home after leaving Elder Yan yesterday, completely putting the matter of buying clothes out of his mind.


    "You..."


    Fang Qingzhu opened her mouth but ultimately let out a powerless sigh, "Never mind, even if you dressed up, those people wouldn''t look at you any differently. Let''s just go! It''s getting late, we should leave..."


    Xiao Yi asked, "Is it just the two of us?"


    He remembered that Fang Qingzhu''s parents were still alive, and she had a younger brother��why were they nowhere to be seen?


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes dimmed, not wishing to elaborate, she merely said, "They''ve already gone ahead!"


    "Alright, just wait a moment!"


    Xiao Yi returned to the house and brought out the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll.''


    Fang Qingzhu frowned, "What is this?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "A birthday gift!"


    Fang Qingzhu looked deeply at Xiao Yi, said nothing more, and softly remarked, "I already told you I''d prepare the gift... But since you''ve prepared one yourself, let''s use yours then!"


    The two took a carriage to Mr. Fang''s main house.


    The vast Fang Family home was brightly lit and decorated, buzzing with joy and the hustle and bustle of people coming and going.


    The birthday feast was set in the Fang mansion''s banquet hall, with over thirty neatly arranged red tables, all seated with important figures from Nanhuang City.


    Chen Yong, the head of the Chen Family, Zhao Yu of the Zhao Family, and Zhang Yong, the head of the Zhang Family��all important figures from the four great families��were seated in prominent positions.


    In addition, there were others like Lei Hu, the leader of the Black Tiger Gang, Nie Tianying, the head of the Flying Eagle Escort Agency, and so on, each bringing substantial gifts, reflecting the Fang Family''s status in Nanhuang City.


    Today''s birthday star was Fang Tianhao, the head of the Fang Family and also Fang Qingzhu''s grandfather.


    Fang Tianhao, donning a fiery red python robe, was beaming and enjoying a hearty conversation with the heads of the other three major families.


    Fang Qingzhu''s parents, Fang Zheng and Liu Yun, along with their son Fang Hao, were all smiles, warmly welcoming the guests arriving. Suddenly, a servant reported, "My lord, madam, Miss Qingzhu and the young master have arrived!"


    The smiling faces of Fang Zheng and his wife changed instantly, their smiles dissipating.


    It was as disgusting as stripping a beautiful woman only to discover she was a man.


    Fang Zheng scoffed, "So they''ve come, but am I supposed to greet them personally?"


    Liu Yun''s face was full of disdain as she scolded, "Remember, that worthless man is not our son-in-law. If you get it wrong again, you can leave the Fang Family!"


    The servant was terrified, "This servant understands the mistake."


    Fang Hao, dressed in a splendid robe and looking impatient, said, "Dad, Mom, stop arguing. I''ll go take a look."


    Fang Zheng''s face showed nothing but disgust as he nonchalantly waved his hand, "Just find them a corner to sit in!"


    "Understood!"


    Fang Hao lazily made his way to the entrance and glanced at Fang Qingzhu and Xiao Yi with a mocking tone, "Oh my, isn''t this my haughty sister and the worthless brother-in-law? You two finally decided to show up. I''ve specially arranged seats for you, come with me!"


    Back then, Fang Qingzhu was the pampered darling of the heavens, the entire family treated her like she was the moon surrounded by a halo of stars.


    Fang Hao had often been disciplined by Fang Qingzhu.


    But now...


    With Fang Qingzhu having fallen to a cripple and bound to lose her status as the family heir once Fang Jin returned, he couldn''t be more delighted.


    Fang Hao directly led the two of them to the most secluded corner. While others had grand red tables full of dishes and wine, all they had were two plates of cold dishes, not even a set of utensils.


    Fang Hao said, "We''re a bit short on space up front due to the number of guests, and grandfather''s wish is for you to stay out of sight to avoid displeasing the other guests. You''ll just have to make do here!"


    "Is this grandfather''s idea, or did our parents ask you to do this?" Fang Qingzhu asked tremulously, her words heavy with intent.


    There were several empty seats at the tables in front of them, how could it be that there wasn''t enough space for guests?


    This was clearly a deliberate humiliation!


    Since when did one have to worry about causing guest displeasure by sitting in the front at a birthday celebration for one''s own grandfather? Could it really be that their own family members ranked lower than these so-called guests?


    In the face of Fang Qingzhu''s interrogation, Fang Hao feigned innocence, "Sister, you''re thinking too much! Today is grandfather''s birthday, his happiness is what matters most. It''s just a seat; where does it matter where you sit, right?"


    Xiao Yi gave him a sidelong glance, his eyebrows arching, a cold smirk on his face.


    Where does it matter where you sit?


    Then why don''t you sit here? Why not arrange for the heads of the other three major families to sit here?


    But seeing Fang Qingzhu beside him, silent and speechless, Xiao Yi knew her heart was much heavier than his own. After all, it was her own younger brother who had arranged for her to be here. He understood all too well the feeling of being humiliated by one''s own flesh and blood.


    It was a desolation that words could not describe, a powerlessness and heartache.


    It cut deep to the heart.


    "Sister, just stay here for now! I have to get busy," said Fang Hao with a laugh, striding away.


    Their situation was naturally witnessed by the guests, who whispered and gossiped among themselves, their comments too offensive to bear: "Is that the Fang Family''s useless son-in-law? Well, he does look pretty handsome, but it''s a pity he''s useless..."


    "Not just useless, but a bringer of misfortune too! Fang Tianhao used to spoil Fang Qingzhu rotten, afraid she might fall and get hurt, or melt in his mouth, and now? Look at where they''ve been seated, in the furthest corner without even a decent dish..."


    At this moment, the banquet officially began.


    The guests toasted and made merry, the atmosphere lively.


    Only in the corner where Xiao Yi and his companion were seated, the desolation was emphasized by the two plates of cold dishes.


    After three rounds of wine and a multitude of dishes had been served,


    Fang Zheng, seated at the main table, gave a light cough, and seeing that everyone was looking at him, he began to speak, "Hao, haven''t you specially prepared a birthday gift? Isn''t it time to offer it to grandfather?"


    "Alrighty!"


    Fang Hao, his face flush with excitement��having always been overshadowed by Fang Qingzhu at previous birthday feasts, it was now his turn to shine��stepped forward cheerfully, "Grandfather, I have prepared for you a hundred-year-old ginseng, wishing you fortune as vast as the East Sea and a longevity greater than the southern mountains."


    A hundred-year-old ginseng was worth tens of thousands of silver, and Fang Tianhao''s smile was so wide he could barely close his mouth, "Good grandson, your gift is very much to grandpa''s liking!"


    Pleased with himself, Fang Hao maintained a facade of modesty, "As long as grandpa likes it, that''s all that matters!"


    "Family head, our younger brother couldn''t return from the capital to join in your birthday celebration. Before he left, he made me promise to deliver his gift personally!"


    Fang Ao had largely recovered after a month of recuperation, but his voice had taken on a colder, sharper edge. He presented a jade box to Fang Tianhao, "Our brother knows you enjoy studying sword manuals, so he prepared this ''Falling Leaves Sword Skill,'' a third-grade beginner-level sword technique. We hope you will find it to your liking!"


    Hisss!


    The crowd collectively gasped in astonishment, "That ''Falling Leaves Sword Skill'' must cost at least a hundred thousand silver!"


    "Even for the Fang Family, such a sword technique could be considered a treasure of the clan!"


    Watching the envious expressions in everyone''s eyes, Fang Tianhao reveled in his pride, "Very good, very good, Fang Jin indeed is the most outstanding son of the Fang Family, this gift has truly won my heart!"


    "If the family head is pleased, our younger brother will be extremely happy!" S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fang Ao''s pale face twisted into a venomous smirk as he looked in the direction of Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu and said mockingly, "Our younger brother, even from afar in the capital, remembered to prepare a birthday gift for the family head. Fang Qingzhu, you are the Fang Family''s heir apparent. What gift have you prepared for the family head?"


    At his words, all eyes turned toward the corner where Xiao Yi and his companion were seated��

 Chapter 8 Utter Disappointment

    Everyone''s gaze fell upon Xiao Yi and the person beside him.Fang Qingzhu inwardly sighed, knowing that what was meant to come, would always come.


    She glanced at Xiao Yi beside her and together they approached Fang Tianhao. With a clear voice, Fang Qingzhu said, "Qingzhu wishes Grandfather a long life of endless prosperity. Qingzhu knows Grandfather enjoys drinking tea, so I personally roasted this batch of pre-rain green tea, hoping Grandfather will like it!"


    In the past, even the mere presence of Fang Qingzhu before him would have delighted Fang Tianhao immensely.


    But now...


    Fang Tianhao merely responded with a dismissive tone, pointing to a side teatable without concealing the disdain on his face, "Put it there!"


    He didn''t even give it a glance.


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes dimmed, her pale face flashing with a touch of disappointment and helplessness. This was the harsh reality, even her grandfather, who had adored her since childhood, had no more affection for her once he learned she had married Xiao Yi and lost her cultivation base.


    In Fang Ao''s resentful gaze gleamed a sense of vengeful pleasure. With feigned surprise, he said, "Xiao Yi, although you''re merely a live-in son-in-law leeching off our Fang Family, today is the family head''s birthday. Surely you haven''t come unprepared with a gift? This is after all the first time you''re attending the family head''s birthday feast since your marriage to Fang Qingzhu. It wouldn''t look good going empty-handed, would it? Wouldn''t that be a joke to outsiders?"


    The many guests in the hall looked at Xiao Yi with yet more scorn and contempt.


    "The Xiao Family is among the most reputable clans in the Great Qian Dynasty, how could they not understand the most basic social etiquette? This is simply outrageous!"


    "I heard he''s already been expelled from the Xiao Family, he can hardly be considered one of them!"


    The crowd''s commentary was like millions of sharp spikes piercing Fang Qingzhu''s heart.


    She looked pleadingly towards Fang Zheng and Liu Yun.


    Hoping her parents would step in to resolve this awkward situation. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However...


    Fang Zheng and his wife displayed complete indifference, adopting a cold demeanor as if the matter was none of their concern, sinking Fang Qingzhu''s heart even deeper.


    At that moment...


    Warmth spread from her palm; Xiao Yi had taken her hand. Under Fang Qingzhu''s astonished gaze, Xiao Yi calmly said, "I did prepare a gift."


    "Oh? Then let''s see it!" Fang Ao demanded.


    The crowd echoed, "Yes, let us see and learn what someone from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty would present as a birthday gift!"


    Xiao Yi produced the scroll and held it out to Fang Tianhao, "An ancient painting, wishing you longevity and health!"


    "An ancient painting?"


    "Even the cheapest ancient painting is worth thousands of silver pieces. If it''s a painting by Tang Pu, then any random scroll could be worth tens of thousands. I wonder whose masterpiece he has brought?"


    Fang Tianhao was also taken aback; if it truly was an ancient painting, then that would indeed be an acceptable gift. He turned to Fang Hao, "Hao, open this scroll and let''s see, whose prized work could this be?"


    "Yes, Grandfather!"


    Fang Hao took the scroll and slowly unrolled it.


    The crowd stretched their necks with anticipation, "Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll? What a domineering name!"


    "The painting is well-crafted, and those inscriptions are indeed unique, but whose masterpiece could it be?"


    When the scroll was fully unfurled, the crowd saw the signature ''Jin Wuheng'' and exchanged puzzled looks.


    Fang Ao''s face exaggerated shock as he exclaimed, "Jin Wuheng? Who''s that? Never heard of him. Xiao Yi, don''t tell me you picked up some street stall trinket as a birthday present?"


    As Fang Tianhao heard these words, his expression darkened.


    He was the respected head of the Fang Family. If he truly accepted a street-vendor good as a birthday gift, wouldn''t it be a loss of face for the entire household?


    Fang Tianhao looked towards Zhang Yong, "Pavilion Master Zhang, you are known as a great collector in Nanhuang City. Have you ever heard of a master named Jin Wuheng?"


    Zhang Yong touched his nose with a peculiar look on his face, "The name Jin Wuheng sounds unfamiliar, but everyone should have heard of his nickname ''Life-Stealing Scholar.''"


    "The Life-Stealing Scholar? The one who was as famous as Tang Pu, and also one of the Great Qian Dynasty''s Four Great Scholars of the past?"


    "Wasn''t it said that because the Life-Stealing Scholar committed too many killings, all his works were destroyed, leaving no existing pieces?"


    "Pavilion Master Zhang, is this painting real or fake?"


    Zhao Yu''s voice was somber, "Pavilion Master Zhang, Xiao Yi''s reputation is at stake. It''s better to carefully appraise it!"


    Zhang Yong waved his hand dismissively, "As everyone mentioned, the Life-Stealing Scholar has no works that survived to this day. How can there be an authentic piece by him in the world? What else is there to appraise?"


    The crowd naturally grasped the implication of his words.


    If Jin Wuheng had no works that had been passed down, then this painting must be a fake!


    Fang Ao was inwardly delighted, but his face showed a look of disappointment akin to hating iron for not becoming steel, "Xiao Yi, you truly brought a fake gift as a birthday present?"


    "Aiyowei, Xiao Yi, that''s too much! Yesterday, you received a Goldlight Spirit Stone Statue at the Treasure Pavilion worth more than a hundred thousand silver, and you didn''t use it as a gift, but how could you bring a fake painting to deceive people?" Lei Bao, who had recognized Xiao Yi early in the crowd, stepped forward and said aloud.


    Fang Ao''s eyes lit up as he stirred the pot from the side, "Xiao Yi, you''ve truly disappointed us. We could have understood if you had no money to prepare a gift, but you just got a treasure worth more than a hundred thousand yesterday. Not offering it as a gift to our head is one thing, but to use a fake painting to humiliate the head..."


    "Enough!"


    This statement was like pouring oil on a fire, thoroughly enraging Fang Tianhao.


    With a fierce slap, he smashed the wooden table beside him to pieces, his face extremely ugly. He never liked Xiao Yi from the bottom of his heart and had never expected anything worthy as a gift.


    Just as Fang Hao said, Xiao Yi was humiliating him!


    Fang Tianhao''s face was so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it, and the disgust in his eyes grew stronger, "I, Fang Tianhao, have lived for so many years, but this is the first time someone has dared to insult me with a fake good. Out of respect for the Xiao Family, I won''t pursue this matter, but I want you to get out immediately and never set foot in the Fang Household ever again!"


    "No wonder even the Xiao Family is unwilling to acknowledge your status. It''s truly a disgrace!" Fang Ao shook his head in sighs, but the satisfaction of revenge was evident in his eyes.


    Lei Bao too shook his head, "Get going already, do you want to stay and lose more face?"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze, cold as it passed over everyone''s faces, softened as he felt warmth from the palm of his hand. Looking down at Fang Qingzhu, there was an inquiring look in his eyes.


    Fang Qingzhu smiled gently, "Since the people here don''t welcome us, let''s go!"


    The murderous intent in Xiao Yi''s eyes disappeared, and he nodded with a smile, "Alright!"


    The two of them, hand in hand, turned and walked away.


    Fang Ao and Lei Bao exchanged glances, but were they about to let him off that easily?


    "Take your fake good and leave with it. Don''t leave it here to dirty the Fang Household!" Fang Ao crumpled the scroll and threw it outside the door.


    Just as the scroll was about to hit the ground, at that moment, an old palm steadily caught it.


    At the same time.


    From outside the door came the trembling voice of a servant, filled with excitement, "Pavilion Master Elder Yan from the Treasure Pavilion has arrived��"

 Chapter 9 Whats Your Seniority?

    "Elder Yan from Treasure Pavilion has arrived!"The servant at the doorway, with an excited flush across his face, stretched his neck and shouted at the top of his lungs.


    His voice overshadowed all the sounds in the great hall.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    One after another, the guests almost simultaneously stood up, shock apparent on each of their faces as they turned toward the direction of the main entrance.


    Fang Tianhao was so excited that he trembled, his face aglow with delight.


    The Zhang, Zhao, and Chen family patriarchs looked toward Fang Tianhao, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy.


    Chen Yong said with a wry smile, "Ever since Elder Yan came to Nanhuang City, I''ve invited him no fewer than ten times a year, but the old man has not accepted an invitation even once!"


    Zhang Yong sighed and said with a sour tone, "It''s Mr. Fang who has the grand face, to actually have Elder Yan come to personally celebrate his birthday!"


    Within Nanhuang City.


    Apart from the city lord''s mansion, the four great families reigned supreme.


    These four stood at the pinnacle of Nanhuang City''s power pyramid, and even the city lord''s mansion had to show them some courtesy. The only exception was Elder Yan from Treasure Pavilion, who never paid them much heed.


    Of course.


    The Treasure Pavilion, present throughout the entire Heavenly Yuan Realm, indeed had such strength and prestige.


    And because of this...


    Every family considered it an honor to be able to invite Elder Yan to their feast.


    However, Elder Yan had always abstained from these gatherings; even the city lord''s mansion could not persuade him!


    Today Elder Yan had actually come to the Fang Family, naturally causing everyone else to be green with envy.


    Fang Tianhao beamed from ear to ear, his eyebrows lifting slightly in a gesture of pride as he feigned helplessness, "Ah, Elder Yan and I have been good friends for many years. I am just a man of low-profile who does not wish to flaunt our friendship. This year is my eightieth birthday, and he insisted on coming to celebrate..."


    The surrounding guests, upon hearing this, felt their envy intensify.


    Any family that could establish a connection with Treasure Pavilion was like attaching itself to a hen that laid golden eggs. If not soaring high, at the very least the family''s power could multiply several times over a short period.


    Zhao Yu, the patriarch of the Zhao Family, said in a deep voice, "Mr. Fang, you must lend us your support in the future!"


    "Certainly, certainly!"


    Feeling the envious gazes of everyone around him, Fang Tianhao''s smile grew even more brilliant.


    Today was destined to be the most glorious moment in his life! The high and lofty Elder Yan personally coming to celebrate his birthday was something he hadn''t even dared to dream of. Over the years, the Fang Family had sent no small number of invitations to Elder Yan, but he had never accepted one.


    Fang Tianhao thought to himself, "He must have heard about Fang Jin''s imminent admission to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, becoming a high and mighty royal disciple, so he specially came to curry favor with our Fang Family!"


    With that thought. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fang Tianhao stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked toward the entrance with light steps.


    With five or six meters still separating him from Elder Yan, Fang Tianhao extended his right hand, with an excited face he said, "Hahaha, Elder Yan gracing us with his presence truly brings glory to my Fang Family!"


    All the envious guests around him thought, "When will we ever be like Mr. Fang, to have dealings with a personage like Elder Yan?"


    However...


    Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the expected scene of the two towering figures engaging in pleasant conversation did not occur.


    Elder Yan simply walked past Fang Tianhao and headed toward someone behind him.


    Leaving a windblown Fang Tianhao behind, his hand outstretched and his face still wearing a beaming smile.


    Watching Elder Yan approach her direction, Fang Qingzhu''s heart tightened��she was very clear about the terrifying influence Elder Yan wielded in Nanhuang City.


    If she were to offend the person before her, it would definitely be a dead end!


    Fang Qingzhu quickly tugged at Xiao Yi, whispering urgently, "Quick, move aside��this is Elder Yan from the Treasure Pavilion; we mustn''t block his path!"


    But Xiao Yi remained motionless, with an odd expression, watching the approaching Elder Yan.


    "What on earth are you doing? This is Elder Yan; we can''t afford to provoke him..." Fang Qingzhu''s face was filled with anxiousness, as she was already thinking about how to seek Elder Yan''s forgiveness should Xiao Yi offend him.


    However, Elder Yan, who was like an uncrowned king in Nanhuang City, quickly stepped forward, stopping a meter away from Xiao Yi, with hands clasped together in utmost respect, "Yan Mingli pays his respects to young master Xiao!"


    What?


    Everyone was simultaneously petrified.


    Their unblinking eyes were fixed on Xiao Yi and Elder Yan, and the word "flabbergasted" was clearly written on everyone''s faces. The heads of the three great families looked at one another in confusion��what was happening?


    Wasn''t it said that Elder Yan had been an acquaintance of Fang Tianhao for many years?


    Why was he completely ignoring Fang Tianhao and instead enthusiastically approaching the good-for-nothing, son-in-law of the Fang Family?


    The three of them stared fixedly at Fang Tianhao.


    Fang Tianhao''s face stiffened, feeling as though his cheeks were burning from the pain, as if he had been slapped dozens of times. Recalling the words he had said before, he wished he could dig a hole and bury himself in it.


    Elder Yan gave him a sly wink, as if to say, "Master, this should make you proud, right?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head helplessly, turning towards the dumbfounded Fang Qingzhu beside him, "Qingzhu, this is Yan Mingli, Elder Yan. You should just call him Elder Yan like I do!"


    "Elder�� Elder Yan?!" Fang Qingzhu repeated subconsciously.


    "Hahaha, I have long heard that Madam Xiao is a heavenly beauty, and seeing you today, it is indeed true! This bottle of ''Gestation Elixir'' is a gift I''ve specially prepared for our meeting. I hope Madam Xiao won''t find it too modest!" Elder Yan took out a bottle of elixir and thrust it into Fang Qingzhu''s hands without any further explanation.


    Hiss!


    Around them, a series of astonished gasps rang out: "The Gestation Elixir? Isn''t that a third-grade medicinal pill, worth five thousand silvers each? With at least ten pills in the bottle, that''s fifty thousand silvers, right?"


    "What exactly is going on? Wasn''t it said that Elder Yan was here to celebrate Mr. Fang''s birthday? Why is he completely ignoring him and instead seems to have come for Xiao Yi?"


    Fang Qingzhu looked panic-stricken, turning towards Xiao Yi with a helpless look.


    Xiao Yi patted the back of her hand, reassuring her with a smile, "Don''t worry, since it''s a gift from Elder Yan, just accept it with peace of mind!"


    Only then did Fang Qingzhu accept the elixir.


    Elder Yan also breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Is Elder Yan doing this just to curry favor with Xiao Yi?" Fang Qingzhu was shocked by her own thoughts. She saw how Elder Yan continually maintained a low profile in front of Xiao Yi, and was frightened by the speculation in her mind.


    This was the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, whose status was incredibly exalted.


    Even when the four great families had sent him invitations several times, Elder Yan had been disdainful, yet now, he had brought a precious Gestation Elixir as a gift to please Xiao Yi?


    Was this really the same man who everyone despised as useless?


    Looking at Xiao Yi again, Fang Qingzhu felt as though there was a layer of mystifying fog surrounding him, one that was impenetrable to the eye, and the more she tried to investigate, the more she felt like she was sinking deeper, as if mired in the mud.


    "Excuse me for a moment..."


    Fang Tianhao, steeling himself, came over. He felt pins and needles all over, having just boasted proudly; if he couldn''t turn the situation around, it would be a huge embarrassment.


    With a glimmer of hope in his eyes, he tentatively asked, "Elder Yan, weren''t you here to celebrate my birthday? Why have you started chatting with this good-for-nothing?"


    "Good-for-nothing?"


    Elder Yan was momentarily taken aback before realizing Fang Tianhao was referring to Xiao Yi, and a glint of cold light flashed deep in his eyes. With utter disdain, he countered, "And who do you think you are? Worthy of me celebrating your birthday?"

 Chapter 10 The Frog in the Well

    "Who do you think you are? Worthy of me celebrating your birthday?"Elder Yan''s merciless words made Fang Tianhao tremble all over, his face turning from white to red, from red to green, and finally into a bloodless pale.


    This change of face was faster than flipping a book, utterly spectacular.


    Invisibly.


    Everyone seemed to hear the crisp sound of slapping echoing in the hall.


    Fang Tianhao''s chest heaved violently, feeling dizzy and almost fainting.


    A complete and utter humiliation!


    He had just boasted that he was on such good terms with Elder Yan that Elder Yan had come specifically to celebrate his birthday. Yet, Elder Yan''s words publicly burst his lie.


    For a moment.


    The gazes of the guests in the hall shifted from initial envy and jealousy to one of schadenfreude and pity.


    Chen Yong curiously asked, "Elder Yan, aren''t you here for the birthday banquet?"


    "Attend his birthday banquet? Is he worthy?"


    Elder Yan''s face was thick with mockery, his gaze shifting to Xiao Yi as he indifferently said, "I am here today specifically to pay my respects to Xiao!"


    Hiss!


    Chen Yong and others sucked in a breath of cold air.


    To pay respects to Xiao Yi?


    The gazes everyone directed at Xiao Yi underwent a drastic change, and the figure of this son-in-law of the Fang Family seemed to grow immensely in stature.


    "What merits and virtues does this waste have to warrant such respect from Elder Yan?"


    "Do you think Elder Yan is saying this just to give face to the Xiao Family?"


    "Impossible, Xiao Yi has already been expelled from the Xiao Family. Elder Yan couldn''t be unaware of that..."


    "Then how do we explain this?" S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "No matter what, this little son-in-law has really shot up in the world. With this connection to Elder Yan, who would dare to look down on him in the future?"


    Among the crowd.


    Fang Ao''s face turned from green to white, resembling a venomous snake coiled in wait, radiating a light of cold malice.


    Clenching his fists tightly, the knuckles turned pale from the force.


    Ever since Xiao Yi had crippled his ''fifth limb,'' Fang Ao''s heart had been thoroughly twisted.


    He thought of revenge every waking moment.


    But with Fang Jin''s delayed return, he could only wait. Today, he finally seized an opportunity to make Xiao Yi lose face. Yet, with Elder Yan''s appearance, Xiao Yi instead soared high into the sky, becoming Elder Yan''s cherished friend.


    Look at the way those people are staring at Xiao Yi. Their gazes were no longer filled with disdain and ridicule like before, but with fervent enthusiasm, almost wishing to transform into fawning dogs, eager to grovel at Xiao Yi''s feet.


    "Why does this waste deserve to have Fang Qingzhu, why does Elder Yan visit him? Why not me? I won''t accept this, I won''t..."


    Fang Ao took a deep breath, his eyes filled with insane hatred as he loudly said, "Elder Yan, please don''t be deceived by Xiao Yi, he is the scum of humanity, disloyal, unfilial, unrighteous, and unkind. Just before you arrived, Xiao Yi presented a fake painting as a birthday gift to our family head. When we exposed him, far from feeling any guilt, he walked away, completely disregarding the family head."


    Lei Bao also added fuel to the fire, "Fang Ao is right, Xiao Yi is an animal. Elder Yan is not aware, but yesterday, I was the first to take interest in that statue. However, he snatched it from me, accusing me of setting him up..."


    Both were weeping profusely as they poured out their tale.


    A hint of amusement flashed in Elder Yan''s eyes. Pretending to be serious, he asked, "Xiao, is what they''re saying true?"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose, "What do you think?"


    "I think..."


    Elder Yan pretended to ponder, then, amidst the expectant faces of Fang Ao and others, he suddenly glared, his invisible yuan qi transforming into two cold palms that fiercely slapped them to the ground. His cold voice sent chills down their spines, covering them with an icy dread, "They''re just talking nonsense!"


    Elder Yan unfurled the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll in his hands, his expression cold as he said, "This fake painting you mentioned, is it this one in my hands?"


    Fang Ao, covering his face, struggled to his feet and nodded, "Yes, that''s the fake painting. Zhang, the head of the Zhang Family, personally authenticated it as a fake!"


    "No, that''s correct!"


    Lei Bao spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with teeth, his face a picture of grievance.


    Elder Yan looked at Zhang Yong and said indifferently, "Zhang Yong, you say this painting is a fake? What is your evidence?"


    Ah?


    Zhang Yong was taken aback and dared not lie under Elder Yan''s sharp gaze, he reluctantly nodded and said, "Elder Yan should know that although Jin Wuheng, the Life-Claiming Scholar, is one of the Four Great Talents alongside Tang Pu, he bore too much killing intent, and all his works were destroyed by enemies. There are no known surviving masterpieces of his. Moreover, this ''Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll'' has no mention in any historical records, which is why I concluded it was fake!"


    "See, Elder Yan, the Life-Claiming Scholar left no works behind, how could this painting possibly be genuine? We deduced that Xiao Yi definitely bought this substandard forgery from some unscrupulous counterfeiter, presenting it as a gift for longevity..."


    Fang Ao, thinking he had found the truth, spoke more and more proudly, "But what he never imagined was that Master Zhang is a major collector with an extensive understanding of ancient paintings and saw through the forgery at a glance, exposing his hypocritical guise!"


    Watching Fang Ao who seemed to have grasped the truth, Xiao Yi touched his nose and looked at Elder Yan with a strange expression.


    An unscrupulous counterfeiter?


    Elder Yan''s face turned green, with a gloomy expression, he said, "Do you know where he got this painting from?"


    Fang Ao shook his head, "I haven''t inquired that... I heard Elder Yan loathes counterfeiters and swindlers the most. I believe that with some stern interrogation, Xiao Yi will surely confess and bring the fraudster to justice!"


    "There''s no need for coercion, I know who the counterfeiter you''re talking about is!" Elder Yan said with a dark face.


    "Ah?"


    Fang Ao was stunned, then quickly put on a flattering smile and said, "Elder Yan is wise and martial, able to guess who the fraudster is without even stepping outside!"


    Elder Yan said flatly, "You know him too!"


    "I do?"


    Fang Ao looked confused.


    With a cold expression, Elder Yan enunciated deliberately, "This painting was taken from my study. The counterfeiter you''re talking about, if I''m not wrong, is me! Are you going to bring me to justice?"


    Thump!


    Fang Ao, terrified, collapsed on the ground, his face turned deathly pale, and he looked at Elder Yan in disbelief, "This, this, this painting is yours?"


    At that moment, Fang Ao felt so regretful he could have died.


    Damn it!


    He had actually called Elder Yan a counterfeit swindler? Wasn''t this like an old birthday deity ingesting arsenic because he was tired of living?


    Fang Ao trembled all over with fear, repeatedly opening his mouth to argue, but so nervous he could hardly make a sound, nearly close to tears.


    The surrounding crowd was also stunned.


    Nobody had anticipated such a twist.


    Gurgle!


    Fang Tianhao was the first to come back to his senses, disbelievingly looking at the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll'' in Elder Yan''s hand, he ventured, "Elder Yan, if this painting is genuine, then, then its value must be incredibly high, right?"


    Standing beside him, Zhang Yong also full of shock, swallowed and said with a trembling voice, "If this is genuine, then it''s the only remaining precious artifact of the Life-Claiming Scholar Jin Wuheng in this world. Its value is immeasurable. At the very least, it''s worth millions of taels of silver."


    "What?"


    Everyone was astonished.


    Especially Fang Tianhao, who was shaking all over with tremors, wishing he could slap Fang Ao to death. If it wasn''t for Fang Ao''s instigating remarks just now, he wouldn''t have thought to discard the painting!


    This was worth millions of taels of silver!


    Even for the Fang Family, several million taels of silver was not a small amount.


    Elder Yan sneered with scorn, "A bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well, treating such a treasure like trash. If it were to fall into your hands, that would truly be a pearl covered in dust!"


    Fang Tianhao''s face turned extremely ugly. Although the Fang Family was not as prominent as Treasure Pavilion, being repeatedly disregarded by Elder Yan, the head of the Fang Family, his anger rose, and he stubbornly said, "While a million taels of silver is not a small amount, my Fang Family can still afford it. What pearl covered in dust?"


    "Idiot!"


    Elder Yan looked at him with contempt, and said indifferently, "I believe the Fang Family can come up with a million taels of silver, but what about a third-grade high-level sword technique? Does your Fang Family have it?"

 Chapter 11 Regret Beyond Recall

    "What, what did you say?""A high-level tier-3 sword technique?"


    Fang Tianhao was stunned, looking at Elder Yan with a bewildered face.


    Weren''t we talking about the painting?


    How did it get connected to a sword technique?


    To know...


    In Nanhuang City, the highest grade of martial arts was high-level tier-3, possessed only by the city lord''s manor and the big four families. Such a level of martial arts could easily cost tens of millions of silvers, and for any family, it was considered a treasured heirloom.


    Elder Yan scoffed and raised the scroll in his hand, saying, "The sword technique I''m talking about is inside this painting. It was Xiao who discovered the secret within this painting, yet he chose to give such a precious treasure to you as a birthday gift. And you? You treated it like trash? A frog in a well, lacking vision!"


    Hum!


    Fang Tianhao was shaken to the core, his face turning pale in an instant.


    This scroll contains a high-level tier-3 sword technique?


    This should have belonged to him!


    And he had rejected it?


    Treated it like trash and threw it back?


    "This, this..."


    Fang Tianhao shook his head violently, still refusing to believe it was true. "Impossible, how could a painting hide a sword technique? You must be making up lies to elevate Xiao Yi, right?"


    Elder Yan shook his head and chuckled, "Fang Tianhao, who do you think you are? That I, Yan Mingli, would need to concoct lies to deceive you?"


    "So, it''s true then? This painting really contains a high-level tier-3 sword technique? Doesn''t that mean, this painting is worth millions of silvers?"


    Fang Tianhao finally accepted reality.


    The painting that he had previously seen as trash, something Xiao Yi used to humiliate him, at that moment seemed to emit an endless divine light, a rare treasure of unmatched value.


    "I''ve always been unable to break through to the Golden Core Realm because the Fang Family''s treasure is a bladed technique. If I could practice this swordsmanship, I would have hope of stepping into the Golden Elixir Realm!"


    Fang Tianhao thought to himself, "But after all, as head of the family, I''ve already returned this painting, so I cannot simply ask for it outright. However, I believe that if I hint just a little, Xiao Yi will surely give it back to me..."


    With this thought in mind,


    Fang Tianhao cleared his throat, putting on a calm demeanor, and smiled at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, I am truly pleased that you would offer me such a treasure..."


    Xiao Yi looked at him coldly, how could he not understand Fang Tianhao''s intentions, and indifferently said, "What does your happiness have to do with me?"


    Uh...


    Fang Tianhao''s expression stiffened.


    Damn it!


    I''ve hinted so blatantly, can''t you understand?


    Fang Tianhao was inwardly irate, but seeing that Xiao Yi showed no signs of offering the painting again, he had no choice but to steel himself and say, "Xiao Yi, since the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll'' was prepared by you as a birthday gift for me, I can''t refuse your kindness..."


    Xiao Yi said, "This painting was originally meant for Qingzhu, but now it seems unnecessary." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fang Tianhao''s face darkened, and he extended his palm commandingly, "Xiao Yi, I order you to give the painting to me!"


    In his mind, having lowered his face, Xiao Yi surely wouldn''t dare to refuse again.


    Sure enough.


    Xiao Yi took the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll'' from Elder Yan''s hands and turned to Fang Tianhao. Fang Tianhao''s heart surged with pleasure, proudly thinking: I refuse to believe I can''t handle a mere son-in-law, in the end, won''t you obediently hand over the painting?


    However...


    Xiao Yi merely brushed past him, his voice faint as it reached Fang Tianhao''s ears, "This sword technique, you are unworthy of it."


    "What do you mean by that?"


    Fang Tianhao''s face stiffened as if relishing a delicious meal only to have inadvertently swallowed two flies��utterly discomforted.


    Xiao Yi walked straight up to Zhao Yu, "Do you want to learn the sword technique above?"


    Zhao Yu looked utterly baffled, "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi frowned, "You don''t want to learn?"


    "I..."


    Zhao Yu nodded vigorously and decisively said, "Want, of course I want!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand nonchalantly and threw the scroll, "This painting is yours now."


    Zhao Yu, as if struck by lightning, ecstatically received the scroll, holding it close to his chest like a precious treasure. He stepped back three paces and, with hands clasped before him, bowed deeply to Xiao Yi, "Zhao Yu thanks Young Master Xiao for the gift of the painting. Should you have any orders in the future, the Zhao Family shall spare no effort!"


    "It''s what you deserve!" Xiao Yi said, waving his hand dismissively.


    Earlier, when Zhang Yong had asserted that the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll was a fake, only Zhao Yu spoke up to remind him to examine it carefully. Although it was a small favor, Xiao Yi remembered it. As for the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll itself, had it not been for preparing a birthday gift for Qingzhu, it would have been just a blank sheet to him.


    Having said that, he looked at Elder Yan with a smile, "Elder Yan, I''ve yet to find a place for dinner, would you be interested in joining me for a few hearty drinks?"


    "When Young Master Xiao asks, how could I refuse!"


    Elder Yan laughed heartily, "I know of a tavern with excellent dishes and drinks!"


    Xiao Yi walked up to Fang Qingzhu, took her small hand, and said with a smile, "Qingzhu, Elder Yan is treating us, shall I take you for a big meal?"


    Fang Qingzhu was startled.


    Her dark eyes locked onto Xiao Yi''s and, after a brief moment, she nodded gently, "Mhm!"


    The trio set off.


    Along the way,


    No one dared to stop them.


    Zhao Yu turned to Fang Tianhao and cupped his hands in greeting, "Mr. Fang, I suddenly remembered there is something urgent at home, I shall take my leave first!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking, without waiting for Fang Tianhao to respond, Zhao Yu took the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll and departed.


    As the birthday banquet had not yet concluded, Zhao Yu''s early departure was tantamount to publicly slapping the face of the Fang Family, especially since he left with what should have been their Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll. This left the Fang Family and their associates looking extremely displeased.


    Chen Yong and Zhang Yong exchanged glances, quickly discerning each other''s thoughts and stepped forward together.


    Fang Tianhao''s forehead throbbed with visible veins as he clenched his fists tightly on the armrests, grinding his teeth, "I suppose you two also have something urgent at home?"


    Zhang Yong gave an awkward smile, "There''s a soup brewing at home, I need to see to the fire. My apologies!"


    "Mr. Fang..."


    Chen Yong, being more forthright, struggled to think of an excuse and simply said, "I have a stomachache, I''m leaving first!"


    "You... you..."


    Fang Tianhao''s rage surged to his heart, making his head spin.


    The crowd looked at Fang Tianhao and his family with eyes filled with schadenfreude and pity.


    The Fang Family''s loss today was indeed severe!


    The Fang Family members were enveloped in an air of gloom.


    "The Fang Family is truly pitiable. A high-grade, third-tier sword scroll, just like that, benefiting the Zhao Family!"


    "What''s there to pity? Think about how they have treated Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu before! This is what you call reaping what you sow. Look at Zhao Yu, simply for one sentence, he got such an opportunity!"


    "When I get back, I definitely need to thoroughly educate the youngsters in our clan not to follow the Fang Family''s example!"


    Hearing the murmurs and secretive whispers, Fang Tianhao''s face turned paler still. Looking at Zhao Yu in the banquet area, his body trembling and his heart bleeding, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and lay stiff on the ground.


    That vivid red blood, the Fang Family members in disarray, and the strikingly large birthday character in the background formed a stark contrast...

 Chapter 12 Elder Yans Request

    The Fang Family, Inner Courtyard.The Fang Family, once brimming with joy, was now shrouded in gloom.


    The banquet had ended in disarray.


    Fang Tianhao, who seemed to have aged a decade overnight, lay on his bed, his eyes filled with regret and resentment as he clenched his fists tightly, "Damn Xiao Yi, he''s pushed me too far... *cough cough cough*..."


    Fang Zheng hurriedly patted Fang Tianhao''s back, "Father, please calm down! Care for your health!"


    "Care for my health? Do any of you even care about this old man''s well-being?"


    Fang Tianhao slapped away Fang Zheng''s hand with a look of cold indifference, "Look at the wonderful daughter you''ve raised! She always takes the side of others instead of her family. It''s one thing not to help your kin during critical moments, but she even ran off with that bastard Xiao Yi, as if her goal is to see me dead!"


    "This..."


    Fang Zheng and his wife exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness and bitterness in each other''s eyes.


    Once upon a time, Fang Qingzhu was the pearl in their palms.


    But ever since Fang Qingzhu married Xiao Yi and lost her cultivation, and there were even suggestions to strip her of the position of family heir, their attitude towards Fang Qingzhu had drastically changed.


    What they never expected was that the useless son-in-law they thought little of would suddenly become the cherished friend of Elder Yan.


    Fang Tianhao''s heaving chest slowly calmed down as he said sternly, "I don''t care what methods you use, you must make Fang Qingzhu and Xiao Yi change their minds. Even if you have to kneel and apologize, you must do it, understand?"


    Fang Hao protested, "Grandfather, why should my parents humble themselves and beg that waste? Doesn''t the Fang Family still have me?"


    "You?"


    Disdain and contempt filled Fang Tianhao''s eyes. "If the Fang Family relied on you, I''m afraid our downfall wouldn''t be far off!"


    At seventeen, Fang Hao had also received a lot of resources by riding on the coattails of Fang Qingzhu''s status. Six months ago, he entered the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer �� such talent wasn''t too bad.


    But to rely on him to revitalize the Fang Family?


    That was a fool''s dream!


    Fang Tianhao didn''t bother with him anymore and turned to Fang Zheng with a tone that brooked no argument, "As long as you can bring Xiao Yi back, with his relationship with Yan Mingli, he will definitely help our Fang Family''s business to a new level. And when we get the news of Fang Jin joining the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the rise of the Fang Family will be unstoppable! You must bring Xiao Yi back, understand?"


    There''s power in wealth, and strength in writing.


    The rise of any family or individual is absolutely inseparable from resources.


    The Treasure Pavilion controlled more than seventy percent of Nanhuang City''s trade �� it was a veritable money tree.


    Yet, thinking of how they must now beg the once-despised waste they''d reluctantly accepted as a son-in-law made his face burn with pain.


    Fang Zheng felt incredibly frustrated but dared not go against Fang Tianhao''s wishes, "Father, rest assured, I will bring them back!"


    Leaving Fang Tianhao''s separate residence.


    The reverence on the faces of the trio, Fang Zheng, Fang Hao, and Liu Yun, vanished once they were outside, Liu Yun said fiercely, "That old coot actually expects us to kneel and beg that waste to return? If we really did that, could you and I ever hold our heads high again?"


    "Rest assured!" Fang Zheng''s eyes glinted fiercely and menacingly, "If Xiao Yi obediently follows us back, so be it. But if he dares to resist, then he can''t blame me for being ruthless!"


    ...


    On the wide street.


    A carriage moved smoothly along. Pedestrians cleared the way upon seeing the symbol of the Treasure Pavilion on the carriage, fearing to disturb the important person inside.


    Inside the carriage.


    Fang Qingzhu was somewhat silent.


    Today at the birthday banquet, the actions of Fang Zheng and his wife, along with Fang Hao, had deeply wounded Fang Qingzhu''s heart.


    Xiao Yi kept holding her hand, his warmth comforting her.


    "Xiao, was dinner to your liking?" Elder Yan asked.


    Xiao Yi nodded and smiled, "Indeed, especially the Huadiao-steamed flying dragon. It was truly an extraordinary delicacy!"


    "That''s aged Huadiao Wine of over thirty years, and the dragon was just caught from the Southern Desolate Mountain Range this morning; before cooking, they were all lively creatures!"


    Elder Yan took out a jade bottle from his bosom, his eyes beseeching as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, there are a few Qi Gathering Elixirs inside this bottle, you must accept them!"


    Qi Gathering Elixir.


    A second-grade, low-level elixir, one worth a hundred taels of silver.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Without merit, I cannot accept the reward; I cannot take these elixirs."


    "Don''t be so quick to decline, I have a favor to ask of you!" Elder Yan chuckled, having seemingly anticipated Xiao Yi''s refusal.


    Xiao Yi''s inquisitive gaze met his.


    "On the fifteenth of next month, the Treasure Pavilion''s treasure appraising event of the five cities of Nanhuang will be held in our Nanhuang City. At that time, Pavilion Masters from the other four cities of Nanhuang, as well as some significant figures, will attend. Elder Yan Mingli of Sky Moon City''s Treasure Pavilion and I are old rivals, and just a few days ago, he sent me a challenge letter, declaring that the younger generation from both sides would compete."


    Nanhuang is boundless and vast, an incredibly large territory.


    Within the entire Nanhuang, there are five cities: Nanhuang City, Sky Moon City, Shouye City, Dinghai City, and Qingyang City. Each city has a branch of the Treasure Pavilion, and they constantly vie with each other, both openly and in secret.


    Elder Yan said gravely, "I''ve received word that he has recently taken on an exceptional disciple; although Bing Xin is quite competent, she still falls short in experience compared to Cheng Fu''s disciple. Therefore, I would like to ask for your help at the event, Xiao!"


    "I will go!"


    Xiao Yi agreed. To him, it was no more than lifting a finger.


    Elder Yan''s face broke into a thrilled smile, and without further ado, he stuffed the elixirs into Xiao Yi''s hand, "Now you can accept them with a clear conscience, right?"


    Xiao Yi could only smile helplessly and accept them.


    "Pavilion Master, we''ve arrived!" called the coachman from outside the carriage.


    The three stepped out of the carriage.


    Xiao Yi took Fang Qingzhu''s small hand, "Shall we go in and sit for a while?"


    Elder Yan glanced at the dilapidated courtyard in front of him, his eyebrows knitting slightly.


    This courtyard was truly too rundown.


    The walls were cracked, and the door was mostly broken, creaking in the wind.


    Elder Yan averted his gaze and shook his head with a smile, "The Treasure Pavilion still has matters to deal with; I won''t disturb you and Madam Xiao''s rest today!"


    Fang Qingzhu bowed her head, her pretty face flushed.


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, unconcerned, "If that''s the case, I won''t keep you! I''ll remember the matter and will attend when you let me know!"


    "Then I''ll take my leave first!"


    Elder Yan gave a respectful bow to Fang Qingzhu, "Madam Xiao, do remember to visit the Treasure Pavilion when you have the time; let me have the honor of being a proper host!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded, "Take care, Elder Yan!"


    "You two go ahead inside; no need to see me out!"


    Elder Yan waved his hand and slipped back into the carriage.


    They watched Elder Yan leave.


    Xiao Yi looked at Fang Qingzhu before him, "Do you want to stay here, or go back?"


    Fang Qingzhu bit her lip, a hint of struggle appearing on her face.


    What Fang Zheng and his wife did today had indeed chilled her heart; for the moment, at least, she did not wish to see them again.


    She inconspicuously slipped her hand out of Xiao Yi''s grasp, and said softly, "I''d like to be alone for a while." S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "There are vacant rooms in the courtyard. We can each take one," Xiao Yi said, not really minding.


    But before they could step inside, they heard hurried footsteps coming from behind, accompanied by Fang Zheng''s voice.


    "Wait!"

 Chapter 13 Humiliation Visits!

    Xiao Yi''s steps halted, and he saw Fang Zheng and his wife, with a reluctant Fang Hao in tow, approaching quickly.He instinctively glanced at Fang Qingzhu beside him.


    Fang Qingzhu hung her head low and shook it, "I don''t want to see them..."


    Having said that, she walked straight into the courtyard.


    Xiao Yi stood in front of the main gate, like a guardian deity, watching the three people approaching closely.


    Seeing Xiao Yi, Fang Zheng and the others cursed silently, but still put on a brilliant smile, "Xiao Yi, you''re finally back!"


    Liu Yun, who had never shown a good face to Xiao Yi, said affectionately, "Xiao Yi, you''ve been with our family for so long, and Qingzhu''s dad and I have been busy with clan affairs and haven''t found the time to see you, you''re not upset with us, are you?"


    Xiao Yi did not respond, but said indifferently, "Qingzhu doesn''t want to see you, please leave."


    "Uh..."


    Fang Zheng and his wife exchanged a look, their smiles fading as their gazes darkened.


    In their view, they had lowered their stance enough, and Xiao Yi should be grateful and flattering them.


    But now, Xiao Yi was completely disregarding them!


    A flash of anger went across Fang Zheng''s eyes, but remembering the task given by Fang Tianhao, he suppressed his fury and spoke softly, "Xiao Yi, even if my wife and I have done something wrong in the past, that''s all behind us now. We''re family, any misunderstanding can be cleared up if we just talk it out."


    With that, he aimed a kick at Fang Hao, who was scowling beside them, "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and greet him!"


    Fang Hao reluctantly mumbled a greeting, "Brother-in-law..."


    Obviously, he was extremely reluctant to call Xiao Yi his brother-in-law!


    In his eyes, Xiao Yi being called brother-in-law was a stroke of fortune unbeknownst for eight generations!


    But as soon as the words left his mouth, a disdainful snort from Xiao Yi came forth.


    "What are you, that you deem yourself worthy to call me brother-in-law?"


    "You!"


    Fang Hao''s face fluctuated with varying shades.


    Reluctant to come and plead with Xiao Yi, the mockery from Xiao Yi made his anger rise uncontrollably.


    "I called you brother-in-law as a courtesy, so don''t be ungrateful! Isn''t it just good luck that you got Elder Yan''s support? You really consider yourself something special?"


    Fang Hao''s face was full of mockery, his voice laden with sarcasm, "Elder Yan is merely using you as a tool, and when you''re no longer of value, see if he still bothers with you! Without Elder Yan, you''re just a worthless piece of trash!"


    "Shut your mouth, how dare you talk to your brother-in-law like that?"


    Only after Fang Hao had finished speaking did Fang Zheng rebuke him with a feigned displeasure, smiling, "Xiao Yi, don''t stoop to Fang Hao''s level!"


    Xiao Yi''s expressionless face watched the three like they were a bunch of clowns.


    If he had really intended to stop Fang Hao, would he have waited for him to finish?


    Xiao Yi sneered, "If I really stooped to his level, he�� would already be dead!"


    "Xiao Yi, you''re going too far!"


    Fang Hao''s eyes widened as his vital energy surged, and his fists crackled with energy.


    A body full of vital energy, ready to burst!


    "Enough!"


    From inside the gate came Fang Qingzhu''s cold reprimand, her expression frosty as she stared at the three, her voice trembling slightly, "What are you doing here?"


    The actions of the three at the birthday banquet had already deeply wounded Fang Qingzhu.


    Fang Zheng frowned, quite displeased with Fang Qingzhu''s attitude.


    Stepping forward, Liu Yun presented a beaming smile, "Qingzhu, your father and I have come to tell you great news! Your grandfather has agreed to let Xiao Yi enter the main residence. From now on, our family can live together again!"


    Fang Qingzhu frowned slightly, finding the smile she once thought was kind on Liu Yun''s face now disgustingly insincere.


    A glint of icy disdain flashed in her eyes as Fang Qingzhu said lightly, "It was he who banished Xiao Yi from the main residence, and now it''s he who allows his return. Don''t you find that laughable? What exactly do you take Xiao Yi and me for? Tools at your beck and call?"


    "How dare you talk to your parents like that?"


    Liu Yun''s face stiffened. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Accustomed to Fang Qingzhu''s obedience, she had lost her patience, commanding with a fierce face that left no room for refusal, "Help Xiao Yi pack up, and move back to the main residence with us!"


    In the past, although Fang Qingzhu was a pampered lady, favored by all, and esteemed, she was extremely filial, always obedient to her parents'' words.


    When Liu Yun spoke, Fang Qingzhu dared not refuse!


    But now, Fang Qingzhu shook her head, "We''re fine here, we won''t be going to the main residence."


    "You wretched girl, not even listening to your own mother?" Liu Yun''s face darkened as she raised her hand to slap Fang Qingzhu''s face.


    Slap!


    The slap came so unexpectedly that everyone was taken by surprise.


    Fang Qingzhu''s head was snapped to the side from the hit, a crimson handprint on her delicate cheek, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.


    Her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness!


    This was the first time in her life that Liu Yun had hit her!


    Fang Qingzhu looked incredulously at Liu Yun.


    "What''s with that look? I gave birth to you and raised you, not to mention hitting you, if I told you to die, you''d have to obey! Go pack your things this instant, and come back to the main residence with us!" Liu Yun said domineeringly, her face grim.


    Fang Qingzhu took a deep breath, her heart growing colder, but her expression was resolute, "I''m not going back!"


    "You wretch, you''re seeking death!" In a rage, Liu Yun raised her hand to deliver another slap to Fang Qingzhu!


    But just at that moment...


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi moved swiftly, shielding Fang Qingzhu and grabbing Liu Yun''s wrist, returning a slap across her face!


    With that slap, Liu Yun saw stars before her eyes and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth!


    The voice of Xiao Yi, as though coming from the depths of hell, also carried coldly through the air.


    "Get lost!"

 Chapter 14 Crazy beating this rude mother-in-law

    ```"You dare to hit my mother?" Fang Hao roared furiously, pouncing toward Xiao Yi like a tiger descending the mountain.


    Xiao Yi lifted his foot for a kick, even though he was only at the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, his combat strength was comparable to a Qi Gathering Realm Third Layer powerhouse, and he sent Fang Hao, who was at the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer, flying with a single kick. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hit my son? Are you trying to start a rebellion?" Liu Yun was burning with rage, her other hand slashing toward Xiao Yi''s face.


    Smack!


    Just as she raised her hand, Xiao Yi backhanded her face again!


    "You..."


    Smack!


    Smack smack smack!


    With a volley of slaps, he struck the domineering mother-in-law''s face left and right, over a dozen times, then flung Liu Yun away, causing her to stagger backward!


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze swept over the two of them, and he said, word by word, "If it wasn''t for Qingzhu calling you ''mother,'' you''d be dead by now!"


    The sharpness of Xiao Yi''s gaze was like a blade, and as cold as ice and snow, it suppressed the overpowering Evil Qi brought by the Lifetaker Scholar!


    At this moment, even a thick layer of makeup couldn''t hide the increasingly pale complexion of Liu Yun.


    The dozen or so slaps had indeed dazed the arrogant mother-in-law, and utterly frightened her!


    "Dare to hit my mother? I''ll fight you to the death!"


    Fang Hao, like a carp flipping back onto its feet, rebounded from the ground, and with a flick of his arm, he drew a Soft Sword from his waist.


    The Soft Sword shimmered with silver light, writhing in his hand like a serpent, and a continuous buzzing sound pierced the air as it thrust straight towards Xiao Yi''s heart.


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes grew cold, and he reached out with a single hand.


    The flesh and blood palm made a grating clang as it met the Soft Sword, and Xiao Yi firmly grasped it in hand. Fang Hao''s face turned beet red with exertion, unable to free the Soft Sword from Xiao Yi''s grasp.


    At this moment, Fang Hao''s face was full of disbelief!


    "How can your physical body be so strong?"


    Xiao Yi scoffed disdainfully.


    "Scram!"


    The veins on his arm bulged as though the roar of the sky thundered faintly in the background.


    Eight Extremes Collapse!


    Boom!


    Fang Hao screamed as he was sent flying backward, the Soft Sword in his hand dropping to the ground as he violently coughed up mouthfuls of blood!


    The mighty power of the Eight Extremes Collapse had shattered five of his ribs!


    This scene made Liu Yun''s eyes nearly split with fury, clawing towards Xiao Yi with a ferocious expression on her face!


    "You little bastard, you dare to hit my son? I''ll fight you..."


    "Noisy!"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold snort, flinging his arm as if he was tossing trash, and sent Liu Yun flying more than ten meters away.


    Whoosh!


    Finally, Fang Zheng made his move, darting forward to catch Liu Yun, his face dark as he looked at Xiao Yi with a serious gleam in his eyes, "Worthy of being from the Xiao Family, even if you''re just a despised waste, you still possess such strength."


    Fang Zheng told Liu Yun to step aside.


    His body faintly vibrated with Vital Energy, much stronger than Fang Hao.


    Fang Qingzhu''s expression changed drastically, and a hint of urgency surfaced in her lost gaze.


    "Xiao Yi, he is a Qi Gathering Realm Fourth Layer powerhouse..."


    "You slut, how dare you side with an outsider against me? I''ve always said, raising a daughter is worse than raising a dog, and it seems I was right!" Fang Zheng roared angrily, his eyes chillingly cold.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face turned deathly white, tears streaming down unstoppably.


    Worse than raising a dog?


    How deeply Fang Zheng''s words must have hurt her?


    They chilled to the bone!


    "Fang Zheng, you are disgraceful as a father!" Xiao Yi said with a face as still as water.


    "She''s my daughter. I gave birth to her, raised her, and she ought to repay me! When she was useful, of course, I treated her as the jewel of my palm, but now? She''s nothing more than waste that can''t even secure the position of Family Head. An outsider who loses me money, why should I be polite with her?"


    Fang Zheng sneered continuously, "If you obediently obey and follow me back to the main residence and serve my Fang Family, I will still acknowledge her as my daughter. Otherwise, you two can become a couple of wandering souls beneath the Yellow Springs!"


    Whizz!


    Fang Zheng suddenly shot an arrow from his fingertip, as fast as a startling reflex, breaking through the air.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank abruptly. Sidestepping the sudden cold arrow, he reached for the Soft Sword on the ground and sped towards Fang Zheng, the Longsword in his hand gleaming with sharp intent: "Chasing Stars, Pursuing the Moon!"


    Fang Zheng''s face darkened. The cultivation of Qi Gathering Realm Fourth Layer endowed him with much denser Vital Energy than Fang Hao''s, his palms pulsing with Vital Energy: "Coiling Snake Palm!"


    The sword shot out like a cold star streaking across the sky!


    The palm struck like a snake, coiling around its territory.


    In the blink of an eye, the palm and the sword''s edge collided heavily, the sword''s edge vibrating intensely and Xiao Yi was forced back several meters!


    ```


    Fang Zheng pursued relentlessly, his palm transforming into a claw as he targeted Xiao Yi''s heart from behind, "If you can''t be of use to me, then go die!"


    Black Tiger Heart Dig!


    This was a deadly strike.


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes were filled with rage, and she moved instinctively, darting forward with her arms spread to shield Xiao Yi from the fatal blow from Fang Zheng.


    "They''re as good as dead!"


    "Dad, quickly kill these two ungrateful wretches!"


    Liu Yun and Fang Hao had ice in their gaze, brimming with intent to kill and void of any past affection!


    "Cheap wench, die!" Fang Zheng said coldly, without a hint of compassion.


    Just as Fang Qingzhu was about to die at the hands of her father, Xiao Yi suddenly turned around, his left arm encircling Fang Qingzhu''s waist and in a swift motion, he spun her out of harm''s way.


    At the same time, in his right hand, the Soft Sword took flight!


    "Soul Chase, Life Seize!"


    Whoosh!


    The sharp brilliance of the sword was like a fireball streaking across the sky, a sword chasing the soul, a life-seizing sword!


    "Ah..."


    Fang Zheng let out a terrible scream!


    This sword had pierced directly through his palm, continuing through the base of the palm and along the entire length of his arm!


    Xiao Yi casually flicked his wrist, and Fang Zheng''s entire right arm was split into two halves!


    Xiao Yi moved forward in one smooth motion.


    "Eight Extremes Collapse!"


    Bang!


    This blow struck Fang Zheng squarely in the chest, sending him flying backward with great force!


    Most of his bones shattered upon impact!


    Ugh!


    Fang Zheng spat out blood as he tumbled down in front of Liu Yun and Fang Hao.


    The family of three looked at Xiao Yi with horror-stricken faces, as if they were staring at a peerless God of Slaughter. Gone was their arrogance and flamboyance, leaving only terror and fear.


    "No, don''t kill us, I, I am your mother-in-law!"


    "Bro, bro-in-law... no, Xiao, Xiao spare our lives, I''m still young... Sister, please beg Xiao for me! Beg him!" Fang Hao shook in terror, stinking of fear.


    Xiao Yi turned his head to look at Fang Qingzhu.


    Fang Qingzhu took a deep breath, "Let them go!"


    Taking the Soft Sword from Xiao Yi, Fang Qingzhu walked in front of the three, her voice cold as frost.


    "From today on, I, Fang Qingzhu, sever all ties with you!"


    Whoosh!


    The Soft Sword gleamed coldly as it severed her jet-black hair, scattering it in the wind.


    The three stood there stunned, their complexions ashen.


    They... were being discarded by Fang Qingzhu like worthless ribs!


    Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop!


    The sound of carriage wheels broke the deathly silence.


    Lin Bingxin looked on in astoundment at the scene before her, full of questions but not daring to ask any. She respectfully presented the deed to Xiao Yi, "Seeing that your residence was in ruins, my teacher purchased a villa next to the Treasure Pavilion and asked me to deliver the deed to you, please accept it!"


    "Much appreciated!"


    Xiao Yi received the deed with a light chuckle and then handed it to Fang Qingzhu. He looked at her earnestly, "Qingzhu, would you be willing to move there with me?"


    Fang Qingzhu stood there, dazed as she looked at Xiao Yi.


    She was now without a home, all alone.


    Seeing the sincerity in Xiao Yi''s eyes warmed her cold heart. A smile curled on her lips as she nodded emphatically, "I would be glad to!"


    "Xiao, Miss Qingzhu, please board the carriage, and I will take you to the villa right away!"


    "No... this is impossible! How could such trash deserve such a place?" Liu Yun couldn''t help but roar in anger!


    Now, with all ties severed and feelings betrayed, how could she accept such an outcome?


    "Impossible! You don''t deserve it! You never will!" Fang Hao''s body was trembling.


    And Fang Zheng was grinding his teeth in anger, his face dark and gloomy.


    "You lowlifes are only fit to live here! Only fit to stay here!"


    Lin Bingxin''s eyes turned cold as she respectfully invited Xiao Yi and his companion onto the carriage, then looked back at the trio with a touch of disdain in her eyes.


    "Even my teacher, who wanted to take Xiao as a master, was refused. With such a prodigious figure as your son-in-law, you didn''t treat him well but instead pushed him away? And you call Xiao trash? Truly laughable!"


    "Not to mention, I wonder who truly is the trash!"

 Chapter 15 Strange Phenomena of Heaven and Earth

    Driven by the Treasure Pavilion, every inch of land around it was worth its weight in gold.In Nanhuang City, everyone aspired to own a house near the Treasure Pavilion. Anyone who could buy an over three-hundred-square-meter mansion nearby would be considered a true winner in life.


    One of the four major families, the Zhang Family, was situated right beside the Treasure Pavilion.


    Zhang Ze was the young master of the Zhang Family, the only son of the family head, Zhang Yong.


    Among the younger generation in Nanhuang City, his talent was also among the top ranks.


    At the age of nineteen, he had already reached the Fourth Layer Cultivation of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    "Er Gouzi, why has the plaque on the mansion next door been changed?" Zhang Ze rode atop a tall horse, glanced at the mansion next to the Zhang residence with a brand new plaque, and asked.


    Leading the horse in front, Er Gouzi turned at the question, "Young Master, it seems that Elder Yan has bought this place!"


    "Oh? Elder Yan? Could it be that he''s planning to become our neighbor?" Zhang Ze''s eyes narrowed into slits. Elder Yan was the most prestigious figure in Nanhuang City.


    Although his cultivation was not the first in Nanhuang City, if one were to talk about status and power, even the lord of Nanhuang City could not compare to him.


    After all.


    The Treasure Pavilion was spread throughout the entire Great Qian Dynasty!


    Countless young talents dreamt of apprenticing under Elder Yan, but within the vast Nanhuang City, no one could catch his eye, so everyone set their sights on Lin Bingxin.


    Zhang Ze was also among Lin Bingxin''s suitors.


    "Young Master, look, isn''t that Miss Lin?" Exclaimed Er Gouzi all of a sudden.


    "Hmm?"


    Zhang Ze was startled and looked eagerly ahead, only to see Lin Bingxin walking out from that residence. He was about to approach when he saw a handsome young man following close behind her.


    Seeing the young man conversing happily with Lin Bingxin, Zhang Ze''s expression instantly turned gloomy, "Who is that kid? He seems very familiar with Bingxin? Er Gouzi, bring the horse over!"


    "Yes, Young Master!"


    Er Gouzi quickened his pace.


    In front of the residence.


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Please give my regards to Elder Yan!"


    "Don''t worry, I''ll remember!"


    Lin Bingxin nodded faintly, the inherent coldness in her, as if a millennia-old ice, tough to melt, "Take good care of Qingzhu after you get back, she hasn''t had it easy!"


    "I will!"


    Xiao Yi responded, recalling the way Fang Qingzhu rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep, he couldn''t help but feel a pang of heartache.


    Lin Bingxin suddenly saw Zhang Ze on his tall horse, rushing over quickly. Her face slightly changed as she quickly said, "I have something else to do, I need to leave first!"


    Before the words had even finished.


    She was already running away like a trail of smoke.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    What did she see that made her run so fast?


    Xiao Yi looked in Zhang Ze''s direction.


    Seeing Lin Bingxin speed up her departure at the sight of him, Zhang Ze did not give chase. Instead, he rode his tall horse to a stop in front of Xiao Yi, intending to figure out the relationship between this young man and Lin Bingxin!


    As their eyes met.


    Zhang Ze gently slapped his palm with the riding crop in his hand, his eyes narrowed into slits, emitting a dangerous light, "You look quite unfamiliar, just arrived in Nanhuang City, haven''t you?"


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, "Less than a month!"


    "Less than a month?"


    Zhang Ze nodded slightly, "Although Nanhuang City isn''t big, its waters run deep. One careless move and you could drown. There are certain things you shouldn''t do, and certain people you shouldn''t mess with. Do you understand?"


    Xiao Yi furrowed his brows, "If you have something to say, just say it!"


    Zhang Ze stopped playing with the riding crop, leaned forward slightly with his elbow propped on the saddle, "Lin Bingxin is the woman I''ve taken a liking to, you''d best stay away from her. I tend to lose measure when I get jealous, and it wouldn''t be out of the ordinary for me to beat someone to death over it..."


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi suddenly realized. So he was being mistaken for a rival in love?


    He didn''t bother to explain. Innocence speaks for itself, and sometimes the more you explain, the less clear things become. Giving Zhang Ze a smile that was not particularly polite, Xiao Yi turned and walked towards the interior of the residence.


    Zhang Ze looked intently at the vermilion gate, squinted his eyes, and said, "Er Gouzi, I''m about to break through to the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm. During this period, have someone keep an eye on this place. If he has nothing to do with Bing Xin, then all is well. But if he dares to pursue Bing Xin, once I come out of seclusion, I will flatten this courtyard!"


    "Young Master, rest assured, I know what to do!" Er Gouzi said respectfully.


    ......


    Inside the courtyard.


    Xiao Yi returned to Fang Qingzhu''s bedroom and looked at the figure lying in deep sleep on the bed. Seeing the faint teardrops hanging on her long eyelashes, Xiao Yi felt a twinge of heartache: "Qingzhu, with me here, I will absolutely not allow anyone to hurt you again!"


    Huff!


    He exhaled a long breath of turbid air.


    Xiao Yi returned to his own bedroom and sat cross-legged, taking out the bottle of medicinal pills Elder Yan had given him.


    Qi Gathering Elixir, a low-grade second-tier medicinal pill.


    Each pill was worth a hundred taels of silver, and consuming this pill could double the speed of absorbing the world''s qi for three hours. There were ten pills in this bottle.


    That was enough for someone at the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm to break through to the Qi Gathering Realm.


    The cultivation practice in the Qi Gathering Realm was entirely different from the Physical Body Realm. The Physical Body Realm involved guiding the qi of heaven and earth to cleanse the body, strengthen the Qi-Blood, and temper one''s foundational constitution, whereas the Qi Gathering Realm required locking the qi of heaven and earth within oneself.


    To form a qi vortex in the dantian, allowing the absorbed qi of heaven and earth to gather within the vortex. With each minor breakthrough, the vortex gains an additional layer.


    Ten layers of qi vortexes stack together, complementing each other to form a loop, evolving into a Qi Sea.


    Once the Qi Sea is cultivated, the qi is abundant and concentrated, without dispersing.


    This allows one to wield various Divine Skills, which are beyond the Qi Gathering Realm, in the Shentong Realm.


    "Let''s break through to the Qi Gathering Realm in one go!"


    He threw the medicinal pill into his mouth, and a fresh stream flowed through his surroundings, his spirit unbelievably focused. His pores seemed to open completely, and his sensitivity to the qi of heaven and earth became much sharper.


    With the Xuan Gong in operation, Xiao Yi instantly became a bottomless pit, voraciously absorbing the world''s qi around him.


    The beginning is always the hardest.


    Condensing the first layer of qi vortex in the Qi Gathering Realm is the most difficult; usually, even strong practitioners take at least a year and a half to condense a qi vortex, transitioning from the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm into the Qi Gathering Realm.


    Under the acceleration of the Qi Gathering Elixir, it was not until the morning of the third day that Xiao Yi successfully condensed a qi vortex, stepping into the cultivation of the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer.


    Only when the effects of the Qi Gathering Elixir wore off did Xiao Yi continue to channel qi into the God Sealing Seed within his qi vortex.


    Boom boom boom!


    One after another, the God Sealing Seeds were fully activated.


    One.


    Two.


    Three��


    Under the assault of all the qi contained within the First Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm, Xiao Yi managed to activate a total of fifteen God Sealing Seeds. Together with the original five, he now had twenty God Sealing Seeds within his body!


    The qi, transformed by the God Sealing Seeds into the power of god sealing, fed back into his body.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation soared to a new level, completely stabilizing his realm at the First Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm.


    Immersed in his cultivation, Xiao Yi didn''t know that.


    At the moment when he broke through to the Qi Gathering Realm and activated a total of twenty God Sealing Seeds, a magnificent nine-colored light suddenly appeared in the sky above the mansion. The light, like a bridge, covered a hundred meters in radius.


    Thousands of birds gathered around the nine-colored light and did not disperse for a long time.


    Basking in the nine-colored light, they looked just like numerous colorful phoenixes and divine luan birds. S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly there was a long howl from inside the mansion, "Hahaha, I have finally broken through to the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm!"


    Before long.


    A message spread throughout the entire Zhang residence: "The Young Master has broken through to the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm. The heavens have displayed a nine-colored light, and myriad birds gathered without dispersing. This is a heavenly phenomenon celebrating the Young Master''s breakthrough!"


    "The Young Master is mighty, he has actually attracted a heavenly phenomenon, it''s truly miraculous!"


    The Zhang Family rejoiced.


    The patriarch of the Zhang Family, Zhang Yong, was so excited that he set up an altar and prepared abundant offerings to worship the ancestors. He also sent out invitations to the major families and powers of Nanhuang City: "To celebrate my son''s attracting a heavenly phenomenon, we will hold a grand banquet tomorrow evening..."


    As for Xiao Yi, the cause of the heavenly phenomenon, he was currently sitting with Fang Qingzhu, enjoying simple congee and dishes, in perfect harmony.


    Both ears deaf to the world outside the window...

 Chapter 16 Call Uncle!

    "Qingzhu, have you gotten used to living here?"Xiao Yi looked at the tranquil girl across from him and asked.


    Fang Qingzhu revealed a gentle smile on her face and nodded, "These three days might be the most relaxed and comfortable time I''ve ever had in my life!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    "When I was a child, I trained harder than anyone else just so my parents would pay more attention to me. Growing up, not wanting to lose their attention, I had to compete. Xiao Yi, do you know why I agreed to this marriage?"


    Her slender fingers smoothed the hair in front of her forehead, the golden sunlight bathing her face with a sacred glow, Fang Qingzhu''s smile grew even more radiant, "Because Grandpa said, as long as I agree to this arranged marriage, he would hand over the position of family heir to me. I just thought that if I could ascend to the position of family head one day, they would look up to me, and I wouldn''t have to live under their shadow anymore��"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze became somewhat distant as he saw a reflection of himself in Fang Qingzhu.


    From his childhood, everyone''s focus was on Xiao Tianjiao.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s birthday was always a grand celebration, and his birthday, apart from his mother, no one even remembered. Even when his mother suggested holding a family banquet, it would be rejected.


    No matter how hard he worked, he could never get recognition.


    Until the year he was ten��


    Xiao Tianjiao imprisoned him and even stripped him of his right to cultivate.


    Their pasts were so similar.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath and looked at Fang Qingzhu seriously, "Qingzhu, I will help you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Fang Qingzhu was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "I will definitely find a way to heal your dantian, help you sit in the position of family head, and let your parents look up to you��"


    "Thank you, Xiao Yi, for comforting me!"


    Fang Qingzhu gave a bitter smile, "My dantian cannot be repaired at all, and even if I could repair my dantian, I''m afraid I wouldn''t be able to compete with Fang Jin��"


    Fang Jin was almost guaranteed to enter the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and by the time he returned from there, he might have already broken through to the Shentong Realm.


    Xiao Yi didn''t say much, but his eyes grew more resolute, "Qingzhu, I will definitely help you fulfill your wish!"


    In the following day.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu spent their time within the residence, tending to plants, playing chess, and even catching fish in the water together, aside from the three meals a day. They even personally cultivated a small vegetable patch.


    This was the life Fang Qingzhu had never experienced but had always longed for.


    The two of them immersed themselves in this simple yet heartwarming joy.


    At night.


    Xiao Yi, sitting cross-legged on the bed, opened his eyes, and a sharp light swirled in his dark pupils, allowing him to appear within the Eternal Heavenly Tomb with a single thought.


    "Medicine Saint Feng Lei��"


    "Immortal Medical King Xue Shengyi��"


    Xiao Yi attempted one after another, but these tombs of great and renowned figures were utterly unapproachable. Having almost scoured the tombs within reach, Xiao Yi finally found his target.


    It was a grave two feet tall, with a wooden stele erected on it.


    The stele bore the information of the tomb''s occupant: Bian He, Heavenly Yuan Realm, known as the Underworld Doctor Ancestor.


    This was the only tomb specializing in medical skills that Xiao Yi could currently access: "Underworld Doctor Ancestor Bian He, I hope you won''t let me down!"


    Boom!


    The God Sealing Seed around him shone brilliantly, radiating splendidly.


    "Break for me!"


    A cold, large hand shattered the tomb before him, and an aged figure burst forth abruptly. This figure was hunched and slightly stooped, with a purple Lingzhi the size of a human head in his left hand, and a ginseng walking stick with roots coiling around it in his right.


    "God Sealing Seed, suppress and seal the gods!"


    Twenty God Sealing Seeds burst forth with brilliant light, forming a massive cage that trapped Bian He.


    Bian He''s purple Lingzhi and ginseng walking stick kept striking in all directions, causing the cage to thunder loudly, yet he couldn''t break free from its confines. He turned into a streak of spirit light and was suppressed within the God Sealing Seed by Xiao Yi.


    Inside the God Sealing Seed, a statue identical to him condensed.


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi also received Bian He''s legacy, which included two items.


    One was the holy scroll of the Underworld Doctor lineage from the distant Southern Border, "Nether King Medical Canon," and the second was a Pupil Skill called "Blood Moon Underworld Pupil."


    The Underworld Doctors of the Southern Border emphasized diagnosis by inspection.


    Among them, "inspection" involved observing with the eyes to understand the patient''s physical condition, the root of the illness, and the nature of the symptoms, among other things.


    "Blood Moon Underworld Pupil" is divided into three realms: Star Pupil, Moon Pupil, and Nether Pupil.


    "The method to repair the dan tian..."


    Xiao Yi, who was quickly scanning through the "Nether King Medical Canon," trembled with excitement and a look of ecstasy crossed his face, "Grafting technique? Heaven really does not let down those who are determined, I''ve finally found it!"


    This ''grafting technique'' is a unique method of the Underworld Doctors, involving the replacement of the dan tian with a specific demonic beast''s core.


    This approach has a huge flaw.


    That is, the limit of one''s cultivation will be determined by the grade of the demonic beast''s core. S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For instance, if you use a second-grade demonic beast''s core to replace the dan tian, the highest one can achieve is the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm; if it''s a third-grade demonic beast core, the highest cultivation limit is the peak of the Divine Ability Realm.


    And so on...


    "Fortunately, these demonic beast cores can be replaced. As long as one becomes strong enough in the future, it''s entirely possible to hunt higher-level demonic beasts to take their cores and replace them with her new dan tian!"


    Xiao Yi sighed with relief and returned to the bedroom, "I won''t tell Qingzhu for now, I''ll wait until everything is ready before giving her a surprise. When dawn breaks, I''ll go to the Treasure Pavilion to buy the medicinal herbs and beast cores needed for the grafting technique. Qingzhu, I once promised to help you take the position of family head, and I will certainly not go back on my word!"


    Seeing that there were still a few hours until dawn, Xiao Yi simply started to cultivate "Blood Moon Underworld Pupil."


    The first realm of cultivating the Star Pupil is to draw in starlight and condense it within one''s eyes.


    Xiao Yi stood on the rooftop, gazing up at the starry sky, circulating the cultivation method.


    Vaguely...


    One could see specks of starlight falling from the myriad stars, merging into his eyes. His eyes became increasingly bright, and two hours later, Xiao Yi suddenly opened his eyes.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    His eyes shone like bright stars as he quirked the corners of his mouth and muttered to himself, "The Blood Moon Underworld Pupil isn''t that difficult to cultivate after all. Just two hours, and I have successfully condensed the Star Pupil!"


    If the people from the Underworld Doctor lineage in the Southern Border heard this, they would probably be driven mad.


    Even Bian He, who was hailed as the strongest genius of the Underworld Doctors'' lineage, had spent a whole day and night to successfully condense the Star Pupil!


    Of course.


    Xiao Yi was unaware of this.


    ......


    Treasure Pavilion, Inner Cabinet, first floor hall.


    The place was bustling with people.


    Xiao Yi stood among the crowd, believing that news of his arrival would soon reach Elder Yan and the others, so he simply waited there.


    "Is this brother also waiting for Miss Lin?"


    "Brother, take a look at us, who isn''t bringing a gift? Coming empty-handed doesn''t seem very sincere, right?"


    Seven or eight handsome young men stood beside Xiao Yi.


    Each was holding a gift of some sort, ranging from famous paintings, antiques, to fragrant flowers, everything was present.


    So these are all pursuers of Lin Bingxin!


    That icy woman, surprisingly, had quite a few admirers!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes twinkled as he said solemnly, "My mere presence here is the best gift. Once Lin Bingxin sees my face, she will come to me without needing me to greet her. Besides, I can make her call me ''uncle.'' Do you believe it or not?"


    "Pah, you''re blowing your own trumpet a bit too loudly!"


    "Let alone you, even Zhang Ze wouldn''t be given a second glance by Miss Lin... and Zhang Ze is someone who caused a phenomenon between heaven and earth, do you think you can compare with him?"


    "If it''s really as you say, I''ll swallow this antique vase I have in my hand!"


    Just as everyone was collectively condemning Xiao Yi, the young man who had first greeted Xiao Yi suddenly said, "Look, Miss Bingxin is coming out, hey hey hey... she''s, she''s heading this way..."


    "No, that''s not right, why is she, she walking towards this bragging king?"


    "Holy crap..."


    Amidst a succession of exclamations, Lin Bingxin walked straight up to Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao..."


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at the stunned crowd of young men, he said indifferently, "Call me uncle!"


    Hisss!


    The crowd inhaled sharply.


    Did he actually get Lin Bingxin to call him uncle?


    Was he asking to be beaten up?


    Lin Bingxin''s eye twitched, wishing she could slap Xiao Yi to death, but she didn''t dare to!


    How frustrating!


    Lin Bingxin took a deep breath, grit her teeth, glared fiercely at Xiao Yi, this bastard actually made her call him uncle in public?


    But when she remembered that the bet had been her own proposal, Lin Bingxin could only clench her teeth and call out the two words with sheer effort, "Uncle... Uncle..."

 Chapter 17 The Zhang Family Dinner

    "Teacher, what brings you to my place?"Elder Yan stood respectfully in front of Xiao Yi, such demeanor if witnessed by outsiders would surely shock them to the core.


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "I need some medicinal herbs!"


    "No problem!"


    Elder Yan patted his chest and said, "Teacher, just give me a list, and I''ll have Bing Xin prepare it right away!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and handed the list he had prepared earlier to Elder Yan.


    Without even looking at it, Elder Yan handed the list to Lin Bingxin: "Go to the storeroom immediately and bring everything the teacher needs. If it''s not there, get it from other city branches as fast as possible!"


    Lin Bingxin shot Xiao Yi a resentful glance before taking the list and leaving.


    "Elder Yan, it''s time for your medicine!" A white-haired elder came in, carrying a steaming bowl of herbal soup in his hands.


    Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "Sick?"


    "An old illness, I''ve been taking medicine but it hasn''t improved."


    Elder Yan offered a wry smile, pointing to the old man and said, "This is Luo, the alchemist I hired for a hefty sum. He''s one of the top ten alchemists in Nanhuang City."


    Luo, the alchemist, glanced at Xiao Yi and snorted coldly, slightly lifting his chin with an air of arrogance.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he activated his Star Pupil to examine Elder Yan, then looked towards the bowl of soup, "What medicine are you giving him?"


    Luo spoke lightly, "Lung Cleansing Detox Soup. This is a divine medicine personally concocted by me. Can you, a wet-behind-the-ears kid, possibly understand?"


    "Elder Yan, Luo may be bad-tempered, but I beg you to calm your anger!" Elder Yan glared at Luo fiercely and respectfully apologized to Xiao Yi.


    "Calm my anger? You''re about to be killed by this quack!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes in annoyance.


    "Ah?"


    Elder Yan was utterly bewildered.


    The color drained from Luo''s face as he bellowed, "Nonsense, when have I ever tried to harm Elder Yan? He has a fire toxin in his lungs; naturally, the Lung Cleansing Detox Soup is needed. You know nothing, you wild boy, spouting nonsense - be careful, or I''ll tear that mouth of yours!"


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Fire toxin? If it were a fire toxin in the lungs, it would indeed cause constant chest distress and coughing, and the pain should be the worst when the sun is at its zenith at noon. Yet his worst pain comes at midnight. How would you explain that?"


    "This, this..." Luo''s face turned from green to white, momentarily unable to respond.


    Xiao Yi pressed on, "Using the Lung Cleansing Detox Soup is correct if it were a fire toxin, but what if it were a cold toxin? Introducing cold from the soup would only add poison to poison; continuing with your medicine, he''d be undoubtedly dead within three months!"


    Thud!


    Luo collapsed on the ground, frightened and frantic, "Spare me, Elder Yan, spare me! It was only a momentary lapse in judgment, please forgive me..."


    Elder Yan could no longer be oblivious that Luo had been bought off.


    His face clouded over, and he waved his hand, "Take him away and interrogate him severely, find out who''s behind this!"


    "Yes!"


    Luo was dragged away by two Qi Gathering Realm strongmen.


    Even now...


    He still couldn''t believe how this young man, who looked immature, could see through everything at a glance. Recalling his earlier accusations that Xiao Yi was ignorant and inexperienced, he felt his face burning with shame.


    Thud!


    Elder Yan knelt directly in front of Xiao Yi, "Teacher, I have no way to repay your life-saving grace, please accept my humble bow!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, "There''s no need for such formalities between us. I''ll give you a prescription; follow it for a month, and the cold poison in your lungs will be completely purged!"


    "Thank you, Teacher!" Elder Yan took the prescription with excitement.


    Looking at Xiao Yi with ever more admiration and fervor, Elder Yan couldn''t help but be astounded. Such a young person not only possessed extraordinary vision but also terrifying skills in swordsmanship, and now even boasted medical knowledge? Elder Yan marveled, "Teacher truly is a celestial being!"


    Before long.


    Lin Bingxin entered, holding an antique black Storage Ring in both hands. Elder Yan received the ring and respectfully presented it to Xiao Yi, "Teacher, this is the Storage Ring I specially prepared for you. All the medicinal herbs you requested are inside!"


    Bing Xin looked on enviously at Xiao Yi.


    This was a Storage Ring!


    Only those above the Golden Core Realm could craft it. In the immense Nanhuang City, those who could wear a Storage Ring were few and far between!


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows and accepted the ring, "I appreciate the gesture!"


    "It is my duty!"


    After a pause, Elder Yan continued, "Teacher, regarding that list you gave me earlier, we were unable to find the demon core of the Purple-Patterned Blood Python. However, I''ve had Bing Xin issue a reward for its whereabouts; we will notify you immediately if anyone locates it."


    "That''s fine, you handle it!" Xiao Yi nodded, about to stand up.


    Elder Yan respectfully said, "Teacher, yesterday, young Zhang Ze of the Zhang Family broke through to the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm and attracted a heavenly phenomenon. The Zhang Family is hosting a banquet to celebrate and inviting everyone from Nanhuang. Would you be interested in attending?"


    He seldom took part in the gatherings of Nanhuang City''s major families, but a peerless genius from the Zhang Family that caused a heavenly phenomenon was indeed worth his attention!


    "A heavenly phenomenon?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, his eyes showing surprise.


    Anyone who could attract a heavenly phenomenon was unquestionably a favored child of heaven, a prodigy without match.


    Just like Xiao Tianjiaao of the past, whose birth had attracted a heavenly phenomenon and even summoned a fire dragon to acknowledge him as its master.


    Such geniuses were rare even in the Great Qian Dynasty, let alone being born in the remote Nanhuang City.


    Xiao Yi was also somewhat curious about Zhang Ze, who could attract heavenly phenomena, and said, "I have nothing better to do, so it wouldn''t hurt to take a look!"


    ......


    Today, the Zhang family''s residence was brightly lit and bustling with activity.


    On the streets leading to the Zhang''s, one could see carriages coming and going, with all the influential figures of Nanhuang City making personal visits.


    "The Zhangs are truly impressive, having given birth to such a unicorn who calls forth heavenly phenomena. In just over a decade, no one in Nanhuang City may be able to contend with the Zhang family!"


    "That''s not necessarily the case. Fang Jin of the Fang Family is also a true dragon among men. It is said that he is currently undergoing assessments at the Royal Martial Arts Academy in the capital and stands a very good chance of gaining admission."


    "Fang Jin of the Fang Family and Zhang Ze of the Zhang Family, these are the two true dragons of our Nanhuang City!"


    Along the way, one could hear many powerful individuals discussing the phenomena.


    Clearly, the impact of these heaven and earth phenomena was quite significant.


    At the entrance of the Zhang family''s home.


    Zhang Yong and his son were welcoming guests.


    "Brother Zhang Ze, you must take good care of me in the future," Chen Tao, the son of Chen Yong, said to Zhang Ze, winking and somewhat ingratiating.


    Zhao Xian, the young master of the Zhao Family, nodded at Zhang Ze, neither servile nor overbearing, and then apologized to Zhang Yong, "My father had already entered closed-door cultivation before receiving the invitation and could not come in person. I hope Uncle Zhang will forgive him!"


    Zhang Yong laughed, "No worries, Brother Zhao getting that Sword technique and starting to comprehend it immediately is only natural for a cultivator!"


    Until yesterday, he was quite envious that Zhao Yu had obtained the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll.


    As for now...


    He looked at his son, Zhang Ze, with a face full of pride and self-satisfaction.


    What of a third-grade high-level Sword technique?


    His son was a peerless genius who attracted heavenly phenomena!


    "How come no one from the Fang Family has arrived yet?" Zhang Ze said with displeasure.


    Zhang Yong sneered, "The Fangs just lost face in such a big way a few days ago; they probably don''t have the nerve to send someone." While he was speaking, his expression suddenly changed, "Xiao Ze, look, isn''t that Elder Yan''s carriage?"


    "Father, it is indeed Elder Yan''s carriage!" Zhang Ze''s eyes lit up.


    The expressions of the guests at the door were all tinged with envy, "Even Elder Yan is coming to the banquet? The Zhang family is truly impressive!"


    Zhang Ze and his father wore expressions of pride and hastened to welcome the arrival.


    Elder Yan, supported by Lin Bingxin, stepped down from the carriage.


    Zhang Ze and his father said respectfully, "We welcome Elder Yan''s grand presence!"


    "Haha, congratulations, Patriarch Zhang, with such a unicorn, the Zhang family''s future is boundless!" Elder Yan said cheerfully.


    Zhang Yong said with a smug expression, "It''s all thanks to Xiao Ze''s own hard efforts! Elder Yan, please do come in!"


    Zhang Ze looked at Lin Bingxin with eager eyes, "Bing Xin, please come in!"


    Elder Yan waved his hand, "No rush, I am waiting for someone!"


    "Hmm?"


    Zhang Yong and his son looked at each other in confusion, wondering who had such esteem that Elder Yan would personally wait for them. They didn''t feel it was appropriate to inquire, so Zhang Yong said, "Then please, Elder Yan, go ahead to the front where we have prepared tables and chairs."


    "Thank you very much!"


    Elder Yan smiled and, together with Lin Bingxin, sat down on the chairs placed in front of the residence.


    "Who else in Nanhuang City would Elder Yan personally wait for?"


    "I heard that the lord of the city was also invited, could it be that the city lord will attend?"


    "In the vast Nanhuang City, aside from the city lord, who else would be qualified to have Elder Yan wait in person?"


    Amid the murmurs of speculation, the sound of horse hooves clattered from the front, a middle-aged man in a python robe with a figure as straight as a pine approached on horseback. This man exuded a formidable aura, appearing heroic and full of strength, his qi-blood vibrant as the roar of dragons and tigers together.


    He was the lord of Nanhuang City, the most powerful man in terms of martial prowess, existing at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, Sikong Nan.


    "The city lord has arrived?"


    "Look, Elder Yan has stood up; it seems he really is here to welcome Lord Sikong Nan of the city!"


    As everyone looked on, Elder Yan stood up and walked briskly towards Sikong Nan.


    Zhang Ze and the others followed closely behind.


    Sikong Nan dismounted, surprised to see Elder Yan personally welcoming him, his face breaking into a smile, "Elder Yan, you flatter me too much!"


    However...


    Elder Yan just nodded slightly at him and then walked past, turning to a man and a woman not far behind Sikong Nan to respectfully bow, "Young Master Xiao, Madam Xiao, you have finally arrived!"


    What?


    Sikong Nan''s smile stiffened on his face.


    Zhang Ze and the others also stopped in their tracks.


    All around, everyone was dumbstruck: "..."


    Damn!


    Welcoming the city lord, my ass!


    They were clearly waiting for that young couple! S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 18 Sword Intent Seed

    "Is that Fang Qingzhu from the Fang Family? And the man beside her is their son-in-law, Xiao Yi?""Elder Yan was actually waiting for them?"


    Everyone felt their scalp tingle, finding it unbelievable.


    They had all thought Elder Yan was waiting for Sikong Nan, the lord of Nanhuang City. Even Sikong Nan himself believed so, as within Nanhuang City, the only one who could receive such warm enthusiasm from Elder Yan was none other than him.


    But now...


    Elder Yan had merely nodded at him.


    Instead, he showed such respect towards Xiao Yi.


    Sikong Nan stroked his chin, "The son-in-law of the Fang Family, Xiao Yi? Interesting!"


    When Zhang Ze saw Xiao Yi, his expression turned somewhat unsightly.


    He was a peerless genius who had attracted heavenly phenomena, yet Elder Yan had only casually complimented him, while he showed such respect toward Xiao Yi. "He''s just an insignificant son-in-law, what makes him worthy of such treatment?"


    Xiao Yi, unaware of their thoughts, looked helplessly at Elder Yan, "Didn''t I tell you to go in first?"


    He did not want to attract too much attention.


    Elder Yan chuckled and said in a low voice, "How could the disciple dare to take a seat before the teacher arrives?"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi helplessly shook his head.


    He had originally come with Elder Yan but couldn''t rest assured leaving Fang Qingzhu at home alone; he had made a special trip back to bring Fang Qingzhu with him.


    He had intended for Elder Yan to go in ahead of him, only to find that he was actually waiting here for him.


    "You walk in front!" Xiao Yi said.


    Given the level of respect Elder Yan had for him, he would surely not dare to walk ahead of him.


    But in doing so...


    The name of Xiao Yi would become famous throughout the vast Nanhuang City. Who else had the stature for Elder Yan to follow behind?


    Elder Yan also understood what Xiao Yi meant, and thus he led the way ahead, coming to Sikong Nan and Zhang Yong. He nodded toward Sikong Nan, then turned to look at Zhang Yong, "Zhang, it wouldn''t be a problem if I brought two extra people, would it?"


    "Of course not, it''s an honor for my Zhang family to have Xiao come," Zhang Yong replied continuously.


    He could not afford to disregard Xiao Yi''s face, let alone Elder Yan''s.


    Xiao Yi clasped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Zhang!"


    "Haha, please come inside, Xiao!" Zhang replied.


    Zhao Xian approached him, his demeanor respectful, "Xiao, my father is cultivating sword techniques in seclusion and cannot be present, so I am here to extend his regards to you."


    "Much appreciated!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and followed the crowd into the mansion.


    Sikong Nan watched the backs of Elder Yan and his group, stroking his chin.


    In the vast Nanhuang City, who didn''t flatter him with a few words upon meeting him?


    But Xiao Yi had dismissed him as if he were the air.


    He could tell this was not a pretense; in Xiao Yi''s heart, there was truly no fear of him, the first martial force of Nanhuang City. He was curious as he asked Zhang Yong, "Zhang, what is the relationship between that Xiao Yi and Elder Yan?"


    Zhang Yong replied, "That Xiao Yi has some talent for appraising treasures and helped Elder Yan identify a pair of heirlooms from a legendary scholar who could snatch lives with his writings, so Elder Yan holds him in high esteem."


    Zhang Ze scoffed dismissively and said, "Is he not just currying favor with Elder Yan through some clever tricks? In this world, one''s own strength is the foundation..."


    Sikong Nan simply smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Zhang Ze, but his interest in Xiao Yi grew, "If Elder Yan values him so much, surely it''s not something that can be done merely through clever tricks! The son-in-law of the Fang Family, Xiao Yi? Quite interesting indeed..."


    Zhang Yong said, "Lord of the city, the banquet is about to start, shall we also go in?"


    "Hmm!"


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    The banquet hosted by the Zhang family was no small affair.


    Yesterday''s birthday banquet for Fang Tianhao had just over thirty tables, but here they had laid out a full sixty tables, all seats taken.


    As the guests took their seats,


    Zhang Yong said with a smile, "Thank you all for gracing tonight''s banquet with your presence. To celebrate Xiao Ze''s attracting the attention of heaven and earth with his anomaly, I have specially prepared a weapon-spirit integration ceremony to add some joy to the occasion."


    A weapon-spirit integration ceremony?


    All present couldn''t help but suck in a breath of cold air, their faces full of shock.


    ```


    Elder Yan also raised his eyebrows, "An elemental weapon? Such boldness from Zhang!"


    Sikong Nan''s eyes shone brightly, "I didn''t expect that Zhang could obtain an elemental weapon. I wonder what grade it is?"


    Elemental weapons!


    Only by infusing them with elemental energy can these blades be activated. They are categorized into nine grades, each invaluable.


    Even a ninth-grade elemental weapon is worth hundreds of thousands of silver, and that''s with a price yet without a market.


    Watching the envy and astonishment on everyone''s faces, Zhang Yong''s heart swelled with pride. He feigned modesty and said, "With limited capability, what Zhang has acquired is but a second-grade elemental weapon!"


    A second-grade elemental weapon.


    Only a warrior in the Shentong Realm could fully unleash its power.


    Its value surpasses one million silver!


    Even Sikong Nan, as the lord of Nanhuang City who oversees the fortress, has but a second-grade elemental weapon for his battle weapon.


    Zhang Yong having prepared a second-grade elemental weapon for Zhang Ze really is a bold move!


    Zhang Yong smiled and said, "Please wait a moment, I will bring the elemental weapon here!"


    A moment later...


    As he was conversing with Elder Yan, Xiao Yi''s form trembled slightly. His heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and the thumping sound seemed to echo in his ears, as if something was drawing him in.


    His gaze instinctively followed.


    He saw Zhang Yong approaching with a black wooden box in his hands, its surface carved with dragons and phoenixes, adorned with dazzling patterns. Seeing everyone''s attention turning towards himself, Zhang Yong revealed a smug smile, "Ladies and gentlemen, please behold, this is the second-grade elemental weapon, the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword!"


    The wooden box''s lock snapped open and, as the lid was lifted, a longsword with a reddish body came into view of all present.


    The sharp blade seemed capable of slicing through anything.


    On the crimson body of the sword, auspicious clouds swirled around it, densely covering it, and within them a blood dragon seemed to be faintly outlined.


    This further lent the sword an additional touch of bone-chilling evil aura.


    Buzz!


    The moment Xiao Yi laid eyes on the longsword, his head buzzed, and the will that had merged with the entirety of the Sword Sage''s swordsmanship inheritance within him shook violently. In his mind, countless streams of sword light emerged, sword techniques flashing before his eyes.


    Eventually, it coalesced into an orb of Sword Qi. Inside the orb, there hung a blood-red divine sword in suspension.


    When Xiao Yi opened his eyes, Elder Yan who stood by his side shuddered in disbelief, staring at Xiao Yi.


    In just that brief moment...


    Elder Yan noticed that Xiao Yi seemed to stand even more upright, with a sharper aura surrounding him, resembling an unparalleled divine sword. Taking a deep breath, his eyes filled with shock, he said, "Is this... Sword Intent? No, this is merely the embryonic form of Sword Intent. Has Xiao cultivated a seed of Sword Intent?"


    Sword Intent.


    It''s a kind of martial concept.


    This is an extremely powerful force. Typically, only those in the Golden Core Realm and beyond are capable of comprehending martial concepts, but some unparalleled geniuses are able to grasp a portion of the martial concept''s power even in the Shentong Realm.


    This is a conceptual seed!


    Xiao Yi is but at the First Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm in terms of cultivation level and yet he has already comprehended a seed of Sword Intent �C it''s simply unbelievable!


    The piercing Sword Intent emanating from Xiao Yi was but a fleeting moment before it retreated into his body.


    Just as the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword was presented before everyone, the sharp Sword Qi emanating from the sword''s blade overshadowed the trace of Sword Intent coming from Xiao Yi, which went mostly unnoticed.


    "This feeling is fantastic!"


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, not showing much surprise.


    He had already received the Sword Sage''s swordsmanship heritage; now, by consolidating a Sword Intent seed under the stimulus of the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword''s Sword Qi, it was just a matter of due course.


    His strength was already not inferior to a practitioner at the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm, and with the addition of the Sword Intent seed...


    Even if he were to face off against an expert at the Sixth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm, he would be able to fight!


    "Coming to this banquet was indeed the right decision!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze rested on the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, feeling a subtle connection forming between him and the sword, as if with a mere thought, it would fly into his hand.


    Elder Yan beside him retrieved his gaze, looking towards Zhang Yong and his son with a peculiar expression, "The Zhang father and son are going to cry..."


    Meanwhile.


    Zhang Yong announced loudly, "I invite everyone to witness, my son Zhang Ze becoming the master of the elemental weapon!"


    ```

 Chapter 19 Swordsmanship Domination, the Elemental Weapon Acknowledges Its Master!

    Zhang Ze walked towards the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword and stood before the longsword, taking a deep breath, his emotions surging."I, Zhang Ze, am a peerless genius who has caused the heavens and the earth to manifest phenomena. Today, upon obtaining this Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, I will surely make its name known throughout the world!"


    Hum!


    Zhang Ze bit his fingertip and flicked a droplet of blood, which shot out and fell upon the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword.


    To claim a primeval weapon, one must drip one''s blood onto the blade.


    Fusing the primeval weapon with blood, then nurturing it with vital energy, is the only way to fully unleash the weapon''s might!


    However, the blood from Zhang Ze fell onto the edge of the sword and was not absorbed by the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword��it rolled off as if droplets of water on an oiled cloth, ''pit-a-pat'' falling to the ground, bursting open like a fresh red plum blossom.


    Zhang Ze''s expression stiffened, and the smile on Zhang Yong''s face disappeared!


    Failing to claim ownership... failed?


    A drop of cold sweat fell from Zhang Ze''s forehead; he refused to believe this evil omen and squeezed out another droplet of blood, yet it still did not merge with the longsword before him.


    Looking at the two gorgeous bloodstains on the ground, Zhang Ze was overwhelmed with frustration!


    Sikong Nan said solemnly, "Family Head Zhang, are you sure this primeval weapon has no owner?"


    Zhang Yong''s face was as gloomy as if he were mourning, "It surely is ownerless!"


    Sikong Nan frowned and said, "This is strange. If it is ownerless, then logically it shouldn''t be possible for the claiming to fail, unless..."


    "Unless what?" Zhang Ze hurriedly asked.


    Sikong Nan glanced at Zhang Ze and hesitated to speak.


    Elder Yan looked at Xiao Yi and said indifferently, "Unless, this primeval weapon has discovered someone present with a greater talent than you, someone more suited to be its owner!"


    "Impossible!"


    Zhang Ze''s eyes instantly turned bright red, and, disregarding his reverence for Elder Yan, he hysterically declared, "Who present has greater talent than I do? I am the unrivaled genius who has brought about the visions of the heavens and the earth. Does it refuse to acknowledge me? Would it rather recognize Chen Tao? Zhao Xian? Or Fang Qingzhu, this trash whose dantian is destroyed?"


    As soon as these words were uttered, the faces of Zhao Xian, Chen Tao, and the others immediately turned extremely ugly.


    A shadow of despair flashed in Fang Qingzhu''s eyes.


    Anybody present could possibly gain the recognition of the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, except her!


    Just as Zhang Ze said, she had lost her core, reduced to nothing but a cripple.


    How could the Crimson Flame Chasing Soul Sword possibly fancy her?


    But just at this moment...


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi abruptly stood up, his icy gaze landing on Zhang Ze, and his cold, hellish voice echoed out.


    "Apologize to Qingzhu!"


    "Apologize?"


    Zhang Ze was taken aback, the ferocity on his face not abating in the slightest, as he sneered, "Who do you think you are? You also dare to command me?"


    "Xiao Yi..." Fang Qingzhu looked anxious.


    Xiao Yi gave her a reassuring smile, then coldly stared at Zhang Ze, "Within three breaths, kneel and apologize to Qingzhu, and I''ll spare your life!"


    "Hahaha! Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, do you really think so highly of yourself? Spare my life?"


    Zhang Ze''s face twisted with thick mockery as he sneered repeatedly, "Did I say something wrong? Is Fang Qingzhu not a trash? I am the peerless genius who has brought about the phenomena of the heavens and the earth. If I call you all trash, then you are trash!"


    Zhao Xian''s face darkened, "Zhang Ze, even if you are a genius that can invoke the visions of the heavens and the earth, there''s no need to belittle us like this, right?"


    Chen Tao''s expression was also displeased, "Just because you can''t get the weapon to recognize you, do you have to step on us in the process?"


    "Hmph, If I can''t make the primeval weapon recognize me, you all are even less capable!"


    Zhang Ze''s contemptuous gaze swept over everyone, his face cold with mockery, "Don''t say I''m bullying you. If any of you can make this primeval weapon recognize you, I, Zhang Ze, will kneel and apologize in public. If not, then shut your mouths!"


    Chen Tao and the others exchanged looks, left speechless.


    Zhang Ze turned to Xiao Yi, his face full of disdain, "You want to stand up for Fang Qingzhu? Then you''d better have the ability to do so!"


    With that, Zhang Ze moved towards the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, his eyes filled with madness, "I refuse to believe that I can''t tame a mere primeval weapon!"


    Hum!


    Zhang Ze''s body trembled slightly, his vital energy surging with the intent to forcibly refine the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword!


    However, just as his hand was about to touch the Crimson Flame Chasing Wind Sword, the blood-colored longsword suddenly burst forth with a piercing buzz of Sword Qi, shattering the wooden box with a clang!


    The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword transformed into a streak of blood-red light and shot towards Xiao Yi!


    Clang!


    The edge of the sword plunged into the ground, the sword hilt buzzing and trembling!


    "What... what''s happening?"


    "Why has the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword run off to Xiao Yi?"


    Everyone was shocked!


    Elder Yan made a gulping sound, recalling Xiao Yi''s transformation from before, his face revealing a knowing look.


    Lord Sikong''s expression became contemplative, and after a moment his pupils suddenly narrowed, "Is the primeval weapon voluntarily recognizing its master? How is this possible? Only truly astounding and brilliant individuals can make a primeval weapon spontaneously acknowledge them. Xiao Yi, he..."


    "Could it be that Xiao Yi''s talent surpasses Zhang Ze''s?"


    "This is impossible! Zhang Ze is a genius capable of inciting visions in the heavens and earth!"


    Situ Kong''s words drove Zhang Ze to complete madness.


    His eyes were a blood-red, and he howled hysterically, "Impossible! I am the peerless genius who induces the visions of the heavens and the earth! If I can''t tame it, how could you, a worthless cur, manage it?"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi shook his head gently and reached out towards the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in mid-air.


    Hum!


    The longsword turned into a blood rainbow, swooshing into Xiao Yi''s palm in a flash, his hand clutching the blade as the sword thrummed, as if rejoicing.


    With the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in hand, the Sword Intent seed inside Xiao Yi''s body emitted blood-red light. The blood clouds on the sword edge blossomed as if coming alive, radiating dazzling red light.


    "It really recognized a master?"


    "Incredible! The elemental weapon actually abandoned an unparalleled genius and chose a worthless son-in-law as its master?"


    Shock filled the faces of the crowd.


    With a slight upturn of his mouth, Xiao Yi''s eyes were cool as he stared at Zhang Ze, "Three breaths have passed, if you don''t kneel and apologize to Qingzhu, I''ll take your life!"


    "I''ll kneel to your grandfather!"


    Zhang Ze roared angrily, as he unleashed the full power of his Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm.


    Shua!


    Zhang Ze''s longsword flew from his waist, the silver blade furiously stabbing towards Xiao Yi!


    With that slash, there were three swords! Three streams of silver Sword Qi howled forward!


    "Thunderous Triple Strike!"


    The sword was like a thunderbolt, one strike with the force of three!


    The keen Sword Qi skimmed the ground, cutting three vicious sword marks in it, sending sand and stones flying, showcasing its extraordinary power.


    Xiao Yi stood calmly, his sword in one hand, as he made a slashing motion forward.


    "Sweeping a Thousand Troops!" S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shua!


    A blood-colored Sword Qi fanned out in front of him.


    With the augmentation from the Sword Intent seed, the power of this sword increased by another thirty percent!


    Clang clang clang!


    In the midst of the cacophonous clashing of metal, the silver Sword Qi was completely shattered, while the blood-colored Sword Qi went ''pfft'' as it struck Zhang Ze directly in the chest!


    Wa!


    A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed out as Zhang Ze staggered to the ground, a bloody gash traversing his entire chest!


    Xiao Yi turned the tip of his sword, resting it on Zhang Ze''s throat!


    "Stop!"


    Zhang Yong hurriedly stepped forward, looking solemnly at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, let''s talk this over, please spare Zhang Ze!"


    After speaking, he quickly turned to Zhang Ze, "Apologize to Fang Qingzhu now!"


    A deep unwillingness emerged on Zhang Ze''s pale face, but under the threat of death, he had no choice!


    "Fang Qingzhu, I am sorry!"


    Those three words nearly made him bite his tongue in frustration!


    "Let him go," Fang Qingzhu sighed softly, speaking in a low voice.


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly, flung the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, its tip embedding in the ground, pulled up Fang Qingzhu, and turned to leave!


    Ching!


    The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword freed itself from the ground and chased after Xiao Yi, landing in front of him.


    Xiao Yi frowned.


    With envy on his face, Sikong Nan said, "Xiao Yi, this sword has chosen you!"


    With an aching heart yet aware that the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword could no longer be retained, Zhang Yong forced a smile, "Xiao, since this sword is fated to be with you, we shall gift it to you."


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows were tightly knitted.


    Elder Yan stepped forward, tossing a stack of silver notes to Zhang Yong, "Here are one million taels in silver notes. From this day on, the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword has nothing to do with your Zhang Family anymore!"


    "Thank you, Elder Yan!" Zhang Yong said repeatedly.


    Elder Yan stepped forward with a smile, respectfully saying, "Xiao, you can take the sword with you now!"


    "Fine, if you insist on following me, then come along!" Xiao Yi shook his head, the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword buzzing as if cheering, leaping up and landing in Xiao Yi''s hand.


    The group drifted away.


    Sikong Nan squinted his eyes and took his leave from Zhang Yong, "Lord Zhang, I have other matters to attend to, I shall take my leave first!"


    "Lord Sikong, you previously mentioned taking Xiao Ze as a disciple��" Zhang Yong said eagerly.


    Sikong Nan glanced at Zhang Ze and shook his head silently.


    "We''ll discuss this matter... another day!"


    Having said that, he followed after Xiao Yi.


    "It''s all over, we''re completely finished..."


    Zhang Yong and his son were utterly dejected.


    They had hoped to soar to the heavens with this opportunity, but instead, they were smashed down to the ground!


    The disparity between their expectations and reality was enough to drive one to despair!


    "Xiao Yi... Xiao Yi!" Zhang Ze''s eyes were bloodshot!


    In that moment, rage completely overwhelmed his reason!


    Meanwhile.


    At the gate of the neighboring compound of the Zhang Family.


    Elder Yan said respectfully, "Xiao, if there''s any news about the Purple-Patterned Blood Python, I will inform you immediately!"


    "Much appreciated!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, taking Fang Qingzhu back to the compound.


    Elder Yan, accompanied by Lin Bingxin, got into the carriage and drove off into the distance.


    They hadn''t noticed that Sikong Nan had observed all of this.


    His pupils contracted slightly as he looked at the two adjacent compounds, a terrifying speculation forming in his mind.


    "Could it be that the one who caused the heavenly phenomenon wasn''t Zhang Ze, but the despised second young master of the Xiao Family... Xiao Yi?"

 Chapter 20 Entering Nanhuang for the First Time

    Sikong Nan was startled by his own guess.But upon further thought...


    He grew more convinced that he was right, "That Zhang Ze''s talent can only be considered ordinary, and Xiao Yi''s ability to defeat Zhang Ze, who was at the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm, while being only at the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer, and to bond with the Yuan weapon by initiating such a celestial phenomenon, makes it ninety percent likely that he''s the true master!"


    With this thought in mind.


    Sikong Nan suddenly felt some sympathy for the Zhang family father and son.


    Not only had they lost face by hosting a banquet, but they had also lost a Yuan weapon.


    "No wonder Yan Mingli holds Xiao Yi in such high regard. If someone can cause a celestial phenomenon while just in the Qi Gathering Realm, such talent is definitely top-notch. This person must not be made an enemy; we have to befriend him!" Sikong Nan made up his mind.


    He had been stationed in Nanhuang City for over thirty years, but there had seldom been any battle achievements to speak of, which hindered his chances for promotion.


    If he could personally recommend a genius to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, that would be a great merit. Sikong Nan narrowed his eyes, "Fang Jin of the Fang Family wasn''t recommended by me; even if he joined the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I wouldn''t get any credit. I must find a way to recommend Xiao Yi to the academy. However, before that, I need to first strengthen the bond between us!"


    Meanwhile.


    The Zhang family estate was deserted.


    The father and son of the Zhang family gathered together, surrounded by chaos with dishes scattered, porcelain vases shattered, and decorative furniture smashed. S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Father, I swear I won''t rest until I''ve exacted revenge!" Zhang Ze''s eyes were bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth with hatred.


    Zhang Yong''s face was ferocious, but he still kept a trace of reason, "Revenge? Xiao Yi has a close relationship with Elder Yan, and if he finds out we''re targeting Xiao Yi, how will you withstand Elder Yan''s wrath? Can our Zhang family withstand the retaliation from Treasure Pavilion?"


    Zhang Ze said coldly, "As long as we leave no evidence behind!"


    "What''s your plan?" Zhang Yong furrowed his brow.


    His hatred for Xiao Yi was just as intense as Zhang Ze''s!


    Not to mention that day at the Fang Family, Xiao Yi had embarrassed him, a renowned collector, with a set of the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll, and just today at the Zhang Family, Xiao Yi had given Zhang Ze a heavy slap and walked away with the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword he had painstakingly acquired.


    This was bound to set the stage for a life-and-death feud between the Zhang Family and Xiao Yi.


    Zhang Ze''s eyes narrowed into a slit, a cold light flashing, "The enemy of my enemy is a friend... I''ve already sent someone to contact Fang Ao of the Fang Family and Lei Bao of the Black Tiger Gang. United, we can certainly dispose of Xiao Yi without anyone noticing!"


    "Make sure to leave no evidence!" Zhang Yong cautioned.


    Zhang Ze nodded decisively, his eyes filled with viciousness, "Xiao Yi, you care about Fang Qingzhu so much, don''t you? I won''t kill you right away; I''ll force myself on Fang Qingzhu right in front of you, then grind you both to dust. One''s ashes scattered into an abyss, the other thrown into raging rivers �C ensuring even in death you cannot be together, keke..."


    ......


    Inside the separate courtyard.


    Xiao Yi was practicing his cultivation. Two days had passed since the banquet at the Zhang family''s house.


    His cultivation had improved significantly, bringing him even closer to the Second Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm.


    "Brother Xiao Yi, Bing Xin is looking for you!" A gentle voice came from outside, belonging to Fang Qingzhu. Since that day at the Zhang family, their relationship had progressed by leaps and bounds.


    Although they hadn''t yet broached a certain topic, there had been a dramatic change in the way they addressed each other.


    "Bing Xin is looking for me?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, then his face lit up with joy, "Could it be that there''s news about the Purple-Patterned Blood Python?"


    The core of the Purple-Patterned Blood Python was the most suitable material to replace Fang Qingzhu''s dantian at the moment, and with Fang Jin''s return date approaching, Xiao Yi had no time to lose.


    "I''ll be right out!"


    Xiao Yi donned his clothes and, upon arriving in the hall and seeing Lin Bingxin, asked, "Has there been any news about the Purple-Patterned Blood Python?"


    Lin Bingxin nodded her head, "The teacher has issued a bounty. Someone just came to the Treasure Pavilion with a clue, claiming to have spotted traces of the Purple-Patterned Blood Python in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range. The teacher asked me to notify you immediately. He also told me to relay to you that he can deploy the Treasure Pavilion''s beast-hunting team to assist you!"


    "No need, I can handle this matter on my own."


    Xiao Yi shook his head in refusal. He didn''t like to be indebted to anyone. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "During my absence, I''ll need you to help me take care of Qingzhu!"


    "Don''t worry about that, I can move in and stay with Qingzhu right away!" Lin Bingxin said.


    She and Fang Qingzhu had long since been calling each other sisters and had become best friends.


    Fang Qingzhu, standing to the side, looked worried, "Brother Xiao Yi, what do you want with the Purple-Patterned Blood Python? That is a second-tier high-level mystical beast, with combat power comparable to the Peak of the Qi Gathering Realm. You..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "Don''t worry, I have my ways of dealing with that beast. Just wait obediently at home for me. When I return, I will give you a tremendous surprise!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s dantian had been destroyed, and only by using the technique of transplanting a beast core in place of her dantian could she resume her cultivation.


    Given Fang Qingzhu''s talent, once she could cultivate again, her strength would increase exponentially.


    This venture to the Southern Desolate was a must!


    That very night.


    Xiao Yi left Nanhuang City on his own.


    He didn''t realize that after his departure, a shadowy figure vanished from a dark corner in front of his residence.


    Black Tiger Gang.


    "Xiao Yi has gone to the Southern Desolate Mountain Range? Hahaha, truly, heaven is helping me. Send for Fang Ao, Fang Hao, and Zhang Ze right away... No, to avoid being discovered, have them meet at the Qingyan Tower!"


    Lei Bao, listening to the reports from his subordinates, showed an excited expression on his face as he looked at the person before him, "Inform Zhao Shi and the others to keep a close eye on Xiao Yi and report his movements at all times!"


    "Yes, Deputy Leader!"


    The shadowy figure disappeared from sight.


    Lei Bao''s face twisted with a grim expression, his fists tightened, and his eyes cold, "Xiao Yi, the Southern Desolate Mountain Range will be your burial ground!"


    ...


    The Southern Desolate Mountain Range is part of the vast primordial wilderness.


    It is named the Southern Desolate Mountain Range, also known as the Hundred Thousand Mountains, for it lies near the southern part of the boundless wilderness.


    In this place, mystical beasts are rampant, and the danger is unparalleled. It is known as a forbidden area for mankind. Yet, where there is misfortune, there may be blessings hiding, and amidst the perilous Southern Desolate Mountains, countless opportunities and treasures are concealed.


    Take, for example, Sikong Nan, the lord of Nanhuang City. He was once just an ordinary soldier in the city''s defense force.


    It was precisely in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range that he stumbled upon a Spirit Fruit. After consuming it, his cultivation advanced greatly, and now he has become the top master of Nanhuang City.


    For precisely this reason...


    Apart from the warriors of the five cities of Nanhuang, many strong individuals from various places in the Tianqing Kingdom also enter the Southern Desolate Mountain Range for trials and training.


    In a forest clearing, an orange-red bonfire blazed fiercely. A thigh of a mystical beast was placed over the fire, roasting to a golden brown with sizzling droplets of fat, tempting one''s appetite. Sitting in front of the bonfire, Xiao Yi was cross-legged, attuning himself to nature.


    Suddenly.


    An arrow shot silently from the underbrush towards him...

 Chapter 21 You, Are Not Qualified!

    Whoosh!Under the cloak of night.


    A silvery streak of an arrow tore through the dark, hissing as it cut through the air, heading straight for Xiao Yi.


    "Not good!"


    Xiao Yi''s complexion changed drastically as he instinctively tumbled and rolled to the side.


    Thud!


    The cold arrow struck precisely where he had been.


    The fletching at the end of the arrow vibrated with a buzzing sound.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze hardened as he turned towards the direction the arrow had come from, only to hear a voice tinged with regret, "He actually dodged? What a pity, such a good opportunity missed. Otherwise, I could have presented your head to the young gang leader before he even reached the Southern Desolate Mountain Range!"


    "The young gang leader?"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze sharpened; the only person he knew who was called that was Lei Bao.


    Xiao Yi squinted at the figure emerging from the bushes, "Did Lei Bao send you?"


    The man approaching was burly like a bear, holding a large horn bow, eyes furious as if made of bronze bells, filled with a bloodthirsty glint.


    This was Zhao Shi of the Black Tiger Gang, known for his Lion Head Hammers slung on his back. He removed the hammers and clanged them together, producing a dull thud. Zhao Shi sneered, "That''s right, the young gang leader ordered me to watch you. But the chance just now was too good to miss, I couldn''t help myself. Too bad you dodged it!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and advanced with his sword drawn, "Kill me? You''re not qualified!"


    "Qualified or not, my Lion Head Hammers will let you know!"


    As Zhao Shi sneered, his figure charged like a wild buffalo, making a thunderous noise as he stampeded forward.


    Xiao Yi leaped up.


    Had it been before, he might not have been a match for Zhao Shi, but now, having made another breakthrough in his cultivation, his combat prowess was incomparable to the past. With a flick of his wrist, the longsword landed in his palm as he thrust forward.


    With a tricky angle, he narrowly avoided Zhao Shi''s attack and, with two pff sounds, cut Zhao Shi''s tendons.


    Thud, thud!


    The two iron hammers fell to the ground with a crash as Zhao Shi howled in pain, looking at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "How can you be so powerful?"


    According to the intelligence he had, Xiao Yi should have been no match for him!


    But now...


    He had no power to fight back in front of Xiao Yi.


    "Damn it, I must hurry back and tell the young gang leader that Xiao Yi is much more powerful than we imagined..."


    Zhao Shi''s eyes flickered with venomous intent, and he turned to sprint into the dense forest behind.


    "Since you''re here, don''t even think about leaving!" Xiao Yi pursued with sword in hand.


    However...


    He had just rushed into the forest when Zhao Shi''s venomous voice echoed, "Hahaha, you fell for it! Brothers, chop him to pieces for me!"


    Within the dense forest.


    Xiao Yi was about to catch up with Zhao Shi when four figures burst forth, one with a malevolent expression on his face. A palm strike that had been looming suddenly came down, its ferocious force not holding back in the slightest.


    Even though the attack hadn''t reached him yet, the palm wind caused Xiao Yi''s robes to flutter and his face to contort.


    "Scatter!"


    Xiao Yi swiftly raised his sword, slicing open a gash along Zhao Shi''s back, and turned Zhao Shi into a severely struggling heap. At the same time, his sword swept through the air and with a pfft, severed the palm of the ambusher.


    "Ow... my hand, big brother, he actually cut off my hand, quick, get revenge for me!"


    The ambusher clutched his severed palm, his face sheet white.


    He looked up just in time to see Xiao Yi''s foot come crashing down, and with a bang, the man''s head was smashed into his chest cavity.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze turned to the remaining three men.


    Zhao Shi, struggling to his feet, glared at Xiao Yi with resentful eyes and roared, "Zhao Jin, what are you standing there for? Kill him quickly..."


    "I have my own judgment��"


    Zhao Jin''s face was ice cold, his eyes gradually solidifying with killing intent. In a deep voice, he said, "Old Two, Old Three, let''s go together. Kill him!"


    Zhao Jin led the charge, with Zhao Mu and Zhao Shui close behind.


    All three men were formidable in their own right.


    Zhao Mu and Zhao Shui were both at the Third Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, while Zhao Jin was the strongest, reaching the peak of the Fourth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm. Together, even a master at the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm would not be without the power to fight them.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, holding a blood-dripped twig, and took the initiative to meet the attack: "Sweeping a Thousand Troops!"


    The twig swept out.


    The blood smeared on the twig sprinkled forward, and with a ''plop,'' a drop of blood landed on Zhao Mu''s eye, causing him to reflexively close it. When he opened his eyes again, Xiao Yi had already brushed past him.


    Zhao Mu turned around, only to find that his body could not move, while only his head plummeted towards the ground.


    Thud!


    As the head hit the ground.


    Xiao Yi pointed the twig forward with a crisp ''clang,'' deflecting the long spear swung by Zhao Shui. With a surge forward, the twig stabbed into Zhao Shui''s chest, piercing through his back.


    "Zhao Mu, Zhao Shui..."


    Zhao Jin''s eyes were about to split, and in the blink of an eye, Xiao Yi had slain two men, completely intimidating him.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s icy gaze fixed on him, Zhao Jin felt an icy chill over his entire body, his face filled with panic, and he no longer dared to linger, running crazily behind him.


    Xiao Yi relentlessly pursued.


    "Damn it, how can this kid, a mere beginner of the Qi Gathering Realm, be so powerful? No good, I can''t escape..." Zhao Jin''s complexion abruptly changed, realizing that Xiao Yi''s offensive was swiftly approaching him, he steeled his heart.


    He grabbed Zhao Huo next to him and threw him behind him.


    Thud!


    Zhao Huo''s body lined up with the twig in Xiao Yi''s hand, piercing through his body, adding one more cold corpse. Zhao Jin did not dare to linger any longer, pulled out a horn bow, and fired several arrows at Xiao Yi, then turned and fled.


    "Where do you think you''re running to?"


    Xiao Yi''s cold voice rang out behind him, sending chills all over Zhao Jin and making his scalp tingle.


    Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword!


    "Chasing Stars and Moons!"


    Xiao Yi held the arrow with one hand, his sword speed reaching its limits, each thrust breaking an arrow. He bloodily carved a path through the rain of arrows, a cold light flitted across his eyes: "Soul Chaser, Life Snatcher!"


    Whoosh!


    His figure left a trail of afterimages, and when they re-converged, he had already appeared in front of Zhao Jin.


    With a ''thrust,'' the sword pierced through Zhao Jin''s throat.


    With a flick.


    Zhao Jin''s head was split into two.


    In just a few breaths.


    Only Zhao Shi, barely clinging to life, remained. He was covered in blood, his legs gave out, and he knelt on the ground trembling.


    He never imagined that Xiao Yi would be so terrifying, slaughtering his five-man team in the blink of an eye. His lips quivered, "Don''t, don''t kill me, I was only following orders, please..."


    Thud! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi swung his longsword, severing his right hand.


    "Don''t kill me..."


    Zhao Shi, enduring the severe pain, shakily handed over a sheepskin map, "I, I have a map on me, which marks the location of an ancient tomb, as long as you let me go, I''m willing to give you the map..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Killing you, the map is still mine!"


    "No, you can''t kill me, I am from the Black Tiger Gang..."


    Zhao Tianbao''s face filled with terror, screaming hysterically, but Xiao Yi couldn''t be bothered to listen to him speak any longer, raising the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in the air.


    Thud!


    The bloodied blade of the sword pierced Zhao Shi''s head, cleaving it in two.


    In an instant.


    All five experts from the Black Tiger Gang dispatched to surveil Xiao Yi were slain.


    Xiao Yi picked the sheepskin map with his sword, then rummaged for spoils of war, amassing a total of fifty-three thousand taels of silver, most notably obtaining twenty Qi Gathering Elixirs from Zhao Shi.


    "So it''s the tomb of a Shentong Realm expert? It happens to be where the Purple-Patterned Blood Pythons roam, worth a look. But..."


    He looked down at the map in his hand, "According to Zhao Shi, Lei Bao and the others are also on their way to the Southern Desolate Mountain Range, I should leave this place first. I''ll find a secluded area to refine these elixirs and enhance my cultivation. Once Lei Bao and the rest arrive, I''ll make sure they don''t leave!"

 Chapter 22 Breakthrough Again!

    Xiao Yi hadn''t been gone for long.In the dense woods, dozens of figures swiftly moved through, and shortly after, they settled at the site where Zhao Shi and his men met their end.


    "Young Master, Zhao Shi and his team have been completely annihilated..."


    Observing the bodies strewn across the ground, the newcomer made a thorough inspection of the corpses and said in a grave voice, "Judging by their wounds, it looks very much like the work of the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword..."


    "Zhang Xiong, are you certain it was the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword?" Lei Bao narrowed his eyes and asked.


    The man before them, dressed in black with a fierce scar on his face, was Zhang Xiong, the leader of the Zhang Family Hunting Team, at the peak of the Eighth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    And having battled demonic beasts in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range for years, his combat prowess was comparable to that of an ordinary Ninth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm fighter.


    Fang Ao''s eyes blazed with a fierce light, "Zhang Ze''s Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword is in the hands of Xiao Yi; it seems that these men were all killed by him."


    Zhang Xiong nodded, focusing on the corpse of Zhao Shi, "Zhao Shi and Zhao Jin, the five of them combined were quite strong. Even I would have to expend some effort to deal with them. If Xiao Yi were able to kill them, and given the battle traces here, he was in absolute dominance over the five men, crushing them all the way through. Based on my estimate, his cultivation must be at least no weaker than the Sixth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm!"


    "What? The Sixth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm?" Fang Ao was utterly bewildered.


    Lei Bao''s face was also filled with shock, "The first time I saw him, he was only at the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. How much time has passed? And now he''s already comparable to the Sixth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm?"


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp.


    Since Xiao Yi had arrived in Nanhuang City, only a month had passed, yet he had grown from being completely devoid of cultivation to a powerhouse on par with the Sixth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    Such a rate of cultivation was indeed terrifying.


    Lei Bao''s face was gloomy, "We absolutely cannot let this child remain; if we allow him to continue growing, I''m afraid we will all have to look up to him in the future!"


    "We must find him immediately..." Fang Ao said.


    Zhang Xiong uttered a grunt of agreement, his eyes cold and filled with ferocity and madness, "Rest assured, I''ve brought the best of the hunting team. They''ll soon find Xiao Yi''s whereabouts. However, this forest makes it easy to hide one''s presence; we must not fail. Shadow, come out..."


    A dark figure emerged from the crowd, "Captain, rest assured, I know what to do!"


    ...


    Atop a towering great tree with dense foliage.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged, with his palms facing upwards, his eyes tightly shut, the aura around his body undulating and fluctuating.


    Streams of heaven and earth essence were absorbed into his body, and, with the rotation of his mysterious skill, amplified his own cultivation.


    Over these past two days...


    He had been refining the twenty Qi Gathering Elixirs he had plundered from Zhao Shi, and now, his cultivation had risen two levels, reaching the Third Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    With a whoosh!


    He exhaled a long breath of turbid air. Xiao Yi channeled the gathered essential aura into the God Sealing Seed within him, activating the God Sealing Seed continuously.


    The twenty Qi Gathering Elixirs and the essential aura of the Third Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm activated a total of forty God Sealing Seeds, bringing the total number of activated God Sealing Seeds he possessed up to eighty. With the feedback of power from the God Sealing Seeds, Xiao Yi was surrounded by a luminescent glow.


    With his current strength, paired with the Sword Intent seedling and the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, he was capable of defeating a fighter at the Eighth Layer Peak.


    Xiao Yi entered the Eternal Tomb immediately, but even after awakening eighty God Sealing Seeds, he was still unable to find a new target to seal.


    "It seems my strength is still not strong enough," Xiao Yi helplessly left the Eternal Tomb, "With my current strength, I can barely handle the Ninth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm, but that Purple-Patterned Blood Python is comparable to the Peak of the Gathering Qi Realm. I should head to the tomb of the Shentong Realm expert that Zhao Shi mentioned!"


    Following the map, Xiao Yi continued on his way.


    Since entering the Southern Desolate Mountain Range, three days and nights had passed.


    His cultivation had progressed from the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer to the Third Layer, and this was indeed key to the twenty Qi Gathering Elixirs contributed by Zhao Shi; otherwise, such rapid advancement would have been impossible.


    As he moved on, just as he was about to arrive at the ancient tomb indicated on the map, suddenly, a cry for help echoed from the bushes ahead, "Help, save me..."


    Xiao Yi was momentarily stunned.


    A disheveled and beautiful woman, looking desperate, was fleeing. Three fierce-looking young men were relentlessly chasing after her. The woman''s eyes lit up when she saw Xiao Yi, and she quickened her pace.


    She ran up to Xiao Yi and hid behind him, looking pitiful, "Young Master, save me..."


    The three young men followed closely, growling viciously, "Kid, don''t meddle in other people''s business!"


    "If you know what''s good for you, get lost, or else we''ll deal with you too!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and looked at the three young men, "Scram!"


    "You''ve got a death wish, kid!" one of them bellowed. Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Brothers, kill him!"


    As the three of them exuded killing intent, Xiao Yi snorted coldly and quickly stepped forward, "Eight Extremes Collapse!"


    "Eight Extremes Lean!"


    "Eight Extremes Swing!"


    With a punch, a shove, and a swing, all three men were down on the ground, unable to move. The "Eight Extremes Fist" was a martial art known throughout the Blue Star Realm for its lethal potency.


    "Thank you, kind sir, for saving my life. I have nothing to return the favor, but here is a treasure for you," the woman said gratefully, standing in front of Xiao Yi. She bowed deeply, but as she rose, the gratitude and smile on her face were gone, replaced by a sly, chilling smirk, "Die!"


    Swish!


    A white powder flew from her hands.


    As the white powder landed on Xiao Yi, his body trembled, rendered immobile. The woman laughed heartily, "Xiao Yi, bet you didn''t see this coming, did you? With my Muscle-locking Powder, you''ll be paralyzed for the next half hour, completely at my mercy!"


    "Who are you? Why are you trying to harm me?" Xiao Yi''s brows knitted tightly.


    The woman sneered, "I''m a shadow from the Zhang Family Hunting Team, sent by the young gang leader to kill you!"


    "And us too!"


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, even you have met your doom?"


    Amidst the deranged laughter, the figures of Zhang Xiong, Fang Ao, and Lei Bao appeared one after another. Both the Zhang Family Hunting Team and the Black Tiger Gang''s members, over thirty people in total, emerged and encircled him completely.


    "So it was you��" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Fang Ao and the others.


    "Didn''t expect that, huh? Thought you could rely on Elder Yan? If you''re so capable, call him now, hahaha..." Full of pride, Fang Ao was eager to step forward but still glanced at Zhang Xiong, "He can''t move, right?"


    Zhang Xiong nodded, "He''s hit with Muscle-locking Powder. He won''t be able to move for half an hour!"


    "Hehe, half an hour, eh? That''s more than enough!"


    Fang Ao approached Xiao Yi with a vicious smile, "Xiao Yi, didn''t you look down on me? Weren''t you too disdainful to kill me, saying you''d wait for my brother to come back so I could watch how you''d kill him? Now tell me, who is killing whom?"


    He pulled out a dagger and waved it in front of Xiao Yi, "So, should I stab this knife into your heart or should I slice open your throat and watch your blood slowly drain? Oh right, weren''t you saying I shouldn''t touch Fang Qingzhu? How about I castrate you, take your head, and then ravish Fang Qingzhu right in front of you? How does that sound?"


    "Dare to touch a single hair on Qingzhu''s head, and I will decimate your entire clan!" Xiao Yi glared, his eyes narrowing.


    "Aiyo, you''re about to die and you still threaten me? Go reunite with Fang Qingzhu in hell!"


    With a vicious laugh, Fang Ao swung his dagger toward Xiao Yi''s vitals...

 Chapter 23 Astonishing Sword

    ```Whoosh!


    The dagger, flashing with a chilling cold light, slashed toward Xiao Yi''s vitals.


    However...


    The dagger abruptly halted, unable to advance even half an inch further.


    A ferocious grimace froze on Fang Ao''s face, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief as he stared at his own wrist. It was being tightly gripped by a hand, and the terrifying force emanating from that hand had completely deformed his wrist.


    Agonizing pain shot through him instantly; the dagger fell from his grasp: "Aoooow... my hand..."


    Xiao Yi snatched up the dagger and, amidst Fang Ao''s screams, brought it down towards his groin.


    Splurt!


    A fountain of blood sprayed wildly, immediately turning the area beneath Fang Ao into a crimson swamp, as a piece the size of a pinky finger fell into the pool of blood. Fang Ao screamed in agony, while Xiao Yi remained expressionless, first slicing open his throat.


    Letting the fresh blood spurt freely.


    And then driving the dagger deep into Fang Ao''s heart.


    Thud! Thud!


    Fang Ao lay twitching in the blood pool until he bled out and died. Until his last moment, his eyes were wide open, filled with disbelief, unable to comprehend how a poisoned Xiao Yi could still move.


    After killing Fang Ao, Xiao Yi''s gaze slightly lifted to rest on Lei Bao, Zhang Xiong, and others who all wore expressions of horror.


    Zhang Ying said in disbelief, "You were clearly poisoned by my Muscle-locking Powder, how could you..."


    "Muscle-locking Powder? Are you talking about this?"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile and tossed his hand aside, scattering a cloud of white powder.


    "Damn, that''s Muscle-locking Powder..."


    "Get out of the way, don''t let it touch you..."


    Zhang Xiong''s face changed drastically as he pushed Lei Bao away and quickly retreated.


    But Xiao Yi was faster!


    As soon as the Muscle-locking Powder spread in the air, the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword was already in his hand, striking down the hunting team members and Black Tiger Gang one by one with his sword. These formidable opponents, caught off guard and paralyzed by the Muscle-locking Powder, stood helpless like wooden targets for Xiao Yi to slay.


    More than thirty people, in a blink of an eye, only six remained.


    Xiao Yi, wielding the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword and bathed in blood, emanated evil Qi that pierced the heavens, while his Sword Intent seed turned even redder amidst the slaughter. What he comprehended was the Slaughter Sword Intent, a martial arts mentality focused on warfare and killing.


    Gurgle!


    Lei Bao shivered all over, his face completely drained of color.


    Watching Xiao Yi drenched in blood, this image had become a nightmare for him. Unless he could kill Xiao Yi, he would never be able to step out of the shadow for the rest of his life.


    Zhang Xiong''s expression was grim, and his face twisted into a ferocious scowl.


    He had brought along eighteen of the best from the Zhang Family Hunting Team, almost more than half of their fighting force, and now there were only him, Zhang Ying, and three other Qi Gathering Realm Third Layer experts left. The rest were all dead.


    This was a colossal blow to the Zhang Family!


    Zhang Ying''s eyes were bloodshot: "Why? You were clearly hit by my Muscle-locking Powder, so why weren''t you affected at all?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged nonchalantly and casually said, "I had suspected you were up to no good from the moment I saw you and was on guard against you. When you used the Muscle-locking Powder, I sealed off my senses and even collected some of the powder. I should thank you, otherwise, with so many of you, it wouldn''t have been so easy to deal with!"


    "You, you..."


    Zhang Ying was so furious that blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, her face turning even paler.


    Just a moment ago, she was gloating, thinking that she had trapped Xiao Yi.


    But...


    She had been played by Xiao Yi all along.


    Zhang Xiong said coldly, "Xiao Yi, I must admit that we all underestimated you, no... it should be said that everyone has underestimated you. The Xiao Family''s true dragon isn''t just Xiao Tianjiaao; you too are a true dragon..."


    Xiao Yi calmly looked at him.


    Zhang Xiong continued, "However, it''s a pity that the biggest difference between you and Xiao Tianjiaao is that he is a true dragon soaring across the heavens, whereas you are still struggling in the mire, trying to cross the dragon gate. It''s just too bad that you will never have the chance to cross it in this lifetime because today, within this Southern Desolate Mountain Range, you will meet your death!"


    No sooner had the words left his mouth.


    Zhang Xiong led the charge, with Lei Bao and the others close behind.


    All with faces full of savage ferocity.


    Zhang Xiong wielded a pair of gauntlets as his weapon: black as night, forged from tungsten iron, and covered with spikes, they were high-grade primary weapons. Black light swirled around the gauntlets, seemingly capable of devouring all light, and when he threw a punch, it formed a black canopy in the air.


    Lei Bao''s eyes brimmed with ferocity and hatred, holding a long spear like a venomous snake lying in wait, ready to strike at any moment.


    Zhang Ying and the other three hunters spread out to all sides, preventing Xiao Yi''s escape.


    They had absolute faith in Zhang Xiong''s strength, confident he could kill Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi faced the black canopy head-on and swept the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in front of him: "Sweeping a Thousand Armies!"


    Tear!


    A slash of crimson sword light tore the black boxing shadows into two halves.


    And within the splits of the shadowy fists, a black iron fist tore through the air. Instinctively, Xiao Yi raised the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword horizontally across his chest. The black iron fist, with a roaring impact, struck the blade and sent Xiao Yi flying.


    ```


    Lei Bao seized the opportunity, a trace of madness flicking across his eyes, "Die!"


    Whoosh!


    The long spear, like a venomous snake discovering its prey in ambush, thrust fiercely towards Xiao Yi''s back.


    "Idiot, get out of the way!" Zhang Xiong''s face changed dramatically as he bellowed.


    "Huh?"


    Lei Bao froze, the ferocity on his face disappearing.


    In midair, Xiao Yi grabbed the spearhead, rolled with momentum, and clung to the spear shaft, circling to Lei Bao''s back. As they brushed past each other, Xiao Yi''s sword edge swiftly slashed across Lei Bao''s throat.


    The moment he landed.


    Xiao Yi kicked out, sending Lei Bao''s body and head flying toward Zhang Xiong.


    Boom! Boom!


    Zhang Xiong threw two consecutive punches, shattering both the head and body, but when the blood mist cleared, he had lost sight of Xiao Yi. Suddenly, three screams came from behind him; Xiao Yi had somehow made his way to his back, directly slaughtering the other three members of the hunting team. S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of the thirty-strong group, only Zhang Xiong and Zhang Ying remained.


    "Zhang Ying, be careful!"


    Zhang Xiong''s eyes bulged with rage as he watched Zhang Ying, unable to dodge Xiao Yi''s cold sword edge, and bellowed furiously, "Xiao Yi, if you dare to hurt him, I will exterminate your entire clan!"


    Thud!


    Xiao Yi''s cold sword edge pierced Zhang Ying''s chest. With a twist of his wrist, the sword spun like a drill, gruesomely boring a bloody, gaping hole straight through Zhang Ying''s torso.


    Xiao Yi turned to look at the enraged Zhang Xiong, his face smeared with blood, and cracked a smile, "The Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty is always ready for you to try and exterminate them!"


    "I..."


    Zhang Xiong''s face stiffened. The Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty? Exterminate them, my ass!


    Let alone him, even the entire Zhang Family wasn''t enough to fill the gaps between their teeth!


    Zhang Xiong, looking at the corpses strewn all over the ground, realized that this venture had been a disastrous loss. The only way to justify himself was to return with Xiao Yi''s head: "Xiao Yi, I will grind your bones to dust!"


    "Thousand Leaves Demon-Subduing Hand!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Zhang Xiong''s fists pounded like pounding garlic, each strike conjuring dozens of fist shadows that coalesced into thousands, forming a dark steel torrent that swept toward him.


    "Grind my bones to dust? You''re not worthy yet!"


    Xiao Yi sneered coldly, as all eighty of his God Sealing Seeds burst forth simultaneously, fully activating the power of the God Sealing Seed. The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in his hand hummed, and the power of the Sword Intent seed made the sword light more concentrated. With a low roar, "Life from Despair!"


    This was the fourth stance of the Soul-chasing Life-taking Sword, Life from Despair!


    It condensed all of his internal energy in the sword edge, producing the most powerful strike, three times stronger than normal.


    Moreover...


    The energy within Xiao Yi was the power of God Sealing, and with the boost of the Sword Intent seed, this strike was ten times more powerful than his peak!


    Boom!


    The sword light was astonishing.


    It was like a beam of light piercing the horizon, tearing through the thousands of fist shadows, as if it could split the heavens and the earth.


    Zhang Xiong''s face changed drastically, raising his fists to block in front of him: "Absolute Defense!"


    Thump!


    This strike smashed through his pair of top-grade elemental fist guards, sending Zhang Xiong flying out, spewing blood. His hands trembled, his eyes filled with fear, "I almost got killed, can this really be the strength of someone in the Qi Gathering Realm Third Layer? This person... must not be allowed to live..."


    His eyes bore into Xiao Yi with a ruthless gaze.


    Xiao Yi''s heart skipped a beat, "Damn, I didn''t kill him?"


    Using that most powerful strike had almost drained all the energy from his body.


    Seeing Zhang Xiong chasing with a vicious face, Xiao Yi gathered his spirits and fled at full speed.


    During the chase, they had covered dozens of kilometers.


    Woooo...


    Amidst the howling cold wind, a dark cliff appeared ahead, thousands of meters high, its bottom invisible at a glance. A golden eagle soared through the canyon, the roaring wind whistling eerily.


    "Hahaha, keep running, will you? I want to see where else you can run to!" Zhang Xiong laughed viciously, following closely.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, retreating, inadvertently knocking a few pebbles down the cliff, unable to hear even the sound of their fall!


    Zhang Xiong said grimly, "Xiao Yi, you''ve got nowhere to run now, surrender quietly!"


    Xiao Yi''s expression was as still as water. In his current state, he stood no chance against Zhang Xiong. As for escaping? Ahead was an abyss thousands of feet deep, wait a minute...


    An image of a piece of parchment sprung to Xiao Yi''s mind, and suddenly, with a corner of his mouth lifted, he turned back with an expression of cold determination, "Once I return to Nanhuang, that will be the day your Zhang Family is annihilated!"


    Whoosh!


    He leapt into the abyss.


    Zhang Xiong rushed forward, but Xiao Yi''s figure was already gone. Frowning and snorting coldly, he muttered, "This cliff has walls sharp as swords on both sides, thousands of meters deep; falling means certain death. At last, the menace is gone..."

 Chapter 24 Iron Blade King

    The abyssal valley floor.A cold lake with rippling turquoise waves lay before him, the water ice-cold, with a chilling mist rising from it.


    Splash!


    Suddenly, the surface of the water exploded with white foam as a figure shot out, struggling to swim to the edge and lying down shivering and gasping for breath, spitting out mouthfuls of blood.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled into a smile of relief at having narrowly escaped death, "Thank goodness Zhao Shi''s map didn''t lie to me, otherwise I would''ve been smashed to pieces this time!"


    Faced with Zhang Xiong''s relentless pressure, Xiao Yi had remembered that ancient tomb marked on Zhao Shi''s map was deep within the cold lake at the base of the cliff!


    The cold lake was vast, covering two-thirds of the base of the cliff, which was why he had decisively chosen to jump off.


    Of course, even with the cold lake below, plummeting from a cliff thousands of meters high was a sure path to death.


    Before hitting the water, Xiao Yi had exerted all his strength to propel the Eight Extremes Fist, repeatedly striking downward to slow his fall with the resistance of the air currents.


    Still, his body now felt as if it had fallen apart.


    Whoosh!


    Whisk!


    Mustering his spirit to sit up, Xiao Yi started to run the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill. Eighty God Sealing Seeds bloomed with dazzling light, their radiance enveloping his body, voraciously consuming the natural essence of heaven and earth around him.


    The foggy mist rising from the cold lake was drawn towards him, enveloping his body.


    Mist swirled around him.


    In the distance, the valley was whipped by gusts of wind that howled incessantly.


    It took a whole day and night for the mist around Xiao Yi to dissipate, and his complexion regained some of its color.


    "Thankfully, it was only some minor internal injuries that did not affect my core. Now that I have recovered seventy percent of my strength, I''m curious to see what treasures lie in the tomb of this Divine Skills Realm expert!"


    As Xiao Yi got up, his body cracked and popped, and he plunged back into the cold lake.


    He followed the current down.


    At the bottom of the cold lake was a dark passageway. After swimming through it for over a thousand meters, Xiao Yi burst forth from the underwater channel.


    The view ahead suddenly opened up!


    This was a cavern filled with signs of human workmanship, its smooth, even walls appearing as though they were carved by an extremely sharp instrument in a single stroke.


    "The entire cave seems like a natural formation without any signs of secondary excavation. Could it be that someone hollowed out the mountain belly in one go, creating such a massive cave?"


    Xiao Yi found his own thought somewhat crazy.


    This was a rocky mountain. To carve out such a huge cave in one go would require an incredibly powerful being.


    His gaze swept the interior of the cave, and in the very center, there was a stone house.


    The stones on the stone house were covered in signs of age, with dark webs of spider silk indicating it had long been abandoned.


    Creak!


    He pushed open the dust-covered door, stirring up the dust enough to make Xiao Yi frown.


    The house was pitch black, yet Xiao Yi''s eyes were immediately drawn to a figure on the bed.


    It was a skeleton, dark yellow in color, sitting cross-legged on the bed.


    In its lower abdomen, a walnut-sized Golden Core floated serenely, radiating a brilliant golden glow.


    Xiao Yi inhaled sharply, "A Golden Core Realm expert?"


    Above Divine Skills is the Golden Core.


    Golden Core Realm experts are distinguished from ordinary flesh by not only their lifespan, which extends to two hundred years, but also because the bones of a Golden Core Realm expert turn to a bronze color, indestructible and eternal, hence the Golden Core Realm is also known as the Golden Body Realm.


    "I thought it was a Divine Skills Realm powerhouse, but it turned out to be from the Golden Core Realm..." Xiao Yi took a deep breath to calm his excitement.


    If it were merely the remains of a Golden Core Realm expert, it wouldn''t have made him lose his composure like this.


    But there was a complete Golden Core!


    The life''s cultivation of a Golden Core Realm expert was all contained within the Golden Core, where infinite energy was nurtured.


    What was Xiao Yi''s "Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill" most lacking?


    It was energy!


    "This Golden Core, if I could completely refine it, it might not be enough to get me into the Golden Core Realm, but it would definitely be sufficient for breaking through to the Shentong Realm!"


    Xiao Yi was ecstatic as he walked up to the remains of the Golden Core Realm expert, knelt down, and bowed his head: "Senior, this junior has offended you!"


    Crack!


    The moment the Golden Core was retrieved, the golden skeleton collapsed to the ground with a crash!


    From its finger bones, a dark red storage ring fell to the ground. S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A storage ring.


    Xiao Yi let his blood to claim it as his master.


    Inside the ring, there were only a few tens of thousands of pieces of silver, aside from that was a secret tome named "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill," a golden token, and a letter.


    "Lucky junior, by the time you read this letter, I may have already perished. In an effort to break through to the Golden Core Realm, I spent all my savings, but just as I was about to succeed, I was betrayed by a close friend and, with grave injuries, hid here. The only thing I can''t stop worrying about is my daughter, still in swaddling clothes..."


    "I am Hu Yi, known as the Iron Blade King of Tianqing Kingdom; I only ask that you send my Clan Settling Skill ''Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill'' and the king''s token to the Iron Blade King''s estate for my daughter. Tell her that the person who killed me was none other than the Comrade King, Xu Shiheng. This Golden Core of mine shall serve as your reward... I am eternally grateful..."


    Xiao Yi was not from Tianqing Kingdom and had no idea who the Iron Blade King was.


    But to be bestowed a kingship in a kingdom and possess Golden Elixir Realm Cultivation, this Hu Yi was definitely no ordinary man!


    Xiao Yi pocketed the storage ring and solemnly said, "Senior, rest assured, I will deliver your belongings to the Iron Blade King''s estate!"


    Having said that, Xiao Yi dug a grave for him in the cave the skeleton was in, buried the remains, and erected a gravestone.


    The tomb of Hu Yi, the Iron Blade King of Tianqing Kingdom!


    After completing all this, Xiao Yi sat cross-legged inside the stone hut and began to refine the Golden Core on the spot.


    "With the energy of this Golden Core, just refining one-tenth of it would allow me to reach the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm. However, the Zhang Family has sent people to assassinate me, and I fear their next target will be Qingzhu. I must leave the Southern Desolate Mountain Range within ten days!"


    Hum!


    The mysterious skill started operating, and the energy within the Golden Core was greedily devoured!


    ...


    Inside Nanhuang City.


    Zhang Xiong respectfully looked at the two people in front of him, Zhang Yong, and spoke in a grave voice, "Family head, young master, your subordinate has completed the mission and killed Xiao Yi!"


    "Good! Zhang Xiong, you are indeed a pillar of our Zhang Family!" Zhang Yong laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder forcefully.


    Zhang Ze spoke with a sinister tone, "Uncle Xiong, did you bring back Xiao Yi''s head?"


    Zhang Xiong sighed, "Young master, your subordinate is incompetent, Xiao Yi''s body fell into the gorge after his death, and his body was not recovered whole!"


    "Haha, it is already very good that you killed that little beast. If you couldn''t bring back the body, let it be!" Zhang Yong consoled him.


    "Although it''s a pity that we couldn''t bring his head back and let him watch me play with Fang Qingzhu, it doesn''t matter," Zhang Ze nodded and narrowed his eyes. The cold gleam within them flickered menacingly, "I''ve been keeping an eye on Fang Qingzhu this whole time. It''s just that Lin Bingxin has been inseparable from her, which makes it difficult to act. Uncle Xiong, leave this to you. From now on, you keep watch over Fang Qingzhu, and the moment she separates from Lin Bingxin, capture her immediately for me!"


    "Young master, rest assured!" Zhang Xiong patted his chest in assurance, then hesitated before saying, "Family head, what about Lei Bao and Fang Ao..."


    Zhang Yong waved his hand and said indifferently, "You don''t need to worry about this. Our Zhang Family has never sent anyone to assassinate Xiao Yi, this was all done by Lei Bao and Fang Ao. Do you understand?"


    Zhang Xiong''s eyes lit up, "Family head is brilliant!"

 Chapter 25 The Might of a Single Sword

    Within the Southern Desolate Mountain Range.In the depths of a dense forest, gloomy and terrifying, the humid air was filled with a pungent smell of blood.


    The trees had been snapped in half, the grass had been flattened to the ground, and chaos reigned. Corpses lay scattered in pools of blood, each body grotesquely deformed, some even crushed to a pulp��


    Boom!


    With a thunderous crash, a large tree over sixty meters tall collapsed, creating an empty space as it fell.


    A purple giant snake, over ten meters long, appeared from the woods, its tail coiling around the fallen tree and fiercely sending it flying with a flick.


    Whoosh!


    The tree blotted out the sky as it swept across, unstoppable.


    "Protect the young lady!"


    "This beast has actually advanced to the third order, let''s fight it with all we''ve got..."


    A group of strong protectors roared as they charged towards the purple giant snake.


    But the purple giant snake, having just stepped into the lower tier of the third order, was comparable to a First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm powerhouse. Its combat strength was incredibly terrifying, slaughtering those who came to surround and attack it.


    Its bloodthirsty eyes fixed on what was ahead, the snake twisted its body and pursued.


    From its gaping maw blew a foul wind, causing the other monsters of the forest to flee from afar, not daring to provoke this ruler of the outskirts of the Southern Desolate Mountain Range.


    Five black-clad strong protectors were evacuating with a young man and a lady, watching as the purple giant snake came chasing after them. The five turned to the young man, "Qi, we''ll hold off this beast. Take the young lady and leave quickly."


    "Rest assured, I will definitely bring Xue''er back to Nanhuang City safe and sound!" the young man replied continuously.


    He immediately picked up the girl, who was wearing a white dress and floated like a fairy, and ran at breakneck speed.


    The girl in the white dress was extremely pale, with a hint of bright red staining her long white dress at the chest. A look of despair filled her eyes, "Brother Tianying, just put me down and go on your own! I don''t want to drag you down..."


    "What nonsense are you talking? I will definitely take you back to Nanhuang City!" Qi Tianying said with a serious face.


    A glance over his shoulder caught sight of the fight.


    Those five who were blocking the purple giant snake had all been killed, and one of them was even swallowed whole in front of his eyes, causing Qi Tianying''s face to turn deathly pale as he saw the purple giant snake catching up.


    All of a sudden, Qi Tianying threw the girl he was carrying onto the road, ignoring her bewildered expression, and strode away, "Xue''er, stay here. I''ll go get help immediately!"


    The girl in the white dress, Xue''er, watched dumbfounded as Qi Tianying dashed into the dense forest, "&*()..."


    Go find your own reinforcements!


    He was clearly using her as a shield to delay the purple giant snake!


    "My life is over..."


    A fishy wind swept over her, and as the purple giant snake''s gaping maw was almost upon her, Xue''er closed her eyes in despair.


    But at that moment...


    A bloody sword light descended from the sky, punctuating a fierce wound on the purple giant snake''s body, causing it to scream incessantly. Its massive body swept across, bringing down a large part of the forest.


    Clap!


    Xiao Yi, in a green outfit, floated over gracefully. He leapt high off the ground, thrusting the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword towards the purple giant snake, "Chasing Stars and Moons!"


    "Seizing Souls and Lives!"


    The edge of the sword radiated a bloody light, each strike effortlessly slicing through the body of the purple giant snake, causing it to wail continuously. Its resentful eyes glared at Xiao Yi as it let out a low growl, intending to flee.


    "Do you think you can escape?"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, leaped up high, holding the sword in both hands as surging qi converged at the tip of the sword.


    After ten days of cultivation...


    He had already refined one-twentieth of the Golden Core, stepping into the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm. With a hundred and forty God Sealing Seeds within him, his combat strength could now fully rival a First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm powerhouse.


    The might of a single sword struck terror into the world!


    Boom!


    The crimson sword edge brutally beheaded the giant serpent, and its enormous body struggled for dozens of seconds before it completely lost its vitality.


    Xiao Yi expressionlessly sliced open the belly of the purple giant serpent and dug out a snake gallbladder and a beast core, "The snake gallbladder can replenish Qingzhu''s vital energy, but this beast core is an unexpected delight. A third-order beast core can certainly allow Qingzhu to step into the Spiritual Realm Cultivation!"


    This purple giant serpent was exactly the Purple-Patterned Blood Python he had been seeking.


    It had just advanced from a high-level second-order to a low-level third-order.


    Fortunately, it had just broken through; otherwise, with Xiao Yi''s current strength, he really wouldn''t have been able to handle it.


    "Thank you for saving my life, noble sir. May I ask how to address you?" A weak voice came from behind Xiao Yi.


    "I hunted this beast because I needed to kill it, not specifically to save you."


    Xiao Yi glanced at her and frowned, "Your injuries are severe. Use this to stop the bleeding first!"


    "Thank you, noble sir!"


    Xue''er was taken aback, receiving the golden sore medicine Xiao Yi tossed to her. She was about to speak when she heard an overjoyed voice, "Hahaha, Xue''er, it''s so good that you''re safe! I saw that the Purple-Patterned Blood Python didn''t follow, and I was worried something happened to you, so I rushed back right away to rescue you!"


    The person who came was Qi Tianying.


    Discovering that the Purple-Patterned Blood Python had not followed and that a fierce fight had taken place, he immediately rushed back.


    Seeing the Purple-Patterned Blood Python lying in a pool of blood, he then showed himself.


    Xue''er''s face darkened as her gaze towards Qi Tianying lost the earlier admiration and grew colder, "You went to find reinforcements, isn''t that so?"


    "Ah ha, it''s just that I couldn''t stop worrying about you!"


    Qi Tianying laughed it off, showing no guilt for having left Xue''er to flee alone. His eyes swept over the Purple-Patterned Blood Python behind Xiao Yi, and noticing its split-open belly, Qi Tianying furrowed his brow and said to Xiao Yi, "Young man, you''ve done a great deed by saving Xue''er. You can have the corpse of this Purple-Patterned Blood Python as a reward, but that snake gallbladder and beast core must be returned to me. Hand them over!"


    Xiao Yi: "..." sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xue''er''s complexion turned ugly, "Qi Tianying, have you lost your mind? The Purple-Patterned Blood Python was killed by this gentleman, why should the snake gallbladder and beast core be given to you?"


    The most valuable parts of the Purple-Patterned Blood Python were indeed its gallbladder and beast core; as for the body, it wasn''t even worth one-tenth of the gallbladder!


    Qi Tianying frowned and said displeasedly, "What nonsense are you talking about, Xue''er? If it wasn''t for me leading everyone to encircle and weaken this Purple-Patterned Blood Python, how could this youngster have taken advantage of it?"


    "Shut your mouth!"


    Xue''er glared furiously. What bullshit about leading everyone? As soon as Qi Tianying discovered that the Purple-Patterned Blood Python had broken through to the third order, he stayed far behind, and in the end, he abandoned her and ran away on his own. And now he had the nerve to come and demand the snake gallbladder and beast core?


    Xue''er looked at Xiao Yi with an apologetic expression, "I''m truly sorry, sir!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, ready to leave.


    But Qi Tianying abruptly stepped in front of him, his expression dark, "Young man, do you know who I am? I am the Qi Family''s great young master from Shouye City. If you don''t leave that beast core and snake gallbladder behind today, do you know what the consequences will be?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you threatening me?"


    "Threatening? You can see it that way if you like," Qi Tianying said with arrogance, "My Qi Family..."


    Before he could finish speaking.


    A sword light flashed before his eyes, severing his right arm at the shoulder, and Xiao Yi looked at Qi Tianying coldly, "I don''t like being threatened."


    "You''re doomed, my Qi Family will not let you off..."


    Qi Tianying clutched his severed arm, his pale face twisted with ferocity.


    Xiao Yi sighed lightly, "I already said I don''t like being threatened."


    Thud!


    A sword sealed his throat.


    Qi Tianying fell to the ground clutching his bleeding neck, convulsing wildly, his eyes filled with despair and regret.


    "Miss, are you alright?" came several voices from afar.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the stunned Xue''er and spoke indifferently, "I''ll take my leave now!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leaped gracefully, disappearing into the jungle and heading straight for Nanhuang City, "Zhang Family, I, Xiao Yi, have returned!"

 Chapter 26 Sorry, Im Late!

    Nanhuang City.Even though it had been over ten days since he left, nothing here had changed.


    On his way to the residence, Xiao Yi was covered in the smell of blood, causing people to steer clear of him.


    "Qingzhu, I''m back!"


    As soon as he entered the house, Xiao Yi called out, but there was no response. A sense of intense unease gripped his heart.


    When he reached Fang Qingzhu''s bedroom, he discovered it was in complete disarray, with no one to be found. Sear?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "How could this be? Where is everyone?" Xiao Yi''s face turned pale.


    At that moment...


    Lin Bingxin''s voice came from outside, "Qingzhu, are you not home? Why is the main door open?" Lin Bingxin appeared in the bedroom and saw Xiao Yi with his back to her, her eyes lit up, "Xiao Yi, you''re back?"


    Xiao Yi looked as grim as still water, turning to face Lin Bingxin.


    His eyes were fierce like a wild animal''s, emitting a chilling light that seemed to threaten to devour someone.


    Lin Bingxin felt a bone-chilling cold, she swallowed hard, her voice trembling, "What, what''s wrong with you?"


    Xiao Yi said with a cold face, "I asked you to take care of Qingzhu, where is she? Where did she go?"


    "Qingzhu is missing?"


    Lin Bingxin was startled, only then noticing the mess in the bedroom. Her face changed dramatically, "Impossible, she was still here when I left this morning, how could this happen��"


    Xiao Yi''s face remained as grim as water, "You just left this morning?"


    "Yes!"


    Lin Bingxin quickly said, "I had to deal with some matters at the Treasure Pavilion, I left for just an hour��"


    "The Zhang Family? The Fang Family? Or is it the Black Tiger Gang?"


    Xiao Yi''s mind raced like a fierce tiger as he headed for the door, "You''d better not have hurt Qingzhu, if even a single hair on her head is harmed, I''ll annihilate your entire clan!"


    Watching Xiao Yi rush out the door...


    Lin Bingxin stood in a daze for a moment, then came to her senses, "This is bad, a major disaster is about to unfold, I must report to my master immediately��"


    ...��..


    The Zhang Family.


    Two guards at the Physical Body Realm stood watch at the front. They barely caught a glimpse of Xiao Yi''s figure appearing before the gate. They called out, "Who goes there? This is the Zhang residence, trespassers will be killed without mercy!"


    "Bring out Zhang Yong to see me!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    "How audacious!"


    One of the guards became furiously enraged, "You dare to call the family head by name, it seems you''re here to make trouble. Die!"


    The two guards raised their swords and slashed at Xiao Yi.


    Crash!


    Xiao Yi moved swiftly, kicking the Zhang family''s gate wide open, while the two guards still maintained their sword-swinging posture, but a red line grew across their throats, and their heads tumbled down.


    The commotion naturally drew the attention of the Zhang Family''s experts.


    Several strong figures appeared in front of Xiao Yi, with Zhang Xiong at the forefront, his face incredulous, "Xiao Yi? You, you''re actually alive?"


    Xiao Yi moved, his vital energy surging wildly, sending more than a dozen of the Zhang family''s experts flying away in an instant. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Zhang Xiong, who reacted with horror and threw a punch in defense.


    Xiao Yi used his finger as a sword, severing Zhang Xiong''s arms, then grabbed his throat with one hand and said coldly, "Where is she?"


    Zhang Xiong''s face grew paler, his expression ferocious, "Xiao, Xiao Yi, you''re indeed formidable. Not only did you survive the jump from that abyss, but your strength has also improved tremendously. But what of it? Aren''t you supposed to protect Fang Qingzhu? Right now, she''s probably already been ruined by our young master, hahaha��"


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was unspeakably ugly, his eyes blood red.


    "Seeking death? Hahaha, if I, Zhang Xiong, were afraid of dying, would I lead a team to ambush and kill you?" Zhang Xiong laughed manically, "You just wait at home. Once the young master is tired of Fang Qingzhu, he will naturally send her back to you, hahaha��"


    "Not afraid of dying, are you? For every breath you don''t speak, I''ll kill ten of your Zhang Family. I will make your family accompany her in death!"


    With a casual swing of the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword.


    He decapitated a Tenth Layer Physical Body Realm expert.


    "You..." Zhang Xiong''s eyes were split with rage.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Two breaths!"


    Thud!


    Another person was beheaded.


    Thud!


    Three people!


    Four people!


    Five people...


    Xiao Yi had already slain more than thirty people, like a blood-colored god of death, the powerful members of the Zhang Family around him had lost their nerve early on and tried to flee. But as long as they dared to move a step, Xiao Yi''s sword would fall upon them.


    Looking at the corpses strewn across the ground, blood flowing into rivers, staining the entire front courtyard red.


    Despair filled Zhang Xiong''s eyes, "Devil, you are a devil..."


    "Devil? Even if I have become a demon, it was you who forced me!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    "Brother Xiong, just tell him!"


    "We don''t want to die..."


    One after another, the strong members of the Zhang Family knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.


    Zhang Xiong watched Xiao Yi raise his longsword again, despair mixed with intense reluctance and resignation, "I''ll tell you, I''ll tell you... The young master and the family head took Fang Qingzhu to the dungeon in the backyard, please stop killing..."


    "Take me there!"


    Xiao Yi grabbed Zhang Xiong with one hand, while the sword point rested on the neck of a Qi Gathering Realm Third Layer strongman, who slumped his head down and led the way.


    In the backyard, in front of a rockery.


    Zhang Xiong said, "The entrance to the dungeon is behind the rockery."


    Crack!


    Xiao Yi''s fingers clenched, snapping Zhang Xiong''s neck, tossing his corpse aside. As he retracted his longsword, the strongman from the Zhang Family also had his throat sealed by the sword.


    Xiao Yi followed the entrance behind the rockery into the underground passage.


    Inside the dungeon, the firelight flickered dimly, adding to the sinister atmosphere.


    Now and then, one could see rats scuttling in the darkness.


    In the deepest cell.


    Fang Qingzhu, bound tightly, was trapped on a torture rack, hair disheveled, her body covered in whip marks stained with blood. Beneath her feet, two hollow bamboo tubes were inserted into her veins, her blood dripping down, leaving stains on the ground.


    Fang Qingzhu''s lips were pale and cracked, her dark eyes fixated on Zhang Ze father and son in front of her, "Is this all you''re capable of? Dreaming of vengeance against Xiao Yi with such skills?"


    "This bitch sure has a tough mouth..." Zhang Yong threw the bloodied whip on the ground, sitting on the Taishi Chair, panting, "Xiao Ze, look at how you''ve whipped this bitch to a pulp, it''s not even fun to play with her anymore!"


    Zhang Ze had a vicious smile, "Doesn''t father think it''s gratifying to grab a handful of blood while toying with her, causing her to scream in pain?"


    "Hahaha, your father has never played with a woman like this before!" Zhang Yong laughed heartily.


    Fang Qingzhu felt increasingly weak, gritting her teeth, "Xiao Yi won''t let you off..."


    "Your Xiao Yi is already dead, buried in a deep abyss, unless he becomes a ghost and comes back, he can''t save you!" Zhang Ze said boastfully.


    "Impossible, Xiao Yi can''t be dead!" Fang Qingzhu roared.


    "Hehe, I sent Zhang Xiong and Lei Bao to raid and kill Xiao Yi, and Zhang Xiong is an Eighth Layer of Qi Gathering Realm strongman, do you think Xiao Yi stands a chance?" Zhang Ze said.


    "Xiao Yi is dead? How can that be..." Fang Qingzhu''s face was full of despair.


    Zhang Xiong was the leader of the Zhang Family Hunting Team, a master of the Eighth Layer of Qi Gathering Realm.


    If he really made a move, Xiao Yi''s chances of survival were virtually non-existent.


    Zhang Ze''s face was smeared with a lecherous smile, his greedy and fervent gaze focused on Fang Qingzhu. As he walked towards her, he said, "Fang Qingzhu, Xiao Yi really cares about you! It''s just too bad that he couldn''t see for himself, he''ll only get to reunite with you down below, then I''ll tell him how you were killed by me, hahaha..."


    Zhang Ze lunged at Fang Qingzhu.


    But just at that moment...


    An icy, bloody sword light suddenly appeared, and with a ''pfft'', it cut Zhang Ze down, amidst his shrill screams. A cold voice came from behind him simultaneously, "Sorry, I''m late!"

 Chapter 27 A Rage to Crown!

    "Xiao Yi, I knew you were alright..."Even when she was tortured by Zhang Ze and his son without shedding a tear, Fang Qingzhu''s eyes reddened the moment she saw Xiao Yi. Ever since her dantian was destroyed, the loving faces of her parents had completely changed.


    She had completely lost hope in the Fang Family.


    Plus, with Xiao Yi''s company day and night during those days, he had left an indelible mark in her heart.


    When she heard earlier that Zhang Ze had sent Zhang Xiong to assassinate Xiao Yi, she was nearly in despair.


    After all,


    Zhang Xiong was far stronger than Xiao Yi.


    Until now...


    Seeing Xiao Yi alive and well in front of her, Fang Qingzhu was finally able to let her hanging heart settle down.


    Xiao Yi looked at Fang Qingzhu bound on the torture rack with a touch of distress in his eyes. He lifted his sword to release the chains that bound her, pulled out the two hollow bamboo tubes from her feet, and carefully applied golden sore medicine to her wounds.


    Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi with eyes brimming with emotion, bright as stars.


    "Does it hurt?"


    As Xiao Yi''s fingertips traced over the scars on her face, Fang Qingzhu involuntarily flinched in pain, pursed her lips, and said with a light laugh, "It doesn''t hurt!"


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath and said, "Wait for me a moment!"


    "Mhm!"


    Fang Qingzhu obediently nodded her head.


    Xiao Yi then stood up and turned to look at Zhang Yong, who was trying to stop Zhang Ze''s bleeding, his gaze icy cold, "How do you want to die?"


    Zhang Yong''s face was ashen.


    Zhang Ze''s lifeblood had been severed entirely; his life was completely ruined.


    Zhang Yong''s own lineage would end with him.


    His face twisted with maliciousness, he unleashed the full strength of his Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. His eyes filled with ferocious killing intent, he roared, "You mongrel, I will grind your bones to dust!"


    Zhang Ze, covered in blood below the waist, his face deathly pale and twisted, his voice becoming shrill and piercing, "Dad, cripple him for me. I want to personally carve him into a thousand pieces, eat his flesh, drink his blood..."


    Zhang Yong nodded and said, "Don''t worry. Since he made you no longer a man, I will make sure he can''t even be a ghost!"


    Boom!


    Zhang Yong''s figure didn''t move, only raised his right hand.


    Surging vital energy turned into thousands of fine threads, weaving in front of his palm, coalescing into an energy sphere. The sphere spun in the air and ignited a red flame with a roar: "Fiery Flame Palm!"


    Practitioners in the Shentong Realm could externalize their vital energy.


    By drawing on vital energy to activate Divine Skills.


    Their power was several times stronger than that of ordinary martial arts!


    The fireball sent waves of heat skyward, its crimson light illuminating half the dungeon. The licking flames made a piercing whooshing sound as it shot towards Xiao Yi.


    Wherever the fireball passed, the bricks on the ground seemed as if they would melt.


    The wooden bars of the dungeon burst into flames.


    "Xiao Yi, be careful..." Fang Qingzhu shouted.


    Xiao Yi''s expression was solemn.


    His cultivation had reached the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, enough to defeat an ordinary practitioner of the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. However, Zhang Yong was at the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. The gap between them was huge, and Xiao Yi could not afford to be the slightest bit negligent: "This battle cannot be delayed, it must be quick and decisive!"


    Zhang Yong, confident in his superior strength, did not take him seriously.


    To win this battle, Xiao Yi needed to take unconventional moves, strike first, and crush Zhang Yong before he could react!


    "Sweeping Thousands of Troops!"


    "Pursuing Stars and Chasing the Moon!"


    "Seizing Souls and Claiming Lives!"


    The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword emitted a blood-red radiance all around, as if completely fused with Xiao Yi''s arm, showing a hint of unity between man and sword.


    This unity between man and sword was a sign of truly comprehending Sword Intent.


    The seed of Sword Intent fully burst forth.


    Xiao Yi''s sword moves suddenly grew thirty percent more formidable, with an edge that seemed to tear open the heavens itself.


    Whoosh!


    The move ''Sweeping Through Thousands'' first halted the momentum of the fireball, and then the technique ''Chasing Stars and Moons'' focused on the weakest point of the fireball, causing it to burst with a loud boom.


    Xiao Yi then burst through the exploding fireball, tearing open the sky filled with sparks, his blood-red sword edge mixed with sparks, thrusting towards Zhang Yong''s throat.


    The sword edge tore through the air, rustling Zhang Yong''s clothes noisily.


    His face expressionless, he scoffed, "Acting recklessly, overestimating your own abilities!"


    Whoosh!


    Vast vital energy surged, bursting forth from his body.


    It condensed on his palm.


    As if donning a red gauntlet, with a chime, he grabbed the blade and amidst a shower of sparks, the unstoppable momentum of the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword came to an abrupt halt.


    Zhang Yong''s left hand then moved to his waist, and he suddenly thrust out a fist.


    Whoosh!


    Dazzling vital energy on his left hand solidified into a crimson blade and lunged toward Xiao Yi''s abdomen.


    Vital energy turned into a weapon.


    A signature move of a Shentong Realm expert.


    Though this weapon made of vital energy was not as strong as elemental weapons, its power vastly exceeded ordinary metal weapons. If this blade struck Xiao Yi, he would not die but be crippled for sure.


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, your death is certain," Zhang Ze hysterically screamed.


    His eyes were bloodshot, filled with intense excitement.


    But his joy was short-lived, as it tore open the wound in his crotch and blood gushed like a fountain��


    With his right hand trapped, Xiao Yi saw the attack coming toward his abdomen, and a gleam flashed in his eyes, "Eight Extremes Lean!"


    With a sudden force centered on his heel, he spun around on the spot.


    He narrowly dodged Zhang Yong''s left-handed attack but still sustained a gruesome wound on his waist, skin ripped and flesh burst, causing Xiao Yi to wince in pain. Despite the intense pain, Xiao Yi forcefully leaned back.


    Thud!


    His entire back slammed heavily against Zhang Yong''s chest.


    Xiao Yi''s strength had increased several-fold compared to before, and combined with the inherently powerful Eight Extremes Fist, this collision broke three of Zhang Yong''s ribs and caused internal injuries.


    Blood spurted from his mouth as his body was lifted from the spot and sent flying backward.


    Xiao Yi quickly turned around and chased after Zhang Yong, grabbing his ankle and smashing him down toward the ground with force. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thud!


    The entire dungeon vibrated.


    Zhang Yong''s back hit the ground, shattering floor tiles, and as dust and debris flew, Xiao Yi did not pause, "Kick them when they''re down!"


    Clutching Zhang Yong''s ankles, he smashed him down over and over again.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Zhang Yong, like a human-shaped sledgehammer, shattered the ground, crashed into walls, and broke tables and chairs... It all happened so fast that Zhang Yong, dazed with stars in his eyes and injury upon injury, could not react in time.


    With the strength of a Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he hadn''t even managed to display half of his power before he was left spewing blood from all seven orifices, on the brink of death.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi spun in place like a tornado, generating gusts of wind. Suddenly releasing his grip, he flung Zhang Yong out viciously.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Zhang Yong smashed through the bars of five cells before hitting a stone wall with a bang, becoming embedded in a huge human-shaped indent, unable to move.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi dove down, and the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword showed no mercy, piercing through Zhang Yong''s brow with a whoosh, nailing him firmly to the rock face. Zhang Yong''s body jerked, blood dripping down from the wall, his mouth agape, only able to let out hoarse gasps.


    In his eyes, there was nothing but regret.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze then turned to a dumbstruck Zhang Ze, "Your turn!"

 Chapter 28 Payback Tenfold

    "It''s your turn now!"Xiao Yi''s gaze fell upon Zhang Ze, his icy eyes sharp like the edge of a knife, making it unbearable to meet his stare.


    Thump!


    Zhang Ze''s body trembled as he knelt to the ground, the arrogance and fierceness previously etched on his pale face replaced by abjection and terror, "Mercy, Xiao, have mercy! This was all Fang Ao and Lei Bao''s doing, leading me astray... it has nothing to do with me..."


    Before this.


    Zhang Ze''s greatest support was the Zhang Family.


    But now...


    The strongest warrior of the Zhang Family, Zhang Yong, had been killed by Xiao Yi with the force of thunder, leaving him with no backbone. All he could hope for now was to save his own life, to survive and wait until he joined the Royal Martial Arts Academy, then find a way to seek revenge!


    However.


    Xiao Yi remained unmoved, his gaze towards Zhang Ze devoid of sympathy, only coldness, "I just counted, there are three hundred seventy-five whip marks on Qingzhu''s body!"


    "Ah?"


    Zhang Ze was stunned, not understanding Xiao Yi''s meaning.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I once said, for whoever dares to harm even a single hair on her, I would repay it tenfold. Three hundred seventy-five whip marks, I''ll repay you with three thousand seven hundred fifty sword strikes, and the two bamboo tubes used to bleed her feet will count for a thousand strikes, making a total of five thousand seven hundred fifty strikes. You have no objections, right?"


    Thump!


    Zhang Ze''s body shook violently, collapsing to the ground.


    Five thousand plus sword strikes to the body?


    Wasn''t this the same as being smashed to pieces?


    "No, don''t... Xiao, I realize my mistake, I truly do... I''m willing to be your ox and horse, please spare me, please show me mercy just this once..." Zhang Ze crawled and rolled, desperately clutching Xiao Yi''s legs, wailing bitterly.


    Forget five thousand strikes��being poked with an embroidery needle five thousand times would leave one riddled with holes!


    "Show mercy?"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh, his deep voice laced with icy murderous intent, "When you sent men to kill me in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range, why didn''t you show mercy? When you captured Qingzhu and tortured her so harshly, why didn''t you think to show mercy? And now you''re begging me to save you? Don''t you see this is pure delusion?"


    Ever since his mother''s death, Fang Qingzhu was the first person to give Xiao Yi a sense of home''s warmth.


    How could he tolerate her being persecuted in such a way?


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s ice-cold and resolute face, Zhang Ze''s face filled with despair. In the face of imminent death, he mustered his viciousness, a flash of savagery in his eyes, "If you won''t let me live, then you''ll die with me!"


    Whoosh!


    From within Zhang Ze''s sleeve, a black dagger shot out, the blade smeared with a deadly poison, aimed straight at Xiao Yi.


    "A dog can''t change its habit of eating shit!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly as the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword flicked upwards.


    Thwack! Thwack!


    Zhang Ze''s hands were chopped off at the wrists, the hand holding the dagger falling to the ground with a smack, pain distorting Zhang Ze''s entire face; "Ahh�� Xiao Yi, I won''t let you off even if I become a ghost..."


    "You can talk about that when you become a ghost!"


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, lifting Zhang Ze by one hand and hanging him up on the rack.


    Snap!


    With a casual slap, he dislocated Zhang Ze''s jaw, making it impossible for him to even bite his own tongue and commit suicide. S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi turned towards Fang Qingzhu, his fierce expression softening, "Qingzhu, turn your head away, don''t look!"


    "Okay!"


    Fang Qingzhu obediently turned away.


    Whoosh!


    The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand turned into countless petals descending colorfully, each streak of the sword light removing a piece of flesh from Zhang Ze''s body. Amid the blood and flying flesh, unbearable pain engulfed him, but all the jawless Zhang Ze could manage were choked breathing sounds.


    Tears, mingled with sweat, fell ceaselessly.


    Regret and despair took over his entire face.


    Thud!


    Thud!


    The silver gleam of the sword flickered in the dungeon; with each appearance, flesh was sliced and sent flying.


    "One thousand and eighty!"


    "One thousand and eighty-one!"


    "One thousand and eighty-two..."


    Xiao Yi''s voice sounded like a demonic chant that reaped souls, both of Zhang Ze''s arms had been whittled down to bone, and he had fainted several times from the pain, only to be revived by Xiao Yi.


    It was a pain so intense that life itself seemed undesirable.


    Zhang Ze had never thought that he would one day yearn for death''s arrival.


    Bang!


    The dungeon''s door was suddenly blown open, causing Xiao Yi''s sword to pause slightly, as a group of powerful individuals rushed in from outside. Leading them was Elder Yan, the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, followed closely by Sikong Nan, the Nanhuang City Lord, and Zhao Yu, the head of the Zhao Family.


    "Quick, find Xiao!"


    "Zhang Yong, if you dare harm a hair on Xiao''s head, I will eradicate the Zhang Family!"


    However...


    When Elder Yan and the others saw the situation inside the dungeon, the words they had ready died on their lips.


    Hisss!


    A collective gasp of shock went through the crowd.


    Elder Yan spat out a mouthful of saliva, "Xiao, Xiao, are you alright?"


    Xiao Yi didn''t turn around, "You''re here? Wait a moment, four thousand more swords!"


    "Four thousand swords?"


    "What does that mean?"


    Everyone was momentarily stunned.


    Soon...


    They understood.


    "One thousand and eighty-three!"


    "One thousand and eighty-four..."


    With each sword stroke by Xiao Yi, a chilling number was uttered, and with each number, a piece of flesh was sliced from Zhang Ze.


    Hisss!


    The crowd gasped again.


    Watching Zhang Ze''s agonized face, unable to speak, with only the white of bone remaining in his two arms and legs, some of the weaker-strong individuals began to retch violently at the sight.


    "This, this is death by a thousand cuts! It''s too, too cruel..."


    "So, so terrifying... one must never cross Xiao Yi..."


    "Don''t talk... blargh..."


    Even Elder Yan and Sikong Nan, who were worldly and well-informed, looked at each other with pale faces at that moment.


    Sikong Nan murmured softly, "Even though I''ve been through hundreds of battles in the military, I''ve never seen someone execute a lingchi with such calm."


    Elder Yan nodded somberly, glancing deeply at Xiao Yi and gesturing towards Fang Qingzhu, "Look at her, and you won''t find Xiao cruel anymore!"


    Sikong Nan glanced at Fang Qingzhu, and although she was covered by Xiao Yi''s coat, her body was still visibly battered and bruised.


    Whoosh!


    Sikong Nan exhaled a long breath, silently reminding himself, "This young man is someone to befriend, not to be made an enemy of!"


    If these words were to spread, they would certainly cause a huge stir.


    He was, after all, the Nanhuang City Lord, the top expert of Nanhuang, and yet he did not wish to make an enemy of Xiao Yi?


    The pungent odor of blood permeated the dungeon; those unable to withstand the shocking sight before them had long since retreated, but the memory Xiao Yi left them with was nightmare-like, and they would likely never be able to forget it for the rest of their lives.


    Within the crowd.


    Zhao Xian was pale as a ghost, he had just been one of the most frantic vomiters, and he looked up blankly at Zhao Yu beside him, "Father, father, I''m so glad I heeded your advice and never crossed Xiao!"


    "Indeed!"


    Zhao Yu nodded gravely, "Once we return, immediately sever all ties with the Fang Family and the Black Tiger Gang, understand?"


    Zhao Xian hummed in agreement, puzzled, "Father, what about our collaboration with the Zhang Family?"


    "The Zhang Family?"


    Zhao Yu''s expression turned strange as he looked at the vast Zhang family estate, "After today, will there even be a Zhang Family in Nanhuang City?"

 Chapter 29 Fame Shakes Nanhuang

    ```Three hours later.


    Xiao Yi walked out of the dungeon, carrying Fang Qingzhu in his arms, with only Elder Yan and Sikong Nan closely following behind him.


    The others had already escaped the dungeon long ago.


    Not everyone could withstand the spectacle of a lingering execution!


    Even with the fortitude of Elder Yan and Sikong Nan, they too were pale at this moment, and the sight of anything red caused their internal organs to churn violently, giving rise to a strong urge to vomit.


    "Xiao!"


    "Xiao, Xiao��"


    Zhao Yu, Zhao Xian, and others looked at Xiao Yi with faces full of reverence.


    Xiao Yi was spotless, and with a gesture for silence, he gestured that Fang Qingzhu sleeping in his arms, and in a lowered voice said, "I will take her back to rest first, the rest is up to you guys!"


    Zhao Yu nodded heavily, whispering, "Xiao, rest assured, leave it to us!"


    Elder Yan and Sikong Nan both nodded their heads.


    Xiao Yi nodded to the group and then left the Zhang residence.


    Once Xiao Yi was gone, Zhao Yu looked at the two with a wry smile, "City Lord, Elder Yan, what should we do?"


    Elder Yan squinted and said, "The Zhang family has no reason to exist anymore!"


    Sikong Nan said indifferently, "The Zhang family''s properties should all be transferred to Xiao''s name. As for those of the Zhang family�� If you don''t remove the roots when cutting the grass, the spring breeze will bring them back to life."


    "I understand!"


    Zhao Yu nodded in realization, his face showing a hint of intrigue as he mumbled, "If the Fang family knew about all this, that old man Fang Tianhao would probably regret until his intestines turned green, wouldn''t he?"


    "I reckon he would be so angry he''d vomit blood!"


    Sikong Nan couldn''t help but laugh as well, "To think that an eighteen-year-old who could kill a Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm expert, with such talent, would be driven out of the Fang family as a useless son-in-law, I don''t know whether to say Fang Tianhao''s standards are too high, or that he''s blind��"


    "Not only the Fang family is blind,"


    Elder Yan also sneered contemptuously, "The Xiao Family, in the far-off Great Qian Dynasty, only treasures Xiao Tianjiao while expelling such a real dragon as Xiao from their home, sending him to the Fang family as a door-to-door son-in-law. Who knows what the reaction of the Xiao Family will be if one day Xiao outshines Xiao Tianjiao?"


    Although it must be said that Xiao Tianjiao, at merely ten years of age, had already stepped into the Divine Skills Realm, boasting an incredible talent.


    But what about Xiao Yi?


    When he first came to Nanhuang City, he hadn''t even reached the first level of the Physical Body Realm, but now he could kill experts in the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    And all of this in less than two months.


    So, who is the real dragon?


    Anyone with eyes can see!


    Sikong Nan and Zhao Yu both nodded in agreement, and the three of them couldn''t help feeling fortunate: "Good thing we chose to stand on Xiao''s side��"


    Afterward��


    The news of the Zhang family''s annihilation spread wildly, instantly causing an uproar throughout Nanhuang City.


    Meanwhile.


    Led by the Treasure Pavilion, with support from the Lord''s Mansion and the Zhao Family, a force began a comprehensive crackdown on the Zhang family''s influence. In just half a day, all of the Zhang family''s assets were transferred to Xiao Yi''s name, and simultaneously, the Treasure Pavilion and the Zhao Family declared a complete halt to all business dealings with the Fang Family and the Black Tiger Gang.


    An edict of banishment!


    This plunged the Fang Family and the Black Tiger Gang into endless despair.


    Within Nanhuang City��


    Word gradually spread that the person who caused all this commotion was none other than Xiao Yi, once expelled from the Fang family as a useless son-in-law.


    In no time, the name Xiao Yi was known throughout Nanhuang.


    It even became taboo!


    Within the Black Tiger Gang.


    The gang leader Lei Laohu was in a towering rage, smashing everything in the room, his face somber: "Xiao Yi, the Zhao Family, the Treasure Pavilion�� you''ve pushed us too far!"


    "Boss, what should we do? Our gambling houses have all been shut down, and if this continues, the gang won''t be able to sustain itself��" the deputy leader said with a morose face by the side.


    Lei Laohu''s chest heaved violently, and ultimately it turned into a helpless and unwilling sigh, he ground his teeth and said, "What else can we do? Who in Nanhuang City dares to provoke Xiao Yi now? Prepare a generous gift immediately; I will go and apologize in person!"


    An hour later.


    Bare-chested and carrying whips on his back, Lei Laohu personally dragged a cart full of apologies, kneeling in front of Xiao Yi''s courtyard gate.


    Yet the gate of the villa remained closed.


    Nonetheless.


    Lei Laohu was meticulous and dared not show any disrespect.


    At the same time��


    The Fang Family was in complete disarray.


    One piece of bad news after another arrived: "Patriarch, it''s terrible, our deals with the Zhao Family, Chen Family, and Zhang Family have all been cut off."


    "Patriarch, there''s been an incident, our Fang Family''s pharmacies have been smashed��"


    "Our cloth shops have been smashed too��"


    "Patriarch, word has spread throughout the city, saying our Fang Family is doomed. Some have even made up rhymes about it, singing that the Fang Family is amazing, forced a real dragon away, now as the real dragon soars through the skies, the Fang Family is bound to rise��"


    ```


    ```


    Pfft!


    Sitting at the head seat, Fang Tianhao trembled as he listened to one piece of bad news after another, his face turned pale, and with a ''wa'' sound, he spat out a mouthful of old blood. He aged dozens of years in an instant. Trembling, he pointed at Fang Zheng and his wife, barely containing his fury, "You, you two are competent at nothing but failures. I told you to invite Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu back, and look what you''ve done?"


    Fang Zheng, left with only one arm, looked wronged, "Dad, how could I have known that waste would become so strong?"


    Liu Yun shamelessly said, "Dad, don''t be angry! We''ll be sincere this time, apologize in person. Qingzhu is softhearted, as long as we appease her with our suffering, she will definitely forgive us!"


    Fang Tianhao''s eyes lit up with a glint of hope, "Then what are you waiting for? Go and invite them back here!"


    ...��


    Outside the separate courtyard where Xiao Yi was residing.


    Fang Zheng''s family of three looked at Lei Laohu kneeling at the gate and exchanged glances. Fang Hao whispered, "Dad, isn''t that Lei Laohu? Why is he kneeling here too? Is Xiao Yi really that terrifying?"


    Shut up! Fang Zheng glared at him fiercely and said in a low voice, "Still dare to call him waste? Remember this �C lower your stance when we meet. Things are not like before, we are here to ask them to return to the Fang family!"


    "I understand��" Fang Hao shrank his neck.


    The three approached the gate.


    At the entrance, Zhao Xian was on guard. Seeing the three, he frowned slightly, "This is a restricted area of Xiao''s residence, off-limits to outsiders!"


    Liu Yun, full of arrogance, slapped Zhao Xian across the face and said, "Open your eyes and see who I am! I am Xiao Yi''s mother-in-law. Hurry up and notify Xiao Yi, we are here to take them home!"


    Zhao Xian, holding his reddened face, looked astonished.


    Liu Yun, impatient, demanded, "What are you still dazed for? Go and report at once!"


    "No need!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice came from inside the gate. He had intended to meet Lei Laohu, but as he reached the entrance, he heard the slap Fang Zheng delivered to Zhao Xian and immediately pushed the door open.


    "Young Master Xiao��" Zhao Xian respectfully stepped aside.


    Fang Zheng''s face broke into a smile, even tinged with sycophancy, "You are finally out, Xiao Yi."


    "What Xiao Yi? This is our precious son-in-law!"


    Liu Yun nudged Fang Zheng aside, her face beaming with a radiant smile, "Son-in-law, you and Qingzhu have suffered a lot these days staying outside. Actually, your dad and I did all that for your own good, because only through the bitterest hardships can one become superior. Look, with our help, you''ve now achieved such success! We have come today because we feel that your trial is over and are inviting you both back home!"


    Their attitude had completely reversed from before, even showing a hint of subservience.


    This was the change brought about by power!


    Xiao Yi, however, didn''t even glance at them and instead said to Zhao Xian, "Where did he hit you? Hit him back exactly the same way!"


    "Ah?"


    Zhao Xian was taken aback.


    The smiles on the three members of the Fang family also froze, and Fang Zheng blinked, "Xian, Xian Yi, what are you, what are you talking about?"


    Xiao Yi repeated, "Hit back!"


    Zhao Xian, face alight with excitement, responded, "Alright!"


    Slap!


    He swung back his hand and slapped Liu Yun, stunning her.


    "Xiao Yi, have you gone mad?"


    "We came to take you back to the Fang family..."


    The three members of the Fang family were completely dumbfounded.


    "Too light!"


    Xiao Yi frowned at Zhao Xian, then turned his attention to Lei Laohu, "Aren''t you here to apologize? Leave them crippled, and then you can go back."


    "Yes, Young Master Xiao!"


    The once powerful leader of the Black Tiger Gang, now like a loyal enforcer, proceeded to brutally beat the three members of the Fang family.


    "Xiao Yi, you even beat your own mother-in-law; you have lost all morals..."


    "You heartless wretch..."


    Lei Laohu burst out in a rage, "Dare to insult Young Master Xiao? You''re seeking death!"


    Bang bang bang!


    Lei Laohu''s blows grew even fiercer.


    "I dare not..."


    "I won''t dare again, please spare me..."


    After half an incense stick burned.


    The three lay on the ground, barely alive. Xiao Yi looked down at them coldly, "If there''s a next time, there will be no mercy!" sea??h th�� N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Young Master Xiao, shall I, shall I take them back to the Fang family now?" Lei Laohu asked tentatively.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Lei Laohu dragged the barely alive three back toward the Fang family.


    The Fang family residence.


    Seeing the pitiful state of the three, Fang Tianhao''s face contorted even more, his teeth clenched tightly, his expression ferocious, "What a Xiao Yi, thinking my Fang family would fear him? Someone, send a message to Fang Jin, I want him to come back and tear Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu to pieces..."


    ```

 Chapter 30 Transferring Flowers and Joining Trees, Xiao Yi Passes on His Power!

    Ever since the day Xiao Yi had Lei Laohu and Zhao Xian thoroughly thrash the three visitors from the Fang Family, led by Fang Zheng,the Fang Family had closed its doors to all visitors.


    All of their businesses were shut down.


    After all...


    Facing the suppression from the Zhao Family, Chen Family, and even the Treasure Pavilion, nobody was interested in the Fang Family''s businesses anymore.


    The once bustling Fang residence was now desolate, with hardly a visitor in sight.


    On the contrary, Xiao Yi''s residence was frequently bustling with traffic, and a long queue of gift-givers formed at the door. However, aside from Elder Yan, Zhao Yu, and Sikong Nan, Xiao Yi declined to meet anyone else.


    In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.


    In these ten days, Xiao Yi, with the tremendous energy provided by the Golden Core, had advanced his cultivation level, reaching the Eighth Layer of Qi Gathering Realm.


    The number of God Sealing Seeds had reached one hundred fifty-five.


    His combat power had also improved significantly.


    Fang Qingzhu, after ten days of Xiao Yi''s meticulous care, had also recovered from her injuries.


    Inside the quiet room.


    Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi with confusion "Xiao Yi, what did you bring me here for?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Do you remember I told you I''d give you a surprise once your injuries healed?"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded, her voice tinged with a touch of melancholy "I''ve been asking you, and you wouldn''t tell me what kind of surprise..."


    "Now I can give you that surprise!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, and under Fang Qingzhu''s expectant gaze, he slowly said, "I can let you start cultivating again!"


    "Start... cultivating again?"


    Fang Qingzhu was stunned, suddenly standing up, she grabbed Xiao Yi''s shoulders and shook them, her voice filled with disbelief "Xiao Yi, are you, are you serious?"


    Xiao Yi chuckled "It''s true!"


    "How... how is that possible? My dantian is shattered, how could it possibly be repaired..." Fang Qingzhu murmured blankly. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi said, "I have a technique called ''Transplanting Spirit and Space'', which can replace your dantian with a beast core. However, doing so will limit your maximum cultivation level to the grade of the beast core..."


    He explained the methods and limitations of the Transplanting Spirit and Space technique to Fang Qingzhu.


    Although the grade of the beast core would limit her maximum cultivation level, from another perspective, it also meant that Fang Qingzhu''s future was filled with more possibilities.


    Currently, Xiao Yi''s cultivation wasn''t strong enough; he could only hunt third rank magical beasts. But what about the future?


    If he could hunt ninth rank magical beasts, or even the legendary divine beasts...


    And replace Fang Qingzhu''s dantian with a divine beast''s core...


    Wouldn''t she have the potential to ascend to divinity?


    Xiao Yi earnestly said "Qingzhu, are you willing to accept this treatment?"


    Fang Qingzhu took a deep breath and said solemnly "I''m willing!"


    "Then let''s begin the Transplanting Spirit and Space technique now!" Xiao Yi touched his nose, looking somewhat embarrassed, "However, performing this technique requires that you take off your clothes, you see..."


    "..."


    Fang Qingzhu''s face turned as red as a ripe apple, and she responded shyly with a sound of acknowledgment.


    She then began to disrobe.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his breathing became a bit more rapid, but after forcing himself to calm down, he began to perform the Transplanting Spirit and Space technique.


    This technique was not simple!


    Otherwise, it would not be considered a forbidden art by the Underworld Doctor lineage. Since the ancestor of Underworld Doctors, no one in the Southern Border''s lineage of Underworld Doctors understood how to perform this technique. Fortunately, Xiao Yi had received the inheritance of the Underworld Doctor ancestor, which made it relatively easy for him to carry out.


    After ten hours.


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of stale air, his face beaming with a brilliant smile "Qingzhu, congratulations, you can start cultivating anew!"


    Fang Qingzhu put her clothes back on, her face as red as a ripe persimmon, as she nodded with a voice as faint as a mosquito''s whimper. The fragrance of a maiden filled the room, a light, enchanting scent that made one unable to help but have one''s thoughts run wild.


    With a light cough, Xiao Yi shifted his gaze away from her graceful figure and said, "Qingzhu, I have a Cultivation Technique here that is quite suitable for you, called ''Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill.'' It''s a high-grade technique of the fourth rank, strong enough to cultivate to the peak of the Golden Core Realm. I''ll pass it on to you now..."


    The mention of the ''Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill'' made Fang Qingzhu''s eyes shine even brighter.


    Meanwhile, as Xiao Yi was transmitting the technique to Fang Qingzhu...


    In the distant Tianqing Kingdom''s capital, within the renowned Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    The vast grounds of the Royal Martial Arts Academy could accommodate tens of thousands of people. The academy was divided into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. The Heaven-level students were fewest in number but the strongest in might, all being experts of the Golden Core Realm. Each one was a noble conferred by the royal family, enjoying noble rank.


    Next were the Earth-level students, all surpassing the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    Profound-level students were those above the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    The remaining students below the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm were Yellow-level students.


    Fang Jin had just passed the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s assessment and successfully became a Yellow-level student. After training in the academy for two months, he had officially stepped into the Divine Ability Realm, standing out as one of the best among this new group of students.


    And because of this...


    Fang Jin also made quite a few friends among the higher-year students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, especially Jia Sichun, a Profound-level student of the Sixth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, with whom he had the best relationship.


    Jia Sichun was from the capital''s Jia Family, his father being a second-rank official at court, with a prominent background.


    In particular, his elder brother, Jia Sidao, was among the top ten Earth-level students, at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, capable of advancing to the Golden Core Realm at any moment to become a Heaven-level student.


    With his own talent being strong and backed by a prominent family, plus having a powerful and protective elder brother,


    Jia Sichun may have only been a Profound-level student, but even average Earth-level students dared not provoke him, which led to his arrogant and overbearing nature. Given to lechery, Fang Jin ingratiated himself by pandering to Jia''s tastes, thus becoming good friends.


    "Fang Jin, I''ll take you to the Myriad Flowers Pavilion!" said Jia Sichun, draping his arm over Fang Jin''s shoulder.


    But Fang Jin''s face was sullen as he replied, "Brother Jia, I''m afraid I won''t be able to accompany you. Something came up at home, and I need to make a trip back!"


    Jia Sichun looked disappointed, "What kind of issue could that tiny Fang Family possibly have?"


    Fang Jin spread the letter in his hands, his face carrying a look of hatred, "My brother was killed, and the Fang Family is surrounded by enemies and in grave danger. I have to go back!"


    "Didn''t you say the patriarch of the Fang Family was a fourth-layer expert of the Divine Ability Realm? Even though the Divine Skills experts from such a tiny and barren place as Nanhuang can hardly wake up their Innate Divine Skills, all false Divine Skills... A fourth-layer Divine Skill expert shouldn''t have many threats, right?" Jia Sichun frowned, puzzled.


    Nanhuang was nothing more than a tiny and impoverished place.


    Even the Divine Ability Realm experts from there were not regarded highly by them.


    Fang Jin said fiercely, "But our opponent can kill third-layer Divine Ability Realm experts, and with the backing of Treasure Pavilion, my Fang Family is no match for him."


    "Treasure Pavilion? Then your enemy does have some skills!" Jia Sichun nodded.


    Fang Jin felt a growing urgency in his heart.


    After learning of Xiao Yi''s strength, he knew it would be difficult to take revenge on his own and was intent on getting Jia Sichun''s help.


    Fang Jin''s eyes spun shrewdly, feigning a sigh, "It''s also my brother''s fault for not listening to me. Fang Qingzhu is as beautiful as a celestial being, the number one beauty of Nanhuang. I told him not to touch that woman. He wouldn''t listen, and in the end, he was killed by that good-for-nothing son-in-law Fang Qingzhu brought home. Sigh..."


    "As beautiful as a celestial being? The number one beauty of Nanhuang?"


    Jia Sichun was taken aback, his eyes lighting up, "Is this Fang Qingzhu you speak of truly that beautiful?"


    Fang Jin''s heart leaped with joy as he quickly responded, "Of course! Fang Qingzhu''s beauty is well-known throughout Nanhuang!"


    "How does she compare to the Oiran of the Myriad Flowers Pavilion?"


    Fang Jin shook his head, "A thousand oirans couldn''t compare to her!"


    Hiss!


    Jia Sichun''s eyes swiveled greedily; avarice and heat flashed through them as he licked his lips with a blood-red tongue, "Fang Jin, as brothers, your business is my business. I''ll accompany you back to Nanhuang City this time. With me there, even the Treasure Pavilion should show me some face! But, well..."


    Fang Jin slapped his chest, "Don''t worry, Brother Jia. I know what you mean! Once I''ve had my revenge, I''ll make sure to bring Fang Qingzhu to your bed..."


    "Hahahaha, good brother! You truly understand me!"


    Jia Sichun laughed heartily.


    Fang Jin forced a smile alongside him, but his eyes were growing colder, "Xiao Yi? Fang Qingzhu? Your days are numbered!"

 Chapter 31 Fang Jin Returns!

    "Grandfather, I have had someone find out for us��the house up ahead belongs to Xiao Yi!"On the wide street, a plainly dressed grandparent and grandchild walked side by side.


    The girl, in a white dress, carefully supported the white-haired and bearded old man beside her and pointed to a mansion ahead. Excitement sparkled in her eyes.


    The old man chuckled and nodded. His murky eyes studied the mansion and the long line of people waiting outside, and he laughed, "It seems that this Xiao Yi is not a simple character, attracting so many visitors bearing gifts!"


    The girl smiled broadly, "Grandpa, shall we go and find him now?"


    The old man shook his head, "No rush, Grandpa still has some matters to attend to. After they''re resolved, I''ll accompany you to properly thank them, all right?"


    The girl''s expression dimmed slightly, yet she obediently nodded, "Mhmm, I''ll listen to you, Grandpa!"


    "Haha, you''re such a sweet girl, not like your sister��"


    The old man affectionately ruffled the girl''s head and looked again at the mansion, as if he could see through the walls. A glint shimmered in his dim eyes, "A Golden Core? Quite the interesting youngster..."


    Inside the mansion.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu were cultivating, facing each other in a position that pointed toward the sky with all five hearts.


    Between their palms, a Golden Core the size of a walnut bobbed faintly.


    Strands of golden energy escaped from the Golden Core.


    And seeped into both their bodies.


    Xiao Yi''s body glowed with gold. His vitality surged, as powerful as a dragon or tiger.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face glowed with health, and a purple light flickered around her, like a fairy bathed in the glow of purple clouds.


    Whoosh!


    Both retracted their power at the same time, and the Golden Core fell into Xiao Yi''s hand. The storage ring on his fingertip flashed as he stored the Golden Core away. Both opened their eyes, and as they faced each other, Fang Qingzhu said with a smile, "Xiao Yi, brother, thank you!"


    "No need for thanks between you and me," Xiao Yi said with a mild smile.


    Fang Qingzhu gently nodded her head.


    It had been half a month since Xiao Yi performed the technique to shift flowers and:


    replace the core in Fang Qingzhu''s dantian with the beast core of a Purple-Patterned Blood Python.


    Over this half-month...


    Xiao Yi had been cultivating with her using the Golden Core. Fang Qingzhu had already been at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm before her cultivation was crippled. Now that her dantian was restored, all she needed was to absorb enough energy to regain her cultivation. In just half a month, she had completely returned to her peak condition.


    Once again at the Peak of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    Ready to break through to the Shentong Realm at any moment!


    As for Xiao Yi, his progress hadn''t been slow either, having reached the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm and activated two hundred God Sealing Seeds.


    He was just a step away from entering the Shentong Realm!


    Of course.


    By cultivating together with the Golden Core, they had used up a full fifth of the core''s energy.


    "Xiao Yi, brother, I feel like I am about to step into the Shentong Realm!" remarked Fang Qingzhu.


    Xiao Yi laughed, "I should be breaking through in the next couple of days as well. Let''s strive to enter the Shentong Realm together."


    "Yes!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded vehemently, her eyes filled with resolve and determination, "As soon as I enter the Shentong Realm, I will have nothing to fear, even if Fang Jin returns. The position of family heir belongs to me!"


    Xiao Yi rubbed her head and said, "Don''t put so much pressure on yourself. What does it matter if you''re no match for Fang Jin? I''m here for you!"


    Fang Qingzhu squinted, her face breaking into a sweet smile.


    "Young Master Xiao, Yan Mingli requests an audience!" called a voice from outside��Yan Mingli''s.


    Fang Qingzhu softly said, "Xiao Yi, brother, Elder Yan must have urgent business. You should go see him first!"


    "Alright!"


    Xiao Yi walked outside and frowned at Elder Yan, whose forehead showed traces of sweat, "What''s the matter?" sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elder Yan glanced inside the door and said in a low voice, "Xiao, I''ve just received a message that Fang Jin has returned to the Fang Family!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was somewhat surprised. Logically speaking, even if Fang Jin had returned, it wouldn''t have caused Elder Yan to lose composure like this. Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "But did he bring anyone back with him?"


    Elder Yan''s gaze held admiration as he looked at Xiao Yi and said, "The message from Lord Sikong is that Fang Jin has returned with a young man. That person is wearing the uniform of a Mysterious Rank student from the Royal Martial Arts Academy..."


    Xiao Yi arched an eyebrow.


    He was, of course, familiar with the levels of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    The Mysterious Rank Academy, that was at least the cultivation of the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm or higher.


    But a Third Layer Divine Passage Realm from the Royal Martial Arts Academy was far from being comparable to Zhang Yong. In Nanhuang City, a third-rank martial technique could become a clan''s treasure. Yet in the Royal Martial Arts Academy, it''s not to mention the third-rank martial techniques, even fourth-rank martial techniques were at the students'' disposal to study and understand at will.


    What''s more important was...


    There were Divine Skills above martial techniques!


    The power of Divine Skills of the same level far exceeded that of martial techniques of the same tier.


    It could be said without exaggeration that a student of the same Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm from the Royal Martial Arts Academy would absolutely be stronger in combat than those who hadn''t mastered Divine Skills, even if they were of the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    No wonder Elder Yan had lost his composure.


    However.


    Xiao Yi was now halfway into the Shentong Realm, and he also bore the seed of Sword Intent, his combat strength absolutely able to easily defeat a master of the Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm, unless the opponent had the cultivation of the Sixth Layer of the Divine Skill Realm or above and had mastered Divine Skills.


    Otherwise, Xiao Yi did not even consider them a threat!


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Let the generals handle the soldiers and the earth handle the flood; we shall watch quietly and see how things unfold!"


    Meanwhile.


    Within the Fang Family...


    Fang Tianhao was overjoyed, his face glowing as he looked at Fang Jin: "Fang Jin, you''re finally back!"


    "I pay my respects to the family head!"


    Fang Jin merely gave a perfunctory bow to Fang Tianhao. Ever since he became a student of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he had been looking down on Fang Tianhao more and more. Then, with respect, he looked at Jia Sichun, "This is Brother Jia, he is a Mysterious Rank student at the Martial Arts Institute."


    "So it''s Jia, your visit truly brings light to our humble home!" Fang Tianhao said with sparkling eyes, Mysterious Rank students - these were high-level experts of at least the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. He spoke with a fawning tone.


    As for Fang Jin''s perfunctory attitude, he did not dare to show the slightest dissatisfaction.


    Jia Sichun nodded slightly, looking at the Fang Family''s courtyard with a slight frown and a disdainful tone, "Your Fang Family is too rundown, aren''t they? If not for Fang Jin''s sake, you couldn''t have gotten me to set foot in this godforsaken place even if you carried me on a palanquin."


    "Uh..."


    Fang Tianhao wore an embarrassed expression.


    Jia Sichun spoke indifferently, "Fang Jin, aren''t you here for revenge? Have someone send a letter, tell that Xiao Yi to come over and meet his death right away. I can''t bear to stay in this dump for a moment longer!"


    Fang Jin immediately said, "Brother Jia, rest assured, I have already planned everything. I guarantee that all matters will be settled within three days!"


    "What does it matter to me how many days you take to settle things?"


    After a pause, Jia Sichun turned toward Fang Tianhao and directly ordered, "You, go call Fang Qingzhu here. Oh, right, she has a live-in son-in-law, doesn''t she? Have him personally bring Fang Qingzhu to me!"


    Fang Tianhao''s face stiffened, and he said with great trepidation, "Jia, Master Jia, that Xiao Yi is fierce, I dare not go!"


    Smack!


    Jia Sichun slapped Fang Tianhao across the face with the back of his hand, his voice cold as ice, "Useless trash, you can''t even handle such a simple task? Who among you will bring Fang Qingzhu back? I''ll reward them with a Shen Yuan Elixir!"


    The Shen Yuan Elixir, a high-grade elixir of the third rank, could allow a Divine Passage Realm strongman using it for the first time to break through a minor realm directly.


    It was an incredibly valuable elixir.


    Fang Jin had received a Shen Yuan Elixir from Jia Sichun''s hands, and now he already had the cultivation of the Second Layer Spiritual Power Realm.


    *Gulp!*


    Fang Tianhao was tempted by the Shen Yuan Elixir but just thinking about Xiao Yi''s terrifying strength in killing Zhang Yong, he could only lower his head. This only made Jia Sichun even angrier, but just then, a voice came from outside the door: "Master Jia, I am willing to serve you!"

 Chapter 32 Life and Death Platform!

    Everyone looked toward the door.They saw Lei Laohu, with his tiger''s back and bear''s waist, stride in, his face alight with excitement as he eyed the Shen Yuan Elixir in Jia Sichun''s hand.


    Fang Tianhao frowned and said, "Lei Laohu? Who let you in?"


    Lei Laohu ignored Fang Tianhao, respectfully bowed to Jia Sichun and Fang Jin, and said with a sycophantic smile, "Jia, Mr. Fang, I am the leader of the Black Tiger Gang. I share an irreconcilable feud with Xiao Yi, and the moment I heard you two had returned, I immediately came to pay my respects. Overhearing Jia''s words from outside, I took the liberty to offer my services, willing to follow your every command!"


    "Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm? Being able to cultivate to such a level in this small place, you do indeed qualify to be this young master''s dog!"


    Jia Sichun sized up Lei Laohu and said indifferently, "Go, as long as you bring the person back, this young master will grant you a Shen Yuan Elixir!"


    "Rest assured, Jia, I will not disappoint you!" Lei Laohu, far from feeling humiliated at being called a dog by Jia Sichun, thanked him with a glowing face and strode off.


    Fang Tianhao hesitated and then said, "Jia, I''m afraid that Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu will not be willing to come over!"


    Jia Sichun sneered, "Would he dare? Once I, Jia Sichun, make my name known, he''ll obediently send Fang Qingzhu to my bed! I just hope that little guy hasn''t touched her, or if he has, I''ll have to grind his bones to dust first..."


    ......


    Lei Laohu sat in his carriage, feeling the strength within him growing, his eyes becoming increasingly cold, "Xiao Yi, you killed my son, ended my lineage, and made me lose face completely. Today, it''s time for me, Lei Laohu, to take my revenge!"


    A moment later.


    Lei Laohu arrived at Xiao Yi''s residence.


    Thud!


    Lei Laohu carried a stele on his shoulder, rushing over with a swiftness.


    On the stele was inscribed "Tomb of Xiao Yi" in big characters as he planted it with a thud in front of the main entrance.


    Those in line to present their gifts couldn''t help but show shock on their faces, "Has Lei Laohu been hit on the head by a door?"


    "How dare he do this? Has he forgotten the lesson from the Zhang Family?"


    "Not long ago, he knelt here begging Xiao for forgiveness, how can he now dare to do this?"


    However, Lei Laohu paid no heed to the murmurs of the crowd, his icy gaze fixated on Zhao Xian as he growled dispassionately, "Tell that dog Xiao Yi to come out and see me!"


    Zhao Xian hurriedly opened the door and ran inside, looking for Xiao Yi, "Xiao, it''s bad news, Lei Laohu brought a tombstone and blocked the main gate, and he''s calling for Xiao to roll out and meet him!"


    "Lei Laohu? Has he gone mad?" Elder Yan frowned.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Fang Jin just got back, and Lei Laohu is causing trouble on my doorstep?"


    "You mean... Lei Laohu was sent by Fang Jin?" Elder Yan asked with a frown.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, seemingly unconcerned, "Whoever sent him, we''ll know when we go out and see!"


    A group of people walked out of the residence.


    Seeing the red inscription on the stele, Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly, revealing a hint of interest, "I have managed the Eternal Heavenly Tomb for ages, yet I never expected someone would deliver a tombstone for me!"


    Elder Yan was instantly furious; he regarded Xiao Yi as his honored master, and could not tolerate such provocation.


    Elder Yan shouted coldly, "Lei Laohu, you are courting death!"


    Lei Laohu glanced at Elder Yan and said blandly, "Elder Yan, there''s no need to be angry. My visit today is also following orders."


    Xiao Yi and Elder Yan exchanged glances.


    As expected!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed, looking curiously at Lei Laohu, "Following orders? Whose orders are you under?"


    "I am here by the command of Jia, a Profound Level student from the Royal Martial Arts Academy!" Lei Laohu held his head high, proudly stating, "Jia ordered you to immediately bring Fang Qingzhu to the Fang Family; he wants you to personally deliver Fang Qingzhu to his bed..."


    Hiss!


    The surrounding crowd was utterly shocked.


    Who didn''t know that Fang Qingzhu was the wife of Xiao Yi?


    Asking him to personally deliver Fang Qingzhu to another man''s bed?


    This was not merely a challenge but an absolute disregard and humiliation!


    What man with even a shred of dignity could endure such a thing?


    Let alone Xiao Yi?


    His eyes emitted a cold glint as they locked onto Lei Laohu like icy daggers, "Are you looking for death?"


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, now that Lei Laohu has the backing of Jia, do you think I''d still be afraid of you?"


    Lei Laohu mentioned Jia with a face full of reverence and was extremely confident in his strength, sneering continuously, "If you behave and personally deliver Fang Qingzhu for Jia''s enjoyment, maybe Jia could leave you a whole corpse. Otherwise, this stele can be erected above your grave today..."


    "You think a mere Profound Level student from the Royal Martial Arts Academy can intimidate me?"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold snort, "You''re too naive!"


    His figure suddenly moved, with the force of thunder, he moved in an instant.


    Whoosh!


    A series of afterimages merged into one on the ground, and under Lei Laohu''s astonished gaze, appeared right in front of him. It was just a punch, casually landing on Lei Laohu''s body.


    Boom!


    Before Lei Laohu could react, he was sent flying, collapsing on the ground like a heap of mud.


    Blood couldn''t stop gushing out.


    His face was filled with astonishment, horror, fear, and a deep sense of disbelief: "You... you''re finished... I represent Jia, and by hitting me, you''re slapping Jia''s face. Even if you''re willing to deliver Fang Qingzhu to his bed now, he won''t let you go..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi''s hand flashed with the light of his sword and cut off Lei Laohu''s left hand, asking indifferently, "Why does this Jia specifically want Qingzhu?"


    Lei Laohu, in pain, his face twisted, knew he had to cooperate or the next sword would sever his head, and hurriedly replied, "Fang Jin, it was Fang Jin who recommended Fang Qingzhu to Jia. That''s all I know..."


    "Fang Jin?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes turned ice-cold in an instant, his intent to kill Fang Jin was stronger than ever.


    He was about to speak...


    Inside the gate, Fang Qingzhu''s cool voice was heard: "You go tell Fang Jin that three days from now, I, Fang Qingzhu, will face him on the Fang Family''s Life and Death Platform to decide our fate."


    "Qingzhu?"


    Xiao Yi looked at her.


    Fang Qingzhu took a deep breath, the icy expression on her face softened a bit, and with a smile at Xiao Yi said, "Big Brother Xiao Yi, leave Fang Jin to me to deal with!"


    Xiao Yi was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright!"


    He walked over to Lei Laohu, spoke lightly, "I will let you go back. Relay exactly what Qingzhu has said to Fang Jin. And by the way, tell Jia Sichun to clean his neck and wait!"


    Jia Sichun actually dared to covet Fang Qingzhu, even demanding that she be delivered to his bed.


    This man was now marked by Xiao Yi as someone who must be killed.


    "Yes, yes, I will relay the message exactly!"


    Lei Laohu was sincerely frightened, and the coachman quickly helped him into the carriage, which then hastily made its way back to the Fang Family.


    The Fang Family''s great hall.


    Fang Jin and the others looked at Lei Laohu, and for a moment the atmosphere turned silent.


    "Hehehe, what a Fang Qingzhu. Just a discarded wretch, and she dares to challenge me on the Life and Death Platform?" sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fang Jin sneered and looked at Fang Tianhao, "Head of the family, spread the news tomorrow. Three days from now, I want everyone to witness who the real dragon of the Fang Family is!"


    "Don''t worry, I''ll have someone take care of it right away!" Fang Tianhao hurriedly nodded.


    However, Jia Sichun was squinting his eyes, sizing up Lei Laohu, "Did you tell him that you were sent by me?"


    "This humble one has told him it was Jia''s intention, but that Xiao Yi said, for you to clean your neck and wait..."


    Lei Laohu looked down at his severed left hand, a trace of spite flashing in his eyes, and embellished with malice, "Not only that, but Xiao Yi also said that killing Mr. Jia would be as easy as slaughtering pigs and dogs."


    Bang!


    Jia Sichun slammed his palm on the tea table, shattering it, his eyes ice cold, sneering continuously, "Such boldness, comparing me to slaughtering pigs and dogs? Hmph, isn''t Xiao Yi just a waste expelled by the Xiao Family, an impotent son-in-law? It''s fine for him to show off in this small place, but he dares to insult me like this?"


    Fang Jin said, "Brother Jia, after I defeat Fang Qingzhu in three days, I will take care of Xiao Yi for you, to let off some steam!"


    "No!"


    Jia Sichun''s sinister smile continued, "He looks down on me, right? I''ll let him see just how ridiculous all his pride and confidence are in front of me. Lei Laohu, I now grant you a Shen Yuan Elixir and a third-grade martial skill. Three days from now, I want you to publicly slaughter Xiao Yi, understood?"


    Lei Laohu''s breath became rapid, his eyes turning red, and with sincere trepidation, he said, "Thank you for your grace, Mr. Jia. I won''t let you down!"


    In his eyes, a cold and biting glint of determination was visible...


    "Xiao Yi, your death awaits in three days!"

 Chapter 33 Alarm Throughout the City

    "Have you heard? Fang Jin from the Fang Family has returned and he''s competing for the position of the heir to the Fang Family!""The news I heard is that Fang Jin is already a student at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he doesn''t even care about the position of the family head, but Fang Qingzhu refuses to give up the position of the heir, and she even challenged Fang Jin!"


    "What? Wasn''t Fang Qingzhu crippled? Challenging Fang Jin, isn''t that seeking death?"


    "That might not be the case, perhaps Fang Qingzhu will have Xiao Yi step in?"


    "This is destined to be a clash of the titans!"


    Such discussions became the most frequent topic in Nanhuang City over the past two days.


    Fang Qingzhu from the Fang Family, once the pampered princess, now a crippled nobody.


    Fang Jin from the Fang Family, always suppressed by the once-pampered princess Fang Qingzhu, had finally made a name for himself and became a distinguished disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    The two of them were like heaven and earth.


    One could even say...


    If it wasn''t for Xiao Yi recently annihilating the Zhang Family single-handedly, right now everyone would assume Fang Qingzhu was as good as dead. However, the focus of attention is now on the battle between Xiao Yi and Fang Jin, and who will have the last laugh.


    And not Fang Qingzhu versus Fang Jin.


    After all.


    In everyone''s eyes, Fang Qingzhu is nothing but a cripple.


    Within the Xiao Family''s side residence.


    Xiao Yi was dressed in a short gown of crescent moon white, his black hair a floating cascade, adding a sense of grace and flair to his demeanor. In front of him stood Fang Qingzhu in a tight-fitting purple leather armor, with a long purple whip at her waist.


    "Xiao Yi, how do I look in this outfit today?" Fang Qingzhu asked with a smile.


    Xiao Yi gave a thumbs-up, "Perfect!"


    "Giggle giggle giggle!"


    Fang Qingzhu laughed merrily, then suddenly stood on tiptoes and lightly pecked Xiao Yi on his cheek before blushing and fleeing with her hand over her face.


    Xiao Yi touched his cheek subconsciously, the lingering faint fragrance sending his heart racing, a smile unconsciously lighting up his face, "Did this girl just steal a kiss from me?" Watching her bounded away, her long hair swinging behind her, Xiao Yi''s smile gradually faded.


    In his mind, he couldn''t help but recall the night before, when the two of them practiced cultivation and had their breakthrough to the Shentong Realm.


    The ice-blue phantom phoenix that appeared behind Fang Qingzhu.


    The phoenix, king of mythical birds who fed on dragons, roaming the heavens and earth with unmatched strength. When Fang Qingzhu broke through to the Shentong Realm, an ice-blue phantom phoenix appeared behind her, and she awakened her Innate Divine Ability.


    It is known, not every Shentong Realm cultivator could awaken their Innate Divine Ability!


    Only those with exceptional talent, or a powerful bloodline inheritance, had a chance of awakening their Innate Divine Ability.


    Like Xiao Tianjiao...


    When he broke through to the Shentong Realm, he awakened his Innate Divine Ability, the Limitless Golden Body. By invoking this Divine Skill, he could make himself invulnerable to blade and fire, water and flame, and combined with the terrifying power of the Supreme Overlord Holy Body, he was invincible within his realm, fighting across levels as easily as drinking water.


    "The Fang Family''s ancestors have no records of birthing such powerful individuals, how did Qingzhu awaken her Innate Divine Ability?"


    As he pondered.


    Fang Qingzhu''s urging voice came from in front, "Xiao Yi, hurry up!"


    Ah!


    Why think so much?


    It only adds to one''s troubles!


    Xiao Yi let out a hearty laugh and responded, "I''m coming!"


    Elder Yan was already waiting outside, standing in front of an opulent golden carriage, respectfully saying, "Young Master Xiao, Madam Xiao, please get into the carriage!" S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Thank you!"


    Fang Qingzhu smiled sweetly, looked to the left and right and not seeing Lin Bingxin, asked with curiosity, "Elder Yan, where is Bingxin?"


    Elder Yan smiled and said, "Bingxin is on her way, you will see her soon!"


    "Alright then!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded and climbed into the carriage.


    Elder Yan personally drove the carriage, a truly astonishing level of deference.


    Tatata!


    The carriage slowly made its way toward the Fang Family, and Xiao Yi, sitting inside, narrowed his eyes and lifted the curtain.


    He saw figures darting out from all around the street, closely following behind the carriage.


    Within the crowd.


    It was possible to vaguely make out the figures of Lin Bingxin, Zhao Yu, Zhao Xian, and others.


    "Xiao Yi, brother, what are they doing��" Fang Qingzhu looked bewildered, why such a commotion?


    Elder Yan''s voice came from outside the carriage, "Xiao, Madam Xiao, this has been organized spontaneously by everyone. The shameless actions of the Fang Family have long been intolerable to everyone, today they are all here to cheer and support you!"


    Lin Bingxin had already caught up to the side of the carriage, riding a tall horse, smiling as she looked inside, "Qingzhu, sister, fight hard, you are not fighting alone!"


    "We support you!"


    "Go for it!"


    Cheers and shouts kept coming from outside the carriage.


    In these past few days...


    The Fang Family continually slandered Fang Qingzhu and Xiao Yi, both of whom had been focused on their closed-door training and were unaware of the events unfolding outside. However, Elder Yan, Zhao Yu, and the others were well aware, and they also mobilized their resources to expose the deeds of the Fang Family to the public.


    From the expulsion of Xiao Yi from the main courtyard by the Fang Family.


    To the humiliation and oppression of Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu during Fang Tianhao''s birthday feast.


    And the shameless actions of Fang Zheng, Liu Yun, and others, as well as Fang Jin''s attempt to please a high-ranking disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy by offering Fang Qingzhu to Jia Sichun, and so on...


    The people deeply detested the despicable actions of the Fang Family.


    With the calls from the Treasure Pavilion and the Zhao Family, the scene that unfolded now was made possible.


    Tens of thousands of people surrounded Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu, converging into an iron flood and majestically heading toward the Fang Family.


    Emptying every alley, startling the entire city.


    ......


    The Fang Family''s premises were already swarming with a sea of people.


    On the open ground outside the main gate, a huge fighting platform made of bluestone had been set up.


    This was the Life and Death Platform.


    By the side of the platform.


    Jia Sichun lounged lazily on a Taishi Chair, with a beautiful woman on each side attentively tending to him, with Lei Laohu, Fang Jin, and Fang Tianhao sitting to his left and right.


    As for Fang Zheng, Liu Yun, and Fang Hao, they didn''t even have the privilege of sitting, and stood behind the others.


    Jia Sichun caressed the waist of a woman beside him, enjoying the taste of the delicacies in his mouth, and impatiently said, "Haven''t Xiao Yi and the others arrived yet?"


    "They should be arriving soon!" Fang Tianhao said obsequiously.


    Boom boom boom!


    Suddenly, a thunderous noise like a multitude of armies on the move came from the front, rattling the cups on the table, as a black tide of steel gradually emerged on the street, almost covering the entire street.


    At the forefront of the crowd, a golden carriage slowly approached.


    "Here they come!" Fang Jin squinted.


    Jia Sichun raised his eyebrows, "Oh? The carriage from Treasure Pavilion? It seems this Xiao Yi has quite a special relationship with the Treasure Pavilion!"


    Fang Tianhao looked concerned, "Jia, the Elder Yan from Treasure Pavilion has an unbreakable bond with Xiao Yi, do we��"


    "No need to worry!"


    Jia Sichun waved his hand indifferently, "If it were the Pavilion Master of the capital''s Treasure Pavilion, I might fear him somewhat. But a mere branch Pavilion Master from Nanhuang, is someone I do not regard highly!"


    Fang Tianhao let out a sigh of relief.


    Meanwhile.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu also stepped down from the carriage.


    The moment Jia Sichun caught a distant glimpse of Fang Qingzhu, he abruptly stood up from his seat, his eyes glued to her, his gaze filled with a fiery passion, he swallowed and exclaimed, "Beautiful, incredibly beautiful, hahaha, Fang Jin, you have not disappointed me at all."


    Jia Sichun glanced at Lei Laohu and commanded, "You, go bring that Fang Qingzhu to me!"

 Chapter 34 You Think You Are Worthy?

    "Bring Fang Qingzhu to me!"Jia Sichun stared at Fang Qingzhu with excitement, giving orders to Lei Laohu.


    Lei Laohu''s whole body surged with Qi-Blood like a rainbow, bursting forth from his body, all over him lingered the ferocious aura of a recent breakthrough. Having received a Shen Yuan Elixir from Jia Sichun, he had progressed from the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm to the Fourth Layer.


    His combat strength had increased several-fold from before.


    It was the perfect moment for him to retaliate in high spirits and redeem his previous disgrace.


    "Rest assured, Jia," Lei Laohu respectfully said. "I''ll bring Fang Qingzhu to you right away!"


    Jia Sichun said, "Don''t harm the beauty, but as for the others," his eyes flashed with a cold light, "if they dare to obstruct, kill!"


    "Yes!"


    Lei Laohu strode towards Xiao Yi and the others with the confident gait of a despot.


    "Eh? Isn''t that the Black Tiger Gang''s Leader Lei? What is he up to?"


    "They say when the Zhang Family was just annihilated, Lei Laohu knelt in front of Xiao Yi''s residence begging for forgiveness. How come he''s now siding with that Jia?"


    "He''s probably looking to avenge his past humiliation. They say this Jia is from the Mysterious Rank Academy at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, with a deep background. With such a powerful patron, Lei Laohu naturally need not fear Xiao Yi anymore!"


    Amidst the murmuring.


    Lei Laohu arrived in front of Xiao Yi and Qingzhu, looking proud and indifferent. His gaze was cold as he regarded Xiao Yi, madness for revenge flashing in his eyes: "By Jia''s order, I''m to take Fang Qingzhu to serve him!"


    "How dare you!"


    Elder Yan''s expression darkened as he angrily reprimanded.


    Lei Laohu stared down Elder Yan without fear, raising his mangled left hand and feigning a fist salute in the direction of Jia Sichun, casually saying, "Elder Yan, consider carefully. This is what Jia wishes. Are you sure you want to oppose him?"


    "You..." Elder Yan''s face turned unsightly.


    Jia Sichun was not only backed by the Royal Martial Arts Academy, but his family background was also terribly strong.


    Even Elder Yan dared not offend him too much.


    As Elder Yan hesitated, Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "You really are tired of living!"


    Instinctive fear flickered deep within Lei Laohu''s eyes, but upon thinking of Jia Sichun''s support and his newfound strength having broken through to the Fourth Layer of the Shentong Realm and having received a martial skill from Jia, he felt full of confidence.


    "Hmph, I am no longer the same Lei Laohu as before. I have successfully stepped into the Fifth Layer of the Shentong Realm with Jia''s help and acquired a third-grade high-level fist technique. I won''t be at a disadvantage even against you!"


    Lei Laohu arrogantly declared, "Xiao Yi, if you know what''s good for you, hand over Fang Qingzhu to Jia. Perhaps you can then clutch at life and maintain a semblance of it. Otherwise, this day next year will be your day of remembrance! If you doubt it, we can settle this with a fight!"


    Xiao Yi''s fingers slightly curled up, forming a sword-finger gesture, ready to make a move.


    Suddenly stepping forward, Zhao Yu bowed respectfully, "Xiao, such trash does not deserve to be on the receiving end of your hands. Please allow me to sever his head!"


    Taken aback, Xiao Yi looked at the earnest expression on Zhao Yu''s face and nodded. "Granted!"


    Whoosh!


    Zhao Yu let out a breath, ecstasy spreading across his face.


    With Xiao Yi''s permission for him to step forward, it indicated that he was regarded as one of Xiao Yi''s own.


    Lei Laohu eyed Zhao Yu standing in front of him, squinting, "Zhao Yu, has your brain been squeezed by a door? Behind me stands Jia, a student of the Mysterious Rank Academy of the Royal Martial Arts Institute, with a background both powerful and formidable. And yet you choose to stand with Xiao Yi?"


    Slowly drawing his longsword, Zhao Yu spoke calmly, "Jia Sichun? He''s not even qualified to carry Xiao''s shoes... Enough talk, it''s time to die!"


    "Since you seek death, don''t blame me for it!"


    Lei Laohu snorted coldly, "Barbaric Bull Power Fist!"


    He leapt into the air and charged ferociously towards Zhao Yu.


    This set of moves, known as the "Barbaric Bull Power Fist," was a third-grade high-level fist technique he had bought from Jia Sichun with over a decade''s accumulations of the Black Tiger Gang, far stronger than any martial skill he had previously mastered.


    Forceful and overwhelmingly fierce.


    However...


    Zhao Yu, on the other hand, appeared indifferent. Holding the longsword, he suddenly sidestepped, "Tiger-Slaying First Sword!"


    Swish!


    This sword strike, launched from below to above, barely forced Lei Laohu to dodge by tilting his body. Calm and composed, Zhao Yu immediately followed with the next move: "Tiger-Slaying Second Sword!"


    This sword came slashing diagonally from top to bottom.


    Lei Laohu felt a chill all over. Instinctively stepping to the side, he retreated backward.


    But just as he retreated, a breath of death had already struck from behind.


    With a glimpse out of the corner of his eye, Lei Laohu was chilled to the bone with fright.


    Zhao Yu had unknowly positioned himself behind him, "The Third Sword of Subduing the Tiger!"


    Swish!


    A single sword thrust, and even ghosts and gods were startled.


    Thrust!


    That thrust pierced through Lei Laohu''s throat, and he knelt on the ground, clutching his throat, trembling all over. Zhao Yu watched him coldly, "Both are third-grade high-level martial arts. Yours was bought from the Black Tiger Gang with more than a decade of savings, while mine was something Xiao discarded because he didn''t think it was good enough!"


    Thrust!


    Lei Laohu spurted a mouthful of fresh blood.


    Did the martial skill he spent more than a decade''s savings on actually amount to less than the trash Xiao Yi didn''t even want?


    Ah...


    Lei Laohu roared unwillingly, and with a loud boom, fell on his back, breathless in death.


    Zhao Yu put away his longsword under the awe-struck gaze of the crowd and stood before Xiao Yi, stating respectfully, "Xiao, I have not failed your expectations!"


    "Well done!"


    Xiao Yi nodded with a smile, then his gaze shifted to Fang Jin and Jia Sichun.


    The two had left their seats at the moment of Lei Laohu''s death.


    "Here, take him back!"


    Xiao Yi kicked Lei Laohu''s corpse to Jia Sichun''s feet.


    "Useless trash, a disgrace..."


    Jia Sichun, with an angry face, struck out with his palm, smashing Lei Laohu''s body into mincemeat. He looked up, locked eyes with Xiao Yi, and sparks flew, their glares clashing in the air with fiery intensity.


    "Brother Jia, don''t get angry. I''ll kill him momentarily to vent your anger!"


    Fang Jin let out a long howl, his figure soared to the sky, and in an instant, he was on the arena stage, looking down coldly at Fang Qingzhu, "Qingzhu, it''s your fortune that Brother Jia thinks highly of you. If you serve Brother Jia well, I will not only give you the position of family heir, but I will also plead for mercy on your behalf to spare the life of the dog, Xiao Yi. How about that?"


    Fang Qingzhu coldly responded, "The position of family heir is already mine, Hexu, it''s yours to give away!"


    "Oh? So you are keen on battling me? I''m not afraid to tell you, I''m a cultivator of the Second Layer Spiritual Power Realm and have even awakened my Innate Divine Ability. You''re just a cripple with a damaged dantian. Are you sure you want to fight me?"


    Fang Jin laughed heartily, his words laced with a nauseating smugness, "Or are you planning to have a husband and wife team-up and come to die together?"


    "You''re not worthy to make Brother Xiao Yi take action!" Fang Qingzhu coolly replied.


    Swish!


    Her figure flashed, and she leapt onto the arena stage, her face indifferent, "Begin!"


    "Hahaha, you should make the first move. If I start, you won''t even have the chance to react!" Fang Jin was full of pride.


    "Oh!"


    Fang Qingzhu just responded with a sound.


    The next second.


    Her figure vanished from Fang Jin''s sight.


    "What? Where is she?"


    Fang Jin was utterly befuddled, then suddenly, a burning pain spread across his face.


    Smack!


    Fang Jin spun around like a top, was flung ten meters away, tumbled for several turns, and crashed down from the arena stage. S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hiss!


    The crowd gasped, their faces aghast, "What... what just happened?"


    "Such speed, wasn''t Fang Qingzhu''s dantian supposedly ruined? How... how does she have such strength and speed?"


    Fang Jin was slapped into a state of complete confusion.


    Fang Qingzhu walked to the edge of the arena stage, looking down with scorn at Fang Jin, mocking with a cold laugh, "Still thinking of challenging Brother Xiao Yi? Do you think you''re worthy?"

 Chapter 35 Overwhelming Domination

    "Impossible, how can this be possible?"Fang Jin''s face was filled with disbelief and shock.


    The news of Fang Qingzhu being crippled was known throughout Nanhuang City, but the strength and speed that Fang Qingzhu had just displayed, how could someone whose dantian had been destroyed possess such abilities?


    At the very least, that level of strength and speed was something even Fang Jin felt inferior to!


    Jia Sichun narrowed his eyes and looked at Fang Qingzhu with an increasingly intense gaze, his desire to possess her growing stronger: "Excellent, excellent, what a heavenly prodigy. To be able to break through to the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm at such a young age in this remote place, if she can awaken her Innate Divine Ability, she would even be qualified to be a concubine of this young master!"


    "What? First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm?"


    "Is it true? Fang Qingzhu reached the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm? Wasn''t her dantian destroyed?"


    The most shocked were undoubtedly Mr. and Mrs. Fang Zheng.


    They had personally witnessed Fang Qingzhu''s dantian being destroyed!


    And now Fang Qingzhu had actually broken through to the Divine Passage Realm?


    Elder Yan and Zhao Yu exchanged looks, also seeing the shock and astonishment in each other''s eyes, but compared to the confusion and incomprehension of others, they felt even more shocked.


    The two exchanged glances and turned simultaneously to look at Xiao Yi, who stood with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face.


    They could be certain that Fang Qingzhu had indeed been crippled!


    Yet now, Fang Qingzhu had broken through to the Divine Passage Realm.


    This was nothing short of a miracle!


    "It must be Xiao!"


    "Apart from him, no one else could create such a miracle... a reborn dantian, Xiao''s methods are truly profound and unfathomable..." As they looked at Xiao Yi, their eyes filled with even more reverence.


    Above the arena.


    Fang Qingzhu said indifferently: "Fang Jin, how much longer do you plan to lie there? Weren''t you going to take away the position of family heir? Come on, show me your full strength and let me see what makes you believe you can replace me!"


    Before her dantian was destroyed, Fang Qingzhu was already considered a heavenly prodigy.


    A prodigy has the pride of a prodigy!


    Ever since her dantian was destroyed, Fang Qingzhu had endured the world''s coldness and seen all its hideous faces.


    Her mentality became even stronger than before.


    But at the same time...


    It made her even colder towards her enemies.


    Fang Jin''s face alternated between pale and flushed, originally thinking that his breakthrough to the Divine Skills Realm, especially with Jia Sichun''s help to step into the Second Layer of the Divine Skills Realm, would mean a triumphant return. He would announce himself as the overlord of Nanhuang City in front of everyone.


    But...


    His dream was harshly shattered by Fang Qingzhu from the very start.


    "Damn it!"


    Fang Jin clenched his teeth, his eyes filled with ferocity and madness, "It was just my carelessness just now... Fang Qingzhu, you''ve completely infuriated me."


    "Oh?"


    Fang Qingzhu remained calm as usual, squinting her eyes and saying, "And what about it?"


    "I''m going to kill you!"


    Fang Jin, red-faced, let out a low roar and summoned a black longsword from his storage ring.


    The longsword was wrapped with a black dragon, the tip of the blade flickering with cold light, shining for ten miles.


    "Second-Grade Yuan Weapon Dragon Scale Sword!"


    "Half a year ago, this weapon was auctioned by Treasure Pavilion and bought by a mysterious person, I didn''t expect it to end up in his hands!"


    "This is bad, Fang Qingzhu''s weapon is only a First-layer High-Level Yuan Weapon Purple Cloud Whip, she''s at a big disadvantage just based on their weapons alone!"


    Fang Qingzhu squinted, her eyes flickering with sharp light, but she showed no sign of panic. Instead, she turned back to Xiao Yi with a playful smile: "Xiao Yi, that sword looks pretty good, do you like it?"


    Xiao Yi smiled: "It''s not bad!"


    "Alright!" Sear?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fang Qingzhu beamed with charm, sweetly saying, "Since Xiao Yi likes it, then it''s mine!"


    "You dare covet my weapon? You''re delusional!"


    "Poison Dragon Slash!"


    Fang Jin leaped up, the Dragon Scale Sword exuding a cold brilliance. The black dragon pattern coiling around the sword seemed to come alive, and amidst a deafening dragon''s roar, the glistening silver tip stabbed towards Fang Qingzhu.


    The strike was powerful and heavy, its angle extremely tricky.


    However...


    Fang Qingzhu''s face remained indifferent, her figure graceful as a celestial, her delicate hand flicking the Purple Cloud Whip.


    Crack!


    The Purple Cloud Whip danced wildly like a raging serpent, striking out in an instant, coiling around the blade of the Dragon Scale Sword. Following that, a faint ice-blue phantom flickered in her eyes, seemingly that of a soaring phoenix cloaked in icy blue.


    The Ice Blue Phoenix swept past.


    A dreadful cold swept down his palm, and a layer of cold ice had actually condensed on the longsword.


    "Not good!"


    Fang Jin''s face changed suddenly.


    In such an instant...


    His palm was already covered with a layer of frost, the entire palm numb.


    "Let go!"


    Fang Qingzhu sharply pulled her whip, and with a snap, she broke Fang Jin''s frozen grasp, revealing fierce cracks in the frozen palm. The mist of cold made the oozing blood instantly turn into crimson ice spikes.


    The Dragon Scale Sword fell into Fang Qingzhu''s hands.


    Taking advantage of the momentum, the whip coiled and snapped against Fang Jin''s chest.


    Clothes burst apart, skin split, flesh exploded, and blood gushed like a fountain!


    Fang Jin screamed miserably as he was hurled out, Fang Qingzhu pursued, and with the Purple Cloud Whip binding, she threw the longsword fiercely. With a piercing sound, it penetrated Fang Jin''s thigh, nailing him to the arena floor.


    All of this happened in a fleeting moment, in the blink of an eye.


    Fang Qingzhu had taken absolute advantage!


    In contrast, Fang Jin...


    This genius from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, now impaled on the arena floor like a dead dog, wailed miserably.


    "Holy shit, isn''t Fang Qingzhu too strong?"


    "Worthy of being the once number one beauty of Nanhuang City, her strength is terrifying!"


    "Fang Jin''s loss isn''t undeserved..."


    The crowd exclaimed at Fang Qingzhu''s strength, but Xiao Yi''s expression darkened, a glint of intense cold murderous intent flitting across his eyes.


    Just as Fang Qingzhu defeated Fang Jin, a figure suddenly sprang out from below the arena. A sword finger surged with overwhelming Yuan energy aimed directly at Fang Qingzhu, accompanied by Jia Sichun''s bitterly cold voice, "Fang Jin is my dog, hitting him means disrespecting me, get down on your knees!"


    Jia Sichun was a cultivator of the Sixth Layer of the Divine Skill Realm and a genius who had awakened his Innate Divine Ability.


    With his gesture, the breath of death enveloped Fang Qingzhu.


    As the sword finger was about to strike Fang Qingzhu...


    At that moment...


    Xiao Yi stepped forward into the air, crushing that sword finger with a stomp, and with a backhanded slap, a loud snap landed on Jia Sichun''s face.


    Flinging Jia Sichun away.


    Xiao Yi looked at him with icy eyes, "Dare to touch my woman, I see you''ve grown tired of living!"


    "You dare to hit me?"


    Jia Sichun''s face was full of ferocious hate, who had he ever been slapped by in public from childhood?


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If you seek death, wait until Qingzhu has resolved the matter here, I will oblige you. If you dare to meddle again, I''ll cripple you right now!"


    Boom!


    The aura of the God-Sealing Demon-Suppressing General was unmatched, capable of subduing the heavens and sealing gods and demons.


    Jia Sichun''s pupils shrank suddenly, and an unprecedented solemnity rose in his heart, but he retreated to the side without a word.


    Xiao Yi turned to Fang Tianhao, "Mr. Fang, can you now announce who will be the Fang Family successor?"


    Whew!


    Fang Tianhao exhaled a long breath, looking at Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu with a complicated expression. He had never imagined that the two whom he once drove out and never took seriously could come this far.


    His eyes carried ferocity and coldness, staring fixedly at the two but he shook his head and said, "Qingzhu, it''s a joy that you have recovered your cultivation. However, it''s still not your turn to be the successor of the Fang Family head."


    "Hm?"


    Fang Qingzhu was taken aback, her brows tightly knitted.


    She did not covet the position of head of the Fang Family, but it was the goal she had struggled for since childhood to prove herself.


    She wanted to prove to everyone that she Fang Qingzhu was no less than any man.


    To show her parents that she deserved their love and attention.


    And now...


    She had done it!


    She had defeated Fang Jin and proven her strength.


    But Fang Tianhao said she still couldn''t become the successor?


    Fang Qingzhu''s face turned pale, her lips tightly pursed as she asked word by word, "Why?"


    Fang Tianhao said coldly, "Because..."

 Chapter 36 The Origins of Fang Qingzhu

    Fang Tianhao said coldly, "Because you are not of my Fang Family''s bloodline!"Boom!


    Fang Qingzhu staggered back three steps, her pretty face turned deathly pale, and she looked at Fang Tianhao in disbelief, "What are you saying? I''m not of the Fang Family bloodline?"


    From her childhood, she was born and raised in the Fang Family.


    She had even been willing to become a sacrificial pawn for the Fang Family''s interests, sinking to the role of a tool for the Fang Family to cling to the Xiao Family through alliance marriage.


    But now...


    Fang Tianhao was actually telling her she was not of the Fang Family?


    Fang Tianhao glanced at the hiding Fang Zheng couple and said indifferently, "Do you still not come forth at this point?"


    The Fang Zheng couple came out from behind.


    They exchanged a glance, and Fang Zheng pushed Liu Yun, "You say it!"


    Liu Yun glared fiercely at Fang Zheng, her gaze toward Fang Qingzhu filled with complexity, and she sighed, "Qingzhu, the head of the family is right, you truly are not one of us. Eighteen years ago, on a snowy night, we found you in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range during our training and brought you back. You are just an unwanted wild seed!"


    Boom!


    Fang Qingzhu trembled, feeling an icy chill throughout her body.


    She was truly not of the Fang Family?


    She was just an unwanted wild seed?


    Fang Qingzhu clenched her lips tightly as fresh blood seeped from them, staining her pearly white teeth red. "I don''t believe it, you''re lying to me, right? You must all be conspiring to deceive me, right?"


    Her hoarse voice was laced with hysteria, and her bloodshot eyes were too intense to meet.


    "I..."


    Liu Yun looked at the girl she had raised for eighteen years, suddenly feeling a strange sense of fear and unfamiliarity. She opened her mouth but couldn''t make a sound.


    Fang Zheng, standing to one side, sighed and said, "Let me do it then!"


    "You are indeed not our daughter. At first, we thought to raise you only to have you serve as a maid, but at the age of eight, you showed exceptional martial arts talent, and we decided to keep your true origin a secret. Having a daughter with remarkable talents could stabilize our position within the clan. We hoped to keep this secret forever and treat you as our own, especially after arranging your marriage with the Xiao Family. But you were crippled and useless, and married to such a weakling, you hold no value for us now..."


    Fang Zheng looked up at Fang Qingzhu and said, "Fang Jin has Jia''s support, and even if you regain your cultivation, you cannot compete with him. Qingzhu, for the sake of eighteen years of affection, my advice to you is to submit willingly to Jia. As long as you serve Jia well, even if only as his lover, you will still be our good girl!"


    Thump! Thump! Thump!


    Fang Qingzhu suddenly realized why, as a child, Fang Zheng and his wife had always been so indifferent to her.


    It was only after she began to cultivate and displayed immense talent that they suddenly started showing her great concern.


    But once she was married to Xiao Yi, and her cultivation was destroyed, they became strangers to her.


    "So it turns out... I was nothing but a tool for you to use all along..." Fang Qingzhu murmured to herself. As she spoke, tears fell, and as she cried, she laughed as well.


    Yet her laughter was desolate, and her smile was terribly bitter.


    She felt as if the whole world plunged into endless darkness.


    Out of reach was any light or hope!


    Liu Yun, standing aside, shouted, "Your father is right, with Jia''s status, becoming his lover would hugely benefit us and the Fang Family. You''re nothing but an unwanted wild seed, becoming his lover is a great fortune for you, I urge you..." Ah...


    Before she could finish.


    Smack!


    Liu Yun was sent flying by a slap from Xiao Yi, her teeth shattered from the impact, and Xiao Yi''s cold gaze swept across them, "If you utter one more useless word, I''ll slaughter you right now!" S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hiss!


    Fang Zheng and Fang Hao quickly bowed their heads, as silent as cicadas in winter.


    Watching Fang Qingzhu by his side, who alternated between laughing and crying, Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed with pain, and he gently embraced her, "Don''t be afraid, you still have me!"


    Fang Qingzhu stiffened, then gradually softened in his arms.


    The warmth emanating from Xiao Yi''s body felt like a lifesaving straw, pulling Fang Qingzhu out from the abyss of darkness and despair.


    Life returned to Fang Qingzhu''s eyes once more.


    She was not alone, she was not unwanted.


    She still had Xiao Yi!


    "What a touching display of love between a man and his girl�� However, you knew that I fancied her, yet you dared to be so intimate with her, isn''t that too dismissive of me?" Jia Sichun looked at Fang Qingzhu curled up in Xiao Yi''s embrace, his eyes filled with rage and jealousy, which diluted the awe his imposing aura should have commanded.


    His possessiveness was extremely intense.


    In his eyes, anyone or anything he desired was his.


    No one else was permitted to touch them!


    "You��"


    Just as Fang Qingzhu was about to speak, Xiao Yi stopped her and shook his head with a light chuckle, "Leave it to me!"


    Fang Qingzhu obediently nodded, "Mhm!"


    Watching Fang Qingzhu step off the platform, Xiao Yi''s soft smile quietly faded away, and his nearly closed eyes emitted a cold sharpness. Casually strolling by Fang Jin, he reached out his hand into thin air, and the Dragon Scale Sword whistled into his grip with a swift motion.


    "Owow��" Fang Jin cried out in pain.


    The Dragon Scale Sword had only pierced through his flesh when it went through his thigh, but Xiao Yi suddenly withdrew it, completely shattering his bones.


    Xiao Yi glanced sideways at the curled up Fang Jin who was screaming on the ground and said indifferently, "You''re too noisy!"


    The longsword pierced, penetrating Fang Jin''s throat.


    From the moment Fang Jin set his sights on Fang Qingzhu, his fate had already been sealed!


    "No�� you, you actually killed Fang Jin?" Fang Tianhao''s eyes were filled with fury.


    Now that their relationship with Fang Qingzhu had become irreparably volatile, Fang Jin was their Fang Family''s only hope.


    But now��


    Xiao Yi had personally crushed that hope.


    Fang Tianhao shouted to Jia Sichun beside him, "Jia, kill him, quickly avenge Fang Jin!"


    Bang!


    Jia Sichun made his move.


    Only...


    His palm struck Fang Tianhao''s head.


    Fang Tianhao''s body trembled, blood spurted from his seven apertures, and until his dying moment, he still couldn''t understand why Jia Sichun, clearly on the same side, would suddenly strike at him.


    "A dog dares to give orders to me?"


    Jia Sichun withdrew his hand, took out a handkerchief to wipe his palm, and looked at Xiao Yi with disgust, "Xiao Yi of the Xiao Family? Your brother Xiao Tianjiao is indeed an impressive figure, said to have entered the Dharma Manifestation Realm half a month ago, becoming the Deputy Sect Master of Tianjian Sect, and he might reach the ranks of the ancient giants within ten years. But I heard he doesn''t think highly of you; he even considers you a disgrace and expelled you from the Xiao Family. If I kill you now, he should thank me, right?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "He has reached the Dharma Manifestation already? That''s fast!"


    Though he harbored all sorts of hatred towards Xiao Tianjiao, he couldn''t help but admire his martial talent.


    Entering the Dharma Manifestation Realm in his twenties!


    Even in the history of the entire Heavenly Yuan Realm, such individuals are rare.


    "It seems I still have a long way to go to surpass him!"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his gaze settling on Jia Sichun, the Dragon Scale Sword in his hand vibrating ever so slightly, its tip flickering with silver light, bright and cold for a hundred zhang, and he said coldly, "If you want to kill me to curry favor with Xiao Tianjiao, you''ll have to see if you''re capable!"


    Jia Sichun''s tongue, red as blood, licked his lips, and he sneered, "If you can withstand ten moves from me and hand over Fang Qingzhu to me, I''ll spare your life. How about it?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Killing you is like slaughtering pigs and dogs, ten moves? That''s too many!"

 Chapter 37 Visit Mr. Xiao

    ```"Killing you is like slaughtering pigs and dogs, ten moves? Too many!"


    Xiao Yi wore a look of indifference on his face as he gently shook his head.


    Although his cultivation was only at the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, the four hundred God Sealing Seeds within his body had been activated. Even though he hadn''t subdued any new foes, those seeds had infused his Sword Intent Seed with the power of the divine.


    He had completed the last step of transformation.


    True Sword Intent had formed!


    With Sword Intent in his grasp and having stepped into the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he had also awakened his Innate Divine Ability.


    This elevated Xiao Yi''s power to a whole new level!


    He underwent a fundamental transformation!


    With his current strength, not even a Sixth Layer of Divine Skill Realm powerhouse like Jia Sichun was of any concern to him.


    "Killing me is like slaughtering pigs and dogs?"


    Jia Sichun''s face was filled with a hideous rage, experiencing humiliation like never before, he touched his cheek that had just been slapped by Xiao Yi, his eyes glinting with icy coldness, "A dog like you dares to humiliate me like this? I''ll show you how foolish it is to have angered me!"


    Boom!


    Jia Sichun''s fists flew through the air.


    Vital energy surged wildly along his arms as if cloaked in an armor of Qi, his figure as swift as the wind and lightning, racing forth in a blink.


    Whoosh!


    In the blink of an eye.


    Jia Sichun appeared before Xiao Yi, pointing his finger, "Four Directions Prison Dragon Finger!"


    Boom!


    Vital energy, fine as threads, burst forth from his fingertips, enveloping the space around Xiao Yi from all directions, interweaving into a cage of Qi.


    Jia Sichun''s face twisted malevolently, "Six Harmonies Extinction Sun Palm!"


    He opened his hands, one to the left and one to the right, with palms facing each other.


    From his palms erupted scorching vital energy like raging flames, transforming into two fiery dragons rushing towards Xiao Yi within the cage. The dragons appeared fierce and life-like, with flames that soared high enough to almost melt the arena itself.


    "Is this... really martial arts? Why do our techniques seem like child''s play before his, although we''re also in the Divine Skills Realm..." Zhao Yu swallowed nervously, his eyes filled with horror and dread.


    Elder Yan took a deep breath, his face tinged with bitterness, "This is true Divine Skills. What we''ve been cultivating is merely martial arts... Nanhuang is too small!"


    Nanhuang was indeed too small. S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    So small that these family heads who presided over their respective areas couldn''t even awaken their Innate Divine Abilities when breaking through to the Divine Skills Realm.


    If they were in the capital, these Divine Skills Realm experts could only be called pseudo-Divine Skills.


    They were far inferior to those of the same realm who had awakened their Innate Divine Abilities.


    Not to mention in the Great Qian Dynasty...


    Any Divine Skills Realm cultivator who hadn''t awakened their Innate Divine Ability, even in the military, would only be cannon fodder.


    Not far away, amidst the crowd.


    Lord Sikong wore a grave expression as he turned toward the elder beside him, his heart filled with unease, he ventured, "Elder Wang, should you intervene?"


    "Grandfather, won''t you take action?" The young girl standing beside him looked up.


    Elder Wang chuckled and shook his head, petting the girl''s head, he smiled, "No need, that young fellow named Xiao Yi has brought me quite a few surprises! And his wife, having such a rare Ice Attribute Innate Divine Ability, if I bring this couple back, those old fellows will surely be green with envy..."


    Sikong Nan''s face shifted slightly.


    He was well aware of Elder Wang''s status and naturally understood where the elder spoke of taking them.


    Sikong Nan calmed the envy and excitement in his heart, looking towards Xiao Yi, he thought to himself, "It seems it must have been Xiao who brought forth the heavenly phenomenon back then, and now he has even caught Elder Wang''s favor. Xiao''s future is boundless indeed!"


    Meanwhile.


    The fiery dragon from the flames had already rushed toward the Four Directions Prison Cage.


    Numerous flames spewed out tongues of fire, emitting intense heat as if to incinerate all in its path to ashes.


    "Die, Xiao Yi!"


    Fang Zheng and his family had faces full of venomous resentment.


    However...


    Amidst the flames, a heaven-shattering Sword Qi burst forth.


    ```


    ```


    Whoosh!


    The silver sword light cleaved the fierce flames into two halves, and along with the entire vital energy prison, crumbled to dust under Xiao Yi''s sword edge. Following closely, Xiao Yi''s figure emerged from the flames, like the deity of fire descending upon the world.


    "Impossible�� How, how could you possibly break my Four Directions Prison Dragon Finger?" Jia Sichun''s face was filled with shock, disbelief written all over it.


    This was a third-grade high-level martial skill, combined with the fire attribute vital energy brought by his Innate Divine Ability, it was tremendously powerful.


    Using these two consecutive moves against his opponents, he had always been invincible!


    Boom!


    Jia Sichun''s body shook violently as tongues of fire burst forth from within him, turning him into a human-shaped flame. Flames spewed from his eyes, revealing his Innate Divine Ability, the Flaming Devil Body.


    Enveloped in the soaring demon flames, the Flaming Devil Body charged towards Xiao Yi: "Trinity Palm!"


    "Four Symbols Thunderous Fist!"


    "Five Directions Demon King Finger..."


    With demon flames enhancing his body, over ten different skills came crashing down like a landslide, but Xiao Yi effortlessly neutralized each one. Facing Xiao Yi, who stood quietly before him, revealing no flaws, Jia Sichun, even with his demon flames, still felt an icy chill throughout his body.


    Xiao Yi held the Dragon Scale Sword, looking indifferently at what laid before him: "Ten moves have passed, now it''s my turn!"


    "Sweeping a Thousand Armies!"


    A horizontal sweep of the sword, its brilliance like thousands of galloping horses.


    Boom!


    The terrifying Sword Qi sent Jia Sichun tumbling into the air, and right then, Xiao Yi''s second sword strike was upon him: "Chasing Stars and Moons!"


    Whoosh!


    This sword strike snapped the tendons in both of Jia Sichun''s hands.


    "Life Seizing Soul Chaser!"


    In an instant, dozens of sword shadows descended upon Jia Sichun''s body, obliterating the flames and completely shattering the Innate Divine Ability, the Flaming Devil Body. Xiao Yi flashed forward in pursuit, a foot stomping down hard.


    Bang!


    Jia Sichun''s head smashed heavily onto the arena, reverberating with a thunderous boom, spreading spiderweb-like cracks all over the stage.


    Sand flew and dust tumbled.


    As the dust settled,


    Xiao Yi stood proud between heaven and earth, while Jia Sichun was pinned beneath his foot, his head having smashed a deep pit in the arena floor, blood oozing from all seven orifices, both hands limp with snapped tendons, looking every bit the cripple.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "You''ve lost before ten moves were up!"


    Hiss!


    The arena was shrouded in silence, as quiet as death.


    Gulp!


    Someone swallowed nervously, breaking the eerie stillness.


    "I, I''m fuckin''��"


    "Xiao won? He, he actually defeated Jia Sichun?"


    "Jia Sichun is a Profound Level student at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, a genius who has awakened his Innate Divine Ability. Would this not mean that Xiao''s strength surpasses that of the Profound Level students at the Royal Martial Arts Academy?"


    "That''s terrifying!"


    "Xiao''s talent and strength are indeed frightening, but... he''s gotten himself into big trouble! I heard that Jia Sichun''s background is profound, his father holds a high position in the current court, and his brother is an Earth Level student at the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Xiao has no background; how can he deal with the Jia Family''s retaliation?"


    "Xiao is from the Xiao Family..."


    "The Xiao Family? They were about to expel Xiao from their family, why would they care about his life or death?"


    At this moment,


    a commotion suddenly arose from the crowd: "Lord Sikong is here!"


    "Make way, Lord Sikong must have come to save Jia..."


    "Xiao Yi is as good as dead!"


    Jia Sichun, still being stepped on by Xiao Yi, regained his senses. With a bloody face, he roared ferociously, "So what if you''re stronger than me, Xiao Yi? Can your strength possibly compare to the power of my Jia Family? You''re doomed... Lord Sikong, my father is Jia Jun, a second-grade officer of the court. Help me kill him!"


    However...


    Sikong Nan did not even give Jia Sichun a glance but bowed deeply to Xiao Yi in full view of everyone, speaking loud and clear: "Sikong Nan pays respects to Mr. Xiao..."


    ```

 Chapter 38 No Ones Face Works!

    "Greetings, Mr. Xiao!"Sikong Nan stood in front of Xiao Yi with a face full of solemn respect, meticulous in his demeanor.


    This scene left the crowd around the platform in utter shock, "Isn''t Lord Sikong here to help Jia? Why, why is he showing such respect to Xiao Yi instead?"


    "What on earth is going on?"


    Jia Sichun was thoroughly confused.


    The moment they saw Sikong Nan, everyone, including Jia, thought he was there to help them.


    But then...


    It was as if Sikong Nan didn''t even see him.


    It felt like an invisible slap had fiercely struck his face, causing a burning sting on his cheek. Gnashing his teeth, he said, "Sikong Nan, do you not see that this young master is trapped here? Won''t you lend a hand and rescue me?"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi kicked, shattering all of Jia Sichun''s teeth, then turned to Sikong Nan, "Lord Sikong, what brings you to me?"


    Sikong Nan''s respectful stance didn''t waver, "Mr. Xiao, Elder Wang wishes to see you!"


    "Elder Wang?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, not knowing who Elder Wang referred to, but his impression of Sikong Nan was not bad, so he replied, "Wait a moment. Once I have killed him, I will go with you!"


    "This..."


    Sikong Nan''s expression slightly changed.


    Because Elder Wang highly valued Xiao Yi, he pretended not to see Jia Sichun, but if Jia Sichun were to be slain by Xiao Yi right before his eyes, it would be difficult for him to escape blame when Jia''s father sought accountability.


    As Sikong Nan struggled with this dilemma, a hoarse voice came from the crowd, "Young friend, could you do an old man a favor and spare his life?"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, and looked in the direction of the voice.


    Sikong Nan was already standing aside with respect, "Elder Wang!"


    "Hmm!"


    Elder Wang smiled, his expression kind as he looked at Xiao Yi, "I am Wang Zhiyuan!"


    "Wang Zhiyuan? Why does that name sound so familiar?"


    "Wait, isn''t the vice chancellor of the Royal Martial Arts Academy also named Wang Zhiyuan?"


    "Hiss! No way? The vice chancellor of the Royal Martial Arts Academy? Why, why would he come here?"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze towards Elder Wang was filled with confusion.


    If this man could serve as vice chancellor at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he was definitely one of the top figures in the Tianqing Kingdom. Why would he come to this remote and desolate place?


    Just as Xiao Yi was about to speak, Jia Sichun, as if grabbing onto a lifeline, screamed hysterically, "Elder Wang, save me... my father is Jia Jun, my brother is Jia Sidao, please save me..." His face turned red with excitement as he stared at Xiao Yi with hatred, "Hahaha, you''re as good as dead, dog! Elder Wang is famously protective of his charges, and I am a genius disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. He will definitely take a stand for me!"


    In Jia Sichun''s eyes, the arrival of Elder Wang was his ultimate reliance!


    The thought of being trampled underfoot by Xiao Yi, an ant he had never taken seriously, subjected to immense humiliation, made Jia Sichun''s heart brim with tremendous hatred.


    His vindictive gaze carried the thrill of revenge.


    Jia Sichun''s eyes glared fiercely at Xiao Yi, brimming with arrogance as he declared, "You dog, if you want to save your wretched life, you can kneel before this young master. If you kneel, beg for mercy, and send Fang Qingzhu clean to my bed, I might consider sparing your miserable life!"


    Elder Wang was present, always known to be protective.


    In Jia Sichun''s eyes, he was already out of harm''s way, naturally emboldened. S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi let out a deep breath and, with a raised eyebrow, looked at Wang Zhiyuan who had appeared in front of him and smiled, "As the saying goes, heaven may allow one to commit certain faults, but one brings destruction upon oneself. I was willing to spare him for the sake of Vice Dean Wang''s face, but he bore down on me aggressively, intent on laying hands on Qingzhu. Since he touched my reverse scale, nobody''s face can save him now!"


    His smile remained, but his expression became colder and colder.


    In his eyes,


    Cold lights flashed like knives, like swords, overwhelming.


    Jia Sichun sneered repeatedly, arrogantly saying, "Xiao Yi, you doglike creature really dare to put on airs! Nobody''s face can save me? Hmph, who do you think you are? Standing in front of you is the Vice Dean of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and you dare to threaten me in his presence? You''re simply courting death!"


    Xiao Yi just looked at Wang Zhiyuan.


    Waiting for his response.


    "Alas..."


    Wang Zhiyuan glanced at Jia Sichun, who was still shouting, and a trace of helplessness swept across his face as he shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "Every dragon has a reverse scale, and touching it means death. For a man, his wife and children are his reverse scale... Jia Sichun, you''re determined to seek death, I truly cannot help you!"


    Boom!


    The radiant smile on Jia Sichun''s face instantly collapsed.


    He looked at Wang Zhiyuan with disbelief, his head buzzing as if his breath had ceased, "Wang, Vice Dean Wang, what, what did you say?"


    Wang Zhiyuan sighed, "If you seek death on your own, you can''t blame anyone else!"


    Thump!


    This sudden thunderbolt made Jia Sichun tremble as if struck by lightning, staring blankly at Wang Zhiyuan for a long while without saying a word. Suddenly, with a hoarse cry as if gasping for air after being suffocated, Jia Sichun began to breathe in great gulps, his face deathly pale, "Vice Dean Wang, I, I am a Profound Level student, my brother is an Earth Level student, my father is a second-ranked official of the current reign... How could you possibly not save me? You can''t not save me, hurry and kill this damn dog to save me, save me..."


    His voice grew louder, but it was also increasingly desperate.


    In the hysterical roar,


    Jia Sichun kept calling out his father''s and brother''s statuses, emphasizing the powerful background, that each alone belonged to the elite echelons of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    But today...


    The very things he once took pride in could not save him.


    "How, how could this be? This is just the remote Nanhuang, as long as I mention my name, who dares to disrespect me? As long as I mention my father and brother''s names, who dares not to treat me with the utmost respect? Why, why do you dare to kill me? Why..."


    Suddenly, Jia Sichun knelt on the ground with a plop, wailing pitifully, begging in a lowly manner, "Xiao, please spare my life, I beg you not to kill me, I know I was wrong, I will never dare again... "


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Jia Sichun kept kowtowing toward Xiao Yi, his head striking the ground heavily, creating a dull sound.


    Each impact made one''s heart skip a beat.


    All around the arena was silent.


    Not long ago...


    Jia Sichun was full of vigor, so dominant and aggressive.


    As if aside from Elder Tian, he was to be honored as the elder brother!


    And now?


    He was doing the very thing those lowly ants in his eyes used to do, kneeling humbly on the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy, lowly like a dog!


    "If only you had known, why did you do it to begin with?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Jia Sichun who was begging fearfully like a dog that had lost its home. As he lightly shook his head, his sword swept across. The sword sealed the throat, blood gushed like a fountain, and with a thud, the head rolled onto the ground. As the blood sprayed till the last drop, that was also exactly when Xiao Yi''s treasured sword returned to its sheath.


    The silver light disappearing into the scabbard was an image forever unforgettable to those who witnessed this scene...

 Chapter 39 You Reap What You Sow

    Xiao Yi flipped his hand and put the longsword into the storage ring.The murderous intent on his face faded, replaced by a touch of gentleness. He smiled and said, "Elder Wang, please wait a moment, let me handle the matters here first!"


    "Please do!"


    Wang Zhiyuan nodded, his gaze at Xiao Yi filled with increasing admiration.


    To treat enemies with the cold ruthlessness of a harsh winter, yet extend the warmth of spring to friends.


    This is how a true man ought to be!


    Xiao Yi looked towards Fang Qingzhu, gently holding her soft palm, and smiled, "Qingzhu, from now on you will be the head of the Fang Family!"


    Fang Qingzhu was stunned, her expression complex.


    The head of the Fang Family, huh?


    She had exerted all her effort to keep her position as the heir apparent, merely seeking the recognition of her parents. But now that she knew she was not really a member of the Fang Family, what inheritance could she speak of?


    Fang Qingzhu forced a smile and said, "From today on, I have nothing to do with the Fang Family anymore. Whoever wants this position of family head can have it!"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, then laughed, "Alright, then don''t take it!"


    Beneath the stage.


    Suddenly, Fang Hao''s voice rang out, "Sister, since you don''t want this position of family head, then give it to me!"


    Liu Yun''s eyes shone brightly, shamelessly saying, "That''s right Qingzhu, even though you''re not our own flesh and blood, we''ve raised you for more than a decade. Give the position of family head over to your brother! That way, it would be like repaying us for our kindness in raising you!"


    Fang Zheng''s face also showed interest.


    Before Fang Tianhao passed away, they had no chance at the position of family head.


    But now...


    With Fang Tianhao and Fang Jin gone, their branch would be the only one left in power in the Fang Family.


    Fang Qingzhu looked at the two with disdain in her eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "Those who give birth without raising, a severed finger can repay. Those who raise without giving birth, eternal gratitude is owed. Although you raised me just to use me, I cannot repay this kindness. You can take the position of family head of the Fang Family if you want! Just from today onwards, I no longer have anything to do with you!"


    "Good, good, good, no more ties!"


    "Haha, Hao''er, you''ll be the family head from now on!"


    Fang Zheng and his family of three were overjoyed, hugging each other in celebration.


    Everyone around them couldn''t help but shake their heads in pity, "This family of three is incurably foolish!"


    "Given the current state of the Fang Family, even if they take control, how could they maintain such an inheritance?"


    "The entire Fang Family are fools... Had they sincerely apologized, Fang Qingzhu might have still been mindful of past kindness, and taken care of them in the future. Now... I reckon the Fang Family won''t last three months before their complete downfall!"


    "Three months? If he lasts a month, I''ll take your surname..."


    The chatter of the people made Fang Zheng''s trio come to a sudden realization.


    Without absolute strength, how could they possibly hold onto the Fang Family?


    Even if they took the position of family head now, who could preserve them against the increasingly fierce competition in the future?


    Upon this thought.


    The three hurriedly turned to Fang Qingzhu, "Qingzhu, we were wrong, we still treat you as our own daughter..."


    Fang Qingzhu''s face turned pale.


    She saw their true colors clearly and thoroughly.


    She took a deep breath, tears in her eyes, and said through gritted teeth, "I''ve already said, I have nothing more to do with the Fang Family, or with you!" Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Fang Qingzhu you can''t do this, I raised you for eighteen years..."


    "You illegitimate child, it''s no surprise your own parents abandoned you..."


    "You ungrateful wretch..."


    As they watched Fang Qingzhu''s resolute face, Fang Zheng and his family were furious, roaring continuously.


    Fang Qingzhu had her eyes tightly closed, but Xiao Yi, standing by her side, could feel her body tremble slightly, a cold glint crossing his eyes as he glanced over Zhao Yu and Elder Yan.


    Both of them nodded at the same time, their looks of pity landing together on the family of three of Fang Zheng.


    It indeed confirmed what Xiao Yi had said earlier, "Heavenly sins can be forgiven, but one brings about his own destruction��cannot live!"


    Truly, this family of three, Fang Zheng, had dug their own grave!


    Watching as Zhao Yu and Elder Yan took Fang Zheng and his family away, Xiao Yi took Fang Qingzhu by the hand and approached Wang Zhiyuan, "Elder Wang, sorry to have kept you waiting!"


    "Not at all!"


    Wang Zhiyuan chuckled, then said, "Xiao Yi, are you wondering why I managed to find you?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Wang Zhiyuan smiled and called out to the crowd, "Xue''er, aren''t you going to come and greet Xiao Yi, young friend?"


    "Grandfather!"


    Xue''er walked out from the crowd, stood by Wang Zhiyuan''s side, and stuck out her tongue playfully towards Xiao Yi, "Brother Xiao Yi, do you remember me?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Wasn''t this the woman he had saved in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range? He nodded his head, a look of realization dawning as he turned to Wang Zhiyuan, "I had no idea that Xue''er was actually the granddaughter of Elder Wang!"


    "Hahaha, such is the way of the world, everything is bound by destiny!" said Wang Zhiyuan with a smile, before continuing, "This girl Xue''er, being mischievous, ran out from home on her own. If she hadn''t encountered you, I''m afraid she might have already met with disaster!"


    While speaking, Wang Zhiyuan glared fiercely at Xue''er.


    Xue''er looked a bit wronged and pouted.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "It was but a small effort, not worth mentioning!"


    "It may have been a small effort for you, but for me, it''s a favor as great as the heavens!"


    Xue''er was the Wang Family''s third generation''s only girl, greatly adored, and her mother''s background was extremely formidable. If anything had happened to Xue''er, let alone the five cities of Nanhuang being wiped off the map of the Tianqing Kingdom, even the Wang Family would suffer, he continued, "Xiao Yi, my reason for coming today is to give thanks for saving Xue''er and to offer you some treasures as a token of gratitude!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head to refuse.


    "Do not be hasty to refuse, just hear me out... Before meeting you, I intended to grant you some Cultivation Techniques or treasures as compensation, but now, I have changed my mind!"


    Wang Zhiyuan''s gaze was intense as he stared at Xiao Yi and said in a solemn voice, "Nanhuang is but a small corner of the world. Here, some pseudo-Divine Skills wielders are already considered big shots, but in the Royal City, in the Great Qian Dynasty... even in the whole Heavenly Yuan Realm, such pseudo-Divine Skills wielders are not worth mentioning. I believe you would never want to be confined here, right?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Wang Zhiyuan, "Elder Wang, please speak frankly."


    Wang Zhiyuan took a deep breath and said solemnly, "The path of martial arts requires talent, for sure, but resources are equally indispensable. I want to invite you to the Royal City to join our Royal Martial Arts Academy. With your talent and strength, you will definitely shine. You will be able to obtain more resources from the Martial Arts Institute..."


    Xiao Yi frowned.


    Leaving Nanhuang was a certainty.


    But...


    He glanced at Fang Qingzhu by his side.


    Fang Qingzhu, holding Xiao Yi''s hand, wore a tender smile on her face and softly said, "Brother Xiao Yi, do you remember what I once told you?"


    Xiao Yi''s body trembled.


    How could he forget those words?


    To follow whomsoever she would marry!


    Fang Qingzhu continued, "As long as you don''t dislike me for being an unwanted orphan, wherever you go, I will follow!"


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi gripped Fang Qingzhu''s soft hand tightly and said firmly, "Alright, no matter where I go in the future, I will take you with me!" He looked up at Wang Zhiyuan and said in a deep voice, "Elder Wang, when do we depart?"


    Wang Zhiyuan''s face showed delight, saying, "There''s only half a month left until the next selection. We set off tomorrow, how does that sound?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Fang Qingzhu, and as the two of them had no attachment to Nanhuang City anymore, he nodded and said, "Then we leave tomorrow!"


    His gaze turned towards the distant horizon, towards the direction of the Royal City of the Tianqing Kingdom, and also the closest direction to the Great Qian Dynasty, his palm quietly clenched, his eyes suddenly sharp, "Xiao Tianjiao, the distance between us is getting shorter."

 Chapter 40 Mingjian Manor

    Late at night, the Fang Family.Fang Zheng, Fang Hao, and Liu Yun were gathered together.


    Fang Hao complained indignantly, "Dad, Mom, that Fang Qingzhu is really too ungrateful, isn''t she? We even allowed her to return to the Fang Family, yet not only did she refuse, but she also had Zhao Yu and Elder Yan drive us away. It''s truly hateful!"


    Liu Yun, too, had an aggrieved look and a venomous gleam in her eye, "That bastard is a white-eyed wolf, not valuing us at all!"


    "Shut up!"


    Fang Zheng snorted coldly, "Fang Qingzhu isn''t the little girl that we could manipulate before; she now has the backing of Xiao Yi, and Xiao Yi has gained the favor of that Elder Wang, who has unlimited prospects for the future."


    That''s the vice-principal of the Royal Martial Arts Academy!


    A figure who could rank within the top ten throughout the entire Tianqing Kingdom.


    If the Fang Family could connect with Elder Wang, not to mention dominating Nanhuang, it would even be possible to enter the royal capital and become one of the noble families of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Liu Yun said hatefully, "They really have stumbled upon good luck."


    Fang Hao spoke with a worried face, "Dad, now that our family no longer has a warrior of the Divine Skills Realm to take charge, what shall we do in the future?"


    In this world where the weak are prey to the strong, without absolute martial dominance, even owning a mountain of gold would be emptied out. sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Fang Family, being one of the four great families of Nanhuang City.


    Their main advantage had been having Fang Tianhao, a powerful warrior of the Divine Skills Realm.


    Now that Fang Tianhao had been killed, Fang Jin had perished, and Fang Qingzhu had been forced to leave the Fang Family.


    It was a precarious situation!


    Fang Zheng''s sinister smile emerged, "Don''t worry, I''ve already planned everything. Fang Qingzhu thinks she can cast us aside with just the position of family head? Simply a fool''s dream... Aren''t they going to the capital? Once they leave, we will sell off our assets, take the money, and go to the capital to seek them out."


    "Ah? Seek her out? She doesn''t acknowledge us anymore, what''s the point of going to her..." Liu Yun asked, puzzled.


    Fang Zheng laughed loudly, "She''s nothing but a bastard. It''s only we who can abandon her, since when does she have the right to abandon us? Once we get to the capital, if she dares to ignore us, we will spread the news everywhere that Fang Qingzhu abandoned her parents and siblings to please Xiao Yi. ''A person''s face is like the bark of a tree''... As long as she wants to make it in the capital, she won''t dare dismiss us. With their support, we can completely re-establish the Fang Family there in the capital..."


    "So, we''ll become nobility of the capital in the future?"


    "Hahaha, Dad''s plan is indeed the best!"


    While the family of three was smugly pleased with their calculations, a frosty voice suddenly rang out, "You might not live to see that moment!"


    "Huh?"


    "Who?"


    All three trembled, only to see Zhao Yu and Elder Yan stepping out from the darkness.


    Hiss!


    Their complexions suddenly changed.


    All traces of sinister expression vanished from Fang Zheng''s face, replaced by a hint of flattery and sycophancy, "Zhao Family Head, Elder Yan, may I ask why you have come late at night?"


    "On the orders of Young Master Xiao, we''re here to send you off to the netherworld!" Zhao Yu said calmly.


    The hint of pity in Elder Yan''s eyes had vanished upon hearing the conversation of the three, his expression turned ice cold as he said, "Such filthy creatures like you don''t deserve to live in this world."


    "No, you can''t kill us, I am Fang Qingzhu''s father..."


    "Xiao Yi, Fang Qingzhu, you ungrateful white-eyed wolves..."


    Elder Yan scoffed, "Kill them!"


    He acted simultaneously with Zhao Yu.


    Blood splattered, and three heads rolled in a pool of blood, their eyes wide with anger and filled with despair...


    ......


    Three days later, Mingjian City.


    This city lies on the essential path from Nanhuang to the royal capital, and with the Tianqing Kingdom''s number one Sword Forging Family, Mingjian Manor, located within, hence its name.


    This Sword Mountain Manor has been a swordsmithing family for generations.


    Inside the manor, there''s even a Sword Tomb.


    Countless famous swords were nurtured within the Sword Tomb, especially half of the renowned top ten swords of the Tianqing Kingdom originated from there.


    Each year, Sword Mountain Manor would open the Sword Tomb to the public. Anyone who pays ten thousand taels of silver could enter the Sword Tomb. If fated, they could obtain the acknowledgment of a primeval sword and take it away. Whenever the Sword Tomb opened, Mingjian City would be packed with people, attracting countless strong individuals from all over the Tianqing Kingdom.


    On a wide imperial road.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu rode on tall horses, looking from afar at the majestic Mingjian City and the bustling crowd along the way. Fang Qingzhu sighed and said, "I''ve long heard that the liveliest time in Mingjian City is when the Sword Tomb opens each year. I never expected that we''d coincide with it!"


    "The Sword Forging Skill of Sword Mountain Manor is indeed unparalleled in the Tianqing Kingdom. With half of the top ten famous swords coming from Sword Mountain Manor, naturally, there are many people who come for its fame," Xiao Yi nodded in agreement.


    The two of them were originally traveling with Wang Zhiyuan.


    But yesterday, Wang Zhiyuan received a secret missive from the Royal Martial Arts Academy and hurried away with Wang Xue''er, leaving only the two of them behind.


    "Xiao Yi, you have now reached the Spiritual Realm Cultivation. The Crimson Flame Chasing Wind Sword is no longer suitable for you as a weapon. Since it happens to be the time when the Sword Tomb is open, why don''t we go take a look together?" Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi with a smile, her lips slightly curving up, revealing a sharp little canine tooth.


    Xiao Yi thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, let''s go see what this Sword Tomb is all about!"


    After stepping into the Divine Skills Realm, a second-grade primeval weapon was indeed somewhat underpowered.


    Especially after he had mastered Sword Intent, his requirement for a primeval weapon had become much more stringent.


    If he could obtain a weapon that suited him, indeed, it could greatly increase his combat power.


    The two made their way to the city and settled down at an inn before heading to Sword Mountain Manor.


    The Sword Tomb would open at sunset.


    After paying twenty thousand taels of silver and receiving the pass tokens at Sword Mountain Manor, they waited outside the Sword Tomb.


    It was currently midday.


    The scorching sun was high, baking the earth as Xiao Yi and his companion found a quiet shady spot to sit under a tree.


    They had arrived early and it wasn''t long before the square gradually filled with people, becoming a sea of heads.


    Xiao Yi murmured, "Sword Mountain Manor is making a good business. Ten thousand taels per person, and there are at least a thousand people here... Just the entry fee alone nets them over ten million..."


    A second-grade primeval weapon is worth over a hundred thousand taels of silver, while a third-grade one values at over a million taels.


    However, each time the Sword Tomb opens, most that could be taken away are first and second-grade primeval weapons.


    Third-grade primeval weapons are extremely rare, let alone those that rank among the top ten swords of the Tianqing Kingdom, which are fourth-grade primeval weapons. These appear only once in several decades; for Sword Mountain Manor, this is indeed a no-loss business.


    "Hey, you two, get lost! This spot is mine now!" A chubby-faced young man appeared in front of them, with sweat drenching his body and an impatient expression as he urged them on.


    Xiao Yi frowned and glanced at a small patch of shade beside them, saying, "Isn''t there still space over there?"


    "Who the hell are you to sit next to this young master?" the young man, with his Qi-Blood flowing like a torrent, had cultivated to the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, looked down at him with arrogance,"Make yourself scarce, or don''t blame this young master for not being polite!"


    Fang Qingzhu slightly furrowed her brows, "We were here first, why should we give up our spot to you?"


    "What a beautiful chick!"


    The young man leered at Fang Qingzhu, his eyes lighting up, his face wearing a lascivious grin, "Beauty, you can stay. Later, you can give this young master a shoulder massage or something. As for you, you''re like a dog and you think you deserve to sit next to such a beautiful girl? Get lost right now, or I''ll throw you out myself!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Get lost!"


    "Fuck, you''re asking for it!"


    Enraged, the young man''s palm surged with vital energy as he struck towards Xiao Yi''s head.


    Boom!


    Amidst a muffled collision, the young man was sent flying backward for a good ten meters, crashing to the ground with a thud. He knelt on the floor, covering his abdomen, howling in pain, continuously vomiting acid, his venomous gaze locked on Xiao Yi, "You... you''re dead meat. I won''t let this go..."


    "If you don''t leave now, I''ll slaughter you!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    The young man''s face turned ghostly pale, feeling chilled to the bone, not daring to delay any longer, he scrambled away in pain and embarrassment...

 Chapter 41 The Sword Tomb

    "Brother, you better get out of here fast. That fat guy just now is no ordinary person!""Indeed, he is from the capital, said to be a student of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Quite a few people have come from the academy this time; you really should leave quickly!"


    A few people whispered their warnings.


    Xiao Yi nodded his thanks to them but did not move an inch.


    Seeing this, the others said no more, only feeling that Xiao Yi was too confident, "Young people haven''t suffered enough; they don''t know how treacherous the world can be!"


    "We''ve warned him. If he doesn''t run, it''s not our fault!"


    Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi worriedly, "Brother Xiao Yi, we..."


    "Don''t worry!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively; he had slaughtered students from the Martial Arts Institute before and said, "Qingzhu, remember to stay close to me once we enter the Sword Tomb!"


    "Okay!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded.


    Half a day passed by swiftly.


    The sun set in the west, and the silver moon began to rise.


    Dong!


    A dull bell toll suddenly sounded, and nearly two thousand formidable figures rose up in unison, their eyes blazing as they looked toward the hundred-foot-high hill before them. The hill lay within Mingjian Manor, and the Sword Tomb was built into the belly of this hill. As the rumble sounded, the stone door to the Tomb opened.


    Two Divine Skill practitioners from Sword Mountain Manor stood to the left and right, watching the crowd, "Gentlemen, the Sword Tomb will be open for an hour. Whether or not you obtain a Yuan weapon, you must come out within that time. Otherwise, you will be locked inside the Sword Tomb, and to come out, you will have to wait until next year''s opening!"


    "No worries, we understand the rules!"


    "If you haven''t gained recognition from a famed sword within an hour, then you''re just not destined for the swords inside. Staying longer would be a waste of time!"


    The crowd responded one after another.


    The two Divine Skill practitioners were not the least bit displeased by the interruption and said indifferently, "Inside the Sword Tomb, there are a total of 18,000 Grade One swords, 1,800 Grade Two swords, 180 Grade Three swords, and 18 Grade Four swords. Among them, six are regarded as the ten great famous swords of the Tianqing Kingdom, but five have already been taken, leaving only the last one still within the Sword Tomb!"


    The other continued, "Inside the Sword Tomb, you will see various sword steles, each representing a famous sword. As long as you gain the sword''s acknowledgment, you can take it with you. Gentlemen, please enter the Sword Tomb!"


    The crowd hurried toward the entrance of the Sword Tomb.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu walked shoulder to shoulder, but at the entrance, they encountered the fat man whom he had blasted away earlier.


    The fat man glared at Xiao Yi with venomous hatred; at his side were a young man and woman.


    Both were clad in brocade robes, and their Qi-Blood surged like dragons and tigers, their cultivation clearly at least at the Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm.


    The fat man pointed at Xiao Yi and said to the young man, "Brother Fan, this is the bastard who hit me!"


    The brocad-robed young man squinted at Xiao Yi and said coolly, "You''ve got guts to strike someone connected to Yun Fan. I''ll give you a chance to end yourself. If I make a move, you won''t even be able to die easily!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "A good dog doesn''t block the way!"


    "Hm?"


    Yun Fan''s face darkened, and he sneered, "Very well, very well. Since I became a Profound Level disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, you''re the first to speak to me like that. You could have died quickly if you chose to commit suicide, but since you..."


    Yun Fan''s voice suddenly cut off.


    His body flew backward involuntarily, blood spewing from his mouth as he crashed with a thud ten meters away.


    Hiss!


    The surrounding crowd was dumbfounded, watching Xiao Yi in disbelief, "What, what just happened? What exactly went down just now?"


    ```


    "I, I didn''t even see how he made his move..."


    Yun Fan was spitting out blood, struggling several times to get up, only to heavily crash back onto the ground each time.


    The fatty and the brocade-robed woman wore expressions of astonishment, looking at each other, before turning their gaze to Xiao Yi in unison. The fatty said with a venomous look, "You dare injure Yun Fan? You''re dead meat. His brother is Yun Lei, the super genius on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List. He will never let you go!"


    "Enough noise!"


    With a casual slap, Xiao Yi''s palm landed on the fatty''s face. The latter''s head snapped around, his neck twisting grotesquely like a braided rope, and with a thud, he fell to the ground, dead.


    The fatty''s repeated provocations had thoroughly enraged him.


    He was a Heaven-Suppressing Godly General.


    Subduing the heavens, the God-Sealing Demon-Suppressing.


    How could he endure repeated provocation?


    His eyes swept over the brocade-robed woman as he said coldly, "You should feel lucky that I don''t hit women; otherwise, you would be a corpse by now!"


    "You, you''re insane, you dare..." As the brocade-robed woman was speaking, her face too was met with a slap.


    She covered her face in disbelief, turning to look at Fang Qingzhu who had appeared before her.


    Fang Qingzhu''s palm moved like a phantom, as slap after slap landed on the woman''s face incessantly, making her see stars and dizzying her. It was then that she stopped, dusting her hands off and saying, "Xiao Yi doesn''t deign to strike women, but I quite enjoy beating them. If you dare point fingers at Xiao Yi again, I''ll twist your neck off!"


    With tears welling up in her eyes and a face full of fear, the brocade-robed woman didn''t dare to say another word.


    Fang Qingzhu returned to her gentle demeanor, taking Xiao Yi''s arm, "Xiao Yi, let''s go."


    Xiao Yi sighed, following her into the Sword Tomb.


    Two powerhouses from Mingjian Manor exchanged glances. Such slaughter was commonplace in Sword Mountain Manor; which year had the Sword Tomb opening not resulted in the death of hundreds? They had long grown accustomed to it, and with a call, they ordered someone to carry the fatty''s body away.


    Only then did they turn to Yun Fan and the other, "Do you still want to enter the Sword Tomb?"


    "Enter my ass!"


    Yun Fan cursed angrily, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with a ferocious murderous intent, "Dare to hit me? If I don''t tear him to pieces, I might as well write my name, Yun Fan, backwards..."


    "Fan, you must avenge me!" the brocade-robed woman said with a swollen face, looking pitiful.


    The murderous intent in Yun Fan''s eyes grew more intense: "My brother has some connections with the Third Elder of Sword Mountain Manor. I''ll go to him right now... This dog dares to hit me? And to kill my dog? I''ll make sure he''s torn to pieces..."


    The brocade-robed woman''s eyes flickered with a biting chill, and she gritted her teeth, "And that disgusting woman, I''ll scratch her face, then find a bunch of beggars to publicly humiliate her..."


    ......


    Inside the Sword Tomb.


    This was within the belly of the mountain, yet it was a world unto itself.


    The tomb was circular, surrounded by layers of caves, each housing a sword stele. In the very center, there was a gigantic circular cavern stretching over a kilometer, as if it led straight to the heart of the earth. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Below...


    Strands of molten lava rolled, their fiery red color illuminating the entire Sword Tomb; the lower one went, the higher the temperature.


    At the same time...


    The stronger the swords became!


    "Xiao Yi, there are so many sword steles here, how do we choose?" Fang Qingzhu was somewhat dazzled by the view; the Sword Tomb contained over a hundred thousand steles, creating a dizzying array.


    Xiao Yi was about to speak, but his expression shifted, looking towards the deepest part of the Sword Tomb, "Over there... It seems like something is calling out to me?"


    ```

 Chapter 42 Suicide?

    "It seems like something is drawing me in..."Xiao Yi looked at the scalding lava below and spoke in a deep voice.


    Fang Qingzhu was startled and peered at the churning crimson lava. The rolling heat waves were still heart-stopping even from a kilometer away, "Xiao Yi, maybe there''s an unrivaled legendary sword down there that''s destined for you!"


    Just like the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword before.


    Although Fang Tianhao had specially prepared it for Fang Jin, Fang Jin could not gain its recognition. Instead, Xiao Yi was able to control it with ease.


    This is the destiny of a sword!


    There has always been the saying that legendary swords are matched with heroes!


    This is not without reason, as some legendary swords have their own spirit and can choose their owners.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Then let''s go down and have a look!"


    "Yeah!"


    The two of them walked towards the deeper parts of the sword grave.


    Along the way, they constantly encountered powerful individuals seeking swords, each trying to communicate with the sword stele.


    Some were joyful; some were sorrowful.


    Overall, the chances of being recognized by a legendary sword were incredibly low, about one in a hundred, and usually, it would be a first or second-tier elemental weapon.


    "I''ve heard that within the Mingjian Manor''s sword grave, there is actually a fifth-tier elemental legendary sword hidden. Once it appears, it could be ranked among the top three legendary swords. Who knows where it''s actually hidden?"


    "Even if you found that sword, you wouldn''t be able to take it away!"


    "It is said that the current Crown Prince once entered the sword grave and found that fifth-tier legendary sword, but still he could not take it with him..."


    "Hisss, the Crown Prince is the strongest Tianjiaao in the Tianqing Kingdom, and even he couldn''t get the sword''s recognition. Then who can take it away?"


    Hearing the conversations of many along the way, Fang Qingzhu squinted her eyes, longing for it, "A fifth-tier elemental weapon? How powerful must that weapon be?"


    In Nanhuang City.


    A second-tier elemental weapon alone can lead to a struggle among all parties.


    Let alone a fifth-tier one?


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "If I can find that fifth-tier elemental weapon, I will try to tame it. Then you will know how powerful it is!"


    "Dude, you really don''t know the height of the sky!" A rough voice rang out beside them like muffled thunder, rumbling, "You think you can tame a fifth-tier elemental weapon? Are you sure you''re not joking?"


    The speaker was a muscular young man with a bald head, towering at two meters tall, his muscles as distinct as lead blocks, bristling with explosive power.


    He carried a pitch-black heavy sword on his back.


    And he was now looking at Xiao Yi with a mocking expression.


    Fang Qingzhu frowned slightly and said, "If my Xiao Yi can''t tame that fifth-tier elemental weapon, do you think you can?"


    "Of course, I, Niu Dali, am a born swordsman. If anyone here can get that fifth-tier elemental weapon, it must be me! As for him..." Niu Dali looked at Xiao Yi from the corner of his eye and sneered, "If he can get the recognition of that fifth-tier elemental weapon, I, Niu Dali, will call him my big brother!"


    At that moment...


    Whoosh!


    A strong individual attempted to forcefully break open a sword stele, only to be repelled by the stele, with endless Sword Qi soaring into the sky, sending him flying into the Lava Lake.


    The lava suddenly exploded, waves of heat shooting into the sky and swallowing the man whole.


    Not even his bones remained!


    Hisss! Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everyone took a sharp breath, "Has this guy gone mad? How dare he attack a sword stele?"


    "I heard this person has already entered the Sword Tomb for the tenth time," someone said. "The previous nine times, he came away with nothing. It seems he''s gone mad..."


    "Attack the Sword Stele? He truly knows nothing of life and death!"


    Niu Dali sneered, and suddenly seeing Xiao Yi''s gaze firmly fixed on the scorching Lava Lake, he couldn''t help but tease, "What? You''re not seriously thinking about that fifth-grade Yuan weapon at the bottom of the lava, are you? You''re not the first one with that idea. There have been others who tried jumping into the Lava Lake, and they all ended up on a one-way road to death. I''m telling you, don''t be stupid!"


    Without saying a word, Xiao Yi''s eyes grew increasingly bright as he stared at the lava.


    That moment when the powerful figure was devoured by the lava, the feeling of being deeply attracted and called to had suddenly intensified.


    He was almost certain...


    That which was calling out to him was indeed beneath the scorching lava.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s contemplative face, Niu Dali was startled, "Hey, you''re not really thinking of jumping in, are you?"


    Fang Qingzhu was also taken aback, her worried eyes fixed on Xiao Yi as she gently tugged at his sleeve, "Xiao Yi, safety first!"


    "No matter!"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, feeling an extremely strong premonition that a huge opportunity was waiting for him beneath the lava. However, even for a cultivator in the Golden Core Realm, falling into that scorching lava would most likely result in certain death.


    He had to be cautious.


    Xiao Yi drew out the Dragon Scale Sword and stabbed it towards the ground below.


    Whoosh!


    The Dragon Scale Sword plunged into the Lava Lake, immediately stirring up a series of towering flames. The entire Lava Lake seemed to come to life, as waves of heat overturned, and columns of lava shot up to the sky, turning into ferocious fire dragons that wrapped around the Dragon Scale Sword and dragged it into the lava.


    Xiao Yi''s actions caught everyone''s attention. They looked at him as if he were a lunatic, "Has this guy gone crazy? He just threw a second-grade Yuan weapon down there?"


    "You see him staring at the Lava Lake; he''s not thinking of jumping in, is he?"


    "Hahaha, I guess another failure who kept entering the Sword Tomb without success has lost his mind..."


    However...


    Xiao Yi seemingly did not hear their ridicule, his eyes shining with brilliance as he stared at the Lava Lake, his face revealing a look of ecstasy, "Yes, it''s down there... It''s calling me, telling me to jump!"


    "Xiao Yi..." Fang Qingzhu said with a face full of worry.


    Xiao Yi patted her hand reassuringly, "Don''t worry, I know what I''m doing! Just wait here for me, I''ll be right back!"


    Niu Dali frowned, "Buddy, don''t be impulsive! If you jump, you''re finished for life��calm down!"


    "Fortune favors the bold, and this risk is worth taking!"


    Xiao Yi leaped into the air, somersaulting several times amidst the crowd''s exclamations and with a whoosh, plunged towards the scorching Lava Lake below. The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword appeared in his hand, and he unleashed a series of sharp moves, "Sweeping a Thousand Armies!"


    "Chasing Stars, Pursuing the Moon!"


    "Life Seizing Soul Chaser..."


    Under the bombardment of Xiao Yi''s sword moves, the Lava Lake exploded with noise, forcibly cleaved open a path.


    However...


    The Lava Lake was bottomless, and countless streams of lava converged from all directions, quickly filling in the path he had created. The surface of the lake went silent, showing no trace of Xiao Yi.


    "Hahaha, that idiot actually jumped in himself?"


    "This is killing me, I''ll be laughing about this joke for a lifetime!"


    Niu Dali sighed, "The guy''s got courage, but he''s a bit off in the head!"


    Fang Qingzhu bit her lip tightly, her eyes filled with determination, "Xiao Yi, Qingzhu will wait for your return. If the Sword Tomb closes and you haven''t come back, Qingzhu will go down to accompany you!"


    Just at that moment,


    a scar-faced man appeared before Fang Qingzhu, rubbing his hands in front of him, his eyes gleaming as he leered at her, "Pretty lady, your lover has already jumped into the Lava Lake to commit suicide. From now on, you''ll follow me!"

 Chapter 43 Sword Intent Shakes the Heavens, Ten Thousand Swords Chime in Unison!

    "From now on, you just follow me, sister! I''ll take good care of you!"The scar-faced man with a chubby face leered at Fang Qingzhu, rubbing his hands back and forth, looking sleazy.


    The newcomer indeed possessed considerable strength.


    Having reached the Sixth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he exuded an aura filled with evil qi and was clearly of a malevolent nature.


    Fang Qingzhu frowned slightly, "Get out of my way!"


    "Oh? Fiery temper, I like a little chili pepper like you. Come, let brother touch you..." The scar-faced man licked his lips with his crimson tongue, his large palm reaching towards Fang Qingzhu''s body.


    "Back off!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s Purple Cloud Whip lashed out fiercely, sending the scarred man''s hand flailing back.


    A startling bloodstain appeared on the back of his hand.


    The scar-faced man''s expression darkened abruptly as he licked the blood on his hand with his blood-red tongue, his eyes filled with a touch of madness and ferocity.


    Smack!


    The scar-faced man struck suddenly, slapping Fang Qingzhu to the ground, grinding his teeth, "You wretched woman, you dare to hit me? You ungrateful thing, I wanted to be gentle, but since you''re asking for it, I''ll force myself on you!"


    Niu Dali stepped forward to shield Fang Qingzhu, speaking sternly, "Mate, what kind of skill is it to bully a woman? If you have the guts, come at me!" Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Who do you think you are? Dare to mess with my fun?"


    The scar-faced man glared at Niu Dali with his bloodshot eyes, snorted coldly, and the evil qi surged towards him like a wind, "Step aside if you know what''s good for you, or I''ll throw you into the Lava Lake as well!"


    "Let''s see if you''ve got the ability!"


    "You''re seeking death!"


    With a low roar from the scar-faced man, a violent wind whipped up around him as he threw a heavy punch.


    Niu Dali snorted coldly, the longsword on his back slashing horizontally.


    Boom!


    As the iron fist collided with the longsword, a gust of wind erupted, and Niu Dali stumbled back several meters, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.


    The scar-faced man looked at him with a cold smile, taunting, "That little skill and thinking of being a hero? Wait until I''ve thrown you into the Lava Lake, then I''ll have my fun with this beauty..."


    However...


    Just as the scar-faced man was about to make his move.


    Suddenly, the calm Lava Lake exploded with a boom, a giant pillar of fire shooting up.


    Then a second, a third...


    Countless pillars of fire soared into the sky like dragons leaving their nest, causing the entire Lava Lake to boil over, with searing magma splashing everywhere, burning and melting the ground upon landing.


    An incredibly terrifying Sword Intent soared up from beneath the magma.


    Under the influence of this formidable Sword Intent, every sword monument within the Sword Tomb shone brightly, and from within them echoed the hum of swords.


    Hum!


    Humming...


    The sounds of swords ringing like a dragon''s roar reverberated throughout the vast Sword Tomb.


    All the swords were chiming in unison!


    Swish!


    A hundred-meter-tall column of magma burst forth, and as the fiery molten lava fell, a figure shrouded in a blood-colored glow appeared before everyone. He leaped gracefully down from the air and landed on the ground.


    The red glow was absorbed into the blood-red longsword in his hand, revealing his true face��it was Xiao Yi, who had just jumped into the Lava Lake!


    "Xiao Yi? I knew you were alright!" Fang Qingzhu, disregarding the severe pain on her face, was ecstatic.


    Niu Dali was also dumbfounded, "Sheesh! He''s not dead?"


    "Damn, he survived jumping into the Lava Lake? Wait, look at the sword in his hands..."


    "Could that be a fifth-grade Yuan weapon?"


    Xiao Yi, however, paid no attention to the shouts of astonishment from everyone. His gaze locked first and foremost on the red slap mark on Fang Qingzhu''s face, his eyes suddenly turning ice-cold. With a flicker, he helped Fang Qingzhu up, his eyes filled with repressed anger and undisguised concern, "Who did this?"


    Niu Dali wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, unable to hide the shock in his eyes, he pointed at Scarface and shouted, "This bastard is the one who hit me!"


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze turned toward Scarface.


    However, Scarface''s eyes were shining, seemingly indifferent to Xiao Yi''s frosty stare, fixated on the blood-red longsword in his hand, "Is this the sword you retrieved from under the lava? Hahaha, I''ll take this sword!"


    Whoosh!


    Scarface''s palm shot forward, grasping for the longsword in Xiao Yi''s hand with the swiftness of a hawk snatching a rabbit.


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless as he swiftly drew his longsword, a fiery red sword light flashed past, plunging into Scarface''s body. Scarface''s speed plummeted, and he thudded to his knees, eyes fixated on Xiao Yi, "Such, such a fast sword..."


    Spurt!


    A jet of blood sprayed out wildly.


    Scarface''s head soared high into the air, and a fountain-like gush of blood spurted from the severed neck.


    Hiss!


    The onlookers all gasped in astonishment.


    This Scarface was in the Sixth Layer of Divine Skill Realm, yet he couldn''t even take a single sword strike from Xiao Yi?


    "That, that sword is a fifth-grade Yuan weapon!"


    "Right, it must be a fifth-grade Yuan weapon, otherwise how could he, with just the strength of the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, so easily kill a strong man from the Sixth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm?"


    "Quick, grab it!"


    The horde of strong men all stepped forward, their eyes blazing with heat and greed as they looked at the longsword in Xiao Yi''s hand, "Boy, hand over that famous sword and spare yourself!"


    "If you remain stubborn, you and your companion will both die!"


    Surrounding Xiao Yi were no less than a hundred strong men, among whom the strongest was a Seventh Layer powerhouse from the Yan Family of the royal capital, Yan Ying. Yan Ying''s face was colored with greed, staring intently at the blood-red longsword in Xiao Yi''s hand, "I am Yan Ying from the royal capital''s Yan Family. Offer up the famous sword to me, and I''ll spare your life!"


    Xiao Yi looked coldly at the hundred or so men in front of him, with even more strong men watching silently around them.


    If he lacked the strength to keep this sword.


    The onlooking strong men would certainly swarm like hungry wolves.


    Fang Qingzhu remained silent, holding the Purple Cloud Whip, standing by his side.


    Niu Dali hesitated for a moment, sighed lightly and also stood shoulder to shoulder with him, looking at Xiao Yi askance, "Don''t look at me like that. I''m just honoring a bet! Since you''ve earned this famous sword''s recognition, from now on, you''re my brother. How can a younger brother stand by and watch you get mobbed?"


    Even with Fang Qingzhu and Niu Dali''s help, they were still three against a hundred.


    Completely at a disadvantage!


    Yan Ying sneered ominously, "Are you still not ready to give me the famous sword?"


    "Enough with the nonsense. The sword is in my hand, if you have the guts, come and take it!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    "Seeking death!"


    Yan Ying''s eyes turned fierce, and he suddenly vanished from the spot, appearing in front of Xiao Yi with a whoosh. Clutching a third-grade Yuan longsword with a silvery gleam and dragon patterns coiling around it, he proclaimed, "According to the Pavilion, Listen to the Rain and Wind!"


    Rustle rustle!


    The sword chant sounded as if a sudden rainstorm was descending, straining straight for Xiao Yi''s heart.


    Faced with such a cunning thrust, Xiao Yi showed no expression as the power of Sword Intent enveloped him. The invisible and intangible force of Sword Intent was terrifying. As it surged, Yan Ying''s body shook, feeling as if the man before him had transformed into an invincible sword sovereign!


    Unmatched!


    "Not good..."


    It was this moment of distraction that allowed Yan Ying to regain his senses, his pupils constricting as he felt the aura of death envelop him.


    Thud!


    A sword stroke passed.


    Yan Ying screamed as Xiao Yi cleaved him in two!


    The astonishing Sword Intent soared into the heavens, causing all swords within the Sword Tomb to resonate in unison.


    Xiao Yi stood like a king among swords, stepping on Yan Ying''s corpse, and looked coldly at the crowd, "Who else?"

 Chapter 44 Pressing Hard

    "Who else?"Xiao Yi stood on Yan Ying''s corpse, holding the bloodstained longsword, his icy gaze sweeping over the crowd.


    For a moment...


    The would-be challengers among the strong were all effectively intimidated into inaction.


    None dared to step forward!


    Even Yan Ying, a powerhouse of the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, was no match for a single stroke of his blade; who among them would dare to advance?


    While everyone was still considering their options, an icy voice suddenly rang out, "Do you really think you can steal the treasured heirloom of Mingjian Manor, commit murder within our Sword Tomb, and not have to explain yourself to me?"


    The crowd looked toward the source of the voice.


    It was an old man with youthful features and white hair, whose powerful aura was unmatched, having reached the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    Following him were Yun Fan and the woman in brocade.


    The pair, with faces full of smug smiles, looked at Xiao Yi with a tilted gaze, Yun Fan said viciously, "I truly didn''t expect you to gain the approval of the heirloom sword of Mingjian Manor, but sadly for you, the sword will no longer be yours shortly!"


    The white-haired, youthful-faced elder looked at the Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hands, his eyes also shining with a greedy fervor that he couldn''t hide, "This sword is the heirloom treasure of Mingjian Manor, hidden beneath this Lava Lake, yet you had the audacity to steal it, a crime unforgivable!"


    "Who are you?" Xiao Yi asked with narrowed eyes.


    The elder gave a cold smile, "I am Jian San, the third elder of Mingjian Manor!"


    "Does everyone from Mingjian Manor have no shame like you?"


    Xiao Yi''s expression was indifferent, "Your Mingjian Manor made it clear that whoever gains the approval of a famous sword within the Sword Tomb could take it. Now that I have the Fire Qilin Sword''s approval, you accuse me of stealing your treasure? Do you think I''m an easy target?"


    "Humph, shameless ingrate, I am bullying you, and what can you do about it? The rules of Mingjian Manor are for us to dictate. If I say it''s yours, then it''s yours; if I say it''s not, then it''s not. What can you possibly do to me?" Jian San spoke coldly, with an air of arrogance.


    Mingjian Manor is stronger than you, so yes, I''m bullying you. What are you going to do about it?


    Yun Fan burst into laughter, "Kid, if you kneel and beg for mercy, maybe I can plead with the third elder on your behalf and let you keep your whole corpse!"


    The brocade-clad woman beside him ground her teeth, her eyes filled with hatred as she stared at Fang Qingzhu, "And this woman, I want her to crawl on her knees to me, begging for mercy, her face cut, thrown into a brothel..."


    Xiao Yi''s face turned cold, and the Fire Qilin Sword in his hand moved suddenly.


    A flash of fiery sword light passed.


    Thud!


    The brocade-clad woman''s body shuddered, her head soared into the air, blood spraying over Yun Fan.


    Yun Fan, dumbfounded, "You, you dare to kill her?"


    Xiao Yi responded coldly, "Keep your idle chatter to yourself, or I''ll slaughter you as well!"


    "You not only dare to steal the treasure of Mingjian Manor but also kill someone in my presence; don''t you think you are not giving Mingjian Manor the respect it deserves?" Jian San said darkly, with heavy emphasis on each word.


    Mingjian Manor presides over Mingjian City, and it is the oldest and most powerful sword-casting family in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    It has interactions with numerous aristocratic families.


    Even the royal family has close ties with them; isn''t their status exalted?


    Xiao Yi had dared to commit murder before him, and in Jian San''s eyes, this was a direct slap in the face.


    "Old dog, shut your mouth!"


    Xiao Yi looked coldly at Jian San, "The rules of the Sword Tomb were set by your Mingjian Manor. You change them at your whim, treating us like monkeys? Today I took the Fire Qilin Sword, but what if someone else takes a higher-grade sword tomorrow? Will you accuse them of stealing the treasure, too?"


    Yun Fan said with a sneer, "If anything, it''s your fault for not having a powerful enough background. My brother Yun Lei is not only the eldest son of the Yun Family but also a genius on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List, and he took a fourth-grade famous sword from the Sword Tomb!"


    Xiao Yi mused, "So, to take a sword from here, one must have a profound background, is that it?"


    "Of course!"


    Yun Fan said, full of pride.


    However, Jian San''s face darkened, silently cursing, realizing something was amiss.


    Indeed...


    Upon hearing Yun Fan''s words, the faces of the other powerhouses in the Sword Tomb changed, "The ones who previously obtained several famed swords were all from noble families in the capital, and if not, they were masters from the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List. That''s why Mingjian Manor didn''t target them, right?"


    "Who would dare to come to Mingjian Manor after this?"


    "So you''re saying we common folk are just giving Mingjian Manor money for nothing? Even if we get hold of anything valuable, we won''t be able to take it with us, and might even lose our lives here..."


    Jian San''s face turned furious as he slapped his palm toward Xiao Yi, "You mongrel, how dare you tarnish the reputation of my Sword Mountain Manor? Die!"


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    Shocking Sword Qi burst forth from the body.


    In Jian San''s hand appeared a cyan longsword with an Azure Dragon coiled around its edge, which emitted a dragon roar-like sword cry that was deafening as he swung the sword, "Human Sword Skill!"


    Whoosh!


    The Green Edge Sword drew a beautiful arc, and in an instant, it seemed as though dozens, if not hundreds, of sword shadows came slashing through the air. These sword shadows exploded in the sky, covering the heavens and earth with their impressive might. Niu Dali''s expression changed continuously, "Be careful, this is the ''Human Sword Skill'' from Sword Mountain Manor''s ''Heaven Earth Human Sword'', you cannot withstand it with brute force!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, with an icy look in his eyes to the extreme, "Soul Chasing, Life Snatching!"


    Hum!


    The Fire Qilin Sword glowed red alarmingly, and under the envelopment of Sword Intent, the actual Fire Qilin Sword seemed to tremble faintly.


    Two beams of sword light collided like the tip of a needle against a stalk of wheat.


    Boom!


    The clashing sword lights scattered terrifying Sword Qi in all directions.


    Thump thump thump!


    Xiao Yi took several steps back, glanced at his palm, and saw that the tiger''s mouth had burst open, with blood rolling down, "A powerhouse of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, indeed not someone I can currently contend with!"


    He felt a sense of admiration for Jian San''s strength in his heart.


    Jian San was equally shocked, "First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, yet he has mastered the power of Sword Intent? Since when did the Tianqing Kingdom have such a genius?"


    Sword Intent.


    This usually indicates a high likelihood of achieving the Golden Core in the future!


    In Tianqing Kingdom, being in the Golden Core Realm would be a rightful giant, and the lord of Sword Mountain Manor was at the Golden Core Realm.


    A chill flashed in Jian San''s eyes, "This young man must not be spared. If allowed to grow, he will surely become a major threat to my Sword Mountain Manor in the future."


    Whoosh!


    As the thought flashed through Jian San''s mind, his longsword soared through the air, and he said coldly, "Earth Sword Skill!"


    "Heaven Earth Human Sword" is divided into three skills.


    Human Sword injures people.


    Earth Sword kills people.


    Heaven Sword vanquishes the soul!


    The Earth Sword Skill gushed close to the ground, sending Sword Qi soaring into the sky, and wherever it passed, several powerhouses were cut in two before they could dodge. Amidst the churning dust and smoke, the sword light headed straight for Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi raised his sword to meet the attack, his sword light shining like cold stars in the sky, constantly repelling Jian San''s assaults, but he himself was also forced back to the edge of the Lava Lake.


    Jian San, with a hideous smile, said, "To think you have grasped Sword Intent at the Divine Passage Realm, your talent is truly terrifying, but as long as I kill you, even the strongest talent will be in vain!"


    Hu!


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi exhaled a turbid breath, squinted at Jian San, and revealed a cruel smile, "I had no intention of becoming an enemy of Sword Mountain Manor, but you force my hand, don''t blame me!"


    "Force your hand? I am indeed forcing you, what can you do to me?" Jian San snickered.


    However, the next moment...


    The smile on his face vanished completely, he stared at Xiao Yi in stunned outrage, "You, you madman, stop at once..."

 Chapter 45 From Now On, No More Sword Tomb

    A boundless Sword Intent suddenly released from Xiao Yi''s body.The Sword Intent lotus within him bloomed completely, and a streak of blood-red light burst forth from within that lotus.


    It penetrated his body and enveloped his entire figure.


    In his hands, the Fire Qilin Sword trembled and buzzed, formidable sword light soaring into the sky while the blade itself vibrated intensely. A Fifth Grade Yuan Bing is not so easily forged; aside from needing precious materials, it also requires awakening.


    With the same materials, without awakening, it would at most be considered a peak Fourth Grade Yuan Bing.


    And upon completion of the awakening...


    It could then be called Fifth Grade!


    The Sword Spirit felt the boundless Sword Intent within Xiao Yi and seemed to send an excited cheer.


    The entire blade shook continuously, and all the swords in the hands of the strong ones within the Sword Tomb also began to buzz and tremble, as if they were about to unsheathe themselves: "What, what''s happening? Why doesn''t my sword obey me..."


    "This, this is Sword Intent, he''s using Sword Intent to summon the allegiance of a myriad of swords!"


    "Oh my gosh, something big is going to happen!"


    Everyone had a look of horror on their faces.


    Why is it that only Fifth Grade and above Yuan Bing require awakening and the gathering of an Artifact Spirit? It''s because Fifth Grade Yuan Bing are mostly in the hands of Golden Core Realm experts, and these experts all comprehend the martial dao''s essences.


    Only with the power of the martial dao''s essence can the Artifact Spirit truly be stimulated.


    Xiao Yi activated the Fire Qilin Sword''s Artifact Spirit with Sword Intent, thoroughly awakening it as if a slumbering sovereign had been roused.


    When the sovereign awakes, all nations submit.


    When the Sword Spirit revives, a myriad of swords come to pay homage!


    "Madman, you madman... you''re going to destroy the Sword Tomb, you''re trying to offend Mingjian Manor to death..." Jian San''s eyes were completely filled with bloodshot, and the cold light within them was as sharp as a blade''s edge.


    Jian San''s figure flashed, furiously rushing towards Xiao Yi.


    "Don''t you dare harm my Xiao Yi!"


    Fang Qingzhu stood in his way with a sidestep, her Purple Cloud Whip whirling through the air, coiled around Jian San''s ankle and yanked fiercely.


    Swish!


    Jian San was tripped unexpectedly and fell to the ground.


    The Purple Cloud Whip merged with Fang Qingzhu as one, as easy to command as her own limb, and as it waved, it coiled Jian San up high, then wrapped around him layer by layer. Jian San was unable to break free for a moment, his eyes flashing coldly: "You are courting death!"


    Swish!


    A light flashed on the storage ring, and the Green Edge Sword kept cutting the Purple Cloud Whip. Enjoy new adventures from empire


    Sparks flew everywhere.


    The Purple Cloud Whip was merely a First Grade Yuan Bing, while the Green Edge Sword was a Third Grade Yuan Bing. In their clash, the whip was severed by just three strokes. Jian San, once free, charged toward Fang Qingzhu: "You little wench, dare to block me, die!"


    Swish!


    Jian San slashed out with a palm, and Fang Qingzhu spat blood as she was sent flying backward, while a cold light flowed in his eyes: "Die!"


    The Green Edge Sword thrust forward, aiming straight for Fang Qingzhu''s heart.


    But at that moment...


    Niu Dali suddenly made a move, grasping a black great sword in both hands and with a thunk struck down on the Green Edge Sword, blocking Jian San''s attack. His black great sword was also covered in cracks, his eyes full of distress: "Dammit, what skill is there in hitting a woman? Have the guts to fight your grandpa Niu!"


    "You''re courting death!"


    Jian San was furious, sword in hand.


    But just at that time...


    Atop the Sword Tomb, a sword stele suddenly burst apart with a bang.


    Swish!


    A sword light soared into the sky.


    Then the second stele.


    The third stele.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    With every stele''s explosion, a sword rose to the heavens, converging toward Xiao Yi''s location.


    "No. No..."


    Jian San''s eyes were nearly splitting, each explosion of a stele signifying a famous sword breaking free from its seal. Without the protection of the steles, these masterless swords, though they could not be recognized by an owner, could still be taken away directly.


    The entire Sword Tomb kept rumbling, one sword after another appearing before everyone.


    All were stunned.


    Inside the Sword Tomb, more than a hundred thousand swords��this was the wealth accumulated by Mingjian Manor over hundreds of years��were now all exposed before everyone.


    Seeing the scattered Yuan Bing longswords all around, everyone felt as if an invisible hand was choking their throats, unable to breathe.


    Xiao Yi was covered in red Sword Intent, he roared, "What are you all waiting for? These swords now belong to no one, why aren''t you taking them?"


    "Right, grab them quickly!"


    "Grab and run..."


    The crowd was momentarily stunned, and then their eyes turned bloodshot with excitement as they yelled out.


    Faced with a substantial reward, there will always be brave takers!


    Even the lowest grade of Yuan Bing was worth tens of thousands of silver, so grabbing any sword and you''d make a killing!


    One after another, strong figures began to crazily loot the longswords that were scattered everywhere.


    The scene descended into chaos.


    "Let''s go!"


    Seizing the chaos, Xiao Yi grabbed Fang Qingzhu and made a break for it, snatching up famous swords along the way and shoving them into his storage ring.


    "Stop..."


    Jian San''s eyes were filled with rage as he saw Xiao Yi taking away two fourth-grade famous swords, at least six third-grade famous swords, and not to mention the fifth-grade famous sword, the Fire Qilin Sword. Xiao Yi had practically looted half of the sword tomb!


    Jian San wanted to chase after Xiao Yi but was blocked by the other strong figures who were crazily looting the famous swords, "Get out of the way!"


    "Fuck off, can''t you see I''m busy grabbing swords?" several of them cursed back without even lifting their heads.


    "Stop right there! These treasures belong to Mingjian Manor. Whoever dares to take them, I''ll kill..." Jian San shouted hysterically, but his voice was gradually drowned out by the clamor of others fighting over the longswords.


    In the midst of the crowd.


    Niu Dali swallowed hard, hurriedly snatched up a few longswords and threw them into his storage ring, then dashed off in Xiao Yi''s direction, "Bro, wait for me..."


    "Xiao Yi, Yun Fan is over there..." Qingzhu spotted Yun Fan in the crowd, who was also grabbing swords.


    A cold light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes, "Die!"


    The longsword pierced through the air, and with a ''thud'', Yun Fan''s head, who was laughing heartily while holding a third-grade Yuan Bing famous sword, was lopped off. Even in death, his face retained an excited grin.


    Without stopping, Xiao Yi quickly dashed out of the tomb of swords.


    Outside the tomb of swords.


    Several figures from Sword Mountain Manor looked at the appearances of Xiao Yi and his companions in front of them, all taken aback and then laughed, "There''s still a while before the tomb closes, and you''re leaving already? Seems like you''ve found something good!"


    Xiao Yi nodded with a smile, "Lucky, got some loot!"


    "Haha, then congratulations!"


    "You''re too kind!"


    Xiao Yi gave a slight smile, then quickly left with Fang Qingzhu towards the outside of Mingjian Manor.


    The two figures from Sword Mountain Manor exchanged glances and laughed, "Looks like they got a nice sword and are worried others might covet it, that''s why they are running!"


    "At best, it''s a second-grade famous sword. You think it''s easy to get a third-grade or higher?" another sneered.


    "Yeah, without enough backing, even if you get the sword, you can''t keep it!"


    "All just fools giving away their money, thinking they''ve taken advantage, but in reality, aren''t they just being played like monkeys by our Mingjian Manor?"


    The two were still talking.


    Suddenly, several figures rushed out of the sword tomb without uttering a word and left directly.


    Soon after...


    The third, the fourth...


    About seven or eight hundred strong figures escaped from the sword tomb. All of them left without any delay, quickly disappearing.


    This left the two guards completely dumbfounded, "What''s happening?"


    "Stop them..."


    A furious roar rang out. Jian San, his body drenched in blood, appeared before the two men. His eyes were bloodshot with anger as he bellowed, "Where are the man and woman who were the first to leave? Where are they?"


    "Huh?"


    "They already left..." The two guards said, still confused.


    "Useless fools!"


    Jian San roared in fury and with a thunderous slap, inflicted severe injuries on the two. Blood swirled in his eyes as tears streamed down his face. He watched as more than a hundred thousand sword steles in the sword tomb were all destroyed. Even though he killed hundreds of strong men, tens of thousands of famous swords were still taken.


    What was worse...


    Xiao Yi had taken the one and only fifth-grade Yuan Bing Fire Qilin Sword, as well as fourth and third-grade famous swords...


    They were practically wiped clean!


    The long-renowned Sword Mountain Manor''s tomb of swords was thoroughly ruined.


    "It''s all over, completely over... The tomb of swords that has been passed down for hundreds of years in my Mingjian Manor is completely ruined..."


    Jian San''s eyes were filled with the fissures of rage. Beyond regret, there was a hysterical madness, "Someone, send out the Sword God Guard Brigade immediately. I want them to chase after that criminal. I will have him torn to pieces..."


    Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 46 A Formidable Enemy Arrives!

    Xiao Yi and his companions fled Mingjian City, running wildly without any pause.They ran for a whole day and night before finally stopping.


    Huff huff huff!


    Xiao Yi, Fang Qingzhu, and Niu Dali collapsed on the ground, leaning against the cold rock wall, gasping for air. The continuous running for a day and night had taken a tremendous toll on them.


    They rested for a while.


    Xiao Yi frowned at Niu Dali, "Why are you following us?"


    Gulping for air, Niu Dali said, "Didn''t we make a bet? I lost, you''re my brother, so of course, I have to follow you!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Niu Dali''s bearded face and the profound worry lines on his forehead: "..."


    Fang Qingzhu stuck out her tongue, "You''re old enough to be our uncle..."


    Niu Dali glared, exclaiming, "Who says? I''m only eighteen this year!"


    Hiss!


    The two eyed him, "You''re just eighteen?"


    "Doesn''t it seem so?"


    Seeing their skeptical faces, Niu Dali grew annoyed, "I really am eighteen, I had my birthday last month. I just look a bit older... If I''m lying, may lightning strike me!"


    Xiao Yi looked deeply at Niu Dali, sighing, "You do look quite older for your age!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded seriously.


    Niu Dali: "..."


    Nima!


    I''m still right here, alive and kicking! Can you consider my feelings?


    Xiao Yi said, "My name is Xiao Yi, and this is my wife, Fang Qingzhu."


    "Hello elder brother and sister-in-law!"


    Niu Dali stood up, straightened his clothes, and cupped his fist in greeting, "I''m Niu Dali, you can call me Dali, or Little Niu Niu!"


    "Little Niu Niu?!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth twitched, "I''ll just call you Dali. We''ve already left the sphere of influence of Mingjian City. The people from Mingjian City probably won''t catch up to us now, so let''s part ways here!"


    "Don''t leave, big brother!"


    Niu Dali hurriedly said, "It''s not good for brothers to part so soon after recognizing each other. Wherever you go, I''ll follow!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    God damn recognition!


    Xiao Yi said with a dark face, "We''re going to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, you want to follow there too?"


    Thumping his thigh, Niu Dali chuckled, "See, that''s fate! Elder brother, I am also planning to apply to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, it''s the same path! Elder brother and sister-in-law, please take me with you!"


    Fang Qingzhu said, "Xiao Yi brother, back in the Sword Tomb, if it weren''t for Dali''s help, I would''ve died at the hands of Jian San!"


    After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yi nodded, "Alright, then we''ll go to the capital together."


    "Thank you, big brother, thank you, sister-in-law!"


    Niu Dali grinned, then his face showed a worried expression, "Big brother, we''ve raided the Sword Tomb, and the people from Mingjian Manor won''t let it go easily, right? I heard their manor master is a Golden Core Realm expert, if we fall into his hands, it will be a disaster for us!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Don''t worry, that manor master from the Mingjian Manor surely wasn''t in Mingjian City, otherwise, we wouldn''t have been able to escape. As long as we can reach the capital and enter the Royal Martial Arts Academy, even Mingjian Manor can''t do anything to us!" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Big brother is so wise!"


    "Cut the flattery. If you''re going to be my little brother, you need to be prepared to act like one. We haven''t eaten anything all day, go find us some food!" Xiao Yi commanded.


    "Right away, on it!"


    Niu Dali scampered off.


    Xiao Yi took out the swords, clanging them onto the ground, and began to count them one by one, "Two fourth-grade, seven third-grade, one hundred sixty-three second-grade swords, worth no less than eighty million silver. This trip to the Sword Tomb really paid off."


    "Eighty million plus?"


    Fang Qingzhu gasped in astonishment, such wealth could be compared to the total assets of the four great families of the past.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Once we reach the Royal Capital, we will sell these Elemental Weapons, then I''ll find one that suits you!"


    It didn''t take long for Niu Dali to return.


    He was carrying a First-layer Demon Beast Iron Leg Pig, his face beaming with a bright smile: "Big brother, sister-in-law, you two just sit back and rest for a while, and let me show off my skills with the legendary roasted whole pig!"


    While saying this, Niu Dali busied himself with starting a fire and roasting the meat.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t bother about him and took out the Fifth Grade Yuan Bing Fire Qilin Sword.


    Hum!


    Upon grasping the Fire Qilin Sword, a burst of fierce flames spat out instantly, scorching the ground into a charred patch where the sword''s edge passed.


    Hiss!


    Fang Qingzhu''s phoenix eyes widened in amazement, "Is this a Fifth Grade Yuan Bing? Just with its power erupting casually, it''s already this terrifying. If it were fully refined, how powerful would it be!"


    "Do you want to see? I''ll refine it right now, and later let you see how powerful it is," Xiao Yi fondled Fang Qingzhu''s head, his eyes filled with doting affection, smiling as he spoke.


    Fang Qingzhu nodded obediently.


    Xiao Yi then sat down cross-legged to begin refining the Fire Qilin Sword.


    Fifth Grade Yuan Bing.


    Even within the Royal Capital, it was considered a first-class existence.


    If Xiao Yi could refine it and completely master the Fire Qilin Sword, his combat strength would undoubtedly climb to another level.


    Stay tuned to empire


    Under the shade of a nearby tree, Xiao Yi sat with legs crossed, refining the Fire Qilin Sword with a posture of ''five hearts facing the sky''.


    Before long, an hour had passed.


    The body of the Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hands buzzed, radiating streaks of crimson light. Then the red light retracted inwards, disappearing completely, and Xiao Yi opened his eyes. Holding the Fire Qilin Sword, he leaped up high and slashed diagonally, sending out a red sword light that howled forth with a whoosh.


    Five meters away, a thousand-pound boulder was split cleanly into eight pieces.


    Hiss!


    Niu Dali stood agape, bewildered: "Holy shit, is this sword really this powerful?"


    Fang Qingzhu also followed, her face filled with admiration, "Xiao Yi, have you finished refining the Fire Qilin Sword?"


    Xiao Yi nodded with a smile, "I can wield it proficiently now, it''s indeed a fine sword!"


    "Big brother, did you really fully refine this Fifth Grade Yuan Bing?"


    Niu Dali looked at Xiao Yi in shock, shaking his head with a wry smile, "You really are a freak! As far as I know, it usually takes ten days to half a month for one to refine a Fifth Grade Yuan Bing, but you did it in an hour, how do you cultivate?"


    Looking at Niu Dali''s plaintive gaze, Xiao Yi smiled, about to speak, but his expression suddenly changed.


    His eyes narrowed sharply.


    The Fire Qilin Sword in his hand trembled, emitting a hot red glow.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "Xiao Yi..."


    "Shush!"


    Xiao Yi made a silencing gesture, holding Fang Qingzhu protectively behind him, his eyes squinting into slits as he looked ahead.


    Thump, thump, thump...


    The urgent sound of galloping hooves grew louder as they approached.


    The ground trembled slightly, and pebbles on the ground kept bouncing.


    Suddenly...


    The sound of the hooves came to a fierce halt and then exploded into a sound several times louder, a cavalry troop of a hundred men riding through the forest swiftly, appearing before Xiao Yi and the others.


    The man at the forefront had an indifferent face, with a black greatsword on his back, his eyes emitting an icy chill, fixating on the Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand. The corner of his mouth twisted into a sinister cold smile, "The Fire Qilin Sword? It seems you are the ones who caused a great uproar at Mingjian Manor, audacious villains. The Sword God Guard Brigade is here, will you not surrender willingly?"

 Chapter 47 Sword God Guard Brigade

    The Sword God Guard Brigade, numbering a hundred men, each rode a white steed, the Python Blood Horses with python blood lineage.Each one was priceless.


    To build the Sword God Guard, Mingjian Manor had spared no expense.


    Their equipment alone was comparable to the royal guards.


    The person leading them was none other than Jian San, the third elder of the Mingjian Manor.


    Jian San''s gaze was icy as he looked at the Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand, a fiery greed flickered deep in his eyes. The Fire Qilin Sword, housed in the Sword Tomb, was the treasured heirloom of the clan, but even Mingjian Manor had never been able to bond with it despite years of effort. Yet now, Xiao Yi, a youth from the First Layer of the Shentong Realm, had claimed the Fire Qilin Sword.


    As the saying goes, "The innocent man who carries a jade will be blamed for it."


    The corners of Jian San''s mouth curled upwards as he coldly said, "Boy, I personally led the Sword God Guard to chase you here, aren''t you going to surrender without a fight?"


    Niu Dali''s forehead was covered in cold sweat, which rolled off like large beans and had already soaked his back. He said in a deep voice, "Big, big brother, why don''t we surrender? This is the Sword God Guard we''re dealing with, the three of us are no match for them..."


    Fang Qingzhu remained silent, simply standing by Xiao Yi''s side.


    Xiao Yi gently patted Fang Qingzhu''s hand, squinted at Jian San, and said, "So, you''re the third elder? May I ask what crime have I committed?"


    Jian San replied coldly, "Stealing the treasured Fire Qilin Sword of our Mingjian Manor, isn''t that a crime?"


    "The Fire Qilin Sword was obtained from within the Sword Tomb, and your Mingjian Manor has explicitly stated that whoever can make a sword from the Sword Tomb recognize them as master can become its owner. Mingjian Manor won''t obstruct this, will it?" Xiao Yi said solemnly, his hand gripping the Fire Qilin Sword tightly, ready to execute his sword moves.


    The shamelessness of Mingjian Manor was clearly displayed by Jian San.


    They would never talk rules with you.


    As Jian San said, expecting to take a high-grade famous sword from the Sword Tomb without any backing was nothing less than a fool''s dream!


    Xiao Yi believed that Jian San was no different.


    His previous words were merely a delaying tactic.


    Indeed...


    After hearing Xiao Yi''s words, Jian San burst into laughter, his face filled with mockery. He leaned on his horse''s back and said with a sneer, "Kid, you''re truly na?ve. Haven''t I told you before that not just anyone can take a famous sword from our Mingjian Manor? If that were so, our Mingjian Manor, no matter how powerful our sword forging capability, would still be overwhelmed and ruined!"


    "Enough of your blathering, hand over the Fire Qilin Sword, and I might leave you a whole corpse..." Jian San said coldly.


    Xiao Yi sighed and said, "Well, it seems like the Fire Qilin Sword is not fated to be mine. Then I''ll give it back to you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Jian San was startled, then he laughed out loud, saying, "Not bad, not bad, you are quite sensible." He turned to the two Sword God Guard powerhouses beside him, "You, go get the Fire Qilin Sword, and tie them up while you''re at it!"


    "Yes!"


    The two powerhouses of the Sword God Guard rode forward, looking down on Xiao Yi from their high horses, and with a swish, threw down a rope, "Hand over the Fire Qilin Sword and tie yourselves up!"


    However...


    The-face-that-had-been-creased-in-woe Xiao Yi now showed a trace of icy coldness. With a flourish of his arm, a flash of sword light cut down the two Sword God Guard powerhouses from their horses. Grabbing Fang Qingzhu, he mounted a horse and shouted to the stunned Niu Dali, "What are you waiting for? Mount up, and run!"


    "Ah? Oh..."


    Niu Dali quickly mounted as well.


    Whipping their horses...


    The trio fled on two horses.


    Jian San: "..."


    The entire Sword God Guard: "..." sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking at the two cold corpses on the ground, Jian San''s face twisted with ferocious rage as he roared, "Damn it, chase after them! That brat dares to play me for a fool, I''ll have him torn to pieces!"


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Xiao Yi and his two companions were fleeing madly ahead, with the Sword God Guard Brigade hot on their heels.


    During their frantic escape,


    a merchant caravan appeared up ahead, with several horse-drawn wagons and about several dozen guards accompanying them. Sensing the sound of approaching hoofbeats from behind, the head guard, Chen Jie, changed expression, drew his longsword, and roared, "Ambush! Defend!"


    Clang, clang!


    The guards unsheathed their weapons in unison, watching Xiao Yi and his party warily.


    "Make way, people ahead!" Xiao Yi shouted loudly.


    From behind, Jian San, seeing Xiao Yi getting further away, shouted, "Listen, people up front, we are from the Sword God Guard Brigade of Mingjian Manor, in pursuit of criminals. Please help us stop them, and Mingjian Manor will repay you handsomely!"


    Chen Jie''s face underwent a slight change as he glanced at the middle wagon.


    His mission was simply to escort the person and goods within the wagon and he didn''t wish to court trouble.


    However...


    Just as Chen Jie was about to step aside, a sprightly voice came from inside the wagon, "Mingjian Manor? This young lady has had the pleasure of meeting young master Huang Zijian from Mingjian Manor. Chen Jie, take your men and stop those three! If we can owe Mingjian Manor a favor, it will be more convenient to cooperate with them in the future!"


    "Chen Di, it''s better we don''t get involved in this mess..." another voice from the wagon cautioned.


    "Shut up!"


    The owner of the previous voice, Chen Di, spoke impatiently, "You spineless coward, always afraid of this and that, how can you ever achieve anything great? Chen Jie, what are you waiting for? Don''t just stand there, attack!"


    "Yes!"


    Chen Jie let out a helpless sigh and bellowed, "Stop them!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The group of guards acted in unison, forming a line across the official road, blocking Xiao Yi''s path.


    Whoa!


    Xiao Yi pulled hard on the reins. The Sword God Guard Brigade was gaining from behind, while Chen Jie and his men blocked the road ahead. Xiao Yi spoke in a deep voice, "Brother, I bear you no grudge, and this is a personal grievance between myself and Mingjian Manor. Please step aside and let us pass!"


    Read new adventures at empire


    Chen Jie did not speak.


    Chen Di''s cold laugh emerged from within the wagon, "This young lady has had the pleasure of encountering young master Huang Zijian from Mingjian Manor, and I know well that Mingjian Manor has always cherished its reputation, acting with justice and integrity. If the Sword God Guard Brigade is pursuing you, you must be extremely vile criminals. As martial artists, we have the duty to act chivalrously and uphold justice on behalf of the heavens!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Fang Qingzhu: "..."


    Niu Dali, fuming with nostrils flaring, bellowed, "To hell with upholding justice on behalf of the heavens, you prattle without knowing the actual truth. If you have the guts, come out here, and I, old Niu, will punch your head into pieces!"


    Whoosh!


    Chen Di emerged from the wagon with a sullen face, her venomous gaze fixed on Xiao Yi and his company, "Hmph, this young lady is standing right here. Let''s see you try to smash my head!"


    "You..."


    Niu Dali''s face turned shades of red and white.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    The sound of approaching hoofbeats grew louder, accompanied by Jian San''s triumphant voice, "Hahaha, friends up ahead, thanks for your assistance. Three little runts, your end is sealed..."


    Xiao Yi''s expression darkened as if it could drip water, and he said in a grave tone, "I''m asking one last time, step aside!"


    "Hmph, what if I don''t?" Chen Di retorted confidently.


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of turbid air, and said coldly, "Since you won''t move, then prepare to die!"

 Chapter 48 First Visit to the Royal Capital

    "If you won''t yield, then go to die!"Xiao Yi''s voice was filled with a chilling intent to kill.


    He had already spoken in good faith, but the other party wouldn''t give an inch.


    The Sword God Guard Brigade was getting closer and closer behind them.


    If they got caught between the two forces, the three of them were certainly heading down a path of no return.


    Facing Xiao Yi''s threat, Chen Jie''s expression turned grave, while Chen Di was fearless and mocking, "Die? Hahaha, you''re delusional. Just with you three? Among my guards, there are six at the Divine Passage Realm, and Chen Jie who leads them is a powerhouse at the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. Who do you think you are? Hoping to kill all of us? Dream on..."


    While speaking,


    Chen Di glanced at Chen Jie with an air of indifference and said, "Chen Jie, cripple this brat for me, cut off his tongue, and gouge out his eyes. I want to see what he''s capable of that he dares to threaten me like this!"


    "Yes!"


    Chen Jie took a deep breath and looked at Xiao Yi, "An order from the master cannot be disobeyed, I apologize! But rest assured, I''ll make it quick for you!"


    Whoosh!


    The moment Chen Jie finished speaking, he swiftly thrust with his sword.


    Being at the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm and particularly confident in his exquisite sword technique, he had complete confidence in himself.


    However...


    Against Chen Jie''s rapid and relentless assault, Xiao Yi just let out a cold snort, and his Fire Qilin Sword cleaved through the air with a slash. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Clang!


    A crisp sound echoed.


    Chen Jie''s figure suddenly halted.


    His longsword dropped to the ground with a clang, and his mighty steed continued forward two steps before collapsing, with both horse and rider being split in half.


    They had been cleaved in two by a single stroke of Xiao Yi''s sword.


    Hiss!


    The group of guards looked at each other in shock.


    Chen Di fell off the carriage with a thud, his face a picture of befuddled horror as he looked at Chen Jie, split into two halves, "This, this, how is this possible? Chen Jie was at the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, and this kid is merely at the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, how can he be so strong..."


    Xiao Yi looked coldly at the remaining guards, "Scram, or die!"


    Whoosh!


    The guards dared not to obstruct any further.


    They stepped back one after another.


    Xiao Yi and his two companions spurred their horses and galloped away, raising a cloud of dust behind them.


    A moment later...


    Jian San and his men finally caught up, only to see Xiao Yi and his friends disappearing into the distance. He was unable to contain his fury, glaring at Chen Di, "What happened here? Weren''t you supposed to stop them? Why did you let them go?"


    Chen Di stuttered, "This, this lord, just now that young man was surprisingly strong, even the captain of my guards was slain by his sword, so... so..."


    Slap!


    Jian San slapped him across the face, sending Chen Di tumbling to the ground, and bellowed with a dark face, "Useless, all of you are useless... Your guards are nothing but cannon fodder, even if all had died, what would it matter? But now, you''ve let them get away for nothing... Men, kill all these wretches, leave none alive!"


    "No. Don''t..."


    Chen Di''s face immediately turned pale, devoid of any color, as he knelt on the ground and yelled.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    The Sword God Guard Brigade, in their rage, frantically began slaying Chen Di''s guards.


    Chen Di, his complexion drained of color, reeked of fear and had evidently completely lost control of his bladder.


    "Elder, what should we do with this woman?" a guard asked.


    Jian San responded coldly, "Kill her!"


    Clang!


    The guard raised his longsword.


    Just then...


    Huo Zhen suddenly burst out from the carriage, shielding Chen Di and shouting, "Lord, my young miss is acquainted with Mr. Huang Zijian, please consider Mr. Huang''s face and spare us!"


    "Hmm?"


    The guard hesitated, looking towards Jian San.


    Jian San squinted his eyes and asked, "You know Mr. Huang?"


    "Yes, yes..."


    Huo Zhen hastily nodded.


    Jian San stroked his chin and said, "Well then, since you know Mr. Huang, I''ll spare you this time. However, our Sword God Guard Brigade has been inconvenienced by you all, and these goods shall serve as compensation; we''re taking them!"


    "This is unacceptable..." Chen Di''s complexion changed.


    "What did you say?" Jian San narrowed his eyes, staring at him.


    Huo Zhen quickly covered Chen Di''s mouth and said with a forced smile, "It''s okay, it''s okay, you take it, please!"


    "Hmph!"


    Jian San snorted coldly, eyes still narrowed as he looked in the direction Xiao Yi and the others had left. "After half a day''s journey, we''ll arrive at the royal city, but at their current speed, we won''t catch up. No matter, we''ll head back to Mingjian Manor first and inform the master to see what to do next!"


    Then,


    The Sword God Guard Brigade, along with the Chen Family''s goods, made their departure.


    For a time,


    all that remained on the imperial road were Chen Di and Huo Zhen.


    Chen Di slumped to the ground, while Huo Zhen said with a look of pity, "Cousin, don''t be sad..."


    Slap!


    With a backhand slap, Chen Di struck Huo Zhen fiercely across the face, glaring at him with disgust and contempt in her eyes, "You''re useless, hiding in the carriage just now, and now coming out to comfort me? You and those three bastards all deserve to die..."


    "Cousin, it''s, it''s not their fault. If you hadn''t insisted on stopping them, none of this would have happened..." Huo Zhen said with a mournful expression.


    Slap!


    Experience tales at empire


    "Whose fault is it then if not theirs? They offended Sword Mountain Manor and got chased; they should simply have stopped and let Sword Mountain Manor capture them. Not only would we not have been implicated, but we could have also gained Sword Mountain Manor''s favor. But they resisted, causing us to suffer Sword Mountain Manor''s wrath..."


    Chen Di slapped him again, her eyes full of hatred and ferocity. As far as she was concerned, once Chen Jie made his move to stop them, Xiao Yi and his group should have surrendered. But Xiao Yi resisted, filling Chen Di with resentment. She gritted her teeth and said, "I''ve memorized that kid''s face. Even if he turns to ashes, I won''t forget him... He''d better pray he never meets me again, or I will tear him limb from limb... I will make him wish for death that he will not find!"


    ...


    Huo Zhen opened his mouth, but the burning pain on his face stopped him from saying anything further.


    Chen Di shakily got up, glaring at Huo Zhen, "What are you standing there for? Aren''t you going to drive the carriage and take me home?"


    "Yes, yes..."


    With a face full of resignation, Huo Zhen obediently took control of the carriage and headed towards the royal city.


    Meanwhile,


    Xiao Yi and his group were racing on their python-blood steeds, and after half a day''s travel, they finally saw the majestic royal city.


    "We''ve finally arrived!"


    "Once we''re in the royal city, Sword Mountain Manor will surely hesitate to take action..."


    Xiao Yi and the others heaved a sigh of relief.


    Moments later,


    They arrived at the city gate; facing the vast city, especially a gate five to six times larger than Nanhuang City, Fang Qingzhu couldn''t help but express in awe, "This is truly the royal city; it''s so grand, so prosperous..."


    "Cut it out, what country bumpkin is this, coming to the city for the first time?" an inopportune voice remarked from the side, belonging to a young man in brocade, with a look of scorn.


    Fang Qingzhu''s expression dimmed, feeling as if she had embarrassed Xiao Yi, and she lowered her head.


    Xiao Yi held Fang Qingzhu''s gentle hand and said with a light laugh, "Don''t mind what others say; just being ourselves is enough."


    "Mhm!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded obediently.


    As the young man opened his mouth, Niu Dali glared back at him with a fierce look.


    The young man''s breath caught.


    Anger flashed across his face. Just as he was about to speak, a luxurious carriage slowly approached. The young man''s face was filled with envy, "Damn, that''s the highest-class carriage from Treasure Pavilion, worth over a million silver each. I wonder who owns it... If I could just touch this kind of carriage once in my life, dying would be worth it!"


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    The carriage stopped right beside Xiao Yi and the others, and the elder driving it approached respectfully, "May I ask if you are Xiao Yi, sir?"


    "I am!" Xiao Yi nodded and asked, "And you are?"


    The elder''s face shone with a bright smile, "This humble servant comes at the command of Miss Xue''er, waiting especially for you, sir. The young mistress awaits you at her residence; would you please board the carriage?"


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi, leading Fang Qingzhu, boarded the carriage.


    Before boarding, Niu Dali glanced at the dumbfounded young man and teased, "Want to come over for a touch?"


    Thud!


    The young man collapsed to the ground, his face burning with pain, "..."


    He''d never expected that the so-called country bumpkins were actually the owners of the sumptuous carriage he''d dreamed of touching...


    What a disgraceful turn of events!

 Chapter 49 Lingering Spirit

    Treasure Pavilion in Wangdu.This was not something that could be compared to any branch in Nanhuang, the facade alone was much taller than the city gates of Nanhuang City, and the interior decorations were even more luxurious.


    The area in front served as the business district, while the back was a luxury residential area.


    The high-ranking members of the Treasure Pavilion lived in this particular area.


    Xue''er''s home was among them.


    The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of Xue''er''s house, and the old man said with a smile, "Xiao, the young miss instructed that upon your arrival, you may directly enter."


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi took out one hundred silver taels and handed them to the old man, smiling as he spoke.


    The old man hastily waved his hands, "This really isn''t necessary..."


    "It''s fine! You just take it," Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    The old man wore a grateful expression, "Thank you, young master!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, the guards at the door recognized the old man, and as they saw Xiao Yi and the two others get off the carriage, they came forward to greet them, "Xiao, please follow me!"


    They walked through a labyrinth-like corridor and arrived at the back courtyard.


    Xue''er, donning a white long dress, was sitting in the garden, supporting her cheek with her delicate hand, her eyes fixed on the glimmering ripples on the water''s surface. The guard''s voice reached from outside, "Miss, Xiao has arrived!"


    "Ah?"


    Xue''er was startled, then came back to her senses and saw Xiao Yi and the three people arriving. A bright smile appeared on her face, "Xiao Yi, Qingzhu, you''ve finally come, Xue''er has been waiting for you for quite some days!"


    She walked forward and took Fang Qingzhu''s hand, her face full of happiness.


    "Xue''er, what were you just looking at?" Fang Qingzhu asked curiously.


    Xue''er stuck out her tongue, "Nothing! It''s just that you weren''t here, and I was so bored... Qingzhu, your timing is just perfect... Tomorrow night, there will be a grand auction at the Wangdu Auction House, and I''ll take you both there to look around!"


    "The Wangdu Auction House?"


    "An auction? Xue''er, does that auction accept elemental weapons?" Xiao Yi asked.


    He now had a bunch of elemental weapons in his possession, including two fourth-grade ones. Although they were worth over eighty million, they were just a pile of scrap metal if he couldn''t sell them!


    Xue''er was surprised and curiously asked, "Xiao Yi, do you have elemental weapons to sell?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I''ve got some elemental weapons and was worrying about how to sell them."


    Xue''er said, "Xiao Yi, I''ve arranged a reception banquet for you tonight. You give me the elemental weapons, and I''ll have someone take them to the Wangdu Auction House for an appraisal. If the price is right, we''ll let them auction it off, how about that?"


    "No problem!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and handed over a pile of elemental weapons to Xue''er. He found searching for buyers too troublesome and was glad to have Xue''er handle it for him.


    Xue''er immediately called a guard and instructed him to take the elemental weapons to the Wangdu Auction House. She then led Xiao Yi and the others to the dining hall. She had been preparing for this reception banquet since she returned to Wangdu and didn''t call many people, just a young man dressed in fine clothes, with a handsome and distinguished appearance.


    Xue''er introduced them with a smile, "Xiao Yi, Qingzhu, Uncle Dali..." She directly ignored Niu Dali''s sorrowful gaze and continued, "This is Qi..."


    Before Xue''er could finish the introduction.


    The young man stepped forward with a smile and greeted the three with a bow, "My name is Jiang Tai, but everyone is accustomed to calling me Qi Shao!"


    "Nice to meet you, Jiang!"


    "Greetings, Qi Shao!"


    After exchanging greetings, they took their seats.


    The wine flowed and the courses continued, one after another.


    Jiang Tai raised his glass in a toast to Xiao Yi, smiling as he asked, "Xiao Brother, I often hear Xue''er talk about your heroic deeds. If it weren''t for your timely intervention at the Southern Desolate Mountain Range, that girl would have suffered a terrible fate!"


    "Brother Jiang Tai, you..." Xue''er looked at him with an aggrieved face.


    "Hahaha..."


    Jiang Tai laughed nonchalantly and then turned to Xiao Yi, asking meaningfully, "Xiao Brother, Xue''er mentioned that you are interested in applying to the Royal Martial Arts Academy?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I do have that intention!"


    Jiang Tai exclaimed with a hint of regret, "What a pity, I don''t really have any acquaintances at the Royal Martial Arts Academy... However, if you are interested, I could certainly recommend you to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!"


    "The Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Hasn''t it been in decline for many years? What''s the use of going there..." Niu Dali said, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said with a smile, "Let''s try the Royal Martial Arts Academy first. If it really doesn''t work out, I''ll definitely have to bother Brother Jiang then!"


    "Don''t mention it!"


    The meal passed in a harmonious atmosphere, and everyone dispersed afterwards.


    The night passed without event.


    Next morning.


    Read exclusive content at empire


    With an invitation card and a golden card in hand, Xue''er found Xiao Yi, who was practicing in the courtyard at dawn, "Brother Xiao Yi, there''s news from the Royal Martial Arts Academy... Those valuable soldiers they are providing two options, one is consignment, your share will be based on the auction price. The other is to buy them outright for one billion silver. They''ve already brought the money over, which option do you choose?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "Buy them outright for one billion silver?"


    By his estimation, those valuable soldiers were worth only about eighty million, and the other party was offering a direct price of one billion?


    Xiao Yi looked at Xue''er and thought to himself, "Probably because they want to favor Xue''er."


    Reluctant to bother with it, he said, "Just sell them outright!"


    "Alrighty!"


    Xue''er handed the golden card to Xiao Yi, and then the invitation, "This is for the auction tonight, but I have something to do and can''t make it, so you''ll have to take Sister Qingzhu and the others!"


    "No problem!"


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "You go ahead with your business!"


    "Mhm!"


    With a sweet smile, Xue''er bounced out of the courtyard and waved her hand at Xiao Yi without turning back, "Brother Xiao Yi, you should rest! I''m going to take Sister Qingzhu out for a stroll in the city. You haven''t even bought her a few pieces of jewelry; I''m really going to look down on you..."


    Watching the sprite-like Xue''er hop away, Xiao Yi touched his nose and said half-jokingly, "This girl�� she insisted on staying in the same room with Qingzhu last night, and I haven''t even seen Qingzhu this morning, and you''re already taking her out shopping?"


    He shook his head lightly. S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged in the small courtyard and continued to immerse himself in his cultivation.


    By the time Fang Qingzhu returned, it was nearly evening, and Xiao Yi and his companions took a carriage straight to the Royal Martial Arts Institute''s auction house.


    As he presented the invitation, the guard at the door became noticeably more respectful: "So it''s Xiao, Xu has already instructed us that, should Xiao arrive, please have him take a seat directly in the VIP area!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    VIP area?


    Although he was not very familiar with the Royal Auction House, he knew just how coveted the seats in the VIP area were.


    Could it just be because of the valuable soldiers he sold?


    However, considering the disposition of the Royal Auction House, those soldiers shouldn''t be enough for them to pay such special attention to him, should they?


    While Xiao Yi was musing, a hauntingly familiar voice suddenly came from behind, "Why are you guys here too?"

 Chapter 50 Auction House

    "Eh? You''re here too?"A surprised voice interrupted the trio''s conversation.


    Xiao Yi looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zhang Kang watching them with a look of disdain on his face.


    Chen Di and Huo Zhen followed behind Zhang Kang.


    Huo Zhen nodded towards the three as a greeting.


    Chen Di, with a look of contempt, sneered, "Uncle Zhang, it seems that the Imperial City Auction House is really going downhill under the pressure of your Treasure Pavilion, allowing just anyone to join the auction, eh?"


    "Xu Lai is truly getting worse at handling things, placing such people next to me. The Imperial City Auction House will really fall into decline under his management."


    Zhang Kang also showed a face of disgust, waving over to two guards not far away. Once they approached, he said, "Tell your manager Xu to throw these three out, or at least move them to a corner. They''re a blight on my sight!"


    Chen Di arrogantly said, "They''re just country bumpkins from some backwater village, what money would they have to attend your auction?"


    "This..."


    The two guards looked at each other and said, "Manager Zhang, we''re terribly sorry, we''ll go and call Manager Xu right away!"


    A few moments later.


    Xu Lai arrived in front of them, greeting Zhang Kang with a friendly smile: "Manager Zhang, you honor us with your presence; apologies for not welcoming you from farther away!"


    Although the two parties were competitors, they maintained a cordial facade on the surface.


    Zhang Kang spoke indifferently, "Manager Xu, you''re not being very fair in the way you handle things! I could overlook not being assigned a private box, but to have these three country bumpkins seated next to me is an insult to me, Zhang Kang, isn''t it?"


    Chen Di chimed in from the side, "Yeah, Manager Xu, just look at the three of them, their clothes and taste don''t resemble that of high society. Look at that woman; she doesn''t even have a single decent piece of jewelry on her. These lowly people should be..."


    Slap!


    Before he could finish.


    Chen Di''s face was struck by a slap, the bright red mark bringing a burning pain.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his gaze as if choosing his prey, and spoke deliberately, "Say another word, and I''ll kill you!"


    "You, you dare to hit me? You..." Chen Di''s eyes were filled with rage and despair as he roared.


    Zhang Kang was furious, "Boy, you are too presumptuous!" He turned to Xu Lai, "Manager Xu, this incident happened in your Imperial City Auction House, aren''t you going to intervene?" S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xu Lai looked at Zhang Kang coldly and said indifferently, "Indeed, this matter requires attention!"


    Chen Di looked at Xiao Yi triumphantly, "Kid, did you hear Manager Xu''s words? Aren''t you going to kneel down and apologize to your grandma..."


    Slap!


    Another slap resounded.


    However, this time it was not Xiao Yi who struck, but Xu Lai.


    He stared at the trio with a cold face and said, each word enunciated clearly, "Any guest who enters the Imperial City Auction House is a distinguished guest, and we treat all guests without discrimination. If you feel humiliated sitting here, feel free to leave on your own. Whoever dares to point fingers at our guests will have to deal with me. What''s more, in my eyes, Lin Lai, you don''t even qualify to carry Xiao''s shoes!"


    "You, I..."


    Chen Di''s face alternated between green and white.


    She never imagined that Xu Lai would side with Xiao Yi and his companions. Her eyes were bloodshot, filled with grievance and confusion.


    In her view, having the support of a seat like Zhang Kang''s should have made her status much higher than Xiao Yi''s.


    Lin Lai should have been on her side.


    But instead, Lin Lai completely disregarded her and showed Xiao Yi utmost respect.


    Zhang Kang''s gaze shifted repeatedly, knowing this was Lin Lai''s territory; he saw no need to antagonize Lin Lai over Chen Di and snorted coldly, "Fine, since Manager Xu said so, I naturally can''t disregard his face." He promptly sat down to the side, and seeing Zhang Kang keep silent, Chen Di naturally did not dare to speak another word.


    Only Huo Zhen was left on the side, quietly sighing and nodding at Xiao Yi, mouthing an apology.


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly in response.


    Xu Lai asked, "Xiao, would you like me to change their seats?"


    Hiss!


    Zhang Kang and his companions'' faces turned pale at once.


    If Xu Lai had slapped her because Xiao Yi was also there to participate in the auction, it was to show a gesture to the other guests.


    But now...


    Xu Lai actually showed such sincere respect towards Xiao Yi, which undoubtedly indicated there were other, deeper reasons.


    This young man must be extraordinary!


    Realizing this, Zhang Kang glared fiercely at Chen Di, "Didn''t you say they were just country bumpkins who had never seen the world?"


    Chen Di looked wronged, "I, I didn''t know either..."


    Zhang Kang was speechless.


    A moment later.


    The auction officially began.


    As each item was presented on stage, Xiao Yi showed no interest in any of them, and thus never made a move.


    In contrast, Chen Di had already helped Huo Zhen bid for a third-grade Element Weapon, costing over two million Silver, her face was full of smugness as she provocatively looked at Xiao Yi and his group, "Who else in the first row hasn''t bid for anything? Just you three country bumpkins, are you purely here to watch the show?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at her, "Talk nonsense again, and I''ll tear your mouth apart!"


    "I..."


    Chen Di opened her mouth but then, remembering the slap Xiao Yi had delivered without mercy earlier, she swallowed her words back down.


    Xiao Yi paid no attention to Chen Di and instead focused on the auction stage.


    "The next Element Weapon is a whip, named Purple Dragon. It is said to be crafted from the tendons of a demonic beast with the bloodline of a Purple Dragon, known as Purple Blood Jiao, and is a fourth-grade Element Weapon. The starting bid is five million Silver, is anyone interested?" the auctioneer said.


    "Five million!"


    "Five million five hundred thousand..."


    One after another, powerful individuals placed their bids.


    Quietly holding Fang Qingzhu''s hand, Xiao Yi chuckled, "Do you like it?"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded.


    Xiao Yi then declared, "Ten million!"


    Hisss!


    The crowd sucked in a breath of cold air.


    Ten million Silver?


    This was already close to the limit value of the Purple Dragon Whip. The auctioneer, excited, exclaimed, "Ten million Silver for the first time, ten million Silver for the second time... any higher bids? Ten million Silver for the third time, sold!"


    The moment the auction hammer fell, Chen Di shouted, "Wait a moment!" Continue your saga on empire


    All eyes turned toward Chen Di.


    Pointing at Xiao Yi, Chen Di angrily declared, "They definitely can''t produce ten million Silver; he''s deliberately driving up the price!"


    "What?"


    "Someone is deliberately raising the price? Daring to cause trouble in the Capital''s auction house, does this kid no longer wish to live?"


    Faced with everyone''s questioning,


    Xiao Yi delivered a slap, "smack," flipping Chen Di onto the ground. In a flash, he was by her side, his foot grinding her face into the ground for a few seconds as he spoke coldly, "Do you really think I wouldn''t dare to kill you?"


    "Xiao, please wait!"


    Xu rushed over, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, "Xiao, may I ask for a favor for my sake?"


    Though the Royal Capital''s auction house had the royal family as its backing, Chen Di''s status was not simple either; if she died here, it would ultimately bring trouble to him.


    Xiao Yi frowned.


    Huo Zhen stepped forward and said, "Xiao, please let Chen Di off this time. I promise she won''t provoke you again!"


    "Huo Zhen, why are you pleading with him? My father is a third-grade officer in the current administration. I don''t believe he''d really dare to kill me..."


    Chen Di was gnashing her teeth, venomously shouting, "Bastard, you''d better let me go now, and then kneel down and apologize to me. Otherwise, when my father takes action, I''m going to have you chopped into a thousand pieces. And that cheap woman with you, I''ll sell her to a brothel..."


    Before she could finish speaking,


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi stomped down, crushing Chen Di''s head...

 Chapter 51 Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array

    ```Hiss!


    Panic spread throughout the auction house.


    Xiao Yi actually killed Chen Di?


    This was a murder in the capital city''s auction house!


    Since the creation of the capital''s auction house, no one had ever dared to commit murder here.


    "Has this kid gone mad?"


    "He actually killed someone in front of Xu, the manager. Is he tired of living?"


    The crowd murmured among themselves.


    Huo Zhen and Zhang Kang were utterly dumbfounded. They had never anticipated that Xiao Yi would really kill Chen Di right in front of them. Huo Zhen felt dizzy and the world seemed to spin around him. Chen Di was his cousin, and now she had been slain by Xiao Yi right before his eyes.


    He could not shirk his responsibility!


    Zhang Kang''s face was also gloomy. He was friends with Chen Di''s father, but now...


    Zhang Kang, with a sullen expression, turned to Xu Lai: "Manager Xu, this incident happened in your auction house. You must give me a satisfactory answer!"


    Despite being shocked, Xu Lai also regained his composure. Under normal circumstances, he would have handed over Xiao Yi immediately, but the Seventh Prince had already instructed him to be on good terms with Xiao Yi. Keeping this in mind, he spoke in a deep voice: "I don''t think there is anything wrong with what Master Xiao did. The whole incident was a baseless accusation concocted by Miss Chen to slander Master Xiao!"


    "What do you mean?" Zhang Kang frowned.


    Xu Lai said indifferently: "With a personal wealth of over a hundred million silver, why would Master Xiao stoop to deceit over a mere ten million? Miss Chen blatantly framed and insulted Master Xiao; she brought this upon herself. You can''t blame others!"


    "What? A net worth of over a hundred million?"


    "So young and already possessing over a hundred million in wealth, who is this nobleman?"


    The crowd inhaled sharply. Suddenly, no one spoke up for Chen Di anymore.


    His net worth was over a hundred million.


    Yet you publicly called him a country bumpkin, randomly driving up prices!


    Isn''t that asking for death?


    Zhang Kang''s face turned even uglier. He suddenly remembered when Xiao Yi attempted to sell him some elemental weapons previously. If Xiao Yi was indeed so wealthy, would those weapons be of low quality? Zhang Kang could only feel resentful towards Chen Di: "That foolish woman has caused my downfall..."


    Huo Zhen was the only one looking utterly dejected.


    He had come to the capital to depend on the Chen Family, but now Chen Di was dead before him, and not being killed by the Chen Family in a fit of rage was already the best possible outcome.


    Xiao Yi, however, did not pay any attention to all of this. He calmly sat back down, collected the ten million silver, and handed over the Purple Dragon Whip to Fang Qingzhu: "Qingzhu, this is a gift for you!"


    "Thank you, Xiao Yi!" Fang Qingzhu said with a smile as she accepted the Purple Dragon Whip.


    The auction thereafter became somewhat uninteresting.


    Just as Xiao Yi was preparing to leave,


    Another item that piqued his interest appeared on the auction stage��it was an Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array. The auctioneer excitedly announced, "This Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array, crafted by the great array master Ouyang Shang with a clump of earth fire at its core, can increase the speed of refining medicinal pills by a hundredfold with an effect lasting for 24 hours. The starting bid is ten million silver!"


    Interest fading, Xiao Yi''s expression suddenly became intense.


    A hundredfold refining effect?


    He currently held a Golden Core from the Iron Blade King, which he had been refining for several days, but the progress was slow.


    But if he had the hundredfold effect of this Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array, even if it only lasted for 24 hours, it would be equivalent to a hundred days of refinement for him. A hundred days would allow him to refine one third of the Golden Core''s energy.


    It would be enough to help him step into the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm, or even the fourth.


    The price at the auction had already reached thirty-five million, and the person bidding was Zhang Kang. He raised his hands to greet the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, I must have this Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array. I hope you will do me the courtesy of letting me have it!"


    "With Manager Zhang speaking, we naturally yield to you!"


    "We won''t compete!"


    Just as Zhang Kang was basking in his anticipated victory, Xiao Yi opened his mouth and said: "Forty million."


    Hiss! sea??h th�� n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The crowd sucked in their breaths again.


    ```


    Zhang Kang is the chief steward of Treasure Pavilion, whom among the crowd wouldn''t give him some face?


    Xiao Yi actually dared to bid against him?


    Zhang Kang''s face darkened as he stared at Xiao Yi, "Kid, are you deliberately opposing me?"


    Xiao Yi replied with an innocent face, "In an auction, isn''t the item awarded to the highest bidder? Since when did it become whoever shouts the loudest gets the item?"


    "You..."


    Zhang Kang felt his face turn hot with anger, never expecting to be looked down upon by Xiao Yi, and said with a somber face, "Competing in wealth? Do you think I, Zhang Kang, would be afraid of you? Fifty million!"


    "Fifty-five million!"


    "Sixty million..."


    The bidding went on.


    Finally, when it reached seventy million, Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I will only go as high as seventy million, if you bid higher, it''s yours!"


    "Seventy million... I..." Zhang Kang gnashed his teeth in frustration.


    His money wasn''t his own, but belonged to Treasure Pavilion.


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    The real value of the Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array was only around fifty million, seventy million had already far exceeded the value he could justify; with a cold snort, his eyes revealing a venomous look, he gritted his teeth and said, "Kid, you''re ruthless. We''ll see about this!"


    "Take your time, I won''t see you out!" Niu Dali burst into loud laughter.


    Zhang Kang nearly stumbled in anger.


    After paying seventy million Silver, he bought the Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array.


    As Xiao Yi and the two others were about to leave, Xu Lai took the initiative to approach them, "Sir Xiao, a distinguished guest wishes to meet with you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, then said, "Lead the way!"


    "Please!"


    Xu Lai led the trio to one of the VIP rooms, where only a young man with a handsome and noble aura was present. Upon seeing Xiao Yi arrive, he stood up with a smile, "I am Jiang Tai, pleased to meet you, Sir Xiao!"


    "Jiang Tai? Are you His Highness, the Seventh Prince?" Niu Dali exclaimed in surprise.


    Jiang Tai smiled, "Indeed, that''s me!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "May I know what brings His Highness to seek me out?"


    Jiang Tai said solemnly, "Sir Xiao..."


    Xiao Yi said, "Just call me Xiao Yi, Your Highness!"


    "This... very well, Xiao Yi!" Jiang Tai nodded, and said earnestly, "Xiao Yi, I would like to invite you to join the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy."


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?" Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Niu Dali interjected, "Big brother, I have heard of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy... Before the Royal Martial Arts Academy rose to prominence, it was the strongest Martial Arts Institute in Tianqing Kingdom. However, it has been suppressed by the Royal Martial Arts Academy in recent years..."


    Jiang Tai gave a bitter smile and said, "Brother Dali is right, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy has indeed been suppressed by the Royal Martial Arts Academy over the years. However, if you Xiao Yi are willing to join the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, I assure you the highest standard of treatment!"


    Xiao Yi bowed and replied, "I apologize, but I have already promised Elder Wang that I will go to the Royal Martial Arts Academy."


    "Elder Wang?"


    Jiang Tai was taken aback, as the name Wang Zhiyuan was renowned, and then he gave a wry smile, "I didn''t expect that Brother Xiao Yi had already caught the favor of Elder Wang, it seems that the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy has no fate with you!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him apologetically.


    Jiang Tai shook his head indicating it was okay, then said, "Brother Xiao Yi, I heard from Steward Xu that you bought that Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array? It''s not easy to use such an array in ordinary places, so if you wouldn''t mind, you can cultivate inside the training room of the auction house!"


    "Training room?"


    Xiao Yi was surprised and thought that since both he and Fang Qingzhu were at the Shentong Realm, refining the Golden Core would cause quite a disturbance. It would be inconvenient in an inn, so he said, "Then I''ll have to trouble the Seventh Prince!"


    "No trouble at all!"


    Xiao Yi then gave Niu Dali ten million Silver, saying, "Qingzhu and I need to go into closed-door training. This money is for you for now; I''ll repay what I owe later. Find us again in two days when it''s time for the trial at the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"

 Chapter 52 The Legacy of Dao Yan

    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu were escorted to the training room.Jiang Tai and Xu Lai stood outside the training room. Unable to contain himself, Xu Lai said, "Your Highness, previously you showed no intention of recruiting Xiao Yi, but after he killed Chen Di, you actively sought him. Why is that?"


    The Chen Family that Chen Di belonged to was only a second-rate family in the Royal City, but Chen Di''s father was in the prime of his life and had great potential for further advancement.


    As for Xiao Yi, he was only at the first layer of the Shentong Realm.


    In Xu Lai''s view, offending the Chen Family for Xiao Yi''s sake was clearly not worth it.


    Jiang Tai said indifferently, "Elder Xu, do you know Xiao Yi''s identity?"


    "This..."


    Xu Lai shook his head.


    Narrowing his eyes, Jiang Tai said, "He is from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty. Although this news was suppressed by the Xiao Family and only a small number of people in Nanhuang City know about it, someone passed a message from Nanhuang City a few days ago. This Xiao Yi is not simple at all! When he first arrived in Nanhuang, he was only at the Physical Body Realm. But in just a few months, he stepped into the Shentong Realm. Even Jia Sichun of the Jia Family died at his hands..."


    "What? He reached the Shentong Realm in just a few months and killed Jia Sichun? How is that possible?" Xu Lai''s eyes widened in shock.


    Only then did he understand why Jiang Tai suddenly sought to recruit Xiao Yi.


    A genius who could step into the Shentong Realm from the Physical Body Realm in just a few short months would undoubtedly achieve limitless heights in the future.


    "For ordinary people, it certainly isn''t possible, but don''t forget that he has the same blood as that person..."


    Taking a deep breath and unable to hide the shock in his heart, Jiang Tai ended with a sigh, "It''s just a pity that he has already agreed to help Elder Wang. Since he is someone valued by Elder Wang, I cannot take him no matter what!"


    Wang Zhiyuan held very high prestige and status within the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Nowadays, the position of the Crown Prince of Tianqing Kingdom is still up for grabs, and any prince who could gain Wang Zhiyuan''s support would significantly increase his chances of obtaining the title of Crown Prince.


    He didn''t want to offend Wang Zhiyuan for Xiao Yi''s sake.


    Jiang Tai continued, "Since we cannot recruit him, then we should forge good karma with him. Letting him use this training room, if he remembers this kindness, maybe he can also become a great asset to me in the future!"


    Xu Lai nodded, then, recalling that Xiao Yi had not only killed Chen Di but also offended Zhang Kang, hesitated and said, "Your Highness, according to what you said, hasn''t Xiao Yi already offended the Chen Family, Jia Family, and Zhang Kang? Any one of these parties is difficult to deal with, should we help him in secret?"


    "No need!"


    Jiang Tai waved his hand, his gaze calm and detached as he said, "The path to becoming a strong warrior is never smooth sailing. If he can''t overcome these difficulties, it just proves that he does not have the qualifications to be my Jiang Tai''s chess piece!"


    ...


    Inside the training room.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu sat facing each other, their palms aligned with the Golden Core of the Iron Blade King between them.


    Previously, in order to break through to the Shentong Realm, the two had already refined one-fifth of the Golden Core''s energy and had both stepped into the Shentong Realm. Now, resuming cultivation, they were further accelerating the process a hundredfold with the help of the Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array.


    It was likely that, by the end of this refining session, more than half of the energy of the Golden Core would be depleted.


    "Qingzhu, I''m about to activate the Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array. If you can''t handle it, exit immediately. Understand?" Xiao Yi warned Fang Qingzhu earnestly as he stared at her.


    His physical body was strengthened by the power of the God Sealing Seed, much stronger than that of a warrior of the same level.


    Naturally, he could endure the onslaught of power. S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But Fang Qingzhu''s physical body was incomparable to his, and her limit for enduring energy was naturally much lower.


    Fang Qingzhu nodded to show she understood.


    Xiao Yi flicked his finger, tossing an array flag between them.


    A thread of Yuan energy surged into it.


    Hum!


    The array was immediately activated, and red beams of light appeared beneath them, with red lines forming a circular array plate. Within the array plate, the red light wove into gray array patterns.


    The light shone brilliantly, like celestial light, like divine brilliance, bathing their bodies.


    Both channeled their profound energies at the same time.


    They could feel a surge of immense power rush into their bodies from the Golden Core.


    With a hundredfold increase in refining speed.


    This allowed them to constantly and distinctly feel their strength skyrocketing.


    After one hour.


    Two hours.


    Three hours...


    Both of their cultivation levels continued to rise. In just eight hours, Xiao Yi''s cultivation had reached the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm, and Fang Qingzhu had also kept pace, reaching the same realm as him.


    However, Fang Qingzhu apparently was struggling to withstand the surge of energy, as the ice-blue phantom phoenix behind her manifested once again.


    Though it was but a fleeting appearance,


    it still managed to coat the training room with a layer of frost.


    Whoosh!


    Fang Qingzhu immediately exited the array, as the sudden two minor realm increases in cultivation overwhelmed her, and she sat cross-legged to the side to begin refining and stabilizing her own realm.


    Xiao Yi, however, was still absorbing the energy transferred from the Golden Core. Your next read awaits at empire


    When 24 hours had ended,


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation had reached the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, and his Golden Core had shrunk down by half from its original walnut size. Xiao Yi took a deep breath and placed the Golden Core into his storage ring, then he began guiding the primal energy into the God Sealing Seed.


    The God Sealing Seed burst forth with dazzling light as Xiao Yi was bathed in divine radiance.


    Four hundred and one.


    Four hundred and two...


    At the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, his God Sealing Seed was activated with four hundred seeds, and now that he had reached the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he had added as many as six hundred more. He had a total of one thousand God Sealing Seeds in his body!


    Boom!


    When the primal energy, refined by the essence of the one thousand God Sealing Seeds, transformed into the power of the gods and fed back into his dantian,


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation became firmly established.


    Simultaneously...


    His consciousness suddenly entered the Ancient Heavenly Tomb, where one thousand God Sealing Seeds could now allow him to suppress another being; his gaze swept across until Xiao Yi found a short grave that was a zhang high. However, this grave did not bear a wooden tombstone, but a stone one.


    From his several previous visits to the Ancient Heavenly Tomb, Xiao Yi had discerned some patterns: the taller the grave and the better the material of the tombstone, the stronger the entity within the grave.


    For instance, the grave of that Death-Dealing Scholar was but three feet tall!


    Yet the one in front of him stood at an entire zhang!


    "Divine General of Suppression, Crush the heavens, the God-Sealing Demon-Suppressing!"


    With a smash of his palm, Xiao Yi shattered the grave before him, and with a thunderous roar, a stream of light soared into the sky �� it was a refined scholar. Clad in a blue Daoist robe, with a face like carved jade, friendly and amiable, Xiao Yi hardly needed to act, as it voluntarily burrowed into the God Sealing Seed.


    Turning into a statue, residing only within the God Sealing Seed.


    Simultaneously,


    Xiao Yi received information from the shadow in the robe: "Dao Yan, Heavenly Yuan Realm, a grandmaster in martial arts theory, the creator of the ''Martial Canon,'' ''Sword Canon,'' ''Saber Canon,''... among one hundred and eight sacred martial arts scriptures, directly or indirectly instructing nearly a million disciples. His number one disciple is a legend of the Heavenly Yuan Realm �� Martial God Zhao Wuji!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi took a sharp breath.


    This was Dao Yan? The master of Martial God Zhao Wuji?


    Dao Yan''s name was thunderously renowned!


    He was a prodigy who couldn''t cultivate himself yet possessed an incredibly high aptitude, a talent who spanned the heavens and earth. It could be said that the flourishing state of the martial way in the Heavenly Yuan Realm today owed much to Dao Yan''s contributions. Some had even hailed him as the mentor to the Martial God!


    After suppressing Dao Yan, Xiao Yi immediately gained his understanding and theoretical knowledge of the martial way.


    Many previous uncertainties also became clear to him.


    It''s no exaggeration to say,


    That in terms of martial arts theory, in the great Heavenly Yuan Realm, those who could surpass him could be counted on one hand!


    More importantly, he had also acquired a secret technique from Dao Yan''s heritage, the "Blood Explosion Skill."


    This secret technique could be classified as a fifth-grade technique, which by burning one''s own blood, offered a surge in strength for a short period, potentially reaching an increase of up to a hundredfold. However, the price was the complete combustion of one''s blood, and it was not to be used lightly.


    Although suppressing Dao Yan this time did not yield powerful martial techniques or cultivation methods, it did perfectly complement Xiao Yi in theoretical aspects, sparing him many detours on his future path in martial arts.


    Especially the "Blood Explosion Skill," it provided him with an additional lifeline; the intangible gains were immensely great.


    Indeed, from another perspective, this gain was even richer than if he had obtained a Martial God''s inheritance directly.


    After all...


    This was Dao Yan, who had taught a person like Martial God Zhao Wuji.


    "Brother Xiao Yi, time''s up; we should head to the Royal Martial Arts Academy now!"


    Suddenly, the voice of Fang Qingzhu came from outside, as Xiao Yi''s consciousness exited the Ancient Heavenly Tomb, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly, "The Royal Martial Arts Academy? Here I come, Xiao Yi!"

 Chapter 53 Royal Martial Arts Academy

    ```Outside the Royal Auction House.


    Xue''er''s carriage had been waiting for quite some time.


    As soon as she saw Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu come out, Xue''er immediately approached them: "Xiao Yi, Qingzhu... We went to the Qingyan Pavilion yesterday to find you. Luckily, we ran into Dali, or else we wouldn''t have known you were here!"


    "I''m sorry, Xue''er, we came in a haste and forgot to leave you a message!" Fang Qingzhu said apologetically.


    Xue''er shook her head and said, "The assessment is about to start, let''s set off!"


    "Alright!"


    The group rode the carriage and headed straight for the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Inside the carriage.


    Xiao Yi asked, "Xue''er, Elder Wang hasn''t returned yet?"


    Xue''er shook her head and said with a bitter smile, "This time, my grandfather went out with the headmaster. It seems there has been the emergence of a secret realm belonging to someone from the Tao Tribulation Realm. They went together, and we don''t know when they''ll be back."


    "A secret realm of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert?"


    Xiao Yi and his companion exchanged a look.


    Above the Golden Core is the Tao Tribulation, signifying the tribulations of martial arts, it is also a transformative realm for leaping through the dragon gate to become a true dragon.


    It is said that in the vast Tianqing Kingdom, only the ancient forebear of the royal family is at the Tao Tribulation Realm, but that venerable ancestor has not shown himself for over a hundred years.


    "No wonder Elder Wang was in such a hurry to get back..." Xiao Yi murmured to himself.


    Xue''er said with a smile, "Xiao Yi, don''t worry! Before my grandfather left, he made all the arrangements, and with your strengths, getting into the Royal Martial Arts Academy will be a piece of cake!"


    ......


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy was established five hundred and thirty-one years ago.


    It is said that at that time, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was dominant and tried to influence the succession of the Crown Prince, which angered the King.


    To counterbalance the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, the King founded the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    After more than five hundred years of development, the Royal Martial Arts Academy has completely surpassed the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy in all aspects.


    The entire academy is situated in the East City District, facing the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy of the West City District. Stay connected via empire


    Almost a quarter of the East City District belongs to the Royal Martial Arts Academy; the academy is home to sixty thousand Yellow Level students, twelve thousand Profound Level students, thirteen hundred Earth Level students, and thirteen Heaven Level students.


    Even the weakest Yellow Level students are above the Qi Gathering Realm. sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By the time Xiao Yi and the others arrived at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the entrance was already a sea of people.


    Xue''er said, "Xiao Yi, you''re going to take part in the assessment soon. I''ve already prepared a banquet at the Qingyan Pavilion, waiting for your triumphant return!"


    "Don''t worry, we won''t disappoint you!" Fang Qingzhu said with a smile.


    Xiao Yi nodded in agreement.


    Niu Dali grunted: "It''s just the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s assessment. It''s a trifle for me, nothing but light rain!"


    "I bet you won''t pass the assessment!"


    A boastful voice came through, the speaker was a youth not even one and a half meters tall, "Don''t you know that the elimination rate of the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s assessment is as high as ninety percent? And you say it''s light rain? That''s sheer arrogance!"


    The youth had a small mustache under his nose and was pinching it with his chubby little hands, looking disdainfully at Xiao Yi and the others.


    Niu Dali snorted darkly, grabbing the youth by the collar: "Shorty, you''re itching for a beating, aren''t you?"


    "You big oaf, let me down right now, or I''ll start shouting for help!" the diminutive youth flailed his arms and legs, but being so short, he couldn''t reach Niu Dali and could only speak fiercely.


    Niu Dali laughed heartily: "Go ahead and shout, nobody will come to help you even if your throat breaks!"


    "Big brother, second brother, three of them, someone is bullying me!" the small fellow suddenly shouted.


    "Who dares to bully our brother?"


    "Looking for trouble, are they?"


    ```


    In the crowd.


    A little dwarf who was stealing someone''s purse dropped the purse and rushed out; another small dwarf who was negotiating with a few extravagantly dressed people walked out; and another was squeezing through the crowd, stealing touches, hustling over with a red bellyband in hand.


    Three dwarfs, none taller than four and a half feet, stood in front of Niu Dali, hands on hips, fiercely glared at him, and shouted in unison, "Put down our fourth brother!"


    "Damn, did I hit a dwarf nest?" Niu Dali''s eyes widened as he looked at the four little dwarfs in front of him.


    Xiao Yi said, "Dali, let him go."


    "Oh!"


    Niu Dali released his grip, and the little dwarf jumped down. After straightening his collar, he said with self-satisfaction, "I bet you wouldn''t kill me!"


    Niu Dali: "..."


    The short one bowed to Xiao Yi and said, "Dude, thank you for your righteous help. My name is Shi Yaodu; this is my eldest brother Shi Yaoqian, my second brother Shi Yaoquan, and my third brother Shi Yaose. From now on, you''re a friend of us four Shi brothers. If anyone dares to bully you, we brothers will tear him to shreds together!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    The crowd: "..."


    Money, Lust, Power, Gambling?


    What kind of names are these?


    And to top it all off, your surname is Shi, which, no offense, sounds like ''Shit'' Family''s four brothers!


    Shi Yaose walked up to Fang Qingzhu with his hands rubbing together and chuckled, "Everyone has a love for beauty... Beauty, our bed is big and soft..."


    Shi Yaodu whispered, "I bet third brother is about to get beaten up!"


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi kicked him out with a foot and said with a dark face, "Stay away from Qingzhu!"


    At that moment...


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Three dull bell tolls rang out, startling everyone and brightening their expressions.


    From within the gates of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, three figures emerged.


    The leader was a middle-aged man dressed in profound garments, with heroic eyebrows like unsheathed swords, breathing in one continuous flow, and eyes like stars, with a glint of cold light. Flanking him was a man and a woman, each exuding the aura of the Divine Skills Realm.


    Especially the middle-aged man in profound garments, he was a powerhouse of the High-order Divine Power Realm.


    "Welcome, everyone, to the quarterly assessment of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. I am the chief examiner, Ge Qingyun, and these two are earth-level students, Zhang Yi and Sun Ying. You will face three rounds of tests, and only by passing all three will you pass the assessment and become students of the Martial Arts Institute! The first round of assessment will be conducted by Sun Ying!" Ge Qingyun said indifferently.


    Sun Ying stepped forward, pointed at the stone lion on the left side of the gate, and said, "This stone lion can test your level of cultivation. Anyone over eighteen years old and below the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm is unqualified. Please go ahead!"


    The crowd advanced one after another.


    This round easily eliminated forty percent.


    Xiao Yi and the others, of course, passed easily and then entered the second round of the assessment. Ge Qingyun said, "This second round will be conducted by Zhang Yi!"


    Zhang Yi stepped forward, his icy gaze sweeping over the crowd, pausing slightly on Xiao Yi and two others as he said indifferently, "The second round of the assessment tests your innate talent. All you have to do is touch the talent stone in my hand, and it will emit either white or black light, white light for elimination, black light for qualification!"


    The crowd stepped forward to test.


    Soon it was Xiao Yi''s turn. Zhang Yi''s lips curled up slightly, his eyes gleaming with amusement, "Go ahead!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and placed his hand on the talent stone.


    Whoosh!


    Bright black light burst forth, the deep black light especially eye-catching against the blue sky and white sun.


    However...


    Zhang Yi''s face showed a trivial expression, his lips curling up in a thick sneer, and he said lightly, "Disqualified..."

 Chapter 54 Reversing Black and White

    "Disqualified!"Zhang Yi''s face was laden with thick mockery, but the three words that left his mouth left everyone agape.


    The sneer on his face grew even more brilliant, his gleeful gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi, laden with intense mockery and provocation.


    The surrounding crowd was also stunned.


    "What''s going on here?"


    "I clearly saw black light just now, how could it be disqualified?"


    "Could I be seeing things?"


    "Keep your voices down... Can''t you see? He must have offended someone from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, so they''re intentionally targeting him!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, staring at Zhang Yi; "You''re saying I''m disqualified?"


    Zhang Yi indifferently replied: "That''s right, you are disqualified!"


    Fang Qingzhu immediately stepped forward, anxiously retorting: "We clearly saw white light, how can it be disqualified?"


    Niu Dali also shouted with a grim face: "Which eye of yours saw white light? Are you blind? When my big brother touched the talent stone, the black light was so evident, how could you not see it?"


    "How dare you! Are you questioning the authority of the Royal Martial Arts Academy? I am the examiner this time, and if I say he''s disqualified, then he is disqualified!" S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhang Yi was fearless, lowering his voice somewhat, "Kid, some people you can''t afford to offend, and this is your fate!"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and then turned to Ge Qingyun: "Instructor, you must have seen the results of the test just now, right? Do you also think I''m disqualified?"


    Ge Qingyun''s face was indifferent: "All I see is that you failed the assessment, yet you''re trying to force Zhang Yi to change the results! With such a poor character, even if your talent were outstanding, our Royal Martial Arts Academy would not accept you!"


    He was the chief examiner of this assessment.


    Since even he said that Xiao Yi didn''t pass, it was as good as set in stone.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face paled, and she quickly said: "Mr. Ge, we were referred here by Elder Wang, we hope you will treat us fairly..."


    "Elder Wang?"


    "Vice-Chancellor Wang? How could you know him?" Ge Qingyun''s expression changed dramatically. If Xiao Yi really knew Elder Wang, then he was in big trouble.


    Moreover...


    A person who had caught Elder Wang''s eye must definitely be a prodigy.


    Even if Elder Wang didn''t pursue the matter, the higher-ups of the Martial Arts Institute would consider it a serious crime if they found out that he had committed such injustice and turned away a prodigy for his own personal reasons!


    Standing by his side, Zhang Yi had already been aware of Xiao Yi''s identity, and whispered: "Mr. Ge need not worry, Brother Jia is the crown prince''s man, they have already handled everything... But just to be safe, we should eliminate him. Would Vice-Chancellor Wang really offend the crown prince over a dead man?"


    "Well said!"


    Ge Qingyun''s eyes lit up and he said, "Elder Wang is eminent and highly regarded, and he would definitely not want to see us engaged in any corruption. Not only have you disrupted the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s examination, but you have also slandered Vice-Chancellor Wang, the crime is heinous, and you must be executed! Zhang Yi, kill him for me, to serve as an example to others!"


    "At your command!" Enjoy more content from empire


    Zhang Yi appeared in front of Xiao Yi with a fiendish smile, going for a Black Tiger Heart Dig straight toward Xiao Yi''s chest.


    Facing such a ferocious attack from Zhang Yi, Xiao Yi merely raised one hand and firmly caught the palm.


    He then viciously slapped it away.


    Zhang Yi screamed miserably as he was sent flying by Xiao Yi''s slap, tumbling through the air like a kite with its string cut, as Xiao Yi pursued and kicked him in the face in midair.


    Bang!


    Zhang Yi harshly crashed to the ground, spewing out blood along with a mouthful of teeth.


    His face smeared with blood, he looked up at Xiao Yi, who was slowly withdrawing his foot.


    Zhang Yi''s cultivation was at the Fifth Layer of the Shentong Realm, and he was a master who had awakened his Innate Divine Ability; he didn''t expect to be sent flying by a kick from Xiao Yi? Zhang Yi glared furiously, grinding his teeth: "You... you dare hit me?"


    "I''ve already hit you and you''re still asking if I dare, it seems you lack not only a pair of eyes but also a brain..." Xiao Yi replied coldly.


    Zhang Yi''s face was red with rage as he bellowed, "You dare to insult me? You''re as good as dead, I..."


    "Save that nonsense for King Yama!"


    Xiao Yi''s fist suddenly smashed down.


    Boom!


    Zhang Yi''s head burst open instantly, turning into a mess of flesh scattered on the ground.


    A Profound Level disciple from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he didn''t even have the chance to use his Innate Divine Ability before his head was blown apart by Xiao Yi''s punch.


    "Rascal!"


    Ge Qingyun, with a gloomy face, roared in fury, his eyes emitting a cold light as he locked his gaze onto Xiao Yi, "How dare you, a scoundrel, slaughter a student of the Royal Martial Arts Academy! It''s utterly unforgivable, a crime deserving of death a thousand times over!"


    "Deserving of death a thousand times over? Whether I passed the examination is clear to all, yet you insist on distorting the truth and framing me �C who truly deserves to die a thousand times over?"


    Xiao Yi laughed coldly, "You blind old dog, go keep him company!"


    Ge Qingyun, filled with murderous intent and a dark expression on his face, said, "In all my years at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I have never seen someone as arrogant as you. It''s clear that you forced Zhang Yi to alter the test results, and when that failed, you resorted to murder. If someone as violent and ruthless as you were allowed to grow unchecked, you would surely become a scourge on this land. Today, I, Ge Qingyun, shall act in heaven''s stead and rid the world of you, a murderous devil!"


    Xiao Yi let out a loud laugh to the heavens, "Hahahaha, this is the Royal Martial Arts Academy? With such blatant disregard for right and wrong, truth and falsehood, I suggest you might as well close your doors now!"


    "Scoundrel, you''re courting death!"


    Ge Qingyun''s face turned alternatively green and white, his rage uncontrollable.


    The furious anger turned into a cold, tangible intent to kill, firmly targeting Xiao Yi.


    Ge Qingyun''s face bore a cold smile to the extreme, his voice sinister, "Daring to challenge the authority of the Royal Martial Arts Academy and openly threatening the chief examiner, you deserve to be torn to pieces!"


    As soon as his words ended��


    Ge Qingyun''s vital energy surged violently around him, and with a leap, he landed in front of Xiao Yi.


    He slapped down with one hand.


    "Void Shock Palm!"


    A high-tier, third-grade martial technique, the palm attack came rushing forward with the momentum of Move Mountains and Overturn Seas, containing layers upon layers within the palm, its power seemingly endless.


    With just one palm, it could ignore physical defense and directly shatter the internal organs.


    Such a formidable move, coupled with Ge Qingyun being at the Eighth Layer of the Divine Power Realm, had enough destructive power to crush even a common practitioner at the Eightfold Divine Power Realm.


    Xiao Yi''s cold gaze was fixed on the incoming attack that seemed unstoppable, as his understanding of Dao Yan''s punch flashed through his mind. His thoughts shifted in an instant, finding a flaw in what seemed to be an impenetrable assault.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, focusing on the center of the palm fueled by vital energy.


    Having received Dao Yan''s legacy and the martial wisdom and heritage of the Martial God, he could see through the fatal flaw in Ge Qingyun''s move at a glance.


    In his eyes, across the vital energy-enveloped palm, faint blue liquid streams coursed like ghosts, and Xiao Yi instantly pinpointed the core where these blue streams converged, his lips curving up into a slight, cold arc, "Break for me!"


    Swish!


    At the strike of his finger, Ge Qingyun''s gathered assault crumbled to pieces.


    The sharp finger strike hit dead center on the palm.


    This was the weak point of his attack!


    Crack!


    Amidst the sound of bones shattering, Ge Qingyun let out a hysterical scream as his entire right arm was obliterated.


    Bone fragments protruded from his shoulder, and amidst the bloodied spectacle, there was also a chilling sense of desperation as Ge Qingyun crashed to the ground with a thud.


    Ge Qingyun, clutching his broken arm, looked at Xiao Yi with deep fear and regret in his eyes.


    With such strength, once he entered the Martial Arts Institute, he would at least be a Profound Level or even Earth Level student, and one day he might even become strong enough for the Heavenly Rank Academy. But alas, there''s no medicine for regret in this world. Having offended him now, he might as well offend him thoroughly!


    Ge Qingyun took out a summoning arrow and swiftly released it into the sky, his face simultaneously revealing a ferocious expression, "Impudent Xiao Yi, to brazenly assault and injure a Martial Arts Institute examiner without cause, showing complete disregard for the law. I''m going to immediately call for the Law Enforcement Team. You''re done for..."

 Chapter 55 Law Enforcement Team

    Whoosh!A command arrow pierced the sky, exploding above with a loud bang.


    In the blink of an eye,


    dozens of powerful auras surged out from the Martial Arts Institute.


    Equally matched in the Shentong Realm.


    This was the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s Law Enforcement Team, feared by all who heard their name.


    The person leading them radiated elemental energy, surrounded by a protective golden light; he was a superpower within the Golden Core Realm. His brows were sharp as blades, his eyes flickered with lightning, sweeping a cold gaze over the crowd.


    His eyes flickered with a cold light, "What is going on here?"


    Ge Qingyun wept bitterly, "Elder Zhou Xin, save me! This guy named Xiao Yi, unable to pass the talent test, was enraged and wanted Zhang Yi to change the results. Zhang Yi refused and has been killed by him. My teacher tried to intervene and has been seriously injured by him..."


    This Zhou Xin was the master of the Law Enforcement Hall.


    His cultivation had reached the Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm, one of the apex existences within Tianqing Kingdom''s martial ranks.


    Zhou Xin''s body was enveloped by golden elemental energy, resembling a radiant halo, majestic and solemn. His sharp eyes seemed capable of piercing into one''s soul, his cold gaze fixated on Xiao Yi, expressing a hint of doubt, "How could someone of such an age manage to slay Zhang Yi and defeat Ge Qingyun? He must be a genius, why would he fail the assessment?"


    Ge Qingyun''s face slightly changed.


    He was about to speak.


    But Zhou Xin waved his hand dismissively, "Nevertheless, it doesn''t matter. What our Royal Martial Arts Academy never lacks are geniuses. You dared to openly kill a student of my Royal Martial Arts Academy and severely injure an instructor, this cannot be easily resolved. Only your blood can wash away the disgrace you''ve brought upon our Institute. You, take your own life!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Zhou Xin indifferently, "Is this the justice of the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s Law Enforcement Hall? To depart from justice is unrighteousness, to be unable to discern right from wrong is folly, and to disregard the rules of the Martial Arts Institute is disloyalty. You, a person who lacks loyalty, intelligence, and righteousness, dare to sit in the position of the Law Enforcement Elder?"


    Zhou Xin was strong.


    With the Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm, unless he employed the highest-level Blood Explosion Skill, burning all his blood, he was not someone Xiao Yi could currently contend with.


    But...


    As a War God, tasked with suppressing all the heavens and sealing all things,


    how could he fear anyone?


    Zhou Xin narrowed his eyes, his gaze cold and sharp. Having held the position of Law Enforcement Elder for many years, even students at the heaven-level revered him. When had anyone ever dared to rebuke him to his face? His expression turned as cold as ice, "You say this Elder is unfair? I want to see, aside from you, who else believes this Elder is unjust!"


    His gaze swept over everyone present.


    One by one, the strong ones stepped back, bowing their heads.


    Just as Zhou Xin was reveling in his triumph, a cold voice rang out. Fang Qingzhu stood by Xiao Yi''s side, "Xiao Yi is right. You are not only unjust but also disloyal, unwise, and unrighteous."


    "You..."


    Zhou Xin''s face stiffened; he thought nobody would dare confront him, yet immediately someone stood up and fiercely slapped him in the face.


    Following that, Niu Dali stepped forward, wielding his heavy sword, "Fairness and justice, do they have anything to do with you?"


    "Despicable..."


    Zhou Xin''s face grew even darker.


    "Peace leads to prosperity! Although I love money, I must say you really have nothing to do with fairness!" Shi Yaoqian played with two Silver Ingots in his hand, wearing a scornful smile on his face.


    Shi Yaose sniffed harshly at the red bellyband in his hands, squinting his eyes in enjoyment, "Everyone desires beauty... count me in!"


    Shi Yaoquan shrugged, "Logically, I should cling to you, but how could I when even my two brothers can''t stand it?"


    The last one to step forward was Shi Yaodu.


    He twirled a pair of dice in his hands, smiling at Zhou Xin, "I bet you can''t kill us today!"


    Including Xiao Yi, there were a total of seven of them.


    Zhou Xin''s face shifted between shades of green and white. He had never imagined that these seven people would dare to publicly defy him.


    "Good, good, good, you..." Just as Zhou Xin began to speak, another person stepped out from the crowd.


    It was Huo Zhen.


    He looked solemnly at Zhou Xin and said in a deep voice, "Elder Zhou, I have always admired the Royal Martial Arts Academy, but what you''ve done today is just too much."


    "Where did this mongrel come from, daring to criticize this Elder?" Zhou Xin, furious, struck out with his palm.


    As his icy palm drew near Huo Zhen, it landed with a smack, sending him flying.


    Huo Zhen spit out blood and stumbled to the ground.


    With a cold snort, Zhou Xin said, "You rabble who only wish for chaos, you all deserve to die! All Law Enforcement Team members listen to my command, capture these eight people. If they resist, show no mercy!"


    "Yes!"


    A group of strong individuals from the Law Enforcement Hall charged at them simultaneously.


    Twenty-something people faced off against eight!


    Xiao Yi took the lead, "To enforce law unjustly, what dignity do you have wearing those tunics? Brothers, strip them of their fa?ade!"


    "Strip them clean!" Niu Dali said viciously.


    "Fortune favors the bold. Take my fist!" Shi Yaoqian struck with intricate skill, his Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm prowess enabling him to fight two other practitioners of the same level without falling behind.


    The attacks of Shi Yaoquan, Shi Yaose, and Shi Yaodu were no less formidable.


    Wielding her Purple Dragon Whip, Fang Qingzhu lashed out with whip strikes like phantoms �C graceful and seemingly sentient, handling her opponents with ease.


    Xiao Yi was like a War God himself, holding a third-grade elemental weapon in his hand. The Fire Qilin Sword was too dazzling, and he was not yet able to reveal its power casually. With the sword in hand, he executed the "Soul-chasing Life-taking Sword" to great effect.


    "Sweeping through a thousand troops!"


    Your journey continues with empire


    "Chasing stars and moons!"


    "Life Seizing Soul Chaser..." S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Every strike of his sword injured someone, every move was lethal!


    With his current prowess at the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, even if he faced a practitioner of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he could emerge victorious. The rest of the opponents were simply swept aside.


    For a moment...


    Eight against twenty-seven, Xiao Yi''s side claimed a complete victory!


    Xiao Yi and his seven companions stood in line, staring coldly at Zhou Xin, whose face was turning shades of green and white, and said, "You claim I''m not qualified to enter the Royal Martial Arts Academy? I''d like to ask, these people lying here, what status do they hold within the Academy?"


    Zhou Xin''s face turned the color of liver, as if he had swallowed a kilogram of flies; the discomfort was palpable.


    The Law Enforcement Team comprised the elite students of various levels.


    If even they were easily defeated by Xiao Yi and his group, to say that Xiao Yi was not qualified and failed the examination would imply that more than ninety percent of the Academy''s students were also not qualified, wouldn''t it?


    He felt his face burning with an intense, unbearable pain.


    Seeing the peculiar looks of the other strong participants in the examination directed at him, Zhou Xin glared viciously at Ge Qingyun, cursing inwardly: You idiot, if you want to deal with him, at least use smarter methods!


    Now, he was in a difficult position!


    But he couldn''t tarnish the reputation of a Law Enforcement Elder. With a cold huff, he said, "Our Royal Martial Arts Academy not only values talent but also character. Just on that alone, none of you qualify, I..."


    Before he could finish, a long laugh interrupted him.


    A Cangyun Eagle soared into view, its wings spanning twenty meters, casting a shadow as if to cover the sky, descending from above.


    A cold voice came from on the back of the Cangyun Eagle, "Zhou Xin, your Royal Martial Arts Academy is as shameless as ever, isn''t it? Your Academy looks down on their character? From what I see, they are loyal, brave, and resourceful, which makes them far stronger disciples than those so-called geniuses you speak of. Gentlemen, are any of you interested in joining my Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"

 Chapter 56 Lets go together!

    "Would you be willing to come to our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"A genial laugh echoed from the back of the Cangyun Eagle.


    Dressed in a refined, scholarly green shirt, the middle-aged man floated down, moving with the wind as if a celestial being had descended to the world. The gentle breeze swirling around him carried no trace of coercion but exuded a sense of majesty that was as awe-inspiring as a towering mountain.


    All eyes were drawn to him.


    "Gu Junhe, what are you doing here at the Royal Martial Arts Academy?" Zhou Xin''s eyes narrowed, filled with a serious countenance as he sized up the newcomer.


    Gu Junhe.


    Head of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Your journey continues with empire


    A peak existence of the Golden Elixir Realm, and the youngest record holder in the entire Tianqing Kingdom to reach that level.


    There were rumors...


    That the next person to step into the Tao Tribulation Realm in the Tianqing Kingdom would likely be this Gu Junhe.


    Gu Junhe''s face was adorned with a radiant smile, as he lightly said, "I was passing by when I suddenly saw your Royal Martial Arts Academy''s distress signal. I thought the Demon Sect''s followers were besieging your academy, so I hurried over to help. Little did I expect that instead of the Demon Sect, I would find your Royal Martial Arts Academy failing to discern right from wrong, reversing black and white, and bullying the younger generation!"


    "Bullshit!"


    Zhou Xin flew into a rage, blurting out without thinking.


    But no sooner had he uttered these words than his face abruptly changed, as a loud whoosh resonated from the void.


    An invisible slap landed heavily on his face.


    Wow!


    Zhou Xin was directly smacked to the ground, his head slamming into the earth with such force that stars sparkled before his eyes, his head spinning.


    Gu Junhe looked at Zhou Xin with a cold expression, his demeanor indifferent, "Even if Elder Wang and Shu Linghua were here, they wouldn''t dare talk to me like that. What are you that you dare say I''m spouting nonsense? If I farted, could you even handle it?"


    Zhou Xin twitched the corner of his eyes, hastily saying, "Head Gu, I misspoke earlier, please forgive me!"


    "Hmph!"


    Gu Junhe sneered, but as he turned around, his face was already filled with a brilliant smile, focusing on Xiao Yi and the others, "You youngsters have integrity and don''t bow to power, which suits my taste very well. Any interest in joining my Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Harmony brings wealth!"


    Shi Yaoqian muttered his mantra before adding, "Does your Tianqi Martial Arts Academy have a lot of money?"


    Gu Junhe paused, then nodded, "Yes, our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy has more money than we can spend!"


    Hiss!


    Shi Yaoqian''s eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded, "I''ll go, I''m going!"


    Shi Yaoquan squinted his eyes, "Ever since I saw you slap Zhou Xin away with just a palm strike, I knew I''d follow you for life!"


    The corner of Gu Junhe''s eye twitched.


    Shi Yaose licked his lips, rubbing his hands together, "Are there many beauties at Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Uh..."


    Gu Junhe gave a serious reply, "As long as there are women, they are all peerless beauties!"


    "Hmm, I''m not lecherous. It''s just that training with both genders is less tiring. I''m willing to go!" Shi Yaose stated seriously.


    Gu Junhe unconsciously glanced at Shi Yaodu, who hesitated before saying, "I bet you will definitely take me in!"


    Gu Junhe then looked towards Niu Dali and Fang Qingzhu.


    Fang Qingzhu smiled, "Wherever Xiao Yi goes, I go there!"


    Niu Dali declared, "I''ll follow the big brother!"


    Gu Junhe''s gaze settled on Xiao Yi, a flash of excitement skimming the depths of his eyes. He had witnessed everything Xiao Yi had done previously, and he immediately said, "Xiao Yi, would you be willing to come to my Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Gu Junhe.


    He didn''t believe Gu Junhe had really just happened to pass by, but seeing no malice from the man, Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Head Gu, I didn''t even pass the second round of assessment at the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Are you sure taking me in won''t be a loss for Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "They at the Royal Martial Arts Academy are blind!"


    Gu Junhe looked deeply at Xiao Yi, and although it was their first meeting, there was an unspoken understanding between them, "As long as you agree to come to my Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, I guarantee that within five years, you will be able to sweep through the entire Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "No, five years is too long!"


    "Hmm?"


    Gu Junhe was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi continued, "Elder Gu, since you want me to join the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, as the headmaster, you will protect me, right?"


    Gu Junhe nodded subconsciously, but as he saw the triumphant smile at the corner of Xiao Yi''s mouth, his heart skipped a beat. He was about to speak when he saw Xiao Yi had already approached Zhou Xin, slowly raised his thumb, then turned it down, and roared word by word, "Today, I, Xiao Yi of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, on behalf of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, challenge all students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy below the Profound Level!"


    What?


    Gu Junhe was stunned.


    Zhou Xin''s face flushed red with anger, "Xiao Yi, do you really think my Royal Martial Arts Academy has no one left?"


    Xiao Yi said coldly, "Didn''t you say I''m not qualified to enter the Royal Martial Arts Academy? Then let me see the so-called geniuses of your academy, if every single one of them is stronger and more outstanding than me, Xiao Yi! Anyone below the Profound Level, come one by one or two by two. If I lose, I, Xiao Yi, will kneel to death at the gates of your Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    Zhou Xin roared, "Xiao Yi, you''re looking for death!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Gu Junhe, "Headmaster!" S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Junhe''s face darkened, "Zhou Xin, didn''t you hear Xiao Yi''s words? Call out all disciples below the Profound Level of your Royal Martial Arts Academy. Otherwise, don''t blame me for losing my temper!"


    Zhou Xin, "..."


    In the capital of Tianqing, Gu Junhe had a famous nickname, known as the Unbeatable Naughty Boy.


    Once provoked, he didn''t care about consequences.


    Act now, talk later!


    If Zhou Xin didn''t follow his instructions, Gu Junhe might really cause a ruckus at the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    With this thought,


    A cold light flashed in Zhou Xin''s half-closed eyes, and with a venomous stare fixed on Xiao Yi, he said coldly, "Fine, since you''re courting death, I won''t be to blame!"


    Whoosh!


    Zhou Xin took out a command arrow.


    The command arrow shot into the sky, bursting into a brilliant golden lightning.


    Boom boom boom!


    The sound of war drums resonated continuously, echoing between heaven and earth.


    "When the war drums sound, disciples gather!"


    "Three sounds, calling together the Earth, Yellow, and Profound levels? Quick, there must be some big trouble!"


    The entire Royal Martial Arts Academy was in an uproar.


    Disciples of Earth, Yellow, and Profound levels rushed towards the gates of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Excluding those who were not within the academy, the gathered crowd exceeded twenty thousand. Nearly twenty thousand Yellow Level disciples, over three thousand Profound Level disciples, and nearly a hundred Earth Level disciples��all of them glaring fiercely at Xiao Yi and the others.


    The atmosphere was extremely tense.


    "Elder Zhou, what happened? Why gather us in such haste?" A young man dressed in Earth Level disciple uniform stepped forward and asked. He was the strongest among many Earth Level disciples currently at the academy, ranked tenth among Earth Level disciples, Zhuge Shuangdao.


    Zhou Xin pointed at Xiao Yi and said icily, "This person named Xiao Yi, wishes to challenge all students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy below the Profound Level. This matter concerns the reputation of the Royal Martial Arts Academy for hundreds of years. Who dares to fight?"


    "What? Challenge all students below the Profound Level?"


    "That''s too arrogant! He''s simply asking for death!"


    "Kill him!"


    A Profound Level disciple leapt forward, looking at Xiao Yi coldly, "Royal Martial Arts Academy, Profound Level disciple Wang Ye, let me..."


    "Too much nonsense!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, his figure suddenly vanished from its original spot, and when he reappeared, he had already used the move "Dragon Tail Whip" to fiercely send Wang Ye flying.


    With a heavy thud, Wang Ye from the Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm fell hard, foaming at the mouth, unable to move.


    Everyone was dumbfounded.


    A powerhouse of the Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm, defeated by a single kick?


    Xiao Yi, however, disregarded the shocked expressions of the crowd and said indifferently, "One by one is too troublesome; you all come at me together..."

 Chapter 57 Zhuge Shuangdao

    "All of you, come at me together!"Xiao Yi hooked his finger at the crowd, his eyes blazing with an intense desire for battle and excitement.


    The war-hungry gene inside him was now fully activated.


    Suppressor of the Heavens, War God,


    Subduing the myriad heavens, sealing deities in their place.


    He was the existence that fought against gods, immortals, the heavens, the earth, endless battling without loss.


    The repeated oppression from the Royal Martial Arts Academy had wholly sparked the war-like instinct within him, causing the God Sealing Seed inside to buzz and hum, and a faint glow ebbed and flowed around his body as if a celestial being had descended to the world. With a wave of his hand, a Tier-3 Yuan weapon landed within his palm.


    Whoosh!


    The sword''s edge sliced through the air, emitting a series of tearing sounds.


    The array of formidable experts standing before Xiao Yi exchanged glances��twenty thousand in number, and he was asking them all to attack at once?


    To face an army of thousands alone?


    That was, of course, impossible!


    Even if Xiao Yi dared to take them all on, they wouldn''t dare to rush him en masse; after all, if they did, the reputation of the Royal Martial Arts Academy would be utterly ruined.


    "Hmph, it was only because he was caught off guard for a moment that you managed to trick him. Let this old man teach you a lesson, you oblivious fool��"


    A Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm expert soared high, his body sturdy and powerful, possessing Innate Divine Strength. His fists, hard as iron maces, brutally smashed down. With unparalleled strength, single-handedly capable of tearing apart tigers, panthers, wolves, those ruthless fists descended upon Xiao Yi, aiming to crush his skull and surely kill him if they connected.


    Facing this thunderous attack.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze lifted slightly, and the sword in his grip swung upward in a swift arc.


    Whoosh!


    The silvery sword light, like a crescent moon, sliced into the attacker''s body with a swish.


    Splat!


    The body of the strong opponent was cut clean in two; blood rained down like a downpour, and the two halves of the corpse fell to the ground.


    Hiss!


    The death of two Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm experts at Xiao Yi''s hand, and undeniably instantaneous kills at that, shocked all the rapidly arriving Royal Martial Arts Academy students, horror-stricken they exclaimed, "This guy''s strength is so formidable, who exactly is he? Why is he challenging us?"


    "I heard he was also participating in our Royal Martial Arts Academy''s disciple assessment, but he was eliminated during the second round!"


    "You must be joking, right? With his strength, he couldn''t pass because of poor talent? Then what are we?"


    "Which idiot was in charge of the assessment? Aren''t they just pushing a genius out the door?"


    "Keep your voice down. I heard it was by Brother Jia Sidao''s suggestion..."


    Listening to the discussions among the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s students, Zhou Xin''s face turned as livid as a pig''s liver, wishing he could flog the corpses of Ge Qingyun and Zhang Yi. But right now, he absolutely could not afford to lose his composure. Zhou Xin let out a cold snort, "Xiao Yi, aren''t you being a bit too ruthless?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and turned to address Gu Junhe, "Director!"


    Gu Junhe appeared in a flash before Zhou Xin, pressing a palm against his face and pushing him to the ground, rubbing it back and forth, as he coldly questioned, "What''s the matter? I''m still standing right here. Are you already planning to threaten my disciple?"


    Zhou Xin felt like crying, "When the hell did I threaten him?"


    "Still trying to talk tough?"


    Gu Junhe, gripping his face, smashed it against the ground over and over.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The ground was smashed into a deep pit.


    Zhou Xin''s nose was blue, and his face was swollen; if not for his Golden Core Realm body being as durable as a first-grade Yuan weapon, the impacts could have made his head burst open and bleed. Even so, Zhou Xin''s head had swollen like a pig''s, barely recognizable as human anymore.


    Smack smack smack!


    Gu Junhe dusted off his hands and looked at Xiao Yi, "You continue!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up as he looked towards Zhuge Shuangdao and the others, "Those of you in the Yellow or Profound Levels, don''t bother coming over to seek death. Do none of you Earth Level students have the guts to fight me? I get it now. They say I''m unqualified to enter the Royal Martial Arts Academy because my guts aren''t small enough, nor is my skin thick enough, is that it? If that''s the case, then I admit defeat; indeed, I''m not suitable for the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Xiao Yi, don''t think that just because you''ve killed two Profound Level students, you''re really invincible. My Royal Martial Arts Academy has countless people who could kill you like stars in the sky!"


    A voice like rolling thunder spoke, and a bald young man stepped forward.


    The young man was bald with brows sharp as swords, high cheekbones, and eyes cold like an eagle''s gaze; his cultivation had reached the Seventh Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm, marking him as an Earth Level student.


    "Is this the Bald Butcher ranked 278th among the Earth Level students, Ding Qiang?"


    "I didn''t expect him to not be out on a training expedition. With him here, Xiao Yi won''t be able to act arrogantly for long!"


    The disciples of the Royal Martial Arts Academy were excitedly discussing.


    The Bald Butcher Ding Qiang licked his lips and revealed a ferocious grin, speaking ominously, "Xiao Yi, I respect you as a real man, so I will use the manliest way to give you a quick death."


    Clang clang!


    In the cold clash of metal, he held a huge cleaver resembling an ox head in each hand.


    The pair of cleavers were pitch-black with silver edges shimmering.


    "Third-grade Yuan weapon, Heaven Slaughter Blade, I''m coming for your dog head!" Ding Qiang bellowed, charging at Xiao Yi with his dual blades.


    His bulky figure was surprisingly fast, and amidst his wild charge, his blade light spilled everywhere like quicksilver. Faced with such a reckless assault, Xiao Yi shook his head and chuckled, "Soul Snatcher, Life Stealer!"


    Whoosh!


    Sword drawn, sword fallen.


    Xiao Yi brushed past Ding Qiang, walking straight towards Zhuge Shuangdao and others, while behind him, Ding Qiang collapsed with a thud, his throat spraying blood. Xiao Yi lifted his longsword, with droplets of blood rolling down its edge, and coldly said, "Come at me all at once. Killing you one by one just isn''t satisfying enough!"


    Hisss!


    These words struck like thunder out of the blue, drawing a wave of gasps.


    Killing wasn''t satisfying enough?


    Every sword strike could claim the life of a talent painstakingly nurtured by the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and yet you call that not satisfying enough?


    Zhuge Shuangdao was furious, his eyes cold as frost, and he gritted his teeth, "Xiao Yi, I admit that what Zhang Yi and Mr. Ge did was despicable by fabricating the reasons for your disqualification from the assessment. But you''ve caused enough trouble, and you''ve killed enough. This should be the end of it, and I will personally draw a satisfactory end to this issue!" Stay tuned with empire


    "A satisfactory end?" Xiao Yi looked at him with an amused gaze. S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Killing you, to settle this matter, that would be the most satisfactory conclusion!" Zhuge Shuangdao said coldly, "Rest assured, I will give you enough respect, and I will use my strongest strike to kill you!"


    No sooner had his voice faded.


    Zhuge Shuangdao''s body erupted with a boom.


    White light swirled around him; behind his back, two white streams rose, and two arms tore through them appearing at his rear. Each of his four arms grasped a pitch-black war blade that shone with a dark gleam of sharpness, sending chills down the spine.


    "Zhuge Shuangdao, ranked 10th among the Earth Level students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, 25th on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List''s Tiger List, his Innate Divine Ability, four arms!"


    "Four arms perfectly fused with his body, extremely fearsome!"


    With a face full of excitement, Zhou Xin, despite his bruised and swollen face, showed an eerie smile, "This time, Xiao Yi is undoubtedly going to die!"

 Chapter 58 An Earth-Shattering Sword

    Zhou Xin wore a smug expression on his face, provocatively looking over at Gu Junhe.Gu Junhe gave him a glance.


    Not a word was uttered.


    Yet, his palm once again came down on Zhou Xin''s face, pressing it against the ground and rubbing it back and forth.


    Zhou Xin''s mouth was full of mud and sand, despairing in anguish, "Gu Junhe, you are going too far!"


    Gu Junhe said indifferently, "Your eyes are asking for a beating!"


    Zhou Xin: "I..."


    Meanwhile��


    Zhuge Shuangdao had already launched a thunderous offensive, his four arms spinning simultaneously, with black sabers cutting through the air��the dazzling black saber light was blinding and impressive, arriving in a flash, appearing right in front of Xiao Yi, launching attacks from both sides. The saber blades, merged with the arms, offered even more flexibility than using weapons alone.


    The power had also increased significantly.


    Xiao Yi was entirely focused. The opponent before him was of the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, far beyond any opponents he had previously encountered.


    With a single hand, he grasped the Dragon Scale Sword to block the attacks in front of him.


    Clang!


    Amid a dull sound, the first black saber strike landed on the edge of the sword, actually causing the blade to curl back and sparks to scatter. The brute force was just transmitted to both hands when Xiao Yi felt a numb soreness, and then the second saber strike landed on the edge of the sword.


    Clang!


    This strike was even more powerful than the last.


    Followed immediately by the third, fourth, fifth saber strikes...


    "Whirlwind Slash!"


    Zhuge Shuangdao''s figure spun like a top, his four arms wielding the combat sabers repeatedly striking the Dragon Scale Sword.


    The dragon scales on the sword broke apart and shattered, shooting off in all directions.


    Xiao Yi was forced to retreat again and again.


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, weren''t you quite arrogant? It seems you can only bully those weaker than you..."


    "What our Royal Martial Arts Academy doesn''t lack the most are geniuses. What are you? The fact that our Royal Martial Arts Academy doesn''t want you is only your loss, it has absolutely no impact on us!"


    "Brother Zhuge, go for it, chop him down!"


    The strong ones from the Royal Martial Arts Academy shouted one after another, their expressions filled with excitement.


    The eighteenth saber strike came down!


    Clang!


    With a crisp sound, the Dragon Scale Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand broke into two pieces, the violent shockwave sent Xiao Yi flying away. He was flung over ten meters, dragging two ferocious traces behind him, the centers of his palms split open, blood spurting wildly, the broken sword dim and shattered.


    Zhuge Shuangdao stood proudly in front of Xiao Yi, with heavy mockery in his lips, "Is that all you''re capable of? Still dreaming about challenging all the students below the heaven level at the Royal Martial Arts Academy?"


    Xiao Yi shook off the fresh blood on his hands, tore off a piece of cloth to wrap around his palms, and looked up at Zhuge Shuangdao: "As expected of the number twenty-five on the Flying Tiger List, you do have some skills. There can''t be many geniuses like you at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, right? If I killed you, the Royal Martial Arts Academy would surely lament your loss!"


    Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List is divided into the Teng Long List and the Flying Tiger List.


    The Teng Long List has twenty spots, with each person being a Golden Core Realm powerhouse under the age of forty.


    The Flying Tiger List has one hundred slots, each a powerhouse under the age of forty and below the Golden Core Realm.


    Zhuge Shuangdao, being ranked twenty-fifth on the Flying Tiger List, meant that he was ranked forty-fifth among the younger generation across the entire Tianqing Kingdom.


    Such a prodigy was indeed a rare talent, even for the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Zhuge Shuangdao looked disdainful: "You think you can kill me?"


    Xiao Yi stretched and cracked his joints, raising the bandaged hand, and said lightly, "I, Xiao Yi, always act on the principle of not offending others unless I am offended first. Today''s affair was provoked by you. And Zhuge Shuangdao, since your earlier attacks on me were all deadly, if I don''t kill you, wouldn''t I be letting down my own bloodshed?"


    "That also depends on whether you have the capability!" Zhuge Shuangdao scoffed.


    Clang!


    The long sabers held in the four arms crisscrossed, slowly dragging the blades with ear-piercing clangs, sparks flying and killing intent surging to the heavens.


    Xiao Yi''s body shook.


    With a flick of his palm, a third-grade elemental longsword appeared in his hand, this blade was obtained from the Sword Mountain Manor; it was named Tiger Slayer. The sword''s hilt portrayed a fierce tiger''s head, its maw wide open with the sword blade emerging from within, a cold light circling the entire blade. Xiao Yi gripped the hilt tightly, his body trembling: "It''s not only you who has an Innate Divine Ability!"


    Hum!


    A stream of black liquid flowed out from Xiao Yi''s body, adhering to his right arm, wrapping around the Tiger Slayer Sword in his hand.


    The Tiger Slayer Sword turned a shiny black color.


    It had completely fused with his arm! Find more to read at empire


    On this side was Xiao Yi''s ''Weapon Fusion'' innate divine ability, manifested after his breakthrough to the Shentong Realm, using a weapon as a support to transform his body into a weapon, combining himself with it. Holding a war sword, his arm fused with it; the entire arm was the war sword. Clad in battle armor, his torso could merge with it, and his whole body became the armor!


    Weapon Fusion, one of the top ten divine skills!


    "His innate divine ability is actually Weapon Fusion?"


    "Just how strong is Xiao Yi''s talent?"


    All were astonished.


    Even Zhou Xin was sweating profusely at this moment, filled with immense regret. He had turned away a peerless genius who possessed the Weapon Fusion innate divine ability?


    "That, that''s the power of Sword Intent��"


    "To master one of the top ten divine skills, Weapon Fusion, at merely the Fourth Layer of the Shentong Realm, and to grasp Sword Intent already? This, this��"


    If Zhou Xin only felt regret upon discovering Xiao Yi''s mastery of the Weapon Fusion divine skill, at this moment he was regretting it so much his guts turned green. Mastering Sword Intent in the Shentong Realm meant a hundred percent certainty of advancing into the Golden Core Realm!


    Added to that was his innate divine ability, Weapon Fusion.


    Xiao Yi''s future achievements would at least be in the top three of the Teng Long List!


    "Jia Sidao, Ge Qingyun, Zhang Yi... you''ve wronged me..." Zhou Xin was so angry that he spouted a mouthful of old blood, his eyes filled with hysterical madness as he stared fixedly at Zhuge Shuangdao, "Shuangdao, kill him, kill him for me!"


    Meanwhile.


    Xiao Yi and Zhuge Shuangdao had already engaged again in combat, with Zhuge wielding knives in all four arms, attacking with an unparalleled ferocity.


    Between their exchanges, the two appeared evenly matched.


    After all, Xiao Yi was still at the Fourth Layer of the Shentong Realm, facing off against Zhuge Shuangdao of the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer who had awakened his innate divine ability, there was still a certain gap.


    "I admit you''re strong, but you''re still far from killing me!" Zhuge Shuangdao''s four arms waved wildly, momentarily baffling Xiao Yi with his madness-like knife techniques.


    "It seems I can only use this move��"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes suddenly surged with a crimson hue as he roared, "Blood Explosion Skill!"


    Whoosh!


    A red glow emerged around his body, enveloping him entirely.


    It was indeed the Blood Explosion Skill inherited from Dao Yan!


    The Blood Explosion Skill instantly burned one-tenth of Xiao Yi''s blood, offering a burst of tenfold strength. The second layer burned a fifth of the blood for twentyfold power, and so on, till the tenth layer burned all the blood to unleash a hundredfold strength.


    But to cast the tenth layer meant burning all the blood, leading to death!


    Fortunately, Zhuge Shuangdao was only at the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer; Xiao Yi needed to activate only the first layer of the Blood Explosion Skill.


    Boom!


    After the tenfold increase in strength.


    Xiao Yi''s right arm, merged with the Tiger Slayer Sword, was covered in a layer of crimson glow: "Sweeping a Thousand Troops!"


    A sword swept across the sky.


    Both speed and power were ten times greater than before!


    Clang!


    This sword blow forcibly knocked the blades out of Zhuge Shuangdao''s hands.


    "Not good��" Zhuge Shuangdao''s complexion underwent a drastic change.


    The moment Xiao Yi passed by him, he promptly reversed direction and struck again with his sword: "Chasing Stars and Moon!"


    Whoosh!


    The blade sliced through the void, severing Zhuge Shuangdao''s four arms on the spot.


    Howl!


    Zhuge Shuangdao''s spirit almost left his body as he wailed in pain, turning to run towards Zhou Xin, "Elder Zhou, save me..."


    "No one can save you!"


    Xiao Yi sneered coldly, the scarlet sword glow piercing the heavens, a thirty-foot sword light shrouding the sun.


    This earth-shattering sword descended from the sky! S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Spurt!


    Zhuge Shuangdao''s body shuddered, and he spewed out a mouthful of fresh blood, his entire body cleaved into two halves by Xiao Yi''s relentless strike��

 Chapter 59 Within a year, I will take your life!

    Silence.Explore stories at empire


    Deathly silence.


    In front of the gates of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, despite the presence of over ten thousand people, there was now absolute quiet.


    Gulp!


    Someone swallowed instinctively, which set off a wave of gulping as one formidable figure after another swallowed repeatedly. This sound seemed to break the spell that had frozen time, gradually restoring the ability to move among the crowds.


    Every single person looked at Xiao Yi with a mix of shock, awe, and a hint of disbelief, "Dead, dead? The tenth ranked Earth-Level student, ranked twenty-fifth on the Flying Tiger List, the genius Zhuge Shuangdao is actually dead?"


    "I, I must be dreaming��"


    Even Gu Junhe was momentarily stunned before bursting into hearty laughter, proclaiming loudly, "Interesting, interesting! Someone who didn''t even pass the second round of assessments at the Royal Martial Arts Academy and was turned away at the door as ''trash'' has actually killed one of your so-called geniuses, hahaha, what a Royal Martial Arts Academy indeed��"


    At this moment.


    The entire Royal Martial Arts Academy erupted into chaos.


    Especially Gu Junhe''s term ''trash''. It was like an invisible slap fiercely striking the face of every powerful figure of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Pain. sea??h th�� novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A pain that drills into the heart!


    If even Xiao Yi, who killed Zhuge Shuangdao, could only be considered trash and not worthy of entering the Royal Martial Arts Academy, what did that make them?


    Are they even less than trash?


    "Ge Qingyun, Zhang Yi, and Jia Sidao, you all deserve to die��"


    "Because of your selfish desires, you not only caused the death of Zhuge Shuangdao but also caused our Royal Martial Arts Academy to lose an unparalleled genius!"


    "You are the sinners of the Royal Martial Arts Academy��"


    Many of the powerful figures from the Royal Martial Arts Academy cursed without stop.


    Zhou Xin''s complexion turned from pale to flushed, feeling chilling drafts on his back.


    If Elder Wang and the headmaster were to return and learn about this, he feared that losing his position as the Law Enforcement Elder would be the least of his worries!


    "Xiao Yi�� it''s all because of you, you damned mongrel��" Zhou Xin glared venomously at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s body ceased its glow of blood, revealing the Blood Explosion Skill.


    The Blood Explosion Skill constantly burnt his blood, and that last strike had burned away a tenth of his blood volume, leaving his face extremely pale.


    His arm too returned to normal.


    The vital energy expended to maintain his Innate Divine Ability was also tremendously great.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, his pale face bearing a strange smile as he bowed to the people of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, "The Royal Martial Arts Academy is indeed worthy of its reputation, the talents are as plentiful as the stars in the sky, no wonder you looked down on Xiao Yi. This Zhuge Shuangdao is supposedly ranked beyond the twentieth at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, but it took me the strength of nine bulls and two tigers just to kill him. It seems that my previous declaration of challenging all students below the Sky Level was truly overconfident and arrogant!"


    Zhou Xin''s face twitched: "..."


    The disciples of the Royal Martial Arts Academy gnashed their teeth in anger: "..."


    Your words are anything but modest, they''re a slap in our faces!


    Xiao Yi then turned to face Gu Junhe, bowing, "Headmaster, the Royal Martial Arts Academy is indeed terrifying with its abundance of powerful figures. We should return to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy."


    "Yes, let''s go!"


    Gu Junhe laughed heartily, he hadn''t felt this joyful in many years.


    Gu Junhe gave a bow to Zhou Xin, "Elder Zhou, my Tianqi Martial Arts Academy is no match for the Royal Martial Arts Academy, we can only take in the disciples you look down upon. When your headmaster returns, remember to thank him for me, will you!"


    Zhou Xin: "You, you�� argh..."


    He was so angry that he spewed out a mouthful of old blood.


    "Hahaha..."


    Gu Junhe waved his hand grandly, "Children, follow me back home; tonight, I will treat you to great amounts of meat and wine!"


    Whoosh!


    A fierce wind swept through, and the Cangyun Eagle swooped down from the skies, landing in front of the crowd.


    Xiao Yi and the others climbed onto the back of the Cangyun Eagle, and with a wingspan of twenty meters, it flapped its wings and soared into the sky, vanishing among the clouds.


    Soon after��


    Zhou Xin slowly regained consciousness only to discover Elder Wang and Zhou Yuan, the headmaster of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, staring at him with extremely ugly expressions. It was clear they already knew the full story of what had happened.


    Zhou Xin''s pale face was filled with bitterness and resentment, "Dean, Elder Wang, that Gu Junhe has gone too far!"


    Slap!


    Elder Wang''s hand struck Zhou Xin''s face, shocking him into confusion. Holding his cheek, he stared at Elder Wang in a daze, "Elder, Elder Wang, what are you doing?"


    Elder Wang''s face was grim as he said, "Xiao Yi was my personal recommendation, intended to be cultivated as the core talent of the future for the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Yet you all pressured him to leave? Now you want to turn the situation around and blame him? What did Gu Junhe do wrong? Am I supposed to watch idly as you ruin a talent?"


    "I, I..."


    Zhou Xin opened his mouth but was unable to utter a word under Elder Wang''s furious glare.


    "Enough!"


    Zhou Yuan spoke faintly, his gaze towards Elder Wang filled with displeasure, "Zhiyuan, this matter can''t be blamed all on Zhou Xin. If Xiao Yi truly intended to join the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he would have stayed even if he felt wronged, or at least until you and I returned. But he not only killed our disciple, he also tarnished the academy''s reputation. It proves that he is not fated to be with our academy!"


    Elder Wang''s expression remained dark, "Dean, this whole affair was caused by Jia Sidao for his own personal hate. How can you blame Xiao Yi?"


    "If Xiao Yi had not killed Jia Sichun, would Jia Sidao have targeted him? Ultimately, Xiao Yi has no respect for our academy. Such a person, we are better off without!" Zhou Yuan paused and then continued, "Zhou Xin, go tend to your injuries. I will make a trip to Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Dean, what are you going to do?" Elder Wang asked, frowning.


    Zhou Yuan snorted coldly, "Do I need to report to you what I do?"


    Whoosh!


    Zhou Yuan soared into the sky.


    ...


    On the back of the Cangyun Eagle.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged, his complexion regaining some color. Opening his eyes, he saw Fang Qingzhu looking at him with concern and managed a smile, "Don''t worry, I''m fine!"


    Fang Qingzhu spoke softly, "Can you not take such risks in the future? I, I only have you as my family now..."


    Family?


    Xiao Yi felt a slight jolt, wasn''t he the same?


    Gripping Fang Qingzhu''s soft hand tightly, Xiao Yi nodded firmly, "Okay..."


    However...


    Before the word "okay" could leave his lips, it seemed to get stuck.


    Whoosh!


    A light flickered in the void, and a finger carved out of crystal shot towards Xiao Yi''s back.


    Fang Qingzhu''s pupils contracted sharply, and she forcefully pulled Xiao Yi, swapping places with him.


    Under Xiao Yi''s shocked gaze, the crystal finger landed on Fang Qingzhu''s back with a booming sound.


    Wow!


    Fang Qingzhu''s body trembled, blood spurting out and covering Xiao Yi''s face.


    Everything in front of him was blood-red!


    Xiao Yi held Fang Qingzhu tightly; she continually spat out blood, and he desperately tried to stop it, but blood still flowed through the gaps in his fingers. Xiao Yi looked around, trying to call for Gu Junhe, but realized he couldn''t make any sound, only gasping for breath.


    Niu Dali and the four brothers from the Shi Family were on high alert, encircling the two of them.


    Suddenly, a furious roar erupted from the void, "Zhou Yuan, you old bastard, how dare you strike a junior with such a venomous blow? Have you no shame?"


    Zhou Yuan''s indifferent voice came through, "This brat tarnished the reputation of the Royal Martial Arts Academy and killed my disciple. Why shouldn''t I take his life? Besides, you, Gu Junhe, as the dean of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, have been reduced to picking up the trash discarded by our academy. You''ve truly lost all face for your academy!"


    "To hell with losing face, die!"


    "You think I''m afraid of you?"


    Boom!


    A terrifying energy burst forth in the sky, hanging like a radiant sun, illuminating the expanse of the capital.


    "Gu Junhe, you are still no match for me, go back and practice more! Hahaha..."


    "Damn you, old dog Zhou..."


    Gu Junhe, with a face filled with rage, returned to the Cangyun Eagle. After checking Fang Qingzhu''s injuries, he took out a golden pill and placed it into her mouth, exhaling in relief, "Don''t worry, I''ve weakened that strike by ninety percent, and with this Three-turns Golden Healing Elixir, after we return and properly rest, Qingzhu''s injuries should heal within three months."


    Xiao Yi nodded heavily, looking down at Fang Qingzhu, who had fallen into a deep sleep in his arms.


    His eyes were a blood-red color, his gaze filled with violence and madness. He pronounced each word with determination, "Old dog Zhou Yuan, I, Xiao Yi, swear to the heavens��I will take your life within a year!"

 Chapter 60 Tianqi Martial Arts Academy

    Above the Cangyun Eagle, there was silence.Gu Junhe, looking apologetic, gave Xiao Yi a wry smile and said, "I''m sorry, I didn''t expect Zhou Yuan, that old dog, to be so despicable as to strike a junior at the zenith of the Golden Elixir Realm."


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Director, this isn''t your fault!"


    He knew very well that if it weren''t for Gu Junhe''s timely intervention, blocking ninety-nine percent of the power of that finger, he and Fang Qingzhu would have become a pair of doomed lovers.


    After this battle,


    Xiao Yi had gained a deeper understanding of the strength of the Golden Elixir Realm, especially the might of someone at the Golden Elixir Peak, whose single finger, even with less than ten percent of its power, almost claimed Fang Qingzhu''s life.


    Gu Junhe hesitated for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "The words you uttered earlier were too impulsive!"


    He was referring to Xiao Yi''s vow to kill Zhou Yuan within a year.


    That was an existence at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    Furthermore...


    Zhou Yuan was the head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and with his status and position, even if he didn''t possess the strength himself, Xiao Yi couldn''t just kill him at will. After all, he represented the face of the royal family, and should his illustrious reputation be threatened, the royal family might very well come out in full force to protect him.


    Even that ancestral figure from the Tao Tribulation Realm who had not shown himself for a long time might appear because of this.


    Moreover...


    Gu Junhe didn''t believe that Xiao Yi could possess the strength to kill Zhou Yuan within a year.


    After all.


    The gap between the Fourth Layer of the Shentong Realm and the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm was like heaven and earth, a true dragon against a stubborn snake.


    Even if Xiao Yi''s talent were exceptional, he would still need time and opportunity.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, and his bloodshot eyes softened as they landed on Fang Qingzhu, "I once swore I would never let Qingzhu suffer the slightest harm, yet she nearly lost her life to save me. If I don''t avenge this, I swear I am not a human being!"


    "This..."


    Seeing the determination in Xiao Yi''s eyes, Gu knew it was pointless to say more and could only say, "Don''t worry, I will do my utmost to help you."


    "Thank you, Director!" Xiao Yi said.


    Niu Dali patted his shoulder, "Brother, count me in for taking revenge for sister-in-law. When you go to storm the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I will go with you!"


    "And us too!" The Shi Family brothers also said one after another.


    Shi Yaodu, with a mournful face, twirled two dice in his hand, "I bet we can''t withstand a single finger from Zhou Yuan... but even if it means death, we must go at it!"


    Xiao Yi looked deeply at his companions.


    Apart from Niu Dali, they were all strangers he''d met by chance.


    Yet whether it was at the Royal Martial Arts Academy or now, they still stood by his side.


    Xiao Yi etched this camaraderie in his heart and, with eyes narrowed, looked in the direction of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, silently vowing, "In one year''s time, I will flatten your Royal Martial Arts Academy and take your head, Zhou Yuan!"


    Cheep cheep...


    The Cangyun Eagle, as if influenced by him, soared high, letting out a series of sonorous cries.


    Swish!


    The Cangyun Eagle swiftly vanished into the clouds.


    They had already flown out of the capital, landing within a mountain range thirty miles outside the capital, where Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was situated atop the most majestic peak of this mountain range. This peak rose abruptly like a spring bamboo shoot joining the clouds, thousands of feet tall if not more.


    Amidst the mist and clouds,


    sprawling buildings neatly arranged could faintly be seen on the mountainside.


    At the entrance was an archway carved out of white marble, flanked by six stone columns entwined by sculpted dragons, which seemed to spring to life. At the gate stood two black stone lions, one with a ball of fire in its mouth and the other stepping on auspicious clouds, both exuding a powerful presence.


    Above the archway hung a plaque with gold letters on a black background that read: Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!


    The gates were indeed magnificent!


    "This is our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy? The gates are quite spectacular!"


    "They say that over five hundred years ago, this was the premier academy of the Tianqing Kingdom. They say a camel dying of starvation is bigger than a horse, so even though it''s declined, it should still be not too shabby!"


    Niu Dali looked towards Gu, who was dispatching the Cangyun Eagle to hunt deeper in the mountains, and asked, "Director, how many disciples do we have in Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    Shi Yaose spit into his hands, rubbed them together, and then smeared it casually through his hair, squinting he asked, "Director, didn''t you say that the female disciples in our academy are all peerless beauties? Where are they?"


    Shi Yaoqian also asked, "Headmaster, you said our Martial Arts Institute is so poor all we have left is money, so our monthly stipend should be quite substantial, right? I''ve heard that the lowest-ranked Yellow-tier students at the Royal Martial Arts Academy get a monthly stipend of 500 silver. We shouldn''t be worse off than them, should we?"


    "Don''t worry, I am the honorable Headmaster after all, how could I possibly deceive you!"


    Gu Junhe kept a straight face as he took out eight contracts, saying solemnly, "These are the enrollment contracts. You must sign your names and press your fingerprints for it to be official and for you to be formally admitted into the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!"


    Everyone signed the contract one after another.


    Xiao Yi looked at Gu Junhe with a strange expression. The latter chuckled mischievously and collected all the contracts before clapping his hands and shouting towards the gate, "Come out and greet the guests... ahem, come out and welcome your new junior brothers and sisters!"


    Shi Yaose quickly straightened out his clothes.


    Niu Dali looked forward hopefully, waiting for the legendary beautiful senior sisters.


    A few moments later.


    A youth with a handsome and stately appearance came out, greeting everyone with a calm smile, "Welcome, my fellow junior brothers and sisters!"


    "Senior brother, why is it just you? Where are the beautiful senior sisters?" Niu Dali asked curiously.


    The youth smiled wryly, "In Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, aside from the Headmaster, it''s only me!"


    What?


    Niu Dali and the others were dumbfounded.


    What the heck?


    There''s only one disciple?


    Shi Yaose stared blankly at Gu Junhe, "What happened to the beautiful women you promised?"


    Gu Junhe said earnestly, "I said that if there were any female disciples, they would be considered peerlessly beautiful. Isn''t Qingzhu beautiful?"


    Shi Yaose''s eye twitched, "I&...*����"


    Shi Yaoqian clutched his chest, "Headmaster, you''re not also lying about being so poor all we have is money, are you?"


    "That part is true!"


    Gu Junhe nodded, adding, "We are indeed so poor that we can only save money."


    Shi Yaoqian, "&*����..."


    Shi Yaoquan asked, "What about the promise that all resources would be open to us?"


    Gu Junhe patted his shoulder, speaking earnestly, "In the entire Martial Arts Institute, it''s just you few. You can live wherever you like, cultivate wherever you wish. Both Dean Jiang Tai and I, serving as tutors, are responsible only for you eight. Doesn''t that count as having all resources open to you?"


    Everyone: "..."


    So Tianqi Martial Arts Academy has neither money nor resources, plus just the ten of them in total?


    Everyone knew Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was in decline, but who could have imagined it was this bad!


    Shi Yaoqian said with a dark face, "Is this a place for people to stay? Let''s go, let''s go..." S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Junhe''s expression darkened, and he revealed the signed and thumb-printed enrollment contracts, "You''ve all signed the enrollment contracts. Without the Headmaster''s permission, anyone who dares to leave the Academy will be committing a crime of defection. I will announce it to the world, and you will become loathed by everyone as backstabbers and betrayers to your master. Try leaving, just one of you?"


    Everyone felt stars in their eyes, and a mouthful of fresh blood almost spurted out.


    "Think about it from another perspective. Because of the small number of people in the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, you can get comprehensive guidance! If you don''t believe it, ask Jiang Tai. He owes his current achievements to my personal guidance; he is third on the Teng Long List and a super strong man at the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!"


    Gu Junhe, seeing that he had stunned them into silence, continued, "As long as you obediently stay in Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, I guarantee that within three years you will all be on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List, and within ten years, on the Teng Long List..."


    Within three years, the Dragon and Tiger List? Within ten years, the Teng Long List?


    Listening to Gu Junhe speaking confidently, Niu Dali and the Shi Family brothers all shone with hope and longing.


    However, Xiao Yi was looking at Jiang Tai, who had approached, and said with a wry smile, "It was the seventh prince who had Dean Gu visit the Royal Martial Arts Academy, right?"


    "After hearing Jia Sidao was targeting you, I was worried you might be in danger, so I had the Headmaster make a trip. But I didn''t expect him to bring back so many people..."


    Jiang Tai gave the Shi Family brothers and Niu Dali a strange look, then frowned at Fang Qingzhu in Xiao Yi''s arms, "What''s going on there?"


    Xiao Yi simply said two words, "Zhou Yuan."


    Jiang Tai sneered, displaying no surprise, "That indeed sounds like him." After a pause, Jiang said, "The Headmaster will still be busy brainwashing for a while, let me get you settled first!"


    "Thanks for the trouble!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and followed Jiang Tai into the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy...

 Chapter 61 Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List

    Time flies, three days slip by quietly.Over the past three days, the news of Xiao Yi causing a ruckus at the Royal Martial Arts Academy has spread far and wide.


    There''s nobody in the capital of Tianqing Kingdom who doesn''t know the name Xiao Yi.


    Especially after Xiao Yi slew Zhuge Shuangdao and took his place, becoming the twenty-fifth on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List''s Flying Tiger Board.


    In an instant.


    The name Xiao Yi became an idol to countless people.


    However��


    Xiao Yi himself had no opinion on the matter; to him, whether it was the Flying Tiger Board or the Teng Long List, everything still depended on one''s own strength being sufficiently strong. Over the last three days, aside from taking meticulous care of Fang Qingzhu, he devoted himself entirely to cultivation.


    Besides Gu Junhe and Jiang Tai, there were only eight of them in the entire Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, so there was no talk of classes. Apart from not being able to leave the academy at will, it was extremely free.


    On the back mountain.


    Xiao Yi stood bare-chested under the waterfall, holding the Fire Qilin Sword in his hand, swinging the longsword again and again.


    He didn''t use a trace of Yuan energy, but just mechanically waved the longsword.


    The power of Sword Intent allowed him to merge as one with the Fire Qilin Sword.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    With each thrust of the sword, the swiftly falling water in front of him was forcefully torn apart, and suddenly Xiao Yi thrust out mightily with his sword.


    Whirl!


    This sword, akin to a carp leaping through the Dragon Gate.


    Moving against the stream.


    Wherever the sword edge passed, the waterfall''s waters were torn asunder, extending for over thirty meters before stopping.


    Only then did the curtain of water from the waterfall slowly heal.


    Simultaneously, Xiao Yi leaped up and landed by the lakeside, thrusting the Fire Qilin Sword into the ground, then sat cross-legged, carefully contemplating the sensation of that sword stroke: "Dao Yan divided Sword Intent into five stages, the first stage being Clarity of Sword Heart, the second stage, the Sword Follows the Heart, the third stage, Unity of Man and Sword, the fourth stage, the Sword Moves at Will, and the fifth stage, All Swords as One. I have now truly mastered the first stage, Clarity of Sword Heart. If I were to face Zhuge Shuangdao again now, I could defeat him without the need for the Blood Explosion Skill!"


    The understanding of martial arts is a profound realm.


    Ordinary martial artists may not reach the first stage in their lifetimes.


    Xiao Yi, being able to grasp the first stage, Clarity of Sword Heart, within the Spiritual Realm Cultivation, certainly relates to the inheritance from the Life-Taking Scholar, but it''s also inseparable from his own talent.


    "Xiao Brother!"


    Jiang Tai''s figure approached from a distance, carrying two jars of strong liquor, tossing one to Xiao Yi and sitting down next to him.


    Xiao Yi slapped open the clay seal, took a few big gulps, exhaling a long breath of turbid air: "Who would have thought that His Highness the Seventh Prince would not fancy exquisite spirits but rather this throat-slashing strong liquor?"


    "Exquisite spirits are too mild, just like a man without any vigor, not suited for me!" Jiang Tai tilted his head back and took a few gulps, casually wiped his mouth, and glanced at Xiao Yi, "How is Fang doing in her recovery?" Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A relaxed smile appeared on Xiao Yi''s face: "She woke up yesterday, but she will need another month or so of recovery. I must also thank you, Jiang Brother, for bringing those healing pills. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have recovered so quickly!"


    "Why the formality between brothers?"


    Jiang Tai smiled and after a moment of hesitation, he said, "Xiao, have you heard that today within the Tianqing Kingdom, a secret realm of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert has been discovered?"


    Xiao Yi nodded his head.


    He had heard Xue''er mention this.


    Zhou Yuan and Elder Wang had gone before to explore that secret realm.


    Otherwise...


    If Elder Wang had personally been stationed at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, none of the subsequent events would have happened.


    Jiang Tai''s voice became grave, "The Dean has already decided to compete for it, and my father has also sent people there. The information I got shows that it''s the tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert, with the lifelong treasures of a Tao Tribulation expert inside. As is customary, after these big shots finish their exploration, they will allow our junior generation to go there for training..."


    Xiao Yi''s action of drinking suddenly halted.


    The tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert would surely have many treasures.


    This was a great opportunity!


    Xiao Yi, with a solemn voice, asked, "Is the news reliable?"


    "Reliable!"


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment and then said, "What do you mean by that, Jiang?"


    Jiang Tai lifted his head to gulp down two mouthfuls of strong liquor, his eyes shining with sharp intent, and he said in a grave tone, "The tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert is an immense opportunity. In addition to the experts from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, families like Mingjian Manor, as well as the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple and the Nine Profound Sect, will send their strong ones to enter. Even the younger generation from the neighboring countries will come. Although their strength is not bad, they still fall short compared to true geniuses. I want to invite Xiao to join me and travel together!"


    Although Xiao Yi was tempted, he did not immediately agree and instead frowned while looking at him, "With your strength, Jiang, wouldn''t partnering with you just slow you down?"


    Jiang Tai was a prominent expert at the Eighth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Among the younger generation, possibly only that prince at the Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm could beat him; he was just at the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. Even though he had the combat power of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he was far from being a match for a Golden Core Realm expert!


    Jiang Tai said seriously, "I know a little about your affairs in Nanhuang. In just three months, you went from having no cultivation to becoming a Divine Skills realm expert. After those big shots conclude their exploration, there will be at least two more months. I don''t believe that in two months, Xiao will still have the same cultivation level. Of course, if I feel that Xiao''s strength is not enough to form an alliance with me at that time, I will go by myself!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, sizing up Jiang Tai seriously, then suddenly laughed, "You speak quite directly, but I like to associate with straightforward people. Rest assured, if at that time my strength can only slow you down, you won''t need to speak. I will know to keep my distance."


    "Hahaha, then let''s toast in advance to our successful return from the secret realm!"


    "To our successful return!"


    The two swung up their pots of liquor and finished them off in one go.


    "Xiao, you must train hard during this time. I will keep an eye on the situation there and inform you immediately once there''s any news!" After giving his advice, Jiang Tai left with the empty liquor pot in hand.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and fell into deep thought.


    The tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert was a huge opportunity, one that he would definitely need to explore whether Jiang Tai invited him or not.


    But it was also a great risk.


    When the time came, the experts from the Royal Martial Arts Academy would go as well, and considering his relationship with them, they would surely not let him off easily.


    "Two more months of time... I must at least break through to the Golden Core Realm to have the qualifications to fight for it."


    In Xiao Yi''s palm appeared the Iron Blade King''s golden core. He took a deep breath, "Once this golden core is completely refined, I should be able to step into the Seventh or even Eighth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. Then, it will be time to visit the Iron Blade King''s residence again to fulfill the promise I made to the Iron Blade King."


    And then...


    Xiao Yi once again entered the waterfall, his palms facing each other with the golden core suspended between them, while circulating his profound skills to refine the energy within the golden core...

 Chapter 62 Murder in the Street

    Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.The back mountain, waterfall.


    Whoosh!


    Streams of water cascaded down from the summit, striking the surface of the lake with a thunderous roar.


    Within that waterfall...


    Xiao Yi''s body was bathed in a faint milky white glow, which coalesced into a spherical shield, keeping the droplets of water at bay. Between his hands, there was a grain-of-rice-sized yellow light that turned into a yellow stream, merging into his body.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s body shuddered as his aura surged, reaching the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    But his cultivation did not end there, as the vast primordial energy within his body poured into the God Sealing Seed, activating one after another.


    From one thousand, it rose to fourteen hundred and fifty.


    The torrential power of the God Sealing Seeds fed back into his body, and Xiao Yi finally exhaled a murky breath, ceasing his cultivation with a brilliant smile on his face, "Just as I expected, sharing that Golden Core with Qingzhu expended too much energy, and fully refining it only allowed me to step into the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. However, with my current strength, even a master of the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer is no match for a single punch of mine. Even peak Divine Skills practitioners can be challenged in battle!"


    In the midst of speaking.


    Xiao Yi launched a punch forward.


    The third-grade advanced martial skill, Vajra Fist, was as powerful and unyielding as a vajra.


    Boom!


    The waterfall in front was blasted open with a large hole, which did not close even after Xiao Yi walked through it and left the lake.


    This Vajra Fist was a set of fist techniques Xiao Yi had found in the Scripture Pavilion of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, along with a sword technique called Four Seasons Swordplay and a movement technique called Falling Leaves Mystical Step. Over the past twenty days, he had not only broken through to the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm but had also cultivated these fist, sword, and movement techniques to a state of perfection.


    Xiao Yi made his way back to his courtyard.


    The Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was sparsely populated, but there were many courtyards, and the one they resided in was previously owned by the Vice Dean of the academy.


    Fang Qingzhu could now walk on the ground, but since Zhou Yuan''s finger had injured her internal organs, it was not advisable for her to practice cultivation for the time being. When Xiao Yi returned, the table was already set with a lavish meal, and Fang Qingzhu rested her cheeks in her hands, fixated on the doorway.


    As soon as she saw Xiao Yi return, she hurriedly stood up, carrying a basin and a towel to meet him, "Brother Xiao Yi, quick, wash your face so we can eat!"


    "Alright!"


    Xiao Yi grinned with a smile.


    He thoroughly enjoyed this kind of life, plain but filled with the warmth of home.


    "Qingzhu, I need to make a trip out tomorrow, and it will likely take about half a month. Do you want to come with me?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Fang Qingzhu was taken aback, then shook her head, "Brother Xiao Yi, I really want to go with you. However, my injuries have not fully healed yet, so I should stay here and recuperate. But Brother Xiao Yi, you must take care when you''re out on your own!"


    Xiao Yi did not insist, nodding in agreement, "Yeah, I know!"


    ......


    Iron Mountain City.


    Located at the foot of Iron Mountain, more than seven hundred kilometers from the capital.


    Famous for its abundant iron mines.


    The entire Iron Mountain City''s iron ore reserves were controlled by the Tie Family and the Xu Family. The Tie Family specialized in forging saber weapons, and all the bladed weapons used by the army of the Tianqing Kingdom were supplied by them, which earned them the title of Iron Blade King. The Xu Family, on the other hand, had been granted the title of Comrade King because one of their ancestors, a Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm commander, had expanded the kingdom''s territory.


    These two great families held the iron mines of Iron Mountain, and even the royal family of the Tianqing Kingdom dared not offend them easily.


    On the wide streets.


    Xiao Yi, dressed in black, led a horse and stopped by a stall selling women''s jewelry, picking up a red hairpin and asking, "Shopkeeper, how much for this?"


    The shopkeeper, a plump middle-aged man, responded cheerily, "My lord has a fine eye! Are you picking out a gift for your wife? This red hairpin is made of pure gold, and the pearls inlaid on it come from the top-quality pearls produced in Qinghe. It''s only a hundred taels of silver."


    "A hundred taels of silver? I''ll take it!"


    Xiao Yi took out a hundred taels of silver and tossed them to the stall owner, just as he was storing the rouge hairpin in his storage ring when a scream rang out from beside him, a figure rapidly flew backwards towards him.


    Bang!


    An old woman with a withered face smashed heavily into the stall, toppling over a display of jewelry onto the ground.


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    The heart-wrenching cry filled with desperate pain was distressing to hear.


    Xiao Yi turned towards the sound.


    Across the street, on the railing of the second floor of a tavern, a delicately beautiful girl in tattered clothes was gripping the railing tightly, poised to jump down. Despair filled her eyes as she looked helplessly at the old woman lying in a pool of blood, crying out with no strength. Behind the girl were two young men in luxurious clothing, both with vicious smiles on their faces as they dragged her back inside, one on each side.


    "Sigh, it''s those two beasts again..."


    "Isn''t this the fifth time this month? We should remind our neighbors to keep a closer watch on their daughters!"


    A few sighs of resignation echoed within the crowd.


    The stall owner glanced at the old woman lying in the pool of blood and sighed, "What a sin!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "Boss, what''s going on here?"


    The stall owner glanced at Xiao Yi, his expression changing, and said in a grave tone, "You must be from out of town, young master. I advise you not to meddle in other people''s affairs. Better leave quickly!"


    "Ugh..."


    The old woman on the ground suddenly trembled.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and was about to step forward to help her when the stall owner grabbed him, saying gravely, "Young master, please don''t meddle. It will only bring trouble to your doorstep. You saw who those two men upstairs are, didn''t you? If they see you dare to help this old lady, you''ll be in a world of trouble!" Enjoy new stories from empire


    "The old lady is still alive, can we really just watch her die before our eyes?" Xiao Yi broke free from the stall owner''s grasp and helped the old woman up.


    However...


    Just as he lifted her up, the sound of something cutting through the air came from behind him.


    Xiao Yi''s expression tightened, and as he turned around, he reached into the air and caught the incoming arrow. Had he not acted quickly, the arrow would have pierced through the old woman''s head. Who could be so cruel as to deal such a deadly blow to a withered old person? Xiao Yi looked back and saw a young man with his upper body bare jump down from the second floor.


    "Damn it, you dare to save someone I want to kill? You must be tired of living!"


    The young man threw away the large ox-horn bow in his hand and drew a three-foot-long blade from his waist. With a couple of swings creating a flower of blade movements, he chopped towards Xiao Yi''s head.


    "Another life lost..."


    "I told you not to meddle..." The stall owner''s face was filled with pity.


    However...


    The blade did not fall; mid-air, it was caught firmly between two of Xiao Yi''s fingers.


    "Hmm?"


    The young man was startled, then roared with a fierce face, "Let go!"


    "Scram!"


    Xiao Yi casually tossed the young man aside, sending him flying with his sword.


    "You, you dare to fight back? You''re seeking death!"


    Enraged, the young man pulled out a black, heavy crossbow from behind him. With a thud, a crossbow arrow shot straight for Xiao Yi. The poison-coated arrow was deadly on contact, and as Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank, he quickly dodged using a movement technique, allowing his shape to blur and barely evading the arrow. In an instant, his right hand reached out.


    Grabbing the crossbow arrow, he shot back from the ground at full speed.


    With a thump, the arrow pierced through the young man''s throat.


    Bang!


    The young man clasped the arrow in his throat with both hands, knelt on the ground, shaking. All he could hear was Xiao Yi''s cold voice, "Relying on your family''s power to bully men and women, quick to take a life at the slightest disagreement, scum like you shouldn''t be allowed to live in this world..."

 Chapter 63 If I want you dead, can you refuse to die?

    "Murder, murder, there''s been a murder!""Run! Someone''s been killed..."


    In an instant, the onlookers on the street scattered in terror, screaming as they fled.


    The owner of the jewelry stall turned deathly pale, looking at Xiao Yi as if eying the Plague God, "You, you, you actually killed him? He''s the sworn brother of Comrade King''s Princely Heir Xu Tao... I told you to mind your own business, now you''re dead for sure..."


    At that moment...


    From the second floor of the tavern, a cry of alarm could be heard.


    The woman who had been earlier dragged in was now covered with vicious, shocking wounds, and fresh blood gushed from her body, a sight so sorrowful it was unbearable to watch.


    Whoosh!


    With the sound of cutting through the air, that woman was brutally thrown down from the second floor.


    Her head hit the ground with a thud, splattering blood everywhere.


    "Damn wretch, being favored by me is due to the virtue of your ancestors. Ungrateful and even daring to bite me? Truly tired of living..."


    A voice full of discontent and arrogance came from the second floor, "Younger brother, why aren''t you done? It''s just killing an old hag, why is it taking so long? Younger brother, young... younger brother?"


    Whoosh!


    A robust young man jumped down forcefully and saw the young man Xiao Yi had slain.


    His eyes were blood-red with rage, and his fierce gaze fell upon Xiao Yi, "You? You killed my younger brother?"


    Xiao Yi coldly observed the young girl lying in a pool of blood behind the young man.


    A twinge of regret surfaced in his heart, "I should have charged directly to the second floor earlier; then, this innocent life wouldn''t have been wasted in vain!"


    "Kid, do you know who he was? He was the sworn brother of Comrade King''s Princely Heir Xu Tao. You actually killed him? You''re definitely dead, no one can save you... Not only are you going to die, but your entire family and all your relatives must die as well..." The young man''s face twisted with ferocity as he bellowed crazily.


    "You''re really annoying!"


    Xiao Yi gave him a cold glance. Discover exclusive content at empire


    That icy look alone made the young man shudder, his First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm abilities unable to be summoned, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.


    "Don''t come any closer... you, don''t come any closer... I''m Xu Tao''s sworn older brother; if you dare to harm a single hair on me, my second brother will not let you off..." The young man said in terror, scuttling backward on his hands and feet.


    Xiao Yi advanced step by step.


    Crack!


    With a stomp, he broke the man''s left foot.


    "Aaargh..."


    The young man screamed miserably, howling, "Have you gone mad?"


    Crack!


    The right foot was broken as well.


    Filled with despair, the young man no longer dared to be as arrogant as before. Enduring the intense pain, he backed away on his hands, "Brothers, let''s talk this out, please don''t kill me. I have money, I can give you lots and lots of money, please don''t kill me..."


    "She must have pleaded with you just now, hadn''t she?" Xiao Yi suddenly asked.


    "Ah?"


    The young man looked dumbfounded.


    Xiao Yi pointed to the old woman and the young girl lying in the pool of blood, "They must have begged you as well, right?"


    "You, you, you did this for them? They are just lowly poor people. I fancied her body, and she should''ve obediently complied with me, but instead, she thought of resisting, so I, I had to kill her..." As he spoke, the young man shamelessly pulled down his trousers, "Look, I''m all swollen here from where that wretched woman bit me; it was her own fault!"


    "Her own fault?"


    When Xiao Yi spoke these four words, the air around seemed to turn icy cold.


    His chest felt as if it was blocked by a stone.


    Xiao Yi''s voice was oppressively subdued, even somewhat hoarse, "Just because they are impoverished, they are to be trampled and manipulated at your whim? If you fancy her body, she must submit to you, and if not, she deserves to die? Haha, it''s ludicrous, truly the height of absurdity."


    Crack!


    Xiao Yi pointed a finger.


    Splat!


    Vital energy cleanly severed the young man''s arms at the shoulders, and blood gushed forth; the young man lay on the ground, howling in agony.


    Xiao Yi''s voice sounded as if it came from the netherworld, "I tell you to die, will you die or not?"


    "I can''t, I can''t die..." the young man roared.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, sighing, "In my eyes, you are no more than an ant. I order you to die, and you dare not die? That is an affront to me!"


    Swish!


    The sword finger moved again.


    Vital energy like a blade, ruthlessly severed his legs as well.


    Awooo...


    The young man was in excruciating pain, his limbless body writhing in a pool of blood. Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "You see, I want to kill you, and you don''t just die quietly, but dare to scream like this, ruining my mood. Do you now say you deserve to die or not?"


    "No, please no..."


    The young man sobbed uncontrollably, his heart filled with nothing but fear and regret at this moment.


    At this moment...


    He seemed to see those he had bullied in the past. Their faces were likely filled with the same despair and pain as his own, right? Yet, in the past, those expressions only stirred excitement and pleasure in him, but now it was only fear and despair that overwhelmed him!


    "I dare not, I will never dare again..." the young man wailed miserably.


    Just then...


    The sound of thundering hooves approached; a troop of dozens of horsemen was closing in fast.


    The leader, a middle-aged commander clad in black armor with eyes sharp as a hawk''s.


    "General Geng, please, hurry, save me..." The young man cried out like a drowning person grasping for a lifesaver.


    The comers were none other than the Black Armored Army under the command of Geng Jing from Comrade King''s mansion, who had rushed over upon hearing that the Princely Heir''s sworn brother had been killed.


    Geng Jing rode on a black armored ferocious tiger, followed by more than thirty Black Armored Army horsemen, his cold gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, "You audacious scoundrel, how dare you commit murder in broad daylight? Release him this instant!"


    "Release him, you say?"


    Xiao Yi grabbed the young man''s dream and flung him; the young man shot towards Geng Jing''s mount like an arrow from a bow, the speed too fast for the black armored tiger to react. It trampled right over him with a crisp crack.


    The young man''s head was crushed flat.


    Geng Jing turned to see the unrecognizable young man and felt a chill run through his scalp. This was Princely Heir Xu Tao''s sworn brother, now dead before his own eyes��a responsibility he could not escape. Staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, he said coldly, "Do you realize who they are? By killing them, you leave yourself no path but death!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "He was crushed to death by your mount!"


    "You..."


    Geng Jing''s face turned shades of green and white, his teeth clenched in anger, "Where is the Black Armored Army?"


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    In the midst of the clashing sounds of metal, thirty Black Armored Army horsemen stepped forward in unison.


    Geng Jing pointed his long spear at Xiao Yi, "Take this criminal down and bring him to the Princely Heir!"


    "Yes!"


    The thirty Black Armored Army horsemen instantly spread out their formation and charged.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Horse hooves shook the earth, rumbling loudly.


    The whole ground vibrated as if a black tide of steel surged forward, heading straight for Xiao Yi...

 Chapter 64 Kill Geng Jing, Acquire the Mine Map

    The black-armored cavalry were the elite soldiers of the Comrade King''s residence.Each of them had reached the Shentong Realm in their cultivation, and their mounts were comparable to the second-tier high-grade beasts at the Peak of the Qi Gathering Realm, the Bloodthirsty Dragon Colts��with great speed, immense strength, and robust bodies. Coupled with the protection of their black armor, their charge was overwhelmingly powerful and their destructive force was astonishing.


    Though their cultivation was only at the first or second layer of the Shentong Realm, the combined charge of thirty black-armored cavalrymen.


    Their destructive power was enough to threaten the life of someone in the High-order Divine Power Realm.


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    The thirty cavalrymen lined up in three rows and charged headlong.


    The ground trembled as pebbles danced about.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, as proud as a lone pine standing tall in the bitter cold, unshakable by the wind or the snow. His eyebrows, sharp as swords, moved slightly, and when the first cavalryman reached him, his hands shot forward fiercely.


    Godly strength gathered and Qi cloaked his hands.


    Clang! Clang!


    In the sharp sound of metal piercing through, Xiao Yi''s hands actually punctured the black armor in front of the Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt''s chest and firmly grasped the warhorse.


    His figure was also pushed back by the momentum.


    But he only took three steps back!


    Xiao Yi''s legs plunged into the ground like steel stakes, veins on his forehead bulging, the muscles on his arms tensing instantly. The ferocious strength erupted in an instant, and with a low growl, Xiao Yi actually lifted the Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt, weighing thousands of pounds, into the air.


    He threw it violently into the sky, and at the same time, grabbed the hind legs of the Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt.


    "Die!"


    Xiao Yi spun wildly like a top.


    The Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt in his hands became a lethal weapon, harshly smashing into the other black-armored cavalrymen.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt let out continuous screams, with its rider already smashed into a pulp, and after several swings. The black-armored cavalrymen were battered to pieces, their figures unrecognizable, and when Xiao Yi finally stopped, all that was left of the Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt in his hands were its two legs.


    Before him...


    All thirty black-armored cavalrymen lay in pools of blood, none spared.


    Hiss!


    The entire street fell silent.


    So quiet you could hear a pin drop.


    This was the black-armored cavalry!


    The most elite cavalry of the Comrade King''s residence, capable of facing ten foes each on the battlefield, were now all taken down by a single Xiao Yi?


    Xiao Yi tossed the two horse legs aside and walked toward Geng Jing.


    Tap tap tap!


    His footsteps rang clearly, echoing in the deathly quiet street.


    Geng Jing''s mount, the black-armored fierce tiger, used to be imposing from every angle, but now it was backing away continuously, intimidated by Xiao Yi''s aura. Geng Jing felt a burning sensation on his face as he pulled tightly on the reins to stabilize the black-armored fierce tiger, his cold gaze locked onto Xiao Yi, "Boy, who on earth are you?"


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, Xiao Yi," Xiao Yi said calmly.


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Institute?"


    Geng Jing was taken aback, then sneered, "Seeing you act so decisively in killing, I thought you were a brave man who dared to take responsibility. I didn''t expect you to be a rat hiding behind a guise. Everyone knows Tianqi Martial Arts Institute has few people left, aside from the current seventh prince, there are no other students. If I''m not wrong, you must be sent by the Iron Blade King''s residence, right? It seems the Iron Arm Commandery Princess has run out of tricks, to actually send someone to kill the Princely Heir''s sworn brothers, attempting to disturb his heart and obstruct his breakthrough to the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer?"


    Xiao Yi frowned at Geng Jing, "Iron Arm Commandery Princess?"


    "Hmph, your scheme has already been seen through by this general, how much longer do you intend to play dumb?" Geng Jing sneered continuously, "Once I have captured you, I will break your limbs and take you to confront the Iron Blade King''s residence and the Iron Arm Commandery Princess face to face. Let''s see if she can still refuse my family''s Princely Heir then!"


    While speaking, Geng Jing had already leaped down from the black-armored fierce tiger and, in the blink of an eye, appeared in front of Xiao Yi.


    A layer of white frost covered his right hand.


    The frost condensed into a long spear, and the silver spear thrust fiercely at Xiao Yi, "Angry Dragon Leaps from the Sea!"


    Thunderous roars like rolling thunder filled the sky, and the dazzling silver light, like mercury pouring down, transformed into ferocious silver dragons entwining with each other, coalescing into a silver celestial river suspended across the sky. Geng Jing''s strength was extraordinary, at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, having awakened the Innate Divine Roar of the Dragon.


    A low roar came with the intimidation of dragon''s might.


    The unwavering of mind.


    Under the influence of his dragon''s roar, one''s spirit would become chaotic, even shaking their martial heart, leaving behind an indelible nightmare shadow.


    Seeing Xiao Yi standing still, not moving an inch, Geng Jing was extremely pleased, the silver light of his spear casting an especially cold reflection on his face, "Struck by my dragon''s roar, you can''t even resist. Just die obediently!"


    The spear dragon soared across the sky, and the surrounding stalls were swept up into the air, the stone slabs on the ground clattered, and a web-like pattern of cracks covered them.


    It seemed that Xiao Yi was about to be impaled by a spear!


    In the nick of time,


    Xiao Yi''s figure suddenly shifted, his vital energy circulated within him with hints of golden light emerging and submerging like an Immovable King, his punch was like heaven itself, obscuring the sun.


    Boom!


    Under this punch,


    The silver spear dragon shattered inch by inch.


    Xiao Yi appeared as if he had transformed into the War God, unbeatable in attack, invincible in battle, sweeping through everything!


    Clang!


    The fist and the spear clashed like the tip of a needle against a stalk of wheat.


    Humm!


    The body of the spear suddenly bent.


    "This can''t be��" Geng Jing''s face, previously filled with triumph, was now swept clean, replaced by shock and terror.


    As the spear twisted, he was now only a step away from Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi''s footsteps were enigmatic as he brushed past the long spear, the inertia from the spear snapping back propelled Geng Jing forward unwittingly. In contrast, Xiao Yi once again closed the distance between them, his punch transforming into a palm, his five fingers clenched, grabbing Geng Jing''s neck.


    With a fierce push!


    Bang!


    Geng Jing''s head was slammed fiercely onto the ground, as Xiao Yi surged forward.


    Geng Jing''s head plowed through the ground like a plowshare, tearing open a ghastly ravine.


    The stone slabs shattered, dust spiraled upward.


    Continuing for over twenty meters!


    Geng Jing''s head pounded with pain; just as he managed to open his eyes, he saw a dark footprint descending from the sky, and with a bang, his head was crushed.


    Blood splattered in every direction.


    The street was a wreck, with the bodies of the black-armored cavalry strewn about in disarray.


    A cold wind blew, leaving a chilling desolation.


    At the end of the street��


    Xiao Yi, leading a horse carrying the bodies of the old woman and the young girl, strode away.


    Outside Iron Mountain City,


    In a forest, after Xiao Yi had buried the young girl, he turned to the old woman with tears streaking down her face and let out a light sigh, "Condolences!"


    "They''re all gone, all of them are gone��"


    The old woman''s face, wrinkled like tree bark, squeezed out an ugly smile and walked tremulously to Xiao Yi, "Kind sir, thank you for avenging my granddaughter. I have nothing to repay you with, this map of the ore vein was given to me by my son before he died, claiming it marks the location of the largest tungsten iron mine within the Iron Mountain. I was afraid it would bring me fatal disaster, so I never dared show it to anyone. Today, I shall give it to you!"


    "Tungsten iron mine?"


    Xiao Yi was surprised, as this was a metal several grades higher than iron. Weapons made of tungsten iron were second only to elemental weapons. He repeatedly waved his hands, "Old madam, how can I accept this?"


    "Kind sir, my husband and son both died in search of this mine; it''s of no use to me. If you do not accept it, I will not rest in peace when I die!" The old woman, trembling, pushed the parchment into Xiao Yi''s hands with a sincere expression.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, nodded to the old woman''s begging eyes and said, "Alright, I will accept it!"


    The old woman gestured, "Kind sir, please go ahead! I still want to accompany my granddaughter for a while longer��"


    "Old madam, I''ll wait for you nearby! I''ll take you home later!" Xiao Yi said.


    The old woman did not refuse and sat by the grave.


    She sat there for an entire hour.


    Bang!


    The old woman suddenly fell in front of the grave; Xiao Yi was startled, and on checking her, he found the old woman had bitten her tongue and committed suicide. Xiao Yi''s eyes showed intense grief, "Xiao Yi, you fool�� you should have realized that the old woman was settling her affairs... you��" Continue reading at empire


    Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world.


    Xiao Yi buried the old woman next to her granddaughter, stood there for a long time, and didn''t leave until the sun set behind the mountains��

 Chapter 65 The Crisis of the Hu Family

    The bustling of Iron Mountain City under the cloak of night still thrived immensely.The clinking and clanging of metalworking could be heard everywhere, for the city was home to a great number of blacksmiths.


    From the forge businesses of the Hu and Xu Families to small private workshops, one could almost say that everyone who came out of Iron Mountain City knew how to work with iron.


    But today, the atmosphere in Iron Mountain City was even more tense, and the night patrols by soldiers seemed more anxious than usual, with the frequency of their rounds increasing. All of this was due to the battle during the day; thirty black armored cavalrymen of the Comrade King''s estate had fallen in battle, and even the commander of the black armored cavalry, Geng Jing, had been slain.


    The Comrade King''s estate was enraged.


    All of Iron Mountain City was as silent as if in the grip of winter''s chill.


    Xiao Yi relied on his nimble movement technique to traverse the shadows and quietly approached the estate of the Iron Blade King.


    The sprawling estate of the Iron Blade King was well-lit, with even more patrolling powerhouses than usual.


    Xiao Yi infiltrated their ranks.


    He made his way unseen to the vicinity of the main hall when he suddenly heard several heated arguments inside.


    A cold voice came from within the hall, "You can go marry him if you want, but I will never marry Xu Tao!"


    "Qing Bi, can''t you be a little less selfish? Not only is he Xu Tao, the Princely Heir of the Comrade King, but also a disciple of the Nine Profound Sect. What about him doesn''t match up to you? Moreover, once you marry Xu Tao, the Hu and Xu Families will be related by marriage, and they will no longer harm our Hu Family''s business..."


    "Sacrificing oneself for the peace of the whole family��what''s so bad about that?"


    The cold voice of Hu Qingbi echoed from within, "Everyone shut up!"


    "Is this the way you talk to your elders?"


    "We are all considering the estate''s best interests. No matter how you look at it, your marriage to Xu Tao benefits our Hu Family the most!"


    Faced with the relentless pressure from her own relatives, the Iron Arm Princess Hu Qingbi''s face went pale, and her eyes shimmered with the threat of tears.


    The relatives before her were like termites, incessantly eroding the Hu Family''s interests.


    With Hu Yi in the family, he could at least intimidate them, but since Hu Yi had disappeared years ago, Hu Qingbi, with her abilities and strength, was utterly incapable of deterring these greedy parasites.


    "Qing Bi, listen to me!"


    The person speaking was the brother of Hu Yi.


    With a light stroke of the moustache under his nose, Hu Li laughed like an old fox eyeing a chunk of meat in a crow''s beak, "Six years ago, your father took every treasure from our clan in an attempt to breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm, and that''s the root cause of our Hu Family''s downfall. As the saying goes, a son inherits his father''s debts. It''s time for you to pay back what your father owed!"


    Bang!


    Hu Qingbi pushed over the tea table in front of her and glared at Hu Li, "Uncle, are those even human words you''re saying? Why did father risk his life to advance to the Golden Core Realm those years ago? Was it not because you were caught meeting Xu Shiheng''s lover in secret, and when Xu Shiheng sought to take your life, father was gravely injured saving you? Is that why he thought to take the resources and enter seclusion to make a breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm? And now you have the audacity to speak like this?"


    "Shut up! It was your father who chose to save me back then. Did I ever ask him? Did I ever beg him to lift a finger?"


    Hu Li sneered indifferently, "I''ve already negotiated the terms with the Comrade King. As long as you marry Xu Tao and bring the eighth and thirteenth mining veins as a dowry, he will spare the Hu Family. We''ve decided on this, and you have no right to refuse!"


    "I will never marry Xu Tao..." Hu Qingbi roared in fury.


    Hu Li sneered in response, "That''s not up to you! Come, tie her up and take her to the Xu Family!"


    "I''d like to see who dares to tie me up!" Hu Qingbi humphed coldly, her formidable aura instantly filling the hall; she was currently the strongest person in the Hu Family, a being of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    However...


    As she started circulating her vital energy, a wave of weakness engulfed her body, and she collapsed to the floor with a thud. Your next read awaits at empire


    She found herself unable to move her limbs.


    Hu Li laughed heartily, "As the Hu Family''s top expert, would I act without certainty? I''ve added plenty of Muscle-locking Powder to your food; you should obediently marry Xu Tao! Hahaha..."


    "You, you shameless..."


    Defeat and despair painted Hu Qingbi''s face as her tearful eyes beheld the clan members, their faces twisted with a ferocious desire to bind her and send her off to the Xu Family.


    Filled with despair and regret, Hu Qingbi thought to herself, "Father, these are the clan members you fought with everything to protect��unworthy, they''re all unworthy..."


    "Gag her mouth and..."


    Boom!


    Hu Li''s voice was abruptly cut off by a deafening roar, and the door to the room exploded with a bang, sending two guards from the Hu Family flying through the air from the powerful blast.


    From within the wreckage of the splintered door, Xiao Yi''s figure gradually appeared.


    "Who is it?"


    "How dare you, thief, sneaking into the Hu Family in the dead of night �� surely harboring ill intentions��" A powerhouse of the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm glared at Xiao Yi, bellowing in anger.


    Before the words could even finish.


    Xiao Yi cast a cold glance at him and threw a punch like a Wrathful Vajra.


    Boom!


    The elder of the Hu Family was smashed to the ground, with a fist-sized hole gushing blood through his forehead, as if a fountain of blood had erupted forth.


    Hiss!


    The hall fell silent.


    Everyone''s gaze toward Xiao Yi was as if they were looking at a demon.


    Hu Li forced himself to remain composed while gazing intently at Xiao Yi, "Friend, has my Hu Family somehow offended you? I, Hu Li, apologize on behalf of my family. We''re willing to compensate you��"


    "Compensate?"


    Xiao Yi''s indifferent gaze settled on Hu Li.


    Hu Li felt as though an invisible hand was gripping his throat under Xiao Yi''s gaze, making even breathing difficult, and he stammered, "Yes, yes�� I''m willing to compensate, whatever conditions you have, I will meet them!"


    "Oh, then give me something as compensation."


    "What is it?"


    Hu Li glanced at Xiao Yi and hastily said, "Whatever you want, I can provide it for you. How about my niece? She''s beautiful and as long as you like�� Er��"


    Mid-sentence, Hu Li realized his feet were no longer touching the ground.


    His face filled with terror as he saw Xiao Yi, close at hand, single-handedly lifting him by his throat, and Hu Li''s face was overcome with fear, "Why, why is this? I, I''m willing to pay�� "


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze remained on him, "I only want your dog life!"


    "Ah? Why? I, I''ve never provoked you��"


    Hu Li''s face turned pale, his voice trembling with the question.


    Xiao Yi''s right hand clutched his throat, and his left hand produced a Token.


    It was the Token of the Iron Blade King, Hu Yi.


    "This, this is the Family Head''s Token? How could it be in his possession?"


    Hu Li looked at the Token in disbelief, "How did you get this Token? I saw with my own eyes Xu Shiheng grievously wound my brother, he clearly��"


    Hu Li suddenly stopped speaking, his expression turning increasingly horrified.


    "You, what did you say? You saw Xu Shiheng grievously wound my father?" Hu Qingbi also recovered from her shock, looking at Hu Li in disbelief.


    Hu Li went white as a sheet, and Xiao Yi coldly demanded, "Won''t you speak the truth?"


    Hu Li trembled all over, bereft of hope, and closed his eyes in despair, "That year, Xu Shiheng promised not to kill me as long as I helped him murder my brother�� I, I had no choice. It''s not my fault; it was all Xu Shiheng''s doing. I, I only told him where my brother was in secluded cultivation��"


    "Hu Li, you bastard, our father was wounded trying to save you, and you repay his kindness with treachery?" Hu Qingbi trembled all over, her eyes bloody. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi turned towards her, "Would you like to take revenge with your own hands?"


    To that, Hu Qingbi started, then nodded eagerly.


    With a flick of Xiao Yi''s finger, a surge of vital energy entered her body, neutralizing the Muscle-locking Powder''s poison in her system, and he threw Hu Li to the ground.


    Hu Qingbi''s eyes were a bloody red as she pounced on Hu Li like a mad demon.


    Her fists and feet flew, smashing Hu Li''s head into a pulp.


    She tore off his limbs with her own hands��


    The hall was filled with the stench of blood, as if it were a Shura hell��

 Chapter 66 Eve of the Battle

    Within the grand hall of the Hu Family.The pungent scent of blood made people involuntarily furrow their brows; Hu Li''s body had long been shattered into pieces, torn to shreds by Hu Qingbi herself.


    Her eyes were a bloody red, her body covered in fresh blood, her cold gaze sweeping over the Hu Family''s powerhouses.


    That blood-red gaze was like two soul-snatching crimson pearls, making one feel as if they''d be devoured with just an extra glance, and no one dared to meet her eyes.


    Read latest stories on empire


    The grisly death of Hu Li was right in front of them, not to mention the mysterious Xiao Yi standing by the side.


    Naturally, no one dared to say much. S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hu Qingbi looked coldly at the crowd and said sternly, "You all have heard it, my father was killed by that despicable Hu Li in cahoots with Xu Shiheng. Do you still want me to marry Xu Tao?"


    One after another, the elders exchanged glances, all bowing their heads.


    Who would dare to agree now?


    Hu Qingbi snorted and said emphatically, "Listen to me, all of you, gather all the Hu Family''s forces by noon tomorrow. I shall settle this with a fight to the death with the Xu Family atop Iron Mountain!"


    The crowd exchanged looks.


    An elder of the Fifth Layer of the Divine Power Realm hesitated and said, "Miss, we must not act rashly in this affair! The Xu Family''s power far surpasses ours, to say nothing of Xu Shiheng who has already reached the peak of Shentong, and Xu Tao who has broken through to the Tenth Layer of Shentong. We simply are no match for them!"


    "Yes, to engage in a fight to the death with the Xu Family at this time would be a suicide mission!"


    A few elders spoke out with worried faces.


    For them...


    As long as they could protect their own small piece of interest, the revenge for Hu Yi and who would call the shots in Iron Mountain City in the future were simply not their concerns.


    "You�� you all��"


    Hu Qingbi''s face turned pale.


    She never expected that even after learning the truth about Hu Yi''s death, these clan members would still remain indifferent, only thinking of their own benefits.


    Xiao Yi, standing nearby, glanced at the group of complacent Hu Family powerhouses, grinned, and said, "Miss Hu, some people are just naturally base; no matter how nicely you try to persuade them, they won''t take you seriously!"


    Hu Qingbi was startled, then steeled her heart.


    Thud! Thud!


    She struck out in succession.


    The two elders who had first raised objections had their heads smashed by Hu Qingbi''s palm, one after the other. She said coldly, "I''ll say it again, all Hu Family forces will gather by noon tomorrow for a fight to the death with the Xu Family. Do you understand?"


    "We understand!"


    "Miss, please rest assured, we will definitely not disappoint you!"


    Seeing the awe in the elders'' eyes, Hu Qingbi huffed coldly, then turned to Xiao Yi, gave a respectful bow, and said with meticulous courtesy, "Qingbi is grateful for your assistance, Sir!"


    Xiao Yi helped her up, shook his head, and said, "You needn''t thank me; I''ve already received my payment from your father." After pausing, he handed over the scroll of the "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill" to Hu Qingbi.


    "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill?"


    Hu Qingbi''s expression changed drastically, then she revealed a look of ecstasy.


    The "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill" was the Hu Family''s ancestral cultivation technique, which traditionally only the heads of the family and their heirs could practice.


    Hu Qingbi had only practiced the first half so far, but now with the complete "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill," given enough time, she was certain to lead the Hu Family to new heights of glory.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "If it''s convenient, could you tell me about your wagered duel with Xu Tao?"


    Upon hearing the name Xu Tao, Hu Qingbi''s face contorted with added ferocity.


    She took a deep breath and said in a heavy tone, "Our Hu Family and the Xu Family have always been rivals; our two families control over eighty percent of the mines in Iron Mountain City. Since my father went missing, the Xu Family has been suppressing us at every turn. Not long ago, they proposed a wagered duel where the loser would have to surrender all of their mining veins. I had no choice but to agree under pressure..."


    Iron Mountain City is the mining capital of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    If the Xu Family managed to take over the Hu Family''s mines, they would become the undisputed mining kings of the Tianqing Kingdom, and even the royal family of Tianqing Kingdom would have to ask favors from them.


    Xiao Yi asked, "Do you have confidence in your fight against Xu Tao?"


    Hu Qingbi gave a wry smile and said, "I''ve heard that Xu Tao has secluded himself and advanced to the Tenth Layer of the Divine Power Realm. I''m no match for him. But even if it means death, I will never surrender..."


    With her inherently tenacious character, and especially after knowing that Hu Yi''s death was inextricably linked to Xu Shiheng, there was no way she would compromise.


    Xiao Yi was silent for a moment before asking, "Are there any specific rules about who can fight in your duel?"


    "There are none!"


    Hu Qingbi shook her head, then suddenly, her expression froze, and she looked at Xiao Yi with disbelief, "Benefactor, could it be that you..."


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I''ll fight for you."


    It was precisely because of Hu Yi''s Golden Core that he was able to enter the Divine Realm so smoothly with Fang Qingzhu, allowing Fang Qingzhu to defeat Fang Jin.


    This debt of gratitude couldn''t simply be repaid by returning the royal order and the "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill"!


    Hu Qingbi looked at Xiao Yi with gratitude, "Thank you, benefactor... As long as we can defeat the Xu Family, I am willing to hand over all of the Xu Family''s mines to you!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "Keep the Xu Family''s mines for yourself, I might have some cooperation to discuss with you when the time comes!"


    In his hands, he held a map of the Tungsten Iron Mine.


    According to the old crone, it was the biggest vein in the entire Iron Mountain Range.


    Its value was probably more than the combined mines of both the Xu Family and the Hu Family.


    However...


    This Tungsten Iron Mine was far too precious, and with Xiao Yi''s current strength, it would be impossible to keep it safe once exposed.


    At the same time.


    The Xu Family.


    Bang!


    A loud boom suddenly erupted from Xu Tao''s room, causing the entire residence to tremble slightly, and everything inside was a mess.


    Dressed in black with a pale, cold, and fierce face, Xu Tao growled furiously, "That Hu Qingbi, she actually dared to send people to kill my eldest brother and third younger brother? I must kill this woman, no, I will annihilate the entire Hu Family and let them accompany my brothers in death!"


    In front of Xu Tao, wearing a python robe and an indifferent expression, Xu Shiheng casually said, "Tao''er, Hu Qingbi is not a concern, but the person she has invited is not so simple, even Geng Jing died by his hand. If that man fights for Hu Qingbi tomorrow, you must be very careful!"


    "Father, rest assured! With my current strength, even Geng Jing wouldn''t last three moves against me."


    Xu Tao, with a look of disdain, lifted his hands with palms facing upwards, and as his fingers twitched slightly, his gaze became immensely cold, "It doesn''t matter if that boy doesn''t show up, but if he dares to, I will squash him easily. Moreover, my senior brother Jin He will also be coming to watch the battle tomorrow; with him supporting us, nothing can go wrong!"


    "That''s good!"


    Xu Shiheng looked at Xu Tao with satisfaction, and his eyes flickered coldly, "Hu Yi, oh Hu Yi, I will personally take the Hu Family you''ve built and make it mine. Not only your family but also your daughter will become playthings under my son''s hip, hahaha..."

 Chapter 67 So Much Nonsense

    Iron Mountain.It loomed majestically and vast, the entire Iron Mountain Range stretching for thousands of kilometers.


    Endless and winding.


    The mountains were rich in ore veins, and mining pits and tunnels pockmarked the landscape, among which stood a mountain riddled with holes.


    This was Iron Mountain!


    The highest peak in the entire Iron Mountain Range, and the only peak within the range devoid of any ore veins.


    At this moment...


    At the summit of Iron Mountain, it was already a sea of people.


    The Xu and the Hu families would engage in a decisive battle at the peak of Iron Mountain, with the loser becoming a vassal to the victor - a piece of news that had, with the Xu family''s deliberate exaggeration, already spread throughout Iron Mountain City.


    "Who do you think will win this battle?"


    "Who else could it be? It''s definitely going to be the Xu family. The Hu family has been in name only since the Iron Blade King, Hu Yi..."


    "That''s a pity, though. The Hu family has been good to us, while the Xu family is much harsher!"


    "How dare you slander the Xu family? Seize him!" A commotion suddenly erupted from the crowd, and a few burly men, blending in with the crowd, immediately dragged away those who had been talking earlier.


    They were brought to the central square at the top of Iron Mountain.


    Xu Tao and Xu Shiheng had long been waiting there, and beside Xu Tao stood a young man in a golden long coat, disheveled and carrying a longsword on his back.


    The two were chatting merrily when suddenly they saw five poor men being dragged up.


    Xu Tao frowned and asked, "What''s going on?"


    The subordinate reported, "Your Highness the Princely Heir, these people were secretly insulting your father..."


    "Kill them then!" Xu Tao waved his hand.


    "Yes!"


    The muscular strongman gestured, and regardless of the desperate pleas of the poor men, beheaded them on the spot. As heads rolled, Xu Tao''s voice rang out, "Hang their bodies in front of the square as a warning to others!"


    "At your command!"


    A moment later.


    Five stakes were erected in front of the square.


    Each stake was over twenty meters tall, the bodies of the five men suspended in the air, their figures swaying in the fierce cold wind, a sight of utter desolation.


    The surrounding crowd kept silent, only looking at those five bodies, feeling the wind blowing even colder through their bones.


    "Brother Jin, I really can''t thank you enough for coming all this way!" Xu Tao laughed, squinting at Jin He.


    This Jin He was of the Tenth Level of Shentong Realm Cultivation, no different from Xu Tao.


    However...


    Xu Tao''s master was the Great Elder of the Nine Profound Sect, Jin Sheng, and Jin Sheng was Jin He''s grandfather. This was the reason Xu Tao treated Jin He with such respect.


    Jin He chuckled, "Junior brother is too polite. It was grandfather who asked me to come and support you. But now you have stepped into the Tenth Layer of the Divine Skills Realm; it seems my coming may have been somewhat superfluous!"


    "What are you talking about, brother? Having you here gives me a real sense of support!" Xu Tao laughed heartily, speaking words like a breath of spring, making them particularly comfortable to hear.


    "Tao''er, the people from the Hu family have arrived!" Xu Shiheng suddenly said in a low voice.


    Xu Tao was startled and looked in the direction indicated.


    The Hu Family''s party was coming up from the base of the mountain, led by Hu Qingbi and Xiao Yi, followed by some of the Hu family elders and strong figures.


    Their numbers were vast, nearly all prominent warriors of the Hu family had arrived.


    "The Hu Family has come out in full force!"


    "Considering it''s a matter of life and death for them, it''s no surprise they''re making such a big move..."


    Xu Tao was sitting boldly with a leg crossed over the other, his eyes narrowed to slits, completely ignoring Hu Qingbi as his gaze was fixed firmly on Xiao Yi.


    The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, curling into a cold arc, "So this is the kid who killed my eldest brother and third brother, huh? Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm? Hmph, I could snuff him out with a flick of my finger!"


    Jin He also showed an indifferent expression.


    Both the Nine Profound Sect and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple were powers second only to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and they recognized all the masters of the younger generation on the Tianqing Kingdom''s Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List.


    They had never seen Xiao Yi before.


    Jin He''s eyes sparkled as he spoke, "Xu, let''s finish up the fight here quickly! I''ve heard that the service at Iron Mountain City''s Misty Rain Pavilion is quite something!"


    Xu Tao grinned and said with ease, "Why bother with Misty Rain Pavilion, Brother Jin? Once I''ve taken care of the Hu Family, I''ll let you have Hu Qingbi for some fun."


    "Hmm? Isn''t that a bit much? She is, after all, yours..." Jin He''s gaze towards Hu Qingbi was filled with greed and desire, yet he appeared to be in a difficult position.


    Xu Tao laughed loudly, not bothering to hide it, and declared, "What''s mine is yours, brother. Besides, she''s just a woman. I''ve decided, tonight I''ll have Hu Qingbi take good care of you!"


    Jin He grinned, "Why not together?"


    Xu Tao paused, then laughed, "Alright, let''s do it together!"


    These comments, when heard by the Hu Family, turned their faces iron blue, and fury blazed within them.


    Hu Qingbi''s chest heaved with intense emotion, her eyes cold as ice, "These two bastards..."


    Xiao Yi patted her shoulder, "Don''t worry, let them be smug for a moment!"


    However...


    It was this pat on the shoulder that caused Jin He''s face to suddenly darken. In his view, Hu Qingbi was already his plaything; how could he allow another man to touch her?


    Jin He snorted coldly and pointed at Xiao Yi, "Xu, I really don''t like that kid. Break his filthy arms and legs first!"


    "Alright!" S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xu Tao immediately stood up and walked towards Xiao Yi and his group, his gaze falling coldly on Xiao Yi as he arrogantly said, "Which hand did you just use to touch Qingbi? Cut that one off, and I might leave your corpse intact. Otherwise, I''ll slice off your flesh piece by piece..."


    Hu Qingbi''s eyes widened in fury, "Xu Tao, don''t go too far!"


    "Shut up, you cheap woman!"


    Xu Tao snorted and, raising his hand, swung it towards Hu Qingbi''s face, "You are already a toy I''ve given to Brother Jin. You should be keeping yourself clean, how dare another man touch you? Go stand aside and wait..."


    Xu Tao''s voice stopped abruptly.


    Your journey continues at empire


    The hand he had lifted was firmly grasped by Xiao Yi.


    No matter how much he exerted force, he couldn''t free himself from Xiao Yi''s grasp for a moment. Xu Tao''s face twisted with a savage look as he glared at Xiao Yi, "Kid, you''ve wasted the only chance you had to keep your corpse intact, I..."


    "What a lot of nonsense..."


    Xiao Yi roared and swung his fist, aiming it straight at Xu Tao''s face.


    Behind him, it was as if a Wrathful Vajra stood proud between heaven and earth, and amid the chaotic gust of wind, Xu Tao''s features were completely distorted, his handsome face was utterly disfigured.


    Bang!


    With a muffled sound.


    Xu Tao''s body flew backward like a kite with its string cut, flat on his back, skimming the ground. The wind he swept up tore open the summit of Iron Mountain.


    Like a vicious scar crawling over the mountain''s peak.


    He was flung more than thirty meters away...

 Chapter 68 Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, Xiao Yi!

    Atop Mount Iron, there was a hush.Everything happened so suddenly.


    Everyone was watching as Xu Tao appeared before Hu Qingbi and the others, arrogantly proclaiming his intent to break Xiao Yi''s hands, while everyone waited for Xiao Yi to do the deed himself.


    But then...


    Xiao Yi actually punched Xu Tao and sent him flying?


    Thirty meters away.


    Amidst the billowing dust.


    Xu Tao finally stopped, with two bloody trails hanging from his nostrils, his nose bridge broken, tears streaming down his face in humiliation.


    Panting heavily!


    Gasping for air, Xu Tao wiped the blood from beneath his nose, first stunned, then his face twisted ferociously, "Bastard, you dare to ambush me? I''ll skin you alive!"


    Whoosh!


    A vast surge of primal energy burst forth from within him.


    As a cultivator at the Tenth Layer of the Divine Power Realm, Xu Tao''s energy was increasingly refined, and with a single gesture, a green spear landed in his hand.


    Humming!


    The spear danced wildly in the air, whistling fiercely, its silvery light flaring like the venomous fangs of a savage snake.


    "Xu Tao really broke through to the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer?"


    "What terrifying talent; he''s only twenty-six, right? He might have a chance to challenge for the top ten of the Flying Tiger List before he''s thirty!"


    Those in the top ten of the Flying Tiger List are all in the Golden Core Realm.


    Reaching the Golden Core Realm before thirty is indeed a sign of extraordinary talent. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Not far off.


    Pride showed on Xu Shiheng''s face as he looked toward Jin He, "Jin He, do you think Tao has a chance to enter the Golden Core Realm before thirty?"


    "No problem!"


    Jin He smiled faintly and said, "Grandfather values Xu Tao highly. As soon as this matter here is settled, I will take him back to our sect. Grandfather mentioned that in two months, there will be a huge opportunity. As long as he seizes this chance, not to mention before thirty... Xu and I might both be able to enter the Golden Core Realm within a year!"


    "What opportunity?" Xu Shiheng asked, startled.


    "Don''t ask what you shouldn''t!"


    Jin He swept Xu Shiheng with a warning look, then focused on the direction of Xu Tao and Xiao Yi, looking relaxed, "Although Xiao Yi had the advantage of a surprise attack, being able to blow away Xu with the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm shows he''s not weak. Had Xu not made his breakthrough, he might not have been a match for Xiao Yi. But now, his death is certain!"


    Xu Shiheng didn''t dare to ask further and quickly looked toward the direction of Xu Tao and Xiao Yi.


    "Turning Rivers and Seas!"


    With a low roar, Xu Tao''s spear moved like a dragon turning over the seas, unleashing a fierce surge of force upon Xiao Yi.


    Watching the silvery spear glow closing in.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed and he put his palms together before his chest, drawing the violently trembling spear glow to land between his hands.


    Then with one hand above the other, it was as if the heavens and earth closed in together.


    Clang!


    During the shrill, hair-raising noise,


    The wildly spinning spear glow was actually caught firmly between Xiao Yi''s hands!


    "Burst for me!"


    Xu Tao''s eyes were bloodshot as he charged forward, wielding the spear like an arching bridge. Xiao Yi was forced to retreat explosively.


    After retreating more than ten meters,


    Xiao Yi suddenly slammed his foot on the ground, halting his retreat, then shifted aside, releasing the spear tip from his grasp.


    With the obstruction gone, the spear thrust forward, causing Xu Tao to involuntarily lurch a couple of steps.


    Suddenly, a palm appeared in front of him, fingers spread wide like a sky-covering hand, and with a thud, it pressed on his face with a terrible force that seemed to root his fingers deeply into his face.


    The violent force erupted in an instant from that palm.


    Xiao Yi, gripping Xu Tao''s face, violently lifted him and slammed him to the ground, with a loud thud as Xu Tao''s head smashed into the earth.


    With one hand pressing down on Xu Tao''s head, Xiao Yi charged forward.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Xu Tao''s head plowed through the earth like a bulldozer, stirring up dust and stones, and amidst a cloud of flying dust, trails of fresh blood marked the ground.


    Xiao Yi dragged him for over fifty meters before he abruptly released his grip and stood up.


    Xu Tao''s face was unrecognizable, lying on the ground.


    Xiao Yi''s right fist shone with golden light, as if a Wrathful Vajra judged the legions of demons. Gales of vital energy wrapped around his entire fist, creating bursts of wind and deafening sonic booms between his knuckles.


    This punch was aimed straight for Xu Tao''s head and descended with the force of thunderbolts.


    If this punch were to connect,


    it would surely result in a head exploding upon impact!


    "No!"


    Xu Shiheng''s face drastically changed, and he roared like an arrow released from a bow as he rushed towards Xiao Yi.


    Jin He was momentarily stunned, then he turned a shade of iron blue, clapping the armrest as he leaped up, quickly dashing towards Xiao Yi.


    Both of these Tenth Layer Divine Power Realm powerhouses took action at the same time.


    Indeed it was like Wind Thunder drums booming in battle.


    "Fiery Palm!"


    Xu Shiheng''s hand blazed with roaring flames as his Innate Divine Ability burst forth in an instant, sweeping an intense orange fireball towards Xiao Yi.


    Jin He formed a sword with one hand, pointed it at the void, and fired a highly compressed ball of vital energy.


    These two attacks were no trifles.


    If Xiao Yi were hit, he would undoubtedly be dead.


    "Stop!"


    "Don''t think of harming our benefactor!"


    Hu Qingbi and the multitude of strong Hu Family members acted at the same time. Their cultivation might not match those two, but they were numerous. If one couldn''t stop them, a whole group would attack together.


    "Get out of my way..."


    "Move aside..."


    Xu Shiheng and Jin He were entangled by the Hu Family members and could not break free for a moment.


    They could only watch helplessly as Xiao Yi''s punch descended. Jin He roared, "Stop... Xu Tao is a disciple of the Nine Profound Sect, if you dare to kill him, you will face the relentless pursuit of our Nine Profound Sect disciples, you..."


    "Nine Profound Sect?"


    Xiao Yi''s movement slightly hesitated.


    Jin He showed an ecstatic look, saying proudly, "That''s right, our Nine Profound Sect..."


    However...


    He didn''t finish his sentence.


    Xiao Yi just sneered, "Never heard of it!"


    Boom!


    His punch heavily landed on Xu Tao''s head, the vital energy creating a circular tornado, as if thousands of blades were swiftly slicing through, causing an explosive burst.


    Only half a body remained of Xu Tao in the pit, lying in a pool of blood.


    "No... Tao''er..." Xu Shiheng''s eyes were filled with splitting fury.


    Jin He was stunned. Who in the vast Tianqing Kingdom dared to disrespect the Nine Profound Sect? Yet Xiao Yi, knowing well that Xu Tao was a disciple of the Nine Profound Sect, still struck the deadly blow, which made Jin He fear him as well.


    After dealing with Xu Tao, Xiao Yi saw Xu Shiheng kill two Hu Family warriors.


    And even sent Hu Qingbi flying.


    A cold light flashed in his eyes as he leaped forward, brandishing a third-grade longsword and slashing it out: "Reclaiming Soul, Seizing Life!"


    Pffft!


    The sword, swift as a fleeting shadow!


    Thump!


    The ferocious looking Xu Shiheng was beheaded, collapsing into a pool of blood.


    Xiao Yi, standing with his sword, was enveloped by the roaring wind, his robe billowing, his gaze falling on Jin He.


    Jin He shuddered, looking at Xiao Yi with a grave face, "Who exactly are you?"


    Merely at the Seventh Layer of the Shentong Realm yet possessing such combat prowess, he was surely no ordinary figure!


    Xiao Yi looked calmly at Jin He and said indifferently, "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, Xiao Yi!"

 Chapter 69 One Man Guards a City

    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"Jin He was taken aback, obviously very unfamiliar with the once glorious but now completely declined Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Even the onlookers from Iron Mountain City were perplexed, "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy? Hasn''t that place closed down long ago? How can there still be disciples?"


    "However, this young man actually killed the father and son of the Xu Family, his strength is truly terrifying!"


    "No matter how strong he is, it''s useless, that Xu Tao is a disciple of the Nine Profound Sect. If he were a disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, perhaps the Nine Profound Sect wouldn''t dare seek revenge, but since he''s from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, the Nine Profound Sect will definitely not let him go..."


    The onlookers'' faces held a hint of anticipation as they looked towards Jin He.


    However...


    Jin He''s expression suddenly changed, and he looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "You, you are the Xiao Yi who caused havoc in the Royal Martial Arts Academy, who killed Zhuge Shuangdao?"


    His combat power was on par with Zhuge Shuangdao.


    But since even Zhuge Shuangdao had fallen at Xiao Yi''s hand, Jin He didn''t think he had the strength to contend with Xiao Yi, and for a moment, he felt a chill throughout his body.


    He cursed the ancestors of the father and son of the Xu Family in his heart.


    If only he had known that Xiao Yi was behind the Hu Family, he wouldn''t have got involved in this matter even if it killed him!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as he sized up Jin He, "What? You know me?"


    Jin He forced a smile.


    How could he not know?


    The name of Xiao Yi from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was already well-known among the younger generation of Tianqing Kingdom, after all, someone who was under twenty and ranked within the top thirty of the Flying Tiger List.


    Furthermore...


    How many years has it been since someone dared to defy the Royal Martial Arts Academy?


    Xiao Yi was a unique case indeed!


    Jin He took a deep breath and said to Xiao Yi with a fist clasped, "Xiao Yi, today''s affair has nothing to do with me. We have no past grudges and no recent hatreds, can we part ways here?"


    After witnessing Xiao Yi''s formidable strength, he was even less willing to clash with him.


    "..."


    The Iron Mountain City strongmen who had been expecting Jin He to step in and punish Xiao Yi were collectively shocked.


    The formidable Jin He was actually cowering?


    Actively seeking peace?


    The couple of people who were previously so sure of themselves now felt a burning shame on their faces.


    Xiao Yi was also somewhat surprised; he had thought Jin He would seek revenge for the father and son Xu, but instead he was asking for peace? With a playful look on his face, Xiao Yi said, "Nothing to do with you? Wasn''t it you who earlier said Qing Bi was your plaything, and you wanted to cut off both my hands?"


    When Xu Tao wanted to give Hu Qingbi to him to toy with.


    Jin He hesitated not at all!


    If Xiao Yi hadn''t intervened to help Hu Qingbi today, the entire Hu Family might have been wiped out, and Hu Qingbi would inevitably fall into the hands of Jin He and Xu Tao as their plaything.


    How could it all be settled with just one sentence from him?


    Jin He''s eyes twitched, and he said in a deep voice, "What do you want?"


    Find more to read at empire


    Xiao Yi said, "Kneel down, apologize!"


    "What?"


    Jin He''s face darkened. As a disciple of the Nine Profound Sect, representing the face of the sect when outside, if he really knelt this time, how would he have any face to return to the Nine Profound Sect?


    Jin He took a deep breath and said, "Xiao Yi, I admit I''m not your opponent. But don''t push me too far. My grandfather is a great elder of the Nine Profound Sect, a mighty Golden Core Realm powerhouse. If I''m really pushed to the brink, you won''t end well either!"


    "Ah!"


    Xiao Yi sighed softly and said, "You shouldn''t have threatened me."


    "Hmm?"


    Jin He was taken aback, about to speak, but then he saw a streak of Sword Qi flash before his eyes.


    Pfft!


    Blood reddened his eyes.


    Jin He''s head thudded to the ground with a crash.


    Hiss!


    Around them rose a chorus of sharp intakes of breath.


    Even Hu Qingbi seemed somewhat lost in thought, her expression solemn as she looked upon Jin He''s corpse. With a wry smile, she said, "Benefactor, you shouldn''t have killed him..."


    "Why?" asked Xiao Yi.


    Hu Qingbi was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Jin He''s grandfather is a great elder of the Nine Profound Sect, a formidable figure in the Golden Core Realm. We killed Xu Tao and Xu Shiheng, and there was still some leeway for negotiation. But now that we''ve killed Jin He, it''s a fight to the death!"


    The Golden Core Realm, ah!


    What an unattainably high existence.


    One capable of annihilating an entire city!


    Xiao Yi, however, showed an interested expression and asked, "Qing Bi, are you certain that if we had let him go, the Nine Profound Sect would not move against us?"


    "Eh? You mean..." Hu Qingbi''s face showed confusion.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Letting a tiger return to the mountain is always a future threat!"


    With Jin He''s nature, he would never appreciate Xiao Yi''s mercy in sparing him; he would only see it as a humiliation.


    To erase this stain from his life, naturally, he would need to obliterate his enemies completely!


    Whether or not they let Jin He go, they would ultimately have to face the Nine Profound Sect.


    It might as well be a decisive kill!


    Hu Qingbi also came to understand this point and said with a bitter smile, "It seems I was presumptuous. Thank you for your guidance, Benefactor!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively.


    He dared to act this way because he knew that whether or not Jin He was released, the Nine Profound Sect would take action. More importantly, he was confident that at least before they could eliminate him, the Nine Profound Sect would definitely not move against the Hu Family.


    As for eliminating him?


    That would depend on whether the Nine Profound Sect was up to the task!


    Xiao Yi''s gaze, sharp as a hawk''s, swept over everyone present. The icy sharpness in his eyes, knife-like, deterred others from meeting his gaze, prompting them to lower their heads instead.


    Clang!


    Xiao Yi flicked his arm, and the longsword created a splendid display of sword flowers. The longsword, carrying a fierce wind, abruptly paused, then he slashed forward with one strike.


    Sword Intent instantly coalesced at the tip of the blade.


    A thirty-foot-long Sword Qi swallowed and surged forth, transforming into a silver canopy that descended from the sky.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    All of Iron Mountain City thundered and roared. As dust and smoke billowed, a vicious sword scar dozens of feet long appeared before them. The terrifying Sword Intent lingered, and a sharp, whistling wind echoed all around.


    Those spectating turned pale, feeling a chill cover their bodies. sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Only then did Xiao Yi speak, "From this day forward, the Hu Family of Iron Mountain City is under my protection, Xiao Yi. Whoever dares to touch the Hu Family, this will be their fate!"


    The crowd fell silent as cicadas in winter.


    Hu Qingbi looked at Xiao Yi gratefully. Encouraged by his gaze, she stepped forward and said in a loud voice, "Everyone here is a citizen of Iron Mountain City, so you should all be aware of the wager between Qing Bi and Xu Tao. After today, all the assets of the Xu Family in Iron Mountain City will belong to the Hu Family. I hope everyone will support Qing Bi!"


    The people: "..."


    Xiao Yi cleared his throat subtly, and the longsword in his hand buzzed as it trembled.


    "Rest assured, Iron Arm Princess, we will definitely support the Iron Blade King''s estate!"


    "Absolutely support!"


    A multitude of powerhouses hastened to express their allegiance, fearful that any hesitation would draw Xiao Yi''s attention.


    Hu Qingbi watched the crowd''s awe-filled looks towards Xiao Yi, her eyes brimming with reverence, admiration, and a hint of infatuation.


    This young man before her, younger even than herself, had single-handedly and with one sword, intimidated the entire Iron Mountain City.


    Something not even her father had managed to achieve, Xiao Yi had done it��a feat of epic proportions...


    One man stood guard over a city!


    Who else but me!

 Chapter 70 The Golden Core Great Battle, the Great Demon Entrusts His Orphan!

    Under the deterrence of Xiao Yi, the Hu Family faced much less resistance in taking over the Xu Family''s forces.According to Hu Qingbi''s earlier prediction, when the Xu Family fell, other forces in Iron Mountain City would inevitably scramble for a share of the spoils; the Hu Family being able to consolidate fifty percent of the profits would already be considered good.


    But because of Xiao Yi, this time they completely took over the Xu Family''s assets.


    Not only did it help the Hu Family out of their predicament, but it also increased the family''s foundation several-fold.


    Hu Qingbi looked at Xiao Yi reluctantly, "Benefactor, are you sure you don''t need me to accompany you? We mine the Iron Mountain Range all year round and often conflict with the demon beasts there; they are extremely hostile towards humans, and I know how to avoid these beasts!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a smile, "Your Hu Family has just taken over the Xu Family''s properties, you must stay in Iron Mountain City. Besides, I will not go too deep, there will be no danger!"


    "Well... okay then!"


    Hu Qingbi let out a wry smile, "When will you return, Benefactor? You must come to find me!"


    "Mm!" Enjoy new adventures from empire


    Xiao Yi nodded, then leaped up like a monkey and disappeared into the forest.


    Having fulfilled the promise to the Iron Blade King, the trip to Iron Mountain City ended on a perfect note.


    But...


    Because of the Nine Profound Sect, Xiao Yi still wasn''t at ease to leave Iron Mountain City just yet. Plus, he now had that map of the Tungsten Iron Mine, so Xiao Yi decided to explore the mine as indicated on the map first.


    He followed the route marked on the map through the terrain.


    Along the way, he encountered one mining cave after another, with the mountains hollowed out and pitted, a barren sight to behold.


    Many of the trees had long since withered, turning into a bare expanse.


    "According to the map, after passing through the Thread of Sky Gorge up ahead, and then two hundred li further, with my current speed, it should take about another four hours to reach the location of the Tungsten Iron Mine..."


    Xiao Yi checked the direction and picked up the pace.


    He darted between towering mountains and through strange rock formations and forests.


    Four hours later.


    Xiao Yi finally arrived at the area marked as the Tungsten Iron Mine on the map, a vibrant and lush forested region.


    "The old woman''s son was pursued by an Iron-Eating Beast and accidentally entered a cave behind a waterfall, where he discovered the Tungsten Iron Mine. Where might there be a waterfall around here?"


    Looking out over the vast green field ahead, Xiao Yi felt somewhat dizzy.


    Perhaps any man wouldn''t be too fond of this color, right?


    Just then...


    Boom!


    A thunderous explosion suddenly echoed from the woods ahead, sending dust and smoke rolling hundreds of feet into the air, where it hung like a mushroom cloud between heaven and earth.


    Two huge figures burst from the cloud of dust.


    A twenty-plus-meter-long, pitch-black giant snake with cold light flickering in its eyes suddenly coiled its massive body and lashed out like a dragon swinging its tail into the smoke.


    Bang!


    The sound of thunderous explosions continued to boom.


    From within that cloud of smoke, a giant beast covered in gray-white iron armor, resembling an ant, also burst forth.


    The two beasts stood suspended in midair, their bodies radiating light that ebbed and flowed as they collided again and again, causing shockwaves of terrifying energy to burst forth.


    Even from several kilometers away, the shockwave was so strong that it caused a stinging pain on Xiao Yi''s face, "Floating in midair, these are two Giant Beasts from the Golden Core Realm?"


    The ten-meter-tall gray ant was the infamous Iron-Eating Beast of the Iron Mountain Range.


    It fed on ore veins.


    Decades ago, when Iron Mountain City was developing ore veins, it had fiercely clashed with the beast, which was later defeated by a Golden Core Realm expert from the Tianqing Kingdom and fled to the depths of the Iron Mountain Range.


    Xiao Yi did not expect to encounter it today.


    "That black giant snake can actually fight to a standstill with the Iron-Eating Beast? I''d better keep my distance..." Xiao Yi had no intention of getting caught in the crossfire, so he stayed far away and watched from the sidelines.


    The Iron-Eating Beast fed on metal; its shell was extremely hard, defense nearly invincible.


    Yet the black giant snake was also incredibly strong, and after multiple lashings and bites, it had managed to fracture the shell of the Iron-Eating Beast, leaving it covered with wounds and dripping with greenish blood.


    Of course, the giant serpent was not faring well either.


    Under the iron-eating beast''s teeth, which could easily snap through metal, the black serpent bore numerous scars with fresh blood flowing freely.


    The battle raged to the point where the sky darkened, and there was no light from the sun or the moon.


    From a distance.


    The forest of tens of thousands of acres had been flattened, trees completely destroyed, rocks collapsed, as if it were the apocalypse.


    The battle that had lasted for the better part of the day finally began to subside.


    "Has it been decided?" Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted, yet he still waited for half an hour.


    There was still no movement. S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Only then did he cautiously approach, but not too quickly.


    From afar, he could tell the two beasts'' battle had been incredibly destructive, but it was not until he got close that Xiao Yi realized he had still underestimated their capacity for destruction.


    Three to four small mountains, hundreds of meters high, had been razed to the ground by the fighting beasts!


    Within that rubble...


    Xiao Yi saw the corpse of the iron-eating beast, utterly lifeless, but what puzzled him was the mysterious disappearance of the black serpent: "How strange, where''s the black serpent?"


    Boom!


    The corpse of the iron-eating beast suddenly shook violently, toppling to the ground as a huge black figure darted out from under its belly, sending sand flying and the ground shaking.


    The black serpent stood erect, its cold gaze fixed on Xiao Yi.


    Shit!


    Xiao Yi''s face turned pale instantly; feeling an icy chill all over under that cold gaze, he was about to turn and run when he saw the black serpent shake violently and then thump to the ground.


    The coldness vanished from its two eyes, leaving only despair and a hint of pleading.


    Xiao Yi was stunned��those pleading eyes reminded him of the time his mother knelt before Xiao Tianjiao, begging for his life.


    Xiao Yi inexplicably stopped in his tracks and, after hesitation, tentatively asked, "Do you... want me to help you?"


    Hiss!


    The black serpent nodded its head with difficulty.


    Xiao Yi said gravely, "What do you want me to do?"


    Roar!


    The black serpent struggled to open its bloody maw, and between two rows of fang-like teeth, strings of blood-stained saliva hung from top to bottom.


    Its blood-red tongue wrapped around an egg the size of a human head and brought it before Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi paused, looking at the beast egg and asked with a frown, "Is this your child? You want me to look after it for you?"


    Roar!


    The black serpent nodded again.


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "But... "


    Hiss!


    Roar!


    The black serpent shook its whole body, flung its head, bit into the corpse of the iron-eating beast, thrust its tongue inside the beast''s body, and took out a fist-sized Golden Core covered in cracks before delivering it to Xiao Yi.


    This iron-eating beast was a fourth-rank intermediate demon beast, comparable to a Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm expert; it was pitiful that the Golden Core was shattered, with little energy remaining.


    Huff!


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply, holding the beast egg close to his chest, and said with determination, "Don''t worry, I will take good care of it!"


    Roar!


    The black serpent spat a shattered Golden Core into the sky, which spread into a thin golden mist that sprinkled down like mottled gold rain onto the beast egg.


    The beast egg in Xiao Yi''s arms trembled slightly.


    The black serpent''s head drooped to the ground, powerlessly nudging the egg held tightly in his arms, its eyes flickering with profound reluctance and longing, followed by a painful wail before it collapsed to the ground with a thud...

 Chapter 71 Xiao Yi Returns

    Half a day later.Xiao Yi stood in front of a small grave, holding the platinum-striped beast egg in his hands.


    The ashes of the black giant snake lay within.


    An existence that sought to protect its child with its dying breath��Xiao Yi would never touch its body, even though it was just a magical beast.


    Even though the corpse was that of a Golden Core Realm magical beast, invaluable beyond measure, he felt no temptation to touch it.


    On the contrary, he had stripped away the carapace of the Iron-Eating Beast.


    It was prime material for forging elemental battle armor.


    The carapace of the Iron-Eating Beast alone was worth no less than a hundred million Silver, not to mention that shattered Gold Core?


    "Rest assured, since I''ve promised you, I will definitely take good care of your child," Xiao Yi deeply bowed to the black giant snake.


    He gently patted the beast egg in his embrace and tucked it into his clothes.


    Following the map, Xiao Yi searched and half a day later, found the entrance to the Tungsten Iron Mine behind this waterfall��a deep cave in the mountain.


    After traveling five or six kilometers along the cave, Xiao Yi encountered an expanse of silver-gray ore.


    Just the visible amount of tungsten iron was no less than a small mine vein, to say nothing of the tungsten iron ore mostly hidden underground; this was definitely a major vein.


    The value of the tungsten iron ore here definitely exceeded ten billion Silver.


    Ten billion silver!


    The fortunes of ordinary Golden Core Realm powerhouses amounted to about ten billion Silver��this vein equaled the entire wealth of ten Golden Core Realm powerhouses, and should it become known, even the royal family would covet it.


    "I absolutely cannot reveal the existence of the tungsten iron mine before my breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm��"


    Xiao Yi suppressed the excitement in his heart and then traced his way back through the cave to the outside of the waterfall, "There''s still about a month and a half until the secret realm of that Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse opens. I''ll cultivate here during this time!"


    The secret realm of a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse is filled with treasures for those in Divine Skills Realm and even the Golden Core Realm.


    Furthermore, powerhouses from the Royal Martial Arts Academy will also be going.


    For Xiao Yi, it was both an opportunity and a dangerous predicament.


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy would love nothing more than to smash him to pieces!


    He sat down cross-legged before the waterfall.


    The scenery was enchanting, nestled by the mountain and water.


    Before Xiao Yi, the shattered Golden Core bobbed up and down, turning into a faint golden mist that enveloped his body. As his mysterious arts circulated, the energy from within the Golden Core continuously surged into him.


    The Iron-Eating Beast at its peak was comparable to the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Despite most of its energy dissipating after the core shattered in the battle with the black serpent, it remained a colossal energy treasury for those in the Divine Skills Realm!


    However, this time without the aid of the Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array, the speed of refining the Gold Core was much slower. Yet, after ten days, Xiao Yi stepped further into the Eighth Layer of the Divine Power Realm.


    A month later, he entered the Ninth Layer.


    It was only when he reached the Peak of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm that the shattered Golden Core was completely depleted of energy, turning into ash. Xiao Yi still had his eyes tightly shut, guiding the vital energy in his body into the God Sealing Seed.


    By breaking through two realms, Xiao Yi''s number of God Sealing Seeds rose to one thousand seven hundred and fifty.


    Crackling sounds!


    As Xiao Yi stood up, his bones and muscles made a popping sound like the crackling of fried beans. Unprecedented explosive strength filled his body: "At the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, with one thousand seven hundred and fifty God Sealing Seeds, my strength is now comparable to that of a First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm powerhouse. Even within the secret realm of the Calamity, I''ll be capable of defending myself!"


    The gap between the Divine Skills Realm and the Golden Core Realm is as vast as the sky is from the earth.


    The fact that Xiao Yi at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm has strength comparable to that of the Golden Core Realm truly marks him as a prodigy among prodigies.


    "I wonder if I''m now capable of opening that celestial tomb��" With a flash, Xiao Yi entered the Ancient Celestial Tomb and headed towards one that he had long coveted.


    This Celestial Tomb belonged to an unparalleled swordsman, known as the Sword Demon��Dugu Qiubai!


    Engraved on his tombstone read: "For over thirty years amidst the chaos of Jianghu, I have slain every foe, bested all heroes, and found no one left to oppose me. With no other recourse, I secluded myself in a deep valley, taking only sculptures as my companions. Alas! All the heroes bound their hands, and my longsword remains useless. Yearning for a worthy opponent all my life, but never finding one, truly is a lonely and unbearable fate."


    At that moment, with just one glance, Xiao Yi was captivated by this peerless swordsman from the Blue Star Realm.


    What a pity...


    Even with one thousand seven hundred and fifty God Sealing Seeds in his possession, Xiao Yi was still two meters away from Dugu Qiubai''s tomb. With no choice, he could only exit the Eternal Tomb, "Perhaps only after I break through to the Golden Core Realm will I be able to obtain his inheritance. Dugu Qiubai, I will soon be able to dig up your grave..."


    Within the sky dome, the tombstone of Dugu Qiubai seemed to tremble...


    ��


    Iron Mountain City.


    Today, Iron Mountain City was particularly bustling. Before Xiao Yi even entered the city gates, he could sense that the flow of people around him seemed much greater than usual.


    Some strong individuals from the Iron Mountain mining area were also hurrying towards the city.


    Xiao Yi stopped one of them and asked, "Elder, is something big happening in Iron Mountain City? Why are so many people rushing over there?"


    The man, his skin dark from toiling under the sun, though old, was more robust than many young people. He sighed and said, "A major incident occurred at King Tieshan''s palace. A month ago, the Hu Family killed the Xu Family''s father and son along with a disciple from the Nine Profound Sect. Seven days ago, the powerful members of the Nine Profound Sect descended upon Iron Mountain City and captured all the Hu Family''s people. Today, they are to be executed in public!"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi felt a jolt through his body, and his eyes suddenly sharpened, "Executed?"


    Meanwhile...


    In the central square of Iron Mountain City.


    With Hu Qingbi at the forefront, the people of the Hu Family were all bound tightly, covered in wounds, their cultivation sealed, and were forced to kneel in a line across the square.


    In the center of the square, on a high platform.


    A middle-aged man with a grim face and eyebrows like swords sat confidently, flanked on either side by five strong individuals wearing the robes of Nine Profound Sect disciples.


    All of them were from the Divine Ability Realm, especially the young man to his left, whose cultivation had reached the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, much stronger than Jin He.


    "Master, the time has come!" the young man respectfully said to the middle-aged man.


    The middle-aged man was Jin He''s father, Jin Ze, the Eleventh Elder of the Nine Profound Sect, with the cultivation of the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. And the young man was his disciple Liu Chun, ranked within the top ten True Disciples of the Nine Profound Sect.


    Narrowing his eyes, Jin Ze looked towards Hu Qingbi and the others in the middle of the square, a cruel sneer crossing his face, "Liu Chun, go ask that wretch again where Xiao Yi has gone! For every breath she doesn''t speak, kill one of her clansmen until she reveals everything..."


    "Yes!"


    Liu Chun approached Hu Qingbi and said coldly, "Where is Xiao Yi?"


    Hu Qingbi glared at him and spoke in a deep voice, "I truly don''t know where he is..."


    Liu Chun said, "Starting now, I will kill a member of the Hu Family every breath you delay. Let''s see if your stubbornness or their heads are harder!"


    "You dare?"


    Hu Qingbi''s eyes widened in fury, her teeth clenched, "Xiao Yi won''t let you get away with this..."


    "One breath!"


    With a wave of his hand, Liu Chun made a puff sound as he crushed the head of a Qi Gathering Realm strongman from the Hu Family. His face remained indifferent as he looked at the rage-contorted Hu Qingbi, "Will you speak or not?"


    "I''ll speak, I''ll speak..." Hu Qingbi''s eyes were red as she bit out the words, "He, he has returned to the Royal Capital."


    Slap! Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Liu Chun struck her face with his palm, saying coldly, "We''ve already sent people to check the Royal Capital, and he never went back. The time for the second breath has arrived!"


    Hum!


    Liu Chun gathered his vital energy at his fingertips, ready to strike.


    But just at that moment...


    An icy voice suddenly came from outside the martial arts field, "Harm a single hair on her, and I''ll make your entire family accompany her in death!"

 Chapter 72 The Golden Core Can Also Be an Opponent

    "Harm but a single hair on her head, and I''ll exterminate your entire clan!"An icy voice appeared out of nowhere, and a pale hand suddenly reached out, grasping Liu Chun''s wrist.


    The concentrated vitality at the tips of his fingers dissipated completely in an instant, becoming invisible.


    Liu Chun''s pupils shrank suddenly, and he instinctively yanked his hand back, only to find he couldn''t break free at all. His gaze followed the arm that had grabbed him and looked up sharply, staring at the figure that had appeared before him.


    The newcomer was none other than Xiao Yi, dressed in black.


    Standing proudly in front of Liu Chun, holding his wrist with one hand, he looked over the injured members of the Hu Family scattered across the square, his eyes gradually turning cold.


    "Who are you? Do you know who we are? You dare to meddle in the business of the Nine Profound Sect, aren''t you afraid of death?" Liu Chun squinted and said.


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi backhanded him with a slap across the face, causing Liu Chun''s vision to burst with stars and his teeth to crack, spitting out blood.


    He looked at Xiao Yi, utterly dumbfounded.


    Xiao Yi slapped him again and said coldly, "That slap was for those people of the Hu Family!"


    Slap!


    Another slap.


    "This slap is for the Hu Family member who just died!"


    Slap!


    "This slap..."


    Slap! Slap! Slap!


    Xiao Yi slapped him repeatedly across the face, Liu Chun, at the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, had no ability to fight back in his grip.


    Blood streamed from his every orifice.


    His entire face lost any semblance of humanity.


    With every opening of his mouth, blood sprayed out.


    Slap!


    The final slap sent Liu Chun tumbling to the ground, his head smashing into the floor with a thud; he struggled to raise his head, his swollen eyes staring intensely at Xiao Yi, "This... this slap, why is that so?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Don''t know... I just felt like hitting you!"


    "I..."


    Liu Chun rolled his eyes back and passed out completely.


    All of this happened too quickly.


    So quickly that even Jin Ze hadn''t reacted before Liu Chun was beaten beyond recognition and passed out completely.


    "How dare you!"


    Jin Ze was furiously enraged, and his Golden Core Realm aura burst forth all at once.


    It turned into a vigorous air wave, surging crazily towards Xiao Yi.


    Rumble!


    The violent energy fluctuations came like giant, overturning waves. Wherever this terrifying air wave passed, stones cracked and the arena collapsed, with a sky full of flying sand shooting upwards.


    "Xiao Yi, run... that''s a Golden Core Realm master..." Hu Qingbi''s face was filled with panic, the air wave rolling up a ten-meter-high stone dust like an enveloping hand from the sky.


    It was like a doomsday curtain descending to obscure everything.


    Hu Qingbi''s pupils contracted drastically, her eyes filled with terror and despair.


    This was a true Golden Core Realm master!


    Below the Golden Core, everybody was an ant.


    In Hu Qingbi''s eyes, Xiao Yi was no match for a Golden Core Realm opponent.


    "Golden Core Realm?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes turned cold; his legs were firmly planted on the arena like steel drills, his arms circulating with vitality, majestic and dignified.


    The bright golden vitality swirled and condensed, like the Wrathful Vajra in his glorious aspect.


    "Jingang Earthquake!" S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows rose, his fists like the wind smashing towards the rolling clouds of dust, countless golden energies concentrated in his fists, heavily striking against the waves.


    Boom!


    The cloud of dust and waves violently shook and were torn apart by Xiao Yi''s punch.


    He moved forward, piercing through the dust curtain, and simultaneously slashed his cold longsword towards the sky: "Python Evil Twining Tree!"


    Swoosh!


    The sword''s edge coiled like a python, baring its fierce fangs at Jin Ze approaching from the opposite side.


    "Arrogant junior, die!" Jin Ze''s eyes were cold, his expression frosty, and the blade''s aura seemed to chop the heavens, descending on Xiao Yi''s head.


    Clang!


    Blade and sword collided, as if the tip of a needle met a stalk of wheat.


    Dazzling sparks burst forth like fireworks, the violent force flinging Xiao Yi away. He flew backward, face up to the sky, his sword''s edge scraping against the ground amid a flurry of sparks, carving a ferocious gash.


    After more than twenty meters,


    Xiao Yi flipped midair to steady himself, only to face a blast of icy wind.


    It roared like a tiger, the cold edge scraping painfully across his face.


    "You little bastard, daring to harm my son! I will tear you to pieces!" Jin Ze''s eyes flashed like lightning, as his blade''s light descended like rain, countless and falling.


    With one hand, Xiao Yi slapped the flat of his blade, using the tremor to vault into the air.


    He dodged the blade light that Jin Ze had slashed down.


    Taking advantage of the momentum, Jin Ze''s blade arced upward from below, heading straight for Xiao Yi''s waist, but fortunately, Xiao Yi, holding his sword with one hand, kept it tight against his waist. With a crisp ring, Xiao Yi was repelled with force.


    The violent power caused his hand to burst open at the tiger''s mouth.


    Blood rolled down the sword hilt.


    "You can take three of my moves without dying? Among the juniors in the Shentong Realm, aside from the top three of the Earth rank at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, you''re the first!" Jin Ze said with narrowed eyes.


    Xiao Yi flicked the droplets of blood from his palm, squinting as he spoke, "The Golden Core Realm is nothing special!"


    "Oh? A mere Shentong Realm, you dare to look down upon me?" Jin Ze said with a cold laugh.


    Xiao Yi casually flicked his wrist, and the third-grade famous sword he had obtained from the sword tomb emitted a silver sword light. Pointing the sword''s edge at Jin Ze, he said indifferently, "With a sword in hand, even Golden Core can be matched!"


    "Arrogance!"


    Jin Ze sneered, "A mere Divine Skills wants to oppose the Golden Core? Your survival was simply due to my momentary carelessness; I had not even used half my strength. If I were to strike with full force, I would certainly slay you within three moves!"


    "Kill me in three moves? You''re dreaming!"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh.


    His form was like the wind, a thought in motion, as fluid as flowing water or drifting clouds.


    He left behind a series of black afterimages where he stood, and as they densely gathered, Xiao Yi had already appeared before Jin Ze.


    His figure abruptly split into three, each holding a sword: "Light Breeze Falling Leaves!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The sword edges arrived like a gentle breeze, like a profusion of falling leaves, each striking towards Jin Ze.


    Jin Ze''s expression turned icy as he lifted his blade to meet the attack: "Prying Up Mountains from a Dry Land!"


    Whoosh!


    The blade swept across, and the silver blade light tore through the air. A ten-zhang-long Yuan Gang Blade shattered the drifting leaf-like sword lights that floated before him.


    Jin Ze advanced with his blade, sneering repeatedly, "Trivial insect skills, go to hell!"


    Crrrrash!


    The silver Gang Qi surged like a dragon swinging its tail, heading straight for Xiao Yi''s head. His pupils contracted sharply, his legs braced against the ground as he lifted his longsword above his head.


    Hum!


    His body vibrated, and in an instant, his arms were covered in a layer of Hei Mang. It was his Innate Divine Ability, "Weapon Transformation."


    His arms and longsword merged into one.


    Clang!


    The blade edge struck the longsword squarely, forcefully plunging Xiao Yi towards the ground, the floor of the arena below his feet crumbling, rocks erupting chaotically.


    Cracks spread around in a web-like pattern.


    "One of the top ten Innate Divine Abilities, Weapon Transformation?"


    Jin Ze''s face grew solemn, his eyes brimming with ferocity, "A youth from the Ninth Layer of the Shentong Realm possessing the strength to battle the Golden Core Realm... If you continue to grow, you will undoubtedly become a major threat to the Nine Profound Sect. This child must die!"


    A lethal chill flashed in his eyes, his murderous intent sky-high.


    "Blood Explosion Skill!"


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi roared lowly, and his blood surged with light. A tenth of his blood ignited instantly, his strength increasing tenfold. A blood-red Qi surged violently. Like a bloody tornado, it blasted Jin Ze''s battle blade away with a boom.


    "What?"


    Jin Ze''s pupils dilated abruptly, his eyes filled with shock.


    He had not expected Xiao Yi to suddenly explode with ten times the strength. Caught off guard, he retreated repeatedly, and just at that moment, Xiao Yi fiercely pushed off the ground, shooting upward like an arrow released from its bow.


    "Life Seizing Soul Chaser!"


    The sword streaked through the air, swift as light skimming a shadow.


    Jin Ze instinctively dodged, narrowly avoiding Xiao Yi''s lethal strike. Under the surge of blood-colored light, Jin Ze''s right arm was severed at the shoulder.


    "Xiao Yi... I will not let you go, the Nine Profound Sect will not let you go..."


    Jin Ze''s face turned deathly pale, glaring venomously at Xiao Yi while clutching his severed arm. He shot up into the air and fled toward the outside of the city...

 Chapter 73 If I Become a Demon, There Will Be No Buddha in the World!

    When a Golden Core Realm expert is determined to escape, even another of the Golden Core Realm would find it hard to pursue.Xiao Yi could only watch helplessly as Jin Ze fled, his gaze falling upon the remaining disciples of the Nine Profound Sect, whose complexions suddenly changed.


    Even Jin Ze of the Golden Core Realm had been chased away; how could they dare to contend against Xiao Yi?


    Thump, thump!


    One after another, the strong members of the Nine Profound Sect knelt on the ground, with faces full of flattery and pleading, "Xiao, spare our lives, ah! We, we have never killed any of the Hu Family!"


    "We were just following orders..."


    Xiao Yi looked towards Hu Qingbi, "Did any of them lay a hand on you?"


    Hu Qingbi and the others pointed out five among them.


    Xiao Yi flicked his fingers, and the heads of those five Nine Profound Sect disciples separated from their bodies, terrifying the remaining few even more. Xiao Yi indifferently said, "Go back and tell Jin Ze that if the Nine Profound Sect wants to seek revenge on Xiao Yi, I welcome them anytime!"


    "We, we will definitely relay your words to Elder Jin!"


    "Xiao, Xiao, can we, we leave now?"


    The crowd was visibly nervous.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, "Scram!"


    "Thank you, Xiao, for your mercy in sparing our lives!"


    The few people hurriedly rolled on the ground and left the martial arts field.


    Xiao Yi neutralized the effects of the Muscle-locking Powder on Hu Qingbi and the others. The Hu Family had suffered great losses this time; a third of the senior members had died, but thanks to Xiao Yi''s defeat of Jin Ze, the reputation of the Hu Family in Iron Mountain City had risen even higher.


    It''s no exaggeration to say...


    Within Iron Mountain City, definitely no one would dare to oppose the Hu Family again.


    As for the Nine Profound Sect.


    With the defeat of Jin Ze as a precedent, and with the words brought back by those few, they would inevitably be wary of attacking the Hu Family before taking down Xiao Yi.


    Although the loss of powerful members in the family was severe, for the Hu Family, the gains were greater than the losses!


    "Xiao Yi, thank you for saving us!" Hu Qingbi looked at Xiao Yi earnestly and said, "I don''t know how to repay you!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, smiling, "I owe your father a favor, naturally I need to protect the Hu Family." He paused, then Xiao Yi continued, "I believe the Nine Profound Sect won''t trouble you again for a while; during this time, you should concentrate on strengthening your family''s power!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    "Rest assured, Xiao, now that my Hu Family is unrivaled in Iron Mountain City, no one can threaten us!"


    Everyone said one after another.


    With keen insight, Hu Qingbi stared at him, "You... are you leaving?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I have matters to attend to back in the royal capital, but don''t worry, I will return after a while. When that time comes, I have a surprise for the Hu Family!"


    "Alright, I''ll wait for your return..." Hu Qingbi bit her lip and said.


    After chatting briefly, Xiao Yi left on his own.


    Watching the direction he left in, an elderly woman in the Shentong Realm said to Hu Qingbi by her side, "Miss, since you like Xiao, why not tell him so?"


    "Don''t talk nonsense, when did I ever say I liked him?"


    Hu Qingbi''s cheeks tinged with red as she glared fiercely at the old woman, muttering to herself in a voice only she could hear, "Someone like him... how could he possibly be within my reach?"


    ......


    On the royal road leading to the capital.


    Xiao Yi rode his steed at a gallop when a young monk appeared in the middle of the road ahead, wearing monk''s robes, with his right hand held in a palm shape at his chest and his left hand holding a gray alms bowl.


    The monk had his eyes slightly closed, standing still in the middle of the road like a wooden stake.


    "Whoa..."


    Xiao Yi pulled the reins tight, staring at the monk standing before him.


    The young monk opened his eyes, chanting Amitabha Buddha, radiating an august presence, and said with a smile, "Why doesn''t benefactor ride over this poor monk?"


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "I bear no grudge against you, why would I ride over you?"


    "The poor monk has blocked the benefactor''s path!" the young monk said.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "This road is so wide, if you block here, I can simply pass by the side!"


    The young monk smiled and said, "What if someone blocked the path of the benefactor''s life?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Monk, did you wait here specifically for me?"


    Amitabha!


    The young monk brought his palms together and said with a smile, "This monk''s Dharma name is Dao Yuan. I''ve had the pleasure of meeting you, Xiao."


    "So you really were waiting here for me!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged nonchalantly and asked with interest, "Monk Dao Yuan, we have never met before. Why have you stopped me?"


    Monk Dao Yuan said, "Xiao, you have yet to answer the question of this poor monk!"


    Xiao Yi replied, "The journey of life is so very long, isn''t it? Obstacles and obstructors are bound to be encountered. Kick them aside and continue on one''s way; that''s what one does!"


    "What if they are persistent and refuse to let go?"


    "Then kill them!"


    Amitabha!


    Monk Dao Yuan brought his palms together, shook his head, and let out a light sigh, "Xiao, you have committed far too many killings. Better to join this poor monk in traveling to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple to study the Buddhist Law and transform the malignant energy within you. Otherwise, you may someday be corrupted by it and become a calamitous devil to the human world!"


    "Study the Buddhist Law? I have no fate with your Buddha. Monk, please step aside!" Xiao Yi said with a frown.


    "Xiao, you do have a fate with Buddha. I am willing to convert you with Buddhist teachings, come with this poor monk!"


    Monk Dao Yuan brought his palms together, chanting the Buddha''s name, as Buddhist chants flowed from his mouth. They were like thunder shaking the heavens, as well as Sanskrit enchanting one''s surroundings, possessing the power to mesmerize and bewilder.


    Those of weak will might find their minds collapsing under its influence, easily swayed this way and that.


    Xiao Yi''s body shuddered, shaking off the influence of the Buddha''s chant and speaking with an icy face, "Monk Dao Yuan, I have no fate with your Buddha. I ask you to let me pass!"


    "Amitabha... Xiao, the Evil Qi within you is too strong. If not converted by Buddhist Law, you will fall into a devil''s role, bringing calamity to the human world, still..." Monk Dao Yuan continued with a face of righteousness.


    "Bullshit!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, scoffing, "Devil? Do not say that I cannot become a devil, even if there comes a day that I do, I will make sure there are no Buddhas in this world! Little monk, your Buddha cannot convert me!"


    "If you remain so unenlightened, this poor monk has no choice but to act on heaven''s behalf!" Monk Dao Yuan brought his palms together and bowed deeply to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi was momentarily startled and was about to speak when his expression suddenly changed.


    He saw that the bowing figure of Monk Dao Yuan suddenly became blurry, it was only an afterimage.


    "Buddha saves all living beings!"


    Dal Yuan''s voice came from above, as a golden palm imbued with Buddha''s light descended from the heavens, aiming straight for Xiao Yi''s head.


    Is this really Buddha saving all living beings?


    It''s more like sending someone to the Western Paradise!


    A cold light flickered in Xiao Yi''s eyes, his legs kicked against the stirrups, and his body soared into the air, while his fist smashed into the void, "Vajra Vanquishing Demons!"


    Boom!


    Fist and palm collided, the thunderous noise was deafening.


    Wow!


    Monk Dao Yuan spat out blood and flew backward, while Xiao Yi gracefully landed back onto his horse, squinting his eyes and scrutinizing Dao Yuan, "Monk, we have no grudge or grievance. Why did you stop me?"


    Amitabha!


    Monk Dao Yuan brought his palms together, his face full of regret, "No wonder you were able to kill Zhuge Shuangdao; you truly possess some skill!"


    "You''ve come to avenge Zhuge Shuangdao?" Xiao Yi asked, narrowing his eyes.


    Monk Dao Yuan shook his head and spoke with justified words, "This poor monk is only here to convert a devil. It''s a pity that my skills are not sophisticated, and my Buddhist teachings are not deep enough to match you. It seems today''s attempt at converting you has failed. However, I believe we will meet again soon. At that time, this poor monk will surely convert you with Buddhist teachings properly!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Monk Dao Yuan vanished from sight in a whiff of smoke.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    So this guy had come for Zhuge Shuangdao?


    Shaking his head.


    Xiao Yi did not think further and rode his steed, dashing towards the royal capital.


    After Xiao Yi had left, Monk Dao Yuan''s figure sprang out from the bushes, watching the direction of his departure and suddenly vomiting a mouthful of fresh blood. S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Squinting his eyes, there was no longer the solemnity of reciting Buddha''s name, but rather a chill so cold it seared, "Brother Ge, it seems I alone am insufficient to avenge you. But rest assured, I''ve already contacted several senior brothers. With them taking action, we will surely kill this devil to accompany you in death!"

 Chapter 74 What are you pretending to be?

    The entrance to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.Yet, here it was crowded with people, strong warriors from all over had gathered, each wearing a look of schadenfreude as they gazed upon the gates of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    At the very front of the crowd��


    A pitch-black stele stood there, with four bright red characters inscribed on it����Disgrace of Tianqing!


    As the name suggests.


    These four characters were a clear indication that the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was considered a disgrace to the Tianqing Kingdom!


    Around the stele sat a group of strong men, each with a longsword on their back, dressed in garments whiter than snow, and possessing an extraordinary handsome appearance.


    Each one of them radiated a sharp Sword Qi that pierced the heavens.


    All of them were strong warriors above the Shentong Realm.


    In the forefront of these warriors in white, a young man held in his hand a three-foot green peak, his face cold as frost, his eyebrows covered in a layer of white chill, standing tall like an ancient pine, exuding an icy Sword Intent aura.


    However, this aura of Sword Intent wasn''t particularly strong, it was intermittent, merely the condensation of a Sword Intent seed.


    In front of him��


    Fang Qingzhu''s complexion was pale, with a thread of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth, her right sleeve soaked with blood dripped onto her Purple Dragon Whip, sliding down along the patterns of the whip onto the ground.


    Niu Dali and the four brothers from the Shi Family were all ashen-faced, suffering heavy injuries.


    "Hmph, is this all the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy can muster? Truly the disgrace of the Tianqing Kingdom, in my opinion you should take down the signboard of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!" The cold voice came from the young man.


    He was Huang Zijian of Mingjian Manor''s four great swordsmen, with Tenth Level of Shentong Realm Cultivation, having grasped the seed of Sword Intent, and ranking twenty-second on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face was frosty, and she coldly said, "I have not lost yet!"


    "Not lost? Hmph, had it not been for the fact that you are a woman, that sword just now would have taken your life!"


    Huang Zijian sneered, his gaze turning to look at Niu Dali and the others, "I advise you to hand over that Xiao Yi to my Mingjian Manor quickly! That thief dared to steal the famous swords from the sword tomb of my Mingjian Manor, if he doesn''t die, my Mingjian Manor and your Tianqi Martial Arts Academy will never rest!"


    Shi Yaoqian spurted blood out of his mouth, his face weak, "I''ve said Xiao Yi is not in the academy..."


    Niu Dali said in a muffled voice like thunder, "If our boss were here, you dogs of Sword Mountain Manor would have been slashed by him long ago..."


    "Hahaha, slashed by him? That''s just a fool''s dream. My Mingjian Manor is proficient in swordsmithing and even more skilled in swordsmanship. If that Xiao Yi you speak of were to compete in swords with me, I would take his life within three moves!" Huang Zijian declared arrogantly.


    Fang Qingzhu said, "Your strength is not far from that of Zhuge Shuangdao. Even he became a ghost under brother Xiao Yi''s sword. If you were to face brother Xiao Yi, it would be you who falls within three moves!"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Zijian''s pupils slightly contracted, and he snorted coldly, "My Sword Mountain Manor blocks the front door of your Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, yet that Xiao Yi is hiding like a turtle with its head withdrawn, not even daring to show his face. And you say I am not his match?"


    Fang Qingzhu said proudly, "You are not even qualified to carry Xiao Yi''s shoes!"


    "You''re courting death!"


    With a cold huff, Huang Zijian raised his hand and swung out a sword.


    The silver sword wind cut through the ground, slashing straight at Fang Qingzhu.


    The Purple Dragon Whip in Fang Qingzhu''s hand seemed to come alive, snapping out with a crack, but it was repelled by the sharp edge of the sword, forcing Fang Qingzhu to stagger a few steps backwards.


    Huang Zijian stepped forward, reaching Fang Qingzhu in an instant, with the edge of his sword thrusting straight at her heart.


    If this sword struck, Fang Qingzhu was bound to die without a doubt!


    It was at this critical moment.


    A figure stepped through the void and appeared above Huang Zijian in an instant, only to stomp down with one foot. With a loud thud, Huang Zijian''s head was brutally slammed onto the ground.


    Thud!


    Huang Zijian''s head heavily hit the ground.


    The comer wrapped an arm around Fang Qingzhu''s waist and, with a few leaps, landed steadily in front of the main gate of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Fang Qingzhu recognized the person and her face lit up with joy, "Brother Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Fang Qingzhu''s bleeding hand, and said with a deep voice, "Sorry, I''m late!"


    Fang Qingzhu pursed her lips and shook her head.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over Niu Dali, the four brothers of the Shi Family, each one of them severely injured, he frowned and said, "Where are Jiang Tai and Gu Junhe?"


    His voice already carried a hint of ice-cold fury.


    People from Sword Mountain Manor had fought right up to our doorstep, yet these two hadn''t shown themselves at all?


    If either of them had appeared, Sword Mountain Manor would never have dared to be so arrogant.


    Niu Dali gave a bitter smile. "The head left two months ago, and Brother Jiang went to the northern borders half a month ago, it will still be several days before he returns..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows were tightly knitted.


    Only then did he recall the opening of the secret realm for those in the Tao Tribulation Realm, which Gu Junhe had entered.


    As for Jiang Tai...


    Since he had gone to the northern borders, naturally, he couldn''t be blamed either.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and looked at Fang Qingzhu and Niu Dali and the others. "How are the injuries?"


    Fang Qingzhu shook his head. "They''re just superficial!"


    Niu Dali: "A few broken bones."


    The four brothers of the Shi Family also spoke up, each one of them seriously injured.


    Xiao Yi nodded, and as he turned around, Huang Zijian was already getting up again, his face swollen and bruised, with two lines of blood flowing from his nostrils down to his upper lip, glaring at Xiao Yi with a face full of resentment: "You bastard, you..."


    Xiao Yi turned a deaf ear and looked at Fang Qingzhu. "Did he cause your injuries?"


    Fang Qingzhu subconsciously nodded.


    "Wait for me a moment!"


    Xiao Yi leaped into action.


    Without the crowd hearing any noise, they saw Huang Zijian suddenly flying backward, landing on the ground with a bang, a footprint-shaped crater deeply indented in his chest. sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Almost his entire chest was crushed.


    One kick, instant kill!


    Hiss!


    The strong onlookers were all dumbfounded with disbelief, "How is this possible?"


    "Huang Zijian of the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, who had grasped the seed of Sword Intent, was instantly killed by a single move?"


    The most shocked were the strong from Sword Mountain Manor.


    The young man seated before the black stele, who had kept his eyes closed the whole time, opened them, his eyes bright like stars and radiating cold light, he stared fixedly at Xiao Yi and articulated with a pause between each word, "You, shouldn''t have killed him!"


    "So what if I did?" Xiao Yi replied casually.


    The young man said, "Send him to his grave!"


    Xiao Yi asked, "By yourself?"


    "Yes, just by myself!"


    The young man paused then slowly raised his finger, pointing one by one at Fang Qingzhu, Niu Dali, and the four brothers of the Shi Family, and slowly said, "Not just you, them as well, and the families behind you all, must accompany Huang Zijian in burial!"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose and said, "Exterminate my family? The Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty, please feel free!"


    The young man: "��"


    Xiao Yi urged, "Don''t be polite, really, I wish you would immediately exterminate the Xiao Family!"


    The young man''s face turned green.


    The Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty, they were a much more powerful presence than the entire Tianqing Kingdom, asking him to exterminate the Xiao Family?


    Wasn''t that a death wish?


    "Why so silent? Can''t do it? Or don''t dare?" Xiao Yi''s face was full of mockery.


    The young man''s face was as black as charcoal.


    Xiao Yi sighed, "If you can''t handle it, why put on an act?"

 Chapter 75 Swordsmanship Domination

    "You... you..."The young man''s face turned green and red in turns, and he nearly spewed out a mouthful of old blood.


    The previously imposing words had now become a vicious slap to his face.


    A slap that left his cheek burning!


    He was the third ranked Jian Yi of the Mingjian Manor, having reached the Peak of the Shentong Realm, just one step away from the Golden Core Realm.


    Nature had endowed him with a Sword Bone. It was said that the secret technique he practiced used his own spine as the sword embryo, solidifying his backbone.


    The Sword Bone fused with his body.


    It gave him a power comparable to the first stage of Sword Intent, the Sword Heart Enlightenment, allowing him to��despite being at the Peak of the Shentong Realm��contend with ordinary warriors at the First Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    But even so...


    He could absolutely not afford to ignore the Xiao Family!


    Not to mention that the Xiao Family was the hottest family in the Great Qian Dynasty, with countless strong individuals flocking under their banner, just the three words ''Xiao Tianjiao'' alone were enough to bring despair to many powerful figures.


    Not to mention him...


    Even if all the strong warriors of the Tianqing Kingdom were to join forces, they would not be a match for Xiao Tianjiao alone!


    Behind Jian Yi, a cultivator at the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm sneered coldly, "Xiao Yi, stop pulling the tiger''s beard. Who doesn''t know that you''ve been kicked out by the Xiao Family? You''re just a discarded pawn of the Xiao Family, you..."


    Before he could finish speaking.


    He suddenly found he couldn''t make a sound, desperately opening his mouth only for blood to spurt out.


    Thud!


    A head fell from its neck to the ground.


    Eyes wide open with disbelief.


    Hisss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but take a sharp breath, their horrified gazes fixed on Xiao Yi, their eyes filled with disbelief: "Did anyone clearly see what just happened?"


    "Good, it seemed like Xiao Yi made a move, such a fast sword..."


    Jian Yi''s face grew even darker, his eyes narrowed into a sliver, sharp glints shot out of those narrow gaps, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi: "No wonder that sword in the Sword Tomb acknowledged you as its master, your mastery of swordsmanship is indeed remarkable. I just wonder, how many of my swords can you take?"


    Hum!


    Jian Yi lightly flicked his fingers, and the jade-encrusted longsword at his waist was drawn from its sheath.


    Suspended between his palm.


    The sharp edge, cold Sword Qi, raised a gust of violent wind, scraping across faces like knives cutting against their skin.


    "Mingjian Manor''s four great Jian Yi have been famous for a long time, especially this Jian Yi, who was already within the top twenty on the Flying Tigers List three years ago. This time he takes action, I''m afraid Xiao Yi is doomed to lose!"


    "How many swords do you think Jian Yi needs to kill Xiao Yi?"


    "Within three swords, I guess!"


    Clang!


    Jian Yi flicked the jade-encrusted longsword in his hand, looking coldly at Xiao Yi: "Bring out that sword you got from the Sword Tomb, otherwise you won''t even be able to take one of my swords!"


    What he held was one of the top ten famous swords, the Fourth-layer Yuan Weapon Thunder Sword, forged from Thunderous Mysterious Steel, with a natural thunder paralysis effect. Coupled with his Sword Bone enhancing his sword moves and speed, it boosted his combat power by more than thirty percent!


    In his view...


    Unless Xiao Yi used that fifth-rank Yuan Weapon, he would stand no chance against him.


    Xiao Yi walked in front of Fang Qingzhu, gently smoothed her disheveled hair, took a silver hairpin from the top of her head, and said with a light chuckle, "I''ll be back in no time!"


    "Mhm!"


    Fang Qingzhu squinted her eyes and nodded obediently.


    Xiao Yi, holding the hairpin, walked up to Jian Yi, waving it with a swooshing sound and beckoned to Jian Yi: "Come on!"


    "..."


    Jian Yi''s face turned green, staring intently at Xiao Yi with clenched teeth, "Xiao Yi, are you humiliating me?"


    "You''ve misunderstood!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, an innocent look on his face, "If it were humiliation, then what I''d have in my hand would be a stick!"


    Jian Yi shuddered.


    A stick?


    This wasn''t just humiliation; this was utter disregard!


    Jian Yi''s complexion grew so dark it seemed it could drip moisture, his fingers around the longsword turned green with strain, and with a venomous face said, "I''ll chop off your head, sever your limbs, and cut you to pieces to feed the dogs!"


    Boom!


    The Mysterious Sword plunged towards him, moving as fast as an arrow released from a bowstring, leaving behind only a trail of afterimages where he once was. Even as the afterimages overlapped without fading, a golden sword gleam had already appeared in front of Xiao Yi.


    "One of the four great sword techniques of Mingjian Manor, the ''Thunderous Lightning Sword Skill,'' and this technique places utmost emphasis on speed!"


    "With his spine as his sword and the art refined into his bones, the Mysterious Sword is on par with those who have mastered Sword Intent. Coupled with the profound intricacies of the ''Thunderous Lightning Sword Skill,'' Xiao Yi stands no chance against him!"


    Within the crowd, a middle-aged man donning a wide-brimmed hat and Embracing a sword confidently declared, "The outcome was decided the moment Xiao Yi chose his weapon! The fight will be over in one strike!"


    The crowd turned to look at the man, all exclaiming in awe, "That''s the renowned Rain Listening Swordsman, Xue Ming; he is a master of swordcraft said to have grasped the power of Sword Intent!"


    "If even he says Xiao Yi is bound to lose, then there is no suspense about the outcome of this battle!"


    Rain Listening Swordsman Xue Ming.


    A Loose Cultivator and an expert with the sword.


    With the cultivation of the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm and command over Sword Intent, his combat power is no weaker than that of an average practitioner of the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    His attainments in the way of the sword are publicly acknowledged as those of a grandmaster.


    However...


    Beneath the onslaught of that lightning-fast fierce sword play, Xiao Yi, with a mere hairpin in hand, simply leaped aside, narrowly avoiding each strike.


    The golden sword gleam whooshed past, nearly grazing the clothes on his chest.


    Just one more inch, and it would have pierced his chest and shattered his viscera.


    "Wasn''t it said the fight would be resolved in one strike?"


    Everyone turned to look at Xue Ming as Xue Ming blandly responded, "He just got lucky!"


    The second strike followed close behind, also dodged by Xiao Yi.


    Xue Ming frowned deeply, "The Mysterious Sword is holding back; he must be trying to humiliate Xiao Yi!" S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The crowd suddenly understood, "So that''s how it is!"


    Then...


    The third strike.


    The fourth strike...


    After more than a dozen strikes, the Mysterious Sword was drenched in sweat, whereas Xiao Yi remained graceful, effortlessly crushing the formidable sword strikes with a slight force from his hairpin.


    "Avoiding over a dozen strikes and shattering four with a hairpin, all by chance?"


    "Did the Mysterious Sword hold back with each of these strikes?"


    "Just who is humiliating whom here?"


    The staring crowd made Xue Ming squirm uncomfortably, his forehead slick with sweat as he said in frustration, "What are you all staring at me for? I''m not a damn fortune-teller; how could I know this kid''s sword skill would completely overpower the Mysterious Sword, making his sword seem as feeble as a child''s in comparison..."


    That''s right!


    Just as Xue Ming said...


    Xiao Yi''s swordsmanship totally overwhelmed the Mysterious Sword.


    No matter how the Mysterious Sword varied his attacks, he couldn''t escape Xiao Yi''s control, as if a hand that covered the sky was obstructing everything.


    Xiao Yi utterly toyed with the Mysterious Sword as if he were clapping his hands in amusement.


    Xue Ming saw it, and everyone else did too.


    The Mysterious Sword was clearly aware of this as well!


    He was drenched with cold sweat, having exceeded his best performance today, yet he still could not breach the defense of Xiao Yi''s hairpin. The Mysterious Sword stared fiercely and yelled, "I''m going all in against you!"


    Buzz!


    From his spine, a world-shaking sword shadow coalesced, and his body merged with his sword.


    This was the Mysterious Sword''s Innate Divine Ability, the integration of Sword and Bone!


    Whoosh!


    Both sword speed and might increased by fifty percent.


    A deadly strike headed straight for Xiao Yi.


    In the face of this swift strike, Xiao Yi''s expression of indifference vanished, and his Innate Divine Ability transformed, becoming one with his hairpin, as he pointed his sword: "Wicked Python Entwines the Tree!"


    Whoosh!


    The sword took an unpredictable course!


    The two passed by each other.


    Xiao Yi, holding his hairpin, gently flicked it, and a drop of blood fell to the ground.


    Behind him...


    The Mysterious Sword''s form softened, and with a thud, he fell to the ground, a spot of red gleaming bloodily on his forehead...

 Chapter 76 Winning People Over with Virtue

    ```Hiss!


    The death of Mysterious Sword left everyone agape and dumbfounded.


    Before this��


    Almost no one believed Xiao Yi could have the last laugh, especially after Rain Listening Swordsman Xue Ming''s solemn prediction, everyone was convinced that Xiao Yi''s death was certain.


    The outcome, however,


    was a harsh slap in the face for everyone.


    Xue Ming, in particular, had his face figuratively swollen from the slap.


    His face was filled with cold rage as he glared venomously at Xiao Yi, "You dog-like thing, if it were not for you, how could Xue be so humiliated?"


    But he dared not act now.


    This was, after all, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, and the Sword Mountain Manor with a Seventh Layer Golden Core Realm master at its helm, as well as the backing of the royal family, naturally didn''t fear the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    But he could not afford to be reckless...


    He was but a Loose Cultivator.


    If he dared to kill Xiao Yi in public, he would inevitably face retribution from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, and he could only bury this grudge deep in his heart.


    Xiao Yi, of course, had no idea why Xue Ming was targeting him out of the blue.


    His gaze turned to the people of Sword Mountain Manor, the thirty-or-so strong men of Sword Mountain Manor seemed to freeze under Xiao Yi''s stare, cold sweat dripping down, "You, you, what are you going to do?"


    "We, we are from Sword Mountain Manor, I... "


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Every strike from Xiao Yi''s hairpin took the life of a Sword Mountain Manor strongman, leaving only four trembling and kneeling on the ground, shivering, "Please spare us! Xiao, please spare us!"


    Xiao Yi looked at the four indifferently as the hairpin danced on the stele like a dragon or snake.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The sound of metal on metal rang out, sparks flying.


    To the left of ''Tianlan''s Shame,'' four more characters were added��Sword Mountain Manor!


    "Sword Mountain Manor, Tianlan''s Shame!"


    "This is a declaration of a fight to the death with Sword Mountain Manor..."


    Everyone couldn''t help but inhale sharply.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was indifferent as he looked at the four and said, "If you don''t want to die, carry it into the city from the Vermilion Bird Gate, and go around the city three times. Otherwise, this will be your fate!"


    The four glanced at the corpses strewn haphazardly around them, shuddered, and turned deathly pale.


    After exchanging looks,


    the four gritted their teeth and said, "We, we will carry it!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at the Shi Family four brothers and said, "Shi Yaoqian, you and your brothers follow them. If they dare to deceive me in any way, inform me immediately!"


    "Don''t worry, big brother!"


    "We four brothers will definitely not let them skip a single step!"


    The Shi Family four brothers had previously been viciously beaten by the strongmen of Sword Mountain Manor and now they had finally found an opportunity for revenge, they used all their might.


    Niu Dali was eager to try, "Big brother, what about me?"


    Xiao Yi asked, "Are your injuries no problem?"


    This guy was covered in sword wounds, most of his clothes soaked red with blood, yet he was still full of vigor, "Keeping an eye on them will be no problem!"


    "Then go with them," Xiao Yi waved his hand.


    Niu Dali and the Shi Family four brothers, excited, drove the four strongmen of Sword Mountain Manor as they carried the stele inscribed with ''Sword Mountain Manor, Tianlan''s Shame'' and rushed madly toward the capital.


    It was not hard to imagine...


    After this event.


    Sword Mountain Manor would inevitably be utterly disgraced, and the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and Sword Mountain Manor would fully tear their faces apart, as incompatible as fire and water.


    As the instigator, Xiao Yi was indifferent to all this.


    His eyes swept over the crowd, and he said lightly, "The excitement is over, everyone can disperse now!" S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The crowd scattered in a commotion.


    Daring not to linger.


    ```


    This was the fierce man who killed two Swordsmen of Mingjian Manor with just a flick of his wrist, who would dare to provoke him?


    Xiao Yi returned to Fang Qingzhu''s side and smiled, "The hairpin is stained with blood, I''ll buy you a new one later!"


    "No!"


    Fang Qingzhu took the hairpin back from Xiao Yi''s hand and wore it on her head, smiling as she said, "This hairpin was used by brother Xiao Yi, I have to keep it!"


    Xiao Yi, with no choice, lightly scratched her nose and smiled, "Suit yourself!" Then noticing the bloodstains on her arm, he frowned, "Let''s go inside and bandage that up!"


    "It''s unnecessary, it''s just a superficial wound..." Fang Qingzhu weakly said.


    Xiao Yi, with a stern face, said, "When I say you need a bandage, you need a bandage!"


    He took Fang Qingzhu''s hand and walked toward the Tianqi Martial Arts Institute.


    Fang Qingzhu, looking at Xiao Yi''s retreating back, slightly raised the corners of her mouth...


    ��


    The next day.


    After fermenting overnight, the news that two great Swordsmen of Mingjian Manor had fallen at Tianqi Martial Arts Academy had already spread throughout the entire capital.


    The name Xiao Yi had become the talk of the town.


    He was even regarded by some as the foremost among the younger generation.


    As the foremost under the Golden Core Realm and so forth!


    As for these empty honors, Xiao Yi did not take them to heart. Instead, it was the return of Jiang Tai and Gu Junhe to Tianqi Martial Arts Academy that he found more interesting.


    "Headmaster!"


    The crowd gathered in the main hall, all turning their eyes toward the head of the table, where Gu Junhe sat holding a wine gourd.


    Gu Junhe took a swig of wine, glanced lazily at Xiao Yi, "You did well with Mingjian Manor''s affair..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, "You all did well too, and didn''t disgrace our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!"


    The crowd wore looks of pride.


    "Aside from Xiao Yi and Jiang Tai, everyone else will start cultivating with me from tomorrow!" Gu Junhe took another gulp from his wine gourd and said indifferently, "Xiao Yi and Jiang Tai stay behind, the rest of you may leave!"


    Only three people remained in the hall.


    Gu Junhe put away his wine gourd and looked intently at Xiao Yi, "Do you know why I have kept the two of you?"


    Xiao Yi said, "Is it about the secret realm?"


    Gu Junhe nodded and said, "That secret realm is surprisingly vast, and the gains exceed expectations. We''ve decided to open the secret realm in ten days for you juniors to enter. However, they''re only willing to give Tianqi Martial Arts Academy one spot, so which of you two will go?"


    Jiang Tai said from the side, "Headmaster, please give it to Xiao. I can secure a spot from the king!"


    Gu Junhe looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and asked, "How many spots do the other parties have?"


    Gu Junhe''s eyes brightened as he glanced at Jiang Tai.


    Jiang Tai said gravely, "The royal family has twenty spots, the Royal Martial Arts Academy has twenty spots, Nine Profound Sect and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple have ten spots each, Mingjian Manor has four, and the Loose Cultivators have ten. Additionally, Purple Robe Kingdom from the north has nine spots, and Tianlan Kingdom to the west has ten..."


    Xiao Yi asked, "Why does our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy only have one spot?"


    Although Tianqi Martial Arts Academy had fallen, with Gu Junhe''s strength, getting a few more spots shouldn''t be a problem!


    Jiang Tai said with a wry smile, "The Headmaster originally secured five spots for us, but they were suppressed by Zhou Yuan, the head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, in alliance with Nine Profound Sect and the Master of Mingjian Manor. The one spot we have is I got from Purple Robe Kingdom..."


    He had gone to the northern border precisely to secure that spot.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, staring at Gu Junhe, and revealed a bright smile, "Brother Jiang, you should take this spot!"


    Jiang Tai asked, "What about you?"


    Xiao Yi stretched himself and smiled, "The Royal Martial Arts Academy, Nine Profound Sect, Mingjian Manor... they all have quite a few spots, don''t they? When the time comes, I''ll just make one of them give me a spot!"


    Jiang Tai rolled his eyes, "Give?"


    He had paid a hefty sum of over a hundred million silvers to get that one spot from Purple Robe Kingdom.


    How could they simply give it away?


    Xiao Yi said, "If they don''t, then I''ll fight until they do! But I am a reasonable person, I''ll try to prevail with virtue!"


    Jiang Tai twitched the corner of his eye: "..."


    However, Gu Junhe just laughed heartily, with a casual wave, a jade box fell into Xiao Yi''s hand. He said with a beaming smile, "You''re right, we should prevail with virtue. Here is a Bodhi Vermilion Fruit �� ten days should be enough to assimilate it. To argue, you must have a strong fist!"


    "Thank you, Headmaster!"


    Xiao Yi smiled slightly.


    Jiang Tai glanced back and forth between them, feeling powerless as he massaged his forehead: "..."

 Chapter 77 Trade With Your Life!

    Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.Outside the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Gu Junhe and Jiang Tai had already been waiting here, with the Cangyun Eagle obediently standing by their side, its massive head occasionally bowing to straighten its iron-like sturdy feathers with its beak that could shatter gold and stone.


    Xiao Yi emerged from the Martial Arts Institute, looking spirited, with an increasingly thick aura about him.


    Gu Junhe''s eyes brightened as he nodded and said, "It seems that the Bodhi Vermilion Fruit was not wasted!"


    Xiao Yi cupped his fists towards him, "Thanks, Dean!"


    "Don''t thank me!"


    Gu Junhe said indifferently, "That Bodhi Vermilion Fruit was not a gift; when you come back from the secret realm, you owe me two, principal and interest!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Jiang Tai struggled to hold back his laughter and saluted Xiao Yi, "Congratulations, Xiao, on taking another step further. I''m afraid once you return from the secret realm this time, you might attempt to break through to the Golden Core Realm!"


    The Golden Core Realm.


    A transformative realm that sets one apart from ordinary people.


    Upon reaching the Golden Core, one''s longevity increases by a century.


    Like a celestial among men!


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said irritably, "Brother, you are at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm; are you mocking me?"


    "Hahaha, Brother Xiao, you jest!" Jiang Tai quickly shook his head.


    He knew well that Xiao Yi had gone from having no cultivation base to the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer in just half a year.


    And what about himself?


    He had the endless resources of the Tianqing Kingdom''s royal family since he was young, which was the only reason he had achieved what he had today.


    "Stop flattering each other!"


    Gu Junhe took a swig of alcohol and looked at the two, saying, "Remember, inside the secret realm, you brothers need to support each other. Especially you, Jiang Tai, you must protect Xiao Yi!"


    Jiang Tai responded solemnly, "Dean, rest assured, I will definitely keep Xiao safe!"


    Gu Junhe nodded, his expression strange as he said, "Xiao Yi, you''ve offended quite a few people. In these ten days, apart from Mingjian Manor, the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the Nine Profound Sect, and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple have all sent word that they want you buried in the secret realm. Be extra cautious!"


    Xiao Yi wondered, "Dean, I''ve never met anyone from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. Ten days ago, when I returned from Iron Mountain City, a monk named Dao Yuan ambushed me on the way. And now, they want me dead in the secret realm, why is this?"


    Gu Junhe''s expression remained strange.


    Jiang Tai said with a wry smile, "Brother Xiao, you may not know this, but before Dao Yuan became a monk, his name was Zhuge Shuangqiang, the elder brother of Zhuge Shuangdao!"


    "Outside the secret realm, I have the power to keep them from harming you. But once inside, you must be extremely careful, particularly of Mingjian Manor''s Heaven and Earth Swords, and the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s..."


    Gu Junhe had the two of them board the Cangyun Eagle and then seemed to think, apart from Jiang Tai, everyone seemed to have a grudge against Xiao Yi; he could only wave his hand helplessly, "Forget it, forget it, you''ve made too many enemies, lad. Just try your luck!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    ......


    Above the high skies.


    Layers of white clouds and a piercingly cold wind made the mountains and rivers below seem extremely tiny.


    The Cangyun Eagle soared high, shuttleing between clouds, its wings stirring up trails of white clouds, leaving behind a few hundred meters long trail of flight.


    Gu Junhe sat cross-legged on the Cangyun Eagle and said in a deep voice, "This secret realm is the tomb of a Scattered Cultivator from the Tribulation Realm. Zhou Yuan and I have spent two months exploring it and have cleared most of the obstacles. Still, numerous dangers remain, and there are also great opportunities. Don''t underestimate the chance this time offers, both of you!"


    "Dean, rest assured, Xiao and I will do our utmost!" Jiang Tai hesitated for a moment before saying, "It''s just that Xiao''s spot..." S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Junhe also looked at Xiao Yi, "Have you thought it over? Are you sure you don''t want to give your spot to him?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "No need!"


    Gu Junhe nodded, his calm voice carrying an undeniable sense of firmness and authority, "What I can guarantee is that the older generation won''t make a move!"


    "That''s enough for me!"


    Xiao Yi revealed a smile.


    About half a day later...


    The Cangyun Eagle descended in altitude, diving towards a mountain range below; Jiang Tai said in a grave tone, "This secret realm lies within the Three Seas Mountain, at the border of the Tianqing, Zishan, and Tianlan kingdoms. The entrance has barriers set up by several heads of the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, which even Golden Core Realm experts wouldn''t hope to forcefully enter!"


    As he was speaking.


    A whooshing sound suddenly came from not far away, and three Swift Wind Geese appeared, swiftly closing in on the Cangyun Eagle. A loud laugh emanated from the back of one of the Swift Wind Geese, "Hahaha, Gu Junhe, I didn''t expect Tianqi Martial Arts Academy to have fallen so far? You only brought two people with you?"


    The Swift Wind Geese drew closer, and Xiao Yi could see the figures on their backs.


    The leader was a middle-aged man with a black eyepatch over his left eye and a centipede-like scar gruesomely bisecting his face, with an aura not much weaker than Gu Junhe''s.


    On the backs of the other two Swift Wind Geese sat five young elites each.


    All of them radiant and vigorous.


    They were young masters of their generation.


    Jiang Tai said in a deep voice, "These are people from Tianlan Kingdom. The man in the lead is General Wu Yu, the commander of the three armies of Tianlan Kingdom. Our Tianqing Kingdom is in a constant state of war with Tianlan Kingdom; they are our sworn enemies. We must be extra careful when dealing with them!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Gu Junhe looked indifferently at Wu Yu and sneered, "The quality of soldiers is more important than their quantity! These two disciples of mine are much stronger than the trash under your command!"


    Wu Yu''s expression darkened.


    Jiang Tai, a super genius in the top three of Tianqing Kingdom''s Teng Long List, was so strong that not many in Tianlan Kingdom could contend with him.


    Atop the Swift Wind Geese.


    A young man, his muscles heavy and clearly defined as if chiseled, sneered, "Jiang Tai is indeed strong, but what about the one with him? Just the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer. I, Niu Ben, could smash him to death with one punch!"


    Jiang Tai whispered, "This man''s name is Niu Ben, third on Tianlan Kingdom''s Feihu List, at the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm..."


    Xiao Yi uttered an ''oh'' and didn''t take it to heart.


    First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm?


    When he was at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he could already slay strong people of this level.


    Now...


    After consuming the Bodhi Vermilion Fruit, he had reached the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, and he could even kill someone at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Why should he fear him?


    Xiao Yi looked toward Niu Ben and called out, "Niu Ben, right? Let''s discuss something!"


    "Hmm?"


    Niu Ben was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said, "Give me your spot, will you?"


    "Hmm?"


    Niu Ben was completely dumbfounded, his face showing his confusion, "Why should I give my spot to you?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "Don''t rush to refuse. I''ll trade with you using something!"


    "What thing?" Niu Ben frowned.


    Xiao Yi spoke earnestly, "Your life in exchange! Give me your spot, and I won''t kill you!"


    Niu Ben: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    A twitch appeared by Jiang Tai''s eye, is this how you reason with others? What happened to convincing people with virtue?


    Niu Ben burst out laughing in anger, "Are you an idiot? Do you think you can kill me? Like a dog, I''ll be the first to kill you once we''re on the ground!"


    Xiao Yi sighed, "I''m reasoning with you, and you call me an idiot? And you want to kill me?"


    "I''m indeed calling you an idiot, what can you do about it?" Niu Ben glared with his large eyes, and his smirk was incessant.


    Wu Yu, who was sitting on the first Swift Wind Goose, also wore a peculiar expression. He was about to speak when his face suddenly changed, and he exclaimed, "Be careful!"


    As his voice fell,


    Xiao Yi''s figure leaped up and landed behind Niu Ben, a flash of cold light swept from his fingertips. Leaping again, he landed back on the Cangyun Eagle.


    Xiao Yi patted his hands, looking at Gu Junhe, "Dean, does this mean we have an extra spot now?"


    Gu Junhe was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Hmm."


    Almost simultaneously...


    A stream of blood spurted from Niu Ben''s neck with a ''puff'', and his robust body fell from the back of the Swift Wind Geese, disappearing into the vast forest.


    In mid-air, there was silence...

 Chapter 78 In the Name of Zhou

    In the middle of the sky, there was a deathly silence.It wasn''t until Niu Ben''s corpse smashed into the forest below, emitting a dull thud, that the deathlike hush was broken.


    "Bastard!"


    Enraged, Wu Yu''s aura, which was at the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, erupted instantly, shattering a hundred-meter expanse of clouds, his face''s centipede-like scars flushing red, his look growing even more ferocious, "Little beast, your life is forfeit!"


    Hum!


    A golden qi converged into a golden light palm, as huge as a small house, smashing violently toward Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s move took everyone by surprise.


    Even Wu Yu did not react in time and could not prevent it.


    After all...


    Who could have imagined that Xiao Yi would dare to leap through the air, hopping between two beasts to strike a killing blow?


    Xiao Yi let out a loud shout, "Principal, go!"


    Gu Junhe stumbled beneath his feet, nearly falling off the back of the Cangyun Eagle, glaring fiercely at Xiao Yi. He waved his hand casually, dissipating the giant palm, his gaze coldly fixed on Wu Yu, "To attack my disciple right in front of me, you''re not taking me, Gu, seriously, are you?"


    "Gu Junhe, your disciple struck first!" Wu Yu retorted angrily.


    Gu Junhe spoke indifferently, "This was merely a transaction. Niu Ben refused to give up his spot, so Xiao Yi took his life. What wrong is there in that? Moreover, it was Niu Ben who first threatened to kill Xiao Yi, so this was self-defense!"


    Wu Yu snapped, "I don''t give a damn, Niu Ben only said he wanted to kill him, did he take any action?"


    Gu Junhe narrowed his eyes, "I''ll lay it out here today, how the younger generation fights is their business. If you dare to strike, I will obliterate you!"


    "You, you..." Wu Yu''s complexion shifted rapidly.


    He was no match for Gu Junhe.


    At that moment...


    On the back of one of the Swift Wind Geese, a young man who had been keeping his eyes closed all along said indifferently, "Why should the Great General be so enraged? Once inside the secret realm, I will personally take his head to commemorate Niu Ben!"


    Jiang Tai looked gravely at the young man, speaking solemnly, "This man is Zhang Tianyi, the champion nominee from the Tianlan Kingdom, at the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, the second on the Tianlan Dragon Ranking..."


    Xiao Yi nodded calmly, his eyes on Zhang Tianyi taking on a shade of solemnity.


    Taking a deep breath, Wu Yu was clearly influenced by Zhang Tianyi''s words, his resentful gaze fixed on Xiao Yi and the others, he gritted his teeth and said, "Gu Junhe, you''re ruthless! You may protect them for a moment, but you can''t protect them forever. People of the Tianlan Kingdom, listen up, in the secret realm, Xiao Yi is the prime target!"


    "Yes!"


    "Kill Xiao Yi!"


    A crowd of Tianlan Kingdom''s powerhouses roared in fury, their gaze toward Xiao Yi as if looking at a dead body.


    "Let''s go!"


    Wu Yu slapped the Swift Wind Goose, quickening its descent.


    Gu Junhe looked at Xiao Yi with an odd expression, "That was a ruthless move!"


    Jiang Tai also said, "Brother Xiao, you were too impulsive..."


    Before he could finish,


    Gu Junhe interrupted him, "But, well done on the kill!"


    Jiang Tai, "..."


    Gu Junhe spoke lightly, "Jiang Tai, you think Xiao Yi''s killing of Niu Ben was too impulsive?" After seeing Jiang Tai nod, Gu Junhe said with a faint smile, "You underestimate Xiao Yi! He''s not such an impulsive person!"


    Jiang Tai was taken aback.


    Gu Junhe continued, "Is the Tianlan Kingdom on the same path as us?"


    Jiang Tai shuddered, the Tianlan Kingdom was to the west, by all accounts, they should not have crossed paths, "You mean, they were intentionally waiting for us here?"


    Gu Junhe glanced at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi said evenly, "Tianlan and Tianqing are long-time rivals, and in this secret realm struggle, the Tianqing Kingdom already has an advantage. The Tianlan Kingdom aims to weaken the Tianqing Kingdom''s morale before entering the secret realm. It''s not that easy to act against the Royal Martial Arts Academy or the Nine Profound Sect; the weaker Tianqi Martial Arts Academy is the best target!"


    Gu Junhe nodded, "If it wasn''t for Xiao Yi, they would have targeted you this time!"


    Jiang Tai revealed a grave look.


    He was no match for Zhang Tianyi, and if he, the esteemed seventh prince, were severely wounded or killed by Zhang Tianyi, it would be a tremendous blow to the morale of the Tianqing Kingdom''s people.


    Understanding this, Jiang Tai''s look towards Xiao Yi included a bit more admiration.


    Chirp chirp!


    Cangyun Eagle''s wings shook, and it dived down, landing in a basin within Three Seas Mountain in an instant. At this moment, the basin was already brimming with powerful warriors.


    The Royal family of Tianqing Kingdom, Royal Martial Arts Academy, Nine Profound Sect, Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, Sword Mountain Manor, and Tianqi Martial Arts Academy; Tianlan Kingdom, Purple Robe Kingdom.


    Warriors from all directions had gathered.


    The arrival of Xiao Yi and his group immediately attracted quite a bit of attention.


    However...


    Apart from the people of Purple Robe Kingdom, the looks that others gave them were filled with hostility.


    Xiao Yi touched his nose, "It seems... we''re not very welcome?"


    Jiang Tai rolled his eyes: And you have the nerve to mention it? Nearly everyone here has been offended by you...


    Gu Junhe said, "I''ll go ahead first. You two behave!" After walking a few steps, Gu Junhe turned back to look at Xiao Yi, "Especially you, don''t cause any trouble for me!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders.


    After Gu Junhe left.


    A graceful young girl from Purple Robe Kingdom approached, clad in purple armor, her graceful figure especially striking, with her long purple hair fluttering in the wind, she stared at Xiao Yi, "Are you Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "And you are?" S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jiang Tai said, "This is the Fifth Princess of Purple Robe Kingdom, Yue Ling''er." He cupped his fists towards Yue Ling''er, "Ling''er, long time no see. Are your uncle and aunt in good health?"


    Yue Ling''er waved her hand, "With both in the Golden Elixir Realm, do you think their health would be poor?" After a pause, Yue Ling''er blinked, "Cousin, the place you asked of Father for, it was for this kid?"


    Jiang Tai touched his nose, just about to speak.


    Yue Ling''er was already looking at Xiao Yi with disdain, "Kid, I hear you cause trouble everywhere and many are targeting you. How can you be so thick-skinned? If you don''t have the capability, don''t join the fray. You even had my cousin shamelessly ask for a spot on your behalf..."


    Jiang Tai''s expression darkened, "Ling''er, Xiao Yi didn''t ask for that spot!"


    "Ah?"


    Yue Ling''er was stunned, her brows furrowed slightly, "He didn''t ask for the spot?"


    Xiao Yi chuckled, "Princess Ling''er, is it? If I wanted a spot, I would have fought for it myself, not taking the slightest advantage from you all!"


    At that moment.


    A cold voice from Gu Junhe came from not far away, "Zhou Yuan, what do you mean?"


    Zhou Yuan''s proud voice came simultaneously, "No particular meaning. This is the unanimous decision after everyone''s discussion. We can tolerate Jiang Tai borrowing Purple Robe Kingdom''s spot, which is already a huge concession. As for that Xiao Yi... What is he worth?"


    Zhou, the head of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy added, "If it weren''t for Jiang Tai''s slight connection to the royal family of Purple Robe Kingdom, which allowed us to exchange a spot, your Tianqi Martial Arts Institute wouldn''t get a single hair into the secret realm!" The one speaking was the Great Elder of Nine Profound Sect, Jin Sheng, his face showing resentment and pride as he looked at Xiao Yi.


    Zhuang Bifan, the master of Sword Mountain Manor who carried three longswords, had an indifferent expression, "If, as you said, killing one of them could snatch the other''s spot, then I should just let my Heavenly Son Sword kill a few of them, and my Sword Mountain Manor could send a few more people in, couldn''t it?"


    Wu Yu, full of pride, "Gu Junhe, looks like you''ve capsized in the gutter, huh? Hahaha!"


    Zhou Yuan spoke seriously, "Gu Junhe, you are also an elder among strong warriors, why bother confronting us over a junior of no importance?"


    For a moment...


    Everyone''s gaze was fixed on Xiao Yi.


    The looks contained both schadenfreude and scornful ridicule...


    Yue Ling''er looked at Xiao Yi with sympathy, "You really are pitiable, Xiao Yi!"


    "Pitiable?"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, but the look in his eyes grew increasingly cold as he turned to Zhou Yuan and spoke aloud, "So, Head Zhou, you mean to say that I don''t deserve to enter the secret realm?"


    Zhou Yuan let out a cold laugh, offering no reply.


    Wu Yu, wearing a taunting expression, "You lad still have some self-awareness; it''s not just Head Zhou''s opinion, we all think you don''t deserve to enter the secret realm!"


    "Well then, it seems reasoning is out of the question!" said Xiao Yi as he shrugged his shoulders and walked to the entrance of the secret realm. Sitting down with legs astride, he proclaimed loudly, "In Head Zhou''s name, I, Xiao Yi, am establishing a challenge arena here. Whoever is inferior to me has no right to enter the secret realm!"


    Boom!


    His declaration caused an uproar among the crowd.


    "Has this kid gone mad?"


    "Is he planning to challenge everyone?"


    "A mere tumbleweed in the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, how many can he defeat? He dares to set up a challenge arena and take on everyone? Utterly foolish..."


    Xiao Yi, faced with everyone''s cold sneers and hot mocking, plunged his sword into the ground and declared proudly, "Enough talk, if you wish to fight, let''s fight!"

 Chapter 79 Xiao Yi VS Jia Sidao

    "If it''s a fight you want, it''s a fight you''ll get!"Xiao Yi sat astride the entrance to the secret realm, majestic and imposing.


    He stood like a sentinel at the gate.


    This was the gathering place of half the young talents from the Tianqing Kingdom, the Purple Robe Kingdom, and the Tianlan Kingdom, nearly every one of them a master from the Dragon Tiger List.


    How dare Xiao Yi, with just the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, block the way and challenge them all?


    "Arrogant!"


    "This kid is simply too presumptuous!"


    The crowd was buzzing with excitement!


    Jin Sheng sneered coldly, "Gu Junhe, your disciple really has some nerve!"


    Zhuang Bifan''s gaze was like a sword, his cold laughter unceasing, "No wonder he dares to kill my two disciples, Xuan and Huang��he is indeed audacious!"


    Gu Junhe felt a headache coming on, but he couldn''t show weakness. He responded lightly, "Just as Xiao Yi said, Zhou Yuan claimed he lacks the qualifications to enter the secret realm, right? If the others can''t even defeat him, then naturally they lack the qualifications to enter as well."


    All eyes turned towards Zhou Yuan.


    Even the royal family of the Tianqing Kingdom looked to him for direction.


    Zhou Yuan let out a cold laugh, "Then let''s fight! However, swords and sabers have no eyes, if there should be any accidents, Master Gu will not intervene halfway, will he?"


    Gu Junhe replied, "If you all don''t take action, naturally I won''t either."


    Wu Yu and the others nodded in agreement.


    "Good!"


    Zhou Yuan nodded, "Since that''s the case, let him have his wish. Everyone listen up, to enter the secret realm, you must first defeat Xiao Yi. Swords and sabers have no eyes, life and death regardless!"


    Within the crowd.


    The young and powerful who could hardly contain themselves rushed forward one after another.


    Yue Ling''er, her eyes wide and her neck stiff, turned towards Jiang Tai and pointed to her head, "Cousin, is there something wrong with him?"


    The exploration of the secret realm this time nearly brought together all the top young talents of the three great kingdoms.


    Even the weakest among them was at the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer.


    How could Xiao Yi dare to set up this challenge?


    Wasn''t this seeking death?


    Jiang Tai''s eyelid twitched, "Don''t talk to me..."


    ...


    "I''ll take you on!"


    From the midst of the crowd, a man in green garb with a green wolf''s head tattoo on his face, and at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, waved his Wolf Fang Club with pride, "When you get to the underworld, don''t forget to tell King Yama that it was Lang Tao of the Royal Martial Arts Academy who killed you!"


    Whoosh!


    The Wolf Fang Club swung high, whistling through the air with such force it seemed capable of splitting mountains and shattering stones.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "Trash like you also dares to show off?"


    With a casual wave of his hand.


    His bearing was dignified, like a Wrathful Vajra!


    Vajra Fist''s third form��Vajra Subdues Demons!


    Boom!


    His fist, hard as iron, smashed right onto the Wolf Fang Club. The second-grade spiritual weapon exploded with a pop, shards flying everywhere, punching straight through Lang Tao''s chest.


    Blood spurted like a fountain!


    Lang Tao''s face was filled with horror as he crashed to the ground, gasping for air so violently that blood poured unstoppably from his mouth, his face a picture of shock, "Ho-How is this possible? How can your fist be so hard?"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi lifted his foot and slammed it down. With a loud bang, he crushed Lang Tao''s head. Looking up at the others he declared, "Next!"


    Hiss!


    The crowd gasped in shock.


    Lang Tao, at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, was killed just like that?


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Those below the Golden Elixir Realm, come at me all at once!"


    "Arrogant!"


    "Do you really think you''re invincible?"


    "So arrogant, let us fulfill your wish..."


    In an instant, twenty-three strong warriors from the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer and the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm surged forward, their blades gleaming coldly, their martial arts dazzling and brilliant.


    Forewarned by Lang Tao''s precedent, everyone made their move by invoking their Innate Divine Abilities.


    This was a life-and-death battle!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were sharp as knives as he issued a light shout, activating his Life-bound Spiritual Weapon Transformation, causing a black glow to ebb and flow on his arms, integrating with his longsword into one.


    His palms were like knives, his fingers like swords.


    Xiao Yi moved like a dragon into the sea, weaving through the crowd of strong warriors, and nearly no one who came close was a match for him in a single exchange!


    Every punch hit flesh, every palm strike meant death!


    Boom, boom, boom!


    In just a moment...


    There was a chorus of wails!


    On the ground lay more than a dozen strong warriors, scattered haphazardly.


    Xiao Yi, standing atop several Divine Power Realm strong warriors, looked proudly at Zhou and the others, "Zhou, you''ve truly planned far ahead, indeed there are many here just filling numbers. Trash that cannot even block my single punch trying to enter the secret realm, do you truly think this Tao Tribulation Realm expert''s secret realm is a brothel, at your free disposal to come and go?"


    Zhou''s face was as dark as pitch: "..."


    Wu Yu, Jin Sheng, and others clenched their teeth, eyes flashing coldly.


    Gu Junhe coughed lightly, pretending to scold, "Xiao Yi, these are the chosen from various major forces, you just happened to win against them, you should not be so ostentatious!"


    "The Dean''s teaching is correct!" S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi feigned humility, then with a flick of his longsword, "Stop sending these Divine Skills Realm people to their deaths, let those from the Golden Core Realm come up too!"


    "You dog-like thing, do you really think no one can control you?"


    Inside the Royal Martial Arts Academy, a young man in white robes, floating like an immortal, walked out, "Xiao Yi, do you recognize Jia Sichun?"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, "Are you Jia Sidao?"


    "Indeed!"


    Jia Sidao boasted proudly, "Today, I shall take your head to pay homage to my brother!"


    Xiao Yi sighed, "Does the Jia Family have any more brothers left?"


    Jia Sidao was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi continued, "Keep a life for continuing the family line. Don''t let the Jia Family''s legacy end with you!"


    "You..."


    Jia Sidao''s face turned shades of red and white with rage, unable to contain his anger, "Since I stepped into the Golden Elixir Realm, you are the first to dare to belittle me. If I don''t kill you, I swear I''m not a man!"


    Boom!


    His whole body shook, and black scale armor appeared on him.


    Within the crowd.


    Yue Ling''er exclaimed in shock, "I''ve long heard that Jia Sidao''s Innate Divine Ability is beastial transformation, but I didn''t expect it to be the strongest defensive Beast Armor Change. Xiao Yi is in big trouble!"


    Jiang Tai''s eyes showed a grave expression.


    Beast transformation was an extremely powerful Innate Divine Ability; some strong fighters could even transform into dragons, phoenixes, and so on... Beast Armor Change granted near invincible defense within their class!


    Clang, clang!


    With every motion Jia Sidao made, the black scale armor collided like metal on metal, sparking blinding firelight.


    "Beast King Fist!"


    Jia Sidao roared lowly, charging like a wild beast, his footsteps booming like war drums. This punch seemed to carry the force of ten thousand beasts stampeding.


    "This is... the spirit of the Ten Thousand Beast Fist?" Wu Yu''s expression changed, turning to look at Zhou Yuan, "Truly worthy of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, they have such a genius. Beast Armor Change combined with the spirit of the Ten Thousand Beast Fist, this man''s future is limitless!"


    Jin Sheng sighed, "With such strength, killing Xiao Yi is within reach!"


    Zhou Yuan looked pleased and glanced at Gu beside him, "Dean Gu, we had an agreement, that in the fight, the sword has no eyes, you better not intervene!"


    "Don''t worry! I''m not as shameless as you..." Gu Junhe scoffed.


    Zhou Yuan snorted coldly.


    Meanwhile...


    Jia Sidao, clad in his beast armor, landed a heavy fist on Xiao Yi''s longsword, which he was using to block in front of himself. The sword vibrated intensely, the violent force pushing Xiao Yi back.


    Xiao Yi''s expression darkened, feeling numbness in the web of his hands, "The spirit of the Ten Thousand Beast Fist combined with the Beast Armor Change has such strength? Much stronger than Niu Ben, but still, this power is far from enough to kill me!"

 Chapter 80 Decree of Execution

    ```Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s whole body shook, and black light covered him.


    The Life-bound Spiritual Weapon Transformation covered his entire body, making it as tough as a third-grade Yuan weapon, and the force of Sword Intent enveloped him.


    "Is this one of the top ten Innate Divine Abilities, the Weapon Transformation?"


    "The most heaven-defying aspect of the Weapon Transformation Divine Skill lies in the durability of the transformed part, as solid as the weapon in hand. With this, the advantage of Jia Sidao''s Beast Armor Transformation is gone. Both masters of martial arts intents, victory or defeat now hinges on their martial techniques and combat awareness..."


    All present were no ordinary people; they quickly analyzed the situation.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Xiao Yi threw a punch, and when the two fists met, sparks flew.


    It was a stalemate!


    Jia Sidao sneered coldly, "I am a Golden Core elite, I can grind you to death!"


    "The Golden Core practitioners who''ve died at my hand, you''re not the first!"


    Xiao Yi suddenly moved, disappearing from in front of Jia Sidao and reappearing behind him, his longsword like the wind: "Sinuous Python Wraps Around the Tree!"


    "Beast King Fist, Thunderous Charge!"


    Jia Sidao''s eyes sparkled like lightning, and as he sidestepped, he punched with both fists.


    Boom, boom!


    The shadow of his fists filled the air, like a stampede of myriad beasts.


    His form was covered with a layer of black Scale Armor, fearless, his punches like pounding garlic, and he forcefully shattered Xiao Yi''s incoming sword moves.


    "My defense is invincible; your death is certain!"


    Jia Sidao''s face, covered with beast armor scales, revealed a fierce smile as he stepped forward, leveraging his formidable defense to press on without fear of Xiao Yi''s attacks, his violent boxing technique forcing Xiao Yi into retreat.


    "Xiao Yi can''t break through the defense; this is troublesome!" Yue Ling''er''s brows furrowed slightly as she spoke in a deep voice.


    Jiang Tai''s eyebrows furrowed tightly, "Xiao Yi, do you have a way to break through this predicament?"


    No matter how strong the sword moves, if they can''t pierce the defense, they''re useless!


    "Indeed, a tough opponent!"


    Xiao Yi''s face showed a serious expression; this Jia Sidao was the most challenging peer he had encountered thus far.


    The abnormal defense of the Beast Armor Transformation left no opportunity for his sharp sword moves.


    Boom!


    In an unexpected moment...


    Xiao Yi''s chest was struck by Jia Sidao''s fist, forcing him back. Rubbing his chest, Xiao Yi said, "That almost shattered my organs... wait, shattered? I''ve got it!"


    Light shone in Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    He suddenly withdrew the Weapon Transformation, and instead of retreating, he advanced, closing the distance between him and Jia Sidao.


    Jia Sidao''s eyes gleamed ferociously, "Idiot, daring to grapple with me at close quarters? You''re simply courting death!"


    "Beast King Fist!"


    Jia Sidao launched his fists simultaneously.


    At the moment when their figures crossed, Xiao Yi ran the Life-bound Spiritual Weapon Transformation on his back, enduring Jia Sidao''s heavy punches with two thuds.


    The vibrations seemed to fragment his internal organs, bringing intense pain, but Xiao Yi remained unmoved.


    His legs pushed off the ground.


    "Eight Extremes Lean Against!"


    His back, covered in the black gleam of the Weapon Transformation, slammed hard against Jia Sidao''s chest, sending him flying, and simultaneously Xiao Yi''s right hand reached out.


    The black light of the Weapon Transformation covered his right hand.


    He grabbed Jia Sidao''s ankle, and with a low roar, exclaimed, "Eight Extremes Takedown!"


    Whoosh! He threw Jia Sidao over his shoulder.


    Jia Sidao flew backward like a kite with its string cut as Xiao Yi swiftly pursued him, and with full force, he employed the Eight Extremes Collapse. His fists pounded heavily on Jia Sidao''s body, smashing him to the ground.


    This sequence of movements was as smooth as drifting clouds and flowing water, without the slightest hesitation.


    "Sinuous Python Wraps Around the Tree!"


    The moment Jia Sidao''s body hit the ground, Xiao Yi struck with another sword. The blade, like a python wrapping around a tree, coiled around Jia Sidao''s waist, then with a fierce tug, sent him flying again.


    Xiao Yi''s legs pushed off from the ground as he followed up the attack.


    His longsword moved through the air, repeatedly executing sword moves: "Gentle Breeze Drops Leaves!"


    "Sinuous Python Wraps Around the Tree!"


    "Pursuing Soul, Snatching Life..."


    Stroke after stroke of sword light continuously hit Jia Sidao, each strike aiming for vital organs.


    "Jia Sidao is covered in Beast Armor Transformation, with defense unmatched in his tier, already on invincible grounds!" sea??h th�� N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Xiao Yi can''t possibly win!"


    However...


    Zhou Yuan''s face suddenly changed, "Not good!"


    He intended to take action...


    But alongside him, Gu Junhe scoffed, and a powerful aura locked onto Zhou Yuan as he coldly stated, "You dare to intervene?"


    "You..."


    Zhou Yuan''s eyes were filled with fury.


    Almost at the same time...


    Jia Sidao, whose defenses seemed impenetrable, suddenly let out a scream, outwardly unharmed yet spewing blood from all orifices. The transformed Scale Armor from his Beast Armor Transformation rapidly receded, and the longsword pierced through the air, puh, impaling his shoulder.


    ```


    Ao!


    Jia Sidao let out a wretched scream as he was pinned to the ground by Xiao Yi''s sword.


    Xiao Yi fell from the sky and landed with a loud thump on Jia Sidao''s legs, the ear-piercing crack accompanying Jia Sidao''s hysterical screams.


    His legs had been brutally broken, and Xiao Yi stepped on Jia Sidao''s chest, with a cold smile, "Invincible defense? How do you defend your internal organs?"


    The continuous sword strikes just now were not meant to pierce the defenses, but to shatter his internal organs!


    As it turned out...


    Xiao Yi''s tactics were completely correct!


    "Xiao Yi, the winner has been decided. Why haven''t you let Jia Sidao go yet?" Zhou Yuan glared furiously, grinding his teeth.


    Xiao Yi looked up at Zhou Yuan, unafraid, "Let him go? If I were the one lying here now, do you think he would have let me go?"


    Zhou Yuan''s face changed, a sense of unease rising as he stared angrily at Xiao Yi, "What are you going to do?"


    "What am I going to do?"


    Xiao Yi smirked, his longsword whooshing past Jia Sidao''s throat in a flash, blood gushing out like a fountain; Jia Sidao''s head tumbled away, his body decapitated.


    Hiss!


    A complete silence surrounded the area.


    Zhou Yuan, the head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, had spoken, and yet Xiao Yi dared to execute Jia Sidao right before him?


    Yue Ling''er swallowed hard, "Has he gone mad?"


    Jiang Tai covered his face, "I knew it would come to this..."


    Many powerful figures around felt a chill run through their bodies. Some, who were only marginally weaker than Jia Sidao, felt a sense of relief that they had not made a move!


    The angriest was none other than Zhou Yuan!


    He had personally spoken, yet Xiao Yi still killed Jia Sidao in his face. This was a severe slap to his face!


    Zhou Yuan''s face turned black as coal, his eyes cold as ice, and his voice so grim it made one''s scalp tingle, "Xiao Yi, do you realize what you are doing?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Could it be that Head Zhou has grown old and forgotten his own words?"


    Zhou Yuan was stunned.


    Xiao Yi said calmly, "The sword has no eyes, it was you who said that!"


    "I..."


    Zhou Yuan''s face turned red as he spurted out a mouthful of blood.


    Indeed, those were his words!


    But they were meant for when he believed Xiao Yi was certainly doomed and said to deter Gu Junhe from rescuing him. How could he have imagined that Xiao Yi would be the one to have the last laugh?


    Xiao Yi''s gaze passed over Zhou Yuan, Wu Yu, Jin Sheng, and others, speaking calmly, "Gentlemen, now, I should be qualified to enter the secret realm, right?"


    Everyone looked at the Shentong Realm powerhouses sprawled in all directions, then at the beheaded Jia Sidao.


    They were at a loss for words.


    If even this level of strength wasn''t enough to qualify to enter the secret realm, then more than half of those present were certainly unqualified!


    Xiao Yi smiled, "If you still feel I''m not qualified, then I can only continue setting up this arena!"


    As he spoke,


    Xiao Yi glanced at several High-Layer Golden Core Realm powerhouses in the crowd who seemed ready to stand, chuckling, "I''m merely at the Shentong Realm. If you wish to make a move, then I will have to let Elder Brother Jiang step in!"


    Everyone: "..."


    A mere Shentong Realm, yet he slaughters Golden Cores as if they were butchering pigs and dogs?


    But indeed, there was nothing wrong with his words! He was only in the Shentong Realm, and facing a First Layer of the Golden Core Realm was already overcoming the strong as the weak. If these powerful figures at the fifth or sixth layers of the Golden Core Realm made a move, they would be bullying the lesser!


    As for fighting with Jiang Tai?


    Of those present from the younger generation, how many could contend with Jiang Tai?


    Zhou Yuan despised Xiao Yi to the bone, yet was powerless to do anything...


    Zhou Yuan and the others were also in a difficult position.


    If they allowed Xiao Yi to enter the secret realm at this point, they would lose all face in this gamble. If they did not, they might lose even more top fighters.


    At that moment...


    Within the Royal Martial Arts Academy, a Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm youth opened his eyes. This person, named Ye Feng, was the second top student of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, second only to Great Prince Jiang Shanhe.


    Ye Feng''s cold gaze swept over Xiao Yi and then looked towards Zhou Yuan, "Head Zhou, just let him into the secret realm."


    "Hmm?"


    Zhou Yuan was bewildered.


    Ye Feng stated flatly, "I, Ye Feng, hereby announce once again... within the secret realm, whoever slays Xiao Yi can exchange for a fourth-grade martial skill from me!"


    Ling Feng, the top disciple of the Nine Profound Sect and Sixth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, also stood up, "I''ll join in the excitement too. Whoever slays Xiao Yi within the secret realm can receive a fourth-grade movement technique from me!"


    Zhang Tianyi from Sword Mountain Manor narrowed his eyes, "Whoever kills Xiao Yi, my Sword Mountain Manor will gift a fourth-grade longsword!"


    In Tianlan Kingdom, Zhang Tianyi said with contempt, "Count me in too. Whoever kills Xiao Yi will be rewarded with one hundred million taels of silver!"


    Within the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple,


    Monk Dao Yuan said with a smile, "Amitabha, our young monk says Xiao has committed heavy sins. Killing him would be carrying out heaven''s will, and the slayer can choose a martial skill from the Scripture Pavilion of our Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple!"


    Instantly,


    Among the powers that had come, except for the Purple Robe Kingdom, the other powers had unified to issue a bounty for Xiao Yi''s death.


    All eyes turned to Xiao Yi as if they were looking at a cold corpse.


    Zhou Yuan laughed heartily and nodded, "Fine, Xiao Yi, I will grant your wish and allow you to enter the secret realm. Do you dare to enter?"


    Xiao Yi''s face was cold as frost, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd, and he smiled faintly, "Why wouldn''t I dare?"

 Chapter 81 Entering the Secret Realm

    "Why not?"Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his cold gaze fixed on Zhou Yuan.


    Zhou Yuan let out a cold laugh, his icy eyes looking at him as if he were a corpse, and said indifferently, "Since that''s the case, then Xiao Yi may enter the secret realm!"


    Wu Yu said indifferently, "I agree."


    "I have no objections!" Jin Sheng declared.


    Zhuang Bifan stood tall like a pine tree, arrogantly like a sword, "If he has chosen the secret realm as his burial ground, then let''s fulfill his wish!"


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy, Tianlan Kingdom, Nine Profound Sect, Mingjian Manor, and Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple all issued assassination orders against Xiao Yi. In everyone''s eyes, unless a miracle occurred, Xiao Yi was never going to leave the secret realm alive.


    Even Gu Junhe had a splitting headache.


    Xiao Yi, however, appeared nonchalant.


    Jiang Tai gave a bitter smile, "Xiao, you''re being too reckless!"


    Yue Ling''er blinked and looked at him with a curious, eager gaze, "Xiao Yi, should my Purple Robe Kingdom also issue an assassination order against you?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at her, "As you wish!"


    Yue Ling''er rolled her eyes and said, "Never mind, I always feel you''re too cunning. I''d better not get involved in this mess!"


    Jiang Tai glanced at Xiao Yi, helplessly saying, "Xiao, don''t stray too far from me when we''re inside the secret realm, I''ll do my best to protect you."


    Yue Ling''er was stunned, then frowned, "Cousin, are you crazy? He is now the target of public criticism. In the secret realm, no one will care about your prince''s status. If you protect him, you won''t even know how you died when the time comes��"


    "Shut up!"


    Jiang Tai glared at her fiercely, about to speak when Xiao Yi had already waved his hand with a smile and said, "Jiang, once we''re inside the secret realm, it''s better for us to act separately."


    "At least you know what''s good for you!" Yue Ling''er said.


    "Ling''er..."


    Jiang Tai rebuked her, then frowned at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, what are you planning..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his gaze turning cold: "Didn''t they issue an assassination order against me? I want to see, in the end, who will be the one to assassinate whom..."


    Yue Ling''er and Jiang Tai exchanged looks, both feeling a chill run down their spines.


    "This secret realm is the tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse. The tomb is located at the deepest part of the secret realm. You must cross two hundred miles of dense forest and a poisonous marsh to reach the tomb," Zhou Yuan said, his gaze calm as he looked at everyone and announced, "The entrance to the tomb is sealed by our restrictions. You must collect tokens along the way. Only those who gather ten tokens can pass through the restrictions and enter the tomb. Inside the tomb, there are numerous treasures, as well as the inheritance of that Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse. Everything depends on your own fate and effort, strive for it!"


    Everyone was eager and excited.


    This was the inheritance of a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse!


    If they could obtain it, the Tao Tribulation was within reach!


    Zhou Yuan''s cold eyes lingered on Xiao Yi for a moment before continuing, "This journey into the secret realm is a matter of life and death! Anyone who is killed within the secret realm cannot have their death avenged by their backing powers. You all have no objections, do you?"


    Zhuang Bifan and other individuals spoke one after another: "We have no objections!"


    People''s eyes, filled with schadenfreude, inevitably fell on Xiao Yi.


    These words were meant especially for Xiao Yi and Gu.


    Outside the secret realm...


    People were wary of Gu, unable to act freely against Xiao Yi.


    But inside the secret realm, there were no such restrictions!


    "Since there are no objections, follow me to open the entrance to the secret realm," Zhou Yuan said calmly.


    Everyone took action.


    Led by Zhou Yuan, Gu and others jointly opened the entrance to the secret realm.


    Everyone stood still.


    Ye Feng''s cold eyes were on Xiao Yi as he made a welcoming gesture, "Xiao Yi, you go in first!"


    "We''ll let you run ahead a bit, don''t get caught by us, alright?"


    "You''re not planning to wait for all of us to go in before you back out, are you?"


    People stared at Xiao Yi.


    This was their worry that once they had all entered, Xiao Yi would no longer enter the secret realm and they would miss the opportunity to kill him!


    Xiao Yi grinned and with a bold stride, headed toward the secret realm, "Then I shall impolitely accept the invitation!"


    Whoosh!


    He stepped into the secret realm.


    A cold light flashed in Ye Feng and the others'' eyes, "Catch up with him!"


    "Don''t let him escape!"


    All of them surged forward.


    Watching the gradually closing entrance of the secret realm, Zhou Yuan and his group looked at Gu Junhe with cold smiles, "Headmaster Gu can rest assured, I have already ordered my disciples to bring back Xiao Yi''s body, to allow Headmaster Gu to give him a proper burial!"


    "However, Xiao Yi has incurred the wrath of the masses, I''m afraid it won''t be possible to bring back a complete body!"


    "A complete body? The first thing everyone is going to do upon entering is kill him. I''m afraid by the time they return from the secret realm, Xiao Yi''s body will already be rotting..."


    "Hahahaha..."


    Facing the provocation and mockery of the crowd, Gu Junhe narrowed his eyes, gazing in the direction of the entrance to the secret realm, murmuring to himself, "Xiao Yi... you must come back alive..."


    ...��


    Inside the secret realm.


    The moment Xiao Yi landed, he took out a packet of poison powder and scattered it behind him.


    Having received the inheritance from Underworld Doctor Bian He, such poison powder was almost effortless for him. The instant he spread the poison powder, Xiao Yi activated his movement technique to the extreme, rushing wildly toward the dense forest ahead.


    Almost simultaneously with his departure...


    Figures appeared within the secret realm, all searching for Xiao Yi''s whereabouts, "Where is Xiao Yi?"


    "That damn dog has run into the forest..."


    "Chase him!"


    However...


    No sooner had their voices faded than screams rang out, "Ah... my eyes..."


    "My face... it hurts so much..."


    "What is this? Damn it, it''s poisonous..."


    "That bastard Xiao Yi used poison! Everyone, hold your breath..."


    Amid the agonized screams.


    As many as seven or eight Shentong Realm strongmen died, their guts perforated and blood pouring from all orifices. Although this poison powder was fierce, it had little effect on those in the Golden Core Realm.


    But for those in the Shentong Realm, it was a deadly affair!


    Ye Feng and his companions were ashen-faced.


    They had intended to kill Xiao Yi immediately, but not only did he escape, they also lost seven or eight Shentong Realm powerhouses from their own side.


    Ye Feng''s features twisted, "Xiao Yi, if I don''t kill you, I''ll write my name, Ye Feng, backwards!"


    Zhang Tianyi''s gaze was icy as he stared at Jiang Tai, "Jiang Tai, if you dare to help Xiao Yi, I will kill you!"


    Dao Yuan clasped his hands together, looking every bit the enlightened monk, "Amitabha... Xiao is surely a devil born into this world, and we must act on behalf of the heavens to eliminate this evil. Master Jiang certainly wouldn''t help him, right?"


    The Heavenly Son Sword and the Dizi Sword stood side by side like twin brothers, speaking in unison, "Whoever aids Xiao Yi shall be killed!"


    Jiang Tai snorted coldly and disappeared into the forest.


    Yue Ling''er said with a smile, "Everyone, relax, I, Yue Ling''er, will not take sides!"


    With a wave of her hand, she led the strongmen of Purple Robe Kingdom deeper into the forest.


    Dao Yuan stood before the crowd with his hands clasped, and a series of talismans with Buddhist seals dropped into their hands. He said cheerfully, "These talismans are Thousand-Mile Tracking Talismans; once tagged by them, one cannot escape the tracking of Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. Just sight Xiao Yi and crush the talisman to mark his whereabouts!"


    "With these talismans, Xiao Yi is bound to die!" sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s somewhat amusing, like a cat catching a mouse!"


    The crowd laughed heartily as they surged into the dense forest.


    Under the dim light, from a distance, the forest looked like an ancient giant beast, slowly swallowing them into its belly��

 Chapter 82 Red Luo Snake Poison

    In the tranquil jungle.Xiao Yi''s figure leapt and darted about like a spry monkey, extraordinarily agile.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Three sharp arrows burst forth from behind, striking where Xiao Yi had just alighted. The moment these arrows hit the ground, they transformed into roaring flames, setting the trees ablaze with fire splattering in every direction.


    "Xiao Yi, stop right there!"


    "Despicable coward, how dare you use poison, won''t you stop for us..."


    Two figures chased after him from behind.


    They were two formidable warriors from the royal family of the Tianqing Kingdom, the valiant brothers Yan Bing and Yan Yu from the Imperial Guards. Both were at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Coupled with their continuous sharpening in the military, their combat strength was not inferior even to ordinary warriors at the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Especially their archery, combined with God Burning Arrows, was exceptionally powerful.


    Xiao Yi muttered, "I''m really out of luck to have run into these two..."


    Xiao Yi was not one to sit idly by and await his fate.


    With the Royal Martial Arts Academy, Nine Profound Sect, Wan Fo Mountain, Mingjian Manor, and people from the Tianlan Kingdom all wanting him dead, Xiao Yi naturally would not just flee. Therefore, he hid in the dense forest, waiting for an opportunity to strike and kill any isolated strong warriors.


    Initially, there had been some gains, as he managed to slay a couple of groups of strong warriors.


    But this time, he fell into the ambush set by the Yan brothers. Despite mustering all his strength to kill two warriors at the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm and one at the Second Layer, and escaping a tight encirclement, he was still relentlessly pursued by the two brothers.


    Yan Bing drew his bow and nocked arrows, executing a technique likened to Nine Stars in a String.


    Yan Yu leaped into the air, stepped on one of the sharp arrows, and sped towards Xiao Yi, arrows bursting forth just as rapidly in the Nine Stars in a String technique.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Eighteen arrows sliced through the air, forming a vast net that blocked all of Xiao Yi''s retreat paths.


    The arrows surrounded Xiao Yi at the center, the fierce flames rising fiercely.


    Xiao Yi was trapped within a circle of fire, and the Yan brothers had also caught up to him, positioning themselves in front and behind, their faces filled with triumph and fierceness, "Xiao Yi, you have nowhere to run!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, "I''ve never provoked the royal family. Are you not afraid that Jiang will give you trouble for this?"


    These two brothers were exceedingly experienced in battle, and with their intuition as twins, combined with their expertise in archery, they avoided close combat entirely. This left Xiao Yi quite frustrated and worried that if the fight dragged on too long, other strong warriors might arrive.


    He had no choice but to keep running.


    Yan Bing sneered, "We are followers of the crown prince''s line, the seventh prince has no authority over us!"


    Arrows in hand, Yan Yu said in a grave tone, "Xiao Yi, the crown prince highly appreciates your talent. He wants to make you one of his dogs..."


    Xiao Yi stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.


    A playful look spread across his face as he stared at the two, "With such a deep grudge against the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the crown prince doesn''t care?"


    Yan Bing casually replied, "The crown prince is about to reach the Peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, and among the younger generation, he is the most likely to advance to the Tao Tribulation Realm. As long as you become one of the crown prince''s dogs, even Zhou, the head of the Martial Arts Institute, will give him that much respect..."


    Xiao Yi smiled lightly, "I don''t have the habit of being someone''s dog!"


    "Then you can go to hell!"


    The Yan brothers simultaneously released the bowstrings, and arrows flashed like lighting, while the strings hummed like mercury pouring down to the ground.


    Arrow after arrow tore through the air, with a deafening sound that made one''s scalp tingle.


    The arrows, blazing fiercely in mid-air, headed straight for Xiao Yi.


    A shock ran through Xiao Yi''s body, Hei Mang covered him, and his Innate Divine Ability of Life-bound Spiritual Weapon Transformation fused his body with his fourth-grade Yuan weapon, making him as sturdy as if he were wearing fourth-grade battle armor.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The arrows were incredibly fast, striking Xiao Yi''s body almost instantly, each one bearing immense impact force that shook him repeatedly.


    With sword in hand, Xiao Yi brought forth a black sword light, tearing open a gap through the rain of arrows and charging out like the wind.


    Before he could get near the brothers, however, Yan Bing and Yan Yu had widened the distance between them.


    One retreated, the other advanced, one in front, the other behind.


    Xiao Yi was unable to get close, yet had to withstand attacks from all sides, which greatly frustrated him.


    Yan Bing laughed triumphantly, "Xiao Yi, weren''t you very arrogant? Why can''t you be arrogant now? If you can, come and bite me!"


    Whoosh!


    An arrow shot from Yan Yu''s hand, with red flames suspended high in the sky. He looked at Xiao Yi with pride, "People will be here soon. Xiao Yi, your death is certain!"


    Xiao Yi raised his sword to cut through three incoming arrows, tapped the ground with the tip of his foot to kick up sand to block another two, and then swung a Vajra Subdues Demons technique to break three more from behind.


    With a swift movement, he took cover behind a large tree. Thud, thud, thud �C three arrows pierced through the one-meter thick trunk of the tree and buried into the ground.


    Xiao Yi finally managed to catch his breath.


    "There must be other groups nearby; I must escape quickly. But first..."


    Looking emotionless at the Yan brothers, a cold glint flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes, "Before I leave, I need to leave you with an indelible memory!"


    With a sudden flash, Xiao Yi sprinted towards the east.


    "Not good, he''s going to escape!"


    "Tie him down!"


    The two men chased after him relentlessly, and just as the distance between them was closing, Xiao Yi suddenly turned around and threw a clump of black mud: "Watch out for the hidden weapon!"


    "Trifling tricks!"


    With a cold laugh, Yan Yu slapped out a palm.


    Yan Bing''s expression changed: "Be careful!"


    Unfortunately, it was already too late!


    Bang!


    The black mud exploded, transforming into a cloud of white poison mist that instantly enveloped the two men. S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "Congratulations, you two have been poisoned by my Red Luo Snake Poison!"


    While cultivators at the Golden Core Realm could ignore most poisons, Red Luo Snake Poison was an exception. Although it couldn''t kill a cultivator at this realm, it could make one feel unbearably itchy, with a body as hot as if on fire.


    Yan Bing scoffed disdainfully, "Your poison is ineffective against the Golden Core Realm, you''re just bluffing!"


    "The poison is indeed called Red Luo Snake Poison, and true, it can''t kill you. But if you don''t engage in bedroom affairs as an antidote within half an incense stick''s time, you will completely lose the ability to reproduce!"


    Xiao Yi gave the two men a mocking look and weirdly laughed, "I might as well congratulate you in advance. After you go back, you can resign from the Imperial Guards and become the Chief Eunuch overseeing the harem, hahaha..."


    "What?"


    "You, don''t even think of scaring us..."


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Don''t believe it? Feel for yourselves, there''s no reaction, right?"


    "This..."


    Yan Bing and his companion looked at each other and indeed, they felt nothing.


    Their complexions instantly turned incredibly unsightly, as if they were mourning their deceased parents; it was even harder to accept than death itself!


    Death?


    They weren''t afraid!


    But becoming eunuchs? No man could accept that!


    Yan Bing''s face was extremely grim, "Big brother, is what he said true or false?"


    Yan Yu''s face was gloomy, "Who am I supposed to ask?" With a dark expression, he stared intently at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, hand over the antidote and I''ll let you leave. Otherwise, we just need to pin you down until the others arrive, and you''ll be on a one-way street to death!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "There is no antidote for Red Luo Snake Poison; the only way to cure it is to engage in sexual activity. However, it seems there are no women who entered this secret realm, so I''m not sure if it''ll work between men. You might want to give it a try! You don''t have much time left. You need to decide whether to keep chasing me at the risk of becoming eunuchs or find a way to cure the poison. The choice is yours!"


    Xiao Yi leaped and disappeared into the dense forest.


    Yan Bing''s face flushed red, "Big brother, are we chasing him?"


    "Chase my ass..."


    Yan Yu cursed angrily with a cold snort.


    Yan Bing had a mournful expression, "Big brother, I, I can feel it... It seems Xiao Yi was right, what do we do now?"


    "How should I know?" Yan Yu''s face was as dark as coal.


    Yan Bing swallowed hard, feeling extremely hot and bothered, "Should, should we give it a try?"


    "Try my ass..."


    Yan Yu cursed, his face still dark. Just as he was about to stand up, a whooshing sound came from behind him, signaling that Ling Feng and the others had caught up.


    Ling Feng frowned, "Where is he?"


    Yan Yu replied gravely, "He got away..."


    "Got away? What the hell are you two doing?" Ling Feng scolded angrily.


    Yan Yu coldly said, "Ling Feng, your Nine Profound Sect isn''t in charge of the Royal Family, are you?"


    "You..."


    Ling Feng''s face darkened.


    Ye Feng from the Royal Martial Arts Academy frowned and asked, "How did he get away?"


    Ye Feng was aligned with the Crown Prince''s faction, so Yan Yu and his companion did not dare to hide anything. Of course, they omitted the process of detoxifying. But Ye Feng himself slapped them across their faces and angrily said, "You two idiots, Red Luo Snake Poison only causes itchiness and heat, it doesn''t harm the body. You two idiots got fooled by him!"


    "Ah?"


    The two Yan brothers looked at each other, utterly dumbfounded.


    "Wait a minute..."


    Ling Feng frowned, "You two believed Xiao Yi''s words, so you didn''t pursue him, but then how did you manage to detoxify?"


    The faces of the two Yan brothers stiffened.


    Everyone''s gaze slowly turned towards the space behind the two men...

 Chapter 83 The Phantom in the Night

    Let''s not mention how awkward Yan Yu and his companion felt.Xiao Yi ran wildly for half an hour until he finally stopped after leaving the dense forest, ahead of him lay a swamp.


    The air above the swamp was filled with poisonous miasma, like it was shrouded in a thick layer of gauze.


    "Although the transformation of weapons is powerful, it requires a huge amount of energy and strong physical support. My body is strengthened by the power of the God Sealing Seed, making it stronger than other cultivators of the same realm, but currently, it can only withstand the transformation of a fourth-grade Yuan weapon at most."


    Exhausted, Xiao Yi sat on the ground, gasping for breath: "It seems that in addition to movement techniques, I must find a method of Body Refinement!"


    Before this.


    Xiao Yi had never encountered opponents like the Yan brothers who specialized in long-range attacks, and due to his rapid progress in cultivation, he rarely had the chance to consolidate his experience.


    To summarize the experience from this battle.


    Xiao Yi understood his current shortcomings, but obtaining either the movement technique or Body Refinement arts was not easy.


    The immediate priority was to find a solution for the Yan brothers'' long-range attacks.


    "If only there was something to restrain their movements!" Xiao Yi thought to himself when suddenly a scream echoed from ahead.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank instantly as he headed towards the source of the scream.


    He saw a Shentong Realm expert entangled in a mass of white threads above the pitch-black swamp.


    These threads were extremely sticky.


    Even the expert at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm struggled to break free, only sinking deeper and deeper. The white threads pulled him into the swamp, where he was swallowed up by the endless black mud. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A thought flashed through Xiao Yi''s mind: "What are these white threads? They can restrain even a Peak of the Divine Ability Realm expert. I wonder if they can bind a Golden Core Realm expert?"


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment.


    He immediately flew towards the swamp and as he soared above the black swamp, suddenly the ground beneath him gave way and a gash opened up, from which a mass of white threads shot out.


    Luckily, Xiao Yi was prepared; he quickly tapped his toes on the soft swamp and leapt up to dodge.


    The white threads quickly retracted.


    "Stay for me!" he exclaimed.


    A swipe swept across, skimming the muck of the swamp.


    Boom!


    The sword strike landed on the white threads but unbelievably failed to cut through them. The threads violently coiled around, while the black swamp beneath him roared as if a dragon was turning over.


    Bang!


    The swamp burst open explosively.


    A massive spider, completely black with nine green eyes on its head and three meters tall, stared fixedly at Xiao Yi, opening its mouth to spit out another mass of white web.


    "A fourth-grade low-level demon beast, the Green-Eyed Demon Spider? I did not expect such a creature to be hiding beneath this swamp, no wonder even a Peak of the Divine Ability Realm expert couldn''t escape your web..."


    While dodging, Xiao Yi sent out a flurry of sword moves.


    But no matter how he wielded his sword, he couldn''t cut through the web.


    The web of a Golden Core Realm Green-Eyed Demon Spider was as tough as a fourth-grade Yuan weapon. Even an expert at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm bound by it would need to expend quite a bit of effort to break free.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed with sharpness: "As long as I kill this beast and extract its silk gland, I can use the web to bind enemies. With the web in hand, why should I fear the Yan brothers?"


    With that thought.


    Xiao Yi leaped into action, rapidly closing in on the Green-Eyed Demon Spider.


    Roar!


    From the seven green eyes of the Green-Eyed Demon Spider, a cold light flickered as it opened its gaping maw, continuously spitting out webs.


    "Not good!"


    Xiao Yi was caught off-guard by the web sticking to him and watched as the Green-Eyed Demon Spider rapidly drew him into its mouth, its sharp fangs inches away.


    In the nick of time.


    Xiao Yi quickly shed his outer garment, watching it disappear into the mouth of the Green-Eyed Demon Spider, and seizing the moment, he leaped to land on the creature''s head.


    "Soul-chasing, life-snatching!"


    A deadly thrust drove straight into the skull of the Green-Eyed Demon Spider.


    Thud!


    The Green-Eyed Demon Spider trembled all over, and its greenish blood spurted out wildly as it struggled in frenzy. Its eight long legs, covered with black spines, flailed madly against the marsh, flinging Xiao Yi high into the air.


    With one hand gripping the sword hilt, his body spun dramatically in midair.


    Thud!


    Like a spinning top, the sword blade whirred crazily, grinding the Green-Eyed Demon Spider''s head to pieces.


    The massive body crashed heavily to the ground.


    Ignoring the stench of blood covering him, Xiao Yi cut open the carcass of the Green-Eyed Demon Spider to find the silk sac and a walnut-sized Golden Core.


    "Once I swallow this Golden Core, I should be able to step into the Peak of the Shentong Realm!" Xiao Yi flicked off the green blood from the Golden Core and muttered to himself.


    This Green-Eyed Demon Spider was equivalent to a First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm cultivator, its energy not enough for him to make a breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm.


    In this world, apart from the legendary flawless Golden Elixirs, all other Golden Cores contained impurities.


    Ordinary powerhouses could not even absorb the energy within the Golden Core directly; too many impurities could do more harm than good.


    But Xiao Yi did not have such concerns.


    The energy he swallowed would eventually pass through the God Sealing Seed, eliminating all impurities and transforming into the purest divine power.


    This was also the reason why Xiao Yi''s vital energy was much stronger than that of martial artists of the same level.


    Xiao Yi immediately left to find a secluded place and began to devour the Golden Core.


    It took him a full day and night.


    Xiao Yi had finally refined all the energy within the Golden Core, officially stepping into the Peak of the Shentong Realm, and the number of God Sealing Seeds broke through to two thousand, reaching two thousand and fifty.


    "It''s a pity I still cannot open the tomb of the Sword Demon Dugu. It seems I can only wait until I break through to the Golden Core Realm. However, with my current strength, plus this Green-Eyed Demon Spider''s web on hand, I should be able to take my revenge!" Xiao Yi''s eyes sparkled as he clenched his fists tightly.


    ...


    In the dark of night.


    Five powerhouses from the Nine Profound Sect were gathered around a campfire. The flames licked at the beast''s leg roasting on a rack while they discussed, "That Xiao Yi is as slippery as an eel. Who knows where he''s hiding now!"


    "Be extremely careful if you encounter Xiao Yi, he''s incredibly cunning and skilled at using poison. You''ve all heard what happened to the Yan brothers, haven''t you?"


    "Heard about it... tsk, tsk, I heard that now when they see a man, their eyes turn red..."


    As the men shared the roasted beast''s leg, a shadowy figure hidden in darkness took a piece of the meat, took a couple of bites, and asked, "Where are the Yan brothers now?"


    "They seem to be searching for Xiao Yi''s tracks near the marsh. I saw them during the day... Huh? Aren''t there only five of us? Why did six pieces get distributed?"


    A chill immediately swept over the five men.


    They all turned to look in unison at the figure in the dark. Under the orange glow of the firelight, Xiao Yi''s face was exposed in front of them.


    Hiss!


    The men gasped, "Xiao Yi? How, how did you get here?"


    "Attack him, kill him now!"


    The five men shuddered and launched their attacks together.


    However...


    Xiao Yi struck faster and more viciously than they did.


    The sword light was like a fleeting shadow, and heads dropped like kites with severed strings.


    Blood gushed like fountains, enough to douse the campfire completely.


    Among the five were one at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, two at the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, and two in the Shentong Realm, but they stood no chance against Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi swallowed the piece of meat in his hand and squinted at the dim starlight in the night sky. Suddenly, his figure flashed, darting through the night like a ghost, "A windy night with pitch-black skies, a perfect time for slaying..."


    PS: Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous new year! Exploding with updates tomorrow!

 Chapter 84 Have a Safe Journey

    Above the firmament, dark clouds roiled.They obscured the already sparse stars, shrouding the entire secret realm in an unending darkness.


    On a flat piece of ground near a swamp.


    Several tents stood erect, with the central bonfire extinguished by the cold wind, leaving only bits of charcoals emitting a reddish glow.


    Inside one of the tents.


    Yan Bing and his brother leaned back to back, both with their eyes tightly closed, longbows in hand.


    Rustle, rustle!


    A faint sound, like that of fabric rubbing against something, came from outside, prompting both men to open their eyes simultaneously.


    They were both strong warriors at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, their senses tens of times sharper than an ordinary person''s.


    Yan Bing lowered his voice, "There''s some noise outside!"


    Yan Yu nodded subtly, "Wait a little longer..."


    Outside, all was quiet.


    Suddenly...


    An icy roar erupted, "Where do you think you''re going?"


    Boom!


    A Sword Qi burst forth, shattering one of the tents. The assailant was none other than Jiang Yi, the Princely Heir of the Supporting Mountain King from the Tianqing Kingdom''s royal lineage.


    Jiang Yi had reached the Peak of the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm and had also condensed a seed of Sword Intent; his combat strength was comparable to a common warrior at the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Amidst the icy Sword Qi, Xiao Yi retreated explosively, his face revealing a hint of helplessness: "What rotten luck, this guy''s Innate Divine Ability is actually Night Vision..."


    He had been about to assassinate these warriors one by one, but when attempting to assassinate Jiang Yi, his figure was exposed by Jiang Yi''s Night Vision Mystical Skill.


    If it were not for Xiao Yi having advanced further into the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, Jiang Yi''s sword just now would have gravely wounded him!


    "Xiao Yi? You''ve got some nerve, daring to assassinate me?" Jiang Yi''s gaze was icy as he looked at Xiao Yi, his eyes sharp as blades.


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, "Is it only permitted for you to issue kill orders against me, to hunt me down at every turn, yet I''m not allowed to fight back?"


    "Hmph, Ling Feng is a lifelong friend of the crown prince; if he says you must die, then it is the crown prince who wants you dead."


    Jiang Yi''s father, the Supporting Mountain King, was a staunch supporter of the crown prince, and so was he. He icily continued, "The crown prince is the true chosen of heaven, blessed by the heavens above. If he wants you dead, you cannot escape death. Since Ling Feng has issued a kill order against you, it must be the crown prince who wants you dead. You should obediently accept your death, not resist stubbornly!"


    Xiao Yi sneered, pulling the corner of his mouth, "Cut the crap! I don''t care if you''re the prince or the emperor, if you want Xiao Yi''s life, you''d better have the skills to take it!"


    "You don''t know what''s good for you!"


    Expressionless, Jiang Yi''s eyes glowed with an oily green light under the Night Vision Mystical Skill. His figure abruptly moved, appearing behind Xiao Yi like a dark elf in an instant.


    The silver longsword in his hand split into two, one in each hand.


    Sword edges crossed, sparks flying.


    He slashed towards Xiao Yi''s head!


    Xiao Yi''s sword displayed an unbelievable curvature, vertically positioned to block behind him, causing a thunderous noise as the three blades clashed.


    Xiao Yi used the force of the impact to surge forward, widening the distance between him and Jiang Yi. However, Jiang Yi was relentless in pursuit.


    The sound of slicing air grew closer behind him.


    Xiao Yi''s knees buckled, sliding close to the ground, while leaning back at the same time, causing Jiang Yi, who had lunged forward, to fly right over him.


    "Serpent Coiling Around the Tree!"


    One sword pierced the air, aiming for Jiang Yi''s heart.


    Seeing the icy blade drawing ever nearer, Jiang Yi''s pupils shrank violently, his eyes filled with desperation.


    If this strike hit, he was certain to die!


    But just at this critical moment...


    Two arrows whistled through the air, clinking consecutively against the sword, forcibly deflecting the longsword away.


    Yan Bing and Yan Yu, one on each side, held their horn bows, arrows nocked and pointing their sharp tips at Xiao Yi.


    "Hahaha, Yan Bing, Yan Yu, you''ve arrived just in time!"


    Jiang Yi, having narrowly escaped death, was all smiles. His two swords clashed, sending off blinding sparks, his eyes fixated on Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, weren''t you acting all high and mighty? Now with the Yan Brothers assisting me, let''s see how arrogant you can be!"


    Xiao Yi glanced sideways at the Yan brothers, teasing, "Gentlemen, how does the Red Luo Snake Poison taste?"


    "Shut up!"


    The Yan brothers shouted in unison.


    Xiao Yi tutted, "Impressive! Who would have thought that Red Luo Snake Poison would make you two even more in sync!"


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Yan Bing and his partner released their arrows at the same time, each time executing the technique of the Nine Star Consecutive Shots. Having unleashed six rounds of Nine Star Consecutive Shots, even as skilled archers they were exhausted, and white smoke billowed from their bowstrings.


    They were gasping for air heavily.


    Their bloodshot eyes were fixated on Xiao Yi, wishing they could tear him to pieces!


    The two, in order not to become eunuchs, were forced to mutually administer the antidote, which made hexes and the Red Luo Snake Poison taboo and sore points for them.


    Any mention of it would be met with death!


    "Yan Bing, Yan Yu, don''t fall for his tricks! He''s deliberately trying to enrage you��"


    Jiang Yi quickly spoke up. Seeing the two slowly regaining their composure, he said solemnly, "I''ll take the main offensive and tie him down. You two look for opportunities to strike. We must take his dog life today!"


    "Rest assured!"


    "His anniversary of death will come on this day next year!"


    The two spread out, one to the left and one to the right, like venomous snakes lurking in dark corners, waiting for the right moment to deliver a deadly strike to their prey.


    Jiang Yi, with his twin swords, charged at Xiao Yi once more. S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Fiery Meteor!"


    "Twin Peaks Penetrating the Ears!"


    Jiang Yi''s sword moves were no less fierce and devious, each one deadly. If Xiao Yi had not grasped the first stage of Sword Intent, he would have struggled to defend against such a frenzied offensive.


    Furthermore��


    There were Yan Yu and Yan Bing, the two archers of the Second Layer of the Golden Core Realm!


    "Sweeping Through a Thousand Troops!"


    Xiao Yi split Jiang Yi''s attack with his sword and was about to pursue when a chill rose from his back. It was Yan Bing and his partner simultaneously releasing their cold shots. Xiao Yi was forced to dodge, missing his chance at slaying Jiang Yi!


    Jiang Yi laughed proudly, "Xiao Yi, you stand no chance! However, if you kneel and beg me now, I can leave you a complete corpse!"


    Yan Bing and his partner also laughed coldly.


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "A complete corpse? Keep that for yourself!"


    "Stubborn fool!"


    Jiang Yi looked toward Yan Bing and his partner, "Attack him with all your might. I refuse to believe he can split his focus three ways!"


    One close, two at a distance.


    Under their combined assault, the offensive grew more ferocious.


    An onslaught like a tempestuous storm of arrows, combined with Jiang Yi''s violent and brutal swordsmanship, every step was fraught with danger, one misstep could lead to a fatal descent into the netherworld.


    Xiao Yi fought while retreating, luring the three into a dense forest.


    With the cover of the dense ancient trees, Xiao Yi''s pressure was significantly reduced. Facing Jiang Yi''s relentless attacks, Xiao Yi retreated further back until with a thud his back slammed against a tree trunk.


    "Now''s the chance!"


    "Kill him!"


    Jiang Yi and his companions'' faces lit up with ecstatic joy.


    His figure paused, then burst forth with maximum speed, his sword moves filling the sky, sealing off all of Xiao Yi''s escape routes. At the same time, Yan Yu and Yan Bing also approached directly in front of Xiao Yi.


    Their bows sang like thunder, the arrows poured down like a downpour!


    Their combined attack was terrifyingly overwhelming.


    But in this moment of extreme peril��


    Xiao Yi was not the least bit flustered, instead, he wore a look of triumph, "You''re all dead!"


    He flipped his left hand.


    Squeezing the silk sac of the Green-Eyed Demon Spider, the sounds of ''pop, pop, pop'' filled the air as streams of white spider silk shot out. In an instant, Jiang Yi and Yan Bing were wrapped tightly in silk!


    The Green-Eyed Demon Spider''s web was incredibly tough, even those in the Fourth or Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm could not break free in a short time if entangled.


    Tightly bound by the white spider silk, the three men were like wrapped rice dumplings, unable to move.


    Looking at Xiao Yi in terror, they said, "You�� you''re so vicious��"


    "You had this planned all along? This is your trap��"


    Xiao Yi grinned and waved lightly at them, "Safe travels!"


    His sword cleaved through the air, and blood spurted like fountains!


    Xiao Yi easily decapitated all three, suspending their heads on the tree trunk��

 Chapter 85 Who Do You Think You Are?

    The next morning at dawn.The corpses of Yan Yu and the other two were discovered.


    In an instant.


    Strong figures from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the royal family, the Nine Profound Sect, Wan Fo Mountain, and Sword Mountain Manor all gathered here, led by none other than Ye Feng.


    Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, second on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List and Teng Long List.


    This person''s strength was indeed overwhelming, even surpassing Jiang Tai.


    In the younger generation of the Tianqing Kingdom, he was second only to Great Prince Jiang Shanhe. Not only did the Royal Martial Arts Academy look up to him, but the royal family''s strong men were also under his control.


    Monk Dao Yuan from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple joined his hands together, his face full of compassion for the world, but the words he spoke sent shivers down the spine, "Ling Xiao, Xiao Yi is extremely vicious and ruthless. Two days ago, he was no match for Yan Yu and the others, but now he has killed both Yan Yu brothers and Prince Jiang Yi. If we allow him to continue growing..."


    Ye Feng examined the scene for a while and said in a deep voice, "Judging from the traces of the battle at the scene, Xiao Yi''s strength is already no weaker than an ordinary practitioner at the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!"


    Dizi Sword cradled his longsword, flicked his bangs lightly, and said in a deep voice, "When this person appeared at our Sword Mountain Manor''s Sword Tomb, his cultivation was barely into the Shentong Realm. But in just a month or two, he has grown to his current level..."


    "He must be eliminated!"


    Everyone exchanged glances.


    Ye Feng touched his hooked nose, his eyes a slit from which cold light emanated, and commanded in a deep voice, "Gather everyone. Search for Xiao Yi in groups of five. As soon as he is found, mark his location with a Thousand-Mile Tracking Talisman. We must get rid of him!"


    "Yes!"


    Everyone responded emphatically.


    Within the crowd.


    Ye Feng glanced at the three heads that died with their eyes open. With a wave of his hand, he crushed them into minced meat, his gaze icy to the extreme: "Xiao Yi? Hmph, no matter your background, if you cannot be of use to the Great Prince, then you have only one path left �C death!"


    ......


    In the marshlands.


    Xiao Yi moved across the swamp as smoothly as drifting clouds and flowing water, his feet on flattened wooden boards, when suddenly, a piercing whooshing sound surrounded him.


    "Amitabha, Xiao, please stop!" a loud Buddhist chant came through.


    Dao Yuan appeared in front of him with four Golden Core Realm practitioners, and had even broken through to the Golden Elixir Realm himself.


    Five Golden Core figures, one of them a topless monk at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as he stared at Dao Yuan, "So it''s you. How did you find me?"


    Dao Yuan pressed his palms together, reciting Buddhist scriptures with a smile, "Donor Xiao, you have a karmic connection with Buddha, naturally we would meet..." S��arch* The n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Monk Dao Yuan, why waste words with him? Just kill him directly!" the burly bald-headed monk said gruffly.


    Dao Yuan bowed to him and said, "Brother Dao Kuang is right. Let us kill him now and send him to the Western Paradise to meet Buddha."


    Boom!


    All five Golden Core Realm experts made their move at once.


    "What the hell is going on? No matter where I run these past few days, these guys always catch up..."


    Xiao Yi, holding a Grade Four Yuan weapon and covering his arms with the Divine Skills of the weapon, fended off the combined assault from the five experts, but inwardly he was extremely annoyed.


    For two days...


    No matter where he ran, he was quickly found by the others.


    "Xiao Yi, just surrender yourself!"


    "Stop resisting in vain!"


    Dao Yuan joined his hands together, his appearance dignified, "Donor Xiao, surrender without a fight and let this monk transform you with the Buddhist Law."


    "Transform your grandpa��" Xiao Yi''s eyes blazed red, staring daggers at Dao Yuan, and with a sweep of his sword, "Gentle Breeze and Fallen Leaves!"


    Swish!


    As the Sword Qi swept across, the black mud of the swamp roiled into a massive torrent, like a wall of black mud crushing everything in its path.


    "Buddha''s Palm!"


    Dao Yuan struck out with his palm, energy condensing above it, like a small mountain crashing downwards.


    Golden Core Realm experts could already harness some of the forces of heaven and earth, capable of moving mountains and diverting rivers with their actions.


    The mud wall shattered under the crushing Buddha''s Palm.


    Countless specks of black mud shot out in all directions.


    Dao Yuan''s body revolved with Buddha''s light; stepping into the Golden Elixir Realm elevated his combat power. "Brother Dao Kuang, hurry and help me!"


    "Mahavairocana Palm!"


    A figure of a Great Mahavairocana Buddha seemed to appear behind Dao Yuan as he struck down with his palm, delivering a world-ending blow.


    Dao Kuang wielded a magic wand, the ringing of the golden rings on it resonating loudly, "One strike to bring down the dragon!"


    Hum!


    Golden brilliance gathered around the wand, coiling like an angry dragon as it struck down towards Xiao Yi''s head.


    The attacks of the other three followed closely behind.


    Under the joint efforts of five Golden Elixir Realm experts, Xiao Yi was overwhelmed, and even though he had just broken through to the peak of the Shentong Realm, he still found it difficult to contend with all five masters at the same time.


    "Hahaha, Monk Dao Yuan, all five of you couldn''t take down Xiao Yi, isn''t that a bit too embarrassing?"


    "Shall we lend you a hand?"


    As Xiao Yi fought fiercely against the five Golden Cores, the sound of several figures tearing through the air could be heard from not far away.


    It was Ling Feng, the Heavenly Son Sword, and others who had also tracked him down.


    Over these past few days...


    Their hunt for Xiao Yi had never ceased, and in the previous few skirmishes, Xiao Yi managed to escape, even at the expense of several of their experts.


    This made the various forces take Xiao Yi even more seriously.


    Dao Kuang snorted coldly, "My Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple has its Buddhist Law to subdue him. The rest of you stand by and prevent his escape; that will suffice!"


    Ling Feng laughed heartily, "You''d better hurry up, Ye Feng is already on his way. If he arrives and you haven''t killed Xiao Yi, that head will be his!"


    The faces of Dao Kuang and the others shifted slightly.


    Ye Feng, Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, second on the Teng Long List.


    Once he makes a move,


    Indeed, there will be nothing left for them to do!


    Dao Yuan said in a deep voice, "Brother monks, give it your all!"


    Out of the ten experts the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple sent this time, only five remained. The five Golden Cores spared nothing, employing their Buddhist and Taoist cultivation techniques together.


    Facing the overwhelming onslaught, Xiao Yi''s expression was grave, "I must fight quickly and decisively. If Ye Feng arrives, it will be difficult for me to leave!"


    With this thought,


    His gaze towards Dao Yuan and the others now carried a chilling streak of blood-red rainbow.


    In the previous encounters, Xiao Yi had always refrained from using the Fire Qilin Sword and the Blood Explosion Skill, given the latter''s severe side effects.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi, finding himself cornered, no longer held back.


    Whoosh!


    A fiery red light blazed across the sky, and the Fire Qilin Sword landed in his right hand. A red glow suffused his body, appearing like a flame king.


    Boom!


    The aura on Xiao Yi''s body surged violently.


    He directly burnt thirty percent of his blood, increasing his strength thirtyfold!


    Hiss!


    The expressions of Dao Kuang, Ling Feng, and the others, who had been composed just a moment ago, changed drastically. A thirtyfold increase in strength was akin to Xiao Yi possessing, for a short time, the cultivation level equivalent of the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    With his first stage Sword Intent and the Fifth Grade Yuan Bing Fire Qilin Sword,


    His combat strength was enough to contend with the Sixth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!


    "Sweeping a Thousand Armies!"


    With one sweeping strike of his sword,


    The Buddhist seals and martial techniques pushed forward by Dao Yuan and the others were instantly crushed into dust, the gold seals filling the sky, but the terrifying sword light never slowed for an instant.


    "Not good!"


    "Run!"


    The faces of Dao Yuan and the others changed rapidly as they turned to flee.


    But with Xiao Yi having burnt thirty percent of his blood, how could he let them go?


    "Chasing Stars and Moon!"


    "The Python Entwines the Tree!"


    One sword move after another filled the air, each strike claiming a life.


    In the blink of an eye, only Dao Yuan was left.


    "No... don''t kill me..."


    His face filled with terror, he saw Xiao Yi advancing with sword in hand. Despair was written all over his face as he looked towards Ling Feng and the others not far away, "Ling Feng, save me..."


    Ling Feng, too, had snapped out of his shock and roared, "Xiao Yi, stop!"


    However...


    Before he could finish his sentence,


    Xiao Yi struck with his sword, splitting Dao Yuan in two.


    Ling Feng''s face twisted in fury, "You bastard, I told you to stop, how dare you kill!?"


    Xiao Yi glanced sideways at Ling Feng, surrounded by a blood-colored aura, like a war god incarnate, and said coldly, "Who are you to obstruct me?"

 Chapter 86 Slay the Gods if They Block, Slay the Buddha if He Blocks!

    Xiao Yi sneered coldly, "And who are you to stop me?"Facing Xiao Yi''s rebuke, Ling Feng''s face suddenly turned extremely unsightly, and a sinister chill flashed through his eyes.


    This Ling Feng was the top disciple of the Nine Profound Sect, with the cultivation at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Among the young generation of Tianqing Kingdom, he was ranked in the top five, and even the Crown Prince and others were amiable towards him.


    When had he ever been rebuked in such a manner?


    Ling Feng snorted coldly, flinging his hand dismissively, "You''re no better than a dog; I wouldn''t even need to lift a finger personally to kill you. Is Li Xian available?"


    "Brother Ling!"


    Li Xian stepped forward with a fist and palm salute, standing in front of him.


    Ling Feng snorted coldly, pointing his sword at Xiao Yi, "Break his limbs, destroy his dantian, and make him kneel before me!"


    "Yes!"


    Li Xian responded with a salute.


    His body shook, and in his hand appeared a gold-inlaid Heavenly Treasure Hammer, a Fourth Grade Yuan weapon forged from a thousand-year Fire Cloud Stone, weighing thirteen hundred pounds.


    As he brandished it, the air roared like a tiger.


    His strength was boundless, capable of splitting mountains and crushing stones.


    Li Xian''s cultivation was not to be underestimated, at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, he was ranked tenth on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List!


    Thud!


    The gold-inlaid Heavenly Treasure Hammer slammed fiercely into the ground, sending tremors through the earth as if it were shaking. The clash of his palm and the hammer''s handle emitted a piercing clang, and his eyes, wide like bull''s eyes and red as lanterns, sneered, "Within three moves, your head will be mine!"


    A surrounding group of strong fighters nodded silently to themselves, "True to his nickname, ''Little Overlord'' Li Xian, he''s quite domineering!"


    "Li Xian follows the Overlord''s path��caring for none and fearing nothing. He is an expert in the Overlord Hammer Skill; it''s said that to date, no one has seen him use the fourth move..."


    "And why is that?"


    "Because... no one can withstand his first three!"


    "Doesn''t that mean Xiao Yi is as good as dead?"


    The looks from the crowd towards Xiao Yi were filled with both pity and schadenfreude.


    At that moment...


    Li Xian''s offensive was already upon him. Clenching the gold-inlaid Heavenly Treasure Hammer in his hands, he swung it with the wind, his black hair flailing wildly, "Overlord Hammer Skill, first move��Overlord Unmatched!"


    Boom!


    The shadow of the hammer crashed down from the sky, creating consecutive afterimages as it fell overhead.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils abruptly contracted as blood surged around him, and with the Fire Qilin Sword in hand, he blocked the blow above his head. With a clang, his figure jolted violently, and the ground beneath his feet burst open with thunderous noise.


    Sand flew, and rocks scattered as the strike emptied the air.


    "Take my second hammer!"


    Worthy of the ''Little Overlord'', Li Xian was quick to follow his first hammer with a second, "Overlord Lifting a Cauldron!"


    Hum!


    The gold-inlaid Heavenly Treasure Hammer in his hands suddenly twirled, emitting an unsettling hum. As it spun, the hammer burst forth with blinding light, whipping up a fierce gale.


    This gale swept up.


    Like an invisible giant hand, it forcibly lifted Xiao Yi into the air, toward the sky.


    Li Xian leaped high, catching up to Xiao Yi in an instant, raising the heavy hammer in his hands, with ferociousness in his eyes. His face twisted wildly, "Overlord Stripping Armor!"


    Boom!


    This hammer was thrown with all his might.


    As it plummeted from the sky, it headed straight for Xiao Yi''s head.


    In the furious whirlwind, Xiao Yi, hanging in midair, could not escape. If hit, his head would surely shatter, it was a certain death.


    At the critical moment...


    Xiao Yi let out a cold huff, and the fourth layer of Blood Explosion Skill erupted forth.


    Blood surged around his body, his eyes as cold as twinkling stars, focusing all his strength into one sword strike, "Life! Taking!"


    This was the strongest move of the "Life-Chasing Soul Sword," and could only be performed by someone at the Golden Core Realm.


    Life Taking!


    To seize the life of an enemy!


    Whoosh!


    The tip of the sword condensed into a point, a cold gleam cut through the air, like a fiery meteor. With an explosive roar, it struck the gold-inlaid Heavenly Treasure Hammer, and a crisp crack echoed as the hammer shattered violently.


    "What?"


    Li Xian''s face showed disbelief as he watched the hammer''s fragments fly backwards through the air.


    A cold gleam, tinged with the blood of the world.


    Thump!


    The sword penetrated Li Xian''s forehead.


    Both men hit the ground.


    Xiao Yi immediately bounced off the ground, while Li Xian''s head hit the ground and exploded with a thud, his headless body lying in a pool of blood. The crowd looked on in shock, "Xiao Yi won?"


    "What just happened? How could Xiao Yi suddenly unleash such a powerful force?"


    "Little Overlord Li Xian has been killed? Xiao Yi is just at the Peak of the Shentong Realm, how, how terrifyingly talented must he be..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were a blood red, and with a leap, he charged into the stunned crowd.


    He had now burnt forty percent of his blood, and his body was shrouded in a bright red glow like a fountain, using the explosively increased power to slaughter wildly!


    "Chasing Stars and Moons!"


    "Sweeping through a Thousand Armies!"


    "Spirit Chasing... Life Seizing..."


    Xiao Yi''s sword was one meant for killing; with every life the Fire Qilin Sword claimed, its blade grew only brighter, the Qilin scales and patterns becoming more defined, its light dazzling.


    Pu pu pu!


    With each sweeping stroke, heads were sent flying into the air.


    "Run for it!"


    "Don''t kill me, I... I was just watching the excitement..."


    "Save me..."


    In an instant.


    The number of strong warriors that Xiao Yi had slain had already surpassed ten. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple was wiped out, nearly all of the twenty royal family members were dead, only less than ten strong men from the Royal Martial Arts Academy remained, and the Nine Profound Sect had only Ling Feng left. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Only the Heavenly and Earthly Sword Brothers remained from Mingjian Manor.


    At this moment...


    Blocking Xiao Yi''s path were the Heavenly and Earthly Sword Brothers, but even with their combined force, they could not withstand Xiao Yi. The piercing sword''s edge whooshed by, striking both men and sending them flying.


    The Heavenly Son Sword''s complexion changed, and he bellowed, "Earthly Son Sword, combine our swords!"


    "All right!"


    The Earthly Son Sword shifted his form, spinning like a top. However... the Heavenly Son Sword, who should have joined him in a combined attack, spun around and dashed towards Ling Feng instead.


    Only the Earthly Son Sword remained to face Xiao Yi alone.


    "Heavenly Son Sword... you motherf..."


    With a face full of despair, the Earthly Son Sword turned back to look at Xiao Yi, "Don''t kill me��"


    Thud!


    The edge of the sword swept past.


    The Earthly Son Sword''s head was removed, his face a picture of despair.


    With a surge of blood, Xiao Yi dashed forward, leaving trails of black mud in his wake as he approached the Heavenly Son Sword.


    Ling Feng''s face hardened with anger as he roared, "Stop!"


    "What are you? Get lost!" Xiao Yi sneered, his sword pointed at the Heavenly Son Sword.


    "Seeking death!"


    Ling Feng''s face grew dark, and with a pointing finger he invoked, "Destruction Finger!"


    Hum!


    The light from his finger was unparalleled.


    Xiao Yi swept his sword across, at the same time bellowing, "Get out of my way!"


    Bang!


    The dazzling aura of the giant Qi Finger collided with the Sword Qi, resulting in absolute suppression. With a roar, it shattered the sword light and then slammed into Xiao Yi.


    A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed from his mouth.


    Ling Feng coldly said, "You''re no match for me. Resist again, and I''ll cut you down right here!"


    "Get lost!"


    Xiao Yi bellowed in rage, burning another ten percent of his blood, increasing his strength tenfold. But having already burnt fifty percent of his blood, his face was pale as death, even dizzy.


    But Xiao Yi could no longer care about that.


    His eyes glowing red, he roared, "Today, I wish to slay my enemies! Whoever dares to block my path, I''ll kill them!"


    If gods block me, I will slay gods!


    If Buddhas block me, I will slaughter Buddhas!


    Xiao Yi''s sword cut through the air; under the disbelieving gaze of the Heavenly Son Sword, he bisected him. Then, turning around and channeling all his strength, he unleashed his strongest strike, "Life... Seizing!"


    This strike landed directly on Ling Feng.


    Qi surged around Ling Feng, forming Qi shields in front of him.


    But in the face of Xiao Yi''s deadly strike, the Qi shields burst apart, and with a loud bang, it hit Ling Feng.


    Wow!


    Ling Feng was sent flying backward, blood streaming from his seven orifices. He sported a horrendous sword wound across his chest. The wound was bone-deep, covered in blood. Xiao Yi was about to follow up on his attack,


    Just as he was about to strike,


    He saw in the distance a terrifying aura rapidly approaching. Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted, "Ye Feng?"


    "Xiao Yi, your death is certain..."


    Ling Feng, dragging his heavily wounded body, rushed toward Ye Feng, shouting, "Ye Feng, Xiao Yi is here, kill him now!"


    "I''ll spare your dog''s life today, but I''ll come for it later!"


    Xiao Yi gave Ling Feng a cold look, then turned and in an instant, vanished into the thick miasma and mist above the swamp...

 Chapter 87 Immortals, Demons, Ghosts, and Gods All Listen

    Xiao Yi did not know how long he had run.He had long left the swamp and entered a grey and hazy mountain range.


    Between the towering peaks, a raging river cut across the landscape, its giant waves crashing against the shore''s chaotic rocks and cliffs, sending up sprays of white foam.


    The bloody light on his body had grown increasingly dim, a sign that the power surge from the Blood Explosion Skill was rapidly fading, and once this energy was depleted.


    Xiao Yi would also faint from excessive blood loss and weakness.


    After all.


    He had consumed a full fifty percent of his blood!


    "To think that so many people couldn''t kill you, you really do have a large life!" In the midst of his frantic escape, a cold voice made Xiao Yi''s whole body shudder.


    He looked toward the source of the voice.


    About a dozen meters ahead of him stood Zhang Tianyi, in flowing white garments, arms crossed and a playful look on his face.


    "Zhang Tianyi?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    Zhang Tianyi''s face was full of amusement as he sized Xiao Yi up and down, his eyes burning with passion: "Peak Divine Skills, capable of bursting forth with power comparable to the Sixth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm in an instant, this must be the secret technique you brought from the Xiao Family, right?"


    The Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty, a family now extremely hot in the Heavenly Yuan Realm.


    The name of the Xiao Family was astonishingly well-known.


    In Zhang Tianyi''s eyes, the only way Xiao Yi could possess such a powerful secret technique was thanks to the gifted Xiao Tianjiao of the Xiao Family.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, feeling a chill surge up his back: "Have you been watching the whole time?"


    He had never expected that during the previous battle, Zhang Tianyi had been spying on the sidelines?


    If Zhang Tianyi had made a move then, wouldn''t he be on a path with no return?


    Zhang Tianyi nodded, smiling slightly: "I have been there since you fought with Dao Yuan and the others. I was planning to kill you, but after seeing the secret technique you used, I changed my mind!"


    With the power of the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, Zhang Tianyi could have easily killed Xiao Yi had he taken action.


    But after witnessing Xiao Yi slay Dao Kuang with the Blood Explosion Skill, boosting his strength by dozens of times, he changed his mind.


    He had followed Xiao Yi until he left, tailing him all along, with the sole aim of seizing this secret technique for himself!


    If he could master such a technique, he even had the confidence to contend with the powerhouses of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Zhang Tianyi spoke unhurriedly, "Simply hand over the secret technique you used, and I can spare you your life!"


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Want my secret technique? Go ask King Yama for it in hell!"


    Boom!


    The bloody light around Xiao Yi was dazzling, as if he were a blood-colored War God holding the Fire Qilin Sword and cutting across the sky.


    A bloody wave swept across Changkong. S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sharp edge of the sword aura seemed to tear apart space itself, cleaving through mountains and rivers.


    Zhang Tianyi coldly smiled and with a flick of his finger, a "thud" shattered the terrifying sword wave. At the same time, with a casual flick of his finger, a terrifying wave of energy surged forth, hitting Xiao Yi with a loud bang.


    Xiao Yi trembled all over, the bloody light around him faded substantially, and his face grew even paler. He struggled to stand up, but spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, stumbled, and was about to fall when his body abruptly stopped.


    His eyes were filled with rage, and his hands clutched at his throat desperately.


    Zhang Tianyi, with one hand in the air, making a gesture as though grabbing something, summoned an invisible force that formed a hand and tightly gripped Xiao Yi''s neck, lifting him: "Killing you is like crushing an ant. If you don''t want to die, hand over the secret technique obediently!"


    At that moment...


    A chilling voice suddenly rang out, accompanied by a surging tide of energy, which with a bang, shattered Zhang Tianyi''s energy hand: "Xiao Yi is prey favored by the crown prince, do you also dare to snatch food from the tiger''s mouth?"


    "Ye Feng?"


    Zhang Tianyi raised his eyebrows, then with a wave of his hand, he grabbed Xiao Yi again, "If Jiang Shanhe were here, I might fear him a bit, but you think you can stop me?"


    "I''ve wanted to test my skills against you for a while now!"


    Ye Feng''s expression was stone cold as his iron fist cleaved through the air; black Qi condensed into thousands of red leaves, swirling and forming a massive red wave that furiously rolled toward Zhang Tianyi.


    The impact of their attacks was earth-shattering.


    And their strength was evenly matched.


    For a time, neither could gain the upper hand over the other; instead, it was Xiao Yi who repeatedly suffered from the aftershocks of their strikes, his injuries growing more severe.


    "One leaf signals the coming of autumn!"


    "A sliver of sky!"


    The two struck simultaneously, and two terrifying energies collided, creating a force that could destroy heaven and earth, completely annihilating a small mountain.


    Xiao Yi''s figure was sent flying once again, he came within a hair''s breadth of the surging, never-ending river.


    "Indeed worthy of being a paramount existence in the Tianlan Kingdom!" A grave expression spread across Ye Feng''s face.


    Zhang Tianyi snorted coldly and said with clasped hands, "The feeling''s mutual!"


    Ye Feng said, "Zhang Tianyi, neither of us can do anything to the other, but Xiao Yi is the prey coveted by the crown prince. This man has transformed from the Physical Body Realm into a strength comparable to the Golden Core Realm in just half a year; he is an asset that the crown prince is determined to possess!"


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    "What? Are you saying he advanced from the Physical Body Realm to his current strength in just half a year?" Zhang Tianyi was taken aback and asked incredulously.


    Half a year!


    Even though they were also considered prodigies, it would be good if they could break through one or two minor realms in half a year.


    Xiao Yi had crossed the Physical Body, Qi Gathering, and Divine Skills realms?


    Zhang Tianyi''s gaze toward Xiao Yi was filled with burning desire as he said solemnly, "Ye Feng, I do not wish to be enemies with Jiang Shanhe, but the secrets Xiao Yi holds are far too important. I absolutely cannot let them go. What do you say we share his secrets?"


    "Share?" Ye Feng was taken aback.


    Zhang Tianyi nodded, speaking coldly, "If you take him back to Jiang Shanhe, the secrets you end up with won''t be yours. But if you and I obtain all his secrets here, then how he broke through three realms in half a year, and how he, at the peak of Divine Skills, possesses fighting strength comparable to the five layers of the Golden Core Realm, will become our secrets��"


    Huff-puff!


    Huff-puff!


    Ye Feng''s breathing became heavy, and his blood-red tongue licked his lips. He focused and said, "But what if he doesn''t talk?"


    "Not talk?"


    Zhang Tianyi sneered viciously, "If he stays silent for one moment, I will cripple his cultivation; two moments, I''ll break his meridians. Three moments of silence, I''ll cut off his limbs... If he still doesn''t talk, doesn''t he have a wife? We''ll capture her. If he stays silent for a moment, I''ll find ten men; two moments, I''ll find a hundred men... Let''s see if he talks then!"


    Ye Feng gulped down a mouthful of saliva, his gaze filled with pity as he looked at Xiao Yi and chuckled wickedly, "Xiao Yi, you can only blame yourself for offending those you shouldn''t have!"


    "I... I offended your mother!"


    Xiao Yi, who had finally regained his senses, struggled to his feet, every word of their conversation not missing his ears. His eyes were filled with bloody ferocity. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "Ye Feng, Zhang Tianyi, and Jiang Shanhe... I, Xiao Yi, have never intentionally provoked you, yet you seek to push me toward death at every turn."


    Boom!


    With one step, Xiao Yi moved, and icy coldness glinted in his eyes as he spoke with deliberate emphasis, "I, Xiao Yi, swear here today, if I do not die, I will drench Tianlan in blood and slaughter my way through the Royal Martial Arts Institute!"


    "This vow, witnessed by the sun and the moon, acknowledged by heaven and earth!"


    "Let gods and demons alike listen..."


    The rumble of thunder!


    In the void, there seemed to be thunder tearing the sky apart, lightning flashing across the heavens!


    The murderous intent in his oath and the bloodlust in Xiao Yi''s eyes sent chills down their spines, leaving them exchanging looks of shock.


    It was as if they had truly seen a terrifying demon god, wielding a sword, stepping through the Royal Martial Arts Academy, shattering the Tianlan Kingdom, and slaying its rising stars!


    "Not good!"


    "Stop him..."


    The two were jolted, but then they saw Xiao Yi leap into the rapid river. Thunder roared, and silver lightning illuminated his fiercely cold face. Yet even under the clamor of thunder, Xiao Yi''s voice was crystal clear, "Keep your filthy lives, wait for me to claim them!"

 Chapter 88 Nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards, to destroy in order to establish!

    Boom! Boom! Boom!Huge waves churned within the river, and the surging tides threw up a sky full of white mist against the banks.


    Xiao Yi''s figure was swallowed up by the river water in an instant, disappearing without a trace, while Ye Feng and Zhang Tianyi stood by the riverbank and pursued downstream.


    After chasing for over thirty miles, Xiao Yi''s whereabouts were still nowhere to be found.


    "Over thirty miles, even at our peak, survival would not be possible..."


    "Damn it, one misstep leads to eternal regret! How could the two of us not have been on guard for Xiao Yi jumping into the river? What do we do now?"


    Naturally, the two men weren''t grieving over the death of a rabbit or the sorrow of a fox��they were lamenting Xiao Yi''s passing.


    They were simply regretting that they were unable to extract the many secrets from Xiao Yi.


    Ye Feng spoke in a heavy voice, "It''s better that he''s dead!"


    Before his mind flashed the words Xiao Yi had said before jumping into the river, that even gods and demons must listen, what an overbearing aura. Even gods and demons were to obey his commands, abide by his vows. Discover hidden content at empire


    Zhang Tianyi fell into silence for a moment, his eyes cold with a hint of gloom: "Even if he not dead, what is there to fear? If we could kill him once, we can kill him a second time!"


    "Enough!"


    Ye Feng took a deep breath and looked towards the depths of the secret realm, "The ancient tomb is right ahead, we should hurry and head over there!"


    The two men immediately left.


    ...


    The river water was turbulent, like a raging dragon tossing and turning.


    Downstream from where Xiao Yi had jumped into the river, a hundred miles away, there was a waterfall.


    Rumble!


    The waterfall cascaded down three thousand feet, the massive column of water like an angry dragon falling from the sky, slamming viciously into the pool below, sending waves hundreds of meters high into the air.


    All of a sudden...


    Xiao Yi was washed away by the swift river water, plummeting from the waterfall. The fall was three thousand feet high, and if he were to crash into the pool, it would surely be a dead end.


    But at this critical juncture.


    A crack sounded from his embrace, followed by a small figure surrounded by a faint silver glow that wrapped around Xiao Yi, its silver light turning into a silver sphere.


    Shielding Xiao Yi''s body, it smashed into the pool with a thud.


    Then the silver figure twisted its body, carrying Xiao Yi deep into the bottom of the pool. In the pitch-black depths, hundreds of meters down, suddenly there was a light.


    The silver figure, taking Xiao Yi with it, dived right in.


    In the quiet cavern within.


    Suddenly, bubbles burst forth from the crystal-clear lake, popping the moment they surfaced, with a streak of silver light flashing up.


    It was the silver snake, clutching Xiao Yi as it surged out from the water.


    Both man and serpent landed on the lakeshore.


    The silver snake wove around Xiao Yi''s chest, sensing the life force within him growing fainter and fainter. Determination and an almost human resolve flashed in the snake''s eyes. Opening its mouth, it revealed two needle-like fangs.


    Pff!


    It struck right above Xiao Yi''s heart.


    Thump! Thump!


    Xiao Yi''s heartbeat suddenly became rapid and powerful. His pale face flushed with color, but the silver snake seemed listless, lazily sprawled on his chest, occasionally lifting its head with a human-like worry in its eyes.


    In the darkness.


    A magnificent voice, like thunder rolling across the sky, shook the heavens, its sound captivating all realms: "Without destruction, there can be no establishment..."


    "Only through destruction can there be renewal!"


    Inside Xiao Yi, the God Sealing Seed suddenly boomed, and the power of God Sealing fell like oil onto the fire of hope: "I am a General who commands the heavens, destined to battle against the heavens and earth, to seal gods and suppress demons, invincible in all the world..."


    Rumble!


    In the darkness before Xiao Yi, a sun appeared, its radiant light expelling vast swaths of darkness.


    Boom!


    The dark world violently burst apart.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi''s eyes suddenly snapped open, and in his mind emerged a path, his path of martial arts, the path of the invincible!


    Almost at the very moment Xiao Yi grasped this path of the invincible, in the deepest part of the ancient Eternal Tomb, among the nine pyramid-like tombs, the one on the far left trembled violently.


    But it was quickly suppressed by the might of the Eternal Tomb!


    Golden light circulated around Xiao Yi, and inside him, the God Sealing Seed came to life, as countless forces of God Sealing surged out, converging at his dantian.


    The cyclone condensed, spinning wildly, and at the same time, it rapidly shrank.


    Eventually, it turned into a black pill the size of a walnut.


    "With me, invincible!"


    Xiao Yi''s countenance was dignified, and amid a cold shout, the power of the God Sealing Seed frantically assaulted the black pill. Amid the crisp cracking sounds, the dark shell of the black pill shattered, breaking away piece by piece.


    A strand of golden light brought forth patches of golden rainbows.


    Finally, it transformed into a walnut-sized Golden Core, floating in the center of his dantian.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation officially entered the Golden Core Realm!


    Above this Golden Core, a golden ring slowly emerged, indicating the First Layer of the Golden Core Realm. The ring was inscribed with profound and mysterious runes, exuding an ancient and vicissitudinous oppression.


    Sssss!


    The silver snake in his embrace shrank in fear, curling up in Xiao Yi''s arms, basking in the golden light. Its body, originally pure silver, slowly gained threads of gold.


    Boom!


    The vital energy of the First Layer of the Golden Core Realm within Xiao Yi surged wildly into the God Sealing Seed, like a vast ocean pouring into rivers, completely activating each and every God Sealing Seed.


    Two thousand.


    Two thousand five hundred.


    Three thousand...


    The number soared to five thousand before finally stopping.


    The force of the five thousand God Sealing Seeds converging turned back into his body. After stepping into the Golden Core Realm, this power from the seeds became even stronger!


    With Xiao Yi''s current First Layer of the Golden Core Realm cultivation, even without using the Blood Explosion Skill, he could easily vanquish a practitioner of the Fourth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    "Five thousand God Sealing Seeds, should be enough to inherit his legacy, right?" Xiao Yi''s eyes shone.


    The breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm and the devouring of Xina''s heaven and earth vital energy alleviated the weakness caused by his excessive blood loss.


    Xiao Yi''s figure flashed as he entered the Eternal Tomb.


    His eyes sharpened, falling upon the tomb that buried the Sword Demon Dugu, his eyes brimming with an eager fighting spirit, and Sword Intent surged forth like mad: "Suppress!"


    Hum!


    Between his palms, a "Suppress" character inscription fell like a towering mountain.


    Rumble!


    The entire tomb exploded with a blast.


    A man dressed in green robes, tall and straight like a pine, with pride like a sword, stood with his hands behind his back. His eyes were as sharp as sword edges, forbidding others to look directly. His gaze rested on Xiao Yi.


    An earth-shaking Sword Intent soared to the heavens.


    The number one expert of the Blue Star Realm, Sword Demon Dugu, became the sword, and the sword became him, reaching the realm where man and sword were one.


    He pointed a single finger, yet it seemed as if a divine sword hung in the sky!


    This sword shone with thousands of glimmers, like a great sun towering in the sky, slashing down towards Xiao Yi.


    "Claim... Life!"


    God Sealing force around Xiao Yi condensed into a sky-piercing sharp sword. This sword, like a meteor tearing through the sky, collided fiercely with another sword light. It was a clash of needlepoint against wheat, with terrifying power spreading in all directions.


    He did not use the power of the God Sealing force to overpower the Sword Demon Dugu; instead, he chose sword against sword!


    This was the dignity and pride of a swordsman!


    Clink clink clang!


    Sword techniques collided, and the two fought countless exchanges.


    Xiao Yi''s sword moves constantly evolved, while the Sword Demon Dugu simply swung his sword in the simplest manner. No sophisticated sword techniques were used, yet they contained the essence of the great way.


    The sword follows the heart.


    Truly powerful swordsmen rely not on sword techniques, but on Sword Intent!


    Everything moves with the heart.


    Where the thought goes, the sword edge follows!


    With this realization,


    Xiao Yi no longer used sword techniques, but simply wielded his sword against his opponent, the duel flowing like clouds and water, becoming more and more proficient. After a bout, without any hesitation and devoid of any sword technique, Xiao Yi swung his sword.


    Pff!


    With that sword, he cut off a strand of Sword Demon Dugu''s hair.


    The Sword Demon Dugu startled, a meaningful smile spread across his face, his figure flickered, and he turned into a ray of light that entered into the God Sealing Seed, transforming into an aloof silhouette standing with hands behind his back, gazing up at the sky.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi''s mind received the life-long sword understanding of Sword Demon Dugu. His Sword Intent reached a new level, attaining the state where the sword follows the heart!


    Beyond that.


    There was also a set of sword techniques known as the "Solitary Nine Swords"! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If measured by the standards of this era, this set of sword techniques would be considered a high-grade fourth-tier technique. When combined with the second phase of Sword Intent, where the sword follows the heart, it would be comparable to a fifth-tier sword technique!


    "The First Layer of the Golden Core Realm, second phase of Sword Intent, aided by the ''Solitary Nine Swords''. With my current combat power, even without the Blood Explosion Skill, I should be able to kill someone at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm."


    A hint of anticipation appeared on Xiao Yi''s face: "Ye Feng, Zhang Tianyi, clean your necks and wait for me..."

 Chapter 89 Martial Dao Divine Fruit

    Hiss hiss!Xiao Yi stopped mid-sentence as the silver snake poked its head out, flicking its scarlet tongue, while its amber eyes fixed on Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi was momentarily stunned, then he remembered the moment he had jumped into the river earlier, when the beast egg in his arms had cracked and hatched this little creature.


    It was this very creature that had dragged him into the deep waters, allowing him to avoid being pursued and killed by Ye Feng and Zhang Tianyi.


    It had also led him to this cave.


    And at a critical moment, it had bitten him, infusing life force into his body.


    "Little guy, thank you for saving me!" Xiao Yi rubbed the head of the silver snake.


    The little snake nuzzled against Xiao Yi''s palm willingly, winding along his hand and climbing onto his shoulder, flicking its tongue, its eyes filled with worry and inquiry.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, the little fellow seemed quite human-like. He smiled and said, "I''m fine, don''t worry!"


    This time, disaster had turned into a blessing.


    The continuous battles, combined with the explosion of the Blood Explosion Skill, had taken his already Peak of the Divine Ability Realm cultivation to the next level, stepping into the Golden Core Realm.


    Within the dantian.


    That golden-yellow Golden Core bobbed and drifted, surrounded by a golden halo.


    In the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, one revolution of the Golden Core indicated one layer.


    With each rise in realm, an additional halo would appear, and now, he had also acquired the Sword Demon Dugu''s lifelong understanding of the sword, along with the Solitary Nine Swords and the second stage of Sword Intent, where the sword follows the heart. Read latest stories on empire


    Xiao Yi''s strength had now made a dramatic advance.


    Hiss hiss!


    The silver snake slithered swiftly to the ground, moving forward a certain distance before turning back to look at Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi, surprised, asked, "Are you asking me to follow you?"


    Hiss hiss!


    The silver snake nodded.


    Xiao Yi followed it.


    A man and a snake, moving farther and farther within the dim cave.


    Drip drop drip drop!


    The entire cave was deathly silent, with only the sound of water droplets echoing, adding a somber tone. The faint silver light emitted by the silver snake lit up the ground, with Xiao Yi closely following.


    The silver snake ahead suddenly stopped, spinning in place and making urgent hissing noises.


    Xiao Yi, startled, approached and saw that right at the spot where the silver snake was circling, there was a corpse. The corpse had been covered by thick soil and stones, but as the silver snake continued to move, it brushed away the earthen cover, revealing its true face.


    "This is..." Xiao Yi stepped forward to investigate.


    The body had been dead for a long time, leaving only a skeleton.


    But it was this very skeleton that made Xiao Yi''s face turn pale with shock.


    Within the skeleton was a fist-sized, emerald-green fruit.


    "The Martial Dao Divine Fruit? How is this possible?" Xiao Yi picked up the green fruit, confirmed it was real, and an astonished look spread across his face.


    The Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    This was the Dao Fruit that formed within a martial artist after they broke through to the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    If such a Martial Dao Divine Fruit were to appear in the outside world, it would certainly cause a bloodbath, because one such fruit represented a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse!


    At the peak of the Golden Elixir, refining a single Martial Dao Divine Fruit would allow one to step into the Calamity Realm.


    Of course...


    There are downsides to consuming this fruit to enter the Calamity Realm, as it will make further breakthroughs much more difficult. However, for the vast majority of the strong, reaching the Calamity Realm is something they can only dream of.


    It''s just that...


    How could the body of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert appear here?


    Moreover, looking at the body, all the bones were shattered, obviously killed by someone who brutally broke all their bones.


    Hiss hiss!


    A silver snake brought a storage ring to Xiao Yi''s palm, and with a drop of blood, Xiao Yi made the ring recognize him as its master. However, inside the ring was merely an empty space with only a parchment scroll.


    Xiao Yi focused his gaze, and as he looked, his pupils suddenly dilated, "If someone sees this letter, then it proves I am already dead. I do not know how long it has been, perhaps people have already forgotten my name. I am Wang Tianqi, the first headmaster of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy of Tianqing Kingdom. However..."


    As Xiao Yi read on, the shock and astonishment on his face intensified.


    This Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse turned out to be the founder of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, a genuine Tao Tribulation Realm expert. Xiao Yi had heard of him from Gu Junhe, it could be said that Tianqi Martial Arts Academy''s rise and fall were both because of Wang Tianqi!


    It was precisely because Wang Tianqi was stationed there that the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy could become the number one martial arts academy of Tianqing Kingdom.


    But over five hundred years ago...


    Wang Tianqi mysteriously vanished, and from then on, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy began to decline, and now has but a few disciples left.


    Xiao Yi had never imagined that Wang Tianqi would appear here, and according to the parchment scroll, over five hundred years ago, Wang Tianqi and two other Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from Tianlan Kingdom and Purple Robe Kingdom were abducted by a mysterious being.


    And the being that took them away only wanted them to build a tomb for him!


    To have Tao Tribulation Realm experts build his tomb, one could fathom how terrifying that being was!


    Surely he was a being of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, or perhaps even from the Longevity Secret Realm!


    At that time, the being promised that as long as they completed the tomb, he would let them go, but Wang Tianqi was cautious and secretly dug a tunnel leading to the deepest part of the ancient tomb.


    He had intended to enter the ancient tomb later on.


    But when the tomb was completed, that being unexpectedly struck and killed the three of them, ensuring they would rest forever within the burial site.


    Wang Tianqi''s body was different from an ordinary person''s, and he did not die on the spot. sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He managed to escape the ancient tomb through the secret tunnel.


    But he died here soon after escaping, gravely injured. Before his death, he left this parchment scroll: "Lucky one, this parchment bears the secret tunnel route map I left behind... Even in death, I wish to see his tomb desecrated... Wang Tianqi''s final words!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi stared at the parchment for a long time, unable to snap out of his reverie.


    Everyone thought this was the ancient tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert, yet it was the tomb of a being suspected to be from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, or even the Longevity Secret Realm!


    "So it seems Zhou Yuan and the others did not find the real tomb; does that mean the true treasures of this ancient tomb are still intact? They merely took some trifling benefits?" Xiao Yi''s eyes gleamed as he laughed heartily.


    Zhou Yuan and other experts at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak spent two months excavating the Secret Realm, thinking they had taken away the best treasures.


    They never imagined...


    What they got was merely trivial gains!


    Hiss hiss!


    The silver snake tilted its head, seemingly puzzled as to why Xiao Yi was laughing.


    Xiao Yi hugged the snake tightly and kissed it fiercely; if not for this little critter, he might never have discovered Wang Tianqi''s remains, nor obtained this parchment: "Little guy, you truly are my lucky star! It''s not good to keep calling you little guy, so considering your silver scales... from now on, I will call you Little Lin. How does Xiao Lin sound for a grand name?"


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin tilted its head, completely baffled.


    Xiao Yi casually collected Wang Tianqi''s remains and Martial Dao Divine Fruit into his storage ring, preparing to take them out for a proper burial and to establish a memorial.


    Looking at the parchment in his hand, Xiao Yi flicked Little Lin''s head lightly, "Little Lin, let''s dig a grave!"


    A tomb of a Dharma Manifestation Realm, or even a Longevity Secret Realm expert!


    What exactly was inside?


    Xiao Yi''s heart was filled with curiosity and anticipation...

 Chapter 90 Killing with a Single Finger

    The routes marked on the parchment were extremely detailed.In just half a day, Xiao Yi had entered the main burial chamber. At each of the four corners of the main tomb was a green lantern that had been burning for at least five hundred years, judging by the time of Wang Tianqi''s disappearance.


    That they still shone brightly was truly astonishing!


    There were two corpses within the ancient tomb.


    They must have been martial artists from the Tao Tribulation Realm of the Tianlan Kingdom and the Purple Robe Kingdom, captured alongside Wang Tianqi to construct the ancient tomb, only to die right on this spot, unfortunately.


    Their Martial Dao Divine Fruits lay quietly within the skulls.


    Xiao Yi collected each of the Martial Dao Divine Fruits, "Just these three Martial Dao Divine Fruits are worth a fortune, I''m afraid they might be even more valuable than all the gains of Zhou Yuan and Gu the elder at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm..."


    Just as Xiao Yi had thought...


    The treasures obtained by Zhou Yuan and Gu Junhe weren''t many. After all, the ancient tombs in the Tao Tribulation Realm outside were just a decoy, and all their treasures combined couldn''t compare to a single Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    Plus, as the peak Golden Elixir Realm martial artists divided the treasures among themselves, each person''s share was not significant.


    But Xiao Yi alone had obtained three Martial Dao Divine Fruits!


    What''s more important was...


    The most precious and mysterious thing in the entire burial ground was the bronze ancient coffin at the very center!


    The four corners of the bronze ancient coffin each had a divine beast statue, modeled after the images of The Four Divine Beasts: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, supporting the ancient coffin.


    The coffin was covered with a myriad of mysterious runes, with strange patterns connected to each other, emitting a faint golden glow.


    Ancient, vicissitudes of time, heavy, solemn, mysterious!


    Little Lin shrunk in Xiao Yi''s arms, although this little guy had just been born, it already possessed the strength comparable to a third-order high-level demon beast.


    Definitely considered gifted!


    Its little eyes stared at the ancient coffin, gently flicking its tongue as if asking Xiao Yi what was inside.


    Xiao Yi rubbed Little Lin''s head and placed his hands on the bronze ancient coffin.


    Clang!


    The lid of the coffin was suddenly flung open by him.


    A surge of golden light shot up into the sky, obscuring the entire tomb. When the light quietly dimmed, what lay within the ancient coffin was revealed before Xiao Yi.


    "This��"


    Xiao Yi was dumbfounded.


    Inside the ancient coffin, the burial wasn''t a corpse but a pitch-black jade box, and surrounding the jade box were luminous, transparent stones that glittered with spiritual light.


    Spirit Stones!


    The word surfaced in Xiao Yi''s mind.


    These Spirit Stones, which could only form in spirit veins where the heavenly and earth''s essence was incredibly condensed, were categorized into lower, middle, upper, and top grades.


    But even the lowest grade Spirit Stone was worth a fortune!


    According to what Xiao Yi knew, a single lower-grade Spirit Stone, if converted to gold coins, was worth a hundred thousand, and they were priceless!


    Besides the jade box in the ancient coffin, there were over a thousand lower-grade Spirit Stones, more than a hundred middle-grade ones, and even ten upper-grade ones!


    To put it bluntly...


    Just these Spirit Stones alone exceeded the gains of Zhou Yuan and others!


    "What''s inside this jade box?" Xiao Yi collected the Spirit Stones and held the jade box, attempting to discover its secrets.


    Yet, despite all his efforts, he couldn''t open it.


    "To compel an existence suspected from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, or even the Longevity Secret Realm, to abduct three martial artists from the Tao Tribulation Realm to construct a tomb and bury it, this cannot be an ordinary item! I''ll take it back and find a way to open it later!"


    Xiao Yi stored the jade box away.


    He sat cross-legged before the ancient coffin.


    He took out a lower-grade Spirit Stone and circulated his mysterious arts as a stream of pure heavenly and earthly essence flowed into his body. This energy was vast and pure, immediately swallowed up.


    "No wonder all martial artists are so eager for Spirit Stones; this is indeed an excellent aid for cultivation!" Spirit Stones were the essence of heaven and earth condensed to the extreme, materialized into substance.


    The energy within was purer than that of the dantian and medicinal pills.


    Xiao Yi kept devouring them.


    A single lower-grade Spirit Stone was equivalent to ten days of arduous cultivation, and at Xiao Yi''s current level of cultivation, he could devour a lower-grade Spirit Stone in about half an incense stick''s time.


    One by one, the Spirit Stones in his hands were refined.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation level also kept rising, and in the blink of an eye, seven days had passed. Xiao Yi had devoured more than a thousand lower-grade Spirit Stones.


    His cultivation level had broken through to the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!


    As the accumulated essence of the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm surged wildly into the God Sealing Seed within his body, Xiao Yi''s God Sealing Seed gained another fifteen thousand seeds, reaching a total of twenty thousand!


    ```


    Twenty thousand God Sealing Seeds reflected the power of divinity, causing Xiao Yi''s combat strength to swell once again.


    With his current level of combat strength...


    Even without using the Blood Explosion Skill, he can effortlessly crush a Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm expert, and when he exercises his full power, even an Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm opponent might be a match!


    "The time is almost up; they should have entered the ancient tomb by now!" A cold gleam flashed across Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    He then left the true main tomb according to the secret passage indicated on the parchment.


    The exit of the main tomb turned out to be beneath the stele at the entrance to the false tomb.


    Only from the inside could the stele be flipped; from the outside, it gave away no signs at all. As Xiao Yi left the secret passage, the stele reverted to its original state.


    "This must be the false tomb designed to mislead the world. Judging by Ye Feng and their speed, they should be in here��" Standing at the entrance to the false tomb, Xiao Yi pondered for a moment before stepping inside.


    The tomb passage was long and narrow, with traps destroyed by brute force visible everywhere �C clearly the handiwork of Zhou Yuan and the others.


    He continued on his way.


    The scent of blood in the air grew stronger.


    Xiao Yi slowed his pace, spotting many corpses along the way, mostly from the Purple Robe Kingdom, causing him to frown: "Why are people from the Purple Robe Kingdom dying here?"


    Suddenly...


    Intense sounds of fighting came from ahead, and Yue Ling''er''s exasperated voice could be heard: "Ling Feng, how dare you kill my subordinates? Aren''t you afraid of my cousin punishing you for your crimes?"


    "Hehe, His Highness the Seventh Prince is strong and a powerful contender for the Crown Prince position, one who my Nine Profound Sect cannot afford to offend. However, a dead prince has no standing to punish me, right?" Ling Feng''s voice was smug and fearless.


    The Nine Profound Sect was already supporting the eldest prince.


    Now that Ye Feng and Zhang Tianyi had joined forces against Jiang Tai, putting him in danger of not being able to protect himself, Ling Feng naturally became even more brazen.


    Yue Ling''er, with her back against the rocky walls of the tomb passage, had a trace of crimson at the corner of her mouth, her eyes filled with despair: "Cousin... I told you not to seek revenge for Xiao Yi. You wouldn''t listen, and now look where we are... We''re all going to die here..."


    The moment Jiang Tai learned of Xiao Yi''s "death," he immediately sought out Ye Feng and fought him.


    But with Zhang Tianyi''s support, Ye Feng not only avoided death at Jiang Tai''s hands but instead the two of them teamed up to attack Jiang, forcing him into a retreat to the inside of the ancient tomb.


    Yue Ling''er intervened to help Jiang Tai, which resulted in the death of her own subordinates.


    And now, even she faced death at Ling Feng''s hands.


    "Time to depart!"


    With a malevolent laugh, Ling Feng raised his hand, and the sharp blade thrust straight at Yue Ling''er.


    It was at this critical juncture...


    A figure suddenly appeared in front of Yue Ling''er, and with a clang, Ling Feng''s fierce sword thrust was blocked.


    The tomb passage fell into dead silence, with not a sound to be heard.


    Yue Ling''er''s phoenix eyes opened slightly wide, her large, watery eyes fluttering in shock. Ling Feng was slack-jawed, his sword firmly clamped between two fair fingers, trapped and unable to advance or retreat!


    Both individuals stared at the figure before them in disbelief, uttering his name: "Xiao... Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi slowly lifted his head, the corners of his mouth lifting as he looked at Ling Feng: "We meet again!"


    "You... you''re not dead?"


    Ling Feng drew in a sharp breath.


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "I''m not dead. Does that disappoint you?"


    "How could that be? Heh, I''m too pleased for words that you''re alive..."


    Ling Feng recovered from his initial shock, then sneered, "I was regretting not being able to kill you with my own hands. Now, you can go die!"


    Whoosh!


    Ling Feng''s weapon tore through the air, a mighty strike descending swiftly.


    "Be careful!"


    Yue Ling''er yelled out a warning. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet Xiao Yi merely raised his hand and sent out a finger strike.


    Hum!


    That one finger, like the reemergence of a peerless divine sword in this world, clashed with a clang against Ling Feng''s assault, then with a thud pierced Ling Feng''s brow.


    Thump!


    Ling Feng''s body shuddered, his face still twisted in ferocity, but now devoid of life!


    Hiss!


    Yue Ling''er inhaled sharply, speechless and with eyes wide open in astonishment.


    Ling Feng, a Sixth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm martial artist, had been killed by a single finger from Xiao Yi?


    ```

 Chapter 91 Ancestors and Clans

    Ling Feng was at the Golden Elixir Realm Sixth Layer Cultivation, serving as the chief top disciple of the Nine Profound Sect.Before this��


    Xiao Yi had to resort to the Blood Explosion Skill, burning thirty percent of his blood to contend against him, but now, having broken through to the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, Xiao Yi needed only a flick of his fingers to slay him.


    This was the enhancement of combat power that came with a foundation in cultivation.


    Yue Ling''er stared in disbelief, unable to comprehend what she was seeing in this young man before her.


    When they had first entered the secret realm,


    she had on multiple occasions advised Jiang Tai to keep his distance from Xiao Yi, believing Xiao Yi''s cultivation to be unimpressive and only a harbinger of trouble that would undoubtedly drag Jiang Tai down.


    What she could never have anticipated was Xiao Yi''s growth to his current realm in the mere half-month since the opening of the secret realm.


    Gulp!


    Yue Ling''er swallowed hard, asking incredulously, "Xiao Yi, what exactly is your cultivation level?"


    She simply could not believe that just half a month ago, Xiao Yi was merely at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm!


    Xiao Yi glanced at her and said indifferently, "Fourth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm."


    Yue Ling''er fell silent for a moment before pressing, "Half a month ago, were you really just at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Hiss!


    Yue Ling''er sharply inhaled a breath of cold air.


    Half a month, from the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm to the Fourth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm?


    How terrifyingly fast was that?


    Even her brother, hailed as the first genius in the history of the Purple Robe Kingdom, couldn''t manage that!


    Surely no one from the eighteen kingdoms under the Great Qian Dynasty could possibly achieve that, could they?


    Except for that one��


    The idol of all the young people in the Great Qian Dynasty, Xiao Tianjiao, who also happened to be Yue Ling''er''s idol. Yue Ling''er looked intently at Xiao Yi and spoke in a grave voice, "Your surname is Xiao, could the rumors be true? Are you really from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty? It''s only a family that produced a figure like Xiao Tianjiao that could manifest a miracle like yours�� breaking through four realms in half a month..."


    Xiao Yi gave her a cold look, the indifference and iciness in his eyes causing Yue Ling''er to shiver, as if she had fallen into an ice pit.


    Xiao Yi said coldly, "Where is Jiang Tai?"


    "Ah?"


    Yue Ling''er was taken aback, snapping back to reality and quickly saying, "Cousin, chased by Ye Feng and Zhang Tianyi, has probably already entered the main tomb by now. Hurry and help him!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and, with a flash, dashed wildly toward the depths of the tomb.


    ......


    Inside the main tomb.


    Jiang Tai, Zhang Tianyi, and Ye Feng stood clearly divided, with a massive coffin appearing before the trio. The coffin was suspended mid-air, tethered by three chains.


    The chains wrapped around the coffin, with bright red links and yellow talismans plastered all over the coffin.


    An eerie ghostly aura pervaded, exceptionally terrifying!


    "The owner of this ancient tomb must be buried here!"


    Ye Feng said lightly, "Later, when the three of us join forces to open the coffin, the Martial Dao Divine Fruit is mine, and the rest of the treasures are yours!"


    Jiang Tai sneered, "Impossible!"


    Zhang Tianyi also had a nonchalant expression, "The Martial Dao Divine Fruit can''t possibly be yours."


    Ye Feng narrowed his eyes and said, "None of us can gain the upper hand over the others, and if we were to truly fight to the death, in the end, it would only benefit a third party."


    "What exactly are you trying to say?" Zhang Tianyi asked, frowning.


    Ye Feng said in a deep voice, "Let the three of us take turns attacking the coffin, and whoever opens it first gets the Martial Dao Divine Fruit. How about it?"


    After a moment of silence, they both nodded in agreement.


    Jiang Tai asked, "Who goes first?"


    Ye Feng said, "I have three sticks here, we could draw lots, with the length determining the order. The longest one goes first, the shortest last. How about that?"


    "Fine!"


    After drawing lots, Jiang Tai went first, followed by Zhang Tianyi, and then Ye Feng.


    Jiang Tai wielded a nine-ring great saber that gleamed with a silvery light, swinging the blade down. With a humming sound, the silver saber light fell heavily on the coffin.


    Thud!


    The coffin shook violently, and the chains rattled loudly.


    Yet it did not open!


    Zhang Tianyi was the second to perform, wielding a long spear like a raging dragon sweeping the heavens, landing a blow on the coffin. The entire coffin shook violently, and strips of yellow talismans exploded off it.


    It still did not open.


    Zhang Tianyi, his face twisted with annoyance, glared fiercely at Ye Feng, "Your turn!"


    Ye Feng''s mouth curled into a smirk, and with a casual toss, a bottle of blood-red liquid scattered forth.


    Hiss, hiss!


    The blood-red liquid stained the chains, from which plumes of black smoke began to rise, corrosion eating away at the chains.


    With a loud boom, the three chains snapped in succession, and the coffin crashed to the ground. The lid of the coffin had also opened a crack at that moment, and Ye Feng said with a smug face, "Sorry, this Martial Dao Divine Fruit is mine now!"


    "You... vile..." Zhang Tianyi glared at Ye Feng venomously.


    That blood-red liquid was the blood of a creature known as the Corpse-Eating Worm, possessing extremely potent corrosive properties.


    Never had they imagined that Ye Feng held this trick up his sleeve.


    Jiang Tai snorted coldly, "People from the Royal Martial Arts Academy really have no shame."


    "To the victor go the spoils; whoever laughs last is the real winner. As for the means used, nobody will care!" Ye Feng jeered and walked towards the coffin.


    But just as he was about three meters away from the coffin, a cold snort suddenly resonated throughout the main tomb: "Who dares disturb my eternal slumber?"


    Hiss!


    The three of them��Ye Feng included��trembled all over, "Who?"


    They looked around, but saw no one at all.


    The cold voice came again: "I am within this coffin. Who dare disturbs me?"


    Within the coffin? S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They exchanged looks, shock written all over their faces.


    Was the being inside the coffin still alive?


    Ye Feng asked in a deep voice, "May I ask the elder''s name?"


    "I am of the ancestral Zong clan!"


    "Ancestor Zong?"


    Ye Feng paused for a moment, then respectfully said, "I am Ye Feng, a junior. Unaware that Ancestor Zong rested here, I hope for your forgiveness!"


    "Hmph!"


    The cold voice came again, "If you seek my forgiveness, kneel down and kowtow ten times!"


    A cold light flashed in Ye Feng''s eyes.


    The cold voice spoke again, "Should you satisfy me, why should I not pass on my lifetime''s inheritance to you?"


    Hiss!


    Ye Feng''s complexion flushed.


    A lifetime''s inheritance?


    That was the inheritance of a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse!


    With this thought in mind.


    Ye Feng thudded to his knees, his head banging resoundingly against the ground, respect on his face: "Junior Ye Feng offers kowtows in apology to Elder Ancestor Zong!"


    "Um, those kowtows are loud and clear. It seems you have had plenty of practice with this!" The icy, authoritative voice suddenly turned mocking and familiar.


    Huh?


    Ye Feng was taken aback and looked up sharply, only to see Xiao Yi sitting atop the coffin, watching him with amusement.


    Ye Feng trembled all over, his eyes instantly bloodshot with rage, "Xiao Yi? You''re still alive?" He suddenly recalled that cold voice, "Was that you speaking earlier? It was not an elder from within the coffin?"


    "My dear grandson, how can you be so rude? Weren''t you calling me your ancestor so naturally just now?" Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow at Ye Feng, tauntingly asking.


    "You..."


    Ye Feng''s face instantly turned beet red, as if he had been slapped dozens of times.


    He had knelt before Xiao Yi and kowtowed ten times, even calling him ancestor?


    That was humiliating to the extreme!


    Zhang Tianyi''s eyes were also narrowed as he stared fixedly at Xiao Yi. To him, the secrets on Xiao Yi''s person were far more valuable than the Martial Dao Divine Fruit. His sanguine tongue licked his lips, "Xiao Yi, I''m glad you''re not dead. With the secrets on you, who needs the Martial Dao Divine Fruit anyway!"


    Ye Feng immediately looked at Zhang Tianyi, "Zhang Tianyi, let us join forces to take down this man!"


    "Good!"


    Zhang Tianyi nodded his head.


    "Humph, if you want to deal with Xiao, you''ll have to get past me first!" Jiang Tai snorted coldly, his face showing a genuine gleam of joy upon learning Xiao Yi was alive.


    With a flash, he positioned himself in front of Xiao Yi.


    Ye Feng narrowed his eyes, "Your Highness the Seventh Prince, you may be powerful, but any one of us can contain you. The other can then deal with Xiao Yi, you won''t be able to stop us!"


    Before Jiang Tai could respond.


    Xiao Yi''s voice came from behind him, "Brother Jiang, just watch from the sidelines! This unfilial progeny of mine is actually conspiring with strangers against me, his ancestor. I must personally administer the family discipline!"


    With those words, one could almost hear the sound of slaps in the air.


    Ye Feng''s face was an iron blue, his murderous intent soaring, "Xiao Yi, I will tear you into a thousand pieces..."

 Chapter 92 Choice

    "I shall tear your body into ten thousand pieces!"Ye Feng bellowed furiously, his voice like a booming bell, his figure moving like a startling rainbow.


    Leaving behind a trail of afterimages in his original position.


    In the blink of an eye.


    He had already arrived in front of Xiao Yi, with the cultivation of the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm fully unleashed in an instant. His palm surrounded by Yuan Qi, transformed into a ferocious tiger descending the mountain: "Starving Tiger Pounces on Prey!"


    Ao!


    This palm strike was magnificent and powerful.


    With one palm strike, it could shatter a small mountain.


    Xiao Yi slapped the coffin, and with a muffled thud, his body shot upwards, his right hand grasping in mid-air, the Fire Qilin Sword radiant with a fluctuating red light.


    With a casual swing, a red rainbow pierced through the void.


    There were no complicated techniques.


    Just a casual sword thrust!


    But it was the second stage of Sword Intent, the realm where the sword follows the heart!


    This sword was as gentle as the water of autumn.


    Yet, when it collided with Ye Feng''s momentous palm strike, it became as ruthless as the ice of a cold winter, tearing apart the Yuan Qi palm with a hiss.


    Xiao Yi advanced with his sword, threading through the crevice in the palm.


    In a flash.


    Xiao Yi had already landed in front of Ye Feng, his body spinning like a whirlwind, suddenly turning, sword in hand, as swift as an arrow released from its bow: "First form of the Solitary Nine Swords!"


    Shua!


    Countless Sword Qi shadows surrounded him.


    Dizzying to the eyes, one couldn''t tell which was real and which was false!


    "No matter how strong your swordsmanship is, it cannot stop my Hundred Battles King''s Fist!"


    Ye Feng''s eyes were bloodshot, his forehead veins bulging like a dragon turning over, all his strength converging in his fists.


    Hands clenched into fists.


    As fists flew, thunder roared, and when the fists landed, they charged like great beasts.


    In that moment, Ye Feng seemed to transform into the War God of a hundred battles, his fists challenging heaven and earth, unbeatable in all fights, victorious in every battle.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Fist shadows and sword shadows clashed like the tip of a needle against a stalk of wheat.


    Colliding with each other, grinding against one another.


    Rumbling...


    Inside the tomb, Sword Qi marks were all over the rocky walls, and fist prints were embedded all around. Dust was flying, sand and stones were moving about as if it were a battlefield.


    Jiang Tai and Zhang Tianyi had already retreated to the side.


    Both looked at the two in the battlefield with uncertainty and disbelief.


    In Zhang Tianyi''s shocked gaze, there was an added fervor, "Golden Core Realm! Xiao Yi is actually in the Golden Core Realm? It''s only been ten days since he jumped into the river, and he has had another breakthrough? I must find out his secret, such speed in improving cultivation is even more valuable than any Martial Dao Divine Fruit!"


    Even Jiang Tai had red eyes, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, his face showing shock: "Xiao... worthy to be his brother!"


    At that moment...


    A shocking sword light tore through the flying dust.


    The red sword light flashed by.


    One saw Ye Feng emerging from the rising dust, moving forward a few steps, then turning around to look towards the dust with a hint of coldness in his eyes: "Xiao! Yi!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi walked out unscathed, facing Ye Feng, with a slight upward curve of his mouth, he said calmly, "You, have lost!"


    Thump!


    Ye Feng''s entire body shook, and his knees bent as he knelt before Xiao Yi. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Blood continuously spurted out from his throat.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I said before... if I didn''t die, I would surely drench Tianlan Kingdom in blood and slaughter everyone in the Royal Martial Arts Academy! And now, this is just the beginning!"


    Thud!


    Ye Feng''s body fell straight to the ground, with eyes wide in anger and full of unwillingness.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze shifted to Zhang Tianyi, pointing his sword''s tip, "It''s your turn!"


    Clap clap clap!


    Zhang Tianyi clapped his hands together, wearing a brilliant smile, "Impressive, truly impressive! I never expected that in just half a month, you would make such a tremendous breakthrough, from the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm to the Fourth Layer of the Golden Core Realm. Tsk tsk, in just half a month''s time... Zhang Tianyi admires few people, but you, you are definitely one of them!"


    Xiao Yi looked at him dispassionately.


    Zhang Tianyi narrowed his eyes and said, "Xiao Yi, I admit your talent is strong, and your strength isn''t weak, to be able to kill Ye Feng is indeed beyond my expectations. But, you are no match for me, even with Jiang Tai on your side, it''s impossible for you to defeat me. How about we make a deal?"


    Xiao Yi remained silent.


    Jiang Tai, however, stood beside Xiao Yi with an indescribably solemn expression.


    Just as Zhang Tianyi said...


    Even if they joined forces, Jiang Tai was not confident they could beat him.


    Zhang Tianyi said, "As long as you tell me the secret to your rapid cultivation, I can spare your lives. Even the inheritance from the Tao Tribulation Realm expert within the coffin behind you, I''m willing to let you have it, how about that?"


    His eyes were full of eagerness and anticipation.


    To some who see no hope in breaking through to the Calamity Realm, the Martial Dao Divine Fruit is a treasure worth fighting for with their lives!


    But to a true genius, they are more inclined to break that shackle themselves.


    Xiao Yi, who managed to step into the Fourth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm from the Physical Body Realm in just half a year, having such a secret in hand, Zhang Tianyi was absolutely confident he could step into the Calamity Realm!


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved upward as he said playfully, "You beg me! Maybe if I''m in a good mood, I might just teach you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Zhang Tianyi''s eyebrows furrowed tightly, and a touch of gloom appeared in his eyes as he said coldly, "Xiao Yi, don''t be ungrateful! If you really anger me, I might as well just cripple your cultivation, break your limbs, and take you back for a slow and painful questioning. The Ministry of Punishments of Tianlan Kingdom has plenty of ways to make people talk!"


    Xiao Yi said, "You can ask my sword if it agrees!"


    Seeing that Xiao Yi was impervious, Zhang Tianyi then turned to look at Jiang Tai, "Jiang Tai, with Jiang Shanhe over you, your chances of seizing the Crown Prince title are not great. But if you can get Xiao Yi''s secret, and you step into the Calamity Realm, then the throne would inevitably be yours. Think about it, he managed to reach the Golden Core Realm from the Physical Body Realm in just half a year..."


    Jiang Tai''s face subtly changed.


    Indeed.


    In the struggle for the position of the Crown Prince, aside from his mother being from the royal family of the Purple Robe Kingdom, he had no advantage at all.


    In terms of cultivation?


    Jiang Shanhe was the first person on the Teng Long List of Tianqing Kingdom!


    In terms of background?


    Jiang Shanhe had the entire Royal Martial Arts Academy behind him!


    His chance of victory was extremely slim!


    But if he could step into the realm of Calamity, then the position of the Crown Prince would be uncontested, even Jiang Shanhe would not stand a chance!


    Jiang Tai''s eyes didn''t just look at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi calmly looked back at him, to be fair, he did not wish to be an enemy of Jiang Tai. But if Jiang Tai chose to attack him, then Xiao Yi would definitely not hold back!


    After a moment of silence.


    Jiang Tai took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and fixed his gaze on Zhang Tianyi, "No matter how down-and-out I, Jiang Tai, am, I have not stooped to the level of turning on my fellow disciples.".


    He clearly chose to stand with Xiao Yi.


    "Utter folly!"


    Zhang Tianyi let out an angry snort, his eyes suddenly turned sharp, "Since you''re courting death yourself, don''t blame me!"


    Boom!


    Zhang Tianyi''s vital energy surged like a sudden storm; with a swift movement, he attacked both of them...

 Chapter 93 Solitary Nine Swords

    ```Whoosh!


    Zhang Tianyi''s spear in hand rose like an angry dragon taking to the skies, as if it had become one with his body.


    Jiang Tai gripped his nine-ring saber with both hands, the blade glittering with silver light. The nine rings clinked against each other, emitting a clangor as he held the saber horizontally in front of him.


    Clang!


    The moment the saber edge collided with the spear''s radiance, a fearsome power burst forth in all directions.


    The stone tiles underfoot flew about, and Jiang Tai stumbled backward repeatedly, eventually thudding against a coffin and overturning it.


    A corpse tumbled out of the coffin, revealed to be a pitch-black skeleton.


    Within the skeleton,


    a black Martial Dao Divine Fruit rolled on the ground, coming to rest to one side.


    But at this moment, no one was concerned with that Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    Jiang Tai pushed off from the coffin, the rebounding force doubling his speed as he charged back towards Zhang Tianyi: "Slaying Dragon Saber Skill!"


    "Dragon Ascension to the Heavens!"


    Zhang Tianyi''s face was expressionless, the vital energy within his spear pulsing, flickering like dragon flames. S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This man had also comprehended Sword Intent!


    What''s more, he had reached the limit of the first tier of Sword Intent, and was just one step away from mastering the second tier��The Sword Moves with the Heart.


    With a loud clang, his spear shattered Jiang Tai''s saber, and using the spear as a staff, he swung it with momentum.


    The spear went straight for Jiang Tai''s back.


    Jiang Tai had no time to defend, and even Xiao Yi was too late to help him block this spear thrust. At this critical juncture, Xiao Yi had a flash of inspiration.


    With a swift movement, he delivered a hard kick right to Jiang Tai''s buttocks.


    Ow!


    Jiang Tai screamed, and with a bang, Xiao Yi kicked him flying.


    Although he crashed to the ground in a complete mess, he narrowly escaped that potentially fatal spear thrust!


    "Xiao Yi, you..." Jiang Tai glared at Xiao Yi with a look of deep resentment.


    Xiao Yi: "Don''t mention it!"


    Jiang Tai: "..."


    Xiao Yi advanced with his sword, executing a stroke that cut across the sky, The Sword Moves with the Heart. His sword moves were neither fancy nor particularly powerful, but each strike''s force, angle, and speed were extremely precise.


    To put it simply...


    They were just right!


    The force was just right.


    The angle was just right!


    The speed was also just right!


    What seemed like ordinary sword moves flowed seamlessly and naturally, keeping pace with Zhang Tianyi without falling behind. This left Jiang Tai astonished: "Is this... the second tier of Sword Intent, The Sword Moves with the Heart? Since when did Junior Brother Xiao master the second tier of Sword Intent..."


    As far as Jiang Tai knew, within the Tianqing Kingdom''s peers, only Jiang Shanhe had mastered the second tier of martial intent.


    Now there was another, Xiao Yi!


    At this moment...


    Jiang Tai suddenly felt thankful for his earlier decision, having stepped into the Golden Core Realm from the Physical Body Realm in just over half a year��a feat somewhat understandable if one had a special cultivation method.


    But...


    To have mastered the second tier of martial intent while at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm,


    That could only be achieved with truly great talent!


    "I''ll help you out!"


    Jiang Tai surged with an overwhelming fighting spirit, holding the nine-ring saber as he came whirlwind-fast. Side by side with Xiao Yi, the two simultaneously attacked, putting unrelenting pressure on Zhang Tianyi.


    Zhang Tianyi was so pressed that he could hardly catch his breath.


    No matter how he changed his tactics,


    Xiao Yi was always able to respond to changes with unchanging principles. His seemingly whimsical sword moves often had the most direct and significant effects.


    Add Jiang Tai to the mix,


    and as Zhang Tianyi parried a blow from Jiang Tai, he would have to face an immediate assault from Xiao Yi. This made him increasingly irritated: "Damn it, Xiao Yi is such a pain. I never expected him to have mastered The Sword Moves with the Heart. I can''t gain the upper hand with technique, it looks like I''ll have to use raw strength to suppress them!"


    Boom!


    Zhang Tianyi jammed his spear into the ground with one hand, kicked it up with a tap of his toe, and violently uprooted a chunk of earth the size of a small hut.


    Swoosh!


    ```


    Tu Shi shot towards Xiao Yi and another.


    Jiang Tai swung his saber, shattering the rocks and, amidst the flying sand and stones, they lost sight of Zhang Tianyi.


    "Where is he?"


    Jiang Tai was startled.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed, and he instinctively blocked to his side with the Fire Qilin Sword. With a clang, a violent force violently sent Xiao Yi flying.


    Seizing the momentum, Xiao Yi thrust the Fire Qilin Sword into the ground, but still, he could hardly stop the tremendous force.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The ground was cleaved open by the Fire Qilin Sword, leaving a sword mark stretching tens of meters.


    At the same time Xiao Yi was sent flying,


    Zhang Tianyi thrust with his lance at Jiang Tai. Caught off guard, Jiang Tai''s shoulder was impaled. With a flick of his spear, Zhang Tianyi shattered Jiang Tai''s right shoulder, blood streaming down.


    The Nine Rings Saber was too heavy to hold and fell to the side.


    Zhang Tianyi pointed his long spear at Jiang Tai''s throat. Jiang Tai kept backing away, watching the spear''s light grow closer and closer, his body drenched in cold sweat.


    "Am I going to die?"


    At this moment,


    Jiang Tai suddenly wished for Xiao Yi to kick him once more!


    Just as the long spear was about to pierce his throat,


    At that moment...


    A tremendous force suddenly kicked him from behind right in the buttocks; with a howl of pain, Jiang Tai''s body flew sideways.


    With a thud, he crashed against the rock wall.


    Spread out like a starfish, as if embedded in it.


    And the one who had kicked him was none other than Xiao Yi!


    At this moment, Xiao Yi''s whole body was covered in blood, evidently using the Blood Explosion Skill. He directly ignited twenty percent of his blood, with his power surging by twenty times, Xiao Yi''s face was cold "Solitary Nine Swords, first move!"


    Whoosh!


    He moved like a whirlwind, with sword in hand.


    "Child''s play!"


    Zhang Tianyi''s legs, like pillars supporting the heavens, were firmly planted on the ground, holding the spear in one hand, unleashing sharp spear shadows one after another.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The clashing of spear and sword sparked flames, with violent energy scattering in all directions.


    If it were before...


    Zhang Tianyi could have easily withstood it, but now Xiao Yi''s power had increased twenty times!


    Each sword strike on the long spear made his palm go numb, threatening to burst at any moment.


    "Overturning Rivers and Seas!"


    Zhang Tianyi''s sword-like eyebrows tensed, he gripped the long spear with both hands, the entire spear bending severely under the violent force. Like a fully drawn bow, it released fiercely, and the suppressed power erupted completely.


    "Solitary Nine Swords, second move!"


    Xiao Yi gripped the sword handle tightly and abruptly thrust upward, bringing forth a blood-red sword glare.


    Boom!


    The sword glare collided with the long spear, dispersing its accumulated force. Meanwhile, Xiao Yi leaped into the air, "Solitary Nine Swords, third move!"


    This sword strike was like a fairy descending from the heavens!


    Falling from the sky!


    Utilizing the vibrating force of the sword, Xiao Yi continuously changed positions in mid-air, smoothly dodging the spear thrust by Zhang Tianyi, and with a puff, a sword slashed down from behind him.


    Aoowu!


    Zhang Tianyi screamed in pain, stumbling forward.


    The clothes on his back were torn, and a blood-red sword mark stretched from the back of his neck to his waist, with peeled skin revealing the spine wrapped within.


    Just this one sword nearly crippled Zhang Tianyi!


    In a life-or-death moment,


    Zhang Tianyi glared fiercely at Xiao Yi. With severe injuries, he was no longer a match for Xiao Yi and chose to flee without hesitation.


    A vengeful voice echoed within the ancient tomb, "If I do not avenge this, I shall not consider myself a person!"


    Xiao Yi forged ahead with his sword, giving chase relentlessly, laughing coldly, "Vow not to be human? Then become a ghost!"

 Chapter 94 The Consequences of This Sword!

    ```Boom!


    Sword Qi surged forth, proving fatally dangerous to Zhang Tianyi as he fled for his life through the narrow tomb passage.


    He couldn''t dodge at all, but if he turned back to defend,


    he would end up letting Xiao Yi close the distance even more.


    He could only use his energy to form an energy shield, constantly blocking Xiao Yi''s sword moves.


    However, the energy shield was extremely draining to maintain. Once or twice was still manageable, but after several times the speed at which the energy shield could be formed could no longer keep up with the speed of Xiao Yi''s sword.


    Pfft!


    Pfft!


    Pfft!


    Several ghastly wounds appeared on Zhang Tianyi''s back, from which blood gushed, dyeing his entire back a bloody red.


    "Xiao Yi, you''re going too far!" Zhang Tianyi roared in rage.


    Xiao Yi''s face remained expressionless as he struck with his sword, "So I bullied you, what can you do about it?"


    "I..."


    Zhang Tianyi was so angry he felt like spitting blood.


    At this moment...


    The only thought in Zhang Tianyi''s mind was why he hadn''t killed Xiao Yi when he teamed up with Ye Feng. Alas, there are no pills for regret in this world.


    He fled all the way.


    Finally escaped the ancient tomb.


    Seeing light appear ahead, Zhang Tianyi felt a surge of excitement: "To escape... Once I get out of here, without the restrictions of the tomb passage, he won''t be able to catch up to me."


    "Seize life!"


    A cold voice suddenly came from behind, followed by a series of ear-piercing whooshing sounds.


    "Not good!"


    Zhang Tianyi''s complexion changed dramatically, and he quickly placed his long spear behind him.


    Clang!


    A thunderous boom erupted.


    The violent force burst out behind him, creating an immense shockwave that sent Zhang Tianyi flying.


    At the exit of the ancient tomb...


    Yue Ling''er was healing under a nearby tree when she suddenly heard a loud noise and saw Zhang Tianyi flying out like a kite with its string cut.


    Thud!


    Zhang Tianyi slammed hard into the ground, not just getting a mouthful of mud but also rolling and crawling dozens of meters away.


    But Zhang Tianyi didn''t care about his own disgrace.


    He rolled and crawled, running wildly toward the distance.


    Like a dog that had lost its home!


    "This, this is... Zhang Tianyi?" Yue Ling''er blinked, completely baffled.


    This was the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, the second-ranked person on the Teng Long List of the Tianlan Kingdom!


    How had he become so disheveled?


    "Could it be that cousin has made a breakthrough?"


    Yue Ling''er''s eyes shone with hope, thinking that only if Jiang Tai had broken through to the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm could he have driven Zhang Tianyi to such desperation.


    She quickly got up, looking hopefully towards the entrance of the tomb.


    But...


    The figure appearing before her was not Jiang Tai, but Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi stood with his sword, frowning as he glanced at Yue Ling''er, "Which way did Zhang Tianyi run?"


    "Over, over there..."


    Yue Ling''er pointed subconsciously in the direction Zhang Tianyi had fled.


    Xiao Yi grunted in acknowledgment and like an arrow shot from a bow, he relentlessly pursued.


    "Uh..."


    Yue Ling''er stood there baffled, momentarily stunned. Then, she saw the pale-faced Jiang Tai walk out from the tomb. She swallowed and stammered, "C-cousin, was it Xiao Yi chasing Zhang Tianyi just now?"


    Jiang Tai nodded, "Didn''t you see it? Which way did they run?"


    Yue Ling''er: "..."


    ...


    Above the marsh.


    Zhang Tianyi ran wildly, changing his position from left to right.


    In his wake...


    Sword Qi tore through the air, slicing through the marsh, sending black soil splattering into the air. His complexion turned deathly pale due to excessive blood loss, and he caught a glimpse of Xiao Yi in hot pursuit from the corner of his eye.


    Zhang Tianyi seethed with hate, "Xiao Yi, let me go, and I''ll no longer be your enemy!"


    ```


    Xiao Yi said, "If you stop, I won''t kill you!"


    Zhang Tianyi shouted angrily, "You don''t trust me? I can swear that I will never be your enemy again!"


    Xiao Yi said calmly, "I swear too, if you stop, I won''t kill you with my own hands!"


    Zhang Tianyi was so angry that he was fuming, "..."


    Not kill me with your own hands?


    If you hand me over to Jiang Tai, that''s still death!


    Zhang Tianyi could only grit his teeth and flee desperately, his blood dripping down his legs to the ground with every movement, causing the wounds on his back to tear and bringing waves of piercing pain.


    But under Xiao Yi''s pressure, Zhang Tianyi had no choice but to run for his life!


    "I''m close, just past the forest ahead and I can leave this damn secret realm. Once there, with the Great General around, my life will be safe!" Zhang Tianyi thought to himself.


    Driven by a strong will to survive, his speed unexpectedly increased even more.


    Through the swamp.


    Inside the dense forest.


    Where the two passed, ancient trees collapsed with loud crashes, pushing straight through, carving a wide path through the dense forest.


    Finally arriving at the edge of the forest, the exit of the secret realm was right before his eyes.


    Zhang Tianyi was so excited he was near tears; the desperate flight had been far too tormenting. With tears in his eyes, he laughed loudly, "Xiao Yi, the exit of the secret realm is right ahead, you can''t kill me! Hahahaha, when I get back, I''m going to spread the word about you. Then, there will be more than just me trying to kill you! You''re done for, no one can save you..."


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless: "Blood Explosion Skill!"


    Boom!


    Once again burning off twenty percent of his blood, the fourth level of the Blood Explosion Skill, his strength soared forty-fold, and his speed surged as he and Zhang Tianyi raced towards the exit of the secret realm...


    ......


    Outside the secret realm.


    Gu Junhe, Zhou Yuan, and other mighty figures at the peak of the Golden Core Realm sat distinctly around the entrance of the secret realm.


    Suddenly...


    Several figures opened their eyes and looked towards the exit of the secret realm: "Someone''s coming out!"


    "Who could it be?"


    "Ye Feng?"


    "Zhang Tianyi?"


    "Jiang Tai?"


    The eyes of the figures grew fervent, along with a trace of anxiety.


    The reason they had handed over this secret realm for the younger generation to trial, was because the top figures were closely matched and none wished to fight to the death, allowing others to benefit from their dispute.


    After opening up this realm, they allowed the younger generation to contend within it.


    Whose descendant seized the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, their camp would claim the victory!


    Zhou Yuan wore a confident look: "It must be Ye Feng... gentlemen, the Martial Dao Divine Fruit will belong to me!"


    "Hmph, that''s not necessarily the case; it could be Zhang Tianyi," said Wu Yu confidently.


    Among the younger generation of powerhouses who entered the secret realm, Zhang Tianyi of the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm was the foremost contender, and he was utterly confident!


    At that moment...


    The entrance to the secret realm buzzed brightly as Zhang Tianyi burst out from it.


    "Hahahaha, indeed, it''s Zhang Tianyi; gentlemen, the Martial Dao Divine Fruit is mine to take!" Wu Yu said triumphantly, his face flushed with excitement as he laughed and walked toward Zhang Tianyi.


    But just then.


    Zhang Tianyi, with a look of terror, shouted, "Great General, save me!"


    "Huh?"


    Wu Yu was stunned, and then he saw Xiao Yi, his body covered in blood light, brandishing the Fire Qilin Sword and chasing after him.


    "Life-taking!"


    Xiao Yi thrust out with his sword.


    Wu Yu''s face turned pale, and he roared, "You fiend, stop right there!"


    He wanted to intervene, but it was already too late.


    Thump!


    The sword struck hard on Zhang Tianyi''s back. Zhang Tianyi spat out a mouthful of blood and fell to the ground. Xiao Yi leapt up and stepped on Zhang Tianyi.


    The cold sword blade was against Zhang Tianyi''s neck.


    "Stop!"


    Wu Yu''s face turned grim, his eyes shining with a ferocious light, he gritted his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi, let go of Tianyi now. Think carefully about the consequences if you plunge that sword. Let him go, kneel and apologize, and I can let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, you will become the public enemy of Tianlan Kingdom!" S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In Wu Yu''s view...


    He was a towering figure at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, and the commander of the Tianlan Kingdom''s three armed forces.


    Xiao Yi surely wouldn''t dare oppose his will.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s sword gently slid across, and with a soft thud, he decapitated Zhang Tianyi. Then, looking up at Wu Yu, he asked, "You were saying... what would be the consequence of this sword strike?"

 Chapter 95 Kill!!!

    Xiao Yi''s face was tinged with amusement as he looked at Wu Yu, whose face was overcast with gloom, "What was that about consequences you just mentioned?"Silence enveloped the surroundings.


    All eyes inevitably fell upon Zhang Tianyi, who lay dead at Xiao Yi''s feet.


    This was the second-highest master of the Teng Long List from Tianlan Kingdom!


    A formidable power from the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    And he was dead?


    Dead by the hand of Xiao Yi, who just half a month ago, was only at the Peak of the Shentong Realm?


    In his shock, Wu Yu felt a burning pain on his face, as if he had been furiously slapped dozens of times.


    Xiao Yi had actually slain Zhang Tianyi right in front of him.


    If he couldn''t kill Xiao Yi, what face would he have left?


    A raging fury ignited within him; Wu Yu''s eyes turned frosty to the extreme, his teeth clenched, "Xiao Yi, I will tear you to pieces!"


    Boom!


    Wu Yu struck the air with a palm from above.


    Such was the might of one at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, a palm so powerful it seemed to cause the sun and moon to lose their luster, dimming their light.


    Qi unrivaled in might, coalesced into a hand as large as a small mountain; this palm, though condensed from Qi, was so lifelike, one could even discern the lines on its palm.


    A gray hand crushed the air downwards, its terrifying might causing the ground to buzz, and pebbles to shatter explosively.


    Xiao Yi''s body quivered, surrounded by a nimbus of blood light, his longsword in motion, "Solitary Nine Swords, the third move!"


    There were nine moves in total within "Solitary Nine Swords."


    Xiao Yi''s sword pierced through the sky, and from the Fire Qilin Sword burst a beam of Sword Qi, winding around a layer of red flames, exploding with a bang as it cleaved the giant gray hand in two.


    Bang!


    The Sword Qi fractured, and the hand was split into halves.


    As Xiao Yi landed on the ground, the valley violently shook with a rumble, and the ground cracked open, spread with fierce, web-like fissures.


    Dust swirled, and rocks flew through the air.


    Xiao Yi leaped up, his toes landing upon a flying rock, he lightly tapped it, his figure soaring once more, "Solitary Nine Swords, the fifth move!"


    Every move of "Solitary Nine Swords" flowed with the heart.


    The swordsmanship was ingenious and difficult to defend against.


    His figure constantly shifted positions in mid-air, left, right, high, and low, dazzling to the eye and making it impossible to grasp his intentions.


    Suddenly...


    Clang!


    A dazzling streak of silver ripped through the air, with a swish, appearing like a silver rainbow strung across the heaven and earth, slicing towards Wu Yu.


    Wu Yu had not anticipated that Xiao Yi could break his offensive; the subsequent sword technique was even more cunning.


    He casually conjured several Qi shields to block in front of him.


    But Xiao Yi''s sword, almost as if sentient, bypassed the Qi shields and, under Wu Yu''s astonished gaze, thudded into his shoulder.


    A splash of blood-red sprayed out, hot blood spattering across his left cheek.


    Hisss!


    Everyone was stunned, "I must be seeing things..."


    "Xiao Yi has actually injured Wu Yu?"


    "This man... must not be left alive..."


    Within the crowd, Zhou Yuan wore a dark expression, his gaze on Xiao Yi shifting from initial scorn to grave seriousness.


    A few months ago...


    When Xiao Yi caused a major disturbance in the Martial Arts Institute and Zhou Yuan personally pursued him, seeking to put him to death, Xiao Yi had vowed to flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy within a year to take his life.


    At that time, Zhou Yuan considered it nothing but a joke.


    But now...


    In just a few months, Xiao Yi had acquired the strength to slay a power from the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm and was even able to wound Wu Yu, someone at the Peak of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Even considering the possibility that Wu Yu had been careless and underestimated his opponent, one could not deny Xiao Yi''s strength!


    And it had been mere months!


    "If it''s a year later?"


    "What about three years later?"


    Harboring the same thoughts were Jin Sheng, Zhuang Bifan, and Master Kong Ming from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. Xiao Yi and them had unresolvable deep hatred!


    "Wu, the Great General, I am here to assist you!" Zhuang Bifan let out a cold snort; his longsword, sheathed at his back, was drawn and held in each hand, with another clenched between his teeth.


    The strongest sword technique of Mingjian Manor��Triple Sword Style!


    A cold gleam flashed in Jin Sheng''s eyes; his grandson was slain by Xiao Yi, and even his son was left half-dead by Xiao Yi''s hand. Now that he had the chance, he certainly would not hold back.


    Swish!


    Without a word, Jin Sheng also charged toward Xiao Yi.


    Both were of the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Together with Wu Yu, the two attacked Xiao Yi. This outraged Gu Junhe, who was originally just observing the battle, "Damn it, you shameless wretches, stop this instant!"


    He had seen Wu Yu unable to threaten Xiao Yi for the moment and had been on standby, but he hadn''t expected Zhuang Bifan and Jin Sheng to be so shameless.


    One at the Golden Elixir Peak, and two at the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Three elders from the older generation were ganging up on Xiao Yi.


    Is this something people would do?


    However...


    No sooner had Gu Junhe made his move, he was stopped by Zhou Yuan and Master Kong Ming working together. Gu Junhe glared furiously, "Zhou Yuan, Kong Ming, you bald donkey, get out of my way!"


    "Xiao Yi killed Zhang Tianyi, he must die! If the Tianlan Kingdom uses this as a pretext to start a war, causing untold suffering, the humble monk cannot let you save him!" said Master Kong Ming with an air of moral superiority and a face of compassion.


    Zhou Yuan spoke indifferently, "Sacrificing one for the avoidance of war between two nations is worth it!"


    "Bullshit!"


    Gu Junhe cursed loudly.


    He tried to break through their combined attack several times, but Zhou Yuan''s strength was no less than his, and he was joined by Master Kong Ming, who was at the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    He simply couldn''t break through their blockade.


    Gu Junhe''s eyes were blood-reddened. He could only look over them in fury at Xiao Yi, who was being overwhelmed by Wu Yu and the other two, falling back step by step and he roared angrily, "Zhou Yuan, you thieving baldy... If anything happens to Xiao Yi, I''ll never let you two off the hook!"


    "Amitabha, if he can sacrifice himself to relieve the suffering of all living beings, Xiao Yi''s death would indeed be worthwhile!" Master Kong Ming put his palms together.


    Zhou Yuan''s lips curled up into a mocking, cold smile. "Gu Junhe, the righteous gain help while the unrighteous find little support. You and the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, along with Xiao Yi, have chosen to act perversely and against the tide. It is destined that you will only face defeat!"


    Meanwhile...


    Faced with the attack of three great masters, Xiao Yi was retreating step by step, his body covered in wounds.


    Zhuang Bifan, with a sword in each hand, his Sword Qi stern, stated, "Xiao Yi, from the moment you destroyed my Sword Burial Ground, you should have foreseen this day''s outcome!"


    Jin Sheng''s punches whipped up fierce winds, mighty and powerful, driving Xiao Yi into a corner punch after punch, "Join my grandson in death!"


    Wu Yu''s expression was impassive, "Even the people of your own Tianqing Kingdom are so eager to kill you; you truly deserve your fate!"


    "I am dying, your motherf��"


    Xiao Yi spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his right hand gripping tightly onto the sword hilt, his fierce eyes scanning the three men, teeth clenched, "You want my life? You three old dogs are not worthy!"


    Boom!


    The Blood Explosion Skill, the fifth level.


    The sixth level.


    The seventh level...


    Xiao Yi''s complexion was pale as snow, but upon unleashing the seventh level of the Blood Explosion Skill, his strength had increased seventyfold.


    A blood-red storm rose from beneath his feet.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The ground beneath Xiao Yi exploded, and rocks burst upward in the crimson storm, crushed to dust by Sword Qi before him.


    His eyes were a blood-red glare, the Fire Qilin Sword in his hand trembling with an ascending Sword Intent.


    What of the Golden Elixir Peak?


    What of the three great figures?


    The divine general who commanded the heavens was invincible in battle and defeated all in war!


    His blood-colored gaze swept over the three men.


    Xiao Yi''s boundless fighting spirit erupted like a volcano, his roar thundering into the skies, "Kill!!!!"


    S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 96 Youve Rejoiced Too Soon!

    Xiao Yi''s blood turned wicked as seven-tenths of it became tainted in a single instance.The seventh layer of the Blood Explosion Skill exploded in full force.


    He was truly risking his life in this fight.


    After all...


    At the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, facing three high-layer Golden Core Realm powerhouses at once, Xiao Yi had no other choice but to fight desperately or face certain death.


    He erupted with power in this dire situation!


    Of course.


    If Xiao Yi had fled desperately to Gu Junhe''s side, with Gu Junhe''s strength, he could have protected him thoroughly. But Xiao Yi was the War God, holding command over the Ancient Tomb of Eons, suppressing the existence of heavenly immortals, ghosts, demons, and gods!


    Even if the enemy was dozens of times stronger than himself, he must not lose the heart to fight bravely.


    Otherwise, how could he suppress those legendary supreme powerhouses within the Ancient Tomb of Eons?


    Almost at the same moment that Xiao Yi unleashed the seventh layer of the Blood Explosion Skill, within the Ancient Tomb of Eons, the most dazzling among the nine majestic golden pyramids suddenly trembled violently as if trying to break free from the shackles of the Ancient Tomb of Eons.


    But the eighty-one radiant divinities restraining the Ancient Tomb of Eons suddenly burst forth with blindingly brilliant light.


    Along with the clanking chains.


    Forcefully suppressing this golden pyramid.


    Of course, Xiao Yi was unaware of all these events; at that moment, his body was shrouded in a ten-zhang high sea of blood, resembling a crimson War God. Holding the Fire Qilin Sword, activating his Divine Skills, his entire body was covered with a black membrane.


    He looked like an iron figure crafted from black iron.


    Whoosh!


    The Fire Qilin Sword, swung in the air, emitted a piercing sword glare that slashed straight toward Zhuang Bifan.


    Among these three...


    The most difficult and threatening to him was naturally Wu Yu, but Wu Yu''s strength was too immense. At the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, even with Xiao Yi''s current state, killing him would be quite challenging.


    Once entangled by Wu Yu, then Zhuang Bifan and Jin Sheng would become a great threat.


    Therefore.


    Xiao Yi''s objective in this three-against-one battle was clear, to first strike down Zhuang Bifan, who had a stronger offense, then kill Jin Sheng.


    And finally, to have a deciding life-or-death battle with Wu Yu!


    "You little bastard, do you really think I''m a pushover?"


    Seeing Xiao Yi choosing him first among the three, Zhuang Bifan''s face showed a hint of annoyed anger; his sword brows furrowed tightly as the Solitary Nine Swords were fully executed. His left hand commenced work, performing two entirely different sword moves.


    And the longsword he held in his mouth was also covered with a layer of vitality, stabbing straight at the vital points like a spirit snake.


    The Solitary Nine Swords was not only fast.


    It also simultaneously performed three different sword moves, overwhelming the opponent. These were three fourth-grade famous swords, each one ranked among the top ten in the Tianqing Kingdom, not to be underestimated in power.


    The sword moves with the heart.


    Xiao Yi''s sword moves constantly changed, one by one neutralizing Zhuang Bifan''s attacks, all the while shifting positions, using Zhuang Bifan to block the offensive of Jin Sheng and Wu Yu.


    When facing the siege of three great experts, Xiao Yi did not clash directly with them.


    While bombarding Zhuang Bifan with attacks, he used Zhuang Bifan to resist the offensive of Wu Yu and the other, making Wu Yu''s trio feel restrained everywhere; despite having mighty combat strength, they couldn''t utilize it at all.


    "Nine Evolution Divine Fist!"


    Jin Sheng''s fists glimmered like gold, smashing down with thunderous force, the two fist lights converging into a column of light.


    However...


    Xiao Yi turned back, his sweep carrying the momentum of a sweeping army and sliced toward Zhuang Bifan.


    Zhuang Bifan''s longsword stood vertical, blocking the sword in front of him. Yet the great impact from the sword edge sent him flying backward, landing right on Jin Sheng''s column of light with a loud bang.


    Zhuang Bifan took the full brunt of the punch.


    Wow!


    Zhuang Bifan spat out blood, glaring fiercely at Jin Sheng: "Damn you, aim more carefully!"


    Jin Sheng''s face twisted with embarrassment: "..."


    Wu Yu snorted coldly, "Zhuang Bifan, get out of the way!"


    Zhuang Bifan tried to dodge, but Xiao Yi returned swiftly, sticking close beside him.


    Eight Extremes Collapse!


    Eight Extremes Collapse!


    Life-Chasing Soul Sword...


    The constant onslaught left Zhuang Bifan with no way to escape, rendering Wu Yu and Jin Sheng helpless and forced to look on.


    Not far away.


    Watching Xiao Yi fight one against three and still have the upper hand to the extent of toying with them effortlessly, Gu Junhe felt much relieved and burst into laughter, "Wu Yu, you three shameless old dogs ganging up on a junior from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and still falling behind? You have truly lived your years in vain!"


    Zhou Yuan''s face was also extremely ugly as he angrily said, "Wu Yu, what good are you for?"


    Master Kong Ming, with eyes narrowed, pressed his palms together as the Buddha beads in his hands gently turned. All of a sudden, with a flick of his hands, the string of beads whizzed towards Xiao Yi. These Buddha beads were a fourth-grade spiritual weapon, and if they hit Xiao Yi, he would be gravely injured if not killed.


    "Bald donkey, you dare?"


    Gu Junhe flew into a rage, hurling his wine gourd out.


    Whoosh!


    The wine gourd suddenly expanded and with a bang, collided with the Buddha beads.


    The wine gourd burst open.


    The Buddha beads were abruptly halted, missing the prime opportunity to ambush Xiao Yi.


    "Bald donkey, how utterly despicable!" Gu Junhe glared furiously.


    Master Kong Ming pressed his palms together, chanting Buddha''s name with a face full of compassion, "Amitabha, this poor monk is merely exorcising demons and protecting the path!"


    "A fine exorcism, and protection of the path! Today, I, Gu Junhe will come to see for myself the Buddhist Law of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple..." S��ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Junhe trembled all over as the aura of someone at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm fully erupted.


    He charged directly at Master Kong Ming.


    Master Kong Ming''s face changed dramatically, shouting to Zhou Yuan, "Director Zhou, help me!"


    "I am coming too!"


    Zhou Yuan charged towards Gu Junhe, joining forces with Master Kong Ming to fight Gu Junhe into a melee.


    For a moment...


    The entire valley was filled with soaring battle intent.


    ......


    "I''ll hold him off, you two strike quickly!" Zhuang Bifan suddenly let out a low roar as three longswords circled each other, forming a sword array.


    Trinity Sword Formation!


    The three renowned swords were positioned as Heaven, Earth, and Man to form a sword-shaped cage, trapping Xiao Yi within the sword formation. Xiao Yi''s Fire Qilin Sword constantly bombarded the sword formation but was unable to break free for the moment.


    Jin Sheng and Wu Yu''s faces revealed a trace of ecstasy, "Now''s the time!"


    "Nine Evolution Divine Fist!"


    "Monument Splitting Hand!"


    The attacks from Jin Sheng and Wu Yu, one from the left and one from the right, came crashing in.


    Looking at Xiao Yi trapped in the sword formation with two ferocious attacks bearing down, Zhuang Bifan laughed triumphantly, "Like a damn dog, how are you not dead yet?"


    However...


    Just as the two attacks were about to hit Xiao Yi.


    A brilliant smile suddenly appeared on Xiao Yi''s face, which in Zhuang Bifan''s eyes resembled the soul-reaping grin of the grim reaper, causing his back to suddenly break out in a cold sweat.


    The next moment...


    A streak of silver light suddenly burst forth from Xiao Yi''s bosom.


    It was none other than Little Lin!


    Little Lin''s tail swept out, directly tearing through the Trinity Sword Formation, while Xiao Yi flashed out of it. The two attacks collided behind him, and the explosive shockwave accelerated Xiao Yi''s speed by several times.


    Like an arrow leaving the bowstring, he charged at Zhuang Bifan.


    "Sword Breaking Style!"


    The strongest attacking move of the Solitary Nine Swords, Xiao Yi''s form seemed to merge with the Fire Qilin Sword, barely revealing the third phase of Sword Intent''s unity of man and sword. Whoosh, he brushed past Zhuang Bifan.


    Zhuang Bifan shuddered, his hands subconsciously clutching his neck as blood uncontrollably gushed out.


    In his ears...


    He heard Xiao Yi''s cold voice, "You''ve celebrated too soon!"

 Chapter 97 The March Agreement

    "You''re celebrating too early!"A cold voice rang in his ears.


    The moment the words fell.


    Zhuang Bifan''s hands clutched at his neck as blood uncontrollably spurted out like a fountain.


    His life force was rapidly draining away.


    Darkness fell before his eyes.


    His vitality was completely extinguished!


    Xiao Yi quickly grabbed Zhuang Bifan''s corpse and threw it towards Jin Sheng and his companion.


    "Get out of my way!"


    Jin Sheng raised his hand to throw a punch, explosively blasting Zhuang Bifan''s corpse away, and amidst the blood mist that filled the air, Jin Sheng suddenly saw a streak of red sword light flash before his eyes. Wu Yu''s voice came from beside him, mixed with shock and anger, "Quick, dodge!" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmm?"


    Jin Sheng was stunned and instinctively dodged to the side.


    But he was still a step too slow!


    The moment Xiao Yi threw Zhuang Bifan''s corpse, he was already closely following behind, and with a ''pff,'' his sword''s cold light slashed off Jin Sheng''s left arm. A blood-stained arm soared high into the air, like a kite with its string cut.


    Aaawooo!


    Jin Sheng let out a miserable scream, his face instantly turning pale.


    Sharp Sword Qi came from behind again, and Jin Sheng, disregarding his injury, stumbled forward. But Xiao Yi merely whistled, and amid the whoosh of a sonic boom, Little Lin wrapped itself around Jin Sheng''s neck.


    Hiss!


    Little Lin opened its mouth and its sharp poisonous fangs deeply pierced Jin Sheng''s neck.


    "What the hell is this thing?"


    Jin Sheng winced in pain, grabbed Little Lin, and brutally slammed it to the ground. With a thud, Little Lin hit the floor, blood spraying from its mouth. It rapidly coiled and slithered away to the side.


    Little Lin was not strong in combat, but its physical body was incredibly tough.


    Even Xiao Yi could not break through its scale armor defense.


    Just now, it used its sturdy scale armor to wrap around the Three Talents Sword and broke through Zhuang Bifan''s Sword Array, but it was still seriously injured by Jin Sheng''s throw, trembling on the side, its cold eyes fixed on Jin Sheng as if staring at a lifeless corpse.


    Jin Sheng, running frantically, dodged Xiao Yi''s attacks several times, only to find his speed getting slower and slower, his body increasingly heavy, and his vision now and then fading to darkness.


    Jin Sheng''s expression changed drastically, "What''s, what''s happening?"


    He raised his hand.


    A sticky mess of blood clung to his palm.


    Black blood began to spurt from his seven orifices.


    "Poisoned?"


    Jin Sheng felt his scalp go numb.


    The poison from Little Lin was terrifyingly potent, and this bite was right on his carotid artery, the toxin rapidly spreading throughout his body. Despair filled Jin Sheng''s face as he could feel his life force swiftly slipping away.


    "I must detoxify immediately, or my life is at risk!"


    With a resentful glare at Xiao Yi, Jin Sheng did not dare to stay any longer and fled desperately.


    The turmoil here naturally caught the attention of Gu Junhe and others.


    Bang!


    Gu Junhe punched Master Kong Ming, breaking most of his ribs, and if Zhou Yuan had not intervened timely, Master Kong Ming would have surely perished at Gu Junhe''s hands.


    His face went pale as he looked at the disheveled Jin Sheng fleeing and Zhuang Bifan''s dismembered body, swallowing hard, "How, how is this possible? Zhuang Bifan and the others, faced with a three against one, ended up with one dead and one fleeing?"


    Zhou Yuan''s face was extremely ugly: "Useless trash."


    Gu Junhe laughed heartily, "Xiao Yi, well done! Worthy of being the successor of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!" He looked triumphantly at Zhou Yuan and Master Kong Ming, his face mocking, "Gentlemen, does that sting?"


    Previously, these two were convinced that as long as they kept him occupied, Xiao Yi was as good as dead.


    But...


    Xiao Yi was not only alive.


    He had counter-killed Zhuang Bifan and severely injured Jin Sheng, forcing him to flee in a wretched state.


    Now, that was a resounding slap in the face!


    Zhou Yuan''s face alternated between shades of green and white, so furious he was at a loss for words.


    At Master Kong Ming''s side, his face was as pale as death. He swallowed several Buddha Pills to stabilize his injuries but could no longer maintain the detachment he had before. His Buddha Beads kept spinning in his hand, and his eyes reached the ultimate level of gloominess.


    Zhou Yuan said in a deep voice, "Kong Ming, I will stop Gu Junhe. How confident are you in helping Wu Yu slay Xiao Yi?"


    Master Kong Ming was startled, about to speak.


    Gu Junhe, who was standing nearby, already sneered, "Zhou Yuan, if you dare to do that, I will ignite my Golden Core and fight you to the death right away!"


    "You��"


    Zhou Yuan''s face stiffened and he was at a loss for words for a moment.


    His combat strength was on par with Gu Junhe, even slightly suppressing him.


    But��


    If Gu Junhe were to ignite his Golden Core, it would be a fight to the death, and even if Zhou Yuan could kill Gu Junhe in the end, he would suffer great losses himself.


    Seeing this.


    Gu Junhe also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, obviously Zhou Yuan had his concerns too.


    He flashed to Xiao Yi''s side in an instant.


    With bloodshot eyes, Xiao Yi glanced at Gu Junhe and, enduring the severe pain all over his body as well as the exhaustion and weakness from loss of blood, gritted his teeth and said, "Headmaster!"


    "Leave it to me!"


    Gu Junhe nodded at Xiao Yi and placed his palm on Xiao Yi''s body, infusing a surge of vital energy into him. With the boost of vital energy, the color returned slightly to Xiao Yi''s face. Gu Junhe, staring at Wu Yu with an extremely ugly expression, said indifferently, "You can''t kill him, how about we call it quits?"


    Snorting, Wu Yu said with a dark face, "He killed our national Tianjiao, Zhang Tianyi. Do you expect me to let this go so easily?"


    Gu Junhe spoke indifferently, "Before entering the secret realm, we had an agreement that we will not discuss life and death in the competition within. When Zhang Tianyi and the others issued the kill order against Xiao Yi earlier, I did not interfere!"


    "That was inside the secret realm�� Zhang Tianyi had already escaped from the secret realm, yet Xiao Yi was relentless in pursuing... If we let it go like this, where would my face be?" Wu Yu said.


    That being said.


    Inside, Wu Yu was already starting to beat a retreat.


    Although he was at the Golden Elixir Peak and had experienced many battles.


    It''s not easy to suppress Xiao Yi at this moment either!


    Moreover��


    Xiao Yi''s desperate fighting style had also deeply alarmed him. Additionally, with Gu Junhe flanking, he knew it was impossible to kill Xiao Yi today. However, Wu Yu was clearly not willing to let Xiao Yi off the hook just like that.


    Gu Junhe said indifferently, "If you''re not satisfied, I can accompany you in a battle!"


    "You��"


    Wu Yu''s face changed repeatedly, his expression uncertain.


    At this moment.


    Xiao Yi spoke up, "If you want to kill me, let the strong from Tianlan Kingdom come to the Royal Martial Arts Academy in three months!"


    "Huh?"


    Wu Yu was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze turned towards Zhou Yuan and Master Kong Ming, an icy chill in his eyes as he said slowly, "I have said that within a year, I will flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy. In three months, I will personally go to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and then you can send your strong ones over!"


    "Xiao Yi��"


    Gu Junhe''s face changed.


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy is the holy land of martial arts in Tianqing Kingdom.


    Even he dared not claim to flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy outright. To him, Xiao Yi''s actions were suicidal!


    Yet Xiao Yi gently shook his head, stopping Gu Junhe from persuading him further, fixing Zhou Yuan with a stare, "Zhou Yuan, you old dog, do you dare accept the challenge?"


    Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly, "In three months, I will have a coffin ready for you!"


    Master Kong Ming murmured Amitabha and, with his Buddha Beads rolling and a cold expression on his face, said, "At that time, my Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple will definitely send people there!"


    Xiao Yi turned to Wu Yu.


    Wu Yu''s expression fluctuated, he took a deep breath, and said through gritted teeth, "Fine, in three months, my Tianlan Kingdom will surely come on time!"


    Zhou Yuan and others soared into the sky and disappeared into the horizon.


    With a complex expression on his face, Gu Junhe looked at Xiao Yi and sighed, "Xiao Yi, you''re too impulsive... The Royal Martial Arts Academy has a profound background, far beyond what you understand..."


    Xiao Yi gave a faint smile, about to speak, but suddenly everything went black, and he passed out.


    Gu Junhe quickly caught him, looking at Xiao Yi in his arms, he sighed gently, a resolute look appearing in his eyes, "Well then... I''ll accompany you in your utter madness!"

 Chapter 98 The Struggle for First Place

    Inside the valley.Gu Junhe gave Xiao Yi many elixirs to consume and, seeing Xiao Yi''s complexion regain some of its rosiness, finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    Looking at the dozen or so empty medicine bottles on the ground, Gu Junhe couldn''t help but laugh bitterly, "This kid... In order to save you, he almost emptied out my entire stock... You better not disappoint me!"


    Xiao Yi had burned up to seventy percent of his blood.


    Any other person at the Golden Core Realm would have long since died from excessive blood loss.


    Gu Junhe had also been startled when he saw Xiao Yi''s blood was nearly drained.


    He hastily fed all his treasured elixirs to Xiao Yi.


    "What a monster!"


    Watching the body that had become withered after losing the power boost of the Blood Explosion Skill, slowly recovering, Gu couldn''t help but take a deep breath, "Such terrifying recovery ability is no less than some Spiritual Bodies!"


    In the Heavenly Yuan Realm.


    There are many special physiques, and from weak to strong, they are classified as Spiritual Body, Sacred Body, and Divine Body!


    For instance, Xiao Tianjiao possesses the Supreme Overlord Holy Body!


    This is a terrifying physique that can evolve into a Divine Body.


    Although Xiao Yi doesn''t possess a special physique, the transformation from the silent influence of the divine power has made his body no weaker than an ordinary Spiritual Body. Otherwise, he would not have survived after consuming so much blood!


    Hum!


    The entrance to the secret realm suddenly transmitted a surge of energy fluctuations.


    Jiang Tai walked out with the support of Yue Ling''er, and the first thing they saw was the unconscious Xiao Yi and Gu Junhe.


    Jiang Tai''s face changed, and he quickly asked, "Principal Gu, Xiao, is he...?"


    "He''s fine!"


    Gu Junhe shook his head and frowned at Jiang Tai, "What about you? What happened to you?"


    Upon hearing Xiao Yi was fine, Jiang Tai also relaxed and then bitterly recounted everything that had happened in the secret realm to Gu Junhe, "I didn''t expect Junior Brother Xiao to be so terrifying, even Ye Feng was killed by him..."


    "Not just Ye Feng?"


    Gu wore a strange expression and moved his mouth towards a side, "Zhang Tianyi and Zhuang Bifan were both killed by him. Jin Sheng from the Nine Profound Sect also had an arm severed by him and fled in a sorry state..."


    Hiss! S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jiang Tai and Yue Ling''er took a sharp breath, exchanging glances and seeing the shock in each other''s eyes.


    Zhuang Bifan and Jin Sheng!


    They were both high-level Golden Core practitioners from the older generation.


    They were killed by Xiao Yi?


    Seeing the astonishment that left the two at a loss for words, Gu Junhe thought for a moment but decided not to tell them that Xiao Yi had fought Wu Yu, who was at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, for dozens of rounds without falling at a disadvantage!


    To avoid hitting them too hard and making them lose their confidence in pursuing the martial path.


    Yue Ling''er sized up Xiao Yi with curiosity and suspicion sparkling in her phoenix eyes.


    The first time they met.


    Yue Ling''er didn''t think much of Xiao Yi at all.


    When they met again.


    In front of her, Xiao Yi had slain Ling Feng, making it hard for her to believe.


    Now, the third time they met...


    Even though Xiao Yi was unconscious, his battle achievements had also shaken her heart.


    Gu Junhe glanced at the secret realm entrance behind them and frowned, "Logically, now that you''ve broken through the main tomb, others should have come out too. How come it''s only you two..."


    "They''re all dead, I suppose!" said Yue Ling''er.


    "Hmm?"


    Gu Junhe was taken aback, "Was the competition in the secret realm that intense?"


    Jiang Tai glanced at the unconscious Xiao Yi and said with a bitter smile, "Most of them were killed by Junior Brother Xiao!"


    "Eh... He killed them?"


    Gu Junhe looked confused.


    Twenty people each from the royal family and the Royal Martial Arts Academy, ten each from the Nine Profound Sect and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, four from Mingjian Manor, and ten from the Tianlan Kingdom.


    All seventy or eighty people were killed by Xiao Yi?


    Gu Junhe looked down at the unconscious Xiao Yi, rubbed his forehead with his hand, and said with a wry smile, "This guy... Does he have such a heavy killing intent?"


    Yue Ling''er said, "Elder Gu, it was those people who tried to take Xiao Yi''s life first, that''s why he killed them!"


    Gu Junhe let out a sound.


    Jiang Tai looked at her with a strange expression, "Ling''er, you... seem to be very concerned about Xiao, aren''t you?"


    "Wha, what..."


    Yue Ling''er''s face turned red with embarrassment.


    But from the corner of her eye, she couldn''t help but glance over at Xiao Yi from time to time.


    Jiang Tai''s expression turned thoughtful.


    Gu Junhe shook his head and said, "Since no one else is coming out, we can also close the entrance to the secret realm!"


    With a wave of his hand, the secret realm''s entrance dispersed into nothingness.


    Out of the blue, Jiang Tai said, "Elder, this is a Martial Dao Divine Fruit that I acquired from the ancient tomb!"


    "You keep it,"


    Gu Junhe waved his hand, not even glancing at the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, for he was still young and fully capable of breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm on his own, "Let''s head back first! Next up, the Royal Capital is going to be a lively place indeed��"


    Gu Junhe whistled.


    High above in the sky.


    The Cangyun Eagle flapped its wings and descended, carrying a few people as they soared into the air...


    ......


    Just as Gu Junhe had predicted.


    The Royal Capital indeed became bustling with excitement, with everyone from noble lords to commoners in the streets discussing the battle in the secret realm.


    And the most famous from this battle was naturally Xiao Yi!


    He had slain nearly eighty young talents from various major forces!


    Fighting one against three, killing the lord of Mingjian Manor, grievously wounding the elder of Nine Profound Sect, and clashing with a peak Golden Elixir Realm powerhouse for dozens of rounds without falling behind, and so on...


    A series of such news spread through the entire Royal Capital like a plague.


    Xiao Yi became famous in one battle!


    Simultaneously...


    The news that Xiao Yi had agreed to fight Zhou Yuan and flatten the Martial Arts Institute in three months also spread rapidly, with the source being none other than Treasure Pavilion, the very same entity in charge of the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List!


    Treasure Pavilion''s influence extended across the Heavenly Yuan Realm, and its intelligence network was immensely powerful, with eyes and ears everywhere.


    On this day.


    Outside the Treasure Pavilion.


    It was already a sea of people.


    "The latest Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List is about to go on sale soon, where do you think Xiao Yi will rank?"


    "He must be in the top three!"


    "Top three? You are underestimating him. Xiao Yi killed Zhang Tianyi, the second-ranked of the Tianlan Kingdom''s Teng Long List, and the lord of Mingjian Manor. I think he might very well challenge for first place!"


    "First place? That''s impossible. Great Prince Jiang Shanhe has been at the ninth layer of the Golden Elixir Realm for two years, firmly holding the top spot on the Teng Long List. Xiao Yi cannot surpass him!"


    "I heard that Xiao Yi is only at the fourth layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. There''s still a significant gap between him and the Great Prince, so it''s unlikely he''ll surpass the Great Prince any time soon."


    "I think Xiao Yi has a good chance of challenging for first place..."


    Among the crowd, there was a heated debate.


    More than half of their focus in the debate was whether Xiao Yi could surpass Jiang Shanhe and become the first-ranked on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List and Teng Long List.


    Being first on the Teng Long List.


    That also signified the glory of being the foremost among the Tianqing Kingdom''s younger generation.


    It was a matter of significant importance!


    Under the watchful eyes of the masses, the doors of the Treasure Pavilion slowly opened.


    A young man stood at the doorway and shouted, "The latest edition of the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List is now on sale, one hundred Gold Coins per copy, limited to one copy per person!"


    Whoosh!


    The crowd rushed in, frantically purchasing.


    Moments later...


    A young man squeezed out from the crowd, eagerly flipping open the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List. Upon seeing the contents, he couldn''t help but draw in a sharp breath, "This, this..."

 Chapter 99 Renowned Everywhere, Xiao Yi Awakens!

    "Wha, what is this...""Oh my God, I must be seeing things..."


    "How is this possible?"


    "The Tianqing Kingdom is in for a change..."


    From within the crowd, exclamations of shock followed one after another, filling the air. Every strong warrior was clutching the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List with faces filled with horror, unable to stop their gasps of surprise.


    On that very list, sharing the coveted top spot on the Tenglong List right next to Crown Prince Jiang Shanhe, was another name.


    Xiao Yi!


    Heaven-level student of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, with major achievements including: slaying Ye Feng, who was second on Tianqing Kingdom''s Tenglong List, defeating Zhang Tianyi, second on Tianlan Kingdom''s Tenglong List, killing the master of Mingjian Manor, and crippling an elder of the Nine Profound Sect...


    Every newbie who enters the Tenglong List would have their major achievements listed.


    This was essential for the rankings on the list to carry more weight!


    Until now.


    Everyone thought that at most Xiao Yi would only replace Ye Feng and claim the second spot on the Tenglong List, but to everyone''s surprise, Treasure Pavilion had ranked Xiao Yi alongside Jiang Shanhe, as the joint top figure on the Tenglong List.


    Joint first place!


    This was unprecedented in the history of the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List.


    Putting aside the dazzling series of achievements following Xiao Yi''s name, just his shared first place with Jiang Shanhe was already astonishing enough!


    Every strong warrior who had gotten their hands on a copy of the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List and seen this news, all looked in the direction of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and muttered to themselves, "The name Xiao Yi will surely spread across the world!"


    Treasure Pavilion has branches everywhere.


    Dragon and Tiger Lists of various countries could be purchased, and the name Xiao Yi quickly spread far and wide.


    In the Tianlan Kingdom.


    Wu Yu respectfully looked at the brocade-clad youth in front of him, who was none other than Wu Zheng, the top figure on the Tianlan Kingdom''s Tenglong List and the reigning Crown Prince.


    "Xiao Yi? Joint first on the Tianqing Tenglong List?"


    Wu Zheng clenched his fist fiercely, the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List in his hand turned into a blaze and burnt to ashes. His face revealed a grim and cold smile, "Issue my order, in three months, I will personally visit the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Yes!"


    Wu Yu bowed respectfully and withdrew.


    In the Purple Robe Kingdom.


    Yue Ling''er was staring at the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List in her hands, dazed. After a long while, she put down the list and rushed straight to the residence of the current Crown Prince Yue Cang, "Big brother, big brother, come out quickly!"


    "Ling''er? What brings you to visit me?" Yue Cang, with his trouser legs and sleeves rolled up, wearing a sun hat, and holding a watering can, was tending to his flowers. He looked curiously at the hastily arriving Yue Ling''er and asked.


    Yue Ling''er pursed her lips and said, "In three months, you have to accompany me to the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Ah? No way, no way!"


    Yue Cang was taken aback and shook his head, "This secret realm ordeal, Xiao Yi of the Tianqing Kingdom has killed too many people. His name has spread throughout the surrounding six countries by now, and surely many strong warriors will gather in the Tianqing Kingdom. There are a few tough guys who have been wanting to challenge me, and I would rather not waste my time with them!"


    Yue Ling''er''s face fell cold as she said, "You won''t go? Then I''ll just have to tell Father about your secret visit to Smoke and Dust..."


    "Shh!"


    Suddenly, Yue Cang vanished from where he was standing, covered Yue Ling''er''s mouth with his hand, and said with a mixture of crying and laughter, "Oh my dear aunt, I''ll go, okay? You absolutely cannot let this get out..."


    Adjacent to the Tianqing Kingdom were the Baijing Kingdom, Qingyun Kingdom, and Sihai Kingdom.


    Within these nations...


    Some of the favored children of heavens also received the news, "Golden Core Realm Four Layer, actually on par with Jiang Shanhe? Interesting, I really want to see what kind of genius this is!"


    "Most likely the Treasure Pavilion of Tianqing Kingdom is exaggerating. No matter how talented one is, how could they possibly kill an Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm expert with just the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm? I''m going to expose them in person..."


    "Three months from now, in Tianqing Kingdom, I shall go!"


    Just as Gu Junhe had said, Xiao Yi was indeed renowned in all directions.


    His fame skyrocketed!


    However...


    As the one who caused all this commotion, Xiao Yi knew nothing about it.


    Half a month had passed since he returned from the secret realm.


    During these past two weeks, Xiao Yi had been in a coma. If it wasn''t for his heartbeat still persisting, Gu Junhe would have thought he was dead.


    This time his exhaustion was truly tremendous!


    He had ignited seventy percent of his blood.


    If it were anyone else, they would have died long ago.


    That he was still alive was a miracle!


    In the bedroom.


    A silver-coated Little Lin was coiled by Xiao Yi''s pillow. Over these past two weeks, it had not only regained its vitality but was full of energy and had successfully stepped into the Fourth Order realm. In terms of cultivation alone, it was comparable to the early stage of the Golden Core Realm.


    Together with its powerful body that could withstand attacks from peak Golden Core Realm experts and the potent venom that could threaten Eighth Layer Golden Core Realm enemies, it was an extremely difficult foe.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin lifted its head, its emerald eyes looking towards the door.


    When it saw that Fang Qingzhu had come in, it relaxed, lazily worming its way over to her. Landing on her shoulder, it gently touched her cheek with a worried gaze at Xiao Yi.


    Fang Qingzhu placed Little Lin on the table, rubbed its little head, and said, "Don''t worry, Xiao Yi will wake up soon." After a pause, she looked at Xiao Yi, who lay motionless on the bed, and repeated in a more resolute voice, "He will definitely wake up!"


    For the past half month, it had been Fang Qingzhu who took meticulous care of Xiao Yi.


    Day after day, under the nourishment of century-old ginseng and red-bellied brocade chicken soup, the blood that Xiao Yi lost was recovering. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was just that the expenditure from that battle was too great, which was why he had yet to wake up.


    But Xiao Yi''s life was out of danger.


    "Xiao Yi, do you know? You are now on top of the Teng Long List, tied with Great Prince Jiang Shanhe!"


    Fang Qingzhu helped Xiao Yi to sit up against the headrest, talking to him. "Elder Yan and Bingxin sent a letter the other day! Elder Yan planned to visit the capital soon; you need to wake up earlier. Otherwise, if you are still in a coma when they come, that would be really embarrassing!"


    Fang Qingzhu cooled the chicken soup in the spoon and fed it to Xiao Yi bit by bit, "Do you remember when we first met, Xiao Yi? I was really desperate at that time! If it weren''t for you, I might have already been... Thank goodness for you!"


    "Xiao Yi..."


    Fang Qingzhu kept talking about the past.


    From when she met Xiao Yi to all that had happened along this journey.


    From the memories of her childhood to the present...


    During this half a month, she had persisted, talking to Xiao Yi every day, hoping to awaken him. Yet, as she saw Xiao Yi still with his eyes tightly shut, a layer of mist gradually formed over her eyes.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin crawled up to her shoulder, its tail gently wiping the tears from the corner of her eye.


    "Little Lin, I''m okay!"


    Fang Qingzhu offered a faint smile, but as she turned her head back, the bowl and spoon clattered to the ground. She widened her eyes in disbelief at the sight before her, Xiao Yi: "..."

 Chapter 100 Qingyun Banquet

    "Xiao Yi, Brother Xiao Yi? You, you''re awake?"Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi with incredulity, her phoenix eyes wide open and a layer of mist already veiling her watery orbs.


    Hiss!


    The Little Lin on her shoulder also stood erect, staring intently at Xiao Yi.


    In its eyes was a human-like excitement.


    Xiao Yi squeezed out a faint smile on his pale face, nodded, and with a hoarse voice that was still somewhat weak, he said, "Sorry for making you worry!"


    Even though he had been in a coma for half a month, there were times when he could still sense everything that was happening outside.


    Fang Qingzhu''s meticulous care over the past half-month, her tireless conversations in hopes of awakening him��Xiao Yi was fully aware of all this.


    Xiao Yi tried to rise, but his arms felt weak and he leaned heavily against the headboard.


    "Brother Xiao Yi, don''t move...What do you want to do? Let me help you!" Fang Qingzhu said in panic, supporting Xiao Yi as she hastily asked.


    With the help of Fang Qingzhu, he sat up properly.


    Xiao Yi caught Fang Qingzhu''s retreating hand. Her soft palm was somewhat cool, and medicinal ointment was applied on the back of her hand. Xiao Yi asked with concern, "Does it still hurt?"


    This was where Fang Qingzhu had accidentally scalded herself while stewing soup for him.


    Before this incident,


    Fang Qingzhu had never cooked, but for Xiao Yi, she started learning to cook, learning to make soup, learning to take care of people.


    Xiao Yi remembered all of this in his heart.


    Fang Qingzhu shook her head, a sweet smile on her face as she said, "It doesn''t hurt!"


    "You''re lying!"


    Xiao Yi forced a smile.


    Fang Qingzhu was taken aback and lowered her head, "It hurt a bit at the beginning, but His Highness the Seventh Prince got me these ointments, and they worked very well. It doesn''t hurt anymore!"


    Xiao Yi gently stroked Fang Qingzhu''s messy fringe on her forehead and said in a deep voice, "Qingzhu, thank you for staying by my side all this time!"


    "Brother Xiao Yi..."


    Fang Qingzhu hesitated for a moment and then rested her head against his chest, "We are husband and wife, if you never leave, I will never forsake you!"


    Smelling the faint fragrance that entered his nose, Xiao Yi gently patted her shoulder and lightly rested his chin against her head.


    In this life...


    Besides his mother, at least for now, Fang Qingzhu was the only one who had entered the sanctuary of his heart. This feeling was more than just between husband and wife, it was also an inseparable kinship!


    In his eyes, however, there was an unprecedented determination!


    Little Lin, looking at the two hugging each other, glanced left and right at itself, then brought its tail to its head.


    It rested its head against its tail.


    Its face showed a human-like contentment.


    ��


    At Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, behind the mountain.


    It was still that waterfall.


    Xiao Yi stood beneath the waterfall, holding an energy stone in each hand.


    The surging energy from the energy stones infused into his body, converging within his Golden Core, and above Xiao Yi''s Golden Core were already five light rings floating up and down.


    This signified that his cultivation had stepped into the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Half a month had passed since he woke up.


    "Breaking through a realm now requires fifty medium-grade energy stones, and the further I go, the greater the consumption��"


    Xiao Yi slowly opened his eyes, looking at the energy stones in his hand that had lost their luster and turned to waste, he sighed deeply.


    Back then, in that ancient tomb, Xiao Yi had obtained a little over a thousand low-grade energy stones, one hundred forty medium-grade, and twelve high-grade ones.


    The medium-grade energy stones contained ten times the energy of the low-grade ones, and the high-grade ones ten times that of the medium-grade.


    To break through to the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, he had exhausted all the low-grade energy stones.


    The remaining medium and high-grade energy stones amounted to what would be equivalent to two hundred and sixty medium-grade energy stones: "Two hundred and sixty medium-grade energy stones... Should be enough to break through to the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Below the tribulation, I''ll be invincible, Zhou Yuan is no longer a concern!"


    The greatest reward for Xiao Yi from this secret realm adventure was not the spirit stones, but those three Martial Dao Divine Fruits.


    Each of these Martial Dao Divine Fruits could be exchanged for several hundred or even a thousand top-quality spirit stones.


    But Xiao Yi had no intention of selling the Martial Dao Divine Fruits.


    "Xiao!"


    Jiang Tai''s voice came from outside the waterfall, and with a step, Xiao Yi emerged with rolling vital energy surrounding him, preventing the cascading water from getting close.


    In just a few flashes, Xiao Yi had reached Jiang Tai''s side.


    After the journey through the secret realm.


    Xiao Yi had come to recognize Jiang Tai. He sized him up and down and laughed, "Congratulations, elder brother, your cultivation has greatly improved!"


    Since returning from the secret realm, Jiang Tai had already stepped into the Eighth Layer Realm of the Golden Core Realm.


    His combat power was also even stronger than before!


    Jiang Tai rolled his eyes and said exasperatedly, "You''re supposed to be complimenting me, right? But why does it sound so awkward to my ears?"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, clearly aware Jiang Tai was referring to him being tied for first place on the Teng Long List, and then shook his head, "Did elder brother need me for something?"


    Jiang Tai nodded, a playful look on his face, holding an invitation between two fingers, "This is for you!"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, opened it, and looked with a peculiar expression, "Jiang Shanhe is inviting me to the Qingyun Banquet?"


    In half a month''s time, it would be the Tianqing Kingdom''s Qingyun Festival.


    Every year at this time, when the unique Qingyun flowers of the Tianqing Kingdom bloom, the royal family holds the Qingyun Banquet to invite the outstanding young talents from within the kingdom.


    Moreover, with the Crown Prince position not yet decided, the recent Qingyun Banquets have been organized by the eldest prince.


    Given Xiao Yi''s relationship with the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he couldn''t fathom why Jiang Shanhe would send him an invitation!


    Jiang Tai squinted his eyes and suggested, "Maybe he wants to recruit you?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, "Recruit me? It''s probably a setup for a trap, aiming to put me in a deadly situation!"


    "Don''t worry, the Qingyun Banquet is a state banquet. If anything goes wrong, father won''t spare him, and he wouldn''t dare make a rash move. If you don''t want to go, I can help you decline," Jiang Tai said.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively and smiled at the invitation in his hand, "Go, why not go? Not only will I attend, but our fellow brothers from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy will go as well!" Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ah?"


    Jiang Tai was taken aback.


    "Our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy is too poor, you see, the Shi Family brothers and Niu Dali have all starved to the point of skinniness, it''s a good opportunity to take them for a good meal!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits, "It''s also a good chance for me to see for myself what this eldest prince, who has held the top position on the Teng Long List for many years, is really like!"


    A strong sense of fighting spirit suddenly burst forth from him.


    Ten days flew by in the blink of an eye...


    At the gate of the Tianqi Martial Arts Institute.


    Xiao Yi looked at Gu Junhe, who was drinking sullenly next to the Cangyun Eagle, and said helplessly, "Headmaster, the Qingyun Banquet is for young people, it''s really not suitable for you to go!"


    "Are you saying I''m old?" Gu Junhe squinted his eyes and asked.


    With a serious face, Xiao Yi hummed in agreement.


    Gu Junhe: "..."


    Niu Dali chuckled and said, "Headmaster, let the young people handle their affairs; you don''t need to get involved!"


    "Are you saying I''m old?" Gu Junhe asked again, putting down his liquor gourd.


    Mimicking Xiao Yi''s seriousness, Niu Dali nodded his head, but before he could utter a word, he was abruptly smacked to the ground by Gu Junhe''s palm.


    The slap made stars dance in his vision.


    Gu Junhe grabbed Niu Dali''s ankle and dragged him towards the institute like dragging a dead dog. Niu Dali''s head made a thudding sound with every intimate contact with the stairs, and Gu Junhe''s voice drifted, "You all go! Niu Dali will stay with me in the institute for some extra training."


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Everyone looked at the stairs with over a thousand steps, swallowing saliva subconsciously, their faces filled with sympathy.


    Shi Yaoming sighed and said earnestly, "Brother Dali, keep the headmaster company, we will eat your share as well..."

 Chapter 101 For Your Drink!

    Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion!It sits at the bustling intersection of Vermilion Bird Avenue and Azure Dragon Avenue in the royal capital.


    Though not the most luxurious tavern in the capital, it bore the strongest backing, hosting many royal banquets. For example, the current Azure Cloud Banquet was held within this Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion.


    Along the road, the non-stop flow of carriages was seen.


    Those within the carriages were either rich or noble.


    Not only did they include many famous and esteemed families from Tianqing Kingdom, but also numerous gifted masters from the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List.


    Azure Cloud Banquet, implying an ascension into the Azure Clouds.


    It was specifically organized by the royal family to invite the young heroes within the kingdom.


    "Xiao Yi, brother, the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion is so grand!" Fang Qingzhu admired the elegant and imposing building before her with a look of wonder on her face.


    Little Lin, perched on her shoulder, craned his neck and stuck out his tongue lightly.


    The Shi Family''s four brothers exchanged a glance, excitement plain on their faces. Shi Yaoqian''s eyes shone, "Owning such a tavern in this prosperous area would be like raking in gold every day!"


    Shi Yaodu rolled the dice in his hand non-stop, his eyes slightly squinted, "I wonder if there are any gambling games at this Azure Cloud Banquet!"


    "Gambling, gambling, gambling, is that all you ever think about? In a place like this, making connections with geniuses from all over is what''s most important, isn''t it?" Shi Yaoquan glanced at his brother and said, annoyed.


    Shi Yaoming said indifferently, "Second brother, as long as we hold tight to Xiao''s coattails, do we need to make connections with any other genius?"


    Shi Yaoquan''s face stiffened.


    Just as Shi Yaoming said, wasn''t Xiao Yi the most talked-about genius in Tianqing Kingdom at the moment?


    Xiao Yi glanced at the three and said, speechlessly, "Speak any more nonsense, and I''ll have you roll back home!"


    The four of them promptly shut up.


    Xiao Yi, holding Fang Qingzhu''s hand, smiled and said, "The Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion is backed by the royal family, naturally it is a lot more imposing! Brother Jiang should already be inside, let''s go in!"


    "Yes!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded obediently.


    Suddenly, a harsh whooshing sound came hurtling towards her shoulder, and Little Lin tensed up on her shoulder. He quickly turned and dodged as a streak of silver light, avoiding it just in time as a dark shadow flashed by.


    Swish!


    The cloth on Fang Qingzhu''s shoulder was torn apart.


    "Diao, come back!" An arrogant voice called out.


    The dark shadow quickly returned to the shoulder of a youth in brocade robes, with a face like a jade carving and a handsome, spirited appearance. Astonishingly, it was a gray-colored fourth-grade demon fox marten. The fox marten''s fiery eyes were fixed on Little Lin, who had climbed back onto Fang Qingzhu''s shoulder, its gaze filled with greed.


    Fox martens were naturally fond of preying on snake-type demons, and it had just tried to prey on Little Lin.


    "Are you all right?" Xiao Yi hastily inquired.


    Fang Qingzhu shook her head, her face slightly pale, but immediately hugged Little Lin in her arms, checking him over to make sure he wasn''t injured. Only then did she look at the youth, "You..."


    Before she could finish speaking, S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The youth arrogantly said, "My Diao has taken a fancy to your snake, sell it to me!"


    Meanwhile,


    The youth flicked his finger, and a silver note of one hundred silver floated towards Fang Qingzhu.


    Frowning with displeasure, Fang Qingzhu raised her hand and sent a gust of wind to blow the silver note back, saying coldly, "Little Lin is not for sale!"


    "Is it that you find the money too little?" demanded the young man impatiently, "One thousand silver!"


    Today, the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion was already full of people, and many recognized the youth: "Isn''t that the son of the Minister of War, Li Heng? He''s a master on the Flying Tiger List, and also proficient in The Way of Beast Tamer, truly one of the elites among the young generation!"


    "Young lady, you should just sell that demon beast to Young Master Li!"


    "Young Master Li is not someone you can afford to provoke!" the crowd advised in turn.


    Despite Xiao Yi''s growing reputation, very few people had actually seen him.


    Not to mention Fang Qingzhu.


    Fang Qingzhu retorted angrily, "Little Lin is our partner, and we will absolutely not sell him!"


    Over these past months, she had developed a deep, rooted bond with Little Lin, regarding him as a friend and family member. She would not sell him for mere thousands of silver, not even for a million yuan stones!


    Little Lin seemed to understand, holding its head high, its little eyes fixed on Fang Qingzhu.


    Squeak squeak squeak!


    The green marten on Li Heng''s shoulder let out a few piercing shrieks, standing its fur on end and drooling uncontrollably.


    "Alright, alright, I know you''re hungry!"


    Li Heng doted on the marten by rubbing its head, then looked towards Xiao Yi and the others, saying arrogantly, "I''ll say this one last time, hand over that little snake, crawl under my crotch, and I''ll let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, I..."


    His words were cut off.


    A crisp slap suddenly sounded across his face.


    Li Heng''s body spun on the spot from the impact, seeing stars, and he looked around in disbelief, "Who? Who hit me?"


    He was at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, along with a marten comparable to the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    How could he not have seen who slapped him?


    All was silent around.


    Nobody had seen who made the move.


    Li Heng''s face turned ashen with rage, unable to find the assailant, his eyes filled with venomous hate as he stared at Xiao Yi and his companions, "You... it must be you who ambushed me!" He patted the marten on his shoulder, "Little Diao, kill them for me!"


    The green marten was a fiercely murderous beast.


    Upon receiving Li Heng''s command,


    It gave a squeak.


    Whoosh!


    It turned into a grey streak of light, charging straight towards Fang Qingzhu, aiming to slay her and then capture Little Lin on her.


    Li Heng wore a look of triumph, "This is the fate of those who offend me!"


    However...


    Faced with the rapidly approaching marten,


    Xiao Yi merely gestured towards the void, invisible energy coalescing into a giant hand that snatched the marten firmly.


    Squeak squeak squeak...


    The marten glared with rage, struggling hysterically.


    Li Heng''s face underwent a drastic change, seeing Little Diao caught in Xiao Yi''s hand, powerless to break free, his heart skipped a beat, realizing he was facing a real expert. Li Heng spoke hastily, "Release Little Diao, and I will not pursue any grudge with you..."


    To tame that marten, he had exhausted countless resources and wealth.


    Just finding a young green marten had cost him nearly ten million silver pieces!


    "Not hold a grudge with us?"


    Xiao Yi let out a sneer, glancing sideways at Li Heng and suddenly clenching his fists harder.


    Crack!


    The sound of breaking bones made one''s scalp tingle.


    Squeak...


    The marten let out a pitiful cry, its life hanging by a thread.


    Xiao Yi tossed it towards Little Lin, "Here''s something for you to enjoy with your drink!"


    Hiss!


    With a single swallow, Little Lin consumed the marten.


    Little Lin was already comparable to a primary fourth-tier demonic beast, possessing strength equivalent to the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Once it assimilated the marten, chances were it would break through to the middle fourth-tier.


    After swallowing the marten, Little Lin returned to Xiao Yi''s embrace.


    In front of the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion, silence reigned.


    Pant! Pant!


    Li Heng watched Xiao Yi with disbelief. Had his painstakingly nurtured marten died just like that?


    But now, he didn''t dare to move an inch!


    If Xiao Yi could subdue a marten comparable to the Golden Core Realm with a single slap, how could he be his match?


    While Li Heng was in panic, his eyes suddenly brightened, and he sprinted towards the figure emerging from the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion, "..."

 Chapter 102 Its You Who Should Kneel!

    Li Heng''s face was filled with excitement and elation as he ran towards the figure emerging from the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion.While running,


    Li Heng turned his head back to look at Xiao Yi and his companions, his face twisted with smugness and ferocity, "You mangy curs, you will soon know just how terrifying the consequences of offending this young master are! Hahaha..."


    "Lei, you must stand up for me!"


    Li Heng, jogging all the way, arrived in front of the young man, sobbing his heart out.


    His father was the imperial Minister of War, a dignitary of the first rank.


    In the capital,


    Li Heng also belonged to the cream of the second generation.


    It was natural that he was acquainted with Yun Lei!


    Yun Lei was stunned; he had been entertaining guests on behalf of the crown prince when he heard a conflict brewing outside and came out to see what was going on.


    He hadn''t expected to step outside just to encounter Li Heng running up to him, crying his eyes out with a runny nose. The Yun Family had a good relationship with the Li Family, and Yun Lei had known Li Heng for many years. Seeing the fiery red palm mark on his face, Yun Lei furrowed his brows and asked, "Heng, how did you end up like this?"


    With a face full of resentment, Li Heng said, "Lei, someone killed my Diao and beat me up like this. You must seek justice for me!"


    But he was indeed reversing right and wrong!


    He did not mention at all that it was his own silver fox that had struck first, attempting to capture and kill Little Lin, and when his offer of one thousand taels of silver to forcefully buy Little Lin was declined, he resorted to murder. He only mentioned the killing of the silver fox and the fact that he was beaten.


    Yun Lei''s brows were tightly knit.


    He had been an earth-grade student himself but had stepped into the First Layer of the Golden Core Realm half a month earlier, becoming a heaven-grade student �C his status soaring high, basking in the height of success.


    Seeing his childhood friend beaten up like this, he swung his great hand and said coldly, "What audacity, to dare beat the son of the current Minister of War in the middle of the street! Heng, point out that lunatic, and Lei will avenge you!"


    "It''s them..."


    With his face full of excitement, Li Heng pointed towards Xiao Yi and his companions.


    But he hadn''t noticed...


    As soon as he saw he was pointing at Xiao Yi, Yun Lei''s expression turned exceedingly grim.


    Strutting up to Xiao Yi and the others with an air of superiority, Li Heng said with a smug face, "Brat, I told you, offending this young master would lead to no good end. My Lei is a heaven-grade student of the Royal Martial Arts Academy and also the crown prince''s confidant. Having offended me is like offending the crown prince, and if you don''t want to die, kneel down and crawl between my legs right now, then kneel before me and kowtow to apologize..."


    Shi Yaodu shook his head and sighed, "Li Heng, is it? I bet you''re going to cry!"


    "Hmm?"


    Li Heng was taken aback as Yun Lei came to his side.


    Feeling bold with Yun Lei beside him, Li Heng shouted, "Lei, it was this beast that hit me!"


    With a dark face, Yun Lei barked, "Kneel down!"


    Li Heng crossed his arms, looking triumphantly at Xiao Yi and the rest, "Did you hear that? Lei is telling you to kneel!"


    "I''m telling you to kneel down!"


    Standing by his side, Yun Lei suddenly let out a low roar, and immediately following, Li Heng felt his legs in severe pain as his knees knocked on the ground with two thumps. The pain made Li Heng grimace, and he looked at Yun Lei in confusion, pointing at Xiao Yi, "Lei... Lei, you must have kicked the wrong person. You should kick him..."


    Before he could finish speaking,


    Yun Lei had already grabbed the finger Li Heng was using to point at Xiao Yi and brutally broke it, causing Li Heng to scream in agony, his eyes turning bloodshot as he glared at Yun Lei, "Yun Lei, have you gone mad?"


    "The one who''s mad here is you!"


    Yun Lei slapped Li Heng across the face, sending him reeling with stars in his eyes as he shouted angrily, "Do you know who he is? He is Xiao Yi from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy..."


    "What?"


    Li Heng could no longer care about the pain.


    His complexion turned deathly pale, and large beads of cold sweat rolled down his forehead.


    Who within the Tianqing Kingdom today did not know the name of Xiao Yi?


    This is someone who even dares to kill the owner of Sword Mountain Manor!


    Killing the son of a Minister, what''s that to him?


    Gulp!


    Li Heng swallowed hard, crying with a grim face as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, Xiao... I didn''t recognize Tai Shan; please spare me..."


    Yun Lei''s face carried a pleasing smile, "Xiao, please be magnanimous and let him off this time!"


    With Xiao Yi''s current talent and strength, even the eldest prince wants to recruit him.


    Once Xiao Yi agrees to the eldest prince''s recruitment, he will definitely be the first fierce general under the eldest prince. That''s why Yun Lei is behaving like this!


    Xiao Yi looked at him with a strange expression, "Is Yun Fan your brother?"


    Yun Lei''s face twitched.


    He naturally knew that Yun Fan had died at Xiao Yi''s hands, but thinking of the eldest prince''s intention to recruit Xiao Yi, he had to suppress the hatred in his heart, smiling obsequiously, "I''ve heard about Little Fan''s incident. It was all his own doing; Xiao can''t be blamed for it!"


    Xiao Yi sized up Yun Lei and sneered, "If today you would seek revenge for your brother and strike at me, I might still respect you. As for now..."


    Yun Lei forced a smile, "Xiao is joking... The Crown Prince has been waiting inside for a long time. Now, look at this..."


    Xiao Yi glanced at Li Heng and waved his hand, "Let him kneel! Let him leave after the banquet is over!"


    "Rest assured, Xiao!"


    Yun Lei nodded firmly and glared fiercely at Li Heng, "Did you hear Xiao''s words? Kneel right here for me!"


    Li Heng was on the verge of tears, "..."


    He never imagined that he would hit a snag today!


    He could only kneel obediently in front of the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, this way, please!"


    Yun Lei led the way at the front, guiding Xiao Yi and the others into the banquet hall, "Xiao, the banquet will be held here shortly. You all can have a look around the banquet hall for now, or try some of the pastries here! The banquet will start very soon!"


    "Go attend to your duties!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand.


    The others stood in the banquet hall. Shi Yaodu''s eyes lit up, "What a huge roasted pig, and that fatty beast leg..."


    "Eat, we must eat our fill!"


    "And pack some to take back for the Institute Director and Da Li..."


    The Shi Family''s four brothers dashed away, vanishing among the array of delicious foods.


    Xiao Yi, on the other hand, was holding Fang Qingzhu''s hand, starting to savor various delicacies with her.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi did not know...


    After leaving, Yun Lei went to the eighth floor of the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion. With a respectful expression on his face, he spoke to Jiang Shanhe, who was standing with his hands behind his back, gazing outside through the window, "Your Highness, I''ve brought Xiao Yi to the banquet hall."


    "Hmm!"


    Jiang Shanhe didn''t turn around, his eyes narrowed to slits as he looked outside and said, "Yun Lei, do you blame this prince?"


    Xiao Yi had killed Yun Fan.


    And Yun Lei could not take revenge; instead, he had to serve Xiao Yi with all due respect.


    Yun Lei said in fear, "Your Highness jests; how could I blame you? Your actions are all about the bigger picture, and I swear my unwavering loyalty!"


    "Good, this prince was not mistaken about you! Rest assured..."


    Jiang Shanhe narrowed his eyes, looking at the bustling Tianqing capital, a flash of icy cold light quickly passing through his gaze, "If he obediently complies and agrees to serve me, then let him live for a few more years. If he disobeys, this prince will personally hand him over to you..."


    "Your Highness''s great kindness is unforgettable!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yun Lei bowed deeply, his lowered eyes filled with a fierce cold light, "Little Fan, your brother will surely avenge you!"

 Chapter 103 Is It Him?

    Xiao Yi''s arrival naturally attracted the attention of many people.This was the current genius of the Tianqing Kingdom who was in the spotlight��if it had been any other time, countless powerful individuals would have approached to befriend him.


    But now...


    Less than a month remained until the deadline for the duel between Xiao Yi and the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    For the crowd.


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy and Xiao Yi were at odds, with an evident lean towards Xiao Yi.


    In their eyes, Xiao Yi''s life and death were uncertain, and in this gamble, the Royal Martial Arts Academy was clearly more likely to win. To befriend Xiao Yi now and, should he die at the hands of the Academy in a month, they might face retribution come autumn.


    That''s exactly why.


    Even though many in the banquet hall nodded and made polite gestures towards Xiao Yi, not one person came forward to start a conversation.


    "Amitabha!"


    Xiao Yi was tasting the delicacies with Fang Qingzhu when a hoarse voice echoed in his ear.


    It was a bald monk, but on top of his head were not the usual scars of monkhood, but three ferocious claw marks running across his forehead and the back of his skull, making his appearance particularly vicious. At this moment, he had his palms together, smiling at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "From the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple?"


    "Amitabha, this poor monk Dao Tian is a disciple of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple!" Dao Tian said with a smile.


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "What do you want with me?"


    He didn''t have much fondness for these hypocritically benevolent monks.


    Dao Tian kept a smiling face, seeming amiable, and spoke in a not-so-loud voice, "Xiao benefactor, a few days ago our abbot had a dream in which the Buddha said you have a destiny with our Buddha. The poor monk has come uninvited today, wishing to invite you to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple to receive the baptism of the Buddhist Law!"


    The news that Xiao Yi was able to slay a practitioner of the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm with a cultivation at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm had long since reached the ears of various forces.


    Even Dao Tian, a disciple of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, coveted this secret.


    The abbot of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple ordered him to bring Xiao Yi back to the temple, and then to brainwash and control him with Buddhist Law. If they could force the secret of his ability to fight beyond his level out of him, the great prosperity of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple was in sight.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively, "I won''t go!"


    "Xiao benefactor, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple is the orthodox sanctuary of Buddhism, with a Buddha''s light that shines over all, it is a sacred place. Generally speaking, even the royal lineage cannot set foot there at will. Our Buddha is merciful and wishes to convert you with the Buddhist Law, so you should not refuse!" Dao Tian kept smiling, but his tone became somewhat stern.


    Xiao Yi said, "According to what you''re saying, going to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple would be an honor for me then?"


    Dao Tian replied, "Of course it is!"


    He was a contemporary chosen disciple, usually hidden from the world, not even listed on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List. But Dao Tian''s strength was not to be underestimated��standing at the Golden Elixir Realm Seventh Layer Peak, he was comparable to Jiang Tai before his breakthrough!


    "Amitabha!"


    Dao Tian brought his hands together and reached out to grab Xiao Yi''s shoulder, "Xiao benefactor, come with me!"


    However...


    His palm rested on Xiao Yi''s shoulder, and with a fierce jerk, Xiao Yi didn''t budge an inch.


    "Hmm?"


    Dao Tian''s expression tightened.


    Xiao Yi said emotionlessly, "It seems that I have a destiny without affinity with your Buddha. However, I do think you have a destiny with the King of Hell!"


    "Huh?"


    Dao Tian was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi raised his palm and clamped onto his wrist, followed by a crisp crack��Dao Tian''s arm broke on the spot. Before he could even scream, Xiao Yi kicked out, striking Dao Tian in the abdomen.


    Whoosh!


    Dao Tian screamed miserably, collapsed to the ground holding his stomach.


    Spittle gushed from his mouth like a breached dam.


    After days of cultivation, Xiao Yi''s level had stepped into the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. The strength from the thirty-five thousand God Sealing Seeds made his physical power even more formidable.


    His martial prowess was comparable to the peak of the Golden Elixir!


    Was Dao Tian even a match for him?


    The commotion here naturally drew the attention of the surrounding crowd. Watching Xiao Yi casually cripple Dao Tian with ease, expressions of shock were evident on everyone''s faces. "As expected from the genius ranked equal to the crown prince on the Teng Long List, Xiao Yi''s strength is truly unfathomable!"


    "Dao Tian is a Buddha''s son from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. Although a Buddha''s son is detached from worldly concerns and not ranked, he definitely has the strength of the top five on the Teng Long List. Yet he couldn''t even take one move from Xiao Yi. Among the younger generation, I fear only the crown prince can suppress Xiao Yi!"


    The whispers in the crowd abruptly ceased.


    The crowd surrounding them automatically parted, creating a path, as Jiang Shanhe, arrayed in brocade robes, appeared within everyone''s sight, escorted by Yun Lei.


    His gaze was serene, and he wore a smile as he walked towards Xiao Yi.


    Their eyes met.


    Jiang Shanhe said with a smile, "Do me a favor and let him live, how about it?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "Drag him away!"


    Jiang Shanhe glanced at Yun Lei.


    Yun Lei stepped forward, intending to help Dao Tian up, but Xiao Yi stopped him.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I said drag him away!"


    Yun Lei was taken aback and looked to Jiang Shanhe.


    Jiang Shanhe frowned slightly, then gestured with his hand. Yun Lei immediately understood his intentions, grabbed Dao Tian by the ankle, and dragged him out of the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion like a dead dog.


    "Shall we have a good drink later?" Jiang Shanhe asked with a smile.


    Xiao Yi replied, "Only if it''s good liquor!"


    Jiang Shanhe nodded, "Royal brews guaranteed not to disappoint you!"


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Sounds good!" sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jiang Shanhe said, "I''ll find you later!"


    "Suit yourself!"


    Watching Jiang Shanhe''s departing figure, Fang Qingzhu said softly, "Xiao Yi, I don''t like him!"


    Little Lin raised his head and nodded.


    As if expressing his agreement with Fang Qingzhu''s opinion.


    Xiao Yi asked curiously, "Why?"


    Fang Qingzhu''s brows furrowed slightly, and a strange light flickered in her beautiful eyes. "I can''t exactly put my finger on it, but I feel his smile is very fake, it gives an uncomfortable feeling!"


    "In this life, we can hardly avoid wearing a few masks, especially those born into the imperial family. But��" Xiao Yi smiled and then continued, "I don''t like him either, so avoid him!"


    "Okay!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded obediently.


    Around them, however, no one else dared to approach.


    They only nodded to him from a distance, in a gesture of goodwill.


    Xiao Yi was rather pleased with the peace and quiet.


    "Xiao, come over here for a second!" Shi Yaoqian gestured to him with a mysterious air.


    Xiao Yi was startled, looking at him curiously, "What is it?"


    Shi Yaoqian whispered, "Xiao, you have a storage ring, right?"


    Xiao Yi nodded subconsciously.


    Shi Yaoqian glanced around, then pulled open the collar of his clothes, revealing an astonishing array of crystal cups, plates, vases, and more stuffed inside his loose clothing. Xiao Yi''s eyes twitched, completely at a loss as to how Shi Yaoqian managed to fit all these items into his clothes.


    Shi Yaoqian said, "Xiao, open up your storage ring quick, these things are worth a fortune!"


    Xiao Yi''s face turned as black as coal: "��"


    He wanted nothing more than to smack this humiliating fool and send him flying.


    How embarrassing would it be if someone saw this?


    Shi Yaoqian whispered urgently, "Xiao, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and stash these things! I even spotted a table made from Azure Dragon wood over there; make sure to take that too later..."


    Xiao Yi, with a darkened expression, said, "Scram!"


    He took Fang Qingzhu by the hand and walked away.


    At that moment...


    Jiang Shanhe''s voice suddenly resounded throughout the banquet hall: "Welcome everyone to the Qingyun Banquet. It''s an honor given by the King for me to host this event. Before we begin, please allow me to introduce a distinguished guest!"


    He pointed towards the entrance.


    All eyes turned as one to look.


    Xiao Yi also saw the figure at the entrance and couldn''t help but reveal a trace of coldness in his eyes: "Is it him?"

 Chapter 104 Are You Satisfied Now?

    At the entrance to the banquet hall.Zhou Xin, resplendent in his robes, strode in with authority as the crowd parted to either side to make way, "Law Enforcement Elder Zhou Xin of the Royal Martial Arts Academy? Why did he return here?"


    "I heard Zhou Xin made a breakthrough to the Eighth Layer of the Golden Core Realm and has been promoted to the Deputy Head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Deputy Head? No wonder even the Crown Prince calls him an honored guest!"


    Amidst the whispering.


    Zhou Xin approached Jiang Shanhe with a beaming smile, "His Highness the Crown Prince is too polite. How can I, Zhou, be worthy of such a guest title?"


    "Please take a seat, Deputy Head Zhou!" Jiang Shanhe gestured invitingly.


    Zhou Xin smiled and sat beside him.


    His gaze swept through the crowd, eventually settling on Xiao Yi, the smile on his face slowly fading, replaced by a hint of amusement.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Zhou Xin.


    When he was being troubled by Ge Qingyun and others, it was Zhou Xin, the Law Enforcement Elder, who brazenly shielded them.


    This led to Xiao Yi causing an uproar at the Royal Martial Arts Academy!


    "Many thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince!"


    Zhou Xin bowed to Jiang Shanhe and then took the seat to Jiang''s left.


    Jiang Shanhe spoke loudly, "Ladies and Gentlemen, you must be wondering why Deputy Head Zhou would grace the Qingyun Banquet with his presence."


    The crowd turned their gaze toward him.


    Jiang Shanhe looked at Zhou Xin.


    Zhou Xin slowly stood up, face wearing a radiant smile, his eyes sweeping across those present before coming to rest on Xiao Yi, he declared, "Zhou has come to the Qingyun Banquet today for just one purpose!"


    "Xiao Yi, this seems to be targeted at you!" Fang Qingzhu said.


    Xiao Yi acknowledged with a hum, quietly waiting for what was to come.


    Zhou Xin said unhurriedly, "Perhaps everyone has heard, there was some misunderstanding between the Royal Martial Arts Academy and Xiao Yi, and all of it was because I, Zhou, was deceived by slander and wrongly accused him!"


    "Ah..."


    "What''s going on? Has someone from the Royal Martial Arts Academy actually admitted they were wrong?"


    "The Royal Martial Arts Academy, such a domineering entity, has actually admitted fault? Just how strong is this Xiao Yi, to make the Royal Martial Arts Academy capitulate... "


    All eyes focused on Xiao Yi.


    Surprise appeared on Xiao Yi''s face; he had thought of many reasons why Zhou Xin might appear here but had never considered that he would openly apologize to him?


    To know...


    Zhou Xin was now the Deputy Head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Wait a minute...


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his face showing thick sarcasm, "So that''s how it is... No wonder they would promote him to Deputy Head at this time..."


    If Zhou Xin were still the Law Enforcement Elder, his public apology to Xiao Yi would mean that the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s Law Enforcement Hall would suffer a loss of dignity and justice, and even lead others to question the rules of the Martial Arts Academy.


    But now Zhou Xin was the Deputy Head.


    His apology could entirely be attributed to him personally, minimizing the impact on the Royal Martial Arts Academy!


    Zhou Xin bowed deeply to Xiao Yi, his voice solemn, "Xiao Yi, it was all because I misbelieved malicious gossip, wrongly accusing you! This has nothing to do with the Royal Martial Arts Academy, it''s all my personal mistake. When we return, I will request the Head to relieve me of my position as Deputy Head!"


    Boom!


    A wave of astonishment swept through the crowd once more.


    The disturbance was hard to calm!


    To appease Xiao Yi''s anger, was Zhou Xin actually prepared to resign in acknowledgment of his fault?


    "Xiao Yi, that''s enough!"


    "Deputy Head Zhou has already gone to this extent; if you keep pursuing this, you''ll truly be ungracious!"


    "Enough is enough!" the crowd urged.


    In their view, the Royal Martial Arts Academy had already conceded to such an extent, with full sincerity. Xiao Yi ought to accept Zhou Xin''s apology and no longer pursue the matter.


    However...


    Xiao Yi remained seated in his place, warmly serving vegetables to Fang Qingzhu: "This tastes good, and this too... Look at how thin you''ve become. You need to eat more meat, understand?"


    Fang Qingzhu smiled gently, dutifully nodding her head.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin stood up, sticking out its tongue.


    Xiao Yi rubbed its head, offering it a few pieces of meat: "Alright, alright, you need to eat meat too!"


    He seemed to have not seen Zhou Xin''s actions at all.


    "Xiao Yi, please forgive me!"


    Zhou Xin, still in a bowing posture, had a face that turned livid, but remembering Zhou Yuan''s command, he could only take a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "I truly come to offer an apology with all my heart. Whatever you ask of me, I can agree to it!"


    Xiao Yi said playfully, "Even if I asked for your life?"


    "This..."


    Zhou Xin was startled, the murderous intent in his eyes already seething, yet he forcibly suppressed it and said sternly, "Xiao Yi, I, Zhou, indeed made the first mistake, but today I have set aside my pride to apologize to you. Do you really intend to be mercilessly thorough?"


    Yun Lei said with unease, "Xiao Yi, no matter what Vice Head Zhou did wrong before, he has already apologized to you. Even if you still harbor resentment, he is, after all, your elder. Don''t you think you are being too excessive?"


    "Who the hell are you to lecture me on what to do?" Xiao Yi looked up at Yun Lei, with a face of indifference.


    "You..."


    Yun Lei was taken aback, his face turning an iron blue.


    Xiao Yi pointed at Zhou Xin, who was still maintaining a bowing posture, and sneered, "You think he''s really apologizing to me? He is but trying to manipulate public opinion, making everyone believe that I, Xiao Yi, am unreasonable and unyielding even when I''m in the right... In this way, no one will blame the Royal Martial Arts Academy for bullying others, nor will anyone remember how you twisted truth and justice, attempting to put me to death everywhere. Am I right?"


    His mocking gaze turned to Jiang Shanhe.


    Yun Lei''s expression changed.


    As a confidant of Jiang Shanhe, he naturally knew that all of today''s events were orchestrated by Jiang Shanhe''s hands. The plan was to first offer an apology with Zhou Xin, manipulating public opinion against Xiao Yi.


    Afterward...


    Jiang Shanhe would step in to placate Xiao Yi.


    If they could subdue Xiao Yi, his reputation would be greatly enhanced; even if Xiao Yi refused in the end, the Royal Martial Arts Academy would shed the accusation of oppressing the weak, a strategy that would kill several birds with one stone.


    But this plan was supposed to be top secret! S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi had pinpointed the crux of the scheme with a single statement. Yun Lei instinctively looked towards Jiang Shanhe.


    Jiang Shanhe narrowed his eyes, the plan indeed coming from him, and he never expected Xiao Yi to see through it. Yet he showed no panic, calmly tasting the dishes on the table.


    Zhou Xin straightened up, his face the picture of despair, "Xiao Yi, why can''t you trust me? Do you really need my life to extinguish your anger?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Yes! Are you willing to give it?"


    "You..."


    Zhou Xin''s mouth twitched violently.


    Was he willing?


    Of course not!


    All of this was just an act!


    Jiang Shanhe, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up, "Vice Head Zhou, since it''s an apology, you should show some sincerity!"


    Zhou Xin''s expression changed drastically.


    Under Jiang Shanhe''s cold gaze, he gritted his teeth and said, "Please enlighten me, Your Highness!"


    Pfft!


    With a flick of his sword finger, Jiang Shanhe severed Zhou Xin''s right arm at the shoulder, the bloody limb falling in front of Xiao Yi. Jiang Shanhe narrowed his eyes and asked, "Are you satisfied now?"

 Chapter 105 Who Else?

    "Are you satisfied now?"Jiang Shanhe''s face remained expressionless, his calm gaze fixed on Xiao Yi.


    The blood-drenched severed arm lay in a pool of blood, its fingers still twitching slightly. Zhou Xin covered his bleeding shoulder, not even daring to let out a cry of pain.


    Xiao Yi looked up at Jiang Shanhe and smiled, "What if I said I wasn''t satisfied?"


    "Hmm?"


    Jiang Shanhe was taken aback, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed.


    He did not speak.


    On the side, Yun Lei was already furiously indignant and rebuked, "Xiao Yi, don''t push your luck! His Highness has already severed a limb of Deputy Zhou, what more do you want?"


    "Are you talking to me?" Xiao Yi looked towards Yun Lei.


    His gaze was very calm, like an ancient well, without a ripple.


    But it was this calm look that struck Yun Lei like a bolt from the blue, turning his face abruptly pale, as if his throat was being choked, leaving him with a suffocating feeling.


    With just that one look, Yun Lei''s back was already drenched in cold sweat, thoroughly soaked.


    Gulp!


    Yun Lei swallowed reflexively, his words strained, "Xiao, Xiao Yi, this is the Qingyun Banquet, you..."


    He did not finish his sentence.


    Yun Lei''s vision went dark.


    Boom!


    A palm made of condensed energy descended from the heavens and with a thud, smashed down on Yun Lei''s head, driving it deep into his chest cavity.


    Blood gushed out like a fountain.


    Hisss...


    The banquet hall fell silent.


    Even Jiang Shanhe showed a look of shock, looking at Xiao Yi with disbelief, and so did everyone else, their gazes towards Xiao Yi as if looking at a madman: "Has this guy gone insane?"


    "Yun Lei is the Crown Prince''s confidant, did he just kill Yun Lei in front of the Crown Prince?"


    "He''s completely torn faces with the Crown Prince!"


    Amidst the exclamations of shock,


    Jiang Shanhe leaned forward slightly in his elevated chair and said gravely, "Are you satisfied now?" Stay updated via empire


    He indeed very much wanted to recruit Xiao Yi.


    After all...


    The fact that Xiao Yi could grow from the mere Physical Body Realm to his current state in such a short time, as well as his secret technique for slaying an Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm with the Golden Elixir Realm Fourth Layer Cultivation, these were secrets that made Jiang Shanhe''s heart race.


    That''s why.


    Jiang Shanhe had convinced Zhou Yuan and sent Zhou Xin to apologize to Xiao Yi publicly.


    Even if Xiao Yi killed Yun Lei in front of him, as long as he could obtain the secrets Xiao Yi possessed, it was still acceptable to him.


    Xiao Yi pointed at Zhou Xin: "And him!"


    Jiang Shanhe took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he fell into contemplation.


    He was considering whether sacrificing another Zhou Xin was worth it.


    Zhou Xin was very aware of Jiang Shanhe''s thoughts and ruthlessness. His face changed suddenly, and he quickly said, "Your Highness, you must not be deceived, this is Xiao Yi sowing discord..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi shouted coldly, "The Crown Prince is wise and martial, how could I provoke him?"


    "You..."


    Zhou Xin clutched his severed arm, looking nervously at Jiang Shanhe.


    Whoosh!


    Jiang Shanhe narrowed his eyes while his thoughts raced, weighing the losses and gains.


    Zhou Xin had lost an arm and was old, at most he might grow to reach the Ninth or even the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Xiao Yi was young and strong with infinite potential.


    Moreover...


    If he obtained Xiao Yi''s secrets, with Jiang Shanhe''s current cultivation of the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, he could even battle against the powers of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The throne would be within easy reach.


    As for Xiao Yi''s affront to him?


    Once he obtained those secrets, Jiang Shanhe was fully confident that he could slay Xiao Yi with his sword!


    With this thought,


    Jiang Shanhe exhaled a long breath and calmly said, "Deputy Zhou, everything is for the Martial Arts Institute..." He paused, then continued, "You, end it yourself!"


    Hisss!


    The surrounding crowd was dumbfounded.


    They had thought that Xiao Yi, by killing Yun Lei to his face, had completely enraged Jiang Shanhe, and was surely on a path to his death.


    But no one could have imagined...


    Jiang Shanhe''s final choice was actually to have Zhou Xin commit suicide?


    "Indeed... the royal family is ruthless!"


    "For the Crown Prince, as long as he achieves his goal, he wouldn''t even frown if the whole world died, right?"


    Everyone discussed amongst themselves.


    Zhou Xin''s complexion turned from white to red, from red to blue, and finally to a powerless pale.


    Ha!


    Haha!


    Hahaha...


    Zhou Xin suddenly started laughing hysterically, his shoulders twitching nonstop, his eyes bloodshot. His teeth rattled, and his eyes were filled with blood vessels: "Well done, Jiang Shanhe, well done, merciless royalty... You just want to recruit Xiao Yi and obtain the secrets he possesses, don''t you? Willing to let me die for that? I won''t let you have your way..."


    Whoosh!


    All of a sudden, Zhou Xin burst up and rushed out of the banquet hall.


    He only wanted to save his own life!


    Once he escaped from this place, he would flee far away.


    "Seeking death!"


    A cold light flashed in Jiang Shanhe''s eyes, and with a flick of his finger, a cold glint condensed at his fingertip. This was a swordsharp as a writing brush, whizzing through the air.


    Thud!


    The sword just grazed Zhou Xin''s throat.


    A jet of blood sprayed out.


    Zhou Xin''s body lurched forward for a dozen steps, but his head had already tumbled to the ground.


    The banquet hall fell silent.


    Only Jiang Shanhe''s voice echoed through the hall: "Xiao Yi, are you satisfied now?"


    Xiao Yi still had his legs crossed, smiling comfortably: "Satisfied, very satisfied!"


    As if the deaths of Yun Lei and Zhou Xin had nothing to do with him.


    Jiang Shanhe squinted and said: "Since that''s the case, you can now publicly declare your departure from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and return to the Royal Martial Arts Academy. I have discussed with Zhou and can grant you the status of a heavenly-class student. Moreover, I will personally request a noble title from the Emperor on your behalf and strive to grant you the five cities of Nanhuang as your fief. How do you feel about that?"


    Hisss!


    Everyone looked at Xiao Yi, their eyes filled with shock and envy.


    Heavenly-class student and a noble title.


    While Xiao Yi''s strength was just average, being granted the five cities of Nanhuang as a fief was a grand gesture.


    You should know.


    Even someone like Ye Feng before him didn''t have a fief!


    Jiang Shanhe had indeed paid enough to recruit Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi said with a smile: "Satisfied, extremely satisfied!"


    Jiang Shanhe heaved a sigh of relief; he had made enough concessions, and fortunately, the outcome didn''t disappoint him. His smile became gentler, and a trace of eagerness flickered deep in his eyes: "Since that is the case, you can kneel and swear loyalty to me now!"


    Jiang Shanhe looked relaxed, leaning back in his chair.


    Once Xiao Yi swore loyalty and left the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, his way back would be cut off. By then, forcing him to reveal his secret techniques, Xiao Yi would surely not dare to disobey.


    However...


    As Jiang Shanhe was reveling in his daydreams, Xiao Yi looked shocked and incredulously asked: "Your Highness, how could you be drunk before the banquet has even started? When did I ever say I would swear loyalty to you?"


    Huh?


    Jiang Shanhe''s face stiffened, his body suddenly tensed, gripping the armrests tightly, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Xiao Yi: "What did you say?"


    Xiao Yi''s face was full of innocence: "When have I ever said I would swear loyalty to you? Is there a witness?"


    Jiang Shanhe''s face turned ashen.


    He really felt like cursing out loud!


    To recruit Xiao Yi, he had watched his confidant and lackey Yun Lei get slapped to death, and personally executed Zhou Xin of the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    And this was the result?


    Jiang Shanhe looked around the banquet hall, suppressing the rage in his heart: "Xiao Yi, I do not enjoy jokes! Before the eyes of everyone here, they are all witnesses!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and also looked at everyone, "Who heard me say I would be loyal to him?" S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A young man at the peak of the Divine Skills Realm stepped forward: "I heard it... I..."


    Before he could finish...


    Xiao Yi slapped him, and with a bang, the man was turned into a pile of mush. Blinking innocently, he said: "Sorry, my hand was itchy, I couldn''t help it... Is there anyone else who can testify?"


    "..."


    In the banquet hall, save for the grinding sound of Jiang Shanhe''s teeth, there was dead silence...

 Chapter 106 The Dragons Reverse Scale, Touch It and Die!

    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the people in the banquet hall.His eyes were icy and sharp, as if they could see right through someone.


    Anyone under his intense stare felt a sense of fear and involuntarily bowed their heads, remaining silent as cicadas in winter.


    Xiao Yi looked at Jiang Shanhe, who was clenching his teeth, and shrugged, "Crown Prince, it seems that you were indeed hallucinating earlier!"


    Jiang Shanhe''s complexion turned from green to white.


    The Qingyun banquet today was specially prepared by him to make Xiao Yi submit in front of everyone.


    Unfortunately...


    He had exhausted all his means, and not only did his plans fall through, but he had also lost Zhou Xin and Yun Lei. Now even his own face was swollen.


    Jiang Shanhe took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly, saying in a deep voice, "Indeed a good move, no wonder Ye Feng and Zhuang Bifan fell to you. But do you really think you''ve got me cornered?"


    Xiao Yi looked at him with interest, "Whatever tricks you have, go ahead and use them!"


    "Hmph!"


    With a cold snort, Jiang Shanhe''s eyes narrowed into slits, with a cold light flickering within, "I had wanted you to willingly join under my command; I could promise you a lifetime of wealth and glory. Unfortunately, all this is now irrelevant to you..."


    No sooner had he finished speaking.


    Jiang Shanhe suddenly stood up and strode towards Xiao Yi.


    Each step was like a prehistoric beast walking amongst men, the cold oppression was so intense that the banquet hall became silent except for the sound of his footsteps.


    Pat!


    The sound of Jiang Shanhe''s footsteps abruptly stopped, and there he stood, in front of Xiao Yi.


    The two of them looked into each other''s eyes.


    The tangible glares struck like lightning in the air, bursting into a fierce blaze.


    The crushing aura pressed down on Xiao Yi like a towering peak, and Jiang Shanhe said with narrowed eyes, "Xiao Yi, I''ll give you a chance to live. All you have to do is announce your withdrawal from Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and pledge your loyalty to the Royal Martial Arts Academy and myself. Tell me the secrets of your cultivation, and I will spare your life!"


    Xiao Yi cocked his head and looked past Jiang Shanhe''s shoulder at the sky outside, "The night''s just begun, why are you already dreaming?"


    "You..."


    Jiang Shanhe''s expression turned rigid as they locked gaze.


    Xiao Yi saw the cold intent to kill in Jiang Shanhe''s eyes; Jiang Shanhe saw the indifference and chill in Xiao Yi''s.


    Whoosh!


    Jiang Shanhe let out a long breath, "You''ve personally severed your only path to survival!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged, neither servile nor overbearing, each word ringing like a bell tolling, deafening, "I''d rather die standing than live on my knees!"


    "Then go and die!"


    Jiang Shanhe lashed out with a palm strike without warning.


    As the esteemed Crown Prince, the most probable successor to the throne, and the first-ranked fighter on the Tianqing Tenglong List, Jiang Shanhe felt he had made significant concessions to get Xiao Yi''s secret.


    Yet Xiao Yi still refused him!


    This was a challenge to his authority!


    "One palm to decide the world!"


    In Jiang Shanhe''s palm seemed to flow an endless river, with raging waves and towering mountains, aimed at Xiao Yi''s head. Your journey continues on empire


    The terrifying force generated a massive gust.


    The wave walls over a hundred meters high seemed to be the hands of gods descending from the heavens. This palm was so mighty that even an ordinary practitioner at the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm would struggle to bear it.


    "Get away quickly!"


    "The Crown Prince''s ''One Palm to Decide the World'' is a high-level fourth-rank martial art, containing unparalleled destructive power. Xiao Yi is doomed..."


    "If he had turned away from the dark and joined the Crown Prince, becoming a noble or a general in the future would have been easy, but alas..."


    Sighs and remarks filled the air, and of course, there were also some who were gloating, "The Crown Prince has already extended an olive branch to him, who asked for his refusal, so ignorant of death?"


    "It''s one thing for heaven to commit evils, but quite another for a man to bring disaster upon himself!" sea??h th�� novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Amidst the discussion.


    Jiang Shanhe''s palm strike had already reached Xiao Yi''s front.


    The wild palm wind roared past, shattering the surrounding tables and chairs, and bursting the floor tiles as well, with sand and rocks hitting Xiao Yi''s body.


    But before anyone could get close, they were shredded into powder by the fierce surge of energy from Xiao Yi''s body.


    As Xiao Yi looked up, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Hum!


    Elemental energy roared out from within him like a tidal wave, transforming into a towering golden figure, with its right fist smashing fiercely towards the giant palm descending from the sky.


    The fist and the palm collided mid-air.


    Thud!


    In the midst of a world-shaking boom,


    From the point of contact between the fist and the palm, an invisible shockwave surged outwards in all directions, the rumbling noise unceasing to the ear. Surrounding tables and chairs were all shattered to pieces, and many powerful fighters were caught in the calamity, sent flying in all directions.


    Amongst cries of agony,


    The two forces disappeared in an instant.


    Xiao Yi defied gravity and soared up, engaging in close-quarters combat mid-air, exchanging blows with fists and palms.


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi and Jiang Shanhe''s figures were like two streaks of light, moving with extreme speed. Every collision between them set off tremendous roars that shook the heavens.


    After dozens of exchanges,


    The entire Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion was a wreck, its roof completely torn off by their fight, leaving them standing on the broken eaves, facing each other from afar.


    Xiao Yi stood proudly atop a broken wooden column.


    With his hands behind his back, a gentle breeze caressed his face, his black hair dancing wildly, his face remained calm, "Ranked alongside me at the top of the Teng Long List? Do you really think you''re worthy?"


    Jiang Shanhe wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his blood-shot eyes ice-cold, "I never expected that you''d already broken through to the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm..."


    His gaze was icy, but his heart was surging with emotion.


    It had only been about two months since the trip to the secret realm.


    Had Xiao Yi really risen from the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm to the Seventh Layer?


    Advancing three minor realms in two months?


    "Such a pace of cultivation is rare in the world. Even that Xiao Tianjiao probably isn''t this fast, right? If I could get my hands on such a treasure, not to mention the Tao Tribulation Realm, even the elusive Longevity Secret Realm might be within reach. I might even become a being that stands shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Tianjiao..."


    Jiang Shanhe took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart, and said in a deep voice, "With your current strength, Xiao Yi, even the palace might not be certain of defeating you. But don''t forget, you''re not alone. Your wife, and your brothers from Tianqi Martial Arts Academy... If the palace were to use its power against them, how many do you think you could save?"


    Hum!


    The wind that had been blowing around them seemed to stop all of a sudden.


    The smile on Xiao Yi''s face gradually faded, and what replaced it was a chilling gleam, "Jiang Shanhe, you''re courting death!"


    Fang Qingzhu was his inverse scale.


    To touch the dragon''s inverse scale is to court death!


    "Hm?"


    Jiang Shanhe''s expression changed. Xiao Yi''s aura had suddenly turned cold, instilling a deep sense of dread in him. Just as he was about to speak,


    A violent gust of wind surged towards him head-on, entering his mouth and forcibly pushing back the words that had reached his lips.


    When he opened his eyes again...


    Xiao Yi had already appeared before him, and a fist was coming straight toward his face.


    "Fuck!"


    Jiang Shanhe''s complexion changed drastically, devoid of his prior arrogance and pride. Crossing his hands defensively, he instinctively protected his chest. With a thud, Xiao Yi''s punch sent him flying.


    Wow!


    Jiang Shanhe spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flung through the air like a falling star, soaring hundreds of meters before crashing onto the street with a boom.


    The unyielding force continued, dragging Jiang Shanhe along and carving a trench hundreds of meters long on the ground.


    Soil and rocks were upturned, dust filling the air.


    There lay Jiang Shanhe in the pit, bleeding from every orifice, his life and death unknown...

 Chapter 107 Martial King of the Nation

    Half of the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion was reduced to ruins.The top talent on the Teng Long List, Great Prince Jiang Shanhe of the Tianqing Kingdom, couldn''t withstand Xiao Yi''s punch and was blasted hundreds of meters away.


    Such a scene left the tens of thousands of onlookers dumbstruck and speechless.


    The gazes that fell on Xiao Yi were filled with shock and awe, with fear and disbelief being the only other emotions left.


    "How on earth did he cultivate? Advancing from the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm to the seventh layer in two months?"


    "Such a speed of cultivation is simply terrifying!"


    "I''m afraid only Tianjiao of the Great Qian Dynasty can match him!"


    "There are rumors that Xiao Yi is also from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty, I initially thought it was true. But now, how could I feel it''s false? How could the Xiao Family send such a talent to Nanhuang City to be someone''s son-in-law?"


    "Unless the people of the Xiao Family are blind!"


    "The Xiao Family had given birth to Tianjiao, how could they be blind? This rumor is mostly false!"


    The murmurs among the crowd naturally reached Xiao Yi''s ears, and he slightly lifted the corners of his mouth in a trace of faint mockery: "Xiao Zhengde, if you heard these words, you must feel very embarrassed, right?"


    Originally, Xiao Zhengde had sent him to the Fang Family as a son-in-law to secure a breeding beast for Tianjiao''s mount.


    In the end...


    Wasn''t it because they thought Xiao Yi was useless?


    The stronger and faster Xiao Yi became, the more severe the slaps on Xiao Zhengde and Tianjiao''s faces were.


    He was even somewhat impatient to know, what would the expressions of Xiao Zhengde and Tianjiao look like when they heard this news!


    Boom!


    Suddenly, a dull and rapid sound of horse hooves came from the front, as if thousands of troops were galloping.


    A moment later...


    A group of several hundred Black Dragon Cavalry clad in black armor appeared on the streets, with two fast horses taking away the now unconscious Jiang Shanhe. The Black Dragon Cavalry moved imposingly, closing in on Xiao Yi.


    "This, this is the Black Dragon Cavalry of the imperial guards, even they have been alerted?"


    "In the entire Tianqing Kingdom, only His Majesty can command the Black Dragon Cavalry. It seems His Majesty has already learned of the situation here, Xiao Yi is in danger now!"


    Black Dragon Cavalry.


    They were all elite soldiers at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, and with their armored Black Dragon steeds, each was worth a hundred in the fight.


    When the hundreds of Black Dragon Cavalry charged collectively, even warriors in the High-Layer Golden Core Realm were in danger of losing their lives.


    "Xiao Yi..."


    Fang Qingzhu stood by Xiao Yi''s side, tightly clutching his palm with a look of concern on her face.


    The Shi Family''s four brothers also put away their usual irreverent expressions and stood solemnly by Xiao Yi''s side, ready to step in without hesitation if the Black Dragon Cavalry really launched a charge.


    Xiao Yi patted Fang Qingzhu''s hand and said with a light chuckle, "Don''t worry."


    Clip-clop!


    Amidst the crisp sound of horse hooves, a Black Dragon cavalry leader, clad in black armor, carrying a pitch-black long spear, and standing tall like a pine tree, came before Xiao Yi, his cold voice tinged with a metallic quality: "Xiao Yi, the King summons you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Everyone was taken aback, "The Black Dragon Cavalry came not to kill Xiao Yi?"


    "Strange... The Great Prince has just been seriously injured by Xiao Yi and is unconscious, yet His Majesty is summoning Xiao Yi, what in the world is happening?"


    Xiao Yi also raised an eyebrow and asked, "Just me alone?"


    "Yes!"


    The Black Armored leader nodded, still as cold as ever, "His Majesty summons you, please proceed immediately with me to the palace!"


    "Xiao Yi..."


    Fang Qingzhu''s face still wore a worried expression.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes in thought for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, I will accompany you!" He turned to the Shi brothers, "You guys, see to it that Qingzhu safely makes it back to the Martial Arts Institute!"


    "Rest assured, Brother Xiao, we will definitely protect Miss Fang!" Shi Yaoquan patted his chest and said earnestly.


    Xiao Yi nodded and addressed the Black Armored leader, "Lead the way!"


    "Please!"


    Xiao Yi leaped up and landed on the back of one of the Black Dragon steeds, galloping away into the distance.


    Shi Yaodu looked at Fang Qingzhu with a smile on her face, full of concern, and laughed, "Good things come from harmony, I bet Xiao wouldn''t have a problem!"


    Experience exclusive tales on empire


    Shi Yaoqian rubbed the two silver ingots in his hands, "Fang, just ease your heart! If His Majesty had any intentions to harm Xiao, the Black Dragon Cavalry would have already launched an attack!"


    "Let''s head back to the Martial Arts Institute first!"


    Fang Qingzhu kept looking back every three steps, her face still filled with worry.


    ......


    The Royal Palace.


    Luxurious and majestic.


    Xiao Yi followed the lead of the black-armored general and came all the way to the Jade Dragon Pavilion, where the Emperor of Tianqing Kingdom, Jiang Tianchen, resided.


    The Jade Dragon Pavilion was at the very center of the entire palace, not only heavily guarded but also protected by dozens of formations.


    To the east, west, north, and south, each was overseen by a high-level practitioner of the Golden Core Realm. sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even a peak Golden Core Realm powerhouse would find it utterly impossible to enter the Jade Dragon Pavilion without a sound, and the current Emperor of Tianqing Kingdom was now holding a scroll, sitting on the Dragon Throne with a commanding presence.


    "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi has been brought here!" declared the black-armored general respectfully.


    Jiang Tianchen put down the scroll in his hands and looked up at Xiao Yi, his gaze full of wisdom and unfathomable depth.


    Hmph!


    Jiang Tianchen suddenly let out a cold snort, making the temperature inside the grand hall drop tens of degrees in an instant, his voice containing a hint of coldness and ruthlessness, "Xiao Yi, do you know your crime?"


    The black-armored general was already so frightened that he knelt down with a clang.


    He couldn''t help but take a covert look at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, however, curled up the corners of his mouth and said, "I don''t."


    "Hmm?"


    Jiang Tianchen squinted his eyes, silent.


    But it was this silence that soaked the tough black-armored general, who had charged through battlefields and bloodshed, in cold sweat, and he gulped down his saliva before lowering his voice, "Won''t you kneel and admit your mistake to His Majesty?"


    Xiao Yi remained silent, just staring at Jiang Tianchen.


    They locked eyes.


    Then suddenly...


    Ha ha ha ha!


    The robust laughter of Jiang Tianchen echoed throughout the Jade Dragon Pavilion, like the rumbling of war drums and thunder from the heavens resonating long within the grand hall, deafening.


    A moment later.


    Jiang Tianchen''s laughter came to an abrupt stop, and with narrowed eyes, he said, "I heard... You have a bet with Zhou Yuan, to level the Royal Martial Arts Academy in a month?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Why? Does Your Majesty wish to stop me?"


    The black-armored general beside them wished he could cover his ears.


    Who dares to speak to Jiang Tianchen like this in all of the vast Tianqing Kingdom?


    Isn''t that seeking death?


    However...


    Jiang Tianchen, who sat high on the Dragon Throne, instead of getting angry, laughed heartily and said, "Good, good, good, young people should have this kind of spirit. If you really can level the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I will grant you the title of Martial King of the Nation of Tianqing Kingdom..."


    Boom!


    The black-armored general was scared out of his wits.


    Martial King of the Nation?


    The words "of the Nation" were not to be given lightly!


    If Xiao Yi truly became the Martial King of the Nation, he would be comparable to the Emperor in the future!


    The black-armored general looked at Xiao Yi with eyes full of envy.


    However...


    Xiao Yi frowned and said with a look of disdain, "Sorry, I refuse!"

 Chapter 108 Certain Death

    "What, what? He actually refused?"The armored general was dumbfounded, unable to believe what he was seeing. He even forgot to kneel.


    Seated on the dragon throne, Jiang Tianchen''s initially certain and confident smile suddenly froze, and he blinked, subconsciously saying, "What did you say?"


    Xiao Yi curled his lips, "I said, I refuse to be the Martial King of the Nation!"


    Hiss!


    The armored general inhaled sharply and began to scold, "How daring of you, Xiao Yi. Do you know what being the Martial King of the Nation means? It is the highest title in the Tianqing Kingdom. Once you become the Martial King of the Nation, even the Royal Martial Arts Academy won''t dare to harm you, and even princes would have to show you the respect due between ruler and subject. You, you actually refuse?"


    Being the Martial King of the Nation!


    Since the founding of the Tianqing Kingdom, there had only been two occurrences.


    The first was the former Tianqi King from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, who created the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and single-handedly delineated the borders of Tianqing Kingdom with Tianlan and Purple Robe Kingdoms. S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi actually refused?


    "Are you out of your mind?" the general exclaimed subconsciously.


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Tianchen, speaking indifferently, "Don''t think I don''t know what you''re plotting..."


    This Jiang Tianchen had said that if he were victorious in the battle with the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he would be named the Martial King of the Nation.


    Indeed.


    As the Martial King of the Nation, Xiao Yi''s influence and status would be comparable to that of the monarch of a country.


    But...


    If he were to defeat the Royal Martial Arts Academy alone, his strength alone would be comparable to that of a monarch. Would he still need to be the Martial King of the Nation?


    And once he became the Martial King of the Nation, he wouldn''t just be receiving a title; it would also be a responsibility, the responsibility to protect the entire Tianqing Kingdom.


    He was solitary and carefree.


    Why should he put shackles on himself for a mere title?


    Jiang Tianchen''s profound gaze shimmered with wisdom as he tapped his fingers lightly on the table, thud thud thud, each tap striking at the heart.


    The armored commander was sweating profusely, wishing he could personally press Xiao Yi to the ground.


    This was the current sovereign!


    The ruler of a country!


    Even Zhou Yuan, the head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, wouldn''t dare to speak to him like this!


    "This is the end, this young man is so arrogant, he will surely enrage His Majesty�� he is as good as dead��" thought the commander.


    At that moment,


    Jiang Tianchen''s knocking on the table abruptly stopped, and his usually impassive face suddenly burst into a radiant smile as he laughed heartily, "Interesting, truly interesting!"


    Huh?


    He''s not angry? Find more to read at empire


    The armored general was bewildered and had begun to question his life, "Is this the same unpredictable, emotionless killer sovereign I know?"


    Jiang Tianchen waved at the armored general.


    "I shall take my leave!"


    The armored general retreated cautiously.


    Jiang Tianchen walked around the table and strutted up to Xiao Yi, staring at him, "Xiao Yi, are you truly not afraid I will kill you?"


    "You won''t kill me," Xiao Yi said lightly.


    Jiang Tianchen, neither joyous nor sad, his eyes a profound abyss revealing no emotions, casually remarked, "Oh? What makes you so sure?"


    Xiao Yi said, "You can''t kill me!"


    "What a joke!"


    Jiang Tianchen narrowed his eyes, leaning forward slightly as he stared straight at Xiao Yi. The two were so close they could feel each other''s breath, "I am the ruler of a nation, commanding an army of a million strong, with a host of powerful warriors at my disposal, and within the palace sits an old ancestor at the Tribulation stage. Yet you claim that I cannot kill you?"


    Indeed, Jiang Tianchen''s cultivation was no weaker than that of Zhou Yuan or Gu Junhe, also existing at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    His imposing, non-angry yet threatening gaze had once literally scared a powerful minister, who wielded great influence over the court, to death.


    Who would dare to meet his gaze?


    But Xiao Yi showed no fear, meeting his eyes directly, neither servile nor overbearing.


    The Jade Dragon Pavilion was silent for quite a few moments.


    The icy expression on Jiang Tianchen''s face gradually melted away, revealing a hint of admiration as he smiled and said, "You may go!"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi blinked in astonishment, looking at Jiang Tianchen, "Just like that, you''re letting me go?"


    Jiang Tianchen glanced at him, "Do you expect me to beg and plead for you to stay?"


    "There''s no need for that!" Xiao Yi waved his hand, "Since that''s the case, I will take my leave!"


    In the spacious Jade Dragon Pavilion.


    Jiang Tianchen stood with his hands clasped behind his back, squinting at the dragon throne before him, murmuring, "Some people would disown their kin, turn on their brothers, or even kill their parents for power and for this throne... And yet there are those who, when offered power, still look upon it with disdain..."


    "That must be human nature! Some value wealth, some value honor, and others value affection..." A hoarse voice seemed to come from all directions.


    Jiang Tianchen murmured, "Old Ancestor, what do you make of this young man?"


    The hoarse voice from all around fell silent for a moment before coming in fragments, "Your Majesty already has a decision in mind, why ask me?"


    Jiang Tianchen''s deep eyes shimmered with a flash of wisdom as he spoke to himself, "Then I shall trouble the Old Ancestor!"


    "Hmm!"


    The voice from the darkness quietly faded away.


    ......


    Within the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Zhou Yuan''s face was grim as he looked at Jiang Shanhe, whose face was pale, "Has that little bastard grown to such an extent that even you are not his match?"


    "He has already reached the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, and his vitality is mixed with pure essence, his strength formidable beyond belief..."


    Jiang Shanhe''s face was dark, Xiao Yi''s punch had nearly shattered his internal organs, every breath he took now brought with it agonizing pain that tore at his heart and lungs, his eyes filled with overwhelming hatred, "Master, this boy is a disaster, he must not be left alive!"


    Zhou Yuan clenched his fists so tightly they creaked, "How could I not know that this boy must not be spared? In just a few months since his arrival in the capital, he has advanced from the Divine Skills Realm to the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm; his rate of cultivation surpasses even that of Xiao Tianjiao. In another month, even I may not be his match..."


    The mere thought of a few months ago when Xiao Yi had told him he would flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy within a year, and his own scorn at the time...


    Zhou Yuan found his face burning with humiliation.


    At the same time, he felt extreme loathing towards Zhou Xin and the others.


    Had it not been for Zhou Xin driving Xiao Yi away, Xiao Yi would have been a disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. How could it have come to this current situation?


    "He wants to step on the head of my Royal Martial Arts Academy? No chance!" Zhou Yuan''s eyes flashed with a sinister light.


    Jiang Shanhe''s eyes shone as he eagerly asked, "Master, have you thought of a way to deal with him?"


    "I had not wished to use that item, but the little brute is too troublesome. We have no choice but to use it..."


    Zhou Yuan took a deep breath and took a black jade box from his storage ring, slowly opening it. A surge of overwhelming energy emanated from the jade box; he observed the object lying quietly inside.


    Joy erupted on Jiang Shanhe''s face, his eyes filled with the ecstasy and excitement of impending revenge, "With this item, Xiao Yi is as good as dead!"

 Chapter 109 Xue Yilou

    Time fled rapidly.As the life-and-death duel between Xiao Yi and the Royal Martial Arts Academy drew ever closer, the bustling capital of Tianqing Kingdom became increasingly lively.


    In the streets and alleys, one could see many powerful martial artists coming and going.


    The frequency and intensity of the patrols within the capital also rose several notches.


    Even the Black Dragon Cavalry joined in the patrols.


    A troop of Black Dragon Cavalry slowly roamed the streets, led by the same black-armored general who had previously escorted Xiao Yi to meet Jiang Tianchen.


    "General, there are only seven days left until the battle between Xiao Yi and the Royal Martial Arts Academy begins. Who do you think will have the last laugh?" asked a deputy at his side.


    "Isn''t that obvious? It will surely be the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "The Royal Martial Arts Academy is home to many strong fighters, and Zhou Yuan, the head of the academy, is at the Golden Elixir Peak. Xiao Yi doesn''t stand a chance against him... "


    As the black-armored general listened to the discussion of his subordinates, his eyes narrowed, recalling the scene in the Jade Dragon Pavilion when Xiao Yi refused Jiang Tianchen''s rewards.


    A glint of insight flashed in his eyes as he murmured, "Perhaps, the outcome will be beyond everyone''s expectations."


    At that moment...


    The gaze of the black-armored general suddenly sharpened as two figures in red cloaks flashed through the crowd and disappeared among the throng of people. His expression turned grave, "Why would they appear here? I hope I am mistaken..."


    Within the capital...


    In a secluded courtyard...


    Two figures, wrapped tightly in red cloaks that concealed their identities, stepped into the enclosure.


    In the courtyard...


    Two figures cloaked in black had been waiting for some time. One of the red-cloaked figures spoke in a sharp voice, "Was it you who summoned us?"


    "Yes!"


    The figure in the black cloak narrowed their eyes into slits, tossed a letter casually, and it landed in the hand of the person clad in red. With a stern voice, he commanded, "Bring the one inside this letter to me!"


    The figure in red glanced at the letter, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Dead or alive?"


    "Preferably alive, but if resistance is met, you may kill them!" came the indifferent reply.


    "No problem!"


    The figure in the red cloak grinned with a somewhat ferocious smile, "That will be fifty million silver."


    "Fifty million silver?"


    The figure under the black cloak on the right frowned, "There is not a single person in the Golden Core Realm mentioned inside, why would it be so expensive?"


    The figure in red responded, "It''s true that the targets are not in the Golden Core Realm, but behind them stands the hottest young talent in Tianqing Kingdom today. Offending such a talent with limitless potential, fifty million silver is not a high price to pay!"


    "Alright then!"


    The two exchanged glances and produced three silver notes, "Here are thirty million silver. The rest will be paid after the job is done!"


    "Within three days, we will bring the person before you!" the figure in red assured, taking the silver notes.


    The two nodded and turned to leave.


    The figure in red casually lifted the letter, and with a ''whoosh,'' it ignited into flames, burning brightly. Amidst the fierce blaze, the names of several people were faintly visible; among them was the name Fang Qingzhu...


    ��


    Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Behind the mountains, beneath the waterfall.


    A surge of robust momentum suddenly erupted from Xiao Yi''s body. This vigor transformed into rolling waves of energy, rebelling against the heavens and rising mightily. Amidst the thunderous roaring, it forcefully pushed back the plunging waterfall.


    The waterfall, hundreds of meters high, was disrupted for a full ten breaths.


    The surge of energy around Xiao Yi gradually retracted back into his body, and within his dantian, a golden core was buoyed up and down by nine golden halos.


    This was the sign of stepping into the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!


    After refining all the spirit stones, Xiao Yi''s cultivation had ascended to the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, and the number of God Sealing Seeds within him had reached an alarming forty-five thousand.


    The yuan energy in his body, after being tempered by those forty-five thousand God Sealing Seeds, had completely transformed into God Sealing Power, bringing his physical body to the peak condition of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    It is no exaggeration to say...


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, even peak Golden Core Realm fighters couldn''t withstand even one of his punches!


    As for the fighters of the Tao Tribulation Realm, Xiao Yi can only ensure he remains undefeated with his current abilities!


    After all,


    There is but a step between the peak of the Golden Core Realm and the Tao Tribulation Realm, but the gap that exists between them is still immensely vast.


    Those in the Tao Tribulation Realm have transformed their Innate Divine Abilities into the Martial Dao Divine Fruit and are able to borrow a portion of the power of heaven and earth.


    Controls the weather as spoken about in the legends of mortals, in actuality, are the abilities of Tao Tribulation Realm fighters to manipulate the forces of heaven and earth.


    Their combat power surpasses the secular world.


    Even with Xiao Yi''s terrifying capability to fight across levels, he can only manage to maintain an undefeated status against Tao Tribulation Realm fighters. It''s worth noting that even just this is enough to shock the world. S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just think about it...


    Golden Core Realm fighters are powerful in their own right, but how can human strength contend with the power of heaven and earth?


    Xiao Yi too relies on the power of the God Sealing Seed to purify and temper his body, giving him strength far beyond others in his realm, and the refined power of the God Sealing Seed to stand up to Tao Tribulation Realm fighters.


    If it were any other Golden Core Realm fighter, even at the peak, capable of breaking mountains and splitting stones with one punch, they would still fall short against Tao Tribulation Realm fighters who can lift mountains from dry land and tear the earth apart with their bare hands.


    How could they compare?


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    "It''s a pity there are not enough spirit stones; otherwise, I could attempt to break through to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm. In that case, even if it were a novice Tao Tribulation Realm fighter, I could battle and prevail!" Xiao Yi said with a sigh of regret.


    "Xiao Yi, you have a letter!" Fang Qingzhu''s voice came from not far away.


    "Hmm?"


    Startled, Xiao Yi leaped down in front of Fang Qingzhu. Through this period of cultivation, Fang Qingzhu''s own cultivation had also reached the peak of the Shentong Realm, getting ever closer to the Golden Core Realm.


    And with her advancement in cultivation, Fang Qingzhu exuded a faint aura of cold and unworldly grace, reminiscent of a fairy who does not partake of earthly smoke and fire.


    Only in the face of Xiao Yi would she be as gentle and serene as ever.


    "Whose letter?" Xiao Yi asked, puzzled.


    Fang Qingzhu shook her head: "I don''t know. The person who delivered the letter just left it and went away!"


    Xiao Yi took the envelope, and his eyebrows slightly furrowed.


    The envelope had a faint trace of blood scent.


    Thud!


    As soon as he opened the envelope, a blood-stained finger dropped to the ground, and on the finger was a distinct green ring. Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly; the ring before him was all too familiar.


    "I hope it''s not him..."


    Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yi pulled out the blood-soaked letter within, which read: Before sunset, Zhuilong Valley!


    Boom!


    A raging energy wave burst forth from within Xiao Yi.


    A cold glint flickered in his eyes.


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyebrows furrowed as she gazed at the ring on the severed finger and said gravely, "Xiao Yi, isn''t this finger from Elder Yan?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded; the ring belonged to Yan Mingli.


    Back in Nanhuang City, Yan Mingli had always been respectful towards Xiao Yi, considering himself a disciple. It was only recently that Xiao Yi heard Elder Yan and Lin Bingxin were coming to the capital, but instead of meeting them, he was greeted with a cut-off finger.


    "Xiao Yi, whoever captured Elder Yan and Bingxin is doing this to lure you there, this journey may be fraught with much danger than safety," Fang Qingzhu said, worried.


    Taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling, Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits, the cold light within as sharp as a knife''s edge: "No matter, even if it''s through a mountain of blades or a sea of flames, I will make my way!"


    "I will go with you!" said Fang Qingzhu.


    "No!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "With the Martial Arts Institute head and Jiang Tai in seclusion, you should stay here and hold the fort. I will go to Zhuilong Valley myself. I want to see who dares to make a move at this critical juncture..."

 Chapter 110 Ready for Battle!

    Xiao Yi immediately summoned the four brothers of the Shi Family and Niu Dali as well."Xiao, what''s so urgent that you''ve called us here?" Shi Yaoqian asked.


    Niu Dali, still groggy, yawned sleepily.


    Xiao Yi spoke in a deep voice, "I have to leave for a while. The dean and Jiang Tai are in seclusion, and only a few of you remain in the Martial Arts Institute. You must stay vigilant."


    "Don''t worry, with us here, there won''t be any problems!" The group hurriedly patted their chests in assurance.


    Fang Qingzhu spoke in a serious tone, "Xiao Yi, you must be careful yourself!"


    No one knew what awaited him in Zhuilong Valley!


    The unknown is always the most dangerous.


    Xiao Yi rubbed her head, and a silver figure slid down from his sleeve, landing on Fang Qingzhu''s shoulder.


    Only then did Xiao Yi leave the Martial Arts Institute.


    Zhuilong Valley was over a hundred kilometers away from Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, and even at Xiao Yi''s current speed, the round trip would take about an hour and a half.


    Half an hour after Xiao Yi left Tianqi Martial Arts Academy. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the foot of the mountain where the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was located, more than a dozen figures quietly emerged, converging together. The leader, cloaked in a blood-red robe, asked, "Has he definitely left?"


    "Our people have followed him all the way, there is no mistake!" one of them said.


    "Quick battle, quick decision. Take them all down with the utmost speed!" With a wave of his hand, the leader sent the dozen or so blood-clad figures sprinting towards the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Inside the institute.


    Fang Qingzhu and the others were gathered together when suddenly, Little Lin on her shoulder stood up straight and hissed, alerting them.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The sound of cutting through the air approached.


    Fifteen figures wrapped in blood-red cloaks landed all around, encircling Fang Qingzhu and the others.


    Fang Qingzhu''s expression changed, a cold aura emanating from her as she frostily regarded them: "Who are you riffraff, daring to barge into Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy is nothing! Just a Martial Arts Academy that''s nearing its end. The Xue Yilou wouldn''t be scared of it!" one of the blood-robed figures sneered.


    "Xue Yilou?"


    The faces of Fang Qingzhu and the others all changed.


    Xue Yilou.


    The strongest assassin organization across the ten nations of Nanhuang, with each member being a top-notch assassin. In the hundreds of years since its establishment, they had never failed.


    This was because Xue Yilou had an unwritten rule; if the first batch of assassins failed, they would send a stronger second batch and continue sending stronger ones with each failure.


    Only if someone withstood ten waves of Xue Yilou''s assassination attempts without dying would they cease their mission.


    Up until now...


    No one had ever survived an assassination attempt by Xue Yilou.


    They were a group dwelling in the darkness, reapers that made countless powerful figures pale at the mention of their name.


    "It''s an honor that you''ve heard of us. I am Xue Jiu, a Profound Level assassin from Xue Yilou��"


    Xue Jiu''s eyes, hidden beneath the cloak, glinted with a wolf-like green glow, "As a reward, if you surrender without a fight, I can assure you that I''ll only cripple your cultivation and not take your lives!"


    "Dali, when the time comes, you protect Qingzhu and flee first. Leave this to us!" Shi Yaoqian said in a deep voice.


    Shi Yaodu''s dice spun lightly in his hand as he coldly fixated on the surrounding Xue Yilou assassins, "I bet today is more likely bad than good... Gentlemen, take heed."


    Niu Dali''s eyes turned blood-red, he nodded firmly, looking at Fang Qingzhu.


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    However...


    Fang Qingzhu firmly shook her head, "If we leave, we leave together!"


    "Qingzhu..."


    The others looked at her anxiously.


    But Qingzhu smiled and shook her head, her gaze calm yet resolute, "Xiao Yi left this place in my care. I won''t abandon you!"


    "This..."


    The group exchanged glances, their eyes all becoming determined.


    Xue Jiu furrowed his brow and shook his head, "Two at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm and four at the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm think they can stop us? Quick battle, quick decision. Take them down, and kill without mercy if they resist!"


    "Yes!"


    The fourteen blood-clad Xue Yilou experts surged forward.


    ```


    The mighty ones rose and attacked as one.


    "I bet your blade can''t kill me!" Shi Yaodu braced himself with both hands, as six dice circled around his body, each one deflecting the incoming saber blows.


    Shi Yaoqian clutched two silver ingots, which were engraved with mysterious runes.


    They emitted a brilliant silver light.


    With a casual flip of the silver ingots, he cast them forward, "Harmony brings wealth!"


    Bang!


    The silver ingots expanded continuously, slamming into their targets like small mountains, and with a thunderous roar, the ingots burst apart.


    Shi Yaoqian''s eyes turned bloodshot, "My money... you dared to destroy my money, I''ll fight you to the death!"


    Boom!


    Countless silver ingots flew out from Shi Yaoqian''s body, clinking as they gathered around him, forming a complete suit of armor made of silver ingots.


    His entire being transformed into a three-meter-tall silver giant.


    "Thousand Gold Fist!"


    Shi Yaoqian''s punch unleashed, forming a silver torrent of steel with numerous silver ingots, which enveloped one after another of the Xue Yilou''s mighty ones.


    Shi Yaoqian brought his hands together in a loud clap.


    The numerous silver ingots exploded, piercing the bodies of the Xue Yilou''s mighty ones.


    The attacks from Shi Yaoquan and Shi Yaose were no less fierce.


    Especially Shi Yaose.


    Usually lascivious, he was as cold as a killing god when it came to fighting. A pink glow flowed in his peach blossom eyes, as he made the Xue Yilou strongmen in front of him dazed with just a coquettish glance.


    At the same time, with a light sweep of his slender fingers, he slit his opponent''s throat, or ripped open their chest and crushed their heart.


    The attacks from Niu Dali and Fang Qingzhu were also formidable.


    In an instant.


    More than half of the dozen or so Xue Yilou strongmen had fallen!


    Xue Jiu''s face suddenly darkened, "A bunch of trash, you can''t even handle six from the Divine Passage Realm?"


    Boom!


    Xue Jiu''s body surged with blood-colored light, and a blood-colored longsword emerged in his hand, his cultivation having reached the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    "Blood Shadow Sword!"


    "Blood Demon Sword!"


    "A sword without blood..."


    Xue Jiu''s sword was frighteningly fast, and under his blood sword, the four Shi brothers and Niu Dali were no match for him at all.


    They were knocked to the ground one after another.


    In an instant.


    Only Fang Qingzhu was left standing in front of Xue Jiu, who held a longsword with an icy gaze, "You''re the only one left, such a pretty face would be a shame to scar. I advise you to surrender quietly..."


    "If it''s a fight you want, it''s a fight you''ll get!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s tone was icy as she lashed out with her Purple Dragon Whip, which whistled through the air as it struck at Xue Jiu.


    "Courting death!"


    Xue Jiu snorted coldly, grasping the air with one hand as blood-colored energy swirled around his palm, catching the Purple Dragon Whip firmly in his grasp. With a fierce yank, he pulled Fang Qingzhu rapidly toward his longsword.


    "Qingzhu..."


    "No..."


    Niu Dali and the others looked on in despair.


    If Fang Qingzhu collided with that blood-colored longsword, it would surely be a fatal blow!


    At that moment...


    A streak of silver light burst forth from Fang Qingzhu''s chest, it was unexpectedly Little Lin!


    "Hm?"


    Xue Jiu blinked in surprise; Little Lin''s speed was indeed fast, and an ordinary person at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm would surely not be able to dodge his surprise attack. But Xue Jiu was an assassin, whose strength was speed.


    Whoosh!


    Xue Jiu sidestepped to avoid Little Lin''s sneak attack, while simultaneously sending out a palm strike, landing a heavy blow directly above Little Lin''s vital inch...


    ```

 Chapter 111 Phoenix Spreads Its Wings, Annihilating the Blood-Clothed!

    Hiss!Little Lin shuddered all over, having been slapped to the ground by Xue Jiu, who then stepped on Little Lin with one foot.


    A trace of surprise appeared on Xue Jiu''s face, "Snake demon beasts of the Golden Core Realm are pretty standard, but I have never seen the likes of this one. Little guy, as long as you submit to me, I will spare your life!"


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin struggled desperately, its small eyes filled with human-like anger and hatred. It opened its tiny mouth, attempting to bite at Xue Jiu''s foot with its venom.


    "Hmm?"


    With a cold sneer and a sinister smile, Xue Jiu revealed his stark white teeth, "If you are so intent on seeking death, I will oblige you!"


    Swish!


    A bloody sword edge raised high, chopping down towards Little Lin''s head.


    The radiant blood-red sword light, piercingly bright, traced a scarlet arc through the air, promising to severe Little Lin''s head once it fell.


    "No!"


    Fang Qingzhu roared in anger.


    Throughout these days, both she and Xiao Yi had come to treat Little Lin as family.


    How could she possibly watch it be killed right before her eyes?


    "Get lost!"


    Xue Jiu merely raised his hand, backhanding and snatching the Purple Dragon Whip from Fang Qingzhu''s grasp. With a ripping sound, Fang Qingzhu''s palm was left bloody and mangled, dripping with fresh blood.


    He then flung the Purple Dragon Whip.


    Crack! sea??h th�� N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This strike landed on Fang Qingzhu''s body.


    It burst her clothes open, leaving a bloody wound across her back.


    "Let him go..." Ignoring the intense pain in her back, Fang Qingzhu gathered her vital energy and once again charged at Xue Jiu.


    "Foolish woman, oblivious to death!"


    Xue Jiu casually swung his hand, slapping Fang Qingzhu across the face and toppling her to the ground. He then kicked out fiercely, striking her in the abdomen.


    Swish!


    Fang Qingzhu was savagely kicked away, pushed horizontally and violently crashing against the wall. Half the wall collapsed thunderously, and Fang Qingzhu spat out a mouthful of blood.


    Hiss hiss...


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    Little Lin howled in anger, struggling ever more fiercely.


    Xue Jiu paused, looking at Little Lin with amusement, "You don''t want me to kill her? Just submit to me, and I can spare her from death..."


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin glared back in rage.


    "If you don''t submit, then don''t blame me for being merciless!" Xue Jiu reached out into the void, and with a swoosh, he grabbed Fang Qingzhu and dragged her before him.


    He punched her over and over again before Little Lin''s eyes.


    He held nothing back with each punch.


    Every blow landed heavily, each fist shot exacerbating Fang Qingzhu''s injuries, blood dripping from every orifice. She was nearly unconscious, her drooping eyes faintly glowing with ice-blue light.


    Yet all of this went unnoticed by Xue Jiu.


    He continued to bombard Fang Qingzhu with punches, taunting Little Lin, "If you don''t submit, she''s going to die!"


    "Let her go!"


    "Damn you, have the guts to come at me!"


    Niu Dali and the four brothers of the Shi Family bellowed with veins bulging, their eyes filled with madness.


    With a mocking laugh, Xue Jiu looked at them, "You''re like ants, killing you would only dirty my sword!" He stared at Xia Lin, "This final punch, I will directly obliterate her Golden Core. If you don''t want her to become a cripple, then submit to me obediently!"


    Hiss!


    Despair painted Little Lin''s eyes, reflecting a very human emotion.


    It clearly understood how important Fang Qingzhu was to Xiao Yi; it could not bear to watch Fang Qingzhu die before itself.


    However...


    Just as it was about to bow its head in submission,


    The temperature around plummeted suddenly.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh whoosh!


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh...


    A fierce wind tore through heaven and earth, growing larger and colder, sharp as a blade''s edge, slicing across onto faces as if to peel the skin off their flesh.


    Snowflakes like goose feathers began to drift between heaven and earth.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Is it snowing? But it''s June..."


    "What situation is this?"


    Xue Jiu too was taken aback, his confusion promptly turning to a chill when he felt an icy cold on his palm and subconsciously looked down to see an ice-blue hand firmly grasping his wrist.


    "What is this...?"


    Xue Jiu''s pupils suddenly narrowed, he lifted his head urgently and followed the direction from the icy blue hand.


    Standing before him, Fang Qingzhu was covered in a layer of blue frost crystals like a sculpture made of ice. She slowly raised her head, her pupils completely turning the color of ice blue.


    Her eyes held a coldness within.


    "What the hell is this? Get out of my way!"


    Xue Jiu kicked towards Fang Qingzhu''s lower abdomen, a kick that could overturn a small mountain, but it stopped abruptly before it could touch Fang Qingzhu.


    Crack, crack, crack!


    Chains of ice crystallized on his foot, binding him as if with icy shackles.


    The bone-chilling cold spread instantaneously from his foot up through his entire left leg.


    The ice continued to spread rapidly.


    Suddenly, it had surpassed his knee.


    In a matter of life and death.


    With a slash of his sword, Xue Jiu severed his leg at the knee, but the intense pain did not quell the shock in his heart. An icy chill was also transmitted from his wrist.


    "Let go!"


    Xue Jiu roared in anger, violently twisting his palm.


    Pop!


    His palm shattered at the wrist.


    The hand turned to ice sculpture fell to the ground, and in the blink of an eye, Xue Jiu had lost a hand and a foot. He staggered backward, unable to believe what he was seeing as he looked at Fang Qingzhu, whose body was covered in frost, "What kind of monster are you?


    He had never seen such a fearsome entity before.


    She was clearly just at the Peak of the Shentong Realm!


    And she had caused him to lose a hand and a foot in the blink of an eye?


    "I, sentence you, to death!"


    Fang Qingzhu lifted her head, and her face was covered with a layer of frost, giving her an extreme pallor, but it wasn''t terrifying; instead, there was a sacred sense of icy coldness.


    Fang Qingzhu spread her arms, and a huge ice-blue phoenix emerged behind her.


    "What, what is that?"


    "It seems like a phoenix?"


    "Impossible! Phoenixes belong to fire; they are creatures of supreme yang, but this..." The Shi Family''s four brothers and Niu Dali looked at the ice-blue Phantom Phoenix with horror and disbelief.


    Gazing at that ice-blue phoenix, Xue Jiu''s pupils contracted violently, and he felt a bone-piercing chill engulf his entire body.


    If it were his heyday, he would still have the confidence to fight.


    But now...


    The loss of a hand and a foot made him dare not linger any longer.


    Glancing at the Shi Family''s four brothers and Niu Dali, Xue Jiu let out a low growl, "Take them and leave..."


    The several Xue Yilou powerhouses immediately grabbed the five people.


    "Die!"


    Fang Qingzhu snorted coldly, and a gust of icy wind howled past, with the ice-blue Phantom Phoenix behind her taking flight. Behind her trailed a series of icy wind trails, and where it passed, the earth was sealed, and plants were frozen.


    The Xue Yilou powerhouses, while still in the posture of grabbing people, were covered with a layer of frost.


    As the ice-blue Phantom Phoenix behind Fang Qingzhu cried out to the heavens,


    Crack, crack, crack!


    The Xue Yilou powerhouses burst on cue, turning into a sky of ice fragments.


    The Phoenix flapped its wings, exterminating the Xue Yilou!


    For a moment...


    In the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, which had become a land of frost, only Xue Jiu remained from the Xue Yilou. The surrounding frost couldn''t compare to the coldness in his heart.


    "Now it''s your turn!"


    Fang Qingzhu turned into a blue streak of light and shot forth, skimming across the ground with fierce winds and swirling snow in her wake.


    Xue Jiu''s expression changed drastically, a crazed look filled his eyes, "You''re forcing me!"


    Whoosh!


    A blood-red bead was thrown by him.


    This was a Sword Orb!


    Only by understanding the third level of Sword Intent, the fusion of man and sword, could one condense such a Sword Orb!


    Its strongest swords moves were integrated within!


    Boom!


    The Sword Orb exploded, and a sky full of sword shadows enveloped everything, with a thunderous roar, shattering the frost around Fang Qingzhu.


    When the Sword Orb had completely dissipated, Fang Qingzhu suddenly trembled all over.


    The ice-blue Phantom Phoenix shadow behind her disappeared into nothingness, and she fell to the ground with a thud, as the Sword Orb had depleted all her strength.


    Gasp!


    Gasp!


    Xue Jiu, with a look of ecstasy on his face, laughed loudly, "Ha ha ha, so your secret technique has its limits? Without this secret technique''s blessing, killing you would be as easy as crushing an ant!"


    Just as Xue Jiu raised his sword with the intention of going forth to claim Fang Qingzhu''s life, an icy voice suddenly rang out, "Move again, and I''ll surely kill you!"

 Chapter 112 Come out and die!

    "Move again, and I will kill you!"From the cold voice, Xiao Yi''s figure slowly descended from midair.


    His gaze fell on Fang Qingzhu, Little Lin, and Niu Dali among others. He finally breathed a sigh of relief when he realized they were not in mortal danger. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He held Fang Qingzhu in his arms, feeling her weak life force, his rage thundering in his heart.


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi? How did you come back so soon?" Xue Jiu looked at Xiao Yi with a shocked face.


    This was a man who could defeat Jiang Shanhe from the Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm. With his strength, he was no match for Xiao Yi. Precisely because of this, Xue Jiu had used Yan Mingli''s severed finger to lure Xiao Yi away.


    According to his plan...


    It would take nearly an hour for Xiao Yi to reach Zhuilong Valley.


    Even if he realized that it was a feint the moment he arrived at Zhuilong Valley and came back, it would still take an hour and a half, enough time for him to have captured Fang Qingzhu and the others.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "I never went to Zhuilong Valley!" Explore stories at empire


    After he left the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, he raced at full speed toward Zhuilong Valley, but halfway there, he discovered a spy from Xue Yilou tailing him.


    Xiao Yi captured the Xue Yilou expert, forced their plan out of him, and immediately turned back.


    But he was still a step too late!


    If Fang Qingzhu hadn''t unleashed that ice-blue phoenix at the critical moment, by now, they would probably have been taken away by Xue Jiu and his people. The thought made Xiao Yi shudder.


    Xue Jiu closed his eyes in despair, "I have pulled every lever I could, yet I forgot that with your strength, those who have just entered the Golden Core realm would ultimately betray themselves. It seems this mission is my failure!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Who is behind all this?"


    "Do you think I will tell you?"


    Xue Jiu let out a sneer filled with disdain, "There are countless strong individuals in Xue Yilou. You might have evaded this wave, but can you withstand the forces Xue Yilou musters from the Qing Dynasty? I am not afraid to tell you, we have warriors from the Tao Tribulation Realm in Xue Yilou. Once a Calamity Realm warrior takes action, do you think you can defend against it?"


    The most terrifying thing about Xue Yilou was the endless assassinations and the unpredictable killing methods.


    This wave had failed.


    They would immediately plan the second wave.


    And then the tenth!


    Xiao Yi looked at Xue Jiu with cold eyes. With a raise of his hand, his vitality formed an invisible hand in the air that tightly grasped Xue Jiu''s neck, lifting him up, "Tell me, who is behind all this, and I will spare your life!"


    "I will never tell you!" Xue Jiu scoffed.


    Splat!


    Xiao Yi tore off his right arm in one move, disregarding Xue Jiu''s face twisted in pain, and demanded, "Will you speak or not?"


    "No..."


    Splat!


    This time, he tore off Xue Jiu''s right leg.


    "I would rather die than tell you..."


    Splat!


    Xiao Yi cut off Xue Jiu''s third leg with a sword.


    Ahh...


    Xue Jiu''s screams of agony were continuous, his body convulsed and trembled uncontrollably.


    Xiao Yi''s voice was like a soul-hooking incantation, "Say it again, who exactly is it?"


    "I..."


    As soon as Xue Jiu began to speak, Xiao Yi ripped off his ears, one by one pulling out his hair. Xue Jiu''s entire head was bloodied and dripping, suffering unbearable pain, he shouted in despair, "I''ll tell, I''ll tell... please, just put an end to my agony, I''ll tell..."


    Xiao Yi threw the bloody, skin-covered hair to the side, "Who?"


    Bearing the excruciating pain, Xue Jiu gritted his teeth and said, "It was Yun Feiying from the Yun Family, and Jia Yisheng from the Jia Family..."


    "Yun Feiying? Jia Yisheng?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly, recalling their identities. They were the heads of the Yun and Jia Families., also the fathers of Yun Lei and Jia Sidao, "So it was them... they are simply courting death!"


    Xue Jiu gasped for air, "I... I have told you, now... can you give me a swift end?"


    The mission failed, and it also exposed the employer.


    Xue Jiu, even if he left alive, would become a target for assassination by Xue Yilou.


    Death was certain!


    Xiao Yi said, "Where are Yan Mingli and Lin Bing Xin?"


    Xue Jiu swallowed a mouthful of blood and said, "After they were captured, they were sent to the Jia Family. According to Jia Yisheng, the death of his youngest son has something to do with Yan Mingli; they were imprisoned in the dungeons of the Jia Family."


    Jia Sichun died in Nanhuang City.


    And Yan Mingli was in Nanhuang City, Xiao Yi''s most loyal supporter.


    "I''ve told you everything I know..." Xue Jiu said with difficulty.


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, tightening his grip and twisting off his neck.


    Then, he looked toward Niu Dali and the others: "Are you all right?"


    "No, no problems..."


    Niu Dali and the others hurriedly shook their heads.


    They had never seen such a terrifying side of Xiao Yi before.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, glanced at the courtyard covered with frost, and said solemnly, "What exactly is going on here?"


    Niu Dali quickly relayed to Xiao Yi the scene where Fang Qingzhu had turned into an ice-blue phoenix behind him and killed the formidable foes from Xue Yilou.


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly, recalling the ice-blue phoenix that appeared on Fang Qingzhu when she broke through to the Shentong Realm: "I''ve never heard of such divine skills. It seems Qingzhu also has secrets hidden on her."


    But he didn''t probe any further.


    Everyone has their own secrets.


    Just like his Eternal Tomb, unless absolutely necessary, he would never reveal it to anyone.


    Xiao Yi checked their injuries and said in a deep voice, "Your injuries are not serious, and Qingzhu is just overly exhausted. She will recover with proper rest. You guys stay and guard the Martial Arts Institute; I''m going to the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Xiao, are you going to the Royal Martial Arts Academy to find the Yun Family and the Jia Family?" Shi Yaoquan asked.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Shi Yaoqian said with a wry smile, "Xiao, this is a troubled time. The battle between you and the Royal Martial Arts Academy has already attracted countless powerful figures. Before going into seclusion, Jiang advised us that we must not allow you to make any more enemies. Both the Yun Family and the Jia Family are prominent households in the capital, and they are high-ranking officials in the court. If you kill them, I''m afraid it will infuriate that person in the palace..."


    "No need to say more!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, his eyes cold, "The good are bullied, and the meek are preyed upon. The more this happens, the less we can afford to be weak. I''ll be back shortly!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi walked on air, heading straight for the capital.


    Shi Yaoqian and the others looked at each other, their faces filled with anxiety: "We must inform the institute head and Jiang immediately!"


    "This is going to be a big deal!"


    That was the capital!


    Whether it''s Yun Feiying or Jia Yisheng, those are high-ranking officials of the second grade or above.


    Whoever dares to touch them is shaking the foundation of Tianqing Kingdom!


    Becoming an enemy of the entire kingdom!


    They seemed to already see Xiao Yi becoming the target of all, a one-man-against-an-entire-nation situation.


    Just as they were in a frenzy to go to the seclusion area to try to wake Gu Junhe and Jiang Tai, within the capital, inside the Jia Family''s dark dungeon.


    Before Jia Yisheng stood Yan Mingli and Lin Bing Xin, who were bound hand and foot.


    Jia Yisheng''s wife, holding a red-hot iron, approached the nearly unconscious Lin Bing Xin with a malicious look on her face: "Hehe, you wretched woman, you look so pretty, you must be very close to Xiao Yi, right? Tell me, if I burn your face to resemble a toad''s, will he still fancy you?"


    "No, don''t come any closer..."


    Lin Bing Xin had a face of despair.


    Yan Mingli, who was beside her, barely conscious, opened his mouth but could not make a sound, tears of despair falling from his eyes.


    But just as the red-hot iron was about to touch her face, a loud boom suddenly came from outside the dungeon, followed by an angry roar like thunder: "Jia Yisheng, come out and die!"

 Chapter 113 One Man Destroys a Clan

    "Jia Yisheng, come out and meet your death!"The cold voice, like a thunderous roar from the heavens, shook the sky and resounded above the entire Jia Mansion. It even penetrated the multiple barriers and entered the dungeons down below.


    Mrs. Jia''s hand trembled, and the branding iron clattered to the ground, bouncing before settling on the top of her foot.


    Hiss!


    The top of the shoe was instantly burned through, and the scorching hot branding iron cooked the top of her foot in a mere moment.


    Ow...


    Mrs. Jia subconsciously withdrew her foot, but the branding iron tore off the flesh from the top of her foot as it stuck, leaving her with a blood-drenched wound as a hysterical scream escaped from her mouth.


    "Madam, are you alright?" Jia Yisheng, who had been watching coldly until then, changed his expression and rushed over immediately.


    He supported Mrs. Jia with his arm, his face full of concern.


    Slap!


    Mrs. Jia slapped Jia Yisheng across the face, her expression ferocious as she bellowed in anger, "Don''t you see the state of my foot? Do you think I could be alright?"


    Seated high in the halls of power, the formidable second-ranked official Jia Yisheng was actually a henpecked husband.


    Facing Mrs. Jia''s furious roar, Jia Yisheng instinctively shrank his neck and helped her sit down beside him, "Don''t panic, Madam. I''ll apply some medicine to you right now..."


    "What medicine? Go out and see which bastard dares to make trouble in my Jia Mansion and is responsible for hurting me like this... I want him torn to pieces!" Mrs. Jia said bitterly.


    Jia Yisheng quickly nodded, "I-I''ll go at once!"


    ......


    Jia Mansion.


    This estate was originally a gift from Jiang Tianchen to the Jia Family. The large vermillion gate stood five meters tall, three meters wide, and was extremely thick.


    But now...


    The gate was in disarray, utterly destroyed and in tatters.


    From the gate leading directly to the main hall of Jia Mansion, the path was littered with the bodies of the guards, each with an almost imperceptible bloodstain on their necks.


    Able to take their lives with a single sword strike!


    No one was spared!


    In front of the main hall...


    The manager of the Jia Family, Jia Fugui, was ghostly pale as he kept retreating under the protection of a group of guards. The eyes of all the guards looking towards the young man with the red longsword in his hand, inching closer with each step, were filled with terror.


    "Where is Jia Yisheng?" Xiao Yi asked indifferently.


    Gulp!


    Jia Fugui instinctively swallowed, glaring with rage, "Audacious thief! You dare slaughter the Jia Family''s guards in broad daylight. Do you know where you are?"


    "Silence!"


    With his sword in the air, Xiao Yi, exhibiting the strength of the Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, faced the guards in the Divine Skills Realm as if slicing through vegetables.


    Where the sword''s edge passed, heads rolled.


    "Who dares cause trouble in my Jia Mansion?"


    Jia Yisheng had just come out of the dungeon when he saw the corpses everywhere and Jia Fugui, the manager of the Jia Family, kneeling on the ground, continuously kowtowing to Xiao Yi. He immediately spoke up to scold.


    No sooner had his words fallen.


    A streak of blood flashed before his eyes, and Jia Fugui''s head flew up, landing right in front of him.


    Xiao Yi smirked, looked up at Jia Yisheng, and said, "You''ve finally shown up!"


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi? Shit..."


    Jia Yisheng froze for a moment, and upon recognizing Xiao Yi''s face, he didn''t hesitate to turn around and run.


    "Since you''re here, don''t even think about leaving!"


    Xiao Yi reached out with his right hand, and an invisible force seized Jia Yisheng, pulling him fiercely and smashing him heavily onto the ground.


    The entire Jia Mansion roared as if an earthquake had struck.


    The ground was covered in dust, and within a human-shaped crater, Jia Yisheng lay there face up, bleeding from all orifices, looking up at Xiao Yi in despair, "Xiao, Young Master Xiao, don''t be impulsive... There must be some misunderstanding between us..."


    Xiao Yi, not saying a word, pressed on."


    Jia Yisheng scrambled backward in panic, his face filled with fear, "Young Master Xiao, you can''t kill me. I am an imperial officer. If you kill me, the Emperor will never let you go, and you will have no place in Tianqing Kingdom..."


    "Are you, threatening me?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said.


    "I..."


    Jia Yisheng swallowed nervously. Jia Sichun and Jia Sidao both had died at Xiao Yi''s hand, and he wished he could flay Xiao Yi alive a thousand times over.


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    But...


    When facing Xiao Yi, he didn''t even have the courage to talk tough, and he quickly shook his head in a servile manner, "No, no dare, how could I threaten you? To you, I am nothing but an ant you could squash effortlessly. Murdering me to become the target of public criticism, that''s not worth it!"


    Who could have imagined that such a high-ranking official could also have such humble moments?


    At this moment, Jia Yisheng was full of regret.


    His son had died, but he could have another; why did he have to provoke this formidable foe?


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Where are Yan Mingli and the others?"


    "In the dungeon, I''ll take you there right away..." Jia Yisheng said hastily. Sear?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Jia Yisheng scurried ahead like a dog, crawling and groveling as he led the way.


    They made their way to the dungeon.


    Mrs. Jia was limping towards Lin Bingxin, holding the freshly reheated branding iron, about to stamp Lin Bingxin''s cheek.


    "Stop!"


    Jia Yisheng was terrified to the core; if she stamped down, he''d have no way out!


    Mrs. Jia was startled and turned around, only to be struck by a fierce slap from Jia Yisheng, sending her flying into the wall. With a thud, the branding iron fell into the collar of her garment.


    Hiss hiss...


    A scent of charred flesh emanated from within her bosom, accompanied by her hysterical screams, "Ahh... help, save me..."


    Jia Yisheng ignored Mrs. Jia, turning to Xiao Yi with a sycophantic look, "Xiao... Xiao, you can see... they both are here!"


    Mrs. Jia, enduring the intense pain, roared, "Jia Yisheng, have you grown too bold? Dare you lay hands on your own wife?"


    "Shut up!"


    Jia Yisheng ground his teeth, wishing he could gag her mouth with a cloth.


    After all, the dreaded Xiao Yi was standing right by his side!


    If he angered Xiao Yi, he and his wife would be done for!


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes as he looked at the unconscious Elder Yan and Lin Bingxin, the vicious wounds all over their bodies darkening his expression, "Release them!"


    "I... I''ll do it now!" Jia Yisheng hurried forward.


    Yet Mrs. Jia blocked his path, menacingly yelling, "I''d like to see who dares! These two bastards, together with that dog bastard Xiao Yi, killed my son. I''d like to see who dares release them?"


    "Shut up, if you want to die don''t drag me into it..." Jia Yisheng glared at her furiously, frantically signaling her, "Don''t you see Xiao is here? Get out of my way!"


    "Xiao? Is he Xiao Yi?"


    Mrs. Jia snapped back to reality, glowering at Xiao Yi with a ferocious face, screaming venomously, "Good for you, Jia Yisheng. Your son''s killer stands before you, and you''re as cowardly as a shrinking turtle? Won''t you kill him to avenge your son?"


    "Avenge? I''ll avenge your granddad..."


    Jia Yisheng exploded in anger, previously it was Mrs. Jia who had urged him to join forces with Flying Eagle and hire Xue Yilou to take action, and now that the Jia Family was nearly annihilated, Mrs. Jia was not without blame, "You stupid woman, if you don''t shut your mouth, I''ll kill you myself!"


    "Kill me? Come on, you impotent fool, you have no guts to avenge your son, and now you help his murderer against your own wife? If you lack the guts to take revenge for your son, I''ll do it myself!" As Mrs. Jia spoke, she grabbed a red-hot iron from the furnace, lunging at Lin Bingxin.


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi''s cold hum was followed by a swift strike that split Mrs. Jia in half, his icy gaze then turning to the dispirited Jia Yisheng, "You go die as well!"


    "No..."


    Jia Yisheng watched in despair as the sword''s blade pierced his body.


    Bang!


    Having consecutively killed Jia Yisheng and Mrs. Jia, the entire Jia Family was extinguished!


    Xiao Yi sheathed his Fire Qilin Sword and rescued Elder Yan and Lin Bingxin from the rack, sighing in relief after checking on them, "Thankfully, it''s just excessive blood loss, and there''s no danger to their lives!"


    He gave them pills to stabilize their injuries.


    At this moment...


    Outside Jia Mansion, a sea of people had gathered.


    They kept their distance, looking at the Jia Mansion strewn with bodies, "This... this is outrageous!"


    "Who could it be? Who would dare to massacre a high-ranking official''s entire family in broad daylight?"


    "Look, look... someone''s coming..."


    Within that grand gate, Xiao Yi walked out powerfully, carrying the two with him...

 Chapter 114 By His Majestys Decree, Annihilate the Entire Clan!

    "Is that Xiao Yi?""My God! Is it really him? How... how does he dare to do such a thing..."


    "This is the residence of a second-rank official of the court, and he dared to annihilate his entire clan? Quick, quick, notify the city guards, this is a provocation against the entire Tianqing Kingdom..."


    Gasps of shock arose from the crowd.


    Onlookers outside the Jia Mansion scrambled out of the way, not daring to come within thirty feet of Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless.


    He simply carried two people and made his way to the Treasure Pavilion.


    He was spotless, but a pungent smell of blood and overwhelming Evil Qi surrounded him, causing everyone to make way wherever he went.


    And the news of Xiao Yi single-handedly exterminating the Jia Family spread like wildfire.


    Countless powerhouses received the news.


    In an instant.


    Everyone came upon hearing the news.


    "A major event has occurred, Xiao Yi has wiped out the entire Jia Family... he''s defying the heavens!"


    "I think he''s on a suicide mission, this is going to be interesting to watch. Since the establishment of the Tianqing Kingdom, no one has dared to do such a thing, the emperor will definitely not let him off!"


    "It seems Xiao Yi won''t last until seven days later, he is going to die today!"


    Powerhouses from all directions gathered with the intent to witness Xiao Yi''s bold challenge against the Royal Martial Arts Academy in seven days.


    But now it seems...


    They won''t be able to wait!


    Along the way, more and more onlookers joined.


    Xiao Yi carried Yan Mingli and Lin Bingxin all the way to the Treasure Pavilion, where the guards were on high alert. Not until Xiao Yi handed over the two did he say, "Take good care of them!"


    "This, this..."


    The guards were at a loss.


    Xiao Yi calmly stated, "If there''s any negligence, I will hold you accountable!"


    The guard hastily replied, "Xiao, rest assured, Elder Yan is originally one of us at the Treasure Pavilion, we will ensure nothing happens to them!" S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi nodded and then soared into the sky, like an eagle gliding through the air, heading toward the Yun Family.


    More and more powerhouses followed him, a dense crowd like a wave of black steel, unrelentingly chasing across the ground.


    They reached the Yun Family.


    Yun Feiying was an Imperial Secretary, holding a first-rank position, and he himself was a cultivator in the Golden Elixir Realm Sixth Layer Cultivation, much stronger than Jia Yisheng.


    Especially the Yun Family''s Elder Yun He, who had stepped into the Golden Elixir Realm a hundred years ago, unfathomable in his depth.


    "What is Xiao Yi doing at the Yun Family?"


    "Could it be... he wants to obliterate the Yun Family too?" someone in the crowd speculated.


    "Are you mad or is he mad? It''s not enough for him to have destroyed the Jia Family, he''s actually thinking of obliterating the Yun Family? Even if he had multiple lives, they wouldn''t be enough..."


    The crowd scoffed at this guess.


    But soon...


    These people were fiercely slapped in the face.


    Two guards, with grave expressions, looked at Xiao Yi and the immense crowd behind him, frowned and said, "Who goes there? This is the residence of the Imperial Secretary, all unrelated persons should get out!"


    "Bring Yun Feiying out to see me," Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    "How audacious, to address the Imperial Secretary by name... Seize him!" With a cold snort from one of the guards, they rushed toward him from both sides, full of murderous intent.


    The two simultaneously grabbed Xiao Yi''s shoulders, sneering, "Kneel down!"


    "Scram!"


    Xiao Yi''s figure did not move, yet his body vibrated fiercely. Discover stories with empire


    Hum!


    A violent surge of Qi erupted from within, flinging the two guards away, booming as they smashed into the vermilion gates on either side.


    Xiao Yi flipped his palm and the Fire Qilin Sword appeared in his grasp; he lifted the sword to the sky, "Solitary Nine Swords��Sword Breaking Style!"


    His vital energy surged, igniting the fiery red scale patterns on the Fire Qilin Sword to burst into dazzling light, and a ten-zhang-long Sword Qi descended from the heavens.


    Boom!


    As the Sword Qi plummeted, the earth shook, and the entire front gate of the Yun Family was cleaved in two.


    "How dare you, who dares to cause trouble at the Yun Family?"


    "No matter who you are, you are surely doomed!"


    Shouts of fury echoed from within the Yun Family, and numerous guards rushed out from the estate. There were at least a hundred of them, forming a dark mass.


    Xiao Yi, alone with his sword, charged into the midst of the guards, his sword light filling the sky, heads rolling everywhere; the elite Yun Family guards could not stop his advance.


    Flying Eagle Yun was among them.


    He recognized Xiao Yi at a glance and saw that in this short time, more than thirty guards had already perished under Xiao''s sword. His pupils shrank suddenly as he bellowed, "Elder Ancestor, come quickly to my aid!"


    Boom!


    From the depths of the Yun Family estate, a heaven-shaking Sword Intent soared into the sky.


    "Who dares to cause trouble in my Yun Family? Do you wish for death?" Amidst the powerful and authoritative voice, an aged figure tore through the void, wielding a black war saber.


    His Qi-Blood surged like dragons and tigers.


    It was none other than Elder Yun He, whose cultivation had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    This was a formidable expert that had not appeared in the world!


    Flying Eagle Yun bowed respectfully towards Elder Yun He and declared, "Elder, this thief has killed Yun Lei and Yun Fan. Now he even dares to attack our Yun Family''s doorstep. I implore Elder Ancestor to execute this scoundrel!"


    "Hmph, such young age and extraordinary cultivation indeed show exceptional talent, but the stench of blood and Evil Qi on you is strong, you have killed many. Let this Elder take your life, to act on behalf of heaven!" Yun He''s face was expressionless as his saber swept through the air, slicing outwards.


    The strike was extraordinarily sharp, with the edge of the saber gleaming with cold light.


    The terrifying Sword Intent caused the sabers in the hands of the watching powerhouses to hum as if they were about to leap out of their sheaths. Each of them suppressed their weapons, faces filled with shock: "Is that the second level of Sword Intent? Such a fearsome power, is the Yun Family Elder this terrifying?"


    "A hundred years ago, Yun Family Elder became a Golden Core Realm powerhouse. After a century of seclusion, his combat power is fearsomely strong. Xiao Yi has really hit a snag this time..."


    Amidst the exclamations of the crowd,


    Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed with a chill as he swung his sword, "Sword Breaking Style!"


    The Solitary Nine Swords had nine techniques, each with its own characteristics.


    Sword Breaking Style.


    Specifically used to counter the enemy''s saber techniques.


    It was the bane of saber methods!


    Together with Xiao Yi''s own Sword Intent at the second level, he had no fear of Yun He''s attack. With a thunderous bang, the fearsome saber light burst apart on cue.


    Yet the Sword Qi merely paused for a moment before crashing down relentlessly.


    Spurt!


    Yun He let out a pained scream, cleaved in two by the Sword Qi.


    Hiss...


    There was dead silence within the Yun Family.


    The onlooking crowd was dumbfounded.


    "He, he''s dead just like that?"


    "A Golden Core Realm expert of a hundred years, who painstakingly practiced saber techniques and mastered the second level of Sword Intent, couldn''t even block a single sword strike from Xiao Yi?"


    "My goodness..."


    The most shocked was none other than Flying Eagle Yun; Yun He was his greatest support.


    It was only because of Yun He''s presence that he dared to urge Jia Yisheng and hired Xue Yilou to make a move!


    Now...


    Yun He had died right in front of him.


    Xiao Yi turned his gaze to Flying Eagle Yun among the crowd, whose face was ashen, "Now it''s your turn!"


    "I, I..."


    Flying Eagle Yun''s pale face was full of terror, and just as he began to speak, a rumbling noise approached. The onlooking crowd automatically dispersed to reveal a formidable group of armored cavalry approaching.


    It was the Black Dragon Cavalry!


    "Hahaha, the Black Dragon Cavalry has arrived! Xiao Yi, you are doomed. The Black Dragon Cavalry is the king''s most elite force. You dare to kill the Yun Family Elder and destroy the gates of the Ministry in broad daylight. This is an affront to the Tianqing Kingdom; the king will not let you off!" Flying Eagle Yun''s face showed the ecstasy of a narrow escape.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    The imposing Black Dragon Cavalry was already close at hand.


    The leader was the black-armored commander whom Xiao Yi had met once before. At this moment, the commander''s countenance was cold and indifferent, mounted on a Black Dragon steed, radiating murderous intent.


    Flying Eagle Yun hastily called out, "General Li, the villain Xiao Yi dares to destroy my entrance and kill my Yun Family Elder. I beseech General Li to apprehend him!"


    The black-armored General Li slowly drew his sword, and behind him, the Black Dragon Cavalry also drew their black lances. Like a colossal beast of black steel, the terrifying presence of their Evil Qi was enough to drive one to despair.


    "It''s over; with the Black Dragon Cavalry''s deployment, Xiao Yi is as good as dead!"


    "Who asked him to be so arrogant? First obliterating the Jia Family, and now daring to provoke the Yun Family..."


    Flying Eagle Yun''s ferocious face was brimming with triumph, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yi: "You little bastard, I only regret not being able to kill you with my own hands!"


    Clang!


    General Li pointed with his longsword, but it was not at Xiao Yi; instead, the blade was directed at Flying Eagle Yun. With an indifferent face, he spoke, "By the king''s command, Flying Eagle Yun colluded with Jia Yisheng to plot against Tianjiao of the kingdom. We, the Black Dragon Cavalry, are hereby ordered to eradicate the entire Yun Clan!"


    "What, eradicate the entire clan?"


    Flying Eagle Yun''s look of triumph disappeared in an instant, his face a picture of stunned disbelief as he dropped to the ground with a thud...

 Chapter 115 They Come to Kill!

    Flying Eagle slumped to the ground, his face full of despair.He never imagined that the Black Dragon Cavalry, which he viewed as his lifesaver, would become the final straw that crushed him!


    "Why, why? I, I am a first-rank great official of the court, my Yun family has been loyal and courageous, why does His Majesty treat me this way?" Flying Eagle roared with bloodshot eyes.


    His Yun family was a deeply-rooted powerful family in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    With the backing of the crown prince and the Royal Martial Arts Institute, as well as the strength of his ancestor Yun He to suppress others, the Yun family was one of the most powerful in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Even the current emperor would have many concerns about eliminating the Yun family.


    But now...


    He merely paid to hire the strong from Xue Yilou to kidnap an important person close to Xiao Yi to avenge Yun Fan and also to intimidate Xiao Yi into restraint, thus currying favor with Jiang Shanhe and Zhou Yuan.


    In his view, even if the plan failed, Xiao Yi would still not be able to do anything to him.


    "Hmph!"


    General Li, clad in black armor, scoffed coldly, showing no emotion, and waved his hand, "Kill them!"


    Boom!


    The Black Dragon Cavalry turned into a black iron flood and surged forward, slaughtering all the strong members of the Yun family and leveling the grand Yun estate.


    For a moment.


    Dust billowed, and the clash of battle shook the heavens.


    The strong onlookers from afar were stunned, their faces confused, "We thought the Black Dragon Cavalry came to capture Xiao Yi, but they actually came for the Yun family?"


    "Just what is Xiao Yi''s background? He has destroyed the Jia Family and now almost obliterated the Yun Family without consequences?"


    "Haven''t you noticed... that when Xiao Yi killed the ancestor of the Yun family just now, he only used one move?"


    Hiss...


    Everyone drew a sharp breath.


    Only then did they return to their senses, realizing that Yun He was a Ninth Layer Golden Core Realm expert, who had also comprehended the second stage of the Dao of the Blade, yet was slain by Xiao Yi with a single sword strike.


    Just how strong was Xiao Yi''s combat prowess?


    The eyes of everyone looking at Xiao Yi were filled with shock and awe.


    Indeed, the Black Dragon Cavalry was the most elite force of the Tianqing Kingdom, and in just an instant, the entire Yun family was wiped out. General Li, in black armor, approached Xiao Yi.


    He dismounted from his horse.


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    General Li looked at Xiao Yi with complex eyes, this was the man who had refused the title of Martial King of the Nation from Jiang Tianchen and had slain a Ninth Layer Golden Core Realm existence with a single sword.


    General Li saluted Xiao Yi with a fist wrapped in another, his words also filled with extra reverence, "Xiao, His Majesty has already sent someone to locate the branch of Xue Yilou in the Tianqing Kingdom. His Majesty has instructed that if Xiao has any needs, the Black Dragon Cavalry is willing to serve you to the best of our ability!"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and asked, "Is His Majesty not afraid of offending Xue Yilou?"


    Xue Yilou was an assassination organization that spread across the ten countries of Nanhuang, and it was said that the shadow of a Great Qian Dynasty''s big shot loomed behind it. For this reason, the Tianqing Kingdom had always refrained from acting against Xue Yilou.


    After all.


    Even though Jiang Tianchen, as the ruler of a nation, had a legendary figure of the Tao Tribulation Realm stationed in the palace and was not afraid of the assassination attempts of Xue Yilou.


    But were the other members of his royal family not afraid? Was the entire court, both civil and military, not afraid?


    If they provoked Xue Yilou and the organization kept sending assassins to murder members of the royal family and the entire court, even the mightiest of kingdoms couldn''t withstand such assaults!


    But now...


    Jiang Tianchen was actually willing to become an enemy of Xue Yilou for his sake.


    This was truly a costly move!


    General Li said, "The thoughts of His Majesty are not something I dare to speculate on!"


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath.


    He wasn''t someone who failed to recognize a good turn, even if he knew Jiang Tianchen had ulterior motives for wooing him. The mere fact that Jiang Tianchen chose to stand by him at such a critical time was a favor too great to repay.


    He looked up at General Li and said in a deep voice, "Then I''ll have to trouble General Li to accompany me to Xue Yilou''s branch..."


    A flash of joy crossed General Li''s heart.


    Once Xiao Yi accepted the help of the Black Dragon Cavalry, it meant that Xiao Yi was accepting Jiang Tianchen''s friendly overture!


    With a wave of his hand.


    A majestic Black Dragon steed was led over, and General Li said sternly, "Xiao, please mount the horse!"


    "Let''s go!"


    Xiao Yi leaped onto the horse.


    General Li left ten members of the Black Dragon Cavalry in charge of tidying up the Yun Family''s mess and, with a wave of his hand, hundreds of Black Dragon Cavalry roared off towards the west of the city under Xiao Yi''s lead.


    ...


    The west of the Royal Capital.


    This was also an extremely prosperous area, vast, with its many shops standing in great numbers.


    The throng of people passing to and fro was like a torrential flood.


    Xiaoyao Tower was the most luxurious place in the western part of the city, where expenses were particularly extravagant, a hallmark of opulence. Many princes and nobles, wealthy merchants, and powerful families often lingered there.


    Aside from the sumptuous food and fine wine, Xiaoyao Tower also boasted cloud-like beauties and the largest casino in the entire Royal Capital.


    It was a den of iniquity and decadence where money rotted away, as well as a hedonistic paradise of extravagance. S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As long as you had money...


    There was nothing Xiaoyao Tower couldn''t do.


    It was said...


    Even if you took a fancy to the daughter of a high-ranking official, as long as you could pay enough, Xiaoyao Tower would bring her to your bed.


    At this moment.


    Xiaoyao Tower, within the top floor.


    Within this room, resplendent with gold, a man clad in a brocade robe with long hair sat behind an enormous and luxurious desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface, producing a ''thud, thud, thud'' sound.


    In front of him, a figure in a blood-red robe knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head.


    "You can''t even handle such a simple task; you''ve really disappointed me!" the long-haired man said coldly.


    The figure in the blood-red robe replied with sincere trepidation, "Headquarters master, please calm your anger. We had not anticipated that Xiao Yi would not fall for it. Had he not returned in time, our men would not have failed!"


    "Silence!"


    With a wave of his hand, the long-haired man sent him crashing to the floor with a slap, his gaze filled with a cold, venomous, and chilling look, "Since I''ve taken charge of the Tianqing Kingdom branch, this is the first time an operation has failed. You have three days to send someone to fetch those people back to me. As for Xiao Yi... if he dares to spoil Xue Yilou''s plans again, let him simply disappear from this world!"


    "Yes!"


    The figure in the blood-red robe quickly nodded.


    "Leave!"


    The long-haired man dismissed him with a wave of his hand.


    The figure in the blood-red robe let out a silent sigh of relief and respectfully left the room.


    The long-haired man continued to tap on the desk, his half-closed eyes flickering coldly, making the temperature inside the room drop significantly, adding to the already ominous atmosphere, "The top genius of Tianqing Kingdom? The number one on the Teng Long List? Hmph, if I want you dead, it''s as easy as crushing an ant!"


    He narrowed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, humming a little tune.


    Suddenly...


    Bang!


    The door was suddenly burst open; it was the blood-robed figure who had left earlier, staggering back in. He gazed at the long-haired man with a face full of panic, bellowing, "Headquarters master, disaster strikes, Xiao Yi is coming here to kill us..."

 Chapter 116 I Am Naturally Invincible, Why Need to Borrow Momentum?

    "Xiao Yi has come to my door to kill!"The blood-robed figure spoke in a panic.


    Bang!


    The long-haired middle-aged man suddenly stood up, overturning the vermilion table in front of him with a overly vigorous motion, his face filled with anger, "What did you say? Xiao Yi has come to kill at our door? Does he really think he is invincible? How dare he openly provoke Xue Yilou?"


    Xue Yilou has existed for nearly a thousand years.


    Behind them stood a powerful figure from the Great Qian Dynasty, capable of reaching the heavens, which is why Xue Yilou had branches in both the Great Qian Dynasty and its affiliated kingdoms.


    For years.


    Xue Yilou has executed countless missions, beheading powerful warriors and even nobles from various factions, but still no kingdom dares to openly confront Xue Yilou.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi, he actually dares to attack Xue Yilou alone?


    "L-lord, it''s not just Xiao Yi, there''s also the Black Dragon Cavalry..." The blood-robed figure gasped for air, terror filling the eyes covered by his cloak.


    The Black Dragon Cavalry!


    They are the elite forces of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    They serve the current King of Tianqing Kingdom.


    If the Black Dragon Cavalry has made a move, it means Tianqing Kingdom intends to eradicate Xue Yilou!


    "Has Jiang Tianchen gone mad? How dare he become an enemy of Xue Yilou?" The long-haired middle-aged man was utterly stupefied; he couldn''t understand Jiang Tianchen''s decision.


    Just then...


    Boom!


    A tremendous explosion swept through the entire Carefree Pavilion.


    The ground shook and buildings collapsed with the roaring sound, turning the grand and lavish Carefree Pavilion into ruins. Among the ruins, numerous nobles and wealthy merchants who were in the Carefree Pavilion fled in disarray.


    But as they barely escaped with their lives, they were confronted by the cold blades of the Black Dragon Cavalrymen.


    General Li, standing proudly atop his black dragon steed, his eyes cold and merciless behind his mask, spoke loudly, "Black Dragon Cavalry is handling matters. Everyone surrender or be executed without mercy!"


    "Kill without mercy!"


    "Kill without mercy..."


    The Black Dragon Cavalry shouted in unison, their voices echoing like a great bell, louder than thunder.


    Besides the deafening roar, there was also a sky-high Evil Qi.


    This Black Dragon Cavalry in Tianqing Kingdom is infamous, a symbol of slaughter, and messengers of the Grim Reaper. No one dares to oppose the Black Dragon Cavalry, one by one, the warriors surrendered without a fight, not daring to resist.


    Because those who did resist...


    Were all beheaded!


    Amidst the ruins.


    A blood-colored figure burst forth from the rubble, soaring into the sky, his blood-colored Evil Qi swirling with his wildly dancing black hair, he looked both divine and demonic.


    "Li Qing? My Xue Chou and your Black Dragon Cavalry have always kept to our own affairs, why do you help Xiao Yi against Xue Yilou?" Xue Chou''s face was filled with resentment as he looked at Li Qing, beholding the Carefree Pavilion turned into ruins, and the many fallen warriors of Xue Yilou, his eyes brimming with vicious bloodlust, as if they might explode at any moment.


    Li Qing was the commander of the Black Dragon Cavalry.


    He sat astride his black dragon steed, his eyes heavy with a solemn light. His cultivation was only at the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, whereas this Xue Chou was a genuine powerhouse at the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    His combat strength was far superior to Li Qing''s.


    "Damn it, who would have expected this madman to personally be present in the Carefree Pavilion?"


    Li Qing''s expression shifted slightly. According to the intelligence he had, Xue Chou was not supposed to be in the capital these days. But now that things had come to a head, there was no turning back. He could only lower his voice and say, "Xiao, my Black Dragon Cavalry will hold off Xue Chou at all costs. You take the chance to leave..."


    Naturally, Xue Chou heard Li Qing''s words.


    His gaze was fixed on Xiao Yi.


    In his eyes, blood swirled, choosing its prey.


    Xue Chou said sinisterly, "So you are Xiao Yi? You''re just a little bastard. I underestimated you. I didn''t expect Jiang Tianchen would choose to stand by your side. If it weren''t for relying on Jiang Tianchen''s power, you wouldn''t even be able to step through the entrance of Carefree Pavilion!"


    "How bold, Xue Chou! Who gave you the audacity to call His Majesty by his name?" Li Qing roared angrily, raising his long spear.


    CLANG CLANG CLANG! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hundreds of Black Dragon Cavalry behind him simultaneously raised their weapons and struck their shields, making a resounding thud.


    In the deafening roar, an overwhelming battle intent fused with surging evil Qi created an aura that made one''s heart tremble with fear.


    Xue Chou narrowed his eyes, about to speak.


    But Xiao Yi suddenly stepped aside, bypassing Li Qing.


    Li Qing was startled and anxiously said, "Xiao..."


    "No matter!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and strode towards Xue Chou, his voice slowly spreading across Carefree Pavilion''s skies, "It seems you are somewhat mistaken. I''ve not relied on anyone''s power, nor do I need the backing of any force. Today, the one who will destroy Xue Yilou is me!"


    "Ridiculous!"


    Xue Chou laughed scornfully, "Without the Black Dragon Cavalry and Jiang Tianchen supporting you, what makes you think you can destroy Xue Yilou?"


    "Just because I am Xiao Yi!"


    Xiao Yi stretched his muscles and let out a series of crackling pops, "I am inherently invincible. Why would I need to borrow power?"


    "Invincible? Hahaha, I admit you are indeed strong, but to call yourself invincible is far too arrogant. You ignorant junior, today I shall teach you a lesson, so you learn that there is always someone stronger, there are always higher heavens!" Xue Chou gritted his teeth and emitted a hysterical bellow.


    He was a venerable powerhouse of the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm and a faction leader of Xue Yilou.


    How could he fear a junior?


    BOOM!


    Around Xue Chou, a surge of blood illuminated his form, which suddenly shook and turned into a blood-colored rainbow, covering dozens of meters in an instant to appear right before Xiao Yi. The experts of Xue Yilou were most skilled in movement techniques.


    Their unpredictable methods, coupled with vicious and extreme assassination techniques. Explore more stories at empire


    This was the reputation that Xue Yilou had built for itself.


    "Be careful!"


    Li Qing''s expression changed as he saw a flash of red streak past, with Xue Chou already appearing before Xiao Yi.


    Li Qing believed that if it had been him in Xiao Yi''s position, he would undeniably be dead.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, and he calmly lifted his right hand. The Yuan energy inside him, transformed by the power of deification, turned into a vast surge of energy and concentrated on the Fire Qilin Sword. He unleashed a slash mighty enough to sweep away thousands of troops: "Solitary Nine Swords��Armor Breaking Style!"


    SWISH!


    A sword cut through the sky.


    CLANG!


    His sword collided with the weapon thrust by Xue Chou. But after just a moment of being stationary, the fourth-grade Yuan weapon in Xue Chou''s hand exploded. Under his frightful and incredulous gaze...


    The Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand spat out dazzling fire, resembling a ferocious twisting fire dragon.


    Opening its giant maw.


    BOOM!


    Xue Chou''s figure violently shook, and under the mad onslaught of the blood-colored fire dragon Sword Qi, his body was torn apart. His corpse fell to pieces, limbs severed, even the driving force was sliced into dozens of parts.


    A mighty Tenth Layer Golden Core Realm powerhouse faced off against the Ninth Layer Golden Core Realm Xiao Yi and couldn''t even withstand a single sword strike!


    At this moment...


    In the silence around the Carefree Pavilion, the words that Xiao Yi had said earlier echoed in the minds of countless people: "I am inherently invincible. Why would I need to borrow power?"

 Chapter 117 Then There is No Return!

    The vast Carefree Pavilion had turned to ruins.Dust billowed up, and corpses covered the ground.


    Before this...


    No one knew that the infamous Xue Yilou was hidden within the Carefree Pavilion, and when Xue Chou appeared in front of everyone, they all thought Xiao Yi had kicked an iron plate.


    Even Li Qing didn''t think Xiao Yi would be a match for Xue Chou.


    But now...


    Powerful as he was, Xue Chou had already been reduced to scattered pieces of corpse.


    Xiao Yi looked at the head of Xue Chou, eyes wide open in fury, lifted his foot, and with a loud ''bang,'' he crushed it. Xue Yilou dared to lay hands on Fang Qingzhu, and that was a violation of his inverse scales.


    A dragon''s inverse scales, touch them and you die!


    Xiao Yi''s inverse scales, likewise, must not be infringed!


    "Xiao, these are the treasures we found in the Carefree Pavilion, and also Xue Chou''s storage ring!" Li Qing wiped the blood off the storage ring with the corner of his clothes and presented it to Xiao Yi.


    There were a total of five storage rings.


    Xiao Yi took them and briefly examined them.


    Inside Xue Chou''s storage ring, apart from some precious medicinal herbs, elixirs, spirit weapons, and secret manuals, there were also a thousand lower-grade spirit stones, ten middle-grade spirit stones, and one top-grade spirit stone.


    As for the other four storage rings, they contained nearly a billion silver, as well as some property deeds and land titles.


    These items were of little use to Xiao Yi. He casually tossed the billion silver and the deeds to Li Qing, saying, "Commander Li, you''ve worked hard. The things inside, distribute them to the brothers!"


    "This..."


    Li Qing was astonished.


    A billion silver, plus property and land deeds, worth no less than two billion, just given away like that?


    Xiao Yi waved his hand. "Go on and distribute them!"


    Gulp!


    Li Qing swallowed hard. Although he was a commander of the Black Dragon Cavalry, he had many expenses for his cultivation and a large family to support, with not much property.


    These billions, even if he could only get a portion, would allow his family not to worry about expenses for more than a decade.


    "Thank you, Xiao!"


    Li Qing gave Xiao Yi a serious fist salute, then shouted to the few hundred Black Dragon Cavalry, "Brothers, Xiao has distributed treasures worth two billion silver to us, shouldn''t we thank Xiao?"


    Hisss!


    All the Black Dragon Cavalry sucked in a breath of cold air.


    Grateful glances turned toward Xiao Yi. They could hardly wait to swear loyalty right then and there, "Thank you, Xiao, for your generous reward!"


    "Xiao is mighty!"


    Everyone shouted one after another.


    Xiao Yi smiled, then looked at Li Qing. "Commander Li, I''ll leave this place to you; I have other business and must leave now!"


    "Rest assured, Xiao, we have this covered!" Li Qing replied.


    Watching Xiao Yi leave.


    Li Qing clutched the storage ring tightly in his hand and muttered to himself, "One must never be an enemy of Xiao! Great Prince Jiang Shanhe... you''d better take care of yourself."


    ...


    Xiao Yi made his way to the Treasure Pavilion.


    The guards at the entrance, upon seeing Xiao Yi, came forward eagerly, saying warmly, "Xiao, Elder Yan has awakened. He instructed me to wait here. Once you arrive, I will take you to see him!"


    "Lead the way!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    A moment later...


    He saw Elder Yan in the Treasure Pavilion, lying on a cot covered in medicinal salve. Beside him stood an elder as well as a chubby middle-aged man.


    The elder was conversing with Elder Yan, while the middle-aged man stood by with a sycophantic smile on his face.


    This middle-aged man was Zhang Kang, who had previously driven Xiao Yi out.


    "Why is it him?"


    Zhang Kang saw Xiao Yi walking in, frowned, and angrily shouted, "Boy, who gave you the audacity to barge into the Treasure Pavilion? Guards, break this ignorant kid''s legs and throw him out!"


    He had previously offended Xiao Yi in an attempt to flatter Chen Di.


    And lost a batch of spirit weapons.


    This affair caused him to be severely reprimanded and he even forfeited a year''s salary.


    He wished he could slaughter Xiao Yi!


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    "Scram!"


    With a casual slap from Xiao Yi, Zhang Kang cried out in agony as his head slammed hard against the floor.


    "How audacious!"


    The elder sitting by the bed''s face darkened as he bellowed out loudly.


    Struggling up from the ground, Zhang Kang, with a face full of blood, pitifully looked at Chen Fu, "Pavilion Master, do you see what this mongrel has done to me? You must seek justice for me..."


    Chen Fu nodded indifferently, "Rest assured, I will indeed seek justice for you!"


    Zhang Kang looked triumphantly at Xiao Yi, for Chen Fu was at the pinnacle of the Golden Elixir Realm Peak and was particularly protective of his own. In Zhang Kang''s view, Xiao Yi daring to assault him in front of Chen Fu meant certain death, "Hehe, you mongrel, your doom is sealed!"


    However...


    Chen Fu''s slap landed on his face instead.


    Smack!


    Zhang Kang was sent tumbling to the ground, his teeth shattered from the blow, and he looked at Chen Fu in stunned confusion, "Pav..., Pavilion Master, you hit the wrong person..."


    "It''s you I''m hitting! Open your dog eyes and look clearly, this is Xiao Yi, the top warrior of the Teng Long List. How dare you be so disrespectful to him?"


    Chen Fu huffed coldly. He had deduced Xiao Yi''s identity upon seeing him; Xiao Yi was not just the top warrior of the Teng Long List but also the savior of Yan Mingli.


    How could Chen Fu, as Yan Mingli''s senior brother, side with Zhang Kang?


    "What? The top of the Teng Long List? Xiao... Xiao Yi?"


    Zhang Kang''s head buzzed dully as he collapsed onto the ground, his face filled with despair.


    This was the very same man who had slain the master of Mingjian Manor and defeated the Great Prince Jiang Shanhe!


    He was an existence who could crush Zhang Kang like an ant.


    And he had foolishly provoked Xiao Yi?


    "Please spare me... Young Master Xiao, please spare my life..." Zhang Kang, sobbing bitterly, crawled and rolled over to Xiao Yi.


    Chen Fu snorted coldly, "Someone, take Zhang Kang away, investigate if he has engaged in any dereliction of duty during his term. Should anything be uncovered, execute him without hesitation!"


    "Yes, sir!"


    Two strong men immediately entered, carrying away the limp Zhang Kang. sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had embezzled quite a bit during his time in charge; if that was discovered, there would be no escaping death!


    At this moment, Zhang Kang was full of regret.


    Why did he provoke such a formidable person?


    Alas, there''s no medicine for regret in this world...


    Chen Fu looked at Xiao Yi with a smile, "Young Master Xiao, are you satisfied with how I''ve dealt with this?"


    "Hmm."


    Xiao Yi nodded, then turned to Elder Yan, "How is Elder Yan''s injury?"


    "Thanks to Young Master Xiao''s fortune, the injury didn''t affect me fundamentally..." Yan Mingli was speaking as he tried to sit up, but Xiao Yi stopped him.


    Xiao Yi said, "Since Elder Yan is alright, I can rest easy. This hundred low-grade spirit stones should help Elder Yan recover sooner!"


    "How could I possibly accept this?" Yan Mingli hurriedly refused.


    Xiao Yi didn''t entertain any discussion and placed the spirit stones into his hands.


    Chen Fu nodded slightly on the side, hesitating for a moment before speaking in a deep voice, "Young Master Xiao, do you have a battle scheduled with the Royal Martial Arts Academy in seven days?"


    "Hmm."


    Xiao Yi nodded, looking puzzled at Chen Fu. The news had already spread throughout the Tianqing Kingdom, why would Chen Fu ask something he already knows?


    Chen Fu said gravely, "I see Young Master Xiao being so young with such cultivation, and I thought the Royal Martial Arts Academy would have been unable to bother you before. But now, it might not be the case!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Chen Fu said seriously, "I have received news that the Great Prince has gotten full support from the Royal Martial Arts Academy and has reached the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Moreover, Zhou Yuan obtained a Martial Dao Divine Fruit from the Tao Tribulation Realm''s secret chamber, using it to break through to the Calamity Realm."


    Xiao Yi''s expression slightly changed.


    The Golden Core Realm and the Calamity Realm were completely different concepts!


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, if he faced several warriors at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak alone, he would have no fear. However, facing a warrior of the Calamity Realm was problematic.


    "It seems I need to hurry up and break through to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, or even to the Peak!" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, contemplating to himself.


    He had enough spirit stones to support a breakthrough to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, but with less than seven days until the battle, there might not be enough time!


    Chen Fu wore a smile as if he held a winning hand, "Young Master Xiao, you must be aware of the power behind my Treasure Pavilion! If you join the Treasure Pavilion, with its backing, not even Zhou Yuan would dare to touch you with ten times the courage. What do you think?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Chen Fu and walked over to Yan Mingli, patting him on the shoulder, "Rest well, and come find me once you''re healed!"


    With that,


    Xiao Yi headed straight for the door, "How could a man of honor live at the mercy of others?"


    "A good bird chooses a tree to nest in. How can that be considered living at the mercy of others?" Chen Fu hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to refuse his proposition and said gravely, "Without the support of the Treasure Pavilion, you are bound for a one-way journey!"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Then it shall be a one-way journey!"

 Chapter 118 Movement from All Sides

    "Then there''s no return!"Xiao Yi, standing with his back to Chen Fu, simply waved his hand, his silhouette growing longer under the setting sun.


    Gazing at his figure as it disappeared from view.


    Only then did Chen Fu come back to his senses, his face looking particularly ugly, "Ungrateful!"


    Yan Mingli, who was lying in bed, however, smiled. Even with his face covered in plasters, one could still see the bright and steadfast gaze in his eyes, "Senior brother, you have underestimated him!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Fu was taken aback and said airily, "Underestimate him? I admit that his talent is strong, and indeed he can be called the first in the small land of Tianqing Kingdom. But compared to those true favored children of heaven, he still has a considerable gap. Take Xiao Tianjiao, for example, at his age, he had already reached the Tao Tribulation Realm..."


    "Senior brother, do you know what realm Xiao was in ten months ago?" Yan Mingli asked.


    Chen Fu frowned and said, "Shentong Realm?"


    Yan Mingli shook his head, the scene of their first meeting with Xiao Yi surfacing in his mind, revealing a trace of genuine admiration, "Ten months ago, he was only at the Physical Body Realm!"


    Hiss!


    Chen Fu sucked in a breath of cold air.


    Physical Body Realm ten months ago? And now he''s comparable to the Golden Elixir Peak?


    Chen Fu said in disbelief, "How is this possible? How could he go from the Physical Body Realm to comparable to the peak of the Golden Core Realm in ten months? Even Xiao Tianjiao wasn''t as fast as him!"


    "Exactly!"


    Yan Mingli shifted slightly, took a deep breath, and still found it hard to contain the shock in his heart.


    "No wonder he looked down on my Treasure Pavilion..."


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    Chen Fu took a deep breath and murmured to himself, "The Xiao Family actually exiled such a monstrous talent, sending him to the Fang Family to be a son-in-law? Have the entire Xiao Family gone blind?"


    ...


    Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Xiao Yi returned to his separate courtyard.


    Fang Qingzhu had already transformed; she had completely forgotten the previous incidents and was sitting dumbly at the head of the bed, her face full of confusion, "Xiao Yi, am I a monster? Dali said I''ve become a bird person..."


    "..."


    Xiao Yi glared fiercely at the innocently faced Niu Dali beside him and gently rubbed her head, smiling, "How could my Qingzhu possibly be a monster? What''s important now is for you to rest well, understand?"


    "Yes!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes curved like crescent moons, and she smiled sweetly.


    As long as she was with Xiao Yi, she was no longer the cold and detached ice maiden but became tender and obedient, a jade of a house.


    Xiao Yi rubbed her head again, "You rest well; I need to go cultivate in the back mountain!"


    "Yes! Xiao Yi, good luck!" Fang Qingzhu cheered him on, waving her small, pink fists.


    Xiao Yi nodded, left Little Lin with Fang Qingzhu, and gestured to Niu Dali and the others to go out with him.


    Outside the door.


    Xiao Yi, looking at the few who seemed like they''d done something wrong, said sternly, "From now on, no one is allowed to mention her transformation in front of Qingzhu, especially you, Dali... If you dare call her a bird person again, I will personally castrate you!"


    Niu Dali''s face fell, "I know..."


    Looking at the battered few, Xiao Yi sighed, "You should also rest well these days. In seven days, follow me to the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Yes!"


    As soon as the Royal Martial Arts Academy was mentioned, everyone''s fighting spirit was ignited, and they responded with vigor and enthusiasm.


    Xiao Yi made a beeline for the back mountain.


    Completely immersed in his cultivation, Xiao Yi had no idea that the news of his consecutive annihilation of the Jia Family, the Yun Family, and the Carefree Pavilion had already spread throughout the entire Royal City.


    Within the royal palace.


    Jiang Tianchen sat upright with tension, his fingers lightly tapping on the desk. He waved his hand at Li Qing, who had just finished reporting, "You may leave now."


    "Yes!"


    Li Qing immediately left.


    In the empty great hall, Jiang Tianchen suddenly burst into loud laughter, "What a Xiao Yi indeed, annihilating two clans on his own, crushing Xue Yilou. Hahaha, such is the genius that my Tianqing Kingdom should boast of!"


    "Has Your Majesty made up Your mind?" A gentle voice asked from the darkness.


    Jiang Tianchen nodded emphatically, saying, "Xue Yilou, relying on the forces behind them, acts wantonly, even daring to assassinate the members of my royal family. This is a provocation against my royal authority. Yet among the many talents in the country, who dares to be the enemy of Xue Yilou? Only Xiao Yi!"


    The voice from the darkness fell silent for a moment, then said, "The old one understands."


    Within a secluded courtyard.


    A figure in a red robe, eyes filled with resentment, gazed at the messenger hawk soaring high into the sky, "Xiao Yi? Daring to oppose my Xue Yilou, I will make sure you have no grave to bury!"


    Inside the Royal Martial Arts Academy. S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhou Yuan was sitting cross-legged in the secret chamber, his body bathed in a radiant glow, the vital energy he inhaled and exhaled was so vast that it turned into a thick mist filling the entire chamber.


    Above his dantian, the Golden Core had transformed into a Martial Dao Divine Fruit, and one of the ten rings of light on its surface had shattered, leaving only nine intact.


    This was the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Using the power of heaven and earth to shatter the luminous shackles on the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, breaking and then establishing anew!


    Each shattered ring meant a step forward!


    Zhou Yuan had just entered the Tao Tribulation Realm, therefore there were still nine complete rings of light, while the shattered one had turned into specks of starlight, adhering to the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    Once all the rings are shattered, these specks will turn into Dao patterns.


    Only then will the Martial Dao Divine Fruit be truly perfected.


    Even though it was just his initial entry into the Tao Tribulation Realm,


    the current aura of Zhou Yuan was dozens of times stronger than before. Opening his eyes, a cold glint flashed past, causing Jiang Shanhe before him not to dare make eye contact, repeatedly cupping his hands, "Congratulations, Master, for advancing further on your illustrious path of cultivation!"


    "It is only because I consumed the Martial Dao Divine Fruit that I was able to step into the Tao Tribulation Realm so smoothly. But blessing and misfortune come hand in hand, relying on the Martial Dao Divine Fruit to enter the Tao Tribulation Realm means my future advancements will be exceedingly difficult!" Zhou Yuan said somberly.


    Jiang Shanhe clenched his teeth and said bitterly, "It''s all that Xiao Yi''s fault. If not for his aggression, would Master have destroyed his own prospects..."


    "Enough!"


    Zhou Yuan waved his hand and said sternly, "You just said Xiao Yi annihilated the Yun and Jia families, and also killed Yun He and Xue Chou?"


    "Yes!"


    Jiang Shanhe''s eyes took on a stern serious hue, "Master, Yun He might be a small concern, but the strength of Xue Chou... even if your disciple were to break through to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, I would only just match him. If Xiao Yi could slay Xue Chou, I''m afraid I''m no match for him!"


    "Afraid of what?"


    Zhou Yuan''s gaze was icy cold, like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, waiting for an opportunity to strike, "Master has long been fully prepared. On the journey to the Tao Tribulation secret realm, Xiao Yi has killed many. The Tianlan Kingdom, Sword Mountain Manor, Nine Profound Sect, Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple... Now add Xue Yilou to that list. Perhaps you and I, master and disciple, won''t even need to lift a finger, as others will take his life!"


    "But if perchance..." Jiang Shanhe said with concern.


    Having been previously defeated by Xiao Yi, an indelible shadow had been cast over his heart.


    "Perchance? Then we shall utilize every means to ensure an absolute success. You just need to..."


    Zhou Yuan revealed a sinister expression, whispering a few words into Jiang Shanhe''s ear. Extending his palm into the air, he suddenly clenched it shut. Countless vital energies condensed to the extreme before explosively bursting apart. A fierce wind stirred wildly, the vital energy surging like overwhelming clouds, "Besides, even should the unthinkable happen, there is still your master. With my current strength, crushing him would be like crushing an ant!"

 Chapter 119 Possessed by Evil?

    ```In the middle of the night.


    Despite the darkness, the entire Royal Capital was brightly lit, and countless individuals were unable to sleep this night.


    Tomorrow was the day of the challenge between Xiao Yi and the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Whether it was powerful martial artists or ordinary citizens, everyone was eagerly anticipating this moment.


    Ever since the decline of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy five hundred years ago, no one had dared to challenge the authority of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Xiao Yi''s emergence had become the hope to shake this overlord, and many were longing for him to accomplish this feat.


    Under that night sky...


    A few figures quietly left the Royal Capital, heading straight for the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Squeak, squeak, squeak!


    The silent Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was filled with the sounds of birds and insects.


    A gentle breeze blew through the leaves, accompanied by the rustling noises, it was exceptionally tranquil.


    In front of Fang Qingzhu''s separate dwelling, Fang Qingzhu, Niu Dali, the Shi Family''s four brothers, and the seventh prince Jiang Tai were seated around a bonfire.


    Niu Dali stared at the roaring flames before him, the orange-red glow reflecting on his face. Even though it was midnight, he was full of energy: "I just can''t fall asleep!"


    "Yeah, I''ve tried counting thousands of sheep while lying in bed, but still can''t sleep!" Shi Yaoqian yawned and said with a wry smile.


    Jiang Tai looked helplessly at everyone and saw Fang Qingzhu frowning slightly with a touch of worry between her brows. He then smiled and said, "Qingzhu, don''t worry too much. The Principal and I will also go there tomorrow. If Xiao runs into any danger, the Principal will definitely take action!"


    "Hmm!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded. Just as she was about to speak, the Little Lin in her arms suddenly leapt out.


    The small creature was tense, standing upright, staring intently at the pitch-black sky, and hissing anxiously.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Is someone there?"


    Jiang Tai and the others'' expressions changed. They saw in the space under the starry sky, ten figures shot through the air. Leading them was the Great Prince Jiang Shanhe, clad in brocade robes, his face wore a cold expression: "All here? That saves me the trouble of looking for you all!"


    "Jiang Shanhe? What are you doing here?" Jiang Tai''s face changed, and he demanded.


    Although his cultivation had reached the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, the Jiang Shanhe before him had reached the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Moreover...


    The nine people behind him, each one was a strong practitioner of the Golden Core Realm.


    All were celestial-level students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    In contrast, they only had Jiang Tai and Little Lin with the combat prowess of the Golden Core Realm. Jiang Tai stepped in front of Fang Qingzhu and lowered his voice, "Qingzhu, we''ll hold them off. You run to the back mountain immediately."


    "Run? None of you are going anywhere!"


    Jiang Shanhe sneered, gesturing with his hand, "Leave Jiang Tai to me, take the others back. If they resist, kill them on the spot!"


    "Yes!"


    The nine Golden Core Realm experts attacked at the same time.


    "I''d like to see who dares to touch them!"


    Jiang Tai was furiously outraged, standing firm in front of everyone.


    Jiang Shanhe snorted, "You piece of garbage thinks you can stop me?"


    Hum!


    A silver energy swirled uncertainly in the palm of his hand, as the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm''s cultivation burst forth in an instant, a vast surge of energy rolling toward them. With Jiang Shanhe''s cultivation and strength far surpassing Jiang Tai''s, the latter had no chance to block him at all.


    Bang!


    A muffled sound.


    Jiang Tai was sent flying backward, trampled to the ground under Jiang Shanhe''s foot.


    At the same time.


    The other nine experts also captured Fang Qingzhu and the remaining people. Each one had a lute lock in their hand, piercing through everyone''s shoulder blades, sealing their cultivation. Fang Qingzhu''s shoulders were drenched in blood as she shouted towards the trembling Little Lin who was facing two Golden Core Realm experts, "Run... Little Lin, you need to run..."


    Hiss...


    Little Lin looked at Fang Qingzhu anxiously.


    As Fang Qingzhu''s complexion grew paler, though she had some days of recovery, she was still not fully healed, and she cried out, "Go find Xiao Yi..."


    Hiss!


    Little Lin swiftly slinked away to the side.


    ```


    "Think you can escape? Die!"


    Great Prince Jiang Shanhe pointed a finger, and his ice-cold elemental power transformed into a massive pillar, which with a booming sound, struck Little Lin. The attack sent Little Lin flying, pieces of its silver Scale Armor sprinkled with blood fell to the ground. After struggling for a moment on the ground, Little Lin vanished into the darkness with a swish.


    "Your Highness, the beast has escaped��" a Martial Artist of the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm reported back, his pursuit fruitless.


    Jiang Shanhe waved his hand dismissively, "Just a beast; let it run. Take them all back immediately!"


    "Yes!"


    Nine people flew away, escorting Fang Qingzhu, Niu Dali, and the four brothers of the Shi Family.


    "Jiang Shanhe, you''re shameless. If you''re so brave, go challenge Xiao directly. What kind of man does this make you?" Jiang Tai roared in humiliation and anger.


    "My dear brother, in this world, it''s survival of the fittest. Mercy is just asking for death!"


    With a sneer, Jiang Shanhe leaned forward, patting Jiang Tai''s face, "Didn''t you put all your hopes on Xiao Yi? Tell him I''ll be waiting at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, hahaha��"


    Whoosh!


    Jiang Shanhe rose into the sky and disappeared into the night. Enjoy exclusive content from empire


    "Damn it��"


    Jiang Tai struggled to his feet, the suddenness of it all turning his face into an ugly grimace, "This is trouble�� With Fang Qingzhu in Jiang Shanhe''s hands, Xiao Yi will surely hesitate, what to do now?" Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Two sharp sounds of breaking through the air suddenly approached.


    It was Gu Junhe and Xiao Yi, one after the other, landing in the courtyard.


    Seeing the blood on Jiang Tai''s mouth and the footprint on his face, as well as the disheveled courtyard, Gu Junhe''s brow furrowed, "What exactly happened?"


    Xiao Yi, with the blood-covered Little Lin in his arms, urgently asked, "Where are Qingzhu and the others?"


    Jiang Tai said with self-reproach, "Headmaster, Xiao... it''s my fault for not being able to protect them. Just now, Jiang Shanhe and nine Martial Artists of the Golden Core Realm launched a surprise attack and captured Qingzhu and the others..."


    Gu Junhe''s expression turned extremely grim, "I apologize, I was busy with my cultivation and didn''t anticipate their shameless behavior, failing to save Qingzhu and the others in time..."


    "Don''t blame yourselves... I''m the only one to blame. I thought that after wiping out the Jia and Yun families along with Xue Yilou, no one would dare lay hands on Qingzhu and the rest... It''s all my fault... all my fault��" Xiao Yi said, blaming himself, slapping his head with his hands, his eyes bloodshot.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, a surge of elemental energy burst forth from Xiao Yi''s body.


    It turned into a tornado that enveloped his whole body.


    Dust was kicked up from the ground.


    Auras of Evil Qi swirled around him.


    The horrifying intent to kill caused the temperature in the vicinity to drop considerably.


    "Rage-driven madness?"


    Gu Junhe''s expression changed.


    Ordinary people, when faced with great upheaval, would go mad, commonly known as going insane!


    For Martial Artists caught in such a situation, it is referred to as rage-driven madness.


    At best, they would fall into the demonic path and become bloodthirsty demons; at worst, their cultivation would be completely destroyed, leaving them beyond redemption!


    Just as Gu Junhe was about to intervene.


    All 45,000 God Sealing Seeds inside Xiao Yi trembled simultaneously, and the figures sealed within the Seeds, including the Reaper Scholar, Bian He, and Sword Demon Dugu, all shone brilliantly.


    These radiant lights shrouded Xiao Yi.


    His body shook violently.


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation leaped forward, stepping into the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    The fierce and violent aura within the air then finally dispersed.


    He had actually used the stimulation of rage to achieve a breakthrough in his realm.


    At the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, the power emanating from 50,000 God Sealing Seeds brought Xiao Yi''s combat strength to a higher level!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and exhaled, his clear eyes reflecting the flames scattered around. Underneath the orange glow of the flames, his lips curled into a subtle, sinister smile as he spoke in a cold and menacing tone, "Very well, Jiang Shanhe, very well, Royal Martial Arts Academy. I, Xiao Yi, swear here that if I do not slaughter every last one of you at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I shall no longer consider myself human!"

 Chapter 120 Lifting a Mountain with One Hand

    The next day.Early morning.


    When the royal guards opened the city gates, they were collectively stunned.


    In front of the vast and huge Vermilion Bird Gate.


    Xiao Yi stood alone, with a ten-meter-high and five-meter-wide black stele behind him. The stele was starkly empty without any inscriptions, and a chain as thick as an arm connected Xiao Yi to the stele.


    One hand was gripping one end of the chain.


    With every step Xiao Yi took, the stele would boom loudly, leaving a fierce scar on the ground.


    Hiss!


    The guards responsible for opening the gates, as well as some strong individuals hurrying out of the city, couldn''t help but gasp for air, their faces filled with shock, "This stele must weigh at least several hundred thousand pounds, right? This is like dragging a small mountain!"


    "He must be a Golden Core Realm powerhouse, otherwise, it would be impossible to have such strength!"


    "I remember now, he is Xiao Yi!"


    "What? He is the Xiao Yi who is challenging the Royal Martial Arts Academy today? But why is he dragging such a huge stone..."


    The crowd quickly made way to both sides, whispering amongst themselves.


    The guard sergeant braced himself to approach and interrogate, "Xiao, this stele cannot go in..."


    "Move aside!"


    Xiao Yi''s step did not stop, his expression ice cold as he spoke.


    Fang Qingzhu and others were taken away by Jiang Shanhe, and the resentment and anger in his heart had been suppressed all night, no longer able to be contained.


    The guard sergeant''s face turned somewhat ugly, but under Xiao Yi''s cold aura, he dared not show the slightest displeasure, and said in a deep voice, "Xiao, please don''t make it difficult for me. This stele is so heavy that if dragged all the way in, Vermilion Bird Avenue will be ruined, and I cannot take responsibility for that!"


    Xiao Yi''s brows furrowed, glancing back behind him.


    Where the giant stone passed, a deep trench was left behind on the avenue, like a ferocious scar upon the road. S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just as the guard sergeant had said, if he really dragged it all the way to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, Vermilion Bird Avenue would be destroyed!


    "Xiao, what do you think..." the guard sergeant asked Xiao Yi anxiously.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Then carry it!"


    "Carry, carry it? This thing?"


    The guard sergeant looked bewilderedly at the stone that was as tall as several floors, weighing several hundred thousand pounds. To drag it by one''s own strength already far exceeded the power of an ordinary Golden Core Realm cultivator.


    As for carrying it...


    Was that possible?


    Xiao Yi turned around and approached the underside of the giant stone. Standing in front of it, he was unbelievably small, and his right hand plunged into the stone like a steel spike.


    His muscles tensed instantly, and his veins popped out like writhing dragons. With a roar like thunder, he bellowed, "Lift!"


    Boom!


    The stone that weighed several hundred thousand pounds was forcibly lifted by Xiao Yi.


    Carrying the mountain with one arm, he moved forward.


    Each step made a thunderous rumble resonate.


    Amidst the booming sounds,


    Xiao Yi carried the giant stone into the city, each step leaving behind a deep pit.


    The guard sergeant had already forgotten to obstruct him, and it was not until he saw the sequence of deep pits that he collapsed on the ground, "Is this even humanly possible?"


    Such terrifying strength, the deafening noise, carrying several hundred thousand pounds of giant stone with just one''s power, he walked through Vermilion Bird Avenue.


    This scene had already attracted countless strong individuals.


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Stay tuned to empire


    With every step that echoed, the ground trembled violently, and the houses on both sides of Vermilion Bird Avenue shook intensely with the steps.


    Tiles fell, tables and chairs bounced up, and people rushed out of their homes, "Is there an earthquake?"


    "No, no, look, someone''s carrying a mountain..."


    Unbeknownst to them,


    more and more people gathered behind Xiao Yi, forming a black iron flood trailing closely behind: "Xiao Yi is heading to the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "What''s he doing with such a huge rock at the Royal Martial Arts Academy?"


    On his way there,


    a figure suddenly appeared ahead - it was Elder Wang.


    Elder Wang, looking at Xiao Yi carrying the giant rock on his shoulder, forced a wry smile: "Why torture yourself so? Can''t this be resolved?"


    Elder Wang had been trying to mediate these past days,


    but Zhou Yuan was resolute and wouldn''t heed his counsel.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    Elder Wang felt ashamed to face him.


    But today...


    on the day of Xiao Yi''s showdown with the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he had no choice but to step forward to prevent Xiao Yi from going to his death: "Xiao Yi, heed my advice, do not be obstinate. Zhou has entered the Tao Tribulation Realm, you can''t possibly be his match..."


    "Step aside!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    Elder Wang pressed on with a grave voice: "Xiao Yi, I''m trying to save you! Other than the Royal Martial Arts Academy, forces like Mingjian Manor, Nine Profound Sect, Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, Tianlan Kingdom, Xue Yilou... their powerhouses all want your life, you..."


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi nodded. He was aware that Elder Wang truly wanted to protect him, but the grudge between him, Zhou Yuan, and the others was irreconcilable, "Zhou Yuan has no shame, he attacked me and left me severely injured and then sent strong men to besiege me in the secret realm. Now, they have taken Qingzhu and my brothers. Today, nobody shall stop me from leveling the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "I..."


    Before Elder Wang could finish, Xiao Yi stepped forward, and a powerful gust blew Elder Wang away.


    Elder Wang was dumbfounded.


    His cultivation wasn''t particularly strong; a warrior of the High-Layer Golden Core Realm could blow him away, but for Xiao Yi to do so with such ease, without Elder Wang even having the will to resist, was something not even those at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak could easily do.


    "His strength has become so terrifying? It''s only been half a year, hasn''t it? This..."


    Elder Wang closed his eyes in despair, "Zhou Yuan... you are leading the Royal Martial Arts Academy to its doom..."


    Xiao Yi suddenly stopped in his tracks.


    He scanned his surroundings.


    "Come out, you hidden rats!" Xiao Yi shouted coldly, like a muffled thunder.


    The once-bustling streets were now eerily silent on both sides.


    "Will you not show yourselves? Then don''t blame me!"


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi swung his arm, hurling the massive rock towards the side of a building, smashing it violently.


    With a massive roar, rows of houses were crushed to dust.


    The rock, propelled by Xiao Yi, rolled over the debris, leaving behind a trail of wreckage and scattered remains.


    With that single throw, he destroyed hundreds of civilian homes and killed dozens of strong men hidden in the dark.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Amidst the sound of tearing air, nearly a hundred powerful figures appeared before Xiao Yi.


    "Nine Profound Sect, Mingjian Manor... Just the two of you?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, observing the nearly hundred powerhouses in front of him.


    Jin Sheng, once beaten into a retreat by him, was among them.


    Besides him stood another powerhouse, at the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm - the Sect Master of the Nine Profound Sect, known as ''Nine''.


    On Mingjian Manor''s side was Elder Jian San among the crowd, along with several other strong individuals. The strongest among them was an old man in an elegant white robe, bearing the refined air of a sage with seven longswords on his back. This man was Feng Qingge, a peerless genius of Mingjian Manor!


    It was rumored that Feng Qingge had disappeared for a hundred years, yet today, he had also made his appearance here.


    "We two are more than enough!"


    ''Nine'' said, his eyes cold as ice and with an air of arrogance.


    Feng Qingge stood beside him, the seven longswords buzzing behind him, his chilling gaze fixed on Xiao Yi: "Xiao Yi, you''ve gone against the Tao, wantonly slain the innocent, your sins unforgivable. Today, we shall be the instruments of Heaven and take your damned life!"

 Chapter 121 The Child of Destiny

    "Upholding justice in place of the heavens? Uphold your mother''s justice!"Xiao Yi cursed aloud.


    His words starkly interrupted Feng Qingge''s speech.


    Feng Qingge''s face stiffened, his air of an immortal marred in an instant, his face twisted with a ghastly expression as he roared, "Xiao Yi, you desecrated our Sword Mountain Manor''s ancestral sword burial ground, killed the four great Sword Sons and Manor Lord Zhuang Bifan. And now, without any sign of remorse, you attempt to overthrow the sacred martial arts site of Tianqing Kingdom. You are truly seeking your own death!"


    "Ask the old dog Jian San beside you why I destroyed the sword burial ground. As for the sacred martial arts site... Once I annihilate the Royal Martial Arts Academy, Tianqi Martial Arts Academy will naturally take its place as the new sacred site!" Xiao Yi said.


    "Arrogance!"


    Feng Qingge sneered, "You think you can level the Royal Martial Arts Academy? Such foolish wishful thinking!"


    Jiu Ye spoke impatiently, "Feng Qingge, why bother with pointless talk? Just kill him!"


    "Attack!"


    With a wave of Feng Qingge''s hand, nearly a hundred skilled subordinates stepped forward to engage.


    Jiu Ye and Feng Qingge also rose up with their troops. Your next read awaits at empire


    "Those who block my path shall die!"


    Xiao Yi held a boulder weighing a hundred thousand catties in his right hand, yet his figure was agile like an ape. With each step he took, his right arm swung fiercely forward.


    With every swing, the boulder cut through the air like a mobile mountain.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom! Boom! Boom...


    With each fall of the huge rock, swathes of strong warriors had their lives snuffed out.


    The almost hundred warriors couldn''t form any sort of resistance.


    Xiao Yi brutally blazed a trail of blood, the stone drenched in blood, with bits of crushed flesh and severed limbs embedded in its surface.


    "Run..."


    "We can''t stop him; he''s a madman..."


    Among the crowd, Jian San''s face was filled with despair as he turned to flee.


    Xiao Yi had already had him in his sights, the huge rock plummeting down and smashing Elder Jian San into a pulp with a thud. Instantly, of the nearly hundred strong adversaries, only Feng Qingge and Jiu Ye remained standing. Xiao Yi, maintaining his grip on the boulder, beckoned at the two of them, "Your turn!"


    Hiss!


    The two exchanged a glance.


    Who had ever seen someone wield a mountain as a weapon?


    But they were, after all, high-ranking practitioners in the High-Layer Golden Core Realm, seasoned in countless battles, their combat prowess far beyond ordinary people.


    "Jiu Ye, we must join forces, no holding back!" Feng Qingge said solemnly.


    Jiu Ye nodded firmly with a grave expression, "Rest assured. As long as we kill him, his secret of how he broke through from the Physical Body Realm to the Golden Core Realm in merely one year will fall into our hands. By then, both Sword Mountain Manor and the Nine Profound Sect will surely rise to a new height!"


    "Good!"


    The two attacked Xiao Yi from the left and the right simultaneously.


    Jiu Ye practiced the ''Nine Lives Phantom Divine Skill'', which allowed him to manifest nine shadows, each possessing fifty percent of his power.


    Nine figures of Jiu Ye lined up in a row, all bristling with killing intent.


    Feng Qingge was the peerless sword genius.


    With a flick of his fingers as if holding a sword, seven longswords unsheathed themselves from behind him.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The swords wailed as they rent the sky.


    The seven longswords stood side by side like seven scorching suns between heaven and earth, charging straight toward Xiao Yi.


    The two''s combined onslaught was dazzlingly brilliant and overwhelming.


    It was relentless.


    Within the crowd, as they beheld this spectacular assault, exclamations erupted, "Truly formidable veterans who have made a name for themselves over the years! Just dealing with Jiu Ye''s Phantom Divine Skill is already difficult. And there''s the sword prodigy from a century ago, Feng Qingge. With the two of them teaming up, Xiao Yi is in danger!"


    "It''s truly a heart-pounding situation! Who would have thought that even before reaching the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he''d be intercepted by such powerful opponents."


    "It looks like it''s not just a matter of whether he can level the Royal Martial Arts Academy; the real question is whether he can survive and reach the Royal Martial Arts Academy..."


    "Master, shouldn''t we intervene?" Jiang Tai asked in a deep voice, hidden within the crowd.


    Gu Junhe squinted his eyes and shook his head slightly.


    His gaze penetrated the crowd as he watched Xiao Yi who effortlessly lifted mountains. He couldn''t help but recall how, not long ago while passing a small mountain, Xiao Yi had uprooted it entirely.


    Such strength was far beyond the Golden Core Realm!


    If Xiao Yi did not seem to have the aura of the Martial Dao Divine Fruit about him, Gu Junhe would have suspected that Xiao Yi had already ascended to the realm of Dao Tribulation.


    "Royal Martial Arts Academy, Zhou Yuan�� driving away Xiao Yi will likely be the most foolish decision of your lives!" Gu Junhe murmured to himself, "Hm... maybe the one to regret the most should be the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty? To go from the Physical Body Realm to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm in one year... Such talent makes even Xiao Tianjiaao pale in comparison. If Xiao Zhengde knew he had treated such a monstrous son as trash and given him away to the Fang Family as a son-in-law, I wonder what his expression would be like?"


    Initially, the Fang Family had widely publicized their marital alliance with the Xiao Family.


    This piece of news that Xiao Yi came from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty was not a secret to Gu Junhe and the others.


    It was simply because of Xiao Tianjiao that not many knew the man was actually the brother of Xiao Tianjiao.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Series of loud noises interrupted Gu Junhe''s thoughts, and he sharply turned his gaze forward.


    On the ground, there were two huge pits, each more than ten meters deep; amidst the swirling dust and smoke, Xiao Yi picked up the gigantic rock.


    With one hand, he lifted the boulder and strode away.


    Within those deep pits...


    Feng Qingge and the Ninth Elder had already been reduced to two puddles of flesh.


    Hisss!


    The group of powerful individuals gathered behind Xiao Yi could only feel their scalps tingle; these were two Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm powerhouses that had been smashed into a paste after just a few moves by Xiao Yi.


    "Just how strong is this Xiao Yi?"


    "With such terrifying strength, he might really have a chance to flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    The opinions of the crowd began to change from initially thinking that Xiao Yi was courting death.


    This is absolute power!


    Passing through Vermilion Bird Avenue, more than a thousand meters from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the grand architectural complex of the academy could vaguely be seen. In front of Xiao Yi, there appeared a youthful monk dressed in Buddhist robes with a handsome face. He sat properly in front of a short table, on which rested a bright red wooden fish.


    Clack clack clack!


    Each strike of the wooden fish emitted a crisp sound.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple?"


    "Amitabha!"


    The handsome monk slowly stood up with his hands pressed together and a kind smile, "This humble monk is Dao Yun, a Buddhist disciple from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple."


    "He''s actually a disciple from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple?"


    "The Buddhist disciples of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple are detached from worldly matters, unwilling even to be listed on the Teng Long List, always worshiping Buddha at the temple. I didn''t expect him to come here!"


    "It seems like there are not a few who wish for Xiao Yi''s life!"


    Although Dao Yun was not on the Teng Long List, his reputation was not shallow.


    Merely the title of a Buddhist disciple already set him apart.


    "Monk Dao Yun, are you also here to stop me?" Xiao Yi said impatiently.


    He disliked those from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple who had the appearance of being virtuous.


    "Amitabha!"


    Dao Yun smiled, "Several days ago, while worshiping Buddha, this humble monk received a vision of the Buddha in a dream. Buddha said, ''Xiao is a great demon of this world, destined to bring disaster to the living. This humble monk has come here following the Buddha''s decree to take Xiao and suppress him beneath a Buddhist stupa and convert him with the Buddhist Law...''"


    "I convert your mom!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and suddenly stomped forward. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dao Yun''s cultivation was indeed not weak, having reached the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Even stronger than Jiang Shanhe before his breakthrough.


    He was enveloped in golden light, utilizing the Buddhist Canon''s Vajra Secret, like a Vajra descending, trying to lift Xiao Yi with hands propped towards the heavens: "Amitabha, the Buddha was right, the donor really is a great demon... Let me use Buddhist Law to... fuck..."


    Mid-sentence, Dao Yun''s face suddenly changed.


    His hands failed to overturn Xiao Yi, instead, they experienced a sharp pain as he was forcefully kicked away by Xiao Yi''s foot.


    What followed...


    A fierce force crashed down on his chest.


    Wow!


    Dao Yun spat out blood violently, trampled to the ground by Xiao Yi''s foot, bleeding from all orifices, his face filled with confusion: "Weren''t you just at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm? How... how can you be so strong?"


    "Go ask your Buddha in the Western Paradise!"


    The gigantic stone in Xiao Yi''s hand was about to fall.


    In this moment of life and death.


    "Stop!"


    Dao Yun placed his hand in front of him and said with righteous indignation, "Donor Xiao, this humble monk is not afraid of death. If my death can dispel the resentment in you, I am willing to die!"


    These impassioned, righteous words immediately touched many: "Worthy of a Buddhist disciple, indeed profound in Buddhist Law!"


    "This is how a Buddhist prodigy should act, unlike those fake monks, with feigned benevolence and righteousness, but when it comes to their own interests, they are worse than ordinary people..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Then go die!"


    Hum!


    The boulder swung, creating a fierce wind.


    Dao Yun''s complexion turned from green to white, and suddenly he yelled: "Donor Xiao, wait..."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi frowned and looked at him, "Didn''t you say you would resolve my resentment with your life?"


    Dao Yun took a deep breath and said seriously, "In the moment between life and death, this humble monk has broken through the Zen mystery. The Buddha told this humble monk, ''Donor Xiao is not a great demon; you are the child of destiny of this era. The Buddha commands this humble monk to support Donor Xiao with all his might.''" As he spoke, regardless of the stunned onlookers, he kneeled before Xiao Yi with a thud.


    Bowing deeply to the ground, he said in a loud voice that resonated between heaven and earth: "Dao Yun greets the child of destiny, my lord!"


    Watching the meticulously kneeling Dao Yun, Xiao Yi''s eye corner twitched fiercely: "..."

 Chapter 122 Corpses for Graves, Bloodstains on the Epitaph!

    Xiao Yi: "..."He had seen shameless people, but he had never seen such shamelessness!


    The surrounding onlookers were dumbfounded, as the image they had of the disciples from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple crumbled completely. They had never expected that just a moment ago, this disciple appeared as if a living Buddha descended to Earth,


    yet at this moment, he was so shameless.


    What happened to the fearsome Great Demon?


    What happened to converting with Buddhist Law?


    In the blink of an eye, he became a favored child of destiny? This great monk who came to vanquish demons, he just recognized him as his master? Continue reading stories on empire


    Within the crowd.


    Jiang Tai was utterly dumbfounded: "Holy shit! Is this Dao Yun really so shameless?"


    Gu Junhe glanced at him but replied nonchalantly, "Haven''t you seen the true colors of those people from Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple? They go on and on about the boundlessness of the Buddhist Law, the salvation of all beings, staying detached from the world... but whenever there''s a precious treasure to be found, are they ever not fighting and scrambling for it?"


    Jiang Tai grunted and touched his nose: "Seems like it... "


    He looked at Dao Yun with a strange expression.


    Dao Yun lifted his head, brought his palms together in front of his chest, slightly tilted his head with a bloodied face, and forced a splendid smile, blinking as he said: "Master! Little Yunyun has long been displeased with the Royal Martial Arts Academy, please allow Little Yunyun to take the lead in storming through the gates of the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    Xiao Yi felt his scalp tingle.


    Little Yunyun?


    Master?


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi, suppressing the urge to vomit, kicked Dao Yun flying: "Get the hell away from me��"


    "As you wish, Master!"


    Dao Yun soared into the sky like a runaway horse, and in the blink of an eye, he had vanished.


    This damn guy has completely fled!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes twitched: "..."


    He had never imagined that a disciple from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple would turn out to be such a character.


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi looked up toward the Royal Martial Arts Academy, which was now faintly visible ahead: "There should be no one left to stop me now, right?"


    As he had expected.


    Along the way, Xiao Yi had slain Ninth Master and Feng Qingge one after another, and even trampled over the disciple Dao Yun. The news had already reached ahead, and the powerful figures who had been lying in wait had all withdrawn.


    The path was clear and unobstructed, and he finally arrived at the outskirts of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Gazing at the high walls, grand courtyard, and descending stairway to the sky.


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath of turbid air.


    A few months ago.


    The memories of his first visit to the Royal Martial Arts Academy returned to him, but back then Xiao Yi had come to take the assessment. Now, returning to the same place, he was here to destroy what the people of Tianqing Kingdom considered a martial sanctuary!


    Rustle!


    The moment Xiao Yi reached the gate, the strong within the Royal Martial Arts Academy had already been notified.


    A horde of disciples swarmed out like a black tide, spreading out to both sides like a steel flood which surged from the gates and dispersed to the left and right.


    They resembled two long snakes proceeding from both sides, encircling Xiao Yi in the middle.


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy boasted over sixty thousand teachers and students, and excluding those in the Qi Gathering Realm from the lower academies, there were over thirteen thousand in the Shentong Realm and above.


    At this moment, there were no fewer than four thousand gathered before him.


    And on either side of that stairway, every step was flanked by two formidable figures, standing to the left and right.


    The further towards the end of the stairway, the stronger their power.


    "It seems the Royal Martial Arts Academy is well-prepared!"


    "In five hundred years, this is the first time someone dares challenge the Royal Martial Arts Academy, they naturally can''t tarnish their reputation!"


    "Although Xiao Yi''s power exceeds our expectations, he is still just one person after all... "


    Amidst the chatter,


    a middle-aged woman dressed in black emerged from the powerhouses of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Her build was even more robust than many men, with muscles rippling across her frame and cold eyes resting on the giant boulder in Xiao Yi''s hands. She frowned slightly, "Do you bring your own tombstone, knowing you''re courting death?"


    "This is prepared for you all!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, squinting, "Where is my wife and brothers?"


    "Them? His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered that should you make it to the end of the stairway, you will naturally see them!"


    The middle-aged woman pointed behind her to the dense crowd of strong individuals and scoffed, "But, I''m afraid you won''t be seeing them!"


    ```


    Clang!


    Xiao Yi transferred the huge rock to his left hand and, with the Fire Qilin Sword in his right, swept a blood-red sword rainbow across the sky, declaring coldly, "Whether you can see it or not, ask my sword in hand!"


    The middle-aged woman shook her head, "You are deluded. Since you are so eager to meet death, I shall grant your wish!"


    She raised her right hand high, "Offenders of the Royal Martial Arts Academy��shall be killed without mercy!"


    Clang, clang!


    The warriors of the Royal Martial Arts Academy encircling Xiao Yi, as well as those standing on the stairway to heaven, all drew their weapons in unison.


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    Cries of thunderous rage rolled like claps of thunder on a clear day.


    "Kill!"


    The middle-aged woman swung her arm fiercely, and a longsword materialized in her palm, shooting out like a silver serpent towards Xiao Yi. She was an elder of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, with the cultivation of the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, skilled in spear techniques, and held considerable prestige within the academy.


    Whoosh!


    The silver spear light sprawled across the void, twisting like a dragon emerging from the sea.


    Her spear moved incredibly fast.


    Surpassing the group of disciples from the Royal Martial Arts Academy who were rushing towards Xiao Yi, as the silver spear light approached, he lightly tapped forward with the Fire Qilin Sword in his hand, "Claiming lives!"


    Ding!


    A crisp sound, like the needle''s point touching the wheat awn.


    Where the tip of the sword met the tip of the spear, two waves of energy burst outward.


    The force of the blast sent several of the nearby academy warriors flying, and Xiao Yi took the chance to spin, smashing the huge rock in his left hand through the air. S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    The rock descended like a world-ending meteor.


    Its speed and power were astonishingly terrifying!


    Wherever the rock passed, it utterly crushed everything in its path.


    "No..."


    "Save me..."


    One after another, the strong warriors of the Royal Martial Arts Academy faced the onslaught of the rock, their weapons shattering, their bodies pulverized into mush.


    With each person he killed, Xiao Yi took a step forward.


    One step, ten deaths.


    What he left behind was a scattered field of corpses, and rivers of blood.


    Ten.


    A hundred.


    A thousand...


    Xiao Yi''s body was completely drenched in blood, and the number of strong warriors dead by his hand had reached more than fifteen hundred.


    He had almost wiped out half of those who had blocked the mountain gate; the nauseating stench of blood lingered in the air, suffocating.


    "Solitary Nine Swords��Breaking Spear Skill!"


    The angle of Xiao Yi''s sword was exceedingly tricky. Using the sword''s body and his own formidable strength, he deflected the middle-aged woman''s spear. Burgeoning forward, he closed the distance between them and swept his sword, bisecting the woman.


    "How is this possible..." The middle-aged woman''s face was filled with bewilderment and despair.


    Xiao Yi, with the giant rock in one hand and the blood-dripping sword in the other, stepped over the spread of corpses. His bloodied gaze swept across the group of powerhouses on the heavenly stairway, and his deep voice thundered like the roar of celestial thunder, "Today, I, Xiao Yi, shall cleanse the Royal Martial Arts Academy in blood. This will be your gravestone!"


    Whoosh!


    The Fire Qilin Sword in his hand burst forth with a blood-red sword light, carving on the boulder��HHere Lies the Royal Martial Arts Academy in bold characters!


    The letters were deep, dark, and gloomy.


    But Xiao Yi furiously swung the boulder down, smashing it mightily, the corpses becoming minced flesh embedded in the deep lettering.


    Gradually, the dark lettering was filled in, cast in the fresh, bloody red flesh.


    Xiao Yi looked towards the stairway to heaven,


    Striding proudly.


    In his wake...


    Corpses for gravestones.


    Blood for inscriptions!


    ```

 Chapter 123 The End of the Heavenly Ladder

    Only the strong at the foot of the mountain had already scattered and fled.These low-level disciples had long been terrified by the killings and dared not block Xiao Yi''s path in the slightest.


    Above the Heavenly Ladder.


    All of them were at least at the Shentong Realm, among them many powerful figures with golden light circling their bodies, unmistakably from the Golden Core Realm.


    Although among the disciples of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, there were only a few dozen with a cultivation level above the Golden Core Realm.


    But that was only among the currently enrolled disciples.


    Among the strong who had graduated in previous years, there were also many who dominated on their own.


    This time, Xiao Yi stormed the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and these strong individuals who had graduated years ago responded by returning one after another.


    "His Highness said, if you can reach the end of the Heavenly Ladder, you will see your wife and friends. However, I am afraid you won''t make it to the end!" two powerful beings at the Third Layer of the Golden Core Realm sneered continuously.


    "Noise!"


    Xiao Yi swept across with his sword.


    Two blood-drenched heads rolled down, their expressions still locked in a smug sneer.


    They simply intended to provoke Xiao Yi; they never expected him to act immediately and take their lives.


    "Demon!"


    "This man is a Great Demon of our time, kill him!"


    "Kill..."


    Above the Heavenly Ladder.


    With every step Xiao Yi took, opponents charged at him.


    A tidal wave of sword and saber radiance merged and surged, rolling furiously towards him.


    Xiao Yi walked as though he was the very person who commands the tides, his head held high.


    Everywhere he passed, a sword strike would resolve the opponent.


    His gaze was fixed on the end of the Heavenly Ladder, for reaching that point meant seeing Fang Qingzhu and the others.


    "Xiao Yi, you..."


    Two powerful beings at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm barely began speaking before they were crushed to death under Xiao Yi''s foot.


    He had no inclination for parley.


    Whenever he struck, it was with full force.


    A deadly blow!


    Instant kill!


    An immediate kill...


    The opponents in front of him grew stronger, but he was also getting closer to the end of the Heavenly Ladder.


    Swish! Swish!


    Amid the fierce sound of tearing through the air, a full thirty beings at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm swarmed toward him, each pair wielding a large metal net. Amidst the clanging sounds, fifteen metal nets were flung toward Xiao Yi, their mesh so tough that even the Fire Qilin Sword could not split it at that moment.


    "Die!"


    "Xiao Yi, this is the fate of those who defy the authority of the Royal Martial Arts Institute..."


    Two strong beings at the Sixth Layer of the Golden Core Realm burst forth from behind the thirty, closely following in order to wait until everyone else had bound Xiao Yi, then they would strike to kill him.


    However...


    The moment the two appeared...


    The layered metal nets in front of them were violently shredded by a burst of crimson sword light; the frigid sword gleam took the lives of those thirty beings at the Divine Ability Realm.


    Xiao Yi simultaneously hurled a boulder.


    Boom!


    The boulder brutally crushed one of the powerful beings at the Sixth Layer of the Golden Core Realm into pieces, while his cold gaze turned to the remaining individual.


    That person trembled all over, pupils drastically constricting, the earlier bravado and confidence gone, replaced by horror and fear, and despair, "I, I surrender..."


    With an expressionless face, Xiao Yi slashed with his sword, splitting the man in two, walking past him, "Sorry, it''s too late!"


    Thud!


    The powerful being at the Sixth Layer of the Golden Core Realm''s body lay in halves on a pool of blood.


    Sweeping through.


    Xiao Yi had lost count of how many strong beings he had killed; he had completely become a bloodied figure, but the blood was all from his enemies. The pungent stench of blood lingered in the air, nauseating. Xiao Yi looked ahead with pride. There were only the last ten steps to the end of the Heavenly Ladder, "Qingzhu, I''m coming!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Suddenly, ten figures appeared in front of Xiao Yi.


    They were the powerful warriors guarding the last ten levels of the heavenly staircase.


    Each of them was above the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, including two at the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. All were prominent officials in charge of different regions in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    They were once disciples of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    A woman clad in silver armor, heavily made-up, turned to the man in golden armor beside her, "Big brother, this kid is a tough cookie!"


    "With such talent, if he could become a disciple of our Royal Martial Arts Academy, his future prospects would be boundless. Alas... Zhou Xin and Jia Sidao have missed a vital opportunity for our Royal Martial Arts Academy''s rise..."


    The man in golden armor sighed. He was one of the three great commanders of the Tianqing Kingdom, "But no matter how talented you are, defying our Royal Martial Arts Academy means only one thing�� a dead end. Little sister, don''t fight with me for his head later..."


    "Hahaha, then it''s each to their own abilities!" the woman in silver armor laughed.


    The man in golden armor grinned, "Let''s see who kills him first, then my century-old Ling Monkey Brew will belong to them!"


    "I want that wine!"


    "No one dare try to steal it from me..."


    The ten people were brimming with confidence.


    The weakest among them was at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, and they were all seasoned warriors who had returned from the battlefield. In their eyes, even if they faced someone at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, they dared to engage in battle. S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Trade my head for wine?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were filled with a bloody light, and the corners of his mouth curled up into a grim, cold smile, "Let me send you to hell for Meng Po Soup instead!"


    Xiao Yi leapt into the air.


    Huge stones smashed against the attacks of the few, and amid a series of booming noises, the stele shattered considerably.


    And just as their attacks ended.


    Xiao Yi swiftly took back his boulder, swung his longsword widely, slashing out a fan-shaped wave of red sword light.


    Pfft pfft pfft!


    Blood spurted out like fountains.


    This sword bisected six people at the waist.


    Hisss!


    The remaining four took in sharp breaths of cold air. The woman in silver armor, clutching the ghastly wound on her belly, with intestines and blood uncontrollably pouring out, wore a look of utter despair, "Save me... Brother, save me..." Your next chapter is on empire


    "Damn..."


    The man from the Jin Family''s expression changed drastically as he rushed towards her.


    Xiao Yi''s sword edge was already upon them.


    At the critical moment.


    The man in golden armor steeled his heart and threw the woman in silver armor towards the sword edge.


    "No..."


    The woman in silver armor let out a scream of despair as Xiao Yi bisected her with one sword stroke.


    The man in golden armor wore a face full of terror; he was the youngest of the three great commanders and could even have become the military''s number one in the future.


    How could he lose his life here?


    The man in golden armor bellowed, "Xiao Yi, I''m leaving now, let me go..."


    "Sorry, I don''t agree!"


    Xiao Yi swung the boulder down fiercely, smashing the man in golden armor from midair while his right hand''s Fire Qilin Sword emitted a swirl of fiery sword light. With a crisp pfft, the man in golden armor was cleaved in two, and as his body fell from the sky...


    The remaining few also died at the hands of Xiao Yi.


    Open space lay before him.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a breath of turbid air and strode like a dragon and a tiger to the end of the heavenly staircase, and with a thump, he threw the blood-stained gravestone onto the ground.


    The whole world trembled with a roar.


    At this moment...


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy was utterly silent.


    Xiao Yi had truly swept through thousands of the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s warriors single-handedly and reached the end of the heavenly staircase.


    This was something no one had dared to believe beforehand.


    But he had indeed done it!


    Standing proudly at the end of the heavenly staircase, Xiao Yi surveyed his surroundings and spoke coldly, "Jiang Shanhe, I''m coming for you!"

 Chapter 124 Dare to Fight?

    "Jiang Shanhe, I''m here!"Xiao Yi''s voice, like rolling thunder, echoed across the skies above the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Clang!


    The tightly closed doors of the grand hall burst open.


    There stood Jiang Shanhe, who had brought with him a luxurious chair, sitting on it with all the grandeur of a king.


    Jiang Shanhe glanced at the huge tombstone and the river of blood and corpses that stretched across the entire staircase, his pupils violently contracting.


    He had seen the battle earlier from the shadows, clear as day.


    If before...


    He had broken through to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, holding a seventy percent certainty of defeating Xiao Yi.


    But now...


    Jiang Shanhe only held a fifty percent certainty.


    However.


    He was not the least bit panicked.


    Jiang Shanhe confidently smiled and said, "I didn''t expect you to really make it here!"


    Xiao Yi asked, "Where are they?"


    "Don''t rush!"


    Jiang Shanhe smiled and gently clapped his hands.


    Boom boom boom!


    A series of loud noises came from inside the grand hall, as six prison carts were slowly pushed out.


    Each prison cart was jet-black, made of Xuanming iron, exceptionally sturdy��so much so that a Golden Core Realm expert trapped inside would find it difficult to escape.


    At each corner of the prison cart, there was a strong guard standing watch.


    The moment Xiao Yi saw the prison carts, his eyes turned completely blood-red, his breathing rapid and heavy.


    His fists clenched tightly, the bones cracking, his muscles and veins pulsing wildly.


    The flames of his rage seemed almost tangible.


    Within the prison carts...


    Fang Qingzhu, Niu Dali, and the four brothers of the Shi Family were all trapped inside.


    On both sides of each person''s shoulders, they were pierced through by pipa locks, as thick as an adult''s forearm, brutally penetrating their shoulders. The blood had already dried up, turning into dark red scabs, and the other end of the pipa locks was connected to the wheels of the carts.


    Every time the wheels rolled, they dragged at their wounds.


    Each rotation of the wheels was a heart-wrenching, agonizing pain for them.


    Apart from the pipa locks.


    The prison cart also had sharp spikes pointing toward their bodies. Even a slight heave of the chest during breathing would cause their flesh to be pierced by the spikes, leaving no part of their body unscathed.


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi..."


    Fang Qingzhu saw Xiao Yi, guilt filling her eyes, and with a hoarse voice, she shouted with the last of her strength, "Go... Xiao Yi, leave quickly..."


    Niu Dali just looked up, only for several spikes to pierce through his neck, blood gushing out, as he hysterically roared, "Boss, get out of here... Zhou Yuan has already broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, run..."


    "Get out..."


    "Go..."


    Whether it was Fang Qingzhu, Niu Dali, or the four brothers of the Shi Family, they all used every ounce of their strength to urge Xiao Yi to leave.


    "Too noisy!"


    Jiang Shanhe dug at his ear, saying impatiently.


    The strong guards surrounding the prison carts acted at the same time, lifting the carts and violently kicking the wheels.


    Clang clang clang...


    The wheels spun rapidly, making the chains of the pipa locks clank, cruelly tearing open their wounds once again.


    Blood gushed forth like a fountain.


    The pain caused them to faint, only to be awoken again by the excruciating agony.


    Xiao Yi''s heart bled!


    He watched helplessly as Fang Qingzhu and the others were tortured inhumanely before him.


    His eyes deep red, he exclaimed, "Jiang Shanhe, if you''ve got the guts, come at me. What kind of man does this?"


    "The victor becomes king, the defeated an outlaw; as long as victory is achieved, any means is fair game, isn''t it?"


    Jiang Shanhe casually waved his hand, and the people placed the prison carts down, yet their blades rested on the necks of Fang Qingzhu and the others.


    Jiang Shanhe took out an incense burner.


    He lit a stick of incense.


    Wearing a brilliant smile on his face, he stood up while twisting his neck and stretching his limbs, speaking indifferently, "Xiao Yi, you want to save them, don''t you? Come, let''s battle. If you can defeat me within the time it takes for this incense stick to burn, I will spare them. Of course, if you lose, not only will you die, but they will have to accompany you in death."


    "Fine!"


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice.


    With his current strength, slaying Jiang Shanhe was nothing more than a trivial task.


    However...


    Jiang Shanhe, however, shook his head with a smile and said, "I haven''t finished speaking! The Fire Qilin Sword in your hand is a fifth-grade prime weapon, which would be a huge unfair advantage against me."


    "What do you want?" Xiao Yi frowned and asked.


    Jiang Shanhe threw out a wooden sword, smiling, "Use it to fight me!"


    As he said this,


    he pulled out the black Coiling Dragon Spear in his hand, which turned out to be a fifth-grade Yuan weapon.


    Inside the prison cart, Niu Dali endured the acute pain and roared angrily, "Damn it, Jiang Shanhe, can you be any more shameless? You let the boss use a piece of wood as a weapon, while you arm yourself with a fifth-grade Yuan weapon?"


    "Did I allow you to speak? Slap him!" Jiang Shanhe said indifferently.


    The guard next to Niu Dali''s prison cart immediately made his move.


    Slap slap slap!


    A series of consecutive slaps rendered Niu Dali unconscious.


    Jiang Shanhe made a welcoming gesture, "Do you dare to fight?"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and exhaled turbid air, planting the Fire Qilin Sword into the ground and picking up the wooden sword on the ground.


    The wooden sword was exceptionally light, covered with cracks.


    It seemed as if it could split apart at any moment.


    Jiang Shanhe revealed a cold smile of conspiracy succeeded; with a leap, he instantly arrived in front of Xiao Yi. However, he did not close in, even though Xiao Yi had discarded the Fire Qilin Sword. He still maintained the most cautious approach, leveraging the Black Coiling Dragon Spear''s advantage of an inch longer being an inch stronger, keeping as much distance between them as possible.


    The black spear was like an angry dragon emerging from the sea.


    The dark gleam skimmed just above the ground, sending dust whirling in its wake, the ground itself being peeled away layer by thick layer. S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This dust, under the power of Yuan energy, aggregated into a mass, forming a rolling, surging wave of soil.


    Experience exclusive tales on empire


    Sharp spear gleams hid within the soil wave.


    Xiao Yi kept retreating, avoiding the rolling waves of soil, relying on the advantage of his movement technique to thwart Jiang Shanhe''s several attacks.


    Jiang Shanhe huffed angrily.


    The strong men guarding the prison cart raised it up and kicked at the wheels fiercely.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The wheels tumbled violently, pulling on the pipa locks, making Niu Dali and the others scream in pain, but Fang Qingzhu kept biting her lips, her pale pretty face completely contorted with pain, yet she resolutely refrained from letting out even a single cry of pain.


    She was afraid her screams would disturb Xiao Yi''s mind.


    "Jiang! Shan! He!"


    Xiao Yi bellowed with a heart-wrenching howl.


    His heart was bleeding!


    "Shout! The louder you scream, the angrier you get, the more excited I become! Hahaha..."


    Jiang Shanhe laughed with arrogance, having captured Fang Qingzhu and the others exactly for this moment, right?


    To make Xiao Yi hesitate, to disrupt his mind.


    In the battle between masters, victory often hinges on a single thought.


    As long as he affected Xiao Yi''s mind, in a battle where the combatants were equally matched, the scales of victory would naturally tip in his favor!


    However...


    Jiang Shanhe had calculated everything but had never anticipated that Xiao Yi had inherited the legacy of the Sword Demon Dugu.


    The Sword Demon Dugu had practiced sword all his life.


    By his late years, he had already reached a realm comparable to the third stage of Sword Intent, where one is at unity with the sword��anything could become a sword!


    "Demon Dragon Creates Havoc in the Sea!"


    Yuan energy vast as misty waves surrounded Jiang Shanhe. The Black Coiling Dragon Spear in his hand seemed to merge with his body. With a whoosh, the spear tore through the Yuan energy mist in front of him. With a resounding boom, the spear, carrying a terrifying destructive force, thrust straight towards Xiao Yi''s heart.


    Xiao Yi faced forward, holding up the wooden sword.


    Jiang Shanhe burst into laughter, "Idiot, the thing in your hand is not a fifth-grade Yuan weapon; it''s just a wooden sword. You think you can block my attack?"


    "Who said a wooden sword can''t stop you?"


    Xiao Yi suddenly smiled coldly, his face full of mockery.


    "Huh?"


    Jiang Shanhe was taken aback, but that wooden sword didn''t try to counter the spear head-on and instead lightly tapped the spear''s body. Using the recoil, Xiao Yi soared into the air, stepping on the spear and moving as fast as the wind.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Xiao Yi had already appeared in front of Jiang Shanhe, their faces almost touching.


    "Not good..."


    Jiang Shanhe''s expression changed dramatically. In his pupils, the wooden sword, which could shatter at any moment, transformed into a deadly blade that grew larger and larger as it aimed for the center of his forehead.


    A sense of death instantly enveloped him.


    Like limitless darkness, it brought him despair and the sense of death.


    Just at this critical moment...


    Jiang Shanhe suddenly let out a roar, "Act now, or I''ll be dead for sure!"


    "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils dilated, and from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a silver gleam piercing through the air.


    But it was too late to dodge, and with a muffled thud, Xiao Yi''s shoulder erupted in a burst of blood, his figure staggering and falling to the ground��

 Chapter 125 Kill Them Like Slaughtering Pigs and Dogs!

    Xiao Yi tumbled to the ground, and with a deft roll, he evaded the attack.In the path of his roll, a row of feather arrows stuck in the ground, totaling sixteen arrows.


    If it weren''t for Xiao Yi''s timely evasion, he would have become a hedgehog by now.


    Phut!


    Xiao Yi tore an arrow from his shoulder; its triangular head and shaft were engraved with the words "Tianlan."


    The Tianlan Kingdom?


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted as he looked in the direction from which the arrows had come.


    Out of thin air,


    a young man carrying a quiver on his back and wielding a two-meter long horn bow stepped forward. A playful smile on his face, he mocked Jiang Shanhe with his gaze, "Jiang Shanhe, you really are regressing the more you live. So much for being the number one on the Teng Long List of the Tianqing Kingdom, you''re nothing special, eh!"


    "Scram!"


    Jiang Shanhe snorted coldly, his hateful gaze locked on Xiao Yi, and he gritted his teeth, "Xu Feiying, help me kill him!"


    Xu Feiying.


    The number one on the Teng Long List of the Tianlan Kingdom.


    At the same time...


    He was also Zhang Tianyi''s close friend.


    "Helping you kill him is no problem, but..."


    Xu Feiying squinted, his gaze filled with greed as it swept over Fang Qingzhu, his blood-red tongue licking his lips, "In addition to the conditions you promised me, I want this woman!"


    "No problem!"


    Jiang Shanhe agreed without any hesitation.


    In his eyes, as long as Xiao Yi was eliminated, Fang Qingzhu and the others were of no use.


    Giving Fang Qingzhu to Xu Feiying was just a waste to be utilized!


    "Hahaha, Jiang Shanhe, Xu Feiying, such a good opportunity should not just benefit the two of you!"


    "Fair''s fair, we don''t want the woman, but we can''t lack the secret of how Xiao Yi broke through such a realm in such a short time!"


    Several sounds of breaking air suddenly came.


    Seeing the figures appearing out of thin air, both Jiang Shanhe and Xu Feiying''s faces changed simultaneously, "Baijing Kingdom''s Bai Xing, Qingyun Kingdom''s Ping Sifang, and Sihai Kingdom''s Nie Hechuan? How did these three guys get here?" S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xu Feiying said angrily, "These three are no weaker than you or me."


    "This is troublesome..."


    Jiang Shanhe''s eyebrows furrowed tightly, but he had no choice but to clasp his fist towards the three men, "Gentlemen, forgive us for not greeting you from afar."


    Bai Xing, clad in a starry robe, was particularly eye-catching as he descended in front of Xiao Yi. His curious gaze sized up Xiao Yi, "You don''t have three heads and six arms, yet you managed to break through from the Physical Body Realm to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm in just one year? Tsk tsk, I must admit, I''m envious. How about this, tell me the secret of your training, and I can help you deal with Jiang Shanhe and the others!"


    "Xiao Yi, right? I am the number one on the Teng Long List from the Sihai Kingdom and also the Crown Prince, Nie Hechuan. Just tell me your secret, and my Sihai Kingdom will surely protect you with all its might!" he said arrogantly.


    "Why do you two need to go through all this trouble? I refuse to believe that if we cripple his cultivation and torture him severely, he won''t talk!"


    Ping Sifang from the Qingyun Kingdom glanced impatiently and coldly at Xiao Yi, "Boy, if you don''t want to die, tell me the secret immediately, otherwise, this day next year will be the anniversary of your death!"


    "Ping Sifang, shouldn''t we observe some order of who arrived first?"


    "You can''t do this..."


    The men actually started arguing among themselves, completely overlooking Xiao Yi.


    "I didn''t expect to meet so many old friends today!"


    Another hearty laugh came from the void, and a young man with his pant legs rolled up high and wearing a farmer''s hat, as if just coming back from the fields, stepped through the air. He carried a hoe on his shoulder, but the hoe flashed with a cold light, clearly a fifth-grade Yuan weapon!


    "Yue Cang?"


    "How did he get here?"


    Jiang Shanhe and the others looked at Yue Cang with colors of wariness in their eyes.


    Among the ten countries of Nanhuang,


    the Purple Robe Kingdom might not be the strongest, but Yue Cang of the Purple Robe Kingdom was acknowledged as one of the top three existences among the younger generation in the ten countries.


    Yue Cang landed in front of Xiao Yi, curiously examining him.


    Xiao Yi frowned, "Are you here to threaten me as well?"


    "No no no!"


    Yue Cang hurriedly waved his hand and cheerfully said, "I''ve been asked to help you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Yue Cang winked at him, "Yue Ling''er is my sister!" Then he turned his face into a mournful expression, looking at Ping Sifang and the others, and lowered his voice, "Man, you''ve really angered quite a few people! These five guys are not far off from me; I can handle three at most at the same time, leaving two for you?"


    "No need!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    "Huh?"


    Yue Cang was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said, "A few jumping clowns, no need for help!"


    "So confident?"


    Yue Cang raised an eyebrow and then scratched his head, "But I promised Ling''er I''d help you. You can''t let me make a fruitless trip, right?"


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "If possible�� I hope you can help me save them. I will be deeply grateful in the future!"


    Following Xiao Yi''s gaze, Yue Cang saw Fang Qingzhu and the others in the prison cart, and looking at their miserable state, he cast a disdainful glance at Jiang Shanhe: "Jiang Shanhe, you really regress the more you live. In a battle between equals, you actually took someone''s friends hostage as a threat?"


    "A true man doesn''t sweat the small stuff. As long as the final victory is achieved, what does it matter which means were used?" Jiang Shanhe said with a cold laugh.


    "A true man doesn''t sweat the small stuff..."


    Yue Cang''s face was full of mockery. He turned back to Xiao Yi, "I''ll help you save them�� but taking on five alone, are you sure it''s no problem?"


    Even with his strength, he wouldn''t dare say he could take on five opponents and defeat the five Jiang Shanhe at the same time!


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Killing them is like slaughtering pigs and dogs!"


    "What a ''slaughtering pigs and dogs.'' Then I shall wait and see!" Yue Cang''s eyes sparkled more the more he looked at Xiao Yi, and with a leap, he positioned himself to the side, seeking an opportunity to rescue Fang Qingzhu and the others.


    In the midst of the battlefield.


    Only Xiao Yi remained, facing Jiang Shanhe and the other four alone.


    These five individuals were all Tenth Layer cultivators of the Golden Core Realm, the top contenders on the Teng Long List of their respective nations.


    Jiang Shanhe''s face was full of spring, very self-satisfied.


    Before, he was only fifty percent sure on his own, but now, he was completely certain he could kill Xiao Yi.


    Jiang Shanhe said proudly, "Xiao Yi, if you kneel and surrender now, I might consider leaving you a whole corpse."


    "What a load of crap!"


    Xiao Yi reached toward the ground with his palm, grabbed the Fire Qilin Sword out of thin air into his hand, swept the longsword through the air, his fighting spirit surging to the skies, "If it''s a fight you want, it''s a fight you''ll get!"


    "Arrogant fool!"


    "You actually look down on us so much? Who wants to make the first move?"


    Jiang Shanhe said in a deep voice, "This kid is troublesome; it''s better to join forces."


    Ping Sifang sneered, "Join forces? Are you planning to drag us down with your disgrace? To kill him, I alone am more than enough!"


    Swish!


    Ping Sifang moved with the force of a dragon and the agility of a tiger, stepping out in a blink. Under the influence of his qi, his step became as massive as a small hill.


    Majestic and as flawless as snow!


    "Evil Python Coiling Around The Tree!"


    Xiao Yi rose against the current, his sword edge tearing open the qi, striking right at the center of Ping Sifang''s foot.


    Wow!


    Ping Sifang let out a miserable howl as his foot was pierced by a large hole, blood gushing profusely. He limped back in retreat.


    Jiang Shanhe mocked, "Didn''t you say you alone were more than enough?"


    "Damn it, shut your mouth!"


    Ping Sifang''s face alternated between shades of green and white, never having expected to be so embarrassingly outdone on his first attack. With a ferocious look toward Jiang Shanhe and the others, he shouted, "What are you standing around for? Attack together!"


    Without further delay, the five of them made their move at the same time.


    Facing the joint assault of five great masters and with Fang Qingzhu in the hands of others, Xiao Yi, concerned about harming a mouse for fear of breaking a vase, fought as he retreated, but was fiercely suppressed by the five.


    "Didn''t you say killing us was like slaughtering pigs and dogs?"


    "Why are you only capable of defending now?"


    "Just accept your death graciously..."


    The more Jiang Shanhe and his four companions fought, the more courageous they became, and Xiao Yi was gradually forced into retreat.


    As he was being firmly suppressed by the five.


    All of a sudden, Yue Cang''s voice came from not far off: "Xiao Yi, I''ve rescued them!"


    Boom!


    A terrifying surge of qi burst forth from Xiao Yi, pushing Jiang Shanhe and the other four back. His face bore a bloody thirst for battle as he laughed loudly, "Jiang Shanhe... your time to die has come!"


    Boom! Stay updated via empire


    No longer concerned about Fang Qingzhu and the others,


    Xiao Yi at this moment was like an Azure Dragon diving into the sea��

 Chapter 126 Cutting Down the Tianjiao with a Sword

    "Not good..."Jiang Shanhe''s expression suddenly changed.


    He had gone to great lengths to capture Fang Qingzhu and the others to keep Xiao Yi in check and to make him hesitate to act.


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    As he had expected.


    Xiao Yi, concerned about the safety of Fang Qingzhu and the others, had been holding back during their previous encounter, greatly affecting his ability to fight.


    But now...


    Fang Qingzhu and the others had been rescued by Yue Cang, and Xiao Yi, free from his bonds, was like a tiger breaking free from its cage.


    A pair of cold eyes fell upon them.


    "Everyone be careful!" Jiang Shanhe said in a deep voice.


    Ping Sifang sneered, "Jiang Shanhe, it seems he has scared you! No matter how strong he is, could he really be a match for the five of us joining hands? Let''s make it quick and capture him first..."


    Bai Xing and Nie Hechuan felt the same way. sea??h th�� N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They were each the top contender of the Teng Long List from their respective countries, the number one among the younger generation.


    Now joining forces against Xiao Yi was already shameful enough. If the five of them together could not bring Xiao Yi to his death, they would lose all face.


    This was a battle for honor.


    And a life-and-death battle.


    "Eighteen Arhats..."


    Xu Feiying leaped into the air and retreated backward, landing dozens of meters away. The bowstring of the huge horn bow in his hands was taut, and with each release, an arrow would shoot out with the sound of thunder.


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh!


    Amidst the whooshing sounds of the air being pierced, a total of eighteen arrows were fired in rapid succession.


    Jiang Shanhe growled, "Xu Feiying will disrupt from a distance, while the four of us will engage him in close combat. I refuse to believe that Xiao Yi can withstand the siege of us five talents!"


    "Good!"


    "Capture him, cripple his cultivation, break his limbs..."


    "His woman��I, Ping Sifang, will take her!"


    A series of growls were like sudden thunder on a flat ground.


    The five experts were from the five great kingdoms.


    Half of the top contenders of the Teng Long List from the ten nations of Nanhuang were present, and their target was Xiao Yi, who just a year ago was merely in the Physical Body Realm.


    Xiao Yi, now free from the shackles of Fang Qingzhu and the others, no longer needed to hold back, and the killing intent suppressed in his heart was also thoroughly unleashed. Over the past days, the Royal Martial Arts Academy and people like Jiang Shanhe had been relentless in their tactics, repeatedly trying to put him to death and even capturing Fang Qingzhu and the others as a threat.


    Their actions had intensified Xiao Yi''s desire to kill to the extreme.


    "Soul Snatching and Life Taking!"


    Xiao Yi pointed his sword, emitting a dazzling cold light as bright as day.


    "Merely a petty trick!"


    Ping Sifang sneered, and with a flick of his finger, a silver stream of Qi erupted from his index finger.


    The beam of light was incredibly condensed, like a towering giant finger.


    One Finger Pierces the Heavens.


    Boom!


    The giant finger collided with the sword light, each eroding the other''s energy.


    Gales raged wildly.


    A cold gleam erupted from Xiao Yi''s eyes as he tightly gripped the Fire Qilin Sword to face the opposition. His left hand, however, punched out, golden Qi clinging to the surface of his fist, its radiant brilliance blinding, as if a great sun was attached to his fist: "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Thud!


    The power of this punch was to the extreme.


    As soon as he punched.


    The wild power on the fist hammered out a wall of air, pushing forward with a loud bang and landing heavily on Ping Sifang''s body.


    Pff...


    Ping Sifang''s body trembled, his legs involuntarily lifting off the ground, flying backward like a kite with its string cut.


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi took a violent step forward, instantly catching up to Ping Sifang, and reached out with his left hand.


    "Not good!"


    "Quick, save him..."


    Everything happened so suddenly, and Xiao Yi''s speed was astonishingly fast.


    Just as Jiang Shanhe and the others were about to step in and rescue Ping Sifang, Xiao Yi''s hand, which resembled an eagle''s claw, already snapped onto Ping Sifang''s ankle with a smack, and with a fierce swing, Ping Sifang was thrown like a human weapon, smashing hard into Jiang Shanhe and the others behind him.


    Jiang Shanhe and the others instinctively raised their weapons.


    "No..."


    Ping Sifang, seeing the cold blades coming straight at him, eyes wide with terror, let out a roar of despair.


    Jiang Shanhe and the others had no choice but to forcefully retract their weapons.


    But this also meant that they lost their initial advantage.


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi used Ping Sifang as a weapon, consecutively knocking back Jiang Shanhe, Nie Hechuan, and Bai Xing.


    The three of them, with frustration on their faces, could only passively endure it, not even daring to defend with their full might.


    Otherwise, if they accidentally killed Ping Sifang,


    the troubles would be endless!


    Jiang Shanhe bellowed, "Xu Feiying, why aren''t you taking action?"


    Xu Feiying, a few dozen meters away, holding a horn bow, looked helpless upon hearing Jiang Shanhe''s words: "Take action my ass..."


    Every time he bent his bow and readied an arrow, preparing to take a shot,


    Xiao Yi would use Ping Sifang as a shield in front of himself. If Xu Feiying took the shot, he didn''t know whether he could hit Xiao Yi, but Ping Sifang''s body would definitely gain a few more holes.


    He was in a dilemma over hurting the hostage.


    Fearful and hesitant.


    At this moment, Jiang Shanhe felt extremely stifled. Just moments before, holding Fang Qingzhu and Niu Dali among others at his mercy, he had been so brazenly threatening Xiao Yi. But now, how the tables had turned��it was they who were handicapped, facing Xiao Yi who treated Ping Sifang like a weapon, they simply couldn''t find an opening to strike!


    "Xiao Yi, if you have the guts, release Ping Sifang and fight us fair and square!" Nie Hechuan said through clenched teeth.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "One-on-one?"


    "I..."


    Nie Hechuan''s face stiffened.


    The five of them, even when combined, were still being pressured to this state by Xiao Yi.


    If it were one-on-one...


    He truly had no confidence.


    "Xiao Yi, release me, and I swear no longer to be your enemy..." Ping Sifang, his head covered in blood, like a dead dog dragged behind Xiao Yi, shouted.


    Xiao Yi glanced back at him.


    The man was indeed in a sorry and pitiable state.


    Most of the bones in his body were broken.


    Most of his head was smashed out of shape, swollen and bruised beyond recognition.


    What he regretted most at this moment was getting involved in this mess.


    Xiao Yi looked at Ping Sifang, and with a sneer said, "Once I begin, it''s a fight to the death. There''s no room for surrender."


    "You, you want to kill me? I am..." Before Ping Sifang could finish,


    Xiao Yi had already swung violently, hurling him out like a thrown spear.


    Whoosh!


    Ping Sifang''s body flew like a sandbag, crashing towards Jiang Shanhe and the others.


    The three continuously retreated.


    But just as Ping Sifang appeared before them, suddenly, a crimson sword light tore through Ping Sifang''s body. With a splat, it struck Bai Xing square in the body. The sword light came too suddenly, and with Bai Xing''s line of sight blocked by Ping Sifang, he had no time to dodge.


    When the sword light dissipated,


    Ping Sifang was bisected at the waist by Xiao Yi''s sword.


    A blood trail ran through the center of Bai Xing''s forehead, spurting blood from the top of his head like a fountain.


    One sword to slay a Tianjiao!


    With one sword, Xiao Yi had killed both Ping Sifang and Bai Xing, two geniuses of the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm!


    Whoosh!


    The crimson sword light swept across the sky, and Xiao Yi looked towards Jiang Shanhe and the others: "Your turn now..."

 Chapter 127 Sorry, I Disagree!

    Whoosh!Whoosh!


    Jiang Shanhe and Nie Hechuan retreated in succession, standing shoulder to shoulder with Xu Feiying, their expressions grave as they looked at Xiao Yi.


    Their eyes were filled with tumultuous waves.


    There was a time...


    Bai Xing and Ping Sifang were on par with them, dominating figures among the younger generation of the ten nations of Nanhuang, the strongest of existences.


    As long as the older generation of the Tao Tribulation Realm did not step in, they were nearly invincible.


    They had never imagined they would die at the hands of someone their own age.


    Especially not by someone who, just a year ago, was nothing more than waste at the Physical Body Realm.


    "He, he was really just at the Physical Body Realm a year ago?" Xu Feiying swallowed hard, asking in disbelief.


    Nie Hechuan too looked at Jiang Shanhe with a shocked face.


    Gurgle!


    Jiang Shanhe swallowed his saliva subconsciously and said with a wry smile, "According to the information I received, when he first came to Nanhuang City a year ago, he was merely at the initial stage of the Physical Body Realm."


    Hiss!


    Xu Feiying and the other person gasped in amazement.


    A year''s time, ah!


    For them, advancing even one realm might be tough, but Xiao Yi had spanned across a full four major realms in just one year!


    Such a cultivation speed, they had neither seen nor even heard of before!


    "Xu Feiying, Nie Hechuan... If we do not take out this lad, give him just a few more years... No, perhaps just a few more months, and we will not be his match..." Jiang Shanhe said with a somber expression and a gloomy face.


    Xu Feiying narrowed his eyes, and raised his hand to touch his hooked nose, "You''re right... But with the three of us combined, I''m afraid we''re no match for him!"


    Even when five of them joined forces, Xiao Yi managed to kill two.


    What more now that only the three of them were left?


    A ruthless look flashed in Jiang Shanhe''s eyes, "I have a poison at hand called Soul Dispelling Powder. Colorless and odorless, just a single breath of it, and even a Golden Core Realm powerhouse will lose their ability to fight. Nie Hechuan, each of us takes some Soul Dispelling Powder, and later on, let''s use our Innate Divine Abilities to entangle Xiao Yi. We will find a way to use the Soul Dispelling Powder to strip him of his combat power, and then Feiying will strike at the right moment, how about that?"


    "Soul Dispelling Powder? That''s a fifth-grade elixir, worth over a hundred million silver, you''re really quite willing to use it!" Nie Hechuan looked at Jiang Shanhe in surprise.


    Jiang Shanhe snorted coldly, "You can''t set a wolf trap without giving up a child, just tell me if you''ll do it or not?"


    "Using poison is a bit shameful... But if we can get his secret, it will all be worth it!" Nie Hechuan took the Soul Dispelling Powder from Jiang Shanhe''s hand.


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    Xu Feiying nodded, "Let''s do it!"


    No sooner said than done.


    Jiang Shanhe and Nie Hechuan, one on the left and one on the right, transformed into two roaming dragons, sweeping towards Xiao Yi with two gusts of fierce wind.


    They moved so fast that in the blink of an eye, they were already in front of Xiao Yi.


    "Furious Dragon Shakes the Sea!"


    Jiang Shanhe''s long spear stood tall, like a Black Dragon entering the world.


    Nie Hechuan, expressionless, held a longsword in each hand. The twin swords whirled fiercely, attacking Xiao Yi from both sides with continuous and unrelenting strikes.


    Xu Feiying was further away, repeatedly looking for opportunities to shoot arrows.


    Oftentimes, just as Xiao Yi had dodged the attacks of Jiang Shanhe and the other, and sought to press forward, Xu Feiying''s arrow would fall in front of him, blocking his pursuit and causing him to miss several chances to eliminate the two.


    Xu Feiying, holding a great bow, said with a smug look, "Xiao Yi, with me here, you can forget about touching them again!"


    "Damn it!"


    A flicker of cold light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes, "It seems I can''t continue the fight without taking down Xu Feiying."


    "Breaking Spear Skill!"


    "Saber-Breaking Style!"


    Xiao Yi suddenly increased his speed, continuously invoking the Solitary Nine Swords, pushing back Jiang Shanhe and the other person time after time.


    His swordplay became faster and sharper.


    Like clouds flowing through the sky.


    It was as if the man and sword had merged into one...


    This made Xu Feiying''s arrows fail several times to stop Xiao Yi''s momentum, resulting in Jiang Shanhe and Nie Hechuan suffering several strikes from Xiao Yi''s sword.


    Jiang Shanhe was furious, "Xu Feiying, what the hell are you doing?"


    Nie Hechuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, also extremely angry, "Just a bit more... and I would have been beheaded..."


    Xu Feiying too appeared helpless, "How can you blame me for this? His sword is just too fast..."


    In the crowd.


    Gu Junhe''s eyes showed shock, "This... Is this the third level of Sword Intent, the unity of man and sword? No, it''s still a bit off, but he has already touched upon that barrier... What kind of monster is this guy? He''s not even twenty years old, yet he has grasped the third level of Sword Intent at the Golden Core Realm? This... this... "


    Yue Cang also had a glint in his eye, "What an impressive Xiao Yi... No wonder my silly sister took a liking to you, such talent is indeed terrifying. I''m somewhat tempted to fight with you myself! However..." He looked down at Fang Qingzhu who lay unconscious beside him and rubbed his brow, "Oh, my foolish little sister, I''m afraid it''s a case of unrequited love with you!"


    He was very aware of the massive gap in Xiao Yi''s combat strength before and after Fang Qingzhu was rescued.


    There was only one explanation for such a result...


    In Xiao Yi''s heart, Fang Qingzhu held an extremely important position.


    At that moment...


    Xiao Yi suddenly pushed the two back with a sword strike, but his figure sharply changed direction, rushing straight towards Xu Feiying.


    "Not good!"


    The complexions of Jiang Shanhe and the other changed drastically.


    If they lost Xu Feiying skirting on the sidelines, ready to act and distract Xiao Yi, then a Xiao Yi with no further concerns would be even more formidable.


    The two of them joined forces to chase after Xiao Yi.


    Xu Feiying wore a fierce smile, "Kill me? That''s a fool''s dream. Just eat my dust behind me!"


    Xu Feiying''s forte was long-range attacks.


    He ran while launching attacks.


    He lured Xiao Yi along as if flying a kite.


    "Hahaha. Xiao Yi, you''ll never catch up to me..." Xu Feiying laughed heartily.


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi suddenly smirked,


    A trace of thick mockery appeared on his face, causing Xu Feiying''s complexion to change abruptly, filled with a strong sense of unease. Almost at the same time, the Xiao Yi behind him suddenly vanished, his speed inexplicably quadrupling. It turned out he had employed the Blood Explosion Skill, doubling his strength and speed, and he threw a punch from mid-air.


    Boom!


    The heavy fist, tinted with a blood-colored airflow, struck Xu Feiying.


    Xu Feiying''s body shuddered, like a star falling from the sky, crashing to the ground with great force.


    With a loud crash,


    Xu Feiying hit the ground, his head smashed into a bloody pulp, transforming into a headless corpse.


    "Now''s our chance, release the poison!" Jiang Shanhe roared lowly.


    Nie Hechuan nodded fiercely.


    The two simultaneously scattered the powder in their hands.


    Swish! Swish!


    Two streams of white powder enveloped Xiao Yi.


    Just as Xiao Yi was about to be covered, he flipped his hand with a slap.


    With a swish, a gust of wind swept by, rolling back the white powder, wrapping Nie Hechuan and the other in its grasp.


    "It''s over..."


    The two wore faces of despair.


    Bang! Bang!


    The pair felt a numbness and weakness throughout their bodies and fell to the ground with two thuds.


    Tap tap tap!


    Xiao Yi, sword in hand, walked over to the two men.


    Nie Hechuan''s pale face was filled with bitter pleading, "I am the Crown Prince of Sihai Kingdom, you can''t kill me..."


    "That reason doesn''t work!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and slit his throat with his sword.


    Nie Hechuan covered his throat, unable to stop the gushing blood, lying in a pool of blood. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze fell on Jiang Shanhe, his eyes filled with brutality and coldness, "Should I hack you a thousand times? Or should I make it quick for you?"


    "No... don''t kill me, Xiao Yi, I realize I was wrong. Please don''t kill me..." At this moment, Jiang Shanhe had lost all his past arrogance, leaving only despair and the fear of facing death.


    Xiao Yi said, "Tell me, where did you go wrong?"


    "I, I..."


    Jiang Shanhe''s face showed panic.


    He didn''t feel he''d done anything wrong.


    He was only pleading to save his life.


    "It seems you still haven''t realized your mistake!"


    Xiao Yi lifted his longsword, and with two swishes, two arms flew high into the air.


    Aaah...


    Jiang Shanhe screamed continuously, enduring the severe pain, "I was wrong... I shouldn''t have let Ye Feng and the others try to kill you..."


    "Still wrong!"


    Xiao Yi struck again, this time severing Jiang Shanhe''s legs.


    Argh...


    Jiang Shanhe convulsed, suffering unbearable agony, his face completely twisted, tears streaming down, "I... I see my mistake now... I shouldn''t have opposed you, I shouldn''t have captured Fang Qingzhu and others to threaten you. I was wrong... Xiao Yi, Lord Xiao, I truly admit my fault, please spare me..."


    "You finally got it right this time, but unfortunately, it''s too late!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, his expression appearing as a nightmarish demon in the eyes of Jiang Shanhe, who shouted in terror, "Save me... Master, save me..."


    Boom!


    A thunderous roar, reminiscent of a clap of thunder, suddenly emanated from the depths of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, an authoritative voice thundered like a divine decree, "Xiao Yi, release His Highness, and I''ll spare your life!"


    The terrifying pressure caused nearly ninety percent of the powerhouses present to feel weak in the knees.


    Yue Cang''s expression changed, "Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    Gu Junhe squinted his eyes, as if facing a great enemy, "This shameless fellow really did use the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, this is troublesome..."


    Facing Zhou Yuan, who appeared in the void, godlike and devilish,


    Xiao Yi smirked, "Sorry, I don''t agree!"


    Thrust!


    A single sword strike.


    A severed head rolled away.


    Jiang Shanhe''s face still held a look of relief and ecstatic joy at having survived, and a touch of confusion...

 Chapter 128 Even the Dao Tribulation Can Be Confronted!

    At the moment Zhou Yuan appeared.Everyone thought that Jiang Shanhe''s life was surely saved.


    Even Jiang Shanhe himself thought so.


    After all...


    Zhou Yuan had already stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm, a far more terrifying existence than the previous Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    If the earlier Zhou Yuan still needed to give face to the King of Tianqing Kingdom, now, even if he killed the King, he could easily leave the Tianqing Kingdom. Even the legendary ancestor backing Tianqing Kingdom certainly wouldn''t offend a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse over a dead King.


    But what was the result?


    Xiao Yi didn''t give Zhou Yuan any face at all.


    Without a word.


    He beheaded Jiang Shanhe!


    "Xiao! Yi! I told you to stop, didn''t you hear me?"


    Zhou Yuan stood suspended in the air, his face''s proud smile shattered, replaced by shock and disbelief.


    Xiao Yi had killed Jiang Shanhe right in front of him after he had spoken out to stop him.


    This was a slap to his face in public! Sear?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, Zhou Yuan felt a burning pain on his face.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, looking up at Zhou Yuan with defiance. Indeed, the aura of a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse was robust, and even though he had broken through to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, he still felt a bit of pressure.


    Facing Zhou Yuan''s questioning.


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "Sorry, I don''t understand the barking of a dog!"


    Hiss!


    A series of gasps rose and fell in succession!


    Everyone''s gaze towards Xiao Yi was as if they were looking at a madman: "How dare he speak to Zhou like this? That''s a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse..."


    "With his talent, if he had kept a low profile for a few decades, he might also have had the chance to step into the Tao Tribulation Realm, becoming a dominant overlord. It''s a pity that this man doesn''t know how to judge the situation, always being so stubborn and reckless; this will only lead to the senseless waste of his life..."


    "Too young!"


    Even Gu Junhe couldn''t help but shake his head, whispering to Jiang Tai beside him: "Xiao Yi is no match for Zhou Yuan no matter how strong he is. Once Xiao Yi is in danger, I will intercept Zhou Yuan at the first instant. Then you take the opportunity to take Xiao Yi and escape to the palace and ask for the King''s protection��"


    "But�� Xiao Yi just killed my brother, I''m afraid Father��" Jiang Tai hesitated.


    Gu Junhe shook his head, "Now that Jiang Shanhe is dead, you are the most likely successor to the throne. Even if your father is furious, he will still think about building a foundation for you. He wouldn''t let go of a talent like Xiao Yi."


    "We have no other choice..."


    Jiang Tai nodded heavily.


    ......


    Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes, looking at the bodies scattered across the Heavenly Ladder.


    The Stele standing at the end of the Heavenly Ladder.


    And the corpses of Jiang Shanhe and the others...


    Whoo!


    Zhou Yuan took a deep breath and then forcefully exhaled, stirring up a gust of wind with his breath, which actually formed a gale amidst heaven and earth.


    The wind howled loudly.


    Under the raging wind.


    Sand flew and rocks were swept away.


    A scene of desolation and silence.


    Zhou Yuan stared at Xiao Yi: "I didn''t expect that the five-hundred-year prosperity of the Royal Martial Arts Academy would be ruined by your hands. I have to admit, allowing Zhou Xin to chase you away was the most foolish decision I''ve made since taking charge of the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    In just one year, from the Physical Body Realm to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!


    If such a genius were to be included in the Royal Martial Arts Institute, it would certainly make it even more splendid.


    He might even have a chance to leave Tianqing Kingdom and enter the Great Qian Dynasty.


    But due to his erroneous decision, he had forced Xiao Yi to the opposing side of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Only Zhou Yuan understood the regret in his heart.


    Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world.


    The slight remorse on Zhou Yuan''s face dissipated like smoke, replaced by a bone-chilling coldness: "Since it is my mistake, I must resolve it with my own hands. After I kill you, the Royal Martial Arts Academy will still be the sacred martial place of Tianqing Kingdom, unshakable by anyone!"


    What does it matter if many disciples have died or are injured?


    As long as Zhou Yuan is still here, the Royal Martial Arts Academy won''t possibly fall.


    And...


    He had already ascended to the Tao Tribulation Realm, and under his leadership, the Royal Martial Arts Academy would only grow stronger.


    "Kill me? With your strength from the first layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, which you broke through using the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, I''m afraid it''s not enough!" Xiao Yi said with a playful laugh.


    So what if it''s the Tao Tribulation Realm?


    With his current strength, he could even fight against the Tao Tribulation!


    Within the crowd.


    Yue Cang shook his head and said, "It seems that the previous victory has gone to Xiao Yi''s head... This is a warrior of the Tao Tribulation Realm we''re talking about, among the young generation in the ten countries of Nanhuang, I''m afraid only that one person could compete with a Tao Tribulation Realm warrior. But even he could only remain undefeated in the face of the Tao Tribulation, as for defeating a Tao Tribulation Realm warrior, it''s absolutely impossible!"


    There are over a hundred subordinate countries under the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Among them, there are ten major kingdoms surrounding Nanhuang, but throughout their history, there has never been one who could defeat a Tao Tribulation Realm existence with only the power of the Golden Core Realm.


    Gu Junhe also shook his head and sighed, "After all, he is still too young, but it''s good for him to suffer a little setback! Only by witnessing the strength of a Tao Tribulation Realm warrior firsthand will he understand that there are always greater powers out there..."


    Jiang Tai also nodded in agreement with his view, "However, speaking of which... If it were me, I''m afraid I wouldn''t even have the courage to face a Tao Tribulation Realm warrior!"


    After returning from the secret realm.


    With the treasures he obtained, Jiang Tai had stepped into the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, with his talent and martial skills, he could fight even against someone at the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    But the Tao Tribulation Realm?


    Even if one day he reached the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, he wouldn''t have the courage to challenge it.


    After all.


    A Tao Tribulation Realm warrior is a legendary existence in the ten countries of Nanhuang.


    The position of the king could be challenged, but the might of the Tao Tribulation should not be disrespected!


    "Hahaha, this is the first time I''ve heard of a little Golden Core Realm daring to challenge the existence of the Tao Tribulation..."


    Zhou Yuan sneered and shook his head, looking at Xiao Yi as if he were looking at a cold corpse, and drew a circle beneath his feet with the tip of his foot, "In light of your commendable courage, I will let you make three moves. Within these three moves, I will only defend and not attack. If you can force me out of this circle, I will acknowledge that you have the power to match the Tao Tribulation!"


    "Three moves?"


    Xiao Yi gently shook his head.


    Zhou Yuan was stunned and mocked, "What? Are three moves not enough? How about I let you make ten moves instead?"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "No no no, what I mean is three moves are too many. If you''re still within the circle after one move, I will surrender myself!"


    "Huh?"


    Zhou Yuan''s pupils suddenly constricted, feeling an unprecedented insult, and he scoffed repeatedly, "Very well, very well, a single move it is... If you can really force me out of this circle within one move, I will kneel before you, and all grievances between you and the Royal Martial Arts Academy will be wiped clean! But if you fail, before I kill you, I will execute your wife and friends right before your eyes!"


    "It''s a deal!"


    Xiao Yi grasped his sword hilt with both hands.


    Hum!


    The sword edge trembled, emitting a whooshing sound.


    "Nine Swords as One!"


    Xiao Yi leaped into the air, his figure suddenly turned into nine shadows, stacking and merging into each other.


    When he arrived in front of Zhou Yuan, the nine shadows merged into one.


    Swish!


    The cold light cleaved through the air, a dazzling cold star.


    Swish!


    A ten-foot-long Sword Qi surged violently, tearing up the ground wherever it passed, creating a fierce gale.


    This one sword made Zhou Yuan''s composed and smug face dissipate into nothingness in an instant, and shock flashed across his pupils, "This sword..."


    From that Sword Qi, he felt the threat of death.


    Even if he didn''t want to admit it.


    Zhou Yuan did not dare to be careless, crossing his hands in front of him, conjuring a series of elemental shields.


    The shields blocked before him, but the nine layers of elemental shields were continuously shattered by the Sword Qi, the invisible sword light nearly reaching his body.


    In a critical moment.


    Zhou Yuan had to leap back.


    Just as he leaped away...


    Boom!


    The Sword Qi furiously descended.


    Rumble!


    The entire Royal Martial Arts Academy trembled violently, cracks spread out in all directions on the ground, and a ten-foot-long fearsome sword mark almost tore the earth apart.


    Xiao Yi stood with his sword, mocking expression on his face, looking at Zhou Yuan whose complexion alternated between green and white, "You lost!"

 Chapter 129 Kill! Kill! Kill!

    "You lost!" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Xiao Yi stood with his sword, his face thick with mockery as he stared at Zhou Yuan, who had retreated dozens of yards away.


    A whirlwind swept up, scattering the flying sand.


    The web-like cracks spread far and wide, along with that horrendous ten-yard-long sword mark, made all the mighty onlookers silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to make the slightest sound.


    Yue Cang was utterly dumbfounded, "Tha��That sword just now��"


    To be fair,


    if that sword had landed on him, he would have been dead without a doubt.


    Before this��


    Yue Cang still thought that he was worthy of a battle with Xiao Yi, but that sword had just driven him to despair, and he self-deprecatingly said, "I actually thought I could fight him? With Xiao Yi''s strength now, even Gai Qinglong, the number one in the ten nations of Nanhuang, wouldn''t be his match, right?"


    Gu Junhe was also left speechless, "Genius, this is a true genius! The Xiao Family, oh the Xiao Family, you actually treated such a genius as trash and sent him to the Fang Family as a son-in-law? Was Xiao Zhengde''s brain kicked by a donkey? Or was Xiao Tianjiao blind?"


    Fang Qingzhu slowly regained consciousness, just in time to witness that sword.


    Excitement and agitation were visible on her pale face, "Xiao Yi, he''s�� so strong!"


    Her eyes were filled with admiration and happiness.


    This was her man, after all!


    For Zhou Yuan, there was nothing more shocking than that sword.


    Watching the sword mark spreading under his feet, the corner of his eye twitched madly, and his eyes flickered with disbelief, "That sword�� How could someone in the Golden Core Realm unleash such a powerful strike?"


    Just moments before,


    he was full of confidence, claiming that if Xiao Yi could force him back within three moves, he would admit defeat voluntarily.


    But the result...


    Xiao Yi used just one sword strike!


    Not only did he force him back, but he also nearly inflicted serious injuries!


    That sword was like an invisible slap that harshly struck his face, leaving him seeing stars.


    The gaze of the crowd was like needles on his back.


    The humiliation!


    An unprecedented humiliation!


    It was even harder for him to bear than almost having the Royal Martial Arts Academy single-handedly demolished by Xiao Yi.


    "Zhou Yuan, you should be kneeling now!" said Xiao Yi.


    "You..."


    The skin on Zhou Yuan''s face twitched fiercely.


    He had just said that if Xiao Yi could push him out of the ring with one move, he would kneel to Xiao Yi.


    But that was just a figure of speech, how could he actually kneel?


    "Xiao Yi, you are too bullying!" Zhou Yuan said through gritted teeth.


    "I''m too bullying? Hahaha�� Zhou Yuan, don''t you feel ashamed saying that? Initially, when I sincerely applied for the Royal Martial Arts Institute, it was you who distorted the truth and forced me to leave. When I left, despite you being at the Golden Elixir Peak, you attacked me, who was only in the Shentong Realm, and nearly took my life."


    All of a sudden, Xiao Yi let out a long howl to the sky, his face full of mockery, "In the Tao Tribulation secret realm, it was also you who issued the kill order, wanting to put me to death. It was you who had people capture Qingzhu to threaten me. Now, the same you, the director of the Royal Martial Arts Institute, a mighty Tao Tribulation Realm master, reneged on his word�� Is this what you call too bullying?"


    These words had been suppressed in his heart for too long.


    Today, they burst out all at once.


    The loud voice spread throughout the entire Royal Martial Arts Institute...


    The secrets not known to others, and today they were made public.


    "What? The Royal Martial Arts Institute is too much of a bully, isn''t it?"


    "I used to think that Xiao Yi was too arrogant to challenge the Royal Martial Arts Institute, but who knew there was such a twist to the story?"


    "If that''s indeed the truth, the Royal Martial Arts Institute is really too bullying!"


    At that moment,


    the Royal Martial Arts Institute and Zhou Yuan became the targets of widespread scorn.


    The scapegoat for everyone''s arrows!


    Zhou Yuan''s face alternated between green and white, never expecting the situation to develop to this point, with the reputation of the Royal Martial Arts Institute becoming tarnished. Knowing that once the news spread, the Institute would truly become the target of public criticism, with this thought in mind, Zhou Yuan''s cold gaze fell on Xiao Yi, "As long as he is killed, all rumors and slander will also end. Kill him, no mercy!"


    Boom!


    Zhou Yuan transformed into a silver streak, piercing the void like a river soaring through the sky, and in an instant, he charged toward Xiao Yi.


    Even before the punch arrived,


    The punch wind was already striking the face.


    The howling wind stirred Xiao Yi''s clothing, whistling like a blade scraping his face, bringing bouts of intense pain.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, sword in hand, "Break Fist Style!"


    Boom!


    A glint of cold light hit the center of the fist shadow.


    Thud!


    The earth trembled, and the wind surged violently.


    Xiao Yi''s figure retreated thirty feet, while Zhou Yuan was also shaken back several yards.


    No sooner had the two landed than they were charging at each other again.


    The fist danced like a phantom.


    The sword glided like a dragon.


    Their fists and swords clashed continuously, each collision stirring up waves of energy that shocked the heavens and earth, mighty in all directions, imposing from every angle. Neither held back in their attacks, Zhou Yuan intent on killing Xiao Yi to wipe away his previous shame, Xiao Yi''s killing intent was no less than Zhou Yuan''s.


    "Blood Explosion Skill!"


    Xiao Yi suddenly ignited three-tenths of the blood within his body, his strength and speed suddenly tripling.


    The sudden increase in power and speed overwhelmed Zhou Yuan, who struggled to cope.


    Splat!


    A dot of cold light pierced through the air, penetrating Zhou Yuan''s palm.


    At the same time, he employed the Divine Skills of Weapon Fusion, his arms and the Fire Qilin Sword melding into one as dark light coursed through them. His left hand transformed into a claw and reached out, with a snap, it grabbed Zhou Yuan''s shoulder, violently tearing away a chunk of flesh.


    Ahhh...


    Zhou Yuan cried out in agony, continually retreating.


    A sword mark pierced through the palm of his right hand, and his left shoulder was missing a piece of flesh, horrifically exposing bone.


    "You mongrel, I swear I''ll kill you, kill everyone related to you..." Zhou Yuan''s face was ferocious.


    Xiao Yi advanced with his sword, his body surrounded by circulating blood light, laughing loudly, "You no longer have a chance!"


    Whoosh!


    The blood-colored sword edge was terrifying.


    With this sword, he forced Zhou Yuan to retreat.


    Xiao Yi''s voice rang out again, "Those who bully or insult me, kill!"


    The Life-Chasing Soul Sword was delivered in rapid succession.


    Zhou Yuan kept losing ground.


    "Harm my family, kill!"


    "Hurt my brothers, kill!"


    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"


    Xiao Yi grew increasingly valiant in battle, his murderous aura explosively unleashed, his entire being radiating with bloody light, and his offensive onslaught was like a tempestuous storm.


    Boom!


    Punch after punch landed solidly, unstoppable.


    Zhou Yuan was bloodied by the blows.


    Xiao Yi''s aura grew ever more frenzied, with half his blood now aflame, his strength and speed increased fivefold, completely overpowering Zhou Yuan.


    Zhou Yuan kept losing ground, absolutely unable to withstand the barrage of attacks from Xiao Yi, "Madman. You''re a madman..."


    His mouth flowed with blood, his body riddled with sword cuts, countless bones shattered.


    "Nine Swords as One!"


    Xiao Yi, holding the sword with both hands, raised it above his head and brought it slashing down.


    Boom!


    That sword tore through Zhou Yuan''s qi seal, a spurt of blood shooting skyward, savagely splitting open a ferocious wound in his chest. Amid a wretched scream, Zhou Yuan collapsed to the ground, blood spewing from his mouth, hair disheveled and face filled with terror, "Impossible, this can''t be... How can I, a practitioner of the Tao Tribulation Realm, be defeated by you?"


    Xiao Yi''s sword tip rested on Zhou Yuan''s throat, he said coldly, "Half a year ago, I vowed to flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Today is the day you, Zhou Yuan, meet your demise, the day the Royal Martial Arts Academy falls!"


    "Impossible, impossible... I am of the Tao Tribulation Realm, how can this be..."


    Zhou Yuan was utterly dispirited.


    The blow was too great!


    Xiao Yi''s expression was unreadable, his longsword ready to strike, but just then, a cold voice suddenly reached his ears, "Xiao Yi, see who I have here?"

 Chapter 130 Kneel my ass!

    "Xiao Yi, look who I have in my hand?"A sharp voice suddenly erupted by his ear.


    Xiao Yi shivered all over.


    A strong sense of unease rose in his heart, the bone-chilling cold instantly swept through his body, and large beads of cold sweat soaked through the back of his clothes at this instant.


    As he looked up.


    He saw a blood-red chariot suspended in the void above, and before the chariot were four majestic demonic beasts with crimson bodies, single horns on their heads, tiger-like shapes, but with wings on their backs. Each of these demonic beasts emitted a presence no weaker than Zhou Yuan''s, clearly four Sixth-Layer Path Tribulation Realm beasts.


    And on that chariot...


    A middle-aged man dressed in a blood-colored robe, wearing a silver mask, and with a burly figure, leaned against the side of the chariot.


    In his hand extended from the chariot.


    Fang Qingzhu was being held by her neck, suspended in midair.


    The four Sixth-Layer Path Tribulation Realm Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers flapped their wings, stirring up howling gales that battered against Fang Qingzhu.


    Causing Fang Qingzhu''s black hair to dance wildly, her face growing even paler.


    The Pipa Locks on her shoulders clanked and clanged.


    "Qingzhu?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted as his eyes instantly turned blood red.


    Yue Cang, looking haggard, raised his hand to wipe the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, a deep fear and reverence surfacing on his pale face, "Xiao, I''m really sorry, the opponent was too strong."


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Anyone who could employ four Tao Tribulation Realm beasts to pull a chariot must indeed be powerful.


    Possibly someone from the High-Layer Tao Tribulation Realm, or even the stronger Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and stared at the blood-colored figure, "Who might you be, sir?"


    "Heh heh!"


    The middle-aged man in the blood-colored robe spoke in a voice that was difficult to distinguish as male or female, especially piercing, "Xiao Yi, you dared to destroy my Xue Yilou''s branch and kill my Xue Yilou branch master. Do you really not recognize who I am?"


    "A person from Xue Yilou?"


    "The blood-colored chariot... This, this is Xue Mantian, the Ninth Master of Xue Yilou!"


    "The Ninth Master? As far as I know, Xue Yilou has a total of eighteen Masters, and the weakest are at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm. And this Ninth Master Xue Mantian, who was at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm more than a hundred years ago, could very well be a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse..." Gu Junhe''s expression in the crowd turned extremely grave.


    With his current strength, if he exerted his full power, he could indeed contend with an ordinary Tao Tribulation Realm combatant.


    But facing the Dharma Manifestation Realm...


    Let alone being an adversary, he wouldn''t even have the courage to engage in battle!


    In the Dharma Manifestation Realm, one''s lifespan exceeded a thousand years.


    Unlike the Calamity Realm where one could borrow some of the world''s power, the Dharma Manifestation Realm had already mastered most of that power.


    A breath could call forth gales and storms.


    A stomp was like a dragon turning over beneath the earth!


    Unimaginably terrifying!


    "This is troublesome..." Gu Junhe''s face showed a look of anxiety.


    Zhou Yuan''s face, however, revealed hysterical madness as he laughed proudly, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, the heavens want to destroy you! With Xue Mantian himself descending, no matter how a hundredfold or a thousandfold stronger your talent is, you''re no match for him. You''re doomed, hahaha, the last laugh will still be mine..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi swung his sword backhand and sliced off Zhou Yuan''s jaw clean.


    Blood spurted uncontrollably from his mouth.


    Zhou Yuan howled miserably.


    But Xiao Yi no longer paid any attention to Zhou Yuan, his furious gaze fixed on Xue Mantian, "Xue Mantian, it was I who destroyed your Xue Yilou branch and killed your branch master. It has nothing to do with Qingzhu. Let Qingzhu go, and direct your issues at me!"


    "Irrelevant to her?"


    Xue Mantian laughed mockingly, speaking slowly and deliberately, "You dared to provoke my Xue Yilou, so your relatives, friends... anyone related to you, must all die. Do you think she can escape?"


    His pale, slender finger reached toward Fang Qingzhu''s face.


    Fang Qingzhu turned her head defiantly to avoid Xue Mantian''s finger, looking toward Xiao Yi with tears in her eyes, "Brother Xiao Yi, don''t worry about me... Leave, get away..."


    "Qingzhu... I won''t let anyone hurt you..." Xiao Yi clenched his fists tightly, his teeth grinding with a grating sound, he roared.


    Tears fell unstoppably from Fang Qingzhu''s face as she staunchly shook her head, "No... Brother Xiao Yi, you''ve already sacrificed too much for me. Ever since I''ve been with you, I have been your burden... I don''t want to burden you anymore, even if it means death, I won''t bear to see you sacrifice for me... Brother Xiao Yi, being with you these days, becoming your wife... I have no regrets in dying!"


    "Qingzhu, Fang Qingzhu... what are you doing?" Xiao Yi suddenly felt an intense unease, his eyes turning fierce as he roared.


    Fang Qingzhu gave him a bright smile.


    Her white teeth contrasted sharply against her pale face.


    Her eyes, brimming with tears, carried a resolute hue.


    Fang Qingzhu suddenly turned her head back, opening her mouth to bite at the palm of Xue Mantian fiercely.


    "Seeking death!"


    A cold light flashed through Xue Mantian''s eyes. He was of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, how could he possibly be bitten by Fang Qingzhu?


    With a slight tremor of his hand, a muffled ''thump'' echoed, and Fang Qingzhu trembled all over. Both of her shoulder bones were shattered by the impact. The chains binding her arms broke as well, one could only imagine how terrifying Xue Mantian''s palm strike was!


    Splat!


    Blood spurted wildly from Fang Qingzhu''s mouth, her complexion turning even paler, her breath as thin as a thread.


    "Lowly ants, dare to try and harm my body? Die!"


    Xue Mantian fiercely swung his hand.


    Whoosh!


    Fang Qingzhu was flung high into the air, tossed toward the four flying Heavenly Demons.


    Roar!


    The four flying Heavenly Demons'' eyes radiated a brutal light, showing their teeth and lunging for Fang Qingzhu to bite and tear.


    These were beasts comparable to a warrior of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Let alone Fang Qingzhu, who was only of Spiritual Realm Cultivation, even a common warrior of the Tao Tribulation Realm, once caught in their bite, would either be severely injured or become a feast in their mouths!


    "No..."


    In the nick of time,


    Xiao Yi erupted with unprecedented speed, rushing in front of Fang Qingzhu with a bang, grasping her and throwing her towards the crowd, "Dean..."


    Whoosh!


    Gu Junhe burst out from the crowd with a flash.


    Catching Fang Qingzhu in his arms.


    Simultaneously...


    The four flying Heavenly Demons, having lost their target, turned their razor-sharp fangs towards Xiao Yi.


    "Get lost!"


    Xiao Yi was surging with energy, but against the four Heavenly Demons as strong as the warriors of the Tao Tribulation Realm, these energy barriers were ineffective.


    Amidst a succession of crackling sounds, the energy shields burst one after another, and sharp fangs pierced through his back.


    Blood sprayed wildly.


    Xiao Yi fell like a shooting star, crashing to the ground with a loud bang.


    The entire Royal Martial Arts Academy trembled violently.


    Within the enormous crater, dust roiled, and cracks spread across the ground like a spiderweb.


    "Xiao Yi brother..."


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes were wide with rage, struggling wildly.


    Gu Junhe held on tight to her hands, "Don''t go over there... going now is suicide..."


    "No... Even if it''s death, I want to be with Xiao Yi brother..."


    Fang Qingzhu exhausted all her strength struggling, the chains on her shoulders clanging noisily, her flesh torn and blurred, blood gushing like a fountain. Her pale face was filled with worry and despair; after all, those were four beasts as strong as warriors of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Xiao Yi had resisted the attacks of the four mighty beasts; despite his incredibly strong body,


    he was now gravely injured and might even be in danger of losing his life.


    Her hands, under Gu Junhe''s restraint, were torn open, blood dripping down.


    At this moment, the only thought in Fang Qingzhu''s mind was to rush to Xiao Yi''s side, "Let go, let go..."


    Despair and hope intermingled, overflowing her mind.


    Despair over Xiao Yi''s injuries.


    Hope that Xiao Yi could stand back up.


    Rustle, rustle...


    The disordered sound of falling gravel was heard as Xiao Yi shakily climbed out of the pit, his body swaying as he knelt on the ground, bracing himself with his hands, spewing blood violently. After a moment, he slowly recovered, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, staggeringly stood up, and raised his head to look at Fang Qingzhu. His mouth full of white teeth stained with blood, he managed to squeeze out a bright smile, "Qingzhu... I''m alright..."


    Fang Qingzhu, eyes wide with anguish, watched the unsteady Xiao Yi and cried out in heart-wrenching pain, "Xiao Yi brother..."


    High above,


    Xue Mantian raised an eyebrow and sneered, shaking his head, "Lowly ants love to play out these melodramas of parting and death. Xiao Yi, if you kneel and become my blood slave, I can spare you and that girl from death!" Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ha... hahaha... hahahaha..."


    Xiao Yi laughed uproariously, his blood boiling as a reddish fog surrounded him. Blood-red light pulsed from his eyes, "Kneel my ass!"

 Chapter 131 Fight! Fight! Fight!

    "Kneel before your fucking mother!"Xiao Yi''s body surged with blood, a thick layer of blood mist covering him.


    His entire frame radiated a profoundly potent blood qi, the very essence of the Blood Explosion Skill, which burnt up fifty percent of his fresh blood to boost his power fivefold.


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Mantian couldn''t help but straighten his posture, his eyebrows sharp like swords twitched lightly, his expression amused, "Burning qi-blood to enhance strength in such a short time? This increase is stronger than my Xue Yilou''s ''Blood Demon Great Skill''? An interesting little fellow!"


    He remained lazily leaned against the palanquin.


    With his status as the ninth floor master of Xue Yilou, not even the rulers of the hundred subordinate countries under the Great Qian Dynasty could make him take notice.


    If Xue Mantian wasn''t just passing through Tianqing Kingdom, he would not have made a move himself.


    "It''s rare to come across such an interesting little fellow..."


    Xue Mantian''s face was full of amusement as he looked on as if watching a jumping clown, and with a light flick of his finger said, "Number Four, go play with him!"


    "Yes, Master!"


    Among the four Winged Demon Tigers, the one at the end, capable of human speech, broke free from its shackles.


    With a flap of its wings, it soared towards Xiao Yi.


    The other three Winged Demon Tigers looked at each other, envy in their eyes: "Master indeed favors Number Four more; such a tasty little fellow is a treat for him!"


    "Don''t worry, Number Four won''t enjoy him all by himself; he''ll at least leave us a leg each!"


    Xue Mantian leaned back on the palanquin, spoke calmly and deliberately, "Don''t rush... Xiao Yi''s wife and his brothers are still here, aren''t they? Even if we can''t eat Xiao Yi, eating them is also possible!"


    "Master is wise!"


    The three Winged Demon Tigers said in unison. Sear?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile...


    Number Four had already flown in front of Xiao Yi, its giant paw swiping down at him.


    Once mature, a Winged Demon Tiger is a fifth-order high-level beast, comparable to the peak of the Golden Core Realm. These four Winged Demon Tigers, nurtured by Xue Mantian, had grown into sixth-order beasts. Their combat strength matched the Tao Tribulation Realm, and Number Four''s power was about equal to a fighter at the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The tiger paw tore through the sky, borrowing the world''s power, drawing gusts of fierce wind.


    The howling wind swirled about.


    In an instant...


    It came crashing down towards Xiao Yi''s head.


    Xiao Yi''s body glowed with blood; even before using the Blood Explosion Skill, he could match a fighter from the Tao Tribulation Realm. Now, with five times the speed and strength, he was comparable to someone in the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    "Nine Swords as One!"


    The Fire Qilin Sword burst into fiery light, a crimson sword beam sweeping across the incoming storm.


    With a thunderous boom,


    The storm shattered explosively.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    With a heavy punch, he struck down at Number Four, who reacted very quickly, twisting its body, and its tail swept at Xiao Yi.


    There''s an old saying that one must never touch a tiger''s butt!


    And it was precisely because of this tail!


    As the tiger''s tail swept over, its force was akin to a dragon''s tail lash.


    Thud!


    His iron fist landed heavily on the tiger''s tail.


    The savage force nearly swept Xiao Yi away, but in the moment he was about to be thrown off, he reached out with an open hand and snatched the oncoming tail, while the Fire Qilin Sword sliced upward from below.


    Spurt!


    In a flash of blood, Number Four''s tail was severed.


    Howl...


    Number Four let out a miserable cry.


    Losing its balance due to the loss of its tail, it staggered, and Xiao Yi seized the opportunity. The Fire Qilin Sword stabbed towards the exposed rear of the tiger.


    "How dare you�� Stop!" Xue Mantian on the palanquin showed his true concern for the first time, his face murderous, bellowing with sky-shaking rage.


    "Stop your fucking grandfather..."


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, his longsword not hesitating for a moment!


    Spurt!


    Amidst the sound of flesh and blood churning, Xiao Yi''s Fire Qilin Sword pierced into Number Four''s rear, and a mass of minced flesh and innards sprayed out from its mouth.


    Boom!


    The massive body of the Winged Demon Tiger dropped to the ground. Explore more adventures at empire


    The Winged Demon Tiger, a match for the Tao Tribulation Realm, thus died by the blade of Xiao Yi.


    "Evil beast, didn''t you hear me when I told you to stop?" Xue Mantian roared ferociously, his heart bleeding inside. To nurture these four Tao Tribulation Realm Winged Demon Tigers, he had spent untold resources, raising them from the time they couldn''t even open their eyes. Xue Mantian had no children, so he considered these four Winged Demon Tigers as his own kin!


    But now...


    The beloved youngest, the one he cherished most, had actually died at the hands of Xiao Yi, whom he had never taken seriously.


    "Youngest brother..."


    "Master, let us tear that little bastard apart..."


    The three Sky Demon Tigers twisted their bodies in madness, emitting wave after wave of earth-shaking roars.


    Xue Mantian''s face darkened, "Kill him for me!"


    Roar!


    Roar!


    Roar!


    The three Sky Demon Tigers broke free from their shackles and lunged at Xiao Yi.


    These were three beings of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Especially the largest Sky Demon Tiger, which was comparable to a sixth-order high-level demon beast at the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Facing the onslaught of the three Sky Demon Tigers, even Xiao Yi, who had burned fifty percent of his blood, was forced to retreat step by step.


    Claws and fangs left ferocious wounds all over his body.


    Blood covered his entire body.


    "Tear him to shreds!"


    "Avenge our youngest brother!"


    The eyes of the three Sky Demon Tigers gleamed coldly as they encircled Xiao Yi, watching him with covetous eyes.


    "Dean... please let me go, I want to help Xiao Yi..." Fang Qingzhu cried with stubborn tears streaming down her face.


    Gu Junhe took a deep breath and said firmly, "Enough, I''ll go!"


    Whoosh!


    Gu Junhe flashed by and landed in front of Xiao Yi.


    "Dean..." Xiao Yi blinked in surprise.


    "You are a disciple of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, and I, as the dean, cannot stand idly by and watch you be bullied," he said.


    Gu Junhe squinted at Xue Mantian and declared loudly, "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy Dean Gu Junhe, I request to fight!"


    Xue Mantian''s face was indifferent as he waved his hand dismissively, "Kill!"


    From beginning to end.


    He never spared Gu Junhe a glance for a moment, for to him, anyone below the Dharma Manifestation Realm simply wasn''t worth noticing.


    "Jiang Tai, the seventh prince of the Tianqing Kingdom, requests to do battle!"


    Jiang Tai leaped into the air, standing shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Yi.


    "Damn it, I can''t just watch this anymore!"


    "Is the Dharma Manifestation Realm so great? Are you saying that my Tianqing Kingdom has no one else?"


    "Brothers, let''s go together and show them that the Tianqing Kingdom has no cowards..."


    One by one, the strong warriors came forward.


    In no time at all.


    More than a thousand people had already gathered around Xiao Yi, many of whom had come just for the spectacle, but now all stood by Xiao Yi''s side.


    It was because in their hearts, Xiao Yi was one of them, a person of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Amidst the thunderous noise, a black cavalry, like a steel torrent, came swarming in. Leading them was Li Qing, "The Black Dragon Cavalry of the Tianqing Kingdom, requesting to join the battle!"


    In the void.


    Several figures stepped through the air.


    At the forefront stood a man in a yellow robe with his hands behind his back, Jiang Tianchen. He wore a purple crown and was expressionless, "Xiao Yi is our National Protection Martial King of the Tianqing Kingdom. The Tianqing Kingdom stands or falls with him! Whoever wishes to harm him, the Tianqing Kingdom will fight to the last, even if it means bringing the country to its knees!"


    Xiao Yi watched as more and more powerful people gathered by his side.


    His blood boiled inside him.


    This feeling was unprecedented.


    Before this...


    He felt no sense of belonging to the Tianqing Kingdom, but now, as countless citizens of the Tianqing Kingdom, the Black Dragon Army, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, and the royal presence represented by Jiang Tianchen all stood with him, he felt an unparalleled sense of emotion.


    This was the sense of belonging!


    This was home!


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and with a loud exhalation, he raised his longsword to the sky, "Battle!"


    The voices of the people around him merged into a torrent of sound, thundering in unison, "Battle!"


    "Battle!"


    Battle...

 Chapter 132 Tragic

    "A bunch of ants dares to defy the Azure Dragon?"Xue Mantian still lounged lazily atop the carriage.


    With his strength, even if the Tianqing Kingdom mobilized their entire nation, he would not take them seriously.


    Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Commanding the laws of heaven and earth, possessing the power to reach the heavens!


    A casual wave could summon fierce winds, a shouted command could call down thunder.


    Such a being would not fear thousands of troops and horses even in the face of an army; moreover, his back was supported by the mighty Xue Yilou, and behind Xue Yilou stood a great figure from the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Even annihilating the Tianqing Kingdom would at most earn Xue Mantian a scolding.


    "Ada, whoever dares to hinder your killing of Xiao Yi, kill them all!" Xue Mantian said indifferently.


    "Yes, master!"


    Three flying Heavenly Demon Tigers were surrounded by a floating black aura, a black halo enveloped their forms, and their two pitch-black wings flapped vigorously, as if surrounded by divine light. Their massive bodies soared with a leap and crashed down with force.


    Like three giant black beasts, they charged toward Xiao Yi and the others.


    Jiang Tianchen, dressed in royal robes and wearing a purple jade crown, drew the gold-inlaid longsword from his waist. "Subjects of the Tianqing Kingdom, follow your king into battle!"


    "Black Dragon Cavalry, kill!"


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, kill!"


    "King Tieshan''s forces, kill!"


    "Kill..."


    More and more powerhouses from the crowd surged toward the three great flying Heavenly Demon Tigers.


    Although Jiang Tianchen was only at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, the sword in his hand was a high-grade, fifth-level famous sword, which legend claimed was forged from the spine of a peak Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, a sword of an emperor.


    The sword''s edge broke through the air, the sky dyed a uniform color.


    This enabled Jiang Tianchen to wield combat power comparable to the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    With the help of the Black Dragon Cavalry and others, they managed to barely entangle the youngest of the flying Heavenly Demon Tigers.


    Discover exclusive content at empire


    A key pillar of the royal house, clad in black robes.


    Always hidden in the shadows, the royal ancestor Jiang Wei, with his invincible power at the Fourth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, blocked the leader of the tigers, whose strength was comparable to the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, alone.


    The second of the flying Heavenly Demon Tigers charged toward Xiao Yi.


    Gu Junhe, Jiang Tai, Yue Cang, and others assisted Xiao Yi, facing the formidable flying Heavenly Demon Tiger without the slightest negligence. Xiao Yi, with a bloody light flowing around him, took the lead in the offense.


    Gu Junhe and Jiang Tai, among others, provided support.


    Facing the siege of the crowd.


    The second tiger''s face was full of ferocity and rage, amidst thunderous roars, its claws, sharp as scythes, swatted away Jiang Tai, tearing open his chest.


    Blood gushed like a fountain.


    "Monster, you''re courting death!"


    Gu Junhe, enraged, swung a three-meter-long sledgehammer down fiercely.


    The third tiger snorted coldly and swung its tail fiercely!


    Crack!


    Tremendous force sent Gu Junhe flying into the air, and at the same time, with a thrust of its head, it roared like thunder. Terrifying sound waves rolled forth, aimed directly at Gu Junhe in midair. Xiao Yi switched his hand seals, and pure Yuan Qi converged into a circular shield.


    The circular Yuan Qi shield spread across the sky, blocking the rolling sound waves.


    Boom!


    In a thunderous explosion.


    The Yuan Qi shield shattered.


    Gu Junhe fell from the sky, his body like a sword, piercing the heavens, and a sharp sword light slashed down with a swish.


    "Roar!"


    The third tiger''s wings curled around its body in a swift roll.


    The fierce sword strike landed heavily on the wings.


    Rumble!


    The highly concentrated Yuan Qi sword light exploded, triggering a terrifying energy storm that slammed the third tiger violently into the ground. Blood and tattered wings flew in all directions; nearby, Jiang Tai, who had just stopped his bleeding, showed a trace of ecstatic joy on his face: "Did we succeed?"


    Gu Junhe also quietly breathed a sigh of relief.


    However, Xiao Yi''s face suddenly changed, and he pushed Gu Junhe beside him away with a palm.


    Whoosh!


    Caught off guard, Gu Junhe was pushed away dozens of meters by Xiao Yi.


    "Xiao Yi, what are you..."


    Just as Gu Junhe opened his mouth, he saw a tiger tail that was tens of meters long fiercely lash down on the spot where he had just been standing. The tiger tail swept up the building Gu Junhe had been standing in front of, wrapping around it and flinging it away with a violent twist.


    Boom!


    The building, over ten meters high, was crushed into smithereens.


    Whoosh!


    Amidst the rising dust, Lao San''s massive figure shot out like an arrow released from a bow, appearing instantly in front of Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi had just pushed Gu Junhe away and was too late to dodge.


    In a moment of life and death,


    Xiao Yi swiftly turned around, presenting his back to Lao San.


    Roar!


    Lao San''s sharp claws struck Xiao Yi''s back fiercely, blood spraying wildly, leaving three vicious claw marks on Xiao Yi''s back, deep enough to see the bone. His body was sent flying with the impact.


    With a thunderous noise, Xiao Yi crashed into a cluster of buildings below.


    Rumble!


    Plowing through, one building after another collapsed.


    After smashing through six buildings, Xiao Yi finally came to a stop, the blood light surging around his body gradually dimming.


    Roar!


    Lao San flapped its wings and dived, disappearing into the rubble, then shot up into the sky once more, lifting a pile of debris.


    It had Xiao Yi in its mouth. S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sharp fangs pierced through half of Xiao Yi''s body.


    "Xiao Yi..."


    "Let him go..."


    Gu Junhe and the others tried to intervene but were entangled to death by the other two flying Heavenly Tigers.


    Roar!


    Lao San took to the air again, attempting to carry Xiao Yi up high and then drop him.


    But just at that moment,


    A purple whip shadow tore through the air, and with a smack, it coiled around its neck.


    The person who took action was Fang Qingzhu!


    Gu Junhe had unlocked her pipa lock, and now that she had regained some strength, her Purple Dragon Whip wound around Lao San''s neck. Clenching the Purple Cloud Whip tightly in both hands, she tried to stop it from rising, "Let go of my Xiao Yi brother..."


    "A mere ant dares to stop me?"


    Lao San flew into a rage, advancing instead of retreating, instantly closing the distance with Fang Qingzhu.


    Its sharp claws swept down towards Fang Qingzhu''s head.


    "Qingzhu... dodge..." Xiao Yi''s eyes were wide with desperation.


    Thump!


    Fang Qingzhu was sent flying, spewing fresh blood, her life force growing increasingly weak.


    "Wretched ant!"


    Lao San snorted disdainfully and took to the air once more.


    But just as it started to fly, the whip around its neck tightened fiercely, and with a bang, it was yanked forcefully back to the ground. Fang Qingzhu, trembling and unsteady on her feet, wrapped the Purple Dragon Whip around her waist.


    She held on firmly.


    "Qingzhu... let go... hurry and let go..." Xiao Yi felt Lao San''s intense murderous intent and struggled frantically with his exhausted body.


    "No... absolutely not..."


    Fang Qingzhu clenched her teeth, blood spilling from the corners of her mouth, appearing oblivious to the pain, as she stared down the flying Heavenly Tiger, "Xiao Yi brother, you''ve always been the one protecting me. Today, it''s my turn to protect you! Nobody is going to take you away from me, nobody..."


    "If you refuse to let go, then die!"


    Lao San held its head high, tossing Xiao Yi up into the air, and with a swift move, caught Xiao Yi in its claw.


    At the same time, it opened its gaping maw, lunging to tear apart Fang Qingzhu.


    The breath of death instantly shrouded Fang Qingzhu...

 Chapter 133 Tragic

    Death seemed to transform into a massive hand that shrouded Fang Qingzhu beneath its palm.Darkness, despair, and coldness came from all directions, like walls of despairing boulders, pressing down on the hearts of Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu.


    Once bitten by the third beast,


    It would certainly mean certain death.


    "No�� no��"


    Xiao Yi suddenly erupted in a thunderous roar, and the blood light that enveloped him erupted like a volcano, surging tumultuously. Waves of terrifying blood-red energy swept across, fully activating the Blood Explosion Skill to its limit.


    All of his blood!


    Xiao Yi had actually burned all the blood in his body.


    This was a mad, suicidal move.


    But for Fang Qingzhu��


    Xiao Yi had no choice!


    With a tenfold increase in strength and speed, Xiao Yi managed to pull his hands free, violently grabbing the third beast''s two tiger claws.


    Then, he twisted them outwards.


    Pop, pop!


    Two streams of blood burst forth, and Xiao Yi forcefully snapped off the tiger claws, causing the third beast to howl in agony and its body to tremble violently. The saying ''every finger feeling the heart''s pain'' wasn''t just about humans; it applied to beasts just as well.


    At the moment the tiger claws were snapped off, the third beast''s body also came to a sudden halt.


    Xiao Yi grabbed the beast''s sharp claws with both hands and, with a crack, brutally broke them, blood dripping over the jagged white bones.


    The intense pain made the third beast''s expression savage as it howled: "Human, go to hell!"


    Its sharp fangs turned viciously towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s body flickered as he flipped onto the third beast''s back, tightly grasping its ear with his left hand. Meanwhile, his right hand formed into a fist, and amidst swirling red energy, he pummeled the beast''s head with punch after punch.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    No matter how sturdy the third beast''s skull was, under Xiao Yi''s iron fists, blood surged.


    "Oww��"


    The third beast shrieked repeatedly.


    Trying to use its tail, claws, and even wild thrashing to throw Xiao Yi off its back.


    But Xiao Yi just kept ripping out its fur by the handful, bloody skin, flesh, and hair tearing away inch by inch. He had burned too much blood, and his consciousness grew increasingly blurry.


    He suddenly opened his mouth wide and bit down hard on the beast''s neck.


    Ow��


    The third beast''s body shuddered, trembling and struggling even more frantically.


    Xiao Yi instinctively kept devouring the blood in the beast''s body, the gulping noises making the third beast feel like the grim reaper was beckoning: "Save me�� Big brother, second brother�� my master��"


    "Third brother��"


    "Damn you, let go of the third��"


    The eldest and the second Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers changed color in shock, never expecting the seemingly victorious third beast to fall into such wretchedness.


    But as they wanted to intervene to help the third beast, Jiang Tianchen and the others held them tightly in place.


    Preventing them from freeing themselves to help.


    Stay updated with empire


    In the moment of life and death.


    Xue Mantian suddenly snorted coldly, his face turning iron blue: "Useless wastes, struggling against such trash, yet they still require my personal intervention?"


    Whoosh!


    Xue Mantian pointed a finger.


    Hum!


    That finger, compressed with pure energy, instantly turned into a streak of light, shooting straight towards Xiao Yi.


    "Xiao Yi, be careful��"


    Seeing this, Fang Qingzhu''s face changed dramatically as she stretched out her arms and threw herself in front of Xiao Yi.


    Boom!


    The blood-colored pillar instantly engulfed Fang Qingzhu. Amidst a loud noise, her body trembled, and blood sprayed from her mouth, splattering all over Xiao Yi''s face.


    The nearly unconscious Xiao Yi jolted as his eyes regained some lucidity.


    In that instant of clarity.


    Xiao Yi saw Fang Qingzhu spewing blood, struck by the pillar and flung away, her familiar figure flying horizontally before him, with her scalding blood landing on his face.


    "No, no��"


    Xiao Yi''s hoarse voice let out a desperate roar.


    He unleashed his final power.


    With a sudden reach of his right hand, his vital energy surged like a spring, turning into a ribbon that coiled around Fang Qingzhu''s waist, pulling her into his embrace. At the same time, his left hand reached out, and the Fire Qilin Sword, belching red flames, flew back from afar.


    Man and sword as one!


    "Die!"


    Hum!


    A sword slashed down, heavily landing atop the head of the third brother.


    Splat...


    Blood sprayed in the air.


    The massive head of the third brother of the Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers was directly cleaved off by Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, holding Fang Qingzhu, tumbled to the ground, rolling over several tens of meters, desperately protecting her. Struggling to maintain his will, he looked at Fang Qingzhu in his arms,"Qing, Qingzhu... are, are you okay?"


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi..." Fang Qingzhu, with trembling hands, tried to wipe the blood from the corner of Xiao Yi''s mouth.


    But no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn''t reach Xiao Yi.


    Her injuries were simply too severe!


    Xiao Yi felt the life force within him continuously slipping away, and memories of his life filled his mind.


    Before he was eight, although not valued by his family, at least he had his mother.


    Then he was imprisoned for ten years.


    During those ten years, he saw neither sun nor moon.


    Even his mother left him.


    It wasn''t until he was sent to the Fang Family by his father and elder brother, reduced to a lowly son-in-law, that he met Fang Qingzhu.


    Aside from his mother, she was the first person who truly cared for him, who entered his heart.


    But now...


    "I''m sorry... I, I couldn''t fulfill my promise, couldn''t protect you..." As Xiao Yi spoke, fresh blood uncontrollably flowed out.


    "Xiao Yi, meeting you has been the most fortunate thing in my life!" Fang Qingzhu said with a smile, shaking her head, but the bloodied pale face made one feel even more heartbroken.


    "What a pathetic couple, full of love, but alas, you have actually caused the death of my war beast, you all must die!"


    Xue Mantian''s voice suddenly resonated in their ears.


    Xue Mantian was seen striding through the sky, with a cold and gloomy face, reaching out with both hands.


    "Don''t even think about harming my students from Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Are my people of Tianqing Kingdom something you can kill at will?" S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Junhe, Jiang Tianchen, and an elder from the Jiang Family all made their moves.


    Two figures, comparable to the Tao Tribulation Realm, along with the elder from the Jiang Family, withstood Xue Mantian''s earth-shattering blow.


    But the expressions of the three were extremely ugly.


    Xue Mantian squinted, "A bunch of ants dare to block my path? Die!"


    Hum!


    Xue Mantian pointed his finger to the sky.


    Countless vital energy surged like an ocean, gathered into a huge, cold finger, and with a loud boom, shot towards the group.


    The elder from the Jiang Family, surrounded by dragon shadows, cried out, "Tianqing''s protection!"


    Roar!


    Numerous vital energy formed into a dragon shadow, spanning in front of everyone, but against Xue Mantian''s attack, the Azure Dragon illusion only paused for a moment before shattering into pieces. With a loud bang, the elder from the Jiang Family was sent flying.


    Blood spurted from his mouth, his breath weak as a thread.


    Xue Mantian, surrounded by a flow of blood energy, commanded, "Kill!"


    The leader and second brother of the Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers transformed into demon gods, leaving behind a trail of decapitated heads and rivers of blood wherever they went.


    Jiang Tai was bitten on the arm by a Flying Heavenly Demon Tiger, ripping the limb clean off.


    Niu Dali''s abdomen was pierced by the sharp claws of the tiger.


    Even the four brothers from the Shi Family, uniting their strength, were still blown away with a palm strike, their bones completely shattered.


    The Black Dragon Cavalry under Li Qing''s command, despite their formidable power against the Tao Tribulation Realm''s monstrous beasts, were smashed to pieces. Li Qing himself was impaled atop his steed.


    Tragic!


    Bloody!


    Watching helplessly as one powerful being after another died in front of him to protect him, Xiao Yi''s eyes were completely stained red with blood.


    "Feels quite desperate and helpless, doesn''t it?"


    Xue Mantian''s voice echoed in his ears as he walked on air, easily knocking away any strong being who dared to block him. With a ferocious laugh, he reached out towards Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu, "This is the fate of those who provoke Xue Yilou!"

 Chapter 134 Frozen for Thousands of Miles

    ```Whoosh!


    The cold vital energy surged mightily.


    The terrifying pressure made it impossible for Xiao Yi and his companion to resist, capturing them into the air from afar.


    Xue Mantian swept his icy gaze over the two of them, "Your love for each other is truly touching. Therefore, I''ve decided... after you die, I will dismember your bodies, feed one to the eagles in the sky, and throw the other into the river to feed the fishes. Even in death, you shall be separated by heaven and earth, never to meet again!"


    "Xue! Mantian!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were blood red as he stared daggers at Xue Mantian, as if to etch every bit of him into the depths of his soul.


    No words of hatred, no oaths of vengeance.


    At this moment...


    Hatred had reached its peak.


    If he could survive, he would surely seek his revenge!


    "Brother Xiao Yi, if you become a fish, then I''ll transform into an osprey... If you are an osprey, I''ll become the flying fish, and in the end, we will meet again..." Fang Qingzhu''s pale face suddenly revealed a radiant smile, and her tender voice was filled with unwavering determination.


    Xiao Yi trembled all over and nodded heavily towards Fang Qingzhu.


    "Hmph, whether you die together is not up to you to decide!"


    Xue Mantian sneered, "I shall slaughter Xiao Yi first, and then I will keep this damsel well for a hundred and eighty years. After Xiao Yi''s soul has utterly dispersed, then I will kill you, and I want to see how you''ll continue your affair with the osprey then!"


    Buzz!


    A stream of blood shot towards Xiao Yi.


    In that moment between life and death...


    Suddenly, a spotless blue light appeared between heaven and earth.


    In an instant, the world seemed to transform into a snowy domain, and the cold blood arrow was covered with a thick layer of ice amidst the clicking sounds. Just a finger''s width away from Xiao Yi''s forehead, the blood arrow was completely frozen.


    "Hm? What''s going on?"


    Xue Mantian''s expression changed.


    At the same time.


    The temperature between heaven and earth dropped dozens of degrees in an instant, and the wind blowing in the air contained slivers of icy blue coldness. The touch on one''s face was like the scrape of an ice blade, threatening to slit the skin at any moment.


    In the flowing cold wind.


    Snow began to drift down!


    Amidst the big flurry-like snow.


    Flashes of blue light, which were faintly visible, became brighter and more mysterious.


    "This, this is..."


    Everyone''s gaze turned uniformly towards the blue light, which was gathering around Fang Qingzhu.


    She was enveloped in a layer of blue light, which turned her long hair into an icy blue color, and her long eyelashes trembled slightly, seemingly covered with frost. Within her brows, a strange ice-blue rune flickered in and out of view.


    Behind her...


    There emerged a massive ice-blue Phantom Phoenix, poised to strike. Enjoy more content from empire


    The moment that ice-blue Phantom Phoenix materialized, everything around Fang Qingzhu turned to ice.


    Even the vital energy that Xue Mantian used to bind her was instantly frozen.


    Crack, crack, crack!


    The frost spread along the vital energy relentlessly, forming an ice pillar heading straight for Xue Mantian. Startled, Xue Mantian''s hand trembled violently, cutting off the flow of vital energy, nearly at the moment the energy flow was severed.


    The frost had already reached the column of vital energy.


    The intense chill even caused Xue Mantian''s palm to become covered with frost.


    Hiss!


    Xue Mantian drew a sharp breath, disbelieving as he looked at Fang Qingzhu, who resembled an ice fairy, "What, what is this?"


    "Is that Fang Qingzhu?"


    "Is that the same ice-blue phoenix again? When the assassin from Blood Shadow Tower came to Tianqi Martial Arts Academy previously, it was Sister Qingzhu who summoned this ice-blue phoenix and saved us..."


    "Could it be her Innate Divine Ability? But I''ve never heard of such a Divine Skill..."


    The crowd looked at each other in disbelief.


    Fang Qingzhu looked emotionless at Xue Mantian: "Let him go!"


    "Pretending to be a ghost..."


    Xue Mantian let out a cold laugh, and with a wave of his hand, a torrent of vital energy surged out, "Asura Great Palm Imprint!"


    Buzz!


    A blood-red palm, mountainous in size, loomed over Fang Qingzhu.


    Facing this blood-red palm.


    Fang Qingzhu just snorted coldly, and the ice-blue Phoenix behind her flapped its wings and flew right into the palm. Amidst the cracking sounds, the giant palm, forged entirely from vital energy, instantly turned into an ice sculpture shaped like a palm.


    In a burst of crackling sounds, it shattered into shards of ice that filled the sky.


    "This..."


    Xue Mantian''s expression changed dramatically.


    That strike was powerful enough to kill an ordinary practitioner of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and yet Fang Qingzhu, who was merely at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, could so easily destroy it?


    This was something he had never heard of!


    ```


    Fang Qingzhu''s slender palm reached out towards Xiao Yi, and a beam of ice sliced through the air, freezing everything it touched. The elemental energy that restrained Xiao Yi also shattered, accompanied by a howling chill wind.


    Within the raging wind, snowflakes danced.


    All was turned to a powdery dust.


    An ice-blue phoenix scooped up Xiao Yi and flew back to Fang Qingzhu''s side, her face growing ever more pale, a trace of tenderness flashing in her eyes.


    "Qingzhu, you..." Xiao Yi looked at her with a complex expression.


    Fang Qingzhu shook her head gently, "Xiao Yi, you''ve always been the one to protect me. Today, let it be my turn to protect you!"


    As soon as she spoke.


    Fang Qingzhu waved her hand, sending Xiao Yi to Gu Junhe''s side. Meanwhile, the ice-blue phoenix behind her took to the skies, transforming into a beam of blue light that soared towards Xue Mantian.


    "You''re not worthy of my master''s effort!"


    "Die!"


    The leader and the deputy of the Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers charged out together.


    These two demonic beasts had been raised by Xue Mantian from their youth and were utterly loyal to him.


    "Die!"


    Fang Qingzhu just let out a cold snort.


    The ice-blue phoenix swept past, its tail elongated with swirling frost and snow, passing through the void. The two enormous Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers continuously accumulated thick layers of frost on their bodies.


    In the blink of an eye.


    They had turned into two ice sculptures.


    Boom! Boom!


    Two beasts, comparable to the sixth rank of the Tao Tribulation Realm, fell from the sky and smashed heavily onto the ground, shattering into broken ice.


    Hiss!


    At this moment...


    All was silent between heaven and earth.


    All eyes turned to her with shock and fear.


    With a mere flick of her wrist.


    She had slain two sixth-rank demonic beasts. Sear?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Such ability would only be found in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, wouldn''t it? But Fang Qingzhu was clearly at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm!


    "Little beast, you dared to kill my battle pets, I''ll take your life!" Xue Mantian was furious, and as he raised his hand, the entire royal capital shook violently. The massive palace at the capital''s center was ripped from the earth by his might.


    The huge palace was held aloft in the void single-handedly by Xue Mantian.


    This was the power of a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert.


    With the slightest motion, they could harness the power of the heavens and the earth.


    "Die!"


    The enormous palace crashed down towards Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu as Xue Mantian flicked his finger.


    Confronted with the massive palace, should it fall, a significant part of the royal capital would be destroyed.


    In this moment of life and death...


    The ice-blue phoenix behind Fang Qingzhu suddenly spread its wings and flew up, its cry like thunder from the nine heavens, shaking the sky as it soared. The blue phoenix swelled, becoming immensely large, with a wingspan of thousands of feet.


    Wherever it passed...


    The world turned into a frozen realm.


    Rumble! Rumble!


    Thunder boomed in winter, and Feng Xue fluttered.


    The entire royal capital...


    Was transformed into a realm of ice sculptures under the impact of the ice-blue phoenix, and yet the icy storm had not ceased. The blue phoenix flew past, heading straight for Xue Mantian, whose expression changed drastically as he raised his hand to block.


    But, his elemental energy couldn''t stop the blue phoenix.


    Crack! Crack!


    Amid the crisp sounds of freezing ice, Xue Mantian''s arms were frozen solid, his expression suddenly changed, and he hastily soared into the skies.


    His arms were numb and lifeless.


    If this went on...


    He might well lose his hands, and yet the ice-blue phoenix continued to chase after him, causing the prestigious Xue Mantian of the Dharma Manifestation Realm to show fear as he glared at Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu: "You just wait... Having offended my Blood Shadow Tower, you will all die!"


    Whoosh!


    Xue Mantian shot up, disappearing into the sky.


    Over the vast royal capital...


    Beneath the giant ice sculpture of the palace, Fang Qingzhu, surrounded by ice-blue light, gazed at Xue Mantian as he disappeared into the heavens. Suddenly, she staggered, collapsing into Xiao Yi''s arms.


    The giant ice sculpture of the palace also fell from the sky, crashing to the ground with a loud bang.


    The chill covered thousands of miles!


    The people of Tianqing Kingdom looked at each other, their suspended hearts finally coming to rest, as their current crisis had been temporarily averted.


    But...


    Neither the departed Xue Mantian nor the unconscious Fang Qingzhu, nor Xiao Yi and the others knew. Just as Fang Qingzhu had fully unleashed the ice-blue phoenix, in the far north, amidst the endless snowstorm, within a massive palace, an immensely authoritative voice commanded: "Bring her back!"

 Chapter 135 The Curtain Falls

    This day was a catastrophic disaster for the capital of the Tianqing Kingdom.The palace alone, symbolizing royal dignity and supreme power, was destroyed in an instant, delivering a massive blow to the royal family of Tianqing Kingdom.


    Besides that...


    In her final outburst, Fang Qingzhu froze the entire palace into ice.


    It came crashing down.


    The razed buildings nearly covered half of the capital.


    At the very center of the capital, where the palace once stood, there was now an immense crater. It was the result of the palace being uprooted by Xue Mantian, looking from afar like a vast gaping hole.


    Inside the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    The scene was chaotic, land everywhere scorched by war, mountains of bodies and rivers of blood.


    Amidst the ruins.


    Zhou Yuan was tightly bound and kneeling before Jiang Tianchen and others, his face twisted with ferocity and madness, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, Jiang Tianchen... what does it matter that I have fallen into your hands? You''ve offended Xue Yilou, and you, together with the entire Tianqing Kingdom, have but one path left��death..."


    Jiang Tianchen''s face was extremely somber.


    Xiao Yi, who stood by his side, had managed to recuperate some Qi-Blood, thanks to Fang Qingzhu''s sudden burst, which prevented his Blood Explosion Skill from completely burning away his blood.


    Even so...


    Xiao Yi was still exceedingly weak at this moment, holding Fang Qingzhu in his arms, his icy gaze fixed on Zhou Yuan, "Even if Xue Yilou doesn''t come for me, I will go after them!"


    The appearance of Xue Mantian had not only nearly brought him and Fang Qingzhu to their deaths.


    But it also resulted in the demise of Li Qing and many other powerful warriors.


    All of whom had lent a hand in the moment of crisis, aiding him.


    Xiao Yi was filled with self-reproach over their sacrifices.


    And his hatred towards Xue Yilou was equally intense.


    "Seek revenge on Xue Yilou? That''s just about the most ridiculous joke I''ve ever heard."


    Explore hidden tales at empire


    Zhou Yuan was startled, his face covered in viciousness, and sneered, "Xiao Yi, I admit your talent is strong, but Xue Yilou becoming the strongest assassin organization among the more than a hundred subordinate nations under the Great Qian Dynasty...their strength far exceeds your imagination. Someone as powerful as Xue Mantian is only one of the Nine Masters. Do you really think you can take your revenge on Xue Yilou? You''re delusional!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "That''s not for you to worry about anymore!"


    "Xiao Yi, what do you think should be done with him?" Jiang Tianchen looked towards Xiao Yi and asked.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Kill!"


    "Alright!"


    Jiang Tianchen nodded, his cold gaze falling upon Zhou Yuan, he waved his hand, "Execute him!"


    Jiang Weisheng made his move without delay. sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He brought down a palm.


    Boom!


    Zhou Yuan, the mighty head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, was turned into a pile of flesh.


    Amongst the flesh.


    Jiang Weisheng retrieved a blood-stained Martial Dao Divine Fruit and passed it to Jiang Tianchen, "Your Majesty, this is Zhou Yuan''s Martial Dao Divine Fruit!"


    Jiang Tianchen nodded and took it.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, nodded to Jiang Tianchen, and said, "Your Majesty, the Tianqing Kingdom has offered support in good faith, and I, Xiao Yi, am no ingrate. As long as I draw breath, I''ll stand with the Tianqing Kingdom through thick and thin!"


    "Good, very good!"


    Jiang Tianchen let out a long sigh of relief and laughed heartily with contentment.


    For him...


    The destruction of the palace, the devastating losses to the capital, the near annihilation of the Black Dragon Cavalry, none of that compared to Xiao Yi.


    An Xiao Yi, at present, seemed immeasurably more valuable than today''s losses.


    But in Jiang Tianchen''s heart, what he valued even more was Xiao Yi''s future!


    One year''s time.


    From the Physical Body Realm, he had grown into someone who could match a fighter from the Tao Tribulation Realm, and for this very reason, Jiang Tianchen decided to intervene at the last moment. If Xiao Yi hadn''t demonstrated such formidable strength during his confrontation with Zhou Yuan,


    Jiang Tianchen certainly wouldn''t have known about Xue Mantian''s intervention and still chosen to firmly support Xiao Yi.


    It turned out he had made the right bet!


    "Xiao Yi, I have noticed that Miss Fang..." Jiang Tianchen''s worried gaze fell upon Fang Qingzhu.


    Xiao Yi shook his head; with the inheritance of the Underworld Doctor, he had already examined Fang Qingzhu''s condition and found that she had merely fainted from exhaustion without life-threatening injuries. He then said, "Qingzhu is not in any serious danger, she just needs a good rest!"


    Jiang Tianchen breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the frail Fang Qingzhu, as an image of a figure with an ice-blue phoenix behind her, spreading its wings and taking flight,


    frost sealing thousands of miles, and forcing Xue Mantian back.


    He felt that Fang Qingzhu was also hiding a great secret.


    However...


    He did not inquire further.


    Jiang Tianchen said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, once I have properly settled the Royal Capital, I will issue a royal decree to all, proclaiming you as the Martial King of Tianqing Kingdom. This time, you won''t refuse me again, right?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "I am grateful for His Majesty''s reward!"


    Jiang Tianchen smiled in satisfaction, then turned to look at Gu Junhe, whose face was pale, "Headmaster Gu, the Royal Martial Arts Academy has been destroyed, but there are still many disciples who are innocent. My Tianqing Kingdom cannot do without a Martial Arts Institute. Would your Tianqi Martial Arts Academy be willing to accept them?"


    The Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, ever since Wang Tianqi disappeared five hundred years ago, had been brutally suppressed by the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Now reduced to its current state, with only a few people left including Xiao Yi.


    After this battle.


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy had completely disappeared, and it was only logical for the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy to take its place.


    Although he had speculated as much, Gu Junhe still couldn''t help but feel excited, his eyes red with emotion as he nodded vigorously, "Your Majesty need not worry, I will lead the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy to cultivate even more powerful fighters!"


    "The future of our Tianqing Kingdom is in your hands!"


    Jiang Tianchen patted Gu Junhe''s shoulder, his gaze sweeping across the crowd and coming to rest on Jiang Tai.


    He had lost an arm.


    His face looked somewhat saddened at the moment.


    A ruler of a nation should be a man of perfection.


    Being physically incomplete, even with his greatest competitor, the Crown Prince, dead, he could never become the chosen heir to the throne. Yet, Jiang Tianchen merely smiled faintly, "Tai, from this day forward, you shall be the Crown Prince of Tianqing Kingdom. I hope you will not disappoint me, your father!"


    "Crown Prince? Me?"


    Jiang Tai''s face was a mix of confusion and disbelief as he looked at Jiang Tianchen.


    Jiang Tianchen nodded solemnly.


    Thud!


    Jiang Tai fell to his knees, his face filled with excitement, "I thank Your Majesty for your trust; I will do everything within my power to not let down your high esteem!"


    Xiao Yi watched the people before him, as well as the ruins of the Royal Capital.


    Yet in his eyes, he seemed to envision the great revival of the Tianqing Kingdom on the rise, clenching his fists tightly as he looked into the distance, "Xiao Tianjiao, within one year, I have already become a match for the Tao Tribulation Realm. I must be getting closer and closer to you, right?"


    However...


    Xiao Yi did not realize,


    that for him...


    for the Tianqing Kingdom...


    it was only just the beginning!


    A great storm, aimed at him and the Tianqing Kingdom, was quietly brewing...

 Chapter 136 Wedding Date

    ```Time flew by.


    A month had passed since the Royal Martial Arts Academy was destroyed.


    Over the past month, the capital had been in a state of complete reconstruction.


    The majestic royal palace was rebuilt, and with the assistance of Jiang Weisheng, the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, a large mountain was moved to block the massive pit. The mountain peak was flattened, and a more imposing palace was erected.


    The capital itself had also recovered to a great extent.


    Yet, even after a month...


    The area where the Royal Martial Arts Academy once stood was still thick with the scent of blood.


    It was a place people went out of their way to avoid.


    Jiang Tianchen had originally intended to level it to the ground, but Gu Junhe suggested that the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy be built on the site instead.


    For one, it would place the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy within the capital, which would be more convenient for its disciples and members.


    Secondly, it served as a reminder to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy not to follow in the footsteps of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    In response to this, Jiang Tianchen specially consulted Xiao Yi''s opinion, and with Xiao Yi''s affirmation, the site was then handed over to Gu Junhe to manage. Niu Dali and the four Shi brothers had performed exceptionally well in the recent battle and had caught the eye of Gu Junhe.


    They all took up important positions in the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, assisting Gu Junhe in restructuring it.


    The entire Tianqing Kingdom could be said to be recovering from ruin.


    And during this month...


    Xiao Yi was focused on healing his wounds and taking care of Fang Qingzhu.


    In the elegant courtyard,


    Xiao Yi was practicing his swordplay in the courtyard. Each move and each posture improved significantly with continuous practice, and his mastery of the third phase of Sword Intent, the unity of man and sword, became increasingly proficient.


    The battle had helped him accumulate experience, and Xiao Yi''s cultivation officially stepped into the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    The number of God Sealing Seeds in his body officially entered the ranks of fifty thousand.


    However...


    Even with fifty thousand God Sealing Seeds, Xiao Yi still was unable to open the next tomb. He had an intense premonition that to unlock the next tomb, the number of God Sealing Seeds must reach at least one hundred thousand.


    At the same time,


    Once the God Sealing Seeds reached one hundred thousand, huge changes would occur to his body.


    This feeling became more intense as Xiao Yi''s cultivation deepened.


    "Xiao Yi brother, dinner''s ready!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s voice came from behind. She and Lin Bingxin, one after the other, brought sumptuous dishes into the courtyard.


    "Coming!"


    Xiao Yi sheathed his Fire Qilin Sword, and the three sat down together.


    "Qingzhu, try this fish!"


    "Xiao Yi brother, eat more as well. I specially made this soup for you, to replenish your Qi-Blood!"


    "Qingzhu, try this..." Enjoy new adventures from empire


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu served each other food, enjoying a harmonious moment.


    They completely ignored Lin Bingxin, who sat beside them with a look of grievance.


    With wide watery eyes, she watched as they served food to each other, her pupils moving left and right following their movements, and suddenly let out a long sigh, "I really shouldn''t have come to suffer this��"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi and the other exchanged glances and then burst into laughter.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face turned red, and she glared at Xiao Yi before serving a piece of meat to Lin Bingxin, softly saying, "Bingxin, here''s some meat for you. Eat more too!"


    "It''s Qingzhu who treats me the best!"


    Lin Bingxin smiled sweetly, sending a challenging gaze towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi shook his head helplessly.


    ```


    Tastes surpassed only by the rich complexity of life.


    Xiao Yi put down his bowl and chopsticks and said in a deep voice, "Qingzhu, his majesty has sent a message. He''s preparing to hold my coronation ceremony in half a month, declaring to all that I shall be honored as the Martial King of the Nation. I''ve already told him that on that day, I plan to make up for our wedding!"


    "Ah?"


    Fang Qingzhu was stunned, her chopsticks falling onto the table as her face blushed, "A make-up wedding?"


    Xiao Yi nodded solemnly, "Our marriage was rushed, and I was even in a coma throughout. I owe you a grand wedding... Qingzhu, what do you think?"


    "I, I''ll listen to whatever Xiao Yi says!" Fang Qingzhu''s face was flushed as she lowered her head.


    Xiao Yi gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders.


    "Oh my, I can''t watch this anymore, I''m going to go blind, I need to wash my eyes out..."


    Lin Bingxin covered her face with an exaggerated expression, stood up, and trotted out. Behind her came Fang Qingzhu''s chiding voice: "It''s all your fault... Now Sister Bingxin has seen us and laughed..."


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily.


    But neither of them noticed that as Lin Bingxin ran, she slowed down, and between the fingers covering her face, a crystal-clear tear rolled down.


    She raised her hand to wipe away the tear from the corner of her eye.


    Lin Bingxin turned back to look at the courtyard not far away, a stubborn look on her face as she murmured to herself, "As long as they''re happy, that''s what matters, right?"


    The next day.


    The people from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and the royal family all received the news.


    Half a month from now, Xiao Yi would be coronated as the Martial King of the Nation and would hold his wedding with Fang Qingzhu. This wedding would be unprecedented in its grandeur, its scale even comparable to that of the king''s own wedding to the queen.


    KIng Jiang Tianchen of the present will officiate the wedding, with all preparations being taken care of by the current Crown Prince, Jiang Tai.


    In addition.


    The headmaster of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, Gu Junhe, and the only Tao Tribulation Realm elder of the Tianqing Kingdom, Jiang Weisheng, will serve as elders for both the bride and the groom.


    The news of this wedding spread far and wide.


    Inside the palace of the Purple Robe Kingdom.


    Yue Cang gave a wry smile as he looked at the tightly closed door in front of him, his face gloomy: "Ling''er, didn''t you know long ago that Xiao Yi had a wife? They''re just redoing the wedding ceremony, why do you have to torment yourself like this?"


    "Brother... I''m fine, I just want to be alone for a while, you go ahead!" came Yue Ling''er''s low voice from inside the room.


    Yue Cang sighed helplessly: "This man... Being too outstanding is also a sin!"


    In the capital of the Tianqing Kingdom, within the Treasure Pavilion.


    Elder Yan looked at Lin Bingxin, who was bustling about, preparing the congratulations gift, and sighed softly: "Girl, aren''t you going to tell Xiao how you feel? If you''re too embarrassed to speak up, I''ll do it for you!" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "No!"


    Lin Bingxin quickly turned around, "Master, please let me handle this, okay?"


    "You..."


    Elder Yan embraced Lin Bingxin with a look of heartache, gently patting her back.


    Lin Bingxin buried her head in Elder Yan''s chest, her tears falling uncontrollably as she bit her lip and murmured: "This is good... really... it''s good..."


    "Silly girl, silly girl..."


    Elder Yan''s heart ached deeply.


    Meanwhile, as the entire Tianqing Kingdom was busy preparing for Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu''s wedding.


    Within Jin Country, ranking first among the hundred subordinate nations of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    In the Xue Yilou.


    Xue Mantian, who had lost his arms, listened to the report of his subordinate, his face covered in a fierce grin: "Hehe... A wedding? I shall turn this wedding into their funeral..."


    At the same time.


    In the boundless void.


    Though flames blazed brightly, snowflakes suddenly began to drift down high in the sky. Amidst the flying snow, a colossal snow-white ship tore through space. Standing on the deck of the ship was a young man, dressed in a white robe, as handsome as a jade statue, with a golden crown upon his head.


    He squinted his eyes, gazing in the direction of the Tianqing Kingdom: "Soon, we''ll arrive very soon!"

 Chapter 137 Turn Against Each Other

    boom! boom! boom!in the skies above the capital of tianqing kingdom, fireworks exploded one after another, the sound of salute cannons thundering.


    the entire capital was bedecked with lights and decorations, brimming with a festive atmosphere from top to bottom.


    "martial king of the nation''s grand wedding, everything in our store is half off!"


    "come take a look! our store has the very room the martial king and his wife once stayed in, just a hundred taels of silver for a visit..."


    "martial king''s hearty hairstyle, only ten taels..."


    on the newly refurbished vermilion bird avenue, hundreds of lavish carriages swept grandly by, bearing precious gifts. leading the procession were the royally dressed imperial guards, with xiao yi riding on a tall steed followed by a gold, festively decorated carriage.


    the carriage was pulled by eight beasts comparable to the golden core realm, an impressive and majestic sight.


    inside the carriage.


    fang qingzhu, dressed in a red wedding gown and wearing a red veil, nervously clutched lin bingxin''s hand and said in a low voice, "bingxin, i... i''m a bit nervous..."


    lin bingxin was startled for a moment, then gently patted the back of her hand and smiled, "you and xiao yi have been husband and wife for a while now, what''s there to be nervous about?"


    "it''s not the same..."


    fang qingzhu shook her head, "during our previous wedding ceremony, xiao yi was unconscious throughout, and i was like a walking corpse. moreover, the fang family looked down on xiao yi, so everything was kept simple, but now..." sea??h th�� ��ovelfire.��et website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the wedding held previously at the fang family was one in which xiao yi was continuously unconscious.


    and fang qingzhu...


    her most vivid memory was being on the wedding ceremony where someone from the xiao family descended to strip her of her cultivation.


    how could she remember any details of the wedding?


    fang qingzhu said, "bingxin, do you know? when i married xiao yi, i was truly in despair, to the extent that i wanted to kill him. because of him, my cultivation was destroyed, because of him, i received cold looks from my family... i never thought that i would fall in love with him so hopelessly..."


    lin bingxin asked curiously, "when did you start falling in love with him?" discover hidden stories at empire


    "it was probably when he rushed into the zhang family''s dungeon and rescued me! in my most desperate moment, xiao yi appeared before me like a god descending from the heavens..." fang qingzhu murmured softly.


    as she recounted the past, she also gradually relaxed.


    listening to their story piece by piece, lin bingxin felt a bittersweet pain in her heart: "it''s because you''ve experienced so much together that you could truly fall in love with each other! just like me..."


    the image of being locked up in a dungeon, with xiao yi coming to her rescue, surfaced in her mind.


    that moment with xiao yi...


    wasn''t he also like a god descending in her eyes?


    "huh? like who?" fang qingzhu was startled and asked.


    lin bingxin quickly said, "no, i was just saying i''m really envious of you!"


    "heehee, bingxin, you will meet that person too!" fang qingzhu said sweetly.


    lin bingxin managed a forced smile.


    before long...


    the procession had entered the royal palace and arrived at the grand hall.


    this wedding was held inside the royal palace, an unprecedented honor, yet everyone present understood that xiao yi deserved this honor. just by being the martial king of the nation, it was clear how important he was to tianqing kingdom.


    inside the grand hall, lanterns and streamers adorned the space, with guests filling the seats.


    gu junhe and jiang weisheng, representing the families of the bride and groom, sat in high seats at the front.


    jiang tai was in charge of all arrangements.


    jiang tianchen personally presided over the wedding, loudly announcing, "let us welcome the bride and groom!"


    xiao yi, holding fang qingzhu''s hand, walked into the grand hall.


    "truly a match of talents and grace!"


    "worthy of the martial king, such bearing... only miss qingzhu is fitting for him!"


    the crowd murmured one after another.


    jiang tianchen declared loudly, "bride and groom... kneel to heaven and earth..."


    "second bow to the high hall��"


    "husband and wife bow to each other��"


    xiao yi and fang qingzhu faced each other, ready to perform the ceremony.


    but just at that moment��


    with a loud clang.


    ten cold iron chests landed at the entrance of the hall, and blood-cloaked figures burst through the air, led by none other than xue mantian. his hands had been frozen by fang qingzhu; after returning, they could not be treated and had to be amputated.


    now, the handless xue mantian seemed even more sinister and venomous.


    "xue mantian?"


    "he, how did he get here?"


    "it''s over, it''s over, this must be xue yilou seeking revenge�� i knew it, how could offending xue yilou end so easily��"


    inside the entire hall, everyone wore a cautious expression.


    xiao yi held fang qingzhu''s hand tightly, his eyes squinting at xue mantian, "xue mantian, what are you here for?"


    "hehe, your grand wedding, xiao yi, how could i be absent?"


    xue mantian smiled sinisterly, glanced at a xue yilou assassin beside him, and several went to the front of the ten iron chests, xue mantian''s face filled with malice as he said, "inside these, are the congratulatory gifts i prepared for you two, congratulations on your joyous wedding!"


    clang! clang! clang!


    one by one, the chests were opened, and the pungent smell of blood instantly enveloped the entire hall.


    hisss!


    everyone inhaled sharply.


    "this, these are human heads?"


    "wow�� how many people did this take to kill? my heavens��"


    each iron chest was filled with bloody human heads, each more horrific than the last, with gouged eyes, cut ears, and pulled out tongues; their deaths were incredibly gruesome.


    xiao yi''s pupils suddenly constricted: "is it them?"


    lin bingxin and others turned deathly pale.


    the chests contained heads from nanhuang city, those who had past interactions with xiao yi.


    lord sikong, the entire zhao family��


    the heads of all the people in nanhuang city who had been friendly with xiao yi were all present.


    xue mantian smirked, "how about that? do you like my gifts? to prepare this congratulatory gift for you, i dispatched five hundred elite assassins to nanhuang city, hastening over day and night. each head, freshly warm��"


    giggle!


    xiao yi''s fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned pale, his eyes instantly filled with bloodshot fury.


    rage!


    his anger surged to the heavens!


    grinding his teeth, xiao yi said word by word, "they never provoked you��"


    "but you provoked me! i said those who offend me don''t end well, you must die, your family must die, your friends must die, everyone related to you must die!"


    xue mantian''s ferocious yell interrupted xiao yi, laughing cruelly, "these are just the beginning. next, i will cleanse the capital city with blood, even the entire tianqing kingdom. i will make the billions of souls in the tianqing kingdom my war pets, as a burial for my arms��"


    "madmen, everyone in xue yilou is a madman!"


    "xue, we have nothing to do with xiao yi, you can''t involve us��"


    "xiao yi, you reek of evil, bringing calamity upon the people of tianqing kingdom. we''ve long found you displeasing. today, as xue seeks to rid you like a tumor, we shall fully support xue in this endeavor��"


    "xiao yi must be executed, to return tianqing kingdom to its clear skies��"


    for a moment,


    there were nearly half of the guests who stood on xue mantian''s side, turned against xiao yi, and pointed fingers��

 Chapter 138 The Heavenly White Jade Capital, Twelve Towers and Five Cities!

    "hahaha, xiao yi, do you see? even the guests you invited think you deserve to die!"xue mantian laughed heartily, his face full of mockery.


    inside the grand hall.


    peace was no more.


    everywhere was filled with verbal attacks on xiao yi; when he had been in power, of course, they stood by his side. but now, xue mantian was evidently more powerful, and they had chosen to switch sides.


    such was human nature.


    "how dare you!"


    "xiao yi is the martial king of the tianqing kingdom; how dare you all act like this?" jiang tai was furiously enraged.


    xue mantian chuckled sinisterly, but his gaze fell on jiang tianchen, "jiang tianchen, you once claimed that you would use the entire country''s strength to protect xiao yi, do you think you can keep him safe?"


    jiang tianchen took a deep breath, and spoke solemnly, "as the martial king of the tianqing kingdom, i would not fear even the fall of our nation to protect him!"


    "is that so? but this tianqing kingdom is not yours alone. why don''t you ask them if they agree?" xue mantian said mockingly, looking at those who had turned their coats.


    many shouted, "my king, you can''t be so selfish!"


    "we do not wish to offend xue yilou just for xiao yi, we don''t want to die..."


    "jiang tianchen, do you really want the whole tianqing kingdom to be buried with him? if so, what right do you have to be our king?"


    "xiao yi, how can you be so selfish as to drag innocent people into your personal desires? just kneel to xue and beg for mercy..."


    "please don''t be so selfish..."


    faced with everyone''s accusations and curses.


    jiang tianchen''s face was extremely unsightly.


    xue mantian was smug, "you see, xiao yi? they''re all dying for you to die!"


    whoosh!


    jiang tianchen let out a long, turbid breath, his gaze complex as he looked at the people before him, but he said firmly, "we of the tianqing kingdom, vow to share fate with our martial king!"


    "vow to share fate with our martial king!"


    "share fate!"


    jiang tai and the people from tianqi martial arts academy roared with anger.


    their momentum managed to suppress that of xue mantian and the others.


    "who knew there are still fools who do not cherish their lives..." xue mantian sneered and shook his head, raising his hand as a group of assassins from blood shadow tower drew their weapons, ready to kill at his indifferent command.


    xiao yi and his party''s vital energies fluctuated.


    a great battle was on the verge of breaking out.


    but just then...


    suddenly, the air was filled with flurries of white snowflakes.


    "huh? it''s snowing? but it''s the middle of summer..."


    "snow in the summertime, what''s going on?"


    "you, you guys look..."


    suddenly someone shouted, and the crowd looked towards the outside of the hall.


    above the dome of the sky...


    countless snowflakes were falling.


    within the sacred snowflakes, a twelve-story building, white as jade, was slowly descending. around this ship, the snow continued to fall endlessly, turning wherever it was into a world of ice and snow.


    lofty and solemn chanting echoed between heaven and earth...


    heavenly white jade capital, twelve stories and five cities.


    immortals touch my head, knots of hair bestow eternal life...


    a white-robed youth with his hands behind his back stood on a snow path amid the wind and snow, calmly descending. behind him, ten men and women followed.


    all dressed in white.


    five men, five women. read new adventures at empire


    each one was a handsome man or a beautiful woman, ethereal and elegant, and incredibly powerful.


    each of those ten attendants had cultivation levels of the tao tribulation realm.


    not to mention the leading man, whose depth was unknowable. he was like the vast expanse of the stars, boundless, unfathomable, facing whom even the mighty xue mantian seemed diminished.


    "white jade capital?"


    "what place is this? how have i never heard of it?"


    "that ship... must be worth a fortune, right?"


    the crowd was dumbfounded.


    the white-robed youth frowned and glanced at the last person who spoke.


    a cold-looking woman behind him waved her hand, and the man was enveloped by the falling snow, turning into an ice sculpture. then with a clench of her fist, the man shattered into countless ice fragments.


    the youth''s face was indifferent, his icy gaze sweeping over the crowd.


    in the palm of his hand.


    a white jade pendant fell into her hands, and a faint white light emanated from it. with a whoosh, it flew out of her grasp and hovered above fang qingzhu''s head. after circling for a moment, it fell into her hands.


    the holy white light enveloped fang qingzhu.


    "it''s really here!"


    following the direction in which the jade pendant flew, and seeing fang qingzhu in her bridal attire, covered by a red bridal veil��especially when seeing her hand being held by xiao yi��a frigid murderous intent flashed in his eyes. he said coldly, "kill him!"


    "yes!" s��arch* the n??efire.��et website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the man behind him, who was at the first layer of the tao tribulation realm, nodded respectfully, took a step forward, and waved a flurry of snowflakes.


    the snowflakes condensed into a chilling ice sword, slashing towards xiao yi.


    without a word, the intent to kill was unleashed.


    a cold light flashed in xiao yi''s eyes as he scoffed and his fist struck out like a dragon: "seeking death!"


    hum!


    that punch was like one thrown by jingang subduing demons.


    boom!


    the ice shattered.


    the fist impacted, hitting the man squarely.


    wow!


    the man screamed miserably.


    under xiao yi''s devastating punch, half his body exploded, turning into a cold corpse.


    his cultivation had reached the tenth layer of the golden core realm, and the power of the god sealing seed fed back by 50,000 others had elevated his strength to a new level. with one punch, he killed a common individual at the first layer of the calamity realm as easily as crushing an ant.


    "hmm?"


    the youth in white raised an eyebrow and sneered, "to think a nobody from such a remote corner could have such strength. it''s a shame, though, that you''re going to die!"


    "hehe, do you need my assistance, brother?" xue mantian suddenly interjected with a smile.


    slap!


    the youth in white spun around and slapped him across the face, the strike sending xue mantian reeling in confusion.


    he couldn''t even resist?


    the indifferent gaze of the youth in white bore into him: "what do you count for? you think to assist me?"


    "you..."


    color drained from xue mantian''s face, then returned, his eyes filled with dread.


    that slap was no ordinary one!


    to render him, a dharma manifestation realm expert, utterly powerless, the youth''s strength must have been at least ten times greater than his. such a young dharma manifestation realm expert could only be matched by xiao tianjiao, the strongest genius of the great qian dynasty!


    he dared not provoke such a person!


    "good that he and xiao yi are enemies, not friends..." xue mantian thought to himself.


    the youth in white looked at xiao yi with a cold expression: "commit suicide! i don''t want to dirty my hands."


    "who are you? xiao has never met you before, why do you seek my death?" xiao yi squinted, scrutinizing the youth in white.


    it wasn''t just that he had never met him, he had never even heard of him before.


    yet the youth''s intent to kill him was incredibly strong.


    the youth in white sneered, "who do you think you are to deserve to know my identity? within three breaths, end yourself here, and i''ll spare their lives. otherwise, everyone present today will die!"


    "no, no, this gentleman mustn''t do this, we have nothing to do with xiao yi!"


    "yes, we''ve long been displeased with xiao yi and his wife, the pair of thieves and prostitutes..."


    "xiao yi is a sly villain, and fang qingzhu is nothing but a cheap woman..."


    the people who had turned against him earlier shouted one after another.


    the youth in white paused, frowning at them: "you called her a cheap woman?"


    "yes, yes!"


    "a scum like xiao yi can only marry a cheap woman..." thinking they found a lifeline, the crowd continued speaking.


    the youth in white uttered an "oh" and glanced back at his followers: "kill them!"


    "yes!"


    the nine of them acted simultaneously.


    heads rolled.


    all of those who had turned against him were killed, each screaming miserably, "why? why is this happening..."


    the youth in white''s face remained impassive: "a sacred maiden of baiyu can be slandered by the likes of you?"


    "sacred maiden?"


    "damn it..."


    despair filled the faces of the powerful individuals.


    so she was your sacred maiden, why didn''t you say so earlier!


    but alas...


    there is no medicine for regret in this world.


    all these petty, two-faced turncoats died miserably right there in the hall.


    the youth in white turned again to xiao yi: "for daring to defile the sacred maiden of baiyu, you too, must die!"

 Chapter 140 Kill Them All!

    inside the great hall, there was silence.the atmosphere was particularly oppressive.


    the festive lights and decorations, meant to convey joy, instead made the oppression feel even heavier, leaving people afraid to even breathe too loudly.


    everyone''s gaze swept over xiao yi, wishing to offer comfort but not knowing what to say.


    it was supposed to be a day of great joy.


    yet, the bride had been forcibly taken away during the wedding ceremony, a blow that would be difficult for any man to bear.


    among the crowd,


    lin bingxin wanted to step forward but was stopped by elder yan, who shook his head gently at her.


    lin bingxin could only look at him with worried eyes.


    after a moment of silence,


    xiao yi came back to his senses, saw the concerned faces around him, and managed a slight smile, saying, "why do you all look at me like this? don''t worry, i''m okay!"


    "xiao yi��"


    "your highness the martial king��"


    people were still full of concern.


    xiao yi waved his hand, having already collected his thoughts.


    if fang qingzhu had left on her own volition, he might still feel lost and heartbroken.


    but this was a situation forced upon her.


    and it was because he was too weak!


    if only his strength were enough, if he was in the dharma manifestation realm, or even better, the longevity secret realm, how could ye qingyu and the so-called baiyu possibly have taken fang qingzhu away by force? in the end, it was all because he wasn''t strong enough!


    just like back then with the xiao family��


    it was also because he wasn''t strong enough that he ended up as a live-in son-in-law sent to the distant fang family.


    "xiao junior brother, are you really okay?" jiang tai asked solemnly.


    "rest assured!"


    xiao yi waved his hand, looking at jiang tai''s severed arm, and said in a deep voice, "elder brother jiang, i saw earlier that ye qingyu gave a heaven''s remnant elixir to xue mantian, which could regenerate his severed limb. if there''s a chance in the future, i will certainly find one for you!"


    "this..."


    jiang tai was stunned.


    your wife has just been snatched away, and you''re still thinking about my severed arm?


    the looks of concern on everyone''s faces grew more pronounced.


    they feared that xiao yi was merely pretending to be at ease.


    xiao yi said in a grave voice, "please rest assured, my friends. i, xiao yi, am not so easily defeated. today, due to my lack of strength, i could only watch helplessly as my wife was taken away. but one day, i will go to baiyu myself and bring qingzhu back!"


    only then did everyone feel somewhat reassured.


    xiao yi then turned to jiang tianchen, "your majesty, although qingzhu has constrained xue mantian, preventing xue yilou from setting foot in the tianqing kingdom for three years, given xue yilou''s power, they might incite other kingdoms to act against us. therefore, it''s crucial that our tianqing kingdom recruits several more tao tribulation realm powerhouses!"


    "recruit several more tao tribulation realm powerhouses? that''s easier said than done," jiang tianchen said with a wry smile.


    xiao yi took out three martial dao divine fruits from his storage ring and handed them over to jiang tianchen, "these three martial dao divine fruits can help our tianqing kingdom rapidly gain three tao tribulation realm powerhouses. as for whom to give them to, your majesty will decide."


    the power held in the hands of the royal family is definitely not as simple as it seems on the surface.


    perhaps there is indeed only one person, jiang wei, who is a tao tribulation realm powerhouse.


    but there are definitely more than just jiang tianchen at the golden elixir peak.


    jiang tianchen, holding the three martial dao divine fruits in his hands, showed an elated expression and said repeatedly, "with these three martial dao divine fruits, tianqing kingdom can quickly create three tao tribulation realm pillars of the state. xiao yi, your actions are a monumental feat for our tianqing kingdom. if there''s anything you need, just let me know!"


    "this incident started because of me; this is what i should do!" xiao yi said dismissively.


    after discussing the tianqing kingdom''s countermeasures for some time, everyone dispersed.


    this was the day xiao yi was to be crowned the martial king of the nation, as well as his wedding day, but the bride was taken away, and the couple was separated. it really left no mood to continue the banquet.


    in the days that followed...


    the tianqing kingdom did go through some peaceful times.


    all industries flourished.


    the strength of the experts from the tianqi martial arts institute was rapidly enhancing, and their numbers were also increasing.


    xiao yi, however, stationed himself at the old site of the tianqi martial arts institute outside the city. ever since that day, his cultivation became even more desperate. his cultivation level was advancing in an orderly manner, but stepping into the tao tribulation realm still required a certain amount of time to accumulate, as well as the right opportunity.


    however...


    this peaceful life lasted only for ten days.


    ......


    inside the palace.


    jiang tianchen gathered xiao yi and the others, his expression extremely serious as he pointed to the sand table in front of him and said, "gentlemen, according to the scouts'' reports... the tianlan kingdom, sihai kingdom, baijing kingdom, and qingyun kingdom have formed an alliance of four nations, advancing with two million troops southward!"


    hiss!


    a group of court officials gasped, "our tianqing kingdom has always had a feud with the tianlan kingdom, but our relations with the other three kingdoms have always been good. why would they join forces?"


    "i have received information that all of this is manipulated by xue yilou behind the scenes..."


    "xue yilou? isn''t this because of the martial king of the nation..."


    "what''s the use of discussing this now? your majesty, do you know who is leading their army?"


    jiang tianchen narrowed his eyes and said, "the leader of the tianlan kingdom''s army is the kuchan elder, for the sihai kingdom it is the co-king nie tong, baijing kingdom''s leader is the first beastmaster jing yi, and for the qingyun kingdom, it is zhang ren, the commander of the three armed forces."


    "what? are all the leaders of the four nations in the calamity realm?" enjoy exclusive adventures from empire


    "how can this be good? our tianqing kingdom can''t possibly withstand four great calamity realm..." sea??h th�� novelfire.net* website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "let alone four great calamity realm masters, we can''t hold off the two million strong army alone..."


    the court officials were wailing.


    it''s true that the tianqing kingdom had an army that numbered two million, but aside from the garrison troops defending the major cities, and the three hundred thousand troops in the south desolate guarding against the sudden uprising of magical beasts in the southern desolate mountain range that could not be deployed elsewhere.


    the actual number of troops that could be committed to warfare was only around one million.


    how could they withstand the onslaught of two million lions from the four-nation alliance?


    moreover...


    they also have four powerful calamity realm leaders commanding the army.


    jiang tianchen said in a deep voice, "this time, i wish to lead the campaign personally, with the crown prince overseeing the state affairs."


    "your majesty, you must not!"


    "you are only at the peak of the golden elixir realm; if the enemy calamity realm powerhouses attack, you..."


    jiang tianchen raised his hand to silence them and said sternly, "the martial king gave me three martial dao divine fruits. this time, i will use these divine fruits to attempt to break through to the calamity realm. in addition, great general xia yuan will also consume a martial dao divine fruit. by then, i will personally lead one army in the campaign, great general xia yuan, the martial king of the nation, and our ancestor will each command one army, vowing to stop the four-nation alliance at our nation''s gates!"


    given the ages of jiang tianchen and xia yuan, they still had plenty of opportunities to break through to the calamity realm on their own.


    if the situation were not absolutely critical, they would not easily consume the martial dao divine fruits.


    after all.


    once they consumed the martial dao divine fruits, they would be severing their potential and limiting their future growth ceiling!


    but now, with the nation in crisis and troops at the city walls.


    they had no choice but to make a do-or-die effort.


    seeing the court officials go silent.


    jiang tianchen''s gaze fell on xiao yi, and he said solemnly, "martial king, do you have anything to say?"


    xiao yi slowly stood up, his eyes flashing with coldness as he articulated each word, "meet force with force; where there are troops, there is resistance. let them come, and we''ll slaughter them all!"

 Chapter 140 Kill Them All!

    inside the great hall, there was silence.the atmosphere was particularly oppressive.


    the festive lights and decorations, meant to convey joy, instead made the oppression feel even heavier, leaving people afraid to even breathe too loudly.


    everyone''s gaze swept over xiao yi, wishing to offer comfort but not knowing what to say.


    it was supposed to be a day of great joy.


    yet, the bride had been forcibly taken away during the wedding ceremony, a blow that would be difficult for any man to bear.


    among the crowd,


    lin bingxin wanted to step forward but was stopped by elder yan, who shook his head gently at her.


    lin bingxin could only look at him with worried eyes.


    after a moment of silence,


    xiao yi came back to his senses, saw the concerned faces around him, and managed a slight smile, saying, "why do you all look at me like this? don''t worry, i''m okay!"


    "xiao yi��"


    "your highness the martial king��"


    people were still full of concern.


    xiao yi waved his hand, having already collected his thoughts.


    if fang qingzhu had left on her own volition, he might still feel lost and heartbroken.


    but this was a situation forced upon her.


    and it was because he was too weak!


    if only his strength were enough, if he was in the dharma manifestation realm, or even better, the longevity secret realm, how could ye qingyu and the so-called baiyu possibly have taken fang qingzhu away by force? in the end, it was all because he wasn''t strong enough!


    just like back then with the xiao family��


    it was also because he wasn''t strong enough that he ended up as a live-in son-in-law sent to the distant fang family.


    "xiao junior brother, are you really okay?" jiang tai asked solemnly.


    "rest assured!"


    xiao yi waved his hand, looking at jiang tai''s severed arm, and said in a deep voice, "elder brother jiang, i saw earlier that ye qingyu gave a heaven''s remnant elixir to xue mantian, which could regenerate his severed limb. if there''s a chance in the future, i will certainly find one for you!"


    "this..."


    jiang tai was stunned.


    your wife has just been snatched away, and you''re still thinking about my severed arm?


    the looks of concern on everyone''s faces grew more pronounced.


    they feared that xiao yi was merely pretending to be at ease.


    xiao yi said in a grave voice, "please rest assured, my friends. i, xiao yi, am not so easily defeated. today, due to my lack of strength, i could only watch helplessly as my wife was taken away. but one day, i will go to baiyu myself and bring qingzhu back!"


    only then did everyone feel somewhat reassured.


    xiao yi then turned to jiang tianchen, "your majesty, although qingzhu has constrained xue mantian, preventing xue yilou from setting foot in the tianqing kingdom for three years, given xue yilou''s power, they might incite other kingdoms to act against us. therefore, it''s crucial that our tianqing kingdom recruits several more tao tribulation realm powerhouses!"


    "recruit several more tao tribulation realm powerhouses? that''s easier said than done," jiang tianchen said with a wry smile.


    xiao yi took out three martial dao divine fruits from his storage ring and handed them over to jiang tianchen, "these three martial dao divine fruits can help our tianqing kingdom rapidly gain three tao tribulation realm powerhouses. as for whom to give them to, your majesty will decide."


    the power held in the hands of the royal family is definitely not as simple as it seems on the surface.


    perhaps there is indeed only one person, jiang wei, who is a tao tribulation realm powerhouse.


    but there are definitely more than just jiang tianchen at the golden elixir peak.


    jiang tianchen, holding the three martial dao divine fruits in his hands, showed an elated expression and said repeatedly, "with these three martial dao divine fruits, tianqing kingdom can quickly create three tao tribulation realm pillars of the state. xiao yi, your actions are a monumental feat for our tianqing kingdom. if there''s anything you need, just let me know!"


    "this incident started because of me; this is what i should do!" xiao yi said dismissively.


    after discussing the tianqing kingdom''s countermeasures for some time, everyone dispersed.


    this was the day xiao yi was to be crowned the martial king of the nation, as well as his wedding day, but the bride was taken away, and the couple was separated. it really left no mood to continue the banquet.


    in the days that followed...


    the tianqing kingdom did go through some peaceful times.


    all industries flourished.


    the strength of the experts from the tianqi martial arts institute was rapidly enhancing, and their numbers were also increasing.


    xiao yi, however, stationed himself at the old site of the tianqi martial arts institute outside the city. ever since that day, his cultivation became even more desperate. his cultivation level was advancing in an orderly manner, but stepping into the tao tribulation realm still required a certain amount of time to accumulate, as well as the right opportunity.


    however...


    this peaceful life lasted only for ten days.


    ......


    inside the palace.


    jiang tianchen gathered xiao yi and the others, his expression extremely serious as he pointed to the sand table in front of him and said, "gentlemen, according to the scouts'' reports... the tianlan kingdom, sihai kingdom, baijing kingdom, and qingyun kingdom have formed an alliance of four nations, advancing with two million troops southward!"


    hiss!


    a group of court officials gasped, "our tianqing kingdom has always had a feud with the tianlan kingdom, but our relations with the other three kingdoms have always been good. why would they join forces?"


    "i have received information that all of this is manipulated by xue yilou behind the scenes..."


    "xue yilou? isn''t this because of the martial king of the nation..."


    "what''s the use of discussing this now? your majesty, do you know who is leading their army?"


    jiang tianchen narrowed his eyes and said, "the leader of the tianlan kingdom''s army is the kuchan elder, for the sihai kingdom it is the co-king nie tong, baijing kingdom''s leader is the first beastmaster jing yi, and for the qingyun kingdom, it is zhang ren, the commander of the three armed forces."


    "what? are all the leaders of the four nations in the calamity realm?" enjoy exclusive adventures from empire


    "how can this be good? our tianqing kingdom can''t possibly withstand four great calamity realm..." sea??h th�� novelfire.net* website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "let alone four great calamity realm masters, we can''t hold off the two million strong army alone..."


    the court officials were wailing.


    it''s true that the tianqing kingdom had an army that numbered two million, but aside from the garrison troops defending the major cities, and the three hundred thousand troops in the south desolate guarding against the sudden uprising of magical beasts in the southern desolate mountain range that could not be deployed elsewhere.


    the actual number of troops that could be committed to warfare was only around one million.


    how could they withstand the onslaught of two million lions from the four-nation alliance?


    moreover...


    they also have four powerful calamity realm leaders commanding the army.


    jiang tianchen said in a deep voice, "this time, i wish to lead the campaign personally, with the crown prince overseeing the state affairs."


    "your majesty, you must not!"


    "you are only at the peak of the golden elixir realm; if the enemy calamity realm powerhouses attack, you..."


    jiang tianchen raised his hand to silence them and said sternly, "the martial king gave me three martial dao divine fruits. this time, i will use these divine fruits to attempt to break through to the calamity realm. in addition, great general xia yuan will also consume a martial dao divine fruit. by then, i will personally lead one army in the campaign, great general xia yuan, the martial king of the nation, and our ancestor will each command one army, vowing to stop the four-nation alliance at our nation''s gates!"


    given the ages of jiang tianchen and xia yuan, they still had plenty of opportunities to break through to the calamity realm on their own.


    if the situation were not absolutely critical, they would not easily consume the martial dao divine fruits.


    after all.


    once they consumed the martial dao divine fruits, they would be severing their potential and limiting their future growth ceiling!


    but now, with the nation in crisis and troops at the city walls.


    they had no choice but to make a do-or-die effort.


    seeing the court officials go silent.


    jiang tianchen''s gaze fell on xiao yi, and he said solemnly, "martial king, do you have anything to say?"


    xiao yi slowly stood up, his eyes flashing with coldness as he articulated each word, "meet force with force; where there are troops, there is resistance. let them come, and we''ll slaughter them all!"

 Chapter 141 The Black Cliff Army

    outside the capital.a column of imperial guards was fully equipped and ready to depart, and jiang tai, dressed in full armor, was leading a tianqing savage bull that was entirely red.


    this tianqing barbarian bull was jiang tianchen''s war beast, comparable to the fifth-order high-level demon beasts at the golden elixir realm peak. jiang tai handed the reins over to xiao yi and said solemnly, "xiao, i entrust heiya city to you!"


    by now, over half of the ten countries of nanhuang had already declared war on the tianqing kingdom, with the tianlan kingdom''s forces reaching the battlefield first, having conquered three border cities in a row and pressing close to the stronghold of heiya city. once heiya city is forced to capitulate, the tianlan kingdom''s army will march straight in and head for the capital of the tianqing kingdom.


    jiang tianchen and the others still needed to assimilate the martial dao divine fruit to break through to the tao tribulation realm and resist the powerful enemies.


    jiang weisheng needed to remain stationed in the capital.


    at this moment, xiao yi was the most suitable candidate to be dispatched.


    xiao yi took the reins, nodding and saying, "this matter arose because of me, and i am also the martial king of the nation. how can i sit by idly?"


    if not for the interference of xue yilou, how could the ten peaceful countries of nanhuang suddenly wage war against the tianqing kingdom? ultimately, all this was related to xiao yi, and when previously facing xue yilou, jiang tianchen had even mobilized the country''s full strength to protect him thoroughly.


    now that the tianqing kingdom was beset on all sides, he naturally would not stand on the sidelines.


    jiang tai took two steps back and bowed solemnly, "i await your triumphant return!"


    behind him...


    all the civil and military officials, as well as the citizens of the capital, bowed respectfully: "we quietly await the triumphant return of the martial king of the nation!"


    the roar was thunderous, shaking the clouds above the sky.


    xiao yi mounted the tianqing savage bull, pulled the reins and said, "let''s set off!"


    boom, boom, boom!


    the tianqing savage bull stepped forward, followed closely by fifty thousand imperial guards.


    a vast and mighty current of steel, arrayed across the land.


    .........


    heiya city.


    built into the mountain, flanked by black mountain on the left and heartbreak cliff on the right, it was thus named heiya city.


    the entire city was elongated, with towering walls making it easy to defend and hard to attack.


    while a single tao tribulation realm powerhouse could completely breach the city gates on their own, there were constraints between nations. unless the opposing side''s tao tribulation realm powerhouse made a move, it was absolutely forbidden for any force greater than the calamity realm to appear on the battlefield. otherwise, any tao tribulation realm powerhouse could annihilate tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of troops.


    this was an agreement reached under the advocacy of the great qian dynasty.


    anyone who dares to break this agreement would be sanctioned by the great qian dynasty.


    inside heiya city, the atmosphere was incredibly tense.


    stationed to defend heiya city was tianqing kingdom''s famed general, known as general baisheng, zhang baisheng.


    zhang baisheng, conferred the title of marquis, was also a being at the golden elixir realm peak.


    read new chapters at empire


    within the city lord''s mansion.


    bang!


    zhang baisheng, in full military attire with his armor covered in blood, furiously slammed his helmet onto the table and glared around, "where are the reinforcements? how much longer until the reinforcements arrive?"


    hou sailei, a middle-aged general with a beard under his command, hurried forward and bowed, "general, we''ve received news from the capital; the reinforcements set out three days ago. they are estimated to reach heiya city by tomorrow..."


    "but what?"


    zhang baisheng unbuckled his armor where there was an arrow shaft embedded in his shoulder.


    the military physician, already prepared by the side, glanced at it and said indifferently, "there''s no sign of poisoning in the muscle, and the arrow is not poisoned. it just needs to have the wound opened to be removed."


    "yan, make sure to check thoroughly, are you certain there is no poison on this arrow?" hou sailei quickly asked.


    not long ago...


    the tianlan kingdom''s army launched an attack on heiya city, with general zhang baisheng personally leading the troops to stand alone. however, he was struck by a hidden arrow from the enemy and had to temporarily call for a retreat. general zhang baisheng is the calm sea divine needle of heiya city; any mishap with him would be a massive blow to the city.


    military healer yan ning was a third-grade medical officer.


    he was also the most skilled healer in heiya city and had his pride. with a cold snort, he said, "if general hou does not trust yan, you are free to diagnose yourself!"


    hou sailei replied hastily, "that''s not what i meant..."


    "enough, leave the healing to master yan. what business does an outsider like you have meddling in this?" general zhang baisheng waved his hand impatiently, hesitated for a moment, then looked at the bearded general in front of him, hou sailei, "send scouts immediately to find reinforcements and urge them to hasten their march!"


    "yes!"


    hou sailei saluted and was about to turn and leave.


    but a faint voice came from outside the door, "if you directly remove the arrowhead, then you''d better prepare for general zhang''s funeral!"


    "hmm?"


    "who?"


    everyone in the hall changed their expressions and turned to look at the door in unison.


    general zhang baisheng''s gaze was sharp as lightning, falling on xiao yi who stood at the entrance.


    hou sailei''s hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready for battle.


    yan ning furrowed his brows tightly, his face filled with anger, and he said sternly, "who is this young upstart? how dare you spout nonsense and disrupt military morale here?"


    xiao yi strode into the hall with the grace of a dragon and the ferocity of a tiger, bowed to general zhang baisheng, and said solemnly, "xiao yi pays his respects to general zhang."


    "xiao yi?"


    general zhang baisheng was taken aback, his eyes shooting out two sparks of recognition, "you are xiao yi, the martial king of the nation?"


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    xiao yi nodded and said gravely, "reinforcements will arrive at heiya city within half a day. concerned about the battle, i have come ahead."


    general zhang baisheng scrutinized xiao yi, squinting his eyes, "it must have been tough for his highness the martial king. however, with me here, heiya city will certainly not face any mishaps. yet, you, your highness, abandoning the reinforcements and acting alone, that''s not what a general should do!"


    xiao yi shook his head, "when i first arrived at heiya city, i also felt this trip was superfluous. but now, it seems my arrival is timely. had i been any later, i''m afraid my tianqing kingdom would be one general baisheng short!"


    "hmm?"


    general zhang baisheng was startled.


    yan ning''s complexion suddenly changed and he rebuked angrily, "your highness, one can eat indiscriminately but one must not talk nonsense! are you implying that yan has the intent to harm general zhang by your earlier words?"


    "whether it is deliberate or an unintentional mistake, we can talk about that later," xiao yi waved his hand dismissively and continued calmly, "right now, the most important thing is to treat general zhang''s poisoning. any longer delay, and even if a divine healer descended, it would be too late to save him!"


    "treat the poisoning?"


    "didn''t master yan just say there was no poison on the arrow? how could there be poisoning then?"


    "your highness, you couldn''t be mistaken, could you? master yan is a third-grade medical officer, an expert in the medical field. he has examined the arrow wound, and there were no signs of poison!" hou sailei spoke with gravity, and upon seeing xiao yi''s puzzled look, he quickly introduced himself, "i am hou sailei, the vanguard officer under general zhang''s command!"


    looking up at an angry yan ning, xiao yi spoke lightly, "master yan is certain there is no poison on the arrow?"


    yan ning sneered, "one hundred percent certain!"


    "what if there is poison?" xiao yi asked.


    "if there is poison on this arrow, then yan has failed in his duty, and your highness is free to punish me as you see fit. however..."


    yan ning''s face was full of pride, and he looked at xiao yi with a cold laugh, "if there is no poison, then your highness is slandering an official. i will have you kneel and apologize to me!"

 Chapter 142 Slap in the Face Hard

    xiao yi couldn''t help but narrow his eyes, revealing a playful look, "you, want me to kneel before you?"zhang baisheng also snorted coldly, his face showing displeasure.


    even though he had more faith in yan ning''s medical skills, xiao yi after all was the esteemed martial king of the nation. not even required to kneel before the current king, how could he kneel to a mere third-rank medical officer?


    zhang baisheng rebuked, "yan ning, this is nonsense. apologize to his highness the martial king right now!"


    hou sailei and a group of military officers were also constantly giving yan ning meaningful glances.


    this was the martial king of the nation.


    a noble royal title, holding the most rising prestige among the young generation of the tianqing kingdom, he was the future pillar of the state.


    for a mere medical officer to contend with him, wasn''t it like an old immortal eating arsenic seeking death?


    however...


    yan ning remained unmoved, standing tall, defiantly looking at xiao yi, "when it comes to martial arts talent and cultivation, i, a humble official, cannot even catch up to his highness the martial king if i were to spur a horse. however, i have been studying medicine under the tutelage of lord jin, the current first-rank imperial physician, since my childhood. even lord jin has said that within fifty years i am certain to surpass him. how can i allow an outsider to challenge my authority?"


    everyone was startled, their eyes turning towards xiao yi.


    yan ning was a disciple of the first person in medical expertise at the imperial physician hall, first-rank medical officer jin zhen.


    he was a well-known medical genius.


    in terms of medical expertise, even the senior generation of physicians found it hard to match him.


    as for xiao yi...


    his martial arts talent was unparalleled, but human capacity has limits. for one to achieve such accomplishments in martial arts and be so young, it was impossible to also give attention to medicine.


    even zhang baisheng couldn''t help but say, "your highness the martial king, you see..."


    xiao yi, however, raised his hand to stop zhang baisheng, looking calmly at yan ning, "you have immense confidence in your medical skills?"


    yan ning proudly nodded, "as much as his highness the martial king has in your martial arts talent!"


    "ha!"


    xiao yi smiled and gently stretched his neck, lightly laughing, "confidence is a good thing, but overconfidence is not. especially for a healer, once one is blindly overconfident, it can harm not only oneself but also others."


    "i, yan ning, have saved lives and helped the wounded. i do not claim to have merits as high as the heavens, but i am confident i have never harmed anyone!" yan ning said mockingly, narrowing his eyes as he sized up xiao yi.


    xiao yi shrugged his shoulders, saying, "you have already examined general baisheng''s shoulder wound earlier, confirming that there was no poison on the arrow, and that it only needed to be pulled out, correct?"


    "that''s right!"


    when it came to the arrow injury, yan ning said earnestly, "if there were poison on the arrow, the flesh at the site of injury would surely have turned black, but the blood from the general''s wound is still brightly colored, and the skin and flesh are also of a normal hue, showing no signs of poisoning. with my forty years of experience, i guarantee that there is no poison on this arrow!"


    "arrogance!"


    xiao yi shook his head, a mocking tone in his voice, "there are more than a thousand kinds of poison in this world. can you identify all signs of poisoning with just a glance of your naked eye?"


    yan ning confidently replied, "of course i cannot do that, neither can lord jin. however, according to medical texts, there are only two poisons that can cause poisoning without darkening the flesh and showing signs of poisoning. and these two have long been lost and could not possibly appear here."


    xiao yi walked forward.


    with each step, his imposing aura grew stronger.


    the overwhelming presence made yan ning retreat step by step, his back already soaked in cold sweat, "two kinds? ridiculous. to my knowledge, the poisons that can kill silently and invisibly without leaving a trace are no less than a hundred varieties!"


    "a hundred? laughable. you''re merely spouting nonsense, making things up. could your knowledge possibly surpass that of the medical texts? forget about a hundred. if you can name the two poisons i spoke of, then i, yan ning, will kneel before you to apologize, admitting my inferiority in medical expertise..." yan ning tried to maintain composure, laughing coldly.


    xiao yi said, "moluo herb, grows in the land of extreme yin, invisible and colorless, causes no symptoms of poisoning and lets a person die in their sleep. fire god flower, grows in lands of extreme yang, often around volcanoes, and when it blooms, its poisonous powder can be collected. once it enters the body, it is a peculiar fire poison. from the outside, one cannot see any injuries, but it can burn the viscera from inside out, killing the target!"


    "you, you..."


    yan ning was dumbfounded.


    these two poisons were precisely what he had mentioned earlier. he never imagined that xiao yi would actually name them, even knowing their habitats and effects so clearly.


    yan ning took a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and argued defensively, "who would have thought you actually knew of these two poisons? but even if you''re aware, what of it? these two poisons have been extinct for over a hundred years..."


    "bullshit extinction!"


    xiao yi sneered and cupped his fists towards zhang baisheng, "old general, my apologies for the offense!"


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    zhang baisheng was startled.


    then he saw xiao yi suddenly reach out, grabbing his shoulder in a grip.


    "ah..."


    zhang baisheng cried out in pain.


    "stop it!"


    "let go of the general..."


    hou sailei and the others'' expressions changed drastically, about to step forward, but saw zhang baisheng raise his hand to stop them, "wait a moment..."


    everyone was stunned.


    they saw xiao yi''s fingers on zhang baisheng''s shoulder, channels of qi transforming into fine threads as thin as hair, penetrating into zhang baisheng''s wound through his pores. and when this qi completely enveloped the flesh around the wound and the arrowhead, zhang baisheng''s complexion dramatically changed.


    he had previously only felt a faint pain in the wound, but now, that throbbing pain had vanished?


    xiao yi looked at yan ning with a mocking gaze, "open your eyes wide and see clearly, this is the ''extinct'' demonic laurel grass you spoke of!"


    pfft!


    xiao yi''s palm gave a fierce tug.


    a chunk of bloody flesh wrapped around an arrowhead was forcibly pulled out by xiao yi.


    "hiss!"


    having a piece of flesh brutally torn off, zhang baisheng merely inhaled a cool breath, feeling no pain at all. instead, he felt a great relief in his body. it was as if a massive stone of thousands of pounds that had been pressing on his shoulder was suddenly lifted, with xiao yi channeling his qi to seal the wound and stop the bleeding.


    the chunk of flesh wrapped around the arrowhead was thrown onto the ground by him.


    with a flick of his finger, continue your adventure at empire


    a ball of qi enveloped the chunk of flesh, and with a booming sound, a fierce fire ignited.


    sizzle sizzle sizzle!


    there was a pervasive aroma of barbecued meat.


    zhang baisheng and the others just looked at the meat burning in the blazing flames in amazement, while yan ning was dumbfounded.


    he stared with disbelief at the arrowhead in the flames, which was emitting a faint, cold black glow, "legend has it that when demonic laurel grass is fused onto metal and subjected to intense fire, it permeates the metal, preventing the metal from turning red in the fire but instead making it shine with a glossy black. is this really demonic laurel grass?"


    clap clap clap!


    in the void, one could almost hear the crisp sound of being slapped in the face.


    yan ning felt his cheeks burning with embarrassment.


    the arrow truly was poisoned!


    and it was the deadly poison of demonic laurel grass!


    if zhang baisheng had truly followed his diagnosis and carelessly pulled out the arrow, he probably wouldn''t live to see tomorrow''s sun!


    "are you convinced now?" xiao yi asked indifferently.


    thump!


    yan ning fell heavily to his knees, wholeheartedly conceding, "the prince of martial king is supremely talented, i, yan ning, willingly admit defeat..."

 Chapter 143 Seizing Power?

    ```the hall was silent.


    yan ning knelt on the ground, clutching his knees tightly, his face ashen and full of deep self-reproach.


    since childhood, he had demonstrated a powerful talent for medicine and had studied under the first physician of the tianqing kingdom, believing that no one among the younger generation could surpass him in medical skills.


    with his medical expertise, if he had examined carefully, he could have definitely detected the poison from the moro herb, but he was overconfident and hadn''t done any investigation at all. he merely glanced at zhang baisheng''s wound and concluded there was no poisoning.


    if xiao yi hadn''t showed up in time to stop his foolish actions��


    after tonight,


    zhang baisheng would have died in his sleep.


    now, with the tianlan kingdom''s army on the verge of laying siege, it''s clear how huge an impact zhang baisheng''s demise, as the commander, would have on the battle.


    by dawn tomorrow, tianlan kingdom may well have broken through to heiya city.


    he would have become an eternal sinner!


    zhang baisheng and hou sailei, among others, also let out a long sigh of relief.


    zhang baisheng looked at xiao yi with complicated eyes. before this, he had felt dissatisfied with xiao yi, a young man who, despite his tender age, held a higher title than him��a seasoned general who fought many battles and won great honors for his kingdom.


    now however, he was already very much persuaded by xiao yi.


    "there''s no need for mr. yan to be like this!"


    xiao yi waved his hand, seeing yan ning''s sincere admittance of guilt, and he didn''t continue to make things difficult, "no one is perfect, but doctors are unlike ordinary people. a doctor saves lives, and any negligence could potentially cost someone their life. there absolutely must not be any room for errors!"


    "your highness the martial king has taught me well. i''ll engrave this lesson in my heart and never make the same mistake again!" yan ning said earnestly.


    xiao yi smiled and nodded, then turned to zhang baisheng, "old general, i''ve removed the poison from your body, but you shouldn''t engage vigorously in battle for a short time."


    "thank you, your highness the martial king, for saving my life!"


    zhang baisheng clasped his hands gratefully and chuckled bitterly, "now that the tianlan kingdom''s army is at our doorstep, and having already clashed with them before, the enemy troops are the elite tianlan army this time. in their army, there are two generals at the golden elixir peak, and their commander is none other than ling wufengyun, the national advisor of the tianlan kingdom. an old man like me cannot afford to rest, alas!"


    ling wufengyun, the national advisor of the tianlan kingdom.


    she was also the only female among the ten nations of nanhuang to reach the tao tribulation realm.


    her cultivation had reached the second layer of the tao tribulation realm, far surpassing zhou yuan, who had forcefully advanced to the tao tribulation realm by using the martial dao divine fruit.


    this was the reason why there were restrictions among the kingdoms that forbid those in the tao tribulation realm from taking direct action in wars.


    otherwise...


    with just ling wufengyun alone, she could forcibly breach heiya city and lead the tianlan kingdom''s army to storm through.


    xiao yi said, "old general, rest assured. since i''m here, i won''t allow the tianlan kingdom''s army to advance any further!"


    "hmm?"


    zhang baisheng was startled, catching on to xiao yi''s confidence and said in a deep voice, "your highness the martial king, could it be that you already have a strategy to repel the enemy?"


    hou sailei and others all turned their attention to him.


    the defending army of heiya city numbered only two hundred thousand, while the tianlan kingdom''s army had a full million soldiers!


    even general baisheng, a veteran of countless battles, had no strategy to repel the enemy.


    could xiao yi have one?


    hou sailei said gravely, "your highness the martial king, this concerns the life and death of the tianqing kingdom. this is no matter for jokes!"


    "your highness the martial king, we respect your martial prowess and medical skills, but in terms of leading troops into battle, any one of us here has more experience than you..." brigadier general zheng le frowned and spoke.


    he was a young prodigy too.


    he had joined the military at a young age.


    therefore, he had not made it onto the dragon tiger list.


    but his talent was certainly not weak. at the age of thirty-three, he had already reached the fifth layer of the golden elixir realm, achieving great military accomplishments and becoming the youngest general in the tianqing kingdom.


    zhang baisheng, worried that zheng le''s words would irritate xiao yi, hurriedly said, "your highness the martial king, this is brigadier general zheng le from my command. don''t let his youth fool you, he has led ten thousand troops to annihilate thirty thousand of the tianlan kingdom''s army."


    zheng le looked proud.


    xiao yi laughed indifferently, "if it''s about going into battle and leading troops in warfare, i naturally cannot compare with all of you. but if everything could only be achieved through the accumulation of experience, what''s the point of being a prodigy?"


    ```


    "uh..."


    everyone was dumbfounded.


    zheng le''s expression also darkened. as a leading figure in the military, and hailed as the successor to zhang baisheng, the fact that xiao yi dared to mention the word "genius" in front of him was unthinkable. zheng le narrowed his eyes and taunted sarcastically, "so, his highness the martial king means to say that your talent in leading troops into battle is stronger than mine?"


    xiao yi responded indifferently, "i wouldn''t dare claim my ability to lead troops into battle is stronger than yours, but at least i have a method to defeat the tianlan kingdom''s army, which you do not!"


    "you..."


    zheng le''s complexion shifted slightly.


    indeed, he had no way to stop the tianlan kingdom.


    even before xiao yi arrived...


    he had been advocating for a retreat to the capital and to negotiate peace with the tianlan kingdom!


    xiao yi claimed he could defeat the tianlan kingdom?


    zheng le sneered, "if you truly can defeat the tianlan kingdom''s army, i, zheng le, am willing to personally hold your horse!"


    "really?"


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    "a gentleman''s word is as good as his bond!"


    "good!"


    xiao yi smiled faintly and turned to zhang baisheng. he gave a respectful bow and said, "old general, xiao yi has a strategy to defeat the tianlan kingdom''s army, but it will require some sacrifice on your part!"


    "what are you talking about, your highness the martial king! if we really can defeat the tianlan kingdom, even if it means this old body has to die right now, i''m willing!" zhang baisheng hastened to his feet and spoke earnestly.


    xiao yi nodded and said solemnly, "then please, old general, hand over the tiger talisman to me first!"


    the tiger talisman!


    the symbol of military command.


    possessing the tiger talisman means one can mobilize the entire army.


    "absolutely not!" zheng le protested.


    hou sailei also looked worried.


    although xiao yi was the martial king of the nation, he had just arrived and was already asking for the commander''s seal.


    if xiao yi''s strategy failed, it could very well doom all the soldiers and civilians of heiya city!


    xiao yi''s demeanor remained calm, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, wearing a faint smile.


    he did not say much more, only quietly looking at zhang baisheng.


    waiting for his decision.


    after a moment of silence.


    zhang baisheng took a deep breath, held it for a moment, then slowly exhaled. he took a black tiger talisman out from his storage ring and handed it solemnly to xiao yi, "your highness the martial king, the lives of the hundreds of thousands of heiya city''s soldiers and civilians, and the fate of the tianqing kingdom, are now in your hands!"


    "be at ease, general!"


    xiao yi solemnly accepted the tiger talisman and said in a deep voice, "old general, to carry out my plan, we must kill you first!" sea??h th�� n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "hm?"


    zhang baisheng was stunned.


    at that moment, xiao yi pointed a finger, and a wave of energy rippled wildly from the center of zhang baisheng''s forehead. with a buzzing sound, zhang baisheng spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his body rigidly falling backward...


    "general!"


    "xiao yi, you''re seeking death!"


    hou sailei and zheng le were beside themselves with rage, wishing they could tear xiao yi to pieces.


    he actually made a move to kill the old general, zhang baisheng?


    was this a grab for power?


    in an instant...


    the hall was plunged into complete chaos...

 Chapter 144 Night Raid

    "what are you doing?""how dare you, xiao yi, attack general zhang?"


    hou sailei and zheng le''s faces suddenly changed, their angry roars echoing throughout the hall.


    the two of them transformed into streaks of light, shooting towards xiao yi from the left and right.


    zheng le was at the fifth layer of the golden elixir realm, and hou sailei was even stronger, at the sixth layer of the golden elixir realm. both experienced in numerous battles, they had accumulated a formidable evil qi. together, they could even challenge a warrior at the seventh layer of the golden core realm.


    facing the encirclement of the two men,


    xiao yi didn''t even turn his head, one hand supporting zhang baisheng, while the other executed a spinning back kick.


    smack! smack!


    between the two thuds.


    xiao yi completely crushed their thunderous attacks, stepping on their heads and pinning them to the ground.


    cracks spread all over the ground.


    the two men clutched the ground with both hands, continuously roaring in fury, "xiao yi, general zhang has made great contributions to the tianqing kingdom. how dare you kill him? even if i become a ghost, i will not let you go..."


    "idiot!"


    xiao yi huffed coldly, speaking indifferently, "which of your eyes saw me kill general zhang?"


    "you still want to argue?"


    "we witnessed it with our own eyes..."


    their faces were now buried in the dirt, shouting furiously.


    at this moment,


    yan ning''s voice came, "generals, please calm your anger. general zhang is not dead!"


    "huh?"


    both of them were taken aback.


    only then did xiao yi lift his foot, looking down at the two men covered in mud and in a sorry state, his voice carrying a grave tone, "considering you two were concerned for general zhang''s safety, i''ll spare you this time. if there''s a next time, i won''t be merciful!"


    zheng le and his companion exchanged a look, wearing expressions of confusion.


    they had seen with their own eyes xiao yi killing zhang baisheng with a single finger strike!


    how could he be alright?


    yan ning had already taken zhang baisheng from xiao yi''s hands, checked him over, and looked at xiao yi with ever-increasing admiration and awe, his voice deep, "generals, his highness the martial king just used a special technique to induce a state of false death in the general!"


    "false death?"


    the two men were utterly bewildered.


    xiao yi offered no explanation but took out the tiger talisman, his voice firm, "zheng le, hou sailei, step forward to receive orders!"


    the two men glanced at each other.


    although they still didn''t understand why xiao yi had put zhang baisheng into a state of false death, knowing that zhang baisheng''s life was not at risk, they were somewhat relieved. kneeling on one knee, they spoke solemnly, "hou sailei (zheng le) is listening to the orders!"


    xiao yi''s voice was stern, "hou sailei, effective immediately, you are in charge of the city''s defense, and you must bring down all the guards from the top of the walls. however, increase the inner city patrols to ten times their usual number!"


    "yes!"


    hou sailei was startled, not understanding the reason behind xiao yi''s orders, but military orders are as heavy as mountains, so he saluted and accepted the command.


    xiao yi then turned to zheng le, "zheng le, starting now, you are responsible for guarding general zhang''s quarters, and you shall not allow anyone to enter his bedroom!"


    "your highness martial king, may i know why?" zheng le asked, full of confusion.


    with the army of tianlan kingdom looming at the gates, xiao yi was withdrawing guards from the ramparts yet intensifying city patrols. moreover, he was assigning him, a high-ranking general, to guard zhang baisheng''s bedroom? s��arch* the n?vel(f)ire.��et website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    if zhang baisheng had been in mortal danger, it would have been understandable for him to be in charge of guarding him.


    but zhang baisheng was clearly just in a state of false death.


    with no threat to his life.


    so why wasn''t he, a warrior at the fifth layer of the golden core realm, involved in patrols or defending the city, but instead guarding a sleeping zhang baisheng?


    xiao yi replied indifferently, "this is a military order. just carry it out!"


    zheng le opened his mouth but, seeing the tiger talisman in xiao yi''s hand, he could only nod and say, "this subordinate obeys the command!"


    xiao yi then turned to yan ning, "from now on, you must stay inside the old general''s bedroom, and you are not allowed to leave without my order. additionally, i''ll arrange for someone to bring you a batch of medicinal herbs and food every three hours!"


    "yes!"


    yan ning nodded vigorously.


    he had been completely subdued by xiao yi, naturally, he would not disobey.


    a series of commands were issued.


    xiao yi personally shouldered zhang baisheng, his face no longer calm but anxious, and said in a deep voice, "hou sailei, go and strengthen the patrol immediately, zheng le and yan ning, follow me to take the old general to his bedroom!"


    "yes!"


    the crowd saluted with cupped hands.


    hou sailei left immediately.


    zheng le and yan ning, one on each side, guarded xiao yi as they carried zhang baisheng toward the bedroom.


    no one noticed.


    above heiya city, within the gloomy clouds, a pair of cold eyes was paying attention to everything happening inside the city. they watched hou sailei withdraw the soldiers from the ramparts while strengthening the patrols inside the city, and xiao yi and others anxiously carrying zhang baisheng into the bedroom.


    after watching intently for two hours, those eyes finally disappeared into the sky.


    and just as those eyes vanished...


    xiao yi in the bedroom, sensing something, glanced outside the window and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly, "the show is about to start!"


    ...


    outside heiya city, inside the military camp of tianlan kingdom.


    this time, tianlan kingdom had deployed a million soldiers, led by the current national advisor ling wufengyun as the chief commander, with two generals at the golden elixir realm peak assisting him, truly a formidable presence!


    in the central command tent.


    geng jie and li tenglong, the two generals at the golden elixir realm peak, sat at the two main seats on the left and right, while their subordinates sat upright and tense.


    the dim firelight flickered, casting sallow light upon them.


    geng jie said in a deep voice, "gentlemen, scouts have reported that heiya city has suddenly withdrawn its soldiers from the ramparts, what do you think?"


    a golden core realm general under him said in a deep voice, "general, could this be a feint by zhang baisheng?"


    "if something had happened to zhang baisheng, they should be strengthening their defenses. in my opinion, zhang baisheng hasn''t been injured at all. he is deliberately setting a trap to lure us in..."


    li tenglong squinted his eyes, his fingers lightly tapping on the table, and said in a deep voice, "stop arguing, we will know when the national advisor returns!"


    whoosh!


    a gust of cold wind blew.


    a figure wrapped in a black robe quietly landed in the commanding seat.


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    all the generals stood up and saluted toward the figure in the black robe, "we pay our respects to the national advisor!"


    the position of the national advisor in tianlan kingdom was extraordinary, on a par with xiao yi, the martial king of the nation.


    moreover, she was the only practitioner in the tao tribulation realm in tianlan kingdom.


    even the king of tianlan kingdom would have to show the deference of a disciple in front of ling wufengyun.


    ling wufengyun gestured for everyone to be seated and said, with a soft yet undeniably authoritative voice, "in half an hour, we attack heiya city at night!"


    li longteng said in a deep voice, "national advisor, is it because of zhang baisheng..."


    ling wufengyun nodded and said faintly, "zhang baisheng has been poisoned with the mo luo grass and has fallen into a coma. right now, heiya city is defended by hou sailei and zheng le. they have withdrawn the soldiers from the ramparts in order to confuse us. however, inside the city, the defense has actually increased tenfold, further proving that something has happened to zhang baisheng!"


    "it is indeed impressive for xue yilou to possess such a poison as the mo luo grass..."


    "it''s a pity for zhang baisheng, the illustrious general baisheng, to not die on the battlefield but by poison..."


    the crowd shook their heads and sighed.


    the national advisor snorted coldly and said flatly, "now is not the time to sympathize with the enemy. get ready immediately. tonight, this national advisor will break down the gates of heiya city!"

 Chapter 145 Are you looking for him?

    ```the night was deep and the world was silent.


    however, atop the parapets of heiya city, there were only a few sparse guards on patrol.


    but within the city, it was all hustle and bustle, with patrols of soldiers following one wave after another.


    inside the city lord''s mansion.


    xiao yi once again convened zheng le, hou sailei, and the generals, his voice grave, "gentlemen, the decisive moment is upon us!"


    "hm?"


    "martial king your highness, now that the great general''s life or death is unknown, we..."


    the generals wore faces of concern. sea??h th�� nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    even though they knew that all of this was part of xiao yi''s strategy, zheng le and hou sailei were also showing expressions of worry at this moment.


    despite the fact that xiao yi''s fame as a warrior had spread far and wide over these past few months.


    but that was all about his martial arts talent!


    as for leading troops into battle, xiao yi was completely a novice!


    xiao yi directly took out the commander''s seal.


    clang clang clang!


    the generals kneeled on the ground one after another.


    as soldiers, obeying orders was their sacred duty.


    xiao yi said in a cold voice, "hou sailei, immediately lead fifty thousand troops around black mountain. when the beacon smoke rises, charge the enemy''s main camp."


    "this subordinate obeys the order!"


    hou sailei responded respectfully.


    xiao yi continued, "zheng le, you lead fifty thousand troops along the concealed pathway of heartbreak cliff to launch a surprise attack, also waiting for the beacon smoke as the signal to strike the enemy''s main camp."


    "yes!"


    zheng le respectfully accepted the order.


    xiao yi turned to the remaining generals, his eyes narrowing with a hint of cold intent, "the rest of the generals will lead the remaining garrison to defend heiya city with this prince." after a pause, xiao yi summoned yan ning, "yan ning, how is the preparation for the things i had you arrange going?"


    yan ning, with a face full of excitement and agitation, came forward, holding a storage ring in both hands, and said in a deep voice, "reporting back to your highness, your subordinate has made all the necessary preparations!"


    "good!"


    the gleam in xiao yi''s eyes was sharp as he said gravely, "lead the medical department personnel immediately and distribute these items. have our own men take precautions... the net is spread, we just wait for the prey to leap into it!"


    ......


    the night was deep and the world was silent.


    thick clouds obscured the stars and moon above.


    rustle rustle!


    in the darkness, tianlan kingdom''s three hundred thousand-strong army quietly approached heiya city under the command of li tenglong and geng jie.


    "general geng, i''ve always had a bad feeling..." li tenglong looked at the vast city looming ahead, furrowing his brow and speaking in a hushed tone.


    geng jie spoke indifferently, "the national advisor has personally investigated, there will not be any oversight. all you and i need to do is to act according to the national advisor''s plan, besides..." he looked up at the looming city, "if zhang baisheng had not met with any mishap, with his cautiousness he would have deployed heavy troops to defend the parapets. the fact that it is loose on the outside but tight on the inside is proof that something has happened to zhang baisheng. this approach is just to make us believe that heiya city is well defended and deter us from rash action!"


    "i hope that''s the case!"


    li tenglong hesitated for a moment, but felt that information personally investigated by ling wufengyun should not be wrong.


    "you wait here, i''ll personally ascend the city wall and dispose of these guards. once i open the city gates, you all can drive straight in!" geng jie''s eyes glowed brightly in the darkness.


    "be careful, general geng!" li tenglong said solemnly.


    geng jie laughed heartily, "even if this is indeed one of zhang baisheng''s traps, with my skills i can come and go as i please. just wait for good news from me!"


    whoosh!


    geng jie led ten elite soldiers, leaping onto the city walls.


    ```


    the few hundred soldiers atop the city walls were easily slaughtered with the assistance of geng jie, who was at the peak of the golden elixir realm, and ten elites from the shentong realm.


    geng jie stuck his head out above the city wall and waved the flag in his hand.


    beneath the city.


    li tenglong clenched his fists, his eyes sparkling with intensity, "it seems i was overly cautious. now that the defenses on the city walls have been removed, we just need general geng to open the gates, then we can drive straight in!"


    at the same time��


    inside the city.


    geng jie looked at the corpses of a hundred guards lying in pools of blood, patted his hands, and sneered, "just wait until we break through heiya city, then our army can drive straight in and march directly to the capital of tianqing kingdom. i will be the first to set foot in the capital of the tianqing kingdom, and the position of a duke will be within easy reach, not to mention my name will go down in history!"


    "sorry, but i''m afraid you won''t have that chance!"


    as geng jie was basking in his smugness, a taunting voice emerged like a specter at his ear.


    "who?"


    geng jie''s face changed dramatically as he looked towards the source of the sound.


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    he saw xiao yi, dressed in white, with his arms crossed and an amused expression on his face.


    those cold eyes were like knife blades, causing geng jie a chill from deep within his heart. xiao yi''s appearance had long been known throughout the ten countries of nanhuang, and geng jie recognized him instantly, "martial king of the nation xiao yi? not good, it''s a trap..."


    "realizing it''s a trap now is too late!" xiao yi grinned.


    "run!"


    geng jie bellowed, trying to instruct his men to scatter.


    however��


    as his voice fell, those ten men didn''t move an inch.


    while geng jie was puzzled...


    bang, bang, bang!


    all ten men fell to the ground, each with a bloody hole the size of a fingernail in their foreheads.


    a silver figure stood upon the head of the closest powerful warrior to him, twisting its body with emerald green eyes fixed intently on him.


    it was none other than little lin!


    through training during this period, as well as countless golden cores xiao yi had obtained from slaying numerous experts and fed to little lin, it had reached the advanced tier of the fifth stage��comparable to the peak of the golden elixir realm. besides, its speed was incredibly fast, and launching a surprise attack to solve ten elite warriors instantly was easy.


    "li..."


    geng jie''s mouth flew open, trying to send out a message.


    but his voice seemed to be choked off.


    it stayed stuck in his throat, unable to come out.


    his pupils madly contracted, and as he followed the arm that was gripping his throat, he saw xiao yi''s expressionless face before him, and heard his cold voice echoing in his ear, "watch with your own eyes how your troops are completely annihilated!"


    "heh, heh heh..."


    geng jie struggled furiously but could not break free from xiao yi''s hold, the despair in his eyes spreading like ripples to fill his entire gaze.


    a moment later.


    creak!


    the city gate opened thunderously.


    li tenglong, who had been waiting for a long time, gave the order, and 300,000 soldiers swarmed in, flooding into the city like mad.


    thanks to the massive construction of the city gates of heiya city, this army of 300,000 surged in like a steel torrent, taking only the time of half a stick of incense to all pour into the city. the surroundings were still darkly packed, and everyone could vaguely see geng jie standing atop the city wall, hands behind his back, watching everything unfold.


    as soon as the army had fully entered the city, the figure of geng jie on the city walls disappeared.


    li tenglong wore a bewildered expression, "who has seen general geng?"


    the words had barely left his lips.


    when a thunderous boom was heard, the city gates slammed shut, and at the same time, a mocking voice rang out, "are you looking for him?"

 Chapter 146 Shut the Door and Beat the Dog

    "are you looking for him?"the calm, playful voice sent chills skittering across li tenglong''s body.


    bang!


    a dark shadow abruptly fell at his feet, a headless corpse.


    blood gushed from the wound on the neck, staining his boots red. li tenglong''s complexion changed drastically, and his breathing became hurried, "this, this is impossible..."


    although the corpse was headless, the clothes were all too familiar.


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    geng jie was a strongman at the golden elixir realm peak, unless someone from the tao tribulation realm took action, how could he have been beheaded without a sound?


    "sorry, i forgot to give this to you as well!" xiao yi''s voice came again; with a wave of his hand, he threw geng jie''s head over.


    that head, with eyes wide open and a face full of despair, wasn''t it geng jie''s?


    thump! thump!


    li tenglong''s heartbeat grew faster and faster, but his face became even paler. he looked up at xiao yi, "this, all of this was a trap you set up?"


    xiao yi smiled faintly, "congratulations, you''re right. as a reward, i''ll personally send you on your way!"


    "you insolent brat!"


    li tenglong drew his longsword with a sudden motion, glaring at xiao yi, "under my command are three hundred thousand soldiers, do you think i''d be afraid of you? all soldiers, heed my command, break through the city gates..."


    "wouldn''t it be nice to die quietly? why do you struggle?"


    xiao yi shook his head gently, clapping his hands. the crisp clapping sound was like a soul-hooking devil''s tune.


    swoosh! swoosh! swoosh!


    from within the pitch-black buildings, amidst the thickets of trees, from within the city walls, one figure after another emerged. these were all soldiers stationed in heiya city, each with a thick white cloth over their faces, carrying a jar of wine in their hands. at xiao yi''s command, hundreds of thousands of jars were viciously thrown amongst the tianlan kingdom''s troops.


    bang! bang! bang!


    the jars exploded one by one, and the white vapor, filled with the sharp, pungent smell of alcohol, dispersed.


    "what is this stuff?"


    "wine? what are they doing throwing wine at us?"


    "no, something is wrong... it must be poison, it''s definitely poison..." li tenglong''s complexion changed drastically. under the envelopment of the white smoke, some of the tianlan kingdom''s soldiers were already staggering.


    li tenglong leapt into the air, intending to escape.


    however...


    just as he left the ground, a dark shadow suddenly appeared before his eyes. find exclusive stories on empire


    it was a black foot.


    growing larger and larger in his vision!


    bang!


    a foot slammed down on his face, driving his head brutally into the ground. xiao yi, with an amused look, watched li tenglong try to push himself off the ground to rise, "why are you in such a rush to leave? wouldn''t it be nice to see how your tianlan kingdom''s troops get annihilated?"


    "despicable... you actually used poison? you lowlife coward..." li tenglong''s face contorted with rage as he yelled.


    in just this short moment, over a hundred thousand soldiers of the tianlan kingdom already lay fallen.


    the remaining two hundred thousand soldiers were also staggering, devoid of any combat strength.


    "despicable?"


    xiao yi sneered, "when you poisoned great general zhang baisheng, why didn''t you call that despicable? i am simply giving you a taste of your own medicine! moreover, the poison i used was developed from the moruo grass poison you used, so i should actually thank your tianlan kingdom. otherwise, where would i find the long-lost moruo grass?"


    "how, how can this be, is heaven intending to destroy my tianlan kingdom..."


    li tenglong''s face turned ashen.


    if this army of three hundred thousand were to be completely annihilated, it would be a crippling blow to the tianlan kingdom, especially since he and geng jie, both peak golden elixir generals, had perished together.


    be it morale or strength.


    it was also too much for tianlan kingdom to bear!


    xiao yi gently bent down, gripped li tenglong''s neck, and lifted him up. amidst the crackling sounds, he crushed li tenglong''s hands and feet, disabling his cultivation at the same time. with his vital energy, he sealed all the acupoints in li tenglong''s body, rendering him mute and immobile, just like a puppet on strings, which xiao yi placed atop the horse.


    he had already guessed the reason why xiao yi didn''t kill him, his eyes filled with despair.


    as the massacre of the heiya city defense forces ensued, those of the tianlan kingdom''s army poisoned by the demon ravana grass had no strength to resist and were easily slaughtered.


    xiao yi waved his hand: "everyone, according to plan, put on the tianlan kingdom''s army armor!"


    whirr!


    the men rapidly began to change their armor.


    in a moment.


    an army of one hundred thousand from the tianlan kingdom reappeared before everyone''s eyes.


    excitement and fervor were written on every face, their gazes blazing as they looked at xiao yi.


    before this...


    faced with an army of a million from the tianlan kingdom, they had lost all hope, entertaining only thoughts of a death struggle.


    but now.


    the situation had drastically changed.


    without exerting any effort, they annihilated two generals at the golden elixir realm peak of the tianlan kingdom and wiped out three hundred thousand troops, right when their morale was at its peak after a big victory.


    xiao yi immediately ordered everyone to open the city gates.


    majestically, the army of one hundred thousand poured out of the city.


    at the same time...


    xiao yi glanced at a young general at the peak of divine skills, who promptly launched a signal arrow. with a whoosh, a streak of silver light shot across the sky. shortly thereafter, the ground shook and quaked as an imposing army of four hundred thousand from the tianlan kingdom surged towards them.


    "general li, what''s the situation inside the city?" a general at the first layer of the golden elixir realm asked.


    under xiao yi''s control, li tenglong''s voice came out: "heiya city has been taken, the national advisor is welcome to enter the city!"


    "enter the city!"


    the army of four hundred thousand marched towards the city.


    they immediately saw corpses lying haphazardly in pools of blood within the city; the vast majority of them were dressed in the tianqing kingdom''s defensive army armor. the soldiers of the tianlan kingdom were overjoyed: "worthy of the national advisor''s personal intervention, heiya city has fallen, and we can now drive straight in, flattening the capital of tianqing kingdom within half a month!"


    "sorry, but i''m afraid you won''t ever get to see the capital of tianqing kingdom in this lifetime!" xiao yi''s cold voice came as the city gates thunderously closed.


    "huh?"


    the generals of the tianlan kingdom were startled, only to see xiao yi leading a hundred thousand strong, frantically hurling jar after jar.


    boom! boom! boom!


    amidst the spreading white smoke...


    the tianlan kingdom''s army fell in swathes.


    "kill them!"


    at xiao yi''s command, the tianqing kingdom''s army ruthlessly slaughtered on all sides, while signal fires blazed high atop the city walls.


    xiao yi looked at li tenglong''s face, filled with despair, and released the seals on his body: "thank you for your help, general li. without you, they would not have trusted me so easily!"


    "you��you''ll not die a good death... the national advisor will avenge us..." li tenglong said through clenched teeth.


    xiao yi calmly replied, "the national advisor? ling wufengyun? i will send him to join you!"


    thump!


    xiao yi clenched his palm and brutally snapped li tenglong''s neck, then leaped high. a streak of silver landed on his shoulder. little lin spoke, "boss, the signal fires have been lit, zheng le and hou sailei must have already launched their attack!"


    xiao yi nodded, his eyes narrowed as he looked towards the dark mass of the distant camp: "after tonight, tianlan kingdom will be a toothless tiger, no longer a concern!"

 Chapter 147 Tearing the Wind Barehanded

    the tianlan kingdom camp was ablaze with lights.before this nighttime attack, they had dispatched seven hundred thousand troops, leaving only over two hundred thousand to defend the main camp out of the million-strong army.


    in ling wufengyun''s view, seven hundred thousand troops should have been enough to take down heiya city. once achieved, the western gate of tianqing kingdom would be wide open, exposed before the vast armies of tianlan kingdom.


    she just needed to lead the army and march straight in to capture the royal city of tianqing kingdom!


    "as long as i can break through the royal city of tianqing kingdom and capture xiao yi to hand over to xue yilou, i will have the chance to visit the headquarters of xue yilou in the great qian dynasty. with the strength of xue yilou''s headquarters, i will surely break through to the dharma manifestation realm��"


    ling wufengyun sat within the main tent, holding a cup of clear wine, her crimson tongue curling the wine stained on her lips into her mouth as she took a deep breath, "father, mother, once your daughter breaks through to the dharma manifestation realm, i will have enough strength to avenge you. the 1,635 members of the ling family cannot have died in vain!"


    a cold light flickered in her eyes.


    boom! boom! boom!


    suddenly, the sound of marching troops erupted from outside the camp.


    ling wufengyun urgently sat up straight, her sharp eyes seeming to penetrate the tent, looking out towards the camp with a hint of excitement, "it must be that the two generals have already taken heiya city!"


    however��


    just as she was about to step out of the tent, an urgent sound of war drums came from the outside, "enemy raid! enemy raid!"


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    the sound of the war drums was quick and urgent, with a hint of panic.


    bang!


    the wine cup in ling wufengyun''s hand suddenly burst, and she stood up abruptly, her face a picture of shock, "an enemy raid? how is that possible... with general geng and the others leading seven hundred thousand troops to attack heiya city at night, from where would an army dare to assault our main camp?"


    rustle!


    a young officer suddenly rushed into the tent, disheveled and in a sorry state, "diviner, something terrible has happened... general geng and general li have been wiped out. the army from heiya city disguised themselves as our forces to approach the camp and have already breached it. diviner, we, we have been defeated��"


    defeated?


    defeated?


    ling wufengyun dropped into her seat with a thump, her face blank in disbelief, "we have been defeated? a million-strong army, defeated just like that? impossible, absolutely impossible��"


    "diviner, we truly have been defeated, we must retreat quickly!" the young officer''s face was filled with bitterness.


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    "no!"


    ling wufengyun''s eyes blazed with madness as she clenched her teeth and snarled, "with me here, i''d like to see who can breach our main camp!"


    "diviner, you mustn''t!"


    the young officer spoke anxiously, "as a powerful being of the tao tribulation realm, you can serve as the commander sitting in the camp, but you absolutely cannot directly engage in the battlefield. otherwise, it would be a provocation to the authority of the great qian dynasty, and our country simply cannot withstand the sanctions from the great qian dynasty!"


    those in the tao tribulation realm were not allowed to directly participate in wars between nations.


    this was an agreement between the great qian dynasty and its subordinate nations. otherwise, if tao tribulation realm experts freely intervened, slaying the opposing generals or even their kings, would not the world be thrown into utter chaos?


    ling wufengyun''s eyes narrowed into slits, filled with fierceness, and she sneered, "what fear? as long as we kill them all, who will spread the news of my intervention? without leaving any survivors, completely slaughtering the enemy, even if tianqing kingdom suspects that i have intervened, they will have no evidence!"


    "this..."


    the young officer stared at the maniacal ling wufengyun with a look of shock.


    ling wufengyun''s face twisted with ferocity, her fists clenched tightly, "no one shall stop me from taking revenge, those who do, kill!"


    boom!


    ling wufengyun soared into the sky.


    the huge tent was flung away by her, and auras of black light ebbed and flowed around her body, her cultivation reaching the second layer of tao tribulation realm.


    a terrifying surge of energy formed a violent wind as she waved her hand, "come, wild wind!"


    tao tribulation realm experts could sense the heaven and earth through the martial dao divine fruit inside their bodies and harness a portion of the world''s elemental power. the martial dao divine fruit inside ling wufengyun was of the wind attribute, allowing him to borrow some of the wind''s power between heaven and earth. with a move of his hands and feet, a violent wind would rise, and his combat power was far beyond that of zhou yuan, who had stepped into the tao tribulation realm by relying on the absorption of the martial dao divine fruit.


    whoosh!


    the furious wind raged like an azure dragon ascending to the heavens.


    amidst the storm, tents were lifted high into the air, the terrible tempest carrying the might of apocalyptic destruction.


    numerous mighty warriors were flung into the sky, tents ripped out from their roots, and warhorses torn to shreds by the raging wind.


    the storm grew larger and stronger.


    it did not distinguish between friend or foe.


    a young soldier gripped onto a wooden stake, half of his body whirling in midair, his face filled with despair, "it''s over, it''s over, the national teacher has actually made a move... if we can''t kill all the strong warriors of the tianqing kingdom this time, once the news of the national teacher taking action spreads, our tianlan kingdom will become the target of public criticism... "


    "blow them away for me!"


    ling wufengyun stood suspended in the air, his hands constantly waving, and gusts of fierce wind surged from within his sleeves.


    the wind''s ferocity grew more terrifying.


    whoo whoo whoo!


    the sound of the wind passing by was akin to the wailing of ghosts and howling of wolves.


    within the crowd.


    zheng le and hou sailei''s expressions changed drastically, seeing that tens of thousands of vanguard troops had been lifted into the air, their eyes were splitting with rage, "retreat quickly... these bastards from the tianlan kingdom have actually sent a tao tribulation realm expert to act, retreat quickly..."


    "brothers, retreat fast!"


    under the lead of zheng le and others, the army of the tianqing kingdom turned around and fled in disarray.


    but the raging wind, under the control of ling wufengyun, pursued them relentlessly. once overtaken, one would be swept into the high skies, and only the strong warriors above the golden core realm could escape with their lives while the other ordinary soldiers had almost no way out.


    "it''s over, it''s over..."


    "scum of the tianlan kingdom, you won''t die a good death..."


    the great army of the tianqing kingdom watched the hurricane bearing down on them like a demon, its maw wide open, their faces filled with despair.


    but just at this critical juncture...


    a figure suddenly soared into the sky, his silver armor gleaming brilliantly under the sparse star and moonlight. perched upon his shoulder was a silver serpent, which raised its head proudly, gazing at the enraged wind. xiao yi''s eyes gleamed sharply as he looked through the storm at ling wufengyun, who was making the wind surge, and a cold smile appeared on his face: "a great tao tribulation, yet you lay hands on these ordinary soldiers, the tianlan kingdom is really nothing special!"


    "victors are kings, losers are bandits. as long as you achieve the ultimate victory, who cares about the means used?" ling wufengyun said expressionlessly.


    xiao yi burst into hearty laughter, "do you really think you''ve got us in the bag?"


    "i''m not a waste like zhou yuan!" ling wufengyun obviously recognized xiao yi, the beauty mark at the corner of his mouth curling into a sneer.


    "you may not be much stronger than zhou yuan!"


    xiao yi chuckled coldly as endless yuan qi within him whirled madly, surging into his hands.


    hum hum hum!


    the yuan qi converged on his arms, and xiao yi abruptly reached out.


    "the martial king actually intends to catch the hurricane barehanded?"


    "isn''t this foolhardy? no matter how powerful a golden core realm is, it is still human power. how can it contend with the power of heaven and earth?"


    "my wind incorporates the power of heaven and earth, how could your mere golden core withstand it? and you still fantasize about catching the wind with bare hands, it''s simply..." ling wufengyun said with a mocking face, but his smile froze suddenly, replaced by a look of shock and disbelief.


    "open for me!"


    xiao yi roared angrily as his hands violently tore to both sides.


    the hurricane, which had rolled up tens of thousands of soldiers and steeds, was actually torn in two by his flesh-and-blood palms...

 Chapter 148 Martial King Supreme, Forever Dominates Tianqing!

    boom! boom! boom!raging between heaven and earth, like a hurricane connecting sky and land.


    in xiao yi''s hands, it was torn apart into two halves.


    the tearing winds suddenly dissipated into nothingness in the void, and the soldiers caught in the hurricane fell from the sky; without the barrier of the fierce winds, they did not sustain serious injuries.


    however, on the entire battlefield...


    hundreds of thousands of soldiers fell utterly silent.


    every gaze was fixed on the figure standing in the sky, clad in silver armor��xiao yi.


    gulp!


    someone swallowed hard, breaking the deathly silence.


    like a stone dropped into an ancient well, ripples spread out...


    "damn! damn! damn!"


    "what did i just see? tearing the wind with bare hands? did the martial king actually do that?"


    "heavens above, i must be hallucinating... this is the power of nature, how can someone tear a hurricane apart with human strength? it''s unbelievable..."


    zheng le exchanged a glance with hou sailei, both seeing the terror and shock in the other''s eyes.


    hou sailei teased with a sneer, "general zheng, you had a wager with his highness the martial king before; it looks like you are destined to lose!"


    "i, i..."


    zheng le opened his mouth, but with an excited expression, he said, "so what if i lose? losing to such a martial king is my honor. do you qualify to make a wager with his highness? when history records this battle, my name, zheng le, will surely be on it... hmm, when i return, i must explain this part to the imperial censor personally. the young general zheng bravely wagered with his highness the martial king and gloriously lost!"


    looking at zheng le''s proud and self-satisfied demeanor.


    hou sailei''s lips twitched: "such thick skin..."


    at the same time.


    xiao yi''s voice suddenly came, "hou sailei, zheng le, what are you dawdling for? wipe out those tianlan kingdom bastards for me!"


    "ah?"


    "don''t worry, your highness, we''re on it!"


    zheng le and his men hurriedly got the troops in order and launched another attack.


    xiao yi''s feat of tearing the wind had turned into a nightmare, seared into the hearts of the tianlan kingdom soldiers, completely robbing them of their will to fight.


    a defeated army fell like a crumbling mountain.


    watching the forces of tianqing kingdom charging and sweeping through his troops, ling wufengyun recovered from his astonishment and stared at xiao yi with clenched teeth: "who would have thought tianqing kingdom could produce someone like you. no wonder xue yilou was so eager for us to attack tianqing kingdom, to remove you quickly."


    xiao yi indifferently said, "so it indeed was xue yilou scheming behind the scenes!"


    "that''s right, xue yilou!"


    ling wufengyun nodded, took a deep breath, his dark eyes filled with a predatory chill, "xiao yi, although we have no grudges or hatred, you''ve blocked my path."


    xiao yi was taken aback: "blocked your path?"


    "that''s right!"


    ling wufengyun''s lips were tightly pressed, "xue yilou promised me that if i could bring about the downfall of tianqing kingdom and capture you, they would allow me to go to the headquarters of xue yilou in the great qian dynasty and give me the method to break through to the dharma manifestation realm. why didn''t you just surrender peacefully? why did you resist, why oh why..."


    ling wufengyun grew more agitated as he spoke, his shoulders trembling slightly, almost madly.


    seeing the tianlan kingdom''s army collapse like a fallen mountain, she knew conquering tianqing kingdom was no longer possible.


    the only option now.


    was to capture xiao yi and exchange him at xue yilou for the method to break through to the dharma manifestation realm.


    whizz!


    ling wufengyun''s black cloak trembled violently and took flight, opening like a pair of dark wings. under the cover of that black cloak, gusts of wind roared in. the wind was not as massive as before, but it was extremely condensed, pouring down like a torrent of arrows.


    facing the overwhelming assault of wind arrows, xiao yi''s eyes narrowed, and the fire qilin sword fell into his grasp: "chasing stars, pursuing the moon!"


    "python entwining the tree!"


    "sword breaking style..."


    xiao yi had already reached the realm where the man and his sword were one; the fire qilin sword was like an extension of his body, following his command.


    wherever the sword''s edge passed, no storm of arrows could approach him.


    rather, as he continuously destroyed the arrows, xiao yi steadily closed in on ling wufengyun. as ling wufengyun loomed before him, xiao yi''s swordplay shifted, swiftly drawing a circular arc: "enemy-breaking style!"


    this sword arc was incredibly dazzling, as bright as the moon.


    swipe!


    the sword edge carved a path straight ahead.


    xiao yi dived forward and was now only a step away from ling wufengyun: "nine swords as one!"


    nine sword shadows pierced through the air, only merging into one as they finally reached their target.


    the sword''s edge whistled, thrusting straight for ling wufengyun''s brow.


    ding!


    that sharp, unstoppable sword tip came to a halt right at ling wufengyun''s forehead, blocked by a shield formed by winds compressed to the extreme. the sword edge and the tempest shield stood off against each other, unable to advance even a fraction more. the enormous force caused the fire qilin sword to bend like a bow, the blade trembling with a buzzing sound.


    of course...


    ling wufengyun wasn''t having an easy time either.


    the immense pressure caused her skin at the brow to burst open, with blood trailing down her cheeks.


    "windless motion!"


    finally unable to withstand the massive pressure, ling wufengyun thrust her palm forward, a ferocious wind swept up, enveloping her body and blasting her backward in a retreat. seeing xiao yi with sword in hand in close pursuit, a cold light burst forth in ling wufengyun''s eyes, and in her slender jade-like hand appeared a cyan feather fan. this fan, adorned with nine peacock feathers, was swung violently, "three months of beacon fires!"


    swish, swish, swish!


    with every flick of the feather fan, the eyes on the nine peacock feathers radiated a cyan glow.


    this was a sixth-order yuan weapon!


    empowered by the yuan weapon,


    the fierce winds became even more terrifying, howling and condensing into a wall made of sharp gales, stretching for hundreds of feet.


    continue your adventure with empire


    it was like the beacon fires on a battlefield, burning for three months without extinguishing.


    boom!


    the fire qilin sword struck the wind wall but couldn''t shake it in the least, instead causing xiao yi''s palm to crack from the recoil.


    "dragon''s lament of wind!"


    ling wufengyun waved her feather fan once more.


    whoosh!


    the roaring wind transformed into nine wind-formed azure dragons intertwining with one another, creating a massive wind torrent.


    xiao yi''s pupils suddenly shrunk as he blocked his chest with the fire qilin sword.


    thump!


    the wind-formed azure dragon slammed against the blade.


    the terrifying force sent xiao yi shooting toward the ground, like a fallen star crashing with a loud noise, shaking the earth. a huge crater erupted with dust flying everywhere, but within that cloud of dust, a sword light shot up into the sky: "nine swords as one!"


    swish!


    the sword''s edge reached its ultimate speed.


    in an instant...


    with a thud, it pierced through ling wufengyun''s shoulder.


    ling wufengyun shuddered, and the face beneath the cloak changed drastically. she hastily retreated, but she was a step too slow. with a ripping sound, the mask over her face was torn off by xiao yi.


    their eyes met.


    "hmm?"


    xiao yi was stunned, could there be such stunning beauty in this world?


    even fang qingzhu could not compare!


    ling wufengyun also noticed the mask in xiao yi''s hand. her eyes went from shocked to bewildered, and then to a complex mix of fury and subtle affection. she glared fiercely at xiao yi and suddenly soared into the sky: "xiao yi, i will remember you! the grudge of today, i shall return it another day!"


    swish!


    ling wufengyun broke through the air, wrapped in the howling winds and disappearing into the night.


    she was too fast.


    even xiao yi couldn''t catch up.


    he looked down at the mask in his hand and frowned, "this woman..."


    at that moment...


    the tianlan kingdom''s army, now without ling wufengyun, was thoroughly routed, utterly demoralized, and surrendered en masse.


    in this battle, tianqing kingdom achieved an unprecedented victory! s~ea??h the n?vel(f)ire.n��t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    heiya city''s two hundred thousand army annihilated the one-million-strong force of tianlan kingdom!


    at that time...


    ten thousand soldiers, under the leadership of zheng le and hou sailei, shouted loudly. their voices thundered, as if scattering the thick clouds above, and the light of the stars and moon fell down: "martial king is invincible, eternally dominating tianqing!"


    "martial king is invincible!"


    "eternally dominating tianqing..."

 Chapter 149 The Pit of Ten Thousand People

    the following day, at dawn.the scent of blood filled the air inside and outside heiya city; everywhere one could smell the pungent reek of blood.


    in every street and alley lay corpses and traces of blood.


    yet the soldiers and citizens of heiya city were displaying extreme resistance and excitement. not only the garrison but also the citizens of heiya city spontaneously went onto the streets to help clean up the battlefield.


    tianlan kingdom had already captured three cities, and countless tianqing kingdom civilians had fled to heiya city, multiplying the city''s population several times over. with their help, the post-battle cleanup of heiya city was much more efficient and quicker.


    moreover, xiao yi had long since given his military order.


    any citizen who participated in cleaning up the battlefield would keep all loot, such as silver taels, except for weapons and armor.


    this further stimulated the enthusiasm of the citizens.


    "martial king his highness is truly incredible, in one night he annihilated the million-strong army of tianlan kingdom!" sear?h the n?vel_fire.��et website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "you did not see last night... i was hiding on the rooftop and saw everything clearly. there was a tornado that reached to the sky among the tianlan kingdom''s army, and it was torn asunder by martial king his highness..."


    "you''re joking, right? even if martial king his highness is strong, he''s only at the golden core realm, how could he possibly tear apart a tornado?"


    "this is no lie at all; i also heard some soldiers discussing it..."


    "to have a genius like martial king his highness in our tianqing kingdom is truly a great fortune! it''s said that the royal martial arts academy and the crown prince even schemed against his highness before. they were really blind..." your next read awaits at empire


    "mind your words!"


    "afraid of what? who dares to touch martial king his highness now?"


    the discussions among the citizens were overheard by passing soldiers, who not only did not take offense but actually agreed wholeheartedly.


    they had witnessed xiao yi''s miracles with their own eyes!


    tearing the wind with bare hands.


    defeating tao tribulation with the sword!


    truly terrifying!


    in the city lord''s mansion...


    zhang baisheng had awoken; a night''s sleep had flushed his cheeks slightly, and his injuries were gradually stabilizing with the help of xiao yi''s elixirs.


    zhang baisheng, hou sailei, zheng le, and others were standing respectfully in the hall, quietly waiting for xiao yi''s arrival.


    with a wry smile, zheng le said, "general, you''ve just recovered. please, take a seat!"


    zhang baisheng scanned the room with a tiger''s glare, and snorted coldly, "before martial king his highness arrives, how can i sit?"


    "this..."


    zheng le and hou sailei exchanged a helpless glance.


    "hahaha, who has offended the old general so early in the morning, causing him to be unhappy?" xiao yi''s hearty laughter came from outside the door.


    clothed in silver armor, he looked even more majestic and handsome.


    "martial king his highness!"


    "your highness!"


    zheng le and hou sailei hurriedly bowed in respect.


    zhang baisheng turned to face xiao yi and was about to kneel on one knee, greeting him, "subordinate zhang baisheng welcomes your highness..."


    "old general, you must not!"


    xiao yi quickly raised his hand, and with an unseen burst of qi, prevented zhang baisheng from kneeling.


    a flash of astonishment crossed zhang baisheng''s eyes.


    his cultivation had reached the peak of the golden core realm, yet xiao yi could stop him from kneeling with qi from afar, indicating his masterful control over qi.


    "no wonder even the experts of the calamity realm are no match for him..."


    zhang baisheng thought to himself and said with a deep voice, "your highness, this is me kneeling on behalf of the million soldiers and civilians of heiya city!"


    "we are all citizens of tianqing kingdom; there''s no need for such gestures!" xiao yi shook his head.


    seeing this,


    zhang baisheng had to relent, straightening his back once more and gesturing for xiao yi to sit, "your highness, please take your seat!"


    xiao yi was taken aback, then smiled wryly, "old general, you flatter me too much. you are the city''s commander; how can i sit in the seat of honor?"


    however...


    zhang baisheng had an unscrupulous look on his face as he said, "if your highness refuses to sit, then this old man shall remain standing!"


    "this..."


    xiao yi felt somewhat helpless as he looked towards zheng le and the others, who were also standing straight, indicating that if he did not sit, they would also remain standing.


    xiao yi shrugged his shoulders, "fine then!"


    only when xiao yi had taken his place in the main seat did everyone else sit down on either side.


    xiao yi said, "general hou, how are the post-battle affairs progressing?"


    hou sailei stood up and clasped his hands, replying, "your highness, with the assistance of the citizens of heiya city... the city has been cleared. the main camp of the tianlan kingdom will need half a day more. however, the main issue now is what to do with the four hundred thousand prisoners of war��we are uncertain how to handle them!"


    after the main camp was taken down, that alone resulted in the capture of over a hundred thousand soldiers.


    there were also about two hundred thousand soldiers within the city who were poisoned by the maluo grass but not killed, totaling four hundred thousand prisoners.


    xiao yi looked towards zhang baisheng, "what does the old general think?"


    "everything is up to your highness to decide!" zhang baisheng said solemnly.


    a cold light flashed in xiao yi''s eyes as he said coldly, "then kill them all!"


    hiss!


    a series of sharp intakes of breath echoed through the hall.


    it''s true that countless lives are lost on the battlefield, but that''s in the heat of combat. as for prisoners, they are generally used as slave labor, or as bargaining chips in negotiations between nations.


    directly executing hundreds of thousands of prisoners.


    this is something that''s never been done before!


    zhang baisheng frowned and said, "your highness, this is not appropriate! if we execute them all, it will tarnish your highness''s reputation!"


    "yes, your highness, if we kill them, future imperial censors will certainly record it in the history books, and later it might lead to you being labeled as brutal and inhumane..."


    "this could damage your highness''s prestige!"


    everyone was trying to persuade him.


    but xiao yi just laughed heartily, saying, "damage my prestige? brutal and inhumane? remember this, prestige is not won through kindness." his gaze became sharp and piercing, as if it were a sword thrusting into the depths of everyone''s soul, "think about it��if it were us who were prisoners, if it were the citizens of tianqing kingdom, how would they treat us? look no further than the three cities they conquered��how many were spared?"


    everyone fell silent.


    in those three cities, apart from the refugees who fled...


    all of the soldiers and civilians were slaughtered.


    wherever the tianlan kingdom''s army went, they killed, burned, and plundered without mercy...


    how utterly ruthless!


    with ice in his eyes, xiao yi stood up and declared, "let these four hundred thousand prisoners be buried in a pit outside heiya city, creating a mass grave. through the heads of these four hundred thousand soldiers of the tianlan kingdom, i will show the world that whoever offends tianqing, no matter how far, will be punished!"


    everyone was visibly shaken.


    their fists clenched tightly, and in their eyes blazed a fierce fire of war.


    by noon that day...


    the four hundred thousand soldiers were escorted to an area outside heiya city, where they were executed and buried in the massive pit created by the battle between xiao yi and ling wufengyun.


    this mass grave exuded a chilling aura.


    but at the same time...


    it also became a formidable sword to deter the world!


    and as the mass grave was completed, the news of the great victory at heiya city spread like the plague, reaching all corners of tianqing kingdom at an alarming speed.


    at that moment...


    the entire nation erupted in celebration!


    the name of xiao yi once again thundered across tianqing!


    nevertheless...


    xiao yi himself was indifferent to all of these achievements; at this moment, he was leading the belated fifty thousand imperial guards, setting off on a campaign towards the tianlan kingdom...

 Chapter 150 With Him, Tianqing Will Never Perish!

    within the territory of the tianqing kingdom.a steed after steed galloped from heiya city and sped away toward every corner of the tianqing kingdom.


    at present, the tianqing kingdom was besieged on all sides, facing enemies everywhere. the morale within the country was low and the populace was in a state of panic.


    and because of this�� sear?h the n?velfire(.)net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the tianqing kingdom needed a grand victory to boost spirits more than ever before.


    zhang baisheng well understood this concept, and as soon as he had triumphed over the million-strong army of the tianlan kingdom, he dispatched no less than eight hundred scouts, each with two horses, to quickly spread the news of this great victory throughout the tianqing kingdom.


    "victory! victory!"


    "the martial king of the nation, with his divine might, led his troops to completely annihilate the million-strong army of the tianlan kingdom, creating a pit of ten thousand corpses with forty thousand captives'' heads, deterring the world!"


    "the martial king of the nation, with his divine might..."


    such news spread throughout the tianqing kingdom.


    at first, everyone was incredulous.


    but as one report followed another, xiao yi''s fame had soared to its peak.


    the dilapidated mingjian manor.


    since xiao yi had destroyed the royal martial arts academy, the elite of mingjian manor had all perished there. the once-glorious and renowned mingjian manor had gradually fallen into decline, becoming nothing more than a large forge base providing military equipment for the kingdom, with all the once-formidable warriors of the manor reduced to blacksmiths.


    when news of xiao yi''s major victory reached mingjian manor, any lingering hopes were thoroughly extinguished: "our leader was so foolish, why provoke xiao yi?"


    "the third elder is the criminal of mingjian manor. even our ancestors won''t forgive him in the afterlife..."


    the nine profound sect.


    nowadays, the nine profound sect had already crumbled, with its disciples dispersing and fleeing, leaving behind only a few loyalists.


    they had hoped to find a new master to follow once the tianqing kingdom was destroyed.


    but at this moment...


    upon learning that xiao yi had led his troops to wipe out the million-strong army of the tianlan kingdom, tearing apart the wind with his bare hands, and repelling the tao tribulation with his sword, they were utterly intimidated: "let''s go... our hope for revenge is completely extinguished!"


    "let''s sell off all of the nine profound sect''s property. didn''t the treasure pavilion offer to pay five hundred million silver? let''s sell these assets to them and return to our hometown to live as wealthy landowners..."


    the same news also reached the ten thousand buddhas temple.


    inside the ten thousand buddhas temple.


    a young monk named dao yun was sitting in front of an old monk, his face twisted with ferocity: "abbot, i beg you to pass on the buddha-demon scripture to me. i vow to catch up with xiao yi and use the buddhist law to convert him!"


    "why pursue him?"


    the old monk, who was the current abbot of the ten thousand buddhas temple and whose cultivation had also reached the peak of the golden core realm, just one step away from entering the tao tribulation realm, clasped his hands together in prayer, his expression solemn as he spoke, "foolish child, you must let go of your obsession..."


    "abbot, are you truly unwilling to give it to me?" dao yun''s expression turned savage.


    amitabha!


    the abbot chanted the buddha''s name and shook his head with a wry smile: "dao yun, you have fallen into the demonic way... from today, you are... pfft..."


    in the midst of speaking, the abbot spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.


    he wore a look of disbelief on his face, staring at dao yun who stood before him, his hands stained red with blood, clutching the abbot''s golden core.


    he never imagined...


    dao yun, whom he had raised from a young age, would actually turn on him.


    dao yun''s face contorted with rage as he said, "you old fool, i asked you for the buddha-demon scripture, and you should have just given it to me. why waste words? i, dao yun, as a monk, held in high regard, was forced by xiao yi to kneel before his rule��this grudge is irreconcilable."


    "you, you��" the abbot opened his mouth, but could not stem the tide of blood rushing forth.


    as his golden core was lost, his life force rapidly drained away.


    meanwhile, dao yun leaped onto a buddha statue, reached beneath the lotus platform, and extracted a scroll. he howled to the heavens: "the buddha-demon scripture... finally in my hands!"


    gurgle!


    he actually took the bloodstained golden core into his mouth and chewed it before swallowing it down,


    huff! huff! huff!


    two golden cores burst out of his body, revolving around him ceaselessly.


    one of the golden cores was replenished with buddha patterns, holy and precious; the other was shrouded in black energy, emitting an eerie ghostly aura.


    dao yun was surrounded by a brilliant glow.


    he instantaneously reached the peak of the golden core realm.


    at times his face was engulfed in dark energy, fierce and ferocious, and at other times his visage was solemn, akin to that of a buddha.


    "hahaha, xiao yi, once i master this buddha-demon scripture, it will be the time for your demise!" dao yun rose into the sky, flipping over the massive scripture with sheer force.


    in an instant...


    screams of agony echoed throughout the ten thousand buddhas temple.


    after dao yun departed, the once peaceful ten thousand buddhas temple was left as a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.


    ......


    in the tianqing kingdom, at the royal capital, on vermilion bird avenue.


    "victory announcement! victory announcement!"


    "the martial king of the nation, with overwhelming divine might, led the army to annihilate the entire million-strong army of the tianlan kingdom. with four hundred thousand enemy heads, he built the pit of ten thousand corpses, deterring the whole world!"


    the messenger soldier charged through recklessly, but the people along the way had not a hint of complaint; instead, they celebrated jubilantly, and the oppressive air in the royal capital was swept away, plunging everyone into ecstatic joy. the whole city''s populace was shouting, "the martial king of the nation, with divine might..."


    in the midst of the celebration, there were also those who worried, "his highness the martial king''s meritorious achievements surpass the king''s, could it be that he will become the target of his majesty''s jealousy?"


    "this might not necessarily be a good thing!"


    but such concerns were quickly dispelled.


    all because jiang tianchen issued a royal decree, proclaiming to all, "the martial king of the nation, xiao yi, with peerless contributions, is hereby bestowed the title of guardian martial god of the tianqing kingdom. orders are given for temples to be built and statues cast in his likeness throughout the cities in the nation..."


    guardian martial god!


    building temples, casting statues!


    this was to worship xiao yi as a god!


    a man, can have achievements that overshadow the monarch!


    but what about a god?


    rising above all things, transcending royal authority!


    in other words...


    even if xiao yi commanded them to change the emperor, the royal family would have absolutely no complaints!


    this decree shattered the rumors that xiao yi''s achievements were too great and that his life would soon be in jeopardy.


    at the same time.


    within the royal palace.


    jiang tianchen, who had already entered the tao tribulation realm, looked at jiang tai with a full measure of satisfaction in his eyes. however, upon seeing jiang tai''s severed arm, a hint of sorrow flashed across his eyes, and he said solemnly, "tai, i had planned for the ancestor to guard the royal capital, but now that elder gu has broken through to the tao tribulation realm, he will be the guardian. i will lead an army alongside xia, the great general, and the ancestor to meet the enemy at the frontier. i leave the royal capital in your care!"


    jiang tai''s eyes reddened and he nodded fervently, "father king, please take care!"


    "hahaha, why such concern? now that the guardian martial god has annihilated a million soldiers of the tianlan kingdom, they are no longer a threat. other nations will surely get the news, and our tianqing kingdom will certainly triumph in this great war!" jiang tianchen laughed heartily.


    jiang tai nodded emphatically.


    jiang tianchen stood up, patted his shoulder, and spoke firmly, "tai, if something does happen to me, you shall open this edict and ascend the throne..."


    "father king..." jiang tai gasped, looking incredulously at jiang tianchen. your next read awaits at empire


    jiang tianchen waved his hand dismissively and laughed heartily, "as long as the guardian martial god is here, our tianqing kingdom shall not fall! you must remember, even if our jiang family is reduced to a single soldier, we must never betray the guardian martial god. with him, tianqing shall never perish!"

 Chapter 151 Those Who Are Not of Our Kind Will Surely Have Different Hearts

    tianqing kingdom''s border.si shui pass, this was one of the three cities that had previously fallen to the tianlan kingdom.


    xiao yi led fifty thousand imperial guards, along with fifty thousand elite troops from heiya city, and with zhang baisheng and zheng le pushed forward directly towards the tianlan kingdom.


    as for hou sailei, he was assigned to stay and defend heiya city.


    this arrangement nearly brought the seven-foot man to tears!


    "your highness, si shui pass is just ahead��" zheng le said in a deep voice.


    zhang baisheng looked distantly at si shui pass that lay stretched across the land, his expression somewhat sorrowful, "the original commander of si shui pass was an officer under my command�� an honest man, brave in battle. unfortunately, he was killed by a rain of arrows while covering the retreat of the civilians when geng jie and others broke through si shui pass��"


    "rest assured, general, their sacrifices will not be in vain!" xiao yi declared solemnly.


    "hmm!"


    zhang baisheng nodded his head.


    if xiao yi had said this a few days ago, he would have just smiled and dismissed it.


    but now��


    after the battle at heiya city, xiao yi had completely earned their respect.


    "report��"


    suddenly, a scout hurried back from the front, his face filled with urgency, "cavalry general, fifty li ahead, a village has been discovered, but�� but��"


    "but what?" zhang baisheng asked, frowning.


    the scout''s eyes reddened, his teeth clenched as he relayed, "but all the villagers in that village have been slaughtered."


    "what?"


    "lead us there quickly!"


    everyone followed the scout.


    a moment later.


    they arrived at the village, which was not a small one, containing a hundred households.


    only��


    the village before them was in complete disarray, with signs of burning everywhere, and bodies strewn about in all positions.


    men, women, the elderly, and children, all were mercilessly killed, not a single survivor!


    "those tianlan kingdom bastards, how could they... they even slaughter innocent civilians?"


    "your highness, look over there��"


    zheng le suddenly pointed ahead.


    xiao yi followed his gaze, and his pupils constricted sharply, as if the temperature around him dropped dozens of degrees instantly.


    everyone felt a bone-chilling coldness.


    it was a mill with a large stone mill covered in uneven bloodstains.


    what truly enraged xiao yi were the severed hands and feet still lying on that stone mill. these limbs were small; the largest were merely those of a two or three-year-old child, and the smallest even of a newborn�� they had been ground into pulp by the millstone, now scattered on the ground��


    ugh��


    some of the soldiers who couldn''t bear the sight covered their mouths, violently retching.


    xiao yi, zhang baisheng, and zheng le, however, shivered with rage!


    fury!


    fury that reached its peak!


    kill!


    the will to kill soared to the skies!


    "how could these animals�� how could they bring themselves to do such a thing?" zheng le gritted his teeth, feeling as if a raging fire was burning within his chest, wishing it could burst forth at any moment.


    zhang baisheng''s face was ashen, his fists clenched tightly, crackling with tension.


    his nails dug into his flesh, with blood streaming down through his fingers, yet he seemed totally unaware.


    looking at the half-meter-high pile of minced flesh surrounding the stone mill, with broken bodies on top.


    your next chapter awaits on empire


    they could almost see the infants still in swaddling clothes, or toddlers just beginning to speak, being brutally thrown by tianlan kingdom soldiers onto the stone mill, ground into flesh and blood by the grinding stones. some of these children couldn''t even talk yet, some had not even opened their eyes before being reduced to pulp between those massive stones!


    gritting sounds��


    xiao yi clenched his fists, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes bloodshot as he looked towards zhang baisheng and zheng le, "do you still think my massacre of those four hundred thousand prisoners was too cruel?"


    "it was too merciful; they should have been cut into a thousand pieces!"


    "these beasts��"


    zheng le and zhang baisheng had eyes red with anger.


    whoosh!


    xiao yi took a deep breath, squatting on the ground, and looking at the scattered flesh around him, he clenched his teeth and said, word by word, "i, xiao yi, swear here that i will definitely crush tianlan kingdom and avenge you all!"


    indistinctly.


    it seemed to xiao yi and the others that in the midst of the shredded flesh, the color-drained shackles fell away from the smiling children, and they ascended to heaven.


    they were freed!


    "settle the remains of our fellow villagers properly!" xiao yi instructed.


    the crowd set to work, clearing the remains within the village.


    after the cleanup was done.


    it was already sunset.


    xiao yi gathered his army of one hundred thousand, his face covered with frost, his sharp gaze sweeping over his men.


    the army seemed unusually suppressed.


    gone was the joy of a great victory that had come with the start of the campaign.


    clearly, everything that had happened in this village had become a huge stone, weighing on everyone''s heart.


    "non-kin, their hearts must differ!"


    xiao yi''s sudden voice drew everyone''s attention, and they all looked up at him, "you''ve also seen what happened, this is war. if we fail, the tianlan kingdom''s army will invade, and countless citizens of tianqing kingdom behind us will suffer this same fate. our relatives, our friends, our loved ones�� no one will be spared!"


    the crowd was tense, gritting their teeth.


    xiao yi raised his voice, "do you want to see such scenes again?"


    "no!"


    the crowd shouted loudly.


    xiao yi''s voice grew louder, echoing among the hundred thousand soldiers, "then what should we do?"


    "kill!"


    "kill!"


    "kill!"


    a hundred thousand men, their killing intent soaring into the sky.


    whoosh!


    xiao yi abruptly drew the fire qilin sword, the blade cleaving the air, and with one stroke, he cut off a piece of his garment, declaring loudly, "i, xiao yi, hereby swear that wherever our weapons point, we must break through tianlan! should i break this oath, may i be like this garment!"


    zhang baisheng raised his longsword likewise, cutting off a piece of his garment, "wherever our weapons point, we must break through tianlan!"


    zheng le followed suit, "should i break this oath, may i be like this garment!"


    whoosh!


    whoosh! s��ar?h the n??efire.��et website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    whoosh!


    the action of the hundred thousand was uniform.


    raise arms.


    cut garments!


    "wherever our weapons point, we must break through tianlan!"


    "should i break this oath, may i be like this garment!"


    the roar of a hundred thousand men shattered the skies, their murderous intent and battle spirit coalescing into a blood-red cloud that hovered over their heads.


    xiao yi pointed forward with his longsword, "advance!"


    the sound of the hundred thousand-strong army rolled like a tide of iron, moving forward.


    along the way.


    the hundred thousand-strong army led by xiao yi was unstoppable wherever they went.


    the several thousand tianlan kingdom soldiers stationed at si shui pass had already fled at the sight of them, leaving behind a burning ghost town. the roaring flames reached for the sky, but as xiao yi''s army passed by, heavy clouds gathered above, chill winds howled, and torrential rains fell, extinguishing the flames until the sky cleared after the storm!


    following that, huai shui city, liu yin city��


    without much effort, these two cities were also reclaimed by xiao yi and his men.


    the three cities lost to the tianlan kingdom were all returned to the hands of the qing tian kingdom.


    it was only at this point...


    that xiao yi and his entourage finally set foot on the territory of the tianlan kingdom.


    a grand feast of slaughter hence began to unfold��

 Chapter 152 Easy to Meet the King of Hell, Tough to Deal with His Underlings!

    tianlan kingdom, zhenxi city.this was a border fortress between tianlan kingdom and tianqing kingdom and also served as the gateway city to the west of tianlan kingdom.


    it was even more massive than heiya city.


    the city walls alone were a hundred meters high, and the extensive walls stretched for dozens of miles like an azure dragon lying across the land, guarding the western gate of tianlan kingdom. continue reading stories on empire


    the commander of zhenxi city was the king of zhenxi, zhao qiankun, known for his impregnable defense.


    inside the city lord''s mansion.


    zhao qiankun''s face was dark as he looked at the scout reports, kicked the table and chairs in front of him to the ground, and cursed, "useless trash, geng jie and li tenglong, these two pieces of rubbish, a million-strong army, just like that completely annihilated? what the hell were they doing?"


    "please calm your anger, my lord!"


    "your highness, what''s most critical now is to consider how to fend off the tianqing kingdom''s army..."


    "to assemble that million-man army, our tianlan kingdom almost emptied out the nest, even zhenxi city had a hundred thousand troops pulled away. now, with only a hundred thousand left, what are we supposed to do..."


    one after another, zhao qiankun''s subordinates offered their advice.


    tianlan kingdom was more or less on par with tianqing kingdom; there was little difference in national strength between the two countries.


    but now...


    having lost a million troops all at once, they were grievously wounded.


    "given the circumstances, what else can we do but make a last stand?"


    zhao qiankun said coldly, "at the time when it was decided to wage war against tianqing kingdom, i disagreed, yet all of you thought that tianqing was beset on all sides, at its weakest. now that trouble has arisen, you come to ask me what to do? what were you doing earlier?"


    all along.


    zhao qiankun had been defending zhenxi city, while zhang baisheng had been guarding heiya city.


    although there were minor frictions between the two armies, they had never engaged in large-scale warfare.


    this was because zhao qiankun had a clear understanding of the strength of the two nations; neither could truly overpower the other.


    but this time...


    it truly was a war that could lead to the destruction of a nation!


    from the moment tianlan kingdom mobilized en masse, dispatching a million-strong army to attack tianqing kingdom, it was destined that only one of the two countries would continue to exist.


    just then.


    a messenger from outside announced, "my lord, an imperial envoy has arrived!"


    "let him in!"


    zhao qiankun commanded with a grim face.


    a moment later.


    an old eunuch with a sly look walked in, holding a royal edict, and proclaimed in a deep voice, "king of zhenxi, receive the order!"


    "your servant receives the order!"


    zhao qiankun and the others all knelt.


    the eunuch unfolded the royal edict and intoned, "by the mandate of heaven, the king decrees: zhenxi city is the western gateway of tianlan kingdom, zhao qiankun is hereby ordered to ensure that the enemy forces are kept out of zhenxi city, let this be known!"


    "your servant obeys the order!"


    zhao qiankun received the royal edict with a dark face, almost wishing he could tear the edict to shreds.


    the eunuch stepped forward, his sharp voice slightly grating, "my lord, his majesty orders you to hold zhenxi city at all costs, the armies of baijing kingdom and sihai kingdom will soon launch an attack. as long as we withstand this wave of the tianqing kingdom''s army, the final victory will surely be ours..."


    "i know!"


    zhao qiankun responded coldly, "given the urgency of the war situation, i will not detain you any longer, please!"


    the eunuch named zheng yu was a trusted confidant of tianlan kingdom, and even the royal princes would show him some respect. when had he ever carried out an edict without some personal gain?


    zhao qiankun actually gave him a direct order to leave?


    zheng yu narrowed his eyes, sizing up zhao qiankun, gave a sinister smile, and said, "if that''s the case, i will take my leave first!"


    zheng yu walked towards the exit.


    from behind him came the conversation between several generals and zhao qiankun, "my lord, this zheng is a close confidant of his majesty and is notoriously greedy. you sent him away without even offering a tip, i fear..."


    "fear what? zhenxi city is in imminent danger, yet you expect me to indulge him with lavish hospitality? an old castrated cur that does nothing but stir up trouble, would he dare to bite me?" zhao qiankun''s chilly voice came through, followed by an impatient remark, "enough about that old cur, promptly inform me about the detailed reports on the tianqing kingdom''s army..."


    outside the door.


    zheng yu''s smile on his face grew increasingly malevolent, like a ferocious venomous snake, he sneered in a chilling voice, "what a zhao qiankun, what a king of zhenxi, hmph..."


    ...


    eight hundred li outside zhenxi city.


    xiao yi, leading the army, swept all before him, sniping the scouts sent by zhenxi city one by one and was now resting here.


    before the campfires.


    xiao yi and the others were waiting for the meat to finish roasting, while zhang baisheng was speaking about the king of zhenxi, zhao qiankun, "i have crossed swords with zhao qiankun for twenty-eight years and understand him extremely well. i excel in attack, while he excels in defense, so trying to use the same method that trapped li tenglong and geng jie might not work. this is going to be a tough battle!"


    the king of zhenxi, zhao wuji, was known as the copper wall and iron rampart.


    this reputation was forged from one brilliant defensive battle after another.


    "is it possible for his highness the martial king to break through their city gates directly?" zheng le tentatively asked.


    although xiao yi possessed the combat strength of the tao tribulation realm, his realm was only at the peak of the golden core realm after all.


    even if he took action, others couldn''t seize any handle on him.


    xiao yi was also somewhat tempted.


    with his strength, forcibly breaking through to zhenxi city and blasting open the gates before withdrawing in one piece was still somewhat assured.


    but zhang baisheng just bitterly smiled and shook his head, "you''re all being too optimistic... his highness''s power is beyond doubt, but zhao qiankun surely knows this too. do you think he wouldn''t be prepared? if he were to lay a trap with a net reaching the sky and a snare covering the earth and use a human wave tactic to entrap his highness, then with human lives to exhaust his highness..."


    this was the reason why those in the tao tribulation realm were not allowed to participate in direct combat.


    the tao tribulation realm could harness the forces of nature for wide-ranging attacks.


    like ling wufengyun, a wave of his hand could summon howling gales, able to stand against tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of enemies all by himself.


    but those in the golden core realm, no matter how powerful, could not match such destructive power.


    if zhao qiankun used tens of thousands of troops and strategies like nets to entangle xiao yi and then employed relentless volleys of arrows regardless of the cost, he could still potentially capture xiao yi.


    in the midst of their conversation,


    a scout nearby brought over a skinny young man, saying, "your highness, generals, i found him while patrolling ahead. he claims to have come to help us take zhenxi city!"


    "hmm?" s��ar?h the nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    xiao yi and the others exchanged glances, looking at the young man with curiosity.


    xiao yi frowned and asked, "who are you?"


    "this humble one is a little shadow under the command of eunuch zheng from tianlan kingdom''s internal affairs!" replied xiao ying, his face revealing a submissive and deferential expression.


    xiao yi raised an eyebrow, "the head of internal affairs? if you''re from tianlan kingdom, why would you help us take zhenxi city?"


    "this... this..." xiao ying hesitated, unable to complete his sentence.


    zheng le, with a flourish of his long knife, pressed it against the young man''s neck, frightening xiao ying to kneel and kowtow for mercy. zheng le said, "spit it out, or i''ll end you!"


    xiao ying quickly exclaimed, "honorable lords, this is all because the king of zhenxi insulted my master and infuriated him. he ordered me to bring the defensive layout of zhenxi city and the city''s patrol schedule to you, generals. i swear to the heavens, everything i''ve said is true, if there''s even half a lie, may i be struck by lightning and die without a complete corpse!"


    while saying this,


    xiao ying produced the defense map of zhenxi city and the patrol schedule.


    xiao yi passed them to zhang baisheng.


    after inspecting them, zhang baisheng gave a slight nod toward him.


    xiao yi then instructed the scout, "take him away and guard him well!"


    "yes!"


    the scout immediately departed.


    only then did xiao yi look at zhang baisheng, "old general, how credible do you think this is?"


    "at least ninety percent credible!"


    zhang baisheng took a deep breath and then said, "i''ve heard of this zheng yu. he is a greedy eunuch and very narrow-minded, one who seeks revenge for the smallest slights. with zhao qiankun''s temper, offending him is quite normal, and indeed, this defense map and patrol schedule are flawless, very much matching zhao qiankun''s style of military disposition!"


    "with that said... breaking through zhenxi city is within reach!" exclaimed zheng le, excitedly.


    zhang baisheng nodded emphatically.


    xiao yi exhaled deeply, looking at the defense map, and shook his head slightly, "even the king of hell is easy to see, little devils are tricky to deal with! zhao qiankun, probably never imagined that, despite his wisdom, he would be ruined at the hands of a eunuch..."

 Chapter 153 Plan to Win the Heart

    that night.xiao yi and his men spurred their horses, rushing toward zhenxi city at top speed.


    eight hundred li.


    for this carefully selected elite force of a hundred thousand, it was but a three-hour journey.


    as the dawn''s first rays appeared the following day.


    the defending army within zhenxi city was shocked to find that the army of the tianqing kingdom had already set up camp ten li away from the city, and all this had been accomplished right under their noses without drawing the attention of the zhenxi city''s defenders. this indeed caused zhao qiankun inside the city to wipe away a cold sweat as he went personally to the top of the city wall.


    clatter clatter clatter!


    zheng le, carrying a command flag, rode a tall horse to the gates of zhenxi city.


    "is general zhao qiankun there?" zheng le called out loudly.


    atop the city walls.


    zhao qiankun narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "who are you?"


    "i am zheng le, the vanguard officer serving directly under his highness xiao yi, the martial king of tianqing kingdom. i have come to deliver a message to general zhao!" zheng le''s voice was loud and solemn, booming like a large bell, resounding thunderously.


    zhao qiankun narrowed his eyes and deliberately said, "what martial king xiao yi? who is this youngster whose hair hasn''t even grown fully? i have never heard of him."


    "then that indicates your ignorance!"


    unangered, zheng le laughed heartily and then continued, "my lord has stated, limit general zhao to surrender within three days to spare your life. should you still stubbornly resist after three days, my lord will lead the great army of the tianqing kingdom to crush through zhenxi city. anyone who obstructs the tianqing kingdom''s army shall be killed without mercy!"


    "arrogance!"


    "you scoundrels of tianqing kingdom, we don''t need three days, if you dare, attack now!"


    "we shall see whether it is your tianqing kingdom''s soldiers that are sharp, or if our zhenxi city is more impenetrable!"


    one by one, the generals under zhao qiankun loudly taunted.


    with a sneer, zhao qiankun said, "go back and tell your master, if he kneels and begs for mercy, i might spare your lives!"


    bang!


    zheng le abruptly planted the command flag into the ground and proclaimed, "by the orders of my lord, this flag stands here. from this moment on, each day you fail to surrender, we will execute one of your generals and hang their head from this flag! after three days, our army will launch a full assault and flatten your zhenxi city!"


    clatter clatter clatter!


    zheng le immediately rode his tall horse, leaving swiftly.


    atop the city walls.


    the tianlan kingdom''s generals were utterly furious: "damn it, these bastards from tianqing kingdom, they''ve gone too far!"


    "are they suggesting that zhenxi city has no one capable?"


    "send orders down, implement the original plan and double the patrols and defenses!"


    zhao qiankun coldly snorted and with a casual flick, shot an arrow that split the command flag, and squinting, he looked toward the distant encampment of xiao yi and his men, "my zhenxi city is a net of heaven and earth, i would like to see how you would execute my generals!"


    but as for zheng le...


    when he returned to the camp, he guzzled down water, wiped his lips, and looked at xiao yi with a wry smile: "my lord, please don''t send me to do such things in the future. you didn''t see the look in those generals'' eyes under zhao qiankun''s command; they looked like they wanted to eat me alive!"


    xiao yi said indifferently, "if that''s the case, then you''re relieved from your position as vanguard officer and can become the quartermaster instead!"


    "no, my lord!"


    zheng le became anxious and quickly said, "i only spoke off the cuff!"


    "hahaha..."


    both xiao yi and zhang baisheng laughed heartily.


    causing zheng le to look embarrassed.


    xiao yi said in a serious tone, "what is the state of zhenxi city''s defenses?"


    enjoy new adventures from empire


    "extremely stringent!"


    zheng le also turned serious and said in a deep voice, "based on the defensive setup i saw, it is indeed identical to the one shown on that defense map."


    "so it seems that the defense map is indeed credible!" xiao yi nodded.


    of course, they could not simply believe in the authenticity of the defense map based on just a few words from a minor eunuch.


    this time, they had sent zheng le to provoke the enemy, firstly to disrupt the enemy troops, and secondly to confirm the authenticity of the defense map.


    zhang baisheng said, "my lord, you had zheng le set up that commanding banner and even claimed that every day a head of an enemy soldier would be hung on it, are you going to take action personally?"


    "mm!"


    xiao yi nodded.


    zheng le frowned and said, "by doing so, although we can disturb their military heart, it will also make zhao qiankun become alert. he might increase his defensive forces, which is not advantageous for us!"


    zhang baisheng gave him a glare and said, "do you think you''re the only one who can think of that?"


    "ah?"


    zheng le was stunned.


    zhang baisheng revealed a meaningful smile, "in military strategy, direct confrontation is inferior, psychological warfare is superior. his highness has a well-thought-out plan. let''s just wait and enjoy the show!"


    that very night.


    within the western city, a group of generals gathered together.


    general zhang ti was one of zhao qiankun''s fierce generals, with a cultivation at the fifth layer of the golden core realm, and possessed innate divine strength. fierce and fearless in battle, he had established a mighty military record. however, his temper was too impulsive, suitable as a general but not as a commander, unable to hold his ground alone.


    witnessing zhao qiankun increase the defensive forces overnight, zhang ti was very dissatisfied, muttering, "my lord, xiao yi is nothing but a green youth. why such a fuss over his words?"


    "shut up!"


    zhao qiankun sharply interrupted, "carry out the defense and guard according to plan, and also pay attention to your own safety. xiao yi is the top talent of the tianqing kingdom. even the national master was defeated by him. do not underestimate him, lest he takes your heads!"


    "rest assured, my lord, we have been fighting wars for years, and we will not make such a novice mistake!"


    "if he dares to come, i will ensure he does not return!"


    the men swore their oaths earnestly.


    watching the men leave, zhao qiankun squinted up at the star-filled sky, rubbing his brows, "i hope... these are only my misgivings!"


    the next day, at dawn.


    zhao qiankun suddenly awoke from deep sleep, his forehead drenched in cold sweat. he looked around and then let out a long breath, "good, it was just a nightmare..."


    as soon as those words fell.


    an urgent knocking sound came from outside the door, "my lord, something terrible has happened; general zhang ti''s head has been hung on the flag outside the city gate!"


    "what?"


    zhao qiankun was shocked, his body springing up from the bed, rushing out the door.


    along the way, he could continuously hear whispers among the military and civilians, "did you hear? general zhang ti had his head cut off and hung outside the city gate. even the general''s wife lying beside him didn''t realize until she woke up this morning."


    "i heard it too... some say that our tianlan kingdom has incurred the wrath of the heavens, and that deities are aiding the tianqing kingdom!"


    "alas... why bother with such a battle? the tianqing kingdom never took the initiative to provoke us, and now, it has made everyone panic..."


    hearing the murmuring of the people.


    zhao qiankun''s face turned exceedingly grim.


    he faintly understood the purpose behind xiao yi''s move; it was to scatter the hearts of the military and civilians of the western city!


    when zhao qiankun reached the top of the city wall, he saw yet another banner erected below. s��ar?h the ��ov��lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    on the banner hung the head of zhang ti.


    the blood had already dried, but his face still bore the peaceful expression of deep sleep.


    bang!


    zhao qiankun smashed a brick on the city wall with his palm, his face somber as he looked towards his subordinates, "increase the guard forces by fivefold. additionally, combine the generals in pairs to stay together, all centralized in the city lord''s residence. i want to see how xiao yi will kill under my watch..."

 Chapter 154 Zhèn Xī City, Finished!

    the next day, early morning.inside the city lord''s mansion.


    zhao qiankun had not slept all night, sitting with legs astride in the front courtyard of the city lord''s mansion, with his flame moon battle saber placed beside him.


    the saber radiated a cold light that shocked the heavens, its edge strikingly apparent.


    having kept watch all night, he had not noticed any disturbances and finally let out a sigh of relief, a confident smile curling up at the corners of his mouth, "xiao yi? humph, nothing but a callow youth. do you think you can contend with me with such trivial tricks and heresies? your heart-striking strategy is indeed fierce, but once you fail to honor your promise and behead my commanders, you''ll face the backlash of your own psychological ploy��"


    "your highness!"


    two guards stepped forward.


    zhao qiankun spoke indifferently, "have all the generals gather at the city walls immediately!"


    "yes!"


    the two guards immediately departed.


    zhao qiankun narrowed his eyes, chuckling coldly, "once the military and civilians of our western command city realize that not a single commander has been killed today, xiao yi''s psychological warfare will collapse on itself. instead, it will be the morale of the tianqing kingdom that suffers a great blow!"


    a group of commanders gathered in the front courtyard, "your highness!"


    "we are grateful to your highness for protecting us through the night!"


    gratitude filled the eyes of the crowd.


    zhao qiankun asked, "is anyone missing?"


    "no one!"


    the crowd briefly scanned their ranks and responded.


    "let''s go!"


    zhao qiankun laughed heartily, "let us go to the top of the city wall and witness the disappointment on xiao yi''s face! right, liu yi, go inform the citizens to also come up to the city walls to see how i will humiliate xiao yi!"


    "i''ll go at once!" liu yi hurriedly left.


    the generals were in an especially joyful and relaxed mood, the stone that weighed on their hearts due to zhang ti''s unexplained death the day before had now been lifted, "it''s thanks to your highness''s strategy of having us stay together, and with your highness personally standing guard, leaving xiao yi no opportunity to strike. letting the civilians onto the battlements to see for themselves will stabilize the military and civilian hearts alike!"


    "truly worthy of your highness, killing two birds with one stone!"


    the crowd sang praises in unison.


    a look of pride appeared on zhao qiankun''s face.


    when zhao qiankun, together with a group of commanders, arrived at the bottom of the city wall, he found that many citizens had already gathered there.


    "your highness, nothing happened last night, right?"


    "your highness..."


    zhao qiankun gestured for calm with a relaxed expression, "rest assured, my people, i kept personal vigil last night and all the generals are safe and sound. as long as we, as military and civilians, stand united, the tianqing kingdom shall not set foot within our western command city!"


    "long live your highness!"


    "truly the ''iron wall and bronze wall'' as they say, your highness is our calm sea divine needle indeed!"


    amidst the cheers of the citizens, zhao qiankun declared loudly, "everyone, follow me to the walls and take a look. later, i will need to trouble you to shout out loudly, to let the soldiers of the tianqing kingdom know the people and military of western command city are united and impregnable!"


    "rest assured, your highness!"


    "we won''t let you down!"


    the people followed zhao qiankun''s lead, heading up to the city wall.


    however...


    he had barely set foot on the city wall when he saw a guard rolling and scrambling up to him, his face a mess of distress.


    thud!


    zhao qiankun''s heart skipped a beat, his face suddenly changing as the guard approached with a look of panic, "your... your highness, something terrible has happened... general liu yi''s head has been hung on the flagpole without anyone noticing!"


    "what?"


    zhao qiankun''s face turned ashen.


    the smiles froze on the faces of the surrounding commanders, replaced by shock and terror.


    behind them, the citizens looked at each other in confusion, bewildered, "didn''t they say nothing happened? how did another general die?"


    "i heard that your highness kept personal vigil last night, how could something have gone wrong again?"


    "could it really be as the rumors say, divine wrath? are there gods helping the tianqing kingdom?"


    the human heart is the most obstinate yet simultaneously the most fragile.


    if no commander''s head had been displayed on a flagpole today, xiao yi''s threat would have been broken, and the spirits of both military and civilians in western command city would have soared, solidifying their unity. united as one, they could have made western command city an unbreachable fortress. but now, both military morale and civilian spirits had once again been dealt a devastating blow.


    looking at one disconcerted commander after another and the changing gazes of the citizens��which no longer held the unwavering trust they had before��zhao qiankun''s face grew increasingly pale, a sweetness rising in his throat as a mouthful of hot blood surged up and he spat it out.


    "this isn''t good!"


    "the prince has collapsed, quickly help him back..."


    "where''s the royal physician? find the royal physician quickly..."


    the entire town of western zhensi was thrown into chaos.


    nobody noticed.


    in that corner, a silver figure witnessed it all and then quietly slipped underground.


    a moment later.


    within the tianqing kingdom''s military camp.


    little lin emerged from the ground and climbed onto xiao yi''s shoulder, "boss, everything went according to your plan. zhao qiankun was so furious he spat blood and fainted. now the town of western zhensi is in total disorder!"


    "good!"


    xiao yi rubbed little lin''s head, "you''ve worked hard these past two days!"


    only little lin could sneak into the town of western zhensi under zhao qiankun''s watchful eye and silently kill a golden core expert!


    little lin flicked its tongue and asked, "boss, shall we continue tonight?"


    xiao yi shook his head, "no, we won''t kill tonight. i''ve already had someone make a hundred thousand copies of this defense plan and patrol schedule overnight. your task tonight is to distribute these defense maps and patrol schedules throughout the town of western zhensi. i want everyone in the town to know that zheng yu has betrayed them..."


    "we can''t kill anymore? sigh..." little lin looked disappointed.


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    xiao yi tapped his head and glared at him sternly.


    little lin flicked its tongue again.


    only then did xiao yi turn to zhang baisheng and zheng le, "generals, rally the troops. tomorrow morning, we launch the full assault!"


    "yes!"


    the two men were visibly excited.


    that very night...


    zhao qiankun, who was lying in bed, had regained some of his qi-blood. a group of generals gathered around the bed, looking at him worriedly.


    zhao qiankun shook his head, "don''t worry, i''m not dead yet!"


    "my lord, with our military morale scattered and the public unsettled, what should we do now?" the generals looked to him, completely at a loss.


    zhao qiankun said sternly, "it doesn''t matter. we still have the advantage of defense. as long as..."


    he hadn''t finished speaking.


    suddenly, a commotion arose outside.


    zhao qiankun frowned, "what''s going on?"


    creak!


    a soldier rushed in frantically, clutching a scroll of paper, his face full of panic, "my lord, something terrible has happened..."


    thud!


    a jolt of alarm went through everyone present in the bedroom.


    over these days...


    they were most afraid of hearing those words!


    it was like a summons of life or death tolling its bell!


    zhao qiankun frowned, "what happened?"


    the soldier immediately presented the scroll, "the message says that zheng, the eunuch, has leaked our defense map and patrol schedule of the town of western zhensi to the tianqing kingdom. zheng has betrayed us all..."


    "what?"


    "that''s impossible!"


    everyone''s expression changed dramatically.


    but when they saw the defense maps and patrol schedules depicted on the scroll, each person''s face turned horribly grim, ashen with despair, "it''s truly our defense map!"


    "zheng yu, that damned eunuch, deserves to be cut into a thousand pieces..."


    "how dare he do this..."


    "my lord, what do we do?" the generals looked at zhao qiankun in dread.


    with the defense map and patrol schedule exposed, it was too late for them to make any adjustments.


    it meant that everything within the town of western zhensi was exposed to the people of the tianqing kingdom. s~ea??h the novel(f~)ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    there were simply no secrets left!


    zhao qiankun remained silent, his hand that held the paper trembling violently.


    suddenly...


    zhao qiankun threw his head back and spewed a mouthful of fresh blood, his qi-blood immediately weakened, and two drops of blood tears fell from his eyes, "the town of western zhensi... is finished..."

 Chapter 155 With My Body, I Shall Forever Guard This City!

    ```the next day, at dawn.


    the sky had just brightened, with the golden morning sun casting its glow upon the land.


    casting a long, long shadow of the entire zhenxi city, the banners on the city walls fluttered against the blue sky, creating a rustling sound, but the wind brought with it a feeling of desolation.


    the vast zhenxi city was bleak, top to bottom.


    the spirit of the soldiers, the hearts of the people, all were dim.


    boom!


    boom, boom!


    rumbling...


    a series of earth-shattering sounds approached from afar, mighty and vast, it was the tianqing kingdom''s hundred-thousand-strong army led by xiao yi, forming like a dark demonic cloud, marching towards zhenxi city.


    their pace was not fast, but it exuded an extremely heavy and suffocating presence.


    like a colossal stone weighing down on everyone''s chest.


    it was stifling to the point of breathlessness.


    atop the city walls, the defending army of zhenxi city gazed at the dense battle formation, feeling as if every step taken by the enemy forces were invisible hammers ruthlessly pounding against their chests.


    so oppressive, they could hardly speak.


    cough, cough, cough!


    a series of urgent and weak coughs were heard, as the esteemed martial king of tianlan kingdom, zhao qiankun, known as the impregnable great general of the era, appeared to have aged decades in moments. his hair was white, his stature hunched, his face gaunt, as if a gust of wind could knock him over at any time, teetering on the edge.


    a group of zhenxi city''s defending generals followed behind him, each with their heads bowed and eyes bloodshot.


    their hands clenched into fists, shoulders trembling slightly.


    opressiveness.


    the atmosphere was oppressively terrifying! s��arch* the n??elfir��.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    thud!


    the sound of the war drum suddenly stopped.


    xiao yi and his men had already arrived at the base of zhenxi city.


    the two armies faced each other.


    riding a heavenly blue bull python, xiao yi, adorned in white armor, his black hair billowing, cape fluttering, with the fire qilin sword at his waist emitting a blinding light. handsome and majestic, like a dragon among men, he rode atop the heavenly blue bull python, and alone he seemed like an entire army, exuding a powerful sense of oppression.


    "what a xiao yi, what a martial king of the nation..."


    zhao qiankun gazed at xiao yi with intense eyes, unblinking, and then with a sense of resignation and defeat, he sighed, "if tianlan kingdom had such a heroic figure, why would we lack a prospering era? alas, it''s a pity..."


    "general..."


    "my lord..."


    a group of generals, tears in their eyes, stared at zhao qiankun, who just three days ago had been a majestic king of zhenxi but now appeared as weak and frail as an elderly neighbor gravely ill, each of them struggling to say what they wanted.


    zhao qiankun waved his hand with a smile and said, "since it''s been decided, then proceed as i''ve instructed!"


    "yes!"


    the generals fought back tears, nodding compressedly.


    zhao qiankun supported himself with both hands on the city walls, gazing down at xiao yi and at zhang baisheng who appeared by his side, basked in the warm, golden sunlight. he gently rubbed the bricks of the city wall in front of him, so familiar to him��he had guarded this place for decades: "every era produces its own talents, and now, it''s time this old bone stepped down!"


    whoosh!


    zhao qiankun let out a long breath, circulated his qi-blood, and made his voice resonate, loud and clear, spreading throughout zhenxi city, "martial king xiao yi, would you care to talk with this old man?"


    "your highness, be wary of deceit!" zheng le cautioned in a deep voice.


    zheng baishang, however, shook his head. he fixed his gaze on zhao qiankun high upon the city walls, all too familiar with this old adversary, and said in a serious tone, "zhao qiankun is not that kind of man!"


    xiao yi smiled faintly, stood tall and levitated in front of the city walls.


    the old and the young, eyes locked on each other.


    xiao yi gave a bow and said, "the younger generation, xiao yi, pays respect to the king of zhenxi!"


    continue your journey on empire


    "you''re young, so very young! it''s good to be young!"


    zhao qiankun laughed warmly, his eyes on xiao yi held no resentment or hatred, only helplessness and envy for the youthfulness, "this old man will venture to call you xiao yi!"


    "hmm!"


    ```


    xiao yi nodded.


    zhao qiankun said, "xiao yi, could you agree to one condition for me?"


    "speak," xiao yi replied.


    zhao qiankun said in a deep voice, "spare the soldiers and civilians within the city, can you do that?"


    xiao yi slightly frowned.


    he remembered the villagers who had been slaughtered, the babies ground into pulp beneath the millstones.


    seeming to sense xiao yi''s hesitation, zhao qiankun said solemnly, "i can guarantee with my life that none of the people under my command have ever laid a finger on any innocent civilians outside the battlefield!"


    xiao yi looked back at zhang baisheng.


    zhang baisheng nodded slightly.


    he had been zhao qiankun''s opponent for many years and knew the other man''s character very well.


    xiao yi let out a breath and said solemnly, "alright! as long as they don''t stand against me, i won''t kill them! as for the citizens within the city, they will henceforth be subjects of my tianqing kingdom, and i naturally won''t harm them!"


    "whew!"


    zhao qiankun let out a long, turbid breath and smiled, "no wonder even the old fellow zhang baisheng is willing to follow you. you truly are exceptional, losing to you is not unjust." after a pause, zhao qiankun took out a commander''s seal and handed it to xiao yi, announcing loudly, "all people of zhenxi city, from now on, you shall no longer be enemies with the tianqing kingdom. in seeing xiao yi, you are seeing me!"


    whirrrr!


    all the soldiers and civilians of zhenxi city knelt in unison, the atmosphere incredibly oppressive.


    some soldiers could not hold back their tears any longer.


    even more civilians wailed loudly.


    but they understood...


    zhao qiankun was doing this only to save their lives.


    xiao yi held up the commander''s seal and also spoke loudly, "listen, everyone in zhenxi city, i, xiao yi, hereby swear, as long as you do not resist my tianqing kingdom, i shall not harm you one bit! i will protect you just as i protect the citizens of the tianqing kingdom!"


    "open the gates!"


    zhao qiankun shouted with all of his strength.


    the guards already at the city gates immediately opened them��boom! the gates that had sealed off the western border of the tianlan kingdom for hundreds of years were finally opened.


    this gateway to the west of the tianlan kingdom was completely opened!


    but there were no cheers from the generals of the tianqing kingdom, only silent procession into the city, accepting the surrender of the soldiers of zhenxi city.


    atop the city walls.


    xiao yi looked at zhao qiankun, whose form was swaying before him, and said with gravity, "senior king of zhenxi, i have here some pills that nurture qi-blood..."


    "no need!"


    zhao qiankun smiled, propped himself up using the battlements, tilted his head back to greet the golden sunlight, and revealed a radiant smile, "xiao yi, do you know why i chose to surrender without a fight?"


    xiao yi nodded, "you knew that if there was a battle, not even one in ten would survive, and zhenxi city would be brought to ruin. besides that... your heart has been thoroughly wounded!"


    whew!


    zhao qiankun nodded, "yes, wounded beyond repair. i have been defending zhenxi city for decades, never allowing the army of the tianqing kingdom a single step across our borders, exerting all my effort without daring to relax in the slightest. but that zheng yu, he betrayed the million soldiers and civilians of zhenxi city over a single dispute. and zheng yu is that foolish ruler''s confidant. in the face of such a state of affairs, i am weary..."


    xiao yi remained silent.


    he knew very well that the most hated people on zhenxi city now were not him, but zheng yu and the king of tianlan kingdom.


    and for this reason...


    the officers did not stop zhao qiankun''s surrender!


    "senior king of zhenxi..."


    just as xiao yi began to speak, zhao qiankun interrupted him with a wave of his hand. he shakily walked over to the flag that symbolized the tianlan kingdom, gently caressing it, and said wistfully, "my tianlan kingdom has paid countless lives to defend this city. so many young people, who should have been full of vigor, died early just to hold on to this place. now, it has been breached by my hands..."


    "xiao yi!"


    xiao yi looked sharply at zhao qiankun.


    "i''ve lost!"


    zhao qiankun seemed to summon all his energy to say these three words, and his aura immediately became even more wilted. he suddenly yanked the flag from its place, waving it back and forth causing it to flutter fiercely. suddenly, zhao qiankun threw the flag high into the air, and with a thunderous crash, it plummeted down, piercing through his cranial point, rooting firmly atop the city walls.


    it fixed his body firmly to the battlements of zhenxi city.


    the aged voice, but still resonant and powerful, echoed through the heavens and earth, "with my body, i shall eternally guard... this city..."

 Chapter 156 Slapped to Death

    "general...""your highness..."


    all the soldiers and civilians in zhenxi city knelt on the ground, wailing and howling, their cries echoing to the heavens.


    zhao gaoyi, the deputy general of zhenxi city and at the eighth layer of the golden elixir realm, let out a mournful howl, "foster father, may your journey be peaceful..."


    in his life, zhao qiankun fought and battled for the western gate of the tianlan kingdom, with no children of his own but thirteen foster sons. now, only zhao gaoyi was left. he looked up at the sky, his face streaming with tears, fists clenched tightly, his eyes fierce and terrifying, "foster father... i swear i will personally take zheng yu''s life, that old eunuch dog, to avenge you!"


    "take the life of the eunuch dog..."


    "revenge! revenge! revenge!"


    cries and shouts shook the heavens.


    xiao yi remained silent, landing atop the city wall, facing zhao qiankun who stood to death upon zhenxi city, he deeply bowed and said in a solemn voice, "someone, build a tomb for the king of zhenxi outside the city!"


    "thank you, martial king of the nation!"


    "thank you, general xiao!"


    the commanders of zhenxi city were moved to tears.


    they didn''t care that they were generals of a defeated army, xiao yi could have simply burnt zhao qiankun''s body, or even sent him back to the capital of tianqing kingdom to claim merit. but he chose not to do so, instead respecting zhao qiankun''s final wish by building a tomb to fulfill his desire to eternally guard zhenxi city.


    zhao gaoyi said loudly, "the defenders of zhenxi city are willing to serve your highness with the loyalty of dogs and horses!"


    xiao yi turned back to the commanders of zhenxi city, waving his hand forcefully, "gentlemen, are you willing to follow me and breach the heart of the tianlan kingdom?"


    "kill! kill! kill!"


    the commanders roared in response.


    in the crowd.


    zheng le was dumbfounded as he watched the two hundred thousand defenders of zhenxi city roaring, looking towards zhang baisheng and swallowing hard, "general, this, this prince''s tactics are too terrifying, aren''t they? without spending a single soldier, he conquered zhenxi city and directly took command of its two hundred thousand strong army, this, this..."


    it was simply unimaginable!


    zhang baisheng also looked astonished, but unlike zheng le, he did not find it incredible, and said in a deep voice, "such is the charisma of his highness. with such a prodigy in our tianqing kingdom, why should we worry about not prospering!"


    the reorganization of zhenxi city did not take much time.


    after all, zhao qiankun was a man of integrity. having chosen to surrender, he was upfront and honest.


    furthermore, xiao yi''s actions had won the approval of the disillusioned soldiers and civilians of zhenxi city.


    everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.


    leaving ten thousand soldiers from tianqing kingdom to defend zhenxi city, xiao yi led the remaining two hundred ninety thousand troops, marching mightily towards the heart of tianlan kingdom on the next day.


    tianlan kingdom had already lost a million soldiers and had also lost zhenxi city.


    now another two hundred thousand soldiers were gone.


    inside the kingdom, emptiness had long since taken hold.


    with zhao gaoyi and others leading the way as the vanguard, many cities along the road didn''t even require an assault; the enemy would open their gates and willingly fall into xiao yi and his army''s hands.


    pressing forward and sweeping through.


    they were like a relentless longsword, mercilessly tearing through tianlan kingdom.


    three cities.


    five cities.


    ten cities...


    in the blink of an eye, half a month quietly passed, and during this half-month, xiao yi and his forces had reached the capital of tianlan kingdom. the entire capital of tianlan kingdom was in chaos; in this war, they had nearly exhausted all their resources. now, only fifty thousand soldiers and wu yu, who was at the peak of the golden elixir realm, remained to defend the capital.


    "great general, the army of tianqing kingdom will be here within ten miles!"


    on the sprawling city walls of the great capital, a general at the golden core realm stood before wu yu, speaking in a grave tone.


    wu yu held a longsword, standing proudly atop the city wall.


    beneath his furrowed brows, his eyes were as sharp as a hawk''s, gazing directly ahead, as if he could see the formidable army approaching from ten miles away. his expression was incredibly complex, "never did i imagine... it''s been only a little over half a year, and that lad has grown to this extent. i regret not having fought with all i had to kill him back then. one mistake leads to another..."


    "general, we..."


    the officer glanced around at the dispirited soldiers and said with a wry smile, "in this battle, i fear our chances of victory are slim!"


    seventy percent of tianlan kingdom''s territory was now occupied by xiao yi.


    only the capital and a few cities in the east remained.


    unable to withstand the irresistible army of tianqing kingdom.


    wu yu took a deep breath and commanded in a firm voice, "pass down my order, fight to the death!" discover stories with empire


    "yes!"


    the general immediately left to carry out the order.


    a short while later.


    ```


    boom boom boom!


    the mighty army of the tianqing kingdom had already arrived before the capital. along their march, they had been capturing and conscripting prisoners. xiao yi''s forces now numbered up to five hundred thousand. facing an enemy ten times their own, the fifty thousand soldiers within the capital showed nothing but despair on their faces, void of even the slightest desire to fight.


    "surrender and you shall not be killed!"


    "surrender and you shall not be killed!"


    "surrender and you shall not be killed..."


    zhao gaoyi and zheng le took the lead, bellowing with their army of five hundred thousand.


    their roars shook the heavens.


    it is only in complete despair that one musters everything to fight back. as xiao yi''s army shouted, those soldiers who had intended to fight to the death saw their last line of defense collapse within their hearts.


    "no, no more fighting, why struggle when defeat is certain?"


    "we surrender, we surrender..."


    in a moment, a third of the five thousand defending soldiers were shouting, ready to open the city gates and surrender.


    wu yu, his face ashen with rage, cut down more than a dozen men and bellowed, "sowing discord among our ranks will be met with death!"


    but he could not stem the tide of those determined to surrender in order to live.


    seeing the city gates being opened, wu yu''s face was filled with despair, knowing that the last barrier of the tianlan kingdom had been breached.


    but he could not retreat!


    he could not surrender even more so!


    "killing xiao yi is the only chance to turn the tide of this battle!" wu yu suddenly soared into the sky with a boom, transforming into a streak of light rushing towards xiao yi.


    "xiao yi, meet your demise!"


    the mighty wu yu, at the peak of the golden elixir realm, enveloped in endless blade light, wielding an astonishing war saber. the massive saber light, dozens of yards long like a blade slicing the heavens, slashed towards xiao yi, the dreadful light extending dozens of yards. where the blade passed, even the invisible air seemed to be cleaved, turning into violent winds rolling out in all directions.


    wu yu''s features twisted ferociously, eyes locked onto xiao yi.


    a hint of a smile played on xiao yi''s lips. s~ea??h the novel(f~)ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    back then, outside the tao tribulation secret realm, this wu yu had repeatedly tried to kill him, and now the moment for revenge had finally arrived.


    "my lord, be careful!" zhao gaoyi''s face drastically changed as he bellowed out.


    he was about to step forward when zheng le stopped him.


    zhao gaoyi glared at zheng le, "what are you doing, zheng le? don''t you see the lord is in danger? that''s wu yu, an existence at the peak of the golden core realm, the war god of our tianlan kingdom..."


    zheng le spoke carelessly, "what damned war god? in the presence of our lord, he''s nothing but trash!"


    "uh..."


    zhao gaoyi was taken aback.


    "perfect timing!"


    xiao yi maintained a serene demeanor sitting atop the tianqing mangy bull, and as he faced the sky-covering blade light, he simply raised his right hand.


    "what? you''re trying to catch my blade light with your bare hands? you''re seeking death!" wu yu''s pupils dilated suddenly, his face filled with manic joy. his single slash was something even those in the tao tribulation realm could not withstand!


    however...


    as the dozens-of-yards-long blade light fell upon xiao yi''s hand, only a clang of a massive impact was heard, and incredibly, xiao yi caught it outright.


    "impossible..."


    wu yu''s eyes nearly split with fury.


    xiao yi grinned and uttered, "shatter!"


    he clenched his five fingers.


    crack!


    the massive blade light burst asunder.


    the horrific backlash caused wu yu to spurt blood violently, his eyes filled with terror, "run, i must run..."


    no longer did he harbor any thoughts of slaying xiao yi.


    to crush a saber light dozens of yards long with bare hands.


    even ling wufengyun of the tao tribulation realm couldn''t accomplish that!


    how could he dare to continue the fight?


    "since you''ve come, don''t even think of leaving!"


    xiao yi''s voice suddenly rang in wu yu''s ears, and the latter, catching a glimpse from the corner of his eye, was stricken with panic. he saw a cold hand descend from the sky and with a thunderous crash, forcefully smacked wu yu down from the heights. he slammed into the ground, and the land roared beneath him, leaving behind a gigantic hand-shaped crater several dozens of meters long on the surface.


    within the crater,


    wu yu had become nothing more than a heap of smashed flesh.


    the mighty war god of the tianlan kingdom, struck dead by xiao yi''s palm!


    ```

 Chapter 157 The Last Emperor, Died by Lingchi!

    inside the capital of tianlan kingdom, the flames of war reached to the skies.a blood-soaked figure rushed into the golden throne hall, wailing, "your majesty, the great general has fallen in battle, the city gates have been breached, we, we have lost..."


    boom!


    as the current king of tianlan kingdom, xu zhengnan, sat on the dragon throne, upon hearing the news, his whole body violently shook, nearly toppling from his seat.


    "lost? we have lost..."


    xu zhengnan abruptly stood up, his eyes bloodshot with fury, glaring at the silent ministers below, "have you all gone mute? huh? when you were all eager to persuade me to agree to xue yilou''s demands, to send troops to attack tianqing kingdom and divide it up, weren''t you very vocal then? why are you all silent now?"


    the ministers bowed their heads even lower.


    bang!


    xu zhengnan furiously kicked over the table in front of him, his eyes nearly bursting with rage, gritting his teeth, "half a month, merely half a month, and my tianlan kingdom''s army of a million men has been annihilated, even allowing the army of tianqing kingdom to advance unchecked, now even my capital city has been breached. what use are you all?"


    "we, your ministers, deserve death..."


    the ministers quickly knelt down to take the blame.


    "deserve death? even if i were to flay you alive, could that save my tianlan kingdom?" xu zhengnan said, with his chest heaving violently.


    "we, your ministers, deserve death..."


    the ministers knelt in obeisance once more.


    looking at the ministers before him, xu zhengnan suddenly burst into maniacal laughter, "i understand now... this empire is mine alone, you are just ministers. even if the king is replaced, you can still serve as ministers, you do not truly care about my empire. since that is the case, let you all accompany my kingdom in death!"


    clang!


    xu zhengnan drew his longsword, charging into the midst of the ministers.


    thud, thud, thud!


    with each sword stroke, a minister was slain.


    "your majesty, spare our lives..."


    "i have been loyal to you, your majesty..."


    "loyalty? i no longer need your loyalty, all of you shall accompany my kingdom in death..." xu zhengnan, appearing to be crazed, frantically killed the ministers before him.


    he had now reached the end of his rope.


    an emperor at his wit''s end, no longer seeing any hope.


    the frenzied slaughter drenched xu zhengnan in blood, when suddenly, his gaze turned to zheng yu, who was hiding to the side, his expression even more ferocious, "you eunuch dog, if not for you, how could zhenxi city have been so easily breached? you''ve been emboldened by my favor to commit all sorts of evils, but zhenxi city is the gateway to my tianlan kingdom, how dare you set a trap at such a critical moment. i will kill you..."


    "don''t, your majesty, please spare your servant..."


    with a face full of terror, zheng yu clung desperately to xu zhengnan''s leg.


    "spare you? if i spare you, who will spare my tianlan kingdom?" xu zhengnan roared, his longsword poised to stab at zheng yu. continue your saga on empire


    but just then...


    thrust!


    a sharp sword suddenly pierced through his lower body, straight out from his chest, with blood and shredded organs trailing behind.


    thrust!


    xu zhengnan violently spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing onto the dragon throne, looking blankly at zheng yu with bloodied hands, "you, you, you..."


    with a cold snort, zheng yu''s face turned icy, "must have felt good to call me an old dog and a eunuch, huh? now you''re just a king of a fallen country, still thinking you''re a king? you still want to kill me? humph, i had only planned to secretly contact lord xiao yi and coordinate from within and without. since you insist on killing me, then don''t blame me for being ruthless! all i need to do is take your head to lord xiao yi and that would be a great contribution. then i will be the powerful chief minister once again!"


    "i, i hate this..."


    xu zhengnan closed his eyes in despair.


    thrust! s��ar?h the n?vel(f)ire.n��t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    zheng yu decapitated him and turned his cold, merciless gaze onto the ministers, sneering, "gentlemen, do you want to avenge this foolish king? or would you follow me to offer surrender?"


    they looked at each other in dismay.


    having just experienced xu zhengnan''s murderous rampage, and now witnessing zheng yu execute him, they were utterly confused. but as xu zhengnan had said earlier, they didn''t truly care who the king was; even if tianlan kingdom were destroyed, they could still offer their allegiance to another, merely switching masters.


    for a moment.


    ministers echoed in unison, "we wish to follow zheng!"


    "hahaha, rest assured, i will lead you to surrender to lord xiao yi, and glory and riches will still be ours!" zheng yu was brimming with pride, feeling increasingly fortunate about his decision to betray the zhenxi army, "with my contribution of supplying the defense map of zhenxi city, i will at least be heavily relied upon by the royal family of tianqing kingdom, perhaps even becoming a great territorial official!"


    with zheng yu at the forefront, he walked towards the palace exit, head of xu zhengnan in tow.


    the ministers followed closely behind him.


    as they approached the palace entrance, xiao yi and his party had just arrived there as well.


    with haste, zheng yu approached, offering xu zhengnan''s head with both hands, falling to his knees, "your humble servant, zheng yu, greets lord xiao yi! long live the lord, for ten thousand years..."


    "zheng yu..."


    general zhao''s face suddenly twisted with ferocity within the crowd.


    hot streams blew from the nostrils of his battle steed, hissing loudly.


    zheng yu proclaimed, "lord xiao yi, your humble servant has beheaded the king of tianlan kingdom, xu zhengnan, to demonstrate allegiance and wishes to submit to tianqing kingdom!"


    the ministers knelt down in succession, "we are willing to submit to tianqing kingdom!"


    xiao yi looked at zheng yu with a playful expression, "you killed xu zhengnan?"


    zheng yu immediately nodded, overflowing with pride, "the defense map of zhenxi city was also delivered to your highness by someone on my command. i have long been in awe of your renowned name, lord. at last, my wish has been fulfilled. i am willing to serve under your command with the utmost devotion, even if it means grinding my bones to dust, without a word of complaint!"


    "willing to grind your bones to dust without a word of complaint? truly?" xiao yi narrowed his eyes and said.


    "if i break this oath, may thunder strike me from the sky!" zheng yu continued to demonstrate his loyalty.


    in his view...


    no one dislikes flattery.


    it was by his silver tongue and his supreme flattery that he had won xu zhengnan''s favor, "your highness is a celestial being, blessed with a unique destiny. wherever your highness resides, that land is graced with your radiance. even i have abandoned the darkness and turned towards the light, simply captivated by your majestic fame!"


    xiao yi nodded, stroking his chin, "your knack for flattery is indeed quite remarkable!"


    thinking that xiao yi was praising him, zheng yu quickly spoke with false modesty, "your humble servant is not flattering, i speak only the truth!"


    "since that''s the case, i would not want to overlook your sincere devotion..."


    xiao yi said with a smile.


    overjoyed, zheng yu exclaimed, "it is an honor to serve your highness!"


    however...


    xiao yi''s next sentence sent chills through zheng yu as if plunging into the eighteenth layer of hell, "since you say you''re willing to grind your bones to dust, then this prince shall fulfill your wish. general zhao, i entrust this old dog to you. whether to behead, to cook in boiling oil, or to execute by dismemberment is for you to decide!"


    "thank you, my lord!"


    zhao gaoyi was ecstatic, stepping forward with a bow, his gaze ferocious as he stared at zheng yu.


    zheng yu trembled uncontrollably, in disbelief, "no, no... my lord, i have contributed to you, i have contributed to tianqing kingdom, no, this cannot be..."


    xiao yi, however, was expressionless, paying him no further attention.


    with the force of a thunderclap, zhao gaoyi savagely broke zheng yu''s limbs, binding him in front of the palace gate, "zhenxi army, hear my command, this traitor before us is zheng yu, who betrayed his foster father. each of us will take a turn with the blade, let him endure the sentence of dismemberment!"


    "kill!"


    "kill!"


    "kill..."


    the two hundred thousand strong zhenxi army, each wielding a blade, sequentially sliced off pieces of zheng yu''s flesh.


    one cut.


    two cuts.


    three cuts...


    in agonizing pain, zheng yu felt life was unbearable, gazing upon the daunting ranks of the zhenxi army, his face etched with despair...

 Chapter 158 The Legendary Land

    outside the palace gates.xiao yi and his five hundred thousand troops had not advanced a single step, simply waiting there quietly.


    not until zheng yu was dismembered and executed by the two hundred thousand-strong army of zhenxi city, his flesh carved, his bones picked clean until not a single scrap remained, did they stop.


    clang! clang!


    zhao gaoyi, leading the two hundred thousand troops, knelt before xiao yi in unison, each face bearing heartfelt worship and gratitude, "thank you, lord xiao, for avenging the general!"


    "thank you, lord xiao!"


    the two hundred thousand troops roared in unison.


    they were thoroughly conquered by xiao yi.


    xiao yi raised his hand and said, "rise, if the king of zhenxi has a spirit in heaven, he would not wish to see you living in the past. from now on, you are all subjects of the tianqing kingdom!"


    "long live the martial king of the nation!"


    "long live the tianqing kingdom!"


    shouts erupted, earth-shattering, the roars seemingly shattering the clouds in the sky.


    xiao yi said in a deep voice, "zhang baisheng, take charge of the capital''s guard immediately." he paused, then continued to look at zhao gaoyi, "zhao gaoyi, i command you to lead the zhenxi army, conquer all cities that have not yet been brought into tianqing kingdom territory, and show no mercy to any who resist!"


    "yes!"


    "your subordinate obeys the order!"


    the troops split into two forces, with zhao gaoyi and zhang baisheng leading them away separately.


    xiao yi then led the remaining fifty thousand imperial guards into the royal palace; this conquest of the tianlan kingdom was definitively a colossal victory.


    after the battle, naturally, came the collection of the spoils of war.


    in the cities conquered in the past, xiao yi advocated a non-disturbance policy and did not loot any treasure. but this was the royal palace, once the dwelling place of the tianlan royal family, gathering the greatest wealth and treasures of the tianlan kingdom. at xiao yi''s command, zheng le led the men to enter the palace to start collecting the spoils.


    as well as to purge the remnants within the palace.


    as for the royal orphans hiding in the palace, they were to be captured alive if they surrendered, but killed immediately if they resisted.


    for a time.


    smoke of conflict rose within the palace.


    before long...


    inside the golden throne hall.


    zheng le, escorting a plump, graceful and luxurious woman, came before xiao yi and respectfully said, "your highness, this is the queen of the tianlan kingdom."


    "oh?"


    xiao yi raised his eyebrows, looking at the beauty kneeling before him.


    the queen of the tianlan kingdom indeed possessed bewitching beauty, every movement radiating a dignified and regal air. her eyes, seemingly electrifying, looked at xiao yi and she respectfully said, "i have seen lord xiao!"


    truly seductive in every aspect.


    even zheng le beside her couldn''t help but swallow his saliva.


    however...


    xiao yi''s face remained expressionless as he said indifferently, "put away your seductive act; it''s useless against me!"


    "uh..."


    the queen''s face stiffened, showing a tinge of embarrassment.


    xiao yi spoke indifferently, "where is the royal treasury?"


    "i do not know..." the queen''s eyes flickered as she spoke.


    xiao yi uttered a sound of acknowledgment, then waved his hand towards zheng le, "take her away and behead her!"


    "yes!"


    zheng le responded solemnly.


    the queen''s face suddenly changed, and she quickly said, "wait, lord xiao... i have just remembered. there is a secret chamber within the king''s chambers; perhaps he may have hidden treasures there."


    "lead the way!"


    xiao yi said indifferently.


    the queen no longer dared to conceal anything, leading xiao yi and zheng le to xu zhengnan''s bedchamber, where she opened the entrance to the secret chamber beneath the bed.


    xiao yi glanced at the queen, "take her down and guard her well!"


    zheng le immediately escorted the resentful-looking queen away.


    xiao yi then entered the secret chamber.


    the secret chamber was underground.


    it was built very large, with lamps made of mermaid oil on both sides of the passage that could burn for a thousand years in adequate air. walking through the long narrow passage, xiao yi reached the chamber, which was sealed by a bronze door. xiao yi took out his fire qilin sword and slashed the bronze door open.


    clang! clang! clang!


    inside the secret chamber, there was a dazzle of jewels and gold.


    there was over ten billion in silver alone here, not to mention the many rare treasures and ancient paintings and calligraphy.


    the total value was definitely close to a hundred billion silver taels!


    hiss hiss!


    little lin popped out from xiao yi''s arms, eyes shining, "boss, there are so many treasures here!"


    xiao yi nodded, "little lin, see if there are any heavenly treasures here."


    he was now at the peak of the golden core realm, just a step away from the tao tribulation realm.


    with sufficient vital energy accumulation and bodily refinement, he had reached the standard for breaking through to the tao tribulation realm; only his understanding of the forces of nature was a hair''s breadth shy. if he could find some treasures that enhanced the perception of natural forces, like the legendary azure dragon wood, windstorm stone, diamond rock, and other heavenly treasures, he could increase his comprehension of the forces of nature and step into the calamity realm.


    little lin flicked its tongue, searching through the pile of treasures.


    a moment later.


    little lin emerged from amongst the treasures and shook its head at xiao yi, "boss, i couldn''t find any heavenly treasures, but, i did find an interesting place!"


    "oh?"


    xiao yi was surprised, "what place?"


    little lin was a variant beast, and even it didn''t know what species it belonged to, but it had an unparalleled sense for treasures.


    if little lin called it an interesting place, it was definitely out of the ordinary.


    little lin led xiao yi through the treasures to a corner where there were several large chests full of silver taels. xiao yi pushed them aside and found a hidden entrance. little lin pointed its tail at the entrance, "boss, i smell a strange scent coming from here!"


    "stand back, i''ll blast this entrance open!" xiao yi said, taking a deep breath and throwing a punch.


    boom!


    the whole secret chamber shook violently, with countless treasures falling from the shelves, littering the ground with jewels.


    but the entrance didn''t budge.


    "this..."


    xiao yi''s pupils slightly constricted.


    with his current cultivation and combat power, one punch could directly shatter a small mountain.


    yet this entrance remained immovable?


    "i don''t believe this..."


    xiao yi took out his fire qilin sword and only after a dozen continuous strikes did he manage to bust the entrance open. and, as the entrance broke apart, there seemed to be an ancient roar coming from below.


    ao!


    this roar was earth-shaking.


    stay connected with empire


    fierce wind gushed out violently, almost flipping over both xiao yi and little lin.


    the two looked at each other, "what on earth is this place?"


    only after the wild wind from the entrance had ceased did they quietly approach it; the elemental energy of heaven and earth filling the air was several times denser than the outside. sea??h th�� novelfire.net* website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    an existence from the legends suddenly flashed across xiao yi''s mind and he subconsciously swallowed, "could it be? is my luck that good? did i really encounter that legendary place?"

 Chapter 159 Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool, Shocking Bad News!

    "boss, where are you talking about?"little lin looked at xiao yi, puzzled, and climbed up to his shoulder along his leg.


    he had never seen xiao yi so excited! find exclusive stories on empire


    xiao yi said in a deep voice, "if it''s really the place from the legends, we could make a fortune!"


    then, with a leap, xiao yi dove into the cavern.


    whoosh!


    the cavern was extremely deep. xiao yi fell for a hundred meters before landing on the ground, surrounded by millet-yellow stalactites. these stalactites had very strange shapes, some growing from the ground like spines, while others fell from the dome of the cavern, connecting the heaven and earth of the cavern.


    "boss, the elemental energy of the heavens and the earth here is so dense!" little lin exclaimed.


    the elemental energy in this cavern was ten times that of the outside!


    xiao yi nodded, his eyes growing brighter, "eight or nine out of ten, it is that place!"


    drip, drop!


    drip, drop!


    the crisp sound of water droplets entered their ears, echoing loudly in the silent cavern. xiao yi followed the sound and soon saw a swath of stalactites ahead, winding and stretching like a massive azure dragon with spines on its back.


    they were actually at the position of the dragon''s tail.


    following the pathway formed by these stalactites, they walked for nearly a kilometer before reaching the end. there was a pond made of pure white liquid, and the stalactite azure dragon extended right up to this pond.


    two particularly thick stalactites protruded from within the pond, vaguely resembling the two horns on the head of an azure dragon.


    a breeze blew past.


    faint dragon chants emanated from between the two horns, carrying a trace of dignity and evoking a feeling of awe.


    little lin shrank back, "boss, i''m feeling a bit uncomfortable!"


    "uncomfortable is the right reaction. this is the legendary dragon vein spiritual pool that can suppress a nation''s destiny. that''s why the tianlan kingdom is just a small dependent country. according to the legends, the great qian dynasty is suppressing a dragon vein spiritual lake, and that spirit vein has already developed awareness. if the great qian dynasty weren''t powerful enough to use it to suppress the nation''s destiny, it would have already transformed into a dragon and ascended to heaven, leaving far behind the nine heavens!" xiao yi laughed.


    little lin was a snake.


    the dragon is the chief among countless such creatures.


    though the dragon vein spiritual pool in front of them had not yet developed awareness, it naturally exerted a suppressive effect on him.


    "boss, this dragon vein spiritual pool just seems to have denser elemental energy, there''s nothing special about it!" little lin asked doubtfully.


    xiao yi rubbed his head, smiling, "then you''re mistaken. this dragon vein spiritual pool not only has extremely dense elemental energy but more importantly, it contains a strand of dragon''s will. dragons are the chiefs of all such creatures, able to summon wind and call rain, dance with thunder and play with lightning, and foster all living things. according to legends, where dragon''s blood drops into rivers, the fish and shrimp within will gain awareness; where dragons pass over mountains and forests, the vegetation all become spiritual plants��"


    dragon''s blood that can give awareness to fish and shrimp in rivers?


    passing over mountains and forests, turning all into spiritual plants?


    little lin was dumbfounded.


    this was like something out of a fairy tale!


    xiao yi continued with a smile, "once this dragon vein spiritual pool is refined, i can step into the tao tribulation realm. however, to refine the dragon vein spiritual pool, i need to prepare some methods. little lin, you stay here and guard it, make sure no one else approaches. i will go back and get ready!"


    "understood!"


    little lin leaped up and landed on one of the horns.


    xiao yi then returned to the palace and summoned zheng le, "zheng le, i need the items on this list, prepared for me as quickly as possible!"


    "yes!"


    zheng le left immediately.


    xiao yi narrowed his eyes, "i thought i would need another year and a half to break through to the tao tribulation realm, but i didn''t expect to encounter the dragon vein spiritual pool here, saving me a lot of effort. once i''ve helped the tianqing kingdom resolve this calamity, i can leave this place."


    in his mind, several figures appeared.


    fang qingzhu, xiao tianjiao��


    "qingzhu, i will find you, no one will be able to tear us apart!"


    xiao yi clenched his fists tightly, his gaze trailing off into the distance toward the direction of the great qian dynasty, "xiao tianjiao, xiao zhengde�� when i stand before you once more, i wonder what your feelings will be��"


    however��


    xiao yi did not wait for zheng le to gather and refine the necessary materials for the spirit vein spiritual pool, but instead, niu dali came to him.


    "dali, aren''t you cultivating at the martial arts institute? what brings you here all of a sudden?" xiao yi asked, eyeing the travel-worn niu dali with confusion.


    huff puff huff puff!


    niu dali was panting heavily. after gulping down a few mouthfuls of water, his breathing finally steadied, and he said with a wry smile, "boss, something big has happened��"


    "hmm?"


    xiao yi''s face turned grim, "what has happened?" sea??h th�� n??el fire.n��t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    niu dali said, "great general xia yuan has defected and pledged allegiance to the baijing kingdom, leading his troops deep into our territory. elder gu himself led our forces to babao pass to meet the enemy. elder jiang has been gravely injured and is in retreat, with the sihai kingdom having already breached six of our cities. moreover�� the jin kingdom suddenly declared war on the tianqing kingdom and dispatched two tao tribulation realm powerhouses to the qingyun kingdom battleground. his majesty, he��"


    "what happened to his majesty?" xiao yi pressed.


    why was xiao yi willing to accept the position of martial king of the nation?


    why did he lead troops to attack the tianlan kingdom?


    all this was because of jiang tianchen!


    when he became the target of widespread hostility and faced enemies on all sides, it was jiang tianchen who stood up for him, ready to mobilize the entire nation to ensure his safety.


    it can be said that if not for him��


    the tianqing kingdom would never have found itself besieged on all sides.


    niu dali''s eyes reddened as he spoke word by word, "his majesty led our forces and had already breached the qingyun kingdom''s army, but jin kingdom''s powerhouses suddenly descended and captured his majesty. they pressured him to hand you over, but his majesty refused, and thus, he was beaten to death by the jin kingdom''s tao tribulation realm powerhouses and was hung outside po jun city. they want the crown prince to exchange you for his majesty''s corpse, but the crown prince refused, and has already personally led the troops to po jun city��"


    buzz!


    xiao yi instantly turned pale.


    his head was buzzing, and stars danced before his eyes.


    jiang tianchen was dead?


    brutally beaten to death by jin kingdom''s powerhouses and his body hung outside po jun city?


    this was earth-shattering bad news.


    xiao yi couldn''t help but recall jiang tianchen''s voice and smile, his amiable demeanor at their first meeting, his willingness to use the nation''s power to protect him during their second encounter�� and now, were they truly separated by life and death?


    with a grave voice, niu dali said, "knowing that the jin kingdom has entered the war, the crown prince realized that our tianqing kingdom stands no chance of victory. he personally led the troops to po jun city, merely to stall the jin kingdom''s army. the crown prince sent me to find you, asking you to take the crown princess consort, who carries the royal heir, away from the tianqing kingdom, the farther the better. the crown prince has a message for you: with you alive, tianqing shall not perish!"


    boom!


    xiao yi''s expression went through a series of changes.


    in the face of national destruction.


    faced with certain death.


    jiang tianchen and jiang tai still entrusted all their hopes in him, showing him absolute trust.


    xiao yi took a deep breath, slowly exhaling, "if his majesty and the crown prince have such trust in me, how could i, xiao yi, let them down?"


    "boss, we need to leave here quickly��" niu dali urged.


    "we''re not going anywhere��"


    xiao yi shook his head, squinting his eyes with a chilling glint, "his majesty wasn''t wrong; with me here, tianqing shall not perish!"

 Chapter 160 Crazy Decision, Tomb of Heaven Abnormality!

    "with me here, tianqing shall not perish!"this sentence was the admonition of jiang tianchen to jiang tai.


    as long as xiao yi was present, the tianqing kingdom would not fall, even if it did, there would still be a chance for a resurgence.


    it was for this reason...


    upon learning that the body of jiang tianchen was hung outside po jun city, that great general xia yuan had rebelled and gone over to the enemy, and that the elder jiang weisheng was seriously injured, jiang tai knew that going to po jun city meant a slim chance of survival. yet, he still chose to trust xiao yi, entrusting the crown princess consort and the child within her womb to xiao yi to ensure the survival of the tianqing kingdom.


    this was an unconditional trust from two generations of the kingdom''s monarchs.


    xiao yi would never betray this trust.


    "boss, you, you��" niu dali''s eyes widened as he stared at xiao yi, unable to utter a word.


    he very much wanted to persuade xiao yi to escape immediately.


    the farther, the better.


    but he also knew that even if he said so, it would be of no use.


    xiao yi would absolutely not flee!


    he would not become a coward, abandoning the trust of jiang tianchen and his son. that was xiao yi!


    hu!


    niu dali let out a long sigh of turbid breath and said with a wry smile, "i just knew it would be like this, how could you possibly run away?"


    xiao yi said in a deep voice, "dali, where is the crown princess consort?"


    "the crown princess consort, weary from the journey, has been resting inside the carriage all along. i''ll go invite her over right now!" niu dali replied.


    xiao yi waved his hand, "i''ll go!"


    moments later.


    xiao yi met the crown princess consort in front of the carriage for the first time.


    the crown princess consort, named yue shuang, was a commandery princess from the purple robe kingdom.


    "xiao yi pays his respects to the crown princess consort!" xiao yi greeted with a bow.


    yue shuang was gentle and quiet, with a slightly bulging belly, her palm instinctively protecting it as she bowed to xiao yi, "yue shuang pays her respects to the guardian martial god!"


    xiao yi was stunned, "guardian martial god?"


    yue shuang nodded, "the war god might not be aware, but when you were breaking through the western stronghold, my father had ordered you to be named the guardian martial god. with you here, the tianqing kingdom exists!"


    weng!


    xiao yi''s body trembled.


    a man dies for his confidant.


    xiao yi never intended to hold office, nor was he particularly keen on power.


    however, jiang tianchen''s unconditional trust and the kindness of the nation protecting him at all costs were things that xiao yi, who believed in repaying even the smallest kindness, had eternally etched into his heart. xiao yi took a deep breath and said solemnly, "crown princess consort, from now on, you shall stay here! as for his majesty, i will go to him personally!"


    yue shuang nodded quietly, took a few steps forward, then suddenly paused and turned back.


    before xiao yi could even react to stop her, she knelt on the ground, "on behalf of the jiang family, yue shuang thanks the guardian martial god!"


    xiao yi stood with his hands behind his back, not saying anything more.


    ......


    late that same night.


    zheng le eventually found all the materials required, all of which were needed for refining the dragon vein.


    xiao yi took the materials and returned once more to the cave.


    hiss hiss!


    little lin crawled out from a corner. the scales on its body had become increasingly bright, and on its forehead, two small bulges were faintly visible. xiao yi was startled, "little lin, what happened to you?"


    little lin shook its head, looking a bit intoxicated, "i, i couldn''t help but drink some of the water here..."


    his little tail pointed at the dragon vein spiritual pool in front of him.


    xiao yi was speechless, "you, the energy in this dragon vein spiritual pool has condensed into a liquid essence. drinking like that without bursting is already your great fortune. quickly consume these herbs, and we will refine this dragon vein together."


    "burp..."


    little lin swallowed the herbs, quivered all over, and let out a satisfied belch.


    then, both person and snake plunged into the spirit pool.


    "without limits, the cosmos reverses..."


    xiao yi sat cross-legged in the spirit pool, facing the sky with his five hearts, practicing the divine enthronement heaven subduing skill.


    the energy around his body surged like stormy seas, and all thirty-six thousand pores of his body opened at once, devouring the liquid essence of the spirit pool like a gluttonous beast.


    during the absorption, s��ar?h the nov��lf~ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    xiao yi could clearly feel the energy inside his body strengthening incessantly. in just one day, he had already reached the limit of what the golden core realm could hold. however, he had yet to sense the dragon spirit will within the dragon vein spiritual pool. only by comprehending the dragon spirit will would the true purpose of absorbing the dragon vein spiritual pool be revealed.


    otherwise, it was just the absorption of some cosmic essence, which was of no help in breaking through to the tao tribulation realm.


    "what''s happening? could it be that this dragon vein is too weak, with the dragon spirit will being too faint?" xiao yi knitted his brows tightly.


    until the next day.


    roar!


    a clear and loud dragon''s roar suddenly resounded, startling xiao yi. he opened his eyes wide just in time to see little lin shooting up into the sky. the silver scale armor around its body emanated an increasingly holy white light, enveloping the entire body in a vast glow, with two horns crazily growing from its forehead.


    beneath its belly, five sharp claws were faintly visible.


    starting from the back of the head, tufts of pale golden fluff broke through the skin, extending to the tail.


    whoosh!


    little lin opened its mouth wide, and a fist-sized golden core was spat out.


    in the sky, a bizarre rune emerged, containing unparalleled destructive power. it violently struck the golden core.


    boom crack!


    with a loud noise,


    one of the ten golden halos floating atop the golden core exploded under the impact of the rune.


    it transformed into dao patterns, merging into the golden core.


    to reach the tao tribulation realm, one must shatter the halos on the golden core, turn them into dao patterns, and brand them into the core, transforming it into a martial dao divine fruit. the entire process of the tao tribulation realm is to shatter all the halos, turning them into dao patterns. the fracturing of each dao pattern signifies a greater mastery of the cosmic forces. at the peak of the tribulation realm, one could control one-tenth of the cosmic power.


    hum!


    the martial dao divine fruit retreated back into little lin''s body, and its cultivation officially stepped into the calamity realm.


    little lin gently descended, lying down by the edge of the dragon vein spiritual pool.


    he was digesting the breakthrough of his realm.


    and xiao yi... find more adventures on empire


    watching little lin break through to dragonhood, his head buzzed, a flash of inspiration passing through.


    "the strength of the tao tribulation realm is largely measured by the strength of the dao patterns. and the foundation for all this is the golden core realm. why should there be only ten layers in golden core realm? why only ten rings on a golden core? if there were twenty, thirty... when others at the peak of the tribulation realm can control one-tenth of cosmic power, when i am at the same realm but can control three-tenths, or even four-tenths or more..."


    a terrifying thought emerged in xiao yi''s mind.


    that was to delay breaking through to the tao tribulation realm!


    to continue refining the golden core.


    to solidify the golden elixir halo!


    "the ten rings of the golden core are definitely not the limit. i feel that my golden core can still endure. i can do it..."


    xiao yi took a deep breath as an infinite amount of water from the pool rushed into his mouth. he again went crazy with the divine enthronement heaven subduing skill, continuously compressing the cosmic essence and directing it towards the golden core.


    however, at this moment, xiao yi didn''t know...


    when he made this decision, in the deepest part of the ancient heavenly tomb, the central pyramid shook violently, breaking the restraints of the ancient heavenly tomb. it transformed into a golden ray of light, flying towards him...

 Chapter 161 Limitless Golden Elixir, Qingyun Sword Song!

    Hum!Xiao Yi, seated within the Spirit Pool, was shaken to his core.


    His body suddenly appeared in the ancient tomb from times immemorial, and as he looked around in bewilderment, a golden light burst forth from the depths of the tomb.


    "This, this is��"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted suddenly. S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The golden light surged from the depths of the ancient tomb, disturbing one enormous tomb after another on its path. In the void, massive black chains attempted to bind him, ghastly giant white bone claws tried to capture him, and the sharp edges of swords that could split the heavens and shatter mountains charged at him...


    But...


    The golden light was like a fearless War God, crashing headlong into the fray.


    Shattering the chains.


    Snapping the claws.


    Destroying the glint of swords...


    Hum!


    The golden light suddenly entered between Xiao Yi''s brows, and at the same time, in his mind, the "Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill" suddenly mutated, and an additional chapter materialized.


    "Limitless Golden Elixir!"


    These four words were deeply imprinted in his mind.


    At the same time, an old but dignified voice echoed in his mind, "All things under heaven operate by the Tao; every creature is bound by chains... Without breaking, nothing can be established; only through destruction comes creation!"


    "Every creature is bound by chains?"


    Xiao Yi''s body quivered, as he seemed to see his Golden Core, with ten rings, wrapped in chains, preventing him from reaching the eleventh Golden Elixir Halo. That streak of golden light had transformed into the sharpest weapon of war, blasting the chains asunder with a powerful strike, causing Xiao Yi to abruptly open his eyes.


    He had left the ancient tomb from times immemorial and returned to the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool.


    His eyes swirled with golden light.


    "Breaking the limit, eleven rings of the Golden Elixir!"


    Xiao Yi roared in a low voice.


    The surrounding heaven and earth vitality rushed towards him frantically, forming one vortex after another, devouring the energy of heaven and earth without rejection.


    The abundant heavenly and earthly vitality continuously flowed into his body.


    Making Xiao Yi''s entire body seem translucent, a Golden Core with ten overlapping rings flew out into the cosmos, hovering above his head.


    Countless streams of heaven and earth vitality poured into it.


    Crack!


    Invisibly, one could hear the sound of chains shattering, and a sea of golden light condensed into a ring, landing on the Golden Core.


    The eleventh halo took shape.


    But Xiao Yi did not stop there, continuing to devour the heaven and earth vitality madly, "Continue, keep condensing..."


    Hum!


    Hum!


    Hum...


    Above his Golden Core, halos formed one after another.


    Twelve rings.


    Thirteen rings.


    Fourteen rings...


    He stopped only after the fifteenth Golden Elixir Halo had formed, because the heaven and earth vitality inside the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool had been thoroughly consumed by him. In the faintness, one could hear a mournful, tragic cry of the Azure Dragon, with Xiao Yi holding the Golden Core adorned with fifteen halos, he reached out with his palm.


    Pfft!


    His palm crushed the stalactites, snatching a transparent crystal as thick as a finger from within.


    This was the essence of the Dragon Vein that had accumulated in the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool!


    It was struggling frantically.


    "I never expected you to be hiding inside here. One of you is worth two Dragon Vein Spiritual Pools; devour you, I shall!" Xiao Yi opened his mouth wide and stuffed the struggling Dragon Vein into his mouth. Read exclusive content at empire


    Boom!


    The Dragon Vein was the essence, its pure energy far surpassing the entire Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool.


    Terrifying power of the Dragon Vein circulated throughout his body.


    Above Xiao Yi''s head, the halo of his Golden Elixir once again climbed.


    Sixteen.


    Seventeen.


    Eighteen...


    It soared to a full twenty golden halos that encircled the Golden Core, shimmering and sinking, their might enhanced dozens of times more than before. But this was not the end; as the twentieth Golden Elixir Halo condensed, the abundant energy within the Golden Core began to feed back, madly surging into the God Sealing Seed within Xiao Yi''s body.


    The energy contained in the twenty Golden Elixir Halos was far more potent than breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The quantity of God Sealing Seeds also skyrocketed like crazy.


    Sixty thousand.


    Seventy thousand.


    Eighty thousand...


    One by one, the God Sealing Seeds were activated, and in the blink of an eye, they broke through the hundred thousand mark, reaching a terrifying two hundred thousand.


    According to Xiao Yi''s previous conjectures, to achieve two hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds, he would have to wait at least until the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    This meant that possessing a twenty-haloed Golden Core now allowed him to stand in realm, no weaker than a powerhouse of the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Whoosh!


    The twenty haloed Golden Core once again merged back into his body, and the heaven and earth Qi, refined by the two hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds, became the power of Divine Enthronement and re-integrated into the Golden Core. This power of Divine Enthronement, while roaming through his body, made it even stronger.


    Sitting in meditation within the Spirit Pool, Xiao Yi stabilized his cultivation and pondered, "Two hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds, I wonder which ancient tomb they can unlock?"


    With a thought, his figure appeared within the Eternal Heavenly Tomb.


    Xiao Yi discovered that the gate to the second layer of the area had unexpectedly opened.


    There are nine layers in the whole Eternal Heavenly Tomb, and he had always been in the outermost layer. He never expected that after breaking through two hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds, he would actually unlock the second layer.


    Just the outermost layer alone allowed him to inherit the legacies of formidable beings like the Death Envoy and Sword Demon Dugu.


    What kind of gains would this second layer bring?


    Xiao Yi stepped inside.


    The moment he entered the second layer of the tomb area, Xiao Yi''s gaze fell on the ancient tomb of Martial God Zhao Wuji, and he licked his lips as he walked towards it. Although there was an invisible resistance, the God Sealing Seeds on him shone brightly, blocking the obstruction from Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb, causing Xiao Yi''s heartbeat to grow even more frantic.


    This was Martial God Zhao Wuji!


    The first in Qingtian Realm''s history to shatter the void and ascend to the divine level.


    What a pity...


    Xiao Yi was still some distance away from Martial God Zhao Wuji''s tomb and could only shake his head dejectedly, "After all, this is the pinnacle existence of Qingtian Realm, I''m afraid I will need over a million God Sealing Seeds to suppress it. Martial God Zhao Wuji, just you wait, it won''t be long before I take your inheritance!"


    Moments later, Xiao Yi stood in front of another legendary powerhouse''s ancient tomb.


    One sword cleaved the heavens, Qingyun Sword Saint!


    This being, who existed in the same era as the young Martial God Zhan Wuji, had superlative swordsmanship, and his Qinglian Sword Anthem dominated the Qingtian Realm!


    "Suppress!"


    Xiao Yi threw a fierce punch, and endless Divine Enthronement power surged wildly, shattering the low mound in front of him. The mound burst explosively, and a heaven-piercing Sword Intent soared upward, revealing a majestic middle-aged man with a sword on his back, wearing plain robes with a refined face, his eyes sharp as swords, staring at Xiao Yi.


    His mouth curled up slightly, then he spoke, "Straight down the three thousand feet cascade!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The longsword behind him soared to the heavens, splitting from one into two, and from two into four, forming thousands upon thousands of sword shadows that spanned across and fell like a curtain from the sky. Like a waterfall plummeting straight down three thousand feet, the endless sword shadows poured down insanely. Xiao Yi, tilting his head back, snorted coldly, "Godly Prison of Suppression!"


    Crash!


    The two hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds erupted simultaneously with black light, turning into a sky filled with black chains, fiercely smashing through the sword rainfall.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The black chains wrapped around Qingyun Sword Saint, binding him tightly and forcibly pulling into Xiao Yi''s body. Qingyun Sword Saint struggled fiercely, unable to break free from the God Sealing Seeds'' restraint, ultimately transforming into a statue poised proudly with a longsword on his back.


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi''s mind buzzed, and the tune of the "Qinglian Sword Anthem" was imprinted in his mind.


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath, his eyes sparkling with bright essence, "Po Jun City, here I come!"

 Chapter 162 Only He Cannot Die!

    Tianlan Kingdom, royal palace.Crown Princess Consort Yue Shuang looked anxiously at Xiao Yi, her face full of worry, "Lord Xiao, are you really going to Po Jun City?"


    In her eyes, aside from anxiety, there was also a hint of expectation.


    Jiang Tai went to Po Jun City with a heart ready to die. Without a miracle, facing the aggressive suppression of Qingyun Kingdom and Great Jin Kingdom, Jiang Tai had no chance of survival.


    Xiao Yi had become the only person she could rely on.


    Niu Dali clenched his fists tightly at the side, "Boss, let me go with you!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, his voice solemn, "You need to take good care of the Crown Princess Consort. With General Zhang Baisheng here, there won''t be any problems. Leave Po Jun City to me!"


    "Alright then!"


    Niu Dali hesitated for a moment before nodding in resignation.


    With his strength, even if he went to Po Jun City, he wouldn''t be of any help.


    Instead, he would be a burden.


    Xiao Yi did not say it outright, as he did not want to discourage him.


    "General!"


    Xiao Yi turned to look at Zhang Baisheng and took out a Martial Dao Divine Fruit��one of the three obtained from that secret realm��and handed it to him, "This is a Martial Dao Divine Fruit. If you refine it, General, you can step into the Tao Tribulation Realm. With this, I will have no worries!"


    "This..."


    Zhang Baisheng''s hands trembled as he took the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, took a deep breath, and said earnestly, "Your Highness, rest assured. As long as this old man draws breath, I will not let anyone harm the Crown Princess Consort!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded vigorously, then looked at everyone, "Everyone, take care!"


    "Your Highness, we''ll wait for your triumphant return!"


    "Guardian Martial God, invincible in battle!"


    "Waiting for your triumphant return..."


    The crowd shouted out loud one after another.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, and a Tianqing wild ox charged into the sky; he leapt up onto its back and broke through the air.


    Although this Tianqing wild ox was only a fifth-order beast, its speed was comparable to that of an average Tao Tribulation Realm expert. Moreover, its stamina was astonishing, making thousand-mile journeys in a day no problem.


    It was a full three thousand miles from the capital of Tianlan Kingdom to Po Jun City.


    Under Xiao Yi''s urging, the Tianqing wild ox burst forth with unprecedented speed. Watching the capital grow smaller and smaller behind him, Xiao Yi clenched his fists tightly, "Jiang Tai, wait for me!"


    ......


    Po Jun City.


    This is the northern border of Tianqing Kingdom, bordering on Qingyun Kingdom.


    Once...


    Qingyun Kingdom and Qing Tian Kingdom were of the same lineage, but a thousand years ago, a prince who failed to secure the throne launched a coup, and Qingyun Kingdom seceded.


    After a thousand years of development.


    Qingyun Kingdom''s national strength is no weaker than Qing Tian Kingdom.


    With the historical grudge between the two nations, they have become sworn enemies, never interacting with each other.


    The man leading the troops from Qingyun Kingdom was Jiang Shihai, known as the Supporting Mountain King of Qingyun Kingdom, who is also the paternal uncle of Jiang Tianchen. In the initial clashes between the two kingdoms, Jiang Tianchen managed to halt the advance of Jiang Shihai''s forces by taking advantage of Po Jun City''s defenses.


    That was until the powerhouse of Great Jin Kingdom arrived on the battlefield.


    Three Tao Tribulation Realm experts attacked Jiang Tianchen at the same time, and the elite Golden Crow Guards of Great Jin Kingdom launched an assault, cutting down a hundred thousand elites of Tianqing Kingdom.


    This led to the fall of Po Jun City.


    Jiang Tianchen himself was taken prisoner, and when the experts from Great Jin Kingdom forced him to hand over Xiao Yi, he refused and was brutally killed. To this day, eight days later, Jiang Tianchen''s body has been hanging outside the gate of Po Jun City, marred by signs of decay, occasionally attracting flies to buzz and settle.


    In the sky, vultures circle and swoop down from time to time to snatch away pieces of flesh.


    The once-dignified King of Tianqing Kingdom not only died in battle but now his body was beyond recognition.


    If it weren''t for Jiang Tai leading his army here, upon seeing this scene, deploying ten divine archers to guard Jiang Tianchen''s corpse, and once they discovered any vultures immediately shooting them down with arrows, by now, Jiang Tianchen would probably be nothing but a skeleton.


    "Father Emperor..."


    Jiang Tai stood within the military camp, gazing at Jiang Tianchen, who was hanging above the city gate; his palms clenched into fists.


    His fingernails were also digging into his palms.


    Blood trickled down through the gaps between his fingers.


    "Crown Prince, messengers from the Qingyun Kingdom have delivered a letter!" Shi Yaoquan respectfully said, presenting the letter with both hands.


    The four Shi brothers had also set out with Jiang Tai to Po Jun City.


    Shi Yaoquan had already broken through to the Golden Core Realm, becoming the commander of Jiang Tai''s trusted aides.


    Jiang Tai took the letter, opened it, and his body suddenly staggered, nearly tumbling down.


    "Your Highness..."


    Shi Yaoquan, startled, quickly steadied Jiang Tai.


    Jiang Tai''s eyes were bloodshot, and the letter in his hand was crumpled into a ball, producing a creaking sound between his knuckles, "This is outrageous, absolutely outrageous!"


    "Your Highness, what exactly happened?" Shi Yaoquan asked in a shocked and puzzled tone, looking at Jiang Tai. In his memory, Jiang Tai had always been able to control his emotions well, never allowing his joy or anger to show. But now, he was visibly shaken by a letter.


    Jiang Tai, trembling, handed the crumpled letter to him.


    Shi Yaoquan quickly unfolded the wrinkled letter, and upon reading it, his complexion too changed drastically, "Is this, this, this the act of humans?"


    The letter stated...


    Only two hours remain of the three-day ultimatum. If Jiang Tai still refuses to hand over Xiao Yi within the next two hours, a cauldron of boiling oil will be placed outside Po Jun City, and Jiang Tianchen''s corpse will be fried in it!


    The corpse had been suspended for eight days, left to rot, in the utmost humiliation.


    And now they actually want to deep fry it?


    "Your Highness, we should..." Shi Yaoquan''s eyes were filled with blood.


    Jiang Tai took a deep breath, his teeth clenched, "Summon all the generals, mobilize the troops. The moment they dare to fry Father Emperor''s body, we will launch a full-scale attack!"


    "Yes!"


    Shi Yaoquan immediately withdrew.


    Shortly after. Continue reading at empire


    The central army tent.


    All the generals had gathered, looking at Jiang Tai, who had a face as dark as thunder. They glanced at each other, not even daring to breathe too loudly. S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They had already read the contents of that letter.


    Fearing they might provoke Jiang Tai.


    Left Army Commander Lei Ming hesitated for a long time, then with a toughened resolve, spoke in a grave voice, "Your Highness, given the current disparity in forces between us and the enemy, it is really not suitable to go to war!"


    "Not suitable to go to war? Then when is it suitable? Do we have to wait until they fry my father''s body for it to be suitable?"


    Jiang Tai smashed the table in front of him with a slap, his face grim, as he roared furiously.


    The right Imperial Censor muttered, "Actually... we just need to hand over Xiao Yi, and it would be fine. This whole mess was his doing..."


    "Idiots!"


    Jiang Tai looked at Shi Yaoquan, "Drag him out and chop his head off!"


    "Yes!"


    Shi Yaoquan immediately stepped forward, seized the Imperial Censor, who was only at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, and dragged him out of the tent.


    The right Imperial Censor wailed miserably, "Spare me, Your Majesty, please spare me..."


    Jiang Tai''s gaze was ice-cold as he looked towards the crowd, every word deliberate, "Every single one of you listen up, you can die, I can die, Father Emperor can also die, but the Guardian Martial God must not die! As long as he lives, there is hope for our Tianqing Kingdom! If he stands, our nation stands, if he falls, our nation falls! Anyone who dares to speak such demoralizing words again, questioning the foundation of our nation, will be executed without mercy! Do you hear me?"


    "We will heed your orders with utmost care!"


    Fearfully and respectfully, they responded.


    Jiang Tai took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes, with a surge of fighting spirit, "Main army, prepare for battle!"

 Chapter 163 Why Has the Sky Darkened?

    Boom! Boom! Boom!The war drums within and outside Po Jun City thundered, sounding like heaven''s wrath.


    The army of the Tianqing Kingdom was already fully equipped and ready to go, consisting of all the remaining soldiers, even the city guard soldiers from the royal capital were brought over.


    Altogether, three hundred and fifty thousand.


    Inside Po Jun City, there were eight hundred and ten thousand troops from the Qingyun Kingdom, plus thirty thousand of the most elite Golden Crow Guards from the Great Jin Kingdom.


    These thirty thousand Golden Crow Guards were worth a hundred thousand ordinary soldiers.


    The battle drums roared, the banners flew against the clear sky, fluttering noisily.


    A menacing atmosphere spread across the dome of the sky, forming thick clouds that turned blood red in the sunset, like a crimson cloud hanging in the sky, exceptionally oppressive, making it difficult to breathe. In front of the formation, Jiang Tai, clad in golden armor, held a long spear in his hand, his face expressionless as he stared ahead.


    From within Po Jun City, black iron torrents of troops were pouring out in great numbers.


    Like ants emerging from their nest.


    To facilitate the movement of the army and also to obstruct the enemy, the entrance to Po Jun City was made particularly large, while the exit facing the Qingyun Kingdom was narrow.


    The massive armies of Qingyun Kingdom and Great Jin Kingdom spilled out of the city gates, scattering to both sides outside Po Jun City, dividing into two huge square formations of soldiers. The armies swiftly swelled to over five hundred thousand, and only then did Jiang Shihai slowly ride out on a fiery dragon-lion steed.


    Positioning himself in front of the troops.


    Jiang Shihai looked coldly at Jiang Tai and sneered, "Jiang Tai, little nephew, not greeting your uncle when you see him?"


    "Jiang Shihai..."


    Jiang Tai''s face turned steel blue as he gritted his teeth and said, "Return my father''s body to me!"


    "Return it? Of course, I will return it! But, I''ve made my terms clear to you. If you hand over Xiao Yi, not only will I return Jiang Tianchen''s body to you, but I will also immediately withdraw my troops!" Jiang Shihai said indifferently, resting his elbow on the saddle and leaning to the side as he chuckled, "Of course, if you refuse, soon your father''s body will be returned to you fried in oil!"


    Jiang Tai''s eyes split with rage as he roared, "Jiang Shihai, we are both of the Jiang clan, from the same root, why be so hasty to turn on each other!"


    "Hahaha, when your old ancestor dubiously snatched the Tianqing Kingdom''s rulership, did he consider we were from the same root?"


    Jiang Shihai laughed scornfully, "It seems you are reluctant to hand over Xiao Yi. Tsk tsk, I thought you, being younger, would know how to read the situation and understand that a good bird chooses the tree it perches on. I didn''t expect you to be as foolish as he was, wagering the fate of an entire kingdom for someone who has no relation to you? Ridiculous, truly ridiculous!"


    "Xiao Yi is the Guardian Martial God of Tianqing Kingdom; as long as he lives, Tianqing shall not perish. I, Jiang Tai, can die, my father can die, all of my Jiang family can die, but he alone cannot die!"


    Jiang Tai pronounced each word distinctly, his voice unwavering with determination.


    These words were what Jiang Tianchen had once said to him.


    All along.


    Jiang Tianchen had always been a wise and sagacious ruler, leaving an indelible mark in Jiang Tai''s heart.


    If Jiang Tianchen was willing to sacrifice his life and wage war for Xiao Yi.


    Naturally, Jiang Tai would not go against Jiang Tianchen''s wishes. Discover hidden tales at empire


    "Fool! I really don''t understand what kind of spell Xiao Yi has cast on you, but since you''re so stubborn, don''t blame me then!"


    Jiang Shihai shook his head in contempt and sneered, "Someone, bring out the oil cauldron; let''s show the Tianqing Kingdom a performance of frying an emperor!"


    "Frying an emperor!"


    "Hahaha, my lord, this will surely be a dish to be remembered through the ages!"


    Generals under the Qingyun Kingdom laughed aloud.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Dozens of soldiers pushed out a cauldron of boiling oil, under which wood was stacked to stoke a fierce fire.


    Bubbles continuously erupted from the oil cauldron, exploding and spraying scalding hot oil onto the ground with a hissing sound.


    Creak! Creak! Creak!


    Two Qingyun Kingdom soldiers slowly operated the ropes, gently lowering Jiang Tianchen''s body down, one in front and one behind, carrying Jiang Tianchen''s corpse towards the cauldron. By the side of the cauldron, both men were ready, just waiting for Jiang Shihai''s order to throw Jiang Tianchen''s body into the oil.


    Jiang Shihai slowly raised his right hand, smirking coldly as he looked at Jiang Tai. "Within three breaths, if you choose to surrender and hand Xiao Yi over to me, I will return the body to you!"


    Thud!


    Jiang Tai dismounted from his horse with a flip.


    Shi Yaoquan and a host of other generals and soldiers did the same, dismounting in unison.


    Hundreds of thousands of men, uniformly coordinated.


    Thud!


    One by one, they knelt on the ground.


    Jiang Tai''s eyes were bloodshot, he clenched his steel teeth so hard that blood seeped from the corners of his lips as he roared, "Father, may you have a safe journey ahead!"


    "Your Majesty, may you have a safe journey ahead!"


    "Your Majesty, take your time!"


    Jiang Shihai''s eyebrows were tightly furrowed. He had already counted to two, but Jiang Tai''s actions were causing him great irritation and anger. He shouted, "Since you all remain so obstinate, you can''t blame me! Blow him up!"


    "Yes!"


    Two soldiers carried the corpse of Jiang Tianchen and ascended to the platform next to the cauldron of oil.


    With a loud bang, Jiang Tai flipped back onto his horse.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The generals and soldiers mounted their horses simultaneously.


    Pointing his spear forward, Jiang Tai roared, "Generals and soldiers, follow me into battle!"


    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"


    "Kill��"


    Rumble!


    Three hundred and fifty thousand warriors, in uniform motion, their voices shaking the heavens.


    As the saying goes, mournful troops are sure to win!


    In the hearts of every soldier of the Tianqing Kingdom, there burned a fierce rage, watching helplessly as their sovereign was about to be thrown into a cauldron of oil and fried alive. Every Tianqing Kingdom soldier wished they could tear into the enemies of the Qingyun Kingdom with their bare hands.


    "Blow him up!"


    Jiang Shihai unsheathed his longsword. As the sword swept across the sky and his fighting spirit soared, he bellowed, "My sons, follow me into battle!"


    Rumble!


    The armies of both sides surged forward simultaneously.


    They were like two cataclysmic floods, madly rushing towards each other.


    The earth roared and the mountains trembled.


    The armies were separated by a few miles, but as they charged at full strength, they grew ever closer.


    It appeared that the two forces were about to collide.


    The two soldiers had already climbed onto the platform, lifting high the body of Jiang Tianchen and were about to throw it into the cauldron of oil. But just as they looked up, their pupils suddenly shrank; a black dot had appeared in the blue sky above them. The dot grew nearer and larger, eventually filling their sight.


    It even turned into a vast black shadow that covered half the battlefield.


    "Why has the sky darkened?"


    "What''s happening?" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You��you all look, what is that thing in the sky?"


    Sudden cries of alarm rang out from the crowd.


    Even the charging armies instinctively slowed, looking up towards the heavens. And when they did, everyone''s face changed��

 Chapter 164 Throwing Thousands of Mountains, Slaughtering a Hundred Thousand Enemies!

    "Is that... a mountain?""How can a mountain fly in the sky?"


    The faces of the crowd were filled with astonishment.


    Jiang Shihai''s face suddenly changed. He, riding on a fierce Flame Dragon Lion, turned back to look at his own troops behind him, who had been stunned by the flying mountain peak, and roared, "Get out of the way, all of you, move..."


    However...


    His voice was completely drowned out by the whistling sound of the falling mountain.


    "Damn it..."


    Jiang Shihai''s face turned ashen, but with the mountain peak now only a hundred meters away, all he could do was flip off his mount and land heavily, placing his hands on the ground, he roared, "Rise!"


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Waves of elemental energy surged from within him and poured into the earth.


    The ground shook as if a dragon beneath the earth had turned over.


    Boom boom boom!


    With Jiang Shihai at the center, mounds of earth rose from the ground, standing tall around his body. They protected the hundred thousand soldiers inside the mounds, and although they tried to spread outward, it was already too late. With a thunderous crash, the giant mountain peak rolled down.


    Continue reading at empire


    Boom, boom, boom...


    Heaven and earth shook. The sun and the moon lost their light. To the soldiers, it seemed as though the entire world had turned to darkness.


    The massive mountain, hundreds of meters high and enormously large, fell violently, shattering the ground. The terrifying impact destroyed tens of thousands of soldiers, crushing them into pulp, and then, propelled by the huge force of the impact, the mountain rolled madly on.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The mountain continued to crush everything in its path.


    Along the way, soldiers from the Qingyun Kingdom screamed in agony, "Run, run for your life..."


    "Help me..."


    "I don''t want to die..."


    Countless soldiers scattered in all directions, in utter disarray.


    But how could they escape under the rolling of this several hundred-meter-high mountain?


    Where the nest is overturned, no eggs remain intact.


    When the mountain finally stopped several miles away, the earth was caved in, and within those cavities were corpses everywhere, all crushed to bits, and the number of injured was countless, with severed hands, severed legs, bodies cleaved in half... each lying in pools of blood, wailing, screaming, like a depiction of hell on earth.


    This mountain had crushed nearly a hundred thousand as it rolled past!


    After all.


    The closeness of the troops during the charge had been too great.


    Besides being crushed by the mountain, many others were trampled to death by their own comrades and horses.


    All was silent between heaven and earth.


    The cold wind howled sharply, the horizon was clear for thousands of miles, the setting sun hung in the sky, yet it gave a desolate and bone-chilling cold feeling.


    Even the likes of Jiang Tai and the other champions from the Tianqing Kingdom, were dumbfounded at this moment, their faces perplexed, "What... what''s going on? Did the Qingyun Kingdom incur the wrath of the heavens?"


    "I''ve never heard of a mountain falling from the sky..."


    "No, it''s not the wrath of the heavens, look quickly..." Shi Yaoqian suddenly bellowed from the crowd.


    The crowd looked up.


    They saw yet another mountain slowly flying from the horizon, but the focus of everyone''s gaze was not on the mountain, but on the figure below it, holding up the several hundred-meter-high mountain with a single hand. Compared to the massive mountain, that figure was not large, even minuscule, but at that moment, it gave off an impression of a divine demon descending to the world.


    With one hand holding up the hundred-meter-high mountain, he proceeded through the sky.


    What tremendous strength was this?


    "That''s... The Guardian War God!"


    "The Guardian War God? Xiao Yi?"


    Jiang Tai was also shocked, squinting his eyes to scrutinize that figure, and when he saw the familiar face, joy erupted on his face. But that joy quickly turned to horror, "No, this cannot be... Xiao Yi, leave quickly, go..."


    As he had said before, he could die, Jiang Tianchen could die, everyone in the Tianqing Kingdom could die!


    But Xiao Yi could not!


    Xiao Yi was the beacon of hope for the Tianqing Kingdom.


    And now...


    It wasn''t just Jiang Shihai from the Tao Tribulation Realm here, but also two experts from the Great Jin Dynasty within the same realm.


    The Great Jin Kingdom, ranking first among the more than one hundred affiliated nations under the Great Qian Dynasty, was a country with numerous powerful individuals, including the existence of a Dharma Manifestation Realm. Such a behemoth was far beyond what the Tianqing Kingdom could contend with��all the more so if Xiao Yi hadn''t shown up, the experts of the Great Jin Kingdom might not have taken action.


    But Xiao Yi had appeared...


    And the experts of the Great Jin Kingdom would definitely not let him leave.


    Boom!


    The mound covering Jiang Shihai and others vanished. Jiang Shihai turned back to gaze upon the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, his eyes blood-red with fury as he glared at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi? I didn''t expect you to actually show yourself? Good, very good, you..."


    Before he could finish his sentence.


    Xiao Yi threw the giant mountain in his hand once again.


    Swish!


    The vast peak plummeted from the sky, faster than the previous one and even more massive.


    "Damn it!"


    Jiang Shihai''s threats turned into an expletive as he hurriedly raised up dirt mounds again.


    The gigantic mountain slammed onto the mounds with a thunderous impact.


    Boom!


    The mounds burst apart, and the shockwave from the collision caused many hiding warriors'' organs to shatter. As the mountain rolled over, it crushed tens of thousands of soldiers, and while the second mountain was mightier than the first, the casualties were not as staggering due to the soldiers spreading out.


    Even so...


    After two waves of attacks, nearly two hundred thousand soldiers from the Qingyun Kingdom were lost.


    Almost a hundred thousand died in battle, with the injured numbering well over a hundred thousand.


    This army of five hundred thousand was nearly decimated by half!


    Swish!


    Seizing the chaos on the battlefield, Xiao Yi teleported, charging toward the cauldron like a shooting star.


    "Let go!"


    With a reach across the distance, Xiao Yi pulled Jiang Tianchen''s corpse into his grasp, hoisting it onto his shoulder. Casting a glance at the boiling cauldron, with a sweep of his hand, the two soldiers responsible for carrying Jiang Tianchen''s body were thrown into the oil by him.


    Hissss!


    The moment the two entered the cauldron, it began to boil fiercely.


    "Help..."


    "Ah..."


    Screams were quickly submerged by the scalding oil.


    When Jiang Shihai emerged from the mounds once more, Xiao Yi had already returned to stand before Jiang Tai and others, carrying Jiang Tianchen''s body with heavy steps.


    Thump!


    Jiang Tai fell to his knees, holding back tears as he roared, "Welcome back, Your Majesty!"


    "Welcome back, Your Majesty..."


    Soldier after soldier knelt on the ground in unison.


    Their cries resounded to the heavens.


    Xiao Yi slowly placed Jiang Tianchen onto the back of the Tianqing wild ox, his regular mount.


    Moo!


    The Tianqing wild ox bellowed mournfully to the sky, tears welling in its eyes.


    Xiao Yi tore down the military flag and covered Jiang Tianchen''s body with it.


    Taking the Fire Qilin Sword in hand, he led the Tianqing wild ox and pointed forward, "Tianqing Kingdom''s generals, will you follow me into battle?"


    Three hundred and fifty thousand soldiers roared in unison...


    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"


    Sear?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 165 Cutting Down the Dao Tribulation Effortlessly

    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"Three hundred and fifty thousand soldiers of the Tianqing Kingdom marched mightily, led by Xiao Yi, they charged at the army of Qingyun Kingdom, which had already lost its formation.


    In the standoff between the two armies, the beleaguered troops of Tianqing Kingdom already possessed superior morale.


    Now, with Xiao Yi having thrown mountains and annihilated two hundred thousand troops, the morale of the Tianqing Kingdom''s army was deeply invigorated.


    What diminished one side only made the other grow stronger.


    Under the onslaught of the Tianqing Kingdom''s army, the Qingyun Kingdom''s soldiers were ground down like meat through a grinder.


    Defeat spread like a landslide.


    Atop the city tower of Po Jun City,


    stood two figures, a man and a woman, hands behind their backs, they were the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The man was the Guardian Martial God of the Great Jin Kingdom''s Eastern Factory, Yu Huaxian, and the woman was the leader of the Great Jin Kingdom''s foremost intelligence organization, known as ''the Lady in Red'', Li Moqiu.


    "Guardian Yu, aren''t you going to take action?" Li Moqiu said calmly.


    Yin and yang indistinguishable in his voice, Yu Huaxian''s slender fingers gently pinched the strands of hair by his temples, his orchid-like fingertips causing Li Moqiu to frown slightly, "Why should I? It''s not the citizens of Great Jin who are dying!"


    "Are we just going to watch?" asked Li Moqiu.


    With a giggle, Yu Huaxian covered his mouth, "Don''t you find it beautiful to watch a bunch of ants slaughtering each other, their blood and corpses piling up?"


    As he spoke, his crimson tongue licked around his lips.


    His eyes glinted with excitement.


    Li Moqiu frowned slightly and huffed, "The mission is led by you; we will follow your command!"


    "No rush, no rush!"


    Yu Huaxian smiled and watched Xiao Yi gallop through the crowd on his horse as if he owned the field, his eyes brimming with excitement and greed, "Such a handsome young man, so powerful yet so young. Those two mountains just now would not be so easily lifted even by me. No wonder Xue Yilou wants him so badly. Hmm, before handing him over to Xue Yilou, I must savor this young man!"


    Li Moqiu''s eyes twitched as a deep repulsion crossed her face.


    Meanwhile, on the battlefield,


    the winds and clouds transformed, and the army of Tianqing Kingdom was unstoppable.


    Xiao Yi, like a god of slaughter from ancient times, allowed no one to come within thirty feet of him.


    Wherever he passed, the dead piled up like mountains; blood flowed like rivers!


    "Cease!"


    Jiang Shihai mounted his fiery dragon lion, charging forth like wind and fire. Tianqing Kingdom''s soldiers were sent flying by his rush, then immolated to ash by the flames belching from his mount. In no time, he was face to face with Xiao Yi, "You wretched little bastard, how dare you slaughter my soldiers. Your death is certain!"


    "Hasn''t the Great Qian Dynasty decreed that Tao Tribulation Realm experts shouldn''t directly partake in battles? You are overstepping the mark!" Xiao Yi''s gaze was icy as he stared down Jiang Shihai.


    Jiang Shihai laughed coldly, "Rules are meant to bind the weak. With the Great Jin Kingdom at my back, so long as I slay all of you, who would know I have intervened?"


    Only because of the special relationship between the two kingdoms did Jiang Shihai dare to act.


    The two nations, though of one lineage, had been splintered apart for a millennium.


    If he could unite them single-handedly, then he would be the unparalleled hero of the Qingyun Kingdom.


    His name would live on for eternity, spoken of through the ages!


    Jiang Shihai, the Supporting Mountain King of Qingyun Kingdom, was also a powerhouse of the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Now, all he sought was the pinnacle of Martial Arts and prestige.


    It was precisely because of this��


    That he threw all caution to the wind and intervened personally!


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Ever heard of ''the mantis trying to stop the chariot''?"


    "Hmm?"


    Jiang Shihai was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said, "You, are that mantis!"


    "Insolent brat!"


    Jiang Shihai became furious. He, the illustrious Supporting Mountain King, a second-level Tao Tribulation Realm master, was being called a mantis overestimating its own strength by Xiao Yi. His complexion turned thunderous, "You arrogant mongrel, let this king see what the Guardian Martial God of Tianqing is made of!"


    Boom!


    Jiang Shihai spurred his fiery dragon lion.


    Roar!


    The fiery dragon lion, a rank six lower-tier demonic beast, comparable to a First Layer Tao Tribulation Realm expert, was shrouded in soaring flames. The mane around its neck licked the air like tongues of fire, and with an open mouth, it shot a fierce fireball.


    "Little Lin!"


    Xiao Yi muttered with a cold snort.


    Swoosh!


    A streak of silver light burst forth from his arms �C it was Little Lin, who had reached the sixth tier.


    "Holy shit..."


    Little Lin faced the fireball as it appeared, its silver scales shining brilliantly. With a fierce open mouth, it swallowed the fireball whole.


    Hiss!


    Little Lin''s belly abruptly swelled into a round ball, as if it might burst at any moment!


    The ferocious Dragon-Lion roared like thunder, laughing heartily, "Where did this little snake come from, daring to swallow this Lion King''s attack? You can go to die now!"


    However...


    The words of the ferocious Dragon-Lion had barely faded.


    Little Lin suddenly spewed out a cloud of black smoke, its distended belly deflating back to normal. After belching contentedly, Little Lin''s emerald-green eyes rolled, staring intently at the ferocious Dragon-Lion, "Where did this big cat come from? A mere fireball wants to kill the young master? Such a delusion!"


    "Roar! Little snake, you''re courting death!"


    The ferocious Dragon-Lion charged at him furiously.


    Little Lin''s body shone with silver light as he suddenly grew larger.


    Transforming into a ten-zhang long snake, he tangled with the ferocious Dragon-Lion.


    Meanwhile...


    The battle between Xiao Yi and Jiang Shihai also erupted in full force. Jiang Shihai wielded a long spear. The tip gleamed with silver light, the dark shaft was tall and slender, adorned with the pattern of a dragon and tiger, the tassels fluttering, "Pierce through the dragon!"


    That spear thrust came at lightning speed.


    Vital energy was vigorous, clinging to the spear shaft like a dark yellow flood dragon, charging with bared teeth and claws.


    Xiao Yi swept his sword horizontally across his chest to block.


    Clang!


    A sharp sound resonated in the air.


    A burst of firelight shot into the sky as the spear tip struck the sword.


    Xiao Yi remained motionless.


    Jiang Shihai''s spear, however, bent completely under the enormous force, the shaft bowing like a full arch. No matter how much he exerted himself, he still couldn''t shake Xiao Yi in the slightest. This left Jiang Shihai utterly dumbfounded, "Impossible... This kid clearly hasn''t reached the Tao Tribulation Realm, so how can he possess such terrifying strength?"


    "With just this level of ability, you think you can kill me?"


    Xiao Yi smiled relaxedly, then his eyes suddenly narrowed into slits, the smile on his face dissipating instantaneously, replaced by a trace of coldness, "Let me show you what real power is!"


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    Xiao Yi flicked the blade of his sword with his left hand, and with a humming resonance, the Fire Qilin Sword trembled violently.


    The quivering force transmitted from the tip to the shaft of the spear, growing more terrifying by the second.


    Hum hum!


    The long spear was almost shaken out of Jiang Shihai''s hands.


    "What?"


    Jiang Shihai looked astounded. He gripped the end of the spear tightly and finally managed to stabilize it, but his palm was burst open from the vibration, blood dripping down. He looked at Xiao Yi in shock, "Just a light flick on the blade, and such a terrifying force? Can this guy really not be from the Tao Tribulation Realm?" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Enjoy new tales from empire


    At that moment, Jiang Shihai no longer looked down on Xiao Yi, as his gaze became extremely solemn.


    Little did he know...


    Though Xiao Yi wasn''t in the Tao Tribulation Realm, he was surpassing it.


    Limitless Golden Elixir with twenty loops!


    In terms of sheer strength and vital energy, he was already comparable to a Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm expert.


    Moreover...


    Xiao Yi''s ability to fight above his level was already far beyond that of his peers. How could his strength be comparable to Jiang Shihai''s?


    "Take my sword!"


    Xiao Yi brandished his sword from afar, "Torrents descend three thousand feet!"


    Hum!


    Sword shadows flickered and fluttered, one splitting into two, two into four...


    In the blink of an eye, dense sword shadows fell from the sky like a three thousand feet waterfall.


    "Black Dragon Searches the Sea!"


    "Dragon Battles in the Wilderness..."


    Jiang Shihai consecutively deployed his strongest spear techniques, but he simply couldn''t stop the endless waves of sword energy. Overwhelmed by the sword waves, he was forced to retreat in panic, while Xiao Yi pressed on relentlessly.


    Boom!


    The long spear was chopped away fiercely.


    "No..."


    Jiang Shihai''s eyes nearly split with fury as he turned to look in the direction of Po Jun City, "Lord Yu... Save me..."


    "Xiao Yi, stop!"


    A voice, indistinguishable between Yin and Yang, came from Yu Huaxian as he walked alone in the sky, hands behind his back.


    However...


    Xiao Yi merely glanced at him, his longsword not ceasing!


    Thud thud thud!


    A series of sword lights pierced through his body, severing his hands, cutting off his legs. Following up with a thrust of the spear, he impaled Jiang Shihai''s body, then with a fierce toss, Jiang Shihai''s body was flung out with a swoosh and fell with a thud into the bubbling cauldron, his hysterical screams filling the air.


    Supporting Mountain King of Qingyun Kingdom, the formidable Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm expert Jiang Shihai, was fried to a golden crisp...

 Chapter 166 Who Won

    ```In the cauldron of oil.


    Jiang Shihai''s body had already been fried to a golden brown, bubbling up and down with the hot oil.


    The smile on the nonchalantly walking Yu Huaxian''s face solidified, his venomous eyes locked onto Xiao Yi and he said deliberately and slowly, "Didn''t you hear this overseer tell you to stop?"


    "Who the hell are you?"


    Xiao Yi looked up at him, snorted coldly, "I don''t like talking to people looking up. Come down here!"


    Whoosh!


    His right hand reached into the void.


    In the void, the qi became like silk threads, forming a giant qi palm that grasped Yu Huaxian and smashed him forcefully towards the ground.


    Yu Huaxian had not expected Xiao Yi to strike without a word.


    It was too late to counter.


    Boom!


    The elegant, effeminate Yu Huaxian was slapped harshly into the ground, half of his body buried in the earth, his face a picture of bewilderment as he looked up at Xiao Yi above him.


    Xiao Yi looked down from above, nodding in satisfaction, "That''s much more comfortable!"


    "You, you..."


    Yu Huaxian was so enraged that his hair stood on end, his eyes blood-red.


    Fury!


    Extreme fury!


    He was the overseer of the Eastern Factory in the Great Jin Kingdom, a figure of renown even amongst the sea of powerful beings in Great Jin. Even the lofty officials and wealthy gentry of the Great Jin had to address him respectfully as Overseer Yu!


    But now...


    He had been half buried in the ground with a slap by a boy not even twenty years old? Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    Gusts of wind erupted from Yu Huaxian''s body, the ground thundering and trembling, violently churning around him as the epicenter.


    Fierce cracks spread in all directions.


    The cracks grew more numerous and wider.


    Like a spider''s web.


    The surrounding land was lifted several meters high, and the ground around Yu Huaxian burst apart as he extricated himself. Floating in the air, a sweep of the wind around him blew the dust away, his cold eyes filled with ferocity, fixed on Xiao Yi, "You little bastard, you''ve completely enraged this overseer!"


    "What''s with the androgynous act here? Stop your meaningless yapping!" Xiao Yi said with a disgusted scold.


    "An-androgynous?"


    Yu Huaxian''s face suddenly stiffened.


    Rage!


    Livid with rage!


    The thing he hated most was to be described as androgynous!


    Yu Huaxian spat viciously, pointing at Xiao Yi with a pinching gesture, and growled, "This overseer didn''t want to hurt you, but now this overseer has changed his mind!"


    "Scram!"


    Xiao Yi slapped him away.


    Yu Huaxian snorted coldly, "Ignorant fool, you mistook my oversight for weakness. Do you think the same trick would work twice?"


    Yu Huaxian easily waved and smashed the qi palm into pieces.


    He said smugly, "See that, you..."


    Bang!


    His words were cut off abruptly.


    Xiao Yi''s palm had contained a surge of Sword Qi; Yu Huaxian managed to shatter the qi palm, but failed to guard against the Sword Qi blast.


    It sent him flying, burying his body halfway into the ground once again, and Xiao Yi quickly followed up.


    Strike the sick, take the life!


    He kicked towards Yu Huaxian''s face.


    Bang!


    Yu Huaxian''s chin took the blow, his body spinning like a top with a clump of earth as he was thrown through the air, rolling dozens of meters before coming to a stop.


    "You little bastard, bastard... You''ve dirtied this overseer''s clothes? Damn it, you deserve to die a thousand deaths..."


    ```


    Yu Huaxian trembled and struggled to his feet, looking at his pristine white robe now sullied with mud and blood, even with chunks of flesh hanging on his belt. His eyes were completely covered with a blazing red as he raged uncontrollably, "Xiao Yi, if I don''t flay you a thousand times, I won''t be able to quell the hatred in my heart!"


    Boom!


    Yu Huaxian leaped into the air, flicking his wrist, and in the blink of an eye, a series of silver needles whizzed through the air.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The needles broke through the sky, trailing bright red threads.


    They wove into a dazzling red peony in mid-air as Yu Huaxian''s voice, indistinct between Yin and Yang, sent chills down the spine, "A thought and the flower blooms!"


    Swoosh!


    The peony flower actually burst into full bloom.


    And those blooming petals were numerous needles and red threads linked together, as if each needle had its own renowned name, firing towards Xiao Yi from different directions.


    There were simply too many needles.


    Xiao Yi tapped the ground and leaped backward to retreat.


    Bang!


    The needles landed where he had been standing, burrowing into the ground, and as Yu Huaxian gave a tug on the threads, a clump of earth heavy as a hut was lifted high into the air. It was shredded by the red threads in mid-flight, and in a flash, countless needles charged at Xiao Yi once more.


    Xiao Yi fought as he retreated.


    The crisp sounds of clashing echoed continuously.


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    The Fire Qilin Sword collided with the needles, emitting a series of dazzling sparks.


    "The Epiphyllum blooms for but a moment!"


    As Yu Huaxian''s fingers weaved an otherworldly sequence, the incoming needles and red threads suddenly vanished.


    Xiao Yi first froze, then immediately felt a chill up his spine.


    Instinctively, he swung the Fire Qilin Sword behind him.


    Ting Ting Ting!


    A series of crisp sounds followed and a great force pushed Xiao Yi forward.


    "Not good!"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils dilated instantly, as dozens of needles appeared out of thin air ahead of him, coming straight at him.


    In a critical moment,


    Xiao Yi instinctively executed a sword move: "Parting the White Egrets on the Twin Waters!"


    This was a move from the "Qinglian Sword Song."


    With a thrust forward, rolling waves of air formed on the blade, splitting everything in front ahead into two halves.


    The air, the wind, and even those needles.


    All were split apart.


    They flew past Xiao Yi on either side, and he seized the opportunity to burst forward, breaking through the needle blockade and closing the distance with Yu Huaxian. Yu Huaxian was at the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and his tactics were extremely bizarre and skilled in ranged attacks; Xiao Yi had to close the distance between them.


    "The Torrent Plunges Down Three Thousand Feet!"


    The sword shadows transformed into a waterfall, pouring down.


    The numerous needles before him were shattered.


    Yu Huaxian''s pupils shrank, the sharp sword point now only half a foot from his brow as he stumbled backward. Meanwhile, his hands weaved in front of him, red threads forming the shape of an ancient zither, as Yu Huaxian''s slender palms gently fluttered across the strings.


    Zeng Zeng Zeng!


    Amidst the ear-piercing sound of the zither, countless red-threaded needles burst forth.


    The needles and the sword shadows, like the point of a needle against a wheat awn.


    They collided, dissipating one another!


    "Nine Swords Unite as One!"


    Xiao Yi merged all his sword shadows into unity, jabbing forward with one thrust.


    Yu Huaxian''s expressionless face, hands pressed forcefully on the zither strings, "A Hundred Flowers Blossom Together!"


    Countless needles and red threads woven into an image of a hundred flowers competing in beauty, the blossoms exploded, and the collision of swords and needles made the void around them seem to stand still.


    In the blink of an eye��


    Boom!


    An eye-blinding orb of light appeared out of nowhere.


    Right after, the orb expanded tenfold and burst with a loud bang.


    In an instant, Xiao Yi and Yu Huaxian were engulfed in the brilliance.


    Above the battlefield, everyone stopped fighting and looked towards the gradually dimming orb of light: "Who won?"

 Chapter 167 Unrivaled with Me!

    "Who won?"All eyes were fixed on the light orb that was gradually shrinking.


    Even on the walls of Po Jun City, another expert from the Great Jin Kingdom at the Tao Tribulation Realm, Li Moqiu, was squinting his eyes into slits at this moment.


    Suddenly...


    The light faded, revealing a silhouette.


    "Is it him?"


    "Hahaha, we won, Yu won��"


    "The bastards of the Tianqing Kingdom, your Guardian Martial God has lost!"


    The figure appearing within the light was none other than Yu Huaxian, and at that moment, the faces of everyone from the Qingyun Kingdom showed ecstatic joy.


    The death of Jiang Shihai had dealt a heavy blow to their morale.


    But if Yu Huaxian could kill Xiao Yi, it would be a tremendous boost for them as well.


    "No, that''s not right��"


    An exclamation of surprise suddenly came from the crowd.


    As the light dissipated from Yu Huaxian''s body, a red light appeared on his forehead��it was unmistakably the Fire Qilin Sword. The blade was breathing out fierce red flames, pointing directly at Yu Huaxian''s forehead. As the light faded away, the body of the Fire Qilin Sword was revealed.


    And holding the Fire Qilin Sword, floating in the air was Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi had not been defeated!


    He had won!


    In the midst of the battlefield...


    The people of the Tianqing Kingdom let out a collective sigh of relief, followed by excited roars: "With our Guardian Martial God, we are invincible!"


    "How could our Guardian Martial God possibly lose?"


    "The bastards of the Qingyun Kingdom, go to hell��"


    Jiang Tai let out a roar that reached the heavens, waving his spear with one arm, his fighting spirit soaring endlessly: "Wipe them all out!"


    On the other side.


    Little Lin bit down on the neck of the Flaming Dragon Lion, its silvery body coiling mightily, entangling the Flaming Dragon Lion tightly. Its terrifying power crushed the Flaming Dragon Lion''s bones to powder, the sickening cracks accompanying the desperate screams of the beast, before its massive body fell to the ground with a thud.


    Roar!


    Little Lin let out a furious roar towards the sky.


    In the void.


    Xiao Yi stood holding his sword, the corner of his mouth dripping with blood, but his eyes were bright: "You, lost!"


    Spurt!


    Yu Huaxian''s body trembled, blood uncontrollably spraying from his orifices, his face revealing a pitiful and bitter smile: "You... really aren''t at the Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "No!"


    "Not at Tao Tribulation, yet you surpass it��"


    Yu Huaxian stared intently at Xiao Yi for a moment, before bitterly smiling, "I lost, losing to someone like you isn''t an injustice! Strike now!"


    Yu Huaxian had a resigned look and closed his eyes.


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrow, about to take action when suddenly, a noise tore through the air, and Xiao Yi reflexively swung his sword to his side.


    Thud!


    The heavy impact nearly shattered Xiao Yi''s eardrums, and the wild force sent him flying. sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His body spun several rotations in the air before it finally stopped.


    No sooner had Xiao Yi steadied himself than he tapped the void with the tip of his foot, springing upwards. He turned around mid-leap for a sword strike: "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Pitter-patter!


    The rain of swords surged, like a torrential downpour.


    In front of him was a nine-section crimson whip, covered in silver knives that gleamed with poison. A nick would seal one''s throat upon bleeding. Fortunately, Xiao Yi had chosen retreat earlier; if he had been hit by this poisonous whip, the consequences would have been unimaginable.


    The rain of swords surged, repelling the long whip.


    Crimson Fairy Li Moqiu stood mid-air, whip in hand, her phoenix eyes filled with surprise as she sized up Xiao Yi: "No wonder even Yu Huaxian is no match for you. You indeed have some skills!"


    "Who are you?" Xiao Yi asked, narrowing his eyes.


    "Crimson Fairy Li Moqiu!"


    Li Moqiu spoke indifferently, "You''re much more formidable than that trash Jiang Tianchen!"


    "Jiang Tianchen was killed by you?" Xiao Yi asked with a frown.


    Li Moqiu shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, speaking carelessly, "I told him to hand you over, but he refused, so I lashed him a few times. I never expected such an old fool to be so useless, dying from my lashes alone."


    Xiao Yi said, "You, deserve to die!"


    Jiang Tianchen had treated him with true kindness.


    And it was to protect him that Jiang Tianchen was killed by Li Moqiu.


    This vengeance must be avenged!


    "Kill me? You should be thinking about how to save your own little life!"


    Li Moqiu coldly smiled, her scarlet tongue licking her lips like a venomous crimson chain viper about to strike its prey.


    All of a sudden.


    Li Moqiu''s mouth slightly curled up, her figure becoming blurred.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank. "Afterimage?"


    Realizing what was happening, Xiao Yi turned and struck at the same time, but behind him was still an afterimage, the crimson sword light shattering it. However, Li Moqiu''s chilly laughter came to his ears, "Not bad, a pity you''re still one step too slow!"


    Swish!


    The crimson nine-section whip pierced through Xiao Yi''s body.


    A look of amusement appeared on her face. "Little guy, you''re still too green to fight me!"


    "That''s not necessarily true!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice, ghostlike, rang out beside her ear, causing Li Moqiu''s pores to erupt.


    The Xiao Yi in front of her, who had been pierced by the nine-section whip, also rippled and blurred into an afterimage, just like water.


    Li Moqiu cursed inwardly.


    The nine-section whip whistled, coiling around her body, forming whip rings that fell down, trying to protect her body beneath them. But her actions were still one step too late, the whip had just coiled around her neck when she heard a clear ''ding'' sound. It was Xiao Yi blocking the nine-section whip with the Fire Qilin Sword and reaching out with his palm at the same time.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    He slapped his palm onto Li Moqiu''s shoulder.


    Wow!


    Li Moqiu violently spat out a mouthful of blood, tumbling down like a kite with its string cut.


    Xiao Yi pointed with his longsword, entangling the nine-section whip, and pulled back at the same time.


    Li Moqiu, who was falling, suddenly jerked as she was pulled back. Xiao Yi''s right hand lifted, and with a fierce downward elbow strike.


    Bang!


    The elbow landed on the back of Li Moqiu''s head.


    Hum!


    Stars swirled before Li Moqiu''s eyes, her head spinning, feeling as if her head no longer belonged to her.


    Xiao Yi''s attack was not yet over.


    He dived down in an instant, catching up to Li Moqiu, his body spinning like a top, and a heavy whip kick viciously struck her waist.


    Thud!


    The kick possessed an incredibly powerful force.


    She was forcefully kicked back into midair, with Xiao Yi relentlessly following, his fists pounding out like phantoms.


    Bang bang bang!


    Each punch was unreserved, all hitting Li Moqiu''s body.


    Her body had completely deformed!


    Almost all her bones were smashed.


    Tendons shattered.


    All her internal organs were damaged.


    Blood sprayed from her seven orifices.


    With every strike from Xiao Yi, she was lifted tens of meters, now positioned hundreds of zhang in the air. Xiao Yi violently surged heavenward, surpassing Li Moqiu, and as she watched in despair, a sword fell, "A thousand miles in Jiangling, returned in a single day!"


    Swish!


    A silver river of swords appeared in the void.


    The sword river fell from the sky, engulfing Li Moqiu.


    Li Moqiu was like a sailboat navigating the river of swords, plummeting from the sky with a boom, and with a thunderous crash, she fell from the high sky down to the ground. In the blink of an eye, Li Moqiu crashed to the earth with a bang.


    The silver river of swords composed of countless sword shadows followed closely behind.


    Boom boom boom!


    The earth shook, and mountains collapsed!


    The ground continued to sink, and when the sword light dissipated, a giant pit dozens of meters deep appeared on the battlefield.


    The pit was funnel-shaped, at the bottom lay a corpse so mangled it was unrecognizable, lying in a pool of blood.


    Xiao Yi stood proudly in midair, his longsword like a dragon, his roar shattering the sky, "With me, invincible!"


    On the battlefield.


    The hundreds of thousands of Tianqing Kingdom''s grand army roared hysterically, "The Guardian Martial God, invincible!"


    "Invincible..."

 Chapter 168 Azure Dragon Guard

    "Guardian Martial God, with me, Wudi!""Wudi..."


    Bellowing roars of fury echoed between heaven and earth.


    Hundreds of thousands of Tianqing Kingdom soldiers seemed to take this opportunity to vent all the grievances and frustrations accumulated over the past month.


    Over the past month,


    Tianqing Kingdom was besieged on all sides, facing enemies from every direction, almost crushing every soldier and civilian under its weight, leaving them gasping for air.


    This was especially so after Great General Xia Yuan turned traitor during battle, leaving the royal ancestor Jiang Weisheng gravely wounded and forced into retreat. Moreover, the current King Jiang Tianchen was killed and his body hung outside Po Jun City, a series of blows that weighed on everyone''s hearts like a massive mountain.


    Until now...


    Xiao Yi''s emergence, the emergence of Tianqing Kingdom''s Guardian Martial God.


    He hurled mountains, slaughtering a hundred thousand foes!


    With a casual hand, he cleaved Tao Tribulation beings, effortlessly cutting down Chilian.


    All these glorious victories finally shattered the dark clouds hovering overhead, giving them a glimpse of hope.


    When people in despair see hope, they chase after the light with all their might, like bloodthirsty ants!


    The soldiers of Tianqing Kingdom were in just such a state!


    "Kill!"


    "Those who offend Tianqing, though far away, shall be punished!"


    "Die..." S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Each one appeared frenzied, their fighting spirits high.


    As if possessed by the War God.


    In contrast, the soldiers of Qingyun Kingdom now resembled mourners at a funeral.


    With Xiao Yi''s appearance, he annihilated over a hundred thousand of them with two mountains, and then strongly executed Jiang Shihai, frying his body to a golden crisp.


    But at that time, they had not yet fallen into despair.


    In the hearts of Qingyun Kingdom''s people, behind them stood strong allies from the Great Jin Kingdom.


    However...


    As Yu Huaxian and Li Moqiu fell, their last hope crumbled too.


    Endless despair followed suit.


    As one side waxed, the other waned.


    The military of Qingyun Kingdom collapsed like a house of cards.


    Under the crushing sweep of Tianqing Kingdom''s soldiers, hundreds of thousands either fled in disarray or begged for mercy on their knees. This battle, Tianqing Kingdom had already won!


    Clip-clop, clip-clop!


    Amidst the sound of horse hooves, Jiang Tai, flanked by the Shi Family''s four brothers, came to Xiao Yi''s side.


    Kneeling before Xiao Yi with his hands behind his back was Yu Huaxian.


    Yu Huaxian''s face was pale; the earlier clash with Xiao Yi had left him badly wounded, and now he looked like a prisoner at the foot of the steps, his face wearing a bitter smile, "No wonder Tianqing Kingdom regards you as their Guardian Martial God, no wonder Jiang Tianchen and the others would rather die to protect you..."


    "As long as I''m here, Tianqing Kingdom will not fall!" Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    "You''re very confident, it''s just a pity..."


    Yu Huaxian let out a sneer and said lightly, "Your enemy this time is too strong, much stronger than you could ever imagine!"


    "You''re talking about Xue Yilou, right?" Xiao Yi said.


    Yu Huaxian nodded.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "One day, I will personally eradicate Xue Yilou!"


    "Hmm?"


    Yu Huaxian blinked in surprise, frowning as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Eradicate Xue Yilou? Do you have any idea how powerful Xue Yilou is? They have thirteen Lords, even the weakest among them is at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and among them, there are no lack of Dharma Manifestation Realm beings, even up to the peak of that realm..."


    "I know!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, being from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty, he was naturally aware of Xue Yilou, "So what? If they are the enemy, then it''s either them or us!"


    "If you go head-to-head with Xue Yilou, the most likely outcome is that you''ll be crushed to pieces, with no hope of redemption..."


    Xiao Yi said, "Then let there be no hope of redemption!"


    Yu Huaxian fell silent.


    A moment later,


    Yu Huaxian looked up again, gazing steadily at Xiao Yi, "Are you truly confident in eradicating Xue Yilou?"


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "More than a year ago, I was but in the Physical Body Realm!"


    "Er..."


    Yu Huaxian was taken aback, "Over a year ago, you were just at the Physical Body Realm? So what? With that, you think you can challenge Xue Yilou... wait, what did you say? A year ago you were just at the Physical Body Realm? A year ago?"


    Yu Huaxian looked at Xiao Yi with a dumbfounded face.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Yu Huaxian, incredulous, looked towards Jiang Tai and others.


    Jiang Tai shrugged, "I felt the same when I first found out. But, it''s all true!"


    The four brothers of the Shi Family, "It''s true..."


    "Damn..."


    Yu Huaxian suddenly cursed, a struggle apparent on his face, and after a moment he fiercely clenched his teeth, "Xiao Yi, I am willing to submit to you, but I have one condition..."


    Xiao Yi asked, "What condition?"


    Yu Huaxian took a deep breath, articulating each word, "If one day, you have the capability, help me annihilate the royal family of the Great Jin Kingdom!"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    Jiang Tai frowned, "Annihilate the Great Jin Kingdom''s royal family?"


    Shi Yaodu looked confused, "Aren''t you the supervisor of the Eastern Factory for the Great Jin Kingdom? Logically, you should be a staunch loyalist to the Great Jin Kingdom''s royal family..."


    "No, in their eyes, I am nothing but a dog. I bite whoever they tell me to bite, and if they want me dead, I''m the dog that can''t refuse to die..." Yu Huaxian suddenly smiled, but his smile was especially ferocious.


    Xiao Yi squinted and said, "That reason isn''t enough to make me believe you!"


    Yu Huaxian hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and said, "I had a sister who died at the hands of the Great Jin Kingdom''s Third Prince."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Yu Huaxian seriously.


    In his eyes now, there was only hatred and coldness.


    After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Yi said, "I promise you, if one day I have sufficient power, I will help you flatten the Great Jin Kingdom''s royal family!"


    "My lord above, please accept Yu Huaxian''s bow!" Yu Huaxian knelt heavily, his voice indistinguishable between Yin and Yang, he called out.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    That voice was somewhat unbearable!


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "From now on, just call me Xiao!"


    "Yes, Xiao!"


    Yu Huaxian said respectfully.


    "Rise!"


    Xiao Yi helped him to his feet and said solemnly, "Yu Huaxian, how do you plan to deal with the thirty thousand Golden Crow Guards within Po Jun City?"


    Yu Huaxian replied, "Xiao, rest assured, the Golden Crow Guards were trained by me. I will have them all pledge allegiance!"


    "Good, go and get the Golden Crow Guards in order!" Xiao Yi said.


    Yu Huaxian nodded and replied, "I will do it now!"


    Watching Yu Huaxian''s departing figure, Jiang Tai''s face showed a contemplative expression, he whispered, "Xiao, can we really trust this man?"


    Xiao Yi said, "I don''t know!"


    "Uh..."


    Jiang Tai blinked, "He''s a Fourth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm power, is it really okay to keep him by your side?"


    Xiao Yi continued, "Intuition tells me he''s not lying. Besides... with me here, he can''t cause any trouble!"


    Jiang Tai was startled, then shook his head with a wry smile.


    A moment later.


    Yu Huaxian returned, his once immaculate white clothes now stained with fresh blood, and only twenty thousand of the thirty thousand Golden Crow Guards followed him to the presence of Xiao Yi and others. Yu Huaxian knelt on one knee and said solemnly, "Xiao, mission accomplished; these twenty thousand brothers of the Golden Crow Guards wish to follow me!"


    The remaining ten thousand, obviously unwilling to submit, had been dealt with.


    "Very well!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, looking at the Golden Crow Guards kneeling neatly behind him, he proclaimed loudly, "From now on, you are no longer the Golden Crow Guards of the Great Jin Kingdom, you are the Azure Dragon Guards of the Tianqing Kingdom. You, the Azure Dragon Guards, are you willing to fight with Xiao?"


    The twenty thousand soldiers of the Azure Dragon Guards looked up at Xiao Yi.


    In the previous battle.


    The formidable power Xiao Yi had displayed had completely subdued them, and with Yu Huaxian stepping forward, everyone proudly said, "We swear to follow the Guardian Martial God!"


    "We swear to follow!"


    Xiao Yi looked satisfied at the twenty thousand Azure Dragon Guards before him, the equivalent of a hundred thousand strong army.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and announced loudly, "Azure Dragon Guards, heed my command, follow me in the counterattack against the Qingyun Kingdom!"

 Chapter 169 You Do Not Deserve

    Within the borders of Qingyun Kingdom.A formidable army of three hundred thousand marched forth in a vast, iron-black current that continuously twined through the Qingyun Kingdom.


    Everywhere it passed, it was invincible in battle, and unstoppable in attack!


    It was an unstoppable force that no one could withstand! S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Within the marching formation...


    Shi Yaoqian, with a profound sense of emotion on his face, watched the Azure Dragon Guards leading the way and said, "Xiao, the combat power of these Azure Dragon Guards is too frightening, isn''t it? Seizing cities and taking fortresses, there''s nothing they can''t accomplish..."


    "Indeed! Along the way, it has almost always been them earning merits!"


    "We''re just spectating the show..."


    The four Shi brothers were chatting with each other. Shi Yaose admired Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao''s discernment is truly unique! If you hadn''t taken Yu Huaxian under your wing, we wouldn''t have gotten the Azure Dragon Guards, and our journey wouldn''t have been this smooth..."


    Xiao Yi glanced at them calmly and said indifferently, "What if I said that I spared him out of sheer curiosity about a question, would you believe me?"


    "Hmm? What question?"


    The four brothers were puzzled.


    Even Yu Huaxian, who was standing beside him and twiddling his orchid fingers, looked at Xiao Yi curiously, also somewhat unclear as to why Xiao Yi hadn''t just killed him. From Yu Huaxian''s interactions with Xiao Yi over the past few days, he knew that Xiao Yi was decisively ruthless towards his enemies, just as he was with Li Moqiu, whom Xiao Yi had slain without hesitation.


    Yet, he had spared Yu Huaxian instead.


    Xiao Yi coughed lightly and looked at Yu Huaxian: "Huaxian, what made you do it... out of desperation?"


    The four Shi brothers'' eyes lit up, turning their gaze simultaneously to Yu Huaxian.


    Yu Huaxian''s face twitched violently, never having expected that Xiao Yi''s curiosity stemmed from this.


    Xiao Yi said, "If it''s really inconvenient, then just pretend I never asked."


    Yu Huaxian, twirling a lock of hair by his temple, hesitated but eventually said, "It''s not that it''s inconvenient, but you mustn''t laugh at me after hearing it..."


    Xiao Yi: "I promise not to laugh!"


    The Shi brothers: "Whoever laughs is a dog!"


    "Alright then!"


    Yu Huaxian took a deep breath, and with a defeated look on his face, he said, "To make ends meet, I joined the army at eighteen and became a soldier. But due to my average cultivation, I never received any recognition. Everything changed when I stumbled upon a scroll. Initially, I didn''t practice the art within, but after the Third Prince caused the death of my sister, I vowed to master it."


    "The opening of the scroll read, ''to train in this art, one must first be castrated!''"


    Hiss!


    Everyone drew in a cold breath of air.


    Their gaze towards Yu Huaxian softened, filled with sympathy: "For your sister''s sake, you went through a great deal!"


    "It wasn''t easy indeed!"


    "Don''t be sad, as long as you follow Xiao, you''ll have your day of revenge!"


    The four comforted him.


    However...


    Yu Huaxian then leisurely said, "Before, I had never turned to the last page of the scroll. It wasn''t until I broke through to the Tao Tribulation Realm that I finally read it, and it said, ''No castration necessary, success is still achievable...''"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    The Shi brothers: "..."


    Pfft!


    All five of them couldn''t contain their laughter and burst out laughing uncontrollably.


    Yu Huaxian looked at them with a resentful gaze...


    "My apologies, it wasn''t intentional, I just can''t hold it back... pfft..."


    "Such, such misery..."


    "Hahaha..."


    They all laughed so hard they were bent double.


    As the group was talking, a colossal city loomed on the horizon, twice the size of the capital of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    This was the capital of Qingyun Kingdom.


    "Ahead is the capital of Qingyun Kingdom. Now that Qingyun Kingdom has no Tao Tribulation Realm experts, with only about two hundred thousand troops to defend the city, they are no match for us," said Shi Yaoqian, his eyes gleaming as he stared at the enormous city ahead. This was a campaign that would wipe out a nation, and they were about to become heroes of such a war.


    In the hearts of the people of Tianqing Kingdom, Qingyun Kingdom was a traitor.


    For millennia.


    Generations of the Tianqing Kingdom always harbored the desire to reclaim Qingyun Kingdom.


    Today...


    They were finally about to fulfill that desire!


    "Lord Xiao, I request to lead the charge!" Yu Huaxian declared solemnly.


    He had already been thoroughly convinced by Xiao Yi, and Xiao Yi had given him hope of becoming a man once again.


    Now, his loyalty to Xiao Yi was unshakable.


    Xiao Yi said, "Granted!"


    Yu Huaxian''s face beamed with ecstasy, and with a squeeze of his legs, his warhorse charged out, "Azure Dragon Guards, follow me to break through the city!"


    Shi Yaodu, stroking his chin, pondered, "The capital''s defenders still number two hundred thousand, and although the Azure Dragon Guards are powerful, it is impossible for them to take the city quickly. I bet that it will take Yu Huaxian at least three days to breach the city!"


    "Makes sense!"


    The crowd nodded in agreement.


    The capital was built with imposing grandeur, easy to defend and difficult to attack, defended by a large army of two hundred thousand.


    Indeed, taking such a city was no simple feat.


    However...


    When they arrived at the capital, they were stunned by the scene before them.


    They saw Yu Huaxian''s Azure Dragon Guards halted several miles outside the city while the gates were wide open. King of Qingyun Kingdom, Jiang Tianxiao, with his ministers in tow, approached in a horse-drawn carriage. With a fawning smile and a slight bow, Jiang Tianxiao rubbed his hands together and said, "Which one among you is Lord Xiao, the Guardian Martial God of Tianqing Kingdom? I am Jiang Tianxiao, and here I am, leading my ministers to request surrender..."


    Yu Huaxian: "..."


    The Shi brothers: "..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Surrender?


    With two hundred thousand troops in hand, presiding over such a mighty city, yet you request surrender without a fight?


    Xiao Yi, mounted on a Tianqing wild bull, stepped out from the formation, his icy gaze upon Jiang Tianxiao: "You don''t deserve the Jiang surname!"

 Chapter 170 Devouring the Dragon Vein, Suppressing the Medicine Saint?

    "You''re not worthy of the Jiang surname!"Xiao Yi looked indifferently at the obsequious monarch of the Qingyun Kingdom standing before him.


    Compared to the Tianqing Kingdom''s Jiang Tianchen and his son Jiang Tai, who fought to their death for their state and stood guard at the kingdom''s gates with decisiveness and valor, this Jiang Tianxiao was nothing but trash.


    When the pillar of the Qingyun Kingdom, Jiang Weisheng, fell in battle.


    When the Azure Dragon Guards approached the city walls.


    Jiang Weisheng did not choose to continue resisting; instead, he chose to open the city gates and surrender.


    This was an absolute disgrace!


    It was an insult to the Jiang lineage!


    Jiang Tianxiao''s face showed no hint of shame, still with a flattering demeanor, he meekly said, "Lord Xiao is right, I am not worthy of the Jiang surname!"


    The courtiers of the Qingyun Kingdom were no different.


    Fawning and bootlicking, they took sycophancy to extremes.


    Huh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long sigh of relief and said in a deep voice, "Take them away and escort them back to the capital to be dealt with by the Crown Prince!"


    With his status, and Jiang Tai''s trust in him.


    Even if he were to execute these people on the spot, no one would dare to utter a word of objection.


    But Xiao Yi felt a sense of belonging to the Tianqing Kingdom and considered it his own homeland, so naturally, he would not commit such an overstep. Taking Jiang Tianxiao and the others back to be dealt with by Jiang Tai was the most appropriate choice.


    He might be draped in dragon robes, but Jiang Tianxiao showed not the slightest hint of kingly aura.


    "How did such a man come to sit on the throne of a king?" Xiao Yi wondered.


    Seeing his expression, Yu Huaxian guessed his thoughts and said softly, "Lord Xiao, this Jiang Tianxiao was merely an idle king who never had a chance at the throne. All of this is the result of the secret manipulations of the Supporting Mountain King, Jiang Shihai of the Qingyun Kingdom. He''s nothing but a puppet monarch raised to power."


    Xiao Yi was startled, then suddenly realized, "So that''s how it is..."


    A monarch promoted by Jiang Shihai would naturally be someone he could use and control.


    Naturally, he would not elevate a wise ruler.


    With a character like Jiang Tianxiao''s, he was indeed very well-suited to be a puppet monarch.


    "Yu Huaxian, take the Azure Dragon Guards and assume control of the two hundred thousand Qingyun Kingdom''s defending forces right away. Have them set up camp outside the city. At the same time, Shi Yaoquan, you and your four brothers lead the troops to take over the capital city''s defenses��make no mistakes!" Xiao Yi immediately began issuing commands, and everyone set off to carry out their orders.


    Xiao Yi then led his men towards the royal palace.


    Now that both the Qingyun Kingdom and the Tianlan Kingdom had been conquered by him, and he had even incorporated Yu Huaxian and his Golden Crow Guards,


    the situation seemed very favorable for the Tianqing Kingdom.


    In reality...


    The Tianqing Kingdom was still in grave danger.


    Not to mention the distant threats,


    even the Sihai Kingdom and the Baijing Kingdom had not yet been dealt with. Moreover, with the death of Li Moqiu and Yu Huaxian bringing his Golden Crow Guards over, news would surely reach the Great Jin Kingdom, a power far greater even than Nanhuang. With Xiao Yi''s current strength, although he could contend with a Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm-level power, the Great Jin Kingdom even had Dharma Manifestation Realm experts!


    Within the palace,


    with Little Lin''s help, he quickly located the dragon vein.


    This Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool was even more enormous than that of the Tianlan Kingdom, its reserves at least twice as abundant.


    Little Lin, coiled around the stalactites, showed a human-like excitement, "Boss, this Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool is huge!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "The Qingyun Kingdom, in just a thousand years, surpassed the Tianqing Kingdom in national strength, which must be closely related to this dragon vein bolstering the nation''s fortunes!"


    National fortunes may seem illusory, but they do indeed exist.


    Just like a person''s luck!


    Walking on the same path, some people may stumble and suffer injuries, while others might find money.


    What Xiao Yi didn''t know at this moment was that the prince who had failed in the Qingyun Kingdom''s succession struggle had decided to proclaim himself king precisely because he had discovered this dragon vein.


    "Little Lin, we each take a side and see who can absorb more of nature''s elemental energy!" Xiao Yi ruffled Little Lin''s head, laughing as he spoke.


    Little Lin flicked his tongue out, looking unimpressed: "Is this really something humans do?"


    He was very aware of how terrifyingly fast Xiao Yi could absorb the earth''s elemental energy; even he, a mutated mystical beast, was far from comparable!


    While saying so,


    Little Lin twisted his body and settled into a corner, soaking in it as if he were taking a bath.


    He absorbed the elemental energy in a leisurely, unhurried manner.


    Xiao Yi smiled indulgently and leaped into the center of the Spirit Pool.


    Boom!


    The entire Spirit Pool instantly transformed into a vortex, with countless strands of nature''s elemental energy frantically converging towards Xiao Yi, pouring into his body.


    On his body, a twenty-ring enhanced Golden Core bobbed up and down. As the elemental energy surged crazily into him, the rings of light on the Golden Core also increased steadily.


    An incredibly terrifying pressure emanated from the Golden Core.


    Little Lin, watching the surrounding elemental energy diminish, sighed: "I knew it would be like this..."


    Time flew by.


    Xiao Yi''s retreat this time lasted a full three days and three nights.


    As the elemental energy in the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool was completely absorbed by him, the hidden dragon vein was also pulled out by Xiao Yi. At that moment, above Xiao Yi''s head, the floating Golden Core was surrounded by thirty rings of light. Xiao Yi crushed the dragon vein in his hand, and with a bang, it transformed into a sky filled with dazzling light, merging into his body.


    Xiao Yi trembled all over, a streak of golden light flashed across his eyes, tearing through the void as if it were tangible.


    Hum!


    The Golden Core shook violently.


    The rings of light rapidly coalesced.


    Thirty-one.


    Thirty-two.


    Thirty-three...


    In the blink of an eye, he reached thirty-five rings of light; only then was the energy of the dragon vein entirely depleted. At this moment, Xiao Yi''s cultivation was enough to rival a practitioner of the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Combined with the legacy of the Azure Sword Saint and the God Sealing power that surpassed other practitioners of the same realm,


    Even facing a practitioner of the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he could fight!


    "I will elevate the God Sealing Seed with all the elemental energy..." Xiao Yi channeled all the elemental energy into his body at once.


    Pop, pop, pop!


    The sounds of the God Sealing Seed breaking apart could be heard.


    The God Sealing Seeds inside Xiao Yi''s body exploded in number like mad.


    They increased to a total of three hundred fifty thousand!


    Three hundred fifty thousand God Sealing Seeds fed back an endless supply of God Sealing power; Xiao Yi''s figure directly entered the Eternal Heavenly Tomb, heading straight for the second layer. In front of him appeared that tomb which had enticed Xiao Yi since his first entry into the Eternal Heavenly Tomb - the tomb of Medicine Saint Feng Lei!


    This was the person hailed as the progenitor of the Qingtian Realm''s medicine world!


    A legend in the world of medicine!


    "Medicine Saint Feng Lei..."


    A fiery light filled Xiao Yi''s eyes, and black light swirled around him. Three hundred fifty thousand God Sealing Seeds erupted with a surge of thick and vast God Sealing power,


    Forming a huge black palm that smashed down towards the tomb of Medicine Saint Feng Lei.


    This palm made of God Sealing power was lifelike,


    To the extent that even the lines on the palm could be seen. As it appeared, the Medicine Saint Feng Lei''s tomb also burst out with a terrifying glow. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The two collided in the void like the meeting of the tip of the needle and the head of wheat.


    Being the progenitor of the Qingtian Realm''s medicine world, his methods were unpredictable and mysterious; even Xiao Yi wasn''t completely confident about successfully suppressing it...

 Chapter 171 Peerlessly Elegant, Medicine Saint Venerable!

    Medicine Saint Feng Lei Venerable.He was not only the founder of the Qingtian Realm''s pharmaceutical world, but today''s most mainstream alchemy techniques and numerous concoction methods were also of his creation.


    At the same time...


    He was also a martial arts genius comparable to the likes of Qingyun Sword Saint and Martial God Zhao Wuji.


    His Wind Thunder Battle Body, in particular, was the only physique among the top ten Sacred Bodies that could be cultivated through acquired practice.


    It ranked ninth among the ten Sacred Bodies.


    If Xiao Yi could obtain the heritage of the Wind Thunder Venerable, not only would his strength increase to a new level, but he might even acquire the training method for the Wind Thunder Battle Body, thus gaining the chance to possess a Sacred Body.


    More importantly...


    The alchemy techniques of the Wind Thunder Venerable and the endless concoction methods would bring immense benefits to Xiao Yi, as well as to the Qing Tian Kingdom.


    Of course.


    All these premises required that he be able to suppress the Wind Thunder Venerable!


    Boom!


    A black palm suddenly descended, yet the tomb of the Wind Thunder Venerable also erupted with a terrifying glow.


    This radiance was a confluence of purple-gold and cyan.


    The cyan wind and the purple-gold lightning intertwined into a storm of wind and rain, with the spectacle of lightning and thunder.


    Boom!


    The two energies dissipated at the same time.


    However, the terrible shockwave blasted open the tomb of the Wind Thunder Venerable, sending a pillar of light soaring into the sky, in which a bronze sarcophagus slowly rose.


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly contracted.


    This was the first time he had seen a burial with a sarcophagus in the Ancient Heavenly Tomb.


    Even the powerful Qingyun Sword Saint didn''t have a sarcophagus!


    Crash!


    The bronze sarcophagus suddenly trembled, the lid flipped open a crack, and a pale hand thrust out from the dark sarcophagus to fling aside the lid.


    Boom!


    The lid fiercely smashed towards Xiao Yi.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi threw a punch, as though a Wrathful Vajra had come to life, his body shimmering with golden light, and his heavy punch landed on the lid of the sarcophagus.


    Thud!


    The lid trembled violently.


    Cracks spread across the lid, eventually disintegrating into countless fragments that fell from the sky.


    In front of Xiao Yi, numerous bronze fragments fell, and inside the sarcophagus, a breeze blew as lightning condensed into a glowing ball. Atop that lightning, a figure slowly emerged from the sarcophagus, wearing a cyan robe with purple-gold hair and beard, his eyes shining like precious gems.


    Standing with his hands behind his back, he looked as if he was the sole master of this world!


    Graceful and unparalleled, Medicine Saint Venerable!


    The gem-like eyes of the Wind Thunder Venerable landed on Xiao Yi, "Little fellow, what place is this?"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned.


    Since he had obtained the Ancient Heavenly Tomb, this was the first one to speak. Xiao Yi bowed to the Wind Thunder Venerable and said, "This junior is Xiao Yi, we are in the Ancient Heavenly Tomb!"


    "Ancient Heavenly Tomb? A graveyard?"


    The Wind Thunder Venerable was taken aback, looking around in all directions, a hint of astonishment and shock appeared on that usually unflappable face, "Zhao Wuji? The Twin Star Elder... What, what''s going on? How are they all dead? How could they be dead? Impossible, this is impossible..."


    Wind Thunder Venerable''s face was full of bewilderment.


    Many of the beings here belonged to the same era as he did, with astonishing talent, suppressing their generation.


    Among them, Martial God Zhao Wuji, even stood at the very pinnacle of that brilliant, peerless era where prodigies were as numerous as the ocean.


    How could they possibly be dead?


    And all buried here?


    Wait a moment...


    Wind Thunder Venerable looked incredulously at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, my young friend, are you saying that this place is a tomb? Was even I buried here?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Wind Thunder Venerable clasped his hands on his head, his fingernails digging into his scalp as if to pierce through: "How could this be? What exactly happened? Why can''t I remember anything at all? Why? What on earth happened?"


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    Ula la...


    A burst of purple-gold thunder erupted from Wind Thunder Venerable''s body. The thunder lit up the sky, its rumbling deafening. A fierce wind blew, it seemed as though heaven and earth were on the verge of collapse. Inside the Eternal Celestial Tomb, the ground shook violently as chains emerged from beneath the earth, sealing the ancient tombs within.


    Not even the wind and thunder could get close to them.


    The apocalyptic storm of wind and thunder continued for several breaths before it dispersed, and Wind Thunder Venerable regained his composure. He gazed at Xiao Yi, "Who exactly are you? And why are you here?"


    Xiao Yi hesitated, then said, "Senior, I am the master of the Eternal Celestial Tomb, as well as the current Heaven-defending Divine General. I preside over the Eternal Celestial Tomb, and as long as I can subdue the buried powerhouses within these firmaments, I can obtain their true inheritance..."


    He had seen records of Wind Thunder Venerable in history books.


    This was a being worthy of trust.


    It was said...


    Wind Thunder Venerable initially focused solely on martial arts, but upon witnessing the suffering of the common people plagued by illness, he embarked on a journey across the world, tasted all herbs, and eventually forged a path in alchemy, benefitting countless lives.


    Such a being who for the sake of the common folk tasted all herbs and created the path of alchemy.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t bear to deceive him.


    "To subdue powerhouses and obtain their true inheritance?"


    Wind Thunder Venerable was taken aback, speechless. After many breaths, Wind Thunder Venerable firmly said, "Young friend, why do you practice martial arts?"


    "Me?"


    Xiao Yi frowned, recalling his life''s experiences, "At first, I only wanted to prove myself, to have my parents acknowledge my existence. Later, I practiced martial arts to seek revenge, to make those who wronged me pay the price... But now... I want to become stronger in order to better protect those I love and those who love me..."


    A flash of insight crossed Wind Thunder Venerable''s eyes, as deep as a sea of thunder, and he nodded in satisfaction, "Good, very good! My young friend, I can feel the power of this Eternal Celestial Tomb. You being able to wield such a divine artifact means your future is boundless. I would like to ask a favor of you..."


    "Senior, please speak!" Xiao Yi said earnestly.


    Wind Thunder Venerable said, "I once crafted a Medicine Canon, but it was incomplete when I left the Qingtian Realm. After I finished it, I was unable to return to the Qingtian Realm. I hope that after you inherit my legacy, you could go to the heavenly realm, find Shennong Valley, and pass my Medicine Canon on to my descendants. Would you be able to do this?"


    "Senior, I will do my utmost to fulfill your request!" Xiao Yi said solemnly.


    "Good!"


    Wind Thunder Venerable smiled and nodded, then his figure suddenly shifted, transforming into a gleam of light that flew into Xiao Yi''s brow.


    In an instant.


    Xiao Yi''s body jolted.


    The God Sealing Seed within him erupted, covering his body in a black light, and eventually, Wind Thunder Venerable transformed into a statue inside the God Sealing Seed.


    An immense amount of information and inheritance deeply imprinted into Xiao Yi''s soul.


    The Wind Thunder Battle Body Skill, Shennong Medicine Canon, and so on...


    This inheritance brought significant benefits to Xiao Yi, as just the numerous alchemical methods and formulas recorded in the Shennong Medicine Canon were enough to make him the theoretically strongest Alchemist in the world, bar none!


    As Xiao Yi was assimilating the inheritances, Wind Thunder Venerable''s voice sounded in his mind, "My young friend... be extremely wary of Zhao Wuji..."

 Chapter 172 As You Wish!

    "Be extremely cautious of Zhao Wuji..."The voice of the Wind Thunder Venerable boomed like a tide, crazily echoing in his mind.


    Xiao Yi''s head buzzed with the sound.


    His complexion also turned deathly pale due to this revelation, perplexed by the severity, he asked, "Senior, you say to be cautious of Zhao Wuji? What do you mean? Senior..."


    However...


    Transformed into a statue, thoroughly suppressed by the God Sealing Seed, the Wind Thunder Venerable gave no further response.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows were tightly knitted: "What exactly does it mean? Tell me to be cautious of Zhao Wuji?"


    Martial God Zhao Wuji.


    The most legendary figure in the history of the Qingtian Realm.


    He possessed the Chaos Tyrant Body, ranked first among the Qingtian Realm''s top ten Sacred Bodies.


    In the entire history of the Qingtian Realm, aside from Zhao Wuji, no one else had ever been born with the Chaos Tyrant Body, which firmly occupied the first position among the top ten Sacred Bodies.


    Even Xiao Tianjiao''s Supreme Overlord Holy Body was only ranked third on the list of the top ten Sacred Bodies.


    It was imaginable.


    Just how terrifying Zhao Wuji must be!


    With his own strength, he overwhelmed peerless geniuses like the twin hermits, Qingyun Sword Saint, and the Wind Thunder Venerable.


    He left behind countless legends.


    The Wind Thunder Venerable actually warned him to be wary of Zhao Wuji?


    "Senior Wind Thunder Venerable must have a reason for his warning... It seems that to suppress Zhao Wuji, I need to plan for the long term!" Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, his fingers lightly stroking his chin as he murmured to himself.


    He had originally planned to suppress the legendary figure Zhao Wuji as soon as the God Sealing Seed could approach Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb.


    Perhaps he could obtain his peerless Cultivation Technique, as well as the top-ranked Chaos Sacred Body.


    But now...


    The last warning from the Wind Thunder Venerable made Xiao Yi instinctively vigilant, casting a deep glance at Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb, deciding he would not make a move on it for at least the short term!


    Fortunately, the inheritance from the Wind Thunder Venerable also brought Xiao Yi tremendous benefits. Not to mention the unparalleled Alchemy and infinite elixir recipes of the Wind Thunder Venerable, just the cultivation method of the Wind Thunder Holy Body alone was priceless. It was the only one among the top ten Sacred Bodies that could be cultivated later on as a special constitution.


    Although it''s not as good as the Supreme Overlord Holy Body, it was at least far superior to ordinary prodigies.


    "The Wind Thunder Holy Body uses the body as a crucible to absorb the power of the Heaven and Earth Gangfeng and thunder to strengthen oneself..."


    Xiao Yi''s mind conjured the cultivation method of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, causing him to sigh inwardly, "No wonder since the Wind Thunder Venerable, no one has heard of anyone who has cultivated such a Sacred Body. Common Heaven and Earth Gangfeng and various thunders are minor, but every time one undergoes Wind Thunder Body Refinement, it causes huge damage to the body. It must be accompanied by the corresponding elixir recipes and cultivated with the respective elixirs..."


    The cultivation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body fundamentally strengthens the body with the power of Wind Thunder, while also gaining the power of Wind Thunder.


    There are dozens of types of Heaven and Earth Gangfeng, the most common of them being the Five Elements Gangfeng, the Annihilation Gang Wind, the Cleansing World Gangfeng, and so on.


    The number of thunders is considerably greater.


    The most basic thunder of the thunder domain, then the Five Elements Jielei, Five Elements Divine Thunder, Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, and so forth...


    Finding these Gang Winds and thunders was not difficult.


    But whether it''s the Heaven and Earth Gangfeng or the various thunders, their destructive power is extremely terrifying!


    Every time one forcibly undergoes Wind Thunder Body Refinement, there is certain damage to the body, some of which is irreversible. The Wind Thunder Venerable, based on the uniqueness of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, formulated nine elixir recipes corresponding to the nine realms of the Wind Thunder Holy Body. After each Wind Thunder Body Refinement, consuming the specific elixir could eliminate the damage.


    Take the essence, discard the dross!


    "The Wind Thunder Holy Body has nine turns. The first turn only requires ordinary Gangfeng and the thunder from a stormy day, but I need to prepare the materials to concoct the First-turn Fenglei Elixir. These materials should be found in the Qingyun Kingdom!" Xiao Yi took a deep breath, glanced at Little Lin who was laying beside him, fallen into a deep sleep after devouring a great amount of heavenly and earthly energy, and was slowly digesting it.


    Taking Little Lin into his arms, Xiao Yi left the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool.


    ...


    "Xiao, I''ve finally found you..." Xiao Yi had just appeared when he heard Shi Yaoqian''s voice.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "Shi Yaoqian? What do you want with me?"


    "Xiao, where have you been? You''ve been gone for three or four days..."


    Shi Yaoqian looked depressed, then slapped his forehead and said, "Right, Xiao, you need to come with me quickly, there''s trouble!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "What kind of trouble?"


    After entering the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool, he had gotten lost in his cultivation and lost track of time, and he hadn''t expected it had been three or four days already.


    Shi Yaoqian explained urgently, "Yu Huaxian was taking inventory of the treasures in the palace when he encountered a strange old man in the imperial physician''s room. They''re arguing fiercely now, and it''s about to come to blows..."


    "Strange old man? Haven''t all the people from Qingyun Kingdom surrendered? Where did this strange old man come from?"


    Xiao Yi was utterly perplexed.


    Then, he followed Shi Yaoqian to the imperial physician''s room.


    This was the place where medicine was stored in the old palace.


    From Shi Yaoqian''s story, Xiao Yi learned that this strange old man had appeared suddenly today and that his strength was unfathomably strange, even Yu Huaxian couldn''t match him, and he was profoundly wary of him.


    When Xiao Yi and Shi Yaoqian reached the exterior of the imperial physician''s room, Shi Yaoqian was about to push the door open but Xiao Yi grabbed his collar and pulled him back. Almost at that moment, a thud was heard, and a shadow flew out backward. With a bang, the door was broken, and with another thud, the figure hit the ground. Looking closely, wasn''t this Yu Huaxian?


    At this moment, Yu Huaxian''s delicate white skin had turned purple-black, she was foaming at the mouth and convulsing on the ground.


    Shi Yaoqian''s face changed, "Yu Huaxian? What happened?"


    Just as he was about to step forward, Xiao Yi grabbed him, "If you don''t want to die, don''t go over there. She''s been poisoned by Manggu Zhuha!"


    Manggu Zhuha?


    Shi Yaoqian was completely baffled.


    He had never heard of such a thing.


    At that moment...


    A harsh, old voice came from inside the room, "Eh? Young man, you''re not old, but you''re quite informed. Can you tell at a glance that she has been poisoned by Manggu Zhuha?"


    Tap, tap, tap!


    A bright red walking stick was the first to poke out from the threshold, followed by a hunchbacked and aged figure tremblingly stepping out.


    He looked as feeble as a candle flickering in the wind, ready to fall at any moment.


    But this person''s cultivation was definitely not weak!


    On the old man''s wrinkled face, which resembled the bark of an old tree, the deep lines seemed capable of trapping flies. He said proudly, "Since you know it''s the poison of Manggu Zhuha, then you should know that unless I personally take action, there''s no cure under the heavens. Young man, where is the Dragon Vein of Qingyun Kingdom? Offer it to me, and not only will I spare your lives, but I will also save her!"


    Xiao Yi looked up at him, "It''s just the poison of Manggu Zhuha, I can solve it with a flick of my finger, why would I need to trade the Dragon Vein for it?"


    "You know nothing!"


    The hunchbacked old man sneered, "The Manggu Zhuha is a rare venomous creature. It only grows on the towering Manggu Mountain Range, its body golden with purple poison stripes. It exhales a breath of poison mist that envelops a thousand-zhang tall mountain for half a month, within which all creatures die. The only antidote is the venom sac fluid from its back. There''s no second way to cure it, not even for me!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Ignorant and uninformed indeed!" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmm? Are you saying I''m ignorant and uninformed?"


    The hunchbacked old man''s face darkened, his wrinkled face trembling slightly with fierceness, "I was playing with poison when you didn''t even know where you were! And you dare to say that I''m ignorant?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "The poison of the Manggu Zhuha, I have at least ten ways to cure it!"


    "Ten methods? Forget ten, if you can cure this poison of Manggu Zhuha, I will immediately kneel down to you and acknowledge you as my master! But..."


    The hunchbacked old man sinisterly said, "If you lose, you must offer the Dragon Vein to me with both hands and become my poison slave. Do you dare to bet?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "As you wish!"

 Chapter 173 The Undying Ghost Doctor

    "As you wish!"Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and then walked into the physician''s room.


    The poison from Manggu Zhuha was exceedingly terrifying; once it entered the human body, it would completely merge with the blood.


    Even the hunchbacked old man who had been raising the Manggu Zhuha all his life had not found a second method to detoxify it, and he simply did not believe that Xiao Yi, a youth under twenty years old, could have a way to solve the poison of the Manggu Zhuha.


    However...


    The hunchbacked elder did not know that Xiao Yi had received the inheritance of the ancestor of Qingtian Realm''s alchemy, the Wind Thunder Holy Body, mastering all of the alchemy techniques and experience of Wind Thunder.


    Wind Thunder had traveled all over the world, tasting every herb.


    He also conducted thorough research on Manggu Zhuha.


    "Poria, Golden Lotus, Hundred-Year Frost Ginseng..."


    Xiao Yi found more than twenty types of herbs and returned to the outside of the physician''s room.


    The area was already surrounded by the Azure Dragon guards and the four brothers from the Shi Family, who encircled the hunchbacked elder with a watchful demeanor.


    The hunchbacked elder leaned on his cane, full of self-confidence, calm and collected, gently stroking his beard, smiling at the sight of Xiao Yi reappearing before him, "Young man, if you''re not confident, don''t force yourself. If this guy''s poison is not resolved, it will seep into the marrow, and by then even I won''t be able to turn things around!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said indifferently, "Watch carefully, this is the first method!"


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi reached out into the air, and his surging Yuan Qi roared forth.


    Under Yu Huaxian''s body, a layer of Yuan Qi cushion formed, gently straightening Yu Huaxian''s body.


    The intense poison of Manggu Zhuha on his body meant that even if an outsider touched his skin with their palm, they would be infected by the toxin. Xiao Yi had not yet cultivated the Wind Thunder Holy Body and was also not immune to these toxins.


    With the support of Yuan Qi.


    Yu Huaxian stood upright, his skin dark and purplish, his aura becoming increasingly faint.


    Xiao Yi took out the Golden Lotus, Poria, and several other herbs, grinding them into stems and leaves in the palm of his hand, then pointed his sword finger forward.


    Pfft!


    A silver Sword Qi streaked past.


    It effortlessly cut open Yu Huaxian''s wrist, and Xiao Yi pressed the liquid from the herbs into the wound. Yu Huaxian''s body trembled violently. The wound on his wrist, anointed with the green herbal juice, began to emit plumes of black smoke and as the smoke rose continuously, the dark color on Yu Huaxian''s body rapidly faded away.


    "This, this is impossible..."


    The hunchbacked elder stood up straight, disbelieving the scene before him.


    He was well aware of the tyrannical nature of the Manggu Zhuha''s poison.


    How could it be resolved so easily?


    But the reality before his eyes left him no choice but to believe.


    After ten breaths.


    Yu Huaxian''s complexion had returned to normal, and his breath had stabilized, his eyes weakly opened, and he saw Xiao Yi standing before him.


    Although he had been poisoned into unconsciousness earlier, he was still clear-headed.


    He was well aware that it was Xiao Yi who had saved him!


    Yu Huaxian cracked a smile, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you so much, Xiao... "


    "It''s all right now!"


    Xiao Yi looked at the hunchbacked elder and said indifferently, "You lose!"


    "No, I haven''t lost..."


    The hunchbacked elder grasped his cane with both hands, clenching his teeth, his eyes shining brightly, "You said there were many methods to offset the poison, right? This is just one of them..."


    Xiao Yi said, "Still not convinced? Then let your Manggu Zhuha bite him again!"


    Yu Huaxian shuddered, "..."


    To be bitten again?


    Having been poisoned by the Manggu Zhuha, his blood felt as if it was being scorched by blazing flames, an unbearably painful experience!


    He certainly did not want to endure that torment a second time.


    But the hunchbacked elder was quicker than him. From his sleeve, a yellow figure sprang out and bit Yu Huaxian''s arm. Yu Huaxian cried out, his figure stiffening, and from the bite, a ring of blackness spread across his entire body, turning him once more into a charred, dark-purple figure.


    Xiao Yi, from a distance, lifted Yu Huaxian, made a small cut on his heel, and applied a second entirely different medicinal mixture.


    Hissss!


    Black blood gushed out like a fountain.


    Yu Huaxian regained consciousness once again, teetering on the brink.


    Xiao Yi looked at the hunchbacked old man, "The second method!"


    "This, this..."


    The hunched elder sized up Yu Huaxian, pried open his lips to check his teeth, lifted his clothes to peek underneath, and pulled at his pants... until Yu Huaxian desperately shielded himself, looking toward Xiao Yi with tears in his eyes and pleading, "Save, save me... Xiao save me..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Are you convinced, or not?"


    The hunchbacked elder''s face turned shades of green and white, clenching his teeth, and angrily said, "If you can produce a third method, I''ll admit you''re better!"


    "No, don''t..."


    Yu Huaxian stumbled and fell to the ground, crawling and rolling toward the side.


    But the Manggu Zhuha was even faster!


    Croak!


    It bit him right on his buttock.


    "Ow..."


    Yu Huaxian lay on the ground, his buttock swelled up high, and he extended his right hand toward Shi Yaodu in front of him, begging, "Save, save me..."


    Shi Yaodu instinctively wanted to reach out and help.


    Croak!


    The Manggu Zhuha directly jumped onto Yu Huaxian''s head, eyeing him with a predatory gaze.


    Shi Yaodu quickly withdrew his hand, unable to help, and said sympathetically, "Brother, hang in there, huh!"


    Yu Huaxian''s eyes rolled back: "..."


    Fortunately, Xiao Yi didn''t let him down. Moments later, the poison in Yu Huaxian''s body was completely cured.


    Xiao Yi used yet another entirely different method and looked at the hunchbacked elder, "A bet''s a bet, you agree?" S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I..."


    Just as the hunchbacked elder opened his mouth to speak.


    Yu Huaxian had already flipped over, clung tightly to his thigh, and burst into sobs, "Senior, Big Boss, Ancestor, oh... Can you maybe try it on someone else? I, I really can''t take it anymore..."


    His indistinct voice laced with resentment and grievance was genuinely creepy!


    The hunchbacked elder shuddered, looking at Yu Huaxian''s pitiful appearance. His face, wrinkled like old tree bark, twitched slightly, and, with a wry smile, he looked at Xiao Yi, "I concede, I concede! I, Xue Bufan, have wandered the worlds for many years and seen countless geniuses, but someone like you, I have never encountered before. Losing to you feels no injustice!"


    "Xue Bufan?"


    "You are the Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan?"


    "My heavens, it''s actually you?"


    Shock and surprise were etched on the faces of all the spectators around.


    The Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan!


    Legend has it...


    He is from the Great Qian Dynasty''s number one alchemical family, the Xue Family, yet because he peeked at the Xue Family''s secret manual meant only for the head of the family, he was expelled from the Xue Family.


    Since then, he wandered Jianghu, traveling between various nations.


    His medical and alchemy skills were both notoriously famous, to the extent that even the King of the Great Jin Kingdom once offered a tremendous price to invite him to become the Chief Imperial Physician of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    No one expected that this disheveled, hunchbacked old man in front of them was actually the renowned Undying Ghost Doctor!


    "This old servant Xue Bufan, greets master!"


    Xue Bufan bent his knee, about to kneel down to Xiao Yi. Experience more on empire


    But Xiao Yi prevented him from doing so, lifting him upright and said with a smile, "I, the junior, had no idea that the senior was Xue Bufan. I cannot accept such a grand gesture."


    Although Xue Bufan''s methods were a bit bizarre, earning him the title of ''Ghost Doctor, he had never been reputed to harm anyone. Poisoning Yu Huaxian earlier was only because Yu Huaxian made the first move and there was no real intent to kill him.


    Xue Bufan shook his head and said, "Master Xiao, I, Xue Bufan, am a man of my word. There was a bet, and I willingly accept the loss. From now on, I shall be an old servant before you, and I ask for Master Xiao''s instructions and care!"


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows slightly.


    Not only did this Xue Bufan possess profound medical and alchemical skills, but he was also a master of the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Having such a master to watch over the Tianqing Kingdom could only be beneficial.


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "In that case, I shall ask for Elder Xue''s advice and guidance in the future!"

 Chapter 174 The Initial Formation of the Sacred Body

    Within the palace of the Qingyun Kingdom.Xiao Yi sat facing the Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan; the two were sitting opposite each other, discussing the path of alchemy.


    Alchemist.


    In the entire Qingtian Realm, it was a most prestigious occupation, its status even higher than that of ordinary martial artists. However, becoming an alchemist was no easy task. Firstly, the most basic requirement was that one''s cultivation had to reach at least the Shentong Realm, and one needed to possess Divine Skills with a Fire Attribute.


    Only in this way could one control the alchemic fire and refine the medicinal pills.


    Additionally, every single pill recipe was incredibly precious.


    Even the most basic pill recipe was worth at least a hundred thousand silver.


    One would also need a pill furnace, as well as countless herbs for practice.


    Therefore.


    Within the ten nations of Nanhuang, there wasn''t even a single true alchemist.


    "The way of alchemy and martial arts actually complement each other. The stronger one''s martial arts, the more exquisite control over strength one has, the better the effect of the pills one refines. An alchemist from the Golden Core Realm and an alchemist from the Tao Tribulation Realm would produce pills with vastly different effects under the same conditions..."


    Xiao Yi spoke eloquently, his inheritance from the Wind Thunder Sage making him the unquestioned number one in theoretical alchemy knowledge within the Qingtian Realm. Even a few words from him could give Xue Bufan a sense of enlightenment, feeling as if his eyes were suddenly opened, "Now, alchemists often fall into a misconception, believing that the more precious the herbs, the better the quality and effects of the pills produced. This is not the case, however. Without sufficient cultivation and alchemical experience, one might not be able to utilize precious herbs properly, not only wasting heavenly resources but also greatly reducing the effects of the pills produced!"


    Xue Bufan nodded sometimes, frowned sometimes, and occasionally stretched out with an excited smile.


    The two had a long, heart-to-heart conversation.


    Not far from them, Little Lin lazily sprawled over the railing, watching a Manggu Zhuha on a lotus leaf in the pond, flicking its tongue out to catch the insects flying by.


    Xiao Yi and his companion talked nonstop, exchanging knowledge.


    Xue Bufan was completely convinced by Xiao Yi.


    The next day.


    Early in the morning, warm sunlight fell.


    Whoosh!


    Continue your adventure at empire


    Xue Bufan slowly stood up and bowed deeply to Xiao Yi, "Thank you, Xiao, for the guidance. Listening to your insights is better than reading for ten years. If I had met you earlier, perhaps these old bones of mine could have made further progress!"


    "You flatter me, Elder Xue!"


    Xiao Yi smiled humbly, "Elder Xue is still vigorous in spite of age. As long as you research along the lines I mentioned before, within a year you will surely break the five-star barrier and step into the six-star alchemist level!"


    Alchemists were divided into seven stars, and above seven stars, they were known as masters, grand masters, Medicine King, and Medicine Saint!


    A total of eleven levels.


    As far as Xiao Yi knew...


    The chief imperial physician of the Great Qian Dynasty''s royal family was a master-level alchemist, whose status could compare with that of the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    "Xiao, I have been enlightened and need to meditate in seclusion," Xue Bufan said eagerly.


    The day and night of exchange had been immensely beneficial to him.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Have Shi Yaoqian lead you to the quiet room for your seclusion!"


    "Thank you, Xiao!"


    Xue Bufan respectfully withdrew.


    Xiao Yi stood up, stretching his limbs with a series of crackles and popping his joints, he yawned and said, "Little Lin, summon Yu Huaxian to see me!"


    "Alrighty!"


    Little Lin turned into a streak of silver light and vanished into the sky.


    A short while later...


    Yu Huaxian arrived in front of him, spirited and beaming, bowing and saying, "I''ve seen Xiao!"


    "Congratulations. With your current state, you should be able to step into the Sixth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm within half a month!" Xiao Yi looked Yu Huaxian up and down, teasing, "You don''t resent me now for using you as a guinea pig and letting the Manggu Zhuha bite you repeatedly, do you?"


    The toxicity of the Manggu Zhuha is lethal. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But as long as the poison is neutralized in time, not only will it not endanger one''s life, but it can also greatly enhance the vitality of one''s qi-blood.


    It is beneficial to cultivation!


    For this reason...


    Previously, Xiao Yi had allowed the Manggu Zhuha to bite Yu Huaxian time after time. Now, Yu Huaxian''s qi-blood is dozens of times more vigorous than before, his energy is abundant, and his realm has become more profound. In about half a month, he should be able to step into the Sixth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. With Yu Huaxian''s unpredictable attack methods, by then, he could battle even ordinary warriors at the Seventh Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Yu Huaxian chuckled and then said, "Xiao, is there something important that you have summoned me for?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Yesterday, I asked you to send someone to find a place that possesses both Heaven and Earth Gangfeng and lightning. Is there any news?"


    Entering the Wind Thunder Holy Body is not difficult, one only needs to find an ordinary place with Heaven and Earth Gangfeng and lightning.


    "It has been found!"


    Yu Huaxian nodded eagerly, "Three hundred li east of the royal capital, there is a Wind Thunder Canyon. The terrain of that canyon is extremely peculiar, with year-round presence of Heaven and Earth Gangfeng and thunder!"


    Xiao Yi took the map presented by Yu Huaxian, memorized the route, and instructed, "I will be gone for some time, perhaps seven to eight days, or as few as two to three days. During this period, clean up the forces within the royal capital, I do not wish that no sooner have we left than the Qingyun Kingdom revives from the ashes!"


    "At your command!"


    Yu Huaxian assured with a serious face.


    Xiao Yi gave additional instructions and then, with Little Lin, he soared into the sky.


    Three hundred li.


    For him, it was just over half an hour before he arrived at the Wind Thunder Canyon as described by Yu Huaxian.


    Still dozens of li away, he could already see a thick, pitch-black cloud circling above the canyon, with purple-gold lightning striking down within the clouds from time to time. The lightning, resembling a lantern, caused the canyon to flicker in and out of brightness. From a distance, it looked just like a ghost canyon haunted by devils.


    "Little Lin, you wait outside the canyon later!" Xiao Yi instructed.


    Little Lin nodded, lying on top of a towering tree beside the canyon.


    Xiao Yi entered the canyon shrouded with wind and thunder.


    "Wind and Thunder fortify my body, smelt my flesh��"


    Xiao Yi''s figure shook, immersing himself in the midst of wind and thunder.


    The wild winds and astonishing thunder, as if a pack of wolves had encountered their prey, launched a fierce attack, each landing on him.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The knife-like wind and the arrow-like lightning continuously bombarded his body.


    Xiao Yi circulated the Wind Thunder Battle Body Skill, constantly absorbing the power of the Gangfeng and lightning, refining his entire body. This Wind Thunder Holy Body starts with the skin, then the flesh, followed by the tendons, after which the internal organs, and finally refining the bones... to reach a state where the spine is like an Azure Dragon of Wind and Thunder, and the internal organs are unbreakable. The first turn is to fortify the skin.


    It is also the simplest realm.


    Once the cultivation is successful, the skin will be as tough as copper, impervious to water and fire.


    Time flies.


    Immersed in the wind and thunder, Xiao Yi appears like a god or a demon; what began as a tearing pain with the first onslaught of wind and thunder has now become fearlessness.


    This wind and thunder might surround him, but it can no longer hurt a single hair on his body!


    Xiao Yi, enveloped by wind and thunder, took the prepared First-turn Fenglei Elixir, a faint cyan light traveled around his body, causing his skin, which was like black iron, to return to its normal color. The surrounding Gangfeng and lightning fell but formed an invisible barrier around his body, fundamentally unable to get close.


    The first turn of the Wind Thunder Holy Body has been achieved!


    Meanwhile...


    Ten li away from the Wind Thunder Canyon, a massive figure flew through the midair, a Golden Crown Black Eagle, a huge beast of the Tao Tribulation Realm that could travel five thousand li in a day.


    Atop this massive beast, several figures stood proudly.


    Their clothing bore distinct insignia, unmistakably from the Great Jin Kingdom!

 Chapter 175 How Do You Want to Die?

    A group of powerful beings from the Great Jin Kingdom passed by this place.Suddenly, they were attracted by the commotion caused by Xiao Yi''s cultivation and turned their eyes in that direction, only to see Xiao Yi amidst the Wind Thunder.


    They were captivated by the sight of him absorbing the power of Wind Thunder to temper his physical body.


    One must know...


    Even within the Great Jin Kingdom, such a secret technique that devours the power of heaven and earth to cultivate the body is extremely rare!


    One of them had a hunch and looked towards Wind Thunder Canyon, squinting his eyes, "Is there someone who can absorb the power of Wind Thunder to refine their body? Such body-refining secret skills are not even possessed by our Great Jin Kingdom. How can these lowly commoners from inferior kingdoms be qualified to cultivate them?"


    Another person laughed arrogantly, "Let him hand over that body-refining secret technique!"


    "What if he refuses?"


    "He''s just an insignificant ant, killing him is all it takes!"


    The young man who started speaking reminded, "Your Highness, our mission is to execute Yu Huaxian, the traitor, and to bring Xiao Yi from the Tianqing Kingdom back with us. If unintended problems arise and His Majesty becomes aware, I fear it could reflect poorly on you."


    This party was indeed from the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The news that Yu Huaxian had led the Golden Crow Guards to betray the nation had already reached the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The King of the Great Jin Kingdom was furious. Your journey continues at empire


    He immediately sent the seventh prince, Liu Mubai, to kill Yu Huaxian and capture Xiao Yi.


    Liu Mubai was the pride and joy of the heavens in the Great Jin Kingdom, just twenty-eight years old, yet he had already reached the Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. Besides, there was also the commander of the Great Jin Kingdom''s Imperial Guards, Zhan Bitao!


    Zhan Bitao, the Bloodless Swordsman!


    This man was a Sword Intent prodigy, at the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, with the third stage of the human-sword unity Sword Intent.


    His combat strength was not inferior to an ordinary Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm warrior!


    Zhan Bitao stood proudly beside Liu Mubai, with his hands clasped around his sword, and said indifferently, "Your Highness, if you wish to obtain this person''s body-refining technique, later on I will take action to capture him directly. It shouldn''t take much time!"


    "No!"


    Liu Mubai waved his hand dismissively, "Considering that this person does not have the aura of divine skills, he is probably not at the Tao Tribulation Realm. Why use a butcher''s knife to kill a chicken? Wu Lun, you handle it later. If he obediently hands over the body-refining technique, that would be it. If he does not cooperate, break his limbs first, then force him to hand it over!"


    "Rest assured, Your Highness!"


    Wu Lun was the young man who had spoken first, with a cultivation reaching the peak of Golden Core Realm. His power was far more than ten times stronger than that of Jiang Shanhe.


    "Hm?"


    Little Lin, who was resting on the tree canopy, shuddered and suddenly looked up at the sky.


    The Golden Crown Black Eagle was incredibly fast, and in the blink of an eye, it was already outside Wind Thunder Canyon. As they saw several people intending to enter, Little Lin spoke lazily, "Stop right there!"


    "Hm?"


    The group was startled and looked in the direction of the voice.


    The eagle eyes of the Golden Crown Black Eagle were incredibly sharp, they stared fixedly at Little Lin''s direction, emitting a series of low cries.


    Little Lin climbed down leisurely from the tree canopy, stood up straight, and said indifferently, "My boss is cultivating. You can''t go in there!"


    "What a cute little snake!"


    "I''ve studied the Compendium of Hundred Beasts diligently, but I''ve never seen such a small snake before. Could it be a mutated magical beast? It''s worth a fortune. If I capture it and present it to my mother, she will be overjoyed!" Liu Mubai''s eyes lit up as he glanced at the Golden Crown Black Eagle beside him, "Catch it!"


    "Yes, Your Highness!"


    With a soft tweet, the Golden Crown Black Eagle flapped its wings and swept up a great wind, turning into a streak of black light swooping down.


    Its sharp talons reached out from under its belly, grabbing towards Little Lin.


    The Golden Crown Black Eagle, being at the initial stage of the sixth tier, was comparable to the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and its speed was incredibly fast. Even strong warriors at the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm had difficulty contending it.


    In its eyes, the aura emanating from Little Lin was merely at the fifth tier.


    It should have been an easy catch.


    Little did they know...


    Having followed Xiao Yi for so long, Little Lin had picked up many things from him, especially the skill of concealing his true cultivation level, in which he had surpassed the master. Although the aura he displayed was only that of a fifth-grade senior, comparable to the peak of the Golden Core Realm, in reality, after ingesting the essence of the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool twice, Little Lin had reached the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    His speed was even faster than that of the Golden Crown Black Eagle.


    When faced with the sudden attack of the Golden Crown Black Eagle, Little Lin curled up into a ball, and at the moment when the sharp claws came down, he shot out violently.


    Little Lin was like an arrow leaving the bow.


    Whoosh!


    A streak of silver light tore through the void, perfectly evading the claws of the Golden Crown Black Eagle, burrowing into its forehead and flying out the back of its head. The giant Golden Crown Black Eagle shuddered, falling to the ground with a thud, while Little Lin once again dived into its body, emerging with a Martial Dao Divine Fruit in his mouth, which he swallowed in one gulp.


    Standing proudly on the head of the Golden Crown Black Eagle, he squinted his eyes and, with a human-like provocativeness, stared down at Liu Mubai and the others.


    Hiss!


    Liu Mubai and his companions took a sharp intake of breath.


    This Golden Crown Black Eagle was a foe that even a human expert at the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm would find difficult to handle, yet this seemingly pretty little snake had killed it with one strike?


    "What a silver demon snake, this prince will take it for himself!"


    Liu Mubai''s eyes shone as he turned to Zhan Bitao, "Zhan, capture this beast alive!"


    "A mere beast, I will subdue it with one sword strike!"


    Zhan Bitao held his sword with both hands, his fishtail outfit rustling in the air, and in an instant his sword was drawn, with no visible sword moves, and the longsword returned to its sheath.


    At the same time, a dense mass of sword scars suddenly appeared around Little Lin, intersecting and striking down.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Little Lin kept dodging, his speed remarkably fast. A streak of silver light weaved through countless sword beams, untouched like a leaf that does not stick to any flower in a field of thousands.


    Zhan Bitao''s face stiffened as he felt a burning humiliation on his cheeks.


    He had vowed only a moment ago that he could subdue Little Lin with a single sword strike.


    And yet, that strike hadn''t even touched a scale on Little Lin''s body.


    How embarrassing indeed!


    Zhan Bitao glared furiously: "Little creature, how dare you insult me thus? Meteor from Beyond the Heavens..."


    Zhan Bitao thrust his sword out as he spoke.


    This thrust was his signature move, extremely fast and tricky to defend against��a bloodless strike! sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little Lin''s pupils suddenly constricted. His speed was undeniably astonishing, but Zhan Bitao was after all at the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, far superior to him. With a clink, the cold glittering sword tip fell squarely on him, silver scales shattering instantly, fresh blood sprayed from Little Lin''s mouth as his body was sent flying.


    "Hahaha, little fellow, come obediently to this prince''s hands!" Liu Mubai was ecstatic as he reached out for Little Lin.


    But at that moment...


    An icy chill swept through him suddenly.


    Liu Mubai shivered as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.


    Bang!


    In front of him, there was an invisible wall of energy, abruptly halting his advance.


    Little Lin turned into a streak of silver light, landing on Xiao Yi''s shoulder, his face bearing a look of grievance: "Boss, if you didn''t come, they would have beaten me to death..."


    "As long as I''m here, I will seek justice for you!"


    Xiao Yi rubbed his head, narrowing his eyes as he stood up and looked towards Liu Mubai and the others, "You hurt my brother, how would you like to die?"

 Chapter 176 Wind Thunder Starts to Show Its Power

    "How do you want to die for harming my brother?"Xiao Yi''s gaze was icy as he looked at Zhan Bitao and the others.


    He had sensed the presence of the group earlier when the Golden Crown Black Eagle arrived. At the time, he was digesting the First-turn Wind Thunder Elixir, healing his body from the erosion of the gang winds and thunder.


    He couldn''t move hastily.


    He hadn''t expected Little Lin to nearly encounter a fatal accident, and his rage was uncontrollable.


    Liu Mubai frowned and looked at Xiao Yi with a sneer on his face, scoffing, "I wondered who it was, turns out it''s just a mere Golden Core Realm Peak. Boy, I see your Body Refinement Technique is not weak, just hand over that technique and the serpent-like magical beast, and I can leave you a whole corpse."


    Xiao Yi sighed, "Leave me a whole corpse? I''m afraid you can''t afford to do so!"


    "Hmm?"


    Liu Mubai let out a cold laugh, seeing Xiao Yi at just the peak of Golden Core Realm, he was not worth his attention at all, he turned to Wu Lun and said, "Cut off his limbs!"


    "Rest assured, Your Highness!"


    Wu Lun smiled confidently, striding towards Xiao Yi like a dragon stalking a tiger.


    In his footsteps.


    Each step was firm and powerful, showing his mastery in leg techniques.


    His leg muscles tensed in an instant, as tough as if they were cast from gold and iron. With a ferocious push against the ground, a resounding boom filled the air and dust flew from the ground as he suddenly leaped into the air. In a flash, he appeared before Xiao Yi, and as he spun in the air, two white whips flew from his hands.


    These whips were intertwined with chains and were incredibly sturdy.


    With two clanking sounds, they wrapped around Xiao Yi''s hands.


    Liu Mubai laughed derisively, looking at Zhan Bitao by his side, "I thought he was some kind of expert, but it turns out he''s just a silver-spearhead that looks good without substance. Once bound by Wu Lun''s bloodthirsty white satin, even an ordinary warrior at the Tao Tribulation Realm would struggle to break free! After Wu Lun severs his limbs, we''ll use severe torture to extract the Body Refining Techniques from him!"


    "Congratulations to Your Highness for acquiring a set of Body Refining Techniques!" Zhan Bitao said with a smile.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation was merely at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    He had not yet stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    In their eyes, he was no different from an ant.


    "Certainly, congratulations are in order, only..."


    Liu Mubai glanced at the Golden Crown Black Eagle lying in a pool of blood, shaking his head with regret, "This Golden Crown Black Eagle was a gift from my mother, and now it has died here, truly a pity!"


    "Your Highness, that little silver snake is much stronger than the Golden Crown Black Eagle. I believe the Queen Mother will also like it!" Zhan Bitao said in a heavy voice.


    The queen of the Great Jin Kingdom was a rare Beast Tamer.


    Many formidable magical beasts of the Great Jin Kingdom were personally tamed by her.


    Her greatest hobby was collecting powerful magical beasts with pure bloodlines and extremely rare mutated magical beasts.


    The two were talking when suddenly a harsh crackling sound came from ahead. The men looked at each other and both laughed, "Wu Lun doesn''t hold back, does he? That sounded like a crippling fracture!"


    However...


    When they followed the sound to look, both were momentarily stunned.


    Xiao Yi still appeared easy and carefree, standing with his hands behind his back.


    But Wu Lun''s limbs were broken, and like a flagpole, he was stuck into the ground, half his body buried in the earth, blood spurting from every orifice, his face pale with horror and despair as he shouted towards them, "Save me... Your Highness, save me..."


    "Wu Lun?"


    Liu Mubai looked on in astonishment.


    Zhan Bitao also showed a surprised expression, "What happened? How did he break free from the bloodthirsty white satin?"


    That bloodthirsty white satin was a genuine Yuan weapon, exceptionally tough, and not easily broken even by warriors at the Calamity Realm in a short time.


    What exactly had happened?


    "Your Highness, save me..." Wu Lun bellowed, his face covered in blood.


    Liu Mubai''s complexion alternated between pale and flushed as he looked at Zhan Bitao, his face distorted with ferocity, and he growled, "Kill him, kill him for me!"


    "Yes!"


    Zhan Bitao slapped his hand on the hilt of his sword; with a piercing sound of metal slicing through air, the longsword he cradled shot out of its sheath, becoming a silver streak heading forward. Zhan Bitao tapped the ground with his foot, skimming swiftly across the surface like a swallow, grabbing the sword hilt and slashing a sword arc in follow-through, "Diagonal Moon!"


    Swish!


    The silver arc, like a diagonal moon, swept close to the ground.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Wherever the sword arc passed, the ground was torn apart, and the air itself was cleaved open, forming walls of force on either side of the sword edge.


    Xiao Yi reached out a hand, spread his fingers, and grasped toward the sword arc.


    "You think you can catch my sword with your flesh and blood? That''s delusional wishful thinkin��" Zhan Bitao''s fierce and confident expression froze on his face.


    The sharp sword light could not advance an inch further in Xiao Yi''s hand.


    "That''s all!"


    Xiao Yi closed his hand.


    Crack!


    The sword arc shattered, scattering a sky full of sword light.


    "A sword without a trace!"


    Zhan Bitao, after all, was a battle-hardened warrior. Shock quickly gave way to composure, as he gripped his longsword with both hands, his figure turning into a phantom.


    Whoosh!


    His figure suddenly vanished from the spot.


    By the time he reemerged,


    he stood behind Xiao Yi.


    The two stood back to back.


    Zhan Bitao slowly raised his longsword in front of him and gently stroked the blade, a proud look on his face, "With this sword of mine, my strikes are always met with blood. Until now, no one of my realm has ever avoided it. Take pride in dying by this sword!"


    As he spoke,


    Zhan Bitao intended to sheathe his longsword!


    However...


    There suddenly came a crisp crack from the longsword, followed by a spreading crunching sound.


    Apart from a section of the tip that had entered the sheath, the rest of the blade shattered to pieces.


    Turning into fragments on the ground.


    Zhan Bitao: "..."


    His body jolted as if struck by lightning, before freezing in place, disbelievingly staring at the fragments on the ground, his throat moving up and down.


    Gulp!


    Zhan Bitao forcefully swallowed his saliva, stiffly turning to look at Xiao Yi, "You-you-you aren''t dead?"


    "Indeed, your sword strike was remarkable!"


    Xiao Yi snapped back to reality, touched his neck, finding a white line of a sword scratch there.


    The speed of the strike had indeed been extremely fast.


    Even Xiao Yi had been grazed slightly, and for any ordinary fighter even a slight touch would have been enough to slit their throat.


    Xiao Yi relied on the power of his Wind Thunder Holy Body to protect his throat at the crucial moment, leaving only a sword scratch.


    The fifth-grade Yuan weapon, however, was shattered by the power of Wind Thunder.


    That''s what led to this scene.


    "No-no way, my sword has never failed..." Xhan Bitao''s eyebrows twitched violently, his face full of shock.


    Xiao Yi looked up at him and said indifferently, "You did not miss, but you just didn''t break through my defense. As it happens, my Body Refining Technique is newly completed, so I''ll use you to practice."


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi suddenly dove forward, the wild force from his body blasting the ground apart.


    A cloud of dust billowed behind him.


    His iron fist was already in sight.


    "Damn it!"


    Zhan Bitao crossed his arms in front of him and suddenly, his whole body shook, with a terrifying power of Wind Thunder coursing through him, paralyzing his body in an instant.


    The terrible force spread throughout his body.


    Zhan Bitao was sent flying more than fifty meters away, plowing through everything in his path.


    Boom!


    Zhan Bitao''s whole body became embedded in the rock wall, blood covering all his orifices.


    Xiao Yi shook his arm, the Wind Thunder power fading away from his fist, "Worthy of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, being this powerful even in the first-turn realm!"


    Xiao Yi withdrew his fist and turned back to look at a stunned Liu Mubai.


    Thud!


    Liu Mubai''s legs gave out, and he knelt on the ground, his face full of fear and trepidation, "Spare me, young hero, spare my life. Here''s a billion in silver notes as compensation, please let me live..."


    Whether it was the common folk or the high and mighty emperors and generals,


    when faced with death, most are the same.


    Xiao Yi gave him a cold glance, casually taking the billion silver notes and said indifferently, "Today I''ll spare your life. Remember to be more careful with your eyes in the future!"


    "Yes, yes, Mubai will keep it in mind!" Liu Mubai was earnestly fearful.


    Xiao Yi snorted and took off into the sky.


    Long after Xiao Yi had left, Liu Mubai finally stood up, his body drenched in sweat. He glanced at the dumbstruck Wulun, steeled his heart, and with a ferocious face walked towards Wulun.


    Wulun trembled and struggled frantically, "Your Highness, please don''t kill me... I swear I won''t speak of today''s events, please don''t kill me..."


    "Only the dead can keep secrets!"


    Liu Mubai smashed Wulun''s skull with a palm strike, then approached Zhan Bitao, finding that Zhan was knocked unconscious, and heaved a sigh of relief. He pried him from the rock wall, fed him Healing Pills, and after a while Zhan Bitao came to, his face full of pain, "Your Highness, I failed my duty and couldn''t protect you..."


    "Zhan, you exaggerate. This man is beyond you and me, it''s not your fault," Liu Mubai consoled him. S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhan Bitao managed a bitter smile, "Your Highness, now that both my hands are shattered, I won''t be able to wield a sword for some time. Are we still heading to Qingyun Kingdom?"


    "Why wouldn''t we go?"


    Liu Mubai''s eyes were filled with ferocity, "We can''t afford to provoke that young man, but what''s Xiao Yi to us? I have the top-quality Golden Healing Elixir that can restore fifty percent of your injuries. Even if you can''t wield a sword, Zhan, you should still be able to capture him. Besides, if it weren''t for Xiao Yi, we wouldn''t have come to this godforsaken place and ended up like this. I will make Xiao Yi pay dearly..."

 Chapter 177 How is it you?

    Qingyun Kingdom, the capital city.It had been only two days since Xiao Yi left, and there hadn''t been any changes in the capital.


    Just as he returned to the palace...


    Xiao Yi heard a scream coming from within the palace, yet the patrolling guards seemed accustomed to it, leaving him puzzled, "What''s going on here?"


    "Lord!"


    After a respectful bow, a guard said with a strange expression, "Lord Xue is conducting an experiment..."


    "Conducting an experiment?" Xiao Yi was startled.


    The guard struggled to hold back his laughter and said, "Lord Xue seems to have developed some new elixir, and Lord Shi Yaoqian was deeply interested, so he volunteered to test it. However, pfft..."


    The guard could no longer restrain his laughter.


    Another guard beside him hurriedly said, "It seems there was a problem with the medicine, and now Lord Shi Yaoqian, he has been out of control since yesterday, rampaging around like a mad bull..."


    "Pfft!"


    "Hahaha..."


    The surrounding guards all doubled over with laughter, "You don''t know... after Lord Shi took the elixir, he became as strong as a humanoid beast, invulnerable to knives and spears, impervious to water and fire..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Listening to the guards'' descriptions, he became increasingly interested in the new drug developed by Xue Bufan.


    What on earth had Xue Bufan developed?


    Thinking this, Xiao Yi followed the noise and came to the imperial garden, where a crowd was gathered at the entrance, each craning their necks to look inside.


    Shi Yaoquan, Shi Yaodu, Shi Yaose, and Yu Huaxian were also in the midst of the crowd.


    Each one stretched their necks to look inside.


    "What''s going on?"


    Xiao Yi was puzzled and levitated to get a better view inside; what he saw left him dumbfounded.


    In the imperial garden.


    Shi Yaoqian was running wildly.


    His body glowed red as if drenched in fresh blood, charging through the garden and smashing everything in his path to pieces.


    Xue Bufan was in hot pursuit with a dagger: "Don''t run... If I cut open a wound over your heart and drain the poisoned blood, you''ll return to normal. Why run? Just one slice, you have to trust me..."


    "I trust your evil intentions, you wretched old man..."


    Shi Yaoqian, enraged and continuously roaring, said, "You told me it was just for strengthening and maintaining health, with absolutely no side effects. Look now... I haven''t been able to stop since yesterday..."


    Xiao Yi was completely bewildered.


    He then noticed that the imperial garden was in complete disarray, as if a frenzied mythical beast had rampaged through it.


    At that moment...


    Shi Yaoqian tripped by accident.


    Xue Bufan swiftly caught up and pinned him to the ground: "I''ve finally got you!"


    "Shi Yaoqian is in big trouble..."


    "It looks like he won''t be able to dodge this knife..."


    As everyone expressed their nervous sympathy, they suddenly heard the sound of Xiao Yi clearing his throat behind them, and they quickly straightened up, respectfully saying, "Lord, you''re back!"


    Xiao Yi cleared his throat and with a stern face, said, "What is everyone doing here? Don''t you have work to do?" He looked at Shi Yaoquan and the others, "The lot of you, hurry up and prepare the troops. Aside from those staying to protect the capital, the rest will come back with me to Tianqing Kingdom. The troops from Sihai Kingdom and Baijing Kingdom haven''t withdrawn yet!"


    "Yes!"


    Shi Yaoquan and Yu Huaxian and the others quickly retreated.


    Inside the imperial garden.


    Shi Yaoqian was finally in Xue Bufan''s hands, as he pinned Shi Yaoqian to the ground and used his vital energy to form chains that bound his limbs.


    He fiercely guzzled a mouthful of strong alcohol and sprayed it on the dagger.


    Xue Bufan smiled and said, "Don''t be afraid, it will be over in just a moment!"


    "No..."


    Shi Yaoqian closed his eyes in despair.


    "Wait!"


    Xiao Yi sighed, having no choice but to intervene. If this knife strike could indeed release some poisoned blood, it would also severely damage Shi Yaoqian''s meridians.


    "Xiao... save me..." Shi Yaoqian clutched at him like a lifeline.


    Xue Bufan''s face was a mask of embarrassment, "Xiao, you''re back? It was just a small accident, I can handle it right away!"


    Xiao Yi bitterly smiled and said, "Elder Xue, if you make this cut, he can forget about making any progress in this lifetime!"


    "Uh..."


    Xue Bufan blinked and said, "Is it that serious?"


    "The pill and his blood have to integrate completely for him to lose control of his body. If you release a large quantity of blood now, it will damage his meridians. Take Shi Yaoqian to the back kitchen, find a large steaming basket, and steam him on a gentle fire. Slowly expel the poisoned blood and that should do it!" Xiao Yi said earnestly, "This way we can fully detoxify him, not just release all the poisoned blood at once..."


    "I see!"


    With a sudden realization, Xue Bufan carried Shi Yaoqian off toward the back kitchen.


    Shi Yaoqian wailed miserably, "Xiao, save me..."


    "What a headache this old man is..."


    Xiao Yi sighed in resignation, preparing to head to the kitchen to keep an eye on things when his expression shifted slightly, revealing a hint of amusement, "What are they doing here?"


    ......


    In front of the Golden Throne Hall.


    Two figures walked side by side, killing the guards that attempted to stop them and leaving their bodies strewn about.


    In their path...


    Yu Huaxian and the Shi Family brothers stood shoulder to shoulder, their expressions solemn as they faced the newcomers.


    "Yu Huaxian, do you not kneel and greet this prince?" Liu Mubai stood with his hands behind his back, his face cold as he stared at Yu Huaxian.


    Zhan Bitao stood by his side, having regained mobility with the help of the Golden Healing Elixir.


    Although he was unable to wield his sword for a while,


    his power at the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm was still enough to suppress Yu Huaxian.


    Yu Huaxian''s expression shifted. Especially upon looking at Zhan Bitao, his expression turned more solemn as he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, the Seventh Prince, Commander Zhan, it has been a while. Are you unharmed?"


    "Heh, what do you think? The chief supervisor of my Eastern Factory has sided with the enemy along with the Golden Crow Guards. Do you think I would be well?" said Liu Mubai with a sneer.


    His smile was ferocious, sending chills down the spines of those who saw it.


    Zhan Bitao quietly released the overpowering aura of the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, instilling trepidation in everyone present, "Yu Huaxian, why do you not kneel before His Highness?"


    "I am no longer a subject of the Great Jin Kingdom, why should I kneel to him?" Yu Huaxian spoke with neither arrogance nor servility.


    "Once a dog of the royal family, always a dog. The Seventh Prince is your master. It''s not just kneeling�� even if he commands you to die, you can only obediently comply!" Zhan Bitao spoke dispassionately, enunciating every word.


    Yu Huaxian''s face suddenly changed, "You..."


    "Yu Huaxian, you are just a neutered dog raised by our royal family. A dog should have the awareness of being a dog. If you dare to bite the hand that feeds, there is only one path left for you��death!" Liu Mubai said dismissively, "By the way, where is that bastard Xiao Yi? Has he not come out to kneel before this prince yet?"


    As he finished speaking,


    a taunting voice emerged from the Golden Throne Hall, "You say... I should kneel and welcome who exactly?"


    "Of course, it''s kneel before this prince, prince, prince..."


    Liu Mubai looked up proudly following the voice, but as he saw Xiao Yi emerging from the Golden Throne Hall, his face became stricken as if an invisible hand had clutched at his throat, and the words he was about to speak choked off. Stunned and disconcerted, he stammered, "How... how... how is it you?"


    sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 178 One Man Suppresses a Country

    "How, how, how is it you?"Liu Mubai looked utterly bewildered at the sight of Xiao Yi standing before him.


    He had never imagined that the person who, like a nightmare, had inflicted a heavy blow on Zhan Bitao and frightened him into kneeling and begging for mercy would appear before him so soon. S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yu Huaxian and others quickly bowed to Xiao Yi, "We''ve seen the Guardian Martial God, sir!"


    "The, the Guardian Martial God? You, you''re Xiao Yi?"


    Liu Mubai was dumbfounded.


    Cold sweat the size of beans oozed from his forehead, flowing down in a torrent.


    Zhan Bitao next to him was also pale, with both hands uncontrollably shaking. Not long ago, those same hands had been shattered by Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, examining the two, especially lingering on Zhan Bitao''s hands, "It seems the Healing Pills from the Great Jin Kingdom aren''t bad, huh? In such a short time, they''ve reconnected the broken bones in your hands!"


    "I, I..."


    Zhan Bitao turned green with grief, a bitter smile on his face, "It''s, it''s not that great, it still hurts terribly..."


    Liu Mubai''s lips turned even paler.


    In that Wind Thunder Canyon, the indelible impression Xiao Yi left on him was crystal clear!


    How could he dare to oppose Xiao Yi now?


    Liu Mubai forced a smile, "Xiao, Lord Xiao, I am Liu Mubai, the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I''ve heard already. You were the one who said you wanted my life, right?"


    "I��"


    Liu Mubai''s shoulders trembled like sieves, and he said with a wry smile, "What are you talking about, sir? How could I possibly want your life?"


    Yu Huaxian and the others standing by were flabbergasted.


    A moment ago.


    Liu Mubai and Zhan Bitao were so proud and domineering!


    Yet upon seeing Xiao Yi, they were like mice that had seen a cat.


    Seeing them sweating profusely and acting so cautiously, where was there any trace of their previous arrogance?


    The onlookers'' gaze towards Xiao Yi grew more fervent.


    Yu Huaxian was even more certain of his decision to side with Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Don''t want to? I think you''re not daring to, right?"


    Liu Mubai uttered an awkward laugh and could only smile sheepishly.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the dozens of corpses lying haphazardly in front of him �C these were the guards killed by Zhan Bitao �C and his expression turned slightly cold. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Liu Mubai, you''ve killed so many of my men, we need to settle this account properly!"


    "Compensation, I''ll compensate with money!" Liu Mubai replied hastily.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Compensate with money? I wonder how much they''re worth in your eyes?"


    Liu Mubai hesitated for a moment, then clenched his teeth and said, "Ten million for each, how about that?"


    "Ten million Silver for each? As expected of the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, you are indeed generous."


    Xiao Yi spoke nonchalantly, and just as Liu Mubai breathed a sigh of relief, Xiao Yi suddenly let out a cold snort, "My guards are worth ten million each, then I wonder, how much is your life, Liu Mubai, worth?"


    "I, I��"


    Liu Mubai was at a loss for words.


    How much is it worth?


    Of course, he wanted to say priceless!


    He was the proud seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, and his mother was even the current leading Beast Tamer.


    But how could he dare?


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "Let''s settle the life debt with life, shall we?"


    "Life?"


    Liu Mubai shuddered, his complexion turning deathly pale, and he quickly waved his hands, "Xiao, Xiao, have mercy. I''m the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, dearly loved by my father the Emperor and mother the Empress. If you kill me, it will surely enrage them both. Then, the elite forces of the Great Jin Kingdom will officially declare war on the Tianqing Kingdom..."


    Xiao Yi leaned forward slightly, "Are you threatening me?"


    Liu Mubai hastened to shake his head, "No, no, no, I wouldn''t dare threaten you! What I mean is, if you spare me, I can plead with my father the Emperor and mother the Empress to spare the Tianqing Kingdom."


    Zhan Bitao chimed in from the side, "The Tianqing Kingdom and our Great Jin Kingdom don''t have any deep grudges; all this is Xue Yilou stirring troubles behind the scenes. Moreover, with the strength you, Xiao, have shown, even if the Great Jin Kingdom really wanted to annihilate Tianqing Kingdom, the loss would be significant. I believe after weighing the options and with your mediation, they would definitely not send troops against the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    Their words also reached the ears of Yu Huaxian and the others.


    The three Shi Family brothers all thought it made sense.


    Yu Huaxian spoke softly, "Xiao, given the current strength of Tianqing Kingdom, trying to confront the Great Jin Kingdom is not realistic. If peace can truly be negotiated, it would be beneficial and harmless to us!"


    Meanwhile.


    Liu Mubai was secretly communicating with Zhan Bitao, "First, keep them stable, you can even promise many benefits. Once we return, I will have the emperor send a large army to flatten Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Your Highness, rest assured, our Great Jin Kingdom is powerful, with countless mighty warriors; crushing Tianqing Kingdom is as easy as the flick of a wrist!" Zhan Bitao also communicated in secret.


    The two were covertly discussing how to annihilate Tianqing Kingdom.


    But on the surface, they wore obsequious smiles.


    Smiles that concealed knives.


    Harboring ulterior motives!


    Under the expectant gazes of the two, Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly as he leisurely walked up to them, "Have you ever heard a saying?"


    "Hmm?"


    The two were taken aback, both looking at him intently.


    Xiao Yi spoke leisurely, not fast in speech, but with unwavering resolve, and even as he spoke, his figure seemed to become even more imposing, "As long as I am here, Tianqing shall not fall!"


    Just seven simple words.


    Yet at that moment, they resounded like a bolt from the blue, a thunderclap in a clear sky, shaking people''s hearts.


    They left Liu Mubai and Zhan Bitao''s faces colorless with shock and astonishment in their eyes.


    Xiao Yi''s voice rolled like a massive wave, "If Tianqing Kingdom is to stand tall in this world, it will do so with our own fists and blades, slashing down every enemy. There''s no need for you to plead on our behalf. Your Great Jin Kingdom may be strong, but if you wish to annihilate Tianqing Kingdom, then come at us! We will meet the troops with our generals, and stem the water with our earth..."


    "If you want a battle, I''ll give you one!" Xiao Yi said, his expression icy cold.


    These six words seemed to carry a profound power, echoing in the air, reverberating long and far.


    Immediately, the faces of the three Shi Family brothers turned crimson with impassioned vigor as they clenched their fists, "If you want a battle, we''ll give you one!"


    Yu Huaxian, too, was deeply moved, his neck flushed red and veins throbbing, "If you want a battle, I''ll give you one!"


    "If you want a battle, I''ll give you one!"


    "If you want a battle..."


    "I''ll give you one!"


    "Battle!"


    "Battle!"


    "Battle!"


    Throughout the palace, throughout the capital, the Azure Dragon Guards and Tianqing Kingdom''s soldiers, without exception, were yelling at the top of their lungs, with voices like rolling thunder, dominating the skies.


    Liu Mubai and Zhan Bitao fell back step by step.


    The two were so shocked they couldn''t speak.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze fell upon them, pointing at the dozens of bodies lying in pools of blood, "My brothers cannot die in vain! Since you want to compensate, let it be a life for a life!"


    "No... you can''t kill me, I am the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, you can''t..." Liu Mubai was hysterical, roaring in fear, "Zhan Bitao, save me..."


    Zhan Bitao''s expression was ferocious, "Your Highness, run..."


    Buzz!


    Countless sword lights erupted from his body, charging head-on towards Xiao Yi.


    Liu Mubai soared into the sky.


    Zhan Bitao bellowed, "To kill His Highness, you''ll have to step over my dead body!"


    "Then I shall oblige you!"


    With a cold snort, Xiao Yi stepped forward, his Wind Thunder Holy Body radiating the light of Wind Thunder, and with a booming stomp he crushed Zhan Bitao''s head into his chest cavity, while launching an aerial feint with his hand as a sword, pointing out, "Sailing a thousand miles to Jiangling... in just one day!"


    Whoosh!


    A silver sword light burst forth.


    Puff!


    Liu Mubai, who was fleeing rapidly through the void, trembled, his body split in two and fell from the sky...

 Chapter 179 One Man with a Sword, Charging into the Enemy Camp Alone!

    The seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, Liu Mubai.In a torrent of blood, his bifurcated body plummeted, crashing to the ground with two thumps, shattering to pieces.


    His death meant that there would be no end to the rivalry between Tianqing Kingdom and the Great Jin Kingdom until one was annihilated!


    However...


    Whether it was the ordinary soldiers or powerhouses like Yu Huaxian and the three Shi brothers, not a single person blamed Xiao Yi.


    Their hearts were ablaze with the will to fight.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, no strong nation had ever emerged from compromise!


    If Tianqing Kingdom was to rise, it could only rely on itself!


    Meet warriors with warriors, counter water with earth!


    What of the Great Jin Kingdom?


    As long as one is sufficiently powerful, one can completely repel them at the nation''s gates, or even sweep through the Great Jin!


    Of course...


    The reason Xiao Yi did this, apart from his confidence in his own strength, was that he had acquired the inheritance of the Wind Thunder Venerable, equipping him with countless alchemy formulas. Among them was one that could greatly enhance the strength of basic martial artists in a short period of time, and once this set of formulas was successfully concocted.


    Within three months, Tianqing Kingdom would have a million-strong Azure Dragon Guard!


    It is to be noted that the Azure Dragon Guard was formerly the Golden Crow Guard!


    The most elite military force of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    According to Yu Huaxian, even with the full might of the Great Jin Kingdom, the armies that could rival the Golden Crow Guard were no more than a hundred thousand strong. Stay updated via empire


    If Tianqing Kingdom could muster a million Azure Dragon Guards, and with powerhouses like Xiao Yi, Yu Huaxian, Xue Bufan, and others to defend it, even the Great Jin Kingdom would be helpless against them!


    This was the source of Xiao Yi''s confidence!


    "Xiao, the news of Liu Mubai''s death can hardly be concealed, and it will most likely reach the Great Jin Kingdom within half a month. When that happens, the Great Jin Kingdom will be enraged and may lash out in full force, provoking a war of annihilation. We must be on guard!" Yu Huaxian knew well the strength of the Great Jin Kingdom and spoke with a grave expression.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Don''t worry, I have a plan in mind. Immediately arrange for men. Tomorrow morning, follow me back to the kingdom with the Azure Dragon Guard!"


    "Understood!"


    Yu Huaxian bowed and withdrew.


    Xiao Yi turned to Shi Yaodu and the other two, "How goes the collection of medicinal herbs I tasked you with?"


    Shi Yaodu promptly replied, "We have gathered all the herbs that could be found in the capital."


    "Very good!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said, "First, hand over all the collected herbs to me. Tomorrow, I will return to the kingdom with Huaxian and the Azure Dragon Guard. We must resolve matters with Sihai and Baijing Kingdoms as soon as possible. As for you... on the way back, collect every single herb I mentioned in every city, without exception."


    "Yes, sir!"


    Shi Yaoquan handed a storage ring to Xiao Yi. The three bowed respectfully and then withdrew.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, looking toward the horizon where the red sun was slowly setting: "Your Majesty, I promised to protect Tianqing Kingdom, and I will keep that promise. Overthrowing the Great Qian Dynasty is too distant a goal, so let me first overthrow the Great Jin Kingdom, and make Tianqing the supreme beneath Great Qian!"


    ......


    Babao Pass. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Junhe sat in the governor''s residence.


    Indeed, he was a man of extraordinary talent, having stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm relying solely on his comprehension.


    Moreover, he had single-handedly withstood Xia Yuan and Bai Jianfeng from Baijing Kingdom, both Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, and staunchly defended Babao Pass, preventing them from gaining even an inch of ground.


    With news of Xiao Yi''s consecutive annihilation of Tianlan Kingdom and Qingyun Kingdom reaching Babao Pass, the morale of Tianqing Kingdom''s soldiers was high, repeatedly thwarting the advance of Baijing Kingdom''s army. Yet, in such brutal warfare, the army defending Babao Pass for Tianqing Kingdom had dwindled from its original four hundred thousand to now only one hundred and eighty thousand.


    More than half had died in battle!


    On the other hand, though Baijing Kingdom had also suffered heavy casualties, they still commanded an army of six hundred thousand.


    A medical officer beside Gu Junhe was treating his wounds with meticulous care. His back was covered with dozens of fierce sword marks, inflicted by the combined efforts of Xia Yuan and Bai Jianfeng.


    Gu Junhe remained expressionless, allowing the medical officer to tend to his savage wounds, and asked the officer before him, "Cheng De, how much longer can our provisions last?"


    "To report to the general, our provisions will only suffice for seven more days."


    Cheng De, having lost an arm, revealed a grim expression, "That bastard Xia Yuan, when he pledged allegiance, he burnt our granaries to the ground, leaving nothing behind. Otherwise, we wouldn''t be in such a passive position."


    "General, the attacks from Baijing Kingdom''s army have become increasingly ferocious these past few days. I fear the men won''t be able to hold out much longer!"


    "I suggest we first evacuate Babao Pass, and once Guardian Martial God Lord Xiao arrives with support, we can counterattack..."


    "Once Babao Pass is lost, the vast prairie lies beyond. How will we defend against the Baijing Kingdom''s army once they spread out?"


    "We must not retreat!"


    "But if we don''t retreat, how can just our 180,000 men hold out?"


    The generals argued fiercely.


    At that moment...


    A messenger rushed in from outside the door, out of breath: "Report..."


    "What''s the matter?"


    The generals turned their anxious eyes to the messenger, "Has the Baijing Kingdom''s rabble launched another attack?"


    Bang!


    Gu Junhe slammed his palm down on the table, eyes blazing with fury: "This is intolerable! Bring me my armor; I''m going to fight them myself!"


    "No, no, no, that''s not it..."


    The messenger finally caught his breath and quickly said, "It''s... It''s the War God himself who has appeared. He alone, with a single sword, has gone to the Baijing Kingdom''s military camp..."


    "What?"


    "The National God of War Xiao Yi himself?"


    "He''s going into the camp alone? Isn''t that suicide?"


    "All men, heed my command, rush out of the city to meet the enemy... No matter what, we must protect Xiao Yi!" Gu Junhe shouted anxiously.


    Despite the continuous good news from Xiao Yi during this period,


    there were even rumors...


    that even those in the Tao Tribulation Realm couldn''t withstand a single move from him.


    But those were just rumors!


    The Baijing Kingdom has two beings of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and hundreds of thousands of troops. With Xiao Yi charging into the camp alone, isn''t this like sending a lamb into the tiger''s mouth?


    For a moment,


    Babao Pass was in chaos.


    At the same time,


    Xiao Yi, riding the Tianqing wild ox, appeared alone in front of the Baijing Kingdom''s camp.


    "Who goes there?"


    The soldiers guarding the camp gate tensed up, spears and swords ready, and the archers on the arrow tower aimed their arrows at Xiao Yi.


    Now that the two countries were at war, they could not be too careful with a man appearing alone in front of their camp.


    Xiao Yi glanced at them and said indifferently, "Summon Xia Yuan and Bai Jianfeng to see me!"


    "How dare you!"


    "General Xia and Mr. Bai are not names you can call out directly!"


    "Seize this arrogant fool at once!"


    The guard captain waved his hand, and two alert guards stepped forward.


    Xiao Yi shook his head slightly and flicked his fingers.


    Bursts of vital energy shot out like a torrential rain of arrows.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    A dozen guards fell to the ground at the sound.


    "This is bad!"


    "It''s an attack!"


    "Kill him..."


    The archers on the arrow tower continuously fired volleys, but their arrows came to an abrupt halt half a meter from Xiao Yi, then reversed direction. With the sound of thuds, they struck down the soldiers on the tower, one by one. In an instant, the guards at the front of the Baijing Kingdom''s camp were wiped out, and Xiao Yi''s voice boomed like a song, reverberating between heaven and earth: "The National God of War of the Tianqing Kingdom, Xiao Yi, is here. Xia Yuan, Bai Jianfeng, come out and face your deaths!"

 Chapter 180 Capturing the Generals Head as Easily as Reaching into a Bag!

    "Xia Yuan, Bai Jianfeng, aren''t you coming out to meet your death?"Xiao Yi''s voice boomed like the tide, reverberating above the military camp of the Baijing Kingdom.


    There was a moment of silence within the camp, followed by an explosive outburst.


    "Who is this bastard that dares to come knocking at our door looking for trouble?"


    "Brothers, kill him..."


    The entire camp was boiling over, as countless soldiers swarmed out.


    Amidst the explosive sound like that of a bursting flood, hundreds of thousands of soldiers from the Baijing Kingdom''s army poured out of the camp in an orderly and united manner. In an instant, there were a sea of people in front of Xiao Yi, each with ferocious looks in their eyes, staring intently at him.


    Inside the camp.


    Two figures walked side by side, and the surrounding soldiers voluntarily stepped aside to make way for them.


    The two were none other than Xia Yuan and Bai Jianfeng. Explore more stories with empire


    Xia Yuan had an impressive appearance with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. He had entered the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm with the help of the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    Bai Jianfeng, by his side, was also of the Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    But he had stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm relying on his own talent, genuinely surpassing Xia Yuan by quite a bit!


    When Xia Yuan saw Xiao Yi, his pupils shrank sharply, and then he sneered, "I was wondering who it was. It turns out to be the great Guardian Martial God Xiao Yi!"


    "Xia Yuan, you, as the Great General of the Tianqing Kingdom, betrayed your country on the eve of battle. What crime should you be charged with?" Xiao Yi''s gaze was fixated on Xia Yuan as he spoke coldly.


    Xia Yuan''s betrayal had nearly led to the fall of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Had it not been for Gu Junhe stepping into the Tao Tribulation Realm in time and heading to Babao Pass to stop their advance, the army of the Baijing Kingdom might have already stormed through the capital of Tianqing Kingdom by now.


    "What constitutes betrayal?"


    Xia Yuan scoffed, his expression twisting viciously as he said deliberately, "It is the wise who recognize the times. I have served the Jiang Family for nearly a hundred years, fought battles on many fronts, and made illustrious military achievements. Yet Jiang Tianchen did not even bestow upon me a title of nobility, instead giving you the title of Guardian Martial God... I do not accept this!"


    Xia Yuan''s contributions to the Tianqing Kingdom were indeed not insignificant.


    But he was already sitting in the position of Great General, commanding the armed forces, with powerful troops at his disposal.


    Before Xiao Yi''s rise...


    He was one of the most powerful people in the Tianqing Kingdom, second only to Jiang Tianchen alone.


    But so it is with human hearts!


    Never satisfied!


    Upon seeing Xiao Yi was named Guardian Martial God, and after being promised high office and rich rewards by the Baijing Kingdom, Xia Yuan decisively chose to betray.


    Xiao Yi said, "Achievements? Have you ever expanded the borders of the Tianqing Kingdom?"


    "I��"


    Xia Yuan''s face froze.


    Before this, there had been few major wars in the Tianqing Kingdom. Though his military achievements were remarkable, they were in defense of the nation, without any territorial expansion!


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "I eliminated Tianlan and then erased Qingyun, incorporating their lands into the territory of Tianqing. Are you sure you want to compare achievements with me?"


    "I, I��"


    Xia Yuan''s complexion fluctuated, turning from green to white. Under Xiao Yi''s oppressive presence, he involuntarily started to step back.


    Xiao Yi''s momentum was simply too strong!


    It was so overwhelming that Xia Yuan found it hard to breathe.


    Xiao Yi pressed on step by step, creating an invisible wave of energy that forced the soldiers on either side to fall back. Unaware, he was now only a hundred meters away from Xia Yuan, his expression cold, "You say the Jiang Family treated you unfairly. With the position of Great General in all these years, how many assets have you embezzled? How much bribery have you accepted, do you really think His Majesty was unaware? Did he ever punish you for it?"


    "I��"


    Xia Yuan trembled all over, speechless.


    Since becoming Great General, he had embezzled up to a billion taels of silver just in military funds.


    And that wasn''t even to mention the other various grey incomes. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had always thought he was seamless, but now, he realized that Jiang Tianchen had actually known all along and had even hinted at reminding him.


    Xia Yuan was drenched in cold sweat.


    "To hold oneself above others, accept bribes, and pervert the law, this is inhuman."


    "When the nation was in peril, you sided with the enemy, disregarding the suffering of the people, this is disloyal."


    "His Majesty''s favor upon you is as heavy as a mountain, yet you betrayed him, this is unjust."


    Xiao Yi''s expressionless face, his scolding voice becoming louder and more sonorous, his words increasingly resounding, "How dare someone as disloyal, inhumane, and unjust as you continue to live in this world?"


    Boom!


    Dark clouds suddenly clustered above the firmament, and a bolt of lightning roared as it fell from the sky.


    The flash of lightning connected heaven and earth, as if illuminating the world.


    Confronted with Xiao Yi''s soul-piercing questioning, and suddenly hearing the thunderous sound, Xia Yuan''s face turned deathly pale, and he abruptly clasped his hands onto his hair. His nails dug deep into his skull, and blood instantly smeared his entire face as he bellowed hysterically, "No... you''re spouting nonsense, I did nothing wrong, I did nothing wrong..."


    "Obstinate fool!"


    Xiao Yi formed a sword gesture with his hand, his gaze icy, "In the name of the Guardian Martial God, I sentence you to death!"


    Swish!


    A single pointed finger thrust forward.


    The sword light, like a fiery meteor, vanished in an instant.


    Thud!


    Xia Yuan''s body shook, and a dot of blood burst from his brow, struck dead by Xiao Yi with one finger!


    Hiss!


    All the soldiers around could not help but show shock and fear.


    Xia Yuan, a genuine First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, had just been so effortlessly killed by Xiao Yi?


    The most shocked of all was Bai Jianfeng.


    Xia Yuan''s death was beyond his expectations.


    What shocked him even more was that Xiao Yi, with just a few reprimands, had thoroughly unsettled Xia Yuan''s mind, a feat akin to ghostly sorcery, unheard of. By the time he realized what had happened, Xia Yuan had already become a corpse, and seeing Xiao Yi''s gaze turn toward him, the corner of Bai Jianfeng''s eye twitched, and he roared, "Kill him for me, whoever takes his head will be rewarded with a billion silver, promoted three ranks, and given a city as a fief..."


    "Kill!"


    "Xiao Yi, prepare to die!"


    Immense rewards breed brave warriors.


    In an instant.


    Tens of thousands of soldiers, their eyes red, regarded Xiao Yi as their prey, swarming toward him like a pack of hungry wolves.


    Xiao Yi was instantly engulfed by the overwhelming mass of Baijing Kingdom''s soldiers.


    Bai Jianfeng, standing behind tens of thousands of soldiers, had his face twisted with ferocity: "No matter how strong you are, two fists can''t beat four hands, let alone my tens of thousands of valiant warriors under my command."


    But at that moment...


    Within the crowd, a terrifying Sword Intent suddenly soared into the sky.


    "Why is my sword not obeying my command..."


    "No... my sword has flown away on its own..."


    Exclamations of astonishment followed.


    Swords filled the sky, rising into the air.


    Xiao Yi, master of the third stage of Sword Intent, the realm of unity between man and sword, could control the ordinary weapons in the hands of these soldiers with his powerful Sword Intent. Among the tens of thousands, one third were swordsmen; tens of thousands of longswords lifted into the sky, forming a spherical sword orb, wrapping Xiao Yi within.


    Xiao Yi stood aloft, sweeping his sword fingers: "Kill!"


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Countless rains of swords fell, and the warriors around were scattered and dismembered, suffering heavy casualties under the frenzied onslaught of falling swords.


    All of a sudden.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept forward, past hundreds of thousands of people, fixing on the appalled Bai Jianfeng: "Divide the water into two parts for White Egret Island!"


    Rustle, rustle, rustle!


    Countless longswords gathered above his head, over a hundred thousand blades forming a kilometer-long greatsword held aloft. Xiao Yi brought the greatsword down with one slash, a kilometer-long blade falling from the sky with a swish, the Sword Qi tearing a gash through the soldiers in front, and with a bang, it landed on Bai Jianfeng''s body.


    Bai Jianfeng, merely at the Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, how could he be Xiao Yi''s opponent?


    "No..."


    A scream echoed.


    The sword blade fell.


    Boom!


    The entire military camp trembled violently, the earth splintering, and hundreds of thousands of Baijing Kingdom warriors were thrown into chaos.


    At the end of that blade...


    Bai Jianfeng was decapitated!


    To take the head of a general amid an army of ten thousand was like reaching into a bag for an object!


    In that moment, Xiao Yi was like a god, like a demon, single-handedly suppressing hundreds of thousands of Baijing Kingdom soldiers, none daring to move a muscle...

 Chapter 181 Xiao Yi Triumphant Return

    ```Bai Jianfeng fell. Find more chapters on empire


    Tens of thousands of Baijing Kingdom warriors were headless dragons, momentarily dazed, standing still in their place.


    They never expected that someone as strong as Bai Jianfeng couldn''t even block a single sword strike from Xiao Yi.


    At the same time...


    The ground thundered with vibrations.


    Dust and smoke rolled in the distance; banners pierced the sky. It was Gu Junhe leading the eighteen thousand-strong army of Tianqing Kingdom from Babao Pass to assist.


    When they saw from afar the congregation of Baijing Kingdom warriors inside the camp, Gu Junhe''s expression suddenly changed, "This is bad, Xiao Yi must have been surrounded by them... The lad is too reckless, no matter how strong he is, how can he contend against hundreds of thousands of troops?"


    As he thought, Gu Junhe''s expression turned increasingly grim.


    Whoosh!


    He fiercely pulled out his weapon and roared, "Bai Jianfeng, if you dare harm a single hair on Xiao Yi, I swear to explode myself to take you down with me!"


    "Kill!"


    "Protect the Guardian Martial God..."


    In that moment, the entire eighteen-thousand-strong army of Tianqing Kingdom was furious, rushing towards the enemy camp with utmost speed.


    However...


    When they truly approached the Baijing Kingdom camp, they all froze in shock.


    The Baijing Kingdom camp was in shambles, corpses strewn everywhere. The tens of thousands of soldiers, upon seeing their ferocious charge, were shedding their armors and weapons. Some surrendered right there, others fled in complete disarray; where was the ferocity and fierceness they had displayed earlier?


    Amidst the crowd, neither Xia Yuan nor Bai Jianfeng, the two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, could be seen.


    "What, what''s going on?"


    "You, you look... Isn''t that Xia Yuan''s body?"


    "Damn... it can''t be, can it?"


    Everyone felt as if they had been struck by lightning, their faces filled with disbelief.


    All of them couldn''t help but entertain a wild idea that emerged in their minds.


    This idea was even somewhat terrifying!


    "It can''t be possible, can it?"


    "If it''s true, then, then haven''t we won?"


    Boom boom boom!


    The eighteen thousand cavalry charged wildly, how could the soldiers of Baijing Kingdom, who had lost their will to fight, be their match?


    Like a landslide, defeat was imminent!


    A moment later.


    Gu Junhe arrived at the central command tent, and Xiao Yi had been waiting there for quite some time. Seeing Gu Junhe arrive, his face broke into a radiant smile, "Dean, congratulations on your grand victory over the Baijing Kingdom''s camp!"


    "You lad..."


    Gu Junhe felt a warmth in his eyes, understanding that Xiao Yi was attributing the credit to him!


    He hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Xia Yuan and Bai Jianfeng..."


    Xiao Yi nodded his head.


    Gu Junhe took a sharp intake of breath and sized up Xiao Yi. After a moment, he shook his head with a wry smile, "Incredible, truly incredible..." A year ago, when he first met Xiao Yi, the latter was just a little guy in the Shentong Realm, and now he stood at a height that even he could hardly reach. "Are the people of the Xiao Family blind? Such a genius, yet they treated him as trash? Even Xiao Tianjiao is no match for Xiao Yi!"


    ```


    Ah!


    Gu Junhe exhaled deeply, his gaze complex as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I truly could not believe that someone could achieve such terrifying accomplishments within a mere year!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and smiled, "Just luck!"


    "Luck?"


    Gu Junhe rolled his eyes, "How come I never have such good luck?"


    Xiao Yi spread his hands in a helpless gesture.


    Gu Junhe said in a deep voice, "Now that the Baijing Kingdom''s power is waning, should we take advantage of our victory and pursue them?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "We have already conquered Tianlan and Qingyun; it is not advisable to make a move on Baijing and Sihai Kingdoms for now. Let them jump around for a few more days! Moreover...I killed the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, so at the earliest in one month, and at the latest in three, the Great Jin Kingdom will arrive at our doorsteps. Our priority should be to consolidate our strength and deal with the Great Jin Kingdom!"


    Gu Junhe, with a confused expression, asked, "The Great Jin Kingdom?"


    That was known as the strongest power among the more than one hundred subordinate countries under the Great Qian Dynasty.


    There was even a saying, ''Below the Great Qian, the Great Jin reigns supreme.''


    The Great Jin Kingdom had countless powerful warriors, including the Golden Crow Guards who were reputed to be worth ten each and an army said to number five million.


    Even if it were just an ordinary army, that was five million people!


    After such successive tough battles, the Tianqing Kingdom''s army of a million had diminished to about half. Even with three months'' respite, dealing with the Great Jin Kingdom would be extremely difficult, or even utterly impossible!


    Xiao Yi, on the other hand, smiled and said, "Don''t worry, I already have a plan. And this time, while indeed it is a calamity for the Tianqing Kingdom, it is also a big opportunity... If we succeed in overthrowing the Great Jin Kingdom, from then on, it will be ''Below the Great Qian, Tianqing reigns supreme''!"


    "Below the Great Qian, Tianqing reigns supreme?"


    Gu Junhe''s body shook, and he suddenly felt his blood boiling, as if a fierce battle were raging within him.


    As a warrior born and bred in the Tianqing Kingdom. sea??h th�� n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He naturally very much looked forward to witnessing his own country''s rise in strength.


    If they could truly replace the Great Jin and become the strongest nation under the Great Qian Dynasty, their names would be forever etched in the history of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    With this thought in mind.


    Gu Junhe nodded vigorously and said, "Although your idea is extremely crazy... if one is not crazy in youth, they are wasting their years. I''ll be crazy with you this one time!"


    Xiao Yi said, "I am sure you won''t be disappointed, Chancellor!"


    In his mind, Xiao Yi recalled the medicinal pills previously developed by Xue Bufan. The recipe had been personally given to Xue Bufan by him. Although there had been some mistakes in its development, as long as Xiao Yi took action, it could be perfected. With Xue Bufan, the undead doctor, and Xiao Yi himself working on it, the plan could certainly be executed perfectly.


    Once it was possible to elevate tens of thousands of the Tianqing Kingdom''s soldiers to match the Golden Crow Guards, who would then dare to compete under the Great Qian Dynasty?


    Subsequently...


    Gu Junhe took over the tens of thousands of soldiers captured from the Baijing Kingdom, incorporated them into the ranks, and, after handing over the responsibility of guarding Babao Pass to Cheng De, he set off on the road back to the capital with Xiao Yi.


    As Xiao Yi and the others left Babao Pass.


    In another battlefield of the Tianqing Kingdom, Yu Huaxian led twenty thousand Azure Dragon Guards in support of Jiang Weisheng. They slaughtered their way through, coordinating from inside and outside, and completely routed the tens of thousands of soldiers from the Sihai Kingdom. The tactics of the Azure Dragon Guards and Yu Huaxian were far beyond what the Sihai Kingdom''s army could match. Defeat was like a landslide, and, after this battle, Tianqing Kingdom''s perilous situation was temporarily averted.


    Out of the four kingdoms that had declared war on the Tianqing Kingdom, two had been destroyed.


    The remaining Baijing and Sihai Kingdoms had also suffered heavy losses; within their countries, barely a tenth of their forces remained.


    At this point, the rulers of Baijing and Sihai Kingdom had no more thoughts of currying favor with Xue Yilou or waging war against the Tianqing Kingdom. They were already planning on how to please the Tianqing Kingdom to avoid the fate of devastation like Tianlan Kingdom and Qingyun Kingdom.


    These two kingdoms could no longer stir up any trouble.


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi, Gu Junhe, Yu Huaxian, Jiang Weisheng, and others had already made their way back to the capital, one after another.

 Chapter 182 Gambling with Life

    Tianqing Kingdom, within the royal capital.It was a time of peace and prosperity, overflowing with joy and celebration.


    The Tianqing Kingdom of today was no longer the vulnerable nation beset by dangers on all sides that it had been two months prior.


    Xiao Yi alone had subdued the Tianlan Kingdom and the Qingyun Kingdom, incorporating these two nations, neither of which was weaker than the Tianqing Kingdom, into his own territory.


    At the same time, he had also repelled the Sihai Kingdom and the Baijing Kingdom.


    He had thus become the undisputed overlord among the ten nations of Nanhuang.


    Even more so...


    If one were to discuss area alone, the Tianqing Kingdom could now enter the top ten among the more than one hundred vassal nations under the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The name of Xiao Yi was sung by everyone, as he deservedly became the Guardian Martial God, a matchless hero!


    In the vast Tianqing Kingdom, almost every household enshrined Xiao Yi''s Longevity Stela.


    Particularly in Nanhuang City, where Xiao Yi used to be, a huge Martial God Temple had been built to worship a statue of Xiao Yi, and the temple was bustling with devotees.


    Within the palace.


    Jiang Tai sat at the main seat, laughing and toasting three cups with Xiao Yi before jestingly saying, "Xiao, your reputation has far outshone mine nowadays. In Nanhuang City, your Martial God Temple has been thronged with worshippers since its establishment. I''ve heard that even many people from the surrounding areas come in droves to pray for marriage, for martial fortunes, for wealth, and even for children..."


    "Hahahaha..."


    "Lord Xiao, can you truly grant children? If so, you''ll have to give me a pair of dragon and phoenix twins!"


    Everyone laughed merrily, full of joy and happiness.


    Xiao Yi shrugged helplessly and said, "I can''t guarantee gifting children, but I can definitely pour you a few drinks! Daring to tease me, come on, drink three cups in a row..."


    The official hastily said, "Three cups it is!"


    People had gradually come to understand Xiao Yi''s character.


    As long as one didn''t foolishly provoke him, he was easy to get along with.


    Of course...


    To truly gain Xiao Yi''s approval was not so easy!


    After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Jiang Tai.


    In an understanding nod, Jiang Tai waved his hand to dismiss the servants by his side, leaving the court officials in the great hall.


    All eyes turned to Jiang Tai in unison.


    Jiang Tai took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Today is a day of great joy for our Tianqing Kingdom, with the Guardian Martial God Xiao Yi wiping out both Tianlan and Qingyun Kingdoms, Dean Gu Junhe repelling the Baijing Kingdom, Yu Huaxian together with our ancestors annihilating the army of 700,000 from the Sihai Kingdom, slaying their Tao Tribulation Realm progenitor. Among the ten nations of Nanhuang, our Tianqing Kingdom shall stand as first!"


    Boom!


    A thunderous applause suddenly erupted.


    Everyone''s eyes burned with passion, sharing in the glory.


    As important officials of the court, when the kingdom was strong, so were they, and the kingdom''s glory was also theirs.


    Jiang Tai continued, "Now our Tianqing Kingdom is in need of rebuilding. With strong presences like the Guardian Martial God, Dean Gu Junhe, our ancestors, Yu Huaxian, and the Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan, these five Tao Tribulation Realm beings, as well as 20,000 Azure Dragon Guards and more than 400,000 regular soldiers, our national strength can be described as the most flourishing ever."


    "Long live the King, long live, long live the King!"


    "Tianqing Kingdom, for a thousand autumns and ten thousand generations, shall never fall!"


    The court officials shouted one after another.


    However...


    Jiang Tai let out a cold snort and mocked, "A thousand autumns and ten thousand generations? Never fall? Do you truly believe that?"


    "..."


    The expressions of joy gradually faded from the officials'' faces.


    Jiang Tai turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao, tell them!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi slowly stood up, his gaze sharp as a knife sweeping across the officials, and he spoke with a heavy voice, "According to reliable information, within three months, the Great Jin Kingdom will launch a full-scale attack on our Tianqing Kingdom. By that time, there will be as many as 100,000 soldiers as powerful as the Azure Dragon Guards and the army sent by the Great Jin Kingdom will certainly not be less than one million, perhaps even more..."


    Hiss!


    The officials looked at each other, their faces filled with horror.


    They were completely unaware of this news!


    For a moment,


    the expressions on the officials'' faces were no longer smiles, but fear and unease.


    Amidst the crowd,


    an old man with snow-white hair, yet emanating a dignified aura, stood out. This person was Ge Zheng, the Right Chancellor of the Tianqing Kingdom. Ge Zheng clasped his fists and said, "I dare to ask Lord Xiao, the Great Jin Kingdom had not previously launched a major offensive. Now that our Tianqing Kingdom has achieved this brilliant victory, why have they struck again?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I killed the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom and the Grand Commander Zhan Bitao!"


    Whoosh!


    The courtiers were in an uproar.


    "This, this is too impulsive, isn''t it?"


    "That was a prince�� If I were the King of the Great Jin Kingdom, I wouldn''t be able to swallow this pride either..."


    Ge Zheng said in a deep voice, "Lord Xiao has indeed made great contributions to our Tianqing Kingdom, but whether it was the initial attack by the four countries or now the impending Great Jin Dynasty, everything has pointed to Lord Xiao as the catalyst..."


    "Mr. Ge, what are you implying?" Jiang Tai narrowed his eyes, showing a displeased expression.


    However, Xiao Yi remained as nonchalant as ever, toying with the wine cup in his hand.


    Ge Zheng straightened his back and said sternly, "Your Majesty, I mean no disrespect. Now that our Tianqing Kingdom has just survived a great disaster, albeit strong as Lord Xiao may be, I fear he may not be able to stop the Great Jin Dynasty. I think, as the Guardian Martial God of our nation, Lord Xiao should protect the Tianqing Kingdom at all costs. I earnestly request that Lord Xiao, for the sake of billions of our Tianqing citizens to avoid a catastrophe, should go alone to the Great Jin Dynasty and quell their rage!"


    "Outrageous��"


    Yu Huaxian''s expression darkened, and he rose from his seat, slamming the table.


    Yet Xiao Yi raised his hand to stop Yu Huaxian, with an intriguing look in his eyes as he gazed at the courtiers who, just a moment ago, were toasting and shedding tears of gratitude with him.


    Upon meeting Xiao Yi''s gaze,


    many of the officials lowered their heads, not daring to look back at him.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze finally settled on Ge Zheng, "Mr. Ge, are you aware of what fate awaits me should I go to the Great Jin Dynasty?"


    Ge Zheng''s pupils shrank slightly.


    What fate could there be?


    Of course, it would be a dead end!


    But he could not say this outright. After a moment of consideration, Ge Zheng spoke righteously, "Even at the cost of one''s life, a true man should act with righteousness! Lord Xiao is the Guardian Martial God of our Tianqing Kingdom. If your life could, in exchange, ensure the peace and prosperity of billions of our citizens, it might not be such a bad deal. Of course, we will also not forget Lord Xiao''s kindness. In the future, your temples will surely be built across the Tianqing Kingdom, to pay tribute to your spirit in heaven, and engrave your name in everlasting history!"


    "Mr. Ge is right!"


    "If Lord Xiao is willing to sacrifice himself, my government office will erect a Longevity Stela in your honor to be worshiped for generations!"


    "We assure you, the incense will never cease to burn..."


    Suddenly, one third of the courtiers stood out.


    The majority kept their heads down, staying out of the affair.


    Only a minority of officials spoke up in defense of Xiao Yi, "Do you all have no conscience? If not for Lord Xiao, we would have long been slaves to a fallen nation..." Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The late King, even in his death, did not wish to sacrifice Lord Xiao. What are you all doing?"


    "Slaves of a fallen nation? Without him, would we be surrounded by enemies, facing formidable foes?"


    "Now, the Great Jin Kingdom has sent troops because of him..."


    The two sides quarreled incessantly.


    "Enough!"


    Ge Zheng shouted lowly, silencing everyone. He then focused his gaze on Xiao Yi, "Lord Xiao, don''t be so selfish!"


    Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, squinting his eyes at Ge Zheng, "Mr. Ge, if I were to tell you that your life in exchange could ensure the everlasting prosperity of Tianqing Kingdom, would you be willing?"


    "This..."


    Ge Zheng''s face changed slightly, then with a cold huff and righteous words, he said, "For the Tianqing Kingdom, Ge is naturally willing�� However, Ge''s life is insignificant, dying a thousand or ten thousand times would still not be enough to stop the Great Jin Dynasty. Lord Xiao, you..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, saying, "Mr. Ge, would you dare to make a bet with me?"


    "Hmm?"


    Ge Zheng was momentarily taken aback, "Bet what?"


    "Bet our lives!"


    Xiao Yi spoke each word deliberately, looking at Ge Zheng and the rest of the officials, "I bet the lives of all of you!"

 Chapter 183 Four Symbols Legion

    "Bet all of your lives!"Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, intently staring at the ministers who had just asked him to sacrifice himself to save the Tianqing Kingdom.


    The ministers looked at each other in dismay.


    Ge Zheng''s aged face trembled slightly, and his muddy eyes fixed on Xiao Yi with deep sorrow and anger, "Madness, you are utterly mad! Lord Xiao, we are all pillars of the Tianqing Kingdom. The absence of any one of us could cause unimaginable turmoil to the kingdom. How can you be so selfish? Just for your own desires, you would drag us all down with you?"


    "That''s right, your death might save the Tianqing Kingdom, but our deaths would only cause chaos in the kingdom, with no other benefits!"


    "We earnestly implore you, Lord Xiao, to prioritize righteousness. The countless people of the Tianqing Kingdom will surely remember your merit!"


    "Ah, Lord Xiao, if the Great Jin Kingdom had targeted me, I would have willingly gone to the Great Jin Kingdom to apologize, working diligently till death. But their target isn''t us!"


    For a moment.


    The ministers were in an uproar.


    This was about their lives at stake; how could they not fight for themselves?


    Xiao Yi watched the crowd, their faces filled with pain and righteousness as he passed by.


    This was human nature!


    Just a moment before��


    They had been cheering and flattering him.


    And now?


    They would love nothing more than to kill him themselves and offer his head to the Great Jin Kingdom to appease their anger.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long, turbid breath and said deliberately, "Who said your lives can''t save the Tianqing Kingdom? I have a secret technique that can create an army of a million elite soldiers comparable to the Golden Crow Guards in a short period. Tell me, if we had an army of a million soldiers as strong as the Golden Crow Guards, could we not save the Tianqing Kingdom?"


    "A million Golden Crow Guards?"


    "This, this... if we could really create such an army, we wouldn''t just be talking about resisting the Great Jin Kingdom, but even possibly usurping them!"


    "But how could that be possible? The Great Jin Kingdom, as strong as it is, has only trained about a hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards��"


    Ge Zheng''s face also underwent inexplicable changes. After contemplating for a moment, he then spoke, "Lord Xiao actually has such a secret technique?"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said indifferently, "However, to use this secret technique, I require your lives as a sacrifice. I wonder if you would be willing to lay down your lives for the Tianqing Kingdom? Rest assured, once this army is formed, not only will it hold off the Great Jin Kingdom''s forces, but our Tianqing Kingdom could even take their place and become the foremost vassal state under the Great Qian Dynasty. You all will be the prime contributors and will be remembered throughout history. I believe the millions of people in the kingdom will remember your kindness!"


    Yu Huaxian, Gu Junhe, Jiang Tai, Xue Bufan, and others looked at the ministers with a sarcastic gaze.


    However��


    The ministers looked at each other, and not one spoke.


    Yu Huaxian twirled a lock of hair around her finger and laughed mockingly, "Didn''t you lords say that you would exert all efforts till death if it could save the kingdom? Why has everyone fallen silent now?"


    "Rest assured, Mr. Ge," said Gu Junhe as he raised his cup, "if you sacrifice yourself, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy will definitely train enough capable ministers at the fastest speed to take over your positions and protect the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    Ge Zheng''s face twitched, turning red with embarrassment.


    What a slap in the face!


    This was an excruciating blow. Just a moment ago, they had been coercing Xiao Yi with talk of duty, and now the roles had reversed, leaving them in an untenable position.


    Jiang Tai sat in the seat of honor, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest, and said leisurely, "Mr. Ge, Minister Wang, Minister Li�� Are you few willing to sacrifice yourselves for the eternal glory of the Tianqing Kingdom?"


    Thump!


    Wang Yi, Minister of Revenue, was the first to kneel on the ground, frightened and anxious, "Your Majesty, spare my life, I��I still have a hundred-year-old mother at home, and newly wedded concubine��"


    "Your Majesty, spare my life��"


    Minister Li also knelt on the ground.


    Ge Zheng''s face alternated between shades of pale and flushed as his crafty eyes flickered. Finally, he sighed, "Your Majesty�� this old servant�� this old servant is aged, and I request to retire and return home��" sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing this.


    Many ministers immediately stood up, "We too request to resign our offices and return home!"


    Of the six ministers, four offered their resignations.


    Inside the great hall, a good forty percent of the officials knelt on the ground.


    Ge Zheng''s formerly drooping mouth corners lifted slightly, marking his strategy of advancing by seeming to retreat.


    He didn''t mention a word about the sacrifices.


    Instead, he proposed retiring and returning to his hometown.


    This was also a threat to Jiang Tai��if you push this old man too far, I''ll retire and return home. With his status and position, many of the court''s high officials were his disciples. If these ministers resign en masse, the court would descend into chaos without needing the Great Jin Kingdom''s armies to strike, and in Ge Zheng''s view, Jiang Tai, the new king, with his unstable grip on the kingdom, would not dare allow the court to fall into further disorder.


    Such a clever ploy would likely compel any other monarch to relent.


    But this time, his scheme fell through.


    Not to mention Jiang Tai was carrying out the will of Jiang Tianchen, and as long as Xiao Yi was there, Tianqing would not perish.


    Jiang Tai was keenly aware of the trump card Xiao Yi held, so there was no need to worry about these ministers.


    Jiang Tai gave Xiao Yi a glance.


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly.


    Jiang Tai sat up straight and said indifferently, "Since all you respected ministers feel powerless to assist me, then I shall fulfill your wishes! Guards, remove the black gauze hats from their heads!"


    "Your Majesty..."


    "Your Majesty, this..."


    Ge Zheng and the others wore faces of utter bewilderment, unable to believe what they were seeing from Jiang Tai.


    In their plan, Jiang Tai was supposed to insist on their staying, eventually having no choice but to yield!


    How could things have gone completely contrary to their expectations?


    Ge Zheng''s hands trembled, and he stared incredulously at Jiang Tai: "Your Majesty, I..."


    "Mr. Ge is of advanced age; I understand that there''s no need to say more," Jiang Tai retorted indifferently.


    Ge Zheng''s complexion alternated between pale and flushed, watching as the black gauze cap��a symbol of power and glory��was taken off by the guards. He was so angry he spurted out blood, glaring furiously at Jiang Tai and Xiao Yi: "Your Majesty, are you willing to drive us, the old officials who have worked hard and made significant contributions, to our deaths for the sake of Xiao Yi? You... you... you are acting as a wayward king..."


    "Silence! Old fool, the War God and I have already given you a chance. And what about you? You all claim to act for the Tianqing Kingdom, pressuring Xiao Yi to his death. But when it''s your turn, you threaten me with resignation? You think I, as the new king, can''t handle you?" Jiang Tai, unable to bear any longer, glared furiously. "I''m not afraid to tell you that this was also my father''s will. In the Tianqing Kingdom, everyone but Xiao Yi can be sacrificed, even me! What do you count for, daring to threaten me with resignation? Then I shall fulfill your wish! Guards, throw them all into the heavenly prison! Yu Huaxian, I appoint you as Imperial Censor to investigate them thoroughly. If they are found guilty of bribery or law-breaking, execute or punish them accordingly..."


    Yu Huaxian stood up at once and said respectfully, "Your servant obeys the decree!"


    As the director of Great Jin Kingdom''s Eastern Factory, let alone that these men were not clean, even if they were all upright officials, he could still dig out dirt on them!


    Thump!


    Ge Zheng and the others collapsed on the spot.


    Jiang Tai then stood up and declared loudly, "Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan, step forward to receive your title!"


    "This old man is here!" Xue Bufan said.


    Jiang Tai continued, "Elder Xue, I appoint you as the National Healing King of the Tianqing Kingdom, to assist the Guardian Martial God in creating the Four Symbols Legion!"


    "Yes!"


    Xue Bufan nodded his head.


    Jiang Tai went on, "Gu Junhe, I appoint you as the Great General of the Kingdom, to assist the Guardian Martial God in creating the Four Symbols Legion!"


    "As you command!"


    Gu Junhe stated solemnly.


    Finally, Jiang Tai''s gaze rested on Xiao Yi, as he rose to his full height, bowing deeply, "War God, the fate of the Tianqing Kingdom is in your hands."


    "I shall not fail the trust placed in me!" Xiao Yi responded gravely.


    Thump!


    Listening to Jiang Tai''s series of commands, Ge Zheng and the others turned deathly pale, finally realizing that all of today''s events were traps that Xiao Yi and Jiang Tai had meticulously prepared to purge the court, to silence any dissenting voices, to establish Jiang Tai''s authority as the new king, and to clear the obstacles for the construction of the Four Symbols Legion.


    Ge Zheng and the rest exchanged despairing looks.


    They were utterly ruined!

 Chapter 184 The Peoples Allegiance, Great Jins Fury!

    Everything that occurred within the royal palace quickly spread throughout the entire Tianqing Kingdom, with the consent of Xiao Yi and Jiang Wei.Upon learning that Ge Zheng and a group of important court officials had actually considered sacrificing Xiao Yi in exchange for the kingdom''s safety after his imprisonment, not a single voice within the entire Tianqing Kingdom rose to plead their case. sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    There was unanimous celebration and applause.


    The reason being...


    Before Xiao Yi''s time.


    Although Jiang Tianchen was also a wise king, there were several great kingdoms eyeing them covetously from afar, and the Royal Martial Arts Academy meddled in succession disputes, staying close to the bed but reaching for the throne. This distracted Jiang Tianchen, leading to rampant corruption among his officials and a life for his people that was far from peaceful and content.


    Until the appearance of Xiao Yi.


    First, he annihilated Tianlan, then wiped out Qingyun.


    Now, he even managed to repel the Baijing Kingdom and the Sihai Kingdom.


    What''s more...


    Xiao Yi leveled the Royal Martial Arts Academy. In its stead, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, now the holy land of martial arts in the Tianqing Kingdom, was recruiting students from all the populace. As long as one could pass the examination, regardless of background, they could enter the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Without any exaggeration, Xiao Yi alone changed the destinies of the people of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    When they heard that Ge Zheng and others were conspiring against Xiao Yi, the first to refuse were these very people!


    As for the Great Jin Kingdom''s army that was about to lay siege to their city?


    With the numerous miracles Xiao Yi had performed before, the people had an even firmer belief than Xiao Yi himself that they could win this war.


    "Have you heard? The War God is planning to create the Four Symbols Legion and is recruiting soldiers right now!"


    "Are you serious?"


    "Of course, I am... Hey, hey, hey, where are you going? Your noodles just came to a boil..."


    "I''m not eating anymore; I have to go back and get my sons to enlist..."


    "Right, enlist!"


    In the past, enlisting in the army was a bitter ordeal for the people, and everyone wished they could hide their menfolk at home.


    Now, they could hardly wait to send their sons to enlist upon hearing the news.


    Gu Junhe, who was in charge of the recruitment, sighed softly upon receiving this news and looked down at the recruitment plan he had diligently prepared all night, "The hearts of the people are with us... this is truly the hearts of the people being with us..."


    The following day.


    When the Tianqing Kingdom''s enlistment sites opened, the officers responsible for recruitment were completely stunned; there were long queues outside the door. Each person was brimming with energy, a stark contrast to the usual disheartened attitude of being forced to enlist, wishing they could be dismissed by the officers to return home.


    The recruitment went astonishingly smoothly.


    In one day, they managed to recruit an army of 150,000 men.


    This was still due to insufficient staffing at various locations; many people who came to enlist were unable to complete testing in time.


    Gu Junhe, looking at the thick roster in his hands, sought out Xiao Yi overnight.


    Xiao Yi was discussing medicine with Xue Bufan. The medicine that Xue Bufan had concocted for Shi Yaoqian was provided by Xiao Yi''s prescription.


    It was just that there had been a small mistake in Xue Bufan''s concoction, which caused Shi Yaoqian to lose control.


    "Xiao, with your guidance, all four medicines are showing promise. Without any mishaps, mass production can begin in three days..." Xue Bufan looked at Xiao Yi excitedly, his cloudy eyes shining with both admiration and fervor.


    Xiao Yi''s attainments in medicine truly startled Xue Bufan.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "The medicine is in your hands; I just wonder how smoothly the recruitment is going!"


    "Smoothly? It''s been beyond smooth!"


    Gu Junhe''s voice came from outside the door; he spoke with a wry smile, "This is just the first day, and we''ve already recruited 150,000 people. That''s with us being unprepared and understaffed, so many people couldn''t complete the tests. I came over to discuss with you whether we should expand the number of recruits to 1.5 million if the medicine can keep up."


    If they recruited another 1.5 million, the Tianqing Kingdom''s total military strength would reach two million.


    Xue Bufan spoke gravely, "As long as the medicinal materials can keep up, there will be no issues with the medicine!"


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment and then said, "Wait here; I''ll go to the Treasure Pavilion. If the Treasure Pavilion is willing to assist us, there will absolutely be no problem with the medicinal materials!"


    "Good!"


    Both nodded repeatedly.


    Xiao Yi turned and left ...


    ...


    Great Jin Kingdom.


    This was the only one among more than a hundred vassal states under the Great Qian Dynasty that possessed a warrior of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    However, this Dharma Manifestation Realm warrior was in closed-door cultivation all year round, seldom showing his face, serving more as a deterrent.


    Under the Great Qian, Great Jin reigned supreme!


    This was no idle boast ...


    The sprawling palace of the Great Jin Kingdom was ten times the size of the capital of the Tianqing Kingdom, immensely vast and majestically imposing. For an ordinary person to walk from one end of the palace to the other took at least ten days to half a month. The entire palace was actually a formation, and there were even rumors that beneath the palace lay the suppressed dragon veins of the Great Jin Kingdom!


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Outside the Golden Throne Hall, the heavenly drum thundered.


    Only in emergencies would this heavenly drum be sounded.


    In an instant,


    Countless ministers hurried toward the palace. Along the way, many of them encountered their colleagues and asked each other, "Do you know what has happened?"


    "I have no idea ..."


    "Isn''t that Minister Qin up ahead? Let''s ask him ..."


    Qin Yu, Minister of War of the Great Jin Kingdom, warrior of the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Riding on a tall horse, Qin Yu glanced at the few ministers who had caught up to him. In response to their inquiries, Qin Yu said indifferently, "If this minister is not mistaken, it should be related to the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Tianqing Kingdom?"


    The ministers were momentarily stunned.


    In their eyes, Tianqing Kingdom was but a speck of dust, a place hidden in the remote recesses of the Nanhuang region.


    How could such a small country stir the heavenly drum?


    With various thoughts in mind,


    The ministers arrived at the Golden Throne Hall; after they took their stand, a soft voice came through, "His Majesty arrives!"


    "We greet His Majesty!"


    "His Majesty''s contributions last a thousand generations, his legacy endures forever!"


    The crowd shouted in unison.


    This was the difference between the Great Jin Kingdom and the Tianqing Kingdom!


    The ruler of the Tianqing Kingdom could only be referred to as "may he live forever," but the Great Jin Kingdom could acclaim "may he live for thousands of generations and eternity," while the emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty was referred to as "may his reign last forever."


    This was a sign of hierarchical standing, and at the same time, a reflection of strength!


    The Jin Emperor was dignified and magnanimous, draped in a dragon robe wrapped with golden dragons, his movement was like a true dragon striding upon the earth, his eyes as brilliant as if they harbored the sun, moon, and stars, sitting atop the dragon throne, his presence was commanding without anger. A calm voice issued from him, "My seventh son is dead, the chief commander of my imperial guards is dead ..."


    Two simple sentences chilled the assembled ministers to the bone.


    They exchanged looks, full of shock and disbelief.


    The seventh prince was dead?


    Who was so brazen as to dare to assassinate the seventh prince?


    The Jin Emperor coldly asked, "Is Qin Yu present?"


    "Your servant is here!"


    Qin Yu stood up straight, his towering figure presiding over the court.


    The Jin Emperor commanded coldly, "I grant you one hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards, one million troops, lead the Four Kings from the east, south, west, and north to the Tianqing Kingdom, flatten Tianqing for me, and bring back the head of Xiao Yi!"


    "Your servant obeys the edict!"


    Qin Yu respectfully accepted the command, his head held high, his face full of determination and confidence: "Your Majesty, rest assured, your servant will flatten Tianqing, and avenge the prince!"

 Chapter 185 Ill Give it a Try!

    ```Long since his last visit to this place, Xiao Yi couldn''t help feeling somewhat wistful.


    Back when he was in Nanhuang City, he had started his road to fortune at Treasure Pavilion; only, with the increase in his strength and status, coupled with the recent frequent battles surrounding Tianqing Kingdom on all sides, Xiao Yi''s connection with Treasure Pavilion had grown much fainter.


    Stepping through the entrance.


    A servant smiled and approached, "May I help you with anything?"


    Xiao Yi said, "Please let Elder Yan know that an old friend from Nanhuang is here to visit!"


    "Of course, please wait a moment!"


    The messenger left at once.


    After a short while...


    Elder Yan Mingli rushed out in a flurry, his hair unkempt and his face covered in grime, his clothes torn and tattered as though he had been smoked by fire.


    On his charcoal-black face, two eyes shone with unmatched brightness. From a great distance, he caught sight of Xiao Yi and hurried over, "Xiao, what wind has blown you here!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Yan Mingli quizzically, "What happened to you, Elder Yan?"


    "Let''s not talk about it. Elder Chen is refining a pill and I got like this while assisting him!"


    Yan Mingli wiped his face, chuckled, and said, "Xiao, it''s rare for you to visit Treasure Pavilion; come and sit with me in the back hall. Elder Chen should be done soon. He''s been talking about you ever since you last left!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, just about to reply, when suddenly his brows knitted, "Elder Yan, better take me to where Elder Chen is refining pills first!"


    "Eh? Xiao, you''re interested in alchemy as well?" Yan Mingli was surprised.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "If we don''t go now, I''m afraid Elder Chen''s batch of pills will be ruined!"


    "Eh?"


    Yan Mingli''s face showed utter astonishment.


    He was well aware of Elder Chen''s alchemy skills��he was the only one in the entire Tianqing Kingdom who had reached the stellar level as an Alchemist. Within Tianqing Kingdom, if anyone talked about alchemy, Elder Chen was the one to beat.


    He had been refining this batch for seven days and nights, about to succeed!


    How could it possibly fail?


    But...


    Yan Mingli knew very well the kind of person Xiao Yi was; he wouldn''t speak without cause. He immediately said, "Let''s go, I''ll take you there now!"


    The two arrived at the back yard''s alchemy room.


    This alchemy room was connected directly to the earth''s fire, and from afar, one could feel the temperature rising.


    "Congratulations to Master, cheers to Master, once this Second-layer XuanYang Elixir is completed, Master will become a two-star Alchemist!" A sycophantic voice came from inside the alchemy room.


    Laughter from Chen Fu also followed, "Haha, Chen Yu, this time I owe it to your and Elder Yan''s assistance. Once your master becomes a two-star Alchemist, there will be great rewards!"


    "Thank you, Master!"


    Chen Yu''s face was beaming with joy when suddenly his eyes shifted and he spotted Elder Yan and Xiao Yi hurriedly entering through the door. His brows furrowed and he said displeasedly, "Elder Yan, the alchemy room is a restricted area, no outsiders allowed. How could you just bring someone in?"


    Yan Mingli had no time to explain and instead turned to Chen Fu, "Elder Chen, stop quickly, there''s a problem with this batch of pills!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Fu was taken aback, "A problem? What kind of problem?"


    Yan Mingli was at a loss for words; he didn''t know what the problem was, so he looked to Xiao Yi, "Xiao, you see..."


    Xiao Yi gestured politely to Chen Fu, about to speak, when Chen Yu beside him interrupted with a sneer, "Elder Yan, bringing some green kid here and daring to instruct my master in alchemy? Aren''t you looking down on my master a bit too much? Who doesn''t know in the vast Tianqing Kingdom that my master is the number one in the field of alchemy?"


    Chen Fu was certainly aware of Xiao Yi''s identity, but he also knew Xiao Yi for his martial talent.


    In his view, no matter how talented Xiao Yi was, he couldn''t possibly be well-versed in both martial arts and alchemy at such a young age.


    Moreover, his confidence soared as he watched his batch of pills nearing completion, further buoyed by Chen Yu''s flattering praise just now. And here was Xiao Yi claiming his batch of pills was about to be ruined.


    ```


    How could he accept that?


    Chen Fu also said with an unpleasant face, "Xiao, this batch of elixir will be ready soon. Please wait in the back hall for a while!"


    Elder Yan''s face showed an anxious look, "Elder Chen, Xiao said there''s a problem with this batch of elixir, you..."


    "Enough!"


    Chen Yu said angrily, "Elder Yan, you know how much our master has put into this batch of elixir. At such a critical moment, you don''t help, and now you even want to disturb our master''s mind? What are you really thinking? Could it be that you don''t want to see our master become a two-star alchemist?"


    "I..."


    Yan Mingli''s face went from pale to flushed, he opened his mouth to argue but was stopped by Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Since they don''t want to listen, let''s just watch from the side!"


    Yan Mingli hesitated for a moment, and seeing that Xiao Yi had already taken a stance of watching indifferently, he could only sigh and stand aside.


    Chen Fu watched the pill furnace intently, his face expressionless.


    Chen Yu''s face was laced with mockery, "Still thinking about instructing our master? You really don''t know how high the sky is... This kid is not even twenty years old. If he can point out where our master went wrong in alchemy, I''m willing to take my head off and use it as your night pot. Really don''t know the immensity of heaven and earth..."


    However...


    His words had just ended.


    Stay tuned with empire


    Suddenly, the pill furnace trembled violently.


    Boom!


    With a loud noise, the earth fire splattered around, and a column of fire shot into the sky, actually bursting through the roof of the alchemy room.


    Bang!


    The whole roof was blown off, and the fire column, dozens of meters high, completely enveloped the entire pill furnace.


    The scorching heat forced Chen Fu and his disciple to retreat.


    "What, what''s happening?" Chen Yu''s eyes bulged, his legs softened with fright.


    If it weren''t for Chen Fu pulling him away just in time, that column of fire could have incinerated him to ashes! S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chen Fu was also at a loss, seeing the flames wrapping the pill furnace and faint cracks emerging, his face showed a look of despair, "Why is this happening? It was about to be a success, I was about to step into the level of a second-layer alchemist, why did it turn out like this? Why..."


    "Master, what, what exactly happened?" Chen Yu was completely bewildered.


    Chen Fu was covered in cold sweat, his face the picture of despair, "The earth fire has lost control. If this continues, the furnace will explode..."


    "What? Explode?"


    Chen Yu''s face turned deathly pale, his head buzzing, his mind went blank, then he suddenly looked viciously at Xiao Yi, "It''s all your fault... you''re the jinx. If you hadn''t mentioned an explosion, how could it have come to this?"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Yan Mingli glared at Chen Yu, "Nonsense! Xiao had warned you earlier, but you refused to listen to his explanation, and now you''re blaming it on him?"


    "I, I..."


    Chen Yu was at a loss for words, his face burning with shame.


    It was him who had just rebuked Xiao Yi for knowing nothing and yelling nonsense.


    He hadn''t expected to be proven right by Xiao Yi!


    Chen Fu laughed bitterly in despair, "Forget it, forget it... It seems that fate has decreed I won''t become a second-layer alchemist... Let''s leave this place quickly. Chen Yu, immediately have everyone evacuate from the Treasure Pavilion. Should the furnace explode, the consequences are unthinkable..."


    "Yes!"


    Chen Yu nodded hurriedly.


    But just then...


    Xiao Yi''s voice, leisurely, rose, "Let me give it a try!"

 Chapter 186 His Name is Xiao Yi!

    ```"Let me try."


    Xiao Yi sighed and stepped forward.


    The previous attitude of Chen Fu and the other had made him not want to meddle.


    However...


    If the Four Symbols Legion were to develop smoothly, they still needed the massive resources of the Treasure Pavilion, so helping now would make future transactions much easier.


    Chen Yu was taken aback, then angrily said, "Boy, do you even understand alchemy? The situation is completely out of control, and there''s no way to save it now. If you mess around and it causes a huge explosion, the backlash of the earth fire could turn the entire capital into a sea of fire. Can you bear the consequences?"


    Xiao Yi frowned and gave him a cold look, causing Chen Yu to tremble all over as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, swallowing the words he was about to say.


    Xiao Yi''s face was indifferent, "Keep whining, and I''ll tear your mouth apart!"


    "You..."


    Chen Yu shuddered, his face turned pale, feeling as if Xiao Yi had turned into a terrifying beast that left him without the courage to speak.


    Xiao Yi looked at Chen Fu, "Let me try."


    Chen Fu''s expression changed rapidly, but he was out of options and could only respond with a wry smile, "We are grateful for your assistance, Xiao."


    "Hmm."


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly and casually walked up to the alchemy furnace.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The earth fire boiled, fiery columns shot into the sky, and the terrifying waves of fire seemed as if they could engulf everything.


    The crimson glow of the flames reflected on his face.


    Chen Yu sneered repeatedly, "Elder Yan, is your friend out of his mind? With the earth fire out of control, even my master can''t handle it. Who does he think he is?"


    Elder Yan gave him a look and watched Xiao Yi anxiously.


    Just then...


    Xiao Yi suddenly extended his palm into the blazing flames.


    Chen Yu''s face showed an even more mocking expression, "Has this guy gone mad? That''s earth fire! Even the vital energy of someone in the Golden Core Realm can''t withstand the high temperature of the earth fire. Is he planning to perish with it?"


    However.


    As Xiao Yi''s hand entered the flames, the raging fire that boiled ceaselessly seemed to meet its natural enemy and avoided him. Continue your adventure with empire


    His hands moved to the left and right, forcibly tearing a gap in the wall of flames that had converged in front of him.


    He wasn''t harmed in the slightest!


    "What?"


    Chen Yu was dumbfounded, "This is impossible..."


    That was earth fire!


    The vital energy of someone in the Golden Core Realm would be instantly incinerated, yet Xiao Yi could tear apart the earth fire with his bare hands?


    Chen Fu was also deeply shocked, "Incredible, absolutely incredible!"


    Elder Yan''s face showed excitement, and he smiled proudly, "I''ve always said Xiao could do anything, now do you believe me?"


    Chen Fu nodded in astonishment.


    Chen Yu, clenching his fists tightly and unwilling to accept defeat, said, "Hmph, this only shows that his vital energy is strong, it proves nothing else."


    "Open!"


    Xiao Yi uttered a light shout.


    Vital energy burst out from around him, completely tearing apart a fire column tens of meters high while pushing forward with one hand. His left hand grabbed the red-hot pill furnace, and amidst a series of harsh sounds, a puff of black smoke rose up, and Xiao Yi forcefully lifted the furnace.


    Sss!


    Chen Fu and the others were stunned, completely dumbfounded.


    This alchemy furnace weighed tens of thousands of pounds.


    It was burning hot, and Xiao Yi lifted it with one hand?


    Xiao Yi held the alchemy furnace aloft with his right hand while pushing forward with his left, vital energy gushing wildly from his palm, coalescing into a column of energy, and suddenly crashing down towards the outlet of the earth fire, "Seal!"


    Boom!


    The column of vital energy smashed down, blocking the earth fire outlet with a bang.


    At the same time, the energy column dispersed, its pure energy seeping into the broken Earth Fire Array, causing the fearsome flames to dissipate into the air.


    Thud!


    Xiao Yi set the alchemy furnace to one side, dusted his hands, and looked at Chen Fu with a smile, "It''s just that the Earth Fire Array is worn out after years and your use of it for too long this time caused it to break. I''ve sealed the array; now, as long as someone repairs it, there''ll be no more problems!"


    "Thank you, Xiao, for saving our lives!" Chen Fu, finally recovering, said with a serious expression.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively, "It was nothing."


    "Hmph, he''s just relying on his great strength..." Chen Yu muttered unconvincedly.


    "Shut up!"


    Chen Fu gave him a stern look and scolded, "Aren''t you going to apologize to Xiao?"


    "Apologize? What did I say that was wrong..."


    Chen Yu stiffened his neck, "He previously said my master made a mistake during the alchemy process, just showing off. It was just luck that he encountered a broken earth fire array, and he''s only relying on his strong cultivation. What did I say wrong?"


    ```


    "Xiao, this boy has been spoiled by me, please forgive him!"


    Chen Fu said with a bitter smile as he clasped his hands towards Xiao Yi, but in his heart, he agreed with Chen Yu''s view, regretfully looking at the pill furnace covered in cracks, "It''s just a pity for this batch of pills, it was only one step away from success, but now all efforts have been in vain..."


    "It doesn''t matter, it was just that the temperature was too high during the solidifying pill process. All you need to do is add a measure of Frost Condensing Herb!" Xiao Yi said from the side.


    Chen Fu was startled: "Frost Condensing Herb?"


    Chen Yu folded his arms across his chest, full of sarcasm: "Sure enough, a layman. Do you even understand alchemy? The nature of the Mysterious Yang Elixir is of yang fire, while the Frost Condensing Herb is a medicinal herb with yin cold properties. If these two are combined, it will lead to a chaos in the medicinal properties and turn directly into a poison pill. And you''re saying to add Frost Condensing Herb?"


    Chen Fu couldn''t help but shake his head as well.


    Xiao Yi smiled as he looked at the two of them: "You don''t believe me?"


    "Your words are nothing but nonsense, what''s there to believe?" Chen Yu sneered, "My master was practicing alchemy when you didn''t even know where you were!"


    Chen Fu said in a deep voice: "Xiao, we still have to thank you for stepping in to help!"


    "Forget it!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and sighed, "Since you don''t believe, then let it be!"


    He had no intention of casting pearls before swine.


    However, Yan Mingli said solemnly from the side: "Elder Chen, I think you should give it a try!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Yu frowned and said, "Elder Yan, are you questioning my master?"


    Chen Fu''s face showed a trace of displeasure, being the number one figure in the Tianqing Kingdom''s alchemy world. Seeing Yan Mingli would rather believe Xiao Yi than himself, his expression also turned somewhat unsightly.


    Yan Mingli said solemnly: "Elder Chen, at this point, it''s just a waste of a Frost Condensing Herb either way, why not give it a try?"


    "Master, just try it as he says, lest someone remains unconvinced!" Chen Yu said in a tone tinged with sarcasm.


    Chen Fu sighed: "Alright then!"


    The Frost Condensing Herb wasn''t a precious medicinal herb; they were stocked in the alchemy room.


    The entire Frost Condensing Herb was dark green, its surface dotted with crystal-clear crystals like ice, cool to the touch. Chen Fu threw the Frost Condensing Herb into the pill furnace. At the same time, he activated the Condensing Elixir Art, with qi converging inside the pill furnace. After a while, the pill furnace stopped trembling, clearly indicating the end of the pill condensing.


    Chen Fu could not be bothered to look at the ''poison pills'' and sighed: "Chen Yu, go and take out the pills."


    "Yes!"


    Chen Yu looked at Xiao Yi triumphantly, "Let''s see what you have to say now!"


    Thud!


    Chen Yu lifted the lid of the pill furnace.


    However��


    The moment the pill furnace was uncovered, the smug look on Chen Yu''s face disappeared: "This, this is impossible..."


    A rich fragrance of medicine pervaded the entire alchemy room.


    Chen Fu''s eyes widened: "This, this is..."


    He pulled Chen Yu aside and took out the three pills from the pill furnace.


    The pills were entirely red, and they felt warm in the hand.


    "This, this is a Mysterious Yang Elixir? Moreover, a top-quality Mysterious Yang Elixir? How is this possible..." Chen Fu was utterly dumbfounded.


    Top-quality indeed!


    Normally, only a second-grade middle-level alchemist could refine pills of this quality.


    This was clearly supposed to be just a batch of waste pills!


    How could it be that simply by adding a stalk of Frost Condensing Herb, not only was the situation turned around from waste to treasure, but it even became top-quality?


    "Top-quality?"


    Chen Yu was also shocked, disbelievingly staring at the pills in Chen Fu''s hand, his face turning alternately pale and flushed as if he had just been viciously slapped dozens of times.


    Yan Mingli laughed heartily: "Hahaha, Elder Chen, Xiao hasn''t let you down, has he!"


    "It''s not just about not being let down, it''s simply a miracle! Indeed, there are people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens. Chen admits to not recognizing the greatness in front of him!"


    Chen Fu shook his head self-deprecatingly and clasped his hands towards Xiao Yi, "Xiao, I hope you can forgive my shortsightedness!"


    Yan Mingli said leisurely: "I do remember someone saying that if one really turns waste into treasure, they''re willing to unscrew their head and use it as a night pot!"


    "I..."


    Chen Yu''s face turned ashen as he knelt on the ground, his neck stiff, "Xiao, please take my head!"


    "Get up. Elder Yan was merely joking, no need for such extreme measures!"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily as he looked at Chen Fu, "Elder Chen, I have a matter to discuss with you!"


    "Xiao, please speak!"


    Chen Fu bowed.


    Chen Yu looked at the disappearing backs of the two, turning towards Yan Mingli. "Elder Yan, who exactly is he?"


    Yan Mingli looked at him with an odd expression and said indifferently: "His name is Xiao Yi!"


    "Xiao Yi?"


    Chen Yu was stunned, his face suddenly changing, incredulous, "He, he, he... the Guardian Martial God?" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 187 My Hatred Will Not Be Quelled Until Xiao Yi Dies!

    Inside the Treasure Pavilion.Chen Yu''s face was brimming with eagerness and admiration as he respectfully stood to one side, serving Xiao Yi tea and water.


    Xiao Yi, seeing his demeanor, felt somewhat helpless, "You needn''t go to such lengths!" Discover hidden content at empire


    Chen Yu promptly shook his head, not showing the slightest bit of his previous arrogance and pride, speaking with utter sincerity, "War God, I did not realize it was you earlier, and I inadvertently offended you. You, being magnanimous, did not take my petty actions to heart. But all these are things I ought to do..."


    Chen Fu chuckled, "Xiao, you can ignore him. This lad has really taken you as his idol!"


    "Heh heh!" S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chen Yu scratched his head and said, "In the Tianqing Kingdom these days, almost everyone regards you as an idol!"


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but laugh and cry, then he turned to look at Chen Fu, "Chen, I''ve taken the liberty to come today because we are forming the Four Symbols Legion, to respond to the Great Jin Kingdom. However, there is quite a shortfall when it comes to medicinal materials. We hope to establish a cooperation with the Treasure Pavilion. Of course, we''ll still purchase the materials at market prices!"


    The royal family was footing the bill for these materials, so naturally, Xiao Yi didn''t need to worry about the cost in silver taels.


    Chen Fu nodded, "Xiao, rest assured, I, Chen Fu, am also a man of the Tianqing Kingdom. Whatever medicinal materials you need, just give me a list. I will arrange for it to be transferred from other branches as quickly as possible!"


    "Then, I shall trouble you, Chen," Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    "It''s my duty!" said Chen Fu earnestly.


    Chen Yu, who was at the side, seemed hesitant to speak. Xiao Yi inquired with curiosity, "Chen Yu, is there something on your mind?"


    Taking a deep breath and mustering all his courage, Chen Yu said, "War God..."


    "You can address me by my name!" Xiao Yi interjected.


    "Then, then I''ll follow my master and call you Xiao from now on!" Chen Yu chuckled, then continued, "Xiao, regarding the Four Symbols Legion you mentioned, I was wondering if I can qualify to join?"


    His cultivation had also reached the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, and he was not far from the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "You? Does Chen really feel willing to let you enlist?"


    Even though the Four Symbols Legion was to be built to the standards of the Golden Crow Guards, it was, after all, about joining the military.


    In the future, they were to be deployed to the battlefield.


    This was a matter of risking one''s life.


    With Chen Yu''s status, studying the art of medicine under Chen Fu''s guidance and possibly even taking over the position of Pavilion Master someday...


    Why take the risk?


    Chen Yu spoke in a determined voice, "As a man in this world, one should be like Xiao, entering the battlefield, slaying enemies, and protecting the homeland. I��I want to try!"


    Xiao Yi looked towards Chen Fu.


    Chen Fu gazed deeply at Chen Yu, his eyes filled with relief. He nodded, "Xiao, go ahead and agree to his request!"


    "In that case, you just need to go to the recruitment spot tomorrow to enroll!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, thinking that Chen Yu''s entry into the Four Symbols Legion was all to the good. With this setup, Chen Fu would definitely be more active in providing medicinal materials to the Legion. Therefore, he warned, "However, let me be clear upfront, once you join the Four Symbols Legion, you will be a soldier, not Chen''s disciple anymore. I will treat everyone the same; there will be no special treatment!"


    "Xiao, rest assured, I promise not to disgrace you or my master!" Chen Yu pledged, thumping his chest.


    Xiao Yi nodded then stood up, "Chen, then I''ll leave the matter of the medicinal materials in your hands. I still have other matters to attend to, so I''ll take my leave now!"


    "Xiao, take care!"


    Said Chen Fu, continuously.


    "Master, let me see Xiao off!" Chen Yu quickly offered.


    "Go ahead!"


    Watching the departing duo, Chen Fu smiled and turned to Yan Mingli by his side, "Mingli, this Xiao is really extraordinary! Not only is his martial arts talent so formidable, capable of leading troops into battle, but he also has such a profound knowledge in medicine. This man''s gift, I''m afraid, is not even a bit inferior to the legendary Xiao Tianjiao!"


    Yan Mingli chuckled, "Who could disagree? I''m becoming more and more curious whether the Xiao Family is entirely blind..."


    ......


    Inside the royal palace.


    When Jiang Tai learned that the Treasure Pavilion had agreed to help provide medicinal herbs, he also quietly let out a sigh of relief, "Xiao brother, Father Emperor was right, with you here, Tianqing will not fall!"


    "If you keep praising me like this, I might just ascend to the heavens!"


    Xiao Yi said helplessly before continuing, "Right now, there''s no need to worry about the medicinal herbs. Elder Xue will handle the pill concoction, and as for the training of the Four Symbols Legion, Yu Huaxian and Gu will work together��there won''t be any problems. Next, I plan to take a trip out."


    "Where to?"


    Jiang Tai asked, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "Weapons. I found a massive mine in Iron Mountain City before, with an extremely rich reserve. I''m planning to go to Iron Mountain City, first to develop that vein, then to have Iron Mountain City put all their efforts into forging weapons and armors!"


    He intended to create special armor and weapons for the Four Symbols Legion.


    All these required a massive amount of ore.


    That mine, with reserves worth over ten billion Silver Taels, had never been developed before due to a lack of time, and now was the moment.


    Jiang Tai said, "If that''s the case, then let the Shi Family brothers lead the Imperial Guards to accompany you there."


    "That works!"


    The Shi Family brothers had all advanced to the Golden Elixir Realm Cultivation, and with their help along with the Imperial Guards, at least clearing the beasts around the vein wouldn''t be a problem, and it would save a lot of effort.


    The two were discussing this matter.


    However, they hadn''t noticed that an old eunuch who had been standing by their side with bowed head had a glint of sharpness flash through his eyes.


    Deep into the night, all was quiet.


    Within the dungeon.


    Ge Zheng and a group of people were imprisoned inside, waiting for Yu Huaxian to thoroughly investigate their crimes before a public judgment.


    In the dim and damp dungeon.


    A shadowy figure quietly appeared before Ge Zheng and knelt down before him, "Righteous father!"


    Ge Zheng opened his bleary eyes and looked at the shadow before him, "Why are you here? Didn''t I tell you to be extremely careful and not to expose our relationship?"


    "Righteous father, your son has an urgent matter that requires your decision!" the shadow said.


    Ge Zheng frowned and inquired, "What''s the matter?"


    The shadow spoke in a grave tone, "Your son has received news that Xiao Yi is headed to Iron Mountain City with the Shi Family brothers and fifty thousand Imperial Guards. They have seemingly discovered an astonishingly large mine there. Xiao Yi plans to develop that mine to forge weapons for the Four Symbols Legion!"


    "Oh?"


    Ge Zheng''s pupils suddenly dilated.


    He was already a prisoner, and with the relationship between Jiang Tai and Xiao Yi, there was no chance they would allow him to turn the tables.


    Unless...


    The formation of the Four Symbols Legion failed.


    The Tianqing Kingdom was defeated by the Great Jin Kingdom.


    Then, perhaps he would have a way out.


    With this thought in mind.


    Ge Zheng gave a hideous smile, "Well, this is really a godsend opportunity." He looked at the shadow before him, took out a peace charm from his bosom, and said in a deep voice, "This is your father''s token. Take it and quickly go to the depths of Nanhuang to find that person. That person owed your father a favor, and as long as you present this charm, he will certainly make a move to help you. Have him kill Xiao Yi."


    "Righteous father, rest assured, your son will surely fulfill the trust!" the shadow reverently withdrew.


    Ge Zheng''s eyes gleamed savagely as he raised his head to look at the pitch-black dungeon, and he sneered sinisterly, "Xiao Yi, my hatred will not be soothed until you are dead!"

 Chapter 188 Who Are You?

    Outside Iron Mountain City. Explore stories on empireThe Iron Arm Princess, Hu Qingbi, led the people of Iron Mountain City as they waited outside the city.


    She had already received the news that Xiao Yi would be arriving in Iron Mountain City.


    Hu Qingbi combed her hair and straightened her clothes while still feeling uncertain, she turned to her maid and asked, "Xiao Yun, is my hair messy? Is this outfit really okay?"


    Xiao Yun rolled her eyes and said helplessly, "Commandery Princess, it''s only been an hour, and you''ve already asked me over thirty times."


    Hu Qingbi glared at her and said, "It''s always you who talks too much��"


    "Oh�� Commandery Princess, your clothes are fine and so is your hair, I guarantee that Lord Xiao won''t be able to take his eyes off you��now are you satisfied?" Xiao Yun muttered.


    A flush of embarrassment emerged on Hu Qingbi''s face as she said in feigned anger, "Who told you I dressed up like this for Xiao?"


    Xiao Yun rolled her eyes again, "Right, right, right, you''ve dressed up so beautifully for them, not for Xiao��happy now?"


    "..."


    Hu Qingbi looked at the burly blacksmiths surrounding her, her pretty face turning dark.


    At that moment...


    A series of rumbling sounds approached, amid clouds of dust and smoke.


    Xiao Yi, leading fifty thousand Imperial Guards, appeared majestically on the horizon, quickly arriving in front of Iron Mountain City.


    "Qingbi pays her respects to Xiao!" Hu Qingbi hurried forward.


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily and said, "The Commandery Princess is so thoughtful. I wonder if the experienced mining masters you''ve arranged are ready?"


    Hu Qingbi said, "Xiao, you must be exhausted from the journey. Why not enter the city and rest for a while?"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "No need, military duties beckon, I can''t delay!"


    "Alright then..."


    Hu Qingbi gazed at Xiao Yi with a look of unfulfilled longing and sighed, "The arrangements have been made, we can set out now!"


    "Then let us be on our way!"


    Xiao Yi ignored Hu Qingbi''s gaze.


    In his heart, there was only Fang Qingzhu. He really had no spare attention for anything else.


    Moreover...


    He was but a passing traveler in the Tianqing Kingdom. He would leave once the Kingdom overcame its current crisis and established stability. Rather than foster any ambiguous feelings in Hu Qingbi that might deepen into love, it was better to nip any budding hopes in the bud.


    Upon receiving Xiao Yi''s message, she had gathered all the experienced mining masters of Iron Mountain City.


    They were now fully prepared and ready to depart.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the crowd by the city gates and said solemnly, "Gentlemen, you will accompany me to the Iron Mountain Range. There lies an undeveloped Tungsten Iron Mine with vast reserves. I hope you all will assist me with all your might to develop this mine as soon as possible!"


    "Tungsten Iron Mine?"


    "Are there still undeveloped Tungsten Iron Mines in the Iron Mountains?"


    The crowd was taken aback.


    Every person seated was an experienced master miner, and they had developed more than seventy percent of the mines within the Iron Mountains.


    It wasn''t an exaggeration to say��


    They knew the mountains better than anyone else.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If I say there is, then there is."


    The group of master miners looked at each other and whispered, "This Guardian Martial God is really too arrogant. We''re certainly no match for him in martial arts, but how could he possibly compare with us in mining?"


    "We were mining when he was still wearing split pants!"


    "Let it be, after all, he''s the Guardian Martial God. They say even the King of Tianqing listens to him. All we need to do is follow orders. Once we can''t find the mine, he''ll naturally take our advice..."


    Shi Yaoqian whispered, "Xiao, these guys don''t respect you, huh!"


    Xiao Yi smiled without commenting, "It''s fine. Once they see the mine, they''ll know who''s right."


    A procession of people moved majestically towards the Iron Mountain Range.


    The Iron Mountain itself was already dotted with numerous mines.


    Thanks to the continuous development by generations of people from Iron Mountain City, many wide roads had also been constructed along the way to facilitate the transport of ores.


    Even a fifty-thousand-strong Imperial Guard army could advance with ease.


    According to the map.


    Xiao Yi led everyone through mountains and over ridges, and after spending two days, they finally arrived at the Tungsten Iron Mine.


    "Shi Yaoqian, level that forest ahead for me!" Xiao Yi commanded.


    "Yes!"


    The four brothers of the Shi Family soared into the sky, with four Golden Core experts acting simultaneously.


    Their momentum was enough to change the color of the heavens and the earth.


    The dense jungle in front of them was razed to the ground, creating space enough to accommodate a hundred thousand people. Xiao Yi immediately arranged for everyone to set up camp, while leading several thousand mining masters to the entrance of the mine: "Inside here lies the Tungsten Iron Ore!"


    "How could there be Tungsten Iron Ore in a place like this?"


    "The conditions for the birth of Tungsten Iron Ore are very strict, this place does not meet the requirements for Tungsten Iron Ore to form at all��"


    A group of mining masters murmured among themselves.


    Xiao Yi said, "Just go in and see for yourselves whether it''s true or false!"


    The crowd was skeptical.


    Not until they saw the dazzling Tungsten Iron Ore within the mine were they completely dumbfounded: "Holy shit! Holy shit! There''s really Tungsten Iron Ore here? And the quality of these ores is incredibly high, this, this is impossible! We''ve been here many times before, how did we never discover this vein?"


    "Based on my experience, this Tungsten Iron Ore vein must have at least ten billion taels of silver in reserve!"


    "I think it''s more than that! With a vein this large, it''s very likely that we''ll find Tungsten Iron Ore concentrate. If we do find the concentrate, its value could multiply several times over��"


    Shi Yaoqian, looking at the dumbfounded mining masters with a weird intonation, said, "Didn''t you all conclusively say there was no vein here? Take a good look at what this is. Does your face hurt? Isn''t this embarrassing?"


    The mining masters looked at each other, their faces flush with shame.


    They knelt down and bowed to Xiao Yi: "Lord War God, your wisdom and valor are unsurpassed, we are ashamed!" S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi cast a glance at Shi Yaoqian, finding him rather vengeful.


    However��


    Giving these mining masters a bit of a scolding didn''t do any harm.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "Everyone, please stand. What''s most important now is to get a clear understanding of the full extent of this vein and to develop the fastest mining process. I don''t expect all the Tungsten Iron Ore to be extracted from the vein. However, within ten days, we must see the first batch of ore reach Iron Mountain City; the Iron Arm Princess and a host of forging masters are waiting there!"


    "Rest assured, Lord, we will do our utmost!" the crowd said in unison.


    "Yaoqian, I''m leaving this place in your care!" Xiao Yi said.


    Shi Yaoqian patted his chest, "Brother, rest assured, as long as I''m here, not a single ore will be missing!"


    His eyes glinted with eagerness, almost as if he wanted to sleep with these priceless ores, cradled in his arms.


    Xiao Yi shook his head helplessly and left the mine.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin climbed onto his shoulder and gently nudged Xiao Yi''s cheek with its head, a faint sadness emanating from it: "Boss, I don''t know why, but I feel so sad when I''m here��"


    Xiao Yi was startled, then remembered that Little Lin''s mother was buried nearby.


    Gently rubbing Little Lin''s head, Xiao Yi said, "I''ll take you somewhere!"


    "Where?"


    Little Lin looked up with human-like confusion.


    Without saying much, Xiao Yi soared into the sky and soon arrived at the place where Little Lin''s mother was buried.


    However��


    When Xiao Yi reached the site, his expression suddenly changed, a cold murderous intent flashing in his eyes: "Who are you?"

 Chapter 189 Lord of Nanhuang

    Xiao Yi''s face was covered with a layer of frost, and his eyes were filled with killing intent.However, the grave where Little Lin''s mother had been buried had now been dug open, and her body was exposed to the air.


    Next to that grave,


    a gaunt figure clad in yellow robes had his back turned to Xiao Yi and the others. Squatting on the ground, he was actually roasting meat. And that meat was alarmingly cut from Little Lin''s mother''s corpse, the faint aroma of cooked meat wafting into the air, tempting one''s taste buds.


    Xiao Yi''s face darkened, "Who are you?"


    He and Little Lin were as close as brothers.


    Little Lin''s mother was the same as an elder to him.


    To have the bones of an elder dug out from their grave and their flesh cut and roasted, Xiao Yi wished he could immediately chop the man before him to pieces.


    "Hm?"


    The man in the yellow robes slowly stood up, pushing the golden-brown skewer of meat forward with a smile, "I didn''t expect to encounter such a pure beast in this forsaken place. Although it''s been dead for quite some time and the quality of the meat has deteriorated, the taste is still not bad. Would you like to try some?"


    "I''ll taste your grandpa!"


    Before Xiao Yi could speak, Little Lin on his shoulder let out an angry roar.


    Upon seeing that body, the connection of blood had let him know that she was his mother.


    To have his own mother''s body exhumed and used for roasting meat,


    Little Lin''s eyes instantly turned blood red, and with a whiz, he shot out from Xiao Yi''s shoulder. As he crossed the air, his body shone with a silver brilliance and swelled in size, transforming into a thirty-meter-long silver serpent as thick as a barrel. With a tremendous lash of its tail, it violently struck at the gaunt figure.


    His cultivation had also reached the Third Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, with fighting prowess comparable to the Sixth Layer of the realm.


    With a sweep of the tail,


    even mountains and rivers could be leveled by his power.


    However...


    the man in the yellow robes simply held the skewer in one hand and casually flicked the other.


    A wave of yellow light surged, as countless grains of sand came together to form a massive hand, which firmly caught Little Lin''s tail.


    Then, with a fierce upward swing,


    Little Lin''s body was violently flung to the ground with a thud.


    This repeated over a dozen times.


    Little Lin saw stars, his mouth filled with blood, his silver light receding, transforming back into his original size, lying on the ground, barely alive.


    Xiao Yi reached out through the air and pulled Little Lin back to him.


    After confirming there was no threat to his life, he then placed him back into his arms.


    The man in yellow robes looked at Little Lin in Xiao Yi''s arms with amusement, "No wonder your mother''s flesh is so delicious; it turns out she bore a mutated beast. Once I take you back and raise you slowly, I''ll take your bloodline."


    "Who exactly are you?"


    Xiao Yi scrutinized the man, aware that anyone who could defeat Little Lin so easily was not to be underestimated.


    The gaunt figure split into a proud smile and arrogantly said, "I am Huang Bo, the lord of Nanhuang!" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The lord of Nanhuang?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, his face suddenly changing.


    He had heard Yan Mingli mention before that deep in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range there was a high-tier sixth-order Beast King. But a demonic beast couldn''t possibly transform into human form unless they reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Could it be that the beast before him was a seventh-order, comparable to the Dharma Manifestation Realm?


    "No. That''s not right. A Dharma Manifestation Realm expert would emanate power of the heaven and earth, and he is not a Dharma..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as he intensely watched Huang Bo. "Why aren''t you in Nanhuang? What are you doing here?" Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire


    Huang Bo grinned, "Someone paid me to take your life, so here I am!"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly shrank.


    Someone wanted his life?


    The Great Jin Kingdom?


    Something is wrong!


    With the power of the Great Jin Kingdom, if they truly wanted to send a master to take his life, they wouldn''t have needed to rely on Huang Bo''s help. Tianlan and the other three major kingdoms couldn''t possibly do it either, as they were too preoccupied with their own troubles to even think about killing him.


    The only possibility was someone from within the Tianqing Kingdom itself.


    An image flashed through Xiao Yi''s mind as he said in a heavy voice, "Ge Zheng?"


    He had also considered whether it might be remnants from the Nine Profound Sect, Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, or Mingjian Manor, but those powers had long since crumbled to dust, especially the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, which had been slaughtered by the once Buddhist disciples. Moreover, if these forces were related to Huang Bo, they would not have waited until now to ask for his help.


    Considering all the people he had offended recently, only Ge Zheng, who once had overwhelming influence in the court and countryside, had the capability.


    After all.


    Ge Zheng had once defended Nanhuang City!


    Huang Bo was startled, then burst into laughter, "Indeed intriguing, you actually guessed that it was that old guy Ge Zheng who sent this king to kill you." He bit off one end of the meat skewer, yanked the stick out with one pull, his mouth brimming with the aroma of meat, which he chewed and swallowed before staring at Xiao Yi and saying, "In light of the delicious meal you''ve given this king, I''ll give you three breaths'' time to leave your last words!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed as he stared intently at Huang Bo and said in a deep voice, "Save your last words for yourself!"


    "Oh?"


    Huang Bo raised an eyebrow, sneering, "Since you''re seeking death, then don''t blame this king!"


    Boom!


    His figure violently shook.


    A yellow mist swirled and Huang Bo''s figure transformed into a massive wall of sand, surging towards Xiao Yi.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Xiao Yi threw a punch, and the expanse of yellow sand before him exploded with a bang. However, the sand immediately flowed to fill in the gap torn by Xiao Yi. The vast wave of yellow sand rolled towards Xiao Yi, who leaped into the sky. Amidst the whooshing sounds, palm after palm made of yellow sand shot out vigorously.


    Grasping continuously towards Xiao Yi.


    Each attempt failed to catch him.


    Huang Bo''s expression turned ugly, and with a cold snort, he pressed both hands to the ground, "Chaotic Sand Sea!"


    Rustle!


    The entire land trembled, and countess grains of yellow sand from within the earth swarmed over, covering a hundred zhang all around.


    The ground turned into golden yellow gravel.


    Rumble!


    The entire sand sea erupted violently.


    Sand and dust formed long spears that furiously shot towards the sky, each spear made of sand was exceedingly tough and unrivaled in sharpness.


    "A Waterfall Flows Down Three Thousand Feet!"


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain..."


    Xiao Yi stood in the sky, his swordsmanship brilliant, releasing a swath of sword lights that covered the sky densely and rained down. The sword light collided with the yellow sand in the sky, like needle tips against wheat stalks, setting off explosions that resounded like thunderclaps. The vast sand in the heavens gathered into a thick mass, resembling dark clouds stretching across the sky.


    "Annihilation Sandstorm!"


    Huang Bo''s figure soared, his body emanating a crazed yellow glow, and a wild wind rose, whipping up the sand that filled the sky.


    The entire world was obscured by the sandstorm.


    Turning into a world of yellow sand.


    Though Xiao Yi''s swordsmanship was astonishing, it could not slice through all of the sand.


    Countless sand grains raged around him, merging and forming into a spherical prison, trapping him within. The overwhelming sand continued to compact, finally turning into a giant sand sphere with a diameter of a hundred zhang, with Xiao Yi firmly locked inside. Huang Bo''s lips curved up in a sinister smile, and raising his right hand, he clenched his palm, "Shatter!"


    Boom!


    The massive sand sphere exploded thunderously, sending sand cascading down from the sky.


    But in the void.


    Xiao Yi''s figure... was nowhere to be seen...

 Chapter 190 Submit, or Die!

    In the void, sand filled the sky.Only Xiao Yi''s figure was nowhere to be seen.


    Huang Bo stood suspended in the air, squinting at the drifting sand ahead, with a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth and a cold sneer, "A mere Golden Elixir Realm Peak, and yet you forced me to use my Annihilation Sandstorm, you are the first. Sigh, how lonely it is to be invincible, hahaha!"


    "Invincible? Are you that confident?"


    As Huang Bo was about to leave, he suddenly heard Xiao Yi''s voice near his ear.


    The voice was so close that it sent shivers down his spine.


    "Not good!"


    Huang Bo instinctively dodged to the side, but as soon as he moved, he banged his head against a wall composed of Sword Qi.


    The collision broke Huang Bo''s nasal bone.


    Blood gushed wildly from his nostrils.


    Tears streamed out uncontrollably.


    He clutched his head wailing, and it took a good while before he recovered, looking around with a befuddled face.


    At some point, several Qi walls, entirely condensed from Sword Qi, had appeared around him. The walls were extremely strong; he had just rammed into one of them. Rubbing his broken nose, which was now completely crooked, he clicked it back into place. Huang Bo''s pupils contracted slightly, staring at Xiao Yi, "How did you break free from my Annihilation Sandstorm?"


    Annihilation Sandstorm.


    It was Huang Bo''s Innate Divine Ability merged with the power of heaven and earth, a lethal move. With his cultivation nearly at the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, even when facing someone from the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he could entrap and kill them.


    That Xiao Yi managed to slip away without him realizing was truly astonishing.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Your move is indeed powerful, but its weakness is also very obvious. As long as one''s speed is fast enough, one can leave before your sand completely seals off the area. It''s not difficult."


    "Impossible!"


    Huang Bo angrily said, "I was watching the whole time, you were clearly surrounded by the sand..."


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "Watching the whole time? Are you sure what you saw was me?"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Bo was stunned. He rapidly recalled the previous moment, and his expression suddenly changed, "The one trapped was just your afterimage?"


    Xiao Yi gave a mysterious smile.


    When Huang Bo deployed the Annihilation Sandstorm, Xiao Yi sensed the terror of the move.


    With the help of the sandstorm, he escaped the encircling sands at incredible speed, leaving only an afterimage wrapped in the dust.


    But in Huang Bo''s view, it appeared as if it was his real body that was trapped.


    All of this seemed simple.


    Yet achieving it was exceedingly difficult.


    First and foremost, one needed to have an extremely fast movement technique, and additionally, a keen sense of timing was required.


    Escape too early, and the afterimage would disappear before the sand had enveloped it.


    Escape too late, and the sand would''ve formed an enclosure, preventing escape.


    Huang Bo''s face went from pale to flushed. He never imagined his seemingly unbeatable trump card would be directly broken through by Xiao Yi. His face twisted into a vicious expression, "No wonder Ge Zheng used up that favor to have me come kill you. You indeed are a troublesome opponent. However, do you really think this mere Sword Qi can stop me?"


    Whoosh!


    Huang Bo raised his arm, and countless grains of sand burst forth from his yellow robe, crashing against the Sword Qi walls around him.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    After several collisions,


    the Sword Qi walls remained unmoved. Instead, countless grains of sand filled the cage, binding Huang Bo''s range of motion.


    "How is this possible? I can''t break through this mere Sword Qi?" Huang Bo looked around in astonishment.


    Never underestimate the sand in his hands, which seemed weak and powerless when scattered, but once gathered together, were as hard as mysterious iron and as sharp as any ordinary primordial weapon.


    Xiao Yi hovered in the air, "Let me see you off!"


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi felt the divine power within him converge, flowing into the Fire Qilin Sword.


    The Fire Qilin Sword glowed red, its scale-like patterns coming to life, as the fiery heat and Sword Qi surged forth. In an instant, the temperature within the cage of Sword Qi soared, turning everything into a world of flames, akin to being inside a volcano, facing the terrifying blaze.


    The yellow sand began to melt, transforming into rolling magma.


    Huang Bo, trapped within the magma, grimaced in excruciating pain. While the magma couldn''t kill him, it inflicted unbearable, agonizing pain. "You scoundrels... Despicable humans, release me if you dare, and fight me fairly!"


    "You, a high-ranking sixth-tier Beast King, dares to attack me, a mere human at the Golden Core Realm, and you speak of fairness?" Xiao Yi scoffed repeatedly.


    "I, I..."


    Huang Bo''s face twisted in ugliness, his teeth clenched in anger, "Xiao Yi, release me, or I swear I''ll annihilate your entire clan..."


    "Clueless fool!"


    Xiao Yi vibrated the blade of his sword.


    Shua! Shua! Shua!


    Sword Qi from all directions swarmed in, merging with the magma.


    Chi! Chi! Chi!


    The sword''s edge effortlessly sliced open Huang Bo''s body, leaving vicious wounds over him, and the magma seeped into every opening.


    Should Huang Bo''s demonic power not cover him in time, the magma would infiltrate and burn his flesh.


    The piercing pain!


    The scorching burn!


    It completely drove Huang Bo mad. His face turned beet red, his body crisscrossed with ferocious wounds, many of which were scorched.


    Finally...


    Huang Bo gave up resistance: "I admit defeat..."


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "That''s it? You surrender just like that?"


    "Hmph!"


    Huang Bo snorted coldly, "Using such despicable tactics..."


    "It seems it''s not enough!"


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    Xiao Yi sighed, pointing his sword, "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Shua! Shua! Shua!


    Sword beams fell like rain, bombarding Huang Bo frantically.


    Incapable of dodging within the magma, Huang Bo resolutely bore the brunt of the relentless sword beams, frustrated and furious, "Xiao Yi, are you so desperate to force a fight to the death with me?"


    "Still talking tough?"


    "Ao... Xiao Yi, I command the allegiance of a million demonic beasts in Nanhuang. Believe me or not, if I instigate a beast tide..."


    "A beast tide? Then I shall sacrifice you to Nanhuang!"


    "No..." S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Xiao, ancestor Xiao, I admit my defeat... I was wrong... I lost..."


    "Stop, please... no more..."


    Huang Bo, covered in wounds and barely alive, had completely ceased to resist. He looked at Xiao Yi with dodging and fearful eyes, "Stop... I surrender..."


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled into a small smile, "You surrender?"


    "I surrender!"


    Huang Bo nodded hastily, fearing to anger Xiao Yi further, "As long as you don''t kill me, I''ll agree to anything you ask!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "If you don''t want to die, then submit to me!"


    "What? Don''t even dream of it, I am the noble ruler of Nanhuang..."


    Xiao Yi''s Fire Qilin Sword thrummed with power, "Submit or die! The choice is yours!"


    Huang Bo gulped down saliva nervously, quickly changing his stance, "I submit! I submit! I, the king, submit..."

 Chapter 191 Million Demon Beasts

    "I submit, this king submits..."Faced with the threat of death, Huang Bo made a very decisive choice to submit.


    Xiao Yi then ceased his attack.


    At this moment, Huang Bo was in an extremely miserable state, with almost no part of his body unharmed. His face was not just swollen and bruised; he had also broken dozens of bones throughout his body.


    He was covered in wounds, with sword scars crisscrossing and blood flowing freely.


    What''s more, many of his wounds were seared, and the smell of cooked flesh filled the air.


    With a face full of grievance, Huang Bo looked at Xiao Yi and muttered, "You, you humans are indeed the most terrifying creatures in this world!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, "If you hadn''t provoked me, would I have gone to Nanhuang to deal with you?"


    "..."


    After thinking it over, Huang Bo said with indignant resentment, "It''s all Ge Zheng''s fault, that old husband. Otherwise, I would still be in Nanhuang, leading my million demon beasts. How could I have ended up in such a plight?"


    A million demon beasts?


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shone slightly.


    He had always been lamenting that the Four Symbols Legion only relied on pills to temporarily improve the warriors'' cultivation while enhancing their combat strength with equipment. They hadn''t managed to assemble a powerful cavalry force. After all, in this world of martial artists, ordinary warhorses used as cavalry, if faced with elite troops like the Golden Crow Guards, would have minimal effect.


    But what if he could have a million demon beasts as mounts?


    When the million demon beast cavalry charge together, even the Golden Crow Guards would have to avoid their sharp edge, right?


    Watching Xiao Yi''s gleaming gaze fixed on himself, Huang Bo subconsciously shuddered, looking warily and asking, "What, what, what do you want to do?"


    Xiao Yi rubbed his hands together and smiled with a grin, "Huang Bo, are you comfortable living in Nanhuang?"


    "Huh?"


    Huang Bo was taken aback and said with pride, "I am the lord of Nanhuang. With a million demon beasts under my command, I''m waited on hand and foot for food and lodging. How could it not be comfortable?"


    "What do you eat? What do you wear? And where do you live?"


    Xiao Yi pointed at him, "Are you talking about this poor quality yellow robe you''re wearing? Is your food just roast meat? Don''t tell me you live in a cave?"


    Huang Bo: "..."


    The physiques of demon beasts are much stronger than humans, but they are far inferior in terms of creativity.


    Just as Xiao Yi said, he lived in a cave!


    Xiao Yi tutted, "The august lord of Nanhuang actually still lives in a cave. If word of this got out, wouldn''t people die laughing?"


    "I, I..."


    At a loss for words, Huang Bo could only say indignantly, "If not in a cave, where else could I live? We demon kind don''t build cities..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Let''s cooperate!"


    "Cooperate?"


    Huang Bo looked at Xiao Yi with a strange expression.


    Xiao Yi nodded earnestly, "I''ll have the king confer upon you the title of a Protectorate Divine Beast, a status equivalent to that of a noble in the Tianqing Kingdom. In due course, His Majesty will build a Beast King City for you near Nanhuang. Imagine having top human chefs prepare you lavish meals, top human tailors crafting you beautiful clothes, and living in a palace..."


    Heaving! Heaving! Heaving!


    Huang Bo''s face turned red, and his breathing quickened.


    The demon beast race was indeed very envious of human life.


    Especially after he became capable of transforming, Huang Bo found himself adopting many human living habits.


    If his life could truly be as Xiao Yi described, with a city built for him and servants to attend to his every need, the days would be blissful!


    But...


    Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Huang Bo said with a trembling voice, "What would this king have to give in return?"


    Xiao Yi squinted and said, "I plan to form a cavalry of a million monster beasts. All you need to do is let your million monster beasts cooperate with us and become the combat companions of my cavalry."


    "Let my children be mounts? No, that won''t do��" Huang Bo shook his head hurriedly.


    Xiao Yi said, "Not as mounts, but as combat partners, and when the time comes, your children will also be rewarded for their merits and promoted nobly! Look at my clothes, soft in texture and luxuriously fashioned. You, as the ruler of Nanhuang and the majestic Beast King, what are you wearing?"


    Huang Bo subconsciously tightened his yellow robe.


    This clothing, which had once filled him with immense satisfaction, now seemed uglier the more he looked at it. It would be embarrassing to be seen in it!


    Xiao Yi pressed on his advantage: "Look at what you''re eating. Roasted meat without a hint of seasoning. Try this��" S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He took out a stack of osmanthus cakes from the storage ring.


    Huang Bo took a bite, his eyes squinting into slits, a look of satisfaction on his face.


    Xiao Yi spoke leisurely: "This is just a dessert after dinner. The real delicacy is far more delicious than this! Imagine, in your Beast King City, lying in a luxurious palace under the sun, with a chef cooking various gourmet dishes by your side, a tailor custom making beautiful and noble garments for you..."


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Huang Bo''s heartbeat sped up, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, "Done! Isn''t it just being a mount? I, the king, have decided. When you need them, I will bring my children right away!"


    Xiao Yi''s heart leapt with joy and he said, "Within half a month, have all the monster beasts arrive in Jing Mountain outside the capital, and they must travel through the wild mountains and rivers along the way, without revealing the news of the million monster beasts. Can you manage that?"


    "No problem!"


    Huang Bo patted his chest, his face showing a peculiar expression, "You''re planning to ambush someone, aren''t you?"


    "Don''t put it so crudely. It''s just a strategic necessity!" said Xiao Yi.


    Huang Bo rolled his eyes and said, "Then shall I return to Nanhuang now to bring the children over?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and asked further, "By the way, you''re not a Dharma Manifestation Realm beast, how can you transform?"


    Huang Bo said, "I found a Transforming Herb in Nanhuang once, so I could transform early."


    "Is there any more Transforming Herb in Nanhuang?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Huang Bo shook his head and said, "No more. The Transforming Herb blooms once in a thousand years, and it takes another thousand years to mature. It''s not so easy to come by!"


    "Forget it!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand resignedly and took out a token to give to him, "When you bring the monster beast army to the capital, take this token to find Gu Junhe, and he will know how to arrange things for you!"


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    "No problem!"


    Huang Bo accepted the token, hesitating before he left, he asked, "You''re just letting me go like this? Aren''t you afraid I''ll disappear and never return?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If you disappeared, I guarantee that there would be no more monster beasts in Nanhuang. Even at the Ends of the Heaven, I would take your head!"


    Seeing the Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand emitting flickering flames, Huang Bo shivered all over and said with an awkward smile, "Rest assured, am I the kind of person who reneges on a promise?"


    Whoosh!


    Huang Bo soared into the sky.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, thinking of the time when the two armies would face each other.


    With a sudden appearance of a million monster beast cavalry on his side, sweeping through everything, what kind of scene would that be!


    "With the addition of a million monster beast army, my Four Symbols Legion will truly be perfect!"


    Xiao Yi took a long breath, already foreseeing the invincible scene of the Four Symbols Legion, and he unconsciously gripped the Fire Qilin Sword in his hand tighter.


    But just then...


    A shocking explosion came from afar, the ground shook and the mountains trembled, and a purple light column could be seen shooting up into the sky.


    Wasn''t that in the direction of the Tungsten Iron Mine?


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed dramatically, "Has something happened?"

 Chapter 192 Good Death!

    Xiao Yi soared into the sky, flying towards the direction of the mine vein where purple light was shooting into the heavens.The entire vicinity of the vein was in utter chaos; everyone was stunned by the scene unfolding before their eyes.


    Had it not been for the fifty thousand Imperial Guards maintaining order, those thousands of mining masters would have already fled. "What on earth is happening? I, I''ve been mining for so many years and have never seen such a bizarre sight!"


    "Could it be that we''ve disturbed the Mountain God?"


    "We can''t mine any further..."


    A host of mining masters, filled with sincere fear, knelt on the ground praying for the Mountain God''s forgiveness.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi landed at the entrance of the mine, and Shi Yaoqian approached him. "Xiao, our men were working on the mine when it suddenly turned into this. Now, those mining masters dare not enter, fearing they''ve alarmed the Mountain God and brought down heavenly wrath..."


    "Heavenly wrath?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a wry smile. Ignorance is truly frightening; they had clearly unearthed a vein of elemental stones!


    "Wait here, I''m going to explore the depths of this mine!" Xiao Yi''s figure flashed, disappearing into the mine.


    The mine was filled with elemental energy so dense it was palpable.


    The purple radiance was the result of elemental energy in its purest form.


    Along with it, the Tungsten Iron in the mine began to slowly transform, becoming superior in quality to how it had been initially.


    Xiao Yi descended deeper, reaching five hundred meters underground.


    All around him lay purple elemental stones.


    Looking as far as the eye could see.


    Tens of thousands of low-grade elemental stones, thousands of medium-grade, and even hundreds of high-grade stones lay before him.


    What shocked Xiao Yi even more was that at the very depths of the mine, there were precisely ten supreme grade elemental stones.


    The elemental stones he had obtained within the Tao Tribulation Realm were not even one-thousandth of what was here!


    "Now this is a true fortune!"


    Xiao Yi turned into a busy miner, prying out each elemental stone with his Fire Qilin Sword and collecting them into his storage ring.


    He busied himself for the better part of the day.


    Only then had he collected all of the stones in the mine, by rough count, fifty-one thousand three hundred low-grade, three thousand two hundred twenty-five medium-grade, five hundred twenty-one high-grade, and fifteen supreme grade elemental stones.


    These many elemental stones were not only sufficient to enhance his cultivation by several levels.


    They could also enable the birth of several more Tao Tribulation Realm experts for the Tianqing Kingdom!


    "Acquiring this vein of elemental stones is better than creating thousands of troops and horses!" Xiao Yi took a deep breath.


    After excavating these stones, the elemental energy that filled the mine diminished significantly, but even so, mining here and bathing in the residual elemental energy could still prolong life and improve health.


    Xiao Yi returned to the surface to see Shi Yaoqian and the group of mining masters, stating solemnly, "Gentlemen, this is not about disturbing the Mountain God, but rather the mine is rich in elemental energy. Bathing in this energy will not only cure your chronic diseases but can also prolong your lives; it poses no threat to your safety!" sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He held an extremely high status among the people.


    Hearing this, the crowd finally let go of their fears and apprehensions.


    The strong miners re-engaged with the development of the vein.


    Xiao Yi then called Shi Yaoqian and his three brothers over, giving each of them one thousand low-grade, one hundred medium-grade, and ten high-grade elemental stones, saying, "These stones are enough for you to reach the peak of the Golden Core Realm. Over this period, guard this place, excavate the Tungsten Iron Mine, and send the forged weapons to the capital."


    "Thank you, Xiao!" The four brothers were visibly excited.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "I have matters to attend to and must leave for now, so I''m entrusting this place to you!"


    "Rest assured, Xiao!" the four of them nodded repeatedly.


    Xiao Yi shot up into the sky, disappearing into the horizon.


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    Half a day later.


    The capital, Sky Prison.


    Ge Zheng, sitting deep within the Sky Prison, suddenly opened his eyes. When he saw Xiao Yi appear before him, Ge Zheng''s face changed drastically, ultimately settling into a resigned, bitter smile. "So, I have failed after all? To think, not even he could deal with you!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Who told you I was in the Iron Mountain Range?"


    "Do you think this old man would tell you?" Ge Zheng scoffed.


    Crack!


    His right arm shattered in response.


    Ahh...


    With a miserable howl, Ge Zheng glared at Xiao Yi, "You... you dare?"


    Crack!


    The left arm shattered.


    Ge Zheng screamed hysterically, "I am the current Prime Minister, how dare you treat me this way?"


    Crack!


    Both legs shattered.


    Lying in a pool of blood like a lump of mud, with beads of cold sweat seeping from his forehead, Xiao Yi''s face remained expressionless, "Last chance! If you don''t confess, I''ll strip you naked and hang you at the city gates, let everyone see what this former Prime Minister looks like..."


    "I... I..."


    An intense contraction filled Ge Zheng''s pupils; if he really was stripped and hung at the city gates as Xiao Yi said, his lifetime reputation would be ruined. Clenching his teeth, he closed his eyes, "The Imperial Secretary Teng Yi is my adoptive son..."


    "The Imperial Secretary Teng Yi?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits as he turned and walked away.


    In the darkness.


    Ge Zheng found himself surrounded by countless rats, scared to the point that his hair stood on end. The rats, drawn by the scent of blood and no longer deterred by Xiao Yi''s presence, swarmed upon him. Crazy gnawing sounds and bloodcurdling screams echoed from the prison...


    Meanwhile.


    At the residence of the Imperial Secretary Teng Yi.


    Teng Yi sat in his study, humming a tune, "Just waiting for that person to kill Xiao Yi, Tianqing Kingdom will surely fail. Then I can pledge allegiance to the Great Jin Kingdom and definitely rescue my adoptive father..."


    An icy voice suddenly rang in his ear, "I''m afraid you no longer have that chance!"


    Teng Yi''s body shivered, and the brush in his hand dropped to the ground.


    His complexion turned deathly pale as he looked in disbelief at the figure of Xiao Yi appearing before him, gulping down saliva, "Xiao... Xiao Yi?"


    Thud!


    Teng Yi hastily knelt on the ground, "This subordinate pays his respects to Lord Xiao!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "It seems like quite the surprise to you that I''m not dead, doesn''t it, Lord Teng?"


    "What Lord Xiao is saying, you are the mainstay of Tianqing Kingdom, I pray day and night for your endless longevity..." Teng Yi hurriedly said.


    "Endless longevity? You must wish me buried in foreign lands," pausing for a moment, Xiao Yi sneered, "I forgot to tell you, Ge Zheng is dead!"


    "What?"


    Teng Yi''s body trembled, collapsing to the ground.


    Ge Zheng is dead?


    The reappearance of Xiao Yi here, didn''t it mean his relation with Ge Zheng was exposed?


    Thud!


    Kneeling on the ground, Teng Yi''s head thudded against the floor, trembling in fear, "Spare me, Lord Xiao, please spare my life..."


    "The love between you and your adoptive father is deep, now you can reunite as a family in the Yellow Springs!"


    Xiao Yi''s palm came crashing down.


    Bang!


    This current first rank minister became a pile of broken corpse.


    The next morning, servants in Teng Yi''s house discovered his body and immediately reported the incident to the court. The response they received was just three icy words: Good that he''s dead!

 Chapter 193 Extreme Training Skill

    ```Ge Zheng and Teng Yi.


    To Xiao Yi, those two were nothing more than annoying flies, easily crushed with a flick of his hand.


    He didn''t consider them worthy of attention.


    After dealing with Teng Yi, Xiao Yi headed to Jing Mountain alone.


    Jing Mountain was the training ground for the Four Symbols Legion.


    In the past ten days of recruitment, the numbers had already reached a staggering one million, with more soldiers from the Four Symbols Legion still being transported to Jing Mountain from all directions.


    Gu Junhe and Yu Huaxian were stationed at Jing Mountain, in charge of the legion''s training.


    Particularly, the twenty thousand Azure Dragon Guards under Yu Huaxian''s command were all valiant warriors refined from the ferocious battles within the Golden Crow Guards. Yu Huaxian scattered them among the Four Symbols Legion to supervise and train these new recruits. The effect was extremely apparent, and in just a few days, the Four Symbols Legion had begun to take shape.


    At the very least, they looked like an army with strict military discipline.


    Of course... Continue reading at empire


    This was also inseparable from Xiao Yi''s involvement.


    The Four Symbols Legion was Xiao Yi''s own force, with people joining in admiration of his name, naturally not wanting to tarnish his reputation.


    Inside the central military tent. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Junhe and Yu Huaxian looked at Xiao Yi with befuddled expressions, "What did you say? A million monster beasts?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I''ve ordered that a million monster beasts be brought to Jing Mountain within half a month. You two will be responsible for coordinating and arranging them when the time comes!"


    "Damn, an army of a million monster beasts! The Great Jin Kingdom once attempted to build a monster beast cavalry as well, but due to overwhelming costs, they could only maintain about fifty thousand... that was already claimed to be the foremost army under the heavens of Great Qian. I never thought we could actually create a million-strong monster beast cavalry..." Yu Huaxian''s delicate face was filled with deep shock.


    Gu Junhe nodded earnestly, "I''m already impatient to see what expressions they''ll have when we deploy our million-strong monster beast army in front of the Great Jin Kingdom!"


    Monster beasts are incredibly difficult to tame.


    Even after taming them, the cost of maintaining a single monster beast is colossal.


    Even a country with the might of the Great Jin Kingdom can''t support too many monster beast cavalry units.


    But Xiao Yi was different; his million-strong monster beast cavalry could simply be led back to Nanhuang by Huang Bo after the battle, without worrying about unsustainable expenses.


    Xiao Yi asked, "Are there any issues with the training of the Four Symbols Legion?"


    Gu Junhe shook his head, "With Yu Huaxian''s Extreme Training Skill and the elixirs provided by Elder Xue, everything is proceeding smoothly, without any problems."


    Yu Huaxian added, "We estimate that the Four Symbols Legion will be able to form combat capability within a month!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi was very confident in the two of them. He then inquired, "Any news from the Great Jin Kingdom?"


    Yu Huaxian nodded, "I was just about to discuss this with you... Elder Yan from Treasure Pavilion came to see us yesterday. According to the information passed through the pavilion, the Great Jin Kingdom has dispatched one hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards and a million-strong army. They are led by the Minister of War, Qin Yu, and it will take them about two more months to reach the border!"


    "Qin Yu?"


    They had already predicted the military force the Great Jin Kingdom would send, and the numbers were close. Xiao Yi was more interested in this commander, "What about him?"


    Fear flashed in Yu Huaxian''s eyes as he said in a grave tone, "His cultivation is at the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and there are rumors he possesses the Blood Demon Battle Body, second only to the top ten holy lands, making him extremely tough to deal with."


    "Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm peak? Blood Demon Battle Body? Then his combat strength should be comparable to the Eighth, or even Ninth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm..."


    ```


    Xiao Yi stroked his chin, pondering, "Indeed, he''s a formidable adversary!"


    He was now at the thirty-fifth ring of the Golden Core realm.


    Comparable to the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, with the enhancement of the Wind Thunder Holy Body and the Divine Enthronement power, he could rival the power of a Seventh Layer Tao Tribulation Realm expert.


    This Qin Yu was at the peak of the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm himself, and possessed the Blood Demon Battle Body. With Xiao Yi''s current strength, if he clashed with him, his odds of victory were less than fifty percent.


    "Dean, Yu Huaxian, I have some elemental stones here, you two divide them up!"


    Xiao Yi left a portion of elemental stones for each of them.


    They did not have God Sealing Seeds, and they weren''t practicing a heaven-defying cultivation technique like the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill, so their speed and efficiency in absorbing elemental stones were far less than Xiao Yi''s.


    The number of elemental stones he gave them was enough for them to cultivate for a half month at least, and they could possibly increase by a minor realm.


    The two looked at the elemental stones in their hands, exchanging glances, "Where did you find these elemental stones?"


    Among them were even two top-grade elemental stones.


    These were treasures beyond price!


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, recounted the news of the mineral vein, which earned him their envious looks, "You truly are a child of fortune!"


    Xiao Yi simply shrugged, "Among these are some lower and middle-grade stones, suitable for Golden Core realm experts to use. See which Golden Core realm experts in the army could use them." He then prepared another two portions of elemental stones, "These two are for you to kindly deliver to Elder Xue and Elder Jiang on my behalf!"


    Jiang Weisheng''s injuries had not yet healed, but with the aid of elemental stones, he would surely be able to recover before the arrival of the Great Jin Kingdom, and he might even make further progress in his cultivation.


    Gu Junhe nodded and said, "Xiao Yi, you''re planning to go into seclusion, aren''t you?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "With my current strength, I''m still insufficient to face the top experts of the Great Jin Kingdom!"


    Gu Junhe said, "Then you can go to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, their cultivation chambers are always vacant!"


    He was naturally referring to the old site of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Xiao Yi hummed in affirmation; he had already planned to retreat to the cultivation chambers of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy to break through to higher realms, "The management of the Four Symbols Legion is in your hands now!"


    "It''s all for the Tianqing Kingdom!" the two said in unison.


    After discussing a bit more, Xiao Yi then set off.


    He was really too busy now.


    Since returning from Iron Mountain City, he had gone to the sky prison, then arrived at Jing Mountain, and now he was heading to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    He was practically non-stop.


    Gu Junhe sighed softly, watching as Xiao Yi disappeared, "He keeps himself so busy, probably also to avoid having idle moments that would make him remember every bit and detail about Qingzhu..."


    It could be said that Gu Junhe had watched Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu grow up step by step, respecting and admiring each other, until they were ultimately forced to part.


    Yu Huaxian said solemnly, "With Xiao''s talent and strength, one day he will become the most paramount being under these stars. And then, no one in this world will be able to stop him from being with Miss Qingzhu!"


    These days, he too had heard quite a bit about Xiao Yi from Gu Junhe.


    And he admired him even more for it.


    Every time Xiao Yi''s talent was mentioned, Gu Junhe couldn''t help but nod in agreement, "You''re right, with his talent, in the future under these stars, he will surely be the most dazzling existence. He might even become like the resplendent sun at high noon..."

 Chapter 194 Slaughter the City! Slaughter the City! Slaughter the City!

    Tianqi Martial Arts Academy''s former site.The new Tianqi Martial Arts Academy is located above the former Royal Martial Arts Academy, leaving this old site vacant.


    Walking along the familiar tree-lined path.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze lingered for a long time on some familiar places, where memories of him and Fang Qingzhu existed.


    Only the peach blossoms remain the same.


    The place is there, but the people are gone!


    The beloved is no longer by his side...


    "Qingzhu, are you doing well?" Xiao Yi gazed into the vast starry sky, where countless stars shone with dazzling light.


    The stars filled the sky, yet he could not find the one that belonged to him.


    Huff!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, releasing a surge of turbid air; just as Gu Junhe had said, keeping himself busy was largely to temporarily forget the pain of separation. His fists clenched quietly as the scene from that day at the Royal Martial Arts Academy emerged in his mind. Powerless to stop the people from Baiyu taking Fang Qingzhu away, he was incapable of intervention.


    That sense of powerlessness and despair, he did not want to experience a second time!


    "Qingzhu..."


    Xiao Yi clenched his fists. "I will definitely find you!"


    In the hazy distance.


    He seemed to see Fang Qingzhu''s smiling face formed by the numerous stars in the sky, smiling sweetly at him.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and slipped into the cultivation quiet room.


    Rustle!


    Before him lay a dazzling array of elemental stones. For him now, the effects of the middle-to-lower grade elemental stones were minimal, and they were mostly given to Yu Huaxian and the others.


    He retained several hundred superior elemental stones and ten top-grade elemental stones.


    A single top-grade elemental stone was equivalent to the heaven and earth qi contained in one hundred thousand low-grade elemental stones.


    "Use the body as a tomb, seal the divine within the tomb, Godly Suppression of Heaven..."


    Xiao Yi''s body shook, transforming into a tremendous Taotie. A vast vortex emerged around him, and elemental stones were thrown into the vortex, frantically drawing in the heaven and earth qi.


    As the heaven and earth qi surged into his body.


    Above Xiao Yi''s head, a Golden Core gradually appeared.


    Ordinary Golden Elixir Peak experts would not dare to let their Golden Core leave their bodies.


    But Xiao Yi was different...


    His Golden Core far surpassed the ordinary peak Golden Cores, with thirty-five golden rings encircling it. As Xiao Yi continued to devour elemental stones, more rings gradually appeared.


    Thirty-six.


    Thirty-seven.


    Thirty-eight...


    He was as serene as a meditating monk.


    Little Lin also crawled out, lying beside him, devouring the scattered heaven and earth qi around Xiao Yi.


    Both man and beast were continuously enhancing their cultivation.


    Time flew by.


    In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed, and the cultivation quiet room was littered with the husks of elemental stones that had been devoured.


    Little Lin''s scales, shimmering with silver light, had turned a faint gold.


    The golden, shiny scale armor looked as if it were forged from gold.


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    It was exceptionally dazzling.


    Its cultivation had also greatly improved, rising from the initial sixth rank to the mid-level tier, akin to the Fourth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, making Little Lin''s combat power no weaker than ordinary Sixth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm experts.


    If it were to launch a surprise attack, using its potent venom, it could even potentially poison a Seventh Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm master.


    Of course...


    The one with even more terrifying improvement was Xiao Yi.


    Above his Golden Core, there now shone forty-nine rings.


    The rings floated around the Golden Core, rising and falling, radiating a dazzling light.


    The aura this invisible Golden Core gave off was enough to crush most Martial Dao Divine Fruits.


    In fact...


    Five days ago, he had already reached forty-nine rings, and despite devouring the remaining elemental stones over these five days, his progress had stalled. The Limitless Golden Elixir seemed to have truly reached its limit, unable to advance even an inch further, and the Ancient Heavenly Tomb had only given him a glimpse of inspiration, informing him of the Limitless Golden Elixir''s existence.


    As for the specific cultivation method and the path he should follow, there was not a single record.


    This forced Xiao Yi to grope his way forward on his own.


    Now stuck at the Forty-Nine Rings Golden Elixir, unable to condense any more halos, Xiao Yi tried to shatter the halos and step into the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The result...


    was still fruitless.


    He also couldn''t shatter the halos and was firmly stuck at the level of the Forty-Nine Rings Golden Elixir.


    At the same time.


    The number of God Sealing Seeds within Xiao Yi''s body had also reached a massive forty-nine thousand, and he was now barely able to approach Zhao Wuji''s tomb.


    However, with the previous warning from the Wind Thunder venerable, Xiao Yi did not take action against Zhao Wuji.


    "Whew!"


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath of foul air and opened his eyes, "It seems like it''ll be impossible to step into the Tao Tribulation Realm in the short term, but with my current strength, I should be enough to deal with that Great Jin war god!"


    Blood Demon Battle Body.


    This was the first time he was facing someone with a special physique. S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The newly formed Wind Thunder Battle Body versus the Blood Demon Battle Body.


    Who was stronger and who was weaker?


    Xiao Yi had a vague feeling that the battle will within him was growing more and more intense...


    ......


    Sihai Kingdom, the capital.


    The current Sihai Kingdom''s Sea King Hai Ruidong was drenched in cold sweat, kneeling on the ground, looking at Qin Yu in blood-colored battle armor with eyes full of pleading, "Please spare us, General Qin, I beg you to spare us..."


    Qin Yu''s gaze was icy as he regarded the Sihai Kingdom''s royal family and ministers prostrated before him and said coldly, "Had it not been for your disastrous handling of the battle, would my seventh prince have suffered at the hands of Xiao Yi? I am ordered to avenge the seventh prince, so let''s use the fresh blood of every living being in the Sihai Kingdom''s capital to pay respects to his spirit in heaven!"


    "No..."


    "General Qin, you must not do this..."


    Hai Ruidong''s face was filled with desperation.


    But Qin Yu simply waved his hand coldly, "Kill!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    At this command, his hundred-thousand-strong Golden Crow Guards turned into bloodthirsty demons and charged into the capital.


    Killing gods when they encountered gods, and Buddhas when they found Buddhas.


    It only took half a day.


    One of the once ten countries of Nanhuang, the capital of Sihai Kingdom, became a sea of blood.


    Nearly ten million civilians within the capital were slaughtered.


    The royal family members and officials could not escape their fate.


    "General, there''s not a single living soul left in the city!" one of the Golden Crow Guards reported expressionlessly.


    Qin Yu nodded, reined in his horse, and said indifferently, "Everyone listen, the vengeance for the seventh prince is just beginning! From this day forth, one city will fall every day until we reach the Tianqing Kingdom... sparing none we encounter in any city, killing on sight��do you understand?"


    "Spare none in every city!"


    "Kill on sight!"


    "Kill..."


    Roars shook the earth and sky.


    No one noticed...


    In that massacred capital, countless Qi-Blood were wandering in the air, frantically converging toward Qin Yu.


    Devouring the Qi-Blood of these millions made Qin Yu''s expression ever more exhilarated, his eyes gradually covered in a layer of crimson. A faint smile curved his lips as he watched the blood pearl condensing in his palm. He threw it into his mouth and chewed, his mouth quirked slightly, "Once every city in the Tianqing Kingdom is emptied, that strength from their Qi-Blood should allow me to step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, right? Hehehe..."


    As this Great Jin legion set off, dreadful news followed one after the other.


    Wherever Qin Yu went, cities were slaughtered.


    Slaughter the city!


    Slaughter the city!


    Slaughter the city!


    One city per day, none were spared!


    All ten countries of Nanhuang were in panic; Qin Yu''s name hung over them like a dark cloud. This oppression and fear finally descended on the borders of the Tianqing Kingdom after ten days...

 Chapter 195 Inhumanity

    Tanglang City.A border town between Tianqing Kingdom and Sihai Kingdom.


    Tanglang City is by no means inferior to Heiya City, safeguarding between Tianqing Kingdom and Sihai Kingdom.


    Because the border area between Sihai Kingdom and Tianqing Kingdom is an endless grassland, most of the war horses of both countries are raised on this plain, hence the border towns between the two countries are built very massive.


    It''s an easy task to garrison a million troops.


    Above the city gate.


    Xiao Yi, Gu Junhe, Yu Huaxian, Jiang Weisheng, Xue Bufan, Jiang Tai, Huangpao, and others were all present.


    The banners whipped against the azure sky, fluttering in the wind.


    On the plain below, a fierce cold wind blew across the boundless expanse, where Great Jin Kingdom''s hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards and a million-strong army were arrayed in line. They made no attempt at concealment; in the eyes of Great Jin Kingdom, Tianqing Kingdom was nothing but ants, easily crushed by hand, especially since this battle was one of vengeance for Great Jin Kingdom.


    They aimed not only to annihilate Tianqing Kingdom but also to intimidate their vassal states.


    To showcase the might of Great Jin Kingdom!


    Beneath the Great Qian, Great Jin reigns supreme!


    Therefore.


    As soon as Qin Yu arrived outside Tanglang City, he ordered his troops to fully deploy, with an imposing momentum, and powerful murderous intent condensed into blood-red clouds.


    Over a million people stood in silence, with only the banners against the sky and the war horses neighing.


    The mere sight of this was enough to send shivers down one''s spine, hair standing on end.


    This time, the lead commander was Xiao Yi!


    Even Jiang Tai, the lord of Tianqing Kingdom, had to stand aside, but he did so without any complaints.


    In the past, Tianqing Kingdom had only one person in the Tao Tribulation Realm, Jiang Weisheng, but now there were six, including extraordinary beings like Xue Bufan, Yu Huaxian, and Huangpao, who were far beyond the typical Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Behind him stood an even more formidable force of two million from the Four Symbols Legion.


    A million beast cavalry!


    All of this was thanks to Xiao Yi!


    The sound of hooves clopped rapidly.


    A figure rushed out from the Great Jin Kingdom''s camp, heading straight for Tanglang City.


    This was a general at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, clad in golden armor.


    This person was a commander of the Golden Crow Guards.


    The golden-armored warrior stood below Tanglang City, slightly tilting his head up to look at Xiao Yi and the others above the city gate with a face full of arrogance, "Who is the lord of Tianqing Kingdom, Jiang Tai?"


    Jiang Tai stood with his hands behind his back, squinting as he replied, "I am he!"


    "So it''s you!"


    The golden-armored warrior sneered with contempt, "By the order of General Qin, Tianqing Kingdom''s lord Jiang Tai is demanded to open the city gates swiftly and present the traitor Xiao Yi''s head. Otherwise, our army will purge Tianqing Kingdom, sparing not a single soul!"


    Boom!


    Above the city gate, everyone was furious.


    Pairs of cold eyes landed on the golden-armored warrior.


    Yet he stood confident with the backing of Great Jin Kingdom, utterly unafraid of the crowd, "General Qin gave you one hour to consider. However, to prevent that hour from being too dull, General Qin has prepared some entertaining performances for you all��I hope you''ll enjoy them! Hahaha��"


    With that, the golden-armored warrior strode away.


    When he returned to the ranks.


    Within the Great Jin Kingdom''s military formation, a dense crowd of people appeared.


    At a rough count, their number exceeded two hundred thousand.


    "Those seem to be the civilians from Sihai Kingdom!"


    "What is Qin Yu planning to do? Surely he doesn''t intend to drive the refugees from Sihai Kingdom to assault our Tanglang City?"


    While everyone was puzzled.


    Behind each civilian from Sihai Kingdom emerged a soldier of Great Jin Kingdom.


    "Not good!"


    "They plan to execute at the front of the army?"


    The faces of Xiao Yi and the others suddenly changed...


    Puu, puu, puu!


    A series of blade lights tore through the air, the silver glint of the blades extremely dazzling amidst the blazing flames.


    Wherever the blade''s edge passed.


    Heads hit the ground!


    Two hundred thousand people, none were spared!


    Above the great land, heads rolled and blood flowed, converging into rivers of blood, dyeing the fields a bright shade of red.


    Two hundred thousand people were killed just like that!


    "Beasts, these are nothing but beasts..." S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Among them were many children, could they really bring themselves to kill even children?"


    All the generals of Tianqing Kingdom had their eyes split with rage, unable to contain their fury.


    In their anger,


    they became even more determined to win this battle!


    If they were to fail...


    Should the armies of Great Jin Kingdom enter Tianqing Kingdom, the fate of Tianqing''s people would be the same as those two hundred thousand.


    Clip-clop, clip-clop!


    The golden-armored general made his return trip, his face bearing an arrogant look, and declared, "This is the spectacle General Qin has prepared for you... If within an hour Xiao Yi is not handed over, when Great Jin Kingdom''s iron hooves flatten Tianqing Kingdom, everyone from the top down in your Tianqing will meet this end! Remember, you only have one hour, hahahaha..."


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    Watching the golden-armored general leave with high strides,


    the top of the city gate was immersed in silence.


    Bang!


    Jiang Tai abruptly shattered the stone tiles in front of him, his eyes blood-red as he gnashed his teeth and said, "How dare Great Jin Kingdom do this?"


    Yu Huaxian said indifferently, "This is the law of the jungle, where the weak can''t even control their own life or death."


    "Qin Yu is delusional, thinking he can make me hand over Xiao? Ridiculous!"


    Jiang Tai, with a fiery gaze towards everyone, suddenly bowed deeply, solemnly saying, "I entrust you, generals, to protect Tianqing Kingdom, to not let those beasts step even half into Tanglang City!"


    With Qin Yu''s tactics,


    once they got past Tanglang City, once Tianqing Kingdom was conquered, they genuinely might go as far as to massacre the whole country!


    This is not just a mere city''s slaughter,


    but the butchery of a nation!


    Massacring an entire country!


    Before this...


    They couldn''t even imagine such things.


    But Qin Yu, he was someone who truly could do it.


    After all,


    as Xiao Yi had previously trapped and slaughtered several hundred thousand of Tianlan Kingdom''s army, it was because both armies were locked in battle, where either you die or I perish. Even after he later breached Tianlan Kingdom and Qingyun Kingdom, he never laid a hand on any innocent civilians, but Qin Yu was different. As the owner of the Blood Demon Battle Body, the more he killed, the stronger he became.


    Should he massacre an entire nation, he might even manifest his Dharma and step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    This is also why Qin Yu''s march to war involved daily city slaughters.


    He is using this opportunity to enhance his cultivation, aiming for Dharma Manifestation!


    Inside the military formation of Great Jin Kingdom.


    The Eastern War King laughed, "General Qin, those scums of Tianqing Kingdom are probably shaken by your move, now they must be in a state of panic!"


    The Southern War King cleaned his ears, speaking lightly, "The mere Tianqing Kingdom dares to provoke Great Jin Kingdom; they truly have no sense of living or dying. What''s the big deal even if we massacre their entire population?"


    "We should first congratulate General Qin, once he massacres the entire Tianqing Kingdom, his Blood Demon Battle Body might reach complete maturity, and Dharma is not far off!" The Western War King looked at Qin Yu with deep wariness and a tinge of envy, "By then, we will rely on General Qin''s support!"


    The Blood Demon Battle Body!


    Capable of devouring the Qi-Blood of living beings to rapidly increase one''s cultivation.


    They too coveted such a heaven-defying physique!


    However...


    In the past, Great Jin Kingdom seldom engaged in wars, so it was impossible to start a war of annihilation just for Qin Yu''s sake, and he could only covertly kill to absorb Qi-Blood. Now, however, he has a legitimate opportunity, even the chance to strike at Dharma Manifestation Realm, naturally, he will not squander such a perfect chance.


    Qin Yu laughed heartily, "Well said, well said!"


    On this campaign across Sihai Kingdom, he had slaughtered over a dozen cities; his cultivation had progressed from the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm to the Eighth Layer Realm. He was eager to breach Tianqing Kingdom, massacre the whole country, and make his push towards Dharma Manifestation.


    An hour passed in the blink of an eye.


    "It seems Tianqing Kingdom''s rabble has decided to resist to the end!"


    Taking a deep breath, Qin Yu glanced at the golden-armored general beside him and coldly ordered, "Sound the drums, attack!"

 Chapter 196 The Ghost Gods Soldiers

    Boom! Boom! Boom!The war drums of the Great Jin Kingdom sounded in the distance.


    Rumbling, rumbling, rumbling!


    The ground shook as if a dragon were turning over beneath it.


    A troop of one hundred thousand soldiers split from the enemy''s formation, forming ten square units that advanced neatly toward the front.


    Each of these hundred thousand soldiers was clad in golden armor, wielding a long sword and bearing a war shield on their shoulders.


    An icy, deadly aura emanated from each of them.


    Just from the uniformity of their footsteps, devoid of any other noise, one could tell this was an elite force!


    At the very front of these one hundred thousand, there were two figures in white battle armor from the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    "They are the Eastern War King and Western War King from among the Four Symbols Kings. Every one of them is a strong practitioner above the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and behind them are the hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards,"


    Yu Huaxian said with a grave voice, "This is General Qin Yu''s usual tactic, to strike the enemy down with the Golden Crow Guards in the front. Then the cavalry, half a million strong, will swoop down to completely break the enemy, followed by the infantry..."


    "A hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and gave an order, "Gu Junhe, Yu Huaxian, hear my command, I order the two of you to lead fifty thousand from the Four Symbols Legion each to meet the enemy!"


    "Your subordinate obeys!"


    Gu Junhe clenched his fists, full of an overwhelming desire to fight.


    With the help of Xiao Yi''s elemental stones, he too had stepped into the Third Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    He was fully capable of dealing with a practitioner of the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    As for Yu Huaxian, he had reached the Seventh Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and a great battle was just what he needed to exhibit his power.


    After the two had left,


    Xiao Yi continued, "Jiang Weisheng, Huangpao, hear my command... You two immediately organize the Beast Riders. Once Generals Gu and Huaxian break through the Golden Crow Guards, the Beast Riders will charge. If Qin Yu wishes to slaughter all the people of the Tianqing Kingdom, then I will bury his army of over a million right outside Tanglang City!"


    "Yes!"


    The two immediately withdrew.


    Clang!


    The city gates flung open.


    Yu Huaxian and Gu Junhe led the one hundred thousand of the Four Symbols Legion and charged out, heading straight for the one hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards.


    In front of the Golden Crow Guards,


    The Eastern War King in white battle armor, expressionless, said, "Yu Huaxian, that eunuch, has indeed defected to the Tianqing Kingdom. When His Majesty appointed him to manage the Eastern Factory, I vehemently opposed it. Eunuchs are truly unreliable!"


    "The soldiers behind them are not simple either!"


    Coming from a military background, the Four Symbols Kings could see at a glance how exceptional the Legion was. The Western War King spoke in a deep voice, "Send the order down, tell the men not to take this lightly, they must hit them hard. Ideally, we should annihilate these one hundred thousand before the cavalry even makes a move!"


    They had complete confidence in the Golden Crow Guards of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The one hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards struck their shields with their swords.


    Boom! Stay tuned for updates on empire


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The sound resonated through the sky, fierce as wolves and aggressive as tigers.


    Gu Junhe pointed with his Longsword and roared, "Four Symbols Legion, be unstoppable! Kill..."


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill..."


    The shouts from the Four Symbols Legion were thunderous, rivaling the Golden Crow Guards.


    Boom!


    The two sides collided in an instant.


    The Western War King and Eastern War King were respectively held up by Yu Huaxian and Gu Junhe.


    The remaining Golden Crow Guards and the Legion clashed like two giant waves meeting each other.


    The sounds of fierce battle filled the sky.


    Within the military formation,


    The Southern War King nodded slightly, saying, "No wonder the four major kingdoms combined could not trouble the Tianqing Kingdom; their military strength is truly not weak!"


    Qin Yu''s face was cold, his sneer continuous, "They are but grasshoppers after the autumn, not able to bounce around for much longer. The Golden Crow Guards of my Great Jin Kingdom are unstoppable, how can they compare with such a tiny country?"


    "Of course!"


    The Northern War King laughed, his figure immensely bulky, to the extent that the low-level six-stage beast he was riding seemed to struggle under his weight. "General Qin, after we break the Tianqing Kingdom, do you truly intend to slaughter the entire nation?"


    Qin Yu nodded, "Only by exterminating the Tianqing Kingdom can we truly avenge His Highness!"


    The Southern and Northern War Kings looked at each other, and there was not a hint of pity in their eyes, but rather a nod of agreement, "You speak sense, the dignity of our Great Jin Kingdom cannot be tarnished!"


    "The Golden Crow Guards should be about to crush the opposition, we can let the cavalry..." the Southern War King was saying when his expression abruptly changed, his pupils shrinking dramatically, "What, what is this situation?"


    On the battlefield.


    The Eastern War King had already been slain by Yu Huaxian.


    The Western War King was also entangled by Gu Junhe and could not extricate himself.


    But what shocked them even more was the Golden Crow Guards who had been invincible...


    They were actually on the verge of complete collapse under the onslaught of the one hundred thousand Four Symbols Legion.


    In just a brief moment.


    Over half of the one hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards had been lost!


    "Impossible!"


    "How, how could the Tianqing Kingdom possibly have such elite troops?" The Southern War King''s face changed wildly, looking to Qin Yu, "General Qin, what should we do?"


    Qin Yu''s face was ashen.


    He had also not anticipated that the Golden Crow Guards, who had previously been invincible, would face such a setback against the Tianqing Kingdom, which he had never taken seriously!


    With a gloomy face, Qin Yu snapped angrily, "A hundred thousand magical beast cavalry charge the enemy ranks, followed closely by the remaining four hundred thousand cavalry. Tianqing Kingdom, a small and insignificant country, these one hundred thousand elites must be all their military strength, as long as we annihilate these one hundred thousand men, Tianqing Kingdom will have no more power to resist..." S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The war drums thundered, and the earth trembled.


    One hundred thousand magical beast cavalry, along with four hundred thousand regular cavalry, burst out of the military ranks and charged towards the Four Symbols Legion.


    The vast army of five hundred thousand, like a black tide, left no grass growing or tile intact wherever it passed.


    The Western War King and Gu Junhe, trembling with excitement, showed a look of wild joy on their faces, "Haha, Gu Junhe, you''re doomed!"


    "Is that so?"


    Gu Junhe simply gave a cold, mocking smile, suddenly retreated, and along with Yu Huaxian, led the hundred thousand Four Symbols Legion away from Tanglang City.


    "Charge, don''t let them get away!"


    "Wipe them out!"


    The Western War King, having been suppressed by Gu Junhe, who was of a lower cultivation level than him, was already frustrated to no end. Seeing the Southern War King and the Northern War King leading the cavalry to pursue, and the Four Symbols Legion in ''disorganized retreat'', how could he miss this chance to regain his honor? Immediately taking the lead, he chased after them with the remaining Golden Crow Guards.


    However...


    As Gu Junhe and Yu Huaxian neared Tanglang City, they did not flee into the city but scattered to both sides.


    Almost simultaneously.


    The ground trembled with a series of terrifying quakes.


    The earth shook as if stricken by an earthquake.


    "That, what is that?"


    From within Tanglang City, suddenly a black iron torrent swelled forth, each one clad in tungsten iron armor, holding a tungsten iron spear.


    Their bodies shone with a dim black light.


    Underneath them were hulking and powerful magical beasts.


    One hundred thousand.


    Two hundred thousand.


    Three hundred thousand...


    A full million magical beast cavalry charged out from Tanglang City.


    Leading them were none other than Jiang Weisheng and Xue Bufan.


    Jiang Weisheng roared loudly, "Kill!"


    The rumble of a million magical beast cavalry was like an iron torrent, like the army of specters.


    The terrifying momentum stunned the five hundred thousand cavalry of Great Jin Kingdom. The Western War King''s eyes burst with madness, "Flee, flee for your lives!"


    "Retreat, retreat!"


    The Southern War King and the Northern War King, faces filled with terror, reined their horses to retreat.


    But their battle formation was such that the magical beast cavalry were in front, with the regular cavalry behind. Now that they had to turn around, how could the regular cavalry outrun the magical beasts? They were directly crushed by their own side''s magical beast cavalry, thoroughly disorganizing the entire battle formation. Along with the onrush of a million magical beast cavalry from Tianqing Kingdom, the million-strong army of Great Jin Kingdom collapsed like a landslide.


    Across the plains, blood flowed into rivers, and a sea of corpses piled high.


    Of the Great Jin Kingdom''s million-strong army, only a fifth escaped in all directions, fleeing desperately for their lives.


    The Western War King was pierced through by Xue Bufan and trampled to death by magical beasts.


    The Southern War King and the Northern War King were also gravely injured and managed to flee to Qin Yu''s side.


    The few of them looked out over the plains, where a million magical beast cavalry stood in a line, eyes bursting with madness, "We''ve lost... we have lost..."

 Chapter 197 You All Must Die!

    "We lost, we''ve lost..."The Southern War King''s face was a picture of defeat.


    The Northern War King covered his face with his hands, roaring in disbelief, "Who can tell me where these beast cavalry came from? A million beast cavalry, even the Great Jin Kingdom doesn''t possess such forces, what on earth is going on..."


    A million beast cavalry!


    That was a massive killing machine!


    Even with powerful Beast Tamers, Great Jin Kingdom had taken over a hundred years to form a beast cavalry of just a hundred thousand.


    And Tianqing Kingdom had directly produced a million?


    A million beast rampaging was something an ordinary soldier simply couldn''t stop!


    You must understand...


    These common soldiers were merely at the Physical Body Realm, reaching the Divine Skills Realm meant becoming a captain of a hundred, to the middle phase of Divine Skills Realm they became a captain of a thousand, and late phase or peak meant becoming a captain of ten thousand.


    The Golden Core Realm were the generals, and the Tao Tribulation Realm were army commanders, even commanders-in-chief of three armies.


    But within an army of a million.


    The Golden Core Realm comprised just one in ten thousand.


    The Tao Tribulation Realm was even scarcer: one in several hundred thousand.


    The vast majority were still in the Divine Skills Realm and Physical Body Realm, such strong individuals faced with rampaging beasts were simply being crushed.


    Just now, with a charge from the million beast cavalry, they had trampled tens of thousands, even up to a hundred and fifty thousand.


    It was a completely one-sided crushing.


    Annihilation!


    "General Qin, what should we do now?" the Southern War King asked, his gaze fixed on Qin Yu, who remained silent.


    Qin Yu sat atop his mount, watching as the million-strong army dwindled to barely two hundred thousand, yet his face showed no expression.


    He was still utterly detached.


    Qin Yu''s eyes fixed on those two hundred thousand soldiers, he said coldly, "Charge for me, anyone who retreats dies!"


    "What?"


    "That''s a million beast cavalry you''re sending them to confront, are you not sending them to their deaths?" yelled the Southern War King in anger.


    However...


    Qin Yu sneered coldly, "Indeed, I am sending them to their deaths!"


    "Huh?"


    The Northern War King was stunned.


    Qin Yu said chillingly, "We''ve already lost this battle. Whether it''s twenty thousand left or none makes no difference. To win this battle, we need only to slay all the higher-ups of Tianqing Kingdom. My Blood Demon Battle Body is about to achieve great success; by absorbing the Qi-Blood of these two hundred thousand, I will be able to reach the Nine-fold layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Then, who in Tianqing Kingdom can stand against me?"


    "You �C you mean to use these two hundred thousand warriors as a sacrifice for your cultivation?" The Southern War King shuddered, speaking with teeth chattering. Your journey continues at My Virtual Library Empire


    The Northern War King glared furiously at Qin Yu, "Madman, you''re a madman... they are the children of the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    Splat!


    Before the Northern War King could finish his sentence, he was suddenly grasped by the head in Qin Yu''s claw.


    The fingers crushed the crown of the Northern War King''s skull.


    The fingers dug deep into the head.


    Gurgle gurgle gurgle!


    The streams of Qi-Blood were sucked out frantically, absorbed into Qin Yu''s body, his form flickering with a crimson glow. Tossing aside the Northern War King''s corpse, now like a dried husk, Qin Yu licked his scarlet tongue across his lips, his fierce gaze turned towards the Southern War King, "Do you also plan to stop me?"


    Hiss!


    The Southern War King drew a sharp breath, his eyes wide with fear looking at Qin Yu.


    He had never imagined Qin Yu would be so deranged.


    To devour even the Northern War King without a second thought. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gulp!


    The Southern War King swallowed hard and hastily said, "General Qin jests, how could I dare to obstruct you?"


    Clang!


    South War King drew his battle saber, pointing the blade forward as he roared, "Men, follow me into battle and slay the enemy!"


    Yet the two hundred thousand men looked at each other in dismay, not daring to move an inch.


    There were only two hundred thousand wounded soldiers left on their side, while facing them was an army of a million monster cavalrymen. How could they possibly fight this?


    Splat!


    The South War King''s saber gleamed as it swept across, slicing several retreating soldiers in two as he bellowed, "Any who retreat��shall be shown no mercy!"


    Under the threat of death,


    The two hundred thousand could only grit their teeth and charge forward.


    Yu Huaxian sneered repeatedly, "Kill them all!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The million-strong army of monster beasts rushed forward uncontrollably.


    In an instant,


    The two hundred thousand were ruthlessly slaughtered to the last man, leaving only a scattered few thousand kneeling and begging for mercy, or fleeing in all directions.


    Even the South War King himself soared into the sky, fleeing to the distant horizon.


    He dared not provoke Qin Yu, but he was also unwilling to lose his life here.


    "Qin Yu, I will make everything clear to His Majesty. You dared to kill the Northern War King and led to the annihilation of a million-strong army of Great Jin Kingdom, turning them into nourishment for your cultivation. His Majesty will never let you off!" The South War King''s voice thundered like rolling thunder, but his figure had already retreated into the high sky, disappearing into the clouds.


    Qin Yu looked up towards his departing direction and sneered, "It''s just killing one from Tao Tribulation Realm, losing a million-strong army. Once I kill off all these rabble from Tianqing Kingdom and step into Dharma Manifestation Realm, I will even contend for the throne of the Jin Emperor. Why fear his punishment?"


    Boom!


    Qin Yu soared into the sky.


    With arms wide open, the blood light around him surged violently, "Blood Demon Body, melt the qi-blood, devour!"


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, a bloody wind whipped through the heavens and earth.


    In the bloody storm, the qi-blood within the corpses on the battlefield was forcibly extracted, turning each and every body into a dried husk. The qi-blood that flowed on the ground and that which dispersed in the air gathered into streams of scarlet ribbons, rushing into Qin Yu''s body.


    The qi-blood of this million-strong army was far more than that of slaughtering tens of millions of ordinary people.


    An endless amount of qi-blood coalesced around Qin Yu into a blood cocoon.


    This blood cocoon was bleak and terrifying, with an icy chill that caused the million monster beasts to hesitate, emitting sounds of intense disquiet and low growls.


    Yu Huaxian''s face suddenly changed, "Not good, Qin Yu is devouring qi-blood. His Blood Demon Battle Body is about to be fully realized..."


    Gu Junhe tightened the reins, pacing back and forth atop his steed, "What a Qin Yu... I knew that with his title as a god of war, the battle wouldn''t have been this easy even with our forces holding absolute advantage. All of this was his overt scheme. Whether we lost or they did, he could devour an enormous amount of qi-blood power."


    "Madman, this guy is simply insane..."


    "We absolutely cannot let him devour enough qi-blood power, or else we will stand no chance against him!"


    Jiang Weisheng, Xue Bufan, and the others also spoke with heavy expressions.


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!


    Several figures soared into the sky.


    Yu Huaxian flung his sleeves, releasing a downpour of silver needles.


    Gu Junhe''s saber cleaved through the air, its light like the moon, slant-slicing through the firmament.


    Jiang Weisheng''s spear shone like a rainbow, piercing the heavens.


    Xue Bufan''s staff hammered down, transforming into a massive mountain of vital energy, ruthlessly smashing downward...


    On the ground below, archers collectively released a torrent of arrows.


    Countless attacks darkened the sky, filling it as they enveloped Qin Yu''s blood cocoon.


    However...


    Just as those attacks were mere meters away from the blood cocoon, the blood light around it suddenly expanded a hundredfold, forcefully stalling the overwhelming onslaught in its tracks.


    Followed by hissing sounds,


    All of the attacks, along with the arrows, were corroded by the blood light, turning into a sky full of black smoke.


    Crack!


    A palm suddenly burst forth from within the blood cocoon, followed by another, pushing violently outward to either side. Qin Yu, cloaked in a radiant red glow, stood tall in the void with the corners of his mouth slightly raised. His eyes, filled with blood threads, were brimming with an overwhelming desire to kill, sending shivers down the spine. He uttered the chilling and sinister words, "You all, must die!"

 Chapter 198 Xiao Yi Battles Qin Yu

    ```"You, all of you shall die!"


    Qin Yu hovered in the air, his eyes a deep blood red.


    Suddenly, his body turned into a streak of red light, stretching a hundred meters across the sky, instantly appearing in front of Yu Huaxian and the others.


    "Storm Pear Blossom!"


    Yu Huaxian''s expression changed slightly as he flicked his hand, sending out countless fine needles.


    Qin Yu sneered coldly, "Blood Demon Transformation!"


    Whoosh!


    A surge of blood light swirled around him, gathering on the surface of his body, turning into a huge blood-colored demon shadow. Opening its gaping maw, it swallowed all the fine needles in one gulp, and then with a shake of its head, the needles flew out in reverse, the sound of them tearing through the air targeted squarely at the Four Symbols Legion.


    Puff puff puff!


    Streaks of blood soared into the sky.


    In that swift exchange of moves, thousands had fallen into pools of blood.


    The Qi-Blood of thousands rushed into Qin Yu''s body. His scarlet tongue licked his lips, showing a thirst for blood: "Delicious, hahaha, indeed, the Qi-Blood of the strong is the most savory!" His gaze turned to Yu Huaxian and the others, "Yu Huaxian, this general has yet to taste what the Qi-Blood of a eunuch is like..."


    "You''re probably not going to get the chance!"


    With that calm statement, Xiao Yi''s figure appeared in front of Qin Yu.


    "Xiao Yi?"


    Qin Yu''s blood-red eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, and his tongue involuntarily slipped out at the surging Qi-Blood beneath his gaze, his voice sinister, "Your blood must taste exceedingly fine. I had planned to save you for last so you could watch them die before you, to slowly savor your Qi-Blood. But since you''ve willingly come to me, then this general shall oblige you!"


    "Indulge me? We''ll see if you have the ability!"


    Xiao Yi''s palm surged with Wind Thunder. He glanced over at Gu Junhe and the others, "Principal Gu, you must lead the people back to the city quickly. I''ll hold him off!" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Be careful!"


    Gu Junhe deeply understood that if Qin Yu turned his attention to the Four Symbols Legion, it would result in a terrible slaughter.


    And...


    Qin Yu''s Blood Demon Battle Body only grew stronger with every life it took.


    They must not allow the Four Symbols Legion to become his "Human-shaped Elixir" to advance his cultivation.


    Several of them organized the Four Symbols Legion to retreat.


    "Do you think that can stop this general? Useless, even after I kill you, they''ll still not escape death. But don''t worry, I won''t kill you right away. I''ll let you watch first hand how I slaughter every last one of your Tianqing Kingdom people."


    Qin Yu sneered, "Heh, your Tianqing Kingdom''s billions of citizens will serve as the stepping stones for this general to ascend to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, they should feel proud even in death!"


    Xiao Yi pointed to the towering city behind him, "If you can step past Tanglang City, then consider it my loss."


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    "Tremble in endless fear!"


    Qin Yu''s arms shook, and with a crackling sound from his chest, it swelled violently, only to collapse instantly, letting out a roar: "Die!"


    Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!


    Waves of sound burst forth from his mouth.


    The circular sound waves rolled in, growing larger and larger, deafening to the ear.


    Anyone caught within the waves would be overtaken with splitting headaches and stars before their eyes.


    Whoosh!


    Qin Yu turned into a blood rainbow, appearing in a flash right in front of Xiao Yi, his fingers tipped with nails like scythes, slashing down towards Xiao Yi''s head: "Five-Colored Blood Claw!"


    Crackling!


    The claws had not yet touched Xiao Yi when they were engulfed by thunder.


    ```


    ```


    Ao!


    Qin Yu let out a wretched scream as he was flung backward.


    On his ten fingers, the scythe-like nails all exploded into black carbon, with streaks of purple lightning floating above them before falling off.


    Shock appeared on his face, "Thunder? How come there''s thunder on you?"


    "Sorry, you''re not the only one with a special physique!"


    As soon as his words ended,


    lightning covered Xiao Yi''s body, and a wild wind rose around him.


    Thunder wrapped around his body, each hair standing on end as lightning surged in and out.


    With every move he made, he resembled a giant of wind and thunder.


    Swish!


    The Fire Qilin Sword appeared out of thin air, his figure stepping through the void. As he grasped the hilt, the sword came out like a dragon: "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    In his hands, the Fire Qilin Sword was like a brush soaked with ink, its tip decorating the void, accompanied by a roaring wind and startling thunder. Amidst the fusion of wind and thunder, a torrential rain of thunderous sword energy formed, drizzling down. The everywhere sword rain shone brightly, displaying extraordinary power. Just a touch would paralyze one with thunder and sweep them away with violent winds.


    The blood light that made countless strong individuals wary around Qin Yu now seemed like a campfire in a storm.


    The blood light was pushed back, step by step.


    The sword struck Qin Yu''s shoulder with a ''pfft,'' piercing through it.


    Wa!


    A stream of fresh blood spurted from Qin Yu''s mouth.


    He struck out at the void with both hands, creating waves of blood-red Qi-Walls in front of him, and only then did he manage to withdraw a hundred yards away.


    He glared at Xiao Yi from across the distance.


    Their gazes locked in confrontation.


    As tangible as substance, their stares collided in the void, sparking brilliant flashes of light.


    A vacuum zone formed between the two.


    The blood light on Qin Yu surged, flowing into the wound on his shoulder, where the sword cut was rapidly healing before his eyes. Qin Yu squinted, "One of the ten Sacred Bodies, the Wind Thunder Holy Body?"


    "You do know a bit!" Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    "Unexpected, really, that such a long-lost Sacred Body would reappear in the world!"


    Qin Yu took a deep breath, his eyes suddenly sharpening as he sneered, "Pity though! If I''m not mistaken, your Wind Thunder Holy Body is merely in its initial stage. If it were fully developed, I would stand no chance against you. But now, the distance is far for you to defeat me with it."


    Xiao Yi said, "You can try!"


    "Heh heh, spare me the bluster here. Xiao Yi, if you tell me how to cultivate the Wind Thunder Holy Body, I can spare your life. Furthermore, once I''ve slaughtered the citizens of the Tianqing Kingdom and stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm to seize the throne of the Jin Emperor, I could even make you the Comrade King of Great Jin, equal to me. What do you think?" Qin Yu''s eyes were ablaze as he stared greedily at Xiao Yi.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body is the only one among the ten Sacred Bodies that can be cultivated later in life.


    His Blood Demon Battle Body, though strong, did not rank among those ten Sacred Bodies.


    If he could get the cultivation method for the Wind Thunder Holy Body, combined with the special trait of his Blood Demon Battle Body to consume Qi-Blood for improvement, his combat power would surely make a qualitative leap!


    He might even be able to rival the top entities of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "You want the cultivation method for the Wind Thunder Holy Body?"


    Qin Yu, with a fervent face, "Exactly!"


    Xiao Yi said, "No problem, but you''ll need to exchange something for it!"


    "What thing? As long as I possess it, I can give it to you!" With his crimson tongue licking his lips, Qin Yu stared at Xiao Yi with greed.


    He thought that as long as he could obtain the cultivation method for the Wind Thunder Holy Body, he would even agree to give up the Jin Emperor''s throne to Xiao Yi if asked��since he could simply kill Xiao Yi after advancing to the Dharma Manifestation Realm later on!


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile and said, "Exchange it for your life!"


    ```

 Chapter 199 Beyond the Limits

    "Your life for mine!"Xiao Yi''s gaze was ice cold as he looked at Qin Yu, speaking every word deliberately.


    Huh?


    The greedy smile on Qin Yu''s face suddenly froze, slowly twisting into a venomous hue. He ground his teeth and spat out, "You dog-like thing, dare to play with me? Go to hell!"


    "Blood Demon Hand!"


    Blood-red Qi surged wildly, pouring out like breaching floodwaters.


    Before him, it transformed into a huge blood-colored claw, resembling a sky-covering blood cloud, reaching out for Xiao Yi.


    This blood-red Qi possessed an extremely strong corrosiveness.


    Once caught,


    even with the Wind Thunder Holy Body, he would probably not last long.


    After all,


    his Wind Thunder Holy Body was only at the first stage.


    If he had cultivated it to a more advanced level, he could repel Qin Yu''s blood demon power with a single shake of the surrounding wind and thunder.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi kept retreating.


    But the blood-colored palm missed him and regathered for another grab, relentlessly pursuing.


    "A heron divides the billowing waves amidst the two rivers!"


    "A separate realm unlike the human world!"


    "A thousand miles back to Jiangling within a single day..."


    With his sword moves emerging in rapid succession, Xiao Yi''s Green Lotus Sword Song was exquisite beyond measure. Fortified by the power of wind and thunder, it shattered Qin Yu''s attacks time and again.


    This further infuriated and exasperated Qin Yu.


    His speed lagged significantly behind Xiao Yi''s, and he was being led by the nose. Qin Yu fiercely slapped his chest, "Blood Demon Wings!"


    Crack crack!


    Sounds of bones shifting could be heard from within his body.


    He bent his torso.


    Bulges on his back writhed continuously, then burst through the skin with two popping sounds, forming two blood-colored bony wings. With a wingspan of ten meters, red blood veins ran along the bones, and numerous vein-like structures writhed like worms, entwined with each other, forming flesh. Eventually, they became two bright blood-red meaty wings.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The flesh wings beat the air, whipping up a foul wind.


    "Let''s see where you can run now!"


    With the Great Accomplished Blood Demon Battle Body, one can transform into a blood demon.


    At this moment, Qin Yu, having deployed the Blood Demon Wings, could travel tens of thousands of li in a day with such speed that Xiao Yi was somewhat caught off guard.


    "Blood Demon Sword!"


    Utilizing the speed granted by the Blood Demon Wings, Qin Yu maneuvered behind Xiao Yi, and with a forward thrust of his right hand, a blood-colored light congealed into a longsword. The blood-colored longsword traced a semicircular arc in the air, a perfect combination of speed, angle, and power, representing the pinnacle of Qin Yu''s skill.


    Xiao Yi''s complexion shifted slightly as he raised the Fire Qilin Sword behind him.


    Clang!


    The swords collided with a piercing ring.


    However, the Blood Demon Sword suddenly went limp, coiling around Xiao Yi like a serpent wrapping around a tree.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted. If he was entangled, he would struggle to break free. He smacked the hilt of his sword, using the rebound force to plunge towards the ground. Almost the moment he escaped, the Blood Demon Sword had formed a cage, but it closed on empty air.


    "Blood Demon Sea!"


    Qin Yu bellowed from above.


    Whoosh!


    His Blood Demon Wings beat frantically behind him, shedding countless blood droplets that fell below, swiftly covering a hundred zhang in all directions with a sea of blood.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Amidst the churning of the blood sea''s massive waves, numerous gigantic blood-colored hands emerged, grasping at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, drawing upon the Wind Thunder Holy Body, conjured a shield with wind and thunder, warding off the relentless blood hands.


    "Blood Demon Sky Net!"


    Qin Yu brought his hands together in front of him, and strands of blood-red silk shot out, weaving a vast blood-colored net in the air, plummeting towards the ground.


    Below was the sea with its gigantic blood hands, above was the blood-colored net.


    No matter where Xiao Yi tried to escape, he couldn''t avoid being caught between the two. In this crisis, a glint of cold light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes as he channeled the power of wind and thunder into the Fire Qilin Sword. A mix of different forces coalesced on the sword��wind, thunder, and fire��threatening to overwhelm its capacity. But Xiao Yi had no other choice. With both hands on the sword, he swung upwards against the heavens, "Green Lotus Reincarnation!"


    One of the two ultimate moves of the Green Lotus Sword Song.


    It was supposed to be used only at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, but he had no choice but to use it now.


    Boom!


    A green lotus formed in front of the sword''s tip, with cyan wind, purple-gold thunder, and crimson flames. The tri-colored forces intertwined on the sword lotus hovering above his head.


    The tri-colored petals spun continuously.


    Life inexhaustible!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Under the intertwined crushing of the Three-Colored Sword Lotus, the crimson net was forcibly torn open, creating a large hole. Freed from its constraints, the Sword Lotus suddenly burst forth. The tricolor sword light soared into the sky, and before Qin Yu could react, it pierced through his chest with a ''puh'' sound. Blood spurted out like a fountain, and Qin Yu screamed in agony.


    His face twisted with ferocity as he, without any hesitation, once again gathered the large net to envelop everything below.


    Boom!


    He forcefully pushed Xiao Yi back.


    "Hehehe, I never imagined you could break through this general''s Blood Demon Sky Net, but you will definitely not succeed a second time. Xiao Yi, you are bound to die today!" Qin Yu said with a sinister tone.


    While being pushed back by the mighty Blood Demon Net, Xiao Yi''s legs were also seized by the massive hands made of blood.


    In a rush.


    His hands were also bound.


    With hands and feet restrained, he couldn''t move at all.


    He could only watch helplessly as his body was engulfed in bloodlight.


    He raised his head to look at Qin Yu, whose chest was still hemorrhaging, "You are also seriously injured. As soon as Yu Huaxian and the others take action, you will have only one path left��death!"


    "Hahaha, do you think the Great Accomplished Blood Demon Battle Body is so easy to defeat? I''m not afraid to tell you that the Great Accomplished Blood Demon Battle Body possesses terrifying regenerative abilities. As long as the Qi-Blood remains, even the gravest of injuries can heal back to normal..." Qin Yu laughed triumphantly, his Qi-Blood surged, covering the ferocious gap in his chest.


    Strands of blood wove together, visibly repairing the fatal wound at a speed noticeable to the naked eye.


    "How is this possible?" Xiao Yi''s complexion changed abruptly.


    Patting his chest with pride, Qin Yu said, "Give up struggling, you''re doomed!"


    "Blood Grinding Disc!"


    Qin Yu brought his hands together in prayer.


    The Blood Demon Sky Net and the Blood Demon Sea, one above and one below, morphed into a massive blood-red grinding disc.


    It began rotating to the left and right.


    Attempting to grind Xiao Yi into oblivion!


    Caught between the two opposing forces tearing at him, Xiao Yi''s body seemed ready to be ripped apart and ground into pieces at any moment.


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, you''re done for! Once the Blood Grinding Disc shreds your body, your Qi-Blood power will become mine... You do not possess the Blood Demon Battle Body, you can''t recover from injuries like I can and heal back to normal... Just die obediently!" Qin Yu laughed boastfully.


    However, Xiao Yi, entrapped within the Blood Grinding Disc, shuddered.


    A buzzing filled his mind, "Heal back to normal? Heal back to normal? Wait, I understand now, I finally see the path that lies beyond the Limitless Golden Elixir!"


    "Hahaha, Qin Yu, I thank you!"


    Xiao Yi roared to the sky.


    Qin Yu looked perplexed: "Thank me? Has this guy''s brain been mashed by the Blood Grinding Disc?"


    "Since forty-nine halos is the limit, then I shall do the opposite. By fusing the halos and refining them anew, I am also breaking the limit!"


    The Golden Core within Xiao Yi vibrated intensely as countless amounts of heavenly and earthly energy surged into it.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    As seas of heavenly and earthly energy converged.


    Xiao Yi no longer focused on condensing a Golden Core Halo; he chose fusion instead!


    Hum! Hum! Hum!


    The forty-nine Golden Core Halos collided fiercely, trembling violently. The energy they produced was so intense that it nearly caused Xiao Yi''s Golden Core to break apart. Excruciating pain almost caused Xiao Yi to faint, but his iron willpower kept him conscious. His teeth clenched tight enough to bleed, veins throbbed as if they would burst, and his fists clenched so hard his nails dug into his flesh.


    Pain!


    Endure!


    Agony!


    Endure!


    Finally...


    After countless collisions, the forty-ninth and forty-eighth halos smashed into each other on Xiao Yi''s Golden Core, bursting loudly and then merging together.


    Spurt!


    Xiao Yi spewed a mouthful of blood, but a brighter smile appeared on his face: "Break for me!" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    One halo after another collided and fused with each other.


    The number of halos on the Golden Core diminished.


    Forty-eight.


    Forty-seven.


    Forty-six...


    Until there were only thirty left, the Golden Core trembled violently, releasing a mysterious power that enveloped his body. Suddenly, the scene before Xiao Yi''s eyes changed. He saw a vast and immense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Pool suspended in the depths of infinite space, with boundless heavenly and earthly forces pouring madly into his body.


    Tao Tribulation Realm, comprehending the power of heaven and earth.


    With these heavenly and earthy powers infusing him, patterns started to appear on Xiao Yi''s Golden Core!


    These were the Dao patterns that only those in the Tao Tribulation Realm could condense.


    Yet, he had already formed them while still in the Golden Core Realm.


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    At the same time...


    The number of God Sealing Seeds within Xiao Yi''s body skyrocketed, reaching a staggering six hundred thousand.


    Thirty Golden Core Halos, patterns one after another, six hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds!


    When Xiao Yi reopened his eyes, the Blood Demon power that had been an insurmountable obstacle seemed incredibly frail. A cold and grim smile curled on the corner of his mouth, "Qin Yu, your time of death has come!"

 Chapter 200 You Lost!

    "Qin Yu, your time has come!"Cold light burst forth from Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    When his Golden Core had forty-nine rings, his cultivation was comparable to the Fourth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Although now only thirty rings remain on his Golden Core, he has recondensed nine Golden Elixir Halos, making Xiao Yi now comparable to the realm of the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    In addition to the Wind Thunder Holy Body, and the support of divine power.


    He could match a practitioner of the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. sea??h th�� nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A stream cascades down three thousand feet!"


    Whoosh!


    The Fire Qilin Sword burst into flight, hovering above his head.


    It split into two, two into four, four into eight...


    Countless showers of swords rained down.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The sea of blood and the Blood Demon Sky Net shattered under the onslaught of the sword rain, the Sky Net ruptured, and the blood sea crumbled apart.


    Freed from his bindings, Xiao Yi soared into the sky.


    As he passed by the Fire Qilin Sword, he reached out into the void, and the longsword came to him, settling into his palm. Like a swift swallow slicing through the air, he hovered aloft, brandishing his sword with one hand in a sweeping motion: "The white egret isle divides the two streams!"


    Whoosh!


    The sword tip pointed forward.


    The air, the wild wind, the space itself seemed to have been sliced in two, with the incredibly sharp edge of the sword cutting relentlessly through everything!


    Qin Yu''s complexion was unspeakably grim.


    He had thought Xiao Yi would undoubtedly die, but unexpectedly, Xiao Yi had managed to break free from his restraint. Blood-red cold light burst forth from his eyes, and behind him, a pair of Blood Demon Wings vibrated frantically. A fishy wind engulfed the sky above, growing ever more fierce and covering a hundred-yard radius. Even blowing from high above, it still caused gusty winds to sweep across the plains.


    The boundless green grass swayed in circles of green waves.


    Xiao Yi stood amidst the fierce winds, but his sword was able to cut through even the wind, and his figure was unhindered.


    In an instant.


    Xiao Yi had torn through the hurricane and appeared mere meters in front of Qin Yu, his sword technique transitioning: "Green Lotus Reincarnation!"


    Whoosh!


    Blue wind, purple-gold thunder, and crimson flame.


    The tri-colored energies interwove and twined around each other.


    They formed a trifecta of Three-Colored Sword Lotus at the tip of the sword, which rotated slowly, and in an instant, was upon Qin Yu''s proximity.


    Qin Yu had witnessed the horror of this sword lotus; once it was unleashed, even he found it hard to withstand.


    With a tremble of his Blood Demon Wings through the air, he continuously retreated backward.


    Almost at the same time he retreated,


    The Sword Lotus exploded with a bang, the terrifying brightness of the sword radiance stunning, like a brilliant sun across the sky, dazzling to behold.


    Qin Yu only felt a flash before his eyes, and by the time he recovered, he could no longer see Xiao Yi''s figure: "Where is he?"


    "Right here!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly came from behind him.


    "What? How could it be so fast?" Qin Yu''s face changed drastically; he hadn''t noticed that Xiao Yi was already behind him.


    This speed was several times faster than before!


    Xiao Yi had now executed the Blood Explosion Skill, but with the lessons learned from previous experiences, he dared not overstimulate this self-detrimental technique; he only burned thirty percent of his blood. Yet, it still tripled his strength and speed. Together with the breakthrough of the Limitless Golden Elixir, his combat power surged.


    Bang!


    Qin Yu had just turned his head when his mind went blank with a buzz; Xiao Yi''s elbow had smashed into the back of his head.


    Whoosh!


    Qin Yu''s head tipped forward, and like a falling meteor, he plummeted toward the ground.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Qin Yu''s head smashed fiercely into the ground.


    The entire grassland roared violently, as if a dragon beneath the earth had turned over, seeming to herald the end of the world.


    Amidst the flying grass and mud, a huge crater formed on the ground, and within the deep pit dozens of meters deep, Qin Yu struggled to his feet and shook his head, still seeing stars.


    The back of his head was thoroughly caved in.


    But as Qin Yu possessed the Blood Demon Battle Body, as long as his Qi-Blood was not exhausted, even having his heart torn apart, he could recover.


    Threads of blood covered the sunken area at the back of his head, patching up the dent as he shook his head. With a fierce leer, he stared at Xiao Yi and sneered, "I didn''t expect you to have hidden your strength before. But so what if you did? As I said, as long as my Qi-Blood is not exhausted, I will not die. You cannot defeat me!"


    "Qi-Blood not exhausted, you won''t die?"


    Xiao Yi''s narrowed eyes suddenly opened wide, the gleam within as piercing as lightning, "Then I will grind down your Qi-Blood, and I want to see if you die or not!"


    The Blood Demon Battle Body''s Qi-Blood energy was all stored within the Golden Core or the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    As a practitioner of the Tao Tribulation Realm, Qin Yu naturally condensed his Qi-Blood energy within the Martial Dao Divine Fruit. If Xiao Yi wanted to cut off his Qi-Blood, the only way was to shatter his Martial Dao Divine Fruit. But the Martial Dao Divine Fruit was the essence of a martial artist''s life, protected by Dao patterns, extremely solid and durable, impervious even to a sixth-order divine weapon.


    "Let''s gamble!"


    Xiao Yi moved in an instant, tracing a silver streak across the sky.


    Whoosh!


    It was just a fleeting flash.


    Xiao Yi had already appeared on the ground, his left hand clenched into a fist, his right hand wielding a sword.


    Launching two attacks at the same time.


    Vajra Subdues Demons.


    The Qinglian Sword Song!


    Both lethal moves fell like fiery meteors, as Qin Yu, surrounded by a flow of bloody light, forcefully withstood Xiao Yi''s assault.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Each collision, each confrontation between the two, released a terrifying energy that wreaked astonishing destruction on the surroundings. Across the plains, every burst of thunderous noise left, in their wake, gaping holes sprawling densely across the grassland as the ground collapsed upon their departure.


    Atop the city wall.


    Yu Huaxian gasped in shock, his face a picture of horror, "Xiao, where exactly is Xiao''s limit..."


    "He..."


    Gu Junhe hesitated, "Maybe he simply doesn''t have one!"


    Huang Bo''s face twitched fiercely, muttering to himself as he recalled the past encounter in the Iron Mountain Range, "Good thing that day in the Iron Mountain Range Xiao planned to let me off; otherwise, he might have beaten me to death!"


    Jiang Tai, anxious, looked at the others, "Honored sirs, who has the greater chance of winning this battle?"


    Xue Bufan, without blinking, stared at the battlefield. Upon hearing the question, he spoke, "Xiao''s strength at the Golden Core Realm is indeed terrifying, but that Qin Yu''s Blood Demon Battle Body is not easy to deal with! Unless Xiao can find a way to destroy his Martial Dao Divine Fruit, otherwise, Qin Yu will stand on invincible ground!"


    "Destroying the Martial Dao Divine Fruit isn''t so easy, is it?"


    "Most likely, Xiao will end in a draw!"


    "Prepare for battle!"


    "We cannot let anything happen to Xiao��"


    The crowd quietly tightened their grip on their weapons.


    Meanwhile��


    Under the relentless bombardment of Xiao Yi, Qin Yu kept spitting blood, continuously injured, and was incredibly frustrated, "You doglike thing, you''re forcing my hand!"


    Qin Yu fiercely slapped his chest.


    Humm!


    A Martial Dao Divine Fruit emerged outside his body and violently smashed towards Xiao Yi.


    This Martial Dao Divine Fruit was exceptionally sturdy and contained a hint of the power of heaven and earth. In Qin Yu''s view, this blow was bound to inflict heavy damage, or even kill Xiao Yi.


    However��


    What Qin Yu never anticipated was that this was the moment Xiao Yi had been waiting for.


    "Shatter it for me!"


    Xiao Yi pointed his sword forward.


    The dazzling Golden Core shot out, slamming ferociously into the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    "Idiot, you actually think you can use your Golden Core to smash my Martial Dao Divine Fruit? That''s simply the musing of a fool... wait, this Golden Core�� why does it have thirty rings?" Qin Yu''s eyes split open, his face that was full of pride emptied of its smugness, watching in horror as thirty swirling Golden Elixir Halos enveloped the luminous core.


    Boom!


    The Golden Core and the Martial Dao Divine Fruit collided fiercely.


    The world seemed to freeze for a moment.


    Then, from the point of collision between the Golden Core and the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, an immensely terrifying energy shockwave erupted.


    "Has Xiao gone mad?"


    "He actually used his Golden Core to strike the Martial Dao Divine Fruit? Isn''t that like using an egg to smash a rock?"


    "It''s over, it''s all over..."


    Despair covered the faces of everyone on top of the city wall. Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    Within the silent world.


    Crack! Crack! Crack!


    A series of cracking sounds drew everyone''s attention, as they nervously stared towards the core of the light.


    When all the light had dissipated.


    Xiao Yi''s Golden Core swiftly flew back into his dantian, while looking at Qin Yu, his Martial Dao Divine Fruit was completely shattered, turning into a shower of energy that scattered across the ground.


    "No..."


    Qin Yu roared in despair, as the bloody glow furiously retracted into his body, and the Blood Demon Wings behind him disappeared with a swoosh.


    Thud!


    Hit the ground hard, blood seeping from all orifices, and in a face filled with despair, Xiao Yi appeared in front of him.


    Gazing down at Qin Yu from above.


    Xiao Yi spoke coldly, "You lost!"

 Chapter 201 The Counterattack

    "You''ve lost!"Xiao Yi''s face bore a cold hue, as the sharp point of the Fire Qilin Sword rested against Qin Yu''s throat.


    A mere sweep of the blade.


    And Qin Yu would be no more than a corpse.


    Gurgle!


    Qin Yu swallowed spit, his Adam''s apple moving slightly against the tip of the Fire Qilin Sword, easily splitting open his skin��both a chilling sensation and the scalding of fresh blood fused together, sweeping over him with the breath of death.


    "Don''t, don''t kill me��" Qin Yu stammered.


    Now that he had lost the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, he was nothing more than a cripple.


    Even the Blood Demon Battle Body could no longer repair his physique.


    Xiao Yi, having used the Blood Explosion Skill, looked somewhat pale but regarded him coldly, "Give me a reason not to kill you!"


    Qin Yu''s complexion changed repeatedly, "I, I can serve you like Yu Huaxian, be your dog..."


    The higher one climbs, the more afraid of death one becomes.


    He was once the esteemed Minister of War in the Great Jin Kingdom, the mighty Great General.


    Even now, with his cultivation destroyed, he still did not want to die.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I don''t lack such a dog, especially not one that could bite back!"


    "You��"


    Qin Yu''s complexion fluctuated between green and white, his survival instincts pushing him to abandon all dignity, "You could use me as a trophy; I could spread word of your power everywhere, so that everyone knows you have defeated me, defeated the Great Jin Kingdom. Truly, I am willing to help you, just let me live..."


    "That reason is still not enough!" Xiao Yi declared.


    Qin Yu racked his brains and hastily added, "I''ve just remembered, I know a secret about the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    "What secret?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    Qin Yu said, "You, you must swear not to kill me before I''ll tell you the secret. It''s a matter of life and death for the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes flickered, "I swear, I will not kill you!"


    Qin Yu breathed a sigh of relief.


    Gathering his thoughts in a rush, he said, "The Great Jin Kingdom''s Dharma Manifestation Realm protector ancestor left the kingdom a hundred years ago, and it''s highly likely that he has fallen."


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils slightly constricted.


    This was indeed a very important piece of news.


    His greatest concern at present was the Dharma Manifestation Realm protector ancestor of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    If he had indeed died.


    Then Xiao Yi was certain that he could lead the Tianqing Kingdom to overthrow the Great Jin Kingdom, truly becoming the foremost kingdom under the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Do you have any evidence?"


    "Ten years ago, I was stuck at the peak of the Golden Core Realm and couldn''t break through. The Jin Emperor granted me a month inside the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave for cultivation. In the cave, the soul tablet of the ancestor was enshrined, and I saw with my own eyes that the soul tablet was shattered..." Qin Yu, desperate to save his life, did not hold back any secrets.


    Soul tablet.


    Many powerful forces would create a soul tablet for their top experts.


    Once that person died, the force would be the first to know.


    If the protector ancestor''s soul tablet of the Great Jin Kingdom was shattered, then there was a ninety-nine percent chance that he had perished.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze sharpened, "Are you sure his soul tablet is shattered?"


    "I am sure!"


    Qin Yu nodded vigorously, "I can swear on my life! Xiao, I, I have now told you the secret, you can let me go, right?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and retracted the Fire Qilin Sword.


    "Thank you, Xiao, for sparing my life!"


    Qin Yu hastily expressed his gratitude, though inwardly he vowed: Damn mongrel, I, Qin Yu, will return this debt a hundredfold, a thousandfold in the future!


    In that moment...


    Yu Huaxian and the others approached, puzzled to see Xiao Yi letting Qin Yu go.


    Yu Huaxian said anxiously, "Xiao, you absolutely cannot let him go!"


    Gu Junhe also spoke gravely, "A tiger returning to the mountain will eventually become a threat!"


    Qin Yu''s face shifted subtly, his gaze flickering toward Xiao Yi with trepidation.


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "I promised I wouldn''t kill him!"


    Relief washed over Qin Yu as he laughed heartily at Yu Huaxian and the others, "Hehe, Xiao has already promised not to kill me. Surely you don''t want to make him break his word? I suggest you step aside and let this general leave..."


    ```


    However...


    He had just finished speaking.


    Xiao Yi''s languid voice then came from the side, "But, I never said you couldn''t kill him!" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What?"


    Qin Yu''s body trembled, and he looked at Xiao Yi with a ferocious face, "Xiao Yi, how dare you play me?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "I''m playing you, what are you going to do, bite me?"


    "I..."


    Qin Yu''s face was filled with despair.


    In a turn of his head.


    He saw Yu Huaxian, Gu Junhe, Jiang Weisheng, Xue Bufan and others had already surrounded him.


    One after another, Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses threw punches and kicks.


    "I''ll teach you to be arrogant!"


    "Keep being arrogant now! Damn it..."


    Amidst the screams.


    This Minister of War from the Great Jin Kingdom, the owner of the Blood Demon Battle Body, was beaten into a pile of mush, so much so that even his mother couldn''t help but come over.


    Hu!


    Jiang Tai had also taken the opportunity to kick a few times, exhaling a satisfied breath, "Hahaha, I have now kicked a Tao Tribulation Realm expert too!"


    Yu Huaxian, standing by with a wistful look on his face, "Your Majesty, you just kicked me..."


    He pointed at the two large footprints on his face.


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    Jiang Tai: "..."


    Everyone laughed heartily.


    Yu Huaxian was also speechless, touched his face, and began to laugh.


    This battle had been weighing on everyone''s hearts for far too long.


    Today''s battle.


    Completely released the pent-up frustrations of this period.


    Killing was satisfying!


    Fighting was exhilarating!


    Winning was invigorating!


    Jiang Tai looked towards Xiao Yi and said solemnly, "Xiao, after this battle, the most elite Golden Crow Guards and the hundred thousand beast cavalry of the Great Jin Kingdom have been annihilated; they probably won''t dare to send troops against us again. What do you think we should do next?"


    Everyone''s eyes turned to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, with narrowed eyes, said, "Your Majesty, what do you want to do?"


    The two locked eyes with each other.


    Suddenly...


    Their mouths both curled up at the same time, and in unison, they said, "Counterattack!"


    "Counterattack?"


    Yu Huaxian exclaimed with a grave voice, "Xiao, absolutely not! The Great Jin Kingdom has indeed suffered heavy losses this time, but they still have a guardian ancestor, a Dharma Manifestation Realm existence..."


    Gu Junhe also pondered, "Think thrice about this!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Qin Yu said that the guardian ancestor of the Great Jin Kingdom has fallen!"


    "What?"


    "Fallen? If this is true, then with our strength, perhaps we really can counterattack the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    Xue Bufan said in a deep voice, "But can we take Qin Yu''s words for truth?"


    Yu Huaxian asked, "Xiao, how did Qin Yu say it?"


    Xiao Yi recounted what Qin Yu had said.


    Yu Huaxian pondered, "If that''s the case, then it is most likely true! To my knowledge, every Royal Road Tribulation Realm and above strong person in the Great Jin Kingdom makes a soul stele to be enshrined in the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave!"


    "If so, then we''ll counterattack the bastards!"


    "The Great Jin Kingdom has been overbearing for years, it''s time they paid the price!"


    The opinions of everyone were surprisingly in agreement.


    Xiao Yi and Jiang Tai exchanged glances, and Jiang Tai said solemnly, "Then it''s decided, we''ll regroup our troops and counterattack the Great Jin!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed with fighting spirit soaring to the heavens, "After this battle, below the Great Qian, Tianqing reigns supreme!"


    ```

 Chapter 202 - A Sword Breaks the City

    Xiao Yi and the others settled on a plan to counterattack the Great Jin Kingdom. S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Immediately, they began mobilizing troops, horses, and supplies.


    The entire Tianqing Kingdom''s army was almost entirely assembled in Tanglang City, which saved a great deal of effort.


    Among them, Jiang Weisheng remained in Tianqing Kingdom, guarding the rear.


    Xiao Yi as the commander-in-chief, with the support of Yu Huaxian, Gu Junhe, Xue Bufan, and Huang Bo, led the army towards the Great Jin Kingdom.


    In just three days.


    Outside Tanglang City.


    Upon the marshal''s platform.


    The black banners against the clear sky, cold wind howling, even though three days had passed, the air over the grassland was still thick with the pungent stench of blood.


    The crimson of fresh blood could still be seen on the grass.


    Jiang Tai stood proudly on the marshal''s platform, proclaiming loudly, "Soldiers, today our Tianqing Kingdom, by the will of heaven, led by our Guardian Martial God, Xiao Yi, will counterattack the Great Jin Kingdom. I, in the capital, will wait for your triumphant return!"


    "Triumphant return!"


    "Triumphant return!"


    One million demon beast cavalry and one million soldiers of the Four Symbols Legion shouted in unison, loud and clear.


    Jiang Tai said in a deep voice, "I invite the Guardian Martial God Xiao Yi to the marshal''s platform!"


    "The Guardian Martial God is mighty!"


    "The Martial God is mighty!"


    The million-strong army roared in unison, shaking the heavens.


    Xiao Yi''s prestige among the military and the civilians was at its peak.


    It even far surpassed that of Jiang Tai, the King.


    However, Jiang Tai held no dissatisfaction, for he knew that the present state of Tianqing Kingdom was all thanks to Xiao Yi''s contributions. Otherwise, Tianqing Kingdom would still be a bottom-rung power among the ten nations of Nanhuang, tucked away in an obscure corner. How could they possibly have assembled such an invincible army, how could they have mobilized a million-strong army to counterattack the Great Jin Kingdom?


    Clip-clop, clip-clop!


    Xiao Yi climbed the marshal''s platform with steady, deliberate steps.


    Jiang Tai handed over the Tiger Talisman to him, saying solemnly, "Xiao, I am counting on you!"


    "Your Majesty, rest assured!"


    Xiao Yi held up the Tiger Talisman and roared, "With me, invincible!"


    "With us, invincible!"


    "Invincible!"


    "Invincible..."


    Wave after wave of roars pierced the heavens, as if shattering the clouds.


    Under the vast sky.


    Two million soldiers formed a black, iron flood that rolled towards the Great Jin Kingdom.


    One million demon beast cavalry, each accompanied by a soldier from the Dragon Elephant Legion.


    All marched on demon beasts.


    This speed was many times faster than Qin Yu and his forces.


    As the Sihai Kingdom advanced, their numbers only grew, because when the people of the Sihai Kingdom heard that Xiao Yi was preparing to counterattack the Great Jin Kingdom, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians spontaneously organized to follow them.


    Qin Yu''s previous slaughter of more than a dozen city-states in the Sihai Kingdom had thoroughly enraged its citizens.


    Furthermore, Xiao Yi and his group never interfered with local civilians, leaving behind a good reputation.


    When they left the territory of the Sihai Kingdom.


    The two million-strong army had swelled to three million.


    Lying between the Sihai and Great Jin Kingdoms were the Great Yuan, Cheng Han, and Xin Yu Kingdoms.


    These three kingdoms had long suffered under the oppression of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    Upon hearing that Xiao Yi had defeated the Great Jin Kingdom''s million-strong army and was now leading two million troops to attack Great Jin, many people from these three kingdoms volunteered to join the battle against Great Jin.


    And so...


    A month later.


    By the time Xiao Yi and his forces reached Luoyan Pass, a border fortress of the Great Jin Kingdom, their army had grown to a staggering five million!


    An immense five million stood arrayed in formation.


    "What do you think Tianqing Kingdom is planning to take down Luoyan Pass with?"


    "The defender of Luoyan Pass, He Xing, is a powerful Tao Tribulation Realm practitioner from the Great Jin Kingdom. It is said that he is a master of the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, with more than five hundred thousand troops under his command. This battle will not be easy!"


    "Let''s wait and see..."


    Amidst everyone''s discussions.


    A figure flew out from Luoyan Pass, it was the defending commander of Luoyan Pass, He Xing.


    He Xing looked at Xiao Yi and the others with an expressionless face, standing in midair, and coldly said, "Which one of you is Xiao Yi?"


    "I am!"


    Xiao Yi calmly looked at him.


    He Xing''s pupils shrank slightly. The King of the Southern War had already transmitted the news back to the Great Jin Kingdom, and because of this, the defensive troops of Luoyan Pass were raised from the original five hundred thousand to one million. Apart from He Xing, there were also two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses within the pass, currently ambushed in the city. He Xing said in a deep voice, "By the Jin Emperor''s oral decree, Tianqing Kingdom has launched a major invasion against the Great Jin Kingdom, an act of rebellion and a crime punishable by death. Order Xiao Yi to surrender and be escorted to the capital to await judgement��"


    "What did you say?" Xiao Yi cleared his ear and asked.


    He Xing frowned and said, "His Majesty orders you to surrender and��"


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi slapped him across the face.


    He Xing''s half of the face swelled up, and he glanced at Xiao Yi in complete confusion: "You��"


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi slapped him again.


    He Xing was forcefully slapped down from midair, and with a palm reaching out into the air, Xiao Yi forced He Xing to kneel on the ground before saying, "I don''t like talking to someone with my head tilted back. Repeat what you just said!"


    "I, I��"


    After being slapped several times, He Xing was dizzy with his eyes seeing stars. He shook his head vigorously and said with a trembling voice, "His Majesty the Jin Emperor invites you to a meeting at the capital��"


    "Oh!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Don''t worry, once I''ve breached your Great Jin capital, I naturally will meet your emperor!"


    "Breach the capital?"


    He Xing was stunned, then realized he had been played, and said with a laugh full of anger, "Nonsense. You won''t even be able to get past this Luoyan Pass, let alone the capital��"


    "Is that so?" Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire


    Xiao Yi looked amusedly at He Xing, smiling said, "Care to make a bet with me?"


    He Xing was caught off guard: "Bet on what?"


    Xiao Yi said, "On how long it will take me to break through this Luoyan Pass. If you win, I will immediately withdraw my troops. If I win, you are at my disposal!"


    He Xing frowned and firmly said, "I bet you can''t breach this city!"


    "Brave!"


    Xiao Yi gave him a thumbs-up, then slowly turned his thumb towards the ground and lightly tapped it, "Sadly, you''re destined to lose!"


    He Xing proudly said, "Luoyan Pass is the strongest fortification of the Great Jin Kingdom, now defended by a million-strong army, plus there are two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses aside from me. The city wall, designed by the Great Qian Dynasty''s formation master Xu Yao, is simply impregnable!"


    At this moment...


    Yu Huaxian approached with a cup of hot wine, saying, "Xiao, the wine has just been heated!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, "Set it aside for now, I''ll be right back!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leaped into the air, hovering before Luoyan Pass.


    Looking at the majestic fortification before him, Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly, and the Fire Qilin Sword appeared in his hand with a flip.


    Hum!


    The sword''s edge glowed with a crimson firelight.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sparkled with cold light, and he raised the longsword high above his head, then brought it down: "Qinglian Rebirth!"


    Hum!


    Three-colored light converged, and a giant sword hundreds of feet long materialized in the air.


    This sword seemed like one that could split the heavens.


    This sword was mightier than the Earth Dragon''s Sword!


    This sword...


    Descended from the skies with extraordinary might!


    Rumble!


    The hundred-foot sword light crashed down on the huge fortification, and with a loud boom, the great city wall, built by the Great Jin Kingdom at great expense, burst apart. The wall, more than fifty meters high and over ten meters wide, was smashed to pieces by Xiao Yi''s sword, collapsing over a stretch of more than five hundred meters, causing the army within to fall in disarray.


    Xiao Yi stood in the air, sword in hand, and commanded, "Attack!"


    Rumble!


    A million beast cavalry charged forward.


    The earth shattered, it was like the end of days!


    When Xiao Yi returned to his camp, the cup of wine was still emitting a faint warmth. The cup of wine that broke the city wall, Xiao Yi looked at the bewildered He Xing before him: "The city is breached!"

 Chapter 203 Unstoppable Force, Straight to the Capital!

    "The city has fallen!"Xiao Yi''s voice brought He Xing back to reality, as if waking from a dream.


    Looking at the steaming cup of hot wine in Xiao Yi''s hand, he swallowed reflexively.


    This Luoyan Pass, which cost a fortune and was guarded by a million-strong army and three Tao Tribulation Realm masters, had been breached just like that? Find your next read on My Virtual Library Empire


    With a single sword?


    Gulp!


    He Xing swallowed hard, looking at Xiao Yi with deep fear and awe, his voice trembling, "I, I''ve lost..."


    "Since you''ve lost, you should know the consequences," Xiao Yi said.


    He Xing''s face twitched.


    He didn''t want to die!


    It had taken him most of his life to cultivate to the Tao Tribulation Realm, and he had finally climbed to his current position.


    He really didn''t want to die.


    After a moment''s hesitation, He Xing fell to his knees with a thud, his tone filled with fright, "Xiao, I am willing to submit to you, please spare my life!"


    "Submit?"


    Xiao Yi''s face showed a hint of amusement.


    He neither agreed nor refused.


    This silence made He Xing feel even more helpless and powerless. Clenching his teeth, he said in a deep voice, "Xiao, I know the way from Luoyan Pass to the royal capital like the back of my hand, and the hardest to conquer is surely Jinmen City. Now that Luoyan City has just fallen, as long as you kill the other two Tao Tribulation Realm masters in the city and prevent the news from spreading, I can lead you to take Jinmen City without wasting a single soldier..."


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "How can you make me believe that you won''t set traps in Jinmen City to kill me?"


    He Xing''s heart skipped a beat.


    Indeed, he had contemplated just that��feigning surrender, leading Xiao Yi and his people to Jinmen City. Meanwhile, he would collude with the defenders there, capturing Xiao Yi and his men in one fell swoop, trapping and killing them alive.


    Clearly, Xiao Yi was not so easily deceived.


    After much hesitation.


    He Xing realized that in the face of Xiao Yi, who was watertight, he couldn''t find any opportunity to execute his schemes and finally laughed dejectedly, "Xiao, what must I do for you to trust me?"


    Xiao Yi looked back at Xue Bufan.


    The Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan, besides his medical skills, was best at making people beg for life and unable to beg for death.


    This title of his, the Undying Ghost Doctor, came largely from this!


    Xue Bufan took out a red elixir the size of a red bean, grinning, "This is the Nine Leaves Nine Worms Elixir. Once ingested, an antidote must be taken every half an hour, and it must be taken continuously for a month to detoxify. Without the antidote, the nine toxic herbs in the elixir will stimulate a toxic worm to awaken and start burrowing into your heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. If you don''t take the antidote for four consecutive half-hours, the nine toxic worms will leave your body riddled with holes, yet curiously, they won''t let you die, and you''ll be forced to watch your own body being penetrated..."


    "You, don''t try to scare me; how could there be such a vicious poison in this world?" He Xing''s face turned pale.


    Xue Bufan chuckled, "Don''t believe it? Then give it a try!"


    He stepped forward, grabbed He Xing''s chin, and forced the Nine Leaves Nine Worms Elixir into his mouth.


    Whimper!


    The elixir melted as soon as it touched his tongue.


    No matter how much He Xing tried to force it out, he couldn''t expel it from his body.


    An hour passed quickly.


    By then, Luoyan City had been thoroughly cleared by the monster cavalry; a million defenders had been executed, and the two mighty Tao Tribulation Realm masters had fallen at the hands of Yu Huaxian and Huang Bo.


    "Ah..."


    He Xing convulsed, curling up on the ground in a frenzied struggle.


    He gripped at his abdomen desperately, the location of his liver.


    He felt as if someone were relentlessly stabbing his liver with a needle, creating countless tiny holes, leaving him in excruciating pain that tore through his heart and lungs, unbearable to endure.


    He Xing, his face a savage snarl, saliva dripping from his mouth, bellowed, "Antidote, give me the antidote... "


    Xiao Yi watched with detached interest.


    Xue Bufan and the others paid him no attention, simply allowing two soldiers from the Dragon Elephant Legion to prop him up and continue forward. This round of poison torment lasted for the duration of an incense stick, leaving the formidable He Xing from the Tao Tribulation Realm completely drained. His face was ashen, and the look he gave Xue Bufan and Xiao Yi was filled with nothing but fear and awe.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "Take us to Jinmen City, you know what to do!"


    "Understood!" He Xing quickly nodded.


    Fearing a late response might lead to not receiving the antidote from Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi turned to Xue Bufan, "Elder Xue, give him an antidote."


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    Xue Bufan handed him a green elixir, saying, "Be sure to use it sparingly, one antidote can only last for half an hour!"


    "I, I understand..."


    He Xing carefully stored away the antidote, his life hanging on it.


    Jinmen City wasn''t far from Luoyan Pass.


    The city was defended by three hundred thousand troops, and its commander was even more powerful than He Xing, having reached the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    However, this city was built against a mountain, which made it difficult even for the beast cavalry to effectively charge; as He Xing had said, even beast cavalry couldn''t get through, truly making it an impregnable fortress.


    The group took their positions in a dip between hills.


    Hiding their presence.


    He Xing suggested, "Xiao, as long as you send men in the armor of the Great Jin Kingdom, pretending to be defeated soldiers from Luoyan Pass, they will surely open the gates! Once the gates are open, I will join you in killing their commander, and we can take down the city doors, allowing the army to march straight in!"


    "Yu Huaxian, Huang Bo, you two lead ten thousand Dragon Elephant Legionnaires to follow him into the city," Xiao Yi instructed.


    "Yes!"


    Huang Bo and Yu Huaxian changed into the Great Jin Kingdom''s armor along with He Xing and headed towards Jinmen City.


    Now that He Xing had tasted the effects of the Nine Leaves Nine Worms Elixir, he dared not entertain any other thoughts. He successfully fooled the gatekeepers and, alongside Yu Huaxian and the others, managed to overwhelm the commander in Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Subsequently, they destroyed the city gates from the inside out.


    Xiao Yi and his forces entered swiftly and took the final barrier standing before the capital of the Great Jin Kingdom; the remaining cities that led to the capital were no longer a concern.


    Inside Jinmen City.


    He Xing looked at Xiao Yi with utmost respect, "Xiao, I have not failed in my duty!"


    Now that there was no turning back, he wholeheartedly submitted to Xiao Yi.


    "You''ve done well," Xiao Yi nodded in approval.


    Xue Bufan brought out a bottle of antidote, "This should last you ten days; come find me after it''s gone!"


    "Thank you, Elder Xue!" He Xing, as if receiving a treasure, carefully accepted the antidote.


    The army moved in an unstoppable mighty wave.


    In merely five days.


    They had conquered thirteen cities and arrived before the capital of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The capital of the Great Jin Kingdom was known as Jindu!


    Like a behemoth sprawling across the land, the massive city was square-shaped, with gray walls standing a hundred meters tall, facing from north to south. The southern wall boasted eight massive gates, now tightly shut; the battlements swarmed with people, with every powerful individual''s face stern.


    Standing before Jindu.


    As Xiao Yi''s army began to establish camp behind him, his gaze pierced through the void, landing on the imposing figure atop the city walls, who watched them with icy indifference.


    This individual was the ruler of the Great Jin Kingdom��Jin Emperor!


    Xiao Yi, riding on his Tianqing savage bull, slowly approached Jindu. Positioned beneath the city gates, he smiled faintly, "Jin Emperor, at last we meet!"

 Chapter 204 Its actually him?

    ```"Jin Emperor, we finally meet!" Xiao Yi said, his eyes playing over the Jin Emperor''s figure.


    The Jin Emperor''s face betrayed no emotion.


    The ministers at his side, however, were livid with anger, "How daring of you, Xiao Yi, to see the Jin Emperor and not kneel?"


    "Aren''t you going to kneel?"


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly, looking up at the few ministers who were shouting the loudest, showing his impatience with a dismissive wave of his hand, "Noisy!"


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    Whoosh!


    A streak of golden light shot out from his chest.


    Little Lin''s cultivation had broken through yet again, and its speed had doubled. It was nothing but a streak of light as it flew to the top of the city wall.


    When it returned, it was perched on Xiao Yi''s shoulder, raising its head slightly, and sticking out its tongue, "Where did these old dogs come from, daring to speak to my boss like that? They''re simply asking for death!"


    As soon as these words were spoken,


    the ministers who had pointed and cursed Xiao Yi all burst into blood at the center of their foreheads.


    They fell to the ground one by one, lifeless.


    The city wall descended into chaos.


    The Jin Emperor, who had been silent all along, finally spoke, "Enough!"


    His voice was not loud, but it carried an imposing authority.


    The chaos on the city wall came to an abrupt halt.


    The Jin Emperor narrowed his eyes, like a fierce tiger eyeing its prey, and said coldly, "I rarely admire anyone, but you are one exception."


    "This is my honor!" Xiao Yi laughed.


    The Jin Emperor snorted coldly, speaking indifferently, "Being able to lead the Tianqing Kingdom''s army here by yourself is indeed surprising to me, and it could even be called a miracle. However, miracles are fleeting and cannot last."


    Xiao Yi responded lightly, "Are you talking about the Great Jin Kingdom?"


    "You..."


    The Jin Emperor''s face darkened, and his words lost the nonchalance and calm of before. This was the first time that the Great Jin Kingdom had been attacked all the way to its capital, "Xiao Yi, if you retreat immediately, I can let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, you and the Tianqing Kingdom will pay a heavy price for today''s actions."


    Xiao Yi slapped the Tianqing buffalo, turned around, and headed towards the military camp. With his back to the Jin Emperor, he waved his hand, "By noon tomorrow, your capital will fall!"


    "Outrageous!"


    "This boy is too arrogant!"


    "Do you think the Great Jin Kingdom is without its people? You mangy cur..."


    The intimidated ministers jumped up as soon as they saw Xiao Yi leaving, hurling insults and jeers.


    The Jin Emperor looked at his ministers with a cold gaze, anger burning in the depths of his eyes.


    Why had they all turned mute just a moment ago?


    Now they are jumping and cursing for whom to see?


    Moreover...


    The Great Jin Kingdom indeed has no one left, doesn''t it?


    How many of the Great Jin Kingdom''s powerhouses had Xiao Yi killed in this battle?


    Even counting the Jin Emperor himself and the shabbily recalled Southern Battle King, there were only six strong Tao Tribulation Realm warriors left in the entire court.


    How could these warriors be a match for the Tianqing Kingdom?


    Xiao Yi alone could sweep them all away, couldn''t he?


    "Your Majesty, as Xiao Yi said, they will launch the total attack at noon tomorrow. What should we do?" a minister asked, his eyes twitching nervously as he looked at the Jin Emperor.


    The Jin Emperor watched him coldly, "What do you think we should do?"


    The minister hesitated, then said in a heavy voice, "Perhaps... we should negotiate peace?"


    "Negotiate peace? Good, very good!"


    The Jin Emperor laughed heartily, and the minister''s face lit up with joy at his words, about to speak further, but then he heard the Jin Emperor''s laughter slowly turn cold, "I, the Great Jin Kingdom, have raised a bunch of useless things like you, negotiating peace? You must be kidding, go to your death!"


    Bang!


    The Jin Emperor''s palm came crashing down.


    The minister was turned into a lump of flesh and blood.


    The Jin Emperor''s icy gaze swept over the ministers, his words piercing their hearts, "I don''t care how many of you are thinking of surrendering or negotiating peace. You better put away those thoughts right now. Even if the Great Jin falls and our families are destroyed, we will never surrender. The Great Jin has only ministers who die in battle, not cowards who live on their knees!"


    "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"


    "We know our sins..."


    The ministers were sincerely frightened.


    The Jin Emperor swept his sleeves and strode away.


    The group of ministers looked at each other, not daring to say any more.


    After a while,


    Inside the royal palace, the Jin Emperor went to the inner court.


    In a courtyard filled with birdsong and floral fragrance, a beautiful woman was feeding two mythical beasts that resembled cats, but the aura emanating from these beasts was enough to deter any ordinary Tao Tribulation Realm from approaching. These were two bloodthirsty dragon cats, whose docile appearance belied their savage lineage. If they were to rage, even the most average Tao Tribulation Realm warrior could be in grave danger when they combined forces.


    ```


    "My queen!"


    The voice of the Jin Emperor came from outside the courtyard.


    This beautiful woman was none other than the Empress of the Great Jin Kingdom, a revered Beast Tamer.


    Empress Jin lifted her head to look at the Jin Emperor, a touch of warmth flickered in her eyes, "Your Majesty, has the murderer who killed Prince Mubai arrived?"


    The Jin Emperor nodded, sat beside Empress Jin, and gently embraced her, "My queen, I am useless... I can''t even deal with the killer of our son. He has even made it to the capital..."


    "Your Majesty, you needn''t be so hard on yourself!"


    Empress Jin smiled slightly, beneath her radiant smile lay a venomous chill, "I have already sent Bai to the Great Qian Dynasty to inform our eldest prince. As long as he returns from the Great Qian Dynasty, no matter who the opponent is, they will inevitably meet their demise!"


    "Oh?"


    The Jin Emperor was taken aback.


    The crown prince had had a conflict with the Jin Emperor and afterwards, he ventured alone into the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Over the years, the crown prince had only been in contact with Empress Jin.


    The Jin Emperor said solemnly, "Can the eldest prince deal with Xiao Yi?"


    Empress Jin laughed softly, a cold light flickered in her eyes, "He definitely can!"


    ......


    The next day, at noon.


    The sun blazed overhead, scorching the earth.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The war drums sounded in succession, thunderous and deafening.


    Leading with a million demon beast cavalry and followed by a million dragon-elephant legions, the followers from various kingdoms were also closely behind.


    The vast army of over four million spread before the capital of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    A sea of heads moved under a dark expanse.


    With banners against the clear sky, they fluttered in the wind, driving the cold to howl, and there was an underlying aura of deadly silence. The cold evil Qi cleared the skies for miles around, and under the bright sun, Xiao Yi rode a Tianqing wild ox to the front of his army, sweeping his gaze over the solemn faces of the Jin Emperor and others on top of the city gates, "Jin Emperor, the appointed time has come, and here I am!"


    The Jin Emperor glared back fiercely with an icy expression, his longsword soaring through the air, "Deploy the troops!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The massive city gates flung open, and countless figures swarmed out from within, with no fewer than two million in number.


    This was the final strength of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The War King of the South, the Director of the Western Factory Cao Tiancheng, and the Great General Nalan Hai, these three Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, led the charge at the forefront.


    "Kill!"


    "Fight!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The urgent beat of war drums suddenly filled the heavens and earth as both sides launched their charge at the same time.


    Boom!


    The great battle erupted instantaneously.


    The Tianqing Kingdom aimed to break the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The Great Jin Kingdom, on the other hand, vowed to defend the capital to the death.


    Both sides fought with the certainty of victory in their hearts.


    The battle was exceedingly brutal.


    But Xiao Yi''s million demon beast cavalry were simply too terrifying; ordinary soldiers couldn''t withstand their charge.


    Defeated like a landslide.


    As they witnessed the two million-strong army being slaughtered, the outcome was sealed!


    At the top of the city walls.


    The face of the Jin Emperor was as dark as water, and the court officials of the Great Jin Kingdom looked at each other in horror and fear.


    The battle had lasted only two hours...


    The last two million army of the Great Jin Kingdom was utterly routed, the three Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses were all slain, and Xiao Yi''s million demon beast cavalry pushed forward, breaking into the capital of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The banner of victory was within grasp!


    Atop the city walls.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly as he looked at the Jin Emperor, whose face was as dark as water, "I have won!"


    The Jin Emperor''s face was pitch black as he said coldly, "I am not yet dead, and my Great Jin has not fallen!"


    "Then go to your death!"


    The Fire Qilin Sword buzzed in Xiao Yi''s finger, spewing hot flames, ready to strike.


    But just at that moment, a chilling voice suddenly exploded, "I would like to see who dares to run wild in my Great Jin Kingdom!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, finding the voice eerily familiar. He looked up sharply, his pupils suddenly constricting, "It''s him?" sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 205 I Am Xiao Yi!

    "Could it be him?"Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted sharply as he stared at the newcomer.


    In the midst of the sky.


    Three figures broke through the air, and the leader bore a resemblance to the Jin Emperor, with a red mole between his brows and a radiant yet sinister appearance.


    He was the crown prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, Liu Qin.


    But what caused Xiao Yi to react was another identity he held.


    He was one of the one hundred and eight generals under Xiao Tianjiao!


    Xiao Tianjiao, considering himself the reincarnation of a Heavenly Emperor, had emulated the ancient Heavenly Emperor and created one hundred and eight generals to follow him, and Liu Qin was among them.


    At the same time...


    Liu Qin was also one of the powerful individuals originally arranged by Xiao Tianjiao to monitor Xiao Yi in that secluded courtyard.


    It was unexpected that their next encounter would be under such circumstances.


    Whoosh!


    Liu Qin landed on the ramparts, glancing indifferently at Xiao Yi as he passed by and walked up to the Jin Emperor, bowing his hands and saying, "Father, your son is late!"


    "Not late at all, hahaha, it''s good that my son has returned!" The Jin Emperor laughed heartily, turning to look at the two people beside him.


    Liu Qin said in a stern voice, "Father, these two are the war slaves bestowed to me by my master, you may call them Liu Yi and Liu Er."


    "Master?"


    The Jin Emperor''s face stiffened.


    The crown prince of the Great Jin Kingdom had a master?


    An Imperial Censor by the side rebuked angrily, "Your Highness, please choose your words carefully, you are an exalted prince, who in this world has the right to be your master?"


    "Die!"


    Liu Qin said dispassionately.


    With a point of his finger, Liu Yi Yi caused the Imperial Censor''s head to burst with a bang, and amidst the spray of fresh blood, Liu Qin placed his right hand over his left chest, his face filled with fervor and adoration, "My lord is the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor, the strongest genius under this starry sky. Anyone who dares to oppose my lord has but one path��to die!"


    Hisss!


    Everyone was taken aback.


    The Jin Emperor couldn''t help but swallow, never having imagined that his usually fearless crown prince would show such reverence towards his master.


    An image formed in the Jin Emperor''s mind.


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    It was of the hottest talent in the entire Great Qian Dynasty, who was also one of the most powerful beings in the Great Qian Dynasty at present. Containing his excitement, the Jin Emperor asked, "My son, is the master you speak of that Xiao Tianjiao, Lord Xiao, who is known as the number one genius in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    "Correct, my master is Xiao Tianjiao!" Liu Qin said proudly.


    Hisss!


    The Jin Emperor drew in a sharp breath, then burst into ecstatic laughter, "It''s really him, hahaha, to think that my son could have Xiao Tianjiao as his master. With this, my son will surely be able to protect our Great Jin Kingdom!"


    "Father, rest assured, with your son here, even if a prince from the Great Qian Dynasty were here, he would have to show me some respect!"


    Liu Qin smiled confidently, then turned to look in Xiao Yi''s direction, his expression icy as he said, "Is it you who wishes to destroy our Great Jin Kingdom?"


    Xiao Yi smiled, "That''s right! If you hadn''t appeared, the Great Jin Kingdom would have changed hands by now!"


    Liu Qin actually hadn''t recognized him.


    But that was also to be expected...


    Back when Liu Qin was guarding him, Xiao Yi was only ten years old, and afterwards Liu Qin was called away by Xiao Tianjiao.


    Moreover.


    Perhaps Liu Qin and the others had never truly looked at him with open eyes from beginning to end; in their eyes, Xiao Yi was nothing more than an ant that could be squashed at will, a stain upon their supreme and flawless lord. Plus, given the great changes in Xiao Yi, it was not surprising that he hadn''t been recognized.


    Standing with his hands behind his back, Liu Qin said indifferently, "You think you have the ability to destroy our Great Jin Kingdom? You, commit suicide!"


    Commit suicide?


    These one hundred and eight generals really follow the same style as Xiao Tianjiao.


    So domineering!


    Xiao Yi said, "Won''t you ask me why I want to annihilate your Great Jin Kingdom?"


    "Is it important?"


    Liu Qin said with an impatient face, "No matter the reason, I want you dead, and you will die."


    Xiao Yi revealed a smile and said, "You might want to ask your father emperor what my name is first!"


    Liu Qin frowned and scrutinized Xiao Yi with sharp eyes before coldly laughing, "It doesn''t matter what your name is, nor the power or backing behind you. I want you dead, and you will die!"


    Xiao Yi said, "You should really ask, otherwise you''ll regret it!"


    "Hmm?"


    Liu Qin was startled. sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to be so insistent on his name. Upon looking at Xiao Yi more closely, he couldn''t shake a sense of d��j�� vu, so he turned toward the Jin Emperor.


    The Jin Emperor said hastily, "My son, his name is Xiao Yi, from the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Xiao Yi? Tianqing Kingdom?"


    Liu Qin''s expression suddenly changed, his incredulous gaze fixed on Xiao Yi as if to confirm his identity. But he quickly shook his head, "Impossible, this person cannot be the Xiao Yi I know. That one was nothing but trash, how could they be the same person?"


    The entire Xiao Family knew that Xiao Yi was trash.


    A trash that even his own father and brother despised.


    He had been imprisoned in separate quarters since childhood.


    Over a year ago,


    Xiao Tianjiao, to breed his mount, had kicked Xiao Yi out of the family and sent him to a minor family in Nanhuang of Tianqing Kingdom as a live-in son-in-law. Back then, Xiao Yi wasn''t even in the Physical Body Realm, yet the man before him was at the peak of the Golden Core Realm. Even his master, Xiao Tianjiao, whom he thought omnipotent, couldn''t possibly have stepped from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Golden Core Realm in just over a year!


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up with a hint of amusement, "General Liu, it''s only been a few years since we last met, don''t you recognize me anymore?"


    Hum!


    Liu Qin''s mind went blank.


    His breathing became hurried, his eyes staring blankly, disbelievingly at Xiao Yi, "Really, really, you?"


    Xiao Yi grinned, "Back then, it was General Liu himself who escorted me to the Yulan Court! I remember, even when my mother wanted to send me some food, it had to go through General Liu''s thorough inspection. It seems you''re a person who forgets things once you''re in power, forgetting me so soon!"


    Thump thump thump!


    Liu Qin staggered back several steps, his face growing pale.


    It really was him!


    This youth before him was indeed the Xiao Yi he knew!


    A disgrace of the Xiao Family.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s brother he refused to acknowledge!


    "Impossible... the master said you were trash, that you''d never achieve anything in the martial path in your lifetime, how could this be possible?"


    Liu Qin shook his head repeatedly, unable to believe that the genius who nearly destroyed the Great Jin Kingdom was Xiao Yi.


    Even less could he believe...


    That Xiao Yi, who was merely in the Physical Body Realm a year ago, was now at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak!


    Just over a year''s time!


    Even the miracle that Xiao Tianjiao, whom he deemed omnipotent, couldn''t accomplish!


    "You are not wrong, I am indeed the Xiao Yi whom Xiao Tianjiao mentioned as a failure who is so shameful that even the blood flowing within me, the same as his, is deemed a disgrace by him. He would rather send me away as a live-in son-in-law to someone else, to breed his mount!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth twisted with a cold sneer, his mocking eyes fixed on Liu Qin''s shocked face, "Surprised? Or were you not expecting this?"

 Chapter 206 Just So-So!

    Xiao Yi had a playful expression on his face, "Surprised? Unexpected?"Liu Qin''s face was a picture of mixed emotions.


    He had never imagined that Xiao Yi, who he had never taken seriously, and who was even considered a disgrace by all of the Xiao Family, including their one hundred and eight generals, would have a day of resurgence.


    However...


    Liu Qin snorted coldly, and said indifferently, "Indeed, your achievements are beyond our expectations. But compared to our master, you are still nothing but trash."


    "Trash?"


    In Xiao Yi''s mind emerged the figure who once stood like a mountain, whom he could only look up to, and now he was getting closer and closer to him!


    "Of course, you are trash!"


    Liu Qin sneered with pride, "The master awakened the Supreme Overlord Holy Body before the age of three, possessing the divine power to lift a thousand-pound cauldron with one arm. At the age of five, he broke through to the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm; at seven, he stepped into Qi Gathering with Ten Layers; and at eight, he successfully entered the Shentong Realm, becoming the youngest Shentong Realm powerhouse in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty. At the age of ten, he entered the Shentong Realm with Ten Layers, thus joining the Tianjian Sect, the top sect of the Great Qin Dynasty, and became a direct disciple."


    "Now, at only twenty-two, he has successfully stepped into the realm of Dharma Manifestation, becoming the youngest Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse in both the Great Qian Dynasty and the Qingtian Realm."


    Liu Qin stopped inflating his chest with pride, and his companions, Liu Yi and Liu Er, also wore ecstatic expressions, "In front of our master, you will always be nothing but an ant!"


    As Liu Qin said, the halo of glory on Xiao Tianjiao was indeed countless.


    Incredibly dazzling.


    Unique in this era.


    However...


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "At the age of five, reaching the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. When he broke through to the Golden Core Realm, he was already eleven years old; that took six years. As for me, I took only a year and a half to break through from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Golden Core Realm. Even so, do you still think I''m trash? That I''m not as good as him?"


    Liu Qin snorted coldly.


    A year and a half to break through from the Physical Body Realm to the Golden Elixir Peak, not to mention Xiao Tianjiao��even the legendary Martial God Zhao Wuji did not have such monstrous talent.


    But he would never admit that Xiao Yi was better than Xiao Tianjiao.


    Liu Qin said coldly, "What if you broke from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Golden Core Realm in a year and a half? If the master calls you trash, then you will always be trash, and that is all you can be!"


    "Hahaha, so are you planning to cripple my cultivation just like you did to Qingzhu back then?" Xiao Yi laughed angrily.


    Fang Qingzhu was once the treasured daughter of the Fang Family.


    Only because she married him.


    Xiao Tianjiao, with his words ''a trash husband can only match a trash wife,'' personally crippled Fang Qingzhu''s cultivation.


    Who would have thought...


    After a year and a half...


    Liu Qin, under the command of Xiao Tianjiao, when facing Xiao Yi, made the same choice.


    Liu Qin nodded slightly, his expression indifferent, "The master is the true destined son of heaven, a reincarnation of the Celestial Emperor. He could never be wrong. His life does not tolerate any blemishes, and the purpose of our one hundred and eight generals is to clear away any blemish that tries to taint the master. Since the master said you are trash, you should remain trash for life, instead of rebelling against the master!" Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Hahaha, Liu Qin, do you really think I am still the same Xiao Yi you can bully at will? As for crippling my cultivation, let alone you, even if Xiao Tianjiao were here it would be absolutely impossible!"


    The eight years of imprisonment, the humiliation of being reduced to a son-in-law for the sake of breeding his steed, being kicked out of his family and even stripped of his right to worship his own mother, crippling Fang Qingzhu''s cultivation...


    The actions of Xiao Tianjiao had long wounded Xiao Yi beyond repair.


    There was no longer any fraternal affection.


    Only hatred!


    Only resentment!


    Liu Qin snorted coldly, "How audacious, to directly call the master by his name... Liu Yi, Liu Er, cripple his cultivation for me!"


    "Yes!"


    Liu Yi and Liu Er were also experts at the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The two were death warriors.


    Ruthless and fearless.


    Unyieldingly loyal!


    Whoosh!


    ```


    Whoosh!


    The two men charged at Xiao Yi from the left and right, simultaneously.


    The Jin Emperor said in a deep voice, "My son, do not underestimate him. Even Qin Yu died at his hands..."


    "No worries!"


    With a wave of his hand, Liu Qin was full of confidence, "Liu Yi and Liu Er are the death soldiers cultivated by our lord, far stronger than ordinary warriors of the Tao Tribulation Realm. With their participation, Xiao Yi''s death is certain!"


    However...


    He had barely finished speaking.


    With two muffled groans, two figures fell at his feet in quick succession.


    It was Liu Yi and Liu Er.


    They lay before him, one to the left and the other to the right.


    Blood streamed from their seven orifices, and their internal organs had been shattered.


    Hiss!


    Liu Qin''s pupils suddenly constricted, incredulously looking at Xiao Yi: "You dared to kill them?" S��arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You said they were death soldiers groomed by Xiao Tianjiao, so I used fifty percent of my strength. I didn''t expect them to be so frail and die instantly. It seems the death soldiers groomed by Xiao Tianjiao are just so-so!" Xiao Yi shrugged nonchalantly, an innocent look on his face.


    "Bastard!"


    Liu Qin flew into a rage. Xiao Tianjiao was his idol, how could he tolerate any doubt or insult? His eyes narrowed, a cold glint shining like a knife, and with a whoosh, a three-meter-long cyan greatsword fell into his hand. The blade trembled violently, emitting a series of chilling sword cries, "The master was right; your existence does nothing but sully his name. Today, I shall cut you down!"


    Whoosh!


    Like the crescent moon, a semi-circular blade of light tore through the void, descending from the sky.


    This strike contained an incomparable sword intent, reaching the second stage of the sword intent realm.


    The buzzing of the sword made one''s scalp tingle.


    The wild wind of primeval qi raised caused even the Jin Emperor and the other powerhouses of the Great Jin Kingdom to feel a chill: "No wonder he is one of the 108 Heavenly Generals under Xiao Tianjiao''s command; this strike is powerful enough to threaten even a Nine-fold Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm expert."


    "Even if Xiao Yi could take this strike, he would be gravely injured!"


    "I really didn''t expect that Xiao Yi was the brother of the famous Xiao Tianjiao, but it seems Xiao Tianjiao doesn''t like his brother much..."


    "Who cares whether he likes him or not, he''s about to die..."


    "Our Great Jin Kingdom is saved..."


    The courtiers of the Great Jin Kingdom wore expressions of wild joy.


    In contrast, representatives from Tianqing Kingdom like Yu Huaxian stood with their arms crossed over their chests, appearing completely unconcerned: "Really makes you wonder what''s going on in the heads of the Xiao family, considering they think of Xiao as useless..."


    "Is Xiao Tianjiao even comparable to Xiao?"


    "Could Xiao Tianjiao go from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Golden Core Realm in a year and a half? Does Xiao Tianjiao know alchemy?"


    Amidst murmured conversations.


    Liu Qin''s strike had already landed on Xiao Yi, yet the anticipated scene of Xiao Yi being gravely wounded or even cleaved in two did not occur.


    There was only the clang of a loud noise.


    The stone slabs under Xiao Yi''s feet burst apart, and cracks spread across the walls within a hundred meters. In contrast, Xiao Yi still stood tall and straight like an ancient pine, upright like a sharp sword. And at the spot where the greatsword struck him, there was not even the slightest mark...


    "This is impossible..."


    Liu Qin''s face underwent a drastic change.


    He was a cultivator of the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and in full force, he could kill even an Eighth Layer expert with one slash.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi didn''t dodge or evade and had withstood his strike without a scratch?


    "I stand still and let you slash, yet you can''t injure me! Is this the strength of one of the 108 Heavenly Generals?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head slightly, his lips curving into a cold, cruel smile, "I thought all those years following Xiao Tianjiao would have taught you some invincible techniques. Turns out, that''s all there is to it!"


    ```

 Chapter 207 One Man Destroys a Country

    "The 108 Heavenly Generals are nothing more than this!"Xiao Yi''s face bore a thick layer of mockery as he sized up Liu Qin with an amused gaze. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His right hand slowly lifted.


    With two fingers, he pinched the three-meter-long sixth rank Yuan weapon saber, and as the force of Wind Thunder circulated within his palm, a series of crackling sounds ensued, and he actually flattened the blade of the saber.


    Hisss!


    The crowd inhaled sharply, looking at Xiao Yi as if he were a monster.


    This was a sixth rank Yuan weapon, after all,


    incredibly sturdy.


    And he managed to flatten the blade with his bare hands?


    "That is a Yuan weapon granted by my master, and you dare to destroy it? You''re seeking death!"


    Liu Qin looked at the flattened blade, his eyes nearly splitting with rage as he roared, his arm muscles tensed in an instant while bulging veins coiled like dragons along his arms. A savage power swept down the saber in the blink of an eye, like an endless torrent of river water, furiously aiming to chop at Xiao Yi''s neck.


    One force to overcome ten meetings.


    Though the blade edge was now flat, under the overwhelming suppression of absolute strength, even a piece of wood could become a lethal weapon.


    Faced with Liu Qin''s storm-like assault,


    Xiao Yi just snorted coldly and flicked his finger on the saber.


    Boom!


    Amidst the piercing boom,


    the saber bent violently, and with it, Liu Qin''s body was sent flying.


    Xiao Yi stepped forward and reached out to grab the saber''s hilt from the air, "Let go!"


    Whoosh!


    As Xiao Yi twisted his wrist sharply, the saber span wildly like a spinning top, stirring up fierce winds, and he forcefully snatched it from Liu Qin''s grasp. Leaping into the air, the saber descended from the heavens, "whoosh" it pierced through Liu Qin''s chest, and with a "thud" half of the saber embedded itself into the city wall, nailing Liu Qin firmly to it.


    Blood dripped down the hilt.


    Xiao Yi floated down, standing over Liu Qin with the edge of the saber, looking down disdainfully at the struggling man, "To die by the Yuan weapon given by your master is quite an honorable end!"


    Back then, Xiao Yi had been confined to a separate courtyard.


    His mother, in her attempts to see him, had been obstructed by Liu Qin on numerous occasions.


    Now,


    the tables have turned.


    Liu Qin had finally fallen into his hands.


    Liu Qin spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his eyes filled with horror, and he looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "Impossible, this can''t be�� You are just at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, how can you be this strong?"


    At this moment,


    Liu Qin''s unwavering beliefs began to waver.


    Was Xiao Yi really a waste?


    Really a blot on Xiao Tianjiao''s life?


    Even at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, Xiao Tianjiao couldn''t possibly have easily defeated a Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, could he?


    Xiao Yi squatted down, the cold wind blowing through, stirring his black hair, his robes billowing messily, "Do you think I''m strong? Do you think even Xiao Tianjiao wasn''t as good as I am when he was at this level? Do you feel like I''m not the waste you all imagined me to be, am I not?"


    His barrage of questions rendered Liu Qin speechless.


    He desperately wanted to say no!


    But the reality was right before his eyes!


    This time��


    The invincible Xiao Tianjiao had really made a mistake.


    Xiao Yi was not a stain on his life, nor a worthless waste; he was actually a peerless genius with more talent than Xiao Tianjiao!


    However,


    that thought was only momentary before Liu Qin fiercely banished it from his mind, staring hideously at Xiao Yi and screaming hysterically, "No, my master is the strongest, the Xiao Family is enough with just my master. No matter how strong your talent is, you''ll never surpass my master, it''s impossible!"


    Each of the 108 Heavenly Generals was Xiao Tianjiao''s absolute confidant.


    Utterly loyal to him.


    Even if reality shook his faith, he would never admit it.


    Even in death,


    he would never acknowledge it!


    Liu Qin clenched his steel teeth and said hysterically, "Don''t be so smug, you will always be nothing but an ant in front of the master. With just the flick of his finger, he could crush you, this insignificant ant!"


    "Is that so? Sadly, you won''t live to see that day!"


    Xiao Yi slowly rose to his feet.


    Puff!


    Xiao Yi''s foot stomped down.


    He crushed Liu Qin''s head into his chest cavity, and blood sprayed wildly from his shoulders.


    Xiao Yi landed back on the city wall, his cold gaze turned to the Jin Emperor who was looking on in dumbstruck horror, "Killing you means the end of the Great Jin Kingdom, doesn''t it?"


    "Xiao Yi, I am the Jin Emperor, enfeoffed by the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty. If you dare kill me, the Great Qian Dynasty will never spare you!" The Jin Emperor clenched his fists and said in a low voice, "Whatever benefits Tianqing Kingdom has offered you, I can give you the same, tenfold, a hundredfold..."


    Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "As long as it does not shake the rule of the Great Qian Dynasty, he will not care about the life and death of a subordinate nation. If the Great Qian Dynasty really cared about the survival of your Jin Country, my army wouldn''t have been able to get here."


    "You..."


    The Jin Emperor''s face turned ashen.


    He knew full well the mindset of the Great Qian Dynasty. Just as Xiao Yi had said, as long as their rule wasn''t shaken.


    As for who occupied the seat of this superior subordinate nation, the Great Qian Dynasty didn''t care at all!


    "The national protector ancestor of my Great Jin Kingdom is a high-level master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, if you dare to kill me, he will surely not spare you..." The Jin Emperor threatened.


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "If your Jin country''s ancestor was still alive, why would he not have shown up by now? Stop bluffing, Jin Emperor, let me send you on your way!"


    "No..."


    The Jin Emperor''s face was the picture of despair as he turned to flee into the sky.


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    Puff!


    A fiery-red sword light flashed across his neck.


    The mighty Jin Emperor fell at that moment.


    This also marked the end of an era for the Great Jin Kingdom, now over for good.


    From this day forward...


    Under the Great Qian, Tianqing reigns supreme!


    Xiao Yi, holding the severed head of the Jin Emperor in one hand, hovered in the air and called out towards the inside of the royal capital, "The head of the Jin Emperor is here, those who surrender will not be killed!"


    "Those who surrender will not be killed!"


    "The Jin Emperor is dead, those who surrender will not be killed!"


    For a moment.


    Mourning was widespread within the royal capital.


    Countless strong individuals chose to surrender, while the stubborn ones were brutally suppressed.


    This splendid and powerful Great Jin Kingdom, after a thousand years of glory, had met its downfall today.


    And the one who had personally buried and obliterated this colossal entity was Xiao Yi!


    A youth who had created miracle after miracle, ascending from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Golden Core Realm in just over a year!


    Within the luxurious royal palace.


    In front of Yu Huaxian, a line of royal orphans, the queen, and various princes kneeled, all bound and kneeling on the ground.


    In their midst was Yu Huaxian''s sworn enemy, the third prince, responsible for the death of his sister. At this moment, the faces of these princes and grandsons were pale with despair.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the people, patted the shoulder of Yu Huaxian, who was biting her lip tightly, her fists clenched, and shoulders trembling, "I leave them to you."


    "Th-thank you, Xiao!"


    Yu Huaxian''s eyes were bloodshot with excitement, and her gaze, filled with the intent to devour, fell upon the third prince, "Did you ever imagine this day would come? I swore that I would grind your bones to dust, and today, today is when I fulfill that promise..."


    "No..."


    The third prince screamed in utter despair.


    The sound of flesh being torn apart by hand was enough to make one''s skin crawl.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    He walked alone through the ravaged royal capital post-battle. The bustling capital was no longer as vibrant as before, with signs of war everywhere.


    Along the way.


    Everyone who saw Xiao Yi stepped aside from afar, their expressions a mix of respect, fear, and curiosity.


    It was this young man...


    Who alone, brought down an entire nation!

 Chapter 208 Emperor Qian

    Great Qian Dynasty.This vast kingdom could rank among the notable names in Qingtian Realm, with over a hundred subsidiary nations under its command. Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire


    Its prosperity was therefore no surprise.


    Martial Artists and traders alike traversed its lands in countless numbers, ensuring the swiftest spread of news throughout the imperial city.


    The fall of Great Jin Kingdom was carried back by these roaming merchants.


    In an instant.


    The Great Jin Kingdom, Tianqing Kingdom, and Xiao Yi became the talk of the town.


    "Have you heard? One of our first-class subsidiary nations, Great Jin Kingdom, has been annihilated!"


    "What? Someone annihilated Great Jin Kingdom? Who did it?"


    "It seems to be a small country called Tianqing Kingdom. Do you know who led Tianqing Kingdom to destroy Great Jin Kingdom? I heard it''s the younger brother of Xiao Tianjiao, the number one prodigy of our Great Qian Dynasty..."


    "Are you talking about the one the Xiao Family kicked out as a waste?"


    "Shh... that''s no waste, I heard the Xiao Family was worried he was too outstanding, overshadowing Xiao Tianjiao''s brilliance, so they sent him off to Tianqing Kingdom as a son-in-law to some minor family. What they didn''t foresee was Xiao Yi''s growth speed..."


    Inside an elegant carriage.


    The coachman, listening to the people''s conversation and standing beside the carriage, cautiously said, "Master, the one they say destroyed Great Jin Kingdom, it''s Xiao... indeed, it''s Xiao Yi!"


    "Xiao Yi?"


    A moment of silence lingered inside the carriage before the voice resumed, "Who would have thought that even a salted fish could turn over. But to raise his cultivation from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of Golden Core Realm in just a year and a half? There''s already talk his talent surpasses Tian''er. No, this can''t be allowed to happen, or else our Xiao Family will become a laughing stock among the major families!"


    Seated inside the carriage was none other than Xiao Zhengde, the patriarch of the Xiao Family.


    With his right hand adorned with a jade ring, Xiao Zhengde gently touched his nose and narrowed his eyes, displaying a cold and predatory glint as he spoke to the coachman outside, "First take me back to the estate, then summon General Greedy Wolf and General Po Jun to my residence!"


    "Yes, Master!"


    The carriage slowly made its way towards the Xiao family''s residence.


    Xiao Zhengde squinted his eyes, the cold gleam flickering within, "My Xiao Family has always been brilliant, never to be tarnished by others!"


    The Xiao Family was indeed at the height of its power.


    With Xiao Tianjiao''s advancement into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the family''s reputation was unmatched for the time being.


    If it were revealed now that Xiao Yi, whom they had expelled from the family, possessed an even stronger talent than Xiao Tianjiao, people would surmise they had done so out of jealousy and fear of Xiao Yi''s superior talent, casting a detrimental shadow over both the family and Xiao Tianjiao.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    Xiao Zhengde looked down at the ring on his hand, his expression ice-cold, "Having Tian''er is more than enough for the Xiao Family. Xiao Yi, if there''s anyone to blame, it''s that you were born too late..."


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the imperial palace.


    The supreme Emperor of Great Qian Dynasty examined the secret letter in his hands with a playful expression, "Xiao Yi? Xiao Tianjiao''s younger brother? From Physical Body Realm to the peak of Golden Core Realm in a year and a half, yet with the combat power of Tao Tribulation Realm? Interesting, this kid is quite interesting..."


    In front of Emperor Qian, a handsome young man respectfully inquired, "Father Emperor, shall we invite Xiao Yi?"


    Emperor Qian looked at the young man, his face smiling, "What do you think?"


    This young man was Emperor Qian''s youngest son, the Thirteenth Prince, Yang Ling.


    He was intelligent and had exceptional martial talents.


    Raised by Emperor Qian''s side since childhood, deeply favored and cherished, there were even rumors that Emperor Qian intended to bestow the Crown Prince''s title to Yang Ling.


    Yang Ling spoke in a deep voice, "Xiao Tianjiao is attracting too much attention. It might be worth considering cultivating a chess piece to counterbalance him!"


    Emperor''s Mind Art is about balance.


    The younger generation of the Great Qian Dynasty is almost entirely overshadowed by Xiao Tianjiao, to the extent that the Xiao Family is becoming overwhelmingly dominant, even showing signs of emerging as the fifth great clan of the dynasty. The original four great clans kept each other in check, creating a delicate balance that the royal family could control. If another great clan were to be added, this would not be good news for those in power. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With the royal family''s methods and intelligence, they naturally could grasp the grievances between Xiao Yi and Xiao Tianjiao.


    If Xiao Yi could be nurtured to offset Xiao Tianjiao and limit the Xiao Family''s development...


    Emperor Qian, his expression unreadable, asked, "What do you think should be done?"


    Yang Ling frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "The position of head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute has been vacant for a decade. I believe Xiao Yi is quite suited for this position!"


    "Oh?"


    Emperor Qian squinted and said, "Why not summon him to court to become an official, or bestow a title upon him?"


    Yang Ling replied seriously, "Balance! Once a title is bestowed or he is appointed to an official position at court, it would disrupt the balance between the royal family and Xiao Tianjiao. However, the Xiaoshanhe Institute is different. This sect, once one of the top ten sects and on par with the Tianjian Sect, has declined since submitting to the dynasty and is now far from its former glory among those top ten sects. Appointing Xiao Yi as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute wouldn''t be a clear sign that the royal family is taking his side..."


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute, once one of the ten great sects, ranking alongside the Tianjian Sect.


    The royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty has always wanted to consolidate the imperial power and eliminate the exceptional influence of the ten great sects.


    But in the end, only the Xiaoshanhe Institute submitted to the royal authority.


    Over the years...


    Under the pressure of the other ten great sects, the Xiaoshanhe Institute has been in decline, to the point where for ten years no one has been willing to take the position of its head, resulting in it being practically non-existent.


    By making Xiao Yi the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, not only could the royal family convey their goodwill to him, but also it wouldn''t overly provoke Xiao Tianjiao and the others.


    Indeed, it was a solution that could serve two purposes beautifully.


    "Hahahaha!"


    Emperor Qian let out a satisfied laugh and nodded, saying, "My son, the fact that you have thought of these things shows that you have not been slacking off over the years."


    "Thank you, Father, for the praise!" Yang Ling replied with a grin.


    Emperor Qian shook his head: "However, you have overlooked one thing, my son!"


    "Oh?"


    Yang Ling was startled, "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty!"


    "Issue my decree, promote the Tianqing Kingdom to a first-class vassal state, bestow the title of ''Qianqiu'' upon Lord Jiang Tai and reward him with a Resurrection Elixir, appoint Xiao Yi, the Guardian Martial God of the Tianqing Kingdom, as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute; promote Xiao Zhengde, the head of the Xiao Family, to the title of Guardian Duke, and appoint Xiao Tianjiao as the National God of War of the Great Qian Dynasty..."


    Emperor Qian gestured to the old eunuch beside him to draft the edict, then looked towards Yang Ling, "Do you understand now?"


    Yang Ling had an epiphany: "Thank you, Father, for pointing this out. I understand now!"


    He had only thought about appointing Xiao Yi as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, which would not cause much dissatisfaction within the Xiao Family.


    But he had forgotten about the relationship between Xiao Yi and the Xiao Family.


    Xiao Yi had been expelled from the Xiao Family, and rumors were circulating everywhere that it was because Xiao Tianjiao was jealous of Xiao Yi''s talent. Now, by raising Xiao Yi to the position of head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, it would inevitably create some resentment in Xiao Tianjiao''s heart.


    Now not only Xiao Yi was elevated to the position of the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, but also Xiao Zhengde and Xiao Tianjiao were appointed.


    This would minimize the dissatisfaction of the father and son of the Xiao Family.


    This would achieve true balance!


    "Good that you understand!"


    Emperor Qian smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing to slits as he stared into the distance, "The Xiao Family? Heh, truly interesting!"

 Chapter 209 A Visitor from the Xiao Family!

    Great Jin Kingdom, within the capital city.A month had passed since the Great Jin Kingdom was destroyed, and during this month, Xiao Yi had been staying in the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave within the Great Jin Kingdom''s royal palace.


    The Tianqing Kingdom would soon relocate its capital here.


    Naturally, Xiao Yi could not completely consume the Dragon Vein of this place, but fortunately, the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave of the Great Jin Kingdom stored an enormous amount of heavenly and earthly energy. Over the month of cultivation, Xiao Yi had compressed his Golden Core to only twenty rings, and the number of God Sealing Seeds he possessed had reached eight hundred thousand. Even Little Lin had ascended to a high-level sixth order, comparable to the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Even so,


    only thirty percent of the heavenly and earthly energy in the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave had been consumed.


    "Xiao, people from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty have come!"


    While Xiao Yi was in cultivation, he heard the voice of Yu Huaxian from outside.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes snapped open. "The Xiao Family?"


    Two substantial beams of cold light burst forth from his pupils.


    He had thought that it should be the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty sending people over, but to his surprise, it was the Xiao Family who had come first.


    "Have them wait, I''ll be over shortly!" Xiao Yi said.


    Yu Huaxian bowed respectfully. "Understood!"


    "Xiao Zhengde, sending people over at this time, what exactly is your game?" While dressing, Xiao Yi called for Little Lin and left the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave.


    Inside the front hall,


    General Po Jun, Zhao Ying, and Hai Fu were seated boldly within the hall.


    These two were experts left by Xiao Tianjiao at Xiao Zhengde''s side. However, Xiao Yi had not seen them much, after all, his movements within the Xiao Family were confined to a secluded small courtyard.


    "Greedy Wolf, the reports say that waste only took a year and a half to rise from the Physical Body Realm to the Peak of the Golden Elixir Realm. How much of that do you believe?" General Po Jun asked. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hai Fu narrowed his eyes, speaking indifferently, "Once we see him, we''ll naturally know if it''s true or not!"


    "That''s also true!"


    Zhao Ying nodded, his face wearing an odd expression, "It''s strange to say, that waste actually managed to come this far!"


    As the two conversed,


    Xiao Yi''s figure appeared in the hall.


    "Hmm?"


    The two looked at Xiao Yi, their sharp gazes scrutinizing him back and forth. When they realized that Xiao Yi truly was at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm, they couldn''t help but exchange glances, "Indeed, he is at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm��"


    Both could see the shock in the other''s eyes.


    A year and a half!


    From Physical Body Realm to the Peak of the Golden Core Realm, this rate of cultivation was far superior to even Xiao Tianjiao.


    Xiao Yi swept a glance at the two, speaking faintly, "Is this how Xiao Tianjiao teaches his subordinates, not even a greeting when they see me?"


    Zhao Ying replied indifferently, "Our master told us, some people deserve respect and therefore ought to be greeted. As for wastes, they need not be bothered with!"


    "Heh, that''s truly Xiao Tianjiao''s style!"


    Xiao Yi scoffed, then walked straight to the main seat and sat down, fiddling with the cup on the tea table without a word.


    Silence fell over the hall.


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    Zhao Ying and the other exchanged looks.


    Hai Fu took a deep breath, stood up and said, "By the order of Xiao Zhengde, head of the Xiao Family, I have come to read out the family decree, Xiao Yi, will you not kneel to receive the order?"


    Xiao Yi still leaned back in his chair, relaxed, and uttered indifferently, "Speak!"


    "Hmm?"


    Hai Fu''s expression darkened, and a cold light flashed in his eyes as he stared at him, "I told you to kneel down and receive the order!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Hai Fu, saying nothing.


    Tangible gazes collided in the air.


    The piercing eyes that seemed capable of penetrating one''s heart made Hai Fu feel somewhat dazzled, his momentum unconsciously weakened. He took a deep breath and said, "The family head has ordered you to secretly transfer control of the Tianqing Kingdom to us. From now on, the Tianqing Kingdom will be secretly controlled by the Xiao Family. At the same time, the family head has heard that you have reached the Golden Core Realm and orders you to present your cultivation technique and breakthrough method to the family. Furthermore, one Xiao Tianjiao in the Xiao Family is enough. You, Xiao Yi, are ordered to cripple your own cultivation. If you defy this, you will be executed without mercy..."


    "Ha ha, ha ha ha... Interesting, interesting... Xiao Zhengde, oh Xiao Zhengde, you really have some nerve!"


    Xiao Yi laughed in anger.


    The order in his palm burst into flames with a bang, turning into ashes that scattered all around.


    Xiao Zhengde actually intended to control the Tianqing Kingdom from the shadows and even wanted Xiao Yi to secretly hand over the reins to someone from the Xiao Family.


    He was also demanded to hand over his cultivation technique and the secret to his breakthrough...


    Even worse...


    Xiao Zhengde actually wanted Xiao Yi to cripple his own cultivation!


    The underlying reason was simply that he didn''t want Xiao Yi to outshine and thus affect Xiao Tianjiao.


    Any of these demands alone would be enough to drive Xiao Yi to murder, let alone all three!


    Each one was a statement of heart-slashing cruelty.


    Sigh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of turbid air, his icy gaze fixed on the two men in front of him, "Roll back and tell Xiao Zhengde that I, Xiao Yi, am no longer a person of the Xiao Family. His dog-shit family head order has nothing to do with me."


    Zhao Ying was furious, "Xiao Yi, are you planning to defy the family head''s order?"


    Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, "Are you talking to me?"


    "Who else could it be? Even though you have been expelled from the Xiao Family, you still carry the Xiao Family''s blood in your veins. All that you have obtained was bestowed upon you by the Xiao Family. You should unconditionally contribute everything back when the family head demands it..."


    Zhao Ying didn''t finish his words.


    A chill suddenly locked onto him, making Hai Fu feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, and with a thump, his legs gave out, and he knelt rigidly on the ground.


    A weight as heavy as a towering mountain seemed to press down on Zhao Ying, preventing even a single thought of resistance��an icy feeling spread throughout his body.


    He was at the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Xiao Yi had, with a casual gesture, forced him onto his knees, unable to rise; such skill was indeed terrifying.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If you refuse to speak standing, then speak kneeling!"


    "You..."


    Zhao Ying opened his mouth, but under Xiao Yi''s dangerous gaze, he could only steel himself and say, "Xiao Yi, do not be obstinate. Offending the Xiao Family, you won''t be able to move a step. Only by obeying the family head''s orders do you have a path of survival, just, just, just..."


    Toward the end, Zhao Ying''s voice began to tremble.


    He felt the surrounding temperature dropping lower and lower, to the point that his blood seemed about to freeze solid.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi reached out into the air with his right hand, and the order stamped with the Xiao Family head''s seal landed in his hand. The contents were exactly as Hai Fu had described. With a flick of his wrist, flames enveloped the letter, burning fiercely in his palm. Xiao Yi squinted at the two men, "Go back and tell Xiao Zhengde, I, Xiao Yi, have debts to settle and vengeance to claim. It won''t be long before I visit the Xiao Family to take back what is mine!"


    "Xiao Yi, don''t be willful!"


    "The master has already broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Once he learns that you dare to defy the family order, he will never let you go!"


    The two men Zhao Ying threatened.


    "He won''t let me go?"


    Xiao Yi slowly stood up, his figure suddenly vanishing from the spot, and when he reappeared, he was behind the two men. Hai Fu and his companion were kneeling on the ground, clutching their stomachs. Each had a bloody hole in their lower abdomen, and the Martial Dao Divine Fruit had been taken by Xiao Yi. The icy voice sent a bone-chilling coldness through them, "There''s no need for him to look for me. It won''t be long before I go looking for him!"

 Chapter 210 You Want Me to Be the Dean?

    "Xiao!"Yu Huaxian walked in from outside the door and looked at Xiao Yi with respect, "I have arranged for people to send them back to the Xiao Family in the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Yu Huaxian expressed his concerns, "Xiao, after all, they are generals under Xiao Tianjiao''s command, I''m afraid Xiao Tianjiao won''t let us off easily for doing this!"


    Yu Huaxian''s expression was filled with anxiety.


    The name Xiao Tianjiao was indeed very well-known, an absolute giant-like figure.


    He was even the most hopeful person to step into the Longevity Secret Realm in the Great Qian Dynasty over the past millennium!


    Now, he had even broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    No matter how strong Xiao Yi was, he was merely at the peak of the Golden Core Realm; how could he possibly be a match for a master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm? Moreover, this Dharma Manifestation Realm being was none other than the famous Xiao Tianjiao!


    Xiao Yi naturally understood Yu Huaxian''s thoughts and smiled, "Do you think that by entertaining them with good food and wine, and agreeing to their conditions, Xiao Tianjiao would let me off?"


    "This..."


    Yu Huaxian hesitated for a moment, "After all, you are blood brothers; he probably wouldn''t..."


    "Wouldn''t?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and smiled, a smile that was somewhat cold and fierce, "If he really cared about brotherly affection, do you think he would have expelled me from the home to be someone''s son-in-law just to breed his mount? If he cared about brotherly affection, would he threaten me at this time?"


    When it came to this brotherly affection, and that father-son affection,


    Xiao Yi had long since despaired.


    The vast Xiao Family...


    The only thing worth his yearning was his mother.


    Yu Huaxian was speechless on the side.


    He never thought there could be family members so heartless and cruel. S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Imprisoned for eight years, expelled from the family, reduced to a son-in-law, his wife discarded.


    Not a word of concern!


    Now that they saw Xiao Yi rising, they began to covet the power he obtained, the secrets of his breakthroughs, and even for the sake of maintaining Xiao Tianjiao''s face, they wanted him to cripple his cultivation.


    Yu Huaxian took a deep breath, "Xiao, no matter if the road ahead is lined with sword mountains or sea of flames, I, Yu Huaxian, will stand by your side!"


    "Hahaha..."


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily and patted Yu Huaxian''s shoulder, "How much longer until His Majesty arrives?"


    The Tianqing Kingdom was about to relocate its capital here.


    As for the original territory of the Tianqing Kingdom, it would be controlled by Jiang Weisheng, with Huang Bo successfully becoming the Protector Beast King, ruling over Nanhuang.


    Jiang Tai even specially built a brand-new Nanhuang Beast King City for Huang Bo to rule!


    A million cavalry and a million monsters living together in Nanhuang Beast King City, and if there was a war, they could straightaway form a million-strong monster cavalry, becoming the sharpest blade in the hands of the Tianqing Kingdom, waging war in all directions!


    "He should arrive at the capital by tomorrow at the latest!" Yu Huaxian said, "At that time, Gu from Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and Chen from Treasure Pavilion will both relocate here!"


    Xiao Yi said, "I have confidence in the way you handle things. I''m going to cultivate; call me when they arrive!"


    "Yes!"


    Yu Huaxian nodded.


    Xiao Yi returned to the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave, but after the recent events, he found it hard to calm his mind all of a sudden.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi simply exhaled deeply, leaning against the side.


    Flashes of the past surfaced in his mind.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin felt Xiao Yi''s despondent mood, climbed up to his shoulder, and gently nudged his face, "Boss, no matter when, Little Lin will always be with you!"


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    "Thank you, little fella!"


    Xiao Yi held Little Lin in his arms, gently rubbing his little head, his eyes half-closed, "Qingzhu, are you okay?"


    ��


    The next day.


    Jiang Tai had already led everyone into the capital, taking up residence in the palace.


    Looking at the splendid Golden Throne Hall, Jiang Tai held the spiritual tablet of Jiang Tianchen in his arms, "Father, when you took me here to celebrate the Jin Emperor''s birthday, you once said, how wonderful it would be if one day we could make the palace as splendid as this. Now, not only do we have such a palace, but we have also overthrown the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    At this moment, Jiang Tai was incredibly excited.


    This was a feat that not even generations of rulers of the Tianqing Kingdom dared to dream of!


    "The former emperor in heaven must be very happy!" came Xiao Yi''s voice from behind.


    Jiang Tai snapped back to reality, flashed a grin, handed Jiang Tianchen''s spiritual tablet to the old eunuch beside him, and went forward to give Xiao Yi a tight hug.


    Patting Xiao Yi''s back hard, Jiang Tai said solemnly, "Brother, thank you!"


    "Hahaha, you''re calling me brother, why so formal with me?" Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and said.


    Jiang Tai grinned.


    The two of them then sat side by side on the threshold of the Golden Throne Hall, chatting with each other. Not knowing how long had passed, Jiang Tai hesitated for a moment, then said, "Xiao Yi, I heard that the Xiao Family sent someone over and you crippled the envoy and sent them back?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and recounted the contents of the family head''s order.


    Jiang Tai''s face turned angry, especially upon hearing that Xiao Zhengde actually demanded Xiao Yi to cripple his own cultivation. He couldn''t help but curse, "How can there be such fathers and brothers in the world? I really want to cut them open and see if their hearts are black..."


    "Hahaha, if I ever encounter Xiao Tianjiao, I''ll be sure to pass the message on!" Xiao Yi joked.


    Jiang Tai''s expression darkened, "..."


    With his strength, not to mention Xiao Tianjiao, even the Xiao Family wasn''t something he could handle!


    Xiao Yi patted Jiang Tai on the shoulder and laughed, "Don''t worry, I''ll take care of it!"


    Jiang Tai said somberly, "Xiao Yi, no matter where you go in the future, whatever you encounter, our Tianqing Kingdom will always stand by your side. Tianqing may perish, but you, Xiao Yi, must not die!"


    Tianqing may perish, but Xiao Yi must not die!


    These words, once spoken by Jiang Tianchen, were now passed on to Jiang Tai...


    The promise of two generations.


    "I remember!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and enunciated, "If I don''t die, Tianqing won''t perish!"


    Both men fell silent.


    In the glow of the setting sun, the entire palace was bathed in crimson, symbolizing victory and hope alike.


    In the following days...


    Xiao Yi, Jiang Tai, and others were busy taking over the Great Jin Kingdom. The territory of a single Great Jin Kingdom was hundreds of times larger than that of the Tianqing Kingdom, not an easy task to manage. Fortunately, with the wealth of powerful figures in the current Tianqing Kingdom, plus Xiao Yi''s battle earlier, which had nearly annihilated the military and officials of the Great Jin Kingdom, they had thoroughly intimidated the populace.


    Jiang Tai also didn''t encounter any obstacles.


    Until the tenth day.


    The envoy from the Great Qian Dynasty arrived in the capital.


    The one leading the envoy was the young prince Yang Ling. Atop the Golden Throne Hall, Yang Ling held up a golden imperial decree and proclaimed loudly, "Lord Jiang Tai of the Tianqing Kingdom, National God of War Xiao Yi, heed the decree!"


    The others all knelt down.


    Xiao Yi and Jiang Tai, however, stood to receive the decree.


    Yang Ling showed no hint of displeasure and loudly decreed, "By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor of Great Qian decrees, promote the Tianqing Kingdom to a first-class vassal state, Lord Jiang Tai to be crowned with the title enduring through thousands of ages. Appoint the Protector Martial God of Tianqing Kingdom, Xiao Yi, as the headmaster of the Xiaoshanhe Institute of the Great Qian Dynasty, to accompany the prince Yang Ling to the Xiaoshanhe Institute to assume the position! Let it be known!"


    Xiao Yi was utterly baffled, "What the heck? They want me to be a headmaster?"

 Chapter 211 The Princes Mouth, Deceiving Ghost!

    Xiao Yi was completely baffled as he looked at Yang Ling, "You want me to be the dean?"Yang Ling gave a light cough, "Accept the decree first!"


    Jiang Tai hurried forward, "Jiang Tai accepts the decree with gratitude!"


    Yang Ling handed the sacred decree to Jiang Tai, smiling as he said, "Monarch Jiang, my father is aware that you''ve lost an arm and has specially bestowed upon you a six-star Resurrection Elixir. As long as you consume it, your severed limb will regrow."


    "Resurrection Elixir?"


    Jiang Tai''s face changed, he had never expected the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty to bestow upon him such a precious elixir, and he gratefully said, "Jiang Tai deeply thanks Emperor Qian, may His Majesty live forever!"


    Yang Ling took out a brocade box and handed it to Jiang Tai, "Try taking it now and see!"


    "Okay, okay!"


    Jiang Tai, fighting back his excitement, opened the brocade box.


    Inside lay a pea-sized, emerald green pill, its surface etched with mysterious patterns and the scent of the medicine was intoxicating.


    Gulp!


    Jiang Tai swallowed the pill in one gulp.


    Hisss!


    His face went deathly pale as large beads of cold sweat continuously broke out on his forehead, and suddenly, he let out a scream as a spurt of fresh blood sprayed from the stump of his arm. Then, wisps of blood intertwined, and lo and behold, a brand new arm formed at a visible rate. The Resurrection Elixir indeed could regenerate lost limbs. Jiang Tai looked at the newly grown arm, his face full of excitement and gratitude, "Your Highness Yang Ling, I cannot thank you enough!"


    "No need for such formalities, Monarch Jiang!"


    Yang Ling smiled, looking at Xiao Yi, who was still in a baffled state, and said, "Dean Xiao, it seems you do not wish to become the dean of Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, saying speechlessly, "What is Emperor Qian thinking, actually letting me manage Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    All he wanted was to improve his cultivation as soon as possible.


    Only by possessing sufficient strength,


    could he prove to everyone that he was stronger than Xiao Tianjiao, disowning him was the Xiao Family''s biggest mistake. Sear?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What''s more important is...


    he wanted to return to the Xiao Family to pay homage to his mother openly and honorably.


    After settling the grudges with the Xiao Family, the next step would be to go to Baiyu and take back Fang Qingzhu.


    He had never thought about being any dean!


    Yang Ling had long investigated Xiao Yi''s various deeds and also knew that not long ago the Xiao Family had sent people to find him, resulting in two experts of the Tao Tribulation Realm being crippled and the loss of Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    If it weren''t for Yang Ling''s timely appearance, presenting rewards and simultaneously revealing the news that Xiao Yi would become the dean of Xiaoshanhe Institute,


    the Xiao Family''s retaliation would have arrived much earlier.


    Yang Ling said gravely, "Xiao Yi, do you know what Xiaoshanhe Institute is?"


    Xiao Yi frowned, "I''ve heard of it, it was once one of the top ten sects but was later annexed by the Liyang Sect."


    Before he was imprisoned by Xiao Tianjiao, he had some understanding of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    "You''re right,"


    Yang Ling nodded, speaking softly, "Xiaoshanhe Institute, unlike the top ten sects, is a sect under the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty. My father hopes that you can lead Xiaoshanhe Institute, revitalizing its glory and returning it to the ranks of the top ten sects. Even more, to reach a level that can rival Tianjian Sect!"


    "Rival Tianjian Sect?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, thoughts racing through his mind; he quickly understood the Emperor''s intentions.


    Today''s royal family wanted to consolidate imperial power, but the top ten sects and the four great clans stood in the way.


    They desperately needed a game-changer.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute was the perfect choice to disrupt this balance.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    Given his relationship with Xiao Tianjiao, it was impossible for him to join forces with the top ten sects, and with the Xiao Family on the verge of becoming the fifth great clan, Xiao Yi could not side with the great clans either.


    It was most suitable for him to take charge of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    What''s more important is...


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    Xiao Yi was certainly heading to the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Whether it was for cultivation resources or a stronger environment, the Great Qian Dynasty was undoubtedly more expansive than the Tianqing Kingdom.


    But with the influence of Xiao Tianjiao and the Xiao Family,


    The ten major sects would never accept him, and even if they did, they would give him endless trouble and make things difficult at every turn.


    But if Xiao Yi were to take up the position of head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, first of all, the Xiao Family and Xiao Tianjiao would hesitate to make a move against him, at least not overtly, as that would be a public slap in the face of the royal family. Secondly, backed by the royal family, the Institute would have access to a multitude of resources, which would be a huge advantage, whether for his personal cultivation or for building his own power base.


    This is a mutually beneficial cooperation!


    Seeing Xiao Yi showing interest, Yang Ling continued, "In fact, my father had other options, but in the end, he still chose you, primarily because we value your character!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi looked at him, puzzled.


    Character?


    Yang Ling spoke earnestly, "We have investigated everything about you; you are a partner we can trust!"


    This point genuinely came from Yang Ling''s own feelings.


    If it were someone else...


    After Jiang Tianchen''s fall, they probably would have already taken the opportunity to seize the position of Monarch.


    Where would they have gone to such lengths to assist Jiang Tai?


    Xiao Yi fell silent for a moment, then gave a wry smile, "It seems I don''t have a better option... However, if I am to become the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, there is one condition that you must agree to!"


    "Speak!" said Yang Ling.


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "The royal family must not interfere in the management of the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Yang Ling frowned; Emperor''s Mind Art is about balance, and his original idea was to place another royal expert as the deputy head of the Institute.


    He hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to cut off this possibility directly.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "This is my only demand. If you can''t agree, then there''s no need to discuss further!"


    After pondering for a moment, Yang Ling responded, "Alright, I agree!"


    "Pleasure doing business!"


    "Congratulations, Director Xiao!"


    Yang Ling smiled, looked around, then lowered his voice, "To be honest with you, I really dislike Xiao Tianjiao too!"


    Xiao Yi simply smiled non-committally.


    The mouth of a prince is a lying ghost!


    I trust you -- as if!


    That night...


    Jiang Tai held a grand feast in the palace, with toasts and laughter all around.


    It wasn''t until noon the next day that everyone gradually awoke.


    Outside the palace.


    Jiang Tai handed a storage ring to Xiao Yi, "You''ll find many ways to spend money in the capital. Inside is fifty billion silver, and if this isn''t enough, I can send more!"


    "Alright!"


    Brothers don''t need to thank each other, Xiao Yi accepted it naturally.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    In the sky above, a massive shadow swept down. It was a Sixth-Layer High-Grade Fiend, Liyang Jade Sculpture, a being comparable to a Tao Tribulation Realm Peak. With a wingspan of a hundred meters, it could carry a hundred people on its back, and could travel tens of thousands of miles a day. It was the flying fiend that the Great Qian Dynasty''s delegation was riding. Yang Ling boarded the back of the Liyang Jade Sculpture and looked towards Xiao Yi and the others, "Xiao Yi, we can set off now!"


    "Hold on a moment!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Jiang Tai and said, "Take care!"


    "Take care!" Jiang Tai said solemnly.


    Then...


    Jiang Tai, Yu Huaxian, Yan Mingli, Lin Bingxin, and Xue Bufan all boarded the Liyang Jade Sculpture, the people Xiao Yi was taking to the Xiaoshanhe Institute as instructors.


    Chirp, chirp!


    The Liyang Jade Sculpture spread its wings and soared into the sky.


    Watching the Liyang Jade Sculpture disappear from sight, Jiang Tai took a deep breath and muttered to himself, "I will make Tianqing Kingdom stronger and become the strongest support for you!"

 Chapter 212 The Imperial Capital

    The fierce sun jade sculpture travels ten thousand li in a day.Such speed cannot be said to be slow.


    But the Great Qian Dynasty was really too vast; even at the pace of the fierce sun jade sculpture, it took a full seven days and nights to reach the destination.


    Sitting on the back of the fierce sun jade sculpture.


    Passing through the thick clouds, the fierce sun jade sculpture was rapidly descending, and the scene below also appeared before everyone. Yang Ling said with a smile, "The imperial capital is up ahead!"


    Everyone looked in that direction.


    They could see on the horizon...


    A massive city that occupied nearly half of the horizon, akin to a black dragon lying across the land, stretching for hundreds of miles. Yang Ling''s voice resonated in everyone''s ears, "Our Great Qian Dynasty''s imperial capital is eight hundred sixty-nine kilometers long, seven hundred eighty-five kilometers wide, with a permanent population exceeding one billion..."


    Hisss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp in amazement.


    As they drew closer to the imperial capital, dark shadows flew out from within the royal city.


    At least ten dark shadows grew closer.


    "No need to worry, those are the Imperial Guards of the imperial capital!" Yang Ling said.


    Moments later.


    The dozen or so dark shadows appeared before them, indeed ten Golden Core Realm experts, with the leading person being a First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. He obviously recognized Yang Ling and saluted, "Subordinate Ye Chao, greets Your Highness!"


    "General Ye, you have worked hard!"


    Yang Ling smiled and, pointing at Xiao Yi and the others, said, "They are Father Emperor''s honored guests; please allow them to pass, General Ye!" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Chao glanced at Xiao Yi and the others and nodded, "Please, follow me!"


    Ye Chao led the way with ten men, and the fierce sun jade sculpture closely followed behind.


    The fierce sun jade sculpture was a flying beast exclusively used by the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty and was also the only one allowed to fly over the royal city. Nearing the city gate, Ye Chao said, "Your Highness, everyone, I still need to patrol, so I shall leave you here!"


    "Thank you, General Ye!"


    Everyone saluted him.


    Whoosh!


    The fierce sun jade sculpture flew swiftly past, entering the imperial capital and landing at the post house.


    Crackle and pop!


    As soon as Xiao Yi dismounted from the fierce sun jade sculpture, he couldn''t help but stretch his limbs, producing a series of crisp sounds.


    After continuous travel for seven days and nights, he was truly a bit tired.


    Yang Ling twisted his neck, said helplessly, "The fierce sun jade sculpture is very fast, but sitting on it is indeed uncomfortable. If there''s a chance in the future, I''ll get a suspended carriage �C that would be comfortable!"


    Xiao Yi looked at him, "Being a prince, don''t you have a suspended carriage?"


    In their days together, they had become much more casual with each other.


    Yang Ling rolled his eyes, "A suspended carriage is worth ten billion silver, and although I am a prince, my fortune isn''t as great as yours!"


    While it''s true that a prince is indeed noble, he still had his father above him!


    After handing over the fierce sun jade sculpture to the post house, Yang Ling led Xiao Yi and the rest towards the outside, "You all rest here today, I will go to report to Father Emperor. Probably by tomorrow, Father Emperor will summon you, and then I will take you to the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    This post house was intended for entertaining state guests.


    The decoration was indeed luxurious.


    After assigning an individual room to each person, Yang Ling then left the post house.


    Everyone gathered in Xiao Yi''s room.


    Yu Huaxian, Xue Bufan, Yan Mingli, and Lin Bingxin sat before him as Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "Having you all accompany me to the Xiaoshanhe Institute this time is an uncertain journey, I''m afraid it''s going to be tough on you!"


    "What are you saying, Xiao!"


    Yan Mingli hurriedly waved his hand; with Xiao Yi''s help, he had also stepped into the Golden Core Realm, becoming even younger, "It''s an honor for Mingli to follow Xiao!"


    Xue Bufan stroked his walking stick and said with a chuckle, "As long as Xiao can give me more guidance in the art of alchemy, even serving you in your chamber is no problem at all!"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes.


    Yu Huaxian said, "Xiao, what do you plan for us to do? I can train troops, but if I''m to be a mentor in the Shanhe Court, I have no experience at all!"


    Xiao Yi replied, "Lack of experience can be gradually accumulated. For now, I only have some rough ideas; we''ll have to see the state of the Xiaoshanhe Institute before I can be certain!" He looked at Yan Mingli and took out the Storage Ring that Jiang Tai had given him, containing fifty billion silver, "Elder Yan, keep this silver with you, you''ll manage it!"


    Yan Mingli''s face was flushed with excitement as he took the storage ring with trembling hands, "Mingli will definitely not disappoint Xiao!"


    That was five billion silver taels!


    If he weren''t considered one of their own, how could they entrust him with such a responsibility?


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Don''t be nervous, everyone. It''s also my first time serving as the dean, so let''s grope our way forward together!" He paused, then said, "Emperor Qian won''t summon us until tomorrow, so after dinner, you can all take a stroll through the capital city!"


    Yu Huaxian was about to speak when Xue Bufan tugged at his sleeve.


    Glancing at Yan Mingli and squeezing his eyes, Xue Bufan cleared his throat lightly, "Xiao, we''ll skip dinner, the three of us have some matters to discuss. How about this, you take Bing Xin for a stroll, it''s rare for her to come to the capital city anyway..."


    Realization dawned on Yan Mingli, and he also said, "Bing Xin, you should go with Xiao then!"


    The two of them quickly took Yu Huaxian, who was still in a daze, and hurried away.


    "Teacher, Master��"


    Lin Bingxin''s cheeks were bright red; she couldn''t even dare to lift her head to look at Xiao Yi along the way. She hadn''t anticipated that Xue Bufan and the others would just leave her with Xiao Yi. Her head hung low, fingers pinching the corner of her clothes nervously, and she said timidly, "Xiao Yi, if you don''t want to go, that''s okay too!"


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    Xiao Yi smiled helplessly.


    How could he not know Lin Bingxin''s feelings?


    It was just that he had Fang Qingzhu in his heart and truly had no desire to start another romance.


    But seeing Lin Bingxin''s hesitant look, he sighed lightly, "After dinner, we can take a walk together!"


    "Huh?"


    Lin Bingxin was stunned, then nodded joyfully, "Then I''ll go back and change my clothes, and my hair is a mess too��"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    He feared it would be a long wait indeed!


    True enough...


    By the time Lin Bingxin emerged dolled up and ready, the sky had darkened.


    Lin Bingxin was somewhat embarrassed, "I''m sorry��"


    Xiao Yi waved it off, "It''s fine, let''s just go get some late-night snacks instead. There''s a food street in the east of the city that''s very lively at night!"


    "Okay! I''ll listen to you!" Lin Bingxin said, beaming sweetly.


    She was deliberately dressed in a fiery red long dress, with a white embroidered sash tied around her waist, accentuating her slender figure, irresistibly captivating.


    After washing up, her hair emitted a faint fragrance, as intoxicating as orchids, stirring hearts and inciting desires, the handsome man and beautiful woman looking like a match made in heaven!


    The two made their way to the food street in the east of the city.


    Nearly a decade had passed.


    The food street hadn''t changed much, it was still as bustling as it had been in his memories.


    Xiao Yi had always loved this place when his mother used to bring him here as a child.


    "Fresh out of the oven, golden donkey meat here!"


    "Dragon blood tofu made from this morning''s fresh dragon blood, come and try it..."


    "Freshly sliced Eight Treasure Dragon Fish, delicious and beautifying..."


    "Roasted Tianqing wild ox meat skewers..."


    Amongst the cries of the vendors, the entire street was filled with tantalizing aromas.


    With a plethora of delicacies on display, it was a feast for the eyes sure to whet anyone''s appetite.


    Lin Bingxin was looking around with excitement, glancing left and right, holding two skewers in one hand and a bag in the other, her happiness plain to see.


    Xiao Yi followed closely behind her with a smile on his lips.


    As they walked...


    Suddenly, a figure burst out from the crowd and with a ''plop'', landed in Xiao Yi''s arms. Frowning, Xiao Yi asked, "Are you alright?"


    "I''m, I''m fine��"


    The girl was dressed in a white gown, about to say something, when suddenly several voices cursed from behind her, "Damn it, where do you think you''re running to!"


    "You little wench, why don''t you hand it over?"


    Four menacing-looking men emerged from the crowd, eying the girl in the white dress with malicious intent.


    The girl''s eyes darted about, then suddenly she pointed at Xiao Yi and shouted, "Brother, give them what they want, I''ll be going first��"

 Chapter 213 Call as Many People as You Want

    "Return their stuff to them; I''m leaving first!"As soon as the girl in the white dress finished speaking, she ran into the crowd.


    Xiao Yi''s brows furrowed, "Come back here..."


    However...


    The girl in the white dress slipped away like an eel, vanishing into the crowd without a trace.


    The group of fierce-looking men surrounded Xiao Yi in an instant, with the leader tilting his head and a menacing look on his face, "Kid, aren''t you going to return the stuff to me?"


    "If I say I don''t know her, would you believe me?" Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and asked.


    The man was taken aback, then sneered, "Do you think I''m an idiot? If you don''t know her, why did she throw herself into your arms?"


    Xiao Yi sighed, feeling quite aggrieved as he could only say, "I don''t have what you''re looking for on me. If you want to get your stuff back, you''d better chase after her now. Otherwise, once she gets away, you''ll really end up with nothing!"


    "You say it''s not on you; why should we believe you?" the man with the tilted head said.


    Xiao Yi pointed to his clothes, "Look at my clothes. Do they look like they can hide anything?"


    "Boss, that wench stole five hundred silvers from us; indeed, these clothes can''t hide that much!"


    "It seems he really isn''t in cahoots with that girl!"


    "However..."


    The man with the tilted head licked his crimson tongue over his lips, his eyes filled with greed as they swept over the storage ring on Xiao Yi''s finger, "Kid, you must have hidden our stuff in that storage ring. Hand over the storage ring for me to search; if it really doesn''t contain my stuff, then I''ll let you go!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and said humorously, "Hand over the storage ring? Are you still dreaming?"


    A storage ring cannot be given to just anyone.


    Moreover...


    The storage ring on his own finger was priceless; did he need to steal a mere five hundred silvers from you?


    The surrounding crowd also began to say, "Just by looking at this young hero, one can tell he''s not a thief!"


    "Whoever can afford a storage ring wouldn''t need to steal!"


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    The man with the tilted head glared venomously at the crowd and said spitefully, "Who asked you to talk? Keep chirping, and I''ll kill you!" He looked up at Xiao Yi, "Kid, hand over the storage ring honestly, or don''t blame us for being ruthless!"


    Facing the man''s aggressive stance, Xiao Yi completely lost his patience and sighed, "I''ve already told you it''s not with me, why won''t you believe me?"


    "You..."


    One of the men pointed at Xiao Yi and had just begun to speak when Xiao Yi broke his finger. S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The right index finger folded ninety degrees towards the back of the hand, and with a push to the elbow, Xiao Yi shoved the whole hand into the man''s mouth.


    Immediately turning around with a kick, he sent two others flying simultaneously.


    In an instant.


    Only the man with the tilted head remained in front of him. Seeing Xiao Yi turn his gaze toward himself, the man dropped to his knees with a thud, pitifully saying, "Big brother, great hero, I was wrong, I won''t dare again..."


    "Scram!"


    Xiao Yi said coldly.


    The men scrambled to their feet and ran into the crowd. After some distance, the man with the tilted head turned back, his face twisted with malice as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Kid, you''ve got yourself into trouble. Daring to meddle with the Black Hawk Gang''s business, you''re dead for sure, and no one can... ow..."


    He hadn''t finished his sentence when he was hit squarely on the head by a large pot thrown by Xiao Yi.


    With blood streaming from his head, he no longer dared to linger and fled in a sorry state.


    Xiao Yi took out a hundred silvers and placed them on a nearby stall, "Shopkeeper, I borrowed your pot; this is to compensate you!"


    "This, this..."


    The shopkeeper, panic-stricken and hesitant, said, "Esteemed guest, you should leave quickly; the Black Hawk Gang is not to be trifled with!"


    "No matter!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, but he didn''t see Lin Bingxin. Just as he was wondering, he heard a shout from the crowd, "A very beautiful girl is in trouble at the Clean Clothes Tower, everyone, go have a look!"


    Xiao Yi was momentarily startled before instinctively sensing that the beautiful girl was very likely to be Lin Bingxin, and so he followed over.


    Just as he arrived outside the Clean Clothes Tower.


    Sure enough, he could hear the somewhat aggrieved voice of Lin Bingxin, "I haven''t even touched this piece of clothing, how could it be that I''ve damaged it? Furthermore, an item like this is worth at most a hundred Silvers, yet you demand one hundred thousand from me. You are clearly extorting me!"


    "Where did this bumpkin come from? You dare to come to our Clean Clothes Tower without money?"


    "You have two choices, either pay up for the clothes or I''ll have you sent to a brothel to pay off the debt..."


    A few passersby beside Xiao Yi whispered among themselves, "This girl really has bad luck, who doesn''t know that Clean Clothes Tower specifically targets foreigners?"


    "Now there''ll be a good show to watch!"


    The crowd started to press forward, craning their necks to get a better look inside.


    Suddenly...


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    A burst of intense fighting noise came from inside, along with shrill, furious shouting, "This little wench is pretty feisty, come on people, tie her up for me."


    Boom! Boom!


    The aura of two Golden Core Realm experts emanated from within the Clean Clothes Tower. Xiao Yi''s expression changed subtly, and he squeezed his way through the crowd, moving forward.


    Inside the Clean Clothes Tower.


    Lin Bingxin was tied up tightly, with two Golden Core Realm experts standing in front of her. A middle-aged woman with heavy makeup and bright lipstick, hands on her hips, looked at Lin Bingxin with triumph, "You little wench, you''re unlucky to be caught by this old lady. So smooth and tender, with a good figure and a pretty face, you''ll go for at least a million Silvers."


    "You..."


    Lin Bingxin bit her lips stubbornly.


    She was full of regret.


    She had thought of sneaking out to buy a piece of clothing for Xiao Yi while he wasn''t paying attention, but had not expected to run into this situation.


    The middle-aged woman ordered, "Take her away for me!"


    Just then.


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly came from outside the door, "I''d like to see who dares!"


    "Xiao Yi..." Lin Bingxin''s face lit up with joy.


    The middle-aged woman frowned at Xiao Yi, sizing him up from top to bottom, then scoffed, "Looks like there''s an accomplice, eh? What, are you here to pay the money?"


    "Pay? How much?" Xiao Yi asked with narrowed eyes.


    The middle-aged woman''s eyes spun, and she stood up with fingers pulled out of the hat: "Five million Silvers, and you can take her away. Otherwise, this old lady will have her sold off to a brothel to pay off the debt!"


    "Five million Silvers? That''s too little!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, walking up to Lin Bingxin''s side, "Given her appearance, this figure, not even a hundred million Silvers would be enough!"


    "A hundred million?"


    The middle-aged woman''s eyes gleamed as she rubbed her hands together, "Oh? Are you willing to spend a hundred million to buy her?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, raising three fingers.


    The middle-aged woman paused, saying instinctively, "Three hundred million?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "No, three punches!"


    As soon as his voice fell.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Three fist shadows heavily struck the three individuals, sending the two Golden Core Realm experts and the middle-aged woman flying out. The Golden Core Realm experts were knocked out cold, while the middle-aged woman rebounded off the wall and landed on the ground, howling in agony. With a mouth full of blood and a face contorted in rage, she looked at Xiao Yi, "You, you dare cause trouble in my Clean Clothes Tower, you''re done for. Stay if you dare...I''ll be waiting."


    Xiao Yi, while untying Lin Bingxin, looked at her coldly, "Call as many people as you want, I''ll be waiting!"

 Chapter 214 Dont Drag Me into Your Mess!

    Lin Bingxin''s face was full of self-reproach, "Xiao Yi, it''s all my fault..."Xiao Yi smiled and consoled, "It''s just a trivial matter. By the way, how did you end up here?"


    Lin Bingxin''s pretty face blushed, and she whispered, "I, I saw that the clothes here were pretty, and wanted to secretly buy one for you. Little did I know that before I even touched the dress, she accused me of damaging it and demanded a compensation of a hundred thousand taels of silver..."


    "Buying clothes for me?"


    Xiao Yi was startled and had not expected Lin Bingxin to come to the clothing store to buy clothes for him.


    Looking at the fresh red palm print on her face, Xiao Yi let out a light sigh, "Silly girl, does it hurt?"


    Lin Bingxin shook her head like a rattle-drum.


    Just then...


    The middle-aged woman sneered, "Hahaha, you dog couple, now there''s no chance for you to run away!"


    Whoosh!


    A gang of fierce and evil-looking men swarmed in from outside the door.


    There were at least twenty of them.


    Each one was holding a longsword or a dagger, their ferocious gaze fixated on Xiao Yi and Lin Bingxin: "Daring to stir up trouble in the territory of the Black Hawk Gang, are you tired of living, kid?"


    Among the twenty-odd Black Hawk Gang members...


    There was that man with the cocked head, his face red from the scald of a hot pot, maliciously pointing at Xiao Yi and shouting to the man with one eye beside him, "One-Eyed Brother, it''s this brat that beat us!"


    The cultivation of One-eyed Dragon was at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    He was a steward of the Black Dragon Gang.


    Tasked with collecting protection money on Food Street, he had a fierce reputation, and people on Food Street would normally stay far away from him. His one eye glanced over Xiao Yi, then landed on Lin Bingxin, as he gulped down saliva, his one eye blazing with desire, "What a beautiful girl... Brothers, beat that brat to death for me, and bring that little beauty back for my enjoyment!"


    "Yes!"


    "Big Brother, after you''re tired of her, let your brothers have a taste too!"


    The One-eyed Dragon laughed heartily, "No problem, when the time comes, I will let you taste the flavor of this beauty!"


    As the twenty or so Black Hawk Gang members crowded around, Xiao Yi sighed, "Isn''t it good to live peacefully? Why look for death!"


    His figure flickered suddenly.


    He left a trail of afterimages in place as he weaved through the crowd of twenty people.


    When Xiao Yi returned to Lin Bingxin''s side...


    Only then did the twenty men let out a synchronized scream, clutching their bellies as they fell to the ground, curled up and shivering.


    Their dantians had all been destroyed by Xiao Yi, with no possibility of repair.


    Gurgle!


    The One-eyed Dragon, scared witless, dropped his longsword to the ground, his face filled with terror: "You, you''ve got trouble now, kid. The Black Hawk Gang is not something you can mess with..."


    "Still planning to call for backup?"


    Xiao Yi''s face turned cold as he said indifferently, "Go ahead, call them. Today, I shall act as an agent of heaven and exterminate your damned Black Hawk Gang."


    "Good lad, you''ve got guts. You just wait..." the One-eyed Dragon was about to leave.


    Xiao Yi flicked his fingers.


    Puff!


    A burst of vital energy pierced through his abdomen, completely shattering his dantian as he said coldly, "Crawl out of here!"


    The One-eyed Dragon, a formidable practitioner at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, had his cultivation ruined in the blink of an eye.


    He was so terrified that he fled, tumbling and scrambling.


    The middle-aged woman was even more frightened, kneeling on the ground and sobbing: "Please spare my life, young hero, please..."


    "You should be grateful I don''t like hitting women!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    "Phew..."


    The middle-aged woman had just breathed a sigh of relief, only to be smacked away with a crisp slap, crashing into the wall with a thud. Lin Bingxin''s angry voice followed, "Xiao Yi does not hit women, but that doesn''t mean I don''t! How dare you try to extort me? And you even thought about selling me to a brothel? I''ll slap you to death..."


    Slap! Slap! Slap!


    Lin Bingxin''s palm, like a shadow, struck the middle-aged woman''s face over and over, eventually knocking her unconscious.


    Her face was swollen like a pig''s head.


    Looking at the unresponsive middle-aged woman, Lin Bingxin then shook off her hand, "This woman''s face is so thick, it made my hand hurt from slapping..."


    Xiao Yi glanced at the middle-aged woman who was nearly unrecognizable and then at Lin Bingxin''s slightly reddened palm, the corner of his eyes twitching, "A woman in rage is indeed terrifying..."


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps came from outside, and the onlookers at the door had already dispersed on their own.


    A crowd of more than a hundred people surged into the Clean Clothes Tower.


    Looking at the twenty or so people lying on the ground wailing, their Dantians destroyed, three powerful individuals walked out from the crowd.


    From left to right, a trio of varying heights and builds.


    These three were the leaders of the Black Hawk Gang��Black Falcon, Black Dog, and Black Tiger. Both Black Dog and Black Tiger were at the Golden Elixir Peak, while Black Falcon was at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Having the capability to establish the Black Hawk Gang in the imperial capital and collect protection money, they did indeed have some strength.


    Cyclops, following at Black Shadow''s side with a pale face, pointed at Xiao Yi, "Boss, it''s this little bastard who injured me and the brothers..."


    "Kid, give me your name!"


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    Black Tiger, with a machete slung over his shoulder, sneered, "I, Black Tiger, don''t kill the nameless!"


    Black Dog licked his lips, "Kill the men, chop them up to feed the dogs. Take the women back for the brothers to enjoy!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking.


    Both men made their move.


    Cries of shock came from the crowd, "All three leaders of the Black Hawk Gang are here? That man and woman are definitely dead!"


    "How pitiful, they offended the Black Hawk Gang and didn''t even run!"


    "That man probably wanted to show off, not expecting to hit rock bottom..."


    Just when everyone was waiting to see Xiao Yi chopped to death by the chaotic blades, Black Dog and Black Tiger suddenly halted in their tracks, as Xiao Yi stepped on their heads, one foot each, smashing them brutally into the ground. Their heads burst open, brains splattering, as Xiao Yi spun with a kick, hitting the arms Black Falcon used to block in front of his chest.


    Crack!


    Bones shattered, and Black Falcon screamed as he fell to the ground.


    Hiss!


    The onlookers, who had just been posturing and making bold declarations, fell silent.


    The crowd watched in disbelief at the scene before them.


    Two at the Golden Elixir Peak and one at the First Layer of the Calamity Realm, all brought down to two dead and one injured in just an instant?


    The members of the Black Hawk Gang looked at each other, at a loss.


    Splat!


    Black Falcon spat out a mouthful of blood, looking at Xiao Yi with horror.


    "What''s going on?"


    "How dare you cause trouble in the imperial capital, do you not want to live?"


    A voice of authority sounded from the outside. S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A squad of city guards in battle armor walked in, looking at the wailing members of the Black Hawk Gang on the floor, and the corpses of Black Dog and Black Tiger. The city guards raised their weapons in unison, eyeing Xiao Yi fiercely.


    "Hahaha, you little bastard, you''re done for!"


    Upon seeing the city guards, Black Falcon appeared as though he had found a life-saving straw, limping over, he shouted, "General, I am Black Falcon of the Black Hawk Gang. I''ve met you before, brought by Li. General, this little bastard killed my two brothers and hurt so many people, you must bring him to justice!"


    Having established the Black Hawk Gang in the imperial capital to collect protection money, Black Falcon naturally had powerful backing.


    The general of the city guard before him was good friends with his backer.


    Black Falcon looked smugly at Xiao Yi, "You little bastard, you''re done for!"


    The city guard general said coldly, "Take him down!"


    Black Falcon laughed heartily, "Kid, you think you''re strong? Go ahead and resist, attacking city guards is a capital offense... hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? Not me, him, get him..."


    Black Falcon looked dumbfounded as he was bound by the city guards, and he shouted hysterically, "General Ye, you got the wrong one... I''m with Li, you''re supposed to get him..."


    "I''m seizing your ass, you''re trying to get me killed too?"


    This General Ye was none other than Ye Chao.


    Upon entering, he recognized Xiao Yi at once; Yang Ling had said that Xiao Yi was a guest of Emperor Qian. He looked coldly at Black Falcon, "I had long heard that your Black Hawk Gang was acting atrociously, lawlessly. Seeing it today, it is indeed true. To dare to strike against His Majesty''s guest is simply courting death. Guards, seize everyone from the Black Hawk Gang!"


    Black Falcon stood dumbfounded.


    A guest of Emperor Qian?


    Ye Chao approached Xiao Yi, and with a cupped fist salutation, said, "My sincerest apologies for startling you, sir!"


    "It''s alright," Xiao Yi waved his hand, saying, "But it would be best to purge such a malignant tumor."


    Ye Chao replied earnestly, "Rest assured, I will immediately eradicate this tumor..."


    Hearing this, Black Falcon''s face was the picture of despair as he slumped down like mud, "It''s over, it''s completely over for me..."

 Chapter 215 If You Cant Win an Argument, Start a Fight!

    Inside the post station.Xiao Yi looked at the faint handprint on Lin Bingxin''s face and said with a bitter smile, "Remember to apply medicine when you get back, otherwise, it won''t look good if it swells tomorrow!"


    "Mhm, mhm, mhm!"


    Lin Bingxin obediently nodded, her eyes slightly squinted, looking like two crescent moons.


    Xiao Yi said, "Get some rest early!"


    "Xiao Yi... brother..."


    Lin Bingxin mustered up her courage and called out.


    Xiao Yi was startled and turned back, only to have two fair hands cup his face directly, followed by a pair of red lips pressing onto his.


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s mind went blank.


    Fuck!


    What''s happening?


    By the time he came back to his senses, Lin Bingxin''s figure was nowhere to be seen.


    Only the faint warmth and fragrance on his lips reminded him that what had just happened was not an illusion. Xiao Yi touched his lips, his face filled with distress, "What does this mean..."


    He turned back.


    At the end of the corridor, three heads were staring at him with an ambiguous expression. When Xiao Yi looked towards them, the three heads swiftly retracted.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Meanwhile.


    Leaning against the room door, Lin Bingxin''s heart thumped wildly, and she breathed rapidly with deep gasps, her face flushed red, "I scared myself to death... Lin Bingxin, you must be out of your mind..." she muttered to herself for a while, then clenched her fists, psyching herself up, "Xiao Yi, I know your heart is with Qingzhu... Let me take care of you before Qingzhu returns..."


    This night.


    Was destined to be sleepless.


    ...


    Early the next morning.


    Upon stepping out from his room, Xiao Yi saw Yang Ling already waiting at the door.


    Yu Huaxian was telling him something, but upon seeing Xiao Yi, Yu Huaxian quickly dashed away.


    Yang Ling looked at Xiao Yi with a strange expression, making him feel uncomfortable all over. Xiao Yi frowned, "What did that beast tell you?"


    "Beast?" Yang Ling was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said, "Yu Huaxian..."


    "Ah�� the beast��"


    Realization dawned on Yang Ling, and he laughed out loud, shaking his head, "He didn''t say anything."


    Xiao Yi stared at him with suspicion, "Then why are you looking at me so strangely?"


    Yang Ling gave a wry smile and said, "The matter with the Black Hawk Gang is now well-known; they say you, in a rage for a beauty, slaughtered the Black Hawk Gang."


    Xiao Yi: "I was eliminating a menace to the people. Speaking of which, the fact that such a cancer exists in the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty, have you never thought of getting rid of them?" S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Where there''s light, there''s shadow. Just like where water is clean, there are no fish. The world has both darkness and light coexisting, and one cannot exist completely without the other��"


    Yang Ling sighed, continuing, "Behind the Black Hawk Gang is the son of the Minister of Rites, Li Shengtian, named Li Chen. This man is extremely domineering, and Li Shengtian is very indulgent towards his son. After the morning court ended today, Li Shengtian didn''t leave the palace but instead went to see our father, the Emperor. I''m afraid he might make things difficult for you, so be extra careful!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I''ll try my best to resist killing him!"


    Yang Ling''s eye twitched: "..."


    Emperor Qian summoned only Xiao Yi, so just the two of them headed towards the palace.


    By now, the morning court had passed.


    Emperor Qian was to receive Xiao Yi in his imperial study. Under the guidance of Yang Ling, they made their way there.


    At the doorway, an old eunuch holding a white horsetail whisk, with all white hair and beard, was waiting, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that you may both enter directly upon arrival!"


    "Thank you for your trouble, eunuch!"


    Yang Ling smiled and nodded, leading Xiao Yi as they pushed open the door and entered.


    Inside the imperial study.


    Besides the Emperor Qian, who was sitting on the throne dressed in regular imperial robes and holding a scroll of ancient text, there were three more figures in official attire.


    Yang Ling whispered, "Those three are the Imperial Censor Geng Li, the Minister of Punishments Tian Xiao, and the Minister of Rites Li Shengtian."


    Xiao Yi slightly nodded.


    He noticed Geng Li and Tian Xiao had their eyes slightly closed, paying no attention to him, while Li Shengtian had a hint of hostility in his eyes as he looked at him.


    Yang Ling said reverently, "This son pays his respects to Father Emperor!"


    "Dispense with the formalities!"


    Emperor Qian smiled and looked at Xiao Yi with interest.


    "How audacious, why don''t you kneel upon seeing His Majesty?" Li Shengtian scolded with a cold face.


    Yang Ling tugged at the hem of Xiao Yi''s robe.


    Xiao Yi turned his head to look at Emperor Qian and said with cupped hands, "Xiao Yi pays his respects to His Majesty, the Emperor of Great Qian!"


    Emperor Qian smiled without uttering a word.


    Li Shengtian, however, exploded in anger, "Audacious Xiao Yi, where do you get the courage to not prostrate before the Emperor? Are you disrespecting His Majesty and not taking the Emperor seriously?"


    "Of course, I have not taken His Majesty seriously in my eyes!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    "How audacious!"


    "You''re courting death!"


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao scolded simultaneously.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "His Majesty deserves to be respected from the heart and not to be falsely worshipped with lip service or kept in the eyes. Could it be that you two lords wish for me to hold His Majesty in my eyes?"


    "Uh..."


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao were momentarily at a loss for words.


    You''ve said that holding him in the heart is to respect, while keeping in the eyes is hypocrisy.


    What could we possibly say to that?


    "Well, these are but empty courtesies, there''s no need to quibble over them!"


    Emperor Qian broke the deadlock with a chuckle, his gaze calm as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, I have entrusted you with the management of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, you must not disappoint me!"


    Xiao Yi had not yet spoken.


    Li Shengtian immediately stepped forward to say, "Your Majesty, this must not be done! The Xiaoshanhe Institute is an important part of the dynasty; it cannot be entrusted to a green youth just wet behind the ears. Please reconsider, Your Majesty!"


    Tian Xiao also stepped forward, "Your Majesty, please retract this command!"


    Emperor Qian, expressionless, his demeanor neither joyous nor sorrowful, looked at the only person who had not yet spoken, Geng Li, "Mr. Geng, what do you think?"


    Geng Li, drowsy and seemingly awakened by Emperor Qian''s words, made a hasty bow and said, "Everything is for Your Majesty to decide!"


    Emperor Qian put down the ancient book he was holding and rubbed his brow, "I have already promised to entrust Xiaoshanhe Institute to Xiao Yi. Do you intend to make me break my word?"


    "Your Majesty, the Xiaoshanhe Institute is vital to our nation''s foundations, and should be managed by a person of high virtue and esteem within the court. I suggest Mr. Li take the position of the head of the institute. As for Xiao Yi... he is still young, and he could serve as a mentor, learning from Mr. Li on how to manage the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Once he is mature enough, then it can be handed over to him to manage," said Tian Xiao, evidently well-prepared with his argument.


    Li Shengtian spoke righteously, "Your Majesty, I am willing to devote myself to this task, to toil away without rest until death!"


    Emperor Qian sighed, "Your loyalty and dedication are a comfort to me. However..." he looked towards Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, as this pertains to you, what is your opinion on what the two lords have proposed?"


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    Xiao Yi looked at Emperor Qian, "May I speak truthfully?"


    "It is the truth that I wish to hear!" said Emperor Qian.


    Xiao Yi let out an "Oh," and with an indifferent gaze that swept over Li Shengtian and the others, he said coldly, "I have read few books and my belly does not have all those twists and turns that these lords have. I definitely can''t out talk them. When His Majesty asks me to tell the truth, then I can only tell the truth... I can''t beat them in argument, and when I face this kind of situation, if I can''t win with words, then I start to fight!"


    Crackling sounds!


    Between Xiao Yi''s fists, Wind Thunder roared, and a chilling aura filled the entire Imperial Study.


    Hiss!


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao looked at each other with astonishment on their faces.


    Both had heard of Xiao Yi''s terrifying battle achievements, nearly the power to destroy a nation single-handedly!


    They were both civil officials, not deeply versed in martial arts.


    How could they possibly be Xiao Yi''s match?


    And looking at Emperor Qian...


    He showed no intention of intervening.


    If a real fight broke out, they wouldn''t die but would certainly be stripped of a layer of skin!


    Under the pressure of absolute martial force, Tian Xiao''s complexion shifted rapidly, and he quickly said, "Your Majesty, I have suddenly realized that the Xiaoshanhe Institute is, after all, a place for cultivating martial arts; it would be more suitable for Dean Xiao to take charge!"


    Li Shengtian: "..."


    Emperor Qian looked at Li Shengtian with a strange expression, "Mr. Li, what do you think?"


    On Xiao Yi''s palms, the sound of crackling continued.


    Li Shengtian''s eyelid twitched and through gritted teeth, he said, "Dean Xiao would indeed be more appropriate..."

 Chapter 216 Xiaoshanhe Institute

    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao''s faces were black as coal. S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Yang Ling only felt a cold sweat on his forehead and wished he could go up and cover Xiao Yi''s mouth himself.


    If you can''t win an argument, just start a fight!


    This was the Imperial Library, and sitting before them was the mightiest existence of the entire Great Qian Dynasty, those three ministers were even more powerful in the dynasty.


    Xiao Yi was about to start a fight at the drop of a hat.


    However, considering Xiao Yi''s past military exploits, his threat was not without foundation.


    If Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao continued to be oblivious to what was good for them, he might indeed start a fight right in front of Emperor Qian!


    "Cough cough!"


    Emperor Qian coughed lightly and glared at Xiao Yi, pretending to be displeased, "This is my Imperial Library, what kind of decorum is this?"


    Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Yi retracted his Wind Thunder power and cupped his hands towards Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"


    "Enough, considering this is your first offense, I will spare you this time, but do not let there be a next time!"


    Emperor Qian said indifferently, "Since the courtiers have no objections, then the position of head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute is yours, Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi, you must not let me down, you must manage the Xiaoshanhe Institute well, do you understand?"


    Xiao Yi nodded earnestly and said, "Rest assured, Your Majesty!"


    Emperor Qian waved his hand, "Everyone, withdraw!"


    All the officials left in succession.


    Outside the door.


    Li Shengtian''s face was dark, and he looked at Xiao Yi with a mockingly sinister expression, "Director Xiao, managing the Xiaoshanhe Institute is not so easy, Li wishes you good luck!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said, "Keep squawking and see if I don''t smack you, believe it or not?"


    Li Shengtian''s face twitched, his anger rising, turning his eyes bloodshot red, "You''re too insolent to conspire with!"


    With a fierce flick of his sleeve, Li Shengtian strode away.


    Tian Xiao quickly followed after him, "Mr. Li, wait for me..."


    Yang Ling watched Xiao Yi with a mix of tears and laughter, "Xiao Yi, didn''t you promise to keep yourself in check?"


    "I am keeping in check. Otherwise, you''d be arranging his funeral right about now!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Yang Ling seriously, with a corner of his eye glancing in the direction of the Imperial Library and a slight smile on his lips, "Besides, don''t you think that what I''m doing aligns more with Emperor Qian''s expectations?"


    "Hm?"


    Yang Ling paused, pondering.


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the Imperial Library, Emperor Qian picked up ancient texts and put them down several times, unable to help but burst into laughter, "Interesting, very interesting, Xiao Yi... Xiao Zhengde, are you blind or mad? To cast aside such a prodigy, hahaha..."


    The old eunuch standing by rarely saw Emperor Qian so amused and asked out of curiosity, "Your Majesty, that Xiao Yi was so reckless, daring to threaten a minister in the Imperial Library, yet why are you so pleased with him?"


    "Reckless?"


    Emperor Qian shook his head and laughed, "Old Dog, do you really think that young man is reckless?"


    The old eunuch asked in confusion, "Is he not?"


    "The kid is quite shrewd!"


    Emperor Qian stood up slowly, his eyes shining like a rainbow as if he could see through everything, "He knows that by handing him the Xiaoshanhe Institute, besides balancing the ten major sects and the noble families, I''m also weighing the court... If he were to try to please everyone, to cringe and bow, I would have to be wary and guard against him everywhere. His seemingly reckless behaviour has offended Li Shengtian to death, leaving himself isolated, surrounded by enemies. As a result, I will naturally trust him completely..."


    The old eunuch had a sudden realization, "I did not expect someone of his young age to be so thoughtful!"


    Emperor Qian gazed ahead, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Tianjiao... Things are getting more and more interesting!"


    ......


    Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Located at the eastern side of the imperial capital was Imperial Dragon Peak.


    Legends say...


    The first emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty had once tamed a true dragon here. After Xiaoshanhe Institute pledged allegiance to the royal family, they were granted Imperial Dragon Peak as their sect''s entrance.


    One, to manifest the royal family''s regard for Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Two, to have Xiaoshanhe Institute guard Imperial Dragon Peak, as the royal family''s ancestral and heavenly worship ceremonies were always held here.


    However,


    With the decline of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Imperial Dragon Peak gradually became desolate.


    Aside from the annual ancestral ceremony, it was mostly unvisited.


    Even with the once flourishing institute that had tens of thousands of disciples and countless experts, now there were only over a thousand disciples left, and only about twenty or thirty instructors, a severe decline in talent.


    Indeed, due to the decline of Xiaoshanhe Institute, the royal family had not been able to bring any other sect under their wing.


    Yang Ling, leading Xiao Yi and the others, arrived at Imperial Dragon Peak and, looking down at the building complex that nearly covered the entire peak and was comparable in size to the former palace of Tianqing Kingdom, everyone couldn''t help but lament the past prosperity of the Great Qian Dynasty. Even a fallen Xiaoshanhe Institute had such a magnificent scale.


    As for those high above��the glorious ten great sects��what must their grandeur be like?


    Yang Ling said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, for the past ten years, Xiaoshanhe Institute has not appointed a dean, and all of the institute''s matters have been managed by Mr. Chen Shuiwen, the vice dean. He''s not an easy character to deal with; you must be very careful!"


    Although Xiaoshanhe Institute had fallen, the royal family still came here for the ancestral rites every year.


    The funding allocated to Xiaoshanhe Institute was also substantial.


    Moreover, there was the status of an official title.


    Chen Shuiwen, holding the position of vice dean for over a decade, had long viewed himself as the dean. With Xiao Yi suddenly parachuted into the role of his superior, Chen Shuiwen would certainly feel disgruntled.


    Xiao Yi nodded to show his understanding.


    Whoosh!


    The fierce sun eagle sculpture swooped down, landing on the vast square of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The large square was devoid of anyone.


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    Yang Ling slightly frowned, "Strange, I had already sent someone to inform Chen Shuiwen yesterday. Why is there not a single person here?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Here they come!"


    "Hmm?"


    Yang Ling was startled, only to see a bald figure approaching from the distance, strolling over leisurely with a beaming smile, "Ah, Your Highness Yang Ling, my apologies for the delay. Something came up, and I only managed to rush over now."


    Yang Ling raised his eyebrows, "Mr. Chen, this is Xiao Yi, the new dean of Xiaoshanhe Institute. And these are the instructors that Dean Xiao has brought along��Xue Bufan, Yu Huaxian, Yan Mingli, Lin Bingxin!"


    "Hahaha, Dean Xiao, I''ve long heard of your great reputation, and seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary!"


    Chen Shuiwen laughed heartily as he nodded to Xiao Yi and the others, clicking his tongue and commenting, "Dean Xiao truly has an imposing presence. I''ve heard that you alone eradicated the Great Jin Kingdom. Such a young age yet with such achievements, you are truly remarkable! Welcome to Xiaoshanhe Institute��treat this as your home from now on!"


    This was a smiling tiger.


    Xiao Yi was inwardly on alert. Better to face an honest scoundrel than a smiling tiger!


    All smiles to your face, but ready to stab you in the back.


    Despite the warm words Chen Shuiwen had expressed, he essentially positioned himself as the host and treated Xiao Yi and his party as guests.


    Furthermore...


    Yang Ling had already sent a message previously. Logically, Chen Shuiwen should have brought the institute''s instructors and disciples to welcome them, but no one was present.


    This was his way of intimidating Xiao Yi.


    It was as if he was telling Xiao Yi in an intangible manner: This is my turf, Chen Shuiwen''s!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly: "Interesting. It seems my days at Xiaoshanhe Institute won''t be boring..."

 Chapter 217 Double-faced and treacherous

    "Mr. Chen, haven''t I already sent someone to notify you that today is the day Xiao takes office? Why hasn''t a single person shown up?"It was clear that Yang Ling had also noticed something amiss and spoke with veiled hints.


    His status meant he couldn''t say some things outright.


    Chen Shuiwen exactly seized on this point, rubbed his bald head, and smiled, "Unfortunately, today happens to be the disciples'' time for quiet cultivation. Everything must prioritize their practice. I believe Xiao shares this sentiment, don''t you think so, Xiao?"


    Quiet cultivation?


    The entire Xiaoshanhe Institute, thousands of people cultivating quietly at the same time?


    Are you fucking kidding me?


    Xiao Yi sneered inwardly, but his face showed agreement, "Mr. Chen is right, we should indeed prioritize the disciples'' cultivation."


    Hearing Xiao Yi stress the words "Mr. Chen" with particular emphasis made Chen Shuiwen''s eyelids twitch abruptly.


    His smile also showed a moment of stiffness.


    But he quickly concealed it.


    Chen Shuiwen responded with a chuckle, "I''m truly grateful that Xiao can be so understanding!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "After all, this is my Xiaoshanhe Institute, and as the headmaster, it''s only natural to look after the teachers and disciples, including Mr. Chen, as my own! What do you think, Mr. Chen?"


    As my own?


    He''s comparing them to his children and grandchildren!


    Chen Shuiwen gritted his steel teeth, which ground together audibly. He had intended to make Xiao Yi uncomfortable, but Xiao Yi, in just a few words, not only turned the situation around but also belittled him by a generation. With a forced smile on his face, Chen Shuiwen swiftly changed the subject, "Prince Yang Ling, Xiao, I''ve already had food and drinks prepared in the back garden to welcome and refresh you!"


    "I shall not go, and you take good care of Xiao and the others. Remember to hand over the work to Xiao as soon as possible!"


    Yang Ling gave Xiao Yi a meaningful look and said, "Xiao, I leave the Xiaoshanhe Institute in your hands. Also, the Emperor asked me to tell you that in three months, it will be this year''s ancestor worship ceremony, and he hopes to see a different Xiaoshanhe Institute then!"


    "Three months, you say? Tell His Majesty he won''t be disappointed!" Xiao Yi smiled and nodded.


    This was more than just an ancestor worship ceremony. Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was also Emperor Qian''s test for Xiao Yi, to prove his abilities within three months.


    The greater the ability, the more privileges and resources one has.


    To receive greater support from Emperor Qian, one must demonstrate one''s capabilities.


    Yang Ling mounted the back of the fiery sun jade sculpture and began to ascend leisurely, looking at Chen Shuiwen, "Mr. Chen, I hope you will fully support Xiao''s work!"


    "Rest assured, Prince, I will certainly cooperate well!"


    Chen Shuiwen nodded with a smile, watching Yang Ling rise into the sky, as the smile on his face slowly faded to be replaced by a hint of coldness.


    Xiao Yi looked at Chen Shuiwen, "Mr. Chen, didn''t you say there was food and drink prepared? Shall we eat and talk?"


    "Ah? Food and drink? Oh dear, look at my poor memory. I forgot everyone is in quiet cultivation, and there''s no one to cook!" Chen Shuiwen slapped his bald head, looking self-reproachful, "I''m really sorry, Xiao; it''s all my oversight. Please punish me as you see fit!"


    Xiao Yi watched Chen Shuiwen with an amused smile in the corner of his mouth, silently observing his performance.


    When Yang Ling was here, you volunteered to have food and drinks ready in the back garden.


    No sooner had Yang Ling left,


    than you changed your story, saying no food or drinks were prepared?


    Truly a duplicitous character!


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "No matter, if there''s no food and drink prepared, then I''ll just take care of lunch myself!"


    Chen Shuiwen nodded and said, "For now, your accommodations will be arranged in the east wing''s side rooms. There are many vacant rooms there, but the Xiaoshanhe Institute is short on manpower, so you, Xiao, will have to tidy up by yourself. I still have matters to attend to, so I will be leaving now. If there''s anything you need my help with, Xiao, you can find me in the west wing''s side rooms!"


    "Sure, you go ahead and take care of your business!"


    Xiao Yi watched as Chen Shuiwen left.


    Yu Huaxian frowned and said, "Xiao, that old jerk is really hateful..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "No worries, we have all the time in the world to play his little games slowly!"


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the west wing''s room, when Chen Shuiwen returned, a table full of lavish dishes and drinks was already waiting.


    Several instructors from the Xiaoshanhe Institute had long been there, waiting.


    As soon as they saw Chen Shuiwen arrive, they stood up hastily, "Mr. Chen!"


    Chen Shuiwen gestured with his hand for everyone to sit down.


    Looking at each other with puzzled expressions, the instructors asked, "Mr. Chen, has His Highness Yang Ling not blamed us?"


    "Why would anyone blame you? It''s understandable that instructors and disciples in quiet cultivation couldn''t spare the time to welcome him."


    "I heard it was His Highness Yang Ling who suggested handing over the Xiaoshanhe Institute to that damned Xiao Yi. It''s beyond me why the Emperor Qian would entrust the Institute to such an inexperienced kid..."


    The people around chimed in.


    Chen Shuiwen took a sip of his wine and said indifferently, "Who can comprehend the Emperor''s mind? But I, Chen Shuiwen, have worked diligently at the Xiaoshanhe Institute for many years. The idea that he can just come in and take over is pure fantasy." Squinting his eyes, he declared coldly, "Listen up, all of you. The ancestral worship ceremony is in three months. If he fails to handle it properly, I''ll have ways to drive him out. Inform all the instructors and disciples that anyone who cooperates with Xiao Yi will be my enemy!"


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Chen!"


    "The brothers know what to do!"


    "And as for the disciples... we''ll withhold their cultivation resources. Who would dare to oppose us then?"


    They all said, laughing.


    With a smug smile, Chen Shuiwen raised his cup, "Now, let''s feast and enjoy ourselves!"


    Looking at the sumptuous food in front of him, the corners of Chen Shuiwen''s mouth turned up slightly, revealing a cold smile, "Xiao Yi? Nothing more than a stray dog driven out of the Xiao Family, daring to scavenge from the tiger''s maw? He truly doesn''t know he''s courting death!"


    Nobody noticed...


    In that corner, a faint golden figure quietly slipped away.


    In the east wing''s room.


    Xiao Yi and the others were organizing the disorderly room, which was filled with dust and a musty smell, having been long abandoned.


    "Boss!"


    Little Lin had come back, landing on his shoulder, "Just as you expected, Chen Shuiwen is in the west wing, eating and drinking with a dozen instructors. That bastard, he even claimed there was nothing prepared to eat, he''s really hateful!"


    Xiao Yi said, "Did you remember who all were there?"


    Little Lin nodded its little head, "I remembered."


    As Xiao Yi continued to tidy up the room, he looked at the dusty table beneath the windowsill and bent down slightly, "Indeed, this is a fine table; both the material and the craftsmanship are exceptional. However, covered with so much dust, it''s treated like trash. To restore this table to its former glory, we need to sweep away all this dust!" Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire


    Whoo!


    He blew out a breath.


    Swish!


    The thick layer of dust covering the table was blown away in an instant...

 Chapter 218 Who do you think you are?

    Under the veil of night.Xiao Yi and the others had finally tidied up the room, and Lin Bing Xin had personally cooked, preparing some food and drink.


    They sat around the table.


    Yan Mingli took a sip of wine and said with a heavy voice, "Xiao, the Xiaoshanhe Institute is not easy to manage!"


    The entire Xiaoshanhe Institute, under the control of Chen Shuiwen for more than a decade, had already been shaped into an impenetrable fortress.


    It had become a little kingdom belonging to Chen Shuiwen.


    To put it bluntly...


    If Xiao Yi directly employed drastic measures, with one command from Chen Shuiwen, I''m afraid all the tutors and disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute would follow him and leave.


    When that time came, Xiaoshanhe Institute would be left with just a few of them, existing in name only.


    As for showing weakness and trying to win people over?


    With their brief interaction with Chen Shuiwen today, everyone understood that this path was also absolutely impossible.


    Chen Shuiwen would definitely not be content to be inferior to others.


    "Let''s wait and see how things unfold for now, then slowly look for a breakthrough!" Xiao Yi said. Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire


    "However, we don''t have much time left. In three months, the Ancestral Worship Ceremony will take place. If we cannot achieve some results by then, it will be difficult to explain to Emperor Qian!" Yan Mingli said gravely. For the sake of following Xiao Yi, he had even declined the opportunity to succeed as the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Yu Huaxian said impatiently, "In my opinion, just kill those who don''t obey. Kill one to warn a hundred. I don''t believe they wouldn''t be afraid!"


    This was the former Supervisor Yu Huaxian of the Eastern Factory.


    The principle followed by the Eastern Factory was to quench killing with killing!


    Those who don''t obey?


    Kill!


    Those who aren''t honest?


    Kill!


    Kill until everyone dares not disobey.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said speechlessly, "We are a sect here, not your Eastern Factory. Let alone killing them, if I take out any one of them and scold them, wouldn''t a bunch of tutors immediately follow Chen Shuiwen to offer their resignations?"


    "Resign? Wouldn''t that be perfect? Let them get lost, and leave Xiaoshanhe Institute to us!" Yu Huaxian asserted as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and didn''t bother to respond.


    Yan Mingli sighed, "To the people of Xiaoshanhe Institute, we are all outsiders. Once we anger them, it''s not just a matter of them all resigning; what if all the tutors go on strike? Who''s going to teach those thousands of disciples? Besides, can you be certain that those disciples will listen to us? You''re too naive!"


    Xiao Yi said gravely, "Elder Yan, tomorrow you and Yu Huaxian go check Xiaoshanhe Institute''s finances, see if we can start from there. Elder Xue, the several elixir formulas I gave you before, hurry up with your research and refine them as soon as possible. They will be greatly needed!"


    "Leave it to us!"


    Elder Yan and the others said one after another.


    Lin Bing Xin blinked, "Xiao Yi, what about me?"


    "You?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, looking at the table with plenty of dishes left, "Your primary task for now is to improve your cooking skills!"


    Yan Mingli, "That makes sense!"


    Yu Huaxian, "I second that!"


    Xue Bufan, "Do your best!"


    Lin Bing Xin, "..."


    ...


    The next day.


    Xiao Yi and his group split into four teams.


    Lin Bingxin indeed remained in the kitchen to deepen her culinary skills.


    Yu Huaxian and Yan Mingli went to check the accounts in the storeroom, while Xue Bufan holed up in his room to research elixir recipes.


    Xiao Yi started wandering around the Xiaoshanhe Institute in his black robe, which added a bit of majesty to his bearing. Xiaoshanhe Institute resembled more of an academy, where the disciples had scheduled classes every day. As he reached the martial arts training field, he could see from afar two instructors lazily lying under the shade of a tree while dozens of disciples were scattered around in various corners.


    Some were chatting away, others were sound asleep, and still others were arm in arm with fellow disciples of the opposite sex.


    There were very few who were genuinely cultivating.


    "No wonder the Xiaoshanhe Institute was squeezed out of the top ten sects. How many strong cultivators can be created like this?" Xiao Yi shook his head slightly.


    His arrival naturally drew the attention of the instructors and disciples on the training field.


    One of the skinnier instructors spoke up in a deep voice, "Zou, Xiao is here. Shouldn''t we gather the disciples?"


    "Gather what?"


    Zou spat out dismissively, "In Xiaoshanhe Institute, as long as we follow closely behind Chen, we can soar to great heights. This Xiao hasn''t even grown a full set of whiskers yet. He won''t last long and will be out of here in no time!"


    The disciples whispered among themselves, "Is this the new head of the institute? He looks even younger than us. And he thinks he can be the head?"


    "I heard he was personally selected by the emperor. Do you think he could be the emperor''s illegitimate child?"


    "Very likely, haha..."


    "Look, Zheng Dongsheng is heading over to the new head now, isn''t he?"


    The two instructors noticed a burly young man walking towards Xiao Yi. Zou chuckled, "Now this will be fun to watch. Zheng Dongsheng is a real thorn; even I can''t suppress him. Our new head here is probably going to have a tough time!"


    On the martial arts training field.


    All the instructors and disciples looked over excitedly.


    Xiao Yi was a bit taken aback, watching this muscular young man with a full beard who was two heads taller than himself, his eyes filled with a hint of confusion.


    Zheng Dongsheng''s voice was the complete opposite of his imposing build; it was soft and gentle, "You are the new head?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Who are you?"


    "Fight me! If you win, then I''ll admit you''ve got the qualifications to be our head and deserve to know my name," Zheng Dongsheng pointed his thumb at himself, stating proudly, "If you lose, it proves you''re not fit to lead us and should get the hell out of Xiaoshanhe Institute immediately!"


    "Hahaha, I knew it. Zheng Dongsheng is as wild as ever. I want to see what the new head is going to do about it!" Zou boasted with pride. S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zheng Dongsheng''s cultivation was at the peak of the Golden Core Realm.


    Plus, he had Innate Divine Strength.


    Among those of the same realm, he was nearly invincible!


    "Do you think the new head will dare to accept Zheng Dongsheng''s challenge?"


    "He might refuse, right? After all, his cultivation is only at the peak of the Golden Core Realm. Wouldn''t it be embarrassing if he lost to Zheng Dongsheng?"


    "But if he refuses, wouldn''t that also be humiliating? An institute head who''s afraid to accept a challenge from a disciple..."


    Everyone discussed animatedly.


    Zou got up, dusted himself off, and came over, rebuking, "Zheng Dongsheng, who gave you the guts to talk to the new head like that? All you know is fighting; don''t you know that fists have no eyes? What if you injure Xiao, and something terrible happens? Could you afford that?" He turned to Xiao Yi, gestured with his hands in respect, and said, "Xiao, he''s just a kid who doesn''t know any better. Don''t hold it against him!"


    This seemed like Zou was trying to get Xiao Yi out of a tight spot.


    But in reality, he was hinting that Xiao Yi was inferior to Zheng Dongsheng and that if the two of them fought, Xiao Yi was bound to lose!


    If at this moment Xiao Yi indeed refused Zheng Dongsheng''s challenge, it would be an admission that he was less capable than Zheng Dongsheng, and a significant blow to Xiao Yi''s reputation.


    Just when everyone was waiting to see Xiao Yi make a fool of himself.


    Xiao Yi lifted his eyes, looked at Zou in front of him, "Did I allow you to speak? Who do you think you are, prattling on like that in front of me?"

 Chapter 219 Fist and foot have no eyes

    "Who the hell do you think you are?"Xiao Yi looked at Zou with an indifferent gaze and spoke coldly.


    Err...


    Zou''s face stiffened, and a flash of anger flickered deep in his eyes as his fists suddenly clenched with a grating sound.


    But upon recalling Chen Shuiwen''s instructions not to initiate any attack and avoid giving Xiao Yi any leverage, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and suppress his anger. He forced a smile and said, "Director Xiao, my name is Zou Zheng, and I am an instructor at the Xiaoshanhe Institute. It''s normal that Director Xiao, being new here, wouldn''t recognize me!"


    Zou Zheng turned around and said to Zheng Dongsheng, "Zheng Dongsheng, hurry back and stop causing trouble!"


    "Hmph!"


    Zheng Dongsheng snorted in dissatisfaction and turned to leave.


    Zou Zheng was an expert of the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and he was not a weak presence among the many instructors at the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    "Wait!"


    Xiao Yi called out to Zheng Dongsheng. His detached gaze fell upon Zou Zheng as he said indifferently, "Are you the head of the institute, or am I?"


    Zou Zheng was taken aback and said, "Naturally, you are, Director."


    Xiao Yi uttered an "oh" and said, "Anyone who didn''t know better would think you were the head of the institute. I hadn''t even spoken, yet you''ve already taken it upon yourself to decide for me."


    Zou Zheng''s face darkened. He had always been arrogant and overbearing thanks to his good relationship with Chen Shuiwen. But now, with Xiao Yi questioning him repeatedly, the anger in his heart was increasingly hard to control. Taking a deep breath and with a dark face, Zou Zheng said, "Director Xiao, do you have an issue with me? If you do, you''re free to state it openly. Why the insinuations and sarcasm?"


    "Me, insinuations and sarcasm?"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, leaning slightly forward. The piercing look in their locked eyes nearly forced Zou Zheng to look away. "Instructor Zou Zheng, if I did have an issue with you, you''d be dead by now."


    Zou Zheng retorted angrily, "Director Xiao, are you threatening me? I, Zou Zheng, am an upright and honorable man. I''ve come here with the best of intentions to help you settle this conflict, yet you fail to appreciate my goodwill and even go as far as to give me a hard time at every turn. And now you dare threaten me?"


    "A threat? Who do you think you are to deserve a threat from me?" Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up in a mocking smile.


    He was provoking Zou Zheng.


    If Zou Zheng were to strike first, he''d fall right into Xiao Yi''s trap.


    It would be the breakthrough he needed!


    Zou Zheng''s fists were tightly clenched, with a cold glare flashing in his eyes, and the vital energy on his palms surged, ready to make a move.


    But just then...


    A cold shout came from behind, "Zou Zheng, what are you playing at?"


    "Hm?"


    Zou Zheng''s face changed as he looked at the stern middle-aged man with sword-like eyebrows by his side. A deep reverence flashed in his eyes, and with a wronged expression, he said, "Elder Sun, you''ve arrived just in time. You must stand up for me!"


    "Shut up!"


    Sun Zhengyi snorted coldly, his frosty aura putting out Zou Zheng''s fiery temper like a bucket of ice water. Sun Zhengyi then looked at Xiao Yi, "You must be the new Director Xiao here, right? I am Sun Zhengyi, the third elder of the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Without waiting for Xiao Yi to speak, Sun Zhengyi turned to Zou Zheng and asked with a frown, "What''s going on here?"


    As Xiao Yi was about to speak, he narrowed his eyes and touched his nose, watching the two men with interest.


    Sun Zhengyi saw him ready to speak, but chose to ignore him, instead fixing his gaze on Zou Zheng. It seemed he was another one of Chen Shuiwen''s people!


    Zou Zheng, with a look of grievance, repeated the events that had just taken place.


    "This is outrageous!"


    Sun Zhengyi coldly snorted but directed the comment at Xiao Yi, adding unnecessarily as if to clarify, "Director Xiao, please don''t take it the wrong way, I wasn''t speaking about you."


    Xiao Yi remained silent with a smile.


    However, Sun Zhengyi turned to Zou Zheng and said, "Director Xiao is the new head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute and, as such, has the responsibility to advise all the disciples and instructors of the institute. Since Zheng Dongsheng wanted to challenge Director Xiao, and Director Xiao being the head of the institute is in some way his instructor, Xiao can''t just ignore it. Yet you interfered, how could Director Xiao not be upset?"


    Zou Zheng, catching the frantic signals from Sun Zhengyi, quickly revised his story with an aggrieved voice, "I��I was just worried about the risks of physical confrontation. What if Director Xiao got hurt by Zheng Dongsheng!"


    "What nonsense are you spouting?"


    Sun Zhengyi''s heart burst with joy, but his face showed righteous indignation, "How could Director Xiao possibly be injured? If he couldn''t take care of a Zheng Dongsheng, then what face would he have to continue as the head of our Xiaoshanhe Institute? Even if Director Xiao is no match for Zheng Dongsheng, you shouldn''t have refused on his behalf! Don''t you owe Director Xiao an apology?" Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    Zou Zheng looked towards Xiao Yi, "I''m really sorry, Director Xiao. It was all my oversight!"


    The two of them went back and forth.


    They coordinated quite well with each other.


    Seizing the moment, Sun Zhengyi spoke up, "Listen here, disciples, Director Xiao is new to our institute, and no one is allowed to challenge him from below their station, understand?"


    However...


    These words only provoked strong dissatisfaction among the disciples, "Why not? We can usually spar with our instructors; does our esteemed Director not even have the courage for that?"


    "If that''s the case, why is he still the director? He might as well just roll back home!"


    Zheng Dongsheng''s voice thundered, "Elder Sun, I want to challenge Director Xiao!"


    "Right, right, right, keep pushing him..."


    Sun Zhengyi''s heart was overjoyed, but he wore a troubled expression as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Director Xiao, what do you think about this?"


    Xiao Yi smiled, looking at the excited crowd of disciples, "So you all think I should accept Zheng Dongsheng''s challenge, is that right?"


    "Exactly!"


    "Accept the challenge!"


    "Or just get lost..."


    With a smile still on his face, Xiao Yi looked at Zheng Dongsheng, "Zheng Dongsheng, let me ask you a question first, between you and Instructor Zou Zheng, who is stronger and who is weaker?"


    Zheng Dongsheng hesitated, "I am but at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, and even though I have greater strength, Instructor Zou Zheng is a genuine First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm power. I am no match for him!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said with a laugh, "My fellow disciples, you don''t know much about me, and there are some things you may not be clear about. Most of my cultivation has improved through fighting, and I don''t really pull my punches. If I really were to spar with Zheng Dongsheng, I might hurt him by accident, and then it would look like I, the Director, am beating up a student!"


    "Pfft, you''re just afraid to fight!"


    "Stop with those grandiose excuses..."


    "I think you should just roll out of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    The disciples shouted one after another.


    Sun Zhengyi''s face was full of smug satisfaction, and he winked at Zou Zheng.


    "You''re much more cunning!"


    Zou Zheng stealthily gave a thumbs up, snickering, "This way, if Xiao Yi refuses to accept the challenge, his reputation will be ruined, and if he accepts, regardless of win or loss, he''ll acquire the disgrace of bullying the weak..."


    Xiao Yi caught a glimpse of the two men from the corner of his eye and took note of their little schemes, his lips lifting slightly in a smile, "Everyone, please calm down. I only said that it''s inappropriate to accept Zheng Dongsheng''s challenge. However, Zheng Dongsheng just admitted that Instructor Zou Zheng is stronger than him. If I were to defeat Instructor Zou Zheng, that would mean I could also defeat Zheng Dongsheng, wouldn''t it?"


    "Huh?"


    "That could work!"


    "If Director Xiao can really beat Instructor Zou Zheng, then that means his power is indeed above that of Zheng Dongsheng, and he is genuinely concerned about injuring a student, not cowardice in battle!"


    The disciples nodded one after another, agreeing with Xiao Yi''s reasoning. S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Instructor Zou, since everyone agrees, please accept my challenge!"


    Xiao Yi smiled at the bewildered Zou Zheng and made a welcoming gesture, "But I must say before we begin, fists and feet are blind��so if I accidentally injure you later, I hope Instructor Zou will forgive me!"


    The disciples were excited, "Instructor Zou, hurry up and accept the challenge!"


    "Go Instructor Zou!"


    "If you win, you''ll be the man who defeated the Director..."


    Zou Zheng: "..."


    Sun Zhengyi: "..."

 Chapter 220 What a Good Dean!

    Zou Zheng looked bewilderedly at Sun Zhengyi.Sun Zhengyi''s eyes twitched, feeling like his heavy punch had landed on soft cotton.


    He had seen the conflict between Xiao Yi and Zou Zheng earlier and had devised a plan, urging Xiao Yi to battle with Zheng Dongsheng.


    When the time came...


    Whether Xiao Yi lost or won,


    he could spin the story to damage Xiao Yi''s reputation.


    If Xiao Yi refused Zheng Dongsheng''s challenge, then Xiao Yi would inevitably lose credibility, and the disciples would look down on this young institute head even more.


    If Xiao Yi won against Zheng Dongsheng, they could proclaim that Xiao Yi bullied the weak.


    And if Xiao Yi lost?


    Even better!


    He would spread the news of today''s battle far and wide, letting everyone know that the new head of Xiaoshanhe Institute couldn''t even defeat a disciple of the same realm. By then, public opinion would be entirely on their side, potentially affecting Emperor Qian and possibly even leading to Xiao Yi''s removal from his position as head of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    After all,


    Xiaoshanhe Institute, though now in decline, had once been glorious.


    How could it be led by someone who couldn''t even defeat a disciple?


    What he never expected was that Xiao Yi would use a retreat as advance, refusing his challenge under the pretext of not wanting to hurt Zheng Dongsheng, and instead proposed to challenge Zou Zheng.


    Zou Zheng was indeed stronger than Zheng Dongsheng!


    If Xiao Yi won against Zou Zheng, naturally he could defeat Zheng Dongsheng.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi and Zou Zheng were peers, one a head and the other an instructor; their sparring was nothing out of the ordinary. Plus, Zou Zheng was more than twenty years older than Xiao Yi. Even if Xiao Yi lost, it would be Zou Zheng who was accused of bullying the younger.


    Although they knew this was Xiao Yi''s strategy of advance through retreat, they couldn''t refuse.


    Otherwise, they would have to swallow the bitter fruit they had just seeded themselves!


    And they would be labeled as bullies forcing the head''s hand.


    "Quite a move, Xiao Yi, it seems we have all underestimated you!" sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sun Zhengyi was secretly annoyed, but then he thought that Xiao Yi was just at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, whereas Zou Zheng was at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. If the two fought, Zou Zheng was bound to win. Sun Zhengyi winked at Zou Zheng and said, "Instructor Zou Zheng, since Xiao wishes for it, you should fight him!"


    Zou Zheng nodded, "Since Xiao wishes for this, I shall comply! However, blows and kicks are blind; should I inadvertently harm Xiao, I hope he will forgive me!"


    "This..."


    Xiao Yi feigned hesitation.


    This made Sun Zhengyi even more certain that Xiao Yi only wanted to use Zou Zheng to escape, having no confidence in defeating Zou Zheng. With this thought, Sun Zhengyi said, "Head Xiao, let''s be petty people before we are gentlemen. After all, blows and kicks are blind. What I mean is, let''s sign a life-and-death agreement first, to prevent any unexpected consequences from leading to someone being held accountable!"


    Zou Zhen nodded, "Let''s sign the life-and-death agreement!"


    "Alright then!"


    Xiao Yi sighed and then the two signed the life-and-death agreement in front of Sun Zhengyi and the disciples.


    The crowd of disciples dispersed.


    Xiao Yi and Zou Zheng moved to the center of the martial arts field.


    Their eyes met.


    Zou Zheng grinned, "Head Xiao, blows and kicks are blind!"


    Xiao Yi gestured invitingly, "Come on!"


    Whoosh!


    Zou Zheng''s body shook, and his figure suddenly transformed into three afterimages, charging towards Xiao Yi from three different directions at an astonishing speed, difficult to track, eliciting gasps from the onlooking disciples, "As expected of Instructor Zou Zheng, his speed is just too fast."


    "Instructor Zou Zheng''s Divine Skills are like the wind, incredibly fast. Among the instructors in our Xiaoshanhe Institute, his speed ranks in the top ten!"


    "Look at Head Xiao; why isn''t he moving?"


    "Probably because he can''t detect Instructor Zou Zheng''s position and doesn''t know what to do!"


    Standing among the crowd with crossed arms, Sun Zhengyi wore a smug look, "As long as Zou Zheng wins, Xiao Yi will lose face, and Head Chen will surely reward us handsomely!"


    At that moment...


    The previously unmoving Xiao Yi suddenly stretched out his arms.


    Bang!


    Pushing his hands backward, he caught the exact moment Zou Zheng materialized, his palms striking Zou Zheng''s face.


    Wow!


    With a pitiful cry, Zou Zheng fell backward with his nose broken, blood spurting wildly from his nostrils as he lay sprawled on the ground.


    Sun Zhengyi: "..."


    All: "..."


    "Damn, Director Xiao''s luck is against the heavens, just stretching his arms and he actually strikes Instructor Zou Zheng?"


    "But luck always runs out eventually, the next attack he surely won''t be able to dodge!"


    Whoosh!


    Zou Zheng propelled himself up, wiping the blood from under his nose, his eyes shooting cold light as he growled through gritted teeth, "Fierce Wind Strong Grass!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Zou Zheng, with a sweep that could take out an entire army, radiated a vast aura that turned into waves of green energy, covering the ground like an emerald lawn appearing out of nowhere. His body was able to change positions continuously on the green grass, sometimes left, sometimes right, and when he reappeared before Xiao Yi.


    Swoosh swoosh!


    Beams of green light soared into the sky, turning into green chains that bound Xiao Yi''s hands and feet.


    Several figures of Zou Zheng overlapped, appearing right in front of Xiao Yi, with his right hand extending into a sword finger aiming straight at him.


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    Hum!


    Countless green lights condensed into a green longsword.


    This sword broke through the air, cut across space, and its speed was as fast as lightning.


    Xiao Yi''s hands and feet were bound and he couldn''t dodge at all.


    Seeing this sword, Xiao Yi was sure to be gravely wounded!


    Amidst thousands of troops...


    Xiao Yi''s body shook, and the green chains binding him shattered, Zou Zheng, who was inches away, saw Xiao Yi''s face reveal a mocking smile, causing a buzz in Zou Zheng''s head, "Not good..."


    He thought of dodging, but it was too late.


    Bang!


    A powerful slap landed on his face.


    Whoosh!


    Zou Zheng was sent flying, tumbling dozens of meters across the ground. Xiao Yi let out an "Aiyo," "Instructor Zou, are you okay? It wasn''t intentional!"


    Whoosh!


    He suddenly kicked back and charged toward Zou Zheng.


    To the onlookers, it seemed like Xiao Yi was worried about Zou Zheng''s injury, rushing forward to help him up.


    Crack!


    Xiao Yi, seemingly flustered, stepped heavily on Zou Zheng''s left leg, which broke with a snap, causing Zou Zheng to howl in agony. Xiao Yi ''panicked'' and quickly apologized, "I''m sorry, it wasn''t intentional..."


    Crack!


    The right leg was severed as well.


    "Aooo..."


    Zou Zheng screamed in pain, both legs broken!


    Xiao Yi looked remorseful: "My fault, Instructor Zou Zheng, are you okay? It wasn''t intentional. Here, let me help you up!"


    Xiao Yi quickly squatted down, helping Zou Zheng to his feet, and while no one was paying attention, he gave a shove to Zou Zheng''s elbow. Zou Zheng''s right hand involuntarily swiped at Xiao Yi''s chest. Xiao Yi let out an exaggerated scream, his figure flying backward while seemingly pushing Zou Zheng away instinctively.


    Bang bang bang!


    Zou Zheng''s body rolled across the ground like a log.


    His head struck the ground, blood gushing open from the wound; his hands folded backward from the rolling, bones snapping; his skin was severely grazed over large areas, blood covered his face, extremely distressed.


    Xiao Yi also rose with a pained expression: "Instructor Zou Zheng, I was just going to help you up, why did you try to sneak attack me? Is this what a teacher should do?"


    Zou Zheng opened his mouth: "..."


    But his jaw was dislocated from the fall, his limbs broken, he couldn''t get up at all.


    The surrounding disciples were indignant: "That''s too much, Instructor Zou. Director Xiao went to help him kindly, and he attacked..."


    "Director Xiao really is a good director!"


    "Instructor Zou Zheng shouldn''t have done that..."


    Within the crowd.


    Sun Zhengyi''s eye twitched, his face alternating between shades of green and white: "..."


    In the martial arts training field.


    Zou Zheng, listening to the disciples'' comments, was so frustrated that he spurted out a mouthful of blood, his eyes rolled back, and he passed out completely...

 Chapter 221 Youre the One Who Should Get Lost!

    "Zou Zheng..."Sun Zhengyi rushed over immediately. When he finished checking Zou Zheng''s body, his face turned an iron blue, and he looked at Xiao Yi with a cold fury, accusing him, "President Xiao, wasn''t your attack too harsh? Instructor Zou''s limbs have been broken, and the fractures are comminuted. How can you, as the president, act so viciously?"


    He was now trying to smear Xiao Yi''s name.


    Only by branding Xiao Yi with the labels of despicable, shameless, and ruthlessly cruel could Zou Zheng''s sacrifice not be in vain.


    However...


    Before Xiao Yi could speak.


    The surrounding disciples were already voicing their dissatisfaction, "Elder Sun, aren''t you going too far? We all saw with our own eyes that President Xiao was just trying to be careful with Instructor Zou, and the injury was an accident. The last strike was also because Instructor Zou made a sneak attack first, and President Xiao was forced to strike back. He is the real victim here!"


    "Right, with so many of us as witnesses, could it still be false?"


    "Moreover, President Xiao is only at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, and when facing Instructor Zou of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he naturally had to give it his all. Accidents happen in a fight, and you always said that��it''s not President Xiao''s fault!"


    "You, you..."


    Sun Zhengyi was so angry he was almost spitting blood. S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was completely different from what he had anticipated!


    The one who should be receiving these accusations was Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a slight smile as he stepped forward, "Gentlemen, please don''t blame Elder Sun any further. He is also concerned for Instructor Zou''s safety and spoke rashly out of eagerness. Moreover, I do bear some responsibility for Instructor Zou''s current state. To make amends, I am willing to personally contribute five hundred silver taels to buy some ginseng to replenish Instructor Zou''s health!"


    As he was speaking.


    Xiao Yi took out five hundred silver taels and handed them to Sun Zhengyi.


    The disciples nodded one after another, "No wonder President Xiao occupies the seat of president. Look at his generosity, and then look at Elder Sun..."


    "Clearly Instructor Zou launched a sneak attack, and President Xiao was forced into a corner, but he still warmly offers silver as a consolation. At least I acknowledge President Xiao''s character!"


    Sun Zhengyi''s hand, holding the five hundred silver taels, was trembling, and he was so angry his teeth nearly cracked, yet he had to say, "Thank you, President, for your concern. I will make sure to buy some high-quality ginseng to help Instructor Zou recover!"


    He deliberately emphasized the words "high-quality ginseng."


    Zou Zheng''s injuries would require several million silver taels for medicine alone, and he would have to lay in bed for one or two months��the five hundred silver taels were hardly useful!


    But still, he had to express his thanks!


    Otherwise, he would be seen by the disciples as returning kindness with ingratitude!


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, then turned to the disciples and said aloud, "Gentlemen, today''s incident has thoroughly demonstrated a lesson to us all��that cultivation level is not the sole criterion for strength or weakness. If one is careless and underestimates the enemy, they can stumble even against a weaker opponent. I hope that in the future, no matter who you face, you all will remember that even when a lion fights a rabbit, it must use all its might��never be careless or underestimate the enemy!"


    "We will heed the president''s teachings!" the crowd said in unison.


    Xiao Yi hummed in acknowledgment and said, "Instructor Zou is seriously injured. Tomorrow, I will arrange another instructor to guide your cultivation. That will be all for today."


    "Have a safe walk, President!"


    "President, if you have time, remember to guide us in our cultivation!" the people shouted.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and walked straight towards the direction of the Zen Martial Hall.


    The Zen Martial Hall, also known as the Lecture Martial Hall.


    This place is mainly for disciples who have just entered the path of martial arts to learn the theoretical knowledge of martial arts.


    Although the path of martial arts emphasizes personal cultivation and accumulation of actual combat experience.


    Theoretical knowledge is also indispensable!


    Otherwise, even with an excellent secret manual in hand, if one cannot understand it, how is one to cultivate?


    And then, what are the effects of various kinds of pills, what should be emphasized in each stage of cultivation? These are all necessary knowledge. Otherwise, if one were to explore the path of martial arts by themselves, what would be the purpose of having a sect and instructors?


    Xiao Yi arrived outside the Zen Martial Hall.


    A cold voice came from within, "The path of martial arts values talent, and higher talent means higher potential achievements. Just like Tianjiao of the Great Qian Dynasty, the number one genius, he is the strongest talent of contemporary times. At the age of five, he broke through the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. At seven, he stepped into the Qi Gathering with Ten Layers, and at eight, he successfully challenged the Shentong Realm. By ten years old, he entered the Shentong Realm with Ten Layers... Now, he has even stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm and will certainly enter the Longevity Secret Realm within ten years!"


    "Mr. An, I think your statement is biased. Talent is certainly important, but hard work and persistent cultivation can also lead to a breakthrough and possibly even catch up with, or surpass, those geniuses!"


    In a corner, a handsome youth stood up, his face set with determination as he said, "I believe that as long as one endures the toughest hardships, my future accomplishments may not fall short of Xiao Tianjiao''s, and might even surpass him!"


    "Surpass Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "Ye Heng, have you lost your mind?"


    "I''m dying of laughter, you''re fifteen years old and still only in the Qi Gathering Realm, yet you dream of surpassing Xiao Tianjiao?"


    The disciples in the Zen Martial Hall cast mocking glances at the young Ye Heng.


    "Silence!"


    In front of the lectern, a woman in a purple dress with a pleasant appearance gave him a cold look and said indifferently, "Ye Heng, one must have self-awareness and not aim too high. No one in this world can surpass Xiao Tianjiao. He is the dragon among men, the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor. His existence breaks all conventions and creates a record of brilliance that is unprecedented and will be unrivaled."


    When mentioning Xiao Tianjiao, adoration and fervor filled the face of this purple dress instructor.


    Xiao Tianjiao indeed had many followers in the Great Qian Dynasty.


    "Unprecedented and unrivaled? As far as I know, shouldn''t Martial God Zhao Wuji be stronger than him? And what about Qingyun Sword Saint, Wind Thunder Sovereign, and these legendary powerhouses, isn''t each one stronger than Xiao Tianjiao?" Ye Heng stood tall, defiance on his face.


    An Rujing said coldly, "The era in which these powerhouses lived had a richer atmosphere of Heaven and Earth, and many more natural treasures than today. They achieved such accomplishments because of various fortuitous encounters, whereas Xiao Tianjiao''s achievements are all due to his own efforts."


    "On his own?"


    Ye Heng curled his lip, "I heard that for the sake of breeding his mount, Xiao Tianjiao would even sacrifice his own brother. Is that what you call relying on oneself?"


    "Shut up!"


    An Rujing''s expression was as cold as water, "Ye Heng, if you continue to slander Xiao Tianjiao with your nonsense, I''ll have you roll out of my classroom!"


    Ye Heng stood his ground, "I haven''t done anything wrong, why should you kick me out?"


    A young man sitting in the first row stood up, his haughty gaze sweeping over Ye Heng, "Ye Heng, who gave you the courage to speak to Mr. An like that? I order you to kneel down immediately and apologize to Mr. An!"


    "Ye Tian, this is none of your business!" Ye Heng said through gritted teeth.


    He and Ye Tian were from the same clan.


    Only��


    His talent was far inferior to that of Ye Tian. At fifteen, Ye Tian was already at the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm.


    And him?


    Merely the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    Ye Tian let out a cold laugh, "Mr. An is my mentor in martial arts. By defying her, you are challenging me. I''ll say it again, kneel down and apologize to Mr. An!"


    "Apologize to your mother��" Ye Heng shot back angrily.


    "You''re courting death!"


    With a cold snort, Ye Tian''s figure rushed forward, appearing instantly in front of Ye Heng. As he smashed out a heavy punch, even though Ye Heng crossed his arms in front of his chest, he couldn''t withstand the terrible punch. With a booming sound, he was sent flying, crashing heavily against the wall, his mouth full of blood.


    Ye Tian grabbed hold of Ye Heng''s hair and said coldly, "I told you to kneel!"


    From beginning to end, An Rujing watched coldly from the side, never lifting a finger to stop it.


    "I''ll kneel to your mother!"


    Ye Heng''s face was a mask of ferocity and stubbornness. He shook his head violently to free himself from Ye Tian''s grasp and then, with a thud, headbutted Ye Tian''s chin, knocking Ye Tian to the ground.


    Swiftly!


    Like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, Ye Heng pinned Ye Tian beneath him, ready to throw punches.


    "Enough!"


    An Rujing suddenly spoke up. With a flick of her finger, she sent Ye Heng flying, then pointed to the door and said coldly, "I''ll tell you one last time, get out!"


    At that moment��


    From outside the door came the voice of Xiao Yi, "If you ask me, the one who should be rolling out is you!"

 Chapter 222 Men Cant Be Cowards, Fight If You Disagree!

    "You''re the one who should be rolling out!"Xiao Yi''s voice came from outside the door, bringing silence to the Zen Martial Hall.


    An Rujing''s brows slightly furrowed as she looked towards Xiao Yi with a hint of confusion in her eyes, "Who are you? This is a critical area of the Zen Martial Hall. The likes of you have no place here, roll out at once!"


    "Mr. An, you sure carry an imposing aura!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and flashed his headmaster''s waist badge, "Are you sure you can drive me out?"


    "A headmaster''s waist badge? Are you the new headmaster?"


    An Rujing was taken aback for a moment and somewhat surprised but showed no reverence as she said indifferently, "So, it''s Headmaster Xiao. My apologies for not greeting you from afar. However, this is my classroom, and it''s hardly appropriate for Headmaster Xiao to barge in like this, is it?"


    An undeniable authority radiated from Xiao Yi, enveloping An Rujing as he sneered, "I am the headmaster of Xiaoshanhe Institute; there''s nowhere I cannot go. Besides, had I not happened to come here today, would I have had to watch impassively as a genius student from my Xiaoshanhe Institute was destroyed by your hands?"


    "Genius student?"


    An Rujing was taken aback again and pointing to Ye Heng in the corner she asked, "Is he the one Headmaster Xiao refers to?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Correct!"


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    "The new headmaster actually says Ye Heng is a genius?"


    "Headmaster, are you sure you''re not mistaken about the person?"


    Ye Tian looked at Ye Heng with contempt, "This person is called Ye Heng, and at fifteen he''s only at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, hardly different from trash. How could he possibly be a genius?"


    An Rujing watched with a cold gaze, her eyes thick with provocation as she looked at Xiao Yi.


    Even the disciples think Ye Heng is trash.


    And you, the grand headmaster, claim he''s a genius?


    I''d like to see how you get yourself out of this one!


    Xiao Yi, however, was staring at An Rujing and asked, "Mr. An also thinks Ye Heng is trash?"


    An Rujing shrugged her shoulders, "The facts speak for themselves!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept across all those present as he asked, "In your view, who in this Zen Martial Hall is a genius?"


    An Rujing pointed at Ye Tian, who straightened up cooperatively, and she continued, "This person is called Ye Tian, he''s Ye Heng''s kinsman and even half a month younger than Ye Heng. Yet he is now at the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, while Ye Heng is merely at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm..."


    "Ye Tian? Fifteen and in the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, indeed not bad. However..."


    Xiao Yi gestured for Ye Heng to come over to his side and said lightly, "I still think Ye Heng is the one with the highest talent here!"


    An Rujing scoffed, "You''re the headmaster, whatever you say goes!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "You disagree?"


    "Heh heh..."


    An Rujing pointed at the people inside the Zen Martial Hall, "The headmaster can ask them if they agree with your opinion!"


    "Ye Tian is the strongest!"


    "What''s a Ye Heng compared to Ye Tian? Does he even deserve to be compared?"


    Hearing the words of the crowd, An Rujing smiled sarcastically, "Headmaster, you''ve heard it. It seems no one shares your opinion!"


    "Ye Heng, how do you think you compare to Ye Tian?" Xiao Yi asked, looking down at Ye Heng who only reached his chest.


    Ye Heng was startled, then looked up at Xiao Yi, his clear eyes sparkling with emotion.


    From a young age...


    He had always been the least regarded in his family, and even after coming to the Xiaoshanhe Institute it was the same. Whether it was family members, fellow disciples, or teachers, everyone focused on Ye Tian and habitually ignored him.


    This was the first time someone had placed such trust in him!


    Ye Heng took a deep breath, and said emphatically, "I am stronger than him!"


    "Hahaha, that''s hilarious, Ye Heng, oh Ye Heng, who gave you such courage?"


    "Your skin is really thick!"


    Ye Tian''s face was full of mockery as he gave Ye Heng a thumbs-up and then slowly turned it downward, haughtily saying, "Ye Heng, you will never catch up to me in this lifetime!"


    Ye Heng clenched his teeth tightly.


    Xiao Yi patted Ye Heng''s shoulder and said, "Ye Heng, I have a way to help you surpass Ye Tian within seven days, but it''s extremely painful. Are you willing to try it?"


    "Surpass Ye Tian in seven days?"


    Ye Heng was stunned, recalling all the years he had been oppressed by Ye Tian, how everyone had discarded him like a worn-out shoe. Clenching his fists tightly, he nodded firmly and said, "I am willing! My mother used to say, ''To be superior, one must endure hardship.'' I am not afraid of suffering!"


    "Good!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, looked at An Rujing, and said, "Mr. An, didn''t you say that talent determines everything? Starting today, I''ll be guiding Ye Heng, and you will mentor Ye Tian with all your might. Let them face off after seven days. Do you dare?"


    Ye Heng looked up at Ye Tian, "Ye Tian, do you dare accept my challenge?"


    Ye Tian, full of self-confidence, sneered, "What''s there to fear? It wouldn''t matter if you had seven days, seven years, or even seventy years, you could never catch up to me!"


    "Since the headmaster is interested, I am happy to oblige to the end!" An Rujing narrowed her eyes, revealing a playful smile, "But since it''s a competition, there naturally should be stakes. If Ye Tian wins, I want you to publicly apologize to me!"


    Xiao Yi replied, "No problem! And if you lose, you''ll have to apologize to Ye Heng!"


    "Mr. An, don''t worry, I can''t possibly lose!" Ye Tian said confidently.


    An Rujing nodded and said, "Agreed. After seven days, at the martial arts field, we will see who is better!"


    "Ye Heng, let''s go!"


    Ye Heng followed closely behind, and the two of them strode away.


    Ye Tian stepped forward and confidently said to Mr. An, "Don''t worry, I won''t let you down!"


    "Hmm!"


    An Rujing nodded, then squinted her eyes and muttered to herself, "Hasn''t Chen been looking for an opportunity to deal with him all this time? Isn''t this a perfect opportunity?"


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi took Ye Heng back to his residence.


    The two stared at each other.


    Feeling somewhat uneasy, Ye Heng said, "Head, Headmaster, can I really defeat Ye Tian in seven days?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Weren''t you very confident just now? How come you''ve lost faith in yourself?"


    Ye Heng replied with a bitter smile, "Wasn''t I provoked by Ye Tian? My mother always said that a man should never show weakness, and if you can''t accept it, just fight it out! But... I''m only at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, while he''s at the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm, and there are only seven days..."


    What can you really get done in seven days?


    Even with the help of medicinal pills, at most he could advance to the Eighth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, right?


    How could he possibly defeat Ye Tian?


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder and said, "Take on the spirit you had at the Zen Martial Hall. It''s just the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, isn''t it? If you can''t even defeat Ye Tian, how can you talk about surpassing Xiao Tianjiao..."


    Ye Heng bit his teeth and nodded, "Right, what''s there to fear? A man should never back down, if you can''t accept it, just fight it out!"


    "Hahaha, well said!"


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder in satisfaction, his lips curling slightly upward as he looked in the direction of the west wing, "Chen Shuiwen, I''ve made my move, now it''s your turn!"

 Chapter 223 The Desire to Win

    Ye Heng''s seven-day challenge to Ye Tian quickly spread throughout the entire Xiaoshanhe Institute.Among the many new disciples, Ye Tian was quite a famous talent, and not a few knew of him.


    In contrast, Ye Heng was unremarkable.


    Many hadn''t even heard his name.


    After some inquiries, learning that Ye Heng, at fifteen, was only at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, everyone''s first thought was that Ye Heng had gone mad.


    Until news came out...


    It was the newly appointed President of the Xiaoshanhe Institute who had Ye Heng challenge Ye Tian.


    The consensus then was that Xiao Yi had gone mad!


    Seven days, ah!


    Even with the aid of elixirs, it was impossible for a waste at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm to catch up to a genius at the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm.


    "Could the new president have gone completely mad?"


    "It''s the delusion of a madman, if Ye Heng can defeat Ye Tian, I''ll twist off my head and let him use it as a stool!" Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Similar sentiments echoed throughout the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Meanwhile...


    An Rujing was bringing Ye Tian before Chen Shuiwen.


    Chen Shuiwen, with a satisfied look, let his gaze sweep over An Rujing and Ye Tian and chuckled, "Mr. An, you''ve done quite well this time."


    "Thank you for the compliment, President!" An Rujing said serenely.


    Chen Shuiwen nodded and narrowed his eyes, "From now on, Ye Tian will cultivate with me!"


    An Rujing''s cultivation was at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, still a distance away from the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Chen Shuiwen, however, was genuinely at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, only a step away from the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Having Chen Shuiwen personally mentor Ye Tian was definitely more suitable than cultivating under An Rujing.


    An Rujing smiled and said, "With the President personally taking charge, it will surely be within our grasp."


    "Hahaha..."


    Chen Shuiwen laughed proudly; he had been looking for an opportunity to deal with Xiao Yi but hadn''t found an opening. Now with the agreed battle between Ye Tian and Ye Heng, it was like a pillow had arrived for his drowsiness. Contemplating this, he then handed a brocade box to An Rujing, "Inside is a Divine Passage Elixir, which can increase the chance of breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm by thirty percent."


    "Thank you, President!" An Rujing showed a look of excitement.


    At this moment, the Divine Passage Elixir was a six-star elixir, incredibly precious. Even at her level of the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, her entire fortune was barely enough to afford such an elixir.


    Chen Shuiwen said indifferently, "As long as you are loyal to me, you won''t be short of what you deserve!"


    An Rujing nodded firmly.


    Chen Shuiwen then turned to look at Ye Tian, who was somewhat restrained, and stroked his chin with a playful expression, "Little fellow, you''d better not disappoint me!"


    Ye Tian quickly patted his chest, full of confidence, and assured, "Don''t worry, President Chen, I''ve been with Ye Heng since we were kids, and he has never won a fight against me. Now, with President Chen''s personal guidance, the gap between him and me will only widen. In the battle after seven days, I am completely confident I can win!"


    For the past fifteen years, Ye Tian had bullied Ye Heng quite a bit.


    All along.


    In his eyes, Ye Heng was like an ant, easily crushed at any time.


    Chen Shuiwen laughed heartily, "Good, very good! Ye Tian, go back and pack up, then move over here. You will be staying with me for these seven days!"


    "Yes!"


    Ye Tian stepped back, his face flush with excitement.


    If he could gain Chen Shuiwen''s approval within these seven days and become his disciple, that would be like a carp leaping through the dragon''s gate!


    After Ye Tian left, he turned to An Rujing beside him, "Mr. An, please prepare a batch of invitations for me, and send them to the nobles within the imperial capital. This will be our Institute Head Xiao''s first time giving guidance since taking office, and it cannot be too lackluster!"


    An Rujing gave a sweet smile, "Director, rest assured, leave this to me. I will make sure everyone knows about the battle in seven days!"


    "Hahaha..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s fingers gently tapped on the table surface, his eyes twinkling with slyness and a cold gleam, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, you''ve really brought this upon yourself!"


    ...


    Inside the eastern wing room.


    Xiao Yi and others sat in a circle, while Ye Heng stood in the small courtyard in front of them, maintaining a very peculiar posture under the moonlight that enveloped him.


    "Xiao, this Xiaoshanhe Institute is utterly corrupt. When we went there to check the accounts, they first used various excuses to prevent us from viewing the ledger and settled us in the front courtyard. It was just the time it took to drink a cup of tea when the backyard caught on fire, and all the ledgers were burnt to ashes..." Yan Mingli clenched his fists tightly, his face filled with rage.


    Yu Huaxian nodded and said, "When I was the supervisor of the Eastern Factory, I also investigated many cases of corruption and fraud, but even those high-ranking officials would not dare destroy evidence and corpses so blatantly!"


    Xue Bufan, the old man, however, was much calmer, speaking indifferently, "Chen Shuiwen has been running the Xiaoshanhe Institute for decades, turning it into an iron fortress. We simply can''t intervene. Now we can only hope that this young fellow can help us break the stalemate!"


    The group looked toward the courtyard.


    Ever since they''d returned, they found Ye Heng maintaining that posture.


    Three hours had passed, and Ye Heng was drenched in sweat with pale lips, yet he meticulously maintained his stance.


    Xiao Yi stroked his chin and said, "For the upcoming period, we don''t need to do anything. Let''s wait until after seven days to discuss further!"


    "Xiao, with just seven days, can this young man really do it?" Yu Huaxian asked worriedly.


    Ye Heng was only at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, while Ye Tian was at the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm.


    There was already a vast gap between them.


    Moreover, to ensure victory, Chen Shuiwen would surely utilize all resources to nurture Ye Tian.


    He might even resort to forcing growth, trading Ye Tian''s future for a short-term burst of power.


    Xue Bufan squinted his eyes and said, "I do have a few elixirs that could allow him to break through to the Shentong Realm in the shortest time possible, but doing so would mean he would be stuck in the Shentong Realm for the rest of his life..."


    The group turned to look at Xiao Yi.


    To them, the only way to make a Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm practitioner capable of defeating a Third Layer of the Shentong Realm master within seven days was to stimulate his potential at all costs. Although this could ruin Ye Heng''s future, what was most important to them at the moment was to break the stalemate.


    Xiao Yi had been watching Ye Heng standing outside the door, not answering directly, but instead saying, "It''s almost four hours now. I just told him that if he wants to defeat Ye Tian, he should maintain this posture, and he didn''t ask why but just did it!"


    The group was startled.


    Following Xiao Yi''s gaze to the courtyard.


    In the dim moonlight of the courtyard, Ye Heng meticulously kept the exact posture, utterly still.


    Even when mosquitoes landed on him and bit him, he didn''t move a muscle.


    All this because he possessed a heart set on victory!


    The group couldn''t help but fall silent.


    "I''ll take him out for a bit. We''ll come back after seven days!"


    Xiao Yi slowly stood up, stretching his limbs gently as he walked toward the door. As his left foot crossed the threshold, it paused slightly, and his calm voice echoed in everyone''s ears, "Seven days may be short, yet they are enough to create a miracle!"

 Chapter 224 Four Symbols Spiritual Blood

    Great Liang Mountain.This place was located a thousand and three hundred miles from the imperial capital; even with Xiao Yi''s speed, it took a full three hours.


    Within the vast mountains.


    Xiao Yi looked at Ye Heng in front of him and said, "For the next seven days, we will be spending our time here."


    "Principal, what should I do?" Ye Heng asked with burning eyes.


    Just a moment ago, Xiao Yi had taken him to soar through the sky, and that feeling of looking down upon the world had left him utterly captivated.


    Xiao Yi said, "You just need to do as I tell you, without needing to know too much!"


    "Yes!"


    Ye Heng nodded heavily.


    For fifteen years.


    Apart from his mother, Xiao Yi was the first person, and the only one, who truly cared for him.


    In Ye Heng''s heart, he had long accepted Xiao Yi.


    Even if Xiao Yi now told him that he needed to exhaust all his potential and fight Ye Tian in seven days, he would agree without any hesitation.


    Xiao Yi spoke in a serious tone, "You should be aware of the gap between yourself and Ye Tian, which is why I have tailored a cultivation plan just for you in the next seven days. This cultivation plan will be extremely brutal for you. I''ll ask you one more time, are you really willing to try it?"


    "I am!"


    Ye Heng said solemnly.


    His clear eyes were filled with an unwavering will to fight.


    Xiao Yi nodded, took out a set of specially made clothes and shoes from the storage ring; these were treasures obtained from the treasury of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The entire set was made from silkworm threads infused with Xuan Heavy Stone.


    It seemed light and thin but was actually quite hefty.


    This set of clothes and shoes together weighed a full thousand pounds.


    Xiao Yi threw this set of Xuan Heavy clothing to Ye Heng. Caught off guard, Ye Heng almost knelt to the ground under the weight of the clothes, his face filled with astonishment and shock: "Prin... Principal, what material is this clothing made of? Why is it so heavy?"


    "This is Xuan Heavy clothing. Starting now, unless I tell you to take it off, you cannot remove it��whether you''re eating, sleeping, or training!" Xiao Yi said gravely.


    This set of Xuan Heavy clothing was worth a fortune.


    Don''t be fooled by its weight of over a thousand pounds; it was soft and comfortable due to the weaving of silkworm thread, warm in winter and cool in summer.


    Ye Heng quickly changed into the Xuan Heavy clothing.


    This Xuan Heavy clothing was extremely heavy; even with Ye Heng''s Seventh Layer of Qi Gathering Realm cultivation, he felt as if he was filled with lead when wearing this set of clothes. Even the most routine movements became incredibly difficult. Ye Heng, with a face as if on the verge of tears, said, "Principal, this Xuan Heavy clothing is truly too heavy."


    "You''ll gradually get used to it!"


    Xiao Yi looked up at the depths of Great Liang Mountain deep; Little Lin followed his arm down to the ground, "Little Lin, from now on, you supervise Ye Heng and make sure he completes all the training tasks I have given him!"


    "Don''t worry, Big Boss, I''ll keep a close eye on him!" Little Lin''s tail lifted, pointed at Ye Heng, and then at its own eyes.


    Xiao Yi was very assured with Little Lin watching over this place.


    Xiao Yi then left quickly and headed toward the depths of Great Liang Mountain.


    Little Lin perched on Ye Heng''s shoulder, sticking out its tongue and said, "Kid, from now on, you''re in Little Master''s hands; we''ll start with the first training item, run around this valley for me! Listen up, if you''re too slow, watch out for a whipping from me!"


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    Little Lin suddenly flicked its tail, sending out two bursts of air that chiseled two dozens-of-meters-long cracks into the rock face.


    Hiss!


    Ye Heng was so scared that his scalp tingled and he hurriedly broke into a run.


    Only...


    He was now wearing the Xuan Heavy clothing, equivalent to carrying a thousand pounds of weight. For Ye Heng, who was only at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, the burden was still enormous. His pace was uneven and slow, but luckily, Ye Heng''s will was extremely tenacious. Having been despised and bullied since childhood, he valued every opportunity to grow stronger greatly.


    He didn''t need Little Lin''s urging; he would give it his all regardless.


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    The valley was more than a thousand meters in circumference.


    Ye Heng ran laps around the valley.


    One lap.


    Two laps.


    Three laps...


    By the end, even Ye Heng himself didn''t know exactly how many laps he had run; his face had turned pale, stars danced before his eyes, and his will nearly collapsed, holding on through sheer determination. With each lift of his legs, pain tore through him as if ripping his heart and lungs out, large beads of sweat rolled down, having already soaked his clothes through and through.


    Panting! Panting! Panting!


    The only sounds left in Ye Heng''s ears were his heartbeat and heavy breathing.


    Little Lin perched on a rock nearby, nodding slightly, "No wonder the boss values him so highly. Just by this will alone, it''s destined that this kid''s future achievements are boundless!"


    If martial artists are likened to an army,


    cultivation is the soldier, but will is the commander.


    Though the number of soldiers can decide the outcome of many battles, as long as the commander is strong enough, there''s still a chance to stage a comeback from the weaker side against the strong.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi''s figure returned to the valley, with a corpse of an armored boar on his shoulder. He glanced at Ye Heng who was still persistently running, one step shallow, one step deep, "How long have you been running?"


    "Since you left, he hasn''t stopped; by now, it''s already over one hundred and sixty laps!" Little Lin cocked its head, thinking and speaking.


    One lap is over one thousand meters, meaning that Ye Heng had continued to run for over a hundred thousand meters, even with over a thousand catties weighing in his belly.


    Even though his speed was not fast, the fact that he had held on until now was already very impressive!


    Xiao Yi tossed the beast to Little Lin, "You roast it; I''m going to apply medicine to the kid first!"


    This extreme training was highly effective but the training content and intensity were still secondary; the biggest reason Xiao Yi had confidence that Ye Heng would defeat Ye Tian within seven days was due to Ye Heng''s special physique and a way in Xiao Yi''s inheritance from the Wind Thunder Venerable to stimulate Ye Heng''s potential.


    "Ye Heng, you can stop now!" Xiao Yi said.


    "..."


    As if he heard nothing, Ye Heng continued to run forward.


    Xiao Yi was stunned, then realized that Ye Heng''s eyes had already lost focus, relying entirely on will to keep going; he couldn''t help but admire, "Good lad, just as said in the Wind Thunder Venerable''s medical canon, those with this kind of physique have unexpectedly strong wills. Kid, stop for me!"


    With a wave of his hand through the air, Xiao Yi stopped Ye Heng and tossed him into the lake on one side of the valley.


    Hissss!


    The cold lake water stimulated him, gradually bringing back Ye Heng''s consciousness, but he was exhausted to the point of being unable to move his arms. The profound heavy clothing made him especially heavy, and his body involuntarily sank towards the bottom of the lake.


    Luckily, Xiao Yi promptly reached out and pulled him up, looking at the weakened Ye Heng, Xiao Yi took out four jars.


    They contained the blood of beasts previously hunted deep within Great Liang Mountain: Green-eyed White-foreheaded Tiger, Purple Crowned Golden Python, Camel Mountain Tortoise, and Red-bellied Brocade Chicken. These four beasts were descendants of Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Turtle, the Four Symbols Divine Beasts, each carrying a trace of Divine Blood.


    Mixing the blood of these four beasts together, it was known as Four Symbols Spiritual Blood. Although it was not as potent as the fabled Divine Blood of the Four Symbols Divine Beasts, it was still ample for Ye Heng, who was only at the Seventh Layer of Qi Gathering Realm.


    Of course.


    Apart from the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood, Xiao Yi had added a multitude of medicinal herbs for healing and recovery into the mixture.


    Only through this could he stimulate the awakening of Ye Heng''s physique while negating the fatigue from a day of strenuous cultivation.


    "Master... Master..."


    Ye Heng opened his mouth, squeezing out a forced smile.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "It''s going to hurt a bit; bear with it."


    "Mm!"


    Ye Heng weakly nodded his head.


    Xiao Yi applied the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood mixed with the medicinal herbs onto his body.


    At first, the reaction was mild, eliciting only a slight feeling of heat.


    But before long...


    As the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood began to take effect, Ye Heng''s eyes suddenly widened, his hands and feet desperately pushed back, veins pulsating wildly, eyes bloodshot, and he opened his mouth wide but was utterly unable to make a sound.


    Little Lin gasped, "Boss, isn''t this too painful?"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, "This is just the beginning. Whether he can withstand it or not is up to him now..."

 Chapter 225 Jade Fetal Elixir

    ```Roar!


    In the valley, there came a series of hysterical agonizing cries.


    "Ugh ah..."


    "So painful, so painful..."


    "Ye Heng, hold on, Ye Heng..."


    In the valley.


    The ground where Ye Heng was located had been completely smoothed out, covered with traces of struggle, as well as countless claw marks from fingers.


    Even on the hard stone, there were claw marks all over.


    Utterly terrifying.


    It was hard to imagine the extreme pain he had endured.


    The Four Symbols Spiritual Blood in Ye Heng''s body had changed from dark red to a bright red color, shiny like magma, with waves of heat sweeping through. His entire body seemed to be immersed in magma; the intense pain was as though countless bloodthirsty ants were crawling on him, gnawing at his flesh.


    The pain was penetrating to the core, heartrending and soul tearing.


    Little Lin could no longer bear to watch and had curled up in Xiao Yi''s embrace, poking out her little head, "Boss, how much longer will this take?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at the time, "The first time takes longer, probably about the time it takes an incense stick to burn!"


    "Alright then!"


    Little Lin sighed, "Boss, what kind of physique does Ye Heng actually have? Just to awaken his potential, it has to be this troublesome?"


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help feeling a bit envious when Ye Heng''s physique was mentioned, "This little guy has quite a domineering body! It''s even stronger than my Wind Thunder Holy Body, the Battle War Holy Body, which is made for combat. It ranks sixth among the top ten holy bodies. However, under normal circumstances, the Battle War Holy Body will not awaken on its own. It requires the use of special methods to stimulate the body''s potential to fully unleash it!"


    When Xiao Yi first saw Ye Heng, he was only impressed by his drive.


    It wasn''t until Xiao Yi saw Ye Heng fighting Ye Tian at the Zen Martial Hall that he realized Ye Heng''s body was very likely the Battle War Holy Body mentioned in the Pharmacopoeia by the Wind Thunder Venerable.


    That was the start of Ye Heng''s seven-day challenge with Ye Tian!


    "I see!"


    Little Lin had an epiphany, "That''s what I thought. If he was really just an ordinary person, no matter how miraculous Boss''s methods are, unless forcing growth by overfeeding and recklessly improving his cultivation, it wouldn''t be possible in just seven days to give him the strength to defeat Ye Tian!"


    Seven days was indeed too short.


    Even Xiao Yi, after immersing himself in the Physical Body Realm for ten years and building a foundation, took nearly a month to break through to the Shentong Realm.


    After an incense stick had burned down.


    Finally, Ye Heng slowly stopped screaming, lying on the ground and twitching slightly, the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood on his body completely absorbed.


    "You go wake him up," Xiao Yi said.


    Little Lin glided forward and patted Ye Heng''s face with her tail.


    "Woo..."


    Ye Heng struggled to open his eyes and looked around vaguely, "Am I, am I not dead? Am I still alive?"


    It was almost unbearable pain just now!


    He thought he was surely going to die several times!


    Little Lin rolled her eyes, not pleased, "You''re not dead, you''re quite alive! Get up now, dinner is ready, hurry up and eat to continue training tonight!"


    "Eh? There''s still training tonight?" Ye Heng looked confused.


    Little Lin said without amusement, "Seven days, you only have seven days!" Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire


    Ye Heng: "..."


    He struggled to his feet, shakily walked over to the bonfire, and eyed the roasted pig weighing around five hundred pounds, swallowing his saliva.


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi split the roasted pig into three portions; he kept two pounds for himself, Little Lin got over three hundred pounds, and the remaining nearly two hundred pounds were placed in front of Ye Heng, Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "The next part of your training is to eat all of this!"


    ```


    Gulp!


    Ye Heng swallowed hard, "Head, headmaster, you aren''t joking, are you? This, this is over two hundred pounds..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If I tell you to eat, you eat!"


    "..."


    Ye Heng wanted to cry but had no tears. Staring at the roasted pig in front of him, heavier than himself, he swallowed his saliva and had no choice but to brace himself and start eating. However, what Ye Heng did not expect was that he was eating voraciously without feeling full at all, as if the meat vanished immediately upon entering his stomach.


    Ten pounds.


    Twenty pounds.


    Thirty pounds...


    His speed of eating meat was almost on par with Little Lin''s, leaving Little Lin staring dumbfounded, "My goodness, isn''t this more of a Gluttonous Holy Body rather than a Battle War Holy Body?"


    Xiao Yi said flatly, "The Battle War Holy Body is born for battle. He has only been baptized with the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood once, simply unlocking part of the Battle War Holy Body''s abilities. His current digestion and absorption capacity is dozens of times stronger than before. Tonight, we''ll give him some magic pills to supplement with the meat of this armored boar. By tomorrow morning, he should be able to step into the Eighth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm and by tomorrow night reach the Ninth Layer... However, the Qi Gathering Realm is only the foundation; it''s much faster to pile up one''s cultivation level. The real key is the fourth day..."


    "The fourth day?"


    Little Lin looked at Xiao Yi with confusion.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "The Four Symbols Spiritual Blood can stimulate the potential of his Battle War Holy Body every day, but after all, this is not the pure blood of the Four Symbols Divine Beasts, and there are still flaws. The potential can be activated up to four times. Whether he succeeds or not will depend on the fourth day... If successful, the Battle War Holy Body will awaken; if not, this bet will most likely be lost!"


    The two of them looked in unison towards the Ye Heng who was gobbling down the two hundred pounds of meat and eagerly eyeing the piece in front of Little Lin.


    ......


    Meanwhile.


    Within the confines of Xiaoshanhe Institute...


    Chen Shuiwen sat before Ye Tian, with seven jade vials placed in front of Ye Tian. Each vial contained a precious five-star magic pill, any one of which was incredibly valuable.


    Chen Shuiwen said solemnly, "Ye Tian, you should take one of these pills every day. In seven days, your cultivation level should at least rise to the Sixth Layer of the Divine Skill Realm. Coupled with the sword techniques and martial skills I''ve prepared for you, I believe you will surely defeat Ye Heng in seven days. You must not disappoint me. As long as you win against Ye Heng, you will become my recognized disciple!"


    "Headmaster, rest assured, I will definitely not let you down!" said Ye Tian earnestly.


    Excitement and fervor filled his eyes.


    This was a magnificent opportunity for him to leap into prominence!


    As long as he became Chen Shuiwen''s disciple, he could walk sideways in Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Seeing the excitement on Ye Tian''s face, Chen Shuiwen smiled and said, "Cultivate well here."


    "Yes!"


    Ye Tian nodded emphatically, opened a jade vial, and gulped down the pill, "Ye Heng? Just a piece of trash, and like before, I will crush you beneath my feet!"


    The pill entered his body and felt slightly cool.


    Transforming into pure medicinal power, it merged into his body. Ye Tian could clearly feel his vital energy circulating much faster. Overjoyed, he thought, "Worthy of a pill given to me by the headmaster, at this rate, I might even reach the Seventh Layer of the Divine Skill Realm in seven days..."


    Outside the secret chamber.


    Sun Zhengyi stood before Chen Shuiwen, bowing. Chen Shuiwen frowned and asked, "What did you say? Xiao Yi has disappeared with Ye Heng?"


    "Yes!"


    Sun Zhengyi nodded, with cold sweat on his forehead, and said with a grave voice, "Xiao Yi is too fast, our people couldn''t catch up."


    "Never mind!"


    Chen Shuiwen waved his hand dismissively, his eyes narrowing into slits, radiating a cold light, "Even if he has the power to turn the tide, what does it matter if Ye Heng breaks through to the Divine Skill Realm in seven days? I''ve spent a great price to buy seven Jade Fetal Elixirs. Seven days are enough for Ye Tian to at least step into the Sixth Layer of the Divine Skill Realm. Unless a miracle happens, Ye Heng has no chance of winning!"


    "Jade Fetal Elixir? Headmaster, with Ye Tian taking this pill, not only will his progress be confined to the Divine Skill Realm for life, but his lifespan will also shorten to only ten years. This..." Sun Zhengyi inhaled sharply.


    Chen Shuiwen waved his hand, "Great undertakings are not bogged down by trifles. Besides, there are still ten years, aren''t there?"


    Sun Zhengyi opened his mouth but changed the subject, "Headmaster, Mr. An has already sent out the invites. By then, most of the capital''s elite will be here. Officials like Li and Tian will also be present to witness the fight..."


    "Well done with this task!"


    Chen Shuiwen stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing coldly, "Seven more days... I''m already getting impatient!" S��arch* The n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 226 Battle War Holy Body

    The setting sun descended, and the red glow set the sky ablaze, enveloping the entire Great Liang Mountain.Above the sky, a gigantic eagle with massive wings skimmed the air, its sharp talons drawn up into its belly as its eagle eyes, capable of seeing through dozens of miles, rotated smoothly.


    Within its golden pupils reflected the image of a mountain valley.


    A young man clad in black armor tightly bound by two iron chains, each as thick as an arm and dozens of meters long, was tied at the other end to four armored boars. Each boar weighed over a thousand jins, covered in black armor with tusks like spears. These tough-skinned and formidable beasts were unusually docile at the moment.


    They were desperately running in the opposite direction to the young man.


    These four armored boars were lower tier second realm monstrous beasts, comparable to the first layer of the Divine Passage Realm in strength, with incredibly tough hides and supernatural strength.


    When charging at full speed, even warriors of the third layer of the Divine Passage Realm couldn''t stop them.


    But now��


    Despite the four armored boars frenziedly sprinting, they still couldn''t impede the young man''s progress and were forcibly dragged behind.


    The young man''s speed kept increasing. Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    This caused the four armored boars to scream continuously as their iron hooves carved deep trenches into the ground.


    Cheep cheep!


    The eagle''s gaze swept over the valley and spotted a person and a snake sitting to the side, causing its entire body to tremble as it hurriedly flapped its wings to fly away into the distance.


    Within the valley.


    Ye Heng, dragging the four armored boars, sprinted wildly with an iron chain in each hand.


    Merely four days'' time.


    Ye Heng''s body had undergone earth-shattering changes. Although his cultivation was only at the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm and he had not yet broken through to the Divine Passage Realm, the muscles on his body bulged conspicuously. Compared to his slightly leaner appearance before, the transformation was drastic, even sharpening the features of his face.


    The muscles on the arms that pulled the chains were particularly pronounced.


    In the midst of running, the muscles on his legs were chiseled and nearly perfect as well.


    Bang Bang Bang!


    Ye Heng''s speed continued to accelerate, and when all four armored boars had been dragged into unconsciousness, collapsing softly on the ground, he remained full of vigor and vitality.


    Xiao Yi stood up.


    Seeing this, Ye Heng also stopped, conscientiously carrying the armored boars to the side and methodically skinning and butchering them before setting them over a campfire. Then, with a leap, he plunged into a lake to let the icy water wash over his body before returning to Xiao Yi, his eyes brimming with excitement, "Principal, I''m ready!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and with a wave of his hand tossed four barrels of Four Symbols Spiritual Blood in front of him, "Today is the critical moment. The quantity of materials used is the sum of the past few days, and of course, the pain you will endure is tens of times that of the previous days. If you can withstand it, you will awaken the Battle War Holy Body. If you fail, you will never be able to awaken it in this lifetime!"


    "Ye Heng understands!" Ye Heng said solemnly.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Begin!"


    Ye Heng took a deep breath and clenched his fists.


    These four days had been longer than the fifteen years he had lived prior, but for Ye Heng, they were the days that would change his destiny.


    Every day, he could acutely feel the changes within himself.


    All this was thanks to Xiao Yi.


    "I absolutely cannot let the Principal down!" Gritting his teeth, Ye Heng rubbed the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood on his body and suddenly coiled the two chains tightly around himself, sealing his own body within them.


    After a moment...


    Ye Heng''s entire body tensed up, covered in a red glow.


    Half an incense stick later...


    Ye Heng''s body was trembling with bulging veins, drenched in a cold sweat, yet he gritted his teeth and held fast.


    After one incense stick of time...


    The two arm-thick iron chains were strained to their breaking point and snapped, and there he was, kneeling on the ground, repeatedly pounding his hands and head against the earth.


    The thudding echoed throughout the valley.


    The suppressed screams and roars of agony caused the monstrous beasts within a hundred miles to be terror-stricken, all fleeing in panic.


    Roar!


    Roar!


    Roar...


    Ye Heng kept screaming miserably, his roars shaking the heavens and making one''s scalp tingle.


    At the place where he knelt, the ground had already sunk deeply by four or five meters.


    Bloodied head, broken fingernails, shattered fingers.


    An image of extreme wretchedness.


    "Hold on..."


    "Ye Heng, hold on..." S��ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His voice had become incredibly hoarse, screaming to the point of exhaustion.


    "Hang in there!" Little Lin shouted softly.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, but his gaze never left Ye Heng.


    One hour.


    Two hours.


    This intense pain lasted for three full hours. As the blood-red glow on Ye Heng''s surface gradually faded, there was still no sign of him awakening the Battle War Holy Body, prompting Xiao Yi to sigh and say, "It seems like it''s still a failure..."


    Little Lin looked at Xiao Yi with concern: "Boss..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and smiled, "It doesn''t matter! Although he still hasn''t awakened the Battle War Holy Body, however..."


    Before he finished speaking.


    Ye Heng''s body suddenly shook, and as he finished absorbing the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood, a series of red glows suddenly burst forth from his body.


    The red light became more and more intense, already covering his entire body.


    "Break! Break! Break!"


    Ye Heng suddenly straightened his back, shuddered his arms behind him, let out a long howl to the sky, red beams burst from his seven apertures stretching towards the heavens, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"


    A series of low growls, deafening.


    Boom!


    The red light emanating from his body all converged into a soaring red pillar of light, connecting the heaven and earth. Within that red light pillar, the energy of heaven and earth surged madly towards Ye Heng, and his aura continued to rocket, climbing ever higher.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    His body made thunderous booming sounds as if he was beating a drum.


    Humm!


    The red glow around Ye Heng suddenly converged, and at the same moment, a gigantic blood-colored figure leaped out from within his body.


    This figure was towering and majestic, pitch black, with eyes a fiery red.


    Its massive body was like a mountain.


    "This is... the legendary Battle Saint Ape!" Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted, "This is the Innate Divine Ability of the Battle War Holy Body, the manifestation of the Battle Saint Ape! We''ve succeeded, we did it!"


    Little Lin looked at the black giant ape and swallowed: "Boss, I think this monkey is really strong!"


    "The real Battle Saint Ape is an existence that stands shoulder to shoulder with the Four Symbols Divine Beasts like Azure Dragon and White Tiger!" Xiao Yi nodded, unable to hide his excitement.


    The imposing giant ape entered Ye Heng''s body.


    Ye Heng slumped in the deep pit.


    Little Lin''s expression changed: "He''s alright, isn''t he?"


    Xiao Yi said, "He''s just extremely tired. Let him have a good rest tonight, for now, he has awakened the Battle War Holy Body, and from tomorrow on, he can start the second round of actual combat training. The Battle War Holy Body is born for battle, and it can grow fastest in combat. I wonder what their faces will look like in seven days when they find out that Ye Heng is the Battle War Holy Body among the ten great sacred bodies!"

 Chapter 227 A Man Should Commit Murder!

    As the seven-day appointment between Ye Tian and Ye Heng drew near,news of this battle had already spread throughout the imperial capital, from high-ranking nobles down to common peddlers, almost everyone was talking about this fight.


    After all��


    everyone knew that this battle was not just between two disciples, but also a contest between Xiao Yi and Chen Shuiwen.


    Whoever won


    would gain an advantage in the upcoming struggle for control over Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    "Have you heard? Chen has been cultivating Ye Tian with all his might, and it seems he has already broken through to the Sixth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, with a very likely chance of entering the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm before the duel!"


    "It''s unbelievable, in just six days, Ye Tian has broken through from the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm to the Sixth Layer. Advancing one layer every two days, such a speed of cultivation, we couldn''t catch up even if we were on horseback!"


    "Is there any news from Xiao Yi''s side?"


    "Not a single word��"


    "Could it be that he''s afraid of losing face and has run off?"


    "Hahaha��"


    The crowd laughed together.


    On the wide street, a luxurious carriage slowly passed by, and sitting inside, Li Shengtian smiled coldly as he listened to the passersby''s conversations, "Tian Xiao, it seems that this Xiao, whom His Majesty holds in high esteem, is going to take a fall this time!"


    Tian Xiao stroked his beard, chuckling, "I heard that His Majesty will be sending Prince Yang Ling to supervise the battle at Xiaoshanhe Institute tomorrow. We shall have quite a show to watch!"


    "Indeed!"


    Li Shengtian said with a gleeful smile, "These past few days, this official has been tossing and turning in bed, all for the sake of witnessing Xiao Yi''s embarrassment!"


    Tian Xiao spoke solemnly, "What about this official? When I heard the news, I was so angry that I punished my newly taken concubine!"


    "Hahaha��"


    Meanwhile��


    Within the grand imperial palace,


    Emperor Qian glanced over the memorial, without looking up, and said indifferently, "In tomorrow''s battle, your duty is to oversee, not to intervene!"


    Yang Ling replied respectfully, "Your child obeys the order!"


    "You may withdraw now!"


    After sending Yang Ling away, Emperor Qian placed the memorial on the desk and, playing with the ring on his thumb, muttered, "Xiao Yi, how will you break the situation this time?"


    ......


    In the depths of Great Liang Mountain,


    Monstrous beasts roamed rampant, and Ye Heng traveled through the forest.


    Ever since awakening the Battle War Holy Body, his cultivation speed had increased by dozens of times. In just two days, with Xiao Yi''s elixirs and the constant battles with beasts, Ye Heng had already broken through to the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    Ye Tian''s method of rushing cultivation at the expense of potential, advancing one layer every two days, had been highly praised.


    If people knew about Ye Heng advancing one layer a day, they would probably be dumbfounded!


    These two days, he continuously hunted monstrous beasts, and each was specially prepared by Xiao Yi; every beast required his full effort in a life-and-death struggle to defeat. Between life and death, there was great terror but also great opportunity, and it was in these life-and-death battles that Ye Heng''s actual combat experience skyrocketed.


    With his current strength, even without invoking his Innate Divine Ability, the Battle Saint Ape, he could easily defeat a Sixth Layer of Divine Skill Realm opponent.


    Roar!


    A Yin-Yang Leopard suddenly appeared in front of Ye Heng, displaying a mix of black and white. The Yin-Yang Leopard, a third-tier junior monstrous beast, was comparable to the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. Especially adept at sneak attacks, it pounced like a starving tiger toward Ye Heng, who seemed to be unprepared, but Ye Heng suddenly contracted his body at the last moment, avoiding the Yin-Yang Leopard''s sharp teeth.


    In the instant the Yin-Yang Leopard and he brushed past each other, Ye Heng''s hands shot out, grabbing the hind legs of the leopard.


    He threw his arms forcefully toward the ground!


    Thud!


    Amidst a loud crashing noise, the Yin-Yang Leopard was fiercely slammed to the ground, Ye Heng flipped onto the back of the leopard, holding tightly to its ears, and then his fists hammered down hard on its head.


    Thump thump thump!


    After a dozen punches, the Yin-Yang Leopard''s head burst open, dead for certain.


    Ye Heng wiped the blood on his hands onto the fur of the Yin-Yang Leopard, and as his stomach growled loudly, he couldn''t help but touch his belly and decided to start a bonfire to roast meat on the side.


    Ever since awakening the Battle War Holy Body, Ye Heng''s appetite had become even more frightful.


    He now consumed over five hundred pounds of meat each meal!


    Moreover, all the meat he consumed was perfectly transformed into strength; although he was eating, it was actually akin to cultivating whilst eating.


    Roast meat on the rack.


    Suddenly...


    Urgent footsteps sounded from ahead, and a bloodied young man ran out. Upon seeing Ye Heng, a look of ecstasy appeared on his face, and he rushed towards Ye Heng, "Brother, save me, please save me..."


    The young man ran straight to Ye Heng''s side and moved behind him.


    At the same time.


    Four figures followed closely, each fierce and vicious, staring at them with greedy eyes and sneering, "Kid, I advise you mind your own business and hand him over to me. Otherwise, this big brother will kill you too!"


    The nervous young man behind Ye Heng said, "Brother, you mustn''t believe them. I went into the mountains with the village hunting team, and these guys coveted our game. They killed all the people in our village and wanted to silence me as well. Please, help me..."


    "Murder for loot?"


    Ye Heng frowned and looked up at the four men, "Get lost quickly, or don''t blame me for being rude!"


    "Hahaha, you wet-behind-the-ears brat, you haven''t even grown all your hair yet, dare to meddle in this big brother''s business?"


    "Brothers, let''s slaughter him!" sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The four charged at Ye Heng.


    Among them, the strongest was only in the Fifth Layer of the Divine Skill Realm; they naturally stood no chance against Ye Heng. After several rounds of fighting, the four lay on the ground wailing. Ye Heng spoke indifferently, "Get lost!"


    "You little punk, just you wait..."


    The four glared at him with resentment.


    The young man''s eyes rapidly shifted as he seized the opportunity to come close to Ye Heng, saying excitedly, "Thank you for rescuing me, brother. If it weren''t for you, I would surely be dead under their knives."


    "No need to be polite..."


    As Ye Heng was speaking, he suddenly caught a flash of silvery cold light in the corner of his eye.


    Whoosh!


    The young man''s face still wore a smile, but his eyes were filled with ferocity and coldness. He thrust a dagger towards Ye Heng''s waist.


    "Not good!"


    Ye Heng''s complexion turned pale.


    He was completely unguarded, and at such close distance, the stab could not be avoided.


    Just when he was in despair...


    A blast of vital energy shot forth.


    Clang!


    It shattered the dagger, sending the young man''s entire arm bursting apart, and he lay on the ground alongside the four robbers, wailing in agony.


    Ye Heng, still shaken, looked at the figure that appeared before him, "Director... Director..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Do you realize that if it wasn''t for me, you would be dead by now!"


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    "Director, I..."


    Ye Heng bowed his head in shame.


    Xiao Yi, with an icy expression, said, "You made two mistakes in this battle. Do you know which two?"


    Ye Heng nodded, "First, I shouldn''t have trusted a stranger so easily; second, I didn''t kill those four immediately to prevent future troubles, giving him an opportunity to exploit..."


    "Ye Heng, remember the lesson of today. As a man in this world, you should kill. Treating your enemies with mercy will only become a weapon for your enemies to use against you!" Xiao Yi said solemnly.


    He had sensed the presence of the five individuals as soon as they appeared.


    But he did not make a move.


    It was to let Ye Heng understand the perilous nature of the human heart.


    Xiao Yi said, "You know what to do now, right?"


    "I know!"


    Ye Heng nodded firmly, stepped forward boldly, and disposed of the five people one by one under their terrified gazes.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "That''s enough cultivation for today. Go home, take the medicinal pills, and try to break through to the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. Return to Xiaoshanhe Institute early tomorrow..."

 Chapter 228 The Gap Is Too Big!

    Imperial Dragon Mountain, Xiaoshanhe Institute.Besides the days of ancestral worship ceremonies, today was the busiest day of the year for Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Below Imperial Dragon Mountain, figures surged everywhere, gathering into a black sea of people all climbing toward Imperial Dragon Mountain. Of course, there were also some wealthy nobles riding in carriages, ascending along the official road.


    There were official roads and mountain paths on Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Peasants and commoners could only take the mountain paths.


    Officials and dignitaries of the fourth rank or above were allowed to ride carriages up the official road straight to the middle of the mountain.


    As for the official road that leads directly to the mountain top.


    That was a privilege reserved only for members of the royal family and first-rank officials of the court.


    Even so.


    The number of commoners coming to watch the battle was still immense, reaching a hundred thousand. This was because Xiaoshanhe Institute had lived up to its reputation over the years. If it had been at its peak, the event could have drawn upwards of a million people, including masters from the other ten great sects coming to watch the battle.


    But now...


    Xiaoshanhe Institute had fallen into decline for many years, unable to recover.


    At least the younger generation despised coming here!


    This battle would take place at the martial arts field located on the waist of the mountain at Xiaoshanhe Institute, which had also once been glorious, possessing disciples and sect members in the tens of thousands.


    This martial arts field could accommodate millions of people.


    Housing these hundred thousand was a piece of cake.


    Once the peasants and commoners arrived, they were directed into the stands of the martial arts field, while the officials and nobles were greeted by Sun Zhengyi, who had arranged the best viewing spots for them, particularly.


    Chen Shuiwen stood at the carriage stop in the middle of the mountain.


    Seeing several carriages slowly approaching from a distance, his face beamed with a splendid smile, and he hurriedly went to greet them.


    The carriages stopped.


    Yang Ling, Li Shengtian, and Tian Xiao stepped down from the carriages one after another, and Chen Shuiwen''s face was full of smiles, "Your Highness Yang Ling, Mr. Li, Mr. Tian!"


    Yang Ling nodded.


    Li Shengtian glanced at Yang Ling beside him and said with great concern, "Chen, I heard that this challenge was initiated by Xiao Yi himself? Xiao Yi has just taken office, and you as an elder of Xiaoshanhe Institute should have been fully supporting his management. How did it end up in such a state?"


    Chen Shuiwen, as perceptive as he is, caught the meaning in Li Shengtian''s eyes and stepped onto his train of thought.


    Chen Shuiwen sighed, appearing quite helpless, "Mr. Li, this is really unfair to Chen! By the time Chen knew about the matter, it had already happened... even if I had wanted to stop it, it was too late..."


    "What exactly happened? I heard that Xiao Yi got into a conflict with a female instructor, which led to this battle appointment?" Tian Xiao feigned surprise.


    These details had already been conveyed to them when Chen Shuiwen sent out the invitations with An Rujing''s help.


    They were simply bringing it up intentionally in front of Yang Ling.


    Chen Shuiwen stealthily sized up Yang Ling; although Emperor Qian''s most beloved prince was Yang Ling, the position of Crown Prince couldn''t be obtained by affection alone. Chen Shuiwen and the likes of Li Shengtian supported the Great Prince Yang Guang from Tianjian Sect.


    Therefore, he wasn''t concerned about the attitude of Yang Ling toward him. He sighed and said, "I shouldn''t say much about this matter, but I truly feel aggrieved for Mr. An. That day, she was explaining martial arts knowledge to her disciples at the Zen Martial Hall. The issue arose simply because she praised Xiao Tianjiao a few times, and by happenstance, Xiao came by and heard it, thus starting the conflict."


    "What is this behavior? Does the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, of all people, not have even that much tolerance?" Li Shengtian exclaimed in anger.


    Tian Xiaoyi spoke out righteously, "When we return, I will file a report against him!"


    Yang Ling''s expression turned cold, and he frowned, "It''s about time, isn''t it?"


    Li Shengtian said, "Important matters come first; let''s head to the martial arts field."


    Chen Shuiwen immediately led them into the martial arts field. Yang Ling sat right in the center. The spot to Yang Ling''s left should have been for the master of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi, but after Li Shengtian took the first seat on the right, he called out to Chen Shuiwen, "Chen, why don''t you take this spot here? It''s closer to us, and it''ll be more convenient to explain things later!"


    "Well... Chen will respectfully comply!" Chen Shuiwen immediately took the first seat on the left.


    The crowd had almost all arrived.


    Li Shengtian asked, "Mr. Chen, where is Xiao Yi? The appointed time is almost upon us. Why has he still not shown up?"


    Chen Shuiwen pretended to look around with a troubled expression, "I also don''t know..."


    Within the area where instructors were seated.


    Yu Huaxian spoke in a deep voice, "Your Highness Yang Ling, Xiao has taken Ye Heng to cultivate, and they should be back any moment now!"


    "Hmm!"


    Yang Ling nodded, "Then let''s wait a little longer!"


    As Yang Ling represented the royal family, once he spoke, naturally no one dared to say more.


    Time passed.


    In the blink of an eye, the hour of the duel arrived, but Xiao Yi was still nowhere to be seen, which caused dissatisfaction among the crowd: "What''s going on here? Ye Tian is already waiting in the arena, why haven''t Xiao Yi and Ye Heng appeared yet?"


    "Could it really be that knowing he is outmatched, he has already fled?"


    "Impossible, right? He is the respected head of Xiaoshanhe Institute after all. If he fled now, how would he face anyone in the Great Qian Dynasty thereafter..."


    Just then...


    A sharp whistling sound came from the sky.


    Two figures descended from the heavens like shooting stars, quickly landing in the arena in an instant.


    Xiao Yi placed Ye Heng below the stage, then leapt up to the stands, glanced over at Yang Ling''s side, and said indifferently, "Move!"


    Chen Shuiwen''s face darkened. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He did not expect Xiao Yi to be so disrespectful, telling him to move as soon as he arrived.


    Li Shengtian let out a cold snort, and sneered sarcastically, "Such airs Mr. Xiao has!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him coldly and said indifferently, "Did I allow you to speak?"


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    "You..."


    Li Shengtian''s face changed, ready to retort, but he saw Xiao Yi say with an icy voice, "Keep yapping and I will rip your mouth apart!"


    "..."


    Li Shengtian fumed, puffing up his beard and glaring.


    He was a high-ranking official; everyone who met him normally greeted him with reverence, calling him ''Mr. Li''. Yet, in front of Xiao Yi, he had been rebuked twice in a row, leaving him with no reply.


    Yang Ling spoke lightly, "Enough, with so many onlookers, let''s speak less!" He turned to Chen Shuiwen, "Mr. Chen, Xiao is the principal and your superior. This seat is rightfully his!"


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned shades of purple and white, as if he had been slapped dozens of times.


    He gritted his teeth in fury.


    "You little wretch, enjoy your moment of pride for now. I want to see how you handle what''s to come!"


    Chen Shuiwen thought bitterly to himself while maintaining a humble smile on his face, "His Highness is absolutely right, Mr. Xiao, please take the seat!"


    He immediately got up and sat down to one side.


    Xiao Yi did not even look at him as he took his seat.


    Yang Ling lowered his voice, "These old fellows are waiting to see you make a fool of yourself. Are you really confident?"


    Xiao Yi smiled mysteriously, "You''ll find out soon enough!"


    Yang Ling made a noncommittal noise.


    At that moment...


    Ye Tian and Ye Heng had already made their way onto the stage.


    Looking at Ye Tian with his robust Qi-Blood and the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm''s energy unrestrainedly released, then at Ye Heng dressed in a black and heavy-looking outfit, seemingly disheveled, the first thought of the tens of thousands in the arena was: "The gap is too huge! Ye Heng stands no chance at all!"

 Chapter 229 One Move Is Enough

    "The gap is simply too great!""Look at Ye Tian, full of spirit, with Qi-Blood surging like a rainbow, and then there''s Ye Heng, who seems utterly unremarkable..."


    "There''s no need for a fight; the outcome is already decided, Ye Heng is bound to lose!"


    In the stands, over a hundred thousand people whispered amongst themselves.


    Almost no one was betting on Ye Heng.


    Li Shengtian looked at Xiao Yi with a mocking smile, but recalling the several times Xiao Yi had left him speechless, he turned to Chen Shuiwen and said, "Chen, that Ye Tian is only fifteen years old, isn''t he? Judging by the fluctuations of his aura, he must be at the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm now. He advanced four minor realms in just seven days. If you can apply this method to the other disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, why worry about not being able to revitalize it?"


    Chen Shuiwen''s eyes darted about, and he said with a smile, "Mr. Li, Chen has been searching for a way to revitalize the Xiaoshanhe Institute for years. However, after all, I am only a vice president and do not have the final say!"


    Li Shengtian looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, if Chen has such capability, why don''t you let him take the lead if you can''t revitalize the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "Hasn''t he been in charge of the Xiaoshanhe Institute for the past decade or so?" Xiao Yi glanced at Li Shengtian and asked with a puzzled expression.


    Li Shengtian''s face stiffened: "..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s expression was also one of embarrassment: "..."


    As Xiao Yi said, the Xiaoshanhe Institute hadn''t had a president for over a decade; it was all directed by Chen Shuiwen.


    If he really had the capability to revitalize the Xiaoshanhe Institute, why wait until today?


    Chen Shuiwen coughed lightly, easing his embarrassment, and changed the subject, "The time has come, Elder Sun, please preside over this duel!"


    "Yes!"


    Sun Zhengyi bowed to Yang Ling and others, then leaped onto the stage, standing between Ye Heng and Ye Tian, he said, "This battle is a challenge by Ye Heng against Ye Tian; fists and feet have no eyes, life and death will not be attributed to blame. If Ye Tian loses, An Rujing must apologize to Ye Heng in public. If Ye Heng loses, Xiao shall apologize to An Rujing''s mentor in public. I, Sun Zhengyi, shall be the referee. Please, everyone be witnesses!"


    Yang Ling said indifferently, "Begin!"


    "Yes!"


    Sun Zhengyi glanced at the two Ye Tian, "You may begin now!"


    Whoosh!


    He stepped back behind them, standing at the edge of the stage.


    Ye Heng and Ye Tian locked eyes.


    The two were cousins and had known each other for fifteen years.


    In these fifteen years, Ye Tian was the favored child of heaven, surrounded by stars; Ye Heng was dull as dust, enduring bullying, with no one caring for him.


    Ye Tian stood tall and confident, with an air of confidence on his face. He gestured a thumbs-up to Ye Heng and then inverted his finger to point at the ground, disdainfully saying, "You''ve never been my match in these fifteen years, not before, not now, and certainly not in the future. Within three moves, I will defeat you!"


    Ye Heng shook his head and held up one finger, "Three moves are too many, one will suffice!"


    "Uh..."


    Ye Tian was taken aback but then laughed, "You do have some self-awareness, acknowledging the huge gap between us. You can''t even withstand one move from me!"


    Ye Heng shook his head, speaking earnestly, "What I mean is, one move is all I need to defeat you."


    Ye Tian: "..."


    The audience in the stands: "..."


    Li Shengtian shook his head, looking at Xiao Yi with a mocking gaze, "Just as the master, so is the disciple. The master disregards everyone, and the disciple does not know his own limits. The gap between them is as vast as a chasm, and yet he dares to boast that he will defeat Ye Tian in a single move?"


    "Confidence is a good thing, but blind confidence is not!" Tian Xiao said, shaking his head and body.


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "Do you all firmly believe that Ye Heng will lose?"


    "Of course!"


    "In seven days, at most, you may have helped him move from the Seventh Layer of Qi Gathering Realm to step into the Divine Passage Realm. How could he possibly be a match for Ye Tian?"


    The others looked self-assured.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said, "What if Ye Heng wins?"


    Li Shengtian said, "If he wins, I''ll eat this table!"


    Xiao Yi knocked on the table and clicked his tongue, "Then you are in for a treat, as this is a table made from Qinggang rock!"


    "Hmph, what if he loses?" Li Shengtian stared intently at him.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "If he loses, I''ll eat the table as well!"


    "Good!"


    "Agreed!"


    Li Shengtian turned to Yang Ling and the others, "Your Highness, please serve as a witness!"


    Yang Ling sighed, "Since both of you insist on this, I shall be the witness..."


    Meanwhile.


    On the stage, Ye Tian was already enraged by Ye Heng''s contempt, gritting his teeth, clenching his fists, his body trembling. His eyes filled with coldness and ferocity: "Ye Heng, prepare to die!"


    Boom!


    An aura whirled around Ye Tian, and with a flourish of his hand, a long spear appeared from his sleeve��it was a Threefold Spear. Normally it could fold into three layers and be stored like an arm''s length in the sleeve, but in battle, it transformed into combat form.


    Under the cover of elemental energy, the spear tip tore through the void, buzzing loudly.


    Whoosh!


    A silver spear light burst forth, transforming into a dragon-like figure, skimming just above the ground as it sped towards its target.


    Its momentum was massive, and its sharpness unparalleled!


    The power of this strike was such that even a common warrior of the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm would not dare to take it head-on.


    "Excellent spear technique!"


    "With a lifetime devoted to the blade and the staff, those who bring their spear skills to such a realm are truly geniuses. This Ye Tian is indeed worthy of that title."


    "In my view, he''s nearly capable of congealing spear intent..."


    Ye Tian''s side was filled with great momentum.


    In contrast, Ye Heng stood firm like a pine tree, motionless.


    In fact...


    This was a habit Ye Heng had formed from repeated life-and-death struggles with demonic beasts, responding to change with the unchanging, always maintaining the most composed state. When the long spear was but three inches away from him, Ye Heng''s mild eyes suddenly shot forth a cold, predatory light, and he reached out with a swift claw.


    Clang!


    His palm firmly gripped the long spear, followed by a back shoulder throw.


    Whoosh!


    Ye Tian, along with his spear, was flung away by Ye Heng, crashing down onto the platform with a bang.


    The platform shattered, cracks spreading all around, and Ye Tian grimaced in pain.


    Ye Heng said indifferently, "You''ve lost!"


    "I have not!"


    Ye Tian got up, saying with furious embarrassment, "That was just a moment of negligence. Ye Heng, prepare to die!"


    "Too slow, your power is superficial, your cultivation is merely piled up with the help of elixirs... Your combat strength is even inferior to that of an armored boar!" Without using any martial skills, Ye Heng employed his extensive experience from fighting demonic beasts to continuously dodge Ye Tian''s splendid spear technique while leisurely making his comments.


    His attempts at striking were ineffective every time.


    The crowd in the stands, witnessing Ye Tian being completely suppressed by Ye Heng, could not hide their astonishment: "This can''t be possible, right? Ye Tian clearly has the upper hand in cultivation level, how can he not even touch Ye Heng?"


    "Incredible, Ye Heng is likely to pull off an upset victory!"


    Ye Heng''s heart-piercing comments, coupled with the completely different discussions of the spectators, infuriated Ye Tian: "Shut up! All of you, shut up!"


    "Twin Dragons Seeking the Pearl!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Two spear shadows surged out at the same time, like evil dragons competing for a Dragon Ball, charging straight at Ye Heng.


    "Now is the moment!"


    Just as Ye Tian made his move, Ye Heng''s eyes burst forth with two gleams of sharp light.


    With a sudden halt to his backward step, he pushed off the ground with hands and feet, shooting forth like an arrow released from a bow.


    Whoosh!


    His body barely passed between the two spear shadows and then leapt high into the air, bringing up his knee sharply and slamming it into Ye Tian''s chin with a loud bang.


    Wow!


    Ye Tian cried out in agony as his entire jaw shattered.


    Blood spurted from his mouth.


    His figure flew backward.


    Bang! Bang!


    Ye Tian landed in disarray, tumbling repeatedly, and was about to tumble out of the platform. Ye Heng darted after him with a flash, grabbing his throat with one hand and slowly lifting him up.


    "You, you..."


    Ye Tian''s eyes were bloodshot, and his face was burning with excruciating pain.


    He never imagined that Ye Heng, whom he had bullied for fifteen years, would actually defeat him!


    From beginning to end, Ye Heng had indeed made only one move!


    All of his pride and confidence crumbled away in that moment.


    Ye Heng looked calmly at Ye Tian: "You''ve lost!" Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Lost?"


    A strange, sinister smile suddenly appeared on Ye Tian''s ferocious face, saying eerily, "Ye Heng, do you really think you have won? Look what this is..."


    Struggling, Ye Tian took out a magical pouch from his bosom.


    Seeing the magical pouch in his hand, Ye Heng''s expression suddenly changed: "..."

 Chapter 230 You Deserve to Die!

    "Ye Tian, what have you done to my mother?"Ye Heng''s pupils suddenly constricted with a furious change of color, contorting his face so much that it was unrecognizable from its original form, fixating on Ye Tian with the intensity of a hellish Asura.


    His eyes flickered with a dangerous red glow, the cold edge of a blade ready to strike.


    It made Ye Tian''s heartbeat falter sharply in front of him.


    Gulp!


    Ye Tian instinctively swallowed, his face taking on a venomous tinge to mask his inner turmoil and fear, "Don''t worry, your mother is fine, at least for now. However, if you dare to fight back in the upcoming battle, I can''t guarantee your mother will live to see tomorrow''s sun!"


    Feeling Ye Heng''s grip on his hand instinctively loosen, Ye Tian also breathed a sigh of relief.


    At the same time, he became increasingly brazen.


    Bang!


    Ye Tian threw a punch, blasting Ye Heng ten meters away and tumbling to the ground. Twisting his neck, he rubbed his stinging cheek and sneered, "Ye Heng, I never imagined that in a short seven days, you could become this terrifying. I must admit, Xiao is somewhat skilled, but it''s a pity, in the end, it''s still me, Ye Tian, who will have the last laugh."


    Bang!


    Ye Tian unleashed a kick, striking Ye Heng in the abdomen.


    Wow!


    Ye Heng let out a muffled groan, skidding ten meters across the ground and raising his head, his icy, angry gaze locked tightly on Ye Tian.


    The brocade pouch was a personal item of his mother''s.


    It had never left his mother''s hand.


    Ye Heng had never imagined that this pouch would end up in Ye Tian''s hands.


    "Ye Tian, if you dare harm a single hair on my mother, I will grind you to dust��" Ye Heng gritted his teeth.


    "Tsk tsk, still daring to threaten me after all this?"


    Ye Tian charged forward abruptly, throwing a punch at Ye Heng.


    Ye Heng instinctively dodged while also catching the punch.


    Having awakened the Battle War Holy Body, Ye Heng''s strength far surpassed Ye Tian''s, and having spent his days under Yi''s guidance, fighting life-and-death battles against powerful beasts, his combat awareness and experience were incomparable to Ye Tian''s, who only increased his power through pills. One fully committed strike would be enough to break Ye Tian''s arm.


    But as he prepared to act, Ye Tian''s voice rang in his ears: "You dare fight back? It seems you don''t want to see your mother again!"


    "Despicable��"


    Ye Heng''s eyes turned blood-red, he bit his teeth, but ultimately, he had no choice but to let go.


    Bang!


    Taking advantage, Ye Tian spun around and landed a heavy hook on Ye Heng''s face, sending him crashing away. Blood sprayed from Ye Heng''s mouth as he soared like a kite with its string cut, and Ye Tian followed closely, grabbing Ye Heng''s ankle and starting to spin in place, whipping up gusts of wind.


    Whoosh!


    Ye Tian suddenly released his grip, flinging Ye Heng high into the air.


    "Ye Heng, you are destined to be trampled under my feet your whole life. You are merely a pitiful ant, an absolute failure, while I am a genius, exalted above all. For a ruin like you to defy me is to go against heaven��go to your death!"


    Whoosh!


    Ye Tian roared, ascending rapidly to catch up with Ye Heng.


    He twisted mid-air, delivering a leg whip from above, fiercely striking Ye Heng''s back.


    Wow!


    Ye Heng''s body arched backward from the force, plummeting from the sky like a falling star, and crashed to the ground with a whoosh.


    Boom!


    Ye Heng landed hard on the stage.


    The whole martial arts field shook violently, while dust and smoke billowed on the stage, lines of cracks spreading across it.


    Cracks spread in all directions, resembling a spiderweb.


    The arena fell silent before erupting into terrified cheers, "Holy shit! What on earth happened? Wasn''t Ye Heng in the lead? How did he suddenly end up being the one getting thrashed?"


    "I guess Ye Tian must have been pulling his punches before, otherwise, it''s hard to explain such a huge contrast!"


    In the VIP seats.


    Li Shengtian clicked his tongue and chuckled strangely, saying in a mocking tone, "Director Xiao, it seems the Ye Heng you advised isn''t so great after all! At this rate, he''s going to lose!"


    Yang Ling frowned, and although he didn''t speak, his eyes, full of worry, fell on Xiao Yi.


    If Ye Heng lost today, it would be a tremendous blow to Xiao Yi''s reputation.


    If someone used this as an excuse to propagate the idea, even Yang Ling and Emperor Qian, who advocated for Xiao Yi to take over as head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute would be affected, facing immense pressure.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes; he didn''t know what had happened to Ye Heng, but he saw everything clear as day��it all started when Ye Tian took out that brocade bag. Xiao Yi''s eyebrows knitted tightly, and all of a sudden, he turned to glance at the smugly smiling Chen Shuiwen beside him, "Director Chen, truly clever tactics!"


    "Ah?"


    Putting on a surprised look, Chen Shuiwen said with an innocent face, "Chen doesn''t know what Director Xiao is referring to. If it''s about advising disciples in their cultivation, after all, Chen has been a vice director for many years and has mentored no small number of students. Director Xiao, after all, is still young. To be able to guide Ye Heng to such a level of combat strength in just seven days is indeed commendable!"


    The brocade bag in Ye Tian''s hands was, of course, his masterpiece.


    Although he spent a fortune to buy the Jade Fetal Elixir for Ye Tian, just in case, he had someone kidnap Ye Heng''s mother and handed the brocade bag to Ye Tian.


    It was just a precaution.


    Now looking at it...


    If it weren''t for his shrewd move, today he would have likely taken the fall here.


    With this thought.


    Chen Shuiwen, amidst his triumph, grew even more wary of Xiao Yi.


    He never expected Xiao Yi to be able to train Ye Heng, a mere Seventh Layer of Qi Gathering Realm, to such strength in just seven days. If it weren''t for Ye Tian holding the brocade bag, Ye Heng would have already won the victory!


    Xiao Yi''s expression became slightly tense.


    Watching Ye Heng continuously suffering Ye Tian''s relentless beating without being able to fight back, Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and suddenly said to Yang Ling beside him, "Your Highness Yang Ling, Ye Heng possesses one of the top ten Sacred Bodies, the Battle War Holy Body. I think he should be cultivated with emphasis. If he wins this battle, I hope Your Highness can secure a reward for Ye Heng!"


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    "Battle War Holy Body?" sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yang Ling exclaimed with surprise.


    Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and others were also baffled.


    The Battle War Holy Body, ah!


    Ranked high among the top ten Sacred Bodies, although not as formidable as Xiao Tianjiao''s Supreme Overlord Holy Body, it was still extremely powerful.


    Within the entire Great Qian Dynasty, strong individuals possessing a Sacred Body were rarities, pillars of the major sects.


    If Ye Heng indeed possessed the Battle War Holy Body, his future would be boundless, and even the royal family would treat him as a treasure, investing limitless resources to nurture him.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Yes, it is the Battle War Holy Body!"


    Yang Ling said gravely, "If Ye Heng truly has the Battle War Holy Body, on behalf of my Emperor Father, I can promise to bestow upon him the title of a first-class earl, and moreover, until he reaches the Tao Tribulation Realm, all resources will be borne by the royal family!"


    Xiao Yi asked, "What about his family?"


    Yang Ling replied, "His family will naturally also be rewarded, and his parents will also be ennobled, receiving the protection of the royal family. Whoever dares to harm his family will be making an enemy of the Great Qian royal house!"


    Whir!


    Yang Ling''s words turned Chen Shuiwen''s face pale.


    Xiao Yi nodded, then shouted towards the arena, "Ye Heng, stop holding back, as long as you win this fight, His Highness promises you the title of a first-class earl, and your family will also be protected; no one will dare to threaten them!"


    On the arena.


    As Ye Heng''s head was bombarded relentlessly by Ye Tian, his expression dramatically changed and a fierce battle light shone in his eyes. With his body shaking, he let out an angry roar that sent a terrible surge around him, flinging Ye Tian away.


    Ye Heng slowly rose to his feet, his face fierce as he stared at Ye Tian, "Ye Tian, you deserve to die!"

 Chapter 231 The Battle War Holy Body First Shows Its Might

    "You should die!"Ye Heng''s eyes were cold as ice as he looked at Ye Tian.


    From childhood to adulthood.


    He had suffered under Ye Tian''s bullying, and for a long time, no one in the Ye Family wanted to lay eyes on him.


    Especially after his father''s death.


    The Ye Family gave no living space to him and his mother, his mother was driven out of the former courtyard by Ye Tian''s father, even treated worse than some servants.


    He and his mother could only live in a shed for firewood.


    To support his cultivation, his mother washed clothes for the young masters and mistresses of the Ye Family, and she went out to mend clothes for others to earn a living. But even under such difficult circumstances, Ye Heng''s mother never cut back on his food, she didn''t compromise his attire, nor did she stint on his medicinal pills.


    Mother and son had been reliant on each other for more than ten years.


    During this time...


    No matter in the Ye Family or in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, Ye Tian never stopped oppressing him.


    If it wasn''t for Xiao Yi this time, Ye Heng would have feared living under Ye Tian''s oppression for his entire life.


    It was Xiao Yi who gave him the chance to rise up.


    It was Xiao Yi who enabled him to stand up again.


    At the same time.


    Ye Heng was also very clear about what this battle represented, it was not only a grudge between him and Ye Tian, but also a gamble between Xiao Yi and Chen Shuiwen.


    Because of this.


    Ye Heng wanted to defeat Ye Tian from the beginning, but Ye Tian threatened him with his mother''s keepsake, which caused Ye Heng to hesitate and not dare to fight back. He could only passively take a beating, and if not for the amazing resilience of the Battle War Holy Body, under Ye Tian''s frenzied attacks, he would have been seriously injured, even close to death.


    He wanted to resist, but worrying about the safety of his mother and wife''s lives, he didn''t dare to fight back.


    That kind of frustration could drive a person insane.


    Until now...


    At his most helpless moment, Xiao Yi once again stood up for him.


    As long as he won this battle, he would have the title of a first-class earl, and even his mother would be the mother of an earl.


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    Even Chen Shuiwen, who was behind Ye Tian, would not dare to touch Ye Heng''s mother anymore.


    Knowing that his mother and wife''s lives were safe, Ye Heng naturally stopped holding back.


    Gululu!


    Ye Tian swallowed hard, a flash of annoyance crossing his eyes, "Ye Heng, don''t you care about your mother anymore? How much has she suffered for you these years, could it be that you..."


    Slap!


    Ye Heng cut him off with a slap.


    Ye Tian''s left cheek swelled up, his mouth bloody and teeth shattered, he looked at Ye Heng blankly, "Are you crazy?"


    Slap! Slap!


    This time, a back and forth slap made Ye Tian see stars and feel dizzy, Ye Heng said coldly, "Do you still dare to mention the suffering my mother has endured? If it wasn''t for your family targeting us at every turn, would my mother have had such a hard life?"


    Bang!


    A punch landed on Ye Tian, causing him to spray blood continuously, Ye Heng said coldly, "If you hadn''t come every so often to beat me up with your cronies, would my mother need to wash clothes for others in the dead of winter, earning money to heal me?"


    "I, I..."


    Boom!


    Ye Heng grabbed Ye Tian''s head with both hands and slammed it into his knee, Ye Tian''s nose bridge shattered, blood spraying and falling onto Ye Heng''s body.


    Ye Heng seemed unfazed, clutching Ye Tian''s neck tightly and smashing him to the ground with a thunderous noise, blood bursting out from the back of Ye Tian''s head. Ye Heng''s voice turned even colder, "Ye Tian, you have called me trash over and over again, today, I will let you know who the real trash is!"


    "Battle War Holy Body, invincible in all battles!"


    Boom!


    Ye Heng''s roar shook the heavens.


    Golden streams of Qi swirled around his body, their speed and number increasing rapidly.


    In an instant.


    They had transformed into a golden storm, enveloping his figure.


    His robe whipped about noisily, and his hair danced wildly.


    Roar!


    A massive sound suddenly emerged behind him.


    It was unmistakably the Battle Saint Ape!


    As the ten-zhang-tall Battle Saint Ape materialized, it provoked shocked exclamations from the martial arts field: "Holy shit, what is that?"


    "Innate Divine Ability! Ye Heng has reached the Shentong Realm, awakening his Innate Divine Ability... unbelievable, how exactly did Xiao Yi do it? In just seven days, he actually helped the Seventh Layer of Qi Gathering Realm Ye Heng break through to the Shentong Realm..."


    "This, this seems to be the legendary Battle Saint Ape, is Ye Heng the possessor of a Battle War Holy Body?"


    "My god! So Xiao Yi was right after all, Ye Heng is the true genius, a peerless genius with a Battle War Holy Body..."


    In the VIP seats.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face alternated between shades of green and white, his hands crushing the armrests into powder, his veins throbbing wildly.


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao also had gloomy expressions.


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    Their faces burning.


    As if they had been viciously slapped dozens of times.


    But Yang Ling was incomparably excited, forgetting Emperor Qian''s admonitions as he stood up from his seat, slapping the table and exclaiming, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, you truly did not disappoint me and Father Emperor! A Battle War Holy Body! The Great Qian Dynasty has produced another Sacred Body, your contributions are immeasurable. Giving Xiaoshanhe Institute into your hands was indeed the right choice!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved in a slight smile, scanning the extremely embarrassed Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and the others with a cold chuckle in his heart.


    Of course...


    The most awkward was the once insufferably arrogant An Rujing.


    At this moment, An Rujing stood dumbfounded, her complexion deathly pale, her body quivering uncontrollably, disbelief written all over her face: "How, how can this be? Ye, Ye Heng is a Battle War Holy Body? This, this is one of the ten great Sacred Bodies, my former student is actually a possessor of a Sacred Body? I, I''ve always treated him like trash?"


    At this moment, An Rujing felt the world spinning, everything becoming incredibly dark.


    This was one of the ten great Sacred Bodies!


    Within the vast Great Qian Dynasty, only a scarce few people possessed a Sacred Body.


    Each of them standing at the pinnacle of the Great Qian Dynasty''s martial path.


    If she had been the one to cultivate Ye Heng, then An Rujing''s name would have gone down in history. But now, all that glory had nothing to do with her anymore.


    Looking at the triumphant Ye Heng, and then at Ye Tian, lying on the ground like a lump of mud.


    An Rujing felt as if she must be blind, to have ignored a treasure and instead wasted her time on Ye Tian, a mere copper coin.


    Let''s pause the crowd''s reaction for now.


    Turning back to the stage above...


    Seeing the enormous Battle Saint Ape behind Ye Heng, Ye Tian was so terrified that he shook uncontrollably, soiling himself, scrambling on hands and knees towards Ye Heng, continuously kowtowing and begging for mercy: "Ye Heng, spare my life! I realize my mistake, please, for the sake of us being from the same clan, let me go this time, I dare not do it again..."


    Ye Heng looked down with icy eyes, and said indifferently, "Principal Xiao once told me a saying, ''Being merciful to the enemy is being cruel to oneself''. In your next life, remember to be a good person!"


    "No..."


    Ye Tian''s eyes were filled with cracks, as he howled in despair.


    Ye Heng lifted his foot, and so did the Battle Saint Ape towering behind him, its giant foot coming down from the sky with a buzzing sound.


    Boom!


    A thunderous noise echoed over the entire martial arts field.


    When the Battle Saint Ape behind Ye Heng disappeared, what remained on the ground was only a squashed pile of flesh...

 Chapter 232 Mr. Li, Please Start Your Performance!

    "..."The vast martial arts arena was silent as a graveyard.


    All the strong men were dumbfounded, as if invisible hands were gripping their throats tightly, leaving them unable to speak.


    They had all heard of the might of the Sacred Body, but none had ever witnessed it with their own eyes.


    But now...


    Ye Heng showed them what a Sacred Body was!


    Bang!


    The Battle Saint Ape behind Ye Heng returned to his body, tears streaming down its eyes as it fell to its knees with a thud and bowed deeply to Xiao Yi, as if mustering all its strength to shout, "Xiao, I, your disciple Ye Heng, have not disappointed you!"


    This roar released all the frustration he had bottled up over the past decade.


    All his resentment vanished in that moment.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a smile as he slowly stood up, "Well done!"


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    "Thank you, Xiao!"


    Ye Heng expressed his thanks but remained on the ground, his head continuously knocking against the floor, making a thudding sound, and declared loudly, "Disciple Ye Heng earnestly requests Xiao to accept me as his disciple!"


    Whir!


    The entire martial arts field fell even quieter.


    All eyes turned to Xiao Yi, "Ye Heng is choosing to take a master at this time? He is a Battle War Holy Body after all, and following this battle, his name will spread throughout the Great Qian Dynasty. Soon, not only Xiao Yi, but even the leaders of the top ten sects will be vying to take him as a disciple, there''s surely no need for him to do this now!"


    "That, you probably don''t know, huh? Xiao is his benefactor. If not for Xiao Yi, Ye Heng would still be buried in obscurity!"


    "That''s true, I too felt that Xiao Yi was too young to be head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. But now it seems he is indeed the most suitable candidate for the position!"


    "Hmph, it''s just good luck! Xiaoshanhe Institute will only flourish under Chen''s leadership!"


    "Good luck? Flourish? Brother, are you Chen Shuiwen''s own son by any chance? If he was really capable of revitalizing the Xiaoshanhe Institute, why has its reputation fallen increasingly over the past decade? If he had the ability, would Ye Heng have remained hidden for so long without being discovered?"


    "I know him, he''s an instructor from Xiaoshanhe Institute, Zou Zheng..."


    "So he''s one of Chen Shuiwen''s dogs..."


    For a time.


    Under the relentless jeering and mockery from the crowd, Zou Zheng fled with his tail between his legs, not daring to stay in the stands any longer.


    People''s gaze returned to Xiao Yi once more.


    Waiting for Xiao Yi to take a disciple.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze flickered; indeed, he had taken a liking to Ye Heng. Over these seven days, Ye Heng''s resilience and circumstances were very similar to his own.


    Just as Xiao Yi was about to agree.


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao were secretly communicating, "Xiao Yifeng is too prominent. If he takes a Sacred Body as his disciple, it will be much harder for us to bring him down later."


    Tian Xiao, "We absolutely cannot let him take a disciple!"


    Chen Shuiwen said, "We must stop it!"


    With that thought.


    Li Shengtian coughed lightly and looked at Yang Ling, "Your Highness, the matter of the Sacred Body taking a master is of great importance; I believe it is best to inform His Majesty and let him decide!"


    Tian Xiao agreed, "Indeed, this decision cannot be made lightly!"


    Chen Shuiwen made a show of nodding, "Xiao is indeed excellent, but as for whom Ye Heng should take as a master, I think that is still up for discussion!"


    "This..."


    Yang Ling furrowed his brows, as he naturally wouldn''t hinder Ye Heng from becoming Xiao Yi''s disciple.


    But with Li Shengtian and the others exerting significant influence and adamantly objecting, even invoking Emperor Qian,


    it wasn''t his place to overstep.


    This matter must be reported to Emperor Qian.


    Yang Ling took a deep breath and cast an apologetic glance at Xiao Yi before saying, "Mr. Li''s words make sense. Let''s discuss this matter later. Xiao, what do you think?"


    Xiao Yi gave Li Shengtian and the others a deep look filled with conceit, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "Then let''s follow His Highness''s wishes."


    Yang Ling nodded and turned to Ye Heng on the stage, "Ye Heng, you''ve heard what Mr. Li and the others said as well. Let''s talk about the matter of accepting disciples another day!"


    Ye Heng was unmoved and just looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Ye Heng, please get up first!"


    "Yes!"


    Ye Heng immediately stood up, swept his gaze over the crowd, and fixed it on An Rujing, "Mr. An, does our bet still stand?"


    An Rujing''s face stiffened.


    Have her apologize to a disciple in public?


    How would she continue to stay at Xiaoshanhe Institute after that?


    An Rujing looked at Chen Shuiwen with a pleading gaze, hoping that he would intervene to extricate her from the situation. However, at this moment, Chen Shuiwen was thinking of currying favor with Ye Heng, hoping Ye Heng would eventually accept him as a mentor. How could he help her and offend Ye Heng?


    "Ahem!"


    Chen Shuiwen cleared his throat and spoke righteously, "Mr. An, a bet is a bet. Won''t you apologize to Ye Heng?"


    "..."


    Faced ashen, An Rujing knew she wouldn''t be able to leave the training field today unless she apologized, and so she reluctantly walked up to the stage. Biting her lips tightly, her delicate hands clenched into fists, her nails digging deep into the palms of her hands, blood flowing through her fingers, she gritted her teeth and said, "Ye Heng, it was my fault for not recognizing talent and causing you to be hidden in the dust. I beg for your forgiveness!"


    Swish!


    An Rujing made a meticulous bow at ninety degrees as she apologized.


    Now her heart was filled with regret.


    If only she had known, she wouldn''t have been biased against Ye Heng.


    But alas, there''s no such thing as a regret medicine in this world.


    Ye Heng looked at An Rujing, who had insulted him several times and even sided with Ye Tian when he was bullying him. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Mr. An, I hope you remember this saying, ''Never bully the young and poor!''"


    An Rujing clenched her teeth, "An Rujing has learned her lesson!"


    Thereupon...


    An Rujing turned around and bowed deeply to Xiao Yi and Yang Ling. She said solemnly, "Your Highness Yang Ling, Headmaster Xiao, I am aware that I am not competent enough for the position of an instructor, and I voluntarily resign!"


    How could she face staying at Xiaoshanhe Institute now?


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    Xiao Yi and Yang Ling exchanged glances, and Yang Ling said, "Granted!"


    An Rujing bowed to everyone, then walked towards the exit of the training field. As she walked, whispers entered her ears: "It''s for the best that such a harmful instructor is gone!"


    "Indeed, who would dare to send their child to her anymore?"


    An Rujing''s delicate frame trembled, and she bit her teeth firmly, only letting out a mouthful of fresh blood after she had left the training field.


    Her eyes were full of resentment and hatred: "Xiao Yi, Ye Heng, Chen Shuiwen... I will not let you off..."


    In the VIP seating area.


    Chen Shuiwen''s eyes flickered as he tentatively asked, "Your Highness, since the fight today is over, should we let everyone disperse?"


    Tian Xiao also spoke up, "Your Highness, there are important matters to deal with in the court. Let''s call it a day!"


    Yang Ling was taken aback, about to speak, but was interrupted by Xiao Yi.


    "Have you gentlemen forgotten so quickly? It has only been a short while, and you''ve already forgotten about the bet between Mr. Li and myself!"


    Xiao Yi lifted the red silk covering the table, tapped his finger on the cyan-inkstone table producing a dull thud, and looked at Li Shengtian, whose face was ashen, with a smile, "Mr. Li, please begin your performance!"

 Chapter 233 Stirring All Directions

    "Mr. Li, please begin your performance!"Xiao Yi pointed at the green oak stone table in front of him and made a welcoming gesture.


    Yang Ling: "..."


    Tian Xiao: "..."


    Chen Shuiwen: "..."


    The expression on Li Shengtian''s face kept changing, and he squinted his eyes as he measured up Xiao Yi, pronouncing each word carefully, "Principal Xiao, are you sure you want to be so aggressive?"


    "Me, aggressive?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, then couldn''t help but laugh, "When you snatched the principal position from me in the imperial palace, why didn''t you say it was aggressive? Before Ye Heng and Ye Tian fought, when you were everywhere trying to set up a wager with me, why wasn''t that considered aggressive? When Ye Heng became a disciple and you intervened to stop it, why didn''t you find that aggressive? Now you have the nerve to accuse me of being aggressive��do you think the higher your office, the thicker your face becomes, expecting everyone to show you respect?"


    There was no direct conflict between him and Li Shengtian.


    If we''re talking about grievances...


    It was just that the Black Hawk Gang under the command of Li Shengtian''s son, which bullied and oppressed the common people, had been wiped out by him.


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    Li Shengtian had targeted him at every turn. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A gentleman avenges his grievances, does he not?


    And who more so than Xiao Yi?


    "You..."


    Li Shengtian''s face turned shades of green and white with rage, his moustache puffing as his eyes bulged in anger, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, very well, this matter��I, Li Shengtian, will remember it!"


    Bang!


    Li Shengtian slammed his palm down on the table, and the entire green oak stone table was smashed into powder.


    He snorted coldly and strode away.


    This old rogue had opted to play dirty!


    Xiao Yi called out loudly, "Yu Huaxian, pack up this green oak stone table powder and send it to Mr. Li''s residence, to nourish his body!"


    "Yes!"


    Yu Huaxian responded loudly.


    Li Shengtian, who was walking ahead, stumbled and nearly fell to the ground, but did not dare to stop and fled in a panic.


    Yang Ling gave a wry smile as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Why push so hard? Mr. Li has many followers, and his father-in-law is even an elder of the Tianjian Sect. Offending him like this, I fear there will be much trouble ahead."


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, "Do you really think that if I hadn''t done this, he would be grateful to me?"


    "Uh..."


    Yang Ling was taken aback and shook his head helplessly.


    With Li Shengtian''s domineering character, who couldn''t tolerate even the slightest dissent, how could he just let it go?


    Yang Ling sighed and then said, "I''ll report back to Emperor Qian immediately. As for the matter of Ye Heng becoming a disciple, you needn''t worry; it''s just a formality. Both Emperor Qian and I definitely support him becoming your disciple!"


    Emperor Qian had entrusted Xiaoshanhe Institute to Xiao Yi because he wanted to support the Institute to restrain the ten major sects and the four great clans and to help empower the imperial family.


    He would naturally support Xiao Yi wholeheartedly.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Let''s have a good gathering at the discipleship banquet later!"


    "Good, I''ll swipe a few jars of fine wine from Emperor Qian''s wine cellar for you!" Yang Ling grinned and went on his way.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the crowd in the martial arts field that had not yet dispersed.


    When he first arrived, many people were extremely indifferent towards him, and many even thought he was completely incapable of managing Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    But now...


    The looks many people gave him had undergone a complete transformation.


    From initial indifference, it had turned fervent, even to the point of adoration.


    Clearly, he had already garnered the recognition of many people.


    Xiao Yi lightly coughed to get everyone''s attention and then spoke loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, as the new head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, I will soon be opening our doors to recruit both students and mentors. Anyone who believes they possess a unique skill or is willing to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute is welcome to try out. I trust that no one will be disappointed!"


    In the previous decade, Chen Shuiwen had been using his power for personal gain and amassing influence.


    He mostly treated the Xiaoshanhe Institute as a tool for his own power and benefits, to the point where the reputation of the institute had deteriorated, leading to its gradual decline.


    Now that Xiao Yi had taken over the Xiaoshanhe Institute, he had broken the stalemate, using Ye Heng as a breakthrough point.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute was bound to face a brand new situation.


    "Principal Xiao, rest assured, we will definitely support you!"


    "My younger brother originally wanted to go to the Kuangdao Sect, one of the top ten sects, but now I think it''s worth letting him try out the Xiaoshanhe Institute��"


    "Principal Xiao has only been here a few days and already identified a Sacred Body such as Ye Heng. With your discerning eye for talent, I believe the Xiaoshanhe Institute will become stronger and stronger under your leadership��"


    "Principal Xiao, when is the Xiaoshanhe Institute next recruiting students and mentors?"


    The crowd responded one after another.


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "The plan is to hold it three days from now. As long as you pass the assessments and join the Xiaoshanhe Institute, all disciples'' cultivation resources will be fully covered by us. In addition, if anyone becomes a mentor in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, I, Xiao Yi, guarantee to provide all necessary resources until they break through to the Tao Tribulation Realm. After that, each person will be provided with a fourth-grade Yuan weapon!"


    Hisss!


    A gasp of astonishment rose from the crowd.


    Cultivation resources, fourth-grade Yuan weapons!


    Each was worth a fortune!


    The crowd was stunned by Xiao Yi''s generous offer.


    For a moment,


    Countless powerhouses were secretly tantalized.


    Since ancient times, there has been a saying of the poor scholar and the rich warrior. For the cultivation of martial arts, talent is indeed important, as is a good mentor, but what truly stumps the vast majority is the lack of resources!


    Ever since Ye Heng had defeated Ye Tian, Chen Shuiwen, whose face had been extremely unsightly, suddenly showed a look of wild joy when he heard Xiao Yi''s announcement. Over the years, Xiaoshanhe Institute had almost been hollowed out by him, and even the recently audited account books by Yan Mingli and others had been destroyed.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute''s available resources couldn''t even suffice for the monthly cultivation of a single Golden Core Realm expert.


    In such a situation,


    Xiao Yi was actually planning a large-scale recruitment of students and mentors, and committing to cover the cultivation resources. This seemed like a road to ruin in Chen Shuiwen''s eyes!


    Once the recruits come and there''s no money to be had,


    Not only Xiao Yi''s reputation would be ruined, but if those students and mentors made an uproar, even his position as head of the institute would be in jeopardy!


    "Hahaha, this is truly Heaven helping me!"


    Chen Shuiwen was ecstatic in his heart, yet his face displayed a look of concern as he feigned advice, "Principal Xiao, with the current state of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, I''m afraid it will be difficult to support the cultivation resources for too many students and mentors!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Chen Shuiwen intently and smiled, "No matter, I will find a way!"


    "Find a way? What can you possibly do? Go ahead, recruit more. When you can''t provide the necessary resources, I''ll see what you do!"


    Chen Shuiwen sneered internally but maintained a solemn appearance, "Principal Xiao is truly a man valued by Emperor Qian, I believe that under your stewardship, the Xiaoshanhe Institute will certainly regain its former glory!"


    "I believe so too!"


    Xiao Yi said, smiling.


    The two of them were cordial on the surface, but each harbored their own devious motives!


    The atmosphere was quite awkward!


    A short while later��


    The crowd gradually dispersed, and the news of Xiao Yi massively recruiting mentors and students for the Xiaoshanhe Institute, as well as the revelation that Ye Heng was a Battle War Holy Body, spread like wildfire throughout the Great Qian Dynasty.


    For the first time, the name Xiao Yi sent shockwaves in all directions!

 Chapter 234 Im Really Fucking Poor!

    Inside the western chamber.Chen Shuiwen convened with Sun Zhengyi and others once again, but this time, the gathering clearly had a few fewer attendees than before.


    With a sullen face, Chen Shuiwen asked, "Where are Wang Li and Jiang Yue?"


    Sun Zhengyi answered, "When I went to call them, they said they weren''t feeling well..."


    "Not feeling well?"


    Chen Shuiwen let out a cold snort and sneered contemptuously, "Most likely, they perceive that I''m at a disadvantage in this round and want to distance themselves from me. Never mind them, once I''ve dealt with Xiao Yi, let''s see how I''ll pinch them."


    Sun Zhengyi hurriedly said, "Chancellor, rest assured, we are firmly on your side and will definitely not be fence-sitters like those two!"


    "Right, in life we are yours, in death we are your ghosts!"


    "What''s Xiao Yi anyway? It''s just that he''s had some good luck today, even running into Ye Heng..."


    Several people added hastily.


    Although Chen Shuiwen knew they were simply flattering him, their words were still music to his ears.


    Chen Shuiwen''s expression softened somewhat, and he spoke indifferently, "The matter with Ye Heng isn''t over yet. Today, Mr. Li stepped in to intervene, preventing Ye Heng from successfully becoming a disciple. Sun Zhengyi, from now on, you must stay in contact with Mr. Li and make sure to prevent Ye Heng from taking Xiao Yi as his master. Otherwise, having a disciple with a Sacred Body will become a big problem!"


    "Chancellor, don''t worry. I will head to Mr. Li''s residence right after this!" Sun Zhengyi stated.


    Chen Shuiwen nodded and continued, "Xiao Yi wants to recruit disciples and mentors, and he will certainly need your help..."


    Zou Zheng said with a fawning face, "Chancellor, rest assured, we definitely won''t let Xiao Yi recruit any disciples!"


    "Nonsense!"


    Chen Shuiwen rebuked sharply, his face twisted into a malicious grin, "Not only must we not stop it, but we must also assist Xiao Yi with all our might, ensuring he recruits as many people as possible."


    "Ah?"


    The crowd was momentarily stunned, confused yet impressed.


    If Xiao Yi recruited enough disciples and mentors, wouldn''t Xiaoshanhe Institute fall into his control?


    In the corner.


    A middle-aged man with a sharp chin and monkey-like cheeks spoke in a sinister tone, "Chancellor, this is a brilliant move!"


    "Hm?"


    The others looked at him, not understanding.


    Zou Zheng asked in confusion, "God of Wealth, what do you mean by that?"


    This person was none other than Chen Shuiwen''s absolute confidant, a Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse Chen Xing, who also managed the finances of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    All resources of Xiaoshanhe Institute had to pass through his hands.


    Thus, people called him the God of Wealth!


    Grinning widely, Chen Xing said with a sly look, "Xiao Yi has made a grand claim that he will cover all cultivation resources for the disciples and mentors. Do you know how huge an expense that is? Not to mention anything else, just with the current size of Xiaoshanhe Institute, providing resources in his promised manner would cost three hundred million Silver Taels monthly. If he recklessly doubles the number of disciples and mentors, that''s a monthly expense of six hundred million Silver Taels. And right now, there''s less than a hundred million in Xiaoshanhe Institute''s accounts..."


    Hiss!


    Everyone drew a sharp breath.


    Then they understood Chen Shuiwen''s intention.


    "The Chancellor is indeed astute!"


    "When Xiao Yi can''t provide the resources, won''t the newly arrived mentors and disciples tear him apart?"


    Chen Shuiwen smiled smugly, saying, "As long as you follow me properly, naturally you''ll reap your benefits! As for that Xiao Yi... just a wet-behind-the-ears boy thinking he can arm wrestle with me? He''s still too naive..."


    ......


    In the eastern wing room.


    Xiao Yi and the others were also gathered together, with Little Lin climbing onto his shoulder, "Boss, it''s just as you expected, Chen Shuiwen has called all those people together."


    Yu Huaxian asked, "Little Lin, what is their plan?"


    Little Lin nodded, his face showing a human-like mockery, "They are thinking of obstructing Ye Heng from becoming an apprentice, and at the same time they will do their utmost to help us recruit disciples and tutors, just waiting to see you fail to produce the promised resources so they can laugh at us!"


    "These guys are really cunning!"


    "Xiao is truly formidable, everything is just as you predicted..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "There''s no need to worry about Ye Heng. As long as he is determined to take me as his master, even if Emperor Qian speaks out, it will be useless. Moreover, Emperor Qian will stand on our side..." He paused, then continued, "As for recruiting disciples and tutors, Chen Shuiwen and others are waiting to laugh at us, but this time they definitely won''t trip us up; on the contrary, they will help us by all means possible. We should recruit as many disciples and excellent tutors as possible, and I will also find a way to bring in some experts!"


    Currently, almost all tutors and disciples at the Xiaoshanhe Institute belonged to Chen Shuiwen''s faction.


    Xiao Yi must quickly cultivate his own loyal followers; otherwise, in the struggle for control of Xiaoshanhe Institute with Chen Shuiwen, he would ultimately be at a disadvantage.


    "Yu Huaxian, leave the recruitment of disciples to you and Bing Xin. Elder Yan and Elder Xue will be responsible for the tutors!" Xiao Yi assigned the tasks.


    Everyone nodded.


    Yan Mingli hesitated for a moment before asking, "Xiao, how many should we recruit this time?"


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment and replied, "For now, let''s recruit twice the current size!"


    "Currently, the Xiaoshanhe Institute has seventy-three tutors and just over four thousand nine hundred disciples... If we recruit at twice the size, we''ll need roughly one hundred fifty tutors and ten thousand disciples..."


    Yan Mingli''s deep eyes sparkled with wisdom.


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    Xiao Yi nodded, "Based on that scale, how much would our expenses be each month?" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yan Mingli replied with a wry smile, "Almost one billion per month, and that doesn''t even include the granting of a fourth-rank Yuan weapon should any tutor break through to the Tao Tribulation Realm."


    "One billion silver taels a month? Good gracious!" Yu Huaxian swallowed hard.


    Xiao Yi knew the expenses would be large, but he didn''t expect them to be this enormous; frowning, he asked, "Elder Yan, how much money do we still have?"


    When he left the Tianqing Kingdom, Jiang Tai had given him fifty billion silver taels as a reserve.


    "There were fifty billion silver taels that you previously gave me. A few days ago, you withdrew five billion for Ye Heng''s cultivation. Adding some expenses during this time, we still have forty-four billion five hundred million silver taels. Ten billion of which must be reserved for the ancestral worship ceremony in three months. This means we can support our expenses for at most three months!" Yan Mingli explained clearly, then added, "And if any tutors break through to the Tao Tribulation Realm within these three months, that expense is additional!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows were tightly knit.


    He had thought that fifty billion was a lot, but who would have guessed that it was only enough to cover three months of expenses?


    Although if he just asked, Jiang Tai would provide the silver, even if he had to sell his last pot, Xiao Yi was unwilling to do that.


    The Tianqing Kingdom was in need of advancement in all trades and industries. If too much silver was drawn, it would certainly impact the development of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    "When will the royal subsidies arrive?" Xiao Yi inquired.


    Yan Mingli replied with a bitter smile, "This year''s subsidy was distributed half a year ago. Now that all the account books have been destroyed, there''s less than one billion silver taels left in the treasury..."


    "Those bastards..."


    Xiao Yi immediately felt a headache coming on. But the situation was such that they had to shoot the arrow since it was already on the string, so he said, "I''ll figure out a way for the funds. You just proceed according to the plan!"


    "Yes!"


    Everyone nodded and then dispersed.


    Xiao Yi leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers lightly on the table, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over him.


    He had thought himself rather wealthy, but now it seemed...


    I''m truly damn poor!

 Chapter 235 Only a Fool Would Not Take Advantage of a Bargain

    Xiaoshanhe Institute.Ye Heng, dressed in a profound garb, carried two large cauldrons on his shoulders as he ran rapidly around the martial arts field.


    His speed was incredibly fast, each cauldron weighing several thousand pounds, yet he carried them with ease. His tiptoes touched the ground as if he were a dragonfly skimming water, barely making contact before taking off again.


    His swift pace kicked up clouds of dust behind him.


    He had been persisting in his training since before dawn.


    The martial arts field measured a couple thousand meters in circumference, and only after fifty laps did he stop, placing the two cauldrons back in the corner of the field.


    Thud, thud!


    The cauldrons landed with a resonant sound.


    "Ye Heng!"


    A clear voice suddenly came from behind him; a graceful young lady approached him, her white dress flowing as she moved.


    Ye Heng paused, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and said, "Nangong!"


    Nangong Liuyun.


    The lady of a collateral branch of the Nangong Clan, one of the Great Qian Dynasty''s four main noble families, and also the goddess in the hearts of all male disciples in Ye Heng''s cohort.


    In the past...


    Nangong Liuyun rarely even gave him a second glance.


    He hadn''t expected her to initiate a greeting today.


    With a gentle smile on her face, Nangong Liuyun took out a handkerchief attempting to wipe Ye Heng''s sweat, but he dodged her, looking at her questioningly, "Nangong, do you need something from me?"


    Seeing that Ye Heng refused to let her wipe his sweat, Nangong Liuyun showed no displeasure, simply putting the handkerchief away. A radiant smile appeared on her face, which was as beautiful as a portrait, "Ye Heng, actually, from the first time I saw you, I already liked you."


    Ye Heng was taken aback, raising an eyebrow, "Nangong, don''t joke with me. You are the pride of heaven, how could you possibly have taken a liking to me?"


    "I knew you wouldn''t believe me, which is why I didn''t know how to tell you!"


    Nangong Liuyun looked hurt, sighed, and said, "But now I''m afraid, if I don''t speak my feelings, I may never have another chance. I don''t want to miss out on you, Ye Heng. Would you be willing to be with me?"


    Nangong Liuyun tilted her head slightly, blinking her watery large eyes.


    Her exquisite face bore an expression of slight grievance and expectation, truly mesmerizing.


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    Ye Heng swallowed, after all, she was once his goddess!


    Ye Heng hesitated for a moment, then grabbed Nangong Liuyun''s hands, rubbing them in his palms, and said, intoxicated, "Nangong, actually, I have always liked you too. Can, can I hug you?"


    "Ah?"


    Nangong Liuyun was stunned.


    Ye Heng looked injured, "Forget it, just pretend I never said anything. I know, it was indeed too presumptuous of me!"


    "Oh, no, it''s not that."


    Nangong Liuyun''s complexion changed, she quickly embraced Ye Heng, saying hurriedly, "I''m not unwilling, it was just... a bit sudden!"


    Ye Heng''s lips curled up slightly, his hands gliding across Nangong Liuyun''s body.


    She felt extremely uncomfortable, twisting her body continuously.


    Ye Heng said, "Nangong, since we''re both willing, why don''t you come to my room?"


    "Ah?"


    Nangong Liuyun was shocked, unable to break free from Ye Heng''s embrace, his body rubbing against hers. She steeled herself and said, "Ye Heng, we can''t be like this. You, if you want to have me, you must at least marry me in a proper ceremony!"


    Ye Heng said, "But... I have no power or influence, would the Nangong Family be willing to let you marry me?"


    "This, this might be a bit difficult, but..." a flash of anticipation and excitement crossed Nangong Liuyun''s eyes as she said, "If you are willing to marry into my Nangong Family, I am sure I can persuade my parents!"


    At this moment, Nangong Liuyun''s heart was filled with excitement.


    She had received a message from her family instructing her to win over Ye Heng at all costs and preferably have him join the Nangong Family.


    That''s why...


    Nangong Liuyun had braced herself to find Ye Heng, this insignificant person who had never caught her attention before.


    If Ye Heng hadn''t awakened the Battle War Holy Body and become the target of contention among various powers, she, Nangong Liuyun, would never have had anything to do with such a small character in her entire life.


    Upon hearing Nangong Liuyun''s words, Ye Heng''s lips curved slightly, and he sneered in his heart: As expected, no one visits a temple without a cause!


    He took a deep breath and agreed outright, "Nangong, I am willing to marry into your Nangong Family, but... I need to find a master, and I want to prepare a gift for my future mentor... I''ve heard that the master of the Tianjian Sect also intends to take me as a disciple, and the gift must not be taken lightly..."


    "What? The master of the Tianjian Sect?" Nangong Liuyun was flabbergasted.


    Her first reaction was that Ye Heng was lying.


    But then she thought...


    Ye Heng had awakened the Battle War Holy Body, which, although inferior to Xiao Tianjiao''s Supreme Overlord Holy Body, was also not much different.


    It wasn''t impossible for the master of the Tianjian Sect to want to take him as a disciple.


    If she could win over Ye Heng and help the Nangong Family forge a connection with the Tianjian Sect, that would be a great achievement!


    With that thought...


    Nangong Liuyun clenched her teeth and said, "You will marry into our Nangong Family sooner or later, so let the Nangong Family prepare the gift for the master for you. But Ye Heng, you are sure you will marry into our Nangong Family, right?"


    Ye Heng nodded, cradling Nangong Liuyun''s cheeks in his hands, and said sternly, "Nangong, my admiration for you flows like the endless rivers and shines like the sun and moon that never fall..."


    Nangong Liuyun was very confident in her own charm and nodded, "I will go back to my family now to fight for you, wait for my good news!"


    "Nangong, I''ll wait for you!"


    As Ye Heng watched Nangong Liuyun leave, the smile on his face gradually vanished and looking at his hands, he murmured, "They do smell rather nice!"


    "Cough, cough!"


    A series of light coughs made Ye Heng''s body shake, and he quickly stood up straight, turning to look at Xiao Yi leaning casually against the corner of the wall, wearing a strange expression as he looked at him; Ye Heng chuckled, "Master, what brings you here?"


    Although they hadn''t officially become master and disciple yet, in Ye Heng''s heart, Xiao Yi was already his master.


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, "Did I interrupt you?"


    "No, not at all!" Ye Heng scratched his head.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, gesturing towards the direction Nangong Liuyun had left, "What''s going on?"


    Ye Heng curled his lips and disdainfully said, "What else but knowing I''ve awakened the Battle War Holy Body and thinking about winning me over!"


    Xiao Yi''s face showed amusement, "Did you agree?"


    "No way!"


    Ye Heng quickly shook his head and sneered disdainfully, "Back when I was worthless, she couldn''t avoid me fast enough. Now she suddenly comes up and says she likes me, how could I possibly believe her?"


    Xiao Yi uh''d, "So you still let her help you prepare the master''s gift? When has anyone from the Tianjian Sect contacted you?"


    Ye Heng touched his nose and grinned sheepishly, "Master, please don''t misunderstand! Not to mention the master of the Tianjian Sect hasn''t looked for me, even if he really came to me, I wouldn''t accept him as my master. In my eyes, there is only one master, and as for Nangong Liuyun... heh heh, didn''t you say we needed money? The four great aristocratic families are all very rich, so I thought, why not take advantage of it and get some..." Continue reading on My Virtual Library Empire


    Take advantage of it and not be a fool?


    Xiao Yi''s eye twitched, looking at Ye Heng''s naive and earnest laughter, speechless: "Who the hell did you learn this from?"

 Chapter 236 Combat Pavilion

    ```"Who the hell did you learn this from?"


    Xiao Yi looked bewilderedly at the simple-faced Ye Heng in front of him.


    In his memory, this guy was a straightforward boy!


    How did he turn out like this?


    Ye Heng, feeling somewhat embarrassed by Xiao Yi''s gaze, touched his nose and said awkwardly, "Master, can you stop looking at me like that?"


    Xiao Yi withdrew his gaze, speaking earnestly, "Ye Heng, if you truly wish to become my disciple, then you must first refrain from engaging in such self-serving acts. Throughout my life, I have conducted myself with integrity. We cannot allow others to point at our spine and curse, understand?"


    "Master, I realize my mistake. I''ll explain the situation to Nangong as soon as I can!"


    Ye Heng looked ashamed, but upon thinking of the Nangong Family''s vast wealth and influence, he couldn''t help but sigh regretfully, "It''s just a pity, if the Nangong Family were to intervene, the treasures wouldn''t be worth less than a billion, right?"


    "Not less than a billion?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, then coughed lightly, speaking righteously, "Ye Heng, have the other three great clan families tried to recruit you?"


    Ye Heng: "Eh?"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose and said, "I''ve heard that the four great clans have numerous businesses, including brothels, gambling houses, and even slave trading��all of which are ill-gotten gains. If we were to take this money and use it for the construction of Xiaoshanhe Institute and to benefit the common folk, that would be a great deed!"


    "But Master... didn''t you say that we shouldn''t let others point at our spine and curse?" Ye Heng said, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "Aren''t you being a bit too old-fashioned? We would be robbing the rich to help the poor. The common people would praise us, not curse us! Don''t you think that''s the right thing to do?"


    Ye Heng nodded subconsciously.


    "Let''s go, I''ll take you around the imperial capital!" Xiao Yi called out to Ye Heng as they headed out of the combat field.


    As the master and disciple walked along, they discussed whether the other three great families had any intentions of soliciting Ye Heng...


    In a corner of the combat field,


    Yu Huaxian looked befuddled as he watched the master and disciple walking away, finally managing to say, "What a shameless pair of master and student..."


    The journey from Imperial Dragon Mountain to the imperial capital was not far.


    Xiao Yi flew through the air, and in a short while, they arrived outside the imperial capital.


    He had originally intended to come alone today to find ways to make money, but after running into Ye Heng in the combat field, he decided to bring him along.


    Within the imperial capital.


    Though it was only early morning, the place was already bustling with activity.


    Along the way, the master and disciple were discussing various money-making strategies.


    As for swindling the other three great families,


    after discussing it, they unanimously decided that such actions should be taken only as a last resort, absolutely not otherwise.


    Otherwise...


    The two of them would probably end up like rats on the street, everyone shouting to hit them.


    This made Xiao Yi feel somewhat regretful. sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Should we sell elixirs? Or appraise treasures?"


    Ever since finding out that the monthly expenses exceeded a billion silver taels, Xiao Yi felt pitifully poor and now had only thoughts of making money.


    But with his current level of cultivation, he could at most concoct four-star elixirs, which wasn''t very profitable.


    Even though Xue Bufan could make five-star elixirs, Xue Bufan''s alchemy efficiency was too low.


    That path was a dead end too.


    As for appraising treasures...


    He did have the Life-Snatching Scholar''s ability to appraise treasures; for instance, at the Treasure Pavilion in Nanhuang City, he had easily earned several hundred thousand silver taels.


    However,


    Finding treasures also depended on fate! They weren''t just lying around everywhere.


    "Brothers, was my hospitality last night to your liking?" a boisterous voice came from the crowd.


    Five burly men walked shoulder to shoulder.


    ```


    Everyone reeked of alcohol, mixed with the scent of rouge, clearly having just left a brothel after a night of revelry.


    "Third Brother''s arrangements are absolutely beyond reproach!"


    "Tsk tsk, that girl was really quite sprightly... By the way, Third Brother, you must''ve spent a fortune yesterday, right?"


    "Not much, not much, just a hundred thousand silver taels!" Third Brother said with a wave of his hand.


    The robust man beside him said with a look of envy, "Third Brother won three million silver taels at the Combat Pavilion yesterday, so this hundred thousand is just a mere trifle to him!"


    In the face of the envious glances from the others, Third Brother laughed heartily, "It''s just luck! The one called Dongfang''s winnings were truly something else. Just one match and Dongfang won five hundred million silver taels, that''s five hundred million! If you piled up all that silver, it would probably be as tall as a mountain!"


    "Combat Pavilion? Five hundred million in one day?"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    He was now very sensitive to money.


    Xiao Yi looked at Ye Heng beside him and asked, "Ye Heng, do you know about the Combat Pavilion?"


    "I know!"


    Ye Heng nodded and said, "The Combat Pavilion is also a gambling house. They arrange battles between martial artists, and people can place bets on the fighters they favor. Of course, one can also apply to become a combatant and fight; if you win, you get a certain percentage. However, the Combat Pavilion is very dangerous, with frequent fatalities."


    "How substantial are the Combat Pavilion''s financial resources?" Xiao Yi asked.


    "From what I''ve heard, the Combat Pavilion is backed by the Great Qian Dynasty''s most mysterious assassination organization, Xue Yi Tower, so their financial strength is undoubtedly immense!" Ye Heng replied.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Xue Yi Tower?"


    That was an old nemesis of his!


    If it hadn''t been for an assassin from Xue Yi Tower, Fang Qingzhu wouldn''t have had to use her Innate Divine Ability multiple times, which led to her being detected and taken away by people from Baiyu.


    There was also Xue Mantian...


    The encirclement of the Tianqing Kingdom from all sides had something to do with him as well.


    "Ye Heng, your master has found a way to make money!" Xiao Yi said with a grin.


    Ye Heng was startled, "Master, you''re not thinking of going to the Combat Pavilion, are you?"


    "Let''s go!"


    Xiao Yi grabbed Ye Heng and started walking forward, "Master will show you how to rob the rich to aid the poor!"


    Ye Heng looked speechless, "Master, the Combat Pavilion is to the east, you''re going the wrong way..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    ......


    Combat Pavilion.


    Located in the eastern part of the imperial capital, it covered an extremely vast area.


    The entire Combat Pavilion was square-shaped, divided into four areas: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow.


    The Heaven Character Pavilion was of the highest grade, while the Yellow Character Pavilion was the lowest.


    The Yellow Character Pavilion was for fighters of the Physical Body Realm, the Mysterious Character Pavilion for the Divine Skills Realm, the Earth Character Pavilion for the Golden Core Realm, and the Heaven Character Pavilion for the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    For the Mysterious and Yellow Character Pavilions, one simply needed to buy a ticket to enter and watch the battles or place bets.


    To enter the Earth Character Pavilion, your net worth had to be verified, and those with less than ten million silver taels were not allowed in.


    The Heaven Character Pavilion had even higher requirements, demanding a minimum net worth of one hundred million silver to gain entry.


    Xiao Yi spent two hundred silver taels to buy two tickets and entered the Mysterious Character Pavilion.


    As soon as they entered,


    they were greeted with a deafening cacophony: "The next match is about to start, place your bets quickly!"


    "Put ten thousand taels on Tiger King for me!"


    "Tiger King my ass, this round is definitely going to the Azure Dragon Association. Put fifty thousand taels on Azure Dragon for me..."


    On the way there, Ye Heng had explained that in the Combat Pavilion, many martial artists who didn''t want to reveal their identities would choose to use nicknames instead.


    Both Tiger King and Azure Dragon were martial artists of the Divine Skills Realm.


    Xiao Yi and his companion had just arrived and did not place bets immediately. Instead, they went into the arena to have a look around, intending to get a feel for the place before making a move. They had just found good seats in the stands when the fighters for the next battle entered the ring, and a fierce fight erupted instantly...

 Chapter 237 One Hundred Million Chips!

    The entire Combat Pavilion was protected by a formation.Each of the four sub-pavilions had its own Protective Formation, capable of withstanding a clash from warriors at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, so there was no need to worry about damaging the Combat Pavilion or endangering innocent bystanders or the audience in the stands.


    Despite it being morning...


    There were still many people inside the Combat Pavilion.


    In the circular duel arena, iron gates on the east and west sides respectively opened slowly, and two figures emerged from within.


    The person from the east was extremely muscular, with a blood-red tiger tattoo on his chest, and his cultivation had reached the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    He was the Tiger King!


    On the west was Azure Dragon, wearing a black mask and wielding a Green Cloud Coiling Dragon Spear, his cultivation also at the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    If one were to look solely at cultivation, the two men were evenly matched.


    "Tiger King, snap that lad''s neck, I''ve placed a wager of five million heavyweight on you!"


    "Azure Dragon, kill the Tiger King..."


    "Kill him!"


    Shouts and roars echoed above the duel arena.


    Inside the duel arena.


    Azure Dragon and Tiger King both let out furious roars and charged at each other with murderous intent. Killing the other would allow them to gain a certain percentage of the wagered chips. Given the reputation of Tiger King and Azure Dragon, this battle attracted stakes that started from at least one billion, and even one ten-thousandth of that was a hundred thousand silver.


    The Tiger King had immense strength and was poor; his fighting style was fierce and dominant.


    He continuously suppressed Azure Dragon.


    Gaining the upper hand.


    Those who had placed bets on Tiger King were all yelling excitedly at the top of their lungs.


    As for those who had wagered on Azure Dragon, they clenched their fists tightly with foreheads dripping with cold sweat.


    Xiao Yi watched for a while but soon found it rather dull, and turning to Ye Heng beside him, he asked, "Who do you think will win?"


    Ye Heng was taken aback for a moment and furrowed his brows, saying, "Master, I think it should be Azure Dragon!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Why?"


    Ye Heng rested his chin on his hand and spoke in a deep voice, "Although it looks like Azure Dragon is at a disadvantage and is being completely suppressed by Tiger King, I see that Azure Dragon''s battle does not show any hint of panic. On the contrary, it seems as if he is deliberately putting himself in an unfavorable position... It feels like he''s digging a pit, waiting for Tiger King to jump in!"


    "Your little brat''s hair hasn''t even grown fully, what do you know?"


    "Didn''t you see Tiger King completely suppressing Azure Dragon? When narrow paths meet, the brave wins, and the winner will definitely be Tiger King!"


    A few people beside Ye Heng mocked him with their remarks.


    Ye Heng''s brow furrowed deeper, and just as he was about to speak, a wave of shocked gasps cascaded down from the stands like rolling waves, "What just happened? How did Tiger King die?"


    "What?"


    "Tiger King is dead?"


    "That''s impossible... My money... I bet my wife and daughter''s dowry and just lost it like that, how am I supposed to redeem my wife and daughter now..."


    All those who had placed bets on Tiger King were collectively stunned.


    Just a moment ago, Tiger King was completely dominating Azure Dragon, yet suddenly, he was dead? Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Several warriors seated next to Xiao Yi and Ye Heng had bloodshot eyes; their gazes fixed dead on the two, infuriatedly roaring, "Dammit, it must be you two jinxed bastards. Before you opened your mouths, Tiger King was completely suppressing Azure Dragon, but as soon as you say Tiger King''s going to lose, he dies. You two, compensate us for our losses!"


    "I bet five hundred thousand silver on him, you have to compensate us!"


    "I staked a million silver..."


    Facing a crowd of people with fierce gazes fixed on them, Xiao Yi and Ye Heng exchanged a glance, speechless.


    Were they supposed to take the blame for this, too?


    Xiao Yi touched his nose, and said playfully, "This isn''t fun! Are you blaming us for your wrong bets?"


    "Go to hell, are you compensating or not?"


    "If not, watch your backs trying to leave this Combat Pavilion!" The five men across from them bore malicious expressions as they glared at Xiao Yi and Ye Heng.


    The five had already encircled them.


    Their fists clenched, making crackling noises.


    Ye Heng looked to Xiao Yi, "Master, what should we do?"


    "Mix it up!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and said, "If anyone dares to make a move, break their arms and legs and throw them out!"


    Having said that.


    He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as if nothing concerned him.


    Ye Heng stood by his side like a statue.


    The surrounding spectators all drew back a distance, watching them with interest; such conflicts were very common in the Combat Pavilion and no longer surprising: "That youngster is unlucky, to have provoked those five gambling addicts."


    "I remember last time there was a bald guy who just because he sat next to them, and when these five guys lost money, they blamed that bald guy for bad luck and beat him to death!"


    "Young man, you might as well compensate them with the money! It''s not worth losing your life over money!"


    Faced with the crowd''s advice, Ye Heng smiled and said, "Thank you all for your concern, but five flies are no trouble at all!"


    "This brat actually dares to call us flies?"


    The five men exchanged glances and said ferociously, "Damn it, kill him!"


    Whoosh!


    The five men charged at once.


    Bang bang bang!


    After a series of muffled sounds of fists meeting flesh, calm was restored.


    It was all over in the space of three breaths.


    The crowd: "..."


    They saw the five fierce men already scattered on the floor, with broken hands or feet, completely incapacitated.


    Ye Heng searched the men and took out five purses, counted the silver notes inside, and said speechlessly, "Five grown men together have only a hundred thousand silvers? You''re really too poor, aren''t you?"


    The five men rolled their eyes together and passed out: "..."


    Rustle rustle!


    The guards of the Combat Pavilion arrived one after another, carrying the five men away without even asking about the cause and effect.


    The Combat Pavilion does not prohibit fighting between guests.


    For any damages caused, pay tenfold compensation!


    If you don''t pay?


    Throw them directly into the dueling arena, let them out when they''ve made enough money, and if they die, just throw them onto the pauper''s grave.


    After this disturbance, it became much quieter around Xiao Yi.


    At that moment...


    A girl in a red dress appeared in the center of the dueling arena, her delicate voice echoing in the Combat Pavilion: "The next duel will be between the newcomer, Blind Swordsman, with cultivation in the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. The other is Liu Meng with a broadsword, at the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm."


    Clang!


    Clang!


    Two iron gates opened.


    The man from the east was the tyrannical Liu Meng, with eyes like lightning and a burly figure, holding a nine-ring saber, exuding an impressive aura.


    The swordsman from the west was thin and wore ragged clothes; his eyes were hollow, revealing he was blind.


    "Eh?"


    Xiao Yi suddenly opened his eyes, looking towards the direction of the Blind Swordsman.


    The Blind Swordsman seemed to sense something, his hollow gaze wandering before it landed in the direction of Xiao Yi. His grey and white eyes moved around, then he lowered his head once more, a deathly stillness emanating from him, as if his life was nearing its end.


    The iron gates were open for about a hundred breaths before closing again, and the girl in the red dress announced loudly: "You all have half an incense stick''s time to place your bets!"


    "Do we even need to choose? It''s obviously free money for us, with Liu Meng suspected to be a disciple of the Kuangdao Sect and with a higher cultivation than the other; of course, I choose him!"


    "The odds for Liu Meng are 1.5 to 1, while the Blind Swordsman is 3 to 1; clearly, even the Combat Pavilion thinks Liu Meng has a higher chance of winning!"


    "Look at that Blind Swordsman, scrawny and blind, no way he could win..."


    Ye Heng looked at Xiao Yi: "Master, which side should we bet on?"


    Xiao Yi exhaled a deep breath and said, "Blind Swordsman!"


    "Okay!"


    Ye Heng nodded, then asked, "How much?"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said solemnly, "One billion!"

 Chapter 238 A Loss of Ten Billion

    "A hundred million?"Ye Heng stared at the stack of silver notes Xiao Yi handed to him, completely flabbergasted.


    This was a hundred million taels of silver!


    Actual, tangible silver!


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Go ahead!"


    When he saw the blind swordsman, he had a peculiar feeling, an intuition that exists between swordsmen.


    Xiao Yi was certain that the blind swordsman must have mastered the power of Sword Intent.


    In contrast, the overbearing Liu Meng displayed no hint of blade intent. Even if the blind swordsman''s mastery was only the first stage of Sword Intent, he was more than capable of defeating someone at the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm!


    Xiao Yi''s bet of a hundred million taels of silver truly shocked many people.


    You have to understand...


    Bets starting at a hundred million usually took place in the Earth Character Pavilion or even the Heaven Character Pavilion!


    There weren''t many inside the Mysterious and Yellow Pavilions who could place a bet of a hundred million taels of silver.


    Someone kindly advised, "Brother, betting a hundred million on that blind man is simply throwing your money away! Liu Meng the Overbearing Swordsman has nine consecutive wins. Even facing a master at the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he can easily deal with them!"


    "Yeah, you should change your bet while your disciple hasn''t placed it yet!"


    The crowd urged.


    Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "It''s fine, it''s just a hundred million. If I lose it, then so be it!"


    "..."


    The crowd exchanged glances, speechless.


    To him, a hundred million was nothing!


    The crowd''s gaze at Xiao Yi carried a tinge of envy, of course, that was also because of Ye Heng''s previously demonstrated strength, which prevented them from harboring other thoughts.


    Otherwise...


    There would likely be many more who would set their sights on him!


    It didn''t take long for Ye Heng to return, holding the betting slip in hand. He asked, "Master, can that blind swordsman really win?"


    Xiao Yi indifferently answered, "In this world, there is no such thing as absolute certainty, the battle will begin shortly!"


    Ye Heng instantly closed his mouth.


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    Boom!


    Two iron gates opened at the same time.


    The blind swordsman and Liu Meng the Overbearing Swordsman appeared on the dueling ground, facing each other. The blind swordsman held a long bamboo cane, gently tapping it on the ground as he fumbled forward, his grayish-white eyes moving left and right without focus. In contrast, his opponent Liu Meng wielded a big nine-ring saber, muscles like lead, radiating a domineering presence.


    Liu Meng forcefully implanted his nine-ring saber into the ground, opened his arms wide, and repeatedly clapped his hands over his head, calling out loudly, "Cheer, come on!"


    "Overbearing Swordsman!"


    "Victory to the Overbearing Swordsman!"


    Liu Meng laughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying the sensation of being the center of attention. With a tip of his foot, he kicked up the nine-ring saber, grasping the hilt midair with one hand.


    Clang, clang, clang! Sear?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The rings on the saber collided, producing a series of crisp sounds.


    Liu Meng''s gaze was ice-cold as he addressed the blind swordsman, "Blind man, you take the first move. I''ll let you have ten strikes!"


    The blind swordsman cocked his head, his grayish-white eyes wandering aimlessly.


    He made no reply.


    All that could be seen was his right hand gripping one end of the long bamboo cane, followed by a buzzing sound that resonated sharply. A streak of silver light flashed along the cane and then vanished.


    The blind swordsman, leaning on the long bamboo cane, tapped it around and stumbled toward the iron door on the east side.


    The crowd was puzzled, "What''s going on? Is he forfeiting?"


    "The fight hasn''t even started, why is he leaving?"


    Just as everyone was brimming with confusion, a soft sigh suddenly arose, "He has already won."


    All eyes turned in unison towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, a sharp light swirling within: "What swift swordplay��just now, in that instant, he actually unleashed nine swords!"


    "Nine swords?"


    Ye Heng was shocked.


    Just then...


    In the middle of the dueling arena, Liu Meng suddenly trembled, a speck of blood spurting from his neck followed by fountains of blood gushing forth like geysers, nine jet streams instantly dyeing the ground red.


    Bang!


    Liu Meng fell into the pool of blood.


    Hiss!


    A dead silence fell around the dueling arena, which after a brief pause, erupted like a flash flood: "Holy shit! Can someone tell me what the hell just happened? How did Liu Meng die without me seeing anything?"


    "Incredible, the Bling Swordsman''s sword is just too fast!"


    "In that split second, Liu Meng was hit by nine swords, this, this..."


    Several strong individuals next to Xiao Yi were shocked by the Blind Swordsman''s power, and they also remembered that Xiao Yi had placed a bet of one hundred million silver on the Blind Swordsman; envy appearing on their faces: "Congratulations, the Blind Swordsman was at three-to-one odds, you just made two hundred million with that bet!"


    "Brother, who are you planning to bet on in the next match? We''ll follow your lead..."


    Everyone was excitedly looking at Xiao Yi.


    In two consecutive duels, Xiao Yi had accurately predicted the outcome.


    Especially in the match with the Blind Swordsman.


    When almost everyone was doubting the Blind Swordsman, Xiao Yi resolutely placed a heavy bet of one hundred million silver on him, earning two hundred million silver in one go.


    This truly made people envious and at the same time, won their admiration.


    They all wanted to follow his bets.


    To Xiao Yi, this was of little concern, after all, the Combat Pavilion was backed by Blood Shadow Tower; to carve a slice from the enemy, why not revel in it?


    And so...


    The third match.


    The fourth match.


    The fifth match...


    Xiao Yi accurately predicted the outcome of nine consecutive matches, his wealth now accumulating to twelve billion. This was despite the odds not being as rare as the three-to-one seen in the Blind Swordsman''s match; otherwise, his profits from nine consecutive victories would have far exceeded this number.


    Even so, Xiao Yi was quite satisfied.


    In just a couple of hours, he had earned what Xiaoshanhe Institute spent in a month.


    "Combat Pavilion, indeed a right place to come!" Xiao Yi muttered to himself.


    If he were to engage in alchemy and marketing, just gathering the herbs would take a significant amount of time!


    Meanwhile...


    In the very center of the Combat Pavilion, within an area standing alone, where outsiders were not permitted...


    "Pavilion Master, there''s a big problem!" A powerful individual from the Combat Pavilion rushed in, frantic, facing a figure in a blood robe.


    "What''s the issue?"


    The figure in the blood robe frowned.


    The urgent individual said, "There''s a major problem from the Mysterious Character Pavilion''s side; a young man has been precisely predicting the outcome of each match. He has now won nine consecutive matches and earned more than ten billion silver."


    The figure in the blood robe impatiently responded, "So he won, just ten billion, we can afford to lose that much!"


    "It''s not that, Pavilion Master..."


    The person with a distressed face said, "Now, everyone in the Mysterious Character Pavilion is betting with him, and everyone''s making a killing. A rough estimate, in just one or two hours, we''ve lost over one hundred billion silver."


    "What?"


    The figure in the blood robe suddenly opened his eyes wide.


    One hundred billion silver!


    Even if the Combat Pavilion was a goldmine, that''s still a substantial amount.


    The figure in the blood robe narrowed his eyes, speaking gravely, "Go invite him here... no, I will see him personally. I want to see who is so audacious as to cause trouble in my Combat Pavilion!"

 Chapter 239 Are You Threatening Me?

    After Xiao Yi had won nine consecutive battles.The Mysterious Character Pavilion temporarily halted the next fight.


    As everyone was puzzled, Xue Wuhen, clad in a blood robe, approached Xiao Yi with a gentle smile on his face and said, "My name is Xue Wuhen, I am the Pavilion Master of the Combat Pavilion, may I inquire as to your esteemed name?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and replied indifferently, "Does my name really matter?"


    "Indeed, it does not!"


    Xue Wuhen smiled, sat down next to Xiao Yi, and spoke softly, "You''ve won quite a bit, why not quit while you''re ahead?"


    Xiao Yi looked at him amusingly, "What? Can the mighty Combat Pavilion not afford to lose?"


    "The strength of our Combat Pavilion is far beyond what you can imagine, how could we not afford to lose? However, greed is an insatiable snake that swallows elephants, and those who are overly greedy tend to meet bad ends. I''m merely considering your well-being. Take the money you''ve won and leave; you can still enjoy it greatly once you return. If you continue, it''s very likely you''ll lose everything..." The smile never left Xue Wuhen''s face, but the chill in his eyes grew ever more piercing.


    Not only was Xue Wuhen the Pavilion Master of the Combat Pavilion, he was also the lord of Xue Yilou.


    His cultivation had reached the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    An air of icy coldness emanated from him, prompting the surrounding crowd to scatter and avoid getting too close.


    Xiao Yi sized up Xue Wuhen, noting an aura similar to that of Xue Mantian��clearly, both had cultivated the techniques of Xue Yilou.


    Such an aura was exactly the kind Xiao Yi detested the most.


    If not for Xue Mantian, would he and Fang Qingzhu have been separated?


    Xiao Yi spoke calmly, "Wealth is but an external possession; loss is simply loss."


    "Are you determined to oppose my Combat Pavilion to the bitter end?" Xue Wuhen squinted and asked.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders.


    Xue Wuhen chuckled, stood up, and straightened his clothes, saying, "Very well, then I wish you continued good luck!"


    Before his voice had faded.


    He stroked his sleeve and strode away.


    Ye Heng looked at Xiao Yi with worry, "Master..."


    "It''s alright!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, revealing a serene smile, "I want to see what tricks he has up his sleeve!"


    Shortly after.


    The tenth battle commenced, this time a Blind Swordsman would face a bald young man of the same realm.


    "The Blind Swordsman is the one who slew Liu Meng of the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm with a single sword strike; isn''t this bald kid of the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm seeking death?"


    "I''m betting on the Blind Swordsman this round!"


    As they watched the Blind Swordsman in the arena, the crowd had fresh memories of his swift swordsmanship and commented one after another.


    Ye Heng asked, "Master, should we put all our silver on the Blind Swordsman?"


    "No!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, and watching the crowd place heavy bets on the Blind Swordsman, he said in a serious tone, "Place everything on the bald kid!"


    Several people around were startled, "On the bald kid?"


    "Young master, the Blind Swordsman is definitely stronger than the bald kid..."


    Xiao Yi said calmly, "I haven''t forced you to believe me!"


    While the people hesitated, someone spoke up, "Gentlemen, in my opinion, he''s been bluffed by the Pavilion Master of the Combat Pavilion. He''s thinking of intentionally losing the money back to them. We shouldn''t trust him!"


    "Exactly, anyone can see that the Blind Swordsman will win. Yet he insists we bet on the bald kid, for sure he''s chickened out!"


    "Don''t listen to him!"


    The crowd placed their bets on the Blind Swordsman.


    Ye Heng looked at Xiao Yi worriedly, "Master, this..."


    Xiao Yi laughed, "It''s their own money!"


    Ye Heng fell silent.


    Thump!


    The battle commenced.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, the blind swordsman indeed lost, losing in a somewhat inexplicable manner.


    Xiao Yi''s 1.2 billion turned into 1.5 billion.


    The others, however, suffered a crushing defeat.


    Less than a tenth had followed Xiao Yi''s bet.


    For a moment��


    The crowd looked at Xiao Yi as if he were an enemy, "It''s all your fault, you yourself bet on the bald kid, yet you made us bet on the blind swordsman��"


    "I really hate you, how could you harm us like this?"


    "I bet all my fortune on this, and now you''ve ruined me��"


    "You must have colluded with the Combat Pavilion to swindle our money��"


    Faced with the crowd''s accusations and provocation, someone even charged towards Xiao Yi, "Give us back our hard-earned money!"


    A chill flashed through Xiao Yi''s eyes, and with a casual wave of his hand, a torrent of vital energy surged out.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    One strong fighter after another was sent flying, sprawling across the ground in all directions. Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    Xiao Yi''s face remained expressionless.


    Ye Heng burst into a furious rage, "Have you no conscience? My master never asked you to follow his bets. When you make money, you forget his goodwill, but when you lose, you come to blame him? Besides, my master already said he would bet on the bald kid. It was you who thought you knew better and bet on the blind swordsman. Now that you''ve lost everything, it''s your own fault. Anyone who talks nonsense again, be careful lest I tear your mouth apart!"


    Looking at the few people wailing on the ground, everyone exchanged glances, not daring to utter another word.


    The eleventh pair of fighters made their appearance on the dueling stage.


    However��


    This time, Ye Heng returned, smiling bitterly, "Master, Xue Wuhen at the betting station, he won''t accept our chips."


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    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and stood up, making his way to the betting station.


    Xue Wuhen, with his legs crossed and an air of nonchalance, looked amused, "Oh, what brought you here?"


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "My disciple says you won''t take my chips?"


    "We won''t!"


    Xue Wuhen spoke defiantly, "Even if you calculate it accurately, I still won''t accept your chips. You also don''t need to think about predicting the outcome and letting others bet. I can change the outcome at any time." He slowly raised his right hand and clenched it lightly, "No matter how powerful you are, you will never be able to escape from the palm of my hand!"


    Xue Wuhen looked at Xiao Yi, smugly.


    He didn''t care about losing ten or so billion.


    After all��


    The latest round with the blind swordsman had allowed him to recoup a hundred billion.


    But Xiao Yi had previously disrespected him, which irritated Xue Wuhen, prompting him to deliberately make things difficult for Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "You mean to say, today it''s impossible for me to bet at the Combat Pavilion?"


    "Not just today, tomorrow, the day after�� for the rest of your life, don''t even think about placing a bet at my Combat Pavilion again, don''t even think about earning a single silver tael from my Combat Pavilion. Of course��"


    Xue Wuhen leaned forward slightly, a radiant smile on his face as he spoke ominously, "If you have the courage, you can directly participate in the duels. If you win, you will get a share of the bets. Moreover, the more consecutive victories at my Combat Pavilion, the higher the share. Ten consecutive victories entitle you to a tenth of the share, twenty consecutive victories a fifth�� If you can win a hundred consecutive matches, then congratulations, all the earnings are yours! However, if you participate in the duels, you could very well lose your life in the process!"


    Xiao Yi stared intently at Xue Wuhen with narrowed eyes, "Are you threatening me?"


    Xue Wuhen shrugged his shoulders confidently, "I am threatening you. What can you do about it?"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath and said, "I only wanted to make some money quietly and leave, but since you insist on pushing me, so be it!"

 Chapter 240 Who Can Withstand My Unbeatable Punch?

    "As I wish?"Xue Wuhen was taken aback, his eyes narrowed into slits as he looked at Xiao Yi with a playful expression, "Kid, you''re not actually thinking about participating in the dueling arena, are you?"


    In his eyes, Xiao Yi must have lost his mind.


    The duels within the Combat Pavilion were a matter of life and death.


    However...


    All of this, in Xiao Yi''s view, was exactly what he desired.


    Wasn''t this a great opportunity to make money?


    Winning ten consecutive matches would yield one-tenth of the prize, and winning a hundred matches in a row would grant him all the wagers.


    Such a streak of victories may be difficult for others.


    But to Xiao Yi, it seemed as simple as reaching into a bag and taking what he needed.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Don''t you just wish for me to join the duel in the Combat Pavilion?"


    Xue Wuhen frowned and said, "Kid, do you really prefer to die rather than yield to me? Don''t forget, this is my turf, and if you really get on the dueling ground, killing you wouldn''t be any harder than crushing an ant!"


    "I''ll also tell you, you''re forcing me into the duel now, but later you will be kneeling and begging me to leave!" Xiao Yi said with a cold laugh.


    "Hahaha..."


    Xue Wuhen straightened his body, his tangible gaze fixed on Xiao Yi as he said deliberately, "Little bastard, since you''re so bent on courting death, I''ll grant your wish!" Xue Wuhen shouted to someone behind him, "Bring someone here, prepare a token for this foolhardy kid, and take him to the Earth Character Pavilion!"


    Among the four pavilions of Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Huang, the Earth Character Pavilion is where the Golden Core Realm powerhouses fight.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation level was of the Golden Core Realm; naturally, he was directed to the Earth Character Pavilion.


    A strong member of the Combat Pavilion approached, took out a token, and said, "Please state your name, or you may use a nickname as a substitute!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "One Punch!"


    "One Punch?"


    The servant was momentarily startled, looking at him in confusion, "Does this name carry any special meaning?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Xue Wuhen behind the servant and said deliberately, "Who can withstand my undefeated punch?"


    With those words...


    A sense of arrogance and confidence was like an invisible storm, crushing everything.


    Hiss!


    The servant holding the token trembled violently, and the token almost fell to the ground.


    "Who can withstand your undefeated punch? That''s quite the bold claim. You''re not considering yourself Xiao Tianjiao, are you?"


    Xue Wuhen mocked incessantly, his face full of disdain and impatience, as he waved to the servant, "Take him to the Earth Character Pavilion and arrange his fight!"


    "Yes!"


    The attendant immediately led Xiao Yi to the Earth Character Pavilion.


    As for Ye Heng, he was taken by Xue Wuhen to the VIP area and was not allowed to place bets on the way.


    This left Ye Heng quite helpless.


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi had already been led by the servant to the prep area of the Earth Character Pavilion, where hundreds of powerhouses were meditating with their eyes closed.


    Each of these people was a Golden Core Realm existence, and every one of them was exceptionally indifferent, only giving Xiao Yi a glance when he appeared before slowly withdrawing their gaze.


    "Please prepare a mask for me!" Xiao Yi said. Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire


    "Please wait a moment!"


    Shortly after, the servant brought over a silver mask.


    As soon as Xiao Yi put on the mask, the servant said, "The Pavilion Master has given special instructions that as long as you don''t cry halt, we can keep arranging opponents for you. He regards this as a special favor to you!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, stood up, and walked toward the dueling arena.


    Within the VIP area.


    Xue Wuhen sat in a bold manner, with his legs crossed and relaxedly tasting his fine wine, his eyes narrowing into slits as he gazed at Ye Heng beside him who seemed somewhat apprehensive, "Kid, if you hand over those billions to me now and have your master kneel and apologize to me, I might consider sparing you both!"


    Ye Heng gave him a look and said, "You better think about how you''re going to beg my master to leave the dueling ground later on!"


    "Oh? It seems you have quite the confidence in your master!" Xue Wuhen said with a laugh.


    Ye Heng replied, "My master is invincible in battle!"


    "Invincible? Hahaha..."


    Xue Wuhen shook his head, chuckling disdainfully, "Then let''s just wait and see!"


    Xue Wuhen snapped his fingers.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The grand gates on both sides of the dueling arena burst open, and at the same time, a graceful woman appeared in the center of the arena and announced loud and clear, "The combatants for this battle: on the left side, our Barbarian King. The other is a newcomer; his name is quite unique, called One Punch. According to him, the meaning behind this name is ''Who can withstand my punch undefeated''!"


    The rules of Earth Character Pavilion are different from those of Huang Xuan''s pavilions.


    Here, they don''t publicize the combatants'' cultivation levels, but rather let people guess based on their feelings.


    "..."


    The vast Earth Character Pavilion fell silent.


    Then a burst of roaring laughter erupted, "Hahaha, isn''t this kid way too arrogant? Who gave him the courage?"


    "I''ve seen the arrogant, but never this arrogant!"


    "Barbarian King, beat him to death!"


    In the middle of the dueling arena.


    The Barbarian King snickered continuously, standing at a towering height of three meters, reportedly a strong man from a barbaric tribe living in remote forests. His hands kneading each other, producing a crackling sound that was loud and clear, he said coldly, "Kid, I''ll let you have the first punch!"


    "Oh!"


    Xiao Yi nodded agreeably.


    He threw a punch that seemed casual and light.


    Full of mockery, the Barbarian King remarked, "Your punch is so slow, and your power so weak, are you trying to tickle me?"


    However...


    The smile on his face suddenly vanished.


    It wasn''t that the fist had hit him, but just the force of the punch approaching.


    Whoosh!


    The Barbarian King didn''t even have time to scream before being blasted away by the force of the punch, without even being touched by the fist itself!


    Thud!


    The Barbarian King slammed hard against the Array and rebounded back onto the ground, completely knocked out cold.


    Hiss!


    The strong ones who were previously mocking Xiao Yi collectively fell silent.


    They all stared stupefied at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi looked up at the graceful girl and said, "Next!"


    The graceful girl had already received instructions, to continuously provide him with opponents as long as Xiao Yi didn''t call a stop.


    Previously, the Barbarian King was only at the fifth layer of the Golden Core Realm; this time, the challenger was at the sixth layer.


    And then...


    Bang!


    The Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Bang!


    The Eighth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Bang...


    Even when a fighter of the Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm stood before Xiao Yi, he was brutally smashed away, with none even capable of forcing Xiao Yi to throw a second punch.


    Just like the name he chose��Who can withstand my punch undefeated?


    As Xiao Yi continued to challenge.


    His winning streak was rapidly increasing.


    Ten rounds.


    Twenty rounds.


    Thirty rounds...


    Without realizing it.


    Xiao Yi''s consecutive victories had reached fifty, meaning that Xiao Yi could now take half of the total bets placed in each of his following battles.


    You should know...


    Due to his continuous victories, and so far no opponent being a match for even one of his punches, Xiao Yi''s reputation soared. More and more powerful figures came to place bets in his name. Now, for every battle of Xiao Yi''s, the Combat Pavilion had to pay out at least two to three billion Silver, and that''s not even including the half of the chips Xiao Yi now claimed with each battle. S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Inside the VIP room.


    Xue Wuhen was drenched in cold sweat, his hands tightly gripping the armrests, his face pale, listening to the reports from his subordinates: "What did you say?"


    "P-Pavilion Master, now with every battle One Punch fights, we have to pay out around one hundred and fifty billion total. Moreover, as his share of the winnings grows greater, more and more people come to bet on him. If this continues, we''re doomed..." The attendant''s face was full of despair and bitterness.


    "You little bastard, you''re forcing my hand!"


    Xue Wuhen''s face turned an iron blue, his eyes filled with fierce light, he gritted his teeth and ordered, "You, go fetch Ghost General immediately..."

 Chapter 241 Records are Meant to be Broken!

    VIP room.Clang clang clang!


    A series of metallic clashing noises came, and a figure appeared before Xue Wuhen and Ye Heng, clad in blood-colored metal battle armor, disheveled, and with long hair caked with congealed blood, sticking together, his face indistinct amidst the tousled strands.


    The very moment this person appeared,


    Ye Heng felt the temperature inside the VIP room plummet to freezing point.


    The drink in his hand also turned to ice.


    "There''s such a heavy evil Qi on this person..." Ye Heng silently cautioned himself.


    Beneath the disheveled hair, a pair of blood-red eyes flickered with cold, detached glimmers of light, fixing on Xue Wuhen: "Why did you summon me?"


    Xue Wuhen pointed towards Xiao Yi in the dueling arena and said in a deep voice, "Didn''t you instruct me to wake you if I encountered a strong enough contender worthy of being your opponent? Such a person has appeared. This man is nicknamed ''One Punch'' and has achieved a fifty-win streak. I want you to kill him!"


    "Fifty-win streak?"


    The Ghost General''s voice was ice-cold yet resonant, as he sneered, "Call me when he reaches his ninetieth match!"


    His voice was like that of a haunting spirit.


    At times delicate, at times rough, the yin and yang were indistinguishable.


    Xue Wuhen angrily retorted, "Why wait until the ninetieth match? Do you know how much I stand to lose?"


    The Ghost General replied indifferently, "When Xiao Tianjiao was in the Golden Core Realm, he defeated me on his ninetieth match, thus achieving an unprecedented ninety-win streak. It''s precisely because I failed to stop Xiao Tianjiao that I agreed to guard the Combat Pavilion. Let me take action when he reaches his ninetieth match!"


    The Ghost General then dragged his heavy body away,


    Completely ignoring Xue Wuhen''s angry roar, "Damned bastard..."


    Ye Heng quietly heaved a sigh of relief.


    For some reason...


    Even when he heard Xue Wuhen ordering the Ghost General to strike down Xiao Yi, he felt no worry at all.


    In his heart, Xiao Yi was invincible.


    No one could threaten his life.


    There was simply no need for concern.


    Xue Wuhen stared fixedly at Ye Heng, grinding his teeth as he said, "Boy, just who is your master?"


    Ye Heng answered lightly, "When my master completes a hundred-win streak, let him tell you himself!"


    "A hundred-win streak? Pure folly!"


    Xue Wuhen sneered as if looking at a madman, staring at Ye Heng, "Not even Xiao Tianjiao, the top talent of the Great Qian Dynasty, achieved more than ninety consecutive victories in the Golden Core Realm, a record that has been maintained for years. No one has ever been able to come close to his record. Do you think your master can be stronger than Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "Xiao Tianjiao?"


    Ye Heng was taken aback. S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That name was thunderous in his ears. Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire


    The number one talent of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Saint Heir of Tianjian Sect, and now a master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    An existence comparable to the proud sun above the sky.


    Yet Ye Heng hadn''t imagined that Xiao Tianjiao also only managed a ninety-win streak back in the day?


    What then, had stopped him from achieving the hundred-win record?


    Narrowing his eyes, Ye Heng muttered to himself, "If it were my master, he should be able to reach a hundred consecutive victories, right?"


    Xiao Yi''s winning streak continued to rise.


    Even when faced with opponents who were at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, they were still no match for a single punch.


    "One Punch, Unbeatable!"


    "Unbeatable!"


    As soon as Xiao Yi''s opponent entered the stage, the entire Earth Character Pavilion was filled with thunderous cheers and roars.


    Xiao Yi never disappointed the crowd.


    No matter where you came from, all were brought down by one punch!


    Unconsciously...


    The win streak had reached the ninetieth match.


    The graceful lady''s figure reappeared before the crowd, her gaze filled with reverence as she looked at Xiao Yi, and announced loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contender is our Combat Pavilion''s ultimate warrior. Additionally, he is the only one who caused Xiao Tianjiao to use two moves to win during his Golden Core Realm duels in our Combat Pavilion. His name is��Ghost General!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The war drums thundered relentlessly.


    "The Ghost General? My god, the Combat Pavilion actually sent him out?"


    "I was here when Xiao Tianjiao stormed the Combat Pavilion. He was truly invincible! Before he faced the Ghost General, no one could withstand even one of his moves. It wasn''t until his ninetieth fight that he met the Ghost General, and it took Xiao Tianjiao two moves to defeat him, thus setting the Combat Pavilion''s longest winning streak of ninety consecutive victories."


    "Ninety consecutive victories? With Xiao Tianjiao''s strength, wouldn''t a hundred consecutive victories be easy?"


    "What do you know? After Xiao Tianjiao defeated the Ghost General, no one in the Earth Character Pavilion''s Golden Core Realm was his match. He went straight to the Heaven Character Pavilion to challenge those in the Tao Tribulation Realm, winning nine straight victories there and accumulating nearly a trillion silver, angering the Pavilion Master who personally intervened and defeated him, halting his streak at ninety-nine consecutive victories!"


    In the midst of the whispering crowd.


    The Ghost General appeared in front of Xiao Yi, a tall and burly figure clad in blood-colored iron armor, clanking as he moved.


    His disheveled hair fell across his face, and his blood-red eyes stared at Xiao Yi as he said firmly, "You, are strong!"


    Xiao Yi squinted, assessing the Ghost General.


    There was a terrifying evil qi emanating from the man, chilling the air to freezing point. Within ten paces of the Ghost General, the ground was frosted over, the frost reaching up to Xiao Yi and stopping there uncannily.


    Xiao Yi said, "I heard it took Xiao Tianjiao two moves to beat you?"


    "Yes!"


    The Ghost General spoke with a muffled voice, "He is the strongest Golden Core Realm warrior I''ve ever seen, and no one has been able to break his record!"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, "Records are made to be broken. It took him two moves to defeat you, but I only need one punch!"


    "One punch? Hahaha, that''s the funniest joke I''ve ever heard!" The Ghost General''s laughter carried a hint of murderous intent as he took Xiao Yi''s claim of defeating him with one punch as a great insult, "As a reward for amusing me, I''ll leave your body intact!"


    As soon as the words fell.


    The Ghost General''s body shook, and the gray qi beneath him surged into a fierce gray steed.


    Mounted on the gray qi steed, clad in his blood-colored battle armor, and wielding a black spear, the Ghost General''s legs clamped down hard, and with a loud boom, he transformed into a blur of black and red, shooting past.


    His speed was so fast that all one could see was a trail of afterimages.


    "Ghost King Spear!"


    Boom!


    On the black spear, a fierce wind howled, emitting a wailing sound as it cut through the air, akin to the ghost king''s roar.


    Along the spear''s light, white frost continuously formed under the invasion of evil qi.


    Like the fangs of a ghost king, it thrust straight at Xiao Yi''s heart.


    In the VIP seats.


    Xue Wuhen reclined comfortably in his chair, smirking at Ye Heng, "Stop watching, your master''s fate is sealed. Over the years, aside from Xiao Tianjiao, no Golden Core Realm powerhouse has managed to survive against the Ghost General!"


    "No!"


    Ye Heng stated emphatically, "My master will not lose!"


    "Stubborn till the end..."


    Xue Wuhen let out a sneer.


    Meanwhile��


    Faced with the Ghost General''s lethal strike, Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, his right fist drawn back to his waist, then suddenly hammered out like an arrow from a bow.


    Rustling!


    Endless qi gathered atop his fist.


    This punch, seemingly effortless, was imbued with the power of wind and thunder. With a massive boom, his punch landed solidly on the sharp spear tip. Amidst another resounding boom, the long spear shattered.


    The violent gust of wind sent the Ghost General flying backwards.


    Boom!


    The Ghost General slammed harshly into the protective array and fell noisily to the ground, his body crackling with thunder, unable to get up again.


    One punch, instant kill!


    "Holy shit, he actually defeated the Ghost General with one punch?"


    "This is the Ghost General who could withstand two of Xiao Tianjiao''s moves, who on earth is this one-punch guy?"


    Amidst the crowd''s speculation, Xiao Yi paid them no attention.


    His gaze turned towards the VIP area, his voice calm but filled with a fervent warlike intent, "Xue Wuhen, I want to challenge the Heaven Character Pavilion!"


    "..."


    At these words, the world was shocked...

 Chapter 242 Stirring in All Directions

    The Earth Character Pavilion was filled with silence.All eyes converged on Xiao Yi.


    Before the battle began��


    The majority believed the odds were evenly split between Xiao Yi and the Ghost General, with only a few thinking Xiao Yi could defeat the Ghost General, but certainly not with the two-move victory that Xiao Tianjiao achieved.


    However��


    When the scene truly unfolded before them.


    The first reaction of the crowd was disbelief.


    This was the Ghost General, who, just a few years ago, could withstand Xiao Tianjiao''s two moves before succumbing. No one believed Xiao Yi could outdo Xiao Tianjiao.


    Or rather, no one throughout the entire Great Qian Dynasty thought anyone could surpass Xiao Tianjiao.


    Until this moment.


    They witnessed Xiao Yi''s strength and excellence with their own eyes, as he defeated the formidable Ghost General with a single punch.


    Keep in mind.


    When Xiao Tianjiao faced off against the Ghost General back then, he was also at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, and so is Xiao Yi now. Under the same level of cultivation, and with the Ghost General having undergone years of hard training to become even stronger than before.


    Yet under such circumstances, Xiao Yi still defeated the Ghost General.


    It was a one-hit kill!


    Without any doubt!


    While the crowd was still immersed in the shock of Xiao Yi''s victory over the Ghost General, Xiao Yi then proposed the challenge of fighting in the Heaven Character Pavilion.


    That''s the Heaven Character Pavilion!


    It''s filled with practitioners of the Tao Tribulation Realm, even those at the peak of the realm.


    Years ago, after Xiao Tianjiao single-handedly secured ninety consecutive victories in the Earth Character Pavilion, he went on to win nine matches in the Heaven Character Pavilion, earning a trillion silver. With just one more victory, he would have accomplished a hundred consecutive victories and create a miracle.


    The result was that in the tenth match at the Heaven Character Pavilion, Xue Wuhen, the Pavilion Master of the Combat Pavilion, personally intervened to target Xiao Tianjiao.


    At that time, Xue Wuhen was at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s cultivation was also at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    Even Xiao Tianjiao had not defeated the Xue Wuhen of that time, let alone the current Xue Wuhen whose cultivation had increased several-fold from a few years back, "He couldn''t possibly be thinking of breaking Xiao Tianjiao''s record, could he?"


    "With ninety consecutive victories in the Earth Character Pavilion, and having defeated the Ghost General, there is no one in the Earth Character Pavilion who can match him. It seems he really intends to challenge Xiao Tianjiao''s record!"


    "I think he''s been addled by his victories��"


    Inside the VIP room.


    Xue Wuhen was also startled, a trace of astonishment appearing on his face, "Could this kid really be intending to break Xiao Tianjiao''s record? How preposterous!"


    Back then, he had interfered to prevent Xiao Tianjiao from achieving a hundred consecutive victories because the final bet was a staggering ten trillion silver, and should Xiao Tianjiao win, the Combat Pavilion would have been bankrupted.


    He had no choice but to take action.


    Even though he ultimately won and stopped Xiao Tianjiao, that battle also damaged his foundation, preventing him from ever advancing to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Xue Wuhen never imagined that Xiao Yi was thinking of replicating Xiao Tianjiao''s feat?


    Ye Heng confidently said, "What does Xiao Tianjiao amount to? My master said that records are meant to be broken, and he will definitely break Xiao Tianjiao''s record!"


    "Nonsense!"


    Xue Wuhen sneered with irony, recalling his own battle with Xiao Tianjiao, he couldn''t help but express his feelings, "That Xiao Tianjiao was truly a favored son of heaven, exceptionally brilliant, unparalleled in ages past. That battle drew countless strong individuals, with even the ten great sects sending experts. That brought about a betting round of eighteen trillion silver, forcing me to intervene!"


    Eighteen trillion silver?


    Ye Heng inhaled sharply.


    Carrying several billion silver notes on him, he already felt immensely wealthy.


    How much would eighteen trillion silver be?


    Xue Wuhen squinted his eyes, looking down at Xiao Yi in the dueling arena, and spoke out loud, "Young man, do you know who''s inside the Heaven Character Pavilion? Your strength is not bad, but there are plenty stronger than you in there, and one careless move could cost you your life!"


    Xiao Yi looked up proudly in the direction of the VIP room, "Just say whether you dare let me go to the Heaven Character Pavilion or not?"


    Hiss!


    All those present drew in a breath of cold air.


    That was none other than the Pavilion Master of the Combat Pavilion, the Master of Xue Yilou, a being at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Xiao Yi actually dared to speak to him like that?


    Xue Wuhen snorted coldly and said, "What is there to dare?" After a pause, Xue Wuhen spoke aloud, "Open the Heaven Character Pavilion!"


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    The entire Combat Pavilion thundered.


    A series of ear-splitting, resounding bell tolls echoed across the emperor''s capital.


    The Heaven Character Pavilion was different; those who fought there were all strong practitioners of the Tao Tribulation Realm. When could one usually witness experts of the Tao Tribulation Realm clashing? Therefore, every time the Heaven Character Pavilion opened, the Combat Bell would ring to attract countless skilled individuals to come and watch the battle.


    At the same time...


    The tickets for the Heaven Character Pavilion were also extraordinarily pricey.


    Just the entry ticket alone was worth a million taels of silver, and the vast Heaven Character Pavilion could accommodate ten thousand people.


    It meant that selling all the tickets would bring in a revenue of a hundred billion taels of silver!


    This was truly a business without any capital!


    Just the ticket was priced at a million, and the betting amounts by strong practitioners in the Heaven Character Pavilion were even more staggering��usually no less than tens of millions, and many were even amounts in the tens or hundreds of billions. For instance, the battle between Xiao Tianjiaao and Xue Wuhen that year attracted a record-breaking betting amount of eighteen thousand billion taels of silver!


    A girl in a flowing red dress came before Xiao Yi and said respectfully, "Lord Yiquan, activating the formation of the Heaven Character Pavilion requires a vast amount of Yuan stones and will take two hours. Please, would you wait in the backstage area?"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    In fact.


    This mentioned adjusting of Yuan stones was just an excuse; they were waiting for those big shots to hear the news and come to the Heaven Character Pavilion.


    Without those big shots participating, how could there be massive betting?


    Xiao Yi had no objections to this.


    After all...


    With his current ninety consecutive wins, he could earn a ninety percent share of the betting amount for each battle. The more bets placed, the more he would earn��why wouldn''t he be happy?


    At the same time.


    The sounding of the Combat Bell in the Heaven Character Pavilion spread the news that a youth called ''One Punch'' would go to the Heaven Character Pavilion with his cultivation at the peak of the Golden Core Realm to challenge the record of ninety-nine consecutive wins set by Xiao Tianjiaao the news spreading throughout the emperor''s capital.


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    It even quickly reached the ears of the experts from the ten great sects.


    All ten great sects had branches in the emperor''s capital.


    In the Tianjian Sect''s branch, an arrogant youth, upon hearing the news, laughed coldly, "I want to see exactly who is so confident as to dare challenge the record of Saint Heir!"


    At the Vast Righteousness Pavilion''s branch, a man in white with a righteous aura smiled slightly, "Challenge Xiao Tianjiaao''s record? Interesting, truly interesting; it might be worth taking a look..."


    "The Heaven Character Pavilion is reopening, a perfect chance to make money!"��Kuangdao Sect''s branch.


    In the Yin Yang Dao Arena''s branch, "Immeasurable Heavenly Honored, child, follow your master to the Combat Pavilion..."


    Apart from the powerful individuals of the ten great sects, the four great noble families��Dongfang, Ximen, Nangong, and Beitang��also received the news and each sent their experts toward the Combat Pavilion.


    Inside the royal palace.


    Yang Ling put down the book in his hand, narrowed his eyes, and murmured with an odd expression, "Challenge Xiao Tianjiaao''s record? Golden Elixir Peak? It couldn''t be Xiao Yi, could it? Interesting, with nothing else much to do, let''s go take a look!"


    At the Xiao Family, they too received the news.


    Xiao Zhengde sneered and tossed the secret letter in his hand aside, scoffing, "What audacity, to think he can challenge the record set by my son? Someone, prepare my carriage; I will go to the Combat Pavilion..."


    If the emperor''s capital was bustling with activity, countless prominent figures were all converging towards the Combat Pavilion...

 Chapter 243 Father and Son Reunion

    Combat Pavilion.This has always been one of the liveliest places in the imperial capital.


    But today, the Combat Pavilion was exceptionally bustling, filled with a cacophony of voices, as countless officials and nobles converged toward it.


    "Why won''t you sell to me? Is two or three hundred million not enough to qualify my worth?"


    "You think two or three hundred million is a lot? My master has eight hundred million, and they still won''t sell to him..."


    "It''s said that there are too many people coming to watch this time, the Combat Pavilion has temporarily raised the threshold. Without a net worth of ten billion, you can''t even buy a ticket..."


    "Is it that exaggerated?"


    "Nonsense... It''s said that people from the top ten sects, the four major noble families, and the royal family have all sent people..."


    The entrance to the Heaven Character Pavilion was a surging sea of people.


    In the past, those with a net worth of one billion could enter the Heaven Character Pavilion by spending only one million Silver, but now the requirement has been raised to a ten billion net worth, and each ticket has been scalped to a price of ten million Silver.


    Those buying tickets were swarming like moths to a flame.


    Just from this one ticket sale, the Combat Pavilion could earn hundreds of billions of Silver.


    Xue Wuhen looked at the sea of people outside, with many crushing their heads in their eagerness to buy tickets, a playful smile appeared on his face, "Xiao Tianjiao''s reputation really is useful, just hearing that someone wants to challenge Xiao Tianjiao''s record, and so many people have rushed over!"


    "After all, he is the number one talent of the Great Qian Dynasty, the current Saint Heir of Tianjian Sect, and he has just recently broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he''s really in the limelight!"


    "Pavilion Master, all the tickets have been sold out!"


    "The top ten sects, the four major noble families, the royal family, the Xiao Family... basically, anyone in the imperial capital who is qualified to buy a ticket is here!"


    Listening to the continuing stream of good news from his subordinates, Xue Wuhen nodded, squinting his eyes, "How are the personnel arrangements going?"


    "As per your orders, personnel from the First Layer to the Ninth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm have all been arranged."


    A Golden Elixir Realm Peak expert revealed a sinister smile, "I''ve also discussed it with them, the first eight will intentionally lose to Yi Punch, then we''ll defeat him with the ninth!"


    Xue Wuhen squinted his eyes, speaking indifferently, "Remember to have them perform convincingly, don''t let any flaws be detected."


    "Pavilion Master, rest assured! They are all experienced at this!"


    Xue Wuhen nodded in satisfaction, gesturing, "Send Yi Punch to the Heaven Character Pavilion then!"


    "Yes!"


    Several people immediately withdrew.


    Xue Wuhen took a gentle sip of the drink in his hand, clucking in admiration, "Good wine must be savored slowly... All these fellows are supremely shrewd, it really takes a big bait to coax the money out of their pockets!"


    On the way to the Heaven Character Pavilion duel arena.


    Xiao Yi, his face covered by a black mask, paused in his steps as a figure appeared before him.


    That figure was so familiar.


    Their four eyes met.


    Xiao Yi recognized the other party at a glance, but it seemed as though the other party did not recognize him at all.


    This person was Xiao Zhengde, the head of the Xiao Family!


    The Combat Pavilion strongman guiding the way respectfully said, "Xiao Family Head!"


    "Mhm!"


    Xiao Zhengde nodded, his face displaying arrogance as he sized up Xiao Yi with a slant eye, "Kid, are you the one boldly claiming to challenge the record set by my son?"


    Xiao Yi''s body went rigid, his fists clenched involuntarily.


    Even though he kept telling himself that that family had nothing to do with him anymore, that the man before him was not his father,


    when truly facing him, he still inevitably held some expectation, hoping that Xiao Zhengde would recognize him. However, reality once again disappointed him. Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yi nodded, "Yes, it''s me!"


    Tsk!


    Xiao Zhengde scoffed, his arms crossed as he circled Xiao Yi, shaking his head, "I can''t see what''s so special about you. You don''t look like a fool, so how could you have such an unrealistic idea? Young man, I''d advise you to give up. My son Tianjiao is the number one talent of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Saint Heir of Tianjian Sect, a tremendous expert in the Dharma Manifestation Realm at just twenty-four years old. What gave you the courage to challenge his record?"


    Indeed.


    Nothing has changed at all!


    In his eyes, there is only Xiao Tianjiao. Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath of foul air and struggled to calm himself, speaking lightly, "There''s always someone better, how can one know without trying?"


    "Hahaha, what a sayings, ''There''s always someone better.'' While it''s true, it''s meant for ants like you. My son Tianjiao, is the ''someone better'' you speak of..." Xiao Zhengde stated confidently, full of mockery.


    Xiao Yi''s tightly clenched fist quietly relaxed and he said, "I might not be inferior to Xiao Tianjiao, how would I know without trying?"


    This sentence had been buried in Xiao Yi''s heart for a very long time!


    During those eight years of imprisonment, when Xiao Zhengde coldly announced that Xiao Yi should go to the Fang Family to become a live-in son-in-law, he had longed to say these words to Xiao Zhengde. However, Xiao Zhengde had never given him the chance.


    Today, he finally said them.


    Although...


    Xiao Zhengde did not recognize him at all.


    Xiao Zhengde was stunned, then shook his head and sighed, "Well, let us wait and see!"


    The two passed by each other.


    The sliver of hope in Xiao Yi''s heart, already so faint, was completely extinguished at this moment.


    What replaced it was a trace of icy coldness and determination.


    ...


    The Heaven Character Pavilion was ten times the size of the Earth Character Pavilion, after all, those who fought here were practitioners of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and the scale of their battles was countless times greater than that of Golden Core Realm fighters. The protective arrays around were also stronger.


    Just maintaining this protective array for an hour would consume elemental stones worth over a hundred million silver.


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    It could easily withstand the battles of those at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The seats for spectators had already been filled.


    The highest level on each of the four corners, east, south, west, and north, contained rows of VIP rooms, and each VIP room ticket started at ten million silver. Today, they had sold for as much as one hundred million silver. Anyone who could enter the VIP rooms was either a regional powerhouse or a merchant wealthy enough to rival nations.


    Inside the VIP room on the east.


    Yang Ling''s face was cold. Sitting next to him was a man in a luxurious robe who bore some resemblance to Yang Ling.


    This was Yang Ling''s imperial brother, the sixth son of Emperor Qian, Yang Jin.


    Yang Lin, a disciple of the Tianjian Sect and also in charge of the sect''s division in the imperial capital, sat there boldly, one leg crossed over the other, a mocking smile on his face, "Imperial brother, did I hear it was you and our father who recommended that Xiao Yi take charge of the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Yang Ling nodded expressionlessly.


    Yang Jin clicked his tongue and said, "Foolish! Don''t you know about Xiao Yi''s relationship with Xiao? You let him sit as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute; isn''t that just offending Xiao for no reason?"


    Yang Ling replied indifferently, "Whether it''s Xiao Yi or Xiao Tianjiao, they are all subjects of the Great Qian Dynasty. What''s wrong with my recommendation of Xiao Yi?"


    "Even if you recommended a beggar or even a cat or a dog, there would be nothing inappropriate. But you specifically recommended Xiao Yi, which is slapping Xiao in the face, stirring up trouble between Xiao and the royal family..."


    Yang Jin scoffed coldly, fully aware he had no qualifications to compete for the throne and always supporting the eldest prince Yang Kun, he naturally did not show goodwill towards Yang Ling, "Once this matter is over, immediately submit a petition to our father to dismiss Xiao Yi, and go to the Tianjian Sect to find Xiao and apologize to him in person, begging for his forgiveness. That is the eldest prince''s wish!"


    "Dismiss Xiao Yi? Apologize to Xiao Tianjiao?"


    Yang Ling caught his breath, then sneered and shook his head, "Go back and tell the eldest prince that if he wants to ingratiate himself with Xiao Tianjiao, that''s his business. Expect me, Yang Ling, to bow to him? Sorry, I can''t do that!"


    "You..."


    Yang Jin''s face turned alternately pale and flushed, his eyes instantly turned cold, and he huffed, "Very well, I hope you can still be so defiant when Xiao''s wrath descends!"


    Yang Ling responded coolly, "You needn''t worry yourself, Imperial Brother!"


    "Hmph!"


    Yang Jin snorted and stormed off.


    Yang Ling''s palm clenched the armrest so hard it burst apart, and as the wood chips fluttered, his gaze turned toward the dueling arena, "Xiao Yi, you better not disappoint me!"

 Chapter 244 Punch Explosion!

    ```In the dueling arena.


    The cold wind howled, swirling up dust and sand.


    It carried with it a hint of desolation.


    Tens of thousands in the stands were gathered, buzzing with excitement. Each person was deep in discussion, "Do you think this guy named Yi can hope to break the record set by Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "Are you still asleep? Why are you talking in your dreams in broad daylight? How could anyone surpass Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "He is the strongest genius of our Great Qian Dynasty. The only one who could probably break his record is himself!"


    Almost no one in the crowd of tens of thousands fancied Xiao Yi''s chances.


    At that moment...


    The figure of Xue Wuhen appeared in the dueling arena.


    The Heaven Character Pavilion has always been presided over by him personally.


    "Welcome everyone to the Combat Pavilion. As I believe you all know, today''s battle will be rather special. The challenger Yi, just two hours ago, defeated the Ghost General and achieved ninety consecutive victories at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm, and has announced his attempt to enter the Heaven Character Pavilion to challenge the record set by the Great Qian Dynasty''s number one genius, Xiao Tianjiao!"


    Xue Wuhen''s face bore a calm smile as he stood aloft, surveying the crowd, "Today, we invite all of you to witness whether Xiao Tianjiao''s record is nearly unshakable, or whether this young genius known as Yi can create another miracle!"


    "Xue Wuhen, don''t even think about tricking us into betting on someone named Yi..."


    "As if we don''t know your tricks already."


    "Hurry up and start! When it''s time to bet, we will naturally make our move,"


    Everyone chimed in.


    Xue Wuhen, feigning helplessness, said, "It seems the richer people are, the stingier they get! The Combat Pavilion''s business isn''t easy either, so please, do bet a bit more generously!"


    "Hahaha, I''ll definitely support, betting a hundred taels!"


    "I''m betting ten taels..." the crowd joked among themselves.


    Xue Wuhen shrugged his shoulders, pretending to be aggrieved, "Ladies and gentlemen, that''s too much! Surely you could start with at least ten thousand taels?"


    In the VIP seats to the west, an impatient Xiao Zhengde urged, "Just get started!"


    Honor follows upon one''s offspring.


    Ever since Xiao Tianjiao made his breakthrough into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the Xiao Family''s status rose like the sun at midday, and it seemed they were on the cusp of becoming the fifth great clan, so even Xue Wuhen had to show some respect.


    "Don''t rush, everyone. We''re about to begin!" Xue Wuhen nodded and declared loudly, "The two powerhouses in this battle are Yi, at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, and the Moonshadow Demon Blade, at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Ladies and gentlemen, betting will stop after ten breaths'' time, please place your bets!"


    The betting in the Heaven Character Pavilion didn''t require any special registration; each person''s ticket bore an engraved Formation, and bets could be placed using these tickets.


    People had not yet witnessed Xiao Yi in battle.


    Thus, the betting was cautious, and certainly not just a matter of a few thousand or tens of thousands of taels, as was joked before.


    After all...


    They were all notable figures who couldn''t afford to lose face.


    A rough estimate.


    The betting amount for this round reached one hundred billion, with less than forty percent betting on Xiao Yi''s victory.


    Xue Wuhen was not satisfied with this figure, but he knew this was only the first battle and that it was understandable for people to be cautious. He immediately said, "Betting is now closed. Please welcome the duelists for this round��from the eastern district, Yi, and from the western district, the Moonshadow Demon Blade!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The heavy iron doors on both sides were opened by two powerhouse fighters at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm.


    Xiao Yi and the Moonshadow Demon Blade''s figures gradually became visible.


    Xiao Yi was still wearing his black mask, his gaze icy and hands clasped behind his back.


    As soon as the Moonshadow Demon Blade made his appearance, he fixed his black eyes directly on Xiao Yi, the corners of his mouth lifting in a slight sneer, rich with disdain: "A mere ant dares to challenge Xiao Tianjiao''s record? How utterly delusional�� If it weren''t for the substantial conditions offered by the Combat Pavilion, I could take such an ant''s life with a single slash of my blade. Still, the Combat Pavilion didn''t say I couldn''t teach him a lesson..."


    With this thought...


    ```


    The Moonshadow Demon Blade pulled the black long sword from his back, blade grazing the ground, baring his teeth in a grin, "Xiao Tianjiao is my idol. You''re just unlucky to face me!"


    "Oh!"


    Xiao Yi nodded indifferently and looked up at Xue Wuhen, "Can we start now?"


    Xue Wuhen glared fiercely at the Moonshadow Demon Blade and urged, "Begin!"


    Boom!


    The Moonshadow Demon Blade dragged his long sword, sparks flying from the ground.


    In an instant. S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had already reached Xiao Yi, his sword slashing down from the air, "Starry Moonshadow!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The sparks that flew off converged into a vast expanse of stars, and within that embrace of countless stars, a silver crescent moon-like blade light descended from the sky. With a swift motion, it aimed directly for Xiao Yi''s head to chop down, its chill clearly perceptible even before the blade itself had closed the distance.


    The sharp blade light seemed like it would cut Xiao Yi open on the spot.


    Xiao Yi didn''t move a muscle.


    As if he hadn''t reacted at all.


    "Holy shit!"


    Xue Wuhen''s eyes twitched violently. The Moonshadow Demon Blade''s strike held nothing back, a definite killing blow, "The Moonshadow Demon Blade couldn''t be unable to stop, could he? If he finishes off Xiao Yi in one fight, how am I supposed to make money?"


    At this moment...


    A crisp clang echoed throughout the combat arena.


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    "Won?"


    "It can''t be over just like that, right?"


    The crowd turned their gaze toward Xiao Yi.


    Somehow, Xiao Yi had already thrown a punch, his fist colliding with the blade.


    But at this time...


    Jagged cracks sprawled across the sharp battle blade which, with a loud bang, shattered into pieces, sweeping toward them. Amid the dull thudding sounds, fragments of the long sword pierced through the Moonshadow Demon Blade''s body.


    The Moonshadow Demon Blade lay on the ground like a porcupine, blood flowing freely, body convulsing uncontrollably.


    Hiss!


    The previously noisy Heaven Character Pavilion fell silent as a grave.


    "Am I seeing things? Flesh and blood, and he smashed the Moonshadow Demon Blade with a single punch?"


    "If I saw it right, that blade of the Moonshadow Demon Blade''s is a fourth-grade high-level Yuan weapon..."


    "This guy called ''One Punch'' is no simple character!"


    Amidst the chorus of exclamations.


    Countless faces were slapped.


    Yang Ling had confirmed Xiao Yi''s identity the moment he appeared, and had been nervous for Xiao Yi when he faced the Moonshadow Demon Blade. Now, he relaxed, baring his teeth with a smile, "As expected of Xiao Yi, he really didn''t disappoint me!"


    In the next private room, Yang Jin wore a mocking expression, "The Moonshadow Demon Blade is just at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Back then, Xiao could defeat a Nine-fold Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse at just the Golden Elixir Realm Peak. Even Xue Wuhen at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak was left severely injured by Xiao, unable to step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm for a long time. How can this kid compare to Xiao..."


    In a private room to the west.


    Xiao Zhengde shook his head, "He''s not bad, but compared to my son Tianjiao, the gap is more than just a tiny bit!"


    Although Xiao Yi''s defeat of the Moonshadow Demon Blade with one punch was indeed astonishing, no one was optimistic about his chances against the record of Xiao Tianjiao. Predictions abounded, "Within three matches, ''One Punch'' is bound to lose!"


    And at this moment...


    A second opponent appeared in front of Xiao Yi...

 Chapter 245 One Punch, Still One Punch!

    Xue Wuhen hovered in midair and declared loudly, "For the second fight, Yi''s opponent is a Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm master, who boasts a fifty victories streak record in my Combat Pavilion''s Earth Character Pavilion��Geziyi with the Green Edge Sword!""Geziyi?"


    "This is a born female swordsman, wielding the Green Edge Sword that moves with the wind, not to be underestimated!"


    "However, I find that Yi interesting. He could explode the Moonshadow Demon Blade with a single punch. I''m planning to bet on him and see..."


    Ten breaths later, betting ends.


    The total bet amount reached fifty billion, of which eighteen billion was placed on Xiao Yi, yet still the vast majority believed he would lose.


    In the dueling arena.


    Geziyi, clad in a green-tight fitting garment with a white silk veil covering her face and gem-like bright eyes, appeared before Xiao Yi.


    They looked into each other''s eyes.


    Geziyi smiled slightly, "Three swords!"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "Hmm?"


    Geziyi said, "It will take only three swords to defeat you!"


    "Oh!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, gestured to her with his hand, "Stop talking, let''s get on with it!"


    "Hmm?"


    Geziyi''s expression stiffened. As a beautiful female swordsman, this was the first time she had encountered such a cold reception. She snorted coldly, "You''ve thoroughly angered me. With one sword, I shall disable you!"


    Whoosh!


    Breezes swirled around Geziyi.


    The sound of rushing wind was incessant.


    In an instant.


    The breezes merged into a storm, which then turned into a violent wind, concealing Geziyi''s figure within, making it difficult to capture her silhouette. This was the power of mastering the elemental wind of heaven and earth, applied to swordsmanship.


    The wind conceals the sword, the sword becomes the wind!


    Unpredictable!


    Swish, swish, swish!


    A series of spine-chilling whooshing sounds as sword shadows disappeared in the violent wind, unseen, yet the ice-cold intent to kill was palpable.


    Xiao Yi''s robe fluttered loudly as the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, "Playing with wind? I''m your forefather in that!"


    Wind Thunder Holy Body.


    Mastery over the power of wind and thunder.


    Xiao Yi merged instantly with the wind, and suddenly he threw a punch into the invisible violent wind: "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Whoosh!


    A golden Wrathful Vajra phantom condensed behind him, his arm shining like cast gold, swinging his fist that seemed to tear through the void, instantly disappearing within the dueling arena.


    Hum!


    The violent wind pervading the entire dueling arena came to a sudden halt.


    A streak of blood traced a graceful arc across the sky, followed by numerous tornadoes condensing and forming the figure of Geziyi being blown away in retreat.


    Thud!


    She crashed heavily against the Defensive Array, bounced, and fell to the ground.


    She completely lost consciousness.


    Xiao Yi conquered another battle!


    This battle, still just one punch!


    The Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm''s Green Edge Sword Geziyi was defeated.


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    At this moment...


    Some of the strong figures who had come just to watch the excitement began to look serious, some who thought Xiao Yi was overestimating himself in challenging Xiao Tianjiao''s record started to change their minds, and some who had already been looking forward to Xiao Yi performing a miracle felt increasingly excited.


    With two battles, Xiao Yi resolved both with single punches, and was slowly beginning to change everyone''s opinion.


    Inside the VIP room.


    Yang Ling laughed heartily, the light flashing in his eyes, "Good job, Xiao Yi, I knew you wouldn''t disappoint me. How could a man who annihilated numerous strongmen from the Great Jin Kingdom at the peak of Golden Elixir Realm be simple? Perhaps, he really has a chance to break Xiao Tianjiao''s record!"


    Yang Ling was taken aback by his own thoughts as he calmed down.


    That was Xiao Tianjiao!


    Universally recognized as the number one prodigy of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    Every record he created was said to be unmatched, unparalleled, unbreakable by anyone!


    Could this immortal legend really be broken?


    Yang Ling was excited and anticipatory, in contrast to Yang Jin, Xiao Zhengde, and others.


    Yang Jin snorted coldly, narrowing his eyes with disdain, "He has only defeated a Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse. Each layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm is like a different heaven. I want to see how long he can keep winning!"


    Xiao Zhengde had smashed two cups in front of him, and the maidservant beside him, with a bloody palm print on her face, looked at him in terror.


    Bang!


    Xiao Zhengde hurled another cup, his gaze icy cold. "This damned brat indeed has some skill. But to break Tian''er''s record? You''re still far from it!"


    No matter what everyone thought, Xiao Yi''s battles did not stop.


    And as he won two consecutive battles, the betting amounts grew larger, and the odds on him grew higher.


    The third battle.


    The betting amount reached eighty billion, with thirty-five billion on Xiao Yi.


    In the end, Xiao Yi still resolved his opponent with a single punch.


    The fourth battle.


    The betting amount broke one hundred billion for the first time, reaching one hundred twenty-three billion and five hundred million, with the first time over fifty percent on Xiao Yi��sixty-six billion.


    The fifth battle.


    The sixth battle.


    The seventh battle...


    Xiao Yi maintained his unbeaten record for eight consecutive battles, exploding his opponents with one punch every single time.


    Those present were regulars of the Combat Pavilion, but when had they ever seen such satisfying combat?


    No matter your cultivation level!


    No matter your streak of consecutive victories!


    All blown apart with one punch!


    This aggressive, dominant Xiao Yi had conquered most of the strong fighters.


    By the ninth battle, Xiao Yi''s opponent became an ace assassin from Xue Yilou, a Nine-fold Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. He was a superstar who had achieved sixty-five consecutive victories in the Heaven Character Pavilion, known as the Thousand-Handed Blood Butcher, Xue Asura.


    Thud, thud!


    Xue Asura''s steps were heavy as he entered the dueling arena.


    He tilted his head back slightly, opened his arms, and his eyes were slightly closed.


    In past battles...


    As soon as he took this stance, everyone would cheer for him, shouting his name.


    Today was no exception.


    Only, echoing through the Heaven Character Pavilion, the roaring cheers were not calling his name: "Wudi with one punch!"


    "Explode him with one punch!"


    "One punch..."


    The crowd was frenzied, chanting Xiao Yi''s title within the Combat Pavilion. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As for Xue Asura...


    Indeed, there were a few loyal fans shouting his name, but they were quickly drowned out by the resounding cheers.


    "Huh?"


    Xue Asura opened his eyes, looking bewildered around him as the familiar faces were not only failing to chant his name but were also calling for Xiao Yi to blow him away with one punch!


    This made Xue Asura''s face turn extremely ugly; his eyes coldly fixed on Xiao Yi.


    High above.


    Xue Wuhen''s expression was not pleasant either. According to his plan, Xiao Yi would have been defeated in the eighth battle.


    However, that Eightfold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse he had put his hopes on was still blown away by Xiao Yi with one punch.


    This had Xue Wuhen feeling stuck!


    Now, Xiao Yi''s popularity was skyrocketing, and the betting amount for the ninth battle had reached more than fifty-three trillion, with over forty trillion placed on him. If Xiao Yi won this battle, he would not only cause the Combat Pavilion to pay out over forty trillion, but he would also equal Xiao Tianjiao''s record!


    He absolutely could not allow this to happen.


    Xue Wuhen narrowed his eyes and transmitted his voice, "Xue Asura, at all costs, kill him!"


    Whoosh!


    Xue Asura let out a long breath, his cold gaze fell on Xiao Yi, "Leave it to me!"

 Chapter 246 Unbreakable? Then Let Me!

    Xue Asura was the ace assassin meticulously nurtured by Xue Yilou.Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm cultivation.


    With a mysterious movement technique and his art of killing, he was second only to the level of the sect leader within Xue Yilou.


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    This time, had it not been for the promise of a benefit worth a hundred billion silver from Xue Wuhen, he would not have been willing to cross hands with Xiao Yi, who wasn''t even of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Inside the VIP room.


    Yang Ling''s pupils constricted slightly, recognizing the formidable strength of Xue Asura, especially his unpredictable art of killing. Xue Asura once, all by himself, successfully assassinated a powerhouse at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    His combat power far surpassed the previous eight opponents.


    "I can''t believe Xue Wuhen would actually send Xue Asura, now things are troublesome�� Xiao Yi, can you win?" Yang Ling clenched his fists tightly. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yang Jin''s mouth curled upward, revealing a fierce expression, "With Xue Asura taking action, Xiao Yi is bound to lose."


    "The last opponent was a powerhouse at the Eighth Layer Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and Xiao Yi burst him with a punch. It seems that Xiao Yi''s strength must far surpass an Eightfold Realm, and though Xue Asura is powerful, Xiao Yi might not be unable to defeat him!"


    "The odds for both of them are nearly the same, this could be a battle of equals!"


    Bang!


    Xiao Zhengde''s cup shattered in his hand again, his face ashen, as he roared in anger, "Are all the people at the Combat Pavilion incompetent? So many people yet they can''t stop a junior at the Golden Core Realm Peak? Damn it, damn it��"


    Watching Xiao Yi win another round would allow him to tie Xiao Tianjiao''s record.


    How could Xiao Zhengde tolerate that?


    In his heart��


    His son, Xiao Tianjiao, was the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor, an unrivaled prodigy and pride of the heavens from past until present.


    Not to mention someone breaking Xiao Tianjiao''s record.


    Even equaling it was an insult to Xiao Tianjiao.


    "Patriarch, please be calm. Xue Asura''s strength is second only to Xue Wuhen in the Combat Pavilion. I believe he can surely defeat that boy!" said a Xiao Family guard solemnly by Xiao Zhengde''s side.


    Xiao Zhengde nodded, "You are right, Xue Asura will surely win." He glanced at the betting pool, "These idiots, so many think he can win? It''s simply laughable to the extreme. Bet on Xue Asura for me, five hundred billion��"


    The guard opened his mouth.


    He really wanted to remind Xiao Zhengde that in the previous eight fights, they had already lost nearly a hundred billion silver.


    Even for the Xiao Family, which was at its peak, such a loss was enough to cause significant damage.


    But he was just a guard and could only swallow the words that reached the tip of his tongue.


    Meanwhile��


    Within the duel arena, Xue Asura had already approached Xiao Yi, his aura of murderous intent making it difficult for anyone to look him in the eye. He said coldly, "To reach this step as a Golden Core Realm Peak, aside from Xiao Tianjiao, you are the first!"


    Xiao Yi calmly responded, "I intend to keep going!"


    "Impossible!"


    Xue Asura shook his head with indifference, "With me here, you can only stop here!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Nothing is impossible, what Xiao Tianjiao has done, I can do too. What Xiao Tianjiao hasn''t done, I still can!"


    "Truly arrogant!"


    Xue Asura laughed repeatedly, respect showing on his proud face when mentioning Xiao Tianjiao, "Xiao Tianjiao is the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor, an unrivaled genius. To this day, he has created countless miracles, and no one has ever been able to break these records!"


    Xiao Yi grinned, right hand casually opening and then firmly clenched, a muffled thump exploded within his palm. With each word firmly emphasized, he declared, "Unbreakable by anyone? Then let me be the one!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Asura was taken aback and then laughed heartily.


    His laughter was still echoing.


    Yet the expression on his face slowly became blurred, like a reflection in water, gradually fading away.


    This was just an afterimage!


    During their conversation.


    Xue Asura had silently launched an attack.


    Whoosh!


    A streak of blood light suddenly burst from behind Xiao Yi, dazzling to the eye, as if piercing from the depths of a void. Appearing silently and without warning, its power was extraordinary.


    Xiao Yi''s body was wreathed in the power of wind and thunder, crackling as it transformed into a purple-gold streak of lightning. He swiftly dodged with a swish.


    Whew!


    The scarlet sword made a futile stroke.


    It did not touch Xiao Yi''s body.


    From the air came Xue Asura''s ethereal, dreamy voice, "Asura Sword Prison!"


    Hum!


    Beneath Xiao Yi''s feet, a round patch of blood-red light suddenly surfaced. No matter how Xiao Yi tried to dodge, it continued to follow him. As Xue Asura''s voice reached him, the blood-red light suddenly rippled, much like the waves on the surface of water.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Blood-red chains burst forth, and in the midst of their clanking sounds, hundreds of blood-red chains sealed Xiao Yi within.


    At the same time.


    Xue Asura''s figure appeared before Xiao Yi. As the blood-red chains clanged and collided with each other, they twined together, continuously compressing the space where Xiao Yi stood.


    Atop the chains, longswords bristling with murderous intent simultaneously appeared.


    Hundreds, thousands of longswords, their sharp points directed straight at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Zhengde suddenly rose to his feet, his hands clenching a cup so tightly that it trembled. His eyes burned with fervent light, "Exactly, just like that... Kill him, Xue Asura, kill him for me!"


    Yang Jin leaned forward slightly, "This man must die!"


    Xiao Tianjiao was the Great Qian Dynasty''s strongest genius.


    And...


    He was also the Saint Heir of Tianjian Sect!


    He represented the fusion and face of Tianjian Sect.


    Every disciple of Tianjian Sect looked up to Xiao Tianjiao as an idol and would not tolerate any stain on his illustrious deeds.


    As Xiao Yi grew closer to breaking the record set by Xiao Tianjiao, Yang Jin grew more and more eager for his death.


    Yang Ling clenched his fists tightly, holding his breath, "Xiao Yi, you can''t lose, you absolutely can''t lose!"


    Trapped within the Asura Sword Prison.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved up slightly as he looked through the chains at Xue Asura standing before him, and he smirked, "Your movement technique is indeed good. I couldn''t even lock onto your position. If you had kept engaging me with that mysterious movement technique, you might have had a chance to live. But now, you''ve lost!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Asura was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "After deploying this martial skill, you can no longer move freely, right?"


    Xue Asura''s expression suddenly changed.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said...


    After deploying the Asura Sword Prison, he had to maintain a continuous flow of his vital energy into the prison; otherwise, he could not sustain it and was unable to move freely. That was why his Asura Sword Prison was designed to trap first, then kill the enemy!


    This technique was unbeatable!


    Even when he faced the assassination of a peak Tao Tribulation Realm expert before, it was with this move that he had slain the attacker within the prison.


    "Don''t dream of disturbing my focus..." Xue Asura snorted coldly, full of confidence, "This Asura Sword Prison is my Innate Divine Ability fused with the power of heaven and earth, not even a peak Tao Tribulation Realm expert could break through!"


    "We''ll see about that!"


    The smile on Xiao Yi''s face suddenly vanished, his sword-brows shot up, and his eyes sparked with brilliance like lightning.


    Swish!


    A crimson longsword landed in his palm.


    Wielding the Fire Qilin Sword with one hand, he drew several sword flowers, then suddenly unleashed a slash, "Reincarnation of the Azure Lotus!"


    Swish!


    The Three-Colored Sword Lotus condensed, ever regenerating in endless cycles.


    Boom!


    Under the impact of the Sword Lotus, the blood-red chains were crushed to pieces, and under the disbelieving gaze of Xue Asura, the Three-Colored Sword Lotus infused with the power of Wind Thunder struck Xue Asura''s chest with a swish.


    Immediately following...


    The Three-Colored Lotus bloomed.


    Gorgeous petals scattered about, completely enveloping Xue Asura within.


    Boom!


    A burst of blinding light obscured the sky.


    When the light faded and the Azure Lotus withered away.


    Xue Asura lay as a lifeless corpse in a pool of blood.


    "..."


    The vast Heaven Character Pavilion fell completely silent.


    In this moment...


    The words of Xiao Yi echoed in everyone''s mind, "Unbreakable? Then let me be the one to break it!"

 Chapter 247 Battle with Xue Wuhen

    No one can break it?Then let me be the one!


    Before this...


    This sentence had been the butt of many jokes, with people thinking Xiao Yi was overrating his own abilities.


    But now.


    Xiao Yi had actually done it.


    At least.


    In the Combat Pavilion, under the same conditions of being at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak as Xiao Tianjiao was at the time, he reached the same level as Xiao Tianjiao.


    Ninety-nine consecutive victories!


    He had equaled Xiao Tianjiao''s record!


    "Impossible, how could this be possible? My son Tianjiao''s record has been equaled? No, it can''t be..." Xiao Zhengde was completely enraged, venting like a madman in the VIP room, smashing tables and chairs, beating maidservants.


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    The floor gained a few more cold corpses.


    All beaten to death by him.


    The guard was trembling with fear, hiding in the corner and watching the hysterical Xiao Zhengde with a sense of dread.


    "My son Tianjiao is the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor, unique through the ages... The record he set was unprecedented and unmatched; how could it be equaled? Why has it come to this..."


    Xiao Zhengde''s eyes were bloodshot.


    In his heart, Xiao Tianjiao was perfect; no blemish could be tolerated.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi''s equaling Xiao Tianjiao''s record was like a black blemish on a pure and flawless piece of jade, tarnishing the beautiful gem, utterly ruining that perfect jade pendant.


    "Bastard, damn it all!"


    Suddenly, Xiao Zhengde, like a man possessed, looked at the guard and grabbed him by the neck.


    He needed to vent his frustration and anger through killing.


    The guard''s face turned red, struggling desperately, he yelled with all his might, "Master, I have a way..."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Zhengde paused, loosening his grip a little, he frowned and said, "What did you say?"


    The guard gasped for breath, disregarding his narrow escape from death and said hastily, "He, he has not quite equaled the young master''s record yet. In the young master''s hundredth fight back then, he withstood two moves from Xue Wuhen before showing signs of defeat, and he also seriously injured Xue Wuhen. As long as he dies at the hands of Xue Wuhen, the record will still belong to the young master!"


    Xiao Zhengde''s eyes lit up, he laughed and said, "You''re right, if Xue Wuhen kills this boy in one move, the record will still be my son Tianjiao''s. Go, tell Xue Wuhen that if he kills that boy within one move, I will grant him a breakthrough opportunity to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and besides, the Xiao family will owe him a favor."


    "I will go immediately!"


    The guard let out a long sigh of relief and quickly left the VIP room.


    A moment later.


    He found Xue Wuhen through the Combat Pavilion.


    Xue Wuhen was preparing to take the field himself; he didn''t care whether Xiao Yi could break Xiao Tianjiao''s record, what mattered to him was that he absolutely could not let Xiao Yi achieve a hundred consecutive victories.


    At this time, the guard of the Xiao family actually came to him.


    Xue Wuhen squinted and said, "He?"


    The guard hastily said, "Pavilion Master Xue, my master asked me to inform you... if you can kill that boy within one move, our Xiao family will grant you a breakthrough opportunity to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, additionally owing you a favor!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Wuhen was startled, a trace of burning desire flashed in his eyes.


    A favor from the Xiao family meant a favor from Xiao Tianjiao.


    That was worth a fortune!


    Moreover...


    There was the opportunity for a breakthrough to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    If it had been anyone else who made such an offer, he might have had doubts, but the Xiao family, with a monster like Xiao Tianjiao, indeed had the ability to offer such an opportunity.


    Plus, Xue Wuhen already intended to stop Xiao Yi from getting a hundred consecutive victories.


    To go with the flow, why not?


    Xue Wuhen nodded and said, "Go back and tell Xiao, I accept this matter!"


    "Then I hereby wish Pavilion Master Xue a triumphant victory in advance!" The guard also breathed a sigh of relief.


    No sooner had the guard left.


    Yang Jin appeared in front of Xue Wuhen. Xue Wuhen dared not treat Yang Jin as lightly as he did the guard, he saluted with his hands and said, "Your Highness!"


    Yang Jin nodded and said indifferently, "I want you to kill him!"


    "Rest assured, Your Highness!"


    Xue Wuhen bared a ferocious and cold smile, "I will execute him!"


    "Hmm!"


    Yang Jin left with an indifferent expression on his face.


    Xue Wuhen took a deep breath, his eyes glinting with a cold, knife-like light, "Kid, you can''t blame me for this. Too many people want you dead!"


    ...


    In the dueling arena.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged, with his eyes closed, gathering his strength.


    Whoosh!


    He suddenly opened his eyes to see Xue Wuhen appearing not far in front of him.


    Their eyes locked.


    Xue Wuhen spoke indifferently, "I didn''t want to kill you, but someone came to me, wanting your life!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "The Xiao Family?"


    "Not just the Xiao Family!"


    "Tianjian Sect?"


    Xue Wuhen nodded, not surprised that Xiao Yi could guess the Xiao Family and the Tianjian Sect. Within the vast Great Qian Dynasty, probably only these two powers wouldn''t want to see the legend of Xiao Tianjiao shattered.


    With firm steps approaching Xiao Yi, Xue Wuhen said with an indifferent expression, "To make it this far at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, you are truly strong, even giving me the impression that you''re stronger than Xiao Tianjiao in his early days. If it were me back then, even if I could beat you, it would be extremely difficult. But now, killing you would be as easy as flipping my hand!"


    The murderous aura on his body became more and more concentrated, chilling to the bone.


    A cold breath enveloped the entire Heaven Character Pavilion.


    Everyone subconsciously tightened their collars.


    The chill was bone-piercingly cold.


    It was the concentration of a supreme killing intent.


    Tao Tribulation Realm Peak!


    Even if the great battle back then had damaged his foundation, after many years of healing, his injuries had long since recovered. Even without stepping into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he was much stronger than before. Xue Wuhen beckoned, "Sword, come!"


    Whoosh!


    A flood of blood erupted from within his body, spreading up his arm, ultimately condensing in his palm.


    A blood-colored longsword appeared.


    The sword was coiled with a blood snake; its scales were lifelike, as if it were alive.


    "A Sixth-Layer Primal Soldier Bloody Mang Sword?"


    "Who would have thought Xue Wuhen would bring out this sword �� he''s going to slice that man with a single strike!"


    "It''s over, it''s over, I, I actually placed a hundred billion on him! If he loses now, won''t I be ruined?"


    "Idiot, we knew from the start that the Combat Pavilion wouldn''t let him win easily. We all bet on Xue Wuhen to win. You dared to place a bet on him; if you lose, who can you blame?"


    A low shout drowned out the murmured discussions.


    "Blood Python Swallowing the Dragon!"


    Xue Wuhen thrust out the Bloody Mang Sword in his hand.


    Whoosh!


    The blood snake on the sword seemed to come to life, its eyes emitting a dim, cold light, and a blood snake over ten meters long opened its huge mouth.


    A blood-colored glow instantly covered the entire dueling arena.


    The ground of the platform thundered and roared wherever the blood sword light passed, like a dragon turning over, shattering the ground with loud noises. Everything seemed to be on the verge of destruction, even the protective Array surrounding the dueling area was violently trembling, appearing as if it might shatter.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly contracted, as he struck against the tide with his Fire Qilin Sword, "Azure Lotus Rebirth!"


    Whoosh!


    A Three-Colored Sword Lotus condensed. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However...


    Xue Wuhen''s strength was ultimately far too much for him, as a giant blood python swallowed the Three-Colored Sword Lotus in one bite.


    With a booming sound.


    Xiao Yi''s figure flew backward, vomiting fresh blood, landing staggeringly.


    The Fire Qilin Sword in his hand shattered into pieces amidst crackling sounds, and fresh blood continuously spilled from Xiao Yi''s mouth.


    After all, he was only at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    Even though the Golden Elixir Halo had been reformed and had shrunk back to twenty layers, and even though he was bolstered by the Wind Thunder Holy Body, he was only comparable to an ordinary Tao Tribulation Realm Peak. Faced with Xue Wuhen, who was among the top warriors of the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, Xiao Yi''s current cultivation was still not enough.


    "You lost!"


    Xue Wuhen said expressionlessly, "In consideration of your talent, I will leave you a whole corpse!"


    "Heh, heh-heh..."


    Xiao Yi, however, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and let out a series of low chuckles, slowly raising his head and staring intently at Xue Wuhen. On his body, a layer of blood-colored light continued to spread as he said, word by word, "This is just the beginning!"

 Chapter 248 You, Lost!

    ```"This is just the beginning!"


    A brilliant smile appeared on Xiao Yi''s face as he grinned and said.


    His voice wasn''t loud, yet it echoed in the ears of everyone in the Heaven Character Pavilion.


    Accompanied by that hint of vivid red at the corner of his mouth, it gave off a chilling sensation.


    In a trance...


    It was as if on a battlefield littered with corpses, a general standing alone with a bloodstained battle flag in hand, proudly standing between heaven and earth, faced tens of thousands of enemies without a hint of retreat.


    One man holds the pass, ten thousand men can''t break through!


    "You are indeed very strong, but after all, your cultivation is too weak. Just at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, being able to come this far, you are already comparable to Xiao Tianjiao," Xue Wuhen spoke indifferently, the blood-colored sword light in his hand humming and pulsating.


    If the sword light moved forward just a tad more, it would be able to pierce through Xiao Yi''s heart.


    In the VIP room.


    Xiao Zhengde''s voice came through: "Xue Wuhen, what are you hesitating for?"


    His voice was somewhat impatient, and even more so furious.


    One move had passed.


    Xiao Yi had lost.


    As long as he took one more step and killed him, then the record of his beloved son, Xiao Tianjiao, would not be tied, much less broken.


    Xue Wuhen frowned, staring at Xiao Yi and said in a deep voice, "Little guy, I''m sorry. The benefits promised by Xiao Zhengde are simply too tempting. I can only say sorry to you! But don''t worry, I won''t let anyone harm your corpse..." S��arch* The n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi grinned and replied, "Thanks in advance!"


    Based on his understanding of Xiao Zhengde.


    Once he died, it was very possible that Xiao Zhengde would indeed claim his body to torment him in various ways.


    To not even let him rest in peace after death!


    This was a person verging on madness!


    To protect Xiao Tianjiao, Xiao Zhengde could carry out acts of insanity that people couldn''t comprehend.


    For example...


    Imprisoning his own flesh and blood for eight years.


    And for example...


    To arrange a mate for Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, he sent his own son to a remote place to become a son-in-law, even going as far as removing his name from the family register.


    Such actions, for a father, were terrifying and mad to the extreme.


    However.


    None of that mattered anymore.


    Today''s Xiao Yi was no longer someone who could be manipulated at will!


    "When I break your precious son''s record and unmask myself, I wonder what your expression will be? My dear father..." Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed coldly as he watched the longsword in Xue Wuhen''s hand thrust towards his chest.


    A blood-red light had completely enveloped his body.


    Blood Explosion Skill!


    The fifth level!


    Immediately burning fifty percent of his blood, a loud boom resounded, and the blood-red light around his body surged.


    Endless blood light converged into a suit of blood-colored armor. With a clang, the longsword in Xue Wuhen''s hand was forcefully blocked by the blood-colored armor, unable to advance any further, let alone shatter his heart.


    "What?"


    Xue Wuhen''s expression changed drastically.


    His left hand simultaneously placed itself on the hilt of the sword, pushing forward continually.


    But no matter how hard he tried, the blade just wouldn''t advance an inch further!


    At that moment, Xiao Yi''s strength and speed, both enhanced fivefold by the Blood Explosion Skill, exceeded Xue Wuhen''s.


    Relying on his Wind Thunder Holy Body, the power of becoming a god, and his Limitless Golden Elixir, he already possessed the power to contend with the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Now with all aspects of his power quintupled, he had surpassed Xue Wuhen.


    Clang!


    Xiao Yi reached out abruptly with his right hand, gripping the blade of Xue Wuhen''s Blood Mang Sword.


    As two blood-colored lights collided, a series of terrifying spatial ripples burst forth, followed by raging winds that swept out in all directions. Amid those raging winds, Xiao Yi''s left hand slapped the ground.


    Boom!


    ```


    The ground cracked open, and as dust flew about, Xiao Yi leaped into the air.


    In the midst of his ascension,


    Xiao Yi grabbed hold of the Blood Mang Sword and yanked it back, "Let go!"


    Whoosh!


    Propelled by a brutal force, the Blood Mang Sword shot out of hand, tearing apart the palms of Xue Wuhen, with blood spurting wildly, as the crimson glow surged madly from Xiao Yi''s body.


    It turned into a massive blood-red hand, extending over ten meters, and with a loud bang, it grasped the ground.


    The ground burst open.


    The blood-red hand, like a dog''s paw, firmly grasped the ground, simultaneously pulling back Xiao Yi''s form, shooting toward the back of Xue Wuhen like an arrow released from its string. Xue Wuhen''s face changed abruptly, the loss of the Blood Mang Sword causing a momentary lapse in concentration.


    At that moment, he snapped back to reality as a piercing whoosh sounded from behind him.


    The battle-hardened Xue Wuhen let out a cold snort without turning his head, and thrust his hands backward, "Blood Demon Great Palm Imprint!"


    Hum!


    Amidst the sea of blood light, a cold and blood-colored hand emerged in the void, only to be shattered by Xiao Yi with a loud bang.


    Taking advantage of this split second,


    Xue Wuhen lunged forward, avoiding by tens of meters.


    Almost simultaneously��


    Xiao Yi landed with a thunderous noise where Xue Wuhen had been standing, the ground beneath exploding and cracks spreading out in all directions, with large chunks of stone and soil jutting out. Amidst the rolling dust, Xiao Yi abruptly pulled back and propelled himself away.


    In the moment of his evasion,


    Xue Wuhen''s counterattack was already on its way.


    This was a sea of blood, spreading across the ground, just shy of engulfing Xiao Yi.


    "Blood Sea Purgatory!"


    Xue Wuhen spat out a mouthful of vital blood, merging it into the torrent of crimson.


    The blood fervently expanded.


    Ten meters.


    Fifty meters.


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    In the blink of an eye��


    The entire dueling ground was covered in a layer of bright red, forcing Xiao Yi to hover above, while Xue Wuhen stood smugly atop the blood sea, "Blood Demon Devouring God!"


    Crash!


    Waves of blood surged monstrously, towering tens of meters high.


    Like a colossal wall of blood.


    Blood-colored hands emerged from the waves, clawing and reaching frantically toward Xiao Yi.


    These waters were intensely corrosive and paralytic.


    The moment one came into contact,


    Even a mere touch to the skin would instantly corrode it, paralyze the entire body, depriving one of the strength to fight again. Xiao Yi had witnessed such tactics firsthand when facing Xue Mantian.


    Though the moves differed, their effects were strikingly similar.


    "The power of Wind Thunder, eradicate all!"


    Xiao Yi shook all over.


    Unleashing the power of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, a blend of azure winds and purple-gold lightning enveloped him like a net of electricity. His speed surged, and he blasted through the massive blood waves with a thunderous roar.


    The force of thunder was inherently overpowering.


    With the added annihilating force of the raging wind, it was even more terrifying!


    Hisss!


    Xiao Yi tore through the blood wave, and at the same time, his gaze landed on the figure that had appeared before him.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a smirk as he threw a punch at the astonished face of Xue Wuhen.


    Thud!


    Amid a resounding noise as loud as evening drums and morning bells, Xue Wuhen screamed in agony, flying backward like a kite with its string cut.


    With a loud crash,


    Xue Wuhen hit the ground, and just as he attempted to rise, he saw a cold and blood-colored edge already resting upon his throat, accompanied by Xiao Yi''s indifferent voice, "You''ve lost!"

 Chapter 249 Xiao, Please Wait!

    "You, lost!"Xiao Yi stood proudly in the middle of the duel arena, with a blood-colored light converging at his fingertips, forming a blade pressed against Xue Wuhen''s throat.


    A drop of blood fell from his neck.


    Just a little further and he would sever his throat and decapitate him.


    A look of confusion flashed across Xue Wuhen''s face.


    He was the master of Xue Yilou, the Pavilion Master of Combat Pavilion, a towering presence at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak.


    Today...


    He had actually lost!


    And to a junior at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak?


    A deep sense of defeat swept over him, and Xue Wuhen''s face turned pale. He wanted to activate his profound energy and fight again. But as the thought occurred to him, the energy blade in Xiao Yi''s hand had already cut through his neck.


    The sharp pain and the hot blood flowing from his neck made Xue Wuhen shudder.


    After much hesitation.


    The profound energy inside him subsided.


    With a forced smile, he defeatly said, "I lost!" S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    With those three words, the entire Heaven Character Pavilion erupted: "Damn, won? Just like that?"


    "A hundred consecutive victories! A Golden Elixir Realm Peak junior actually defeated a Tao Tribulation Realm Peak powerhouse, achieving a hundred consecutive victories..."


    "Xiao Tianjiao''s record wasn''t just tied, it was broken!"


    "Being at the same Golden Elixir Realm Peak and facing the same Xue Wuhen, Xiao Tianjiao took two moves and was defeated, but this man directly overcame Xue Wuhen. The difference is clear, at least within the same realm, Xiao Tianjiao is no match for him!"


    "My money... it''s all gone..."


    "Hahaha, I tripled my billion silver, hahaha..."


    The odds for Xiao Yi''s victory were set at three to one, while Xue Wuhen''s were at two to one, and nearly everyone believed Xue Wuhen would have the last laugh before the end of the fight.


    Reality proved...


    Reality and fantasy have a huge gap.


    In the VIP seats.


    "Useless trash."


    Yang Jin''s face was incredibly grim as he stared at Xiao Yi with a deadly gaze, "This man, he must not remain!"


    Strong representatives from several other sects saw potential: "With such talent, even if he''s not comparable to Xiao Tianjiao, the difference is slight. If cultivated well, he could possibly become the next Xiao Tianjiao. We must pull him into our sect!"


    "If he doesn''t submit, then we should eliminate him before he grows!"


    Among the Four Great Clans.


    Nangong Jingtang, patriarch of the Nangong Family, narrowed his eyes and stroked his mustache: "My Nangong Family has successfully recruited Ye Heng. If we can bring this young man under our wing, who then can stop the Nangong Family''s rise?"


    Dongfang Yuechu, the head of the Dongfang Family, and Ximen Yijian, the head of the Ximen Family, exchanged a glance. These two families had close bonds: "We must discover this man''s identity. If he can''t be a friend, we must eliminate him as soon as possible!"


    Representing the Beitang Family was the young master, Beitang Yu, who meanwhile stroked his chin with a pondering smile: "Interesting, really interesting... Xiao Tianjiao, your legend has been broken, and I can''t wait to see the expression on your face when you hear this news! Hahahaha..."


    In the VIP room where Xiao Zhengde was.


    The guard was once again gripped by the throat and pinned against the wall by Xiao Zhengde, who furiously punched him, "Scum, scum, scum..."


    His eyes were bloodshot, his breathing as rough as a wolf''s howl, and he was radiating a fierce killing intent.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s record had been broken.


    The undefeated legend of Xiao Tianjiao had been broken.


    This once pure and flawless jade now bore an indelible blemish.


    No matter how powerful Xiao Tianjiao was, he would no longer be like before, almost a deity, unparalleled among his peers.


    Whenever anyone mentioned Xiao Tianjiao, they would surely think of Xiao Yi!


    This man, also at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, broke the sealed record of Xiao Tianjiao...


    Some are happy, some are in despair.


    Upon seeing Xiao Yi claim the final victory and create a new record surpassing Xiao Tianjiao''s hundred consecutive wins,


    Yang Ling abruptly sprang up from his chair, his face awash with ecstatic joy as he murmured to himself, "Truly worthy of being the one who nearly destroyed the entire Great Jin Kingdom single-handedly, he actually did it..."


    It was Yang Ling''s idea to recommend Xiao Yi as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The initial scheme of Yang Ling and Emperor Qian was to let Xiao Yi succeed the position as institute head in order to balance the powers of the four major noble families and the ten great sects.


    But he never expected...


    That Xiao Yi would be so strong!


    His growth rate was so fast!


    What surprised him even more was that Xiao Yi''s talent was in no way inferior to that of Xiao Tianjiao, the top genius of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Narrowing his eyes, Yang Ling''s face showed excitement, "I''ll go meet Xiao Yi first, then go back and tell my father this news. He will definitely be very pleased!"


    Xiao Tianjiao is incredibly proud, not even regarding the royal family in his eyes.


    In contrast to Xiao Yi...


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    He is amicable, and especially values loyalty!


    When Jiang Tianchen was willing to exert his nation''s full strength to confront Xue Yilou for his sake, Xiao Yi single-handedly flattened Tianlan, crushed Qingyun, defeated the Four Seas, broke through the White Whale, and ultimately annihilated the Great Jin Kingdom.


    He propelled Tianqing Kingdom, once ranked at the bottom among the 100+ vassal nations of the Great Qian Dynasty, to become the strongest subordinate nation.


    Under Great Qian, Tianqing reigns supreme.


    "As long as we treat Xiao Yi sincerely, I believe he will definitely stand on the side of our royal family..." Yang Ling thought, becoming even more firm in his decision to forge a genuine bond with Xiao Yi.


    At the same time...


    In the duel arena, Xue Wuhen closed his eyes in despair, waiting for Xiao Yi to take his life.


    But what he got instead was Xiao Yi''s impatient voice, "How long do you plan to lie there?"


    "Huh?"


    Xue Wuhen was taken aback, opened his eyes, and looked incredulously at Xiao Yi, "You, you''re not going to kill me?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Do you really want to die? I can oblige you if you wish!"


    He never had a strong intent to kill Xue Wuhen, especially since during their previous encounter, Xue Wuhen had insisted that no one should defile his corpse, which in itself gained Xiao Yi''s respect and led him to decide to spare his life.


    Xue Wuhen: "..."


    His face changing, he finally let out a deep breath and said with a wry smile, "Losing to you is not a disgrace."


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "But you can''t owe me a single cent of the money you lost to me!"


    "..."


    With a bitter smile, Xue Wuhen said with pained expression, "Don''t worry, you won''t be shortchanged!"


    A hundred consecutive wins, no less!


    Just from the last match alone, Xiao Yi would take away thirteen trillion silver.


    Add to that the various other shares from previous matchups.


    This time, Xiao Yi could claim thirty-seven trillion silver from the Combat Pavilion, which in real gold and silver and based on the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s monthly expenditures of ten billion, would suffice to fund the institute for more than three thousand years.


    "It seems like the scale of Xiaoshanhe Institute can be expanded a bit more this time!" Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a slight smile.


    All of a sudden...


    He caught a glimpse of Xiao Zhengde leaving the VIP room from the corner of his eye. Xiao Yi fell silent for a moment, then turned to Xue Wuhen beside him, "Do me a favor!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Wuhen was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said in a low voice, "Arrange a room for me. Have Xiao Zhengde come see me!"


    "Xiao Zhengde?"


    Xue Wuhen blinked in surprise but didn''t overthink it and nodded, "I''ll get to it right away!"


    A moment later...


    At the exit of the Heaven Character Pavilion, Xiao Zhengde walked out with a dark expression. Just then, he heard the voice of Xue Wuhen from behind, "Pavilion Master Xiao, please wait a moment!"

 Chapter 250 Hes Xiao Yi?!

    "Pavilion Master Xiao, please wait!"The voice of Xue Wuhen echoed from behind, causing Xiao Zhengde to halt in his steps.


    His face was extremely ugly, and his body was stained with copious amounts of fresh blood.


    The guard and several maidservants were nowhere to be seen, obviously having become the objects of his vented fury, all of them slain by his hand.


    Although Xiao Zhengde''s cultivation talent was subpar, with the help of Xiao Tianjiao, he had also reached the Third Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. Cold light flickered in his eyes as he glared at Xue Wuhen, revealing a smile that did not reach his eyes as he said contemptuously, "Pavilion Master Xue, what wisdom do you have to impart?"


    His mood was terribly sour at the moment.


    His treasured son, Xiao Tianjiao''s record of being invincible had been shattered.


    What''s more...


    This trip to the Heaven Character Pavilion had cost him several hundred billion silver taels.


    Naturally, he bore no goodwill towards Xue Wuhen.


    Xue Wuhen smiled wryly, well aware of why Xiao Zhengde was so icy, but he was helpless. After all, standing behind Xiao Zhengde was none other than Xiao Tianjiao. Even Xue Yilou, which backed him, was exceedingly cautious of Xiao Tianjiao and dared not provoke him lightly.


    Xue Wuhen promptly said, "Pavilion Master Xiao, Lord Yiquan has requested to see you!"


    "Yiquan?"


    Xiao Zhengde was stunned, then scoffed disbelievingly, "What? Is he not satisfied with winning the contest and now wishes to mock me to my face?"


    Xue Wuhen let out an ''eh'' and said with a wry smile, "Pavilion Master Xiao, you misunderstand!"


    "Hmph!"


    Xiao Zhengde snorted coldly, paying no heed to Xue Wuhen, and dismissed him with a wave of his hand, "Lead the way! It will be good for me to see for myself, what this junior who broke my son''s record really looks like."


    At this moment, Xiao Zhengde had no idea that the person he was speaking of was the very son he had always despised and looked down upon, Xiao Yi!


    ......


    Xue Wuhen was actually quite capable in handling matters.


    He had specially prepared a VIP room for Xiao Yi and personally brought Xiao Zhengde to its door, saying, "Lord Yiquan is inside!"


    "Hm!"


    Xiao Zhengde, with a cold face, pushed the door open and entered.


    Xue Wuhen then took his place sitting at the door.


    Xiao Yi stood with his back to Xiao Zhengde, hands behind his back, still wearing that black mask on his face.


    Upon entering the VIP room, Xiao Zhengde took a seat dominantly in the chair, legs crossed, eyeing Xiao Yi with a hostile gaze and said coldly, "Boy, did you have someone bring me here to show off in front of me? If that''s the case, then you have seriously miscalculated." Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In his eyes, Xiao Tianjiao was invincible and the strongest!


    No one could surpass Xiao Tianjiao!


    "Pavilion Master Xiao, you misunderstand!"


    Xiao Yi knew all too well what Xiao Zhengde was thinking. He slowly turned around, his icy gaze piercing through the mask and falling upon Xiao Zhengde as he said indifferently, "Pavilion Master Xiao, I have heard that you have two sons. Your eldest son, Xiao Tianjiao, has been a genius since childhood, and your younger son, Xiao Yi, is also not weak. He has recently destroyed the Great Jin Kingdom and has even become the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Zhengde snorted coldly, "I have but one, Tianjiao, as a son."


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi''s hands trembled slightly.


    Am I so unworthy that I don''t even have the right to be acknowledged by you?


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath to calm his emotions and feigned ease as he spoke, "Why must Pavilion Master Xiao be this way? There are many in the Imperial City who are aware of this matter. Why do you deny it? Besides, Xiao Yi''s achievements by now should not bring shame to the Xiao Family, should they?"


    "Bullshit! What is he?"


    Xiao Zhengde scoffed, his face full of contempt, "If it weren''t for the face of my late wife, I would have disposed of that little bastard long ago. He is a waste, carrying the same blood as my son Tian. That itself is an insult to my son Tianjiao. Just recently, Xiao Tianjiao made a breakthrough to the Dharma Manifestation Realm and has been busy with important affairs, with no time to care for him. Otherwise, for daring to return to the Imperial City and making a spectacle of himself, he would have only one path - death!"


    In Xiao Zhengde''s eyes, not only did Xiao Yi have no status, he was even a source of disgrace.


    Feigning confusion, Xiao Yi said, "As a father, don''t you wish to see your sons being amicable and respectful toward each other?"


    "Amicable and respectful? That trash deserves to be on equal terms with my son Tianjiao? Couldn''t he just stay in Nanhuang and be a waste? If he truly didn''t want to be a son-in-law to the Fang Family, he could have just killed himself. Instead, he had to come to the capital and lose face... I wish that troublemaker would just die sooner!"


    With an air of indifference, Xiao Zhengde casually ranted before saying impatiently, "Did you have Xue Wuhen stop me just to ask these meaningless questions?"


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    Xiao Yi nodded without saying a word.


    Xiao Zhengde sneered, "Kid, whether you had Xue Wuhen call me over to show off, or for some other purpose, you need to know that you''ve only broken the record my son Tianjiao set years ago. Now, my son has already become a master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and not even if you rode the fastest horse could you catch up!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Xiao Zhengde pushed the door and left.


    Xue Wuhen, who was leaning against the door, was startled, "He''s leaving just like that?"


    Xiao Zhengde glanced at him and said indifferently, "Pavilion Master Xue, the fighters in your Combat Pavilion really are degenerating with each generation. Back when they fought with my son Tianjiao, each and every one of them was a talented powerhouse. But look at them now, nothing but a bunch of good-for-nothings. I advise you to recruit more strong fighters. Otherwise, any Tom, Dick, or Harry could come and rack up several hundred victories..."


    Xue Wuhen: "..."


    Xiao Zhengde snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and strode away, only to run into Yang Ling along the way and promptly greet him, "Xiao Zhengde pays respects to His Highness Yang Ling!"


    "Pavilion Master Xiao?"


    Yang Ling was taken aback. Seeing that Xiao Zhengde was coming from the direction of the private room where Xiao Yi was, he subconsciously said, "Pavilion Master Xiao, you''ve just met with Xiao Yi and returned?"


    "Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Zhengde was stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at a perplexed Yang Ling, "You, you mean that ''Lord Yiquan''... is Xiao Yi?!"


    "Eh? You didn''t know?"


    Yang Ling''s expression changed, cursed himself silently for his loose tongue, and left with a gloomy face.


    "Lord Yiquan is Xiao Yi?"


    Standing there dumbfounded, Xiao Zhengde muttered incredulously to himself, "How could this be? That''s impossible... Xiao Yi is nothing but trash, how could he be the one who broke Tianjiao''s record?" His head shook in disbelief at the reality.


    His head buzzed with noise.


    His face turned ghostly pale in an instant.


    Thump!


    He staggered and leaned against the wall.


    As the world spun around him, Xiao Zhengde felt unable to hear any sound from his surroundings, there was only his rapid heartbeat and labored breathing. He found it hard to believe that the person who had shattered his beloved son Tianjiao''s record was none other than Xiao Yi, the very person he never took seriously and even considered a shame.


    Even upon learning that Xiao Yi had reached the Golden Core Realm and even succeeded as head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    He had never felt such shock and regret.


    But now...


    For the first time, Xiao Zhengde felt regret.


    Both being at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, facing the even more formidable Xue Wuhen, Xiao Yi was able to achieve victory. Just this alone was enough to prove that his talent was not weak, perhaps even stronger than that of Xiao Tianjiao!


    He thought of how he had been willing to find a breeding beast for Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, and yet he disdainfully gave away a prodigy of heaven to the Fang Family to become a son-in-law.


    Xiao Zhengde sincerely wished he could slap himself.


    "With Tianjiao at the helm and if we could add Xiao Yi to the Xiao Family, it would be like adding wings to a tiger! At that point, not to mention becoming the fifth major noble family, becoming the strongest family wouldn''t be out of the question..."


    In his shock, the first thing Xiao Zhengde thought of was how much a genius not inferior to Xiao Tianjiao could benefit the Xiao Family.


    He hurriedly rushed towards the private room where Xiao Yi had been.


    But was informed that Xiao Yi had already left.


    Xiao Zhengde''s face tightened, he pondered for a moment, and clenched his fists, "He is now the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, right? I will go to the Xiaoshanhe Institute to find him. If he knows I am willing to let him rejoin the Xiao Family, he will surely be overjoyed and immensely grateful to me!"


    As he thought to himself.


    Full of pride, Xiao Zhengde strode out of the Combat Pavilion...

 Chapter 251 Dog Fighting

    Within the Combat Pavilion.Xiao Yi, Yang Ling, and Xue Wuhen sat together, with Xue Wuhen meticulously making some Spiritual Tea.


    He now knew the identity of Xiao Yi.


    The shock in his heart was indescribable.


    He who was despised by the Xiao Family, expelled and sent to the remote Nanhuang to be a son-in-law, had managed to rise from no cultivation to reaching the Golden Elixir Realm Peak in just over a year.


    Moreover, his strength was comparable to that of the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, an unparalleled feat at the Golden Elixir Peak.


    At the same time��


    Xue Wuhen was also extremely curious about the Xiao Family.


    Just what kind of family would be so blind as to expel a talent like Xiao Yi?


    Yang Ling''s face showed an apologetic expression, "Xiao Yi, I''m really sorry. I thought Xiao Zhengde knew your identity and I accidentally let it slip��"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to show it didn''t matter.


    Yang Ling offered a wry smile, "Now, various powers are investigating who the ''One Punch'' of the Combat Pavilion really is. If Xiao Zhengde leaks your identity, I''m afraid you''ll face many unnecessary troubles!"


    In just over a year, to advance from the Physical Body Realm to the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, this was already shocking enough to the world.


    Moreover.


    Xiao Yi was able to defeat Xue Wuhen at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak while at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    These two secrets, each on their own, were enough to drive countless powerful beings insane, let alone Xiao Yi having both. Once his identity got out, many would covet such an individual.


    If it were merely enticement with benefits, it would be one thing.


    The worst Yang Ling feared was that some powerful entities would take a darker approach in dealing with Xiao Yi.


    An innocent man is in trouble because he has a gem!


    That was the principle!


    Xue Wuhen, thoroughly convinced by Xiao Yi''s abilities, earnestly nodded, "From the end of the duel until now, seven out of the ten major sects have inquired, as well as people from the four great noble houses; I''ve managed to fend them all off. But we must remain vigilant!"


    Xiao Tianjiao also faced the covetous pursuit of many powers. The sect masters of the ten major sects even broke out in a terrifying war to fight over him.


    In the end, it was the Pavilion Master of the Tianjian Sect that stood above the rest and took Xiao Tianjiao under his wing.


    It was thanks to the backing of the number one sect in the Great Qian Dynasty that Xiao Tianjiao could grow in peace. Even so, Xiao Tianjiao had faced numerous life-threatening assassinations.


    "For them, anything or anyone they cannot possess and might become a threat, has only one fate��destruction!"


    While saying this, Xue Wuhen reminded, "Unless absolutely necessary, it''s best to keep your true identity hidden!"


    Yang Ling voiced his concern, "I just hope that Xiao Zhengde won''t leak your identity!"


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    Aside from the three of them, only Ye Heng and Xiao Zhengde knew that ''One Punch'' was Xiao Yi.


    There was no need to worry about Ye Heng.


    But Xiao Zhengde��


    As both of them looked at him worriedly, Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Don''t worry, Xiao Zhengde won''t leak my information!"


    "Hm?"


    The two men blinked, looking at him confused.


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "If people were to know that I, who was expelled from the Xiao Family, had broken Xiao Tianjiao''s records, it would be a huge blow to Xiao Tianjiao''s prestige. Xiao Zhengde would not allow that to happen. Not only will he not leak it, but he will also help me cover it up!"


    At that moment.


    Ye Heng walked in from outside, came to Xiao Yi''s side, and looked provocatively at Xue Wuhen, "Master, I have retrieved the silver!"


    Xue Wuhen rolled his eyes, "Why are you looking at me like that? Would I actually renege on a debt?"


    Ye Heng curled his lip, "I just don''t like how you guys in the Combat Pavilion abandon your conscience for money!"


    "What do you mean?" Xue Wuhen was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi also looked towards him.


    Ye Heng said in a deep voice, "Master, do you know who I saw when I first arrived?" Seeing several people looking at him, Ye Heng continued gravely, "The blind swordsman who has fought with you before, his tendons in his hands and feet were severed by someone, and he was thrown onto the street outside the Combat Pavilion. If I hadn''t saved him, he would have been crushed to death by a carriage."


    "What?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, as he had a rather deep impression of that blind swordsman. He frowned and looked toward Xue Wuhen.


    Xue Wuhen hurriedly waved his hands, saying, "I don''t know what happened, let me ask around!"


    A moment later.


    Returning with a grim face, Xue Wuhen forced a smile and said, "This matter has nothing to do with our Combat Pavilion. That blind swordsman is not a martial artist nurtured by our Combat Pavilion. He is a fighting dog kept by that young master of the Dongfang Family, Dongfang Bai, specifically used to participate in competitions at the Combat Pavilion and covertly manipulate the outcomes of the matches to make money. You''re aware of the forces of the Dongfang Family. Unless they go too far, it''s not good for me to intervene."


    "A fighting dog? He''s clearly a person, why is he called a fighting dog?" Ye Heng asked, puzzled as he looked at Xue Wuhen.


    Xue Wuhen shrugged: "Reduced to such a plight, do they still have the dignity to be called human? Their master commands them to live or die, and they endure a life worse than that of a dog. The blind swordsman ended up like this simply because Dongfang Bai ordered him to intentionally lose the match, but he did not comply. In a fit of rage, Dongfang Bai had his limbs disabled..."


    "Scoundrel!"


    "How can they be so cruel?"


    Ye Heng''s expression turned extremely ugly. Having been oppressed by Ye Tian all this time and living at the bottom of society, he felt a strong aversion to such unfair treatment.


    As they were discussing this.


    A powerful individual from the Combat Pavilion hurried in, glancing at Xiao Yi and the others, hesitating to speak.


    Xue Wuhen gestured with his hand: "Speak, it''s alright."


    The strong individual pointed at Ye Heng and said solemnly, "Pavilion Master, Ye Heng previously entrusted the blind swordsman to our care, and now Dongfang has found out. He''s bringing people to demand the blind swordsman from us, nearly resorting to violence..."


    "What?"


    "After severing his hand and foot tendons, they still refuse to let him go? This is too much to bear!"


    With a face ashen as iron, Ye Heng looked toward Xiao Yi, "Master..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes into slits, "Let''s go have a look!"


    Side by side they walked.


    Just as they approached the doorway, they heard a haughty voice calling out, "He''s nothing but a fighting dog I''ve raised, merely a dog. He can live only if I allow it, and he cannot refuse death if I command it. Even if I discard my dog, you all cannot pick him up. Now, hand him over to me!"


    "Young Master Dongfang, this blind swordsman is also temporarily entrusted to us by another guest. If we hand him over to you, we won''t be able to explain ourselves when that guest returns. Please don''t make it difficult for us..." said a Combat Pavilion attendant with a helpless expression.


    "What? You mean to say that guest is more esteemed than I, Young Master Dongfang?" The voice of Dongfang Bai was chillingly cold.


    Previously, he had ordered the blind swordsman to intentionally lose a match, but after being provoked by the opponent''s words, the swordsman ended up killing his adversary with a single stroke, causing Dongfang Bai to lose a hundred million taels of silver.


    That was why he had disabled the blind swordsman''s limbs and left him in the street to fend for himself or die. S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This wasn''t the first time he had done something like this.


    Ordinarily, no one dared to meddle in his affairs.


    But this time...


    He encountered Ye Heng.


    Who actually saved the blind swordsman.


    In a towering rage, this scene unfolded.


    "Young Master Dongfang, I wouldn''t dare..." said the attendant with a wry smile.


    "Wouldn''t dare? If you wouldn''t dare, then get lost. Today, I will beat this dog to death myself, and I want to see what that guest you mentioned can do to me..." Dongfang Bai snorted coldly.


    His two subordinates immediately pushed the attendant in front of them aside, one of them charging toward the barely alive blind swordsman.


    With a cold palm forming into sharp claws, he reached for the blind swordsman''s throat.


    Just as those claws were about to crush the blind swordsman''s windpipe, a cold sword light shot through the air.


    Swish!


    Amid a burst of blood, the strong man''s wrist snapped off, blood gushing out. Amid his screams, a cold voice came from behind them, "I would like to see who dares to touch him today!"

 Chapter 252 Apologize, or Die

    "I want to see who dares to touch him today!"The icy voice came from Xiao Yi.


    Ye Heng had already reached the side of the blind swordsman, propping up the swordsman, who lay on the ground with a lifeless face, and straightening his body. After a brief check, Ye Heng''s expression changed slightly, "Master, the blind swordsman''s dantian has been destroyed..."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly.


    He never expected Dongfang Bai and his people to be so ruthless.


    Not satisfied with merely severing the tendons of his hands and feet, they had now even destroyed his dantian.


    Xiao Yi looked expressionlessly at Dongfang Bai, "Who did it?"


    Dongfang Bai glanced at him indifferently then looked away. In his view, Xiao Yi was just at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, and within the Dongfang Family, there were even strong individuals in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Why would he take Xiao Yi seriously?


    Even facing Yang Ling, the prince, Dongfang Bai just gave a perfunctory hand clasp and said with a proud expression, "Prince Yang Ling!"


    Yang Ling frowned. The power of the four great clan families was extremely terrifying, and they generally stood together against outsiders, often disrespecting the royal family. Naturally, he didn''t show a good face either and said lightly, "Dongfang Bai, did you not hear Pavilion Master Xiao ask you a question?"


    "Pavilion Master Xiao?"


    Dongfang Bai was slightly startled and looked Xiao Yi up and down with narrowed eyes, chuckling scornfully, "Oh ho, so you''re the new head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi? You look quite the part, so why were you kicked out of the Xiao Family by Xiao Tianjiao? Oh, my apologies, I forgot Xiao Tianjiao doesn''t recognize you as part of the Xiao Family. So, that means you..."


    Slap!


    The words were cut off by the crisp sound of a slap.


    "..."


    Everyone was dumbfounded.


    They all turned to look at Xiao Yi''s indifferent face. This was the Dongfang Family''s young master he had just slapped in public.


    Dongfang Bai''s eyes were crimson, exhaling a chilling light that seemed ready to devour someone, and he stared dead at Xiao Yi, "You little bastard, you dare to hit..."


    Slap!


    Another slap.


    Xiao Yi still stood there with his hands behind his back, as serene as a gentle breeze and soft clouds.


    "Holy shit..."


    Slap!


    "You..."


    Slap!


    No one could see how Xiao Yi made his move, but everyone knew these slaps had to be his doing.


    Looking at Dongfang Bai again...


    His cheeks were swollen like a pig''s head, blood streaming from the corners of his mouth, leaving him unable to speak. In his bloodshot eyes, there was resentment and rage, and more noticeably, a shade of fear.


    "Young master, are you alright?" asked several strong men of the Dongfang Family tentatively.


    Bang! Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire


    Dongfang Bai kicked them to the ground viciously, roaring in anger, "Do I look alright to you? Don''t just stand there, kill him! Whichever hand he used to hit me, I want you to chop it off and feed it to the dogs..."


    Five Golden Elixir Realm strong men immediately stepped forward, eyeing Xiao Yi with predatory gaze.


    "Pavilion Master Xiao, you can''t just hit our young master and expect things to end like this. I advise you to surrender without a struggle and not to resist," one of them said.


    "The Dongfang Family is not afraid of your little Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    The five of them surrounded Xiao Yi.


    Yang Ling frowned and looked at Dongfang Bai with concern, "Dongfang Bai, I advise you to pull your men back!"


    "Prince Yang Ling, this matter doesn''t concern you," said Dongfang Bai venomously. "I know this kid is your recommendation for head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, but since he dared to hit me, he''s slapped the Dongfang Family in the face, and no one can help him!"


    Yang Ling sighed, "I''m trying to help you!"


    Dongfang Bai sneered, "Help me? Does Dongfang Bai look like he needs your help?" His face twisted hideously as he stared at his men, "Kill him for me!"


    "Kill!"


    "First cripple his cultivation..."


    Five men advanced at the same time.


    Among them, two were at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, and the other three were also experts of the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Dongfang Bai was the most cherished grandson of Dongfang, the head of the Dongfang Family.


    Even his bodyguards were at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    Five men teaming up could even put up a fight against a warrior of the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Faced with the onslaught of five assailants, Xiao Yi merely waved his hand casually. Cold light fluttered at his fingertips, exploding out like dazzling light rainbows. Amidst muffled sounds, the five figures trembled violently, blood spraying wildly as they fell to the ground.


    On their brows and fingertips were points of red.


    A one-strike kill!


    Hiss!


    Complete silence surrounded the area.


    With an expressionless face, Xiao Yi approached Dongfang Bai. "You just said you wanted to break my hands, right?"


    "You, you, you... don''t come any closer..."


    Dongfang Bai''s face turned deathly pale. He had never imagined that Xiao Yi would be so terrifyingly powerful, instantly slaying his five major bodyguards in a blink.


    Feeling the cold Evil Qi emanating from Xiao Yi.


    Dongfang Bai felt his legs go weak, stumbling back tremulously: "I am the eldest young master of the Dongfang Family. If you dare to hurt me, you will make an enemy out of the Dongfang Family. You... ah..."


    A sudden scream burst forth from Dongfang Bai''s mouth.


    Blood arrows shot from his hands and feet, and among the torn flesh, one could vaguely see severed tendons twitching slightly.


    Dongfang Bai slumped to the ground like a pile of mud.


    Xiao Yi acted quickly and decisively.


    By cutting the tendons in his hands and feet, and shattering them completely, he left Dongfang Bai crippled for life unless a magical elixir was used to reattach his limbs. Lying on the ground, wailing, Dongfang Bai looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of terror, not daring to threaten wildly as before, but instead pathetically begged for mercy. "Spare me, Director Xiao, spare my life. I won''t dare to do it again..."


    In the face of life and death, even those who hold high positions and have powerful backing will still become humble.


    Xiao Yi walked up to Dongfang Bai, slightly bent over, grabbed his hair, and pointing to the deathly still blind swordsman said, "You as well as he, both are born of mothers and fathers, have only one life, and are not necessarily more noble than the other. If you don''t want to die, apologize to him immediately by kowtowing!"


    "I, I should kowtow to him?"


    Dongfang Bai looked astonished; the blind swordsman was just a fighting dog he owned, no more than a dog in his eyes!


    Xiao Yi actually wanted him to apologize to the blind swordsman by kowtowing?


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Apologize, or die. Choose for yourself!"


    "..."


    Under the threat of death, Dongfang Bai''s head thudded to the ground with tears of humiliation on his face as he gritted his teeth and said, "I''m sorry..."


    Those three words seemed to drain all his strength.


    He collapsed to the ground in defeat.


    A cold glint flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes; he believed in utterly rooting out problems. Crippling Dongfang Bai would surely not be forgotten by the Dongfang Family, so it might be better to finish him off once and for all. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However...


    Yang Ling, who was standing by, said in a low voice, "Do me a favor and spare him this time!"


    After all, he was a prince, and if he could become the Crown Prince and succeed the Great Qian Dynasty, it wouldn''t be good to fall out with the Dongfang Family completely.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Fine!"


    Discarding Dongfang Bai aside as if tossing away trash, Xiao Yi walked toward the blind swordsman and, with Ye Heng on one side and another on the other, helped the blind swordsman walk outside.


    "Dongfang Bai, I hope this ends here!"


    Yang Ling looked toward Xue Wuhen, who had been silent all along, "Please, Pavilion Master Xue, take him back to the Dongfang Family."


    "Leave it to me!" Xue Wuhen nodded.


    Yang Ling chased after Xiao Yi, who was already heading outside...

 Chapter 253 Tian Mang

    Within the Yang Ling mansion.Ye Heng, with the blind swordsman on his back, laid him onto the bed. Looking at the swordsman''s deathly stillness and silence, Ye Heng''s face showed a hint of concern.


    Yang Ling offered consolation, "I have sent for the Imperial Physician."


    Ye Heng responded with a grateful look.


    A moment later.


    An old man with white hair entered; this was Bian Yihong, the Imperial Physician of the Great Qian Dynasty''s royal court, and also an Underworld Doctor. As Bian Yihong examined the blind swordsman, he shook his head and sighed, "Your Highness, this man is intent on dying, all medicines are ineffective, please forgive this old man''s powerlessness."


    "Imperial Physician Bian, is there really no hope left?" Yang Ling asked.


    Bian Yihong shook his head.


    Ye Heng quickly turned to Xiao Yi, "Master, I beg you to save him!"


    During special training, he had personally witnessed Xiao Yi preparing various herbs and even personally concocting elixirs to enhance his cultivation.


    Those skills were truly awe-inspiring.


    Xiao Yi had yet to speak.


    An arrogant young man beside Bian Yihong scoffed, "My master is a four-star Alchemist, as well as a rare inheritor of the line of Underworld Doctors. Even he says there is nothing to be done, there is no second person in the Great Qian Dynasty who can save him!"


    Ye Heng ignored him and continued to gaze at Xiao Yi, "Master, I beg of you, please help him!"


    Seeing Ye Heng ignore himself, the youth''s face showed a trace of anger as he mocked, "Are you deaf? My master already said he''s beyond saving, what use is begging him?"


    "Shut up!"


    Ye Heng glared at him fiercely, angrily retorting, "Your master can''t do it, but that doesn''t mean my master can''t!"


    "You insolent fool, you..." the youth burst out in rage.


    "Shut up!"


    However, Bian Yihong coldly snorted, his old face showing displeasure as he looked at Xiao Yi with a hint of mockery, "This old man''s skills are limited; perhaps this young hero really does possess a life-saving technique..."


    His words contained an implicit challenge and defiance.


    Xia Yi glanced at him and said indifferently, "I don''t have a life-saving technique, but saving him should be no problem!"


    "Oh?"


    Bian Yihong scoffed, arrogantly saying, "If that''s the case, then I beseech you to take action, and let this old man broaden his horizons!"


    The youth''s challenging gaze rested on Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi shrugged; he hadn''t wanted to intervene, but Ye Heng''s continuous pleas made it difficult for him to disappoint his newly accepted disciple. He then turned to Yang Ling, "Your Highness, do you have any demonic cores in the mansion?"


    "Yes!"


    Yang Ling nodded, "What kind of demonic core do you need?"


    Xiao Yi asked, "Do you have one with dark attributes?"


    Yang Ling thought for a moment, "Father bestowed upon me a Black Prison Scorpion core previously, would that be sufficient?"


    Black Prison Scorpion.


    A fifth-order high-level demonic beast, comparable to the peak strength of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Xiao Yi said, "That will do, have someone bring that core here immediately!"


    "One moment!"


    Yang Ling immediately ordered someone to fetch it.


    The youth, with a sneer, said, "Are you actually going to save him or not? His injuries are too severe, his limbs'' tendons completely severed, his Dantian destroyed, despairing with a death wish; not to mention just a fifth-order beast''s core, even a ninth-order beast''s core wouldn''t save him!" Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold humph, causing the youth''s complexion to pale. In that instant, he felt as if he were on the verge of plunging into an ice cellar, and he dared not speak again.


    Xiao Yi approached the bedside and looked at the blind swordsman on the bed, who was in utter despair, and said softly, "I know you can hear me, I have a way to repair your Dantian and heal your limbs. If you want to live, then nod your head. If you don''t want me to heal you, then shake your head, and I won''t waste any more effort!"


    Hum!


    The blind swordsman, previously enveloped in an aura of death, trembled all over upon hearing these words, as if a drowning man had found a lifeline.


    He struggled to nod his head.


    He wanted to live.


    He still had many unfulfilled wishes.


    The blind swordsman''s pale, cracked lips moved slightly, opening with difficulty, "Really, you can restore my Dantian?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly.


    The blind swordsman fell silent for a moment, his hoarse voice somewhat weak: "If... if you can really heal my dantian and my limbs, I am willing to recognize you as my master, my life will be yours..."


    "We can talk about this later!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    A moment later.


    The demon core was delivered into Xiao Yi''s hands.


    The young man muttered disdainfully under his breath, "I have never heard of a demon core being able to heal a destroyed dantian, I think he is just showing off..."


    "Shut your mouth!"


    This time, it was Bian Yihong who spoke.


    His murky eyes were fixed intently on Xiao Yi, his breathing involuntarily becoming rapid.


    Watching Xiao Yi''s technique, he suddenly thought of a legend within the Underworld Doctor lineage��Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill!


    Reconstructing a dantian with a demon core.


    Making a shattered dantian come back to life once again.


    But...


    This kind of secret technique, even within the heritage of the Underworld Doctor, had been lost; could it be that this young man in front of him truly understood such a secret technique?


    Bian Yihong clenched his fists tightly, watching Xiao Yi with a face full of excitement and anticipation.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath.


    Now, performing Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill for another person, using the demon core in place of the dantian, was much easier than when he had replaced the demon core for Fang Qingzhu.


    Xiao Yi emitted a suffocating vital energy fluctuation from his body, this vital energy refined through the God Sealing Seed and infused with the power of God Sealing. Dozens of times stronger than ordinary vital energy, it condensed into a vortex above the blind swordsman''s lower abdomen.


    The demon core, rotating in the midst of the vortex, merged into the blind swordsman''s body with a swish.


    Finding its place within the blind swordsman''s dantian.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi, using the Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill, guided the vital energy into the blind swordsman''s body, constructing a vital energy bridge, linking the demon core with the meridians.


    At this moment, the blind swordsman''s body appeared transparent, his meridians crisscrossing and coming into view.


    As these meridians communicated with each other.


    The vital energy, taking the demon core as the nucleus, began to circulate within the blind swordsman''s dantian.


    "Is this, this, really the Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill? Who in the world is this person? How can he understand such a lost secret technique..." Bian Yihong''s face was full of astonishment, his body soaked in sweat, watching Xiao Yi''s silhouette with excitement.


    His breathing became even heavier.


    This was a secret technique that had been lost in the Underworld Doctor lineage!


    He had never imagined that he would be able to witness such a miraculous method with his own eyes.


    Buzz!


    The blind swordsman trembled, sitting up straight from the bed, his vital energy flowing more and more smoothly.


    One complete cycle.


    Two complete cycles...


    After a full thirty-six complete cycles, the demon core had fully integrated with his body, transforming into a brand-new demon core dantian. At the same time, the blind swordsman''s cultivation had also returned to the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm.


    As for the tendons in his hands and feet, they were also reconnected with Xiao Yi''s help.


    Thump!


    The blind swordsman, under everyone''s astonished gaze, rolled out of bed and knelt before Xiao Yi, speaking in a deep voice, "Above all, Master, please accept Tian Mang''s bow!"


    "Tian Mang?" S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi helped the blind swordsman to his feet, showing a hint of confusion.


    Tian Mang nodded, "Master, I was born blind, and my parents abandoned me. My grandmother gave me the name Tian Mang. A few years ago, my grandmother also passed away, and I sold myself to the Dongfang Family to bury her, becoming a fighting dog under Dongfang Bai; he gave me the name ''blind swordsman''!"


    "I see, from now on you should still be called Tian Mang!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, then said, "Tian Mang, from now on you should call me Institute Director! From today onwards, you are a disciple of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Thank you, Master... Institute Director!" Tian Mang said respectfully.


    He would not have any defiance towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi nodded, about to speak, when he heard a hurried voice from outside the door: "Your Highness, the people from the Dongfang Family have come knocking at our door!"

 Chapter 254 Revenge for the Smallest Grievances

    "Your Highness, people from the Dongfang Family have come knocking at our door!"The expression of the guard outside the door was uneasy as he spoke.


    Yang Ling''s eyebrows knitted together, and a cold light flashed through his eyes as he let out a cold snort, "What an audacious Dongfang Family, they really don''t take me seriously!"


    Although he had not yet become the Crown Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, he was still a prince!


    For the Dongfang Family to dare bring trouble to his residence was nothing short of a public slap in the face, and Yang Ling''s complexion turned extremely ugly.


    Tian Mang''s complexion changed slightly as he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, Director, this matter started because of me, it would be better to just hand me over..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Since you have joined Xiaoshanhe Institute, it is my responsibility to ensure your safety! Just stay here at ease, even if the Dharma Manifestation Realm ancestor of the Dongfang Family itself comes today, they can forget about taking you away!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dharma Manifestation Realm, living over a thousand years.


    In any power, they are the pinnacle of existence.


    Now, even though Xiao Yi knew that Dongfang Bai was the great young lord of the Dongfang Family, he still reached out to save Tian Mang with the confidence of being able to fight even against a beginner of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    On the aged face of Bian Yihong, the shock gradually subsided, but his gaze at Xiao Yi still carried heat and admiration.


    He coughed lightly and said, "Director Xiao, why must you take action personally? I have some acquaintances with the ancestor of the Dongfang Family, and they will certainly give me some face!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Mr. Bian, I appreciate your kindness, but..."


    Before he could finish.


    Lin Qian, a disciple of Bian Yihong, spoke up and scolded, "My master is willing to help you, and that''s your honor. With my master''s status and position, even the head of the Dongfang Family would have to show him some respect!"


    All this time.


    He had always taken great pride in being a disciple of Bian Yihong.


    But earlier...


    The incurable Tian Mang, who had been diagnosed by Bian Yihong, had miraculously come back to life in Xiao Yi''s hands, and even his shattered dantian had been restored.


    This made him feel as if he had lost face, like he had been slapped dozens of times.


    Now, seeing the Dongfang Family actually pressuring them at their door, if his master could resolve this matter, it would definitely turn the tables. In his view, one of the reasons Bian Yihong volunteered to step forward was precisely this.


    Little did he know.


    Bian Yihong was astounded by the Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill displayed by Xiao Yi, it was miraculous, and he thought of currying favor with Xiao Yi in order to learn this long-lost Secret Technique of the Underworld Doctor lineage from him.


    "Shut up!"


    Bian Yihong glared at him fiercely, fearing he would anger Xiao Yi, and said with nerves, "Director Xiao, my foolish disciple is ignorant, I hope you won''t hold it against him!"


    "Master..."


    Lin Qian was utterly bewildered.


    He thought he was helping Bian Yihong; how did it turn into a scolding?


    "Speak another word of nonsense, and I''ll expel you from the sect!" Bian Yihong turned and slapped him across his face, scolding him in anger.


    Lin Qian''s face stiffened, and he dared not say anything more.


    But in those downcast eyes, there was a flicker of hatred and resentment.


    Xiao Yi looked at Bian Yihong''s ingratiating face and sighed, "Then you may try!"


    "Don''t worry, Director Xiao, I will not let you down!"


    Bian Yihong''s heart leapt with joy.


    Yet his aged body moved with agility, quickly making his way outside to meet the people from the Dongfang Family.


    At this moment...


    Over a hundred Dongfang Family powerhouses were surrounding a carriage, on which lay Dongfang Bai, wrapped up like a zongzi. The person leading them was one of the five great elders of the Dongfang Family, Dongfang Mu.


    "Elder Mu, you must stand up for me!" Dongfang Bai said with a face full of grievance.


    Dongfang Mu nodded, his face darkening as he said, "Young Master, rest assured, even if Xiao Yi is protected by Yang Ling, he can''t injure my Dongfang Family''s people over a mere fighting dog. Today, I will make him hand over Xiao Yi to kowtow and apologize to you!"


    Dongfang Mu crossed his arms over his chest, a green light circulating around his body, his cultivation reaching the nine-fold layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Creak!


    The gates swung open wide.


    Standing before him was Bian Yihong, with his immortal-like demeanor, causing Dongfang Mu to pause and frown, "Bian Yihong? What is he doing here?"


    Bian Yihong approached Dongfang Mu and greeted him with a fist-and-palm salute, "Elder Mu, long time no see, how have you been recently?"


    "So it''s Mr. Bian, indeed it''s been a while!"


    Dongfang Mu returned the gesture to Bian Yihong, but he made sure not to be too cold, considering Bian had a not inconsiderable relationship with the head of the Dongfang Family, and asked, "What brings Mr. Bian here?"


    Bian Yihong replied, "I came to His Highness''s residence to treat a good friend of his. But as for Elder Mu, what brings you here?" Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire


    Dongfang Mu saw no reason to doubt him and said, "Yang Ling''s friend, Xiao Yi, has severely injured our family''s young master. I have come here to seek justice."


    "Xiao Yi?"


    Bian Yihong raised an eyebrow and said, "Elder Mu, your timing is not good. Xiao Yi has already left; he went back to the Xiaoshanhe Institute. If you go there now, you might be able to find him!"


    "He''s gone?"


    Dongfang Mu was taken aback.


    If Xiao Yi had left Yang Ling''s residence to return to the Xiaoshanhe Institute, then it wouldn''t be easy for him to seek revenge directly.


    Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    That is the site chosen by the royal family for offering sacrifices to the heavens and ancestors.


    Furthermore, with the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s special status, even the great clans like theirs cannot simply set foot there.


    Just when Dongfang Mu found himself in a precarious situation.


    Lin Qian, standing beside Bian Yihong, curled the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a trace of maliciousness, and feigned surprise, "Master, are you mistaken? Didn''t we just part ways with Mr. Xiao and the others? They are now inside the residence!"


    Boom!


    Bian Yihong''s body suddenly trembled, disbelievingly looking at his disciple beside him.


    He had not at all expected his beloved disciple to trip him up at such a moment.


    Dongfang Mu''s face turned an ashen blue as his cold gaze fixed on Bian Yihong. He sneered with a sinister laugh, "Mr. Bian, the Dongfang Family always had a decent relationship with you, yet you do this for an outsider. Isn''t that quite inappropriate?"


    Bian Yihong stared intently at Lin Qian and said in a deep voice, "Elder Mu, could you do me the honor of letting this matter go?"


    "Let it go?"


    Dongfang Mu pointed to Dongfang Bai inside the carriage and roared, "Open your eyes and see for yourself, what condition has my young master been beaten into? This is a slap in the face to my Dongfang Family! Bian Yihong, I, Dongfang Mu, have treated you with respect because of our past affiliations, yet you have played me for a fool. From this day onward, you, Bian Yihong, are forever barred from setting foot in my Dongfang Family!"


    Whoosh!


    Bian Yihong''s complexion instantly turned pale.


    He never imagined that because of a single sentence from Lin Qian, he would be blacklisted by the Dongfang Family.


    And furthermore...


    The four great noble families are branches of the same tree.


    Once shunned by the Dongfang Family, it meant the other three great families, any related families, officials, and citizens would no longer welcome him, Bian Yihong. For Bian, who made his living as a doctor, this was akin to having his limbs cut off and his eyes gouged out!


    And the mastermind behind it all was his cherished disciple!


    Bian Yihong''s body shook with fury and, in his extreme anger, he spat out a mouthful of blood, pointing at Lin Qian, "You, you unfilial disciple..."


    "Unfilial disciple? Humph, old man, you should have thought of today when you slapped me in public to please Xiao Yi."


    Lin Qian gave him a cold glance. He had always been the type to hold grudges. Bian Yihong had slapped him in public to appease Xiao Yi, and how could he swallow such an insult? With a fawning expression, he walked up to Dongfang Mu and pointed to the large estate: "Elder Mu, Xiao Yi and the others are inside!"

 Chapter 255 The Dying Man

    "Elder Dongfang Mu, Xiao Yi and the others are in there!"Lin Qian stood before Dongfang Mu, bowing and scraping, with a fawning expression.


    Dongfang Mu''s face was cold as he glanced at him.


    He truly despised those who would betray even their own masters.


    However...


    Considering that Lin Qian still had some usefulness at the moment, Dongfang Mu couldn''t be bothered to argue, his gaze turned toward the residence of Yang Ling. Sensing the aura of Yang Ling and the others, he called out coldly, "Your Highness Yang Ling, please show yourself!"


    Inside the residence.


    Xiao Yi walked out shoulder to shoulder with Yang Ling.


    As their eyes met,


    a hint of icy coldness flashed through Dongfang Mu''s eyes, and he sneered, "So you''re Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Bian Yihong, pale-faced, and Lin Qian, standing beside Dongfang Mu with a smug look, before his gaze settled on Dongfang Mu, "I am Xiao Yi!"


    "I never thought... that even Tianjiaao would misjudge."


    Dongfang Mu sized up Xiao Yi from head to toe, noting that Xiao Yi''s aura was no weaker than that of an ordinary warrior from the Tao Tribulation Realm. He jeered with a cold smile, "Xiao Yi, even though you are the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, there will be a price to pay for offending someone of the Dongfang Family!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and asked, "What price?"


    Yang Ling spoke in a heavy voice, "Dongfang Mu, don''t go too far!"


    "Your Highness, rest assured, I, Dongfang Mu, know my limits!"


    Dongfang Mu gave a respectful hand clasp towards Yang Ling, the corners of his mouth lifting into a chilling smile as he stared at Xiao Yi, "Since His Highness Yang Ling is protecting you, I will give him this face. You crippled Dongfang Bai''s hands and feet, but I won''t make it difficult for you. Sever your own hands and feet, and we''ll call the matter settled, how about that?"


    Inside the carriage.


    Dongfang Bai roared furiously with a ferocious face, "Second Elder, you can''t let him off so easily!"


    Dongfang Mu waved his hand, signaling him to be patient.


    Ye Heng sneered, "What''s Dongfang Bai worth? Even a single hair from my master is more precious than his life, and you want my master to sever his own hands and feet? That''s an absolute fantasy!"


    "Where did this little bastard come from, what right do you have to speak?" Dongfang Mu let out a cold snort.


    The oppressive aura of the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm was released.


    It bore down on Ye Heng like a great mountain.


    Ye Heng, being only of Spiritual Realm Cultivation, how could he withstand such a powerful pressure?


    With a muffled grunt,


    Ye Heng''s form trembled slightly, and he was just about to be forcibly pressed to his knees when Xiao Yi casually waved his hand and shattered the terrifying pressure.


    "Hmm?"


    Dongfang Mu''s pupils suddenly constricted.


    With a mere wave of his hand, he had shattered the pressuring force of a Ninth Layer Tao Tribulation Realm warrior.


    This move made him take Xiao Yi much more seriously. Narrowing his eyes, he sized up Xiao Yi, "Such formidable skill. To think you can achieve this while at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, no wonder His Highness Yang Ling recommended you to be the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    Xiao Yi replied blandly, "You flatter me."


    Lin Qian had thought that once Dongfang Mu made a move, Xiao Yi would immediately be taught a harsh lesson.


    But instead, he saw how extraordinary Xiao Yi was.


    Realizing that if things continued this way, his hopes for revenge would likely be dashed,


    his eyes rolled shiftily.


    Suddenly, Lin Qian said, "Elder Mu, Xiao Yi has a secret technique that can re-connect severed limbs and tendons, and can even repair others'' damaged ''Golden Cores''!"


    Hisss!


    Upon hearing this, everyone present couldn''t help but draw in a sharp breath.


    "You scoundrel, do you know what you''re doing?" Bian Yihong''s face changed drastically, looking incredulously at Lin Qian.


    Lin Qian let out a cold laugh, confident and unafraid, "How could I not know?" His venomous gaze fell on Xiao Yi as he sneered repeatedly, "Xiao Yi, this is what happens when you offend me!"


    Dongfang Mu''s pupils shrank slightly.


    Repairing a shattered ''Golden Core.''


    Connecting severed tendons.


    These techniques were nothing short of miraculous!


    To think...


    Even the strongest alchemist of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Chief Imperial Physician of the Imperial Pharmacy, a Seven-Star Alchemist Lian Wencheng, couldn''t achieve this feat.


    Dongfang Mu squinted his eyes, his face showing less anger and more solemnity, "Head of the Xiao, can you truly heal a shattered ''Golden Core''?"


    Xiao Yi was expressionless.


    Lin Qian pointed to Tian Mang, who stood beside Ye Heng, "Elder Mu, I did not deceive you. Just now, he indeed cured that blind man..."


    Dongfang Bai, on the carriage, had an incredulous look on his face, "Second Elder, that''s my fighting dog, the Blind Swordsman. I had someone ruin his Golden Core and limbs previously, but, but how is he unscathed now?"


    "What?"


    Dongfang Mu''s expression changed dramatically, looking at Tian Mang with disbelief.


    At this moment, Tian Mang had intact limbs, and the vital energy flowing faintly around his body was clearly that of the Spiritual Realm Cultivation.


    How could that be the appearance of someone with a destroyed Golden Core?


    By Lin Qian''s side, he sneered inwardly, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, how strong are you? With just a little ploy of mine, I can make life difficult for you... This blind man was crippled by young master Dongfang Bai, yet you saved him, which is a slap in the face for the Dongfang Family. They will definitely not let you off!"


    Just as Lin Qian was self-congratulating for his cleverness and for having allied with the Dongfang Family,


    all of a sudden, Elder Dongfang Mu deeply bowed to Xiao Yi, saying respectfully, "I implore Xiao, the head of the institute, to lend your assistance!"


    Huh?


    Lin Qian was dumbfounded.


    Isn''t he supposed to reprimand him?


    Why are you bowing to him?


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at Dongfang Mu, "You''ve come to me with such a threatening manner, aren''t you here to seek justice for Dongfang Bai? Why are you begging me now?" S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Second Elder, I..."


    Dongfang Bai shouted in anger.


    Before he could finish,


    Dongfang Mu coldly huffed, interrupting him, and said respectfully to Xiao Yi, "Please forgive Elder Dongfang Mu for not recognizing the dangers of Imperial Dragon Mountain and nearly offending you. If the head of the institute would render your assistance this time, the Dongfang Family is willing to become your most loyal ally!"


    Yang Ling''s pupils suddenly constricted, his breathing becoming slightly rapid.


    This is the Dongfang Family!


    One of the four great noble families!


    If he could persuade the Dongfang Family to support him, his position as the Crown Prince would certainly be much more secure.


    However...


    After weighing in his heart, Yang Ling felt that Xiao Yi''s influence far exceeded that of the Dongfang Family and thus swallowed back the words he was about to say. This actually made Xiao Yi look at him with a hint of respect, his lips curling up slightly as he looked at Yang Ling, "Your Highness Yang Ling, do you think I should help them?"


    Yang Ling felt a stirring in his heart, seeing the smile on Xiao Yi''s lips as he looked at him, and then seeing the pleading eyes of Elder Dongfang Mu.


    He immediately understood that Xiao Yi was deliberately offering him the favor.


    Phew!


    Yang Ling took a deep breath, his grateful gaze on Xiao Yi, and he said solemnly, "The Dongfang Family are the arms and legs of our Great Qian Dynasty, I implore you, Brother Xiao, to lend them your assistance!"


    Elder Dongfang Mu looked at Yang Ling with gratitude.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I must give face to His Highness Yang Ling, but my fees for lifting a finger are not low!"


    "You can rest assured, Xiao Institute Head, as long as it is within the means of the Dongfang Family, you may name your condition!" Elder Dongfang Mu said earnestly.


    Xiao Yi nodded, looking at Bian Yihong, whose face was pale, "Mr. Bian, are you willing to accompany me on a trip?"


    "Ah?"


    Bian Yihong was stunned, then ecstatically said, "I am willing, I am most willing!"


    Just when it seemed that an imminent conflict was about to erupt, not only had Lin Qian not gotten revenge, but he had also deeply offended both Bian Yihong and Xiao Yi, his complexion turned pale. Sheepishly, he approached and said, "Congratulations to Xiao Institute Head, my felicitations, you..."


    However...


    Xiao Yi just coldly glanced at him, saying indifferently, "It''s rather unlucky to have a dead man constantly in sight!"


    "A dead man?"


    Lin Qian was startled, completely baffled.


    Elder Dongfang Mu''s eyes shifted, and he said with a smile, "Institute Head Xiao truly is a divine being, even capable of predicting the future!"


    "Predicting the future?"


    Lin Qian was even more bewildered.


    He couldn''t understand at all!


    But in the next moment, he understood what the two meant by their words. Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire


    All he saw was Elder Dongfang Mu casually waving his hand, and a surge of green vital energy turned into numerous green vines that wildly wrapped around Lin Qian. Under the envelopment of those vines, Lin Qian''s body shuddered, his life force swiftly draining away.


    It only took a few moments.


    He was completely drained, and when the vines dissipated, Lin Qian''s body thudded to the ground, utterly disintegrating as if he were nothing but a pile of ash...

 Chapter 256 The Strength of Xiao Tianjiao

    The Dongfang Family.One of the four major noble houses of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    These four major noble families were the closest trusted aides to the founding emperor when the Great Qian Dynasty was first established, each one being the most loyal supporter of the founding emperor.


    After the founding emperor united the Great Qian Dynasty, he also bestowed upon them generous rewards and power.


    However...


    As time passed and dynasties changed,


    the heads of the four noble families rotated and, coupled with the rise of the ten great sects challenging their authority, the imperial family gradually became weaker, and their bond with the royal house began to disintegrate.


    At least for now, the four major noble families still stand by the side of the royal family.


    But as their ties with the ten great sects grow closer, they have been showing signs of slipping out of the royal control.


    This point was crystal clear in both Emperor Qian''s mind and Yang Ling''s heart.


    And yet, there was nothing they could do about it.


    After all.


    Although the royal family was powerful, it couldn''t completely fall out with the four major noble families.


    Precisely for this reason, S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    when Xiao Tianjiao emerged from the Xiao Family, Emperor Qian supported the Xiao Family with all his might. What he hadn''t expected was that Xiao Tianjiao''s ambition and rate of growth were far beyond his expectations, and now he had exceeded his control.


    If this continued,


    a fifth major noble family would emerge.


    On the road,


    Dongfang Bai was being carried by several guards of the Dongfang Family, looking woefully at the carriage in front of him.


    That should have been his carriage!


    But...


    Dongfang Mu had directly thrown him off the carriage, letting Xiao Yi and others sit inside.


    However,


    Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    the five great elders hold significant power within the Dongfang Family, and he didn''t dare to disobey, only growing more resentful and sorrowful in his gaze.


    To think that he, the grand young master of the Dongfang Family, was not only beaten and had his limbs broken, but couldn''t even keep his own carriage.


    Truly a sad plight!


    Inside the carriage,


    Xiao Yi curiously asked the slightly nervous Dongfang Mu, "Elder, may I ask who in your residence has encountered trouble?"


    With a bitter smile, Dongfang Mu glanced over the others and finally sighed, "I will not conceal it from you, the person who is in trouble is my eldest brother, Dongfang Jin!"


    The five great elders of the Dongfang Family were named after the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.


    Dongfang Jin was the leader of the five great elders.


    And...


    He was also the strongest among them, having entered the Dharma Manifestation Realm fifty years ago. Since then, he has mostly kept to himself, rarely taking action, but his status is second only to the Patriarch and the old ancestor of the Dongfang Family.


    "Dongfang Jin?"


    Bian Yihong was startled and frowned, "How could it be him? When our side met with him recently, he seemed fine!"


    Dongfang Mu responded with a wry smile, "Mr. Bian, when I arranged for you to meet with Elder Jin, it was actually to see if you could detect anything unusual about him."


    Bian Yihong''s face froze.


    Dongfang Mu hadn''t stated it explicitly, but his meaning was clear.


    Obviously, Bian Yihong hadn''t noticed anything unusual about Dongfang Jin, which proved his medical skills were not up to par, and the Dongfang Family naturally wouldn''t tell him voluntarily.


    Each of the four noble families has two individuals in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. If the news of Elder Jin of the Dongfang Family having his dantian destroyed were to get out, the Dongfang Family would fall to the lowest ranks among the four noble houses.


    If it weren''t for hearing from Lin Qian that Xiao Yi could heal a shattered dantian, and having witnessed Tian Mang''s shattered dantian restored to its original state with his own eyes, he would not have taken the initiative to expose this secret that could potentially plunge the Dongfang Family into an abyss.


    Yang Ling had not expected it to be Elder Jin, he frowned and said, "Second Elder, as far as I know, after Elder Jin broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm fifty years ago, he has rarely shown himself. When was his dantian damaged?"


    Dongfang Mu''s face showed a hint of hesitation.


    Xiao Yi said, "The reasons for a shattered dantian are varied and so are the methods of healing. It''s best not to conceal anything."


    Upon hearing this,


    Dongfang Mu gave a bitter smile, his expression tinged with barely concealed rage and hatred, he gritted his teeth and said, "My elder brother stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm fifty years ago, and he has been in seclusion ever since. A few years ago, he had already broken through to the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm and had found a quiet place to manifest his Dharma. Unfortunately, he disturbed a young genius making a breakthrough to the Tao Tribulation Realm. A conflict erupted between them, and my brother''s dantian was shattered by a single blow from that person..."


    "Hmm?"


    "A young genius?"


    "A single blow from someone in the Tao Tribulation Realm shattered the dantian of a fifth level Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse? This..."


    The others exchanged glances.


    This Dongfang Jin, who had stepped into the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, had his dantian crushed by a blow from someone who had just broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    How formidable must that strength be?


    And moreover...


    That was a youth?


    Yang Ling''s face revealed a look of shock, "Who was that person?"


    "I think... I might guess who it is!"


    Seeing everyone looking towards him, Xiao Yi let out a long breath, his fists involuntarily clenched, "If I''m not mistaken, that person should be Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "How is that possible? Even for Xiao Tianjiao, to be that strong seems unlikely, right?"


    All eyes uniformly turned to Dongfang Mu.


    Dongfang Mu gave another bitter smile and nodded, "Dean Xiao has not spoken wrongly, that person is indeed Xiao Tianjiao." Fear flickered in his eyes, "This person is truly the reincarnation of a Heavenly Emperor, unmatched in this world. According to my brother, Xiao Tianjiao had just stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm and was still not stable..."


    When one has just broken through a realm, the energy within the body is most turbulent, and the mastery over one''s own realm is not yet proficient.


    Xiao Tianjiao dared to engage in combat with a fifth level Dharma Manifestation Realm expert at such a crucial moment, and it took only one move to shatter the opponent''s dantian?


    What a terrifying power!


    Everyone instinctively looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi closed his eyes slightly, his fists quietly clenched under his sleeves.


    Until now, they had known that Xiao Tianjiao was strong, but they had never imagined he would be strong to this extent.


    Barely entering the Tao Tribulation Realm, he could kill a fifth level Dharma Manifestation Realm expert with one strike.


    Now, having been in the Dharma Manifestation Realm for over half a year, with his speed of cultivation, what realm has he reached now? And what kind of strength does he have?


    The name Xiao Tianjiao, to countless people, is an insurmountable mountain.


    One could only look up to it, unable to climb it!


    But for Xiao Yi...


    This mountain must be climbed, must be surpassed!


    "Xiao Tianjiao... One day, I will definitely catch up to you, surpass you..." Xiao Yi took a deep breath, calming the restlessness in his heart.


    Meanwhile,


    The carriage came to a slow stop, and they had arrived at the Dongfang Family''s estate.


    Dongfang Mu took the lead in getting off, lifted the carriage curtain, and his tone carried a trace of respect, "Your Highness Yang Ling, Dean Xiao, please!"


    They got off one after another.


    The Dongfang Family''s residence in front of them occupied nearly half the street, grand and luxurious, ornate and solemn

 Chapter 257 Quietly Watching You Show Off!

    "Is this the Dongfang Family''s grandeur? It seems rather unimpressive!"Zhang Yang''s voice carried arrogance and a sense of superiority, instantly drawing the focused gaze of Xiao Yi and the others.


    There stood a man dressed in garish clothes, with a palm-sized Buddha amulet around his neck, a string of shiny black Buddha beads in his left hand, and in his right hand he held a flag that read: "Miraculous Hands Rejuvenation Skill, the medicine that won''t let you die!"


    Accompanying him was a young man, his face brimming with flattery: "Mr. Liu speaks the truth, our Dongfang Family''s estate has indeed been constructed many years ago and has certainly aged a bit!"


    Dongfang Mu''s face darkened as he said in a low voice, "Dongfang Qing, what are you doing?"


    The Dongfang Family was one of the four major noble families.


    The magnificence and luxury of their estate were top-ranking throughout the Great Qian Dynasty. When had they ever been humiliated like this?


    The young man was startled, looking up to see Dongfang Mu looking at him with an angry expression. He quickly stepped forward and said, "Dongfang Qing pays his respects to the Second Elder!"


    Dongfang Mu glanced at Mr. Liu and asked with a gloomy face, "What''s the meaning of this?"


    Dongfang Qing hurriedly replied, "Second Elder, please keep your voice down, we wouldn''t want to anger Mr. Liu. He is a reclusive expert whom I managed to find with great difficulty, a sacred hand in the field of medicine, capable of returning the dying to life, mending flesh and bones, rejuvenating with miraculous hands. There''s no ailment in the world he can''t cure!"


    Dongfang Mu: "..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    The crowd: "..."


    Returning the dying to life, mending flesh and bones, an ailment-free world.


    Such titles were quite resounding!


    "Hmmph!"


    Mr. Liu let out a displeased snort, tapping his flag against the ground, producing a thudding sound, "Dongfang Qing, time is extremely precious to me. Aren''t you going to take me to see the patient?"


    "Please wait a moment, Mr. Liu. I''ll take you there immediately!"


    Dongfang Qing hastily responded and led Mr. Liu forward, saying, "Second Elder, this Mr. Liu, the miraculous healer, is indeed powerful. I personally witnessed him reviving someone from the dead."


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by Liu the miraculous healer: "He can even revive the dead?"


    "Doubtful?"


    Liu the miraculous healer swept his indifferent gaze over Xiao Yi and the rest, with a slightly raised chin he haughtily said, "But how could you ordinary mortals possibly comprehend the wonders of such a lost art? As long as I take action, there is no disease that cannot be healed!"


    Xiao Yi revealed an amused expression: "Does the gentleman possess such abilities?"


    "Naturally!"


    Liu the miraculous healer snorted coldly, pridefully adding, "Have you ever heard of the last chief Imperial Physician of the Imperial Pharmacy, Mr. Bian Yihong?"


    "Uh��"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, glancing at Bian Yihong standing beside him with an equally puzzled expression, and said with a smile, "I have heard of him, but I''ve never met the man himself!"


    Dongfang Mu, Ye Heng, and the others wore expressions of disbelief.


    Bian Yihong was right beside them; how could Xiao Yi say he never met him?


    Liu the miraculous healer held his chin high, full of pride as he said, "I won''t hide it from you, Bian Yihong and I come from the same master. He is my senior brother. However, his medical talent was so poor, he failed to inherit the master''s mantle and was expelled from the sect. I, on the other hand, was the apple of our master''s eye and received his true heritage. In terms of medical skill, a hundred Bian Yihongs couldn''t compare to me!"


    Xiao Yi and the others looked at Bian Yihong with peculiar expressions.


    Bian Yihong''s face twitched, and he rolled his eyes inwardly, thinking: "When did I have such an experience?"


    Liu the miraculous healer sighed and continued, "Actually, my senior brother''s medical skills are just passable! Though he''s far from my level, he''s enough to be the chief Imperial Physician of the Imperial Pharmacy!"


    Xiao Yi struggled to stifle a laugh and asked, "May I know who your master is?"


    "My master is a reclusive expert, beyond the reach of your level. However, I can let slip that our lineage is under the tutelage of the venerable Wind Thunder," Liu the miraculous healer declared proudly, puffing out his chest. "Master once said that my medical talent is comparable to that of Wind Thunder''s own master. With my current medical expertise, there is no one in the vast Qingtian Realm to match me; it is indeed the lonely plight of a great master. Oh well�� such loneliness and solitude are well beyond the grasp of you ordinary mortals!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    The crowd: "..."


    Dongfang Mu''s face was ashen.


    He had already concluded that this man before them was most certainly a fraud.


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    The most blatant giveaway was Liu the miraculous healer claiming Bian Yihong was his senior brother.


    Can''t you see Bian Yihong right there, giving you a forlorn look?


    Liu, seeing everyone''s eyes on him, wore a look of smug satisfaction and said, "Well, I have already wasted enough time here, so hurry and bring me to the patient! But let me make it clear beforehand, my fees are quite steep!"


    Dongfang Qing hurriedly responded, "Rest assured, Mr. Liu, we will meet whatever conditions you propose!"


    Dongfang Mu, with a dark expression on his face, was about to expose Liu, but then Xiao Yi shook his head at him.


    With a playful tone, Xiao Yi said, "Second Elder, today we are fortunate enough to witness the disciple of Mr. Bian, the successor of the renowned Wind Thunder. It''s a rare opportunity to see him in action. Could we possibly observe from the sidelines?"


    Dongfang Mu''s mouth twitched. Observe his technique, huh? You just want to watch him show off, don''t you?


    He coughed lightly and said, "Mr. Liu, what do you think about this..."


    Liu feigned difficulty, then took on an air of mystery: "Allowing you to observe is not a problem, but my profound medical skills might be too complex for you to understand. Moreover, my deep knowledge of medicine cannot be disclosed lightly, so you will have to pay a hefty tuition fee!"


    Dongfang Mu suppressed the urge to hit him and said, "No problem, we will pay this fee along with the visiting fee!"


    "That''s very good!"


    Liu nodded in satisfaction.


    The group then entered into the Dongfang estate.


    Moments later.


    They saw Dongfang Jin, whose complexion was slightly pale, yet he moved like a dragon and a tiger, showing no sign of ailment.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes slightly as he assessed Dongfang Jin and realized with understanding, "It seems there''s a force of Dharma Manifestation clinging to his body, which conceals the abnormality of his dantian. This must be the work of that old ancestor from the Dongfang Family!"


    "Big brother!"


    Dongfang Mu helped Dongfang Jin to take a seat.


    With respect, Dongfang Qing said, "Elder!"


    Yang Ling also bowed to Dongfang Jin, for even as a prince he must show the courtesy due to a junior when facing such a stalwart of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, "Elder Jin, it has been a long time since we last met. I hope you''ve been well!"


    "Why, it''s Prince Yang Ling. Indeed, it''s been some time. Please forgive me for any lack of hospitality!" Dongfang Jin said with a cheery demeanor.


    Yang Ling replied with a smile, "You are too kind, Elder Jin!"


    Dongfang Mu gestured towards Xiao Yi as he introduced, "Big brother, this is the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi!"


    "Oh? Head Xiao, I''ve long admired your great reputation, and indeed, seeing is believing, a true case of a young hero!" Dongfang Jin''s demeanor towards Xiao Yi was obviously much colder, and his eyes held a trace of animosity.


    After all, he was the one crippled by Xiao Tianjiao.


    How could he possibly show a friendly face to someone from the Xiao Family?


    Dongfang Jin''s gaze swept over the attendees and, upon seeing the forlorn Bian Yihong, his eyes lit up with interest, "Mr. Bian, what brings you here? Have you perhaps thought of a way to assist this old man?"


    Bian Yihong replied with a wry smile, "Elder Jin, I am incapable and have thought of no solution."


    "This��"


    Dongfang Jin''s face fell slightly, but then he shook his head with a bitter smile, "It''s not your fault, Mr. Bian..."


    At that moment.


    Dongfang Qing spoke up, "Elder, I have invited a distinguished hermit on your behalf, claiming he has the means to cure you!"


    "Oh?"


    Dongfang Jin''s eyes brightened as he looked towards Liu, "And who might you be?"


    Liu cleared his throat and said with arrogance, "I am Liu, the most outstanding successor of the Wind Thunder lineage. Surely, I am not yet famous as I have just left seclusion. But you must have heard of my senior brother, Bian Yihong!"


    "What did you say?"


    The smile on Dongfang Jin''s face froze as he looked at Liu, "Your senior brother is Bian Yihong?"


    Liu, with chin held high, asserted, "Correct, though my senior brother''s natural talent in medicine is mediocre compared to mine, which is why our master expelled him long ago. As for me, I have fully inherited my master''s true teachings..."


    "Wait, hold on a moment!"


    Dongfang Jin frowned and pointed to Bian Yihong, asking, "Do you recognize him?"


    "With my status and position, how could I possibly recognize some obscure individual? This person is simply an admirer of my great name, coming here to witness my profound medical skills!"


    Liu glanced at Bian Yihong curiously and added, "Oh? But from what you''re saying, Elder Jin, you also share the surname Bian?" Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    "If I remember correctly..."


    Bian Yihong coughed lightly and said with an odd expression, "I am indeed Bian Yihong..."

 Chapter 258 Dragon Blood, Reverse Scale!

    "If I''m not mistaken..."Bian Yihong said with a troubled face, "My name is Bian Yihong!"


    "Bian Yihong? Hmm, that''s a fine name, I''ll observe carefully later... Wait, what did you say your name was?" Liu, who had been speaking proudly, stiffened and stared at Bian Yihong in disbelief.


    With a wry smile, Bian Yihong said, "My name is Bian Yihong, I just recently stepped down from the position of Chief Imperial Physician. However, I am definitely not from the lineage of the Wind Thunder venerable, and I don''t have any junior brothers..."


    "Bian Yihong? But that''s not right, Mr. Liu said you were his senior brother, how can you not have any junior brothers?"


    Dongfang Qing looked at Liu with a puzzled expression and asked, "Mr. Liu, what is going on here?"


    Liu''s face twitched, a desire to cry welling up in him: "..."


    He had spent his whole life bluffing, deceiving countless people.


    He never expected to accidentally blunder right into the man himself.


    He too had recently arrived in the imperial capital and had inquired about the most prestigious medical expert in the capital, finally setting his sights on the elusive Bian Yihong.


    But then...


    He had never imagined he would actually run into the real Bian Yihong.


    And to show off in front of the man!


    Liu glanced at Xiao Yi and the others, seeing that everyone was barely holding back their laughter, looking at him with amusement, it was clear they all knew his true identity and were just watching him put on a show.


    In an instant.


    Liu fell to his knees with a thud, bursting into tears and begging, "Mr. Bian, spare my life, please... I, I was just trying to make a living, I meant no disrespect to you, please forgive me!"


    Dongfang Qing: "..."


    At this point, how could he not understand that he had been played by Liu.


    Dongfang Qing''s face turned shades of green and red.


    He had hoped to impress Dongfang Jin and show off in front of him, but instead, he had thoroughly showcased his lack of intellect.


    "I''m finished, the elders must think I''m a fool..."


    Dongfang Qing internally wailed, his gaze turning fierce as he glared at Liu and shouted angrily, "You, Liu, dare to fool me, the young master? I, I''ll kill you, you bastard..."


    "What the hell, you want to bite me? I''ll bite you to death..."


    Liu counterattacked.


    The two of them scuffled together.


    Dongfang Jin''s pale face flushed with anger, and he slammed the table furiously, yelling, "Guards, break this swindler''s arms and legs and throw him out. And you, Dongfang Qing, you disgrace, starting from now you are to reflect in the family shrine, not to leave the house for half a year!"


    "No..."


    "Please, elder, no..."


    The two of them wailed as they were dragged out.


    Dongfang Jin let out a long breath of turbid air, looking embarrassedly at Xiao Yi and the others: "Your Highness Yang Ling, Headmaster Xiao, my apologies for the farce you had to witness!"


    "It''s alright!"


    Yang Ling waved his hand hurriedly.


    Even though he really wanted to laugh, the occasion didn''t permit it!


    Xiao Yi touched his nose: "In a big forest, all sorts of birds can be found, it''s understandable!"


    Dongfang Jin: "..."


    He could only awkwardly shift the topic, looking towards Dongfang Mu: "Second brother, do you think Headmaster Xiao can cure my illness?"


    Dongfang Mu snapped back to reality and nodded earnestly, "Big brother, I''ve already informed Headmaster Xiao about your condition. He truly has the ability to cure you!" Explore more adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    "Hmm?"


    Dongfang Jin''s eyes turned cold, seeming to chide Dongfang Mu for having disclosed his condition directly.


    But Dongfang Mu, as if he had not seen that look, said solemnly, "Big brother, I haven''t deceived you. Dongfang Bai, that brat, had his dantian destroyed, and it was Headmaster Xiao who stepped in to help him recover his Golden Core..."


    Dongfang Jin was taken aback, looking towards Tian Mang.


    Tian Mang''s energy surged forth, mighty and peerless.


    There were no traces of injury to the dantian at all.


    Dongfang Jin frowned and said, "Are you sure... his dantian is damaged?"


    "Positive!"


    Dongfang Mu quickly said, "His dantian was personally destroyed by that kid Dongfang Bai, and it happened just a few hours ago. This has already been confirmed from the mouth of Dongfang Bai. Brother, you are saved!"


    Hum!


    Dongfang Jin''s face flushed with excitement. Ever since Xiao Tianjiao had crushed his dantian with a single blow,


    he had resigned himself to his fate.


    After all,


    With the power of the Dongfang Family, they had already searched through the prominent physicians of the Great Qian Dynasty, but none had any solution.


    And now...


    He finally saw hope. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Xiao..."


    Dongfang Jin gave Xiao Yi a deep bow, speaking solemnly, "If you truly can restore my dantian, my life, Dongfang Jin, will be in your hands. In the future, whenever you commission me, whether to climb a mountain of swords or descend into a pot of boiling oil, I, Dongfang Jin, will follow you to the death!"


    Despite his sincere words, he was actually harboring some ulterior motives.


    He only offered his personal loyalty, not bringing the Dongfang Family into the pledge.


    After all,


    seeing the relationship between Xiao Yi and Yang Ling, if Yang Ling were to compete for the Crown Prince position in the future, Xiao Yi would surely stand behind Yang Ling.


    The Dongfang Family had not yet clearly supported any prince.


    He could not entrust the interests of the family to one individual.


    Xiao Yi naturally caught the meaning behind his words but didn''t mind, saying indifferently, "Restoring your dantian is not difficult. However, my consultation fee is not cheap!"


    Dongfang Jin hesitated for a moment, then said solemnly, "Mr. Xiao, given your status, I imagine you wouldn''t care for mundane wealth. I once had the fortune of encountering a Nine-headed Demon Python undergoing tribulation to become a dragon and obtained one dragon scale, as well as a jar of Dragon Blood. Would these suffice as compensation?"


    As he spoke,


    Dongfang Jin took out a piece of cyan dragon scale as big as a calf and a crystal vase thick as an arm from his storage ring.


    The dragon scale shimmered with azure light, with strange natural patterns etched upon it.


    Merely placing it in front of one...


    Instilled a heart-trembling sensation, with a faint oppressive aura spreading, comparable to that of a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse.


    The Dragon Blood within the crystal vase was crystal clear, with light undulating inside it.


    From different angles, the Dragon Blood showed different colors.


    Faintly,


    The vibrant colors formed a tiny dragon shadow moving within the blood.


    The dragon is the leader of all scaled beings.


    Legend has it...


    that when a divine dragon soars between heaven and earth, it can hide within the rivers and mountains and travel amidst the clouds and winds. When a divine dragon traverses a mountain, the grass and trees become spirited; when it plays in the water, the fish and shrimp become divine. Should mortals drink a mouthful of Dragon Blood, they could live forever, watch the rivers and mountains change with the years, and remain forever young.


    The energy contained within this drop of Dragon Blood was indeed not weak; although not reaching the legendary level of a divine dragon, it was still of a true dragon''s lineage.


    "The dragon loses its scales twice in its life, once when it transforms into a dragon, and once when it falls. This scale, with its slightly weaker dragon aura, must have been shed during the Nine-headed Demon Python''s transformation. This Dragon Blood, with its stronger dragon aura, must have been left after the transformation into a dragon."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes glinted as he regarded the scale and the Dragon Blood, "This scale could be used to forge a sixth-grade elemental weapon, and the energy in this Dragon Blood... is enough for Little Lin and me to further our cultivation..."


    Little Lin was already at a high-tier fifth order, comparable to the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Xiao Yi''s Limitless Golden Core had reversed twenty cycles.


    Any further breakthrough would require consuming a great deal of energy.


    Having a jar of Dragon Blood, was worth countless elixirs.


    With this thought,


    Xiao Yi looked at Dongfang Jin and said in a deep voice, "Deal!"

 Chapter 259 Full of Loopholes

    "Deal!"Xiao Yi''s face was adorned with a radiant smile as he accepted the Dragon Blood and the inverse scales from Dongfang Jin''s hands.


    Even if Dongfang Jin had not offered treasures tempting enough to stir his heart, he would have chosen to lend a hand to him anyway.


    After all. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The fact that Xiao Tianjiao had destroyed Dongfang Jin''s Dantian, and the prospect of restoring what Xiao Tianjiao had damaged back to its original condition, promised a most entertaining reaction from Xiao Tianjiao when he next saw Dongfang Jin!


    Dongfang Jin, of course, had no inkling of Xiao Yi''s thoughts and was somewhat nervous when he offered the two treasures.


    Though Dragon Blood and inverse scales were indeed very precious, repairing a damaged Dantian was a feat unmatched by anyone in the Great Qian Dynasty. Even had Xiao Yi demanded an exorbitant price, he would have had no choice but to comply.


    Luckily, Xiao Yi was not greedy, which allowed Dongfang Jin to breathe a sigh of relief.


    Dongfang Jin asked in a grave tone, "Dean Xiao, may I know what I need to prepare?"


    "This list contains the medicinal ingredients you need to get ready!"


    Xiao Yi handed Dongfang Jin a list, "In addition to the items on this list, you will also need to find a monster core from a beast of at least the sixth order with the Metal attribute."


    Now that Dongfang Jin had reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and considering his desire to repair his Dantian, a monster core of a sixth-order beast was necessary as the foundation. Naturally, Xiao Yi did not disclose to him that the biggest drawback of the transplant method was that once the monster core replaced the Dantian,


    If he wished to advance his cultivation in the future, he would need to find a stronger monster core as a substitute.


    After all.


    He did not have any deep ties with the Dongfang Family, and if they managed to earn his approval someday, he would naturally think of a way to help Dongfang Jin replace the monster core.


    Otherwise...


    Dongfang Jin would be resigned to the Dharma Manifestation Realm for the remainder of his life.


    "A sixth-order Metal attribute monster core?" Dongfang Jin''s expression faltered slightly; such a core was not something the Dongfang Family had!


    Elder Dongfang Mu spoke with a heavy tone, "The Ximen Family killed a Six-Armed Sky-Climbing Ape tenth year ago, and its core should still be in the hands of our family''s elder. I will ask the elder to secure that monster core for us!" Elder Dongfang Mu declared solemnly.


    Explore hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    Dongfang Jin said, "I should be the one to speak with the elder. You go ahead and take Dean Xiao and His Highness Yang Ling to the back garden to rest for a while, and meanwhile get the medicinal ingredients on the list ready. I believe that once the elder steps in, obtaining the monster core will be swift!"


    "Alright!"


    Elder Dongfang Mu nodded.


    Then he arranged for Xiao Yi and the others to be accommodated in the backyard and had people prepare a lavish spread of fruits and wines.


    The Dongfang Family''s backyard was vast, with an artificial lake at its center and a Lake Heart Pavilion erected on the lake.


    It was in this Lake Heart Pavilion that Xiao Yi and the others rested. Ye Heng took a bite of a Spirit Fruit, savouring the refreshing taste as he gazed at the lush green waters surrounding him and mused, "The life of the wealthy is indeed blissful. If one were to raise some spirit fish in this lake, to catch a few leisurely for grilling and dining, how delightful that would be!"


    Xiao Yi teased, "Would you like a few beauties to attend to you as well?"


    "Uh..."


    Ye Heng''s face twisted in embarrassment, "That won''t be necessary, right?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and turned his gaze to Tian Mang, who sat quietly to the side, chuckling, "Tian Mang, are you troubled by something?"


    Tian Mang shook his head, replying, "I was just imagining what this back garden looks like from your descriptions."


    Ye Heng glanced at Tian Mang''s sightless grey-white eyes and his expression darkened. He turned to Xiao Yi, "Master, your medical skills are unparalleled; is there a way to heal Tian Mang''s eyes?"


    Tian Mang tensed up, an evident hint of hope in his demeanor.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, declaring, "Tian Mang''s blindness is congenital. There''s nothing I can do."


    Tian Mang''s facial expression dimmed for a moment before he forced a smile, "It''s okay, I''m used to it!"


    "There''s no need to be like this, Tian Mang. In truth, having sight does not necessarily mean seeing the world clearly. Though you lack physical eyes, you can cultivate the Heart Eye Skill. It is with the Heart Eye that one can truly perceive the essence of this world!" Xiao Yi explained.


    "The Heart Eye?"


    The group was taken aback, their gazes filled with confusion as they looked towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s mind conjured up the swordsmanship he had seen Tian Mang executing during a match in the Combat Pavilion, and he spoke in a deep voice, "Think back to when you were fighting someone. How did you judge your opponent''s moves and their position?"


    Tian Mang replied subconsciously, "I can''t explain it clearly, but during battle, even though I can''t see the enemy, I can somehow picture their moves and positions in my mind..."


    "That is the power of the Heart Eye Skill. You just didn''t know the proper method to cultivate it before. When we return, I will teach you the ''Heart Eye Skill.'' Use the sword as your heart, and your heart as your sight. Then, you will be able to see the world with your heart eye..." Xiao Yi said.


    This ''Heart Eye Skill'' was also one of the inheritances he had acquired from the ancient tomb.


    Use the sword as your heart, and your heart as your sight.


    The Heart Eye can observe all things in heaven and earth, and see through the true essence of the world.


    It is even more powerful than the naked eye!


    It is indeed most suitable for Tian Mang to cultivate.


    While they were speaking...


    Suddenly...


    A crisp voice came from not far away, "Who are you? Who gave you permission to stay at Lake Heart Pavilion? Don''t you know this is my personal sword training spot?"


    The group looked toward the source of the voice.


    Aboard a small boat that followed the waves, a girl in blue dress stood with a sword at her waist, frowning at them. Beside the girl was a middle-aged man who held a longsword, with a red mole between his eyebrows, his face expressionless and arrogant.


    Whoosh!


    The middle-aged man jumped up, bringing the girl with him to land in the center of Lake Heart Pavilion.


    Yang Ling said with a smile, "We are friends of Elder Dongfang Mu, resting here!"


    "Mr. Mu? Since it''s arranged by Mr. Mu, then you may stay here. However..."


    The girl uttered an "Oh," then continued indifferently, "Mr. Bai will soon be instructing me in my sword practice. You best keep away and not try to secretly learn!"


    The middle-aged man swept them a glance and snorted arrogantly, "No need for such concern, my disciple. My mastery in the way of the sword has already transcended the ordinary, even if they watch, they wouldn''t understand!"


    Xiao Yi and the others: "..."


    This fellow''s cultivation had also reached the peak of the Golden Core Realm, but the fluctuation of his Sword Intent was extremely weak, clearly only having a rudimentary understanding of the first stage of Sword Intent. Such a mediocre talent, and yet he dared to snub them?


    The group watched with interest.


    The girl was performing a sword technique, the moves stiff and unpolished.


    However, the middle-aged man commented with satisfaction, "Not bad, very good. It''s just that the angle of your ''Sand Falling, Geese Landing'' move isn''t quite right. Let your master demonstrate it for you!"


    The middle-aged man leaped into the air, his longsword drawn from its sheath in a flash, and with a piercing ring of the blade, a silvery light streaked before their eyes.


    As the middle-aged man raised his arm, silver sword light ripped through the air, tracing brilliant shadows in the sky, like a flock of geese landing.


    Even after he sheathed his sword, the sound of it still hummed in the air.


    If an ordinary person witnessed this sword technique, they would find it exquisitely peerless, but to Xiao Yi and his companions, it was full of flaws.


    The girl in the white dress clapped her hands excitedly, "Mr. Bai truly is a master of swordsmanship, it would take me decades of hard work to reach your level!"


    "The pursuit of swordsmanship is indeed not something that can be achieved overnight!"


    The middle-aged man looked coldly at Xiao Yi and others with a smirk of faint mockery saying, "You all have been secretly observing, have you figured out the essence of my sword technique?"


    Xiao Yi and his companions exchanged looks and smiled, "We really did not see any essence!"


    "Hmph, a bunch of rotten wood!" The middle-aged man''s face showed an expected expression.


    The girl in the white dress also shook her head and said, "My master is the great swordsmanship master Bai Zuotang, you are fortunate enough to have witnessed him personally demonstrate swordsmanship, and yet you do not take the chance to humbly learn. It''s truly a pity!"


    The middle-aged man, Bai Zuotang, proudly said, "Disciple, my swordsmanship is profound, its essence is difficult for even a sword expert to grasp, let alone these commoners."


    Seeing Bai Zuotang''s haughty demeanor, Xiao Yi couldn''t help but feel helpless and shook his head, "Indeed, we didn''t see the essence of swordsmanship, only a sword technique full of flaws and incompetence..."

 Chapter 260 Misleading the Young

    "I''ve failed to see the essence of swordsmanship, instead, I''ve seen a sword technique full of flaws..."Xiao Yi said calmly.


    Bai Zuotang''s expression of pride abruptly solidified, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed tightly, and the red mole between his brows, set within a ''��'' character, took on a chill as he stared at Xiao Yi, "Are you saying that my sword technique is full of flaws?"


    He was considered a swordsmanship master from the True Martial Hall.


    The Dongfang Family had specially invited him to guide the practice of this young lady in white in the art of swordsmanship.


    The True Martial Hall was one of the top ten sects.


    Bai Zuotang, priding himself on having mastered the true teachings of the True Martial Hall and having a divine command of swordsmanship, never used to pay any heed to the common folk.


    But now...


    The very commoner he disdained was criticizing his swordsmanship as a technique full of flaws?


    How could he tolerate this?


    "What''s most contemptible about you commoners is your pretension and self-proclaimed excellence. Perhaps your talents are not bad among the common folk, but in the sects teeming with geniuses, you wouldn''t even qualify to be at the bottom."


    Bai Zuotang said scornfully, laughing in anger, "Clearly, it''s your mediocre abilities that prevent you from grasping the essence of my swordsmanship, yet you insist my swordsmanship is flawed. It''s utterly laughable!"


    Xiao Yi, holding a Spirit Fruit, stuffed the flesh into his mouth and, clutching the stick-like stem, said indifferently, "I haven''t studied the ''Falling Goose Sword Skill'' extensively, but from the sword technique you just demonstrated, you couldn''t even grasp the fundamentals, let alone the essence of this swordmanship. I truly don''t understand why the Dongfang Family would invite someone like you, who misguides the younger generation, to teach swordsmanship!"


    The ''Falling Goose Sword Skill'' is a high-grade, third-tier sword technique widely spread in the Great Qian Dynasty. Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was created by Master Ge.


    Xiao Yi had received Master Ge''s complete legacy, and although he wasn''t an expert in all of his created sword techniques and martial skills, he was quite familiar with them.


    Bai Zuotang''s face darkened as he said sarcastically, "From what you said, it seems you have also practiced the ''Falling Goose Sword Skill''?"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Somewhat."


    "Hmph, overestimating yourself!"


    Bai Zuotang sneered, "You either know it or you don''t, and yet you claim to know it somewhat. I''ve seen plenty of people like you who clamor for attention. If you''re so capable, then show it to me. I doubt you can perform even one complete move..."


    "Sigh!"


    Xiao Yi sighed, saying, "Open your eyes and watch carefully, this is the true ''Falling Goose Sword Skill''!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leaped into the air and landed on the surface of the lake.


    With that stick-like fruit stem in his hand, he began indifferently, "The ''Falling Goose Sword Skill'' consists of three moves, ''Swans Separating'', ''Geese Falling on Level Sands'', and ''Plucking the Goose''. I will demonstrate it only once, watch carefully, and learn whatever fortune allows you to grasp!"


    "Hmph, I''d like to see what tricks you can pull off!" Bai Zuotang said, with a look of anger.


    He felt deeply humiliated.


    As a disciple of the True Martial Hall, he was handsomely paid by the Dongfang Family to guide the young lady, Dongfang Ying, in swordsmanship. Always respected, he was the one to give instruction, never had someone dared to criticize his methods.


    "The first move, ''Swans Separating''!"


    Whoosh!


    A sharp sword light shot out from the fruit stem in Xiao Yi''s hand, which split into two and fiercely darted in different directions.


    Boom boom!


    As the sword lights hit the lake, two towering columns of water surged skyward.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi''s voice came again, "The second move, ''Geese Falling on Level Sands''!"


    Whoosh!


    The fruit stem in Xiao Yi''s hand was like a heaven-cleaving sword, controlled as nimbly as one''s own limb, striking out with a sweeping motion. With a sharp whistle, a surge of sword qi swept across the lake''s surface, creating ripples and waves.


    In the midst of the raging waves, the entire lake was covered with ripples.


    And then...


    Xiao Yi leaped high into the air and called out, "The third move, ''Plucking the Goose''!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The fruit stem, like a sword, descended from the sky, and a rain of sword lights fell, plunging into the lake.


    Boom boom boom!


    Waterspouts rose above the lake surface, thrusting into the sky, dozens of meters high water columns instantly shattering. Pieces of water splashed down like plucking feathers from a goose, akin to feathers falling from a wild goose.


    Pitter-patter!


    Strings of water drops fell into the lake continuously, creating dazzling ripples one after another.


    The Lake Heart Pavilion was engulfed in silence.


    Bai Zuotang was dumbstruck.


    The girl in the white dress saw stars.


    Xiao Yi''s execution of the sword technique flowed like clouds and water, each move complete, his mastery refined to perfection. Although he held no sword, just a leftover fruit stem, it was as though he wielded a divine sword, merging man and sword into one, unfathomably profound.


    This was the true master of the sword path!


    This was the ultimate realm he had been pursuing all his life!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi floated elegantly back into the Lake Heart Pavilion, the fruit stem still intact in his hand. With a flick of his fingers, the stem whizzed and pinned itself into the stone table. It penetrated the stone by three parts, the stem quivering slightly. Xiao Yi shook his head and sighed, "Indeed, even the simplest sword techniques require frequent practice. I''ve barely cultivated this ''Falling Goose Sword Skill'', and it has become somewhat rusty!"


    Clap clap clap!


    Bai Zuotang felt a burning pain on his face.


    The swordsmanship he regarded as flawless was seen as lacking by Xiao Yi?


    Xiao Yi looked up at Bai Zuotang and asked indifferently, "How does my swordsmanship compare to yours?"


    "This..."


    Bai Zuotang''s face turned alternately ashen and pale. He had to admit that Xiao Yi''s swordsmanship was vastly superior to his own, but to bow his head like that was impossible. He snorted coldly, "You indeed have the upper hand with this ''Falling Goose Sword Skill'', but I have only dabbled in this technique. The essence of my sword path lies in the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Skill''!"


    ''Subduing Tiger Sword Skill''?


    Xiao Yi was astonished. Could there be such a coincidence in the world?


    Back in Nanhuang City, he had obtained the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Skill'', and now Bai Zuotang also knew this technique?


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Oh? I have also dabbled in this technique. Why don''t we exchange some pointers?"


    "Watch carefully!"


    Bai Zuotang huffed and demonstrated the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Skill'' once, proclaiming proudly, "How about that?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head in disappointment and sighed, "Seeing your confidence, I thought you were at least somewhat proficient. But it turned out you''ve only grasped the basics. Watch carefully; this is the true ''Subduing Tiger Sword Skill''!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi performed the technique, each stroke fierce as a tiger pouncing down a hill, every slash capable of taming a ferocious tiger.


    Broad and expansive motions, the momentum grand and imposing.


    Far beyond what Bai Zuotang could compare to.


    Bai Zuotang''s face turned a shade of iron blue, his teeth nearly shattering from clenching, he angrily said, "I also have a unique sword technique ''Azure Dragon Nine Swords''. That will make you admit defeat!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Bai Zuotang demonstrated his technique, which indeed was more exquisite compared to his previous swordsmanship, proudly saying, "How about that? This sword technique is the unique heritage of the True Martial Hall; have you ever seen it before?"


    "Seeing you perform it once, let me try..."


    Based on memory, Xiao Yi repeated the performance Bai Zuotang had just shown.


    Whether it was the proficiency of the sword moves or the smooth transitions between techniques, he was far superior to Bai Zuotang.


    Xiao Yi said, "This sword technique indeed has its unique aspects, but unfortunately, when you execute it, it''s full of flaws and unbearable to behold. With your half-baked skill level, how could the Dongfang Family have been blind enough to hire you to instruct their juniors? Aren''t you misleading their children?"


    "You, you, you..."


    Bai Zuotang''s face turned from ashen to red, never expecting Xiao Yi to learn his ''Azure Dragon Nine Swords'' after one glance and even surpass him by several grades.


    Faced with Xiao Yi''s mockery, Bai Zuotang could not retort.


    Overcome by rage, he spewed a mouthful of fresh blood.


    He lay rigidly on the ground.


    The Lake Heart Pavilion was silent again as everyone turned their gaze towards Xiao Yi, their eyes filled with awe.


    The girl in the white dress was even more starry-eyed, clasping her hands in front of her chest, blinking her large eyes, and said with admiration, "Senior, please take me as your disciple! This guy is just unwanted trash compared to you..."


    Bai Zuotang, who had just regained consciousness, heard these words and spewed another mouthful of fresh blood, his eyes rolling back as he passed out once more...

 Chapter 261 You, finally came!

    When Dongfang Mu arrived at the Lake Heart Pavilion and saw the unconscious Bai Zuotang, as well as the white-dressed young girl serving Xiao Yi tea and water with a fawning expression, he too was utterly confused.This girl in the white dress was Dongfang Ying, the youngest daughter of the patriarch of the Dongfang Family.


    She was indeed the pearl of the Dongfang Family.


    Among the younger generation of the Dongfang Family, she was the only girl!


    Greatly pampered.


    For this reason...


    The Dongfang Family had spared no expense in hiring Bai Zuotang to teach her swordsmanship one-on-one.


    All along.


    Dongfang Ying had always greatly respected and wholeheartedly followed Bai Zuotang in learning swordsmanship. But now, seeing her not caring about Bai Zuotang lying on the ground and instead following closely behind Xiao Yi, Dongfang Mu couldn''t help but feel utterly confused, "Ying, what... what is going on here?"


    "Grandpa Mu!"


    With a brilliant smile on her face and hugging Dongfang Mu''s arms, Dongfang Ying gently shook them, "Grandpa Mu, this Bai Zuotang is just a swindler leading people astray. His swordsmanship is nothing compared to big brother''s. From now on, I want to learn from big brother!"


    "Ah?"


    Dongfang Mu''s eyelids twitched, his face full of puzzlement.


    He remembered how much Dongfang Ying had adored Bai Zuotang''s swordsmanship before!


    Dongfang Ying quickly recounted what had happened earlier.


    Dongfang Mu looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of astonishment, his shocked gaze sweeping over him.


    While he wasn''t surprised that Xiao Yi could perform the Falling Goose Sword Skill and the Subduing Tiger Sword Skill, what truly astounded him was that Xiao Yi had merely watched Bai Zuotang''s sword technique once, and improved upon it, outdoing the master.


    This ability to learn was nothing short of terrifying!


    "Grandpa Mu, please agree to it!" Dongfang Ying swayed his arm.


    "Stop fooling around. He''s Xiao, the headmaster of Xiaoshanhe Institute, not just some ''big brother''," Elder Mu scolded with a voice, seeing Dongfang Ying pursing her lips with a longing look. He couldn''t help but rub his forehead with a headache, chuckling bitterly, "Grandpa can''t decide this. You''ll have to ask your dad!"


    "Hmph!"


    Dissatisfied, Dongfang Ying snorted and pouted, "I will ask the old ancestor!"


    As she spoke. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dongfang Ying boarded a small boat and paddled towards the lake''s edge, looking back at Xiao Yi and waving, "Headmaster brother, I will definitely convince the old ancestor to let me study at Xiaoshanhe Institute with you!"


    Dongfang Mu looked at Xiao Yi with a peculiar expression, "Headmaster Xiao, Ying has been spoiled. Please forgive her!


    "It''s alright!"


    Xiao Yi awkwardly touched his nose, pointing to Bai Zuotang on the ground, "Elder Mu, about this..."


    Dongfang Mu sighed, "I will have someone send him back to True Martial Hall!" He paused for a moment, then said, "Headmaster Xiao, everything is ready. We will rely on you for the next part!"


    "Lead the way!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Under the lead of Dongfang Mu, everyone came to the underground chamber of the Dongfang Family.


    This chamber was a thousand meters below the ground.


    The chamber was exceptionally quiet.


    It had a Spirit Gathering Formation, making the spiritual energy here much denser than that on the surface.


    Dongfang Jin was already waiting inside the chamber. Upon seeing Xiao Yi arrive, he hurriedly greeted him, unable to hide the excitement on his face, "Headmaster Xiao, we entrust everything to you!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Yang Ling and the others stood guard outside the chamber.


    Dongfang Jin sat cross-legged in front of Xiao Yi, staring at the young man whose appearance bore a resemblance to Xiao Tianjiao, Dongfang Jin seemed hesitant to speak.


    Xiao Yi asked curiously, "Elder Jin, do you have something to say?"


    "Headmaster Xiao, my question may be a bit abrupt, and it''s fine if you don''t wish to answer..." Seeing that Xiao Yi didn''t mind, Dongfang Jin asked, "With your talent and strength, even though you may not be on par with Xiao Tianjiao, you''re still a top-tier genius. Why did the Xiao Family expel you?"


    Xiao Yi briefly paused, then smiled and said, "That''s something you''ll have to ask Xiao Tianjiao about!"


    His grudge with the Xiao Family didn''t need to be openly discussed with everyone.


    Dongfang Jin started in surprise, then pondered for a moment before sighing softly, "I was indeed too abrupt!"


    "No harm done!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and proceeded to use the Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill.


    The destruction of Dongfang Jin''s dantian was thorough��if it weren''t for Xiao Yi''s proficiency in the Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill, there would''ve been no chance for recovery.


    The demon core entered his body.


    Guided by Xiao Yi''s vital energy, it continuously repaired Dongfang Jin''s damaged dantian, merging it with his body.


    Dongfang Jin, being a strong practitioner from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, indeed exhausted Xiao Yi as he restored his dantian.


    "Congratulations, Elder Jin, your dantian has been fully restored! However, it would be wise not to use your vital energy too much for the next half month," Xiao Yi said gravely.


    The vital energy of a Dharma Manifestation Realm practitioner was immensely powerful.


    The newly integrated demon core was still very fragile and needed to be gradually nurtured. All connections had to be thoroughly solidified before it could withstand the flow of vital energy. Dongfang Jin understood this point well and nodded vigorously, his gaze filled with gratitude as he looked at Xiao Yi: "Thank you, Director Xiao. If there''s anything the Dongfang Family can do for you in the future, my family will spare no effort to help!"


    There was a distinct change in Dongfang Jin''s attitude.


    Previously, he had pledged to repay Xiao Yi only in his personal capacity, but now he was making a commitment on behalf of the entire Dongfang Family.


    The two left the secret chamber.


    In just six hours, witnessing the restoration of vital energy circulation within Dongfang Jin''s body, Dongfang Mu''s face lit up with ecstatic joy.


    The Four Great Noble Families each had two practitioners from the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    If the loss of Dongfang Jin''s dantian became known, the Dongfang Family would certainly face suppression from other forces. Without exaggeration, Xiao Yi was the savior of the entire Dongfang Family. Dongfang Mu said solemnly, "Director Xiao, the patriarch wishes to meet with you!"


    "Dongfang Patriarch?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Even Yang Ling beside him showed a look of surprise.


    The Dongfang Patriarch, known as Dongfang Kuang.


    This man was a Dharma Manifestation Realm master from five hundred years ago, a peer to the patriarchs of the ten major sects.


    In the history of the Great Qian Dynasty, he too had left a significant mark as a legend.


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "Lead the way!"


    "Please follow me!"


    Dongfang Mu immediately guided Xiao Yi toward the deepest part of the secret chamber.


    Dongfang Kuang was the Calm Sea Divine Needle of the Dongfang Family.


    He rarely appeared in public.


    Very few knew that he actually resided at the most recondite part of this underground chamber.


    At the end of the secret chamber, a place brightly lit by lamps.


    In the middle, a massive bronze door slowly opened, revealing a dark entrance. Dongfang Mu spoke with a respectful face, "Director Xiao, the patriarch awaits you inside!"


    Xiao Yi frowned, "Just the two of us?"


    "The patriarch did not instruct us to enter; we cannot set foot in this forbidden place," Dongfang Mu quickly replied.


    Xiao Yi nodded and then entered the pitch-black secret chamber alone.


    Clang!


    The heavy bronze door slowly shut.


    Scrape, scrape, scrape!


    One after another, torches were lit in the dark chamber.


    The Tongtian flames illuminated the entire chamber.


    At the same time��


    A hoarse and deep voice echoed within the chamber, "You have finally arrived!"

 Chapter 262 Yin Yang Tower

    "You, you''ve finally arrived!"The low voice carried a sense of weight and ancientness.


    Coming from the deepest part of the secret chamber, the voice actually caused a subtle vibration in the air, prompting the surrounding flames to flicker continuously.


    Xiao Yi felt a chill sweeping over his body, which sent shivers down his spine, "How could Dongfang be living in a place like this?"


    Whoosh!


    A sudden force of suction came from ahead.


    As if countless invisible hands were pulling him toward the depths of the secret chamber.


    A moment later.


    There was a sudden openness in front of Xiao Yi, revealing an underground palace that was dazzling with gold and glittering with luxury. The hundred-meter-high palace''s dome was studded with fist-sized Luminous Pearls, with more than three thousand pearls lighting the place up as bright as day.


    The floor was laid with lustrous glazed tiles, and walking on them, there was a faint sensation of warmth.


    In front...


    Seven nine-story tall black towers stood out somewhat abruptly.


    At this moment.


    In front of those seven towers stood a black-haired man smiling at him, his presence contained, with strands of natural essence flickering around him as if converging into his body like a primal spring.


    His pair of pitch-black eyes seemed to have two stars rotating within them.


    Bright and dazzling, they were deep enough to draw one in, making it feel as if one would be absorbed into their depths, unable to extricate oneself.


    "Could this be Senior Dongfang Kuang?" Xiao Yi asked in a deep voice.


    The voice of Dongfang Kuang did not quite match his appearance, sounding much more ancient, "Young fellow, come over here!"


    Xiao Yi stepped forward, "Junior Xiao Yi, pays respects to Senior!"


    "Hmm!"


    Dongfang Kuang smiled slightly, a friendly expression on his face. His eyes were bright with sharpness, their gaze so penetrating as if they could see right through a person. He said with a smile, "Very good, really good, no wonder Dongfang Mu holds you in such high esteem. Xiao Zhengde really was blind to expel you from the Xiao Family. Young fellow, would you be interested in taking the Dongfang surname? If you''re willing, you can be the next head of the Dongfang Family!"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, his face showing surprise.


    Take the Dongfang surname?


    Wasn''t that asking him to marry into the family?


    Although just changing a surname would allow him to control a huge family with thousands of years of inheritance, becoming one of the most powerful entities in the Great Qian Dynasty, Xiao Yi still shook his head with a smile, "Thank you for your generous offer, Senior. My name was given to me by my mother, and I do not wish to change it!"


    "It''s fine if you don''t change your surname. I have a great-granddaughter named Dongfang Ying, lively and lovely, whom you can marry. You would become the favoured son-in-law of the Dongfang Family, how about that?" Dongfang Kuang said with a sly smile.


    Xiao Yi wore an embarrassed expression, "..."


    What exactly was Dongfang Kuang planning?


    Wasn''t he proposing that Xiao Yi either take his surname


    Or marry into the family?


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a rueful smile, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior, but my ambition lies elsewhere."


    "Well, let it be!"


    Dongfang Kuang sighed with a trace of regret and then straightened up, saying, "You cured Dongfang Jin, which is a life-saving grace to my Dongfang Family. In my life, Dongfang Kuang has never begged nor owed anyone. I see that your cultivation has reached the Golden Elixir Peak, just a step away from the Tao Tribulation Realm. You can try your luck in the Yin and Yang Tower behind me; it might be helpful for you!"


    The Yin and Yang Tower.


    Its full name is the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, divided into seven parts.


    Legend has it...


    When the founding emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty and his four sworn brothers obtained five Divine Artifacts from a secret realm, one of them was the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, which was secured by the ancestor of the Dongfang Family as a treasure to protect the clan.


    Inside the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, there are Elemental Combat Automatons of Yin and Yang.


    The realm of these Elemental Combat Automatons is identical to those who enter the tower, and by defeating one, you could absorb a portion of the Yin Yang and Five Elements heavenly forces.


    You must know...


    To advance from the Golden Core Realm to the Tao Tribulation Realm, one needs to grasp the power of heaven and earth to shatter the Golden Elixir Halo and condense the Dao patterns.


    But trying to comprehend the power of heaven and earth directly from nature yields minimal results.


    However, inside this Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, the power of heaven and earth is several times, or even dozens of times stronger than the outside world.


    Dongfang Kuang casually tossed a Token into Xiao Yi''s hand, saying in a deep voice, "Everyone can control different attributes of the power of heaven and earth. See which tower you can enter, and it will represent the corresponding attribute of the heavenly force you can control."


    Xiao Yi gazed at the seven Yin Yang Five Elements Towers and muttered, "Can I only choose one? Can''t I choose them all?"


    "All of them?"


    Dongfang Kuang was taken aback and then burst into loud laughter, "Kid, you really are daydreaming! Even Xiao Tianjiao, relying on the Supreme Overlord Sacred Body enabling him to master the Five Elements of heaven and earth, has become the most astonishing genius of the Great Qian Dynasty in thousands of years. And you''re thinking of choosing all? With your talent, at most you could master three, certainly no more!"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils constricted slightly, "Xiao Tianjiao has mastered the Five Elements of heaven and earth? No wonder he could shatter Dongfang Jin with one strike without stepping into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. However, if he could master the Five Elements of heaven and earth, why couldn''t I master them all?"


    With that thought.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and walked toward the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower.


    The first one. S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Metal Tower!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi entered with no resistance; a golden puppet appeared before him, its cultivation equal to his, both at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    Whoosh!


    The golden puppet flashed violently, surrounded by fluctuating golden light, as its sharp metal-like blade thrust forward.


    "Break for me!"


    Xiao Yi simply struck down with one palm.


    Bang!


    The golden puppet exploded into pieces, turning into a sky full of golden dust, which melded into his body.


    Xiao Yi could clearly feel his mastery over the Metal attribute of the heaven and earth''s power had increased slightly, "No wonder it''s the clan''s treasure, just the first level equals the effect of my six months of arduous understanding."


    Xiao Yi''s gaze shifted toward the entrance of the second level.


    The second level, this time two puppets appeared.


    Though they were both at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, Xiao Yi was a Limitless Golden Elixir!


    He shattered them all with one palm.


    This time, the Metal power of heaven and earth he received was twice that of the first level.


    Xiao Yi continued to move forward...


    The third level.


    The fourth level.


    The fifth level...


    All the way to the ninth level.


    Hum!


    The Metal power within Xiao Yi''s body had actually reached one-tenth of its potential, and at the same time, countless Metal powers of heaven and earth converged on his Golden Elixir, wildly bombarding the Golden Elixir Halo.


    Boom, Boom, Boom!


    After repeated impacts, the fluctuating halos around the Golden Elixir suddenly exploded.


    Crack! Crack!


    Two successive halos burst, transforming into a pattern that was branded onto the Golden Elixir. At the same time, surging energy flooded into the God Sealing Seed, wildly increasing it by two hundred thousand, achieving the number of one million.


    Generally, as long as one condenses the pattern, they could step into the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    But Xiao Yi was still at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    "To enter the Tao Tribulation Realm with a Limitless Golden Elixir, I must shatter all the Golden Elixir Halos, transforming them into Martial Dao Divine Fruit."


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath; he had already topped the Metal Tower, which was a major step toward the Tao Tribulation Realm, "Eighteen more Golden Elixir Halos to go, let''s shatter them in one fell swoop!"


    With that thought.


    Xiao Yi left the Metal Tower and appeared in front of Dongfang Kuang.


    Dongfang Kuang was completely stunned, "You came out so soon?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I''ve already reached the top!"


    "Reached the top?"


    Dongfang Kuang was dumbfounded, "It''s only been a short while, and you''ve already reached the top? How is that possible? When Xiao Tianjiao came to use the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, it took him half an hour just for the first tower, and you..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "He is him, I am me!"


    "This, this..."


    Even Dongfang Kuang, who had lived for hundreds of years, felt his emotions surge for the first time as he looked at Xiao Yi with anticipation, "Are you preparing to challenge the second Yin Yang Tower?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, then walked toward the second tower, the Wood Tower.


    Dongfang Kuang couldn''t help but watch intently, "Can he... succeed?"

 Chapter 263 Breaking Xiao Tianjiaos Record Again!

    ```


    Thump! S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Xiao Yi felt his heartbeat quickening, his breath grew short and rapid as he approached the second Wood Tower before him.


    Ever since the establishment of the Great Qian Dynasty,


    Xiao Tianjiao had set countless records, and Xiao Yi never expected that even in the Dongfang Family''s Yin Yang and Five Elements Tower, records left by Xiao Tianjiao would exist. Ever since the day he was expelled from home, Xiao Yi had vowed to let the world know he was stronger than Xiao Tianjiao.


    So...


    The countless records left by Xiao Tianjiao naturally lay before him.


    "The records in the Combat Pavilion are just the beginning, not the end!" Xiao Yi took a deep breath, now standing before the Wood Tower.


    Hum!


    A green glow flashed from the token in his hand, and he stepped inside.


    Hiss!


    Dongfang Kuang inhaled sharply, his body tensing suddenly, "He actually went in? Can this kid really comprehend both the Golden and Wood elemental powers? What kind of dumb luck has the Xiao Family stumbled upon, first with an exceptional genius like Xiao Tianjiao, and now another, Xiao Yi..."


    Even after seeing Xiao Yi enter the Wood Tower,


    Dongfang Kuang still didn''t believe that Xiao Yi could break the record left by Xiao Tianjiao.


    After all,


    Someone wielding the power of the five elements of heaven and earth alone was an incredibly rare talent, not just in the Great Qian Dynasty, but in the entire Qingtian Realm.


    Simultaneously,


    Inside the Wood Tower, the first wooden puppet appeared before Xiao Yi.


    It was a tree-man, wrapped in bark, exuding vigorous vitality. With a lift of its hand, green tendrils shot out like hundreds of twisting green snakes.


    Confronted with this tree-man puppet, Xiao Yi used only a single palm.


    Bang!


    The puppet shattered.


    The Wood elemental power of heaven and earth surged into his body.


    Xiao Yi looked up towards the entrance to the second level...


    The third level.


    The fourth level.


    The fifth level...


    Just as before, ten hours later, Xiao Yi emerged outside the Wood Tower.


    Upon topping the Wood Tower, he had mastered ten percent of the Wood Attribute elemental power of heaven and earth, shattered two more Golden Elixir Halos, solidified a second dao pattern, and the quantity of his God Sealing Seed had climbed to one million two hundred thousand.


    But he still had not stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Dongfang Kuang''s face twitched, "He topped it again?"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, looking towards the third.


    Gulur!


    Dongfang Kuang swallowed nervously, "Are you going to keep trying?"


    Xiao Yi hummed in affirmation, "Xiao Tianjiao conquered five towers, I will not be weaker than him!"


    Dongfang Kuang gave a wry smile, "Xiao Tianjiao''s situation is different from yours; he is an unparalleled Tianjiao..."


    "Are you certain I am not?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Dongfang Kuang: "That..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and stepped toward the third Water Tower.


    "It can''t be��damn..."


    Dongfang Kuang hadn''t finished speaking when Xiao Yi had already set foot inside the third Water Tower.


    After ten hours.


    Xiao Yi stood before the fourth Fire Tower.


    With only fourteen Golden Elixir Halos remaining, having solidified three dao patterns of gold, wood, and water, the quantity of his God Sealing Seed soared to one million four hundred thousand.


    Watching Xiao Yi step into the Fire Tower.


    ```


    At this moment, Dongfang Kuang could no longer remain seated and stood up abruptly, his fists clenched tightly. On his usually impassive face, a strong shock surfaced along with deep anticipation, "This kid, he, he might really have a chance at catching up to Xiao Tianjiao''s record!"


    He had never thought that, in his lifetime, he would see someone catching up to Xiao Tianjiao''s record.


    As for breaking this record?


    He didn''t even dare to entertain such a thought!


    After all.


    Controlling five kinds of elemental forces was already considered miraculous.


    Ten hours later.


    Xiao Yi made his way to the fifth tower, which was also the last of the Five Elements Tower in the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, the Tower of Earth.


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Dongfang Kuang, with clenched fists, held his breath, and even closed his eyes at the moment when Xiao Yi was about to enter the Tower of Earth, hardly daring to open them, "Did he succeed? Has he entered? Xiao Yi? Xiao Yi?"


    "..."


    All was silent in front of him, no one responded.


    Gurgle!


    Dongfang Kuang cautiously opened a slit in his eyes, but Xiao Yi''s figure was nowhere to be seen. Sweat had soaked through his clothes, his fists clenched, his veins throbbing wildly, "He, he actually succeeded? My heavens, this is unbelievable, he''s really done it, matching Xiao Tianjiao''s record, it''s just too inconceivable!"


    Ten hours later.


    When Xiao Yi appeared before him again, Dongfang Kuang displayed a look of wild joy and burst out laughing as he approached, "Xiao Yi, you lad are truly beyond expectations! Hahaha, congratulations, you''ve matched Xiao Tianjiao''s record. In terms of talent alone, you are definitely no lesser than Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "Senior, please make way," Xiao Yi said unruffled.


    Dongfang Kuang was startled and blinked, "You still want to attempt the sixth? Alright, there''s no harm in trying... However, throughout the history of the Qingtian Realm, there have been legendary figures who could simultaneously control either Yin and Yang or the Five Elements of nature. But to simultaneously master both Yin Yang and the Five Elements, the seven forces of nature, that''s never happened before. Even if you fail, you don''t need to feel dis...dis...dis...holy shit..."


    Dongfang Kuang leapt up abruptly.


    "He really succeeded? This breaks Xiao Tianjiao''s record? Martial God above, this can''t be real, I must be hallucinating..."


    He swung his palm fiercely, slapping his own face again and again, at least a dozen times, yet his expression was still one of bewilderment, "The Xiao Family must be blind to have expelled such a monster from their home..."


    Inside the Tower of Yin.


    Xiao Yi''s battle was not as easy as before, the battle puppets in the Tower of Yin were clearly much stronger, and even with Xiao Yi''s strength, the fight took many times longer.


    One hour later.


    Xiao Yi reached the ninth layer and successfully broke through the five Golden Elixir Halos, condensing the Yin Dao patterns.


    The count of God Sealing Seeds climbed to three million three hundred thousand!


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    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi returned to the secret chamber, ignoring the stunned Dongfang Kuang, and went straight into the last Tower of Yang.


    "Yin Yang and the Five Elements forces of nature," Dongfang Kuang murmured, his fists clenched, his eyes bloodshot, his entire body trembling, "He, he''s defying the heavens!"


    Throughout the history of the Qingtian Realm.


    There had never been an existence that simultaneously mastered the seven forces of Yin Yang and the Five Elements.


    Today...


    He was fortunate enough to witness the birth of such a prodigy.


    However.


    This time, Dongfang Kuang waited for two full hours, yet he still hadn''t seen Xiao Yi emerge from the Tower of Yang.


    He was growing anxious.


    Three hours.


    Four hours.


    Ten hours...


    "What''s going on? Could something have happened?" Dongfang Kuang''s face was filled with worry as he paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.


    Only when ten hours had passed, just as Dongfang Kuang was about to forcibly enter the Tower of Yang, a dazzling light suddenly burst forth from within the Tower. The light contained terrifying energy, its grandeur like a wild storm, which hurled Dongfang Kuang away.


    Within the brilliant, multicolored light, a vague figure could be seen, approaching through the air��

 Chapter 264 The Heavenly Calamity Arrives, Ten Thousand People Are Shocked!

    Within the secret chamber.


    Xiao Yi was surrounded by dazzling, multicolored lights, radiating an otherworldly divine presence.


    He stood suspended in midair.


    With every step he took, the ground trembled, and the air seemed to solidify around him. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A massive Golden Core floated above his head, marked with nine Daopatterns.


    There was one pattern for each of the Five Elements.


    And two patterns for Yin and Yang respectively.


    A total of nine Daopatterns were imprinted on the Golden Core, yet it hadn''t transformed into a Martial Dao Divine Fruit. Right after thoroughly shattering the Golden Elixir Halo and condensing the Daopatterns, Xiao Yi sensed the approaching Celestial Tribulation.


    Typically speaking.


    The Celestial Tribulation only appeared after one had broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi, having just stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm, had actually triggered the Celestial Tribulation.


    This took Xiao Yi somewhat by surprise.


    Enveloped in light, Xiao Yi looked toward Dongfang Kuang, who had been blasted away by his aura, and said in a deep voice, "Senior, open the chamber''s exit quickly, I must transcend the tribulation!"


    He could sense that the Celestial Tribulation would descend in just an hour.


    If he continued to stay in the secret chamber, he feared that the entire Dongfang Family estate would be leveled to the ground.


    "What the hell? You''re going to transcend the tribulation?" Dongfang Kuang stared at Xiao Yi blankly, unable to believe what he was hearing.


    To transcend the tribulation!


    He had never heard of anyone needing to transcend a tribulation just for breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Xiao Yi smiled bitterly and said, "Senior, do you think I have the time to joke with you? In an hour, the Celestial Tribulation will arrive. Open the chamber so I can leave, otherwise, your Dongfang Family will be implicated..."


    "Holy shit!"


    Dongfang Kuang was stunned, speechless.


    He felt as if his nearly a thousand years of life had been in vain.


    A few years ago, Xiao Tianjiao appeared, mastering the Five Element Daopatterns alone and creating shock and admiration as the new surpasses the old in an ever-evolving wave.


    But now...


    It hadn''t been long before Xiao Yi emerged.


    He broke the records set by Xiao Tianjiao, which seemed impossible to surpass, and he even condensed the unprecedented Yin Yang and Five Element Daopatterns. Look at the Golden Core floating above Xiao Yi''s head, shining with ten thousand zhang of light!


    That''s no ordinary Golden Core!


    Who has ever seen a Golden Core larger than a Martial Dao Divine Fruit?


    Who has seen a Golden Core condensed with the Yin Yang and Five Element Daopatterns?


    Who has seen a Golden Core that can bring about the Celestial Tribulation?


    This is simply a divine pill, for goodness'' sake!


    Dongfang Kuang felt today''s experiences could become bragging rights for him in front of others in the future.


    With myriad thoughts in his mind, Dongfang Kuang''s actions were swift. He led the way, his voice resolute, "Your current state cannot be directly exposed in the imperial capital, or it would attract unnecessary trouble. I have a secret passage that leads directly to Great Liang Mountain. Quick, follow me!"


    The four major noble families had been operating in the imperial capital for many years.


    Naturally, they had retreat routes for their families.


    This secret passage...


    Only the ancestors of the Dharma Phase Realm Peak were privy to it, not even the head of the Dongfang family knew; it was only to be used when the Dongfang Family faced the threat of extinction. But now, Dongfang Kuang had opened this passage, sealed for countless ages, for Xiao Yi.


    Dongfang Kuang, with his cultivation at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, led the way, and Xiao Yi followed closely behind.


    The brilliant, multicolored light from Xiao Yi illuminated the entire passage as if it were day.


    His speed was in no way inferior to Dongfang Kuang, surprising him slightly, "It''s no wonder he''s a monster who has mastered seven types of natural forces of both Yin Yang and the Five Elements simultaneously. Just breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm he can draw forth the Celestial Tribulation; I can''t even imagine what it will be like when he steps into the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    If it had been before...


    Rushing from the imperial capital to Great Liang Mountain at full speed would have taken Xiao Yi three to four hours.


    But now...


    His speed had increased several-fold, and with the shortcut the secret passage offered, they arrived at Great Liang Mountain in just half an hour.


    The secret passage''s exit was hidden behind a waterfall.


    Blocked by a huge rock.


    Dongfang Kuang lifted the boulder, quickly exiting, and almost at the moment he left the passage, the dazzling light ripped through, creating a booming sound. The massive waterfall, cascading down thousands of feet, was forcefully torn apart.


    The flow of the entire waterfall was intercepted.


    It surged backward.


    Crash!


    The water below the cascade surged rebelliously toward the heavens.


    The roaring sound was unceasing.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi rushed out from the secret passage and stood suspended in midair, his body enveloped in increasingly brilliant light. He gave Dongfang Kuang a fist salute, "Thank you, senior. I will find a place to transcend the tribulation. I will visit to express my gratitude another day!"


    "Go quickly!"


    Dongfang Kuang, who had once experienced the Celestial Tribulation himself, nodded hurriedly, "I will protect you from afar, doing my best to prevent any disturbances during your breakthrough!"


    "Thank you, senior!"


    Without another word, Xiao Yi soared into the sky.


    The light around him grew even more radiant, expanding from its initial ten zhang.


    A hundred zhang.


    A thousand zhang.


    Ten thousand zhang...


    Even from hundreds of kilometers away in the imperial capital, one could see in the skies above Great Liang Mountain a resplendent and orb-like rainbow of light floating and bobbing. Above this orb of light, in the void, black clouds churned and thunder and lightning roared.


    It was a scene similar to the coming of the apocalypse.


    In the imperial capital.


    "What is that?"


    "Such beautiful radiance... Could it be that a treasured light is emerging?"


    "That direction seems to be Great Liang Mountain? Could it be that a powerful monster is about to breakthrough to the sixth tier? But that''s not right either. How could breaking through to the sixth tier create such a massive commotion?"


    "Could it be that someone is about to breakthrough to the Dharma Manifestation Realm?"


    "Very likely! Have you forgotten when Xiao Tianjiao broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he triggered a Heavenly Tribulation that spanned a hundred miles..."


    The disturbance from the direction of Great Liang Mountain naturally attracted the prying eyes of countless powerhouses.


    Within the palace.


    Emperor Qian suddenly opened his eyes, beams of light shooting from his pupils as if piercing through ancient void space, gazing in the direction of Great Liang Mountain. A hint of shock flickered across his eyes, "Is someone undergoing tribulation? So close to the imperial capital, could it be that one of the four major clans is stepping into the Dharma Manifestation Realm?"


    "Old Dog!"


    Emperor Qian gave a cold command.


    "Your Majesty!"


    The old eunuch always standing by with his hands down approached.


    Emperor Qian gazed at him and said solemnly, "You, go to Great Liang Mountain with the Dragon Guards immediately. If it is one of those four family clans, you know what to do, right?"


    "This servant understands!"


    The old eunuch respectfully withdrew, stepped out of the palace gate, and soared into the sky.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Inside the palace, four figures suddenly shot up into the sky, closely following him. At this moment, the old eunuch bore no trace of his servility before Emperor Qian. Right now, his Qi-Blood surged like a dragon and tiger.


    Behind him, the four Dragon Guards were all at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Inside the Dongfang Family.


    Dongfang Jin gazed in the direction of Great Liang Mountain, his expression slightly changing, "What''s happening?"


    The Nangong Family.


    The Ximen Family.


    The Beitang Family.


    Treasure Pavilion.


    Combat Pavilion.


    The branches of the top ten sects in the imperial capital...


    Countless powerhouses from the imperial capital''s forces soared into the air, rushing toward Great Liang Mountain.


    In the void.


    Countless powerhouses encountered each other, among them was Yang Jin, the head of the Tianjian Sect''s division in the imperial capital. Grinning at Xue Wuhen flying beside him, he joked, "Pavilion Master Xue, are you also interested in joining in on the excitement?"


    Xue Wuhen glanced at him and replied indifferently, "I''ve been trapped at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm for many years. Perhaps observing this Heavenly Tribulation will give me some enlightenment, and I might even step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    "Hahaha, that punch from the Saint Heir back then really did give you a hard time!" Yang Jin laughed heartily.


    Xue Wuhen snorted coldly, his expression indifferent, "Xiao Tianjiao''s record in my Combat Pavilion has been broken, have you passed on the news to him? Knowing his record has been surpassed, he must be feeling quite uncomfortable, right?"


    "You..."


    Yang Jin''s face darkened.


    Xiao Tianjiao was indeed extremely enraged upon learning that his record had been broken, and the whole Tianjian Sect was greatly upset.


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    In the eyes of the Tianjian Sect...


    Xiao Tianjiao was perfect, flawless. Anyone breaking his record was seen as defiling his perfection.


    Xue Wuhen sneered, speaking lightly, "The fact proves Xiao Tianjiao is not invincible. There are many Tianjiaos in the world, and there are still people who can surpass him!"


    In his mind, the image of Xiao Yi surfaced, and he thought to himself Privately he thought, if Xiao Tianjiao knew that the one who broke his record was that brother he considered a disgrace, I wonder what he would think?


    Yang Jin snorted coldly and quickened his pace to widen the gap between them.


    The crowd drew closer and closer to Great Liang Mountain.


    Within Great Liang Mountain, the monsters began fleeing en masse to the outside.


    From the weaker first-tier monsters to the powerful fifth-tier ones, all were fleeing in panic.


    Only some high-level fifth-tier, even sixth-tier monsters, remained in Great Liang Mountain. Heavenly Tribulation represents both destruction and opportunity. If one could glean understanding from it, there might be a chance to take the final step.


    Of course...


    If the one undergoing the tribulation were to be killed by the Heavenly Tribulation, they could have a share of the spoils!


    As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold!


    This applies to both humans and monsters alike!


    Boom rumble!


    The closer to Great Liang Mountain, the clearer the dreadful nature of the Heavenly Tribulation.


    The black clouds in the sky roiled incessantly, a dark expanse where one could faintly hear thunder and see flashes of lightning. The terrifying momentum was so oppressive it made it difficult to breathe. These Tribulation clouds had already covered a hundred-mile range and still showed no signs of stopping.


    Before the thunder struck, the fierce winds had already begun.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh whoosh!


    A terrifying storm swept across the vast Great Liang Mountain, uprooting countless grasses and trees, lifting sand and rocks. River water was drawn up into the sky, like a dragon leaving the sea, connecting heaven and earth, with fierce winds howling as if it were doomsday!


    Gurgle!


    "Back when Xiao Tianjiao broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, his tribulation only spanned a hundred miles. Xiao Yi is just breaking through the Tao Tribulation Realm, and it''s already beyond a hundred miles..."


    Even from dozens of miles away, Dongfang Kuang still felt his heart skip a beat. Clenching his fists, he murmured to himself, "Are the Xiao Family brothers fated rivals? Is Xiao Yi intent on breaking even Xiao Tianjiao''s record for the Heavenly Tribulation?"


    Time swiftly passed by.


    All of a sudden...


    The Tribulation clouds had already enveloped over two hundred miles of the sky.


    It was like the end of days.


    And just then...


    Xiao Yi suddenly looked up, squinting at the thunder rolling and the storm howling in the Heavenly Tribulation above, "Is it finally coming?"

 Chapter 265 Terrifying Heavenly Tribulation

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    "Is it finally coming?"


    Suspended in the void, Xiao Yi suddenly lifted his head, staring at the dark oppressive tribulation clouds above, a hint of solemnity in his gaze.


    Back when Xiao Tianjiao broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, it had only drawn a tribulation that spread out for a hundred miles around.


    But now...


    He was merely stepping into the Tao Tribulation Realm and yet the tribulation it induced already faintly exceeded a hundred miles.


    The dark, oppressive tribulation clouds were thick and gloomy, floating above the firmament like an all-encompassing hand as if to take control of this world within the grasp of a palm. Inside the black cloud mass, there was lightning and thunder.


    Violet-gold thunder lit up heaven and earth.


    Within the vastness of Great Liang Mountain, countless monster beasts were still desperately running amok.


    Trying to escape to the skies.


    Under the majesty of the heavens, all beings submit.


    The one closest to Xiao Yi was doubtlessly Dongfang Kuang, his forehead streaming with cold sweat: "This kid... what kind of monster is he? Just for breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, he actually drew such a terrifying heavenly tribulation..."


    When he had broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the tribulation he had attracted had only covered a ten-mile radius.


    At that time, it had nearly destroyed a city.


    Whenever Dongfang Kuang recalled the terrifying scene of surviving that tribulation, he couldn''t help but shiver with fear, his hair standing on end.


    Until recently...


    When Xiao Tianjiao stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm and elicited a tribulation that spanned a hundred miles, Dongfang Kuang had been astounded.


    And now.


    Not only had Xiao Yi broken Xiao Tianjiao''s record, but he had also mastered the seven powers of Yin Yang and the Five Elements, and even upon stepping into the Tao Tribulation Realm, he had already attracted a heavenly tribulation, leaving Dongfang Kuang at a loss for words to describe his current feelings.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The wild winds sweeping through heaven and earth grew ever stronger, and where the storm passed, not a blade of grass remained.


    Countless creatures failed to escape in time and were swept up high into the sky.


    There, they were torn apart by the omnipresent ferocious winds.


    It was truly terrifying!


    Boom! Boom!


    Within heaven and earth, numerous wild winds coalesced into a massive tornado storm, linking heaven and earth with tornadoes that twisted their colossal columns of wind, lifting rocks and uprooting grass and trees, and even small mountain peaks were being swept up into the sky.


    The tempestuous wind and rain, in an instant, spread across most of Great Liang Mountain!


    Terrifying!


    Despair!


    The end of days!


    These were the thoughts shared by the countless beings within Great Liang Mountain.


    Even some high-ranking monster beasts that had thought to wait for Xiao Yi''s tribulation to fail and then take advantage of the chaos were now running madly towards the outskirts of Great Liang Mountain.


    The might of the heavenly tribulation had not yet descended, and yet it had already struck fear into all living things.


    "We''ve got to run... This kid is envied by the heavens!" Dongfang Kuang had intended to help Xiao Yi by preparing the sword array, but under the apocalyptic scene, he dared not linger any longer and turned to run towards the outskirts of Great Liang Mountain.


    Along the way.


    The monster beasts that normally fought upon sight now ran shoulder to shoulder with him.


    Whether human or monster beast, there was only one thought at the moment��run!


    By the time they reached the edge of Great Liang Mountain.


    Yang Jin, the old eunuch, and other powerful beings arrived in quick succession, and their eyes immediately fell on Dongfang Kuang.


    A flash of cold light flickered in the old eunuch''s eyes, his face wearing a grim smile: "Dongfang, is this tribulation passer from your Dongfang family?"


    Dongfang Kuang, upon seeing the look in the old eunuch''s eyes, showed a hint of wariness.


    This inconspicuous old eunuch was none other than one of the strongest warriors of the Great Qian Dynasty''s royal family, a Peak Dharma Manifestation Realm existence.


    Dongfang Kuang spoke gravely, "Old fellow, there''s no need for you to fish for information here. I also felt the tribulation''s fluctuations and rushed over, but..." Glancing at the tribulation clouds that almost covered half of Great Liang Mountain, he said with a wry smile, "This heavenly tribulation is just too terrifying!"


    With these words spoken.


    All eyes turned eagerly towards the tribulation clouds, with everyone nodding in agreement.


    Even the few demonic beasts by his side looked on with faces full of shock, speaking in human tongue, "This king has never witnessed such a terrifying heavenly tribulation!"


    "The person undergoing tribulation, if not a Great Demon inciting the wrath of heaven and the hatred of people, must be an unparalleled genius!"


    Yang Jin squinted his eyes, sizing up the high-level demonic beasts, and said solemnly, "Gentlemen, have any of you seen clearly the one who is undergoing the tribulation?"


    Dongfang Kuang shook his head and said, "Can''t see clearly!"


    The several demonic beasts also shook their heads, "Too terrifying, we simply can''t see!"


    Yang Jin and the others all frowned.


    If it had been Dongfang Kuang, they might have suspected he was lying.


    But since even these powerful demonic beasts said so, it obviously meant they had not seen clearly the person undergoing the tribulation, nor did they know the identity of that person.


    "With such a terrifying heavenly tribulation, could it be that someone is breaking through the secret realm of immortality?"


    "Impossible, the heavenly tribulation of the secret realm of immortality is far more terrible than this, it is said to be accompanied by the five disasters of heaven and man..."


    "When Xiao Tianjiao underwent his tribulation, the Tianjian Sect set up a ninety-nine layered sword array for him, and Xiao Tianjiao, with the power of the sword array, forcefully shattered the heavenly tribulation. The scene was truly terrifying. This person suddenly appeared at Great Liang Mountain and does not have a grand array to assist; it is unknown how he will overcome the tribulation!"


    "He chose Great Liang Mountain probably to make use of the mountain''s numerous peaks to offset the power of the tribulation thunder. However, these ordinary mountains might not be able to withstand the thunder, and he is likely to die under it..."


    Just as everyone was talking...


    Boom!


    A thunderous roar came from within the tribulation clouds.


    In the sky above, within those black tribulation clouds that stretched over a hundred miles, a column of purple-gold thunder descended like a pillar of water. Amidst the rumble, the space where the thunder light passed seemed to be torn apart.


    All of heaven and earth were shaken, and all beings were subdued.


    Great Liang Mountain, which looked as dark as night under the press of the Black Cloud, was transformed into a sea of purple-gold under this flash of thunder.


    The thunder struck directly at Xiao Yi.


    Crackle and pop!


    Xiao Yi shook violently, his body instantly turned charred black, and blood spurted from his mouth.


    The first thunder alone was as powerful as a full blow from a peak Tao Tribulation Realm expert. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of course.


    If Xiao Yi had resisted with force, the thunder would not have made him spit blood.


    But he did not defend, instead he completely opened up, calmly bearing the baptism of the tribulation thunder.


    Under the heavenly tribulation...


    He was actually cultivating the Wind Thunder Holy Body!


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body requires the baptism of the heavenly thunder to temper the physical body and the Heaven and Earth Gangfeng to polish the body.


    At this moment, under the heavenly tribulation, the Heaven and Earth Gangfeng was raging, and the thunder was the fearsome tribulation thunder.


    It was indeed the perfect opportunity to cultivate the Wind Thunder Holy Body!


    "With my body, baptized by heavenly thunder, tempered by Gangfeng, Wind Thunder Holy Body��"


    Xiao Yi suddenly looked up, letting out a thunderous roar.


    Enshrouded with a radiance of myriad colors, in the watchful eyes of numerous horrified experts, he not only did not dodge the thunder, but instead rose against the heavens and charged toward the rolling clouds of tribulation thunder, where dragons of lightning danced.


    All of this happened in the blink of an eye.


    The experts who had previously commented that Xiao Yi could not possibly succeed in his tribulation were stunned, "Has he gone mad? Instead of hiding, he heads straight towards the tribulation clouds?"


    "Mad, truly mad!"


    "Perhaps he knows that he cannot successfully get through the tribulation and has given up on himself?"


    "Look quickly... the second thunder is coming down, and each one is stronger than the last. The power of the ninth thunder is a hundred times that of the first. Charging directly into the tribulation clouds, he might not even withstand the second thunder..."


    At that moment...


    The radiance of the thunder, many times thicker than the first, enveloped Xiao Yi with a boom.


    There was silence between heaven and earth.


    In the minds of the onlookers, the same thought arose simultaneously: "It''s over..."

 Chapter 266 Destroying the Heavenly Calamity, Eradicating Tianjiao!

    "It''s over!"


    The terrifying thunderbolt descended from the heavens, a purple-gold lightning bolt cascading down like a waterfall, falling from the sky.


    Xiao Yi''s figure was instantly engulfed by the thunderbolt.


    Swallowed whole.


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    His trace could no longer be seen...


    Everyone felt a chill crawl over their scalps, not daring to get close.


    The ferocity of the descending thunder showed no signs of abating, and with a loud bang, it struck the ground, covering a mountain of a hundred zhang. In the noise of the explosion, the mountain was split in half.


    The debris was blasted in all directions, and then, under the relentless lightning, it ground to nothingness.


    In just the blink of an eye.


    The hundred-zhang mountain had been leveled to the ground!


    A fifth-tier superior beast roared in despair, a hot tear falling from its enormous eyes.


    The crowd looked at it with confusion.


    A sixth-tier monster capable of human speech said, "That was its home!"


    The crowd looked at it with sympathy.


    Auuwoo!


    The beast wailed, tears the size of fists rolling down.


    "Even a mountain has been flattened, when such terrible heavenly thunder strikes a person, isn''t it likely they will be blasted to ashes without a trace?"


    "No, look, the clouds of calamity haven''t dissipated..."


    "Is that person not dead?"


    Everyone''s attention returned to the sky.


    The giant pillar of thunderbolt began to shrink rapidly, until it disappeared without a trace, and Xiao Yi, surrounded by a myriad of colors, stood with his robe torn apart, faint traces of lightning flashing across his body.


    Above his head.


    The Golden Core shone brilliantly, dazzling like a deity.


    "Hahaha, exhilarating! This feeling...bring it on!" Xiao Yi shook all over, Little Lin landed on his shoulder, looking utterly baffled.


    Little Lin''s body glowed with golden light, covered with a faint layer of thunder light.


    Xiao Yi casually took out the vial of Dragon Blood and tossed it to Little Lin on his shoulder, "Little Lin, consume this vial of Dragon Blood and ascend with me!"


    Little Lin had reached the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Once it ascended.


    It would be a sixth-tier beast comparable to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    "Boss..."


    Without any hesitation, Little Lin swallowed the Dragon Blood, its body shining with an exceptionally brilliant golden light, and with a tremendous jolt. In the noise of the explosion, Little Lin transformed into a hundred-zhang giant serpent, soaring into the sky.


    Xiao Yi stood atop its head.


    Together, man and serpent, they stood suspended.


    In the distance...


    Watching the multi-colored light, where a hundred-zhang long serpent suddenly emerged, all were taken aback with astonishment, "A monster?"


    "Has that man gone mad? He actually plans to transcend heavenly tribulation alongside a beast?"


    "With two beings transcending together, the power of the Heavenly Tribulation will double..."


    "Madman, madman..."


    Dongfang Kuang''s eyes twitched madly, he watched in terror as Xiao Yi rode on top of Little Lin, facing the thunder.


    Only now...


    Did Dongfang Kuang realize he had still underestimated Xiao Yi.


    Before this.


    He thought Xiao Tianjiao breaking the record, commanding the Yin Yang and Five Elements��seven great forces of heaven and earth alone was crazy enough.


    Then Xiao Yi triggered a Heavenly Tribulation upon breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, and he realized he had underestimated Xiao Yi.


    And then...


    Faced with such a terrifying Heavenly Tribulation, Xiao Yi neither dodged nor evaded but charged straight into the thunderbolt.


    Once again, his understanding of madness was redefined.


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    In the face of such a terrifying Heavenly Tribulation, Xiao Yi even dared to let his combat pet ascend and transcend tribulation alongside him.


    "This guy is simply a lunatic..." Dongfang Kuang''s forehead sweated profusely.


    At the same time...


    The tribulation clouds, sensing the presence of Little Lin, actually stopped their descent, continuing to accumulate energy and expand ceaselessly.


    They swelled to cover an area of two hundred li.


    The terrifying dark clouds blocked out the sun and obscured the sky.


    But the end was not yet in sight��


    Just when everyone thought the heavenly lightning was about to strike, the clouds began to shrink.


    One hundred eighty li.


    One hundred sixty li.


    One hundred fifty li��


    They returned to a range of one hundred li.


    But the might of the heavens did not diminish but increased. Although it was still an area of one hundred li, the power of the heavens was ten times more terrifying than before.


    Gurgle!


    The crowd involuntarily gulped, "I''ve never seen tribulation clouds that can shrink after expanding��"


    "This isn''t shrinking, this is compression!"


    "Could it be that the person undergoing the tribulation and his beast have become so powerful that even the tribulation clouds find them difficult to handle and have no choice but to compress their force?"


    "Terrifying, who on earth is this sacred being?"


    Amid the exclamations,


    Yang Jin''s gaze swept over the crowd, especially lingering on the powerful figures from the top sects, and he said in a deep voice, "Everyone, regardless of who this sacred being is, if their divine tribulation is this terrible and they succeed in stepping into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, they will likely become a great concern for us in the future!"


    The representatives of the top sects in the capital from True Martial Hall, Vast Righteousness Pavilion, and others squinted thoughtfully.


    Indeed, as Yang Jin had said��


    Merely observing the horror of the heavenly tribulation, it was likely that they were witnessing a being who could rival Xiao Tianjiao.


    If such an existence could not be utilized by the top ten sects, it would inevitably become a major concern, threatening the foundation of the top sects.


    "Yang Jin, what do you propose?" Tie Yun, the top representative of Kuangdao Sect in the capital, a peak powerhouse from the Tao Tribulation Realm, said in a deep voice.


    All eyes turned to him.


    A cold glint flashed in Yang Jin''s eyes, "Let us watch and wait. If this person perishes under the heavenly tribulation, then all will be well. But if there is a possibility that they survive the tribulation, we shall act together to increase the tribulation''s might. Regardless, we must nip this threat in the bud!"


    Prior to this��


    They had thought that the person undergoing the tribulation was a strong individual from the top ten sects, or perhaps from one of the four great families.


    But now,


    This person was not from any of their powers.


    The Great Qian Dynasty was vast, and between the top sects, the imperial family, and the four great families, a subtle balance had already formed. Should a new, uncontrollable force now emerge, it would disturb this balance.


    This was something none of the parties wished to see.


    Seeing this, Dongfang Kuang''s heart skipped a beat and he said in a grave tone, "My Dongfang Family will not partake in this!"


    "Hmm?"


    Everyone''s eyes simultaneously turned to Dongfang Kuang.


    The patriarch of the Nangong Family, Nangong Shengtian, furrowed his brows, "Dongfang, don''t tell me you know this person?"


    Dongfang Kuang kept a straight face and calmly said, "The method you all are proposing doesn''t guarantee we can eliminate the opponent. If we fail to kill him and with this person''s strength, if they seek revenge afterward, my Dongfang Family cannot afford this risk."


    As soon as these words were spoken,


    Many showed a look of hesitation.


    Just as Dongfang Kuang had said��


    An existence that could summon such a terrifying tribulation - if the plan failed and they did not completely deal with them,


    It would likely bring about the retaliation of a super-genius not weaker than Xiao Tianjiao.


    All the powers wanted to avoid this.


    With this thought,


    An elder eunuch said, "My royal family will also not interfere!"


    The head of the Ximen Family, Ximen Jianxue, stared at Dongfang Kuang and spoke in a serious voice, "I also believe that what the Dongfang elder said is correct, and thus, my Ximen Family will not be involved!"


    Yang Jin''s expression turned somewhat unsightly.


    With the Dongfang, Ximen, and the royal family opting out, sabotaging the heavenly tribulation would be much more difficult for them.


    However��


    As they watched Xiao Yi overcome yet another level of the tribulation, Yang Jin looked at the remaining people, "What do the rest of you think?"


    The remaining people exchanged glances.


    No one else backed out.


    The top ten sects, along with the Nangong and Beitang families, the twelve pinnacle forces of the Great Qian Dynasty, came to an agreement, "Destroy the tribulation, eradicate the Tianjiao!"

 Chapter 267 Heaven and Earth Shattering

    "Since we are cooperating, when the time comes to act, none of you can hold back any longer!"


    Yang Jin''s eyes glinted with an icy sharpness as he spoke in a heavy tone, "This person has already withstood the Sixth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder, and there are three more�� If he can withstand the Eighth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder, we shall all strike together!"


    "No problem!"


    "Many of us are at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, as long as we stimulate our profound skills together to impact the Dharma Manifestation Realm, it will be sensed by the heavenly tribulation and thus amplify its power!"


    "Nearly twenty peak Tao Tribulation Realm experts triggering the heavenly tribulation simultaneously, even if this person has extraordinary talents, there''s no way he can withstand it��"


    "He is certain to die!"


    A smug look appeared on everyone''s faces.


    Dongfang Kuang''s expression was indecisive, but he couldn''t make a move.


    He was very clear about the nature of Xiao Tianjiao and the Tianjian Sect.


    They would never tolerate any factors that could shake their status.


    Given the relationship between Xiao Yi and Xiao Tianjiao, once Xiao Yi''s identity was exposed, the Tianjian Sect would be the first to go all out to destroy him. Even with Xiao Yi''s great talent, he was still too weak in the face of the Tianjian Sect and Xiao Tianjiao.


    "Damm it�� Under the heavenly tribulation, I am simply unable to send a message��" Dongfang Kuang wore an anxious look, though willing to help, he found himself incapable.


    Meanwhile.


    The seventh wave of the heavenly tribulation had already descended.


    Xiao Yi still charged into the midst of the thunder, eagerly devouring the power of the lightning.


    Devouring the previous six waves of tribulation thunder had already brought his Wind Thunder Holy Body to the third stage.


    As long as he fully absorbed these Nine-Heavy Tribulation Thunders, Xiao Yi was confident that he could step into the fourth stage.


    Once the Wind Thunder Holy Body was cultivated to the fourth stage, Xiao Yi alone, with just the power of his physical body, would be able to easily defeat those at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The most noticeable change was in Little Lin.


    After undergoing the Heavenly Thunder Tempering, he had refined two-thirds of the dragon blood within his body; his hundred-zhang body had already swelled to three hundred zhang, and his entire body was covered in scale armor that flickered with gold light. Intricate patterns subtly marked the scales, while two protuberances rose from the top of his head.


    These protuberances were like dragon horns and still growing.


    If this trend continued��


    Little Lin might very well evolve into a true dragon.


    But what puzzled Xiao Yi was that Little Lin had a pair of flesh wings growing on his back; the wings were not particularly large for the time being but were undeniably growing. Dragons could grow large enough to soar through the heavens, swallowing stars and moons, or shrink to hide within mud and dwell upon a single leaf.


    Yet among true dragons, none had flesh wings!


    Boom!


    The seventh wave of tribulation thunder dissipated completely.


    In the heavens above.


    The black tribulation clouds churned wildly, and purple-gold lightning, taking the form of thunder dragons and serpents, zigzagged through the cloud masses. The Eighth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder suddenly descended, and Xiao Yi, defying the heavens, rose again to forcibly devour this robe of tribulation thunder.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body made further progress toward the fourth stage.


    Watching the Ninth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder already churning and taking shape inside the tribulation clouds.


    But just at that moment��


    Startling waves of energy suddenly converged from all directions.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank abruptly, following the energy fluctuations, he saw that led by Yang Jin, experts from ten major sects as well as, the Nangong Family and the Beitang Family, these twelve forces had simultaneously had over twenty peak Tao Tribulation Realm experts emerge.


    Every one of them began attempting to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    They had not yet reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm themselves, but their grand attempts to break through under the heavenly tribulation still provoked a response from it.


    Rumble!


    The Ninth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder that was about to fall was suddenly halted.


    A purple-gold spherical orb, as if a gigantic gem embedded within the black clouds, burst forth with dazzling light that shot into the sky; its brilliance spanned ten thousand zhang, pulsing and flickering. The surrounding hundred li of tribulation clouds furiously gathered, with countless energies converging toward the orb.


    The energy within the tribulation thunder was accumulating swiftly, climbing higher.


    The force increased at a rapid pace.


    Tenfold.


    Twentyfold.


    Thirtyfold��


    The hundred li tribulation clouds condensed into a ten-li radius, all other energies congregating into that Ninth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder.


    The suppressed thunder, which had yet to be released, radiated a terrifying pressure that made the creatures within hundreds of li shudder in fright.


    Especially powerful beings like Yang Jin, who were scared out of their wits.


    Their legs could not help but tremble.


    Bowing in reverence to that heavenly might!


    "How terrifying the tribulation lightning is..."


    "Hahaha, we succeeded, the power of this tribulation lightning has increased by dozens of times, the one undergoing tribulation is doomed to die without doubt!"


    Yang Jin clenched his fists tightly, his face filled with malevolence, "The Saint Heir also underwent tribulation no more than a hundred miles away, who do you think you are to compare with him? No matter who you are, under such a terrifying heavenly tribulation, there is absolutely only the path to death, hehehe..."


    Xiao Tianjiao was the face of the Tianjian Sect.


    His position on the throne as the number one talent within the Great Qian Dynasty brought immense benefits to the Tianjian Sect.


    The complexities of the interests involved are beyond words.


    In short...


    Apart from the Tianjian Sect, the top ten sects and the four great families actually didn''t want to see such an uncontrollable variable emerge frequently.


    This was also why, when Yang Jin proposed the idea of borrowing the power of the heavenly tribulation to destroy Xiao Yi, he immediately gained everyone''s agreement.


    Boom!


    A thunderous beam of lightning, eclipsing the sun, fell from the sky, so fierce that it shattered a part of the tribulation clouds upon impact. Lightning bolts and electric snakes rolled incessantly, with a hissing sound that was deafening, and a storm of destruction rushed towards them.


    Above Xiao Yi''s head, the Golden Core floated, with nine Dao patterns erupting into brilliant light simultaneously.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body was fully unleashed.


    Little Lin stayed by his side, his massive body shrouded in golden light circulating like a gold-carved dragon, opening its huge mouth, with specks of blue light converging into a round light orb.


    Whoosh!


    A blue light pillar gathered from Little Lin''s mouth, shooting straight into the sky, colliding with the lightning head-on.


    Boom!


    The terrifying Ninth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder crashed down.


    Like a sky-covering waterfall, it enveloped and devoured everything.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin were engulfed by the lightning pillar in an instant, violently pushing them towards the ground in a rapid descent.


    Boom!


    The light pillar landed in the midst of Great Liang Mountain.


    A massive roar echoed from the point of contact between the lightning pillar and the ground, followed by a thud, as the earth trembled and the sky shattered. A circular shock wave emanated from the lightning pillar above.


    The shock wave came quickly, but it also subsided quickly.


    Everything seemed frozen in time.


    Until several breaths later.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom...


    Terrible tremors followed by earth-shattering explosions resounded, mountains collapsed, the earth cracked, and everything was destroyed, pulverized, and leveled by the impact of the thunderous blast.


    At the epicenter of where the lightning struck, a gigantic circular mushroom cloud soared into the sky, reaching for the clouds.


    As this cloud shot up.


    When everything dispersed...


    In the midst of where Great Liang Mountain once stood, there was now a huge circular plain with a diameter of twenty miles...


    Thick tribulation clouds above slowly cleared away.


    Golden sunlight gradually fell down.


    All the strong beings held their breaths, not daring to utter a single sound, all looking towards the heart of the lightning strike.


    One breath.


    Two breaths.


    Three breaths.


    After a full ten breaths, the crowd saw no sign of any living being in the plain.


    Yang Jin suddenly clenched his fists tightly, "Hahaha, we did it!"


    "Those who cannot be controlled should not exist in this world!"


    "The Great Qian Dynasty has the royal family, the top ten sects, and the four great families, that''s more than enough!"


    Dongfang Kuang''s face turned pale, his clothes soaked in cold sweat. Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire


    In despair, he slowly closed his eyes. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But just as his eyes were about to shut, he suddenly opened them wide, staring intently at the center of that plain, at a pile of rubble, where a pebble the size of a thumb trembled slightly and rolled down from the pile of stones...

 Chapter 268 How Do You Want to Die?

    Crack!


    Crack crack!


    As one piece of rubble fell away, stone after stone followed suit.


    Indistinctly...


    Inside that mountain of rocks, a series of intense rumbling sounds echoed without end, as massive boulders burst apart, scattering in all directions, or else falling and smashing into the ground.


    Boom!


    With a loud noise, rocks pierced through the air.


    Two figures shot up from the midst of the stone debris.


    In the blink of an eye.


    The two figures were now suspended in midair, Little Lin still transformed into a hundred yards in size, his body shimmering with golden light, his head crowned with dragon horns, his dragon whiskers fluttering, his dragon scales dazzling with brilliant light, emitting an unparalleled majesty.


    A pair of golden wings grew from his back, stirring up gusts of wind with their slight quiver.


    Below his belly, his four claws reached into the void, creating ripples in the air.


    The aura of the Beast King seeped out.


    It made all of the surviving beasts around them kneel on the ground, quivering in fear.


    A sixth-rank Beast King!


    Comparable to the human Dharma Manifestation Realm! sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Above Little Lin''s head, Xiao Yi sat cross-legged between two dragon horns.


    The power of Wind Thunder circulated around his body, obscuring his features.


    The ninth lightning strike, bolstered by the likes of Yang Jin and others, held a power that was dozens of times stronger than a normal ninth lightning strike; had he not cultivated the Wind Thunder Holy Body and swallowed the majority of the lightning''s power, that recent strike would have sufficed to erase both him and Little Lin from this world.


    Even so...


    The Wind Thunder power inside him was still violent beyond measure, hindering the condensation of the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    Xiao Yi was exerting his entire strength to suppress the tumultuous power of Wind Thunder, enabling the Wind Thunder Holy Body to officially step into the fourth realm, and in turn, to solidify the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    "He... he''s not dead?"


    "Impossible! Such a powerful Heavenly Tribulation, and they still didn''t die?"


    The smug expressions on the faces of Yang Jin and the others abruptly solidified.


    Each of them stared dumbfounded at the person and beast hovering in the sky.


    Dongfang Kuang clenched his fists tightly with a flicker of excitement in the depth of his eyes, silently breathing a sigh of relief, "I knew it... With a talent far surpassing Xiao Tianjiao, how could you possibly die under that Heavenly Tribulation?"


    The facial expressions of Yang Jin and other prior attackers changed in unison.


    Could it be that the Heavenly Tribulation triggered by the unrestrained outbreak of twenty Tao Tribulation Realm experts still failed to kill them?


    "He has just overcome the Heavenly Tribulation and must be at his weakest, this moment is the best opportunity to eliminate them..." Ye Lun, the chief officer of True Martial Hall in the imperial city, narrowed his eyes and spoke gravely.


    Yang Jin''s face was expressionless, "This child cannot be spared, he''ll be a continuous threat, make your move!"


    The crowd mutually exchanged glances, silently forming a consensus.


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh!


    One by one, powerful beings soared into the sky, streaking towards Xiao Yi.


    In the void.


    Little Lin shook his head; the last wave of Heavenly Tribulation had been almost entirely devoured by Xiao Yi, so he wasn''t greatly affected. Suddenly seeing Yang Jin and others coming to kill, a hint of cold light passed through his eyes, "Was it not these guys who almost killed my boss just now, still harboring ill intentions, intent on putting me and the boss in danger?"


    Little Lin remembered very clearly, it was these people who burst forth with their energy at the critical moment, igniting the Heavenly Tribulation, that led him and Xiao Yi into a life-and-death crisis.


    Now...


    These people were thinking of attacking Xiao Yi at the critical moment of condensing the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, how could Little Lin not be furious?


    Roar!


    As Little Lin roared, his huge body flickered with golden light, his mouth forming a purplish-black orb of light that shot towards Yang Jin and the others with a swish. This purplish-black orb was surrounded by lightning, and serpentine bolts churned around it, containing a destructive force.


    Yang Jin and the others changed expressions, simultaneously raising their hands to form barriers of Yuan energy.


    Hum!


    The purplish-black orb struck the Yuan energy barrier, and both forces stuck against each other like a needle to wheat.


    Suddenly...


    Boom!


    Crack!


    With a gigantic boom,


    the purple-black orb exploded violently, causing cracks to spread over the energy barrier like a spider web, covering the entire barrier.


    Crack, a crisp sound echoed.


    The energy barrier shattered instantly, and the purple-black energy orb flew into Yang Jin and others, exploding with a loud bang.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Countless black chains flew out from within the purple-black energy orb.


    Yang Jin and the others couldn''t have anticipated a second attack hidden inside the black energy orb. In an instant, four Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses were too late to dodge, caught by the black chains, and rendered immobile. As the chains wrapped around them, Little Lin suddenly burst out, opening its huge bloodthirsty maw, and bit into the two nearest True Martial Hall Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses.


    Splat! Splat!


    Two streams of blood shot out.


    Little Lin swallowed both powerhouses whole and chewed with a crunching sound that sent shivers down one''s spine.


    In the blink of an eye,


    both of the True Martial Hall''s Tao Tribulation Realm experts stationed in the imperial capital had become a feast in Little Lin''s belly. Its pair of cold eyes swept over Yang Jin and the others, "You''re next!"


    "Damn it!"


    Yang Jin''s heart skipped a beat, a flash of horror crossed his dark eyes, and he gritted his teeth, "This beast is ferociously cruel. If we let it escape alive, it will become a disaster for the world. Dongfang, Ancestor Nangong, Qi, please assist me in capturing this monster!"


    The ten great sects had not stationed any Dharma Manifestation Realm experts in the imperial capital.


    With Little Lin having stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, they, who were mere Tao Tribulation Realm experts, could not contend with it.


    Yang Jin was hence appealing to the likes of Dongfang Kuang and others.


    Among the Dharma Manifestation Realm experts present,


    Qi and Dongfang Kuang, both at the Peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, were the most revered. Nangong Shengtian was not far behind, with the cultivation of the sixth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    If the three of them made a move,


    it was certain that Little Lin could only be captured.


    However, Qi simply said indifferently, "Your Highness Yang Jin, please forgive me, His Majesty has not permitted this old servant to take action!"


    Emperor Qian had only sent him to be present in case the person undergoing the Heavenly Tribulation was from the four great families or one of the ten major sects; only then should he take the opportunity to eradicate them. But clearly, Little Lin was not a powerhouse from either of these forces, and naturally, he would not rashly act and make an enemy for the royal family.


    "You wretched old dog... when my elder brother ascends the throne, I will have you executed!"


    Yang Jin glared fiercely at Qi, deeply dissatisfied. Even as a prince, Qi did not take him seriously at all, and he thought maliciously to himself, then turned to look at Dongfang Kuang, "Dongfang, you..."


    Dongfang Kuang said with an expression of difficulty, "Your Highness Yang Jin, please forgive me, I have recently encountered a problem with my cultivation and really should not exert myself!"


    "You..."


    Yang Jin''s eyes were filled with ruthless venom, a problem with cultivation? As if he was trying to fool ghosts!


    He could only turn to Nangong Shengtian.


    At this moment...


    The twenty-two Tao Tribulation Realm experts from the ten great sects had already lost three more members in the battle against Little Lin. Tie Yun of the Kuangdao Sect had been bitten in half by Little Lin, with his upper body falling to the ground, his hands struggling to crawl forward as a trail of blood was dragged behind him. If no one from the Dharma Manifestation Realm stepped in to suppress Little Lin soon, all these people might be killed by it.


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes, having also played a part in luring the Heavenly Tribulation earlier, and with a gleam flashing in his eyes, he said in a deep voice, "Kill it, the beast''s corpse belongs to the Nangong Family!"


    This was the corpse of a rank-six Beast King.


    Every part of it was a treasure!


    Yang Jin nodded, "As long as Ancestor Nangong is willing to make a move and kill this beast, its corpse is all yours!" Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Good!"


    Nangong Shengtian burst into laughter, leaping into the air. He slapped down from above, and a huge energy palm descended like a mountain peak, shaking heaven and earth with his cold voice, "You demon, surrender now!"


    Boom!


    The massive peak slammed hard onto Little Lin''s body.


    Little Lin, being a novice at the sixth rank, how could it be a match for Ancestor Nangong of the Dharma Manifestation Realm with six levels of cultivation?


    Sputter!


    Little Lin trembled all over, crushed by the energy palm and fell with a crash into the Great Liang Mountain. The massive energy palm in the sky condensed into a cold sword light and slashed down towards Little Lin.


    This strike aimed to split Little Lin in two!


    Just as the moment was at its most critical...


    An icy voice suddenly pierced through heaven and earth, "Harm my brother, how do you wish to die?"

 Chapter 269 Are You Worthy?

    "How do you wish to die?"


    The icy voice suddenly arose.


    Meanwhile...


    In front of Little Lin, an invisible palm gradually became visible to everyone''s eyes. The light of wind and thunder slowly dissipated, and it was Xiao Yi, who had been sitting cross-legged above Little Lin''s head. He now grasped the qi blade single-handedly.


    The five fingers tightened quietly.


    Bang!


    The qi blade burst into explosion.


    Xiao Yi slightly lifted his head and looked toward Nangong Shengtian, Yang Jin, and the others who were not far away.


    "Hmm?"


    Everyone was startled.


    At the beginning of the descent of the heavenly tribulation, they instinctively assumed the person undergoing tribulation was Xiao Yi.


    Yet now...


    Looking at Xiao Yi standing in front of Little Lin, it was clear that he merely possessed the aura of the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    "Could it be that the one who actually underwent the tribulation was that beast?"


    "This guy is just at the Tao Tribulation Realm, and he has just broken through not long ago. There''s no way he could have induced such a heavenly tribulation. The only possibility is that beast. However, for a beast to draw a tribulation comparable to when Xiao Tianjiao advanced, its bloodline must also be incredibly strong..."


    "It seems like a dragon but has wings... Such a beast is unheard of; it could very well be a mutant!"


    "If we could subdue this creature, its future would be boundless!"


    The gazes of the strong beings towards Little Lin became fervent, while Xiao Yi was instinctively overlooked by them.


    In their eyes...


    Xiao Yi was merely basking in Little Lin''s light.


    A youngster who had just broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, in front of these giants at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm or even the Dharma Manifestation Realm, indeed seemed as insignificant as an ant.


    Of course.


    Dongfang Kuang and Qi from the crowd did not see it that way.


    Listening to everyone''s discussion, Dongfang Kuang laughed scornfully, "A bunch of idiots... How could you know that the heavenly tribulation was induced by Xiao Yi? Tsk tsk, to trigger a tribulation comparable to the one Xiao Tianjiao faced when breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm upon advancing to the Tao Tribulation Realm, this kid''s talent is definitely far beyond Xiao Tianjiao''s. It''s limitless! Now, only I know that it was Xiao Yi who brought about the tribulation. This is an opportunity for the Dongfang Family!"


    Although the sarcasm and triumph on his face were subtle, they were still caught in the eyes of Qi. S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qi also recognized Xiao Yi''s identity and, seeing Dongfang Kuang''s various expressions, suddenly transmitted his voice, "Old Dongfang, it seems you share a close relationship with President Xiao!"


    "Naturally, he... uh..."


    Dongfang Kuang subconsciously retorted and immediately thereafter, his expression changed. Angrily glancing at Qi, he said, "You old man, how dare you trick me into speaking?"


    "Hmph!"


    Qi snorted coldly and said solemnly, "Old man, we have known each other for hundreds of years, you should know my temperament. What should be hidden from me and what should not, you ought to be clear on that, right?"


    Dongfang Kuang''s face slightly changed.


    He did not want to expose Xiao Yi''s talent but only wished for the Dongfang Family to be on good terms with Xiao Yi alone.


    But then he thought...


    After all, Xiao Yi was the President of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and at least for now, the royal family seemed to have a good attitude towards him. With this thought, Dongfang Kuang gave Xiao Yi a deep look and transmitted back, "The tribulation just now was induced by Xiao Yi." He didn''t care about the astonishment on Qi''s face and continued, "Xiao Yi has passed through my seven Yin Yang Five Elements Towers!"


    Hiss!


    Qi couldn''t help but inhale sharply.


    He knew all too well what it meant to have passed through seven Yin Yang Five Elements Towers!


    Back then...


    Xiao Tianjiao had only traversed five of the Five Elements Towers when he entered the Tao Tribulation Realm, and even so, he had already become the most talented individual in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Could Xiao Yi be even stronger than Xiao Tianjiao?


    Was that Heavenly Tribulation really brought about by Xiao Yi?


    Qi said in a heavy voice, "He is merely at the Tao Tribulation Realm..."


    Dongfang Kuang scoffed, "Who told you that someone at the Tao Tribulation Realm can''t trigger a Heavenly Tribulation?"


    Hiss!


    Qi looked at Xiao Yi, his eyes filled with disbelief. Before this, the royal family had already placed great emphasis on Xiao Yi, especially after learning that he, under the alias One Punch, had broken Xiao Tianjiao''s consecutive victory record at the Combat Pavilion. Emperor Qian''s attention to Xiao Yi had reached new heights. Now it seemed that the royal family''s understanding of Xiao Yi was still too limited.


    "With talent surpassing Xiao Tianjiao, combat strength beyond that of Xiao Tianjiao at the same realm, and capable of drawing a Heavenly Tribulation upon breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm... this boy must be firmly recruited!"


    Qi, who had spent his life loyally serving the royal family, had a flash of thought in his mind and made a decision, transmitting his voice solemnly, "Dongfang, we must protect Xiao Yi with all our might!"


    "Rest assured!"


    Dongfang Kuang nodded his head.


    Their conversation, all through voice transmission, took but a moment.


    Meanwhile...


    Nangong Shengtian''s intense gaze shifted from Little Lin to speak in a heavy tone, "Boy, in consideration of your young age and ignorance, I forgive your disrespect. However, while death may be avoided, punishment cannot be escaped. Kneel before me now and swear loyalty to the Nangong Family, and I shall spare you both!"


    Yang Jin''s eyes, too, burned with eagerness as he looked at Little Lin. Even the Heavenly Tribulation triggered by Xiao Tianjiao''s fire dragon''s breakthrough to the sixth rank was no more than half as intense as Little Lin''s. If he could bring Little Lin back and present it to Xiao Tianjiao, it would definitely be a tremendous achievement. He immediately said in a deep voice, "Although the Nangong Family is strong, it still does not compare to our Tianjian Sect. As long as you join our sect, I will secure a position as a Core Disciple for you��an opportunity countless people dream of!"


    "Come to our Vast Righteousness Pavilion!"


    "Our Yin Yang Dao Arena is not bad either..."


    One after another, people began to speak up, attempting to recruit.


    Before this.


    They all thought it was Xiao Yi who was undergoing the tribulation, and so a human strongman, with talent not inferior to Xiao Tianjiao and beyond their control, was naturally someone they desired to deal with swiftly.


    But now...


    They thought the one undergoing the tribulation was Little Lin.


    This was a mythical creature!


    To recruit it would be akin to possessing a mythical beast to protect their sect!


    Compared to the ambitious and difficult-to-control human strongmen, such a talented mythical creature was naturally easier to control, and at the same time, an immediate combat force that all major sects and powers were eager to obtain!


    As several people competed to recruit.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly as he looked at Little Lin on his shoulder, "Little Lin, what do you think?"


    Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire


    Little Lin grinned, "Wherever big brother goes, I go!"


    "You all heard him!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, his expression playful as he leisurely said to the crowd, "However, I have no intention of joining any of your sides!"


    "Hmm?"


    All of them frowned.


    Nangong Sheng''s face was as dark as water.


    Yang Jin sighed, his expression turning cold and sinister as he said, "Boy, if you know what''s good for you, you''ll make your beast recognize me as its master. As long as you hand it over to our Tianjian Sect, I not only spare you from death, but I will also recommend you to Brother Xiao Tianjiao, so that you can become a servant under his command and care for this creature. Otherwise, don''t blame me for being ruthless... It''s not difficult to simply kill you and then make this beast recognize a new master!"


    Yang Jin''s gaze was icy, aggressively pressing.


    Facing Yang Jin''s coercion.


    Xiao Yi let out a light sigh, his body leaning forward slightly as he locked eyes with Yang Jin, "Have Little Lin recognize you as master? You''re not even fit to ask��look in the mirror before you say such things."

 Chapter 270 Come at me all together!

    "You''re not even fit to speak,"


    Xiao Yi''s face was thick with scorn and disdain, as his slightly leaning figure loomed like a towering mountain about to collapse, bringing with it an oppressive heaviness.


    Even Yang Jin, at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, felt a shiver in his heart under Xiao Yi''s intense gaze.


    A clench gripped Yang Jin''s heart; when he met Xiao Yi''s icy stare, he had the feeling of being utterly seen through. It was as if he stood naked before Xiao Yi, completely exposed. Such a sensation, he had only felt in the presence of some Dharma Manifestation Realm masters.


    But...


    Upon reflection, Yang Jin sneered, "Kid, you''re the most arrogant one I''ve ever seen among our peers!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "Thanks for the compliment!"


    "Hmph!"


    Yang Jin snorted coldly, his smile turning cruel, "Arrogance requires capital, and without sufficient strength, such arrogance is simply a death wish. Since you refuse to hand over the monster obediently, I''ll just have to take it myself!"


    The robed elder from Yin-Yang Dao said in a deep voice, "Yang Jin, everyone who sees has a share, this monster cannot be yours alone!" Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire


    "That''s right!"


    "Although your Tianjian Sect is powerful, if this monster is well nurtured, in the future it might become a being not the least bit inferior to Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "When it comes to nurturing monsters, my Ten Thousand Beasts Sect is the true expert. Better hand it over to me!"


    One after another, the powerhouses started to speak up.


    They completely disregarded Xiao Yi, discussing the ownership of Little Lin.


    After all.


    In their eyes, Xiao Yi, merely at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, was far too weak.


    As insignificant as an ant.


    Could be crushed with a single finger.


    Yang Jin''s complexion went from pale to flushed, never expecting that others would dare to vie with Tianjian Sect for the beast. His expression was dark as he said, "Shut up... Since everyone wants this monster, let''s take matters into our own hands! Whoever captures this young man first gets the monster, how about that?"


    Although Tianjian Sect was powerful, they did not wish to completely offend the other nine major sects.


    Left with no choice.


    Yang Jin could only make a concession, allowing everyone to make their move simultaneously, and whoever captured Xiao Yi first would effectively own the monster.


    The crowd exchanged looks.


    This was the fairest method at the moment.


    "Swish!"


    A powerhouse from the Vast Righteousness Pavilion, at the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, suddenly made a move, instantly appearing before Xiao Yi. Looking at the unguarded Xiao Yi, his face revealed an excited expression, "Haha, gentlemen, this monster shall belong to my Vast Righteousness Pavilion!"


    "Damn it!"


    "The scoundrels of Vast Righteousness Pavilion are as cunning as ever..."


    "Stop right there!"


    Yang Jin and the others were furious.


    The Vast Righteousness Pavilion had a name that suggested righteousness, but their actions often ran contrary to their name.


    Seeing one of their members already in front of Xiao Yi, Yang Jin and the others were seething with anger as if Little Lin was already slipping away from them.


    After all.


    The one who had made a move was at the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Xiao Yi was merely at the First Layer!


    The gap was too great!


    Crack!


    The Vast Righteousness Pavilion''s powerhouse''s hand landed on Xiao Yi''s shoulder without impediment, his face alight with excitement as he laughed heartily, "Boy, give yourself up and hand over the monster to my Vast Righteousness Pavilion. Otherwise, don''t blame me..."


    Before he could finish.


    His voice was cut off abruptly.


    Xiao Yi had, at some point, broken his wrist, and while following the motion, he clasped the assailant''s throat with a claw-like grip. Tightening his fingers, a crisp snap sounded, and the Vast Righteousness Pavilion''s strong man shuddered, spewing out a gush of blood. His head twisted to one side, his neck broken by Xiao Yi, dead before he could finish his threat.


    Hiss!


    Yang Jin and the others, who were originally furious, were now dumbfounded.


    This was a powerful being from the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Logically speaking...


    With his strength, taking on Xiao Yi, who was merely at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, should have been a walk in the park.


    How could he have died just like that?


    Another Vast Righteousness Pavilion martial artist from the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, who had been obstructing the crowd, suddenly saw his companion killed. His eyes instantly turned blood red, and he bellowed, "You dog, how dare you kill my junior brother? You''re dead for sure, no one can save you now!"


    Whoosh!


    The martial artist from the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm soared into the air.


    Whoosh!


    Behind him, three silver Sword Qi burst forth, and in the midst of boundless light, three longswords, shimmering with silver luminescence, hovered in mid-air.


    "Vast Righteousness Qi!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Three streams of Sword Qi transformed into three silver streaks, stretching across heaven and earth like falling silver meteors, and in an instant, they appeared before Xiao Yi. This attack contained the power of Gold, sharp without equal, and also incomparably swift, a speed that not even ordinary martial artists at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm could evade.


    "Not good, Xiao Yi is in danger!" exclaimed Dongfang Kuang, his face changing rapidly.


    But Qi knew that Xiao Yi had defeated Xue Wuhen from the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak when he was at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, and he shook his head at Dongfang Kuang, saying, "Don''t worry, if he can''t even block an attack of this level, he doesn''t deserve our protection."


    "Huh?"


    Dongfang Kuang was taken aback.


    At that moment...


    Facing the three sharp Sword Qi hurtling towards him, Xiao Yi yawned and casually swung his hand.


    Whoosh!


    As he slapped his hand down.


    Brilliance circulated upon his palm as dazzling light swirled around it, the slap growing larger and larger.


    Just in an instant...


    Bang!


    The palm landed on the three streams of Sword Qi.


    The Sword Qi trembled violently.


    And then, under the force of the palm, burst explosively apart.


    "What?"


    "Those were high-grade fifth-tier spiritual weapons, even sixth-tier spiritual weapons would not easily break them, he, he shattered those three high-grade fifth-tier spiritual weapons with just one slap?"


    "How is that possible?"


    All the martial artists were agape with astonishment.


    A casual slap had shattered three high-grade fifth-tier spiritual weapons!


    It was simply unbelievable.


    Little did they know...


    Xiao Yi had cultivated his Wind Thunder Holy Body to the fourth realm, his physical strength alone was comparable to a sixth-tier spiritual weapon, and with the power of the Seal of Divinity refined in his body, his vitality far surpassed martial artists of the same realm. Even against a primary sixth-tier spiritual weapon, he could withstand it with his flesh, let alone a high-grade fifth-tier spiritual weapon?


    After crushing the three spiritual weapons.


    Xiao Yi reached out and grabbed a broken sword fragment, thrusting it forward.


    Whoosh! sea??h th�� N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The thrust was incredibly fast.


    So fast that the martial artist from Vast Righteousness Pavilion was unable to react, as the sharp broken sword pierced his brow with a ''puff'' sound.


    And with a thunderous explosion, burst out from the back of his skull.


    His entire back of the head split apart, fresh blood instantly saturated his entire body, his face still wore an expression of deep shock and disbelief, as he laid straight in a pool of blood.


    After slaying two martial artists from the Vast Righteousness Pavilion in the Tao Tribulation Realm, Xiao Yi shook his hands lightly and looked at Yang Jin and the others, crooking his finger, "One by one is too slow, come at me all together!"

 Chapter 271 One Against Ten

    "All of you, come at me together!"


    Xiao Yi said with an indifferent expression on his face, his voice calm.


    The expressions of Yang Jin and the others changed dramatically.


    The two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from the Vast Righteousness Pavilion were now slain, and Little Lin had killed three from the True Martial Hall and the Kuangdao Sect.


    Out of the twenty-two Tao Tribulation Realm experts from the ten great sects, a quarter had perished.


    For the ten great sects, this was an outright slap in the face!


    They had already forgotten when the last time someone from the ten great sects was killed!


    Hu!


    Yang Jin took a deep breath, his cold eyes sweeping over the remaining sixteen people.


    Still present at the scene were the powerhouses from the Tianjian Sect, Kuangdao Sect, Three Seas Mountain, Liyang Sect, Feixue Temple, Wendao Villa, Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, and Yin Yang Dao Arena.


    Each person''s gaze toward Xiao Yi held a weight it previously didn''t, rather than the previous disdain, there was now a serious undertone.


    Despite Xiao Yi only being at the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The ease with which he had slain the two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from the Vast Righteousness Pavilion revealed his strength to be that of a formidable opponent.


    The old Daoist from the Yin Yang Dao Arena narrowed his eyes, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, his horsetail whisk trembling slightly in his hand, "A mere First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, yet possessing such terrifying power, this young man could not possibly be some nobody!"


    The Liyang Sect powerhouse, surrounded by swirling red Yuan Qi, looking as ferocious as a wild beast with a miniature sun emitting a crimson glow above his head, the heat waves rolling off of it, spoke in an extremely cold voice, "No matter who he is, daring to challenge the dignity of our ten great sects, he must die!"


    "We must kill him, otherwise where would the dignity of our ten great sects stand?" said the iron follower of the Kuangdao Sect, his blood-red tongue licking the handle of his saber with a sinister tone.


    The middle-aged woman from the Feixue Temple, dressed in a blood-red gown, her expressionless face surrounded by drifting snow, her eyes as cold as frost, said, "Since he insisted on seeking death, we shall grant it to him."


    The experts from the ten great sects exchanged glances.


    They had reached an understanding!


    This was the reason the ten great sects were such a headache for the imperial family: they were constantly competing with each other, but once an outside force touched their interests, challenging their authority and status, the ten great sects would unite at the first opportunity, presenting a united front. This unity was why the once flourishing Xiaoshanhe Institute had fallen to such a state.


    And the suppression from the ten great sects played no small part in that.


    For instance, during a training exercise, the disciples of the ten great sects would do nothing but join forces to suppress the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Thousands of disciples would enter a mysterious realm for training, and fewer than a hundred would come out alive.


    Situations like this happened all the time.


    Eventually...


    Naturally, no one dared to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute anymore.


    Today.


    The appearance of Xiao Yi challenged the authority of the ten great sects, and they immediately came to an agreement to collaborate and suppress Xiao Yi together.


    Shua shua shua!


    Among the seventeen experts, there were seven at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, with the rest being experts above the Fourth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. When these seventeen people joined forces, the multicolored Yuan Qi filled the sky, and amidst the ten thousand rays of light, terrifying fluctuations of Yuan Qi converged into a dazzling, rainbow-like streamer.


    As a top disciple of the Tianjian Sect and the person in charge of its branch in the royal capital, Yang Jin naturally took the lead.


    Shua!


    A pierced-heaven sword appeared around Yang Jin.


    This sword was shrouded in a turquoise light, with mysterious runes inscribed upon its blade, a sixth-grade Yuan weapon!


    Being the son of Emperor Qian and a loyal supporter of the Crown Prince and Xiao Tianjiao, his strength was naturally formidable. His cultivation might not have been at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, but it was no weaker than the vast majority who were, especially when bolstered by this sixth-grade Yuan weapon and employing the Tianjian Sect''s secret Sword Control Technique.


    Taking the head of an enemy general from a hundred miles away was as easy as reaching into a bag.


    His combat power was not to be underestimated!


    "Sword, come!"


    Yang Jin roared low, a flick of his sword finger.


    With a series of grating clashing sounds, a sixth-grade longsword split in two, then four... until it became sixty-four longswords.


    The strength of Sword Control Technique is measured by the number of flying swords one can manipulate at the same time.


    Manipulating sixty-four flying swords at once, Yang Jin''s combat power was by no means weaker than that of a warrior at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    "Sword Control sixty-four?" Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dongfang Kuang thought of the eldest Crown Prince, second only to Xiao Tianjiao in the Tianjian Sect, and Yang Ling, whose depth no one could fathom, and he couldn''t help shaking his head and sighing, "I didn''t expect Prince Yang Jin''s strength to be so formidable. If it weren''t for the Crown Prince and Prince Yang Ling, he''d have a good chance at contending for the throne..."


    "The matter of the successor is for his Majesty to decide, best we don''t discuss it!"


    Qi said indifferently, then with a squint, he added, "As far as I know, Prince Yang Jin''s Sword Control Technique was instructed by Xiao Tianjiao himself that''s how he achieved such proficiency."


    "Indeed, Xiao Tianjiao is an unrivaled genius with no equal, having cultivated the three great secret techniques of the Tianjian Sect to a very high realm. Just the Sword Control Technique alone, it is said that he can manipulate two hundred and fifty-six flying swords simultaneously. However..."


    Dongfang Kuang narrowed his eyes, his gaze landing on Xiao Yi, reminded of the miracles Xiao Yi had created along the way, he said solemnly, "I think Xiao Yi might very well surpass him!"


    "Oh?"


    Qi looked deeply at Dongfang Kuang, a flicker of surprise darting through the depths of his eyes. Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire


    Xiao Tianjiao''s strength had already taken deep root in people''s hearts.


    Firmly entrenched!


    Almost everyone believed that no one could surpass Xiao Tianjiao within a thousand years.


    Until now...


    Dongfang Kuang had thought so too.


    Especially after he had personally seen Xiao Tianjiao conquer the Five Yin Yang Five Elements Towers and condense the five elemental Dao patterns, he became an even firmer proponent of this view.


    But now.


    His thoughts had undergone earth-shattering changes.


    Both of them turned their attention to Xiao Yi.


    The attacks from Yang Jin''s Sword Control Technique, the Mad Demon Saber Skill from Kuangdao Sect, the Mysterious Tao Skill from Yin Yang Dao Arena, the Snow Transformation from Feixue Temple, and others filled the skies like a catastrophic flood, inundating from the ten major sects'' experts.


    One against ten.


    How would Xiao Yi respond?


    Under their watchful eyes...


    Xiao Yi suddenly soared into the sky, the power of Wind Thunder greatly stirring; purple-golden lightning and cyan winds twirled around his body, amidst ear-splitting explosive sounds, Xiao Yi stood aloft, reaching forward with his right hand, energy converging into a sword, sweeping out: "The waterfall cascades down three thousand feet!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The number of energy longswords kept increasing, instantly turning into hundreds of energy blades.


    These blades condensed into a silver waterfall.


    Like a galaxy cascading down three thousand feet.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Wherever the sword qi waterfall passed, colliding with Yang Jin''s flying swords, it was like the point of a needle against the broad side of wheat. Amidst a series of earth-shaking roars, the flying swords fell one after another, defeated by the onslaught of thunder.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Xiao Yi reached out, seizing one of the flying swords, turning himself into a sword, becoming one with the sword!


    Whoosh!


    A streak of sword light spanned the sky, with silver threads covering his form, he seemed to become a tens of zhang long beam of sword light, thrusting forward...

 Chapter 272 My Name is Xiao Yi!

    Xiao Yi stood suspended in the air, seizing one of the flying swords that had been struck down by a blade of elemental energy.


    His Fire Qilin Sword had already shattered.


    He had no handy weapon at the moment.


    With the flying sword in hand, he became one with the sword.


    His body as the sword, the sword as his weapon.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Xiao Yi pointed forward slightly, and sword light surged around him, carrying the supreme sharpness of sword energy, transforming into a beam tens of meters long. This beam of sword light stood across the sky like a pillar holding up the heavens, its dazzling brilliance making it impossible for one to open their eyes. As Xiao Yi''s gaze moved, the sword''s edge swiftly shot out toward the spot he pointed at.


    It was as if a pen that writes the universe of black and yellow descended upon the firmament.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Where the sword light landed, elemental energy exploded, turning into a sky filled with sword rain.


    A violent storm erupted, and the sword rain poured down.


    This torrential sword rain fell, crushing the dozens of flying swords before it to pieces, like a terrifying river of swords opening its gaping maw and swallowing the swords in its path.


    Yang Jin''s face split with rage, filled with shock, "How can this be? My Sword Control Technique can''t command the flying swords..."


    Sword Control Technique.


    Controlling swords with one''s mind.


    Where his thoughts went, the flying swords followed.


    But...


    Under the assault of Xiao Yi''s elemental energy sword river, his thoughts were abruptly cut off from the flying swords, as if they had been severed.


    Yang Jin had never seen such an eerie sight, but Dongfang Kuang and Qi had!


    The two exchanged glances, each seeing the shock in the other''s eyes, "Sword Intent at the third layer, unifying man and sword? This is the power of Sword Intent, honed to perfection, using it to shatter the telekinesis attached to the flying swords by Yang Jin... We never expected that Xiao Yi, so young, has already advanced his power of Sword Intent to such a realm..."


    "With Sword Intent this strong, he''s probably not far from the fourth layer, where the sword moves at will!" Dongfang Kuang said gravely.


    The deeper they understood Xiao Yi, the more terrifying they found him to be!


    Initially... S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They thought Xiao Yi had managed to break through from the Physical Body Realm to the Golden Elixir Realm Peak in just one or two years, astonishingly fast in his cultivation.


    But then...


    They realized that Xiao Yi''s combat power was also terrifyingly strong.


    Combat Pavilion, breaking Xiao Tianjiao''s winning streak!


    Afterward.


    Xiao Yi also passed through seven Yin Yang Five Elements Towers, even condensing nine Dao patterns, and with the cultivation at the initial stage of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he triggered the heavenly tribulation.


    This was like an unfathomable treasure!


    With continuous excavation, there were always new discoveries.


    Boom!


    A thunderous noise suddenly disrupted their thoughts.


    They saw Xiao Yi breaking through Yang Jin''s Sword Control Technique, and his figure turned into a streak of light in mid-air, with unrivaled speed, rushing past, and appearing in front of the old Daoist from the Yin Yang Dao Arena. The Daoist had earlier fired several talismans, which contained Profound Mysteries Formation, with raging flames and freezing ice.


    They kept hitting Xiao Yi.


    Had his Wind Thunder Holy Body not reached the fourth layer, he would also have suffered greatly under these stealthy talisman attacks.


    Now that his hands were free, it was natural to deal with the powerful ones from the Yin Yang Dao Arena first. Read the latest on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Damn it!"


    The old Daoist''s face drastically changed, waving the horsetail whisk in his hand.


    Whoosh, whoosh!


    The horsetail whisk shone with white light, constantly extending in length, similar to a white dragon, twisting its huge body in the air, rolling towards Xiao Yi.


    This was no ordinary item.


    It was made from the Heavenly Profound Silkworm Silk, harvested from a Sixth-Layer High-Level Monster Heavenly Profound Silkworm, extremely tough, and once it entangled someone, even a master of the First Layer of Dharma Manifestation Realm would struggle to get free in a short time.


    Whoosh!


    The horsetail whisk entangled the flying sword in Xiao Yi''s hand, and began to spread towards his arm.


    Xiao Yi instinctively let go.


    And at the same time, he retreated.


    "Come down to me!"


    The old Daoist''s face turned icy as he lifted his arm, and the whisk aggressively followed.


    Behind Xiao Yi...


    The woman in white from the Feixue Temple had her face set like still water, cold as an iceberg, as she slapped the air with her slender palm. The falling snow condensed into a world of white ice and snow, and under its cover, it formed into a giant hand that blotted out the sky.


    As the giant hand reached across the sky, it aimed a strike at Xiao Yi''s back.


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi''s body trembled as he was forcefully halted by the giant hand, and at the same time, the horsetail whisk tangled around his waist.


    The old Taoist burst into laughter, "Attack quickly, he''s bound by my horsetail whisk and cannot break free..."


    Two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect commanded two monsters to charge at him simultaneously.


    These were two Fifth Layer High-Level Monster Black Wind Wolves, known for their incredible speed, akin to dark night gales, appearing in an instant before Xiao Yi, one biting at each of his legs, left and right.


    "Hahaha, Black Wind Wolves, bite off his legs!" the two proud powerhouses from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect exclaimed.


    However...


    Beneath the sharp fangs of the Black Wind Wolves, instead of seeing Xiao Yi''s legs bitten off, they emitted a series of spine-chilling, brittle cracks.


    "How is this possible?"


    The two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from Ten Thousand Beasts Sect looked at each other in disbelief.


    The Black Wind Wolves were infamous for their razor-sharp fangs, yet they couldn''t pierce through Xiao Yi''s flesh?


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi shook his legs, and with a snap, the fangs of the Black Wind Wolves shattered, their mouths gushing with blood, and they looked at Xiao Yi with terrified eyes before they turned and fled in panic. But Xiao Yi wasn''t about to let them escape so easily. His figure darted forward, catching up with the two Black Wind Wolves and grabbing them by their necks.


    Crack!


    With two crisp sounds, he broke the necks of the Black Wind Wolves.


    And then he leapt into the air.


    Chasing after the two powerhouses from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    The woman in white from the Feixue Temple''s face changed, and a blizzard swirled from her sleeves, producing a fierce storm of snow in an instant. It formed a barrier of wind and snow in front of the two powerhouses from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect and the old Taoist from the Yin Yang Dao Arena, enclosing all three of them.


    The three heaved a sigh of relief and looked towards the woman in white, "Thank you!"


    The woman in white nodded slightly, about to speak, when suddenly Yang Jin''s voice, filled with shock and rage, came from behind, "Get out of the way, quickly!"


    "Hm?"


    In their daze, they suddenly heard Xiao Yi roar from behind the snowy barrier, "Er Shui Zhong Fen Bai Lu Zhou!"


    Whoosh!


    A sky-shocking blade of sword light split the snowy wall in front of them in two, the terrifying sword light whistling past, cutting the four, who were completely unprepared, into halves.


    In that instant.


    Seventeen Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, four more fell.


    Xiao Yi remained calm and collected, surrounded by raging Wind Thunder, his icy gaze fixed on Yang Jin and the others, "Your turn now!"


    Gulp!


    Yang Jin and the others swalowed hard, their faces filled with terror.


    Seventeen Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, nearly half at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, this array of true strength could even stand up to those in the Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    And the result...


    They were so easily defeated by Xiao Yi, merely at the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm?


    "Who, who are you really?"


    "I''ve never heard of such a powerful being within the Great Qian Dynasty..."


    To possess such strength at the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, even more terrifying than Xiao Tianjiao of the same realm!


    How could such a person exist without renown?


    Suddenly...


    Yang Jin''s complexion drastically changed as he recalled the mysterious powerhouse he had seen at the Combat Pavilion, who bore a striking resemblance to the man before him. His face showed disbelief as he stared intently at Xiao Yi, "You, you are ''One Punch'' from the Combat Pavilion?"


    "What?"


    "He is ''One Punch''?"


    "Despite our inquiries, Xue Wuhen refused to reveal the identity of that ''One Punch'', could it really be this man before us?"


    All were displaying looks of utter astonishment.


    Ever since Xiao Yi surpassed Xiao Tianjiao''s record, all factions had been exhaustively searching for the mysterious "One Punch," naturally to no avail.


    But now...


    That enigmatic, even claimed to surpass Xiao Tianjiao, powerhouse was right before their eyes?


    "Yes, I am the ''One Punch'' you''ve been searching for. However, you might be more familiar with another name of mine..."


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled into a peculiar smile, and he spoke deliberately, "My name, is Xiao Yi!"

 Chapter 273 Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion

    "My name is Xiao Yi!"


    Xiao Yi stated each word with pauses, enunciating clearly.


    Each word resounded like rolling thunder, echoing between heaven and earth.


    Humming!


    Yang Jin and the others felt their heads buzzing, their eyes wide with disbelief as they stared at Xiao Yi, who watched them with an amused smile on his face.


    Xiao Yi?


    He is Xiao Yi?


    Yang Jin felt his world spinning, stars bursting before his eyes, "Impossible, how could this be possible? How could Xiao Yi be so strong?"


    Within the Imperial Capital.


    There were no small number of people who were aware of Xiao Yi''s existence.


    Especially after Xiao Yi returned to the Imperial Capital and became the headmaster of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Even more people became aware of his identity and thus learned that Xiao Yi had been expelled from the Xiao Family, but in everyone''s eyes, Xiao Yi was seen as a disgrace by Xiao Tianjiao.


    How could he possibly be this young man in front of them?


    After all...


    This young man before them had broken the consecutive victory record set by Xiao Tianjiao in the Combat Pavilion. Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire


    This young man was stronger than Xiao Tianjiao at the same realm.


    Such a peerless genius.


    How could he possibly be Xiao Yi, whom Xiao Tianjiao viewed as a disgrace and thus expelled from the Xiao Family?


    If all this were true, wouldn''t it imply that Xiao Tianjiao was blind? The very person he discarded as trash, the shame in his eyes, the Xiao Yi who, in his opinion, didn''t even deserve a place in the Xiao family''s genealogy, was actually a peerless genius who could continuously break the records that Xiao Tianjiao took pride in.


    "Impossible, how can you be Xiao Yi?" Yang Jin''s eyes were bloodshot as he roared hysterically.


    If the person before him truly was Xiao Yi.


    If...


    Everything he achieved was real.


    Then, wouldn''t it mean that Xiao Tianjiao was wrong?


    Yang Jin was a loyal supporter of Xiao Tianjiao, who had always idolized Xiao Tianjiao as the hero of his life, how could he admit that Xiao Tianjiao was wrong? S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His eyes bloodshot, he said through clenched teeth, "Who exactly are you? Who gave you the guts to impersonate Xiao Yi?"


    "Idiot!"


    Xiao Yi scoffed coldly and casually took out the headmaster''s token of the Xiaoshanhe Institute from his storage ring. This token was impossible to replicate, and its presentation was an undeniable proof of Xiao Yi''s identity, "Open your eyes wide and see what this is?"


    Gulp!


    Yang Jin swallowed subconsciously.


    His mind was buzzing, blank.


    Around him...


    With the exception of Dongfang Kuang and Qi, everyone was dumbstruck, speechless.


    The shock in everyone''s hearts was immeasurable: "I previously thought that since Xiao Yi was expelled by Xiao Tianjiao, he must have been worthless as Xiao Tianjiao claimed. But now it seems, Xiao Tianjiao is wildly mistaken! This is not a worthless person, this is a peerless genius not in the least bit inferior to Xiao Tianjiao..."


    "There were rumors saying that Xiao Tianjiao was jealous of Xiao Yi''s talents, hence he expelled him from the family and prevented him from cultivating since childhood. I didn''t believe it before, but now it seems there might be some truth to those rumors!"


    "Could it be possible? Xiao Tianjiao isn''t that kind of person, is he?"


    "It''s hard to know what lies behind a face! If that wasn''t the case, how could he treat his own younger brother so ruthlessly?"


    The murmurs of the crowd reached Yang Jin''s ears, causing his face to turn a complex shade of angry red and pale green.


    Just the few people present who recognized Xiao Yi''s exceptional talent had already spread many theories.


    If the entire Imperial Capital, the whole of the Great Qian Dynasty, were to know about this?


    How many unspeakable assertions would that breed then?


    "To completely eliminate this hidden danger, the only way is..."


    His gaze landed on Xiao Yi, a chilling glint passing through the depths of his eyes, "to get rid of him! As long as he''s killed, who would believe a dead man?"


    With this thought,


    Yang Jin suddenly let out an angry shout, "Audacious villain, how dare you impersonate the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute? You are challenging the majesty of my royal family. Gentlemen, I ask for your assistance in eradicating this individual, to set the record straight for all to witness!"


    Dongfang Kuang glanced at him coldly, a sneer on his face.


    Qi remained expressionless.


    How could they not guess what was on Yang Jin''s mind? He planned to do away with Xiao Yi, to nip any future trouble in the bud.


    However...


    Neither Dongfang Kuang nor Qi would lift a finger.


    Yang Jin turned his gaze toward Nangong Shengtian.


    Nangong Shengtian''s face was devoid of any expression. After realizing that the young man before him was Xiao Yi, Nangong Shengtian too had his own plans.


    The four great families certainly didn''t intend to tear their faces with the royal family.


    Xiao Yi was now the royal family''s spokesperson, fully supported to balance the power of the ten great sects. Why would he take action at this time?


    Yang Jin felt immense annoyance inside. He could only look to the remaining experts of the ten great sects, "Gentlemen, if this child is not removed, he will definitely become a great thorn in our sides..."


    "You mean a great thorn in the side of your Tianjian Sect, right?"


    "Xiao Yi''s feud with your Saint Heir is complicated; it''s really not our place to intervene!"


    The crowd spoke one after another.


    Though the ten great sects shared a common bond, that was only when facing external threats. Internally, there were many disputes among them.


    Ever since Xiao Tianjiao rose to power,


    the Tianjian Sect had so overwhelmed the other nine sects that they hardly had room to breathe. Now, the presence of Xiao Yi seemed to be a potential threat to both the Tianjian Sect and Xiao Tianjiao. Naturally, they were happy to sit on the sidelines and watch the fight. Everyone had their own thoughts, and Yang Jin''s expression grew even more unsightly. His gaze shifting coldly, Yang Jin suddenly turned to the two Beast Kings from Great Liang Mountain.


    "Two honored Beast Kings, if you assist me in slaying this child, my Tianjian Sect is willing to offer you the position of our sect''s guardian beasts!" Yang Jin said gravely.


    These two Level 6 demon beasts were twin brothers.


    Both were Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions.


    The two beasts had occupied Great Liang Mountain for many years, but they didn''t dare cause trouble because of Benlin''s presence in the Imperial Capital, opting to seclude themselves deep within the mountains.


    If they could gain the support of the Tianjian Sect, their situation would change entirely.


    With this thought,


    The two beasts exchanged a glance and spoke in human tongue, "This king can help you, but you must fulfill the promised terms!"


    "Rest assured, Beast King, I, Yang Jin, never go back on my word!"


    Yang Jin pounded on his chest in guarantee, his eyes coldly fixated on Xiao Yi as he sneered, "Xiao Yi, no matter how talented you are, what does it matter? You''re not even worthy to carry the shoes for the Saint Heir... without the Saint Heir lifting a finger, I can send you to your death!"


    Boom!


    Roar!


    The two Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions twisted their massive bodies, one on the left and one on the right, pacing toward Xiao Yi.


    Both of these Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions were at the initial stages of Level 6, comparable to the cultivation of the first layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    After all, Great Liang Mountain is not far from the Imperial Capital.


    The Great Qian Dynasty wouldn''t allow excessively powerful demon beasts near the capital; the two beasts had stayed low-key, secluding themselves in the mountains. Had it not been for this heavenly tribulation forcing them out, they would not have appeared before humans, nor would they have acted against the powerhouses of the Great Qian Dynasty. However, now faced with the chance to become guardian beasts for the Tianjian Sect,


    They naturally wouldn''t let this opportunity pass!


    The Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions spoke in human tongue, their eyes shining with ferocity, as they stared intently at Xiao Yi, "Human, blame only that you''ve offended someone you shouldn''t have!"

 Chapter 274 Beat Up the Beast King, A Battle to Gain Fame!

    Roar!


    Roar!


    The two Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions simultaneously let out fierce roars, their blood-red eyes filled with chilling light seeking prey, sending shivers down people''s spines.


    Purple light flowed around their bodies, like flames burning fiercely in a purple hue.


    The scale-like mane on their necks resembled royal crowns, adding an air of majesty to their presence.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The two Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions charged from the left and the right with extreme speed; their hefty bodies moved nimbly. As they rushed forth, they trailed twin ribbons of purple light. Their figures intertwined, with layers of purple light coiling around each other. In an instant, they appeared before Xiao Yi.


    The one from the left suddenly raised its claw, and beneath the fluffy fur, sharp claw blades shot out with two metallic sounds.


    The silvery claws were incredibly sharp, their ringing sound chilling to the bone.


    Xiao Yi summoned the power of Wind Thunder around him, his movements exuding vital energy that he directed to his arms, forming a pillar-like barrier at his side.


    Boom!


    Amidst the thunderous noise,


    Xiao Yi''s figure was forcefully knocked sideways.


    After all, the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion was a sixth-tier Beast King; combined with the innate physical superiority of mythical beasts over humans, it was able to temporarily suppress Xiao Yi.


    Meanwhile,


    The other Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion had already been waiting aside. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Xiao Yi was sent flying, this lion opened its mouth wide, and the air around it swirled as the essence of heaven and earth converged into its maw. It formed a dazzling golden orb, condensed to the extreme, and its surface flickered with purple flames breathing in and out.


    Whoosh!


    The golden light orb shot out at an incredible speed, tearing through the void like a bolt of golden thunder.


    Striking Xiao Yi square on.


    Boom!


    In an explosion, the golden light orb burst apart.


    Amidst the blinding gold light, clusters of purple flames raged fiercely.


    The purple flames formed a sea of fire engulfing Xiao Yi completely; this was the Innate Divine Ability of the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion, the Purple Heavenly Fire.


    Forged from the absorbed essence of the sun and the moon,


    Capable of burning all things!


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, now let''s see how you die!" Yang Jin gloated, "The Purple Heavenly Fire of the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion can burn all things. Even those in the Dharma Manifestation Realm find it hard to resist, let alone you, merely at the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. Keke, this is the fate of those who oppose the Saint Heir..."


    No sooner had he finished speaking,


    A violent wind suddenly appeared within the blazing purple flames.


    A cyan storm lifted the fiery purple blaze, forming a fire tornado that spiraled into the sky.


    Within the storm,


    Crackle and pop!


    Streaks of purple-gold thunderbolts emerged, and under their assault, the Purple Heavenly Fire released by the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions was forcefully dispersed.


    When all settled,


    Xiao Yi walked out from the scorched earth, unharmed.


    His hands were clasped behind his back, the corner of his mouth raised slightly, and his blazing gaze fell upon the two Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions, "Not bad at all. The two stone beasts at the gates of my Xiaoshanhe Institute are somewhat damaged. Capturing you two to stand guard would be just perfect!"


    "How dare you!"


    "We are esteemed Beast Kings; how could you think of having us stand guard? You''re courting death!"


    Both Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions roared in anger.


    They were the Beast Kings of the Great Liang Mountain, beings of the sixth tier, on par with the giants of the Dharma Manifestation Realm among humans.


    Even when Yang Jin recruited them, he had promised them the lofty position of guardian divine beasts.


    And now Xiao Yi dared to suggest they should stand guard?


    "For you to stand guard for me is already giving you too much credit!"


    Xiao Yi licked his lips, his hands rubbing together with a snapping sound. As he stepped forward, a series of afterimages were left behind, and with a piercing swoosh, Xiao Yi abruptly appeared in front of the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion to the left. "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Hum!


    Behind him, it was as if a Wrathful Vajra had opened its eyes.


    Those majestic, ice-cold eyes exuded a sharpness that made one''s heart tremble with fear.


    Boom!


    A massive golden palm descended from the sky like an imposing mountain, fiercely pressing down upon the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion.


    Roar!


    With a pained cry, the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion was struck by Xiao Yi''s palm, its legs buckling before it slammed into the ground with a thud. The ground caved in with a loud crash, cracks spreading in all directions like a spider''s web, as chunks of rock shot through the air. Xiao Yi stomped his foot, and the power of the earth surged below.


    Rumbling!


    As the ground trembled, stalagmites burst forth, crisscrossing to trap the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion beneath.


    "Big brother, save me..."


    The Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion roared in anger, it was the younger of the two Beast Kings.


    "Let go of my second brother!"


    The other Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion abruptly opened its mouth, a golden light orb condensing within.


    Xiao Yi''s figure flashed, suddenly appearing in front of it.


    With a reach of his right hand, golden light dots converged in his palm, a vast aura of vitality forming an enormous hand that seemed to cover the sky. This golden-cast hand swiftly clamped over the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion''s mouth. Its eyes widened in shock as the energy orb continued to condense, swelling its mouth round and taut.


    And then...


    Boom! Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire


    The energy orb exploded right inside its mouth.


    The terrifying energy nearly killed the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion on the spot.


    Its body violently trembled before crashing to the ground, black smoke billowing from its seven orifices.


    Its tongue hung limply to the side.


    It had already passed out.


    Hisss!


    The onlookers were absolutely stunned by the scene before them. The two sixth-rank Beast Kings, unable to hold out even a mere quarter-hour against Xiao Yi.


    Looking at the two Beast Kings...


    One had passed out, while the other was immobilized by the earthen spikes.


    The crowd felt a chill run down their spines.


    "Is this Xiao Yi really just at the Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    "Why do I feel like he''s even stronger than a typical Dharma Manifestation Realm expert?"


    "The Xiao Family and Xiao Tianjiao really blinded themselves. Such a powerful being was driven out of his own family as if he were trash? If my clan had such a descendant, we would worship him like an ancestor..." Ximen Jianxue said, shocked.


    Dongfang Kuang: "..."


    The crowd felt their minds go blank.


    Yang Jin was swallowing nervously, constantly backing away, his gaze filled with awe when looking at Xiao Yi, "How can the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm be this powerful? It''s simply impossible..."


    He looked utterly dispirited.


    His world had crumbled.


    In Yang Jin''s world, there was only a distinction between Xiao Tianjiao and commoners; no other genius was comparable to Xiao Tianjiao.


    But now...


    He realized that even Xiao Tianjiao, whom he thought was unrivaled in his heart, didn''t possess the battle prowess Xiao Yi had when he was at the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm!


    "Yang Jin, it''s your turn now!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly interrupted Yang Jin''s train of thought.


    Following the sound,


    He saw Xiao Yi standing on the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion, gesturing towards him with a hooked finger.


    Gulp!


    Yang Jin instinctively took a few steps back, looking pleadingly at the people around him for help, but they all averted their gaze. Having witnessed Xiao Yi''s formidable strength, no one was willing to face him anymore. It was no exaggeration to say that Xiao Yi had made a name for himself with this battle. Although he might not be at Xiao Tianjiao''s level yet, it was believed that soon, the Great Qian Dynasty''s list of Saint Heirs would include another name!


    Another peerless genius on par with Xiao Tianjiao!

 Chapter 275 Not Convinced? Then Well Fight Until You Are!

    "Yang Jin, it''s your turn now!"


    Xiao Yi''s face carried a playful expression as he hooked his finger towards Yang Jin.


    Thud thud thud!


    Yang Jin subconsciously took three steps back, his complexion paling with each retreat.


    If it had been before this moment...


    He might have had the confidence to battle Xiao Yi.


    But after witnessing how easily Xiao Yi had subdued two powerful sixth-order Beast Kings, that formidable figure had left an indelible mark in his heart, like a nightmare that made it impossible for him to harbor any thoughts of hostility against Xiao Yi. This was the crushing force of absolute power, just like the countless strong individuals in the Great Qian Dynasty felt when facing Xiao Tianjiao, lacking even the courage to fight.


    Yang Jin''s face alternated between shades of green and white, grinding his teeth with determination, he stiffly said, "Xiao Yi, I admit you''re very strong. But don''t go too far, I am a noble imperial prince, and also a disciple of the Tianjian Sect. Offending me... In the Great Qian Dynasty, you''ll find it hard to make any moves..."


    Xiao Yi said with amusement, "So that means... you can represent the imperial family and the Tianjian Sect of the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    "That''s naturally..." Yang Jin arrogantly replied.


    In his view, neither the imperial family nor the Tianjian Sect would ever allow Xiao Yi to challenge their majesty.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes but looked towards Qi, the eunuch at the side, and asked, "Eunuch Qi, may I ask if His Highness Yang Jin can possibly represent the will of Emperor Qian?"


    Eunuch Qi glanced at Yang Jin with an almost contemptuous look, seeing him no different from Lou Yi, and said unhurriedly, "Director Xiao, please don''t misunderstand. His Majesty holds Director Xiao in high regard. Otherwise, he would not have entrusted the Xiaoshanhe Institute to you."


    Although these words did not directly refute Yang Jin, their meaning was self-evident.


    Yang Jin''s face turned from green to white.


    As if he had swallowed a fly, his expression was horribly ugly.


    He never expected Eunuch Qi to snub him so publicly, it was a slap in the face!


    Xiao Yi smiled playfully, looking at Yang Jin, "It seems you can''t represent the imperial family after all!"


    "Hmph!"


    Yang Jin snorted, "I am a disciple of the Tianjian Sect, I..."


    Snap!


    Before he could finish speaking.


    Yang Jin was already slapped to the ground by Xiao Yi, covering his face, he looked at Xiao Yi in a daze, "You, you, you dare to hit me?"


    Snap!


    Xiao Yi slapped him across the face again, "The Tianjian Sect is remarkable, huh?"


    "You..."


    Snap!


    "I don''t like someone pointing fingers at me!"


    "I..."


    Snap!


    "Your gaze makes me uncomfortable!"


    "��"


    Snap snap snap!


    After a merciless barrage of slaps.


    Yang Jin lay limp on the ground like a lump of mud, twitching, his face bruised and swollen, the very picture of misery. He lay there weakly on the ground, his eyes filled with fear and resentment, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, "Xiao... Xiao Yi... you won''t get off easy for offending the Tianjian Sect..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you threatening me?"


    A cold and chilling killing intent enveloped Yang Jin.


    Darkness, despair, coldness. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As if plunging into an ice cellar of a thousand years.


    It was like an invisible hand gripped his throat, forcing the words about to leave his mouth back down.


    Sigh!


    A sigh suddenly sounded.


    Eunuch Qi appeared beside Yang Jin like a ghost, giving a bow towards Xiao Yi, his ambiguous voice said, "Director Xiao, please, for His Majesty''s sake, spare his life!"


    After all, Yang Jin was an imperial prince.


    Though not favored, he was still of imperial blood.


    If he were to be killed right in front of him, Eunuch Qi could not escape punishment.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, surveying Eunuch Qi with a slight smirk, "Eunuch Qi jests. After all, he is of the imperial family; how could I possibly harm his life?"


    Eunuch Qi was about to express his gratitude.


    But Yang Jin behind him suddenly howled with a ferocious face, "Eunuch Qi... this man dares to assault a prince, are you just going to stand there and watch? Don''t forget your place. You are nothing but an old dog raised by our royal family! If the master cup doesn''t protect me, what use are you?"


    Eunuch Qi''s face twitched slightly.


    "Eunuch Qi, it seems someone does not respect your command!" Xiao Yi said with a laugh.


    Eunuch Qi gave a wry smile and shook his head.


    Yang Jin roared, "Old dog, I order you to kill him right now..."


    "Eunuch Qi, don''t trouble yourself; leave it to me!"


    Xiao Yi smiled as he walked past Qi and aimed a kick at Yang Jin''s mouth.


    Bang!


    A muffled sound erupted.


    Yang Jin''s teeth were kicked out root and all, his mouth filling with blood as he wailed in agony. Xiao Yi didn''t stop; his fingertip pulsing with vital energy, four streaks of blood shot out as he ruthlessly severed Yang Jin''s tendons in both hands and feet. The pain made Yang Jin pass out, eyes rolling back as he lay rigidly in a pool of his own blood.


    Seeing Yang Jin lying there like a dead dog, a mocking glint passed across the depths of Qi''s eyes. He gave a respectful cupped fist salute to Xiao Yi, "Headmaster Xiao, I must return to the palace to report back to His Majesty. I will take my leave first!"


    "Eunuch Qi, safe travels!" Xiao Yi replied with a smile.


    Qi promptly ordered his men to carry Yang Jin away and left soaring through the sky.


    Nangong Shengtian glanced at Xiao Yi and cupped his fists, "Headmaster Xiao, I acted rashly earlier without knowing your status. Please forgive me. When I''m free someday, I will personally visit to apologize!"


    Beitang Feng said, "Headmaster Xiao, please forgive us!"


    The surviving Calamity Realm powerhouses from Wendao Villa, Feixue Temple, Liyang Sect, and others came forward one after another, "Headmaster Xiao, we were also provoked by Yang Jin today, please understand!"


    Xiao Yi looked at them all with a faint smile and said indifferently, "Do you all intend to leave just like this?"


    "Hmm?"


    "What do you mean by that, Headmaster Xiao?"


    The crowd was momentarily stunned, frowning in confusion.


    In their view...


    The battle of today had already come to an end.


    Xiao Yi surely wouldn''t dare to trouble them further!


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I have never been at odds with any of you, yet on your arrival, you triggered a heavenly tribulation that almost killed my two brothers. After the tribulation, you then joined forces trying to put me in a deadly predicament. Do you really think you can just walk away like that?"


    "Headmaster Xiao, we should show some leniency for the sake of future relations. Don''t be too harsh!"


    "We were also misled by others. How can you blame us?"


    "Headmaster Xiao, you are indeed powerful, but we are not pushovers either. Our ten great sects may not have anything else, but we have countless strong individuals. You should think carefully about the consequences of offending us..." the crowd warned threateningly.


    Backed by the ten great sects, they were brimming with confidence!


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth turned up slightly as he said, "The ten great sects? That''s quite an impressive tone. I just wonder, if I were to kill you all right now, would your respective sects really be willing to take a stand against me for a bunch of dead men?"


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    The complexion of the crowd changed dramatically.


    Indeed, as Xiao Yi had said...


    If they died here, would their respective forces really engage in a deadly struggle with Xiao Yi over them?


    The answer, clearly, was no!


    Let alone the fact that they had been in the wrong to begin with, just the power Xiao Yi had displayed was enough to make the sects behind them wary.


    Moreover...


    Xiao Yi was the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, with the royal family at his back.


    One hair affects the whole body.


    Troubling Xiao Yi could potentially serve as an excuse for the royal family to reorganize the ten great sects.


    Upon this realization,


    the faces of the crowd all fell.


    The Calamity Realm expert from the Liyang Sect, Ye Zheng, spoke in a deep voice, "Headmaster Xiao, what do you want?"


    Xiao Yi replied coolly, "My Shanhe Court needs resources for reconstruction. Each of your sects gives me one hundred billion silver taels, and we can consider the matter settled!"


    "What?"


    "One hundred billion? You might as well just rob us!"


    "Xiao Yi, you are too outrageous!"


    The crowd flew into a rage.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed to slits as he looked at them with a smile, "I am bullying you, and what can you do about it?"


    "Do you really think we''re afraid of you?"


    In the face of these furiously glaring people, Xiao Yi sighed softly, "Refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, don''t blame me then!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi made his move with the force of thunder.


    In an instant...


    All these Calamity Realm powerhouses were flipped onto the ground by Xiao Yi. Not satisfied? Then he would just beat them until they were!


    Looking coldly at the bruised faces before him, Xiao Yi said, "Pay up or use your lives as collateral, the choice is yours!"


    "We... we don''t have that much money..." the crowd said with mournful faces.


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Then, write a debt acknowledgment."


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Several debt acknowledgments appeared before the crowd, who looked at each other helplessly and ultimately signed their names.


    Xiao Yi collected the acknowledgments, clapping his hands in satisfaction, "On behalf of the disciples of the Shanhe Court, I thank you all for your generous donations!"

 Chapter 276 The Sky Wont Fall!

    The group of mighty figures watched as Xiao Yi stored the humiliating debt note into his storage ring, their faces as black as charcoal.


    They represented the ten great sects.


    All along,


    it was only they who extorted others; when had they ever been extorted?


    The ten billion silver wasn''t too much for them, but it represented their face and reputation!


    At least until this debt was repaid.


    They couldn''t hold their heads high in front of Xiao Yi, always feeling inferior!


    However, when they thought about the fates of the several strong figures from True Martial Hall and Vast Righteousness Pavilion, they felt their situation wasn''t that bad.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the crowd with a radiant smile, cupped his hands, and said, "On behalf of all the tutors and disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao gives his thanks for your generous assistance. Should there be an opportunity in the future, you are more than welcome to visit Xiaoshanhe Institute to share your guidance!"


    "Xiao, you''re too polite!"


    "Under your leadership, Xiaoshanhe Institute will certainly regain its glory!"


    "If there''s anything you need our help with, Xiao, just say the word. As long as it''s within our power, we will certainly help!" Hai Wei of Three Seas Mountain, a peak Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, said with a falsely smiling face as he cupped his hands.


    No sooner had he finished speaking,


    than Xiao Yi took the opportunity to say, "Indeed, I do need your help with something, but I felt embarrassed to ask after just beating you. Since you''ve offered now, I won''t be polite... I wish to build a large Spirit Gathering Array within Xiaoshanhe Institute. I''ve heard that both Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa have an abundance of array stones; I''ll have to trouble the two of you to prepare some array stones for me! I won''t ask for much, just a hundred thousand catties of array stones from each of you should suffice, on behalf of all members of Xiaoshanhe Institute, I thank you both!"


    Puff!


    Hai Wei and the powerhouse from Wendao Villa''s complexions abruptly changed, nearly spitting out a mouthful of old blood.


    The powerhouse from Wendao Villa shot a look full of resentment towards Hai Wei, wishing to devour him alive.


    That''s what you get for your loose tongue!


    Those hundred thousand catties of array stones were worth no less than fifty billion! S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hai Wei only felt a bitter taste in his mouth and regretted it to his guts.


    He did have the intention to refuse.


    But seeing Xiao Yi''s smiling gaze fixed on them, he feared that if he dared to refuse, he might immediately face another beating. So, he could only grit his teeth and manage a tearful expression as he said, "Xiao, that, that hundred thousand catties is truly too..."


    "What? Too little? How about one hundred and fifty thousand..." said Xiao Yi, feigning surprise.


    "No!"


    Hai Wei hurriedly straightened his back, thumped his chest, and said, "One hundred thousand catties, I will make sure it is delivered to Xiaoshanhe Institute within ten days!"


    "Then I thank you very much!"


    Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze toward the other strong figures.


    The crowd trembled all over.


    "Xiao, I still have a pot of soup on at home, I must get going now!"


    "Aiya, my granddaughter is about to give birth, I must excuse myself..."


    Fearing that Xiao Yi would catch them to squeeze another sum, they hurriedly took their leave, each breaking through the air to leave.


    This left people like Dongfang Kuang dumbstruck.


    When everyone had left,


    Xiao Yi''s gaze fell on Nangong Shengtian and Beitang Feng, who had previously made their moves against him.


    Nangong Shengtian slightly furrowed his brows; although he was a six-layer Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse and wasn''t afraid of offending Xiao Yi,


    considering Xiao Yi''s identity, he didn''t want to provoke him excessively. Cupping his hands, he said, "Xiao, I didn''t know your identity before, which is why I was swayed by Yang Jin to take action. I ask for your forgiveness!"


    Beitang Feng touched his nose, "Same here!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes.


    His treatment towards the four great families was clearly different from that towards the ten great sects.


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "What are the two elders talking about? It''s true that no fight means no acquaintance!"


    "Chairman Xiao is right, without a fight, we can''t really get to know each other. If you need anything in the future..."


    Nangong Shengtian laughed heartily and was about to continue when he suddenly thought of Hai Wei''s fate and immediately changed the subject, "We must surely keep in touch more often in the future!"


    Beitang Feng also said, "Same for me!"


    Xiao Yi curled his lips, thinking to himself, "Old fox." However, he had his own reason for letting the Nangong Family off so easily, and went on to say, "Ancestor Nangong, I hear that the Nangong and Beitang Families mainly deal in pills and medicinal herbs. My Xiaoshanhe Institute is about to be rebuilt, and I urgently need a large number of pills and medicinal materials. I wish to do business with the two of you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shengtian was taken aback, giving Xiao Yi a meaningful look.


    He was puzzled before...


    Given Xiao Yi''s strong stance against the top ten sects, how could he let him off so easily? It turns out it was for this reason.


    The four major families spread their influence across various trades within the Great Qian Dynasty, with the Nangong and Beitang Families controlling over sixty percent of the pill and medicinal herb business. The Dongfang and Ximen Families, on the other hand, control over seventy percent of the weapon and weapon material business. In their respective fields, all four families are dominant.


    Unshakeable by anyone.


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes. For Xiaoshanhe Institute to rise, it was essential to have access to pills and medicinal herbs. He then smiled and said, "So Chairman Xiao is here for this matter. We can provide pills and medicinal materials, but as for the price..."


    Xiao Yi looked Nangong Shengtian up and down.


    This old man thought he held Xiao Yi''s lifeline, planning to manipulate him!


    Xiao Yi said, "Seventy percent, I can pay seventy percent of the market price for the materials and pills I need!"


    This was also because Xiaoshanhe Institute was short of manpower. Otherwise, with Xiao Yi and Elder Xue''s methods, they could have been self-sufficient.


    Why would they need to purchase pills from outside?


    Beitang Feng looked towards Nangong Shengtian.


    The two families complemented each other and always followed the lead of the Nangong Family.


    As long as Nangong Shengtian nodded, he would naturally not refuse.


    "Seventy percent, huh..."


    Nangong Shengtian stroked his chin, showing a troubled expression, and said, "Chairman Xiao, I''m afraid there''s a misunderstanding. Actually, the profit from the pill industry isn''t that high. Seventy percent is really too much, so here''s what I can do��I can give you the most favorable price. The Nangong Family and the Beitang Family can provide Xiaoshanhe Institute with the pills and materials it needs, but the lowest price can only be ninety-five percent of the market price!"


    Ninety-five percent?


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    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    The profit on pills was at least double; not to mention seventy percent, even if they sold them at fifty percent, the Nangong and Beitang Families would make a killing.


    He did not expect Nangong Shengtian to be so inconsiderate.


    Ninety-five percent?


    Xiao Yi smiled, but his words turned much sharper, "Is Ancestor Nangong joking with me?"


    Nangong Shengtian replied with a grin that didn''t reach his eyes, "Chairman Xiao is joking, do you think I need to joke with you?" He was used to being high above others and naturally couldn''t bow down in front of a junior like Xiao Yi, confidently saying, "Although the Great Qian Dynasty is large, when it comes to the pill and medicinal material business, without the Nangong Family''s approval, no one would dare to supply you regardless of the price��even if it''s higher than ninety-five percent!"


    The contempt and disdain were evident in his words.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed to slits, "Isn''t what Ancestor Nangong said a bit too definitive?"


    "Definitive? I''m merely stating the plain truth. After all, the Nangong Family has the strength and confidence to do so!"


    Nangong Shengtian looked at Xiao Yi with a mocking gaze, as if to say, "Aren''t you very strong? Aren''t you very impressive? Now you still come asking for my help?" With an air of nonchalance, he said, "Chairman Xiao, think it over when you return! If you''ve made up your mind, come find me again!"


    With those words, Nangong Shengtian gestured, and with Beitang Feng, they soared away into the sky.


    For a moment.


    Only Xiao Yi, Dongfang Kuang, and Ximen Jianxue were left behind.


    Dongfang Kuang said in a heavy tone, "Chairman Xiao, Nangong Shengtian is right. Without them, it would be tough to purchase pills and medicinal materials!"


    Xiao Yi watched the direction in which Nangong Shengtian disappeared, his eyes flashing coldly like shooting stars, "Without anyone, the sky still won''t fall!"

 Chapter 277 Take your paws off!

    "Xiao, what are you planning to do?"


    Dongfang Kuang looked at the cold light in Xiao Yi''s eyes and couldn''t help but feel a shiver run through him as he asked.


    Just as the Nangong and Beitang Families were as close as branches on the same tree, the Ximen and Dongfang Families were also tightly knit.


    Ximen Jianxue said in a deep voice, "Xiao, if Xiaoshanhe Institute needs materials for Yuan weapons, my Ximen Family can provide them at half price." He paused, then continued, "As for pills and medicinal materials, I advise you to think it over. Nangong Shengtian''s words were unpleasant, but he has his confidence. If the Nangong Family does not give the nod, no one dares to sell you pills and medicinal materials!"


    Dongfang Kuang nodded in agreement.


    The Nangong Family and Beitang Family had been rooted in the medicinal pill and material trade for centuries.


    They almost had control over all the channels.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Don''t worry, I won''t be reckless!"


    Seeing this, the two men didn''t press further.


    Xiao Yi said, "Dongfang, Ximen, regarding Yuan weapons and the materials for forging them, we must rely heavily on both of your cooperation!"


    "Of course!"


    Dongfang Kuang nodded, then said, "Henceforth, for any Yuan weapons and materials supplied to Xiaoshanhe Institute, we will give them to you at fifty percent of the market price!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and shook his head.


    Dongfang Kuang was taken aback and explained, "Xiao, you know that the difficulty of forging Yuan weapons is extremely high, and the material waste is great. The profits are not as high as that of medicinal pills. Fifty percent of the market price is already the limit we can afford!"


    "Dongfang, don''t be so formal and call me ''Xiao''," Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Just call me by my name!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled and then said, "I, Xiao Yi, don''t like to take advantage of my own people. Whatever the market price is, let''s just trade at that rate!"


    "This..."


    Dongfang Kuang and Ximen Jianxue looked at each other. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They had thought Xiao Yi was haggling for a lower price, but he didn''t want any discount at all.


    Xiao Yi said, "We''re all family here!"


    "Right, right, right, we''re all family!" Dongfang Kuang laughed.


    Ximen Jianxue also smiled and nodded his head.


    With the strength Xiao Yi had shown, as long as he didn''t fall, his future achievements would be boundless.


    This was greatly beneficial for both their families as well.


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    Xiao Yi said, "I will have someone take over the cooperation matters!"


    "Shall we head back then?"


    "Hmm!"


    The three of them left, piercing through the air.


    Dongfang Kuang and Ximen Jianxue headed straight for the imperial capital, while Xiao Yi made his way toward Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Now, with the funds for rebuilding Xiaoshanhe Institute secured��a whopping trillion taels of silver��he could support an expansion of the institute''s scale by tenfold for decades. The most pressing issue was recruiting new disciples and instructors, and Xiao Yi also had a comprehensive reform plan in mind for Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    All these needed to be set in motion.


    ......


    Imperial Dragon Mountain, Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Xiao Zhengde sat in the guest hall with great authority, his leg propped up arrogantly as he said, "This Xiaoshanhe Institute really isn''t up to much, is it? This place used to be comparable to the top ten sects, and yet there isn''t even one large-scale Spirit Gathering Array. This is far too modest. Mr. Chen, it''s time you made some serious improvements..."


    Chen Shuiwen stood by his side with a sycophantic smile on his face, wringing his hands as he said, "Xiao is right, Xiaoshanhe Institute has truly fallen on hard times."


    Nowadays, the Xiao Family was on the rise.


    Ever since Xiao Tianjiao stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the Xiao Family had been showing signs of becoming the fifth great noble family.


    Compared to Xiao Yi, who had been expelled from the Xiao Family, Chen Shuiwen dared not show any pretense in front of Xiao Zhengde.


    Xiao Zhengde was very pleased with Chen Shuiwen''s attitude.


    He was about to speak.


    Catching a glimpse of a figure passing by the doorway in the corner of his eye, Xiao Zhengde''s interest was piqued, and he called out, "Stop there!"


    ```


    "Hm?"


    Lin Bing Xin was startled.


    As she happened to be passing by the guest hall, she suddenly heard Xiao Zhengde''s voice and subconsciously looked back.


    Xiao Zhengde''s gaze swept over her, a hint of lust passing through his eyes. Lin Bing Xin''s figure and appearance were exceptional, igniting lustful thoughts in Xiao Zhengde. A faint smile on his face, he said, "Mr. Chen, who is this lady?"


    Chen Shuiwen knew all too well what Xiao Zhengde was thinking.


    He quickly said, "This is Lin Bing Xin, a teacher from the Xiaoshanhe Institute!" Chen Shuiwen turned to Lin Bing Xin and said, "Lin Bing Xin, this is the head of the Xiao Family, the father of Xiao Tianjiao, the number one genius of the Great Qian Dynasty, Xiao Zhengde. Aren''t you going to come over and pay your respects?"


    "Mr. Chen, how can you speak to a beautiful woman like that?"


    Xiao Zhengde pretended to be displeased as he glanced at Chen Shuiwen, but the smile on his face remained bright. He adjusted his clothes and approached Lin Bing Xin: "Teacher Lin, I am Xiao Zhengde!"


    He couldn''t help but straighten his back.


    In his eyes...


    Any woman who learned of his identity would naturally flock to him.


    This was an opportunity to rise to the top.


    However.


    Lin Bing Xin''s face was expressionless, and even a deep disgust flashed in her eyes as she glanced at him.


    She was well aware of Xiao Yi''s status. It was this man before her who had expelled Xiao Yi from the family and sent him to the Fang Family to become a son-in-law. Of course, she wouldn''t show any courtesy to Xiao Zhengde and said to Chen Shuiwen, "Mr. Chen, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now!"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Zhengde''s face stiffened, his eyes narrowing to slits.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face darkened as he rebuked, "Lin Bing Xin, did I give you permission to leave?"


    However, Lin Bing Xin ignored him and continued to walk towards the exit.


    "Mr. Chen, your teachers from the Shanhe Institute do carry themselves with quite the air!" Xiao Zhengde said sarcastically, with a Yin-Yang tone.


    Chen Shuiwen quickly said, "Please forgive her, Xiao. I''ll have her come back immediately!"


    Chen Shuiwen immediately chased after her, shouting at Lin Bing Xin, "Lin Bing Xin, did I permit you to leave? Get back here!"


    "Idiot!"


    Lin Bing Xin looked back at him, sneered coldly, and continued on her way out.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face alternated between green and red.


    As he was caught in his dilemma...


    Xiao Zhengde''s voice echoed in his ear, "Mr. Chen, it seems the quality of your Shanhe Institute''s teachers is truly lacking. Let me, the head of the household, discipline her on your behalf!"


    Whoosh!


    A surge of vital energy burst forth.


    A colossal hand of energy formed in the air and with a swish, it grabbed Lin Bing Xin. Amidst her screams, Lin Bing Xin''s body was yanked back by Xiao Zhengde. He held her throat with one hand and took a deep whiff from her hair, the faint fragrance making his eyes shine. Smugly looking at Chen Shuiwen, he said, "Mr. Chen, one must use forceful measures to deal with disobedient people. See, now she''s being obedient, isn''t she?"


    Chen Shuiwen flattered him with a reply, "What you say is absolutely right, Xiao!"


    Xiao Zhengde, still smiling, looked at the pale-faced Lin Bing Xin and said, "My beautiful lady, my son Xiao Yi is the dean of the Shanhe Institute, which essentially makes it mine. As you''re a teacher of the Shanhe Institute, you belong to me. Serve me well, and I guarantee you''ll get to live in luxury..."


    Lin Bing Xin''s eyes were filled with despair.


    Her throat was seized, and she couldn''t utter a word.


    Tears of desperation sparkled in her eyes.


    Xiao Zhengde laughed heartily, "That''s right, that''s right, I like that look of desire in your eyes..."


    As he spoke,


    Xiao Zhengde''s hand reached out towards Lin Bing Xin''s body.


    At that moment...


    A chilling voice boomed like thunder, "If you don''t want to die, take your filthy paw off her now!"


    ```

 Chapter 278 Born but Not Raised, Cut Off a Finger to Make Amends!

    "Bring your dog paw here!"


    The icy voice made Xiao Zhengde''s movements abruptly stiffen.


    Whoosh!


    As Xiao Zhengde lifted his head, he followed the sound and squinted his eyes into slits, glaring at the newcomer with an eagle''s vigilance and a wolf''s wariness.


    At the entrance of the meeting hall.


    Dressed in black, with eyebrows sharp as blades and eyes flashing like lightning, stood Xiao Yi, exuding a chilling aura.


    Xiao Yi stood at the doorway, his eyes fierce like a tiger''s, emanating a chilling light as he stared at Xiao Zhengde, who was choking Lin Bingxin by the neck and about to lay his hands on her. A murderous intent began to build intensely around him.


    "Who are you?"


    Xiao Zhengde suddenly spoke.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Chen Shuiwen, who had just opened his mouth, also stiffened, his puzzled gaze sweeping back and forth between Xiao Zhengde and Xiao Yi.


    His eyes filled with confusion, he subconsciously said, "Xiao, isn''t this Xiao Yi, the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute? You... you don''t recognize him?"


    This is your son!


    Although more than a year had passed and Xiao Yi had changed conspicuously in temperament, cultivation, and even height, his appearance had hardly altered. How could you not recognize him?


    Xiao Zhengde was also startled. For nearly a decade, he had only seen Xiao Yi once, the day he had announced that Xiao Yi would go to the Fang Family. Moreover, on that day, all of Xiao Zhengde''s attention had been on Xiao Tianjiao; how could he have noticed Xiao Yi''s appearance? That was why he did not recognize Xiao Yi at the moment.


    Watching the fleeting confusion on Xiao Zhengde''s face, Xiao Yi felt suffocated and agitated, an indescribable restlessness stirring within him.


    Despite continually telling himself,


    he had no relationship with the Xiao Family anymore.


    But standing in front of Xiao Zhengde, his biological father who couldn''t recognize him, the sensation still struck at the core of his soul.


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and said with a firm voice, "Let her go!"


    Xiao Zhengde''s brows knitted, anger appearing on his face as he rebuked, "Is this how you speak to your father? Since you are the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, I am the institute head''s father. Everything within this institute belongs to me. I am merely asking for a woman from your institute, and you dare to speak to me this way? Your guts have truly grown fat!"


    Seeing this, Mr. Chen thought to himself: No wonder the rumors say that tensions run high between father and son in the Xiao Family. It seems all of it is true. Heh, Xiao Yi, how will you handle your father, no matter how powerful you are?


    With that thought.


    Mr. Chen fanned the flames, saying, "Xiao, it''s your fault here! Not to mention Xiao is your father, just his status as the head of the Xiao Family means that Lin Bingxin is honored by his attention. Not only should you not obstruct this, but you should also facilitate it, for this could be Lin Bingxin''s opportunity to soar from the branch to the phoenix''s perch!"


    Xiao Zhengde slightly raised his chin, very pleased with Mr. Chen''s statement, "Did you hear that? Mr. Chen here knows the ways of the world. And look at you... not even knowing how to respect your own father. I should have listened to your elder brother back then and had you killed and thrown into the mass graves. All the care I''ve wasted on you..."


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi''s head buzzed.


    Back then...


    If not for his mother, who had threatened her own life to save him, he would have died ten years ago.


    Where would there have been eight years of imprisonment?


    Seeing the profound disgust on Xiao Zhengde''s face, Xiao Yi let out a breath of foul air, pronouncing each word, "When you sent me to the Fang Family to be a son-in-law, I told you that our ties of kindness and righteousness were severed. I, Xiao Yi, owe you nothing. And now you speak to me of parental grace? Ha ha ha, Xiao Zhengde, don''t you feel ashamed saying these words?"


    During those eight years of imprisonment...


    In the entire Xiao Family, aside from his mother, had anyone given him a glance?


    Had anyone brought him a meal?


    Had anyone offered him clothes?


    No!


    Nothing at all!


    "Bastard!"


    Xiao Zhengde was enraged, tossing the unconscious Lin Bingxin to the side and furiously glared at Xiao Yi, "You unfilial, forgetful wretch, I brought you into this world, and that is the greatest kindness. No matter how I treat you, I am still your father. I command you to kneel right now!"


    "Kneel?"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, leaning forward and asking coldly, "Are you worthy?"


    Am I worthy?


    Deserve to have me kneel before you?


    Throughout my entire life...


    in Xiao Zhengde''s eyes, there was only Xiao Tianjiao. When had he ever spared a thought for this younger son of his?


    Every birthday, Xiao Tianjiao would have grand banquets, while I didn''t even receive a single word of blessing.


    Recalling my childhood efforts to capture my father''s attention, to no avail��never earning even a word of praise��Xiao Yi''s heart grew gradually cold. Yet before that, he still harbored hope that once he became stronger, once he was outstanding enough, Xiao Zhengde would surely look his way.


    And the result?


    My efforts ultimately served only as a bargaining chip to procure a mystical beast for Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, sending me off to the Fang Family as a despised son-in-law.


    Does such a father even deserve my kneeling?


    Under the calmly intense gaze of Xiao Yi, Xiao Zhengde frowned and said condescendingly, "I came today to inform you that I will summon your elder brother back. Once he returns, you will be notified to come back home, and as long as you obediently offer an apology to your brother by kowtowing, with me by your side speaking in your favor, combined with your current achievements, I believe he will allow your name to re-enter the family records!"


    Looking at Xiao Zhengde''s pride, as though bestowing a favor for which I should be profoundly grateful.


    Xiao Yi''s fists clenched quietly, rage boiling within him as he sneered, "Kneel to him? By what right? Because he imprisoned me for eight years? Because he sent me to the Fang Family to be a live-in son-in-law, just so his mount could mate? Or because he disowned me and deprived me of the right to pay respects to my own mother?"


    Xiao Zhengde, so furious that smoke could have billowed from his ears, raised his right hand to strike Xiao Yi''s face. "I''ll beat you to death, you unfilial son!"


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi neither dodged nor evaded, taking the slap head-on.


    Half of his face turned bright red, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.


    Xiao Yi''s face was calm, his eyes coldly fixed on him.


    Xiao Zhengde bellowed, "Giving you life is the greatest kindness. Whether I kill you or sell you, you have no right to defy me."


    "Giving me life is a kindness?"


    Xiao Yi let out a bitter, mournful laugh, filled with desolation, "Xiao Zhengde, ask yourself, did you ever look at me as I grew up? Did you ever fulfill the responsibilities of a father? If not for my mother, I''d have been erased from this world long ago in shame by you all. Now how can you so self-righteously stand before me and say these things? Go back. Since the moment you cast me out, I''ve had no relation to the Xiao Family!"


    "You scoundrel!"


    Xiao Zhengde wasn''t able to contain his fury. He had thought that with his appearance and offer to let Xiao Yi return to the Xiao Family, Xiao Yi would be grateful and willingly come back with him. Not expecting a rejection, Xiao Zhengde''s face turned a deep shade of red as he roared, "You ungrateful cur, I should have listened to Tian''er back then and killed you, saved myself the trouble of dealing with your defiance now! No, I should have thrown you out to the mass graves the moment you were born..."


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Xiao Yi involuntarily took three steps back. Such cruel words, so venomous!


    "Haha, hahaha..."


    Amidst Xiao Yi''s laughter tinged with sorrow, the look in his eyes towards Xiao Zhengde became unflinchingly steady.


    Whoosh!


    A silver gleam surged forth, and with a splat, severed a thumb. Xiao Yi tore off a piece of his clothing to wrap the severed finger, and looking at a stunned Xiao Zhengde, he spoke deliberately, "If unbred yet nourished, gratitude lasts a lifetime; if bred but not nurtured, breaking a finger settles the debt! Take back this finger, from now on, all ties of father and son between us are completely severed!"


    "You, you, you..."


    Xiao Zhengde''s eyes leaped wildly at the sight of the severed finger, his face alternating shades of anger and pallor. He bellowed like a furious lion, "You insolent brat, you''re nothing! Only I, the Xiao Family, can disown you, since when can you sever ties with me?" sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    He raised his right hand high, intending to strike at Xiao Yi''s face once more.


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi raised his right hand and firmly caught his palm, speaking coldly, "I no longer have any ties with you. If you dare to raise your hand again, I will cripple you!"


    Boom!


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    Xiao Zhengde was forcefully blasted away by the frigid aura emanating from Xiao Yi.


    With a loud crash, he landed in the front courtyard.


    Watching Xiao Yi, with a face as cold as frost, Xiao Zhengde''s expression underwent several rapid changes, but recalling Xiao Yi''s strength that even defeated Xue Wuhen, he gritted his teeth and viciously said, "Alright, alright, Xiao Yi, good show! You just wait, I''ll make you regret ever being born..."


    "Get out!"


    Xiao Yi roared furiously.


    Xiao Zhengde, terrified, plopped down on the ground, the icy killing intent making him feel chilled to the bone, and he no longer dared to linger, quickly scrambling outside.


    Gazing at that ignominious retreat, Xiao Yi calmly withdrew his gaze and turned to land on Chen Shuiwen who stood beside him, dumbfounded...

 Chapter 279 Wanting to Add to Ones Crimes

    "..."


    Chen Shuiwen shivered all over.


    Before this...


    When he faced Xiao Yi, he didn''t have any special feelings.


    After all.


    He himself was an impressive existence at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, while Xiao Yi was merely at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm. He was far superior to Xiao Yi in cultivation, which naturally couldn''t exert any pressure on him.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi in front of him gave him the feeling of an insurmountable mountain, as if it was a peak that could not be surpassed.


    Especially when Xiao Yi''s cold gaze fell on him, it was like millions of battle-hardened, bloodied elite troops were staring at him. An intrinsic chill spread throughout his body in the blink of an eye, causing Chen Shuiwen''s face to turn a tinge pale.


    This was naturally because Xiao Yi had reached the Tao Tribulation Realm and condensed a unique Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    At the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, one possesses nine Dao patterns.


    This was simply unprecedented!


    Xiao Yi said coldly, "As the Vice Head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, you watched your own mentor being humiliated without taking action, merely standing by. What crime should you be held responsible for?"


    Gulp!


    Chen Shuiwen instinctively swallowed his saliva, the corners of his mouth rising slightly to form a forced smile, "Head Xiao, after all that man is your father..."


    Smack!


    Xiao Yi returned a slap across his face.


    Chen Shuiwen''s body stiffened, half of his face swelling up, and he looked at Xiao Yi with a dumbfounded expression, unable to believe it, "You, you dare hit me?"


    Smack!


    Xiao Yi slapped his face again.


    Chen Shuiwen saw stars, feeling dizzy and disoriented.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "As the Vice Head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, you failed to protect the mentors and disciples of the Institute, even aiding the tyrant instead. These two slaps are to remind you of your identity."


    "You..."


    Chen Shuiwen regained some sobriety, his face turning shades of green and white, and in his fluctuating gaze was a hint of horror.


    With his cultivation at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he hadn''t even seen how Xiao Yi struck.


    He had no power to resist those two slaps.


    Chen Shuiwen considered his own strength not to be weak, and even a common practitioner at the First Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm wouldn''t be able to do this in front of him!


    How did Xiao Yi manage it?


    Xiao Yi was already helping Lin Bingxin sit to one side. At this moment, Lin Bingxin had not yet woken up, but she was not in danger of losing her life, so Xiao Yi let go of his worries. Now that he returned to Xiaoshanhe Institute, his primary objective was to oversee the recruitment of disciples and mentors, but he encountered this scene instead.


    Ever since his arrival at Xiaoshanhe Institute, Chen Shuiwen had been putting obstacles in his way at every turn.


    Before this.


    Xiao Yi hadn''t fully grasped the situation in Xiaoshanhe Institute and didn''t want to make a major move, but now he had enough resources and also enough strength and connections.


    He naturally no longer needed to endure Chen Shuiwen.


    To secure the exterior, one must first stabilize the interior!


    Removing Chen Shuiwen was the first step in rectifying Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    Xiao Yi sat authoritatively at the head seat, looking coldly at Chen Shuiwen standing before him, "Vice Head Chen, are you aware of your crime?"


    Chen Shuiwen regained his composure and said in a deep voice, "Your subordinate does not know!"


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, "Over the past decade or so, the imperial family has been allocating ten billion silver taels every year, but as far as I know, only one billion is actually spent on the Xiaoshanhe Institute each year. Where has the rest gone?"


    "I have served the Xiaoshanhe Institute diligently and honestly, never embezzling a single silver tael. Moreover, every expense of the Xiaoshanhe Institute is recorded in the ledger. If you have any doubts about my management of the Institute''s finances during my tenure, you are more than welcome to examine the books. If there is any problem, I, Chen Shuiwen, am willing to twist off my own head and kick it around like a ball!"


    Chen Shuiwen stood tall and proud, his voice filled with earnest pain, "Director Xiao, I have served the Xiaoshanhe Institute with dedication. If you humiliate me without any evidence, I, Chen Shuiwen, will even bring my case before Emperor Qian to clear my name!"


    The ledgers had already been burned to ashes.


    There could not possibly be any clue or trace left!


    It was precisely because of this.


    That Chen Shuiwen could be so confident and fearless!


    How could Xiao Yi not know what Chen Shuiwen was thinking? He chuckled coldly and clapped his hands, "Little Lin, bring them in!" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    A streak of golden light flashed by, transforming into a creature the size of a person. Little Lin fluttered into the hall, its claws carrying Chen Xing, known as the Fortune God. Little Lin dropped Chen Xing on the ground and perched on Xiao Yi''s shoulder. Upon seeing Chen Shuiwen assist Xiao Zhengde against Lin Bingxin, Xiao Yi was determined to reorganize the Xiaoshanhe Institute that very day, hence he had Little Lin bring Chen Xing over.


    Chen Xing''s face was filled with panic.


    He had just been resting in his bedroom when he was caught by Little Lin without any resistance.


    He was a practitioner at the Nine-fold Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    To be captured without any resistance, Little Lin must be an existence of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Seeing Xiao Yi seated in the place of honor, Chen Xing''s complexion shifted slightly and he quickly looked towards Chen Shuiwen beside him, "Mr. Chen..."


    Chen Shuiwen shook his head at him.


    Xiao Yi looked at Chen Xing and spoke lightly, "Chen Xing, let me ask you... these years, you have been in charge of the accounts, handling all expenditures of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. As I know, every year the imperial family allocates ten billion silver taels to the Institute. Where has all this money gone?"


    "All this money was spent on the construction of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. This can be attested to by Mr. Chen!" Chen Xing said hastily, "Moreover, every transaction is recorded in the account books. If you, Director, do not trust it, you may check the accounts!"


    Chen Shuiwen said, "Director Xiao, you heard it yourself, I haven''t deceived you!"


    "Hahaha, check the accounts? The ledgers have already been destroyed by you; how can I check them?" Xiao Yi sneered.


    Chen Xing hurriedly said, "Director Xiao, you are our director, but you can''t wrong us like this! The ledger has always been fine, but something happened the day your people came to check the books. If there is any suspicion, your subordinates are more suspect, aren''t they? After all, I have managed the accounts without a single discrepancy these years!"


    Chen Shuiwen also added fuel to the fire, "Elder Chen, are you saying that the incident in the account room occurred while Director Xiao''s people were checking the accounts? Why didn''t you say so earlier?"


    "Mr. Chen, I... I didn''t dare! After all, they are Director Xiao''s people..." Chen Xing said with a look of grievance.


    Chen Shuiwen glared at Xiao Yi and denounced, "Director Xiao, you must give us an explanation for this matter."


    Xiao Yi looked at the two of them with amusement.


    This is playing a double act, putting the blame squarely on me!


    Xiao Yi chuckled, "How does destroying the previous accounts benefit me?"


    Chen Shuiwen pretended to agree, winking at Chen Xing, "Director Xiao is right, what''s in it for him to do this?"


    Chen Xing hesitated pretentiously.


    Chen Shuiwen said, "Speak freely and boldly, no one can falsely accuse you!"


    Chen Xing sighed and said, "Mr. Chen, it''s easy to find a pretext to accuse someone. If the ledger were still here, our past accounts could prove our innocence. But if the ledger is destroyed, then some slanderous accusations could be pinned on us, leaving us utterly defenseless!" Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    "I see, so the person who did this is truly malicious at heart!" Chen Shuiwen feigned sudden understanding, casting a provocative glance at Xiao Yi.


    You have no evidence.


    As long as I insist that you are framing us.


    What can you do to me?


    Chen Shuiwen and Chen Xing exchanged a proud look��

 Chapter 280 Those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish!

    "Are you done talking?"


    Xiao Yi watched the two of them exchanging words, speaking slowly and methodically.


    Chen Shuiwen and the other person were startled.


    Xiao Yi fiddled with the cup in his hands, his face wearing a faint smile, "If you''re finished, then it''s my turn!"


    Chen Shuiwen frowned, "Mr. Xiao, what exactly do you want?"


    Xiao Yi said, "Actually, whether this is about trumping up charges or you getting what you deserve �� none of that truly matters..."


    "Mr. Xiao, what do you mean by that?" Chen Shuiwen looked at him, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi stood up, stretching his limbs, and smiled, "Since Emperor Qian has handed Xiaoshanhe Institute over to me, everything within it is at my disposal. If I say you are guilty, then you are guilty; if I say you are innocent, then you are innocent. Whether there is evidence or not is beside the point!"


    "You..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face went through a series of changes, showing a hint of horror in his eyes.


    In his view...


    Xiao Yi would surely not dare to confront him head-on if he wanted to control Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Otherwise...


    If he and a group of instructors and disciples banded together to resist, not to mention revitalizing Xiaoshanhe Institute, even the most basic management would become problematic for Xiao Yi.


    Then he would incur severe punishment from Emperor Qian.


    Moreover...


    Having managed Xiaoshanhe Institute for over a decade, Chen Shuiwen had turned it into an impregnable fortress, beyond the reach of others. It was precisely for this reason that Chen Shuiwen was so confident and fearless, confronting Xiao Yi head-on, intending to make Xiao Yi''s life difficult until he had no choice but to leave, and the control of Xiaoshanhe Institute would once again fall into his hands.


    As for forcefully removing them?


    Chen Shuiwen had never thought Xiao Yi would do such a thing, or to put it another way, in his view, Xiao Yi absolutely wouldn''t dare to do so.


    After all...


    He had deep roots in Xiaoshanhe Institute, and should Xiao Yi forcefully oppose him, he could simply take all instructors and disciples and leave. What then, with Xiao Yi alone, could be said about revitalizing Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    If it were under normal circumstances, anyone else taking Xiao Yi''s position indeed wouldn''t dare to do so.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi had already resolved to expand Xiaoshanhe Institute, and once new disciples and instructors were recruited, Chen Shuiwen''s departure, along with that of his cadre of parasites, would have absolutely no impact on Xiaoshanhe Institute. In addition, Xiao Yi held a capital of a trillion two of silver and had also formed alliances with the powerful Dongfang and Ximen families.


    As long as the issue of the elixirs was resolved, a completely new Xiaoshanhe Institute could be established.


    Why would a Xiao Yi, who had no concerns for the consequences, fear them?


    "Mr. Xiao, stop posing and posturing here. Xiaoshanhe Institute can do without you, Xiao Yi, but it can''t do without me, Chen Shuiwen!" Chen Shuiwen said confidently.


    Chen Xing nodded from the side, "Mr. Chen has devoted all his efforts to Xiaoshanhe Institute; without him, there would be no Xiaoshanhe Institute today! If you dismiss Mr. Chen without any evidence, all the teachers and students of Xiaoshanhe Institute will not stand for it, and we will surely petition to Emperor Qian about your actions!"


    "Very well, since you want evidence, I will give you evidence!"


    Xiao Yi reached out with one hand.


    Whoosh!


    The vitality was like a sea, instantly binding Chen Xing.


    Chen Xing''s body involuntarily hung in midair, his hands clutching at his neck desperately, his face full of shock, his limbs flailing wildly, "Let me go... Xiao, Xiao Yi, what are you doing? Let me go..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face was extremely unsightly, and he gritted his teeth, "Xiao Yi, are you really going to tear our faces apart?"


    Vitality fluctuated around him.


    Hiss, hiss!


    A series of low hissing suddenly echoed in his ears; Little Lin had unknowingly landed on his shoulder, its sharp fangs glinting a cold light.


    Gulp!


    Chen Shuiwen''s body trembled all over.


    The arrival of Little Lin sent a chill throughout his body, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.


    This was the feeling of death!


    It made him dare not move.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, staring at Chen Xing. Under the powerful pressure that crushed down, Chen Xing''s face turned extremely pale, completely bloodless, his voice icy, "Chen Xing, if you confess truthfully, I can spare you from death. Otherwise, I will make you understand what it means to neither live nor die at will!"


    "I, I don''t know what you''re talking about..." Chen Xing gritted his teeth.


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi gave a faint smile.


    Thud!


    A streak of silver light flashed by, severing Chen Xing''s right arm at the shoulder.


    The severed arm flew high into the air and fell to the ground.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Speak? Or not?"


    "I don''t know..."


    Thud!


    His left arm was cut off.


    Chen Xing screamed in agony, his eyes reddening, "Xiao Yi... you are framing me, I..."


    Thud!


    Both legs were severed.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If you confess honestly, not only will I spare your life, but I will also procure a Jade Fetal Elixir for you, allowing your severed body to be reborn. If you remain deluded, the next thing to part from your body will be this head of yours!"


    "I, I..."


    Chen Xing''s face was filled with terror as he watched the silver light dancing on Xiao Yi''s fingertips. His complexion shifted constantly until the silver light reached in front of his eyes, when he quickly bellowed, "I''ll talk, I''ll talk... I have backups of all the ledgers in my Storage Ring. Over the years, Chen Shuiwen has been embezzling imperial funds. He has swallowed nearly a hundred billion by himself, for all of which I have evidence..."


    "Chen Xing, how dare you betray me?" Chen Shuiwen''s eyes were about to split with fury.


    Chen Xing said with a bitter smile, "Mr. Chen, I, I had no choice..."


    "You..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face was as black as coal.


    Xiao Yi took the ledger that Chen Xing handed over, his eyes narrowing, "Mr. Chen, do you have anything to say?"


    Chen Shuiwen''s face alternated between green and white, his eyes filled with venomous hatred as he gnashed his teeth, "Xiao Yi, you''re ruthless. I admit my loss today. Yet, over these years at Xiaoshanhe Institute, I have endured hardships even if I haven''t made meritorious deeds. So what if I embezzled this money? Do you really dare to kill me?"


    Over these years.


    Although Chen Shuiwen was insatiably greedy, he had indeed cultivated many strong individuals.


    Among these strong individuals, many held high positions, or were powerful figures in their own right.


    Even if the evidence was conclusive and all submitted to Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian would not kill him!


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I will not kill you, but Xiaoshanhe Institute can no longer accommodate you. Leave!"


    Xiao Yi''s aim had never been to kill Chen Shuiwen but to simply expel him from Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Chen Shuiwen sneered, "Xiao Yi, as the saying goes, ''The mountains do not turn, but the waters do.'' Today, I, Chen Shuiwen, have underestimated you and fallen into your hands. But don''t get too comfortable. There will come a day when I will claim back today''s humiliation with interest!"


    A cold snort.


    Chen Shuiwen stalked off with a flick of his sleeve. sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


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    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, remaining silent.


    A moment later...


    Little Lin flew in from outside, landing on his shoulder: "Boss, that old guy is gathering instructors and students..."


    "If those parasites choose to leave with him, it saves me the effort of weeding them out one by one."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, then narrowed his eyes, speaking indifferently, "Little Lin, you tell those people, if they want to leave, I won''t stop them, but if they stay, they must abide by my rules."


    Little Lin blinked, "Boss, what rules?"


    Xiao Yi enunciated each word, "Those who follow me will prosper, those who oppose me will perish!"

 Chapter 281 Name Remains, Essence Gone?

    Xiaoshanhe Institute, Martial Arts Field.


    Chen Shuiwen stood on the high platform, with thousands of people standing before him. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These were all the current instructors and disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and over the more than a decade that Chen Shuiwen had been in charge, they had become his steadfast supporters.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, I, Chen Shuiwen, have exhausted all my efforts for the Xiaoshanhe Institute for decades, but ''when the hare is dead, the hound is cooked...''"


    With a sorrowful expression, Chen Shuiwen spoke in a heavy voice, "Now that Xiao Yi has ascended to the position of head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, I, Chen Shuiwen, have lost my usefulness. Just a moment ago, Xiao Yi asked me to resign from the position of Deputy Head. I, Chen Shuiwen, cannot bear to leave and cannot bear to part with all of you; I was unwilling to resign. Xiao Yi then coerced Elder Chen Xing into slandering me by accusing me of embezzling more than a hundred billion taels. If I do not leave, he will use this crime of embezzlement against me. I have no other choice but to resign from the position of Deputy Head of Xiaoshanhe Institute effective immediately..."


    Boom!


    As soon as this was said,


    The entire Martial Arts Field boiled over.


    Thousands of people widened their eyes in shock and bewilderment.


    Chen Shuiwen looked toward Sun Zhengyi, Zou Zheng, and others in the crowd.


    Sun Zhengyi, in stark anguish, cried out, "Ladies and gentlemen, over the years, Mr. Chen has given his all for the Shanhe Court. Xiao Yi has barely arrived at the Xiaoshanhe Institute and is already trying to eliminate dissidents, repressing Mr. Chen. Can you tolerate this?"


    "We cannot!"


    Zou Zheng shouted, "Mr. Chen has worked tirelessly for our benefit. What is Xiao Yi? What contributions has he made to the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "Right, we support Mr. Chen!"


    "If Xiao Yi wants to drive Mr. Chen away, he has to drive us all away together!"


    "It should be him leaving, why should you be the one to go?"


    "We support having Xiao Yi resign from the position of Head..."


    The crowd shouted one after another.


    The unified shouting of thousands of people was like thundering war drums reverberating in the skies above the Martial Arts Field.


    The corners of Chen Shuiwen''s mouth lifted slightly, revealing a smile of successful intrigue. He clasped his hands together in front of his chest, tears glistened in his bloodshot eyes: "Ladies and gentlemen, there is no need for this. Xiao, the Head of the Institute, has the Emperor Qian''s instructions and is the rightful leader of Xiaoshanhe Institute. And what am I, Chen Shuiwen? I have treated the Xiaoshanhe Institute as my home, and for over a decade I have diligently and unswervingly worked without a moment''s laziness... but none of that matters anymore. Since Xiao the Head cannot accommodate me, then let me depart! Ladies and gentlemen, you should stay at the Xiaoshanhe Institute, I trust that Xiao the Head will certainly lead you to a glorious future!"


    His words were earnest and touched the heart of every hardship and difficulty he had faced over the past decade.


    It brought pain to those who heard it, and tears to those who saw it.


    The instructors of Xiaoshanhe Institute had long received Chen Shuiwen''s instructions and began to speak one after another: "Ladies and gentlemen, we absolutely cannot let Mr. Chen''s years of hard work be wasted!"


    "We support Mr. Chen; if Xiao the Head insists on driving Mr. Chen away, we will leave with him!"


    "Right, we will advance or retreat together with Mr. Chen!"


    The disciples, who usually spent more time with their instructors than the newly arrived Head Xiao Yi, began to speak up, "We are willing to advance or retreat together with Mr. Chen!"


    "If Xiao the Head wants to drive Mr. Chen away, then drive us all away!"


    "Advance or retreat together!"


    Sun Zhengyi raised his arms and shouted. Seeing a sea of disciples worked into a fervent state, their spirit fully ignited, a look of pride appeared on his face as he looked toward Chen Shuiwen.


    In Chen Shuiwen''s eyes flashed a hint of satisfaction. Feigning emotion, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for your recognition and support of me. Since you all wish to follow me, I will certainly not let you down! I will find a way to establish a new Xiaoshanhe Institute. If you trust in me, Chen Shuiwen, then leave with me, and I, Chen Shuiwen, promise that you will not be treated unfairly!"


    "I am willing to follow you!"


    "Mr. Chen, we will always support you!"


    For a moment.


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    All the instructors and two-thirds of the disciples chose to follow Chen Shuiwen as he left.


    Those who remained were students with mediocre talents coupled with a lack of flattery. They received scant resources usually and were extremely dissatisfied with Chen Shuiwen and the various instructors. In Chen Shuiwen''s eyes, these people were trash that couldn''t be helped up, and he naturally did not care about their departure, laughing as he said, "Everyone, please believe in Chen, I definitely won''t let you down!"


    "Long live Dean Chen!"


    "Following Dean Chen''s lead is indeed the correct choice!"


    Oozing with pride, Chen Shuiwen turned his gaze to Xiao Yi, who appeared on the edge of the training field, his face wearing an arrogant look, and he proclaimed loudly, "Dean Xiao, if a place does not welcome me, I will find one that does. Today, due to your stubbornness, you forced us to leave the Xiaoshanhe Institute. I believe it won''t be long before you regret today''s decision!"


    Xiao Yi''s shoulder was home to Little Lin.


    Standing behind him were Yu Huaxian and others, their gazes towards Chen Shuiwen and his people icily sharp.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up slightly, glancing at the crowd before him, excited, with each person standing behind Chen Shuiwen��both instructors and disciples��with an indifferent look, "If you step out of the Xiaoshanhe Institute today, you will never be employed again, having no further ties with my Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Who wants to have anything to do with you?"


    "Since we''ve chosen to leave with Dean Chen, we naturally won''t come back!"


    "Dean Xiao, you can stay here and play the lone commander..."


    Sun Zhengyi wore a mocking smile, laughing derisively.


    All the instructors and disciples felt the same.


    Nobody was optimistic about Xiao Yi.


    A top powerhouse in a sect is indeed important, but the true foundation lies in the disciples and the strength of various instructors. Without them, one is but a lone commander, of what use is strength then?


    "Everyone, follow me and leave!"


    Chen Shuiwen made a grand sweeping gesture, and everyone closely followed him.


    As he brushed past Xiao Yi, Chen Shuiwen''s step faltered slightly, revealing a smug smile, "Xiao Yi, there''s just over two months until the ancestor worship ceremony, I''d like to see how you explain yourself to Emperor Qian!"


    "You needn''t worry yourself over that!" Xiao Yi replied indifferently.


    "Truly a case of not crying until seeing the coffin!"


    Chen Shuiwen shook his head, leading Sun Zhengyi, Zou Zheng, and the rest of the instructors and disciples away, striding off with great steps.


    For a moment.


    On the training field, only Xiao Yi''s party remained, along with the bottom third of disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute who had not left.


    They looked at each other, their faces a picture of bewildered uncertainty.


    Although they were unwilling to follow Chen Shuiwen, staying in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, they also saw no hope.


    After all.


    Compared with the experienced and renowned Chen Shuiwen, Xiao Yi was indeed far less famous in managing a sect.


    Moreover...


    Now that almost all instructors and disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute had left, with the Institute in name only, how could it return to its former glory?


    The vast training field was cast in dreary gloom.


    Xiao Yi''s sharp gaze swept over everyone, how could he not understand their thoughts? His mouth rose slightly, and he was about to speak astonishingly, "..."

 Chapter 282 Turning Hand into a Mountain of Silver!

    "If you wish to leave, I will not force you to stay!"


    Xiao Yi''s words were startling.


    The over one thousand disciples left on the training ground all looked at each other in disbelief, unable to believe what they were hearing from Xiao Yi.


    In their eyes...


    Presently, all the instructors of Xiaoshanhe Institute, along with two-thirds of the elite disciples, had followed Chen Shuiwen away.


    They were all that was left of Xiaoshanhe Institute''s foundation.


    Shouldn''t Xiao Yi exhaust every effort to keep them instead of letting them leave?


    Was he planning to throw in the towel and give up on Xiaoshanhe Institute completely?


    For a moment.


    Many disciples wavered and ultimately chose to leave, "Sorry, Director Xiao..."


    "I apologize, Director Xiao..."


    One.


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    Two.


    Three...


    Once someone took the lead, others quickly followed.


    In the blink of an eye.


    One-third of the group had left, leaving only over seven hundred still standing in their places.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over these seven hundred and saw a trace of satisfaction flash in the depths of his eyes, knowing that those who still wished to stay must be truly loyal to Xiaoshanhe Institute at heart.


    Their talents might not be high.


    But with Xiao Yi there, was a lack of talent a problem?


    Even for those considered talentless, he could create a demon core Dantian!


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a smile as he spoke loudly, "I''m glad you chose to stay. I know many of you are doubting whether I can lead Xiaoshanhe Institute to its former glory��"


    The crowd was silent.


    But their gazes all fell on him.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, they were indeed doubting his abilities.


    Xiao Yi''s smile grew slightly, and a powerful pressure suddenly burst forth from him as the Martial Dao Divine Fruit floated above him.


    That golden Martial Dao Divine Fruit radiated myriad halos and a thousand streaks of auspicious light.


    Under the enveloping pressure.


    The crowd felt their spirits lifted, gazing at the Martial Dao Divine Fruit above Xiao Yi''s head in disbelief. They had never seen a Divine Fruit of the Martial Dao so pure, so holy, so powerful.


    At least in terms of power��


    Xiao Yi had given them a strong impact and confidence, after all, not even Chen Shuiwen had ever exerted such terrifying pressure on them.


    Looking at the awe and admiration in the eyes of the crowd, Xiao Yi knew he had achieved the desired effect.


    The Martial Dao Divine Fruit retracted into his body.


    The terrible pressure disappeared without a trace.


    The crowd''s gaze was unprecedentedly unified, all focused on Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "Please believe in me, I am certain I can lead Xiaoshanhe Institute back to its glory!"


    "Director Xiao, all the instructors of Xiaoshanhe Institute have now followed Deputy Director Chen, how then can you lead us back to glory?"


    "I am sure Director Xiao is also aware that our talents are not outstanding among the disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, we might even be considered the bottom tier. It is precisely because of this that we were always neglected, which is why we didn''t follow Deputy Director Chen when he left..."


    "Director Xiao''s strength is there for all to see, but your strength alone does not mean you can make us strong too!"


    The disciples said one after another.


    Xiao Yi nodded, clearly understanding their concerns, but he had long been prepared for these questions. He responded, "Please rest assured, the current predicament of Xiaoshanhe Institute is only temporary. Soon, you will meet a batch of outstanding instructors, as well as a group of talented fellow disciples. I am confident that Xiaoshanhe Institute will shine once more, and those who left today will regret their decision for the rest of their lives!"


    "Director Chen, did you hear what he said? It appears that our Director Xiao is unaware of what it truly takes to strengthen Xiaoshanhe Institute!" Sun Zhengyi''s voice came from the edge of the training ground.


    It turned out they had already packed their belongings, ready to leave Xiaoshanhe Institute, and had overheard Xiao Yi''s words while passing by.


    Chen Shuiwen, with his arms folded across his chest and a smile curving his lips, spoke in a mocking tone, "Director Xiao, let me remind you... the strength of a sect requires not only a sufficient number of strong figures to guide the disciples in their Cultivation Technique, and not just disciples with enough talent in numbers. It also needs a vast amount of resources, medicinal pills, elemental weapons, martial skills... all of these are indispensable."


    Zou Zheng expressed regret, "It''s just a pity that Xiaoshanhe Institute really doesn''t have any spare silver left for you. Oh right, it seems the manuals for the martial arts Cultivation Techniques also lack proper management and have been damaged by worms. Tsk tsk, it''s such a waste!"


    "Director Chen, how about we each donate a Silver Tael to help them out a bit? Otherwise, with Xiaoshanhe Institute in its current state, I''m afraid they won''t even be able to afford ordinary grains and fodder!" Sun Zhengyi said with a smirk by the side, his eyes filled with ridicule and provocation as he looked at Xiao Yi.


    As Chen Shuiwen''s confidant, he naturally knew that over the past decade.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute had already been hollowed out by Chen Shuiwen.


    In the treasury room.


    Leaving several hundred thousand taels of silver was already an act of great charity from Chen Shuiwen.


    No people, no money.


    How could they possibly revitalize the Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    Faced with everyone''s ridicule and provocation, Xiao Yi noticed that the expressions on the seven hundred disciples'' faces also showed a trace of sorrow.


    Xiao Yi turned to look at Chen Shuiwen and said with a cold smile, "You''re right, the resources you mentioned are indeed essential for the revival of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. However, who told you that the Xiaoshanhe Institute is lacking in these?"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Shuiwen was startled.


    Sun Zhengyi sneered, "Head Xiao, there''s no need to pretend here. The Xiaoshanhe Institute''s treasury can''t even produce a million taels of silver, let alone have a sufficient number of cultivation techniques, and even the tutors have all left. Could it be that you think just the few of you are enough to revive the Xiaoshanhe Institute? Don''t overestimate yourself!"


    Zou Zheng clicked his tongue and mocked, "Chen is preparing to establish a new Shanhe Court. If Head Xiao really can''t make ends meet, feel free to come over. I''ll personally put in a good word with Chen for you and get you a job as a gatekeeper!"


    Pretending to be displeased, Chen Shuiwen rebuked, "Zou Zheng, what nonsense are you talking? He has Emperor Qian''s support, how could he possibly need to come to us to make a living?"


    "Chen is right..."


    Sun Zhengyi also chimed in, winking and teasing, "With Head Xiao''s relationship with the imperial family, if he really can''t make it, he could completely become a chief steward in the palace!"


    "Hahaha..."


    The crowd burst into laughter.


    The look in their eyes towards Xiao Yi became even more filled with mockery.


    "Bastards..."


    "I really want to tear their mouths apart..." Yu Huaxian and the others'' faces turned green and then white, looking terribly ugly.


    They were about to make a move, but Xiao Yi stopped them.


    Xiao Yi looked at Chen Shuiwen and the others, who were full of pride, and said lightly, "My Xiaoshanhe Institute may lack everything, but it certainly doesn''t lack resources."


    "It''s not up to you to decide whether you lack resources or not!"


    "Hahaha, Head Xiao, could it be that you can conjure up a mountain of gold out of thin air?"


    Facing their ridicule and teasing,


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a smile and said, "A mountain of gold may be out of the question, but a mountain of silver is quite easy to come by!"


    "Hmm?"


    "A mountain of silver?"


    The crowd was taken aback.


    With a wave of Xiao Yi''s hand, a swath of silver light suddenly burst forth.


    From his storage ring, box after box of silver taels fell to the ground.


    Ten thousand.


    One hundred thousand.


    One million.


    Ten million...


    In the blink of an eye.


    An entire one trillion taels of silver were laid out in the martial field, piling up into a dazzling mountain of silver.


    Looking at the blinding mountain of silver, those who were just mocking Xiao Yi were dumbfounded.


    They felt their faces burn as if they had been viciously slapped dozens of times: "How is this possible?" Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "There has to be several trillion taels of silver here, right?"


    "With so much money... what resources couldn''t be bought? My god, where did Xiao Yi get all this money? How much can he buy with it? What have we exactly missed?"


    "With so much money in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, how could there be any worry about rejuvenation? Why did we choose to leave?"


    "..."


    For a time.


    Many disciples who had left with Chen Shuiwen were full of regret and beat their chests in frustration.


    Chen Shuiwen and the others were even paler, looking at the mountain of silver that rose dozens of feet high, their eyes wide...


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a slight smile as he looked at the stunned crowd and said, "Isn''t this mountain of silver spectacular?"


    Clap clap clap!


    Chen Shuiwen and the others'' cheeks twitched violently, they glared viciously at Xiao Yi but ended up leaving in a sorry state...

 Chapter 283 Do Not Move or Die!

    Chen Shuiwen and his party left in disarray.


    Excitement was painted on the faces of the several hundred disciples who chose to stay at the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    This was a trillion silver taels!


    One should know...


    Even considering the former scale of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, the monthly expenses were only about three hundred million silver taels, even if the costs increased a hundredfold it would only amount to one hundred billion. Here, the silver was enough to sustain for more than a decade, and with the resources increasing by tens of times, even if their talents were not as good as those who followed Chen Shuiwen, they could completely make up for it with the resources!


    In that moment,


    Those who had been full of doubts, thinking that Xiao Yi couldn''t lead the Xiaoshanhe Institute to its former glory, all showed excited expressions.


    Even Yu Huaxian had never seen so many silver taels before, and he swallowed subconsciously, turning to Yan Mingli beside him, "Elder Yan, do you think Xiao managed to get his hands on so much silver? He couldn''t have sold himself, right?"


    Yan Mingli twitched the corner of his eye: "..."


    Xue Bufan and others also gave him a deep look, with weird expressions on their faces.


    Touching his chin, Yu Huaxian felt even more convinced that his guess was right and pondered, "It''s only been a few days since Xiao left, and he''s made a trillion silver taels! This business is definitely worth it... It''s just that I don''t know if it can be a long-term deal. If it can last, it may be worthwhile for Xiao to make a few more trips..."


    "Yu Huaxian, I happen to know a place where you can sell your ass, are you interested?" A sinister voice suddenly rang in his ear.


    "Of course I''ll go... uh..." Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire


    Yu Huaxian''s face stiffened as he turned to look at Xiao Yi, who had appeared before him, his face dark as coal, staring at him. He swallowed instinctively, and with a sheepish laugh, said, "Xiao... Xiao, I won''t dare... ah..."


    A scream pierced the air.


    Yu Huaxian was directly grabbed by Xiao Yi, who changed his direction and with a thud, buried his head in the ground.


    His legs stood straight up,


    Like an uprooted green onion.


    Xiao Yi said, "You''re not allowed to come out until it gets dark!"


    Yu Huaxian''s aggrieved voice came from the ground: "&*()..."


    Xiao Yi looked towards Yan Mingli and spoke in a deep voice, "Elder Yan, I will entrust these silver taels to your management. From now on, you will lead all matters related to finance at the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Yes!"


    Yan Mingli''s face was filled with excitement.


    This was entrusting him with the financial authority of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, a sign of absolute trust.


    He looked at Xiao Yi with eyes full of gratitude.


    Xiao Yi then looked towards Xue Bufan and spoke solemnly, "Elder Xue, we will be expanding the recruitment of disciples and instructors next. There will be a large shortage of medicinal pills. List out what kinds we need, and I will find a way to source them."


    "Xiao, the medicinal pills in the Great Qian Dynasty are all controlled by the Nangong and Beitang families, shall I go see them?" Xue Bufan asked.


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment. Although Nangong Shengtian was previously overbearing and aggressive, just as Xue Bufan said, the medicinal pill and herb market within the Great Qian Dynasty was in the hands of these two families. If they could cooperate with them, it would definitely save a lot of trouble: "First, go to the Nangong Family to negotiate. If things don''t work out, we will find another way!"


    "Sure!"


    Xue Bufan nodded, "I''ll go right away!"


    Struggling, Yu Huaxian pulled his head out of the ground, spat out a mouthful of dirt, and expressed his concern, "Xiao, now that Chen Shuiwen has taken away all the instructors, as well as so many elite disciples. Our priority should be to recruit new disciples and instructors. Otherwise, just with us here... Not to mention revitalizing the Xiaoshanhe Institute, we won''t even be able to cope with the ancestral ceremony in two months!"


    Yan Mingli nodded, "Xiao, Yu Huaxian makes a good point!"


    Xiao Yi said, "Don''t worry, I have my plans for these matters!"


    His eyes narrowed into slits.


    The resurgence of the Xiaoshanhe Institute was of great significance. After all, if he wanted to truly surpass Xiao Tianjiao, it would not be possible just by fighting alone.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute was the perfect platform.


    Muttering to himself, Xiao Yi thought, "Xiao Tianjiao, you pride yourself on the backing of the Tianjian Sect and its massive power. But I wonder what your expression will be when I build the Xiaoshanhe Institute to rival the Tianjian Sect?"


    "Yu Huaxian, from this moment on, these disciples'' cultivation is entrusted to you. I will have Elder Xue and Elder Yan assist you. Whatever resources are needed, tell them directly. Spare no cost in providing for you. I want to see results in the shortest amount of time!" Xiao Yi instructed.


    He was determined to thoroughly reform the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This reform was bound to face pressure from all sides, and with his current strength, he could barely resist these pressures. But what was truly important was to address all potential concerns of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Among these, the most critical was to secure the loyalty of the few hundred disciples before him, to offer them sufficient benefits, and to enable them to breakthrough their realms in the shortest time possible.


    These individuals were the gold-plated signboard he planned to send out into the world.


    Yu Huaxian understood the gravity of the situation; he patted his chest and solemnly promised, "Xiao, rest assured, I will not let you down!"


    His eyes fell on the few hundred disciples, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly: "Boys, brace yourselves for Grandpa Yu''s thunderstorm!"


    The few hundred disciples shuddered.


    They felt a chill all over.


    At this moment, they did not yet know that a storm as terrifying as hell would soon descend upon them.


    Of course...


    This storm was also a tremendous opportunity.


    An opportunity that could change their lives!


    After making all the arrangements, Xiao Yi returned to his private residence, "The strength of a sect, apart from having top warrior forces, also requires sufficient expert guidance, a substantial and high-quality group of disciples, and various types of resources... As for attracting enough experts and geniuses to join, one must show the strengths of the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Now that the Xiaoshanhe Institute had experienced the departure of people like Chen Shuiwen, its reputation would inevitably plummet to its lowest.


    This posed a great challenge for both the Xiaoshanhe Institute and Xiao Yi.


    A single misstep.


    Could lead to a tarnished reputation, and then no one would wish to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    But this was also an opportunity.


    Chen Shuiwen would undoubtedly widely publicize their departure, and at that time, many eyes would turn to the Xiaoshanhe Institute. If at this moment, they could instill confidence in everyone, letting them know the tremendous benefits of joining the Xiaoshanhe Institute, how could it worry about not attracting people?


    "The formation stones from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa will arrive in two days. If I can turn the entire Xiaoshanhe Institute into a cultivation holy land, it will surely attract a group of followers." At this thought, Xiao Yi''s figure flashed, and he entered the eternal tomb.


    His cultivation had now reached the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and the number of God Sealing Seeds he possessed was a terrifying tens of millions!


    His eyes couldn''t help but fall upon the tomb of Zhao Wuji.


    This was a presence that stood at the very pinnacle of the outermost layer of the pyramid in the eternal tomb, Martial God Zhao Wuji, a figure shrouded in legend, a being spoken of as both god and devil.


    Simultaneously...


    He was also the only being among many strong figures who could be termed a "God."


    Before this.


    With several million God Sealing Seeds in Xiao Yi''s possession, he was already close to accessing Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb. Now, with tens of millions of God Sealing Seeds, he could naturally progress further. But just as he was about to touch Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb, the God Sealing Seeds inside his body suddenly began to tremble violently, and in his mind, the anxious voice of the Wind Thunder Venerable suddenly rang out: "Do not touch! To touch is to die!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi''s face drastically changed, and he quickly withdrew his hand.


    The tomb of Zhao Wuji in front of him seemed to be greatly angered, and the tombstone trembled thunderously.


    The formidable pressure made Xiao Yi''s face turn even paler.


    The tens of millions of God Sealing Seeds inside his body trembled wildly, the terrifying black light shrouded him, and only then was he barely able to withstand that terrible pressure.


    Xiao Yi drew a cold breath, looking at the ancient tomb in front of him with lingering fear: "What exactly is hidden inside Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb? Why is Wind Thunder Venerable so wary of it? Well, I will deal with it after I truly step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    His gaze reluctantly moved away from Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb.


    Xiao Yi arrived at the destination of his journey...


    In front of this low tomb was a standing green tombstone that read��Tomb of the Great Formation Master Twin Star Taoist!

 Chapter 284 The Twin Star Taoist

    ```


    Twin Star Taoist.


    His life was legendary.


    This man was born into a martial arts family. His martial arts talent was mediocre, not valued by his clan.


    Thus, he took a different path and delved into the study of formation arts.


    It is said��


    Throughout his life, Twin Star Taoist created over 63,000 formations, virtually encompassing all conceivable arrays.


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    Though he wasn''t hailed as the Medicine Saint like the Wind Thunder revered one, nor considered the pioneer of the path of alchemy, his status in the realm of formations was no less than that of the Wind Thunder revered one in alchemy. The most famous battle in Twin Star Taoist''s life was against Zhao Wuji, during which he laid down over 13,800 killing formations and 21,056 trapping formations.


    He had trapped Zhao Wuji for an entire century.


    To break free from that world of formations, Martial God Zhao Wuji had forcibly shattered the once whole Qingtian Realm into bits and pieces.


    This resulted in the current five continents of north, south, east, west, and central Qingtian Realm.


    And the former world of formations, as the main battlefield, was directly sunk into the depths of the ocean.


    The path of formations, the path of alchemy, the martial path.


    Mastering any of these could grant power to rival the gods.


    If Zhao Wuji was considered the pinnacle of the martial path, then Twin Star Taoist was the dominant force in the world of formations!


    In terms of being troublesome, he was undoubtedly the first in all ages throughout Qingtian Realm!


    It was for this reason...


    Xiao Yi had held back from making his move until now.


    "Once I''ve excavated Twin Star Taoist''s grave, the only other tomb that seems promising is Zhao Wuji''s��" Xiao Yi looked around, even though there were many tombs here, there weren''t many that caught his eye!


    However��


    The Wind Thunder revered one''s consecutive warnings had made Xiao Yi more cautious and wary of Zhao Wuji''s tomb.


    He was determined not to touch it until he truly broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Swish!


    Inside Xiao Yi, tens of millions of God Sealing Seeds furiously converged, forming a pitch-black palm that fiercely struck toward Twin Star Taoist''s tomb.


    Boom!


    The tomb exploded.


    Suddenly, countless formation flags shot out, with up to a thousand of them landing around Xiao Yi.


    The surrounding space twisted, revealing a piece of tranquil land.


    It was an ancient village.


    The villagers were coming and going, their faces bearing happy smiles. They looked at Xiao Yi with very gentle eyes.


    "May I ask��"


    Xiao Yi saw a girl appear ahead of him. The girl was exquisite, as if carved from jade.


    Her pigtails on either side were especially cute, and she held a tanghulu in her plump hands, hopping past Xiao Yi. When she heard Xiao Yi speak, the girl stopped, curiously sizing him up with her head tilted, her voice as pleasant as an oriole''s, "Big brother, how come I''ve never seen you before? Are you new to our village?"


    Xiao Yi subconsciously nodded, "Little sister, what''s your name? Where is this place?"


    The girl tilted her head and said with a beaming smile, "My name is Qingzhu, Fang Qingzhu!"


    "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Fang Qingzhu?


    How could she be Fang Qingzhu?


    While Xiao Yi was stunned, he saw the girl suddenly thrust the tanghulu in her hand forward, stabbing at a young boy passing by her side. The candied hawthorn stick was as sharp as a knife, and with a ''puff,'' it sliced off the young boy''s head. His fresh blood sprayed onto the tanghulu, making the string of candied fruits even more vividly red.


    The surrounding villagers continued to go about their business with happy smiles on their faces.


    As if they hadn''t seen any of it.


    The girl clapped her hands, her face beaming with excitement and joy, "My tanghulu is sweeter now! Big brother, do you want to try some?"


    In front of Xiao Yi��


    The girl''s appearance began to change, her body transforming to look exactly like Fang Qingzhu.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly contracted, disbelief in his eyes, "How can you kill people at will?"


    "Big brother, my tanghulu wasn''t sweet anymore, but after killing them, it''s sweet again!" said the girl innocently.


    She stuck out her blood-red tongue and licked the tanghulu.


    ```


    The sugar coating on the hawthorn fruit skewers gradually faded. S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The girl frowned in dissatisfaction, looking at the villagers coming and going around her, "How annoying! The candied hawthorn isn''t sweet anymore, big brother, wait for me, okay? I''m going to add some sugar to the skewers!"


    Swish!


    Swish!


    The girl''s smile remained on her face, as beautiful as Fang Qingzhu''s, while the candied hawthorn in her hand turned into a deadly weapon.


    One life after another was claimed by the candied hawthorn.


    Blood added to the bright red color on the skewers.


    The taste became increasingly sweet.


    "Stop!"


    Xiao Yi flashed in front of her, staring at the girl, "You can''t just kill people at will!"


    The girl''s eyes brimmed with longing, looking at Xiao Yi with a look of grievance, her slender palm covering her heart, "Big brother, don''t you like me anymore? I just wanted to eat the candied hawthorn, why must you stop me?"


    "You..."


    Xiao Yi looked at that familiar face, filled with a sorrowful expression, and his heart twisted in pain.


    For a moment...


    It was as if it really was Fang Qingzhu standing before him.


    The girl said with a look of grievance, "You promised that you would do anything for me, are you going back on your word now? You don''t love me anymore?"


    Every word the girl spoke, every character was filled with a magic power.


    Striking directly at Xiao Yi''s heart.


    An alluring voice appeared in his mind, "It''s just killing a few people, isn''t it? She is the one you love the most; what''s the big deal?"


    Xiao Yi''s heart wavered.


    On one side was the person he loved the most; on the other, strangers who meant nothing to him.


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi gritted his teeth, shook his head forcefully, and the confusion and hesitation in his eyes vanished as he snorted coldly and seized the neck of the Fang Qingzhu in front of him.


    "Big brother, you... are you going to kill me? You said you''d love me and protect me for a lifetime, will you really kill me for their sake?" The girl''s eyes welled up with longing tears, her aggrieved appearance almost irresistibly stirring the impulse to protect her.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath, his voice sinking, "The real Qingzhu would never slaughter the innocent like you... You can''t influence me!"


    His state of mind was ascending.


    As firm as iron, unbreakable.


    No matter how the girl in front of him tried to beguile or look aggrieved, she could not shake his spirit.


    The look of grievance on the girl''s face disappeared in an instant, transforming into a strange smile. Everything around him shattered. The villagers vanished; the village disappeared. In front of Xiao Yi, the girl turned into a middle-aged man dressed in starry Daoist robes.


    He had somehow broken free from Xiao Yi''s grasp, his hands behind his back, and a warm smile on his face as he looked at Xiao Yi and nodded, "To break the Dream-Entering Formation of this old man in such a short time, lad, you''ve done well!"


    "Are you... the Twin Stars Daoist?" Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank slightly as he took in the Ancient Heavenly Tomb reappearing around him, "Was that just a formation? How could a formation feel so real..."


    "Real? Unreal? What''s the difference? If the false resembles the true, then the true also becomes false, and if the true is taken for the false, then the false also becomes true. As long as you hold steadfast to your original heart, there''s no need to distinguish between reality and illusion!"


    The Twin Stars Daoist chuckled, then continued, "Lad, I sensed the aura of the Wind Thunder Holy Body on you! What is your relationship with that fellow Wind Thunder? And what is this place?"


    Xiao Yi said, "This is the Ancient Heavenly Tomb. I am the Celestial War General, the master here. You share the same fate as the venerable Wind Thunder, buried within the Ancient Heavenly Tomb. As its keeper, once I subdue you all, I can obtain your inheritances..."


    "The Ancient Heavenly Tomb? The Celestial War General?"


    The Twin Stars Daoist seemed taken aback, clearly unfamiliar with the Ancient Heavenly Tomb, a look of foreignness on his face, then he shook his head and said, "Well, if that old fellow Wind Thunder has also been subdued by you, and you were able to break my formation, I won''t make it difficult for you. Come, let''s see, how does the master of this Ancient Heavenly Tomb subdue us?"


    "Senor, forgive my offense!"


    Xiao Yi''s God Sealing Seed vibrated, transforming into a colossal black hole, swallowing the Twin Stars Daoist with a swish.


    A moment later...


    Inside it, another statue appeared within the God Sealing Seed.


    At the same time...


    All knowledge of the Twin Stars Daoist regarding formations flowed into Xiao Yi''s mind, deeply imprinted within his soul, indelible!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply, finally obtaining the inheritance of the Twin Stars Daoist, and then instantly vanished from the Ancient Heavenly Tomb.


    When he reappeared in his bedroom, the anxious voice of Ye Heng came from outside the door, "Master, the people from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa have arrived! They''ve also brought two formation masters with them, and their intentions aren''t friendly..."

 Chapter 285 Im not targeting anyone!

    Xiaoshanhe Institute, in the guest hall.


    Representatives from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, Hai Wei and Li Jinjun, stood with bowed heads. Before them sat a man and a woman.


    These two had considerable reputations.


    The man was known as the Purple-robed Daoist. Although he was only at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, his status within Wendao Villa was by no means inferior to that of any cultivator in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. After all, he was a six-star Array Master.


    The woman hailed from Three Seas Mountain: Li Youruo.


    Li Youruo''s cultivation was also at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, and like the Purple-robed Daoist, she was a six-star Array Master, holding a significant position within Three Seas Mountain.


    Yu Huaxian stood to the side, chest out, head held high, vigilantly watching the four of them.


    The Purple-robed Daoist said impatiently, "Your Director Xiao sure puts on quite the air. Even meeting with Emperor Qian wouldn''t have us waiting this long!"


    Yu Huaxian responded indifferently, "Director Xiao is preoccupied with important matters and cannot get away at the moment. I''ve sent someone to notify him, and I believe he will be here shortly!"


    "Hmph!"


    The Purple-robed Daoist snorted coldly, glanced around, and then turned to Li Youruo by his side and said, "I''ve always heard that the Xiaoshanhe Institute has fallen into disrepair for quite some time now, but I never knew to what extent. Now that I''ve seen it with my own eyes, it indeed is in a sorry state! Despite being a former presence among the top ten sects, you don''t even have a Spirit Gathering Array��"


    Li Youruo nodded, her words dripping with sarcasm, "In the vast Great Qian Dynasty, aside from the Tianjian Sect, which other sect''s formations can compare to ours? Before, when I heard that Xiao Yi requested a hundred thousand array stones, I thought the Xiaoshanhe Institute had some grandmaster of formations, which is why I went out of my way to come by. But now, it seems we might be returning disappointed!"


    Among the top ten sects.


    Every sect possessed a Spirit Gathering Array, of which Tianjian Sect''s was the most effective, boasting a fivefold increase in gathering efficacy.


    Immediately following were Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Both sects'' Spirit Gathering Arrays achieved a fourfold increase in efficacy.


    The condensed spiritual energy from heaven and earth transformed their respective sects into holy grounds for martial cultivation.


    Hai Wei and Li Jinjun displayed a smug look on their faces, their gaze toward Yu Huaxian growing more disdainful by the moment.


    Yu Huaxian clenched his teeth in anger yet had no words to refute.


    At that moment...


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly came from outside the door, "Rest assured, the two of you will not make this trip in vain!"


    "Oh?"


    The group was taken aback and looked towards the entrance.


    Xiao Yi entered the guest hall, led by Ye Heng.


    Yu Huaxian quietly breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and said with pride, "The two of you, this is our Director of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi!"


    "So you are Xiao Yi? Having the cultivation of the Tao Tribulation Realm at such a young age is indeed not weak!" Li Youruo squinted her eyes, scrutinizing Xiao Yi from head to toe, then nodded slightly. She followed up with ridicule, "You say we won''t be disappointed? Yet in my opinion, that''s unlikely! I heard that all the instructors of Xiaoshanhe Institute, including Chen Shuiwen, have left. Does anyone else among you understand formations?"


    Formation arts are easy to start but extremely difficult to truly master.


    Before this...


    Xiaoshanhe Institute had Chen Shuiwen, who was a four-star Array Master himself.


    Now that Chen Shuiwen had left the Xiaoshanhe Institute, in the eyes of Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist, there was no longer anyone who understood formations.


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly and said, "Xiao has some understanding."


    "Some understanding?"


    Li Jinjun, who stood behind the purple-robed Daoist, snickered with contempt, "Headmaster Xiao, do you know who these two are before you? This purple-robed Daoist and Senior Li Youruo are both illustrious Array Masters of the Meteor Formation. Within the Great Qian Dynasty, there are hardly a handful of people who excel beyond them in the art of formations."


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, his face taking on a strange expression as he looked at Li Youruo and the purple-robed Daoist and saluted, "So the two seniors grace us with their presence, I''ve long admired you! May I know what brings the two seniors here today?"


    Li Youruo said coldly, "Is it you who made our two families deliver a hundred thousand array stones?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Li Jinjun and Hai Wei, who averted their gazes briefly, and he smiled, "Indeed! I believe they''ve also told you the reasons why you should deliver the array stones to me. Have the two seniors personally come here intending to go back on your word?"


    "Go back on our word? Three Seas Mountain is not so low as to renege on a hundred thousand array stones, however..."


    Li Youruo''s face, resembling old tree bark, carried an indifferent tone, "Array stones are extremely precious, and as Array Masters, we will never allow anyone to waste them."


    The purple-robed Daoist nodded and said, "If your Xiaoshanhe Institute can make good use of these array stones, we naturally won''t interfere. However, your institute most likely lacks the capability!"


    The sole Array Master of Xiaoshanhe Institute had left.


    Who else had the ability to use array stones?


    Xiao Yi smiled.


    If they had come before, he indeed wouldn''t have had a retort.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi said, "You needn''t worry about that, seniors. Since I''ve requested these array stones, naturally I have the ability to make them serve their purpose without wasting a single one."


    "Is that so?"


    Li Youruo examined Xiao Yi with a mocking gaze and scoffed, "What big talk, Headmaster Xiao! Even when we are setting up formations, they can hardly avoid some damage. Yet, you claim to have such confidence that you won''t waste a single array stone. I wonder which master you plan to invite for the task? Surely it''s not the Headmaster Xiao who has ''some understanding'' of formations himself?"


    The purple-robed Daoist burst into laughter and said, "Li Family''s young lady, why do you speak such harsh truths? Aren''t you embarrassing Headmaster Xiao?"


    Li Youruo snorted coldly, "Embarrass him? Wasting those hundred thousand array stones for nothing would be the true embarrassment!"


    Hai Wei smiled with irony and said, "Headmaster Xiao, if you can''t find someone to set up the formation, you could ask Elder Li to step in! Of course, Elder Li''s services don''t come cheap!"


    The purple-robed Daoist said with a smile, "Xiao Yi, as long as you sincerely ask me, I can also set up the formation for you!"


    In their eyes, Xiao Yi clearly had no one to set up the formations, which is why they were so brazen.


    Faced with their teasing and mockery,


    Xiao Yi shrugged playfully and said with a sly smile, "There''s no need for the seniors to trouble themselves. Just setting up a few simple formations, Xiao can manage that!"


    "What? You''re going to do it yourself?"


    "That''s just nonsense, the ways of the formation are not like martial arts. Without sufficient time for understanding and practice, how can you possibly set up a formation?"


    "Do you understand how to set up formations? Don''t think reading a few books on formations makes you impressive!" Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    "You needn''t concern yourselves with that, my institute doesn''t need to set up any sophisticated formations; just a simple Spirit Gathering Array with tenfold effect is enough for Xiao to handle. Moreover, when it comes to understanding and crafting formations, you are all but trash compared to me!"


    Xiao Yi looked at the furious Li Youruo and the purple-robed Daoist, and with a smile, he said, "I''m not targeting anyone, but when it comes to formations, you all present are trash!"

 Chapter 286 The Indenture of Sale

    "I''m not singling anyone out, everyone seated here is trash!"


    Xiao Yi''s face bore a peaceful smile as he spoke one word at a time, extremely earnest.


    Pfft!


    Yu Huaxian and Ye Heng couldn''t help but laugh aloud.


    Li Youruo, and the Purple-robed Daoist��their faces alternated between shades of green and white, instantly turning unsightly.


    Especially the Purple-robed Daoist and Li Youruo, who slammed their fists onto the table and stood up, their eyes fiery red as if shooting flames, glaring steadfastly at Xiao Yi with clenched teeth, their eyes filled with wrath and humiliation.


    The Purple-robed Daoist bellowed, "You little bastard, how dare you insult me like this? Do you know, before you were even born, I was already known as a grandmaster of formations..."


    Li Youruo''s face was frosty as he said with a gloomy expression, "This is utterly absurd. No wonder Chen Shuiwen led his people away from Xiaoshanhe Institute... What on earth was Emperor Qian thinking? To entrust Xiaoshanhe Institute to someone as ignorant as you?" Explore hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    When it comes to mastery of formation arrays.


    They indeed were among the top in the Great Qian Dynasty, with perhaps only the Elder of the Tianjian Sect being able to utterly surpass them in the field of formations.


    That person is a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert, a seven-star senior array master!


    What is Xiao Yi?


    In their eyes, nothing but an insignificant whelp.


    Within their sects, those of Xiao Yi''s age would, at most, only be three or four-star Array Masters, even if they were hailed as formation geniuses. Moreover, Xiao Yi had been imprisoned for many years; they didn''t believe Xiao Yi had any chance to come into contact with any knowledge about formations.


    Not to mention receiving guidance from a renowned master.


    How could he possibly surpass them in the art of formations?


    This feeling was like a beggar standing in front of two rich men, mocking them for being poor.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The oppressive aura of two Tao Tribulation Realm Peak powerhouses was simultaneously released, significantly increasing the invisible pressure in the guest hall, making the tables and chairs creak.


    At any moment, they might just fall apart!


    Yu Huaxian''s face changed abruptly, as he clenched his twin blades in his hands, vigilantly watching the two.


    In the face of the two enraged individuals.


    Xiao Yi simply waved his hand, and an invisible force dissipated the tense atmosphere as if cutting through it with a knife, and the oppressive aura of the two also vanished without a trace in an instant.


    "This..."


    Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other''s eyes.


    With a wave of his hand, he had crushed the oppressive aura of the two of them.


    Such a feat could only be achieved by a true Dharma Manifestation Realm expert!


    But there was no sign of Dharma Manifestation energy on Xiao Yi, who was undoubtedly at the Tao Tribulation Realm level!


    Li Jinjun and Hai Wei still had shock in their eyes, remembering the battle at Great Liang Mountain. They involuntarily swallowed their saliva, their backs soaked with cold sweat.


    Xiao Yi looked at the two indifferently and said, "When Xiao calls you trash, are you two not convinced?"


    "Of course, we''re not convinced!"


    The Purple-robed Daoist snorted coldly, and once the topic turned to formations, he brimmed with self-confidence, "I''m not bragging, but in the entire Great Qian Dynasty, only the Elder of Tianjian Sect truly surpasses us in the art of formations. And you? Hmpf, even if I give you a hundred, a thousand years, you might not be able to catch up to us!"


    "We have immersed ourselves in the art of formations for nearly a hundred years. If we can''t outmatch a young fellow like you, then these hundreds of years truly would have been wasted," said Li Youruo.


    Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "It seems you two have some misconceptions about the art of formations! If living long and spending a lot of time studying formations guaranteed high skill, then what''s the need for talent? Both of you have cultivated for over a hundred years and are only at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak. Whereas I, two years ago, was still at the Physical Body Realm. Now, between you and me, who is stronger?"


    "..."


    The two faced each other, at a loss for words for a moment.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation history had not spread throughout the Great Qian Dynasty, but the ten major sects had already grasped it.


    They were extremely shocked that Xiao Yi had been able to grow to his current level in just two short years. However, there was another saying within the ten major sects, that Xiao Yi had always been cultivating but had been suppressing his cultivation level because of Xiao Tianjiao''s existence. It was only after leaving the Xiao Family that he revealed his true power without hiding it.


    This view was acknowledged by the vast majority of the powerhouses.


    After all,


    two years to go from the Physical Body Realm to the Tao Tribulation Realm was simply too inconceivable!


    And yet...


    Xiao Yi was not even twenty years old, and after a mere ten or so years of cultivation, his cultivation level was almost catching up to theirs.


    This speed of cultivation truly made them feel inadequate!


    Li Youruo snorted defiantly, "Xiao, what we''re discussing is prowess in formations, not comparing our cultivation levels!"


    "Let''s be clear, your cultivation talent indeed leaves us in the dust, but I don''t believe your strength in formations surpasses ours!" said the man in purple robes with a sneer.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "What if my prowess in formation arts really is above yours?"


    The man in purple robes said proudly, "If your formation arts truly surpass ours, I will gladly acknowledge you as my master!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes brightened. The most pressing lack of the Xiaoshanhe Institute was strong figures to uphold it. These two were at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm and were also six-star Array Masters. If he could get them to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute, it would not only greatly enhance the institute''s strength but also deal a heavy blow to the ten major sects.


    To have Elder-level existences from the esteemed ten major sects join Xiaoshanhe Institute would be excellent publicity!


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi turned to Li Youruo, "What about you?"


    Li Youruo frowned.


    Behind her, Hai Wei hurriedly warned, "Elder Li, you mustn''t!"


    "What''s so impossible about that? Could it be that you think his formation arts truly do surpass ours?"


    Li Youruo glared fiercely at Hai Wei and snorted coldly, her gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, "Just like Ziyi, if your formation arts prowess is actually above ours, I, Li Youruo, will also take you as my master! However, if you lose, then we''ll forget about the one hundred thousand formation stones, and in addition, you''ll have to kneel and apologize to both of us!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "It''s a deal!"


    "Not even four horses can catch it up!"


    Li Youruo and the man in purple robes spoke at the same time.


    Xiao Yi snapped his fingers, pulled out a scroll, and elaborately wrote a gambling agreement, "Empty promises count for nothing. Please sign your names on this gambling agreement! Of course, if you are afraid, you naturally don''t have to sign!"


    "Hmph!"


    "Afraid of you? Impossible!"


    The two snorted coldly, their faces defiant, and signed their names on the scroll.


    A signed pledge.


    With this scroll in hand, if the two dared to renege, Xiao Yi had a hundred ways to make them pay dearly.


    And for such elder powerhouses, their reputation was of the utmost importance. They naturally would not risk their reputation by behaving dishonestly. Xiao Yi, satisfied, put the scroll into his storage ring, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, sporting an amused expression as he watched the two.


    The angered pair did not yet realize that what they had just signed was essentially an indenture!


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Gentlemen, please propose the terms of how we shall compare our skills!"


    S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 287 Formation Path Overwhelm

    "How would the two of you like to compare? Propose a set of rules!"


    Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    He carried the double-star Daoist''s Array heritage, not to mention Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist, these two mere six-star Array Masters. Even if he searched the entire Qingtian Realm, no one could surpass him in Array mastery!


    Of course...


    What he mentioned was only mastery of Array theory, not the setting up of Formations.


    After all.


    Many Formations require strong cultivation as support. Otherwise, it is simply impossible to set them up.


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, he was more than capable of setting up any Formation below nine stars.


    Li Youruo spoke in a deep voice, "For an Array contest, it is natural to use the Formation as the standard of judgment. We won''t bully you. You requested Array stones to set up a Spirit Gathering Array, didn''t you? Let''s compete in setting up Spirit Gathering Arrays. Whoever sets up the Spirit Gathering Array with the best effect will naturally be the winner!"


    The Purple-robed Daoist nodded, agreeing with the proposed method of competition: "Just as the Li family''s young lady said, let''s compete in setting up Spirit Gathering Arrays!"


    Spirit Gathering Array.


    It is an extremely peculiar Formation.


    The weakest is the One-star Gathering Spirit Formation, while the strongest can even exceed nine stars, becoming a Divine-level Gathering Spirit Formation.


    It is said that the Divine-level Gathering Spirit Formation can achieve a ten-thousand-fold Spirit gathering effect.


    However...


    This Divine-level Gathering Spirit Formation had already been lost to history.


    Existing only in legend.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, setting up Spirit Gathering Arrays was just a small test for him, and so he said, "Let''s do it the way you said, but I have one more condition!"


    "Speak!"


    The two were brimming with confidence.


    Xiao Yi said, "A Spirit Gathering Array can be big or small. Let''s limit it to one hundred Array stones and see whose Formation has the better effect!"


    "One hundred stones?"


    Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of hesitation in each other''s eyes.


    Limiting the number of Array stones greatly increased the difficulty.


    When they set up Spirit Gathering Arrays at Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, they used a million Array stones to achieve a four-fold Spirit gathering effect.


    One hundred!


    At most, they could set up a One-star Gathering Spirit Formation, and an increase of fifty percent in Spirit gathering effect was already the limit.


    "What? Are you afraid?" Xiao Yi taunted with a smile.


    The two had never been so belittled.


    They snorted coldly and nodded, "What would we be afraid of? We''re just worried that Director Xiao might not even be able to form a Spirit Gathering Array, making a fool of himself!"


    "Then there''s no need for the two of you to worry!"


    Xiao Yi said, laughing.


    "Hmph!"


    The two snorted coldly.


    They took out three hundred Array stones, and each person took a hundred.


    The crowd moved to the martial arts field.


    Xiao Yi divided the area into three sections, each a hundred meters long and wide, a perfect square, with each person occupying one.


    The commotion here naturally attracted the attention of the disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Hundreds of disciples gathered at the martial arts field.


    Some recognized Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist and couldn''t help but be anxious for Xiao Yi, "Those are the six-star Array Masters, Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa. Director Xiao is going to compete with them in setting up Formations? Isn''t this asking for trouble?"


    "Keep it down, be careful that Director Xiao hears you!"


    "Sigh... our Shanhe Court really faces constant troubles..."


    The crowd discussed among themselves.


    Li Youruo sneered, "Director Xiao, even your own disciples have no faith in you!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and replied with a laugh, "So I''ll have to rely on the two distinguished guests to give me a boost, so these disciples can regain their confidence in their Director!"


    Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    "Hmph!"


    The two of them snorted coldly.


    The Purple-robed Daoist spoke blandly, "We have the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, let''s begin!"


    Swish!


    Yu Huaxian lit an incense stick and placed it in the censer in front of the three of them. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Swish! Swish!


    Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist had their vital energy swirling around them, with the Array stones flying up and encircling their bodies. As their fingers continuously pointed to different spots, the Array stones fell into their corresponding positions.


    Their movements were fluid and graceful.


    "Such an impressive Array setting technique!"


    "It''s so fast! They don''t even need to draw an Array diagram first, they can set up the Formation from thin air. Worthy of being six-star Array Masters!"


    "Why is Director Xiao still watching them? Director Xiao, please focus, it would be too embarrassing to lose like this..."


    The disciples shouted one after another.


    However, Xiao Yi was completely unfazed, his arms crossed as he watched the two setting up their Formations. He nodded and shook his head from time to time, as if a teacher guiding his students: "The Array setting technique is indeed proficient, and your control of the Array stones is perfect. Worthy of being six-star Array Masters. However, your understanding of the Formation is still lacking!"


    The Purple-robed Daoist''s mouth twitched, almost wishing he could tear Xiao Yi''s mouth apart.


    What does he mean by ''understanding of the Formation is lacking''?


    Did he not see their wondrous Array setting technique? In what way is it lacking?


    Li Youruo spoke sternly, "Don''t be influenced by him, focus on setting up the Formation!"


    Time kept slipping away.


    Half an incense stick''s burn time.


    Two-thirds of an incense stick''s burn time...


    As time passed, already two-thirds gone, the purple-clad Daoren and Li Youruo''s formations were beginning to take shape, yet Xiao Yi remained utterly composed, without making a single move. All the disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute had lost hope, "It seems that Xiao has given up!"


    "Had we known it would be like this, he shouldn''t have competed at all!"


    "It''s truly humiliating..."


    The crowd sighed with these sentiments.


    At that moment.


    The purple-clad Daoren and Li Youruo completed their formations one after another, leapt up, and stepped out of the Spirit Gathering Array, roaring in unison, "Activate the Array!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The array stones burst into radiant light at the same time, connecting with one another; a series of light beams linked together to form two dazzling arrays. Within the arrays, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth continuously converged, and the spiritual energy within them escalated.


    One part.


    Two parts.


    Three parts...


    In just a few breaths'' time, the formations had reached their peak.


    "A fifty-five percent Gather Spirit effect, not bad at all!" the purple-clad Daoren said with a face full of pride. One hundred array stones had achieved a fifty-five percent Gather Spirit effect, which was an extraordinary performance from him!


    Li Youruo''s face was brilliant with a smile, "A sixty percent Gather Spirit effect, it seems I still have the upper hand!"


    The purple-clad Daoren nodded; indeed, Li Youruo was more accomplished in the Spirit Gathering Array. Both turned to look at the motionless Xiao Yi, sneering, "Xiao, there''s not much time left, yet you haven''t begun to set up your formation. It looks like the outcome of this wager is settled, you''ve lost!"


    The purple-clad Daoren said, "Kneel down and offer apologies to both of us with your head to the ground!"


    "Don''t rush! There''s still time left!" Xiao Yi laughed as he glanced at the quarter of the incense stick left.


    Li Youruo scoffed, "With so little time left, you couldn''t possibly complete the formation!"


    "Even if you did, it would just be a useless formation, I''m afraid it wouldn''t even have a ten percent Gather Spirit effect!" the purple-clad Daoren shook his head, confidently critiquing.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "There''s plenty of time!"


    Crack crack crack!


    He rubbed his hands lightly, causing a series of crisp sounds, and the smile on his face suddenly vanished as he intensely focused his energy. In that moment, Xiao Yi seemed like a different person altogether, his brows slightly furrowed, utterly serious, and with each movement of his hands, array stones shot out and the crisp sounds embellished as they landed around him.


    Every array stone that fell traced a strange path, completely unlike the two purple-clad individuals.


    "Such a messy array stone layout could never possibly succeed!"


    "If that formation works, I would willingly become his disciple..."


    The two purple-clad individuals shook their heads in unison.


    At that time...


    The last bit of the incense burned out.


    Yu Huaxian announced, "Time''s up!"


    Simultaneously.


    Xiao Yi leaped backward, standing outside of the formation, and exclaimed while smiling, "Looks like I haven''t practiced enough, but fortunately I made it in time!" He looked at the two challengers with a smile and snapped his fingers, "Gentlemen, please open your eyes wide and observe what a real formation is!"


    Boom!


    Above those array stones, beams of light soared, miraculously transforming into columns of light.


    The columns of light connected to each other, and chains of light interlocked, actually creating a formation!


    A vast white merging took place, and a gentle breeze began to swirl in the martial arts field.


    Whoo!


    Whoo whoo!


    Whoo whoo whoo!


    The wind picked up in strength.


    And above Xiao Yi''s formation emerged a vortex, with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth continuously converging, and the internal energy of the formation soaring.


    Three parts.


    Five parts.


    Seven parts...


    In the blink of an eye, it had surpassed the Gather Spirit Array of the two purple-clad Daorens.


    "This, this is impossible..."


    "How could this be? He, he was clearly acting recklessly, such a messy formation could never possess such immense power..." Li Youruo and his companion were dumbfounded, their faces etched with shock.


    The disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute also shared a look of disbelief.


    This gathering of spiritual energy continued for a full fifty breaths of time, far exceeding the other two''s ten breaths.


    When everything settled!


    Inside the Gather Spirit Array, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth had actually formed a thin layer of white mist, achieving a staggering effect of one and a half times its original strength!


    Thump!


    Thump!


    The purple-clad Daoren and Li Youruo collapsed to the ground, staring incredulously at the Gather Spirit Array before them.


    With the same one hundred array stones, they had exerted their utmost power to produce a Gather Spirit effect of sixty percent, which was already astounding.


    But what about Xiao Yi?


    His Gather Spirit Array reached one and a half times the effect, which was already at the level of a three-star Gathering Spirit Formation!


    One hundred array stones forming a three-star Gather Spirit Formation!


    No one had seen, let alone heard of such a thing!


    The thought of their earlier mockery and disdain for Xiao Yi made their faces burn; this wasn''t a contest in the way of the Array, it was complete domination by Array! This Xiao Yi, whom they had never taken seriously, had utterly crushed them in Array prowess, reduced them to dust completely.


    Xiao Yi looked at the two challengers with a smile, "It seems, I have won!"

 Chapter 288 Suing Xiao Yi!

    "It seems I have won!"


    Xiao Yi smiled as he looked at the two people slumped on the ground.


    Li Youruo and the purple-robed Taoist exchanged looks, finding it difficult to accept the reality before them.


    They had always been proud of their deep mastery of Formation Path and never took Xiao Yi seriously. In their eyes, Xiao Yi''s challenge in Formation Path was like an ant shaking a tree, a tiny spark trying to outshine the bright moon.


    But reality had slapped them hard!


    In the end...


    They were the tiny sparks and Xiao Yi was the true bright moon.


    His brilliance overwhelmed them completely.


    They both felt as if they had lived their last hundred years in vain.


    "Enough is enough, I admit defeat without resentment!"


    The purple-robed Taoist let out a resigned smile, looking at his own Array that he had been so proud of for its 55% Spirit Gathering effect, then at Xiao Yi''s which completely crushed his with a 1.5 times multiplier, and he suddenly came to terms with it, "Xiao... no, Master above, please accept your disciple Chen Ziyi''s bow!"


    The purple-robed Taoist''s real name was Chen Ziyi.


    It was just that after becoming an Array Master, people had grown accustomed to his Taoist name.


    Chen Ziyi bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle in front of Xiao Yi, meticulously, obviously completely convinced by Xiao Yi.


    Li Youruo''s face twitched.


    Although she was impressed by Xiao Yi''s mastery of Array Path, the thought of actually taking him as her master was still somewhat hard to accept when she looked at his youthful face.


    But seeing Chen Ziyi keeping his word, she hesitated for a moment and then, with a wry smile, said, "Master above, please accept your disciple Li Youruo''s bow!"


    Li Jinjun and Hai Wei looked at each other with cold sweat dripping down their faces, pale and bloodless.


    Hai Wei''s hands trembled, "It''s over... we''re finished..."


    Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo were pivotal figures in Wendao Villa and Three Seas Mountain, with high status and significant influence.


    They had thought to bring these two to regain some prestige.


    But now...


    Not only did they lose their wives, but also their soldiers!


    These two had become direct disciples of Xiao Yi and even joined Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The ten great sects absolutely did not allow anyone to be part of two sects, which meant that Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo would be expelled from their sects. This was an immeasurable loss for Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa. Hai Wei and Li Jinjun could almost foresee the massive shock this news would cause their sects.


    At that time, they would inevitably suffer the consequences, with a very high probability of being executed!


    Li Jinjun lamented with a wretched face, "What are we to do? I, I really don''t want to be nailed to death on Wen Dao Stage..."


    "I don''t want to cross the Sea of Knives and Flames either..." Hai Wei also looked desperate.


    Within Three Seas Mountain, there was a punishment called the Sea of Knives and Flames, which was truly a fate worse than death, an ordeal where one could neither live nor die!


    Yu Huaxian, who stood beside them, raised an eyebrow with a teasing look, "Why don''t the two of you join Xiaoshanhe Institute? With Xiao''s protection, I believe your sects won''t be able to do much to you!"


    "Uh..."


    The two men were stunned, looking at each other.


    They were about to rebuke Yu Huaxian, but then they thought about it, and this seemed to be the only way out!


    Although Xiaoshanhe Institute had fallen, it was still backed by the royal family, and the ten great sects had to give face to the royal family.


    "Can we really do this?" Hai Wei asked tentatively.


    Yu Huaxian smiled and called out to Xiao Yi, "Xiao, these two also wish to join Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at the two men with awkward and strained expressions, and said with a smile, "Xiaoshanhe Institute is indeed in need of people. As long as you are sincere in joining, I naturally welcome you with open arms!"


    "Damn it, since it''s a dead end either way, I''ll take the plunge!"


    Li Jinjun clenched his fists tightly, gritted his teeth, and stepped forward, "Li Jinjun pays respects to Head Xiao; I''m willing to serve you loyally!"


    Hai Wei hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward as well, "To meet Head Xiao, Hai Wei is willing to toil like a dog and horse!"


    "Hahaha, welcome both of you to Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    His gaze turned to Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo in front of him, "Chen Ziyi, Li Youruo, starting today, you two are my, Xiao Yi''s, named disciples. Would you like to join Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "Do we have any other choice?"


    The two exchanged a glance and revealed a bitter smile, "Disciples are willing to follow teacher''s lead!"


    "Very good!"


    With a hearty laugh, Xiao Yi waved his hand, and two scrolls fell into their hands. He said, "These are the ''Hundred Volumes of Array Path.'' You two should study them carefully. It should be no problem to enter the Seven Stars Array Master within a month."


    Hiss!


    Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo held the scrolls, looking at each other in disbelief.


    Breaking through to Seven Stars Array Master within a month?


    The two of them quickly opened the ''Hundred Volumes of Array Path,'' which detailed the path of cultivation from a Six Stars to a Seven Stars Array Master. Just as Xiao Yi had said, as long as they studied the formations recorded on the scrolls, they would definitely be able to reach the long-desired realm of Seven Stars Array Master in a short time. It must be noted that the shackles between Six and Seven Stars had stymied them for several decades.


    Within the Great Qian Dynasty, only that person from Tianjian Sect knew how to break through to Seven Stars Array Master.


    They never expected...


    That Xiao Yi would casually give them hope for a breakthrough.


    Any hint of grievance and dissatisfaction in their hearts towards Xiao Yi vanished in that moment, replaced by sincere joy and obedience.


    "Disciple thanks teacher!"


    "We will not disappoint teacher. We will do everything in our power to assist teacher!" said Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo with the utmost respect.


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth curled slightly.


    He knew how to wield both grace and authority.


    To him, the ''Hundred Volumes of Array Path'' was nothing more than doodles made in passing, yet it managed to secure the heartfelt submission of the two Six Stars Array Masters. Xiao Yi helped them to their feet, laughing, "As long as you two are loyal to me, being a Seven Stars Array Master is certainly not the end!"


    Gulp!


    The two swallowed hard. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    If Xiao Yi had spoken this way before, they would have scoffed.


    But now...


    They were completely convinced by Xiao Yi and, considering that his achievements in the Array Path far exceeded Seven Stars, they naturally harbored no doubts at all.


    Chen Ziyi said gravely, "Teacher, I have some trusted aides and belongings in Wendao Villa. Please allow me to go back and bring them to join Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    "I also have some people I wish to bring into Xiaoshanhe Institute!" Li Youruo added.


    Xiao Yi felt a surge of joy.


    Since they were their trusted aides, they were bound to be the elite of Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With Xiaoshanhe Institute in need of manpower, his policy was naturally to welcome all who came.


    Li Jinjun also spoke up, "Principal, I''ve also cultivated some aides in the capital..."


    "And I still have some subordinates..." Hai Wei added.


    The two had been in charge of the capital and had managed to build up some power of their own.


    Xiao Yi burst into hearty laughter, "Good, good, good. I await your good news!"


    This was truly an unexpected joy!


    Not only did he acquire two disciples about to break into Seven Stars Array Master, but also two peak warriors of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Moreover, he had swept up all their direct followers in one fell swoop.


    Once this news spread out...


    It would be enough to offset the negative impact caused by the departure of Chen Shuiwen and the others.


    After handing over two hundred thousand array stones to Xiao Yi, Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo hurried back to pack their bags, intending to bring their people to Xiaoshanhe Institute before the news leaked out.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to disperse the formation in the training ground, ready to begin setting up the Spirit Gathering Formation throughout Xiaoshanhe Institute. Just then, the figure of Qi appeared in the training ground. He looked at Xiao Yi and said, "Principal Xiao, His Majesty summons you!"


    "Qi? May I ask what it''s regarding?" inquired Xiao Yi.


    Qi spoke gravely, "Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao are lodging a complaint against Principal Xiao before His Majesty..."


    "Li Shengtian? Tian Xiao?"


    Xiao Yi paused, his eyes narrowing into slits, his gaze emanating two chilling beams, "Those two old men are indeed persistent ghosts!"

 Chapter 289 Confrontation in Court

    The imperial palace, the imperial study.


    Li Shengtian was filled with righteous indignation, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi has gone too far. He has the audacity to drive Mr. Chen out of the Xiaoshanhe Institute; this is already undermining the very foundation of the institution!"


    At his side, Tian Xiao added fuel to the fire, "Your Majesty is unaware, when Chen Shuiwen left, nearly all the instructors and over two-thirds of the disciples at the Xiaoshanhe Institute voluntarily followed him. One can imagine how unpopular Xiao Yi is. To monopolize power, he actually drove the hardworking and meritorious Chen Shuiwen away, it is truly disheartening!"


    On one side of them.


    Chen Shuiwen was kneeling on the ground, his face filled with grief and despair, his shoulders twitching, unable to cry out, "Your Majesty, this subordinate is not coveting the position of deputy director. It is truly because over the years, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to the Xiaoshanhe Institute. I have come to regard it as my own home. Xiao Yi expelled me from the Xiaoshanhe Institute for no reason, my heart aches..."


    Li Shengtian spoke with righteous indignation, "How can such a person be in charge of the Xiaoshanhe Institute? I implore Your Majesty to rescind the order, and let Chen Shuiwen continue to manage the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Tian Xiao declared loudly, "I implore Your Majesty to rescind the order!"


    Emperor Qian sat upright behind the desk.


    Squinting his eyes.


    Listening quietly as the three of them argued back and forth, he remained silent and showed no sign of any emotional change.


    After hesitating for a moment, Li Shengtian said gravely, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Xiao Yi even crippled His Highness Yang Jin. This man is simply lawless, showing absolutely no regard for Your Majesty!"


    "Exactly, he even dared to cripple a prince, isn''t this an act of rebellion?" Tian Xiao said.


    "Rebellion? The two of you are placing a heavy accusation upon me; I really can''t bear such a charge!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice came from outside the door, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi seeks an audience!"


    Emperor Qian raised an eyebrow, his squinted eyes opening slightly, and said, "Enter!"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi entered the imperial study with his head held high and chest out.


    Head held high, chest out.


    His stature as upright as pine and cypress, his backbone like a piercing heavenly sword.


    Xiao Yi bowed to Emperor Qian, "Xiao Yi pays respects to Your Majesty!"


    "Hmm!"


    Emperor Qian, neither joyous nor sad, with an unreadable expression, said indifferently, "Xiao Yi, Mr. Li and Tian, along with Chen Shuiwen, accuse you of clinging to power for your own personal gain, forcing Chen Shuiwen to leave the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Is there truth to this?"


    Xiao Yi, with a detached gaze, glanced at the three men and said, "There is!"


    "Your Majesty, see, he has admitted it!" Li Shengtian said.


    Tian Xiao followed up, "How brazen, Xiao Yi! Chen Shuiwen is the deputy director appointed by Your Majesty. Who gave you the authority to dismiss him?"


    Emperor Qian remained silent.


    Xiao Yi, calm and composed, looked at the two men and spoke neither humbly nor haughtily, "The authority granted to me by Your Majesty, is that sufficient?"


    "The authority given to you by His Majesty?"


    Li Shengtian scoffed, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, do you dare spout nonsense in front of His Majesty? His Majesty is a wise ruler, how could He grant you such authority?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Are you suggesting, Mr. Li, that if this authority really were granted by His Majesty, He would be a negligent ruler?"


    "Of course..."


    Li Shengtian nodded subconsciously, immediately regretting his words as soon as they left his mouth. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire


    "How audacious!"


    Xiao Yi already had raised his voice to rebuke, his roar like thunder, causing Li Shengtian''s complexion to suddenly turn stark white, "Li Shengtian, what are you worth? How dare you insult His Majesty by calling him a negligent ruler?"


    Li Shengtian''s face turned pale, and he quickly denied, "You, you, you''re farting, when did I ever say that His Majesty is a muddle-headed ruler?"


    Xiao Yi bowed respectfully towards Emperor Qian and said, "When His Majesty initially appointed me as head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, he mentioned that the institute would be under my full responsibility. Since it is full responsibility, then not to mention expelling the institute''s parasites, even if I decided to kill them, outsiders could not fault me. You say His Majesty is a wise ruler, and wouldn''t endow me with such power. Now that I have been granted this power by His Majesty, are you not implying that His Majesty is a muddle-headed ruler?"


    "I, I..."


    Li Shengtian, sweating profusely, quickly turned to Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian spoke solemnly, "Indeed, it is a power I gave him."


    Thump!


    Li Shengtian fell to his knees, his head banging against the floor, "Your Majesty, forgive me, your servant... your servant never had such intentions, this is all Xiao Yi''s misinterpretation of your servant..."


    "Enough, Li, there is no need for this, you are my trusted official, and I naturally trust you," said Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian waved his hand, signaling Li Shengtian to stand up. He turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao Yi, although I have given you the authority, you are in charge of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. I should not intervene, but since Mr. Li and Mr. Tian have filed a complaint against you, you should tell them why you expelled Chen Shuiwen from the Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "The royal family allocates ten billion silver to the Xiaoshanhe Institute every year, but according to my investigations, the institute''s monthly expenditure is merely three hundred million silver. There should be a surplus of over sixty billion silver each year. Chen Shuiwen has been in charge of the Xiaoshanhe Institute for over a decade, which by reasoning should have resulted in a fund of no less than one hundred billion silver, yet now the treasury only holds a few million silver..."


    "What?"


    "A few million silver?"


    Even Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao were taken aback, glaring at Chen Shuiwen.


    This information was something Chen Shuiwen had not told them!


    But Chen Shuiwen was prepared, and with a sinister smile, he drew out from his bosom a thick account book that appeared aged. He thought to himself with silent glee: Thank goodness I was clever enough to prepare a true and a false set of account books.


    The true account book had already been burned away.


    The false account book was the one in his hands.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows tightened.


    Chen Shuiwen gave him a provocative look.


    Emperor Qian flipped through the account book. Indeed, inside were detailed records of all expenses, including nearly seventy billion spent on just one ancestral worship ceremony. Emperor Qian frowned and said, "An ancestral worship ceremony requires seventy billion?"


    "Your Majesty may not know, the ceremonial standards for the ancestral worship are the highest and naturally the expenses are a bit more!" Chen Shuiwen cried out with an anguished face, "Oh, Your Majesty, I have been wholeheartedly loyal to you! Not only have I not embezzled a single penny, the yearly allocation isn''t even sufficient to support the institute''s expenses. I have been dipping into my own pockets to cover them. But as a servant of the emperor, it is my duty to relieve Your Majesty''s worries, and I have never complained to Your Majesty about my hardships. Yet Xiao Yi uses this as a threat, even so far as to burn the treasury to destroy the account books and to wrongly incriminate me. I am truly wronged!"


    Li Shengtian said harshly, "Your Majesty, how can such a loyal official be defamed and framed by others? Please, Your Majesty, stand up for Chen Shuiwen!"


    "Please, Your Majesty, stand up for justice!"


    Tian Xiao also said.


    Emperor Qian frowned slightly and looked towards Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, what is your view?" sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gazing at the united front presented by Chen Shuiwen and the others, Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed slightly and the corners of his mouth lifted up subtly. He said, "Your Majesty, I have a way to prove innocence!"

 Chapter 290 Do As You Wish, Ill Take a Nap!

    "Oh?"


    Emperor Qian was taken aback and raised an eyebrow at the composed expression on Xiao Yi''s face, "What method? Let''s hear it!"


    Li Shengtian and the others also turned their attention to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi walked straight up to Chen Shuiwen, who looked up at him with a puzzled expression.


    Emperor Qian and the others were also full of confusion.


    You want to prove your innocence?


    What is this about?


    At that moment...


    Slap!


    A crisp sound left everyone dumbfounded.


    They saw Xiao Yi deliver a clean and swift slap across Chen Shuiwen''s face, sending him crashing to the ground, his head striking the floor violently and bursting open.


    Hiss!


    Li Shengtian and the others were dumbstruck.


    Chen Shuiwen saw stars, felt dizzy, and looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of shock and anger, roaring, "You, you dare to hit me?"


    Bang! Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire


    Xiao Yi met him with a punch straight to Chen Shuiwen''s face.


    Wow!


    Chen Shuiwen fell backwards, blood spurting from his mouth and nose.


    "Audacious Xiao Yi!"


    "In the Emperor''s presence, how dare you be so reckless?" Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao''s expressions changed rapidly as they angrily rebuked him.


    This is the Imperial Study, in the presence of Emperor Qian.


    Xiao Yi actually dared to strike without any regard?


    However, Xiao Yi seemed not to hear the rebukes of the two and reached out into the air with his palm, his elemental energy forming chains that wrapped around Chen Shuiwen''s body, lifting him into the air. Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, but his hands did not stop.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Punch after punch landed on Chen Shuiwen''s body.


    The strength of each punch was immense, showing no mercy.


    The crowd went from initial bewilderment to numbness and shock.


    Numb at Xiao Yi''s audacity, beating Chen Shuiwen in front of Emperor Qian, and shocked at Xiao Yi''s strength, that he could render the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak''s Chen Shuiwen powerless to resist?


    After a thorough beating,


    Chen Shuiwen was left with a bruised and swollen face, four or five broken ribs, damaged internal organs, and a head swollen like a pig''s.


    Xiao Yi held up Chen Shuiwen as if holding up a dead dog.


    Emperor Qian raised an eyebrow, "Xiao Yi, is this your method of proving your innocence?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Your Majesty, if I wanted to deal with Chen Shuiwen, I have a hundred ways to kill him without anyone noticing. Do you think I need to frame him falsely?"


    Emperor Qian uttered an "eh" sound, looking at Chen Shuiwen''s pitiful state and said with a wry smile, "I suppose... not!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao, "What do the two lords think?"


    "..."


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao looked at each other, at a loss for words.


    Before coming, they had anticipated all the methods Xiao Yi might use, but they had never imagined that Xiao Yi would be so bold, so decisive. To beat Chen Shuiwen up in front of Emperor Qian to prove his innocence.


    This made all the evidence and tactics they had prepared before completely useless!


    In front of absolute power, all schemes and tricks are garbage!


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi tossed Chen Shuiwen aside like a dead dog and bowed to Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, it seems that the two lords also believe that I have been wronged!" S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Emperor Qian cleared his throat and looked toward Li Shengtian and another adviser, "My dear subjects, what do you think?"


    "With Xiao''s strength, he indeed has no need to frame others; there must be other secrets behind this!" Tian Xiao said with a pained expression.


    "It seems there is indeed some misunderstanding, however..."


    Li Shengtian, unable to resign himself and unwilling to let Xiao Yi off so easily, begrudgingly said through gritted teeth, "Xiao Yi is stubborn and exclusive, making Xiaoshanhe Institute a mess is a fact. Now that the tutors have collectively left Xiaoshanhe Institute, and two-thirds of the disciples have also gone, I think this is all Xiao Yi''s fault. He is not suitable to continue as the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "I see it the same way, he has only been in charge of Xiaoshanhe Institute for less than a month, and has already reduced it to nothing more than a name, I earnestly request Your Majesty to strip him of his position as the head of the institute!" Tian Xiao also said.


    Emperor Qian narrowed his eyes, sizing up Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, what do you think?"


    "May I ask Your Majesty, could Chen Shuiwen and the others possibly compare to two six-star Array Masters?" Xiao Yi inquired.


    "Hmm? What do you mean by that?" Emperor Qian asked, puzzled.


    "After expelling Chen Shuiwen, I have already recruited four Tao Tribulation Realm Peak powerhouses for Xiaoshanhe Institute, including two six-star Array Masters."


    Xiao stood tall and spoke with confidence. After finishing, he turned to look at Li Shengtian, "May I ask Mr. Li, compared to each other, have my merits outweighed my faults? Or have my faults outweighed my merits?"


    Li Shengtian''s face changed slightly.


    The strongest among Chen Shuiwen and his group was only Chen Shuiwen himself at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak; how could they compare to four great Tao Tribulation Realm Peaks?


    Moreover...


    There were also two six-star Array Masters!


    It''s known that even among the Array Masters serving the royal family, the strongest are only at six-star level.


    "If that is true, naturally the merits are greater. However, words alone are not proof..."


    Li Shengtian said with a cold face, then added with disbelief, "Where are these four great experts you speak of? What are their identities? Six-star Array Masters, huh? There are only so many in the entire Great Qian Dynasty; I wonder who Mr. Xiao is referring to?"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Li Youruo and Hai Wei from Three Seas Mountain, as well as the Purple-robed Monk Chen Ziyi and Li Jinjun from Wendao Villa."


    Buzz!


    Everyone, including Emperor Qian, felt a buzzing in their heads.


    Li Youruo from Three Seas Mountain?


    The Purple-robed Monk from Wendao Villa?


    Not to mention the two renowned Array Masters, even Hai Wei and Li Jinjun had extraordinary backgrounds, being the representatives of Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa in the imperial city! These people were influential figures within their own sects.


    How could they possibly betray their sects to join Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    "Nonsense!"


    "Xiao Yi, the people you mentioned could never join Xiaoshanhe Institute, you''re deceiving the Emperor..." Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao declared sternly.


    "Deceiving the Emperor? Such a grave accusation!"


    Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, staring at the two, "What if everything I said was true?"


    "True?"


    Li Shengtian snorted in derision. If Xiao Yi had mentioned someone else, he might have hesitated, but Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Monk? Renowned Array Masters and the public faces of Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa; how could they possibly betray their sects to join Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    Li Shengtian defiantly said, "If what you say is true, I, Li, will let you deal with me as you please. However, if it is proven that your words are false, I will have you kneel before me to kowtow and apologize, and you will resign as the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Tian Xiao voiced his agreement, "I share the same sentiments!"


    "Good, I''ve tolerated the two of you for quite some time now!"


    Xiao Yi chortled coldly and casually presented the ''indenture agreements'' signed by Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo, which he handed to Emperor Qian, "Please have a look, Your Majesty."


    Emperor Qian glanced at the scroll.


    His eyes twitched sharply, and with a sympathetic look at Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao, he said with a wry smile, turning to Xiao Yi, "As you wish, I''m going to take a nap!"


    "Ah?"


    "Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?"


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao were utterly baffled.


    "What do I mean? His Majesty''s words mean that I can honor our wager and give the two of you a sound beating!"


    With a cold laugh, Xiao Yi, like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, rushed forward, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks on the two men...

 Chapter 291 Undercurrents Surge

    Screams echoed within the royal study.


    As for Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao, the two who kept troubling him, Xiao Yi showed no mercy. Although the beatings weren''t fatal, he aimed for the most humiliating and painful spots.


    A thorough thrashing.


    He beat Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao until their faces were swollen and bruised, leaving them in a pitiful state, screaming in agony, yet their lives were spared.


    "Cough cough!"


    Emperor Qian coughed lightly, and Xiao Yi kicked Li Shengtian once more before satisfyingly ceasing his actions and bowing toward Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, please forgive my impropriety!"


    Emperor Qian rolled his eyes.


    Impropriety?


    You actually know the meaning of impropriety?


    This is practically perverse! Since the enthronement of Emperor Qian, this was the first time someone dared to beat a minister in the royal study!


    However...


    Seeing the miserable state of Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao, Emperor Qian felt quite pleased as they had often caused him headaches. But due to his status, it wasn''t appropriate for him to act personally. Watching Li Shengtian and the others wailing, Emperor Qian touched his nose and called out to Qi, who was outside the door, "Why haven''t you taken them to the Imperial Pharmacy yet?"


    "Yes!"


    Qi walked in from outside and motioned for several guards to carry Li Shengtian and the others away.


    For a moment.


    Only Xiao Yi and Emperor Qian were left in the royal study.


    Emperor Qian looked at Xiao Yi, who seemed disengaged and nonchalant, and coughed lightly, "Feel better now?"


    Xiao Yi cracked his neck, producing a snapping sound, and grinned, "I feel completely relieved!"


    "..."


    Emperor Qian was speechless.


    Qi looked at Xiao Yi with a strange expression on his face.


    Emperor Qian waved his hand, stood up, walked up to Xiao Yi, and said gravely, "Although you have driven Chen Shuiwei away, his methods are not simple, and he will not let this go so easily."


    "No matter, ''When soldiers come, a general will block them, when the water rises, the earth will cover it!''" Xiao Yi smiled and didn''t elaborate further.


    Emperor Qian looked deeply at Xiao Yi and nodded, "Since I''ve entrusted the Xiaoshanhe Institute to you, I naturally trust your methods. The process is not important; I only care about the results!"


    "Your Majesty, just wait and see," said Xiao Yi.


    Emperor Qian nodded, strolled over to the desk, and began idly flipping through the books, speaking indifferently, "You may leave now. If there''s anything you need in the future, you can come directly to the palace to see me!"


    "Xiao Yi takes his leave!"


    Xiao Yi immediately departed.


    With his back to Xiao Yi, Emperor Qian didn''t turn around until long after he had gone. He then slowly turned, squinting his eyes at the closed door, and said leisurely, "Old dog, what do you think of this young man?"


    Qi, with his head bowed, voiced faintly, "Your Majesty has already made a decision, why need you ask this old servant for more words?"


    Emperor Qian glanced at him and chuckled, "You old dog, when did you learn to protect yourself with such prudence?" He paused, then added mysteriously, "Are you sure the heavenly tribulation wasn''t brought upon by him?"


    "It shouldn''t be!"


    After thinking for a moment, Qi continued, "At that time, the demonic beast he carried with him had been hidden all along, only revealing itself when the heavenly tribulation struck. However, it''s indeed strange for Xiao Yi to withstand several strikes of the heavenly tribulation with just the cultivation of the Tao Tribulation Realm!"


    Emperor Qian hummed without any expression, revealing no emotion, "It''s best that way... Otherwise, a single Tao Tribulation Realm being able to summon a heavenly tribulation, a genius even more fearsome than Xiao Tianjiao, might not necessarily be a good thing!"


    Qi remained silent.


    ......


    Inside the Imperial Pharmacy.


    After being treated, the three people including Li Shengtian had finally woken up.


    Xiao Yi hadn''t hit their vital spots, but the pain would last for several days. The three lay in their sickbeds, grimacing in agony. Especially Chen Shuiwen, who had suffered quite a few underhanded blows from Xiao Yi, now found even talking to be excruciatingly painful. sea??h th�� N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Shengtian, enduring the intense pain, his eyes filled with hatred and venom, gnashed his teeth and said, "That bastard Xiao Yi, this official will never let him off!"


    "Mr. Li, do you have any strategies?" Tian Xiao asked with difficulty as he turned his body.


    Li Shengtian narrowed his eyes and looked towards Chen Shuiwen, whose head was bandaged like a pig''s head. "Chen Shuiwen, didn''t you say you wanted to create a new Shanhe Court to challenge Xiao Yi?"


    Chen Shuiwen said, "I did have this idea before, but Xiao Yi has recruited four masters at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak in such a short time, and even has two Array Masters��Ziyi Daoist and Li Youruo. I''m not confident in competing with him now��"


    He was acutely aware of the caliber of Xiaoshanhe Institute''s instructors and students.


    Ziyi Daoist or Li Youruo alone would be stronger than the group of instructors he had taken with him.


    Li Shengtian sneered and said, "What''s there to fear? It would naturally be impossible with just you and your people, but rest assured, this official will support you with all his might. Plus, since Xiao Yi dared to undermine Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, they certainly won''t let things slide. Not to mention my relationship with the Nangong Family, we can completely cut off the supply of elixirs to the Xiaoshanhe Institute. With our support, what do you have to fear?"


    Tian Xiao, with narrowed eyes, said, "Actually�� we could also rope in that person!"


    "Which person?" Chen Shuiwen appeared puzzled.


    Li Shengtian showed a shocked expression, "You mean that person?"


    "Exactly!"


    Tian Xiao nodded emphatically.


    Li Shengtian hesitated, then looking at the confused Chen Shuiwen, he said in a deep voice, "The one behind Xue Yilou��"


    Hss!


    Chen Shuiwen gasped in shock, his heartbeat doubled in an instant, and he swallowed hard before saying, "Can we really invite that person?"


    "Don''t worry, Tian Xiao is on good terms with that person!"


    Li Shengtian''s face held a malicious expression as he sneered coldly, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, I will make you understand the consequences of offending this official. You wish to revive the Xiaoshanhe Institute? I will specifically prevent your wish from coming true. In two months'' time, it is the Ancestral Worship Ceremony, and at that time, we will utterly trample your New Shanhe Court underfoot��"


    Ferocity flickered in the three men''s eyes.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was unaware that Chen Shuiwen and his group had already formed an alliance.


    After leaving the palace, he headed straight for the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Only��


    Before Xiao Yi could return to the Xiaoshanhe Institute, he encountered the carriage of Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan on the way. While Xiao Yi had gone to the palace, Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan had also gone to the Nangong Family, attempting to seek a partnership. Read new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    "How did they return so quickly?"


    Xiao Yi frowned, a trace of surprise flickering in his eyes.


    In the air around the carriage, there was a faint hint of the scent of blood.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi landed in front of the carriage.


    Hush��


    Ye Heng was the carriage driver; he abruptly pulled on the reins, and upon recognizing the appearance of Xiao Yi, the bruised Ye Heng cried out with a wronged look, "Master, you must stand up for us!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Ye Heng''s appearance, who had clearly been beaten up, and with the faint smell of blood wafting out from the carriage.


    Xiao Yi''s demeanor grew terribly somber as he said in a deep voice, "What exactly happened?"

 Chapter 292 Then Leave Both Hands Behind

    "What the hell is going on?"


    Xiao Yi''s face darkened as he yanked open the carriage curtain.


    A strong stench of blood assailed his nostrils.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed drastically at the sight within the carriage, where Xue Bufan and Yan Mingli lay breathing faintly. Both men''s right arms were amputated at the shoulder, their clothes soaked red with blood, and their pale faces looked even more horrifying under the sunlight.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank suddenly, his gaze fixed furiously on Ye Heng, "Weren''t you supposed to be discussing a partnership with the Nangong Family? How did you end up like this?"


    "This, this..."


    Ye Heng''s face showed hesitation.


    Xiao Yi bellowed, "What exactly happened?"


    Ye Heng clenched his fists tightly, his face contorted in ferocity and anger as he gritted his teeth and said, "Master, all of this was done by the Nangong Family. We went to discuss cooperation with them, and they made us wait in the reception hall for three full hours. During the negotiations that followed, they refused to give any ground..."


    As Ye Heng continued to recount the events, Xiao Yi came to understand what had transpired.


    The Nangong Family had no intention of cooperating with them at all.


    They had simply been looking to trouble and target them at every turn.


    The arrogance of the Nangong Family completely infuriated Xue Bufan and Yan Mingli, leading them to decide to visit the Treasure Pavilion. Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Members of the Nangong Family said that unless you, Master, personally go to ask them, our Xiaoshanhe Institute wouldn''t even be able to buy a blade of grass... Elder Xue couldn''t stand their arrogance and got into a verbal conflict with them, which led us to be besieged by the Nangong Family''s experts..."


    Ye Heng, pointing at Xue Bufan and Yan Mingli''s amputated arms, his eyes bloodshot, said, "Elder Yan''s and Elder Xue''s arms were chopped off by the third young master of the Nangong Family, Nangong Jian. He, he even said they weren''t worthy to die by his hands, so he only took their arms..."


    Boom!


    The ground beneath Xiao Yi''s feet shattered violently, a fierce wind whipping up, causing the two horses drawing the carriage to nearly kneel down.


    "Very good, a fine Nangong Family indeed, claiming ''unworthy to die by your hands''..."


    Xiao Yi looked at the unconscious Xue Bufan and Yan Mingli, a cold light flashing in his eyes as he said in a deep voice, "Take them back. I''ll return shortly!"


    Ye Heng hurriedly said, "Master, are you heading to the Nangong Family? Or should we wait until we return to Imperial Dragon Mountain to gather more people and go with you..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, "No need. The Nangong Family is nothing to worry about, I alone am enough!"


    Whoosh!


    A cold wind rose, shooting directly towards the heavens.


    Xiao Yi strode through the air, flying towards the direction of the Nangong Family...


    ......


    The Nangong Family.


    As one of the four major aristocratic families of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Nangong Family''s influence was indisputably powerful.


    The vast Nangong Family estate was the epitome of luxury.


    Though it was less than one-fifth the size of the imperial palace, in terms of lavishness, it was certainly far beyond the palace.


    The current patriarch of the Nangong Family, Nangong Lie, had three sons and one daughter. The most outstanding eldest son had entered Tianjian Sect under a senior elder, while the second and third sons were disciples of Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa respectively.


    The third son, Nangong Jian, was flanked by a beautiful maidservant on each side. His face bore a satisfied smile as he watched the graceful dance in front of him, shaking his head and commanding, "You dance well, but you''re wearing too many clothes. Strip for your young master and continue dancing..."


    Four dancers, with flirtatious expressions, obediently did as they were told.


    The gorgeous maidservant in his arms delicately fed Nangong Jian a fruit, her eyes full of seduction as she said, "Third young master, you are truly impressive. Those two old men from Xiaoshanhe Institute were just like ants before you..."


    "Hahaha, never mind just two old dogs, even if Xiao Yi from Xiaoshanhe Institute were here, he would be no different from an ant in front of this young master!"


    Nangong Jian reveled in the ministrations of a beautiful woman, his face was thick with disdain, "Just a small institute like Xiaoshanhe Institute, do they really think they can stand equal to our Nangong Family by leaning on the royal family? This time, unless Xiao Yi himself kneels before me, his institute won''t get a single blade of grass..."


    At this moment.


    Suddenly, a servant hurriedly ran in from outside, an anxious look on his face, "Thir�� Third Young Master, a young man has arrived at the gate, specifically asking for you to come out!"


    "What are you good for? Do I have to meet every Tom, Dick, or Harry who comes? Have someone break his arms and legs and throw him into the mass graves to feed the dogs!" Nangong Jian glared hard at the servant, waving his hand impatiently.


    The servant''s face was the picture of misery, "Third Young Master, you should go yourself... That person is very strong; he has already beaten down dozens of our guards!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Jian stood up abruptly, a violent rage on his face, "What audacity! I want to see who is so blind as to cause trouble in my Nangong Family''s territory?"


    Nangong Jian charged out like a raging fire, heading directly to the main gate.


    The residence of the Nangong Family was built on the bustling Vermilion Bird Avenue, with people coming and going and the commotion here had already attracted the attention of countless onlookers. In front of that magnificent gate, dozens of the Nangong Family guards were piled haphazardly.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, stepping on these dozens of the Nangong Family guards.


    In front of him, over a hundred guards at the Nangong Family''s gate looked at him warily.


    The Nangong Family was replete with strong individuals.


    Among these hundred-odd guards, there were fully ten warriors from the Tao Tribulation Realm, including a Fifth Layer master of Tao Tribulation Realm. This person was the Deputy Commander of the Nangong Family guards, Nangong Tu, who was now kneeling before Xiao Yi.


    The long knife shattered, lying beside him.


    Nangong Tu was drenched in cold sweat, not daring to move in the slightest.


    "Who has such guts to cause trouble in my Nangong Family?" Nangong Jian''s voice was remarkably loud, his expression fierce as he walked out from inside the Nangong Family compound.


    His eyes, sharp as knife blades, fixed onto Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "You''re Nangong Jian?"


    "That''s me!"


    Nangong Jian looked at Nangong Tu, who knelt before Xiao Yi. Although Nangong Tu was not as strong as he was, he was also a Fifth Layer master of Tao Tribulation Realm who had been defeated by Xiao Yi? Nangong Jian frowned, gazing at Xiao Yi, "Who are you? Daring to make trouble in my Nangong Family, are you not afraid of death?" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, he spat indifferently, "Isn''t it you who wanted me to come to you personally?"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Jian paused, then realized, "You''re Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi nodded his head.


    Nangong Jian''s face immediately turned ashen, he raged, "It seems those two old dogs didn''t convey my words to you. I wanted you to come begging on your knees. And now you dare to strike my Nangong Family men, it seems you are tired of living!"


    "Which hand did you use?" Xiao Yi asked.


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Jian paused.


    Xiao Yi stated coolly, "I''m asking, which hand did you use to break Xue Bufan and their arms?"


    "..."


    Nangong Jian, with a look of disbelief, scoffed, "Do I need to do it myself to break the arms of those two old dogs?"


    "Since you won''t say..."


    Xiao Yi shook his head, casually stepping off the bodies of the several dozen guards, "then just leave both arms behind!"

 Chapter 293 One Man Guards the Pass, Ten Thousand Are Unable to Open!

    "Then both of your hands will stay behind!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was tinged with indifference, as his eyes swept over both of Nangong Jian''s hands.


    Yan Mingli was one of the earliest powerhouses to follow him, and it could even be said that without Yan Mingli, Xiao Yi''s initial progress wouldn''t have been so rapid.


    There was also Xue Bufan.


    Ever since he followed him, Xue Bufan had been hardworking and complaint-free.


    But now...


    Nangong Jian had not only severely injured both of them and severed an arm but also declared that this was just because he didn''t want to dirty his hands, disdainfully saying that he wouldn''t kill them personally.


    Disdain!


    What was Nangong Jian to be so arrogant?


    He disabled the arms of his companions, inflicting severe injuries, and it was all because of disdain to kill?


    Nangong Jian, upon hearing Xiao Yi''s words, showed a face full of mockery and laughter and arrogantly said, "Leave behind my hands? You must be out of your mind. I am Nangong Jian. Not to mention crippling my hands; if you even hurt a single hair on me, you will pay with your life!"


    Bang!


    The words had just been spoken.


    Nangong Jian''s body suddenly trembled, springing up from the ground with his legs, rotating three hundred and sixty degrees in mid-air, and with a bang, his head smashed forcefully onto the ground.


    Buzz!


    Nangong Jian propped himself up from the ground with his hands, violently shaking his head, feeling dizzy and seeing stars. After a great struggle to steady himself, Nangong Jian looked at Xiao Yi with bloodshot eyes: "Bastard, you dare to hit me?"


    Slap!


    Another slap followed.


    "Fuck..."


    Slap!


    Slap slap slap!


    Xiao Yi reached out into the void with one hand, and invisible "Yuan Qi" firmly clutched Nangong Jian''s throat, lifting his body into the emptiness. His right hand fell like phantom shadows.


    Crack crackle!


    During the chilling sound of crisp snaps, Nangong Jian''s cheeks swelled enormously, and a mix of fresh blood and saliva dripped down.


    At this moment, Nangong Jian''s features were completely disfigured, and even if his own mother were here, she might not recognize him!


    Hiss!


    The surrounding people couldn''t help but gasp for air, their faces dumbfounded, looking in horror at Nangong Jian who was still held aloft by Xiao Yi.


    "I must be seeing things, right?"


    "Xiao Yi actually dares to beat up Nangong Jian in front of the Nangong Family''s gate?"


    "Is he planning to completely sever ties with the Nangong Family?"


    All of this happened too quickly.


    So fast that a group of the Nangong Family''s powerhouses couldn''t react in time. Now hearing the crowd''s discussions, they awakened with a start, looking at Nangong Jian whose features were distorted beyond recognition of a human.


    A group of the Nangong Family''s guards changed their expressions drastically, glaring at Xiao Yi with blood-red eyes and roaring, "Bastard, release our Third Young Master now!"


    "Xiao Yi, you''re seeking death!"


    Over a hundred of the Nangong Family''s guards surrounded him fiercely.


    Xiao Yi held Nangong Jian in his hand and faced the crowd. Xiao Yi coldly shouted, "Whoever dares to take a step forward, I will finish him immediately!"


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    "Stop!"


    "Hold your hand!"


    "Don''t you dare harm the life of our Third Young Master..."


    Everyone''s faces went pale.


    For a moment, over a hundred fiercely murderous Nangong Family guards were caught in a dilemma.


    Nangong Jian, too, came to his senses, with an excruciating burning pain on his face and the comments from the crowd like thorns in his back, making him appear as black as coal. The venom in his eyes was chilling, and he yelled hysterically, "Xiao Yi... you''re dead, I definitely won''t let you go, I will kill you, kill you..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold snort, and with a casual punch, he hit his face squarely.


    Wow...


    Nangong Jian cried out in agony, blood gushing from every orifice. He clutched his mouth with both hands, no longer able to utter a word.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, "You injured an elder of Xiaoshanhe Institute and even crippled his arm. Today, I will repay the debt, breaking both your arms as a warning to others."


    "No..."


    Nangong Jian watched as Xiao Yi''s fingertips swirled with silvery Qi, and his eyes nearly split with fury.


    He had thought that Xiao Yi would never dare to lay a hand on him.


    But those dozens of slaps had already let him know that Xiao Yi wouldn''t care at all about the Nangong Family.


    Nangong Jian shouted in terror, "Xiao�� Xiao Yi�� Director Xiao, I was wrong. Please spare me, I��I am willing to compensate Xiaoshanhe Institute. Don''t you want to cooperate with us? As long as you don''t kill me, I am willing to sell elixirs to you at market prices..."


    Under the threat of death, even the usually arrogant Nangong Jian completely cowered at this moment.


    In his view...


    If Xiaoshanhe Institute didn''t have the support of the Nangong Family, they wouldn''t even be able to obtain the most basic elixirs.


    Xiao Yi would surely be unable to resist the temptation to cooperate with the Nangong Family!


    However...


    Xiao Yi sneered and shook his head, "Sorry, your Nangong Family is not worthy of cooperating with me!"


    Whoosh!


    A streak of silver light swept past Xiao Yi''s fingertips.


    Blood gushed like a fountain, and a jet of blood spurted out.


    Nangong Jian''s body shook, his pupils dilating as a blood-soaked arm flew off his body. Then a second blood sword burst into the air, and another arm flew up.


    Two severed arms, both dripping with fresh blood, landed in front of him.


    Both arms were neatly severed at the shoulder.


    It all happened too fast!


    It wasn''t until two arms landed in front of him that Nangong Jian finally felt a surge of sharp pain from his shoulders. His facial features twisted together in an instant, emitting a scream so miserable it seemed inhuman, "Ahhh... My hands, my hands..."


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi casually threw him aside.


    Nangong Jian slammed heavily onto the ground, and two guards from the Nangong Family quickly came forward to help him up, looking at his bloody, armless shoulders.


    The guards'' faces went pale in an instant.


    Nangong Jian, enduring the intense pain, snarled venomously, "What are you looking at? Kill him for me! I want to tear him to shreds, chop him up and feed him to the dogs..."


    Faced with Nangong Jian''s roar, the guards of the Nangong Family exchanged glances.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Sharp blades glinted as they rose to the sky, and over a hundred guards rushed towards Xiao Yi at once. Facing the oncoming tide of guards like a steel flood, Xiao Yi remained expressionless.


    He simply raised his right hand and pushed it forward.


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    Eyecatching earthen-yellow light bursts blazed, landing on the ground, shaking the earth as if a dragon were turning over. Wall after wall of yellow earthen surged upwards, forming a wave of earth.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Under the surge of earth waves, the strongest of whom was merely at the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, the guards lay sprawled on the ground, each pinned down by a mound of earth.


    Unable to move, as if they were sealed.


    This was the part of the power of heaven and earth that Xiao Yi could wield after stepping into the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    In just a single palm move.


    Xiao Yi had suppressed all those hundred-odd guards. With such power, the remaining strong were all halted in their tracks, not daring to advance any further. At this moment, Xiao Yi, standing with his hands behind his back, was like the War God himself.


    A single man holding back ten thousand, unbreakable by any!


    Hiss!


    The surrounding onlookers were also completely shocked by the sight before them, "Is this�� is this Xiao Yi''s strength? So�� so terrifying..."


    "How can there be such a big gap within the same Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    "The Nangong Family really hit a wall this time!"


    Just then...


    A cold and indifferent voice suddenly came from the crowd, "Who dares to cause trouble in the Nangong Family territory? Do you no longer wish to live?"


    Hearing this voice.


    A look of ecstatic joy appeared on Nangong Jian''s pale face as he yelled, "Master, avenge me!"

 Chapter 294 Disciple pays respect to the Master!

    "Master, quickly avenge your disciple!"


    Nangong Jian, like a drowning man who had found a life-saving straw, had an ecstatic look on his face as he bellowed toward the middle-aged man who stepped out from the crowd.


    The middle-aged man was dressed in luxurious brocade.


    He wore a white cloud belt around his waist, his long hair tied behind him, holding a folding fan in his hand.


    Upon hearing Nangong Jian''s shout, the middle-aged man was first startled, and his fan paused. He then followed the sound and saw Nangong Jian''s pitiful state, his face suddenly contorted, and he snapped the fan shut with a loud clap.


    Whoosh!


    The middle-aged man was, in a flash, standing right in front of Nangong Jian.


    Looking at Nangong Jian, whose arms were severed at the shoulders.


    The middle-aged man''s eyes were blood-red.


    This person was none other than Lu Chen, a martial arts expert of Three Seas Mountain, with a cultivation that reached the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, only slightly more powerful than Nangong Jian. But he was an Array Master, and Nangong Jian was studying the art of formations under his command.


    This Nangong Jian was his prized disciple, and also his cash cow!


    Backed by the Nangong Family, every month, Nangong Jian provided Lu Chen with innumerable benefits. The medicinal pills and precious herbs he presented as a tribute during holidays alone were worth several hundred million Silver a year.


    Now that Nangong Jian had fallen to such a state, it was as if someone had destroyed his source of wealth!


    "Master, you must take revenge for me!" Nangong Jian roared fiercely.


    "Rest assured, my disciple, I absolutely will not let the murderer go unpunished!"


    Lu Chen nodded solemnly, his cold eyes looking toward Xiao Yi''s direction. Seeing the Nangong Family guards lying all around Xiao Yi in disarray, Lu Chen sneered, "No wonder you dared to cripple my disciple''s arms, kid. You indeed have some skill! However, running into me, Lu Chen, is your ultimate misfortune today!"


    Boom!


    A powerful surge of energy suddenly burst from Lu Chen''s body.


    The surge soared into the sky.


    It formed a cyan tornado, which with a roar, transformed into a column of wind connecting heaven and earth.


    Lu Chen slowly ascended within the column of wind, his aura of the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm unveiled without reservation, so intense that it could be felt for tens of miles around, filled with a terrifying intent to kill.


    Within the imperial city, many a formidable person sensed this powerful aura.


    "Is that coming from the direction of the Nangong Family?"


    "Who could be so bold as to initiate a conflict within the territory of the Nangong Family?"


    "This seems to be Senior Brother Lu''s aura..."


    Within the Three Seas Mountain''s division in the imperial city, a young man''s complexion changed, and looking at an old lady beside him, he said, "Master, Senior Brother Lu Chen might be in trouble!"


    The old lady squinted, huffing coldly, "I want to see who dares to mess with my disciples. Follow me!"


    Whoosh!


    Behind the old lady, more than twenty formidable individuals stood up together, quickly following her towards the Nangong Family''s location.


    In a quiet courtyard.


    Nangong Shengtian was sitting inside, toying with a Jade Pendant in his hands, muttering, "Go back and tell your master, our Nangong Family accepts their proposal of cooperation. However, the details of the cooperation will have to wait until we meet in person to discuss further!"


    "This subordinate will return and relay your message!" the young man responded respectfully.


    "Hm!"


    Nangong Shengtian nodded, suddenly raising his head to look in the direction of the Nangong Family, his brows furrowed and a cold light flashing in his eyes, "Who dares to cause trouble in my Nangong Family''s territory?"


    Whoosh!


    Nangong Shengtian tore through the sky.


    Meanwhile...


    At the main entrance of the Nangong Family''s estate.


    The cyan storm forced the surrounding strong individuals to retreat, and those guards who were bound by the earth and rocks, were violently pulled out from beneath the ground, tossed into the air.


    The fearsome tempest left many strong individuals with astonished expressions: "Is this the power of the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm? Truly, as an expert of Three Seas Mountain, such strength, indeed, even the common peak powers of the Tao Tribulation Realm cannot match him!"


    "Xiao Yi has really kicked an iron plate this time!"


    "Who would have thought that Lu Chen would suddenly appear here?"


    "But... even if Lu Chen hadn''t shown up, Xiao Yi would have been doomed with the Nangong Family''s influence. After all, they are one of the four grand clan families..."


    Amidst the chatter.


    Lu Chen stood suspended in the air, looking down on Xiao Yi from on high: "Kid, you injured my disciple and even dared to confront me. Won''t you kneel and kowtow in admission of your guilt?"


    Xiao Yi looked up at Lu Chen, his neck slightly craning, and said impatiently, "I don''t like looking up to people."


    "Hm?"


    Lu Chen was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi continued to speak, "Get down here!"


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    "You''re looking for..."


    Lu Chen had just opened his mouth when suddenly, countless spiritual energies of heaven and earth began to wildly coalesce in the void. They actually tore open the wind column, and amidst the raging winds, they transformed into chains of wind.


    They bound Lu Chen completely within them.


    Tightly trussed up.


    Lu Chen couldn''t move an inch and could only watch helplessly as Xiao Yi''s palm pressed towards the ground. Then, with a whooshing sound breaking through the air, Lu Chen''s body plummeted from the sky.


    Like a falling star.


    Bang!


    Lu Chen smashed hard onto the ground, creating a human-shaped crater.


    With his face toward the dirt, Lu Chen was embedded in it, his limbs twitching slightly.


    "..."


    There was dead silence all around.


    When Lu Chen appeared, everyone thought Xiao Yi was certainly doomed.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi had taken down the imperious Lu Chen with just one move.


    Considering the several hundred meters he fell from the sky, even smashing a huge pit into the ground, even a mighty practitioner of the Tao Tribulation Realm would probably find it unpleasant!


    Spurt!


    Lu Chen was hoisted up by Xiao Yi with one hand, spitting out a mouthful of dirt; his face was swollen and bruised, staring at Xiao Yi in utter bewilderment, "You, you, who on earth are you?"


    In his eyes, Xiao Yi was just a practitioner of the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. In front of him, a proud Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm master, Xiao Yi was like an ant, easily crushed.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi''s strength far exceeded his expectations.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi!"


    "Hmm?"


    Lu Chen was taken aback, then frowned, "You''re the new head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi?"


    "Guaranteed genuine!" Xiao Yi nodded.


    Lu Chen shouted angrily, "I don''t care if you are real or fake, you dared to break my disciple''s arms and cause me such humiliation; you''re on a path to death!" S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A path to death? By your hand?" Xiao Yi said with amusement.


    Lu Chen sneered, "I admit I underestimated you. But don''t forget who I am. I am a four-star Array Master, and my master is none other than Li Youruo from Three Seas Mountain, the number one Array Master. My master is a respected six-star Array Master. If she knows I''ve been injured by you, she will definitely not let you off. Just with a trap or killing array set by my master at your Xiaoshanhe Institute, your whole institute would be wiped out in the blink of an eye. Scared now?"


    A six-star Array Master, whose status was comparable to a practitioner of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    As long as Li Youruo was willing to personally set up a formation for someone, even practitioners of the Dharma Manifestation Realm would be willing to take action.


    This was where Lu Chen''s confidence and assurance lay.


    "Li Youruo is your master?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, showing a strange expression, "Are you sure, she will avenge you?"


    "Of course... she is my master. If she knows I''ve been injured by you, she will never let it go. Just one formation by my master at your Xiaoshanhe Institute, and your entire institute will be annihilated in an instant. Feeling fear now, aren''t you?"


    Lu Chen sneered, "So, why don''t you put me down and kneel before me, begging for my forgiveness? If I personally plead for you to my master, considering my face, my master might spare you a way to live!"


    Looking at the haughty Lu Chen, Xiao Yi''s expression grew even more peculiar.


    Suddenly.


    He felt something and turned to look at the crowd.


    He saw a group of figures rushing over, led by the expressionless Li Youruo.


    "Master?"


    Lu Chen was startled, then burst into laughter, "Xiao Yi, you''re done for. My master has come..." he shouted towards Li Youruo, "Master, come save me!"


    Whoosh!


    Li Youruo landed with a leap in front of Xiao Yi.


    With a venomous look on his face, Lu Chen gazed at Xiao Yi, "Hahaha, you''re like a dog now. It''s too late for regrets. Kneel down now and beg for my forgiveness!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Li Youruo with amusement, "Li Youruo, your disciple says that with your arrival, my end is certain?"


    However...


    In the full view of everyone.


    Li Youruo suddenly knelt before Xiao Yi, loudly saying, "Disciple pays respects to master! I earnestly beg for master''s forgiveness. I have failed in disciplining, and I must punish this wicked disciple severely..."


    For a moment.


    Everyone was utterly baffled, "..."

 Chapter 295 So What If I Bully You?

    "..."


    In front of the Nangong Family''s gates, everyone was staring dumbfounded, their faces a picture of utter confusion.


    Lu Chen was the most baffled of all.


    His eyes were wide open, his mouth agape, and his face was filled with bewilderment. His black pupils, thick with shock and incomprehension, shifted back and forth between Xiao Yi and Li Youruo.


    His pupils slowly dilated, and his gaze was replaced by alarm and fear.


    Who was Li Youruo?


    An elder of Three Seas Mountain, a Peak Tao Tribulation Realm existence, and also the only six-star Array Master of Three Seas Mountain.


    Any of these identities, even on their own, could make a person''s name resound throughout the Great Qian Dynasty and hold a pivotal status.


    It''s no exaggeration to say that apart from the Dharma Manifestation Realm ancestors, Li Youruo, the Purple-clad Daoist Chen Ziyi were among the very top existences.


    Yet such a being...


    Was now kneeling before Xiao Yi, addressing him as master?


    Gulp!


    Lu Chen swallowed hard, his eyelid twitched, and with a face as if at a funeral, he tentatively asked, "Mas, Master, are, are you mistaken about the person?"


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    "Shut up!"


    Li Youruo glared daggers at him and backhanded him across the face with a slap.


    She was acutely aware of how terrifying Xiao Yi was!


    With the cultivation of the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, he had slain numerous Tao Tribulation Realm Peak existences on Great Liang Mountain. He was even able to completely overwhelm her and Chen Ziyi on the path of formation mastery with his power alone.


    Most importantly...


    The "Hundred Volumes of Array Path" Xiao Yi gave her had left her utterly astounded.


    For many reasons...


    Li Youruo had been completely won over. S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Willingly, and even proudly, she took Xiao Yi as her master.


    Now, she would have done anything to please Xiao Yi, yet Lu Chen dared to lay hands on him publicly, even attempting to put Xiao Yi in mortal danger?


    How could Li Youruo tolerate that?


    "Master, you, you hit me for that kid..."


    Lu Chen looked at Li Youruo with a face full of grievance.


    He was Li Youruo''s proud disciple, deeply favored and trusted by her; she had never even scolded him before. When Li Youruo first appeared, he thought his backing had arrived!


    In his mind...


    Li Youruo would definitely stand up for him and fiercely teach Xiao Yi a lesson!


    But now Li Youruo was not only kneeling before Xiao Yi, calling him master, but she also slapped him hard across the face?


    Lu Chen felt his world was shattering.


    "Shut up!"


    Li Youruo slapped him again, a series of slaps that made Lu Chen''s head spin with stars, and she scolded with a huff, "Talking about ''that kid'' this, ''that kid'' that, the person standing before you is your grandmaster!"


    "Ah?"


    Lu Chen was flabbergasted, his face full of shock, "Mas, Master, you''re not joking, are you?"


    "Could Master Li have gone mad?"


    "Impossible, right as Master Li appeared, she addressed Xiao Yi as master!"


    "What on earth is going on here? What merits or abilities does Xiao Yi have to become Master Li''s master?" Not only could Lu Chen not accept it, but all the onlookers were also utterly baffled, feeling as if they were hallucinating.


    Speaking of cultivation, Xiao Yi was just at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, whereas Li Youruo was at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak.


    Age-wise, Li Youruo was old enough to be Xiao Yi''s grandmother!


    How did she become his master?


    Li Youruo did not explain but turned around and respectfully saluted Xiao Yi, pleading for her disciple, "Master, please spare his life for my sake!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Li Youruo''s face lit up with joy, and she glared fiercely at Lu Chen, "Aren''t you going to come over and kowtow to apologize to your grandmaster?"


    A spasm twitched at the corner of Lu Chen''s eye, "..."


    Just moments ago.


    He was thinking about making Xiao Yi kneel down and beg for mercy, but in the blink of an eye, he was forced by Li Youruo to kneel and kowtow to Xiao Yi, even referring to him as grandmaster.


    How fortunes turn.


    But when it turned to him, it was simply too fast!


    Lu Chen was extremely bitter in his heart, but he was helpless, unable to defy Li Youruo''s wishes. His head banged repeatedly on the ground as he said with a mournful face, "Grandmaster above, please forgive your disciple''s utter disrespect!"


    "Get up!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said earnestly, "Remember to keep a low profile in the future when you behave."


    "Grandmaster''s lesson is well taken!" Lu Chen hurriedly replied.


    From the side...


    Nangong Jian was completely dumbstruck.


    He felt that today was just the pinnacle of bad luck.


    When Xiao Yi appeared, he relied on the backing of the Nangong Family, thinking Xiao Yi wouldn''t dare to touch him.


    Then his arms were broken.


    When Lu Chen appeared, he relied on having Lu Chen as his support, believing he could take revenge and wash away his humiliation.


    As a result, Lu Chen too was beaten up by Xiao Yi!


    Finally, with Li Youruo''s arrival, Nangong Jian thought he saw light through the clouds, the light of hope finally descending upon him.


    Hopes of vengeance seemed attainable!


    Yet...


    This grandmaster, who was equivalent to a Dharma Manifestation Realm ancestor in Three Seas Mountain, actually kneeled before Xiao Yi, calling him master!


    "What sins have I committed?" Nangong Jian wore a face of misery, a strong sense of regret welling up inside him.


    If he had known earlier.


    Why did he have to act so arrogantly at that time, insisting on breaking the hands of Yan Mingli and the others?


    "Xiao Yi, who gave you the courage to cause trouble within the Nangong Family?" Just then, a roar like thunder came from the sky, as a figure descended from above.


    Boom!


    The figure was surrounded by roiling energy, with a terrifying pressure that weakened the others'' legs, nearly bringing them to their knees.


    The person was none other than the patriarch of the Nangong Family, Nangong Shengtian!


    "Ancestor... You''ve finally come. That dog bastard Xiao Yi broke my arms, I beg you to take revenge for me!" Just as Nangong Jian was losing all hope, he once again found hope and shouted loudly.


    Nangong Shengtian was stunned for a moment, scrutinizing Nangong Jian for a long time, and frowned, "Who are you?"


    Nangong Jian: "..."


    Now with a swollen face beyond recognition, and his arms severed, sitting slumped on the ground, he was indistinguishable from a beggar. It took Nangong Shengtian a moment to recognize him, as Nangong Jian said with a bitter face, "Ancestor, I... I''m little Jianjian..."


    "..."


    Nangong Shengtian looked baffled, studying Nangong Jian up and down, and finally recognizing his identity, "You... you''re Nangong Jian? Damn, how did you end up like this?"


    Nangong Jian, with a pitiful face, exaggerated his story, "Ancestor, it was all Xiao Yi''s doing. Following your instructions, I refused the person from Xiaoshanhe Institute who came to discuss cooperation. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yi came knocking. He beat me into this state and even severed my arms, you must avenge me..."


    "Alright, alright, what a Xiao Yi!"


    Nangong Shengtian''s eyes blazed with a blood-like red, his teeth clacking with rage, and his ferocious gaze fell on Xiao Yi, he ground his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi, you''ve gone too far!"


    Hum!


    A terrible surge of energy formed a fierce wind that rushed towards them.


    Among the flying sand and rolling stones.


    The layers of tiles on the ground rose and shot towards Xiao Yi.


    Bang bang bang!


    An invisible barrier formed in front of Xiao Yi, blocking the wind and debris. His eyes slitted, he stared unabashedly at Nangong Shengtian, "So what if I bully you?"

 Chapter 296 At Your Disposal!

    "So what if I bully you?"


    Xiao Yi''s face bore a playful expression as he faced the fierce wind and flying rocks without even blinking, speaking in a neither servile nor overbearing tone.


    Nangong Shengtian''s face stiffened: "..."


    After all, he was the venerable ancestor of the Nangong Family, a master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Even Emperor Qian had to address him as Ancestor Nangong.


    Who had ever dared to belittle and provoke him like this?


    Boom!


    Nangong Shengtian stomped fiercely, and the ground trembled thunderously as if a dragon were turning beneath it. Fissures spread from beneath his feet towards Xiao Yi, and terrifying surges of earth formed spikes thrusting straight at Xiao Yi and those beside him, including Li Youruo.


    "Master, be careful!" Li Youruo''s face changed drastically, ready to intervene.


    Xiao Yi raised his hand to signal her not to panic.


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi tapped the ground with the tip of his foot, half of his sole sinking into the earth, followed by an explosive burst of ferocious power from within his body, like the waters of a river rushing into the open sea, surging beneath the ground.


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    The entire ground vibrated around Xiao Yi as a center, wave after wave of terrifying energy pulsating outward in deafening explosions towards what lay ahead.


    The two waves of earth collided with a crash.


    Bang bang bang!


    The two waves kept smashing against each other, grinding the other down, while at the point of collision, mounds of earth and rocks piled up.


    One zhang.


    Two zhang.


    Three zhang...


    When the turbulent energy on the ground had dissipated, the earth wave halted two meters in front of Xiao Yi, having formed a small mountain of earth and stone ten zhang high as a result of their collision.


    "Nangong Shengtian, I came to the Nangong Family in good faith, hoping to seek cooperation. Even if you refuse to cooperate, I would have voiced no complaints," Xiao Yi said, leaping onto the summit of the earthen mountain and looking down at Nangong Shengtian from on high. "However, Nangong Jian has severely injured my men, Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan, even breaking their arms. Do you still think the blame lies on me today?"


    The surrounding crowd, having heard Xiao Yi''s words, whispered among themselves: "So there are these reasons behind the incident. If that''s the case, indeed the Nangong Family is in the wrong!"


    "The Nangong Family may be large and powerful, but the Xiaoshanhe Institute is not to be trifled with. Nangong Jian''s actions are an insult to the Xiaoshanhe Institute and Xiao Yi, no wonder he is so enraged!"


    "The fault lies with the Nangong..."


    "Nangong Jian deserves it!"


    The crowd spoke one after another.


    These murmurs reached Nangong Shengtian''s ears, causing his expression to flicker and turning his face extremely ugly.


    Indeed, they did not have a leg to stand on in this matter.


    However...


    Nangong Shengtian had long been accustomed to acting tyrannically.


    His face was thick with mockery as he sneered, "Xiao Yi, who doesn''t know that for the sole purpose of dominating Xiaoshanhe Institute, you drove out Chen Shuiwen and all his associates. How could my Nangong Family possibly cooperate with someone like you, a petty person who will stop at nothing to exclude others for your own selfish desires?"


    "Exclude others?"


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly and replied, "That''s an internal matter of Xiaoshanhe Institute. Since when does the Nangong Family have to consider such things in their business dealings?"


    "I am good friends with Chen Shuiwen. Over the years, Chen Shuiwen and my Nangong Family have had a very harmonious collaboration. You expelled him from Xiaoshanhe Institute; I can''t trust you, and naturally, I won''t work with you!" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nangong Shengtian''s figure slowly rose until he was eye-level with Xiao Yi and said with a mocking tone, "I''m not afraid to tell you that Chen Shuiwen has already allied with various forces, preparing to build a new Martial Arts Institute to contend against your Xiaoshanhe Institute. My Nangong Family will enter into comprehensive cooperation with him, providing all of our elixirs at a mere thirty percent of the market price. You must be quite furious now, aren''t you? Hahaha..."


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed ever so slightly.


    He hadn''t expected Nangong Shengtian to be so willing to sell to Chen Shuiwen at merely thirty percent of the market price.


    That was almost no profit at all!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and scoffed, "Nangong Shengtian, don''t tell me you really think the Nangong Family can cover the sky with one hand? In the vast Great Qian Dynasty, I refuse to believe that, apart from you, there isn''t another power daring to sell elixirs to us!"


    "Hahaha, sorry, but in the elixir industry, my Nangong Family indeed can cover the sky with one hand!" Nangong Shengtian said pridefully, "With just one word from me, throughout the entire Great Qian Dynasty, you won''t be able to obtain even the lowest-grade Blood Qi Elixir. You must be really angry now, right? Hahaha, young man, trying to fight me? You''re still too green!"


    Seeing Xiao Yi remain silent,


    "Ladies and gentlemen, the former vice dean of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Chen Shuiwen, accompanied by all instructors and disciples, is about to establish a brand-new Martial Arts Institute."


    Nangong Shengtian looked around at everyone, his voice amplified with vital energy, deep and resonant, echoing between heaven and earth: "At that time, both the Nangong Family and the Beitang Family will fully support Chen Shuiwen. If you wish for your children to have access to the best resources, you may consider joining Chen Shuiwen''s Martial Arts Institute, and definitely avoid a place like Xiaoshanhe Institute, which is fraught with scheming and discord, ostracizes others, and can''t even supply its own elixirs..." Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    "A new Martial Arts Institute?"


    "With support from both the Nangong and Beitang families, the resources of this new institute will undoubtedly be impressive!"


    "Xiaoshanhe Institute has been decaying over the years, and now having lost all its instructors, it has been cut off from the elixir resources by the Nangong Family. If we join them, we probably won''t even be able to satisfy the most basic cultivation needs!"


    Everyone joined in the chorus.


    The voices that prophesied doom for Xiaoshanhe Institute grew more and more numerous, louder and louder.


    Nangong Shengtian''s face was filled with smugness as he provocatively looked at Xiao Yi, "See? Just with one word, I can bring you down, kid. When a praying mantis tries to stop a chariot, it''s on a path to certain death! Of course, if you kneel down and beg me now, I might just agree to supply some elixirs to you at twice the market price out of sheer mercy!"


    "Master..."


    Li Youruo looked at Xiao Yi with concern.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand.


    Whoosh!


    He exhaled a long breath of turbid air, fixing his gaze on Nangong Shengtian: "Nangong Shengtian, I did not wish to be your enemy, but since you insist on being aggressive, then I, Xiao Yi, have no choice but to take up this challenge. You pride yourself on the Nangong Family being able to cover the sky with one hand in the Great Qian Dynasty? One month..."


    Xiao Yi held up a finger.


    The cold light in his eyes was piercing as he stared at Nangong Shengtian and enunciated, "Within one month, I will force all the Nangong Family pharmacies to shut down and cease business."


    "What?"


    Nangong Shengtian was taken aback, then burst into laughter, "Have you lost your mind, beginning to spout nonsense? Let alone one month, even if I gave you a hundred years, a thousand years, you wouldn''t be able to shake the Nangong Family!"


    "Don''t believe it? Let''s try!" Xiao Yi challenged.


    "Hmph, I''m not afraid of you!"


    Nangong Shengtian sneered, "If you really can make the Nangong Family Pharmacy close within one month, my Nangong Family will willingly provide all elixir resources to your Xiaoshanhe Institute free of charge. But, if you fail, what then?"


    Xiao Yi''s words rang out firmly, "At your disposal!"

 Chapter 297 All the World Rushes for Profit

    "Agreed!"


    A glint flashed through Nangong Shengtian''s eyes.


    He simply did not believe that Xiao Yi could shut down all of the pill shops owned by the Nangong Family within a month.


    After all...


    The Nangong Family had dominated the medicinal pill industry for many years.


    Just in the imperial capital alone, they owned over a hundred pill shops, and throughout the vast Great Qian Dynasty, the number surpassed ten thousand. Even if Xiao Yi sought the royal family''s help, it was impossible for all his pill shops to be forced to close!


    "Xiao Yi is too impulsive, this is simply an impossible task!"


    "In the end, he is just too young!"


    The murmuring discussions that vaguely came from the crowd made Li Youruo''s face turn a bit unsightly. She looked at Xiao Yi worriedly, "Master, we have no chance at winning this bet!"


    "No matter, I have my plans!" Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits.


    The Nangong Family was indeed strong!


    Especially in the medicinal pill industry, they held a pivotal position.


    But...


    When it came to medicinal pills, who could Xiao Yi fear?


    "Li Youruo, are these your close confidants?" Xiao Yi looked at the twenty or thirty people behind Li Youruo. Among them, six were in the Tao Tribulation Realm, and the rest were in the Golden Core Realm or the Shentong Realm, each with a decent posture and robust physique.


    Although there were only about thirty people, their quality was comparable to the group of instructors that Chen Shuiwen had taken away.


    Li Youruo nodded, pride also evident in her expression, but thinking of her departure being known by Three Seas Mountain, a trace of bitterness appeared on her face: "Master, when I left, the Deputy Sect Master of Three Seas Mountain came to intercept me. I trapped him with a formation. But knowing Three Seas Mountain''s way of doing things, they will absolutely not let this go..."


    "Let them come!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to signal Li Youruo not to worry and said indifferently, "At least before the ancestral worship ceremony, they would not dare to openly deal with us. There are still more than two months left, enough for us to build up strength. Once the ceremony is over, it will be too late for them to start dealing with us!"


    Li Youruo opened her mouth to speak but then hesitated. Looking at Xiao Yi''s confident face, she ultimately swallowed her words.


    Xiao Yi said, "You take people back to Xiaoshanhe Institute first, I will make a trip to the palace!"


    "Yes!"


    Li Youruo promptly led the people away.


    Lu Chen was even dragged by her, like an injured puppy, his face full of despair.


    Moments later.


    Xiao Yi arrived at the imperial palace. Before even seeing Emperor Qian, Qi was already waiting at the entrance. Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and stepped forward with a cupped-fist salute: "Eunuch Qi!"


    "Director Xiao, His Majesty is aware of your purpose for coming, and he instructed this old servant to wait for you here!" Qi said with a smile.


    Xiao Yi nodded, not surprised in the least.


    The incident with the Nangong Family was not a small matter, and with the means of the royal family, if they could not control what happened within the imperial capital, then Emperor Qian would not be sitting where he was.


    "These are two Jade Fetal Elixirs, enough to regrow the severed limbs of the two people under your command. Besides..."


    Qi handed a clear jade vial to Xiao Yi, his eagle-like eyes glanced around, and he lowered his voice, "His Majesty instructed me to tell you that the royal family cannot help you deal with the Nangong Family, and you must resolve the matter of the bet yourself!"


    Xiao Yi accepted the jade vial and smiled, "Please tell His Majesty that the Nangong Family is just a trivial matter. If I can''t even handle them, how can we talk about revitalizing Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    A look of surprise crossed Qi''s face as he gazed at Xiao Yi.


    That was the Nangong Family!


    Even he and Emperor Qian, upon learning of Xiao Yi''s bet with Nangong Sheng, felt that Xiao Yi was too arrogant.


    That bet had no chance of success!


    But now...


    Seeing Xiao Yi so confident, Qi couldn''t help but be curious. What means did Xiao Yi have? Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    However, he also knew Xiao Yi would not tell him.


    Qi chuckled, "Then this old servant will wish Director Xiao a swift and resounding success in advance!"


    ```


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi clasped his hands together, "Xiao Yi shall take his leave now!"


    "Go ahead!" S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qi smiled, watching as Xiao Yi strode away with long steps. He raised his hand to stroke his chin, muttering to himself, "He really is an unfathomable young fellow�� It''s great to be young, even this old man is somewhat excited to see what the outcome will be in a month!"


    Pedaling swiftly away from the capital, Xiao Yi then took to the air, flying towards Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    With his current speed.


    It was only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn from the capital to Imperial Dragon Mountain. When he returned to the Xiaoshanhe Institute at Imperial Dragon Mountain, Li Youruo and the others had not yet arrived. Xiao Yi went straight to find Elder Yan and Elder Xue.


    The two had already awakened, lying on their beds.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s arrival, they struggled to sit up, their pale faces filled with deep self-reproach, "Xiao, we have failed your trust��"


    "Why should you say so?"


    Xiao Yi, with a gesture of his palm, helped the two of them up, saying, "This matter arose because of me, and if anyone should apologize, it is I who should be apologizing to you. Right, I have requested two Jade Fetal Elixirs from His Majesty, which after taking, will allow you to regrow your severed limbs!"


    "Jade Fetal Elixir?"


    "This, this��"


    The two faces were filled with excitement as they received the jade vials.


    With trembling hands, they both took the elixir one after another.


    Hiss!


    A wave of intense pain made their scalps tingle, their foreheads'' veins throbbing, and cold sweat poured out. Where their arms had been severed, streaks of blood spread out, and at a visible rate, new arms began to grow.


    Moments later.


    The two had their severed arms regenerated.


    "Thank you, Xiao, for granting us new life!" The two tested their new arms. Though they still felt somewhat unfamiliar, with some time they could easily master their function, both faces filled with gratitude.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, saying, "You two should focus on recovering for a day. Tomorrow, Elder Yan, you will need to accompany me on a trip to the Treasure Pavilion!"


    Afterward.


    Xiao Yi informed everyone about his wager with Nangong Shengtian.


    Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan looked at each other.


    Being the most knowledgeable about the Great Qian Dynasty''s elixir industry, they were also acutely aware of how terrifying the Nangong Family''s hold on the elixir industry was, with one Beitang Family controlling the medicinal resource and the Nangong Family controlling the elixir resource.


    Overthrowing them seemed as difficult as scaling the heavens!


    Yan Mingli said with a wry smile, "Xiao, if it were just about getting the Treasure Pavilion to provide elixir resources, I might have some confidence, but with your current wager with Nangong Shengtian, I fear the Nangong and Beitang households will certainly do everything to block us. I''m afraid that the Treasure Pavilion��"


    The Treasure Pavilion held a powerful position throughout the Qingtian Realm.


    But in the Great Qian Dynasty��


    The Treasure Pavilion was suppressed by the four big families'' joint effort, only occupying a small part of the market, completely unable to compete with them!


    After all.


    Everything that the Treasure Pavilion could offer, the four big families could too.


    And because the four big families were on their home ground, their costs were lower and their prices more competitive. Even in the price wars, which the Treasure Pavilion was best at, they couldn''t beat them!


    For that reason��


    The Great Qian Dynasty''s elixir and Yuan weapon industries were firmly controlled by the four big families.


    The Treasure Pavilion could only struggle to survive in the cracks!


    They certainly couldn''t afford to offend both the Nangong and Beitang families to death just to aid Xiao Yi!


    "Don''t worry, I have my ways to make the Treasure Pavilion cooperate with us!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, narrowing his eyes, "All under heaven are attracted to profit, I do not believe the Treasure Pavilion is willing to settle for being beneath others��"


    ```

 Chapter 298 Two Dharma Aspects in One Day

    That night.


    Li Youruo, Chen Ziyi, and others also arrived at Xiaoshanhe Institute in succession.


    Everyone gathered together.


    This time...


    It was no longer as deserted as before.


    Just the people brought by Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi numbered over seventy, and with the confidants that Li Jinjun and Hai Wei brought, the count had already surpassed a hundred.


    Among them, there were thirty-seven powerful practitioners above the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    There were five at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak.


    Hai Wei, Li Jinjun, Li Youruo, Chen Ziyi, and his wife Zhou Jing.


    Five great Tao Tribulation Realm Peak powerhouses, thirty-two practitioners above the Tao Tribulation Realm, along with Xiao Yi, Xue Bufan, and Yu Huaxian, brought the number of Tao Tribulation Realm strong practitioners in Xiaoshanhe Institute to forty.


    Yu Huaxian looked at the people present, shook his head with a sigh, and said, "How do I feel like I''m becoming less and less useful here with Xiao?"


    Elder Yan''s eye corner twitched, "Then what about me?"


    His cultivation was only at the Golden Core Realm.


    In front of the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, he was as fragile as an ant.


    Yu Huaxian glanced at him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Don''t worry, you have your disciple to back you up!"


    "Damn..." sea??h th�� novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elder Yan glared fiercely at him.


    Xiao Yi scanned the crowd and said, "When you left your respective sects, there were no complications, I hope?"


    Hai Wei and Li Jinjun shook their heads and said, "Our confidants are all in the capital, so there were no other incidents. However, Elder Li and Elder Chen did encounter some obstacles on the way!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and looked towards Chen Ziyi.


    He already knew about the pursuit of Li Youruo by the Deputy Sect Master of Three Seas Mountain, but Chen Ziyi had not said much. However, Xiao Yi sensed a hint of blood on him.


    Chen Ziyi remained silent.


    Zhou Jing gave a bitter smile and said, "Xiao, my husband Chen is in a bad mood because his direct disciple did not come back with us. Please forgive him!"


    Xiao Yi hummed in acknowledgment, but seeing Chen Ziyi''s complexion, he knew it was not as simple as just the missing direct disciple, "Ziyi, what exactly happened?"


    Chen Ziyi sighed softly and said, "Master, my direct disciple exposed me, and on the way here, we were intercepted by practitioners from the Dharma Manifestation Realm. My second disciple was captured while trying to protect us, and I know nothing of their life or death..."


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly.


    A betrayal by a direct disciple and the capture of the second disciple while they covered their escape.


    No wonder Chen Ziyi was so heavy-hearted.


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder and said solemnly, "Ziyi, rest assured, I will definitely bring back your second disciple!"


    "Thank you, Master!"


    Chen Ziyi nodded, still looking disheartened.


    After all, that was someone who fell into the hands of Wendao Villa.


    Even a Dharma Manifestation Realm practitioner wouldn''t dream of taking someone from Wendao Villa, let alone Xiao Yi, who was only at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Wendao Villa would never release a captive!


    Xiao Yi was of course aware of Chen Ziyi''s concerns, but he did not elaborate further. Instead, he turned to the others and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, since you have joined Xiaoshanhe Institute, you are from now on my companions. I, Xiao Yi, hereby assure you that I will never let you regret today''s decision!"


    With that said,


    Xiao Yi glanced at Lin Bingxin beside him.


    Lin Bingxin stepped forward immediately, taking out a chest from her storage ring.


    Clang!


    Lin Bingxin opened the chest, and everyone''s gaze converged on it. Inside the chest were scrolls piled up.


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    Under the confused gazes of the group, Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "During dinner, I observed everyone, and these scrolls are martial arts techniques tailored for you. Your names are on them, as gifts to welcome you to Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    A martial art specifically tailored for the individual?


    The crowd was taken aback.


    Some marveled.


    Some were puzzled.


    Others scoffed.


    They all came from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, which, compared to the declining Xiaoshanhe Institute, were behemoth sects.


    They didn''t think Xiao Yi could offer any high-level martial arts.


    Xiao Yi didn''t explain but just smiled, watching everyone.


    He was, after all, the heir to the Dao Yan legacy.


    And who was Dao Yan?


    He was the strongest martial theory master in the history of Qingtian Realm, who had created countless martial arts and cultivation techniques in his lifetime. For Xiao Yi, who possessed Dao Yan''s inheritance, to tailor martial arts and techniques for the powerhouses beneath the Longevity Secret Realm was simply a matter of ease.


    Lin Bingxin distributed the scrolls to everyone.


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Take a look for yourselves!"


    Everyone thought to just put the scrolls away, but seeing Xiao Yi suggesting so, they opened them half-heartedly.


    Upon looking...


    The crowd couldn''t recover their senses.


    Each one was dumbfounded, their attitudes shifting from casual to astonished, staring at the scrolls intently, reading every word with great focus.


    Even Chen Ziyi and the four others at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm were staring at the scroll''s content with serious expressions. Some furrowed their brows, some marveled, some were puzzled, and some suddenly understood...


    Buzz!


    Suddenly, a terrifying surge of aura burst forth as Li Youruo suddenly lifted his head to look at Xiao Yi and knelt on the ground with a thud, "Thank you, Master, for your gift. I have sensed the opportunity to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and I request your permission to enter seclusion to strive for it!"


    "Granted!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, then turned to Lin Bingxin, "Take Youruo to..."


    Before he could finish,


    Another buzz echoed.


    Chen Ziyi trembled all over, his eyes shining with a brilliant light, and he too knelt with a thud, "Thank you, Master, for your gift. I, too, have sensed the opportunity to break through to the Dharma Manifestation and need to enter seclusion to attack the realm!"


    "Very good, very good, two Dharma Manifestations in a single day, what worries could Xiaoshanhe Institute have about not thriving?"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, having anticipated that the contents of the scroll could lead them to breakthroughs but not expecting it to happen so quickly. Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "Both of you go and seclude yourselves in the secret chamber. However, you must inform me in advance when you''re about to break through. I will take you to a secluded place for your breakthroughs!"


    Nowadays, everyone looked down on Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    They didn''t think it could be revitalized.


    At this time, of course, he couldn''t reveal all his strength in front of everyone. He had to conceal his power. When the time came for the ancestral worship ceremony, several Dharma Manifestation experts would emerge alongside a host of strong disciples cultivated by Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    At that time...


    It would certainly shock everyone!


    "Xiao, I can hardly wait to see the expressions on Nangong Shengtian and others'' faces when they see our Xiaoshanhe Institute suddenly boasting so many experts!"


    "Hahaha, it will definitely be very exciting!"


    The crowd laughed in agreement.


    With the guidance of Xiao Yi, Li Youruo, and Chen Ziyi on the verge of their breakthroughs, the other powerhouses who received the scrolls also had significant gains. The way they looked at Xiao Yi was now filled with an intense warmth and inner admiration.


    The experts brought by Li Youruo and others were already won over by Xiao Yi.


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, squinted his eyes toward the star-studded night sky outside the door, and muttered to himself, "As long as we solve the Dan medicine resource supply, the rise of Xiaoshanhe Institute is within reach!"

 Chapter 299 The Dying Man

    The next day, early in the morning.


    Xiao Yi, Yan Mingli, and Lin Bingxin went together to the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion.


    Treasure Pavilion.


    This was an incomparably vast organization, its influence spread throughout the entire Qingtian Realm. There were rumors that behind the Treasure Pavilion was an enormously powerful force, many times stronger than the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Even though the four great noble families could suppress the Capital Treasure Pavilion, they dared not drive it into a corner.


    Otherwise, once they incited the wrath of the force behind the Treasure Pavilion, even the four great families couldn''t withstand the consequences.


    "Xiao, Master Nalan Qianqiu is a close friend of my mentor, but they were also contenders in the past. I''ve had some disputes with his disciples, and I fear we might encounter some of them this time. If they are impolite in their speech, please, teacher, for my sake, let it slide!" Standing in front of the Treasure Pavilion, Yan Mingli said.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    The three of them entered the Treasure Pavilion.


    This Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion was far from comparable to those in the Tianqing Kingdom; it was similarly divided into an Inner Cabinet and an Outer Cabinet.


    The Outer Cabinet was primarily made up of street stalls, a dazzling array of items, everything available, but it was a mix of good and bad, with no guarantee of quality. However, if one were lucky, it was possible to find precious treasures at extremely low prices.


    Just as Xiao Yi had found the Golden Radiance Stone Spirit in the Outer Cabinet of the Treasure Pavilion in Nanhuang.


    The Inner Cabinet dealt in high-end products, but the values were extremely expensive; even a single piece of clothing could cost over a hundred taels of silver, enough to cover a common family''s expenses for a year. Few ordinary people would spend in the Inner Cabinet.


    Xiao Yi and his companions made their way to the Inner Cabinet.


    "May I help you with something?" A good-looking young man stepped forward, his gaze subtly sweeping over the three of them, the smile on his face growing more brilliant and enthusiastic upon seeing the quality of their attire.


    Yan Mingli said, "Brother, we are here to see Master Nalan!"


    "To see our Pavilion Master?"


    The young man was taken aback and asked, puzzled, "May I know who you are?"


    Yan Mingli said, "My name is Yan Mingli. Please notify the Master; I believe he will want to see us!"


    "Alright... please wait here!" The young man promptly left.


    After a short while.


    The young man came back with a haughty-looking youth.


    The young man pointed at Xiao Yi and his group: "Steward Ning, it is they who wish to see the Pavilion Master!"


    "Hmm, you can go now!"


    Ning, the steward, waved his hand dismissively and slightly lifted his chin, his indifferent gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi and the others. His eyes paused briefly when they landed on Lin Bingxin, a flash of sharpness passing through them before he stepped forward and asked, "May I know how to address this miss?"


    Lin Bingxin''s brows creased slightly: "Lin Bingxin!"


    "Lin Bingxin? A name as pure as ice; indeed, a fine name!"


    Ning, the steward, chuckled, presumptuously flicking his hair, "I am Ning Kang, a first-level steward at the Treasure Pavilion!"


    There were three levels of stewards at the Treasure Pavilion.


    The first level was the highest, just below the Pavilion Master.


    The second and third levels were subordinate to the first.


    Ning Kang, being a first-level steward at such a young age, must have a formidable background. His face carried a radiant smile. Just as he was about to speak, Yan Mingli said, "Young brother, we came today to see Master Nalan. Is he currently available?"


    "And you are what exactly? Didn''t you see that I was speaking with Miss Lin?" Ning Kang rebuked loudly, displeasure showing on his face.


    Yan Mingli''s expression changed slightly.


    Ning Kang snorted, turning back to Lin Bingxin with a radiant smile: "Miss Lin, I infer from your accent that you are new to the Imperial Capital. There are quite a few interesting places here in the capital. If you''re interested, I could show you around!"


    "No need!"


    Lin Bingxin looked at Ning Kang with disgust and shook her head.


    Ning Kang hadn''t given up yet, and continued, "Miss Lin..."


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    Yan Mingli took a deep breath, "Ning, we have something to discuss with Master Nalan, please..."


    Slap!


    Ning Kang turned around and slapped Yan Mingli across the face, fuming, "How can you be so clueless, old man? Don''t you see that I am talking to Miss Lin? Why don''t you take a look in the mirror and see what kind of person you are, thinking you have the right to see the Pavilion Master? Do you think you''re worthy?"


    "You..."


    Yan Mingli''s face turned a ghastly shade.


    Bing Xin''s eyes were ablaze with fury. Yan Mingli was not only her master but also her only family member. She glared at Ning Kang, "Who gave you the right to hit someone?"


    Whoosh!


    Lin Bingxin raised her delicate palm to strike his face.


    Slap!


    Ning Kang quickly caught Lin Bingxin''s wrist, his face full of disdain, "Giving you face, huh? I''ve seen plenty of women like you, virtuous and righteous in public, but who knows how wanton you are behind closed doors. You want to see the Pavilion Master? As long as you serve me well, I will surely arrange a meeting for you with the Pavilion Master!"


    He sneered malevolently, eyes glancing over Lin Bingxin''s chest.


    A scarlet tongue licked his lips.


    His hand, resembling a salacious pork trotter, was about to reach out.


    But then there was a snap.


    Ning Kang''s smile abruptly disappeared from his face, replaced by shock, then overtaken by horror and paleness, "Ah... my hand, my hand is broken..."


    Ning Kang''s entire arm was dangling lifelessly in pieces at his side.


    His face contorted in excruciating pain.


    Clutching his broken arm, he staggered back repeatedly.


    Xiao Yi''s cold gaze fell upon him, he said indifferently, "If you dare to make another move, I''ll twist off your neck!"


    "You, you..."


    Ning Kang''s face turned ashen.


    Though his cultivation was at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, Xiao Yi had broken his arm effortlessly, an indication of strength far surpassing his own.


    Ning Kang eyed Xiao Yi warily, with boundless hatred flaming in his heart, he gritted his teeth, "Just you wait... How dare you cause trouble in the Treasure Pavilion, I won''t rest until I make you beg for life and death!"


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The sound of metal clashing heralded the arrival of an eleven-person team rushing in.


    The leader was a formidable Third Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm expert.


    This person was Ning Luo, the deputy master of the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion, and a favored student of Nalan Qianqiu.


    He was also Ning Kang''s father!


    "Kang''er, how did this happen to you?" Ning Luo, upon seeing Ning Kang''s shattered arm, his eyes filled with ferocity. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a vengeful look, Ning Kang turned to Xiao Yi and his companions, "Father, it was them who broke my arm. Capture them for me; I want the woman to become a plaything under me, and as for the men, chop them into pieces and feed them to the dogs��"


    "Don''t worry, your father will not let them off!"


    Ning Luo nodded his head, his savage eyes turning to Xiao Yi and his group. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly noticed Yan Mingli among the three, revealing a look of astonishment, which quickly morphed into ferocity and bitterness, "How dare someone cause trouble at the Treasure Pavilion? So it''s you? Yan Mingli, you dared to abet someone to harm my son, I will ensure you are torn to pieces!"


    At that moment...


    A deep voice caused Ning Luo to freeze abruptly, "A man about to die still dares to talk of tearing people to pieces?"

 Chapter 300 Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb

    ```


    "A dying man still has the nerve to think about crushing others to pieces?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice eerily reached Ning Luo''s ears.


    Ning Luo''s movements abruptly stalled.


    His sword-like eyebrows contracted, as he turned towards the speaking Xiao Yi: "Boy, what nonsense are you spouting?"


    Xiao Yi coolly responded, "What? Isn''t Master Nalan, the Pavilion Master of Treasure Pavilion, a Seven-Star Alchemist? Can''t he even see that you are on death''s doorstep?"


    Hum!


    Ning Luo''s complexion dramatically changed.


    Behind him...


    Ning Kang roared, "You little bastard, what rubbish are you spouting? My father..."


    "Shut up!"


    Ning Luo turned back and glared at him fiercely, his expression solemn as he regarded Xiao Yi, unconsciously adding a hint of reverence, "May I know how to address you, sir?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at the increasingly curious onlookers and remained silent.


    Ning Luo immediately understood and gestured invitingly, "This way, please!"


    "Dad, he just broke my arm..." Ning Kang''s face was filled with confusion, not understanding why his father, who always doted on him, was showing such respect to the enemy who had broken his arm.


    "Quiet!"


    Ning Luo barked in anger, then said to the guard beside him, "Take Steward Ning to have his wound dressed!"


    "Yes!"


    The guard promptly carried away a bewildered Ning Kang.


    "Please, this way," Ning Luo said, leading Xiao Yi and the others towards the back hall.


    Along the way.


    Ning Luo''s attitude towards Yan Mingli became much gentler: "Brother Mingli, it has been over twenty years since we last met, how have you been these years?"


    Observing the warmth on Ning Luo''s face, Yan Mingli''s mouth twitched slightly.


    Just a moment ago.


    This guy was thinking about tearing him to pieces!


    And now, he was all smiles and pleasantries.


    Knowing he was at fault, Ning Luo quickly said, "Brother Mingli, my son is injured, and I was just concerned to a fault! Please understand the heart of a parent!"


    With things said to this point, Yan Mingli didn''t continue to hold back and said, "I have been staying in Nanhuang these years, now I''m following Xiao to the imperial city, seeking a career!"


    "Xiao?"


    Ning Luo was taken aback, his face full of shock, "This, this gentleman is Xiao Yi? Director Xiao?"


    Yan Mingli nodded.


    Ning Luo gasped in surprise.


    Of late...


    The name Xiao Yi has been on everyone''s lips.


    In the entire imperial city, who does not know Xiao Yi?


    At the peak of the Golden Core Realm, in control of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Forcefully expelled Chen Shuiwen.


    Just yesterday, he even set a one-month agreement with the Nalan Family.


    Ning Luo took a deep breath, seeing that Xiao Yi was not looking at him, he quietly asked Yan Mingli, "Brother Mingli, what brings you here today?"


    Yan Mingli replied, "We came today hoping to meet with Master Nalan, I wonder if it''s convenient?"


    "My master received an ancient elixir prescription a few days ago and has been immersed in studying it recently. May I know the purpose of your visit? If it is urgent, I can pass on the message, but..." Ning Luo pointed to himself and made an eye gesture at Yan Mingli, implicitly indicating. S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yan Mingli looked towards Xiao Yi.


    ```


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "As long as I see Master Nalan, I have a way to save your life!"


    Ning Luo frowned slightly, hesitating, "Master Xiao..."


    "I know what you''re worried about!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, his sharp gaze seemed as if it could see right through him, "I still have a way to deal with the poison of the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb!"


    Hiss!


    Ning Luo''s face suddenly changed.


    He was indeed poisoned by the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb.


    This was something that even Ning Kang didn''t know, only he and Nalan Qianqiu were aware of it.


    The ancient prescription that Nalan Qianqiu was studying was an attempt to find a way to cure his poisoning. Xiao Yi was able to determine the poison he was afflicted with in a single statement, and the last shred of doubt in Ning Luo''s heart also vanished.


    With a respectful expression, he led the three to a reception room and said solemnly, "Master Xiao, please wait here for a moment, I will go and ask my master to come out!"


    Inside the reception room.


    Xiao Yi and his companions waited quietly. Yan Mingli asked with curiosity, "Master Xiao, the symptoms of Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb poisoning only manifest when the person is near death. How could you tell at a glance that Ning Luo was poisoned by the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb?"


    "It''s the scent on his body!" Xiao Yi said.


    Yan Mingli was startled.


    Xiao Yi explained calmly, "The Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb grows in extremely yin places, and where this herb grows, there must be a three-tailed bamboo leaf green snake nearby. This extremely poisonous snake likes to urinate on the herb, leaving a faint bamboo leaf fragrance. Just now, I smelled that tinge of bamboo leaf scent on Ning Luo..."


    Clap clap clap!


    A crisp round of applause followed.


    In front of Ning Luo, an old man in plain clothes with white hair but a youthful face wore an appreciative look, "To deduce the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb from that faint scent, Master Xiao''s understanding of medicinal herbs even surpasses that of this old man!"


    "Master Nalan!" Yan Mingli quickly stood up and said respectfully.


    Lin Bingxin bowed slightly as a greeting.


    Xiao Yi cupped his hands towards Nalan Qianqiu and said, "Master Nalan is too kind!"


    "No, no, no!"


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    Nalan Qianqiu shook his head, speaking earnestly, "Master Xiao, there''s no need for modesty. I wasn''t flattering, just stating the truth. Even I didn''t initially realize what poison Ning Luo had been afflicted with and had to consult many ancient texts before figuring it out!"


    Xiao Yi replied modestly, "It was purely by accident!"


    Nalan Qianqiu smiled and didn''t dwell on the matter any further, asking, "Master Xiao, Ning Luo tells me you have a way to cure the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb poison?"


    Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb, colorless, tasteless, extremely yin and chilling.


    This poison is extremely terrifying!


    The poisoned person won''t show any signs but will become very sensitive to heat, and only at the moment of death will their meridians burst and a pattern similar to the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb appear on their body.


    Ning Luo also discovered something was amiss due to his frequent handling of alchemical fires for his work as an alchemist.


    This past month, he had been relying on Nalan Qianqiu''s medicine to suppress the toxins in his body; otherwise, he would have died from exploding veins long ago.


    Nalan Qianqiu said with a guilty look, "I''ve consulted ancient texts but haven''t been able to find a cure for this poison. If Master Xiao can truly save Ning Luo''s life, Nalan Qianqiu would be eternally grateful!"


    "Master..."


    Ning Luo''s face was full of emotion, as he was an orphan who had been raised by Nalan Qianqiu since childhood.


    He was not just a master to him, but even more a father!


    Xiao Yi said, "Saving him is not difficult, but, I have a matter I would like Master Nalan to agree to!"


    Nalan Qianqiu replied, "Master Xiao, feel free to speak. As long as it is within my capabilities, I would go through fire and water without hesitation!"


    "I believe Master Nalan knows that Xiaoshanhe Institute is now in my hands."


    Seeing Nalan Qianqiu nod, Xiao Yi continued, "I would like to establish cooperation with Treasure Pavilion, having Treasure Pavilion supply us with pills and medicinal herbs."


    Nalan Qianqiu had been engrossed in researching ancient prescriptions lately and was not fully informed about the happenings within the imperial capital. Hearing this, he nodded and said, "I thought it was something serious, but it turns out to be merely a supply of pills and medicinal herbs. Rest assured, Master Xiao, my Treasure Pavilion..."


    Just as Nalan Qianqiu seemed ready to agree, a faint voice came from outside the door, "Master Xiao, dragging Master Nalan to accompany you in death doesn''t seem too appropriate, does it?"

 Chapter 301 Incompetent Doctor Causes Harm

    "Xiao, you''re taking Master Nalan with you to your grave, that''s hardly proper, is it?"


    A voice came from outside the door.


    Two figures appeared together in the parlor.


    Yan Mingli''s face changed slightly as he quickly lowered his voice and said, "Xiao, the visitors are ill-intentioned!"


    "Who are they?" Xiao Yi asked.


    In a grave tone, Yan Mingli said, "The one on the left in black is called Nangong Shoucheng, a six-star Alchemist from the Nangong Family. The one on the left in white is Beitang Kong, also a six-star Alchemist."


    The six-star Alchemists from the Nangong and Beitang Families had appeared together.


    Clearly, as Yan Mingli had said, the visitors had bad intentions.


    It must have been that they found out that he had come to see Nalan Qianqiu, and they had specifically sent these two to disrupt and sabotage the cooperation between him and Nalan Qianqiu.


    Nalan Qianqiu had known the two men for many years and greeted them with a cupped-hand salute, confusion showing on his face, "What exactly did you mean by your previous words, gentlemen?"


    With a mocking look, Nangong Shoucheng said sardonically, "Master Nalan, you should ask Xiao about this matter!"


    "Tsk tsk, Xiao, you''re on a road to death yourself and dragging others down with you. That''s not very ethical!" Beitang Kong''s tone was gloomy as he provocatively stared at Xiao Yi.


    Nalan Qianqiu was completely baffled.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless.


    Nangong Shoucheng, brimming with conceit, said, "Master Nalan, let this old man tell you! This Xiao Yi, ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth, has made a bet with our family elder, boasting that he will cause all the pill shops of the Nangong Family to close down within a month. He must be seeking your Treasure Pavilion now, intending to strike at the Nangong Family!"


    "What?"


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face stiffened, and he looked incredulously at Xiao Yi.


    He knew all too well how powerful the Nangong and Beitang Families were when united in the pill medicine industry.


    Xiao Yi actually wanted to contend with these two giants?


    Not to mention just him alone...


    Even if he brought the Treasure Pavilion into the fray, it would be a death sentence!


    Otherwise,


    Why would the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion be suppressed so severely by the four great families?


    Annoyed, Nalan Qianqiu was quite displeased with Xiao Yi''s concealment, "Xiao, what you have done is somewhat��"


    Xiao Yi cupped his hands toward Nalan Qianqiu and said, "Master Nalan, I did not disclose the full truth to you, and for that, I indeed erred. As an apology, I will now rid Vice-Master Ning of the poison!"


    As his voice fell,


    Xiao Yi''s figure had already appeared beside Ning Luo, and with a single strike in the air, he knocked Ning Luo out with a slap to the back of his neck before the latter, at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, could react.


    Ning Luo''s body went limp, and Xiao Yi swiftly pointed at Ning Luo''s waist.


    At the same time, his arm shook.


    Whoosh!


    Ning Luo''s body was forcibly pushed into the air by Xiao Yi, and his surging Qi wrapped around Ning Luo, actually condensing into an ethereal Qi Pill Furnace.


    "Qi manifesting into form? Such an exquisite technique; this youngster''s control over Qi is exceptionally strong..." Nangong Shoucheng''s face showed a slight change. Even having spent many years at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he could not manipulate Qi so skillfully.


    Beitang Kong squinted his eyes and sneered, "This young man''s control over Qi is indeed astonishing, but the poison of the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb has no cure in this world. I see this is but a show of smoke and mirrors!"


    "Shut up!"


    Yan Mingli glared coldly at them and said indifferently, "Xiao is curing Ning Luo''s poison. If you disrupt and cause a delay because of your disturbance, can you bear the consequences?"


    "How dare you..." Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire


    Beitang Kong''s expression darkened as the power of the Calamity Realm pressed towards Yan Mingli.


    "Stop!"


    Nalan Qianqiu let out a cold hum.


    The presence of the Dharma Manifestation Realm rolled out like a vast tide, scattering Beitang Kong''s energies. His unblinking gaze fell on Xiao Yi, giving Beitang Kong the feeling of being tightly watched by a blade-like stare, "Whoever dares to disturb Xiao, I will kill them!"


    Beitang Kong''s face turned alternately green and white, but he did not dare to defy Nalan Qianqiu.


    He glared at Yan Mingli fiercely.


    Beitang Kong and Nangong Shoucheng stood to one side. S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile...


    Inside the energy furnace created by Xiao Yi''s vital energy, streaks of crimson light circulated and drilled into Ning Luo''s body.


    Roar!


    Ning Luo''s whole body trembled.


    His muscles instantly tensed, his body arched backward, like a bow drawn taut.


    The blue veins on his body turned wildly prominent.


    Vein after vein, they coiled around his body like writhing dragons.


    Waves of severe pain turned Ning Luo''s body a scarlet red as beads of sweat the size of beans rolled off him, some even tinged with strands of fresh blood, falling to the ground.


    As these beads hit the floor, a sizzling noise ensued.


    "Roar..."


    "Ugh..."


    Ning Luo''s screams of agony were continuous.


    The sound of his cries was heart-wrenching to hear, tear-inducing to see, and utterly devastating.


    Beitang Kong spoke with cold-hearted ridicule, "This isn''t detoxification, it''s clearly murder!"


    Nangong Shoucheng nodded in agreement, adding, "In all the ancient texts, where has there been such a method of detoxification? In my opinion, he''s just playing with Deputy Pavilion Master Ning''s life as a joke!"


    Nalan Qianqiu''s expression was taut as he watched Ning Luo scream in agony, passing out multiple times from the pain.


    He couldn''t bear it.


    Just as he was about to call a halt,


    he heard Xiao Yi roar lowly, "Needles!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    From his storage ring, a series of hair-thin silver needles burst out, numerous as cow''s hair and sparkling like countless stars in the sky.


    With a flick of Xiao Yi''s finger,


    hundreds, thousands of silver needles shot out rapidly, silently landing on the many acupoints on Ning Luo''s body.


    One could vaguely see,


    the needles on Ning Luo''s body forming the image of a ghastly face with green features and sharp fangs.


    "This, this is..." Nalan Qianqiu''s pupils suddenly contracted, his face showing disbelief and shock.


    Both Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong exchanged glances, voicing their concerns, "Xiao Yi, are you planning to murder Deputy Pavilion Master Ning? With so many needles piercing into his body, if the poison doesn''t kill him, your needles will..."


    "Master Nalan, you should stop Xiao Yi quickly. A quack is endangering someone; Deputy Pavilion Master Ning''s life is in danger!"


    "Shut up, both of you!"


    Nalan Qianqiu turned around and slapped both men to the ground, glaring at them fiercely and cursing out loud, "What the hell do you know? Damn quacks endangering people, what Xiao is using is the Ghost King Needle..."


    Beitang Kong, clutching his face in confusion, said, "What, what''s the Ghost King Needle?"


    Not caring about the burning pain on his face, Nangong Shoucheng looked shocked, "The Ghost King Needle? The legendary technique of the Underworld Doctor that has been lost for many years, which can revive the dead? Impossible, Bian once said that even in Southern Border, the ancestral land of the Underworld Doctor lineage, the Ghost King Needle had long been lost. How could he possibly know this lost supreme technique?"


    Just then...


    "The Ghost King Order, Death fears, to revive the dead..."


    Xiao Yi roared lowly.


    Pup, pup, pup!


    Silver needles exploded from Ning Luo''s body, embedding themselves into the floor and the ceiling above. Each needle carried black poisonous blood. Once all the thousands of needles had disappeared from his body,


    Xiao Yi waved his hand casually, and Ning Luo fell in front of everyone.


    Xiao Yi bowed his hands to Nalan Qianqiu, "Mission accomplished!"

 Chapter 302 Have You Ever Seen Alchemy with a Single Finger?

    "I was successful in my mission!"


    Xiao Yi cupped one hand in the other before his chest toward Nalan Qianqiu with a smile.


    Ning Luo also opened his eyes at this moment, subconsciously looking at his own hands. A fierce flame surged up in the palm of his hand. This was the Pill Fire condensed from the fiery attribute of his vital energy.


    During the time when he was poisoned by the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb, let alone condensing Pill Fire, even being near flames would make him feel unbearably uncomfortable.


    But now...


    He could once again clearly sense the familiarity emanating from the Pill Fire.


    "Master, I am healed, I am completely healed..."


    Excitement and ecstasy covered Ning Luo''s face as he ran to Nalan Qianqiu''s side.


    Nalan Qianqiu''s eyes were red-rimmed, with tears threatening to spill, for he had been restless and losing sleep over Ning Luo''s poisoning these past months. This was not only his direct disciple but also a loved one he regarded as his own kin.


    But after searching through ancient tomes, he found absolutely no way to cure the poison of the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb.


    Now.


    The poison afflicting Ning Luo was finally cured.


    Nalan Qianqiu cupped his hands toward Xiao Yi, full of gratitude, "Thank you, Master Xiao, for saving his life!"


    Ning Luo also came back to his senses, hurriedly paid respects to Xiao Yi, and said respectfully, "Thank you, Master Xiao, for saving my life!"


    "There''s no need for such formalities. As I said, consider this a token of penance for not having been able to disclose the full truth," Xiao Yi waved his hand, then looked at Nalan Qianqiu, "Pavilion Master Nalan, I wonder if the Treasure Pavilion is willing to collaborate with my Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Nalan Qianqiu was stunned, showing a hesitant look, "This..."


    He never liked to be indebted to someone.


    Xiao Yi had just saved Ning Luo, so he really couldn''t refuse.


    But...


    To directly confront the Beitang and Nangong families to the point of a life-and-death struggle, Nalan Qianqiu also couldn''t make up his mind. After all, it could potentially send the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion into an abyss with no return.


    Nangong Shoucheng quickly said, "Pavilion Master Nalan, you must think this through. If you collaborate with him, you will be making enemies of both the Nangong and Beitang families, to the bitter end!"


    "Think thrice before you act!" Beitang Kong also spoke up.


    The two families controlled one the channels for medicinal ingredients, and the other the channels for pill elixirs.


    The pill elixir industry of the Great Qian Dynasty was in their hands.


    Even if the Treasure Pavilion wanted to purchase medicinal ingredients and pill elixirs within the Great Qian Dynasty, it would have to go through them. As for the Treasure Pavilion bringing in resources from outside the Great Qian Dynasty, given the four major families'' control over the Great Qian Dynasty, they definitely had the ability to make those transported resources mysteriously disappear en route.


    This kind of incident had indeed happened before!


    With righteous indignation, Nangong Shoucheng looked at Xiao Yi, "Master Xiao, if you seek your own end, don''t drag others down to die with you!"


    Beitang Kong nodded, saying, "Master Xiao, one mustn''t be so selfish in life!"


    Nalan Qianqiu looked towards Xiao Yi with a troubled expression.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Pavilion Master Nalan, I will only ask you one thing..."


    Nalan Qianqiu frowned at him.


    Xiao Yi spoke slowly, emphasizing each word, "Are you, willing to remain beneath others?"


    Whoom!


    Nalan Qianqiu shuddered all over.


    Willing to remain beneath others?


    Of course not!


    Treasure Pavilions were spread across all corners of the Qingtian Realm, and except for a few of them, nearly ninety percent of the Treasure Pavilions were the absolute rulers of their respective localities. But what about him?


    Since the foundation of the Treasure Pavilion in the Great Qian Dynasty, it had always been suppressed by the four major families.


    And with that, Nalan Qianqiu also faced scorn at the headquarters of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Those who were once no better than him, or even slightly inferior, now held power and status in the Treasure Pavilion that surpassed his own. All this was due to the awkward position of the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Facing the oppression of the four major families.


    He was powerless to turn the tide!


    Nalan Qianqiu thought of turning his fortunes around at all times, but after several failed attempts, he had long since lost his fighting spirit. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Easier said than done..." Nalan Qianqiu sighed.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Master Nalan, I naturally understand that this matter is not easy. You only need to tell me, are you willing to be subordinate to others?"


    Nalan Qianqiu hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said word by word, "No!"


    "That''s enough!" Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    Xiao Yi relaxed, his biggest worry being that Nalan Qianqiu had lost all will to fight. As long as he still had the desire to turn the tables, there was still a chance, "Master Nalan, I''d like to borrow your alchemy room."


    "Hmm?"


    Nalan Qianqiu was stunned.


    Weren''t they discussing cooperation?


    Why did he suddenly want to go to the alchemy room?


    Although he was puzzled, he still nodded and said, "Please follow me."


    Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong exchanged glances and followed as well.


    Nalan Qianqiu''s alchemy room was extremely large, containing four pill furnaces in total. Each one was of the sixth-order Yuan weapon level, each worth more than a hundred billion Silver.


    "Xiao Yi, what on earth are you trying to pull?" Nangong Shoucheng frowned.


    Beitang Kong said coldly, "Playing mysterious."


    Xiao Yi paid no attention to the two men and instead walked toward the medicine cabinet where the herbs were stored. He took some herbs and said as he walked, "The competition in the elixir industry comes down to efficacy and price. For the same efficacy, the cheaper one is superior; for the same price, the one with better effects is superior. If the effects are outstanding and the price is low, then that elixir will be invincible, without any opponents!"


    "Everyone knows that, but if you want to lower the price, you need to control costs. And how can you improve the efficacy of the elixirs once you control the costs?" Nangong Shoucheng said with a face full of scorn.


    Beitang Kong sneered, "My Beitang Family controls the medicinal resources, and the Nangong Family controls the elixir resources. United, we are invincible."


    "What you call united is actually collusion!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was scornful then he looked at Nalan Qianqiu seriously, "Master Nalan, what are the best-selling elixirs on the market now? And what is the cost?"


    Nalan Qianqiu said, "The bestseller is Qi Gathering Elixir with a cost of ten Silver, Qi and Blood Elixir with a cost of a hundred Silver, Divine Passage Elixir with a cost of a thousand Silver, Gold Cloud Elixir with a cost of five thousand Silver..."


    Ning Luo continued, "These four types of elixirs nearly occupy seventy percent of the market."


    "Let''s take these four elixirs then!"


    Xiao Yi suddenly made a statement.


    The crowd had not yet come back to their senses.


    They saw Xiao Yi throwing batches of herbs into each of the four pill furnaces, then with a flick of his finger, his elemental energy transformed into a pill flame, pure azure in colour landing on the furnaces.


    Boom!


    Underneath the four pill furnaces blazed the pill flames forcefully.


    "What? He''s going to concoct four types of elixirs at the same time?"


    "Isn''t he too arrogant? Even as six-star alchemists, we can''t manage to multitask to such an extent!"


    "Don''t mention you... Even I cannot multitask in this manner, let alone concoct four different types of elixirs at the same time..." said Nalan Qianqiu, shocked.


    Different elixirs require different strengths of pill flames, steps in their concoction, and timing for the pills to form.


    The difficulty of concocting four different elixirs at the same time even exceeds that of concocting eight furnaces of the same elixir.


    "Drawing the crowd to show off!"


    "Absolutely impossible to succeed!"


    Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong confidently said.


    They had been immersed in the art of alchemy for a hundred years. Xiao Yi, even if he had started alchemy from the womb, had only been at it for twenty years. How could he succeed with the difficulty increased by dozens of times when they themselves could not?


    Just as everyone was full of doubt and surprise, Xiao Yi turned around and looked at them, "Have you ever witnessed single-finger alchemy?"


    "Ah?"


    "What, what is single-finger alchemy?" The crowd was baffled.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upwards, with a playful arc, "Open your eyes wide and watch carefully, the moment of witnessing a miracle has arrived!"

 Chapter 303 Astonishingly Talented

    ```


    "The next moment is when we witness a miracle!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled into a slight, mysterious smile.


    To make Nalan Qianqiu agree to cooperate, it was necessary to leave him with no worries, and the simplest method was to let Nalan Qianqiu witness his formidable abilities firsthand.


    Whether it be martial arts, formations, or alchemy, the simplest and most practical approach was to overpower the other party with sheer strength!


    Only by showing off enough power,


    could one make others submit.


    A flick of a finger alchemy.


    This was a unique move that only the Wind Thunder Sage could perform by harnessing the Wind Thunder Holy Body.


    Hiss, hiss!


    Electricity flickered around Xiao Yi''s body, followed by a fierce wind thunder that concentrated on his fingertips. His hands moved through the air like playing a piano, with rhythmic motions.


    A tempest of blue winds raged.


    In the air, they formed the embryonic shapes of nine pill furnaces.


    At the same time...


    Purple-gold thunderbolts shot out like snakes, twisting and coiling around the blue furnace shapes, turning into the spiraling serpentine Wind Thunder Pill Furnaces.


    "Ingredients!"


    With a call from Xiao Yi, he summoned objects from afar.


    One by one, the medicine cabinets opened automatically.


    Various herbs flew out.


    These herbs gathered into ten medicinal streams that, drawn by the force of the wind thunder, each entered one of the ten Wind Thunder Pill Furnaces.


    "Are those ingredients for refining the Earthly Treasure Elixir?"


    "Those are for the Heavenly Treasure Elixir..."


    "That is..."


    The crowd, with their eyes on the diverse herbs forming streams into the Wind Thunder Pill Furnaces, could naturally discern what type of elixir was being crafted, thanks to their alchemical knowledge.


    Ten different elixirs, plus those four pill furnaces, made for fourteen completely different types of elixirs.


    From the lowest Grade 1 elixirs to Grade 6.


    And all were the most popular kinds on the market.


    "Has this guy gone mad?"


    "Mad? I think he''s practically a god... Leaving aside whether he can succeed in refining, just this technique of solidifying the qi pill furnace is priceless..." Nangong Shoucheng''s eyes blazed with greed.


    Aside from herbs, formulas, and alchemical methods, the thing that troubled alchemists the most was the pill furnace!


    Pill furnaces are hard to craft.


    Even for a seasoned artifact refiner, the success rate is extremely low when forging pill furnaces. After all, while a formation carved on a weapon is sufficient, it must be inscribed inside a pill furnace.


    An excellent artifact refiner is definitely a top-tier array master.


    But array masters, how rare and precious they are!


    In major forces, they are worshipped like ancestors!


    How could they be used for artifact refining?


    But what about Xiao Yi?


    He could actually solidify qi into a pill furnace and proceed smoothly with alchemy. If he truly succeeded in forming pills, this method of qi-solidifying pill furnaces would be a technique that all alchemists would desperately seek.


    "If Xiao Yi loses the wager with the old ancestor, he''ll have to comply with whatever the old ancestor wishes. By then, he must make him hand over this technique of qi-solidifying pill furnaces..." Nangong Shoucheng was already fantasizing about the benefits after winning the wager.


    But Nalan Qianqiu stared without blinking, fixated on those fourteen pill furnaces.


    Xiao Yi''s control of four pill furnaces previously had already impressed them.


    Now, he was simultaneously controlling fourteen furnaces!


    This was simply divine!


    "If he can succeed in making pills like this, as long as the quality of the elixirs can keep up, cooperating with him might offer a chance to suppress the Nangong and Beitang families..." Nalan Qianqiu''s eyes narrowed into slits, murmuring to himself.


    At this moment,


    burst after burst of medicinal fragrance suddenly emitted from the pill furnaces.


    From the time Xiao Yi put the ingredients into the furnaces, it had only been the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.


    To have fragrance within the time it takes an incense stick to burn?


    This meant that Xiao Yi had completed the refining of the ingredients, capturing their essence. What followed was the solidifying of pills. If he succeeded at solidifying, this round of alchemy would be a complete success.


    What remained to be seen was the quality of the elixirs and the cost after distribution.


    For example, a Qi Condensing Pill''s cost was ten silvers each.


    Xiao Yi''s batch of ingredients was worth thirty silvers; if it yielded three pills, it would meet the average standard. If there were five pills, then the cost of each would be six silvers, far below the market cost.


    "Hmph, refining ingredients is the easiest part, the key is solidifying the pill!" Beitang Kong declared.


    Nangong Shoucheng nodded, "Solidifying the pill will be a failure if unsuccessful. If he focused on crafting one batch of elixirs, the success rate would undoubtedly be high. But he is so arrogant as to craft fourteen kinds of elixirs at the same time, I believe it is impossible for him to succeed!"


    Solidifying pills is what consumes the most focus.


    ```


    Ordinary alchemists concentrate on refining a single batch of pills, and even then, the success rate isn''t high.


    What''s more for Xiao Yi, who was refining fourteen batches of pills at the same time?


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd.


    A dazzling light radiated from the top of each of the fourteen pill furnaces as Xiao Yi''s figure floated ethereally, his slender fingers dancing gracefully as if caressing the strings of a harp, leaving behind a trail of afterimages.


    In a splendid display.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows knitted together as he let out a low roar, "Pills solidified!"


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Fourteen pill furnaces trembled simultaneously.


    "Bing Xin, collect the pills!" Xiao Yi commanded in a low shout.


    "Yes!"


    Lin Bingxin leaped up, floating gracefully like a fairy or a nimble swallow soaring through the air, flitting amongst the pill furnaces. She reached out with her pill bottles, and one by one, the pills flew into the bottles.


    A moment later. sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All ten Qi Condensing Pill furnaces had disappeared.


    The flames around the other four furnaces had also quietly subsided.


    In front of everyone stood fourteen pill bottles in a row.


    Everyone was dumbstruck...


    Gulp!


    Nangong Shoucheng swallowed hard, "He, did he really finish? Refining fourteen different kinds of pills at once, and all of them solidified?"


    "Incredible, is this even possible for a human to achieve?" Beitang Kong was astounded.


    Ning Luo sucked in the cold air, unable to speak.


    Admiration and pride filled the eyes of Yan Mingli and Lin Bingxin.


    Nalan Qianqiu''s eyes sparkled with intense anticipation.


    Xiao Yi looked at Nalan Qianqiu with a smile, "Master Nalan, please inspect them!"


    "Alright!"


    Nalan Qianqiu took a deep breath and opened the first bottle of Qi Condensing Pills, counting as he opened, "Qi Condensing Pills, normally one can get three pills from one batch of materials, but in this bottle, there are one, two..."


    With each number he uttered, everyone''s heart pounded heavily.


    When the count reached four.


    Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong''s expressions stiffened.


    As Nalan Qianqiu''s count reached five, their faces turned pale.


    "That''s it, right?"


    "It must be, right? There are already five pills; the average cost is six taels..."


    Both were nervous.


    However...


    Nalan Qianqiu''s mouth didn''t stop, "Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven..." with each number, his hands shook more violently, until at fifteen, Nalan Qianqiu was drenched in cold sweat.


    His hands trembling, he looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "Fifteen pills? One batch of materials yielded fifteen pills? How, how is this possible?"


    "Impossible, even if we perform beyond expectations, we can at most get eight or nine pills from a batch... Fifteen, how can this be?"


    "The efficacy must be subpar..."


    Nangong Shoucheng and the others pushed past Nalan Qianqiu, but when they saw the fifteen lustrous, jade-like pills, they fell to the ground with a thud.


    All fifteen pills were of the highest quality!


    "No, it must only be this one; the others definitely cannot compare..." They could not give up and opened the other bottles.


    Earthly Treasure Elixir, ten pills.


    Gold Cloud Elixir, ten pills solidified.


    Ten pills!


    Fifteen pills...


    All fourteen types of pills, at least ten pills solidified, all uniformly of the highest quality!


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong slumped, legs weakening, faces turning pale, cold sweat soaking through their clothes. Their gazes towards Xiao Yi shifted from the previous scorn and mockery to shock and fear.


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    This man was worth hundreds of six-star alchemists!


    "What kind of existence have we provoked?" They looked at each other, at a loss.


    Xiao Yi didn''t pay heed to them, smiling at Nalan Qianqiu, "Master Nalan, is this cooperation to your satisfaction?"


    Gulp!


    Nalan Qianqiu swallowed hard, barely containing his excitement, and said through gritted teeth, "Very satisfactory!"

 Chapter 304 Black Market News

    Outside Treasure Pavilion.


    Two figures supported each other, but their legs were still weak and wobbly, like those of a soft-shelled shrimp. Even clinging to each other, they seemed on the verge of collapsing.


    They looked up at the somewhat piercing sunshine, their faces growing paler.


    With his mind filled with those dazzling arrays of pills, Nangong Shoucheng''s pale lips quivered, "It''s over, what kind of existence have we provoked?"


    "We must inform the family head immediately..."


    Beitang Kong said hastily.


    With each step as soft as the last, they headed towards their respective family estates.


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi in Treasure Pavilion was signing a contract with Nalan Qianqiu.


    The contract specified:


    Treasure Pavilion would supply the medicinal materials, while Xiao Yi would advance the training of Treasure Pavilion''s alchemists, ensuring that their pill success rate would increase at least twofold, and all pill production costs would be reduced to one-third of the average baseline.


    Afterward, Treasure Pavilion would handle the sales.


    Just think about it.


    When these pills, stronger in effects but priced at only one-third or even lower appear on the market, what business could the Nangong Family''s pill shops possibly have left? Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire


    By then, they would be unable to sell their stockpiled medicinal materials and pills.


    Their financial chain would break.


    Not to mention a month...


    It would be troublesome for them even to hold out for half a month.


    "Xiao, our Treasure Pavilion indeed has some stockpiled medicinal materials, but compared to the scale of the Beitang and Nangong families, it is still lacking, enough for at most ten days," Nalan Qianqiu said, now that they had decided on a partnership, he no longer had any reservations to hide.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said, "Ten days is definitely not enough, we still need to resolve the issue of medicinal materials. Master Nalan, where does the Beitang Family get their medicinal materials from?"


    Nalan Qianqiu spoke in a deep voice, "It''s not a big secret. The medicinal materials for the Beitang Family and indeed the entire Southern State are actually supplied by Medicine King Valley."


    "Medicine King Valley?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, as he had never heard of this place.


    Nalan Qianqiu explained, "Medicine King Valley is located within the Medicine King Mountain Range of the Nantian Dynasty. The Nantian Dynasty is incredibly far from us; even for Dharma Manifestation Realm experts crossing the void, it would take several years."


    "That far?" Xiao Yi said in surprise, "How does the Beitang Family conduct trade with them?"


    After pondering, Nalan Qianqiu said, "Medicine King Valley has outposts in every dynasty, and our Treasure Pavilion also cooperates with them. However, before we came to the Great Qian Dynasty, the Beitang Family had already struck a deal with them. Moreover, it seems that the old ancestor of the Beitang Family has some relationship with an elder in Medicine King Valley, so we cannot snatch the supply channel from their hands!"


    Squinting his eyes, Xiao Yi asked, "Is there any other way?"


    "Actually..." S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Nalan Qianqiu said, "Apart from Medicine King Valley, there''s a black market on Beast Emperor Island within the Beast Emperor Sea to the east, which is no less potent than Medicine King Valley, where we could also purchase medicinal materials. However, the black market is a place of mixed repute, and if one doesn''t have sufficient strength, they might be swallowed whole without a trace!"


    The black market, a marketplace hidden in the shadows.


    It''s naturally an unlawful place!


    There...


    Strength is respected, and it''s the law of the jungle.


    Without sufficient strength, going to the black market can mean not coming back, let alone buying medicinal materials. That''s why, even though Treasure Pavilion is aware of the black market, they have not sourced goods from there.


    After all.


    The risks are simply too great!


    Squinting his eyes, Xiao Yi said, "First, gather all of Treasure Pavilion''s alchemists, I''ll give them a round of training. At the very least during these ten days, we''ll bring down the market price of pills, and leave the rest to me to resolve!"


    "We have no other choice!"


    Nalan Qianqiu nodded, then ordered Ning Luo to summon all of Treasure Pavilion''s alchemists.


    In the following two days.


    While Xiao Yi was instructing the group of alchemists, he was also concocting some pills for the Xiaoshanhe Institute, which he gave to Lin Bingxin to take back to the Institute.


    On this day.


    Xiao Yi looked at the hundreds of alchemists in front of him and, under the adoring gaze of the crowd, spoke in a deep voice, "After two days of intensified training, each of you should at least be able to refine two furnaces of medicinal pills simultaneously. In the coming time, it will be hard on you all! Should we win this bet, Xiao guarantees to teach you the method to refine three, even four furnaces of pills at once!"


    "Pavilion Master Xiao, rest assured, we will give it our all!"


    "We definitely won''t let you down!"


    The crowd shouted in unison.


    "Elder Xue, Elder Yan, I''ll have to trouble you two to keep an eye on things here!"


    After giving instructions to the two, Xiao Yi turned to Nalan Qianqiu, "Master Nalan, we need you to put in more effort regarding our previous agreement for the Treasure Pavilion and the Xiaoshanhe Institute to join forces in preparing for the talent battle!"


    "Don''t worry, you won''t be disappointed!"


    Nalan Qianqiu patted his chest. His alchemy skills had skyrocketed before Xiao Yi, and he had almost reached the threshold of an eight-star alchemist; he was sincerely impressed with Xiao Yi, "Xiao, please be extra careful on your trip to the Beast Emperor Sea!"


    Xiao Yi nodded solemnly, "I''m taking my leave first!"


    After the time it takes to burn a joss stick had passed.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    In front of the mountain gate, where two stone lions used to stand, now sat two sixth-order Beast Kings of Dharma Manifestation Realm. Upon seeing Xiao Yi''s arrival, the two magical beasts immediately straightened up, "Welcome back, Institute Head!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi gave them a glance and said, "You''ve done quite well, take these two pills as a reward."


    They were two sixth-grade medicinal pills.


    They could potentially double the effectiveness of comprehending the forces of heaven and earth, with the effect lasting a full ten days.


    The two beasts'' eyes shone brightly, "Thank you, Institute Head!"


    "Guard the mountain gate well; substantial rewards will follow in the future!" Xiao Yi said.


    "Yes!"


    The beasts'' voices thundered like rolling thunder.


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly, feeling a sense of expectation, "When the Ancestral Ceremony comes and everyone sees that the gatekeepers of my Xiaoshanhe Institute are Beast Kings comparable to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, I wonder what their expressions will be?"


    As he mused, Xiao Yi returned to the interior of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    He summoned Hai Wei, Li Jinjun, Zhou Jing, and Yu Huaxian, and instructed, "I have already discussed the details of the talent battle with Nalan Qianqiu. Three days from now, while we release the new type of medicinal pills, we will also announce the talent battle. The battle will begin in ten days, and it''s crucial to the revival of our Xiaoshanhe Institute that nothing goes wrong."


    "Institute Head, rest assured, we will not fail our mission!"


    "We guarantee to complete the task!"


    The four said, thumping their chests.


    After dismissing the four, Xiao Yi then went to the secret chamber to look at Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi, who were still in seclusion. However, their aura seemed ever more profound, "It seems by the time I return, they might already be in the Dharma Phase Sutra. If that''s the case, my Xiaoshanhe Institute will have five Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, which should give us enough standing to set foot in the Great Qian Dynasty''s capital."


    A moment later.


    Xiao Yi arrived at the back mountain of Xiaoshanhe Institute, amid a flurry of sword lights and shadows.


    Ye Heng was engaged in fierce combat with Little Lin.


    Ye Heng''s strength was growing daily, with advances in his Battle War Holy Body��the most important thing for him was to fight!


    Non-stop fighting.


    Fighting to nourish warfare!


    Only after half the time it takes to burn a joss stick did Ye Heng get beaten down by Little Lin once again, laying on the ground unable to rise, and that''s when Xiao Yi finally made his appearance.


    "Master..." Ye Heng struggled to get up, speaking respectfully.


    "Very good, you haven''t been lazy these past days!"


    Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction and tossed him several bottles of pills, "These are for you. Strive to reach the Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm or higher by the Ancestral Ceremony!"


    "I will not let down your high expectations, Master!" Ye Heng replied respectfully.


    "Hmm, you continue your cultivation for now, and if there''s anything you don''t understand, ask Yu Huaxian and the others!"


    After giving some last instructions, Xiao Yi then looked at Little Lin perched on his shoulder, "Little Lin, accompany me to the Beast Emperor Sea..."

 Chapter 305 The Legend of the Sea Demon!

    Under the cover of night.


    A figure quietly entered the Nangong Family''s premises, heading straight to the backyard.


    At this moment, the backyard was gathered with top figures, each capable of causing the Great Qian Dynasty to tremble with a mere stomp of their feet.


    Ancestor Nangong, Nangong Shengtian, and Nangong Ye, the patriarch of the Nangong Family.


    Ancestor Beitang, Beitang Zun, and Beitang Feng, the patriarch of the Beitang Family.


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    The first-rank officer of the current court, Li Shengtian, and Tian Xiao.


    Yun Ruowang, the Deputy Sect Master of Three Seas Mountain.


    Sword Inquiry Taoist, the Deputy Master of Wendao Villa.


    In front of these people��


    A young man stood somewhat nervously among them. Facing the array of powerhouses, Ning Kang''s face turned pale and he swept his uneasy gaze over them before lowering his head.


    Sitting high above, Nangong Shengtian said, "Ning Kang, just think of it as if you are at home, there''s no need to be so nervous!"


    "Yes, Ancestor Nangong..." Ning Kang feigned calmness, but the fear and trepidation in his heart were still hard to conceal.


    This caused several of the top figures to shake their heads involuntarily.


    Nangong Shengtian spoke in a deep voice, "Ning Kang, you said you have urgent intelligence, what exactly is it?"


    Ning Kang hurriedly said, "Reporting to the ancestors, I... I heard that Xiao Yi is about to leave the Great Qian Dynasty, heading for the Beast Emperor Sea!"


    "Beast Emperor Sea? What is he doing there at this critical time?"


    "Beast Emperor Sea... Could it be that he''s going to the black market?" Beitang Kong''s eyes gleamed as he spoke.


    "What? To the black market?"


    "With the medicinal herbs hoarded by Treasure Pavilion, they simply cannot sustain for long, the only possibility is that he is going to the black market of Beast Emperor City to purchase medicinal materials."


    "Hahaha, truly heaven is aiding us!"


    "In the imperial capital, we fear being discovered by His Majesty, and we cannot lay hands on him. But now that he''s headed to the Beast Emperor Sea, a place known for being unforgiving, even if His Majesty were to find out he died and it was related to us, there would be no evidence!" Joy was apparent on everyone''s faces.


    Ever since learning from Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong that Xiao Yi could actually reduce the cost of elixirs to one-fifth or even lower while maintaining their quality,


    the Nangong and Beitang families became anxious.


    If these elixirs were to flood the market, their market share would be squeezed to the limit.


    But Xiao Yi was, after all, the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute selected by the royal family, and they could not just attack him directly. Now, they had finally waited for an opportunity!


    "Ning Kang, you have made great contributions. Shoucheng, take Ning Kang down and give him a hundred million silver!" Nangong Shengtian laughed heartily, his face radiant as he spoke.


    Nangong Shoucheng nodded, "Yes!"


    "Thank you, ancestor!"


    Ning Kang was overjoyed.


    Just for a piece of information, he had obtained a hundred million silver!


    His eyes narrowed into slits, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, who made you so arrogant? To think you dared to break my hand? This is the consequence of provoking me, hehehe��"


    Within the backyard.


    The group of top figures continued their discussion. Nangong Shengtian said, "Gentlemen, although Xiao Yi''s strength is not weak, we can''t kill him in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Since our goal is the same, let''s discuss how to proceed."


    "Three Seas Mountain is willing to dispatch a second layer Dharma Manifestation Realm expert!" Yun Ruowang spoke up.


    Sword Inquiry Taoist narrowed his eyes and said, "Xiao Yi dared to poach the couple Chen Ziyi and Li Jinjun from my Wendao Villa, I absolutely cannot forgive him. However, His Majesty will surely notice if we make a move. Wendao Villa will also send a second layer Dharma Manifestation Realm expert then!" sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Nangong Family and Beitang Family are currently fully engaged in handling Treasure Pavilion and cannot be freed."


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes and turned to Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao, "Mr. Li, Mr. Tian, if you want our support for Chen Shuiwen, you can''t simply stand by without doing anything, right?"


    "Right, why hasn''t Chen Shuiwen come? Does he look down on us?" Sword Inquiry Taoist asked.


    "Sword Inquiry Taoist, you misunderstand. Chen Shuiwen received some opportunities from that person and is attempting to break into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. He is preparing for the establishment of the new Martial Arts Institute!"


    Li Shengtian explained hurriedly, then said, "Our side is ready to dispatch a master at the tower leader level to make a move!"


    "Tower leader?"


    "May I know which one?" The people asked.


    If it were just Li Shengtian and another person, they wouldn''t qualify to sit with them.


    The reason there were seats for two was because of the person behind them!


    It was an imposing presence who controlled Xue Yilou, with over a dozen followers in the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Li Shengtian grinned, "Xue Mantian, the master of Xue Yilou!"


    Hiss!


    The crowd gasped in astonishment.


    "If Xue Mantian makes a move, Xiao Yi is bound to die beyond a doubt!"


    "I''ve heard that Xue Mantian and Xiao Yi have a deep grudge, it''s only appropriate that he takes action!"


    Nangong Shengtian squinted and said, "Remember to instruct the person making the move, before killing him, he must hand over his profound alchemy skills. Right, and his Cultivation Technique is also very peculiar, both must not be missed!"


    One by one, their eyes gleamed with blood, as if they had already seen Xiao Yi dead....


    ......


    Linhai City.


    This was the city where the Great Qian Dynasty''s ports to enter the Beast Emperor Sea were located, and it was a day and a half''s journey from the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The entire Linhai City was built along the coastline, stretching for hundreds of kilometers. As it faced the constant onslaught of the Beast Emperor Sea''s giant waves and attacks from Sea Beasts, Linhai City''s walls were exceptionally high.


    They stood over five hundred meters tall and were more than a hundred meters wide.


    Upon the pitch-black walls, there were fierce claw marks from beasts, as well as dark bloodstains.


    These were the medals earned from long years of resisting the assault of demonic beasts!


    The port was built inside Linhai City.


    When the tide was high, the dock''s gates would open, and ships could freely enter and exit. When the tide was low, the gates were closed to prevent Sea Demons from getting inside. And if one missed the time when the gates opened, then they could only stay on the Beast Emperor Sea.


    If you were lucky, wait until the next day to enter the city.


    If you were unlucky,


    in the dead of night, you would be devoured by countless marine Sea Demons.


    Under the bright sunshine,


    Xiao Yi walked through Linhai City, looking at the countless ships docked at the port, the smallest of which were a hundred meters long, and the largest stretched for ten thousand meters. Hundred-meter vessels could only sail in the near seas, to go to Beast Emperor City, one must board the ten-thousand-meter giant ships.


    Otherwise, a single giant wave or a slightly strong Sea Demon could overturn the ship.


    Xiao Yi spent one million Silver to buy a boat ticket, but he had to wait until the next day to depart. With time to spare, he strolled around the dock, where the air was filled with the cries of vendors selling all sorts of wares.


    There were those selling Sea Demon Beasts, those selling so-called treasures from overseas, and even slave traders.


    Regularly voyaging on the Beast Emperor Sea was akin to betting one''s life, and the people here were more uninhibited, with a mix of the good and the bad, and conflicts could erupt at any time.


    After wandering around, Xiao Yi stopped in front of a blind old man''s stall.


    A crowd had gathered in front of the stall.


    "You''ve never seen it before, but the Sea Demon is more beautiful than the most beautiful woman in the world. Moreover, their singing voices are incredibly captivating. Whenever a Sea Demon appears, it''s accompanied by a fog that covers the sky, and within that fog, a beautiful song can be heard."


    The old man''s voice was a bit hoarse, sending a chill down one''s spine, "If you encounter such a situation, you must not leave the cabin, approach the water, or seek out the source of the voice; it''s the Sea Demon luring souls and claiming lives! If you really get enchanted by a Sea Demon and cannot extricate yourself, you must poke out your own eyes to escape this disaster..."


    "Tsk, old man, you''re fooling people again!"


    "The legends say Sea Demons kill on sight. If you''ve really seen one, how could you have survived to return?"


    The old man was furious, "You bunch of little brats, why would I deceive you? I poked out my own eyes to avoid being captured by a Sea Demon; look at this necklace, I took it from a Sea Demon..."


    "Tsk, you just want to trick us into buying your necklace!"


    "Old man, we''ve seen these tricks before, we won''t fall for it!"


    Laughing, the crowd dispersed.


    The old man was frustrated but helpless.


    He clutched at a necklace made of colorful, speckled seashells. Xiao Yi''s gaze fell upon the necklace for a brief moment before he planned to leave, but suddenly, a crisp and pleasant voice reached his ears: "..."

 Chapter 306 Beast Emperor Sea

    "Save me... save me..."


    The clear and melodious voice suddenly rang in his mind.


    Xiao Yi was startled and looked around, but there was not a single woman nearby. He couldn''t help but frown, "Could it be an illusion?"


    "Save me..."


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    That clear voice sounded again.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly shrank as his gaze turned towards the necklace in the old man''s hands. It was at that moment he sensed a strange fluctuation emanating from the necklace.


    It seemed to be calling out to him.


    "Could it be this necklace?"


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but recall the old man''s previous tale about the Sea Demon legend. His eyes flickered slightly as he squatted in front of the old man, "Old man, how much for this necklace?"


    "Hmm? Young man, do you believe what I said?" the old man asked excitedly.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "In this vast world, nothing is too strange to exist. Why wouldn''t I believe?"


    "Good, good, good, finally someone believes me!"


    The old man''s milky white eyes rolled around, revealing a sly smile. He said, "Young man, you fancy this necklace? If you really like it, I''ll sell it to you �C just for one million taels of Silver!"


    Xiao Yi stood up, "Keep it for your own amusement!"


    "Don''t go..."


    The old man hastily called out to Xiao Yi, showing a struggling expression with difficulty on his face, "How about this, half a million... no no no, one hundred thousand��"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "One hundred taels of Silver!"


    "..."


    The old man pursed his lips, his face darkened as he said, "Get lost, I''d rather it rot in my possession..."


    Xiao Yi uttered an "oh" and stood up, ready to leave.


    The old man quickly shouted, "Enough, enough, one hundred taels then. Who made me so fated to meet you?"


    Xiao Yi curled his lip.


    He paid one hundred taels of Silver and took the necklace into his hands.


    Xiao Yi fiddled with the necklace in his hand, trying to infuse it with his vitality, but still, there was no effect. It was as if that faint fluctuation he had just felt was merely an illusion.


    "Could it really have been my illusion?"


    Xiao Yi frowned in puzzlement, unable to figure it out, so he simply put the necklace away. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he was distracted, a figure collided head-on into him. Xiao Yi''s Wind Thunder Holy Body was at the fourth realm, hitting him was like crashing into a city wall.


    Xiao Yi didn''t budge an inch.


    The person opposite him cried out in pain, flipping backward and falling to the ground.


    Xiao Yi snapped back to reality and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"


    "Are you blind? Can''t you walk with your eyes open? Didn''t you see me walking here? You motherless bastard, pay me money. Today, this matter won''t be settled without ten to eighty thousand!" the person retorted, flipping up to his feet, glaring angrily at Xiao Yi, and cursing at him.


    Xiao Yi''s brow furrowed tighter, "Watch your mouth!"


    Anything about his mother was his Achilles'' heel.


    The young man sneered, rolled up his sleeves to reveal his muscular arms, and said ominously, "Little bastard, I just have a dirty mouth. What can you do about it? Have the guts to hit me, come on, do you dare?"


    The young man stretched his face forward, challenging him defiantly.


    "I''ve never seen such a shameless request..."


    Xiao Yi shook his head, not wanting to escalate the situation further.


    However, the young man was relentless, reaching out with a grab toward Xiao Yi''s shoulder.


    "Scram!"


    Xiao Yi sidestepped the young man''s grab while a low growl escaped his lips. With a sonic boom erupting from his mouth, the young man was blasted away by the force.


    Whoosh!


    The young man was sent flying for a good thirty meters, thudding to the ground with a roll.


    Xiao Yi gave him a cold glance, then turned and vanished into the crowd.


    The young man lay on the ground for quite a while, and after struggling for some time, he finally got up. As he searched around and did not see Xiao Yi anywhere, a fierce look crossed his face, "Damn it, you little bastard, you better hope I never run into you again!"


    ...


    An uneventful night passed.


    At dawn, the sound of the tide was roaring as it poured through the open floodgates and into the harbor.


    Ships floated on the surface of the sea while the wharf bustled with people, all of whom became busy. Some were moving goods; others were setting sails out to sea.


    Besides merchant vessels, there were many ships dedicated to hunting sea demons.


    After all.


    The number of sea demons in the sea was simply too vast, and their flesh was delicious; once it was sold inland, the price could multiply by dozens of times.


    Xiao Yi, holding his ticket, boarded the colossal ship that stretched ten thousand meters and was clad in azure-gray.


    The ship''s hull was inscribed with dozens of Formations, including the Wave Breaking Formation, Wind Riding Formation, and so on. Even if hundred-meter-high waves struck, they wouldn''t be able to shake the ship in the slightest.


    "Cabin number ninety-eight, first-class, at the topmost level!" The crew member checked Xiao Yi''s ticket and pointed to the top layer of the massive ship.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Thank you!"


    The cabins on this giant ship were divided into four classes: A, B, C, and D. The first-class cabin that Xiao Yi chose cost a million taels of Silver. The cheapest, class D, only cost a few hundred taels of Silver. However, Xiao Yi decisively gave up on the idea of squeezing into a room with dozens or hundreds of people.


    Money was no object!


    It was all about caprice!


    As they say, you get what you pay for. The first-class cabins were for two persons each.


    In cabin number ninety-eight, first-class, a graceful woman who had arrived before Xiao Yi was sitting inside. She wore a long blue dress with a wide hem that tightly wrapped her legs. A pale blue veil covered her face, and she held an ancient zither in her hands.


    Upon seeing Xiao Yi enter, the enchanting woman glanced at him with her phoenix eyes, then swiftly looked away.


    Xiao Yi touched his nose, "Sorry, I didn''t know there were coed accommodations here..."


    The melodious voice from beneath the woman''s veil sounded light and pleasant, like a warbling oriole, "It''s fine!"


    "Hm."


    Xiao Yi nodded and sat down on another bed.


    A screen separated the two, giving them a measure of privacy and reducing the awkwardness.


    "Set sail!"


    About half an hour later, a series of resonant shouts woke Xiao Yi.


    Through the window, he saw the giant ship''s Formations shining brightly as the vessel trembled and leisurely left the harbor. While imposingly vast within the harbor, once it entered the Beast Emperor Sea, it became as insignificant as a grain of sand in the Azure Sea.


    Utterly minuscule.


    Whoosh!


    The ship cut through the wind and waves, speeding up as it went.


    Under the support of the Formations, the ship was especially stable, without a hint of rocking.


    Xiao Yi noticed more people had emerged on deck, all admiring the seascape.


    "I wonder how long it will take to reach Beast Emperor City from here!" Xiao Yi mused as he walked out of his cabin, intending to ask someone.


    The decks for cabins of classes A, B, C, and D were separated and interconnected, but only passengers from higher-class cabins could enter the decks of lower classes. Those from the lower-class cabins were not allowed to access the areas designated for the higher class.


    There''s always a hierarchy, a division between the noble and the common, no matter where you are.


    Standing on the deck.


    The sea breeze blowing in his face carried a faint saltiness, giving one a sense of the boundless ocean.


    Just as Xiao Yi was about to approach a crew member ahead with his questions, he heard a brash voice from behind, "Hahaha, you little wretch, it truly is a small world. Never thought I''d run into you here!"

 Chapter 307 Cutting the Sea with a Single Strike

    "You little bastard, I didn''t expect to run into you here, really, enemies do cross paths!"


    In the midst of Zhang''s wild laughter.


    The youth Xiao Yi bumped into yesterday emerged from behind him, his face tainted with a vengeful grimace, followed by a bald strong man with a heavy saber on his back.


    The gazes of the two men landed on Xiao Yi, filled with a cold evil qi.


    Xiao Yi furrowed his brows and cursed his bad luck under his breath, then said indifferently, "Indeed, I didn''t expect to bump into someone spewing crap like you here!"


    "Who are you calling a crap-spouter?"


    The youth flew into a rage, pointing at Xiao Yi and cursing, "You bastard who''s born without upbringing, I..."


    Crack!


    A streak of silver light flashed by.


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    His finger broke off cleanly and he fell to his knees in front of Xiao Yi with two thuds.


    Xiao Yi looked down with an icy face, "Dare to curse me again, and the next thing to break will be your head!"


    "You bastard, let go of my brother!"


    The bald strong man''s face darkened as the heavy saber on his back hummed, ready to make a move, when an icy rebuke came, "Who allowed you to start a fight here? If you want to fight, get off my ship and do it!"


    A group of sailors closed in.


    At the forefront was a one-eyed man in a large coat, his sole surviving eye sharp as an eagle''s, resting on the trio. Around him, the sailors were full of killing intent, grinning maliciously at them.


    "Cyclops?"


    The youth''s face changed, and he quickly called out, "Boss Cyclops, this isn''t my fault! It was, it was him who struck first!"


    "Shut up!"


    Cyclops sneered coldly, "Don''t think I didn''t see what just happened. Trouble should not extend to family, nor insults to parents. You cursed his mother, so him breaking your finger is only just and fair!"


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, casting a curious look at Cyclops.


    He hadn''t expected Cyclops to say something like that.


    The youth''s face turned from pale to green, but he didn''t dare to retort, pressing down the resentment in his heart and said to Xiao Yi, "Earlier, it was indeed my fault. Please forgive me!"


    "Get lost!"


    Xiao Yi flicked his arm and gave a cupped fist salute towards Cyclops.


    Cyclops nodded and limped towards the cabin, his left leg below the knee a pitch-black short sword.


    The youth glared at Xiao Yi viciously, "You little bastard, since Boss Cyclops has spoken, I''ll spare your life today. If you dare to leave the ship, I''ll make sure to avenge this day''s disgrace!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I''ll be waiting!"


    "Hmph!"


    The youth huffed coldly and left with the bald strong man.


    Only then did Xiao Yi find a sailor to ask, "How long will it take to reach Beast Emperor City from here?"


    "We should arrive by early morning the day after tomorrow!" said the sailor.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Thank you!"


    "Think nothing of it!"


    Seeing that Xiao Yi''s aura was profound, and his cultivation far exceeded his own, plus the fact that only a few who could stay in a first-class cabin were ordinary people, the sailor was quite polite.


    If it were in the lowest class cabin, even asking a simple question would cost you!


    Sea voyages are extremely tedious and dull.


    But they are also full of change and danger.


    Morning might shine with blazing sunshine and clear skies, but by afternoon it has become a torrential downpour with fierce winds and towering waves. The huge ship''s formations were buzzing intensely, pushing to their limits.


    Doing everything possible to stabilize the vessel.


    Without these formations, the ship, even a hundred meters long, would have no fate other than sinking into the vast ocean under such severe weather.


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    Through the window, Xiao Yi saw the pitch-dark world outside, lined with successive thunderbolts connecting heaven and earth, and huge waves a kilometer tall crashing down as if a colossal beast was opening its maw to swallow the lightning.


    "Come out and look, there''s someone on the sea!"


    "Look, that person is daring to cross the sea in this weather; is he exceptionally skilled and brave, or just ignorant of death?"


    "No, he''s practicing with a saber..."


    Shouts of surprise reached Xiao Yi''s ears.


    He arched an eyebrow.


    In such harsh weather, with driving rain, fierce winds, towering waves, and thunder striking the world, even warriors at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm would not dare to cross the sea.


    And yet someone was practicing with a saber at sea now?


    Xiao Yi left his cabin and headed for the deck.


    He did not notice...


    ...that the veiled woman opened her eyes as he left, a hint of azure light flashing through her pitch-black pupils. A persistent sadness lingered between her brows.


    Above deck, despite the protection of the formation, the storm raged on.


    Raindrops, as big as beans mixed with sea spray, struck the face with a tearing pain.


    In the boundless thunder ahead.


    A figure stood proudly upon the pinnacle of the wind and waves, his feet stepping on kilometer-high waves, holding a black long knife in hand. His body stood tall like a pine, his spine arrogantly erect like a sword, facing the descending purple-gold thunder without flinching or avoiding.


    Suddenly...


    He swung his knife down.


    Boom!


    The black knife light rose shockingly into the sky, a thousand-zhang blade aura tearing through the void, the terrifying black light actually obscuring all the brilliance between heaven and earth, plunging this area into darkness.


    Suddenly.


    The black blade aura ferociously slashed down, and with a thunderous boom, the knife light passed, shattering thunder and dispersing the wild wind.


    Only the massive wave beneath his feet continued to surge relentlessly.


    "Wrong!"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly contracted.


    He saw that the kilometer-high waves beneath that person''s feet were like a piece of silk, torn apart by force. Starting from the crest of the wave, a crack spread along the direction where the blade aura vanished.


    A hundred meters.


    A kilometer.


    Ten thousand meters...


    On the sea surface stretching for ten thousand meters, the water was literally split in half.


    A single strike severed the sea.


    A ten-thousand-meter-long trench appeared on the sea surface, the water walls on both sides stood tall, and the sea water kept pouring into the trench, the thunderous sound even drowning out the shocking thunder and the storm.


    The figure who had shattered the Azure Sea then sheathed his long knife, broke through the air, and disappeared into the horizon.


    "This one strike..."


    Xiao Yi stared at that terrifying stroke, his mind exploding like a thunderclap.


    He suddenly closed his eyes.


    Repeating that one stroke over and over in his mind.


    The stroke swift as thunder, the slash that shattered the Azure Sea.


    "Speed, speed pushed to the extreme�� The speed of that one strike has surpassed the wind and the thunder, that''s why it could shatter them, even splitting the sea with one strike��" Xiao Yi closed his eyes tightly, his pores opening freely.


    He was feeling the wind, feeling the thunder, feeling the storm and the thunderclap.


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi''s eyes snapped open, as he pointed a sword finger forward.


    Whoosh!


    Without using any elemental qi, just a single finger thrust, but Wind Thunder was only dispersed, not shattered.


    "Still not fast enough!"


    Xiao Yi continued making his moves.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Time after time, each move met with Xiao Yi''s own rejection.


    Many onlookers also noticed Xiao Yi''s actions, including that young man from the morning who was among the crowd, sneering over and over, "Has that guy gone mad? Does he think he''s the one who can sever the sea with a single strike? Ridiculous..."


    "If just by watching someone else perform a move, one could learn it, what''s the point of martial arts heritage?"


    "He''s way out of his league!"


    People around shook their heads and laughed.


    Only the one-eyed man, looking at Xiao Yi, revealed a trace of amazement.


    "No, that''s not right..."


    He kept recalling that one strike in his mind. Suddenly, a glint of understanding swept across Xiao Yi''s eyes, "Right... Wind, thunder... Wind Thunder are elemental forces of nature, going against them naturally meets great resistance, but what if one follows their path? Going with the wind, with the thunder..."


    Xiao Yi carefully felt it out, and then suddenly unleashed a sword finger strike.


    Whoosh!


    A single sword finger point created a vacuum zone within ten feet in front of him.


    The wind was broken.


    The rain extinguished.


    The thunder disappeared.


    This finger actually carried a hint of the essence of that one strike!


    "How, how is this possible?"


    "Damn, he actually learned it?"


    "Is he even human?"


    Amid the shocked cries, the young man''s face alternated between green and white, feeling as if he had been slapped hard across the face, he glared at Xiao Yi viciously, grinding his teeth, "Motherfucker, this brat has just lucked out..."


    He angrily returned to the cabin of the ship.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was completely immersed in the sensation of that last finger strike, the corners of his mouth slightly curved upward, "Sword Intent at the fourth layer, the sword moves at will, I never expected to encounter such a marvelous adventure on this sea voyage!" S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 308 Midnight Knocking

    Above the deck.


    The fierce wind was raging, the storm volatile.


    Xiao Yi stood amidst the wind and rain, he slowly opened his arms, his Sword Intent at the fourth stage responding to his will. He was perceiving the force of heaven and earth, acting with the flow, capable of surpassing the wind, surpassing the power of lightning and thunder.


    Riding the waves might be exhilarating, but it''s not as effortless as drifting with the current.


    Defying the heavens indeed has its flair, but it''s not as comfortable as acting in harmony with them.


    This is the fourth stage of Sword Intent.


    Generally speaking��


    Only upon reaching the Dharma Manifestation Realm and fully mastering a force of heaven and earth could one attain this level. Even many masters of the Dharma Manifestation Realm had not grasped the fourth stage of Sword Intent.


    Yet Xiao Yi had reached this realm while still in the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    His talent in the way of the sword was certainly extraordinary.


    He opened his arms and slightly closed his eyes.


    Feeling the clear sensation of wind and rain falling on his body, Xiao Yi''s figure didn''t seem to move at all, even the crowd around him didn''t notice any change in his position.


    But if one observed carefully, a shocking discovery could be made.


    "Look, the wind and rain are not falling on him!"


    "It''s not that they''re not falling on him, but he''s actually avoiding the wind and rain? How, how did he do that?"


    Astonished cries filled the deck.


    In this torrential downpour, where the raindrops nearly formed a curtain, Xiao Yi, without using his elemental power to create a barrier, relied on extremely subtle movements to cleverly avoid all wind and rain.


    In the remaining eye of the one-eyed dragon, a spark of sharpness flickered.


    Even with his vast experience, he had never seen such a terrifying movement technique.


    "This lad, he''s not simple!" said the one-eyed dragon, his facial expression reflecting his amusement. His leg, braced by a short sword, gently tapped the deck, seemingly eager to try.


    After a long time.


    Xiao Yi slowly opened his eyes, having just entered the fourth stage of Sword Intent.


    The act of avoiding the wind and rain was an application of Sword Intent in motion.


    Moving with the wind, with the thunder, with the rain. Going with the wind and rain created a trajectory that perfectly avoided the storm. Such mastery, if applied to the sword, would be extraordinarily powerful.


    Imagine this...


    Two people moving at the same speed, one needing to overcome the resistance of the wind, while Xiao Yi could move with the wind, not only unimpeded by the wind but also able to use it to his advantage.


    Who is stronger, who is weaker?


    It''s obvious at a glance!


    Heading straight back to his cabin, Xiao Yi found the veiled woman tightly embracing her ancient zither with her eyes closed, seemingly unaware of his entrance.


    Xiao Yi shook his head lightly, and sat down cross-legged on his bed.


    This trip to the Beast Emperor Sea had allowed his Sword Intent to step into the fourth stage, an unexpected joy.


    It also increased his combat strength.


    At the very least, facing a second-layer master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he would have the strength to fight!


    With his eyes closed, Xiao Yi immersed himself in cultivation, and before long night had fallen. The storm outside had stopped, but there was no light from stars or moon. The huge ship entered into a patch of fog, surrounded by dense whiteness.


    In the deep silence of the night.


    Xiao Yi heard a captivating song, ethereal as if descendent of heaven.


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi opened his eyes, the crisp and pleasing song coming into his ears, momentarily causing him to lose focus. But at that moment, the necklace he had bought the day before suddenly radiated a warm wave of energy, flooding into his mind.


    This strange energy wave wiped the blankness from Xiao Yi''s eyes, bringing back clarity.


    Thump!


    Thump, thump!


    Suddenly, an increasingly urgent knock came from outside the cabin door.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils constricted instantly, but before he could speak, a pale, icy hand covered his mouth��it was the woman embracing the ancient qin, her azure blue eyes flashing with fear and solemnity as she shook her head at him, signaling him to be silent.


    Thud! Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire


    Thud thud!


    Thud thud thud!


    The relentlessly urgent knocking was hair-raising, especially deep in the middle of the night, out on the vast ocean. The sudden rise of fog and the intermittent singing were unsettling enough, and now this relentless knocking.


    It was enough to make one''s heart pound with terror.


    The knocking persisted for a moment before gradually fading away.


    Xiao Yi looked at the girl beside him and asked, frowning, "What on earth is going on?"


    The girl shook her head lightly, the panic in her eyes not receding, and pointed outside the window.


    Xiao Yi carefully lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside, and saw in the midst of the thick fog, figures moving like walking corpses, walking out from the cabins.


    They ambled about on the deck, each holding a torch in their hand.


    Flaring and dimming in the mist, they resembled numerous fireflies.


    Plunk!


    Plunk!


    Xiao Yi was horrified to discover that quite a few people walked straight to the edge of the sea, then leaped up and plunged into the icy waters below.


    In the sea,


    Xiao Yi caught glimpses of green figures flitting by, quickly dragging those who jumped into the water into the depths, disappearing from sight.


    The seductive singing still sporadically reached his ears, and Xiao Yi couldn''t help but recall the old man''s tale of Sea Demon legends. He turned to the graceful woman beside him, "Are these the doings of a Sea Demon?"


    "No, not a Sea Demon!"


    The graceful woman shook her head emphatically.


    Xiao Yi, frowning, said, "I heard when Sea Demons appear, they bring dense fog and singing. Once you hear the singing, you get bewitched and controlled by the Sea Demon. Doesn''t this coincide with what''s happening here?"


    "It really isn''t a Sea Demon. Sea Demons don''t harm people!"


    The woman was extremely certain in her response. As she spoke, a dark shadow suddenly passed by the window. The figure paused abruptly by the window, a pair of blood-red eyes looking into the cabin.


    Staring straight at the graceful woman.


    At that moment,


    beneath the blood-colored figure, a black face cracked into a grin, revealing rows of serrated fangs, and a ghastly, hoarse voice sent shivers down the spine, "So you''re here..."


    Boom!


    The shadow violently thrust out a clawed hand, shattering the window with a bang, reaching for the graceful woman.


    "Be careful!"


    Xiao Yi yanked the graceful woman back to his side and reached out reflexively with his hand, seizing the wrist of the black-clawed hand. Then, gripping tightly, he broke off the black claw with a series of crisp snaps.


    Awooo!


    The shadow let out an agonized scream, piercing to the ear.


    Almost at the same time,


    numerous mighty figures on the deck shuddered as if under a Binding Spell, rooted to the spot, while among the crowd, shadow after shadow leaped into the air, converging swiftly towards Xiao Yi''s cabin.


    Under the thick fog, their faces were indiscernible.


    "The target is here, hurry up!" S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Heh heh, don''t even think about escaping..."


    Among the spine-chilling, sinister laughter, the sound of rushing air kept drawing nearer.


    Mostly, the presence was that of beings with the aura of the Golden Core Realm, and there were many at the level of the Tao Tribulation Realm. The number was astonishingly high, densely packed, swiftly encircling the cabin where he was located, trapping him with no way out.


    A pair of blood-colored eyes fell upon Xiao Yi and the girl, and a grating voice emanated from the throats of the dark figures: "Kill him..."

 Chapter 309 The Fog of Murder

    "Kill him!"


    A group wrapped in darkness charged towards Xiao Yi, intent on killing him.


    These figures were completely covered in black garb, their features indiscernible, only their eyes shining with a blood-red light, like rubies, ghastly and ghostlike.


    Their red eyes flickered with ferocity and a chilling intent to kill.


    Xiao Yi pulled the young girl behind him and said in a deep voice, "Stay here, and don''t go out!"


    Whoosh!


    His figure suddenly leapt up.


    The sword followed his intent.


    In his mind, the trajectory of every hidden claw within the darkness was crystal clear, and with the subtlest of movements, he managed to dodge those sharp claws.


    "The waterfall descends three thousand feet like a flying stream!"


    From Xiao Yi''s palm, a fourth-grade longsword unsheathed and moved with the wind.


    This stroke was silent and unperceived.


    Pff!


    Xiao Yi moved fluidly like a fish in the sea, darting and weaving, leaving trails of blood wherever he passed. Black figures were decapitated, and in an instant, dozens of corpses lay around him.


    More and more black figures converged around him.


    "You lot hold him off, I''ll grab the girl!" a figure emanating the aura of the Tao Tribulation Realm growled. With agile maneuvers, he bypassed Xiao Yi and headed straight for the veiled young girl.


    "Over my dead body!"


    Xiao Yi leapt forward, but suddenly, more than a dozen people appeared in front of him, surrounding him.


    A cold light flashed in Xiao Yi''s pupils: "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    "A white egret splits the waters in two!"


    He thrust his sword repeatedly.


    The sword edge danced with the wind, moving effortlessly.


    The shadows blocking him were continuously cut down, but the brief delay allowed the powerhouse of the Calamity Realm to reach the girl.


    His blood-red eyes were filled with greed and desire as he reached out with his dark, sharp claws toward her.


    "Damn it��"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were about to split with rage.


    He wanted to help, but it was too late.


    The girl''s blue eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light, and a delicate voice sounded under her veil as her slender fingers gently plucked her ancient zither.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The zither strings vibrated, sending out waves of sound.


    Hum!


    The Calamity Realm strongman seemed to be controlled, a look of bewilderment flashed across his eyes, followed by what seemed like countless wires wrapping around his body, slicing it into a grid.


    The wires tightened more and more.


    Boom!


    He was forcefully torn into countless pieces.


    Amid the rain of fresh blood and flesh.


    The girl continued to play the Qin Xuan, the pleasant clanging sound caused all the black figures surrounding Xiao Yi to tremble violently, their eyes filled with confusion.


    Pff pff pff!


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    One by one, the figures were shredded into pieces.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted sharply, staring at the girl holding the ancient zither in disbelief, never having imagined that such a seemingly fragile girl possessed such extraordinary methods.


    The carnage here had also drawn the attention of countless powerhouses nearby, with more and more shadows gathering.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly, and he turned to the veiled girl, about to speak.


    Suddenly, from the dense fog over the sea, a bewitching flute melody could be distinctly heard.


    The flute''s melody wafted through the air, pleasing and melodious.


    The shadowy figures trembled all over, their eyes filled with unwillingness and hatred as they glared harshly at Xiao Yi and the masked girl, before they gathered up the pile of blood and flesh on the ground and quietly disappeared into the mist.


    As these shadows dissipated, the thick fog also quietly receded.


    As if they had never been there in the first place.


    "What on earth is going on?"


    Xiao Yi was completely baffled, turning to look at the masked girl, only to hear her retch and spew a mouthful of fresh blood. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted onto the guqin, unconscious.


    "Hey... are you okay?"


    Xiao Yi quickly propped up the girl. He checked her breathing and, finding no life-threatening danger but realizing she had fainted from weakness, he let out a sigh of relief. He took out a pill to restore her Qi-Blood and fed it to her; Xiao Yi then noticed that the ship had already sailed out of the foggy area.


    Ahead, the light of the stars and moon shone brightly, reflecting off the surface of the sea in dazzling, scattered points of light.


    The sparkling waves softly glowed, and from afar, a mass of mist could be seen drifting farther and farther away.


    Within that mist.


    It seemed as if a pair of cold eyes were fixed on this very ship.


    "Who were those people? And that fog... Why does it feel as if it were being controlled by someone? It''s like they were searching for something..." Xiao Yi was utterly confused, his mind full of questions.


    Time flies...


    In the blink of an eye, it was morning.


    Many powerful individuals awoke to find themselves lying on the deck, each with a look of astonishment and surprise on their faces: "What happened?"


    "I clearly remember sleeping inside the cabin, how did I end up on the deck?"


    "Last night, I seemed to hear someone singing, then I fell asleep, without knowing what happened..."


    "Wait, my roommate is missing..."


    "My brother is missing too..."


    A cry of grief filled the entire ship.


    Many realized that their companions had vanished without a trace, and some even found themselves hanging halfway off the mast, nearly falling into the sea.


    You must know...


    There were tens of thousands of people on this ship, among them not a few from the Golden Core Realm and the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    What sort of power could control tens of thousands of people to leave their cabins silently?


    And to be completely oblivious to what had happened?


    At this moment.


    Tales of sea demons began to circulate among the ship''s passengers, and some said the ship was haunted... There were various theories, and some attempted to confront the one-eyed shipowner to demand an explanation.


    After all.


    A quick estimate revealed that last night, no fewer than a thousand people had disappeared.


    The one-eyed man''s face looked extremely grim; after waking up, he had also been on the deck, and even his deputy captain had vanished without a trace. That was an individual in the Calamity Realm, who had disappeared so quietly.


    "One-eyed Sir, you should give us an explanation for this, don''t you think?"


    "We paid a lot for these tickets, and now so many people have vanished without reason. You wouldn''t be behind this, would you?"


    Facing the crowd''s questioning.


    The one-eyed man''s face turned icy, and he said coldly, "Shut up, all of you."


    Whoosh!


    From his black shortsword, a black flash suddenly burst forth, its ominous shine deterring anyone from coming close. Only then did he continue to speak: "I will investigate what happened last night. Additionally, if anyone can provide clues, I am willing to offer a reward of one hundred million Silver!"


    "One hundred million?"


    "It seems the one-eyed man doesn''t know what happened either!"


    The crowd whispered among each other.


    At that moment...


    Suddenly, a voice emanated from the crowd: "I know what happened!"


    sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 310 Three Strikes

    ```


    "I know what happened!"


    This sudden voice drew everyone''s attention.


    The speaker was the young man who had a conflict with Xiao Yi yesterday, and behind him was still the bald muscular man carrying a black heavy sword.


    Seeing the crowd''s gaze converging on himself, the youth''s face flashed with excitement, and he strode forward to stand before the One-Eyed Dragon. With a cold expression, he said, "Boss One-Eyed Dragon, my name is Ren Wu, and I know what happened last night!"


    "Hmm?"


    One-Eyed Dragon squinted at him and said coldly, "Do you know what will happen if you lie?"


    Ren Wu promptly patted his chest and said, "Who doesn''t know of Boss One-Eyed Dragon''s fame? How could I possibly deceive you?"


    One-Eyed Dragon nodded and said, "Speak then, what exactly happened?"


    "When I woke up this morning, I saw everyone on the ship was outside, except for one cabin whose door was closed." Ren Wu said with a malicious look, "That was cabin number ninety-eight ''A'' class, the door was closed, and nobody from inside came out!"


    Hiss!


    Everyone''s expressions changed in unison.


    To know...


    Even the captain, the One-Eyed Dragon at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, appeared on deck without anyone noticing. And now someone was still hiding inside their own cabin?


    "Cabin number ninety-eight ''A'' class? Who was staying there?"


    "Now that you mention it... I remembered, when I passed by there just now, I noticed that the window of cabin ninety-eight was shattered..."


    "Who lives in cabin number ninety-eight? We must have him come out..."


    Everyone was saying.


    With a cold expression, Ren Wu''s mouth curled slightly and he whispered to himself with a sneer, "Heh heh, you little bastard, this is what you get for provoking me. You''re not dead yet?"


    One-Eyed Dragon''s remaining eye narrowed slightly, and with a wave of his hand, he said, "Gentlemen, please follow me to cabin number ninety-eight!"


    The group set off together.


    They arrived at the cabin where Xiao Yi was staying.


    Knock knock knock! sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The cabin door was knocked.


    Xiao Yi opened the door and saw One-Eyed Dragon standing with a crowd blocking the doorway. He couldn''t help but frown, "Is there something you need?"


    One-Eyed Dragon scanned the inside of the cabin, indeed noticing the shattered window.


    The cabin was also a mess.


    Clearly, a fight had occurred.


    In the cabin, aside from Xiao Yi, there was a masked girl lying asleep on the bed. One-Eyed Dragon and others felt even more suspicious of Xiao Yi, and One-Eyed Dragon asked in a deep voice, "Where were you last night?"


    Xiao Yi answered frankly, "I was inside the cabin."


    But considering those shadows seemed to be after the masked girl, he didn''t reveal anything further.


    Ren Wu, standing on his tiptoes among the crowd, called out, "See... I didn''t lie, did I? We were all mysteriously on the deck, yet he was safely in his cabin. If you say this matter has nothing to do with him, I wouldn''t believe it even if you beat me to death!"


    "Young man, you better come clean. What exactly happened last night?"


    "Is this incident related to you?"


    "So many people have mysteriously disappeared, yet you are unharmed. You owe us an explanation!"


    Everyone was speaking.


    One-Eyed Dragon stared at Xiao Yi, enunciating each word, "You''d better not hide anything, otherwise, don''t blame me for being impolite!"


    He was extremely angry at the moment.


    An eerie incident had occurred on the ship, and even his first mate had mysteriously disappeared.


    He was currently brimming with fury.


    Eager to find an outlet for his wrath.


    Looking at One-Eyed Dragon without a hint of subservience, Xiao Yi said in a steady voice, "As I said, I was asleep in the cabin last night. It was your knocking that woke me up just now!"


    "Sleeping? Then what happened here?" Ren Wu spoke with an eerie tone, "Don''t tell me this was from your tossing and turning in sleep?"


    ```


    The one-eyed Long Yi remained silent, but the cold light in his eyes grew increasingly icy.


    Xiao Yi swept a disdainful glance at Ren Wu. That guy was causing a ruckus here, leading everyone to direct their hostility towards him. Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "It''s the third time now!"


    "Hmm?"


    The crowd was startled.


    Xiao Yi stared intently at Ren Wu and said coldly, "This is the third time you''ve provoked me. There won''t be a fourth because you can die now!"


    Ren Wu was taken aback, then burst into laughter, arrogant and fearless, "Kid, who do you think you are? You think just because you say I should die, I will? You don''t even realize the situation you''re in, and you''re still thinking about killing..."


    Before he could finish speaking.


    Xiao Yi''s figure had already moved past Long Yi and the others, appearing in front of him.


    With a single hand raised, he directly grasped Ren Wu''s neck and lifted him up.


    "Save... save me..." Ren Wu grabbed desperately at Xiao Yi''s hand, his legs flailing, his face filled with terror.


    How Xiao Yi had appeared next to Ren Wu without anyone noticing was beyond them all.


    The bald strongman was furious, "Let go of my brother!"


    Hum!


    The heavy sword slashed down towards Xiao Yi, edgeless but with enormous force.


    Clang!


    Amidst a crisp sound.


    Xiao Yi casually lifted his left hand, and with just two fingers, he firmly clamped the heavy sword, his icy gaze falling onto the bald strongman, "Die!"


    Bang!


    With a tightening of his two fingers.


    The heavy sword shattered, with countless fragments flying backwards, piercing through the bald strongman''s body in a series of thuds, leaving him lying in a pool of blood.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes, cold as ice, looked at Ren Wu in his grasp, "You''ve provoked me several times, and now you even try to frame and harm me. I cannot tolerate you!"


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    "No, don''t..."


    Ren Wu was filled with regret.


    He had thought that with Long Yi and the others present, Xiao Yi would surely be unable to do anything to him, hence he had instigated others and sowed discord. But now, facing a dominant Xiao Yi, none of the bystanders stepped forward to stop him.


    Regret filled his heart.


    But alas...


    There is no medicine for regret in this world.


    Crack!


    Xiao Yi''s palm clenched, and he crushed Ren Wu''s neck, tossing him to the side. Only then did he turn back to Long Yi and the others, "Believe it or not, last night''s affair has nothing to do with me."


    The crowd exchanged glances.


    Long Yi stared deeply at Xiao Yi; the bald strongman was a powerhouse of the Third Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, yet he couldn''t withstand a single move from Xiao Yi and was easily killed on the spot.


    This was enough to discern that Xiao Yi''s strength was far beyond what he showed, not merely at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Long Yi squinted his eyes and said coldly, "You had better be honest. If I find out last night''s incident is related to you, I will surely cut you down without mercy!"


    Thud!


    Xiao Yi closed the cabin door directly.


    Long Yi and the others also left one after another. After all, with Xiao Yi''s show of strength, they had no evidence and indeed could not continue to press him.


    Inside the cabin.


    Xiao Yi sensed that Long Yi and the others had left, waved his hand casually, and a burst of vital energy formed a barrier sealing the cabin. Xiao Yi patted his chest, and Little Lin emerged. Xiao Yi instructed, "Keep a watch on our surroundings!"


    "Roger that, boss!"


    Little Lin nodded its head and swam around the cabin.


    Only then did Xiao Yi turn to the unconscious girl and said in a deep voice, "Since you''re awake, stop pretending. Get up and let''s talk. What exactly happened last night?"

 Chapter 311 Beast Emperor City

    "Get up and let''s talk about what exactly happened last night!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, staring at the veiled girl who was lying down, seemingly still asleep.


    The veiled girl kept her eyes tightly shut, appearing as if she were still deep in slumber and hadn''t woken up.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "If you don''t wake up, then don''t blame me for taking apart your zither!"


    The veiled girl remained unmoved.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi reached for the zither.


    It was only then��


    ��that the girl finally opened her eyes, grabbed the zither, and curled up in the corner, her blue eyes warily watching Xiao Yi.


    Sigh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a turbid breath. The girl''s blue eyes were like an endless ocean, their depth making one feel as if they couldn''t extricate themselves. He said in a deep voice, "Who are you, really? And what were those things last night?" S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The wariness in the veiled girl''s eyes did not dissipate.


    She was still clutching the zither nervously.


    Xiao Yi sighed, "If I had wanted to harm you, I wouldn''t have helped you last night, and I wouldn''t have concealed your presence just now when they came over!"


    The veiled girl''s gaze flickered a few times, her hands relaxing slightly around the zither. Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    Her guard against Xiao Yi wasn''t as strong as before.


    She hesitated for a moment and then a melodious voice like that of an oriole came from beneath the veil, "They were underlings of Sha Kun, the deputy city lord of Beast Emperor City."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, a strange expression on his face, "The deputy city lord of Beast Emperor City? Then who are you? Don''t tell me you are the city lord?"


    The veiled girl shook her head, "My name is Huang Yuwei. The city lord of Beast Emperor City, Huang Baitao, is my father. When I was very young, my father sent me to my mother''s family. Not long ago, I received news that my father was gravely ill, so I rushed back."


    Xiao Yi wondered, "You''re the princess of Beast Emperor City? If that''s the case, those people last night indeed came for you. Isn''t Sha Kun one of your father''s subordinates? But those men didn''t seem like they were there to escort you back!"


    "They were Black Shark Guards under Sha Kun. Sha Kun is my father''s sworn brother, but they have been at odds for a long time. It''s because of him that my father sent me to my mother''s family,"


    Huang Yuwei hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "Sha Kun wants to capture me and threaten my father to pass on the city lord''s position to him��"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes.


    He was considering the truth of Huang Yuwei''s story and asked, "Do you have any proof to back up what you''re saying?"


    Huang Yuwei hesitated, then took out a token from her bosom.


    The token glittered with gold light.


    It was carved with beast claws all around. The front bore the character for ''beast'', and the back had the character for ''emperor''.


    Huang Yuwei''s voice was firm as she said, "This is one of the five city lord tokens of Beast Emperor City. I hold one of them. If you don''t believe me, when you get to Beast Emperor City, you can verify if this token matches the city''s flag!"


    "Fine, I''ll take your word for now,"


    Xiao Yi nodded and then said solemnly, "We are still a day and a night''s journey from Beast Emperor City. Will those people appear again tonight?"


    The tactics of the Black Shark Guards were too strange.


    If it weren''t for his necklace that activated just in time, he too would''ve been bewitched last night.


    If they plan to come again tonight, they must be prepared in advance!


    "They shouldn''t!"


    Huang Yuwei shook her head, "The Black Shark Guards never strike the same target twice. Moreover, we''re not far from Beast Emperor City now. They wouldn''t dare to be too obvious."


    "Let''s hope so,"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    But in his heart, he remained on guard, believing only half of what Huang Yuwei said.


    It''s better to be wary than to be harmed.


    In this world where the strong prey on the weak,


    being naive and without guile,


    one would likely die without even knowing how!


    Just as Huang Yuwei had said, the Black Shark Guard did not appear again, and the next morning, a gigantic island appeared on the surface of the sea.


    This island was suspended above the sea, and atop it sat an immensely huge city.


    This was Beast Emperor City.


    A powerful faction owning countless wealth, situated above the Beast Emperor Sea.


    Even the Great Qian Dynasty, when faced with the Beast Emperor City, dealt with it on an equal footing. After all, Beast Emperor City, apart from sitting deep in the Beast Emperor Sea and being incomparably wealthy, was also a place where powerful figures were as common as clouds.


    It was not any weaker than any of the top ten sects!


    "Beast Emperor City is almost upon us, everyone prepare your entrance fee!" The voice of the one-eyed dragon spread throughout the entire vessel.


    The entrance fee for Beast Emperor City is determined by one''s strength.


    For the Qi Gathering Realm, one hundred taels.


    For the Shentong Realm, one thousand taels.


    For the Golden Core Realm, ten thousand taels, and for the Tao Tribulation Realm, one hundred thousand taels.


    Of course...


    If a warrior of the Dharma Manifestation Realm were to enter Beast Emperor City, they would not be charged any fee and would even receive treatment befitting a VIP. After all, even the powerful Beast Emperor City would have a headache if it provoked the existence of someone from the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Xiao Yi had known these rules since he boarded the ship and handed over one hundred thousand taels of silver to the sailor.


    Boom!


    The ship entered the port of Beast Emperor City, the enormous dock of Beast Emperor City was several times larger than that of Linhai, and there were four such docks in Beast Emperor City.


    Just think...


    The entrance fee for a vessel like this one could amount to tens of millions of taels of silver.


    A single port could accommodate tens of thousands of such vessels, and just the entrance fees from the four major ports constituted a vast wealth. It''s a glimpse into the extent of Beast Emperor City''s affluence.


    After leaving the ship.


    Huang Yuwei put on a cloak and waved at Xiao Yi, "Let''s part ways here. If you run into any trouble, you can find me at the city lord''s mansion!"


    "Alright!"


    The two parted ways.


    No sooner had Xiao Yi stepped off the dock than he saw several carriages in front of him, all available for rent. One thousand taels of silver a day, and the coachmen were all residents of Beast Emperor City.


    They were extremely familiar with Beast Emperor City.


    "My lord, do you wish to rent a carriage? I am Lei Sanwang, my ancestors have been in this business for three generations, there''s no place in the whole of Beast Emperor City I don''t know about..." A middle-aged man with a pointed face and a goatee below his nose approached with a smile.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Take me to the black market!"


    "Right away!"


    Lei Sanwang''s face was glowing with a bright smile as he skillfully ushered Xiao Yi onto the carriage and then, whipping the reins, drove the carriage towards the city.


    Beast Emperor City was simply too large.


    Even while sitting in the carriage,


    they traveled for a full hour before arriving at the location of the black market, Lei Sanwang''s voice came from outside, "My lord, we''ve arrived at the black market!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi stepped out of the carriage and looked at the black market, which covered the entire East City, showing a puzzled expression, "This entire place is the black market?"


    "Yes!"


    Lei Sanwang smiled proudly, "Our Beast Emperor City''s black market is the largest in Southern State, the whole East City is the black market. However, carriages are not allowed inside the black market, we will need to go on foot. What are you planning to purchase? I can take you there!"


    Xiao Yi said, "I want to buy medicinal materials..."


    "Medicinal materials?"


    Lei Sanwang spoke with practiced familiarity, "Then you''ve come to the right place. I know all the medicinal material merchants in the black market, big and small. But there''s no need to bother with the smaller ones, I''ll take you to the three major medicinal material merchants!"


    "That works!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, about to speak when suddenly, an urgent shouting and curses came from behind, "Move aside, all of you move aside for me!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and turned around.


    But what he faced was a streak of black that swooped towards him with the sound of the air being torn apart...

 Chapter 312 The Black Market

    Whoosh!


    The black whip shadow broke through the air, aiming straight for Xiao Yi''s face.


    The whip was extremely fast.


    Xiao Yi''s sword-like eyebrows furrowed as he instinctively raised his hand to grab the whip and then slammed it to the ground. With a loud bang, a dark shadow fell and smashed heavily onto the surface.


    Ouch...


    A wail followed.


    This was a young man dressed in black, riding a beast that was pitch black all over, with two horns on its head, shaped like a bull, rampaging along the way. On its path, it had knocked over quite a few people. Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire


    Unexpectedly, he had fallen into the hands of Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh!


    The young man got up from the ground, glared at Xiao Yi with clenched teeth and said, "You scoundrel, who gave you the guts to block my way? Get over here and kneel down to apologize!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said, "In broad daylight, in the middle of the street, you dare to ride a beast so recklessly. If I hadn''t reacted quickly enough, you would have knocked me down just now. And you think you have the right?"


    "Damn it, even if I just knock over a few people, so what if I killed someone?"


    The young man''s cultivation was merely at the Golden Elixir Peak, but his aura was as if he were a figure of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, disdainful of everything, he said coldly, "Kid, kneel down and apologize to me immediately if you know what''s good for you, or I''ll make sure you enter upright and leave horizontally!"


    Lei Sanwang, who saw the beast behind the young man, had already turned pale, stepped forward, and tugged at Xiao Yi, whispering, "Sir, you should apologize to him! This is Master Tan Huajian of the Tan Family, the largest slave trading merchant in Beast Emperor City, their power is immensely great..."


    Slave trading merchant.


    No matter where, those who dared to engage in such trade always had significant backing.


    The Tan Family could control such trade in Beast Emperor City, their family head was a formidable expert at the first level of Dharma Manifestation Realm, and they also had close relations with Sha Kun.


    The surrounding crowd was also persuading in unison, "Young man, apologize to him!"


    "That''s Master Tan, he''s not someone to provoke!"


    Tan Huajian''s face showed an arrogant look as he coldly watched Xiao Yi, "Did you hear that? Are you not going to kneel for me?"


    "Kneel your mother!"


    Xiao Yi retorted with a slap.


    Slap!


    Tan Huajian was struck and sent flying, holding his face in bewilderment as he looked at Xiao Yi, "You, you, you dare to hit me?"


    Xiao Yi''s expression was as calm as still water, "Get lost! If I see you around me again, I will cripple you!"


    Hum!


    A pressure from the Tao Tribulation Realm weighed down upon Tan Huajian. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thump!


    Tan Huajian was pressed so hard that his legs went weak, forcing him to kneel on the ground, with cold sweat emerging on his forehead and his face turning pale. In the depths of his eyes was a deep resentment, "Fine, fine, fine, I''ll admit defeat today. The mountains won''t turn but the waters will; you''d better pray you don''t fall into my hands!"


    Tan Huajian mounted the beast and sped away.


    Lei Sanwang wore a face of despair, "My lord, you, you''ve really stirred up trouble now..."


    Xiao Yi asked, "What? Are you scared?"


    Lei Sanwang gave a wry smile, "How could I not be? There''s not a single person in the Tan Family who is merciful. Not long ago, a friend of mine just because he didn''t yield a parking space to someone from the Tan Family, the whole family was taken away to be slaves..."


    "The Tan Family is so domineering? Doesn''t anyone deal with them?" Xiao Yi frowned.


    So Beast Emperor City was in such chaos?


    Lei Sanwang hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a lower voice, "If the City Lord were still in charge, they wouldn''t dare be so rampant. But these past few months, with the City Lord severely ill and not concerned with worldly affairs, and Deputy City Lord Sha Kun having such a close relationship with the Tan Family, who do you think would dare to intervene?"


    Looking at Lei Sanwang, Xiao Yi knew he was backing down.


    He casually took out some silver notes and threw them to Lei Sanwang, "Here are fifty thousand silver notes. You better leave!"


    "This, this..."


    Lei Sanwang looked at the silver note in his hand and then at Xiao Yi with gratitude-filled eyes, saying, "Thank you for your generous gift... If you want to purchase medicinal materials, you might want to go to the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, the Starlight Chamber of Commerce, and the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce to take a look. These three are the biggest medicine material commerce gatherings in the black market!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Not daring to linger, Lei Sanwang quickly urged his carriage on and departed swiftly.


    Xiao Yi wandered alone in the black market.


    Besides shops selling all kinds of goods, there were also taverns and entertainment venues from all over, offering everything one could ask for. Especially the brothels, which one could see on every street.


    The hookers, scantily clad, stood at the doorway luring clients with their charming postures.


    It was truly a sight of luxury.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin poked his head out, asking in wonder, "Boss, what is this place? Why are these women wearing so little..."


    Xiao Yi''s face darkened as he pushed Little Lin back in, "Not suitable for children!"


    Little Lin: "..."


    After asking for directions along the way, Xiao Yi finally arrived at the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce.


    The three big medicine material commerce gatherings were actually built together, mere hundreds of meters apart. Each chamber was exceptionally luxurious and grand. From a distance, one could even smell the fragrance of medicinal herbs wafting through the air.


    Xiao Yi entered the nearest Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.


    Inside, people bustled to and fro; it was a vibrant scene.


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi saw a crowd of strong individuals gathered ahead. The place was buzzing with noise and was extremely lively when suddenly, curiosity was piqued by an exclamation from the crowd, "Holy shit, bro, you''re awesome! With just 100 taels of silver, you actually picked out a Purple Glow Dragon King Ginseng worth several million!"


    "Whimper, why don''t I have such luck? I''ve already spent over a million and only got a three-year-old Polygonum Multiflorum, which hasn''t even fully grown yet..."


    "Your luck is just too bad!"


    Xiao Yi, puzzled, stopped a passerby, "Brother, may I ask what''s happening over there?"


    The passerby glanced in the direction Xiao Yi was pointing and laughed, "That''s the medicine gambling! The Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce sealed some medicinal materials in ninety-nine containers. People can bid for them, and the highest bidder wins. If you choose the right one, you''ll become rich overnight, but if you choose wrong, you might lose everything you have!"


    "Medicine gambling?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes twinkled. He had heard of betting on stones and money but had never heard of gambling on medicine. He thanked the passerby with a gesture of his hand, "Thanks!"


    "You''re welcome!"


    The passerby then left.


    Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment, then also headed to the medicine gambling area.


    In front of him was a giant disc with grooves. Inside the grooves were white spheres. Each sphere was sealed with a Formation, making it impossible for even Dharma Manifestation Realm experts to see what was inside.


    The spheres were numbered from one to ninety-nine.


    An expert from the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce was shouting, "It''s about to begin, place your bets and no more after that!"


    "Number ninety-nine for one hundred taels!"


    "Number eighteen for five hundred taels..."


    Various strong individuals kept outbidding each other.


    Xiao Yi stared at the disc, and suddenly Little Lin whispered from his embrace, "Boss, there''s something good inside number eight!"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled and looked at number eight. The highest bid so far was nine thousand taels of silver. Xiao Yi immediately offered ten thousand taels on the sphere numbered eight.


    Thud!


    A bell chimed.


    The expert from the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce announced, "Bets are locked in! Let''s start the draw!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, a trace of curiosity in his gaze, "It must be something good if even Little Lin thinks it is a ''good brother.'' I wonder what''s really inside number eight! Just hope it''s not a loss!"

 Chapter 313 A Punch to the Head

    ```


    After the bidding for the medicine concluded.


    The powerful members of the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce opened each sphere in sequence, starting with number one, and the herbs within each sphere were promptly revealed to the audience upon their opening.


    "Number one, a strand of Qingluo Root!"


    "Number two, a piece of Monk Fruit..."


    Seven spheres were opened in succession, and all contained extremely cheap common herbs.


    The person who got sphere number one fared the worst.


    He had bet a hundred thousand to win this number one sphere, only to end up with a Qingluo Root worth a hundred silver, and then sphere number eight was opened, to which Xiao Yi also looked forward with some anticipation.


    Crack!


    The sphere opened. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A fragrance of herbs wafted through the air.


    Instantly, it prompted a wave of gasps, "This, this seems to be a fifth-grade Spiritual Medicine Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng!"


    "Looking at its quality, it must have a hundred years of maturity. Brother, for this herb I offer one million..."


    "One million for a Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng of such fine quality? You must be joking. I bid five million, sell it to me!"


    "I bid six million..."


    In no time, Xiao Yi found himself surrounded by a throng of people, each eagerly bidding to acquire the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Seeing Xiao Yi remain unmoved, a middle-aged man stepped forward and said, "Young man, my mother is gravely ill and in dire need of the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng to survive. I''m willing to pay ten million silver, could you please sell it to me?"


    Ten million?


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    Xiao Yi blinked, marveling at how he had spent only ten thousand silver but had gained an herb worth ten million.


    A ten thousand percent profit!


    "Young man, please..." the strong man begged with a piteous face.


    Xiao Yi sighed and said, "All right, I''ll sell it to you."


    "Thank you, thank you so much!"


    The middle-aged man''s face lit up with ecstasy, as he took out a stack of silver notes from his Storage Ring, ready to make the transaction. But at that moment, an arrogant voice cut through the crowd, "Eh? This Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng looks good. Taking it back for soup would be highly nourishing; I''ll take it, young master!"


    "Hm?"


    The middle-aged man''s face slightly changed as he looked over to the source of the voice.


    A young man named Zhang Yang, hands clasped behind his back, appeared before the crowd with an air of aloofness.


    The middle-aged man''s expression turned ugly as he said in a deep voice, "Brother, I saw this herb first and I hope..."


    Smack!


    A burly man standing behind the young man backhanded the middle-aged man across the face, sending him tumbling to the ground while saying coldly, "Who do you think you are? Worthy to call our young master brother?"


    "You..."


    The middle-aged man''s face turned ashen.


    The young man looked up at Xiao Yi, his lips curling with amusement, "Kid, it''s a small world, isn''t it? I didn''t expect to bump into you so soon!"


    Wasn''t this young man Tan Huajian?


    The cultivation of the burly man beside him was at the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. His muscles were like heavy slabs of metal, intricately outlined, stands next to Tan Huajian like a chunk of solid iron.


    Xiao Yi frowned as he helped the middle-aged man to his feet, saying, "Keep the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng for yourself."


    "This..."


    The middle-aged man was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi handed back the silver notes to him and said with a smile, "Better for you to take it to save your mother, than to let it be wasted by some beasts unworthy of it!"


    "Brother, thank you!"


    The middle-aged man took the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng gratefully, shooting a glance filled with gratitude at Xiao Yi, and whispered, "Please be careful, they''re dangerous."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively, "Don''t worry, they''re just annoying flies."


    As Xiao Yi handed over the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng to the middle-aged man, Tan Huajian''s face turned livid as he said coldly, "Kid, are you deaf? Didn''t you hear me? I said I wanted the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng, how dare you give it to someone else?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "And you are? Do I know you?"


    "You..."


    Tan Huajian''s face contorted with displeasure.


    He had no use for the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng himself; his intention had been merely to spoil Xiao Yi''s deal. And now, Xiao Yi had the audacity to give the ginseng away right in front of him.


    In Tan Huajian''s eyes, it was an utter affront to his own dignity!


    Tan Huajian turned to the burly man beside him, "Ah Long, cripple his cultivation, break his arms and legs!"


    "Understood!"


    Ah Long cracked his neck, producing a series of crisp sounds.


    He stepped forward.


    Ah Long was now in front of Xiao Yi, his right hand clenched into a fist, his knuckles crackling like thunder. With a punch thrown, the whistling of his fist carried the fury of wind and thunder, heading straight for Xiao Yi.


    This punch was infused with the essence of fist intent.


    ```


    A cage of condensed fighting intent had formed, trapping Xiao Yi within its confines.


    An immense pressure bore down from all directions.


    "This is the Tan Family''s Iron Fist Ah Long. It is said that he was once a slave, but was kept by the Tan Family due to his exceptional combat talent..."


    "The strongest aspect of Iron Fist Ah Long is his pair of fists, which are said to have reached the third stage of fighting intent, extremely terrifying!"


    "That youngster is in danger!"


    Mastering the third stage of fighting intent at the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, his combat power could rival someone at the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm; even among the top ten sects, a being like Ah Long could be considered a genius.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sharpened, a glint of cold light flashing through them like thunder.


    All that could be seen was a flash of black light before him.


    Xiao Yi''s right hand formed a palm and blocked in front of him; with a crisp snap, that mocking, iron fist was steadied firmly in his grasp.


    Hiss!


    Sparks flew from under Xiao Yi''s feet as he slid backward two meters, fist and all.


    The power of that punch was imaginable.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "At the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, you can make me retreat? If I were to bring this man back, my Xiaoshanhe Institute could gain another remarkable warrior!"


    Amazement painted Ah Long''s face, shock overwhelming his heart, "A mere First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm blocked my Invincible Iron Fist?"


    His expertise was in boxing.


    The name Iron Fist Ah Long was already famous throughout Beast Emperor City.


    Even among those desperados on the Slave Battlefield who licked the edges of blades, there were few who could withstand more than three moves from him. Xiao Yi was only at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, yet he had so easily blocked his punch.


    This level of strength was truly terrifying!


    Tan Huajian, unaware of Ah Long''s shock, assumed Ah Long had not put forth his full strength. He raised his black whip and lashed toward him, and with a crisp snap, the piercing sound of flesh being torn followed.


    A sinister streak of blood appeared on Ah Long''s back, soaking his clothes red in an instant.


    Tan Huajian bellowed, "Useless thing, why haven''t you killed him for me yet?"


    Ah Long grimaced in pain, a flash of hatred and resentment crossing the depths of his eyes, but as a mere slave, defying his master would mean being hunted by the entire Beast Emperor City.


    Grinding his teeth, Ah Long could only lash out again with his fists, "Invincible Iron Fist!"


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Fists rained down like a torrential downpour.


    Xiao Yi''s figure moved with ease, dodging the overwhelming barrage of fists from Ah Long and whispered, "Your name is Ah Long, right? Would you like to follow me?"


    "Huh?"


    Ah Long''s punches faltered.


    Xiao Yi continued whispering, "If you follow me, we will be partners. I''ll give you your freedom; you''ll no longer be a slave!"


    Hum!


    Ah Long''s expression changed dramatically.


    Freedom!


    That word could only appear in his dreams.


    Ah Long''s punches did not lessen; he whispered back begrudgingly, "Stop talking nonsense... I am but a slave; the Tan Family would never let me leave."


    "Don''t worry, as long as you''re willing to follow me, I''ll handle the Tan Family!" Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    Ah Long halted his assault, frowning, "You''ll handle the Tan Family? What makes you think I can trust you?"


    Tan Huajian, seeing Ah Long stop, was instantly furious, "You dog, did I tell you to stop? Kill him for me, get to it��"


    Snap! Snap! Snap!


    The black whip continued to strike Ah Long''s body relentlessly.


    Even with Ah Long''s strong physique, he was covered in wounds from the whip''s lashes.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, flashed past Ah Long, grabbed the whip with a fierce yank, pulling Tan Huajian in front of him. The whip coiled around Tan Huajian''s neck as he looked at Ah Long with amusement: "This is the proof!"


    "What are you doing? Let go of me��"


    Pinned to the ground by Xiao Yi, Tan Huajian was a picture of humiliation and fury, roaring at Ah Long, "Bastard, you see me being held down here and do nothing? Kill him for me or I swear I will kill you..."


    Roar!


    Ah Long''s eyes blazed red, his fists clenched tightly, veins pulsing on his arms.


    Whoosh!


    He threw a punch forward.


    Xiao Yi remained smiling, not moving an inch.


    Tan Huajian''s face showed a smug satisfaction, "You bastard, you''re done for..."


    Before he could finish.


    His expression of satisfaction turned to horror and disbelief; the punch was not meant for Xiao Yi, but headed straight for his head. With a loud bang, Tan Huajian''s head exploded, leaving his body beyond recognition.


    Huffing! Huffing!


    Ah Long gasped for air, his reddened eyes filled with exhilaration and a sense of liberation, staring intently at Xiao Yi, "You said, you would give me freedom!"


    Xiao Yi smiled broadly, "Welcome to Xiaoshanhe Institute!"

 Chapter 314 Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce

    Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce, within the main hall.


    A dead silence filled the area, as everyone stared dumbfounded at Tan Huajian, who had become a headless corpse lying in a pool of blood.


    This was the young master of the Tan Family.


    To have been publicly killed like this was a major incident!


    The look in people''s eyes when they turned to Xiao Yi was full of deep awe and shock. Of course, there were quite a few who gazed at him and Along with schadenfreude and mockery, "You two are dead meat, the Tan Family is a giant in Beast Emperor City!"


    "They control the slave market and have many powerful followers under their command. Killing Tan Huajian will surely bring about the Tan Family''s retribution!"


    "Especially that big guy, he''s a slave! To dare turn on his master, he''s going to be dismembered..."


    Murmurs ran through the crowd.


    Along looked at Xiao Yi with a worried expression.


    He had also been seduced by the promise of freedom that Xiao Yi talked about, and had killed Tan Huajian in a rage after being humiliated over and over again by him. Now that he had calmed down, he was filled with regret.


    A slave turning on his master was a serious offense.


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "Afraid of what? They are talking about a slave turning on his master, but you are not a slave!"


    "I��I''m not a slave?"


    Along paused, looking incredulously at Xiao Yi.


    Ever since he could remember, he had been a slave, and countless of his tribe members were slaves as well.


    Along had forgotten when was the last time he hadn''t been branded with a slave mark.


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder, laughing, "Don''t worry, from now on you are my companion. Since you are a companion, you are naturally free. How could you possibly be a slave?"


    "But the Tan Family..." Along hesitated.


    He was acutely aware of how terrifying the Tan Family was!


    His people had once lived carefree on a remote island above the Beast Emperor Sea.


    It was the appearance of the Tan Family, like demons, slaughtering, looting, and capturing... that nearly wiped out his tribe. Many of his fellow tribesmen, who had suffered the same fate, were still in the Tan Family''s slave market.


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder again and smiled, "We can''t stay here long; let''s go somewhere else to look around."


    The strongest of the Tan Family was only a Dharma Manifestation Realm level-one strongman, and with Xiao Yi''s current strength, even if a Dharma Manifestation Realm level-three expert were to come after him, he was confident he could escape unscathed.


    That was the confidence that had emboldened him to behead Tan Huajian!


    The two of them had just left.


    A group of powerful warriors clad in battle armor appeared within the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce.


    Looking at the headless corpse, this group of law enforcers felt a tingling on their scalps. Killing fights were forbidden in Beast Emperor City, yet someone from the Tan Family had died, and a slave of the Tan''s was taken away.


    This was a major incident.


    The leader of the Law Enforcement Team rubbed his brow, feeling a headache coming on, "Send Tan Huajian''s body back to the Tan Family. This is no longer something we can intervene in; let the Tan Family deal with it themselves!"


    ......


    Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    Xiao Yi looked at Along, who had changed into a new set of clothes and was holding a roasted beast leg, savoring it deliciously, speechlessly asking, "Is that thing really so tasty?"


    Along rolled his eyes, his mouth greasy, and mumbled indistinctly, "I can''t remember the last time I ate meat!"


    Xiao Yi paused mid-step, frowning, "Along, are there many slaves in this Beast Emperor City?"


    "Hmm!"


    Along nodded, his eyes red as he spoke, "All under the control of the Tan Family. Just from my tribe alone, more than ten thousand of our people have been made slaves by them."


    Xiao Yi frowned, "How are these slaves in terms of talent?"


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    Along paused, thought for a moment, and said, "Those who are kept by the Tan Family as slaves generally have some talent. However, those with truly high talent are all in the Slave Battlefield, kept by various powers as tools for gambling and entertainment!"


    At the mention of the Slave Battlefield, Along involuntarily exuded a terrifying Evil Qi.


    That was the slaughterhouse of slaves.


    A paradise for the high and mighty!


    Countless slaves battled for their lives on the Slave Battlefield, and freedom from slavery was theirs if they could secure a hundred victories. But how many could achieve a hundred wins?


    Even the mighty Along had only won sixty-five battles so far.


    Xiao Yi stroked his chin and said, "The Tan Family has such a vast slave resource in their hands. If I could find more people with Along''s talent to bring back and make them disciples of my Xiaoshanhe Institute, why should my institute worry about not prospering?"


    At this thought.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes gleamed brighter, but he was well aware that behind the Tan Family stood Sha Kun, who was a sixth-level expert in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. With his current strength, confrontation was not an option. "It seems I must find a way to enhance my realm first. The matter of the slaves can wait!"


    "Institute Head, the people from the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce have arrived!" Along''s voice rang in his ear.


    Xiao Yi looked ahead and saw a beautiful figure in a red dress with a curvaceous and graceful silhouette approaching. A beauty mark sat by her lips, and she smiled charmingly, "Shi Feiya pays respects to the young master. I hear you''re looking for me for a big trade?"


    Shi Feiya had striking beauty and a natural allure.


    Every frown and smile seemed to stir the heart.


    "Xiao Yi has met President Shi!"


    Xiao Yi, with a mind unmoved, clasped his hands toward her and said, "I wish to purchase a large quantity of medicinal materials. May I inquire if President Shi is interested?"


    Shi Feiya was startled and raised her eyebrows. "Mister Xiao, may I ask just how ''large'' is the volume you speak of?"


    Xiao Yi threw out a list. "As stated in the list!"


    Shi Feiya took the list and couldn''t help but gasp.


    Even though her Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce was one of the three major medicinal material chambers in Beast Emperor City, it was rare to see an order of such magnitude. According to the list, the annual transaction amount was over a hundred billion.


    However...


    Shi Feiya furrowed her brows slightly and said gravely, "Mister Xiao, our Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce can certainly handle this order, but the problem is your Xiaoshanhe Institute is located within the Great Qian Dynasty. That''s the territory of Medicine King Valley. Aren''t you afraid of offending them by working with us?"


    "What? Is President Shi afraid of Medicine King Valley?" Xiao Yi said with a hint of jest.


    "Yes indeed, I''m just a defenseless woman, and Medicine King Valley is the overlord of the Southern State. How could I not be afraid?" Shi Feiya raised her eyebrows with a seductive and vulnerable look that could not help but provoke a protective instinct in others.


    Xiao Yi smiled. "If so, I''ll just find someone else!"


    Watching Xiao Yi turn to leave.


    Shi Feiya''s enticing and vulnerable expression froze. Stamping her foot in vexation and gritting her teeth, she called out, "Please wait a moment, Mister Xiao..."


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi looked at her with amusement.


    Shi Feiya said helplessly, "This order is also a great opportunity for the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, but it requires further discussion. Please come back to this place after three days, and I promise to give you an answer. How does that sound?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head. "No later than tomorrow!"


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    Shi Feiya hesitated and, seeing Xiao Yi''s firm demeanor, relented, "Alright, I''ll have an answer for you tomorrow!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and then asked, "President Shi, may I ask if there''s any place worth visiting in Beast Emperor City?"


    "A place worth visiting?"


    Shi Feiya''s brows slightly furrowed and her eyes lit up. "Mister Xiao must have just broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, right? In the west of the city, there is a Cave of Desire. You might want to try visiting it; perhaps you''ll come across an unexpected gain!"


    "Cave of Desire?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and clasped his hands toward her. "Thank you for the suggestion, President Shi. I''ll be back tomorrow to discuss the matter!"


    Watching the retreating figure of Xiao Yi.


    Shi Feiya''s lips curled slightly at the corners, revealing a dimple near the beauty mark, "What an interesting young man..."

 Chapter 315 Cave of Desire

    Beast Emperor City was immense beyond compare.


    It was divided into five major city districts: east, south, west, north, and central, with the East City District being the black market.


    The West City District was also bustling with activity.


    Under Along''s lead, Xiao Yi rented a horse-drawn carriage and, for the cost of ten thousand Silver, arrived at the Cave of Desire located in the West City. This Cave of Desire was a huge cavern.


    To the left and right of the cave, a nine-story tower was constructed respectively.


    Along explained, "These two towers are known as the Demon Suppression Towers... It is said that deep within the Cave of Desire, an evil Demon Spirit brimming with wickedness is sealed. The first City Lord of Beast Emperor City built these two towers in an attempt to suppress the Demon Spirit within the Cave of Desire!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    He didn''t believe in such tales of suppressing Demon Spirits.


    As the two approached the Cave of Desire, they found that many powerhouses were already queuing up in front, and at the entrance of the Cave of Desire, there were ten strong men dressed in the armor of the Law Enforcement Team standing guard.


    In the center, an old man sat nonchalantly at a small table.


    "This old man is not simple!"


    Xiao Yi watched the old man, warily on guard inside.


    Even though this person''s cultivation might not have reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he was still more terrifying than the usual peak Tao Tribulation Realm cultivator!


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept around.


    At the entrance of the Cave of Desire, there was actually a black stele.


    On the stele, there were names inscribed.


    The one at the top was none other than Xiao Tianjiao!


    Behind Xiao Tianjiao''s name, there were seventeen golden stars twinkling.


    "Why would Xiao Tianjiao''s name be here?"


    Xiao Yi turned to Along and asked, "Along, who are the people listed on that stele?"


    Along, who somehow had produced a roasted beast leg to gnaw on, mumbled vaguely, "That''s the ranking for the Cave of Desire. See the one ranked first, Xiao Tianjiao? It is said that he comes from the Great Qian Dynasty and is an unparalleled genius. He once came to the Cave of Desire when he was at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm and bravely made it to the seventeenth level. At that time, the entire Beast Emperor City was shaken!"


    Xiao Yi murmured, "Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm? The seventeenth level? Just how many levels does the Cave of Desire have?"


    Along said, "There are a total of eighteen levels. It is said that the Evil Demon Spirit is sealed on the eighteenth level. If one can enter there, they can gain the strength of the Demon Spirit. However, to this day, no one has ever reached the eighteenth level..."


    "Evil Demon Spirit?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Even Xiao Tianjiao was stopped at the seventeenth level? I''m curious as to where my limit lies!"


    "Make way, all of you, make way!"


    There suddenly came a hurried rush of footsteps from behind the crowd, and a haughty young man followed by a group of people walked over. This young man had an air of arrogance, with a look of disdain for everyone, and a dark long spear on his back.


    The people in line stepped aside to make room.


    "Who is that?" Xiao Yi asked, puzzled.


    Along shook his head.


    He was just a slave, how could he know so much?


    The cultivator from the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm who had been standing in front of Xiao Yi turned around and said, "You don''t know him? He is Sha Ying, the Vice City Lord Sha Kun''s son from our Beast Emperor City. He''s considered an extraordinary genius, and it''s said that he has always idolized Xiao Tianjiao, striving to surpass him. He''s already made it to the fifteenth level before but refuses to leave his name on the ranking. He''s probably here this time to challenge Xiao Tianjiao''s record!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking with interest at the imperious Sha Ying, "To idolize Xiao Tianjiao? That''s quite interesting!"


    Sha Ying quickly entered.


    The crowd continued to queue, and after a short while,


    it finally came to their turn. The old man sat there calmly, his eyes not even bothering to look up, "Tao Tribulation Realm, one million entry fee per person!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and handed over two million Silver.


    This Beast Emperor City really does charge money for everything!


    If a poor person were here, they wouldn''t even be able to afford a meal.


    As Xiao Yi entered the Cave of Desire, he found himself in a narrow passageway. While walking, he suddenly discovered that Along had disappeared from his side. Abruptly, two diverging paths appeared before him.


    Between the two paths stood a stele.


    On the stele was written: Left for life, right for death.


    Choose the path of life, leave the cave!


    Choose the path of death, risk falling!


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Just entered and then leave? I doubt anyone would choose that!"


    He headed straight for the path on the right.


    Suddenly, everything in front of him changed dramatically. A pitch-black space materialized before him, and amidst clanging noises, massive black stone walls fell into place all around him.


    They formed a square cage, sealing Xiao Yi within.


    Woosh!


    Woosh!


    Two beams of light fell in front of Xiao Yi. The left transformed into a group of elderly, women, and children, while the right became a host of fierce-looking bandits exuding evil qi.


    A hoarse voice echoed in the air: "Choose one group as your opponent, kill them all, and you may proceed to the next level!"


    One side held bandits, the other the elderly, women, and children.


    If one wished to pass easily, naturally they would choose the latter.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders but, without a second thought, walked straight toward the bandits.


    Roar!


    The bandits'' eyes revealed a ferocious look, their glow disappearing, and like unleashed wild horses, they charged towards Xiao Yi. Facing this group of bandits, Xiao Yi showed no mercy, unleashing a sword finger slash that swept through the air.


    Woosh!


    A silver sword light burst forth from his fingertips.


    Wherever the light passed, the bandits were ground into pieces, left without a resting place in death.


    And after these bandits died, they turned into glimmers of light resembling stars, swiftly merging into Xiao Yi''s body. A glint of understanding flashed across his eyes, "This, this feeling... Is this the power of heaven and earth?"


    Those fallen bandits turned out to be manifestations of the force of heaven and earth.


    Upon being crushed, this force of heaven and earth merged into his body.


    Xiao Yi could distinctly feel his Martial Dao Divine Fruit becoming even more refined, hinting at the forming of a second layer of Dao patterns. He revealed a look of wild joy, "This Cave of Desire actually has such miraculous effects, it seems I really came to the right place!"


    Just as Xiao Yi was about to continue to the next level.


    Those elderly, women, and children who he had not chosen displayed warm smiles, their hands pressed together as they directed looks of gratitude and praise towards him.


    Woosh, woosh, woosh!


    They too transformed into a vast expanse of stars, merging into Xiao Yi''s body.


    Xiao Yi''s Martial Dao Divine Fruit possessed nine Dao patterns, with the five elemental Dao patterns each representing one of the five elements of the force of heaven and earth, and the Yin-Yang Dao patterns each representing two parts of the Yin and Yang forces of heaven and earth.


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    After absorbing these two waves of light, the heavenly forces he controlled each increased by half a part. Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    With a gleam in his eyes, Xiao Yi moved towards the entrance of the second layer that had appeared before him.


    This time, two choices again presented themselves before Xiao Yi.


    In front of him...


    On the left was Fang Qingzhu, and on the right was also Fang Qingzhu.


    An icy voice subsequently rang in his mind, causing Xiao Yi''s expression to undergo a sudden change: "..."

 Chapter 316 Breaking Records Again, The 18th Layer!

    "Within half an incense stick''s time, killing any one person will let you pass this round!"


    A cold voice echoed in his mind.


    On the left, Fang Qingzhu wore a serene smile, in the prime of her youth; on the right, a pregnant Fang Qingzhu, her belly swollen, was speaking to Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, our child will be born soon!"


    Two Fang Qingzhus.


    They were the most important people to Xiao Yi.


    However, the one on the left was alone, while the one on the right was with child, carrying Xiao Yi''s baby.


    Within half an incense stick''s time!


    He must kill one!


    As time dripped away, Xiao Yi sighed, walked towards the two Fang Qingzhus, and gently caressed their faces, as real as any, "Qingzhu, are you doing well now? Wait for me; I will definitely come find you!"


    The cold voice sounded again: "Time''s up, please make your choice!"


    "Choose my ass!"


    Xiao Yi curled his lip, "Even if they''re fake, I refuse to make any choice between them!"


    The cold voice fell silent for a while, its tone chilling and threatening, "If you don''t choose, you will be expelled from the Cave of Desire. You should know, with your talent and strength, it is very likely you will surpass Xiao Tianjiao and gain the power of the demon spirit!"


    "I do crave power, but if it means exchanging it for the people I treasure, I''d rather not have that power!" Xiao Yi''s voice was calm, but his resolve was unwavering.


    The cold voice completely disappeared.


    The two "Fang Qingzhus" in front of him vanished at the same time, turning into stars that merged into his body.


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi''s whole body shook.


    The Martial Dao Divine Fruit emerged from his body, gathering above his head, and with a crisp "pop," nine more Dao patterns condensed on it.


    The power of the Five Elements reached twenty percent.


    The power of Yin and Yang reached thirty percent.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation officially stepped into the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    "Just two layers, and I''ve already broken through a minor realm? What kind of power is hidden in this Cave of Desire? Unbelievable, truly unbelievable!" Xiao Yi absorbed the Martial Dao Divine Fruit back into his body and stepped into the third layer.


    Then the fourth layer.


    The fifth layer.


    The sixth layer...


    Xiao Yi advanced unobstructed.


    The choices he faced became increasingly bizarre, but Xiao Yi always kept his initial resolve and pressed forward decisively.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Xiao Yi had already reached the seventeenth layer, and the forty-five Dao patterns on his Martial Dao meant that his cultivation had reached the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    With his current strength, even if he faced an expert at the Fifth Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he had the confidence to fight!


    "The seventeenth layer, Xiao Tianjiao stopped at this layer. When you reached this step, Xiao Tianjiao, you were already at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, yet I am merely at the Fifth Layer..."


    Xiao Yi licked his lips, his eyes shining as he stared at the two pillars of light that had appeared in front of him, "As long as I get through this, I will have broken another one of your records!"


    This journey.


    The Combat Pavilion, the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, the Tribulation of Heaven in the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Xiao Yi had already consecutively broken three records that Xiao Tianjiao took pride in!


    Now...


    The fourth record was right in front of him!


    Hum!


    The two pillars of light paused.


    In front of Xiao Yi, two figures appeared; on the left was Xiao Tianjiao, but he was in a sorry state, tied to a wooden stake. In front of him, a cursed demon sword enveloped in runes, its black aura swirling.


    On the right was a low grave, with a tombstone standing over it.


    The tombstone read��The grave of Mrs. Liu from the Xiao Clan!


    It was the grave of Xiao Yi''s mother!


    The cold voice sounded at the same time, "The sword on the left is the Cursed Demon Sword, use it to slay Xiao Tianjiao, and the curse will manifest in reality; Xiao Tianjiao will die from the curse, and killing Xiao Tianjiao will let you pass. On the right is your mother''s grave, kneel and worship, and you may also pass!"


    This voice was utterly calm, yet held a strange magic power within it.


    Xiao Yi could clearly hear his own heart pounding.


    It was as if a million mouths were whispering in his ear, tempting him, "Kill Xiao Tianjiao, and no one will be able to threaten you anymore!"


    "Once you kill Xiao Tianjiao, the Xiao Family will lose their support, and they will have to beg you to return. Then you can worship your mother; why waste the opportunity here?"


    "Kill Xiao Tianjiao..."


    Wave after wave of seductive voices arose in his ears.


    Xiao Yi involuntarily walked towards Xiao Tianjiao, his palm already gripping the demon sword.


    Xiao Tianjiao!


    This was one of Xiao Yi''s heart demons, which he vowed to slay!


    Hum!


    The demon sword had been pulled out from the ground, the blade enveloped in black demonic Qi and the runes shimmered with dazzling light. With just a slight thrust forward, he could completely eradicate the heart demon that was Xiao Tianjiao.


    Afterward, his martial path would be unimpeded.


    He could even use a curse to kill Xiao Tianjiao.


    The sword''s tip moved constantly forward.


    Just as he was about to behead Xiao Tianjiao, a buzzing sounded in Xiao Yi''s mind.


    "My heart is as iron, unbreakable; my heart is as a sword, peerlessly sharp!"


    Mysterious sounds emanated from Xiao Yi''s mouth, dispelling the countless beguiling voices around him. He abruptly flung his arm, tossing the demon sword aside, and began to gasp for breath.


    In that instant, he was already drenched in a cold sweat.


    Huff! Huff!


    Xiao Yi gasping heavily, stared at Xiao Tianjiao tied to the wooden post and snorted coldly, "I, Xiao Yi, will deal with you myself..."


    He promptly turned around.


    Xiao Yi kneeled before the lowly grave with a thump, respectfully kowtowed three times, and spoke solemnly, "Mother, please forgive your unfilial son for not being able to worship at your grave. But believe me, it won''t be long before I can pay tribute to you openly and honorably!"


    Hum!


    The image of Xiao Tianjiao and the lowly grave vanished before him.


    An extremely terrifying surge of energy madly flooded into Xiao Yi''s body.


    The Martial Dao Divine Fruit left his body once more, hovering above his head as the Dao patterns continued to climb. It increased to fifty-four Dao patterns, and his cultivation formally stepped into the Sixth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm!


    At the same time...


    The heavenly and earthly energies within Xiao Yi''s body surged into the God Sealing Seed, increasing their number by tens of millions, reaching a total of sixty million!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi''s figure darted into the eighteenth layer.


    He...


    Once again broke the record set by Xiao Tianjiao!


    Moreover.


    Xiao Yi also became the only one since ancient times to enter the eighteenth layer of the Cave of Desire.


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    And just moments before Xiao Yi stepped into the eighteenth layer...


    Outside the Cave of Desire.


    Sha Ying''s figure appeared before everyone, his mouth slightly curving upwards, enjoying the adulation and gazes of the crowd with a proud face.


    "Young Master Sha Ying, have you broken Xiao Tianjiao''s record this time?"


    "Is that even a question? Last time Young Master Sha Ying reached the fifteenth layer, and now that his cultivation has ascended to the Peak of Tao Tribulation Realm, he''s definitely stronger than Xiao Tianjiao!"


    The crowd flattered him.


    Sha Ying''s eyes twinkled with pride, but he maintained a nonchalant facade and waved his hand, "Xiao Tianjiao is, after all, the strongest genius in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty. I still have some distance to cover. This time, I barely reached the sixteenth layer, just one step away!"


    "The sixteenth layer?"


    "That''s terrifying as well. Since the emergence of the Cave of Desire, there have been no more than nine individuals who have reached the sixteenth layer. Young Master, you are the youngest among them. Once you''re on the ranking, you will definitely be second only to Xiao Tianjiao!" S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The crowd remarked one after another.


    Sha Ying feigned difficulty, nodded his head, and said, "So be it, I shall leave my name then!"


    Sha Ying, with a smile, turned to the elder, "Elder, please inscribe my name on the ranking board!"


    "Hmm!"


    The elder nonchalantly wrote down Sha Ying''s name.


    Watching his name placed second, just behind Xiao Tianjiao, Sha Ying''s mouth curved upward, bearing a proud demeanor.


    However...


    The elder suddenly let out a sound of surprise.


    His gray eyebrows furrowed tightly, then relaxed as his palm gently swept over the ranking board. Xiao Tianjiao''s name moved back a step, and Sha Ying''s name also fell to the third position.


    Sha Ying''s face stiffened with self-satisfaction, and he looked puzzled at the elder, "Elder, what does this mean?"


    The elder let out an "Oh" and spoke in a haunting tone that left Sha Ying''s face resembling a liverish hue, "Someone has reached the eighteenth layer. Xiao Tianjiao is now historically second, and you, third..."

 Chapter 317 Kneel Not to the Heavens Above, Nor to the Earth Below!

    "Xiao Tianjiao ranks second, and you''re third!"


    The elder spoke slowly and deliberately.


    What?


    Sha Ying''s face, which was filled with triumph and excitement, suddenly froze, and he looked at the elder in confusion, asking in disbelief, "What, what did you say? Someone entered the eighteenth level?"


    "Yes!"


    The elder nodded.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    Sha Ying''s face was a picture of confusion, turning pale and then flushing red, as he roared in disbelief, "This is impossible... Even when Xiao Tianjiao was at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he only reached the seventeenth level. How can anyone enter the eighteenth level? Could it be that some old ancestor from the Dharma Manifestation Realm has entered?"


    He simply couldn''t imagine, if Xiao Tianjiao himself couldn''t break through the seventeenth level, how could anyone else manage to reach it.


    The surrounding crowd, shocked, nodded in agreement, "It must be an old ancestor of the Dharma Manifestation Realm challenging it. Among those in the Tao Tribulation Realm, no one should possess greater talent than Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "Was there a Dharma Manifestation Realm old ancestor just now? How come I didn''t notice?"


    "What kind of status does a Dharma Manifestation Realm old ancestor have? If he didn''t want you to notice him, even standing right in front of you, you wouldn''t recognize him!"


    However...


    The elder shook his head and said, "Not Dharma Manifestation, just Tao Tribulation!"


    Not Dharma Manifestation, just Tao Tribulation?


    Merely eight words.


    To Sha Ying, they sounded like a bolt out of the blue thundering in his ears, causing his face to alternate between pale and flushed, showing an intense color of disbelief, "How can this be? I don''t believe it, I can''t believe it... In the Tao Tribulation Realm, who can be stronger than me, stronger than Xiao Tianjiao? How can such a being exist..."


    His face was extremely ugly.


    Recalling how he had just breached the sixteenth level, only one step away from his idol.


    He was so happy, so excited, so proud!


    But now...


    Reality had slapped him hard across the face.


    No!


    This was rubbing his face in the dirt!


    "Damn it, who is this person who has the audacity to humiliate me so? I will tear you to pieces..." Sha Ying''s eyes were bloodshot, his initial shock turning into venomous hatred.


    Today was supposed to be the most glorious day of his life.


    But now...


    All of it had turned into a mirage, into a stepping stone for Xiao Yi.


    Sha Ying''s eyes gleamed with a vicious cold light. Had the person breaking through been an old ancestor of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he would have hesitated to seek revenge, but the elder in front of him had already clarified that the other party was not an old ancestor from the Dharma Manifestation Realm. With his status, wasn''t it a simple matter for him to crush the other party as he pleased?


    At this moment.


    Xiao Yi, deep within the Cave of Desire, had no idea of Sha Ying''s thoughts.


    He had already entered the eighteenth level.


    In front of him was an endless expanse of pitch darkness, with an aura of ghostly solemnity. The world was pitch black without any light. Yet strangely, in such an environment, Xiao Yi could still clearly see everything in front of him.


    In the center of this dark space, a colossal figure lay prostrate on the ground.


    "What is that?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank slightly. Upon seeing the figure, he instinctively felt a heart-throbbing sensation.


    Even Little Lin in his arms was restless and uneasy.


    Wriggling its body and poking its head out, its eyes full of wariness, it said, "Boss, I have a very bad feeling about this..."


    "Don''t worry, I''m here!"


    Xiao Yi patted its head reassuringly as he cautiously approached the massive figure.


    In this entire dark space, there was only this one dark existence.


    The mountain appears near but is far in reality.


    What seemed to be a mere few hundred meters away turned out to be several kilometers in distance. As Xiao Yi approached the dark figure, he couldn''t help but inhale sharply.


    This immense body was a thousand zhang tall, towering and reaching into the Azure Sea.


    It was not a mountain peak.


    This was, shockingly, half a head.


    Just half a head, and yet it was a thousand zhang tall. What kind of massive creature could this be?


    "You''ve come!"


    An ancient voice suddenly rang out.


    It seemed to come from the depths of the void, echoing throughout the empty Cave of Desire on the eighteenth layer, vast and filled with majesty, and even a trace of vicissitude.


    As if it had witnessed the ancient vastness, seen the Azure Sea turned into mulberry fields.


    "Who is the senior?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Humm!


    Above the enormous beast''s head, a shadowy figure fell. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


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    It was an elder with a cane.


    With kind eyebrows and benevolent eyes, and a red mole between the eyebrows, compassionate and merciful, his eyes were peaceful and profound, like a calm ocean. In his eyes, seemingly a cycle of vast phenomena, they rested upon Xiao Yi and Little Lin in his arms.


    "I had thought that it would be Xiao Tianjiao who could enter the eighteenth layer, but he stopped at the seventeenth. You, you are even more outstanding!" The elder''s ancient gaze carried a hint of peculiar colors.


    Making one''s state of mind unconsciously become tranquil.


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, "May I ask who the senior is?"


    "You may call me Xuan!"


    Xuan smiled, then said, "Little fellow, aren''t you curious about what Xiao Tianjiao encountered on the seventeenth layer?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Xuan waved his hand.


    A screen of light fell before Xiao Yi, showing the figure of Xiao Tianjiao within it. Before him appeared two choices. On the left was Xiao Yi, and on the right was the grave of Xiao Yi''s mother.


    "Nothing but trash, killing him would dirty my hands. As for this..."


    Xiao Tianjiao''s proud words came from the screen, his gaze directed at the humble grave: "I, Xiao Tianjiao, do not kneel to heaven above or earth below, how could I kneel to a dead person?"


    Xiao Tianjiao, with a wave of his hand.


    Boom!


    The entire grave burst apart.


    Even though it was merely an illusion, Xiao Yi''s body still tensed, his eyes turning completely red in an instant. He gritted his teeth tightly, making a grinding noise: "Xiao Tianjiao..."


    Each word was uttered with exceptional weight.


    As if he wanted to grind him to dust.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s pride and strength were evident.


    The illusion had not confused his mind.


    But his pride made even the thought of annihilating Xiao Yi''s illusion feel like a disgrace, as if killing Xiao Yi would taint his hands. Even in front of the grave of his birth mother, he disdained to offer tribute.


    Not kneeling to heaven or earth.


    What was his mother?


    What right did she have to make me, Xiao Tianjiao, kneel?


    With just a palm strike, shattering the mother''s grave, even though it was an illusion, the indifference and ruthlessness of Xiao Tianjiao could still be seen.


    The light screen quietly disappeared.


    Xuan gazed at Xiao Yi, saying, "Do you hate him?"


    "What does it have to do with you?"


    Xiao Yi looked up at Xuan, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly.


    Xuan narrowed his eyes, saying, "I can give you the power to surpass him!"


    The voice was enticing and mesmerizing.


    Those with weak wills,


    Would surely be affected.


    Xiao Yi bit his tongue, the sweetness and sting helping him to regain clarity, he said coldly, "Without you, I can still surpass him, Xiao Tianjiao!"


    Xuan fell silent.


    After a long moment,


    Xuan revealed a gratified smile, "Having passed the test of the seventeenth layer of the Cave of Desire, you truly did not disappoint me. Xiao Yi, aren''t you very curious about my identity?"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes.


    Xuan slowly began, "I am��"

 Chapter 318 The Nine Cauldrons Seal Eternal Life

    Xuan slowly spoke, revealing his identity, "I am right beneath your feet!"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    He subconsciously looked toward the ground, asking in confusion, "You are the Cave of Desire?"


    "..."


    The corner of Xuan''s eye twitched, he said, "I am the Beast Emperor Island beneath your feet!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    What the hell?


    Beast Emperor Island?


    He did not know the full size of the entire Beast Emperor Island, but he did know how vast the Beast Emperor City was, with billions of inhabitants, and it took two hours to travel from East City to West City by carriage.


    And that was no ordinary carriage.


    It was one pulled by Sea Dragon Horses, capable of travelling a thousand kilometers a day without breaking a sweat.


    Two hours, almost three hundred kilometers!


    Between two city districts, that''s nearly three hundred kilometers, so how massive was the whole Beast Emperor Island?


    At least four to five hundred kilometers in length and width!


    Xuan was actually saying he was the Beast Emperor Island?


    Has the island become incarnate?


    Xiao Yi sized up Xuan from head to toe and ventured, "Senior, have you become an island incarnation?"


    "..."


    Xuan''s eyelid twitched violently as he glared at Xiao Yi and said through clenched teeth, "What island incarnation... This Beast Emperor Island is my body, refined into an island by someone as a sacrifice."


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s mind went blank.


    He naturally knew about the methods of sacrifice, and indeed many powerful beings would refine the bodies or bones of powerful beasts into prime weapons. But after such a refinement, they usually remove the dross, and the scale only gets smaller.


    After Xuan''s body was refined, it was still a massive four to five hundred kilometers in length and width.


    How terrifying must his true form have been?


    "I was originally one of the Nine Beasts guarding the Hall of Longevity. Since Zhao Wuji shattered the Qingtian Realm in battle, the Hall of Longevity escaped into the depths of the void, and we, the Nine Beasts, scattered across various places in the Qingtian Realm."


    Xuan spoke unhurriedly, "I was on the brink of death back then, so I refined my body into this Beast Emperor Island. One, to transform my soul into an Artifact Spirit, managing to cling to life. And two, to protect one of the Nine Tripods, in hope that when the Hall of Longevity reappears in the world, I could return and be resurrected..."


    "Hall of Longevity?"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    Having received the legacy of sages like the Wind Thunder, he naturally knew of the Hall of Longevity''s existence.


    Legend has it...


    In the Ancient Era, the Qingtian Realm was united, and the natural energy of heaven and earth was a thousandfold, even ten-thousand-fold more abundant than it is now.


    But in that era when martial arts were first burgeoning, the martial arts system was in a chaotic, primitive state, with cultivation at its peak being no more than the Dharma Phase Realm Peak.


    Thus, an ancient mighty one crafted nine cauldrons and suppressed the martial fate of the Qingtian Realm within the Hall of Longevity. From then on, genuine martial arts began to flourish, and some powerful beings broke through the shackles of heaven and earth, stepping into the Longevity Secret Realm.


    It was precisely because of this.


    The world started to say, "The Nine Tripods secure longevity!"


    Yet even in the legacies of sages like Wind Thunder, references to the Hall of Longevity were scarce and ambiguous.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "Senior, are you saying that to step into the Longevity Secret Realm, one must truly have the Hall of Longevity?"


    "Not at all!"


    Xuan shook his head and chuckled, "Rumors are often exaggerated. Although there indeed are ways within the Hall of Longevity that allow one to enter the Longevity Secret Realm, its existence is not actually about breaking free from limitations to achieve longevity. The notion of ''The Nine Tripods secure longevity'' is about stabilizing heaven and earth with the nine cauldrons, constraining the great dao so that the powerhouses of the Longevity Secret Realm can move freely between heaven and earth. Have you noticed that ever since the Hall of Longevity vanished, those who walk the Longevity Secret Realm are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    That was precisely his confusion.


    Xuan continued, "The Longevity Secret Realm is too powerful; if its beings were allowed to roam freely between heaven and earth, the impact on the world would be enormous. A single Longevity Secret Realm being could draw all the natural energy of a nation with a mere breath... ''The Nine Tripods secure longevity'' stabilizes the earth and heaven, the great dao itself. Now that the Hall of Longevity has been struck by Zhao Wuji into the depths of the void, those from the Longevity Secret Realm naturally cannot wander freely between heaven and earth..."


    Xiao Yi suddenly realized, "So ''The Nine Tripods secure longevity'' refers to such anchoring!"


    No wonder, even a power such as the Great Qian Dynasty doesn''t have beings from the Longevity Secret Realm in existence.


    Perhaps the Longevity Secret Realm beings of the Great Qian Dynasty have just never walked among the world.


    Xuan said gravely, "Xiao Yi, I''ve waited for so many years, and you are the only one who has managed to come here. I am willing to bestow upon you one of the Nine Tripods of longevity. If one day the Hall of Longevity reappears in the world, I hope you can bring the Nine Tripods back to me, bringing my soul back to the Hall of Longevity!"


    The nine beasts of longevity were born together with the Hall of Longevity.


    If they could return to the Hall of Longevity, there was still hope for revival and rebirth!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, immersed in deep thought.


    He didn''t fully trust the ancient fellow before him who had lived for untold years. Dealing with such beings required extreme caution, or else one might be devoured to the point of leaving no remains.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s hesitation to agree, a look of urgency flashed in the depths of Xuan''s eyes, and he continued, "To show my sincerity, I am willing to give you two drops of the Beast Emperor''s heart blood!"


    Hum! Hum!


    With a casual gesture from Xuan, two drops of golden blood flew down from the peak of a thousand feet.


    The blood was like pearls.


    Crystal clear.


    It contained an overwhelming surge of the Qi of heaven and earth within.


    What is a Beast Emperor?


    Above the seventh rank, comparable to the Human Race''s Longevity Secret Realm!


    The heart blood of the Beast Emperor was especially precious. It was said that a seventh-rank Beast Emperor could only condense a few dozen drops of heart blood in its lifetime, and consuming it could extend one''s life by a thousand years.


    It also had tremendous benefits for martial artists.


    Little Lin was itching to move, its eyes gleaming as it looked at the two drops of heart blood.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, "Senior, please assist me and my brother in refining the heart blood!"


    "No problem!"


    Xuan nodded his head.


    With a wave of his hand.


    A dazzling golden cauldron fell between the two, and Xuan said, "This is one of the Nine Cauldrons, driven by the Qi of heaven and earth, it can speed up the refinement process. Place the heart blood within, and with your strength, you should be able to increase the refining speed by a hundredfold!"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly, a hundredfold refining speed?


    What if it was a Dharma Phase Realm practitioner, or even a master of the Longevity Secret Realm?


    Wouldn''t that be thousands or tens of thousands of times faster?


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    Even consuming medicinal pills required a considerable amount of time.


    But if one could increase the speed of refinement, for instance, by a hundredfold, what would normally take a year would now only take three days. What kind of heaven-defying Divine Artifact was this?


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin sat cross-legged before the small cauldron, dropping the heart blood into it, with the Qi of heaven and earth driving the cauldron. Golden light circulated around the small cauldron, nine golden dragons moved about its body, and it began to vibrate with a humming sound.


    Brilliant rays of light enveloped both Xiao Yi and Little Lin.


    They could distinctly feel their power rising rapidly��such a refining speed was indeed terrifying!


    One hour.


    Two hours.


    Three hours...


    After just ten hours,


    the heart blood within the small cauldron was completely refined. Little Lin''s body flickered with golden light, its scale armor shining brilliantly. It had reached the high level of the sixth rank, comparable to the seventh layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Xiao Yi also advanced two realms, reaching the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and the number of God Sealing Seeds increased again to eighty million.


    With his current strength, he was a match for a practitioner of the Dharma Phase Realm at the eightfold level!


    "Under normal circumstances, refining these two drops of heart blood would take at least three to four months, but now it''s only taken ten hours. With this hundredfold refining speed and with this Divine Artifact''s assistance, what difficulty would there be for my Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples to grow stronger?"


    Xiao Yi looked at the golden cauldron before him with a fervent gleam in his eyes. Turning to Xuan, he said, "Senior, I am willing to assist you!"


    "Excellent!"


    Xuan smiled with relief and eagerly said, "Xiao Yi, then quickly bond with this Longevity Cauldron! Simply drop a bit of fresh blood onto it!"


    Xiao Yi, looking thoughtful, glanced at Xuan and squeezed out a drop of essential blood, letting it fall onto the small cauldron.


    Hum!


    The golden cauldron shimmered, enveloping him within its light.


    Watching Xiao Yi covered in golden light, the benevolent expression on Xuan''s face vanished, replaced by a vicious and mad grin: "Hehehe, after being trapped for so many years, this emperor will finally escape! Hahaha, boy, your body now belongs to this emperor!"


    Hum!


    Xuan transformed into a streak of light and entered Xiao Yi''s brow.


    Witnessing this, Little Lin''s pores exploded, its eyes widened in fury, and two terrifying words surfaced in its mind��body snatching!

 Chapter 319 Youre the one seeking death!

    Body Possession!


    Xuan had actually used Xiao Yi to refine the Longevity Cauldron, and in the moment when he released his mind, he entered Xiao Yi''s forehead in an attempt to take over Xiao Yi''s body.


    Little Lin''s face showed humanized signs of anxiety, circling back and forth in desperation, "Xuan... you old thief, if you dare to hurt my boss, I will fight you to death and drag you to hell... "


    A smug voice from Xuan came out of Xiao Yi''s mouth, "Little one, if you dare to hurt me, you would be hurting your master."


    "Aaaargh..."


    Little Lin roared furiously.


    He was anxiously circling like an ant on a hot pan.


    Meanwhile...


    Xuan had already entered Xiao Yi''s soul, his face brimming with excitement, "To have passed the trial of the Cave of Desire, this boy''s willpower is strong enough to endure my soul. Coupled with the fact that his talent is not the slightest bit inferior to Xiao Tianjiao, even stronger, it seems that missing Xiao Tianjiao back then turned out to be a blessing in disguise! Hahaha... "


    In Xuan''s eyes, this body was already within his grasp.


    After all.


    He was the mighty Beast Emperor, comparable to the existence of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    And he had lived for countless years.


    His soul was exceptionally strong, by no means comparable to a mere twenty-year-old youth; to possess Xiao Yi''s body with his soul was as easy as taking something from one''s pocket.


    However...


    When Xuan entered Xiao Yi''s soul, he did not find Xiao Yi''s soul there.


    Xuan was baffled, "What''s going on? Where''s his soul? Without a soul, how can I devour it? How can I possess the body?"


    "Are you looking for me?"


    Suddenly, a playful voice came through.


    "Hmm?"


    Xuan was startled and looked in the direction of the sound.


    On that glance.


    His pupils suddenly dilated, and his eyes revealed intense shock and disbelief, "How, how, how is this possible? What, what exactly is that thing behind you?"


    In front of him...


    Xiao Yi''s soul stood suspended in mid-air, but behind him stood a vast graveyard.


    This was a graveyard floating in the midst of the stars, with countless stars falling like rain, giant celestials whizzing by, creating space ripples that stretched for billions of miles.


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    The entire black graveyard, set amidst the stars, was encircled by four exceptionally dark dragons, as if cast from black iron, massive in size and connected head to tail around the graveyard.


    Like pillars supporting the heavens, they seemed to pierce through the entire starry sky.


    No fewer than eighty-one gigantic black chains hung from the tops of the pillars, on one end, extending deep into the depths of space, and on the other end, they hung upon eighty-one suns blazing with incomparably bright and hot light.


    The burning flames from each of the eighty-one suns could incinerate a realm, but they were firmly held up under the constraint of the black chains, upholding this mysterious pitch-black graveyard.


    Xiao Yi was currently standing at the entrance of the graveyard.


    To his left and right stood two cyan stone pillars, inscribed with two lines of blood-red characters, framing a couplet.


    A thousand calamities, a hundred lifetimes of hardship, pass in the blink of an eye throughout eternity.


    An immortal body, an indestructible soul, who can rival across ancient and present times?


    Above his head...


    Four towering characters emitted a despair-inducing aura��Eternal Heavenly Tomb!


    "Who exactly are you? What place is this?" Xuan felt as if his countless years of life had been lived in vain; he had never heard of such a terrifying existence.


    Xiao Yi stood proudly before the Eternal Heavenly Tomb, his hands slowly opening, a hint of a cold smile on his lips, "I am Xiao Yi, the Heaven-Suppressing Divine General. This is my Eternal Heavenly Tomb!"


    Boom!


    As Xiao Yi spread his arms.


    The gates of the Eternal Heavenly Tomb burst open.


    Xuan''s eyes nearly exploded, his scalp going numb.


    What did he see?


    The tomb of Martial God Zhao Wuji?


    The tomb of Medicine Saint Feng Lei?


    Each of these figures had made a name for themselves through the ages, and yet they were all buried here.


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Xuan''s heart pounded wildly, his soul nearly fleeing, his eyes no longer daring to look at Xiao Yi, with only one thought in his mind��escape!


    Whoosh!


    Xuan transformed into a golden stream of light, attempting to escape from Xiao Yi''s soul.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, "Do you think you can escape?"


    Xiao Yi reached forward with his right hand. S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    Within the Ancient Tomb of All Ages, there suddenly came a loud rumbling, as chains of black shot out frenziedly. These chains, like black Azure Dragons, twisted their massive bodies, shaking heaven and earth, startling even time and space.


    Clash!


    In an instant, numerous chains wrapped around Xuan, who tried to flee.


    Xuan could not break free at all.


    As he watched himself being dragged toward the Ancient Tomb of All Ages by the black chains, his eyes were filled with terror and despair, "Let me go, Xiao Yi, release me... I am willing to submit to you, I acknowledge you as my master, no..."


    Boom!


    The black chains yanked him into the Ancient Tomb of All Ages, enveloping and turning him into a low, small mound.


    Xiao Yi raised his palm, "Bring forth the stele!"


    Swish!


    A tombstone appeared in Xiao Yi''s hand, upon which he swiftly inscribed, before casting it in front of the small mound.


    It read: Tomb of Xuan, the Eternal Beast of Longevity!


    Staring at the small grave before him, Xiao Yi fell into contemplation. The moment Xuan invaded his soul and tried to possess it, he discovered that he could control the Ancient Tomb of All Ages and seal it.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the vast Ancient Tomb of All Ages, "Are all the graves here similarly sealed by the Heaven Seal Divine Generals themselves? It cannot all be soul possessions... Could it be that in the future, the Ancient Tomb of All Ages might appear in the world again, sealing the strong from all realms?"


    Just thinking about standing among the heavens and earth one day, facing innumerable strong foes, and summoning the Ancient Tomb of All Ages.


    Are you a descendant of Martial God?


    Your ancestor''s grave is in my hands!


    Are you a disciple of Medicine Saint?


    Your master''s grave is in my hands!


    Tsk, tsk...


    "It feels exhilarating just to think about it..." Xiao Yi muttered to himself, regaining control of his body.


    Almost at the same time.


    The Longevity Cauldron before him had also completed its refinement.


    With a flip of his palm, the Longevity Cauldron entered his body.


    "Who exactly are you?" Little Lin asked Xiao Yi cautiously.


    Xiao Yi burst into laughter and ruffled his head, "Who do you say I am?"


    Little Lin ventured, "Boss?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, his gaze turned to the towering peak and said, "Xuan had just taken the Beast Emperor''s heartblood from there; I wonder if there''s more left! Little Lin, go and see if you can find any treasures and bring them back!"


    Little Lin had a unique talent for treasure hunting!


    Swish!


    Little Lin dashed towards the towering peak, and moments later, he excitedly returned with a storage ring in front of Xiao Yi, proudly proclaiming, "Boss, look what I found!"


    Xiao Yi was startled, then took the storage ring and bound it to himself.


    He checked the treasures inside.


    Ecstasy spread across Xiao Yi''s face as he discovered not only ten drops of the Beast Emperor''s heartblood and a pitch-black magic sword within but many other treasures as well. Especially this pitch-black magic sword was the same one he had seen on the seventeenth layer.


    The seventh-tier magic sword, Moon Slayer!


    "A seventh-tier magic sword... must not be used until a critical moment!" Xiao Yi''s mind was clear as a mirror. Such a weapon was a treasure of the Longevity Secret Realm level, and its revelation would surely tempt even the leaders of the top ten sects to act impulsively.


    "Little Lin, it''s time for us to go back!"


    This trip to the Cave of Desire had brought him peerless treasures; it was time to return.


    ...


    At the entrance of the Cave of Desire.


    Along was covered in blood, impaled firmly on the ground by a black, blood-stained spear. A middle-aged man, who bore a slight resemblance to Tan Huajian, stood before him with an expressionless face, "Along, quit stalling and tell us, who killed my son?"


    This man was Tan Huajian''s father, the current head of the Tan Family, Tan Zheng.


    "Ptui!"


    Along spat a mouthful of blood at the man, his voice fierce, "Don''t dream of making me betray Xiao!"


    "You''re courting death!"


    A flash of cold light passed through Tan Zheng''s eyes as a frigid sharpness smashed towards Along''s head.


    At that moment.


    An ice-cold voice, booming like thunder, exploded, "The one courting death is you!"

 Chapter 320 Its My Honor

    "You''re the one seeking death!"


    The cold voice was filled with ghastly murderous intent.


    Xiao Yi burst forth from the Cave of Desire, bringing with him a gale that with a bang, pounced directly upon Tan Zheng.


    "Hmm?"


    Tan Zheng''s face changed, his body radiating light for a hundred yards.


    Vast amounts of vital energy converged in front of him, forming an energy shield that gleamed with the luster of gold, as if forged from the metal itself. It was immensely solid, such that even the common warriors at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak would dream of shattering it.


    However...


    Under the sweep of this ferocious wind.


    This powerful energy shield exploded with a bang.


    The violent wind enveloped Tan Zheng, hurling his form viciously through the air.


    Wow!


    Tan Zheng let out a scream, his body flying backward like a kite with its string cut, bright red blood spraying wildly from his mouth. It traced a beautiful arc in the air and then crash-landed dozens of meters away with a thump.


    Hiss!


    Before the Cave of Desire, a deathly silence prevailed.


    Everyone was staring, dumbstruck at the scene before them.


    Tan Zheng was a warrior at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, yet the mere air disturbance caused by Xiao Yi''s rush was able to destroy his vital energy shield?


    How terrifying must that strength be?


    Even a common master at the first layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm would likely find it difficult to manage this feat, wouldn''t they?


    Gulp!


    Sha Ying involuntarily swallowed, his arms which were previously crossed in front of his chest with an indifferent spectator''s gaze, unconsciously loosened and fell to his sides.


    Xiao Yi helped Along up and pulled out the long spear from his body.


    He threw him a pill to consume.


    Xiao Yi said with a dark face, "Are you alright?"


    Along forced a weak smile on his pale face, "I won''t die!"


    "That''s good. You rest here; the rest is up to me."


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze turned to the trembling Tan Zheng as he struggled to stand up, fresh blood continuously pouring from his mouth and his pale face with a pair of pitch-black eyes glaring fixedly at Xiao Yi, "Who on earth are you?"


    Xiao Yi coldly said, "Weren''t you looking for the culprit who killed Tan Huajian? It is I!"


    "You..."


    Tan Zheng''s face changed slightly, and with a somber expression, he said, "With your strength, why would you have to deal such a ruthless hand to my son?" Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire


    Xiao Yi replied, "Your blind son wanted to kill me; if I don''t kill him, should I just stretch out my neck for him to do the deed?"


    "..."


    Tan Zheng was left speechless, his expression changing uncertainly, and he said sternly, "Even if my son was wrong, you could have spared his life, and I would have made him apologize to you. That would have been the end of it. Yet you cruelly took his life..."


    Xiao Yi responded with an "Oh," and said, "I''m sorry!"


    "Ah?"


    Tan Zheng was stunned.


    The surrounding crowd was equally bewildered.


    What was going on?


    Xiao Yi clearly had the absolute upper hand, so why had he suddenly apologized?


    While Tan Zheng was still in a daze.


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "I apologize to you first, then I shall kill you, and that will be the end of it!"


    Tan Zheng stared, dumbfounded: "..."


    Just as he was about to speak.


    He suddenly felt the world spin, and before his progressively blurring vision, his own body appeared.


    It turned out...


    His head had taken off on its own.


    Flying towards the ground behind him.


    Bang!


    Tan Zheng''s head landed firmly on the ground, while Xiao Yi shook his head, looking at Along, "I''ve never heard such a peculiar request before, that an apology could permit killing..."


    Along: "..."


    Sha Ying: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Xiao Yi, too lazy to pay attention to the crowd, walked straight to the elder and said, "Senior, please trouble yourself to write my name up there!"


    "Alright!"


    The elder, facing Xiao Yi again, no longer acted as casual as before and his expression became more solemn. He said, "May I ask for your name, young master? To which level of the Cave of Desire did you reach?"


    Xiao Yi enunciated each word, "Xiao Yi! The eighteenth level!"


    Boom!


    Even though everyone had a premonition when they saw Xiao Yi make a move, they still couldn''t help but gasp in shock when they heard Xiao Yi himself speak of reaching the eighteenth level.


    The elder''s hand trembled slightly as he meticulously wrote Xiao Yi''s name on the leaderboard.


    A full eighteen dazzling gold stars.


    All were incredibly brilliant.


    Like a blazing sun, they outshone all other lights in the world.


    The one most directly affected...


    ...was none other than Xiao Tianjiao, who once topped the list as the idol and target of everyone''s pursuit!


    Those once highly glorious seventeen stars.


    In front of Xiao Yi, became dim and lacklustre!


    Looking at the name Xiao Tianjiao beneath his own, Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, "Xiao Tianjiao, I''m getting closer and closer to you!"


    After the elder had written Xiao Yi''s name on the leaderboard, it seemed he remembered something and looked towards Sha Ying: "Sha Ying, didn''t you say earlier that you wanted to be notified immediately if anyone reached the eighteenth level? His name is Xiao Yi, this young master right here!"


    Sha Ying, who had been preparing to sneak away, felt a shiver down his spine and cold sweat ran down his back; he wanted to curse that old man to death! sea??h th�� nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His mouth twitched into a smile uglier than a cry as he cupped his hands towards Xiao Yi: "Xiao, Xiao Yi, congratulations on breaking Xiao Tianjiao''s record."


    Xiao Yi''s face showed a hint of amusement: "You''ve been waiting here to congratulate me?"


    "That, that of course!"


    Sha Ying nodded hastily, having witnessed Xiao Yi slaughtering Tan Zheng like a pig or dog, he dared not entertain any other notions.


    The onlookers looked at Sha Ying with thick disdain: "Just now, we didn''t know who was spouting bold claims, saying something about letting the person who broke into the eighteenth level know why the flower is so red!"


    "Now he''s chickened out..."


    "But Xiao Yi is indeed powerful, killing Tan Zheng as if crushing ants. Speaking of which, he also has the surname Xiao; since when did the Xiaos have so many geniuses..."


    Sha Ying''s face turned green.


    The whispered conversations of the crowd felt like thorns in his back.


    Damn it!


    Shut your mouths!


    Sha Ying looked towards Xiao Yi and, seeing the mocking look in his eyes, hurriedly said: "Brother Xiao''s talent is astonishing, and his martial prowess is unmatched. I am utterly in awe. I would like to offer you a banquet at Dragon Phoenix Tower, Brother Xiao, and wonder if you would honor me with your presence?"


    "Xiao, I''m hungry..." Along suddenly said.


    Little Lin in his arms: "Boss, I''m hungry too!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    He looked at Sha Ying and shrugged his shoulders, "Then I''ll trouble you!"


    Sha Ying was dumbstruck.


    He was just being polite, trying to change the subject.


    But who would have thought that Xiao Yi would actually agree?


    Sha Ying wanted to cry but had no tears: I really don''t want to spend another moment with you!


    Still, he could only manage a forced smile and said humbly, "It''s no trouble, it''s my honor..."


    The party of three headed straight for the Dragon Phoenix Tower.


    Dragon Phoenix Tower in Beast Emperor City is a top-tier restaurant where even a casual meal costs several thousand silver, and the most extravagant Dragon Phoenix Banquet is worth a hundred million silver.


    Today, Sha Ying had reserved the Dragon Phoenix Banquet to celebrate reaching the sixteenth level of the Cave of Desire.


    He also invited many friends.


    As Sha Ying stepped into Dragon Phoenix Tower, a group of friends greeted him, congratulating him one by one: "Hahaha, Brother Sha, congratulations on your new achievement!"


    "Now, aside from Xiao Tianjiao, you''re the one on the Cave of Desire leaderboard, right?"


    "Today, we''re definitely going to have a good time at your expense..."


    Listening to his friends'' congratulatory words, Sha Ying''s eyes twitched, and he felt like crying but couldn''t. Just as he was about to reply, he heard one of them, a sly-looking young man, step forward and say: "Brother Sha, we''ve gone to great lengths to celebrate for you, even tricking the young lady from the city lord''s manor to come here..."

 Chapter 321 If You Dont Fill It Up, Whats the Point of Drinking?

    "Hmm?"


    Sha Ying was taken aback.


    The sharp-tongued, gaunt-faced young man was his childhood friend, Lin Bo, the son of the vice president of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce of the Beast Emperor City. They had grown up together and were as close as brothers, sharing every secret.


    On normal days, the two would collude and were no strangers to causing trouble.


    Lin Bo could be said to understand him best.


    Sha Ying raised an eyebrow, seeing this as the only piece of good news he had heard today, and his eyes revealed a shade of greed, "Are you sure you coaxed her to come? That damn woman, since she''s been back, I''ve tried inviting her out several times, but she''s refused to show up!"


    Lin Bo smirked sinisterly, "You know the condition that old codger of a city lord is in now. She came to the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce yesterday to seek medicine from my father and happened upon me. I told her to come along, promising to speak to my father on her behalf if she made me happy, and she agreed!"


    "Good lad, you really have a way!"


    Sha Ying laughed heartily, the gloom in his heart somewhat dispersed.


    Only then did Lin Bo look towards Xiao Yi and Along standing behind him, frowning slightly, "Sha, who are these two?"


    "Uh..."


    Sha Ying was startled, only then remembering Xiao Yi and his companion; however, he did not want to reveal Xiao Yi''s identity in front of his good friend.


    After all.


    He had invited everyone to this banquet under the pretense of celebrating his rise to the second spot on the Cave of Desire''s leaderboard.


    If he were to reveal Xiao Yi''s identity now, wouldn''t it make Xiao Yi the main attraction?


    This would only undermine his own reputation.


    Sha Ying said, "This is Xiao Yi, and that''s his companion Along!"


    "Oh!"


    Since Sha Ying didn''t emphasize the introduction, Lin Bo and the others defaulted to thinking that Xiao Yi was just a tagalong for food and drinks and that he held no special status, so they merely gave a perfunctory bow.


    As for the attitude of the others, Xiao Yi didn''t mind it at all.


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    After all, he was just there to enjoy a meal with Along and Little Lin.


    The group made their way to a private room on the third floor.


    There were about a dozen people seated, all of whom were prominent figures in the Beast Emperor City, each with a distinguished family background and impressive status. However, they were clearly there for Sha Ying, flattering him one after another, "We have Sha to thank for today''s feast; if it weren''t for him, we wouldn''t have had the chance to enjoy this dragon and phoenix banquet."


    "Everyone knows Sha is exceptionally talented and is bound to surpass Xiao Tianjiao."


    Lin Bo stood up, raising his glass, "Let''s toast to Sha! He''s taken another step towards surpassing Xiao Tianjiao!"


    Everyone raised their glasses.


    Xiao Yi and Along also politely lifted their cups.


    Only Sha Ying looked awkward.


    For the love of...!


    Can we please not bring this up?


    The number one in the Cave of Desire, the genius who would surpass Xiao Tianjiao, is sitting right here!


    Why are you all showering me with praise?


    Isn''t this just rubbing salt in my wound?


    Sha Ying was on the verge of tears, restless as if sitting on pins and needles, wishing he could just dig a hole and bury himself.


    Lin Bo then stood up again, "Sha, why don''t you tell us what it''s really like inside the Cave of Desire?"


    Embarrassed, Sha Ying glanced at Xiao Yi and noticed that he was just focused on his meal, not paying any attention to him.


    Relieved, he began, "Alright then, I''ll tell you about... the fifteenth level of the Cave of Desire..."


    Inhale! Slurp! Inhale! Slurp!


    The sound of someone noisily eating noodles interrupted Sha Ying''s speech.


    The others frowned.


    Looking towards the source...


    They saw Along holding a bowl of noodles, hungrily wolfing them down, while Lin Bo and others looked displeased. Just as they were about to speak up, Sha Ying quickly continued, "That fifteenth level, well..."


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Bang!


    Lin Bo slammed the table fiercely, causing the dishes to shudder. Furiously glaring at Along, he said, "Are you a starving ghost reincarnated? Didn''t you see Sha is explaining the Cave of Desire here?" S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Along slurped up the noodles into his mouth, wiped the grease from his lips with his hand, and muttered, "Isn''t it just the sixteenth level? I really want to know what''s inside the Cave of Desire. I''ll just ask Xiao later; he''s even been to the seventeenth and eighteenth levels..."


    "Hahaha, did you guys hear that? This guy actually dares to brag in front of Sha about the seventeenth and eighteenth levels? Even Xiao Tianjiao stopped at the seventeenth level, where did you get the eighteenth from?"


    "Xiao? He wouldn''t happen to be saying he knows Xiao Tianjiao, would he? With your starving ghost looks, how could you possibly know someone like Tianjiao?"


    "Brother, there''s no shame in bluffing, but if your bluff is called out, you''ll lose face completely..."


    "Hahaha..."


    Listening to his friends mocking Along, Sha Ying wished he could dig a hole and bury himself. He wanted to tell everyone: He''s not bluffing, the Xiao he''s talking about isn''t Xiao Tianjiao, but the even more impressive Xiao Yi!


    Along frowned, about to speak, but then the doors to the private room opened.


    A svelte figure appeared in their view.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, wasn''t the person coming Huang Yuwei?


    Although Huang Yuwei had changed clothes and wasn''t wearing a veil, Xiao Yi recognized her at a glance.


    Huang Yuwei naturally saw Xiao Yi as well, and she paused for a moment. Seeing Xiao Yi sitting with Sha Ying, a hint of disgust flashed in her eyes. Her gaze then fell on Lin Bo.


    Lin Bo quickly stood up, smiling, "Oh my, let''s all welcome the little princess of Beast Emperor City!"


    "Princess Yuwei, what brings you here?"


    "You must have come to congratulate Sha Ying, right?"


    "Come on in!"


    Everyone chimed in.


    Huang Yuwei''s face showed difficulty, and Lin Bo, with eyes narrowed and feeling invincible, said, "Princess Yuwei, if you look down on us, you are free to leave. But then, that matter would become..."


    Huang Yuwei''s face changed slightly.


    Her teeth tightly clenching her lower lip.


    She took a deep breath and walked in.


    Lin Bo gave up the seat next to Sha Ying and pointed to it, "Princess Yuwei, please!"


    Sha Ying sat with his legs crossed, looking over Huang Yuwei with a sense of entitlement, a slight smile curving his lips as his gaze swept over her exquisite face, like something out of a painting. He revealed a glint of Greed and heat, "Yuwei, sit next to me and keep me company while I drink!"


    Huang Yuwei looked a bit resistant.


    Lin Bo said indifferently, "Behave, or else..."


    Huang Yuwei''s complexion turned somber, her lips tightly pressed together, yet she had no choice but to sit beside Sha Ying.


    Sha Ying filled Huang Yuwei''s cup with wine, smilingly said, "Yuwei, how about a drink?"


    Huang Yuwei replied, "I''m sorry, I can''t hold my liquor!"


    "Oh, can''t hold your liquor, huh!"


    Sha Ying slammed the wine cup onto the table and looked at Lin Bo, "Lin Bo, since Princess Yuwei is so unappreciative, you might as well let her go back!"


    Lin Bo laughed, "Why should Sha get upset? I believe Princess Yuwei can drink, and drink well at that. Am I right, Princess Yuwei?"


    Her face chilled with the cold threat.


    Huang Yuwei''s delicate frame shivered, her teeth clenched, as she lifted her cup, "Sha Ying, I toast you!"


    She tilted her head back to drink.


    Smack!


    Sha Ying slapped the cup from her hand, coldly said, "My cup''s empty, you expect me to drink from an empty cup while you drink by yourself?"


    Huang Yuwei''s face paled, her eyes reddening with tears.


    Tears swirled in her eyes.


    She wanted to run away.


    But remembering that the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce was her only lifeline, she had to endure the humiliation and picked up the wine jug, intending to pour wine for Sha Ying. But at that moment, a calm voice echoed inside the dining room, "Sha Ying, my cup''s empty too, if you don''t fill it up, what kind of drink could you be enjoying?"

 Chapter 322 Huang Yuwei, Ive Got Your Back!

    "Don''t fill it up for me, and you drink with such gusto yourself?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice echoed in the private room, and the faces of all the strongmen present changed.


    Especially Sha Ying, who stiffened on the spot.


    In front of him��


    Huang Yuwei, holding the wine jug, paused slightly and subconsciously looked towards Xiao Yi, with a hint of gratitude in her eyes.


    However, Lin Bo was furious, "Bastard, what do you count for? Do you even have a say here?"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and leaned forward slightly, about to rise.


    But Sha Ying suddenly spoke up, "Xiao is right, you''re a guest, how could we not fill your cup?" Having witnessed Xiao Yi''s terror firsthand, the instantaneous slaying of Tan Zheng at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he dared not provoke Xiao Yi and looked towards Huang Yuwei immediately, "Why don''t you fill up Xiao''s cup?"


    Huang Yuwei took a deep breath and stood up, walking over to Xiao Yi''s side.


    However��


    Just as she was about to pour the wine, Xiao Yi raised his hand to stop her.


    While Huang Yuwei was puzzled,


    Xiao Yi gently tapped the table with his finger, pointing at Lin Bo, and said, "I want him to pour it!"


    Bang!


    Lin Bo slammed his hand onto the table, causing the dishes to rattle loudly. With bloodshot eyes, he stared fixedly at Xiao Yi, grinding his teeth, "Kid, who do you think you are? You want me to pour wine for you? You must be dreaming!"


    He was the son of the vice-chairman of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    In the entire Beast Emperor City, he was a person of standing.


    Among his peers.


    Apart from a few like Sha Ying, no one else had the qualifications to make him pour wine.


    Xiao Yi squinted at Sha Ying, "Your friend doesn''t give me face, huh!"


    Two cold flashes shot from his eyes, directly onto Sha Ying, giving him a chilly feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.


    Hiss!


    Sha Ying inhaled sharply, and gave Lin Bo meaningful looks, saying, "Lin Bo, for my sake, let''s not spoil the harmony!"


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    "Sha��"


    Lin Bo looked at Sha Ying incredulously.


    They had been best friends since childhood, as close as brothers.


    Now, seeing him humiliated, Sha Ying did not stand up for him but was instead helping Xiao Yi?


    Sha Ying had his own difficulties and said with a bitter smile, "I''m sorry to wrong you!"


    Whoosh!


    Lin Bo let out a long sigh and stared at Xiao Yi with icy eyes, gritting his teeth, "Fine, for Sha Ying''s sake, I''ll pour the wine for you!"


    Lin Bo picked up the wine jug and walked over.


    Just as he was about to pour,


    Xiao Yi tapped his toes, retracted backward, and the cup bounced up from the table and flew into his hand. With his legs crossed, Xiao Yi nonchalantly pointed at the wine cup in his hand and said, "As for you, you''re not qualified to stand and pour for me, kneel down!"


    Hiss!


    Inside the private room, a sudden sound of sharp inhalations arose.


    Having the son of the vice-chairman of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce pour wine was already seen as a great insult to Lin Bo by everyone, and now they were asking him to kneel to pour wine?


    This was simply humiliation, a provocation!


    Bang!


    Lin Bo violently smashed the wine jug onto the floor, with wine and fragments of the pot scattering everywhere. He looked ferociously at Xiao Yi, "You little bastard, no one has ever dared to humiliate me like this!"


    He turned back to Sha Ying and said through gritted teeth, "It''s not that I don''t give you face, Sha Ying, it''s just that this kid is too arrogant."


    Sha Ying''s face was full of bitterness.


    The moment Lin Bo smashed the wine jug, he knew something bad was about to happen.


    Before Sha Ying could open his mouth, Lin Bo moved swiftly, already seizing a dish basin and smashing it toward Xiao Yi''s head.


    "It''s over..."


    Sha Ying''s face instantly turned pale. Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bang!


    The dish basin burst apart with a loud crash.


    But it did not land on Xiao Yi; instead, it smashed directly onto Lin Bo''s face.


    The person who acted was not Xiao Yi, but Along beside him.


    Along held Lin Bo''s neck with one hand, lifting his body and pressing him against the wall. In his other hand, he held a golden roasted beast leg, gnawing on it as he turned his head to look at Xiao, "Xiao, how should we deal with this?"


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "This room is a bit empty; it lacks decorations!"


    "Oh!"


    Along nodded.


    With a slurp, he sucked the meat off the beast leg in his hand, and with a probing motion of the two bones, a double sound of flesh being pierced could be heard as the bones directly penetrated Lin Bo''s shoulders.


    Impaling him onto the wall.


    Blood nearly flowed down the bones.


    Only then did Along let go of his grip.


    With a face flushed red from struggle, Lin Bo was finally able to scream, wailing pitifully with bloodshot eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, "Ah... you scoundrels, how can you treat me like this? My father is Lin Yuejin, the Vice President of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce. You treat me this way, I will surely have you torn to pieces..."


    Xiao Yi, annoyed, dug at his ear, "It''s a bit noisy!"


    "Oh!"


    Along picked up a ball of carpet from the ground and stuffed it into Lin Bo''s mouth with a ''pfft.''


    Lin Bo''s eyes nearly burst with rage, but he could only make muffled ''wuwuwu'' noises.


    All this happened in a flash.


    The onlookers all had shocked expressions on their faces as they looked at Xiao Yi and Along, filled with both awe and fear. Their backgrounds might be formidable, but except for Sha Ying, their own cultivation levels were quite ordinary.


    Like that Lin Bo, he was merely at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Gurgle!


    The crowd turned their eyes to Sha Ying.


    Sha Ying''s face was full of bitterness, but he knew all too well that if he did not stand up now, his prestige within this group would be utterly swept away. He said gravely, "Xiao, doing this might not be quite appropriate, right?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "What''s inappropriate about it?"


    "This..."


    Sha Ying frowned and, sensing the stares of everyone on him, felt as if he were on pins and needles. He steeled himself and said, "We were merely asking Princess Yuwei to pour wine, and yet you fly into such a rage, pinning Lin Bo to the wall like this. Such an action seems rather overbearing!"


    "Overbearing?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, and without any visible movement from him, the chair came to Sha Ying''s side on its own.


    The two men locked eyes.


    They could even feel each other''s breath.


    A sense of oppression stronger than anything Sha Ying had felt before caused his face to change slightly, his gaze dodging as he dared not meet Xiao Yi''s eyes. Xiao Yi then spoke leisurely, "This is how I, Xiao Yi, have always acted. If you''re not comfortable with it, you can try to be more overbearing than me!"


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Under Xiao Yi''s gaze, sharp as a blade, Sha Ying''s face alternated between shades of green and white.


    Since birth,


    This was the first time he had felt so embarrassed in front of a peer.


    Xiao Yi slowly withdrew his gaze, turning to the disoriented Yuwei beside him and pulling her to his side. His cold eyes swept across the people in the private room, and he spoke with a deliberate cadence, "Huang Yuwei is under my protection. Whoever dares to bully her, this will be their fate!"


    Following the direction of his finger,


    The crowd saw Lin Bo, with a carpet stuffed in his mouth and his shoulders impaled by bones, pinned to the wall in pain...

 Chapter 323 Seeing Shi Feiya Again

    Watching Lin Bo''s miserable state, everyone couldn''t help but gasp in shock.


    At the same time, the looks they gave Huang Yuwei were no longer filled with mockery and ridicule as before.


    Sha Ying''s pupils shrank slightly, and he hadn''t expected that Xiao Yi would do this for Huang Yuwei. He looked at Huang Yuwei deeply and said solemnly, "I didn''t expect that Yuwei actually knew Xiao!"


    Huang Yuwei nodded, not saying much.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I can see that everyone here doesn''t seem to welcome me much. Yuwei, let''s find another place."


    "Okay!"


    Huang Yuwei nodded obediently.


    This made Sha Ying''s mouth twitch slightly, and a deep jealousy and resentment flashed through the depths of his eyes.


    He and Huang Yuwei were betrothed.


    But Huang Yuwei had always been indifferent to him, and even her few invitations were mercilessly rejected by Huang Yuwei, which had caused him resentment and the urge to humiliate her severely.


    He never imagined...


    Not only did the humiliation fail, but it turned into a severe slap in his face.


    Now.


    The Huang Yuwei, who had been indifferent to him, was so compliant and obedient to Xiao Yi. Sha Ying''s eyes nearly popped out; he felt as if there was a glaring greenness above his head, with the wind blowing and waves of green surging!


    "Along..."


    Xiao Yi called out, but then he heard slurping noises. Turning his head, he saw Along enjoying a large basin of food. Xiao Yi''s face darkened, "Along, we''re leaving!"


    "Ah? Oh!"


    Along tore off a piece of beast leg from the table and, holding a jug of wine in his right hand, followed along.


    Not until they had all left.


    Bang!


    Sha Ying suddenly flipped the table, scattering the dishes and cups, and nobody dared to make a sound.


    Panting!


    Panting!


    Sha Ying''s chest heaved violently, his eyes smoldering with toxic resentment; it was as if something was choking him, making his voice hoarse and gravelly, "Xiao Yi, Huang Yuwei...what a pair of treacherous lovers, if I don''t avenge this, Sha Ying swears I won''t be human!"


    "Sha, we..."


    A group of strong men tentatively consoled the furious Sha Ying.


    "Get lost! Get lost!"


    Sha Ying roared furiously with bloodshot eyes.


    No one dared stay any longer, and they scattered, fleeing like birds and beasts.


    For a moment, only Sha Ying and Lin Bo remained in the private room. Sha Ying took deep breaths to calm down slightly before finally letting Lin Bo down from the wall. Lin Bo had a pale face, his eyes filled with as much venomous resentment as Sha Ying''s.


    Enduring the severe pain from his shoulder, Lin Bo gritted his teeth and said, "Sha, who exactly was that man just now?"


    Sha Ying, with a gloomy face, replied, "He''s called Xiao Yi, the first person to reach the eighteenth level of the Cave of Desire." He paused briefly before continuing, "Tan Huajian and Tan Zheng, they were both killed by him!"


    Hiss!


    Lin Bo inhaled sharply. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tan Zheng was the head of the Tan Family, his status was not unlike Lin Bo''s father.


    No wonder Sha Ying didn''t dare to provoke such a person lightly.


    "Sha, are we really going to let this go?" Lin Bo hesitated, then asked in a deep voice.


    Sha Ying angrily replied, "Do you think I''m willing to let it go? Right now, my father is at a critical juncture, and I definitely can''t afford to cause any distractions. If it affects my father''s fight for the position of city lord, even death won''t let me escape responsibility!"


    "No, there''s no need for Deputy City Lord to take action!"


    Lin Bo said with a sinister smile, "Didn''t Xiao Yi kill Tan Zheng and Tan Huajian? Naturally, the Tan Family will deal with him. As for that Huang Yuwei...hmpf, her brothers are nothing but good-for-nothings. With a bit of intimidation and temptation, I believe they will cooperate with us willingly!"


    Sha Ying''s eyes lit up.


    These insidious schemes were always Lin Bo''s specialty.


    He squinted his eyes and touched his chin, nodding, "Alright, we''ll do as you say!"


    ......


    Upon the carriage.


    Xiao Yi furrowed his brow at Huang Yuwei before him and said, "How is your father doing?"


    With a bitter smile, Huang Yuwei replied, "My father''s illness is getting worse... I have sought help throughout the entire Beast Emperor City, but most are Sha Kun''s people, and nobody is willing to help me. That''s why I turned to Lin Yuejin, the vice president of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce and a six-star alchemist, but..."


    She did not continue, but Xiao Yi could guess the rest.


    Huang Yuwei must have failed to enlist Lin Yuejin''s help, hence she thought of reaching out through Lin Bo to get in touch with Lin Yuejin.


    After pondering for a moment.


    Xiao Yi asked, "What exactly is wrong with your father?"


    Huang Yuwei looked hesitant.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "Perhaps I can help!"


    "Oh?"


    Huang Yuwei was startled, she furrowed her brows and contemplated for a moment before speaking, "My father has been poisoned, and no one knows what poison he has been afflicted with. It''s just that Lin Yuejin has a Hundred Tribulations Elixir, which is said to cure all poisons in the world, so..."


    "Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow; he was familiar with this medicine.


    The process of making the Hundred Tribulations Elixir was extremely complex and painstaking, requiring over one hundred and eighty different herbs, and the details down to the age of each ingredient could not be off by even the slightest.


    Moreover, during the concoction, it was also necessary to find a place where lightning was densest on a stormy day with thunder and lightning.


    One had to refine the elixir while facing the tempering of the thunder.


    Therefore...


    Each Hundred Tribulations Elixir was extremely valuable and rare.


    Xiao Yi said, "I need to make a trip to the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce. After things here are finished, I will go to the city lord''s mansion with you to see your father. Maybe, I can be of assistance!"


    "This..."


    Huang Yuwei fell silent for a moment, then biting her lip, she said, "Okay!"


    Before long.


    Along''s voice came from outside the carriage: "Xiao, we''ve arrived at the Hundred Herbs Chamber!"


    "Mm!"


    The trio stepped into the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce and stated their purpose.


    After a short while.


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    The enchantingly attractive Shi Feiya appeared before them, twisting her waist, with a radiant smile on her face. She had come to know of Xiao Yi breaking the record of Xiao Tianjiao in the Cave of Desire, reaching the unprecedented eighteenth level.


    Now, her treatment of Xiao Yi was even warmer.


    "Xiao, you''ve finally come!" Shi Feiya said with a beaming smile.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and said, "President Shi, we agreed that today you would give me an answer. How did your discussions go?"


    "Naturally, we would not let Xiao down!"


    Shi Feiya grinned coyly, her gaze swept subtly over Huang Yuwei and Along, and said, "This isn''t the place to talk. Shall we discuss the details upstairs?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    The group followed her to the top floor, to the office of Shi Feiya.


    The entire room was very large, decorated in an elegant and solemn style, filled with a faint fragrance.


    Shi Feiya, twisting her waist, brought two contracts and placed them on the table, saying, "After our discussions, we decided that the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce will sign a cooperation agreement with your Xiaoshanhe Institute. For the next ten years, we will supply you with the listed medicinal herbs annually at thirty percent of the market price."


    "Thirty percent?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    He had been expecting fifty percent, yet Shi Feiya was only asking for thirty percent of the price?


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "If I''m not wrong, there must be conditions behind this price, right?"


    "Indeed, you can''t be fooled!"


    Shi Feiya smiled faintly, then she opened the second contract, "The condition is this!"


    With an amused smile, Xiao Yi''s gaze fell on the contract, and as he read it, his expression suddenly changed: "..."

 Chapter 324 The Tan Family Visits

    Xiao Yi''s face changed slightly.


    His gaze fell on the contract, which indeed stipulated the terms Shi Feiya had mentioned.


    It was to assist the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce in annihilating the Tan Family!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and sized up Shi Feiya, "President Shi, what do you mean by this?" S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shi Feiya smiled charmingly, leaning forward slightly, her ample bosom exposed in an enticing way, her seductive voice causing a wave of restlessness, "Xiao has already become known for his deeds, Feiya has heard. You cut down Tan Huajian, slaughtered Tan Zheng, and braved through the eighteen levels of the Cave of Desire. Now, Xiao is at the point of no return with the Tan Family. By agreeing to the terms of this contract, not only can you eliminate a powerful enemy, but also acquire medicinal materials at a third of the market price. Why would you refuse such an offer?"


    Xiao Yi leaned back slightly, resting against the chair.


    His eyes narrowed into slits, scrutinizing Shi Feiya through them.


    This woman was extremely dangerous.


    A wasp''s sting comes from its tail, and the most venomous is a woman''s heart.


    Especially someone like her who had made her way in the commercial world and even managed to become the president of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce in a place like Beast Emperor City, she was definitely not as simple as she appeared on the surface.


    A stream of thoughts ran through Xiao Yi''s mind, and he figured out the crux of the matter, leaning forward almost to touch Shi Feiya, "Are you trying to enter the Slave Market?"


    "Xiao is truly formidable, nothing can be hidden from you! The medicinal materials market in Beast Emperor City has long been clear-cut, with the three major guilds occupying about eighty percent and none able to do anything about the others," Shi Feiya said, her face showing a hint of surprise and amazement at how quickly Xiao Yi had caught on to the key point. She shrugged her shoulders and moved back a bit, "If the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce wants to grow, we must find a new path. The Slave Market is exactly what we need. And these medicinal materials are what you need as well. It''s just mutual benefit. Xiao, what do you think?"


    Xiao Yi''s fingers tapped lightly on the table surface.


    Just then...


    A hurried voice came from outside the door, "President, it''s bad news. The Tan Family patriarch Tan Feng is coming here with his men."


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, observing the calm on Shi Feiya''s face, and frowned, "I''m afraid that the Tan Family could find this place so quickly because President Shi also put in a lot of effort, don''t you think?"


    "You''ve caught me," Shi Feiya didn''t deny it, nodding with a smile.


    Xiao Yi sighed.


    He slowly rose to his feet.


    Xiao Yi, looking at Shi Feiya, said, "Pleasure doing business with you!"


    "Pleasure doing business with you!"


    Shi Feiya was about to stand, smiling, but Xiao Yi stopped her with a hand, Shi Feiya blinking in confusion, "Xiao, do you not want Feiya to cover your flank?"


    "No need!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and turned to look at Along and Huang Yuwei, "Wait here for me, I''ll be right back!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi shook his sleeve and strode out towards the outside.


    Shi Feiya looked at Along in astonishment, "Aren''t you going to follow him out? The Tan Family hasn''t just sent one person, and that Tan Family patriarch Tan Feng is a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert!"


    "No need, Xiao said it''s not a problem, then it''s not a problem."


    Along burped contentedly, saying, "President Shi, could you get me a bowl of warm wine? I just ate too much!"


    "Uh..."


    Shi Feiya blinked her eyes and snapped her fingers, signaling someone to bring a bowl of warm wine.


    The wine was steaming hot.


    Meanwhile.


    At the entrance of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    Mounted on a horned demonic beast, the formidable and fierce Tan Feng held a square halberd high as he stood in front of the gate, flanked by hundreds of murderous-looking warriors.


    There were over fifty just from the Tao Tribulation Realm alone.


    The strongest among them was naturally Tan Feng!


    Dharma Manifestation Realm, at the first layer.


    "Let Xiao Yi come out and die!" Tan Feng demanded with a sullen face.


    "Please calm down, Patriarch Tan Feng. I''ve already sent for the president..." A member of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, drenched in cold sweat and with a face pleading for mercy, said.


    Tan Feng snorted coldly, "Hurry up and get him out here, or else don''t blame me for not giving face to the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce!"


    "Why is Tan Feng clashing with the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce?"


    "It''s said that someone killed Tan Huajian and Tan Zheng, and the murderer is within the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce..."


    "Hiss! Someone actually killed Tan Zheng and his son? They were the ones Tan Feng cherished the most; this is a blood feud that won''t end until death!"


    Tap tap tap!


    A series of crisp footsteps came from inside the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce as Xiao Yi looked at Tan Feng, "Are you the one looking for me?"


    Tan Feng narrowed his eyes, looking down on Xiao Yi from a superior position, "You are Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Tan Feng snorted coldly again, thunder faintly rumbling around him��a sign of a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert, whose anger could change heaven and earth, "Since you''re Xiao Yi, then I''ve found the right person. Men, kill him for me and avenge my son and grandson!"


    "Yes!"


    Hundreds of the Tan Family''s experts pressed towards Xiao Yi.


    Fifty from the Tao Tribulation Realm, several hundreds from the Golden Core Realm.


    The Tan Family, being the biggest slave trader in Beast Emperor City, commanded a multitude of fighters, each one a desperate reprobate who licked blood off the edge of the blade in the Slave Battlefield. Faced with the siege of hundreds of experts, Xiao Yi, calm and collected, stared directly at Tan Feng.


    Capture the king to defeat the enemy!


    As long as Tan Feng was slain, the fighters would naturally fall apart!


    "Boy, prepare to die!"


    A Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm expert leaped high, his longsword cutting across the sky, its silver radiance like a falling Milky Way, reaching Xiao Yi in the blink of an eye. Facing the sword that tore through the air, Xiao Yi stretched out his flesh and blood palm into the void.


    Bang!


    His palm collided with the tip of the sword, and amidst a piercing shattering sound,


    The sword light exploded.


    Xiao Yi grasped the longsword and shouted lowly, "Release it!"


    Swish!


    The longsword flew out of the opponent''s hand, his arm bones shattered by the force, and Xiao Yi, gripping the longsword, lightly tapped his toes on the ground.


    His figure moved like a fish through water.


    Gliding among the hundreds, untouchable as if moving through a dense thicket without a leaf sticking to him, in the blink of an eye, he was already in front of Tan Feng. A piercing sound through the air made one''s scalp tingle, and Tan Feng''s face turned from initial complacency to sheer surprise.


    Swish!


    He thrust his legs fiercely and shot upwards into the air.


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    Almost at the same time.


    Xiao Yi''s sword had transformed into a thirty-foot sword beam that cut the sixth-order high-level beast beneath Tan Feng into two halves. Amid the gushing blood, Xiao Yi leaped into the sky.


    His body was like an arrow released from the bowstring.


    Fast!


    Astonishingly fast!


    In just a moment...


    Xiao Yi had already caught up with Tan Feng.


    Tan Feng''s face twisted with ferocity and ice, and he roared lowly, "Direct assault to the core!"


    Hum!


    The Fangtian huaji in his palm spun continuously, generating a fierce storm that came head-on. The tempest roared, stirring up the clouds above the sky, enveloping the space around Xiao Yi.


    Turning it into a vacuum zone.


    At the same time.


    At the center of that storm, a gleam of cold light suddenly appeared.


    It was Tan Feng''s Fangtian huaji, taking advantage of the storm for cover, striking unexpectedly. By the time the cold light appeared in his field of vision, the sharp point of the Fangtian huaji had already touched Xiao Yi''s body��

 Chapter 325 Warm Wine Beheads Tan Feng

    Whoom!


    The halberd''s edge shone like a glint of cold light, piercing through the layers of storms, and in an instant, appeared before Xiao Yi.


    It aimed directly at his face.


    This edge was incomparably sharp; a single strike could shatter a small city.


    The swirling gusts contorted Xiao Yi''s facial features, as the knife-like wind blades seemed to tear at his skin at any moment.


    Cries of alarm rose from the ground: "The victor will be decided now!"


    "As expected of a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse, whether it is speed or strength, every aspect is completely suppressing Xiao Yi!"


    "Xiao Yi has been too reckless. How dare he, merely from the Tao Tribulation Realm, challenge the Dharma Manifestation Realm?"


    Whoosh!


    The halberd''s cold light thrust forward, piercing through Xiao Yi''s head.


    Tan Feng''s face revealed a trace of ecstatic joy, but in the next instant, that joyful expression vanished, replaced by shock: "Not good!"


    Almost at the same time.


    A chilling sharpness assaulted him from behind.


    A fleeting glimpse in the corner of his eye left Tan Feng with a cold feeling all over.


    It was a sword shadow.


    This sword was shockingly fast yet silent, wielded by Xiao Yi, who had mastered the fourth tier of Sword Intent. The sword followed his intention, moved with the wind, and without the wind''s obstruction, its speed increased several times.


    At the same time��


    The sword strike was utterly silent.


    A silent sword strike meant that by the time one''s opponent noticed it, it was already too late to react.


    Thud!


    A streak of blood soared to the sky.


    The sharp sword edge grazed Tan Feng''s neck, a trail of blood surging open, while the Xiao Yi in front of him, pierced by the halberd, was slowly dissipating like a reflection in rippling water.


    It was but an afterimage!


    Whoosh!


    Tan Feng dodged repeatedly in mid-air, reappearing hundreds of meters away in a blink.


    He touched his neck.


    The fresh, thick blood had a pungent odor, and his eyes twitched: "An Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and yet such terrifying speed and swordsmanship. I didn''t even notice how he appeared behind me. Who exactly is this young man?"


    Xiao Yi stood suspended in midair.


    With his sword held high, the wild winds blew against him, making his robes flutter loudly.


    He was like a peerless swordsman!


    In his hand��


    From the fifth-order longsword, droplets of fresh blood trickled down, plinking onto the ground and sending plumes of dust into the air. At that moment, Xiao Yi''s figure abruptly vanished.


    Whoosh!


    Like a fish diving into the sea, an Azure Dragon breaking free and soaring into the heavens!


    Around Xiao Yi, there seemed to be an invisible barrier of air currents, merging with the winds and air around him without hindering his movement.


    "This, this is�� Sword Intent following his will? He''s on the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and he has mastered the fourth tier of Sword Intent? How is this possible?" Tan Feng''s pupils shrank suddenly, shock written all over his face.


    The fourth tier of Sword Intent.


    Even among the sword masters in Dharma Manifestation Realm, very few could comprehend this level of understanding.


    Within the vast Beast Emperor City, the strongest in swordsmanship was none other than Sha Kun''s eldest son, Sha Diao. Sha Diao was currently in the third stage of Dharma Manifestation Realm, but he too only comprehended the third tier of Sword Intent.


    He was still far from stepping into the fourth tier. sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi was merely an Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm!


    And yet, he had already grasped the fourth tier of Sword Intent��something unheard of.


    "Damn it, this kid was able to break into the eighteenth layer of the Cave of Desire. It seems he''s not just mentally resolute, but his martial talent is also no weaker than Xiao Tianjiao from back then. If let to grow, he will surely become a great problem; he must be eliminated!" Tan Feng''s thoughts raced in the split second.


    Boom!


    Tan Feng let out a low roar, his body trembling violently.


    Behind him��


    A vast and ancient tree suddenly rose up. The tree was thirty feet tall, glowing with a verdant light and covered with mysterious and profound runes.


    Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    He controlled an entire force of nature and earth.


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    Therefore, with the power of nature and earth, he manifested the Dharma; Tan Feng''s path was one of the five elements, the path of wood, mastering the earthly power of wood. This manifestation was the Dragon Scale Wood, according to legend, the very first piece of Dragon Scale Wood came from a true dragon that sprinkled a drop of Dragon Blood in a forest.


    It grew after being nurtured by the Dragon Blood.


    It grew an inch every thousand years.


    This was an extremely tough divine wood.


    Tan Feng also chanced upon a piece of Dragon Scale Wood and, after visualizing it, formed it with the power of nature and earth. As soon as the Dragon Scale Wood appeared, the leaves on its crown fluttered like the tips of needles.


    Streams of green light enveloped Tan Feng''s body, as Dragon Scale Wood is one of the most solid divine woods.


    Under the shelter of the Dragon Scale Wood Dharma Manifestation, Tan Feng was surrounded by a hundred zhang of green light.


    Defense, invincible!


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s sword struck Tan Feng''s body but was met with a thunderous sound, as if lightning had torn through the sky.


    That green light didn''t weaken at all, and his sword hadn''t caused Tan Feng any harm!


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, I admit your strength is strong. Being in the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm to force me to use the power of Dharma Manifestation, you are the first. But with the protection of my Dragon Scale Wood Dharma Manifestation, you can''t even break through my defense. This battle is destined to be your loss!" Tan Feng said arrogantly, standing between heaven and earth.


    The Dragon Scale Wood behind him rustled, his green light covering the sky, as if mocking and provoking.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed to slits.


    This was the first time he''d faced a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse head-on; before this, the only real fight he''d had was with Xue Mantian. But with Xiao Yi''s strength at that time, he couldn''t force Xue Mantian to use the power of Dharma Manifestation.


    "Is this the power of Dharma Manifestation? No wonder it becomes extremely difficult to fight across levels after reaching the Dharma Manifestation Realm. The power of Dharma Manifestation is indeed terrifying!" Xiao Yi carefully looked at Tan Feng, who was enveloped in green light, eyes flickering with a trace of amazement.


    The power of Dharma Manifestation was indeed the command of a complete force of nature and earth, combined with the visualization of powerful living beings in the world.


    The power it possessed was indeed terrifying.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s longsword trembled in the air, its edge vibrating with a buzzing sound, as sharp as a swift storm. The sword''s edge encircling Xiao Yi condensed into a green lotus.


    "Green Lotus Rebirth!"


    "Eternal Life!"


    Xiao Yi moved, standing upon the green lotus, performing a dance with his sword.


    Gorgeous and smooth as flowing clouds and streaming water.


    Nine sword edges, condensed into green lotus swords, connected with each other, and as they slowly rotated, they shot towards Tan Feng.


    Tan Feng snorted coldly, believing in the nearly invincible defense of the Dragon Scale Wood, and stood on invincible ground. Holding a square halberd in one hand, he cut down at the green lotus swords: "Dragon Slayer Slash!"


    Roar!


    A resounding dragon''s roar filled the air.


    The halberd flashed with light, condensing into a golden Azure Dragon, crushing towards the green lotus swords.


    However...


    What Tan Feng did not expect was that his halberd''s light shattered continuously with a series of bangs under the pressure of the intertwining green lotus swords. In a blink of an eye, the halberd''s light was completely pulverized.


    In an instant, nine green lotus swords surrounded Tan Feng.


    Eternal life, undying.


    Beneath the rotation of the green lotus swords, the green light on his body was continuously compressed, and behind him, the Dragon Scale Wood thundered loudly. A crack spread with a snap, followed by a bone-chilling series of cracking sounds, like beans frying.


    "No. No..."


    Tan Feng''s pupils dilated to the extreme, filled with terror in his eyes.


    He had never imagined...


    that the powerful Dragon Scale Wood, known for its nearly invincible defense, would burst with a bang under the pressure of the green lotus swords. With the Dharma Manifestation shattered, Tan Feng spurted blood violently, and his orifices were filled with blood.


    His pale face showed fear, and as he turned his head sharply, a sword mark flashed before his eyes.


    Xiao Yi leaped up and disappeared into the crowd.


    Only the headless corpse plummeted from the sky with a loud bang, crashing into the crowd, causing screams and shouts of terror.


    At the same time...


    Within the top floor of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    Bang!


    A blood-drenched head rolled in front of the dumbstruck Shi Feiya. She was breathless with shock, her face disbelieving as she looked at the hideous head with blood spurting from its seven orifices, still with eyes wide open.


    "You, you, you really killed Tan Feng?"


    Shi Feiya swallowed hard, unable to stop her gaze from drifting to the table, where a bowl of wine was still steaming��

 Chapter 326 Hundred Tribulations Elixir

    Gurgle!


    Shi Feiya gulped down mouthful after mouthful of water, her delicate face adorned with strong shock and disbelief.


    The cup of wine had yet to cool.


    Xiao Yi had already slain Tan Feng.


    This was a genuine Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse!


    Since when had the existence of the Dharma Manifestation Realm become so fragile?


    Xiao Yi looked at Shi Feiya and spoke indifferently, "Tan Feng has been killed by me, how to control the slave market next will depend on your own capability, Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce!"


    "Ah? Ah!"


    Shi Feiya snapped back to reality, her gaze towards Xiao Yi filled with several shades of reverence as she said solemnly, "Rest assured, our Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce has long been prepared. Now with Tan Feng dead, the slave market will surely be within my grasp."


    Excitement began to replace the shock on her face.


    The slave market of Beast Emperor City was incredibly large, with yearly profits exceeding hundreds of billions of Silver.


    If she could take control of the slave market of Beast Emperor City into her hands, her position in the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce would become even more secure. Shi Feiya immediately brought out two contracts, "Xiao, shall we sign this contract then?"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "Not in a rush, the terms on the contract need to be changed!"


    "Hmm?"


    Shi Feiya was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi leaned forward slightly, smiling as he looked at her, "I will take thirty percent of the profits from the slave market. In addition, I will need a hundred slots per year to select from the slave market in priority. Also, the slave market will cooperate with Xiaoshanhe Institute. In the future, I will send disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute to the Slave Battlefield to fight and enhance their combat experience."


    Flowers in a greenhouse can never withstand storms.


    Xiao Yi could provide the best cultivation environment and the most abundant resources for the disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, but just having cultivation was not enough��combat experience was equally important.


    Real powerhouses are never created through mere consumption of elixirs.


    Only through battle...


    Especially the battle between life and death, can one''s potential be thoroughly stimulated.


    Shi Feiya''s lovely eyebrows furrowed lightly, the last two conditions were not a problem, but Xiao Yi actually wanted thirty percent of the slave market''s profits, which amounted to over a hundred billion Silver a year.


    At her core, Shi Feiya was still a merchant. She shook her head and said, "I can agree to the last two conditions right now, but the first one... Thirty percent is really too much. You have to understand that controlling and maintaining the slave market requires a huge expenditure. Moreover, you should be aware that behind the Tan Family is Deputy City Lord Sha Kun. Now with Tan Feng dead, we also need to establish connections, and the annual expenses here are not small... "


    This was indeed the truth.


    Just like the Tan Family...


    They had been able to control the slave market of Beast Emperor City for so long, earning so much money each year, but why did the clan only have one Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator? That was why.


    It was because the Tan Family had to give over fifty percent of their profits to Sha Kun every year.


    After deducting all the various maintenance fees and expenses for training powerhouses, having twenty percent left was already considered good.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Don''t worry, from now on the slave market will be under my protection, no need to find another backer!"


    "Uhh..."


    Shi Feiya paused, her phoenix eyes flashing with an inexplicable radiance as she said with a wry smile, "Xiao, Feiya knows you are strong, but in Beast Emperor City, to protect such a large piece of juicy meat from being coveted by others, it''s still somewhat insufficient!"


    Beast Emperor City, where might makes right, was a place of rampant strength.


    This place was a jumble of dragons and snakes, full of desperate desperadoes who would lick the edge of a knife for survival.


    No matter how strong Xiao Yi was as an individual, he could not deter everyone.


    In the vast Beast Emperor City, the only people who had the power and status to protect the slave market were the former City Lord and Sha Kun alone.


    Although Shi Feiya didn''t make it explicit, the implication in her words was self-evident.


    Huang Yuwei, who had been silent all this while, said, "What if you add me to the equation?"


    "Hmm?"


    Shi Feiya was startled, she knew full well Huang Yuwei''s identity and laughed ruefully, "Princess Yuwei, with all due respect... If your father were here, indeed there would be no issues. But now, your father is... "


    "My father is only poisoned. As long as President Shi can provide me with the Hundred Tribulations Elixir from Vice President Lin''s hands, I can definitely wake my father," Huang Yuwei said with furrowed brows, biting her lip. "As long as President Shi is willing to help me, once my father wakes up, I will have him protect the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, and in addition to the conditions Xiao Yi has negotiated with you, we will not take any benefits!"


    Shi Feiya''s gaze flickered.


    If she could secure the City Lord''s protection in Beast Emperor City, that would naturally be most desirable.


    However...


    Shi Feiya gritted her teeth and said, "Alright, I''ll go find Vice President Lin and get that Hundred Tribulations Elixir for you!"


    Half an incense stick of time later.


    Shi Feiya returned to everyone, her face wearing a light, relieved smile, "The Hundred Tribulations Elixir is in hand, Princess Yuwei, I hope you will keep your promise."


    "President Shi, please be assured!"


    Huang Yuwei excitedly took the Hundred Tribulations Elixir.


    Xiao Yi said, "President Shi, please prepare the herbs on the list for me, and once we''ve woken up the city lord, we''ll return to sign the contract!"


    "As it should be!"


    Shi Feiya nodded emphatically.


    Xiao Yi called out and left the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce with Along and Huang Yuwei.


    ......


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    City Lord''s Mansion.


    Located in the central city.


    The entire City Lord''s Mansion covered a vast area, with buildings closely packed together in an arrangement resembling the Eight Trigrams. If someone unfamiliar entered, they could easily become lost and unable to find their way out.


    Huang Yuwei led Xiao Yi and Along, heading straight for the Beast Emperor Pavilion where her father resided.


    The Beast Emperor Pavilion was situated at the very depths of the City Lord''s Mansion.


    Huang Yuwei carefully cradled the elixir, and as she arrived at the Beast Emperor Pavilion, she was stopped at the entrance. Two guards crossed their weapons in front of her, saying coldly, "By the young master''s order, without his permission, no one is to enter!"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Yuwei''s face changed slightly as she rebuked, "Are you blind? Even I can''t go in?"


    "Sorry, young mistress!"


    The two guards spoke coldly.


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    Huang Yuwei''s face went from pale to flushed with anger. She never imagined that after going through so much trouble to acquire the precious medicine, she would be blocked at the door by her own family. She shouted into the pavilion, "Huang Jinghong, get out here!"


    "Who is so bold as to make such a racket in the City Lord''s Mansion? Do they no longer wish to live?"


    An arrogant voice came from inside as a haughty young man who bore a slight resemblance to Huang Yuwei walked out boldly, dressed in brocade clothes and wearing a golden crown.


    This person was Huang Yuwei''s older brother, Huang Jinghong!


    At the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Huang Jinghong squinted at Huang Yuwei, his eyes filled with deep contempt and ridicule, "So it''s you, you wild girl. Father needs to cultivate in peace, and yet you''re causing a commotion. What sort of decorum is this?"


    Huang Yuwei bit her teeth and said, "Huang Jinghong, have your men stand aside. I have acquired the Hundred Tribulations Elixir for father, which can save his life. If you delay and something happens, can you take responsibility?"


    "Hmm? Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    Huang Jinghong''s face changed slightly.


    He was of course aware of such a medicine; it was a treasure that had been lost to time.


    It could cure all poisons!


    "No, I absolutely can''t let this girl give the elixir to father, or the great credit will be hers..."


    Huang Jinghong''s thoughts quickly turned, and he said, "Hand the Hundred Tribulations Elixir to me, and I will personally administer it to father."


    "No way, I must personally give it to father!" Huang Yuwei said.


    Huang Jinghong huffed, frustrated, and said, "Huang Yuwei, how can you be so selfish? Do you think I, your elder brother, care about such petty credit? I, too, am thinking of father''s safety... What do you think is more important, your credit or saving father''s life?"


    Huang Yuwei''s expression changed, her teeth biting down on her cherry lips.


    After hesitating for a moment.


    Huang Yuwei handed the medicine box to Huang Jinghong, admonishing, "You must administer it to father!"


    "Leave it to me!"


    Huang Jinghong, his face filled with excitement, took the medicine box and ran towards the pavilion...

 Chapter 327 Turning Black into White

    At the Beast Emperor''s Private Gardens entrance.


    Huang Yuwei anxiously paced in circles, occasionally glancing toward the interior of the private garden.


    Xiao Yi reassured her, "Don''t worry, everything will definitely be okay!"


    "Mm!"


    Huang Yuwei squeezed out a forced smile and hesitated before bitterly saying, "Sorry, I must be making a spectacle of myself!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, the image of his brother, who had imprisoned him for eight years and even sent his own younger brother away as a groom to provide a mating partner for his mount, floated through his mind and he said with a laugh, "I''ve seen even more outrageous siblings, this is nothing!"


    "Mm?"


    Huang Yuwei was taken aback.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s smile without further explanation, she did not press the issue.


    Meanwhile...


    Inside the Beast Emperor''s Private Gardens.


    A group of City Lord Huang Baitao''s confidants and several elders of the Huang Family were gathered here, Huang Jinghong''s mother Ji Lingluo sat beside the bed, her face full of worry.


    Seeing Huang Jinghong walk in, Ji Lingluo frowned and said, "Is that wild girl making trouble outside again? Your father is already in this state, yet she knows no restraint!"


    "Mother, don''t get upset over that wild girl, I''ve already taken care of it!"


    Huang Jinghong spoke and then turned toward an elderly man with grey hair beside him, "Senior Elder, I have someone fetch a Hundred Tribulations Elixir, supposedly it can neutralize all poisons, I wonder if it could save father?"


    "Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    The Senior Elder Huang Zheng was taken aback, his murky eyes revealing a trace of wild joy, "If it really is the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, there''s a great chance it could save the City Lord."


    Second Elder Huang Yi patted Huang Jinghong''s shoulder, praising, "Jinghong, you truly haven''t let us down! The Hundred Tribulations Elixir has long been lost to history, to think you could actually find it, quickly administer it to your father!"


    Ji Lingluo watched as the two elders, previously unsatisfied with Huang Jinghong, changed their attitude drastically and even praised him unprecedentedly. Her smile grew even brighter as she said, "Jinghong, quickly give the Hundred Tribulations Elixir to your father, if it can revive him, that would be a great service indeed!"


    "Mother, what are you saying? Even if it''s not just the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, even if it''s my life in exchange for father''s, I would not hesitate!"


    Huang Jinghong patted his chest, saying righteous words.


    The gazes of the people turned tenderer and more approving.


    The Second Elder whispered, "Elder brother, it seems we''ve been too prejudiced against this child in the past!"


    "Even if his talent is a bit weak, with us old bones to help him, he should still be able to make something of himself!"


    The Senior Elder nodded, very satisfied with Huang Jinghong for having found the long-lost Hundred Tribulations Elixir to save Huang Baitao, "Once the City Lord recovers, we should propose that Jinghong take over as the successor to the City Lord!"


    At the same time.


    Huang Jinghong carefully fed the Hundred Tribulations Elixir to Huang Baitao, who lay motionless on the bed.


    The Hundred Tribulations Elixir glowed with a golden light.


    It was covered in golden pill patterns, and a faint medicinal fragrance filled the air.


    Everyone felt invigorated: "This is the real Hundred Tribulations Elixir, the City Lord is saved!"


    "The eldest young master has made a great contribution!"


    Listening to the people''s praises, Huang Jinghong slightly tilted his chin, his face brimming with pride, thinking to himself, "Oh, my foolish little sister, I owe you one this time. Don''t worry, once father wakes up, I will make sure to hasten your marriage to Sha Ying. That way, as Sha Ying''s brother-in-law, the Sha Family would surely feel embarrassed to compete for the City Lord''s position with me, hahaha!"


    However...


    Huang Baitao lying on the bed suddenly shivered, convulsing wildly as if he were in agony.


    Thump thump thump!


    Huang Baitao''s body shook uncontrollably, making the entire bed tremble violently as blood began to flow from his nose and mouth. Black blood spurted wildly from all his orifices.


    Spurt, spurt, spurt!


    Huang Baitao''s pale face turned pitch black instantly.


    It was the violent onset of the poison!


    "Damn it, hold him down quickly!" S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Huang Zheng and Huang Yi acted at the same time, their vital energy transformed into chains that firmly locked Huang Baitao to the bed. Only with their combined efforts pressing down on him did Huang Baitao finally stabilize.


    But the black blood from his seven orifices was a gruesome sight.


    Huang Baitao''s breath grew increasingly fainter and his face dark as death.


    After a brief examination, Huang Zheng''s complexion changed drastically, "Damn it, the lord of the city is suffering from an extremely potent poison, a hundred times more intense than the poison he was originally afflicted with. He, he''s not likely to live through the night..."


    "What?"


    "How did he get poisoned? Didn''t he already take the Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    "Wait, the Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    The Second Elder, Huang Yi''s face suddenly twisted, his eyes sharpening as he stared straight at Huang Jinghong, furiously accusing, "Jinghong, what exactly did you bring? Are you trying to poison your father to death with poison?"


    Huang Jinghong was utterly dumbfounded.


    He too was petrified by the scene unfolding before him.


    His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the floor.


    Facing Huang Yi''s interrogation, Huang Jinghong''s voice shook as he said, "Second Elder, it''s a misunderstanding, I''m wronged..."


    "Wronged? You brought the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, and your father became like this after taking it. What''s so wrongful about that? Fess up, who made you do it?" Huang Zheng bellowed fiercely, his face livid.


    Ji Lingluo was also beside herself with anxiety, desperately saying, "Speak up, quickly!"


    "Thi-this, this Hundred Tribulations Elixir was... was brought back by that wild girl..."


    Huang Jinghong said with a sorrowful face, revealing the truth.


    If it truly was the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, saving Huang Baitao would certainly be a great merit, and it was naturally not something he would let fall into the hands of others.


    A perilous situation...


    This was outright poison!


    Aimed at taking Huang Baitao''s life.


    Let the comrade die rather than the pauper.


    Huang Jinghong promptly shifted all the blame onto Huang Yuwei, "Eldest Elder, Second Elder, listen to me... This must all be Huang Yuwei''s conspiracy. She brought this pill back just now, telling me it was the Hundred Tribulations Elixir that could save our father. I let her come in to deliver the medicine. But she said she wanted to give me credit for it, told me to inform you that I was the one who found the Hundred Tribulations Elixir. I, I didn''t realize it was poison!"


    "What?"


    "Yuwei did this?"


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    Ji Lingluo roared with a distorted face, "I knew it... That wild girl returned with impure motives at this time; she certainly wanted to kill the city lord through Jinghong. How vicious this woman is, Eldest Elder, Second Elder, you mustn''t let her off!"


    Huang Jinghong''s face was a picture of sorrow, his hands clutching his hair, "I get it now... Huang Yuwei must have known she had no hope of succeeding as the city lord, so she thought to poison our father, then marry Sha Ying. For the Sha Family, killing our father would be an immense merit; it must be so... This woman is just too malicious..."


    Listening to the mother and son echo each other''s sentiments.


    The Eldest Elder, Huang Zheng, and Second Elder, Huang Yi, exchanged a glance, their expressions extremely grim.


    Huang Zheng said with a grim face, "Second brother, bring Yuwei in here. We must investigate this thoroughly. If Yuwei really did this, I will kill her myself..."

 Chapter 328 Shut Your Mouth!

    ```


    Huang Yi nodded heavily, his face darkening as he said, "Don''t worry, big brother, I will bring her in right away!"


    Huang Yi, with a gloomy face, walked out of the other garden.


    At the entrance of the other garden.


    Xiao Yi, sensing someone approaching, gently patted Huang Yuwei''s shoulder, "Someone''s coming!"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Yuwei was taken aback as she saw Huang Yi with a dark expression on his face walking toward her, his gaze filled with wariness and confusion. But Huang Yuwei''s heart was concerned about Huang Baitao''s safety, and she paid no attention to the change in Huang Yi''s expression, hastily calling out, "Second Elder, how is father doing?"


    Huang Yi squinted at Huang Yuwei, "Did you bring back the Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    Huang Yuwei nodded subconsciously.


    Huang Yi''s gaze paused briefly on Xiao Yi and Along, frowning, "Who are they?"


    Huang Yuwei said, "These are my two friends, Xiao Yi and Along! It''s thanks to their help that I was able to obtain the Hundred Tribulations Elixir. Second Elder, my father should have recovered by now, right?"


    "Greetings, Second Elder!" Xiao Yi and the other greeted.


    Huang Yi said, "Come in with me."


    "Okay!"


    Huang Yuwei hurriedly walked toward the inside of the Beast Emperor''s other garden, Xiao Yi and the other following with furrowed brows.


    Upon entering the room.


    Huang Yuwei saw Huang Baitao on the couch, tears filling her eyes instantly, "Father..."


    She tried to step forward.


    But the Second Elder barred the way with an outstretched arm in front of her.


    The atmosphere in the room made Xiao Yi''s brows tighten slightly.


    He noticed that everyone in the room looked at them with wariness and hostility. Especially the First Elder, who, as soon as they entered, waved his hand to close the door.


    There was also a surge of energy, locking onto the three of them.


    Xiao Yi glanced around and saw Huang Baitao on the couch with a blackened face and blood pouring from his seven orifices, and his heart skipped a beat, "This is bad, trouble''s brewing..."


    As if to confirm his conjecture.


    Ji Lingluo was the first to accuse, "Huang Yuwei, did you bring that Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    Huang Yuwei was startled, her eyes full of tears, without taking her gaze off the bed, she nodded, "Auntie, the Hundred Tribulations Elixir was indeed brought by Yuwei."


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    Huang Zheng said in a heavy voice, "Yuwei, the Hundred Tribulations Elixir has been extinct for many years, where did you find it?"


    "I got it from Vice President Lin Yuejin of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce!" Huang Yuwei said through tears.


    Huang Zheng frowned, "The Hundred Tribulations Elixir is extremely valuable, how could Lin Yuejin bear to give it to you?"


    Huang Yuwei''s gaze remained fixed on Huang Baitao, the worry and pain in her eyes not diminishing one bit, "All thanks to Xiao Yi''s help, he knows Shi Feiya from the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, and we got the Hundred Tribulations Elixir through her from Vice President Lin."


    "Oh?"


    Huang Zheng narrowed his eyes into slits, sizing up Xiao Yi, "May I know where this young brother comes from to have such influence, that Shi Feiya would help you get a Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly and said, "I come from the Great Qian Dynasty, with some cooperation with President Shi!"


    "Just ''some cooperation'', and she would give such a precious pill to you, just for your sake?" Ji Lingluo said in a peculiar tone.


    Huang Yuwei was taken aback, too, sensing something amiss in the atmosphere, and frowned, "Auntie, what do you mean by that? Xiao Yi has helped us, and yet you''re questioning him like this..."


    "Helped us? Hmph, I think it''s you, this wild girl, colluding with outsiders, intentionally using poison to harm your father!" Ji Lingluo snorted coldly, her eyes glaring angrily and her voice piercingly sharp.


    ```


    Hum!


    Huang Yuwei''s face turned pale as she looked at Ji Lingluo in disbelief, "Auntie, what are you saying? How could I possibly harm my father?"


    "How could it not be possible?"


    Huang Jinghong snorted coldly from the side. In an effort to exonerate himself, he spared no effort to push all the blame onto Huang Yuwei, "Everyone knows that you were engaged to Sha Ying. Now that father is seriously ill, Sha Kun can hardly wait to seize the position of city lord. I think you want to poison our father to please your future father-in-law, so you can be the young madam of the city lord''s family!"


    "You��you''re talking nonsense!"


    Huang Yuwei''s forehead pulsed with anger as she glared at Huang Jinghong.


    "I''m talking nonsense? Humph, I think you are the one with a guilty conscience. If the Hundred Tribulations Elixir isn''t poison, why would you hand it over to me, letting me take all the credit for nothing?" Huang Jinghong said with a strange intonation.


    Huang Zheng and Huang Yi squinted their eyes, though they said nothing, they seemed to agree with Huang Jinghong''s words.


    After all,


    the calls for Huang Yuwei to inherit the position of city lord were already strong. If she could save Huang Baitao at this time, those neutral elders would surely switch their support to her.


    Yet, at this critical moment, she had given the Hundred Tribulations Elixir to Huang Jinghong, her competitor��indeed, it didn''t make sense!


    Ji Lingluo''s tone was dark and frosty, each word she uttered was like a dagger piercing Huang Yuwei''s heart, "Huang Yuwei, I didn''t expect you to have such a malicious heart. Just for your own selfish desires, you even wouldn''t spare your own father!"


    "Auntie, I didn''t, I''ve been wronged��" Huang Yuwei''s eyes pleaded as she looked at Huang Zheng and Huang Yi, "Elders, I am truly wronged. You must believe me, I couldn''t possibly harm my father, I am innocent��"


    However��


    Everyone seemed to turn a deaf ear.


    At this moment, Huang Yuwei was like a child lost at a crossroads, with the sky darkened and no light from the sun or moon. She couldn''t find anyone to trust, couldn''t find anyone willing to believe her.


    Loneliness, helplessness, darkness, coldness, and despair.


    It was as if these elements had intertwined into a vast black net, firmly trapping her beneath it.


    Unable to move.


    Unable to struggle. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her heart was already completely shrouded by the darkness.


    It was at this time,


    a gentle voice suddenly pierced her dark world, "I believe you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Yuwei felt the darkness before her eyes tear away, a ray of light shining upon her.


    There stood Xiao Yi beside her.


    With tears in her eyes, Huang Yuwei murmured, "Xiao Yi��"


    Xiao Yi gently wiped the tears from her face, his calm gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Huang Jinghong, and spoke coldly, "Let me tell you why Yuwei went to great lengths to obtain the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, yet didn''t bring it in herself!"


    "Shut up, this is the Huang Family, you outsider have no place to speak here!" Huang Jinghong''s face changed as he quickly berated.


    He had only just managed to push the blame onto Huang Yuwei.


    If Xiao Yi revealed the truth now, wouldn''t all his previous schemes be in vain?


    "Shut your filthy mouth! If you dare utter one more word, I will kill you!"


    Two solid beams of cold light shot from Xiao Yi''s eyes, the intensity of his gaze pushing Huang Jinghong back against the wall, his back already drenched in cold sweat.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over everyone, and he began to speak calmly, "��"

 Chapter 329 Who Says Hes Been Poisoned?

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    "The moment Yuwei got her hands on the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, she rushed back to the Beast Emperor''s Private Garden to deliver it. But at the entrance, Huang Jinghong''s men stopped us, not allowing us in..."


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was fixed on the crowd, "Even after Huang Jinghong learned that Yuwei had brought the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, he still wouldn''t let us in. Instead, he took the elixir from Yuwei''s hands and insisted on bringing it in himself. Do you think it was Yuwei who wanted to harm him, or was it he who wanted to steal the credit?"


    Everyone was stunned.


    Their eyes involuntarily fell on Huang Jinghong.


    The people of the Huang Family were all too familiar with Huang Jinghong''s character��a selfish and extremely greedy man, with little to no genuine ability.


    Despite the many resources provided by Huang Baitao, he had only achieved the Tao Tribulation Realm through the excessive use of drugs.


    Given the same resources, anyone else would have already reached the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    They might even have begun attempting to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    But Huang Jinghong took no shame in his mediocrity, instead, he took pride in it.


    Such an arrogant person doing these things was indeed understandable.


    "Nonsense!"


    Ji Lingluo''s face twisted with rage, and her makeup-caked face showed a venomous hue, "How could my son be such a person? It must be you setting a trap deliberately, deceiving him into taking the poison to the city lord..."


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi''s hand flew out in a backhand slap across her face.


    Ji Lingluo clutched her face, completely dumbfounded: "You... You dare to hit me?"


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi delivered another backhand slap, his voice cold, "I don''t like being interrupted when I''m speaking. If there''s a next time, I will cut out your tongue!"


    Ji Lingluo''s cheeks swelled up significantly, and her eyes were filled with fear as she looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi spoke with deliberate emphasis, "You keep insisting that Yuwei wanted to harm her father, but do you know that on her way here, she narrowly escaped an attack by Sha Kun''s Black Shark Guard?"


    The crowd was shocked.


    The Black Shark Guard were Sha Kun''s loyal death squads, demons that lurked in the night.


    Huang Yuwei never mentioned this incident to them after she returned.


    Xiao Yi continued, "You repeatedly accuse her of wanting to earn meritorious accolades and curry favor with Sha Kun. But do you know she repeatedly rejected Sha Ying''s invitations and refused to meet with him? And yet to obtain the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, she was willing to pour wine and apologize to Sha Ying?"


    The expressions of the people changed, and they looked at Huang Yuwei with softer eyes.


    Huang Yuwei''s character was resolute and unyielding, and this was witnessed by all. Yet such was her temperament, she had actually been willing to pour wine and apologize to Sha Ying?


    With every word he uttered, Xiao Yi took a step forward.


    Huang Jinghong kept stumbling backward.


    Until his back, drenched with cold sweat, was against the wall, and his heels were raised high. If not for the wall behind him, he would probably have continued to retreat.


    "Yuwei did everything within her power to save her father. And you?"


    Xiao Yi''s words weighed heavily, striking his face, "As her family, as her elder brother, instead of understanding her, trusting her, at this time you try to take her credit and, once things went wrong, you pushed the responsibility onto her. Is this the way the people of the Huang Family act? If so, perhaps Huang Baitao is not worth saving..."


    Thump!


    Huang Jinghong''s body trembled, his legs gave out, and he slid down the wall, collapsing to the ground. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His face was deathly pale.


    Seeing his condition, Ji Lingluo''s eyes were filled with pity yet she dared not come close, for fear of angering Xiao Yi and actually having her tongue cut out.


    Like mother, like son.


    When disaster struck,


    Ji Lingluo decisively chose to protect herself, having no regard for her son whom she might shield.


    Huang Zheng and others also lowered their heads.


    Xiao Yi''s words pierced their souls and left them filled with immense guilt.


    Whew!


    Huang Zheng let out a long sigh of relief and bowed deeply to Huang Yuwei, "Yuwei, we misjudged you, we are sorry!"


    Huang Yi looked at Huang Yuwei, his eyes regaining their usual tenderness, "Yuwei, I''m sorry!"


    "Miss, I''m sorry!"


    ```


    People were talking all around.


    Huang Yuwei had long since been in tears, choking back sobs as she shook her head, "It''s okay, I''m fine, please don''t be like this..."


    Her gaze towards Xiao Yi was filled with gratitude.


    In her most desperate moment,


    Xiao Yi appeared before her, tearing through the suffocating despair and bringing her the light of renewed hope. It was also Xiao Yi who vindicated her, making her family understand her true intentions.


    "Xiao Yi, thank you!" Huang Yuwei whispered in a voice only she could hear.


    "Yuwei, go see your father!"


    Xiao Yi walked up to her and said.


    "Okay!"


    Huang Yuwei nodded vigorously.


    Since her return, Ji Lingluo and Huang Jinghong had been preventing her from seeing Huang Baitao; she had only managed to catch a glimpse of him from a distance before Ji Lingluo drove her away.


    This was the first time she was so close to her father.


    Xiao Yi stood by the bedside, gazing at Huang Baitao on the bed, and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "That''s not right, who said he was poisoned? This is just ridiculous; it''s no wonder that the Hundred Tribulations Elixir not only failed to revive him but made him suffer from severe poisoning. He wasn''t poisoned in the first place..."


    "What?"


    "Not poisoned?"


    Everyone was shocked.


    Huang Zheng said with seriousness, "Xiao Yi, my young friend, are you sure the city lord was not poisoned?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and affirmed, "Of course, I''m certain. The Hundred Tribulations Elixir indeed can counter most poisons, but it does so by using poison to fight poison; it is inherently a highly toxic substance. If one who wasn''t poisoned took the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, it would be a deadly poison. Huang Baitao wasn''t poisoned before, so taking the Hundred Tribulations Elixir is what caused his current condition!"


    "Impossible!"


    "We had the president of the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce, none other than the Seven-Star Alchemist Master Yuan himself, diagnose the city lord. Master Yuan personally said that the city lord was suffering from severe poisoning��how could he be wrong?"


    The crowd looked at each other, completely befuddled.


    Huang Yi said in a grave tone, "Xiao Yi, my young friend, are you certain the city lord wasn''t poisoned before?"


    "Absolutely certain!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, saying, "Only those poisoned by the Hundred Tribulations Elixir would bleed black blood from all seven orifices and turn black all over, as if struck by lightning. Look at Huang Baitao''s symptoms; it''s solely from the poison of the Hundred Tribulations Elixir itself!"


    "Master Yuan?"


    Huang Yuwei suddenly looked up at everyone, "Elder, I had previously gone to the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce to find Master Yuan, who told me that Vice President Lin had a Hundred Tribulations Elixir that could save my father."


    Boom!


    Huang Zheng and the others felt their minds explode, going blank.


    It was Master Yuan who had diagnosed Huang Baitao, and at that time he had not mentioned anything about the Hundred Tribulations Elixir.


    It was only after Huang Yuwei visited him that he brought up that Lin Yuejin had a Hundred Tribulations Elixir.


    Everyone connected these clues together.


    Master Yuan was the key link in it all.


    Everything seemed to have started because of him.


    But if not for Xiao Yi''s discovery that Huang Baitao had not been poisoned before, nobody would have thought to connect this matter with Master Yuan. He was the one who had instigated everything, yet he had managed to extract himself perfectly from the situation.


    "Could it be that Master Yuan wanted to harm the city lord?"


    "But we have always had no conflicts with the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce..."


    Huang Zheng''s face fluctuated between shades, "If I''m not mistaken, all of this must be Sha Kun''s conspiracy."


    "Sha Kun?"


    The expressions of everyone changed.


    Sha Kun stood to benefit the most from Huang Baitao''s death.


    Furthermore...


    Only someone like Sha Kun had the influence to compel a prestigious Seven-Star Alchemist to act!


    While everyone was filled with anger over this matter, Huang Yi''s eyes shone brightly as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, my young friend, since you were able to tell at a glance that the city lord was not poisoned before taking the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, it seems you have profound knowledge in the art of alchemy. I wonder, do you have a way to save the city lord?"


    Whoosh!


    All eyes suddenly fell on Xiao Yi, waiting for his reply...


    ```

 Chapter 330 Sha Kun Visits!

    "Xiao Yi, you can save my father, can''t you?"


    Huang Yuwei looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of hope.


    Under the focused gaze of everyone around.


    Xiao Yi touched his nose and gave a wry smile, "I do have a way, but, it''s just that I don''t know if you would trust me!"


    Huang Zheng said, "Xiao Yi, my friend, of course I trust you!" Experience more content on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Whatever your demands may be, just state them. As long as we can fulfill them, we will do our utmost!" Huang Yi said gravely.


    Now, they were truly grasping at straws.


    After all.


    The strongest alchemist in Beast Emperor City, Fu Yuan, was suspected of playing an ignoble role in this affair, and they were out of options.


    Huang Yuwei clutched Xiao Yi''s hand, "Xiao Yi, I beg you to save my father..."


    "Enough!"


    Xiao Yi sighed and said, "Bring me paper and ink!"


    "Right this way!"


    Huang Yi gestured invitingly as there was a desk in the room. He went forward to spread out the paper and personally ground the ink for Xiao Yi, "Please."


    Xiao Yi took up a brush and wrote down a list of medicinal ingredients with flourish.


    On that list.


    There were no fewer than three hundred different ingredients.


    The poison of the Hundred Tribulations Elixir was extremely complex; the method of detoxifying it also could not follow the beaten path.


    Xiao Yi handed the list to Huang Yi, "Elder Huang, have all the items on this list ready within three hours."


    "Leave it to me!"


    Huang Yi took the list and immediately left.


    Then.


    Xiao Yi looked at the people and said, "Except for Yuwei, everyone leave the Beast Emperor Villa. I am going to heal Huang Baitao and drive out his poison." He turned to the great elder Huang Zheng, "Great Elder, once Elder Huang has prepared the items, the two of you may bring them in together! During this time, make sure no one disturbs me!"


    "No problem!"


    Huang Zheng solemnly promised, his icy gaze sweeping over Huang Jinghong and the others, "Everyone get out!"


    Huang Jinghong and Ji Lingluo, though reluctant, did not dare linger and left supporting each other.


    A group of people gathered outside the villa.


    Huang Zheng personally guarded the entrance, his cold gaze pausing on Huang Jinghong, "You and your mother, go back to your room and reflect behind closed doors. When the city lord awakens, we will decide how to deal with you!"


    "Yes, Great Elder!" Ji Lingluo quickly agreed, pulling away a resentful and unwilling Huang Jinghong.


    On their way.


    Huang Jinghong''s face was clouded over, "Mother, why are you pulling me away?"


    Ji Lingluo looked around and whispered in a lowered voice, "Hong''er, go find Sha Kun right now!"


    "Hm?"


    Huang Jinghong was startled and frowned, "What do we need him for?"


    Ji Lingluo''s eyes flickered cunningly, carrying a venomous tone, "Given the current situation, if your father wakes up, that wild girl will surely become the heir. What chance of survival would you and I possibly have then?"


    Hiss!


    Huang Jinghong sucked in a breath of cold air, "Mother, you mean..."


    He made a throat-slitting gesture.


    Ji Lingluo nodded, her eyes filled with viciousness, "As long as your father dies and Sha Kun ascends to the position of city lord, we''ll get him to grant you the deputy city lord position. With Sha Kun''s help, we can then eliminate those two meddlesome old fools. The Huang Family will be ours, and we can still enjoy wealth and glory!"


    Upon hearing that the whole Huang Family would be under his command.


    Huang Jinghong''s breathing quickened, and he nodded emphatically, "Okay, I''ll contact Sha Kun right away..."


    Ji Lingluo turned back to look in the direction of the Beast Emperor Villa, her eyes sweeping past a glint of extreme cruelty, "You forced my hand, don''t blame me for being ruthless..."


    ...��


    Only an hour and a half had passed.


    Huang Yi had returned with all the items on the list, not just over three hundred kinds of medicinal ingredients but also ten huge wooden barrels.


    "Xiao, the items are all ready!" Facing Xiao Yi, Huang Yi showed a few more signs of respect.


    By now, Huang Baitao was full of silver needles all over his body.


    The black color on his skin had also faded somewhat.


    Huang Zheng said gravely, "Xiao, what else do we need to do?"


    Xiao Yi replied in a deep voice, "Place the wooden barrels inside the house and fill them with water. Use your vital energy to boil the water within. Meanwhile, have someone start preparing the medicine according to the prescription, dividing it into ten separate batches..."


    Huang Yuwei said, "With the two Elders here helping out, I can take care of brewing the medicine!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Remember, you must follow the exact method laid out in the prescription, and not miss a single step."


    "Mhm!"


    Huang Yuwei immediately left.


    Xiao Yi called out to Along, "Along, move Huang Baitao into the first barrel."


    Along stepped forward, hoisting Huang Baitao up and lowering him into the first barrel.


    Huang Zheng and the other man used their vital energy to constantly bring the water in the barrels to a boil.


    Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!


    Bubbles rose one by one, and a layer of white mist filled the room.


    After half an hour.


    Huang Yuwei had finished preparing the first dose of medicine. Xiao Yi poured it into the first barrel, the medicinal liquid clear as water. But upon touching Huang Baitao''s body, the bubbles in the barrel turned a dark purple color.


    The water in the barrel became a dark, murky purple.


    Another half an hour passed.


    Huang Yuwei brought the second batch of medicine.


    "Switch to the second barrel!" Xiao Yi ordered.


    And so it went on.


    The third barrel.


    The fourth barrel...


    In an instant, seven barrels later and after many relentless hours of work, everyone was extremely fatigued. Huang Yuwei''s face was pale, her eyelids fought each other, and she was on the verge of falling asleep.


    She was preparing the eighth batch of medicine.


    At this moment...


    A figure appeared behind her��it was none other than Ji Lingluo. Huang Yuwei was startled, "Auntie, why have you come?"


    Disgust and bitterness flitted through Ji Lingluo''s eyes, but her face wore an expression of worry and guilt, "Yuwei, it was all Auntie''s fault before, I didn''t treat you right. Today''s events have made me realize my past mistakes. From now on, I will treat you well. Let''s be a harmonious family together..."


    "Auntie..."


    Having a soft heart, Huang Yuwei saw the self-reproach and the guilt on Ji Lingluo''s face and smiled, shaking her head, "Don''t be like this, Auntie. Don''t worry, I have no intention of competing with Big Brother for the position of heir. Once Father wakes up, I will go back!"


    "No, Yuwei, you can''t go. Your mother left us too soon, from now on I am your mother, and we''ll be a family together!" Ji Lingluo said.


    Huang Yuwei''s eyes reddened, and she nodded emphatically, "Mhm, we''ll be a family together!"


    A cold sneer played in Ji Lingluo''s mind while she glanced at the medicine being prepared, "Yuwei, it looks like you''re tired. Why don''t you take a rest and let Auntie handle this?"


    "This..."


    Huang Yuwei hesitated, her face showing indecision.


    She clearly remembered Xiao Yi''s instructions; there must not be the slightest mishap. S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Impatient in her heart, Ji Lingluo''s face bore a look of self-reproach, "Yuwei, let Auntie do this. I feel guilty, allow me to contribute this small effort as an atonement!"


    Seeing this.


    Huang Yuwei naturally felt it was hard to refuse any longer, and she indeed was very tired, so she leaned to one side, and soon fell into a deep sleep.


    "Yuwei, Yuwei!"


    Ji Lingluo woke Huang Yuwei up, saying, "The medicine is ready!"


    "Ah? Good, I''ll take it now!"


    Huang Yuwei immediately took the medicine and left; she was extra cautious and told Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, this medicine was prepared by Auntie, please check if there''s anything wrong with it!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was surprised but after checking, he shook his head, "No problem!"


    "That''s a relief, it seems Auntie really has learned from her mistakes!" Huang Yuwei breathed a sigh of relief.


    Afterward, the eighth barrel.


    The ninth barrel.


    The tenth barrel was also prepared by Ji Lingluo, and Huang Yuwei personally delivered them to Xiao Yi''s hands.


    About half an hour after the tenth barrel of medicine was sent to the Beast Emperor City annex, a signal arrow suddenly shot across the void from within the city lord''s mansion. Barely a dozen breaths later.


    A grand and domineering voice echoed above the city lord''s mansion, "Huang, Sha Kun has come to visit. Why have you not come out to meet me?"

 Chapter 331 Sorry, I let you down!

    "Lord Huang, Sha Kun has come to visit, and you still won''t come out to meet me?"


    The domineering and thunderous voice rolled like thunder, echoing in the skies above the lord''s mansion.


    For a moment.


    All the powerhouses of Beast Emperor City had heard this voice, and countless strong individuals turned their gazes toward the lord''s mansion.


    Within the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    Shi Feiya stood with her hands clasped behind her back, looking in the direction of the lord''s mansion through the window.


    Behind her, a middle-aged man furrowed his brows and said, "President, you had me deliver the Hundred Tribulations Elixir to Huang Yuwei, but if Sha Kun learns of this, I fear he won''t let us off easily!"


    "Besides you and me, who knows about this?" Shi Feiya said indifferently.


    "Uh..."


    Lin Yuejin was taken aback, then realized, "I understand now, President, your methods are indeed clever. If the Hundred Tribulations Elixir truly manages to save Lord Huang, we will be the heroes and naturally receive the protection of the lord''s mansion. If it fails, no one will be aware of it, and we can still cooperate with Sha Kun!"


    Shi Feiya narrowed her eyes, Xiao Yi''s figure emerging in her mind: "You, can you create a miracle once again?"


    Meanwhile.


    In the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce, at the very top.


    The Seven-Star Alchemist Master Yuan let out a sigh and murmured to himself, "After today, the ownership of Beast Emperor City will probably be changed to Sha!"


    Throughout Beast Emperor City.


    Nearly everyone believed that Sha Kun''s provocation at this moment meant the lord''s mansion would inevitably be unable to resist.


    After today.


    Beast Emperor City will surely change its name to Sha!


    This had almost become a consensus among everyone!


    Not a single person was optimistic about the lord''s mansion...


    ...... S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Inside the lord''s mansion.


    Several figures soared into the air, led by Huang Zheng and Huang Yi.


    Thousands of guards from within the lord''s mansion also rose into the sky, densely packed, standing beside the two''s divine beasts.


    The faces of the few were extremely ugly, staring at Sha Kun and the tens of thousands of Black Shark Guards behind him. They were Sha Kun''s strongest trump cards, the grim reapers who walked in the shadows. Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire


    No one knew how many strong individuals had died at the hands of the Black Shark Guard.


    Today, Sha Kun had brought the Black Shark Guard directly above the lord''s mansion; this was a blatant challenge to the authority of the lord and disregard for the honor of the Huang family''s lord!


    Huang Zheng spoke in a deep voice, "Sha Kun, the lord has strict orders not to allow the Black Shark Guard into Beast Emperor City. Are you trying to rebel?"


    Sha Kun, dressed in a robe with python patterns, stood on a cloud of sand below him, looking down at Huang Zheng and others with disdain, and arrogantly said, "Rebel? Huang Zheng, that''s a heavy accusation you''re laying down there, I, Sha Kun, can''t bear it!"


    "Hmph!"


    Huang Yi snorted coldly, his face gloomy, "Is there anything in this world you, Sha Kun, dare not do?"


    Sha Kun said flatly, "Today, Sha has come here at the behest of someone to support the rightful order of Beast Emperor City. Instead, you few have colluded with outsiders, taken control of the lord, and plotted rebellion, a crime punishable by death. Sha has come here to rescue the lord and defend the safety of Beast Emperor City!"


    "Bullshit!"


    Huang Yi, quick-tempered, cursed outright, "Which damned bastard invited you here?"


    "I did!"


    A venomous voice suddenly came from within the lord''s mansion.


    The expressions on the faces of Huang Zheng and the others all changed at once, as they turned to look in the direction of the voice.


    They saw Huang Jinghong and Ji Lingluo walking on air, flying straight past Huang Zheng and the rest, and arriving in front of Sha Kun.


    Huang Jinghong bowed to Sha Kun and said, "Jinghong greets Uncle Sha, thank you for your help!"


    "This humble woman thanks Deputy Lord Sha!" Ji Lingluo also said, bowing gracefully.


    "Sister-in-law, worthy nephew, please rise!"


    Sha Kun smiled as he pretended to lift the two, his scornful gaze falling on Huang Zheng and Huang Yi. He raised his eyebrows with a mocking expression, "Huang Zheng, Huang Yi, now do you know who invited me here?"


    Huang Zheng''s eyes almost burst with rage as he looked at Huang Jinghong and his mother with contempt. "Huang Jinghong, Ji Lingluo, do you realize what you''re doing?"


    "Damn it," Huang Yi roared, "it''s you two bastards. Do you realize you''re burying the legacy of our Huang Family that has lasted for hundreds of years?"


    Huang Jinghong smiled and said, "Elders First and Second, please calm down."


    "Shut up!"


    Huang Zheng shouted angrily, "I truly regret not slapping you to death just now!"


    Huang Jinghong shrugged, emboldened by Sha Kun''s presence. "Elder First, you should shut up first! Don''t you know why I''m doing this? If you had supported me as the heir to the City Lord, instead of that wild girl, do you think I would have done this? The ruin of the Huang Family''s legacy is not my doing, it''s yours!"


    "Huang Zheng, Huang Yi, you are the eternal culprits of the Huang Family. And my son is the hero who continued the glory of the Huang Family in adversity. Sha Kun has already agreed, as soon as he ascends to the position of City Lord, he will appoint my son as the Deputy City Lord..."


    Ji Lingluo said proudly, "I advise you to surrender without a fight, and stop your futile resistance..."


    "You shut up!"


    Huang Zheng erupted in fury, his gaze icy to its limits, "Ji Lingluo, the City Lord is not yet dead, and you can''t wait to hand over the seat of our Huang Family to others?"


    Ji Lingluo sneered, "Don''t think I don''t know, the City Lord has already been killed by you in collusion with that wild girl."


    "Elders First and Second, my father treated you sincerely and entrusted you with important tasks, hoping you could support me in ascending to the position of City Lord."


    Huang Jinghong''s face was filled with grief as he stared at Huang Zheng and the others with the vengeful look of someone facing his father''s murderer: "And what about you? You colluded with that wild girl and that outsider named Xiao Yi to persecute me and my mother, and you even killed my father. I, Huang Jinghong, swear to the heavens, I will personally execute both of you, to avenge my father and wash away his humiliation..."


    Sha Kun, pretending to be dignified, said, "My dear nephew, do not be sad. Your uncle promises to capture these two treacherous bastards and hand them over to you for disposal!"


    "Thank you, Uncle Sha..."


    Huang Jinghong bowed in gratitude to Sha Kun but heard a snort from Sha Kun. His body trembled slightly, and with a swift glance, he loudly said, "Thank you, Lord Sha, for taking charge for me!"


    "Hahaha, well said, well said!"


    Sha Kun''s face was beaming with a radiant smile.


    Behind him...


    Sha Kun''s eldest son, Sha Diao, led a group of powerhouses, all loudly exclaiming, "Long live the City Lord!"


    "Long live the City Lord!"


    Amidst the ringing shouts, Sha Kun''s face grew even brighter with smiles.


    He lifted his chin slightly, an arrogant gaze falling upon Huang Zheng and the others. With a grand gesture pointing forward, he declared, "Black Shark Guard, listen to my command! The former City Lord, Huang Baitao, has been framed by traitors and now hangs by a thread. Follow me into the City Lord''s mansion and rescue City Lord Huang. Whoever dares to obstruct, kill without mercy!"


    "Whoever dares to obstruct, kill without mercy!"


    "Kill without mercy!"


    The crowd shouted in unison, fervently echoing the command.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    One by one, the Black Shark Guards, shrouded in black clothing with only their blood-red eyes visible, surrounded by thick fog, led by Sha Diao, were ready to launch an attack on Huang Zheng and the others.


    But at that moment...


    A voice full of authority came from within the City Lord''s mansion: "I''d like to see who dares touch anyone from my City Lord''s mansion!"


    "Hmm?"


    Sha Kun''s complexion changed drastically.


    The faces of Ji Lingluo and Huang Jinghong beside him also turned pale with a whoosh, devoid of any color.


    Three figures stepped out of the City Lord''s mansion, walking on air.


    To the left was Xiao Yi, to the right Huang Yuwei.


    The person in the middle, dignified, holding a Golden Trident, landed in front of Huang Zheng and the others.


    Hisss!


    Sha Kun gasped, shock painting his face: "Huang Baitao? Aren''t you supposed to be dead?"


    Huang Baitao smiled coldly, squinting his eyes, "Sorry to disappoint you!"

 Chapter 332 Youre Still Lacking!

    Huang Baitao''s face bore a touch of icy coldness, "Sorry to disappoint you!"


    His eyes were fixed deathly on Sha Kun, as well as the mother and son pair of Ji Lingluo by his side.


    In his gaze was anger, sorrow, and an unprecedented iciness.


    These were his wife and child.


    At the most critical moment...


    They had actually chosen to betray him.


    In Huang Baitao''s heart, Ji Lingluo and Huang Jinghong had already equated to cold corpses.


    Sha Kun''s face was ashen. He turned to Ji Lingluo and Huang Jinghong beside him and bellowed angrily, "Is this your so-called foolproof plan? Didn''t you say that Huang Baitao was already dead?"


    "I, I had no idea..."


    Huang Jinghong''s face was a picture of confusion. Under the threat of death, he played his blame-shifting trick again, pointing at Ji Lingluo, "All this was done by my mother. She told me to do everything according to your orders."


    Hiss!


    Ji Lingluo''s triangular eyes widened in shock as Sha Kun turned to look at her. With a face of mourning, she said, "I did as you instructed and tampered with their last batch of medicine. They didn''t notice at all!"


    Sha Kun''s expression shifted unpredictably.


    He was certain that Ji Lingluo and Huang Jinghong wouldn''t dare deceive him.


    His gaze turned to Huang Baitao, with a cold glint in his eyes, he sneered, "I was truly careless. I never expected that you''d have such a capable person by your side who could even detect the Drunken God Powder."


    Drunken God Powder.


    Colorless and odorless, ranked among the eighth grade.


    In strict terms...


    Drunken God Powder was not a poison, but a special kind of elixir that only alchemists of eight stars and above could concoct.


    As its name implies.


    Once taken, even gods would be overpowered by its effects. Enjoy new chapters from My Virtual Library Empire


    It was by chance that Sha Kun had gotten his hands on two doses of Drunken God Powder.


    The first was used to drug Huang Baitao, then he had Fu Yuan diagnosed Huang Baitao as poisoned, and calmly arranged his plot, using others to attempt poisoning Huang Baitao with the Hundred Tribulations Elixir.


    Sha Kun''s plan was seamless.


    But now.


    Everything had come to naught!


    "Sha Kun, I always treated you well, yet you plotted to poison me and take over the city lord''s position. I am deeply disappointed in you!" Huang Baitao lamented.


    He and Sha Kun had been as close as brothers, but now they stood on opposite sides, enemies to the death.


    "Hmph!"


    Sha Kun snorted coldly, his eyes shining with a cold light. He scoffed, "Treat me well? That''s just wishful thinking on your part. Over these years, you''ve been ordering me around, always using your position as the city lord to suppress me. If it wasn''t for your constraints, the slave trade would have expanded a hundredfold by now. Beast Emperor City could have opened trade with those inland dynasties and prospered beyond measure compared to its current state. Under your rule, Beast Emperor City can only decline, only I can make it thrive!"


    Sha Kun''s ambition was boundless.


    He wanted to turn Beast Emperor City into a maritime kingdom and even sought to reach into the inland dynasties.


    But Huang Baitao had always been unwilling to stir up war.


    He simply wished to maintain the status quo.


    Their ideologies clashed; Sha Kun had no choice but to take action and eliminate Huang Baitao.


    "Sha Kun, you might as well surrender!"


    Huang Baitao sighed. Although he was conservative, he was not a backward thinker, especially after his recent brush with death had awakened him, "I have recovered, and you cannot take the city lord''s seat. I promise to only take your life and spare your family. If you remain willfully blind, then don''t blame me for totally uprooting the Sha Family!"


    "Surrender? Do you think that''s possible?"


    Sha Kun gave a cold laugh, his hand waved, and a ''whoosh'' echoed as countless grains of sand filled the sky.


    The golden sand gathered together, forming two heavy hammers in his hands.


    Thud, thud!


    These were the Sixth-Layer High-Grade Primordial Vajra Hammers, forged from a millennium of flowing sand, each hammer weighing ten thousand pounds. The hammers swung in his hands, stirring up a fierce wind, kicking up clouds of sand.


    His black hair whipped wildly as his python robe burst open.


    The sandstorm swirled around him.


    Transforming into a suit of golden armor.


    Sha Kun bellowed furiously, "Kill them all for me!"


    "Stubborn fool!"


    Huang Baitao''s eyes spat cold electricity, his wrist twisting as the Golden Trident in his grasp whirred to life, spinning wildly at the hum of its sound, he charged towards Sha Kun with the trident poised for battle.


    Boom!


    The two collided with immense force.


    The terrible clash of energies produced two circular shockwaves that swept outwards in all directions.


    Wherever the shockwaves passed, every building trembled with loud roars, crumbling into a sky-full of dust.


    Huang Baitao roared, "Sha Kun, fight me in the sea!"


    "Afraid of you?"


    Sha Kun, wielding a pair of Primordial Vajra Hammers, stepped across the sky filled with sand and dust, appearing godlike and demonlike as he pursued hotly.


    At the same time.


    Huang Zheng and Huang Yi were also fighting towards Sha Diao and others.


    The city lord''s guards were locked in fierce battle with the Black Shark Guard.


    On the side of the city lord''s mansion, there were Huang Zheng and Huang Yi, both at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, whereas Sha Kun''s side had Sha Diao, Slave King Meng Tuo from the Slave Battlefield with ninety victories, and a sixth-layer intermediate rank beast, the Desert Poison Scorpion, equivalent to the fourth level of Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Two against three.


    Huang Zheng and his companion were being pushed back step by step. S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Especially Sha Diao, whose combat prowess was also extraordinary.


    With his third-level Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivation and mastery of Half-Step Fourth-Order Sword Intent, plus his control over the mist where the Black Shark Guard dwelled. He hid within the mist or suddenly appeared among the Black Shark Guard, making him unpredictable and hard to defend against.


    Wuu wuu wuu!


    Suddenly, the sound of a flute burst forth.


    Huang Yi''s eyes glazed over as he fought the Desert Poison Scorpion. Behind the Scorpion, in the mist, the figure of Sha Diao suddenly emerged.


    He held a flute in one hand and a Longsword in the other.


    Hum!


    In an instant, the sword''s edge appeared at Huang Yi''s back.


    Without a sound.


    This sword would have ended Huang Yi''s life, but at that moment, a fair hand reached out from the void. It caught the Longsword, and Huang Yi came to his senses in that moment, drenched in cold sweat as he fled.


    Looking back, Huang Yi saw Xiao Yi gripping Sha Diao''s Longsword, heaving a sigh of relief, "Thank you!"


    "Leave this to me!"


    Xiao Yi waved it off, looking up at Sha Diao wrapped in the black mist, raised his eyebrows, "The person I encountered on the Beast Emperor Sea, that was you, wasn''t it?"


    Sha Diao squinted his eyes, and two red lights shone through the mist. He quietly retracted his Longsword, his voice dark and chilly, "I didn''t expect to meet again!"


    "Hiding in the shadows, too scared to show your face?" Xiao Yi said.


    The mist around Sha Diao swirled, his voice coming from all directions, elusive as his form, "At the moment when you die, I will let you see me!"


    "That is truly unfortunate, looks like I won''t have the chance to see you in this lifetime!" Xiao Yi chuckled.


    "Is that so?"


    Sha Diao''s voice echoed from every direction.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils slightly constricted.


    A sword finger erected.


    He pointed behind himself.


    Clang!


    A crisp sound rang out from within the mist, and sparks flew. It was Xiao Yi''s sword finger meeting a cold sword tip, clashing like a needle against wheat.


    "Hmm?"


    Surprise tinged Sha Diao''s voice, "You can actually sense my sword?"


    "Half-Step Fourth-Order Sword Intent is indeed strong, but..."


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up, the genuine aura of Fourth-Order Sword Intent released without restraint, he coldly laughed without regard for Sha Diao''s cry from within the mist, "Compared to me, you''re still lacking!"

 Chapter 333 The Dharma Form Shatters, Sword Slays the Sha Diao!

    "You''re still not quite there compared to me!"


    The energy of the Fourth-Order Sword Intent around him was released without any reservation.


    It was a terrifying presence.


    In an instant, within the black fog, Sha Diao lost his voice, "Fourth-Order Sword Intent? Impossible, you''re just at the Tao Tribulation Realm, how could you possibly understand the Fourth-Order Sword Intent?"


    Sha Diao was acclaimed as the number one sword genius of Beast Emperor City.


    Now at the Third Layer of Dharma Manifestation Realm, he had reached Half-Step Fourth-Order Sword Intent.


    Even when compared to some of the peerless geniuses in the mainland, he was not to be outdone.


    But now��


    A youngster a dozen years his junior, who was also only at the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, actually mastered true Fourth-Order Sword Intent, how could he not be shocked?


    "Who exactly are you?" Sha Diao''s voice was unprecedentedly solemn.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, "Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi!"


    "It can''t be�� Xiaoshanhe Institute has long been in ruins; how could they produce a powerhouse like you?"


    Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    Even though Beast Emperor City was situated in the distant seas, it still kept some contacts with the mainland and was well-aware of the news of powerful geniuses and sects among the various dynasties of the mainland.


    He had never heard of the name Xiao Yi.


    As for Xiaoshanhe Institute, it had declined decades ago.


    How could they have nurtured such genius?


    Xiao Yi said, "I am not a disciple of Xiaoshanhe Institute; I am the current dean of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "No matter who you are, today, you must die!" Sha Diao roared repeatedly.


    His voice, besides the cold killing intent, was filled with intense jealousy.


    Even now, he had not mastered Fourth-Order Sword Intent.


    Xiao Yi was just at the Tao Tribulation Realm, what right did he have to wield such power?


    Wuu wuu wuu!


    All of a sudden, a gust of wind swept through the land, the sound of the wind piercing, and Xiao Yi found that the fog around him was getting thicker. The pale fog had severely affected Xiao Yi''s vision.


    Under normal circumstances��


    Xiao Yi would have clearly seen an ant on a tree several kilometers away.


    But now.


    With the fog blocking his view, Xiao Yi found he could only see things half a meter away; the energy from the fog obstructing his vision was truly terrifying.


    "There!"


    Xiao Yi turned and launched a sword strike.


    Pu!


    His strike tore through the thick fog in front of him, but he did not find Sha Diao''s figure.


    Xiao Yi paused, "Did he escape?"


    "This!"


    "This!"


    "This��"


    Xiao Yi shifted his attack direction time and again but still couldn''t locate Sha Diao.


    Attack after attack missed its mark.


    This made Xiao Yi''s expression rather unsightly.


    Within the fog.


    The cold laugh of Sha Diao came, still coming from all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint his location, "Is this all you''ve got? If so, you can die now!"


    Shua!


    Xiao Yi''s pores suddenly exploded as he instinctively brought the longsword to protect his back.


    Dang!


    Amid a crisp sound.


    A ferocious force swept from behind, sending Xiao Yi flying. In that silent moment, Sha Diao''s sword had appeared behind him; Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank suddenly.


    Longsword above his head.


    Dang!


    Another loud noise.


    A longsword slashed out of the dense fog, striking heavily upon Xiao Yi''s longsword, sending sparks flying, and Xiao Yi''s longsword broke apart.


    The violent sword waves continued to force Xiao Yi to retreat explosively.


    At that moment...


    Wuu wuu wuu!


    A flute sound made one drowsy.


    Luckily, the necklace in Xiao Yi''s bosom emitted a wave of warmth; the heat spread into his body, and in an instant, he regained clarity. At the same time, Xiao Yi sensed a subtle fluctuation in the air behind him.


    "Come down!"


    Xiao Yi turned quickly and grabbed at the stabbing longsword.


    Vital energy coursed through his palm, firmly gripping the longsword.


    At the same time, his right hand swung, "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Shua shua shua!


    Sword beams flew out one after another, following the longsword into the dense fog.


    "Awoooo..."


    An hysterical scream suddenly came from within the fog, and a spurt of blood gushed forth, as Xiao Yi withdrew his longsword from the mist. Clasped upon the hilt was a pale hand.


    Severed by Xiao Yi right at the elbow.


    An enraged and venomous howl came from within the fog, "Xiao Yi, for the enmity of my severed arm, we are irreconcilable, I will slaughter you!"


    "A rat that hides its head but shows its tail still dares to threaten my life?"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and tossed the severed arm aside, but he took possession of the longsword.


    This longsword was actually a sixth-order high-grade Yuan weapon.


    Now the demonic sword could not be used.


    Having this longsword, however, was enough to use for a period of time.


    Hum!


    A sixth-grade Yuan weapon was not so easily controlled, and it buzzed in Xiao Yi''s hand; he tightly grasped the hilt as the power of Sword Intent enveloped the longsword.


    Sword Intent!


    Commanding the swords of the world!


    Hum!


    The longsword''s vibration slowly subsided.


    In the blink of an eye, this sixth-order high-grade Yuan weapon was suppressed by Xiao Yi; looking at the ''Flowing Cloud'' inscribed on the blade, Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "So your name is Flowing Cloud Sword, you belong to me now!"


    As the Flowing Cloud Sword was subdued, Sha Diao already sensed it.


    Earth-shaking roars came from within the black fog, "Xiao Yi, you broke my arm, and stole my treasured sword, our grudge is irreconcilable!"


    "Such nonsense!"


    Xiao Yi sneered, looking around at the thick fog, his heart growing more composed, "What exactly is this mist? Sha Diao is actually concealed within it, aside from Dharma Manifestation, I have never heard of anyone else capable of utilizing such natural force..."


    Suddenly.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes lit up, "Dharma Manifestation? Could it be, this mist is his Dharma Manifestation?"


    Dharma Manifestation, full of marvels.


    In ancient times.


    It is said that some people used the sun and the moon as their Dharma Manifestations, there was once a clan that used the sun as their Dharma Manifestation.


    Once the Dharma Manifestation was deployed, it was as if the sun was plummeting to earth.


    A barren land for thousands of miles, drought for three years!


    If Sha Diao truly used the mist as his Dharma Manifestation, condensing the mist into a Dharma Manifestation, employing the force of nature to hide himself within it, this would also explain why he could control the mist.


    With this thought.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shone, the corners of his mouth curved upward with a playful arc, "Sha Diao, you are as good as dead!" S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hum!


    Brilliant light swirled around Xiao Yi.


    In his hands, the Flowing Cloud Sword traced sword flowers in front of him, dazzling sword flowers twinkled with silver light, like quicksilver spilling onto the ground. The terrifyingly sharp edge of the sword hummed thunderously, deafening.


    "Unblemished Revolution!"


    "Eternal Life!"


    One blossom.


    Two blossoms.


    Three blossoms...


    Forty-nine Sword Dao lotuses appeared around Xiao Yi, each one containing an unparalleled sharp Sword Qi. The Sword Qi filled the sky, crisscrossing and obscuring the sun.


    "Go!"


    Xiao Yi flicked his fingers.


    Forty-nine Sword Qi lotuses plunged into the fog.


    Boom boom boom!


    Amidst thunderous explosions, the might of the Sword Qi lotuses burst forth without reserve, wherever they struck within the mist, echoed with violent sounds, a constant stream of carnage. The fog that shrouded the entire lord''s mansion was ultimately obliterated under the slaughter of the forty-nine Sword Qi lotuses.


    And just then...


    In front of Xiao Yi appeared a pale-faced young man with a chilling aura, his right arm broken, holding a short flute in his left hand.


    Seemingly bewildered as he stared at Xiao Yi.


    As their eyes met.


    Xiao Yi commanded in a low voice, "Sword, come!"


    Hum!


    The Flowing Cloud Sword spun several times before landing into his grasp, he held the hilt with both hands and slashed forward, "Dividing the Egret Islet amidst the Dual Streams!"


    Whoosh!


    A hundred zhang of sword light, pure and white as driven snow.


    It cleaved through the mist attempting to condense once again, roaring as it swiftly passed over Sha Diao.


    As the sword light faded.


    The mist in the void gradually dispersed.


    Xiao Yi stood in the void with sword in hand, the wild wind swirling around him, his robes snapping in the wind, his black hair dancing with the gusts. And in front of him, Sha Diao''s body slowly split in two...

 Chapter 334 The Majesty of Dharmakaya

    Sha Diao''s corpse fell from the sky.


    Without Sha Diao''s mist to cover them, the Black Shark Guard were like eagles without wings, facing the counterattack of the experts within the city lord''s mansion, and their defeat was as rapid as a landslide.


    Xiao Yi stood amidst the crowd and did not make another move.


    Huang Zheng and Huang Yi were also suppressing their respective opponents, and the battle on the side of the city lord''s mansion was gradually becoming clear.


    Victory was only a matter of time.


    But what truly decided the battle today was not the fight on the side of the city lord''s mansion, but the confrontation in the Beast Emperor Sea between Sha Kun and Huang Baitao. Whoever could have the last laugh between them was the key.


    "Little Lin, stay here and protect Yuwei!" Xiao Yi patted Little Lin''s head.


    Now, Little Lin''s combat power was comparable to that of an Eightfold warrior of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    With his protection...


    Huang Yuwei would definitely be safe.


    Little Lin nodded, "Boss, rest assured, I will take care of this place!"


    Xiao Yi broke through the air and left.


    A moment later.


    He arrived above the vast Beast Emperor Sea, where the endless sea was filled with surging winds and waves. Huge waves, a kilometer high, viciously slapped the sea surface, stirring up ripples that surged in all directions.


    "Where are they?"


    But Xiao Yi couldn''t find Huang Baitao and Sha Kun.


    Suddenly...


    In the calm sea ahead, two huge whirlpools appeared out of nowhere.


    The whirlpools grew larger and larger, swirling countless amounts of water, which they devoured into the bottomless black hole in their midst. The terrifying sound of the water waves was deafening.


    The whirlpools expanded to a diameter of tens of kilometers.


    Suddenly.


    Whoosh, whoosh!


    Two figures burst out of the whirlpools, raising two columns of white water.


    The water columns reached for the sky, hundreds of meters high, like two water dragons. They furiously swallowed the white waves, twisting their bodies as they charged at each other.


    Above the terrifying water columns.


    Huang Baitao, holding the Golden Trident, and Sha Kun, swinging a pair of Primordial Vajra Hammers, stood proudly on the wave crests.


    Boom!


    The two collided above the sea, creating massive waves that crashed into each other, forming a circular water wall. S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Countless amounts of water fell from the sky, forming a torrential downpour amid the loud splashing sounds.


    The entire area was sprinkled with rainfall, falling onto the sea surface.


    There were also remains of magical creatures, falling from the water columns.


    Thud!


    The Golden Trident clashed heavily with the Primordial Vajra Hammer, sparks flew in a flash, and fireworks bloomed in the sky. The two combatants crossed weapons, exerting all their strength in a contest of power.


    Their elemental weapons were both high-tier, sixth-order, invaluable and overwhelmingly powerful.


    Like the tip of the needle against the wheat awn.


    Series of terrifying roars sent shivers down one''s spine.


    Sha Kun pressed the attack with his dual hammers, forcing Huang Baitao into a retreat and sneered, "Huang Baitao, it seems your strength is merely so-so!"


    Huang Baitao sneered coldly, gripping the Golden Trident tightly, he began pushing Sha Kun back step by step, "You''re enough to be dealt with!"


    Boom!


    The two of them separated at once.


    Between them.


    Two completely different elemental energies exploded with a bang.


    Whoosh!


    A massive shockwave covered a hundred miles around.


    In its path...


    The water wall soared into the clouds.


    Atop the terrifying energy-infused water wall, azure water thundered down.


    When Xiao Yi''s vision cleared in front of him...


    All he saw above the ocean.


    Were two colossal figures, towering over and facing each other.


    Huang Baitao, holding the Golden Trident, stood on the shoulder of an imposing figure with a fish body and a human head. This imposing figure held a trident, with eyes as vast as the sea and surrounded by tumultuous waves.


    The Sea God Dharma Idol!


    Huang Baitao had visualized the statue of the Sea God to condense the Dharma Idol, as if a true deity had descended to the mortal world.


    Behind Sha Kun, a sky of sandy dust formed a dome of earthy yellow.


    Under that canopy.


    A massive desert scorpion was shaking its huge and formidable tail.


    Its pincers clanged loudly, sparking flames.


    Sha Kun observed the Dharma Idol formed by his desert poisonous scorpion mount. Mounted on the back of the desert poisonous scorpion, half of his body merged into the scorpion''s Dharma Idol.


    The hammers swung and rumbled mightily, like thunder.


    "Wrath of the Sea God!"


    Amid Huang Baitao''s roaring bellow,


    A fierce wind suddenly whipped up over the entire sea surface, stirring up colossal waves. The roaring waves, one after another, rolled towards Sha Kun to crush him.


    Sha Kun stood atop the desert poisonous scorpion, pointing forward with both hands.


    The scorpion''s iron pincers also slammed down on the water, the immense force stirring up huge waves as well, with yellow sand blending into them.


    The earthy yellow water waves burst forth like a mountain torrent.


    As the saying goes, meet the soldier with a general and stem the water with earth.


    This mixture of water and sand created waves far more solid than mere water could ever be.


    Upon collision,


    The water waves shattered continuously, but the wall of sand and water grew ever taller.


    Suddenly...


    The desert poisonous scorpion beneath Sha Kun leaped into the air, plummeting from the sky in an instant, its iron pincers smashing fiercely towards Huang Baitao. Strands of yellow sand spread, enlarging the pincers with each moment.


    The iron pincers, each a hundred zhang in size, crashed down like two small mountains.


    "Sea God''s Protection!"


    Unperturbed, Huang Baitao responded calmly.


    A tremor ran through his trident.


    The Sea God Dharma Idol flickered with blue light as its hands slowly opened, as if summoning the sea itself to awaken.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Countless giant waves coalesced into pillars, soaring into the sky like water dragons.


    One.


    Two.


    Three...


    Over a hundred tremendous waves interlaced, protecting Huang Baitao within their midst.


    Thump!


    Amid the earth-shattering noise,


    The two iron pincers of the desert poisonous scorpion''s Dharma Idol smashed violently on the water wall.


    In that moment...


    The wind stopped, and the water stilled.


    It was as if time itself had frozen.


    Suddenly,


    A series of cracking sounds erupted.


    The iron pincers exploded, and at that moment, a golden light slashed through the water wall. With a swish, it pierced upward through the body of the desert poisonous scorpion''s Dharma Idol.


    Splat!


    The Golden Trident pierced through Sha Kun''s body.


    Wow!


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    Sha Kun let out a miserable scream as blood spewed forth.


    The Dharma Idol shattered.


    A shower of yellow sand fell from the sky, instantly swallowed by the sea.


    The majestic Sea God Dharma Idol also vanished without a trace.


    Only Huang Baitao stood proudly between heaven and earth, holding the Golden Trident single-handedly, skewering Sha Kun''s body in mid-air. Huang Baitao''s face was expressionless, his hair fluttering with the sea breeze swirling around him.


    Huang Baitao looked at the dying Sha Kun with a calm gaze, "You, have lost!"


    "Heh, hehe..."


    Sha Kun coughed out a mouthful of blood, his energy much depleted. Grinding his teeth, he said, "I always knew I was no match for you... No, but you didn''t win this time because of your own skills..."


    His bloodshot eyes turned towards Xiao Yi.


    In those eyes were hatred and resentment, mixed with helplessness.


    Had it not been for Xiao Yi unlocking the Drunken God Powder, how could he have fallen into such a state?


    "I... I hate this..."


    Sha Kun''s eyes rolled back, and he lost all signs of life.


    Huang Baitao''s face remained expressionless as he shook the trident, shattering Sha Kun''s body. Bits of flesh and blood mixed into the slightly salty sea breeze, and Huang Baitao murmured to himself, "I will leave a single bloodline for the Sha Family!"


    Whoosh!


    Huang Baitao stepped into the void and walked towards Xiao Yi, saying solemnly, "I owe you thanks for this assistance, young friend!"


    "No need for formalities, Yuwei is a friend of mine!" Xiao Yi said.


    "Please wait a moment, after I have dealt with the rebels, I will properly express my gratitude to you!"


    After saying so, Huang Baitao teleported away, flying towards the Beast Emperor City.


    Xiao Yi''s lips slightly curved in a schadenfreude smile, "Someone''s in for it now!"

 Chapter 335 Deputy City Lord

    Over the manor lord''s residence.


    The battle was still raging on.


    Huang Zheng was locked in an inseparable fight with the Slave King, a formidable fighter the Sha Family had bought from the slave market, who was also a death warrior.


    Constantly on the line between life and death, a desperado by any name. Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    Fighting as if he had no regard for his own life.


    Even if his cultivation was inferior to Huang Zheng''s, he still managed to severely restrain his opponent.


    Suddenly,


    a beam of golden light descended from the sky.


    Thud!


    The golden trident pierced through the Slave King''s body, splitting him in twain. Amidst a downpour of blood, Huang Baitao, stood above the heavens, his authoritative voice echoing throughout the entirety of Beast Emperor City, "Sha Kun is dead, surrender and you shall not be harmed!" S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Sha Kun is dead, surrender and you shall not be harmed!"


    "Surrender and you shall not be harmed!"


    The shouts came one after another from the people in the manor lord''s residence, thundering through the air and leaving the powerhouses of the Sha line looking at each other in disbelief.


    Apart from the death warriors of the Black Shark Guard.


    All other powerhouses ceased their assaults, and some even turned their weapons against their former allies, aiding the manor lord''s forces in a massacre of the Black Shark Guard. Blood rained down from the sky.


    Tens of thousands from the Black Shark Guard were spared no mercy, all were slain.


    Outside the manor lord''s residence.


    Huang Baitao stood with his hands behind his back.


    Behind him were Huang Zheng, Huang Yi, Huang Yuwei and Xiao Yi, and before him was a host of powerhouses who had sided with the Sha Family, including influential figures from large clans within Beast Emperor City and merchants with considerable strength.


    At this moment, all the powerhouses were kneeling before Huang Baitao, filled with fear and trepidation.


    Sha Kun was dead.


    They had lost their backbone and could only surrender.


    Huang Baitao''s gaze was icy as he looked down at Huang Jinghong and his mother kneeling at the very front.


    At that moment...


    the mother and son duo were in tears, wailing loudly.


    Huang Jinghong, choking with sobs, cried out in self-pity, "Father, spare my life! It was all mother''s doing, you know it... I would never dare defy you, it was mother who made me harm you..."


    "You, you��"


    Ji Lingluo, furious at his lack of resistance and with a face twisted with rage, glared at Huang Jinghong and hissed through clenched teeth, "Husband, you mustn''t believe this traitor. It was he who wanted to claim the throne of the manor lord. He feared you wouldn''t pass the position to him, which is why he plotted with Sha Kun to harm you. He even resorted to threatening his own life; it was all his doing..."


    "Bullshit, you vile woman, all this was clearly your idea!"


    "You''re the one bullshitting. I gave birth to you and raised you, and you dare to harm me?"


    "Since you already gave birth to me and raised me, why can''t you die for me?"


    "I carried you in my womb for ten months, you should be the one to die for me..."


    "You malicious woman..."


    "You unfilial son..."


    The two of them began to tear at each other, hitting one another.


    Xiao Yi''s eyelid twitched. "..."


    What a bizarre pair indeed!


    He glanced at Huang Yuwei beside him, "How could your father have married such a woman... it''s good that you''re not her daughter!"


    Huang Yuwei: "..."


    Huang Baitao: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Ahem!


    Huang Baitao coughed lightly, casting Xiao Yi a sharp glare as if to say, ''Kid, do you think I don''t need face?''


    Xiao Yi gave an awkward smile.


    Huang Baitao''s cold gaze lingered on the quarreling pair, his eyes filled with disgust. He turned to Huang Yi beside him and said, "Elder, take these two away and deal with them according to family law!"


    "Yes!"


    Huang Yi stepped forward, grabbed the two of them, and left.


    In the distance, their pitiful pleas for mercy could be heard.


    Xiao Yi whispered, "Dealt with by family law? What''s going to happen to them?"


    Huang Yuwei shook her head.


    Huang Zheng said, "Chop them into pieces and throw them into the Beast Emperor Sea to feed the fish!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi took in a cold breath, the family law was harsh indeed!


    In front of everyone...


    The powerful followers who had rebelled with Sha Kun looked on as Huang Baitao showed no mercy even to his wife and children. They, one after another, were terrified and kowtowed frantically, "City Lord, we were also momentarily blinded by greed and led astray. Spare our lives, please!"


    "We beg the City Lord for mercy..."


    Huang Baitao''s indifferent gaze swept over them as he said calmly, "Take your own lives! I will not involve your families."


    The pleas for mercy ceased abruptly.


    The crime of rebellion.


    It''s not to be taken lightly.


    In the dynasty, it would merit the execution of the entire extended family.


    Huang Baitao was indeed very merciful to only kill them. In that instant, everyone thanked him profusely, "Thank you, City Lord!"


    "Thank you, City Lord..."


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The thousands of powerful individuals present all took their own lives.


    Huang Baitao glanced at Huang Zheng, who nodded and said, "Don''t worry, City Lord, I will have their bodies cleaned up immediately..."


    "Hmm!"


    Huang Baitao nodded, then turned to look at Xiao Yi, softness appearing on his face. He especially swept over Xiao Yi and Huang Yuwei back and forth with a smile, "Xiao Yi, if it weren''t for you, Beast Emperor City would have changed hands. Ask for any reward you desire, and you shall have it!"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and scratched his head, "I haven''t thought of what benefit I want yet!"


    "How about... marrying my precious daughter to you?" Huang Baitao said jokingly.


    "Father..."


    Huang Yuwei''s pretty face flushed as she chided.


    Her eyes inadvertently stole a look at Xiao Yi. Apart from shyness, there was a hint of expectancy in her gaze.


    Huang Baitao laughed heartily, "The little girl is shy, eh?" He looked at Xiao Yi, "What do you say? She''s my only daughter. If you agree to this marriage, all of Beast Emperor City will be yours one day!"


    Wow!


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    All of Beast Emperor City?


    That dowry was indeed impressive!


    However...


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a wry smile, "Sorry, City Lord Huang, I already have a wife!"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Baitao''s brows drew together sharply.


    A look of disappointment flitted through Huang Yuwei''s eyes as she forced a smile, "Father, are you really so eager to marry off your daughter? I left your side when I was young and don''t want to be married off so soon. I want to spend a few more years with you!"


    Huang Baitao was well aware of Huang Yuwei''s feelings and sighed inwardly, "How could I bear to marry off my precious daughter? Let''s not talk about this anymore!"


    "Mmm!"


    Huang Yuwei nodded and stood obediently at his side.


    Xiao Yi looked at Huang Yuwei gratefully. If she hadn''t actively defused the situation, things could have become very awkward.


    After pondering for a moment, Huang Baitao said, "In that case, with Sha Kun dead, Beast Emperor City just happens to need a Deputy City Lord. From now on, you will be the Deputy City Lord of Beast Emperor City. Your authority and status will be second only to mine. What do you think?"


    Xiao Yi was surprised.


    The overall strength of Beast Emperor City was comparable to the top ten sects; becoming the Deputy City Lord was no small privilege. Moreover, this would make the cooperation between his Xiaoshanhe Institute and Beast Emperor City in the future even more convenient.


    Beast Emperor City controlled Beast Emperor Sea.


    The resources were immensely abundant.


    This was nothing but beneficial for Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    Xiao Yi gave a respectful bow to Huang Baitao, "I accept your offer with thanks... Xiao Yi hereby expresses his gratitude to the City Lord!"


    "Hahaha, with the relationship between you and Yuwei, there''s no need for such formalities between us. You may call me Uncle..." He paused, then took out a Token��it was the City Lord''s Token��and handed it to Xiao Yi, "From now on, you are the Deputy City Lord of Beast Emperor City. With this Token, you may exercise all the powers of the City Lord!"


    "Thank you, Uncle!"


    Xiao Yi said as he bowed his hands.


    Huang Baitao said with a hearty laugh, "Come on, come on, we must drink well today..."

 Chapter 336 Visiting to Apologize

    The next day.


    Xiao Yi woke up to find himself lying on the bed.


    He smacked his head hard.


    Last night, he was dragged by Huang Baitao and others to drink all night, and those were strong liquors made from spiritual medicine. Even those with deep cultivation couldn''t withstand it.


    Xiao Yi only remembered before he passed out.


    There was not a single person at the table who could stand.


    "Damn, this feeling is so painful, I definitely can''t drink with them again..." Xiao Yi got out of bed, only to feel his legs go soft, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.


    Creak!


    Huang Yuwei pushed open the door, carrying a bowl of hot porridge as she walked in. Seeing Xiao Yi''s state, she covered her mouth and chuckled, "Xiao Yi, you''re finally awake!"


    "Ah? Yuwei, how much did I drink last night? How come I can''t remember anything that happened afterward?"


    Xiao Yi scratched his head, sat at the table, and as he smelled the fragrant porridge, his stomach growled. He gave a thumbs up, "This porridge smells amazing!"


    As Huang Yuwei served Xiao Yi a bowl of porridge, she said with a hint of reproach: "You still have the nerve to talk! Last night, my father, the First Elder, and the Second Elder were knocked unconscious by your heavy drinking, and they were still throwing up this morning. And you, you even dragged my father and the elders to swear brotherhood of a different surname..."


    Xiao Yi''s face turned embarrassed, "Really?"


    Huang Yuwei rolled her eyes and said, "Could it be anything else? My father and they said they don''t hope to be born on the same year, month, and day, but hope to die on the same year, month, and day. Do you know what you said?"


    "What?"


    Xiao Yi managed to swallow a couple of spoonfuls of porridge, and a warm sensation brought him some relief.


    Huang Yuwei covered her mouth and laughed out loud, "You said... a bunch of old farts, and I am still in the prime of my youth, you guys are taking advantage of me. This got my father and the others to drink a few more jars with you..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes twitched: "..."


    He hadn''t expected that so many embarrassing things happened after he got drunk.


    Huang Yuwei said, "By the way, President Shi came to look for you early in the morning, but since you weren''t awake, I asked her to come back later. However, she didn''t leave and has been waiting in the guest hall!"


    "Oh? Just her alone?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Huang Yuwei replied, "There''s also Deputy President Lin and Lin Bo!"


    "Heh..."


    Xiao Yi continued drinking his porridge, not even lifting his head, and said with a smile, "It seems she''s a bit anxious. Let her wait a little longer, I''ll see her later!"


    "Mhm!"


    Huang Yuwei sat across from Xiao Yi, resting her chin on her hands and quietly watched him.


    ......


    In the guest hall.


    Shi Feiya was meditating with her eyes closed, while Lin Yuejin, who was beside her, shook his leg impatiently, picking up and setting down his cup repeatedly, glancing toward the door now and then, but no one was coming.


    Lin Yuejin glared at Lin Bo, who was kneeling before him with a bruised face, and kicked him hard, "Dammit, kneel properly!"


    Lin Bo looked aggrieved: "..."


    Conscience of heaven and earth!


    He had been kneeling here since this morning without daring to frown!


    And you just keep kicking me now and then.


    Is that really necessary?


    "Enough!"


    Shi Feiya could not help but intervene.


    Lin Yuejin, dissatisfied, said: "President, I think that Xiao Yi is doing this on purpose, just leaving us hanging..."


    Shi Feiya helplessly said, "Even if we know he is deliberately letting us wait, what can we do? It used to be him seeking us, but now it is us who are seeking him..."


    The wheel of fortune turns, she just did not expect it to turn this quickly.


    "President Shi, Deputy President Lin, I''m terribly sorry for drinking too much last night and making you wait," Xiao Yi''s voice came from outside the door as he walked in cheerfully, yet he did not glance at Lin Bo from beginning to end.


    Shi Feiya and her companion quickly stood up, "Deputy City Master Xiao, you shouldn''t say that! We''ve only waited a moment!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled to himself.


    They had arrived early in the morning, and now it was almost lunchtime.


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    A moment?


    Xiao Yi rubbed his head, "Drinking is indeed harmful. The City Master still hasn''t woken up!"


    "We too didn''t know that Deputy City Master Xiao had too much to drink. We should have come later to bother you... truly..." Shi Feiya began to say, hoping to lead into the main topic.


    But Xiao Yi pretended as if he hadn''t caught on.


    He looked at Lin Bo with feigned surprise, "Isn''t that Lin, Young Master Lin Bo? What are you doing kneeling here?"


    Shi Feiya''s eyes twitched.


    Lin Yuejin responded stiffly, "Deputy City Master Xiao, my son lacks manners and caused trouble with Sha Ying, offending you and Princess Yuwei. I have specifically brought him here to apologise." He looked at Lin Bo, "Rebellious child, aren''t you going to apologize to Deputy City Master Xiao?"


    Lin Bo knelt on the ground, moving in front of Xiao Yi, "Vice City Lord Xiao, it was all my fault before, please forgive me!"


    "Hehe, I dare not assume such a role!" Xiao Yi said with a composed expression.


    Lin Yuejin slapped him hard on the head, angrily saying, "Is this the attitude you apologize with?"


    Lin Bo''s fists were clenched tightly, his teeth grinding audibly.


    What humiliation!


    When had Lin, as the young master, ever been subjected to such an insult?


    However��


    When he thought about how the powerful Sha Family had already been wiped out.


    He could only submit.


    Bang bang bang!


    Lin Bo''s head hit the ground, striking it repeatedly, his face earnest as he said, "Vice City Lord Xiao, I, Lin Bo, was blind and offended both you and Princess Yuwei. Please forgive me this time!"


    At this moment, Lin Bo was nothing like his arrogant and domineering self at the Dragon Phoenix Tower.


    The circumstances were stronger than the person!


    Even his father had to tread lightly in front of Xiao Yi, what ground did he have to be arrogant and haughty?


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "Get up."


    Lin Bo was stunned.


    He had thought Xiao Yi would continue to humiliate him, but he was actually letting him stand up?


    Yet Lin Bo didn''t dare to move, cautiously looking towards Lin Yuejin.


    Lin Yuejin said, "Vice City Lord Xiao told you to get up. Why are you still kneeling? Haven''t you thanked Vice City Lord Xiao for sparing your life?"


    "Many thanks for the great kindness and mercy of Vice City Lord Xiao!" Lin Bo quickly stated.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, and then turned to Shi Feiya saying, "President Shi, regarding the cooperation we talked about before��"


    "Vice City Lord Xiao, my visit today is indeed for this matter. After our discussion, we felt that the previous contract was too unfair to you, so we have redrafted the contract."


    Lin Yuejin presented the redrafted contract, and Shi Feiya continued, "Over the next ten years, the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce is willing to provide the Xiaoshanhe Institute with medicinal materials at no cost. You''ll get forty percent of the profits from the slave market, and at the same time, the Slave Battlefield will cooperate fully with the Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    Full cooperation mentioned here was clearly stipulated in the contract.


    Should disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute come to the Beast Emperor City, the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce would bear all expenses, and victory rewards in the Slave Battlefield were guaranteed. For example, there were different rewards for ten victories, twenty victories, and so on.


    And the reward standards were quite high!


    Xiao Yi briefly looked over the contract; it was definitely full of sincerity!


    Xiao Yi, narrowing his eyes, asked, "What about the restrictions?"


    "There are no restrictions!"


    Shi Feiya hurriedly said.


    The contract involved a tremendous sacrifice from the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, foregoing billions of silver annually. However, in exchange, they would have Xiao Yi as their powerful backer.


    The slave market would be entirely in the hands of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Yi said, "The terms of the contract are mostly fine, even that forty percent profit��I will take just twenty percent. But you must agree to one condition from me!"


    "Hmm?"


    Shi Feiya and Lin Yuejin looked at each other, surprised that Xiao Yi voluntarily proposed to lower his share of the profits; both said, "What condition?"


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "The targets for capturing slaves in the slave market need to change, prioritizing those who are extremely vicious and felons caught on battlefields, among others."


    He vividly remembered Along''s tribe, which lived on an isolated island in the Beast Emperor Sea.


    Living peaceably and without conflict. S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was because of the Tan Family''s slave captures that their whole tribe was uprooted.


    He couldn''t change the world, but at least within his capacity, he could make it better!


    Xiao Yi added, "I will help you liaise with the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    The royal family had a substantial number of war criminals and extremely vicious felons.


    As slaves, they were most suitable!


    They looked at each other.


    Shi Feiya nodded and said, "No problem!"


    With the new term added to the contract, in duplicate, Xiao Yi smiled, "Pleased to cooperate!"


    "Pleased to cooperate!"


    Shi Feiya smiled as she took the contract, then said, "Vice Institute Head Xiao, the medicinal materials will be ready by tomorrow. Also, our people have already taken over the slave market. There are quite a few outstanding slaves there; would you be interested in taking a look?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, arching an eyebrow and responding, "Good, let''s take a look!"

 Chapter 337 Shi Feiyas Gift!

    Under the guidance of Shi Feiya, Xiao Yi and his party arrived at the Slave Market.


    The entire Slave Market was filled with noise and despair, with most slaves facing bleak futures.


    The lucky ones, like Along, could become enforcers for powerful forces, and although they lacked freedom, at least they had food and clothing and could stay alive in this world.


    The unlucky ones.


    They might not even know how they died.


    In the countless black cages, numerous slaves curled up inside, each one''s face filled with bitterness, despair, or unwillingness, despair, and darkness, were the main theme of the Slave Market.


    The atmosphere was oppressively terrifying.


    Upon entering the Slave Market, Along''s fists clenched tight, and his breathing lost its steady rhythm.


    His eyes were blood-red.


    There was a time.


    He, too, was like these slaves, locked up in black cages like animals, starving and waiting for buyers to decide their fates.


    Shi Feiya knew Along''s identity and was very cautious with her words, "Xiao, these slaves are mostly brought back by the Tan Family from Beast Emperor Sea, with a few from the inland regions. Depending on cultivation level and talent, the slaves are divided into four grades��A, B, C, and D, each with different prices!"


    Lin Yuejin said in a deep voice, "Grade A, those above the Tao Tribulation Realm; Grade B, above the Golden Core Realm; Grade C is above the Shentong Realm; the Physical Body Realm and Qi Gathering Realm are both Grade C. Those not even in the Physical Body Realm, unless they are very beautiful women, would not even qualify to enter the Slave Market!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and asked, "If during the capture process, they encounter someone not even at Grade C, how are they generally dealt with?"


    "This..." Continue reading on My Virtual Library Empire


    Lin Yuejin and Shi Feiya were taken aback, hesitating to speak.


    Along''s eyes turned blood-red, and he bit his steel teeth tightly, his words punctuated with pauses, "Death, unless it''s a very beautiful woman who could still fetch a price. As for the old, the weak, women, and children, they have only the path of death!"


    When the Tan Family captured Along and his people, they killed all the old, weak, women, and children of their tribe.


    Those were hundreds of thousands of living souls!


    All buried by the Tan Family in the depths of the sea.


    Shi Feiya quickly said, "Xiao, don''t worry, we would absolutely not resort to the Tan Family''s methods, we would never harm those old, weak, women, and children!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    He couldn''t put an end to the slave trade, nor was he a saint.


    If such a trade existed, it had its own rationale.


    All he could do...


    Was to minimize the harm to innocent people within his power!


    Along looked at Shi Feiya and Lin Yuejin with disdain, "You would be so kind-hearted?"


    Shi Feiya gave a wry smile, "Xiao used two percent of the Slave Market''s profits as a condition to sign a contract with us, how dare we deceive him?"


    Xiao Yi was now the deputy ruler of Beast Emperor City.


    His status was second only to Huang Baitao.


    With just one word, he could shut down the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, how could they dare to deceive Xiao Yi?


    Along was startled, his gaze falling unexpectedly upon Xiao Yi, filled with heartfelt gratitude.


    He was very aware of how terrifying the profits from two percent of the Slave Market were, a colossal fortune of hundreds of billions of silver pieces, which Xiao Yi had chosen to forgo in order to add that condition.


    This made Along even more grateful to Xiao Yi. After a moment of silence, Along said in a low voice, "Xiao, thank you!"


    "No need to be polite, we''re companions, aren''t we?"


    Xiao Yi smiled indifferently, then turned to Shi Feiya, "President Shi, didn''t you say you had a surprise for me?"


    Shi Feiya quickly nodded, "Xiao, please follow me!"


    They walked on.


    Shi Feiya led Xiao Yi to the deepest part of the Slave Market, a place formerly occupied by the Tan Family, which had now been taken over by the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce following the Tan Family''s ousting.


    Shi Feiya said, "Xiao, the surprise I''ve prepared for you is in here!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi looked puzzled as he stared at the large black gate ahead.


    Clap Clap!


    Shi Feiya gently clapped her hands.


    Boom Boom Boom!


    The black gates burst open, and a ray of light, like that of a sliver of sky, shone through. Xiao Yi squinted slightly, waiting for the light to dissipate before finally seeing the scene inside the gate.


    It was a massive duel arena, and at that moment, there were ten carriages within the arena.


    The carriages were draped with black cloth.


    Shi Feiya glanced at Lin Yuejin, who immediately stepped forward with a smile, "Xiao, please look!"


    Boom!


    The black cloth on all ten carriages disappeared at once.


    In their place were cages, each imprisoning ten slaves. These slaves, both men and women, had an impressively profound aura.


    The weakest among them was at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The strongest were even three powerhouses of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    "This is..."


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank slightly, one hundred beings at the Tao Tribulation Realm as the weakest?


    Among those three from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, a man appearing around forty with graying hair exuded a rather eerie presence. Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed slightly, for this man was at least at the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Along took a sharp intake of breath, incredulously saying, "How is this possible? How, how could they be here?"


    Xiao Yi turned to Along: "You know them?"


    Gulp!


    Along nodded emphatically, swallowing hard, and said, "These people are all ranked in the top hundred of the Slave Battlefield, especially those three Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, each one has achieved over a hundred victories. However, wasn''t it rumored that they regained their freedom? How could they be here��"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    He had heard from Along about the horrors of the Slave Battlefield, a meat grinder where losing meant death.


    These individuals were ranked among the top hundred on the Slave Battlefield, which was sufficient proof of their strength.


    Especially those three from the Dharma Manifestation Realm��


    They had even achieved over a hundred victories.


    "Indeed, those three achieved over a hundred victories. The Tan Family had publicly declared that they regained their freedom and left the Beast Emperor City. In reality, they were taken away by Sha Kun, just like the Slave King. However, unlike the Slave King who chose to submit, these three refused to submit, and thus have been secretly detained in the slave market," Shi Feiya said with a smile as she looked at Xiao Yi, speaking in a low voice, "Xiao, that white-haired man known as Shadow Demon, is an existence that achieved a hundred victories even before the Slave King. Now, his cultivation has reached the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm!" S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the three individuals, noticing that all of them wore pipa locks on their collarbones.


    These pipa locks could seal their power.


    Making them as ordinary people.


    Unable to exert their powerful combat strength.


    It was for this reason��


    That the Tan Family was able to imprison them for so many years.


    Xiao Yi withdrew his gaze, showing great interest as he looked at Shi Feiya: "What does President Shi suggest?"


    Shi Feiya smiled, "This is the surprise I have for you! Your Xiaoshanhe Institute is in the process of rebuilding, it is in need of people, and I believe they can provide great assistance to you!"


    Xiao Yi said playfully, "I''m afraid there''s more to it than just that, isn''t there?"


    "Uh��"


    Shi Feiya was taken aback, then she gave a bitter smile, "Nothing escapes you! With the strength of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, we truly can''t intimidate those three Shadow Demons, but it would be a pity to kill them. I believe you, Xiao, will certainly be able to subdue them!"


    "President Shi, that is a hard gift to accept! But��"


    Xiao Yi smiled, his eyebrows raising slightly, "I do like a challenge!"

 Chapter 338 Hundred Calamities, Three Dharma Aspects!

    "I just love doing challenging things!"


    With an indifferent smile on his face, Xiao Yi walked toward the prisoner carriage where the Shadow Demon and others were.


    Among these more than one hundred slaves, the strongest was the Shadow Demon.


    As long as he subdued the Shadow Demon, why would he worry about other strong ones not submitting?


    Inside the carriage.


    The Shadow Demon sat squarely in the middle, flanked by two other Dharma Manifestation Realm experts.


    One was Zhang Ling of the first level of Dharma Manifestation Realm, and the other was Shu He of the second level.


    The Shadow Demon kept his eyes closed, motionless.


    Shu He looked at Xiao Yi with a playful gaze.


    Boom!


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    Zhang Ling, who had the hottest temper, shook his body violently, slamming against the carriage. His hands desperately clung to the black iron bars, his eyes filled with coldness and resentment, like an enraged lion, "Kid, let us out!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him but did not respond; his gaze moved past Zhang Ling and fell on the Shadow Demon.


    He whistled at the Shadow Demon.


    Xiao Yi said with a playful tone, "If you''re still alive, squeak!"


    Bang!


    Zhang Ling, shaking the prisoner carriage with rage, glared at Xiao Yi, "You little bastard, who gave you the courage to talk to my brother like that?"


    "If you don''t shut up right now, I''ll make sure you never speak again!" Xiao Yi''s icy gaze fixed on Zhang Ling.


    "With you?"


    Zhang Ling''s face was thick with scorn, and he laughed mockingly, "Kid, don''t think I look down on you. If it wasn''t for this damned pipa lock, one spit from me could drown you. What the hell, a mere Tao Tribulation Realm, and you dare to clamor in front of me?"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Zhang Ling with an amused, mocking gaze, "Are you so sure I''m not your opponent?"


    Zhang Ling said proudly, "Isn''t that obvious? You''re just a mere Tao Tribulation Realm, while I am of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. If it wasn''t for this damned pipa lock, I wouldn''t even let you stand in front of me with my power unleashed!"


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Then let''s give it a try!"


    "Hmm?"


    Zhang Ling was startled.


    At that moment...


    A streak of silver light shot out from between Xiao Yi''s fingers, smashing the pipa lock on Zhang Ling''s shoulder to pieces with a thud.


    Hum!


    The entire prisoner carriage shook violently.


    Following that...


    Countless amounts of qi from heaven and earth gathered crazily, pouring into Zhang Ling''s body.


    "Roar!"


    Zhang Ling was first stunned, then realizing he truly had gained freedom, his face broke into ecstatic joy. He thumped his chest with both arms, emitting hysterical roars as countless qi from heaven and earth furiously gathered.


    His aura also climbed rapidly.


    A fierce wind blew, and the prisoner carriage rattled loudly.


    It lasted for dozens of breaths before finally quieting down.


    Zhang Ling looked at Xiao Yi incredulously, "You, you just set me free, aren''t you afraid I''ll kill you on the spot?"


    "What''s there to be afraid of?"


    Xiao Yi laughed lightly, standing in front of Zhang Ling, he made a welcoming gesture; "The pipa lock has been unlocked, now I''m quite curious to see how you''ll make me unable to stand!"


    "You..."


    Zhang Ling''s face changed colors repeatedly; after hesitating for a moment, he said solemnly, "Kid, considering that you unlocked my shackles, I won''t take your life. If you can''t hold out, just squeak!"


    "Bring it on!"


    Xiao Yi laughed.


    Boom!


    Zhang Ling''s body shook, and an unrivaled oppressive force rolled towards Xiao Yi in an instant.


    This oppressive aura was akin to a great mountain.


    All the Tao Tribulation Realm slaves within the prison cart turned pale, with cold sweat drenching them.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    He remained as calm as a breeze or a gentle cloud.


    Completely unaffected!


    "Hmm? You''ve really got something there. I''ve already used fifty percent of my oppressive power, and you can withstand it? Kid, I''m going to increase it to seventy percent now, you''d better be careful..." Zhang Ling put away his underestimation.


    However...


    Seventy percent still couldn''t shake Xiao Yi.


    "Is this all you''re capable of?" Xiao Yi shook his head and said.


    "Damn it!"


    Zhang Ling''s eyes were a fierce red as he angrily said, "This is what you asked for!"


    Whir!


    The oppressive force climbed again.


    This time, it rose to a full hundred percent, and beads of sweat appeared on Zhang Ling''s forehead: "This time, you won''t be able to resist, right?"


    "Hey, your brother is too weak. It''s your turn to come!" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s calm voice suddenly sounded, causing Zhang Ling''s face to stiffen as he saw Xiao Yi looking relaxed at the Shadow Demon behind him, saying, "Shadow Demon, right? I heard you''re the first to claim a hundred victories on the Slave Battlefield. Don''t you long for freedom?"


    Swish!


    The Shadow Demon, who had been indifferent, suddenly opened his eyes.


    Those were deep and pitch-black eyes, like a night sky without a trace of light.


    His gaze was like an abyssal black hole.


    A single glance could pull you in deep.


    The Shadow Demon stared at Xiao Yi, fell silent for a moment, then spoke, "Freedom? You just want me to submit to you and do your bidding. If I were willing to bow down, I would have already bowed to Sha Kun like that slave king, would I end up in such a state?"


    Xiao Yi calmly said, "I''m different from Sha Kun. If you''re willing to become my companion and join my Xiaoshanhe Institute, just stay at the Xiaoshanhe Institute for ten years. After that, whether you leave or stay, I will not stop you!"


    "Ten years?"


    The Shadow Demon was startled.


    Dharma Manifestation Realm experts lived for more than a thousand years.


    Ten years was merely a fleeting moment.


    He had been imprisoned for several decades!


    The Shadow Demon asked in a deep voice, "How can I trust you?"


    "I am the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute of the Great Qian Dynasty, and I am also the deputy city lord of the Beast Emperor City..."


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "If these titles are not enough for you to trust, I can sign a contract with you, how about that?"


    Listening to their straightforward talk.


    Zhang Ling felt like crying but had no tears: Do I have no dignity at all? We are in the middle of a bet here! You are dealing with my strong oppression, and you just ignore me like this, is that really okay? Do you think this is easy for me?


    Clap, clap!


    Shu He couldn''t stand it anymore, walked forward, patted his shoulder, and sighed, "Third brother, pack up your pitiful oppression!"


    Zhang Ling: "..."


    The Shadow Demon looked at the two, "What about you?"


    Shu He smiled and said, "I listen to big brother!"


    Zhang Ling, with a woebegone face, said, "You call the shots!"


    The Shadow Demon was silent for a moment before stating his condition, "I can sign a contract with you, but my two brothers and I will only follow you for ten years. After ten years, you cannot interfere with our decision to leave or stay. Aside from us three brothers, the same goes for these brothers here; include them in the contract as well, and after ten years, you cannot stop them from leaving."


    "No problem!"


    Xiao Yi agreed readily, summoned Shi Feiya to draft the contract immediately, and also released the zither locks from the two.


    Looking at the nearly a hundred Tao Tribulations and the three Dharmas before him.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upward. With the addition of these people, the Xiaoshanhe Institute finally had the strength to stand up to the top ten sects. As for the ten-year agreement? Xiao Yi didn''t take it to heart at all. With his means, he thought that after ten years, he probably wouldn''t be able to get rid of these people even if he tried!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes: "The Tournament of Geniuses is about to start; it''s time to go back!"

 Chapter 339 Another Person Joins!

    When Xiao Yi left the slave market,


    a hundred strong followers were trailing behind him, ninety-seven of which were from the Tao Tribulation Realm and three from the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Notably, the Shadow Demon''s cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the Fivefold Heaven in the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    He was just one step away from entering the Sixfold Heaven of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    The Shadow Demon''s strength was very powerful.


    However...


    At this moment, the way the Shadow Demon looked at Xiao Yi was filled with reverence.


    Previously, at the slave market, the Shadow Demon had fought with Xiao Yi, and the outcome speaks for itself. This existence, comparable to the so-called Slave King, was forcefully rubbed against the ground by Xiao Yi.


    Since then,


    the Shadow Demon, Zhang Ling, Shu He, and those dozens of ferocious and evil Tao Tribulation Realm slaves dared not underestimate Xiao Yi any longer.


    Let alone challenge his authority!


    "Shadow Demon, you take everyone to the docks to rent a boat, let everyone get on board, order some food, and have a good rest. Later, have Along tell me which boat it is. I''ll make a trip to the city lord''s mansion, and then we can all ride back!" Xiao Yi instructed.


    These slaves had their food and clothing strictly controlled in the slave market.


    Especially these past few days.


    The Tan Family was overthrown, and Sha Kun rebelled; nobody paid any attention to them. They had been starved for days.


    Upon hearing that Xiao Yi was letting them go eat first, their eyes lit up.


    The Shadow Demon nodded, "Thank you, Xiao."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, gave the Shadow Demon several silver notes, and then went with Shi Feiya to the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    Shi Feiya had already prepared the many medicinal materials, the value of which totaled one hundred billion silver. It took ten storage rings to hold them all. The storage rings alone were worth more than ten billion silver, demonstrating the lengths Shi Feiya went to ingratiate herself with Xiao Yi.


    "Xiao, I heard that in another two months, the Great Qian Dynasty''s imperial family will be holding the ancestral worship ceremony?" Shi Feiya asked.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "What about it? Does President Shi have an interest in taking a trip there?"


    "If Xiao doesn''t mind, Feiya does wish to brazenly go and take a look!" Shi Feiya said with a charming smile, enchanting to anyone who saw it.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Then I shall await President Shi''s honored visit!" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "As long as Xiao doesn''t mind Feiya''s bothering you," said Shi Feiya with a smile.


    Xiao Yi exchanged pleasantries for a few moments, then he left.


    Watching his retreating figure,


    Shi Feiya turned to Lin Yuejin standing beside her, her gaze serious, "Send out the order, from now on, any business dealings related to Xiao must go through my approval and be treated with the highest standards!"


    "Understood!"


    Lin Yuejin nodded gravely.


    As he watched Xiao Yi leave, Lin Yuejin replayed the scene from the slave market in his mind.


    With just a slap, Xiao Yi had knocked the Shadow Demon, a fivefold Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator, to the ground. Although the Shadow Demon had been imprisoned for many years and his combat strength had not yet recovered to its peak,


    it was enough to prove the extent of Xiao Yi''s strength and terror.


    What was even more crucial was...


    Xiao Yi had only reached the Eighth Layer Cultivation in the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    What if he broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm?


    "Perhaps even Tianjiao can''t compare to him!" Lin Yuejin murmured to himself.


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    Meanwhile,


    Xiao Yi arrived at the residence of the city lord.


    Huang Baitao had already awakened, his whole body reeking of alcohol, listening to Huang Yuwei "educating" him with his head lowered, "Father, you''ve just recovered from a serious illness, and yet you drank so much last night. You even think about becoming sworn brothers with Xiao Yi, can''t you quit drinking?"


    Huang Baitao''s head drooped down.


    The lord of Beast Emperor City, who feared nothing in heaven or earth, only feared this beloved daughter of his.


    Huang Baitao''s eyes lit up, hastily shouting, "Xiao Yi, you''re here?"


    "Ah?"


    Huang Yuwei was momentarily stunned, her pretty face flushed slightly with anger, as she glared fiercely at Huang Baitao. She withdrew her hands from her waist and looked towards Xiao Yi with a gentle smile, "Xiao Yi, how come you''re back?"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose.


    Seeing the way Huang Yuwei scolded Huang Baitao, he felt even more amused and said, "I have come to bid farewell!"


    Huang Yuwei was startled again, and a hint of loss and sadness appeared on her face as she muttered, "So soon, you''re leaving?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "The reconstruction of Xiaoshanhe Institute is imminent, and I must hurry back." After a pause, Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Uncle, Yuwei, in two months, it will be the Great Qian Dynasty''s ancestral worship ceremony, which will take place in my Xiaoshanhe Institute. If you don''t mind, you are welcome to come and visit then!"


    "Really? Can we, can we really go?" The gloom on Huang Yuwei''s face vanished in an instant.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Of course you can!"


    Huang Yuwei quickly turned to Huang Baitao, "Father, we will definitely go then, won''t we?"


    "Naturally, Xiao Yi is our Beast Emperor City''s Vice City Lord. We must go to support him then!"


    Huang Baitao laughed heartily and then cast a mysterious glance at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, I had guessed that you would be going back, so I arranged for a gift for you!"


    "A gift?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Clap, clap!


    Huang Baitao clapped his hands twice, and Huang Zheng and Huang Yi entered from outside the door.


    In front of these two was a white-haired elder.


    This man was none other than the Seven-Star Alchemist Master Yuan from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.


    "This is��"


    Xiao Yi looked puzzled.


    Huang Baitao smiled and said, "I have already spoken with Master Yuan. He has agreed to go to Xiaoshanhe Institute to assist you for ten years. After ten years, you can send him back to Beast Emperor City!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned.


    As he pondered,


    the voice of Huang Baitao echoed in his mind, "Although Master Yuan indeed had dealings with Sha Kun, the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce is not easy to shake, and we cannot kill him. Now that your Xiaoshanhe Institute is being rebuilt, don''t you need more help? Master Yuan is a Seven-Star Alchemist, and his help will be only beneficial to your institute without a single drawback!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Huang Baitao, touched by his gesture.


    A Seven-Star Alchemist! No matter where, such a person is a top-tier existence.


    Huang Baitao could have kept him by his side, but instead, he offered Master Yuan to him. Although it was only for ten years, these ten years could very well bring Xue Bufan into the Seven-Star realm.


    Xiao Yi bowed to Huang Baitao and said solemnly, "Thank you, uncle!"


    "Hahaha, you''re being too polite!"


    Huang Baitao waved his hand dismissively. His gaze fell on Master Yuan, "Master Yuan, once you''re at Xiaoshanhe Institute, follow Xiao Yi''s orders without slackening. I will ensure the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce takes care of you!"


    "City Lord, rest assured, Master Yuan understands what''s important!"


    Master Yuan looked towards Xiao Yi and bowed, "Xiao, I hope for your care in the future!"


    "Master, you''re too courteous!"


    Xiao Yi returned the gesture meticulously.


    The group exchanged pleasantries for a while.


    Along arrived, signaling that the ship was about to set sail.


    Xiao Yi immediately took Along and Master Yuan and headed straight for the docks.


    Before long,


    Xiao Yi was boarding the colossal ten-thousand-meter ship, which was not the same one he had arrived on, but it was just as massive. The Shadow Demons were already resting inside the cabin, and Xiao Yi didn''t want to cause a big stir, so he didn''t call everyone together.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi had not noticed.


    From the moment he appeared on the docks, there were several eyes watching him secretly. When he boarded the ship, two Sky Eagles took off and disappeared into the vast ocean...

 Chapter 340 Meeting with the City Lord!

    Above the endless ocean.


    Huge waves reached for the sky, and the storm raged on ceaselessly, with the blue sea vast and limitless.


    A kilometer-long warship was positioned within the high waves.


    Rising and falling.


    This ship was about half a day''s distance from Linhai City, exactly blocking the essential sailing route for the ships returning from Beast Emperor City. Motionless, it resembled a hunter waiting patiently for his prey.


    On the ship.


    Xue Mantian stood at the bow with his hands clasped behind his back, facing the sea wind without so much as a frown.


    Suddenly.


    His gaze shifted toward the sky, just as a figure glided through the wind and waves, landing on his shoulder.


    Xue Mantian removed the envelope from the eagle''s claw.


    "They''ve already set out?"


    Xue Mantian squinted his eyes, and the envelope in his hand exploded with a bang, "I never imagined that the lad who once seemed no more than an ant could have come this far. However... this time you won''t have the aid of the experts from Baiyu, and I, Xue, will take your head personally!"


    Tap, tap, tap!


    A series of footsteps came from within the cabin.


    It was none other than two experts of the Dharma Manifestation Realm''s second stage, Xu Jinlong from Three Seas Mountain and Ge Ruoyi from Wendao Villa!


    Apart from these three great practitioners of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, on this ship, there were also powerhouses from the Nangong Family, the Beitang Family, and Xue Yilou from the Tao Tribulation Realm. Out of the hundreds of experts, there were as many as thirty from the Tao Tribulation Realm alone.


    Xu Jinlong stepped forward and said, "Xue, we''ve received news that Xiao Yi left Beast Emperor City yesterday and should arrive here in less than half a day!"


    Ge Ruoyi played with a dagger between his fingers and chuckled, "The Nangong Family sure thinks highly of Xiao Yi. The two of us alone could easily dispose of him, yet they even had you, Xue, make a personal appearance!"


    Xue Mantian was at the fourfold peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    He was quite a bit stronger than the two of them.


    Xue Mantian said indifferently, "This kid is not that simple; we must not allow any mistakes."


    "Xue, did you once cross paths with Xiao Yi in the Tianqing Kingdom?" Ge Ruoyi asked.


    Xue Mantian glanced at him and said expressionlessly, "It wasn''t quite a confrontation. But, that kid was indeed full of oddities. When I encountered him, he was merely at the Golden Core Realm. But now..."


    A look of astonishment flashed in his eyes.


    Even if he didn''t see Xiao Yi as a threat, Xue was still shocked by his innate talent for cultivation.


    From the Physical Body Realm to the Tao Tribulation Realm in just two short years.


    Such speed of cultivation was utterly astonishing!


    The two men were stunned. Continue reading on My Virtual Library Empire


    Ge Ruoyi nodded thoughtfully, "His progression in cultivation is indeed bizarre. The vice villa owner of Wendao Villa personally instructed me to force out his cultivation technique!"


    "And his Alchemy skills are said to be extremely fearsome as well," Xu Jinlong added somberly.


    Xue Mantian said lightly, "Have someone constantly watch the sea, we absolutely can''t let him get away!"


    "Rest assured!"


    "He has no chance of escape!"


    A cold, cruel smile spread across the faces of the three.


    ......


    It would take a full two days to reach Linhai City from Beast Emperor City.


    On the stormy, rain-lashed sea, a ten-kilometer gargantuan ship cut through the waves.


    Boom!


    A deafening roar echoed across the entire ship.


    The tremendously long vessel shook violently and came to an abrupt halt amidst the winds and waves, resulting in a chorus of curses from within the cabin: "What the hell?"


    "Did we hit a reef?"


    "What''s going on? Nearly shook me off the bed..."


    At that moment.


    An icy voice suddenly spread throughout the entire ship: "Xiao Yi, come out and face your death!"


    "Xiao Yi, come out and face your death!"


    "Come out and face your death!"


    The thunderous sounds reverberated through the storm and waves.


    The terrifying presence of the Dharma Manifestation Realm enveloped the ship in an instant.


    The mighty suppressive force of the Dharma Manifestation Realm caused the cursing to cease abruptly.


    People either left the cabin or looked through the windows to see what was happening outside.


    In the midst of the storm.


    Xue Mantian, Ge Ruoyi, and Xu Jinlong, leading a group of three, stood proudly atop the wind and waves, surrounded by hundreds of formidable experts lined up in a row. Just in the Tao Tribulation Realm alone, there were more than thirty people.


    Their momentum was grand, their presence overwhelming.


    The owner of the ship was a lean man, who had also reached the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, but faced with the pressure of the three great Dharma Manifestation figures, his face had gone pale, and he hurried forward, saying, "Jin Yu pays respects to the three seniors, may I ask the esteemed reasons for your visit?"


    "Let Xiao Yi roll out here, or this seat will have everyone on this ship join him in death!" Ge Ruoyi said with an icy expression.


    Jin Yu''s face changed drastically, and he responded quickly, "Seniors, might there be some misunderstanding? There... there''s no one called Xiao Yi on our ship..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xu Jinlong barked, his face full of scorn, "Do you think we have the time to be joking with you?"


    Xue Mantian said indifferently, "Xiao Yi, if you don''t come out now, don''t blame this seat for being ruthless!"


    At that moment.


    From inside the cabin, a series of curses could be heard: "Who is Xiao Yi? Get out there and face death quickly, don''t drag us into this!"


    "Xiao Yi, you get out there yourself, we don''t want to die for you!"


    Amidst the cursing of the crowd.


    Xiao Yi, with his hands behind his back, walked leisurely out from the cabin. Facing the howling wind and pelting rain, Xiao Yi wore an unchanging smile, amusingly watching Xue Mantian and the others suspended in mid-air.


    "Xiao Yi!"


    "You really are here!"


    Xue Mantian''s eyes showed a trace of coldness as he sneered, "Xiao Yi, long time no see, didn''t expect you''d still end up in my hands, did you?"


    Xiao Yi laughed as he glanced at the strong figures surrounding Xue Mantian. Although he was smiling, the killing intent in his eyes was increasingly cold: "Xue Mantian, long time no see! I''ve waited a long time for this day!"


    "Hm?"


    Xue Mantian was taken aback, looking at him puzzled, "You''ve been waiting for this day?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Ever since that day in the Tianqing Kingdom, I''ve been thinking non-stop about personally slaughtering you!"


    "..."


    Xue Mantian was at a loss for words.


    Ge Ruoyi laughed heartily, "Xiao Yi, who gave you the courage to even dream of provoking the Master of Xue Yilou?"


    "Leave aside the Master of Xue Yilou, even we could crush you as easily as crushing an ant!" Xu Jinlong looked at Xiao Yi, shaking his head with a disdainful smile.


    In their eyes...


    Those below Dharma Manifestation are merely ants!


    Xiao Yi wasn''t even at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, how could he possibly be their opponent?


    Xiao Yi cast a glance at Xue Mantian and the others, and said with a smile, "Xue Mantian, to come kill me, this few people you''ve brought just aren''t enough!"


    "Hahaha, that has to be the funniest joke I''ve ever heard in my life!"


    "Xiao Yi, to kill you we have deployed three great Dharma Manifestation figures, more than thirty Tao Tribulation Realm experts, nearly a hundred Golden Core Realm... we''ve already outnumbered you, and yet you say we''re not enough?"


    Xu Jinlong and the others shook their heads with laughter, faces full of mockery.


    Xiao Yi sighed, "This many people and you still talk about overwhelming with numbers? It seems you have a misunderstanding about what overwhelming with numbers truly means!"


    "Hm?" S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The group was momentarily taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Let me teach you what it means to ''overwhelm with numbers''!"


    Snap!


    Xiao Yi slowly snapped his fingers.


    All of a sudden.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    From the cabin, over a hundred figures burst forth at once.


    Leading them were none other than the four Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, Shadow Demon, Zhang Ling, Shu He, and Fu Yuan, followed by ninety-eight Tao Tribulation Realm experts, including Along.


    One hundred and two people, lined up behind Xiao Yi.


    Especially the formidable Shadow Demon, at the Fifth Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak, whose chill seemed to overshadow even Xue Mantian.


    "How, how could there be so many people?"


    "Good heavens! Four great Dharma Manifestations, and all the rest are Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    "Who are all these people?"


    As everyone was in a state of shock and uncertainty.


    Starting with Shadow Demon at the lead, the one hundred and two people turned simultaneously to look at Xiao Yi and spoke in unison, their voices thundering like a storm, eclipsing the sound of the fierce wind and rain, "We greet the Lord of the City!"

 Chapter 341 One Move is Enough!

    "Greetings, City Lord!"


    Over a hundred powerful individuals cried out in unison, their voices thunderous, drowning out the stormy weather.


    Their shouts reverberated between heaven and earth.


    Aboard the giant ship, tens of thousands of strong figures were intimidated by this noise, turning pale and standing agape.


    The three figures of Xue Mantian in the void were also clueless.


    "City Lord?"


    "Where does this City Lord come from? Could it be Huang Baitao, the City Lord of Beast Emperor City?"


    "Is he also on this ship?"


    Everyone looked bewildered, constantly scanning their surroundings, trying to locate this legendary City Lord.


    The three people from Xue Mantian looked at each other in confusion.


    Ge Ruoyi said in a deep voice, "Huang Baitao is a seventh-ranking power in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and it is said that he had an encounter with the Sea God and condensed the Sea God Dharma Idol. On the ocean, his combat power is nearly on par with a peak Dharma Manifestation Realm expert. If he is here, we must not offend him!"


    "Damn it, who would have thought Huang Baitao would be here. We can''t disturb him. We must make this a quick battle!" Xu Jinlong said, his expression grave.


    Xue Mantian nodded and called out loudly, "I was unaware of Huang''s presence; my offense was unintentional. I, Xue Mantian, am here on orders to capture Xiao Yi, and I had no intention of disturbing the City Lord!"


    "..."


    Yet no one inside the ship responded to him.


    While Xue Mantian was frowning,


    Shadow Demon and the others already stood up, looking at him with strange expressions on their faces.


    Suddenly...


    Xue Mantian''s face violently changed, the corners of his eyes twitching uncontrollably as he looked at Xiao Yi with disbelief.


    Gulp!


    Xue Mantian swallowed hard, a dreadful thought emerging in his mind, and he hastily shook his head: "Impossible, absolutely impossible..." S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire


    At that moment,


    Shadow Demon had already approached Xiao Yi, bowing and saying, "City Lord, this man dares to target your life. Please give the order to execute this criminal!"


    Hum!


    Xue Mantian''s complexion turned ashen.


    Ge Ruoyi and Xu Jinlong stood dumbfounded, their perplexed faces burning as if slapped dozens of times.


    What the hell!


    The City Lord is Xiao Yi?


    Xiao Yi is the City Lord who made the four major Dharma Manifestation experts and nearly a hundred Tao Tribulation experts bow?


    Gulp!


    A twitch appeared at the corner of Ge Ruoyi''s mouth as he tasted bitterness: "I, I must be hallucinating, right?"


    Xu Jinlong glanced at him blankly: "I, I seem to be hallucinating too. They are actually calling Xiao Yi the City Lord? Hehe, isn''t that funny..."


    Xue Mantian: "..."


    Funny my ass!


    Hallucinations my grandpa!


    All of this is real!


    Indeed, they were addressing Xiao Yi as the City Lord, and Xiao Yi was that City Lord whom the four major Dharma Manifestation experts and nearly a hundred Tao Tribulation experts willingly served!


    At this moment...


    Xue Mantian only wanted to flee for his life.


    Even just Shadow Demon alone was enough to make him feel his life was in jeopardy, not to mention the other three high-ranked Dharma Manifestation Realm experts and the nearly a hundred Calamity Realm powerhouses!


    He couldn''t imagine how the young man who could have been crushed by a mere finger not so long ago had in just a little over a year reached a height that he could only look up to.


    Xiao Yi looked on with a playful expression, staring intently at Xue Mantian and said with a smile, "Xue Mantian, Xue, weren''t you going to bully with numbers?"


    "..."


    Xue Mantian felt his face resounding with slaps.


    His face was burning from the metaphorical slaps!


    Xue Mantian said with a dark face, "Xiao Yi, I admit I underestimated you. I never thought that in just over a year, you would have come this far. Today I will take my loss, but the tables will turn. One day, you will fall into my hands!"


    Knowing he was no match, Xue Mantian decisively chose to retreat.


    Just the four major Dharma Manifestation experts were trouble enough for them, let alone nearly a hundred Tao Tribulation experts.


    This time, the attempt to kill Xiao Yi was already impossible!


    "Want to leave now? It''s too late!"


    Xiao Yi gave a cold smile and looked at Shadow Demon, "Leave Xue Mantian for me, kill all the others!"


    "Yes!"


    Shadow Demon nodded vigorously.


    Even he was no match for Xiao Yi, let alone Xue Mantian, a mere fourth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm?


    However...


    Xue Mantian, who was intent on fleeing, stopped in his tracks when he heard this, pointed at himself, and looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "What did you say? You want to kill me?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Why not?"


    "Interesting, really interesting. Xiao Yi, it seems that not only has your cultivation improved over the years, but you''ve also become completely arrogant. You, a mere Tao Tribulation Realm, think you can kill me? That''s utterly ridiculous. Since you''re determined to seek death, then I shall fulfill your wish!"


    Xue Mantian laughed heartily. He had thought there would be no chance to kill Xiao Yi. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yi was the one who delivered himself to the door. He turned to Ge Ruoyi and the others, "Hold them off, don''t let them get free to help Xiao Yi. Once I''ve killed this lad, we''ll make a quick escape!"


    "Rest assured!"


    "With such arrogance, Master Xue needs to teach him a good lesson!"


    Ge Ruoyi and his companion responded in succession.


    Xue Mantian said with confidence, "Rest assured, within three moves, I will have his head!"


    Looking at the confident Xue Mantian.


    Shadow Demon and the others shook their heads and sighed inwardly, "This idiot!"


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi had already soared into the sky, confronting Xue Mantian in the air above.


    Xue Mantian said confidently, "Within three moves, I will take your head!"


    "Three moves?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, a strange expression on his face, "Three moves are too many, one is enough!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Mantian was taken aback and then laughed, "It seems you''re not hopelessly arrogant after all, knowing that I only need one move to finish you off!"


    "Wait a minute!"


    Xiao Yi raised his hand to stop the self-satisfied Xue Mantian, saying seriously, "What I mean is, to kill you, I only need one move!"


    Huh?


    Xue Mantian''s face turned from red to white. He was, after all, a formidable fourth-level expert of the Dharma Manifestation Realm and the ninth master of Xue Yilou; even his peers wouldn''t dare claim they could beat him in one move.


    Xiao Yi was merely at the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    And yet he had the audacity to proclaim he could defeat Xue Mantian in one move?


    In Xue Mantian''s view, this was an intolerable humiliation and provocation.


    Xue Mantian laughed angrily, "One move? I shall stand right here, not moving an inch, and see how you can defeat me in one move!"


    "As you wish!"


    Xiao Yi''s smile suddenly vanished from his face.


    Whiz!


    His figure soared into the sky, and as the vital energy within him surged, the sky and earth changed color, and storms raged. Countless gales and thunderbolts fused into the palm of his hand, forming a purple-gold spear out of Wind Thunder.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi flung his hand.


    The purple-gold spear tore through the void, pulling along a golden trail of light, and headed straight towards Xue Mantian. The terrifying sound, accompanied by booming thunder, approached, and the horror of the energy fluctuation caused Xue Mantian''s smug smile to suddenly freeze.


    His eyes bulged with rage and filled with terror, "This... this power..."


    The might rolling off the purple-gold thunderous spear made Xue Mantian feel the threat of death; light surged around his body, forming a circular energy barrier.


    Shielding himself.


    Simultaneously.


    The purple-gold spear struck swiftly, and with a thunderous explosion, the energy barrier shattered instantly.


    Within the purple-gold light, thunder surged over the spear.


    Splat!


    The spear effortlessly pierced through Xue Mantian''s shoulder.


    Ahhh...


    Xue Mantian screamed miserably as he was thrown backward with the spear, crashing into the sea with a bang. A hundred-foot-high wave rose into the sky, and Xiao Yi hovered in the air, gazing at the sea surface as it returned to calm.


    He reached out with his palm.


    Whoosh!


    A vast whirlpool appeared on the surface of the sea, and a water tornado shot up into the sky. Within that watery vortex, the pale-faced Xue Mantian was grasped by the neck by Xiao Yi and lifted up in front of him, "You, have lost!"

 Chapter 342 My Word Is The Evidence!

    "You lost!"


    Xiao Yi grasped Xue Mantian''s throat with one hand, lifting him to face himself, his expression void of emotion as he spoke.


    The purple-gold lightning spear above Xue Mantian''s shoulder had vanished, but blood continued to gush profusely from the gaping wound.


    His pale face was filled with intense shock and disbelief.


    Staring fixedly at Xiao Yi.


    In his eyes, there was also a hint of sudden realization and confusion.


    Once upon a time...


    Back in the Tianqing Kingdom, Xiao Yi was as insignificant as an ant in his presence, not even capable of resisting. But now, in just a little over a year, Xiao Yi had risen to heights he could only look up to. S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Pu!


    Xue Mantian''s mouth uncontrollably spewed out a mouthful of fresh blood, his eyes crimson as he stared at Xiao Yi, "I, I never imagined that in just a short year, you could become so strong. However, if you dare to kill me, Xue Yilou will never let you off!"


    Xue Yilou, the most formidable assassination organization of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Behind it stood a weighty figure of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Within the vast ranks of Xue Yilou, even Xue Mantian, who was just the ninth floor''s master, had already reached the fourth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    This meant that there were at least eight others stronger than him.


    It was unquestionably a force that could not be ignored.


    However...


    Xiao Yi, with an expressionless face, said indifferently, "Xue Yilou? If they don''t provoke me, then fine, but if they dare... I''ll kill them one by one, a pair for every pair that comes..."


    Overbearing, confident.


    In this moment, Xiao Yi exuded a disdainful coldness that overlooked everything under the heavens.


    "Xue Mantian, let me send you on your final journey!"


    Xiao Yi''s hand suddenly exerted force.


    Ka-chak!


    Xue Mantian''s head tilted to the side, life extinguished completely.


    At the same time.


    Shadow Demon and the others had also dealt with Zhang Ling and Shu He, as well as the hundreds of strong individuals from various powers.


    Bodies drifted in the sea water, fresh red blood saturating the surrounding area.


    Moving with the waves.


    Stirring up waves of crimson foam.


    Not far away...


    Some beasts eyed them greedily, just waiting for Xiao Yi and his group to leave so they could launch a fierce attack to contest the corpses floating in the water.


    Xiao Yi stepped onto the deck.


    All the powerhouses on the ship shivered, looking at him with awe on their faces.


    Xiao Yi looked at the ship''s master and said indifferently, "Gather up all these bodies!"


    "Yes!"


    The ship''s master, not daring to disobey, immediately sent men to begin collecting the corpses.


    An hour later.


    All the bodies had been retrieved, the ship''s master looked at Xiao Yi uneasily, "Sir, some of the bodies were too fragmented, we could only find some pieces, the rest have been collected!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, noticing that many of the bodies on the deck were missing arms and legs.


    Zhang Ling touched his nose, his expression awkward, "Xiao, I''m really sorry, I just couldn''t hold it any longer!"


    Zhang Ling had achieved a hundred victories in the Slave Battlefield ten years ago, and after that, he was imprisoned by Sha Kun and spent the last decade in a dark and sunless dungeon.


    Now that he was free, he had finally encountered a fight where he could go all out without any restraint.


    Naturally, he had to vent thoroughly.


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and waved his hand, "It''s fine, just remember to be more measured next time!"


    Too much bloodshed is not good!


    Zhang Ling nodded, "Don''t worry, in the future, I''ll try to leave them intact!"


    *Thump*


    The ship''s master''s legs went weak, nearly kneeling on the ground.


    Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire


    What the hell!


    What kind of people are these?


    Being more measured means leaving a whole corpse?


    The ship''s master''s head was practically buried in his chest; he dared not lift his eyes to look at these fearsome and threatening figures!


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and ordered, "Tie all these corpses to that small boat; we ourselves will pilot the small boat back!"


    "Ah?"


    The captain was taken aback.


    He had thought that Xiao Yi would ask them to take the small boat and the bodies back, and he was worried about being implicated. To his surprise, Xiao Yi volunteered this request, leaving the captain utterly grateful; he knelt on the ground and said, "Thank you, sir, for your mercy!"


    "This matter has nothing to do with you; there is no need for such actions!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively.


    Then, the group took the bodies of Xue Mantian and the others to the small boat, hanging them around the small ship before sailing towards Linhai City.


    That vast ship, however, followed far behind.


    Half a day later.


    Linhai City appeared in their sight.


    Shu He steered the boat mightily towards Linhai City.


    Linhai is the only port of the Great Qian Dynasty that leads into Beast Emperor City. Countless ships come and go every day; among them are gigantic ships thousands of meters in length.


    Their thousand-meter-long small ship was unremarkable in the port of Linhai City.


    But now...


    As soon as Xiao Yi''s ship appeared, it caused a sensation.


    This sensation spread through the entire Linhai City harbor like a plague: "Look over there, why is that ship tied with so many bodies?"


    "Wait, I recognize that person; he is a strong warrior from Three Seas Mountain!"


    "That is the Taoist robe of Wendao Villa..."


    "Is that person tied at the bow wearing clothes from Xue Yilou? Isn''t that Xue Mantian, the ninth master of Xue Yilou? My heavens, how could he also be dead?"


    The entire dock was boiling over with excitement.


    Astonishment and terror were written all over the faces of countless powerhouses as they looked at each other.


    Fearing they were caught in an illusion.


    Clang clang clang!


    Amidst the sound of clashing metal, a troop of over a thousand people surged into the dock - it was Linhai City''s enforcement military.


    Leading them was none other than the city lord of Linhai City, the second-ranked General Li Bin.


    Li Bin was clad in silver battle armor and riding a Sea Dragon Horse, his eyes filled with gravity. He had only received news of a ship full of corpses entering Linhai City and had immediately come with the enforcement soldiers.


    Not until he saw with his own eyes this little ship teeming with severed heads did Li feel a chill engulfing his body.


    The situation has blown up!


    That was Li Bin''s first reaction.


    He recognized not only Xue Mantian but also Ge Ruoyi.


    The hundreds of corpses on this ship included powerhouses from Three Seas Mountain, Wendao Villa, the Nangong Family, the Beitang Family, and Xue Yilou!


    Which one of them was easy to provoke?


    Rumble!


    The small ship docked at the shore.


    A group of figures walked out from the cabin, with Xiao Yi at the forefront, followed closely by the Shadow Demon, Fu Yuan, Zhang Ling, and Shu He. Then came Along and the other ninety-eight Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses.


    Hiss!


    The appearance of these hundred-plus people, four Dharma Manifestation Realm, and over a hundred Tao Tribulation Realm, seemed to calm the turbulent waters of the harbor.


    Everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound.


    Sweat poured down Li Bin''s forehead; he too was at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, but among this group, there were more than a dozen whose aura was no less than his.


    Especially the Shadow Demon and the other three, each of them was unfathomable to him.


    Gulp!


    Li Bin desperately swallowed, his previous assertive aura completely doused. He stepped forward and said, "City Lord Li Bin of Linhai bids welcome to all the distinguished guests!"


    "City Lord Li!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I am Xiao Yi!"


    "Xiao Yi?"


    Li Bin was taken aback, his pupils suddenly narrowing, "You, you are Xiao, the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Xiao Yi hummed affirmatively, then pointing to the corpses of Xue Mantian and others, he spoke indifferently, "These people attacked me and have all been executed. You need not trouble yourself, City Lord Li!"


    "This..."


    Li Bin hesitated. Xiao Yi''s reputation was indeed not weak, but it still didn''t compare to the intimidating power of Xue Yilou, the Nangong Family, and the Beitang Family. In a grave voice, Li Bin said, "Director Xiao, this is a matter of great importance. You say they attacked you, do you have any evidence?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as he scanned Li Bin.


    The Shadow Demon and the others behind him also turned their gaze towards Li Bin.


    Thud!


    Li Bin trembled all over, feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, with darkness, despair, and bone-chilling cold enshrouding him.


    He only heard Xiao Yi''s icy voice ringing in his ears, "My word is the evidence!"

 Chapter 343 Taking You to See the Play!

    "My words are evidence!"


    Xiao Yi''s face sported a frosty hue as he stared intently at Li Bin, enunciating each word, "What? Do you have an objection?"


    Gulp!


    Li Bin swallowed reflexively.


    His complexion turned deathly white.


    Under Xiao Yi''s oppressive aura, it felt as if an invisible giant hand was clutching his throat, leaving him unable to make the slightest sound. Even his legs were trembling. He could only muster the strength to stand before Xiao Yi.


    Whew!


    Li Bin let out a long breath of foul air and said somberly, "Director Xiao jests. This subordinate wouldn''t dare have any opinion." After a pause, he asked, "Director Xiao, would you like this subordinate to send someone to help you handle these corpses?"


    "No need!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and then looked toward Shadow Demon and the others, "Take down the masts on the ship for me, and hang their corpses on them. We''re heading back to the imperial capital!"


    "Yes!"


    The Shadow Demon and the rest promptly took action.


    The masts were disassembled.


    One by one, corpses were suspended from the masts.


    A total of ten masts.


    Each one hung with more than a dozen bodies, shouldered by two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses. Xiao Yi swept his gaze over Li Bin and said indifferently, "City Lord Li, I shall take my leave first!"


    Swish!


    A group of figures soared into the sky.


    As he watched the ten masts laden with corpses, Li Bin felt a chill run down his spine and could no longer stand, collapsing to the ground with a thud. Breathing heavily, his pale face was filled with shock and fear, and he looked toward the enforcing soldiers at his side, "Quick, send a message to the imperial capital..."


    He looked up at Xiao Yi and the others, growing distant and disappearing into the void.


    Li Bin realized he was soaked in cold sweat and murmured to himself, "It''s over, this is going to cause major trouble!"


    ...��


    In the imperial capital, Xuanwu Square.


    This vast square located in Beicheng was the main battlefield for the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s Genius Battle, set to begin in half an hour.


    But now...


    The grand Xuanwu Square was nearly empty.


    Eerily desolate.


    Hai Wei, Yu Huaxian, and Li Jinjun sat on a high platform, and their expressions were somber.


    Swish!


    Amidst a whooshing sound.


    Ye Heng''s figure appeared in the square. He bowed to the three of them and said solemnly, "Three elders, I have ascertained the situation. Everyone has gone to the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?"


    "The one established by Chen Shuiwen and others?"


    The three Yu Huaxian were taken aback.


    Chen Shuiwen, after leaving the Xiaoshanhe Institute, was set on creating a martial arts academy of his own.


    Through the connections of Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao,


    Chen Shuiwen got in touch with heavyweights such as Three Seas Mountain, Wendao Villa, the Beitang Family, and the Nangong Family. Supported by these giants, Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa dispatched experts to populate the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    The Beitang and Nangong families provided herbal and alchemical resources.


    The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, even before its establishment, had already overshadowed the Xiaoshanhe Institute in terms of influence.


    "They changed their inaugural grand ceremony, originally scheduled seven days from now, to today. Anyone attending the founding ceremony will receive ten pieces of silver as a gift. Right now, the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy has gathered several hundred thousand people, and��"


    Ye Heng nodded gravely and continued, "I have just heard that Chen Shuiwen announced that anyone who joins the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy today and becomes its disciple will receive resources for cultivation worth a hundred thousand pieces of silver. Moreover, those with exceptional talent can even become disciples of masters in the Tao Tribulation Realm and even the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Now, everyone is heading there!"


    Hiss!


    Yu Huaxian and the others'' faces changed simultaneously.


    All the hustle and bustle of the world is for profit.


    Just by attending the opening ceremony, one could receive ten Silver, which was hardly different from picking it up for free; naturally, the common folk would head that way.


    Moreover, simply by joining the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy today, one could obtain cultivation resources worth a hundred thousand Silver��these offerings alone could attract countless powerhouses to give it a try.


    A hundred thousand Silver!


    For many people of modest family background, that was a substantial sum.


    And more importantly...


    They could possibly become disciples under masters of the Tao Tribulation Realm and Dharma Manifestation Realm, a dream coveted by so many, wasn''t it?


    Chen Shuiwen''s move hit the Xiaoshanhe Institute right where it hurt!


    Bang!


    Yu Huaxian slammed his hands hard on the table, his eyes a fiery red: "That bastard Chen Shuiwen, he wants to put an end to our talent competition!"


    "What are we to do now? Before Xiao left, we promised that there would be no issues, but now..." Hai Wei said with a worried face.


    Li Jinjun offered a wry smile, "Shall we... raise the rewards too?"


    This was their first mission after siding with the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    If they messed this up...


    How could they continue to mix in at the Xiaoshanhe Institute in the future?


    Yu Huaxian shook his head: "It''s no use!" S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute, at best, had the trillion Silver that Xiao Yi won, whereas behind Chen Shuiwen''s Shanhe Martial Arts Academy stood multiple forces like Three Seas Mountain, Wendao Villa, the Beitang Family, and the Nangong Family.


    Any one of these forces was wealthier than the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire


    In terms of money, resources, and foundation...


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute had no advantage whatsoever.


    As they were pondering...


    A streak of golden light descended from the sky, landing instantly before them. This golden light was none other than Little Lin, who stood upright with a human-like grin, "It looks like you guys are in trouble!"


    "Little Lin?"


    "Why have you come back? Where''s Xiao Yi? Didn''t he return with you?"


    Yu Huaxian and Ye Heng were taken aback, looking around, yet they found no trace of Xiao Yi.


    Little Lin chuckled and scanned Ye Heng, "Little Ye, not bad at all! Already at the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. It seems that you haven''t been slacking off in the days I was away!"


    "Uncle Master Little Lin..."


    Ye Heng gave a wry smile, "Shouldn''t we be more worried about other matters right now?"


    Little Lin nodded, "Don''t worry, the boss already knows about the situation here. He sent me to tell you guys, the talent competition is on hold, and he wants you all to go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to watch the show!"


    "Go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to watch the show?"


    Yu Huaxian and the others were stunned.


    Ye Heng''s eyes shone, "Is Master at Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?"


    Little Lin nodded.


    Yu Huaxian laughed heartily, the gloom on his face clearing entirely, as he looked at Hai Wei and Li Jinjun, "Let''s go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, we finally get to see Xiao Yi take action personally again!"


    Since they had wiped out the Great Jin Kingdom, it had been some time since he had seen Xiao Yi in action.


    Hai Wei and the others were taken aback.


    Li Jinjun murmured, "Xiao Yi indeed is a real dragon among men, but the forces behind Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are formidable, what good can he do by coming back alone?"


    Little Lin glanced at him, speaking lightly, "You''ll find out soon enough!"


    Everyone promptly headed in the direction of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Each person''s heart was filled with both confusion and anticipation.


    The Xiao Yi, who had created countless miracles before, how would he deal with Shanhe Martial Arts Academy this time?

 Chapter 344 The Mountain Opening Ceremony

    Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Located in the bustling East City, this estate originally belonged to the Nangong Family, which was used to support Chen Shuiwen in establishing the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to counter the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The Nangong and Beitang Families bought up more than a dozen other courtyards in the vicinity.


    It is said.


    That just the land in the area where the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is situated cost a total of 500 billion Silver Taels.


    That''s real, genuine silver.


    "This Shanhe Martial Arts Academy really is luxurious!"


    "How could it not be luxurious? I heard that they even invited a seven-star Formation Master from the Tianjian Sect to set up a Spirit Gathering Array. The vitality of heaven and earth inside the academy is five times that of the outside, which has significantly boosted the heaven and earth vitality throughout the entire imperial capital!"


    "This is way more generous than the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Isn''t that the truth? That''s why almost all the participants from the previous Talent Battle have rushed over here!"


    "The people from Xiaoshanhe Institute must be crying. They went through so much trouble to hold a Talent Battle, only for no one to show up..."


    Hundreds of thousands of people gathered outside the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, clogging up Xuanwu Avenue so tight that not even water could flow through. Among the crowd, members of the Nangong and Beitang Families occasionally moved through, distributing Silver Taels.


    Anyone willing to come to the opening ceremony of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy would receive ten Silver Taels.


    This gimmick really attracted quite a crowd. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Inside the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face was alight with excitement as he watched the sea of people outside and smiled at Nangong Shengtian beside him, "Ancestor Nangong, you truly are wise and resourceful! You''ve managed to make the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s doors beg for visitors, by spending just a few million Silver Taels!"


    "Don''t underestimate these ten Silver Taels. People are greedy, and nobody wants to miss out on a pie falling from the sky," Nangong Shengtian said calmly.


    Beitang Feng also laughed scornfully, "To think that Xiao Yi, a boy whose whiskers haven''t even fully grown, would dare to compete with us? He''s simply a moth flying into the flame!"


    Sun Zhengyi stood by with a flattering look on his face, "Chancellor, honored ancestors, the time is almost upon us. We should head to the front and host the opening ceremony!"


    "Hmm!"


    Nangong Sheng nodded his head and made a welcoming gesture to Chen, smiling, "Chancellor Chen, you are today''s star. Please, after you!"


    "Thank you, Ancestor Nangong. Then I won''t be courteous!"


    Chen Shuiwen laughed heartily with a ruddy complexion, striding forward with the vigor of a dragon and the step of a tiger.


    Vital energy radiated wildly from his body, already showing signs of leaking out.


    The Sword Inquiry Taoist watched his receding figure and murmured, "He is truly worthy of that person''s favor; in just a few days, Chen Shuiwen has made such great progress. With his condition, he can already step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. I suspect he''s been purposely suppressing it until today to make a breakthrough!"


    "That person has controlled Xue Yilou for many years, and his power is certainly not inferior to yours or mine," Yun Ruowang said indifferently.


    Nangong Sheng smiled, "Now that he stands with us, the stronger his power, the better for us." He paused, narrowed his eyes, and shook his head with a sigh, "It''s a pity, though, that we won''t be able to see Xiao Yi''s expression when he sees all this!"


    "In another two or three days, Xue Mantian will probably be able to bring his head back, right?"


    As everyone talked.


    They had arrived at the gate of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    A series of resonant bell tolls suddenly rang out, quieting the noise from the hundreds of thousands of onlookers on Xuanwu Avenue, as they all turned to look toward the huge vermillion gate of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Above the gate, a bright red sash concealed the plaque.


    At the time of the opening ceremony.


    Chen Shuiwen himself would uncover the red cloth, and at that moment, the red gates thundered and slowly swung open.


    "They''re coming out!"


    "Is that Chen Shuiwen, the headmaster of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Look behind him; isn''t that Ancestor Nangong Shengtian from the Nangong Family? And Beitang Feng from the Beitang Family..."


    "Those two are Yun Ruowang, the Deputy Sect Master of Three Seas Mountain, and the Sword Inquiry Taoist, the Deputy Master of Wendao Villa!"


    "It seems the rumors are true; the forces behind the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are much stronger than those behind the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Besides, inside the academy, there is even a Heaven and Earth Vitality Gathering Array that boosts vitality by five times. Why bother with the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    For a moment,


    The crowd was abuzz with excitement.


    "Ahem!"


    Chen Shuiwen cleared his throat, and his voice spread among the people, proclaiming loudly, "Today is the grand opening of our Shanhe Court. First and foremost, I thank you all for coming to witness the event..."


    A series of tedious ramblings.


    "As everyone knows, I, Chen Shuiwen, was once the Deputy Headmaster of the Xiaoshanhe Institute; however, due to the machinations of some petty individuals, I was forced to leave. After my departure, all instructors and over sixty percent of the disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute chose to leave with me. To avoid disappointing them, I began preparations for this Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    Chen Shuiwen''s voice grew heavier as he continued, "Your presence here today proves that you trust me, Chen Shuiwen. I assure you that by joining the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, you will be provided with cultivation resources worth one hundred thousand Silver Taels. Those who are exceptionally talented may even have the chance to become disciples of masters in the Tao Tribulation Realm and Dharma Manifestation Realm, gaining access to even more cultivation resources. Ancestor Nangong and the others can vouch for this!"


    Ancestor Nangong Shengtian nodded and said, "My Nangong Family will fully support Headmaster Chen''s Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    Beitang Feng added, "My Beitang Family will fully support Headmaster Chen!"


    Yun Ruowang declared, "Three Seas Mountain will send ten Tao Tribulation Realm cultivators and one Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator to take residence at the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Wendao Villa has decided to send ten cultivators in the Tao Tribulation Realm and one in the Dharma Manifestation Realm to reside in the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!" The Sword Inquiry Taoist, his gaze sharp as a blade, swept over the crowd and said indifferently.


    Boom!


    An ecstatic cheer suddenly erupted among the crowd.


    With just Wendao Villa and Three Seas Mountain, they were supporting the academy with twenty Tao Tribulation Realm and two Dharma Manifestation Realm masters.


    Additionally, the Nangong and Beitang Families were providing pill and medicinal herb resources.


    The teaching faculty and the resources of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy far exceeded those of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    "I heard that the strongest in the Xiaoshanhe Institute is only at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and they don''t even have a Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator!"


    "The entire Xiaoshanhe Institute has less than ten people in the Tao Tribulation Realm. How can they even compare?"


    "I was thinking of having my son attend the genius battle at Xiaoshanhe Institute, but now it seems there''s no need to choose. The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is obviously the right choice..."


    Hearing the discussions among the crowd, the smile on Chen Shuiwen''s face became even brighter.


    "Ladies and gentlemen..."


    Chen Shuiwen, his face aglow with joy, continued to speak, "I would like to express my gratitude here to the Nangong and Beitang Families, Three Seas Mountain, and Wendao Villa for their generous support. At the same time, today, at the grand opening of my Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, I, Chen Shuiwen, have another piece of great news to announce!"


    "Great news?"


    "What on earth could it be?"


    The crowd looked puzzled.


    The corners of Chen Shuiwen''s mouth turned up slightly, and a terrifying aura suddenly surged to the heavens from him.


    His cultivation was climbing rapidly.


    He had reached the pinnacle of the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, and at the same time, a black cloud began to gather above him. The wind and clouds churned, lightning tumbled, and with a loud laugh, Chen Shuiwen rose slowly into the air, "Today, I, Chen Shuiwen, will step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. I invite you all to bear witness!"


    "Damn, is Headmaster Chen about to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm?"


    "Doesn''t that mean Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will have three great Dharma Manifestation Realm masters presiding over it?"


    Just as everyone was expressing their amazement and Chen Shuiwen was wearing a look of pride, at that moment, a mocking voice came from the void: "Are we here to witness your failed tribulation?"

 Chapter 345 I, Can Help You!

    A sardonic and cold voice suddenly spread throughout heaven and earth.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face, previously filled with self-satisfaction, abruptly froze, his eyes lifted in shock as he turned towards the source of the sound, pupils shrinking abruptly as he exclaimed in disbelief, "Xiao Yi? How could it possibly be you?"


    Within his line of sight.


    Xiao Yi was approaching, walking in mid-air, his hands behind his back, his face carrying a taunting gaze as he looked at Chen Shuiwen.


    At the entrance.


    Nangong Shengtian, Beitang Feng, Sword Inquiry Taoist, and Yun Ruowang were all exchanging unbelieving looks, saying with shock, "How can this be? Could it be that Xue Mantian has failed?"


    "With Xue Mantian''s pinnacle cultivation in the Fourth Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, plus the help of Zhang Ling and another, how could they possibly fail?"


    "Could it be that they did not encounter Xiao Yi?"


    "Damn, this brat is really lucky!"


    Everyone was seething with irritation.


    In their opinion...


    If Xiao Yi had encountered Xue Mantian and the others, he would surely have only one path��to death.


    Now that Xiao Yi was able to appear here, it must be that Xue Mantian and the others had not met him. At this moment, Nangong Shengtian and the others could not possibly have imagined that Xue Mantian and his compatriots had already perished at Xiao Yi''s hands.


    In mid-air.


    Chen Shuiwen, his face icy, stared at Xiao Yi, his expression had returned to normal, and he laughed coldly, "You really are lucky... But this is also good, to let you see with your own eyes, your Xiaoshanhe Institute being trampled under my feet, this would satisfy the hatred in my heart!"


    "Trample my Xiaoshanhe Institute under your feet? With just you?"


    Xiao Yi laughed, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a thick sneer.


    Chen Shuiwen snorted coldly, saying arrogantly, "Xiao Yi, I admit you are strong and talented, but I now have the backing of Xue Yilou, both the Nangong and Beitang Families, as well as Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa. Moreover, I am about to traverse the Heavenly Tribulation and step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. What do you have to contend with me?"


    "Heavenly Tribulation?"


    Xiao Yi looked up at the tribulation clouds covering ten miles of the sky, the corner of his mouth curling slightly.


    When I broke through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, I drew a Heavenly Tribulation that spanned a hundred miles.


    You''re breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and you only draw a ten-mile-wide Heavenly Tribulation.


    Why do you feel so proud?


    Chen Shuiwen, observing Xiao Yi''s silence, assumed Xiao Yi was intimidated by the might of the Heavenly Tribulation and straightened his spine, his smile growing more proud, "Xiao Yi, open your eyes wide and see clearly��this is the might of Dharma Manifestation. Once I achieve Dharma Manifestation, with support from Ancestor Nangong and the others, my Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will surely trample your Xiaoshanhe Institute under its feet. Hahaha..."


    Boom!


    Chen Shuiwen soared into the sky.


    Rumbling!


    Above the heavens, the pitch-black clouds teemed with zigzagging purple-golden lightning.


    Thunderous roars reverberated, deafening to the ears.


    On Xuanwu Avenue, countless citizens who had never seen such a terrifying heavenly might exclaimed in fear, "Is this the Heavenly Tribulation? Chen is able to draw such a terrifying Heavenly Tribulation; his power is indeed formidable!"


    "Chen is about to step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. With the support of the Nangong Family, the rise of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is within sight!"


    Listening to the praises of the crowd.


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    Chen Shuiwen, full of conceit, bellowed, "Everyone, today is the day I, Chen Shuiwen, overcome the tribulation. Open your eyes wide and watch how I, Chen Shuiwen, defy the heavens..."


    Boom!


    Silver light radiated around Chen Shuiwen, expanding to a hundred feet, as if he were a silver War God himself.


    Swish!


    He leapt into the air, hurtling toward the thunderclouds.


    Watching the lightning roar above, the purple-golden rays within the black clouds flickering uncertainly, the terrifying Heavenly Tribulation brewing, ready to strike.


    But at that moment...


    Xiao Yi''s voice once again reached Chen Shuiwen''s ears, "Since Chen wishes to perform a heaven-defying act for everyone to see, how could I, Xiao Yi, come empty-handed? Let me add a few bricks and mortar to your grand feat!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Shuiwen, single-mindedly preparing to traverse his tribulation and showcase his mighty power, stiffened.


    He whipped around, staring incredulously at Xiao Yi.


    A look of terror crept into his eyes.


    Even his voice trembled, "Xiao Yi, what do you want to do?"


    "No good!"


    "Xiao Yi is planning to enhance the power of the heavenly tribulation!"


    "Damn it, we must stop him..."


    "Don''t even think about intervening, if our power is detected by the heavenly tribulation, it will only make its power grow stronger."


    Nangong Shengtian and others turned pale and helpless.


    Beitang Feng growled with rage, "Chen Shuiwen, that idiot, should have found a safe place to hide while undergoing tribulation, but he chose to do it in front of a crowd to show off. This has provided Xiao Yi with an opportunity, yet we can only watch helplessly. What should we do..."


    In order to inaugurate the grand opening ceremony of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, they had exhausted every means and effort to attract all the attention of the imperial capital.


    If Chen Shuiwen could safely get through the tribulation, naturally, it would enhance the prestige.


    But if he failed, it would be disgraceful!


    Hum!


    The aura of the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm emanating from Xiao Yi immediately made the heavenly tribulation restless. The roaring sound was deafening, and the purple-gold lightning surged without stopping, causing the clouds of tribulation to swell abruptly.


    From a ten-mile radius, it directly climbed to twenty miles.


    Thirty miles.


    Forty miles...


    It surged to a fifty-mile radius.


    The power of the heavenly tribulation increased by more than fivefold, the terrifying heavenly might caused Chen Shuiwen''s bones to crackle and his body was soaked with cold sweat.


    Gurgle!


    Chen Shuiwen turned deathly pale, "It''s over, it''s over, how can I possibly get through such a tribulation?"


    Boom!


    The first lightning strike of the heavenly tribulation violently descended.


    "Taiji without limits!"


    Chen Shuiwen ran his Qi to its limits throughout his body, forming a Qi Taiji above his head, hoping to fend off the heavenly tribulation.


    Crack!


    The bucket-thick lightning shattered the Qi Taiji.


    The terrible lightning engulfed him in an instant. Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wow!


    Chen Shuiwen screamed miserably, his body charred, falling from the sky.


    With a thud, he crashed to the ground.


    In a huge pit, the second bolt of heavenly tribulation struck down violently, and a ghastly scream emerged from within the pit: "Awooo..."


    "Damn it!"


    "Is this a tribulation failure?"


    "How can it not be a failure? Chen Shuiwen''s realm was forced through with the secret techniques of Xue Yilou, and now the tribulation has increased fivefold, how could he withstand it?"


    Nangong Sheng and the others looked at each other, their faces also turning grim.


    And at this moment, they couldn''t even intervene!


    After all.


    That was the heavenly tribulation!


    Fortunately, there was a brief interval before the third lightning, and Chen Shuiwen, covered in soot and spitting blood, climbed out of the pit with a wretched face, emitting a puff of black smoke from his mouth.


    Chen Shuiwen looked at Nangong Shengtian and others: "Ancestor Nangong, help, help me..."


    Nangong Shengtian was powerless to assist: "Sorry, there''s nothing I can do!"


    The Sword Inquiry Taoist and others also had bitter expressions on their faces.


    Watching the purple-gold lightning reaccumulate within the tribulation clouds above, Chen Shuiwen''s face turned green with fright. Just as he was losing all hope, Xiao Yi''s voice reached his ears: "Need help? I can help you!"

 Chapter 346 Sword Slashing the Heavenly Tribulation

    "I can help you!"


    Xiao Yi squatted in front of the pit, smiling as he looked at the Chen Shuiwen before him.


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    On Chen Shuiwen''s pitch-black face, two blood-stained eyes stared fixedly at Xiao Yi, and he sneered, "You? It''d be good enough if you don''t kill me. How could you possibly help me? Besides, this is the Heavenly Tribulation..."


    In Chen Shuiwen''s view,


    It would be good enough if Xiao Yi didn''t kill him.


    How could he possibly help him?


    Besides...


    Nangong Shengtian and the others were powerless against the Heavenly Tribulation''s might. How could Xiao Yi possibly help him?


    At this moment,


    The third thunderbolt from the sky above suddenly descended, a thick, purple-gold lightning bolt coalesced into a mighty dragon, twisting its massive body as it fell from the heavens.


    In an instant, it illuminated half of the sky, seemingly about to strike right behind Xiao Yi.


    In the nick of time,


    Xiao Yi, without turning his head, simply slapped his hand out!


    Hum!


    That terrifying thunderbolt suddenly froze, followed by a surge of peerless elemental power, ascending rebelliously. It enveloped that bolt of lightning and, with a hissing sound, shattered the thick thunderbolt completely.


    Hiss!


    On Xuanwu Avenue, a collective gasp rang out.


    "Impossible!"


    "This is the Heavenly Tribulation! How could Xiao Yi shatter the Heavenly Tribulation with just a slap?"


    "Has the power of the Heavenly Tribulation weakened? No, that''s not right. With nine levels of Heavenly Tribulation, each level is stronger than the last... How did Xiao Yi do it?"


    Everyone was dumbfounded.


    Chen Shuiwen was even more dumbstruck, staring at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "You, you, you..."


    Xiao Yi shook his hand, purple-gold lightning snakes coursing around his palm before they disappeared into his hand. Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Now do you believe that I can help you?"


    Chen Shuiwen showed hesitation on his face.


    Xiao Yi continued, "There are still six more levels of the Heavenly Tribulation to go! You can take your time to think about it!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi withdrew and retreated quickly.


    Simultaneously...


    The fourth thunderbolt of Heavenly Tribulation fell, its terrifying divine might turning Chen Shuiwen''s complexion ashen. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I refuse to believe that I can''t withstand a thunderbolt that can be destroyed by a slap from that kid!"


    Hum!


    Silver light swirled around Chen Shuiwen''s body, as if he was a giant formed of poured silver.


    In his palm, a purple-gold long knife hummed and slashed towards the thunderbolt. However, when that fifth-grade weapon touched the lightning, there was a loud crack, and the combat knife was cleaved apart and destroyed by the lightning.


    With its impediment gone, the lightning struck Chen Shuiwen directly.


    Boom!


    This bolt of lightning connected heaven and earth, blowing up the area where Chen Shuiwen stood, creating a ten-meter-deep pit in the ground. Spitting out blood, Chen Shuiwen embarrassedly crawled out of the pit.


    Seeing the fifth wave of the Heavenly Tribulation about to descend,


    Chen Shuiwen no longer dared to be arrogant and quickly looked at Xiao Yi, transmitting his voice, "Xiao Yi, save me!"


    Xiao Yi dug at his ear as if he hadn''t heard a thing.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned from green to white, fully aware of Xiao Yi''s intentions; he was expected to loudly beg Xiao Yi for help. But doing so would surely damage his reputation!


    The Headmaster of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy asking for help to survive the tribulation?


    Yet his life was at stake now.


    Chen Shuiwen took a deep breath, and under the threat of death, he closed his eyes and bellowed, "Headmaster Xiao, please save me!"


    "Didn''t Headmaster Chen claim he would trample the Xiaoshanhe Institute underfoot? Now he''s actually begging Headmaster Xiao for help?"


    "I thought Headmaster Xiao handled the Heavenly Tribulation very easily earlier. Why is it so difficult when it reaches Headmaster Chen? Could it be that Headmaster Chen is too weak?"


    The surrounding hundreds of thousands of onlookers all turned their eyes to Chen Shuiwen, murmuring amongst themselves.


    Prior to this...


    Chen Shuiwen was as humiliated as he had been arrogant and smug, and at this moment, his face couldn''t have been more scandalized!


    His complexion turned to the ugliest shade, his eyes nearly bleeding tears. He had gone to great lengths and spared no expense to gather these people here, timed perfectly with the day the geniuses'' battle began, for the grand opening of his institution.


    He had hoped to severely dampen the spirits of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, but now everyone was laughing at him instead.


    Chen Shuiwen felt so mortified, he practically wished for death!


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said coolly, "Is this how you ask someone for help?"


    "I..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned incredibly ugly as the fifth bolt of Heavenly Tribulation struck down, burying him underground once again. This time, he broke four ribs, suffered internal injuries in all organs, and blood spewed from his every orifice.


    If he delayed any further...


    At most, by the seventh strike of the Heavenly Tribulation, his life would be over.


    Out of desperation,


    Chen Shuiwen closed his eyes in despair, tears of humiliation falling, and he fell to his knees with a thud, pulling at his neck with bulging veins, and roared, "Institute Head Xiao, please save me!"


    "Save me..."


    His roar actually drowned out the sound of thunder.


    At the entrance,


    Nangong Shengtian and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the disagreeable expressions on each other''s faces and the disappointment in their eyes.


    All of their meticulous preparations.


    Had been utterly ruined by Chen Shuiwen''s kneeling!


    As he looked at Chen Shuiwen kneeling before him, the corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly. As the sixth heavenly bolt descended, he declared in a loud voice, "Chen, why go through such lengths? Get up quickly, it''s just a minor Heavenly Tribulation. Watch as I help you transcend this tribulation!"


    "A minor Heavenly Tribulation?"


    "Such grand words, I truly want to see how you will help him transcend this tribulation..."


    Nangong Shengtian and the others all turned their attention to Xiao Yi, watching the tribulation clouds that spanned fifty miles across the sky. A sliver of expectation and hope arose in their hearts, "Wouldn''t it be exactly what we wanted if Xiao Yi died under the Heavenly Tribulation?"


    The several hundred thousand spectators were also fixedly watching Xiao Yi.


    How would he deal with the same Heavenly Tribulation that had nearly killed Chen Shuiwen?


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd.


    Xiao Yi reached to his side with his right hand and commanded sharply, "Sword, come!"


    Humm!


    A fifth-grade Longsword shot out from his Storage Ring, landing in the palm of his hand.


    Xiao Yi gripped the sword with one hand.


    Facing the rolling thunder clouds, he tilted his head back with a cold glint in his eyes and let out a low roar, "A mere Heavenly Tribulation, behold my sword cutting it down!"


    Swish!


    A chill enveloped the blade.


    At this moment...


    Xiao Yi transformed into an invincible Sword God. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Longsword in his hand buzzed, and a terrifying streak of Sword Qi condensed atop the blade, fluctuating erratically like a green galaxy piercing through the void. With a swift motion, it slashed towards the tribulation clouds above.


    Humm!


    With one stroke, the sword''s chill reached across nineteen provinces!


    This sword, as if a mystic sun had descended, lit up the whole imperial city!


    Countless strong men found the Longswords they wore or hung on the walls all buzzing, as if eager to unsheathe themselves, as though thousands of swords sensed the presence of the Sword Ancestor, wishing to pay homage!


    The dreadful Sword Intent made countless experts pale with shock.


    In full view of the crowd, the Sword Qi vanished into the pitch-black tribulation clouds.


    With a thunderous boom...


    Beams of light shot from within the clouds; they were beams of Sword Qi that cleaved the fifty miles of tribulation clouds in half. The violent thunder dissipated abruptly, and the clouds were also torn asunder under the relentless assault of the boundless Sword Qi!


    The Heavenly Tribulation that had nearly sent Chen Shuiwen to his death was shattered by Xiao Yi with a single slash!


    At this moment...


    All eyes on Xiao Yi, apart from shock and awe, were filled with fear...

 Chapter 347 Complete Domination

    Whoosh!


    The calamity clouds were cleaved apart and scattered by Xiao Yi, as if a torrential rain began to pour down from the heavens.


    The rain came swiftly and left just as quickly.


    In the blink of an eye,


    the sky cleared up again with no cloud in sight, and the sun shone brightly.


    However, the people within the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy no longer held the pride and excitement they had before, looking as if they had lost their dear parents.


    It was supposed to be a joyous occasion as their own Institute Director was transcending the heavens'' tribulation and breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    It was an opportunity to bolster the prestige of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    But then Xiao Yi suddenly appeared...


    Not only did Chen Shuiwen fail to withstand a single heavenly thunderbolt, but he also knelt and begged for help in public, losing all face. Now that Xiao Yi had shattered the tribulation with one sword stroke, it was Xiao Yi''s might that reached its peak.


    Looking at the adoration and fervor in the eyes of those tens of thousands of people as they gazed at Xiao Yi,


    the grand ceremony meticulously organized by Chen Shuiwen and the others had largely failed!


    "I see this Chen Shuiwen is nothing special after all!"


    "A heavenly tribulation that Xiao, the Institute Director, could shatter with a single sword, nearly took his life..."


    "This only shows that Chen, the Institute Director, was not as skilled, but that doesn''t prove the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is inferior! After all, with so many powerful forces backing it, even without Chen, the Institute Director, there are still two figures in the Dharma Manifestation Realm and dozens in the Tao Tribulation Realm!"


    "The teaching staff and resources simply cannot be compared to those of the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Tens of thousands of people were shocked by Xiao Yi''s strength, but the strength of a sect depends more on resources and the number of strong practitioners. A single top martial artist alone can''t sustain an entire sect.


    The crowd was still more optimistic about the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Hearing the crowd''s discussions, Chen Shuiwen''s ash-like heart ignited with hope once more. His body shook as he forcefully suppressed his injuries, restoring a few shades of color to his pitch-black face.


    Quickly changing into a new set of clothes, Chen Shuiwen endured the pain and looked towards the crowd. He did not mention the tribulation, but declared loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, the grand opening of our Shanhe Martial Arts Academy continues. Next up, please welcome Ancestor Nangong to unveil the academy''s plaque for us... Please witness the ceremony!"


    Nangong Shengtian immediately stepped forward.


    Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    Whoosh!


    With a wave of his hand,


    the red silk was torn off, revealing a plaque with black background and golden characters.


    Inscribed with the lively characters��Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!


    Nangong Shengtian swept a cold glance at Xiao Yi and said indifferently, "The Nangong Family congratulates the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy on its grand opening and presents a gift of medicinal pills valued at five hundred billion silver."


    Boom!


    A ripple of astonishment spread through the crowd.


    Medicinal pills worth five hundred billion silver!


    That could cultivate how many strong practitioners?


    Beitang Feng said, "Institute Director Chen is wholeheartedly committed to cultivating more strong practitioners, which deeply moves me. The Beitang Family has decided to donate medicinal herbs valued at five hundred billion silver."


    Wow!


    The crowd boiled over again.


    Another five hundred billion?


    That''s a total of one trillion silver!


    Chen Shuiwen''s face glowed with triumph as the shadows of his failed tribulation completely dissipated. He cast a provocative gaze at Xiao Yi.


    Yun Ruowang said indifferently, "Considering that the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is about to welcome many new disciples and students, the Three Seas Mountain is willing to add ten more Tao Tribulation Realm practitioners, one hundred Golden Core Realm practitioners, and one more Dharma Manifestation Realm figure!"


    "Wendao Villa will do the same!" declared the Sword Inquiry Taoist.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face glowed as he bowed to the supporters, gratefully saying, "Thank you all for your support. I, Chen Shuiwen, promise not to let everyone down! Anyone who joins the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will definitely receive guidance from the most top-tier practitioners and abundant resources!"


    "Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is truly wealthy and powerful!"


    "With this, the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will have four Dharma Manifestation Realm experts, over forty Calamity Realm experts, and more than two hundred Golden Core Realm experts. This strength surpasses the Xiaoshanhe Institute countless times over!"


    "Xiaoshanhe Institute only has Xiao Yi, and he''s not even in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. How can they compete with the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?"


    Under the influence of several major powers'' crazy resource-dumping, the impact of Chen Shuiwen''s failed tribulation greatly diminished.


    Chen Shuiwen, with a challenging look at Xiao Yi, boastfully said, "Institute Director Xiao, the people''s eyes are sharp. It seems they trust our Shanhe Martial Arts Academy more after all!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, smiled, and said, "Institute Director Chen, you are truly adaptable!"


    "Humph, you only know how to twist words to your favor!"


    Chen Shuiwen snorted coldly, his chin raised arrogantly as he said, "Our Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will have four Dharma Manifestation Realm figures and nearly fifty Calamity Realm strong practitioners. What do you have to compare with me?"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Institute Director Chen is, after all, a product of my Xiaoshanhe Institute. Since Ancestor Nangong and the others have been so generous, I, Xiao Yi, should not be petty. I have specially prepared a great gift for Institute Director Chen��I hope you will like it!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Shuiwen was stunned.


    As he looked at Xiao Yi''s calm face, he suddenly felt a strong sense of unease.


    At that moment...


    Xiao Yi had already snapped his fingers!


    Click!


    The crisp sound echoed through the void.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Figures flew in from afar.


    Taking the lead were the Shadow Demon, Fu Yuan, Zhang Ling, and Shu He. Without any restraint, they released their fluctuating auras, each one of them a master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Especially the Shadow Demon and Fu Yuan, both of whom possessed the cultivation of the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Of course...


    The truly awe-inspiring sight wasn''t these four formidable beings, but rather the mass of people behind them, including Yu Huaxian and others, comprising over a hundred masters of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Over a hundred Tao Tribulation Realm masters stood densely packed.


    Without a word.


    Their terrifying presence created an overwhelming pressure, suffocating those nearby.


    It abruptly quelled the whispers and murmurs of the hundreds of thousands of onlookers!


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Under the lead of the Shadow Demon, more than a hundred people knelt on one knee behind Xiao Yi and announced loudly, "Reporting to the Institute Director, the forces of the Xiaoshanhe Institute are here by your command, awaiting your review!"


    Swoosh!


    All faces shifted at once, the crowd looking in disbelief at the group that had suddenly appeared in the void.


    Four Dharma Manifestation masters!


    Over a hundred Tao Tribulation masters!


    Such a terrifying lineup wasn''t something even the ten great sects could easily muster!


    "They, they all belong to the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "Since when did the Xiaoshanhe Institute have so many powerful beings? Four Dharma Manifestation Realm masters and over a hundred Tao Tribulation Realm masters, this, this..."


    Shock was written all over everyone''s faces.


    Chen Shuiwen, Nangong Shengtian, and the others exchanged glances, each seeing the shock and disbelief in the other''s eyes.


    The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy too had four Dharma Manifestation masters!


    But those were gathered from the Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, and were either first or second layer Dharma Manifestation Realm masters. Xiao Yi, however, had two fifth layer Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses!


    As for the Tao Tribulation Realm...


    The two major sects together had only gathered forty people for Chen Shuiwen.


    Xiao Yi, on the other hand, had over a hundred!


    Quantity, quality.


    Both were utterly crushed!


    How the hell were they supposed to compete with this?


    "Thank you for your hard work!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, then introduced, "Director Chen, allow me to introduce them to you. These four are the elders of my Xiaoshanhe Institute, the Shadow Demon at the peak of the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, Fu Yuan, a seven-star Alchemist at the fifth layer, and Zhang Ling and Shu He from the first layer..."


    Hiss!


    Already reeling from the blow, Chen Shuiwen and the others took in another sharp breath.


    Among the two fifth layer Dharma Manifestation Realm masters, one was also a seven-star alchemist?


    In the vast Great Qian Dynasty, each seven-star alchemist was a rare treasure, with only one each in the royal family, the Tianjian Sect, the Treasure Pavilion, and the Nangong Clan. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And now a seven-star alchemist had emerged from the Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    The value of just that one seven-star alchemist far surpassed the ten trillion silver worth of medicine resources of the Nangong and Beitang Families!


    Chen Shuiwen''s face had turned ashen, his expression becoming extremely ugly.


    Today''s inaugural ceremony was supposed to completely crush the Xiaoshanhe Institute, but now, it was the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy that was truly underfoot. Chen Shuiwen felt cold despair, nearing hopelessness.


    The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy had been utterly overpowered by the Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    And yet Xiao Yi''s voice made him feel as though he were falling even deeper into the abyss of despair, "Shadow Demon, why don''t you present our prepared gift to Director Chen and the others?"

 Chapter 348 Coughing Up Blood!

    "Shadow Demon, have you not presented our prepared gift to Principal Chen yet?"


    Xiao Yi turned his head to look at the Shadow Demon and said indifferently.


    This remark immediately caught everyone''s attention, and hundreds of thousands of people looked towards the Shadow Demon en masse.


    Curiosity filled every pair of eyes.


    This Chen Shuiwen was once the Vice Principal of Xiaoshanhe Institute. Now that he has established his own institute, it is clear that he intends to challenge Xiaoshanhe Institute. Xiao Yi had also brought people to the opening ceremony of the mountain to make Chen Shuiwen lose face.


    Under such circumstances, what kind of gift could Xiao Yi possibly send?


    Even Chen Shuiwen was bewildered.


    Without any delay, the Shadow Demon stood up and walked in front of Chen Shuiwen, announcing loudly, "Principal Chen, my Principal Xiao has learned that your Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is hosting the mountain-opening ceremony today and has specially prepared a grand gift for you!"


    Click, click!


    Imitating Xiao Yi''s manner, the Shadow Demon snapped his fingers twice.


    And then...


    Ten Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses lined up in a single row and walked to the front gate of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    The confusion on everyone''s faces intensified.


    What kind of gift would require ten Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses to act together?


    Just at that moment.


    All ten Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses simultaneously raised their right hands and, in unison, gave Chen Shuiwen and the others the middle finger.


    Chen Shuiwen: "..."


    Nangong Shengtian: "..."


    All the onlookers were dumfounded: "..."


    Those ten raised middle fingers stood there provocatively, quite an eyesore!


    "What do you mean by this?" Chen Shuiwen''s face darkened.


    The Shadow Demon laughed, "Don''t be hasty, the gift is only now making its appearance!"


    Whoosh!


    All ten of them emitted blinding vital energy glows from their bodies, which merged into the storage rings, and streaks of light flashed before their eyes. In front of each Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, a mast now stood.


    Ten masts, each over ten meters tall.


    All were erected in front of the gate of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Lined up in a row.


    On those masts, corpses were hung one by one.


    Each person had been impaled by the mast, and the naked bodies of over a hundred corpses hung before all to see.


    Upon witnessing this scene, everyone was dumbstruck: "What, what is going on?"


    "Xiao Yi actually sent over a hundred corpses to Chen Shuiwen?"


    "Wait a minute... Look... Those seem to be people from Three Seas Mountain..."


    "That''s from Wendao Villa!"


    "And that''s... Xue Yilou? People from the Nangong & Beitang Families..."


    A series of exclaims erupted one after another.


    Like a flood breaking its banks, they could no longer be contained and spread among the crowd.


    Gulp!


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned extremely pale.


    Nangong Shengtian, Beitang Feng, the Sword Inquiry Taoist, Yun Ruowang, and others had eyes bloodshot red, struggling to breathe while staring at the corpses hanging from the masts.


    Just a moment before.


    They had thought Xiao Yi was lucky not to have encountered the likes of Xue Mantian.


    But now...


    They finally understood why there had been no word from Xue Mantian.


    They had been killed by Xiao Yi!


    "Xiao Yi..."


    The Sword Inquiry Taoist, with eyes burning red, stared intently at Xiao Yi. The fluctuations of the Dharma Manifestation Realm radiated from him. But just as he was about to take action, the Shadow Demon and Fu Yuan stepped forward together. Although their auras were not as strong as that of the Sword Inquiry Taoist, they still caused his momentum to abruptly falter.


    Xiao Yi stepped out from the crowd, smiling at Chen Shuiwen and the others, "Ladies and gentlemen, do you like my gift?"


    ```


    Gurgle!


    Chen Shuiwen and the others gritted their teeth so hard they wished they could tear Xiao Yi into pieces alive.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "These people dared to ambush and attempt to kill me in Linhai. Luckily, I have great fortune and barely managed to dodge a calamity. It seems that these few have a close relationship with you, so I have specifically brought back their bodies for you, to lay them to rest properly!"


    Thump!


    Crack!


    Boom!


    Nangong Shengtian and the others were either gritting their teeth, clenching their fists, or seething with rage...


    Each of them was on the verge of losing control.


    However...


    Even though they could arrange for people to assassinate Xiao Yi in secret, they absolutely could not admit it publicly. After all, Xiao Yi was the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, personally appointed by Emperor Qian. If they dared to openly send people to assassinate Xiao Yi, it would be a slap in the face of the royal family.


    Although with their strength, even Emperor Qian wouldn''t easily provoke them.


    Still, it was a dishonorable act.


    If it fell into the hands of Emperor Qian, becoming a handle against them, the loss would outweigh the gain.


    The Sword Inquiry Taoist clenched his teeth tightly and said in a deep voice, "Head Xiao is joking, I don''t know these people!"


    Yun Ruowang also said, "These people dare to impersonate our forces, it must be an attempt to provoke discord. Head Xiao, please don''t be fooled!"


    "How could we possibly send someone to assassinate you?"


    "Head Xiao, there must be a misunderstanding here!"


    Everyone spoke in turn.


    "A misunderstanding?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and with a playful look, which glided over the individuals, said with a smile that was not quite a smile, "I was thinking, all of you are reputable individuals in the Great Qian Dynasty. How could you engage in such lowly acts? Since they''re not your people, I will have to deal with these bodies myself!"


    "This..."


    "Head Xiao, it''s also good for us to keep their bodies!" Yun Ruowang and the others said.


    Not to mention that these bodies served as evidence.


    Just the Martial Dao Divine Fruits from the three Dharma Manifestation Realm and Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, like Xue Mantian, were treasures of immeasurable value. If they could recollect the bodies and take their Martial Dao Divine Fruits, they could create many powerhouses.


    However.


    "There''s no need to trouble yourselves, as my Xiaoshanhe Institute is about to hold the Genius Battle, and we''re actually in need of some rewards. I hereby announce that the top three winners of the Genius Battle will receive the Martial Dao Divine Fruits from these three Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, and the top twenty will receive this Tao Tribulation Realm Martial Dao Divine Fruit!"


    Xiao Yi interrupted Yun Ruowang and the others'' wishful thinking with an air of righteousness, then turned to look at the several hundred thousand powerhouses and announced loudly, "As all of you can see, my Xiaoshanhe Institute has four Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, over a hundred Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, a Seven-Star Alchemist, and two Six-Star Array Masters. Moreover, my Xiaoshanhe Institute has established cooperation with the Treasure Pavilion. As long as the disciples of my institute have sufficient talent and cultivation, we will not limit the supply of medicinal pills!"


    Boom!


    These words, like oil on fire, instantly ignited the crowd.


    The sea of people roiled, and shouts resounded to the skies.


    "Top three get Dharma Manifestation Realm Martial Dao Divine Fruit, top twenty get Tao Tribulation Realm Martial Dao Divine Fruit... with such rewards, who needs the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?" Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    "As long as we have enough talent and strength, they won''t limit the supply of medicinal pills, can it be possible?"


    "What''s impossible? Xiaoshanhe Institute has a cooperation with the Treasure Pavilion, plus that Master Fu Yuan, means Xiaoshanhe Institute has two Seven-Star Alchemists. Medicinal pills are nothing to them!"


    "Hurry and go sign up for the Genius Battle!"


    "I must join Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    In an instant.


    Among the several hundred thousand people present, there was a tumultuous uproar, fluctuating like waves one after another. sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Listening to the crowd''s shouting and talking.


    The faces of Chen Shuiwen''s group were as dark as the bottom of a pot, and they watched helplessly as powerhouse after powerhouse left the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, signifying that the plans they had spent countless resources constructing over these days, had already been defeated.


    Xiao Yi looked towards Yu Huaxian in the crowd and said, "What are you still standing around for? Didn''t you see that everyone is going to participate in the Genius Battle? Go and get ready!"


    "Ah? Right away!"


    Yu Huaxian promptly nodded and led people away into the sky.


    The stream of people also turned into a black steel torrent, heading towards Xuanwu Square.


    Xiao Yi gave a fist salute to Chen Shuiwen, "Head Chen, I won''t disturb your opening ceremony anymore. I wish your Shanhe Martial Arts Academy a thriving influx of students and talent that astonishes the world, ha ha ha!"


    "Xiao Yi, I will not share the sky with you..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned from red to white, anger causing him to spit out a mouthful of fresh blood, and he fainted dead away...


    ```

 Chapter 349 Battle of Genius

    The vast Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, deserted.


    Apart from Chen Shuiwen and his enthusiastic entourage, everyone had left the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to converge towards Xuanwu Square.


    Chen Shuiwen had hoped to use the grand opening ceremony to disrupt the battle of talents at the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    It was also a powerful declaration of the establishment of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    For this purpose...


    They had not only spent a great deal of resources but also promised generous compensation.


    Chen Shuiwen himself had been forcefully suppressing the timing of his breakthrough, all to pass through heavenly tribulation with an overwhelmingly strong stance during the grand opening ceremony, and step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm to boost the prestige of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Unfortunately.


    Reality and fantasy always have a huge gap!


    Not only did Xiao Yi''s appearance turn his tribulation into a joke, but even his own cultivation had failed to enter the Dharma Manifestation Realm. With his current state, if he wanted to enter the Dharma Manifestation Realm again, he would likely have to wait several more years.


    If Chen Shuiwen was the only one who failed, the impact on the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy would not be too great.


    After all.


    Nangong, Beitang, Three Seas Mountain, and Wendao Villa had promised to send experts to support the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, which included several in the Dharma Manifestation Realm and dozens from the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Such a formidable lineup of experts could barely rival any of the top ten sects.


    As a result...


    Xiao Yi directly brought over a hundred from the Tao Tribulation Realm and four from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, among them even a seven-star Alchemist.


    In both quantity and quality, he thoroughly crushed the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Just when Chen Shuiwen thought everything was over, Xiao Yi dropped another bombshell; the corpses of Xue Mantian and others became the final straw that broke the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    The corpses of Xue Mantian and the others not only severely slapped the face of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Xiao Yi even used their Martial Dao Divine Fruits as rewards, attracting countless talented experts who wished to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute. These were the Martial Dao Divine Fruits of the Dharma Manifestation Realm and Tao Tribulation Realm!


    If one could obtain it, it would be more important than acquiring resources worth hundreds of billions of Silver!


    What''s more...


    All those people were sent by Chen Shuiwen and his allies!


    Nangong Shengtian and the others looked at the comatose Chen Shuiwen with extremely ugly expressions. Strictly speaking, it was they who had handed over the Martial Dao Divine Fruits of Xue Mantian and others directly to Xiao Yi!


    "Ancestor Nangong, do make a decision. What should we do?" Yun Ruowang said gravely.


    The Sword Inquiry Taoist narrowed his eyes, his Sword Intent was earth-shattering, and his rage was no less intense than his Sword Intent, "Where did Xiao Yi get those experts from? A seven-star Alchemist, four from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, over a hundred from the Tao Tribulation Realm, that''s no small lineup!"


    "I see that those people are suffused with Evil Qi, and Xiao Yi has just come back from Beast Emperor City. I''m afraid they are all the experts he garnered from Beast Emperor City," Beitang Feng said darkly, pondering.


    All eyes turned to Nangong Shengtian.


    The capital they had invested in the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy was substantial. If it all fell through now, they would suffer complete losses.


    Nangong Shengtian squinted his eyes and said, "No matter, we still have one opportunity left!"


    "Hm?" S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The crowd looked at him expectantly.


    Nangong Shengtian''s eyes radiated a chilling glint, his gaze cold to the extreme as he sneered, "In less than two months, it will be the Ancestral Worship Ceremony. As long as the disciples of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy can trample the people of the Xiaoshanhe Institute underfoot during the ceremony, there''s still hope for the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Ancestor Nangong, given the current state of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, how is it possible to trample the Xiaoshanhe Institute underfoot?"


    "The strongest among the disciples of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are only at the peak of the Golden Core Realm..."


    Nangong Shengtian smiled coldly and said lightly, "If we can support the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy with those in the Calamity Realm and Dharma Manifestation Realm, are we lacking in disciples?"


    Hum!


    The crowd exchanged glances.


    Yun Ruowang said in a deep voice, "Let''s do it just like that!"


    "We must trample the Xiaoshanhe Institute beneath our feet!"


    Clutching his fists tightly, Nangong Shengtian looked toward the direction of Xuanwu Square, his eyes filled with a gloomy madness, "Xiao Yi, daring to oppose me, you are still too inexperienced!"


    ...


    Xuanwu Square.


    The square was vast and could accommodate hundreds of thousands of people without feeling crowded.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, today is the great day of the genius battle at our Xiaoshanhe Institute. As Xiao mentioned before, the top three of this genius battle will each get a Martial Dao Enlightenment Fruit of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, while the top twenty will each get a Martial Dao Divine Fruit of the Tao Tribulation Realm."


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute had long set up a ring, and Yu Huaxian appeared in the center, announcing with an elevated voice, "All other disciples who pass the genius battle and enter our Xiaoshanhe Institute will receive great benefits. Next, please come forward to collect your Identity Tokens, the genius battle of our Xiaoshanhe Institute is about to begin!"


    Rustle!


    Figures surged out from the crowd to collect their Identity Tokens.


    A total of thirty thousand Tokens were distributed for this genius battle, and the last ten thousand people remaining would enter the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    At the same time...


    This genius battle would also rank the top one hundred, with rich rewards for each rank.


    After the incident in front of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, the number of warriors willing to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute had multiplied, and the thirty thousand Tokens were quickly distributed.


    Yu Huaxian immediately began arranging the matches, and pairs of powerful fighters took to the ring, where the situation changed in a split second.


    On the elevated platform.


    Xiao Yi sat upright, watching the competitors on the ring, and nodded slightly, "Not bad, the quality of these disciples is quite good. If they are well-trained, they can absolutely support the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Director, there is less than two months left until the Ancestor Worship Ceremony, I''m afraid we might not have enough time," Hai Wei said, his expression hesitant with concern.


    Li Jinjun nodded and said, "Based on what I know about Nangong Shengtian and the others, they will definitely not stop here. It is likely that the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will cause trouble during the Ancestor Worship Ceremony."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said with a smile, "Don''t worry, I have my own strategy!"


    After all, he had the Elixir of Immortality at his disposal.


    This Divine Artifact, capable of enhancing refining efficiency, had a refining effect a hundredfold greater; two months with the aid of the Elixir of Immortality was equivalent to two hundred months.


    That was nearly twenty years!


    It was completely enough for the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute to increase their cultivation by several levels!


    "By the way, how is everything going with the Treasure Pavilion?" Xiao Yi asked, looking at Li Jinjun.


    Li Jinjun replied gravely, "The first batch of elixirs from the Treasure Pavilion has already been delivered to various places. However, since you have not returned, Master Nalan and Elder Xue have not launched an attack immediately."


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Without his return, the supply of medicinal materials not being secure, the Treasure Pavilion dared not rashly launch an attack.


    Once the bow is drawn, there is no turning back.


    If they start the encirclement against the Nangong and Beitang Family''s elixir shops only to have the supply of medicinal materials cut off mid-way, they would face the two families'' furious counterattack. Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth turned up slightly, and a cold light flickered in his eyes as he said, "Li Jinjun, take Elder Fu to the Treasure Pavilion, and tell Master Nalan to begin the attack!"


    "Yes!"


    With respect, Hai Wei and Fu Yuan set off towards the Treasure Pavilion.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, looking down at the heated ring below and revealing a chilling smile, "Nangong, Beitang... your end has come!"

 Chapter 350 Is This Also Inspired by Xiao?

    Inside Treasure Pavilion.


    Nalan Qianqiu, Xue Bufan, and Yan Mingli exchanged glances, their faces troubled, "When can Xiao return? Our stock of medicinal materials has run out!"


    "The first batch of elixirs has already been delivered to the Treasure Pavilions across the Great Qian Dynasty, just waiting for the order to ignite this price war. But if the follow-up materials can''t keep up, there''s no way to start the battle!" Nalan Qianqiu said with a bitter smile.


    Right at this moment.


    Ning Luo hurried in with a look of excitement, "Master, Xiao has sent someone!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nalan Qianqiu was startled, his face breaking into ecstatic joy, "Quickly, invite them in!"


    A moment later.


    Li Jinjun arrived in front of the group with Fu Yuan.


    Li Jinjun greeted everyone with a bow, showing no disrespect even though Yan Mingli''s martial arts prowess fell far short of his, "Jinjun pays respects to the sirs, the headmaster sent me to assist you with Master Yuan!"


    "Fu Yuan?"


    "The only seven-star alchemist, Master Yuan, from Beast Emperor City?"


    Nalan Qianqiu''s complexion changed dramatically, his incredulous gaze falling upon Fu Yuan. Taking two steps at once, he approached Fu Yuan and burst into laughter, "Hahaha, Fu Yuan, it is indeed you!"


    The two embraced each other, patting each other on the back.


    Fu Yuan''s face was filled with emotion, "Qianqiu, it''s been many years; you haven''t changed a bit!"


    "But you have aged a lot!"


    Nalan Qianqiu laughed heartily, his face showing a hint of confusion as he asked, "Old fellow, when I asked you to join my Treasure Pavilion, you refused to budge. Why have you come now?"


    Fu Yuan let out a sigh, "Don''t mention it!"


    He then recounted his misadventure in Beast Emperor City, how he mistakenly threw in his lot with Sha Kun, which almost resulted in the destruction of the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce, and finally, how he traded ten years of loyalty to ensure the Chamber''s survival to Nalan Qianqiu.


    Fu Yuan''s face bore a bitter smile, "Now, I am just waiting for this ten-year period to end, and then I can regain my freedom!"


    Nalan Qianqiu was taken aback and gave Fu Yuan a strange look, "Are you sure that after ten years you will leave?"


    "Hmm?"


    Fu Yuan was puzzled as he looked at Nalan Qianqiu, saying somewhat annoyed, "After ten years, if not leave, should I continue to stay here?"


    Nalan Qianqiu coughed lightly and said, "I advise you not to leave; follow Xiao''s footsteps closely instead!"


    "Hmm? What do you mean by that?"


    Fu Yuan frowned, displeasure on his face, and said haughtily, "I am a distinguished seven-star alchemist; if it weren''t for Huang''s face, Xiao Yi wouldn''t have the capacity to request my presence at the Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    Yan Mingli sneered, "Thinking too highly of yourself? It''s as if Xiao was begging you to come!"


    Xue Bufan also showed disdain, "Having the opportunity to be by Xiao''s side is a fortune for you!"


    "Ridiculous, do you know who I am? How dare you speak to me like this?"


    Fu Yuan''s face darkened; he had not, like the Shadow Demon and others, witnessed Xiao Yi''s terrifying side. Moreover, as a seven-star alchemist, unless someone could surpass him in alchemy, it was impossible for them to earn his respect, "I acknowledge Xiao Yi''s martial arts talent is strong, but in terms of alchemy..."


    Before he could finish.


    Nalan Qianqiu, touching his nose, interjected, "In terms of alchemy, you are even less a match for Xiao!"


    "Hmm?" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fu Yuan''s face stiffened, his expression one of disbelief as he turned to Nalan Qianqiu, "Qianqiu, do you know what you''re saying? I am inferior to him? You''re joking..."


    "Fu Yuan, what do you think of me?" Nalan Qianqiu asked.


    Fu Yuan slightly furrowed his brow.


    Having known Nalan Qianqiu for many years, he was aware that Nalan Qianqiu''s talent and strength in alchemy were on par with his own.


    Fu Yuan said in a deep voice, "You and I are on par."


    "That was in the past!"


    Nalan Qianqiu responded and then took out a bottle of elixir from the side and handed it to Fu Yuan, "Take a look at these elixirs!"


    "Hmm? Aren''t these just Three-Star Elixir Shen Yi Elixirs? Are you still making such low-level... Eh? Wait, these, these elixirs..."


    The disdain and contempt on Fu Yuan''s face crumbled as he looked at the elixirs poured onto his palm; his face went through cycles of pallor and flush, constantly changing: "This, this is impossible... All of these thirty-plus elixirs are from the same batch? And, and the quality is so pure? All of them are of top-grade quality?"


    Even with the current level of Fu Yuan''s alchemy skills, when making Shen Yi Elixirs, a batch would at most yield twenty elixirs, and it would be considered an exceptional performance if half of them were top-grade.


    But the batch in his hands actually had more than thirty, and all of them were of top-grade quality!


    To achieve such an effect,


    only an alchemy level surpassing his own by an entire rank could explain it!


    Fu Yuan looked at Nalan Qianqiu solemnly, his breathing hastening, "Qianqiu, could it be that an Eight-Star Alchemy Grandmaster has made these? Where is that Grandmaster? Can you introduce me?"


    Nalan Qianqiu sighed, pointing to himself, "I made these elixirs!"


    "Ah?"


    Fu Yuan was startled and frowned, "Don''t joke with me, how could I not know your level?" He paused for a moment, and then Fu Yuan understood, "I see now, you must have received guidance from an Eight-Star Alchemy Grandmaster, right?"


    Nalan Qianqiu smiled bitterly, "Indeed, it was me, but it wasn''t under the guidance of an Eight-Star Alchemy Grandmaster, but Xiao."


    "What?"


    Fu Yuan''s face stiffened.


    Xiao Yi?


    He shook his head like a rattle-drum, "Qianqiu, I know Xiao is gifted in martial arts, but alchemy is entirely different from martial arts. How old is he? How can he master both..."


    He absolutely refused to believe that Xiao Yi, who was merely twenty years old, could be stronger than him in alchemy!


    Nalan Qianqiu sighed, pointing to Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan standing behind him, "How about these two?"


    "Them?"


    Fu Yuan wrinkled his eyebrows, directly disregarding Yan Mingli, who was merely at the Golden Core Realm, and said to Xue Bufan, "This one is indeed promising, and he might be able to reach a Seven-Star level in the future, but whether he can reach our heights depends on his opportunities!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking.


    Xue Bufan and Yan Mingli both took out a medicinal bottle and poured out the elixirs inside.


    The same Shen Yi Elixirs.


    Xue Bufan''s bottle contained twenty-eight, all of them top-grade.


    Yan Mingli had slightly fewer, only twenty-two, but they were also all of top-grade quality.


    Nalan Qianqiu said in a grave voice, "These elixirs were all personally crafted by them."


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    "These, were these also guided by Xiao?"


    Fu Yuan looked dumbfounded, completely baffled.


    Even with his skills in making Shen Yi Elixirs, a successful batch would yield a maximum of twenty elixirs, with half being top-grade at best. But now, even Yan Mingli, who was at the Golden Core Realm, had surpassed him?


    Nalan Qianqiu and the other two looked at him with sympathy, nodding in unison.


    Gulp!


    Fu Yuan swallowed hard.


    Remembering his earlier disdain and contempt for Xiao Yi in the field of alchemy, he felt his face burning as if he had just been slapped dozens of times...

 Chapter 351 Thoroughly Convinced

    Before arriving at the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Fu Yuan''s sole intention had been to do just enough to get by, hoping only to endure these painful ten years so he could regain his freedom.


    But now...


    Facing his old friend Nalan Qianqiu and those who were far inferior to him, Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan, had Fu Yuan really become the worst Alchemist among them?


    Of course.


    This was only in terms of concocting low-grade medicinal pills; if it was about creating seventh-grade pills, he would naturally be far superior to both Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan.


    After all.


    Their cultivation levels limited them from concocting such high-grade medicinal pills.


    But those who truly understood Alchemy wouldn''t take the ability to concoct the highest-grade pills as the only standard; the success rate and the rate of producing top-quality pills for the same level of pills were the real criteria for measuring an Alchemist''s skill.


    Take the Shen Yi Elixir, for example.


    Even now, as a seven-star Alchemist, Fu Yuan could at most produce twenty elixirs in a single batch, and having half of them be of top-quality was already an exceptional performance.


    Yet, even at his best, his success rate and top-quality rate still didn''t match those of the four-star Alchemist, Yan Mingli!


    Gurgle!


    Fu Yuan swallowed hard and stared at Nalan Qianqiu, saying gravely, "Qianqiu, does Xiao ever come to the Treasure Pavilion?"


    Nalan Qianqiu was taken aback and shook his head, "Xiao seldom comes here."


    A trace of disappointment appeared on Fu Yuan''s face.


    Nalan Qianqiu smiled and said, "Fu Yuan, do you want to wait for Xiao to give you guidance?"


    "This..."


    Fu Yuan''s face stiffened, remembering his previous disdain for Xiao Yi. Now he was desperately eager for Xiao Yi''s guidance, which made him feel quite embarrassed. He managed a wry smile and said, "Just, just to discuss, I guess!"


    "Hahaha!"


    Nalan Qianqiu laughed and shook his head, patting his shoulder, "No need to be embarrassed. Xiao is like the starry sky, profound beyond our comprehension as mere mortals. We simply cannot fathom how vast the heavens are. Don''t you just want to learn Xiao''s Alchemy techniques? Let little Yan teach you!"


    "Uh... him?"


    Fu Yuan was taken aback.


    He had assumed Nalan Qianqiu would personally give him guidance, not that he would ask Yan Mingli to instruct him?


    How could a mere four-star Alchemist give pointers to him, a mighty seven-star Alchemist?


    Nalan Qianqiu said with a smile, "Just give it a try!"


    "This... alright then!" S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fu Yuan nodded and turned to Yan Mingli, "Brother Mingli, I''ll be in your care!"


    "Master Fu, you''re too kind!"


    Yan Mingli smiled meticulously, then took out some herbs and began to demonstrate and instruct Fu Yuan. At first, Fu Yuan wore a look of scorn on his face, but as Yan Mingli began Alchemy.


    His expression kept changing.


    From initial disdain and contempt, he became serious and solemn.


    He watched every move of Yan Mingli''s without blinking.


    Now frowning, now exclaiming, now bewildered...


    "Is it really possible to do it this way?"


    "Damn, such a subtle technique, could it really be conceived by a mortal?"


    "Terrifying, truly terrifying..."


    All of Fu Yuan''s pride dissipated.


    He looked at Yan Mingli with a face full of shock, and suddenly, with a humming sound, the Pill Furnace abruptly opened. A fragrance of medicine wafted out; it was the Shen Yi Elixir again, and this time Yan Mingli had indeed outperformed himself.


    There were twenty-nine elixirs, with twenty-eight of top-quality.


    The remaining one was also of high quality.


    Yan Mingli smiled and said, "Xiao left in a hurry at that time, just giving me one session of guidance. There are many areas where I still don''t measure up, please forgive me, Master Fu!"


    "..."


    Fu Yuan''s face was a picture of shock.


    To achieve such astonishing results from just one piece of advice?


    Just how terrifying was Xiao Yi''s mastery in the field of alchemy?


    Gulp!


    Fu Yuan swallowed hard, his eyes brimming with excitement as he looked at Nalan Qianqiu, "Qianqiu, if Xiao personally does the alchemy, what''s the success rate for forming pills? And the rate for producing top-quality ones?"


    Nalan Qianqiu was taken aback and said, "The success rate is over thirty percent, all top-quality..."


    He didn''t finish his sentence.


    Fu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "If that''s the case, I can accept it."


    In his opinion, after all, even Nalan Qianqiu could achieve over thirty percent success, all top-quality, and with more practice, Fu Yuan was confident he could catch up to, and even surpass, Xiao Yi.


    After all.


    He had learned quite a few exquisite techniques and skills from the earlier demonstration by Yan Mingli.


    Just as Fu Yuan was feeling self-satisfied.


    Nalan Qianqiu coughed lightly, "I haven''t finished yet! Such success and top-quality rates were achieved by Xiao while refining fourteen batches of pills at the same time. After all, Xiao himself said he wasn''t a professional alchemist, and it was rare to see him give his all..."


    "..."


    Fu Yuan was dumbstruck, the medicine bottle in his hand fell to the ground with a clatter, and he blinked, "What, what the hell? Refining fourteen batches at the same time? You''re not joking with me, right? Refining fourteen batches at the same time?"


    "We saw it with our own eyes!"


    "Fourteen furnaces, each one containing different pills..."


    In the alchemy room, Ning Luo and the others also nodded in unison.


    Hisss!


    Fu Yuan''s hand trembled, and he couldn''t help but take a sharp breath.


    Just the thought of achieving such success and top-quality rates with one batch of pills had already amazed him. And Xiao Yi could control fourteen batches at once?


    You should know...


    Fu Yuan himself could multitask, but he could at most control three pill furnaces.


    And he could not guarantee success and top-quality rates.


    Controlling fourteen pill furnaces at once, let alone seeing it, he had never even heard of it!


    At this moment.


    All the arrogance Fu Yuan had been carrying vanished without a trace, and the image of Xiao Yi surfaced in his mind, murmuring to himself, "There is always someone better, heaven beyond the heavens, the ancients truly did not deceive me."


    Seeing Fu Yuan completely convinced, and even showing unconscious admiration and fervor on his face when mentioning Xiao Yi.


    Li Jinjun sighed inwardly, "Truly worthy of being Xiao, he didn''t even need to make an appearance himself, and he had already completely subdued the proud Seven-Star Alchemist. Who could compare with such means?"


    At this moment.


    Xiao Yi, who was actually sitting at Xuanwu Square, had no idea that he had just made Fu Yuan run errands with medicinal materials to Nalan Qianqiu, and it turned into a personal show-off session!


    He utterly suppressed this proud Seven-Star Alchemist!


    In the alchemy room.


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    Fu Yuan put aside his arrogance, and his attitude became much more humble as he looked at Nalan Qianqiu, "Qianqiu, Xiao asked me to bring these medicinal materials over, and all these ten storage rings are full of them. By the way, what does Xiao need so many medicinal materials for?"


    Ten storage rings fell into Nalan Qianqiu''s hands.


    Looking at the storage rings in his hand and briefly inspecting them, he saw an accumulation of medicinal materials like a mountain inside.


    You should know...


    These medicinal materials represented goods worth a hundred billion silver after being discounted by thirty percent from the market price by the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce. At regular prices, it would be equivalent to three to four hundred billion silver to gather this many materials.


    Even the storages of the Beitang Family might not have this much!


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face lit up with extreme joy, "Great, with these materials supplied, we can finally launch a full-scale offensive in our price war against Nangong and the Beitang Family!"

 Chapter 352 Something Big Happened!

    The Imperial City.


    Above Vermilion Bird Avenue.


    There are a total of four grand avenues in the Imperial City: Vermilion Bird, Xuanwu, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger. They crisscross each other, running through the entire Imperial City.


    Among them, Vermilion Bird Avenue is the most prosperous street.


    This Vermilion Bird Avenue is more than five hundred meters wide, enough to accommodate nearly three hundred carriages side by side, while on either side is a row of towering buildings. These buildings have an elegant style, with a strong Great Qian Dynasty character.


    The front row is five stories high above and below, and the further back, the higher the floors.


    Inside each building are shops with different decorations, bustling with people coming and going, thriving and prosperous.


    Vermilion Bird Avenue is the main artery of the Imperial City.


    During grand festivals, the royal procession always parades through the entire Vermilion Bird Avenue to demonstrate the majesty of the royal family.


    In the most bustling central location.


    The Nangong Pharmacy of the Nangong Family and the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy stand opposite each other, constantly engaging in overt and covert battles on normal days. Only, the Nangong Family''s cost for medicinal ingredients is extremely low, so the pills they sell are half as cheap as those of Treasure Pavilion.


    As a result, the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy has been repeatedly suppressed and is helpless to fight back.


    After all.


    The Nangong Family and the Beitang Family are branches of the same tree.


    The Beitang Family has a monopoly over the entire medicinal market of the Great Qian Dynasty. Apart from them, there is no second family in the vast Great Qian Dynasty that can buy any medicinal herbs from Medicine King Valley, not even Treasure Pavilion.


    The persistently high costs made it impossible for Treasure Pavilion to wage a price war against the Nangong Family.


    Just think...


    Even though the prices are half as cheap as the same category of pills from Treasure Pavilion, the profits of the Nangong Family are still much higher than Treasure Pavilion''s.


    On this day.


    Nangong Shou, the manager of the main Nangong Pharmacy on Vermilion Bird Avenue, was sipping his tea leisurely, legs crossed confidently, humming a little tune and squinting smugly at the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy across the street, proudly saying, "Treasure Pavilion? In the face of the compelled tribute family, whether you''re a dragon you have to coil up, and if you''re a tiger you must lie down."


    "Hmm?"


    Suddenly, Nangong Shou narrowed his eyes as he caught sight of someone posting a notice in front of the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy.


    It quickly attracted a crowd of onlookers.


    Raising an eyebrow, Nangong Shou spoke to a servant behind him, "Go see what trick Treasure Pavilion is up to."


    "Right away, manager!"


    The servant hurried off, and returned moments later with an urgent face, saying, "Manager, it''s bad news. Treasure Pavilion has posted a notice, all their pills are being sold at a 10% discount, and now many people are heading over there!"


    "A 10% discount?"


    Nangong Shou was stunned, then said carelessly, "What''s there to worry about? They can''t hold out for long, don''t pay them any mind!"


    The first day.


    The second day.


    The third day...


    Before he knew it, four days had passed. Nangong Shou watched as several servants were dozing off at the counter, and with a bang, slapped the table and angrily exclaimed, "What the hell are you all eating? With that lazy look of yours, if a customer comes in and sees, what would they think?"


    "Manager, there hasn''t been a customer at all!"


    "Yeah, there were a few people the day before yesterday, but from yesterday afternoon until now, not a single one!"


    "What did you say? Not a single person?"


    Nangong Shou''s face stiffened, then he looked towards the hall, and besides those servants, there wasn''t a single person in sight.


    In the past.


    This place was as busy as a marketplace, especially when opening the doors every day, customers would flock in droves. Listening to the servant''s words, there hasn''t been a single customer since yesterday afternoon��what on earth is going on?


    Nangong Shou said sternly, "It must be because of your poor attitudes that you''ve offended the customers!"


    "Manager, it really has nothing to do with us! It''s all because of the tricks played by Treasure Pavilion across the street..."


    "Actually, our number of customers has been decreasing for the past three days, and since yesterday afternoon not a single customer has come in��they''ve all gone over to the Treasure Pavilion across the street!" sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everyone said one after another.


    "Treasure Pavilion?"


    Nangong Shou frowningly said, "Impossible, the Treasure Pavilion has been across from us for more than a day or two. Our business has always been better than theirs, how could our customers possibly be taken away by them?"


    "Shopkeeper, what you''re talking about is all in the past. Now all the elixirs at the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy are being sold at a 10% discount, half a percent cheaper than ours."


    "Now everyone is heading over there!"


    Suddenly, Nangong Shou recalled the poster that the Treasure Pavilion had put up four days ago, advertising a 10% discount, and he said with a frown, "Do you mean to say that for these four days, the Treasure Pavilion has been consistently selling elixirs at a discount? How is that possible? Where does the Treasure Pavilion get so many elixirs?"


    He marched straight to the door and looked out across Vermilion Bird Avenue to the opposite side.


    A long queue had formed outside the elixir shop of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Then looking back at their side...


    The entryway was so deserted, not even a bird cared to linger.


    "Shopkeeper, what should we do? Should we report this to the family?" a servant asked.


    Nangong Shou gave him a cold glare and sneered, "Report this trivial matter to the family? Do you want our family head to think I''m incompetent?" After a pause, Nangong Shou said in a deep voice, "It''s just a price reduction, isn''t it? If he dares to offer a 10% discount, then we''ll offer a 15% discount. In any case, our profits will still be very considerable even if we sold at that discount!"


    "Yes!"


    The servant immediately went to prepare the notice.


    Nangong Shou glanced at the long line across the street, sneering, "Trying to wage a price war with the Nangong Family? You''re deluded!"


    However...


    On the fifth day,


    when Nangong Shou arrived at the pharmacy, he found that his side still had not a single customer. He couldn''t help being furious, "What''s going on? I''ve already offered a 15% discount, and we still can''t beat the Treasure Pavilion?"


    A servant came forward with a gloomy face, "They''ve offered a 20% discount on the opposite side!"


    "20% discount?"


    Nangong Shou''s complexion suddenly changed, a fierce look flashing in his eyes, "It seems they''re really determined to go head-to-head with us. Is it just about lowering prices? The Nangong Family has never been afraid of anyone! Post a notice that we''ll give a 25%... no, a straight 40% discount. I refuse to believe that the Treasure Pavilion will dare to compete with us!"


    Even with a 40% discount, their profits would still be quite substantial.


    But the cost of medicinal herbs for the Treasure Pavilion was much higher than theirs; a 40% discount was almost equal to their cost price.


    Nangong Shou confidently said, "Unless the Treasure Pavilion is truly determined to compete with us at a loss, there''s no way they would dare to drop their prices any further." Read the latest on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Shopkeeper, you are wise!"


    "Tch, tch, a 40% discount, I''m afraid the Treasure Pavilion will be scared witless now..."


    The servants all said in succession.


    Only...


    On the sixth day, they still had not a single customer on their side.


    Meanwhile, the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy was bustling with people, a long line snaking from the door.


    The servant panted heavily, his face pale as he said, "Shopkeeper, the Treasure Pavilion is now selling all elixirs at a 50% discount..."


    Thump!


    Nangong Shou''s eyes bulged, his fan dropping to the ground and the tea cup was left empty, only the rocking chair creaked back and forth as it swayed. Beads of sweat formed on Nangong Shou''s forehead as he forced down a gulp of saliva, feeling an icy chill throughout his body, "Something''s wrong, a big problem is brewing."


    He quickly turned to the servants, "You keep an eye on the opposite side for me, I''ll be back in no time!"


    Nangong Shou hurried toward the Nangong Family home, frantic and flustered.


    However...


    When he arrived at the entrance of the Nangong Family home, he discovered that the people in charge of over a hundred elixir shops in the imperial city had all gathered here, including some pharmacy shopkeepers from cities near the imperial capital.


    Seeing the deep worry on everyone''s faces, Nangong Shou turned pale, "I fear a major incident has indeed occurred!"

 Chapter 353 Tip-Off!

    Inside the vast estate of the Nangong Family.


    At this moment, however, it was filled with the pharmacy managers from around a dozen cities surrounding the imperial capital��a scene that usually only occurred during the once-a-year clan meeting.


    After all,


    Given the Nangong Family''s booming pharmacy business across the regions, with daily transactions worth tens of billions, no one could afford any delay.


    "Nangong Shou? Why are you here too?"


    "Nangong Xiao, your Tianfeng City pharmacy is doing such good business. How dare you leave without permission?"


    "You all..."


    There were nearly ten thousand Nangong Family pharmacies within the entire Great Qian Dynasty, and this was only a small fraction of them here. Yet, the number had already surpassed a hundred. People who knew each other were all showing a look of surprise on their faces.


    You must know that...


    Even during clan meetings in the past, the better the pharmacy did, the later its manager would arrive.


    Today, everyone was hastily gathered here.


    A sense of unease began to form in everyone''s heart.


    The pharmacy where Nangong Shou worked ranked within the top ten of all the Nangong Family Pharmacies. On regular days, his pharmacy''s daily business volume was in the hundreds of millions of silver. At its peak, it even reached a staggering twenty billion silver in a single day.


    His status among the managers was also very high.


    Nangong Shou approached Nangong Xiao; the two of them were brothers by blood and naturally had a closer relationship. "Second brother, why did you suddenly run back here?"


    Nangong Xiao replied with a wry smile, "Big brother, if you''re back at this time, I''m afraid you''ve encountered the same situation as us. Don''t ask now. The family head and the old ancestor will be here soon. We can talk about it then!"


    "Hmm?"


    A sense of foreboding struck Nangong Shou.


    His gaze swept across the faces of the crowd, noting that everyone looked very upset.


    Recalling his own experiences over the past few days, Nangong Shou''s brows furrowed with increasing anxiety.


    At this moment,


    Nangong Shengtian and the current family head of the Nangong Family, Nangong Shengji, appeared before everyone. In an instant, over a hundred powerful managers quieted down. Although the Nangong Family''s old ancestor was Nangong Shengtian, the one who truly held the reins was Nangong Shengji.


    This man was of the same generation as Nangong Shengtian but much younger in age.


    Yet, even Nangong Shengtian, before this young family head, acted with utmost respect.


    This was the Nangong Family''s number one expert, a being at the Peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    "We already know the reason why you have all come back," Nangong Shengji said, getting right to the point.


    The people looked at each other and grimaced.


    Nangong Shengtian spoke indifferently, "Let each pharmacy manager report their situation!" His gaze swept across the crowd and landed on Nangong Xiao, "Nangong Xiao, you go first!"


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Xiao grimaced, steeling himself as he spoke, "Seven days ago, the Treasure Pavilion''s pharmacy started selling pills at a ten percent discount. At first, I didn''t pay much attention, thinking it was just a promotion to clear their stock."


    The crowd nodded in understanding.


    The Nangong Family and the Treasure Pavilion''s pharmacies had been competing overtly and covertly for many years, with the Nangong Family usually having the upper hand.


    As a result, the Treasure Pavilion''s pharmacies would often reduce prices to clear their inventory.


    But such sales wouldn''t last too long,


    Usually not more than three days.


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes and said, "Continue!"


    Nangong Xiao''s bitter smile persisted, "Who knew that by the third day, there were still no changes; they continued with the ten percent discount. Only then did I realize something was wrong and immediately dropped our prices. However, the Treasure Pavilion also lowered their prices, and every time, they were lower than ours. Until today, we have been doing a forty percent discount, yet they have gone down to fifty percent off."


    "What?"


    "Fifty percent? Has the Treasure Pavilion gone mad? Their profit margin is only around thirty percent. A fifty percent discount means a loss. What on earth are they doing?"


    "What''s fifty percent? The Treasure Pavilion in our place has started to sell pills at a thirty percent discount. If it weren''t for that, why would I have rushed back so urgently..."


    "Thirty percent? They get their medicinal materials from the Beitang Family at twice the price we pay. Isn''t Nalan Qianqiu afraid of going bankrupt?"


    The crowd began to express their distress.


    Upon hearing this.


    The expression on Nangong Shengtian''s face became increasingly ugly. Based on everyone''s reaction, it meant that Treasure Pavilion wasn''t just clearing out stock on a small scale��this was a price war against the Nangong Family!


    "Shut up!"


    Nangong Shengtian huffed coldly, and seeing that people turned to look at him, he continued with a stern face, "Have any of you sent people to verify the quality of the medicinal pills from Treasure Pavilion? How is it?"


    Nangong Xiao hurriedly responded, "Elder Ancestor, I also thought that they might be passing off inferior products as good quality, so I sent people to buy some of their medicinal pills. But the comparison results are..."


    "They are selling them so cheaply, the quality of the medicinal pills must definitely not be guaranteed?"


    "It''s very likely they are passing off inferior products as good quality!" Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    However...


    Nangong Xiao''s face looked gloomy as he said, "The lowest quality of the medicinal pills they sell is high-grade, and the rate of top-quality pills even exceeds fifty percent. If it weren''t for the outstanding quality of their pills, just the price alone wouldn''t leave us at a loss!"


    As he spoke.


    Nangong Xiao took out several medicine bottles and respectfully presented them to Nangong Shengtian and another person.


    "Patriarch, please take a look!"


    Nangong Shengtian handed a few jade bottles to Nangong Shengji.


    The two opened the medicine bottles.


    A rich fragrance of medicine wafted out.


    The pills were round and lustrous, full and substantial, with especially clear pill patterns contained on them, absolutely of excellent quality. Moreover, these medicinal pills were none other than the varieties sold by the Nangong Family in the market.


    Unable to compete in price.


    Unable to match in quality as well.


    In such a situation...


    Who would still buy the Nangong Family''s medicinal pills?


    "Patriarch..."


    Nangong Shengtian''s face was dark and terribly grim as he looked towards Nangong Shengji.


    Nangong Shengji squinted his eyes and slowly opened them, speaking coldly, "Treasure Pavilion wants to have a price war, then let''s compete with them. Additionally, Shengtian, you must immediately go to the Beitang Family and have them cut off all medicinal material supplies to Treasure Pavilion and also reduce the price of our materials by another fifty percent."


    "Reduce by another fifty percent?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s expression changed, saying, "Patriarch, I''m afraid Beitang Feng will not agree to it."


    The Nangong Family was already purchasing medicinal materials from the Beitang Family at half the market price.


    If the price were to be pushed down by another fifty percent.


    The Beitang Family would be losing money!


    Nangong Shengji sneered coldly, his face arrogant, "What right does Beitang Feng have to disagree? Tell Beitang Feng, if he doesn''t agree, then he can forget about recovering the debt we have accumulated over the years!"


    Over the years, the Nangong Family owed the Beitang Family a total of more than one hundred trillion silver.


    One must know...


    The Beitang Family also has to answer to the Medicine King Valley behind them, and if this huge sum can''t be returned, even the relationship between the Beitang Family and Medicine King Valley is likely to be completely severed.


    Nangong Shengtian nodded, "I know what to do!" S��arch* The n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment.


    A thin figure appeared beside Nangong Shengji. The person was slender, with a face like jade, dressed in clothes whiter than snow. It was Nangong Yi, the direct disciple of Nangong Shengji. He stepped forward and said, "Master, someone outside is requesting an audience, claiming to have important information regarding Treasure Pavilion!"


    "Who is it?"


    Nangong Shengji was startled.


    Nangong Yi said with a grave voice, "He says his name is Ning Kang!"


    "Ning Kang?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s eyes brightened, saying, "Patriarch, this man is the son of Ning Luo, the Vice Pavilion Master of Treasure Pavilion. He previously had some conflicts with Xiao Yi. The last time Xiao Yi went to Beast Emperor City, it was this very person who tipped us off!"


    "Oh? Let him in!"


    Nangong Shengji squinted his eyes, a fierce cold light in his gaze, "Treasure Pavilion? Hmph, I really want to see what exactly Nalan Qianqiu is up to!"

 Chapter 354 Unexpected Joy

    In the main hall.


    Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire


    Nangong Shengtian and Nangong Shengji sat high and mighty on the main seats, looking down at Ning Kang as he entered the hall under Nangong Yi''s lead.


    Ning Kang''s legs trembled uncontrollably as he stood before the two, his face slightly pale.


    Both of these individuals were of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    In the entire Great Qian Dynasty, they were titans capable of shaking the earth thrice with just a stomp of their feet.


    Either could match his master''s ancestor, the overall Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion of the Great Qian Dynasty, Nalan Qianqiu.


    "Ning Kang pays respect to the two seniors!" Ning Kang knelt before them with a thud, his voice quivering.


    Nangong Shengji squinted his eyes, looking completely at ease.


    Nangong Shengtian said indifferently, "Ning Kang, what business do you have with us?"


    Ning Kang hurriedly said, "Ancestor Nangong, I have come across a piece of vital news concerning the life and death of the Nangong Family and have made a special trip to notify you both!"


    "Heh, my Nangong Family has stood at the pinnacle of the Great Qian Dynasty for many years, who could possibly threaten the Nangong Family?" Nangong Shengtian said with an indifferent face, his confidence and determination in his words showing no sign of concern for the all-out assault the Treasure Pavilion was mounting against the Nangong Family.


    The Nangong Family had indeed stood firm for many years, with their own foundation and confidence.


    After all.


    The actions of one of the four great families could affect them all.


    Even though the Dongfang and Ximen Families were at odds with the Nangong Family, if there truly was a force intending to uproot the Nangong Family, those two families would not stand idly by.


    You should know...


    The reason these four great families have managed to stand for so many years is their unity!


    As Nangong Shengtian spoke, Ning Kang''s heart became somewhat chaotic, and he hurriedly said, "Ancestor Nangong, please believe me, this news truly relates to the life and death of the Nangong Family."


    Nangong Shengtian said, "Then let''s hear it."


    "This..."


    Ning Kang feigned hesitation.


    Nangong Shengtian said calmly, "If your news is as you say, concerning the life and death of the Nangong Family, I naturally will not mistreat you. Did I not give you a hundred million Silver when you disclosed Xiao Yi''s whereabouts before? If this news is indeed as important as you claim, I can promise you ten times that amount!"


    Gulp!


    Ning Kang swallowed hard.


    Ten times?


    That would be a billion Silver!


    With so much money, why would he stay at the Treasure Pavilion? He could just take the money and flee, living a life of wealth!


    With that thought in mind.


    Ning Kang said solemnly, "Ancestor Nangong, have you noticed that recently the pharmacies in the Treasure Pavilion have been lowering their prices across the board? I''ve learned that Nalan Qianqiu now has a mysterious master by her side, a man with extremely adept alchemy skills. He''s the one who arrived at the Treasure Pavilion seven days ago, and from the second day onwards, our Treasure Pavilion began heavily discounting all the medicinal pills for sale!"


    "Hm?"


    "A master?"


    Nangong Shengji''s tightly closed eyes sprang open, a flash of cold light passing through them as he leaned forward and said in a stern voice, "Do you know the master''s name and surname?"


    "I know, I know, my father calls him Master Fu Yuan!" Ning Kang hurriedly said.


    ''Master Fu Yuan?'' sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I remember now, among the powerhouses Xiao Yi brought back from Beast Emperor City, there was a Seven-Star Alchemist called Fu Yuan!"


    Nangong Shengtian''s face changed dramatically, his handgrips bursting from his grip, "Damn it, all of this must be Xiao Yi''s doing, that little bastard has a bet with me for a month. I wondered why the Treasure Pavilion suddenly started fighting us recklessly��it must be because of that bastard Xiao Yi. I''m going to Xiaoshanhe Institute right now to kill him..."


    "Stop!"


    Nangong Shengji said coldly.


    His voice boomed like thunder, exploding through the hall.


    A chilling aura pervaded the entire hall, causing the enraged Nangong Shengtian to tremble and come to a sudden halt.


    Nangong Shengji squinted his eyes as he sized up Ning Kang, speaking indifferently, "If that''s the information you''re talking about, it''s certainly not worth ten billion!"


    Ning Kang''s lips turned white.


    Nangong Shengji''s presence made him feel as though he had fallen into an ice cellar, his body trembling slightly, he quickly said, "Reporting to the Nangong, I, I have brought another piece of information... The reason the Treasure Pavilion can suppress the prices of their elixirs so low is all because Master Fu Yuan has a secret recipe that can double the success rate and rate of top-quality elixirs no matter what kind of elixir it is once it''s added!"


    Hiss!


    As soon as these words came out, Nangong Shengtian and the others couldn''t help but take a sharp breath.


    The success rate and rate of top-quality elixirs can both be doubled?


    If that''s really the case...


    It meant that the cost could be reduced by at least half, and with the increase in success and top-quality rates, the cost might very well be controlled to around thirty percent!


    "No wonder the Treasure Pavilion dares to push the prices down to this level!"


    "If this secret recipe is real, and we can get our hands on it, considering the price at which we purchase from the Beitang Family, wouldn''t we be making a profit even if we sold it at ten percent of the current price..."


    Nangong Shengji and Nangong Shengtian exchanged glances.


    But neither of them trusted Ning Kang on this alone, Nangong Shengji, still squinting his eyes, said, "Ning Kang, would you like to earn more money?"


    "Hm?"


    Ning Kang was startled.


    Nangong Shengji continued, "If you can get your hands on this secret recipe, I can reward you with one hundred billion silver, and additionally, I promise to let you join the Nangong Family and grant you the Nangong surname."


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Ning Kang''s heartbeat suddenly accelerated, his breathing became hurried, and his eyes reddened.


    Not to mention joining the Nangong Family, just that hundred billion silver was enough to make his heart race.


    Of course.


    If he actually did this...


    He would also be completely standing against the Treasure Pavilion.


    After hesitating for a moment.


    Ning Kang said in a deep voice, "The two ancestors can rest assured, I will definitely find a way to get that secret recipe!"


    "We await your good news!"


    Nangong Shengji gave a slight smile and then looked towards Nangong Yi, "Yi''er, take Ning Kang down and give him ten billion silver as a reward!"


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Yi immediately led Ning Kang away.


    Leaving only Nangong Shengji and one other...


    Nangong Shengtian asked in a grave voice, "Family head, do you believe what he said?"


    "Does it matter whether I believe it or not? If he truly can bring us that secret recipe and it proves effective after we test it, then it will be an unexpected joy. If not, we have lost nothing!" Nangong Shengji said indifferently, then squinting at Nangong Shengtian, "Let Nangong Yi handle the matters concerning the Beitang Family. You go to the Treasure Pavilion at once and try to meet Master Fu Yuan. If you can persuade him to join us, that would be best. If not, find a way to get rid of him..."


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Shengtian left at once.


    Meanwhile.


    On the Xuanwu Square, the genius battle had finally come to its last fight, a clash that would determine the top talent of this event.


    The vast Xuanwu Square was already teeming with people.


    On the high platform.


    Xiao Yi sat squarely in the center, his gaze fixed on the two figures on the stage, a peculiar light flickering through his eyes, "He actually managed to hold out until now, what a pleasant surprise!"


    PS: Explosion tomorrow!!!!!!

 Chapter 355 Do You Still Remember Me?

    "I didn''t expect her to last this long, it''s quite the pleasant surprise!"


    Xiao Yi revealed a hint of amusement as he watched the purple silhouette on the arena.


    The white figure was the woman Xiao Yi had encountered upon his arrival at the imperial city, the one who had intentionally drawn the attention of the Black Hawk Gang to him.


    During the earlier rounds, Xiao Yi had discovered the woman''s identity, but since she was only at the peak of the Shentong Realm, he had not taken her too seriously. However, to his surprise, she had managed to reach the final.


    And she was even competing for the title of number one genius.


    Although the competition limited the age of participants to under thirty, the temptation of the Martial Dao Divine Fruit offered by those three Dharma Manifestation Realm experts still attracted many talents from the Golden Core Realm.


    That the woman had managed to endure until the end was indeed a pleasing surprise.


    And quite unexpected!


    Swish!


    The young girl in the white dress stood with her hands clasped behind her back, facing her opponent with a calm expression.


    Her adversary was a youth who looked as imposing as a humanoid beast.


    With a gleaming bald head and muscles like blocks of lead that traced explosive lines of power, the youth''s cultivation also reached the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, combined with Innate Divine Strength.


    Throughout the tournament, many strong contenders had been blasted out of the arena by his fists.


    "You, a little girl, dare to compete with me for the first place?" sneered Lei Li, the bald youth, with disdain.


    The white-dressed girl, Jin Feiyan, raised an eyebrow, showing a look of grievance while pouting and said plaintively, "Big brother, can''t you let me win? When I was three, I lost my dad, and at the age of six, I no longer had a mom. I was sold to a landlord''s house to be a maid at five. I drank dew when thirsty and ate grasshoppers when hungry. I''m so pitiful..."


    Lei Li frowned and scoffed, "Stop playing the pity card here; I''m not falling for it!"


    "It''s okay, big brother, if you don''t want to let me win, it''s no big deal. If later you break my limbs, I''ll just apply the medicine myself. I''m just a child with no one to love me; I''ve been used to it since I was young, really, you don''t have to feel sorry for me!"


    Jin Feiyan''s face was covered in tears, her look full of sorrow as she looked around at the crowd, "Everyone, please don''t blame him for hitting me; we can''t hold it against him!"


    Moments later.


    A chorus of condemnation rang out around the arena: "Lei Li, are you even a man?"


    "How can you bully a weak girl like this, where is your conscience?"


    "If I were you, I would just concede! How can you, a big guy, bully a young girl like that, are you not ashamed?"


    "Lei Li, if you don''t surrender immediately, I will look down on you!"


    Lei Li''s face twitched uncontrollably, wanting to cry without tears!


    What the hell!


    I just want to fight in the arena, don''t I?


    How did I become a crime against morality?


    "Silence!" Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire


    The voice of Yu Huaxian suddenly resounded, cutting through the noise abruptly as his gaze settled on the two in the arena, "Three breaths, then the battle begins!"


    On the high platform.


    Hai Wei looked at Xiao Yi beside him and asked, "President, who do you think will win the final victory?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "What do you think?"


    Hai Wei paused before answering, "It should be Lei Li who has a higher chance of winning!"


    Li Jinjun said, "I think so too; whether it''s in cultivation or combat strength, Lei Li seems to have the upper hand. I''ve also watched Jin Feiyan''s previous fights; she relies more on clever tricks..."


    "Hahaha..."


    Xiao Yi suddenly laughed, squinting his eyes as he sized up Jin Feiyan on the arena with an amused look, "Then you are seriously underestimating her!"


    "Huh?"


    The crowd was taken aback.


    At that moment...


    Yu Huaxian struck the bronze gong: "The battle begins!"


    Swish!


    Whoosh!


    On the stage, both fighters struck simultaneously, turning into streaks of light rushing towards each other, and in an instant, the wind rose and clouds surged, dust billowing. Lei Li''s figure sprinted wildly like a ferocious beast, covered in terrifying waves of force, sweeping over everything.


    Jin Feiyan''s figure seemed frail, like a seagull in a storm, as if it could be swallowed by the tempest at any moment.


    Just when everyone was tense about Jin Feiyan''s safety.


    Suddenly, Jin Feiyan''s figure twisted, nimbly dodging Lei Li''s fierce punch with a swift whoosh, as agile as a swallow.


    At the same time...


    Jin Feiyan, like a clinging maggot, stuck close to Lei Li''s body without creating any distance between them. Lei Li indeed possessed Innate Divine Strength, but his moves were overly forceful and lacking in variation.


    Facing Jin Feiyan''s close-quarters combat, Lei Li found himself with immense power but completely unable to deploy it.


    This frustration made Lei Li more and more impatient.


    "Thunderstorm Fist!"


    Lei Li roared furiously, his fists sweeping across horizontally.


    Above these fists, energy crackled like lightning, creating a massive vacuum bubble. Like an arrow shot from a bowstring, it whooshed towards Jin Feiyan, compressing the surrounding air to the extreme.


    Even with Jin Feiyan''s agile movement technique, there was a sense of difficulty in moving.


    Just as the punch was about to hit.


    A pitiful look suddenly appeared on Jin Feiyan''s face, and in the midst of the buzzing noise, Lei Li was reminded of the words previously said by Jin Feiyan and the accusations of the people around the stage against him.


    He seemed to have already envisioned the scene where, once his punch landed, Jin Feiyan would be grievously injured and he would become the target of public criticism!


    On the high platform.


    Xiao Yi noticed Lei Li''s moment of hesitation and shook his head, "Lei Li has lost!"


    "Huh?"


    Hai Wei and the others were startled.


    Wasn''t Lei Li oppressing Jin Feiyan at the moment? How could he have lost?


    On the stage.


    Jin Feiyan noticed Lei Li''s momentary hesitation, her lips slightly lifted into a smile, and her figure flickered, like a ghostly white silhouette. With a swift whoosh, she dodged Lei Li''s fierce punch and circled behind him.


    At the same time, a palm strike landed on the back of Lei Li''s neck.


    Spurt!


    Lei Li''s body trembled, his energy dissipated, and he thumped onto the ground.


    Falling unconscious.


    Hiss!


    Around the stage, a collective intake of breath could be heard.


    Nobody had expected Lei Li, who seemed to have victory in his grasp, to be turned over at the last moment.


    Yu Huaxian was also taken aback, then spoke out loud, "The first place winner of this Genius Battle is Jin Feiyan!"


    On the stage.


    Jin Feiyan''s face revealed a serene smile, and she cheered as she looked towards Yu Huaxian, "Elder Yu, they say that the first-place winner of the Genius Battle will receive a Martial Dao Divine Fruit of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, is that true?"


    "That is indeed true; the dean himself will be presenting it to you shortly!"


    Elder Yu smiled.


    He held a favorable impression of this girl who seemed so fragile yet had made her way to first place in the Genius Battle.


    "Yay!"


    Jin Feiyan clenched her fists excitedly, her face full of thrill.


    At that moment...


    A playful voice suddenly sounded in her ear, "Jin Feiyan, do you still remember me?" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 356 Supervisory Group

    "Jin Feiyan, do you still remember me?"


    Xiao Yi''s playful voice suddenly came through, causing Jin Feiyan to start.


    She raised her head and looked in the direction of the voice.


    She saw Xiao Yi looking at her with a half-smile, though Jin Feiyan just felt that the person before her was somewhat familiar. With a slight knit of her brows, she shook her head and said, "I don''t know you... Little brother, are you trying to hit on me? Sorry, though you''re handsome, I''m not looking to date anyone at the moment!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Yu Huaxian: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Xiao Yi touched his nose and said with a wry smile, "I''m not trying to date you..."


    "Then are you trying to keep me as a mistress? That won''t do either. I''m a girl with principles, and I don''t do such things..." Jin Feiyan''s head shaking was as resolute as a rattle-drum as she firmly said.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Pfft!


    Yu Huaxian and others had never seen Xiao Yi this flustered; they couldn''t help but laugh out loud.


    Xiao Yi glared at them fiercely.


    Only then did Yu Huaxian speak, "Jin Feiyan, the man standing before you is the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi!"


    "Eh?"


    Jin Feiyan, startled, sized up Xiao Yi but showed no sign of embarrassment. With her hands balled into fists propping up her chin, her eyes sparkling with stars, she said, "Little brother, you''re our academy''s head? I''ve long heard that the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi, is young and handsome and possesses immense strength. Seeing you today truly lives up to your reputation!"


    Xiao Yi cleared his throat to interrupt Jin Feiyan''s words.


    This guy changes faces faster than flipping through a book.


    Xiao Yi said, "Jin Feiyan, you really do forget important people easily, huh! Black Hawk Gang, remember that?"


    "Hmm?"


    Jin Feiyan''s whole body stiffened, and her eyes widened in shock. Her autumn-water-like pupils shone with astonishment and surprise as she sized up Xiao Yi, "You, you, you''re the one who wiped out the Black Hawk Gang?"


    How could she forget Xiao Yi?


    Back then, all she had in mind was to use Xiao Yi to escape; later, she heard that the Black Hawk Gang was exterminated.


    At the time, Jin Feiyan was shocked as well.


    She specifically fled to the countryside and hid for a while until she recently heard that the top three geniuses would receive a Dharma Manifestation Realm''s Martial Dao Divine Fruit, and only then did she return to the capital.


    She didn''t expect...


    She still couldn''t avoid it, after all!


    Jin Feiyan looked crestfallen and said, "Head Xiao, I really didn''t do it on purpose. How about this, I don''t want the Martial Dao Divine Fruit anymore, can you just let me go like it was nothing?"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly, his face full of amusement as he said, "Since you''ve walked into the net of your own accord, it''s impossible to let you go now. However, if you''re willing to join Shanhe Court, I might consider not punishing you!"


    "Huh?"


    Jin Feiyan stunned, looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, her slender finger pointing to her nose, "You want me to join Shanhe Court?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Jin Feiyan hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Are you sure you want me to join Shanhe Court, and not just thinking of tricking me there so you can punish me later?" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi said, "Securing the first place in the talent competition sufficiently proves your potential, enough to become a disciple at Shanhe Court!"


    Jin Feiyan''s eyes showed a hint of wariness as she asked, "Are you sure it''s my talent you''re interested in, and not... lusting after my body?"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    God damn lusting after your body!


    Yu Huaxian and the others couldn''t hold back any longer and burst into laughter.


    Even when facing the powerhouses in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the always composed Xiao Yi had never been so vexed. He shook his head and said indifferently, "Just keep your mind at ease, I''m not interested in little apples!"


    "Little, little apple?"


    Jin Feiyan was taken aback, subconsciously glanced at herself, then immediately puffed out her chest, angrily saying, "Who says I''m a little apple? You''re a little apple, your whole family is little apples..."


    Xiao Yi gave her a glance, refusing to be led by the nose by a woman, he indifferently said, "Fine, since you''re unwilling to join Shanhe Court, then you can forget about the first place prize."


    "Wait a minute..."


    Jin Feiyan''s face showed urgency as she called out quickly, "I am willing to join Xiaoshanhe Institute, but I need you to agree to one condition!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi looked at her.


    Jin Feiyan said, "I want to take you as my master!"


    "Take me as your master?"


    Xiao Yi was startled for a moment, then looked at her with a playful expression and said, "You may first join my sect and become my nominal disciple. If within half a month, you manage to step into the Golden Core Realm, I will consider taking you as my disciple!"


    "Master, please accept your disciple''s bow!"


    Jin Feiyan quickly knelt down and kowtowed deeply.


    With a casual wave of his hand, Xiao Yi lifted Jin Feiyan with an invisible surge of Qi and looked towards Yu Huaxian, "Notify the top ten thousand talents of the battle to rest tonight and return to Xiaoshanhe Institute tomorrow at noon for the initiation ceremony."


    "Yes!"


    Yu Huaxian accepted the order with an excited expression.


    The disciples who ranked among the top ten thousand talents all had good potential, and if these new forces were to join Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    With Xiao Yi''s methods, it was definitely possible to nurture a large group of strong practitioners.


    This was the hope for the rise of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Jin Feiyan followed closely alongside Xiao Yi and asked curiously, "Master, why don''t we return to Xiaoshanhe Institute right now?"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, his lips curling up with a hint of amusement, "We ought to give those people some time, shouldn''t we?"


    "Hmm?"


    Jin Feiyan was stunned, and then thinking of the ''those people'' Xiao Yi referred to, probably the strong practitioners from the top ten thousand, she didn''t ponder any further. As she saw Xiao Yi preparing to leave, she hurriedly followed, "Master, where are you planning to go?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at her and said, "To the Treasure Pavilion."


    "Treasure Pavilion?"


    Jin Feiyan''s eyes lit up, "Master, can you take your disciple with you?"


    Upon Jin Feiyan''s pleading, Xiao Yi shook his head helplessly, "Going together is no problem, but you must control your hands!"


    This guy had a history of misconduct!


    If she were to sneak around in the Treasure Pavilion, it would be an embarrassment!


    After Jin Feiyan promised repeatedly, Xiao Yi led her to the Treasure Pavilion. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    Meanwhile...


    Inside the palace.


    Li Shengtian, Tian Xiao, and Chen Shuiwen were kneeling in front of Emperor Qian, having done so for a full two hours already.


    Emperor Qian set down the memorial, his face expressionless as he said, "My loyal subjects, are you truly resolved to this?"


    "Your Majesty, our actions are not driven by personal grievances but by a profound sense of responsibility towards the countless citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty!" Li Shengtian spoke with a heavy voice.


    Tian Xiao''s head banged against the ground, tears streaming down his face as he said, "Your Majesty, those who have distinguished themselves in the genius battle are definitely the future pillars of the Great Qian Dynasty. How can we stand by and watch them thrown into a pit of fire?"


    Emperor Qian narrowed his eyes and said, "Pit of fire? Xiaoshanhe Institute is a sect supported by our royal family, how can you speak of it as a pit of fire?"


    "Your Majesty, Xiaoshanhe Institute has been in decline for many years and lacks even a Spirit Gathering Array... Even though Xiao Yi has brought in those powerful people from Beast Emperor City, to the best of my knowledge, they are slaves bought from the slave market... How can they become qualified mentors? To hand over the future pillars of the Great Qian Dynasty to a group of slaves for guidance is to ruin them..."


    Chen Shuiwen knelt in front of Emperor Qian, tearfully imploring, "Your Majesty, we humbly request you to send an inspection team to Xiaoshanhe Institute to audit it, sending those disciples to Xiaoshanhe Institute is truly a waste of heaven''s gifts!"


    Emperor Qian tapped his fingers lightly on the table, speaking indifferently, "Sending an inspection team to examine isn''t a problem, but if, as you say, Xiaoshanhe Institute fails to provide a suitable cultivation environment for those disciples, what should be done with the more than ten thousand of them?"


    Li Shengtian said, "I believe although Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is newly established, it has strong teachers and is deeply rooted. They can be sent to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "I second the motion!"


    Tian Xiao also spoke up.


    Chen Shuiwen pounded his chest and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, your servant will not let you down!"


    Emperor Qian pondered for a moment, then spoke solemnly, "So be it, since you insist, I will appoint Qi together with the three of you to form an inspection team and go to Xiaoshanhe Institute for the audit. If it''s as you say, and Xiaoshanhe Institute is unable to provide those disciples with a suitable cultivation environment, then have them go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. However, if it turns out that what you say is not true, don''t blame me for charging you with the crime of defaming and entrapping an important court official..."


    "Your Majesty is wise!"


    "Please rest assured, Your Majesty!"


    The three of them, excited, exchanged glances, revealing vicious and triumphant expressions, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, the disciples you worked so hard to recruit are about to become ours!"

 Chapter 357 Coming to Find Death!

    Treasure Pavilion.


    Xiao Yi and Jin Feiyan moved unhindered and arrived in the alchemy room.


    Fu Yuan and others were in the process of concocting pills. The Treasure Pavilion had launched a full-scale total offensive against the Nangong Family, and pill pharmacies throughout the Great Qian Dynasty had lowered their prices. The daily consumption of pills was extremely terrifying.


    "Xiao!"


    "Director, you''re here!"


    Everyone said one after the other.


    Fu Yuan also put down his work, walked up to Xiao Yi, and respectfully saluted, "Xiao, I was blind before and failed to recognize that you are the true Alchemy Grandmaster. Please punish me!"


    Ever since the day Nalan Qianqiu and the others passed on the alchemy techniques advised by Xiao Yi to Fu Yuan.


    Fu Yuan could now control five Pill Furnaces at the same time.


    This leap in progress made Fu Yuan completely convinced and sincerely impressed by Xiao Yi.


    Now, it wasn''t just a matter of voluntarily leaving after the ten-year agreement.


    Even if Xiao Yi drove him away, he wouldn''t be willing to leave.


    Xiao Yi raised his palm lightly and helped Fu Yuan stand up slowly, saying with a smile, "Fu, you''re too polite. Since we''re all fellow members of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, we are companions. How can there be punishment between us?"


    Gratefulness filled Fu Yuan''s heart. He opened his mouth, seemingly having something to say but hesitated.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Fu, is there something you wish to discuss with me? There''s no need for such caution between us, just speak plainly!" S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This..."


    Fu Yuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Xiao, I am puzzled about something in alchemy..."


    "Hahaha, I thought it was something serious. Go on and tell me!" Xiao Yi laughed.


    Fu Yuan promptly said, "I have been a Seven-Star Alchemist for many years, but I have never found the clue to concocting Grade-Eight pills. Although every attempt does complete each step properly, the quality of the pills I create is extremely low. Until now, the most successful Grade-Eight pill I have made is only of low quality..."


    Xiao Yi said, "So, that''s the issue... Fu, if I''m not mistaken, since you entered the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, you''ve had no breakthroughs in at least thirty years, correct?"


    Fu Yuan showed a look of surprise; he didn''t expect Xiao Yi to discern his cultivation issue at a glance. He nodded and said, "It''s been thirty-one years. No matter how I cultivate, I can never make any further progress..."


    "And that''s where the problem lies!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "The quality of a pill is deeply related to the purification of the herbal essence and the refinement of the heaven and earth energies during the Solidifying Pill process. When Fu broke through the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, it must have been with the aid of external forces. But these forces also affected the quality of your qi, naturally preventing you from perfectly enhancing the quality of Grade-Eight pills!"


    Hiss!


    Fu Yuan looked perplexed, staring incredulously at Xiao Yi.


    His breakthrough to the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm indeed happened because he accidentally acquired a Thousand-Year Golden Dragon Herb, which allowed him to break through his shackles.


    But other than himself, no one knew about this!


    How could Xiao Yi pinpoint it exactly?


    Fu Yuan watched Xiao Yi with an excited face, earnestly saying, "Please save me, Xiao!"


    Xiao Yi laughed, "It''s actually quite simple, just enter the Pill Furnace!"


    "Ah?"


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    Fu Yuan was taken aback.


    Enter the Pill Furnace?


    Jin Feiyan was astonished, "Master, are you planning to make a Human Refining Elixir?"


    Fu Yuan and the others: "..."


    A line of black lines crossed Xiao Yi''s forehead as he glared at her fiercely, then explained, "What aided your breakthrough contained an overbearing medicinal power which, despite facilitating your breakthrough, left a substantial amount of medicinal power lingering in your body. Over these years, this medicinal power has taken deep root, and only by refining it through the Pill Furnace can the problem be fundamentally resolved!"


    "This..."


    Fu Yuan''s face showed hesitation. Entering the Pill Furnace was truly alarming!


    If there were any mishaps, one would become a literal human pill.


    After hesitating for a while.


    Fu Yuan gritted his teeth and said, "Please assist me, Xiao!"


    Whoosh!


    Fu Yuan directly headed towards one of the pill furnaces and dove into it like a wisp of smoke, immediately sealing the furnace from inside. Xiao Yi''s figure soared into the air, and with a push of his palm towards the front, the gigantic pill furnace roared as it uprooted from the ground.


    It hung in midair, entwined and buoyed by countless threads of elemental qi.


    The surrounding hundreds of alchemists all stopped their actions, each looking on with a horrified expression. They had never heard of someone being refined inside a pill furnace. It was well-known that the temperature inside a pill furnace could easily reach thousands of degrees, and at its highest, it could even soar to tens of thousands of degrees.


    Even the physical body of someone from the Dharma Manifestation Realm would struggle to endure such a terrifyingly high temperature.


    This required an extremely high level of control over the furnace fire.


    Xiao Yi''s form danced in front of the pill furnace, his ten fingers flickering with flames that he breathed into the furnace.


    Hiss Hiss!


    The flames blazed fiercely, with Fu Yuan''s pained grunts occasionally emanating from within.


    "He''s not going to refine the person to death, is he?"


    "Xiao''s alchemical skills are incredibly impressive; how could he make such a novice mistake?"


    Everyone discussed amongst themselves.


    Suddenly.


    The pill furnace buzzed and with a bang landed back on the ground.


    Xiao Yi clapped his hands and said, "Open the furnace after 24 hours, and no one is allowed to come near it in the meantime!"


    "Don''t worry, Xiao, I''ll personally keep watch!"


    Nalan Qianqiu quickly nodded, stepping forward to take his position in front of the pill furnace.


    Xiao Yi nodded and then waved his hand to disperse the crowd before asking, "Master Nalan, how are things going?"


    Nalan Qianqiu squinted his eyes and murmured in a low voice, "Everything is proceeding according to plan!"


    "Good!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a slight smile, a cold light flickering in his narrowed eyes, "The trap has been set, just waiting for you to jump in!"


    ......


    The following day, at high noon.


    Outside the Imperial Capital''s Vermilion Bird Gate.


    Xiao Yi, Yu Huaxian, Hai Wei, and Li Jinjun had been waiting here for quite some time. All the warriors who ranked among the top ten thousand geniuses had gathered, each wearing a look filled with intense anticipation and excitement.


    After seven days of genius battles, they had emerged victorious.


    About to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    To receive the many rewards promised by Xiao Yi.


    Inside the Great Qian Dynasty, there stood numerous sects, especially the ten great sects.


    If one''s family had some connections, or one possessed sufficiently dazzling talent, they were generally spotted by one of the great sects around the age of ten or so. Among these people, many were over twenty years of age.


    The ten great sects did not regard them highly.


    If they had to rely on themselves, their martial arts journey would undoubtedly be difficult, with limited prospects.


    Now, the Xiaoshanhe Institute was offering them hope!


    "Dean, everyone has arrived!" Yu Huaxian stepped forward and said respectfully.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "No rush, we are still waiting for some people!"


    "Eh?"


    Yu Huaxian was baffled.


    After a momentary wait...


    Hoofbeats could be heard approaching, led by Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and Tian Xiao, with Qi and Yang Ling at their side.


    Yu Huaxian looked surprised and frowned, "What are they doing here?"


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, his words deliberate, "They''ve come to meet their death!"

 Chapter 358 Who Goes There?

    "Here to die!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth corners subtly lifted, his eyes flickering with a chilling glint.


    Yu Huaxian and the others were all momentarily stunned.


    At this moment...


    Yang Ling and his group had already arrived before them, with Yang Ling giving Xiao Yi a knowing wink.


    There was no mention of him in the initial inspection group roster, but upon learning of the conspiracy by Li Shengtian and others, Yang Ling volunteered to join the group. Emperor Qian was extremely fond of Yang Ling, naturally he wouldn''t reject his request.


    Chen Shuiwen and his two associates wore thick smirks of mockery, their provocative gazes fixed on Xiao Yi.


    Qi spoke in a deep voice, "Xiao, by the emperor''s command, we''ve formed the inspection group to join you back to Imperial Dragon Mountain, to review whether Xiaoshanhe Institute indeed has the capacity to guide these ten thousand disciples in their cultivation. These are official duties, and I hope Xiao doesn''t take offense!"


    Xiao Yi responded with a half-smile, "Is this the emperor''s wish?"


    "How audacious!"


    Chen Shuiwen shouted coldly, his face full of arrogance, "Xiao Yi, regardless of whose idea it was, it ultimately represents the emperor''s edict. Are you dissatisfied with the emperor''s edict?"


    "Who let something slip because they didn''t fasten their belt properly?" Xiao Yi said feigning confusion.


    "You..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned an iron shade of green.


    What kind of thing would slip out if a belt isn''t tightened?


    Wasn''t Xiao Yi insulting him by calling him that ''thing''?


    "Oh, isn''t this Headmaster Chen? How come your Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is so empty that you have the time to join this inspection group and investigate our Xiaoshanhe Institute?" Yu Huaxian said, his face full of surprise as he loudly addressed Chen Shuiwen.


    Xiao Yi cleared his throat and pretended to be displeased, "Yu Huaxian, how can you speak to Headmaster Chen like this? He is the busy head of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, who has taken time out of his packed schedule to review our Xiaoshanhe Institute. What an honor for us!"


    "Hahaha, well then we''ll have to trouble Headmaster Chen!" Yu Huaxian bowed mockingly to Chen Shuiwen, his face full of provocation.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face alternated between shades of green and white.


    His Shanhe Martial Arts Academy didn''t even have one new disciple, what busy matters could he possibly have?


    Under Xiao Yi and Yu Huaxian''s mocking, his face turned as black as coal. He snorted coldly and said with a stern voice, "Xiao Yi, don''t rely on your verbal agility here. Today, we, as part of the inspection group, are acting with a sense of responsibility toward these ten thousand plus individuals. If your Xiaoshanhe Institute doesn''t have the capacity to support their cultivation, then these disciples will be transferred to our Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    Li Shengtian spoke indifferently, "Shanhe Martial Arts Academy has a fourfold Spirit Gathering Array, is supported by the resources of the Nangong and Beitang Families'' pills, and is provided martial arts techniques from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, among others. Their foundation is far stronger than that of Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    Tian Xiao said with a sinister tone, "Headmaster Xiao, let''s not waste everyone''s time. Today our inspection group will act impartially, and if Xiaoshanhe Institute is truly qualified, these disciples will naturally belong to you. However, if you are not up to par, we will have to take these disciples away!"


    "Headmaster Xiao..."


    Chen Shuiwen boasted, "The doors of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are already open for them. I''ll preemptively thank Headmaster Xiao for selecting these talented disciples for our Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved in a slight smile, "You might just end up regretting it!"


    "That''s far from certain!"


    "We''re very clear about the state of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "This time, you''re destined to be dressed up with nowhere to go!"


    Chen Shuiwen and the others were brimming with pride.


    Yang Ling frowned, "It''s getting late; let''s set off."


    "Let''s depart!"


    The three led the way.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Yu Huaxian, then signaled his followers, and headed toward Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Yang Ling came to Xiao Yi''s side. Since the first time he escorted Xiao Yi to Xiaoshanhe Institute, he hadn''t been back since. He knew the place well and spoke with concern, "Xiao Yi, I''ll try my best to meddle and save some disciples for you when the time comes."


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but no one has yet been able to snatch away a disciple from my Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Hmm?"


    Yang Ling was slightly stunned and, squinting at the confidence on Xiao Yi''s face, he said, "You''re that confident?"


    Xiao Yi nodded: "Of course, I have confidence."


    Yang Ling''s lips curled up as he said, "If that''s really the case, then you''ll have to slap them hard in the face for me. Even Emperor Qian has become angry this time. If it turns out that they have been misrepresenting the truth, at the very least, the hats on the heads of Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao won''t stay secure!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at the three smug figures ahead, a playful look in his eyes.


    Finally, the group arrived at the foot of Imperial Dragon Mountain. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    The Spirit Gathering Array of Xiaoshanhe Institute had not yet been activated and still appeared somewhat desolate. Chen Shuiwen and the other two''s smiles grew even brighter. Turning to look back at Xiao Yi, they said coldly, "Headmaster Xiao, does your Xiaoshanhe Institute not have a Spirit Gathering Array? Just look at how scarce the natural energy of heaven and earth is here, how can anyone cultivate in this place?"


    "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, with such conditions at your Xiaoshanhe Institute, you still dare to recruit so many disciples? You''re really misleading these young people!"


    "And you even treat slaves brought back from Beast Emperor City as instructors? Do you wish for a group of slaves to guide these pillars of the future Great Qian Dynasty?"


    The three chastised in deep concern and indignation.


    Within the crowd.


    The tens of thousands of disciples also felt bewildered. They hadn''t expected Xiaoshanhe Institute to be in such a state of decay and exchanged glances, whispering among themselves: "We''d heard that Xiaoshanhe Institute was in decline, but didn''t expect it to have fallen this far. Are we really going to cultivate here?"


    "It seems now it would be really better to join the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "At least they have a fourfold Spirit Gathering Array, and also experts from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa to guide us... "


    With that, unexpectedly, over a thousand people had second thoughts, unwilling to join Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Chen Shuiwen''s lips tilted upwards as he spoke out loud: "Everyone, no need to worry. The doors of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are always open to you. If you do not wish to join Xiaoshanhe Institute, please stand on my side. Once the review is complete, I will take you back myself!"


    "Thank you, Headmaster Chen!"


    "We are willing to go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    More than twelve hundred people stood behind Chen Shuiwen.


    Yu Huaxian''s face turned ashen; he had not expected that even before they had entered the mountain gate, more than a thousand people had already changed their mind. He was about to scold them but was stopped by Li Shengtian: "Yu Huaxian, do you intend to threaten them in front of us and force them to join Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Chen Shuiwen spoke with heartfelt pain, "After all, whether these disciples choose Xiaoshanhe Institute or go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy should be their own choice. How can we force them? By doing this, how can you assure us that you''re fit to take care of these future pillars?"


    At that moment.


    Another three hundred people joined the ranks behind Chen Shuiwen.


    Even before they had entered the mountain gate, there were already fifteen hundred people who had chosen to join the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Yu Huaxian''s face looked incredibly displeased.


    Xiao Yi, however, appeared indifferent and said lightly, "Don''t be in such a hurry. It''s only just begun!"


    Chen Shuiwen nodded and said in a sardonic tone: "That''s right, it has just begun. Let''s continue with the review. Perhaps by the time we reach the mountain''s peak, you won''t have a single person left behind you! Hahaha..."


    The group moved majestically towards the mountain gate.


    From a distance.


    The gate had not a single disciple guarding it; shaking his head, Li Shengtian said, "This is Xiaoshanhe Institute? Without any disciples to guard the mountain, the gate simply lies open here, allowing anyone to freely enter and exit, it''s really disappointing!"


    Chen Shuiwen said with pride, "Don''t worry, Mr. Li. The doors of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are guarded year-round by disciples in the Golden Core Realm; they certainly don''t lack discipline like this place!" S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No sooner had he finished speaking.


    From the direction of the mountain gate came two thunderous roars: "Who goes there?"

 Chapter 359 Eye-Popping

    "Who goes there?"


    A thunderous roar suddenly erupted, like a startling clap of thunder from the clear sky, nearly knocking Chen Shuiwen and his two companions off their horses.


    Hiss!


    Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and the third person''s faces turned pale, their hands clutching their ears, as their heads buzzed loudly.


    It was an utterly embarrassing sight.


    Chen Shuiwen glared in the direction of the mountain gate, "Who dares to be so bold, hiding your head and showing your tail, intentionally frightening us?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said indifferently, "Chen, you worry too much. We of the Xiaoshanhe Institute are upright and aboveboard; how could we engage in such sneaky acts?"


    "Upright and aboveboard? Hmph, if you really were, why would you hide your gate guardians?" Chen Shuiwen retorted with a dark face. That voice had almost scared him off his horse.


    It was certainly embarrassing.


    He had already heard many of the disciples discussing his panicked state.


    Yu Huaxian said indifferently, "Chen, you''re showing your ignorance. Our Xiaoshanhe Institute has never hidden its gate guardians..."


    "Not hidden?"


    Li Shengtian sneered, "If they aren''t hidden, then why can''t we see them?"


    Tian Xiao scoffed, "You''re not going to say there''s something wrong with our eyes, are you?"


    Yu Huaxian nodded and said, "Indeed, there is something wrong with your eyes. These two Mountain Guardian Demon Beasts are right in front of you, yet you look right through them!"


    "Mountain Guardian Demon Beasts?"


    Everyone was taken aback.


    All eyes turned towards the mountain gate, and there, in front of the white jade stone gate, sat a formidable demon beast on each side. These two demon beasts were meticulous and immobile, making them seem like statues.


    Gululu!


    Chen Shuiwen and the other two exchanged glances, "These are demon beasts?"


    Chen Shuiwen approached one of the demon beasts and reached out to test its authenticity.


    And then...


    Boom!


    Chen Shuiwen was sent flying, tracing a beautiful arc through the air, and crashed to the ground with a thud. Blood spewed from his mouth, and he looked utterly bewildered, while the demon beast he had touched coldly said, "Don''t you even look at what you are, daring to touch me with such filthy hands?"


    Hiss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but take a sharp breath.


    They looked at the two demon beasts in astonishment.


    Chen Shuiwen was at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and yet, this demon beast sent him flying with such ease, leaving him no chance to resist. The only possibility was that this beast was a Sixth Order Beast King.


    Sixth Order Beast King!


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    This was an existence comparable to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and even the ten great sects would treat such a creature as a guardian spirit beast!


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute was using them as gatekeepers?


    "It must be a hoax, it has to be!"


    "How could anyone bear to use a Sixth Order Beast King as a gatekeeper?"


    "Even if they were willing to use it as a gatekeeper, such a proud being would never stand for such an insult!"


    All faces were a picture of bewildered confusion.


    Sixth Order Beast Kings, known for their immense pride.


    Let alone guarding a gate.


    Even taming them as mounts had an extremely low chance of success.


    Qi narrowed his eyes, withdrew his gaze from the two demon beasts, and turned to Xiao Yi, his eyes gleaming, "Xiao, if I''m not mistaken, these two Beast Kings are the very ones you subdued on the Great Liang Mountain, right?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and nodded, "Qi, you have sharp eyes indeed. After I gave these two beasts a beating, they insisted on guarding my gate with shameless persistence; I couldn''t even drive them away!"


    Everyone: "..."


    The two demon beasts: "..."


    A look of sorrow filled their eyes as they gazed at Xiao Yi.


    They had thought about fleeing more than once, but initially, they were subdued by Xiao Yi''s formidable martial force. Later, Xiao Yi offered them precious elixirs. In just over a month, the two mighty Beast Kings made breakthroughs from being comparable to the first level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm to the second level.


    You must understand...


    Demon beasts typically relied on the passage of time to cultivate.


    Where would they find such precious elixirs?


    Now, the two of them were genuinely committed to staying here; they need not worry about being ambushed, nor fret over cultivation. Why would they object?


    Gululu!


    The crowd swallowed hard.


    The complexions of Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and Tian Xiao turned exceedingly grim, especially Chen Shuiwen, who wished he could burrow into a hole and hide. He had been so proud, boasting about the permanent presence of Golden Core Realm experts guarding his gate.


    Yet at Xiao Yi''s, there were beings of the Dharma Manifestation Realm stature!


    The blow to their pride was severe.


    For a moment...


    Within the crowd of over fifteen hundred people, some began to stir: "The Xiaoshanhe Institute can have Beast King experts guard its gate��such grandeur, even the ten great sects might not be able to accomplish that, right?"


    "Then why did we even leave Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "Let''s go back!"


    More than three hundred people tried to return to where Xiao Yi and the others were.


    However...


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "What do you think Xiaoshanhe Institute is? A place you can come and go as you please? Get lost and head back!"


    Boom!


    As if from nowhere, a violent gust of wind pushed those three hundred people back behind Chen Shuiwen.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face looked incredibly displeased.


    Scowling, he turned to the more than fifteen hundred people and said solemnly, "Everyone, remain calm... What truly offers assistance to you in a sect is not the gatekeeper but the powers within the sect and its various resources. This Xiaoshanhe Institute doesn''t even have a Spirit Gathering Array��cultivating here is no different from cultivating at home! My Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, however, has a Spirit Gathering Array that is four times as effective..."


    Li Shengtian''s eyes also lit up, his defeatist attitude swept away as he stared at Xiao Yi, "Dean Xiao, the most fundamental standard for establishing a sect is the Spirit Gathering Array, and you don''t even have one..."


    "Don''t rush!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "The Spirit Gathering Array has already been laid out by my people, and I estimate they will activate it very soon. Follow me and see for yourself!"


    "Being laid out? Humph, who doesn''t know that within the Great Qian Dynasty regarding Spirit Gathering Arrays, only that person from Tianjian Sect is the top one! The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy''s array was personally laid out by that very person. Do you mean to tell me that your Xiaoshanhe Institute found an Array Master even more skilled than him?" Chen Shuiwen said with disdain.


    Xiao Yi simply replied with a smile, "Let''s go up and have a look!"


    The group began to make their way toward the summit.


    Shortly after...


    They entered the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and at that moment, in the practice arena of Xiaoshanhe Institute:


    Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo were leading a group of disciples waiting there.


    As soon as Xiao Yi and his people reached the foot of the mountain, they had received voice transmissions from the two Beast Kings and were specially waiting here.


    "Hmm?"


    "Chen Ziyi? Li Youruo? It looks like the two of them really did betray Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa!" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But... These two are only six-star Array Masters; even if they work together, they couldn''t possibly set up a Spirit Gathering Array more powerful than the one at Shanhe Martial Arts Academy..."


    Li Shengtian sneered at Xiao Yi, "Dean Xiao, is the Spirit Gathering Array you mentioned laid out by these two? If that''s the case, it seems we needn''t bother to look any further, as there''s no way they can set up a stronger Spirit Gathering Array than the one at Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "That''s not necessarily true!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and looked toward Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo, "You heard Mr. Li. Why don''t you activate the Spirit Gathering Array and let them check it out?"


    "Yes!"


    The corners of their mouths raised slightly as they both ascended into the air.


    Each of them held an array flag in their hands. With a whoosh, the array flags entered into the mountain, and the two of them shouted in unison, "Activate the array!"


    Boom!


    A column of light, indescribably powerful, shot up into the sky.


    This pillar connected heaven and earth.


    Within the immense column of light, a profusion of stars ebbed and flowed, sketching out a magnificent star chart in the void that aligned with the trajectories of the constellations above, forming a massive vortex atop the sky of Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Rumble rumble!


    Countless elements of heaven and earth began gathering.


    Within ten miles.


    Within a hundred miles.


    Within a thousand miles...


    All the elements within a thousand miles seemed to be instantly drained.


    And the concentration of the heaven and earth''s essence within Xiaoshanhe Institute continued to soar.


    Twice as dense.


    Three times denser.


    Four times denser...


    In the blink of an eye, it had already surpassed the fourfold concentration of the Spirit Gathering Array at the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    "This, this is impossible..."


    "How could it be like this? What kind of terrifying formation is this, it''s actually..."


    Chen Shuiwen and his group were dumbfounded, their faces filled with horror.


    An hour later.


    The Spirit Gathering Array was fully operational, and the concentration of the heaven and earth''s essence within the Xiaoshanhe Institute had reached a staggering tenfold!


    Ten times the density of the heaven and earth''s essence caused the somewhat barren Imperial Dragon Mountain to begin covering itself with greenery at a speed visible to the naked eye. Flowers bloomed in abundance, dead wood sprang to life, bursting with vitality...


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled upwards, his gaze playful as he looked at Chen Shuiwen and the others, "Gentlemen, what do you think of my Spirit Gathering Array?"


    "..."


    The three of them were speechless, at a loss for words.


    The scene before them...


    Completely blew their minds!


    A Spirit Gathering Array with tenfold efficiency could be called a miracle!


    Chen Shuiwen''s eyes were bloodshot, unable to utter a word, only feeling a burning pain on his face. His smug fourfold Spirit Gathering Array seemed like trash compared to Xiaoshanhe Institute''s Spirit Gathering Array!

 Chapter 360 Turning Heaven and Earth Upside Down

    ```


    Slap! Slap! Slap!


    Chen Shuiwen could only feel a series of crisp slapping sounds beside his ear, the sharp sound of slapping, and his face was in excruciating pain.


    Today, he had come with the determination to wipe away the disgrace of the past.


    But the result...


    At the mountain gate.


    The Golden Core Realm disciples whom he took pride in, acting as gatekeepers, were directly crushed into powder by two sixth-order Beast Kings.


    Afterward.


    The fourfold Spirit Gathering Array he boasted about was once again battered beyond recognition by Xiao Yi''s tenfold Spirit Gathering Array.


    One failure after another caused Chen Shuiwen''s heart to sink to rock bottom.


    Behind him...


    The one thousand five hundred disciples were even more enraged, their eyes bloodshot and their breathing became rapid; their gazes filled with venom and hatred towards the three individuals like Chen Shuiwen. If not for them, it would be they who were cultivating under the tenfold natural energy of heaven and earth.


    Now.


    They had chosen betrayal.


    If it were before...


    They were already very content with cultivating under the fourfold Spirit Gathering Array at the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    But now, having seen the tenfold Spirit Gathering Array of the Xiaoshanhe Institute with their own eyes, by comparison, it was naturally ten times more attractive!


    Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world.


    Especially for betrayal.


    Once is enough!


    Xiao Yi would absolutely not allow those who chose betrayal to return to the Xiaoshanhe Institute ever again.


    Yang Ling spoke indifferently, "Sirs, do you have any further objections regarding the inspection of Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    It was he who had originally proposed Xiao Yi as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Li Shengtian and others had repeatedly targeted Xiao Yi; in Yang Ling''s view, they were targeting him as well.


    So, he had no pleasant expressions for the three of them.


    Li Shengtian''s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.


    They had not easily convinced Emperor Qian, allowing them to inspect the Xiaoshanhe Institute in the capacity of an inspection team; all of this was well-prepared. Before going to see Emperor Qian, they had sent people to probe around the Xiaoshanhe Institute three times.


    Each probe ended with the same result as Chen Shuiwen had stated; the Xiaoshanhe Institute was nothing special.


    That''s what led to this inspection.


    They had never imagined...


    That their plans would be shattered once again.


    Thinking of the military order they had issued in front of Emperor Qian, if they were to report back with such results, the three of them would indeed face severe punishment from Emperor Qian. Li Shengtian could even be sure that at the very least, he''d lose his official hat!


    "I have painstakingly reached this far, how could it end like this?" Li Shengtian''s eyes were blood-red with determination.


    "Mr. Li..."


    Yang Ling, with a piercing gaze, stared at Li Shengtian, pressing on.


    Li Shengtian took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on Xiao Yi, "Head Xiao is indeed formidable, having established the Xiaoshanhe Institute to such a state in just over a month. I believe the institute will flourish under your leadership. However, whether a sect can teach outstanding disciples is not only about these factors; what''s more important is the number and quality of the strong members within the sect!"


    Yang Ling said calmly, "As I am aware, there are now four individuals at the Dharma Manifestation Realm in Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Your Highness, I must correct you there!"


    "Oh?"


    Yang Ling was startled.


    Xiao Yi smiled and pointed to Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi, who had already come before the crowd, "Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo have broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and at the same time, both of them have also stepped into the ranks of seven-star Array Masters!"


    Hiss!


    Yang Ling took in a breath of cold air, his pupils shrinking sharply.


    Qi was also showing a discerning glint.


    Li Shengtian, Chen Shuiwen, and Tian Xiao''s faces changed colors continuously, looking incredulously at Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi.


    ```


    ```


    These two, they are very familiar with.


    Elders of Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, but previously, both had been stuck at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm for many years, their progression in formations stopped at a six-star advanced level without any improvement. Even the seven-star Array Master from Tianjian Sect had said that in this life, they had no hope of becoming seven-star Array Masters!


    Now, both of them have actually broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm?


    And both stepped into the ranks of seven-star Array Masters at the same time? S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Plus that seven-star Alchemist, Fu Yuan.


    Doesn''t that mean...


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute now has a seven-star Alchemist and two seven-star Array Masters?


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Your Highness, my Xiaoshanhe Institute now has three great Beast Kings of the sixth order, six Dharma Manifestation Realm experts. There are over a hundred powerful individuals in the Tao Tribulation Realm; I wonder if such a lineup is enough to instruct these disciples?"


    Glug!


    Even Yang Ling, who had always supported Xiao Yi, couldn''t help but swallow his saliva when he suddenly heard the current lineup of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    He was acutely aware that, before Xiao Yi''s arrival, the Xiaoshanhe Institute only had a few thousand disciples, a hundred or so instructors, and fewer than ten individuals in the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    How long has it been since Xiao Yi took over the Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    Just one or two months in total.


    In just one or two months, if we include those three Beast Kings, it means the Xiaoshanhe Institute has gained a whopping nine Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, and over a hundred in the Tao Tribulation Realm. Moreover, it has established an unprecedented tenfold Spirit Gathering Array from nothing at the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    What a heaven-and-earth-shattering change!


    With the Xiaoshanhe Institute in its current state, even compared to the top ten sects, the difference would only be in the top experts and elite disciples!


    Yang Ling''s face showed excitement; he held his chin high, his disdainful gaze fell upon Li Shengtian and his two companions, and his words contained an added sense of pride, "The three of you, do you have anything else to say?"


    "I, I..."


    Li Shengtian was momentarily at a loss for words.


    Tian Xiao''s face turned pale, his limbs feeble.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face showed struggle; he gritted his teeth and bravely said, "Your Highness, it is indeed beyond our expectations that Xiao has made the Xiaoshanhe Institute so powerful. However, as far as I know, those powerhouses in the Xiaoshanhe Institute are all slaves; they..."


    Slap!


    Before he could finish speaking.


    Chen Shuiwen was suddenly struck across the face by Xiao Yi, sending him flying sideways, his head striking the ground with a thud.


    The martial arts field trembled violently.


    Half of Chen Shuiwen''s head was buried in the dirt as Xiao Yi said coldly, "Anyone who joins my Xiaoshanhe Institute is a comrade of mine, Xiao Yi. I will not allow anyone to insult them based on their origins and backgrounds. Today, I spare your life, but if you dare to insult again, this will be the result!"


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi held his hand in the air, exerting force to manipulate an object from afar.


    Swoosh!


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    A stone the size of a human head fell into his hand, and with a squeeze of his five fingers, the stone shattered into four or five pieces, spraying dust all around.


    Hiss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp, their gazes towards Xiao Yi filled with awe.


    Jin Feiyan and the other disciples who chose to follow Xiao Yi were dazzled, looking at Xiao Yi''s not particularly tall figure with admiration and fervor. Powerful, calm, proud, protective...


    Who else could be more suited to be their Institute Head than Xiao Yi?


    "Long live the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Long live Institute Head Xiao!"


    "Long live..."


    The group of disciples shouted loudly, their emotions surging.


    In contrast...


    The fifteen hundred disciples who had chosen to follow Chen Shuiwen and his group all hung their heads low, faces full of regret and frustration. Their gazes towards Chen Shuiwen and his companions were filled with spite and ferocity.


    If it weren''t for the words of those three, would they have chosen betrayal?


    "Damn it, to hell with Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, I''ll wait for the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s next recruitment to come back..."


    "I''ve decided, it''s Xiaoshanhe Institute or nothing!"


    Just as Chen Shuiwen, who had just been awakened by Li Shengtian, suddenly heard the words of the crowd, he let out a painful scream, spewing a mouthful of blood, his eyes rolling back as he fainted once more...


    ```

 Chapter 361 The Golden Throne

    "Chancellor Chen, Chancellor Chen..."


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao''s complexions changed dramatically as they hastily supported Chen Shuiwen.


    Their faces were as grey as death.


    The current Xiaoshanhe Institute was like an impregnable iron barrel, the only weakness being the slave status of its strong members, which could barely serve as a breach for them. But now Xiao Yi was so domineering and tyrannical that they dared not mention this matter anymore. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This inspection aimed at the Xiaoshanhe Institute had utterly and completely failed.


    Yang Ling said indifferently, "Gentlemen, I will definitely report to the Emperor that this inspection of the Xiaoshanhe Institute was entirely baseless, surely someone has been secretly instigating trouble, intending to slander Chancellor Xiao. I believe the Emperor will surely give Chancellor Xiao a satisfying explanation!"


    Whoosh!


    The complexions of the three men, Li Shengtian, turned deathly pale in an instant.


    Qi eyed the three of them and having a favorable impression of Xiao Yi, coupled with a deep understanding of Emperor Qian''s thoughts, said indifferently, "I too will report the truth!" Discover hidden content at My Virtual Library Empire


    Hum!


    Li Shengtian and his companions felt a buzz in their heads, a wave of numbness washing over their scalps.


    It''s over!


    Completely over!


    The three men exchanged looks, and their vision darkened; they all fainted on the spot.


    "What a disgraceful display..."


    Yang Ling looked coldly at the three men, then turned to Xiao Yi, saying, "Xiao Yi, I will take them back to report. You can rest assured, after this they will not die but will be severely punished!"


    "Thank you, Your Highness!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and then took out two bottles of elixirs, which he had personally crafted the previous evening at the Treasure Pavilion.


    A total of two bottles.


    He handed them to Yang Ling and Qi, smiling, "These are just some elixirs I made when I had the time!"


    Yang Ling smiled and directly accepted them.


    However, Qi seemed somewhat embarrassed.


    Xiao Yi added, "They''re just some trifles, no need for you to be so polite!"


    Yang Ling said, "Grand Eunuch Qi, just accept them!"


    "Well..."


    Grand Eunuch Qi hesitated for a moment, then received the jade bottle, saying, "Thank you, Chancellor Xiao!"


    "No need for thanks!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head.


    Immediately after...


    Yang Ling and Grand Eunuch Qi, taking the three persons with them, soared into the sky and left.


    In the void.


    Yang Ling saw Qi fiddling with the jade bottle and suggested, "Grand Eunuch Qi, since you''re curious, why not open it and take a look?"


    "Alright!"


    Upon opening the jade bottle, Qi inhaled sharply and then forced a smile, saying, "It appears I now owe Chancellor Xiao a tremendous favor!"


    Yang Ling, too, opened his own bottle, and his expression drastically changed.


    The bottles contained seventh-grade elixirs.


    Yang Ling, who was stuck at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm and just a step away from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, found that his bottle contained the high-level seventh-grade Law-Phase Elixir, which could dramatically increase the chances of breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm by fifty percent, a veritable miracle drug.


    The bottle in Grand Eunuch Qi''s hand contained the seventh-grade Pine Crane Longevity Elixir, which could extend one''s lifespan by a hundred years!


    Those in the Dharma Manifestation Realm could live for a thousand years.


    Grand Eunuch Qi, whose lifespan was not much longer, now had a Pine Crane Longevity Elixir that could add another hundred years to his life, and possibly even more, significantly increasing his chances of reaching for that legendary Longevity Secret Realm.


    The two exchanged a glance.


    Their eyes simultaneously fell on the three men including Chen Shuiwen.


    Yang Ling said, "Grand Eunuch Qi, I''m afraid I''ll need your assistance with this matter!"


    "Rest assured, Your Highness!"


    Qi nodded, his eyes cold, "They are undoubtedly dead men!"


    The two immediately put away the elixirs and headed towards the imperial palace.


    ...


    Within the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Jin Feiyan looked at Xiao Yi with curiosity and asked, "Master, why didn''t you just kill them directly?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at her and said indifferently, "They are already on the path to death, so why bother taking action myself?"


    Li Shengtian and his group had targeted them time and again, which had touched Emperor Qian''s sore spot.


    After all.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute had the royal family''s backing.


    Li Shengtian and the others had even teamed up with Three Seas Mountain, Wendao Villa, the Nangong Family, and the Beitang Family to establish the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to target the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Now, they wanted to put the Xiaoshanhe Institute in a desperate situation, and Emperor Qian was merely lacking a reason to put them to death!


    Now...


    He had that reason.


    With the help of Yang Ling and Qi, their death was certain!


    "Huh?"


    Jin Feiyan was stunned, not understanding.


    Xiao Yi did not explain but turned to Yu Huaxian: "Huaxian, go to the back mountain and gather the Shadow Demons. Taking advantage of today''s recruitment of disciples into the Xiaoshanhe Institute, we should also establish some new rules!"


    "Yes!"


    Yu Huaxian left immediately.


    A moment later...


    The Shadow Demons, who had been training those few hundred disciples in the back mountain, returned to the practice arena. With them came the several hundred disciples who had originally chosen to stay at the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Along with the more than eight thousand newcomers, they formed a group of nearly nine thousand disciples.


    Outside, five Dharma Manifestation Realm masters, over a hundred Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, and dozens of Golden Core Realm teachers formed the instructor lineup.


    With a bitter smile, Yu Huaxian said, "We must be the only sect where the number of people from the Tao Tribulation Realm outnumbers those from the Golden Core Realm, right?"


    Xiao Yi smiled wryly.


    As Yu Huaxian said, the proportion from the Tao Tribulation Realm in the Xiaoshanhe Institute was indeed excessive.


    He looked at the few hundred disciples, who under the training of the Shadow Demons had made significant breakthroughs in just seven days. Each of them had gained an invisible aura of evil qi and fighting spirit.


    One must know...


    The Shadow Demons all came from the Slave Battlefield, where every battle was a matter of life and death.


    It was fight or perish!


    Every move they made was a deadly attack risking their own lives.


    They dared not hold back in the slightest.


    Under their guidance, the growth of these disciples was also astonishingly fast.


    Shadow Demon stepped forward and reported, "Chief, all disciples and instructors have arrived!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and waved his hand.


    With a booming sound, the land beneath their feet rose abruptly amidst a series of loud noises. High platforms made of earth and stone emerged from the ground in the practice arena, towers several dozen feet tall.


    Thrones carved from sturdy rocks appeared in the center of the high platforms.


    There were eleven thrones in total.


    The one in the center radiated a brilliant and noble golden light, while the five on each side shone with a silver glow.


    All eyes focused on those eleven thrones.


    Everyone''s face showed a look of confusion.


    No one knew what Xiao Yi was planning!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi, under the gaze of nearly ten thousand pairs of eyes, took his place on the central golden throne. Sitting upright, the golden light from the throne made him seem even taller and filled with authority.


    Although his cultivation was not the highest among those present, even Shadow Demon felt no disloyalty when facing Xiao Yi.


    Sitting upon the golden throne.


    Xiao Yi looked down upon the more than nine thousand people. His calm gaze carried an indescribable weight of pressure.


    The crowd couldn''t help but clench their fists, feeling as if their blood had been ignited.


    Their blood boiled with excitement!


    Xiao Yi slowly withdrew his gaze and said in a loud voice, "..."

 Chapter 362 Comprehensive Reforms

    "Today, as you join the Xiaoshanhe Institute and become disciples under me, this is a momentous occasion!"


    Xiao Yi slowly began, his voice clear and resonant like a thunderclap on a sunny day, the reverberating thunder striking every ear.


    It echoed over the vast Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    All eyes fixed intently on Xiao Yi, unblinking, carefully listening to every word he spoke.


    Xiao Yi''s voice became ever more tranquil, yet the authority in his words grew increasingly powerful, "I believe that many of you must have heard of the Xiaoshanhe Institute before this."


    The crowd nodded.


    "Go on, tell me, what is the Xiaoshanhe Institute like in your minds?" Xiao Yi asked.


    The crowd exchanged glances, at a loss for words.


    Amidst the people,


    Jin Feiyan, always the lively one and rather brazen, blurted out, "Trash! What I''ve heard the most is that if you don''t make an effort, you''ll end up in the Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    The crowd: "..."


    Ye Heng glared fiercely at her.


    Jin Feiyan had a aggrieved look on her face, "Brother, I''m not wrong!"


    "Hahaha, Fei Yan is correct. Once, in the eyes of everyone in the Great Qian Dynasty, the Xiaoshanhe Institute was nothing more than a trash bin. Only those who were rejected by the top ten sects and the four major families would come to the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Xiao Yi was frank, and his words made the faces of those who had already been in the Xiaoshanhe Institute grow somewhat solemn.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said��


    When they first entered the Xiaoshanhe Institute, there were not any tests to speak of.


    Anyone who came to sign up could join straight away.


    There were even some ordinary people who had not reached the Physical Body Realm; as long as they paid a certain amount of money, they could enter the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Bearing the identity of a disciple from the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    That was a disgrace!


    During that shameful period, everyone was reluctant to admit they were disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute out in the world.


    Xiao Yi''s tone shifted, his voice growing more uplifting, "Those days are gone!"


    "Hmm?"


    The crowd suddenly looked up.


    With each word he spoke, it was as if he could strike the deepest chord in their souls, "From now on, being a disciple of the Xiaoshanhe Institute will no longer be a mark of disgrace. You can stand tall and proud, you can tell anyone loudly that you are from the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    The crowd''s breathing began to grow rapid.


    "From now on, the identity of a disciple of the Xiaoshanhe Institute will be a glory, will be the highest radiance. When everyone knows your identity, they will no longer scorn and mock but envy and look up to you. The identity of a Xiaoshanhe Institute disciple will also become synonymous with the strong, with genius!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice was high-spirited, his gaze cutting through the crowd like a knife edge, thunderous and resounding, he asked like a thunderclap from a clear sky, "Do you want to be trash?"


    "No... we don''t!"


    The crowd''s response was somewhat intermittent, somewhat disordered.


    "Do you wish to become a disgrace?" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "We do not!"


    The crowd''s voice became much more unified.


    "Do you want to become stronger?"


    "We do!"


    This time nearly seventy percent of the people started shouting at the top of their lungs.


    "Do you want to stand equal with, or even surpass, the disciples of the top ten sects?"


    "We do!"


    "I dream of it!"


    Almost all the disciples were screaming hysterically.


    Among them were former disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute and also those commoners who had hit walls at the top ten sects, without money or influence, until the opportunity from Xiaoshanhe Institute finally gave them a path to rise.


    In this moment...


    The fighting spirit that had been dormant within them for years, their edges worn down by reality,


    Were simultaneously ignited by Xiao Yi!


    "Xiaoshanhe Institute once experienced glory, and it also fell into decline..."


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly deepened, then rose high, like a person''s heartbeat, causing everyone''s breathing to become rapid at times and deep at others, "I will lead you, lead Xiaoshanhe Institute to a new era of splendor, to surpass the past. Would you trust me?"


    Boom!


    The faces of the crowd turned red, even those strong individuals from the Beast Emperor City stretched their necks at that moment, their veins pulsing: "Believe! Believe! Believe!"


    Roars shook the heavens.


    Echoing through the sky!


    The rolling sound waves surged like pillars, rushing towards the heavens, forcefully scattering the clouds above the sky.


    A faint smile appeared on Xiao Yi''s lips, revealing a look of satisfaction.


    Before this...


    Their sense of belonging to Xiaoshanhe Institute wasn''t strong, but now, Xiao Yi had planted a seed in everyone''s heart.


    As long as this seed took root and sprouted, grew strong.


    It would surely become a towering tree in the future!


    "Ladies and gentlemen!"


    Xiao Yi looked towards Shadow Demon, Li Youruo, Yu Huaxian, and others, and said solemnly, "Effective immediately, our Xiaoshanhe Institute will no longer be just about instructors and students. All instructors will be divided into Elders and Deacons based on strength and contributions, and all students will be collectively known as disciples, also divided into levels based on your cultivation and contributions!"


    "What? Divided into levels?"


    "Elders and Deacons? How is that to be divided?"


    "Disciples are also based on cultivation and contributions? What exactly does that mean?"


    Everyone''s hearts were filled with both anticipation and hesitation.


    Before this...


    The amount of resources every disciple at Xiaoshanhe Institute received was completely up to the instructors.


    If you were in good terms with your instructor, you naturally received more resources.


    If you were someone without backing, like Ye Heng previously, and not favored by your instructor, you might not even receive a single silver.


    "From the first to the third realm of the Golden Core Realm, you will be One-Star Deacons, from the fourth to the sixth you are Two-Star, and from the seventh to the ninth, you are Three-Star Deacons. The Tao Tribulation Realm will be Elders, also divided into three stars. Those strong in the Dharma Manifestation Realm will be Hall Masters, entitled to a throne!"


    Xiao Yi continued, "As for the disciples, those below the Shentong Realm will be up to Three-Star, Golden Core Realm from four to six stars, Tao Tribulation Realm from Seven to Nine-Star disciples. Dharma Manifestation Realm disciples will be True Disciples, and the top-ranking True Disciple will be the Saint Heir! Whether instructors or disciples, from this moment on, you will enjoy the appropriate level of benefits. Those who join Xiaoshanhe Institute in the future, in addition to cultivation requirements, will also need to accumulate points in order to rise in level!"


    Hiss!


    All the strong ones looked at each other for a moment.


    The instructors present were almost all above the Golden Core Realm, meaning they were at least One-Star Deacons.


    If they were to join Xiaoshanhe Institute in the future, in addition to fulfilling the requirements of cultivation, they would also need to accumulate points. This clearly favored those currently present, and everyone accepted this without objections.


    After all...


    Those still here could rightly be called the veterans!


    Ye Heng stepped forward and said solemnly, "Master, what is meant by ''Hall Master''?"


    All eyes turned to Xiao Yi.


    This ''Hall Master'' he just mentioned was someone who could enjoy the honor of a throne!


    Their gazes fell upon the ten silver thrones shimmering beside Xiao Yi, their eyes turning envious for a moment.


    To be able to sit upon a silver throne at Xiao Yi''s side.


    That would be a supreme honor!


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    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly as he said, "From this moment on, our Xiaoshanhe Institute will be divided into five halls. These five halls will be the Punishment Hall, in charge of law enforcement; the Skill Transmission Hall, in charge of cultivation technique inheritance and the management of the scripture vaults; the All Things Hall managing resource distribution; the War Hall in charge of external campaigns; and the Task Hall responsible for the distribution of disciples'' tasks and point tallying."


    The Punishment Hall was the internal law enforcement system.


    The Skill Transmission Hall was responsible for teaching cultivation techniques and secret manuals, and the strong individuals in this hall must be skilled in guiding cultivation.


    The All Things Hall was essentially the previous accounting office.


    The War Hall would inevitably be the location of the strongest military force in the future.


    The Task Hall was for points and task coordination; in Xiao Yi''s vision for the reformed Xiaoshanhe Institute to function smoothly, this Task Hall was crucial.


    For a moment.


    Everyone''s eyes were fixed on Xiao Yi, awaiting the announcement of the chosen masters for each hall...

 Chapter 363 The Five Hall Masters

    Xiao Yi sat upright on the golden throne.


    He pointed to the first seat to his left and said in a clear voice, "Punishment Hall Hall Master, Xiao Lin!"


    Whoosh!


    A beam of golden light burst forth from him, as a golden figure soared through the nine heavens.


    The figure, originally only the size of a palm, twisted its huge body in the sky, constantly enlarging with the swallowing and spitting of golden light until it became a gigantic figure a hundred yards long.


    A pair of shimmering golden wings flapped on either side, each beat causing the clouds above to burst open.


    Four claws hung in the air as if capable of shredding the void.


    Two dragon horns on top of its head were exceptionally dazzling.


    Majestic!


    Little Lin let out a long howl to the sky, the sound thunderous and earth-shaking. Suddenly, a violent wind arose, dark clouds gathered, and rolling thunder crashed down, covering the entire Imperial Dragon Mountain with the aura of a sixth-order high-level Beast King.


    Boom! Boom!


    At the mountain gate.


    The two sixth-order Beast Kings guarding the gate exchanged glances, their eyes filled with terror as they looked at the enormous golden figure in the void.


    The two creatures lay prostrate on the ground, shivering.


    Within a hundred miles of Imperial Dragon Mountain, all the demon beasts lay down on the ground as if worshipping their supreme king!


    At this moment, Little Lin''s aura was comparable to that of an Eightfold Dharma Manifestation Realm creature, causing even figures like Shadow Demon to change color.


    Whoosh!


    Little Lin''s form shrank rapidly, returning to Xiao Yi''s side and taking his place on the first throne to the left. Though his form was no longer as towering and immense as before, the looks everyone gave him were still filled with awe and fear.


    This was a being on par with the top existence of the Eightfold Dharma Manifestation Realm.


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    And at the same time...


    From the moment he flew out of Xiao Yi''s arms, it was clear what Little Lin''s relationship was with Xiao Yi.


    With him presiding over the Punishment Hall, no one dared to disobey.


    Xiao Yi continued, "The Hall Master of the Skill Transmission Hall will be Chen Ziyi!"


    Whoosh!


    Chen Ziyi, dressed in a purple robe, flashed his form and landed in front of Xiao Yi, "Disciple obeys the order of the master!"


    Hiss!


    As soon as these words were spoken, a surge of astonished voices rose from the training field, "What? Mr. Chen is actually Xiao''s disciple?"


    "You don''t know the whole story. Mr. Chen was able to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm and become a Seven Stars Array Master so quickly all thanks to Xiao!"


    "Xiao is that formidable?"


    Even the various Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses looked at Xiao Yi with growing reverence.


    Amidst the exclamations.


    Chen Ziyi immediately walked to the first throne on the right hand side.


    When he was at Wendao Villa, he was in charge of transmitting skills and Formations. Now that he has broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm and become a Seven Stars Array Master, no one objected to him taking the position of Hall Master of the Teleportation Hall.


    "The Hall Master of the All Things Hall, Fu Yuan, is currently on a mission. Next, let us welcome the Hall Master of the Battle Hall, Shadow Demon!" Xiao Yi looked towards Shadow Demon in the crowd.


    Shadow Demon was stunned.


    He had not expected Xiao Yi to entrust him with such an important responsibility, to take the position of a Hall Master.


    And such a crucial one as the Battle Hall!


    Just as the Punishment Hall manages the internal affairs of Xiaoshanhe Institute, the Battle Hall is the strongest martial force meant for external affairs.


    Shadow Demon was originally a slave, Xiao Yi had restored his freedom, and now he was entrusting him with a heavy responsibility. His eyes turned blood red as he shot forward to Xiao Yi. He knelt down with a thump and said loudly, "Principal, rest assured, Shadow Demon will not disappoint you!"


    "Lord Shadow Demon, please take your seat!" Xiao Yi raised his hand in a gesture, helping Shadow Demon to his feet. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shadow Demon acknowledged with a heavy grunt and took his seat in the second position on the right.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the crowd, noticing that everyone was looking at him, clearly everyone was anticipating the identity of the last Hall Master of the Task Hall.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled slightly upwards, and his eyes rested on Li Youruo, "Task Hall Hall Master Li Youruo!"


    Whoosh!


    Li Youruo soared into the sky and landed in front of Xiao Yi, saying with great respect, "Thank you, Master. Your disciple will surely not fail your trust!"


    Even with Chen Ziyi before him, Li Youruo nevertheless addressed Xiao Yi as Master.


    It once again caused a stir among the crowd.


    That two Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses were willing to become disciples of Xiao Yi was enough to prove Xiao Yi''s strength and terror.


    The likes of the Shadow Demon looked at Xiao Yi with eyes increasingly filled with awe.


    Within the crowd.


    Jin Feiyan looked at Ye Heng with a worried frown, "Senior brother, our Master actually has two disciples from the Dharma Manifestation Realm? The pressure on us is so great!"


    "Don''t be afraid!"


    Ye Heng smiled.


    Jin Feiyan was taken aback, and said sweetly, "Senior brother is so kind, always knowing how to comfort junior sister!"


    As soon as she finished speaking.


    Ye Heng said indifferently, "Master said that I am a Battle War Holy Body, and as long as I follow his guidance, breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm is almost a certainty."


    "I..."


    Jin Feiyan was instantly in disarray.


    On the high platform.


    With the five Hall Masters already having their candidates, who then are the remaining five thrones for?


    Xiao Yi looked at the expressions on everyone''s faces and said solemnly, "Vice Hall Master Yu Huaxian of the Punishment Hall, Vice Hall Master Xue Bufan of the Skill Transmission Hall, Vice Hall Master Yan Mingli of the All Things Hall, Vice Hall Master Shu He of the Battle Hall, and Vice Hall Master Zhang Ling of the Mission Hall. Except for Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan, who are occupied with tasks and absent, let the other three come up quickly!"


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Yu Huaxian, Shu He, and Zhang Ling all flew up to the high platform at the same time.


    Yu Huaxian looked at everyone with a bitter smile on his face, "Institute Head, everyone present is a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert, I..."


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "I believe in you!"


    "..."


    Yu Huaxian''s body trembled.


    Having started off on the wrong foot with Xiao Yi, Yu Huaxian had followed him all this way. Xiao Yi had never let him down, and now, he was entrusting him with a heavy responsibility.


    This trust.


    Caused Yu Huaxian''s eyes to heat up.


    "Huaxian, this is the thing I promised you!" Xiao Yi tossed out a bottle of medicinal pills.


    Yu Huaxian had castrated himself for the sake of cultivating the Cultivation Technique.


    Ordinary Jade Fetal Elixir could not regenerate his ''thing,'' but yesterday, Xiao Yi had finally found enough medicinal ingredients to refine a special Jade Fetal Elixir that, once taken, should enable Yu Huaxian to regain his manhood.


    Thump!


    Yu Huaxian held the jade bottle in both hands and heavily knelt on the ground, "Thank you, Institute Head, for granting me a new lease on life. Huaxian will lay down his life in gratitude, never to betray you!"


    "You''re already the Vice Hall Master of the Punishment Hall, what kind of dignity is it to kneel at every turn?"


    Xiao Yi raised his hand, and Yu Huaxian stood up once more. Xiao Yi said lightly, "You must work hard, and break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm as soon as possible!"


    "Yes!"


    Yu Huaxian nodded heavily.


    Without too many words, his resolute heart spoke volumes.


    Everyone took their seats.


    Although Fu Yuan, Yan Mingli, and Xue Bufan were absent, leaving three thrones empty, the lineup of eight people sitting up there still gave a sense of looking up. These eleven thrones would be the very top existence of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    At the same time...


    They were also like the Calm Sea Divine Needle, suppressing the entire Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    All eyes unanimously turned to Xiao Yi, sitting in the center, the man who had changed the once disorganized Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Indeed, he had united the entire Xiaoshanhe Institute as never before!


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over everyone, seeing some of the disciples showing signs of anxiety on their faces �C these were the disciples who had participated in the Genius Battle and were waiting for their rewards. The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, and he looked at Mission Hall Master Li Youruo, "Youruo, both the main and deputy heads of the All Things Hall are absent, so let you, the Hall Master of the Mission Hall, distribute the rewards for the Genius Battle!"

 Chapter 364 Beheading at the Meridian Gate

    Li Youruo immediately rose to her feet, standing before the elevated platform.


    She received the talent battle rankings list from Yu Huaxian and promptly unfolded it, announcing loudly, "This genius battle started with ten thousand disciples and now there are eight thousand four hundred and fifty-two remaining."


    The lost thousand and more were precisely those who had previously chosen to follow Chen Shuiwen.


    Xiao Yi had already made it clear that Xiaoshanhe Institute was not a place they could come and go as they please.


    Having chosen to leave, they could not possibly be employed again.


    Even if Xiaoshanhe Institute were to recruit disciples in the future, they would definitely not be selected.


    Li Youruo said solemnly, "Every disciple outside the top hundred will gain an additional hundred points. Each point is worth ten thousand taels of silver, which can be exchanged for cultivation resources at the All Things Hall."


    Boom!


    An exclamation erupted from the crowd instantly.


    Thousands of people were boiling with excitement!


    The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy had promised one hundred thousand taels of silver, but Xiaoshanhe Institute granted points worth a million taels of silver. The treatment for the ordinary disciples was tenfold greater in difference!


    Li Youruo continued, "From the twenty-first to the hundredth place, each person will receive a reward of one thousand points!"


    One thousand points.


    This was a resource reward worth ten million taels of silver!


    This was absolutely a grand gesture!


    Everyone''s gaze inevitably fell on the top twenty strong individuals, as their rewards would surely be even more substantial.


    Li Youruo went on, "From the eleventh to the twentieth place, you may receive a reward of three thousand points, from the fourth to the tenth place five thousand points. In addition, each of the aforementioned disciples will receive one Martial Dao Divine Fruit from a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse."


    Boom!


    This time, the crowd was completely boiling over!


    The points awarded for such rankings were no longer important; what truly made people envious was the Martial Dao Divine Fruit from the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses.


    Each one was worth billions of taels of silver.


    The crowd''s breathing grew rapid.


    Jin Feiyan and Lei Li, who had obtained the top three places, were especially staring wide-eyed.


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    As for the third-place Hong Zilong...


    He had previously chosen to follow Chen Shuiwen in leaving, and naturally, his name was missing from the rewards list.


    Jin Feiyan murmured, "That guy is probably crying somewhere, unaware of this!"


    Lei Li next to her nodded, heaving a sigh and saying, "I don''t know why, but thinking of him crying somewhere makes me feel so good!"


    "How can you be like that? It''s wrong to take joy in other people''s misfortunes!"


    Jin Feiyan glared at him, then lowered her voice, "Although, I feel the same way, but reveling in another''s misfortune should be done quietly!"


    "Mhm, mhm!"


    Lei Li nodded in agreement.


    At that moment,


    Li Youruo announced solemnly, "The second-place Lei Li will receive a reward of ten thousand points, and he will also obtain a Martial Dao Divine Fruit from the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    Boom!


    The crowd was thoroughly astounded.


    When Xiao Yi proposed using a Martial Dao Divine Fruit from a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse as a reward, many strong individuals still expressed doubt. After all, even if a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse was slain, they would usually self-destruct their Martial Dao Divine Fruit before death.


    This was an extremely rare treasure!


    A Martial Dao Divine Fruit from the Dharma Manifestation Realm was worth over a hundred billion taels of silver!


    And it was priceless!


    If Lei Li were to really sell it, countless people would likely fight over it, and selling it for hundreds of billions of taels of silver wouldn''t be a problem!


    Gurgle!


    Jin Feiyan swallowed her saliva, her eyes shining, fixated on Li Youruo.


    Li Youruo gave her a slight smile and said, "The first-place Jin Feiyan will receive a Martial Dao Divine Fruit from a fourth-tier Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse, along with a reward of twenty thousand points!"


    "Yay!"


    Jin Feiyan leaped up joyously like a spirited swallow, her cheeks flushed with excitement.


    Li Youruo put away the list in her hands, speaking in a deep voice, "These are the rewards for all the disciples in this genius battle. Additionally, I will announce another decision from Director Xiao. Every disciple who chose to stay at Xiaoshanhe Institute will receive a reward of one thousand points."


    Boom!


    The original disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, who had been somewhat disheartened, were now utterly dumbfounded.


    They had thought that with Xiao Yi obtaining these excellent disciples selected through the genius battle, they had been forgotten about. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yi still remembered them and awarded each of them one thousand points.


    Though compared to the rewards for Jin Feiyan and Lei Li, one thousand points wasn''t much,


    These were rewards from the genius battle.


    By merely choosing to stay at Xiaoshanhe Institute, they could gain one thousand points, which made these disciples all the more grateful to Xiao Yi. They were aware that they were the ones whom Chen Shuiwen had looked down upon, the marginalized at Xiaoshanhe Institute who hardly got any resources.


    Now, Xiao Yi valued them greatly.


    Immediately, everyone felt a sense of pride and belonging to Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    "Report to the Headmaster, the mission has been completed!" Li Youruo said to Xiao Yi, giving a respectful cupped fist salute.


    Xiao Yi nodded, stood up tall, and ascended the high platform.


    His gaze swept over everyone''s faces as he spoke in a deep voice, "My friends, I hope you all can treat Xiaoshanhe Institute as your own home. Let us work together to revitalize our homeland!"


    "Revitalize our homeland!"


    "Long live the Headmaster..."


    Cheers erupted, shaking the heavens and the earth.


    Under the nourishment of the world''s life energy, the grass and trees in the mountainsides and the myriad flowers competed for beauty.


    It was as if everything was heralding a new beginning for Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    With a grand wave of his hand, Xiao Yi gently lowered the platform and the eleven thrones also descended into the ground. This was an application of the power of earth and heaven, which, at its ultimate extent, even allowed legends of unparalleled beings to create continents with a mere gesture.


    However...


    Xiao Yi was still a considerable distance away from such a realm.


    Just as Xiao Yi was concluding the reorganization and reforms of Xiaoshanhe Institute, within the imperial palace, Emperor Qian had already summoned his officials and was in the midst of a thunderous rage.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Emperor Qian furiously threw the memorials and tea cups onto the ground, looking down at Chen Shuiwen and two others kneeling below, as well as the silent court officials with heads bowed, he coldly said, "Look, take a good look, these are the loyal ministers of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"


    The court officials chorused.


    "Calm my anger? How do you expect me to calm my anger?"


    Emperor Qian, like an enraged Azure Dragon, let out a low roar like thunder, "I have set my heart on revitalizing Xiaoshanhe Institute, but look at what they are doing? Time and again they aim at Xiaoshanhe Institute, they even frame and defame, and do not hesitate to establish their own faction in defiance of me. Are these the loyal ministers who claim loyalty to me? Ah? Is this your so-called loyalty?"


    "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"


    "We deserve to die a thousand deaths!"


    The court officials kneeled down one after another.


    Li Shengtian and the others did not dare to raise their heads and trembled uncontrollably.


    "A thousand deaths? Since you all believe they should die, then I will satisfy you... Guards, take these three men and behead them at the Wumen gate!" Emperor Qian growled, his icy gaze sweeping over the court officials.


    Especially pausing slightly over the figure who stood at the first position on his left, who had kept his eyes closed and silent.


    Buzz!


    Li Shengtian and the others'' faces changed repeatedly as they frantically kowtowed, begging for mercy, "Your Majesty, spare our lives, oh spare us..."


    "Your Majesty, we won''t dare to do it again!"


    "Take them out!"


    Emperor Qian snorted coldly, "After the beheading, send their heads to Xiao Yi!"


    "Yes!"


    Several guards immediately escorted the three men away.


    Silence fell upon the Golden Throne Hall.


    Emperor Qian resumed his seat, only to see the person at the first position on his left step forward and speak, "Your Majesty, with Chen Shuiwen sentenced, Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is without a leader. This is an excellent opportunity to bring it under Your Majesty''s control."


    "Oh?"


    Emperor Qian narrowed his eyes, looking at the man, "What are your thoughts, Uncle Royal?"


    This person was Yang Yuhuan, the unrivaled war king of the Great Qian Dynasty and a figure at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Yang Yuhuan spoke indifferently, "Your servant believes that Prince Yang Ling is the most suitable person to serve as the headmaster of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Hm?"


    A cold light flickered in Emperor Qian''s eyes.


    Everyone knew that Yang Ling strongly supported Xiao Yi.


    Appointing him as the headmaster of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, how would he get along with Xiao Yi?


    The old fox!


    Emperor Qian snorted inwardly, speaking indifferently, "Yang Ling is still young and not suited for this position. I think it''s the son-in-law of the Royal Uncle, Brave General Sun Yao, who is the right candidate."


    "Sun Yao?" S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yang Yuhuan frowned slightly and said, "Your Majesty, Sun Yao is in command of the border army..."


    "It''s fine, the border army can be entrusted to someone else!"


    Emperor Qian waved his hand, smiling faintly, "Issue my edict, appointing Brave General Sun Yao as the headmaster of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. Command Deputy Commander Pang Yi to proceed to the eastern frontier army to take over Sun Yao''s post!"


    "Yes!"


    "His Majesty is wise!"


    The officials all responded in unison.


    Emperor Qian and Yang Yuhuan exchanged glances, their gazes colliding in the void like actual substances, sparking fierce flames.


    Yang Yuhuan''s eyes grew slightly cold as he cupped his fists, "This servant will obey Your Majesty''s decree!"

 Chapter 365 Someone from the Nangong Family Comes

    The Imperial First-Rank Minister Li Shengtian, along with Tian Xiao and the headmaster of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, Chen Shuiwen.


    News of their scheduled public beheading outside the Meridian Gate spread quickly throughout the entire imperial capital.


    Countless strong figures hurried towards the Meridian Gate.


    To know that...


    Just a few days ago, during the opening ceremony of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, Chen Shuiwen was a name known throughout the imperial capital.


    Of course.


    This was not a good reputation, but it indeed made him a topic of conversation. It was unexpected that just a few days had passed, and they were to be beheaded outside the Meridian Gate, one could imagine the immense sensation it caused.


    Especially for the Nangong Family and the Beitang Family, the news shocked the whole clan.


    The Nangong Family residence.


    With a gloomy face, Beitang Feng looked at Nangong Shengtian in front of him, "Ancestor Nangong, could His Majesty''s sudden move against Mr. Li and the others be related to the establishment of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?" Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    "Impossible!"


    Nangong Shengtian shook his head and said in a deep voice, "With His Majesty''s tactics, it is absolutely impossible for him to vent his anger on Li Shengtian and the others over the affairs of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. I have already sent people to inquire in the palace, and I believe news will come soon!"


    Beitang Feng nodded, but his expression remained grave, "I hope it''s not bad news."


    An hour later.


    Nangong Yi rushed back hastily, and after saluting the two, he said gravely, "Ancestor, Mr. Beitang, I have found out the details. This time, it was the three of them, Li Shengtian, who took matters into their own hands and erected a military order, forming an inspection team to audit the Xiaoshanhe Institute. This is what provoked His Majesty, leading to their doom!"


    "A military order?"


    The two men were stunned.


    Nangong Yi then proceeded to relay every detail of the information he had gathered to them.


    "Idiots!"


    Nangong Shengtian shook his head, "These three are truly courting death!"


    Beitang Feng was speechless, "It seems that the setback from the earlier opening ceremony has driven Chen Shuiwen out of his senses. If Xiao Yi dared to hold this genius battle, how could he possibly be unprepared? This is clearly a trap, yet he jumped into it headlong��"


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes, "Do we know who will replace Chen Shuiwen?"


    Beitang Feng also looked towards Nangong Yi.


    This was the most important matter at the moment.


    With Chen Shuiwen''s death, Shanhe Martial Arts Academy would be leaderless.


    The Nangong Family and Beitang Family had invested many resources in the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, with just those lands alone valuing hundreds of billions of silver. If the academy were now to be taken over by the royal family, it would be a tremendous loss for them.


    With an odd look, Nangong Yi said, "According to the information I''ve received, His Majesty has appointed Brave General Sun Yao to replace Chen Shuiwen!"


    "Sun Yao?"


    The two men, Nangong Shengtian, paused, looking at each other, "Is that the grandson-in-law of the Peerless War King?"


    "Exactly him!"


    Nangong Yi said.


    Beitang Feng furrowed his brows, "Strange, the Peerless War King has always been at odds with His Majesty. How could His Majesty entrust Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to Sun Yao?"


    "No, giving it to Sun Yao is the most appropriate choice!"


    Nangong Shengji''s eyes twinkled with wisdom as he lifted his gaze to the door, speaking ominously, "Our His Majesty is a sovereign ruler; if he were to directly control Shanhe Martial Arts Academy now, it would surely make Xiao Yi wary. But by entrusting it to Sun Yao, he can ingeniously use Xiao Yi and the Peerless War King to weaken each other, while he reaps the benefits!"


    "Then what about us��" Beitang Feng asked doubtfully.


    Nangong Shengji narrowed his eyes, revealing a cold smile, "Currently, our greatest enemy is Xiao Yi. He has joined forces with Treasure Pavilion, attempting to suppress our medicinal business, so he must be eliminated!"


    Beitang Feng inquired, "Do you already have a plan?" S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a sly smile, Nangong Shengji said, "We just need to do this��"


    ��


    Imperial Dragon Mountain, Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Xiao Yi was arranging a Formation, and now that the Xiaoshanhe Institute has established five halls, each with its own duties, although there was still some unfamiliarity among them, the machinery had started to operate. As long as the halls got through the initial teething period��


    the Xiaoshanhe Institute would surely get on the right track in the future.


    In a huge cave dug a hundred meters deep underground.


    Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi looked at Xiao Yi as he inscribed one formation glyph after another, showing expressions of confusion. Even though the two of them had become Seven Star Array Masters, facing the Formation Xiao Yi was setting up, they still felt clueless.


    Chen Ziyi asked, "Master, what exactly is this Formation?"


    Xiao Yi smiled, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said, "What do you think our Xiaoshanhe Institute is lacking the most right now?"


    "Lacking the most?"


    Chen Ziyi was stunned and frowned slightly.


    His wife, Zhou Jing, said, "Master must be talking about the disciples'' cultivation, right?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said with a smile, "Zhou Jing is correct. Currently, the strength of the elders in charge at our Xiaoshanhe Institute is barely comparable to the top ten sects, but in terms of the number and quality of disciples, we are far inferior to them."


    "Master, then this Formation?" Li Youruo asked in confusion.


    As far as they knew, except for the Spirit Gathering Array, there wasn''t any Formation that could assist in cultivation!


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "Once the Formation is complete, you will understand." He paused, then handed them the formation diagram, "Follow the markings here and inscribe the glyphs around the perimeter."


    "Yes!"


    The two nodded and began to inscribe the Formation glyphs.


    At this moment...


    Ye Heng came in from outside and said to Xiao Yi, "Master, Nangong Yi from the Nangong Family requests an audience!"


    "Who?"


    Xiao Yi was startled and looked up at Ye Heng.


    Ye Heng said solemnly, "The visitor claims to be Nangong Yi, the Direct Disciple of the Nangong Family head, and has important matters to seek an audience for!"


    "Oh?"


    "Master, the people from the Nangong Family coming to us at this time, could it be that they want to reconcile?"


    Xiao Yi stroked his chin, showing a hint of amusement, "No matter what they''re here for, continue inscribing the glyphs. I''ll go see what this is about!"


    A moment later.


    Xiao Yi met Nangong Yi in the guest hall. This person was at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, yet his demeanor was very respectful. When he saw Xiao Yi come out, Nangong Yi bowed to him, performing the salutations meticulously: "Nangong Yi pays respects to Head Xiao!"


    "Please, have a seat!"


    Xiao Yi sat in the seat of honor, watching Nangong Yi sit down and showing a playful look, "What brings you to me?"


    Nangong Yi said in a deep voice, "Head Xiao, I wonder if you''ve heard about His Majesty ordering the beheading of Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and Tian Xiao at the noon gate?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "About half an hour ago, His Majesty just had their heads sent over, I''ve already thrown them to the dogs in the back mountain!"


    "..."


    Nangong Yi''s face twitched slightly.


    He hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to be so blunt, not bothering to cover up the facts.


    After all��


    Even though there was a deep hatred between them, to the dead goes respect. Xiao Yi disposing of their heads by feeding them to the dogs in the back mountain to vent his anger was not exactly honorable. Most people would much likely have tried to cover it up.


    Xiao Yi being so candid was something Nangong Yi found hard to adapt to.


    Xiao Yi laughed, "What, you''re not here to claim their heads, are you? If that''s the case, you might still find a few bones if you go to the back mountain now!"


    "Er..."


    Nangong Yi let out a wry smile and said, "Head Xiao, you misunderstand, my visit this time is for..."

 Chapter 366 Men Die in Pursuit of Wealth, Birds Die in Pursuit of Food

    "I am here to deliver a gift to Director Xiao!"


    Nangong Yi''s face bore a mysterious smile.


    With the flick of a finger.


    A secret letter flew out from his storage ring and landed in Xiao Yi''s hand.


    The seal on the secret letter was intact, unbroken.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "What is this?"


    Nangong Yi smiled and said, "You will know once you''ve read it!"


    Xiao Yi opened the secret letter.


    It was addressed to Xiao Zhengde.


    The gist of the content was that Xiao Tianjiao had received Xiao Zhengde''s letter, aware that Xiao Yi had taken over the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Xiao Tianjiao''s disdain for Xiao Yi was palpable, even leaping off the page from just a few words, which still made it clear that in Xiao Tianjiao''s eyes, Xiao Yi was no more than an ant.


    At the end of the letter...


    Xiao Tianjiao told Xiao Zhengde that he had important matters to attend to and couldn''t return in a short time.


    He instructed Xiao Zhengde to use this letter to seek help from the unrivaled War King Yang Yuhuan, to deal with Xiao Yi.


    Bang!


    Flames blazed in Xiao Yi''s palm, burning the letter to ashes. Xiao Yi looked calmly at Nangong Yi, his eyes serene as he said, "I have read the letter. What exactly is your purpose in handing it to me!"


    Nangong Yi spoke solemnly, "Director Xiao, my great ancestor tasked me to pass on a message to you: there are no eternal enemies. The Nangong Family has invested a tremendous amount of capital in Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, but now the Emperor has handed over the academy to Sun Yao, who is the War King''s son-in-law. The great ancestor hopes we can set aside past grievances and join forces to drive Sun Yao out of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. The great ancestor is willing to turn hostility into alliance with you!"


    Xiao Yi leaned back in his chair.


    His fingers gently tapped on the armrest.


    All of this seemed flawless, as if just as Nangong Yi had said.


    Yet it was this seemingly impeccable rationale that made Xiao Yi sense something extraordinary. However, he did not outright reject the offer, but instead said, "Go back and tell your great ancestor that I have received the letter. As for the cooperation, we shall discuss it after the one-month agreement is over!"


    Nangong Yi maintained his composure, replied with a smile, "Good, I will relay your message to the great ancestor!"


    Watching Nangong Yi''s retreating figure.


    Little Lin emerged from Xiao Yi''s embrace and coiled around his shoulder, "Boss, the Nangong Family harbors ill intentions!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and gently rubbed Little Lin''s head, saying, "Follow him!"


    Whoosh!


    Little Lin transformed into a streak of light, vanishing from sight.


    Xiao Yi''s head rested against the back of the chair, his eyes narrowed to slits, with a cold glint flickering within, "Xiao Tianjiao... It''s been over two years since we last met, and you remain as prideful as ever! In your eyes, am I still not worth your personal attention?"


    The fingers tapping on the armrests suddenly paused.


    Xiao Yi stood up and left.


    Only after his figure had completely disappeared did the chair he had been sitting in explode with a bang, reducing it to dust.


    ......


    After leaving Xiaoshanhe Institute, Nangong Yi immediately headed back to the Nangong Family.


    But he didn''t realize that as he left, a golden light had already hidden itself within his body.


    Within the Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengtian had been waiting for some time; seeing Nangong Yi return, he looked anxious, "How did it go?" S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nangong Yi gave a wry smile, "The secret letter has been delivered to Xiao Yi, but he refuses to bite. He only told me to convey to you that everything will wait until after the one-month agreement is concluded!"


    Bang!


    Nangong Shengtian smashed the table beside him in fury, "Damn it, this cunning kid..."


    "Ancestor, Xiao Yi refuses to fall for it. What should we do?" Nangong Yi asked.


    Nangong Shengtian''s face was gloomy as he snorted coldly, "Since he won''t take the bait and making him clash with Yang Yuhuan to buy us time is impossible, we can only hope that Ning Kang succeeds in stealing that secret recipe. If he can produce a higher quality pill, we might be able to turn defeat into victory!"


    Over the past few days... Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    The price war between the pills of Treasure Pavilion and the Nangong Family has been escalating.


    Currently, Treasure Pavilion is selling pills at a 60 percent discount.


    The Nangong Family is simply unable to replicate this.


    After all...


    Even if they reduced their prices further, Treasure Pavilion would immediately match them, and moreover, over these past days, the word has spread that the quality of Treasure Pavilion''s pills far surpasses those of the Nangong Family''s. At equivalent prices, no one is buying the Nangong Family''s pills.


    The Nangong Family is suffering huge losses every day.


    With the financial resources of the Nangong Family, they can only hold out for about another ten days.


    "Nangong Yi, go see Ning Kang immediately and urge him to act faster... and also, give him this package. If there''s a chance, throw this into their Pill Furnace��" Nangong Shengtian instructed as he handed a paper package to Nangong Yi, "Remember, do not let anyone discover this!"


    Nangong Yi nodded and said, "Rest assured in my handling of this!"


    Watching Nangong Yi leave, Nangong Shengtian took a deep breath and his face showed a chill expression, "Let''s hope everything goes smoothly! Whether it''s getting the secret recipe or using this package, either can put them in a dead end!"


    The moon rose to the treetops, and the starlight was dim.


    In the dark of night.


    A shadowy figure sneakily emerged from Treasure Pavilion, heading to a small courtyard nearby.


    Knock! Knock! Knock!


    After a few intermittent knocks, the room''s door finally opened, and the figure was quickly pulled inside.


    Nangong Yi looked at Ning Kang, "Did you get the thing?"


    Ning Kang nodded, a look of excitement on his face, "I got lucky today. Master Fu Yuan seemed to be preoccupied with something important, and the Pavilion Master and the rest were all guarding him. That gave me the chance to steal this secret recipe from the Pavilion Master''s room!"


    "No problems with the item, I hope?" Nangong Yi asked.


    Patting his chest, Ning Kang replied, "You can rest assured, I risked my life for this!"


    "That''s good!"


    Nangong Yi nodded, handed the package he was carrying to Ning Kang, and said in a low voice, "The Ancestor said, find a chance to throw this into their Pill Furnace. Once it''s done, leave Treasure Pavilion immediately. We''ll have someone to meet you. Afterward, I''ll call you Nangong Kang, and we''ll be brothers of the same clan!"


    Thump!


    Thump!


    With his face flushed red, Ning Kang nodded earnestly, "Rest assured, I''ll go do it right away!"


    Watching Ning Kang''s departing figure.


    Nangong Yi smiled coldly, looking down at the secret recipe in his hands, his eyes gleaming, "Finally in my hands. If Ning Kang can throw that package into the Pill Furnace, then it''s truly foolproof!"


    Whoosh!


    Nangong Yi immediately left.


    He did not realize...


    All of this was being watched by Little Lin, hiding in the shadows.


    With a slight shift in gaze, and a hint of coldness emerging, Little Lin moved toward Treasure Pavilion. After a moment, he stealthily entered the pill-making room, waiting until deep into the night, when a silent figure appeared in the quiet pill room.


    Ning Kang looked at the huge Pill Furnace with a cold gleam in his eyes, "Men die for wealth as birds die for food, don''t blame me for this. Who told you all to side with Xiao Yi?"


    Whoosh!


    Ning Kang took a deep breath and threw the paper package into the Pill Furnace...

 Chapter 367 Adding Fuel to the Fire

    Late at night. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After throwing that package into the Pill Furnace, Ning Kang fled in a mad dash, seeking refuge with the Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengtian and Nangong Shengji personally received him.


    This made Ning Kang even more certain that his decision was the right one. He kowtowed respectfully to the two men and said, "Elders, head of the family, I have followed your orders and have thrown that package into the Pill Furnace!"


    "You''ve done very well!"


    Nangong Shengtian smiled and nodded, walking up to Ning Kang and patting his shoulder. "Ning Kang, now there is one more thing I need you to do. Once it''s done, you will be my adopted grandson!" Stay tuned for updates on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Please give me your instructions, Elder!" Ning Kang said excitedly, thumping his chest in assurance.


    Nangong Shengtian, with a smile, said, "The secret formula you brought back has already been tested by someone. Following that formula truly can greatly increase the success rate and the rate of producing top-quality pills. However, if it''s just that, we are still incapable of crushing the Treasure Pavilion!"


    They had started to test the formula in the evening as soon as they obtained it.


    The results, following the operations on the formula.


    For Nangong Shengtian, a Pill Furnace that typically produced about fifteen pills now yielded thirty, and every single one was a top-quality pill.


    This sent the Nangong Family into an ecstatic frenzy.


    But...


    Just as he said.


    If it were only that, the Nangong Family would still be unable to completely defeat the Treasure Pavilion.


    Ning Kang, whose mind was fully occupied with becoming Nangong Shengtian''s adopted grandson and reaching the peak of his life, hurriedly asked, "Elder, what else do you need me to do?"


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes and said, "Within these three days, my Nangong Family will spare no effort in hurrying to produce pills using the method from that secret formula. Three days later, we will also lower our prices and sell this batch of new pills. I need you, three days from now, to stand out as the deputy Pavilion Master''s son and accuse the pills sold by Treasure Pavilion of being highly poisonous!"


    "What?"


    Ning Kang''s body trembled, and he said in disbelief, "How can this be?"


    Whether it was stealing the secret formula or throwing that mysterious package into the Pill Furnace, these actions were done in secret.


    Even if the Treasure Pavilion found out, they would have no evidence.


    But if he were to openly stand against Treasure Pavilion, he feared that both Treasure Pavilion and Xiao Yi would be eager to kill him!


    Nangong Shengtian said, "Rest assured, with the protection of my Nangong Family, no one can harm your life!"


    "This..."


    Ning Kang showed a hesitant expression.


    Nangong Shengji spoke indifferently, "If you refuse to help us, we will tell Treasure Pavilion about your stealing the formula and poisoning the Pill Furnace. At the same time, we will personally escort you to Treasure Pavilion to ease the tension between our two parties!"


    "..."


    Ning Kang turned pale.


    The two old men, who in his eyes had always been benevolent, now seemed like fierce beasts ready to devour their prey.


    Ning Kang realized that he was in a predicament with no way out and, with a somber face, said, "Alright, alright! I can come forward, but the pills from Treasure Pavilion are of excellent quality. How could they possibly be deadly poisons..."


    "Did you forget the package I had you throw into the Pill Furnace? There were no deaths before, but within three days, people will certainly die!" Nangong Shengtian said with a chillingly sinister smile.


    That laugh was enough to send shivers down the spine.


    A forced smile appeared on Ning Kang''s face.


    Nangong Shengtian glanced at Nangong Yi, "Take him down and take good care of him. In three days, let him come forward!"


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Yi immediately stepped back.


    Inside the great hall, only Nangong Shengtian and his companion remained. His face bore a look of excitement as he spoke in a deep voice, "I never imagined that such a miraculous secret formula truly existed in the world, one that could increase the success rate of pill creation and the rate of producing superior-grade pills. It''s a wonder where they got it from!"


    "No matter where they got it from, it now belongs to us!"


    Nangong Shengji''s face was adorned with a radiant smile, "Right, have all the pills been tested?"


    "They''ve all been tested!"


    Nangong Shengtian smiled, and as he recalled the astonishing outcomes of trying to concoct pills with that secret formula, he couldn''t help but remark, "If it hadn''t been for Ning Kang, in this battle with the Treasure Pavilion, we probably would have suffered a crushing defeat!"


    Only ten days had passed.


    The losses of the Nangong Family had already exceeded eight hundred billion Silver. If it hadn''t been for the Beitang Family taking on the pressure of the urgent debts from Medicine King Valley, the Nangong Family would have already collapsed.


    However...


    Now that they had the secret formula in hand, and with Ning Kang adding that packet of material to the Pill Furnace, they were confident they could strike back from the brink of defeat.


    "If we can crush the Treasure Pavilion in one fell swoop and bring them into our fold, who else in the Nangong Family could stand against us?"


    Nangong Shengji clenched his fists, greed evident in his gaze as he looked at Nangong Shengtian, "Go find Beitang Feng at once and have him gather the medicinal ingredients as soon as possible. Also, summon all the alchemists in the family to concentrate on concocting pills. In three days, I want to take down the Treasure Pavilion in one stroke!"


    Meanwhile.


    In the alchemy room of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Little Lin, Xiao Yi, Nalan Qianqiu, Fu Yuan, Yan Mingli, Xue Bufan, and Ning Luo were all gathered together.


    Ning Luo''s complexion was exceedingly pale as he looked at the packet of white powder in Xiao Yi''s hand, his fierce gaze mixed with a hint of heartache.


    Thud!


    Ning Luo knelt before Nalan Qianqiu, tears welling up, "Master, it''s all because I failed to teach my son properly. Please punish me, Master!"


    "Stand up!"


    Nalan Qianqiu sighed, helping Ning Luo to his feet, and said with a wry smile, "Ning Kang made his own choices, what does it have to do with you?"


    Xiao Yi spoke calmly, "Vice Pavilion Master Ning, there is no need for such self-reproach!"


    "Xiao..."


    Ning Luo said with a rueful smile, "Had you not uncovered that scoundrel''s conspiracy, he would have destroyed the Treasure Pavilion."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "The real culprits are the Nangong Family. Had they not incited and instigated the affair, I believe Ning Kang wouldn''t have committed such a folly."


    Nalan Qianqiu looked at Xiao Yi and asked in a serious voice, "Xiao, what exactly is this substance?"


    Xiao Yi smiled, lifting the packet of powder in his hand, and said, "This is pollen from the Other Shore Flower. Taken alone, it simply causes one to fall into a deep sleep, with no toxicity. However, it turns into a deadly poison when mixed with any medicinal ingredient. Furthermore, a Pill Furnace that has come into contact with Other Shore Flower pollen, or any pill that has been made using this pollen, will infect other pills it touches with this poison."


    Hiss!


    Everyone drew in a breath of cold air.


    Did it mean that once pills are concocted in such a Furnace, even if they were stored with other pills, they could turn the other pills into deadly poison?


    "The Nangong Family, they really have ruthlessly poisonous hearts!" Nalan Qianqiu clenched his fists tightly.


    Ning Luo glared indignantly, "I swear, I will not claim to be human until I have avenged this!"


    "Revenge is not urgent at this moment!"


    Xiao Yi, however, waved his hand and said with a smile, "What''s most important for us now is to add fuel to the fire for the Nangong Family!"


    "Add fuel to the fire?"


    Everyone was puzzled, not understanding the meaning behind Xiao Yi''s words.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes glowed like the deep expanse of the night sky as he smiled and said, "Pouring oil on the fire will make it burn even more fiercely... until it completely consumes the vast enterprise of the Nangong Family, burning it to ashes and oblivion..."

 Chapter 368 Digging Ones Own Grave

    Beitang Family.


    Beitang Feng looked troubled as he faced Nangong Shengtian, who was composed and at ease, and said with a wry smile, "Ancestor Nangong, please stop making things difficult for me!"


    Nangong Shengtian glanced at him and said indifferently, "Beitang Feng, considering the relationship between our two families over so many years, are you really unwilling to do me this small favor? I promise you that once the deal is successful, I will repay all the previous debts to you!"


    When he thought of the secret recipe he had received. Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire


    It was a secret recipe that could double the rate of successful pill concoction and the rate of producing premium-grade pills!


    With the low prices at which he obtained medicinal ingredients from the Beitang Family, even selling them at one-tenth of the price would be profitable.


    That was precisely where Nangong Shengtian''s confidence lay.


    Beitang Feng, with a mournful face, said, "Ancestor Nangong, for your sake, I''ve already been scolded by the people from Medicine King Valley several times for shouldering that previous debt of fifteen trillion Silver. Now you want me to procure another ten trillion Silver of goods, it''s simply impossible!"


    As it turned out.


    Nangong Shengtian had come this time to procure another ten trillion Silver worth of medicinal ingredients from the Beitang Family.


    However...


    They already owed fifteen trillion Silver from before, and it was only because the relationship between the Beitang Family and Medicine King Valley was strong enough that they had been able to delay payment. Otherwise, given the Medicine King Valley''s domineering manner of doing things, they would have already come knocking at their door.


    Bang!


    Nangong Shengtian slammed his cup onto the tea table and angrily said, "Beitang Feng, this time you have to help whether you like it or not. If you help us, I will give you an additional one trillion Silver on top of the debts owed by the Nangong Family as compensation!"


    "This��"


    Beitang Feng''s expression shifted slightly.


    Selling medicinal ingredients was not as profitable as selling pills.


    One trillion Silver was equivalent to his entire year''s profit.


    Seeing Beitang Feng tempted, Nangong Shengtian pressed his advantage and said, "Once we take down Treasure Pavilion and seize their market share, I am willing to give you thirty percent of Treasure Pavilion''s shops, how about that?"


    Thirty percent of the shops?


    Beitang Feng''s heart trembled, knowing that the shops of Treasure Pavilion were by no means fewer than those of the Nangong Family.


    If he could get one trillion Silver in rewards, plus the thirty percent of the shops.


    This deal would be equivalent to earning nearly two trillion Silver!


    With that thought.


    Beitang Feng was about to agree when, at that moment, a servant rushed in, "Master, Ning, the Vice Pavilion Master of Treasure Pavilion, is here requesting an audience!"


    "Hmm?"


    Beitang Feng was startled, "Ning Luo? What''s he doing here?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s gaze shifted and he said in a deep voice, "I''ll excuse myself for a moment!"


    "Alright!"


    Beitang Feng nodded, then turned to the servant, "Bring the person in!"


    A moment later.


    Ning Luo appeared in the hall, his face carrying a radiant smile as he greeted, "Mr. Beitang, long time no see, how have you been?"


    "Vice Pavilion Master Ning, it has been some time since you last visited my residence, what brings you here today?" Beitang Feng responded coolly, already accustomed to acting superior from having had a stranglehold on the medicinal ingredient supply to Treasure Pavilion for so long.


    Ning Luo replied with a wry smile, "Mr. Beitang, you should be aware that recently our Treasure Pavilion and the Nangong Family have been in a price war. We are quickly running out of medicinal ingredients and are urgently searching for supplies. The Pavilion Master asked me to come to you for help!"


    "Oh? I thought you had already found another source for your medicinal ingredients, why seek my help?" Beitang Feng said mockingly.


    Ning Luo shook his head with a bitter smile, "Mr. Beitang, you should know where those medicinal materials come from. The black market in Beast Emperor City is really too extortionate; they know about our critical struggle against the Nangong Family and suddenly broke the contract, unilaterally raising prices. We just can''t afford it, so we have no choice but to turn to you..."


    "Oh?"


    Beitang Feng''s eyes moved subtly, and Nangong Shengtian''s voice suddenly echoed in his mind, "Ask him how much medicinal ingredients he needs!"


    "Deputy Pavilion Master Ning, how much medicinal material do you need?" Beitang Feng asked.


    Ning Luo replied solemnly, "I won''t hide it from you, we had originally agreed with Beast Emperor City to purchase medicinal materials worth two hundred trillion Silver, but they suddenly raised the price, demanding three hundred trillion. The Pavilion Master hopes that you can sell us two hundred trillion worth of goods at the original price!"


    "Two hundred trillion?"


    Beitang Feng''s pupils shrank slightly.


    Goods worth two hundred trillion Silver, at the price he sold to Treasure Pavilion, would net a profit of fifty trillion Silver.


    "Agree to it!"


    The voice of Nangong Shengtian once again resounded in his mind, "But demand a hundred trillion Silver as a deposit!"


    Beitang Feng took a deep breath, squinting his eyes and said, "I can provide the goods for you, but I need a hundred trillion Silver as a deposit!"


    "A hundred trillion Silver for a deposit? Isn''t that too much?" Ning Luo''s face changed slightly, showing hesitation.


    Beitang Feng said indifferently, "If you think it''s too much, you don''t have to buy!"


    "This..."


    Ning Luo showed a struggling expression and, gritting his teeth, said, "Very well, please sign a contract with me, Mr. Beitang!"


    "Agreed!"


    Beitang Feng immediately took out paper and pen, and the two signed a contract.


    Treasure Pavilion paid a hundred trillion Silver as a deposit to order goods worth two hundred trillion Silver, and the Beitang Family would deliver within seven days. If the Beitang Family failed to provide the goods after seven days, they would compensate Treasure Pavilion with one hundred and fifty trillion Silver.


    At the same time...


    If Treasure Pavilion couldn''t come up with the remaining one hundred trillion Silver within seven days, the transaction would be void, and the deposit would not be refunded!


    All these were the same as the usual contracts.


    Beitang Feng wasn''t concerned.


    Ning Luo said solemnly, "Mr. Beitang, you must hurry. The goods must be delivered to me within seven days!"


    "Don''t worry, this isn''t our first transaction!" Beitang Feng said with a smile.


    Ning Luo left immediately.


    Only then did Nangong Shengtian come out from behind, watching the direction in which Ning Luo left with a cold smile on his face, "It''s really like a pillow arriving in time for someone wanting to sleep, Treasure Pavilion, oh Treasure Pavilion, it seems Heaven wants you doomed, don''t blame me for this!"


    Beitang Feng asked with a heavy tone, "Ancestor Nangong, what do you plan to do?"


    Nangong Shengtian said, "Naturally, I''m going to use your hundred trillion Silver to buy medicinal materials for myself!"


    "But that''s Treasure Pavilion''s deposit. If I use the money to buy materials for you, and they ask me for the goods, I won''t be able to produce them and will have to compensate with one hundred and fifty trillion Silver!" Beitang Feng frowned and said.


    "Don''t worry, they won''t last seven days!"


    Nangong Shengtian sneered with confidence, "As long as you get the goods to me as fast as possible, within three days, I will make sure that Treasure Pavilion can''t continue operating!"


    "Are you sure?"


    Beitang Feng frowned and said.


    This matter could not be taken lightly, a single misstep could shake the very foundation of the Beitang Family!


    Recalling the miraculous prescription in his mind, Nangong Shengtian patted his chest, guaranteeing solemnly, "Just be at ease, I assure you there will be no problem!"


    "If that''s the case, then I will trust you this time!" Beitang Feng said resolutely, nodding, "I will set off immediately, and at the latest by tomorrow morning, I will have the medicinal materials delivered to you!" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nangong Shengtian''s face glowed with anticipation, "Treasure Pavilion, this is really digging your own grave, hahaha..."


    A moment later.


    Nangong Shengtian quietly left the Beitang Family, riding away in his luxurious carriage.


    But Nangong Shengtian did not notice.


    Across from the Beitang Family, on top of a tavern where he was drinking with Ning Luo, Xiao Yi''s lips curved up slightly, watching the slowly departing carriage, "Nangong Sheng, you are really digging your own grave!"

 Chapter 369 Your Majesty Summons!

    Great rewards beckon the brave.


    Under the allure of money, Beitang Feng''s actions indeed were swift.


    That very night, he returned to the imperial city with medicinal materials worth a trillion silver, handing them over to Nangong Shengtian.


    Nangong Shengtian''s face was full of excitement as he burst into hearty laughter, "Good, good, very good! With these medicinal materials and that secret formula, we can surely produce pills worth thirty trillion silver. With this move, we''re talking about profits exceeding sixty trillion silver. We''ve struck it rich!"


    Even on Nangong Shengji''s eternally unchanging, icy face, a brilliant smile emerged.


    Sixty trillion silver!


    It could double the wealth of the Nangong Family!


    Beitang Feng, too, was secretly astounded. In the past, the profits of the Nangong Family merely doubled, but now they were set to quadruple, causing him also to feel an uncontrollable itch of greed as he said solemnly, "Ancestor Nangong, what mysterious treasure have you found that can increase the yield and quality rate of the pills by so much?"


    Nangong Shengtian smiled at him and squinted his eyes, "Of course we''ve made a great discovery!"


    "Ancestor Nangong, may I also take a look?" Beitang Feng asked with a sycophantic smile.


    Nangong Shengtian looked at Nangong Shengji.


    Nangong Shengji said, "It''s fine. Mr. Beitang is our most steadfast partner; there''s no need to guard against him!"


    He had his own plans as well.


    The Beitang Family was backed by Medicine King Valley, a connection they absolutely could not afford to lose.


    If Beitang Feng saw the Nangong Family''s strength, their cooperation would become even more solid.


    The group arrived deep within the Nangong estate.


    There was an underground palace constructed deep below the ground; the palace connected to an underground fire vein, using which they had built over a thousand Pill Furnaces. Every one of these thousand Pill Furnaces was manned by an alchemist. Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    The reason the Nangong Family could stand firm, even unafraid to face Treasure Pavilion, was not only due to the Beitang Family providing medicinal materials at a low cost but also thanks to these thousand alchemists.


    This was the wealth that the Nangong Family had inherited over a thousand years.


    "Master!"


    Over a thousand alchemists called out in unison.


    Nangong Shengji nodded. These alchemists were orphans with the talent for alchemy, adopted from childhood, raised, and deeply loyal to the Nangong Family.


    Of course...


    How many of them were indeed orphans, and how many were made orphans by the Nangong Family, that was unclear.


    Nangong Shengji spoke calmly, "Everyone, our Nangong Family is currently facing a life-or-death crisis... Whether our Nangong Family lives or dies will depend on your performance in these next few days!"


    "Master, we swear to defend the Nangong Family to our dying breath!"


    "What do you need us to do?"


    The crowd asked.


    Nangong Shengji lifted the forty storage rings in his hand and said in a deep voice, "These contain medicinal materials worth a trillion silver. I need you to refine them into finished pills as quickly as possible."


    "Rest assured, Master, even if we die in front of the Pill Furnace, we will complete the task!"


    "Master, should we use the secret formula you provided earlier?"


    Nangong Shengji nodded and said, "Yes, use that formula. If this operation is successful, I promise you a month off after the task is completed, to reunite with your families!"


    "Master is wise!"


    These individuals had been brainwashed from a young age, devoted entirely to the Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengji then distributed the medicinal materials, and instantly the whole underground palace was bustling with fervent activity.


    Flames surged.


    Over a thousand Pill Furnaces roared into operation, with over a thousand alchemists starting to craft pills.


    The sight was truly terrifying!


    Every person was giving it their all, exerting their full strength.


    With the help of the secret formula, the success rate of pill formation and the rate of producing top-quality pills from each Pill Furnace doubled. Watching pill after pill freshly come out of the furnace and being stored into medicine bottles, Beitang Feng was completely dumbfounded, "This, how is this possible? Thirty pills per batch, all of them top-quality?"


    Nangong Shengtian was smug, "How about it? You''re not worried now, are you, that we can''t afford to pay those sums?"


    "Impressive, truly impressive!"


    Beitang Feng sincerely exclaimed, "With such a Divine Artifact at hand, let alone the Treasure Pavilion of the Great Qian Dynasty, even the main pavilion of the Treasure Pavilion could be brought down by you one day!"


    Nangong Shengji laughed heartily and gently patted Beitang Feng''s shoulder, saying, "We owe it to your support! The glory of one is the glory of the other; should our Nangong Family profit, we won''t let you down!"


    "That goes without saying!"


    Beitang Feng''s smile was full of flattery.


    The entire Nangong Family was bustling, continuously refining pills and distributing them to various places.


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the imperial palace, the royal study.


    The lights in front of Emperor Qian were still bright as he put down the memorial in his hand and gently rubbed his sore brows, saying, "Old Dog, is the strife between the Treasure Pavilion and the Nangong Family still ongoing?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty!"


    Qi replied in a deep voice.


    Emperor Qian stretched his limbs, which caused a series of cracks, and said somewhat speechless, "How good it would be to be harmonious and make money, but they insist on making things so stiff."


    Qi replied, "Your Majesty, the Nangong Family has indeed become a bit uncontrollable over the years. Allowing the Treasure Pavilion to weaken them somewhat may not be a bad thing!"


    "What we need now is balance, and it''s not good to rashly break this balance!"


    Emperor Qian got up and walked towards the door, looking up at the sparse starlight in the sky. In the midst of the night, a meteor suddenly streaked across the sky, its brilliant and splendid tail spread out in the air, extending thousands of miles, "Just like this starry sky, the harmony of stars and moon is so peaceful, yet there must be a meteor that, despite its beauty and brilliance, is ultimately fleeting, tasteless to eat and regrettable to waste!"


    "What does Your Majesty imply?" Qi asked as he draped a heavy robe over Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian squinted and said, "Tomorrow night, let them come to the palace to enjoy the moonlit view!"


    "Yes!"


    Qi responded respectfully.


    Emperor Qian, with his back to Qi, spoke in a deep voice, "Old Dog, everyone has their self-interest, and I can understand that. But the affairs of the world have their rules, do not overstep them!"


    "This servant understands!" Qi''s figure paused slightly, then promptly returned to normal.


    Under the night sky.


    Master and servant stood tall for a long time, without moving an inch.


    ...


    The next day.


    Within the capital city, the figures of eunuchs appeared in many households.


    Inside the Nangong Family.


    "His Majesty invites you to enjoy the moon in the Imperial Garden tonight!"


    "Please tell His Majesty that Shengtian will surely be on time for the banquet!" Nangong Shengtian said.


    Within the Beitang Family, Beitang Feng: "Beitang Feng acknowledges the decree with thanks!"


    Treasure Pavilion.


    Nalan Qianqiu, looking at the imperial edict in his hand, had a complex expression, "What is His Majesty really thinking?"


    Within the Xiaoshanhe Institute. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qi personally came before Xiao Yi and read the imperial edict, saying, "Dean Xiao, His Majesty has sent for you!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Eunuch, who else will be there tonight?"


    Qi squinted and said, "Those who should come, have all come!"


    Xiao Yi revealed an understanding smile, his eyes narrowing into slits, "It seems the great drama is about to begin!"

 Chapter 370 Youre Seeking Death!

    The moon shone bright with few stars, an excellent time for moon-gazing.


    The Imperial Garden had already been set with numerous tables and chairs, laden with an abundance of fine wines and delectable dishes.


    The silver moon had just risen above the willow tips, like a tempting silver-white fruit hanging from the branches.


    At this moment...


    In the Imperial Garden, seats had already filled with many powerful figures.


    Among them were influential court officials, noble families, and representatives of the top ten sects from the capital.


    Each one possessed immense clout.


    Any one of them could shake the capital with a mere stomp of their foot.


    Xiao Yi''s seat was in the first row to the left, a good spot, and right next to him was Yang Ling. Clearly, this was a deliberate arrangement; Yang Ling also whispered introductions of the attendees to Xiao Yi.


    "That one who nodded to you with his cup is Shi Yun, who replaced Li Shengtian because of your wish; it''s thanks to you that he could sit in this position!"


    "Next to Shi Yun is Qin Li, who took over Tian Xiao''s place. This man was once Tian Xiao''s confidant, be careful with him!"


    "And that one..."


    After the introductions, Xiao Yi had become acquainted with many of those present.


    Suddenly.


    The noisy Imperial Garden quieted down, and Xiao Yi frowned slightly; despite it being a summer night, he felt a chill. His gaze shifted to the entrance of the Imperial Garden. He saw many guests rising from their seats, bowing towards the garden gate.


    A young man dressed in green, with a purple jade crown on his head, walked in.


    The youth radiated a cold and solemn aura. Yang Ling''s pupils contracted slightly and he whispered, "Xiao Yi, this person is Brave General Sun Yao, who took over from Chen Shuiwen to lead the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. He also has some history with you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    He had never seen this person before, how could there be history between them?


    Yang Ling whispered, "Sun Yao is from the Tianjian Sect, a senior fellow of Xiao Tianjiao. However, after marrying Princess Changping, the niece of the Emperor''s uncle, he left Tianjian Sect and has been defending the frontier for many years as the Brave General. He was expected to become the Great General after another two years'' wait, but now he has been appointed as the head of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy instead. He must surely bear a grudge against you!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes helplessly.


    This was truly a mix of new grudges and old ones!


    Since he was Xiao Tianjiao''s senior fellow and because of Xiao Yi himself, who had killed Chen Shuiwen, Sun Yao had lost the chance to compete for the position of Great General.


    Moreover, Xiaoshanhe Institute and Shanhe Martial Arts Academy were natural rivals.


    This truly seemed like a fated enemy!


    Sun Yao also noticed Xiao Yi''s gaze and a glint of cold light flashed in his eyes. The aura of the seventh layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm surged toward him like a vast, towering wave. His gaze, corporeal as it was, seemed even sharper than the edge of a blade.


    A normal person from the Tao Tribulation Realm would likely be scared out of their wits.


    Xiao Yi remained unmoved, his gaze just as sharp as he stared back at Sun Yao.


    Bang!


    The substantial gaze of the two collided mid-air, exploding into a terrifying blast that caused two nearby guests to scream in agony. Both were civil officials, their eardrums ruptured by the impact of the gaze.


    Yang Ling frowned, "Someone, take them away!"


    "Yes!"


    Two guards immediately escorted the pair away.


    Inside the Imperial Garden.


    All eyes were alternately sweeping over Xiao Yi and Sun Yao.


    Sun Yao walked straight up to Xiao Yi, looking down on him from above.


    Qin Li somehow made his way to Sun Yao''s side with a sycophantic expression, then turned to Xiao Yi, "This seat is Sun Yao''s now, you get lost!"


    "Scram!"


    Without even lifting his head, Xiao Yi simply responded with one word.


    "You little shit, who gave you the audacity..."


    Qin Li''s face changed, but before he could finish.


    He was met with Xiao Yi''s slap.


    Slap!


    With a scream, Qin Li flew backwards, smashing directly into a lotus pond.


    "How dare you strike my man? Do you no longer wish to live?"


    Sun Yao''s gaze hardened, his murderous intent surging like a raging tide.


    Yang Ling quickly stood up, placing himself between the two men, and spoke sternly, "General Sun, the seating for tonight''s banquet is fixed. Your seat is over there!"


    With narrowed eyes, Sun Yao assessed Yang Ling, then suddenly let out a sneer of contempt, his disdainful gaze falling on Xiao Yi, "Compared to brother Tianjiao, you still fall far short!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "The dogs raised by Xiao Tianjiao are all so arrogant?"


    "You''re courting death!"


    Sun Yao''s expression darkened as he glared at Xiao Yi.


    Boom!


    A gust of wind burst forth from him, flipping the tables and chairs of several bystanders. Only Xiao Yi and Yang Ling''s seats remained immobile. Xiao Yi sat upright, watching him with interest, "What''s wrong? Hit a nerve? If you''re going to be a dog, act like one and tuck your tail to the side!"


    "You little shit, you''re looking to die!"


    Sun Yao erupted in fury as evil Qi rolled off him.


    "Hahaha, General Sun, let this old man give you a hand!" Nangong Shengtian strode in with amusement, standing shoulder to shoulder with Sun Yao.


    Beitang Feng also watched Xiao Yi with an amused expression.


    "I really want to see who dares to bully my little brother Xiao Yi!" The boisterous voice was none other than Dongfang Kuang, with Ximen Jianxue following at his side, as both landed one on each side of Xiao Yi.


    Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo also came strolling casually.


    They all had their swords drawn and crossbows cocked.


    A great battle was on the verge of erupting!


    Inside the Imperial Garden, some people took pleasure in the misfortune of others, while some showed worried expressions.


    But at that moment...


    An authoritative cough echoed, dissolving the tense atmosphere instantaneously. Emperor Qian and Qi stepped in, their gazes sweeping over everyone as they spoke indifferently, "Why is everyone standing? Tonight, I have invited you all to enjoy the moon!"


    "We welcome Your Majesty!"


    "Long live Your Majesty!"


    Everyone hastily paid their respects.


    Emperor Qian took his seat at the head, gesturing with his hand, "Please, sit down."


    Whoosh!


    Everyone sat down meticulously.


    Nangong Shengtian whispered, "General Sun, there will be plenty of opportunities to deal with this kid. Why cause His Majesty displeasure?"


    "Hmm!"


    Sun Yao nodded, his cold gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi, "You just wait!"


    "I will be waiting with open arms!"


    Xiao Yi replied evenly.


    "Hmph!"


    Sun Yao snorted and went back to his seat.


    Xiao Yi gave Dongfang Kuang and the others a cupped fist salute, "Thank you, everyone!"


    "How could I, your brother, miss out on a fight?" Dongfang Kuang winked.


    Ximen Jianxue smiled, "It''s nothing!"


    Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo smiled faintly, sitting down beside Xiao Yi.


    At the head seat.


    Emperor Qian said lightly, "Tonight the moon is full, and I have especially arranged this feast. I hope it hasn''t interrupted everyone''s life."


    "Your Majesty jests!"


    "To accompany Your Majesty in admiring the moon is an honor for us..."


    Everyone responded in turn.


    Emperor Qian nodded, "Tonight we won''t talk about state affairs, just drink wine and enjoy the moon..."


    No sooner had he spoken,


    then Sun Yao said, "Your Majesty, I believe that under such beautiful scenery, we should add some entertainment to the mix!"


    "Oh?"


    Emperor Qian looked at Sun Yao, his face breaking into a smile, "General Sun, what do you suggest?"


    Sun Yao''s chilling eyes flickered toward Xiao Yi as he said with a smile, "I have recently taken over the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, where I have a sword prodigy. Tonight, I have brought him especially to present a sword dance for Your Majesty and the ministers!"


    "A sword dance?"


    "It is well-known that General Sun is the finest swordsman in the military. If you consider him a sword prodigy, he must be impressive!"


    Emperor Qian chuckled, "Then let him come forth and show us!"


    "By Your Majesty''s command!"


    Sun Yao nodded and then ordered someone to fetch the person.


    Shortly afterwards,


    a graceful young man appeared in the Imperial Garden, bowing respectfully to Emperor Qian and proclaiming, "Your Majesty, this humble person Jiang Feng presents a sword dance called ''Autumn Rain'', in hopes of bringing a smile to Your Majesty''s face!"


    "You may proceed!"


    Emperor Qian nodded, smiling brightly.


    Clang!


    Jiang Feng unsheathed his longsword, manoeuvring it as if it were an extension of his arm.


    The dance "Autumn Rain" flowed like drifting clouds and running water, exquisitely performed, eliciting waves of applause: "He truly is a sword prodigy from the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "This young man''s mastery of the sword is extraordinary. Although he''s only at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, he has already grasped half a step of Sword Intent. Remarkable indeed!"


    Emperor Qian also nodded in satisfaction, "Award him a thousand taels of silver and bestow upon him a flask of Imperial wine!"


    "Thank you, Your Majesty!"


    Jiang Feng looked up and drained the Imperial wine in one gulp, then wiping his mouth, he said loudly, "Your Majesty, I''ve heard that the Xiaoshanhe Institute is full of talent, and Xiao, the head of the institute, is a master of the sword. I humbly request Your Majesty''s permission for me to seek instruction from Xiao!"


    "Hmm?"


    Emperor Qian''s brow furrowed slightly, and his expression turned somewhat displeased.


    Just as he was about to reprimand,


    Sun Yao spoke up, "Your Majesty, as the head of an institute, Xiao surely wouldn''t begrudge offering guidance to the younger generation!" He looked at Xiao Yi with a smile, "Instructor Xiao, what do you say?" S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi turned his head to look at Sun Yao, curled his lip, and said indifferently, "Screw you!"

 Chapter 371 Can You Kill?

    ```


    "Shut the hell up!"


    Xiao Yi spoke coldly, silencing the imperial garden.


    Immediately after, a civil official cursed angrily, "Such vulgarity is disgraceful!"


    "How can you speak such foul language in the Emperor''s presence?"


    "He must be punished, punished indeed!"


    Sun Yao''s face turned an iron shade of blue. This was the first time he had been publicly reprimanded like this in his life, and with a gloomy face, he said, "Xiao Yi, you''re courting death!"


    "Enough!"


    Emperor Qian rebuked sharply, his face looking unpleasant as he said, "What behavior is this? I am still here, seated!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "Your Majesty, please, calm down!"


    "Your Majesty, please, calm down!"


    Sun Yao quickly responded, then turned to look at Jiang Feng.


    Jiang Feng, holding a sword, stood in the center of the imperial garden, watching Xiao Yi icily, "Master Xiao, could it be that you are afraid your swordsmanship is inferior to mine, and thus you dare not compete with me?"


    "Afraid?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a smile and said indifferently, "You are not worthy!"


    "You..."


    Jiang Feng became furious, knelt down to Emperor Qian, and exclaimed loudly, "I beseech Your Majesty to grant permission for this humble one to duel with Master Xiao!"


    Emperor Qian''s eyebrows were tightly knotted.


    Cold light was flitting through his eyes.


    Xiao Yi said calmly, "Jiang Feng, is it? You needn''t trouble the Emperor. I have a disciple by the name of Tian Mang; if you can defeat him, then you''ll be worthy of my guidance!"


    "Where is Tian Mang?" asked Jiang Feng.


    Xiao Yi looked at Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, Tian Mang is just outside the palace!"


    Emperor Qian rubbed his eyebrows and said, "Bring Tian Mang in!"


    Master Qi said, "This servant will go at once!"


    After a short while.


    Tian Mang appeared in the imperial garden, his arms cradling a sword, eyes hollow and unseeing. Yet his heart held a clear mirror, as he respectfully greeted Emperor Qian and then faced Jiang Feng, "Is it you who wishes to challenge the master?"


    "A blind man?"


    Jiang Feng frowned at Tian Mang, his face showing a hue of humiliation as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, letting a blind man compete with me in swordplay��is this not an insult to me?"


    "Win first, then speak!" Xiao Yi responded lightly.


    Jiang Feng, annoyed, looked at Tian Mang, "Blind man, if you can withstand three moves under my sword, I will spare your life!"


    Tian Mang ignored Jiang Feng''s provocation, simply turning to ask Xiao Yi, "Master, am I allowed to kill?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Emperor Qian and then said, "How can we kill at will in front of His Majesty?"


    "Yes!"


    Tian Mang nodded, his expression indifferent, the regret seeming to tinge his tone. His vacant eyes shifted onto Jiang Feng as he made an inviting gesture, "Draw your sword!"


    Jiang Feng''s face darkened, "You make the first move! If I were to strike, within three moves, your death would be certain!"


    Tian Mang said, "If I make the first move, you won''t have the chance to strike at all!"


    Jiang Feng: "..."


    Sun Yao snorted disdainfully, "Like master, like disciple. Master Xiao, I wonder if all the disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute are as arrogantly naive as this one?"


    Nangong Shengtian chuckled mockingly, "A blind man, daring to boast so grandly?"


    "It seems Master Xiao''s disciple is quite confident in himself! However, if he loses later on, it will certainly be quite the embarrassment!" Beitang Feng said mockingly, his fingers lightly tapping on the table surface.


    Yang Ling said indifferently, "In a martial competition, we stop at the first hit!"


    Sun Yao said, "Jiang Feng, since Yang Ling has spoken, just break his limbs and cripple his cultivation. Spare his life!"


    "Yes!"


    Jiang Feng agreed, and before his words trailed off, his figure suddenly moved.


    Whoosh!


    The sword leaped from its sheath, and in the next instant, Jiang Feng had appeared before Tian Mang.


    Hum!


    The longsword turned into a flash of silver, rushing towards Tian Mang in an instant. The sharp sword light, incredibly fast, was nearly reaching the realm of the first stage of Sword Intent and was about to slice through Tian Mang''s body.


    But at that moment...


    Tian Mang''s feet shook.


    Swish!


    Tian Mang brushed past Jiang Feng.


    The two stood back to back.


    "Hmm?"


    ```


    ```


    "That sword just now..."


    ```


    Among those present were surely no lack of experts, each of whom clearly saw everything that transpired in the moment of the clash between the two. Their gaze inevitably fell on the sword in Tian Mang''s embrace, from which a drop of fresh blood was sliding down the scabbard.


    Thud!


    Jiang Feng''s legs went soft, and he knelt directly on the ground, covering his dantian, hissing for breath.


    That momentary exchange.


    Tian Mang had already pierced his dantian!


    Emperor Qian toyed with his wine cup.


    He seemed indifferent to the outcome of the battle.


    Qi gave one of the guards a meaningful look: "Drag him away!"


    "Yes!"


    Two guards immediately came forward, each taking one of Jiang Feng''s arms, and led him away. Faintly, the onlookers heard a burst of vicious barking and the sounds of flesh being torn from where Jiang Feng was dragged. Clearly, Jiang Feng''s repeated provocations had angered Emperor Qian.


    After his cultivation was crippled, he was dragged away to be fed to the dogs!


    Sun Yao''s face was extremely ugly.


    Tian Mang, without uttering a word, walked over to Xiao Yi, still holding the sword.


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    Xiao Yi said with some dissatisfaction, "Your sword is still too slow. It must be swift enough to kill without a trace of blood. Once we return, your training will be tripled!"


    Tian Mang expressionlessly acknowledged with a grunt.


    Xiao Yi smiled and looked at Sun Yao, "A sword prodigy from the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, not so impressive after all!"


    "Hmph!"


    Sun Yao snorted coldly, his face ashen.


    Jiang Feng was a swordsmanship seedling he had brought from the military, hoping to cultivate him well in Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, but never expected to end up feeding him to dogs.


    He glowered at Xiao Yi, his teeth clenched in fury.


    On this day''s first confrontation, he had indeed come off worse.


    But with Emperor Qian present, he was also not in a position to make a scene, and could only swallow his grievances.


    After the third round of drinks and five flavors of dishes.


    Emperor Qian glanced in Yang Ling''s direction.


    Yang Ling immediately understood and asked, "Nangong, Master Nalan... I''ve heard that the prices at your pharmacies have been dropping for many days now, why is that?"


    "Here it comes!"


    Nangong Shengtian and Nalan Qianqiu tensed inside.


    The gathered individuals'' bodies shuddered slightly.


    They set down their wine cups.


    Clearly, this was the real reason behind this evening''s moon-viewing banquet. Emperor Qian intended to intervene in the dispute between the two families!


    Thinking to himself, Nangong Shengtian felt certain of victory and thus was unwilling to cease his efforts, casually responding, "It''s merely normal commercial competition!"


    Nalan Qianqiu also said, "We''ve just accumulated too much stock in the warehouse, so we decided to lower the prices to clear the inventory, that''s all."


    Both men had their own schemes.


    One was confident of victory, hoping to swallow up the Treasure Pavilion in the process.


    The other thought of the trap they had painstakingly set, which was about to yield results, how could they possibly back down now?


    Unseen, there was a tacit cooperation between the two.


    Yang Ling frowned slightly and looked at Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian squinted his eyes and asked, "You two still have a lot of stock in your warehouses?"


    Nangong Shengtian replied, "There''s quite a bit left!"


    Nalan Qianqiu nodded, "We''ve stockpiled too much before!" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was a refusal of the royal intervention.


    Everyone hardly dared to breathe.


    All waited for Emperor Qian to state his position.


    After a moment...


    Emperor Qian squinted his eyes and waved his hand, "Dismiss everyone!"


    Nangong Shengtian and Nalan Qianqiu both sighed a sigh of relief; Emperor Qian''s gesture meant he did not plan to get involved.


    "Farewell to Your Majesty!"


    "We take our leave!"


    People got up one after another and left.


    Emperor Qian squinted his eyes, waiting until everyone had gone before reopening them.


    Yang Ling said, "Father, about this matter..."


    Emperor Qian chuckled, waved his hand to interrupt him, and looked down to fiddle with the wine cup, saying indifferently, "Since they want to fight, let them fight! No matter how fierce a dog I raise, it cannot escape the control of a true dragon..."


    ```

 Chapter 372 Tit for Tat

    Outside the imperial palace.


    A throng of guests departed in their respective carriages.


    Dongfang Kuang and Ximen Jianxue bade farewell to Xiao Yi, also departing by carriage.


    "Tian Mang, bring the carriage over!"


    Seeing Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo approaching, Xiao Yi instructed the nearby Tian Mang.


    "Understood!"


    Tian Mang left with his sword in hand.


    Nalan Qianqiu stepped forward and, after exchanging formalities, asked in a grave voice, "Dean Xiao, there shouldn''t be any issues from His Majesty''s side, should there?"


    After all, the Nangong Family was nominally subject to the royal family.


    They were outsiders!


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to set Nalan Qianqiu at ease and spoke indifferently, "In that person''s eyes, everything in this world is but a chess piece, as long as it doesn''t affect his rule, he couldn''t care less about the struggles between the pieces!"


    Nalan Qianqiu breathed a sigh of relief, about to speak again.


    Suddenly...


    A loud boom came from ahead.


    Looking towards the source of the noise.


    One could see that the carriage driven by Tian Mang had been violently overturned, and the two horses that had been pulling it lay on the ground, barely alive. Tian Mang had managed to avoid calamity, but just as he landed, a black whip shadow lashed toward him.


    The speed of the whip was incredibly fast.


    And it was vicious!


    Crack!


    Caught off guard, Tian Mang was harshly struck by the whip on his back, his robe splitting open as blood gushed forth. The fresh, red wound on his back resembled a bloody centipede clinging to him, and then the second lash came down even faster.


    "Stop!"


    Xiao Yi''s expression darkened, and he leapt in front of Tian Mang, catching the black whip with his hand.


    The one riding a tall horse and wielding the long whip was none other than Qin Li.


    Qin Li, looking down from his high position, gazed emotionlessly at Xiao Yi and said coldly, "Control your dog. He blocked my way for no reason. Today, for your sake, I''m only whipping him once. If it happens again, he''ll certainly be executed!"


    He had previously been slapped into the lotus pond by Xiao Yi, utterly humiliated.


    Now, as everyone departed.


    Qin Li saw Tian Mang alone and immediately drove his warhorse to overturn Xiao Yi''s carriage.


    He even attempted to kill Tian Mang to ingratiate himself with Sun Yao.


    He hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to react so quickly and save Tian Mang''s life.


    Xiao Yi gazed at the ferocious wound on Tian Mang''s back with its flesh torn and bone visible. His eyes turned icy as he stared at Qin Li and said word by word, "You''re courting death!"


    "Hmph, I am a first-rank official; you dare to kill me?" Qin Li spoke with brash confidence.


    This was still the imperial palace.


    Who would dare to kill a high-ranking courtier in front of the imperial palace?


    Moreover...


    He saw Sun Yao''s carriage approaching and immediately raised his voice, "Xiao Yi, don''t think you can disregard everyone just because you are the dean of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. General Sun presides over the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, and it won''t be long before your little Xiaoshanhe Institute is beneath our feet. Compared to General Sun, you are nothing but trash!"


    "Well said!"


    The voice of Nangong Shengtian came as he arrived alongside Beitang Feng in a carriage, abreast with Sun Yao''s.


    Sun Yao looked at Xiao Yi holding the whip and spoke indifferently, "Release it, kneel down, and apologize to Qin Li!"


    Qin Li''s face was triumphant as he watched Xiao Yi, "Did you hear that? General Sun is ordering you to kneel and apologize to me?"


    "Apologize?"


    Xiao Yi scoffed and a surge of violent force suddenly erupted from his arm, pulling Qin Li off his horse with a swoosh. With a thud, Qin Li hit the ground face first, ending up with a bruised nose and swollen face.


    Xiao Yi stepped on Qin Li''s face, pinning his head to the ground, and looked up at Sun Yao and Nangong Shengtian, "You want me to apologize? You''re not qualified!"


    "Scoundrel, if you harm a single hair on him, I will exterminate..." Sun Yao was furious.


    But he hadn''t finished speaking.


    A crisp cracking sound interrupted him.


    Xiao Yi''s foot crushed Qin Li''s head beneath it, as he nonchalantly shrugged at the enraged Sun Yao, "Oops, I might have used a bit too much strength by accident!"


    "You..."


    Sun Yao''s face twisted with ferocity.


    By his side, Nangong Shengtian frowned slightly and said gravely, "General Sun, there''s no need to fuss over such a soon-to-be dead man!"


    "Hmm?"


    Sun Yao was taken aback, frowning at Nangong Shengtian.


    "After all, Xiao is appointed by His Majesty, it wouldn''t be good for us to lay hands on him! However..."


    Nangong Shengtian sneered continuously, looking at Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu behind him: "Xiao has a profound relationship with Master Nalan, as they are close as branches on the same tree. All the pills for the Xiaoshanhe Institute are supplied by the Treasure Pavilion. If Master Nalan''s Treasure Pavilion falls, I''m afraid Xiao''s Xiaoshanhe Institute will also be unable to provide pills for its disciples, and then it won''t be far from destruction."


    "You''re right, once the Xiaoshanhe Institute falls, we won''t need to lift a finger, the Emperor will be the first to want your head!"


    Sun Yao''s eyes lit up, and he laughed loudly, "Xiao Yi, now relying on the Emperor''s support, I''ll wait for the day your Xiaoshanhe Institute falls apart, the day you lose the Emperor''s favor. Let''s see who can save you then!"


    Xiao Yi said calmly, "It''s still not certain who will fall!"


    Nangong Shengtian spoke proudly, "In the end, it will definitely be us who laugh last!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "We''ll see!"


    "We''ll see!"


    Their gazes collided, sparking fierce flames.


    Tit for tat.


    It wasn''t until Qi appeared that the tense atmosphere loosened a bit: "The Emperor decrees that no misconduct shall occur in front of the palace!"


    "We shall heed the Imperial command!"


    Everyone bowed in respect.


    Qi looked helplessly at Xiao Yi: "Xiao, His Majesty has sent me to tell you, since it was Qin Li who initiated the fight, he will not punish you. But next time, be mindful of the place where you act!"


    "Hahaha, please tell His Majesty that Xiao Yi has taken note," Xiao Yi said, nodding with a laugh. S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nangong Shengtian, Sun Yao, and the others cast a cold glance at him and strode away.


    Xiao Yi squinted, watching their carriages leave, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly: "Who laughs last, it''s really not certain yet!"


    ...


    Time flew by.


    In just three short days, they had refined all of the medicinal materials worth a total of ten trillion Silver into pills, with a total value of sixty trillion Silver, all of which were sent to various pill stores.


    Starting from the third day.


    All pill stores owned by the Nangong Family restored their pill prices to a fifty percent discount.


    This move bewildered everyone.


    After all...


    The Treasure Pavilion was selling at a two-fold discount, yet you not only refrained from lowering prices but even increased them to fifty percent?


    For a time.


    The Nangong Family''s pill stores were utterly ignored.


    However, the people of the Nangong Family were not the least bit anxious, and right at noon on the third day, a flat cart appeared outside the headquarters of the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion. On the cart lay a young man, blood oozing from his seven orifices, his complexion pale, lifeless.


    Pushing the cart was an octogenarian old man, sobbing loudly: "Someone come quick, the cheap pills have killed a man!"


    "What?"


    "Treasure Pavilion''s pills have killed a man?"


    "That can''t be possible, can it? I also bought some before and had no problems at all! Moreover, the quality of the Treasure Pavilion''s pills is much stronger than those of the Nangong Family''s!"


    "It''s true, they''re causing trouble at the Treasure Pavilion headquarters right now, everyone hurry up and take a look!"


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    For a time.


    This news spread throughout the Imperial Capital with the help of those with vested interests.


    Numerous powerhouses converged toward the headquarters of the Treasure Pavilion.


    The Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengtian received the news and immediately got up laughing with a slap on the armrest, "The batch of pills has finally shown its effects, hahaha, Treasure Pavilion, let''s see how you die this time!" He turned to Nangong Yi, "Notify Ning Kang immediately, he can make his move now. Also, command Beitang Feng to set off right away to the headquarters of the Treasure Pavilion!"


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Yi left at once.


    Nangong Shengtian laughed heartily as he boarded a carriage and headed for the Treasure Pavilion headquarters.


    By the time they arrived at the headquarters of the Treasure Pavilion, the place was already flooded with people, even the rooftops of the surrounding buildings were crammed with onlookers. Excitement and schadenfreude were evident on all their faces.


    The young man on the cart was starting to smell, and the old octogenarian sat on the ground, crying loudly: "Everyone, please stand up for me, cheap pills have taken a life, compensate my grandson''s life..."


    "The Treasure Pavilion hasn''t shown any response yet, aren''t they pushing people too far?"


    "Could it be an admission of guilt?"


    "There might be some misunderstanding!"


    As the crowd was speculating, a young man suddenly walked out from among them, his face showing grief, and he knelt down with a thunk before the old man, saying solemnly, "Old sir, I apologize to you on behalf of the Treasure Pavilion..."

 Chapter 373 Turning Black and White

    "Patriarch, I apologize on behalf of the Treasure Pavilion!"


    The young man knelt before the old man with a plop, his face full of intense self-reproach and guilt.


    This young man was none other than Ning Kang!


    Immediately, someone in the surrounding crowd recognized him, "Isn''t that Ning Kang?"


    "The son of the Treasure Pavilion''s Vice Pavilion Master Ning Luo��he just said he''s apologizing on behalf of the Treasure Pavilion to this patriarch? Could it be that the medicinal pills from the Treasure Pavilion really have issues?"


    "It''s very likely, otherwise why would he come out to apologize?"


    Whispers spread through the crowd.


    The old man looked at Ning Kang with confusion, "Young man, why are you apologizing on behalf of the Treasure Pavilion to me?"


    "Patriarch, you may not be aware, but my father is the Vice Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, Ning Luo. As I''m sure everyone has noticed, the Treasure Pavilion has been selling cheap medicinal pills recently. Actually, all these pills were concocted using inferior ingredients..."


    Ning Kang''s face was filled with sorrow as he continuously patted his chest, "I''ve always been advising my father and Nalan Qianqiu, telling them that this is an unconscionable act, and that they shouldn''t do it! But they never listened to me��I''m of no importance and have little say..."


    "I knew something bad was going to happen, but I never imagined it would really lead to someone''s death."


    "It''s all my fault��if only I had exposed the scheme behind this sooner, so many people wouldn''t have been deceived!"


    Ning Kang''s fists kept pounding the ground, producing thudding sounds. When he looked up again, his face was streaked with tears, "If only I had stopped them in time, it wouldn''t have led to death. Look at this��this was a living person, and they didn''t care about anything but making money..."


    At that moment,


    The crowd was in an uproar!


    "What? The Treasure Pavilion actually concocted medicinal pills with inferior ingredients?"


    "Isn''t this going too far?"


    "That''s not right, isn''t it said that all the medicinal materials in the Great Qian Dynasty are sold through the Beitang Family? Apart from them, no one else has access, so where did the Treasure Pavilion get these inferior materials from?"


    Nangong Yi, hidden in the crowd, suddenly questioned out loud.


    As expected, his question caught everyone''s attention.


    This was a scene that Ning Kang and Nangong Yi had orchestrated together, responding to each other. Ning Kang pretended to hesitate, making the others believe there were more secrets to uncover, "Ning Kang, rest assured and speak up boldly. We are all your strong backing!"


    "No matter what sort of entity is involved behind this, we support you!" The crowd shouted one after another.


    It was as if Ning Kang was a brave warrior daring to uncover the conspiracy.


    Ning Kang feigned difficulty and finally gritted his teeth, angrily saying, "Alright, I, Ning Kang, will risk my life if necessary to bring the truth to light. These materials were supplied through Xiao Yi, the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. It is said that he sourced these materials from the black market in Beast Emperor City..."


    Boom!


    This news, like a bombshell, ignited the anger of the people.


    Xiao Yi had once been to the Beast Emperor City and had returned with a group of powerful individuals��this news had long spread throughout the capital.


    Compared with what Ning Kang had said,


    The pieces fit together for the crowd!


    Xiao Yi had cooperated with the Treasure Pavilion, he had been to the Beast Emperor City, so he brought the channel for these cheap, inferior materials. The two struck a deal, conspiring together to exploit the hardworking masses, earning money at the expense of people''s lives!


    "Damn it, I actually thought Xiao Yi was a good guy before, who knew he was so heartless?"


    "This is scheming for money at the cost of human lives!"


    "He must be severely punished!"


    The public sentiment was inflamed!


    The sound of condemnation was deafening.


    Amidst the crowd,


    Nangong Shengtian wore a smug look, laughing loudly, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, will you not be completely discredited this time? This is what happens when you oppose me��I want you not only to fall from grace but also to die before me..."


    Beitang Feng''s figure suddenly appeared beside him, excitement on his face, "Ancestor Nangong, when do I make my move?"


    "Not yet!"


    Nangong Shengtian smiled crookedly, his face cold, "Wait for Nalan Qianqiu and the others to show up, then you take action."


    "No problem!"


    Beitang Feng nodded, looking at the angry crowd that seemed ready to smash the Treasure Pavilion, he shook his head, "Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu are as good as dead this time, with no chance of turning things around. Ancestor Nangong is truly formidable, able to control these people with a simple flick of his fingers!"


    "Hahaha, it''s just standard procedure!" Nangong Shengtian said smugly.


    Just at that moment...


    Ning Luo and Nalan Qianqiu walked out of the Treasure Pavilion.


    "Nalan Qianqiu, a life for a life!"


    "Ning Luo, look at your son, he''s the true man. You actually did such an atrocious deed for wealth; you deserve a thousand deaths!"


    Facing the raging curses of the crowd.


    Ning Luo''s face was expressionless, as he just looked at Ning Kang before him, his gaze filled with coldness, but even more with despair and loss.


    This was his son, after all.


    Yet he had unexpectedly sided with outsiders, wishing to send his own father to death.


    Nalan Qianqiu slightly raised his hand and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this matter has not yet been clarified. Please give me some time, and I will definitely provide everyone with a satisfactory response!"


    Ning Kang stood up, glared at Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo with fury, and said through clenched teeth, "Don''t fall for their lies; they are just trying to buy time. With the power of the Treasure Pavilion, they might be able to use a hefty bribe to settle these issues later on." Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire


    "Ning Kang is right, we absolutely can''t wait any longer!"


    "The Treasure Pavilion is rich and powerful; if they choose to smooth things over in the end, they could completely cover up this incident!"


    "If it''s really being investigated, then let''s see the proof right here and now..."


    "We don''t believe you..."


    People shouted one after another.


    Ning Kang held his chin high, looking at Nalan Qianqiu with smug satisfaction, "Master Nalan, you must have heard the voice of the people. You must explain yourself here and now; otherwise, this matter is far from over today!"


    "Rebellious son, oh my rebellious son..."


    Ning Luo''s eyes were a blood-red hue as he glared at Ning Kang and roared furiously.


    In fact.


    When Xiao Yi told him that Ning Kang had secretly poisoned the pill furnace and stolen the secret recipe, there was still a sliver of hope and illusion in his heart.


    But now...


    Watching Ning Kang standing before him, head held high with an attitude of righteousness and menacing aggression, any last hope in his heart was thoroughly extinguished.


    Whoosh!


    Ning Luo let out a long breath of foul air, his vitality swirling around him like the wind.


    A cold sharpness thrust directly at Ning Kang.


    Ning Kang''s complexion suddenly changed, and he thundered loudly, "Ning Luo, what are you trying to do?"


    "What am I trying to do?"


    Ning Luo snorted coldly, "I, as your father, ought to properly discipline an unfilial son like you!"


    "You, you''re trying to coerce a confession? I will not submit, I..."


    The defiant rant of Ning Kang was abruptly interrupted by a scream. S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bang!


    "Damn it, Ning Luo, you..."


    "How dare you call your father by his name, I''ll beat you to death!"


    Bang bang bang!


    "You..."


    "What about you? You''re nothing but an ungrateful animal!"


    Bang bang bang!


    Ning Luo''s face showed no emotion as his fists fell relentlessly, a flurry of blows that left Ning Kang with a swollen nose and a face as bruised as a pig''s head. Curled up on the ground, he whimpered and mumbled, spitting out bloodied, broken teeth from his mouth.


    Shriek!


    Everybody around gasped in shock, a chill running down their spines.


    A glint of cold light flashed in Ning Luo''s eyes: "If not for the master taking us in, how could you and I have come to this day? You dared to betray the Treasure Pavilion; you are no son of mine..."


    Hum!


    A longsword, gleaming with cold light, fell into Ning Luo''s hands, ready to bring an end to Ning Kang.


    But at that moment...


    A cold snort echoed between heaven and earth: "Stop right there!"

 Chapter 374 Do You Dare?

    "Stop right there!"


    In the midst of chilling shouts, a soldier clad in iron armor broke through the crowd and appeared in front of Ning Luo and the others.


    Each of these soldiers exuded an icy, deadly aura.


    They were true lions of war who had fought on the battlefield.


    Bang!


    The leading general, with his saber held across, looked down from his high horse upon Ning Luo, his expression cold as he shouted, "In broad daylight, you dare to beat someone in the street, what crime do you think you''re committing?"


    Ning Luo glared at the newcomer and said in a deep voice, "General Yuan, I was merely disciplining my disobedient son, surely that''s not in violation of the law?"


    The newcomer was called Yuan Da.


    He was one of General Sun Yao''s fierce generals, at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    On the battlefield, he was known as a meat grinder!


    Yuan Da sneered, "He is first and foremost a subject of the Great Qian Dynasty, and only secondly your son."


    Ning Luo frowned and said, "What, according to General Yuan, do I need to get your approval before I discipline my own son?"


    "Exactly!"


    Yuan Da, supporting himself with one hand on the horse''s head, leaned forward slightly, his cold gaze falling on Ning Luo as he smiled sinisterly, "Ning Luo, the affair of Treasure Pavilion selling fake medicine has already caused a huge stir. I have reason to suspect that you beat Ning Kang to silence him!"


    "You''re talking nonsense!"


    Ning Luo was furious. Yuan Da, as a high-ranking military commander, was outright accusing Treasure Pavilion of selling fake medicine, which could lead people to believe it was an official investigation, "You, a high official of the court, accuse my Treasure Pavilion of selling fake medicine without any evidence. That''s defamation!"


    "Defamation? Take a look at what this is..."


    Yuan Da pointed to the young man on the handcart and snorted coldly, "This is the evidence!" Then, pointing at Ning Kang who was whimpering on the ground, "And this is a witness! Now that the physical evidence and witness are both present, what excuse do you have left?"


    Within the crowd.


    Nangong Shengtian could not help but clap and cheer, "Worthy of being General Sun''s top fierce general, this Yuan Da truly is fierce!"


    "Even General Sun has intervened, Treasure Pavilion won''t have a chance to recover after this!" Beitang Feng also nodded excitedly.


    Back in the day, during the moon-viewing at the royal garden.


    Xiao Yi had a confrontation with Sun Yao, and Sun Yao would have killed Xiao Yi if not for Emperor Qian''s consideration.


    Now.


    Treasure Pavilion was undoubtedly Xiao Yi''s strongest support; rooting it up


    would be akin to cutting off Xiao Yi''s arms.


    In this way.


    Shanhe Martial Arts Academy would gain an advantage in its competition with Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The Nangong Family and Beitang Family, meanwhile, eyed the market share and the priceless shops owned by Treasure Pavilion.


    The three parties struck a deal in perfect harmony, acting in concert.


    Beitang Feng asked in a low voice, "Ancestor Nangong, when should I step in?"


    "No rush!"


    Nangong Shengtian smiled maliciously, "Right now, Xiao Yi has yet to show himself. This time we are not just dealing with Treasure Pavilion, we must also drag Xiao Yi down with it. It''s best to wait until he shows up, then you make your move!"


    "Right!"


    Beitang Feng felt there was sense in the words and nodded firmly.


    A fierce light shone in his eyes.


    At the same time...


    Facing Yuan Da''s accusations, Ning Luo''s face alternated between pale and flushed, his rage uncontainable, "Yuan Da, you''re twisting the truth. Do matters of right and wrong depend solely on your word? My Treasure Pavilion sells countless medicinal pills daily, why did only this person have an issue? Why did you show up right after they arrived? I have reason to suspect there''s a scheme going on here..."


    "It seems you won''t give up until you''ve hit rock bottom! If that''s the case, I''ll turn your Treasure Pavilion inside out. Once we find those fake medicinal pills, I''d like to see how you''ll argue your way out of it!" Yuan Da said with a mocking smile.


    "How dare you!"


    Ning Luo spread his arms in front of him.


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face was grim, "General Yuan, my Treasure Pavilion is not a place you can just decide to investigate!"


    "Hm?"


    Yuan Da narrowed his eyes.


    Nalan Qianqiu said indifferently, "If you want to investigate my Treasure Pavilion, unless there is an imperial decree, no one should think about stepping inside!"


    Yuan Da sneered, "That might not necessarily be the case!"


    Nalan Qianqiu was startled.


    Just then, something appeared in Yuan Da''s palm, Nalan Qianqiu''s pupils suddenly contracted, for in Yuan Da''s hand was unmistakably a black Commander''s Seal shaped like a sprinting cheetah. Inscribed upon it were the characters for ''Unmatched'', Yuan Da bellowed coldly, "With the Unmatched War King Order here, who dares to obstruct?"


    Hisss!


    The surrounding strong echoes couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath.


    Unmatched War King!


    One of the two most overwhelmingly powerful men in the Great Qian Dynasty, some even believed he was the uncrowned king of the Great Qian Dynasty, with prestige that even surpassed that of Emperor Qian.


    Bearer of the Unmatched War King Order.


    Even if one were to barge into the imperial palace, no one would dare to stop them.


    Yuan Da laughed triumphantly, "Master Nalan, are you still planning to stop me now?"


    Facing Yuan Da''s aggressive approach.


    Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo''s complexions turned shades of green and white.


    With the corners of his mouth curling upward, Yuan Da flashed a smug cold smile, about to speak, when a playful voice came from within the Treasure Pavilion, "The Unmatched War King Order is always close to the Unmatched War King himself and rarely leaves his person. Does General Yuan have the ability to predict the future, that he even managed to request this order in advance from the Unmatched War King?"


    Following the voice, Xiao Yi''s figure slowly emerged from the Treasure Pavilion.


    A playful expression was on his face.


    He appraised Yuan Da with a half-smiling, half-mocking gaze.


    Yuan Da couldn''t help but narrow his eyes, eying Xiao Yi up and down with a dangerous gleam, and scoffed, "And who might you be?"


    "Xiao, the Director!"


    Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo nodded in acknowledgment and stepped aside.


    Although this was the Treasure Pavilion.


    They still held Xiao Yi in the highest regard!


    This caused Yuan Da''s pupils to constrict slightly; what was Nalan Qianqiu''s status? As the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion of the Great Qian Dynasty, his position was comparable to the heads of the four great families, and yet he was so deferential to Xiao Yi?


    Yuan Da demanded in a deep voice, "Are you Xiao Yi?"


    "Indeed, I am!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, staring at Yuan Da unflinchingly and with undisguised sarcasm in his voice, "Does General Yuan wish to enter the Treasure Pavilion?"


    "Yes!"


    Yuan Da narrowed his eyes, his face bearing a cold smile, "What? Do you also wish to stop me?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged and said, "With the General holding the Unmatched War King Order, naturally, I am not in a position to stop you. However, I would like to know, if the General finds counterfeit medicine in the Treasure Pavilion, what plans does he have?"


    "Hmph, I am only here to serve justice to the people. If counterfeit medicine is found, I will eradicate your Treasure Pavilion," Yuan Da replied with full confidence.


    Xiao Yi nodded, then continued to inquire, "What if counterfeit medicine is not found?" S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yuan Da frowned, "If it''s not found, then it''s not found, what else can be done? Moreover, I am confident that justice is like a net spread far and wide: escaping it is unlikely. Your Treasure Pavilion''s sale of counterfeit medicine is an indisputable fact, and even if you''ve cleaned up thoroughly, there will definitely be clues left behind!"


    "Truly laughable to the extreme. If clues of counterfeit medicine are found, eradicate the Treasure Pavilion; if not found, then there''s no penalty at all?"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily three times.


    His laughter boomed like thunder, causing Yuan Da''s face to shift slightly as he frowned and said, "What do you propose?"


    "If found, then as the General has said, destroy the Treasure Pavilion. But if no clues of counterfeit medicine are found, then the General has slandered the loyal and good, and I will have you kneel in front of the Treasure Pavilion to kowtow and apologize to Master Nalan and the others..."


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    As Xiao Yi spoke hurriedly, he abruptly paused, leaning slightly forward, eying Yuan Da intently, and demanded word by word, "Do you dare?"

 Chapter 375 I Want to Kill Him, Who Can Stop Me?

    "You, dare you?"


    Xiao Yi asked, his tone deliberate and forceful.


    His eyes, narrowed to slits, glittered with a piercing coldness, exuding an undeniable authority.


    Hiss hiss hiss...


    Yuan Da''s horse nervously stomped its hooves, snorting out wafts of hot air in its restlessness.


    Yuan Da''s complexion subtly changed.


    He had thought that by wielding the Unmatched War King Order, he would be invincible, without any obstruction.


    However, Xiao Yi''s neither servile nor overbearing attitude in the face of the Unmatched War King Order, and his absolute refusal to back down, caught Yuan Da off guard. Yuan Da''s expression shifted between sunlight and shadow as he suddenly heard Nangong Shengtian''s voice transmission: "General Yuan, agree to him! As long as Ning Kang leads people into the Treasure Pavilion, there will surely be gains!"


    Yuan Da''s thoughts twitched slightly. sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had learned from Sun Yao that all of this was a scheme orchestrated by the Nangong Family and the Beitang Family from the shadows.


    "Xiao Yi has offended the general. If I can use this opportunity to humiliate him severely, the general will undoubtedly reward me handsomely."


    As thoughts raced through Yuan Da''s mind, he scoffed coldly and said, "This general shall grant your wish, but if I find evidence related to counterfeit medicine in the Treasure Pavilion, it won''t be as simple as just eradicating the Treasure Pavilion."


    "Oh? What would you do?" Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    Yuan Da sneered, "If indeed counterfeit medicine is found, your obstruction here today must be connected to the incident. I will have you kneel before me, lead my horse, and walk around the imperial capital!"


    Kneel and walk around?


    If that truly happened...


    How could Xiao Yi ever show his face in the imperial capital again?


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth curved upward��those familiar with him would shiver uncontrollably at the sight of this playful smirk.


    For, every time Xiao Yi truly became angry, such a smile would appear on his face.


    "No problem, but if the investigation turns up nothing, I''ll have you kneeling here in the Treasure Pavilion for three days and three nights!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    "Agreed!"


    Yuan Da nodded proudly, then turned to Ning Kang, "Ning Kang, lead the way for this general!"


    Ning Kang, with a bruised and swollen face, shakily stood up with the help of two soldiers. His gaze towards Xiao Yi and the others was filled with hatred and bitterness as he said loudly, "Rest assured, general. I will now lead you to search for the evidence!"


    "Hold on!"


    Xiao Yi blocked their path.


    Yuan Da frowned, "What now? You want to go back on your word?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "Since it''s a search, naturally you cannot go in alone. I''ve already informed His Highness Yang Ling, and I believe he will arrive shortly. Once His Highness is here, you can go in and search together!"


    "It doesn''t matter whom you''ve called, it won''t make any difference!" Yuan Da was full of confidence.


    A moment later.


    Yang Ling arrived in a hurry, and Xiao Yi explained the situation to him.


    Yang Ling nodded and looked towards Yuan Da, "General Yuan, let''s go inside!"


    "After you, Your Highness!"


    Yuan Da and Yang Ling immediately led people towards the Treasure Pavilion.


    Among the crowd.


    Onlookers watched them enter the Treasure Pavilion, all filled with curiosity: "Do you think General Yuan will find evidence?"


    "Seeing Xiao Yi that confident, there might be a twist in this affair!"


    "Could he just be bluffing?"


    Inside Nangong Shengtian''s carriage.


    Beitang Feng''s face showed concern, "Ancestor Nangong, could it be that Xiao Yi and the others have discovered your methods and cleared them away?"


    "Cleared away? Impossible!"


    Nangong Shengtian snorted derisively, full of conviction as he said, "You''re also aware of the properties of the Hell''s Mandrake pollen. Unless someone sees the act of poisoning with their own eyes, who could detect it? Moreover, even if they find an issue with the batch of pills, they''ll never suspect the traces left in the Pill Furnace��and those are impossible to clean. The Treasure Pavilion and Xiao Yi will never rise again after this, hahaha!" Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire


    Inside the Treasure Pavilion.


    Ning Kang, his face already beaten beyond recognition, ferociously led Yuan Da straight toward the pharmacy. "General Yuan, the evidence is within the pharmacy. I''ve urged them several times to stop these heinous acts against nature and reason, but they simply wouldn''t listen to me..."


    Yuan Da replied coldly, "Rest assured, as long as the evidence is found, I will report everything to His Majesty and you will be rewarded for your meritorious service!"


    "This is my duty; I cannot betray my conscience!" Ning Kang insisted righteously, pounding on his chest.


    Ning Luo''s face was as dark as coal, wishing he could strangle Ning Kang.


    The group arrived inside the pharmacy.


    Ning Kang didn''t point out the Pill Furnace directly; instead, he stood by with a cold and watchful eye.


    Yuan Da''s expression was ice-cold: "Search!"


    A group of soldiers began searching within the pharmacy.


    Yuan Da sneered as he watched Xiao Yi and the others: "You all seem quite composed!"


    "Why be nervous if our conscience is clear?" Xiao Yi responded calmly.


    "Hmph!"


    Yuan Da scoffed, "When the evidence is found, let''s see how long you can keep up your tough front!"


    Shortly after.


    As the soldiers seemed to find nothing, Yuan Da glanced at Ning Kang, who nodded and walked straight to the Pill Furnace. "General Yuan, the evidence is in this Pill Furnace!"


    Xiao Yi looked over at Nalan Qianqiu, who immediately stepped forward and said, "This Pill Furnace is in the middle of concocting pills. Rashly opening it will ruin these pills and the loss will be nearly a hundred million Silver. If nothing is found after opening it, can you afford the compensation?"


    "Hmph! If no evidence is found inside this Pill Furnace, I am willing to lay down my life as compensation!" Ning Kang declared with absolute certainty.


    He was the one who personally added the Styx flower powder to this Pill Furnace; how could he possibly be mistaken?


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face darkened with sorrow. Ning Kang had grown up under his watch, but now he had come to this. With a pained expression, he closed his eyes and stepped aside, "Go on, take a look!"


    Boom!


    Ning Kang struck the Pill Furnace with a palm, and with a muffled hiss, black smoke billowed out, bringing with it the charred scent of spoiled medicinal pills.


    Ning Kang looked on triumphantly, his provocative gaze aimed at Xiao Yi and the others: "The evidence is within the Pill Furnace."


    Yuan Da sneered, "Xiao Yi, what do you have to say now?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and said exasperatedly, "What evidence? These are just ruined pills, aren''t they?"


    "These ruined pills are the evidence; they are all laced with deadly poison!" Ning Kang said with a sneer.


    "Deadly poison?"


    Ning Luo sneered and directly grabbed some of the charred medicinal residue, throwing it into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed it, "This is the deadly poison that you claimed to be fatal? Aside from a bit of a burnt taste, there''s nothing wrong!"


    "I''ll try it too... tsk, tsk, such good medicinal ingredients gone to waste..." Yang Ling also took a handful and chewed and swallowed it, looking amused as he watched Ning Kang and Yuan Da.


    Yuan Da''s face stiffened: "..."


    Ning Kang was dumbfounded: "This is impossible, how could this be? There''s supposed to be..."


    "Supposed to be what?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    "Supposed to be... something..." Ning Kang''s face turned pale, no longer possessing his earlier confidence and arrogance. Muttering in complete disarray, he stammered, "This can''t be, why isn''t it there? How did this happen?"


    Xiao Yi''s face bore a cold smile as he fixed his gaze on Ning Kang, "You said that if the Pill Furnace didn''t hold the evidence, you would pay with your life. Now, let''s settle the debt!"


    "No..."


    Ning Kang''s face suddenly twisted in terror and he quickly looked towards Yuan Da, "General Yuan, save me..."


    "No one can save you!"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold huff, flicking his finger; a streak of silver light shot out like a meteor.


    "Stop!"


    Yuan Da slapped it away, shattering Xiao Yi''s attack and looked at him icily, "Without my permission, let''s see who dares to kill him!"


    Xiao Yi gave him a glance, then suddenly flashed past him.


    The wind whipped up Yuan Da''s robes, and with a heavy thud, Ning Kang had already been reduced to mush by Xiao Yi''s palm, his cold voice echoing in Yuan Da''s ears, "When I want him dead, who dares to stop me?"

 Chapter 376 How Could It Be Him?

    "Who dares to stop me if I wish to kill him?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice echoed in the ears.


    Yuan Da''s body trembled violently as he stiffly turned around, only to see Xiao Yi standing with his hands behind him, watching him with a playful look on his face.


    Behind Xiao Yi, Ning Kang had already been reduced to minced flesh.


    Hiss!


    Yuan Da''s pupils suddenly constricted.


    With his cultivation at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, honed in battle on the battlefield, he was confident that he could defeat a first-layer practitioner of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    But just at that moment...


    He hadn''t even noticed how Xiao Yi had made his move.


    Right under his eyes, Xiao Yi seemed to casually kill Ning Kang.


    If Xiao Yi had targeted him just now?


    Yuan Da felt a chill down his spine, and a shiver ran through his body. If Xiao Yi''s earlier target had been him, he was certain he would not have been able to evade.


    Gulp!


    Yuan Da swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, no longer as confident and arrogant as before, but now with a touch of solemnity and caution.


    Xiao Yi walked past Yuan Da.


    He approached Ning Luo.


    Ning Luo looked at the minced remains of Ning Kang, his expression complex and indescribable, filled with pain and regret. After all, this was his son, and although Ning Kang''s betrayal had deeply hurt him, he still couldn''t help but feel sad.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Sorry!"


    "This, this is what he deserved!"


    Ning Luo forced a strained smile and said.


    He had no resentment toward Xiao Yi.


    If not for Xiao Yi, the actions of Ning Kang alone would have doomed Treasure Pavilion to an irreparable catastrophe.


    Yang Ling took a deep breath and stared at Yuan Da, "General Yuan, the investigation results are now out, proving that Treasure Pavilion did not manufacture fake medicine. You have no objections to this result, do you?"


    Xiao Yi said mockingly, "If there are no objections, then please, General Yuan, fulfill your promise!"


    Yuan Da''s face twitched slightly, and his heart was cursing Nangong Shengtian''s ancestors up and down.


    If Nangong Shengtian had not vowed to find evidence within Treasure Pavilion...


    Why would he have made a bet with Xiao Yi?


    Now...


    Having proved Treasure Pavilion''s innocence, would he not have to kneel outside for three days and three nights?


    This was something Yuan Da could never allow to happen!


    A soldier should kneel to no one but the sovereign!


    If he knelt, it would not only be his own face that was lost, but the face of the entire border army and also that of the unparalleled War King Yang Yuhuan.


    With this thought...


    Yuan Da took a deep breath, didn''t respond to Xiao Yi, but turned to Yang Ling and bowed his hands, "Your Highness, this time I was also deceived by a traitor. Now that it''s proven that Treasure Pavilion is innocent, and the traitor has been killed by Director Xiao, I shall take my leave!"


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    "General Yuan seems to have a short memory of the privileged,"


    Xiao Yi paused, blocking Yuan Da''s path, and said with a smile, "General Yuan, are you planning to renege on our bet?"


    Yuan Da''s face darkened, and he said coldly, "Xiao Yi, don''t push your luck. I am the Cavalry Colonel General, a third-rank officer of the court, and directly affiliated with the valiant General. Challenging me is akin to slapping General Sun''s face. You cannot afford to provoke General Sun''s fury!" sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Sun Yao, is it? I''m sorry, but I really didn''t take his anger into consideration!" Xiao Yi replied, neither humbly nor arrogantly.


    "You..."


    Yuan Da''s face was as black as charcoal, with a threatening tone, "Xiao Yi, consider your actions carefully. If you let General Bei leave now, I can overlook the past. I may even speak favorably of you to General Sun. But if you continue in your folly, behind General Sun stands the unparalleled War King. Can you bear the War King''s rage?"


    "Enough nonsense!"


    Xiao Yi dug at his ear, clearly impatient, "Fulfill the bet; kneel at the gates of Treasure Pavilion for three days and three nights. Otherwise, I''ll break your legs and have you kneel outside for three days and three nights!"


    "Scoundrel, I will leave today, and I want to see who dares to touch me!"


    Yuan Da snorted and addressed his ten soldiers, "If anyone dares to make a move, kill without mercy!"


    "Yes!"


    The ten soldiers responded in unison.


    Clang clang clang!


    One by one, they aimed their weapons at Xiao Yi.


    Yuan Da, with a cold sneer on his face, directly walked away, his triumphant voice echoing inside the alchemy room, "Hahaha. Xiao Yi, you''re just a paper tiger. I''m leaving openly and nobly, what can you do to me?"


    "Seeking death!"


    A cold gleam swept through Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    Whoosh!


    His figure suddenly transformed into a streak of black light. The ten military men''s expressions drastically changed, as they all swung their swords toward Xiao Yi.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    Amidst the crisp ringing, sparks flew in all directions.


    The sounds of Wind Thunder were incessant.


    "No..."


    "Ah, my eyes��"


    Under the onslaught of Wind Thunder, the ten soldiers were instantly beheaded, turning into ten headless corpses lying in a pool of blood.


    Around Xiao Yi, lightning flickered and danced; with a burst of roaring wind, an icy qi hand formed and grabbed towards Yuan Da''s neck. Yuan Da''s face changed dramatically, already on guard, as a buzz sounded and a black long knife landed into his palm.


    Whoosh!


    The long knife cut through the air, creating a dazzling, colorful arc like a rainbow set in front of him.


    However��


    This slash, potent enough to threaten a Dharma Manifestation Realm first-level warrior, didn''t even manage to break the lightning coursing over Xiao Yi''s body.


    Xiao Yi stepped out.


    Bang!


    His foot hit Yuan Da squarely in the face.


    Wow!


    Amidst his screams, blood spurted from all seven orifices, as Yuan Da was stomped beneath Xiao Yi''s foot, his face twisted with ferocity and resentment, "Xiao Yi, release me at once. Otherwise, I will report to the prince and have you torn to pieces��"


    "Shut up!"


    A cold light passed through Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    Whoosh!


    Silver sword energy flickered at his fingertips. In a spurting burst of fresh blood, Yuan Da''s legs were severed just below the knees. Xiao Yi used telekinesis to grab one of the severed legs, complete with its shoe, and stuffed it directly into Yuan Da''s mouth.


    Yuan Da''s eyes were filled with fury, his body bound by Xiao Yi''s qi, reduced to making only muffled noises.


    Xiao Yi carried Yuan Da with one hand, walking out of the Treasure Pavilion.


    At the same time.


    The crowd waiting outside the Treasure Pavilion were growing impatient, "What on earth is happening inside?"


    "Has General Yuan found any evidence?"


    "Is the Treasure Pavilion wronged or innocent?"


    Within the crowd.


    Beitang Feng was somewhat anxious, "Ancestor Nangong, Yuan Da has been inside for so long, could something have happened?"


    Nangong Shengtian waved his hand, his face calm and confident, "Be patient, our plan is flawless. With General Yuan and Ning Kang cooperating, nothing can go wrong. We just have to wait for him to come out and reveal the truth to everyone!"


    As they were talking.


    A shadow suddenly flew out of the Treasure Pavilion.


    "Here it comes!"


    "Who is that?"


    "Could it be Xiao Yi?"


    The onlookers turned their curious eyes towards the shadow.


    Thud!


    The shadow fell heavily outside the Treasure Pavilion, kneeling on the ground facing the building, with a severed leg in its mouth.


    As the dust settled.


    The onlookers finally saw the person''s face and couldn''t help but take a sharp intake of breath, "Yuan Da?"


    Bang!


    The confidence on Nangong Shengtian''s face vanished, replaced by confusion, "How can it be him?"

 Chapter 377 Taking Advantage of Ones Predicament

    "How could it be him?"


    Nangong Shengtian looked bewildered at Yuan Da, whose legs had been severed and who now knelt on the ground in humiliation, unable to move.


    His aged face was filled with astonishment.


    No longer could he maintain his previous calm and composure.


    Surprised cries also arose from the crowd, "General Yuan Da? How did he end up like this?"


    "Damn it, could there really be a problem with the Treasure Pavilion?"


    "Could it be they''re planning to silence him by killing him?"


    Da da da!


    A series of footsteps came from inside the Treasure Pavilion.


    Xiao Yi and Yang Ling walked shoulder to shoulder, with Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo closely following behind.


    The group once again appeared before everyone.


    Yang Ling exchanged a glance with Xiao Yi, nodded, then stepped forward and scanned the crowd as he spoke in a deep voice, "It has now been ascertained that there is no trace of counterfeit medicine within the Treasure Pavilion; it was indeed Ning Kang who falsely accused the Treasure Pavilion. General Yuan Da honored his gambling agreement with Xiao, voluntarily kneeling in front of the Treasure Pavilion to repent for three days and three nights!"


    Everyone: "..."


    Looking at Yuan Da, whose legs had been cut off and who knelt motionless on the ground.


    Is this what is called ''voluntary''?


    However...


    Yang Ling was Emperor Qian''s most beloved prince, so naturally, no one would dare to speak rashly, so as not to offend the prince who might well ascend the throne in the future.


    Xiao Yi stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.


    Passing through the crowd.


    His eyes briefly swept over the carriage where Nangong Shengtian and Beitang Feng were located, a cold smile curling the corners of his mouth as he spoke out loud, "Ladies and gentlemen, it has now been proven that the Treasure Pavilion has nothing to do with this counterfeit medicine incident..."


    "Wait a moment!"


    The voice of Beitang Feng suddenly cut through the crowd.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth twitched slightly, "So you couldn''t help but jump out, could you?"


    The crowd turned in the direction of the voice.


    There, Beitang Feng walked with his hands behind his back, a look of cold indifference on his face, approaching Xiao Yi and the others.


    He bowed respectfully to Yang Ling, then turned his gaze to Nalan Qianqiu who stood behind Xiao Yi, "Master Nalan, I have come for the final payment for that batch of medicinal herbs!"


    Ning Luo spoke in a heavy voice, "Mr. Beitang, our agreement was in seven days..."


    "Let me correct you, our agreement was within seven days!


    Beitang Feng laughed proudly, his gaze challenging as he looked at Xiao Yi and the others, "Now I''ve brought the medicinal herbs; if you pay the final sum immediately, I will hand them over to you. Otherwise, it shall be taken as Treasure Pavilion forfeiting the deal!"


    The contract they had signed was clear, in black and white.


    If the Treasure Pavilion forfeited the deal, the one hundred trillion silver deposit would go to the Beitang Family.


    This was exactly what Beitang Feng intended.


    Taking advantage of the counterfeit medicine scandal that erupted in the Treasure Pavilion, he came to press for the payment. With the financial resources of the Treasure Pavilion, given time, it was certainly possible to gather one hundred trillion silver, but Beitang Feng insisted on an immediate deal.


    He didn''t believe the Treasure Pavilion could come up with that much money!


    Ning Luo shouted in anger, "Beitang Feng, you''re taking advantage of someone''s misfortune!"


    Beitang Feng said indifferently, "Even if I am taking advantage of someone''s misfortune, what can you do about it?"


    Nalan Qianqiu frowned, "Mr. Beitang, we''ve worked together for decades; can you not grant an extension of a few days?"


    "Personal relationships are one thing; business is another, and the two should not be mixed!"


    Beitang Feng said impatiently, "Just tell me, do you still want the medicinal herbs? If not, the one hundred trillion silver deposit is mine!"


    "You..."


    Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo''s faces were gloomy.


    Beitang Feng was smug, rejoicing inwardly: I knew you didn''t have the money; getting one hundred trillion silver for nothing is just too exhilarating!


    Just when Beitang Feng was feeling self-satisfied.


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly interjected, "Why not want them?"


    "Hm?"


    Beitang Feng was stunned, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yi as he frowned, "Xiao Yi? I was speaking with Master Nalan, when was it your turn to interject?"


    Nalan Qianqiu spoke calmly, "What Xiao is saying is exactly what I intended to say!"


    "Huh?"


    Beitang Feng''s sword-like eyebrows knitted tightly as he sized up Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu, saying in a heavy voice, "Make sure you heard me correctly, I''m talking about the final payment, a total of ten trillion taels of silver!"


    "Exactly ten trillion taels are here, the final payment has been settled. Now, hand over the medicinal materials!" Xiao Yi took out a storage ring, flicked it open with a swish, and a box of silver notes fell before Beitang Feng.


    Beitang Feng was instantly thrown into disarray: "..." S��arch* The ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Damn it!


    Where did you get so much money from?


    This is ten trillion taels of silver, not ten billion!


    Seeing Beitang Feng''s baffled face, Xiao Yi, Nalan Qianqiu, and the others couldn''t help but sneer inwardly, as if watching a clown perform.


    The money had been borrowed by Xiao Yi from Huang Baitao when he set this trap.


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    Now, it was being put to good use!


    Xiao Yi extended his palm towards Beitang Feng: "Hand over the medicinal materials to me!"


    "I, I..."


    Beitang Feng''s eyes twitched.


    Nalan Qianqiu narrowed his eyes and said, "Mr. Beitang, surely you don''t have no stock at all? If that''s the case, then you would be the one in breach of contract..."


    "Master Nalan, we''ve been working together for so many years..." Beitang Feng said with a dark face.


    "Personal feelings aside, business is business, and that''s what you said!"


    Nalan Qianqiu threw Beitang Feng''s own words back at him. Watching Beitang Feng''s twitching face, Nalan Qianqiu felt an immense sense of satisfaction, and mockingly calculated, "You owe us a total of fifteen trillion taels of silver!"


    Beitang Feng''s face turned pale: "..."


    Where would he get fifteen trillion taels now?


    The ten trillion taels of initial payment given to him by Ning Luo had already been used to pay the Nangong Family for goods.


    "It''s not that..."


    Beitang Feng looked confused, cold sweat rolling down his forehead, his voice somewhat stammering, "You have to think this through; the goods are worth twenty trillion taels of silver. Your Treasure Pavilion is barely staying afloat, won''t these medicinal materials just rot in your hands if you take them?"


    "Who says we can''t stay afloat?" Xiao Yi asked with an odd look on his face.


    Beitang Feng frowned and said, "Your pills have killed people, who would dare to buy your pills?"


    "Who says our pills have killed people?" Xiao Yi asked in surprise.


    "Xiao Yi, the fact is right before us, are you still trying to deny it?"


    Beitang Feng pointed at the corpses on the handcart, gritting his teeth.


    Xiao Yi wore an odd expression: "Yuan Da found no evidence of fake medicine in Treasure Pavilion, so what makes you claim that the fake and poisonous pills he consumed were ours?"


    "Hmph, Xiao Yi, it seems you won''t shed tears until you see the coffin. Others may not know why your pills killed people, but I understand perfectly!"


    Beitang Feng scoffed, decreeing righteously, "The reason Treasure Pavilion produced poisonous pills that led to deaths is because of the substandard medicinal materials you brought back from the black market of Beast Emperor City. Open your eyes and look, this man''s grandson was so young, and he was killed by your hands, where is your conscience?"


    He was now determined to change the subject.


    Otherwise, if Xiao Yi insisted on him delivering the goods, it would be disastrous!


    Xiao Yi observed Beitang Feng with amusement.


    I talk to you about friendship, you bring up business.


    I bring up business, and now you speak to me about conscience?


    "Who told you he was poisoned by Treasure Pavilion''s medicine?"


    Xiao Yi revealed a sly smile and walked straight toward the old man pushing the cart, saying, "Old man, did your grandson die from consuming Treasure Pavilion''s pills?"


    The crowd turned their gaze to the old man.


    Beitang Feng also watched him unwaveringly.


    However...


    The old man shook his head, looking bewildered, "Treasure Pavilion? No, my grandson died after taking the Nangong Family''s pills, isn''t this the Nangong Family''s pill shop?"


    Woosh!


    Once these words were uttered.


    The noisy crowd instantly quieted down.


    It was eerily silent!


    You could hear a pin drop...

 Chapter 378 Counterattack Begins

    "What, what did he say?"


    "He seemed to say that he died after taking the Nangong Family''s elixir..."


    "That''s not right. If he died from taking the Nangong Family''s elixir, why did he run to the Treasure Pavilion?"


    "Wait... I suddenly remember, this old grandfather never said his grandson died from the elixirs of the Treasure Pavilion. He only said that he died from taking elixirs..."


    The old man''s words struck like a bolt of thunder, exploding amidst the crowd.


    In the midst of whispers coming from all around,


    Nangong Shengtian nearly fell off his carriage. His face turned ashen, his eyes glaring with disbelief as he shook his head, "How could this happen? How did this get pinned on us?"


    Hearing that someone died from the elixirs of the Treasure Pavilion, Nangong Shengtian jumped to conclusions,


    Believing it was the contamination of his Bihai Flower Powder in the elixirs.


    That was why he excitedly hurried over here.


    He even called Beitang Feng and Sun Yao along, aiming to put the Treasure Pavilion in a dire situation.


    However...


    Under Xiao Yi''s hands, all his previous schemes were being thwarted one after another.


    First, Ning Kang''s attempt to smear the reputation of the Treasure Pavilion led to a brutal beating by Ning Luo.


    That did not have much of an effect at all.


    Then Yuan Da appeared to investigate and verify the evidence.


    The outcome,


    Not only was the evidence not found, but Yuan Da himself had his legs chopped off and was now kneeling in front of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Out of frustration,


    Nangong Shengtian could only let Beitang Feng make a move, using the final payment of ten trillion Silver as leverage to fiercely suppress the might of the Treasure Pavilion while also openly embezzling the ten trillion Silver deposit of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Finally...


    Beitang Feng was outright played for a fool by Xiao Yi and others.


    Not only did he fail to take advantage of the situation and force the Treasure Pavilion, but he also ended up trapping himself. Now stuck in a quandary, Beitang Feng could only shift the target, but he ended up throwing the blame onto the Nangong Family.


    "Damn... How could there be such a coincidence in this world... How come it seems like Xiao Yi and his companions anticipated everything..."


    Nangong Shengtian was furious.


    Suddenly,


    His body stiffened abruptly.


    Nangong Shengtian''s complexion turned pale, and he swallowed hard, his heart pounding wildly as sweat rolled down his forehead, "It can''t be, I must be overthinking, it''s impossible..."


    At the same time,


    Xiao Yi feigned surprise and said, "What did you say? Your grandson was poisoned to death by the elixirs of the Nangong Family?"


    "Yes..."


    The old man looked confused, "Isn''t this place the Nangong Family Pharmacy?"


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    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Old grandfather, you''ve got the wrong place. This is the Treasure Pavilion, and the Nangong Family Pharmacy isn''t here!"


    "Oh dear, I''m so sorry, I''m illiterate and came to the wrong place!"


    The old man seemed to finally come back to his senses. He quickly bowed and apologized to Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu, and then asked, "Young man, do you know where the Nangong Family Pharmacy is? I must seek justice for my grandson!"


    Xiao Yi said, "Old grandfather, the Nangong Family is powerful and influential. It might be dangerous for you to go there alone. Since we''ve come across this matter today, we will definitely not ignore it. Let us accompany you to the Nangong Family Pharmacy to demand justice!"


    "That''s right, we''ll accompany you to get justice!" Ning Luo said.


    Nalan Qianqiu looked towards Yang Ling and called out loud, "Your Highness Yang Ling, please join us as we proceed to the Nangong Family Pharmacy to seek redress!"


    "..."


    Yang Ling looked at Xiao Yi and his companions exchange words, and suddenly realized the key to the situation.


    He couldn''t help but smile bitterly to himself.


    He hadn''t expected that all of this was Xiao Yi''s stratagem.


    Otherwise,


    How could the old man coincidentally confuse the Treasure Pavilion with the Nangong Family Pharmacy?


    "Nangong Shengtian... of all people to provoke, you just had to provoke Xiao Yi..."


    Yang Ling sighed, then nodded and said, "Master Nalan, rest assured, I will certainly accompany you all to investigate this counterfeit medicine incident thoroughly. I will not let any villain get away with it!"


    "Your Highness is wise!"


    Nalan Qianqiu exclaimed loudly.


    The old man, with tears streaking down his face, showed his gratitude: "Your Highness is wise, thank you for standing up for us!"


    Xiao Yi shouted to the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, would you like to join us to the Nangong Family Pharmacy, to seek justice for this poor grandfather and grandson?"


    "Let''s go together!"


    "We must get justice!"


    "If it''s really the Nangong Family''s medicine that killed people, they must give us an explanation..."


    Those who had initially targeted the Treasure Pavilion, now suddenly shifted their aim.


    Beitang Feng''s face turned pale in an instant, and he subconsciously looked towards the crowd for Nangong Shengtian. However, he didn''t catch a glimpse of Nangong Shengtian; the latter''s carriage had long since made a quick escape.


    "It''s over..."


    Beitang Feng felt a chill run down his spine.


    He was just about to lower his head and sneak away into the crowd when he suddenly saw a pair of feet in front of him. Looking up instinctively, he saw Xiao Yi with his arms crossed, gazing at him playfully, "Mr. Beitang, our deal isn''t done yet! Thinking of slipping away already? That doesn''t seem quite right, does it?"


    "Uh..."


    Beitang Feng''s face went through a series of awkward contortions, and with a light cough, he said, "Who said I was running away? Since you''re all going to the Nangong Family Pharmacy, I plan to go have a look as well!"


    "Oh? In that case, let''s go together!" Xiao Yi laughed heartily, and with one arm slung around Beitang Feng''s shoulder, said, "After we sort out the matter with the Nangong Family Pharmacy, we''ll continue discussing our deal for the two hundred trillion silver''s worth of medicine materials!"


    Beitang Feng: "..."


    Thinking of breaking free, but with Xiao Yi''s strength, how could he possibly shake him off?


    Poor Beitang Feng, the imposing master of the Beitang Family, was being led away by Xiao Yi like a little chick.


    The news of the poisonings from the Treasure Pavilion had spread throughout the entire capital, bolstered by the Nangong Family''s propaganda. The number of people who rushed to observe was in the hundreds of thousands, surpassing even the turnout for the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy''s grand opening.


    The crowd gathered into a dark, steel torrent, rolling towards the Nangong Family Pharmacy.


    Along the way,


    More and more people join the throng as they hear the news.


    The Nangong Family, one of the four great noble families, had stood tall in the Great Qian Dynasty for over a thousand years. S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Such a behemoth had never before been openly challenged.


    But now...


    Led by the Treasure Pavilion and with Prince Yang Ling among them, as well as the rapidly rising star, Chancellor Xiao Yi of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, this group launched a sudden attack on the Nangong Family''s pharmacy.


    Naturally, it drew the attention of countless powerhouses.


    "Did the Nangong Family''s medicine really kill someone?"


    "I believe we will have a result very soon..."


    "Let''s go have a look!"


    Watching the crowd continuously gathering around, Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly: "The counterattack begins now!"

 Chapter 379 Youre going to kill me!

    Vermilion Bird Avenue.


    Since receiving the batch of new medicines sent by Nangong Shengtian and others, Nangong Shou felt as though he had taken a reassuring pill.


    He spent his days lounging lazily in a rocking chair at the entrance, swaying his body, with a fan in one hand and a teacup in the other.


    Tasting the fresh tea in his cup.


    With squinted eyes, Nangong Shou looked at the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy across the street, his face gleeful at their misfortune: "I wonder how the situation is being handled over there. If the matter is confirmed, the Treasure Pavilion will never see a day of return!"


    Nangong Shou hummed a little tune to himself.


    Suddenly...


    The ground shook, and a series of rapid footsteps was heard.


    Nangong Shou was taken aback and frowned, only to see figures converging from both sides of Vermilion Bird Avenue.


    There were tens of thousands of them.


    "Hmm? Could they be coming to smash up the Treasure Pavilion?"


    Nangong Shou was startled, eager and anticipatory.


    These days...


    They had been tormented by the Treasure Pavilion, watching people come and go there, while here, their doorstep was deserted. Today, upon suddenly hearing that trouble had befallen the Treasure Pavilion, Nangong Shou had purposely moved a stool to the entrance to wait.


    Just to watch the drama unfold!


    However.


    These people were not heading to the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy but were coming straight towards him.


    Nangong Shou''s heart skipped a beat: "What''s going on?"


    A servant beside him said instinctively, "Manager, could it be that something really happened at the Treasure Pavilion, so they''re all coming here to buy medicine?"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shou was startled and smiled approvingly, "That''s right, it must be as you say. Have someone tidy up inside quickly; looking at this situation, we''re very likely to break our previous sales record today!"


    The servant hurried away.


    Watching the crowd that had already reached him, Nangong Shou greeted them with a smile: "My friends, are you here to buy medicine? Please come inside. Our Nangong Family Pharmacy has been in business for many years, with honesty for the young and the old, unlike those low-priced, inferior medicines!"


    However...


    The crowd was unmoved, their faces strangely looking at Nangong Shou and the pharmacy behind him.


    Nangong Shou was puzzled: "What''s happening?"


    From within the crowd.


    People whispered to each other: "Do you think that rumor is true?"


    "They say that it was the deceased young man''s family who personally claimed he died after taking medicine from the Nangong Family Pharmacy..."


    "Xiao and Yang Ling are on their way here to seek justice for the young man who passed away."


    Thud!


    Nangong Shou''s smile abruptly stiffened, and his eyes showed shock: "What do you mean? Someone died from taking our Nangong Family''s medicine? This, wasn''t it the Treasure Pavilion''s medicine that killed someone? How did it become ours..."


    At this moment. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A pathway suddenly cleared in the crowd, and a flatbed cart was slowly pushed out by Ning Luo. Your journey continues at My Virtual Library Empire


    Xiao Yi and others followed closely behind.


    Nangong Shou''s gaze fell on the body of the young man on the cart, his face drastically changing, his breathing becoming rapid: "A, a serious incident has happened..."


    "Are you the manager of this pharmacy?" Yang Ling''s gaze was cold as he stared at Nangong Shou.


    Nangong Shou had a bitter taste in his mouth but had no choice but to nod: "Indeed, I am, Your Highness Yang Ling. May I know your commands?"


    Yang Ling spoke indifferently, "Someone has accused that taking medicine bought from your Nangong Family Pharmacy has led to death. We need to conduct a search inside!"


    "This..."


    Nangong Shou said with a troubled face, "Your Highness, there will definitely be no issues with our Nangong Family Pharmacy. This must be someone framing us."


    ```


    "Whether there is a problem, let it be clear after investigation!" Yang Ling said.


    Nangong Shou''s face kept changing, his heart filled with anxiety as he thought about how to respond.


    Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky above.


    The person was none other than Nangong Shengtian.


    He had just gone to another pharmacy to completely clear out all the medicinal pills, storing them in his Storage Ring. He had not come to Vermilion Bird Avenue Pharmacy first because it had the widest sales, and he had specifically instructed Nangong Shou to stock up on pills in advance.


    They were not displayed on the shelves.


    That''s why he was in no hurry to come over.


    "Ancestor!"


    Upon seeing Nangong Shengtian, Nangong Shou felt as if he had seen a lifesaver and approached him excitedly.


    Nangong Shengtian nodded and said, "Leave this to me."


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Shou breathed a sigh of relief and stood beside Nangong Shengtian.


    Nangong Shengtian''s icy gaze swept over Xiao Yi, finally settling on Yang Ling as he said with a faint smile, "Your Highness Yang Ling, I didn''t know you were coming from afar, my apologies for not welcoming you sooner!"


    Yang Ling waved his hand and said indifferently, "Ancestor Nangong, someone has accused the Nangong Family Pharmacy''s pills of causing death!"


    Feigning shock, Nangong Shengtian said, "Caused death? Your Highness really knows how to joke. The Nangong Family has been in the pill business for so many years, let alone causing death, there hasn''t even been a single side effect. This must surely be a frame-up, perhaps the malicious competition of a rival!"


    While speaking, his gaze paused on Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu.


    His eyes revealed an indescribable meaning.


    Nalan Qianqiu said lightly, "Ancestor Nangong, are you pointing at the mulberry tree to curse the locust?"


    Ning Luo said, "When they came to my Treasure Pavilion, we never said anything about malicious competition like this. We cooperated actively with the investigation. But you, Ancestor Nangong, are obstructing us here. Could it be that your Nangong Family Pharmacy actually has a problem?"


    Nangong Shengtian snorted coldly and said, "Nonsense, how could there be a problem with my Nangong Family''s pharmacy?"


    "If there''s no problem, then let''s perform the examination!" Ning Luo said.


    Nangong Shengtian sneered confidently, "If after the examination it is found that we have no issue, what then?"


    Nalan Qianqiu said, "If there is no problem, I am willing to apologize formally to you!"


    "That''s not enough!"


    Nangong Shengtian scoffed, his cold gaze landing on Xiao Yi, "If we are proven innocent, I want all of you to kneel down and crawl between my legs to apologize to me!"


    Yang Ling frowned and said, "Ancestor Nangong, aren''t you going too far?"


    Those present are all respectable people.


    Apologizing formally is already quite humiliating.


    To crawl between legs? To kowtow and apologize?


    Nangong Shengtian''s provocative gaze looked at Xiao Yi and the others, "Don''t you dare?"


    Nalan Qianqiu and others all looked towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, and a golden figure flashed through the pharmacy, his lips curling upwards, "What is there to fear? But if it is proven that your Nangong Family has a problem, what then?"


    "As you wish!"


    Nangong Shengtian was brimming with confidence.


    "Deal!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Yang Ling, "Your Highness, please!"


    Yang Ling nodded and immediately led people towards the interior of the pharmacy.


    Nangong Shengtian lowered his voice and turned to Nangong Shou beside him, "The batch of new pills that was distributed to you earlier are all well hidden, right?"


    "Uh... Ah?"


    Nangong Shou was dumbfounded, "Ancestor, I saw so many people coming just now, I assumed they were all here to buy medicine, so, so I had it all brought out."


    "What?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s face turned rigid and he almost spewed a mouthful of old blood, looking at Nangong Shou with grief and indignation, "I... I... I''m going to be killed by you!"


    ```

 Chapter 380 Its Over! Completely Over!

    ```


    "I''m fucking killed by you!" Nangong Shengtian''s eyes were about to split with anger as he bellowed furiously.


    Pfft!


    Nangong Shou spat out a mouthful of fresh blood due to the shock, his face turning deathly pale in an instant.


    Seeing that Yang Ling and others were about to enter the pharmacy, Nangong Shengtian whispered, "I''ll stop them, you go and collect all the new medicines right now, not leaving behind a single bottle!"


    "Understood��"


    Nangong Shou, enduring the excruciating pain as if his internal organs were being torn apart, nodded slightly.


    He had now realized the severity of the situation.


    Not daring to delay any further.


    Nangong Shengtian took a deep breath, sidestepped to block Xiao Yi and the others, and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, Xiao, you may inspect the pharmacy, and there is no problem with that. But we must follow proper procedures, and once inside, you are not permitted to touch any of the medicines without permission. Of course, I will ensure that the pharmacy staff assist you fully!"


    From the corner of his eye, Xiao Yi noticed Nangong Shou had already circumvented the crowd and was heading towards the back yard of the pharmacy.


    "Get out of the way!"


    Xiao Yi took a step forward.


    "Xiao, don''t push it too far!" Nangong Shengtian threatened grimly.


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh, "What are you having Nangong Shou sneak off to the backyard for? I have reason to suspect you are destroying evidence, move aside��"


    "Nangong Shengtian, don''t push your luck. Do you really think I, Xiao Yi, am afraid of you?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s eyes turned a fierce red as he flew into a rage, his booming roar like thunder on a clear day, deafening, "Without my permission, no one dares set foot in part of the pharmacy. To do so would be considered a challenge to the Nangong Family''s authority, and my Nangong Family will fight to the death!"


    Hiss!


    His swearing was truly intimidating.


    It made those strong individuals who were following Xiao Yi and trying to enter the pharmacy dare not get too close.


    Little Lin''s voice echoed in his mind, "Boss, Nangong Shou has already entered the pharmacy from the backyard, do you want me to subdue him?"


    "Do not act rashly, if you strike they can completely frame us, claiming you placed those medicines on the shelves. I will find a way inside��" Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After Xiao Yi transmitted his message, he stepped forward, "Nangong Shengtian, if you don''t move aside within three breaths, don''t blame me for being merciless!"


    "Nangong Shengtian, I want to see how merciless you can be!" Nangong Shengtian mocked confidently.


    In his view��


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation level, no matter how strong, was ultimately only at the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    While he was a Dharma Manifestation Realm sixth layer powerhouse.


    How could Xiao Yi possibly be his opponent?


    "One!"


    Nangong Shengtian scoffed, "Two, three! Three breaths have passed; what can you do to me?"


    "This is your own doing!"


    Xiao Yi harrumphed coldly.


    Between his brows, lightning flickered.


    All over his body, a fierce wind began to howl.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body erupted in an instant, with terrible winds and thunder enveloping Xiao Yi. His right hand slowly drew to his waist, and with a sudden shout, his punch shot out like a dragon leaping from the sea.


    Boom!


    Amidst a terrifying boom.


    A colossal fist shadow mixed with wind and thunder appeared in front of Nangong Shengtian in an instant.


    "Trifling tricks, I can destroy them effortlessly��" Nangong Shengtian said confidently, sweeping his hand casually.


    A huge golden palm materialized in front of him.


    Crack!


    Amidst a harsh snapping sound.


    The golden palm exploded into pieces.


    Nangong Shengtian''s pupils constricted sharply as a terrifying energy storm turned his face instantly pale. His vital energy circulated around his body, trying to activate his Martial Dao Fasxiang, but at that moment, the Mad Wind Thunder Fist had already struck him.


    ```


    Crackling and popping!


    Amidst a sharp sound, lightning and electric arcs covered his entire body.


    Nangong Shengtian''s body stiffened.


    He was paralyzed all over.


    And immediately after��


    A fierce windstorm swept over his body, whooshing as it viciously flung him flying, the path of his figure marked by the howling wind and flashing lightning with thunderous roars. Nearly half of the pharmacy''s roof was blown away, and amidst the terrifying boom, Nangong Shengtian crashed down into the backyard.


    Hisss!


    A chorus of sharp intakes of breath rose from the crowd.


    As pair after pair of eyes turned towards Xiao Yi, they all revealed shock and surprise, "Is Dean Xiao that strong?"


    "To send Ancestor Nangong flying with a single punch, is that even possible for someone at the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    "Look at the pharmacy..."


    There, Nangong Shou was rapidly putting vials of medicine into his storage ring. He had only collected a small part when the pharmacy was blown open by Xiao Yi, exposing the inside of the Nangong Family Pharmacy to everyone''s gaze in an instant.


    His movements abruptly stiffened, hanging in midair.


    Pair after pair of eyes fell on him, "Isn''t that Nangong Shou? Wasn''t he outside the door just now? When did he sneak in?"


    "Sneaking around, now he''s gathering these medicines, could it be that the Nangong Family''s medicines really have issues?"


    "That''s not possible, right?"


    "Take another look, see if there''s anything wrong with the medicines in those vials..."


    The barrage of gazes felt like thorns on Nangong Shou''s back.


    Holding several vials in his hand, he was caught in a dilemma, uncertain whether to put them down or not.


    "Nangong Shou, what are you doing?" Yang Ling shouted angrily.


    Bang!


    The medicines in Nangong Shou''s hands dropped to the ground, as he said anxiously, "I, I was just tidying up the counter, to make it easier for Your Highness to inspect��"


    "Hand over all the medicines you''ve gathered!" Ning Luo stepped forward and grabbed Nangong Shou by the neck with one hand.


    "Let go, let go..."


    Nangong Shou struggled frantically, his face a picture of desperation.


    Ning Luo tossed Nangong Shou in front of Yang Ling and with a casual wave, gathered all the medicines that hadn''t been packed in time from the counter. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he placed the vials at the entrance.


    Yang Ling''s expression was cold as he glared at Nangong Shou. Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    He had not expected Nangong Shengtian to dare such trickery right under his nose.


    Truly, he did not take him seriously.


    Yang Ling''s face darkened, "Just now, what were you doing?"


    Nangong Shou''s body trembled, but he refused to speak.


    "You think I can''t deal with you if you don''t talk?" Looking up at Ning Luo, Yang Ling said indifferently, "I detest those who play dirty tricks behind people''s backs the most. Break ten of his fingers first!"


    "Yes!"


    Ning Luo acted swiftly, breaking Nangong Shou''s fingers one by one.


    "Ah..."


    Nangong Shou convulsed in agony, his face so contorted that his features were squeezed together.


    Yang Ling said dispassionately, "If you don''t come clean now, I''ll break ten of your toes!"


    Hisss!


    Nangong Shou gasped in pain, not daring to hide anything any longer, and hastily confessed, "I''ll tell you everything... It was the ancestor who asked me to sneak in secretly, he instructed me to take these medicines and not let you discover them."


    "Are there issues with these medicines?"


    "If there weren''t any problems, why would Nangong Shengtian have Nangong Shou secretly collect them?"


    In the backyard.


    Nangong Shengtian, who had just crawled out from the ruins, suddenly heard the whispers in the crowd, as well as the vials placed in front of Yang Ling; his face turned deathly pale, the world spinning around him, "It''s over, the Nangong Family is completely finished..."

 Chapter 381 Disgraced

    "It''s over, the Nangong Family is finished."


    Nangong Shengtian felt the world spinning, dizzy and vision-blurred.


    The Nangong Family had stood strong for many years, and aside from the cheap medicinal materials supplied by the Beitang Family, the most important aspect was the Nangong Family''s potent alchemy team. Even without top alchemists, the middle- and low-end elixirs were enough to dominate the entire Great Qian Dynasty.


    Plus the hefty profits.


    That''s what allowed the Nangong Family to pass down their legacy, becoming one of the four great noble clans.


    Once there was trouble with the elixir shop.


    The financial lifeline of the Nangong Family was severed.


    Just the massive amount of money they owed the Beitang Family could nearly drain the Nangong Family''s resources, never to recover.


    What''s the thing the elixir industry fears the most?


    Exactly, problems with the elixirs! sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I just hope that all my suspicions are false, only then does my Nangong Family have a glimmer of hope!" muttered Nangong Shengtian, but even he felt that this hope was extremely slim!


    Meanwhile.


    Nangong Shou had already taken out all the elixirs from the storage ring.


    Elixir bottles, crystal-clear and flawless, were laid out on the ground, totaling over ten thousand bottles, each containing ten pills. Just here, there were elixirs worth over a hundred billion silver.


    Yang Ling picked up one of the jade bottles and poured out the elixirs inside.


    This was the Shen Yi Elixir.


    Yang Ling examined the color and quality, frowning slightly.


    These elixirs not only lacked any issues but also were all of the highest quality, definitely not fakes!


    "Your Highness, may I have a look?" Nalan Qianqiu spoke up.


    Yang Ling was startled, as Nalan Qianqiu himself was a seven-star alchemist. He indeed had more authority in assessing elixirs than Yang Ling, who immediately passed the elixirs to Nalan Qianqiu.


    "Shen Yi Elixir? Top quality?"


    Nalan Qianqiu inspected it carefully.


    Yang Ling frowned, "Master Nalan, are you saying there''s nothing wrong with these elixirs?"


    Nalan Qianqiu shook his head, sneering, "The fact that there''s nothing wrong is the biggest problem.


    "What do you mean by that?"


    Everyone looked at Nalan Qianqiu, puzzled.


    Nalan Qianqiu spoke gravely, "The Shen Yi Elixir uses thirty-six different herbs that interact with each other, capable of neutralizing most atypical medicinal properties. The only herb, Green Glaze Grass, would make the elixir have cold attributes. But these Shen Yi Elixirs have no cold properties, which means something else must have been added!"


    Yang Ling frowned, "Can you analyze what exactly was added?"


    Nalan Qianqiu shook his head, "With my expertise, I can''t tell, but..." He looked at Xiao Yi, smiling, "Dean Xiao, I''ll have to trouble you now!"


    Nangong Shengtian raged, "Nalan Qianqiu, even you can''t discern what extra has been added, so why pass it to Xiao Yi? He''s just a young boy, could his alchemy skills surpass yours? The elixirs from my Nangong Family would never have any problems; I think you''re intentionally saying this, trying to frame my Nangong Family!"


    In his view, this was a unique opportunity.


    As everyone knows.


    Xiao Yi is invincible among his peers, and he''s only twenty years old!


    With such a cultivation at twenty years of age.


    How could he possibly also practice the way of alchemy?


    Nalan Qianqiu looked at Nangong Shengtian as if looking at an idiot, shaking his head in a sigh, "Nangong Shengtian, to this moment you still don''t know how terrifying your opponent truly is. I really don''t understand where you got the courage to dare make an enemy of Dean Xiao!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shengtian was stunned, his face filled with bewilderment.


    Ning Luo spoke indifferently, "Dean Xiao''s alchemy skills far surpass ours."


    "What?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s eyes widened in disbelief, he shook his head, "Impossible, absolutely impossible. How old is he? Moreover, as far as I know, he was imprisoned by Xiao Tianjiao and has only truly been exposed to the martial path for less than three years��"


    Nangong Shengtian''s voice suddenly stopped.


    His face turned from pale to flushed repeatedly.


    Yes!


    A person who had been exposed to martial arts for less than three years had managed to grow from the Physical Body Realm directly to a realm comparable to the masters of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Could it be that he couldn''t cultivate the path of alchemy at the same time?


    Gurgle!


    Nangong Shengtian''s face turned pale as he muttered to himself, "Is there really such a genius in this world? Xiao Zhengde even said he was trash? Go to hell with your trash..." Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire


    Xiao Yi gently sniffed the Shen Yi Elixir placed in front of his nose.


    "This has added millennium flower, hundred beasts'' blood, as well as heavenly centipede vine... all these ingredients can increase the pill success rate and the quality of the elixirs, but they all have one thing in common. That is, they cannot be preserved for long, generally undergoing changes within three days and turning into deadly poisons. Within seven days, all the elixirs will rot into mud!"


    Xiao Yi looked at the corpse on the cart with bleeding orifices, shook his head slightly, and sighed, "He must have taken the elixirs after they changed, that''s why he was poisoned and died. What a pity, if he hadn''t taken those elixirs immediately and waited a few more days, those pills would have thoroughly rotted away!"


    "Is there evidence?" Yang Ling asked.


    Xiao Yi nodded his head and approached the young man''s corpse.


    He pointed several times at his lower abdomen.


    Streams of Qi entered the body.


    Xiao Yi stepped back and said, "One of the characteristics of taking heavenly centipede vine is that after death, the stomach will turn into sticky black strip-like objects, resembling black centipedes."


    As soon as the words were out.


    The young man''s body shook violently, he opened his mouth with a "wow," and several black, sticky stripe-shaped objects spurted out from his mouth.


    They hung from the cart.


    Like black centipedes, they crawled between the cart''s boards.


    Hiss!


    All present inhaled sharply.


    The symptoms were exactly as Xiao Yi had described!


    "He really was poisoned!"


    "The poisoned components are the same as the ones added by the Nangong Family in their elixirs, it seems that he did indeed die from taking the Nangong Family''s elixirs..."


    "The Nangong Family has been in business for many years, how could they suddenly add these things?"


    "Didn''t you hear what Xiao Yi said? These ingredients can improve the success rate and quality rate of pills, just think about it, a batch of pills that would normally yield ten pills, adding these could lead to twenty or even thirty, cutting the cost down to one third!"


    "Isn''t that too unscrupulous?"


    "Who will dare to buy the Nangong Family''s elixirs again in the future?"


    "We must let everyone know about this. The Nangong Family has tens of thousands of elixir shops within the Great Qian Dynasty, we absolutely cannot let these unscrupulous merchants get away with it. From now on, when buying elixirs, only trust Treasure Pavilion!"


    Outraged curses continued to arise.


    In Nangong Shengtian''s ears, they were like numerous swords, repeatedly piercing his body.


    Nangong Shengtian''s vision darkened.


    Feeling as if all the strength had been drained from his body, his face was filled with despair. This time the Nangong Family was utterly disgraced.


    Completely defeated!


    Defeated beyond repair.


    There was no longer any possibility of rising again!


    Let alone the ruined reputation, it was now impossible for anyone to purchase elixirs from them again, just based on what Xiao Yi had just said, all elixirs made with those ingredients would turn to mud after seven days.


    For the sake of concocting this batch of elixirs, his Nangong Family had invested all they had!


    The elixirs, which were crafted from ingredients worth a total of ten trillion Silver, would turn into mud within a few days and all would be lost.


    At that moment...


    Nangong Shengtian suddenly realized.


    Ning Kang''s betrayal.


    The secret formula stolen.


    Poisoning!


    All of it was a trap laid out by Xiao Yi!


    With bloodshot eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, Nangong Shengtian spewed out a mouthful of fresh blood, and as his eyes rolled back, he let out a desperate and unwilling roar before fainting, "Xiao Yi... you have such a cruel heart..."

 Chapter 382 The True Dragon Among Men

    Nangong Shengtian slowly woke up.


    Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    He found himself still inside the pill shop on Vermilion Bird Avenue, raised his hand to pat his head, only feeling a bout of weakness throughout his body.


    "You''re awake?"


    A playful voice rang out beside his ear.


    Nangong Shengtian was startled and instinctively looked towards the sound, only to see Xiao Yi squatting next to him with a slight smile on his lips and a radiant expression, mockingly staring at him. The teasing in his eyes almost made Nangong Shengtian pass out again.


    "Cough, cough cough��"


    Nangong Shengtian coughed several times and finally regained some composure, staring intently at Xiao Yi, "I did not expect that I would actually fall into your hands."


    "There are many things you wouldn''t expect, such as��" Xiao Yi pointed behind him, and there was Beitang Feng, looking at him with a wry smile on his face, then stood up smiling, "You two have a chat first!"


    Beitang Feng cleared his throat with a light cough, his face showing a hint of embarrassment, said, "Nangong Shengtian, it''s about time to settle those debts your Nangong Family owes me!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s face turned deathly pale as he coughed violently and pointed at Beitang Feng in fury, "Beitang Feng, do you really have to kick me when I''m down, taking advantage of someone''s misfortune, despite our acquaintance?"


    The batch of medical ingredients worth ten trillion silver had completely gone to waste.


    In a few more days, it would all turn to sludge.


    Moreover...


    He had already owed the Beitang Family over ten trillion silver in debts, and with a total of nearly thirty trillion silver, it was impossible to gather such a sum unless he sold off all of the Nangong Family''s properties!


    Beitang Feng sighed, "Friendship is friendship, but business is business, you were the one who taught me that!"


    "..."


    Nangong Shengtian trembled all over.


    Back then, outside the Treasure Pavilion, when he prompted Beitang Feng to demand repayment of the debt, it was he who taught Beitang Feng these very words.


    And now...


    In just a few hours, Beitang Feng returned those same words to him, unchanged.


    At that moment, Nangong Shengtian felt the world spin.


    His vision darkened, and he almost passed out again.


    Even a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert''s mental resilience is extremely strong, yet the fact that Nangong Shengtian was so infuriated that he nearly fainted multiple times shows just how great this blow was to him.


    Nangong Shengtian clenched his jaws, said in a deep voice, "Beitang Feng, you are well aware of the situation my Nangong Family is in. We have so many pills stockpiled and hardly any liquid silver..."


    The Nangong Family''s profit from the pill trade might have been very high.


    But they also had a large household with immense daily expenses!


    After a year''s time,


    If they could save a few hundred billion silver, that would be considered a prosperous year.


    Unless he sold all of the Nangong Family''s shops and the stockpiled pills, there was no way to come up with nearly thirty trillion silver. But with the reputation the Nangong Family now had in the pill industry, who would dare to buy their goods?


    Weren''t they afraid that a few days later, all those pills would turn to mud?


    Beitang Feng hesitated for a moment and said, "Nangong Shengtian, you have to understand my situation as well. Medicine King Valley has been pressing for the fifteen trillion silver debt from you, and because of your family, I have to compensate the Treasure Pavilion with fifteen trillion silver. If you don''t repay the money, my Beitang Family will also suffer!"


    "I, I really have no money!" Nangong Shengtian cried out in despair and indignation.


    Experts at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the old ancestor of the Nangong Family, when had he ever been so subservient?


    Beitang Feng turned his head to look at Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu and said in a deep voice, "I do have a way!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shengtian was stunned, a glint of hope flashing across his eyes.


    Beitang Feng said gravely, "Master Nalan and Xiao have promised that they are willing to spend the money to buy all of the Nangong Family''s shops and the medicinal pills they have hoarded."


    "Are they so kind-hearted?" Nangong Shengtian snorted coldly.


    Beitang Feng forced a smile and said, "Everybody acts for the sake of profit. Master Nalan, after all, is a businessman. He means to offer two hundred trillion silver to buy all of your Nangong Family''s shops and the hoarded medicinal pills."


    "Two hundred trillion? They must be dreaming!" Nangong Shengtian exploded in rage.


    Initially, just purchasing those shops had cost them nearly one hundred trillion silver, not to mention the hoarded medicinal pills, which were valued at least at two hundred trillion silver.


    Xiao Yi and his people wanted to swallow it all up for the price of two hundred trillion silver.


    In Nangong Shengtian''s view, this was nothing short of daydreaming!


    Beitang Feng shrugged his shoulders and said, "To speak frankly, those medicinal pills are worth that much only if you can sell them; if you can''t, they are just rubbish. I have said all that I can, the rest is up to you to consider!"


    This time, Beitang Feng, too, was driven into a corner.


    He had not yet found a way to pay back the one hundred and fifty trillion silver he had guaranteed for the Nangong Family at Medicine King Valley, and now he needed to compensate Treasure Pavilion with another one hundred and fifty trillion silver in damages.


    After paying these two sums, the Beitang Family would be almost emptied out.


    It was at this moment...


    Xiao Yi gave him a choice; as long as he could persuade the Nangong Family to sell their shops and medicinal pills to Treasure Pavilion, they would only need to return the one hundred trillion silver deposit. Moreover, from now on, Treasure Pavilion would continue to source from the Beitang Family.


    Now that the Nangong Family had fallen, Treasure Pavilion was certain to completely dominate the medicinal pill market of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    At that time, the volume of medicinal herbs consumed by Treasure Pavilion each year would be a frightening figure.


    After weighing his options, Beitang Feng could only choose to betray his allies!


    Just as Nangong Sheng had taught him, friendship was one thing, but business was business!


    A dead comrade is not a dead me!


    Watching Beitang Feng, who returned to Xiao Yi and the others, bowing and scraping and all smiles, Nangong Shengtian''s face turned ashen. Trembling, he struggled to get up and walked desolately toward the Nangong Family.


    The Nangong Family was not something he alone could decide for.


    Watching Nangong Shengtian leave, Ning Luo said in a deep voice, "Director Xiao, are you sure it''s okay to let him go like this?"


    This was a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert, after all!


    "Don''t worry, he won''t be able to escape!"


    With wise light flickering in his half-closed eyes, Xiao Yi smiled slightly and said lightly, "When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. The Nangong Family''s tree has just fallen, and the demons and goblins have yet to make their move. Once they do, and he faces a real desperate situation, that''s when Nangong Shengtian will truly despair. That will be our chance to take over the Nangong Family!"


    Beitang Feng, standing by, secretly breathed a sigh of relief: Thank goodness my grudge with Xiao Yi wasn''t that deep, otherwise the one driven into a tight corner might have been me! S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He looked up at Xiao Yi in front of him.


    That handsome and young face, along with the achievements he had made in just three short years, Beitang Feng muttered, "Such a true dragon among men, why was he not born into my Beitang Family! But... that idiot Xiao Zhengde, to have abandoned such a heaven-sent child as if he were worthless, he is the truly pathetic one..."


    PS: The climax is not over yet, the explosion continues tomorrow!!!

 Chapter 383 When the Tree Falls, the Monkeys Scatter

    The news of the Nangong Family Pharmacy selling fake medicines swept through the entire imperial capital like a whirlwind.


    With the push from Treasure Pavilion, the news spread even further towards the countless cities of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    As the news spread...


    The Nangong Family Pharmacy saw sparse foot traffic, with hardly a single soul in sight.


    Eyes filled with despair.


    Not to mention these new medicines, even the previously hoarded high-quality pills were now unsellable.


    In just a mere two days.


    This news had permeated the entire Great Qian Dynasty, and more than thirty percent of the Nangong Family Pharmacies had been forced to close their doors. If it were just a matter of medicinal pills being unsellable, it would not have led to closure.


    What mattered more was that with the spread of this news.


    Strong figures who had bought pills from the Nangong Family Pharmacy before were knocking on the doors, requesting refunds, and even compensation.


    One or two families.


    Three or four families...


    Nearly every Nangong Family Pharmacy was faced with numerous strong figures seeking refunds and compensation.


    The Nangong Family had always been domineering, engaging in overt and covert battles, bullying many influential local forces. These locals had refrained from retaliating due to the Nangong Family''s strength, but now they had no more concerns.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, when the wall falls, everyone pushes it, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.


    Seeing the colossal Nangong Family about to collapse, all kinds of evil spirits began to emerge.


    As a result.


    In just two days, thirty percent of the Nangong Family Pharmacies had chosen to shut down, and the shopkeepers in charge of these pharmacies had also fled back to the imperial capital.


    Nowadays, the Nangong Family was even busier than during the yearly family meetings.


    Only this bustle was something the Nangong Family did not wish to see!


    Within the expansive Nangong Family estate.


    Nangong Shengtian was lying on the bed with a pale face, purple lips, and hollow eyes, feeling utterly hopeless and filled with deep remorse and guilt. Beside the bed, Nangong Shengji''s face was grim, and he remained silent.


    "Patriarch, the shopkeeper from Falling Star City, Nangong Tao, has also returned and is outside asking to see you..."


    "Patriarch, the shopkeeper from Sanyang City has returned..."


    Voices called out from outside the door.


    Nangong Yi''s face also looked extremely grim, and he didn''t even dare breathe heavily as he waved his hands to dismiss the announcers at the door.


    Now every piece of news that came was like a poisoned sword of invisible killing, stabbing into Nangong Shengtian''s body.


    Spuuurt!


    Nangong Shengtian suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face growing even paler, and he turned his head with difficulty to look at Nangong Shengji beside him, "Family, family head, all of this is because I was careless for a moment, bringing trouble upon our family..."


    Nangong Shengji shook his head, "Don''t say that, I too bear responsibility. It''s not all on you!"


    "Cough, cough cough..."


    Nangong Shengtian was coughing violently.


    Nangong Yi quickly stepped forward, covering his mouth with a handkerchief.


    When Nangong Yi lifted the handkerchief, he found it stained with blood, his expression changed slightly as he looked towards Nangong Shengji.


    A peak Dharma Manifestation Realm expert, now bedridden with illness and even coughing up blood.


    This clearly showed how devastating the blow was to Nangong Shengtian.


    Nangong Shengji took a deep breath and said solemnly, "You need to rest well, I will handle everything within the family!"


    Nangong Shengtian shook his head, a wry smile on his face, "Family head, although Beitang Feng''s words were harsh, as he said, this is indeed the only way we can preserve the family. We..."


    "Don''t speak!"


    Nangong Shengji shook his head, his eyes a bone-chilling ice-cold, "The Nangong Family''s legacy has lasted for a thousand years, it cannot end in my hands."


    "But we..."


    Nangong Shengtian''s pale face was tinged with an unshakable sorrow.


    Nangong Shengji waved his hand, yet said nothing more. After advising them to take good care of themselves and rest well, he got up and left.


    A moment later.


    Nangong Yi also followed him out, standing behind him. He said in a deep voice, "Master..."


    Nangong Shengji narrowed his eyes, his complexion as cold as ice, and asked indifferently, "What did they say when you contacted them?"


    "Master..."


    Nangong Yi''s face showed anger as he clenched his fists and said in a deep voice, "They mean that they can help us through this difficult time and ensure the survival of the Nangong Family. However, our Nangong Family would have to become their house slaves..."


    "House slaves?"


    Nangong Shengji trembled all over.


    Boom!


    A terrifying wave of energy exploded from his body. This wave surged heavenward from his center, tearing up the grass and roots in the surrounding area and turning the large garden into a mess in an instant.


    This furious storm continued for ten breaths.


    The grass and trees that had been flung up into the sky began to fall back down.


    Whoosh!


    Nangong Shengji took a long breath and said sternly, "Go tell them I agree to their demands. However, the Nangong Family''s structure must remain unchanged, and they cannot touch any of our business enterprises!"


    "Don''t worry, Patriarch, I''ll tell them right away!" A look of terror appeared on Nangong Yi''s pale face. That terrifying ten breaths had made him feel like he was in a deathly ice cellar, where he could die at any moment.


    Right now, he was fleeing for his life, not daring to stay by Nangong Shengji''s side.


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    It was only after Nangong Yi had left.


    Nangong Shengji slowly opened his eyes, a flash of cold light flickering within: "Xiao Yi, Nalan Qianqiu... all of this is thanks to you both, I will absolutely not let you go!"


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the Treasure Pavilion.


    Nalan Qianqiu was standing in front of Xiao Yi, saying in a heavy voice, "Xiao, we''ve received news that Nangong Yi has left the Nangong Family and is heading to the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy."


    "The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy? It seems they''ve really made contact with the Unparalleled Martial King..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    Nalan Qianqiu nodded. Ever since the scandal at the Nangong Family Pharmacy was exposed, they had been monitoring the Nangong Family non-stop. If it weren''t for the presence of Nangong Shengji, a Dharma Phase Realm Peak powerhouse, they would have taken advantage of the situation and completely crushed the Nangong Family by now.


    After all.


    If driven to desperation, the rampage of a Dharma Phase Realm Peak existence.


    The reckless retaliation.


    Even the Treasure Pavilion and Xiaoshanhe Institute would suffer heavy losses.


    "If the Nangong Family truly joins forces with the Unparalleled Martial King, his power could completely help them out of this difficulty. In that case, wouldn''t all our previous plans be in vain?" Nalan Qianqiu''s face was colored with worry. sea??h th�� N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They had paid a huge price to bring down the Nangong Family this time.


    If they couldn''t swallow the Nangong Family whole in the end, their efforts would have been for naught.


    The Unparalleled Martial King.


    This person was not just Emperor Qian''s imperial uncle but also a military powerhouse with heavy troops at his command. Moreover, he was the backing force behind Xue Yilou.


    Ning Luo and the others looked on worriedly.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved up slightly, revealing a fervent fighting spirit. He spoke lightly, "I have the Nangong Family in the bag... No matter the Martial King or War King, if they dare to reach out, I''ll chop off their claws as well..."

 Chapter 384 The First Task

    "Whoever dares to reach out, I''ll chop off their claws as well!"


    Xiao Yi said with a cold gaze.


    For the sake of plotting against the Nangong Family, he had spent a considerable amount of time.


    Victory seemed within reach.


    At this moment, regardless of who it was, if they dared to meddle, they were destined to end up on Xiao Yi''s blacklist. Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    I don''t care if you''re some Unparalleled War King!


    I''ll lay them all flat!


    "Xiao, do you have a plan?" Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo exchanged glances, asking curiously.


    Even though Xiao Yi was much younger than them, after the interactions they had had over this period, they were completely convinced by Xiao Yi and looked to him for leadership.


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, "There are still three days left until my bet with Nangong Shengtian... But, we can''t idle away these three days!"


    "Are you preparing to..."


    Nalan Qianqiu looked on with curiosity.


    He couldn''t think of any strategy that Xiao Yi might have.


    After all.


    With the push from the Treasure Pavilion, the scandal of the Nangong Family Pharmacy had spread throughout the entire Great Qian Dynasty.


    Now the Nangong Family was collapsing, and everyone was eager to push them over.


    At this time...


    Unless they went to their door, they indeed had no other strategy.


    Xiao Yi cracked a sly smile, a playful look in his eyes, "The hermit has his own clever plans!"


    Two hours later.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute, Shanhe Court.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    A dull tolling of a bell sounded, reverberating throughout Imperial Dragon Mountain, the bell''s sonorous peals thunderously loud.


    The disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute who were practicing, along with the presiding elders, were all startled: "Is that the bell from the Shanhe Court?"


    "Could it be that a task is finally being issued?"


    "I''ve used up all my points, at last a task has come!"


    Everyone hastily headed towards the Shanhe Court.


    This was the first time a task had been issued since Xiaoshanhe Institute''s restructuring. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Both disciples and presiding elders alike rushed towards the Shanhe Court.


    The five halls were newly built, and with the strength of the martial artists from Xiaoshanhe Institute, constructing these buildings was a matter of moments. The architecture of the five great halls was not luxurious but very grand and simple.


    The entire Shanhe Court was two stories tall.


    The first floor was for issuing and accepting tasks.


    The second floor was where, after completing tasks, disciples would submit their task completion applications. It was also where the Hall Master, the Vice Hall Masters, and those in charge of the Shanhe Court usually worked.


    Almost ten thousand people gathered in the first-floor hall of the Shanhe Court without it feeling crowded, with a ceiling height of thirteen meters. At the top, there hung an eight-sided pillar with a screen made of crystal on each side.


    These crystal screens contained an Eighth-layer Formation inscribed personally by Xiao Yi, capable of transmitting task information in real time.


    In the future, when there would be more tasks, all eight crystal screens would scroll through task information. If a task had already been completed, it would also be cleared from the screen immediately.


    Extremely convenient!


    When Xiao Yi first proposed this idea of crystal screens, it had stunned everyone for quite some time.


    It was astonishing!


    But now...


    The Shanhe Court had just opened, and the task information was sparse, just a single entry.


    Task 1: The Nangong Family Pharmacy has been selling fake medicines, seeking wealth and causing harm. Those with a conscience, join forces against it!


    Task Requirements: Ten people per team, both stewards and disciples may accept this task.


    Task Content: Each squad is responsible for one of the Nangong Family Pharmacies, helping those who have been deceived to seek justice and demand compensation!


    Task Reward: For each completed task, each member of the squad will be awarded 100 points!


    Hiss!


    Seeing the rows of bright red text, almost ten thousand people in the Shanhe Court inhaled sharply, their faces flushed with excitement, "They''re putting the Nangong Family on the road to doom!"


    "Do you even know how to speak? This is clearly about enforcing justice!"


    "Whether it''s putting oneself in danger or enforcing justice, I only know that every task completed earns you 100 points. If you complete a hundred tasks, isn''t that ten thousand points?"


    "Move, move, move..."


    "I want to receive a task!"


    One after another, strong figures stepped forward to receive their tasks.


    The method of receiving tasks was also quite peculiar; one simply needed to place their Token on the resonating Stele within the Task Hall, and options for selectable tasks would appear. By adding a chosen task, one could accept the task.


    Suddenly,


    Nearly ten thousand stewards and disciples had all received their tasks and left the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Only a group of elders looked at each other with wry smiles on their faces. A Tao Tribulation Realm Peak martial artist from Beast Emperor City grumbled, "The head of the institute is really stingy, only allowing stewards and disciples to take on tasks. This is like free points falling from the sky, and yet we aren''t allowed to participate?"


    Yu Huaxian gave him a glance.


    The strong figure trembled and said with a forced smile, "Vice Hall Master Yu, I was just... just making a casual complaint!"


    With the help provided by the special Jade Fetal Elixir given by Xiao Yi, Yu Huaxian had rejuvenated his vigor. Even the beard he had purposefully grown gave him an air of additional dignity. Combined with his status as a Vice Hall Master of the Punishment Hall, even the various elders and stewards held him in high regard.


    Yu Huaxian said indifferently, "Don''t worry, the head of the institute hasn''t planned for you all to be idle."


    Swish!


    A new task appeared on a crystal screen, a task that only elders could accept��to secretly protect the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute who had gone out.


    Each elder could receive a reward of ten thousand points.


    This was equivalent to resources worth a hundred million Silver!


    Moreover...


    The treasures, cultivation techniques, secret manuals, weapons, and even elixirs that could be exchanged for points were all much cheaper than those sold outside. If these ten thousand points were to be sold, they could fetch at least one hundred and fifty million Silver.


    Of course.


    The points of the Xiaoshanhe Institute were incredibly valuable, and not many were willing to part with them.


    The elders accepted the tasks one by one and left the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Half a day later.


    In the capital and its surrounding cities, disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute appeared. They either worked alone or in groups to assist the public in returning elixirs to the Nangong Family Pharmacy or demanding compensation.


    These disciples were determined to receive their compensation and resorted to all sorts of tactics.


    Some spent money to gather crowds, blocking the pharmacy until it was packed.


    Others simply began cultivating inside the pharmacy or even sparring for demonstration.


    This caused the Nangong Family''s pharmacy to be utterly helpless.


    Some shopkeepers, unable to bear the pressure, chose to return the elixirs or accept compensation.


    Suddenly,


    The news of the Nangong Family Pharmacy accepting returns and compensations for their elixirs spread like wildfire, and more and more people chose to return their elixirs and claim compensation, even those who did not suffer any adverse reactions from using the elixirs started returning them.


    After all...


    Although the prices of elixirs at the Treasure Pavilion had risen, they were still being sold at half price.


    There were even some thugs who deliberately consumed poison, claiming to have been poisoned by the Nangong Family''s elixirs, and sought compensation.


    By now, the Nangong Family was already in a predicament as they were caught with their pants down, unable to clear their name, and no one willing to believe their explanations.


    They had no choice but to compensate while gritting their teeth!


    This only added to the Nangong Family''s snowballing woes!


    One by one, the Nangong Family''s pharmacies had no alternative but to close down and dodge debts.


    One day.


    Two days.


    Three days...


    Within just three days, all of the pharmacies under the Nangong Family''s banner had shut their doors.


    Under normal circumstances, even if there was no business, it would be impossible for all of the Nangong Family''s pharmacies to close down. However, under the impetus of a single task from Xiao Yi, it became the last straw that broke the Nangong Family''s back.


    "Xiao, all the pharmacies of the Nangong Family within the Great Qian Dynasty have closed down!" Nalan Qianqiu exclaimed excitedly upon finding Xiao Yi.


    Gazing at Xiao Yi, his eyes were filled with awe.


    It was this young man who, almost single-handedly, had brought down one of the Great Qian Dynasty''s four major families in just one month''s time!


    "They''ve all closed down?"


    Xiao Yi opened his eyes, grinned, his eyes sparkling with a sharp light, "It''s finally my turn to take action!"

 Chapter 385 Who Do You Think You Are?

    The Nangong Family.


    A gloom filled the air.


    In just three short days, the amount of silver taels they had spent to recover medicines and to cover compensation had exceeded 1.3 trillion silver taels.


    This had nearly drained all the funds reserved by the various medicinal shops of the Nangong Family.


    Now, with all the medicinal shops closed, they could stem the loss of several hundred billion silver taels each day.


    This was an act of last resort!


    Nangong Shengtian had regained some vitality and, with the support of Nangong Yi, made his way into the main hall; today marked the deadline of the gambling bet with Xiao Yi. As the initiator of the wager, Nangong Shengtian naturally had to be present.


    "Ancestor!"


    "How did you become like this in just half a month..."


    Nangong Xiao and the others couldn''t help but exclaim upon seeing Nangong Shengtian, his hair white and his complexion pale and bloodless.


    Half a month ago.


    The Treasure Pavilion had just reduced its prices, and they had made a trip to the Nangong Family.


    How full of vigor and spirit had Nangong Shengtian been at that time?


    Now, he looked like an ordinary old man close to death.


    It was hard to imagine...


    What kind of power could have made such a being in the Dharma Phase Realm look this way.


    Nangong Shengji frowned and said, "Why did you come out?"


    Nangong Shengtian cracked a weak smile, "Since this situation arose because of me, even if I have to die today to atone for my sins, I cannot burden the family."


    ...


    Nangong Shengji fell silent.


    If it were indeed possible to exchange Nangong Shengtian''s life for the security of the Nangong Family, S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He would be the first to raise both hands in agreement.


    Only...


    Being the head of the Nangong Family, he could not voice this himself.


    Seeing Nangong Shengji''s silence, the various high-ranking members of the Nangong Family also lowered their heads.


    With Nangong Shengtian now in such a weakened state and given that this whole situation had started because of him, if not for his bet with Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi would have never targeted the Nangong Family like this.


    The once unassailable and powerful Nangong Family would not have fallen into such a dire state.


    Seeing that none of his usually respectful family members spoke out after hearing his willingness to trade his life for the safety of the family, Nangong Shengtian felt a desolate sadness.


    At this moment...


    Nangong Shengji''s expression changed slightly as he looked towards the entrance, "They''re here!"


    Swish!


    All eyes turned toward the direction of the main gate.


    ...


    Outside the great gates of the Nangong Family''s estate.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, with Nalan Qianqiu and Fu Yuan flanking his left and right.


    The Shadow Demon and others had not yet revealed themselves.


    However, just the three of them were already shockingly impressive.


    Three great Dharma Phase Realm figures!


    One was the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and another was the Pavilion Master of the Great Qian Dynasty''s Treasure Pavilion, a lineup that ordinary forces wouldn''t dare provoke.


    "Nangong Shengtian, Xiao Yi has arrived!" Xiao Yi''s voice echoed through the sky, billowing and booming with resonance.


    Clang!


    The heavy gates of the Nangong Family estate slowly opened.


    Nangong Shengji took the lead, followed closely by Nangong Yi, who aided Nangong Shengtian.


    A group of the Nangong Family''s strong figures also emerged from the residence, with more than fifty in the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The strength of the Nangong Family''s foundation was undeniable!


    Nangong Shengji narrowed his eyes, inspecting Xiao Yi and those like Nalan Qianqiu next to him, and snorted coldly, speaking indifferently, "I am not sure why Master Xiao has come here. What is your purpose?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Nangong Shengji.


    This man was none other than the patriarch of the Nangong Family, a towering figure at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    A supreme being at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm could stabilize a clan''s fortune for a thousand years without decline.


    He was an undisputed giant among men.


    Xiao Yi spoke calmly, "The deadline of our one-month agreement has arrived, I''m here today for the gambling agreement between me and Nangong Shengtian!"


    All eyes swiftly turned to Nangong Shengtian.


    The gambling agreement was witnessed by many back then, and if Nangong Shengtian dared to go back on his word, it would mean throwing away the face of the entire Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengji took a deep breath and said gravely, "So it''s about the gambling agreement!"


    With that said.


    Nangong Shengji fell silent.


    Nangong Shengtian sighed lightly, trembling as he stepped forward, "Director Xiao, this gambling matter is a personal grievance between you and me, and has nothing to do with the Nangong Family!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, his expression playful, "Is Ancestor Nangong preparing to default on the agreement?"


    Nangong Shengtian said in a deep voice, "Whether I default on the agreement or fulfill it, it has nothing to do with the Nangong Family. It is all my personal doing."


    What he wanted now was to extricate the Nangong Family from the situation.


    Otherwise.


    Just by fulfilling the agreement, providing the necessary elixirs to the Xiaoshanhe Institute at no cost, could plunge the Nangong Family deep into a quagmire from which they could not extricate themselves.


    You should know...


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute now has nearly ten-thousand disciples, hundreds of Tao Tribulation Realm stewards, and close to ten Dharma Manifestation Realm elders.


    The amount of elixirs they require daily is an astonishing number.


    It''s something the Nangong Family simply cannot afford at this time.


    The only way for the Nangong Family to get out of this situation was for Nangong Shengtian to personally bear the responsibility of the gambling agreement.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shifted ever so slightly; he had already discerned Nangong Shengtian''s intentions.


    This was the strategy of sacrificing a piece to save the game!


    But...


    The Nangong Family was truly ruthless enough to abandon a top figure of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, just like that!


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, he was about to speak but then he heard a cold voice coming from the crowd, "Director Xiao, with daylight above us, you''ve brought such a large group to our doorstep, pressuring Ancestor Nangong like this, isn''t that a bit inappropriate?"


    Everyone was startled.


    They looked in the direction of the voice.


    They saw Sun Yao riding a tall horse, with Qin Li, whose legs had been broken, sitting in a carriage behind him.


    Qin Li''s eyes were filled with venomous hatred as he stared unblinkingly at Xiao Yi, his gaze brimming with loathing.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows knit slightly, as he hadn''t expected Sun Yao to appear here, and said indifferently, "If it isn''t Director Sun, I heard your Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is recruiting talents. As its director, how do you have time to wander around?" Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire


    Ever since the grand opening of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy had been disrupted by Xiao Yi.


    And after the rise of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Almost no one was willing to go to the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, to say it was deserted would be an understatement.


    Sun Yao''s expression darkened, as he was someone with a strong desire to win.


    This was the case in the army.


    And it was even more so now that he was in control of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!


    Sun Yao snorted coldly and said indifferently, "I originally wanted to go to the Xiaoshanhe Institute to seek justice from Director Xiao, but when I heard you were at the Nangong Family residence, I hurried over. I wanted to ask Director Xiao how you plan to settle the matter of crippling the legs of my top general."


    "And how do you wish to settle it?" Xiao Yi looked at Sun Yao with amusement.


    Sun Yao''s gaze was icy, and he enunciated each word, "Whoever broke his legs should stand forward, kneel down before him, and apologize."


    Qin Li sat atop the carriage.


    His features twisted with callousness, he sneered viciously, "General Sun, it was Xiao Yi who broke my legs!"


    Sun Yao raised his eyebrows and stared coldly at Xiao Yi, "Kneel down and apologize!"


    "You''re asking me to kneel?"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up slightly, his form leaning forward as he closed the distance between him and Sun Yao, and said deliberately, "You want me to kneel just like that... who the hell do you think you are?"

 Chapter 386 Kill with One Palm

    Xiao Yi looked at Sun Yao with an expressionless face.


    A chilling aura emanated from him, so intense that it was like a bone-piercing cold wind that instantly covered the entrance of the Nangong Family estate.


    All the strong ones standing close to Xiao Yi on the street shuddered uncontrollably under the assault of this cold wind, their faces turning pale.


    Especially Qin Li on top of the horse-drawn carriage, already badly wounded, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood when faced with the cold momentum from Xiao Yi.


    He tumbled and scrambled down from the carriage.


    Supporting himself on his hands, he crawled desperately towards the distance.


    "General Qin..."


    "General Qin, please stop..."


    The several soldiers responsible for escorting Qin Li changed their expressions and quickly chased after him.


    But Qin Li was roaring in terror, "Don''t come near, Xiao Yi, don''t you come any closer..."


    His terrified posture was as if he had encountered a demon lord.


    A dark yellow liquid continuously flowed between his legs.


    As he kept crawling forward, a yellow stain dozens of meters long was dragged out on the ground, the foul smell of urine diffusing all around, making people frown.


    Sun Yao''s face was extremely unsightly.


    Qin Li was one of the four main lieutenants under his command, practically his right-hand man.


    But now...


    Qin Li had been scared into a frantic escape by Xiao Yi''s mere presence, like a dog that had lost its home.


    Many of the strong ones gathered around had already recognized Qin Li''s identity, looking at the disheveled figure and commenting, "Isn''t that Qin Li, one of the four great Vajra Subdues Demons under General Sun? What happened to him?" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "To think he was called one of the four Vajra Subdues Demons with this behavior?"


    "If he can be one of the Vajra Subdues Demons like this, what kind of useless lot are the others around Sun Yao?"


    The whispers of the crowd were piercing to Sun Yao''s ears, like venomous steel needles stabbing into him!


    The four Vajra Subdues Demons.


    Each one had been carefully cultivated by him as his trusted aides.


    Over the years, Sun Yao had achieved great military feats with the four Vajra Subdues Demons, but now, Qin Li had turned all his years of hard work into nothing.


    "Disgraceful trash..." a hint of coldness flashed in Sun Yao''s eyes.


    A young man with a black whip at his waist and a black mask covering half of his face stepped forward and stood beside Sun Yao.


    Sun Yao said coldly, "Tie up this disgraceful trash!"


    "Yes!"


    This young man was Ghost God Whip Lin Xiao, a renowned expert comparable to Qin Li, one of the four Vajra Subdues Demons.


    Lin Xiao walked towards Qin Li.


    Whoosh!


    With a flick of the black whip, it coiled around Qin Li''s body, and with a vigorous tug, amid a whooshing sound of tearing the air, Qin Li was yanked back onto the carriage.


    With a light tap on Qin Li''s head, he fell unconscious.


    Having dealt with Qin Li,


    Lin Xiao then returned to stand silently beside Sun Yao, like a statue.


    Sun Yao looked at Xiao Yi expressionlessly; their previous two confrontations had ended in his defeat, and he had lost both Jiang Feng and Qin Li, his capable henchmen. However, his true motive for coming today was not to seek justice for Qin Li.


    With this thought,


    Sun Yao took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, people are watching. I want to see just how long you can continue to be arrogant."


    "I''m afraid you won''t see me acting low-key in your lifetime!"


    Xiao Yi, impatient, waved his hand dismissively, "If you want revenge for Qin Li, bring it on. If not, then step aside; I didn''t come here for you today!"


    "Hmph!"


    Sun Yao''s face darkened, but he also knew he couldn''t prevail in a war of words and coldly said, "As for Qin Li, it was his bet with you beforehand, I can overlook that. However, the Nangong Family has already pledged allegiance to my Unparalleled War King''s Mansion; you cannot touch them!"


    This was Sun Yao''s purpose for coming.


    To prevent Xiao Yi from acting against the Nangong Family.


    To know...


    The four great noble families had always maintained neutrality between the royal family and the Unparalleled War King.


    Both the royal family and the Unparalleled War King were desperate to fully control the four families, a breakthrough had yet to be found. Now, the Nangong Family''s pill shop had closed down, and this fake medicine incident caused them heavy losses.


    They were truly desperate.


    Under normal circumstances...


    The Nangong Family''s first choice would undoubtedly have been Emperor Qian, but the relationship between Emperor Qian and Xiao Yi had led them to seek out the Unparalleled War King.


    For the Unparalleled War King, the Nangong Family was of great importance.


    As long as they held the Nangong Family firmly in their grip, they could then use them to infiltrate the Beitang Family.


    And thus, gained control over two of the four great families.


    That is precisely why...


    Sun Yao had appeared here.


    To prevent Xiao Yi from forcing the Nangong Family to honor their bet.


    Xiao Yi looked at Sun Yao with an indifferent gaze, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a chilling, cold smile, "There''s a wager between Nangong Shengtian and me, on what basis do you say I can''t act, and I should heed your words?"


    Sun Yao, standing squarely in front of Xiao Yi, threatened with a chilly tone, "Xiao Yi, I advise you to think carefully before you speak. I''m here on behalf of the Unparalleled War King today."


    "The Unparalleled War King?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    "Indeed!"


    Sun Yao folded his arms across his chest, his face displaying conceited pride.


    Within the Great Qian Dynasty, he was one of the two men with the greatest authority.


    A presence second only to the Emperor Qian!


    Who would dare not give him face?


    Sun Yao didn''t believe that Xiao Yi would dare to defy the Unparalleled War King.


    The multitude of powerful individuals from the Nangong Family behind Sun Yao all breathed sighs of relief, their looks towards Xiao Yi filled with mockery and scorn. Nangong Shengtian laughed heartily, feeling fortunate as if he had survived a great disaster, "Xiao Yi, weren''t you so arrogant? Dare you disobey the orders of the Unparalleled War King?"


    Sun Yao stood there complacent, fearless because of his backing.


    However...


    As they basked in their self-satisfaction, Xiao Yi let out a breath and responded indifferently, "I hadn''t expected the Nangong Family to already be under the command of the Unparalleled War King."


    "A fine bird chooses a tree to nest in, what''s wrong with that?"


    "With the support of the Unparalleled War King, even if those medicine shops don''t do business, we can still supply elixirs to the army under the Prince''s command. The Nangong Family will still stand tall!"


    "Xiao Yi, I''m afraid your plans will fall through!"


    The people of the Nangong Family spoke one after another, their words infused with triumph and provocation.


    Sun Yao slightly tilted his head, speaking indifferently, "By the Prince''s verbal decree, the bet between Xiao Yi and Nangong Shengtian is hereby nullified! Xiao Yi, you may leave now!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long sigh, shaking his head lightly, "Nangong Shengtian, since you insist on being dishonest and refuse to honor the bet, I guess I''ll have to settle this my own way!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shengtian startled.


    Sun Yao frowned, "Xiao Yi, did you not hear what I said? The Prince has ordered the cancellation of your bet with Nangong Shengtian, and you still refuse to see reason? Are you going to openly oppose the Prince?"


    "Heh, since the Unparalleled War King has given an order, naturally I''ll comply. The bet is cancelled indeed. However..."


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upwards, looking at Sun Yao''s face with that smug and confident expression, he laughed coldly, "The Prince didn''t say I couldn''t seek revenge on Nangong Shengtian!"


    "Revenge?"


    Everyone was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "On the day of my tribulation, Nangong Shengtian attempted to interfere with the Heavenly Tribulation, nearly causing my death beneath the tribulation lightning. This is a personal grudge, and even the Unparalleled War King has no right to intervene!"


    "Wait a minute..."


    Sun Yao suddenly spoke up, intent on intervening.


    But Xiao Yi''s figure had already disappeared in front of him like a phantom.


    Swish!


    "Be careful..."


    Sun Yao spun around sharply, looking towards Nangong Shengtian.


    At that moment, Nangong Shengtian, already incredibly weak, only realized what was happening when it was too late. He saw Xiao Yi appearing in front of him. As the hand descended from the air, Nangong Shengtian subconsciously brought his hands above his head to block.


    Bang!


    In a burst of cracking sounds,


    Nangong Shengtian''s arms shattered completely, a scream of agony escaping his lips.


    But that scream also abruptly ceased.


    There was only the humming sound of a dull thump.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Xiao Yi''s palm fell like a small mountain, thundering down. Behind him, a surge of golden light spread out as if he were a Wrathful Vajra, his huge surge of qi manifested in his palm, which slammed down onto Nangong Shengtian with a thud, covering him completely.


    Hiss!


    All was silent between heaven and earth.


    When the dust settled, Xiao Yi landed back in front of Sun Yao.


    In the very spot where the palm had struck, a massive palm imprint lay on the ground.


    At the center of the palm imprint,


    A mass of pulped flesh was intermixed with blood, a ghastly sight...

 Chapter 387 The Most Shameless

    Quiet.


    Deathly quiet!


    In front of the vast estate of the Nangong Family, silence reigned; not a sound could be heard. Everyone watched agape as Nangong Shengtian lay on the ground, reduced to a pile of mangled flesh.


    This was the revered elder of the Nangong Family, and even more so, a powerful entity of the sixth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Even though he was extremely weak at the moment.


    But not even an entity of the Dharma Manifestation Realm could have so easily taken his life like this!


    "You, you..."


    Sun Yao looked at Xiao Yi, disbelief written all over his face, his eyes flickering with astonishment, truly unable to believe that this scene before him was real.


    Nangong Shengji was also dumbstruck.


    Xiao Yi had acted too quickly.


    So quickly that even he, a being at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, had not had time to react, watching as Nangong Shengtian died right before his eyes. Even though he had resolved earlier that he could sacrifice Nangong Shengtian to preserve the Nangong Family,


    after Sun Yao appeared and revealed that the Nangong Family had already submitted to the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion.


    Nangong Shengji felt that Nangong Shengtian''s life was saved.


    Even if this meant they would stand in opposition to the royal family, with the might of the Unparalleled War King, they could well protect the Nangong Family without worry. After all, that was an existence second only to Emperor Qian in the entire Great Qian Dynasty.


    Holding sway over millions of elite troops.


    Among the ten chief commanders in the army, six were his direct disciples.


    Not to mention Xiao Yi, even Emperor Qian would find it difficult to move against the Nangong Family at this time.


    It was because of this...


    Nangong Shengji had never guarded against Xiao Yi.


    "Xiao Yi, you''re courting death!" Nangong Shengji''s eyes turned blood-red, the crimson pupils swallowing a savage cold light that threatened to devour its prey.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking disdainfully at Nangong Shengji, "Paying debts is a matter of principle. Since Nangong Shengtian refused to honor the bet, taking his life to settle the debt is only right, isn''t it?"


    "Ridiculous justification!"


    Nangong Shengji snorted coldly, his aura surging violently. "Even if Emperor Qian himself comes today, he won''t be able to save you!"


    "Hmph!"


    Nalan Qianqiu, standing beside Xiao Yi, suddenly let out a cold snort, her aura bursting forth unrestrained, as her icy gaze locked onto Nangong Shengji, "With Master this Pavilion Master here, you''ll never touch a hair on Xiao''s head!"


    "You..."


    Nangong Shengji''s complexion shifted slightly.


    Nalan Qianqiu was also a being at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, and furthermore, Qianqiu possessed a Fire Spirit Physique, which, while not as immaculate as a Sacred Body, was still immensely powerful.


    She could even summon earth''s fire to transform into a flaming giant.


    Her combat power was incomparably fierce.


    Even with equal Cultivation Realm, Nangong Shengji was not sure he could defeat Nalan Qianqiu.


    For a time.


    Nangong Shengji''s expressions changed unpredictably, but he also held off on making a move for the moment.


    Sun Yao, however, had no such reservations. He let out a cold huff, his figure suddenly tensed, and he charged toward Xiao Yi. In an instant, Sun Yao had reached Xiao Yi, his hand outstretched in the air, sending a chill piercing through space.


    Sun Yao''s cultivation was also strong, having reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm fifth-level peak.


    Moreover, he had long been positioned in command of the military.


    Hardened in countless battles.


    He had cultivated a formidable combat strength, capable of battling even a seventh-level Dharma Manifestation Realm opponent.


    Confident in his mighty combat ability.


    Even after witnessing Xiao Yi kill Nangong Shengtian, Sun Yao did not take him seriously: "Destroying Army Finger!"


    Hum!


    Cold light condensed on his right forefinger, bursting forth like a pillar.


    Green auras coiled around the cold light, like a massive green serpent entwining itself around the column. Spinning like a top, it generated a howling gale, whistling sharply as it lunged forward.


    The piercing chill approached, and the sweeping cold wind felt as sharp as knives on the skin, causing stinging pain.


    "Be careful!"


    Nalan Qianqiu''s expression abruptly changed.


    Nangong Shengji sneered and waved, creating a blue aura barrier in front of Qianqiu, blocking her path and laughing coldly, "Master Nalan, don''t forget I''m also here!"


    "You..."


    Nalan Qianqiu''s pupils suddenly constricted, a trace of annoyance flashing across his face.


    Nangong Shengji, brimming with pride, said, "With me here, don''t even think about lifting a finger to help him." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the same time...


    The mightily impressive finger, seemingly about to land on Xiao Yi, condensed horrifying destructive power. If it were to strike, even a seventh-layer master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm might face the danger of falling.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes into a slit, a flash of silver light streaking across his dark and profound pupils.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi''s right hand traced an arc of light out of thin air.


    Vital energy gathered into a silver ring, positioned in front of him. With a hissing sound, it encircled that sharp finger. Then Xiao Yi clenched his hand and shouted, "Vajra Vanquishing Demons!"


    Hum!


    The silver ring, like a Subduing Demons Ring, suddenly tightened, firmly trapping the sharp finger light.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi slammed his palm towards the ground with force.


    Bang!


    The finger light suddenly struck the ground, and a thunderous boom followed, as the ground cracked open. As Xiao Yi retracted his hand, capturing the Subduing Demon Ring and stepping back, it was as if a dragon raced below the surface of the earth.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Wherever it passed, the ground rose up, and a series of stones and sand flew about.


    After a good fifteen meters...


    Xiao Yi stepped back. With a humming sound, a column of earth burst forth from the ground, the violent energy finally dissipating. Xiao Yi''s mouth curved up in a smirk, standing atop the earthen pillar, looking down at Sun Yao: "Great General of the frontier army, is that all you''ve got?"


    "Damn it!"


    Sun Yao bellowed with rage.


    Before his words were finished...


    He was already in front of Xiao Yi, grasping at the air with one hand, and with a crisp buzzing sound.


    A streak of cold light burst forth from the storage ring on his finger.


    It was a silver long spear.


    With the long spear in hand, the cold air was biting.


    The silver long spear, reflecting blinding silver light, vibrated, emitting a humming sound. Holding the spear with one hand and standing on air, Sun Yao looked like an unrivaled War God.


    Sun Yao, with his bright eyes, fixed his gaze firmly on Xiao Yi, towering with war intent: "Xiao Yi, if you kneel and beg for mercy now, I can spare your life. Otherwise, don''t blame me if the weapons are ruthless and I can''t guarantee your safety!"


    "Kneel to you..."


    Xiao Yi suddenly caught a glimpse of Sun Yao''s lips, the almost imperceptible smirk and the sneer of conspiracy.


    His heart skipped a beat.


    Subconsciously, he looked behind him.


    Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a black flash coming at great speed��it was a black arrow. Exquisitely forged, so silent when cutting through the air that not a sound could be heard.


    Ding!


    With a sharp sound...


    The black arrow struck Xiao Yi, who staggered and fell from the sky, crashing to the ground with a thud.


    "What?"


    "That, that''s the Silent Arrow, commonly used by assassins in the army?"


    Everyone was flabbergasted.


    Following the trajectory of the Silent Arrow, they saw Lin Xiao, his face expressionless, slowly retracting a crossbow. The arrow that struck was his doing.


    Nalan Qianqiu''s eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "Sun Yao, how dare you use a sneak attack?"


    "A sneak attack? This is called military strategy. When I gallop across the battlefield, I don''t rely solely on brute force, but more on this..."


    Sun Yao pointed to his head, saying disdainfully, "Why wade through a life and death struggle when you can conquer without fighting? Look, without mobilizing a single soldier, I''ve taken care of Xiao Yi!"


    Seeing the complacency and confidence on his face, there was not even a hint of shame for using a hidden weapon.


    This made Nalan Qianqiu''s eyes burn with fury as he kept shouting, "Shameless, outrageously shameless..."


    "Shameless? Hmph, as long as victory is achieved in the end, what does it matter the means used? Don''t forget, history is written by the victor..."


    Sun Yao sneered, unmoved by Nalan Qianqiu''s accusations, instead he turned to Lin Xiao not far off, "Lin Xiao, aren''t you going to check on our dear Director Xiao? Let''s not let him die too easily!"


    "Yes!"


    Lin Xiao put away the crossbow, holding a long knife, and walked towards Xiao Yi...

 Chapter 388 Who Won?

    Lin Xiao''s face was icy cold, like a callous killing machine.


    He walked straight up to Xiao Yi.


    The longsword in his hand gleamed with a chilling, icy light. With a deadpan expression, he looked at Xiao Yi like he was merely an ant, "My Silent Arrow is coated with a deadly poison that seals the throat upon contact with blood. Even masters of the Dharma Manifestation Realm will meet their death if they''re hit, you..."


    Before he could finish,


    Lin Xiao felt a blur before his eyes.


    Xiao Yi, who had been lying motionless on the ground, suddenly disappeared from sight.


    "Not good!"


    Lin Xiao''s face instantly changed.


    Having always followed at Sun Yao''s side and having experienced many battles, he had a strong instinctual sense of danger.


    Almost at the same time,


    Lin Xiao dodged to one side.


    But Xiao Yi''s cold sneer reached his ears, "It''s already too late!"


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s palm suddenly loomed large in his pupils, grabbing Lin Xiao''s face and with a fierce surge of strength, he slammed Lin Xiao''s entire body toward the ground.


    Boom!


    Lin Xiao let out a muffled groan as his head struck the ground.


    With one hand pressing on Lin Xiao''s face, Xiao Yi charged forward, dragging Lin Xiao''s head across the ground like a shovel tearing up the earth.


    Dust flew up, and rocks scattered in all directions.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    A vicious trail was left dozens of meters behind Xiao Yi.


    A silvery light flowed within the palm of his hand, as surging Qi converged there, transforming into a silver ball of energy. With a dull buzzing sound, the ball expanded and finally exploded with a loud boom.


    The energy ball completely enveloped Lin Xiao''s body.


    Boom!


    The terrible energy surrounded Lin Xiao, as if countless palms were ripping apart his body from every direction, tearing it to shreds.


    His body disintegrated into a shower of blood and flesh.


    A prominent general at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm was utterly erased from this world!


    All this happened in the blink of an eye.


    Even Sun Yao could not react in time.


    By the time he came to his senses,


    Lin Xiao was already dead at Xiao Yi''s hands. Sun Yao''s pupils shrank in disbelief as he looked at Xiao Yi, "This is impossible... Weren''t you hit by the Silent Arrow? Lin Xiao''s Silent Arrow has never missed its target, you..."


    Xiao Yi slowly came to his senses.


    He cracked a smile.


    Between his teeth was a black arrow.


    In that critical moment...


    Xiao Yi caught the Silent Arrow, capable of assassinating Dharma Manifestation Realm masters, with his teeth.


    Hiss!


    Sun Yao drew in a sharp breath.


    The Silent Arrow was their military''s secret weapon, fatal upon drawing blood, never known to fail.


    Against all odds, without any defense, Xiao Yi managed to catch the arrow with his teeth, something utterly inconceivable.


    Phew! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi spat out the Silent Arrow with a flick of his mouth, and with a swoosh, it struck Sun Yao''s mount, a Fifth Layer Advanced Magical Beast Flying Dragon Colt. With a pitiful neigh, the colt collapsed to the side.


    The deadly poison on the Silent Arrow sealed the throat upon contact with blood.


    Even the Flying Dragon Colt, comparable to the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, succumbed to the poison and died instantly.


    Hiss!


    Everyone watched in horror at the scene.


    When Sun Yao used the Silent Arrow to launch a sneak attack earlier, people felt he was despicable, and when faced with Nalan Qianqiu''s questioning, Sun Yao justified it saying that in war, deceit is not uncommon, making everyone think of him as shameless.


    But now...


    People''s impression of Sun Yao had turned exceedingly vile.


    How could mere despicable and shameless describe him?


    He was a ruthless, treacherous villain!


    "Who would have thought Sun Yao was such a person?"


    "He is still the head of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. What future can the academy have under the leadership of such a person?"


    "I heard that the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion is the backer of Xue Yilou, which is full of assassins who lurk in the shadows, assassinating with treacherous means. It''s no surprise Sun Yao would employ such methods!"


    Listening to the discussions of the people, Sun Yao''s face turned shades of green and white.


    If his sneak attack had killed Xiao Yi,


    it would have been a case of the victor being the king and the defeated the bandit.


    No one would have dared to blame him one bit.


    But now...


    His sneak attack had not been successful. Instead, his favorite underling had been killed by Xiao Yi, the poisoning on the Silent Arrow had been exposed, and it was a failed surprise attack from the shadows.


    In such a situation,


    the image of Sun Yao in the eyes of the public had become synonymous with a sly and shameless villain.


    Whoosh!


    With a gloomy gaze, Sun Yao looked at Xiao Yi and said ominously, "Xiao Yi, knowing full well that the Nangong Family has submitted to my Unparalleled War King''s Mansion, you still dared to publicly kill Nangong Shengtian. Now, you''ve even killed my beloved subordinate. This is nothing short of contempt and provocation towards my War King''s Mansion. Today, even if I kill you in the street, no one can say a bad word against me!"


    "Kill me? That will depend on whether you have the ability!" Xiao Yi said with a cold laugh.


    Back in the imperial garden,


    Sun Yao had provoked him time and time again.


    Today,


    he even wanted to put him to death.


    How could Xiao Yi tolerate this?


    "Seeking death!"


    Sun Yao leaped into the air, rising instantly into the sky.


    The black aura around him rose and sank, and in his hands, a silver longspear stood across the sky, its icy edge flickering at the tip like a cold venomous snake, baring its sharp fangs.


    Hiss!


    The longspear suddenly swept up, turning into a silver gleam that shot forth.


    In the blink of an eye, it was in front of Xiao Yi.


    The silver spear light obscured the surroundings, casting layers upon layers of silver light and shadow, surging unceasingly and turning into a massive silver wave. The wave, dozens of feet high, rushed towards him with overwhelming momentum, making the numerous buildings below tremble violently,


    as if they could be shattered at any moment.


    Xiao Yi stood proudly on the ground.


    He looked up slightly,


    watching the overwhelming spear shadows approaching, with a slight upward curve of his lips, he extended his right hand towards the void and beckoned, "Sword come!"


    Swish!


    Countless auras condensed into his palm.


    The wind roared, and lightning flashed with thunderous might.


    A longsword, formed from the cyan wind and purple-gold thunder, landed in his hand. This longsword was conjured by Xiao Yi using the force of heaven and earth along with his aura.


    Holding the longsword in one hand, he slashed forward, "Parting the White Egret Islets with Indifferent Waters!"


    Hum!


    Multiple sword shadows flew out from the longsword.


    As the endless sword shadows overlapped and merged with each other, they formed a tremendous sword shadow dozens of feet in length.


    Boom!


    Wind and thunder enveloped the sword shadow.


    The howling wind and shaking thunder cracked the sky.


    With one stroke of the sword,


    the sky full of spear shadows was cleaved in half, the terrible noise deafening, roaring continuously. A dazzling white light forced the crowd of onlookers to instinctively close their eyes.


    "It''s so blinding... can someone tell me what just happened?"


    "Who won? Who''s the victor?"


    In a chorus of astonished cries,


    one could only hear a thunderous noise from the heavens, followed by the pervasive blinding light disappearing in an instant. Amongst the whistling sound of something slicing through the air, a figure was flung backward out of the vast whiteness.


    As they regained their sight, everyone hurriedly looked towards the shadow...


    "Who won?"

 Chapter 389 The War Kings Command

    ```


    "Who won?"


    The crowd looked towards the figure that was sent flying.


    This figure had flown out for a few hundred meters before it managed to stop midair with difficulty, holding a silver spear, as fresh red blood flowed down the shaft of the spear.


    Like a ferocious blood-red little snake, it coiled around the spear.


    Drip drop, drip drop!


    The blood fell, crystal clear, like rubies, emanating a powerful and pure energy.


    Practitioners at the Dharma Manifestation Realm had already harnessed a force of heaven and earth, using the Dharma Manifestation as the core to turn their bodies into a mini-universe of sorts with the element of Qi circulating on its own.


    At every moment, they were transforming their flesh and bodies.


    Allowing their bodies to continuously evolve.


    Becoming increasingly powerful.


    Their every drop of blood was a panacea, which, if consumed by mortals, could prolong life.


    And this figure...


    Was none other than the illustrious General Sun Yao.


    Sun Yao gasped for breath, and from the corner of his eyes caught a glimpse of a hideous sword wound on his shoulder - it was particularly glaring. Under the overwhelming barrage of spear shadows, Xiao Yi had sliced with a single sword stroke, and the dreadful Sword Qi even cut open his arm.


    It should be known...


    The distance between the two was over a hundred meters.


    Xiao Yi''s Sword Qi could still wound him from across that distance. Had they fought in close quarters, Sun Yao could hardly imagine what state he would be in now. His look towards Xiao Yi grew more solemn, "How can he be so strong? A mere Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and he managed to wound me? Even Tianjiaao, when he was at the Tao Tribulation Realm, wasn''t this strong, right?"


    Xiao Tianjiao.


    He was universally recognized as the top talent of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Sun Yao had practiced in the same sect as Xiao Tianjiao and was also a loyal follower of Xiao Tianjiao, fully aware of how terrifying he was.


    But even as powerful as Xiao Tianjiao was in the Tao Tribulation Realm, his combat prowess was definitely not as fearsome as Xiao Yi''s!


    "Daring to lose focus during our fight?" Xiao Yi''s voice, ghost-like, suddenly appeared in his ear, startling Sun Yao into a pale face.


    Subconsciously, he raised his silver spear and drew a beautiful arc beside him.


    He pushed the circular arc forward.


    Circle upon circle.


    Dozens of circular spear arcs stacked upon each other, lunging towards the sword light stabbing from Xiao Yi. A series of crisp ''bang bang bang'' sounds followed. The round spear arcs, one after another, burst apart.


    Xiao Yi''s sword in his hand was invincible, indestructible.


    Everywhere it passed...


    Everything was slashed to pieces.


    Amidst the thundering energy and the ear-splitting noise, Xiao Yi''s figure once again shifted, appearing above Sun Yao''s head. A glint flashed in Sun Yao''s eyes: "Straight to the heart!"


    Whoosh!


    His body suddenly halted, and as he tightened grip on his spear, he stabbed towards Xiao Yi.


    The spear thrust was like a venomous dragon across the sky.


    Hum!


    The silver spear tore through the air, unstoppable. Faced with the sudden thrust, Xiao Yi remained calm and composed, merely tapping a toe in the void, landing with a ''clang'' on the tip of the spear.


    Ripples like those on water spread outward.


    That seemingly casual tap from Xiao Yi added a weight to the silver spear, as if it had increased by tens of times in an instant. With a heavy ''boom'', the spear fell towards the ground.


    And with it, Sun Yao''s body plummeted like a falling star towards the earth.


    "Damn it!"


    Sun Yao''s descent was extremely fast. Clenching the silver spear in his right hand, he struck the ground with his left palm.


    An endless stream of Qi was struck towards the ground repeatedly.


    Using the resistance to stabilize his form, Sun Yao caught a glimpse of Xiao Yi following closely behind him, and the corners of Sun Yao''s mouth lifted in a hideous cold smile: "Turnabout Spear!"


    Whoosh!


    His swiftly falling figure abruptly stopped in the void.


    Sun Yao turned the direction of his spear, stabbing it straight towards the pursuing Xiao Yi from behind.


    The Turnabout Spear was sudden.


    Xiao Yi was close on his heels.


    In a back and forth encounter.


    It was like a needle pointing at a stalk of wheat, coming head-to-head, seemingly about to collide with the tip of the spear. Excitement appeared on Sun Yao''s face, as the Qi in his body boiled, bubbling with sound.


    In an instant, silver Qi covered his arm, spreading along the spear.


    Whoosh!


    ```


    The spear''s radiance swelled continuously.


    Like a torrent of silver flames, it surged forth. The surrounding space quivered visibly, as if it was about to be torn apart by the sharp spear''s glow.


    "This is bad!"


    "Xiao is in danger..."


    Ning Luo and Nalan Qianqiu exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock.


    Just as Nalan Qianqiu was about to take action, Nangong Shengji, who had been eagerly waiting for Xiao Yi to be unable to dodge the attack, snorted coldly. He leaped forward, his Yuan Qi undulating around him, transforming into a stream of Yuan Qi that blocked Nalan Qianqiu''s path. "It''s against the rules for you to intervene in the juniors'' fight!"


    "You..."


    Nalan Qianqiu was shaking with fury but was helpless.


    Nangong Shengji was on par with him in strength, and if he insisted on stopping her, there was nothing Nalan Qianqiu could do.


    In the blink of an eye.


    The silver spear''s glow was already half a foot from Xiao Yi''s face, the chilling sharpness contorting his entire face as if being pressed out of shape. In the critical moment between life and death, Xiao Yi suddenly shouted a low roar, "Shatter!"


    Hum!


    At that moment, the world seemed to freeze.


    Everything was as if petrified.


    The wind stopped, the clouds solidified, and everyone was eerily still.


    Immediately following...


    A terrifying sound wave, bolstered by Yuan Qi, blasted out. As it passed, the silver spear''s glow began to crumble amidst a series of cracking sounds and disintegrate into powder.


    Turning into a sky full of silver dust, it fluttered down like a heavy snow of goose feathers.


    Yet the sound wave did not stop.


    Hum hum hum!


    In an instant, the rolling sound waves engulfed Sun Yao.


    Waah!


    Instinctively, Sun Yao covered his ears, his eyes bulging with terror and his pupils rapidly contracting. Almost at the same time, Xiao Yi flipped in the air. His right leg whipped out like a long lash towards Sun Ao''s head.


    Bang!


    Sun Yao''s body shuddered as he was sent flying by Xiao Yi''s strike.


    Like a falling star, he plummeted rapidly towards the ground. Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire


    "Not good!"


    Nangong Shengji''s complexion changed dramatically, and even his usually indifferent gaze became solemn and filled with worry at this moment.


    He had just joined General Yong Wu''s ranks; he absolutely couldn''t let Sun Yao die before his eyes.


    With that thought.


    Nangong Shengji was about to leap into action when suddenly a figure appeared in front of him��the one who acted was Nalan Qianqiu. His face bore a mocking smirk. "Intervening in the juniors'' fight isn''t appropriate, is it?"


    "You..."


    Nangong Shengji''s face turned green with anger.


    Moments ago, he used the same words to prevent Nalan Qianqiu from helping Xiao Yi, and now Nalan Qianqiu was using them against him.


    This left Nangong Shengji saddened and infuriated but powerless!


    All he could do was watch Sun Yao anxiously.


    Sun Yao, proving to be tough as a soldier, quickly recovered. He slapped the ground repeatedly with his hands. Breaths of Yuan Qi pulsated outwards, beating against the ground over and over, creating enough reverse thrust to considerably slow his fall.


    Plop!


    The moment he landed, Sun Yao bounced up and shot to the side. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But just as he was about to rise again...


    Xiao Yi had already caught up, and with a swipe, a sweeping force struck Sun Ao''s waist, sending him flying once more.


    Whoosh!


    Hugging the ground, Sun Yao flew over thirty meters. A dark shadow suddenly flicked past before him, and in just a moment, it had surpassed him, appearing overhead. Intuitively, Sun Yao looked forward, only to see Xiao Yi waiting with a playful look on his face.


    Watching helplessly as Xiao Yi raised his arms over his head, fists together, ready to smash down.


    "No..."


    Sun Yao''s eyes were wide with veins popping; despair filled his gaze.


    Death approached relentlessly.


    But just at this critical juncture...


    Whoosh!


    A black shadow shot through the sky.


    With a snap, it coiled around Sun Yao''s waist, and in a whoosh, yanked him out of harm''s way just as Xiao Yi''s punch hit nothing but air. As everyone looked on in confusion, a cold voice suddenly rang out from nearby, "By the order of General Yong Wu..."

 Chapter 390 Black and White Shuangsha

    "The War King has decreed that the Nangong Family is under the command of the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion. Anyone who dares to move against the Nangong Family is an enemy of the War King''s Mansion. Xiao Yi, the War King''s verbal order states that your feud with the Nangong Family is to be settled once and for all. If you remain obstinate..."


    A cold voice exploded in his ears, deafening like thunder, "No mercy will be shown!"


    All eyes followed the sound.


    A man and a woman were riding on dragon steeds, looking down at Xiao Yi from a high vantage point, their faces cold. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The two of them were dressed in black and white.


    Each wore black armored battle gear.


    The man in white had a face like a fine jade, wore a purple-gold crown, and held a feather fan in his hand, his manner graceful and poised.


    The woman in black had a solemn face, with a striking red birthmark on the left side, making her appear rather fierce. She held a purple-black long whip in her hand, and it was this very whip that had snatched Sun Yao away from the brink of death.


    "The Black and White Shuangsha?"


    "The Black-clad woman, Yama, and the White-clad funeral envoy... They are the personal guards of the Unparalleled War King, both are at the Seventh Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. I didn''t expect that both of them would actually make an appearance!"


    "It looks like Xiao Yi is in big trouble..."


    Shock was evident on everyone''s faces.


    Ning Luo and Nalan Qianqiu wore solemn expressions, appearing beside Xiao Yi, guarding him on his left and right, their eyes filled with intense vigilance.


    Ning Luo lowered his voice and said gravely, "Xiao, these two are not to be trifled with. Let''s withdraw for now!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits as he sized up the two of them.


    Ever since he found out that the Nangong Family had allied themselves with the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion, he had anticipated that someone from the mansion would take action, even imagining that the Unparalleled War King himself might intervene.


    But he hadn''t expected...


    That the other side would send two trusted aides instead.


    Sun Yao, having finally caught his breath, glared at Xiao Yi with venomous hatred in his eyes, his hands clenched tightly, cracking sounds emanating from them, while the surrounding air vibrated with his fury, emitting a series of sonic booms.


    Whoosh!


    Grinding his teeth, Sun Yao commanded, "Black and White Envoys, kill him for me, kill him!"


    The female Yama frowned and cast a displeased look at Sun Yao, saying, "General Sun, mind your status. You represent the face of the War King''s Mansion."


    The figure in white, the funeral envoy, gently waved his feather fan, lifting a few strands of hair at his temples, and smiled, "As men of the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion, how could we lose our composure so?"


    "You are right in your admonishments!"


    Faced with their reprimands, the once-arrogant Sun Yao trembled all over but dared not show any sign of dissent.


    He was merely the War King''s son-in-law.


    These two, on the other hand, had been the War King''s absolute confidants for over a hundred years. Despite being offered the position of Great General by Emperor Qian, they had refused it.


    Offending the War King, he could still survive on account of being the son-in-law.


    But offending these two meant a certain dead end!


    With this thought...


    Sun Yao suppressed the anger in his heart and said sternly, "Honored ones, this scoundrel is extremely arrogant. I had already informed him that the Nangong Family has joined the ranks of the War King''s Mansion, yet he still killed Nangong Shengtian in front of me. Lin Xiao was also killed by him. If not for your timely intervention, I too would have died by his hand..."


    "You had already informed him that the Nangong Family is subordinate to the War King''s Mansion?" the funeral envoy in white frowned and asked.


    Sun Yao nodded his head.


    Glancing at the two, he noticed a slight hint of cold murderous intent on their faces.


    Feeling relieved inside, Sun Yao looked at Xiao Yi with a schadenfreude expression, thinking: Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, aren''t you done for now? These two take the honor of the War King''s Mansion more seriously than their own lives!


    Indeed...


    The female Yama let out a cold harrumph, her icy gaze landing on Xiao Yi as she said deliberately, "Xiao Yi, you knew full well that the Nangong Family has been taken under the War King''s Mansion''s command, yet you still dared to strike against them. This is a provocation against the bottom line of the War King''s Mansion." Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire


    The pallbearer in white appeared elegant and graceful, but the sharpness in his voice was like a knife to the skin, sending chills down one''s spine, "Now you have two paths before you, one, go to the War King''s Mansion and kneel for three days and three nights to show your repentance. Two, the two of us will break your arms and legs, take you to the front of the mansion, and make you kneel for three days and three nights before letting you leave. Choose for yourself!"


    Sun Yao''s face was filled with schadenfreude as he said in a mocking tone, "This is the price you pay for offending the War King''s Mansion!"


    Every strong member of the Nangong Family showed an excited look on their faces.


    Before this.


    They had been overwhelmed by Xiao Yi, and the Nangong Family''s recent troubles had not been unrelated to Xiao Yi.


    Their hatred for Xiao Yi was sky-high!


    Now.


    Seeing Xiao Yi facing the pressure from Black and White Shuangsha, they felt an indescribable pleasure, secretly hoping that Xiao Yi would resist the two, so that his arms and legs could be broken, or even be killed on the spot!


    After all.


    The Nangong Family did not dare to kill Xiao Yi openly, as they feared providing Emperor Qian with a handle against them.


    But the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion didn''t have such fears!


    "Kill him!"


    "This bastard caused us to fall into such a state; he must die!"


    Under the gaze of everyone, Xiao Yi''s mouth twitched slightly, revealing a playful cold smile as he said indifferently, "I choose the third option!"


    "Huh?"


    The woman dressed in black, Yama, was startled and frowned, "Where is a third option for you to choose?"


    Sun Yao mocked, "Xiao Yi, you haven''t been scared stupid, have you? We only gave you two choices, where did the third come from?"


    "This third option is the choice I''m giving you!"


    Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, the dust under his feet suddenly dispersing in all directions, a trace of indifference flashing in his eyes like a hungry wolf eyeing a flock of lambs.


    Under this predatory gaze.


    Even Black and White Shuangsha, used to big scenes, couldn''t help but exchange glances.


    They had never seen a younger generation maintain such composure against them.


    What was more important...


    Xiao Yi was only at the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm!


    The two exchanged glances.


    The hoarse voice of the woman in black, Yama, sounded, "Oh? I''m curious, what choice are you giving us?"


    "Scram quickly! Or else..."


    Xiao Yi''s voice paused, looking at the suddenly darkened faces of the duo, he continued, "Be buried here!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    As these four words were uttered, two claps of thunder suddenly sounded from the horizon.


    Purple-gold thunder descended from the sky, and a thick layer of dark clouds appeared out of nowhere in the clear blue sky, making the atmosphere grow particularly heavy and oppressive.


    "..."


    All the strong ones around held their breath, not daring to let out the slightest sound.


    Everyone''s gaze swept back and forth between Xiao Yi and Black and White Shuangsha, finally settling on Black and White Shuangsha, the duo notorious for following the Unparalleled War King, capable of silencing a child''s night cries and striking terror into countless people''s hearts.


    Facing Xiao Yi''s threat, what choice would they ultimately make?

 Chapter 391 Six-Word Mantra Breaks the Devils Sound

    The Black and White Shuangsha exchanged glances.


    In the Great Qian Dynasty, both were notorious for their ferocity, credited with the ability to silence a child''s cries in the night.


    Like death gods incarnate.


    Apart from the unrivaled War King Yang Huanyu, there was no one who dared to treat them with such disrespect. Xiao Yi''s words had completely enraged them. In their eyes, a cold light flickered as if swallowing and spitting venom, while the woman clad in black, Yama, rolled her throat, emitting a chilling chattering laugh.


    This grating laughter became louder and more piercing.


    Invisibly.


    It was already making numerous powerful figures feel their scalps tingle, their body hair standing on end.


    It was as if this were a summoning of demons.


    With the sound came the awakening of countless devils, rushing into their bodies, relentlessly tearing at everyone''s soul. Amidst agonizing, heart-wrenching pain, the people''s complexions turned deathly pale.


    They clutched their heads, gripping their hair tightly, their features twisted, their expressions hideous, "It hurts, it hurts so much..."


    "What is this sound? So terrifying, I feel like I''m being torn apart..."


    "Run..."


    Watching the mighty warriors on Vermilion Bird Avenue in unbearable pain, fleeing in embarrassment.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, a hint of amused cold laughter on his face, "Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound? I didn''t expect that someone would still know this long-lost Sound Wave Martial Technique, it seems your fortune hasn''t been shallow!"


    Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound.


    A supreme class within the six-rank martial techniques, it was an extremely rare Sound Wave Martial Technique.


    Legend has it...


    There was once an unparalleled swordsman, deeply versed in the way of musical rhythm.


    He also possessed a voice like the music of heaven.


    But.


    In the end, due to the betrayal of a loved one, and even being poisoned in his food, although he managed to survive by virtue of his powerful cultivation, his voice was ruined. In his sorrow, this being used his hoarse and unpleasant voice to create the Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound.


    Such a martial technique could evoke the most evil demon within a person''s heart.


    Killing people invisibly!


    "Hmm?"


    Yama''s eyes sharpened, looking at Xiao Yi with interest, "I didn''t think that someone as young as you would be able to discern that this is the Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound?"


    "Just a mere Sound Wave Martial Technique, and it''s not only you who know it!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and chuckled.


    He had received Dao Yan''s inheritance, mastering countless martial techniques and cultivation techniques.


    Sound Wave Martial Techniques!


    The number he possessed was no less than what could be counted on both hands.


    "You also master Sound Wave Martial Techniques? Truly laughable!"


    Yama let out a snort of disdain, confidently declaring, "In the vast Great Qian Dynasty, apart from myself, no one else has mastered a Sound Wave Martial Technique."


    These Sound Wave Martial Techniques had been lost for many years, plus they were extremely difficult to cultivate. She did not believe that Xiao Yi could understand and master one as well.


    "Xiao Yi, prepare to die!"


    Yama''s voice rolled thunderously, becoming more piercing, deafening to the ear.


    Swish swish swish!


    In these invisible sound waves, the vibration of the sound shifted the air, turning it into blades of compressed wind, like a rain of swords that flew towards Xiao Yi''s face.


    The fierce wind howled, the terrible sound waves stirring up a wild gale, lifting layer upon layer of stone tiles from the ground.


    Dust flew everywhere, stones scattered across the sky.


    Grasses and trees on either side were uprooted, crashing down towards Xiao Yi in a frenzy.


    Standing amidst the furious wind, Xiao Yi remained unmoved, standing tall and proud like a Cangsong pine, resolute as a divine sword. His hands suddenly joined together in front of him, his golden Qi swirling around him, a golden sun forming behind him.


    His body was submerged in golden light, as if adorned by the shadow of Buddha.


    With the majesty of the treasure''s appearance.


    Xiao Yi suddenly opened his eyes, enunciating each word as they reverberated like a great bell, thunderous and resounding through the heavens, "Om Mani Padme Hum!"


    The Buddhist Six Syllable Mantra!


    Among the many Sound Wave Martial Techniques passed down through his lineage, it was ranked among the top five.


    As the phrase was uttered, all laws of nature followed suit.


    As if the Buddha himself had descended to the mortal realm!


    Boom!


    Invisibly, the six characters swept up a sky full of golden light, surging upward, causing the raging winds swirling around to abruptly halt. A peaceful and sacred aura enveloped everyone present.


    Facing the heart-wrenching pain and severe headaches induced by the Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound, all completely vanished with the arrival of this sound.


    "What is this sound?"


    "My head, it stopped hurting?" Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Xiao Yi, it''s Xiao Yi helping us..."


    Everyone''s gaze turned uniformly toward Xiao Yi.


    The normally indifferent and indifferent Lady Yama watched as her seemingly invincible Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound was easily dispelled by Xiao Yi, and her complexion violently changed.


    Immediately following...


    Lady Yama shuddered, her eyes opening wide in fury as she turned deathly pale and vomited a mouthful of fresh blood.


    The fresh blood formed a mist in the air.


    Unyielding.


    Wa!


    Lady Yama kept spewing blood continuously from her mouth, and blood began to stream from her seven facial orifices as well, her form staggering almost to the point of falling from mid-air.


    "My lady!"


    The White-robed Enforcer''s face violently changed, hastily supporting Lady Yama, full of worry in his eyes, "My lady, are you alright?"


    Spurt!


    Lady Yama vomited another mouthful of fresh blood, her eyes filled with shock as her voice echoed in the Enforcer''s mind, "My lord, I��I can''t speak, I��I can''t hear you say anything... I''ve gone mute, deaf..."


    "What?"


    The Enforcer''s face violently changed, his body freezing on the spot.


    He couldn''t believe what he was seeing��the hysterical struggling of the Lady Yama in his arms, his face full of terror.


    Lady Yama was, after all, a powerful practitioner of the Dharma Manifestation Realm''s seventh layer, and her Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound was unbeatable. Even against more powerful opponents, it could still be effective.


    But now...


    Not only was Xiao Yi unscathed, but he had also countered with his own Sound Wave Martial Technique.


    Causing Lady Yama to suffer a backlash from Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound, silencing her voice and even rendering her ears deaf? Enjoy new adventures from My Virtual Library Empire


    "Revenge... My lord, avenge me..." Lady Yama was hysterical, hate distorting her face unrecognizably as she clutched at the White-robed Enforcer''s clothes, bellowing through thought transmission.


    "Rest assured, my lady, I will avenge you!"


    The White-robed Enforcer nodded solemnly, responding through thought transmission, "My lady, please calm down. Once I slay this scoundrel, we''ll return to consult His Highness. He will surely have a remedy for you!"


    "I want him torn to thousands of pieces... No, you rid him of his cultivation, break his limbs; I want to personally chop him up..." Lady Yama roared through thought transmission.


    "Worry not!"


    The White-robed Enforcer nodded resolutely, rising to his feet and brandishing his feather fan forward.


    A gale swept up.


    Standing upon the tempest, the White-robed Enforcer rode the wind and in an instant, arrived before Xiao Yi. Merely ten meters separated them as the White-robed Enforcer, with an expressionless face, declared, "Xiao Yi, you deserve to die!"


    "You are truly laughable. When you sought to kill me, my mere self-defense warrants a death sentence? Should I have extended my neck for you to chop?"


    Xiao Yi had already withdrawn his hands, looking mockingly at the White-robed Enforcer, and pointed to his own head, "Brains are a good thing, pity you don''t have any!"

 Chapter 392 Reincarnation Puppet

    "Brains are a good thing, too bad you don''t have any!"


    Xiao Yi sneered at the Black and White Evildoers.


    With their strength, if the two joined forces, Xiao Yi could have defeated them, but it would have cost him some price.


    But...


    This black-clad female Yama actually chose to use her Sound Wave Martial Technique.


    She attempted to suppress Xiao Yi with the most shocking method, thereby demonstrating the majesty of the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion.


    What she never anticipated was that Xiao Yi also mastered a Sound Wave Martial Technique, and it was even stronger than her "Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound"��the "Buddhist Six Syllable Mantra", rendering her Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound completely ineffective.


    Not only did it have no effect, but it even caused her to suffer a terrifying backlash, turning her into a deaf-mute.


    And it was still unknown whether she could ever recover!


    At this moment. S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With only the white-clad funeral envoy left, Xiao Yi didn''t take him seriously at all.


    The funeral envoy''s complexion turned from green to pale, and his anger burned like a roaring flame, raising the temperature around him suddenly. Looking at Xiao Yi, his gaze turned icy cold, and he gnashed his teeth, "Xiao Yi, I will kill you today!"


    Hum!


    He flicked his feathered fan again.


    Riding on the wind, the funeral envoy''s speed was astonishingly fast. In the backdrop of the raging wind, his figure started to blur and split into five silhouettes.


    Diving down from five different directions.


    With overwhelming momentum and murderous intent.


    Facing the fiercely incoming funeral envoy, Xiao Yi remained emotionless, lifting one hand in the air, and pointing forward with one finger.


    Using his hand as a sword.


    Hum!


    A burst of azure Sword Qi surged forth, it was "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain" from the "Qinglian Sword Song", a stroke as if written by a peerless madman composing a matchless chapter.


    Freely flowing, the stroke moved like a dragon snaking through the sky.


    That Sword Qi howled towards its target.


    Boom!


    The void shook violently, and the heavens and earth trembled.


    This sword visibly shattered the clouds above the firmament, with a swooshing noise covering the area in front of him in a fan shape.


    It caused the gales under the funeral envoy''s feet to explode as well.


    The funeral envoy''s figure halted, and without the support of the wild winds, his five silhouettes also dissipated simultaneously. Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly, and he softly called out, "Sword, come."


    With a clanging sound.


    A black longsword abruptly appeared in his palm.


    With Xiao Yi''s cultivation at the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, plus the Wind Thunder Holy Body, the fourth tier of Sword Intent, and the power of the gods augmenting him. Even when faced with an opponent at the Eightfold Dharma Manifestation Realm, he had the confidence to fight.


    Confronted with the white-clad funeral envoy alone, he felt no pressure whatsoever.


    "Qinglian Reincarnation!"


    Xiao Yi''s black longsword exuded Sword Qi that surged and pulsated, its sharp edge fluttering like a lively sprite, dancing gracefully in the air, and transformed into a dazzling azure Sword Lotus.


    The Sword Lotus spun endlessly.


    One split into two.


    Two turned into four...


    The number of Sword Lotuses grew more and more, making it seem as if one were amidst a pond of lotus flowers, with those dozens of azure Sword Lotuses enveloping the white-clad funeral envoy.


    "Be careful, Lord Funeral Envoy..." Sun Yao''s face dramatically changed.


    He had personally crossed hands with Xiao Yi.


    He was acutely aware of Xiao Yi''s strength!


    Seeing the funeral envoy surrounded by the Sword Lotuses, he immediately grew worried.


    However, the funeral envoy sneered, full of pride, "Such trifling skills, you think they can harm my life? Xiao Yi, you''re overestimating yourself too much... Break for me!"


    Bursts of white light suddenly appeared around the Funeral Envoy.


    These spots of light, like stars in the night sky, were increasing in number, gradually enclosing him in a sphere.


    Under the cover of these white lights,


    to the left and right of the Funeral Envoy, two figures identical to him appeared.


    All three "Funeral Envoys" moved in perfect unison.


    It was as if there truly were three Funeral Envoys.


    "Xiao, be careful, this is the Funeral Envoy''s unique skill, Reincarnation Puppets," Ning Luo''s face changed drastically as he shouted loudly.


    Nalan Qianqiu also looked serious, "Reincarnation Puppets can instantaneously switch his main body with a puppet. Without striking his true body, even if you destroy the puppet, he can immediately bring out a new one. Xiao is in trouble now..."


    By his side,


    Nangong Shengji''s face lit up with a brilliant smile, previously thwarted by Nalan Qianqiu when he had the best chance to snipe Xiao Yi, which had gnawed at him. Now, he was filled with excitement and said in a strange tone, "Even you and I can barely discern which one is the Funeral Envoy''s true body. Xiao Yi''s combat strength is indeed against the heavens, but his cultivation is ultimately too weak. Nalan Qianqiu, it seems you''ve definitely lost this time!"


    "You..."


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face darkened as he quietly shifted his position, ready to make a move.


    Crack!


    A beam of cold light burst forth.


    It was a point of pure energy that suddenly landed in front of Nalan Qianqiu. The ground exploded with a bang, and the icy cold wind surged wildly.


    Nangong Shengji''s mouth curved slightly upward, with a hint of amused cold sneer, "Not while I''m here, you won''t save him!"


    "Nangong Shengji, do you realize what you''re doing? Xiao Yi is the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute��" Nalan Qianqiu said angrily.


    Nangong Shengji shrugged his shoulders, scoffing, "So what? It wasn''t I who killed him, but the Funeral Envoy under War King''s command. If the Emperor wants to punish anyone, he''ll have to find the War King..."


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face stiffened.


    With the War King''s influence, would he fear Emperor Qian coming after him?


    Watching Nalan Qianqiu''s displeased expression, Nangong Shengji felt a wave of gratification.


    These past few days...


    He had been suffocated by Xiao Yi and the Treasure Pavilion.


    Seeing Xiao Yi about to be executed,


    Nalan Qianqiu, helpless, could only watch as Xiao Yi was killed. He felt a burst of spiteful relief and felt supremely refreshed. His venomous gaze fell upon Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, this is what happens when you oppose the Nangong Family!"


    All of this seemed slow, but in reality, it all happened in an instant.


    Xiao Yi''s black longsword whished through one of the Funeral Envoys, but under a puff of white smoke, it was just a puppet. The unconcerned voice of the Funeral Envoy came again, "Hahaha, you''ll never break my Reincarnation Puppets!"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Amidst the piercing sounds of the air being split,


    all three "Funeral Envoys" attacked simultaneously, each wielding a blade that shimmered with cold light, aiming straight for Xiao Yi''s vitals.


    These three Funeral Envoys coordinated flawlessly.


    And it was even harder to tell which was real!


    Confronted with these tangible and intangible attacks, Xiao Yi was also forced to retreat step by step.


    In the void, Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    Xiao Yi and the Funeral Envoy''s figures clashed like the wind, now dispersing, now colliding, now exchanging blows...


    Their battle became more and more intense.


    Clang!


    In a burst of resounding firelight,


    Xiao Yi''s black longsword fell from the sky, cleaving downward, but it was blocked by the bladed weapons held up by the two ''Funeral Envoys'' on either side.


    At the same time,


    the one in the center revealed a cold smile, and a gleam of cold light flew from his hand straight toward Xiao Yi''s dantian, "Xiao Yi, go to hell!"

 Chapter 393 Sorry, Youre Too Late!

    ```


    Transmigration puppets are an extremely bizarre method.


    The transitions between one''s main body and the two puppets are continuous, everything completed in the blink of an eye.


    Even powerhouses of the same realm fail to catch any clues. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Xiao Yi attacked the puppets on both sides, the Funeral Envoy''s true body was in the middle, his cold edge stabbing towards Xiao Yi''s vitals. Xiao Yi''s whole body shook, fierce winds battered him, and thunder roared.


    Streaks of purple and gold lightning clung to his body, transforming into a suit of purple and gold battle armor.


    Clang!


    In the ear-splitting noise,


    the sharp weapon failed to penetrate Xiao Yi''s defenses, causing the Funeral Envoy''s expression to suddenly change, "Not good!"


    No sooner had he spoken,


    than Xiao Yi''s palm had already come crashing down from above.


    Spurt!


    A golden palm descended from the sky, and with a loud bang, the Funeral Envoy was smacked to the ground.


    Like a kite with a broken string, he plummeted from the sky.


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    Boom!


    The entire body slammed into the ground, raising clouds of dust, and amidst a swooshing sound of tearing through the air, Xiao Yi followed closely. In an instant, Xiao Yi also reached the pit where the Funeral Envoy had fallen.


    Rumble!


    The ground shook as though an earth dragon was turning over.


    An immensely powerful energy formed a shockwave, surging up from beneath the ground and splashing a column of dirt straight into the sky. Amidst the flying dust, a white figure over thirty feet tall tore through the layers of sand and shot into the air in an instant.


    This fifteen or so feet tall white figure turned out to be the Funeral Envoy.


    Behind him, a white Dharma Manifestation floated in the air, radiating a cold chill, while his snow-white face had a blood-red tongue that was seven or eight feet long, fluttering with the wind.


    The Funeral Envoy was on top of the Dharma Manifestation''s head, half of his body merged with the Dharma Manifestation.


    The Funeral Envoy''s face was swollen from Xiao Yi''s beating, and his eyes now seethed with a venomous look, fixed on Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, you''ve completely enraged me!"


    "Boundless Ghost Realm!"


    During the Funeral Envoy''s fierce roar,


    brilliant white light emanated from him, streams of white energy stretched across the sky, creating a ghastly white world.


    This white energy, like the waters of a white lake, rippled, revealing bluish silhouettes one by one amidst the waves��these were unmistakably blue coffins.


    "Boundless Ghost Realm?"


    "Has the Funeral Envoy gone mad? He dares to use this move within the imperial capital?"


    "Damn it, run!"


    The white-garbed Funeral Envoy, the controller of the Boundless Ghost Realm.


    This was the Funeral Envoy''s strongest move.


    It was also the Innate Divine Ability of his Dharma Manifestation.


    Within the Great Qian Dynasty, only he could use this Secret Technique. Once the Boundless Ghost Realm was initiated, the area in all directions would turn into a grim ghost realm.


    One after another, ancient bronze coffins appeared within the ghost realm.


    Clang!


    Clang!


    Amidst a series of chilling clanging sounds,


    the lids of the ancient bronze coffins began to open, some pushed forcefully, some gently shifted, and others shot up... From within these bronze coffins, one after another horrifying figure emerged.


    Some had green faces and fierce fangs, some were covered in rotting flesh, and others were just chilling skeletons...


    Every gaze that turned towards Xiao Yi carried resentment and coldness, as if looking at the enemy who had killed their father and stolen their wife.


    With a ferocious look, the Funeral Envoy sneered, "Xiao Yi, as someone of the Tao Tribulation Realm, you''re the first to force me to use the Boundless Ghost Realm."


    Xiao Yi smiled, "I''ve killed more than one in the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    "Hm?"


    The Funeral Envoy''s face darkened as he sneered menacingly, "Want to kill me? Let''s see if you have the ability!" He pointed forward with his right hand, and the ten-foot-tall long-tongued Dharma Manifestation raised its right hand, from within its wide sleeves, a ghastly white skeletal hand reached out, pointing at Xiao Yi.


    Roar!


    One after another, green-faced and fierce-fanged, terifyingly grotesque ghosts rushed towards Xiao Yi.


    As they charged, they brought with them a suffocating shadowy and deathly air.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Xiao Yi tapped his longsword in the void, every streak of sword light that appeared turned into a shower of blades.


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh!


    ```


    The sword rain filled the sky, tearing apart those ghosts one by one.


    But the moment they were destroyed,


    second and third heads would again pop out from within the bronze coffins...


    They were endless, unkillable!


    "Hahaha. Xiao Yi, do you really think my Boundless Ghost Realm is that simple? Within the Boundless Ghost Realm, these ghosts are infinite, you cannot kill or eradicate them all..." The Funeral Envoy laughed uproariously to the sky, his face full of ferocious glee.


    He slowly raised his hands, clasping them together in front of him, and let out a low roar, "Destroy!"


    Roar!


    Hundreds of ghosts converged into a black iron torrent, rolling in waves, making one''s scalp tingle and heart despair at a mere glance.


    Nangong Yi clenched his fists tightly, excitement on his face, "With such a powerful attack, Xiao Yi is undoubtedly doomed!"


    Sun Yao nodded heavily, "This is the fate of those who offend our Battle King Mansion!"


    Almost everyone believed that Xiao Yi had no chance of winning.


    Yet, even in such a situation...


    Xiao Yi still maintained his calm and composure, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up as he gently swung his sword.


    Hum!


    The sword edge cut through the air.


    A circular sword arc formed in front of him, the silver arc gradually dissipating and returning to tranquility. Xiao Yi, gripping a black longsword in one hand, seemed to merge with his blade.


    Becoming one!


    The man was the sword, and the sword was the man!


    "Slash!"


    In that moment, the sword in Xiao Yi''s hand appeared to move extremely slowly, yet it was so swift it was beyond human reaction, slicing through the air with supreme speed.


    Swish!


    This sword seemed utterly ordinary.


    Yet its power was astonishingly immense!


    Shrrk!


    A sound, akin to fabric being torn apart, abruptly filled the air.


    There was no storm with Xiao Yi''s sword stroke, no earth-shattering Sword Qi, nor did it summon thunder and fierce winds.


    It appeared mundane!


    However, its power was unbelievably strong.


    It was like the stroke that mysterious expert, practicing amongst the thunderstorm at the Beast Emperor Sea, had unleashed.


    Whatever the sword edge passed, everything else was an illusion!


    Ssss...


    The numerous ghosts, as if made of paper,


    burst under the edge of the sword, scattering into dust, vanishing into thin air. Within the Boundless Ghost Realm, the numerous bronze coffins were completely blown apart by Xiao Yi''s sword as well.


    The white Boundless Ghost Realm was cleaved in two by this one sword stroke.


    The terrifying sword aura didn''t dissipate.


    Sput!


    Within the cover of the sacred white light, the sword aura plummeted onto the ten-zhang tall Dharma Manifestation. A hysterical scream burst from the Funeral Envoy as the Dharma Manifestation beneath him exploded with a boom.


    "No..."


    The Funeral Envoy screamed, a torrent of blood spewing forth from his mouth.


    His body fell from the sky like a broken kite.


    With a bang, it smashed onto the ground.


    The Dharma Manifestation completely dissipated.


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi, following closely behind, soared with his longsword, chopping down towards the Funeral Envoy''s head.


    At the same time...


    A shout suddenly echoed through heaven and earth, "Spare a life under your sword!"


    However,


    Xiao Yi remained unmoved, his sword edge sweeping past, and with a thud, the Funeral Envoy''s head was gruesomely severed. Blood spurted out like a fountain, the Funeral Envoy''s body convulsing wildly, then suddenly stretching out, ceasing to struggle.


    Xiao Yi stood with his sword beside the headless corpse, his foot resting on the Funeral Envoy''s head that was still glaring in anger and unwillingness. He looked towards the newcomer and spoke indifferently, "Sorry, you''re too late!"

 Chapter 394 After Today, Nangong Will Be No More!

    Xiao Yi looked at the newcomer expressionlessly, "I''m sorry, you''re too late!"


    In the void.


    Qi''s face wore a strange expression as he looked at Xiao Yi, especially when his eyes lingered on the head of the funeral envoy at the latter''s feet, eventually turning into a wry smile, "Director Xiao, you really are..."


    Qi found himself at a loss for words.


    The funeral envoy.


    This was none other than the unwavering confidant of the peerless War King Yang Huanyu, who had followed him for over a hundred years!


    Even Emperor Qian would not dare to provoke such a being lightly.


    And yet Xiao Yi had just killed him?


    Seeing the shock on Qi''s face, Xiao Yi sneered inwardly.


    Although the Imperial Capital is vast,


    the news had already spread.


    He refused to believe that Emperor Qian had only received the news now. Qi was not early nor late, but chose to show up just as he had completely fallen out with Black and White Shuangsha, at the moment he was about to execute the funeral envoy.


    If one were to say it was a coincidence, Xiao Yi would absolutely not believe it!


    Emperor Qian must have been observing everything from the shadows.


    Indeed, as Xiao Yi had conjectured, Emperor Qian had been aware of everything happening here, long before they had failed to draw in the Nangong Family. However, Emperor Qian''s plan was to deepen the animosity between Xiao Yi and Black and White Shuangsha, aiming for a complete fallout with the peerless War King.


    But...


    Emperor Qian would not have wanted to see what was happening before him.


    After all,


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    he only wished for Xiao Yi to stand against Yang Huanyu, not to engage in armed conflict with him just yet. That did not align with his immediate plans; Xiaoshanhe Institute was still too weak, and confronting the peerless War King head-on at this juncture was not a wise move.


    For that very reason,


    when he saw that Xiao Yi was about to defeat the funeral envoy, Emperor Qian immediately sent Qi to intervene.


    With Qi''s cultivation at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm, traveling from the imperial palace to the Nangong Family''s residence was but a moment''s work. Yet, his speed still did not match Xiao Yi''s decisiveness.


    Countless thoughts ran through Qi''s mind.


    Sun Yao''s voice had reached him, "Eunuch Qi, Xiao Yi dared to brazenly kill the funeral envoy. You must seek justice for the funeral envoy!"


    "Eunuch Qi, I want him dead... I want Xiao Yi to join my husband in death..." Yama''s eyes brimmed with tears of blood, and the venomous gaze fixed on Xiao Yi like that of a viper, her hysterical roar echoed in Qi''s mind.


    She had been turned into a deaf-mute by Xiao Yi''s Six Syllable Mantra.


    Now, she could only communicate with others through the method of sound transmission.


    Qi narrowed his eyes, his face showing difficulty.


    Strike Xiao Yi?


    Out of the question!


    Xiao Yi was an extremely important part of Emperor Qian''s plan.


    But to ignore it?


    That was clearly not an option either.


    If the peerless War King took advantage of this, it could potentially trap Emperor Qian between a rock and a hard place.


    Just as Qi felt caught between two difficult choices, Xiao Yi''s voice rang in his mind, "Eunuch Qi, are you troubled about how to conclude this matter?"


    "You realize that this matter is difficult to conclude?" Qi glared at Xiao Yi, annoyance clear in his tone.


    He had received quite a few benefits from Xiao Yi.


    His treatment of Xiao Yi was naturally different from others.


    Xiao Yi cracked a grin and continued to transmit his voice, "The matter is actually quite simple!"


    "Hmm?"


    Qi was taken aback, looking at Xiao Yi with puzzlement.


    In his view...


    The situation was extremely difficult to handle.


    How could it become so simple when it came out of Xiao Yi''s mouth?


    Xiao Yi''s gaze shifted to Nangong Shengji and the rest of the Nangong Family members, his lips curling slightly upward, causing Nangong Shengji''s heart to race with a strong sense of ominous foreboding.


    With a playful look, Xiao Yi said without any hesitation, "As long as you and I join forces and wipe out them and the entire Nangong Family, wouldn''t it be enough to tell the War King that they fought amongst themselves until both sides were wounded?"


    "Er..."


    Qi''s eyes twitched with an indescribably absurd feeling, looking at Xiao Yi with a bizarre expression.


    Before he could speak.


    "Does Grand Eunuch Qi think this is too much of a child''s play? That neither the War King nor Emperor Qian would believe our words?"


    Qi rolled his eyes, as if to say you know this is a childish ploy, don''t you? But Xiao Yi remained unmoved and continued, "Such an outcome is exactly what Emperor Qian wants to see!"


    Buzz!


    Qi''s face changed dramatically.


    Xiao Yi''s words struck him like a thunderclap, giving him a sudden revelation.


    Indeed, as Xiao Yi said...


    The reason he came to stop the conflict was nothing more than to avoid a direct and uncontrollable outcome between Xiao Yi and the War King''s Estate. After all, Emperor Qian was not yet willing to have a direct clash with the War King''s Estate.


    However, if it were possible for Xiao Yi to extricate himself and deal with Black and White Shuangsha, Sun Yao, and the Nangong Family, who were the War King''s Estate''s minions.


    Emperor Qian would certainly be pleased to see this scene unfold.


    But...


    Grand Eunuch Qi conveyed through telepathy, "Aren''t you afraid of the War King blaming you?"


    "Blaming?"


    Xiao Yi sneered, speaking dispassionately, "Even if I let them go now and kneel in front of the doors of the War King''s Estate, would Yang Huanyu forgive and forget?"


    "This..."


    Qi was taken aback for a moment, at a loss for words.


    The domineering reputation of the Peerless War King Yang Huanyu was well-known, not to mention Xiao Yi had already killed the funeral envoy; just the fact that Sun Yao declared on behalf of the Nangong Family their allegiance to the War King''s Estate.


    Xiao Yi''s strong move to kill Nangong Shengji would definitely not be something the Peerless War King would let go of lightly.


    "Grand Eunuch Qi, don''t forget that the Nangong Family has openly sought refuge with the War King''s Estate! Furthermore..."


    Xiao Yi smiled slightly, "If Emperor Qian doesn''t want to clash with the War King''s Estate at this time, do you think the War King would want to fall out with Emperor Qian right now?"


    Buzz!


    Qi''s body shook.


    Indeed, Emperor Qian had his reservations about the War King''s power, but was the War King not afraid of Emperor Qian?


    The competition between the two most powerful men in the Great Qian Dynasty was not a matter of just a day or two. If they were truly confident in overcoming the other directly, they would have acted long ago.


    As Emperor Qian''s confidant, Qi knew Emperor Qian''s heart well.


    The Nangong Family''s outright allegiance to the War King''s Estate had already touched upon Emperor Qian''s taboo, but due to the War King''s Estate, Emperor Qian could not directly move against the Nangong Family.


    If it were possible to eliminate the Nangong Family without causing the War King''s Estate to retaliate, this would undoubtedly be something Emperor Qian would like to see!


    Upon this thought.


    Qi exhaled a long breath, his turbid eyes, which were in fact brimming with sharpness, fixed intently on Xiao Yi, "How confident are you?"


    Xiao Yi flashed a grin, "Nalan Qianqiu and you together can take care of Nangong Shengji. As for those beneath him, leave them to my Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Hm?"


    Qi was startled and looked at Xiao Yi puzzledly, "Leave them to your Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Currently, Xiao Yi was the only one from the Xiaoshanhe Institute present.


    And yet the Nangong Family had gathered nearly seventy percent of their clan members here, with dozens within the Tao Tribulation Realm alone. Xiao Yi suggested he and Nalan Qianqiu deal with Nangong Shengji.


    Could it be that he intends to take care of all the remaining members of the Nangong Family by himself?


    Just as Qi was puzzled...


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi raised his right hand, his fingers quietly clenched. His cold gaze landed on Nangong Shengji, and with a chilling smile, he declared, "After today, the Nangong will be no more!" Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 395 More People?

    "After today, the Nangong Family will be no more!"


    As Xiao Yi bellowed lowly, his right hand, raised high, suddenly clenched into a fist and crashed down toward the ground.


    Almost simultaneously��


    The area surrounding the Nangong Family''s estate boundaries reverberated with gigantic booms that spread across the majority of the imperial capital. The deafening sounds made one''s ears ring as the ground trembled as if an earth dragon was turning over. Countless buildings collapsed amidst the roaring sounds, swallowed whole by the fissures that tore through the earth.


    Figure after figure hurriedly fled outside the area where the Nangong Family was located.


    No longer daring to remain and witness the battle.


    Rumble, rumble!


    Amidst the trembling earth,


    One after another, earthen walls suddenly sprang up from the cracked ground, hundreds of feet tall, soaring into the clouds and forming a circular barrier that completely enclosed the Nangong Family. Xiao Yi''s figure also rose into the air.


    Standing atop the earthen wall.


    Sun Yao''s face changed dramatically as he grabbed Yama, trying to take to the sky. "Xiao Yi, you''re outrageously audacious! To think you''d try to trap and kill us, you''re provoking the War King''s Mansion, you''re dead for sure��"


    "A dying man still dares to threaten me?" Xiao Yi said coldly, sneering.


    Sun Yao snorted coldly, "Xiao Yi, you are too arrogant! I admit your strength far exceeds my imagination, even Tianjiao couldn''t necessarily be stronger than you if he were at the same realm. But if I want to leave, do you think these mere earthen walls can stop me?"


    Whoosh!


    He stepped into the void and turned around, transforming into a streak of rainbow light, eager to break free into the air.


    "Without my permission, do you think you can leave?"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh, lifting his hands.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Array stones shot out one after another, landing atop the earthen wall with plopping sounds.


    A total of nineteen thousand eight hundred array stones fell into their respective positions. Xiao Yi showed no expression, but his vital energy gushed out like water bursting through a dam. Amidst the roaring sounds of flowing energy, torrents of vital energy swarmed in, merging into the earthen wall, connecting each array stone with one another.


    "Activate the formation!"


    Xiao Yi raised his palms toward the sky, lifting his hands.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Streams of light soared to the heavens, forming a silver-white net in the sky above the wall.


    White light turned into mysterious runes, gathering on the surface of the earthen wall, and as these runes converged, the entire wall became incredibly sturdy. The silver net that accompanied it enshrouded this piece of sky and land.


    "A mere formation wants to stop me? Break!"


    Sun Yao bellowed, his spear striking the air in an overhead assault��it came out like a roaring dragon amidst the stars.


    Terrible vital energy from all directions converged, gathering on the spear, and with a loud bang, it struck against the silver net obstructing his path.


    However��


    What Sun Yao thought was a frail silver net, under his mighty attack, merely buzzed with a ripple of silver waves before completely neutralizing the formidable strike.


    "This can''t be possible..."


    Sun Yao was full of confidence in his attack, accelerating to break through the air as he struck.


    The result...


    Bang!


    His head smashed directly into the net.


    The entire net burst into streams of silver light; as thunder boomed repeatedly, amidst crackling sounds, Sun Yao''s body coursed with swallowed lightning, instantly paralyzing him. He let out a wretched scream, tumbling from the sky.


    Boom!


    Sun Yao crashed to the ground heavily, blood spilling from his mouth, and even Yama in his arms was flung violently away.


    Crackle, crackle, crackle!


    Bolts of lightning snaked around his body incessantly.


    Sss!


    This scene made the Nangong Family''s powerhouses underneath the formation gasp in shock, eyes filled with horror. "What kind of formation is this that even Principal Sun''s full-force strike can''t break through? This..."


    "With a mere wave of his hand, Xiao Yi can set up such a terrifying formation, it seems the rumors of the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s Spirit Gathering Array that boosts energy gathering by ten times indeed came from him!"


    "Martial talent comparable to Xiao Tianjiao, and such terrifying talent in Formation arts... it''s said he''s even skilled in alchemy. What kind of monster is this?"


    "What kind of enemy has our Nangong Family actually provoked?"


    Amidst the cries of alarm.


    Nalan Qianqiu and Qi approached Nangong Shengji as the aura of the Dharma Manifestation Realm locked onto him.


    Nalan Qianqiu said with a smile, "Nangond, I''m afraid I''ve offended you!"


    Qi sighed, "Nangong, don''t blame me for this!"


    These were two beings whose cultivation was not at all inferior to his own.


    Together.


    Now, especially within these confines of the sky net, there was no chance of escape��Nangong Shengji had no choice but to fight to the death!


    As the two closed in, his expression grew increasingly grim.


    The Nangong Family, one of the four great noble clans, had been forced to such an extent that they had no choice but to seek refuge with the Peerless War King. This was an immensely shameful matter, and he felt he could no longer face the ancestors and forefathers of the Nangong Family.


    Now...


    Xiao Yi had even set up a Formation, intending to completely annihilate the Nangong Family.


    How glorious the Nangong Family once was!


    All because Nangong Shengtian had provoked Xiao Yi, they were faced with this calamity that could lead to their clan''s destruction.


    It''s just a pity...


    There''s no medicine for regret in this world!


    Nangong Shengji took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled it, looking back at Nangong Yi and the others, "Nangong Yi, I will hold them off later. Try to find a way to open a path for everyone... Take the clansmen and run... escape with as many as you can..."


    "Master..."


    "Family head..."


    The complexion of everyone present changed.


    Nangong Shengji was clearly prepared for a fight to the death, as if he was entrusting them with his last will!


    "Shut up!"


    Nangong Shengji bellowed angrily, his eyes full of resolve. Facing Nalan Qianqiu and Qi, he knew there was no chance of survival. All he could think about now was creating an opportunity for Nangong Yi and the others to escape, to preserve a sliver of lineage for the Nangong Family, "I am the family head, you all listen to me!"


    With red-rimmed eyes, Nangong Yi knelt to the ground and kowtowed thrice with a thud. He said with a solemn voice, "Master, rest assured, I will definitely take them with me, to preserve a lineage for our Nangong Family!"


    "Go!"


    Nangong Shengji''s body burst forth with a magnificent glow. With a thunderous boom, a swath of blood-red light enveloped him.


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    Whoosh!


    The horrifying blood light ebbed and surged, and with a sweep of Nangong Shengji''s hand, the blood light actually wrapped around Nangong Yi and the others. With a whoosh, it turned into a beam of red light, blasting towards the sky net above.


    With the strength of his peak Dharma Phase Realm, he struck with all his might, causing the sky net to rumble violently.


    Over ten thousand array stones shone brilliantly.


    The earthen walls trembled thunderously.


    As if they might collapse at any moment.


    Just as the sky net was about to shatter, an icy sword light suddenly flew through the air. With a whoosh, it cleaved the blood-red light in half, splitting it apart and decapitating more than a dozen strong members of the Nangong Family with its fierce slash.


    Whoosh!


    Nangong Yi, Nangong Xiao, and the others fell back to the ground, regrouping with Sun Yao, Lady Yama, and the others.


    Nangong Yi said firmly, "General Sun, we must work together if we have any hope of escaping with our lives!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Sun Yao nodded, his cold gaze falling on Xiao Yi as he sneered, "Xiao Yi, there are so many of us here. Do you think we are afraid of you?"


    "A matter of numbers, you say?" S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upwards. He waved his hand grandly, "Lads of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, all come out!"

 Chapter 396 The Army of Tigers and Wolves

    "Come out, all of you!"


    At Xiao Yi''s command, the radiant heavens'' net above the earthen wall suddenly tore open with countless fissures.


    Within those fissures...


    Shadows began to emerge bit by bit.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    These specks transformed into nearly ten thousand silhouettes, steadily descending and landing behind Xiao Yi.


    An oppressive sea of black, like a steel torrent, they lined up in neat squares, each face bearing an aura of severity.


    Leading them were none other than Little Lin and the Shadow Demon, among others.


    Whoosh!


    Turning into a two-meter-tall Little Lin, she moved her body, settling to Xiao Yi''s left, her golden scale armor shimmering with a dazzling light. Glittering and blinding, each scale looked as if it were forged from endlessly tempered metal, producing a chilling metallic sheen as she moved silently.


    Her two-meter stature stood erect, with four claws dangling from her underbelly and two particularly brilliant dragon horns atop her head.


    Her eyes sparkled like gemstones.


    The moment she released her aura comparable to the Eightfold Dharma Manifestation Realm, it made everyone, including Sun Yao, fall silent, only to hear Little Lin speak in human tongue, "Xiaoshanhe Institute Punishment Hall Master Xiao Lin, at your service, Institute Head!"


    Following closely.


    The Shadow Demon stepped forward, his towering figure like a humanoid bear, and his voice thunderous like shocking thunder, deafening, "Battle Hall Master Shadow Demon, at your service, Institute Head!"


    Whoosh!


    Fu Yuan''s hands blazed with two balls of fire, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned as the orange-red flame illuminated his face, casting distinct contours, "All Things Hall Master Fu Yuan, at your service, Institute Head!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi appeared one after the other, respectfully saying, "Greetings, Master!"


    "We are here to serve you, Institute Head!"


    Vice Hall Masters, as well as various Hall Elders and officials, and numerous disciples, all came forward in succession.


    Mere Dharma Manifestation Realm experts amounted to no less than seven people!


    Tao Tribulation Realm experts even exceeded a hundred.


    Behind these more than a hundred experts were several thousand disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute, forming another overwhelming display, like a steel torrent.


    United, they knelt on one knee behind Xiao Yi.


    Despite the moment...


    These nearly ten thousand people didn''t shout loudly, but their uniform actions and the imposing aura oozing from the silence was terrifying. It was as if invisible hands were severely gripping their throats, leaving Sun Yao and others feeling breathless.


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    Even fainted outright upon witnessing this scene, rolling their eyes back in complete unconsciousness.


    Gulp!


    Sun Yao swallowed hard; just a moment ago, he was confident with their numbers and strength, but in the blink of an eye, the roles had been reversed. Looking at the nearly ten thousand powerful figures behind Xiao Yi, especially among the seven great Dharma Manifestation Realm figures, there were beings like Fu Yuan and the Shadow Demon, whom he couldn''t fathom.


    At that moment, Sun Yao felt as if he had swallowed a mouthful of Coptis, the bitterness overwhelming, "What kind of monster have I provoked?"


    Nangong Yi''s face was grim as he looked towards Nangong Xiao and others, "We''ve got no choice but to fight them now!"


    "If it weren''t for Xiao Yi, how could we have ended up like this?"


    "Kill them!"


    Under the pressure of impending death and despair, the eyes of the Nangong Family experts turned blood-red, filled with hatred and resentment as they looked at Xiao Yi and the Xiaoshanhe Institute folks behind him. S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They were descendants of the Nangong Family, once high and mighty.


    But now...


    They faced the threat of their family''s destruction and personal demise.


    In the eyes of the strong ones from the Nangong Family, all of this was because of Xiao Yi, because of Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    Hearing the roar and curses of the Nangong Family members, Ye Heng shouted, "Shut up... Have you not realized yet why things have turned out this way? Had you not repeatedly refused to cooperate with us and even attacked Elder Yan and Elder Xue, breaking their arms, and maximally humiliating them, would the Institute Head have targeted you?"


    From the beginning to the end, it was always the Nangong Family who were aggressive and domineering.


    Nangong Shengtian initially rejected Xiao Yi''s offer for cooperation.


    When Xiao Yi sent Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan to seek collaboration, they not only refused but also injured them grievously, breaking their arms.


    All of this was brought upon the Nangong Family by themselves!


    However.


    People like Nangong Yi would never see it that way.


    Nangong Yi sneered, "What a joke, our Nangong Family is one of the four great noble families. Do you even qualify to work with us? And those Elder Yan and Elder Xue you mentioned, who are they to us? We merely broke their arms; it''s their honor. You don''t appreciate our mercy, and yet you think about revenge?"


    "You..."


    Jin Feiyan stopped an angry Ye Heng, shaking her head and laughing, "Senior brother, why bother getting angry with these shameless people? In their eyes, only they are the noblest, and speaking reason to them is just wasting your breath. There''s only one way to deal with them!"


    "Oh?"


    Ye Heng was startled and curious. Having spent a considerable amount of time with Jin Feiyan recently, he had some understanding of this quirky junior sister and asked, "What way?"


    With a grin, Jin Feiyan''s eyes narrowed slightly, like crescent moons, she spoke slowly and clearly, "That is��to make sure they can never speak again!"


    Never speak again?


    Ye Heng was shocked, then he understood.


    Who would never be able to speak again?


    Obviously, a dead person!


    Jin Feiyan, smiling cheerfully, looked at Xiao Yi, "Master, am I right?"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction. Although his disciple Ye Heng possessed the Battle War Holy Body, his personality was much duller than the lively and agile Jin Feiyan. Under the proud gaze of Jin Feiyang, Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Fei Yan, Ye Heng, the two of you can have a contest... This time, whoever kills more people from the Nangong Family will receive a reward from me!"


    "A reward?"


    Jin Feiyan''s eyes gleamed, looking at Ye Heng, she said coyly, "Senior brother, you wouldn''t compete with your junior sister, right?"


    Ye Heng gave her a glance and snorted, "I will strive for the reward that our master grants with all my might!"


    "You... don''t you have any sense of being a senior brother? You''re my elder; you should be more humble!" Jin Feiyan complained on her tiptoes. After Ye Heng awakened the Battle War Holy Body, he had grown taller and more imposing, and even on her tiptoes, she barely reached his chest.


    Ye Heng pressed a hand on her head gently and said, "Sorry, we''re equals!"


    "You..."


    Jin Feiyan, vexed, slapped away Ye Heng''s hand from her head, and said angrily, "We''ll see who gets the master''s reward. It will definitely be mine!"


    Ye Heng confidently responded, "You don''t stand a chance!"


    Jin Feiyan huffed, her dark eyes whirling around.


    At that moment...


    The Shadow Demon had already waved his hand grandly, "All warriors of the War Hall, follow me to kill!"


    Little Lin howled to the sky, "All members of the Punishment Hall, kill!"


    "The Skill Transmission Hall..."


    "The All Things Hall..."


    "The Task Hall..."


    Command after command was given.


    Disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute charged like a fierce army at Sun Yao and his followers.


    For a moment.


    Only Yan Mingli, Xue Bufan, Zhou Jing, and Lin Bingxin remained by Xiao Yi''s side.


    Yan Mingli, curious about the competitive Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan, asked, "Who do you think will win between Ye Heng and Little Yanzi?"


    Xue Bufan said indifferently, "Little Yanzi is indeed clever, but she has only recently entered the Shentong Realm, whereas Ye Heng is at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, and he also possesses the Battle War Holy Body. He is certain to win!"


    Zhou Jing nodded in agreement.


    Lin Bingxin hesitated a bit and said, "I think Yanzi might win!"


    "Hmm?"


    Everyone looked at Lin Bingxin with puzzlement.


    In their eyes...


    Jin Feiyan seemed to have no chance of winning at all!


    Xiao Yi, however, smiled and said, "I also think Bing Xin is right. That foolish boy Ye Heng is likely to be at a disadvantage!"

 Chapter 397 The Unparalleled War King

    This time the people from Xiaoshanhe Institute joined the battle.


    The main purpose was still to train the disciples, hence, the Shadow Demon and others only took action against powerhouses like Sun Yao and the female Yama.


    The ordinary disciples from the Nangong Family were all left to the disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Ye Heng''s Battle War Holy Body was meant to grow through combat, to elevate amidst life and death battles, becoming increasingly brave as the war went on. He alone, cutting his way in and out of the crowd, was at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, but even facing ordinary masters of the Golden Core Realm, he was not one bit cowardly; instead, he became more valiant as the fight progressed.


    The stronger the enemy, the stronger I become!


    Under Ye Heng''s frenzied slaughter, his battle achievements were rapidly improving.


    As for Jin Feiyan...


    She never focused on killing.


    But her movement technique was so elegant and nimble that even the common Golden Core Realm powerhouses found it extremely difficult to catch her.


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    Like a fish in water, she weaved through the crowd.


    Jin Feiyan''s voice kept ringing out, "Big sister, can you beat him half to death and leave him to me to finish off? If I get the reward from our master, I''ll share some with you!"


    "Big brother, can you let me handle the guy in your hands? Just help me out, and if I beat that unscrupulous senior brother of mine... I promise to hook you up with a beautiful girl..."


    "Grandpa Hall Master..."


    "Uncle Elder..."


    Wherever Jin Feiyan passed,


    the elders, deacons, and disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, and even the Hall Masters and Vice Hall Masters like the Shadow Demon, couldn''t resist her coquettish charm, continuously handing over their targets to her. Soon, the number of Nangong Family powerhouses Jin Feiyan hunted climbed steadily, ten, twenty, thirty...


    She had long left Ye Heng far behind.


    Ye Heng, locked in a tough fight with a Second Layer Golden Core Realm master, gritted his teeth in anger, cursing loudly, "Jin Feiyan, aren''t you just too despicable?"


    Lalalala!


    Jin Feiyan flicked her slender finger beneath her lower eyelid, pulling a face, and stuck her tongue out at him, "The heads I got with my abilities, how is that being despicable? Master didn''t say we couldn''t get help. If you have the skills, brother, you can also find someone to help you!"


    As she spoke,


    Jin Feiyan took a Golden Elixir Realm Peak powerhouse, who was at his last breath, from an elder''s hands, and with an effortless flick of her dagger, she slit his throat, killing him with a single strike.


    Ye Heng was speechless.


    He vented all his inner frustration on the Golden Core Realm master opposite him as his arms blurred like phantoms, fists and palms striking together, his sword energy soaring to the sky, "I''ll kill you, you despicable and shameless bastard..."


    The Nangong Family Golden Core Realm powerhouse: "..."


    A moment later,


    Under the resentful and unwilling gaze of the Golden Core Realm powerhouse, Ye Heng finished him off with a sword strike. Seeing his own kill count was far less than Jin Feiyan''s, Ye Heng clenched his teeth and steeled himself, "I refuse to believe... With my personal charm, I can''t beat this little girl?"


    And so,


    Ye Heng ran over to Yu Huaxian, "Uncle Huaxian, could you please..."


    Hiss!


    Yu Huaxian shuddered at Ye Heng''s soft and tender voice, and upon turning back to see Ye Heng blinking at him and acting coquettishly, Yu Huaxian shook all over, "Damn it, I''m a real man!"


    Bang!


    Yu Huaxian slapped Ye Heng away with a casual hand.


    "..."


    Ye Heng looked aggrieved, his gaze shifted to Little Lin not far away, who was fighting two Tao Tribulation Realm masters.


    Before he could speak,


    Little Lin coldly said, "Scram!"


    Ye Heng: "..."


    Having rebuked Ye Heng, Little Lin then moved over to Jin Feiyan, "Xiaoyanzi, I''ll leave these two to you!"


    With a flick of her tail, she placed two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, both on their last breath, in front of Jin Feiyan.


    "Thank you, Uncle Little Lin!"


    Jin Feiyan was overjoyed, her dagger greeting the pair.


    The result...


    Ding ding!


    Two dazzling sparks of fire, but they failed to break through their defenses?


    Jin Feiyan wanted to cry but had no tears, a look of grievance on her face, "Little Lin Uncle-Master, I can''t beat them!"


    "Can''t beat them?"


    Little Lin was taken aback, then saw that two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses were secretly circulating their primordial energy, forming an invisible protective shield around themselves. How could such a defense be broken by Jin Feiyan of the mere Shentong Realm? Little Lin snorted coldly, his body tensed, and with a crisp crack, the bones of the two Tao Tribulation Realm strongmen were crushed amidst their screams. Little Lin laughed, "Little Yanzi, now you can do it!"


    Thud thud!


    Two slashes, life extinguished!


    Jin Feiyan giggled, "Thank you, Uncle-Master Little Lin!"


    "Hahaha, off you go!"


    Little Lin laughed, speaking human language, when suddenly he felt a chill on his back.


    Little Lin subconsciously turned around, just to see Ye Heng looking at him with a face full of resentment.


    "Uh..."


    Little Lin showed a humanized embarrassment on his face, somewhat annoyed, "What are you looking at?"


    "Lustful serpent..."


    Ye Heng muttered.


    Slap!


    The words were not yet complete.


    He was already smacked away by Little Lin''s tail, watching Ye Heng tumble into the crowd. Little Lin snorted coldly, proudly lifting his neck and twisting his body as he strutted away.


    Yan Mingli and the others watching the battle exchanged looks.


    Lin Bingxin couldn''t help but laugh and cry, "I knew it would end up like this!"


    Zhou Jing said with a bitter smile, "That girl Fei Yan really is incredible. Ye Heng''s loss is not unjust!"


    The battle situation was almost completely one-sided.


    Under the leadership of the Shadow Demon and others, the members of Xiaoshanhe Institute were invincible, slaying gods when obstructed by gods, slaying buddhas when hindered by buddhas. One after another, the strongmen of the Nangong Family fell before them, without any chance to resist. With the power Xiaoshanhe Institute now wielded, they had already far surpassed any of the four great noble families.


    It was enough to compare with the least of the top ten sects, the Liyang Sect and the Kuangdao Sect.


    Dealing with the mere Nangong Family was naturally a piece of cake!


    Looking at Nangong Shengji again...


    Under the siege of Qi and Nalan Qianqiu, who were by no means weaker than him, Nangong Shengji was forced to retreat step by step, his body covered in blood.


    His internal organs were all scorched by Nalan Qianqiu''s fiery primordial energy.


    As primordial energy circulated.


    His internal organs felt a severe burning pain, as if being scorched by a raging fire, and he was already at the end of his tether.


    Qi stood in the air holding a horsetail whisk, his body radiating a flowing halo.


    Nalan Qianqiu held aloft two fireballs in his hands, like two suns spitting firelight in his palms, looking down from high above at Nangong Shengji.


    Wow!


    Nangong Shengji violently spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, looking at the Nangong Family strongmen who died one after another. His face became extremely ferocious.


    These were the elites of his Nangong Family!


    And now more than half had perished.


    It was as if he could already see the once-glorious Nangong Family, one foot in the dust of history, on the verge of collapse. The cause of all this was that carefree boy not far off, the one he had once not taken seriously, like a mere ant.


    Step by step by step!


    Xiao Yi walked on air, landing in front of Nangong Shengji.


    He looked down at the once unassailable head of the Nangong Family. S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nangong Shengji struggled to lift his head, staring at Xiao Yi with venomous eyes, "You little bastard, don''t get too happy too soon. The War King won''t let you go..."


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi grinned, speaking indifferently, "I''d like to see just how your so-called War King won''t let me go!"


    No sooner had he spoken than...


    At that moment...


    A terrifying axe light suddenly fell from the sky, and with a loud bang, the vast net in the sky was smashed to pieces. A majestic figure stood suspended in the air, his cold gaze sweeping over those below, finally resting on Xiao Yi, his substantial gaze sharp as a blade, causing one''s scalp to tingle.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils slightly constricted, he turned to look at the figure, showing a hint of solemnity, "The Peerless War King?"

 Chapter 1 - 1: The Youth Xiao Yi

    "Tian''er, this is the top-quality tea the old Emperor sent over. Why don''t you try some?"


    "Tian''er, the Dingguo Duke is thinking of sending his young granddaughter to the Tianjian Sect to attend to your daily needs..."


    "Tian''er..."


    Xiao Yi looked up at Xiao Zhengde, who was on the main seat with a face full of ingratiating, even somewhat abject, obsequiousness. In his calm gaze, there was a touch of bitterness and helplessness. As his glance moved, it settled on the handsome and extraordinary young man sitting boldly in front of Xiao Zhengde.


    He was Xiao Yi''s own elder brother, Xiao Tianjiao!


    An exceptional genius destined for greatness from birth.


    When Xiao Tianjiao was born, a fire dragon descended from the sky and acknowledged him as its master.


    Not even three years old, he awakened the Supreme Overlord Holy Body, possessing divine power strong enough to lift a thousand-pound cauldron with one arm.


    By the age of five, he had broken through to the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, stepped into the Qi Gathering with Ten Layers at seven, successfully struck the Shentong Realm at eight, becoming the youngest Shentong Realm powerhouse in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty, and entered the Tianjian Sect, the first among the top ten sects of the Great Qin Dynasty, and became its direct disciple at ten years old.


    Now at just twenty, Xiao Tianjiao had successfully stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm and was hailed as the hope of the rise of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The entire nation eagerly awaited his advance into the Longevity Secret Realm, becoming the first everlasting giant since the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Because of Xiao Tianjiao''s existence, the Xiao Family, which used to be a minor household, became the hottest noble family in the Great Qian Dynasty overnight, receiving gifts from the Holy Emperor himself during the holidays.


    One could say that there was not a person in the Qingtian Realm who did not know the name Xiao Tianjiao.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    Under the dazzling light of his brother Xiao Tianjiao, he was without any presence at all. Everyone who saw him would only say how fortunate your life is, to have such an outstanding brother.


    In everyone''s eyes, Xiao Yi was truly lucky��his brother was the number one talent of the age, and also the Saint Heir of the number one sect of the Great Qian Dynasty. Just giving him a little bit of resources could make him a top-notch expert.


    But the reality was that when Xiao Yi turned ten, Xiao Tianjiao strictly forbade him from continuing his cultivation.


    Even the most basic body tempering was not allowed.


    According to Xiao Tianjiao, having him as the one dragon in the Xiao Family was enough.


    He disliked the thought that when people mentioned him, they would remember he had a brother sharing the same blood, who was nothing more than an ordinary mortal with mediocre talent.


    That would tarnish his perfect image.


    If not for Xiao Yi''s mother, who protected him with her life, Xiao Tianjiao''s methods would have long since made him silently disappear from the world, forever eliminating any future trouble.


    Because of this...


    For the past eight years, he had been imprisoned in the most secluded courtyard in the depths of the Xiao Family. Even so, Xiao Tianjiao was still not at ease. To prevent Xiao Yi from escaping, he even arranged for two Shentong Realm powerhouses to watch over Xiao Yi, who was only at the Physical Body Realm, at all times.


    If it weren''t for his mother, who secretly sent him some books and passed him some news, he wouldn''t even know who the current emperor was.


    However.


    The mother who was the only one to cherish him also died suddenly three years ago. Since then, Xiao Yi had not taken a step out of the courtyard for three full years, as if the whole Xiao Family had forgotten about him.


    And today...


    Xiao Zhengde suddenly ordered for him to be called in.


    It had been two hours since he arrived at the great hall, yet Xiao Zhengde and Xiao Tianjiao acted as if they had never seen him.


    Looking at the two, high above and happily conversing, Xiao Yi''s heart turned cold as ice.


    Eighteen years.


    Living for eighteen years like the air, he was long accustomed to being ignored.


    There is no greater sorrow than a dead heart.


    Standing in the vast hall, facing what should be the closest relatives in this world, Xiao Yi was only left with loneliness and tranquility.


    After another half hour, it seemed Xiao Zhengde only then remembered Xiao Yi''s existence. As he turned around, the sycophantic and ingratiating smile on his face vanished, replaced by cold indifference, disgust, and loathing. It seemed he was too lazy to say more to Xiao Yi and said dismissively, "Go back and prepare. You will leave for Nanhuang City in the Tianqing Kingdom three days from now..."


    "The Tianqing Kingdom?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback. The Tianqing Kingdom was a small country subordinate to the Great Qian Dynasty, bordering the vast and barren wilderness, a forsaken place where no bird would lay its eggs. He frowned and asked, "What am I to do there?"


    Xiao Zhengde said impatiently, "Your brother..."


    "Hmph!"


    Xiao Tianjiao snorted coldly, his expression showing a bit of displeasure and disgust.


    In his eyes, being Xiao Yi''s brother was a great shame.


    "Oh my, I misspoke..."


    Xiao Zhengde hastily said a word of appeasement, and, seeing Xiao Tianjiao''s expression slightly mollify, he continued, "The fire dragon of Tian''er took a liking to the Silver Winged Sword Dragon kept by the Fang Family in Nanhuang as their clan guardian beast. Yet the Fang Family absurdly thinks to climb up by this connection with our Xiao Family, stubbornly refusing to hand over the Silver Winged Sword Dragon. After discussing it, we decided unanimously to have you marry into the Fang Family to become their son-in-law in exchange for that Silver Winged Sword Dragon!"


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Xiao Yi felt as if there were no sounds in the world except for his own heartbeat and the cold expressions of Xiao Zhengde and Xiao Tianjiao. His usually tranquil mind, like still ancient wells, was now churning with shockwaves.


    To be sold off like goods just because Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, the fire dragon, took a fancy to the Silver Winged Sword Dragon? To be sent to the Fang Family as a live-in son-in-law?


    Xiao Yi''s head was spinning.


    Incredulous.


    Even though for over a dozen years Xiao Zhengde ignored him, and Xiao Tianjiao saw him as a stain and a disgrace, having imprisoned him for eight long years and prevented him from cultivating any cultivation techniques or martial skills, he had endured it all.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi''s face was full of bitterness, and with the last glimmer of hope in his eyes, he looked at the brother he once idolized and said in a deep voice, "Is this what you want?"


    Xiao Tianjiao glanced at him indifferently, his face showing dispassion.


    It seemed even speaking to Xiao Yi was a disgrace to him.


    "This is the will of the entire clan. Even though you''re useless, having stepped into the Physical Body Realm at eight years old and still remaining there after a full ten years, we have not mistreated you. You''ve never lacked for food or clothing. Now, it''s time for you to repay your debt..."


    Xiao Zhengde thought for a moment before continuing, "Today, I called you here to inform you, not to seek your opinion. You just need to follow our arrangements!"


    Just to inform me, huh?


    Indeed!


    Like my cultivation path, I don''t even have the right to choose!


    Xiao Yi looked up, his gaze intense, wanting to shout at the two of them that he was not useless, that he''d been stuck at the Physical Body Realm for ten years!


    It''s not that he lacked talent for staying in the Physical Body Realm for ten years, but because the seal over something inside of his body had yet to be broken.


    But now...


    It doesn''t matter.


    There''s no need!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, completely despairing of this family. His tense body gradually relaxed, and the fists he had been clenching quietly uncurled. This family no longer held anything worth yearning for. Gritting his teeth, he replied each word with deliberate force, "Becoming a son-in-law of the Fang Family, right? I will go, but before I leave... I would like to pay respects to my mother!"


    His mother had suddenly passed away three years ago.


    Xiao Yi was confined to a small courtyard, unable to pay his respects to his mother, let alone hear of her death. It was only two months later that he learned of her passing from the servants, and to this day he didn''t even know where her grave was.


    This was his only obsession with this family!


    However...


    Xiao Tianjiao looked at him with contempt, sneering, "There''s no need for you to pay respects to mother. I will do it myself."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes turned blood-red, his body shaking like chaff, and he growled through clenched teeth, "Xiao Tianjiao, she''s also my mother!"


    "No, from now on, she isn''t!"


    Xiao Tianjiao spoke calmly, "Your name has been struck from the family records. From this day forth, you will only be an idle son-in-law in the Fang Family of Nanhuang and have no relation to the Xiao Family."


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    A bolt from the blue!


    Upon hearing these words, Xiao Yi stumbled back three steps with his face turning deathly pale, and he bellowed hysterically, "Xiao Tianjiao, are those even human words you speak? Huh? Ashamed of me, you stripped away my right to cultivate, confined me like livestock for eight long years��eight whole years! And now, do you even wish to strip away my right to pay respects to my mother?"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Tianjiao leaned forward slightly, proud and towering, looking down from on high at Xiao Yi, "I am a true dragon above the heavens, and you are nothing but a mudfish struggling in the mire. What right do you have to pay homage to my mother? We are people of two different worlds, and my world is far too high for you..."


    "Too high for me? Hahaha, what a ''too high for me''..."


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his bloodshot eyes like two crimson moons, staring intently at Xiao Tianjiao and Xiao Zhengde, "Xiao Tianjiao, Xiao Zhengde, your bullying is too much... I swear, one day you will regret everything you have done today."


    "A vow, huh? An ant will always be an ant, and a vow is just a weakling''s futile struggle..."


    Xiao Tianjiao didn''t take Xiao Yi''s words to heart at all. He glanced at Xiao Zhengde and said dispassionately, "Father, even with the Dragon Blood steeds running day and night, it would take five days to reach Nanhuang. The longer the night, the more dreams. Better for him to leave right now."


    "Right now? Fine," Xiao Zhengde agreed without the slightest hesitation.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s voice came again, "To prevent any mishaps along the way or his escape, it''s best to knock him unconscious and have someone deliver him directly to the Fang Family." S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Face filled with grief and anger, blood-red eyes brimming with towering rage, Xiao Yi glared at Xiao Tianjiao, "Xiao Tianjiao, your tyranny is..."


    Bang!


    Before Xiao Yi could finish his words, he was struck by a palm from Xiao Tianjiao and sent flying. The violent wind filled his mouth, preventing him from uttering the rest of his words, and then he slammed into a pillar with a thud.


    Everything went black, and he fell into a deep faint.


    However...


    Nobody noticed that in the moment before Xiao Yi lost consciousness, his field of vision, which had turned pitch black, was suddenly pierced by a dazzling light.


    It was as though invisible colossal hands ripped through the darkness, completely engulfing his consciousness.


    In an instant.


    The darkness before Xiao Yi dispersed, and looking ahead, he found himself amidst a boundless expanse of starry sky. Countless stars spilled before his eyes, massive ones whizzing past, stirring ripples of space that stretched for billions of miles.


    Vast, majestic, endless, boundless.


    Not far in front of him in the starry sky, there floated a black mausoleum, ancient and enormous, suspended right there, with four huge black dragons, their bodies like black iron, coiled around the tomb, their heads and tails linked.


    Inside that mausoleum, nine sky-supporting pillars stood tall between heaven and earth, as if piercing the entire cosmos. Eighty-one massive black chains stretched from the top of the pillars into the boundless void, firmly locking onto eighty-one suns radiating intense and scorching light.


    The fierce flames emitted from each of the eighty-one suns could incinerate a whole realm, yet they were restrained by the black chains, staunchly supporting the mysterious dark mausoleum.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t contain the shock in his heart as he looked toward the entrance of the mausoleum. Two azure pillars flanked the gate, each inscribed with a line of blood-red characters, similar to a couplet.


    On the left: A thousand tribulations, a hundred hardships, through ancient times in the blink of an eye!


    On the right: An immortal body, an indestructible soul, who can rival throughout ancient and modern times?


    Connecting the two azure pillars was a black plaque, inscribed with four earth-shaking characters...


    Eternal! Celestial! Tomb!


    PS: Xiao Tian has created a public account. Just search for "Ye Tiandi" to find it. Xiao Tian will post some extras and the like there, I hope everyone will join!

 Chapter 2 - 2: The Eternal Celestial Tomb

    ```


    Gazing at the enormous black mausoleum before him, Xiao Yi was overwhelmed with shock.


    Everything he saw was beyond his comprehension.


    To construct a mausoleum in the endless starry sky, using the legendary true dragon as walls, and firmly anchoring eighty-one proud suns, what kind of terrifying existence could possess such means?


    "The Eternal Celestial Tomb..."


    Xiao Yi hesitated before pushing open the great doors of the mausoleum.


    The doors seemed to have not been opened for a long time, emitting creaking noises.


    Clang!


    The gates swung open.


    A surge of air burst forth, forming an enormous tornado that whisked past Xiao Yi, shooting out ten thousand miles away, extinguishing stars and dimming the sun and moon in its path.


    As everything dispersed, a series of chaotic tombs appeared before him.


    "The tomb of the Qingyun Sword Saint, this... Is this the number one swordsman of the Qingtian Realm from eighty thousand years ago, who was known to split heaven with a single sword? Wasn''t it said that he vanished after his battle with the Martial God Zhan Wuji? How could he be buried here?"


    As far as the eye could see, there were only tombs with names engraved on the steles that shocked Xiao Yi, prompting repeated exclamations, "The tomb of the Grandmaster of Formation, the Double Star Taoist? The tomb of the Medicine Saint Feng Lei? The tomb of the Martial God Zhan Wuji? My God, what is going on? Weren''t all of these beings legends who dominated their time and ascended to the celestial realm? They... They are all dead? And buried here? What on earth is happening..."


    Whether it was the Qingyun Sword Saint, the Double Star Taoist, or the Martial God Zhan Wuji...


    Each of them was a super-powerful being well-known in the Qingtian Realm.


    The Qingyun Sword Saint, whose Green Lotus Sword Song dominated all three realms; the Double Star Taoist, who could trap immortals with a wave of his hand in his formations; the Medicine Saint Feng Lei, whose profound alchemical skills were revered; and Zhan Wuji, widely recognized as the Martial God, who withstood the ascension tribulation with his mortal body, dispelling thousands of miles of tribulation clouds with a single punch, capable of annihilating millions of powerful beings.


    Besides them, there were many other names that Xiao Yi had never heard of, who, being buried alongside Zhan Wuji, must undoubtedly also be beings of the same caliber.


    Yet, such mighty beings...


    They had all died?


    And were buried in this mysterious mausoleum. S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before this...


    He only knew that the reason he had always remained at the Physical Body Realm was due to a mysterious seal inside him that had not been unlocked.


    But when the seal was unlocked, what appeared before him was this strange and eerie mausoleum, leaving him uncertain whether to feel joy or sorrow.


    "Exactly who built this mausoleum, burying so many powerful beings... And how did it end up within me?" Xiao Yi looked towards the depths of the graveyard. This was merely the outermost area, where the tombs were low and simple, where even the tomb of someone as strong as Zhan Wuji was just a few stones piled up.


    The tombs of mighty beings like the Qingyun Sword Saint were nothing more than a mound of yellow soil.


    Although the deeper parts of the mausoleum were shrouded in mist, one could still vaguely make out that the deeper into the mausoleum, the tombs became increasingly taller and more extravagant.


    Especially at the very center of the mausoleum, where one could faintly see nine pyramid-like golden tombs that stood between heaven and earth like piercing swords, with brilliant golden light radiating from those tombs. As his gaze reached the top of the pyramid, a tomb there infused his brow with an invincible aura that seemed to declare supremacy over all beneath heaven and earth.


    "The Divine Enthronement Stele finds its master, the Heaven-Subduing Divine General resumes its position! Subduing the heavens, sealing divinity, and extinguishing immortals!"


    At the same time, a voice containing supreme authority sounded within his mind, and a black stele suddenly rose from the ground in front of him.


    As the voice fell, countless glyphs and information flooded into his mind, morphing into a scripture of cultivation.


    The "Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill".


    "One sand grain, one world; one grass, one universe. Using the body as a tomb, sealing divinity with the tomb, wielding power to subdue immortals, awakening the cells within the body, evolving the God Sealing Seed, absorbing the legacies of the powerful within the celestial tomb, suppressing immortals and sealing gods!"


    Boom!


    At that moment, Xiao Yi''s body shook violently.


    Countless natural energies from heaven and earth converged within his body. With a crisp pop, divine light burst forth from him. At this odd moment, Xiao Yi could see his entire body as though he had a God''s-eye view, with his body appearing transparent, and the eighty million God Sealing Seeds like stars in the night sky.


    At this moment.


    One of the stars shed its surface layer of murky film and shone with an incomparably dazzling divine light.


    This God Sealing Seed was fully activated, and the surging energy feedback caused Xiao Yi''s cultivation to continuously break through.


    First Layer of the Physical Body Realm.


    Second Layer of the Physical Body Realm.


    Third Layer of the Physical Body Realm...


    He progressed all the way to the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm before stopping.


    At the same time, an inconspicuous tomb in front of him was suppressed in an instant, and the legacy of its inhabitant was absorbed immediately, a cultivation technique named "Eight Extremes Fist," which he mastered on the spot.


    "Heaven-Subduing Divine General?"


    ```


    Looking at his continuously advancing body and the legacy that had unexpectedly appeared within, Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed with a glint of puzzlement, for he could feel it, an earth-shattering change had taken place in him at this moment, even his mind and nature had undergone a transformation.


    It seemed as if he himself were that Heaven Subduing Godly General! With the power to subdue the heavens, proudly looking down upon all existence.


    Even the Martial Saints and War Gods appeared so insignificant in his eyes!


    And what about his genius brother, Xiao Tianjiao? He was no more than an ant.


    This consciousness instantly etched itself deep into his bones!


    "Xiao Zhengde, Xiao Tianjiao, you treat me as rubbish, you shame me, you imprisoned me for eight long years. You forced me into an arranged marriage, and even took away my right to pay respects to my own mother... One day, I will return to the Xiao Family, and you will know who the real waste is!"


    With this thought, Xiao Yi suddenly felt a loud noise from outside, pulling his thoughts back to reality.


    His eyes opened, and he was in a simple bedroom.


    At this moment...


    The door had been violently smashed open, half of the broken door panel was lying on the ground, while the other half hung on the door frame creaking, a hulking figure was grabbing the wrist of a slender silhouette, pressing her down on a table, and sneered, "Heh heh, Fang Qingzhu, you pride yourself as the favored lady of heaven and look down on me, huh? Today, I''ll force myself upon you right in front of your waste of a husband, and what can you do about it? Hahaha..."


    The woman being pressed down on the wooden table had a graceful figure, and although her face could not be seen, her voice was incredibly melodious, like that of an otherworldly fairy, "Fang Ao, my husband is a man of the Xiao Family, dare you touch me?"


    "The Xiao Family? If you married Xiao Tianjiao, I would pack my things and flee immediately, not even daring to glance at you. However..."


    Fang Ao, tall and burly, with a cultivation that had reached the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, looked at Fang Qingzhu''s stunning face with hot and greedy eyes, "What you married is nothing but the waste that the Xiao Family cast aside. Forget about him being unconscious now��even if he woke up, I would dare to force myself upon you right in front of him!"


    Despair and bitterness covered the beautiful face of Fang Qingzhu.


    She was the favored daughter of heaven from the Fang Family.


    When news spread that Xiao Tianjiao wanted to acquire the Silver Winged Sword Dragon, the Fang Family proposed an alliance through marriage, and everyone thought she would marry Xiao Tianjiao. Even being a lesser, unloved concubine would have elevated the Fang Family''s status, making them the number one clan in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    For this reason, the Fang Family unanimously chose Fang Qingzhu as the successor to the family head.


    However...


    Only three days prior, when the unconscious Xiao Yi was delivered to the Fang Family, did everyone realize they had been tricked.


    The two families indeed had a matrimonial alliance.


    But the bridegroom was not Xiao Tianjiao, but Xiao Yi, the waste expelled from the Xiao Family''s clan records.


    What''s more...


    Xiao Tianjiao, worrying about a wife overpowering her husband, had Fang Qingzhu''s dantian destroyed, claiming concern that Xiao Yi would be at a disadvantage in the Fang Family. Fang Qingzhu, a woman of heavenly favor and peak Qi Gathering Realm cultivator at eighteen, was reduced to a cripple on her wedding day.


    Together with Xiao Yi, they were truly a couple of wastes.


    The Fang Family not only lost the Silver Winged Sword Dragon but Fang Qingzhu, their favored daughter of heaven, was also reduced to a cripple because of Xiao Yi.


    In the end, they got nothing but a discarded waste of a son-in-law from the Xiao Family, turning the affair into a colossal joke in Nanhuang.


    In a fit of rage, the head of the Fang Family threw Xiao Yi out to this small courtyard, left unattended.


    Only Fang Qingzhu was there to take care of him.


    Whenever Fang Ao thought about how he had schemed to pursue Fang Qingzhu, only to be repeatedly rejected, whilst she willingly took meticulous care of Xiao Yi, the one responsible for her dantian being destroyed, for three days and nights, he couldn''t help but feel enraged, gritting his teeth and asking, "Fang Qingzhu, what are you really after by doing this?"


    Lying on the bed, Xiao Yi heard the conversation between the two and his body involuntarily shook.


    He was very aware of the reason Xiao Tianjiao had destroyed Fang Qingzhu''s dantian. In Xiao Tianjiao''s eyes, Xiao Yi was a waste, and his woman could only be a waste too, regardless of Fang Qingzhu being innocent and uninvolved. He was adamant about ruining her.


    Because he would not allow Xiao Yi to have even the slightest chance of escaping the identity of a waste.


    What he didn''t expect, however...


    Was Fang Qingzhu''s decision.


    Far from resenting him, she actually took great care by his bedside for three days and nights.


    You have to understand.


    Fang Qingzhu had just had her dantian destroyed and was in a period of weakness herself.


    What was she really after by doing this?


    Not even Fang Ao understood, and Xiao Yi was full of doubts as well.


    Apparently realizing she could not break free, Fang Qingzhu stopped struggling. Tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes, and although her voice was soft, her stance was resolute, "To follow the husband like the hen follows the rooster, the dog follows the dog... Now that I have married Xiao Yi, we are husband and wife..."


    "What a fine saying��to follow the husband... You''d rather suffer with this waste than be with me? Very well, I will, right in front of him, make you..."


    Fang Ao''s face contorted with fury as he roared.


    But before he could finish his words, he heard a cold voice from behind, "If you don''t want to die, I suggest you stop!"

 Chapter 3 - 3 Beating Up Fang Ao

    "Hmm?"


    Fang Ao and Fang Qingzhu were both startled.


    Fang Ao turned around to look, only to see Xiao Yi already walking down from the bed, looking at him with an indifferent face. Vaguely, Fang Ao felt as if he was facing a bloodthirsty tiger, the sharpness in his eyes causing him a pain as if being pricked by needles and sliced by knives.


    "You trash actually woke up?"


    Fang Ao was stunned, then immediately grabbed Fang Qingzhu''s hair, his face bearing a brilliant smile, "A piece of trash dares defy me, you''ve woken up just in time. Open your eyes wide and see how I take pleasure with your woman right before your eyes!"


    Xiao Yi patted the wrinkles on his clothes, his gaze calm as he looked at Fang Ao, "Make another move, and I''ll kill you!"


    Even though he had not a single shred of affection for Fang Qingzhu, the mere fact that she had taken care of him day and night for the past three days, not to mention her commitment to ''follow the man she married,'' had made it absolutely forbidden for Xiao Yi to allow anyone to harm her!


    Fang Ao was taken aback, sizing up Xiao Yi with a strange laugh, "You think you are Xiao Tianjiao? If it were Xiao Tianjiao saying this, I would immediately kneel down and crawl out of here. What are you worth? Be smart and just stand there and watch how I play with her. If you dare to spoil my fun again, I''ll make you regret ever being born!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes carried a sense of despair. If her cultivation was still intact, a mere Fang Ao wouldn''t even be worthy of consideration.


    But now...


    Her cultivation had been wasted, and she was no match for Fang Ao.


    As for Xiao Yi?


    He was nothing more than an outcast of the Xiao Family, so what prowess could he have to protect her?


    Fang Qingzhu''s gaze toward Xiao Yi was filled with despairing indifference, "Don''t worry about me, you''re no match for him..."


    "You cheap woman, you are still defending him until now? I''ll do you right in front of him..."


    Fury burned in Fang Ao, his eyes filled with greed and fervor as he reached for Fang Qingzhu''s chest.


    Xiao Yi shook his head lightly, his face turning cold, "Clueless about death!"


    By the time he lifted his head again,


    his calm face showed a hint of indifference, and with a sudden stomp of his feet, there was a muffled bang.


    Xiao Yi, like an arrow released from its bow, shot out like a burst, carrying a violent gale of wind around him, with the sound of a sonic boom, he threw a punch at Fang Ao��it was the Mountain Thrust from "Eight Extremes Fist."


    Powerful and forceful, with tremendous might and heavy force.


    "You trash, get out of my way!"


    Fang Ao didn''t take Xiao Yi seriously at all and turned around to throw a punch.


    His cultivation was also at the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, and a casual punch carried the impact of thousands of pounds, enough to shatter a tiger''s skull with a single blow.


    In Fang Ao''s view, he was at the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, while Xiao Yi was just a piece of trash discarded by the Xiao Family.


    There was no way he could block this punch.


    Even Fang Qingzhu closed her eyes in despair.


    Bang!


    The fists of the two collided mid-air like close combat, creating two gusts of wind in opposite directions that filled the simple bedroom.


    Rumble!


    The old table splintered into pieces, broken wood chips flying everywhere.


    Xiao Yi did not move an inch.


    As for Fang Ao, his face turned shades of pale and green, retreating seven steps and stopping only when his back hit the wall.


    Crack crack crack!


    Fang Ao discharged the remaining force of the impact onto the wall behind him, and cracks spread across the wall like a spider''s web.


    Wow!


    Fang Ao spat out a mouthful of blood, his legs went weak as he knelt on the ground, struggling to raise his head and look at Xiao Yi with disbelief, "How do you have such strong strength?"


    Xiao Yi rubbed his fist lightly, glancing down and said indifferently, "Trash." S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You mongrel dare to call me trash, go to hell!" Fang Ao let out an enraged roar, his voice also turning cold,


    "Mountain Splitting Fist!"


    Fang Ao didn''t wait for Xiao Yi to speak and snorted coldly, his feet thudding on the ground.


    The punch came down like an axe splitting a mountain, heavy and powerful.


    In the Heavenly Yuan Realm, martial techniques are divided into ten grades, each with three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The "Mountain Splitting Fist" was a first-grade beginner-level martial technique.


    Fang Ao had been practicing this boxing technique since he was young, reaching the pinnacle of mastery with his fists blazing with powerful intent.


    The terrifying fist wind howled towards him, with a force that could split mountains and shatter rocks effortlessly.


    "Be careful!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes split with anger as she cried out a warning, "The Mountain Splitting Fist has great momentum and heavy force, don''t meet it head-on, quick, dodge!"


    Fang Ao sneered, "It''s already too late!"


    Indeed, it was too late!


    His punch came like a sudden storm, leaving no room to avoid it.


    Facing such a fierce assault from Fang Ao, Xiao Yi remained expressionless, instead taking a deep breath that chilled his body.


    His eyes sharpened like never before, and all of a sudden, Xiao Yi took a step forward.


    "Seeking death!"


    Seeing Xiao Yi rushing towards him, Fang Ao''s face grew even more ferocious, his eyes blood-red, exuding a biting chill that seemed eager to devour.


    However...


    The Xiao Yi in front of him suddenly ducked, allowing Fang Ao''s punch to whiz past his shoulder. Following closely, Xiao Yi spun around, his back facing Fang Ao, and with bent legs, he thrust himself forward powerfully, like a bowstring snapping back, and his back collided with a boom against Fang Ao''s chest.


    In an instant, Fang Ao''s complexion turned deathly pale, feeling a sharp pain in his chest as if several ribs were broken.


    Aow!


    Immediately afterwards, a terrible scream rang out from Fang Ao''s mouth.


    Shot out like an arrow, he flew more than ten meters before sliding another seven or eight meters across the courtyard and hitting the wall, only coming to a stop then. Cracks spread all around the wall, as if a breeze might topple it.


    Boom!


    The whole courtyard shook violently.


    Fang Ao leaned against the wall, his face ashen, blood spurting from his seven orifices, looking at Xiao Yi with horror, "You, you..."


    He was too shocked to finish his sentence.


    Fang Qingzhu''s pretty face was filled with astonishment. Everything had happened in the blink of an eye, leaving her momentarily disoriented.


    Xiao Yi walked up to Fang Ao, looking down at him from above, "The title of ''good-for-nothing'' suits you perfectly!"


    "Xiao, Xiao... wah..."


    Hatred filled Fang Ao''s eyes as he ground his teeth. Just as he started to speak, he spat out another mouthful of blood and gasped for breath before slowly regaining some composure. "You''re done for..." he hissed through his teeth. "Just wait, when my brother comes back, he will take your life... and when that time comes, both you and that bitch Fang Qingzhu will die..."


    "By then, you won''t be able to see it!" Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly narrowed, a cold gleam flitted across his eyes as he raised his foot to stomp toward Fang Ao''s head.


    "Stop..."


    Fang Qingzhu''s voice suddenly came from inside the house.


    Xiao Yi paused, frowning as he looked towards her.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face was unable to hide the shock in her heart as she panted heavily and said, "Fang Ao''s younger brother Fang Jin is a master of the Tenth Layer of the Gather Qi Realm, and he is at the Royal Martial Arts Academy for assessment. Once he returns, it''s very likely he will be a Shentong Realm expert. If you kill Fang Ao, Fang Jin will definitely not let you go..."


    Xiao Yi''s brow furrowed slightly.


    Tenth Layer of the Gather Qi Realm?


    He, the Divine General of Zhentian, who commanded the Eternal Mausoleum of the Ages, how could he fear anything?


    Seeing Xiao Yi hesitate, Fang Ao mistook it for fear of Fang Jin and showed a triumphant look. Proudly he said, "So now you''re afraid? Kek, it''s too late... But, if you kneel in front of me now, beg for mercy, and personally bring Fang Qingzhu cleaned and delivered to my bed, I might consider asking my brother to spare you a dog''s life!"


    "I intended to kill you right now, but since you are so confident in Fang Jin, I shall spare your dog life and let you witness how he dies by my hand!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head gently, and under Fang Ao''s horrified gaze, he forcefully stomped down.


    Puh!


    The stomp landed squarely on Fang Ao''s groin, a yellow fluid mixing with the blood flowing from beneath him.


    Fang Ao''s body stiffened utterly, his face turning a ghastly shade of green, veins on his forehead popping like angry dragons.


    Aowu...


    With a miserable howl, Fang Ao completely lost consciousness.


    Xiao Yi, with an expressionless face, grabbed the collar of the unconscious man and threw him out of the courtyard...

 Chapter 4 - 4 A Thousand Miles in One Day

    Only Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu were left in the courtyard.


    Gazing at the woman before him, Xiao Yi felt a twinge of guilt. If not for him, Fang Qingzhu would not have lost her cultivation. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I''m sorry, I''ve dragged you down!"


    "It has nothing to do with you. This must be my fate!" Fang Qingzhu forced a bitter smile and mocked herself.


    Seeing the self-mockery and unwillingness on Fang Qingzhu''s pale face, Xiao Yi frowned and said solemnly, "Don''t worry, I will take responsibility for you!"


    "Responsibility?"


    Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi oddly and shook her head with a cold sneer, unsure if she was mocking him or herself, "A dying person, and you still talk of responsibility? Fang Jin is very domineering and protective. Since you''ve crippled Fang Ao, he will definitely not let you off, and even I will face a lot of trouble..."


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "If he dares to touch you, I will kill him!"


    "Xiao! Yi!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s phoenix eyes suddenly narrowed, and she called out his name coldly, pausing with each word, "Can''t you be a little more self-aware? What is your cultivation level? And what is Fang Jin''s strength? He is a powerful practitioner at the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, who could step into the Divine Passage Realm at any time. With what will you kill him? How will you protect me? Just because you belong to the Xiao Family? The Xiao Family does not acknowledge you, do you understand?"


    Xiao Yi fell silent.


    Depend on the Xiao Family?


    Ever since that day, he had long stopped considering himself a member of the Xiao Family.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s silence, the frostiness on Fang Qingzhu''s face eased slightly, and she sighed, "Don''t worry. There are still three months before Fang Jin returns. I will try my best to delay him and strive to save your life. I''m a bit tired. You get some rest, and I will have someone send you food."


    "Fang Qingzhu..."


    Xiao Yi opened his mouth, but Fang Qingzhu didn''t turn back and walked straight toward the door.


    Looking at her thinning back, Xiao Yi clenched his fists and muttered to himself, "No matter what, you ended up like this because of me. I will change your fate!"


    The Eternal Tomb was filled with countless experts, including many specialists with strange abilities.


    People like Medicine Saint Feng Lei, Immortal Medicine King Xue Shengyi, and so on.


    As long as he could inherit the teachings of any one of them, there would certainly be a way to cure Fang Qingzhu, "Once this debt is settled, I will leave the Fang Family!"


    He had initially agreed to become a son-in-law to the Fang Family to escape Xiao Tianjiao''s control. However, this incident forced him to stay within the Fang Family. At least, he needed to help Fang Qingzhu recover her Dantian so he could leave without any regrets.


    However...


    To earn the inheritance of Feng Lei or the Immortal Medicine King with his current strength was far from sufficient.


    The Physical Body Realm was just the basic stage of martial arts. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Above it were the Qi Gathering Realm, the Divine Passage Realm, the Golden Core Realm, the Tao Tribulation Realm, and so on...


    He was currently at the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. Even though he had inherited Wu Zhong''s legacy and mastered the Eight Extremes Fist, which was comparable to a top-grade martial art, making his combat power no weaker than an ordinary warrior at the Eighth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, killing him would be as easy as crushing an ant for someone like Fang Jin at the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, let alone Xiao Tianjiao.


    "There are still three months before Fang Jin returns, three months is enough."


    If outsiders heard Xiao Yi''s words, they would likely think he was mad.


    Fang Jin was at the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, while he was merely at the Fifth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. Three months to surpass Fang Jin, break through to the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm?


    Even Xiao Tianjiao, hailed as the strongest genius in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty, took two full years to break through from the Physical Body Realm to the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    And Xiao Yi claimed three months would suffice?


    That was pure fantasy!


    But that was just what the world thought.


    With the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill and the control over the Eternal Tomb, these were not difficult feats for Xiao Yi.


    "One flower one world, one leaf one universe..."


    Xiao Yi focused entirely on his cultivation.


    The Physical Body Realm involved absorbing the essence of heaven and earth to refine the body, and the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill''s absorption of this essence was far more rapid than ordinary techniques.


    The speed of his cultivation could be described as skyrocketing.


    Two days later, Xiao Yi entered the Sixth Layer of the Physical Body Realm.


    In four days, the Seventh Layer of the Physical Body Realm, in six days the Eighth Layer, and by the tenth day, he had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Physical Body Realm.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of turbid air and shook his head reluctantly, "After reaching the Ninth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, the pace has slowed. Indeed, the farther one goes in cultivation, the harder it gets�� I''m now at the Ninth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. I wonder how many God Sealing Seeds I can activate with the essence accumulated inside me?"


    He channeled his profound energy, directing the essence to surge wildly into the God Sealing Seeds.


    As flush after flush washed over them, the black membrane on the surface of the God Sealing Seeds continued to shatter.


    Pop!


    One.


    Two.


    Three...


    When all the accumulated essence inside Xiao Yi was depleted, he had activated a total of four God Sealing Seeds. The surging power of the God Sealing Seeds burst forth from within, feeding back into his body.


    His body shuddered, and his cultivation improved further, stepping into the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm!


    "Now that I hold five Divine Sealing Seeds, should I be able to suppress another formidable being?"


    Xiao Yi made a move and entered the Wan Gu Tian Tomb.


    A search ensued.


    His target settled on a small grave just one foot tall. Wu Zhong''s tombstone had only been two inches high, whereas the wooden tombstone before him stood a full ten feet tall, with the inscription: Jin Wuheng from the Heavenly Yuan Realm, known as the Death-dealing Scholar!


    "The Death-dealing Scholar, Jin Wuheng? Could it really be him?" Xiao Yi was visibly surprised.


    The Death-dealing Scholar, one sword to chase the soul!


    This Jin Wuheng was a figure famous in the Great Qian Dynasty a hundred years ago, originally one of the four great talents of the Great Qian Dynasty, who had turned to the demonic path after being betrayed by his beloved. He had killed countless people in his life and once, with the Seventh Layer of the Divine Skills Realm, he had killed an expert of the Golden Core Realm before leaving without a trace, leaving behind a formidable reputation.


    His signature move, the Soul-chasing Life-taking Sword, was an advanced third-grade sword technique.


    "Death-dealing Scholar, Jin Wuheng, you will be the second being I''ll suppress!" With a firm step, Xiao Yi''s body resonated with the sound of the Divine Seeds, erupting into a brilliant light all around him.


    Hum!


    A myriad of lights gathered into a giant palm that swept down towards the grave.


    Boom!


    The tomb shattered apart.


    A figure emerged as a streak of light.


    This man was dressed like a scholar, holding a Green Peak Longsword, with a cold complexion, eyebrows sharp as swords, and eyes bright like the stars.


    With only a glance at Xiao Yi, devoid of joy or sorrow, a sword swept in from the west.


    Whoosh!


    The sword light soared to the sky, like a world-shaking rainbow.


    The sharp Sword Qi whistled in all directions, and in an instant, it appeared in front of Xiao Yi, pursuing him from every angle. These Sword Qi were so refined they were like meticulously crafted mysterious iron longswords. Before they drew near, they caused Xiao Yi''s body to feel waves of intense pain.


    "No matter how dazzling your former achievements were, now you must be suppressed by me!"


    With a single hand reaching into the void, he fully activated the Divine Seed. That giant palm reemerged in the air, and with a humming sound, it formed a massive black cage that with a loud roar blocked the myriad of sword edges and descended from above, imprisoning Jin Wuheng within the cage with a bang.


    "Godly Suppression of Heaven, to suppress all under heaven..."


    The five Divine Seeds shone brilliantly, and bathed in divine light Xiao Yi roared, "Suppress!"


    Boom!


    The figure of the Death-dealing Scholar dissipated into nothing, solidifying within the Divine Seeds into a statue of a scholar holding a three-foot Green Edge Sword, successfully suppressing the Death-dealing Scholar, Jin Wuheng.


    Boom!


    At the same moment.


    A cool sensation spread throughout his body, and in the depths of Xiao Yi''s mind emerged the cultivation method for the Soul-chasing Life-taking Sword. Deeply embedded into the recesses of his mind, this sword technique that once forged Jin Wuheng''s formidable reputation, every move and every form, along with Jin Wuheng''s understanding of swordsmanship, all merged for Xiao Yi''s use.


    Without discussing Xiao Yi''s current combat capabilities, just the theoretical grasp of swordsmanship alone was now no weaker than that of a swordsman who had devoted dozens of years to the pursuit.


    Beyond that.


    What surprised Xiao Yi was that even Jin Wuheng''s expertise in appraising antique calligraphy and paintings had been transferred to him.


    This Jin Wuheng too was an incredibly learned individual, renowned for his unique insights into antique calligraphy and painting, which turned out to be a fine acquisition.


    "Who would have thought that the Death-dealing Scholar, infamous enough to strike fear upon being mentioned, aside from his exceptional talent in swordsmanship, also had such accomplishments in painting and calligraphy!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled and shook his head, suddenly aware of someone entering the courtyard, he promptly left the Wan Gu Tian Tomb.


    Inside the courtyard.


    An elderly woman with a face full of wrinkles walked in. This was Mei Auntie, sent by Fang Qingzhu to bring food to Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Mei Auntie, what brings you here so early today?"


    Mei Auntie cast a cold glance at Xiao Yi, her eyes filled with disgust, and said indifferently, "If it weren''t for the Miss''s request, do you think this old woman would be willing to bring food to a scourge like you?"


    Xiao Yi managed a bitter smile; Mei Auntie had never shown a pleasant expression towards him in all these ten days.


    Bang!


    Mei Auntie threw the food on the ground, saying coldly, "The Miss asked me to tell you that in ten days, the family head will have his birthday feast. Here is one hundred silver coins; go and buy yourself a new set of clothes. She will prepare the birthday gift for you." Throwing a bag of Silver Coins at Xiao Yi, Mei Auntie complained, "You wretch, you''ve not only ruined the Miss''s dantian, but now she might even lose her position as the heir. If you dare do anything to wrong her, I won''t let you off!"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, then frowned and asked, "What family heir?"


    "You don''t know?"


    Mei Auntie said coldly, "The Miss was originally the heir to the family head, but now that her cultivation is destroyed, and she''s married to someone who isn''t like Xiao Tianjiao, the family head has decided to pass the position to Fang Jin once he returns. A man who has discarded his dignity to become a live-in son-in-law and can''t even protect his own wife; if I were you, I would simply hang myself with a rope..."


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, completely unaware of what Mei Auntie was talking about.


    "Mei Auntie, please tell Qingzhu that with me here, no one can touch her," Xiao Yi said seriously.


    "You? Forget it. You''ve already crippled Fang Ao, and I''ve heard that he has sworn that once Fang Jin returns, he''ll tear you to pieces. You can''t even protect yourself, yet you talk of protecting the Miss?"


    Mei Auntie rolled her eyes, then sighed and looked at Xiao Yi with a slightly softer expression, "But it''s good you have the intention; you don''t owe the Miss, who has been running around negotiating for you these days... I have other matters to attend to, so I must leave. Leave the food container by the door, and I''ll come to fetch it. Remember to buy a set of clothes, and don''t embarrass the Miss any further!"


    With her hips swaying, Mei Auntie departed.


    Clenching the one hundred Silver Coins firmly in his hand, Xiao Yi''s gaze was sharp and determined, "Heir, you say? I declare it belongs to you, and no one can take it away..."

 Chapter 5 - 5 Goldlight Stone Spirit

    Nine days passed in the blink of an eye.


    Over these nine days, Xiao Yi''s cultivation had become increasingly stable, drawing ever closer to the Qi Gathering Realm.


    At noon, with the sun high in the sky,


    having risen early, Xiao Yi had already practiced the Eight Extremes Fist once and cultivated the Soul-chasing Life-taking Sword for two hours.


    "Xiao Yi, time to eat."


    Mei''s voice came from outside the door. After what happened that day, Mei treated Xiao Yi a bit more gently. Seeing him drenched in sweat, she frowned and said, "Tomorrow is the family head''s birthday feast. Miss asked me to check how your clothes preparations are going."


    "I''ll go in a bit!"


    "You better take this seriously! The family head''s birthday feast will bring all the notable figures of Nanhuang City, many of whom have pursued the Miss. You might not compare to those talents, but you should at least dress decently..."


    Mei nagged, "The hundred silver taels the Miss gave you are enough to buy a fine outfit at the Treasure Pavilion. Remember to go, don''t embarrass the Miss again!"


    ...


    Treasure Pavilion was situated in the south of Nanhuang City, divided into an outer and an inner cabinet.


    The outer cabinet mainly consisted of street stalls with a dazzling variety of goods on offer��everything under the sun, but with no guarantee of authenticity amidst a mix of the genuine and the fake.


    The inner cabinet, however, dealt in high-end merchandise, extremely expensive; a single piece of clothing could cost dozens of silver taels, enough for a typical family of five to live on for half a year. It was rare for ordinary people to shop at the inner cabinet.


    "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes brightened as he passed a street stall.


    The stall owner was a thin old man with nothing but a black iron dragon statue on his display.


    "Goldlight Stone Spirit?"


    With the appraisal ability and experience in antiques and paintings he had acquired from the Life-taking Scholarte, Xiao Yi could tell at a glance that there was something special about the statue; it was not an ordinary object.


    "How much for this statue?"


    The old man said, "Fifty silver taels!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shifted, he said, "I''ll take it!"


    The old man''s face brightened as he reached for the silver in Xiao Yi''s hand.


    But just then, a lazy voice came from the side, "I''ll take that statue, young master!"


    The newcomer was a brocade-clad youth, lightly fanning himself, his face full of arrogance, completely ignoring Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s expression turned slightly cold, "It seems I was the first to take interest in this statue, wasn''t I?"


    "So what if you saw it first? Ask the stall owner if he''ll sell to you," the youth scoffed, looking at the old man, "Old man, who do you plan to sell this statue to?"


    The old man pretended to hesitate, "Indeed, this young brother was the first to show interest..."


    The youth casually said, "I''m offering a hundred taels!"


    The old man quickly looked to Xiao Yi.


    The youth taunted, "What''s the matter? Can''t afford a hundred taels?"


    "Quite a skilled performance,"


    Watching the youth and the old man, Xiao Yi sneered inwardly. Although they masked their intentions well, the small expressions they couldn''t keep in check didn''t escape his eyes.


    This little trick might fool others, but not the current him.


    "If you''re just shifting money from one hand to the other, then take it."


    After finishing his words, without another glance, Xiao Yi turned to leave. A statue containing a Goldlight Stone Spirit, although valuable, was of no great use to him��he was not about to waste his time playing childish tricks with this youth and the old man.


    "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi''s straightforward abandonment caught the old man and the youth off guard. They had used this tactic to provoke buyers many times before, and it was unexpected that this time it had failed.


    "Young brother, don''t leave. Although I love wealth, business is still about principles. You were the first to like this statue, so no matter how much others offer, I will sell it only to you for fifty taels, deal, and no going back!"


    Seeing the deal about to fall through, the youth immediately signaled the old man with his eyes. The old man hurriedly chased in front of Xiao Yi to deliver the statue, afraid that Xiao Yi would change his mind.


    "Deal!"


    Xiao Yi didn''t refuse, casually tossing the fifty silver taels to the old man, he prepared to leave.


    "Hahaha..."


    Once the transaction was settled, the youth suddenly burst into laughter, "Kid, I didn''t expect you actually had some insight, knowing I was maliciously bidding up the price and unwilling to spend more money. But what of it? This statue is just made from scrap iron, not even worth one silver tael. Fifty taels, I made a killing!"


    "What''s going on here?"


    "Didn''t he just try to outbid for the statue? Why is he suddenly saying it''s fake? Is he in cahoots with that old man?"


    The old man respectfully stepped forward, handing the fifty silver taels to the youth, and with a fawning expression said, "Lord Bao, brilliant!"


    "Damn, is this a scam?"


    "Lord Bao? Is he Lei Bao from the Black Tiger Gang?"


    Watching Xiao Yi get duped, the crowd felt no sympathy, only schadenfreude.


    Lei Bao flipped the fifty silver taels in his hand, "Kid, there''s no such thing as a free lunch. If it really were a priceless treasure, Lord Bao would have snatched it up long ago. Where would it be your turn? Hahaha..."


    "So full of himself, yet blind as a bat..."


    Xiao Yi glanced once, and smiled coldly.


    Just at that moment...


    An elderly figure emerged from the crowd, heading straight for Xiao Yi, his eyes revealing interest, "Young man, I''m quite intrigued by this statue. May I take a look at it?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "Be my guest!"


    Elder Yan took the statue and scrutinized it carefully.


    The more he looked, the graver his expression became.


    Seeing this, Lei Bao showed a cold sneer, arrogantly saying, "Old man, you might as well not waste your time here. This is just scrap iron my master acquired for a silver tael, not anything valuable..."


    The old man simply turned to glance at Lei Bao, his tone indifferent, "I, Yan Mingli, have managed the Treasure Pavilion for thirty years. Do you think I can''t tell the difference between trash and treasure?"


    "What? Is he actually Yan Mingli?"


    "Holy shit, Elder Yan is the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, unrivaled in Nanhuang City for his ability to appraise treasures. And he''s actually interested in this statue? Could it be a rare treasure?"


    "A rare treasure?"


    Lei Bao was completely dumbfounded.


    He had naturally heard the great name of Yan Mingli, the bigwig of Nanhuang City''s treasure appraisal scene. Swallowing his saliva with a gulp, Lei Bao tentatively said, "Elder Yan, you couldn''t possibly have misjudged, could you? This is really just a piece of scrap iron��"


    Smack!


    Elder Yan turned around and gave Lei Bao a slap that saw stars in his eyes and snorted haughtily, "Even your father wouldn''t dare say I''ve misjudged." Gently caressing the statue with his palm, Elder Yan asked, "Young man, would you be willing to part with this statue?"


    Xiao Yi said, "If the price is right, naturally I''d sell!"


    Elder Yan tested the waters, "How about ten thousand silver taels?"


    Hiss!


    A collective gasp of shock went through the onlookers.


    Especially Lei Bao, whose eyes twitched and turned bloodshot as he stared fixedly at the statue in Elder Yan''s hands. sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ten thousand silver taels!


    He had originally bought it for nothing more than a single tael, and now it was worth a ten-thousand-fold increase?


    He had just been smug about duping Xiao Yi out of fifty taels, thinking that Xiao Yi was a big-headed fool who didn''t know anything, and now in the blink of an eye, it was a treasure worth ten thousand taels?


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "That price lacks sincerity!"


    "What?"


    "You find ten thousand taels too low?"


    More and more people gathered around, their eyes popping in disbelief as they saw Xiao Yi reject Elder Yan''s offer.


    Burning with jealousy, Lei Bao felt malice rising at his gall and immediately shouted, "Brat, how dare you speak to Elder Yan like that? Elder Yan taking a liking to your item is your good fortune; you should be offering it to him as a gift��"


    "..."


    Elder Yan, however, completely ignored Lei Bao and after contemplating for a moment, nodded and said, "The young man is right, a statue made from a complete Goldlight Stone, ten thousand taels is indeed too stingy of me. How about this, I offer fifty thousand taels, what do you say?"


    Boom!


    Lei Bao swayed, almost tumbling over.


    Fifty thousand taels?


    I was satisfied with setting up a plot for a mere hundred taels, but I ended up gifting away a treasure worth fifty thousand taels?


    Fuck me...


    Lei Bao wished he could slap himself hard.


    "Still too low," Xiao Yi laughed.


    "Hmm?"


    Elder Yan''s brow furrowed, a touch of displeasure on his face.


    Fifty thousand was already a very fair price, and yet Xiao Yi was still not satisfied?


    Xiao Yi sighed, "I had hoped that someone capable of managing the Treasure Pavilion would not disappoint me in his appraisal skills, but it seems I was mistaken!"


    Elder Yan''s face darkened.


    Having managed the Treasure Pavilion for over thirty years, he had seen countless treasures and no one had ever dared to question his appraisal expertise. Now Xiao Yi had the audacity to belittle him as such? Even for someone as tempered as Elder Yan, his face couldn''t hide the growing anger.


    Seeing this, Lei Bao''s heart leaped with joy, and he vehemently reprimanded, "How insolent! Elder Yan has seen more treasures than meals you''ve eaten; who are you to question his appraisal skills?"


    Xiao Yi completely ignored Lei Bao, his clear eyes focusing on Elder Yan, "If it were a statue made from Goldlight Stone, fifty thousand taels would indeed be fair. But what if it were crafted from the Goldlight Stone Spirit?"


    Hum!


    Elder Yan''s body shuddered, and he began to breathe rapidly, "Goldlight Stone Spirit? You mean to say this statue is made from the Goldlight Stone Spirit?"


    Xiao Yi said, "You''ll know once you try!"


    Elder Yan flicked his finger and pure Qi surged into the statue.


    Hum!


    The pitch-black statue suddenly burst forth with dazzling light, the dragon''s body swiftly turning to gold, and within it flowed a ripple-like gold liquid.


    "It really is the Goldlight Stone Spirit! Never in my life did I imagine, Yan Mingli, that I would encounter the Goldlight Stone Spirit, hahaha��"


    Elder Yan was so excited he was moved to tears, leaving the entire crowd including a completely dumbstruck Lei Bao.


    What kind of treasure was this?


    Even the high and mighty Elder Yan was so excited that he cried?


    Lei Bao swallowed hard and tentatively looked at Elder Yan, "Elder, this statue is really worth fifty thousand?"


    Elder Yan said, "Fifty thousand? Hmph, double that is more like it!"


    Hiss!


    Lei Bao was struck as if by lightning, frozen in place.


    Elder Yan, with a newfound respect in his gaze towards Xiao Yi, acknowledged his appraisal skills, his voice solemn, "Young man, I am willing to pay one hundred thousand taels for this statue, what do you think?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Acceptable!"


    Elder Yan glanced around at the increasingly crowded scene and frowned, "There are too many prying eyes here; shall we discuss this in the Inner Cabinet?"


    The two left side by side.


    The crowd turned their mocking and pitying eyes towards Lei Bao, who stood there looking like a stunned chicken, "How awesome, the Black Tiger Gang has set up a lot of traps to harm people, but today, they couldn''t rob the chicken and have lost a handful of rice instead!"


    "A treasure worth one hundred thousand, and he plotted with all his might to hand it over as a gift��"


    "This is what they call karmic retribution!"


    Lei Bao trembled all over, the surrounding voices like invisible slaps to his face, hot and painful!


    "My, my money��"


    Lei Bao felt dizzy, the world spinning around him, his eyes flashing with ferocity and madness as he stared at Xiao Yi''s receding figure, "You damned bastard, daring to snatch food from the tiger''s mouth. I will make sure you spit it all out with interest!"

 Chapter 6 - 6: Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll

    Treasure Pavilion, fifth floor of the Inner Cabinet.


    "This is where I usually live; feel free to take a seat!"


    Elder Yan led Xiao Yi into the room, and upon seeing Xiao Yi appraising the collected items around, a hint of pride appeared on his face, as he smiled and said, "Young brother, my collection has caught your eye, hasn''t it?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "These are indeed rare treasures!"


    "Of course, these are the results of the better half of my life''s work!"


    Elder Yan handed Xiao Yi ten silver notes with a face value of ten thousand each, "Here are one hundred thousand taels of silver, all issued by Tianqing Silver Bank. You can count them."


    Tianqing Silver Bank was a royal enterprise of Tianqing Kingdom and one could exchange the notes for cash or directly use them!


    Xiao Yi did not actually count the notes, simply putting them into his bosom.


    This satisfied expression spread across Elder Yan''s face, as he carefully placed the statue on the cabinet and asked, "Young brother, may I know your name?"


    "Xiao Yi!"


    "Xiao Yi? You are the useless son-in-law of the Fang Family?"


    A look of surprise flashed across Elder Yan''s face, as he quickly said, "I''m sorry..."


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "It doesn''t matter!"


    Elder Yan secretly marveled in his heart; rumors had it that Qingzhu from the Fang Family married a useless son-in-law, causing her dantian to be discarded and almost losing her position as the family heir.


    However, facing the Xiao Yi in front of him, he just couldn''t connect the two together.


    But since Xiao Yi himself didn''t make much of it, Elder Yan wasn''t looking to embarrass himself and subtly changed the subject, "Xiao Yi, I have many peerless treasures here, would you be interested in taking a look?"


    "It would be an honor!" Xiao Yi replied.


    Elder Yan immediately began to show Xiao Yi his prized collection.


    One had to admit that Elder Yan''s collection was indeed bountiful, with many rare and unique treasures to behold.


    The value of these collections alone was probably no less than that of any of the four major families'' entire fortunes.


    "Xiao Yi, come over here!"


    Elder Yan pointed to the gold-framed scroll on the wall, with a mysteriously pleased smile on his face.


    Xiao Yi glanced at it, recognizing an Autumn Frost and Rain Painting, "Strong and vigorous strokes, a very forceful style, the brushwork is smooth, a fine painting."


    Elder Yan''s opinion of Xiao Yi grew even more favorable, and he proudly said, "Young brother Xiao Yi has a keen eye. This painting is an original Tang Pu, and within my collection, it can easily rank within the top ten. A prince once offered eight hundred thousand taels of silver for it, but I couldn''t bear to part with it!"


    While Elder Yan was basking in his sense of accomplishment, he noticed Xiao Yi''s eyebrows deeply furrowed, his gaze fixed on the painting as if he had discovered some issue.


    Elder Yan asked puzzledly, "What''s wrong? Does this painting have a problem?"


    Xiao Yi spoke gravely, "There''s something odd about the painting!"


    "Odd?"


    Elder Yan stopped Xiao Yi and frowned, "Xiao Yi, are you saying that this painting is fake? That''s impossible. Several other old fellows and I have appraised it, and this is definitely an authentic Tang Pu!"


    "The painting is real, but I''m afraid the artist is someone else!" Xiao Yi said.


    "Where does this young nobody get off criticizing my teacher''s collection? I think you''re just showing off��"


    Just then, a cool voice came from behind.


    A stunningly beautiful woman appeared behind the two men, clad in a fiery-red qipao, tall and graceful, with long black hair cascading down her back. She bowed respectfully to Elder Yan and greeted, "Teacher, I saw the door open and came in on my own!"


    "No matter!"


    Elder Yan waved his hand and introduced, "Xiao Yi, this is my disciple, Lin Bingxin. Bingxin, this is Xiao Yi!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Hello."


    "I am not well!"


    Lin Bingxin looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of indifference, eyes brimming with disdain, "My teacher has studied Tang Pu''s paintings for decades. In the vast Tianqing Kingdom, if anyone is most familiar with Tang Pu''s works, he dares to claim second place because nobody has the courage to claim first. I don''t know where you get the confidence to say that my teacher''s authentic Tang Pu has problems!"


    "Nonsense!"


    Elder Yan glared harshly at Bingxin, then looked gravely at Xiao Yi, "Young brother Xiao Yi, this painting is one of my most cherished treasures. You just said that it''s not a Tang Pu? Do you have evidence?"


    Lin Bingxin, proud as a lofty swan, slightly tilted her chin upward, "Teacher is right. If you can provide a convincing explanation, I, Lin Bingxin, will acknowledge you!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at her and said indifferently, "Whether you acknowledge me or not, what does it have to do with me?"


    "You..."


    Lin Bingxin''s expression froze.


    She was famous alongside Qingzhu of Nanhuang City, known as one of the four great beauties of Nanhuang City!


    Which man wouldn''t yield to her and strive for her favor?


    And yet Xiao Yi was so dismissive of her?


    Biting her lip, Lin Bingxin said firmly, "If this painting turns out to be fake, I''ll call you grandpa! If it''s real, you''ll kneel and apologize to my master!"


    "To be my granddaughter? You''re too old!" Xiao Yi looked Lin Bingxin up and down and said, "But to be my niece might just be more suitable!"


    Lin Bingxin''s teeth itched with rage as she clenched her jaw and declared, "Deal! Let''s agree on that!"


    Elder Yan hesitated for a moment then said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, if you can prove what''s wrong with this painting, you may choose any one of my treasures. Isn''t the head of the Fang Family hosting a birthday banquet tomorrow? You must be here at the Treasure Pavilion to find a birthday gift, right?"


    Lin Bingxin''s complexion changed, as every treasure here was worth a fortune.


    "Since Elder Yan is so fond of Tang Pu, you should know that among the four great talents of the past, Tang Pu, known as the Calligraphy and Painting Noble, was in fact more skilled in painting rather than calligraphy."


    Xiao Yi, while letting Lin Bingxin take down the scroll, also asked for a dagger and spread the scroll out on the table. He continued, "Among the four great talents, the one who was best at calligraphy was none other than the Lifetaking Scholar, Jin Wuheng. However, due to Jin Wuheng''s excessive killing, almost all of his calligraphic works were destroyed and few remain." sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lin Bingxin radiated an icy ''keep out'' chill, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed into a tight knot, "Lifetaking Scholar? What does that have to do with this painting?"


    "Just watch closely!"


    Xiao Yi''s hand plunged the dagger into the edge of the scroll with a ripping sound, slicing across the canvas.


    Lin Bingxin screamed in fright, "Are you trying to destroy this painting?"


    Elder Yan''s eyes twinkled with an inexplicable brilliance. Without a word, but with fists clenched white, it was clear his heart was also undergoing great turmoil.


    Whoosh!


    At that moment, Xiao Yi abruptly lifted his hand, peeling away the top layer revealing an image of a young man slaying a tiger with a sword.


    To the left of the painting were four bold characters, flying dragons and dancing phoenixes��Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll.


    In the upper right-hand corner was a verse written with the strength of dragons and snakes: "Sword in hand, jade pendant at the waist, feasting on the head of a beautiful chieftain, drinking enemy''s blood to quench thirst. Love of men and women, set aside for now, the ambition in my endless heart, now I decide. A man travels a thousand miles with sword in hand, and every step on that path is unsettled."


    The handwriting was strong and magnificent, like dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing, with boundless sword intent rising to the sky.


    The signature was none other than the three characters of Jin Wuheng!


    Hiss!


    "This?"


    "It''s really not an authentic work by Tang Pu, even the teacher was mistaken?"


    "And Xiao Yi, he saw through the mystery with just one glance?"


    Lin Bingxin sucked in a breath of cold air, dumbfounded.


    "A man travels a thousand miles with sword in hand, every step on that path unsettled! What a Lifetaking Scholar, what an impressive Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll... It is said that Tang Pu and Jin Wuheng were close friends, and surely Tang Pu did not wish to see the fine works of Jin Wuheng lost to time, so he deliberately covered it with his own to preserve it. I thought I, Elder Yan, was the foremost among Nanhuang''s treasure appraisers, but I failed to notice such a glaring flaw..."


    Elder Yan''s face was flushed with emotion as he turned to Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, I honor my bets. This Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll is yours to take!"


    "Thank you! Though the painting is mine, the sword technique still belongs to Elder Yan." Holding the scroll, Xiao Yi glanced at the sword technique on it. He took the painting but did not want to owe any favors, saying, "Elder Yan, listen carefully!"


    "Sword! Break! Slash! Annihilate..."


    As Xiao Yi spoke, Elder Yan initially appeared puzzled, but as Xiao Yi continued to speak, Elder Yan was completely shocked. His body''s spiritual energy suddenly stirred.


    Every word from Xiao Yi''s mouth seemed like a sacred chant, transforming into human figures before his eyes.


    This... He was imparting swordsmanship!


    This method was unheard of by him!


    But amid his shock, Elder Yan immediately refocused, watching those characters that turned into little figures performing various sword moves. His eyes burst with intense brilliance, fully immersing himself.


    Less than half an incense stick''s time.


    Sword intent suddenly burst from Elder Yan''s body. Then he took two steps backward and respectfully bowed to Xiao Yi, "Respected teacher above, please accept your disciple, Yan Mingli''s bow!"


    "Ah? Teacher, you..." Lin Bingxin gasped in surprise.


    "I have no intention of taking disciples. We should regard each other as equals. As for the sword technique, it''s rightfully yours," Xiao Yi looked at Elder Yan and said.


    "Absolutely not!"


    Elder Yan quickly shook his head. If the identification of the Goldlight Stone Spirit and the real nature of the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll were accidents, now he was completely in awe. Imparting teachings through sound to grasp an advanced third-grade sword technique in less than half an incense stick''s time was no ordinary feat!


    This genuflection was truly deserved by Xiao Yi!


    If he could become a disciple, he, Yan Mingli, would surely reach new heights!


    However, since Xiao Yi refused to take disciples, Elder Yan could only say, "If you don''t wish to take disciples, I can''t force you, but to consider ourselves peers is absolutely unacceptable. How about this, in front of others, I''ll address you as Young Master Xiao, and in private, I''ll call you teacher, would that be acceptable to you?"


    "Suit yourself!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively and said, "I have other matters to attend, so I''ll take my leave now!"


    "Teacher, take care!" Elder Yan said respectfully.


    Xiao Yi cornered his mouth into a smile as he walked past Lin Bingxin, "Good niece, your uncle is leaving now!"


    "You..."


    Lin Bingxin''s face flushed with anger, cheeks puffed out, looking aggrievedly at Elder Yan, "Teacher, you see how he''s taking advantage of me..."


    "Taking advantage? My dear disciple, I would be overjoyed to become his uncle!" Elder Yan joked with a wry smile.


    Lin Bingxin was startled, "Teacher, why do you hold him in such high regard? He''s just been lucky..."


    "Just lucky? Could luck alone allow him to spot the Goldlight Stone Spirit in one day? Could luck discern the mystery behind this Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll? Could luck enable me to master an advanced third-grade sword technique in less than half an incense stick''s time?"


    Elder Yan''s words left Lin Bingxin utterly stunned; upon hearing this, Xiao Yi seemed truly formidable!


    "Everyone says that Xiao Tianjiao, the eldest son of the Xiao Family, is the reincarnation of a true dragon. Although I have never seen Xiao Tianjiao, this second young master of the Xiao Family is no ordinary person. The world, oh how shortsighted it is!"


    Elder Yan took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting wise light as he turned to Lin Bingxin, "Bingxin, go prepare a congratulatory gift. Tomorrow, I shall pay a visit to the Fang Family!"

 Chapter 7 - 7 Birthday Banquet

    "This trip has indeed yielded a rich harvest!"


    Walking home, Xiao Yi was very satisfied with the outcomes.


    Not only had he earned a hundred thousand taels of silver, but he also obtained the only surviving masterpiece of the Life-Chasing Scholar, truly making the journey worthwhile.


    "The ''Subduing Tiger Sword Technique'' is Jin Wuheng''s simplification of the ''Life-Chasing Soul Sword.'' This man truly was a natural-born swordsman!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at the scroll in his hand.


    Nanhuang City was just a remote small town.


    Even being one of the four great families, the Fang Family''s highest-level martial technique was only a third-grade intermediate.


    This ''Subduing Tiger Sword Technique'' could completely serve as a treasure to protect the clan and, as a birthday gift for Fang Tianhao, it would definitely suffice, "This gift should indeed make Qingzhu proud!"


    Presenting such a precious martial technique as a congratulatory gift wasn''t to curry favor with Fang Tianhao.


    It was merely to mitigate his own remorse towards Fang Qingzhu!


    ......


    The following evening.


    The setting sun burned the western sky red, as if a layer of Hongxia had been spread across it.


    Fang Qingzhu came to the courtyard to meet with Xiao Yi, and upon seeing his wrinkled clothes, her eyebrows knitted together, "Didn''t I give you a hundred taels of silver to buy clothes?"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose, "I''m sorry, I forgot."


    He had gone straight home after leaving Elder Yan yesterday, completely putting the matter of buying clothes out of his mind.


    "You..."


    Fang Qingzhu opened her mouth but ultimately let out a powerless sigh, "Never mind, even if you dressed up, those people wouldn''t look at you any differently. Let''s just go! It''s getting late, we should leave..."


    Xiao Yi asked, "Is it just the two of us?"


    He remembered that Fang Qingzhu''s parents were still alive, and she had a younger brother��why were they nowhere to be seen?


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes dimmed, not wishing to elaborate, she merely said, "They''ve already gone ahead!"


    "Alright, just wait a moment!"


    Xiao Yi returned to the house and brought out the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll.''


    Fang Qingzhu frowned, "What is this?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "A birthday gift!"


    Fang Qingzhu looked deeply at Xiao Yi, said nothing more, and softly remarked, "I already told you I''d prepare the gift... But since you''ve prepared one yourself, let''s use yours then!"


    The two took a carriage to Mr. Fang''s main house.


    The vast Fang Family home was brightly lit and decorated, buzzing with joy and the hustle and bustle of people coming and going.


    The birthday feast was set in the Fang mansion''s banquet hall, with over thirty neatly arranged red tables, all seated with important figures from Nanhuang City.


    Chen Yong, the head of the Chen Family, Zhao Yu of the Zhao Family, and Zhang Yong, the head of the Zhang Family��all important figures from the four great families��were seated in prominent positions.


    In addition, there were others like Lei Hu, the leader of the Black Tiger Gang, Nie Tianying, the head of the Flying Eagle Escort Agency, and so on, each bringing substantial gifts, reflecting the Fang Family''s status in Nanhuang City.


    Today''s birthday star was Fang Tianhao, the head of the Fang Family and also Fang Qingzhu''s grandfather.


    Fang Tianhao, donning a fiery red python robe, was beaming and enjoying a hearty conversation with the heads of the other three major families.


    Fang Qingzhu''s parents, Fang Zheng and Liu Yun, along with their son Fang Hao, were all smiles, warmly welcoming the guests arriving. Suddenly, a servant reported, "My lord, madam, Miss Qingzhu and the young master have arrived!"


    The smiling faces of Fang Zheng and his wife changed instantly, their smiles dissipating.


    It was as disgusting as stripping a beautiful woman only to discover she was a man.


    Fang Zheng scoffed, "So they''ve come, but am I supposed to greet them personally?"


    Liu Yun''s face was full of disdain as she scolded, "Remember, that worthless man is not our son-in-law. If you get it wrong again, you can leave the Fang Family!"


    The servant was terrified, "This servant understands the mistake."


    Fang Hao, dressed in a splendid robe and looking impatient, said, "Dad, Mom, stop arguing. I''ll go take a look."


    Fang Zheng''s face showed nothing but disgust as he nonchalantly waved his hand, "Just find them a corner to sit in!"


    "Understood!"


    Fang Hao lazily made his way to the entrance and glanced at Fang Qingzhu and Xiao Yi with a mocking tone, "Oh my, isn''t this my haughty sister and the worthless brother-in-law? You two finally decided to show up. I''ve specially arranged seats for you, come with me!"


    Back then, Fang Qingzhu was the pampered darling of the heavens, the entire family treated her like she was the moon surrounded by a halo of stars.


    Fang Hao had often been disciplined by Fang Qingzhu.


    But now...


    With Fang Qingzhu having fallen to a cripple and bound to lose her status as the family heir once Fang Jin returned, he couldn''t be more delighted.


    Fang Hao directly led the two of them to the most secluded corner. While others had grand red tables full of dishes and wine, all they had were two plates of cold dishes, not even a set of utensils.


    Fang Hao said, "We''re a bit short on space up front due to the number of guests, and grandfather''s wish is for you to stay out of sight to avoid displeasing the other guests. You''ll just have to make do here!"


    "Is this grandfather''s idea, or did our parents ask you to do this?" Fang Qingzhu asked tremulously, her words heavy with intent.


    There were several empty seats at the tables in front of them, how could it be that there wasn''t enough space for guests?


    This was clearly a deliberate humiliation!


    Since when did one have to worry about causing guest displeasure by sitting in the front at a birthday celebration for one''s own grandfather? Could it really be that their own family members ranked lower than these so-called guests?


    In the face of Fang Qingzhu''s interrogation, Fang Hao feigned innocence, "Sister, you''re thinking too much! Today is grandfather''s birthday, his happiness is what matters most. It''s just a seat; where does it matter where you sit, right?"


    Xiao Yi gave him a sidelong glance, his eyebrows arching, a cold smirk on his face.


    Where does it matter where you sit?


    Then why don''t you sit here? Why not arrange for the heads of the other three major families to sit here?


    But seeing Fang Qingzhu beside him, silent and speechless, Xiao Yi knew her heart was much heavier than his own. After all, it was her own younger brother who had arranged for her to be here. He understood all too well the feeling of being humiliated by one''s own flesh and blood.


    It was a desolation that words could not describe, a powerlessness and heartache.


    It cut deep to the heart.


    "Sister, just stay here for now! I have to get busy," said Fang Hao with a laugh, striding away.


    Their situation was naturally witnessed by the guests, who whispered and gossiped among themselves, their comments too offensive to bear: "Is that the Fang Family''s useless son-in-law? Well, he does look pretty handsome, but it''s a pity he''s useless..."


    "Not just useless, but a bringer of misfortune too! Fang Tianhao used to spoil Fang Qingzhu rotten, afraid she might fall and get hurt, or melt in his mouth, and now? Look at where they''ve been seated, in the furthest corner without even a decent dish..."


    At this moment, the banquet officially began.


    The guests toasted and made merry, the atmosphere lively.


    Only in the corner where Xiao Yi and his companion were seated, the desolation was emphasized by the two plates of cold dishes.


    After three rounds of wine and a multitude of dishes had been served,


    Fang Zheng, seated at the main table, gave a light cough, and seeing that everyone was looking at him, he began to speak, "Hao, haven''t you specially prepared a birthday gift? Isn''t it time to offer it to grandfather?"


    "Alrighty!"


    Fang Hao, his face flush with excitement��having always been overshadowed by Fang Qingzhu at previous birthday feasts, it was now his turn to shine��stepped forward cheerfully, "Grandfather, I have prepared for you a hundred-year-old ginseng, wishing you fortune as vast as the East Sea and a longevity greater than the southern mountains."


    A hundred-year-old ginseng was worth tens of thousands of silver, and Fang Tianhao''s smile was so wide he could barely close his mouth, "Good grandson, your gift is very much to grandpa''s liking!" sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Pleased with himself, Fang Hao maintained a facade of modesty, "As long as grandpa likes it, that''s all that matters!"


    "Family head, our younger brother couldn''t return from the capital to join in your birthday celebration. Before he left, he made me promise to deliver his gift personally!"


    Fang Ao had largely recovered after a month of recuperation, but his voice had taken on a colder, sharper edge. He presented a jade box to Fang Tianhao, "Our brother knows you enjoy studying sword manuals, so he prepared this ''Falling Leaves Sword Skill,'' a third-grade beginner-level sword technique. We hope you will find it to your liking!"


    Hisss!


    The crowd collectively gasped in astonishment, "That ''Falling Leaves Sword Skill'' must cost at least a hundred thousand silver!"


    "Even for the Fang Family, such a sword technique could be considered a treasure of the clan!"


    Watching the envious expressions in everyone''s eyes, Fang Tianhao reveled in his pride, "Very good, very good, Fang Jin indeed is the most outstanding son of the Fang Family, this gift has truly won my heart!"


    "If the family head is pleased, our younger brother will be extremely happy!"


    Fang Ao''s pale face twisted into a venomous smirk as he looked in the direction of Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu and said mockingly, "Our younger brother, even from afar in the capital, remembered to prepare a birthday gift for the family head. Fang Qingzhu, you are the Fang Family''s heir apparent. What gift have you prepared for the family head?"


    At his words, all eyes turned toward the corner where Xiao Yi and his companion were seated��

 Chapter 8 - 8 Utter Disappointment

    Everyone''s gaze fell upon Xiao Yi and the person beside him.


    Fang Qingzhu inwardly sighed, knowing that what was meant to come, would always come.


    She glanced at Xiao Yi beside her and together they approached Fang Tianhao. With a clear voice, Fang Qingzhu said, "Qingzhu wishes Grandfather a long life of endless prosperity. Qingzhu knows Grandfather enjoys drinking tea, so I personally roasted this batch of pre-rain green tea, hoping Grandfather will like it!"


    In the past, even the mere presence of Fang Qingzhu before him would have delighted Fang Tianhao immensely.


    But now...


    Fang Tianhao merely responded with a dismissive tone, pointing to a side teatable without concealing the disdain on his face, "Put it there!"


    He didn''t even give it a glance.


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes dimmed, her pale face flashing with a touch of disappointment and helplessness. This was the harsh reality, even her grandfather, who had adored her since childhood, had no more affection for her once he learned she had married Xiao Yi and lost her cultivation base.


    In Fang Ao''s resentful gaze gleamed a sense of vengeful pleasure. With feigned surprise, he said, "Xiao Yi, although you''re merely a live-in son-in-law leeching off our Fang Family, today is the family head''s birthday. Surely you haven''t come unprepared with a gift? This is after all the first time you''re attending the family head''s birthday feast since your marriage to Fang Qingzhu. It wouldn''t look good going empty-handed, would it? Wouldn''t that be a joke to outsiders?"


    The many guests in the hall looked at Xiao Yi with yet more scorn and contempt.


    "The Xiao Family is among the most reputable clans in the Great Qian Dynasty, how could they not understand the most basic social etiquette? This is simply outrageous!"


    "I heard he''s already been expelled from the Xiao Family, he can hardly be considered one of them!"


    The crowd''s commentary was like millions of sharp spikes piercing Fang Qingzhu''s heart.


    She looked pleadingly towards Fang Zheng and Liu Yun.


    Hoping her parents would step in to resolve this awkward situation.


    However...


    Fang Zheng and his wife displayed complete indifference, adopting a cold demeanor as if the matter was none of their concern, sinking Fang Qingzhu''s heart even deeper.


    At that moment...


    Warmth spread from her palm; Xiao Yi had taken her hand. Under Fang Qingzhu''s astonished gaze, Xiao Yi calmly said, "I did prepare a gift."


    "Oh? Then let''s see it!" Fang Ao demanded.


    The crowd echoed, "Yes, let us see and learn what someone from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty would present as a birthday gift!"


    Xiao Yi produced the scroll and held it out to Fang Tianhao, "An ancient painting, wishing you longevity and health!"


    "An ancient painting?"


    "Even the cheapest ancient painting is worth thousands of silver pieces. If it''s a painting by Tang Pu, then any random scroll could be worth tens of thousands. I wonder whose masterpiece he has brought?"


    Fang Tianhao was also taken aback; if it truly was an ancient painting, then that would indeed be an acceptable gift. He turned to Fang Hao, "Hao, open this scroll and let''s see, whose prized work could this be?"


    "Yes, Grandfather!"


    Fang Hao took the scroll and slowly unrolled it.


    The crowd stretched their necks with anticipation, "Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll? What a domineering name!"


    "The painting is well-crafted, and those inscriptions are indeed unique, but whose masterpiece could it be?"


    When the scroll was fully unfurled, the crowd saw the signature ''Jin Wuheng'' and exchanged puzzled looks. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fang Ao''s face exaggerated shock as he exclaimed, "Jin Wuheng? Who''s that? Never heard of him. Xiao Yi, don''t tell me you picked up some street stall trinket as a birthday present?"


    As Fang Tianhao heard these words, his expression darkened.


    He was the respected head of the Fang Family. If he truly accepted a street-vendor good as a birthday gift, wouldn''t it be a loss of face for the entire household?


    Fang Tianhao looked towards Zhang Yong, "Pavilion Master Zhang, you are known as a great collector in Nanhuang City. Have you ever heard of a master named Jin Wuheng?"


    Zhang Yong touched his nose with a peculiar look on his face, "The name Jin Wuheng sounds unfamiliar, but everyone should have heard of his nickname ''Life-Stealing Scholar.''"


    "The Life-Stealing Scholar? The one who was as famous as Tang Pu, and also one of the Great Qian Dynasty''s Four Great Scholars of the past?"


    "Wasn''t it said that because the Life-Stealing Scholar committed too many killings, all his works were destroyed, leaving no existing pieces?"


    "Pavilion Master Zhang, is this painting real or fake?"


    Zhao Yu''s voice was somber, "Pavilion Master Zhang, Xiao Yi''s reputation is at stake. It''s better to carefully appraise it!"


    Zhang Yong waved his hand dismissively, "As everyone mentioned, the Life-Stealing Scholar has no works that survived to this day. How can there be an authentic piece by him in the world? What else is there to appraise?"


    The crowd naturally grasped the implication of his words.


    If Jin Wuheng had no works that had been passed down, then this painting must be a fake!


    Fang Ao was inwardly delighted, but his face showed a look of disappointment akin to hating iron for not becoming steel, "Xiao Yi, you truly brought a fake gift as a birthday present?"


    "Aiyowei, Xiao Yi, that''s too much! Yesterday, you received a Goldlight Spirit Stone Statue at the Treasure Pavilion worth more than a hundred thousand silver, and you didn''t use it as a gift, but how could you bring a fake painting to deceive people?" Lei Bao, who had recognized Xiao Yi early in the crowd, stepped forward and said aloud.


    Fang Ao''s eyes lit up as he stirred the pot from the side, "Xiao Yi, you''ve truly disappointed us. We could have understood if you had no money to prepare a gift, but you just got a treasure worth more than a hundred thousand yesterday. Not offering it as a gift to our head is one thing, but to use a fake painting to humiliate the head..."


    "Enough!"


    This statement was like pouring oil on a fire, thoroughly enraging Fang Tianhao.


    With a fierce slap, he smashed the wooden table beside him to pieces, his face extremely ugly. He never liked Xiao Yi from the bottom of his heart and had never expected anything worthy as a gift.


    Just as Fang Hao said, Xiao Yi was humiliating him!


    Fang Tianhao''s face was so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it, and the disgust in his eyes grew stronger, "I, Fang Tianhao, have lived for so many years, but this is the first time someone has dared to insult me with a fake good. Out of respect for the Xiao Family, I won''t pursue this matter, but I want you to get out immediately and never set foot in the Fang Household ever again!"


    "No wonder even the Xiao Family is unwilling to acknowledge your status. It''s truly a disgrace!" Fang Ao shook his head in sighs, but the satisfaction of revenge was evident in his eyes.


    Lei Bao too shook his head, "Get going already, do you want to stay and lose more face?"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze, cold as it passed over everyone''s faces, softened as he felt warmth from the palm of his hand. Looking down at Fang Qingzhu, there was an inquiring look in his eyes.


    Fang Qingzhu smiled gently, "Since the people here don''t welcome us, let''s go!"


    The murderous intent in Xiao Yi''s eyes disappeared, and he nodded with a smile, "Alright!"


    The two of them, hand in hand, turned and walked away.


    Fang Ao and Lei Bao exchanged glances, but were they about to let him off that easily?


    "Take your fake good and leave with it. Don''t leave it here to dirty the Fang Household!" Fang Ao crumpled the scroll and threw it outside the door.


    Just as the scroll was about to hit the ground, at that moment, an old palm steadily caught it.


    At the same time.


    From outside the door came the trembling voice of a servant, filled with excitement, "Pavilion Master Elder Yan from the Treasure Pavilion has arrived��"

 Chapter 9 - 9 Whats Your Seniority?

    "Elder Yan from Treasure Pavilion has arrived!"


    The servant at the doorway, with an excited flush across his face, stretched his neck and shouted at the top of his lungs.


    His voice overshadowed all the sounds in the great hall.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    One after another, the guests almost simultaneously stood up, shock apparent on each of their faces as they turned toward the direction of the main entrance.


    Fang Tianhao was so excited that he trembled, his face aglow with delight.


    The Zhang, Zhao, and Chen family patriarchs looked toward Fang Tianhao, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy.


    Chen Yong said with a wry smile, "Ever since Elder Yan came to Nanhuang City, I''ve invited him no fewer than ten times a year, but the old man has not accepted an invitation even once!"


    Zhang Yong sighed and said with a sour tone, "It''s Mr. Fang who has the grand face, to actually have Elder Yan come to personally celebrate his birthday!"


    Within Nanhuang City.


    Apart from the city lord''s mansion, the four great families reigned supreme.


    These four stood at the pinnacle of Nanhuang City''s power pyramid, and even the city lord''s mansion had to show them some courtesy. The only exception was Elder Yan from Treasure Pavilion, who never paid them much heed.


    Of course.


    The Treasure Pavilion, present throughout the entire Heavenly Yuan Realm, indeed had such strength and prestige.


    And because of this...


    Every family considered it an honor to be able to invite Elder Yan to their feast.


    However, Elder Yan had always abstained from these gatherings; even the city lord''s mansion could not persuade him!


    Today Elder Yan had actually come to the Fang Family, naturally causing everyone else to be green with envy.


    Fang Tianhao beamed from ear to ear, his eyebrows lifting slightly in a gesture of pride as he feigned helplessness, "Ah, Elder Yan and I have been good friends for many years. I am just a man of low-profile who does not wish to flaunt our friendship. This year is my eightieth birthday, and he insisted on coming to celebrate..."


    The surrounding guests, upon hearing this, felt their envy intensify.


    Any family that could establish a connection with Treasure Pavilion was like attaching itself to a hen that laid golden eggs. If not soaring high, at the very least the family''s power could multiply several times over a short period.


    Zhao Yu, the patriarch of the Zhao Family, said in a deep voice, "Mr. Fang, you must lend us your support in the future!"


    "Certainly, certainly!"


    Feeling the envious gazes of everyone around him, Fang Tianhao''s smile grew even more brilliant.


    Today was destined to be the most glorious moment in his life! The high and lofty Elder Yan personally coming to celebrate his birthday was something he hadn''t even dared to dream of. Over the years, the Fang Family had sent no small number of invitations to Elder Yan, but he had never accepted one. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fang Tianhao thought to himself, "He must have heard about Fang Jin''s imminent admission to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, becoming a high and mighty royal disciple, so he specially came to curry favor with our Fang Family!"


    With that thought.


    Fang Tianhao stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked toward the entrance with light steps.


    With five or six meters still separating him from Elder Yan, Fang Tianhao extended his right hand, with an excited face he said, "Hahaha, Elder Yan gracing us with his presence truly brings glory to my Fang Family!"


    All the envious guests around him thought, "When will we ever be like Mr. Fang, to have dealings with a personage like Elder Yan?"


    However...


    Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the expected scene of the two towering figures engaging in pleasant conversation did not occur.


    Elder Yan simply walked past Fang Tianhao and headed toward someone behind him.


    Leaving a windblown Fang Tianhao behind, his hand outstretched and his face still wearing a beaming smile.


    Watching Elder Yan approach her direction, Fang Qingzhu''s heart tightened��she was very clear about the terrifying influence Elder Yan wielded in Nanhuang City.


    If she were to offend the person before her, it would definitely be a dead end!


    Fang Qingzhu quickly tugged at Xiao Yi, whispering urgently, "Quick, move aside��this is Elder Yan from the Treasure Pavilion; we mustn''t block his path!"


    But Xiao Yi remained motionless, with an odd expression, watching the approaching Elder Yan.


    "What on earth are you doing? This is Elder Yan; we can''t afford to provoke him..." Fang Qingzhu''s face was filled with anxiousness, as she was already thinking about how to seek Elder Yan''s forgiveness should Xiao Yi offend him.


    However, Elder Yan, who was like an uncrowned king in Nanhuang City, quickly stepped forward, stopping a meter away from Xiao Yi, with hands clasped together in utmost respect, "Yan Mingli pays his respects to young master Xiao!"


    What?


    Everyone was simultaneously petrified.


    Their unblinking eyes were fixed on Xiao Yi and Elder Yan, and the word "flabbergasted" was clearly written on everyone''s faces. The heads of the three great families looked at one another in confusion��what was happening?


    Wasn''t it said that Elder Yan had been an acquaintance of Fang Tianhao for many years?


    Why was he completely ignoring Fang Tianhao and instead enthusiastically approaching the good-for-nothing, son-in-law of the Fang Family?


    The three of them stared fixedly at Fang Tianhao.


    Fang Tianhao''s face stiffened, feeling as though his cheeks were burning from the pain, as if he had been slapped dozens of times. Recalling the words he had said before, he wished he could dig a hole and bury himself in it.


    Elder Yan gave him a sly wink, as if to say, "Master, this should make you proud, right?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head helplessly, turning towards the dumbfounded Fang Qingzhu beside him, "Qingzhu, this is Yan Mingli, Elder Yan. You should just call him Elder Yan like I do!"


    "Elder�� Elder Yan?!" Fang Qingzhu repeated subconsciously.


    "Hahaha, I have long heard that Madam Xiao is a heavenly beauty, and seeing you today, it is indeed true! This bottle of ''Gestation Elixir'' is a gift I''ve specially prepared for our meeting. I hope Madam Xiao won''t find it too modest!" Elder Yan took out a bottle of elixir and thrust it into Fang Qingzhu''s hands without any further explanation.


    Hiss!


    Around them, a series of astonished gasps rang out: "The Gestation Elixir? Isn''t that a third-grade medicinal pill, worth five thousand silvers each? With at least ten pills in the bottle, that''s fifty thousand silvers, right?"


    "What exactly is going on? Wasn''t it said that Elder Yan was here to celebrate Mr. Fang''s birthday? Why is he completely ignoring him and instead seems to have come for Xiao Yi?"


    Fang Qingzhu looked panic-stricken, turning towards Xiao Yi with a helpless look.


    Xiao Yi patted the back of her hand, reassuring her with a smile, "Don''t worry, since it''s a gift from Elder Yan, just accept it with peace of mind!"


    Only then did Fang Qingzhu accept the elixir.


    Elder Yan also breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Is Elder Yan doing this just to curry favor with Xiao Yi?" Fang Qingzhu was shocked by her own thoughts. She saw how Elder Yan continually maintained a low profile in front of Xiao Yi, and was frightened by the speculation in her mind.


    This was the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, whose status was incredibly exalted.


    Even when the four great families had sent him invitations several times, Elder Yan had been disdainful, yet now, he had brought a precious Gestation Elixir as a gift to please Xiao Yi?


    Was this really the same man who everyone despised as useless?


    Looking at Xiao Yi again, Fang Qingzhu felt as though there was a layer of mystifying fog surrounding him, one that was impenetrable to the eye, and the more she tried to investigate, the more she felt like she was sinking deeper, as if mired in the mud.


    "Excuse me for a moment..."


    Fang Tianhao, steeling himself, came over. He felt pins and needles all over, having just boasted proudly; if he couldn''t turn the situation around, it would be a huge embarrassment.


    With a glimmer of hope in his eyes, he tentatively asked, "Elder Yan, weren''t you here to celebrate my birthday? Why have you started chatting with this good-for-nothing?"


    "Good-for-nothing?"


    Elder Yan was momentarily taken aback before realizing Fang Tianhao was referring to Xiao Yi, and a glint of cold light flashed deep in his eyes. With utter disdain, he countered, "And who do you think you are? Worthy of me celebrating your birthday?"

 Chapter 10 - 10 The Frog in the Well

    "Who do you think you are? Worthy of me celebrating your birthday?"


    Elder Yan''s merciless words made Fang Tianhao tremble all over, his face turning from white to red, from red to green, and finally into a bloodless pale.


    This change of face was faster than flipping a book, utterly spectacular.


    Invisibly.


    Everyone seemed to hear the crisp sound of slapping echoing in the hall.


    Fang Tianhao''s chest heaved violently, feeling dizzy and almost fainting.


    A complete and utter humiliation!


    He had just boasted that he was on such good terms with Elder Yan that Elder Yan had come specifically to celebrate his birthday. Yet, Elder Yan''s words publicly burst his lie.


    For a moment.


    The gazes of the guests in the hall shifted from initial envy and jealousy to one of schadenfreude and pity.


    Chen Yong curiously asked, "Elder Yan, aren''t you here for the birthday banquet?"


    "Attend his birthday banquet? Is he worthy?"


    Elder Yan''s face was thick with mockery, his gaze shifting to Xiao Yi as he indifferently said, "I am here today specifically to pay my respects to Xiao!"


    Hiss!


    Chen Yong and others sucked in a breath of cold air.


    To pay respects to Xiao Yi?


    The gazes everyone directed at Xiao Yi underwent a drastic change, and the figure of this son-in-law of the Fang Family seemed to grow immensely in stature.


    "What merits and virtues does this waste have to warrant such respect from Elder Yan?"


    "Do you think Elder Yan is saying this just to give face to the Xiao Family?"


    "Impossible, Xiao Yi has already been expelled from the Xiao Family. Elder Yan couldn''t be unaware of that..."


    "Then how do we explain this?"


    "No matter what, this little son-in-law has really shot up in the world. With this connection to Elder Yan, who would dare to look down on him in the future?"


    Among the crowd.


    Fang Ao''s face turned from green to white, resembling a venomous snake coiled in wait, radiating a light of cold malice.


    Clenching his fists tightly, the knuckles turned pale from the force.


    Ever since Xiao Yi had crippled his ''fifth limb,'' Fang Ao''s heart had been thoroughly twisted.


    He thought of revenge every waking moment.


    But with Fang Jin''s delayed return, he could only wait. Today, he finally seized an opportunity to make Xiao Yi lose face. Yet, with Elder Yan''s appearance, Xiao Yi instead soared high into the sky, becoming Elder Yan''s cherished friend.


    Look at the way those people are staring at Xiao Yi. Their gazes were no longer filled with disdain and ridicule like before, but with fervent enthusiasm, almost wishing to transform into fawning dogs, eager to grovel at Xiao Yi''s feet.


    "Why does this waste deserve to have Fang Qingzhu, why does Elder Yan visit him? Why not me? I won''t accept this, I won''t..."


    Fang Ao took a deep breath, his eyes filled with insane hatred as he loudly said, "Elder Yan, please don''t be deceived by Xiao Yi, he is the scum of humanity, disloyal, unfilial, unrighteous, and unkind. Just before you arrived, Xiao Yi presented a fake painting as a birthday gift to our family head. When we exposed him, far from feeling any guilt, he walked away, completely disregarding the family head."


    Lei Bao also added fuel to the fire, "Fang Ao is right, Xiao Yi is an animal. Elder Yan is not aware, but yesterday, I was the first to take interest in that statue. However, he snatched it from me, accusing me of setting him up..."


    Both were weeping profusely as they poured out their tale.


    A hint of amusement flashed in Elder Yan''s eyes. Pretending to be serious, he asked, "Xiao, is what they''re saying true?"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose, "What do you think?"


    "I think..."


    Elder Yan pretended to ponder, then, amidst the expectant faces of Fang Ao and others, he suddenly glared, his invisible yuan qi transforming into two cold palms that fiercely slapped them to the ground. His cold voice sent chills down their spines, covering them with an icy dread, "They''re just talking nonsense!"


    Elder Yan unfurled the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll in his hands, his expression cold as he said, "This fake painting you mentioned, is it this one in my hands?"


    Fang Ao, covering his face, struggled to his feet and nodded, "Yes, that''s the fake painting. Zhang, the head of the Zhang Family, personally authenticated it as a fake!"


    "No, that''s correct!" sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lei Bao spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with teeth, his face a picture of grievance.


    Elder Yan looked at Zhang Yong and said indifferently, "Zhang Yong, you say this painting is a fake? What is your evidence?"


    Ah?


    Zhang Yong was taken aback and dared not lie under Elder Yan''s sharp gaze, he reluctantly nodded and said, "Elder Yan should know that although Jin Wuheng, the Life-Claiming Scholar, is one of the Four Great Talents alongside Tang Pu, he bore too much killing intent, and all his works were destroyed by enemies. There are no known surviving masterpieces of his. Moreover, this ''Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll'' has no mention in any historical records, which is why I concluded it was fake!"


    "See, Elder Yan, the Life-Claiming Scholar left no works behind, how could this painting possibly be genuine? We deduced that Xiao Yi definitely bought this substandard forgery from some unscrupulous counterfeiter, presenting it as a gift for longevity..."


    Fang Ao, thinking he had found the truth, spoke more and more proudly, "But what he never imagined was that Master Zhang is a major collector with an extensive understanding of ancient paintings and saw through the forgery at a glance, exposing his hypocritical guise!"


    Watching Fang Ao who seemed to have grasped the truth, Xiao Yi touched his nose and looked at Elder Yan with a strange expression.


    An unscrupulous counterfeiter?


    Elder Yan''s face turned green, with a gloomy expression, he said, "Do you know where he got this painting from?"


    Fang Ao shook his head, "I haven''t inquired that... I heard Elder Yan loathes counterfeiters and swindlers the most. I believe that with some stern interrogation, Xiao Yi will surely confess and bring the fraudster to justice!"


    "There''s no need for coercion, I know who the counterfeiter you''re talking about is!" Elder Yan said with a dark face.


    "Ah?"


    Fang Ao was stunned, then quickly put on a flattering smile and said, "Elder Yan is wise and martial, able to guess who the fraudster is without even stepping outside!"


    Elder Yan said flatly, "You know him too!"


    "I do?"


    Fang Ao looked confused.


    With a cold expression, Elder Yan enunciated deliberately, "This painting was taken from my study. The counterfeiter you''re talking about, if I''m not wrong, is me! Are you going to bring me to justice?"


    Thump!


    Fang Ao, terrified, collapsed on the ground, his face turned deathly pale, and he looked at Elder Yan in disbelief, "This, this, this painting is yours?"


    At that moment, Fang Ao felt so regretful he could have died.


    Damn it!


    He had actually called Elder Yan a counterfeit swindler? Wasn''t this like an old birthday deity ingesting arsenic because he was tired of living?


    Fang Ao trembled all over with fear, repeatedly opening his mouth to argue, but so nervous he could hardly make a sound, nearly close to tears.


    The surrounding crowd was also stunned.


    Nobody had anticipated such a twist.


    Gurgle!


    Fang Tianhao was the first to come back to his senses, disbelievingly looking at the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll'' in Elder Yan''s hand, he ventured, "Elder Yan, if this painting is genuine, then, then its value must be incredibly high, right?"


    Standing beside him, Zhang Yong also full of shock, swallowed and said with a trembling voice, "If this is genuine, then it''s the only remaining precious artifact of the Life-Claiming Scholar Jin Wuheng in this world. Its value is immeasurable. At the very least, it''s worth millions of taels of silver."


    "What?"


    Everyone was astonished.


    Especially Fang Tianhao, who was shaking all over with tremors, wishing he could slap Fang Ao to death. If it wasn''t for Fang Ao''s instigating remarks just now, he wouldn''t have thought to discard the painting!


    This was worth millions of taels of silver!


    Even for the Fang Family, several million taels of silver was not a small amount.


    Elder Yan sneered with scorn, "A bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well, treating such a treasure like trash. If it were to fall into your hands, that would truly be a pearl covered in dust!"


    Fang Tianhao''s face turned extremely ugly. Although the Fang Family was not as prominent as Treasure Pavilion, being repeatedly disregarded by Elder Yan, the head of the Fang Family, his anger rose, and he stubbornly said, "While a million taels of silver is not a small amount, my Fang Family can still afford it. What pearl covered in dust?"


    "Idiot!"


    Elder Yan looked at him with contempt, and said indifferently, "I believe the Fang Family can come up with a million taels of silver, but what about a third-grade high-level sword technique? Does your Fang Family have it?"

 Chapter 11 - 11 Regret Beyond Recall

    "What, what did you say?"


    "A high-level tier-3 sword technique?"


    Fang Tianhao was stunned, looking at Elder Yan with a bewildered face.


    Weren''t we talking about the painting?


    How did it get connected to a sword technique?


    To know...


    In Nanhuang City, the highest grade of martial arts was high-level tier-3, possessed only by the city lord''s manor and the big four families. Such a level of martial arts could easily cost tens of millions of silvers, and for any family, it was considered a treasured heirloom. S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elder Yan scoffed and raised the scroll in his hand, saying, "The sword technique I''m talking about is inside this painting. It was Xiao who discovered the secret within this painting, yet he chose to give such a precious treasure to you as a birthday gift. And you? You treated it like trash? A frog in a well, lacking vision!"


    Hum!


    Fang Tianhao was shaken to the core, his face turning pale in an instant.


    This scroll contains a high-level tier-3 sword technique?


    This should have belonged to him!


    And he had rejected it?


    Treated it like trash and threw it back?


    "This, this..."


    Fang Tianhao shook his head violently, still refusing to believe it was true. "Impossible, how could a painting hide a sword technique? You must be making up lies to elevate Xiao Yi, right?"


    Elder Yan shook his head and chuckled, "Fang Tianhao, who do you think you are? That I, Yan Mingli, would need to concoct lies to deceive you?"


    "So, it''s true then? This painting really contains a high-level tier-3 sword technique? Doesn''t that mean, this painting is worth millions of silvers?"


    Fang Tianhao finally accepted reality.


    The painting that he had previously seen as trash, something Xiao Yi used to humiliate him, at that moment seemed to emit an endless divine light, a rare treasure of unmatched value.


    "I''ve always been unable to break through to the Golden Core Realm because the Fang Family''s treasure is a bladed technique. If I could practice this swordsmanship, I would have hope of stepping into the Golden Elixir Realm!"


    Fang Tianhao thought to himself, "But after all, as head of the family, I''ve already returned this painting, so I cannot simply ask for it outright. However, I believe that if I hint just a little, Xiao Yi will surely give it back to me..."


    With this thought in mind,


    Fang Tianhao cleared his throat, putting on a calm demeanor, and smiled at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, I am truly pleased that you would offer me such a treasure..."


    Xiao Yi looked at him coldly, how could he not understand Fang Tianhao''s intentions, and indifferently said, "What does your happiness have to do with me?"


    Uh...


    Fang Tianhao''s expression stiffened.


    Damn it!


    I''ve hinted so blatantly, can''t you understand?


    Fang Tianhao was inwardly irate, but seeing that Xiao Yi showed no signs of offering the painting again, he had no choice but to steel himself and say, "Xiao Yi, since the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll'' was prepared by you as a birthday gift for me, I can''t refuse your kindness..."


    Xiao Yi said, "This painting was originally meant for Qingzhu, but now it seems unnecessary."


    Fang Tianhao''s face darkened, and he extended his palm commandingly, "Xiao Yi, I order you to give the painting to me!"


    In his mind, having lowered his face, Xiao Yi surely wouldn''t dare to refuse again.


    Sure enough.


    Xiao Yi took the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll'' from Elder Yan''s hands and turned to Fang Tianhao. Fang Tianhao''s heart surged with pleasure, proudly thinking: I refuse to believe I can''t handle a mere son-in-law, in the end, won''t you obediently hand over the painting?


    However...


    Xiao Yi merely brushed past him, his voice faint as it reached Fang Tianhao''s ears, "This sword technique, you are unworthy of it."


    "What do you mean by that?"


    Fang Tianhao''s face stiffened as if relishing a delicious meal only to have inadvertently swallowed two flies��utterly discomforted.


    Xiao Yi walked straight up to Zhao Yu, "Do you want to learn the sword technique above?"


    Zhao Yu looked utterly baffled, "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi frowned, "You don''t want to learn?"


    "I..."


    Zhao Yu nodded vigorously and decisively said, "Want, of course I want!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand nonchalantly and threw the scroll, "This painting is yours now."


    Zhao Yu, as if struck by lightning, ecstatically received the scroll, holding it close to his chest like a precious treasure. He stepped back three paces and, with hands clasped before him, bowed deeply to Xiao Yi, "Zhao Yu thanks Young Master Xiao for the gift of the painting. Should you have any orders in the future, the Zhao Family shall spare no effort!"


    "It''s what you deserve!" Xiao Yi said, waving his hand dismissively.


    Earlier, when Zhang Yong had asserted that the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll was a fake, only Zhao Yu spoke up to remind him to examine it carefully. Although it was a small favor, Xiao Yi remembered it. As for the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll itself, had it not been for preparing a birthday gift for Qingzhu, it would have been just a blank sheet to him.


    Having said that, he looked at Elder Yan with a smile, "Elder Yan, I''ve yet to find a place for dinner, would you be interested in joining me for a few hearty drinks?"


    "When Young Master Xiao asks, how could I refuse!"


    Elder Yan laughed heartily, "I know of a tavern with excellent dishes and drinks!"


    Xiao Yi walked up to Fang Qingzhu, took her small hand, and said with a smile, "Qingzhu, Elder Yan is treating us, shall I take you for a big meal?"


    Fang Qingzhu was startled.


    Her dark eyes locked onto Xiao Yi''s and, after a brief moment, she nodded gently, "Mhm!"


    The trio set off.


    Along the way,


    No one dared to stop them.


    Zhao Yu turned to Fang Tianhao and cupped his hands in greeting, "Mr. Fang, I suddenly remembered there is something urgent at home, I shall take my leave first!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking, without waiting for Fang Tianhao to respond, Zhao Yu took the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll and departed.


    As the birthday banquet had not yet concluded, Zhao Yu''s early departure was tantamount to publicly slapping the face of the Fang Family, especially since he left with what should have been their Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll. This left the Fang Family and their associates looking extremely displeased.


    Chen Yong and Zhang Yong exchanged glances, quickly discerning each other''s thoughts and stepped forward together.


    Fang Tianhao''s forehead throbbed with visible veins as he clenched his fists tightly on the armrests, grinding his teeth, "I suppose you two also have something urgent at home?"


    Zhang Yong gave an awkward smile, "There''s a soup brewing at home, I need to see to the fire. My apologies!"


    "Mr. Fang..."


    Chen Yong, being more forthright, struggled to think of an excuse and simply said, "I have a stomachache, I''m leaving first!"


    "You... you..."


    Fang Tianhao''s rage surged to his heart, making his head spin.


    The crowd looked at Fang Tianhao and his family with eyes filled with schadenfreude and pity.


    The Fang Family''s loss today was indeed severe!


    The Fang Family members were enveloped in an air of gloom.


    "The Fang Family is truly pitiable. A high-grade, third-tier sword scroll, just like that, benefiting the Zhao Family!"


    "What''s there to pity? Think about how they have treated Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu before! This is what you call reaping what you sow. Look at Zhao Yu, simply for one sentence, he got such an opportunity!"


    "When I get back, I definitely need to thoroughly educate the youngsters in our clan not to follow the Fang Family''s example!"


    Hearing the murmurs and secretive whispers, Fang Tianhao''s face turned paler still. Looking at Zhao Yu in the banquet area, his body trembling and his heart bleeding, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and lay stiff on the ground.


    That vivid red blood, the Fang Family members in disarray, and the strikingly large birthday character in the background formed a stark contrast...

 Chapter 12 - 12 Elder Yans Request

    The Fang Family, Inner Courtyard.


    The Fang Family, once brimming with joy, was now shrouded in gloom.


    The banquet had ended in disarray.


    Fang Tianhao, who seemed to have aged a decade overnight, lay on his bed, his eyes filled with regret and resentment as he clenched his fists tightly, "Damn Xiao Yi, he''s pushed me too far... *cough cough cough*..."


    Fang Zheng hurriedly patted Fang Tianhao''s back, "Father, please calm down! Care for your health!"


    "Care for my health? Do any of you even care about this old man''s well-being?"


    Fang Tianhao slapped away Fang Zheng''s hand with a look of cold indifference, "Look at the wonderful daughter you''ve raised! She always takes the side of others instead of her family. It''s one thing not to help your kin during critical moments, but she even ran off with that bastard Xiao Yi, as if her goal is to see me dead!"


    "This..."


    Fang Zheng and his wife exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness and bitterness in each other''s eyes.


    Once upon a time, Fang Qingzhu was the pearl in their palms.


    But ever since Fang Qingzhu married Xiao Yi and lost her cultivation, and there were even suggestions to strip her of the position of family heir, their attitude towards Fang Qingzhu had drastically changed.


    What they never expected was that the useless son-in-law they thought little of would suddenly become the cherished friend of Elder Yan.


    Fang Tianhao''s heaving chest slowly calmed down as he said sternly, "I don''t care what methods you use, you must make Fang Qingzhu and Xiao Yi change their minds. Even if you have to kneel and apologize, you must do it, understand?"


    Fang Hao protested, "Grandfather, why should my parents humble themselves and beg that waste? Doesn''t the Fang Family still have me?"


    "You?"


    Disdain and contempt filled Fang Tianhao''s eyes. "If the Fang Family relied on you, I''m afraid our downfall wouldn''t be far off!"


    At seventeen, Fang Hao had also received a lot of resources by riding on the coattails of Fang Qingzhu''s status. Six months ago, he entered the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer �� such talent wasn''t too bad.


    But to rely on him to revitalize the Fang Family? S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That was a fool''s dream!


    Fang Tianhao didn''t bother with him anymore and turned to Fang Zheng with a tone that brooked no argument, "As long as you can bring Xiao Yi back, with his relationship with Yan Mingli, he will definitely help our Fang Family''s business to a new level. And when we get the news of Fang Jin joining the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the rise of the Fang Family will be unstoppable! You must bring Xiao Yi back, understand?"


    There''s power in wealth, and strength in writing.


    The rise of any family or individual is absolutely inseparable from resources.


    The Treasure Pavilion controlled more than seventy percent of Nanhuang City''s trade �� it was a veritable money tree.


    Yet, thinking of how they must now beg the once-despised waste they''d reluctantly accepted as a son-in-law made his face burn with pain.


    Fang Zheng felt incredibly frustrated but dared not go against Fang Tianhao''s wishes, "Father, rest assured, I will bring them back!"


    Leaving Fang Tianhao''s separate residence.


    The reverence on the faces of the trio, Fang Zheng, Fang Hao, and Liu Yun, vanished once they were outside, Liu Yun said fiercely, "That old coot actually expects us to kneel and beg that waste to return? If we really did that, could you and I ever hold our heads high again?"


    "Rest assured!" Fang Zheng''s eyes glinted fiercely and menacingly, "If Xiao Yi obediently follows us back, so be it. But if he dares to resist, then he can''t blame me for being ruthless!"


    ...


    On the wide street.


    A carriage moved smoothly along. Pedestrians cleared the way upon seeing the symbol of the Treasure Pavilion on the carriage, fearing to disturb the important person inside.


    Inside the carriage.


    Fang Qingzhu was somewhat silent.


    Today at the birthday banquet, the actions of Fang Zheng and his wife, along with Fang Hao, had deeply wounded Fang Qingzhu''s heart.


    Xiao Yi kept holding her hand, his warmth comforting her.


    "Xiao, was dinner to your liking?" Elder Yan asked.


    Xiao Yi nodded and smiled, "Indeed, especially the Huadiao-steamed flying dragon. It was truly an extraordinary delicacy!"


    "That''s aged Huadiao Wine of over thirty years, and the dragon was just caught from the Southern Desolate Mountain Range this morning; before cooking, they were all lively creatures!"


    Elder Yan took out a jade bottle from his bosom, his eyes beseeching as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, there are a few Qi Gathering Elixirs inside this bottle, you must accept them!"


    Qi Gathering Elixir.


    A second-grade, low-level elixir, one worth a hundred taels of silver.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Without merit, I cannot accept the reward; I cannot take these elixirs."


    "Don''t be so quick to decline, I have a favor to ask of you!" Elder Yan chuckled, having seemingly anticipated Xiao Yi''s refusal.


    Xiao Yi''s inquisitive gaze met his.


    "On the fifteenth of next month, the Treasure Pavilion''s treasure appraising event of the five cities of Nanhuang will be held in our Nanhuang City. At that time, Pavilion Masters from the other four cities of Nanhuang, as well as some significant figures, will attend. Elder Yan Mingli of Sky Moon City''s Treasure Pavilion and I are old rivals, and just a few days ago, he sent me a challenge letter, declaring that the younger generation from both sides would compete."


    Nanhuang is boundless and vast, an incredibly large territory.


    Within the entire Nanhuang, there are five cities: Nanhuang City, Sky Moon City, Shouye City, Dinghai City, and Qingyang City. Each city has a branch of the Treasure Pavilion, and they constantly vie with each other, both openly and in secret.


    Elder Yan said gravely, "I''ve received word that he has recently taken on an exceptional disciple; although Bing Xin is quite competent, she still falls short in experience compared to Cheng Fu''s disciple. Therefore, I would like to ask for your help at the event, Xiao!"


    "I will go!"


    Xiao Yi agreed. To him, it was no more than lifting a finger.


    Elder Yan''s face broke into a thrilled smile, and without further ado, he stuffed the elixirs into Xiao Yi''s hand, "Now you can accept them with a clear conscience, right?"


    Xiao Yi could only smile helplessly and accept them.


    "Pavilion Master, we''ve arrived!" called the coachman from outside the carriage.


    The three stepped out of the carriage.


    Xiao Yi took Fang Qingzhu''s small hand, "Shall we go in and sit for a while?"


    Elder Yan glanced at the dilapidated courtyard in front of him, his eyebrows knitting slightly.


    This courtyard was truly too rundown.


    The walls were cracked, and the door was mostly broken, creaking in the wind.


    Elder Yan averted his gaze and shook his head with a smile, "The Treasure Pavilion still has matters to deal with; I won''t disturb you and Madam Xiao''s rest today!"


    Fang Qingzhu bowed her head, her pretty face flushed.


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, unconcerned, "If that''s the case, I won''t keep you! I''ll remember the matter and will attend when you let me know!"


    "Then I''ll take my leave first!"


    Elder Yan gave a respectful bow to Fang Qingzhu, "Madam Xiao, do remember to visit the Treasure Pavilion when you have the time; let me have the honor of being a proper host!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded, "Take care, Elder Yan!"


    "You two go ahead inside; no need to see me out!"


    Elder Yan waved his hand and slipped back into the carriage.


    They watched Elder Yan leave.


    Xiao Yi looked at Fang Qingzhu before him, "Do you want to stay here, or go back?"


    Fang Qingzhu bit her lip, a hint of struggle appearing on her face.


    What Fang Zheng and his wife did today had indeed chilled her heart; for the moment, at least, she did not wish to see them again.


    She inconspicuously slipped her hand out of Xiao Yi''s grasp, and said softly, "I''d like to be alone for a while."


    "There are vacant rooms in the courtyard. We can each take one," Xiao Yi said, not really minding.


    But before they could step inside, they heard hurried footsteps coming from behind, accompanied by Fang Zheng''s voice.


    "Wait!"

 Chapter 13 - 13: Humiliation Visits!

    Xiao Yi''s steps halted, and he saw Fang Zheng and his wife, with a reluctant Fang Hao in tow, approaching quickly.


    He instinctively glanced at Fang Qingzhu beside him.


    Fang Qingzhu hung her head low and shook it, "I don''t want to see them..."


    Having said that, she walked straight into the courtyard.


    Xiao Yi stood in front of the main gate, like a guardian deity, watching the three people approaching closely.


    Seeing Xiao Yi, Fang Zheng and the others cursed silently, but still put on a brilliant smile, "Xiao Yi, you''re finally back!"


    Liu Yun, who had never shown a good face to Xiao Yi, said affectionately, "Xiao Yi, you''ve been with our family for so long, and Qingzhu''s dad and I have been busy with clan affairs and haven''t found the time to see you, you''re not upset with us, are you?"


    Xiao Yi did not respond, but said indifferently, "Qingzhu doesn''t want to see you, please leave."


    "Uh..."


    Fang Zheng and his wife exchanged a look, their smiles fading as their gazes darkened.


    In their view, they had lowered their stance enough, and Xiao Yi should be grateful and flattering them. sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But now, Xiao Yi was completely disregarding them!


    A flash of anger went across Fang Zheng''s eyes, but remembering the task given by Fang Tianhao, he suppressed his fury and spoke softly, "Xiao Yi, even if my wife and I have done something wrong in the past, that''s all behind us now. We''re family, any misunderstanding can be cleared up if we just talk it out."


    With that, he aimed a kick at Fang Hao, who was scowling beside them, "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and greet him!"


    Fang Hao reluctantly mumbled a greeting, "Brother-in-law..."


    Obviously, he was extremely reluctant to call Xiao Yi his brother-in-law!


    In his eyes, Xiao Yi being called brother-in-law was a stroke of fortune unbeknownst for eight generations!


    But as soon as the words left his mouth, a disdainful snort from Xiao Yi came forth.


    "What are you, that you deem yourself worthy to call me brother-in-law?"


    "You!"


    Fang Hao''s face fluctuated with varying shades.


    Reluctant to come and plead with Xiao Yi, the mockery from Xiao Yi made his anger rise uncontrollably.


    "I called you brother-in-law as a courtesy, so don''t be ungrateful! Isn''t it just good luck that you got Elder Yan''s support? You really consider yourself something special?"


    Fang Hao''s face was full of mockery, his voice laden with sarcasm, "Elder Yan is merely using you as a tool, and when you''re no longer of value, see if he still bothers with you! Without Elder Yan, you''re just a worthless piece of trash!"


    "Shut your mouth, how dare you talk to your brother-in-law like that?"


    Only after Fang Hao had finished speaking did Fang Zheng rebuke him with a feigned displeasure, smiling, "Xiao Yi, don''t stoop to Fang Hao''s level!"


    Xiao Yi''s expressionless face watched the three like they were a bunch of clowns.


    If he had really intended to stop Fang Hao, would he have waited for him to finish?


    Xiao Yi sneered, "If I really stooped to his level, he�� would already be dead!"


    "Xiao Yi, you''re going too far!"


    Fang Hao''s eyes widened as his vital energy surged, and his fists crackled with energy.


    A body full of vital energy, ready to burst!


    "Enough!"


    From inside the gate came Fang Qingzhu''s cold reprimand, her expression frosty as she stared at the three, her voice trembling slightly, "What are you doing here?"


    The actions of the three at the birthday banquet had already deeply wounded Fang Qingzhu.


    Fang Zheng frowned, quite displeased with Fang Qingzhu''s attitude.


    Stepping forward, Liu Yun presented a beaming smile, "Qingzhu, your father and I have come to tell you great news! Your grandfather has agreed to let Xiao Yi enter the main residence. From now on, our family can live together again!"


    Fang Qingzhu frowned slightly, finding the smile she once thought was kind on Liu Yun''s face now disgustingly insincere.


    A glint of icy disdain flashed in her eyes as Fang Qingzhu said lightly, "It was he who banished Xiao Yi from the main residence, and now it''s he who allows his return. Don''t you find that laughable? What exactly do you take Xiao Yi and me for? Tools at your beck and call?"


    "How dare you talk to your parents like that?"


    Liu Yun''s face stiffened.


    Accustomed to Fang Qingzhu''s obedience, she had lost her patience, commanding with a fierce face that left no room for refusal, "Help Xiao Yi pack up, and move back to the main residence with us!"


    In the past, although Fang Qingzhu was a pampered lady, favored by all, and esteemed, she was extremely filial, always obedient to her parents'' words.


    When Liu Yun spoke, Fang Qingzhu dared not refuse!


    But now, Fang Qingzhu shook her head, "We''re fine here, we won''t be going to the main residence."


    "You wretched girl, not even listening to your own mother?" Liu Yun''s face darkened as she raised her hand to slap Fang Qingzhu''s face.


    Slap!


    The slap came so unexpectedly that everyone was taken by surprise.


    Fang Qingzhu''s head was snapped to the side from the hit, a crimson handprint on her delicate cheek, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.


    Her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness!


    This was the first time in her life that Liu Yun had hit her!


    Fang Qingzhu looked incredulously at Liu Yun.


    "What''s with that look? I gave birth to you and raised you, not to mention hitting you, if I told you to die, you''d have to obey! Go pack your things this instant, and come back to the main residence with us!" Liu Yun said domineeringly, her face grim.


    Fang Qingzhu took a deep breath, her heart growing colder, but her expression was resolute, "I''m not going back!"


    "You wretch, you''re seeking death!" In a rage, Liu Yun raised her hand to deliver another slap to Fang Qingzhu!


    But just at that moment...


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi moved swiftly, shielding Fang Qingzhu and grabbing Liu Yun''s wrist, returning a slap across her face!


    With that slap, Liu Yun saw stars before her eyes and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth!


    The voice of Xiao Yi, as though coming from the depths of hell, also carried coldly through the air.


    "Get lost!"

 Chapter 14 - 14: Crazy beating this rude mother-in-law

    ```


    "You dare to hit my mother?" Fang Hao roared furiously, pouncing toward Xiao Yi like a tiger descending the mountain.


    Xiao Yi lifted his foot for a kick, even though he was only at the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, his combat strength was comparable to a Qi Gathering Realm Third Layer powerhouse, and he sent Fang Hao, who was at the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer, flying with a single kick.


    "Hit my son? Are you trying to start a rebellion?" Liu Yun was burning with rage, her other hand slashing toward Xiao Yi''s face.


    Smack!


    Just as she raised her hand, Xiao Yi backhanded her face again!


    "You..."


    Smack!


    Smack smack smack!


    With a volley of slaps, he struck the domineering mother-in-law''s face left and right, over a dozen times, then flung Liu Yun away, causing her to stagger backward!


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze swept over the two of them, and he said, word by word, "If it wasn''t for Qingzhu calling you ''mother,'' you''d be dead by now!"


    The sharpness of Xiao Yi''s gaze was like a blade, and as cold as ice and snow, it suppressed the overpowering Evil Qi brought by the Lifetaker Scholar!


    At this moment, even a thick layer of makeup couldn''t hide the increasingly pale complexion of Liu Yun.


    The dozen or so slaps had indeed dazed the arrogant mother-in-law, and utterly frightened her!


    "Dare to hit my mother? I''ll fight you to the death!"


    Fang Hao, like a carp flipping back onto its feet, rebounded from the ground, and with a flick of his arm, he drew a Soft Sword from his waist.


    The Soft Sword shimmered with silver light, writhing in his hand like a serpent, and a continuous buzzing sound pierced the air as it thrust straight towards Xiao Yi''s heart.


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes grew cold, and he reached out with a single hand.


    The flesh and blood palm made a grating clang as it met the Soft Sword, and Xiao Yi firmly grasped it in hand. Fang Hao''s face turned beet red with exertion, unable to free the Soft Sword from Xiao Yi''s grasp.


    At this moment, Fang Hao''s face was full of disbelief!


    "How can your physical body be so strong?"


    Xiao Yi scoffed disdainfully.


    "Scram!"


    The veins on his arm bulged as though the roar of the sky thundered faintly in the background.


    Eight Extremes Collapse!


    Boom!


    Fang Hao screamed as he was sent flying backward, the Soft Sword in his hand dropping to the ground as he violently coughed up mouthfuls of blood!


    The mighty power of the Eight Extremes Collapse had shattered five of his ribs!


    This scene made Liu Yun''s eyes nearly split with fury, clawing towards Xiao Yi with a ferocious expression on her face!


    "You little bastard, you dare to hit my son? I''ll fight you..."


    "Noisy!"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold snort, flinging his arm as if he was tossing trash, and sent Liu Yun flying more than ten meters away.


    Whoosh!


    Finally, Fang Zheng made his move, darting forward to catch Liu Yun, his face dark as he looked at Xiao Yi with a serious gleam in his eyes, "Worthy of being from the Xiao Family, even if you''re just a despised waste, you still possess such strength."


    Fang Zheng told Liu Yun to step aside.


    His body faintly vibrated with Vital Energy, much stronger than Fang Hao.


    Fang Qingzhu''s expression changed drastically, and a hint of urgency surfaced in her lost gaze.


    "Xiao Yi, he is a Qi Gathering Realm Fourth Layer powerhouse..."


    "You slut, how dare you side with an outsider against me? I''ve always said, raising a daughter is worse than raising a dog, and it seems I was right!" Fang Zheng roared angrily, his eyes chillingly cold.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face turned deathly white, tears streaming down unstoppably.


    Worse than raising a dog?


    How deeply Fang Zheng''s words must have hurt her?


    They chilled to the bone!


    "Fang Zheng, you are disgraceful as a father!" Xiao Yi said with a face as still as water.


    "She''s my daughter. I gave birth to her, raised her, and she ought to repay me! When she was useful, of course, I treated her as the jewel of my palm, but now? She''s nothing more than waste that can''t even secure the position of Family Head. An outsider who loses me money, why should I be polite with her?"


    Fang Zheng sneered continuously, "If you obediently obey and follow me back to the main residence and serve my Fang Family, I will still acknowledge her as my daughter. Otherwise, you two can become a couple of wandering souls beneath the Yellow Springs!"


    Whizz!


    Fang Zheng suddenly shot an arrow from his fingertip, as fast as a startling reflex, breaking through the air.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank abruptly. Sidestepping the sudden cold arrow, he reached for the Soft Sword on the ground and sped towards Fang Zheng, the Longsword in his hand gleaming with sharp intent: "Chasing Stars, Pursuing the Moon!"


    Fang Zheng''s face darkened. The cultivation of Qi Gathering Realm Fourth Layer endowed him with much denser Vital Energy than Fang Hao''s, his palms pulsing with Vital Energy: "Coiling Snake Palm!"


    The sword shot out like a cold star streaking across the sky! S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The palm struck like a snake, coiling around its territory.


    In the blink of an eye, the palm and the sword''s edge collided heavily, the sword''s edge vibrating intensely and Xiao Yi was forced back several meters!


    ```


    Fang Zheng pursued relentlessly, his palm transforming into a claw as he targeted Xiao Yi''s heart from behind, "If you can''t be of use to me, then go die!"


    Black Tiger Heart Dig!


    This was a deadly strike.


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes were filled with rage, and she moved instinctively, darting forward with her arms spread to shield Xiao Yi from the fatal blow from Fang Zheng.


    "They''re as good as dead!"


    "Dad, quickly kill these two ungrateful wretches!"


    Liu Yun and Fang Hao had ice in their gaze, brimming with intent to kill and void of any past affection!


    "Cheap wench, die!" Fang Zheng said coldly, without a hint of compassion.


    Just as Fang Qingzhu was about to die at the hands of her father, Xiao Yi suddenly turned around, his left arm encircling Fang Qingzhu''s waist and in a swift motion, he spun her out of harm''s way.


    At the same time, in his right hand, the Soft Sword took flight!


    "Soul Chase, Life Seize!"


    Whoosh!


    The sharp brilliance of the sword was like a fireball streaking across the sky, a sword chasing the soul, a life-seizing sword!


    "Ah..."


    Fang Zheng let out a terrible scream!


    This sword had pierced directly through his palm, continuing through the base of the palm and along the entire length of his arm!


    Xiao Yi casually flicked his wrist, and Fang Zheng''s entire right arm was split into two halves!


    Xiao Yi moved forward in one smooth motion.


    "Eight Extremes Collapse!"


    Bang!


    This blow struck Fang Zheng squarely in the chest, sending him flying backward with great force!


    Most of his bones shattered upon impact!


    Ugh!


    Fang Zheng spat out blood as he tumbled down in front of Liu Yun and Fang Hao.


    The family of three looked at Xiao Yi with horror-stricken faces, as if they were staring at a peerless God of Slaughter. Gone was their arrogance and flamboyance, leaving only terror and fear.


    "No, don''t kill us, I, I am your mother-in-law!"


    "Bro, bro-in-law... no, Xiao, Xiao spare our lives, I''m still young... Sister, please beg Xiao for me! Beg him!" Fang Hao shook in terror, stinking of fear.


    Xiao Yi turned his head to look at Fang Qingzhu.


    Fang Qingzhu took a deep breath, "Let them go!"


    Taking the Soft Sword from Xiao Yi, Fang Qingzhu walked in front of the three, her voice cold as frost.


    "From today on, I, Fang Qingzhu, sever all ties with you!"


    Whoosh!


    The Soft Sword gleamed coldly as it severed her jet-black hair, scattering it in the wind.


    The three stood there stunned, their complexions ashen.


    They... were being discarded by Fang Qingzhu like worthless ribs!


    Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop!


    The sound of carriage wheels broke the deathly silence.


    Lin Bingxin looked on in astoundment at the scene before her, full of questions but not daring to ask any. She respectfully presented the deed to Xiao Yi, "Seeing that your residence was in ruins, my teacher purchased a villa next to the Treasure Pavilion and asked me to deliver the deed to you, please accept it!"


    "Much appreciated!"


    Xiao Yi received the deed with a light chuckle and then handed it to Fang Qingzhu. He looked at her earnestly, "Qingzhu, would you be willing to move there with me?"


    Fang Qingzhu stood there, dazed as she looked at Xiao Yi.


    She was now without a home, all alone.


    Seeing the sincerity in Xiao Yi''s eyes warmed her cold heart. A smile curled on her lips as she nodded emphatically, "I would be glad to!"


    "Xiao, Miss Qingzhu, please board the carriage, and I will take you to the villa right away!"


    "No... this is impossible! How could such trash deserve such a place?" Liu Yun couldn''t help but roar in anger!


    Now, with all ties severed and feelings betrayed, how could she accept such an outcome?


    "Impossible! You don''t deserve it! You never will!" Fang Hao''s body was trembling.


    And Fang Zheng was grinding his teeth in anger, his face dark and gloomy.


    "You lowlifes are only fit to live here! Only fit to stay here!"


    Lin Bingxin''s eyes turned cold as she respectfully invited Xiao Yi and his companion onto the carriage, then looked back at the trio with a touch of disdain in her eyes.


    "Even my teacher, who wanted to take Xiao as a master, was refused. With such a prodigious figure as your son-in-law, you didn''t treat him well but instead pushed him away? And you call Xiao trash? Truly laughable!"


    "Not to mention, I wonder who truly is the trash!"

 Chapter 15 - 15 Strange Phenomena of Heaven and Earth

    Driven by the Treasure Pavilion, every inch of land around it was worth its weight in gold.


    In Nanhuang City, everyone aspired to own a house near the Treasure Pavilion. Anyone who could buy an over three-hundred-square-meter mansion nearby would be considered a true winner in life.


    One of the four major families, the Zhang Family, was situated right beside the Treasure Pavilion.


    Zhang Ze was the young master of the Zhang Family, the only son of the family head, Zhang Yong.


    Among the younger generation in Nanhuang City, his talent was also among the top ranks.


    At the age of nineteen, he had already reached the Fourth Layer Cultivation of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    "Er Gouzi, why has the plaque on the mansion next door been changed?" Zhang Ze rode atop a tall horse, glanced at the mansion next to the Zhang residence with a brand new plaque, and asked.


    Leading the horse in front, Er Gouzi turned at the question, "Young Master, it seems that Elder Yan has bought this place!"


    "Oh? Elder Yan? Could it be that he''s planning to become our neighbor?" Zhang Ze''s eyes narrowed into slits. Elder Yan was the most prestigious figure in Nanhuang City.


    Although his cultivation was not the first in Nanhuang City, if one were to talk about status and power, even the lord of Nanhuang City could not compare to him.


    After all.


    The Treasure Pavilion was spread throughout the entire Great Qian Dynasty!


    Countless young talents dreamt of apprenticing under Elder Yan, but within the vast Nanhuang City, no one could catch his eye, so everyone set their sights on Lin Bingxin.


    Zhang Ze was also among Lin Bingxin''s suitors.


    "Young Master, look, isn''t that Miss Lin?" Exclaimed Er Gouzi all of a sudden.


    "Hmm?"


    Zhang Ze was startled and looked eagerly ahead, only to see Lin Bingxin walking out from that residence. He was about to approach when he saw a handsome young man following close behind her.


    Seeing the young man conversing happily with Lin Bingxin, Zhang Ze''s expression instantly turned gloomy, "Who is that kid? He seems very familiar with Bingxin? Er Gouzi, bring the horse over!"


    "Yes, Young Master!"


    Er Gouzi quickened his pace.


    In front of the residence.


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Please give my regards to Elder Yan!"


    "Don''t worry, I''ll remember!"


    Lin Bingxin nodded faintly, the inherent coldness in her, as if a millennia-old ice, tough to melt, "Take good care of Qingzhu after you get back, she hasn''t had it easy!"


    "I will!"


    Xiao Yi responded, recalling the way Fang Qingzhu rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep, he couldn''t help but feel a pang of heartache.


    Lin Bingxin suddenly saw Zhang Ze on his tall horse, rushing over quickly. Her face slightly changed as she quickly said, "I have something else to do, I need to leave first!"


    Before the words had even finished.


    She was already running away like a trail of smoke.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    What did she see that made her run so fast?


    Xiao Yi looked in Zhang Ze''s direction.


    Seeing Lin Bingxin speed up her departure at the sight of him, Zhang Ze did not give chase. Instead, he rode his tall horse to a stop in front of Xiao Yi, intending to figure out the relationship between this young man and Lin Bingxin!


    As their eyes met.


    Zhang Ze gently slapped his palm with the riding crop in his hand, his eyes narrowed into slits, emitting a dangerous light, "You look quite unfamiliar, just arrived in Nanhuang City, haven''t you?"


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, "Less than a month!"


    "Less than a month?"


    Zhang Ze nodded slightly, "Although Nanhuang City isn''t big, its waters run deep. One careless move and you could drown. There are certain things you shouldn''t do, and certain people you shouldn''t mess with. Do you understand?"


    Xiao Yi furrowed his brows, "If you have something to say, just say it!"


    Zhang Ze stopped playing with the riding crop, leaned forward slightly with his elbow propped on the saddle, "Lin Bingxin is the woman I''ve taken a liking to, you''d best stay away from her. I tend to lose measure when I get jealous, and it wouldn''t be out of the ordinary for me to beat someone to death over it..."


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi suddenly realized. So he was being mistaken for a rival in love?


    He didn''t bother to explain. Innocence speaks for itself, and sometimes the more you explain, the less clear things become. Giving Zhang Ze a smile that was not particularly polite, Xiao Yi turned and walked towards the interior of the residence.


    Zhang Ze looked intently at the vermilion gate, squinted his eyes, and said, "Er Gouzi, I''m about to break through to the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm. During this period, have someone keep an eye on this place. If he has nothing to do with Bing Xin, then all is well. But if he dares to pursue Bing Xin, once I come out of seclusion, I will flatten this courtyard!"


    "Young Master, rest assured, I know what to do!" Er Gouzi said respectfully.


    ......


    Inside the courtyard.


    Xiao Yi returned to Fang Qingzhu''s bedroom and looked at the figure lying in deep sleep on the bed. Seeing the faint teardrops hanging on her long eyelashes, Xiao Yi felt a twinge of heartache: "Qingzhu, with me here, I will absolutely not allow anyone to hurt you again!" S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Huff!


    He exhaled a long breath of turbid air.


    Xiao Yi returned to his own bedroom and sat cross-legged, taking out the bottle of medicinal pills Elder Yan had given him.


    Qi Gathering Elixir, a low-grade second-tier medicinal pill.


    Each pill was worth a hundred taels of silver, and consuming this pill could double the speed of absorbing the world''s qi for three hours. There were ten pills in this bottle.


    That was enough for someone at the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm to break through to the Qi Gathering Realm.


    The cultivation practice in the Qi Gathering Realm was entirely different from the Physical Body Realm. The Physical Body Realm involved guiding the qi of heaven and earth to cleanse the body, strengthen the Qi-Blood, and temper one''s foundational constitution, whereas the Qi Gathering Realm required locking the qi of heaven and earth within oneself.


    To form a qi vortex in the dantian, allowing the absorbed qi of heaven and earth to gather within the vortex. With each minor breakthrough, the vortex gains an additional layer.


    Ten layers of qi vortexes stack together, complementing each other to form a loop, evolving into a Qi Sea.


    Once the Qi Sea is cultivated, the qi is abundant and concentrated, without dispersing.


    This allows one to wield various Divine Skills, which are beyond the Qi Gathering Realm, in the Shentong Realm.


    "Let''s break through to the Qi Gathering Realm in one go!"


    He threw the medicinal pill into his mouth, and a fresh stream flowed through his surroundings, his spirit unbelievably focused. His pores seemed to open completely, and his sensitivity to the qi of heaven and earth became much sharper.


    With the Xuan Gong in operation, Xiao Yi instantly became a bottomless pit, voraciously absorbing the world''s qi around him.


    The beginning is always the hardest.


    Condensing the first layer of qi vortex in the Qi Gathering Realm is the most difficult; usually, even strong practitioners take at least a year and a half to condense a qi vortex, transitioning from the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm into the Qi Gathering Realm.


    Under the acceleration of the Qi Gathering Elixir, it was not until the morning of the third day that Xiao Yi successfully condensed a qi vortex, stepping into the cultivation of the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer.


    Only when the effects of the Qi Gathering Elixir wore off did Xiao Yi continue to channel qi into the God Sealing Seed within his qi vortex.


    Boom boom boom!


    One after another, the God Sealing Seeds were fully activated.


    One.


    Two.


    Three��


    Under the assault of all the qi contained within the First Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm, Xiao Yi managed to activate a total of fifteen God Sealing Seeds. Together with the original five, he now had twenty God Sealing Seeds within his body!


    The qi, transformed by the God Sealing Seeds into the power of god sealing, fed back into his body.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation soared to a new level, completely stabilizing his realm at the First Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm.


    Immersed in his cultivation, Xiao Yi didn''t know that.


    At the moment when he broke through to the Qi Gathering Realm and activated a total of twenty God Sealing Seeds, a magnificent nine-colored light suddenly appeared in the sky above the mansion. The light, like a bridge, covered a hundred meters in radius.


    Thousands of birds gathered around the nine-colored light and did not disperse for a long time.


    Basking in the nine-colored light, they looked just like numerous colorful phoenixes and divine luan birds.


    Suddenly there was a long howl from inside the mansion, "Hahaha, I have finally broken through to the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm!"


    Before long.


    A message spread throughout the entire Zhang residence: "The Young Master has broken through to the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm. The heavens have displayed a nine-colored light, and myriad birds gathered without dispersing. This is a heavenly phenomenon celebrating the Young Master''s breakthrough!"


    "The Young Master is mighty, he has actually attracted a heavenly phenomenon, it''s truly miraculous!"


    The Zhang Family rejoiced.


    The patriarch of the Zhang Family, Zhang Yong, was so excited that he set up an altar and prepared abundant offerings to worship the ancestors. He also sent out invitations to the major families and powers of Nanhuang City: "To celebrate my son''s attracting a heavenly phenomenon, we will hold a grand banquet tomorrow evening..."


    As for Xiao Yi, the cause of the heavenly phenomenon, he was currently sitting with Fang Qingzhu, enjoying simple congee and dishes, in perfect harmony.


    Both ears deaf to the world outside the window...

 Chapter 16 - 16: Call Uncle!

    "Qingzhu, have you gotten used to living here?"


    Xiao Yi looked at the tranquil girl across from him and asked.


    Fang Qingzhu revealed a gentle smile on her face and nodded, "These three days might be the most relaxed and comfortable time I''ve ever had in my life!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    "When I was a child, I trained harder than anyone else just so my parents would pay more attention to me. Growing up, not wanting to lose their attention, I had to compete. Xiao Yi, do you know why I agreed to this marriage?"


    Her slender fingers smoothed the hair in front of her forehead, the golden sunlight bathing her face with a sacred glow, Fang Qingzhu''s smile grew even more radiant, "Because Grandpa said, as long as I agree to this arranged marriage, he would hand over the position of family heir to me. I just thought that if I could ascend to the position of family head one day, they would look up to me, and I wouldn''t have to live under their shadow anymore��"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze became somewhat distant as he saw a reflection of himself in Fang Qingzhu.


    From his childhood, everyone''s focus was on Xiao Tianjiao.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s birthday was always a grand celebration, and his birthday, apart from his mother, no one even remembered. Even when his mother suggested holding a family banquet, it would be rejected.


    No matter how hard he worked, he could never get recognition.


    Until the year he was ten��


    Xiao Tianjiao imprisoned him and even stripped him of his right to cultivate.


    Their pasts were so similar.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath and looked at Fang Qingzhu seriously, "Qingzhu, I will help you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Fang Qingzhu was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "I will definitely find a way to heal your dantian, help you sit in the position of family head, and let your parents look up to you��"


    "Thank you, Xiao Yi, for comforting me!"


    Fang Qingzhu gave a bitter smile, "My dantian cannot be repaired at all, and even if I could repair my dantian, I''m afraid I wouldn''t be able to compete with Fang Jin��"


    Fang Jin was almost guaranteed to enter the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and by the time he returned from there, he might have already broken through to the Shentong Realm. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi didn''t say much, but his eyes grew more resolute, "Qingzhu, I will definitely help you fulfill your wish!"


    In the following day.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu spent their time within the residence, tending to plants, playing chess, and even catching fish in the water together, aside from the three meals a day. They even personally cultivated a small vegetable patch.


    This was the life Fang Qingzhu had never experienced but had always longed for.


    The two of them immersed themselves in this simple yet heartwarming joy.


    At night.


    Xiao Yi, sitting cross-legged on the bed, opened his eyes, and a sharp light swirled in his dark pupils, allowing him to appear within the Eternal Heavenly Tomb with a single thought.


    "Medicine Saint Feng Lei��"


    "Immortal Medical King Xue Shengyi��"


    Xiao Yi attempted one after another, but these tombs of great and renowned figures were utterly unapproachable. Having almost scoured the tombs within reach, Xiao Yi finally found his target.


    It was a grave two feet tall, with a wooden stele erected on it.


    The stele bore the information of the tomb''s occupant: Bian He, Heavenly Yuan Realm, known as the Underworld Doctor Ancestor.


    This was the only tomb specializing in medical skills that Xiao Yi could currently access: "Underworld Doctor Ancestor Bian He, I hope you won''t let me down!"


    Boom!


    The God Sealing Seed around him shone brilliantly, radiating splendidly.


    "Break for me!"


    A cold, large hand shattered the tomb before him, and an aged figure burst forth abruptly. This figure was hunched and slightly stooped, with a purple Lingzhi the size of a human head in his left hand, and a ginseng walking stick with roots coiling around it in his right.


    "God Sealing Seed, suppress and seal the gods!"


    Twenty God Sealing Seeds burst forth with brilliant light, forming a massive cage that trapped Bian He.


    Bian He''s purple Lingzhi and ginseng walking stick kept striking in all directions, causing the cage to thunder loudly, yet he couldn''t break free from its confines. He turned into a streak of spirit light and was suppressed within the God Sealing Seed by Xiao Yi.


    Inside the God Sealing Seed, a statue identical to him condensed.


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi also received Bian He''s legacy, which included two items.


    One was the holy scroll of the Underworld Doctor lineage from the distant Southern Border, "Nether King Medical Canon," and the second was a Pupil Skill called "Blood Moon Underworld Pupil."


    The Underworld Doctors of the Southern Border emphasized diagnosis by inspection.


    Among them, "inspection" involved observing with the eyes to understand the patient''s physical condition, the root of the illness, and the nature of the symptoms, among other things.


    "Blood Moon Underworld Pupil" is divided into three realms: Star Pupil, Moon Pupil, and Nether Pupil.


    "The method to repair the dan tian..."


    Xiao Yi, who was quickly scanning through the "Nether King Medical Canon," trembled with excitement and a look of ecstasy crossed his face, "Grafting technique? Heaven really does not let down those who are determined, I''ve finally found it!"


    This ''grafting technique'' is a unique method of the Underworld Doctors, involving the replacement of the dan tian with a specific demonic beast''s core.


    This approach has a huge flaw.


    That is, the limit of one''s cultivation will be determined by the grade of the demonic beast''s core.


    For instance, if you use a second-grade demonic beast''s core to replace the dan tian, the highest one can achieve is the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm; if it''s a third-grade demonic beast core, the highest cultivation limit is the peak of the Divine Ability Realm.


    And so on...


    "Fortunately, these demonic beast cores can be replaced. As long as one becomes strong enough in the future, it''s entirely possible to hunt higher-level demonic beasts to take their cores and replace them with her new dan tian!"


    Xiao Yi sighed with relief and returned to the bedroom, "I won''t tell Qingzhu for now, I''ll wait until everything is ready before giving her a surprise. When dawn breaks, I''ll go to the Treasure Pavilion to buy the medicinal herbs and beast cores needed for the grafting technique. Qingzhu, I once promised to help you take the position of family head, and I will certainly not go back on my word!"


    Seeing that there were still a few hours until dawn, Xiao Yi simply started to cultivate "Blood Moon Underworld Pupil."


    The first realm of cultivating the Star Pupil is to draw in starlight and condense it within one''s eyes.


    Xiao Yi stood on the rooftop, gazing up at the starry sky, circulating the cultivation method.


    Vaguely...


    One could see specks of starlight falling from the myriad stars, merging into his eyes. His eyes became increasingly bright, and two hours later, Xiao Yi suddenly opened his eyes.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    His eyes shone like bright stars as he quirked the corners of his mouth and muttered to himself, "The Blood Moon Underworld Pupil isn''t that difficult to cultivate after all. Just two hours, and I have successfully condensed the Star Pupil!"


    If the people from the Underworld Doctor lineage in the Southern Border heard this, they would probably be driven mad.


    Even Bian He, who was hailed as the strongest genius of the Underworld Doctors'' lineage, had spent a whole day and night to successfully condense the Star Pupil!


    Of course.


    Xiao Yi was unaware of this.


    ......


    Treasure Pavilion, Inner Cabinet, first floor hall.


    The place was bustling with people.


    Xiao Yi stood among the crowd, believing that news of his arrival would soon reach Elder Yan and the others, so he simply waited there.


    "Is this brother also waiting for Miss Lin?"


    "Brother, take a look at us, who isn''t bringing a gift? Coming empty-handed doesn''t seem very sincere, right?"


    Seven or eight handsome young men stood beside Xiao Yi.


    Each was holding a gift of some sort, ranging from famous paintings, antiques, to fragrant flowers, everything was present.


    So these are all pursuers of Lin Bingxin!


    That icy woman, surprisingly, had quite a few admirers!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes twinkled as he said solemnly, "My mere presence here is the best gift. Once Lin Bingxin sees my face, she will come to me without needing me to greet her. Besides, I can make her call me ''uncle.'' Do you believe it or not?"


    "Pah, you''re blowing your own trumpet a bit too loudly!"


    "Let alone you, even Zhang Ze wouldn''t be given a second glance by Miss Lin... and Zhang Ze is someone who caused a phenomenon between heaven and earth, do you think you can compare with him?"


    "If it''s really as you say, I''ll swallow this antique vase I have in my hand!"


    Just as everyone was collectively condemning Xiao Yi, the young man who had first greeted Xiao Yi suddenly said, "Look, Miss Bingxin is coming out, hey hey hey... she''s, she''s heading this way..."


    "No, that''s not right, why is she, she walking towards this bragging king?"


    "Holy crap..."


    Amidst a succession of exclamations, Lin Bingxin walked straight up to Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao..."


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at the stunned crowd of young men, he said indifferently, "Call me uncle!"


    Hisss!


    The crowd inhaled sharply.


    Did he actually get Lin Bingxin to call him uncle?


    Was he asking to be beaten up?


    Lin Bingxin''s eye twitched, wishing she could slap Xiao Yi to death, but she didn''t dare to!


    How frustrating!


    Lin Bingxin took a deep breath, grit her teeth, glared fiercely at Xiao Yi, this bastard actually made her call him uncle in public?


    But when she remembered that the bet had been her own proposal, Lin Bingxin could only clench her teeth and call out the two words with sheer effort, "Uncle... Uncle..."

 Chapter 17 - 17 The Zhang Family Dinner

    "Teacher, what brings you to my place?"


    Elder Yan stood respectfully in front of Xiao Yi, such demeanor if witnessed by outsiders would surely shock them to the core.


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "I need some medicinal herbs!"


    "No problem!"


    Elder Yan patted his chest and said, "Teacher, just give me a list, and I''ll have Bing Xin prepare it right away!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and handed the list he had prepared earlier to Elder Yan.


    Without even looking at it, Elder Yan handed the list to Lin Bingxin: "Go to the storeroom immediately and bring everything the teacher needs. If it''s not there, get it from other city branches as fast as possible!"


    Lin Bingxin shot Xiao Yi a resentful glance before taking the list and leaving.


    "Elder Yan, it''s time for your medicine!" A white-haired elder came in, carrying a steaming bowl of herbal soup in his hands.


    Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "Sick?"


    "An old illness, I''ve been taking medicine but it hasn''t improved."


    Elder Yan offered a wry smile, pointing to the old man and said, "This is Luo, the alchemist I hired for a hefty sum. He''s one of the top ten alchemists in Nanhuang City."


    Luo, the alchemist, glanced at Xiao Yi and snorted coldly, slightly lifting his chin with an air of arrogance.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he activated his Star Pupil to examine Elder Yan, then looked towards the bowl of soup, "What medicine are you giving him?"


    Luo spoke lightly, "Lung Cleansing Detox Soup. This is a divine medicine personally concocted by me. Can you, a wet-behind-the-ears kid, possibly understand?"


    "Elder Yan, Luo may be bad-tempered, but I beg you to calm your anger!" Elder Yan glared at Luo fiercely and respectfully apologized to Xiao Yi.


    "Calm my anger? You''re about to be killed by this quack!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes in annoyance.


    "Ah?"


    Elder Yan was utterly bewildered.


    The color drained from Luo''s face as he bellowed, "Nonsense, when have I ever tried to harm Elder Yan? He has a fire toxin in his lungs; naturally, the Lung Cleansing Detox Soup is needed. You know nothing, you wild boy, spouting nonsense - be careful, or I''ll tear that mouth of yours!"


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Fire toxin? If it were a fire toxin in the lungs, it would indeed cause constant chest distress and coughing, and the pain should be the worst when the sun is at its zenith at noon. Yet his worst pain comes at midnight. How would you explain that?"


    "This, this..." Luo''s face turned from green to white, momentarily unable to respond.


    Xiao Yi pressed on, "Using the Lung Cleansing Detox Soup is correct if it were a fire toxin, but what if it were a cold toxin? Introducing cold from the soup would only add poison to poison; continuing with your medicine, he''d be undoubtedly dead within three months!"


    Thud!


    Luo collapsed on the ground, frightened and frantic, "Spare me, Elder Yan, spare me! It was only a momentary lapse in judgment, please forgive me..."


    Elder Yan could no longer be oblivious that Luo had been bought off.


    His face clouded over, and he waved his hand, "Take him away and interrogate him severely, find out who''s behind this!"


    "Yes!"


    Luo was dragged away by two Qi Gathering Realm strongmen. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even now...


    He still couldn''t believe how this young man, who looked immature, could see through everything at a glance. Recalling his earlier accusations that Xiao Yi was ignorant and inexperienced, he felt his face burning with shame.


    Thud!


    Elder Yan knelt directly in front of Xiao Yi, "Teacher, I have no way to repay your life-saving grace, please accept my humble bow!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, "There''s no need for such formalities between us. I''ll give you a prescription; follow it for a month, and the cold poison in your lungs will be completely purged!"


    "Thank you, Teacher!" Elder Yan took the prescription with excitement.


    Looking at Xiao Yi with ever more admiration and fervor, Elder Yan couldn''t help but be astounded. Such a young person not only possessed extraordinary vision but also terrifying skills in swordsmanship, and now even boasted medical knowledge? Elder Yan marveled, "Teacher truly is a celestial being!"


    Before long.


    Lin Bingxin entered, holding an antique black Storage Ring in both hands. Elder Yan received the ring and respectfully presented it to Xiao Yi, "Teacher, this is the Storage Ring I specially prepared for you. All the medicinal herbs you requested are inside!"


    Bing Xin looked on enviously at Xiao Yi.


    This was a Storage Ring!


    Only those above the Golden Core Realm could craft it. In the immense Nanhuang City, those who could wear a Storage Ring were few and far between!


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows and accepted the ring, "I appreciate the gesture!"


    "It is my duty!"


    After a pause, Elder Yan continued, "Teacher, regarding that list you gave me earlier, we were unable to find the demon core of the Purple-Patterned Blood Python. However, I''ve had Bing Xin issue a reward for its whereabouts; we will notify you immediately if anyone locates it."


    "That''s fine, you handle it!" Xiao Yi nodded, about to stand up.


    Elder Yan respectfully said, "Teacher, yesterday, young Zhang Ze of the Zhang Family broke through to the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm and attracted a heavenly phenomenon. The Zhang Family is hosting a banquet to celebrate and inviting everyone from Nanhuang. Would you be interested in attending?"


    He seldom took part in the gatherings of Nanhuang City''s major families, but a peerless genius from the Zhang Family that caused a heavenly phenomenon was indeed worth his attention!


    "A heavenly phenomenon?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, his eyes showing surprise.


    Anyone who could attract a heavenly phenomenon was unquestionably a favored child of heaven, a prodigy without match.


    Just like Xiao Tianjiaao of the past, whose birth had attracted a heavenly phenomenon and even summoned a fire dragon to acknowledge him as its master.


    Such geniuses were rare even in the Great Qian Dynasty, let alone being born in the remote Nanhuang City.


    Xiao Yi was also somewhat curious about Zhang Ze, who could attract heavenly phenomena, and said, "I have nothing better to do, so it wouldn''t hurt to take a look!"


    ......


    Today, the Zhang family''s residence was brightly lit and bustling with activity.


    On the streets leading to the Zhang''s, one could see carriages coming and going, with all the influential figures of Nanhuang City making personal visits.


    "The Zhangs are truly impressive, having given birth to such a unicorn who calls forth heavenly phenomena. In just over a decade, no one in Nanhuang City may be able to contend with the Zhang family!"


    "That''s not necessarily the case. Fang Jin of the Fang Family is also a true dragon among men. It is said that he is currently undergoing assessments at the Royal Martial Arts Academy in the capital and stands a very good chance of gaining admission."


    "Fang Jin of the Fang Family and Zhang Ze of the Zhang Family, these are the two true dragons of our Nanhuang City!"


    Along the way, one could hear many powerful individuals discussing the phenomena.


    Clearly, the impact of these heaven and earth phenomena was quite significant.


    At the entrance of the Zhang family''s home.


    Zhang Yong and his son were welcoming guests.


    "Brother Zhang Ze, you must take good care of me in the future," Chen Tao, the son of Chen Yong, said to Zhang Ze, winking and somewhat ingratiating.


    Zhao Xian, the young master of the Zhao Family, nodded at Zhang Ze, neither servile nor overbearing, and then apologized to Zhang Yong, "My father had already entered closed-door cultivation before receiving the invitation and could not come in person. I hope Uncle Zhang will forgive him!"


    Zhang Yong laughed, "No worries, Brother Zhao getting that Sword technique and starting to comprehend it immediately is only natural for a cultivator!"


    Until yesterday, he was quite envious that Zhao Yu had obtained the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll.


    As for now...


    He looked at his son, Zhang Ze, with a face full of pride and self-satisfaction.


    What of a third-grade high-level Sword technique?


    His son was a peerless genius who attracted heavenly phenomena!


    "How come no one from the Fang Family has arrived yet?" Zhang Ze said with displeasure.


    Zhang Yong sneered, "The Fangs just lost face in such a big way a few days ago; they probably don''t have the nerve to send someone." While he was speaking, his expression suddenly changed, "Xiao Ze, look, isn''t that Elder Yan''s carriage?"


    "Father, it is indeed Elder Yan''s carriage!" Zhang Ze''s eyes lit up.


    The expressions of the guests at the door were all tinged with envy, "Even Elder Yan is coming to the banquet? The Zhang family is truly impressive!"


    Zhang Ze and his father wore expressions of pride and hastened to welcome the arrival.


    Elder Yan, supported by Lin Bingxin, stepped down from the carriage.


    Zhang Ze and his father said respectfully, "We welcome Elder Yan''s grand presence!"


    "Haha, congratulations, Patriarch Zhang, with such a unicorn, the Zhang family''s future is boundless!" Elder Yan said cheerfully.


    Zhang Yong said with a smug expression, "It''s all thanks to Xiao Ze''s own hard efforts! Elder Yan, please do come in!"


    Zhang Ze looked at Lin Bingxin with eager eyes, "Bing Xin, please come in!"


    Elder Yan waved his hand, "No rush, I am waiting for someone!"


    "Hmm?"


    Zhang Yong and his son looked at each other in confusion, wondering who had such esteem that Elder Yan would personally wait for them. They didn''t feel it was appropriate to inquire, so Zhang Yong said, "Then please, Elder Yan, go ahead to the front where we have prepared tables and chairs."


    "Thank you very much!"


    Elder Yan smiled and, together with Lin Bingxin, sat down on the chairs placed in front of the residence.


    "Who else in Nanhuang City would Elder Yan personally wait for?"


    "I heard that the lord of the city was also invited, could it be that the city lord will attend?"


    "In the vast Nanhuang City, aside from the city lord, who else would be qualified to have Elder Yan wait in person?"


    Amid the murmurs of speculation, the sound of horse hooves clattered from the front, a middle-aged man in a python robe with a figure as straight as a pine approached on horseback. This man exuded a formidable aura, appearing heroic and full of strength, his qi-blood vibrant as the roar of dragons and tigers together.


    He was the lord of Nanhuang City, the most powerful man in terms of martial prowess, existing at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, Sikong Nan.


    "The city lord has arrived?"


    "Look, Elder Yan has stood up; it seems he really is here to welcome Lord Sikong Nan of the city!"


    As everyone looked on, Elder Yan stood up and walked briskly towards Sikong Nan.


    Zhang Ze and the others followed closely behind.


    Sikong Nan dismounted, surprised to see Elder Yan personally welcoming him, his face breaking into a smile, "Elder Yan, you flatter me too much!"


    However...


    Elder Yan just nodded slightly at him and then walked past, turning to a man and a woman not far behind Sikong Nan to respectfully bow, "Young Master Xiao, Madam Xiao, you have finally arrived!"


    What?


    Sikong Nan''s smile stiffened on his face.


    Zhang Ze and the others also stopped in their tracks.


    All around, everyone was dumbstruck: "..."


    Damn!


    Welcoming the city lord, my ass!


    They were clearly waiting for that young couple!

 Chapter 18 - 18 Sword Intent Seed

    "Is that Fang Qingzhu from the Fang Family? And the man beside her is their son-in-law, Xiao Yi?"


    "Elder Yan was actually waiting for them?"


    Everyone felt their scalp tingle, finding it unbelievable.


    They had all thought Elder Yan was waiting for Sikong Nan, the lord of Nanhuang City. Even Sikong Nan himself believed so, as within Nanhuang City, the only one who could receive such warm enthusiasm from Elder Yan was none other than him.


    But now...


    Elder Yan had merely nodded at him.


    Instead, he showed such respect towards Xiao Yi.


    Sikong Nan stroked his chin, "The son-in-law of the Fang Family, Xiao Yi? Interesting!"


    When Zhang Ze saw Xiao Yi, his expression turned somewhat unsightly.


    He was a peerless genius who had attracted heavenly phenomena, yet Elder Yan had only casually complimented him, while he showed such respect toward Xiao Yi. "He''s just an insignificant son-in-law, what makes him worthy of such treatment?"


    Xiao Yi, unaware of their thoughts, looked helplessly at Elder Yan, "Didn''t I tell you to go in first?"


    He did not want to attract too much attention.


    Elder Yan chuckled and said in a low voice, "How could the disciple dare to take a seat before the teacher arrives?"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi helplessly shook his head.


    He had originally come with Elder Yan but couldn''t rest assured leaving Fang Qingzhu at home alone; he had made a special trip back to bring Fang Qingzhu with him.


    He had intended for Elder Yan to go in ahead of him, only to find that he was actually waiting here for him.


    "You walk in front!" Xiao Yi said.


    Given the level of respect Elder Yan had for him, he would surely not dare to walk ahead of him.


    But in doing so...


    The name of Xiao Yi would become famous throughout the vast Nanhuang City. Who else had the stature for Elder Yan to follow behind?


    Elder Yan also understood what Xiao Yi meant, and thus he led the way ahead, coming to Sikong Nan and Zhang Yong. He nodded toward Sikong Nan, then turned to look at Zhang Yong, "Zhang, it wouldn''t be a problem if I brought two extra people, would it?"


    "Of course not, it''s an honor for my Zhang family to have Xiao come," Zhang Yong replied continuously.


    He could not afford to disregard Xiao Yi''s face, let alone Elder Yan''s.


    Xiao Yi clasped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Zhang!"


    "Haha, please come inside, Xiao!" Zhang replied.


    Zhao Xian approached him, his demeanor respectful, "Xiao, my father is cultivating sword techniques in seclusion and cannot be present, so I am here to extend his regards to you."


    "Much appreciated!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and followed the crowd into the mansion.


    Sikong Nan watched the backs of Elder Yan and his group, stroking his chin.


    In the vast Nanhuang City, who didn''t flatter him with a few words upon meeting him?


    But Xiao Yi had dismissed him as if he were the air.


    He could tell this was not a pretense; in Xiao Yi''s heart, there was truly no fear of him, the first martial force of Nanhuang City. He was curious as he asked Zhang Yong, "Zhang, what is the relationship between that Xiao Yi and Elder Yan?"


    Zhang Yong replied, "That Xiao Yi has some talent for appraising treasures and helped Elder Yan identify a pair of heirlooms from a legendary scholar who could snatch lives with his writings, so Elder Yan holds him in high esteem."


    Zhang Ze scoffed dismissively and said, "Is he not just currying favor with Elder Yan through some clever tricks? In this world, one''s own strength is the foundation..."


    Sikong Nan simply smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Zhang Ze, but his interest in Xiao Yi grew, "If Elder Yan values him so much, surely it''s not something that can be done merely through clever tricks! The son-in-law of the Fang Family, Xiao Yi? Quite interesting indeed..."


    Zhang Yong said, "Lord of the city, the banquet is about to start, shall we also go in?"


    "Hmm!"


    ......


    The banquet hosted by the Zhang family was no small affair.


    Yesterday''s birthday banquet for Fang Tianhao had just over thirty tables, but here they had laid out a full sixty tables, all seats taken.


    As the guests took their seats,


    Zhang Yong said with a smile, "Thank you all for gracing tonight''s banquet with your presence. To celebrate Xiao Ze''s attracting the attention of heaven and earth with his anomaly, I have specially prepared a weapon-spirit integration ceremony to add some joy to the occasion."


    A weapon-spirit integration ceremony?


    All present couldn''t help but suck in a breath of cold air, their faces full of shock.


    ```


    Elder Yan also raised his eyebrows, "An elemental weapon? Such boldness from Zhang!"


    Sikong Nan''s eyes shone brightly, "I didn''t expect that Zhang could obtain an elemental weapon. I wonder what grade it is?"


    Elemental weapons!


    Only by infusing them with elemental energy can these blades be activated. They are categorized into nine grades, each invaluable.


    Even a ninth-grade elemental weapon is worth hundreds of thousands of silver, and that''s with a price yet without a market.


    Watching the envy and astonishment on everyone''s faces, Zhang Yong''s heart swelled with pride. He feigned modesty and said, "With limited capability, what Zhang has acquired is but a second-grade elemental weapon!"


    A second-grade elemental weapon.


    Only a warrior in the Shentong Realm could fully unleash its power.


    Its value surpasses one million silver!


    Even Sikong Nan, as the lord of Nanhuang City who oversees the fortress, has but a second-grade elemental weapon for his battle weapon. sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhang Yong having prepared a second-grade elemental weapon for Zhang Ze really is a bold move!


    Zhang Yong smiled and said, "Please wait a moment, I will bring the elemental weapon here!"


    A moment later...


    As he was conversing with Elder Yan, Xiao Yi''s form trembled slightly. His heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and the thumping sound seemed to echo in his ears, as if something was drawing him in.


    His gaze instinctively followed.


    He saw Zhang Yong approaching with a black wooden box in his hands, its surface carved with dragons and phoenixes, adorned with dazzling patterns. Seeing everyone''s attention turning towards himself, Zhang Yong revealed a smug smile, "Ladies and gentlemen, please behold, this is the second-grade elemental weapon, the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword!"


    The wooden box''s lock snapped open and, as the lid was lifted, a longsword with a reddish body came into view of all present.


    The sharp blade seemed capable of slicing through anything.


    On the crimson body of the sword, auspicious clouds swirled around it, densely covering it, and within them a blood dragon seemed to be faintly outlined.


    This further lent the sword an additional touch of bone-chilling evil aura.


    Buzz!


    The moment Xiao Yi laid eyes on the longsword, his head buzzed, and the will that had merged with the entirety of the Sword Sage''s swordsmanship inheritance within him shook violently. In his mind, countless streams of sword light emerged, sword techniques flashing before his eyes.


    Eventually, it coalesced into an orb of Sword Qi. Inside the orb, there hung a blood-red divine sword in suspension.


    When Xiao Yi opened his eyes, Elder Yan who stood by his side shuddered in disbelief, staring at Xiao Yi.


    In just that brief moment...


    Elder Yan noticed that Xiao Yi seemed to stand even more upright, with a sharper aura surrounding him, resembling an unparalleled divine sword. Taking a deep breath, his eyes filled with shock, he said, "Is this... Sword Intent? No, this is merely the embryonic form of Sword Intent. Has Xiao cultivated a seed of Sword Intent?"


    Sword Intent.


    It''s a kind of martial concept.


    This is an extremely powerful force. Typically, only those in the Golden Core Realm and beyond are capable of comprehending martial concepts, but some unparalleled geniuses are able to grasp a portion of the martial concept''s power even in the Shentong Realm.


    This is a conceptual seed!


    Xiao Yi is but at the First Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm in terms of cultivation level and yet he has already comprehended a seed of Sword Intent �C it''s simply unbelievable!


    The piercing Sword Intent emanating from Xiao Yi was but a fleeting moment before it retreated into his body.


    Just as the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword was presented before everyone, the sharp Sword Qi emanating from the sword''s blade overshadowed the trace of Sword Intent coming from Xiao Yi, which went mostly unnoticed.


    "This feeling is fantastic!"


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, not showing much surprise.


    He had already received the Sword Sage''s swordsmanship heritage; now, by consolidating a Sword Intent seed under the stimulus of the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword''s Sword Qi, it was just a matter of due course.


    His strength was already not inferior to a practitioner at the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm, and with the addition of the Sword Intent seed...


    Even if he were to face off against an expert at the Sixth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm, he would be able to fight!


    "Coming to this banquet was indeed the right decision!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze rested on the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, feeling a subtle connection forming between him and the sword, as if with a mere thought, it would fly into his hand.


    Elder Yan beside him retrieved his gaze, looking towards Zhang Yong and his son with a peculiar expression, "The Zhang father and son are going to cry..."


    Meanwhile.


    Zhang Yong announced loudly, "I invite everyone to witness, my son Zhang Ze becoming the master of the elemental weapon!"


    ```

 Chapter 19 - 19 Swordsmanship Domination, the Elemental Weapon Acknowledges Its Master!

    Zhang Ze walked towards the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword and stood before the longsword, taking a deep breath, his emotions surging.


    "I, Zhang Ze, am a peerless genius who has caused the heavens and the earth to manifest phenomena. Today, upon obtaining this Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, I will surely make its name known throughout the world!"


    Hum!


    Zhang Ze bit his fingertip and flicked a droplet of blood, which shot out and fell upon the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword.


    To claim a primeval weapon, one must drip one''s blood onto the blade.


    Fusing the primeval weapon with blood, then nurturing it with vital energy, is the only way to fully unleash the weapon''s might!


    However, the blood from Zhang Ze fell onto the edge of the sword and was not absorbed by the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword��it rolled off as if droplets of water on an oiled cloth, ''pit-a-pat'' falling to the ground, bursting open like a fresh red plum blossom.


    Zhang Ze''s expression stiffened, and the smile on Zhang Yong''s face disappeared!


    Failing to claim ownership... failed?


    A drop of cold sweat fell from Zhang Ze''s forehead; he refused to believe this evil omen and squeezed out another droplet of blood, yet it still did not merge with the longsword before him.


    Looking at the two gorgeous bloodstains on the ground, Zhang Ze was overwhelmed with frustration!


    Sikong Nan said solemnly, "Family Head Zhang, are you sure this primeval weapon has no owner?"


    Zhang Yong''s face was as gloomy as if he were mourning, "It surely is ownerless!"


    Sikong Nan frowned and said, "This is strange. If it is ownerless, then logically it shouldn''t be possible for the claiming to fail, unless..."


    "Unless what?" Zhang Ze hurriedly asked.


    Sikong Nan glanced at Zhang Ze and hesitated to speak.


    Elder Yan looked at Xiao Yi and said indifferently, "Unless, this primeval weapon has discovered someone present with a greater talent than you, someone more suited to be its owner!"


    "Impossible!"


    Zhang Ze''s eyes instantly turned bright red, and, disregarding his reverence for Elder Yan, he hysterically declared, "Who present has greater talent than I do? I am the unrivaled genius who has brought about the visions of the heavens and the earth. Does it refuse to acknowledge me? Would it rather recognize Chen Tao? Zhao Xian? Or Fang Qingzhu, this trash whose dantian is destroyed?"


    As soon as these words were uttered, the faces of Zhao Xian, Chen Tao, and the others immediately turned extremely ugly.


    A shadow of despair flashed in Fang Qingzhu''s eyes.


    Anybody present could possibly gain the recognition of the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, except her!


    Just as Zhang Ze said, she had lost her core, reduced to nothing but a cripple.


    How could the Crimson Flame Chasing Soul Sword possibly fancy her?


    But just at this moment...


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi abruptly stood up, his icy gaze landing on Zhang Ze, and his cold, hellish voice echoed out.


    "Apologize to Qingzhu!"


    "Apologize?"


    Zhang Ze was taken aback, the ferocity on his face not abating in the slightest, as he sneered, "Who do you think you are? You also dare to command me?"


    "Xiao Yi..." Fang Qingzhu looked anxious.


    Xiao Yi gave her a reassuring smile, then coldly stared at Zhang Ze, "Within three breaths, kneel and apologize to Qingzhu, and I''ll spare your life!"


    "Hahaha! Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, do you really think so highly of yourself? Spare my life?"


    Zhang Ze''s face twisted with thick mockery as he sneered repeatedly, "Did I say something wrong? Is Fang Qingzhu not a trash? I am the peerless genius who has brought about the phenomena of the heavens and the earth. If I call you all trash, then you are trash!"


    Zhao Xian''s face darkened, "Zhang Ze, even if you are a genius that can invoke the visions of the heavens and the earth, there''s no need to belittle us like this, right?"


    Chen Tao''s expression was also displeased, "Just because you can''t get the weapon to recognize you, do you have to step on us in the process?"


    "Hmph, If I can''t make the primeval weapon recognize me, you all are even less capable!"


    Zhang Ze''s contemptuous gaze swept over everyone, his face cold with mockery, "Don''t say I''m bullying you. If any of you can make this primeval weapon recognize you, I, Zhang Ze, will kneel and apologize in public. If not, then shut your mouths!"


    Chen Tao and the others exchanged looks, left speechless.


    Zhang Ze turned to Xiao Yi, his face full of disdain, "You want to stand up for Fang Qingzhu? Then you''d better have the ability to do so!"


    With that, Zhang Ze moved towards the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, his eyes filled with madness, "I refuse to believe that I can''t tame a mere primeval weapon!"


    Hum!


    Zhang Ze''s body trembled slightly, his vital energy surging with the intent to forcibly refine the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword!


    However, just as his hand was about to touch the Crimson Flame Chasing Wind Sword, the blood-colored longsword suddenly burst forth with a piercing buzz of Sword Qi, shattering the wooden box with a clang!


    The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword transformed into a streak of blood-red light and shot towards Xiao Yi!


    Clang!


    The edge of the sword plunged into the ground, the sword hilt buzzing and trembling!


    "What... what''s happening?"


    "Why has the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword run off to Xiao Yi?"


    Everyone was shocked!


    Elder Yan made a gulping sound, recalling Xiao Yi''s transformation from before, his face revealing a knowing look.


    Lord Sikong''s expression became contemplative, and after a moment his pupils suddenly narrowed, "Is the primeval weapon voluntarily recognizing its master? How is this possible? Only truly astounding and brilliant individuals can make a primeval weapon spontaneously acknowledge them. Xiao Yi, he..."


    "Could it be that Xiao Yi''s talent surpasses Zhang Ze''s?"


    "This is impossible! Zhang Ze is a genius capable of inciting visions in the heavens and earth!"


    Situ Kong''s words drove Zhang Ze to complete madness.


    His eyes were a blood-red, and he howled hysterically, "Impossible! I am the peerless genius who induces the visions of the heavens and the earth! If I can''t tame it, how could you, a worthless cur, manage it?"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi shook his head gently and reached out towards the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in mid-air.


    Hum!


    The longsword turned into a blood rainbow, swooshing into Xiao Yi''s palm in a flash, his hand clutching the blade as the sword thrummed, as if rejoicing.


    With the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in hand, the Sword Intent seed inside Xiao Yi''s body emitted blood-red light. The blood clouds on the sword edge blossomed as if coming alive, radiating dazzling red light. Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It really recognized a master?"


    "Incredible! The elemental weapon actually abandoned an unparalleled genius and chose a worthless son-in-law as its master?"


    Shock filled the faces of the crowd.


    With a slight upturn of his mouth, Xiao Yi''s eyes were cool as he stared at Zhang Ze, "Three breaths have passed, if you don''t kneel and apologize to Qingzhu, I''ll take your life!"


    "I''ll kneel to your grandfather!"


    Zhang Ze roared angrily, as he unleashed the full power of his Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm.


    Shua!


    Zhang Ze''s longsword flew from his waist, the silver blade furiously stabbing towards Xiao Yi!


    With that slash, there were three swords! Three streams of silver Sword Qi howled forward!


    "Thunderous Triple Strike!"


    The sword was like a thunderbolt, one strike with the force of three!


    The keen Sword Qi skimmed the ground, cutting three vicious sword marks in it, sending sand and stones flying, showcasing its extraordinary power.


    Xiao Yi stood calmly, his sword in one hand, as he made a slashing motion forward.


    "Sweeping a Thousand Troops!"


    Shua!


    A blood-colored Sword Qi fanned out in front of him.


    With the augmentation from the Sword Intent seed, the power of this sword increased by another thirty percent!


    Clang clang clang!


    In the midst of the cacophonous clashing of metal, the silver Sword Qi was completely shattered, while the blood-colored Sword Qi went ''pfft'' as it struck Zhang Ze directly in the chest!


    Wa!


    A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed out as Zhang Ze staggered to the ground, a bloody gash traversing his entire chest!


    Xiao Yi turned the tip of his sword, resting it on Zhang Ze''s throat!


    "Stop!"


    Zhang Yong hurriedly stepped forward, looking solemnly at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, let''s talk this over, please spare Zhang Ze!"


    After speaking, he quickly turned to Zhang Ze, "Apologize to Fang Qingzhu now!"


    A deep unwillingness emerged on Zhang Ze''s pale face, but under the threat of death, he had no choice!


    "Fang Qingzhu, I am sorry!"


    Those three words nearly made him bite his tongue in frustration!


    "Let him go," Fang Qingzhu sighed softly, speaking in a low voice.


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly, flung the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, its tip embedding in the ground, pulled up Fang Qingzhu, and turned to leave!


    Ching!


    The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword freed itself from the ground and chased after Xiao Yi, landing in front of him.


    Xiao Yi frowned.


    With envy on his face, Sikong Nan said, "Xiao Yi, this sword has chosen you!"


    With an aching heart yet aware that the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword could no longer be retained, Zhang Yong forced a smile, "Xiao, since this sword is fated to be with you, we shall gift it to you."


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows were tightly knitted.


    Elder Yan stepped forward, tossing a stack of silver notes to Zhang Yong, "Here are one million taels in silver notes. From this day on, the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword has nothing to do with your Zhang Family anymore!"


    "Thank you, Elder Yan!" Zhang Yong said repeatedly.


    Elder Yan stepped forward with a smile, respectfully saying, "Xiao, you can take the sword with you now!"


    "Fine, if you insist on following me, then come along!" Xiao Yi shook his head, the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword buzzing as if cheering, leaping up and landing in Xiao Yi''s hand.


    The group drifted away.


    Sikong Nan squinted his eyes and took his leave from Zhang Yong, "Lord Zhang, I have other matters to attend to, I shall take my leave first!"


    "Lord Sikong, you previously mentioned taking Xiao Ze as a disciple��" Zhang Yong said eagerly.


    Sikong Nan glanced at Zhang Ze and shook his head silently.


    "We''ll discuss this matter... another day!"


    Having said that, he followed after Xiao Yi.


    "It''s all over, we''re completely finished..."


    Zhang Yong and his son were utterly dejected.


    They had hoped to soar to the heavens with this opportunity, but instead, they were smashed down to the ground!


    The disparity between their expectations and reality was enough to drive one to despair!


    "Xiao Yi... Xiao Yi!" Zhang Ze''s eyes were bloodshot!


    In that moment, rage completely overwhelmed his reason!


    Meanwhile.


    At the gate of the neighboring compound of the Zhang Family.


    Elder Yan said respectfully, "Xiao, if there''s any news about the Purple-Patterned Blood Python, I will inform you immediately!"


    "Much appreciated!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, taking Fang Qingzhu back to the compound.


    Elder Yan, accompanied by Lin Bingxin, got into the carriage and drove off into the distance.


    They hadn''t noticed that Sikong Nan had observed all of this.


    His pupils contracted slightly as he looked at the two adjacent compounds, a terrifying speculation forming in his mind.


    "Could it be that the one who caused the heavenly phenomenon wasn''t Zhang Ze, but the despised second young master of the Xiao Family... Xiao Yi?"

 Chapter 20 - 20 Entering Nanhuang for the First Time

    Sikong Nan was startled by his own guess.


    But upon further thought...


    He grew more convinced that he was right, "That Zhang Ze''s talent can only be considered ordinary, and Xiao Yi''s ability to defeat Zhang Ze, who was at the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm, while being only at the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer, and to bond with the Yuan weapon by initiating such a celestial phenomenon, makes it ninety percent likely that he''s the true master!"


    With this thought in mind. sea??h th�� n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sikong Nan suddenly felt some sympathy for the Zhang family father and son.


    Not only had they lost face by hosting a banquet, but they had also lost a Yuan weapon.


    "No wonder Yan Mingli holds Xiao Yi in such high regard. If someone can cause a celestial phenomenon while just in the Qi Gathering Realm, such talent is definitely top-notch. This person must not be made an enemy; we have to befriend him!" Sikong Nan made up his mind.


    He had been stationed in Nanhuang City for over thirty years, but there had seldom been any battle achievements to speak of, which hindered his chances for promotion.


    If he could personally recommend a genius to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, that would be a great merit. Sikong Nan narrowed his eyes, "Fang Jin of the Fang Family wasn''t recommended by me; even if he joined the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I wouldn''t get any credit. I must find a way to recommend Xiao Yi to the academy. However, before that, I need to first strengthen the bond between us!"


    Meanwhile.


    The Zhang family estate was deserted.


    The father and son of the Zhang family gathered together, surrounded by chaos with dishes scattered, porcelain vases shattered, and decorative furniture smashed.


    "Father, I swear I won''t rest until I''ve exacted revenge!" Zhang Ze''s eyes were bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth with hatred.


    Zhang Yong''s face was ferocious, but he still kept a trace of reason, "Revenge? Xiao Yi has a close relationship with Elder Yan, and if he finds out we''re targeting Xiao Yi, how will you withstand Elder Yan''s wrath? Can our Zhang family withstand the retaliation from Treasure Pavilion?"


    Zhang Ze said coldly, "As long as we leave no evidence behind!"


    "What''s your plan?" Zhang Yong furrowed his brow.


    His hatred for Xiao Yi was just as intense as Zhang Ze''s!


    Not to mention that day at the Fang Family, Xiao Yi had embarrassed him, a renowned collector, with a set of the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll, and just today at the Zhang Family, Xiao Yi had given Zhang Ze a heavy slap and walked away with the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword he had painstakingly acquired.


    This was bound to set the stage for a life-and-death feud between the Zhang Family and Xiao Yi.


    Zhang Ze''s eyes narrowed into a slit, a cold light flashing, "The enemy of my enemy is a friend... I''ve already sent someone to contact Fang Ao of the Fang Family and Lei Bao of the Black Tiger Gang. United, we can certainly dispose of Xiao Yi without anyone noticing!"


    "Make sure to leave no evidence!" Zhang Yong cautioned.


    Zhang Ze nodded decisively, his eyes filled with viciousness, "Xiao Yi, you care about Fang Qingzhu so much, don''t you? I won''t kill you right away; I''ll force myself on Fang Qingzhu right in front of you, then grind you both to dust. One''s ashes scattered into an abyss, the other thrown into raging rivers �C ensuring even in death you cannot be together, keke..."


    ......


    Inside the separate courtyard.


    Xiao Yi was practicing his cultivation. Two days had passed since the banquet at the Zhang family''s house.


    His cultivation had improved significantly, bringing him even closer to the Second Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm.


    "Brother Xiao Yi, Bing Xin is looking for you!" A gentle voice came from outside, belonging to Fang Qingzhu. Since that day at the Zhang family, their relationship had progressed by leaps and bounds.


    Although they hadn''t yet broached a certain topic, there had been a dramatic change in the way they addressed each other.


    "Bing Xin is looking for me?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, then his face lit up with joy, "Could it be that there''s news about the Purple-Patterned Blood Python?"


    The core of the Purple-Patterned Blood Python was the most suitable material to replace Fang Qingzhu''s dantian at the moment, and with Fang Jin''s return date approaching, Xiao Yi had no time to lose.


    "I''ll be right out!"


    Xiao Yi donned his clothes and, upon arriving in the hall and seeing Lin Bingxin, asked, "Has there been any news about the Purple-Patterned Blood Python?"


    Lin Bingxin nodded her head, "The teacher has issued a bounty. Someone just came to the Treasure Pavilion with a clue, claiming to have spotted traces of the Purple-Patterned Blood Python in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range. The teacher asked me to notify you immediately. He also told me to relay to you that he can deploy the Treasure Pavilion''s beast-hunting team to assist you!"


    "No need, I can handle this matter on my own."


    Xiao Yi shook his head in refusal. He didn''t like to be indebted to anyone. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "During my absence, I''ll need you to help me take care of Qingzhu!"


    "Don''t worry about that, I can move in and stay with Qingzhu right away!" Lin Bingxin said.


    She and Fang Qingzhu had long since been calling each other sisters and had become best friends.


    Fang Qingzhu, standing to the side, looked worried, "Brother Xiao Yi, what do you want with the Purple-Patterned Blood Python? That is a second-tier high-level mystical beast, with combat power comparable to the Peak of the Qi Gathering Realm. You..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "Don''t worry, I have my ways of dealing with that beast. Just wait obediently at home for me. When I return, I will give you a tremendous surprise!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s dantian had been destroyed, and only by using the technique of transplanting a beast core in place of her dantian could she resume her cultivation.


    Given Fang Qingzhu''s talent, once she could cultivate again, her strength would increase exponentially.


    This venture to the Southern Desolate was a must!


    That very night.


    Xiao Yi left Nanhuang City on his own.


    He didn''t realize that after his departure, a shadowy figure vanished from a dark corner in front of his residence.


    Black Tiger Gang.


    "Xiao Yi has gone to the Southern Desolate Mountain Range? Hahaha, truly, heaven is helping me. Send for Fang Ao, Fang Hao, and Zhang Ze right away... No, to avoid being discovered, have them meet at the Qingyan Tower!"


    Lei Bao, listening to the reports from his subordinates, showed an excited expression on his face as he looked at the person before him, "Inform Zhao Shi and the others to keep a close eye on Xiao Yi and report his movements at all times!"


    "Yes, Deputy Leader!"


    The shadowy figure disappeared from sight.


    Lei Bao''s face twisted with a grim expression, his fists tightened, and his eyes cold, "Xiao Yi, the Southern Desolate Mountain Range will be your burial ground!"


    ...


    The Southern Desolate Mountain Range is part of the vast primordial wilderness.


    It is named the Southern Desolate Mountain Range, also known as the Hundred Thousand Mountains, for it lies near the southern part of the boundless wilderness.


    In this place, mystical beasts are rampant, and the danger is unparalleled. It is known as a forbidden area for mankind. Yet, where there is misfortune, there may be blessings hiding, and amidst the perilous Southern Desolate Mountains, countless opportunities and treasures are concealed.


    Take, for example, Sikong Nan, the lord of Nanhuang City. He was once just an ordinary soldier in the city''s defense force.


    It was precisely in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range that he stumbled upon a Spirit Fruit. After consuming it, his cultivation advanced greatly, and now he has become the top master of Nanhuang City.


    For precisely this reason...


    Apart from the warriors of the five cities of Nanhuang, many strong individuals from various places in the Tianqing Kingdom also enter the Southern Desolate Mountain Range for trials and training.


    In a forest clearing, an orange-red bonfire blazed fiercely. A thigh of a mystical beast was placed over the fire, roasting to a golden brown with sizzling droplets of fat, tempting one''s appetite. Sitting in front of the bonfire, Xiao Yi was cross-legged, attuning himself to nature.


    Suddenly.


    An arrow shot silently from the underbrush towards him...

 Chapter 21 - 21: You, Are Not Qualified!

    Whoosh!


    Under the cloak of night.


    A silvery streak of an arrow tore through the dark, hissing as it cut through the air, heading straight for Xiao Yi.


    "Not good!"


    Xiao Yi''s complexion changed drastically as he instinctively tumbled and rolled to the side.


    Thud!


    The cold arrow struck precisely where he had been.


    The fletching at the end of the arrow vibrated with a buzzing sound.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze hardened as he turned towards the direction the arrow had come from, only to hear a voice tinged with regret, "He actually dodged? What a pity, such a good opportunity missed. Otherwise, I could have presented your head to the young gang leader before he even reached the Southern Desolate Mountain Range!"


    "The young gang leader?"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze sharpened; the only person he knew who was called that was Lei Bao.


    Xiao Yi squinted at the figure emerging from the bushes, "Did Lei Bao send you?"


    The man approaching was burly like a bear, holding a large horn bow, eyes furious as if made of bronze bells, filled with a bloodthirsty glint.


    This was Zhao Shi of the Black Tiger Gang, known for his Lion Head Hammers slung on his back. He removed the hammers and clanged them together, producing a dull thud. Zhao Shi sneered, "That''s right, the young gang leader ordered me to watch you. But the chance just now was too good to miss, I couldn''t help myself. Too bad you dodged it!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and advanced with his sword drawn, "Kill me? You''re not qualified!"


    "Qualified or not, my Lion Head Hammers will let you know!"


    As Zhao Shi sneered, his figure charged like a wild buffalo, making a thunderous noise as he stampeded forward.


    Xiao Yi leaped up.


    Had it been before, he might not have been a match for Zhao Shi, but now, having made another breakthrough in his cultivation, his combat prowess was incomparable to the past. With a flick of his wrist, the longsword landed in his palm as he thrust forward.


    With a tricky angle, he narrowly avoided Zhao Shi''s attack and, with two pff sounds, cut Zhao Shi''s tendons.


    Thud, thud!


    The two iron hammers fell to the ground with a crash as Zhao Shi howled in pain, looking at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "How can you be so powerful?"


    According to the intelligence he had, Xiao Yi should have been no match for him!


    But now...


    He had no power to fight back in front of Xiao Yi.


    "Damn it, I must hurry back and tell the young gang leader that Xiao Yi is much more powerful than we imagined..."


    Zhao Shi''s eyes flickered with venomous intent, and he turned to sprint into the dense forest behind.


    "Since you''re here, don''t even think about leaving!" Xiao Yi pursued with sword in hand.


    However...


    He had just rushed into the forest when Zhao Shi''s venomous voice echoed, "Hahaha, you fell for it! Brothers, chop him to pieces for me!"


    Within the dense forest.


    Xiao Yi was about to catch up with Zhao Shi when four figures burst forth, one with a malevolent expression on his face. A palm strike that had been looming suddenly came down, its ferocious force not holding back in the slightest.


    Even though the attack hadn''t reached him yet, the palm wind caused Xiao Yi''s robes to flutter and his face to contort.


    "Scatter!"


    Xiao Yi swiftly raised his sword, slicing open a gash along Zhao Shi''s back, and turned Zhao Shi into a severely struggling heap. At the same time, his sword swept through the air and with a pfft, severed the palm of the ambusher.


    "Ow... my hand, big brother, he actually cut off my hand, quick, get revenge for me!"


    The ambusher clutched his severed palm, his face sheet white.


    He looked up just in time to see Xiao Yi''s foot come crashing down, and with a bang, the man''s head was smashed into his chest cavity.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze turned to the remaining three men.


    Zhao Shi, struggling to his feet, glared at Xiao Yi with resentful eyes and roared, "Zhao Jin, what are you standing there for? Kill him quickly..."


    "I have my own judgment��"


    Zhao Jin''s face was ice cold, his eyes gradually solidifying with killing intent. In a deep voice, he said, "Old Two, Old Three, let''s go together. Kill him!"


    Zhao Jin led the charge, with Zhao Mu and Zhao Shui close behind.


    All three men were formidable in their own right.


    Zhao Mu and Zhao Shui were both at the Third Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, while Zhao Jin was the strongest, reaching the peak of the Fourth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm. Together, even a master at the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm would not be without the power to fight them.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, holding a blood-dripped twig, and took the initiative to meet the attack: "Sweeping a Thousand Troops!"


    The twig swept out.


    The blood smeared on the twig sprinkled forward, and with a ''plop,'' a drop of blood landed on Zhao Mu''s eye, causing him to reflexively close it. When he opened his eyes again, Xiao Yi had already brushed past him.


    Zhao Mu turned around, only to find that his body could not move, while only his head plummeted towards the ground.


    Thud!


    As the head hit the ground.


    Xiao Yi pointed the twig forward with a crisp ''clang,'' deflecting the long spear swung by Zhao Shui. With a surge forward, the twig stabbed into Zhao Shui''s chest, piercing through his back.


    "Zhao Mu, Zhao Shui..."


    Zhao Jin''s eyes were about to split, and in the blink of an eye, Xiao Yi had slain two men, completely intimidating him.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s icy gaze fixed on him, Zhao Jin felt an icy chill over his entire body, his face filled with panic, and he no longer dared to linger, running crazily behind him.


    Xiao Yi relentlessly pursued.


    "Damn it, how can this kid, a mere beginner of the Qi Gathering Realm, be so powerful? No good, I can''t escape..." Zhao Jin''s complexion abruptly changed, realizing that Xiao Yi''s offensive was swiftly approaching him, he steeled his heart.


    He grabbed Zhao Huo next to him and threw him behind him.


    Thud!


    Zhao Huo''s body lined up with the twig in Xiao Yi''s hand, piercing through his body, adding one more cold corpse. Zhao Jin did not dare to linger any longer, pulled out a horn bow, and fired several arrows at Xiao Yi, then turned and fled.


    "Where do you think you''re running to?"


    Xiao Yi''s cold voice rang out behind him, sending chills all over Zhao Jin and making his scalp tingle.


    Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword!


    "Chasing Stars and Moons!"


    Xiao Yi held the arrow with one hand, his sword speed reaching its limits, each thrust breaking an arrow. He bloodily carved a path through the rain of arrows, a cold light flitted across his eyes: "Soul Chaser, Life Snatcher!"


    Whoosh!


    His figure left a trail of afterimages, and when they re-converged, he had already appeared in front of Zhao Jin.


    With a ''thrust,'' the sword pierced through Zhao Jin''s throat.


    With a flick.


    Zhao Jin''s head was split into two.


    In just a few breaths.


    Only Zhao Shi, barely clinging to life, remained. He was covered in blood, his legs gave out, and he knelt on the ground trembling.


    He never imagined that Xiao Yi would be so terrifying, slaughtering his five-man team in the blink of an eye. His lips quivered, "Don''t, don''t kill me, I was only following orders, please..."


    Thud! S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi swung his longsword, severing his right hand.


    "Don''t kill me..."


    Zhao Shi, enduring the severe pain, shakily handed over a sheepskin map, "I, I have a map on me, which marks the location of an ancient tomb, as long as you let me go, I''m willing to give you the map..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Killing you, the map is still mine!"


    "No, you can''t kill me, I am from the Black Tiger Gang..."


    Zhao Tianbao''s face filled with terror, screaming hysterically, but Xiao Yi couldn''t be bothered to listen to him speak any longer, raising the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in the air.


    Thud!


    The bloodied blade of the sword pierced Zhao Shi''s head, cleaving it in two.


    In an instant.


    All five experts from the Black Tiger Gang dispatched to surveil Xiao Yi were slain.


    Xiao Yi picked the sheepskin map with his sword, then rummaged for spoils of war, amassing a total of fifty-three thousand taels of silver, most notably obtaining twenty Qi Gathering Elixirs from Zhao Shi.


    "So it''s the tomb of a Shentong Realm expert? It happens to be where the Purple-Patterned Blood Pythons roam, worth a look. But..."


    He looked down at the map in his hand, "According to Zhao Shi, Lei Bao and the others are also on their way to the Southern Desolate Mountain Range, I should leave this place first. I''ll find a secluded area to refine these elixirs and enhance my cultivation. Once Lei Bao and the rest arrive, I''ll make sure they don''t leave!"

 Chapter 22 - 22 Breakthrough Again!

    Xiao Yi hadn''t been gone for long.


    In the dense woods, dozens of figures swiftly moved through, and shortly after, they settled at the site where Zhao Shi and his men met their end.


    "Young Master, Zhao Shi and his team have been completely annihilated..."


    Observing the bodies strewn across the ground, the newcomer made a thorough inspection of the corpses and said in a grave voice, "Judging by their wounds, it looks very much like the work of the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword..."


    "Zhang Xiong, are you certain it was the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword?" Lei Bao narrowed his eyes and asked.


    The man before them, dressed in black with a fierce scar on his face, was Zhang Xiong, the leader of the Zhang Family Hunting Team, at the peak of the Eighth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    And having battled demonic beasts in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range for years, his combat prowess was comparable to that of an ordinary Ninth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm fighter.


    Fang Ao''s eyes blazed with a fierce light, "Zhang Ze''s Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword is in the hands of Xiao Yi; it seems that these men were all killed by him."


    Zhang Xiong nodded, focusing on the corpse of Zhao Shi, "Zhao Shi and Zhao Jin, the five of them combined were quite strong. Even I would have to expend some effort to deal with them. If Xiao Yi were able to kill them, and given the battle traces here, he was in absolute dominance over the five men, crushing them all the way through. Based on my estimate, his cultivation must be at least no weaker than the Sixth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm!"


    "What? The Sixth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm?" Fang Ao was utterly bewildered.


    Lei Bao''s face was also filled with shock, "The first time I saw him, he was only at the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. How much time has passed? And now he''s already comparable to the Sixth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm?"


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp.


    Since Xiao Yi had arrived in Nanhuang City, only a month had passed, yet he had grown from being completely devoid of cultivation to a powerhouse on par with the Sixth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    Such a rate of cultivation was indeed terrifying.


    Lei Bao''s face was gloomy, "We absolutely cannot let this child remain; if we allow him to continue growing, I''m afraid we will all have to look up to him in the future!"


    "We must find him immediately..." Fang Ao said.


    Zhang Xiong uttered a grunt of agreement, his eyes cold and filled with ferocity and madness, "Rest assured, I''ve brought the best of the hunting team. They''ll soon find Xiao Yi''s whereabouts. However, this forest makes it easy to hide one''s presence; we must not fail. Shadow, come out..."


    A dark figure emerged from the crowd, "Captain, rest assured, I know what to do!"


    ...


    Atop a towering great tree with dense foliage.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged, with his palms facing upwards, his eyes tightly shut, the aura around his body undulating and fluctuating.


    Streams of heaven and earth essence were absorbed into his body, and, with the rotation of his mysterious skill, amplified his own cultivation.


    Over these past two days...


    He had been refining the twenty Qi Gathering Elixirs he had plundered from Zhao Shi, and now, his cultivation had risen two levels, reaching the Third Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    With a whoosh!


    He exhaled a long breath of turbid air. Xiao Yi channeled the gathered essential aura into the God Sealing Seed within him, activating the God Sealing Seed continuously.


    The twenty Qi Gathering Elixirs and the essential aura of the Third Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm activated a total of forty God Sealing Seeds, bringing the total number of activated God Sealing Seeds he possessed up to eighty. With the feedback of power from the God Sealing Seeds, Xiao Yi was surrounded by a luminescent glow.


    With his current strength, paired with the Sword Intent seedling and the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword, he was capable of defeating a fighter at the Eighth Layer Peak.


    Xiao Yi entered the Eternal Tomb immediately, but even after awakening eighty God Sealing Seeds, he was still unable to find a new target to seal.


    "It seems my strength is still not strong enough," Xiao Yi helplessly left the Eternal Tomb, "With my current strength, I can barely handle the Ninth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm, but that Purple-Patterned Blood Python is comparable to the Peak of the Gathering Qi Realm. I should head to the tomb of the Shentong Realm expert that Zhao Shi mentioned!"


    Following the map, Xiao Yi continued on his way.


    Since entering the Southern Desolate Mountain Range, three days and nights had passed.


    His cultivation had progressed from the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer to the Third Layer, and this was indeed key to the twenty Qi Gathering Elixirs contributed by Zhao Shi; otherwise, such rapid advancement would have been impossible.


    As he moved on, just as he was about to arrive at the ancient tomb indicated on the map, suddenly, a cry for help echoed from the bushes ahead, "Help, save me..."


    Xiao Yi was momentarily stunned.


    A disheveled and beautiful woman, looking desperate, was fleeing. Three fierce-looking young men were relentlessly chasing after her. The woman''s eyes lit up when she saw Xiao Yi, and she quickened her pace.


    She ran up to Xiao Yi and hid behind him, looking pitiful, "Young Master, save me..."


    The three young men followed closely, growling viciously, "Kid, don''t meddle in other people''s business!"


    "If you know what''s good for you, get lost, or else we''ll deal with you too!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and looked at the three young men, "Scram!"


    "You''ve got a death wish, kid!" one of them bellowed.


    "Brothers, kill him!"


    As the three of them exuded killing intent, Xiao Yi snorted coldly and quickly stepped forward, "Eight Extremes Collapse!"


    "Eight Extremes Lean!"


    "Eight Extremes Swing!"


    With a punch, a shove, and a swing, all three men were down on the ground, unable to move. The "Eight Extremes Fist" was a martial art known throughout the Blue Star Realm for its lethal potency.


    "Thank you, kind sir, for saving my life. I have nothing to return the favor, but here is a treasure for you," the woman said gratefully, standing in front of Xiao Yi. She bowed deeply, but as she rose, the gratitude and smile on her face were gone, replaced by a sly, chilling smirk, "Die!"


    Swish!


    A white powder flew from her hands.


    As the white powder landed on Xiao Yi, his body trembled, rendered immobile. The woman laughed heartily, "Xiao Yi, bet you didn''t see this coming, did you? With my Muscle-locking Powder, you''ll be paralyzed for the next half hour, completely at my mercy!"


    "Who are you? Why are you trying to harm me?" Xiao Yi''s brows knitted tightly.


    The woman sneered, "I''m a shadow from the Zhang Family Hunting Team, sent by the young gang leader to kill you!"


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    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, even you have met your doom?"


    Amidst the deranged laughter, the figures of Zhang Xiong, Fang Ao, and Lei Bao appeared one after another. Both the Zhang Family Hunting Team and the Black Tiger Gang''s members, over thirty people in total, emerged and encircled him completely.


    "So it was you��" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Fang Ao and the others.


    "Didn''t expect that, huh? Thought you could rely on Elder Yan? If you''re so capable, call him now, hahaha..." Full of pride, Fang Ao was eager to step forward but still glanced at Zhang Xiong, "He can''t move, right?"


    Zhang Xiong nodded, "He''s hit with Muscle-locking Powder. He won''t be able to move for half an hour!"


    "Hehe, half an hour, eh? That''s more than enough!"


    Fang Ao approached Xiao Yi with a vicious smile, "Xiao Yi, didn''t you look down on me? Weren''t you too disdainful to kill me, saying you''d wait for my brother to come back so I could watch how you''d kill him? Now tell me, who is killing whom?"


    He pulled out a dagger and waved it in front of Xiao Yi, "So, should I stab this knife into your heart or should I slice open your throat and watch your blood slowly drain? Oh right, weren''t you saying I shouldn''t touch Fang Qingzhu? How about I castrate you, take your head, and then ravish Fang Qingzhu right in front of you? How does that sound?"


    "Dare to touch a single hair on Qingzhu''s head, and I will decimate your entire clan!" Xiao Yi glared, his eyes narrowing.


    "Aiyo, you''re about to die and you still threaten me? Go reunite with Fang Qingzhu in hell!"


    With a vicious laugh, Fang Ao swung his dagger toward Xiao Yi''s vitals...

 Chapter 23 - 23: Astonishing Sword

    ```


    Whoosh!


    The dagger, flashing with a chilling cold light, slashed toward Xiao Yi''s vitals.


    However...


    The dagger abruptly halted, unable to advance even half an inch further.


    A ferocious grimace froze on Fang Ao''s face, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief as he stared at his own wrist. It was being tightly gripped by a hand, and the terrifying force emanating from that hand had completely deformed his wrist.


    Agonizing pain shot through him instantly; the dagger fell from his grasp: "Aoooow... my hand..."


    Xiao Yi snatched up the dagger and, amidst Fang Ao''s screams, brought it down towards his groin.


    Splurt!


    A fountain of blood sprayed wildly, immediately turning the area beneath Fang Ao into a crimson swamp, as a piece the size of a pinky finger fell into the pool of blood. Fang Ao screamed in agony, while Xiao Yi remained expressionless, first slicing open his throat.


    Letting the fresh blood spurt freely.


    And then driving the dagger deep into Fang Ao''s heart.


    Thud! Thud!


    Fang Ao lay twitching in the blood pool until he bled out and died. Until his last moment, his eyes were wide open, filled with disbelief, unable to comprehend how a poisoned Xiao Yi could still move.


    After killing Fang Ao, Xiao Yi''s gaze slightly lifted to rest on Lei Bao, Zhang Xiong, and others who all wore expressions of horror.


    Zhang Ying said in disbelief, "You were clearly poisoned by my Muscle-locking Powder, how could you..."


    "Muscle-locking Powder? Are you talking about this?"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile and tossed his hand aside, scattering a cloud of white powder.


    "Damn, that''s Muscle-locking Powder..."


    "Get out of the way, don''t let it touch you..."


    Zhang Xiong''s face changed drastically as he pushed Lei Bao away and quickly retreated.


    But Xiao Yi was faster!


    As soon as the Muscle-locking Powder spread in the air, the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword was already in his hand, striking down the hunting team members and Black Tiger Gang one by one with his sword. These formidable opponents, caught off guard and paralyzed by the Muscle-locking Powder, stood helpless like wooden targets for Xiao Yi to slay.


    More than thirty people, in a blink of an eye, only six remained.


    Xiao Yi, wielding the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword and bathed in blood, emanated evil Qi that pierced the heavens, while his Sword Intent seed turned even redder amidst the slaughter. What he comprehended was the Slaughter Sword Intent, a martial arts mentality focused on warfare and killing.


    Gurgle!


    Lei Bao shivered all over, his face completely drained of color.


    Watching Xiao Yi drenched in blood, this image had become a nightmare for him. Unless he could kill Xiao Yi, he would never be able to step out of the shadow for the rest of his life.


    Zhang Xiong''s expression was grim, and his face twisted into a ferocious scowl.


    He had brought along eighteen of the best from the Zhang Family Hunting Team, almost more than half of their fighting force, and now there were only him, Zhang Ying, and three other Qi Gathering Realm Third Layer experts left. The rest were all dead.


    This was a colossal blow to the Zhang Family!


    Zhang Ying''s eyes were bloodshot: "Why? You were clearly hit by my Muscle-locking Powder, so why weren''t you affected at all?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged nonchalantly and casually said, "I had suspected you were up to no good from the moment I saw you and was on guard against you. When you used the Muscle-locking Powder, I sealed off my senses and even collected some of the powder. I should thank you, otherwise, with so many of you, it wouldn''t have been so easy to deal with!"


    "You, you..."


    Zhang Ying was so furious that blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, her face turning even paler.


    Just a moment ago, she was gloating, thinking that she had trapped Xiao Yi.


    But...


    She had been played by Xiao Yi all along.


    Zhang Xiong said coldly, "Xiao Yi, I must admit that we all underestimated you, no... it should be said that everyone has underestimated you. The Xiao Family''s true dragon isn''t just Xiao Tianjiaao; you too are a true dragon..."


    Xiao Yi calmly looked at him.


    Zhang Xiong continued, "However, it''s a pity that the biggest difference between you and Xiao Tianjiaao is that he is a true dragon soaring across the heavens, whereas you are still struggling in the mire, trying to cross the dragon gate. It''s just too bad that you will never have the chance to cross it in this lifetime because today, within this Southern Desolate Mountain Range, you will meet your death!"


    No sooner had the words left his mouth.


    Zhang Xiong led the charge, with Lei Bao and the others close behind.


    All with faces full of savage ferocity.


    Zhang Xiong wielded a pair of gauntlets as his weapon: black as night, forged from tungsten iron, and covered with spikes, they were high-grade primary weapons. Black light swirled around the gauntlets, seemingly capable of devouring all light, and when he threw a punch, it formed a black canopy in the air.


    Lei Bao''s eyes brimmed with ferocity and hatred, holding a long spear like a venomous snake lying in wait, ready to strike at any moment.


    Zhang Ying and the other three hunters spread out to all sides, preventing Xiao Yi''s escape.


    They had absolute faith in Zhang Xiong''s strength, confident he could kill Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi faced the black canopy head-on and swept the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in front of him: "Sweeping a Thousand Armies!"


    Tear!


    A slash of crimson sword light tore the black boxing shadows into two halves.


    And within the splits of the shadowy fists, a black iron fist tore through the air. Instinctively, Xiao Yi raised the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword horizontally across his chest. The black iron fist, with a roaring impact, struck the blade and sent Xiao Yi flying.


    ```


    Lei Bao seized the opportunity, a trace of madness flicking across his eyes, "Die!"


    Whoosh!


    The long spear, like a venomous snake discovering its prey in ambush, thrust fiercely towards Xiao Yi''s back.


    "Idiot, get out of the way!" Zhang Xiong''s face changed dramatically as he bellowed.


    "Huh?"


    Lei Bao froze, the ferocity on his face disappearing.


    In midair, Xiao Yi grabbed the spearhead, rolled with momentum, and clung to the spear shaft, circling to Lei Bao''s back. As they brushed past each other, Xiao Yi''s sword edge swiftly slashed across Lei Bao''s throat.


    The moment he landed.


    Xiao Yi kicked out, sending Lei Bao''s body and head flying toward Zhang Xiong.


    Boom! Boom!


    Zhang Xiong threw two consecutive punches, shattering both the head and body, but when the blood mist cleared, he had lost sight of Xiao Yi. Suddenly, three screams came from behind him; Xiao Yi had somehow made his way to his back, directly slaughtering the other three members of the hunting team.


    Of the thirty-strong group, only Zhang Xiong and Zhang Ying remained.


    "Zhang Ying, be careful!"


    Zhang Xiong''s eyes bulged with rage as he watched Zhang Ying, unable to dodge Xiao Yi''s cold sword edge, and bellowed furiously, "Xiao Yi, if you dare to hurt him, I will exterminate your entire clan!"


    Thud!


    Xiao Yi''s cold sword edge pierced Zhang Ying''s chest. With a twist of his wrist, the sword spun like a drill, gruesomely boring a bloody, gaping hole straight through Zhang Ying''s torso.


    Xiao Yi turned to look at the enraged Zhang Xiong, his face smeared with blood, and cracked a smile, "The Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty is always ready for you to try and exterminate them!"


    "I..."


    Zhang Xiong''s face stiffened. The Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty? Exterminate them, my ass!


    Let alone him, even the entire Zhang Family wasn''t enough to fill the gaps between their teeth!


    Zhang Xiong, looking at the corpses strewn all over the ground, realized that this venture had been a disastrous loss. The only way to justify himself was to return with Xiao Yi''s head: "Xiao Yi, I will grind your bones to dust!"


    "Thousand Leaves Demon-Subduing Hand!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Zhang Xiong''s fists pounded like pounding garlic, each strike conjuring dozens of fist shadows that coalesced into thousands, forming a dark steel torrent that swept toward him.


    "Grind my bones to dust? You''re not worthy yet!"


    Xiao Yi sneered coldly, as all eighty of his God Sealing Seeds burst forth simultaneously, fully activating the power of the God Sealing Seed. The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in his hand hummed, and the power of the Sword Intent seed made the sword light more concentrated. With a low roar, "Life from Despair!"


    This was the fourth stance of the Soul-chasing Life-taking Sword, Life from Despair!


    It condensed all of his internal energy in the sword edge, producing the most powerful strike, three times stronger than normal.


    Moreover...


    The energy within Xiao Yi was the power of God Sealing, and with the boost of the Sword Intent seed, this strike was ten times more powerful than his peak!


    Boom!


    The sword light was astonishing.


    It was like a beam of light piercing the horizon, tearing through the thousands of fist shadows, as if it could split the heavens and the earth.


    Zhang Xiong''s face changed drastically, raising his fists to block in front of him: "Absolute Defense!"


    Thump!


    This strike smashed through his pair of top-grade elemental fist guards, sending Zhang Xiong flying out, spewing blood. His hands trembled, his eyes filled with fear, "I almost got killed, can this really be the strength of someone in the Qi Gathering Realm Third Layer? This person... must not be allowed to live..."


    His eyes bore into Xiao Yi with a ruthless gaze.


    Xiao Yi''s heart skipped a beat, "Damn, I didn''t kill him?"


    Using that most powerful strike had almost drained all the energy from his body.


    Seeing Zhang Xiong chasing with a vicious face, Xiao Yi gathered his spirits and fled at full speed.


    During the chase, they had covered dozens of kilometers.


    Woooo...


    Amidst the howling cold wind, a dark cliff appeared ahead, thousands of meters high, its bottom invisible at a glance. A golden eagle soared through the canyon, the roaring wind whistling eerily.


    "Hahaha, keep running, will you? I want to see where else you can run to!" Zhang Xiong laughed viciously, following closely.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, retreating, inadvertently knocking a few pebbles down the cliff, unable to hear even the sound of their fall!


    Zhang Xiong said grimly, "Xiao Yi, you''ve got nowhere to run now, surrender quietly!"


    Xiao Yi''s expression was as still as water. In his current state, he stood no chance against Zhang Xiong. As for escaping? Ahead was an abyss thousands of feet deep, wait a minute...


    An image of a piece of parchment sprung to Xiao Yi''s mind, and suddenly, with a corner of his mouth lifted, he turned back with an expression of cold determination, "Once I return to Nanhuang, that will be the day your Zhang Family is annihilated!"


    Whoosh!


    He leapt into the abyss.


    Zhang Xiong rushed forward, but Xiao Yi''s figure was already gone. Frowning and snorting coldly, he muttered, "This cliff has walls sharp as swords on both sides, thousands of meters deep; falling means certain death. At last, the menace is gone..."


    sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 24 - 24 Iron Blade King

    The abyssal valley floor.


    A cold lake with rippling turquoise waves lay before him, the water ice-cold, with a chilling mist rising from it.


    Splash!


    Suddenly, the surface of the water exploded with white foam as a figure shot out, struggling to swim to the edge and lying down shivering and gasping for breath, spitting out mouthfuls of blood.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled into a smile of relief at having narrowly escaped death, "Thank goodness Zhao Shi''s map didn''t lie to me, otherwise I would''ve been smashed to pieces this time!"


    Faced with Zhang Xiong''s relentless pressure, Xiao Yi had remembered that ancient tomb marked on Zhao Shi''s map was deep within the cold lake at the base of the cliff!


    The cold lake was vast, covering two-thirds of the base of the cliff, which was why he had decisively chosen to jump off.


    Of course, even with the cold lake below, plummeting from a cliff thousands of meters high was a sure path to death.


    Before hitting the water, Xiao Yi had exerted all his strength to propel the Eight Extremes Fist, repeatedly striking downward to slow his fall with the resistance of the air currents.


    Still, his body now felt as if it had fallen apart.


    Whoosh!


    Whisk!


    Mustering his spirit to sit up, Xiao Yi started to run the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill. Eighty God Sealing Seeds bloomed with dazzling light, their radiance enveloping his body, voraciously consuming the natural essence of heaven and earth around him.


    The foggy mist rising from the cold lake was drawn towards him, enveloping his body.


    Mist swirled around him.


    In the distance, the valley was whipped by gusts of wind that howled incessantly.


    It took a whole day and night for the mist around Xiao Yi to dissipate, and his complexion regained some of its color.


    "Thankfully, it was only some minor internal injuries that did not affect my core. Now that I have recovered seventy percent of my strength, I''m curious to see what treasures lie in the tomb of this Divine Skills Realm expert!"


    As Xiao Yi got up, his body cracked and popped, and he plunged back into the cold lake.


    He followed the current down.


    At the bottom of the cold lake was a dark passageway. After swimming through it for over a thousand meters, Xiao Yi burst forth from the underwater channel.


    The view ahead suddenly opened up!


    This was a cavern filled with signs of human workmanship, its smooth, even walls appearing as though they were carved by an extremely sharp instrument in a single stroke.


    "The entire cave seems like a natural formation without any signs of secondary excavation. Could it be that someone hollowed out the mountain belly in one go, creating such a massive cave?"


    Xiao Yi found his own thought somewhat crazy.


    This was a rocky mountain. To carve out such a huge cave in one go would require an incredibly powerful being.


    His gaze swept the interior of the cave, and in the very center, there was a stone house.


    The stones on the stone house were covered in signs of age, with dark webs of spider silk indicating it had long been abandoned.


    Creak!


    He pushed open the dust-covered door, stirring up the dust enough to make Xiao Yi frown.


    The house was pitch black, yet Xiao Yi''s eyes were immediately drawn to a figure on the bed.


    It was a skeleton, dark yellow in color, sitting cross-legged on the bed.


    In its lower abdomen, a walnut-sized Golden Core floated serenely, radiating a brilliant golden glow.


    Xiao Yi inhaled sharply, "A Golden Core Realm expert?"


    Above Divine Skills is the Golden Core.


    Golden Core Realm experts are distinguished from ordinary flesh by not only their lifespan, which extends to two hundred years, but also because the bones of a Golden Core Realm expert turn to a bronze color, indestructible and eternal, hence the Golden Core Realm is also known as the Golden Body Realm.


    "I thought it was a Divine Skills Realm powerhouse, but it turned out to be from the Golden Core Realm..." Xiao Yi took a deep breath to calm his excitement.


    If it were merely the remains of a Golden Core Realm expert, it wouldn''t have made him lose his composure like this.


    But there was a complete Golden Core!


    The life''s cultivation of a Golden Core Realm expert was all contained within the Golden Core, where infinite energy was nurtured.


    What was Xiao Yi''s "Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill" most lacking? S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was energy!


    "This Golden Core, if I could completely refine it, it might not be enough to get me into the Golden Core Realm, but it would definitely be sufficient for breaking through to the Shentong Realm!"


    Xiao Yi was ecstatic as he walked up to the remains of the Golden Core Realm expert, knelt down, and bowed his head: "Senior, this junior has offended you!"


    Crack!


    The moment the Golden Core was retrieved, the golden skeleton collapsed to the ground with a crash!


    From its finger bones, a dark red storage ring fell to the ground.


    A storage ring.


    Xiao Yi let his blood to claim it as his master.


    Inside the ring, there were only a few tens of thousands of pieces of silver, aside from that was a secret tome named "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill," a golden token, and a letter.


    "Lucky junior, by the time you read this letter, I may have already perished. In an effort to break through to the Golden Core Realm, I spent all my savings, but just as I was about to succeed, I was betrayed by a close friend and, with grave injuries, hid here. The only thing I can''t stop worrying about is my daughter, still in swaddling clothes..."


    "I am Hu Yi, known as the Iron Blade King of Tianqing Kingdom; I only ask that you send my Clan Settling Skill ''Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill'' and the king''s token to the Iron Blade King''s estate for my daughter. Tell her that the person who killed me was none other than the Comrade King, Xu Shiheng. This Golden Core of mine shall serve as your reward... I am eternally grateful..."


    Xiao Yi was not from Tianqing Kingdom and had no idea who the Iron Blade King was.


    But to be bestowed a kingship in a kingdom and possess Golden Elixir Realm Cultivation, this Hu Yi was definitely no ordinary man!


    Xiao Yi pocketed the storage ring and solemnly said, "Senior, rest assured, I will deliver your belongings to the Iron Blade King''s estate!"


    Having said that, Xiao Yi dug a grave for him in the cave the skeleton was in, buried the remains, and erected a gravestone.


    The tomb of Hu Yi, the Iron Blade King of Tianqing Kingdom!


    After completing all this, Xiao Yi sat cross-legged inside the stone hut and began to refine the Golden Core on the spot.


    "With the energy of this Golden Core, just refining one-tenth of it would allow me to reach the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm. However, the Zhang Family has sent people to assassinate me, and I fear their next target will be Qingzhu. I must leave the Southern Desolate Mountain Range within ten days!"


    Hum!


    The mysterious skill started operating, and the energy within the Golden Core was greedily devoured!


    ...


    Inside Nanhuang City.


    Zhang Xiong respectfully looked at the two people in front of him, Zhang Yong, and spoke in a grave voice, "Family head, young master, your subordinate has completed the mission and killed Xiao Yi!"


    "Good! Zhang Xiong, you are indeed a pillar of our Zhang Family!" Zhang Yong laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder forcefully.


    Zhang Ze spoke with a sinister tone, "Uncle Xiong, did you bring back Xiao Yi''s head?"


    Zhang Xiong sighed, "Young master, your subordinate is incompetent, Xiao Yi''s body fell into the gorge after his death, and his body was not recovered whole!"


    "Haha, it is already very good that you killed that little beast. If you couldn''t bring back the body, let it be!" Zhang Yong consoled him.


    "Although it''s a pity that we couldn''t bring his head back and let him watch me play with Fang Qingzhu, it doesn''t matter," Zhang Ze nodded and narrowed his eyes. The cold gleam within them flickered menacingly, "I''ve been keeping an eye on Fang Qingzhu this whole time. It''s just that Lin Bingxin has been inseparable from her, which makes it difficult to act. Uncle Xiong, leave this to you. From now on, you keep watch over Fang Qingzhu, and the moment she separates from Lin Bingxin, capture her immediately for me!"


    "Young master, rest assured!" Zhang Xiong patted his chest in assurance, then hesitated before saying, "Family head, what about Lei Bao and Fang Ao..."


    Zhang Yong waved his hand and said indifferently, "You don''t need to worry about this. Our Zhang Family has never sent anyone to assassinate Xiao Yi, this was all done by Lei Bao and Fang Ao. Do you understand?"


    Zhang Xiong''s eyes lit up, "Family head is brilliant!"

 Chapter 25 - 25 The Might of a Single Sword

    Within the Southern Desolate Mountain Range.


    In the depths of a dense forest, gloomy and terrifying, the humid air was filled with a pungent smell of blood.


    The trees had been snapped in half, the grass had been flattened to the ground, and chaos reigned. Corpses lay scattered in pools of blood, each body grotesquely deformed, some even crushed to a pulp��


    Boom!


    With a thunderous crash, a large tree over sixty meters tall collapsed, creating an empty space as it fell.


    A purple giant snake, over ten meters long, appeared from the woods, its tail coiling around the fallen tree and fiercely sending it flying with a flick.


    Whoosh!


    The tree blotted out the sky as it swept across, unstoppable.


    "Protect the young lady!"


    "This beast has actually advanced to the third order, let''s fight it with all we''ve got..."


    A group of strong protectors roared as they charged towards the purple giant snake.


    But the purple giant snake, having just stepped into the lower tier of the third order, was comparable to a First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm powerhouse. Its combat strength was incredibly terrifying, slaughtering those who came to surround and attack it.


    Its bloodthirsty eyes fixed on what was ahead, the snake twisted its body and pursued.


    From its gaping maw blew a foul wind, causing the other monsters of the forest to flee from afar, not daring to provoke this ruler of the outskirts of the Southern Desolate Mountain Range.


    Five black-clad strong protectors were evacuating with a young man and a lady, watching as the purple giant snake came chasing after them. The five turned to the young man, "Qi, we''ll hold off this beast. Take the young lady and leave quickly."


    "Rest assured, I will definitely bring Xue''er back to Nanhuang City safe and sound!" the young man replied continuously.


    He immediately picked up the girl, who was wearing a white dress and floated like a fairy, and ran at breakneck speed.


    The girl in the white dress was extremely pale, with a hint of bright red staining her long white dress at the chest. A look of despair filled her eyes, "Brother Tianying, just put me down and go on your own! I don''t want to drag you down..."


    "What nonsense are you talking? I will definitely take you back to Nanhuang City!" Qi Tianying said with a serious face.


    A glance over his shoulder caught sight of the fight.


    Those five who were blocking the purple giant snake had all been killed, and one of them was even swallowed whole in front of his eyes, causing Qi Tianying''s face to turn deathly pale as he saw the purple giant snake catching up.


    All of a sudden, Qi Tianying threw the girl he was carrying onto the road, ignoring her bewildered expression, and strode away, "Xue''er, stay here. I''ll go get help immediately!"


    The girl in the white dress, Xue''er, watched dumbfounded as Qi Tianying dashed into the dense forest, "&*()..."


    Go find your own reinforcements!


    He was clearly using her as a shield to delay the purple giant snake!


    "My life is over..."


    A fishy wind swept over her, and as the purple giant snake''s gaping maw was almost upon her, Xue''er closed her eyes in despair.


    But at that moment...


    A bloody sword light descended from the sky, punctuating a fierce wound on the purple giant snake''s body, causing it to scream incessantly. Its massive body swept across, bringing down a large part of the forest.


    Clap!


    Xiao Yi, in a green outfit, floated over gracefully. He leapt high off the ground, thrusting the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword towards the purple giant snake, "Chasing Stars and Moons!"


    "Seizing Souls and Lives!"


    The edge of the sword radiated a bloody light, each strike effortlessly slicing through the body of the purple giant snake, causing it to wail continuously. Its resentful eyes glared at Xiao Yi as it let out a low growl, intending to flee.


    "Do you think you can escape?"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, leaped up high, holding the sword in both hands as surging qi converged at the tip of the sword.


    After ten days of cultivation...


    He had already refined one-twentieth of the Golden Core, stepping into the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm. With a hundred and forty God Sealing Seeds within him, his combat strength could now fully rival a First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm powerhouse.


    The might of a single sword struck terror into the world!


    Boom!


    The crimson sword edge brutally beheaded the giant serpent, and its enormous body struggled for dozens of seconds before it completely lost its vitality.


    Xiao Yi expressionlessly sliced open the belly of the purple giant serpent and dug out a snake gallbladder and a beast core, "The snake gallbladder can replenish Qingzhu''s vital energy, but this beast core is an unexpected delight. A third-order beast core can certainly allow Qingzhu to step into the Spiritual Realm Cultivation!"


    This purple giant serpent was exactly the Purple-Patterned Blood Python he had been seeking.


    It had just advanced from a high-level second-order to a low-level third-order.


    Fortunately, it had just broken through; otherwise, with Xiao Yi''s current strength, he really wouldn''t have been able to handle it.


    "Thank you for saving my life, noble sir. May I ask how to address you?" A weak voice came from behind Xiao Yi.


    "I hunted this beast because I needed to kill it, not specifically to save you."


    Xiao Yi glanced at her and frowned, "Your injuries are severe. Use this to stop the bleeding first!"


    "Thank you, noble sir!"


    Xue''er was taken aback, receiving the golden sore medicine Xiao Yi tossed to her. She was about to speak when she heard an overjoyed voice, "Hahaha, Xue''er, it''s so good that you''re safe! I saw that the Purple-Patterned Blood Python didn''t follow, and I was worried something happened to you, so I rushed back right away to rescue you!"


    The person who came was Qi Tianying.


    Discovering that the Purple-Patterned Blood Python had not followed and that a fierce fight had taken place, he immediately rushed back.


    Seeing the Purple-Patterned Blood Python lying in a pool of blood, he then showed himself.


    Xue''er''s face darkened as her gaze towards Qi Tianying lost the earlier admiration and grew colder, "You went to find reinforcements, isn''t that so?"


    "Ah ha, it''s just that I couldn''t stop worrying about you!"


    Qi Tianying laughed it off, showing no guilt for having left Xue''er to flee alone. His eyes swept over the Purple-Patterned Blood Python behind Xiao Yi, and noticing its split-open belly, Qi Tianying furrowed his brow and said to Xiao Yi, "Young man, you''ve done a great deed by saving Xue''er. You can have the corpse of this Purple-Patterned Blood Python as a reward, but that snake gallbladder and beast core must be returned to me. Hand them over!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Xue''er''s complexion turned ugly, "Qi Tianying, have you lost your mind? The Purple-Patterned Blood Python was killed by this gentleman, why should the snake gallbladder and beast core be given to you?"


    The most valuable parts of the Purple-Patterned Blood Python were indeed its gallbladder and beast core; as for the body, it wasn''t even worth one-tenth of the gallbladder!


    Qi Tianying frowned and said displeasedly, "What nonsense are you talking about, Xue''er? If it wasn''t for me leading everyone to encircle and weaken this Purple-Patterned Blood Python, how could this youngster have taken advantage of it?"


    "Shut your mouth!"


    Xue''er glared furiously. What bullshit about leading everyone? As soon as Qi Tianying discovered that the Purple-Patterned Blood Python had broken through to the third order, he stayed far behind, and in the end, he abandoned her and ran away on his own. And now he had the nerve to come and demand the snake gallbladder and beast core?


    Xue''er looked at Xiao Yi with an apologetic expression, "I''m truly sorry, sir!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, ready to leave.


    But Qi Tianying abruptly stepped in front of him, his expression dark, "Young man, do you know who I am? I am the Qi Family''s great young master from Shouye City. If you don''t leave that beast core and snake gallbladder behind today, do you know what the consequences will be?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you threatening me?"


    "Threatening? You can see it that way if you like," Qi Tianying said with arrogance, "My Qi Family..."


    Before he could finish speaking.


    A sword light flashed before his eyes, severing his right arm at the shoulder, and Xiao Yi looked at Qi Tianying coldly, "I don''t like being threatened."


    "You''re doomed, my Qi Family will not let you off..."


    Qi Tianying clutched his severed arm, his pale face twisted with ferocity. sea??h th�� novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi sighed lightly, "I already said I don''t like being threatened."


    Thud!


    A sword sealed his throat.


    Qi Tianying fell to the ground clutching his bleeding neck, convulsing wildly, his eyes filled with despair and regret.


    "Miss, are you alright?" came several voices from afar.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the stunned Xue''er and spoke indifferently, "I''ll take my leave now!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leaped gracefully, disappearing into the jungle and heading straight for Nanhuang City, "Zhang Family, I, Xiao Yi, have returned!"

 Chapter 26 - 26: Sorry, Im Late!

    Nanhuang City. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even though it had been over ten days since he left, nothing here had changed.


    On his way to the residence, Xiao Yi was covered in the smell of blood, causing people to steer clear of him.


    "Qingzhu, I''m back!"


    As soon as he entered the house, Xiao Yi called out, but there was no response. A sense of intense unease gripped his heart.


    When he reached Fang Qingzhu''s bedroom, he discovered it was in complete disarray, with no one to be found.


    "How could this be? Where is everyone?" Xiao Yi''s face turned pale.


    At that moment...


    Lin Bingxin''s voice came from outside, "Qingzhu, are you not home? Why is the main door open?" Lin Bingxin appeared in the bedroom and saw Xiao Yi with his back to her, her eyes lit up, "Xiao Yi, you''re back?"


    Xiao Yi looked as grim as still water, turning to face Lin Bingxin.


    His eyes were fierce like a wild animal''s, emitting a chilling light that seemed to threaten to devour someone.


    Lin Bingxin felt a bone-chilling cold, she swallowed hard, her voice trembling, "What, what''s wrong with you?"


    Xiao Yi said with a cold face, "I asked you to take care of Qingzhu, where is she? Where did she go?"


    "Qingzhu is missing?"


    Lin Bingxin was startled, only then noticing the mess in the bedroom. Her face changed dramatically, "Impossible, she was still here when I left this morning, how could this happen��"


    Xiao Yi''s face remained as grim as water, "You just left this morning?"


    "Yes!"


    Lin Bingxin quickly said, "I had to deal with some matters at the Treasure Pavilion, I left for just an hour��"


    "The Zhang Family? The Fang Family? Or is it the Black Tiger Gang?"


    Xiao Yi''s mind raced like a fierce tiger as he headed for the door, "You''d better not have hurt Qingzhu, if even a single hair on her head is harmed, I''ll annihilate your entire clan!"


    Watching Xiao Yi rush out the door...


    Lin Bingxin stood in a daze for a moment, then came to her senses, "This is bad, a major disaster is about to unfold, I must report to my master immediately��"


    ...��..


    The Zhang Family.


    Two guards at the Physical Body Realm stood watch at the front. They barely caught a glimpse of Xiao Yi''s figure appearing before the gate. They called out, "Who goes there? This is the Zhang residence, trespassers will be killed without mercy!"


    "Bring out Zhang Yong to see me!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    "How audacious!"


    One of the guards became furiously enraged, "You dare to call the family head by name, it seems you''re here to make trouble. Die!"


    The two guards raised their swords and slashed at Xiao Yi.


    Crash!


    Xiao Yi moved swiftly, kicking the Zhang family''s gate wide open, while the two guards still maintained their sword-swinging posture, but a red line grew across their throats, and their heads tumbled down.


    The commotion naturally drew the attention of the Zhang Family''s experts.


    Several strong figures appeared in front of Xiao Yi, with Zhang Xiong at the forefront, his face incredulous, "Xiao Yi? You, you''re actually alive?"


    Xiao Yi moved, his vital energy surging wildly, sending more than a dozen of the Zhang family''s experts flying away in an instant. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Zhang Xiong, who reacted with horror and threw a punch in defense.


    Xiao Yi used his finger as a sword, severing Zhang Xiong''s arms, then grabbed his throat with one hand and said coldly, "Where is she?"


    Zhang Xiong''s face grew paler, his expression ferocious, "Xiao, Xiao Yi, you''re indeed formidable. Not only did you survive the jump from that abyss, but your strength has also improved tremendously. But what of it? Aren''t you supposed to protect Fang Qingzhu? Right now, she''s probably already been ruined by our young master, hahaha��"


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was unspeakably ugly, his eyes blood red.


    "Seeking death? Hahaha, if I, Zhang Xiong, were afraid of dying, would I lead a team to ambush and kill you?" Zhang Xiong laughed manically, "You just wait at home. Once the young master is tired of Fang Qingzhu, he will naturally send her back to you, hahaha��"


    "Not afraid of dying, are you? For every breath you don''t speak, I''ll kill ten of your Zhang Family. I will make your family accompany her in death!"


    With a casual swing of the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword.


    He decapitated a Tenth Layer Physical Body Realm expert.


    "You..." Zhang Xiong''s eyes were split with rage.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Two breaths!"


    Thud!


    Another person was beheaded.


    Thud!


    Three people!


    Four people!


    Five people...


    Xiao Yi had already slain more than thirty people, like a blood-colored god of death, the powerful members of the Zhang Family around him had lost their nerve early on and tried to flee. But as long as they dared to move a step, Xiao Yi''s sword would fall upon them.


    Looking at the corpses strewn across the ground, blood flowing into rivers, staining the entire front courtyard red.


    Despair filled Zhang Xiong''s eyes, "Devil, you are a devil..."


    "Devil? Even if I have become a demon, it was you who forced me!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    "Brother Xiong, just tell him!"


    "We don''t want to die..."


    One after another, the strong members of the Zhang Family knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.


    Zhang Xiong watched Xiao Yi raise his longsword again, despair mixed with intense reluctance and resignation, "I''ll tell you, I''ll tell you... The young master and the family head took Fang Qingzhu to the dungeon in the backyard, please stop killing..."


    "Take me there!"


    Xiao Yi grabbed Zhang Xiong with one hand, while the sword point rested on the neck of a Qi Gathering Realm Third Layer strongman, who slumped his head down and led the way.


    In the backyard, in front of a rockery.


    Zhang Xiong said, "The entrance to the dungeon is behind the rockery."


    Crack!


    Xiao Yi''s fingers clenched, snapping Zhang Xiong''s neck, tossing his corpse aside. As he retracted his longsword, the strongman from the Zhang Family also had his throat sealed by the sword.


    Xiao Yi followed the entrance behind the rockery into the underground passage.


    Inside the dungeon, the firelight flickered dimly, adding to the sinister atmosphere.


    Now and then, one could see rats scuttling in the darkness.


    In the deepest cell.


    Fang Qingzhu, bound tightly, was trapped on a torture rack, hair disheveled, her body covered in whip marks stained with blood. Beneath her feet, two hollow bamboo tubes were inserted into her veins, her blood dripping down, leaving stains on the ground.


    Fang Qingzhu''s lips were pale and cracked, her dark eyes fixated on Zhang Ze father and son in front of her, "Is this all you''re capable of? Dreaming of vengeance against Xiao Yi with such skills?"


    "This bitch sure has a tough mouth..." Zhang Yong threw the bloodied whip on the ground, sitting on the Taishi Chair, panting, "Xiao Ze, look at how you''ve whipped this bitch to a pulp, it''s not even fun to play with her anymore!"


    Zhang Ze had a vicious smile, "Doesn''t father think it''s gratifying to grab a handful of blood while toying with her, causing her to scream in pain?"


    "Hahaha, your father has never played with a woman like this before!" Zhang Yong laughed heartily.


    Fang Qingzhu felt increasingly weak, gritting her teeth, "Xiao Yi won''t let you off..."


    "Your Xiao Yi is already dead, buried in a deep abyss, unless he becomes a ghost and comes back, he can''t save you!" Zhang Ze said boastfully.


    "Impossible, Xiao Yi can''t be dead!" Fang Qingzhu roared.


    "Hehe, I sent Zhang Xiong and Lei Bao to raid and kill Xiao Yi, and Zhang Xiong is an Eighth Layer of Qi Gathering Realm strongman, do you think Xiao Yi stands a chance?" Zhang Ze said.


    "Xiao Yi is dead? How can that be..." Fang Qingzhu''s face was full of despair.


    Zhang Xiong was the leader of the Zhang Family Hunting Team, a master of the Eighth Layer of Qi Gathering Realm.


    If he really made a move, Xiao Yi''s chances of survival were virtually non-existent.


    Zhang Ze''s face was smeared with a lecherous smile, his greedy and fervent gaze focused on Fang Qingzhu. As he walked towards her, he said, "Fang Qingzhu, Xiao Yi really cares about you! It''s just too bad that he couldn''t see for himself, he''ll only get to reunite with you down below, then I''ll tell him how you were killed by me, hahaha..."


    Zhang Ze lunged at Fang Qingzhu.


    But just at that moment...


    An icy, bloody sword light suddenly appeared, and with a ''pfft'', it cut Zhang Ze down, amidst his shrill screams. A cold voice came from behind him simultaneously, "Sorry, I''m late!"

 Chapter 27 - 27: A Rage to Crown!

    "Xiao Yi, I knew you were alright..."


    Even when she was tortured by Zhang Ze and his son without shedding a tear, Fang Qingzhu''s eyes reddened the moment she saw Xiao Yi. Ever since her dantian was destroyed, the loving faces of her parents had completely changed.


    She had completely lost hope in the Fang Family.


    Plus, with Xiao Yi''s company day and night during those days, he had left an indelible mark in her heart.


    When she heard earlier that Zhang Ze had sent Zhang Xiong to assassinate Xiao Yi, she was nearly in despair.


    After all,


    Zhang Xiong was far stronger than Xiao Yi.


    Until now...


    Seeing Xiao Yi alive and well in front of her, Fang Qingzhu was finally able to let her hanging heart settle down.


    Xiao Yi looked at Fang Qingzhu bound on the torture rack with a touch of distress in his eyes. He lifted his sword to release the chains that bound her, pulled out the two hollow bamboo tubes from her feet, and carefully applied golden sore medicine to her wounds.


    Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi with eyes brimming with emotion, bright as stars.


    "Does it hurt?"


    As Xiao Yi''s fingertips traced over the scars on her face, Fang Qingzhu involuntarily flinched in pain, pursed her lips, and said with a light laugh, "It doesn''t hurt!"


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath and said, "Wait for me a moment!"


    "Mhm!"


    Fang Qingzhu obediently nodded her head.


    Xiao Yi then stood up and turned to look at Zhang Yong, who was trying to stop Zhang Ze''s bleeding, his gaze icy cold, "How do you want to die?"


    Zhang Yong''s face was ashen.


    Zhang Ze''s lifeblood had been severed entirely; his life was completely ruined.


    Zhang Yong''s own lineage would end with him.


    His face twisted with maliciousness, he unleashed the full strength of his Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. His eyes filled with ferocious killing intent, he roared, "You mongrel, I will grind your bones to dust!"


    Zhang Ze, covered in blood below the waist, his face deathly pale and twisted, his voice becoming shrill and piercing, "Dad, cripple him for me. I want to personally carve him into a thousand pieces, eat his flesh, drink his blood..."


    Zhang Yong nodded and said, "Don''t worry. Since he made you no longer a man, I will make sure he can''t even be a ghost!"


    Boom!


    Zhang Yong''s figure didn''t move, only raised his right hand.


    Surging vital energy turned into thousands of fine threads, weaving in front of his palm, coalescing into an energy sphere. The sphere spun in the air and ignited a red flame with a roar: "Fiery Flame Palm!"


    Practitioners in the Shentong Realm could externalize their vital energy.


    By drawing on vital energy to activate Divine Skills.


    Their power was several times stronger than that of ordinary martial arts!


    The fireball sent waves of heat skyward, its crimson light illuminating half the dungeon. The licking flames made a piercing whooshing sound as it shot towards Xiao Yi. S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wherever the fireball passed, the bricks on the ground seemed as if they would melt.


    The wooden bars of the dungeon burst into flames.


    "Xiao Yi, be careful..." Fang Qingzhu shouted.


    Xiao Yi''s expression was solemn.


    His cultivation had reached the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, enough to defeat an ordinary practitioner of the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. However, Zhang Yong was at the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. The gap between them was huge, and Xiao Yi could not afford to be the slightest bit negligent: "This battle cannot be delayed, it must be quick and decisive!"


    Zhang Yong, confident in his superior strength, did not take him seriously.


    To win this battle, Xiao Yi needed to take unconventional moves, strike first, and crush Zhang Yong before he could react!


    "Sweeping Thousands of Troops!"


    "Pursuing Stars and Chasing the Moon!"


    "Seizing Souls and Claiming Lives!"


    The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword emitted a blood-red radiance all around, as if completely fused with Xiao Yi''s arm, showing a hint of unity between man and sword.


    This unity between man and sword was a sign of truly comprehending Sword Intent.


    The seed of Sword Intent fully burst forth.


    Xiao Yi''s sword moves suddenly grew thirty percent more formidable, with an edge that seemed to tear open the heavens itself.


    Whoosh!


    The move ''Sweeping Through Thousands'' first halted the momentum of the fireball, and then the technique ''Chasing Stars and Moons'' focused on the weakest point of the fireball, causing it to burst with a loud boom.


    Xiao Yi then burst through the exploding fireball, tearing open the sky filled with sparks, his blood-red sword edge mixed with sparks, thrusting towards Zhang Yong''s throat.


    The sword edge tore through the air, rustling Zhang Yong''s clothes noisily.


    His face expressionless, he scoffed, "Acting recklessly, overestimating your own abilities!"


    Whoosh!


    Vast vital energy surged, bursting forth from his body.


    It condensed on his palm.


    As if donning a red gauntlet, with a chime, he grabbed the blade and amidst a shower of sparks, the unstoppable momentum of the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword came to an abrupt halt.


    Zhang Yong''s left hand then moved to his waist, and he suddenly thrust out a fist.


    Whoosh!


    Dazzling vital energy on his left hand solidified into a crimson blade and lunged toward Xiao Yi''s abdomen.


    Vital energy turned into a weapon.


    A signature move of a Shentong Realm expert.


    Though this weapon made of vital energy was not as strong as elemental weapons, its power vastly exceeded ordinary metal weapons. If this blade struck Xiao Yi, he would not die but be crippled for sure.


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, your death is certain," Zhang Ze hysterically screamed.


    His eyes were bloodshot, filled with intense excitement.


    But his joy was short-lived, as it tore open the wound in his crotch and blood gushed like a fountain��


    With his right hand trapped, Xiao Yi saw the attack coming toward his abdomen, and a gleam flashed in his eyes, "Eight Extremes Lean!"


    With a sudden force centered on his heel, he spun around on the spot.


    He narrowly dodged Zhang Yong''s left-handed attack but still sustained a gruesome wound on his waist, skin ripped and flesh burst, causing Xiao Yi to wince in pain. Despite the intense pain, Xiao Yi forcefully leaned back.


    Thud!


    His entire back slammed heavily against Zhang Yong''s chest.


    Xiao Yi''s strength had increased several-fold compared to before, and combined with the inherently powerful Eight Extremes Fist, this collision broke three of Zhang Yong''s ribs and caused internal injuries.


    Blood spurted from his mouth as his body was lifted from the spot and sent flying backward.


    Xiao Yi quickly turned around and chased after Zhang Yong, grabbing his ankle and smashing him down toward the ground with force.


    Thud!


    The entire dungeon vibrated.


    Zhang Yong''s back hit the ground, shattering floor tiles, and as dust and debris flew, Xiao Yi did not pause, "Kick them when they''re down!"


    Clutching Zhang Yong''s ankles, he smashed him down over and over again.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Zhang Yong, like a human-shaped sledgehammer, shattered the ground, crashed into walls, and broke tables and chairs... It all happened so fast that Zhang Yong, dazed with stars in his eyes and injury upon injury, could not react in time.


    With the strength of a Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he hadn''t even managed to display half of his power before he was left spewing blood from all seven orifices, on the brink of death.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi spun in place like a tornado, generating gusts of wind. Suddenly releasing his grip, he flung Zhang Yong out viciously.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Zhang Yong smashed through the bars of five cells before hitting a stone wall with a bang, becoming embedded in a huge human-shaped indent, unable to move.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi dove down, and the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword showed no mercy, piercing through Zhang Yong''s brow with a whoosh, nailing him firmly to the rock face. Zhang Yong''s body jerked, blood dripping down from the wall, his mouth agape, only able to let out hoarse gasps.


    In his eyes, there was nothing but regret.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze then turned to a dumbstruck Zhang Ze, "Your turn!"

 Chapter 28 - 28: Payback Tenfold

    "It''s your turn now!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze fell upon Zhang Ze, his icy eyes sharp like the edge of a knife, making it unbearable to meet his stare.


    Thump!


    Zhang Ze''s body trembled as he knelt to the ground, the arrogance and fierceness previously etched on his pale face replaced by abjection and terror, "Mercy, Xiao, have mercy! This was all Fang Ao and Lei Bao''s doing, leading me astray... it has nothing to do with me..."


    Before this.


    Zhang Ze''s greatest support was the Zhang Family.


    But now...


    The strongest warrior of the Zhang Family, Zhang Yong, had been killed by Xiao Yi with the force of thunder, leaving him with no backbone. All he could hope for now was to save his own life, to survive and wait until he joined the Royal Martial Arts Academy, then find a way to seek revenge!


    However.


    Xiao Yi remained unmoved, his gaze towards Zhang Ze devoid of sympathy, only coldness, "I just counted, there are three hundred seventy-five whip marks on Qingzhu''s body!"


    "Ah?"


    Zhang Ze was stunned, not understanding Xiao Yi''s meaning.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I once said, for whoever dares to harm even a single hair on her, I would repay it tenfold. Three hundred seventy-five whip marks, I''ll repay you with three thousand seven hundred fifty sword strikes, and the two bamboo tubes used to bleed her feet will count for a thousand strikes, making a total of five thousand seven hundred fifty strikes. You have no objections, right?"


    Thump!


    Zhang Ze''s body shook violently, collapsing to the ground. S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Five thousand plus sword strikes to the body?


    Wasn''t this the same as being smashed to pieces?


    "No, don''t... Xiao, I realize my mistake, I truly do... I''m willing to be your ox and horse, please spare me, please show me mercy just this once..." Zhang Ze crawled and rolled, desperately clutching Xiao Yi''s legs, wailing bitterly.


    Forget five thousand strikes��being poked with an embroidery needle five thousand times would leave one riddled with holes!


    "Show mercy?"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh, his deep voice laced with icy murderous intent, "When you sent men to kill me in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range, why didn''t you show mercy? When you captured Qingzhu and tortured her so harshly, why didn''t you think to show mercy? And now you''re begging me to save you? Don''t you see this is pure delusion?"


    Ever since his mother''s death, Fang Qingzhu was the first person to give Xiao Yi a sense of home''s warmth.


    How could he tolerate her being persecuted in such a way?


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s ice-cold and resolute face, Zhang Ze''s face filled with despair. In the face of imminent death, he mustered his viciousness, a flash of savagery in his eyes, "If you won''t let me live, then you''ll die with me!"


    Whoosh!


    From within Zhang Ze''s sleeve, a black dagger shot out, the blade smeared with a deadly poison, aimed straight at Xiao Yi.


    "A dog can''t change its habit of eating shit!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly as the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword flicked upwards.


    Thwack! Thwack!


    Zhang Ze''s hands were chopped off at the wrists, the hand holding the dagger falling to the ground with a smack, pain distorting Zhang Ze''s entire face; "Ahh�� Xiao Yi, I won''t let you off even if I become a ghost..."


    "You can talk about that when you become a ghost!"


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, lifting Zhang Ze by one hand and hanging him up on the rack.


    Snap!


    With a casual slap, he dislocated Zhang Ze''s jaw, making it impossible for him to even bite his own tongue and commit suicide.


    Xiao Yi turned towards Fang Qingzhu, his fierce expression softening, "Qingzhu, turn your head away, don''t look!"


    "Okay!"


    Fang Qingzhu obediently turned away.


    Whoosh!


    The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand turned into countless petals descending colorfully, each streak of the sword light removing a piece of flesh from Zhang Ze''s body. Amid the blood and flying flesh, unbearable pain engulfed him, but all the jawless Zhang Ze could manage were choked breathing sounds.


    Tears, mingled with sweat, fell ceaselessly.


    Regret and despair took over his entire face.


    Thud!


    Thud!


    The silver gleam of the sword flickered in the dungeon; with each appearance, flesh was sliced and sent flying.


    "One thousand and eighty!"


    "One thousand and eighty-one!"


    "One thousand and eighty-two..."


    Xiao Yi''s voice sounded like a demonic chant that reaped souls, both of Zhang Ze''s arms had been whittled down to bone, and he had fainted several times from the pain, only to be revived by Xiao Yi.


    It was a pain so intense that life itself seemed undesirable.


    Zhang Ze had never thought that he would one day yearn for death''s arrival.


    Bang!


    The dungeon''s door was suddenly blown open, causing Xiao Yi''s sword to pause slightly, as a group of powerful individuals rushed in from outside. Leading them was Elder Yan, the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, followed closely by Sikong Nan, the Nanhuang City Lord, and Zhao Yu, the head of the Zhao Family.


    "Quick, find Xiao!"


    "Zhang Yong, if you dare harm a hair on Xiao''s head, I will eradicate the Zhang Family!"


    However...


    When Elder Yan and the others saw the situation inside the dungeon, the words they had ready died on their lips.


    Hisss!


    A collective gasp of shock went through the crowd.


    Elder Yan spat out a mouthful of saliva, "Xiao, Xiao, are you alright?"


    Xiao Yi didn''t turn around, "You''re here? Wait a moment, four thousand more swords!"


    "Four thousand swords?"


    "What does that mean?"


    Everyone was momentarily stunned.


    Soon...


    They understood.


    "One thousand and eighty-three!"


    "One thousand and eighty-four..."


    With each sword stroke by Xiao Yi, a chilling number was uttered, and with each number, a piece of flesh was sliced from Zhang Ze.


    Hisss!


    The crowd gasped again.


    Watching Zhang Ze''s agonized face, unable to speak, with only the white of bone remaining in his two arms and legs, some of the weaker-strong individuals began to retch violently at the sight.


    "This, this is death by a thousand cuts! It''s too, too cruel..."


    "So, so terrifying... one must never cross Xiao Yi..."


    "Don''t talk... blargh..."


    Even Elder Yan and Sikong Nan, who were worldly and well-informed, looked at each other with pale faces at that moment.


    Sikong Nan murmured softly, "Even though I''ve been through hundreds of battles in the military, I''ve never seen someone execute a lingchi with such calm."


    Elder Yan nodded somberly, glancing deeply at Xiao Yi and gesturing towards Fang Qingzhu, "Look at her, and you won''t find Xiao cruel anymore!"


    Sikong Nan glanced at Fang Qingzhu, and although she was covered by Xiao Yi''s coat, her body was still visibly battered and bruised.


    Whoosh!


    Sikong Nan exhaled a long breath, silently reminding himself, "This young man is someone to befriend, not to be made an enemy of!"


    If these words were to spread, they would certainly cause a huge stir.


    He was, after all, the Nanhuang City Lord, the top expert of Nanhuang, and yet he did not wish to make an enemy of Xiao Yi?


    The pungent odor of blood permeated the dungeon; those unable to withstand the shocking sight before them had long since retreated, but the memory Xiao Yi left them with was nightmare-like, and they would likely never be able to forget it for the rest of their lives.


    Within the crowd.


    Zhao Xian was pale as a ghost, he had just been one of the most frantic vomiters, and he looked up blankly at Zhao Yu beside him, "Father, father, I''m so glad I heeded your advice and never crossed Xiao!"


    "Indeed!"


    Zhao Yu nodded gravely, "Once we return, immediately sever all ties with the Fang Family and the Black Tiger Gang, understand?"


    Zhao Xian hummed in agreement, puzzled, "Father, what about our collaboration with the Zhang Family?"


    "The Zhang Family?"


    Zhao Yu''s expression turned strange as he looked at the vast Zhang family estate, "After today, will there even be a Zhang Family in Nanhuang City?"

 Chapter 29 - 29: Fame Shakes Nanhuang

    ```


    Three hours later.


    Xiao Yi walked out of the dungeon, carrying Fang Qingzhu in his arms, with only Elder Yan and Sikong Nan closely following behind him.


    The others had already escaped the dungeon long ago.


    Not everyone could withstand the spectacle of a lingering execution!


    Even with the fortitude of Elder Yan and Sikong Nan, they too were pale at this moment, and the sight of anything red caused their internal organs to churn violently, giving rise to a strong urge to vomit.


    "Xiao!"


    "Xiao, Xiao��"


    Zhao Yu, Zhao Xian, and others looked at Xiao Yi with faces full of reverence.


    Xiao Yi was spotless, and with a gesture for silence, he gestured that Fang Qingzhu sleeping in his arms, and in a lowered voice said, "I will take her back to rest first, the rest is up to you guys!"


    Zhao Yu nodded heavily, whispering, "Xiao, rest assured, leave it to us!"


    Elder Yan and Sikong Nan both nodded their heads.


    Xiao Yi nodded to the group and then left the Zhang residence.


    Once Xiao Yi was gone, Zhao Yu looked at the two with a wry smile, "City Lord, Elder Yan, what should we do?"


    Elder Yan squinted and said, "The Zhang family has no reason to exist anymore!"


    Sikong Nan said indifferently, "The Zhang family''s properties should all be transferred to Xiao''s name. As for those of the Zhang family�� If you don''t remove the roots when cutting the grass, the spring breeze will bring them back to life."


    "I understand!"


    Zhao Yu nodded in realization, his face showing a hint of intrigue as he mumbled, "If the Fang family knew about all this, that old man Fang Tianhao would probably regret until his intestines turned green, wouldn''t he?"


    "I reckon he would be so angry he''d vomit blood!"


    Sikong Nan couldn''t help but laugh as well, "To think that an eighteen-year-old who could kill a Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm expert, with such talent, would be driven out of the Fang family as a useless son-in-law, I don''t know whether to say Fang Tianhao''s standards are too high, or that he''s blind��"


    "Not only the Fang family is blind,"


    Elder Yan also sneered contemptuously, "The Xiao Family, in the far-off Great Qian Dynasty, only treasures Xiao Tianjiao while expelling such a real dragon as Xiao from their home, sending him to the Fang family as a door-to-door son-in-law. Who knows what the reaction of the Xiao Family will be if one day Xiao outshines Xiao Tianjiao?"


    Although it must be said that Xiao Tianjiao, at merely ten years of age, had already stepped into the Divine Skills Realm, boasting an incredible talent.


    But what about Xiao Yi?


    When he first came to Nanhuang City, he hadn''t even reached the first level of the Physical Body Realm, but now he could kill experts in the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    And all of this in less than two months.


    So, who is the real dragon?


    Anyone with eyes can see!


    Sikong Nan and Zhao Yu both nodded in agreement, and the three of them couldn''t help feeling fortunate: "Good thing we chose to stand on Xiao''s side��"


    Afterward��


    The news of the Zhang family''s annihilation spread wildly, instantly causing an uproar throughout Nanhuang City.


    Meanwhile.


    Led by the Treasure Pavilion, with support from the Lord''s Mansion and the Zhao Family, a force began a comprehensive crackdown on the Zhang family''s influence. In just half a day, all of the Zhang family''s assets were transferred to Xiao Yi''s name, and simultaneously, the Treasure Pavilion and the Zhao Family declared a complete halt to all business dealings with the Fang Family and the Black Tiger Gang.


    An edict of banishment!


    This plunged the Fang Family and the Black Tiger Gang into endless despair.


    Within Nanhuang City��


    Word gradually spread that the person who caused all this commotion was none other than Xiao Yi, once expelled from the Fang family as a useless son-in-law.


    In no time, the name Xiao Yi was known throughout Nanhuang.


    It even became taboo!


    Within the Black Tiger Gang.


    The gang leader Lei Laohu was in a towering rage, smashing everything in the room, his face somber: "Xiao Yi, the Zhao Family, the Treasure Pavilion�� you''ve pushed us too far!"


    "Boss, what should we do? Our gambling houses have all been shut down, and if this continues, the gang won''t be able to sustain itself��" the deputy leader said with a morose face by the side.


    Lei Laohu''s chest heaved violently, and ultimately it turned into a helpless and unwilling sigh, he ground his teeth and said, "What else can we do? Who in Nanhuang City dares to provoke Xiao Yi now? Prepare a generous gift immediately; I will go and apologize in person!"


    An hour later.


    Bare-chested and carrying whips on his back, Lei Laohu personally dragged a cart full of apologies, kneeling in front of Xiao Yi''s courtyard gate.


    Yet the gate of the villa remained closed.


    Nonetheless.


    Lei Laohu was meticulous and dared not show any disrespect.


    At the same time��


    The Fang Family was in complete disarray.


    One piece of bad news after another arrived: "Patriarch, it''s terrible, our deals with the Zhao Family, Chen Family, and Zhang Family have all been cut off."


    "Patriarch, there''s been an incident, our Fang Family''s pharmacies have been smashed��"


    "Our cloth shops have been smashed too��"


    "Patriarch, word has spread throughout the city, saying our Fang Family is doomed. Some have even made up rhymes about it, singing that the Fang Family is amazing, forced a real dragon away, now as the real dragon soars through the skies, the Fang Family is bound to rise��"


    ```


    ```


    Pfft!


    Sitting at the head seat, Fang Tianhao trembled as he listened to one piece of bad news after another, his face turned pale, and with a ''wa'' sound, he spat out a mouthful of old blood. He aged dozens of years in an instant. Trembling, he pointed at Fang Zheng and his wife, barely containing his fury, "You, you two are competent at nothing but failures. I told you to invite Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu back, and look what you''ve done?"


    Fang Zheng, left with only one arm, looked wronged, "Dad, how could I have known that waste would become so strong?"


    Liu Yun shamelessly said, "Dad, don''t be angry! We''ll be sincere this time, apologize in person. Qingzhu is softhearted, as long as we appease her with our suffering, she will definitely forgive us!"


    Fang Tianhao''s eyes lit up with a glint of hope, "Then what are you waiting for? Go and invite them back here!"


    ...��


    Outside the separate courtyard where Xiao Yi was residing.


    Fang Zheng''s family of three looked at Lei Laohu kneeling at the gate and exchanged glances. Fang Hao whispered, "Dad, isn''t that Lei Laohu? Why is he kneeling here too? Is Xiao Yi really that terrifying?"


    Shut up! Fang Zheng glared at him fiercely and said in a low voice, "Still dare to call him waste? Remember this �C lower your stance when we meet. Things are not like before, we are here to ask them to return to the Fang family!"


    "I understand��" Fang Hao shrank his neck. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The three approached the gate.


    At the entrance, Zhao Xian was on guard. Seeing the three, he frowned slightly, "This is a restricted area of Xiao''s residence, off-limits to outsiders!"


    Liu Yun, full of arrogance, slapped Zhao Xian across the face and said, "Open your eyes and see who I am! I am Xiao Yi''s mother-in-law. Hurry up and notify Xiao Yi, we are here to take them home!"


    Zhao Xian, holding his reddened face, looked astonished.


    Liu Yun, impatient, demanded, "What are you still dazed for? Go and report at once!"


    "No need!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice came from inside the gate. He had intended to meet Lei Laohu, but as he reached the entrance, he heard the slap Fang Zheng delivered to Zhao Xian and immediately pushed the door open.


    "Young Master Xiao��" Zhao Xian respectfully stepped aside.


    Fang Zheng''s face broke into a smile, even tinged with sycophancy, "You are finally out, Xiao Yi."


    "What Xiao Yi? This is our precious son-in-law!"


    Liu Yun nudged Fang Zheng aside, her face beaming with a radiant smile, "Son-in-law, you and Qingzhu have suffered a lot these days staying outside. Actually, your dad and I did all that for your own good, because only through the bitterest hardships can one become superior. Look, with our help, you''ve now achieved such success! We have come today because we feel that your trial is over and are inviting you both back home!"


    Their attitude had completely reversed from before, even showing a hint of subservience.


    This was the change brought about by power!


    Xiao Yi, however, didn''t even glance at them and instead said to Zhao Xian, "Where did he hit you? Hit him back exactly the same way!"


    "Ah?"


    Zhao Xian was taken aback.


    The smiles on the three members of the Fang family also froze, and Fang Zheng blinked, "Xian, Xian Yi, what are you, what are you talking about?"


    Xiao Yi repeated, "Hit back!"


    Zhao Xian, face alight with excitement, responded, "Alright!"


    Slap!


    He swung back his hand and slapped Liu Yun, stunning her.


    "Xiao Yi, have you gone mad?"


    "We came to take you back to the Fang family..."


    The three members of the Fang family were completely dumbfounded.


    "Too light!"


    Xiao Yi frowned at Zhao Xian, then turned his attention to Lei Laohu, "Aren''t you here to apologize? Leave them crippled, and then you can go back."


    "Yes, Young Master Xiao!"


    The once powerful leader of the Black Tiger Gang, now like a loyal enforcer, proceeded to brutally beat the three members of the Fang family.


    "Xiao Yi, you even beat your own mother-in-law; you have lost all morals..."


    "You heartless wretch..."


    Lei Laohu burst out in a rage, "Dare to insult Young Master Xiao? You''re seeking death!"


    Bang bang bang!


    Lei Laohu''s blows grew even fiercer.


    "I dare not..."


    "I won''t dare again, please spare me..."


    After half an incense stick burned.


    The three lay on the ground, barely alive. Xiao Yi looked down at them coldly, "If there''s a next time, there will be no mercy!"


    "Young Master Xiao, shall I, shall I take them back to the Fang family now?" Lei Laohu asked tentatively.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Lei Laohu dragged the barely alive three back toward the Fang family.


    The Fang family residence.


    Seeing the pitiful state of the three, Fang Tianhao''s face contorted even more, his teeth clenched tightly, his expression ferocious, "What a Xiao Yi, thinking my Fang family would fear him? Someone, send a message to Fang Jin, I want him to come back and tear Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu to pieces..."


    ```

 Chapter 30 - 30: Transferring Flowers and Joining Trees, Xiao Yi Passes on His Power!

    Ever since the day Xiao Yi had Lei Laohu and Zhao Xian thoroughly thrash the three visitors from the Fang Family, led by Fang Zheng,


    the Fang Family had closed its doors to all visitors.


    All of their businesses were shut down.


    After all...


    Facing the suppression from the Zhao Family, Chen Family, and even the Treasure Pavilion, nobody was interested in the Fang Family''s businesses anymore.


    The once bustling Fang residence was now desolate, with hardly a visitor in sight.


    On the contrary, Xiao Yi''s residence was frequently bustling with traffic, and a long queue of gift-givers formed at the door. However, aside from Elder Yan, Zhao Yu, and Sikong Nan, Xiao Yi declined to meet anyone else.


    In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.


    In these ten days, Xiao Yi, with the tremendous energy provided by the Golden Core, had advanced his cultivation level, reaching the Eighth Layer of Qi Gathering Realm.


    The number of God Sealing Seeds had reached one hundred fifty-five.


    His combat power had also improved significantly.


    Fang Qingzhu, after ten days of Xiao Yi''s meticulous care, had also recovered from her injuries.


    Inside the quiet room.


    Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi with confusion "Xiao Yi, what did you bring me here for?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Do you remember I told you I''d give you a surprise once your injuries healed?"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded, her voice tinged with a touch of melancholy "I''ve been asking you, and you wouldn''t tell me what kind of surprise..."


    "Now I can give you that surprise!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, and under Fang Qingzhu''s expectant gaze, he slowly said, "I can let you start cultivating again!"


    "Start... cultivating again?"


    Fang Qingzhu was stunned, suddenly standing up, she grabbed Xiao Yi''s shoulders and shook them, her voice filled with disbelief "Xiao Yi, are you, are you serious?"


    Xiao Yi chuckled "It''s true!"


    "How... how is that possible? My dantian is shattered, how could it possibly be repaired..." Fang Qingzhu murmured blankly.


    Xiao Yi said, "I have a technique called ''Transplanting Spirit and Space'', which can replace your dantian with a beast core. However, doing so will limit your maximum cultivation level to the grade of the beast core..."


    He explained the methods and limitations of the Transplanting Spirit and Space technique to Fang Qingzhu.


    Although the grade of the beast core would limit her maximum cultivation level, from another perspective, it also meant that Fang Qingzhu''s future was filled with more possibilities.


    Currently, Xiao Yi''s cultivation wasn''t strong enough; he could only hunt third rank magical beasts. But what about the future?


    If he could hunt ninth rank magical beasts, or even the legendary divine beasts...


    And replace Fang Qingzhu''s dantian with a divine beast''s core...


    Wouldn''t she have the potential to ascend to divinity?


    Xiao Yi earnestly said "Qingzhu, are you willing to accept this treatment?"


    Fang Qingzhu took a deep breath and said solemnly "I''m willing!"


    "Then let''s begin the Transplanting Spirit and Space technique now!" Xiao Yi touched his nose, looking somewhat embarrassed, "However, performing this technique requires that you take off your clothes, you see..."


    "..."


    Fang Qingzhu''s face turned as red as a ripe apple, and she responded shyly with a sound of acknowledgment.


    She then began to disrobe.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his breathing became a bit more rapid, but after forcing himself to calm down, he began to perform the Transplanting Spirit and Space technique.


    This technique was not simple!


    Otherwise, it would not be considered a forbidden art by the Underworld Doctor lineage. Since the ancestor of Underworld Doctors, no one in the Southern Border''s lineage of Underworld Doctors understood how to perform this technique. Fortunately, Xiao Yi had received the inheritance of the Underworld Doctor ancestor, which made it relatively easy for him to carry out.


    After ten hours.


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of stale air, his face beaming with a brilliant smile "Qingzhu, congratulations, you can start cultivating anew!"


    Fang Qingzhu put her clothes back on, her face as red as a ripe persimmon, as she nodded with a voice as faint as a mosquito''s whimper. The fragrance of a maiden filled the room, a light, enchanting scent that made one unable to help but have one''s thoughts run wild.


    With a light cough, Xiao Yi shifted his gaze away from her graceful figure and said, "Qingzhu, I have a Cultivation Technique here that is quite suitable for you, called ''Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill.'' It''s a high-grade technique of the fourth rank, strong enough to cultivate to the peak of the Golden Core Realm. I''ll pass it on to you now..."


    The mention of the ''Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill'' made Fang Qingzhu''s eyes shine even brighter.


    Meanwhile, as Xiao Yi was transmitting the technique to Fang Qingzhu...


    In the distant Tianqing Kingdom''s capital, within the renowned Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    The vast grounds of the Royal Martial Arts Academy could accommodate tens of thousands of people. The academy was divided into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. The Heaven-level students were fewest in number but the strongest in might, all being experts of the Golden Core Realm. Each one was a noble conferred by the royal family, enjoying noble rank.


    Next were the Earth-level students, all surpassing the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    Profound-level students were those above the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    The remaining students below the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm were Yellow-level students.


    Fang Jin had just passed the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s assessment and successfully became a Yellow-level student. After training in the academy for two months, he had officially stepped into the Divine Ability Realm, standing out as one of the best among this new group of students.


    And because of this...


    Fang Jin also made quite a few friends among the higher-year students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, especially Jia Sichun, a Profound-level student of the Sixth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, with whom he had the best relationship.


    Jia Sichun was from the capital''s Jia Family, his father being a second-rank official at court, with a prominent background.


    In particular, his elder brother, Jia Sidao, was among the top ten Earth-level students, at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, capable of advancing to the Golden Core Realm at any moment to become a Heaven-level student.


    With his own talent being strong and backed by a prominent family, plus having a powerful and protective elder brother,


    Jia Sichun may have only been a Profound-level student, but even average Earth-level students dared not provoke him, which led to his arrogant and overbearing nature. Given to lechery, Fang Jin ingratiated himself by pandering to Jia''s tastes, thus becoming good friends.


    "Fang Jin, I''ll take you to the Myriad Flowers Pavilion!" said Jia Sichun, draping his arm over Fang Jin''s shoulder.


    But Fang Jin''s face was sullen as he replied, "Brother Jia, I''m afraid I won''t be able to accompany you. Something came up at home, and I need to make a trip back!"


    Jia Sichun looked disappointed, "What kind of issue could that tiny Fang Family possibly have?"


    Fang Jin spread the letter in his hands, his face carrying a look of hatred, "My brother was killed, and the Fang Family is surrounded by enemies and in grave danger. I have to go back!"


    "Didn''t you say the patriarch of the Fang Family was a fourth-layer expert of the Divine Ability Realm? Even though the Divine Skills experts from such a tiny and barren place as Nanhuang can hardly wake up their Innate Divine Skills, all false Divine Skills... A fourth-layer Divine Skill expert shouldn''t have many threats, right?" Jia Sichun frowned, puzzled.


    Nanhuang was nothing more than a tiny and impoverished place.


    Even the Divine Ability Realm experts from there were not regarded highly by them.


    Fang Jin said fiercely, "But our opponent can kill third-layer Divine Ability Realm experts, and with the backing of Treasure Pavilion, my Fang Family is no match for him."


    "Treasure Pavilion? Then your enemy does have some skills!" Jia Sichun nodded.


    Fang Jin felt a growing urgency in his heart.


    After learning of Xiao Yi''s strength, he knew it would be difficult to take revenge on his own and was intent on getting Jia Sichun''s help.


    Fang Jin''s eyes spun shrewdly, feigning a sigh, "It''s also my brother''s fault for not listening to me. Fang Qingzhu is as beautiful as a celestial being, the number one beauty of Nanhuang. I told him not to touch that woman. He wouldn''t listen, and in the end, he was killed by that good-for-nothing son-in-law Fang Qingzhu brought home. Sigh..."


    "As beautiful as a celestial being? The number one beauty of Nanhuang?"


    Jia Sichun was taken aback, his eyes lighting up, "Is this Fang Qingzhu you speak of truly that beautiful?"


    Fang Jin''s heart leaped with joy as he quickly responded, "Of course! Fang Qingzhu''s beauty is well-known throughout Nanhuang!"


    "How does she compare to the Oiran of the Myriad Flowers Pavilion?"


    Fang Jin shook his head, "A thousand oirans couldn''t compare to her!"


    Hiss!


    Jia Sichun''s eyes swiveled greedily; avarice and heat flashed through them as he licked his lips with a blood-red tongue, "Fang Jin, as brothers, your business is my business. I''ll accompany you back to Nanhuang City this time. With me there, even the Treasure Pavilion should show me some face! But, well..."


    Fang Jin slapped his chest, "Don''t worry, Brother Jia. I know what you mean! Once I''ve had my revenge, I''ll make sure to bring Fang Qingzhu to your bed..."


    "Hahahaha, good brother! You truly understand me!"


    Jia Sichun laughed heartily.


    Fang Jin forced a smile alongside him, but his eyes were growing colder, "Xiao Yi? Fang Qingzhu? Your days are numbered!"


    S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 31 - 31: Fang Jin Returns!

    "Grandfather, I have had someone find out for us��the house up ahead belongs to Xiao Yi!"


    On the wide street, a plainly dressed grandparent and grandchild walked side by side.


    The girl, in a white dress, carefully supported the white-haired and bearded old man beside her and pointed to a mansion ahead. Excitement sparkled in her eyes.


    The old man chuckled and nodded. His murky eyes studied the mansion and the long line of people waiting outside, and he laughed, "It seems that this Xiao Yi is not a simple character, attracting so many visitors bearing gifts!" Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The girl smiled broadly, "Grandpa, shall we go and find him now?"


    The old man shook his head, "No rush, Grandpa still has some matters to attend to. After they''re resolved, I''ll accompany you to properly thank them, all right?"


    The girl''s expression dimmed slightly, yet she obediently nodded, "Mhmm, I''ll listen to you, Grandpa!"


    "Haha, you''re such a sweet girl, not like your sister��"


    The old man affectionately ruffled the girl''s head and looked again at the mansion, as if he could see through the walls. A glint shimmered in his dim eyes, "A Golden Core? Quite the interesting youngster..."


    Inside the mansion.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu were cultivating, facing each other in a position that pointed toward the sky with all five hearts.


    Between their palms, a Golden Core the size of a walnut bobbed faintly.


    Strands of golden energy escaped from the Golden Core.


    And seeped into both their bodies.


    Xiao Yi''s body glowed with gold. His vitality surged, as powerful as a dragon or tiger.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face glowed with health, and a purple light flickered around her, like a fairy bathed in the glow of purple clouds.


    Whoosh!


    Both retracted their power at the same time, and the Golden Core fell into Xiao Yi''s hand. The storage ring on his fingertip flashed as he stored the Golden Core away. Both opened their eyes, and as they faced each other, Fang Qingzhu said with a smile, "Xiao Yi, brother, thank you!"


    "No need for thanks between you and me," Xiao Yi said with a mild smile.


    Fang Qingzhu gently nodded her head.


    It had been half a month since Xiao Yi performed the technique to shift flowers and:


    replace the core in Fang Qingzhu''s dantian with the beast core of a Purple-Patterned Blood Python.


    Over this half-month...


    Xiao Yi had been cultivating with her using the Golden Core. Fang Qingzhu had already been at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm before her cultivation was crippled. Now that her dantian was restored, all she needed was to absorb enough energy to regain her cultivation. In just half a month, she had completely returned to her peak condition.


    Once again at the Peak of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    Ready to break through to the Shentong Realm at any moment!


    As for Xiao Yi, his progress hadn''t been slow either, having reached the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm and activated two hundred God Sealing Seeds.


    He was just a step away from entering the Shentong Realm!


    Of course.


    By cultivating together with the Golden Core, they had used up a full fifth of the core''s energy.


    "Xiao Yi, brother, I feel like I am about to step into the Shentong Realm!" remarked Fang Qingzhu.


    Xiao Yi laughed, "I should be breaking through in the next couple of days as well. Let''s strive to enter the Shentong Realm together."


    "Yes!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded vehemently, her eyes filled with resolve and determination, "As soon as I enter the Shentong Realm, I will have nothing to fear, even if Fang Jin returns. The position of family heir belongs to me!"


    Xiao Yi rubbed her head and said, "Don''t put so much pressure on yourself. What does it matter if you''re no match for Fang Jin? I''m here for you!"


    Fang Qingzhu squinted, her face breaking into a sweet smile.


    "Young Master Xiao, Yan Mingli requests an audience!" called a voice from outside��Yan Mingli''s.


    Fang Qingzhu softly said, "Xiao Yi, brother, Elder Yan must have urgent business. You should go see him first!"


    "Alright!"


    Xiao Yi walked outside and frowned at Elder Yan, whose forehead showed traces of sweat, "What''s the matter?"


    Elder Yan glanced inside the door and said in a low voice, "Xiao, I''ve just received a message that Fang Jin has returned to the Fang Family!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was somewhat surprised. Logically speaking, even if Fang Jin had returned, it wouldn''t have caused Elder Yan to lose composure like this. Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "But did he bring anyone back with him?"


    Elder Yan''s gaze held admiration as he looked at Xiao Yi and said, "The message from Lord Sikong is that Fang Jin has returned with a young man. That person is wearing the uniform of a Mysterious Rank student from the Royal Martial Arts Academy..."


    Xiao Yi arched an eyebrow.


    He was, of course, familiar with the levels of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    The Mysterious Rank Academy, that was at least the cultivation of the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm or higher.


    But a Third Layer Divine Passage Realm from the Royal Martial Arts Academy was far from being comparable to Zhang Yong. In Nanhuang City, a third-rank martial technique could become a clan''s treasure. Yet in the Royal Martial Arts Academy, it''s not to mention the third-rank martial techniques, even fourth-rank martial techniques were at the students'' disposal to study and understand at will.


    What''s more important was...


    There were Divine Skills above martial techniques!


    The power of Divine Skills of the same level far exceeded that of martial techniques of the same tier.


    It could be said without exaggeration that a student of the same Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm from the Royal Martial Arts Academy would absolutely be stronger in combat than those who hadn''t mastered Divine Skills, even if they were of the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    No wonder Elder Yan had lost his composure.


    However.


    Xiao Yi was now halfway into the Shentong Realm, and he also bore the seed of Sword Intent, his combat strength absolutely able to easily defeat a master of the Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm, unless the opponent had the cultivation of the Sixth Layer of the Divine Skill Realm or above and had mastered Divine Skills.


    Otherwise, Xiao Yi did not even consider them a threat!


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Let the generals handle the soldiers and the earth handle the flood; we shall watch quietly and see how things unfold!"


    Meanwhile.


    Within the Fang Family...


    Fang Tianhao was overjoyed, his face glowing as he looked at Fang Jin: "Fang Jin, you''re finally back!"


    "I pay my respects to the family head!"


    Fang Jin merely gave a perfunctory bow to Fang Tianhao. Ever since he became a student of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he had been looking down on Fang Tianhao more and more. Then, with respect, he looked at Jia Sichun, "This is Brother Jia, he is a Mysterious Rank student at the Martial Arts Institute."


    "So it''s Jia, your visit truly brings light to our humble home!" Fang Tianhao said with sparkling eyes, Mysterious Rank students - these were high-level experts of at least the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. He spoke with a fawning tone.


    As for Fang Jin''s perfunctory attitude, he did not dare to show the slightest dissatisfaction.


    Jia Sichun nodded slightly, looking at the Fang Family''s courtyard with a slight frown and a disdainful tone, "Your Fang Family is too rundown, aren''t they? If not for Fang Jin''s sake, you couldn''t have gotten me to set foot in this godforsaken place even if you carried me on a palanquin."


    "Uh..."


    Fang Tianhao wore an embarrassed expression.


    Jia Sichun spoke indifferently, "Fang Jin, aren''t you here for revenge? Have someone send a letter, tell that Xiao Yi to come over and meet his death right away. I can''t bear to stay in this dump for a moment longer!"


    Fang Jin immediately said, "Brother Jia, rest assured, I have already planned everything. I guarantee that all matters will be settled within three days!"


    "What does it matter to me how many days you take to settle things?"


    After a pause, Jia Sichun turned toward Fang Tianhao and directly ordered, "You, go call Fang Qingzhu here. Oh, right, she has a live-in son-in-law, doesn''t she? Have him personally bring Fang Qingzhu to me!"


    Fang Tianhao''s face stiffened, and he said with great trepidation, "Jia, Master Jia, that Xiao Yi is fierce, I dare not go!"


    Smack!


    Jia Sichun slapped Fang Tianhao across the face with the back of his hand, his voice cold as ice, "Useless trash, you can''t even handle such a simple task? Who among you will bring Fang Qingzhu back? I''ll reward them with a Shen Yuan Elixir!"


    The Shen Yuan Elixir, a high-grade elixir of the third rank, could allow a Divine Passage Realm strongman using it for the first time to break through a minor realm directly.


    It was an incredibly valuable elixir.


    Fang Jin had received a Shen Yuan Elixir from Jia Sichun''s hands, and now he already had the cultivation of the Second Layer Spiritual Power Realm.


    *Gulp!*


    Fang Tianhao was tempted by the Shen Yuan Elixir but just thinking about Xiao Yi''s terrifying strength in killing Zhang Yong, he could only lower his head. This only made Jia Sichun even angrier, but just then, a voice came from outside the door: "Master Jia, I am willing to serve you!"

 Chapter 32 - 32: Life and Death Platform!

    Everyone looked toward the door.


    They saw Lei Laohu, with his tiger''s back and bear''s waist, stride in, his face alight with excitement as he eyed the Shen Yuan Elixir in Jia Sichun''s hand.


    Fang Tianhao frowned and said, "Lei Laohu? Who let you in?"


    Lei Laohu ignored Fang Tianhao, respectfully bowed to Jia Sichun and Fang Jin, and said with a sycophantic smile, "Jia, Mr. Fang, I am the leader of the Black Tiger Gang. I share an irreconcilable feud with Xiao Yi, and the moment I heard you two had returned, I immediately came to pay my respects. Overhearing Jia''s words from outside, I took the liberty to offer my services, willing to follow your every command!"


    "Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm? Being able to cultivate to such a level in this small place, you do indeed qualify to be this young master''s dog!"


    Jia Sichun sized up Lei Laohu and said indifferently, "Go, as long as you bring the person back, this young master will grant you a Shen Yuan Elixir!"


    "Rest assured, Jia, I will not disappoint you!" Lei Laohu, far from feeling humiliated at being called a dog by Jia Sichun, thanked him with a glowing face and strode off.


    Fang Tianhao hesitated and then said, "Jia, I''m afraid that Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu will not be willing to come over!"


    Jia Sichun sneered, "Would he dare? Once I, Jia Sichun, make my name known, he''ll obediently send Fang Qingzhu to my bed! I just hope that little guy hasn''t touched her, or if he has, I''ll have to grind his bones to dust first..."


    ......


    Lei Laohu sat in his carriage, feeling the strength within him growing, his eyes becoming increasingly cold, "Xiao Yi, you killed my son, ended my lineage, and made me lose face completely. Today, it''s time for me, Lei Laohu, to take my revenge!"


    A moment later.


    Lei Laohu arrived at Xiao Yi''s residence.


    Thud!


    Lei Laohu carried a stele on his shoulder, rushing over with a swiftness.


    On the stele was inscribed "Tomb of Xiao Yi" in big characters as he planted it with a thud in front of the main entrance.


    Those in line to present their gifts couldn''t help but show shock on their faces, "Has Lei Laohu been hit on the head by a door?"


    "How dare he do this? Has he forgotten the lesson from the Zhang Family?"


    "Not long ago, he knelt here begging Xiao for forgiveness, how can he now dare to do this?"


    However, Lei Laohu paid no heed to the murmurs of the crowd, his icy gaze fixated on Zhao Xian as he growled dispassionately, "Tell that dog Xiao Yi to come out and see me!"


    Zhao Xian hurriedly opened the door and ran inside, looking for Xiao Yi, "Xiao, it''s bad news, Lei Laohu brought a tombstone and blocked the main gate, and he''s calling for Xiao to roll out and meet him!"


    "Lei Laohu? Has he gone mad?" Elder Yan frowned.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Fang Jin just got back, and Lei Laohu is causing trouble on my doorstep?"


    "You mean... Lei Laohu was sent by Fang Jin?" Elder Yan asked with a frown.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, seemingly unconcerned, "Whoever sent him, we''ll know when we go out and see!"


    A group of people walked out of the residence.


    Seeing the red inscription on the stele, Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly, revealing a hint of interest, "I have managed the Eternal Heavenly Tomb for ages, yet I never expected someone would deliver a tombstone for me!"


    Elder Yan was instantly furious; he regarded Xiao Yi as his honored master, and could not tolerate such provocation. S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elder Yan shouted coldly, "Lei Laohu, you are courting death!"


    Lei Laohu glanced at Elder Yan and said blandly, "Elder Yan, there''s no need to be angry. My visit today is also following orders."


    Xiao Yi and Elder Yan exchanged glances.


    As expected!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed, looking curiously at Lei Laohu, "Following orders? Whose orders are you under?"


    "I am here by the command of Jia, a Profound Level student from the Royal Martial Arts Academy!" Lei Laohu held his head high, proudly stating, "Jia ordered you to immediately bring Fang Qingzhu to the Fang Family; he wants you to personally deliver Fang Qingzhu to his bed..."


    Hiss!


    The surrounding crowd was utterly shocked.


    Who didn''t know that Fang Qingzhu was the wife of Xiao Yi?


    Asking him to personally deliver Fang Qingzhu to another man''s bed?


    This was not merely a challenge but an absolute disregard and humiliation!


    What man with even a shred of dignity could endure such a thing?


    Let alone Xiao Yi?


    His eyes emitted a cold glint as they locked onto Lei Laohu like icy daggers, "Are you looking for death?"


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, now that Lei Laohu has the backing of Jia, do you think I''d still be afraid of you?"


    Lei Laohu mentioned Jia with a face full of reverence and was extremely confident in his strength, sneering continuously, "If you behave and personally deliver Fang Qingzhu for Jia''s enjoyment, maybe Jia could leave you a whole corpse. Otherwise, this stele can be erected above your grave today..."


    "You think a mere Profound Level student from the Royal Martial Arts Academy can intimidate me?"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold snort, "You''re too naive!"


    His figure suddenly moved, with the force of thunder, he moved in an instant.


    Whoosh!


    A series of afterimages merged into one on the ground, and under Lei Laohu''s astonished gaze, appeared right in front of him. It was just a punch, casually landing on Lei Laohu''s body.


    Boom!


    Before Lei Laohu could react, he was sent flying, collapsing on the ground like a heap of mud.


    Blood couldn''t stop gushing out.


    His face was filled with astonishment, horror, fear, and a deep sense of disbelief: "You... you''re finished... I represent Jia, and by hitting me, you''re slapping Jia''s face. Even if you''re willing to deliver Fang Qingzhu to his bed now, he won''t let you go..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi''s hand flashed with the light of his sword and cut off Lei Laohu''s left hand, asking indifferently, "Why does this Jia specifically want Qingzhu?"


    Lei Laohu, in pain, his face twisted, knew he had to cooperate or the next sword would sever his head, and hurriedly replied, "Fang Jin, it was Fang Jin who recommended Fang Qingzhu to Jia. That''s all I know..."


    "Fang Jin?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes turned ice-cold in an instant, his intent to kill Fang Jin was stronger than ever.


    He was about to speak...


    Inside the gate, Fang Qingzhu''s cool voice was heard: "You go tell Fang Jin that three days from now, I, Fang Qingzhu, will face him on the Fang Family''s Life and Death Platform to decide our fate."


    "Qingzhu?"


    Xiao Yi looked at her.


    Fang Qingzhu took a deep breath, the icy expression on her face softened a bit, and with a smile at Xiao Yi said, "Big Brother Xiao Yi, leave Fang Jin to me to deal with!"


    Xiao Yi was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright!"


    He walked over to Lei Laohu, spoke lightly, "I will let you go back. Relay exactly what Qingzhu has said to Fang Jin. And by the way, tell Jia Sichun to clean his neck and wait!"


    Jia Sichun actually dared to covet Fang Qingzhu, even demanding that she be delivered to his bed.


    This man was now marked by Xiao Yi as someone who must be killed.


    "Yes, yes, I will relay the message exactly!"


    Lei Laohu was sincerely frightened, and the coachman quickly helped him into the carriage, which then hastily made its way back to the Fang Family.


    The Fang Family''s great hall.


    Fang Jin and the others looked at Lei Laohu, and for a moment the atmosphere turned silent.


    "Hehehe, what a Fang Qingzhu. Just a discarded wretch, and she dares to challenge me on the Life and Death Platform?"


    Fang Jin sneered and looked at Fang Tianhao, "Head of the family, spread the news tomorrow. Three days from now, I want everyone to witness who the real dragon of the Fang Family is!"


    "Don''t worry, I''ll have someone take care of it right away!" Fang Tianhao hurriedly nodded.


    However, Jia Sichun was squinting his eyes, sizing up Lei Laohu, "Did you tell him that you were sent by me?"


    "This humble one has told him it was Jia''s intention, but that Xiao Yi said, for you to clean your neck and wait..."


    Lei Laohu looked down at his severed left hand, a trace of spite flashing in his eyes, and embellished with malice, "Not only that, but Xiao Yi also said that killing Mr. Jia would be as easy as slaughtering pigs and dogs."


    Bang!


    Jia Sichun slammed his palm on the tea table, shattering it, his eyes ice cold, sneering continuously, "Such boldness, comparing me to slaughtering pigs and dogs? Hmph, isn''t Xiao Yi just a waste expelled by the Xiao Family, an impotent son-in-law? It''s fine for him to show off in this small place, but he dares to insult me like this?"


    Fang Jin said, "Brother Jia, after I defeat Fang Qingzhu in three days, I will take care of Xiao Yi for you, to let off some steam!"


    "No!"


    Jia Sichun''s sinister smile continued, "He looks down on me, right? I''ll let him see just how ridiculous all his pride and confidence are in front of me. Lei Laohu, I now grant you a Shen Yuan Elixir and a third-grade martial skill. Three days from now, I want you to publicly slaughter Xiao Yi, understood?"


    Lei Laohu''s breath became rapid, his eyes turning red, and with sincere trepidation, he said, "Thank you for your grace, Mr. Jia. I won''t let you down!"


    In his eyes, a cold and biting glint of determination was visible...


    "Xiao Yi, your death awaits in three days!"

 Chapter 33 - 33 Alarm Throughout the City

    "Have you heard? Fang Jin from the Fang Family has returned and he''s competing for the position of the heir to the Fang Family!"


    "The news I heard is that Fang Jin is already a student at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he doesn''t even care about the position of the family head, but Fang Qingzhu refuses to give up the position of the heir, and she even challenged Fang Jin!"


    "What? Wasn''t Fang Qingzhu crippled? Challenging Fang Jin, isn''t that seeking death?"


    "That might not be the case, perhaps Fang Qingzhu will have Xiao Yi step in?"


    "This is destined to be a clash of the titans!"


    Such discussions became the most frequent topic in Nanhuang City over the past two days.


    Fang Qingzhu from the Fang Family, once the pampered princess, now a crippled nobody.


    Fang Jin from the Fang Family, always suppressed by the once-pampered princess Fang Qingzhu, had finally made a name for himself and became a distinguished disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    The two of them were like heaven and earth.


    One could even say...


    If it wasn''t for Xiao Yi recently annihilating the Zhang Family single-handedly, right now everyone would assume Fang Qingzhu was as good as dead. However, the focus of attention is now on the battle between Xiao Yi and Fang Jin, and who will have the last laugh. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And not Fang Qingzhu versus Fang Jin.


    After all.


    In everyone''s eyes, Fang Qingzhu is nothing but a cripple.


    Within the Xiao Family''s side residence.


    Xiao Yi was dressed in a short gown of crescent moon white, his black hair a floating cascade, adding a sense of grace and flair to his demeanor. In front of him stood Fang Qingzhu in a tight-fitting purple leather armor, with a long purple whip at her waist.


    "Xiao Yi, how do I look in this outfit today?" Fang Qingzhu asked with a smile.


    Xiao Yi gave a thumbs-up, "Perfect!"


    "Giggle giggle giggle!"


    Fang Qingzhu laughed merrily, then suddenly stood on tiptoes and lightly pecked Xiao Yi on his cheek before blushing and fleeing with her hand over her face.


    Xiao Yi touched his cheek subconsciously, the lingering faint fragrance sending his heart racing, a smile unconsciously lighting up his face, "Did this girl just steal a kiss from me?" Watching her bounded away, her long hair swinging behind her, Xiao Yi''s smile gradually faded.


    In his mind, he couldn''t help but recall the night before, when the two of them practiced cultivation and had their breakthrough to the Shentong Realm.


    The ice-blue phantom phoenix that appeared behind Fang Qingzhu.


    The phoenix, king of mythical birds who fed on dragons, roaming the heavens and earth with unmatched strength. When Fang Qingzhu broke through to the Shentong Realm, an ice-blue phantom phoenix appeared behind her, and she awakened her Innate Divine Ability.


    It is known, not every Shentong Realm cultivator could awaken their Innate Divine Ability!


    Only those with exceptional talent, or a powerful bloodline inheritance, had a chance of awakening their Innate Divine Ability.


    Like Xiao Tianjiao...


    When he broke through to the Shentong Realm, he awakened his Innate Divine Ability, the Limitless Golden Body. By invoking this Divine Skill, he could make himself invulnerable to blade and fire, water and flame, and combined with the terrifying power of the Supreme Overlord Holy Body, he was invincible within his realm, fighting across levels as easily as drinking water.


    "The Fang Family''s ancestors have no records of birthing such powerful individuals, how did Qingzhu awaken her Innate Divine Ability?"


    As he pondered.


    Fang Qingzhu''s urging voice came from in front, "Xiao Yi, hurry up!"


    Ah!


    Why think so much?


    It only adds to one''s troubles!


    Xiao Yi let out a hearty laugh and responded, "I''m coming!"


    Elder Yan was already waiting outside, standing in front of an opulent golden carriage, respectfully saying, "Young Master Xiao, Madam Xiao, please get into the carriage!"


    "Thank you!"


    Fang Qingzhu smiled sweetly, looked to the left and right and not seeing Lin Bingxin, asked with curiosity, "Elder Yan, where is Bingxin?"


    Elder Yan smiled and said, "Bingxin is on her way, you will see her soon!"


    "Alright then!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded and climbed into the carriage.


    Elder Yan personally drove the carriage, a truly astonishing level of deference.


    Tatata!


    The carriage slowly made its way toward the Fang Family, and Xiao Yi, sitting inside, narrowed his eyes and lifted the curtain.


    He saw figures darting out from all around the street, closely following behind the carriage.


    Within the crowd.


    It was possible to vaguely make out the figures of Lin Bingxin, Zhao Yu, Zhao Xian, and others.


    "Xiao Yi, brother, what are they doing��" Fang Qingzhu looked bewildered, why such a commotion?


    Elder Yan''s voice came from outside the carriage, "Xiao, Madam Xiao, this has been organized spontaneously by everyone. The shameless actions of the Fang Family have long been intolerable to everyone, today they are all here to cheer and support you!"


    Lin Bingxin had already caught up to the side of the carriage, riding a tall horse, smiling as she looked inside, "Qingzhu, sister, fight hard, you are not fighting alone!"


    "We support you!"


    "Go for it!"


    Cheers and shouts kept coming from outside the carriage.


    In these past few days...


    The Fang Family continually slandered Fang Qingzhu and Xiao Yi, both of whom had been focused on their closed-door training and were unaware of the events unfolding outside. However, Elder Yan, Zhao Yu, and the others were well aware, and they also mobilized their resources to expose the deeds of the Fang Family to the public.


    From the expulsion of Xiao Yi from the main courtyard by the Fang Family.


    To the humiliation and oppression of Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu during Fang Tianhao''s birthday feast.


    And the shameless actions of Fang Zheng, Liu Yun, and others, as well as Fang Jin''s attempt to please a high-ranking disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy by offering Fang Qingzhu to Jia Sichun, and so on...


    The people deeply detested the despicable actions of the Fang Family.


    With the calls from the Treasure Pavilion and the Zhao Family, the scene that unfolded now was made possible.


    Tens of thousands of people surrounded Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu, converging into an iron flood and majestically heading toward the Fang Family.


    Emptying every alley, startling the entire city.


    ......


    The Fang Family''s premises were already swarming with a sea of people.


    On the open ground outside the main gate, a huge fighting platform made of bluestone had been set up.


    This was the Life and Death Platform.


    By the side of the platform.


    Jia Sichun lounged lazily on a Taishi Chair, with a beautiful woman on each side attentively tending to him, with Lei Laohu, Fang Jin, and Fang Tianhao sitting to his left and right.


    As for Fang Zheng, Liu Yun, and Fang Hao, they didn''t even have the privilege of sitting, and stood behind the others.


    Jia Sichun caressed the waist of a woman beside him, enjoying the taste of the delicacies in his mouth, and impatiently said, "Haven''t Xiao Yi and the others arrived yet?"


    "They should be arriving soon!" Fang Tianhao said obsequiously.


    Boom boom boom!


    Suddenly, a thunderous noise like a multitude of armies on the move came from the front, rattling the cups on the table, as a black tide of steel gradually emerged on the street, almost covering the entire street.


    At the forefront of the crowd, a golden carriage slowly approached.


    "Here they come!" Fang Jin squinted.


    Jia Sichun raised his eyebrows, "Oh? The carriage from Treasure Pavilion? It seems this Xiao Yi has quite a special relationship with the Treasure Pavilion!"


    Fang Tianhao looked concerned, "Jia, the Elder Yan from Treasure Pavilion has an unbreakable bond with Xiao Yi, do we��"


    "No need to worry!"


    Jia Sichun waved his hand indifferently, "If it were the Pavilion Master of the capital''s Treasure Pavilion, I might fear him somewhat. But a mere branch Pavilion Master from Nanhuang, is someone I do not regard highly!"


    Fang Tianhao let out a sigh of relief.


    Meanwhile.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu also stepped down from the carriage.


    The moment Jia Sichun caught a distant glimpse of Fang Qingzhu, he abruptly stood up from his seat, his eyes glued to her, his gaze filled with a fiery passion, he swallowed and exclaimed, "Beautiful, incredibly beautiful, hahaha, Fang Jin, you have not disappointed me at all."


    Jia Sichun glanced at Lei Laohu and commanded, "You, go bring that Fang Qingzhu to me!"

 Chapter 34 - 34: You Think You Are Worthy?

    "Bring Fang Qingzhu to me!"


    Jia Sichun stared at Fang Qingzhu with excitement, giving orders to Lei Laohu.


    Lei Laohu''s whole body surged with Qi-Blood like a rainbow, bursting forth from his body, all over him lingered the ferocious aura of a recent breakthrough. Having received a Shen Yuan Elixir from Jia Sichun, he had progressed from the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm to the Fourth Layer.


    His combat strength had increased several-fold from before.


    It was the perfect moment for him to retaliate in high spirits and redeem his previous disgrace.


    "Rest assured, Jia," Lei Laohu respectfully said. "I''ll bring Fang Qingzhu to you right away!"


    Jia Sichun said, "Don''t harm the beauty, but as for the others," his eyes flashed with a cold light, "if they dare to obstruct, kill!"


    "Yes!"


    Lei Laohu strode towards Xiao Yi and the others with the confident gait of a despot.


    "Eh? Isn''t that the Black Tiger Gang''s Leader Lei? What is he up to?"


    "They say when the Zhang Family was just annihilated, Lei Laohu knelt in front of Xiao Yi''s residence begging for forgiveness. How come he''s now siding with that Jia?"


    "He''s probably looking to avenge his past humiliation. They say this Jia is from the Mysterious Rank Academy at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, with a deep background. With such a powerful patron, Lei Laohu naturally need not fear Xiao Yi anymore!"


    Amidst the murmuring.


    Lei Laohu arrived in front of Xiao Yi and Qingzhu, looking proud and indifferent. His gaze was cold as he regarded Xiao Yi, madness for revenge flashing in his eyes: "By Jia''s order, I''m to take Fang Qingzhu to serve him!"


    "How dare you!"


    Elder Yan''s expression darkened as he angrily reprimanded.


    Lei Laohu stared down Elder Yan without fear, raising his mangled left hand and feigning a fist salute in the direction of Jia Sichun, casually saying, "Elder Yan, consider carefully. This is what Jia wishes. Are you sure you want to oppose him?"


    "You..." Elder Yan''s face turned unsightly.


    Jia Sichun was not only backed by the Royal Martial Arts Academy, but his family background was also terribly strong.


    Even Elder Yan dared not offend him too much.


    As Elder Yan hesitated, Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "You really are tired of living!"


    Instinctive fear flickered deep within Lei Laohu''s eyes, but upon thinking of Jia Sichun''s support and his newfound strength having broken through to the Fourth Layer of the Shentong Realm and having received a martial skill from Jia, he felt full of confidence.


    "Hmph, I am no longer the same Lei Laohu as before. I have successfully stepped into the Fifth Layer of the Shentong Realm with Jia''s help and acquired a third-grade high-level fist technique. I won''t be at a disadvantage even against you!"


    Lei Laohu arrogantly declared, "Xiao Yi, if you know what''s good for you, hand over Fang Qingzhu to Jia. Perhaps you can then clutch at life and maintain a semblance of it. Otherwise, this day next year will be your day of remembrance! If you doubt it, we can settle this with a fight!"


    Xiao Yi''s fingers slightly curled up, forming a sword-finger gesture, ready to make a move.


    Suddenly stepping forward, Zhao Yu bowed respectfully, "Xiao, such trash does not deserve to be on the receiving end of your hands. Please allow me to sever his head!"


    Taken aback, Xiao Yi looked at the earnest expression on Zhao Yu''s face and nodded. "Granted!"


    Whoosh!


    Zhao Yu let out a breath, ecstasy spreading across his face.


    With Xiao Yi''s permission for him to step forward, it indicated that he was regarded as one of Xiao Yi''s own.


    Lei Laohu eyed Zhao Yu standing in front of him, squinting, "Zhao Yu, has your brain been squeezed by a door? Behind me stands Jia, a student of the Mysterious Rank Academy of the Royal Martial Arts Institute, with a background both powerful and formidable. And yet you choose to stand with Xiao Yi?"


    Slowly drawing his longsword, Zhao Yu spoke calmly, "Jia Sichun? He''s not even qualified to carry Xiao''s shoes... Enough talk, it''s time to die!"


    "Since you seek death, don''t blame me for it!"


    Lei Laohu snorted coldly, "Barbaric Bull Power Fist!"


    He leapt into the air and charged ferociously towards Zhao Yu.


    This set of moves, known as the "Barbaric Bull Power Fist," was a third-grade high-level fist technique he had bought from Jia Sichun with over a decade''s accumulations of the Black Tiger Gang, far stronger than any martial skill he had previously mastered.


    Forceful and overwhelmingly fierce.


    However...


    Zhao Yu, on the other hand, appeared indifferent. Holding the longsword, he suddenly sidestepped, "Tiger-Slaying First Sword!"


    Swish!


    This sword strike, launched from below to above, barely forced Lei Laohu to dodge by tilting his body. Calm and composed, Zhao Yu immediately followed with the next move: "Tiger-Slaying Second Sword!"


    This sword came slashing diagonally from top to bottom.


    Lei Laohu felt a chill all over. Instinctively stepping to the side, he retreated backward.


    But just as he retreated, a breath of death had already struck from behind.


    With a glimpse out of the corner of his eye, Lei Laohu was chilled to the bone with fright.


    Zhao Yu had unknowly positioned himself behind him, "The Third Sword of Subduing the Tiger!"


    Swish!


    A single sword thrust, and even ghosts and gods were startled.


    Thrust!


    That thrust pierced through Lei Laohu''s throat, and he knelt on the ground, clutching his throat, trembling all over. Zhao Yu watched him coldly, "Both are third-grade high-level martial arts. Yours was bought from the Black Tiger Gang with more than a decade of savings, while mine was something Xiao discarded because he didn''t think it was good enough!"


    Thrust!


    Lei Laohu spurted a mouthful of fresh blood.


    Did the martial skill he spent more than a decade''s savings on actually amount to less than the trash Xiao Yi didn''t even want?


    Ah...


    Lei Laohu roared unwillingly, and with a loud boom, fell on his back, breathless in death.


    Zhao Yu put away his longsword under the awe-struck gaze of the crowd and stood before Xiao Yi, stating respectfully, "Xiao, I have not failed your expectations!"


    "Well done!"


    Xiao Yi nodded with a smile, then his gaze shifted to Fang Jin and Jia Sichun.


    The two had left their seats at the moment of Lei Laohu''s death.


    "Here, take him back!" S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi kicked Lei Laohu''s corpse to Jia Sichun''s feet.


    "Useless trash, a disgrace..."


    Jia Sichun, with an angry face, struck out with his palm, smashing Lei Laohu''s body into mincemeat. He looked up, locked eyes with Xiao Yi, and sparks flew, their glares clashing in the air with fiery intensity.


    "Brother Jia, don''t get angry. I''ll kill him momentarily to vent your anger!"


    Fang Jin let out a long howl, his figure soared to the sky, and in an instant, he was on the arena stage, looking down coldly at Fang Qingzhu, "Qingzhu, it''s your fortune that Brother Jia thinks highly of you. If you serve Brother Jia well, I will not only give you the position of family heir, but I will also plead for mercy on your behalf to spare the life of the dog, Xiao Yi. How about that?"


    Fang Qingzhu coldly responded, "The position of family heir is already mine, Hexu, it''s yours to give away!"


    "Oh? So you are keen on battling me? I''m not afraid to tell you, I''m a cultivator of the Second Layer Spiritual Power Realm and have even awakened my Innate Divine Ability. You''re just a cripple with a damaged dantian. Are you sure you want to fight me?"


    Fang Jin laughed heartily, his words laced with a nauseating smugness, "Or are you planning to have a husband and wife team-up and come to die together?"


    "You''re not worthy to make Brother Xiao Yi take action!" Fang Qingzhu coolly replied.


    Swish!


    Her figure flashed, and she leapt onto the arena stage, her face indifferent, "Begin!"


    "Hahaha, you should make the first move. If I start, you won''t even have the chance to react!" Fang Jin was full of pride.


    "Oh!"


    Fang Qingzhu just responded with a sound.


    The next second.


    Her figure vanished from Fang Jin''s sight.


    "What? Where is she?"


    Fang Jin was utterly befuddled, then suddenly, a burning pain spread across his face.


    Smack!


    Fang Jin spun around like a top, was flung ten meters away, tumbled for several turns, and crashed down from the arena stage.


    Hiss!


    The crowd gasped, their faces aghast, "What... what just happened?"


    "Such speed, wasn''t Fang Qingzhu''s dantian supposedly ruined? How... how does she have such strength and speed?"


    Fang Jin was slapped into a state of complete confusion.


    Fang Qingzhu walked to the edge of the arena stage, looking down with scorn at Fang Jin, mocking with a cold laugh, "Still thinking of challenging Brother Xiao Yi? Do you think you''re worthy?"

 Chapter 35 - 35: Overwhelming Domination

    "Impossible, how can this be possible?"


    Fang Jin''s face was filled with disbelief and shock.


    The news of Fang Qingzhu being crippled was known throughout Nanhuang City, but the strength and speed that Fang Qingzhu had just displayed, how could someone whose dantian had been destroyed possess such abilities?


    At the very least, that level of strength and speed was something even Fang Jin felt inferior to!


    Jia Sichun narrowed his eyes and looked at Fang Qingzhu with an increasingly intense gaze, his desire to possess her growing stronger: "Excellent, excellent, what a heavenly prodigy. To be able to break through to the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm at such a young age in this remote place, if she can awaken her Innate Divine Ability, she would even be qualified to be a concubine of this young master!"


    "What? First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm?"


    "Is it true? Fang Qingzhu reached the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm? Wasn''t her dantian destroyed?"


    The most shocked were undoubtedly Mr. and Mrs. Fang Zheng.


    They had personally witnessed Fang Qingzhu''s dantian being destroyed!


    And now Fang Qingzhu had actually broken through to the Divine Passage Realm?


    Elder Yan and Zhao Yu exchanged looks, also seeing the shock and astonishment in each other''s eyes, but compared to the confusion and incomprehension of others, they felt even more shocked.


    The two exchanged glances and turned simultaneously to look at Xiao Yi, who stood with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face.


    They could be certain that Fang Qingzhu had indeed been crippled!


    Yet now, Fang Qingzhu had broken through to the Divine Passage Realm.


    This was nothing short of a miracle!


    "It must be Xiao!"


    "Apart from him, no one else could create such a miracle... a reborn dantian, Xiao''s methods are truly profound and unfathomable..." As they looked at Xiao Yi, their eyes filled with even more reverence.


    Above the arena.


    Fang Qingzhu said indifferently: "Fang Jin, how much longer do you plan to lie there? Weren''t you going to take away the position of family heir? Come on, show me your full strength and let me see what makes you believe you can replace me!"


    Before her dantian was destroyed, Fang Qingzhu was already considered a heavenly prodigy.


    A prodigy has the pride of a prodigy!


    Ever since her dantian was destroyed, Fang Qingzhu had endured the world''s coldness and seen all its hideous faces.


    Her mentality became even stronger than before.


    But at the same time...


    It made her even colder towards her enemies.


    Fang Jin''s face alternated between pale and flushed, originally thinking that his breakthrough to the Divine Skills Realm, especially with Jia Sichun''s help to step into the Second Layer of the Divine Skills Realm, would mean a triumphant return. He would announce himself as the overlord of Nanhuang City in front of everyone.


    But...


    His dream was harshly shattered by Fang Qingzhu from the very start.


    "Damn it!" Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fang Jin clenched his teeth, his eyes filled with ferocity and madness, "It was just my carelessness just now... Fang Qingzhu, you''ve completely infuriated me."


    "Oh?"


    Fang Qingzhu remained calm as usual, squinting her eyes and saying, "And what about it?"


    "I''m going to kill you!"


    Fang Jin, red-faced, let out a low roar and summoned a black longsword from his storage ring.


    The longsword was wrapped with a black dragon, the tip of the blade flickering with cold light, shining for ten miles.


    "Second-Grade Yuan Weapon Dragon Scale Sword!"


    "Half a year ago, this weapon was auctioned by Treasure Pavilion and bought by a mysterious person, I didn''t expect it to end up in his hands!"


    "This is bad, Fang Qingzhu''s weapon is only a First-layer High-Level Yuan Weapon Purple Cloud Whip, she''s at a big disadvantage just based on their weapons alone!"


    Fang Qingzhu squinted, her eyes flickering with sharp light, but she showed no sign of panic. Instead, she turned back to Xiao Yi with a playful smile: "Xiao Yi, that sword looks pretty good, do you like it?"


    Xiao Yi smiled: "It''s not bad!"


    "Alright!"


    Fang Qingzhu beamed with charm, sweetly saying, "Since Xiao Yi likes it, then it''s mine!"


    "You dare covet my weapon? You''re delusional!"


    "Poison Dragon Slash!"


    Fang Jin leaped up, the Dragon Scale Sword exuding a cold brilliance. The black dragon pattern coiling around the sword seemed to come alive, and amidst a deafening dragon''s roar, the glistening silver tip stabbed towards Fang Qingzhu.


    The strike was powerful and heavy, its angle extremely tricky.


    However...


    Fang Qingzhu''s face remained indifferent, her figure graceful as a celestial, her delicate hand flicking the Purple Cloud Whip.


    Crack!


    The Purple Cloud Whip danced wildly like a raging serpent, striking out in an instant, coiling around the blade of the Dragon Scale Sword. Following that, a faint ice-blue phantom flickered in her eyes, seemingly that of a soaring phoenix cloaked in icy blue.


    The Ice Blue Phoenix swept past.


    A dreadful cold swept down his palm, and a layer of cold ice had actually condensed on the longsword.


    "Not good!"


    Fang Jin''s face changed suddenly.


    In such an instant...


    His palm was already covered with a layer of frost, the entire palm numb.


    "Let go!"


    Fang Qingzhu sharply pulled her whip, and with a snap, she broke Fang Jin''s frozen grasp, revealing fierce cracks in the frozen palm. The mist of cold made the oozing blood instantly turn into crimson ice spikes.


    The Dragon Scale Sword fell into Fang Qingzhu''s hands.


    Taking advantage of the momentum, the whip coiled and snapped against Fang Jin''s chest.


    Clothes burst apart, skin split, flesh exploded, and blood gushed like a fountain!


    Fang Jin screamed miserably as he was hurled out, Fang Qingzhu pursued, and with the Purple Cloud Whip binding, she threw the longsword fiercely. With a piercing sound, it penetrated Fang Jin''s thigh, nailing him to the arena floor.


    All of this happened in a fleeting moment, in the blink of an eye.


    Fang Qingzhu had taken absolute advantage!


    In contrast, Fang Jin...


    This genius from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, now impaled on the arena floor like a dead dog, wailed miserably.


    "Holy shit, isn''t Fang Qingzhu too strong?"


    "Worthy of being the once number one beauty of Nanhuang City, her strength is terrifying!"


    "Fang Jin''s loss isn''t undeserved..."


    The crowd exclaimed at Fang Qingzhu''s strength, but Xiao Yi''s expression darkened, a glint of intense cold murderous intent flitting across his eyes.


    Just as Fang Qingzhu defeated Fang Jin, a figure suddenly sprang out from below the arena. A sword finger surged with overwhelming Yuan energy aimed directly at Fang Qingzhu, accompanied by Jia Sichun''s bitterly cold voice, "Fang Jin is my dog, hitting him means disrespecting me, get down on your knees!"


    Jia Sichun was a cultivator of the Sixth Layer of the Divine Skill Realm and a genius who had awakened his Innate Divine Ability.


    With his gesture, the breath of death enveloped Fang Qingzhu.


    As the sword finger was about to strike Fang Qingzhu...


    At that moment...


    Xiao Yi stepped forward into the air, crushing that sword finger with a stomp, and with a backhanded slap, a loud snap landed on Jia Sichun''s face.


    Flinging Jia Sichun away.


    Xiao Yi looked at him with icy eyes, "Dare to touch my woman, I see you''ve grown tired of living!"


    "You dare to hit me?"


    Jia Sichun''s face was full of ferocious hate, who had he ever been slapped by in public from childhood?


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If you seek death, wait until Qingzhu has resolved the matter here, I will oblige you. If you dare to meddle again, I''ll cripple you right now!"


    Boom!


    The aura of the God-Sealing Demon-Suppressing General was unmatched, capable of subduing the heavens and sealing gods and demons.


    Jia Sichun''s pupils shrank suddenly, and an unprecedented solemnity rose in his heart, but he retreated to the side without a word.


    Xiao Yi turned to Fang Tianhao, "Mr. Fang, can you now announce who will be the Fang Family successor?"


    Whew!


    Fang Tianhao exhaled a long breath, looking at Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu with a complicated expression. He had never imagined that the two whom he once drove out and never took seriously could come this far.


    His eyes carried ferocity and coldness, staring fixedly at the two but he shook his head and said, "Qingzhu, it''s a joy that you have recovered your cultivation. However, it''s still not your turn to be the successor of the Fang Family head."


    "Hm?"


    Fang Qingzhu was taken aback, her brows tightly knitted.


    She did not covet the position of head of the Fang Family, but it was the goal she had struggled for since childhood to prove herself.


    She wanted to prove to everyone that she Fang Qingzhu was no less than any man.


    To show her parents that she deserved their love and attention.


    And now...


    She had done it!


    She had defeated Fang Jin and proven her strength.


    But Fang Tianhao said she still couldn''t become the successor?


    Fang Qingzhu''s face turned pale, her lips tightly pursed as she asked word by word, "Why?"


    Fang Tianhao said coldly, "Because..."

 Chapter 36 - 36 The Origins of Fang Qingzhu

    Fang Tianhao said coldly, "Because you are not of my Fang Family''s bloodline!"


    Boom!


    Fang Qingzhu staggered back three steps, her pretty face turned deathly pale, and she looked at Fang Tianhao in disbelief, "What are you saying? I''m not of the Fang Family bloodline?"


    From her childhood, she was born and raised in the Fang Family.


    She had even been willing to become a sacrificial pawn for the Fang Family''s interests, sinking to the role of a tool for the Fang Family to cling to the Xiao Family through alliance marriage.


    But now...


    Fang Tianhao was actually telling her she was not of the Fang Family?


    Fang Tianhao glanced at the hiding Fang Zheng couple and said indifferently, "Do you still not come forth at this point?"


    The Fang Zheng couple came out from behind.


    They exchanged a glance, and Fang Zheng pushed Liu Yun, "You say it!"


    Liu Yun glared fiercely at Fang Zheng, her gaze toward Fang Qingzhu filled with complexity, and she sighed, "Qingzhu, the head of the family is right, you truly are not one of us. Eighteen years ago, on a snowy night, we found you in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range during our training and brought you back. You are just an unwanted wild seed!"


    Boom!


    Fang Qingzhu trembled, feeling an icy chill throughout her body.


    She was truly not of the Fang Family?


    She was just an unwanted wild seed?


    Fang Qingzhu clenched her lips tightly as fresh blood seeped from them, staining her pearly white teeth red. "I don''t believe it, you''re lying to me, right? You must all be conspiring to deceive me, right?"


    Her hoarse voice was laced with hysteria, and her bloodshot eyes were too intense to meet.


    "I..."


    Liu Yun looked at the girl she had raised for eighteen years, suddenly feeling a strange sense of fear and unfamiliarity. She opened her mouth but couldn''t make a sound.


    Fang Zheng, standing to one side, sighed and said, "Let me do it then!"


    "You are indeed not our daughter. At first, we thought to raise you only to have you serve as a maid, but at the age of eight, you showed exceptional martial arts talent, and we decided to keep your true origin a secret. Having a daughter with remarkable talents could stabilize our position within the clan. We hoped to keep this secret forever and treat you as our own, especially after arranging your marriage with the Xiao Family. But you were crippled and useless, and married to such a weakling, you hold no value for us now..."


    Fang Zheng looked up at Fang Qingzhu and said, "Fang Jin has Jia''s support, and even if you regain your cultivation, you cannot compete with him. Qingzhu, for the sake of eighteen years of affection, my advice to you is to submit willingly to Jia. As long as you serve Jia well, even if only as his lover, you will still be our good girl!"


    Thump! Thump! Thump!


    Fang Qingzhu suddenly realized why, as a child, Fang Zheng and his wife had always been so indifferent to her.


    It was only after she began to cultivate and displayed immense talent that they suddenly started showing her great concern.


    But once she was married to Xiao Yi, and her cultivation was destroyed, they became strangers to her.


    "So it turns out... I was nothing but a tool for you to use all along..." Fang Qingzhu murmured to herself. As she spoke, tears fell, and as she cried, she laughed as well.


    Yet her laughter was desolate, and her smile was terribly bitter.


    She felt as if the whole world plunged into endless darkness.


    Out of reach was any light or hope!


    Liu Yun, standing aside, shouted, "Your father is right, with Jia''s status, becoming his lover would hugely benefit us and the Fang Family. You''re nothing but an unwanted wild seed, becoming his lover is a great fortune for you, I urge you..." Ah...


    Before she could finish.


    Smack!


    Liu Yun was sent flying by a slap from Xiao Yi, her teeth shattered from the impact, and Xiao Yi''s cold gaze swept across them, "If you utter one more useless word, I''ll slaughter you right now!"


    Hiss!


    Fang Zheng and Fang Hao quickly bowed their heads, as silent as cicadas in winter.


    Watching Fang Qingzhu by his side, who alternated between laughing and crying, Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed with pain, and he gently embraced her, "Don''t be afraid, you still have me!"


    Fang Qingzhu stiffened, then gradually softened in his arms.


    The warmth emanating from Xiao Yi''s body felt like a lifesaving straw, pulling Fang Qingzhu out from the abyss of darkness and despair.


    Life returned to Fang Qingzhu''s eyes once more.


    She was not alone, she was not unwanted.


    She still had Xiao Yi!


    "What a touching display of love between a man and his girl�� However, you knew that I fancied her, yet you dared to be so intimate with her, isn''t that too dismissive of me?" Jia Sichun looked at Fang Qingzhu curled up in Xiao Yi''s embrace, his eyes filled with rage and jealousy, which diluted the awe his imposing aura should have commanded.


    His possessiveness was extremely intense.


    In his eyes, anyone or anything he desired was his.


    No one else was permitted to touch them!


    "You��"


    Just as Fang Qingzhu was about to speak, Xiao Yi stopped her and shook his head with a light chuckle, "Leave it to me!"


    Fang Qingzhu obediently nodded, "Mhm!"


    Watching Fang Qingzhu step off the platform, Xiao Yi''s soft smile quietly faded away, and his nearly closed eyes emitted a cold sharpness. Casually strolling by Fang Jin, he reached out his hand into thin air, and the Dragon Scale Sword whistled into his grip with a swift motion.


    "Owow��" Fang Jin cried out in pain.


    The Dragon Scale Sword had only pierced through his flesh when it went through his thigh, but Xiao Yi suddenly withdrew it, completely shattering his bones.


    Xiao Yi glanced sideways at the curled up Fang Jin who was screaming on the ground and said indifferently, "You''re too noisy!"


    The longsword pierced, penetrating Fang Jin''s throat.


    From the moment Fang Jin set his sights on Fang Qingzhu, his fate had already been sealed!


    "No�� you, you actually killed Fang Jin?" Fang Tianhao''s eyes were filled with fury.


    Now that their relationship with Fang Qingzhu had become irreparably volatile, Fang Jin was their Fang Family''s only hope.


    But now��


    Xiao Yi had personally crushed that hope.


    Fang Tianhao shouted to Jia Sichun beside him, "Jia, kill him, quickly avenge Fang Jin!"


    Bang!


    Jia Sichun made his move.


    Only...


    His palm struck Fang Tianhao''s head.


    Fang Tianhao''s body trembled, blood spurted from his seven apertures, and until his dying moment, he still couldn''t understand why Jia Sichun, clearly on the same side, would suddenly strike at him. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A dog dares to give orders to me?"


    Jia Sichun withdrew his hand, took out a handkerchief to wipe his palm, and looked at Xiao Yi with disgust, "Xiao Yi of the Xiao Family? Your brother Xiao Tianjiao is indeed an impressive figure, said to have entered the Dharma Manifestation Realm half a month ago, becoming the Deputy Sect Master of Tianjian Sect, and he might reach the ranks of the ancient giants within ten years. But I heard he doesn''t think highly of you; he even considers you a disgrace and expelled you from the Xiao Family. If I kill you now, he should thank me, right?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "He has reached the Dharma Manifestation already? That''s fast!"


    Though he harbored all sorts of hatred towards Xiao Tianjiao, he couldn''t help but admire his martial talent.


    Entering the Dharma Manifestation Realm in his twenties!


    Even in the history of the entire Heavenly Yuan Realm, such individuals are rare.


    "It seems I still have a long way to go to surpass him!"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his gaze settling on Jia Sichun, the Dragon Scale Sword in his hand vibrating ever so slightly, its tip flickering with silver light, bright and cold for a hundred zhang, and he said coldly, "If you want to kill me to curry favor with Xiao Tianjiao, you''ll have to see if you''re capable!"


    Jia Sichun''s tongue, red as blood, licked his lips, and he sneered, "If you can withstand ten moves from me and hand over Fang Qingzhu to me, I''ll spare your life. How about it?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Killing you is like slaughtering pigs and dogs, ten moves? That''s too many!"

 Chapter 37 - 37 Visit Mr. Xiao

    ```


    "Killing you is like slaughtering pigs and dogs, ten moves? Too many!"


    Xiao Yi wore a look of indifference on his face as he gently shook his head.


    Although his cultivation was only at the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, the four hundred God Sealing Seeds within his body had been activated. Even though he hadn''t subdued any new foes, those seeds had infused his Sword Intent Seed with the power of the divine.


    He had completed the last step of transformation.


    True Sword Intent had formed!


    With Sword Intent in his grasp and having stepped into the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he had also awakened his Innate Divine Ability.


    This elevated Xiao Yi''s power to a whole new level!


    He underwent a fundamental transformation!


    With his current strength, not even a Sixth Layer of Divine Skill Realm powerhouse like Jia Sichun was of any concern to him.


    "Killing me is like slaughtering pigs and dogs?"


    Jia Sichun''s face was filled with a hideous rage, experiencing humiliation like never before, he touched his cheek that had just been slapped by Xiao Yi, his eyes glinting with icy coldness, "A dog like you dares to humiliate me like this? I''ll show you how foolish it is to have angered me!"


    Boom!


    Jia Sichun''s fists flew through the air.


    Vital energy surged wildly along his arms as if cloaked in an armor of Qi, his figure as swift as the wind and lightning, racing forth in a blink.


    Whoosh!


    In the blink of an eye.


    Jia Sichun appeared before Xiao Yi, pointing his finger, "Four Directions Prison Dragon Finger!"


    Boom!


    Vital energy, fine as threads, burst forth from his fingertips, enveloping the space around Xiao Yi from all directions, interweaving into a cage of Qi.


    Jia Sichun''s face twisted malevolently, "Six Harmonies Extinction Sun Palm!"


    He opened his hands, one to the left and one to the right, with palms facing each other.


    From his palms erupted scorching vital energy like raging flames, transforming into two fiery dragons rushing towards Xiao Yi within the cage. The dragons appeared fierce and life-like, with flames that soared high enough to almost melt the arena itself.


    "Is this... really martial arts? Why do our techniques seem like child''s play before his, although we''re also in the Divine Skills Realm..." Zhao Yu swallowed nervously, his eyes filled with horror and dread.


    Elder Yan took a deep breath, his face tinged with bitterness, "This is true Divine Skills. What we''ve been cultivating is merely martial arts... Nanhuang is too small!"


    Nanhuang was indeed too small.


    So small that these family heads who presided over their respective areas couldn''t even awaken their Innate Divine Abilities when breaking through to the Divine Skills Realm.


    If they were in the capital, these Divine Skills Realm experts could only be called pseudo-Divine Skills.


    They were far inferior to those of the same realm who had awakened their Innate Divine Abilities. S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Not to mention in the Great Qian Dynasty...


    Any Divine Skills Realm cultivator who hadn''t awakened their Innate Divine Ability, even in the military, would only be cannon fodder.


    Not far away, amidst the crowd.


    Lord Sikong wore a grave expression as he turned toward the elder beside him, his heart filled with unease, he ventured, "Elder Wang, should you intervene?"


    "Grandfather, won''t you take action?" The young girl standing beside him looked up.


    Elder Wang chuckled and shook his head, petting the girl''s head, he smiled, "No need, that young fellow named Xiao Yi has brought me quite a few surprises! And his wife, having such a rare Ice Attribute Innate Divine Ability, if I bring this couple back, those old fellows will surely be green with envy..."


    Sikong Nan''s face shifted slightly.


    He was well aware of Elder Wang''s status and naturally understood where the elder spoke of taking them.


    Sikong Nan calmed the envy and excitement in his heart, looking towards Xiao Yi, he thought to himself, "It seems it must have been Xiao who brought forth the heavenly phenomenon back then, and now he has even caught Elder Wang''s favor. Xiao''s future is boundless indeed!"


    Meanwhile.


    The fiery dragon from the flames had already rushed toward the Four Directions Prison Cage.


    Numerous flames spewed out tongues of fire, emitting intense heat as if to incinerate all in its path to ashes.


    "Die, Xiao Yi!"


    Fang Zheng and his family had faces full of venomous resentment.


    However...


    Amidst the flames, a heaven-shattering Sword Qi burst forth.


    ```


    ```


    Whoosh!


    The silver sword light cleaved the fierce flames into two halves, and along with the entire vital energy prison, crumbled to dust under Xiao Yi''s sword edge. Following closely, Xiao Yi''s figure emerged from the flames, like the deity of fire descending upon the world.


    "Impossible�� How, how could you possibly break my Four Directions Prison Dragon Finger?" Jia Sichun''s face was filled with shock, disbelief written all over it.


    This was a third-grade high-level martial skill, combined with the fire attribute vital energy brought by his Innate Divine Ability, it was tremendously powerful.


    Using these two consecutive moves against his opponents, he had always been invincible!


    Boom!


    Jia Sichun''s body shook violently as tongues of fire burst forth from within him, turning him into a human-shaped flame. Flames spewed from his eyes, revealing his Innate Divine Ability, the Flaming Devil Body.


    Enveloped in the soaring demon flames, the Flaming Devil Body charged towards Xiao Yi: "Trinity Palm!"


    "Four Symbols Thunderous Fist!"


    "Five Directions Demon King Finger..."


    With demon flames enhancing his body, over ten different skills came crashing down like a landslide, but Xiao Yi effortlessly neutralized each one. Facing Xiao Yi, who stood quietly before him, revealing no flaws, Jia Sichun, even with his demon flames, still felt an icy chill throughout his body.


    Xiao Yi held the Dragon Scale Sword, looking indifferently at what laid before him: "Ten moves have passed, now it''s my turn!"


    "Sweeping a Thousand Armies!"


    A horizontal sweep of the sword, its brilliance like thousands of galloping horses.


    Boom!


    The terrifying Sword Qi sent Jia Sichun tumbling into the air, and right then, Xiao Yi''s second sword strike was upon him: "Chasing Stars and Moons!"


    Whoosh!


    This sword strike snapped the tendons in both of Jia Sichun''s hands.


    "Life Seizing Soul Chaser!"


    In an instant, dozens of sword shadows descended upon Jia Sichun''s body, obliterating the flames and completely shattering the Innate Divine Ability, the Flaming Devil Body. Xiao Yi flashed forward in pursuit, a foot stomping down hard.


    Bang!


    Jia Sichun''s head smashed heavily onto the arena, reverberating with a thunderous boom, spreading spiderweb-like cracks all over the stage.


    Sand flew and dust tumbled.


    As the dust settled,


    Xiao Yi stood proud between heaven and earth, while Jia Sichun was pinned beneath his foot, his head having smashed a deep pit in the arena floor, blood oozing from all seven orifices, both hands limp with snapped tendons, looking every bit the cripple.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "You''ve lost before ten moves were up!"


    Hiss!


    The arena was shrouded in silence, as quiet as death.


    Gulp!


    Someone swallowed nervously, breaking the eerie stillness.


    "I, I''m fuckin''��"


    "Xiao won? He, he actually defeated Jia Sichun?"


    "Jia Sichun is a Profound Level student at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, a genius who has awakened his Innate Divine Ability. Would this not mean that Xiao''s strength surpasses that of the Profound Level students at the Royal Martial Arts Academy?"


    "That''s terrifying!"


    "Xiao''s talent and strength are indeed frightening, but... he''s gotten himself into big trouble! I heard that Jia Sichun''s background is profound, his father holds a high position in the current court, and his brother is an Earth Level student at the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Xiao has no background; how can he deal with the Jia Family''s retaliation?"


    "Xiao is from the Xiao Family..."


    "The Xiao Family? They were about to expel Xiao from their family, why would they care about his life or death?"


    At this moment,


    a commotion suddenly arose from the crowd: "Lord Sikong is here!"


    "Make way, Lord Sikong must have come to save Jia..."


    "Xiao Yi is as good as dead!"


    Jia Sichun, still being stepped on by Xiao Yi, regained his senses. With a bloody face, he roared ferociously, "So what if you''re stronger than me, Xiao Yi? Can your strength possibly compare to the power of my Jia Family? You''re doomed... Lord Sikong, my father is Jia Jun, a second-grade officer of the court. Help me kill him!"


    However...


    Sikong Nan did not even give Jia Sichun a glance but bowed deeply to Xiao Yi in full view of everyone, speaking loud and clear: "Sikong Nan pays respects to Mr. Xiao..."


    ```

 Chapter 38 - 38: No Ones Face Works!

    "Greetings, Mr. Xiao!"


    Sikong Nan stood in front of Xiao Yi with a face full of solemn respect, meticulous in his demeanor.


    This scene left the crowd around the platform in utter shock, "Isn''t Lord Sikong here to help Jia? Why, why is he showing such respect to Xiao Yi instead?"


    "What on earth is going on?"


    Jia Sichun was thoroughly confused.


    The moment they saw Sikong Nan, everyone, including Jia, thought he was there to help them.


    But then...


    It was as if Sikong Nan didn''t even see him.


    It felt like an invisible slap had fiercely struck his face, causing a burning sting on his cheek. Gnashing his teeth, he said, "Sikong Nan, do you not see that this young master is trapped here? Won''t you lend a hand and rescue me?"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi kicked, shattering all of Jia Sichun''s teeth, then turned to Sikong Nan, "Lord Sikong, what brings you to me?"


    Sikong Nan''s respectful stance didn''t waver, "Mr. Xiao, Elder Wang wishes to see you!"


    "Elder Wang?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, not knowing who Elder Wang referred to, but his impression of Sikong Nan was not bad, so he replied, "Wait a moment. Once I have killed him, I will go with you!"


    "This..."


    Sikong Nan''s expression slightly changed.


    Because Elder Wang highly valued Xiao Yi, he pretended not to see Jia Sichun, but if Jia Sichun were to be slain by Xiao Yi right before his eyes, it would be difficult for him to escape blame when Jia''s father sought accountability.


    As Sikong Nan struggled with this dilemma, a hoarse voice came from the crowd, "Young friend, could you do an old man a favor and spare his life?"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, and looked in the direction of the voice.


    Sikong Nan was already standing aside with respect, "Elder Wang!"


    "Hmm!"


    Elder Wang smiled, his expression kind as he looked at Xiao Yi, "I am Wang Zhiyuan!"


    "Wang Zhiyuan? Why does that name sound so familiar?"


    "Wait, isn''t the vice chancellor of the Royal Martial Arts Academy also named Wang Zhiyuan?"


    "Hiss! No way? The vice chancellor of the Royal Martial Arts Academy? Why, why would he come here?"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze towards Elder Wang was filled with confusion.


    If this man could serve as vice chancellor at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he was definitely one of the top figures in the Tianqing Kingdom. Why would he come to this remote and desolate place?


    Just as Xiao Yi was about to speak, Jia Sichun, as if grabbing onto a lifeline, screamed hysterically, "Elder Wang, save me... my father is Jia Jun, my brother is Jia Sidao, please save me..." His face turned red with excitement as he stared at Xiao Yi with hatred, "Hahaha, you''re as good as dead, dog! Elder Wang is famously protective of his charges, and I am a genius disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. He will definitely take a stand for me!"


    In Jia Sichun''s eyes, the arrival of Elder Wang was his ultimate reliance!


    The thought of being trampled underfoot by Xiao Yi, an ant he had never taken seriously, subjected to immense humiliation, made Jia Sichun''s heart brim with tremendous hatred.


    His vindictive gaze carried the thrill of revenge.


    Jia Sichun''s eyes glared fiercely at Xiao Yi, brimming with arrogance as he declared, "You dog, if you want to save your wretched life, you can kneel before this young master. If you kneel, beg for mercy, and send Fang Qingzhu clean to my bed, I might consider sparing your miserable life!"


    Elder Wang was present, always known to be protective.


    In Jia Sichun''s eyes, he was already out of harm''s way, naturally emboldened.


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi let out a deep breath and, with a raised eyebrow, looked at Wang Zhiyuan who had appeared in front of him and smiled, "As the saying goes, heaven may allow one to commit certain faults, but one brings destruction upon oneself. I was willing to spare him for the sake of Vice Dean Wang''s face, but he bore down on me aggressively, intent on laying hands on Qingzhu. Since he touched my reverse scale, nobody''s face can save him now!"


    His smile remained, but his expression became colder and colder.


    In his eyes,


    Cold lights flashed like knives, like swords, overwhelming.


    Jia Sichun sneered repeatedly, arrogantly saying, "Xiao Yi, you doglike creature really dare to put on airs! Nobody''s face can save me? Hmph, who do you think you are? Standing in front of you is the Vice Dean of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and you dare to threaten me in his presence? You''re simply courting death!"


    Xiao Yi just looked at Wang Zhiyuan.


    Waiting for his response.


    "Alas..."


    Wang Zhiyuan glanced at Jia Sichun, who was still shouting, and a trace of helplessness swept across his face as he shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "Every dragon has a reverse scale, and touching it means death. For a man, his wife and children are his reverse scale... Jia Sichun, you''re determined to seek death, I truly cannot help you!"


    Boom!


    The radiant smile on Jia Sichun''s face instantly collapsed.


    He looked at Wang Zhiyuan with disbelief, his head buzzing as if his breath had ceased, "Wang, Vice Dean Wang, what, what did you say?"


    Wang Zhiyuan sighed, "If you seek death on your own, you can''t blame anyone else!"


    Thump!


    This sudden thunderbolt made Jia Sichun tremble as if struck by lightning, staring blankly at Wang Zhiyuan for a long while without saying a word. Suddenly, with a hoarse cry as if gasping for air after being suffocated, Jia Sichun began to breathe in great gulps, his face deathly pale, "Vice Dean Wang, I, I am a Profound Level student, my brother is an Earth Level student, my father is a second-ranked official of the current reign... How could you possibly not save me? You can''t not save me, hurry and kill this damn dog to save me, save me..."


    His voice grew louder, but it was also increasingly desperate.


    In the hysterical roar, S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jia Sichun kept calling out his father''s and brother''s statuses, emphasizing the powerful background, that each alone belonged to the elite echelons of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    But today...


    The very things he once took pride in could not save him.


    "How, how could this be? This is just the remote Nanhuang, as long as I mention my name, who dares to disrespect me? As long as I mention my father and brother''s names, who dares not to treat me with the utmost respect? Why, why do you dare to kill me? Why..."


    Suddenly, Jia Sichun knelt on the ground with a plop, wailing pitifully, begging in a lowly manner, "Xiao, please spare my life, I beg you not to kill me, I know I was wrong, I will never dare again... "


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Jia Sichun kept kowtowing toward Xiao Yi, his head striking the ground heavily, creating a dull sound.


    Each impact made one''s heart skip a beat.


    All around the arena was silent.


    Not long ago...


    Jia Sichun was full of vigor, so dominant and aggressive.


    As if aside from Elder Tian, he was to be honored as the elder brother!


    And now?


    He was doing the very thing those lowly ants in his eyes used to do, kneeling humbly on the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy, lowly like a dog!


    "If only you had known, why did you do it to begin with?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Jia Sichun who was begging fearfully like a dog that had lost its home. As he lightly shook his head, his sword swept across. The sword sealed the throat, blood gushed like a fountain, and with a thud, the head rolled onto the ground. As the blood sprayed till the last drop, that was also exactly when Xiao Yi''s treasured sword returned to its sheath.


    The silver light disappearing into the scabbard was an image forever unforgettable to those who witnessed this scene...

 Chapter 39 - 39: You Reap What You Sow

    Xiao Yi flipped his hand and put the longsword into the storage ring.


    The murderous intent on his face faded, replaced by a touch of gentleness. He smiled and said, "Elder Wang, please wait a moment, let me handle the matters here first!"


    "Please do!"


    Wang Zhiyuan nodded, his gaze at Xiao Yi filled with increasing admiration.


    To treat enemies with the cold ruthlessness of a harsh winter, yet extend the warmth of spring to friends.


    This is how a true man ought to be!


    Xiao Yi looked towards Fang Qingzhu, gently holding her soft palm, and smiled, "Qingzhu, from now on you will be the head of the Fang Family!"


    Fang Qingzhu was stunned, her expression complex.


    The head of the Fang Family, huh?


    She had exerted all her effort to keep her position as the heir apparent, merely seeking the recognition of her parents. But now that she knew she was not really a member of the Fang Family, what inheritance could she speak of?


    Fang Qingzhu forced a smile and said, "From today on, I have nothing to do with the Fang Family anymore. Whoever wants this position of family head can have it!"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, then laughed, "Alright, then don''t take it!"


    Beneath the stage.


    Suddenly, Fang Hao''s voice rang out, "Sister, since you don''t want this position of family head, then give it to me!"


    Liu Yun''s eyes shone brightly, shamelessly saying, "That''s right Qingzhu, even though you''re not our own flesh and blood, we''ve raised you for more than a decade. Give the position of family head over to your brother! That way, it would be like repaying us for our kindness in raising you!"


    Fang Zheng''s face also showed interest.


    Before Fang Tianhao passed away, they had no chance at the position of family head.


    But now...


    With Fang Tianhao and Fang Jin gone, their branch would be the only one left in power in the Fang Family.


    Fang Qingzhu looked at the two with disdain in her eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "Those who give birth without raising, a severed finger can repay. Those who raise without giving birth, eternal gratitude is owed. Although you raised me just to use me, I cannot repay this kindness. You can take the position of family head of the Fang Family if you want! Just from today onwards, I no longer have anything to do with you!"


    "Good, good, good, no more ties!"


    "Haha, Hao''er, you''ll be the family head from now on!"


    Fang Zheng and his family of three were overjoyed, hugging each other in celebration.


    Everyone around them couldn''t help but shake their heads in pity, "This family of three is incurably foolish!"


    "Given the current state of the Fang Family, even if they take control, how could they maintain such an inheritance?"


    "The entire Fang Family are fools... Had they sincerely apologized, Fang Qingzhu might have still been mindful of past kindness, and taken care of them in the future. Now... I reckon the Fang Family won''t last three months before their complete downfall!"


    "Three months? If he lasts a month, I''ll take your surname..."


    The chatter of the people made Fang Zheng''s trio come to a sudden realization.


    Without absolute strength, how could they possibly hold onto the Fang Family?


    Even if they took the position of family head now, who could preserve them against the increasingly fierce competition in the future?


    Upon this thought.


    The three hurriedly turned to Fang Qingzhu, "Qingzhu, we were wrong, we still treat you as our own daughter..."


    Fang Qingzhu''s face turned pale.


    She saw their true colors clearly and thoroughly.


    She took a deep breath, tears in her eyes, and said through gritted teeth, "I''ve already said, I have nothing more to do with the Fang Family, or with you!"


    "Fang Qingzhu you can''t do this, I raised you for eighteen years..."


    "You illegitimate child, it''s no surprise your own parents abandoned you..."


    "You ungrateful wretch..."


    As they watched Fang Qingzhu''s resolute face, Fang Zheng and his family were furious, roaring continuously.


    Fang Qingzhu had her eyes tightly closed, but Xiao Yi, standing by her side, could feel her body tremble slightly, a cold glint crossing his eyes as he glanced over Zhao Yu and Elder Yan.


    Both of them nodded at the same time, their looks of pity landing together on the family of three of Fang Zheng.


    It indeed confirmed what Xiao Yi had said earlier, "Heavenly sins can be forgiven, but one brings about his own destruction��cannot live!"


    Truly, this family of three, Fang Zheng, had dug their own grave!


    Watching as Zhao Yu and Elder Yan took Fang Zheng and his family away, Xiao Yi took Fang Qingzhu by the hand and approached Wang Zhiyuan, "Elder Wang, sorry to have kept you waiting!"


    "Not at all!"


    Wang Zhiyuan chuckled, then said, "Xiao Yi, are you wondering why I managed to find you?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Wang Zhiyuan smiled and called out to the crowd, "Xue''er, aren''t you going to come and greet Xiao Yi, young friend?"


    "Grandfather!"


    Xue''er walked out from the crowd, stood by Wang Zhiyuan''s side, and stuck out her tongue playfully towards Xiao Yi, "Brother Xiao Yi, do you remember me?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Wasn''t this the woman he had saved in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range? He nodded his head, a look of realization dawning as he turned to Wang Zhiyuan, "I had no idea that Xue''er was actually the granddaughter of Elder Wang!"


    "Hahaha, such is the way of the world, everything is bound by destiny!" said Wang Zhiyuan with a smile, before continuing, "This girl Xue''er, being mischievous, ran out from home on her own. If she hadn''t encountered you, I''m afraid she might have already met with disaster!"


    While speaking, Wang Zhiyuan glared fiercely at Xue''er.


    Xue''er looked a bit wronged and pouted.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "It was but a small effort, not worth mentioning!"


    "It may have been a small effort for you, but for me, it''s a favor as great as the heavens!"


    Xue''er was the Wang Family''s third generation''s only girl, greatly adored, and her mother''s background was extremely formidable. If anything had happened to Xue''er, let alone the five cities of Nanhuang being wiped off the map of the Tianqing Kingdom, even the Wang Family would suffer, he continued, "Xiao Yi, my reason for coming today is to give thanks for saving Xue''er and to offer you some treasures as a token of gratitude!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head to refuse.


    "Do not be hasty to refuse, just hear me out... Before meeting you, I intended to grant you some Cultivation Techniques or treasures as compensation, but now, I have changed my mind!"


    Wang Zhiyuan''s gaze was intense as he stared at Xiao Yi and said in a solemn voice, "Nanhuang is but a small corner of the world. Here, some pseudo-Divine Skills wielders are already considered big shots, but in the Royal City, in the Great Qian Dynasty... even in the whole Heavenly Yuan Realm, such pseudo-Divine Skills wielders are not worth mentioning. I believe you would never want to be confined here, right?" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Wang Zhiyuan, "Elder Wang, please speak frankly."


    Wang Zhiyuan took a deep breath and said solemnly, "The path of martial arts requires talent, for sure, but resources are equally indispensable. I want to invite you to the Royal City to join our Royal Martial Arts Academy. With your talent and strength, you will definitely shine. You will be able to obtain more resources from the Martial Arts Institute..."


    Xiao Yi frowned.


    Leaving Nanhuang was a certainty.


    But...


    He glanced at Fang Qingzhu by his side.


    Fang Qingzhu, holding Xiao Yi''s hand, wore a tender smile on her face and softly said, "Brother Xiao Yi, do you remember what I once told you?"


    Xiao Yi''s body trembled.


    How could he forget those words?


    To follow whomsoever she would marry!


    Fang Qingzhu continued, "As long as you don''t dislike me for being an unwanted orphan, wherever you go, I will follow!"


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi gripped Fang Qingzhu''s soft hand tightly and said firmly, "Alright, no matter where I go in the future, I will take you with me!" He looked up at Wang Zhiyuan and said in a deep voice, "Elder Wang, when do we depart?"


    Wang Zhiyuan''s face showed delight, saying, "There''s only half a month left until the next selection. We set off tomorrow, how does that sound?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Fang Qingzhu, and as the two of them had no attachment to Nanhuang City anymore, he nodded and said, "Then we leave tomorrow!"


    His gaze turned towards the distant horizon, towards the direction of the Royal City of the Tianqing Kingdom, and also the closest direction to the Great Qian Dynasty, his palm quietly clenched, his eyes suddenly sharp, "Xiao Tianjiao, the distance between us is getting shorter."

 Chapter 40 - 40: Mingjian Manor

    Late at night, the Fang Family.


    Fang Zheng, Fang Hao, and Liu Yun were gathered together.


    Fang Hao complained indignantly, "Dad, Mom, that Fang Qingzhu is really too ungrateful, isn''t she? We even allowed her to return to the Fang Family, yet not only did she refuse, but she also had Zhao Yu and Elder Yan drive us away. It''s truly hateful!"


    Liu Yun, too, had an aggrieved look and a venomous gleam in her eye, "That bastard is a white-eyed wolf, not valuing us at all!"


    "Shut up!"


    Fang Zheng snorted coldly, "Fang Qingzhu isn''t the little girl that we could manipulate before; she now has the backing of Xiao Yi, and Xiao Yi has gained the favor of that Elder Wang, who has unlimited prospects for the future."


    That''s the vice-principal of the Royal Martial Arts Academy!


    A figure who could rank within the top ten throughout the entire Tianqing Kingdom.


    If the Fang Family could connect with Elder Wang, not to mention dominating Nanhuang, it would even be possible to enter the royal capital and become one of the noble families of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Liu Yun said hatefully, "They really have stumbled upon good luck."


    Fang Hao spoke with a worried face, "Dad, now that our family no longer has a warrior of the Divine Skills Realm to take charge, what shall we do in the future?"


    In this world where the weak are prey to the strong, without absolute martial dominance, even owning a mountain of gold would be emptied out.


    The Fang Family, being one of the four great families of Nanhuang City.


    Their main advantage had been having Fang Tianhao, a powerful warrior of the Divine Skills Realm.


    Now that Fang Tianhao had been killed, Fang Jin had perished, and Fang Qingzhu had been forced to leave the Fang Family.


    It was a precarious situation!


    Fang Zheng''s sinister smile emerged, "Don''t worry, I''ve already planned everything. Fang Qingzhu thinks she can cast us aside with just the position of family head? Simply a fool''s dream... Aren''t they going to the capital? Once they leave, we will sell off our assets, take the money, and go to the capital to seek them out."


    "Ah? Seek her out? She doesn''t acknowledge us anymore, what''s the point of going to her..." Liu Yun asked, puzzled.


    Fang Zheng laughed loudly, "She''s nothing but a bastard. It''s only we who can abandon her, since when does she have the right to abandon us? Once we get to the capital, if she dares to ignore us, we will spread the news everywhere that Fang Qingzhu abandoned her parents and siblings to please Xiao Yi. ''A person''s face is like the bark of a tree''... As long as she wants to make it in the capital, she won''t dare dismiss us. With their support, we can completely re-establish the Fang Family there in the capital..."


    "So, we''ll become nobility of the capital in the future?"


    "Hahaha, Dad''s plan is indeed the best!"


    While the family of three was smugly pleased with their calculations, a frosty voice suddenly rang out, "You might not live to see that moment!"


    "Huh?"


    "Who?"


    All three trembled, only to see Zhao Yu and Elder Yan stepping out from the darkness.


    Hiss!


    Their complexions suddenly changed.


    All traces of sinister expression vanished from Fang Zheng''s face, replaced by a hint of flattery and sycophancy, "Zhao Family Head, Elder Yan, may I ask why you have come late at night?"


    "On the orders of Young Master Xiao, we''re here to send you off to the netherworld!" Zhao Yu said calmly.


    The hint of pity in Elder Yan''s eyes had vanished upon hearing the conversation of the three, his expression turned ice cold as he said, "Such filthy creatures like you don''t deserve to live in this world."


    "No, you can''t kill us, I am Fang Qingzhu''s father..."


    "Xiao Yi, Fang Qingzhu, you ungrateful white-eyed wolves..."


    Elder Yan scoffed, "Kill them!"


    He acted simultaneously with Zhao Yu.


    Blood splattered, and three heads rolled in a pool of blood, their eyes wide with anger and filled with despair...


    ......


    Three days later, Mingjian City.


    This city lies on the essential path from Nanhuang to the royal capital, and with the Tianqing Kingdom''s number one Sword Forging Family, Mingjian Manor, located within, hence its name.


    This Sword Mountain Manor has been a swordsmithing family for generations.


    Inside the manor, there''s even a Sword Tomb.


    Countless famous swords were nurtured within the Sword Tomb, especially half of the renowned top ten swords of the Tianqing Kingdom originated from there.


    Each year, Sword Mountain Manor would open the Sword Tomb to the public. Anyone who pays ten thousand taels of silver could enter the Sword Tomb. If fated, they could obtain the acknowledgment of a primeval sword and take it away. Whenever the Sword Tomb opened, Mingjian City would be packed with people, attracting countless strong individuals from all over the Tianqing Kingdom.


    On a wide imperial road.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu rode on tall horses, looking from afar at the majestic Mingjian City and the bustling crowd along the way. Fang Qingzhu sighed and said, "I''ve long heard that the liveliest time in Mingjian City is when the Sword Tomb opens each year. I never expected that we''d coincide with it!"


    "The Sword Forging Skill of Sword Mountain Manor is indeed unparalleled in the Tianqing Kingdom. With half of the top ten famous swords coming from Sword Mountain Manor, naturally, there are many people who come for its fame," Xiao Yi nodded in agreement.


    The two of them were originally traveling with Wang Zhiyuan.


    But yesterday, Wang Zhiyuan received a secret missive from the Royal Martial Arts Academy and hurried away with Wang Xue''er, leaving only the two of them behind.


    "Xiao Yi, you have now reached the Spiritual Realm Cultivation. The Crimson Flame Chasing Wind Sword is no longer suitable for you as a weapon. Since it happens to be the time when the Sword Tomb is open, why don''t we go take a look together?" Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi with a smile, her lips slightly curving up, revealing a sharp little canine tooth.


    Xiao Yi thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, let''s go see what this Sword Tomb is all about!"


    After stepping into the Divine Skills Realm, a second-grade primeval weapon was indeed somewhat underpowered.


    Especially after he had mastered Sword Intent, his requirement for a primeval weapon had become much more stringent.


    If he could obtain a weapon that suited him, indeed, it could greatly increase his combat power.


    The two made their way to the city and settled down at an inn before heading to Sword Mountain Manor.


    The Sword Tomb would open at sunset.


    After paying twenty thousand taels of silver and receiving the pass tokens at Sword Mountain Manor, they waited outside the Sword Tomb.


    It was currently midday.


    The scorching sun was high, baking the earth as Xiao Yi and his companion found a quiet shady spot to sit under a tree.


    They had arrived early and it wasn''t long before the square gradually filled with people, becoming a sea of heads.


    Xiao Yi murmured, "Sword Mountain Manor is making a good business. Ten thousand taels per person, and there are at least a thousand people here... Just the entry fee alone nets them over ten million..."


    A second-grade primeval weapon is worth over a hundred thousand taels of silver, while a third-grade one values at over a million taels.


    However, each time the Sword Tomb opens, most that could be taken away are first and second-grade primeval weapons.


    Third-grade primeval weapons are extremely rare, let alone those that rank among the top ten swords of the Tianqing Kingdom, which are fourth-grade primeval weapons. These appear only once in several decades; for Sword Mountain Manor, this is indeed a no-loss business.


    "Hey, you two, get lost! This spot is mine now!" A chubby-faced young man appeared in front of them, with sweat drenching his body and an impatient expression as he urged them on.


    Xiao Yi frowned and glanced at a small patch of shade beside them, saying, "Isn''t there still space over there?"


    "Who the hell are you to sit next to this young master?" the young man, with his Qi-Blood flowing like a torrent, had cultivated to the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, looked down at him with arrogance,"Make yourself scarce, or don''t blame this young master for not being polite!"


    Fang Qingzhu slightly furrowed her brows, "We were here first, why should we give up our spot to you?"


    "What a beautiful chick!"


    The young man leered at Fang Qingzhu, his eyes lighting up, his face wearing a lascivious grin, "Beauty, you can stay. Later, you can give this young master a shoulder massage or something. As for you, you''re like a dog and you think you deserve to sit next to such a beautiful girl? Get lost right now, or I''ll throw you out myself!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Get lost!"


    "Fuck, you''re asking for it!"


    Enraged, the young man''s palm surged with vital energy as he struck towards Xiao Yi''s head. Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    Amidst a muffled collision, the young man was sent flying backward for a good ten meters, crashing to the ground with a thud. He knelt on the floor, covering his abdomen, howling in pain, continuously vomiting acid, his venomous gaze locked on Xiao Yi, "You... you''re dead meat. I won''t let this go..."


    "If you don''t leave now, I''ll slaughter you!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    The young man''s face turned ghostly pale, feeling chilled to the bone, not daring to delay any longer, he scrambled away in pain and embarrassment...

 Chapter 41 - 41 The Sword Tomb

    "Brother, you better get out of here fast. That fat guy just now is no ordinary person!"


    "Indeed, he is from the capital, said to be a student of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Quite a few people have come from the academy this time; you really should leave quickly!"


    A few people whispered their warnings.


    Xiao Yi nodded his thanks to them but did not move an inch.


    Seeing this, the others said no more, only feeling that Xiao Yi was too confident, "Young people haven''t suffered enough; they don''t know how treacherous the world can be!"


    "We''ve warned him. If he doesn''t run, it''s not our fault!"


    Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi worriedly, "Brother Xiao Yi, we..."


    "Don''t worry!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively; he had slaughtered students from the Martial Arts Institute before and said, "Qingzhu, remember to stay close to me once we enter the Sword Tomb!" Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Okay!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded.


    Half a day passed by swiftly.


    The sun set in the west, and the silver moon began to rise.


    Dong!


    A dull bell toll suddenly sounded, and nearly two thousand formidable figures rose up in unison, their eyes blazing as they looked toward the hundred-foot-high hill before them. The hill lay within Mingjian Manor, and the Sword Tomb was built into the belly of this hill. As the rumble sounded, the stone door to the Tomb opened.


    Two Divine Skill practitioners from Sword Mountain Manor stood to the left and right, watching the crowd, "Gentlemen, the Sword Tomb will be open for an hour. Whether or not you obtain a Yuan weapon, you must come out within that time. Otherwise, you will be locked inside the Sword Tomb, and to come out, you will have to wait until next year''s opening!"


    "No worries, we understand the rules!"


    "If you haven''t gained recognition from a famed sword within an hour, then you''re just not destined for the swords inside. Staying longer would be a waste of time!"


    The crowd responded one after another.


    The two Divine Skill practitioners were not the least bit displeased by the interruption and said indifferently, "Inside the Sword Tomb, there are a total of 18,000 Grade One swords, 1,800 Grade Two swords, 180 Grade Three swords, and 18 Grade Four swords. Among them, six are regarded as the ten great famous swords of the Tianqing Kingdom, but five have already been taken, leaving only the last one still within the Sword Tomb!"


    The other continued, "Inside the Sword Tomb, you will see various sword steles, each representing a famous sword. As long as you gain the sword''s acknowledgment, you can take it with you. Gentlemen, please enter the Sword Tomb!"


    The crowd hurried toward the entrance of the Sword Tomb.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu walked shoulder to shoulder, but at the entrance, they encountered the fat man whom he had blasted away earlier.


    The fat man glared at Xiao Yi with venomous hatred; at his side were a young man and woman.


    Both were clad in brocade robes, and their Qi-Blood surged like dragons and tigers, their cultivation clearly at least at the Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm.


    The fat man pointed at Xiao Yi and said to the young man, "Brother Fan, this is the bastard who hit me!"


    The brocad-robed young man squinted at Xiao Yi and said coolly, "You''ve got guts to strike someone connected to Yun Fan. I''ll give you a chance to end yourself. If I make a move, you won''t even be able to die easily!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "A good dog doesn''t block the way!"


    "Hm?"


    Yun Fan''s face darkened, and he sneered, "Very well, very well. Since I became a Profound Level disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, you''re the first to speak to me like that. You could have died quickly if you chose to commit suicide, but since you..."


    Yun Fan''s voice suddenly cut off.


    His body flew backward involuntarily, blood spewing from his mouth as he crashed with a thud ten meters away.


    Hiss!


    The surrounding crowd was dumbfounded, watching Xiao Yi in disbelief, "What, what just happened? What exactly went down just now?"


    ```


    "I, I didn''t even see how he made his move..."


    Yun Fan was spitting out blood, struggling several times to get up, only to heavily crash back onto the ground each time.


    The fatty and the brocade-robed woman wore expressions of astonishment, looking at each other, before turning their gaze to Xiao Yi in unison. The fatty said with a venomous look, "You dare injure Yun Fan? You''re dead meat. His brother is Yun Lei, the super genius on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List. He will never let you go!"


    "Enough noise!"


    With a casual slap, Xiao Yi''s palm landed on the fatty''s face. The latter''s head snapped around, his neck twisting grotesquely like a braided rope, and with a thud, he fell to the ground, dead.


    The fatty''s repeated provocations had thoroughly enraged him.


    He was a Heaven-Suppressing Godly General.


    Subduing the heavens, the God-Sealing Demon-Suppressing.


    How could he endure repeated provocation?


    His eyes swept over the brocade-robed woman as he said coldly, "You should feel lucky that I don''t hit women; otherwise, you would be a corpse by now!"


    "You, you''re insane, you dare..." As the brocade-robed woman was speaking, her face too was met with a slap.


    She covered her face in disbelief, turning to look at Fang Qingzhu who had appeared before her.


    Fang Qingzhu''s palm moved like a phantom, as slap after slap landed on the woman''s face incessantly, making her see stars and dizzying her. It was then that she stopped, dusting her hands off and saying, "Xiao Yi doesn''t deign to strike women, but I quite enjoy beating them. If you dare point fingers at Xiao Yi again, I''ll twist your neck off!"


    With tears welling up in her eyes and a face full of fear, the brocade-robed woman didn''t dare to say another word.


    Fang Qingzhu returned to her gentle demeanor, taking Xiao Yi''s arm, "Xiao Yi, let''s go."


    Xiao Yi sighed, following her into the Sword Tomb.


    Two powerhouses from Mingjian Manor exchanged glances. Such slaughter was commonplace in Sword Mountain Manor; which year had the Sword Tomb opening not resulted in the death of hundreds? They had long grown accustomed to it, and with a call, they ordered someone to carry the fatty''s body away.


    Only then did they turn to Yun Fan and the other, "Do you still want to enter the Sword Tomb?"


    "Enter my ass!"


    Yun Fan cursed angrily, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with a ferocious murderous intent, "Dare to hit me? If I don''t tear him to pieces, I might as well write my name, Yun Fan, backwards..."


    "Fan, you must avenge me!" the brocade-robed woman said with a swollen face, looking pitiful.


    The murderous intent in Yun Fan''s eyes grew more intense: "My brother has some connections with the Third Elder of Sword Mountain Manor. I''ll go to him right now... This dog dares to hit me? And to kill my dog? I''ll make sure he''s torn to pieces..."


    The brocade-robed woman''s eyes flickered with a biting chill, and she gritted her teeth, "And that disgusting woman, I''ll scratch her face, then find a bunch of beggars to publicly humiliate her..."


    ......


    Inside the Sword Tomb.


    This was within the belly of the mountain, yet it was a world unto itself.


    The tomb was circular, surrounded by layers of caves, each housing a sword stele. In the very center, there was a gigantic circular cavern stretching over a kilometer, as if it led straight to the heart of the earth.


    Below...


    Strands of molten lava rolled, their fiery red color illuminating the entire Sword Tomb; the lower one went, the higher the temperature.


    At the same time...


    The stronger the swords became!


    "Xiao Yi, there are so many sword steles here, how do we choose?" Fang Qingzhu was somewhat dazzled by the view; the Sword Tomb contained over a hundred thousand steles, creating a dizzying array.


    Xiao Yi was about to speak, but his expression shifted, looking towards the deepest part of the Sword Tomb, "Over there... It seems like something is calling out to me?"


    ```

 Chapter 42 - 42 Suicide?

    "It seems like something is drawing me in..."


    Xiao Yi looked at the scalding lava below and spoke in a deep voice.


    Fang Qingzhu was startled and peered at the churning crimson lava. The rolling heat waves were still heart-stopping even from a kilometer away, "Xiao Yi, maybe there''s an unrivaled legendary sword down there that''s destined for you!"


    Just like the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword before.


    Although Fang Tianhao had specially prepared it for Fang Jin, Fang Jin could not gain its recognition. Instead, Xiao Yi was able to control it with ease.


    This is the destiny of a sword!


    There has always been the saying that legendary swords are matched with heroes!


    This is not without reason, as some legendary swords have their own spirit and can choose their owners.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Then let''s go down and have a look!"


    "Yeah!"


    The two of them walked towards the deeper parts of the sword grave.


    Along the way, they constantly encountered powerful individuals seeking swords, each trying to communicate with the sword stele.


    Some were joyful; some were sorrowful.


    Overall, the chances of being recognized by a legendary sword were incredibly low, about one in a hundred, and usually, it would be a first or second-tier elemental weapon.


    "I''ve heard that within the Mingjian Manor''s sword grave, there is actually a fifth-tier elemental legendary sword hidden. Once it appears, it could be ranked among the top three legendary swords. Who knows where it''s actually hidden?"


    "Even if you found that sword, you wouldn''t be able to take it away!"


    "It is said that the current Crown Prince once entered the sword grave and found that fifth-tier legendary sword, but still he could not take it with him..."


    "Hisss, the Crown Prince is the strongest Tianjiaao in the Tianqing Kingdom, and even he couldn''t get the sword''s recognition. Then who can take it away?"


    Hearing the conversations of many along the way, Fang Qingzhu squinted her eyes, longing for it, "A fifth-tier elemental weapon? How powerful must that weapon be?"


    In Nanhuang City.


    A second-tier elemental weapon alone can lead to a struggle among all parties.


    Let alone a fifth-tier one?


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "If I can find that fifth-tier elemental weapon, I will try to tame it. Then you will know how powerful it is!"


    "Dude, you really don''t know the height of the sky!" A rough voice rang out beside them like muffled thunder, rumbling, "You think you can tame a fifth-tier elemental weapon? Are you sure you''re not joking?"


    The speaker was a muscular young man with a bald head, towering at two meters tall, his muscles as distinct as lead blocks, bristling with explosive power.


    He carried a pitch-black heavy sword on his back.


    And he was now looking at Xiao Yi with a mocking expression.


    Fang Qingzhu frowned slightly and said, "If my Xiao Yi can''t tame that fifth-tier elemental weapon, do you think you can?"


    "Of course, I, Niu Dali, am a born swordsman. If anyone here can get that fifth-tier elemental weapon, it must be me! As for him..." Niu Dali looked at Xiao Yi from the corner of his eye and sneered, "If he can get the recognition of that fifth-tier elemental weapon, I, Niu Dali, will call him my big brother!"


    At that moment...


    Whoosh!


    A strong individual attempted to forcefully break open a sword stele, only to be repelled by the stele, with endless Sword Qi soaring into the sky, sending him flying into the Lava Lake.


    The lava suddenly exploded, waves of heat shooting into the sky and swallowing the man whole.


    Not even his bones remained!


    Hisss!


    Everyone took a sharp breath, "Has this guy gone mad? How dare he attack a sword stele?"


    "I heard this person has already entered the Sword Tomb for the tenth time," someone said. "The previous nine times, he came away with nothing. It seems he''s gone mad..."


    "Attack the Sword Stele? He truly knows nothing of life and death!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Niu Dali sneered, and suddenly seeing Xiao Yi''s gaze firmly fixed on the scorching Lava Lake, he couldn''t help but tease, "What? You''re not seriously thinking about that fifth-grade Yuan weapon at the bottom of the lava, are you? You''re not the first one with that idea. There have been others who tried jumping into the Lava Lake, and they all ended up on a one-way road to death. I''m telling you, don''t be stupid!"


    Without saying a word, Xiao Yi''s eyes grew increasingly bright as he stared at the lava.


    That moment when the powerful figure was devoured by the lava, the feeling of being deeply attracted and called to had suddenly intensified.


    He was almost certain...


    That which was calling out to him was indeed beneath the scorching lava.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s contemplative face, Niu Dali was startled, "Hey, you''re not really thinking of jumping in, are you?"


    Fang Qingzhu was also taken aback, her worried eyes fixed on Xiao Yi as she gently tugged at his sleeve, "Xiao Yi, safety first!"


    "No matter!"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, feeling an extremely strong premonition that a huge opportunity was waiting for him beneath the lava. However, even for a cultivator in the Golden Core Realm, falling into that scorching lava would most likely result in certain death.


    He had to be cautious.


    Xiao Yi drew out the Dragon Scale Sword and stabbed it towards the ground below.


    Whoosh!


    The Dragon Scale Sword plunged into the Lava Lake, immediately stirring up a series of towering flames. The entire Lava Lake seemed to come to life, as waves of heat overturned, and columns of lava shot up to the sky, turning into ferocious fire dragons that wrapped around the Dragon Scale Sword and dragged it into the lava.


    Xiao Yi''s actions caught everyone''s attention. They looked at him as if he were a lunatic, "Has this guy gone crazy? He just threw a second-grade Yuan weapon down there?"


    "You see him staring at the Lava Lake; he''s not thinking of jumping in, is he?"


    "Hahaha, I guess another failure who kept entering the Sword Tomb without success has lost his mind..."


    However...


    Xiao Yi seemingly did not hear their ridicule, his eyes shining with brilliance as he stared at the Lava Lake, his face revealing a look of ecstasy, "Yes, it''s down there... It''s calling me, telling me to jump!"


    "Xiao Yi..." Fang Qingzhu said with a face full of worry.


    Xiao Yi patted her hand reassuringly, "Don''t worry, I know what I''m doing! Just wait here for me, I''ll be right back!"


    Niu Dali frowned, "Buddy, don''t be impulsive! If you jump, you''re finished for life��calm down!"


    "Fortune favors the bold, and this risk is worth taking!"


    Xiao Yi leaped into the air, somersaulting several times amidst the crowd''s exclamations and with a whoosh, plunged towards the scorching Lava Lake below. The Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword appeared in his hand, and he unleashed a series of sharp moves, "Sweeping a Thousand Armies!"


    "Chasing Stars, Pursuing the Moon!"


    "Life Seizing Soul Chaser..."


    Under the bombardment of Xiao Yi''s sword moves, the Lava Lake exploded with noise, forcibly cleaved open a path.


    However...


    The Lava Lake was bottomless, and countless streams of lava converged from all directions, quickly filling in the path he had created. The surface of the lake went silent, showing no trace of Xiao Yi.


    "Hahaha, that idiot actually jumped in himself?"


    "This is killing me, I''ll be laughing about this joke for a lifetime!"


    Niu Dali sighed, "The guy''s got courage, but he''s a bit off in the head!"


    Fang Qingzhu bit her lip tightly, her eyes filled with determination, "Xiao Yi, Qingzhu will wait for your return. If the Sword Tomb closes and you haven''t come back, Qingzhu will go down to accompany you!"


    Just at that moment,


    a scar-faced man appeared before Fang Qingzhu, rubbing his hands in front of him, his eyes gleaming as he leered at her, "Pretty lady, your lover has already jumped into the Lava Lake to commit suicide. From now on, you''ll follow me!"

 Chapter 43 - 43 Sword Intent Shakes the Heavens, Ten Thousand Swords Chime in Unison!

    "From now on, you just follow me, sister! I''ll take good care of you!"


    The scar-faced man with a chubby face leered at Fang Qingzhu, rubbing his hands back and forth, looking sleazy.


    The newcomer indeed possessed considerable strength.


    Having reached the Sixth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he exuded an aura filled with evil qi and was clearly of a malevolent nature.


    Fang Qingzhu frowned slightly, "Get out of my way!"


    "Oh? Fiery temper, I like a little chili pepper like you. Come, let brother touch you..." The scar-faced man licked his lips with his crimson tongue, his large palm reaching towards Fang Qingzhu''s body.


    "Back off!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s Purple Cloud Whip lashed out fiercely, sending the scarred man''s hand flailing back.


    A startling bloodstain appeared on the back of his hand.


    The scar-faced man''s expression darkened abruptly as he licked the blood on his hand with his blood-red tongue, his eyes filled with a touch of madness and ferocity.


    Smack!


    The scar-faced man struck suddenly, slapping Fang Qingzhu to the ground, grinding his teeth, "You wretched woman, you dare to hit me? You ungrateful thing, I wanted to be gentle, but since you''re asking for it, I''ll force myself on you!"


    Niu Dali stepped forward to shield Fang Qingzhu, speaking sternly, "Mate, what kind of skill is it to bully a woman? If you have the guts, come at me!"


    "Who do you think you are? Dare to mess with my fun?"


    The scar-faced man glared at Niu Dali with his bloodshot eyes, snorted coldly, and the evil qi surged towards him like a wind, "Step aside if you know what''s good for you, or I''ll throw you into the Lava Lake as well!"


    "Let''s see if you''ve got the ability!"


    "You''re seeking death!"


    With a low roar from the scar-faced man, a violent wind whipped up around him as he threw a heavy punch.


    Niu Dali snorted coldly, the longsword on his back slashing horizontally.


    Boom!


    As the iron fist collided with the longsword, a gust of wind erupted, and Niu Dali stumbled back several meters, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.


    The scar-faced man looked at him with a cold smile, taunting, "That little skill and thinking of being a hero? Wait until I''ve thrown you into the Lava Lake, then I''ll have my fun with this beauty..."


    However...


    Just as the scar-faced man was about to make his move.


    Suddenly, the calm Lava Lake exploded with a boom, a giant pillar of fire shooting up. sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then a second, a third...


    Countless pillars of fire soared into the sky like dragons leaving their nest, causing the entire Lava Lake to boil over, with searing magma splashing everywhere, burning and melting the ground upon landing.


    An incredibly terrifying Sword Intent soared up from beneath the magma.


    Under the influence of this formidable Sword Intent, every sword monument within the Sword Tomb shone brightly, and from within them echoed the hum of swords.


    Hum!


    Humming...


    The sounds of swords ringing like a dragon''s roar reverberated throughout the vast Sword Tomb.


    All the swords were chiming in unison!


    Swish!


    A hundred-meter-tall column of magma burst forth, and as the fiery molten lava fell, a figure shrouded in a blood-colored glow appeared before everyone. He leaped gracefully down from the air and landed on the ground.


    The red glow was absorbed into the blood-red longsword in his hand, revealing his true face��it was Xiao Yi, who had just jumped into the Lava Lake!


    "Xiao Yi? I knew you were alright!" Fang Qingzhu, disregarding the severe pain on her face, was ecstatic.


    Niu Dali was also dumbfounded, "Sheesh! He''s not dead?"


    "Damn, he survived jumping into the Lava Lake? Wait, look at the sword in his hands..."


    "Could that be a fifth-grade Yuan weapon?"


    Xiao Yi, however, paid no attention to the shouts of astonishment from everyone. His gaze locked first and foremost on the red slap mark on Fang Qingzhu''s face, his eyes suddenly turning ice-cold. With a flicker, he helped Fang Qingzhu up, his eyes filled with repressed anger and undisguised concern, "Who did this?"


    Niu Dali wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, unable to hide the shock in his eyes, he pointed at Scarface and shouted, "This bastard is the one who hit me!"


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze turned toward Scarface.


    However, Scarface''s eyes were shining, seemingly indifferent to Xiao Yi''s frosty stare, fixated on the blood-red longsword in his hand, "Is this the sword you retrieved from under the lava? Hahaha, I''ll take this sword!"


    Whoosh!


    Scarface''s palm shot forward, grasping for the longsword in Xiao Yi''s hand with the swiftness of a hawk snatching a rabbit.


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless as he swiftly drew his longsword, a fiery red sword light flashed past, plunging into Scarface''s body. Scarface''s speed plummeted, and he thudded to his knees, eyes fixated on Xiao Yi, "Such, such a fast sword..."


    Spurt!


    A jet of blood sprayed out wildly.


    Scarface''s head soared high into the air, and a fountain-like gush of blood spurted from the severed neck.


    Hiss!


    The onlookers all gasped in astonishment.


    This Scarface was in the Sixth Layer of Divine Skill Realm, yet he couldn''t even take a single sword strike from Xiao Yi?


    "That, that sword is a fifth-grade Yuan weapon!"


    "Right, it must be a fifth-grade Yuan weapon, otherwise how could he, with just the strength of the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, so easily kill a strong man from the Sixth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm?"


    "Quick, grab it!"


    The horde of strong men all stepped forward, their eyes blazing with heat and greed as they looked at the longsword in Xiao Yi''s hand, "Boy, hand over that famous sword and spare yourself!"


    "If you remain stubborn, you and your companion will both die!"


    Surrounding Xiao Yi were no less than a hundred strong men, among whom the strongest was a Seventh Layer powerhouse from the Yan Family of the royal capital, Yan Ying. Yan Ying''s face was colored with greed, staring intently at the blood-red longsword in Xiao Yi''s hand, "I am Yan Ying from the royal capital''s Yan Family. Offer up the famous sword to me, and I''ll spare your life!"


    Xiao Yi looked coldly at the hundred or so men in front of him, with even more strong men watching silently around them.


    If he lacked the strength to keep this sword.


    The onlooking strong men would certainly swarm like hungry wolves.


    Fang Qingzhu remained silent, holding the Purple Cloud Whip, standing by his side.


    Niu Dali hesitated for a moment, sighed lightly and also stood shoulder to shoulder with him, looking at Xiao Yi askance, "Don''t look at me like that. I''m just honoring a bet! Since you''ve earned this famous sword''s recognition, from now on, you''re my brother. How can a younger brother stand by and watch you get mobbed?"


    Even with Fang Qingzhu and Niu Dali''s help, they were still three against a hundred.


    Completely at a disadvantage!


    Yan Ying sneered ominously, "Are you still not ready to give me the famous sword?"


    "Enough with the nonsense. The sword is in my hand, if you have the guts, come and take it!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    "Seeking death!"


    Yan Ying''s eyes turned fierce, and he suddenly vanished from the spot, appearing in front of Xiao Yi with a whoosh. Clutching a third-grade Yuan longsword with a silvery gleam and dragon patterns coiling around it, he proclaimed, "According to the Pavilion, Listen to the Rain and Wind!"


    Rustle rustle!


    The sword chant sounded as if a sudden rainstorm was descending, straining straight for Xiao Yi''s heart.


    Faced with such a cunning thrust, Xiao Yi showed no expression as the power of Sword Intent enveloped him. The invisible and intangible force of Sword Intent was terrifying. As it surged, Yan Ying''s body shook, feeling as if the man before him had transformed into an invincible sword sovereign!


    Unmatched!


    "Not good..."


    It was this moment of distraction that allowed Yan Ying to regain his senses, his pupils constricting as he felt the aura of death envelop him.


    Thud!


    A sword stroke passed.


    Yan Ying screamed as Xiao Yi cleaved him in two!


    The astonishing Sword Intent soared into the heavens, causing all swords within the Sword Tomb to resonate in unison.


    Xiao Yi stood like a king among swords, stepping on Yan Ying''s corpse, and looked coldly at the crowd, "Who else?"

 Chapter 44 - 44 Pressing Hard

    "Who else?"


    Xiao Yi stood on Yan Ying''s corpse, holding the bloodstained longsword, his icy gaze sweeping over the crowd.


    For a moment...


    The would-be challengers among the strong were all effectively intimidated into inaction.


    None dared to step forward!


    Even Yan Ying, a powerhouse of the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, was no match for a single stroke of his blade; who among them would dare to advance?


    While everyone was still considering their options, an icy voice suddenly rang out, "Do you really think you can steal the treasured heirloom of Mingjian Manor, commit murder within our Sword Tomb, and not have to explain yourself to me?"


    The crowd looked toward the source of the voice.


    It was an old man with youthful features and white hair, whose powerful aura was unmatched, having reached the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    Following him were Yun Fan and the woman in brocade.


    The pair, with faces full of smug smiles, looked at Xiao Yi with a tilted gaze, Yun Fan said viciously, "I truly didn''t expect you to gain the approval of the heirloom sword of Mingjian Manor, but sadly for you, the sword will no longer be yours shortly!" S��arch* The N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The white-haired, youthful-faced elder looked at the Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hands, his eyes also shining with a greedy fervor that he couldn''t hide, "This sword is the heirloom treasure of Mingjian Manor, hidden beneath this Lava Lake, yet you had the audacity to steal it, a crime unforgivable!"


    "Who are you?" Xiao Yi asked with narrowed eyes.


    The elder gave a cold smile, "I am Jian San, the third elder of Mingjian Manor!"


    "Does everyone from Mingjian Manor have no shame like you?"


    Xiao Yi''s expression was indifferent, "Your Mingjian Manor made it clear that whoever gains the approval of a famous sword within the Sword Tomb could take it. Now that I have the Fire Qilin Sword''s approval, you accuse me of stealing your treasure? Do you think I''m an easy target?"


    "Humph, shameless ingrate, I am bullying you, and what can you do about it? The rules of Mingjian Manor are for us to dictate. If I say it''s yours, then it''s yours; if I say it''s not, then it''s not. What can you possibly do to me?" Jian San spoke coldly, with an air of arrogance.


    Mingjian Manor is stronger than you, so yes, I''m bullying you. What are you going to do about it?


    Yun Fan burst into laughter, "Kid, if you kneel and beg for mercy, maybe I can plead with the third elder on your behalf and let you keep your whole corpse!"


    The brocade-clad woman beside him ground her teeth, her eyes filled with hatred as she stared at Fang Qingzhu, "And this woman, I want her to crawl on her knees to me, begging for mercy, her face cut, thrown into a brothel..."


    Xiao Yi''s face turned cold, and the Fire Qilin Sword in his hand moved suddenly.


    A flash of fiery sword light passed.


    Thud!


    The brocade-clad woman''s body shuddered, her head soared into the air, blood spraying over Yun Fan.


    Yun Fan, dumbfounded, "You, you dare to kill her?"


    Xiao Yi responded coldly, "Keep your idle chatter to yourself, or I''ll slaughter you as well!"


    "You not only dare to steal the treasure of Mingjian Manor but also kill someone in my presence; don''t you think you are not giving Mingjian Manor the respect it deserves?" Jian San said darkly, with heavy emphasis on each word.


    Mingjian Manor presides over Mingjian City, and it is the oldest and most powerful sword-casting family in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    It has interactions with numerous aristocratic families.


    Even the royal family has close ties with them; isn''t their status exalted?


    Xiao Yi had dared to commit murder before him, and in Jian San''s eyes, this was a direct slap in the face.


    "Old dog, shut your mouth!"


    Xiao Yi looked coldly at Jian San, "The rules of the Sword Tomb were set by your Mingjian Manor. You change them at your whim, treating us like monkeys? Today I took the Fire Qilin Sword, but what if someone else takes a higher-grade sword tomorrow? Will you accuse them of stealing the treasure, too?"


    Yun Fan said with a sneer, "If anything, it''s your fault for not having a powerful enough background. My brother Yun Lei is not only the eldest son of the Yun Family but also a genius on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List, and he took a fourth-grade famous sword from the Sword Tomb!"


    Xiao Yi mused, "So, to take a sword from here, one must have a profound background, is that it?"


    "Of course!"


    Yun Fan said, full of pride.


    However, Jian San''s face darkened, silently cursing, realizing something was amiss.


    Indeed...


    Upon hearing Yun Fan''s words, the faces of the other powerhouses in the Sword Tomb changed, "The ones who previously obtained several famed swords were all from noble families in the capital, and if not, they were masters from the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List. That''s why Mingjian Manor didn''t target them, right?"


    "Who would dare to come to Mingjian Manor after this?"


    "So you''re saying we common folk are just giving Mingjian Manor money for nothing? Even if we get hold of anything valuable, we won''t be able to take it with us, and might even lose our lives here..."


    Jian San''s face turned furious as he slapped his palm toward Xiao Yi, "You mongrel, how dare you tarnish the reputation of my Sword Mountain Manor? Die!"


    Hum!


    Shocking Sword Qi burst forth from the body.


    In Jian San''s hand appeared a cyan longsword with an Azure Dragon coiled around its edge, which emitted a dragon roar-like sword cry that was deafening as he swung the sword, "Human Sword Skill!"


    Whoosh!


    The Green Edge Sword drew a beautiful arc, and in an instant, it seemed as though dozens, if not hundreds, of sword shadows came slashing through the air. These sword shadows exploded in the sky, covering the heavens and earth with their impressive might. Niu Dali''s expression changed continuously, "Be careful, this is the ''Human Sword Skill'' from Sword Mountain Manor''s ''Heaven Earth Human Sword'', you cannot withstand it with brute force!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, with an icy look in his eyes to the extreme, "Soul Chasing, Life Snatching!"


    Hum!


    The Fire Qilin Sword glowed red alarmingly, and under the envelopment of Sword Intent, the actual Fire Qilin Sword seemed to tremble faintly.


    Two beams of sword light collided like the tip of a needle against a stalk of wheat.


    Boom!


    The clashing sword lights scattered terrifying Sword Qi in all directions.


    Thump thump thump!


    Xiao Yi took several steps back, glanced at his palm, and saw that the tiger''s mouth had burst open, with blood rolling down, "A powerhouse of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, indeed not someone I can currently contend with!"


    He felt a sense of admiration for Jian San''s strength in his heart.


    Jian San was equally shocked, "First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, yet he has mastered the power of Sword Intent? Since when did the Tianqing Kingdom have such a genius?"


    Sword Intent.


    This usually indicates a high likelihood of achieving the Golden Core in the future!


    In Tianqing Kingdom, being in the Golden Core Realm would be a rightful giant, and the lord of Sword Mountain Manor was at the Golden Core Realm.


    A chill flashed in Jian San''s eyes, "This young man must not be spared. If allowed to grow, he will surely become a major threat to my Sword Mountain Manor in the future."


    Whoosh!


    As the thought flashed through Jian San''s mind, his longsword soared through the air, and he said coldly, "Earth Sword Skill!"


    "Heaven Earth Human Sword" is divided into three skills.


    Human Sword injures people.


    Earth Sword kills people.


    Heaven Sword vanquishes the soul!


    The Earth Sword Skill gushed close to the ground, sending Sword Qi soaring into the sky, and wherever it passed, several powerhouses were cut in two before they could dodge. Amidst the churning dust and smoke, the sword light headed straight for Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi raised his sword to meet the attack, his sword light shining like cold stars in the sky, constantly repelling Jian San''s assaults, but he himself was also forced back to the edge of the Lava Lake.


    Jian San, with a hideous smile, said, "To think you have grasped Sword Intent at the Divine Passage Realm, your talent is truly terrifying, but as long as I kill you, even the strongest talent will be in vain!"


    Hu!


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi exhaled a turbid breath, squinted at Jian San, and revealed a cruel smile, "I had no intention of becoming an enemy of Sword Mountain Manor, but you force my hand, don''t blame me!"


    "Force your hand? I am indeed forcing you, what can you do to me?" Jian San snickered.


    However, the next moment...


    The smile on his face vanished completely, he stared at Xiao Yi in stunned outrage, "You, you madman, stop at once..."

 Chapter 45 - 45 From Now On, No More Sword Tomb

    A boundless Sword Intent suddenly released from Xiao Yi''s body.


    The Sword Intent lotus within him bloomed completely, and a streak of blood-red light burst forth from within that lotus.


    It penetrated his body and enveloped his entire figure.


    In his hands, the Fire Qilin Sword trembled and buzzed, formidable sword light soaring into the sky while the blade itself vibrated intensely. A Fifth Grade Yuan Bing is not so easily forged; aside from needing precious materials, it also requires awakening.


    With the same materials, without awakening, it would at most be considered a peak Fourth Grade Yuan Bing.


    And upon completion of the awakening...


    It could then be called Fifth Grade!


    The Sword Spirit felt the boundless Sword Intent within Xiao Yi and seemed to send an excited cheer.


    The entire blade shook continuously, and all the swords in the hands of the strong ones within the Sword Tomb also began to buzz and tremble, as if they were about to unsheathe themselves: "What, what''s happening? Why doesn''t my sword obey me..."


    "This, this is Sword Intent, he''s using Sword Intent to summon the allegiance of a myriad of swords!"


    "Oh my gosh, something big is going to happen!"


    Everyone had a look of horror on their faces.


    Why is it that only Fifth Grade and above Yuan Bing require awakening and the gathering of an Artifact Spirit? It''s because Fifth Grade Yuan Bing are mostly in the hands of Golden Core Realm experts, and these experts all comprehend the martial dao''s essences.


    Only with the power of the martial dao''s essence can the Artifact Spirit truly be stimulated.


    Xiao Yi activated the Fire Qilin Sword''s Artifact Spirit with Sword Intent, thoroughly awakening it as if a slumbering sovereign had been roused.


    When the sovereign awakes, all nations submit.


    When the Sword Spirit revives, a myriad of swords come to pay homage!


    "Madman, you madman... you''re going to destroy the Sword Tomb, you''re trying to offend Mingjian Manor to death..." Jian San''s eyes were completely filled with bloodshot, and the cold light within them was as sharp as a blade''s edge.


    Jian San''s figure flashed, furiously rushing towards Xiao Yi.


    "Don''t you dare harm my Xiao Yi!"


    Fang Qingzhu stood in his way with a sidestep, her Purple Cloud Whip whirling through the air, coiled around Jian San''s ankle and yanked fiercely.


    Swish!


    Jian San was tripped unexpectedly and fell to the ground.


    The Purple Cloud Whip merged with Fang Qingzhu as one, as easy to command as her own limb, and as it waved, it coiled Jian San up high, then wrapped around him layer by layer. Jian San was unable to break free for a moment, his eyes flashing coldly: "You are courting death!"


    Swish!


    A light flashed on the storage ring, and the Green Edge Sword kept cutting the Purple Cloud Whip.


    Sparks flew everywhere.


    The Purple Cloud Whip was merely a First Grade Yuan Bing, while the Green Edge Sword was a Third Grade Yuan Bing. In their clash, the whip was severed by just three strokes. Jian San, once free, charged toward Fang Qingzhu: "You little wench, dare to block me, die!"


    Swish!


    Jian San slashed out with a palm, and Fang Qingzhu spat blood as she was sent flying backward, while a cold light flowed in his eyes: "Die!"


    The Green Edge Sword thrust forward, aiming straight for Fang Qingzhu''s heart.


    But at that moment...


    Niu Dali suddenly made a move, grasping a black great sword in both hands and with a thunk struck down on the Green Edge Sword, blocking Jian San''s attack. His black great sword was also covered in cracks, his eyes full of distress: "Dammit, what skill is there in hitting a woman? Have the guts to fight your grandpa Niu!"


    "You''re courting death!"


    Jian San was furious, sword in hand.


    But just at that time...


    Atop the Sword Tomb, a sword stele suddenly burst apart with a bang.


    Swish!


    A sword light soared into the sky.


    Then the second stele.


    The third stele.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    With every stele''s explosion, a sword rose to the heavens, converging toward Xiao Yi''s location.


    "No. No..."


    Jian San''s eyes were nearly splitting, each explosion of a stele signifying a famous sword breaking free from its seal. Without the protection of the steles, these masterless swords, though they could not be recognized by an owner, could still be taken away directly.


    The entire Sword Tomb kept rumbling, one sword after another appearing before everyone.


    All were stunned.


    Inside the Sword Tomb, more than a hundred thousand swords��this was the wealth accumulated by Mingjian Manor over hundreds of years��were now all exposed before everyone.


    Seeing the scattered Yuan Bing longswords all around, everyone felt as if an invisible hand was choking their throats, unable to breathe.


    Xiao Yi was covered in red Sword Intent, he roared, "What are you all waiting for? These swords now belong to no one, why aren''t you taking them?" S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Right, grab them quickly!"


    "Grab and run..."


    The crowd was momentarily stunned, and then their eyes turned bloodshot with excitement as they yelled out.


    Faced with a substantial reward, there will always be brave takers!


    Even the lowest grade of Yuan Bing was worth tens of thousands of silver, so grabbing any sword and you''d make a killing!


    One after another, strong figures began to crazily loot the longswords that were scattered everywhere.


    The scene descended into chaos.


    "Let''s go!"


    Seizing the chaos, Xiao Yi grabbed Fang Qingzhu and made a break for it, snatching up famous swords along the way and shoving them into his storage ring.


    "Stop..."


    Jian San''s eyes were filled with rage as he saw Xiao Yi taking away two fourth-grade famous swords, at least six third-grade famous swords, and not to mention the fifth-grade famous sword, the Fire Qilin Sword. Xiao Yi had practically looted half of the sword tomb!


    Jian San wanted to chase after Xiao Yi but was blocked by the other strong figures who were crazily looting the famous swords, "Get out of the way!"


    "Fuck off, can''t you see I''m busy grabbing swords?" several of them cursed back without even lifting their heads.


    "Stop right there! These treasures belong to Mingjian Manor. Whoever dares to take them, I''ll kill..." Jian San shouted hysterically, but his voice was gradually drowned out by the clamor of others fighting over the longswords.


    In the midst of the crowd.


    Niu Dali swallowed hard, hurriedly snatched up a few longswords and threw them into his storage ring, then dashed off in Xiao Yi''s direction, "Bro, wait for me..."


    "Xiao Yi, Yun Fan is over there..." Qingzhu spotted Yun Fan in the crowd, who was also grabbing swords.


    A cold light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes, "Die!"


    The longsword pierced through the air, and with a ''thud'', Yun Fan''s head, who was laughing heartily while holding a third-grade Yuan Bing famous sword, was lopped off. Even in death, his face retained an excited grin.


    Without stopping, Xiao Yi quickly dashed out of the tomb of swords.


    Outside the tomb of swords.


    Several figures from Sword Mountain Manor looked at the appearances of Xiao Yi and his companions in front of them, all taken aback and then laughed, "There''s still a while before the tomb closes, and you''re leaving already? Seems like you''ve found something good!"


    Xiao Yi nodded with a smile, "Lucky, got some loot!"


    "Haha, then congratulations!"


    "You''re too kind!"


    Xiao Yi gave a slight smile, then quickly left with Fang Qingzhu towards the outside of Mingjian Manor.


    The two figures from Sword Mountain Manor exchanged glances and laughed, "Looks like they got a nice sword and are worried others might covet it, that''s why they are running!"


    "At best, it''s a second-grade famous sword. You think it''s easy to get a third-grade or higher?" another sneered.


    "Yeah, without enough backing, even if you get the sword, you can''t keep it!"


    "All just fools giving away their money, thinking they''ve taken advantage, but in reality, aren''t they just being played like monkeys by our Mingjian Manor?"


    The two were still talking.


    Suddenly, several figures rushed out of the sword tomb without uttering a word and left directly.


    Soon after...


    The third, the fourth...


    About seven or eight hundred strong figures escaped from the sword tomb. All of them left without any delay, quickly disappearing.


    This left the two guards completely dumbfounded, "What''s happening?"


    "Stop them..."


    A furious roar rang out. Jian San, his body drenched in blood, appeared before the two men. His eyes were bloodshot with anger as he bellowed, "Where are the man and woman who were the first to leave? Where are they?"


    "Huh?"


    "They already left..." The two guards said, still confused.


    "Useless fools!"


    Jian San roared in fury and with a thunderous slap, inflicted severe injuries on the two. Blood swirled in his eyes as tears streamed down his face. He watched as more than a hundred thousand sword steles in the sword tomb were all destroyed. Even though he killed hundreds of strong men, tens of thousands of famous swords were still taken.


    What was worse...


    Xiao Yi had taken the one and only fifth-grade Yuan Bing Fire Qilin Sword, as well as fourth and third-grade famous swords...


    They were practically wiped clean!


    The long-renowned Sword Mountain Manor''s tomb of swords was thoroughly ruined.


    "It''s all over, completely over... The tomb of swords that has been passed down for hundreds of years in my Mingjian Manor is completely ruined..."


    Jian San''s eyes were filled with the fissures of rage. Beyond regret, there was a hysterical madness, "Someone, send out the Sword God Guard Brigade immediately. I want them to chase after that criminal. I will have him torn to pieces..."

 Chapter 46 - 46: A Formidable Enemy Arrives!

    Xiao Yi and his companions fled Mingjian City, running wildly without any pause.


    They ran for a whole day and night before finally stopping.


    Huff huff huff!


    Xiao Yi, Fang Qingzhu, and Niu Dali collapsed on the ground, leaning against the cold rock wall, gasping for air. The continuous running for a day and night had taken a tremendous toll on them.


    They rested for a while.


    Xiao Yi frowned at Niu Dali, "Why are you following us?"


    Gulping for air, Niu Dali said, "Didn''t we make a bet? I lost, you''re my brother, so of course, I have to follow you!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Niu Dali''s bearded face and the profound worry lines on his forehead: "..."


    Fang Qingzhu stuck out her tongue, "You''re old enough to be our uncle..."


    Niu Dali glared, exclaiming, "Who says? I''m only eighteen this year!"


    Hiss!


    The two eyed him, "You''re just eighteen?"


    "Doesn''t it seem so?"


    Seeing their skeptical faces, Niu Dali grew annoyed, "I really am eighteen, I had my birthday last month. I just look a bit older... If I''m lying, may lightning strike me!"


    Xiao Yi looked deeply at Niu Dali, sighing, "You do look quite older for your age!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded seriously.


    Niu Dali: "..."


    Nima!


    I''m still right here, alive and kicking! Can you consider my feelings?


    Xiao Yi said, "My name is Xiao Yi, and this is my wife, Fang Qingzhu."


    "Hello elder brother and sister-in-law!"


    Niu Dali stood up, straightened his clothes, and cupped his fist in greeting, "I''m Niu Dali, you can call me Dali, or Little Niu Niu!"


    "Little Niu Niu?!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth twitched, "I''ll just call you Dali. We''ve already left the sphere of influence of Mingjian City. The people from Mingjian City probably won''t catch up to us now, so let''s part ways here!"


    "Don''t leave, big brother!"


    Niu Dali hurriedly said, "It''s not good for brothers to part so soon after recognizing each other. Wherever you go, I''ll follow!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    God damn recognition!


    Xiao Yi said with a dark face, "We''re going to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, you want to follow there too?"


    Thumping his thigh, Niu Dali chuckled, "See, that''s fate! Elder brother, I am also planning to apply to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, it''s the same path! Elder brother and sister-in-law, please take me with you!"


    Fang Qingzhu said, "Xiao Yi brother, back in the Sword Tomb, if it weren''t for Dali''s help, I would''ve died at the hands of Jian San!"


    After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yi nodded, "Alright, then we''ll go to the capital together."


    "Thank you, big brother, thank you, sister-in-law!"


    Niu Dali grinned, then his face showed a worried expression, "Big brother, we''ve raided the Sword Tomb, and the people from Mingjian Manor won''t let it go easily, right? I heard their manor master is a Golden Core Realm expert, if we fall into his hands, it will be a disaster for us!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Don''t worry, that manor master from the Mingjian Manor surely wasn''t in Mingjian City, otherwise, we wouldn''t have been able to escape. As long as we can reach the capital and enter the Royal Martial Arts Academy, even Mingjian Manor can''t do anything to us!"


    "Big brother is so wise!"


    "Cut the flattery. If you''re going to be my little brother, you need to be prepared to act like one. We haven''t eaten anything all day, go find us some food!" Xiao Yi commanded.


    "Right away, on it!"


    Niu Dali scampered off.


    Xiao Yi took out the swords, clanging them onto the ground, and began to count them one by one, "Two fourth-grade, seven third-grade, one hundred sixty-three second-grade swords, worth no less than eighty million silver. This trip to the Sword Tomb really paid off." S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Eighty million plus?"


    Fang Qingzhu gasped in astonishment, such wealth could be compared to the total assets of the four great families of the past.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Once we reach the Royal Capital, we will sell these Elemental Weapons, then I''ll find one that suits you!"


    It didn''t take long for Niu Dali to return.


    He was carrying a First-layer Demon Beast Iron Leg Pig, his face beaming with a bright smile: "Big brother, sister-in-law, you two just sit back and rest for a while, and let me show off my skills with the legendary roasted whole pig!"


    While saying this, Niu Dali busied himself with starting a fire and roasting the meat.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t bother about him and took out the Fifth Grade Yuan Bing Fire Qilin Sword.


    Hum!


    Upon grasping the Fire Qilin Sword, a burst of fierce flames spat out instantly, scorching the ground into a charred patch where the sword''s edge passed.


    Hiss!


    Fang Qingzhu''s phoenix eyes widened in amazement, "Is this a Fifth Grade Yuan Bing? Just with its power erupting casually, it''s already this terrifying. If it were fully refined, how powerful would it be!"


    "Do you want to see? I''ll refine it right now, and later let you see how powerful it is," Xiao Yi fondled Fang Qingzhu''s head, his eyes filled with doting affection, smiling as he spoke.


    Fang Qingzhu nodded obediently.


    Xiao Yi then sat down cross-legged to begin refining the Fire Qilin Sword.


    Fifth Grade Yuan Bing.


    Even within the Royal Capital, it was considered a first-class existence.


    If Xiao Yi could refine it and completely master the Fire Qilin Sword, his combat strength would undoubtedly climb to another level.


    Under the shade of a nearby tree, Xiao Yi sat with legs crossed, refining the Fire Qilin Sword with a posture of ''five hearts facing the sky''.


    Before long, an hour had passed.


    The body of the Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hands buzzed, radiating streaks of crimson light. Then the red light retracted inwards, disappearing completely, and Xiao Yi opened his eyes. Holding the Fire Qilin Sword, he leaped up high and slashed diagonally, sending out a red sword light that howled forth with a whoosh.


    Five meters away, a thousand-pound boulder was split cleanly into eight pieces.


    Hiss!


    Niu Dali stood agape, bewildered: "Holy shit, is this sword really this powerful?"


    Fang Qingzhu also followed, her face filled with admiration, "Xiao Yi, have you finished refining the Fire Qilin Sword?"


    Xiao Yi nodded with a smile, "I can wield it proficiently now, it''s indeed a fine sword!"


    "Big brother, did you really fully refine this Fifth Grade Yuan Bing?"


    Niu Dali looked at Xiao Yi in shock, shaking his head with a wry smile, "You really are a freak! As far as I know, it usually takes ten days to half a month for one to refine a Fifth Grade Yuan Bing, but you did it in an hour, how do you cultivate?"


    Looking at Niu Dali''s plaintive gaze, Xiao Yi smiled, about to speak, but his expression suddenly changed.


    His eyes narrowed sharply.


    The Fire Qilin Sword in his hand trembled, emitting a hot red glow.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "Xiao Yi..."


    "Shush!"


    Xiao Yi made a silencing gesture, holding Fang Qingzhu protectively behind him, his eyes squinting into slits as he looked ahead.


    Thump, thump, thump...


    The urgent sound of galloping hooves grew louder as they approached.


    The ground trembled slightly, and pebbles on the ground kept bouncing.


    Suddenly...


    The sound of the hooves came to a fierce halt and then exploded into a sound several times louder, a cavalry troop of a hundred men riding through the forest swiftly, appearing before Xiao Yi and the others.


    The man at the forefront had an indifferent face, with a black greatsword on his back, his eyes emitting an icy chill, fixating on the Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand. The corner of his mouth twisted into a sinister cold smile, "The Fire Qilin Sword? It seems you are the ones who caused a great uproar at Mingjian Manor, audacious villains. The Sword God Guard Brigade is here, will you not surrender willingly?"

 Chapter 47 - 47 Sword God Guard Brigade

    The Sword God Guard Brigade, numbering a hundred men, each rode a white steed, the Python Blood Horses with python blood lineage.


    Each one was priceless.


    To build the Sword God Guard, Mingjian Manor had spared no expense.


    Their equipment alone was comparable to the royal guards.


    The person leading them was none other than Jian San, the third elder of the Mingjian Manor.


    Jian San''s gaze was icy as he looked at the Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand, a fiery greed flickered deep in his eyes. The Fire Qilin Sword, housed in the Sword Tomb, was the treasured heirloom of the clan, but even Mingjian Manor had never been able to bond with it despite years of effort. Yet now, Xiao Yi, a youth from the First Layer of the Shentong Realm, had claimed the Fire Qilin Sword.


    As the saying goes, "The innocent man who carries a jade will be blamed for it."


    The corners of Jian San''s mouth curled upwards as he coldly said, "Boy, I personally led the Sword God Guard to chase you here, aren''t you going to surrender without a fight?"


    Niu Dali''s forehead was covered in cold sweat, which rolled off like large beans and had already soaked his back. He said in a deep voice, "Big, big brother, why don''t we surrender? This is the Sword God Guard we''re dealing with, the three of us are no match for them..."


    Fang Qingzhu remained silent, simply standing by Xiao Yi''s side.


    Xiao Yi gently patted Fang Qingzhu''s hand, squinted at Jian San, and said, "So, you''re the third elder? May I ask what crime have I committed?" sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jian San replied coldly, "Stealing the treasured Fire Qilin Sword of our Mingjian Manor, isn''t that a crime?"


    "The Fire Qilin Sword was obtained from within the Sword Tomb, and your Mingjian Manor has explicitly stated that whoever can make a sword from the Sword Tomb recognize them as master can become its owner. Mingjian Manor won''t obstruct this, will it?" Xiao Yi said solemnly, his hand gripping the Fire Qilin Sword tightly, ready to execute his sword moves.


    The shamelessness of Mingjian Manor was clearly displayed by Jian San.


    They would never talk rules with you.


    As Jian San said, expecting to take a high-grade famous sword from the Sword Tomb without any backing was nothing less than a fool''s dream!


    Xiao Yi believed that Jian San was no different.


    His previous words were merely a delaying tactic.


    Indeed...


    After hearing Xiao Yi''s words, Jian San burst into laughter, his face filled with mockery. He leaned on his horse''s back and said with a sneer, "Kid, you''re truly na?ve. Haven''t I told you before that not just anyone can take a famous sword from our Mingjian Manor? If that were so, our Mingjian Manor, no matter how powerful our sword forging capability, would still be overwhelmed and ruined!"


    "Enough of your blathering, hand over the Fire Qilin Sword, and I might leave you a whole corpse..." Jian San said coldly.


    Xiao Yi sighed and said, "Well, it seems like the Fire Qilin Sword is not fated to be mine. Then I''ll give it back to you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Jian San was startled, then he laughed out loud, saying, "Not bad, not bad, you are quite sensible." He turned to the two Sword God Guard powerhouses beside him, "You, go get the Fire Qilin Sword, and tie them up while you''re at it!"


    "Yes!"


    The two powerhouses of the Sword God Guard rode forward, looking down on Xiao Yi from their high horses, and with a swish, threw down a rope, "Hand over the Fire Qilin Sword and tie yourselves up!"


    However...


    The-face-that-had-been-creased-in-woe Xiao Yi now showed a trace of icy coldness. With a flourish of his arm, a flash of sword light cut down the two Sword God Guard powerhouses from their horses. Grabbing Fang Qingzhu, he mounted a horse and shouted to the stunned Niu Dali, "What are you waiting for? Mount up, and run!"


    "Ah? Oh..."


    Niu Dali quickly mounted as well.


    Whipping their horses...


    The trio fled on two horses.


    Jian San: "..."


    The entire Sword God Guard: "..."


    Looking at the two cold corpses on the ground, Jian San''s face twisted with ferocious rage as he roared, "Damn it, chase after them! That brat dares to play me for a fool, I''ll have him torn to pieces!"


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Xiao Yi and his two companions were fleeing madly ahead, with the Sword God Guard Brigade hot on their heels.


    During their frantic escape,


    a merchant caravan appeared up ahead, with several horse-drawn wagons and about several dozen guards accompanying them. Sensing the sound of approaching hoofbeats from behind, the head guard, Chen Jie, changed expression, drew his longsword, and roared, "Ambush! Defend!"


    Clang, clang!


    The guards unsheathed their weapons in unison, watching Xiao Yi and his party warily.


    "Make way, people ahead!" Xiao Yi shouted loudly.


    From behind, Jian San, seeing Xiao Yi getting further away, shouted, "Listen, people up front, we are from the Sword God Guard Brigade of Mingjian Manor, in pursuit of criminals. Please help us stop them, and Mingjian Manor will repay you handsomely!"


    Chen Jie''s face underwent a slight change as he glanced at the middle wagon.


    His mission was simply to escort the person and goods within the wagon and he didn''t wish to court trouble.


    However...


    Just as Chen Jie was about to step aside, a sprightly voice came from inside the wagon, "Mingjian Manor? This young lady has had the pleasure of meeting young master Huang Zijian from Mingjian Manor. Chen Jie, take your men and stop those three! If we can owe Mingjian Manor a favor, it will be more convenient to cooperate with them in the future!"


    "Chen Di, it''s better we don''t get involved in this mess..." another voice from the wagon cautioned.


    "Shut up!"


    The owner of the previous voice, Chen Di, spoke impatiently, "You spineless coward, always afraid of this and that, how can you ever achieve anything great? Chen Jie, what are you waiting for? Don''t just stand there, attack!"


    "Yes!"


    Chen Jie let out a helpless sigh and bellowed, "Stop them!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The group of guards acted in unison, forming a line across the official road, blocking Xiao Yi''s path.


    Whoa!


    Xiao Yi pulled hard on the reins. The Sword God Guard Brigade was gaining from behind, while Chen Jie and his men blocked the road ahead. Xiao Yi spoke in a deep voice, "Brother, I bear you no grudge, and this is a personal grievance between myself and Mingjian Manor. Please step aside and let us pass!"


    Chen Jie did not speak.


    Chen Di''s cold laugh emerged from within the wagon, "This young lady has had the pleasure of encountering young master Huang Zijian from Mingjian Manor, and I know well that Mingjian Manor has always cherished its reputation, acting with justice and integrity. If the Sword God Guard Brigade is pursuing you, you must be extremely vile criminals. As martial artists, we have the duty to act chivalrously and uphold justice on behalf of the heavens!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Fang Qingzhu: "..."


    Niu Dali, fuming with nostrils flaring, bellowed, "To hell with upholding justice on behalf of the heavens, you prattle without knowing the actual truth. If you have the guts, come out here, and I, old Niu, will punch your head into pieces!"


    Whoosh!


    Chen Di emerged from the wagon with a sullen face, her venomous gaze fixed on Xiao Yi and his company, "Hmph, this young lady is standing right here. Let''s see you try to smash my head!"


    "You..."


    Niu Dali''s face turned shades of red and white.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    The sound of approaching hoofbeats grew louder, accompanied by Jian San''s triumphant voice, "Hahaha, friends up ahead, thanks for your assistance. Three little runts, your end is sealed..."


    Xiao Yi''s expression darkened as if it could drip water, and he said in a grave tone, "I''m asking one last time, step aside!"


    "Hmph, what if I don''t?" Chen Di retorted confidently.


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of turbid air, and said coldly, "Since you won''t move, then prepare to die!"

 Chapter 48 - 48: First Visit to the Royal Capital

    "If you won''t yield, then go to die!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice was filled with a chilling intent to kill.


    He had already spoken in good faith, but the other party wouldn''t give an inch.


    The Sword God Guard Brigade was getting closer and closer behind them.


    If they got caught between the two forces, the three of them were certainly heading down a path of no return.


    Facing Xiao Yi''s threat, Chen Jie''s expression turned grave, while Chen Di was fearless and mocking, "Die? Hahaha, you''re delusional. Just with you three? Among my guards, there are six at the Divine Passage Realm, and Chen Jie who leads them is a powerhouse at the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. Who do you think you are? Hoping to kill all of us? Dream on..."


    While speaking,


    Chen Di glanced at Chen Jie with an air of indifference and said, "Chen Jie, cripple this brat for me, cut off his tongue, and gouge out his eyes. I want to see what he''s capable of that he dares to threaten me like this!"


    "Yes!"


    Chen Jie took a deep breath and looked at Xiao Yi, "An order from the master cannot be disobeyed, I apologize! But rest assured, I''ll make it quick for you!"


    Whoosh!


    The moment Chen Jie finished speaking, he swiftly thrust with his sword.


    Being at the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm and particularly confident in his exquisite sword technique, he had complete confidence in himself.


    However...


    Against Chen Jie''s rapid and relentless assault, Xiao Yi just let out a cold snort, and his Fire Qilin Sword cleaved through the air with a slash.


    Clang!


    A crisp sound echoed.


    Chen Jie''s figure suddenly halted.


    His longsword dropped to the ground with a clang, and his mighty steed continued forward two steps before collapsing, with both horse and rider being split in half.


    They had been cleaved in two by a single stroke of Xiao Yi''s sword.


    Hiss!


    The group of guards looked at each other in shock.


    Chen Di fell off the carriage with a thud, his face a picture of befuddled horror as he looked at Chen Jie, split into two halves, "This, this, how is this possible? Chen Jie was at the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, and this kid is merely at the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, how can he be so strong..."


    Xiao Yi looked coldly at the remaining guards, "Scram, or die!"


    Whoosh!


    The guards dared not to obstruct any further.


    They stepped back one after another.


    Xiao Yi and his two companions spurred their horses and galloped away, raising a cloud of dust behind them.


    A moment later...


    Jian San and his men finally caught up, only to see Xiao Yi and his friends disappearing into the distance. He was unable to contain his fury, glaring at Chen Di, "What happened here? Weren''t you supposed to stop them? Why did you let them go?"


    Chen Di stuttered, "This, this lord, just now that young man was surprisingly strong, even the captain of my guards was slain by his sword, so... so..."


    Slap!


    Jian San slapped him across the face, sending Chen Di tumbling to the ground, and bellowed with a dark face, "Useless, all of you are useless... Your guards are nothing but cannon fodder, even if all had died, what would it matter? But now, you''ve let them get away for nothing... Men, kill all these wretches, leave none alive!"


    "No. Don''t..."


    Chen Di''s face immediately turned pale, devoid of any color, as he knelt on the ground and yelled.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    The Sword God Guard Brigade, in their rage, frantically began slaying Chen Di''s guards.


    Chen Di, his complexion drained of color, reeked of fear and had evidently completely lost control of his bladder.


    "Elder, what should we do with this woman?" a guard asked.


    Jian San responded coldly, "Kill her!"


    Clang!


    The guard raised his longsword.


    Just then...


    Huo Zhen suddenly burst out from the carriage, shielding Chen Di and shouting, "Lord, my young miss is acquainted with Mr. Huang Zijian, please consider Mr. Huang''s face and spare us!"


    "Hmm?"


    The guard hesitated, looking towards Jian San.


    Jian San squinted his eyes and asked, "You know Mr. Huang?"


    "Yes, yes..."


    Huo Zhen hastily nodded.


    Jian San stroked his chin and said, "Well then, since you know Mr. Huang, I''ll spare you this time. However, our Sword God Guard Brigade has been inconvenienced by you all, and these goods shall serve as compensation; we''re taking them!"


    "This is unacceptable..." Chen Di''s complexion changed.


    "What did you say?" Jian San narrowed his eyes, staring at him.


    Huo Zhen quickly covered Chen Di''s mouth and said with a forced smile, "It''s okay, it''s okay, you take it, please!"


    "Hmph!"


    Jian San snorted coldly, eyes still narrowed as he looked in the direction Xiao Yi and the others had left. "After half a day''s journey, we''ll arrive at the royal city, but at their current speed, we won''t catch up. No matter, we''ll head back to Mingjian Manor first and inform the master to see what to do next!"


    Then,


    The Sword God Guard Brigade, along with the Chen Family''s goods, made their departure.


    For a time,


    all that remained on the imperial road were Chen Di and Huo Zhen.


    Chen Di slumped to the ground, while Huo Zhen said with a look of pity, "Cousin, don''t be sad..."


    Slap!


    With a backhand slap, Chen Di struck Huo Zhen fiercely across the face, glaring at him with disgust and contempt in her eyes, "You''re useless, hiding in the carriage just now, and now coming out to comfort me? You and those three bastards all deserve to die..."


    "Cousin, it''s, it''s not their fault. If you hadn''t insisted on stopping them, none of this would have happened..." Huo Zhen said with a mournful expression.


    Slap!


    "Whose fault is it then if not theirs? They offended Sword Mountain Manor and got chased; they should simply have stopped and let Sword Mountain Manor capture them. Not only would we not have been implicated, but we could have also gained Sword Mountain Manor''s favor. But they resisted, causing us to suffer Sword Mountain Manor''s wrath..."


    Chen Di slapped him again, her eyes full of hatred and ferocity. As far as she was concerned, once Chen Jie made his move to stop them, Xiao Yi and his group should have surrendered. But Xiao Yi resisted, filling Chen Di with resentment. She gritted her teeth and said, "I''ve memorized that kid''s face. Even if he turns to ashes, I won''t forget him... He''d better pray he never meets me again, or I will tear him limb from limb... I will make him wish for death that he will not find!"


    ...


    Huo Zhen opened his mouth, but the burning pain on his face stopped him from saying anything further.


    Chen Di shakily got up, glaring at Huo Zhen, "What are you standing there for? Aren''t you going to drive the carriage and take me home?"


    "Yes, yes..."


    With a face full of resignation, Huo Zhen obediently took control of the carriage and headed towards the royal city.


    Meanwhile,


    Xiao Yi and his group were racing on their python-blood steeds, and after half a day''s travel, they finally saw the majestic royal city.


    "We''ve finally arrived!"


    "Once we''re in the royal city, Sword Mountain Manor will surely hesitate to take action..."


    Xiao Yi and the others heaved a sigh of relief.


    Moments later,


    They arrived at the city gate; facing the vast city, especially a gate five to six times larger than Nanhuang City, Fang Qingzhu couldn''t help but express in awe, "This is truly the royal city; it''s so grand, so prosperous..." S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Cut it out, what country bumpkin is this, coming to the city for the first time?" an inopportune voice remarked from the side, belonging to a young man in brocade, with a look of scorn.


    Fang Qingzhu''s expression dimmed, feeling as if she had embarrassed Xiao Yi, and she lowered her head.


    Xiao Yi held Fang Qingzhu''s gentle hand and said with a light laugh, "Don''t mind what others say; just being ourselves is enough."


    "Mhm!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded obediently.


    As the young man opened his mouth, Niu Dali glared back at him with a fierce look.


    The young man''s breath caught.


    Anger flashed across his face. Just as he was about to speak, a luxurious carriage slowly approached. The young man''s face was filled with envy, "Damn, that''s the highest-class carriage from Treasure Pavilion, worth over a million silver each. I wonder who owns it... If I could just touch this kind of carriage once in my life, dying would be worth it!"


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    The carriage stopped right beside Xiao Yi and the others, and the elder driving it approached respectfully, "May I ask if you are Xiao Yi, sir?"


    "I am!" Xiao Yi nodded and asked, "And you are?"


    The elder''s face shone with a bright smile, "This humble servant comes at the command of Miss Xue''er, waiting especially for you, sir. The young mistress awaits you at her residence; would you please board the carriage?"


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi, leading Fang Qingzhu, boarded the carriage.


    Before boarding, Niu Dali glanced at the dumbfounded young man and teased, "Want to come over for a touch?"


    Thud!


    The young man collapsed to the ground, his face burning with pain, "..."


    He''d never expected that the so-called country bumpkins were actually the owners of the sumptuous carriage he''d dreamed of touching...


    What a disgraceful turn of events!

 Chapter 49 - 49 Lingering Spirit

    Treasure Pavilion in Wangdu.


    This was not something that could be compared to any branch in Nanhuang, the facade alone was much taller than the city gates of Nanhuang City, and the interior decorations were even more luxurious.


    The area in front served as the business district, while the back was a luxury residential area.


    The high-ranking members of the Treasure Pavilion lived in this particular area.


    Xue''er''s home was among them.


    The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of Xue''er''s house, and the old man said with a smile, "Xiao, the young miss instructed that upon your arrival, you may directly enter."


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi took out one hundred silver taels and handed them to the old man, smiling as he spoke.


    The old man hastily waved his hands, "This really isn''t necessary..."


    "It''s fine! You just take it," Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    The old man wore a grateful expression, "Thank you, young master!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, the guards at the door recognized the old man, and as they saw Xiao Yi and the two others get off the carriage, they came forward to greet them, "Xiao, please follow me!"


    They walked through a labyrinth-like corridor and arrived at the back courtyard.


    Xue''er, donning a white long dress, was sitting in the garden, supporting her cheek with her delicate hand, her eyes fixed on the glimmering ripples on the water''s surface. The guard''s voice reached from outside, "Miss, Xiao has arrived!"


    "Ah?"


    Xue''er was startled, then came back to her senses and saw Xiao Yi and the three people arriving. A bright smile appeared on her face, "Xiao Yi, Qingzhu, you''ve finally come, Xue''er has been waiting for you for quite some days!"


    She walked forward and took Fang Qingzhu''s hand, her face full of happiness.


    "Xue''er, what were you just looking at?" Fang Qingzhu asked curiously.


    Xue''er stuck out her tongue, "Nothing! It''s just that you weren''t here, and I was so bored... Qingzhu, your timing is just perfect... Tomorrow night, there will be a grand auction at the Wangdu Auction House, and I''ll take you both there to look around!"


    "The Wangdu Auction House?"


    "An auction? Xue''er, does that auction accept elemental weapons?" Xiao Yi asked.


    He now had a bunch of elemental weapons in his possession, including two fourth-grade ones. Although they were worth over eighty million, they were just a pile of scrap metal if he couldn''t sell them!


    Xue''er was surprised and curiously asked, "Xiao Yi, do you have elemental weapons to sell?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I''ve got some elemental weapons and was worrying about how to sell them."


    Xue''er said, "Xiao Yi, I''ve arranged a reception banquet for you tonight. You give me the elemental weapons, and I''ll have someone take them to the Wangdu Auction House for an appraisal. If the price is right, we''ll let them auction it off, how about that?"


    "No problem!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and handed over a pile of elemental weapons to Xue''er. He found searching for buyers too troublesome and was glad to have Xue''er handle it for him.


    Xue''er immediately called a guard and instructed him to take the elemental weapons to the Wangdu Auction House. She then led Xiao Yi and the others to the dining hall. She had been preparing for this reception banquet since she returned to Wangdu and didn''t call many people, just a young man dressed in fine clothes, with a handsome and distinguished appearance.


    Xue''er introduced them with a smile, "Xiao Yi, Qingzhu, Uncle Dali..." She directly ignored Niu Dali''s sorrowful gaze and continued, "This is Qi..."


    Before Xue''er could finish the introduction.


    The young man stepped forward with a smile and greeted the three with a bow, "My name is Jiang Tai, but everyone is accustomed to calling me Qi Shao!"


    "Nice to meet you, Jiang!"


    "Greetings, Qi Shao!"


    After exchanging greetings, they took their seats.


    The wine flowed and the courses continued, one after another.


    Jiang Tai raised his glass in a toast to Xiao Yi, smiling as he asked, "Xiao Brother, I often hear Xue''er talk about your heroic deeds. If it weren''t for your timely intervention at the Southern Desolate Mountain Range, that girl would have suffered a terrible fate!"


    "Brother Jiang Tai, you..." Xue''er looked at him with an aggrieved face. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hahaha..."


    Jiang Tai laughed nonchalantly and then turned to Xiao Yi, asking meaningfully, "Xiao Brother, Xue''er mentioned that you are interested in applying to the Royal Martial Arts Academy?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I do have that intention!"


    Jiang Tai exclaimed with a hint of regret, "What a pity, I don''t really have any acquaintances at the Royal Martial Arts Academy... However, if you are interested, I could certainly recommend you to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!"


    "The Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Hasn''t it been in decline for many years? What''s the use of going there..." Niu Dali said, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said with a smile, "Let''s try the Royal Martial Arts Academy first. If it really doesn''t work out, I''ll definitely have to bother Brother Jiang then!"


    "Don''t mention it!"


    The meal passed in a harmonious atmosphere, and everyone dispersed afterwards.


    The night passed without event.


    Next morning.


    With an invitation card and a golden card in hand, Xue''er found Xiao Yi, who was practicing in the courtyard at dawn, "Brother Xiao Yi, there''s news from the Royal Martial Arts Academy... Those valuable soldiers they are providing two options, one is consignment, your share will be based on the auction price. The other is to buy them outright for one billion silver. They''ve already brought the money over, which option do you choose?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "Buy them outright for one billion silver?"


    By his estimation, those valuable soldiers were worth only about eighty million, and the other party was offering a direct price of one billion?


    Xiao Yi looked at Xue''er and thought to himself, "Probably because they want to favor Xue''er."


    Reluctant to bother with it, he said, "Just sell them outright!"


    "Alrighty!"


    Xue''er handed the golden card to Xiao Yi, and then the invitation, "This is for the auction tonight, but I have something to do and can''t make it, so you''ll have to take Sister Qingzhu and the others!"


    "No problem!"


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "You go ahead with your business!"


    "Mhm!"


    With a sweet smile, Xue''er bounced out of the courtyard and waved her hand at Xiao Yi without turning back, "Brother Xiao Yi, you should rest! I''m going to take Sister Qingzhu out for a stroll in the city. You haven''t even bought her a few pieces of jewelry; I''m really going to look down on you..."


    Watching the sprite-like Xue''er hop away, Xiao Yi touched his nose and said half-jokingly, "This girl�� she insisted on staying in the same room with Qingzhu last night, and I haven''t even seen Qingzhu this morning, and you''re already taking her out shopping?"


    He shook his head lightly.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged in the small courtyard and continued to immerse himself in his cultivation.


    By the time Fang Qingzhu returned, it was nearly evening, and Xiao Yi and his companions took a carriage straight to the Royal Martial Arts Institute''s auction house.


    As he presented the invitation, the guard at the door became noticeably more respectful: "So it''s Xiao, Xu has already instructed us that, should Xiao arrive, please have him take a seat directly in the VIP area!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    VIP area?


    Although he was not very familiar with the Royal Auction House, he knew just how coveted the seats in the VIP area were.


    Could it just be because of the valuable soldiers he sold?


    However, considering the disposition of the Royal Auction House, those soldiers shouldn''t be enough for them to pay such special attention to him, should they?


    While Xiao Yi was musing, a hauntingly familiar voice suddenly came from behind, "Why are you guys here too?"

 Chapter 50 - 50 Auction House

    "Eh? You''re here too?"


    A surprised voice interrupted the trio''s conversation.


    Xiao Yi looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zhang Kang watching them with a look of disdain on his face.


    Chen Di and Huo Zhen followed behind Zhang Kang.


    Huo Zhen nodded towards the three as a greeting.


    Chen Di, with a look of contempt, sneered, "Uncle Zhang, it seems that the Imperial City Auction House is really going downhill under the pressure of your Treasure Pavilion, allowing just anyone to join the auction, eh?"


    "Xu Lai is truly getting worse at handling things, placing such people next to me. The Imperial City Auction House will really fall into decline under his management."


    Zhang Kang also showed a face of disgust, waving over to two guards not far away. Once they approached, he said, "Tell your manager Xu to throw these three out, or at least move them to a corner. They''re a blight on my sight!"


    Chen Di arrogantly said, "They''re just country bumpkins from some backwater village, what money would they have to attend your auction?"


    "This..."


    The two guards looked at each other and said, "Manager Zhang, we''re terribly sorry, we''ll go and call Manager Xu right away!"


    A few moments later.


    Xu Lai arrived in front of them, greeting Zhang Kang with a friendly smile: "Manager Zhang, you honor us with your presence; apologies for not welcoming you from farther away!"


    Although the two parties were competitors, they maintained a cordial facade on the surface.


    Zhang Kang spoke indifferently, "Manager Xu, you''re not being very fair in the way you handle things! I could overlook not being assigned a private box, but to have these three country bumpkins seated next to me is an insult to me, Zhang Kang, isn''t it?"


    Chen Di chimed in from the side, "Yeah, Manager Xu, just look at the three of them, their clothes and taste don''t resemble that of high society. Look at that woman; she doesn''t even have a single decent piece of jewelry on her. These lowly people should be..."


    Slap!


    Before he could finish.


    Chen Di''s face was struck by a slap, the bright red mark bringing a burning pain. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his gaze as if choosing his prey, and spoke deliberately, "Say another word, and I''ll kill you!"


    "You, you dare to hit me? You..." Chen Di''s eyes were filled with rage and despair as he roared.


    Zhang Kang was furious, "Boy, you are too presumptuous!" He turned to Xu Lai, "Manager Xu, this incident happened in your Imperial City Auction House, aren''t you going to intervene?"


    Xu Lai looked at Zhang Kang coldly and said indifferently, "Indeed, this matter requires attention!"


    Chen Di looked at Xiao Yi triumphantly, "Kid, did you hear Manager Xu''s words? Aren''t you going to kneel down and apologize to your grandma..."


    Slap!


    Another slap resounded.


    However, this time it was not Xiao Yi who struck, but Xu Lai.


    He stared at the trio with a cold face and said, each word enunciated clearly, "Any guest who enters the Imperial City Auction House is a distinguished guest, and we treat all guests without discrimination. If you feel humiliated sitting here, feel free to leave on your own. Whoever dares to point fingers at our guests will have to deal with me. What''s more, in my eyes, Lin Lai, you don''t even qualify to carry Xiao''s shoes!"


    "You, I..."


    Chen Di''s face alternated between green and white.


    She never imagined that Xu Lai would side with Xiao Yi and his companions. Her eyes were bloodshot, filled with grievance and confusion.


    In her view, having the support of a seat like Zhang Kang''s should have made her status much higher than Xiao Yi''s.


    Lin Lai should have been on her side.


    But instead, Lin Lai completely disregarded her and showed Xiao Yi utmost respect.


    Zhang Kang''s gaze shifted repeatedly, knowing this was Lin Lai''s territory; he saw no need to antagonize Lin Lai over Chen Di and snorted coldly, "Fine, since Manager Xu said so, I naturally can''t disregard his face." He promptly sat down to the side, and seeing Zhang Kang keep silent, Chen Di naturally did not dare to speak another word.


    Only Huo Zhen was left on the side, quietly sighing and nodding at Xiao Yi, mouthing an apology.


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly in response.


    Xu Lai asked, "Xiao, would you like me to change their seats?"


    Hiss!


    Zhang Kang and his companions'' faces turned pale at once.


    If Xu Lai had slapped her because Xiao Yi was also there to participate in the auction, it was to show a gesture to the other guests.


    But now...


    Xu Lai actually showed such sincere respect towards Xiao Yi, which undoubtedly indicated there were other, deeper reasons.


    This young man must be extraordinary!


    Realizing this, Zhang Kang glared fiercely at Chen Di, "Didn''t you say they were just country bumpkins who had never seen the world?"


    Chen Di looked wronged, "I, I didn''t know either..."


    Zhang Kang was speechless.


    A moment later.


    The auction officially began.


    As each item was presented on stage, Xiao Yi showed no interest in any of them, and thus never made a move.


    In contrast, Chen Di had already helped Huo Zhen bid for a third-grade Element Weapon, costing over two million Silver, her face was full of smugness as she provocatively looked at Xiao Yi and his group, "Who else in the first row hasn''t bid for anything? Just you three country bumpkins, are you purely here to watch the show?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at her, "Talk nonsense again, and I''ll tear your mouth apart!"


    "I..."


    Chen Di opened her mouth but then, remembering the slap Xiao Yi had delivered without mercy earlier, she swallowed her words back down.


    Xiao Yi paid no attention to Chen Di and instead focused on the auction stage.


    "The next Element Weapon is a whip, named Purple Dragon. It is said to be crafted from the tendons of a demonic beast with the bloodline of a Purple Dragon, known as Purple Blood Jiao, and is a fourth-grade Element Weapon. The starting bid is five million Silver, is anyone interested?" the auctioneer said.


    "Five million!"


    "Five million five hundred thousand..."


    One after another, powerful individuals placed their bids.


    Quietly holding Fang Qingzhu''s hand, Xiao Yi chuckled, "Do you like it?"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded.


    Xiao Yi then declared, "Ten million!"


    Hisss!


    The crowd sucked in a breath of cold air.


    Ten million Silver?


    This was already close to the limit value of the Purple Dragon Whip. The auctioneer, excited, exclaimed, "Ten million Silver for the first time, ten million Silver for the second time... any higher bids? Ten million Silver for the third time, sold!"


    The moment the auction hammer fell, Chen Di shouted, "Wait a moment!"


    All eyes turned toward Chen Di.


    Pointing at Xiao Yi, Chen Di angrily declared, "They definitely can''t produce ten million Silver; he''s deliberately driving up the price!"


    "What?"


    "Someone is deliberately raising the price? Daring to cause trouble in the Capital''s auction house, does this kid no longer wish to live?"


    Faced with everyone''s questioning,


    Xiao Yi delivered a slap, "smack," flipping Chen Di onto the ground. In a flash, he was by her side, his foot grinding her face into the ground for a few seconds as he spoke coldly, "Do you really think I wouldn''t dare to kill you?"


    "Xiao, please wait!"


    Xu rushed over, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, "Xiao, may I ask for a favor for my sake?"


    Though the Royal Capital''s auction house had the royal family as its backing, Chen Di''s status was not simple either; if she died here, it would ultimately bring trouble to him.


    Xiao Yi frowned.


    Huo Zhen stepped forward and said, "Xiao, please let Chen Di off this time. I promise she won''t provoke you again!"


    "Huo Zhen, why are you pleading with him? My father is a third-grade officer in the current administration. I don''t believe he''d really dare to kill me..."


    Chen Di was gnashing her teeth, venomously shouting, "Bastard, you''d better let me go now, and then kneel down and apologize to me. Otherwise, when my father takes action, I''m going to have you chopped into a thousand pieces. And that cheap woman with you, I''ll sell her to a brothel..."


    Before she could finish speaking,


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi stomped down, crushing Chen Di''s head...

 Chapter 51 - 51: Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array

    ```


    Hiss!


    Panic spread throughout the auction house.


    Xiao Yi actually killed Chen Di?


    This was a murder in the capital city''s auction house!


    Since the creation of the capital''s auction house, no one had ever dared to commit murder here.


    "Has this kid gone mad?"


    "He actually killed someone in front of Xu, the manager. Is he tired of living?"


    The crowd murmured among themselves.


    Huo Zhen and Zhang Kang were utterly dumbfounded. They had never anticipated that Xiao Yi would really kill Chen Di right in front of them. Huo Zhen felt dizzy and the world seemed to spin around him. Chen Di was his cousin, and now she had been slain by Xiao Yi right before his eyes.


    He could not shirk his responsibility!


    Zhang Kang''s face was also gloomy. He was friends with Chen Di''s father, but now...


    Zhang Kang, with a sullen expression, turned to Xu Lai: "Manager Xu, this incident happened in your auction house. You must give me a satisfactory answer!"


    Despite being shocked, Xu Lai also regained his composure. Under normal circumstances, he would have handed over Xiao Yi immediately, but the Seventh Prince had already instructed him to be on good terms with Xiao Yi. Keeping this in mind, he spoke in a deep voice: "I don''t think there is anything wrong with what Master Xiao did. The whole incident was a baseless accusation concocted by Miss Chen to slander Master Xiao!"


    "What do you mean?" Zhang Kang frowned.


    Xu Lai said indifferently: "With a personal wealth of over a hundred million silver, why would Master Xiao stoop to deceit over a mere ten million? Miss Chen blatantly framed and insulted Master Xiao; she brought this upon herself. You can''t blame others!"


    "What? A net worth of over a hundred million?"


    "So young and already possessing over a hundred million in wealth, who is this nobleman?"


    The crowd inhaled sharply. Suddenly, no one spoke up for Chen Di anymore.


    His net worth was over a hundred million.


    Yet you publicly called him a country bumpkin, randomly driving up prices!


    Isn''t that asking for death?


    Zhang Kang''s face turned even uglier. He suddenly remembered when Xiao Yi attempted to sell him some elemental weapons previously. If Xiao Yi was indeed so wealthy, would those weapons be of low quality? Zhang Kang could only feel resentful towards Chen Di: "That foolish woman has caused my downfall..."


    Huo Zhen was the only one looking utterly dejected.


    He had come to the capital to depend on the Chen Family, but now Chen Di was dead before him, and not being killed by the Chen Family in a fit of rage was already the best possible outcome.


    Xiao Yi, however, did not pay any attention to all of this. He calmly sat back down, collected the ten million silver, and handed over the Purple Dragon Whip to Fang Qingzhu: "Qingzhu, this is a gift for you!"


    "Thank you, Xiao Yi!" Fang Qingzhu said with a smile as she accepted the Purple Dragon Whip.


    The auction thereafter became somewhat uninteresting.


    Just as Xiao Yi was preparing to leave,


    Another item that piqued his interest appeared on the auction stage��it was an Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array. The auctioneer excitedly announced, "This Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array, crafted by the great array master Ouyang Shang with a clump of earth fire at its core, can increase the speed of refining medicinal pills by a hundredfold with an effect lasting for 24 hours. The starting bid is ten million silver!"


    Interest fading, Xiao Yi''s expression suddenly became intense.


    A hundredfold refining effect?


    He currently held a Golden Core from the Iron Blade King, which he had been refining for several days, but the progress was slow.


    But if he had the hundredfold effect of this Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array, even if it only lasted for 24 hours, it would be equivalent to a hundred days of refinement for him. A hundred days would allow him to refine one third of the Golden Core''s energy.


    It would be enough to help him step into the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm, or even the fourth.


    The price at the auction had already reached thirty-five million, and the person bidding was Zhang Kang. He raised his hands to greet the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, I must have this Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array. I hope you will do me the courtesy of letting me have it!"


    "With Manager Zhang speaking, we naturally yield to you!"


    "We won''t compete!"


    Just as Zhang Kang was basking in his anticipated victory, Xiao Yi opened his mouth and said: "Forty million."


    Hiss!


    The crowd sucked in their breaths again.


    ```


    Zhang Kang is the chief steward of Treasure Pavilion, whom among the crowd wouldn''t give him some face?


    Xiao Yi actually dared to bid against him?


    Zhang Kang''s face darkened as he stared at Xiao Yi, "Kid, are you deliberately opposing me?"


    Xiao Yi replied with an innocent face, "In an auction, isn''t the item awarded to the highest bidder? Since when did it become whoever shouts the loudest gets the item?"


    "You..."


    Zhang Kang felt his face turn hot with anger, never expecting to be looked down upon by Xiao Yi, and said with a somber face, "Competing in wealth? Do you think I, Zhang Kang, would be afraid of you? Fifty million!"


    "Fifty-five million!"


    "Sixty million..."


    The bidding went on.


    Finally, when it reached seventy million, Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I will only go as high as seventy million, if you bid higher, it''s yours!"


    "Seventy million... I..." Zhang Kang gnashed his teeth in frustration.


    His money wasn''t his own, but belonged to Treasure Pavilion.


    The real value of the Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array was only around fifty million, seventy million had already far exceeded the value he could justify; with a cold snort, his eyes revealing a venomous look, he gritted his teeth and said, "Kid, you''re ruthless. We''ll see about this!"


    "Take your time, I won''t see you out!" Niu Dali burst into loud laughter.


    Zhang Kang nearly stumbled in anger.


    After paying seventy million Silver, he bought the Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array.


    As Xiao Yi and the two others were about to leave, Xu Lai took the initiative to approach them, "Sir Xiao, a distinguished guest wishes to meet with you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, then said, "Lead the way!"


    "Please!"


    Xu Lai led the trio to one of the VIP rooms, where only a young man with a handsome and noble aura was present. Upon seeing Xiao Yi arrive, he stood up with a smile, "I am Jiang Tai, pleased to meet you, Sir Xiao!"


    "Jiang Tai? Are you His Highness, the Seventh Prince?" Niu Dali exclaimed in surprise.


    Jiang Tai smiled, "Indeed, that''s me!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "May I know what brings His Highness to seek me out?"


    Jiang Tai said solemnly, "Sir Xiao..."


    Xiao Yi said, "Just call me Xiao Yi, Your Highness!"


    "This... very well, Xiao Yi!" Jiang Tai nodded, and said earnestly, "Xiao Yi, I would like to invite you to join the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy."


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?" Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Niu Dali interjected, "Big brother, I have heard of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy... Before the Royal Martial Arts Academy rose to prominence, it was the strongest Martial Arts Institute in Tianqing Kingdom. However, it has been suppressed by the Royal Martial Arts Academy in recent years..."


    Jiang Tai gave a bitter smile and said, "Brother Dali is right, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy has indeed been suppressed by the Royal Martial Arts Academy over the years. However, if you Xiao Yi are willing to join the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, I assure you the highest standard of treatment!"


    Xiao Yi bowed and replied, "I apologize, but I have already promised Elder Wang that I will go to the Royal Martial Arts Academy."


    "Elder Wang?"


    Jiang Tai was taken aback, as the name Wang Zhiyuan was renowned, and then he gave a wry smile, "I didn''t expect that Brother Xiao Yi had already caught the favor of Elder Wang, it seems that the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy has no fate with you!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him apologetically.


    Jiang Tai shook his head indicating it was okay, then said, "Brother Xiao Yi, I heard from Steward Xu that you bought that Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array? It''s not easy to use such an array in ordinary places, so if you wouldn''t mind, you can cultivate inside the training room of the auction house!" S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Training room?"


    Xiao Yi was surprised and thought that since both he and Fang Qingzhu were at the Shentong Realm, refining the Golden Core would cause quite a disturbance. It would be inconvenient in an inn, so he said, "Then I''ll have to trouble the Seventh Prince!"


    "No trouble at all!"


    Xiao Yi then gave Niu Dali ten million Silver, saying, "Qingzhu and I need to go into closed-door training. This money is for you for now; I''ll repay what I owe later. Find us again in two days when it''s time for the trial at the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"

 Chapter 52 - 52: The Legacy of Dao Yan

    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu were escorted to the training room. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jiang Tai and Xu Lai stood outside the training room. Unable to contain himself, Xu Lai said, "Your Highness, previously you showed no intention of recruiting Xiao Yi, but after he killed Chen Di, you actively sought him. Why is that?"


    The Chen Family that Chen Di belonged to was only a second-rate family in the Royal City, but Chen Di''s father was in the prime of his life and had great potential for further advancement.


    As for Xiao Yi, he was only at the first layer of the Shentong Realm.


    In Xu Lai''s view, offending the Chen Family for Xiao Yi''s sake was clearly not worth it.


    Jiang Tai said indifferently, "Elder Xu, do you know Xiao Yi''s identity?"


    "This..."


    Xu Lai shook his head.


    Narrowing his eyes, Jiang Tai said, "He is from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty. Although this news was suppressed by the Xiao Family and only a small number of people in Nanhuang City know about it, someone passed a message from Nanhuang City a few days ago. This Xiao Yi is not simple at all! When he first arrived in Nanhuang, he was only at the Physical Body Realm. But in just a few months, he stepped into the Shentong Realm. Even Jia Sichun of the Jia Family died at his hands..."


    "What? He reached the Shentong Realm in just a few months and killed Jia Sichun? How is that possible?" Xu Lai''s eyes widened in shock.


    Only then did he understand why Jiang Tai suddenly sought to recruit Xiao Yi.


    A genius who could step into the Shentong Realm from the Physical Body Realm in just a few short months would undoubtedly achieve limitless heights in the future.


    "For ordinary people, it certainly isn''t possible, but don''t forget that he has the same blood as that person..."


    Taking a deep breath and unable to hide the shock in his heart, Jiang Tai ended with a sigh, "It''s just a pity that he has already agreed to help Elder Wang. Since he is someone valued by Elder Wang, I cannot take him no matter what!"


    Wang Zhiyuan held very high prestige and status within the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Nowadays, the position of the Crown Prince of Tianqing Kingdom is still up for grabs, and any prince who could gain Wang Zhiyuan''s support would significantly increase his chances of obtaining the title of Crown Prince.


    He didn''t want to offend Wang Zhiyuan for Xiao Yi''s sake.


    Jiang Tai continued, "Since we cannot recruit him, then we should forge good karma with him. Letting him use this training room, if he remembers this kindness, maybe he can also become a great asset to me in the future!"


    Xu Lai nodded, then, recalling that Xiao Yi had not only killed Chen Di but also offended Zhang Kang, hesitated and said, "Your Highness, according to what you said, hasn''t Xiao Yi already offended the Chen Family, Jia Family, and Zhang Kang? Any one of these parties is difficult to deal with, should we help him in secret?"


    "No need!"


    Jiang Tai waved his hand, his gaze calm and detached as he said, "The path to becoming a strong warrior is never smooth sailing. If he can''t overcome these difficulties, it just proves that he does not have the qualifications to be my Jiang Tai''s chess piece!"


    ...


    Inside the training room.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu sat facing each other, their palms aligned with the Golden Core of the Iron Blade King between them.


    Previously, in order to break through to the Shentong Realm, the two had already refined one-fifth of the Golden Core''s energy and had both stepped into the Shentong Realm. Now, resuming cultivation, they were further accelerating the process a hundredfold with the help of the Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array.


    It was likely that, by the end of this refining session, more than half of the energy of the Golden Core would be depleted.


    "Qingzhu, I''m about to activate the Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array. If you can''t handle it, exit immediately. Understand?" Xiao Yi warned Fang Qingzhu earnestly as he stared at her.


    His physical body was strengthened by the power of the God Sealing Seed, much stronger than that of a warrior of the same level.


    Naturally, he could endure the onslaught of power.


    But Fang Qingzhu''s physical body was incomparable to his, and her limit for enduring energy was naturally much lower.


    Fang Qingzhu nodded to show she understood.


    Xiao Yi flicked his finger, tossing an array flag between them.


    A thread of Yuan energy surged into it.


    Hum!


    The array was immediately activated, and red beams of light appeared beneath them, with red lines forming a circular array plate. Within the array plate, the red light wove into gray array patterns.


    The light shone brilliantly, like celestial light, like divine brilliance, bathing their bodies.


    Both channeled their profound energies at the same time.


    They could feel a surge of immense power rush into their bodies from the Golden Core.


    With a hundredfold increase in refining speed.


    This allowed them to constantly and distinctly feel their strength skyrocketing.


    After one hour.


    Two hours.


    Three hours...


    Both of their cultivation levels continued to rise. In just eight hours, Xiao Yi''s cultivation had reached the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm, and Fang Qingzhu had also kept pace, reaching the same realm as him.


    However, Fang Qingzhu apparently was struggling to withstand the surge of energy, as the ice-blue phantom phoenix behind her manifested once again.


    Though it was but a fleeting appearance,


    it still managed to coat the training room with a layer of frost.


    Whoosh!


    Fang Qingzhu immediately exited the array, as the sudden two minor realm increases in cultivation overwhelmed her, and she sat cross-legged to the side to begin refining and stabilizing her own realm.


    Xiao Yi, however, was still absorbing the energy transferred from the Golden Core.


    When 24 hours had ended,


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation had reached the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, and his Golden Core had shrunk down by half from its original walnut size. Xiao Yi took a deep breath and placed the Golden Core into his storage ring, then he began guiding the primal energy into the God Sealing Seed.


    The God Sealing Seed burst forth with dazzling light as Xiao Yi was bathed in divine radiance.


    Four hundred and one.


    Four hundred and two...


    At the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, his God Sealing Seed was activated with four hundred seeds, and now that he had reached the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he had added as many as six hundred more. He had a total of one thousand God Sealing Seeds in his body!


    Boom!


    When the primal energy, refined by the essence of the one thousand God Sealing Seeds, transformed into the power of the gods and fed back into his dantian,


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation became firmly established.


    Simultaneously...


    His consciousness suddenly entered the Ancient Heavenly Tomb, where one thousand God Sealing Seeds could now allow him to suppress another being; his gaze swept across until Xiao Yi found a short grave that was a zhang high. However, this grave did not bear a wooden tombstone, but a stone one.


    From his several previous visits to the Ancient Heavenly Tomb, Xiao Yi had discerned some patterns: the taller the grave and the better the material of the tombstone, the stronger the entity within the grave.


    For instance, the grave of that Death-Dealing Scholar was but three feet tall!


    Yet the one in front of him stood at an entire zhang!


    "Divine General of Suppression, Crush the heavens, the God-Sealing Demon-Suppressing!"


    With a smash of his palm, Xiao Yi shattered the grave before him, and with a thunderous roar, a stream of light soared into the sky �� it was a refined scholar. Clad in a blue Daoist robe, with a face like carved jade, friendly and amiable, Xiao Yi hardly needed to act, as it voluntarily burrowed into the God Sealing Seed.


    Turning into a statue, residing only within the God Sealing Seed.


    Simultaneously,


    Xiao Yi received information from the shadow in the robe: "Dao Yan, Heavenly Yuan Realm, a grandmaster in martial arts theory, the creator of the ''Martial Canon,'' ''Sword Canon,'' ''Saber Canon,''... among one hundred and eight sacred martial arts scriptures, directly or indirectly instructing nearly a million disciples. His number one disciple is a legend of the Heavenly Yuan Realm �� Martial God Zhao Wuji!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi took a sharp breath.


    This was Dao Yan? The master of Martial God Zhao Wuji?


    Dao Yan''s name was thunderously renowned!


    He was a prodigy who couldn''t cultivate himself yet possessed an incredibly high aptitude, a talent who spanned the heavens and earth. It could be said that the flourishing state of the martial way in the Heavenly Yuan Realm today owed much to Dao Yan''s contributions. Some had even hailed him as the mentor to the Martial God!


    After suppressing Dao Yan, Xiao Yi immediately gained his understanding and theoretical knowledge of the martial way.


    Many previous uncertainties also became clear to him.


    It''s no exaggeration to say,


    That in terms of martial arts theory, in the great Heavenly Yuan Realm, those who could surpass him could be counted on one hand!


    More importantly, he had also acquired a secret technique from Dao Yan''s heritage, the "Blood Explosion Skill."


    This secret technique could be classified as a fifth-grade technique, which by burning one''s own blood, offered a surge in strength for a short period, potentially reaching an increase of up to a hundredfold. However, the price was the complete combustion of one''s blood, and it was not to be used lightly.


    Although suppressing Dao Yan this time did not yield powerful martial techniques or cultivation methods, it did perfectly complement Xiao Yi in theoretical aspects, sparing him many detours on his future path in martial arts.


    Especially the "Blood Explosion Skill," it provided him with an additional lifeline; the intangible gains were immensely great.


    Indeed, from another perspective, this gain was even richer than if he had obtained a Martial God''s inheritance directly.


    After all...


    This was Dao Yan, who had taught a person like Martial God Zhao Wuji.


    "Brother Xiao Yi, time''s up; we should head to the Royal Martial Arts Academy now!"


    Suddenly, the voice of Fang Qingzhu came from outside, as Xiao Yi''s consciousness exited the Ancient Heavenly Tomb, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly, "The Royal Martial Arts Academy? Here I come, Xiao Yi!"

 Chapter 53 - 53: Royal Martial Arts Academy

    ```


    Outside the Royal Auction House.


    Xue''er''s carriage had been waiting for quite some time.


    As soon as she saw Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu come out, Xue''er immediately approached them: "Xiao Yi, Qingzhu... We went to the Qingyan Pavilion yesterday to find you. Luckily, we ran into Dali, or else we wouldn''t have known you were here!"


    "I''m sorry, Xue''er, we came in a haste and forgot to leave you a message!" Fang Qingzhu said apologetically.


    Xue''er shook her head and said, "The assessment is about to start, let''s set off!"


    "Alright!"


    The group rode the carriage and headed straight for the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Inside the carriage.


    Xiao Yi asked, "Xue''er, Elder Wang hasn''t returned yet?"


    Xue''er shook her head and said with a bitter smile, "This time, my grandfather went out with the headmaster. It seems there has been the emergence of a secret realm belonging to someone from the Tao Tribulation Realm. They went together, and we don''t know when they''ll be back."


    "A secret realm of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert?"


    Xiao Yi and his companion exchanged a look.


    Above the Golden Core is the Tao Tribulation, signifying the tribulations of martial arts, it is also a transformative realm for leaping through the dragon gate to become a true dragon.


    It is said that in the vast Tianqing Kingdom, only the ancient forebear of the royal family is at the Tao Tribulation Realm, but that venerable ancestor has not shown himself for over a hundred years.


    "No wonder Elder Wang was in such a hurry to get back..." Xiao Yi murmured to himself.


    Xue''er said with a smile, "Xiao Yi, don''t worry! Before my grandfather left, he made all the arrangements, and with your strengths, getting into the Royal Martial Arts Academy will be a piece of cake!"


    ...... S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy was established five hundred and thirty-one years ago.


    It is said that at that time, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was dominant and tried to influence the succession of the Crown Prince, which angered the King.


    To counterbalance the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, the King founded the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    After more than five hundred years of development, the Royal Martial Arts Academy has completely surpassed the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy in all aspects.


    The entire academy is situated in the East City District, facing the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy of the West City District.


    Almost a quarter of the East City District belongs to the Royal Martial Arts Academy; the academy is home to sixty thousand Yellow Level students, twelve thousand Profound Level students, thirteen hundred Earth Level students, and thirteen Heaven Level students.


    Even the weakest Yellow Level students are above the Qi Gathering Realm.


    By the time Xiao Yi and the others arrived at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the entrance was already a sea of people.


    Xue''er said, "Xiao Yi, you''re going to take part in the assessment soon. I''ve already prepared a banquet at the Qingyan Pavilion, waiting for your triumphant return!"


    "Don''t worry, we won''t disappoint you!" Fang Qingzhu said with a smile.


    Xiao Yi nodded in agreement.


    Niu Dali grunted: "It''s just the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s assessment. It''s a trifle for me, nothing but light rain!"


    "I bet you won''t pass the assessment!"


    A boastful voice came through, the speaker was a youth not even one and a half meters tall, "Don''t you know that the elimination rate of the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s assessment is as high as ninety percent? And you say it''s light rain? That''s sheer arrogance!"


    The youth had a small mustache under his nose and was pinching it with his chubby little hands, looking disdainfully at Xiao Yi and the others.


    Niu Dali snorted darkly, grabbing the youth by the collar: "Shorty, you''re itching for a beating, aren''t you?"


    "You big oaf, let me down right now, or I''ll start shouting for help!" the diminutive youth flailed his arms and legs, but being so short, he couldn''t reach Niu Dali and could only speak fiercely.


    Niu Dali laughed heartily: "Go ahead and shout, nobody will come to help you even if your throat breaks!"


    "Big brother, second brother, three of them, someone is bullying me!" the small fellow suddenly shouted.


    "Who dares to bully our brother?"


    "Looking for trouble, are they?"


    ```


    In the crowd.


    A little dwarf who was stealing someone''s purse dropped the purse and rushed out; another small dwarf who was negotiating with a few extravagantly dressed people walked out; and another was squeezing through the crowd, stealing touches, hustling over with a red bellyband in hand.


    Three dwarfs, none taller than four and a half feet, stood in front of Niu Dali, hands on hips, fiercely glared at him, and shouted in unison, "Put down our fourth brother!"


    "Damn, did I hit a dwarf nest?" Niu Dali''s eyes widened as he looked at the four little dwarfs in front of him.


    Xiao Yi said, "Dali, let him go."


    "Oh!"


    Niu Dali released his grip, and the little dwarf jumped down. After straightening his collar, he said with self-satisfaction, "I bet you wouldn''t kill me!"


    Niu Dali: "..."


    The short one bowed to Xiao Yi and said, "Dude, thank you for your righteous help. My name is Shi Yaodu; this is my eldest brother Shi Yaoqian, my second brother Shi Yaoquan, and my third brother Shi Yaose. From now on, you''re a friend of us four Shi brothers. If anyone dares to bully you, we brothers will tear him to shreds together!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    The crowd: "..."


    Money, Lust, Power, Gambling?


    What kind of names are these?


    And to top it all off, your surname is Shi, which, no offense, sounds like ''Shit'' Family''s four brothers!


    Shi Yaose walked up to Fang Qingzhu with his hands rubbing together and chuckled, "Everyone has a love for beauty... Beauty, our bed is big and soft..."


    Shi Yaodu whispered, "I bet third brother is about to get beaten up!"


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi kicked him out with a foot and said with a dark face, "Stay away from Qingzhu!"


    At that moment...


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Three dull bell tolls rang out, startling everyone and brightening their expressions.


    From within the gates of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, three figures emerged.


    The leader was a middle-aged man dressed in profound garments, with heroic eyebrows like unsheathed swords, breathing in one continuous flow, and eyes like stars, with a glint of cold light. Flanking him was a man and a woman, each exuding the aura of the Divine Skills Realm.


    Especially the middle-aged man in profound garments, he was a powerhouse of the High-order Divine Power Realm.


    "Welcome, everyone, to the quarterly assessment of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. I am the chief examiner, Ge Qingyun, and these two are earth-level students, Zhang Yi and Sun Ying. You will face three rounds of tests, and only by passing all three will you pass the assessment and become students of the Martial Arts Institute! The first round of assessment will be conducted by Sun Ying!" Ge Qingyun said indifferently.


    Sun Ying stepped forward, pointed at the stone lion on the left side of the gate, and said, "This stone lion can test your level of cultivation. Anyone over eighteen years old and below the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm is unqualified. Please go ahead!"


    The crowd advanced one after another.


    This round easily eliminated forty percent.


    Xiao Yi and the others, of course, passed easily and then entered the second round of the assessment. Ge Qingyun said, "This second round will be conducted by Zhang Yi!"


    Zhang Yi stepped forward, his icy gaze sweeping over the crowd, pausing slightly on Xiao Yi and two others as he said indifferently, "The second round of the assessment tests your innate talent. All you have to do is touch the talent stone in my hand, and it will emit either white or black light, white light for elimination, black light for qualification!"


    The crowd stepped forward to test.


    Soon it was Xiao Yi''s turn. Zhang Yi''s lips curled up slightly, his eyes gleaming with amusement, "Go ahead!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and placed his hand on the talent stone.


    Whoosh!


    Bright black light burst forth, the deep black light especially eye-catching against the blue sky and white sun.


    However...


    Zhang Yi''s face showed a trivial expression, his lips curling up in a thick sneer, and he said lightly, "Disqualified..."

 Chapter 54 - 54: Reversing Black and White

    "Disqualified!"


    Zhang Yi''s face was laden with thick mockery, but the three words that left his mouth left everyone agape.


    The sneer on his face grew even more brilliant, his gleeful gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi, laden with intense mockery and provocation.


    The surrounding crowd was also stunned.


    "What''s going on here?"


    "I clearly saw black light just now, how could it be disqualified?"


    "Could I be seeing things?"


    "Keep your voices down... Can''t you see? He must have offended someone from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, so they''re intentionally targeting him!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, staring at Zhang Yi; "You''re saying I''m disqualified?"


    Zhang Yi indifferently replied: "That''s right, you are disqualified!"


    Fang Qingzhu immediately stepped forward, anxiously retorting: "We clearly saw white light, how can it be disqualified?"


    Niu Dali also shouted with a grim face: "Which eye of yours saw white light? Are you blind? When my big brother touched the talent stone, the black light was so evident, how could you not see it?"


    "How dare you! Are you questioning the authority of the Royal Martial Arts Academy? I am the examiner this time, and if I say he''s disqualified, then he is disqualified!"


    Zhang Yi was fearless, lowering his voice somewhat, "Kid, some people you can''t afford to offend, and this is your fate!"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and then turned to Ge Qingyun: "Instructor, you must have seen the results of the test just now, right? Do you also think I''m disqualified?"


    Ge Qingyun''s face was indifferent: "All I see is that you failed the assessment, yet you''re trying to force Zhang Yi to change the results! With such a poor character, even if your talent were outstanding, our Royal Martial Arts Academy would not accept you!"


    He was the chief examiner of this assessment.


    Since even he said that Xiao Yi didn''t pass, it was as good as set in stone.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face paled, and she quickly said: "Mr. Ge, we were referred here by Elder Wang, we hope you will treat us fairly..."


    "Elder Wang?"


    "Vice-Chancellor Wang? How could you know him?" Ge Qingyun''s expression changed dramatically. If Xiao Yi really knew Elder Wang, then he was in big trouble.


    Moreover...


    A person who had caught Elder Wang''s eye must definitely be a prodigy.


    Even if Elder Wang didn''t pursue the matter, the higher-ups of the Martial Arts Institute would consider it a serious crime if they found out that he had committed such injustice and turned away a prodigy for his own personal reasons!


    Standing by his side, Zhang Yi had already been aware of Xiao Yi''s identity, and whispered: "Mr. Ge need not worry, Brother Jia is the crown prince''s man, they have already handled everything... But just to be safe, we should eliminate him. Would Vice-Chancellor Wang really offend the crown prince over a dead man?"


    "Well said!"


    Ge Qingyun''s eyes lit up and he said, "Elder Wang is eminent and highly regarded, and he would definitely not want to see us engaged in any corruption. Not only have you disrupted the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s examination, but you have also slandered Vice-Chancellor Wang, the crime is heinous, and you must be executed! Zhang Yi, kill him for me, to serve as an example to others!"


    "At your command!"


    Zhang Yi appeared in front of Xiao Yi with a fiendish smile, going for a Black Tiger Heart Dig straight toward Xiao Yi''s chest.


    Facing such a ferocious attack from Zhang Yi, Xiao Yi merely raised one hand and firmly caught the palm.


    He then viciously slapped it away.


    Zhang Yi screamed miserably as he was sent flying by Xiao Yi''s slap, tumbling through the air like a kite with its string cut, as Xiao Yi pursued and kicked him in the face in midair.


    Bang!


    Zhang Yi harshly crashed to the ground, spewing out blood along with a mouthful of teeth.


    His face smeared with blood, he looked up at Xiao Yi, who was slowly withdrawing his foot.


    Zhang Yi''s cultivation was at the Fifth Layer of the Shentong Realm, and he was a master who had awakened his Innate Divine Ability; he didn''t expect to be sent flying by a kick from Xiao Yi? Zhang Yi glared furiously, grinding his teeth: "You... you dare hit me?"


    "I''ve already hit you and you''re still asking if I dare, it seems you lack not only a pair of eyes but also a brain..." Xiao Yi replied coldly.


    Zhang Yi''s face was red with rage as he bellowed, "You dare to insult me? You''re as good as dead, I..."


    "Save that nonsense for King Yama!"


    Xiao Yi''s fist suddenly smashed down.


    Boom!


    Zhang Yi''s head burst open instantly, turning into a mess of flesh scattered on the ground.


    A Profound Level disciple from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he didn''t even have the chance to use his Innate Divine Ability before his head was blown apart by Xiao Yi''s punch.


    "Rascal!"


    Ge Qingyun, with a gloomy face, roared in fury, his eyes emitting a cold light as he locked his gaze onto Xiao Yi, "How dare you, a scoundrel, slaughter a student of the Royal Martial Arts Academy! It''s utterly unforgivable, a crime deserving of death a thousand times over!"


    "Deserving of death a thousand times over? Whether I passed the examination is clear to all, yet you insist on distorting the truth and framing me �C who truly deserves to die a thousand times over?"


    Xiao Yi laughed coldly, "You blind old dog, go keep him company!"


    Ge Qingyun, filled with murderous intent and a dark expression on his face, said, "In all my years at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I have never seen someone as arrogant as you. It''s clear that you forced Zhang Yi to alter the test results, and when that failed, you resorted to murder. If someone as violent and ruthless as you were allowed to grow unchecked, you would surely become a scourge on this land. Today, I, Ge Qingyun, shall act in heaven''s stead and rid the world of you, a murderous devil!"


    Xiao Yi let out a loud laugh to the heavens, "Hahahaha, this is the Royal Martial Arts Academy? With such blatant disregard for right and wrong, truth and falsehood, I suggest you might as well close your doors now!"


    "Scoundrel, you''re courting death!"


    Ge Qingyun''s face turned alternatively green and white, his rage uncontrollable.


    The furious anger turned into a cold, tangible intent to kill, firmly targeting Xiao Yi.


    Ge Qingyun''s face bore a cold smile to the extreme, his voice sinister, "Daring to challenge the authority of the Royal Martial Arts Academy and openly threatening the chief examiner, you deserve to be torn to pieces!"


    As soon as his words ended��


    Ge Qingyun''s vital energy surged violently around him, and with a leap, he landed in front of Xiao Yi.


    He slapped down with one hand. S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Void Shock Palm!"


    A high-tier, third-grade martial technique, the palm attack came rushing forward with the momentum of Move Mountains and Overturn Seas, containing layers upon layers within the palm, its power seemingly endless.


    With just one palm, it could ignore physical defense and directly shatter the internal organs.


    Such a formidable move, coupled with Ge Qingyun being at the Eighth Layer of the Divine Power Realm, had enough destructive power to crush even a common practitioner at the Eightfold Divine Power Realm.


    Xiao Yi''s cold gaze was fixed on the incoming attack that seemed unstoppable, as his understanding of Dao Yan''s punch flashed through his mind. His thoughts shifted in an instant, finding a flaw in what seemed to be an impenetrable assault.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, focusing on the center of the palm fueled by vital energy.


    Having received Dao Yan''s legacy and the martial wisdom and heritage of the Martial God, he could see through the fatal flaw in Ge Qingyun''s move at a glance.


    In his eyes, across the vital energy-enveloped palm, faint blue liquid streams coursed like ghosts, and Xiao Yi instantly pinpointed the core where these blue streams converged, his lips curving up into a slight, cold arc, "Break for me!"


    Swish!


    At the strike of his finger, Ge Qingyun''s gathered assault crumbled to pieces.


    The sharp finger strike hit dead center on the palm.


    This was the weak point of his attack!


    Crack!


    Amidst the sound of bones shattering, Ge Qingyun let out a hysterical scream as his entire right arm was obliterated.


    Bone fragments protruded from his shoulder, and amidst the bloodied spectacle, there was also a chilling sense of desperation as Ge Qingyun crashed to the ground with a thud.


    Ge Qingyun, clutching his broken arm, looked at Xiao Yi with deep fear and regret in his eyes.


    With such strength, once he entered the Martial Arts Institute, he would at least be a Profound Level or even Earth Level student, and one day he might even become strong enough for the Heavenly Rank Academy. But alas, there''s no medicine for regret in this world. Having offended him now, he might as well offend him thoroughly!


    Ge Qingyun took out a summoning arrow and swiftly released it into the sky, his face simultaneously revealing a ferocious expression, "Impudent Xiao Yi, to brazenly assault and injure a Martial Arts Institute examiner without cause, showing complete disregard for the law. I''m going to immediately call for the Law Enforcement Team. You''re done for..."

 Chapter 55 - 55 Law Enforcement Team

    Whoosh!


    A command arrow pierced the sky, exploding above with a loud bang.


    In the blink of an eye,


    dozens of powerful auras surged out from the Martial Arts Institute.


    Equally matched in the Shentong Realm.


    This was the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s Law Enforcement Team, feared by all who heard their name.


    The person leading them radiated elemental energy, surrounded by a protective golden light; he was a superpower within the Golden Core Realm. His brows were sharp as blades, his eyes flickered with lightning, sweeping a cold gaze over the crowd.


    His eyes flickered with a cold light, "What is going on here?"


    Ge Qingyun wept bitterly, "Elder Zhou Xin, save me! This guy named Xiao Yi, unable to pass the talent test, was enraged and wanted Zhang Yi to change the results. Zhang Yi refused and has been killed by him. My teacher tried to intervene and has been seriously injured by him..."


    This Zhou Xin was the master of the Law Enforcement Hall.


    His cultivation had reached the Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm, one of the apex existences within Tianqing Kingdom''s martial ranks.


    Zhou Xin''s body was enveloped by golden elemental energy, resembling a radiant halo, majestic and solemn. His sharp eyes seemed capable of piercing into one''s soul, his cold gaze fixated on Xiao Yi, expressing a hint of doubt, "How could someone of such an age manage to slay Zhang Yi and defeat Ge Qingyun? He must be a genius, why would he fail the assessment?"


    Ge Qingyun''s face slightly changed.


    He was about to speak.


    But Zhou Xin waved his hand dismissively, "Nevertheless, it doesn''t matter. What our Royal Martial Arts Academy never lacks are geniuses. You dared to openly kill a student of my Royal Martial Arts Academy and severely injure an instructor, this cannot be easily resolved. Only your blood can wash away the disgrace you''ve brought upon our Institute. You, take your own life!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Zhou Xin indifferently, "Is this the justice of the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s Law Enforcement Hall? To depart from justice is unrighteousness, to be unable to discern right from wrong is folly, and to disregard the rules of the Martial Arts Institute is disloyalty. You, a person who lacks loyalty, intelligence, and righteousness, dare to sit in the position of the Law Enforcement Elder?" S��arch* The n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhou Xin was strong.


    With the Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm, unless he employed the highest-level Blood Explosion Skill, burning all his blood, he was not someone Xiao Yi could currently contend with.


    But...


    As a War God, tasked with suppressing all the heavens and sealing all things,


    how could he fear anyone?


    Zhou Xin narrowed his eyes, his gaze cold and sharp. Having held the position of Law Enforcement Elder for many years, even students at the heaven-level revered him. When had anyone ever dared to rebuke him to his face? His expression turned as cold as ice, "You say this Elder is unfair? I want to see, aside from you, who else believes this Elder is unjust!"


    His gaze swept over everyone present.


    One by one, the strong ones stepped back, bowing their heads.


    Just as Zhou Xin was reveling in his triumph, a cold voice rang out. Fang Qingzhu stood by Xiao Yi''s side, "Xiao Yi is right. You are not only unjust but also disloyal, unwise, and unrighteous."


    "You..."


    Zhou Xin''s face stiffened; he thought nobody would dare confront him, yet immediately someone stood up and fiercely slapped him in the face.


    Following that, Niu Dali stepped forward, wielding his heavy sword, "Fairness and justice, do they have anything to do with you?"


    "Despicable..."


    Zhou Xin''s face grew even darker.


    "Peace leads to prosperity! Although I love money, I must say you really have nothing to do with fairness!" Shi Yaoqian played with two Silver Ingots in his hand, wearing a scornful smile on his face.


    Shi Yaose sniffed harshly at the red bellyband in his hands, squinting his eyes in enjoyment, "Everyone desires beauty... count me in!"


    Shi Yaoquan shrugged, "Logically, I should cling to you, but how could I when even my two brothers can''t stand it?"


    The last one to step forward was Shi Yaodu.


    He twirled a pair of dice in his hands, smiling at Zhou Xin, "I bet you can''t kill us today!"


    Including Xiao Yi, there were a total of seven of them.


    Zhou Xin''s face shifted between shades of green and white. He had never imagined that these seven people would dare to publicly defy him.


    "Good, good, good, you..." Just as Zhou Xin began to speak, another person stepped out from the crowd.


    It was Huo Zhen.


    He looked solemnly at Zhou Xin and said in a deep voice, "Elder Zhou, I have always admired the Royal Martial Arts Academy, but what you''ve done today is just too much."


    "Where did this mongrel come from, daring to criticize this Elder?" Zhou Xin, furious, struck out with his palm.


    As his icy palm drew near Huo Zhen, it landed with a smack, sending him flying.


    Huo Zhen spit out blood and stumbled to the ground.


    With a cold snort, Zhou Xin said, "You rabble who only wish for chaos, you all deserve to die! All Law Enforcement Team members listen to my command, capture these eight people. If they resist, show no mercy!"


    "Yes!"


    A group of strong individuals from the Law Enforcement Hall charged at them simultaneously.


    Twenty-something people faced off against eight!


    Xiao Yi took the lead, "To enforce law unjustly, what dignity do you have wearing those tunics? Brothers, strip them of their fa?ade!"


    "Strip them clean!" Niu Dali said viciously.


    "Fortune favors the bold. Take my fist!" Shi Yaoqian struck with intricate skill, his Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm prowess enabling him to fight two other practitioners of the same level without falling behind.


    The attacks of Shi Yaoquan, Shi Yaose, and Shi Yaodu were no less formidable.


    Wielding her Purple Dragon Whip, Fang Qingzhu lashed out with whip strikes like phantoms �C graceful and seemingly sentient, handling her opponents with ease.


    Xiao Yi was like a War God himself, holding a third-grade elemental weapon in his hand. The Fire Qilin Sword was too dazzling, and he was not yet able to reveal its power casually. With the sword in hand, he executed the "Soul-chasing Life-taking Sword" to great effect.


    "Sweeping through a thousand troops!"


    "Chasing stars and moons!"


    "Life Seizing Soul Chaser..."


    Every strike of his sword injured someone, every move was lethal!


    With his current prowess at the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, even if he faced a practitioner of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he could emerge victorious. The rest of the opponents were simply swept aside.


    For a moment...


    Eight against twenty-seven, Xiao Yi''s side claimed a complete victory!


    Xiao Yi and his seven companions stood in line, staring coldly at Zhou Xin, whose face was turning shades of green and white, and said, "You claim I''m not qualified to enter the Royal Martial Arts Academy? I''d like to ask, these people lying here, what status do they hold within the Academy?"


    Zhou Xin''s face turned the color of liver, as if he had swallowed a kilogram of flies; the discomfort was palpable.


    The Law Enforcement Team comprised the elite students of various levels.


    If even they were easily defeated by Xiao Yi and his group, to say that Xiao Yi was not qualified and failed the examination would imply that more than ninety percent of the Academy''s students were also not qualified, wouldn''t it?


    He felt his face burning with an intense, unbearable pain.


    Seeing the peculiar looks of the other strong participants in the examination directed at him, Zhou Xin glared viciously at Ge Qingyun, cursing inwardly: You idiot, if you want to deal with him, at least use smarter methods!


    Now, he was in a difficult position!


    But he couldn''t tarnish the reputation of a Law Enforcement Elder. With a cold huff, he said, "Our Royal Martial Arts Academy not only values talent but also character. Just on that alone, none of you qualify, I..."


    Before he could finish, a long laugh interrupted him.


    A Cangyun Eagle soared into view, its wings spanning twenty meters, casting a shadow as if to cover the sky, descending from above.


    A cold voice came from on the back of the Cangyun Eagle, "Zhou Xin, your Royal Martial Arts Academy is as shameless as ever, isn''t it? Your Academy looks down on their character? From what I see, they are loyal, brave, and resourceful, which makes them far stronger disciples than those so-called geniuses you speak of. Gentlemen, are any of you interested in joining my Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"

 Chapter 56 - 56 Lets go together!

    "Would you be willing to come to our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?" S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A genial laugh echoed from the back of the Cangyun Eagle.


    Dressed in a refined, scholarly green shirt, the middle-aged man floated down, moving with the wind as if a celestial being had descended to the world. The gentle breeze swirling around him carried no trace of coercion but exuded a sense of majesty that was as awe-inspiring as a towering mountain.


    All eyes were drawn to him.


    "Gu Junhe, what are you doing here at the Royal Martial Arts Academy?" Zhou Xin''s eyes narrowed, filled with a serious countenance as he sized up the newcomer.


    Gu Junhe.


    Head of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    A peak existence of the Golden Elixir Realm, and the youngest record holder in the entire Tianqing Kingdom to reach that level.


    There were rumors...


    That the next person to step into the Tao Tribulation Realm in the Tianqing Kingdom would likely be this Gu Junhe.


    Gu Junhe''s face was adorned with a radiant smile, as he lightly said, "I was passing by when I suddenly saw your Royal Martial Arts Academy''s distress signal. I thought the Demon Sect''s followers were besieging your academy, so I hurried over to help. Little did I expect that instead of the Demon Sect, I would find your Royal Martial Arts Academy failing to discern right from wrong, reversing black and white, and bullying the younger generation!"


    "Bullshit!"


    Zhou Xin flew into a rage, blurting out without thinking.


    But no sooner had he uttered these words than his face abruptly changed, as a loud whoosh resonated from the void.


    An invisible slap landed heavily on his face.


    Wow!


    Zhou Xin was directly smacked to the ground, his head slamming into the earth with such force that stars sparkled before his eyes, his head spinning.


    Gu Junhe looked at Zhou Xin with a cold expression, his demeanor indifferent, "Even if Elder Wang and Shu Linghua were here, they wouldn''t dare talk to me like that. What are you that you dare say I''m spouting nonsense? If I farted, could you even handle it?"


    Zhou Xin twitched the corner of his eyes, hastily saying, "Head Gu, I misspoke earlier, please forgive me!"


    "Hmph!"


    Gu Junhe sneered, but as he turned around, his face was already filled with a brilliant smile, focusing on Xiao Yi and the others, "You youngsters have integrity and don''t bow to power, which suits my taste very well. Any interest in joining my Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Harmony brings wealth!"


    Shi Yaoqian muttered his mantra before adding, "Does your Tianqi Martial Arts Academy have a lot of money?"


    Gu Junhe paused, then nodded, "Yes, our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy has more money than we can spend!"


    Hiss!


    Shi Yaoqian''s eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded, "I''ll go, I''m going!"


    Shi Yaoquan squinted his eyes, "Ever since I saw you slap Zhou Xin away with just a palm strike, I knew I''d follow you for life!"


    The corner of Gu Junhe''s eye twitched.


    Shi Yaose licked his lips, rubbing his hands together, "Are there many beauties at Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Uh..."


    Gu Junhe gave a serious reply, "As long as there are women, they are all peerless beauties!"


    "Hmm, I''m not lecherous. It''s just that training with both genders is less tiring. I''m willing to go!" Shi Yaose stated seriously.


    Gu Junhe unconsciously glanced at Shi Yaodu, who hesitated before saying, "I bet you will definitely take me in!"


    Gu Junhe then looked towards Niu Dali and Fang Qingzhu.


    Fang Qingzhu smiled, "Wherever Xiao Yi goes, I go there!"


    Niu Dali declared, "I''ll follow the big brother!"


    Gu Junhe''s gaze settled on Xiao Yi, a flash of excitement skimming the depths of his eyes. He had witnessed everything Xiao Yi had done previously, and he immediately said, "Xiao Yi, would you be willing to come to my Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Gu Junhe.


    He didn''t believe Gu Junhe had really just happened to pass by, but seeing no malice from the man, Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Head Gu, I didn''t even pass the second round of assessment at the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Are you sure taking me in won''t be a loss for Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "They at the Royal Martial Arts Academy are blind!"


    Gu Junhe looked deeply at Xiao Yi, and although it was their first meeting, there was an unspoken understanding between them, "As long as you agree to come to my Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, I guarantee that within five years, you will be able to sweep through the entire Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "No, five years is too long!"


    "Hmm?"


    Gu Junhe was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi continued, "Elder Gu, since you want me to join the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, as the headmaster, you will protect me, right?"


    Gu Junhe nodded subconsciously, but as he saw the triumphant smile at the corner of Xiao Yi''s mouth, his heart skipped a beat. He was about to speak when he saw Xiao Yi had already approached Zhou Xin, slowly raised his thumb, then turned it down, and roared word by word, "Today, I, Xiao Yi of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, on behalf of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, challenge all students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy below the Profound Level!"


    What?


    Gu Junhe was stunned.


    Zhou Xin''s face flushed red with anger, "Xiao Yi, do you really think my Royal Martial Arts Academy has no one left?"


    Xiao Yi said coldly, "Didn''t you say I''m not qualified to enter the Royal Martial Arts Academy? Then let me see the so-called geniuses of your academy, if every single one of them is stronger and more outstanding than me, Xiao Yi! Anyone below the Profound Level, come one by one or two by two. If I lose, I, Xiao Yi, will kneel to death at the gates of your Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    Zhou Xin roared, "Xiao Yi, you''re looking for death!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Gu Junhe, "Headmaster!"


    Gu Junhe''s face darkened, "Zhou Xin, didn''t you hear Xiao Yi''s words? Call out all disciples below the Profound Level of your Royal Martial Arts Academy. Otherwise, don''t blame me for losing my temper!"


    Zhou Xin, "..."


    In the capital of Tianqing, Gu Junhe had a famous nickname, known as the Unbeatable Naughty Boy.


    Once provoked, he didn''t care about consequences.


    Act now, talk later!


    If Zhou Xin didn''t follow his instructions, Gu Junhe might really cause a ruckus at the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    With this thought,


    A cold light flashed in Zhou Xin''s half-closed eyes, and with a venomous stare fixed on Xiao Yi, he said coldly, "Fine, since you''re courting death, I won''t be to blame!"


    Whoosh!


    Zhou Xin took out a command arrow.


    The command arrow shot into the sky, bursting into a brilliant golden lightning.


    Boom boom boom!


    The sound of war drums resonated continuously, echoing between heaven and earth.


    "When the war drums sound, disciples gather!"


    "Three sounds, calling together the Earth, Yellow, and Profound levels? Quick, there must be some big trouble!"


    The entire Royal Martial Arts Academy was in an uproar.


    Disciples of Earth, Yellow, and Profound levels rushed towards the gates of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Excluding those who were not within the academy, the gathered crowd exceeded twenty thousand. Nearly twenty thousand Yellow Level disciples, over three thousand Profound Level disciples, and nearly a hundred Earth Level disciples��all of them glaring fiercely at Xiao Yi and the others.


    The atmosphere was extremely tense.


    "Elder Zhou, what happened? Why gather us in such haste?" A young man dressed in Earth Level disciple uniform stepped forward and asked. He was the strongest among many Earth Level disciples currently at the academy, ranked tenth among Earth Level disciples, Zhuge Shuangdao.


    Zhou Xin pointed at Xiao Yi and said icily, "This person named Xiao Yi, wishes to challenge all students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy below the Profound Level. This matter concerns the reputation of the Royal Martial Arts Academy for hundreds of years. Who dares to fight?"


    "What? Challenge all students below the Profound Level?"


    "That''s too arrogant! He''s simply asking for death!"


    "Kill him!"


    A Profound Level disciple leapt forward, looking at Xiao Yi coldly, "Royal Martial Arts Academy, Profound Level disciple Wang Ye, let me..."


    "Too much nonsense!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, his figure suddenly vanished from its original spot, and when he reappeared, he had already used the move "Dragon Tail Whip" to fiercely send Wang Ye flying.


    With a heavy thud, Wang Ye from the Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm fell hard, foaming at the mouth, unable to move.


    Everyone was dumbfounded.


    A powerhouse of the Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm, defeated by a single kick?


    Xiao Yi, however, disregarded the shocked expressions of the crowd and said indifferently, "One by one is too troublesome; you all come at me together..."

 Chapter 57 - 57 Zhuge Shuangdao

    "All of you, come at me together!"


    Xiao Yi hooked his finger at the crowd, his eyes blazing with an intense desire for battle and excitement.


    The war-hungry gene inside him was now fully activated.


    Suppressor of the Heavens, War God,


    Subduing the myriad heavens, sealing deities in their place.


    He was the existence that fought against gods, immortals, the heavens, the earth, endless battling without loss.


    The repeated oppression from the Royal Martial Arts Academy had wholly sparked the war-like instinct within him, causing the God Sealing Seed inside to buzz and hum, and a faint glow ebbed and flowed around his body as if a celestial being had descended to the world. With a wave of his hand, a Tier-3 Yuan weapon landed within his palm.


    Whoosh!


    The sword''s edge sliced through the air, emitting a series of tearing sounds.


    The array of formidable experts standing before Xiao Yi exchanged glances��twenty thousand in number, and he was asking them all to attack at once?


    To face an army of thousands alone?


    That was, of course, impossible!


    Even if Xiao Yi dared to take them all on, they wouldn''t dare to rush him en masse; after all, if they did, the reputation of the Royal Martial Arts Academy would be utterly ruined.


    "Hmph, it was only because he was caught off guard for a moment that you managed to trick him. Let this old man teach you a lesson, you oblivious fool��"


    A Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm expert soared high, his body sturdy and powerful, possessing Innate Divine Strength. His fists, hard as iron maces, brutally smashed down. With unparalleled strength, single-handedly capable of tearing apart tigers, panthers, wolves, those ruthless fists descended upon Xiao Yi, aiming to crush his skull and surely kill him if they connected.


    Facing this thunderous attack.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze lifted slightly, and the sword in his grip swung upward in a swift arc.


    Whoosh!


    The silvery sword light, like a crescent moon, sliced into the attacker''s body with a swish.


    Splat!


    The body of the strong opponent was cut clean in two; blood rained down like a downpour, and the two halves of the corpse fell to the ground.


    Hiss! S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The death of two Fifth Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm experts at Xiao Yi''s hand, and undeniably instantaneous kills at that, shocked all the rapidly arriving Royal Martial Arts Academy students, horror-stricken they exclaimed, "This guy''s strength is so formidable, who exactly is he? Why is he challenging us?"


    "I heard he was also participating in our Royal Martial Arts Academy''s disciple assessment, but he was eliminated during the second round!"


    "You must be joking, right? With his strength, he couldn''t pass because of poor talent? Then what are we?"


    "Which idiot was in charge of the assessment? Aren''t they just pushing a genius out the door?"


    "Keep your voice down. I heard it was by Brother Jia Sidao''s suggestion..."


    Listening to the discussions among the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s students, Zhou Xin''s face turned as livid as a pig''s liver, wishing he could flog the corpses of Ge Qingyun and Zhang Yi. But right now, he absolutely could not afford to lose his composure. Zhou Xin let out a cold snort, "Xiao Yi, aren''t you being a bit too ruthless?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and turned to address Gu Junhe, "Director!"


    Gu Junhe appeared in a flash before Zhou Xin, pressing a palm against his face and pushing him to the ground, rubbing it back and forth, as he coldly questioned, "What''s the matter? I''m still standing right here. Are you already planning to threaten my disciple?"


    Zhou Xin felt like crying, "When the hell did I threaten him?"


    "Still trying to talk tough?"


    Gu Junhe, gripping his face, smashed it against the ground over and over.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The ground was smashed into a deep pit.


    Zhou Xin''s nose was blue, and his face was swollen; if not for his Golden Core Realm body being as durable as a first-grade Yuan weapon, the impacts could have made his head burst open and bleed. Even so, Zhou Xin''s head had swollen like a pig''s, barely recognizable as human anymore.


    Smack smack smack!


    Gu Junhe dusted off his hands and looked at Xiao Yi, "You continue!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up as he looked towards Zhuge Shuangdao and the others, "Those of you in the Yellow or Profound Levels, don''t bother coming over to seek death. Do none of you Earth Level students have the guts to fight me? I get it now. They say I''m unqualified to enter the Royal Martial Arts Academy because my guts aren''t small enough, nor is my skin thick enough, is that it? If that''s the case, then I admit defeat; indeed, I''m not suitable for the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Xiao Yi, don''t think that just because you''ve killed two Profound Level students, you''re really invincible. My Royal Martial Arts Academy has countless people who could kill you like stars in the sky!"


    A voice like rolling thunder spoke, and a bald young man stepped forward.


    The young man was bald with brows sharp as swords, high cheekbones, and eyes cold like an eagle''s gaze; his cultivation had reached the Seventh Layer of the Spiritual Power Realm, marking him as an Earth Level student.


    "Is this the Bald Butcher ranked 278th among the Earth Level students, Ding Qiang?"


    "I didn''t expect him to not be out on a training expedition. With him here, Xiao Yi won''t be able to act arrogantly for long!"


    The disciples of the Royal Martial Arts Academy were excitedly discussing.


    The Bald Butcher Ding Qiang licked his lips and revealed a ferocious grin, speaking ominously, "Xiao Yi, I respect you as a real man, so I will use the manliest way to give you a quick death."


    Clang clang!


    In the cold clash of metal, he held a huge cleaver resembling an ox head in each hand.


    The pair of cleavers were pitch-black with silver edges shimmering.


    "Third-grade Yuan weapon, Heaven Slaughter Blade, I''m coming for your dog head!" Ding Qiang bellowed, charging at Xiao Yi with his dual blades.


    His bulky figure was surprisingly fast, and amidst his wild charge, his blade light spilled everywhere like quicksilver. Faced with such a reckless assault, Xiao Yi shook his head and chuckled, "Soul Snatcher, Life Stealer!"


    Whoosh!


    Sword drawn, sword fallen.


    Xiao Yi brushed past Ding Qiang, walking straight towards Zhuge Shuangdao and others, while behind him, Ding Qiang collapsed with a thud, his throat spraying blood. Xiao Yi lifted his longsword, with droplets of blood rolling down its edge, and coldly said, "Come at me all at once. Killing you one by one just isn''t satisfying enough!"


    Hisss!


    These words struck like thunder out of the blue, drawing a wave of gasps.


    Killing wasn''t satisfying enough?


    Every sword strike could claim the life of a talent painstakingly nurtured by the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and yet you call that not satisfying enough?


    Zhuge Shuangdao was furious, his eyes cold as frost, and he gritted his teeth, "Xiao Yi, I admit that what Zhang Yi and Mr. Ge did was despicable by fabricating the reasons for your disqualification from the assessment. But you''ve caused enough trouble, and you''ve killed enough. This should be the end of it, and I will personally draw a satisfactory end to this issue!"


    "A satisfactory end?" Xiao Yi looked at him with an amused gaze.


    "Killing you, to settle this matter, that would be the most satisfactory conclusion!" Zhuge Shuangdao said coldly, "Rest assured, I will give you enough respect, and I will use my strongest strike to kill you!"


    No sooner had his voice faded.


    Zhuge Shuangdao''s body erupted with a boom.


    White light swirled around him; behind his back, two white streams rose, and two arms tore through them appearing at his rear. Each of his four arms grasped a pitch-black war blade that shone with a dark gleam of sharpness, sending chills down the spine.


    "Zhuge Shuangdao, ranked 10th among the Earth Level students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, 25th on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List''s Tiger List, his Innate Divine Ability, four arms!"


    "Four arms perfectly fused with his body, extremely fearsome!"


    With a face full of excitement, Zhou Xin, despite his bruised and swollen face, showed an eerie smile, "This time, Xiao Yi is undoubtedly going to die!"

 Chapter 58 - 58: An Earth-Shattering Sword

    Zhou Xin wore a smug expression on his face, provocatively looking over at Gu Junhe.


    Gu Junhe gave him a glance.


    Not a word was uttered.


    Yet, his palm once again came down on Zhou Xin''s face, pressing it against the ground and rubbing it back and forth.


    Zhou Xin''s mouth was full of mud and sand, despairing in anguish, "Gu Junhe, you are going too far!"


    Gu Junhe said indifferently, "Your eyes are asking for a beating!"


    Zhou Xin: "I..."


    Meanwhile��


    Zhuge Shuangdao had already launched a thunderous offensive, his four arms spinning simultaneously, with black sabers cutting through the air��the dazzling black saber light was blinding and impressive, arriving in a flash, appearing right in front of Xiao Yi, launching attacks from both sides. The saber blades, merged with the arms, offered even more flexibility than using weapons alone.


    The power had also increased significantly.


    Xiao Yi was entirely focused. The opponent before him was of the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, far beyond any opponents he had previously encountered.


    With a single hand, he grasped the Dragon Scale Sword to block the attacks in front of him.


    Clang!


    Amid a dull sound, the first black saber strike landed on the edge of the sword, actually causing the blade to curl back and sparks to scatter. The brute force was just transmitted to both hands when Xiao Yi felt a numb soreness, and then the second saber strike landed on the edge of the sword.


    Clang!


    This strike was even more powerful than the last.


    Followed immediately by the third, fourth, fifth saber strikes...


    "Whirlwind Slash!"


    Zhuge Shuangdao''s figure spun like a top, his four arms wielding the combat sabers repeatedly striking the Dragon Scale Sword.


    The dragon scales on the sword broke apart and shattered, shooting off in all directions.


    Xiao Yi was forced to retreat again and again.


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, weren''t you quite arrogant? It seems you can only bully those weaker than you..."


    "What our Royal Martial Arts Academy doesn''t lack the most are geniuses. What are you? The fact that our Royal Martial Arts Academy doesn''t want you is only your loss, it has absolutely no impact on us!"


    "Brother Zhuge, go for it, chop him down!"


    The strong ones from the Royal Martial Arts Academy shouted one after another, their expressions filled with excitement.


    The eighteenth saber strike came down!


    Clang!


    With a crisp sound, the Dragon Scale Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand broke into two pieces, the violent shockwave sent Xiao Yi flying away. He was flung over ten meters, dragging two ferocious traces behind him, the centers of his palms split open, blood spurting wildly, the broken sword dim and shattered.


    Zhuge Shuangdao stood proudly in front of Xiao Yi, with heavy mockery in his lips, "Is that all you''re capable of? Still dreaming about challenging all the students below the heaven level at the Royal Martial Arts Academy?"


    Xiao Yi shook off the fresh blood on his hands, tore off a piece of cloth to wrap around his palms, and looked up at Zhuge Shuangdao: "As expected of the number twenty-five on the Flying Tiger List, you do have some skills. There can''t be many geniuses like you at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, right? If I killed you, the Royal Martial Arts Academy would surely lament your loss!"


    Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List is divided into the Teng Long List and the Flying Tiger List.


    The Teng Long List has twenty spots, with each person being a Golden Core Realm powerhouse under the age of forty.


    The Flying Tiger List has one hundred slots, each a powerhouse under the age of forty and below the Golden Core Realm.


    Zhuge Shuangdao, being ranked twenty-fifth on the Flying Tiger List, meant that he was ranked forty-fifth among the younger generation across the entire Tianqing Kingdom.


    Such a prodigy was indeed a rare talent, even for the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Zhuge Shuangdao looked disdainful: "You think you can kill me?"


    Xiao Yi stretched and cracked his joints, raising the bandaged hand, and said lightly, "I, Xiao Yi, always act on the principle of not offending others unless I am offended first. Today''s affair was provoked by you. And Zhuge Shuangdao, since your earlier attacks on me were all deadly, if I don''t kill you, wouldn''t I be letting down my own bloodshed?"


    "That also depends on whether you have the capability!" Zhuge Shuangdao scoffed.


    Clang!


    The long sabers held in the four arms crisscrossed, slowly dragging the blades with ear-piercing clangs, sparks flying and killing intent surging to the heavens.


    Xiao Yi''s body shook.


    With a flick of his palm, a third-grade elemental longsword appeared in his hand, this blade was obtained from the Sword Mountain Manor; it was named Tiger Slayer. The sword''s hilt portrayed a fierce tiger''s head, its maw wide open with the sword blade emerging from within, a cold light circling the entire blade. Xiao Yi gripped the hilt tightly, his body trembling: "It''s not only you who has an Innate Divine Ability!"


    Hum!


    A stream of black liquid flowed out from Xiao Yi''s body, adhering to his right arm, wrapping around the Tiger Slayer Sword in his hand.


    The Tiger Slayer Sword turned a shiny black color.


    It had completely fused with his arm!


    On this side was Xiao Yi''s ''Weapon Fusion'' innate divine ability, manifested after his breakthrough to the Shentong Realm, using a weapon as a support to transform his body into a weapon, combining himself with it. Holding a war sword, his arm fused with it; the entire arm was the war sword. Clad in battle armor, his torso could merge with it, and his whole body became the armor!


    Weapon Fusion, one of the top ten divine skills!


    "His innate divine ability is actually Weapon Fusion?"


    "Just how strong is Xiao Yi''s talent?"


    All were astonished.


    Even Zhou Xin was sweating profusely at this moment, filled with immense regret. He had turned away a peerless genius who possessed the Weapon Fusion innate divine ability?


    "That, that''s the power of Sword Intent��"


    "To master one of the top ten divine skills, Weapon Fusion, at merely the Fourth Layer of the Shentong Realm, and to grasp Sword Intent already? This, this��"


    If Zhou Xin only felt regret upon discovering Xiao Yi''s mastery of the Weapon Fusion divine skill, at this moment he was regretting it so much his guts turned green. Mastering Sword Intent in the Shentong Realm meant a hundred percent certainty of advancing into the Golden Core Realm!


    Added to that was his innate divine ability, Weapon Fusion.


    Xiao Yi''s future achievements would at least be in the top three of the Teng Long List!


    "Jia Sidao, Ge Qingyun, Zhang Yi... you''ve wronged me..." Zhou Xin was so angry that he spouted a mouthful of old blood, his eyes filled with hysterical madness as he stared fixedly at Zhuge Shuangdao, "Shuangdao, kill him, kill him for me!"


    Meanwhile.


    Xiao Yi and Zhuge Shuangdao had already engaged again in combat, with Zhuge wielding knives in all four arms, attacking with an unparalleled ferocity.


    Between their exchanges, the two appeared evenly matched.


    After all, Xiao Yi was still at the Fourth Layer of the Shentong Realm, facing off against Zhuge Shuangdao of the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer who had awakened his innate divine ability, there was still a certain gap.


    "I admit you''re strong, but you''re still far from killing me!" Zhuge Shuangdao''s four arms waved wildly, momentarily baffling Xiao Yi with his madness-like knife techniques.


    "It seems I can only use this move��"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes suddenly surged with a crimson hue as he roared, "Blood Explosion Skill!"


    Whoosh!


    A red glow emerged around his body, enveloping him entirely.


    It was indeed the Blood Explosion Skill inherited from Dao Yan!


    The Blood Explosion Skill instantly burned one-tenth of Xiao Yi''s blood, offering a burst of tenfold strength. The second layer burned a fifth of the blood for twentyfold power, and so on, till the tenth layer burned all the blood to unleash a hundredfold strength.


    But to cast the tenth layer meant burning all the blood, leading to death!


    Fortunately, Zhuge Shuangdao was only at the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer; Xiao Yi needed to activate only the first layer of the Blood Explosion Skill.


    Boom!


    After the tenfold increase in strength.


    Xiao Yi''s right arm, merged with the Tiger Slayer Sword, was covered in a layer of crimson glow: "Sweeping a Thousand Troops!" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A sword swept across the sky.


    Both speed and power were ten times greater than before!


    Clang!


    This sword blow forcibly knocked the blades out of Zhuge Shuangdao''s hands.


    "Not good��" Zhuge Shuangdao''s complexion underwent a drastic change.


    The moment Xiao Yi passed by him, he promptly reversed direction and struck again with his sword: "Chasing Stars and Moon!"


    Whoosh!


    The blade sliced through the void, severing Zhuge Shuangdao''s four arms on the spot.


    Howl!


    Zhuge Shuangdao''s spirit almost left his body as he wailed in pain, turning to run towards Zhou Xin, "Elder Zhou, save me..."


    "No one can save you!"


    Xiao Yi sneered coldly, the scarlet sword glow piercing the heavens, a thirty-foot sword light shrouding the sun.


    This earth-shattering sword descended from the sky!


    Spurt!


    Zhuge Shuangdao''s body shuddered, and he spewed out a mouthful of fresh blood, his entire body cleaved into two halves by Xiao Yi''s relentless strike��

 Chapter 59 - 59: Within a year, I will take your life!

    Silence.


    Deathly silence.


    In front of the gates of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, despite the presence of over ten thousand people, there was now absolute quiet.


    Gulp!


    Someone swallowed instinctively, which set off a wave of gulping as one formidable figure after another swallowed repeatedly. This sound seemed to break the spell that had frozen time, gradually restoring the ability to move among the crowds.


    Every single person looked at Xiao Yi with a mix of shock, awe, and a hint of disbelief, "Dead, dead? The tenth ranked Earth-Level student, ranked twenty-fifth on the Flying Tiger List, the genius Zhuge Shuangdao is actually dead?"


    "I, I must be dreaming��"


    Even Gu Junhe was momentarily stunned before bursting into hearty laughter, proclaiming loudly, "Interesting, interesting! Someone who didn''t even pass the second round of assessments at the Royal Martial Arts Academy and was turned away at the door as ''trash'' has actually killed one of your so-called geniuses, hahaha, what a Royal Martial Arts Academy indeed��"


    At this moment.


    The entire Royal Martial Arts Academy erupted into chaos.


    Especially Gu Junhe''s term ''trash''. It was like an invisible slap fiercely striking the face of every powerful figure of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Pain.


    A pain that drills into the heart!


    If even Xiao Yi, who killed Zhuge Shuangdao, could only be considered trash and not worthy of entering the Royal Martial Arts Academy, what did that make them?


    Are they even less than trash?


    "Ge Qingyun, Zhang Yi, and Jia Sidao, you all deserve to die��"


    "Because of your selfish desires, you not only caused the death of Zhuge Shuangdao but also caused our Royal Martial Arts Academy to lose an unparalleled genius!"


    "You are the sinners of the Royal Martial Arts Academy��"


    Many of the powerful figures from the Royal Martial Arts Academy cursed without stop.


    Zhou Xin''s complexion turned from pale to flushed, feeling chilling drafts on his back.


    If Elder Wang and the headmaster were to return and learn about this, he feared that losing his position as the Law Enforcement Elder would be the least of his worries!


    "Xiao Yi�� it''s all because of you, you damned mongrel��" Zhou Xin glared venomously at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s body ceased its glow of blood, revealing the Blood Explosion Skill.


    The Blood Explosion Skill constantly burnt his blood, and that last strike had burned away a tenth of his blood volume, leaving his face extremely pale.


    His arm too returned to normal.


    The vital energy expended to maintain his Innate Divine Ability was also tremendously great.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, his pale face bearing a strange smile as he bowed to the people of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, "The Royal Martial Arts Academy is indeed worthy of its reputation, the talents are as plentiful as the stars in the sky, no wonder you looked down on Xiao Yi. This Zhuge Shuangdao is supposedly ranked beyond the twentieth at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, but it took me the strength of nine bulls and two tigers just to kill him. It seems that my previous declaration of challenging all students below the Sky Level was truly overconfident and arrogant!"


    Zhou Xin''s face twitched: "..."


    The disciples of the Royal Martial Arts Academy gnashed their teeth in anger: "..."


    Your words are anything but modest, they''re a slap in our faces!


    Xiao Yi then turned to face Gu Junhe, bowing, "Headmaster, the Royal Martial Arts Academy is indeed terrifying with its abundance of powerful figures. We should return to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy."


    "Yes, let''s go!"


    Gu Junhe laughed heartily, he hadn''t felt this joyful in many years.


    Gu Junhe gave a bow to Zhou Xin, "Elder Zhou, my Tianqi Martial Arts Academy is no match for the Royal Martial Arts Academy, we can only take in the disciples you look down upon. When your headmaster returns, remember to thank him for me, will you!"


    Zhou Xin: "You, you�� argh..."


    He was so angry that he spewed out a mouthful of old blood.


    "Hahaha..."


    Gu Junhe waved his hand grandly, "Children, follow me back home; tonight, I will treat you to great amounts of meat and wine!"


    Whoosh!


    A fierce wind swept through, and the Cangyun Eagle swooped down from the skies, landing in front of the crowd.


    Xiao Yi and the others climbed onto the back of the Cangyun Eagle, and with a wingspan of twenty meters, it flapped its wings and soared into the sky, vanishing among the clouds.


    Soon after�� Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhou Xin slowly regained consciousness only to discover Elder Wang and Zhou Yuan, the headmaster of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, staring at him with extremely ugly expressions. It was clear they already knew the full story of what had happened.


    Zhou Xin''s pale face was filled with bitterness and resentment, "Dean, Elder Wang, that Gu Junhe has gone too far!"


    Slap!


    Elder Wang''s hand struck Zhou Xin''s face, shocking him into confusion. Holding his cheek, he stared at Elder Wang in a daze, "Elder, Elder Wang, what are you doing?"


    Elder Wang''s face was grim as he said, "Xiao Yi was my personal recommendation, intended to be cultivated as the core talent of the future for the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Yet you all pressured him to leave? Now you want to turn the situation around and blame him? What did Gu Junhe do wrong? Am I supposed to watch idly as you ruin a talent?"


    "I, I..."


    Zhou Xin opened his mouth but was unable to utter a word under Elder Wang''s furious glare.


    "Enough!"


    Zhou Yuan spoke faintly, his gaze towards Elder Wang filled with displeasure, "Zhiyuan, this matter can''t be blamed all on Zhou Xin. If Xiao Yi truly intended to join the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he would have stayed even if he felt wronged, or at least until you and I returned. But he not only killed our disciple, he also tarnished the academy''s reputation. It proves that he is not fated to be with our academy!"


    Elder Wang''s expression remained dark, "Dean, this whole affair was caused by Jia Sidao for his own personal hate. How can you blame Xiao Yi?"


    "If Xiao Yi had not killed Jia Sichun, would Jia Sidao have targeted him? Ultimately, Xiao Yi has no respect for our academy. Such a person, we are better off without!" Zhou Yuan paused and then continued, "Zhou Xin, go tend to your injuries. I will make a trip to Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Dean, what are you going to do?" Elder Wang asked, frowning.


    Zhou Yuan snorted coldly, "Do I need to report to you what I do?"


    Whoosh!


    Zhou Yuan soared into the sky.


    ...


    On the back of the Cangyun Eagle.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged, his complexion regaining some color. Opening his eyes, he saw Fang Qingzhu looking at him with concern and managed a smile, "Don''t worry, I''m fine!"


    Fang Qingzhu spoke softly, "Can you not take such risks in the future? I, I only have you as my family now..."


    Family?


    Xiao Yi felt a slight jolt, wasn''t he the same?


    Gripping Fang Qingzhu''s soft hand tightly, Xiao Yi nodded firmly, "Okay..."


    However...


    Before the word "okay" could leave his lips, it seemed to get stuck.


    Whoosh!


    A light flickered in the void, and a finger carved out of crystal shot towards Xiao Yi''s back.


    Fang Qingzhu''s pupils contracted sharply, and she forcefully pulled Xiao Yi, swapping places with him.


    Under Xiao Yi''s shocked gaze, the crystal finger landed on Fang Qingzhu''s back with a booming sound.


    Wow!


    Fang Qingzhu''s body trembled, blood spurting out and covering Xiao Yi''s face.


    Everything in front of him was blood-red!


    Xiao Yi held Fang Qingzhu tightly; she continually spat out blood, and he desperately tried to stop it, but blood still flowed through the gaps in his fingers. Xiao Yi looked around, trying to call for Gu Junhe, but realized he couldn''t make any sound, only gasping for breath.


    Niu Dali and the four brothers from the Shi Family were on high alert, encircling the two of them.


    Suddenly, a furious roar erupted from the void, "Zhou Yuan, you old bastard, how dare you strike a junior with such a venomous blow? Have you no shame?"


    Zhou Yuan''s indifferent voice came through, "This brat tarnished the reputation of the Royal Martial Arts Academy and killed my disciple. Why shouldn''t I take his life? Besides, you, Gu Junhe, as the dean of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, have been reduced to picking up the trash discarded by our academy. You''ve truly lost all face for your academy!"


    "To hell with losing face, die!"


    "You think I''m afraid of you?"


    Boom!


    A terrifying energy burst forth in the sky, hanging like a radiant sun, illuminating the expanse of the capital.


    "Gu Junhe, you are still no match for me, go back and practice more! Hahaha..."


    "Damn you, old dog Zhou..."


    Gu Junhe, with a face filled with rage, returned to the Cangyun Eagle. After checking Fang Qingzhu''s injuries, he took out a golden pill and placed it into her mouth, exhaling in relief, "Don''t worry, I''ve weakened that strike by ninety percent, and with this Three-turns Golden Healing Elixir, after we return and properly rest, Qingzhu''s injuries should heal within three months."


    Xiao Yi nodded heavily, looking down at Fang Qingzhu, who had fallen into a deep sleep in his arms.


    His eyes were a blood-red color, his gaze filled with violence and madness. He pronounced each word with determination, "Old dog Zhou Yuan, I, Xiao Yi, swear to the heavens��I will take your life within a year!"

 Chapter 60 - 60 Tianqi Martial Arts Academy

    Above the Cangyun Eagle, there was silence.


    Gu Junhe, looking apologetic, gave Xiao Yi a wry smile and said, "I''m sorry, I didn''t expect Zhou Yuan, that old dog, to be so despicable as to strike a junior at the zenith of the Golden Elixir Realm."


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Director, this isn''t your fault!"


    He knew very well that if it weren''t for Gu Junhe''s timely intervention, blocking ninety-nine percent of the power of that finger, he and Fang Qingzhu would have become a pair of doomed lovers.


    After this battle,


    Xiao Yi had gained a deeper understanding of the strength of the Golden Elixir Realm, especially the might of someone at the Golden Elixir Peak, whose single finger, even with less than ten percent of its power, almost claimed Fang Qingzhu''s life.


    Gu Junhe hesitated for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "The words you uttered earlier were too impulsive!"


    He was referring to Xiao Yi''s vow to kill Zhou Yuan within a year.


    That was an existence at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    Furthermore...


    Zhou Yuan was the head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and with his status and position, even if he didn''t possess the strength himself, Xiao Yi couldn''t just kill him at will. After all, he represented the face of the royal family, and should his illustrious reputation be threatened, the royal family might very well come out in full force to protect him.


    Even that ancestral figure from the Tao Tribulation Realm who had not shown himself for a long time might appear because of this.


    Moreover...


    Gu Junhe didn''t believe that Xiao Yi could possess the strength to kill Zhou Yuan within a year.


    After all.


    The gap between the Fourth Layer of the Shentong Realm and the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm was like heaven and earth, a true dragon against a stubborn snake.


    Even if Xiao Yi''s talent were exceptional, he would still need time and opportunity.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, and his bloodshot eyes softened as they landed on Fang Qingzhu, "I once swore I would never let Qingzhu suffer the slightest harm, yet she nearly lost her life to save me. If I don''t avenge this, I swear I am not a human being!"


    "This..."


    Seeing the determination in Xiao Yi''s eyes, Gu knew it was pointless to say more and could only say, "Don''t worry, I will do my utmost to help you."


    "Thank you, Director!" Xiao Yi said.


    Niu Dali patted his shoulder, "Brother, count me in for taking revenge for sister-in-law. When you go to storm the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I will go with you!"


    "And us too!" The Shi Family brothers also said one after another.


    Shi Yaodu, with a mournful face, twirled two dice in his hand, "I bet we can''t withstand a single finger from Zhou Yuan... but even if it means death, we must go at it!"


    Xiao Yi looked deeply at his companions.


    Apart from Niu Dali, they were all strangers he''d met by chance. S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet whether it was at the Royal Martial Arts Academy or now, they still stood by his side.


    Xiao Yi etched this camaraderie in his heart and, with eyes narrowed, looked in the direction of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, silently vowing, "In one year''s time, I will flatten your Royal Martial Arts Academy and take your head, Zhou Yuan!"


    Cheep cheep...


    The Cangyun Eagle, as if influenced by him, soared high, letting out a series of sonorous cries.


    Swish!


    The Cangyun Eagle swiftly vanished into the clouds.


    They had already flown out of the capital, landing within a mountain range thirty miles outside the capital, where Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was situated atop the most majestic peak of this mountain range. This peak rose abruptly like a spring bamboo shoot joining the clouds, thousands of feet tall if not more.


    Amidst the mist and clouds,


    sprawling buildings neatly arranged could faintly be seen on the mountainside.


    At the entrance was an archway carved out of white marble, flanked by six stone columns entwined by sculpted dragons, which seemed to spring to life. At the gate stood two black stone lions, one with a ball of fire in its mouth and the other stepping on auspicious clouds, both exuding a powerful presence.


    Above the archway hung a plaque with gold letters on a black background that read: Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!


    The gates were indeed magnificent!


    "This is our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy? The gates are quite spectacular!"


    "They say that over five hundred years ago, this was the premier academy of the Tianqing Kingdom. They say a camel dying of starvation is bigger than a horse, so even though it''s declined, it should still be not too shabby!"


    Niu Dali looked towards Gu, who was dispatching the Cangyun Eagle to hunt deeper in the mountains, and asked, "Director, how many disciples do we have in Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    Shi Yaose spit into his hands, rubbed them together, and then smeared it casually through his hair, squinting he asked, "Director, didn''t you say that the female disciples in our academy are all peerless beauties? Where are they?"


    Shi Yaoqian also asked, "Headmaster, you said our Martial Arts Institute is so poor all we have left is money, so our monthly stipend should be quite substantial, right? I''ve heard that the lowest-ranked Yellow-tier students at the Royal Martial Arts Academy get a monthly stipend of 500 silver. We shouldn''t be worse off than them, should we?"


    "Don''t worry, I am the honorable Headmaster after all, how could I possibly deceive you!"


    Gu Junhe kept a straight face as he took out eight contracts, saying solemnly, "These are the enrollment contracts. You must sign your names and press your fingerprints for it to be official and for you to be formally admitted into the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!"


    Everyone signed the contract one after another.


    Xiao Yi looked at Gu Junhe with a strange expression. The latter chuckled mischievously and collected all the contracts before clapping his hands and shouting towards the gate, "Come out and greet the guests... ahem, come out and welcome your new junior brothers and sisters!"


    Shi Yaose quickly straightened out his clothes.


    Niu Dali looked forward hopefully, waiting for the legendary beautiful senior sisters.


    A few moments later.


    A youth with a handsome and stately appearance came out, greeting everyone with a calm smile, "Welcome, my fellow junior brothers and sisters!"


    "Senior brother, why is it just you? Where are the beautiful senior sisters?" Niu Dali asked curiously.


    The youth smiled wryly, "In Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, aside from the Headmaster, it''s only me!"


    What?


    Niu Dali and the others were dumbfounded.


    What the heck?


    There''s only one disciple?


    Shi Yaose stared blankly at Gu Junhe, "What happened to the beautiful women you promised?"


    Gu Junhe said earnestly, "I said that if there were any female disciples, they would be considered peerlessly beautiful. Isn''t Qingzhu beautiful?"


    Shi Yaose''s eye twitched, "I&...*����"


    Shi Yaoqian clutched his chest, "Headmaster, you''re not also lying about being so poor all we have is money, are you?"


    "That part is true!"


    Gu Junhe nodded, adding, "We are indeed so poor that we can only save money."


    Shi Yaoqian, "&*����..."


    Shi Yaoquan asked, "What about the promise that all resources would be open to us?"


    Gu Junhe patted his shoulder, speaking earnestly, "In the entire Martial Arts Institute, it''s just you few. You can live wherever you like, cultivate wherever you wish. Both Dean Jiang Tai and I, serving as tutors, are responsible only for you eight. Doesn''t that count as having all resources open to you?"


    Everyone: "..."


    So Tianqi Martial Arts Academy has neither money nor resources, plus just the ten of them in total?


    Everyone knew Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was in decline, but who could have imagined it was this bad!


    Shi Yaoqian said with a dark face, "Is this a place for people to stay? Let''s go, let''s go..."


    Gu Junhe''s expression darkened, and he revealed the signed and thumb-printed enrollment contracts, "You''ve all signed the enrollment contracts. Without the Headmaster''s permission, anyone who dares to leave the Academy will be committing a crime of defection. I will announce it to the world, and you will become loathed by everyone as backstabbers and betrayers to your master. Try leaving, just one of you?"


    Everyone felt stars in their eyes, and a mouthful of fresh blood almost spurted out.


    "Think about it from another perspective. Because of the small number of people in the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, you can get comprehensive guidance! If you don''t believe it, ask Jiang Tai. He owes his current achievements to my personal guidance; he is third on the Teng Long List and a super strong man at the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!"


    Gu Junhe, seeing that he had stunned them into silence, continued, "As long as you obediently stay in Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, I guarantee that within three years you will all be on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List, and within ten years, on the Teng Long List..."


    Within three years, the Dragon and Tiger List? Within ten years, the Teng Long List?


    Listening to Gu Junhe speaking confidently, Niu Dali and the Shi Family brothers all shone with hope and longing.


    However, Xiao Yi was looking at Jiang Tai, who had approached, and said with a wry smile, "It was the seventh prince who had Dean Gu visit the Royal Martial Arts Academy, right?"


    "After hearing Jia Sidao was targeting you, I was worried you might be in danger, so I had the Headmaster make a trip. But I didn''t expect him to bring back so many people..."


    Jiang Tai gave the Shi Family brothers and Niu Dali a strange look, then frowned at Fang Qingzhu in Xiao Yi''s arms, "What''s going on there?"


    Xiao Yi simply said two words, "Zhou Yuan."


    Jiang Tai sneered, displaying no surprise, "That indeed sounds like him." After a pause, Jiang said, "The Headmaster will still be busy brainwashing for a while, let me get you settled first!"


    "Thanks for the trouble!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and followed Jiang Tai into the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy...

 Chapter 61 - 61: Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List

    Time flies, three days slip by quietly.


    Over the past three days, the news of Xiao Yi causing a ruckus at the Royal Martial Arts Academy has spread far and wide.


    There''s nobody in the capital of Tianqing Kingdom who doesn''t know the name Xiao Yi.


    Especially after Xiao Yi slew Zhuge Shuangdao and took his place, becoming the twenty-fifth on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List''s Flying Tiger Board.


    In an instant.


    The name Xiao Yi became an idol to countless people.


    However��


    Xiao Yi himself had no opinion on the matter; to him, whether it was the Flying Tiger Board or the Teng Long List, everything still depended on one''s own strength being sufficiently strong. Over the last three days, aside from taking meticulous care of Fang Qingzhu, he devoted himself entirely to cultivation.


    Besides Gu Junhe and Jiang Tai, there were only eight of them in the entire Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, so there was no talk of classes. Apart from not being able to leave the academy at will, it was extremely free.


    On the back mountain.


    Xiao Yi stood bare-chested under the waterfall, holding the Fire Qilin Sword in his hand, swinging the longsword again and again.


    He didn''t use a trace of Yuan energy, but just mechanically waved the longsword.


    The power of Sword Intent allowed him to merge as one with the Fire Qilin Sword.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    With each thrust of the sword, the swiftly falling water in front of him was forcefully torn apart, and suddenly Xiao Yi thrust out mightily with his sword.


    Whirl!


    This sword, akin to a carp leaping through the Dragon Gate.


    Moving against the stream.


    Wherever the sword edge passed, the waterfall''s waters were torn asunder, extending for over thirty meters before stopping.


    Only then did the curtain of water from the waterfall slowly heal.


    Simultaneously, Xiao Yi leaped up and landed by the lakeside, thrusting the Fire Qilin Sword into the ground, then sat cross-legged, carefully contemplating the sensation of that sword stroke: "Dao Yan divided Sword Intent into five stages, the first stage being Clarity of Sword Heart, the second stage, the Sword Follows the Heart, the third stage, Unity of Man and Sword, the fourth stage, the Sword Moves at Will, and the fifth stage, All Swords as One. I have now truly mastered the first stage, Clarity of Sword Heart. If I were to face Zhuge Shuangdao again now, I could defeat him without the need for the Blood Explosion Skill!"


    The understanding of martial arts is a profound realm.


    Ordinary martial artists may not reach the first stage in their lifetimes.


    Xiao Yi, being able to grasp the first stage, Clarity of Sword Heart, within the Spiritual Realm Cultivation, certainly relates to the inheritance from the Life-Taking Scholar, but it''s also inseparable from his own talent.


    "Xiao Brother!"


    Jiang Tai''s figure approached from a distance, carrying two jars of strong liquor, tossing one to Xiao Yi and sitting down next to him.


    Xiao Yi slapped open the clay seal, took a few big gulps, exhaling a long breath of turbid air: "Who would have thought that His Highness the Seventh Prince would not fancy exquisite spirits but rather this throat-slashing strong liquor?"


    "Exquisite spirits are too mild, just like a man without any vigor, not suited for me!" Jiang Tai tilted his head back and took a few gulps, casually wiped his mouth, and glanced at Xiao Yi, "How is Fang doing in her recovery?"


    A relaxed smile appeared on Xiao Yi''s face: "She woke up yesterday, but she will need another month or so of recovery. I must also thank you, Jiang Brother, for bringing those healing pills. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have recovered so quickly!"


    "Why the formality between brothers?"


    Jiang Tai smiled and after a moment of hesitation, he said, "Xiao, have you heard that today within the Tianqing Kingdom, a secret realm of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert has been discovered?"


    Xiao Yi nodded his head.


    He had heard Xue''er mention this.


    Zhou Yuan and Elder Wang had gone before to explore that secret realm.


    Otherwise...


    If Elder Wang had personally been stationed at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, none of the subsequent events would have happened.


    Jiang Tai''s voice became grave, "The Dean has already decided to compete for it, and my father has also sent people there. The information I got shows that it''s the tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert, with the lifelong treasures of a Tao Tribulation expert inside. As is customary, after these big shots finish their exploration, they will allow our junior generation to go there for training..."


    Xiao Yi''s action of drinking suddenly halted.


    The tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert would surely have many treasures.


    This was a great opportunity!


    Xiao Yi, with a solemn voice, asked, "Is the news reliable?"


    "Reliable!"


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment and then said, "What do you mean by that, Jiang?"


    Jiang Tai lifted his head to gulp down two mouthfuls of strong liquor, his eyes shining with sharp intent, and he said in a grave tone, "The tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert is an immense opportunity. In addition to the experts from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, families like Mingjian Manor, as well as the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple and the Nine Profound Sect, will send their strong ones to enter. Even the younger generation from the neighboring countries will come. Although their strength is not bad, they still fall short compared to true geniuses. I want to invite Xiao to join me and travel together!"


    Although Xiao Yi was tempted, he did not immediately agree and instead frowned while looking at him, "With your strength, Jiang, wouldn''t partnering with you just slow you down?"


    Jiang Tai was a prominent expert at the Eighth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Among the younger generation, possibly only that prince at the Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm could beat him; he was just at the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. Even though he had the combat power of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he was far from being a match for a Golden Core Realm expert!


    Jiang Tai said seriously, "I know a little about your affairs in Nanhuang. In just three months, you went from having no cultivation to becoming a Divine Skills realm expert. After those big shots conclude their exploration, there will be at least two more months. I don''t believe that in two months, Xiao will still have the same cultivation level. Of course, if I feel that Xiao''s strength is not enough to form an alliance with me at that time, I will go by myself!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, sizing up Jiang Tai seriously, then suddenly laughed, "You speak quite directly, but I like to associate with straightforward people. Rest assured, if at that time my strength can only slow you down, you won''t need to speak. I will know to keep my distance."


    "Hahaha, then let''s toast in advance to our successful return from the secret realm!"


    "To our successful return!"


    The two swung up their pots of liquor and finished them off in one go.


    "Xiao, you must train hard during this time. I will keep an eye on the situation there and inform you immediately once there''s any news!" After giving his advice, Jiang Tai left with the empty liquor pot in hand.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and fell into deep thought.


    The tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert was a huge opportunity, one that he would definitely need to explore whether Jiang Tai invited him or not.


    But it was also a great risk.


    When the time came, the experts from the Royal Martial Arts Academy would go as well, and considering his relationship with them, they would surely not let him off easily.


    "Two more months of time... I must at least break through to the Golden Core Realm to have the qualifications to fight for it."


    In Xiao Yi''s palm appeared the Iron Blade King''s golden core. He took a deep breath, "Once this golden core is completely refined, I should be able to step into the Seventh or even Eighth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. Then, it will be time to visit the Iron Blade King''s residence again to fulfill the promise I made to the Iron Blade King."


    And then...


    Xiao Yi once again entered the waterfall, his palms facing each other with the golden core suspended between them, while circulating his profound skills to refine the energy within the golden core...


    S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 62 - 62: Murder in the Street

    Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    The back mountain, waterfall.


    Whoosh!


    Streams of water cascaded down from the summit, striking the surface of the lake with a thunderous roar.


    Within that waterfall...


    Xiao Yi''s body was bathed in a faint milky white glow, which coalesced into a spherical shield, keeping the droplets of water at bay. Between his hands, there was a grain-of-rice-sized yellow light that turned into a yellow stream, merging into his body.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s body shuddered as his aura surged, reaching the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    But his cultivation did not end there, as the vast primordial energy within his body poured into the God Sealing Seed, activating one after another.


    From one thousand, it rose to fourteen hundred and fifty.


    The torrential power of the God Sealing Seeds fed back into his body, and Xiao Yi finally exhaled a murky breath, ceasing his cultivation with a brilliant smile on his face, "Just as I expected, sharing that Golden Core with Qingzhu expended too much energy, and fully refining it only allowed me to step into the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. However, with my current strength, even a master of the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer is no match for a single punch of mine. Even peak Divine Skills practitioners can be challenged in battle!"


    In the midst of speaking.


    Xiao Yi launched a punch forward.


    The third-grade advanced martial skill, Vajra Fist, was as powerful and unyielding as a vajra.


    Boom!


    The waterfall in front was blasted open with a large hole, which did not close even after Xiao Yi walked through it and left the lake.


    This Vajra Fist was a set of fist techniques Xiao Yi had found in the Scripture Pavilion of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, along with a sword technique called Four Seasons Swordplay and a movement technique called Falling Leaves Mystical Step. Over the past twenty days, he had not only broken through to the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm but had also cultivated these fist, sword, and movement techniques to a state of perfection.


    Xiao Yi made his way back to his courtyard.


    The Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was sparsely populated, but there were many courtyards, and the one they resided in was previously owned by the Vice Dean of the academy.


    Fang Qingzhu could now walk on the ground, but since Zhou Yuan''s finger had injured her internal organs, it was not advisable for her to practice cultivation for the time being. When Xiao Yi returned, the table was already set with a lavish meal, and Fang Qingzhu rested her cheeks in her hands, fixated on the doorway.


    As soon as she saw Xiao Yi return, she hurriedly stood up, carrying a basin and a towel to meet him, "Brother Xiao Yi, quick, wash your face so we can eat!"


    "Alright!"


    Xiao Yi grinned with a smile.


    He thoroughly enjoyed this kind of life, plain but filled with the warmth of home.


    "Qingzhu, I need to make a trip out tomorrow, and it will likely take about half a month. Do you want to come with me?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Fang Qingzhu was taken aback, then shook her head, "Brother Xiao Yi, I really want to go with you. However, my injuries have not fully healed yet, so I should stay here and recuperate. But Brother Xiao Yi, you must take care when you''re out on your own!"


    Xiao Yi did not insist, nodding in agreement, "Yeah, I know!"


    ......


    Iron Mountain City.


    Located at the foot of Iron Mountain, more than seven hundred kilometers from the capital.


    Famous for its abundant iron mines.


    The entire Iron Mountain City''s iron ore reserves were controlled by the Tie Family and the Xu Family. The Tie Family specialized in forging saber weapons, and all the bladed weapons used by the army of the Tianqing Kingdom were supplied by them, which earned them the title of Iron Blade King. The Xu Family, on the other hand, had been granted the title of Comrade King because one of their ancestors, a Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm commander, had expanded the kingdom''s territory.


    These two great families held the iron mines of Iron Mountain, and even the royal family of the Tianqing Kingdom dared not offend them easily.


    On the wide streets.


    Xiao Yi, dressed in black, led a horse and stopped by a stall selling women''s jewelry, picking up a red hairpin and asking, "Shopkeeper, how much for this?"


    The shopkeeper, a plump middle-aged man, responded cheerily, "My lord has a fine eye! Are you picking out a gift for your wife? This red hairpin is made of pure gold, and the pearls inlaid on it come from the top-quality pearls produced in Qinghe. It''s only a hundred taels of silver."


    "A hundred taels of silver? I''ll take it!"


    Xiao Yi took out a hundred taels of silver and tossed them to the stall owner, just as he was storing the rouge hairpin in his storage ring when a scream rang out from beside him, a figure rapidly flew backwards towards him.


    Bang!


    An old woman with a withered face smashed heavily into the stall, toppling over a display of jewelry onto the ground.


    "Grandma..."


    The heart-wrenching cry filled with desperate pain was distressing to hear.


    Xiao Yi turned towards the sound.


    Across the street, on the railing of the second floor of a tavern, a delicately beautiful girl in tattered clothes was gripping the railing tightly, poised to jump down. Despair filled her eyes as she looked helplessly at the old woman lying in a pool of blood, crying out with no strength. Behind the girl were two young men in luxurious clothing, both with vicious smiles on their faces as they dragged her back inside, one on each side.


    "Sigh, it''s those two beasts again..."


    "Isn''t this the fifth time this month? We should remind our neighbors to keep a closer watch on their daughters!"


    A few sighs of resignation echoed within the crowd.


    The stall owner glanced at the old woman lying in the pool of blood and sighed, "What a sin!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "Boss, what''s going on here?"


    The stall owner glanced at Xiao Yi, his expression changing, and said in a grave tone, "You must be from out of town, young master. I advise you not to meddle in other people''s affairs. Better leave quickly!"


    "Ugh..."


    The old woman on the ground suddenly trembled.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and was about to step forward to help her when the stall owner grabbed him, saying gravely, "Young master, please don''t meddle. It will only bring trouble to your doorstep. You saw who those two men upstairs are, didn''t you? If they see you dare to help this old lady, you''ll be in a world of trouble!"


    "The old lady is still alive, can we really just watch her die before our eyes?" Xiao Yi broke free from the stall owner''s grasp and helped the old woman up.


    However...


    Just as he lifted her up, the sound of something cutting through the air came from behind him.


    Xiao Yi''s expression tightened, and as he turned around, he reached into the air and caught the incoming arrow. Had he not acted quickly, the arrow would have pierced through the old woman''s head. Who could be so cruel as to deal such a deadly blow to a withered old person? Xiao Yi looked back and saw a young man with his upper body bare jump down from the second floor.


    "Damn it, you dare to save someone I want to kill? You must be tired of living!"


    The young man threw away the large ox-horn bow in his hand and drew a three-foot-long blade from his waist. With a couple of swings creating a flower of blade movements, he chopped towards Xiao Yi''s head.


    "Another life lost..."


    "I told you not to meddle..." The stall owner''s face was filled with pity.


    However...


    The blade did not fall; mid-air, it was caught firmly between two of Xiao Yi''s fingers.


    "Hmm?"


    The young man was startled, then roared with a fierce face, "Let go!"


    "Scram!"


    Xiao Yi casually tossed the young man aside, sending him flying with his sword.


    "You, you dare to fight back? You''re seeking death!"


    Enraged, the young man pulled out a black, heavy crossbow from behind him. With a thud, a crossbow arrow shot straight for Xiao Yi. The poison-coated arrow was deadly on contact, and as Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank, he quickly dodged using a movement technique, allowing his shape to blur and barely evading the arrow. In an instant, his right hand reached out.


    Grabbing the crossbow arrow, he shot back from the ground at full speed.


    With a thump, the arrow pierced through the young man''s throat.


    Bang!


    The young man clasped the arrow in his throat with both hands, knelt on the ground, shaking. All he could hear was Xiao Yi''s cold voice, "Relying on your family''s power to bully men and women, quick to take a life at the slightest disagreement, scum like you shouldn''t be allowed to live in this world..." S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 63 - 63: If I want you dead, can you refuse to die?

    "Murder, murder, there''s been a murder!"


    "Run! Someone''s been killed..."


    In an instant, the onlookers on the street scattered in terror, screaming as they fled.


    The owner of the jewelry stall turned deathly pale, looking at Xiao Yi as if eying the Plague God, "You, you, you actually killed him? He''s the sworn brother of Comrade King''s Princely Heir Xu Tao... I told you to mind your own business, now you''re dead for sure..."


    At that moment...


    From the second floor of the tavern, a cry of alarm could be heard.


    The woman who had been earlier dragged in was now covered with vicious, shocking wounds, and fresh blood gushed from her body, a sight so sorrowful it was unbearable to watch.


    Whoosh!


    With the sound of cutting through the air, that woman was brutally thrown down from the second floor.


    Her head hit the ground with a thud, splattering blood everywhere.


    "Damn wretch, being favored by me is due to the virtue of your ancestors. Ungrateful and even daring to bite me? Truly tired of living..."


    A voice full of discontent and arrogance came from the second floor, "Younger brother, why aren''t you done? It''s just killing an old hag, why is it taking so long? Younger brother, young... younger brother?"


    Whoosh!


    A robust young man jumped down forcefully and saw the young man Xiao Yi had slain.


    His eyes were blood-red with rage, and his fierce gaze fell upon Xiao Yi, "You? You killed my younger brother?"


    Xiao Yi coldly observed the young girl lying in a pool of blood behind the young man.


    A twinge of regret surfaced in his heart, "I should have charged directly to the second floor earlier; then, this innocent life wouldn''t have been wasted in vain!"


    "Kid, do you know who he was? He was the sworn brother of Comrade King''s Princely Heir Xu Tao. You actually killed him? You''re definitely dead, no one can save you... Not only are you going to die, but your entire family and all your relatives must die as well..." The young man''s face twisted with ferocity as he bellowed crazily.


    "You''re really annoying!"


    Xiao Yi gave him a cold glance.


    That icy look alone made the young man shudder, his First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm abilities unable to be summoned, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.


    "Don''t come any closer... you, don''t come any closer... I''m Xu Tao''s sworn older brother; if you dare to harm a single hair on me, my second brother will not let you off..." The young man said in terror, scuttling backward on his hands and feet.


    Xiao Yi advanced step by step.


    Crack!


    With a stomp, he broke the man''s left foot.


    "Aaargh..."


    The young man screamed miserably, howling, "Have you gone mad?"


    Crack!


    The right foot was broken as well.


    Filled with despair, the young man no longer dared to be as arrogant as before. Enduring the intense pain, he backed away on his hands, "Brothers, let''s talk this out, please don''t kill me. I have money, I can give you lots and lots of money, please don''t kill me..."


    "She must have pleaded with you just now, hadn''t she?" Xiao Yi suddenly asked.


    "Ah?"


    The young man looked dumbfounded.


    Xiao Yi pointed to the old woman and the young girl lying in the pool of blood, "They must have begged you as well, right?" S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You, you, you did this for them? They are just lowly poor people. I fancied her body, and she should''ve obediently complied with me, but instead, she thought of resisting, so I, I had to kill her..." As he spoke, the young man shamelessly pulled down his trousers, "Look, I''m all swollen here from where that wretched woman bit me; it was her own fault!"


    "Her own fault?"


    When Xiao Yi spoke these four words, the air around seemed to turn icy cold.


    His chest felt as if it was blocked by a stone.


    Xiao Yi''s voice was oppressively subdued, even somewhat hoarse, "Just because they are impoverished, they are to be trampled and manipulated at your whim? If you fancy her body, she must submit to you, and if not, she deserves to die? Haha, it''s ludicrous, truly the height of absurdity."


    Crack!


    Xiao Yi pointed a finger.


    Splat!


    Vital energy cleanly severed the young man''s arms at the shoulders, and blood gushed forth; the young man lay on the ground, howling in agony.


    Xiao Yi''s voice sounded as if it came from the netherworld, "I tell you to die, will you die or not?"


    "I can''t, I can''t die..." the young man roared.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, sighing, "In my eyes, you are no more than an ant. I order you to die, and you dare not die? That is an affront to me!"


    Swish!


    The sword finger moved again.


    Vital energy like a blade, ruthlessly severed his legs as well.


    Awooo...


    The young man was in excruciating pain, his limbless body writhing in a pool of blood. Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "You see, I want to kill you, and you don''t just die quietly, but dare to scream like this, ruining my mood. Do you now say you deserve to die or not?"


    "No, please no..."


    The young man sobbed uncontrollably, his heart filled with nothing but fear and regret at this moment.


    At this moment...


    He seemed to see those he had bullied in the past. Their faces were likely filled with the same despair and pain as his own, right? Yet, in the past, those expressions only stirred excitement and pleasure in him, but now it was only fear and despair that overwhelmed him!


    "I dare not, I will never dare again..." the young man wailed miserably.


    Just then...


    The sound of thundering hooves approached; a troop of dozens of horsemen was closing in fast.


    The leader, a middle-aged commander clad in black armor with eyes sharp as a hawk''s.


    "General Geng, please, hurry, save me..." The young man cried out like a drowning person grasping for a lifesaver.


    The comers were none other than the Black Armored Army under the command of Geng Jing from Comrade King''s mansion, who had rushed over upon hearing that the Princely Heir''s sworn brother had been killed.


    Geng Jing rode on a black armored ferocious tiger, followed by more than thirty Black Armored Army horsemen, his cold gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, "You audacious scoundrel, how dare you commit murder in broad daylight? Release him this instant!"


    "Release him, you say?"


    Xiao Yi grabbed the young man''s dream and flung him; the young man shot towards Geng Jing''s mount like an arrow from a bow, the speed too fast for the black armored tiger to react. It trampled right over him with a crisp crack.


    The young man''s head was crushed flat.


    Geng Jing turned to see the unrecognizable young man and felt a chill run through his scalp. This was Princely Heir Xu Tao''s sworn brother, now dead before his own eyes��a responsibility he could not escape. Staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, he said coldly, "Do you realize who they are? By killing them, you leave yourself no path but death!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "He was crushed to death by your mount!"


    "You..."


    Geng Jing''s face turned shades of green and white, his teeth clenched in anger, "Where is the Black Armored Army?"


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    In the midst of the clashing sounds of metal, thirty Black Armored Army horsemen stepped forward in unison.


    Geng Jing pointed his long spear at Xiao Yi, "Take this criminal down and bring him to the Princely Heir!"


    "Yes!"


    The thirty Black Armored Army horsemen instantly spread out their formation and charged.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Horse hooves shook the earth, rumbling loudly.


    The whole ground vibrated as if a black tide of steel surged forward, heading straight for Xiao Yi...

 Chapter 64 - 64: Kill Geng Jing, Acquire the Mine Map

    The black-armored cavalry were the elite soldiers of the Comrade King''s residence.


    Each of them had reached the Shentong Realm in their cultivation, and their mounts were comparable to the second-tier high-grade beasts at the Peak of the Qi Gathering Realm, the Bloodthirsty Dragon Colts��with great speed, immense strength, and robust bodies. Coupled with the protection of their black armor, their charge was overwhelmingly powerful and their destructive force was astonishing.


    Though their cultivation was only at the first or second layer of the Shentong Realm, the combined charge of thirty black-armored cavalrymen.


    Their destructive power was enough to threaten the life of someone in the High-order Divine Power Realm.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The thirty cavalrymen lined up in three rows and charged headlong.


    The ground trembled as pebbles danced about.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, as proud as a lone pine standing tall in the bitter cold, unshakable by the wind or the snow. His eyebrows, sharp as swords, moved slightly, and when the first cavalryman reached him, his hands shot forward fiercely.


    Godly strength gathered and Qi cloaked his hands.


    Clang! Clang!


    In the sharp sound of metal piercing through, Xiao Yi''s hands actually punctured the black armor in front of the Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt''s chest and firmly grasped the warhorse.


    His figure was also pushed back by the momentum.


    But he only took three steps back!


    Xiao Yi''s legs plunged into the ground like steel stakes, veins on his forehead bulging, the muscles on his arms tensing instantly. The ferocious strength erupted in an instant, and with a low growl, Xiao Yi actually lifted the Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt, weighing thousands of pounds, into the air.


    He threw it violently into the sky, and at the same time, grabbed the hind legs of the Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt.


    "Die!"


    Xiao Yi spun wildly like a top.


    The Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt in his hands became a lethal weapon, harshly smashing into the other black-armored cavalrymen.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt let out continuous screams, with its rider already smashed into a pulp, and after several swings. The black-armored cavalrymen were battered to pieces, their figures unrecognizable, and when Xiao Yi finally stopped, all that was left of the Bloodthirsty Dragon Colt in his hands were its two legs.


    Before him...


    All thirty black-armored cavalrymen lay in pools of blood, none spared.


    Hiss!


    The entire street fell silent.


    So quiet you could hear a pin drop.


    This was the black-armored cavalry!


    The most elite cavalry of the Comrade King''s residence, capable of facing ten foes each on the battlefield, were now all taken down by a single Xiao Yi?


    Xiao Yi tossed the two horse legs aside and walked toward Geng Jing.


    Tap tap tap!


    His footsteps rang clearly, echoing in the deathly quiet street.


    Geng Jing''s mount, the black-armored fierce tiger, used to be imposing from every angle, but now it was backing away continuously, intimidated by Xiao Yi''s aura. Geng Jing felt a burning sensation on his face as he pulled tightly on the reins to stabilize the black-armored fierce tiger, his cold gaze locked onto Xiao Yi, "Boy, who on earth are you?"


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, Xiao Yi," Xiao Yi said calmly.


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Institute?"


    Geng Jing was taken aback, then sneered, "Seeing you act so decisively in killing, I thought you were a brave man who dared to take responsibility. I didn''t expect you to be a rat hiding behind a guise. Everyone knows Tianqi Martial Arts Institute has few people left, aside from the current seventh prince, there are no other students. If I''m not wrong, you must be sent by the Iron Blade King''s residence, right? It seems the Iron Arm Commandery Princess has run out of tricks, to actually send someone to kill the Princely Heir''s sworn brothers, attempting to disturb his heart and obstruct his breakthrough to the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer?"


    Xiao Yi frowned at Geng Jing, "Iron Arm Commandery Princess?"


    "Hmph, your scheme has already been seen through by this general, how much longer do you intend to play dumb?" Geng Jing sneered continuously, "Once I have captured you, I will break your limbs and take you to confront the Iron Blade King''s residence and the Iron Arm Commandery Princess face to face. Let''s see if she can still refuse my family''s Princely Heir then!"


    While speaking, Geng Jing had already leaped down from the black-armored fierce tiger and, in the blink of an eye, appeared in front of Xiao Yi.


    A layer of white frost covered his right hand.


    The frost condensed into a long spear, and the silver spear thrust fiercely at Xiao Yi, "Angry Dragon Leaps from the Sea!"


    Thunderous roars like rolling thunder filled the sky, and the dazzling silver light, like mercury pouring down, transformed into ferocious silver dragons entwining with each other, coalescing into a silver celestial river suspended across the sky. Geng Jing''s strength was extraordinary, at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, having awakened the Innate Divine Roar of the Dragon.


    A low roar came with the intimidation of dragon''s might.


    The unwavering of mind.


    Under the influence of his dragon''s roar, one''s spirit would become chaotic, even shaking their martial heart, leaving behind an indelible nightmare shadow.


    Seeing Xiao Yi standing still, not moving an inch, Geng Jing was extremely pleased, the silver light of his spear casting an especially cold reflection on his face, "Struck by my dragon''s roar, you can''t even resist. Just die obediently!" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The spear dragon soared across the sky, and the surrounding stalls were swept up into the air, the stone slabs on the ground clattered, and a web-like pattern of cracks covered them.


    It seemed that Xiao Yi was about to be impaled by a spear!


    In the nick of time,


    Xiao Yi''s figure suddenly shifted, his vital energy circulated within him with hints of golden light emerging and submerging like an Immovable King, his punch was like heaven itself, obscuring the sun.


    Boom!


    Under this punch,


    The silver spear dragon shattered inch by inch.


    Xiao Yi appeared as if he had transformed into the War God, unbeatable in attack, invincible in battle, sweeping through everything!


    Clang!


    The fist and the spear clashed like the tip of a needle against a stalk of wheat.


    Humm!


    The body of the spear suddenly bent.


    "This can''t be��" Geng Jing''s face, previously filled with triumph, was now swept clean, replaced by shock and terror.


    As the spear twisted, he was now only a step away from Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi''s footsteps were enigmatic as he brushed past the long spear, the inertia from the spear snapping back propelled Geng Jing forward unwittingly. In contrast, Xiao Yi once again closed the distance between them, his punch transforming into a palm, his five fingers clenched, grabbing Geng Jing''s neck.


    With a fierce push!


    Bang!


    Geng Jing''s head was slammed fiercely onto the ground, as Xiao Yi surged forward.


    Geng Jing''s head plowed through the ground like a plowshare, tearing open a ghastly ravine.


    The stone slabs shattered, dust spiraled upward.


    Continuing for over twenty meters!


    Geng Jing''s head pounded with pain; just as he managed to open his eyes, he saw a dark footprint descending from the sky, and with a bang, his head was crushed.


    Blood splattered in every direction.


    The street was a wreck, with the bodies of the black-armored cavalry strewn about in disarray.


    A cold wind blew, leaving a chilling desolation.


    At the end of the street��


    Xiao Yi, leading a horse carrying the bodies of the old woman and the young girl, strode away.


    Outside Iron Mountain City,


    In a forest, after Xiao Yi had buried the young girl, he turned to the old woman with tears streaking down her face and let out a light sigh, "Condolences!"


    "They''re all gone, all of them are gone��"


    The old woman''s face, wrinkled like tree bark, squeezed out an ugly smile and walked tremulously to Xiao Yi, "Kind sir, thank you for avenging my granddaughter. I have nothing to repay you with, this map of the ore vein was given to me by my son before he died, claiming it marks the location of the largest tungsten iron mine within the Iron Mountain. I was afraid it would bring me fatal disaster, so I never dared show it to anyone. Today, I shall give it to you!"


    "Tungsten iron mine?"


    Xiao Yi was surprised, as this was a metal several grades higher than iron. Weapons made of tungsten iron were second only to elemental weapons. He repeatedly waved his hands, "Old madam, how can I accept this?"


    "Kind sir, my husband and son both died in search of this mine; it''s of no use to me. If you do not accept it, I will not rest in peace when I die!" The old woman, trembling, pushed the parchment into Xiao Yi''s hands with a sincere expression.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, nodded to the old woman''s begging eyes and said, "Alright, I will accept it!"


    The old woman gestured, "Kind sir, please go ahead! I still want to accompany my granddaughter for a while longer��"


    "Old madam, I''ll wait for you nearby! I''ll take you home later!" Xiao Yi said.


    The old woman did not refuse and sat by the grave.


    She sat there for an entire hour.


    Bang!


    The old woman suddenly fell in front of the grave; Xiao Yi was startled, and on checking her, he found the old woman had bitten her tongue and committed suicide. Xiao Yi''s eyes showed intense grief, "Xiao Yi, you fool�� you should have realized that the old woman was settling her affairs... you��"


    Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world.


    Xiao Yi buried the old woman next to her granddaughter, stood there for a long time, and didn''t leave until the sun set behind the mountains��

 Chapter 65 - 65 The Crisis of the Hu Family

    The bustling of Iron Mountain City under the cloak of night still thrived immensely.


    The clinking and clanging of metalworking could be heard everywhere, for the city was home to a great number of blacksmiths.


    From the forge businesses of the Hu and Xu Families to small private workshops, one could almost say that everyone who came out of Iron Mountain City knew how to work with iron.


    But today, the atmosphere in Iron Mountain City was even more tense, and the night patrols by soldiers seemed more anxious than usual, with the frequency of their rounds increasing. All of this was due to the battle during the day; thirty black armored cavalrymen of the Comrade King''s estate had fallen in battle, and even the commander of the black armored cavalry, Geng Jing, had been slain.


    The Comrade King''s estate was enraged.


    All of Iron Mountain City was as silent as if in the grip of winter''s chill.


    Xiao Yi relied on his nimble movement technique to traverse the shadows and quietly approached the estate of the Iron Blade King.


    The sprawling estate of the Iron Blade King was well-lit, with even more patrolling powerhouses than usual.


    Xiao Yi infiltrated their ranks.


    He made his way unseen to the vicinity of the main hall when he suddenly heard several heated arguments inside.


    A cold voice came from within the hall, "You can go marry him if you want, but I will never marry Xu Tao!"


    "Qing Bi, can''t you be a little less selfish? Not only is he Xu Tao, the Princely Heir of the Comrade King, but also a disciple of the Nine Profound Sect. What about him doesn''t match up to you? Moreover, once you marry Xu Tao, the Hu and Xu Families will be related by marriage, and they will no longer harm our Hu Family''s business..."


    "Sacrificing oneself for the peace of the whole family��what''s so bad about that?"


    The cold voice of Hu Qingbi echoed from within, "Everyone shut up!"


    "Is this the way you talk to your elders?"


    "We are all considering the estate''s best interests. No matter how you look at it, your marriage to Xu Tao benefits our Hu Family the most!"


    Faced with the relentless pressure from her own relatives, the Iron Arm Princess Hu Qingbi''s face went pale, and her eyes shimmered with the threat of tears.


    The relatives before her were like termites, incessantly eroding the Hu Family''s interests.


    With Hu Yi in the family, he could at least intimidate them, but since Hu Yi had disappeared years ago, Hu Qingbi, with her abilities and strength, was utterly incapable of deterring these greedy parasites.


    "Qing Bi, listen to me!" S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The person speaking was the brother of Hu Yi.


    With a light stroke of the moustache under his nose, Hu Li laughed like an old fox eyeing a chunk of meat in a crow''s beak, "Six years ago, your father took every treasure from our clan in an attempt to breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm, and that''s the root cause of our Hu Family''s downfall. As the saying goes, a son inherits his father''s debts. It''s time for you to pay back what your father owed!"


    Bang!


    Hu Qingbi pushed over the tea table in front of her and glared at Hu Li, "Uncle, are those even human words you''re saying? Why did father risk his life to advance to the Golden Core Realm those years ago? Was it not because you were caught meeting Xu Shiheng''s lover in secret, and when Xu Shiheng sought to take your life, father was gravely injured saving you? Is that why he thought to take the resources and enter seclusion to make a breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm? And now you have the audacity to speak like this?"


    "Shut up! It was your father who chose to save me back then. Did I ever ask him? Did I ever beg him to lift a finger?"


    Hu Li sneered indifferently, "I''ve already negotiated the terms with the Comrade King. As long as you marry Xu Tao and bring the eighth and thirteenth mining veins as a dowry, he will spare the Hu Family. We''ve decided on this, and you have no right to refuse!"


    "I will never marry Xu Tao..." Hu Qingbi roared in fury.


    Hu Li sneered in response, "That''s not up to you! Come, tie her up and take her to the Xu Family!"


    "I''d like to see who dares to tie me up!" Hu Qingbi humphed coldly, her formidable aura instantly filling the hall; she was currently the strongest person in the Hu Family, a being of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    However...


    As she started circulating her vital energy, a wave of weakness engulfed her body, and she collapsed to the floor with a thud.


    She found herself unable to move her limbs.


    Hu Li laughed heartily, "As the Hu Family''s top expert, would I act without certainty? I''ve added plenty of Muscle-locking Powder to your food; you should obediently marry Xu Tao! Hahaha..."


    "You, you shameless..."


    Defeat and despair painted Hu Qingbi''s face as her tearful eyes beheld the clan members, their faces twisted with a ferocious desire to bind her and send her off to the Xu Family.


    Filled with despair and regret, Hu Qingbi thought to herself, "Father, these are the clan members you fought with everything to protect��unworthy, they''re all unworthy..."


    "Gag her mouth and..."


    Boom!


    Hu Li''s voice was abruptly cut off by a deafening roar, and the door to the room exploded with a bang, sending two guards from the Hu Family flying through the air from the powerful blast.


    From within the wreckage of the splintered door, Xiao Yi''s figure gradually appeared.


    "Who is it?"


    "How dare you, thief, sneaking into the Hu Family in the dead of night �� surely harboring ill intentions��" A powerhouse of the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm glared at Xiao Yi, bellowing in anger.


    Before the words could even finish.


    Xiao Yi cast a cold glance at him and threw a punch like a Wrathful Vajra.


    Boom!


    The elder of the Hu Family was smashed to the ground, with a fist-sized hole gushing blood through his forehead, as if a fountain of blood had erupted forth.


    Hiss!


    The hall fell silent.


    Everyone''s gaze toward Xiao Yi was as if they were looking at a demon.


    Hu Li forced himself to remain composed while gazing intently at Xiao Yi, "Friend, has my Hu Family somehow offended you? I, Hu Li, apologize on behalf of my family. We''re willing to compensate you��"


    "Compensate?"


    Xiao Yi''s indifferent gaze settled on Hu Li.


    Hu Li felt as though an invisible hand was gripping his throat under Xiao Yi''s gaze, making even breathing difficult, and he stammered, "Yes, yes�� I''m willing to compensate, whatever conditions you have, I will meet them!"


    "Oh, then give me something as compensation."


    "What is it?"


    Hu Li glanced at Xiao Yi and hastily said, "Whatever you want, I can provide it for you. How about my niece? She''s beautiful and as long as you like�� Er��"


    Mid-sentence, Hu Li realized his feet were no longer touching the ground.


    His face filled with terror as he saw Xiao Yi, close at hand, single-handedly lifting him by his throat, and Hu Li''s face was overcome with fear, "Why, why is this? I, I''m willing to pay�� "


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze remained on him, "I only want your dog life!"


    "Ah? Why? I, I''ve never provoked you��"


    Hu Li''s face turned pale, his voice trembling with the question.


    Xiao Yi''s right hand clutched his throat, and his left hand produced a Token.


    It was the Token of the Iron Blade King, Hu Yi.


    "This, this is the Family Head''s Token? How could it be in his possession?"


    Hu Li looked at the Token in disbelief, "How did you get this Token? I saw with my own eyes Xu Shiheng grievously wound my brother, he clearly��"


    Hu Li suddenly stopped speaking, his expression turning increasingly horrified.


    "You, what did you say? You saw Xu Shiheng grievously wound my father?" Hu Qingbi also recovered from her shock, looking at Hu Li in disbelief.


    Hu Li went white as a sheet, and Xiao Yi coldly demanded, "Won''t you speak the truth?"


    Hu Li trembled all over, bereft of hope, and closed his eyes in despair, "That year, Xu Shiheng promised not to kill me as long as I helped him murder my brother�� I, I had no choice. It''s not my fault; it was all Xu Shiheng''s doing. I, I only told him where my brother was in secluded cultivation��"


    "Hu Li, you bastard, our father was wounded trying to save you, and you repay his kindness with treachery?" Hu Qingbi trembled all over, her eyes bloody.


    Xiao Yi turned towards her, "Would you like to take revenge with your own hands?"


    To that, Hu Qingbi started, then nodded eagerly.


    With a flick of Xiao Yi''s finger, a surge of vital energy entered her body, neutralizing the Muscle-locking Powder''s poison in her system, and he threw Hu Li to the ground.


    Hu Qingbi''s eyes were a bloody red as she pounced on Hu Li like a mad demon.


    Her fists and feet flew, smashing Hu Li''s head into a pulp.


    She tore off his limbs with her own hands��


    The hall was filled with the stench of blood, as if it were a Shura hell��

 Chapter 66 - 66: Eve of the Battle

    Within the grand hall of the Hu Family.


    The pungent scent of blood made people involuntarily furrow their brows; Hu Li''s body had long been shattered into pieces, torn to shreds by Hu Qingbi herself.


    Her eyes were a bloody red, her body covered in fresh blood, her cold gaze sweeping over the Hu Family''s powerhouses.


    That blood-red gaze was like two soul-snatching crimson pearls, making one feel as if they''d be devoured with just an extra glance, and no one dared to meet her eyes.


    The grisly death of Hu Li was right in front of them, not to mention the mysterious Xiao Yi standing by the side.


    Naturally, no one dared to say much.


    Hu Qingbi looked coldly at the crowd and said sternly, "You all have heard it, my father was killed by that despicable Hu Li in cahoots with Xu Shiheng. Do you still want me to marry Xu Tao?"


    One after another, the elders exchanged glances, all bowing their heads.


    Who would dare to agree now?


    Hu Qingbi snorted and said emphatically, "Listen to me, all of you, gather all the Hu Family''s forces by noon tomorrow. I shall settle this with a fight to the death with the Xu Family atop Iron Mountain!"


    The crowd exchanged looks.


    An elder of the Fifth Layer of the Divine Power Realm hesitated and said, "Miss, we must not act rashly in this affair! The Xu Family''s power far surpasses ours, to say nothing of Xu Shiheng who has already reached the peak of Shentong, and Xu Tao who has broken through to the Tenth Layer of Shentong. We simply are no match for them!"


    "Yes, to engage in a fight to the death with the Xu Family at this time would be a suicide mission!"


    A few elders spoke out with worried faces.


    For them...


    As long as they could protect their own small piece of interest, the revenge for Hu Yi and who would call the shots in Iron Mountain City in the future were simply not their concerns.


    "You�� you all��"


    Hu Qingbi''s face turned pale.


    She never expected that even after learning the truth about Hu Yi''s death, these clan members would still remain indifferent, only thinking of their own benefits.


    Xiao Yi, standing nearby, glanced at the group of complacent Hu Family powerhouses, grinned, and said, "Miss Hu, some people are just naturally base; no matter how nicely you try to persuade them, they won''t take you seriously!"


    Hu Qingbi was startled, then steeled her heart.


    Thud! Thud!


    She struck out in succession.


    The two elders who had first raised objections had their heads smashed by Hu Qingbi''s palm, one after the other. She said coldly, "I''ll say it again, all Hu Family forces will gather by noon tomorrow for a fight to the death with the Xu Family. Do you understand?"


    "We understand!"


    "Miss, please rest assured, we will definitely not disappoint you!"


    Seeing the awe in the elders'' eyes, Hu Qingbi huffed coldly, then turned to Xiao Yi, gave a respectful bow, and said with meticulous courtesy, "Qingbi is grateful for your assistance, Sir!"


    Xiao Yi helped her up, shook his head, and said, "You needn''t thank me; I''ve already received my payment from your father." After pausing, he handed over the scroll of the "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill" to Hu Qingbi.


    "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill?"


    Hu Qingbi''s expression changed drastically, then she revealed a look of ecstasy.


    The "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill" was the Hu Family''s ancestral cultivation technique, which traditionally only the heads of the family and their heirs could practice.


    Hu Qingbi had only practiced the first half so far, but now with the complete "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill," given enough time, she was certain to lead the Hu Family to new heights of glory.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "If it''s convenient, could you tell me about your wagered duel with Xu Tao?"


    Upon hearing the name Xu Tao, Hu Qingbi''s face contorted with added ferocity.


    She took a deep breath and said in a heavy tone, "Our Hu Family and the Xu Family have always been rivals; our two families control over eighty percent of the mines in Iron Mountain City. Since my father went missing, the Xu Family has been suppressing us at every turn. Not long ago, they proposed a wagered duel where the loser would have to surrender all of their mining veins. I had no choice but to agree under pressure..."


    Iron Mountain City is the mining capital of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    If the Xu Family managed to take over the Hu Family''s mines, they would become the undisputed mining kings of the Tianqing Kingdom, and even the royal family of Tianqing Kingdom would have to ask favors from them.


    Xiao Yi asked, "Do you have confidence in your fight against Xu Tao?"


    Hu Qingbi gave a wry smile and said, "I''ve heard that Xu Tao has secluded himself and advanced to the Tenth Layer of the Divine Power Realm. I''m no match for him. But even if it means death, I will never surrender..."


    With her inherently tenacious character, and especially after knowing that Hu Yi''s death was inextricably linked to Xu Shiheng, there was no way she would compromise.


    Xiao Yi was silent for a moment before asking, "Are there any specific rules about who can fight in your duel?"


    "There are none!" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hu Qingbi shook her head, then suddenly, her expression froze, and she looked at Xiao Yi with disbelief, "Benefactor, could it be that you..."


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I''ll fight for you."


    It was precisely because of Hu Yi''s Golden Core that he was able to enter the Divine Realm so smoothly with Fang Qingzhu, allowing Fang Qingzhu to defeat Fang Jin.


    This debt of gratitude couldn''t simply be repaid by returning the royal order and the "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill"!


    Hu Qingbi looked at Xiao Yi with gratitude, "Thank you, benefactor... As long as we can defeat the Xu Family, I am willing to hand over all of the Xu Family''s mines to you!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "Keep the Xu Family''s mines for yourself, I might have some cooperation to discuss with you when the time comes!"


    In his hands, he held a map of the Tungsten Iron Mine.


    According to the old crone, it was the biggest vein in the entire Iron Mountain Range.


    Its value was probably more than the combined mines of both the Xu Family and the Hu Family.


    However...


    This Tungsten Iron Mine was far too precious, and with Xiao Yi''s current strength, it would be impossible to keep it safe once exposed.


    At the same time.


    The Xu Family.


    Bang!


    A loud boom suddenly erupted from Xu Tao''s room, causing the entire residence to tremble slightly, and everything inside was a mess.


    Dressed in black with a pale, cold, and fierce face, Xu Tao growled furiously, "That Hu Qingbi, she actually dared to send people to kill my eldest brother and third younger brother? I must kill this woman, no, I will annihilate the entire Hu Family and let them accompany my brothers in death!"


    In front of Xu Tao, wearing a python robe and an indifferent expression, Xu Shiheng casually said, "Tao''er, Hu Qingbi is not a concern, but the person she has invited is not so simple, even Geng Jing died by his hand. If that man fights for Hu Qingbi tomorrow, you must be very careful!"


    "Father, rest assured! With my current strength, even Geng Jing wouldn''t last three moves against me."


    Xu Tao, with a look of disdain, lifted his hands with palms facing upwards, and as his fingers twitched slightly, his gaze became immensely cold, "It doesn''t matter if that boy doesn''t show up, but if he dares to, I will squash him easily. Moreover, my senior brother Jin He will also be coming to watch the battle tomorrow; with him supporting us, nothing can go wrong!"


    "That''s good!"


    Xu Shiheng looked at Xu Tao with satisfaction, and his eyes flickered coldly, "Hu Yi, oh Hu Yi, I will personally take the Hu Family you''ve built and make it mine. Not only your family but also your daughter will become playthings under my son''s hip, hahaha..."

 Chapter 67 - 67: So Much Nonsense

    Iron Mountain.


    It loomed majestically and vast, the entire Iron Mountain Range stretching for thousands of kilometers.


    Endless and winding.


    The mountains were rich in ore veins, and mining pits and tunnels pockmarked the landscape, among which stood a mountain riddled with holes.


    This was Iron Mountain!


    The highest peak in the entire Iron Mountain Range, and the only peak within the range devoid of any ore veins.


    At this moment...


    At the summit of Iron Mountain, it was already a sea of people.


    The Xu and the Hu families would engage in a decisive battle at the peak of Iron Mountain, with the loser becoming a vassal to the victor - a piece of news that had, with the Xu family''s deliberate exaggeration, already spread throughout Iron Mountain City.


    "Who do you think will win this battle?"


    "Who else could it be? It''s definitely going to be the Xu family. The Hu family has been in name only since the Iron Blade King, Hu Yi..."


    "That''s a pity, though. The Hu family has been good to us, while the Xu family is much harsher!"


    "How dare you slander the Xu family? Seize him!" A commotion suddenly erupted from the crowd, and a few burly men, blending in with the crowd, immediately dragged away those who had been talking earlier.


    They were brought to the central square at the top of Iron Mountain.


    Xu Tao and Xu Shiheng had long been waiting there, and beside Xu Tao stood a young man in a golden long coat, disheveled and carrying a longsword on his back.


    The two were chatting merrily when suddenly they saw five poor men being dragged up.


    Xu Tao frowned and asked, "What''s going on?"


    The subordinate reported, "Your Highness the Princely Heir, these people were secretly insulting your father..."


    "Kill them then!" Xu Tao waved his hand.


    "Yes!"


    The muscular strongman gestured, and regardless of the desperate pleas of the poor men, beheaded them on the spot. As heads rolled, Xu Tao''s voice rang out, "Hang their bodies in front of the square as a warning to others!"


    "At your command!"


    A moment later.


    Five stakes were erected in front of the square.


    Each stake was over twenty meters tall, the bodies of the five men suspended in the air, their figures swaying in the fierce cold wind, a sight of utter desolation.


    The surrounding crowd kept silent, only looking at those five bodies, feeling the wind blowing even colder through their bones.


    "Brother Jin, I really can''t thank you enough for coming all this way!" Xu Tao laughed, squinting at Jin He.


    This Jin He was of the Tenth Level of Shentong Realm Cultivation, no different from Xu Tao.


    However...


    Xu Tao''s master was the Great Elder of the Nine Profound Sect, Jin Sheng, and Jin Sheng was Jin He''s grandfather. This was the reason Xu Tao treated Jin He with such respect.


    Jin He chuckled, "Junior brother is too polite. It was grandfather who asked me to come and support you. But now you have stepped into the Tenth Layer of the Divine Skills Realm; it seems my coming may have been somewhat superfluous!"


    "What are you talking about, brother? Having you here gives me a real sense of support!" Xu Tao laughed heartily, speaking words like a breath of spring, making them particularly comfortable to hear.


    "Tao''er, the people from the Hu family have arrived!" Xu Shiheng suddenly said in a low voice.


    Xu Tao was startled and looked in the direction indicated.


    The Hu Family''s party was coming up from the base of the mountain, led by Hu Qingbi and Xiao Yi, followed by some of the Hu family elders and strong figures.


    Their numbers were vast, nearly all prominent warriors of the Hu family had arrived.


    "The Hu Family has come out in full force!"


    "Considering it''s a matter of life and death for them, it''s no surprise they''re making such a big move..."


    Xu Tao was sitting boldly with a leg crossed over the other, his eyes narrowed to slits, completely ignoring Hu Qingbi as his gaze was fixed firmly on Xiao Yi.


    The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, curling into a cold arc, "So this is the kid who killed my eldest brother and third brother, huh? Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm? Hmph, I could snuff him out with a flick of my finger!"


    Jin He also showed an indifferent expression.


    Both the Nine Profound Sect and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple were powers second only to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and they recognized all the masters of the younger generation on the Tianqing Kingdom''s Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List.


    They had never seen Xiao Yi before.


    Jin He''s eyes sparkled as he spoke, "Xu, let''s finish up the fight here quickly! I''ve heard that the service at Iron Mountain City''s Misty Rain Pavilion is quite something!"


    Xu Tao grinned and said with ease, "Why bother with Misty Rain Pavilion, Brother Jin? Once I''ve taken care of the Hu Family, I''ll let you have Hu Qingbi for some fun."


    "Hmm? Isn''t that a bit much? She is, after all, yours..." Jin He''s gaze towards Hu Qingbi was filled with greed and desire, yet he appeared to be in a difficult position.


    Xu Tao laughed loudly, not bothering to hide it, and declared, "What''s mine is yours, brother. Besides, she''s just a woman. I''ve decided, tonight I''ll have Hu Qingbi take good care of you!"


    Jin He grinned, "Why not together?"


    Xu Tao paused, then laughed, "Alright, let''s do it together!"


    These comments, when heard by the Hu Family, turned their faces iron blue, and fury blazed within them.


    Hu Qingbi''s chest heaved with intense emotion, her eyes cold as ice, "These two bastards..." S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi patted her shoulder, "Don''t worry, let them be smug for a moment!"


    However...


    It was this pat on the shoulder that caused Jin He''s face to suddenly darken. In his view, Hu Qingbi was already his plaything; how could he allow another man to touch her?


    Jin He snorted coldly and pointed at Xiao Yi, "Xu, I really don''t like that kid. Break his filthy arms and legs first!"


    "Alright!"


    Xu Tao immediately stood up and walked towards Xiao Yi and his group, his gaze falling coldly on Xiao Yi as he arrogantly said, "Which hand did you just use to touch Qingbi? Cut that one off, and I might leave your corpse intact. Otherwise, I''ll slice off your flesh piece by piece..."


    Hu Qingbi''s eyes widened in fury, "Xu Tao, don''t go too far!"


    "Shut up, you cheap woman!"


    Xu Tao snorted and, raising his hand, swung it towards Hu Qingbi''s face, "You are already a toy I''ve given to Brother Jin. You should be keeping yourself clean, how dare another man touch you? Go stand aside and wait..."


    Xu Tao''s voice stopped abruptly.


    The hand he had lifted was firmly grasped by Xiao Yi.


    No matter how much he exerted force, he couldn''t free himself from Xiao Yi''s grasp for a moment. Xu Tao''s face twisted with a savage look as he glared at Xiao Yi, "Kid, you''ve wasted the only chance you had to keep your corpse intact, I..."


    "What a lot of nonsense..."


    Xiao Yi roared and swung his fist, aiming it straight at Xu Tao''s face.


    Behind him, it was as if a Wrathful Vajra stood proud between heaven and earth, and amid the chaotic gust of wind, Xu Tao''s features were completely distorted, his handsome face was utterly disfigured.


    Bang!


    With a muffled sound.


    Xu Tao''s body flew backward like a kite with its string cut, flat on his back, skimming the ground. The wind he swept up tore open the summit of Iron Mountain.


    Like a vicious scar crawling over the mountain''s peak.


    He was flung more than thirty meters away...

 Chapter 68 - 68: Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, Xiao Yi!

    Atop Mount Iron, there was a hush.


    Everything happened so suddenly.


    Everyone was watching as Xu Tao appeared before Hu Qingbi and the others, arrogantly proclaiming his intent to break Xiao Yi''s hands, while everyone waited for Xiao Yi to do the deed himself.


    But then...


    Xiao Yi actually punched Xu Tao and sent him flying?


    Thirty meters away.


    Amidst the billowing dust. S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xu Tao finally stopped, with two bloody trails hanging from his nostrils, his nose bridge broken, tears streaming down his face in humiliation.


    Panting heavily!


    Gasping for air, Xu Tao wiped the blood from beneath his nose, first stunned, then his face twisted ferociously, "Bastard, you dare to ambush me? I''ll skin you alive!"


    Whoosh!


    A vast surge of primal energy burst forth from within him.


    As a cultivator at the Tenth Layer of the Divine Power Realm, Xu Tao''s energy was increasingly refined, and with a single gesture, a green spear landed in his hand.


    Humming!


    The spear danced wildly in the air, whistling fiercely, its silvery light flaring like the venomous fangs of a savage snake.


    "Xu Tao really broke through to the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer?"


    "What terrifying talent; he''s only twenty-six, right? He might have a chance to challenge for the top ten of the Flying Tiger List before he''s thirty!"


    Those in the top ten of the Flying Tiger List are all in the Golden Core Realm.


    Reaching the Golden Core Realm before thirty is indeed a sign of extraordinary talent.


    Not far off.


    Pride showed on Xu Shiheng''s face as he looked toward Jin He, "Jin He, do you think Tao has a chance to enter the Golden Core Realm before thirty?"


    "No problem!"


    Jin He smiled faintly and said, "Grandfather values Xu Tao highly. As soon as this matter here is settled, I will take him back to our sect. Grandfather mentioned that in two months, there will be a huge opportunity. As long as he seizes this chance, not to mention before thirty... Xu and I might both be able to enter the Golden Core Realm within a year!"


    "What opportunity?" Xu Shiheng asked, startled.


    "Don''t ask what you shouldn''t!"


    Jin He swept Xu Shiheng with a warning look, then focused on the direction of Xu Tao and Xiao Yi, looking relaxed, "Although Xiao Yi had the advantage of a surprise attack, being able to blow away Xu with the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm shows he''s not weak. Had Xu not made his breakthrough, he might not have been a match for Xiao Yi. But now, his death is certain!"


    Xu Shiheng didn''t dare to ask further and quickly looked toward the direction of Xu Tao and Xiao Yi.


    "Turning Rivers and Seas!"


    With a low roar, Xu Tao''s spear moved like a dragon turning over the seas, unleashing a fierce surge of force upon Xiao Yi.


    Watching the silvery spear glow closing in.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed and he put his palms together before his chest, drawing the violently trembling spear glow to land between his hands.


    Then with one hand above the other, it was as if the heavens and earth closed in together.


    Clang!


    During the shrill, hair-raising noise,


    The wildly spinning spear glow was actually caught firmly between Xiao Yi''s hands!


    "Burst for me!"


    Xu Tao''s eyes were bloodshot as he charged forward, wielding the spear like an arching bridge. Xiao Yi was forced to retreat explosively.


    After retreating more than ten meters,


    Xiao Yi suddenly slammed his foot on the ground, halting his retreat, then shifted aside, releasing the spear tip from his grasp.


    With the obstruction gone, the spear thrust forward, causing Xu Tao to involuntarily lurch a couple of steps.


    Suddenly, a palm appeared in front of him, fingers spread wide like a sky-covering hand, and with a thud, it pressed on his face with a terrible force that seemed to root his fingers deeply into his face.


    The violent force erupted in an instant from that palm.


    Xiao Yi, gripping Xu Tao''s face, violently lifted him and slammed him to the ground, with a loud thud as Xu Tao''s head smashed into the earth.


    With one hand pressing down on Xu Tao''s head, Xiao Yi charged forward.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Xu Tao''s head plowed through the earth like a bulldozer, stirring up dust and stones, and amidst a cloud of flying dust, trails of fresh blood marked the ground.


    Xiao Yi dragged him for over fifty meters before he abruptly released his grip and stood up.


    Xu Tao''s face was unrecognizable, lying on the ground.


    Xiao Yi''s right fist shone with golden light, as if a Wrathful Vajra judged the legions of demons. Gales of vital energy wrapped around his entire fist, creating bursts of wind and deafening sonic booms between his knuckles.


    This punch was aimed straight for Xu Tao''s head and descended with the force of thunderbolts.


    If this punch were to connect,


    it would surely result in a head exploding upon impact!


    "No!"


    Xu Shiheng''s face drastically changed, and he roared like an arrow released from a bow as he rushed towards Xiao Yi.


    Jin He was momentarily stunned, then he turned a shade of iron blue, clapping the armrest as he leaped up, quickly dashing towards Xiao Yi.


    Both of these Tenth Layer Divine Power Realm powerhouses took action at the same time.


    Indeed it was like Wind Thunder drums booming in battle.


    "Fiery Palm!"


    Xu Shiheng''s hand blazed with roaring flames as his Innate Divine Ability burst forth in an instant, sweeping an intense orange fireball towards Xiao Yi.


    Jin He formed a sword with one hand, pointed it at the void, and fired a highly compressed ball of vital energy.


    These two attacks were no trifles.


    If Xiao Yi were hit, he would undoubtedly be dead.


    "Stop!"


    "Don''t think of harming our benefactor!"


    Hu Qingbi and the multitude of strong Hu Family members acted at the same time. Their cultivation might not match those two, but they were numerous. If one couldn''t stop them, a whole group would attack together.


    "Get out of my way..."


    "Move aside..."


    Xu Shiheng and Jin He were entangled by the Hu Family members and could not break free for a moment.


    They could only watch helplessly as Xiao Yi''s punch descended. Jin He roared, "Stop... Xu Tao is a disciple of the Nine Profound Sect, if you dare to kill him, you will face the relentless pursuit of our Nine Profound Sect disciples, you..."


    "Nine Profound Sect?"


    Xiao Yi''s movement slightly hesitated.


    Jin He showed an ecstatic look, saying proudly, "That''s right, our Nine Profound Sect..."


    However...


    He didn''t finish his sentence.


    Xiao Yi just sneered, "Never heard of it!"


    Boom!


    His punch heavily landed on Xu Tao''s head, the vital energy creating a circular tornado, as if thousands of blades were swiftly slicing through, causing an explosive burst.


    Only half a body remained of Xu Tao in the pit, lying in a pool of blood.


    "No... Tao''er..." Xu Shiheng''s eyes were filled with splitting fury.


    Jin He was stunned. Who in the vast Tianqing Kingdom dared to disrespect the Nine Profound Sect? Yet Xiao Yi, knowing well that Xu Tao was a disciple of the Nine Profound Sect, still struck the deadly blow, which made Jin He fear him as well.


    After dealing with Xu Tao, Xiao Yi saw Xu Shiheng kill two Hu Family warriors.


    And even sent Hu Qingbi flying.


    A cold light flashed in his eyes as he leaped forward, brandishing a third-grade longsword and slashing it out: "Reclaiming Soul, Seizing Life!"


    Pffft!


    The sword, swift as a fleeting shadow!


    Thump!


    The ferocious looking Xu Shiheng was beheaded, collapsing into a pool of blood.


    Xiao Yi, standing with his sword, was enveloped by the roaring wind, his robe billowing, his gaze falling on Jin He.


    Jin He shuddered, looking at Xiao Yi with a grave face, "Who exactly are you?"


    Merely at the Seventh Layer of the Shentong Realm yet possessing such combat prowess, he was surely no ordinary figure!


    Xiao Yi looked calmly at Jin He and said indifferently, "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, Xiao Yi!"

 Chapter 69 - 69 One Man Guards a City

    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    Jin He was taken aback, obviously very unfamiliar with the once glorious but now completely declined Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Even the onlookers from Iron Mountain City were perplexed, "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy? Hasn''t that place closed down long ago? How can there still be disciples?"


    "However, this young man actually killed the father and son of the Xu Family, his strength is truly terrifying!"


    "No matter how strong he is, it''s useless, that Xu Tao is a disciple of the Nine Profound Sect. If he were a disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, perhaps the Nine Profound Sect wouldn''t dare seek revenge, but since he''s from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, the Nine Profound Sect will definitely not let him go..."


    The onlookers'' faces held a hint of anticipation as they looked towards Jin He.


    However...


    Jin He''s expression suddenly changed, and he looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "You, you are the Xiao Yi who caused havoc in the Royal Martial Arts Academy, who killed Zhuge Shuangdao?"


    His combat power was on par with Zhuge Shuangdao.


    But since even Zhuge Shuangdao had fallen at Xiao Yi''s hand, Jin He didn''t think he had the strength to contend with Xiao Yi, and for a moment, he felt a chill throughout his body.


    He cursed the ancestors of the father and son of the Xu Family in his heart.


    If only he had known that Xiao Yi was behind the Hu Family, he wouldn''t have got involved in this matter even if it killed him!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as he sized up Jin He, "What? You know me?"


    Jin He forced a smile.


    How could he not know?


    The name of Xiao Yi from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was already well-known among the younger generation of Tianqing Kingdom, after all, someone who was under twenty and ranked within the top thirty of the Flying Tiger List.


    Furthermore...


    How many years has it been since someone dared to defy the Royal Martial Arts Academy?


    Xiao Yi was a unique case indeed!


    Jin He took a deep breath and said to Xiao Yi with a fist clasped, "Xiao Yi, today''s affair has nothing to do with me. We have no past grudges and no recent hatreds, can we part ways here?"


    After witnessing Xiao Yi''s formidable strength, he was even less willing to clash with him.


    "..."


    The Iron Mountain City strongmen who had been expecting Jin He to step in and punish Xiao Yi were collectively shocked.


    The formidable Jin He was actually cowering?


    Actively seeking peace?


    The couple of people who were previously so sure of themselves now felt a burning shame on their faces.


    Xiao Yi was also somewhat surprised; he had thought Jin He would seek revenge for the father and son Xu, but instead he was asking for peace? With a playful look on his face, Xiao Yi said, "Nothing to do with you? Wasn''t it you who earlier said Qing Bi was your plaything, and you wanted to cut off both my hands?"


    When Xu Tao wanted to give Hu Qingbi to him to toy with.


    Jin He hesitated not at all!


    If Xiao Yi hadn''t intervened to help Hu Qingbi today, the entire Hu Family might have been wiped out, and Hu Qingbi would inevitably fall into the hands of Jin He and Xu Tao as their plaything.


    How could it all be settled with just one sentence from him?


    Jin He''s eyes twitched, and he said in a deep voice, "What do you want?"


    Xiao Yi said, "Kneel down, apologize!" S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What?"


    Jin He''s face darkened. As a disciple of the Nine Profound Sect, representing the face of the sect when outside, if he really knelt this time, how would he have any face to return to the Nine Profound Sect?


    Jin He took a deep breath and said, "Xiao Yi, I admit I''m not your opponent. But don''t push me too far. My grandfather is a great elder of the Nine Profound Sect, a mighty Golden Core Realm powerhouse. If I''m really pushed to the brink, you won''t end well either!"


    "Ah!"


    Xiao Yi sighed softly and said, "You shouldn''t have threatened me."


    "Hmm?"


    Jin He was taken aback, about to speak, but then he saw a streak of Sword Qi flash before his eyes.


    Pfft!


    Blood reddened his eyes.


    Jin He''s head thudded to the ground with a crash.


    Hiss!


    Around them rose a chorus of sharp intakes of breath.


    Even Hu Qingbi seemed somewhat lost in thought, her expression solemn as she looked upon Jin He''s corpse. With a wry smile, she said, "Benefactor, you shouldn''t have killed him..."


    "Why?" asked Xiao Yi.


    Hu Qingbi was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Jin He''s grandfather is a great elder of the Nine Profound Sect, a formidable figure in the Golden Core Realm. We killed Xu Tao and Xu Shiheng, and there was still some leeway for negotiation. But now that we''ve killed Jin He, it''s a fight to the death!"


    The Golden Core Realm, ah!


    What an unattainably high existence.


    One capable of annihilating an entire city!


    Xiao Yi, however, showed an interested expression and asked, "Qing Bi, are you certain that if we had let him go, the Nine Profound Sect would not move against us?"


    "Eh? You mean..." Hu Qingbi''s face showed confusion.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Letting a tiger return to the mountain is always a future threat!"


    With Jin He''s nature, he would never appreciate Xiao Yi''s mercy in sparing him; he would only see it as a humiliation.


    To erase this stain from his life, naturally, he would need to obliterate his enemies completely!


    Whether or not they let Jin He go, they would ultimately have to face the Nine Profound Sect.


    It might as well be a decisive kill!


    Hu Qingbi also came to understand this point and said with a bitter smile, "It seems I was presumptuous. Thank you for your guidance, Benefactor!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively.


    He dared to act this way because he knew that whether or not Jin He was released, the Nine Profound Sect would take action. More importantly, he was confident that at least before they could eliminate him, the Nine Profound Sect would definitely not move against the Hu Family.


    As for eliminating him?


    That would depend on whether the Nine Profound Sect was up to the task!


    Xiao Yi''s gaze, sharp as a hawk''s, swept over everyone present. The icy sharpness in his eyes, knife-like, deterred others from meeting his gaze, prompting them to lower their heads instead.


    Clang!


    Xiao Yi flicked his arm, and the longsword created a splendid display of sword flowers. The longsword, carrying a fierce wind, abruptly paused, then he slashed forward with one strike.


    Sword Intent instantly coalesced at the tip of the blade.


    A thirty-foot-long Sword Qi swallowed and surged forth, transforming into a silver canopy that descended from the sky.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    All of Iron Mountain City thundered and roared. As dust and smoke billowed, a vicious sword scar dozens of feet long appeared before them. The terrifying Sword Intent lingered, and a sharp, whistling wind echoed all around.


    Those spectating turned pale, feeling a chill cover their bodies.


    Only then did Xiao Yi speak, "From this day forward, the Hu Family of Iron Mountain City is under my protection, Xiao Yi. Whoever dares to touch the Hu Family, this will be their fate!"


    The crowd fell silent as cicadas in winter.


    Hu Qingbi looked at Xiao Yi gratefully. Encouraged by his gaze, she stepped forward and said in a loud voice, "Everyone here is a citizen of Iron Mountain City, so you should all be aware of the wager between Qing Bi and Xu Tao. After today, all the assets of the Xu Family in Iron Mountain City will belong to the Hu Family. I hope everyone will support Qing Bi!"


    The people: "..."


    Xiao Yi cleared his throat subtly, and the longsword in his hand buzzed as it trembled.


    "Rest assured, Iron Arm Princess, we will definitely support the Iron Blade King''s estate!"


    "Absolutely support!"


    A multitude of powerhouses hastened to express their allegiance, fearful that any hesitation would draw Xiao Yi''s attention.


    Hu Qingbi watched the crowd''s awe-filled looks towards Xiao Yi, her eyes brimming with reverence, admiration, and a hint of infatuation.


    This young man before her, younger even than herself, had single-handedly and with one sword, intimidated the entire Iron Mountain City.


    Something not even her father had managed to achieve, Xiao Yi had done it��a feat of epic proportions...


    One man stood guard over a city!


    Who else but me!

 Chapter 70 - 70: The Golden Core Great Battle, the Great Demon Entrusts His Orphan!

    Under the deterrence of Xiao Yi, the Hu Family faced much less resistance in taking over the Xu Family''s forces.


    According to Hu Qingbi''s earlier prediction, when the Xu Family fell, other forces in Iron Mountain City would inevitably scramble for a share of the spoils; the Hu Family being able to consolidate fifty percent of the profits would already be considered good.


    But because of Xiao Yi, this time they completely took over the Xu Family''s assets.


    Not only did it help the Hu Family out of their predicament, but it also increased the family''s foundation several-fold.


    Hu Qingbi looked at Xiao Yi reluctantly, "Benefactor, are you sure you don''t need me to accompany you? We mine the Iron Mountain Range all year round and often conflict with the demon beasts there; they are extremely hostile towards humans, and I know how to avoid these beasts!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a smile, "Your Hu Family has just taken over the Xu Family''s properties, you must stay in Iron Mountain City. Besides, I will not go too deep, there will be no danger!"


    "Well... okay then!"


    Hu Qingbi let out a wry smile, "When will you return, Benefactor? You must come to find me!"


    "Mm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, then leaped up like a monkey and disappeared into the forest.


    Having fulfilled the promise to the Iron Blade King, the trip to Iron Mountain City ended on a perfect note.


    But...


    Because of the Nine Profound Sect, Xiao Yi still wasn''t at ease to leave Iron Mountain City just yet. Plus, he now had that map of the Tungsten Iron Mine, so Xiao Yi decided to explore the mine as indicated on the map first.


    He followed the route marked on the map through the terrain.


    Along the way, he encountered one mining cave after another, with the mountains hollowed out and pitted, a barren sight to behold.


    Many of the trees had long since withered, turning into a bare expanse.


    "According to the map, after passing through the Thread of Sky Gorge up ahead, and then two hundred li further, with my current speed, it should take about another four hours to reach the location of the Tungsten Iron Mine..."


    Xiao Yi checked the direction and picked up the pace.


    He darted between towering mountains and through strange rock formations and forests.


    Four hours later.


    Xiao Yi finally arrived at the area marked as the Tungsten Iron Mine on the map, a vibrant and lush forested region.


    "The old woman''s son was pursued by an Iron-Eating Beast and accidentally entered a cave behind a waterfall, where he discovered the Tungsten Iron Mine. Where might there be a waterfall around here?"


    Looking out over the vast green field ahead, Xiao Yi felt somewhat dizzy.


    Perhaps any man wouldn''t be too fond of this color, right?


    Just then...


    Boom!


    A thunderous explosion suddenly echoed from the woods ahead, sending dust and smoke rolling hundreds of feet into the air, where it hung like a mushroom cloud between heaven and earth.


    Two huge figures burst from the cloud of dust.


    A twenty-plus-meter-long, pitch-black giant snake with cold light flickering in its eyes suddenly coiled its massive body and lashed out like a dragon swinging its tail into the smoke.


    Bang!


    The sound of thunderous explosions continued to boom.


    From within that cloud of smoke, a giant beast covered in gray-white iron armor, resembling an ant, also burst forth.


    The two beasts stood suspended in midair, their bodies radiating light that ebbed and flowed as they collided again and again, causing shockwaves of terrifying energy to burst forth.


    Even from several kilometers away, the shockwave was so strong that it caused a stinging pain on Xiao Yi''s face, "Floating in midair, these are two Giant Beasts from the Golden Core Realm?"


    The ten-meter-tall gray ant was the infamous Iron-Eating Beast of the Iron Mountain Range.


    It fed on ore veins.


    Decades ago, when Iron Mountain City was developing ore veins, it had fiercely clashed with the beast, which was later defeated by a Golden Core Realm expert from the Tianqing Kingdom and fled to the depths of the Iron Mountain Range.


    Xiao Yi did not expect to encounter it today.


    "That black giant snake can actually fight to a standstill with the Iron-Eating Beast? I''d better keep my distance..." Xiao Yi had no intention of getting caught in the crossfire, so he stayed far away and watched from the sidelines.


    The Iron-Eating Beast fed on metal; its shell was extremely hard, defense nearly invincible.


    Yet the black giant snake was also incredibly strong, and after multiple lashings and bites, it had managed to fracture the shell of the Iron-Eating Beast, leaving it covered with wounds and dripping with greenish blood.


    Of course, the giant serpent was not faring well either.


    Under the iron-eating beast''s teeth, which could easily snap through metal, the black serpent bore numerous scars with fresh blood flowing freely.


    The battle raged to the point where the sky darkened, and there was no light from the sun or the moon.


    From a distance.


    The forest of tens of thousands of acres had been flattened, trees completely destroyed, rocks collapsed, as if it were the apocalypse.


    The battle that had lasted for the better part of the day finally began to subside.


    "Has it been decided?" Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted, yet he still waited for half an hour.


    There was still no movement.


    Only then did he cautiously approach, but not too quickly.


    From afar, he could tell the two beasts'' battle had been incredibly destructive, but it was not until he got close that Xiao Yi realized he had still underestimated their capacity for destruction.


    Three to four small mountains, hundreds of meters high, had been razed to the ground by the fighting beasts!


    Within that rubble...


    Xiao Yi saw the corpse of the iron-eating beast, utterly lifeless, but what puzzled him was the mysterious disappearance of the black serpent: "How strange, where''s the black serpent?"


    Boom!


    The corpse of the iron-eating beast suddenly shook violently, toppling to the ground as a huge black figure darted out from under its belly, sending sand flying and the ground shaking.


    The black serpent stood erect, its cold gaze fixed on Xiao Yi.


    Shit!


    Xiao Yi''s face turned pale instantly; feeling an icy chill all over under that cold gaze, he was about to turn and run when he saw the black serpent shake violently and then thump to the ground.


    The coldness vanished from its two eyes, leaving only despair and a hint of pleading.


    Xiao Yi was stunned��those pleading eyes reminded him of the time his mother knelt before Xiao Tianjiao, begging for his life.


    Xiao Yi inexplicably stopped in his tracks and, after hesitation, tentatively asked, "Do you... want me to help you?"


    Hiss!


    The black serpent nodded its head with difficulty.


    Xiao Yi said gravely, "What do you want me to do?"


    Roar!


    The black serpent struggled to open its bloody maw, and between two rows of fang-like teeth, strings of blood-stained saliva hung from top to bottom.


    Its blood-red tongue wrapped around an egg the size of a human head and brought it before Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi paused, looking at the beast egg and asked with a frown, "Is this your child? You want me to look after it for you?"


    Roar!


    The black serpent nodded again.


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "But... "


    Hiss!


    Roar!


    The black serpent shook its whole body, flung its head, bit into the corpse of the iron-eating beast, thrust its tongue inside the beast''s body, and took out a fist-sized Golden Core covered in cracks before delivering it to Xiao Yi.


    This iron-eating beast was a fourth-rank intermediate demon beast, comparable to a Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm expert; it was pitiful that the Golden Core was shattered, with little energy remaining.


    Huff! S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply, holding the beast egg close to his chest, and said with determination, "Don''t worry, I will take good care of it!"


    Roar!


    The black serpent spat a shattered Golden Core into the sky, which spread into a thin golden mist that sprinkled down like mottled gold rain onto the beast egg.


    The beast egg in Xiao Yi''s arms trembled slightly.


    The black serpent''s head drooped to the ground, powerlessly nudging the egg held tightly in his arms, its eyes flickering with profound reluctance and longing, followed by a painful wail before it collapsed to the ground with a thud...

 Chapter 71 - 71 Xiao Yi Returns

    Half a day later.


    Xiao Yi stood in front of a small grave, holding the platinum-striped beast egg in his hands.


    The ashes of the black giant snake lay within.


    An existence that sought to protect its child with its dying breath��Xiao Yi would never touch its body, even though it was just a magical beast.


    Even though the corpse was that of a Golden Core Realm magical beast, invaluable beyond measure, he felt no temptation to touch it.


    On the contrary, he had stripped away the carapace of the Iron-Eating Beast.


    It was prime material for forging elemental battle armor.


    The carapace of the Iron-Eating Beast alone was worth no less than a hundred million Silver, not to mention that shattered Gold Core?


    "Rest assured, since I''ve promised you, I will definitely take good care of your child," Xiao Yi deeply bowed to the black giant snake.


    He gently patted the beast egg in his embrace and tucked it into his clothes.


    Following the map, Xiao Yi searched and half a day later, found the entrance to the Tungsten Iron Mine behind this waterfall��a deep cave in the mountain.


    After traveling five or six kilometers along the cave, Xiao Yi encountered an expanse of silver-gray ore.


    Just the visible amount of tungsten iron was no less than a small mine vein, to say nothing of the tungsten iron ore mostly hidden underground; this was definitely a major vein.


    The value of the tungsten iron ore here definitely exceeded ten billion Silver.


    Ten billion silver!


    The fortunes of ordinary Golden Core Realm powerhouses amounted to about ten billion Silver��this vein equaled the entire wealth of ten Golden Core Realm powerhouses, and should it become known, even the royal family would covet it.


    "I absolutely cannot reveal the existence of the tungsten iron mine before my breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm��"


    Xiao Yi suppressed the excitement in his heart and then traced his way back through the cave to the outside of the waterfall, "There''s still about a month and a half until the secret realm of that Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse opens. I''ll cultivate here during this time!"


    The secret realm of a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse is filled with treasures for those in Divine Skills Realm and even the Golden Core Realm.


    Furthermore, powerhouses from the Royal Martial Arts Academy will also be going.


    For Xiao Yi, it was both an opportunity and a dangerous predicament.


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy would love nothing more than to smash him to pieces!


    He sat down cross-legged before the waterfall.


    The scenery was enchanting, nestled by the mountain and water.


    Before Xiao Yi, the shattered Golden Core bobbed up and down, turning into a faint golden mist that enveloped his body. As his mysterious arts circulated, the energy from within the Golden Core continuously surged into him.


    The Iron-Eating Beast at its peak was comparable to the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Despite most of its energy dissipating after the core shattered in the battle with the black serpent, it remained a colossal energy treasury for those in the Divine Skills Realm!


    However, this time without the aid of the Earth Fire Spirit Refining Array, the speed of refining the Gold Core was much slower. Yet, after ten days, Xiao Yi stepped further into the Eighth Layer of the Divine Power Realm.


    A month later, he entered the Ninth Layer.


    It was only when he reached the Peak of the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm that the shattered Golden Core was completely depleted of energy, turning into ash. Xiao Yi still had his eyes tightly shut, guiding the vital energy in his body into the God Sealing Seed.


    By breaking through two realms, Xiao Yi''s number of God Sealing Seeds rose to one thousand seven hundred and fifty.


    Crackling sounds!


    As Xiao Yi stood up, his bones and muscles made a popping sound like the crackling of fried beans. Unprecedented explosive strength filled his body: "At the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, with one thousand seven hundred and fifty God Sealing Seeds, my strength is now comparable to that of a First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm powerhouse. Even within the secret realm of the Calamity, I''ll be capable of defending myself!"


    The gap between the Divine Skills Realm and the Golden Core Realm is as vast as the sky is from the earth.


    The fact that Xiao Yi at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm has strength comparable to that of the Golden Core Realm truly marks him as a prodigy among prodigies.


    "I wonder if I''m now capable of opening that celestial tomb��" With a flash, Xiao Yi entered the Ancient Celestial Tomb and headed towards one that he had long coveted.


    This Celestial Tomb belonged to an unparalleled swordsman, known as the Sword Demon��Dugu Qiubai!


    Engraved on his tombstone read: "For over thirty years amidst the chaos of Jianghu, I have slain every foe, bested all heroes, and found no one left to oppose me. With no other recourse, I secluded myself in a deep valley, taking only sculptures as my companions. Alas! All the heroes bound their hands, and my longsword remains useless. Yearning for a worthy opponent all my life, but never finding one, truly is a lonely and unbearable fate." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, with just one glance, Xiao Yi was captivated by this peerless swordsman from the Blue Star Realm.


    What a pity...


    Even with one thousand seven hundred and fifty God Sealing Seeds in his possession, Xiao Yi was still two meters away from Dugu Qiubai''s tomb. With no choice, he could only exit the Eternal Tomb, "Perhaps only after I break through to the Golden Core Realm will I be able to obtain his inheritance. Dugu Qiubai, I will soon be able to dig up your grave..."


    Within the sky dome, the tombstone of Dugu Qiubai seemed to tremble...


    ��


    Iron Mountain City.


    Today, Iron Mountain City was particularly bustling. Before Xiao Yi even entered the city gates, he could sense that the flow of people around him seemed much greater than usual.


    Some strong individuals from the Iron Mountain mining area were also hurrying towards the city.


    Xiao Yi stopped one of them and asked, "Elder, is something big happening in Iron Mountain City? Why are so many people rushing over there?"


    The man, his skin dark from toiling under the sun, though old, was more robust than many young people. He sighed and said, "A major incident occurred at King Tieshan''s palace. A month ago, the Hu Family killed the Xu Family''s father and son along with a disciple from the Nine Profound Sect. Seven days ago, the powerful members of the Nine Profound Sect descended upon Iron Mountain City and captured all the Hu Family''s people. Today, they are to be executed in public!"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi felt a jolt through his body, and his eyes suddenly sharpened, "Executed?"


    Meanwhile...


    In the central square of Iron Mountain City.


    With Hu Qingbi at the forefront, the people of the Hu Family were all bound tightly, covered in wounds, their cultivation sealed, and were forced to kneel in a line across the square.


    In the center of the square, on a high platform.


    A middle-aged man with a grim face and eyebrows like swords sat confidently, flanked on either side by five strong individuals wearing the robes of Nine Profound Sect disciples.


    All of them were from the Divine Ability Realm, especially the young man to his left, whose cultivation had reached the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, much stronger than Jin He.


    "Master, the time has come!" the young man respectfully said to the middle-aged man.


    The middle-aged man was Jin He''s father, Jin Ze, the Eleventh Elder of the Nine Profound Sect, with the cultivation of the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. And the young man was his disciple Liu Chun, ranked within the top ten True Disciples of the Nine Profound Sect.


    Narrowing his eyes, Jin Ze looked towards Hu Qingbi and the others in the middle of the square, a cruel sneer crossing his face, "Liu Chun, go ask that wretch again where Xiao Yi has gone! For every breath she doesn''t speak, kill one of her clansmen until she reveals everything..."


    "Yes!"


    Liu Chun approached Hu Qingbi and said coldly, "Where is Xiao Yi?"


    Hu Qingbi glared at him and spoke in a deep voice, "I truly don''t know where he is..."


    Liu Chun said, "Starting now, I will kill a member of the Hu Family every breath you delay. Let''s see if your stubbornness or their heads are harder!"


    "You dare?"


    Hu Qingbi''s eyes widened in fury, her teeth clenched, "Xiao Yi won''t let you get away with this..."


    "One breath!"


    With a wave of his hand, Liu Chun made a puff sound as he crushed the head of a Qi Gathering Realm strongman from the Hu Family. His face remained indifferent as he looked at the rage-contorted Hu Qingbi, "Will you speak or not?"


    "I''ll speak, I''ll speak..." Hu Qingbi''s eyes were red as she bit out the words, "He, he has returned to the Royal Capital."


    Slap!


    Liu Chun struck her face with his palm, saying coldly, "We''ve already sent people to check the Royal Capital, and he never went back. The time for the second breath has arrived!"


    Hum!


    Liu Chun gathered his vital energy at his fingertips, ready to strike.


    But just at that moment...


    An icy voice suddenly came from outside the martial arts field, "Harm a single hair on her, and I''ll make your entire family accompany her in death!"

 Chapter 72 - 72: The Golden Core Can Also Be an Opponent

    "Harm but a single hair on her head, and I''ll exterminate your entire clan!"


    An icy voice appeared out of nowhere, and a pale hand suddenly reached out, grasping Liu Chun''s wrist.


    The concentrated vitality at the tips of his fingers dissipated completely in an instant, becoming invisible.


    Liu Chun''s pupils shrank suddenly, and he instinctively yanked his hand back, only to find he couldn''t break free at all. His gaze followed the arm that had grabbed him and looked up sharply, staring at the figure that had appeared before him.


    The newcomer was none other than Xiao Yi, dressed in black.


    Standing proudly in front of Liu Chun, holding his wrist with one hand, he looked over the injured members of the Hu Family scattered across the square, his eyes gradually turning cold.


    "Who are you? Do you know who we are? You dare to meddle in the business of the Nine Profound Sect, aren''t you afraid of death?" Liu Chun squinted and said.


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi backhanded him with a slap across the face, causing Liu Chun''s vision to burst with stars and his teeth to crack, spitting out blood.


    He looked at Xiao Yi, utterly dumbfounded.


    Xiao Yi slapped him again and said coldly, "That slap was for those people of the Hu Family!"


    Slap!


    Another slap.


    "This slap is for the Hu Family member who just died!"


    Slap!


    "This slap..."


    Slap! Slap! Slap!


    Xiao Yi slapped him repeatedly across the face, Liu Chun, at the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, had no ability to fight back in his grip.


    Blood streamed from his every orifice.


    His entire face lost any semblance of humanity.


    With every opening of his mouth, blood sprayed out.


    Slap!


    The final slap sent Liu Chun tumbling to the ground, his head smashing into the floor with a thud; he struggled to raise his head, his swollen eyes staring intensely at Xiao Yi, "This... this slap, why is that so?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Don''t know... I just felt like hitting you!"


    "I..."


    Liu Chun rolled his eyes back and passed out completely.


    All of this happened too quickly.


    So quickly that even Jin Ze hadn''t reacted before Liu Chun was beaten beyond recognition and passed out completely.


    "How dare you!"


    Jin Ze was furiously enraged, and his Golden Core Realm aura burst forth all at once.


    It turned into a vigorous air wave, surging crazily towards Xiao Yi.


    Rumble!


    The violent energy fluctuations came like giant, overturning waves. Wherever this terrifying air wave passed, stones cracked and the arena collapsed, with a sky full of flying sand shooting upwards.


    "Xiao Yi, run... that''s a Golden Core Realm master..." Hu Qingbi''s face was filled with panic, the air wave rolling up a ten-meter-high stone dust like an enveloping hand from the sky.


    It was like a doomsday curtain descending to obscure everything.


    Hu Qingbi''s pupils contracted drastically, her eyes filled with terror and despair.


    This was a true Golden Core Realm master!


    Below the Golden Core, everybody was an ant.


    In Hu Qingbi''s eyes, Xiao Yi was no match for a Golden Core Realm opponent.


    "Golden Core Realm?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes turned cold; his legs were firmly planted on the arena like steel drills, his arms circulating with vitality, majestic and dignified.


    The bright golden vitality swirled and condensed, like the Wrathful Vajra in his glorious aspect.


    "Jingang Earthquake!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows rose, his fists like the wind smashing towards the rolling clouds of dust, countless golden energies concentrated in his fists, heavily striking against the waves.


    Boom!


    The cloud of dust and waves violently shook and were torn apart by Xiao Yi''s punch.


    He moved forward, piercing through the dust curtain, and simultaneously slashed his cold longsword towards the sky: "Python Evil Twining Tree!"


    Swoosh!


    The sword''s edge coiled like a python, baring its fierce fangs at Jin Ze approaching from the opposite side.


    "Arrogant junior, die!" Jin Ze''s eyes were cold, his expression frosty, and the blade''s aura seemed to chop the heavens, descending on Xiao Yi''s head.


    Clang!


    Blade and sword collided, as if the tip of a needle met a stalk of wheat.


    Dazzling sparks burst forth like fireworks, the violent force flinging Xiao Yi away. He flew backward, face up to the sky, his sword''s edge scraping against the ground amid a flurry of sparks, carving a ferocious gash.


    After more than twenty meters,


    Xiao Yi flipped midair to steady himself, only to face a blast of icy wind.


    It roared like a tiger, the cold edge scraping painfully across his face.


    "You little bastard, daring to harm my son! I will tear you to pieces!" Jin Ze''s eyes flashed like lightning, as his blade''s light descended like rain, countless and falling.


    With one hand, Xiao Yi slapped the flat of his blade, using the tremor to vault into the air.


    He dodged the blade light that Jin Ze had slashed down.


    Taking advantage of the momentum, Jin Ze''s blade arced upward from below, heading straight for Xiao Yi''s waist, but fortunately, Xiao Yi, holding his sword with one hand, kept it tight against his waist. With a crisp ring, Xiao Yi was repelled with force.


    The violent power caused his hand to burst open at the tiger''s mouth.


    Blood rolled down the sword hilt.


    "You can take three of my moves without dying? Among the juniors in the Shentong Realm, aside from the top three of the Earth rank at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, you''re the first!" Jin Ze said with narrowed eyes.


    Xiao Yi flicked the droplets of blood from his palm, squinting as he spoke, "The Golden Core Realm is nothing special!" S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh? A mere Shentong Realm, you dare to look down upon me?" Jin Ze said with a cold laugh.


    Xiao Yi casually flicked his wrist, and the third-grade famous sword he had obtained from the sword tomb emitted a silver sword light. Pointing the sword''s edge at Jin Ze, he said indifferently, "With a sword in hand, even Golden Core can be matched!"


    "Arrogance!"


    Jin Ze sneered, "A mere Divine Skills wants to oppose the Golden Core? Your survival was simply due to my momentary carelessness; I had not even used half my strength. If I were to strike with full force, I would certainly slay you within three moves!"


    "Kill me in three moves? You''re dreaming!"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh.


    His form was like the wind, a thought in motion, as fluid as flowing water or drifting clouds.


    He left behind a series of black afterimages where he stood, and as they densely gathered, Xiao Yi had already appeared before Jin Ze.


    His figure abruptly split into three, each holding a sword: "Light Breeze Falling Leaves!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The sword edges arrived like a gentle breeze, like a profusion of falling leaves, each striking towards Jin Ze.


    Jin Ze''s expression turned icy as he lifted his blade to meet the attack: "Prying Up Mountains from a Dry Land!"


    Whoosh!


    The blade swept across, and the silver blade light tore through the air. A ten-zhang-long Yuan Gang Blade shattered the drifting leaf-like sword lights that floated before him.


    Jin Ze advanced with his blade, sneering repeatedly, "Trivial insect skills, go to hell!"


    Crrrrash!


    The silver Gang Qi surged like a dragon swinging its tail, heading straight for Xiao Yi''s head. His pupils contracted sharply, his legs braced against the ground as he lifted his longsword above his head.


    Hum!


    His body vibrated, and in an instant, his arms were covered in a layer of Hei Mang. It was his Innate Divine Ability, "Weapon Transformation."


    His arms and longsword merged into one.


    Clang!


    The blade edge struck the longsword squarely, forcefully plunging Xiao Yi towards the ground, the floor of the arena below his feet crumbling, rocks erupting chaotically.


    Cracks spread around in a web-like pattern.


    "One of the top ten Innate Divine Abilities, Weapon Transformation?"


    Jin Ze''s face grew solemn, his eyes brimming with ferocity, "A youth from the Ninth Layer of the Shentong Realm possessing the strength to battle the Golden Core Realm... If you continue to grow, you will undoubtedly become a major threat to the Nine Profound Sect. This child must die!"


    A lethal chill flashed in his eyes, his murderous intent sky-high.


    "Blood Explosion Skill!"


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi roared lowly, and his blood surged with light. A tenth of his blood ignited instantly, his strength increasing tenfold. A blood-red Qi surged violently. Like a bloody tornado, it blasted Jin Ze''s battle blade away with a boom.


    "What?"


    Jin Ze''s pupils dilated abruptly, his eyes filled with shock.


    He had not expected Xiao Yi to suddenly explode with ten times the strength. Caught off guard, he retreated repeatedly, and just at that moment, Xiao Yi fiercely pushed off the ground, shooting upward like an arrow released from its bow.


    "Life Seizing Soul Chaser!"


    The sword streaked through the air, swift as light skimming a shadow.


    Jin Ze instinctively dodged, narrowly avoiding Xiao Yi''s lethal strike. Under the surge of blood-colored light, Jin Ze''s right arm was severed at the shoulder.


    "Xiao Yi... I will not let you go, the Nine Profound Sect will not let you go..."


    Jin Ze''s face turned deathly pale, glaring venomously at Xiao Yi while clutching his severed arm. He shot up into the air and fled toward the outside of the city...

 Chapter 73 - 73: If I Become a Demon, There Will Be No Buddha in the World!

    When a Golden Core Realm expert is determined to escape, even another of the Golden Core Realm would find it hard to pursue.


    Xiao Yi could only watch helplessly as Jin Ze fled, his gaze falling upon the remaining disciples of the Nine Profound Sect, whose complexions suddenly changed.


    Even Jin Ze of the Golden Core Realm had been chased away; how could they dare to contend against Xiao Yi?


    Thump, thump!


    One after another, the strong members of the Nine Profound Sect knelt on the ground, with faces full of flattery and pleading, "Xiao, spare our lives, ah! We, we have never killed any of the Hu Family!"


    "We were just following orders..."


    Xiao Yi looked towards Hu Qingbi, "Did any of them lay a hand on you?"


    Hu Qingbi and the others pointed out five among them.


    Xiao Yi flicked his fingers, and the heads of those five Nine Profound Sect disciples separated from their bodies, terrifying the remaining few even more. Xiao Yi indifferently said, "Go back and tell Jin Ze that if the Nine Profound Sect wants to seek revenge on Xiao Yi, I welcome them anytime!"


    "We, we will definitely relay your words to Elder Jin!"


    "Xiao, Xiao, can we, we leave now?"


    The crowd was visibly nervous.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, "Scram!"


    "Thank you, Xiao, for your mercy in sparing our lives!"


    The few people hurriedly rolled on the ground and left the martial arts field.


    Xiao Yi neutralized the effects of the Muscle-locking Powder on Hu Qingbi and the others. The Hu Family had suffered great losses this time; a third of the senior members had died, but thanks to Xiao Yi''s defeat of Jin Ze, the reputation of the Hu Family in Iron Mountain City had risen even higher.


    It''s no exaggeration to say...


    Within Iron Mountain City, definitely no one would dare to oppose the Hu Family again.


    As for the Nine Profound Sect.


    With the defeat of Jin Ze as a precedent, and with the words brought back by those few, they would inevitably be wary of attacking the Hu Family before taking down Xiao Yi.


    Although the loss of powerful members in the family was severe, for the Hu Family, the gains were greater than the losses!


    "Xiao Yi, thank you for saving us!" Hu Qingbi looked at Xiao Yi earnestly and said, "I don''t know how to repay you!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, smiling, "I owe your father a favor, naturally I need to protect the Hu Family." He paused, then Xiao Yi continued, "I believe the Nine Profound Sect won''t trouble you again for a while; during this time, you should concentrate on strengthening your family''s power!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    "Rest assured, Xiao, now that my Hu Family is unrivaled in Iron Mountain City, no one can threaten us!"


    Everyone said one after another.


    With keen insight, Hu Qingbi stared at him, "You... are you leaving?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I have matters to attend to back in the royal capital, but don''t worry, I will return after a while. When that time comes, I have a surprise for the Hu Family!"


    "Alright, I''ll wait for your return..." Hu Qingbi bit her lip and said.


    After chatting briefly, Xiao Yi left on his own.


    Watching the direction he left in, an elderly woman in the Shentong Realm said to Hu Qingbi by her side, "Miss, since you like Xiao, why not tell him so?"


    "Don''t talk nonsense, when did I ever say I liked him?"


    Hu Qingbi''s cheeks tinged with red as she glared fiercely at the old woman, muttering to herself in a voice only she could hear, "Someone like him... how could he possibly be within my reach?"


    ......


    On the royal road leading to the capital.


    Xiao Yi rode his steed at a gallop when a young monk appeared in the middle of the road ahead, wearing monk''s robes, with his right hand held in a palm shape at his chest and his left hand holding a gray alms bowl.


    The monk had his eyes slightly closed, standing still in the middle of the road like a wooden stake.


    "Whoa..."


    Xiao Yi pulled the reins tight, staring at the monk standing before him.


    The young monk opened his eyes, chanting Amitabha Buddha, radiating an august presence, and said with a smile, "Why doesn''t benefactor ride over this poor monk?"


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "I bear no grudge against you, why would I ride over you?"


    "The poor monk has blocked the benefactor''s path!" the young monk said.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "This road is so wide, if you block here, I can simply pass by the side!"


    The young monk smiled and said, "What if someone blocked the path of the benefactor''s life?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Monk, did you wait here specifically for me?"


    Amitabha!


    The young monk brought his palms together and said with a smile, "This monk''s Dharma name is Dao Yuan. I''ve had the pleasure of meeting you, Xiao."


    "So you really were waiting here for me!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged nonchalantly and asked with interest, "Monk Dao Yuan, we have never met before. Why have you stopped me?"


    Monk Dao Yuan said, "Xiao, you have yet to answer the question of this poor monk!"


    Xiao Yi replied, "The journey of life is so very long, isn''t it? Obstacles and obstructors are bound to be encountered. Kick them aside and continue on one''s way; that''s what one does!"


    "What if they are persistent and refuse to let go?"


    "Then kill them!"


    Amitabha!


    Monk Dao Yuan brought his palms together, shook his head, and let out a light sigh, "Xiao, you have committed far too many killings. Better to join this poor monk in traveling to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple to study the Buddhist Law and transform the malignant energy within you. Otherwise, you may someday be corrupted by it and become a calamitous devil to the human world!"


    "Study the Buddhist Law? I have no fate with your Buddha. Monk, please step aside!" Xiao Yi said with a frown.


    "Xiao, you do have a fate with Buddha. I am willing to convert you with Buddhist teachings, come with this poor monk!"


    Monk Dao Yuan brought his palms together, chanting the Buddha''s name, as Buddhist chants flowed from his mouth. They were like thunder shaking the heavens, as well as Sanskrit enchanting one''s surroundings, possessing the power to mesmerize and bewilder.


    Those of weak will might find their minds collapsing under its influence, easily swayed this way and that.


    Xiao Yi''s body shuddered, shaking off the influence of the Buddha''s chant and speaking with an icy face, "Monk Dao Yuan, I have no fate with your Buddha. I ask you to let me pass!"


    "Amitabha... Xiao, the Evil Qi within you is too strong. If not converted by Buddhist Law, you will fall into a devil''s role, bringing calamity to the human world, still..." Monk Dao Yuan continued with a face of righteousness.


    "Bullshit!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, scoffing, "Devil? Do not say that I cannot become a devil, even if there comes a day that I do, I will make sure there are no Buddhas in this world! Little monk, your Buddha cannot convert me!"


    "If you remain so unenlightened, this poor monk has no choice but to act on heaven''s behalf!" Monk Dao Yuan brought his palms together and bowed deeply to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi was momentarily startled and was about to speak when his expression suddenly changed.


    He saw that the bowing figure of Monk Dao Yuan suddenly became blurry, it was only an afterimage.


    "Buddha saves all living beings!"


    Dal Yuan''s voice came from above, as a golden palm imbued with Buddha''s light descended from the heavens, aiming straight for Xiao Yi''s head.


    Is this really Buddha saving all living beings?


    It''s more like sending someone to the Western Paradise!


    A cold light flickered in Xiao Yi''s eyes, his legs kicked against the stirrups, and his body soared into the air, while his fist smashed into the void, "Vajra Vanquishing Demons!"


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    Fist and palm collided, the thunderous noise was deafening.


    Wow!


    Monk Dao Yuan spat out blood and flew backward, while Xiao Yi gracefully landed back onto his horse, squinting his eyes and scrutinizing Dao Yuan, "Monk, we have no grudge or grievance. Why did you stop me?"


    Amitabha!


    Monk Dao Yuan brought his palms together, his face full of regret, "No wonder you were able to kill Zhuge Shuangdao; you truly possess some skill!"


    "You''ve come to avenge Zhuge Shuangdao?" Xiao Yi asked, narrowing his eyes.


    Monk Dao Yuan shook his head and spoke with justified words, "This poor monk is only here to convert a devil. It''s a pity that my skills are not sophisticated, and my Buddhist teachings are not deep enough to match you. It seems today''s attempt at converting you has failed. However, I believe we will meet again soon. At that time, this poor monk will surely convert you with Buddhist teachings properly!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Monk Dao Yuan vanished from sight in a whiff of smoke.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    So this guy had come for Zhuge Shuangdao?


    Shaking his head.


    Xiao Yi did not think further and rode his steed, dashing towards the royal capital.


    After Xiao Yi had left, Monk Dao Yuan''s figure sprang out from the bushes, watching the direction of his departure and suddenly vomiting a mouthful of fresh blood.


    Squinting his eyes, there was no longer the solemnity of reciting Buddha''s name, but rather a chill so cold it seared, "Brother Ge, it seems I alone am insufficient to avenge you. But rest assured, I''ve already contacted several senior brothers. With them taking action, we will surely kill this devil to accompany you in death!"

 Chapter 74 - 74 What are you pretending to be?

    The entrance to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Yet, here it was crowded with people, strong warriors from all over had gathered, each wearing a look of schadenfreude as they gazed upon the gates of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    At the very front of the crowd��


    A pitch-black stele stood there, with four bright red characters inscribed on it����Disgrace of Tianqing!


    As the name suggests.


    These four characters were a clear indication that the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was considered a disgrace to the Tianqing Kingdom!


    Around the stele sat a group of strong men, each with a longsword on their back, dressed in garments whiter than snow, and possessing an extraordinary handsome appearance.


    Each one of them radiated a sharp Sword Qi that pierced the heavens.


    All of them were strong warriors above the Shentong Realm.


    In the forefront of these warriors in white, a young man held in his hand a three-foot green peak, his face cold as frost, his eyebrows covered in a layer of white chill, standing tall like an ancient pine, exuding an icy Sword Intent aura.


    However, this aura of Sword Intent wasn''t particularly strong, it was intermittent, merely the condensation of a Sword Intent seed.


    In front of him��


    Fang Qingzhu''s complexion was pale, with a thread of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth, her right sleeve soaked with blood dripped onto her Purple Dragon Whip, sliding down along the patterns of the whip onto the ground.


    Niu Dali and the four brothers from the Shi Family were all ashen-faced, suffering heavy injuries.


    "Hmph, is this all the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy can muster? Truly the disgrace of the Tianqing Kingdom, in my opinion you should take down the signboard of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!" The cold voice came from the young man.


    He was Huang Zijian of Mingjian Manor''s four great swordsmen, with Tenth Level of Shentong Realm Cultivation, having grasped the seed of Sword Intent, and ranking twenty-second on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face was frosty, and she coldly said, "I have not lost yet!"


    "Not lost? Hmph, had it not been for the fact that you are a woman, that sword just now would have taken your life!"


    Huang Zijian sneered, his gaze turning to look at Niu Dali and the others, "I advise you to hand over that Xiao Yi to my Mingjian Manor quickly! That thief dared to steal the famous swords from the sword tomb of my Mingjian Manor, if he doesn''t die, my Mingjian Manor and your Tianqi Martial Arts Academy will never rest!"


    Shi Yaoqian spurted blood out of his mouth, his face weak, "I''ve said Xiao Yi is not in the academy..."


    Niu Dali said in a muffled voice like thunder, "If our boss were here, you dogs of Sword Mountain Manor would have been slashed by him long ago..."


    "Hahaha, slashed by him? That''s just a fool''s dream. My Mingjian Manor is proficient in swordsmithing and even more skilled in swordsmanship. If that Xiao Yi you speak of were to compete in swords with me, I would take his life within three moves!" Huang Zijian declared arrogantly.


    Fang Qingzhu said, "Your strength is not far from that of Zhuge Shuangdao. Even he became a ghost under brother Xiao Yi''s sword. If you were to face brother Xiao Yi, it would be you who falls within three moves!"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Zijian''s pupils slightly contracted, and he snorted coldly, "My Sword Mountain Manor blocks the front door of your Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, yet that Xiao Yi is hiding like a turtle with its head withdrawn, not even daring to show his face. And you say I am not his match?"


    Fang Qingzhu said proudly, "You are not even qualified to carry Xiao Yi''s shoes!"


    "You''re courting death!"


    With a cold huff, Huang Zijian raised his hand and swung out a sword.


    The silver sword wind cut through the ground, slashing straight at Fang Qingzhu.


    The Purple Dragon Whip in Fang Qingzhu''s hand seemed to come alive, snapping out with a crack, but it was repelled by the sharp edge of the sword, forcing Fang Qingzhu to stagger a few steps backwards.


    Huang Zijian stepped forward, reaching Fang Qingzhu in an instant, with the edge of his sword thrusting straight at her heart.


    If this sword struck, Fang Qingzhu was bound to die without a doubt!


    It was at this critical moment.


    A figure stepped through the void and appeared above Huang Zijian in an instant, only to stomp down with one foot. With a loud thud, Huang Zijian''s head was brutally slammed onto the ground.


    Thud!


    Huang Zijian''s head heavily hit the ground.


    The comer wrapped an arm around Fang Qingzhu''s waist and, with a few leaps, landed steadily in front of the main gate of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Fang Qingzhu recognized the person and her face lit up with joy, "Brother Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Fang Qingzhu''s bleeding hand, and said with a deep voice, "Sorry, I''m late!"


    Fang Qingzhu pursed her lips and shook her head.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over Niu Dali, the four brothers of the Shi Family, each one of them severely injured, he frowned and said, "Where are Jiang Tai and Gu Junhe?"


    His voice already carried a hint of ice-cold fury.


    People from Sword Mountain Manor had fought right up to our doorstep, yet these two hadn''t shown themselves at all?


    If either of them had appeared, Sword Mountain Manor would never have dared to be so arrogant.


    Niu Dali gave a bitter smile. "The head left two months ago, and Brother Jiang went to the northern borders half a month ago, it will still be several days before he returns..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows were tightly knitted.


    Only then did he recall the opening of the secret realm for those in the Tao Tribulation Realm, which Gu Junhe had entered.


    As for Jiang Tai...


    Since he had gone to the northern borders, naturally, he couldn''t be blamed either.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and looked at Fang Qingzhu and Niu Dali and the others. "How are the injuries?"


    Fang Qingzhu shook his head. "They''re just superficial!"


    Niu Dali: "A few broken bones."


    The four brothers of the Shi Family also spoke up, each one of them seriously injured.


    Xiao Yi nodded, and as he turned around, Huang Zijian was already getting up again, his face swollen and bruised, with two lines of blood flowing from his nostrils down to his upper lip, glaring at Xiao Yi with a face full of resentment: "You bastard, you..."


    Xiao Yi turned a deaf ear and looked at Fang Qingzhu. "Did he cause your injuries?"


    Fang Qingzhu subconsciously nodded.


    "Wait for me a moment!"


    Xiao Yi leaped into action.


    Without the crowd hearing any noise, they saw Huang Zijian suddenly flying backward, landing on the ground with a bang, a footprint-shaped crater deeply indented in his chest.


    Almost his entire chest was crushed.


    One kick, instant kill!


    Hiss!


    The strong onlookers were all dumbfounded with disbelief, "How is this possible?"


    "Huang Zijian of the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, who had grasped the seed of Sword Intent, was instantly killed by a single move?"


    The most shocked were the strong from Sword Mountain Manor.


    The young man seated before the black stele, who had kept his eyes closed the whole time, opened them, his eyes bright like stars and radiating cold light, he stared fixedly at Xiao Yi and articulated with a pause between each word, "You, shouldn''t have killed him!"


    "So what if I did?" Xiao Yi replied casually.


    The young man said, "Send him to his grave!"


    Xiao Yi asked, "By yourself?"


    "Yes, just by myself!"


    The young man paused then slowly raised his finger, pointing one by one at Fang Qingzhu, Niu Dali, and the four brothers of the Shi Family, and slowly said, "Not just you, them as well, and the families behind you all, must accompany Huang Zijian in burial!"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose and said, "Exterminate my family? The Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty, please feel free!"


    The young man: "��"


    Xiao Yi urged, "Don''t be polite, really, I wish you would immediately exterminate the Xiao Family!"


    The young man''s face turned green.


    The Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty, they were a much more powerful presence than the entire Tianqing Kingdom, asking him to exterminate the Xiao Family?


    Wasn''t that a death wish?


    "Why so silent? Can''t do it? Or don''t dare?" Xiao Yi''s face was full of mockery.


    The young man''s face was as black as charcoal.


    Xiao Yi sighed, "If you can''t handle it, why put on an act?"


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 Chapter 75 - 75 Swordsmanship Domination

    "You... you..."


    The young man''s face turned green and red in turns, and he nearly spewed out a mouthful of old blood.


    The previously imposing words had now become a vicious slap to his face.


    A slap that left his cheek burning!


    He was the third ranked Jian Yi of the Mingjian Manor, having reached the Peak of the Shentong Realm, just one step away from the Golden Core Realm.


    Nature had endowed him with a Sword Bone. It was said that the secret technique he practiced used his own spine as the sword embryo, solidifying his backbone.


    The Sword Bone fused with his body.


    It gave him a power comparable to the first stage of Sword Intent, the Sword Heart Enlightenment, allowing him to��despite being at the Peak of the Shentong Realm��contend with ordinary warriors at the First Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    But even so...


    He could absolutely not afford to ignore the Xiao Family!


    Not to mention that the Xiao Family was the hottest family in the Great Qian Dynasty, with countless strong individuals flocking under their banner, just the three words ''Xiao Tianjiao'' alone were enough to bring despair to many powerful figures.


    Not to mention him...


    Even if all the strong warriors of the Tianqing Kingdom were to join forces, they would not be a match for Xiao Tianjiao alone!


    Behind Jian Yi, a cultivator at the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm sneered coldly, "Xiao Yi, stop pulling the tiger''s beard. Who doesn''t know that you''ve been kicked out by the Xiao Family? You''re just a discarded pawn of the Xiao Family, you..."


    Before he could finish speaking.


    He suddenly found he couldn''t make a sound, desperately opening his mouth only for blood to spurt out.


    Thud!


    A head fell from its neck to the ground.


    Eyes wide open with disbelief.


    Hisss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but take a sharp breath, their horrified gazes fixed on Xiao Yi, their eyes filled with disbelief: "Did anyone clearly see what just happened?"


    "Good, it seemed like Xiao Yi made a move, such a fast sword..."


    Jian Yi''s face grew even darker, his eyes narrowed into a sliver, sharp glints shot out of those narrow gaps, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi: "No wonder that sword in the Sword Tomb acknowledged you as its master, your mastery of swordsmanship is indeed remarkable. I just wonder, how many of my swords can you take?"


    Hum!


    Jian Yi lightly flicked his fingers, and the jade-encrusted longsword at his waist was drawn from its sheath.


    Suspended between his palm.


    The sharp edge, cold Sword Qi, raised a gust of violent wind, scraping across faces like knives cutting against their skin.


    "Mingjian Manor''s four great Jian Yi have been famous for a long time, especially this Jian Yi, who was already within the top twenty on the Flying Tigers List three years ago. This time he takes action, I''m afraid Xiao Yi is doomed to lose!"


    "How many swords do you think Jian Yi needs to kill Xiao Yi?"


    "Within three swords, I guess!"


    Clang!


    Jian Yi flicked the jade-encrusted longsword in his hand, looking coldly at Xiao Yi: "Bring out that sword you got from the Sword Tomb, otherwise you won''t even be able to take one of my swords!"


    What he held was one of the top ten famous swords, the Fourth-layer Yuan Weapon Thunder Sword, forged from Thunderous Mysterious Steel, with a natural thunder paralysis effect. Coupled with his Sword Bone enhancing his sword moves and speed, it boosted his combat power by more than thirty percent!


    In his view...


    Unless Xiao Yi used that fifth-rank Yuan Weapon, he would stand no chance against him.


    Xiao Yi walked in front of Fang Qingzhu, gently smoothed her disheveled hair, took a silver hairpin from the top of her head, and said with a light chuckle, "I''ll be back in no time!"


    "Mhm!"


    Fang Qingzhu squinted her eyes and nodded obediently.


    Xiao Yi, holding the hairpin, walked up to Jian Yi, waving it with a swooshing sound and beckoned to Jian Yi: "Come on!"


    "..."


    Jian Yi''s face turned green, staring intently at Xiao Yi with clenched teeth, "Xiao Yi, are you humiliating me?"


    "You''ve misunderstood!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, an innocent look on his face, "If it were humiliation, then what I''d have in my hand would be a stick!"


    Jian Yi shuddered.


    A stick?


    This wasn''t just humiliation; this was utter disregard!


    Jian Yi''s complexion grew so dark it seemed it could drip moisture, his fingers around the longsword turned green with strain, and with a venomous face said, "I''ll chop off your head, sever your limbs, and cut you to pieces to feed the dogs!"


    Boom!


    The Mysterious Sword plunged towards him, moving as fast as an arrow released from a bowstring, leaving behind only a trail of afterimages where he once was. Even as the afterimages overlapped without fading, a golden sword gleam had already appeared in front of Xiao Yi.


    "One of the four great sword techniques of Mingjian Manor, the ''Thunderous Lightning Sword Skill,'' and this technique places utmost emphasis on speed!"


    "With his spine as his sword and the art refined into his bones, the Mysterious Sword is on par with those who have mastered Sword Intent. Coupled with the profound intricacies of the ''Thunderous Lightning Sword Skill,'' Xiao Yi stands no chance against him!"


    Within the crowd, a middle-aged man donning a wide-brimmed hat and Embracing a sword confidently declared, "The outcome was decided the moment Xiao Yi chose his weapon! The fight will be over in one strike!"


    The crowd turned to look at the man, all exclaiming in awe, "That''s the renowned Rain Listening Swordsman, Xue Ming; he is a master of swordcraft said to have grasped the power of Sword Intent!"


    "If even he says Xiao Yi is bound to lose, then there is no suspense about the outcome of this battle!"


    Rain Listening Swordsman Xue Ming.


    A Loose Cultivator and an expert with the sword.


    With the cultivation of the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm and command over Sword Intent, his combat power is no weaker than that of an average practitioner of the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    His attainments in the way of the sword are publicly acknowledged as those of a grandmaster.


    However...


    Beneath the onslaught of that lightning-fast fierce sword play, Xiao Yi, with a mere hairpin in hand, simply leaped aside, narrowly avoiding each strike.


    The golden sword gleam whooshed past, nearly grazing the clothes on his chest.


    Just one more inch, and it would have pierced his chest and shattered his viscera.


    "Wasn''t it said the fight would be resolved in one strike?"


    Everyone turned to look at Xue Ming as Xue Ming blandly responded, "He just got lucky!"


    The second strike followed close behind, also dodged by Xiao Yi.


    Xue Ming frowned deeply, "The Mysterious Sword is holding back; he must be trying to humiliate Xiao Yi!"


    The crowd suddenly understood, "So that''s how it is!"


    Then...


    The third strike.


    The fourth strike...


    After more than a dozen strikes, the Mysterious Sword was drenched in sweat, whereas Xiao Yi remained graceful, effortlessly crushing the formidable sword strikes with a slight force from his hairpin.


    "Avoiding over a dozen strikes and shattering four with a hairpin, all by chance?"


    "Did the Mysterious Sword hold back with each of these strikes?"


    "Just who is humiliating whom here?"


    The staring crowd made Xue Ming squirm uncomfortably, his forehead slick with sweat as he said in frustration, "What are you all staring at me for? I''m not a damn fortune-teller; how could I know this kid''s sword skill would completely overpower the Mysterious Sword, making his sword seem as feeble as a child''s in comparison..."


    That''s right!


    Just as Xue Ming said...


    Xiao Yi''s swordsmanship totally overwhelmed the Mysterious Sword.


    No matter how the Mysterious Sword varied his attacks, he couldn''t escape Xiao Yi''s control, as if a hand that covered the sky was obstructing everything.


    Xiao Yi utterly toyed with the Mysterious Sword as if he were clapping his hands in amusement.


    Xue Ming saw it, and everyone else did too.


    The Mysterious Sword was clearly aware of this as well!


    He was drenched with cold sweat, having exceeded his best performance today, yet he still could not breach the defense of Xiao Yi''s hairpin. The Mysterious Sword stared fiercely and yelled, "I''m going all in against you!"


    Buzz!


    From his spine, a world-shaking sword shadow coalesced, and his body merged with his sword.


    This was the Mysterious Sword''s Innate Divine Ability, the integration of Sword and Bone!


    Whoosh!


    Both sword speed and might increased by fifty percent.


    A deadly strike headed straight for Xiao Yi.


    In the face of this swift strike, Xiao Yi''s expression of indifference vanished, and his Innate Divine Ability transformed, becoming one with his hairpin, as he pointed his sword: "Wicked Python Entwines the Tree!" S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    The sword took an unpredictable course!


    The two passed by each other.


    Xiao Yi, holding his hairpin, gently flicked it, and a drop of blood fell to the ground.


    Behind him...


    The Mysterious Sword''s form softened, and with a thud, he fell to the ground, a spot of red gleaming bloodily on his forehead...

 Chapter 76 - 76: Winning People Over with Virtue

    ```


    Hiss!


    The death of Mysterious Sword left everyone agape and dumbfounded.


    Before this��


    Almost no one believed Xiao Yi could have the last laugh, especially after Rain Listening Swordsman Xue Ming''s solemn prediction, everyone was convinced that Xiao Yi''s death was certain.


    The outcome, however,


    was a harsh slap in the face for everyone.


    Xue Ming, in particular, had his face figuratively swollen from the slap.


    His face was filled with cold rage as he glared venomously at Xiao Yi, "You dog-like thing, if it were not for you, how could Xue be so humiliated?"


    But he dared not act now.


    This was, after all, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, and the Sword Mountain Manor with a Seventh Layer Golden Core Realm master at its helm, as well as the backing of the royal family, naturally didn''t fear the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    But he could not afford to be reckless...


    He was but a Loose Cultivator.


    If he dared to kill Xiao Yi in public, he would inevitably face retribution from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, and he could only bury this grudge deep in his heart.


    Xiao Yi, of course, had no idea why Xue Ming was targeting him out of the blue.


    His gaze turned to the people of Sword Mountain Manor, the thirty-or-so strong men of Sword Mountain Manor seemed to freeze under Xiao Yi''s stare, cold sweat dripping down, "You, you, what are you going to do?"


    "We, we are from Sword Mountain Manor, I... "


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Every strike from Xiao Yi''s hairpin took the life of a Sword Mountain Manor strongman, leaving only four trembling and kneeling on the ground, shivering, "Please spare us! Xiao, please spare us!"


    Xiao Yi looked at the four indifferently as the hairpin danced on the stele like a dragon or snake.


    Clang, clang, clang! S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sound of metal on metal rang out, sparks flying.


    To the left of ''Tianlan''s Shame,'' four more characters were added��Sword Mountain Manor!


    "Sword Mountain Manor, Tianlan''s Shame!"


    "This is a declaration of a fight to the death with Sword Mountain Manor..."


    Everyone couldn''t help but inhale sharply.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was indifferent as he looked at the four and said, "If you don''t want to die, carry it into the city from the Vermilion Bird Gate, and go around the city three times. Otherwise, this will be your fate!"


    The four glanced at the corpses strewn haphazardly around them, shuddered, and turned deathly pale.


    After exchanging looks,


    the four gritted their teeth and said, "We, we will carry it!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at the Shi Family four brothers and said, "Shi Yaoqian, you and your brothers follow them. If they dare to deceive me in any way, inform me immediately!"


    "Don''t worry, big brother!"


    "We four brothers will definitely not let them skip a single step!"


    The Shi Family four brothers had previously been viciously beaten by the strongmen of Sword Mountain Manor and now they had finally found an opportunity for revenge, they used all their might.


    Niu Dali was eager to try, "Big brother, what about me?"


    Xiao Yi asked, "Are your injuries no problem?"


    This guy was covered in sword wounds, most of his clothes soaked red with blood, yet he was still full of vigor, "Keeping an eye on them will be no problem!"


    "Then go with them," Xiao Yi waved his hand.


    Niu Dali and the Shi Family four brothers, excited, drove the four strongmen of Sword Mountain Manor as they carried the stele inscribed with ''Sword Mountain Manor, Tianlan''s Shame'' and rushed madly toward the capital.


    It was not hard to imagine...


    After this event.


    Sword Mountain Manor would inevitably be utterly disgraced, and the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and Sword Mountain Manor would fully tear their faces apart, as incompatible as fire and water.


    As the instigator, Xiao Yi was indifferent to all this.


    His eyes swept over the crowd, and he said lightly, "The excitement is over, everyone can disperse now!"


    The crowd scattered in a commotion.


    Daring not to linger.


    ```


    This was the fierce man who killed two Swordsmen of Mingjian Manor with just a flick of his wrist, who would dare to provoke him?


    Xiao Yi returned to Fang Qingzhu''s side and smiled, "The hairpin is stained with blood, I''ll buy you a new one later!"


    "No!"


    Fang Qingzhu took the hairpin back from Xiao Yi''s hand and wore it on her head, smiling as she said, "This hairpin was used by brother Xiao Yi, I have to keep it!"


    Xiao Yi, with no choice, lightly scratched her nose and smiled, "Suit yourself!" Then noticing the bloodstains on her arm, he frowned, "Let''s go inside and bandage that up!"


    "It''s unnecessary, it''s just a superficial wound..." Fang Qingzhu weakly said.


    Xiao Yi, with a stern face, said, "When I say you need a bandage, you need a bandage!"


    He took Fang Qingzhu''s hand and walked toward the Tianqi Martial Arts Institute.


    Fang Qingzhu, looking at Xiao Yi''s retreating back, slightly raised the corners of her mouth...


    ��


    The next day.


    After fermenting overnight, the news that two great Swordsmen of Mingjian Manor had fallen at Tianqi Martial Arts Academy had already spread throughout the entire capital.


    The name Xiao Yi had become the talk of the town.


    He was even regarded by some as the foremost among the younger generation.


    As the foremost under the Golden Core Realm and so forth!


    As for these empty honors, Xiao Yi did not take them to heart. Instead, it was the return of Jiang Tai and Gu Junhe to Tianqi Martial Arts Academy that he found more interesting.


    "Headmaster!"


    The crowd gathered in the main hall, all turning their eyes toward the head of the table, where Gu Junhe sat holding a wine gourd.


    Gu Junhe took a swig of wine, glanced lazily at Xiao Yi, "You did well with Mingjian Manor''s affair..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, "You all did well too, and didn''t disgrace our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!"


    The crowd wore looks of pride.


    "Aside from Xiao Yi and Jiang Tai, everyone else will start cultivating with me from tomorrow!" Gu Junhe took another gulp from his wine gourd and said indifferently, "Xiao Yi and Jiang Tai stay behind, the rest of you may leave!"


    Only three people remained in the hall.


    Gu Junhe put away his wine gourd and looked intently at Xiao Yi, "Do you know why I have kept the two of you?"


    Xiao Yi said, "Is it about the secret realm?"


    Gu Junhe nodded and said, "That secret realm is surprisingly vast, and the gains exceed expectations. We''ve decided to open the secret realm in ten days for you juniors to enter. However, they''re only willing to give Tianqi Martial Arts Academy one spot, so which of you two will go?"


    Jiang Tai said from the side, "Headmaster, please give it to Xiao. I can secure a spot from the king!"


    Gu Junhe looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and asked, "How many spots do the other parties have?"


    Gu Junhe''s eyes brightened as he glanced at Jiang Tai.


    Jiang Tai said gravely, "The royal family has twenty spots, the Royal Martial Arts Academy has twenty spots, Nine Profound Sect and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple have ten spots each, Mingjian Manor has four, and the Loose Cultivators have ten. Additionally, Purple Robe Kingdom from the north has nine spots, and Tianlan Kingdom to the west has ten..."


    Xiao Yi asked, "Why does our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy only have one spot?"


    Although Tianqi Martial Arts Academy had fallen, with Gu Junhe''s strength, getting a few more spots shouldn''t be a problem!


    Jiang Tai said with a wry smile, "The Headmaster originally secured five spots for us, but they were suppressed by Zhou Yuan, the head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, in alliance with Nine Profound Sect and the Master of Mingjian Manor. The one spot we have is I got from Purple Robe Kingdom..."


    He had gone to the northern border precisely to secure that spot.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, staring at Gu Junhe, and revealed a bright smile, "Brother Jiang, you should take this spot!"


    Jiang Tai asked, "What about you?"


    Xiao Yi stretched himself and smiled, "The Royal Martial Arts Academy, Nine Profound Sect, Mingjian Manor... they all have quite a few spots, don''t they? When the time comes, I''ll just make one of them give me a spot!"


    Jiang Tai rolled his eyes, "Give?"


    He had paid a hefty sum of over a hundred million silvers to get that one spot from Purple Robe Kingdom.


    How could they simply give it away?


    Xiao Yi said, "If they don''t, then I''ll fight until they do! But I am a reasonable person, I''ll try to prevail with virtue!"


    Jiang Tai twitched the corner of his eye: "..."


    However, Gu Junhe just laughed heartily, with a casual wave, a jade box fell into Xiao Yi''s hand. He said with a beaming smile, "You''re right, we should prevail with virtue. Here is a Bodhi Vermilion Fruit �� ten days should be enough to assimilate it. To argue, you must have a strong fist!"


    "Thank you, Headmaster!"


    Xiao Yi smiled slightly.


    Jiang Tai glanced back and forth between them, feeling powerless as he massaged his forehead: "..."

 Chapter 77 - 77: Trade With Your Life!

    Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.


    Outside the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Gu Junhe and Jiang Tai had already been waiting here, with the Cangyun Eagle obediently standing by their side, its massive head occasionally bowing to straighten its iron-like sturdy feathers with its beak that could shatter gold and stone.


    Xiao Yi emerged from the Martial Arts Institute, looking spirited, with an increasingly thick aura about him.


    Gu Junhe''s eyes brightened as he nodded and said, "It seems that the Bodhi Vermilion Fruit was not wasted!"


    Xiao Yi cupped his fists towards him, "Thanks, Dean!"


    "Don''t thank me!"


    Gu Junhe said indifferently, "That Bodhi Vermilion Fruit was not a gift; when you come back from the secret realm, you owe me two, principal and interest!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Jiang Tai struggled to hold back his laughter and saluted Xiao Yi, "Congratulations, Xiao, on taking another step further. I''m afraid once you return from the secret realm this time, you might attempt to break through to the Golden Core Realm!"


    The Golden Core Realm.


    A transformative realm that sets one apart from ordinary people.


    Upon reaching the Golden Core, one''s longevity increases by a century.


    Like a celestial among men!


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said irritably, "Brother, you are at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm; are you mocking me?"


    "Hahaha, Brother Xiao, you jest!" Jiang Tai quickly shook his head.


    He knew well that Xiao Yi had gone from having no cultivation base to the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer in just half a year.


    And what about himself?


    He had the endless resources of the Tianqing Kingdom''s royal family since he was young, which was the only reason he had achieved what he had today.


    "Stop flattering each other!"


    Gu Junhe took a swig of alcohol and looked at the two, saying, "Remember, inside the secret realm, you brothers need to support each other. Especially you, Jiang Tai, you must protect Xiao Yi!"


    Jiang Tai responded solemnly, "Dean, rest assured, I will definitely keep Xiao safe!"


    Gu Junhe nodded, his expression strange as he said, "Xiao Yi, you''ve offended quite a few people. In these ten days, apart from Mingjian Manor, the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the Nine Profound Sect, and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple have all sent word that they want you buried in the secret realm. Be extra cautious!"


    Xiao Yi wondered, "Dean, I''ve never met anyone from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. Ten days ago, when I returned from Iron Mountain City, a monk named Dao Yuan ambushed me on the way. And now, they want me dead in the secret realm, why is this?"


    Gu Junhe''s expression remained strange.


    Jiang Tai said with a wry smile, "Brother Xiao, you may not know this, but before Dao Yuan became a monk, his name was Zhuge Shuangqiang, the elder brother of Zhuge Shuangdao!"


    "Outside the secret realm, I have the power to keep them from harming you. But once inside, you must be extremely careful, particularly of Mingjian Manor''s Heaven and Earth Swords, and the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s..."


    Gu Junhe had the two of them board the Cangyun Eagle and then seemed to think, apart from Jiang Tai, everyone seemed to have a grudge against Xiao Yi; he could only wave his hand helplessly, "Forget it, forget it, you''ve made too many enemies, lad. Just try your luck!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    ......


    Above the high skies.


    Layers of white clouds and a piercingly cold wind made the mountains and rivers below seem extremely tiny.


    The Cangyun Eagle soared high, shuttleing between clouds, its wings stirring up trails of white clouds, leaving behind a few hundred meters long trail of flight.


    Gu Junhe sat cross-legged on the Cangyun Eagle and said in a deep voice, "This secret realm is the tomb of a Scattered Cultivator from the Tribulation Realm. Zhou Yuan and I have spent two months exploring it and have cleared most of the obstacles. Still, numerous dangers remain, and there are also great opportunities. Don''t underestimate the chance this time offers, both of you!"


    "Dean, rest assured, Xiao and I will do our utmost!" Jiang Tai hesitated for a moment before saying, "It''s just that Xiao''s spot..."


    Gu Junhe also looked at Xiao Yi, "Have you thought it over? Are you sure you don''t want to give your spot to him?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "No need!"


    Gu Junhe nodded, his calm voice carrying an undeniable sense of firmness and authority, "What I can guarantee is that the older generation won''t make a move!"


    "That''s enough for me!"


    Xiao Yi revealed a smile.


    About half a day later...


    The Cangyun Eagle descended in altitude, diving towards a mountain range below; Jiang Tai said in a grave tone, "This secret realm lies within the Three Seas Mountain, at the border of the Tianqing, Zishan, and Tianlan kingdoms. The entrance has barriers set up by several heads of the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, which even Golden Core Realm experts wouldn''t hope to forcefully enter!"


    As he was speaking.


    A whooshing sound suddenly came from not far away, and three Swift Wind Geese appeared, swiftly closing in on the Cangyun Eagle. A loud laugh emanated from the back of one of the Swift Wind Geese, "Hahaha, Gu Junhe, I didn''t expect Tianqi Martial Arts Academy to have fallen so far? You only brought two people with you?"


    The Swift Wind Geese drew closer, and Xiao Yi could see the figures on their backs.


    The leader was a middle-aged man with a black eyepatch over his left eye and a centipede-like scar gruesomely bisecting his face, with an aura not much weaker than Gu Junhe''s.


    On the backs of the other two Swift Wind Geese sat five young elites each.


    All of them radiant and vigorous.


    They were young masters of their generation.


    Jiang Tai said in a deep voice, "These are people from Tianlan Kingdom. The man in the lead is General Wu Yu, the commander of the three armies of Tianlan Kingdom. Our Tianqing Kingdom is in a constant state of war with Tianlan Kingdom; they are our sworn enemies. We must be extra careful when dealing with them!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Gu Junhe looked indifferently at Wu Yu and sneered, "The quality of soldiers is more important than their quantity! These two disciples of mine are much stronger than the trash under your command!"


    Wu Yu''s expression darkened. S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jiang Tai, a super genius in the top three of Tianqing Kingdom''s Teng Long List, was so strong that not many in Tianlan Kingdom could contend with him.


    Atop the Swift Wind Geese.


    A young man, his muscles heavy and clearly defined as if chiseled, sneered, "Jiang Tai is indeed strong, but what about the one with him? Just the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer. I, Niu Ben, could smash him to death with one punch!"


    Jiang Tai whispered, "This man''s name is Niu Ben, third on Tianlan Kingdom''s Feihu List, at the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm..."


    Xiao Yi uttered an ''oh'' and didn''t take it to heart.


    First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm?


    When he was at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he could already slay strong people of this level.


    Now...


    After consuming the Bodhi Vermilion Fruit, he had reached the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, and he could even kill someone at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Why should he fear him?


    Xiao Yi looked toward Niu Ben and called out, "Niu Ben, right? Let''s discuss something!"


    "Hmm?"


    Niu Ben was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said, "Give me your spot, will you?"


    "Hmm?"


    Niu Ben was completely dumbfounded, his face showing his confusion, "Why should I give my spot to you?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "Don''t rush to refuse. I''ll trade with you using something!"


    "What thing?" Niu Ben frowned.


    Xiao Yi spoke earnestly, "Your life in exchange! Give me your spot, and I won''t kill you!"


    Niu Ben: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    A twitch appeared by Jiang Tai''s eye, is this how you reason with others? What happened to convincing people with virtue?


    Niu Ben burst out laughing in anger, "Are you an idiot? Do you think you can kill me? Like a dog, I''ll be the first to kill you once we''re on the ground!"


    Xiao Yi sighed, "I''m reasoning with you, and you call me an idiot? And you want to kill me?"


    "I''m indeed calling you an idiot, what can you do about it?" Niu Ben glared with his large eyes, and his smirk was incessant.


    Wu Yu, who was sitting on the first Swift Wind Goose, also wore a peculiar expression. He was about to speak when his face suddenly changed, and he exclaimed, "Be careful!"


    As his voice fell,


    Xiao Yi''s figure leaped up and landed behind Niu Ben, a flash of cold light swept from his fingertips. Leaping again, he landed back on the Cangyun Eagle.


    Xiao Yi patted his hands, looking at Gu Junhe, "Dean, does this mean we have an extra spot now?"


    Gu Junhe was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Hmm."


    Almost simultaneously...


    A stream of blood spurted from Niu Ben''s neck with a ''puff'', and his robust body fell from the back of the Swift Wind Geese, disappearing into the vast forest.


    In mid-air, there was silence...

 Chapter 78 - 78 In the Name of Zhou

    In the middle of the sky, there was a deathly silence.


    It wasn''t until Niu Ben''s corpse smashed into the forest below, emitting a dull thud, that the deathlike hush was broken.


    "Bastard!"


    Enraged, Wu Yu''s aura, which was at the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, erupted instantly, shattering a hundred-meter expanse of clouds, his face''s centipede-like scars flushing red, his look growing even more ferocious, "Little beast, your life is forfeit!"


    Hum!


    A golden qi converged into a golden light palm, as huge as a small house, smashing violently toward Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s move took everyone by surprise.


    Even Wu Yu did not react in time and could not prevent it.


    After all...


    Who could have imagined that Xiao Yi would dare to leap through the air, hopping between two beasts to strike a killing blow?


    Xiao Yi let out a loud shout, "Principal, go!"


    Gu Junhe stumbled beneath his feet, nearly falling off the back of the Cangyun Eagle, glaring fiercely at Xiao Yi. He waved his hand casually, dissipating the giant palm, his gaze coldly fixed on Wu Yu, "To attack my disciple right in front of me, you''re not taking me, Gu, seriously, are you?"


    "Gu Junhe, your disciple struck first!" Wu Yu retorted angrily.


    Gu Junhe spoke indifferently, "This was merely a transaction. Niu Ben refused to give up his spot, so Xiao Yi took his life. What wrong is there in that? Moreover, it was Niu Ben who first threatened to kill Xiao Yi, so this was self-defense!"


    Wu Yu snapped, "I don''t give a damn, Niu Ben only said he wanted to kill him, did he take any action?"


    Gu Junhe narrowed his eyes, "I''ll lay it out here today, how the younger generation fights is their business. If you dare to strike, I will obliterate you!"


    "You, you..." Wu Yu''s complexion shifted rapidly.


    He was no match for Gu Junhe.


    At that moment...


    On the back of one of the Swift Wind Geese, a young man who had been keeping his eyes closed all along said indifferently, "Why should the Great General be so enraged? Once inside the secret realm, I will personally take his head to commemorate Niu Ben!"


    Jiang Tai looked gravely at the young man, speaking solemnly, "This man is Zhang Tianyi, the champion nominee from the Tianlan Kingdom, at the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, the second on the Tianlan Dragon Ranking..."


    Xiao Yi nodded calmly, his eyes on Zhang Tianyi taking on a shade of solemnity.


    Taking a deep breath, Wu Yu was clearly influenced by Zhang Tianyi''s words, his resentful gaze fixed on Xiao Yi and the others, he gritted his teeth and said, "Gu Junhe, you''re ruthless! You may protect them for a moment, but you can''t protect them forever. People of the Tianlan Kingdom, listen up, in the secret realm, Xiao Yi is the prime target!"


    "Yes!"


    "Kill Xiao Yi!"


    A crowd of Tianlan Kingdom''s powerhouses roared in fury, their gaze toward Xiao Yi as if looking at a dead body.


    "Let''s go!"


    Wu Yu slapped the Swift Wind Goose, quickening its descent.


    Gu Junhe looked at Xiao Yi with an odd expression, "That was a ruthless move!"


    Jiang Tai also said, "Brother Xiao, you were too impulsive..."


    Before he could finish,


    Gu Junhe interrupted him, "But, well done on the kill!"


    Jiang Tai, "..."


    Gu Junhe spoke lightly, "Jiang Tai, you think Xiao Yi''s killing of Niu Ben was too impulsive?" After seeing Jiang Tai nod, Gu Junhe said with a faint smile, "You underestimate Xiao Yi! He''s not such an impulsive person!"


    Jiang Tai was taken aback.


    Gu Junhe continued, "Is the Tianlan Kingdom on the same path as us?"


    Jiang Tai shuddered, the Tianlan Kingdom was to the west, by all accounts, they should not have crossed paths, "You mean, they were intentionally waiting for us here?"


    Gu Junhe glanced at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi said evenly, "Tianlan and Tianqing are long-time rivals, and in this secret realm struggle, the Tianqing Kingdom already has an advantage. The Tianlan Kingdom aims to weaken the Tianqing Kingdom''s morale before entering the secret realm. It''s not that easy to act against the Royal Martial Arts Academy or the Nine Profound Sect; the weaker Tianqi Martial Arts Academy is the best target!"


    Gu Junhe nodded, "If it wasn''t for Xiao Yi, they would have targeted you this time!"


    Jiang Tai revealed a grave look.


    He was no match for Zhang Tianyi, and if he, the esteemed seventh prince, were severely wounded or killed by Zhang Tianyi, it would be a tremendous blow to the morale of the Tianqing Kingdom''s people.


    Understanding this, Jiang Tai''s look towards Xiao Yi included a bit more admiration.


    Chirp chirp!


    Cangyun Eagle''s wings shook, and it dived down, landing in a basin within Three Seas Mountain in an instant. At this moment, the basin was already brimming with powerful warriors.


    The Royal family of Tianqing Kingdom, Royal Martial Arts Academy, Nine Profound Sect, Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, Sword Mountain Manor, and Tianqi Martial Arts Academy; Tianlan Kingdom, Purple Robe Kingdom.


    Warriors from all directions had gathered.


    The arrival of Xiao Yi and his group immediately attracted quite a bit of attention.


    However...


    Apart from the people of Purple Robe Kingdom, the looks that others gave them were filled with hostility.


    Xiao Yi touched his nose, "It seems... we''re not very welcome?"


    Jiang Tai rolled his eyes: And you have the nerve to mention it? Nearly everyone here has been offended by you...


    Gu Junhe said, "I''ll go ahead first. You two behave!" After walking a few steps, Gu Junhe turned back to look at Xiao Yi, "Especially you, don''t cause any trouble for me!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders.


    After Gu Junhe left.


    A graceful young girl from Purple Robe Kingdom approached, clad in purple armor, her graceful figure especially striking, with her long purple hair fluttering in the wind, she stared at Xiao Yi, "Are you Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "And you are?"


    Jiang Tai said, "This is the Fifth Princess of Purple Robe Kingdom, Yue Ling''er." He cupped his fists towards Yue Ling''er, "Ling''er, long time no see. Are your uncle and aunt in good health?"


    Yue Ling''er waved her hand, "With both in the Golden Elixir Realm, do you think their health would be poor?" After a pause, Yue Ling''er blinked, "Cousin, the place you asked of Father for, it was for this kid?"


    Jiang Tai touched his nose, just about to speak.


    Yue Ling''er was already looking at Xiao Yi with disdain, "Kid, I hear you cause trouble everywhere and many are targeting you. How can you be so thick-skinned? If you don''t have the capability, don''t join the fray. You even had my cousin shamelessly ask for a spot on your behalf..."


    Jiang Tai''s expression darkened, "Ling''er, Xiao Yi didn''t ask for that spot!"


    "Ah?"


    Yue Ling''er was stunned, her brows furrowed slightly, "He didn''t ask for the spot?"


    Xiao Yi chuckled, "Princess Ling''er, is it? If I wanted a spot, I would have fought for it myself, not taking the slightest advantage from you all!"


    At that moment.


    A cold voice from Gu Junhe came from not far away, "Zhou Yuan, what do you mean?"


    Zhou Yuan''s proud voice came simultaneously, "No particular meaning. This is the unanimous decision after everyone''s discussion. We can tolerate Jiang Tai borrowing Purple Robe Kingdom''s spot, which is already a huge concession. As for that Xiao Yi... What is he worth?"


    Zhou, the head of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy added, "If it weren''t for Jiang Tai''s slight connection to the royal family of Purple Robe Kingdom, which allowed us to exchange a spot, your Tianqi Martial Arts Institute wouldn''t get a single hair into the secret realm!" The one speaking was the Great Elder of Nine Profound Sect, Jin Sheng, his face showing resentment and pride as he looked at Xiao Yi. S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhuang Bifan, the master of Sword Mountain Manor who carried three longswords, had an indifferent expression, "If, as you said, killing one of them could snatch the other''s spot, then I should just let my Heavenly Son Sword kill a few of them, and my Sword Mountain Manor could send a few more people in, couldn''t it?"


    Wu Yu, full of pride, "Gu Junhe, looks like you''ve capsized in the gutter, huh? Hahaha!"


    Zhou Yuan spoke seriously, "Gu Junhe, you are also an elder among strong warriors, why bother confronting us over a junior of no importance?"


    For a moment...


    Everyone''s gaze was fixed on Xiao Yi.


    The looks contained both schadenfreude and scornful ridicule...


    Yue Ling''er looked at Xiao Yi with sympathy, "You really are pitiable, Xiao Yi!"


    "Pitiable?"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, but the look in his eyes grew increasingly cold as he turned to Zhou Yuan and spoke aloud, "So, Head Zhou, you mean to say that I don''t deserve to enter the secret realm?"


    Zhou Yuan let out a cold laugh, offering no reply.


    Wu Yu, wearing a taunting expression, "You lad still have some self-awareness; it''s not just Head Zhou''s opinion, we all think you don''t deserve to enter the secret realm!"


    "Well then, it seems reasoning is out of the question!" said Xiao Yi as he shrugged his shoulders and walked to the entrance of the secret realm. Sitting down with legs astride, he proclaimed loudly, "In Head Zhou''s name, I, Xiao Yi, am establishing a challenge arena here. Whoever is inferior to me has no right to enter the secret realm!"


    Boom!


    His declaration caused an uproar among the crowd.


    "Has this kid gone mad?"


    "Is he planning to challenge everyone?"


    "A mere tumbleweed in the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, how many can he defeat? He dares to set up a challenge arena and take on everyone? Utterly foolish..."


    Xiao Yi, faced with everyone''s cold sneers and hot mocking, plunged his sword into the ground and declared proudly, "Enough talk, if you wish to fight, let''s fight!"

 Chapter 79 - 79: Xiao Yi VS Jia Sidao

    "If it''s a fight you want, it''s a fight you''ll get!"


    Xiao Yi sat astride the entrance to the secret realm, majestic and imposing.


    He stood like a sentinel at the gate.


    This was the gathering place of half the young talents from the Tianqing Kingdom, the Purple Robe Kingdom, and the Tianlan Kingdom, nearly every one of them a master from the Dragon Tiger List.


    How dare Xiao Yi, with just the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer, block the way and challenge them all?


    "Arrogant!"


    "This kid is simply too presumptuous!"


    The crowd was buzzing with excitement!


    Jin Sheng sneered coldly, "Gu Junhe, your disciple really has some nerve!"


    Zhuang Bifan''s gaze was like a sword, his cold laughter unceasing, "No wonder he dares to kill my two disciples, Xuan and Huang��he is indeed audacious!"


    Gu Junhe felt a headache coming on, but he couldn''t show weakness. He responded lightly, "Just as Xiao Yi said, Zhou Yuan claimed he lacks the qualifications to enter the secret realm, right? If the others can''t even defeat him, then naturally they lack the qualifications to enter as well."


    All eyes turned towards Zhou Yuan.


    Even the royal family of the Tianqing Kingdom looked to him for direction.


    Zhou Yuan let out a cold laugh, "Then let''s fight! However, swords and sabers have no eyes, if there should be any accidents, Master Gu will not intervene halfway, will he?"


    Gu Junhe replied, "If you all don''t take action, naturally I won''t either."


    Wu Yu and the others nodded in agreement.


    "Good!"


    Zhou Yuan nodded, "Since that''s the case, let him have his wish. Everyone listen up, to enter the secret realm, you must first defeat Xiao Yi. Swords and sabers have no eyes, life and death regardless!"


    Within the crowd.


    The young and powerful who could hardly contain themselves rushed forward one after another.


    Yue Ling''er, her eyes wide and her neck stiff, turned towards Jiang Tai and pointed to her head, "Cousin, is there something wrong with him?"


    The exploration of the secret realm this time nearly brought together all the top young talents of the three great kingdoms.


    Even the weakest among them was at the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer.


    How could Xiao Yi dare to set up this challenge?


    Wasn''t this seeking death?


    Jiang Tai''s eyelid twitched, "Don''t talk to me..."


    ...


    "I''ll take you on!"


    From the midst of the crowd, a man in green garb with a green wolf''s head tattoo on his face, and at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, waved his Wolf Fang Club with pride, "When you get to the underworld, don''t forget to tell King Yama that it was Lang Tao of the Royal Martial Arts Academy who killed you!"


    Whoosh!


    The Wolf Fang Club swung high, whistling through the air with such force it seemed capable of splitting mountains and shattering stones.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "Trash like you also dares to show off?"


    With a casual wave of his hand.


    His bearing was dignified, like a Wrathful Vajra!


    Vajra Fist''s third form��Vajra Subdues Demons!


    Boom!


    His fist, hard as iron, smashed right onto the Wolf Fang Club. The second-grade spiritual weapon exploded with a pop, shards flying everywhere, punching straight through Lang Tao''s chest.


    Blood spurted like a fountain!


    Lang Tao''s face was filled with horror as he crashed to the ground, gasping for air so violently that blood poured unstoppably from his mouth, his face a picture of shock, "Ho-How is this possible? How can your fist be so hard?"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi lifted his foot and slammed it down. With a loud bang, he crushed Lang Tao''s head. Looking up at the others he declared, "Next!"


    Hiss!


    The crowd gasped in shock.


    Lang Tao, at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, was killed just like that?


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Those below the Golden Elixir Realm, come at me all at once!"


    "Arrogant!"


    "Do you really think you''re invincible?"


    "So arrogant, let us fulfill your wish..."


    In an instant, twenty-three strong warriors from the Divine Power Realm Tenth Layer and the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm surged forward, their blades gleaming coldly, their martial arts dazzling and brilliant.


    Forewarned by Lang Tao''s precedent, everyone made their move by invoking their Innate Divine Abilities.


    This was a life-and-death battle!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were sharp as knives as he issued a light shout, activating his Life-bound Spiritual Weapon Transformation, causing a black glow to ebb and flow on his arms, integrating with his longsword into one.


    His palms were like knives, his fingers like swords.


    Xiao Yi moved like a dragon into the sea, weaving through the crowd of strong warriors, and nearly no one who came close was a match for him in a single exchange!


    Every punch hit flesh, every palm strike meant death!


    Boom, boom, boom!


    In just a moment...


    There was a chorus of wails!


    On the ground lay more than a dozen strong warriors, scattered haphazardly.


    Xiao Yi, standing atop several Divine Power Realm strong warriors, looked proudly at Zhou and the others, "Zhou, you''ve truly planned far ahead, indeed there are many here just filling numbers. Trash that cannot even block my single punch trying to enter the secret realm, do you truly think this Tao Tribulation Realm expert''s secret realm is a brothel, at your free disposal to come and go?"


    Zhou''s face was as dark as pitch: "..."


    Wu Yu, Jin Sheng, and others clenched their teeth, eyes flashing coldly.


    Gu Junhe coughed lightly, pretending to scold, "Xiao Yi, these are the chosen from various major forces, you just happened to win against them, you should not be so ostentatious!"


    "The Dean''s teaching is correct!"


    Xiao Yi feigned humility, then with a flick of his longsword, "Stop sending these Divine Skills Realm people to their deaths, let those from the Golden Core Realm come up too!"


    "You dog-like thing, do you really think no one can control you?"


    Inside the Royal Martial Arts Academy, a young man in white robes, floating like an immortal, walked out, "Xiao Yi, do you recognize Jia Sichun?"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, "Are you Jia Sidao?"


    "Indeed!"


    Jia Sidao boasted proudly, "Today, I shall take your head to pay homage to my brother!"


    Xiao Yi sighed, "Does the Jia Family have any more brothers left?"


    Jia Sidao was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi continued, "Keep a life for continuing the family line. Don''t let the Jia Family''s legacy end with you!"


    "You..."


    Jia Sidao''s face turned shades of red and white with rage, unable to contain his anger, "Since I stepped into the Golden Elixir Realm, you are the first to dare to belittle me. If I don''t kill you, I swear I''m not a man!"


    Boom!


    His whole body shook, and black scale armor appeared on him.


    Within the crowd.


    Yue Ling''er exclaimed in shock, "I''ve long heard that Jia Sidao''s Innate Divine Ability is beastial transformation, but I didn''t expect it to be the strongest defensive Beast Armor Change. Xiao Yi is in big trouble!"


    Jiang Tai''s eyes showed a grave expression.


    Beast transformation was an extremely powerful Innate Divine Ability; some strong fighters could even transform into dragons, phoenixes, and so on... Beast Armor Change granted near invincible defense within their class!


    Clang, clang!


    With every motion Jia Sidao made, the black scale armor collided like metal on metal, sparking blinding firelight. sea??h th�� N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Beast King Fist!"


    Jia Sidao roared lowly, charging like a wild beast, his footsteps booming like war drums. This punch seemed to carry the force of ten thousand beasts stampeding.


    "This is... the spirit of the Ten Thousand Beast Fist?" Wu Yu''s expression changed, turning to look at Zhou Yuan, "Truly worthy of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, they have such a genius. Beast Armor Change combined with the spirit of the Ten Thousand Beast Fist, this man''s future is limitless!"


    Jin Sheng sighed, "With such strength, killing Xiao Yi is within reach!"


    Zhou Yuan looked pleased and glanced at Gu beside him, "Dean Gu, we had an agreement, that in the fight, the sword has no eyes, you better not intervene!"


    "Don''t worry! I''m not as shameless as you..." Gu Junhe scoffed.


    Zhou Yuan snorted coldly.


    Meanwhile...


    Jia Sidao, clad in his beast armor, landed a heavy fist on Xiao Yi''s longsword, which he was using to block in front of himself. The sword vibrated intensely, the violent force pushing Xiao Yi back.


    Xiao Yi''s expression darkened, feeling numbness in the web of his hands, "The spirit of the Ten Thousand Beast Fist combined with the Beast Armor Change has such strength? Much stronger than Niu Ben, but still, this power is far from enough to kill me!"

 Chapter 80 - 80: Decree of Execution

    ```


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s whole body shook, and black light covered him.


    The Life-bound Spiritual Weapon Transformation covered his entire body, making it as tough as a third-grade Yuan weapon, and the force of Sword Intent enveloped him.


    "Is this one of the top ten Innate Divine Abilities, the Weapon Transformation?"


    "The most heaven-defying aspect of the Weapon Transformation Divine Skill lies in the durability of the transformed part, as solid as the weapon in hand. With this, the advantage of Jia Sidao''s Beast Armor Transformation is gone. Both masters of martial arts intents, victory or defeat now hinges on their martial techniques and combat awareness..."


    All present were no ordinary people; they quickly analyzed the situation.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Xiao Yi threw a punch, and when the two fists met, sparks flew.


    It was a stalemate!


    Jia Sidao sneered coldly, "I am a Golden Core elite, I can grind you to death!"


    "The Golden Core practitioners who''ve died at my hand, you''re not the first!"


    Xiao Yi suddenly moved, disappearing from in front of Jia Sidao and reappearing behind him, his longsword like the wind: "Sinuous Python Wraps Around the Tree!"


    "Beast King Fist, Thunderous Charge!"


    Jia Sidao''s eyes sparkled like lightning, and as he sidestepped, he punched with both fists.


    Boom, boom!


    The shadow of his fists filled the air, like a stampede of myriad beasts.


    His form was covered with a layer of black Scale Armor, fearless, his punches like pounding garlic, and he forcefully shattered Xiao Yi''s incoming sword moves.


    "My defense is invincible; your death is certain!"


    Jia Sidao''s face, covered with beast armor scales, revealed a fierce smile as he stepped forward, leveraging his formidable defense to press on without fear of Xiao Yi''s attacks, his violent boxing technique forcing Xiao Yi into retreat.


    "Xiao Yi can''t break through the defense; this is troublesome!" Yue Ling''er''s brows furrowed slightly as she spoke in a deep voice.


    Jiang Tai''s eyebrows furrowed tightly, "Xiao Yi, do you have a way to break through this predicament?"


    No matter how strong the sword moves, if they can''t pierce the defense, they''re useless!


    "Indeed, a tough opponent!"


    Xiao Yi''s face showed a serious expression; this Jia Sidao was the most challenging peer he had encountered thus far.


    The abnormal defense of the Beast Armor Transformation left no opportunity for his sharp sword moves.


    Boom!


    In an unexpected moment...


    Xiao Yi''s chest was struck by Jia Sidao''s fist, forcing him back. Rubbing his chest, Xiao Yi said, "That almost shattered my organs... wait, shattered? I''ve got it!"


    Light shone in Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    He suddenly withdrew the Weapon Transformation, and instead of retreating, he advanced, closing the distance between him and Jia Sidao.


    Jia Sidao''s eyes gleamed ferociously, "Idiot, daring to grapple with me at close quarters? You''re simply courting death!"


    "Beast King Fist!"


    Jia Sidao launched his fists simultaneously.


    At the moment when their figures crossed, Xiao Yi ran the Life-bound Spiritual Weapon Transformation on his back, enduring Jia Sidao''s heavy punches with two thuds.


    The vibrations seemed to fragment his internal organs, bringing intense pain, but Xiao Yi remained unmoved.


    His legs pushed off the ground.


    "Eight Extremes Lean Against!"


    His back, covered in the black gleam of the Weapon Transformation, slammed hard against Jia Sidao''s chest, sending him flying, and simultaneously Xiao Yi''s right hand reached out.


    The black light of the Weapon Transformation covered his right hand.


    He grabbed Jia Sidao''s ankle, and with a low roar, exclaimed, "Eight Extremes Takedown!"


    Whoosh! He threw Jia Sidao over his shoulder.


    Jia Sidao flew backward like a kite with its string cut as Xiao Yi swiftly pursued him, and with full force, he employed the Eight Extremes Collapse. His fists pounded heavily on Jia Sidao''s body, smashing him to the ground.


    This sequence of movements was as smooth as drifting clouds and flowing water, without the slightest hesitation.


    "Sinuous Python Wraps Around the Tree!"


    The moment Jia Sidao''s body hit the ground, Xiao Yi struck with another sword. The blade, like a python wrapping around a tree, coiled around Jia Sidao''s waist, then with a fierce tug, sent him flying again.


    Xiao Yi''s legs pushed off from the ground as he followed up the attack.


    His longsword moved through the air, repeatedly executing sword moves: "Gentle Breeze Drops Leaves!"


    "Sinuous Python Wraps Around the Tree!"


    "Pursuing Soul, Snatching Life..."


    Stroke after stroke of sword light continuously hit Jia Sidao, each strike aiming for vital organs.


    "Jia Sidao is covered in Beast Armor Transformation, with defense unmatched in his tier, already on invincible grounds!"


    "Xiao Yi can''t possibly win!"


    However...


    Zhou Yuan''s face suddenly changed, "Not good!"


    He intended to take action...


    But alongside him, Gu Junhe scoffed, and a powerful aura locked onto Zhou Yuan as he coldly stated, "You dare to intervene?"


    "You..."


    Zhou Yuan''s eyes were filled with fury.


    Almost at the same time...


    Jia Sidao, whose defenses seemed impenetrable, suddenly let out a scream, outwardly unharmed yet spewing blood from all orifices. The transformed Scale Armor from his Beast Armor Transformation rapidly receded, and the longsword pierced through the air, puh, impaling his shoulder.


    ```


    Ao!


    Jia Sidao let out a wretched scream as he was pinned to the ground by Xiao Yi''s sword.


    Xiao Yi fell from the sky and landed with a loud thump on Jia Sidao''s legs, the ear-piercing crack accompanying Jia Sidao''s hysterical screams.


    His legs had been brutally broken, and Xiao Yi stepped on Jia Sidao''s chest, with a cold smile, "Invincible defense? How do you defend your internal organs?"


    The continuous sword strikes just now were not meant to pierce the defenses, but to shatter his internal organs!


    As it turned out...


    Xiao Yi''s tactics were completely correct!


    "Xiao Yi, the winner has been decided. Why haven''t you let Jia Sidao go yet?" Zhou Yuan glared furiously, grinding his teeth.


    Xiao Yi looked up at Zhou Yuan, unafraid, "Let him go? If I were the one lying here now, do you think he would have let me go?"


    Zhou Yuan''s face changed, a sense of unease rising as he stared angrily at Xiao Yi, "What are you going to do?"


    "What am I going to do?"


    Xiao Yi smirked, his longsword whooshing past Jia Sidao''s throat in a flash, blood gushing out like a fountain; Jia Sidao''s head tumbled away, his body decapitated.


    Hiss!


    A complete silence surrounded the area.


    Zhou Yuan, the head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, had spoken, and yet Xiao Yi dared to execute Jia Sidao right before him?


    Yue Ling''er swallowed hard, "Has he gone mad?"


    Jiang Tai covered his face, "I knew it would come to this..."


    Many powerful figures around felt a chill run through their bodies. Some, who were only marginally weaker than Jia Sidao, felt a sense of relief that they had not made a move!


    The angriest was none other than Zhou Yuan!


    He had personally spoken, yet Xiao Yi still killed Jia Sidao in his face. This was a severe slap to his face!


    Zhou Yuan''s face turned black as coal, his eyes cold as ice, and his voice so grim it made one''s scalp tingle, "Xiao Yi, do you realize what you are doing?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Could it be that Head Zhou has grown old and forgotten his own words?"


    Zhou Yuan was stunned.


    Xiao Yi said calmly, "The sword has no eyes, it was you who said that!"


    "I..."


    Zhou Yuan''s face turned red as he spurted out a mouthful of blood.


    Indeed, those were his words!


    But they were meant for when he believed Xiao Yi was certainly doomed and said to deter Gu Junhe from rescuing him. How could he have imagined that Xiao Yi would be the one to have the last laugh?


    Xiao Yi''s gaze passed over Zhou Yuan, Wu Yu, Jin Sheng, and others, speaking calmly, "Gentlemen, now, I should be qualified to enter the secret realm, right?"


    Everyone looked at the Shentong Realm powerhouses sprawled in all directions, then at the beheaded Jia Sidao.


    They were at a loss for words.


    If even this level of strength wasn''t enough to qualify to enter the secret realm, then more than half of those present were certainly unqualified!


    Xiao Yi smiled, "If you still feel I''m not qualified, then I can only continue setting up this arena!"


    As he spoke,


    Xiao Yi glanced at several High-Layer Golden Core Realm powerhouses in the crowd who seemed ready to stand, chuckling, "I''m merely at the Shentong Realm. If you wish to make a move, then I will have to let Elder Brother Jiang step in!"


    Everyone: "..."


    A mere Shentong Realm, yet he slaughters Golden Cores as if they were butchering pigs and dogs?


    But indeed, there was nothing wrong with his words! He was only in the Shentong Realm, and facing a First Layer of the Golden Core Realm was already overcoming the strong as the weak. If these powerful figures at the fifth or sixth layers of the Golden Core Realm made a move, they would be bullying the lesser!


    As for fighting with Jiang Tai?


    Of those present from the younger generation, how many could contend with Jiang Tai?


    Zhou Yuan despised Xiao Yi to the bone, yet was powerless to do anything...


    Zhou Yuan and the others were also in a difficult position.


    If they allowed Xiao Yi to enter the secret realm at this point, they would lose all face in this gamble. If they did not, they might lose even more top fighters.


    At that moment...


    Within the Royal Martial Arts Academy, a Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm youth opened his eyes. This person, named Ye Feng, was the second top student of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, second only to Great Prince Jiang Shanhe.


    Ye Feng''s cold gaze swept over Xiao Yi and then looked towards Zhou Yuan, "Head Zhou, just let him into the secret realm."


    "Hmm?"


    Zhou Yuan was bewildered.


    Ye Feng stated flatly, "I, Ye Feng, hereby announce once again... within the secret realm, whoever slays Xiao Yi can exchange for a fourth-grade martial skill from me!"


    Ling Feng, the top disciple of the Nine Profound Sect and Sixth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, also stood up, "I''ll join in the excitement too. Whoever slays Xiao Yi within the secret realm can receive a fourth-grade movement technique from me!"


    Zhang Tianyi from Sword Mountain Manor narrowed his eyes, "Whoever kills Xiao Yi, my Sword Mountain Manor will gift a fourth-grade longsword!"


    In Tianlan Kingdom, Zhang Tianyi said with contempt, "Count me in too. Whoever kills Xiao Yi will be rewarded with one hundred million taels of silver!"


    Within the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple,


    Monk Dao Yuan said with a smile, "Amitabha, our young monk says Xiao has committed heavy sins. Killing him would be carrying out heaven''s will, and the slayer can choose a martial skill from the Scripture Pavilion of our Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple!"


    Instantly,


    Among the powers that had come, except for the Purple Robe Kingdom, the other powers had unified to issue a bounty for Xiao Yi''s death. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All eyes turned to Xiao Yi as if they were looking at a cold corpse.


    Zhou Yuan laughed heartily and nodded, "Fine, Xiao Yi, I will grant your wish and allow you to enter the secret realm. Do you dare to enter?"


    Xiao Yi''s face was cold as frost, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd, and he smiled faintly, "Why wouldn''t I dare?"

 Chapter 81 - 81: Entering the Secret Realm

    "Why not?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his cold gaze fixed on Zhou Yuan.


    Zhou Yuan let out a cold laugh, his icy eyes looking at him as if he were a corpse, and said indifferently, "Since that''s the case, then Xiao Yi may enter the secret realm!"


    Wu Yu said indifferently, "I agree."


    "I have no objections!" Jin Sheng declared.


    Zhuang Bifan stood tall like a pine tree, arrogantly like a sword, "If he has chosen the secret realm as his burial ground, then let''s fulfill his wish!"


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy, Tianlan Kingdom, Nine Profound Sect, Mingjian Manor, and Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple all issued assassination orders against Xiao Yi. In everyone''s eyes, unless a miracle occurred, Xiao Yi was never going to leave the secret realm alive.


    Even Gu Junhe had a splitting headache.


    Xiao Yi, however, appeared nonchalant.


    Jiang Tai gave a bitter smile, "Xiao, you''re being too reckless!"


    Yue Ling''er blinked and looked at him with a curious, eager gaze, "Xiao Yi, should my Purple Robe Kingdom also issue an assassination order against you?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at her, "As you wish!"


    Yue Ling''er rolled her eyes and said, "Never mind, I always feel you''re too cunning. I''d better not get involved in this mess!"


    Jiang Tai glanced at Xiao Yi, helplessly saying, "Xiao, don''t stray too far from me when we''re inside the secret realm, I''ll do my best to protect you."


    Yue Ling''er was stunned, then frowned, "Cousin, are you crazy? He is now the target of public criticism. In the secret realm, no one will care about your prince''s status. If you protect him, you won''t even know how you died when the time comes��"


    "Shut up!"


    Jiang Tai glared at her fiercely, about to speak when Xiao Yi had already waved his hand with a smile and said, "Jiang, once we''re inside the secret realm, it''s better for us to act separately."


    "At least you know what''s good for you!" Yue Ling''er said.


    "Ling''er..."


    Jiang Tai rebuked her, then frowned at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, what are you planning..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his gaze turning cold: "Didn''t they issue an assassination order against me? I want to see, in the end, who will be the one to assassinate whom..."


    Yue Ling''er and Jiang Tai exchanged looks, both feeling a chill run down their spines.


    "This secret realm is the tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse. The tomb is located at the deepest part of the secret realm. You must cross two hundred miles of dense forest and a poisonous marsh to reach the tomb," Zhou Yuan said, his gaze calm as he looked at everyone and announced, "The entrance to the tomb is sealed by our restrictions. You must collect tokens along the way. Only those who gather ten tokens can pass through the restrictions and enter the tomb. Inside the tomb, there are numerous treasures, as well as the inheritance of that Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse. Everything depends on your own fate and effort, strive for it!"


    Everyone was eager and excited.


    This was the inheritance of a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse!


    If they could obtain it, the Tao Tribulation was within reach!


    Zhou Yuan''s cold eyes lingered on Xiao Yi for a moment before continuing, "This journey into the secret realm is a matter of life and death! Anyone who is killed within the secret realm cannot have their death avenged by their backing powers. You all have no objections, do you?"


    Zhuang Bifan and other individuals spoke one after another: "We have no objections!"


    People''s eyes, filled with schadenfreude, inevitably fell on Xiao Yi.


    These words were meant especially for Xiao Yi and Gu.


    Outside the secret realm... S��arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    People were wary of Gu, unable to act freely against Xiao Yi.


    But inside the secret realm, there were no such restrictions!


    "Since there are no objections, follow me to open the entrance to the secret realm," Zhou Yuan said calmly.


    Everyone took action.


    Led by Zhou Yuan, Gu and others jointly opened the entrance to the secret realm.


    Everyone stood still.


    Ye Feng''s cold eyes were on Xiao Yi as he made a welcoming gesture, "Xiao Yi, you go in first!"


    "We''ll let you run ahead a bit, don''t get caught by us, alright?"


    "You''re not planning to wait for all of us to go in before you back out, are you?"


    People stared at Xiao Yi.


    This was their worry that once they had all entered, Xiao Yi would no longer enter the secret realm and they would miss the opportunity to kill him!


    Xiao Yi grinned and with a bold stride, headed toward the secret realm, "Then I shall impolitely accept the invitation!"


    Whoosh!


    He stepped into the secret realm.


    A cold light flashed in Ye Feng and the others'' eyes, "Catch up with him!"


    "Don''t let him escape!"


    All of them surged forward.


    Watching the gradually closing entrance of the secret realm, Zhou Yuan and his group looked at Gu Junhe with cold smiles, "Headmaster Gu can rest assured, I have already ordered my disciples to bring back Xiao Yi''s body, to allow Headmaster Gu to give him a proper burial!"


    "However, Xiao Yi has incurred the wrath of the masses, I''m afraid it won''t be possible to bring back a complete body!"


    "A complete body? The first thing everyone is going to do upon entering is kill him. I''m afraid by the time they return from the secret realm, Xiao Yi''s body will already be rotting..."


    "Hahahaha..."


    Facing the provocation and mockery of the crowd, Gu Junhe narrowed his eyes, gazing in the direction of the entrance to the secret realm, murmuring to himself, "Xiao Yi... you must come back alive..."


    ...��


    Inside the secret realm.


    The moment Xiao Yi landed, he took out a packet of poison powder and scattered it behind him.


    Having received the inheritance from Underworld Doctor Bian He, such poison powder was almost effortless for him. The instant he spread the poison powder, Xiao Yi activated his movement technique to the extreme, rushing wildly toward the dense forest ahead.


    Almost simultaneously with his departure...


    Figures appeared within the secret realm, all searching for Xiao Yi''s whereabouts, "Where is Xiao Yi?"


    "That damn dog has run into the forest..."


    "Chase him!"


    However...


    No sooner had their voices faded than screams rang out, "Ah... my eyes..."


    "My face... it hurts so much..."


    "What is this? Damn it, it''s poisonous..."


    "That bastard Xiao Yi used poison! Everyone, hold your breath..."


    Amid the agonized screams.


    As many as seven or eight Shentong Realm strongmen died, their guts perforated and blood pouring from all orifices. Although this poison powder was fierce, it had little effect on those in the Golden Core Realm.


    But for those in the Shentong Realm, it was a deadly affair!


    Ye Feng and his companions were ashen-faced.


    They had intended to kill Xiao Yi immediately, but not only did he escape, they also lost seven or eight Shentong Realm powerhouses from their own side.


    Ye Feng''s features twisted, "Xiao Yi, if I don''t kill you, I''ll write my name, Ye Feng, backwards!"


    Zhang Tianyi''s gaze was icy as he stared at Jiang Tai, "Jiang Tai, if you dare to help Xiao Yi, I will kill you!"


    Dao Yuan clasped his hands together, looking every bit the enlightened monk, "Amitabha... Xiao is surely a devil born into this world, and we must act on behalf of the heavens to eliminate this evil. Master Jiang certainly wouldn''t help him, right?"


    The Heavenly Son Sword and the Dizi Sword stood side by side like twin brothers, speaking in unison, "Whoever aids Xiao Yi shall be killed!"


    Jiang Tai snorted coldly and disappeared into the forest.


    Yue Ling''er said with a smile, "Everyone, relax, I, Yue Ling''er, will not take sides!"


    With a wave of her hand, she led the strongmen of Purple Robe Kingdom deeper into the forest.


    Dao Yuan stood before the crowd with his hands clasped, and a series of talismans with Buddhist seals dropped into their hands. He said cheerfully, "These talismans are Thousand-Mile Tracking Talismans; once tagged by them, one cannot escape the tracking of Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. Just sight Xiao Yi and crush the talisman to mark his whereabouts!"


    "With these talismans, Xiao Yi is bound to die!"


    "It''s somewhat amusing, like a cat catching a mouse!"


    The crowd laughed heartily as they surged into the dense forest.


    Under the dim light, from a distance, the forest looked like an ancient giant beast, slowly swallowing them into its belly��

 Chapter 82 - 82: Red Luo Snake Poison

    In the tranquil jungle.


    Xiao Yi''s figure leapt and darted about like a spry monkey, extraordinarily agile.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Three sharp arrows burst forth from behind, striking where Xiao Yi had just alighted. The moment these arrows hit the ground, they transformed into roaring flames, setting the trees ablaze with fire splattering in every direction.


    "Xiao Yi, stop right there!"


    "Despicable coward, how dare you use poison, won''t you stop for us..."


    Two figures chased after him from behind.


    They were two formidable warriors from the royal family of the Tianqing Kingdom, the valiant brothers Yan Bing and Yan Yu from the Imperial Guards. Both were at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Coupled with their continuous sharpening in the military, their combat strength was not inferior even to ordinary warriors at the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Especially their archery, combined with God Burning Arrows, was exceptionally powerful.


    Xiao Yi muttered, "I''m really out of luck to have run into these two..."


    Xiao Yi was not one to sit idly by and await his fate.


    With the Royal Martial Arts Academy, Nine Profound Sect, Wan Fo Mountain, Mingjian Manor, and people from the Tianlan Kingdom all wanting him dead, Xiao Yi naturally would not just flee. Therefore, he hid in the dense forest, waiting for an opportunity to strike and kill any isolated strong warriors.


    Initially, there had been some gains, as he managed to slay a couple of groups of strong warriors.


    But this time, he fell into the ambush set by the Yan brothers. Despite mustering all his strength to kill two warriors at the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm and one at the Second Layer, and escaping a tight encirclement, he was still relentlessly pursued by the two brothers.


    Yan Bing drew his bow and nocked arrows, executing a technique likened to Nine Stars in a String.


    Yan Yu leaped into the air, stepped on one of the sharp arrows, and sped towards Xiao Yi, arrows bursting forth just as rapidly in the Nine Stars in a String technique.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Eighteen arrows sliced through the air, forming a vast net that blocked all of Xiao Yi''s retreat paths.


    The arrows surrounded Xiao Yi at the center, the fierce flames rising fiercely.


    Xiao Yi was trapped within a circle of fire, and the Yan brothers had also caught up to him, positioning themselves in front and behind, their faces filled with triumph and fierceness, "Xiao Yi, you have nowhere to run!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, "I''ve never provoked the royal family. Are you not afraid that Jiang will give you trouble for this?"


    These two brothers were exceedingly experienced in battle, and with their intuition as twins, combined with their expertise in archery, they avoided close combat entirely. This left Xiao Yi quite frustrated and worried that if the fight dragged on too long, other strong warriors might arrive.


    He had no choice but to keep running.


    Yan Bing sneered, "We are followers of the crown prince''s line, the seventh prince has no authority over us!"


    Arrows in hand, Yan Yu said in a grave tone, "Xiao Yi, the crown prince highly appreciates your talent. He wants to make you one of his dogs..."


    Xiao Yi stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.


    A playful look spread across his face as he stared at the two, "With such a deep grudge against the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the crown prince doesn''t care?"


    Yan Bing casually replied, "The crown prince is about to reach the Peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, and among the younger generation, he is the most likely to advance to the Tao Tribulation Realm. As long as you become one of the crown prince''s dogs, even Zhou, the head of the Martial Arts Institute, will give him that much respect..."


    Xiao Yi smiled lightly, "I don''t have the habit of being someone''s dog!" sea??h th�� nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Then you can go to hell!"


    The Yan brothers simultaneously released the bowstrings, and arrows flashed like lighting, while the strings hummed like mercury pouring down to the ground.


    Arrow after arrow tore through the air, with a deafening sound that made one''s scalp tingle.


    The arrows, blazing fiercely in mid-air, headed straight for Xiao Yi.


    A shock ran through Xiao Yi''s body, Hei Mang covered him, and his Innate Divine Ability of Life-bound Spiritual Weapon Transformation fused his body with his fourth-grade Yuan weapon, making him as sturdy as if he were wearing fourth-grade battle armor.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The arrows were incredibly fast, striking Xiao Yi''s body almost instantly, each one bearing immense impact force that shook him repeatedly.


    With sword in hand, Xiao Yi brought forth a black sword light, tearing open a gap through the rain of arrows and charging out like the wind.


    Before he could get near the brothers, however, Yan Bing and Yan Yu had widened the distance between them.


    One retreated, the other advanced, one in front, the other behind.


    Xiao Yi was unable to get close, yet had to withstand attacks from all sides, which greatly frustrated him.


    Yan Bing laughed triumphantly, "Xiao Yi, weren''t you very arrogant? Why can''t you be arrogant now? If you can, come and bite me!"


    Whoosh!


    An arrow shot from Yan Yu''s hand, with red flames suspended high in the sky. He looked at Xiao Yi with pride, "People will be here soon. Xiao Yi, your death is certain!"


    Xiao Yi raised his sword to cut through three incoming arrows, tapped the ground with the tip of his foot to kick up sand to block another two, and then swung a Vajra Subdues Demons technique to break three more from behind.


    With a swift movement, he took cover behind a large tree. Thud, thud, thud �C three arrows pierced through the one-meter thick trunk of the tree and buried into the ground.


    Xiao Yi finally managed to catch his breath.


    "There must be other groups nearby; I must escape quickly. But first..."


    Looking emotionless at the Yan brothers, a cold glint flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes, "Before I leave, I need to leave you with an indelible memory!"


    With a sudden flash, Xiao Yi sprinted towards the east.


    "Not good, he''s going to escape!"


    "Tie him down!"


    The two men chased after him relentlessly, and just as the distance between them was closing, Xiao Yi suddenly turned around and threw a clump of black mud: "Watch out for the hidden weapon!"


    "Trifling tricks!"


    With a cold laugh, Yan Yu slapped out a palm.


    Yan Bing''s expression changed: "Be careful!"


    Unfortunately, it was already too late!


    Bang!


    The black mud exploded, transforming into a cloud of white poison mist that instantly enveloped the two men.


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "Congratulations, you two have been poisoned by my Red Luo Snake Poison!"


    While cultivators at the Golden Core Realm could ignore most poisons, Red Luo Snake Poison was an exception. Although it couldn''t kill a cultivator at this realm, it could make one feel unbearably itchy, with a body as hot as if on fire.


    Yan Bing scoffed disdainfully, "Your poison is ineffective against the Golden Core Realm, you''re just bluffing!"


    "The poison is indeed called Red Luo Snake Poison, and true, it can''t kill you. But if you don''t engage in bedroom affairs as an antidote within half an incense stick''s time, you will completely lose the ability to reproduce!"


    Xiao Yi gave the two men a mocking look and weirdly laughed, "I might as well congratulate you in advance. After you go back, you can resign from the Imperial Guards and become the Chief Eunuch overseeing the harem, hahaha..."


    "What?"


    "You, don''t even think of scaring us..."


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Don''t believe it? Feel for yourselves, there''s no reaction, right?"


    "This..."


    Yan Bing and his companion looked at each other and indeed, they felt nothing.


    Their complexions instantly turned incredibly unsightly, as if they were mourning their deceased parents; it was even harder to accept than death itself!


    Death?


    They weren''t afraid!


    But becoming eunuchs? No man could accept that!


    Yan Bing''s face was extremely grim, "Big brother, is what he said true or false?"


    Yan Yu''s face was gloomy, "Who am I supposed to ask?" With a dark expression, he stared intently at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, hand over the antidote and I''ll let you leave. Otherwise, we just need to pin you down until the others arrive, and you''ll be on a one-way street to death!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "There is no antidote for Red Luo Snake Poison; the only way to cure it is to engage in sexual activity. However, it seems there are no women who entered this secret realm, so I''m not sure if it''ll work between men. You might want to give it a try! You don''t have much time left. You need to decide whether to keep chasing me at the risk of becoming eunuchs or find a way to cure the poison. The choice is yours!"


    Xiao Yi leaped and disappeared into the dense forest.


    Yan Bing''s face flushed red, "Big brother, are we chasing him?"


    "Chase my ass..."


    Yan Yu cursed angrily with a cold snort.


    Yan Bing had a mournful expression, "Big brother, I, I can feel it... It seems Xiao Yi was right, what do we do now?"


    "How should I know?" Yan Yu''s face was as dark as coal.


    Yan Bing swallowed hard, feeling extremely hot and bothered, "Should, should we give it a try?"


    "Try my ass..."


    Yan Yu cursed, his face still dark. Just as he was about to stand up, a whooshing sound came from behind him, signaling that Ling Feng and the others had caught up.


    Ling Feng frowned, "Where is he?"


    Yan Yu replied gravely, "He got away..."


    "Got away? What the hell are you two doing?" Ling Feng scolded angrily.


    Yan Yu coldly said, "Ling Feng, your Nine Profound Sect isn''t in charge of the Royal Family, are you?"


    "You..."


    Ling Feng''s face darkened.


    Ye Feng from the Royal Martial Arts Academy frowned and asked, "How did he get away?"


    Ye Feng was aligned with the Crown Prince''s faction, so Yan Yu and his companion did not dare to hide anything. Of course, they omitted the process of detoxifying. But Ye Feng himself slapped them across their faces and angrily said, "You two idiots, Red Luo Snake Poison only causes itchiness and heat, it doesn''t harm the body. You two idiots got fooled by him!"


    "Ah?"


    The two Yan brothers looked at each other, utterly dumbfounded.


    "Wait a minute..."


    Ling Feng frowned, "You two believed Xiao Yi''s words, so you didn''t pursue him, but then how did you manage to detoxify?"


    The faces of the two Yan brothers stiffened.


    Everyone''s gaze slowly turned towards the space behind the two men...

 Chapter 83 - 83: The Phantom in the Night

    Let''s not mention how awkward Yan Yu and his companion felt.


    Xiao Yi ran wildly for half an hour until he finally stopped after leaving the dense forest, ahead of him lay a swamp.


    The air above the swamp was filled with poisonous miasma, like it was shrouded in a thick layer of gauze.


    "Although the transformation of weapons is powerful, it requires a huge amount of energy and strong physical support. My body is strengthened by the power of the God Sealing Seed, making it stronger than other cultivators of the same realm, but currently, it can only withstand the transformation of a fourth-grade Yuan weapon at most."


    Exhausted, Xiao Yi sat on the ground, gasping for breath: "It seems that in addition to movement techniques, I must find a method of Body Refinement!"


    Before this.


    Xiao Yi had never encountered opponents like the Yan brothers who specialized in long-range attacks, and due to his rapid progress in cultivation, he rarely had the chance to consolidate his experience.


    To summarize the experience from this battle.


    Xiao Yi understood his current shortcomings, but obtaining either the movement technique or Body Refinement arts was not easy.


    The immediate priority was to find a solution for the Yan brothers'' long-range attacks.


    "If only there was something to restrain their movements!" Xiao Yi thought to himself when suddenly a scream echoed from ahead.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank instantly as he headed towards the source of the scream.


    He saw a Shentong Realm expert entangled in a mass of white threads above the pitch-black swamp.


    These threads were extremely sticky.


    Even the expert at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm struggled to break free, only sinking deeper and deeper. The white threads pulled him into the swamp, where he was swallowed up by the endless black mud.


    A thought flashed through Xiao Yi''s mind: "What are these white threads? They can restrain even a Peak of the Divine Ability Realm expert. I wonder if they can bind a Golden Core Realm expert?"


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He immediately flew towards the swamp and as he soared above the black swamp, suddenly the ground beneath him gave way and a gash opened up, from which a mass of white threads shot out.


    Luckily, Xiao Yi was prepared; he quickly tapped his toes on the soft swamp and leapt up to dodge.


    The white threads quickly retracted.


    "Stay for me!" he exclaimed.


    A swipe swept across, skimming the muck of the swamp.


    Boom!


    The sword strike landed on the white threads but unbelievably failed to cut through them. The threads violently coiled around, while the black swamp beneath him roared as if a dragon was turning over.


    Bang!


    The swamp burst open explosively.


    A massive spider, completely black with nine green eyes on its head and three meters tall, stared fixedly at Xiao Yi, opening its mouth to spit out another mass of white web.


    "A fourth-grade low-level demon beast, the Green-Eyed Demon Spider? I did not expect such a creature to be hiding beneath this swamp, no wonder even a Peak of the Divine Ability Realm expert couldn''t escape your web..."


    While dodging, Xiao Yi sent out a flurry of sword moves.


    But no matter how he wielded his sword, he couldn''t cut through the web.


    The web of a Golden Core Realm Green-Eyed Demon Spider was as tough as a fourth-grade Yuan weapon. Even an expert at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm bound by it would need to expend quite a bit of effort to break free.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed with sharpness: "As long as I kill this beast and extract its silk gland, I can use the web to bind enemies. With the web in hand, why should I fear the Yan brothers?"


    With that thought.


    Xiao Yi leaped into action, rapidly closing in on the Green-Eyed Demon Spider.


    Roar!


    From the seven green eyes of the Green-Eyed Demon Spider, a cold light flickered as it opened its gaping maw, continuously spitting out webs.


    "Not good!"


    Xiao Yi was caught off-guard by the web sticking to him and watched as the Green-Eyed Demon Spider rapidly drew him into its mouth, its sharp fangs inches away.


    In the nick of time.


    Xiao Yi quickly shed his outer garment, watching it disappear into the mouth of the Green-Eyed Demon Spider, and seizing the moment, he leaped to land on the creature''s head.


    "Soul-chasing, life-snatching!"


    A deadly thrust drove straight into the skull of the Green-Eyed Demon Spider.


    Thud!


    The Green-Eyed Demon Spider trembled all over, and its greenish blood spurted out wildly as it struggled in frenzy. Its eight long legs, covered with black spines, flailed madly against the marsh, flinging Xiao Yi high into the air.


    With one hand gripping the sword hilt, his body spun dramatically in midair.


    Thud!


    Like a spinning top, the sword blade whirred crazily, grinding the Green-Eyed Demon Spider''s head to pieces.


    The massive body crashed heavily to the ground.


    Ignoring the stench of blood covering him, Xiao Yi cut open the carcass of the Green-Eyed Demon Spider to find the silk sac and a walnut-sized Golden Core.


    "Once I swallow this Golden Core, I should be able to step into the Peak of the Shentong Realm!" Xiao Yi flicked off the green blood from the Golden Core and muttered to himself.


    This Green-Eyed Demon Spider was equivalent to a First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm cultivator, its energy not enough for him to make a breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm.


    In this world, apart from the legendary flawless Golden Elixirs, all other Golden Cores contained impurities.


    Ordinary powerhouses could not even absorb the energy within the Golden Core directly; too many impurities could do more harm than good.


    But Xiao Yi did not have such concerns.


    The energy he swallowed would eventually pass through the God Sealing Seed, eliminating all impurities and transforming into the purest divine power.


    This was also the reason why Xiao Yi''s vital energy was much stronger than that of martial artists of the same level.


    Xiao Yi immediately left to find a secluded place and began to devour the Golden Core.


    It took him a full day and night.


    Xiao Yi had finally refined all the energy within the Golden Core, officially stepping into the Peak of the Shentong Realm, and the number of God Sealing Seeds broke through to two thousand, reaching two thousand and fifty.


    "It''s a pity I still cannot open the tomb of the Sword Demon Dugu. It seems I can only wait until I break through to the Golden Core Realm. However, with my current strength, plus this Green-Eyed Demon Spider''s web on hand, I should be able to take my revenge!" Xiao Yi''s eyes sparkled as he clenched his fists tightly.


    ...


    In the dark of night.


    Five powerhouses from the Nine Profound Sect were gathered around a campfire. The flames licked at the beast''s leg roasting on a rack while they discussed, "That Xiao Yi is as slippery as an eel. Who knows where he''s hiding now!"


    "Be extremely careful if you encounter Xiao Yi, he''s incredibly cunning and skilled at using poison. You''ve all heard what happened to the Yan brothers, haven''t you?"


    "Heard about it... tsk, tsk, I heard that now when they see a man, their eyes turn red..."


    As the men shared the roasted beast''s leg, a shadowy figure hidden in darkness took a piece of the meat, took a couple of bites, and asked, "Where are the Yan brothers now?"


    "They seem to be searching for Xiao Yi''s tracks near the marsh. I saw them during the day... Huh? Aren''t there only five of us? Why did six pieces get distributed?"


    A chill immediately swept over the five men.


    They all turned to look in unison at the figure in the dark. Under the orange glow of the firelight, Xiao Yi''s face was exposed in front of them.


    Hiss!


    The men gasped, "Xiao Yi? How, how did you get here?"


    "Attack him, kill him now!"


    The five men shuddered and launched their attacks together.


    However...


    Xiao Yi struck faster and more viciously than they did.


    The sword light was like a fleeting shadow, and heads dropped like kites with severed strings.


    Blood gushed like fountains, enough to douse the campfire completely.


    Among the five were one at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, two at the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, and two in the Shentong Realm, but they stood no chance against Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi swallowed the piece of meat in his hand and squinted at the dim starlight in the night sky. Suddenly, his figure flashed, darting through the night like a ghost, "A windy night with pitch-black skies, a perfect time for slaying..."


    PS: Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous new year! Exploding with updates tomorrow!

 Chapter 84 - 84 Have a Safe Journey

    Above the firmament, dark clouds roiled.


    They obscured the already sparse stars, shrouding the entire secret realm in an unending darkness.


    On a flat piece of ground near a swamp.


    Several tents stood erect, with the central bonfire extinguished by the cold wind, leaving only bits of charcoals emitting a reddish glow.


    Inside one of the tents.


    Yan Bing and his brother leaned back to back, both with their eyes tightly closed, longbows in hand.


    Rustle, rustle!


    A faint sound, like that of fabric rubbing against something, came from outside, prompting both men to open their eyes simultaneously.


    They were both strong warriors at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, their senses tens of times sharper than an ordinary person''s.


    Yan Bing lowered his voice, "There''s some noise outside!"


    Yan Yu nodded subtly, "Wait a little longer..."


    Outside, all was quiet.


    Suddenly...


    An icy roar erupted, "Where do you think you''re going?"


    Boom!


    A Sword Qi burst forth, shattering one of the tents. The assailant was none other than Jiang Yi, the Princely Heir of the Supporting Mountain King from the Tianqing Kingdom''s royal lineage.


    Jiang Yi had reached the Peak of the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm and had also condensed a seed of Sword Intent; his combat strength was comparable to a common warrior at the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Amidst the icy Sword Qi, Xiao Yi retreated explosively, his face revealing a hint of helplessness: "What rotten luck, this guy''s Innate Divine Ability is actually Night Vision..."


    He had been about to assassinate these warriors one by one, but when attempting to assassinate Jiang Yi, his figure was exposed by Jiang Yi''s Night Vision Mystical Skill.


    If it were not for Xiao Yi having advanced further into the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, Jiang Yi''s sword just now would have gravely wounded him!


    "Xiao Yi? You''ve got some nerve, daring to assassinate me?" Jiang Yi''s gaze was icy as he looked at Xiao Yi, his eyes sharp as blades.


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, "Is it only permitted for you to issue kill orders against me, to hunt me down at every turn, yet I''m not allowed to fight back?"


    "Hmph, Ling Feng is a lifelong friend of the crown prince; if he says you must die, then it is the crown prince who wants you dead."


    Jiang Yi''s father, the Supporting Mountain King, was a staunch supporter of the crown prince, and so was he. He icily continued, "The crown prince is the true chosen of heaven, blessed by the heavens above. If he wants you dead, you cannot escape death. Since Ling Feng has issued a kill order against you, it must be the crown prince who wants you dead. You should obediently accept your death, not resist stubbornly!"


    Xiao Yi sneered, pulling the corner of his mouth, "Cut the crap! I don''t care if you''re the prince or the emperor, if you want Xiao Yi''s life, you''d better have the skills to take it!"


    "You don''t know what''s good for you!"


    Expressionless, Jiang Yi''s eyes glowed with an oily green light under the Night Vision Mystical Skill. His figure abruptly moved, appearing behind Xiao Yi like a dark elf in an instant.


    The silver longsword in his hand split into two, one in each hand.


    Sword edges crossed, sparks flying.


    He slashed towards Xiao Yi''s head!


    Xiao Yi''s sword displayed an unbelievable curvature, vertically positioned to block behind him, causing a thunderous noise as the three blades clashed.


    Xiao Yi used the force of the impact to surge forward, widening the distance between him and Jiang Yi. However, Jiang Yi was relentless in pursuit.


    The sound of slicing air grew closer behind him.


    Xiao Yi''s knees buckled, sliding close to the ground, while leaning back at the same time, causing Jiang Yi, who had lunged forward, to fly right over him.


    "Serpent Coiling Around the Tree!"


    One sword pierced the air, aiming for Jiang Yi''s heart.


    Seeing the icy blade drawing ever nearer, Jiang Yi''s pupils shrank violently, his eyes filled with desperation.


    If this strike hit, he was certain to die!


    But just at this critical moment...


    Two arrows whistled through the air, clinking consecutively against the sword, forcibly deflecting the longsword away.


    Yan Bing and Yan Yu, one on each side, held their horn bows, arrows nocked and pointing their sharp tips at Xiao Yi.


    "Hahaha, Yan Bing, Yan Yu, you''ve arrived just in time!"


    Jiang Yi, having narrowly escaped death, was all smiles. His two swords clashed, sending off blinding sparks, his eyes fixated on Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, weren''t you acting all high and mighty? Now with the Yan Brothers assisting me, let''s see how arrogant you can be!"


    Xiao Yi glanced sideways at the Yan brothers, teasing, "Gentlemen, how does the Red Luo Snake Poison taste?"


    "Shut up!"


    The Yan brothers shouted in unison.


    Xiao Yi tutted, "Impressive! Who would have thought that Red Luo Snake Poison would make you two even more in sync!"


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Yan Bing and his partner released their arrows at the same time, each time executing the technique of the Nine Star Consecutive Shots. Having unleashed six rounds of Nine Star Consecutive Shots, even as skilled archers they were exhausted, and white smoke billowed from their bowstrings.


    They were gasping for air heavily.


    Their bloodshot eyes were fixated on Xiao Yi, wishing they could tear him to pieces!


    The two, in order not to become eunuchs, were forced to mutually administer the antidote, which made hexes and the Red Luo Snake Poison taboo and sore points for them.


    Any mention of it would be met with death!


    "Yan Bing, Yan Yu, don''t fall for his tricks! He''s deliberately trying to enrage you��"


    Jiang Yi quickly spoke up. Seeing the two slowly regaining their composure, he said solemnly, "I''ll take the main offensive and tie him down. You two look for opportunities to strike. We must take his dog life today!"


    "Rest assured!"


    "His anniversary of death will come on this day next year!"


    The two spread out, one to the left and one to the right, like venomous snakes lurking in dark corners, waiting for the right moment to deliver a deadly strike to their prey.


    Jiang Yi, with his twin swords, charged at Xiao Yi once more.


    "Fiery Meteor!"


    "Twin Peaks Penetrating the Ears!"


    Jiang Yi''s sword moves were no less fierce and devious, each one deadly. If Xiao Yi had not grasped the first stage of Sword Intent, he would have struggled to defend against such a frenzied offensive.


    Furthermore��


    There were Yan Yu and Yan Bing, the two archers of the Second Layer of the Golden Core Realm! S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Sweeping Through a Thousand Troops!"


    Xiao Yi split Jiang Yi''s attack with his sword and was about to pursue when a chill rose from his back. It was Yan Bing and his partner simultaneously releasing their cold shots. Xiao Yi was forced to dodge, missing his chance at slaying Jiang Yi!


    Jiang Yi laughed proudly, "Xiao Yi, you stand no chance! However, if you kneel and beg me now, I can leave you a complete corpse!"


    Yan Bing and his partner also laughed coldly.


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "A complete corpse? Keep that for yourself!"


    "Stubborn fool!"


    Jiang Yi looked toward Yan Bing and his partner, "Attack him with all your might. I refuse to believe he can split his focus three ways!"


    One close, two at a distance.


    Under their combined assault, the offensive grew more ferocious.


    An onslaught like a tempestuous storm of arrows, combined with Jiang Yi''s violent and brutal swordsmanship, every step was fraught with danger, one misstep could lead to a fatal descent into the netherworld.


    Xiao Yi fought while retreating, luring the three into a dense forest.


    With the cover of the dense ancient trees, Xiao Yi''s pressure was significantly reduced. Facing Jiang Yi''s relentless attacks, Xiao Yi retreated further back until with a thud his back slammed against a tree trunk.


    "Now''s the chance!"


    "Kill him!"


    Jiang Yi and his companions'' faces lit up with ecstatic joy.


    His figure paused, then burst forth with maximum speed, his sword moves filling the sky, sealing off all of Xiao Yi''s escape routes. At the same time, Yan Yu and Yan Bing also approached directly in front of Xiao Yi.


    Their bows sang like thunder, the arrows poured down like a downpour!


    Their combined attack was terrifyingly overwhelming.


    But in this moment of extreme peril��


    Xiao Yi was not the least bit flustered, instead, he wore a look of triumph, "You''re all dead!"


    He flipped his left hand.


    Squeezing the silk sac of the Green-Eyed Demon Spider, the sounds of ''pop, pop, pop'' filled the air as streams of white spider silk shot out. In an instant, Jiang Yi and Yan Bing were wrapped tightly in silk!


    The Green-Eyed Demon Spider''s web was incredibly tough, even those in the Fourth or Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm could not break free in a short time if entangled.


    Tightly bound by the white spider silk, the three men were like wrapped rice dumplings, unable to move.


    Looking at Xiao Yi in terror, they said, "You�� you''re so vicious��"


    "You had this planned all along? This is your trap��"


    Xiao Yi grinned and waved lightly at them, "Safe travels!"


    His sword cleaved through the air, and blood spurted like fountains!


    Xiao Yi easily decapitated all three, suspending their heads on the tree trunk��

 Chapter 85 - 85: Who Do You Think You Are?

    The next morning at dawn.


    The corpses of Yan Yu and the other two were discovered.


    In an instant.


    Strong figures from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the royal family, the Nine Profound Sect, Wan Fo Mountain, and Sword Mountain Manor all gathered here, led by none other than Ye Feng.


    Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, second on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List and Teng Long List.


    This person''s strength was indeed overwhelming, even surpassing Jiang Tai.


    In the younger generation of the Tianqing Kingdom, he was second only to Great Prince Jiang Shanhe. Not only did the Royal Martial Arts Academy look up to him, but the royal family''s strong men were also under his control.


    Monk Dao Yuan from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple joined his hands together, his face full of compassion for the world, but the words he spoke sent shivers down the spine, "Ling Xiao, Xiao Yi is extremely vicious and ruthless. Two days ago, he was no match for Yan Yu and the others, but now he has killed both Yan Yu brothers and Prince Jiang Yi. If we allow him to continue growing..."


    Ye Feng examined the scene for a while and said in a deep voice, "Judging from the traces of the battle at the scene, Xiao Yi''s strength is already no weaker than an ordinary practitioner at the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!"


    Dizi Sword cradled his longsword, flicked his bangs lightly, and said in a deep voice, "When this person appeared at our Sword Mountain Manor''s Sword Tomb, his cultivation was barely into the Shentong Realm. But in just a month or two, he has grown to his current level..."


    "He must be eliminated!"


    Everyone exchanged glances.


    Ye Feng touched his hooked nose, his eyes a slit from which cold light emanated, and commanded in a deep voice, "Gather everyone. Search for Xiao Yi in groups of five. As soon as he is found, mark his location with a Thousand-Mile Tracking Talisman. We must get rid of him!"


    "Yes!"


    Everyone responded emphatically.


    Within the crowd.


    Ye Feng glanced at the three heads that died with their eyes open. With a wave of his hand, he crushed them into minced meat, his gaze icy to the extreme: "Xiao Yi? Hmph, no matter your background, if you cannot be of use to the Great Prince, then you have only one path left �C death!"


    ......


    In the marshlands.


    Xiao Yi moved across the swamp as smoothly as drifting clouds and flowing water, his feet on flattened wooden boards, when suddenly, a piercing whooshing sound surrounded him.


    "Amitabha, Xiao, please stop!" a loud Buddhist chant came through.


    Dao Yuan appeared in front of him with four Golden Core Realm practitioners, and had even broken through to the Golden Elixir Realm himself.


    Five Golden Core figures, one of them a topless monk at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as he stared at Dao Yuan, "So it''s you. How did you find me?"


    Dao Yuan pressed his palms together, reciting Buddhist scriptures with a smile, "Donor Xiao, you have a karmic connection with Buddha, naturally we would meet..."


    "Monk Dao Yuan, why waste words with him? Just kill him directly!" the burly bald-headed monk said gruffly.


    Dao Yuan bowed to him and said, "Brother Dao Kuang is right. Let us kill him now and send him to the Western Paradise to meet Buddha."


    Boom!


    All five Golden Core Realm experts made their move at once.


    "What the hell is going on? No matter where I run these past few days, these guys always catch up..."


    Xiao Yi, holding a Grade Four Yuan weapon and covering his arms with the Divine Skills of the weapon, fended off the combined assault from the five experts, but inwardly he was extremely annoyed.


    For two days...


    No matter where he ran, he was quickly found by the others.


    "Xiao Yi, just surrender yourself!"


    "Stop resisting in vain!"


    Dao Yuan joined his hands together, his appearance dignified, "Donor Xiao, surrender without a fight and let this monk transform you with the Buddhist Law."


    "Transform your grandpa��" Xiao Yi''s eyes blazed red, staring daggers at Dao Yuan, and with a sweep of his sword, "Gentle Breeze and Fallen Leaves!"


    Swish!


    As the Sword Qi swept across, the black mud of the swamp roiled into a massive torrent, like a wall of black mud crushing everything in its path.


    "Buddha''s Palm!"


    Dao Yuan struck out with his palm, energy condensing above it, like a small mountain crashing downwards.


    Golden Core Realm experts could already harness some of the forces of heaven and earth, capable of moving mountains and diverting rivers with their actions.


    The mud wall shattered under the crushing Buddha''s Palm.


    Countless specks of black mud shot out in all directions.


    Dao Yuan''s body revolved with Buddha''s light; stepping into the Golden Elixir Realm elevated his combat power. "Brother Dao Kuang, hurry and help me!"


    "Mahavairocana Palm!"


    A figure of a Great Mahavairocana Buddha seemed to appear behind Dao Yuan as he struck down with his palm, delivering a world-ending blow.


    Dao Kuang wielded a magic wand, the ringing of the golden rings on it resonating loudly, "One strike to bring down the dragon!"


    Hum!


    Golden brilliance gathered around the wand, coiling like an angry dragon as it struck down towards Xiao Yi''s head.


    The attacks of the other three followed closely behind.


    Under the joint efforts of five Golden Elixir Realm experts, Xiao Yi was overwhelmed, and even though he had just broken through to the peak of the Shentong Realm, he still found it difficult to contend with all five masters at the same time.


    "Hahaha, Monk Dao Yuan, all five of you couldn''t take down Xiao Yi, isn''t that a bit too embarrassing?"


    "Shall we lend you a hand?"


    As Xiao Yi fought fiercely against the five Golden Cores, the sound of several figures tearing through the air could be heard from not far away.


    It was Ling Feng, the Heavenly Son Sword, and others who had also tracked him down.


    Over these past few days...


    Their hunt for Xiao Yi had never ceased, and in the previous few skirmishes, Xiao Yi managed to escape, even at the expense of several of their experts.


    This made the various forces take Xiao Yi even more seriously.


    Dao Kuang snorted coldly, "My Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple has its Buddhist Law to subdue him. The rest of you stand by and prevent his escape; that will suffice!"


    Ling Feng laughed heartily, "You''d better hurry up, Ye Feng is already on his way. If he arrives and you haven''t killed Xiao Yi, that head will be his!"


    The faces of Dao Kuang and the others shifted slightly.


    Ye Feng, Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, second on the Teng Long List.


    Once he makes a move,


    Indeed, there will be nothing left for them to do!


    Dao Yuan said in a deep voice, "Brother monks, give it your all!"


    Out of the ten experts the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple sent this time, only five remained. The five Golden Cores spared nothing, employing their Buddhist and Taoist cultivation techniques together.


    Facing the overwhelming onslaught, Xiao Yi''s expression was grave, "I must fight quickly and decisively. If Ye Feng arrives, it will be difficult for me to leave!"


    With this thought,


    His gaze towards Dao Yuan and the others now carried a chilling streak of blood-red rainbow.


    In the previous encounters, Xiao Yi had always refrained from using the Fire Qilin Sword and the Blood Explosion Skill, given the latter''s severe side effects.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi, finding himself cornered, no longer held back.


    Whoosh!


    A fiery red light blazed across the sky, and the Fire Qilin Sword landed in his right hand. A red glow suffused his body, appearing like a flame king.


    Boom!


    The aura on Xiao Yi''s body surged violently.


    He directly burnt thirty percent of his blood, increasing his strength thirtyfold!


    Hiss!


    The expressions of Dao Kuang, Ling Feng, and the others, who had been composed just a moment ago, changed drastically. A thirtyfold increase in strength was akin to Xiao Yi possessing, for a short time, the cultivation level equivalent of the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    With his first stage Sword Intent and the Fifth Grade Yuan Bing Fire Qilin Sword,


    His combat strength was enough to contend with the Sixth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!


    "Sweeping a Thousand Armies!"


    With one sweeping strike of his sword,


    The Buddhist seals and martial techniques pushed forward by Dao Yuan and the others were instantly crushed into dust, the gold seals filling the sky, but the terrifying sword light never slowed for an instant.


    "Not good!"


    "Run!"


    The faces of Dao Yuan and the others changed rapidly as they turned to flee.


    But with Xiao Yi having burnt thirty percent of his blood, how could he let them go?


    "Chasing Stars and Moon!" S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The Python Entwines the Tree!"


    One sword move after another filled the air, each strike claiming a life.


    In the blink of an eye, only Dao Yuan was left.


    "No... don''t kill me..."


    His face filled with terror, he saw Xiao Yi advancing with sword in hand. Despair was written all over his face as he looked towards Ling Feng and the others not far away, "Ling Feng, save me..."


    Ling Feng, too, had snapped out of his shock and roared, "Xiao Yi, stop!"


    However...


    Before he could finish his sentence,


    Xiao Yi struck with his sword, splitting Dao Yuan in two.


    Ling Feng''s face twisted in fury, "You bastard, I told you to stop, how dare you kill!?"


    Xiao Yi glanced sideways at Ling Feng, surrounded by a blood-colored aura, like a war god incarnate, and said coldly, "Who are you to obstruct me?"

 Chapter 86 - 86: Slay the Gods if They Block, Slay the Buddha if He Blocks!

    Xiao Yi sneered coldly, "And who are you to stop me?"


    Facing Xiao Yi''s rebuke, Ling Feng''s face suddenly turned extremely unsightly, and a sinister chill flashed through his eyes.


    This Ling Feng was the top disciple of the Nine Profound Sect, with the cultivation at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Among the young generation of Tianqing Kingdom, he was ranked in the top five, and even the Crown Prince and others were amiable towards him.


    When had he ever been rebuked in such a manner?


    Ling Feng snorted coldly, flinging his hand dismissively, "You''re no better than a dog; I wouldn''t even need to lift a finger personally to kill you. Is Li Xian available?"


    "Brother Ling!"


    Li Xian stepped forward with a fist and palm salute, standing in front of him.


    Ling Feng snorted coldly, pointing his sword at Xiao Yi, "Break his limbs, destroy his dantian, and make him kneel before me!"


    "Yes!"


    Li Xian responded with a salute.


    His body shook, and in his hand appeared a gold-inlaid Heavenly Treasure Hammer, a Fourth Grade Yuan weapon forged from a thousand-year Fire Cloud Stone, weighing thirteen hundred pounds.


    As he brandished it, the air roared like a tiger.


    His strength was boundless, capable of splitting mountains and crushing stones.


    Li Xian''s cultivation was not to be underestimated, at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, he was ranked tenth on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List!


    Thud!


    The gold-inlaid Heavenly Treasure Hammer slammed fiercely into the ground, sending tremors through the earth as if it were shaking. The clash of his palm and the hammer''s handle emitted a piercing clang, and his eyes, wide like bull''s eyes and red as lanterns, sneered, "Within three moves, your head will be mine!"


    A surrounding group of strong fighters nodded silently to themselves, "True to his nickname, ''Little Overlord'' Li Xian, he''s quite domineering!"


    "Li Xian follows the Overlord''s path��caring for none and fearing nothing. He is an expert in the Overlord Hammer Skill; it''s said that to date, no one has seen him use the fourth move..."


    "And why is that?"


    "Because... no one can withstand his first three!"


    "Doesn''t that mean Xiao Yi is as good as dead?"


    The looks from the crowd towards Xiao Yi were filled with both pity and schadenfreude.


    At that moment...


    Li Xian''s offensive was already upon him. Clenching the gold-inlaid Heavenly Treasure Hammer in his hands, he swung it with the wind, his black hair flailing wildly, "Overlord Hammer Skill, first move��Overlord Unmatched!"


    Boom!


    The shadow of the hammer crashed down from the sky, creating consecutive afterimages as it fell overhead.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils abruptly contracted as blood surged around him, and with the Fire Qilin Sword in hand, he blocked the blow above his head. With a clang, his figure jolted violently, and the ground beneath his feet burst open with thunderous noise.


    Sand flew, and rocks scattered as the strike emptied the air.


    "Take my second hammer!"


    Worthy of the ''Little Overlord'', Li Xian was quick to follow his first hammer with a second, "Overlord Lifting a Cauldron!"


    Hum!


    The gold-inlaid Heavenly Treasure Hammer in his hands suddenly twirled, emitting an unsettling hum. As it spun, the hammer burst forth with blinding light, whipping up a fierce gale.


    This gale swept up.


    Like an invisible giant hand, it forcibly lifted Xiao Yi into the air, toward the sky.


    Li Xian leaped high, catching up to Xiao Yi in an instant, raising the heavy hammer in his hands, with ferociousness in his eyes. His face twisted wildly, "Overlord Stripping Armor!"


    Boom!


    This hammer was thrown with all his might.


    As it plummeted from the sky, it headed straight for Xiao Yi''s head.


    In the furious whirlwind, Xiao Yi, hanging in midair, could not escape. If hit, his head would surely shatter, it was a certain death.


    At the critical moment...


    Xiao Yi let out a cold huff, and the fourth layer of Blood Explosion Skill erupted forth.


    Blood surged around his body, his eyes as cold as twinkling stars, focusing all his strength into one sword strike, "Life! Taking!"


    This was the strongest move of the "Life-Chasing Soul Sword," and could only be performed by someone at the Golden Core Realm.


    Life Taking!


    To seize the life of an enemy!


    Whoosh!


    The tip of the sword condensed into a point, a cold gleam cut through the air, like a fiery meteor. With an explosive roar, it struck the gold-inlaid Heavenly Treasure Hammer, and a crisp crack echoed as the hammer shattered violently.


    "What?"


    Li Xian''s face showed disbelief as he watched the hammer''s fragments fly backwards through the air.


    A cold gleam, tinged with the blood of the world.


    Thump!


    The sword penetrated Li Xian''s forehead.


    Both men hit the ground.


    Xiao Yi immediately bounced off the ground, while Li Xian''s head hit the ground and exploded with a thud, his headless body lying in a pool of blood. The crowd looked on in shock, "Xiao Yi won?"


    "What just happened? How could Xiao Yi suddenly unleash such a powerful force?"


    "Little Overlord Li Xian has been killed? Xiao Yi is just at the Peak of the Shentong Realm, how, how terrifyingly talented must he be..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were a blood red, and with a leap, he charged into the stunned crowd.


    He had now burnt forty percent of his blood, and his body was shrouded in a bright red glow like a fountain, using the explosively increased power to slaughter wildly!


    "Chasing Stars and Moons!"


    "Sweeping through a Thousand Armies!"


    "Spirit Chasing... Life Seizing..."


    Xiao Yi''s sword was one meant for killing; with every life the Fire Qilin Sword claimed, its blade grew only brighter, the Qilin scales and patterns becoming more defined, its light dazzling.


    Pu pu pu!


    With each sweeping stroke, heads were sent flying into the air.


    "Run for it!"


    "Don''t kill me, I... I was just watching the excitement..."


    "Save me..."


    In an instant.


    The number of strong warriors that Xiao Yi had slain had already surpassed ten. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple was wiped out, nearly all of the twenty royal family members were dead, only less than ten strong men from the Royal Martial Arts Academy remained, and the Nine Profound Sect had only Ling Feng left.


    Only the Heavenly and Earthly Sword Brothers remained from Mingjian Manor.


    At this moment...


    Blocking Xiao Yi''s path were the Heavenly and Earthly Sword Brothers, but even with their combined force, they could not withstand Xiao Yi. The piercing sword''s edge whooshed by, striking both men and sending them flying.


    The Heavenly Son Sword''s complexion changed, and he bellowed, "Earthly Son Sword, combine our swords!"


    "All right!"


    The Earthly Son Sword shifted his form, spinning like a top. However... the Heavenly Son Sword, who should have joined him in a combined attack, spun around and dashed towards Ling Feng instead.


    Only the Earthly Son Sword remained to face Xiao Yi alone.


    "Heavenly Son Sword... you motherf..."


    With a face full of despair, the Earthly Son Sword turned back to look at Xiao Yi, "Don''t kill me��"


    Thud!


    The edge of the sword swept past.


    The Earthly Son Sword''s head was removed, his face a picture of despair.


    With a surge of blood, Xiao Yi dashed forward, leaving trails of black mud in his wake as he approached the Heavenly Son Sword.


    Ling Feng''s face hardened with anger as he roared, "Stop!"


    "What are you? Get lost!" Xiao Yi sneered, his sword pointed at the Heavenly Son Sword.


    "Seeking death!"


    Ling Feng''s face grew dark, and with a pointing finger he invoked, "Destruction Finger!"


    Hum!


    The light from his finger was unparalleled.


    Xiao Yi swept his sword across, at the same time bellowing, "Get out of my way!"


    Bang!


    The dazzling aura of the giant Qi Finger collided with the Sword Qi, resulting in absolute suppression. With a roar, it shattered the sword light and then slammed into Xiao Yi.


    A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed from his mouth.


    Ling Feng coldly said, "You''re no match for me. Resist again, and I''ll cut you down right here!"


    "Get lost!"


    Xiao Yi bellowed in rage, burning another ten percent of his blood, increasing his strength tenfold. But having already burnt fifty percent of his blood, his face was pale as death, even dizzy.


    But Xiao Yi could no longer care about that.


    His eyes glowing red, he roared, "Today, I wish to slay my enemies! Whoever dares to block my path, I''ll kill them!"


    If gods block me, I will slay gods!


    If Buddhas block me, I will slaughter Buddhas!


    Xiao Yi''s sword cut through the air; under the disbelieving gaze of the Heavenly Son Sword, he bisected him. Then, turning around and channeling all his strength, he unleashed his strongest strike, "Life... Seizing!"


    This strike landed directly on Ling Feng.


    Qi surged around Ling Feng, forming Qi shields in front of him.


    But in the face of Xiao Yi''s deadly strike, the Qi shields burst apart, and with a loud bang, it hit Ling Feng.


    Wow! S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ling Feng was sent flying backward, blood streaming from his seven orifices. He sported a horrendous sword wound across his chest. The wound was bone-deep, covered in blood. Xiao Yi was about to follow up on his attack,


    Just as he was about to strike,


    He saw in the distance a terrifying aura rapidly approaching. Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted, "Ye Feng?"


    "Xiao Yi, your death is certain..."


    Ling Feng, dragging his heavily wounded body, rushed toward Ye Feng, shouting, "Ye Feng, Xiao Yi is here, kill him now!"


    "I''ll spare your dog''s life today, but I''ll come for it later!"


    Xiao Yi gave Ling Feng a cold look, then turned and in an instant, vanished into the thick miasma and mist above the swamp...

 Chapter 87 - 87: Immortals, Demons, Ghosts, and Gods All Listen

    Xiao Yi did not know how long he had run.


    He had long left the swamp and entered a grey and hazy mountain range.


    Between the towering peaks, a raging river cut across the landscape, its giant waves crashing against the shore''s chaotic rocks and cliffs, sending up sprays of white foam.


    The bloody light on his body had grown increasingly dim, a sign that the power surge from the Blood Explosion Skill was rapidly fading, and once this energy was depleted.


    Xiao Yi would also faint from excessive blood loss and weakness.


    After all.


    He had consumed a full fifty percent of his blood!


    "To think that so many people couldn''t kill you, you really do have a large life!" In the midst of his frantic escape, a cold voice made Xiao Yi''s whole body shudder.


    He looked toward the source of the voice.


    About a dozen meters ahead of him stood Zhang Tianyi, in flowing white garments, arms crossed and a playful look on his face. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Zhang Tianyi?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    Zhang Tianyi''s face was full of amusement as he sized Xiao Yi up and down, his eyes burning with passion: "Peak Divine Skills, capable of bursting forth with power comparable to the Sixth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm in an instant, this must be the secret technique you brought from the Xiao Family, right?"


    The Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty, a family now extremely hot in the Heavenly Yuan Realm.


    The name of the Xiao Family was astonishingly well-known.


    In Zhang Tianyi''s eyes, the only way Xiao Yi could possess such a powerful secret technique was thanks to the gifted Xiao Tianjiao of the Xiao Family.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, feeling a chill surge up his back: "Have you been watching the whole time?"


    He had never expected that during the previous battle, Zhang Tianyi had been spying on the sidelines?


    If Zhang Tianyi had made a move then, wouldn''t he be on a path with no return?


    Zhang Tianyi nodded, smiling slightly: "I have been there since you fought with Dao Yuan and the others. I was planning to kill you, but after seeing the secret technique you used, I changed my mind!"


    With the power of the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, Zhang Tianyi could have easily killed Xiao Yi had he taken action.


    But after witnessing Xiao Yi slay Dao Kuang with the Blood Explosion Skill, boosting his strength by dozens of times, he changed his mind.


    He had followed Xiao Yi until he left, tailing him all along, with the sole aim of seizing this secret technique for himself!


    If he could master such a technique, he even had the confidence to contend with the powerhouses of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Zhang Tianyi spoke unhurriedly, "Simply hand over the secret technique you used, and I can spare you your life!"


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Want my secret technique? Go ask King Yama for it in hell!"


    Boom!


    The bloody light around Xiao Yi was dazzling, as if he were a blood-colored War God holding the Fire Qilin Sword and cutting across the sky.


    A bloody wave swept across Changkong.


    The sharp edge of the sword aura seemed to tear apart space itself, cleaving through mountains and rivers.


    Zhang Tianyi coldly smiled and with a flick of his finger, a "thud" shattered the terrifying sword wave. At the same time, with a casual flick of his finger, a terrifying wave of energy surged forth, hitting Xiao Yi with a loud bang.


    Xiao Yi trembled all over, the bloody light around him faded substantially, and his face grew even paler. He struggled to stand up, but spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, stumbled, and was about to fall when his body abruptly stopped.


    His eyes were filled with rage, and his hands clutched at his throat desperately.


    Zhang Tianyi, with one hand in the air, making a gesture as though grabbing something, summoned an invisible force that formed a hand and tightly gripped Xiao Yi''s neck, lifting him: "Killing you is like crushing an ant. If you don''t want to die, hand over the secret technique obediently!"


    At that moment...


    A chilling voice suddenly rang out, accompanied by a surging tide of energy, which with a bang, shattered Zhang Tianyi''s energy hand: "Xiao Yi is prey favored by the crown prince, do you also dare to snatch food from the tiger''s mouth?"


    "Ye Feng?"


    Zhang Tianyi raised his eyebrows, then with a wave of his hand, he grabbed Xiao Yi again, "If Jiang Shanhe were here, I might fear him a bit, but you think you can stop me?"


    "I''ve wanted to test my skills against you for a while now!"


    Ye Feng''s expression was stone cold as his iron fist cleaved through the air; black Qi condensed into thousands of red leaves, swirling and forming a massive red wave that furiously rolled toward Zhang Tianyi.


    The impact of their attacks was earth-shattering.


    And their strength was evenly matched.


    For a time, neither could gain the upper hand over the other; instead, it was Xiao Yi who repeatedly suffered from the aftershocks of their strikes, his injuries growing more severe.


    "One leaf signals the coming of autumn!"


    "A sliver of sky!"


    The two struck simultaneously, and two terrifying energies collided, creating a force that could destroy heaven and earth, completely annihilating a small mountain.


    Xiao Yi''s figure was sent flying once again, he came within a hair''s breadth of the surging, never-ending river.


    "Indeed worthy of being a paramount existence in the Tianlan Kingdom!" A grave expression spread across Ye Feng''s face.


    Zhang Tianyi snorted coldly and said with clasped hands, "The feeling''s mutual!"


    Ye Feng said, "Zhang Tianyi, neither of us can do anything to the other, but Xiao Yi is the prey coveted by the crown prince. This man has transformed from the Physical Body Realm into a strength comparable to the Golden Core Realm in just half a year; he is an asset that the crown prince is determined to possess!"


    "What? Are you saying he advanced from the Physical Body Realm to his current strength in just half a year?" Zhang Tianyi was taken aback and asked incredulously.


    Half a year!


    Even though they were also considered prodigies, it would be good if they could break through one or two minor realms in half a year.


    Xiao Yi had crossed the Physical Body, Qi Gathering, and Divine Skills realms?


    Zhang Tianyi''s gaze toward Xiao Yi was filled with burning desire as he said solemnly, "Ye Feng, I do not wish to be enemies with Jiang Shanhe, but the secrets Xiao Yi holds are far too important. I absolutely cannot let them go. What do you say we share his secrets?"


    "Share?" Ye Feng was taken aback.


    Zhang Tianyi nodded, speaking coldly, "If you take him back to Jiang Shanhe, the secrets you end up with won''t be yours. But if you and I obtain all his secrets here, then how he broke through three realms in half a year, and how he, at the peak of Divine Skills, possesses fighting strength comparable to the five layers of the Golden Core Realm, will become our secrets��"


    Huff-puff!


    Huff-puff!


    Ye Feng''s breathing became heavy, and his blood-red tongue licked his lips. He focused and said, "But what if he doesn''t talk?"


    "Not talk?"


    Zhang Tianyi sneered viciously, "If he stays silent for one moment, I will cripple his cultivation; two moments, I''ll break his meridians. Three moments of silence, I''ll cut off his limbs... If he still doesn''t talk, doesn''t he have a wife? We''ll capture her. If he stays silent for a moment, I''ll find ten men; two moments, I''ll find a hundred men... Let''s see if he talks then!"


    Ye Feng gulped down a mouthful of saliva, his gaze filled with pity as he looked at Xiao Yi and chuckled wickedly, "Xiao Yi, you can only blame yourself for offending those you shouldn''t have!"


    "I... I offended your mother!"


    Xiao Yi, who had finally regained his senses, struggled to his feet, every word of their conversation not missing his ears. His eyes were filled with bloody ferocity. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "Ye Feng, Zhang Tianyi, and Jiang Shanhe... I, Xiao Yi, have never intentionally provoked you, yet you seek to push me toward death at every turn."


    Boom!


    With one step, Xiao Yi moved, and icy coldness glinted in his eyes as he spoke with deliberate emphasis, "I, Xiao Yi, swear here today, if I do not die, I will drench Tianlan in blood and slaughter my way through the Royal Martial Arts Institute!"


    "This vow, witnessed by the sun and the moon, acknowledged by heaven and earth!"


    "Let gods and demons alike listen..."


    The rumble of thunder!


    In the void, there seemed to be thunder tearing the sky apart, lightning flashing across the heavens!


    The murderous intent in his oath and the bloodlust in Xiao Yi''s eyes sent chills down their spines, leaving them exchanging looks of shock.


    It was as if they had truly seen a terrifying demon god, wielding a sword, stepping through the Royal Martial Arts Academy, shattering the Tianlan Kingdom, and slaying its rising stars!


    "Not good!"


    "Stop him..."


    The two were jolted, but then they saw Xiao Yi leap into the rapid river. Thunder roared, and silver lightning illuminated his fiercely cold face. Yet even under the clamor of thunder, Xiao Yi''s voice was crystal clear, "Keep your filthy lives, wait for me to claim them!"

 Chapter 89 - 89: Martial Dao Divine Fruit

    Hiss hiss!


    Xiao Yi stopped mid-sentence as the silver snake poked its head out, flicking its scarlet tongue, while its amber eyes fixed on Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi was momentarily stunned, then he remembered the moment he had jumped into the river earlier, when the beast egg in his arms had cracked and hatched this little creature.


    It was this very creature that had dragged him into the deep waters, allowing him to avoid being pursued and killed by Ye Feng and Zhang Tianyi.


    It had also led him to this cave.


    And at a critical moment, it had bitten him, infusing life force into his body.


    "Little guy, thank you for saving me!" Xiao Yi rubbed the head of the silver snake.


    The little snake nuzzled against Xiao Yi''s palm willingly, winding along his hand and climbing onto his shoulder, flicking its tongue, its eyes filled with worry and inquiry.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, the little fellow seemed quite human-like. He smiled and said, "I''m fine, don''t worry!"


    This time, disaster had turned into a blessing.


    The continuous battles, combined with the explosion of the Blood Explosion Skill, had taken his already Peak of the Divine Ability Realm cultivation to the next level, stepping into the Golden Core Realm.


    Within the dantian.


    That golden-yellow Golden Core bobbed and drifted, surrounded by a golden halo.


    In the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, one revolution of the Golden Core indicated one layer.


    With each rise in realm, an additional halo would appear, and now, he had also acquired the Sword Demon Dugu''s lifelong understanding of the sword, along with the Solitary Nine Swords and the second stage of Sword Intent, where the sword follows the heart.


    Xiao Yi''s strength had now made a dramatic advance.


    Hiss hiss!


    The silver snake slithered swiftly to the ground, moving forward a certain distance before turning back to look at Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi, surprised, asked, "Are you asking me to follow you?" S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hiss hiss!


    The silver snake nodded.


    Xiao Yi followed it.


    A man and a snake, moving farther and farther within the dim cave.


    Drip drop drip drop!


    The entire cave was deathly silent, with only the sound of water droplets echoing, adding a somber tone. The faint silver light emitted by the silver snake lit up the ground, with Xiao Yi closely following.


    The silver snake ahead suddenly stopped, spinning in place and making urgent hissing noises.


    Xiao Yi, startled, approached and saw that right at the spot where the silver snake was circling, there was a corpse. The corpse had been covered by thick soil and stones, but as the silver snake continued to move, it brushed away the earthen cover, revealing its true face.


    "This is..." Xiao Yi stepped forward to investigate.


    The body had been dead for a long time, leaving only a skeleton.


    But it was this very skeleton that made Xiao Yi''s face turn pale with shock.


    Within the skeleton was a fist-sized, emerald-green fruit.


    "The Martial Dao Divine Fruit? How is this possible?" Xiao Yi picked up the green fruit, confirmed it was real, and an astonished look spread across his face.


    The Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    This was the Dao Fruit that formed within a martial artist after they broke through to the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    If such a Martial Dao Divine Fruit were to appear in the outside world, it would certainly cause a bloodbath, because one such fruit represented a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse!


    At the peak of the Golden Elixir, refining a single Martial Dao Divine Fruit would allow one to step into the Calamity Realm.


    Of course...


    There are downsides to consuming this fruit to enter the Calamity Realm, as it will make further breakthroughs much more difficult. However, for the vast majority of the strong, reaching the Calamity Realm is something they can only dream of.


    It''s just that...


    How could the body of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert appear here?


    Moreover, looking at the body, all the bones were shattered, obviously killed by someone who brutally broke all their bones.


    Hiss hiss!


    A silver snake brought a storage ring to Xiao Yi''s palm, and with a drop of blood, Xiao Yi made the ring recognize him as its master. However, inside the ring was merely an empty space with only a parchment scroll.


    Xiao Yi focused his gaze, and as he looked, his pupils suddenly dilated, "If someone sees this letter, then it proves I am already dead. I do not know how long it has been, perhaps people have already forgotten my name. I am Wang Tianqi, the first headmaster of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy of Tianqing Kingdom. However..."


    As Xiao Yi read on, the shock and astonishment on his face intensified.


    This Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse turned out to be the founder of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, a genuine Tao Tribulation Realm expert. Xiao Yi had heard of him from Gu Junhe, it could be said that Tianqi Martial Arts Academy''s rise and fall were both because of Wang Tianqi!


    It was precisely because Wang Tianqi was stationed there that the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy could become the number one martial arts academy of Tianqing Kingdom.


    But over five hundred years ago...


    Wang Tianqi mysteriously vanished, and from then on, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy began to decline, and now has but a few disciples left.


    Xiao Yi had never imagined that Wang Tianqi would appear here, and according to the parchment scroll, over five hundred years ago, Wang Tianqi and two other Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from Tianlan Kingdom and Purple Robe Kingdom were abducted by a mysterious being.


    And the being that took them away only wanted them to build a tomb for him!


    To have Tao Tribulation Realm experts build his tomb, one could fathom how terrifying that being was!


    Surely he was a being of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, or perhaps even from the Longevity Secret Realm!


    At that time, the being promised that as long as they completed the tomb, he would let them go, but Wang Tianqi was cautious and secretly dug a tunnel leading to the deepest part of the ancient tomb.


    He had intended to enter the ancient tomb later on.


    But when the tomb was completed, that being unexpectedly struck and killed the three of them, ensuring they would rest forever within the burial site.


    Wang Tianqi''s body was different from an ordinary person''s, and he did not die on the spot.


    He managed to escape the ancient tomb through the secret tunnel.


    But he died here soon after escaping, gravely injured. Before his death, he left this parchment scroll: "Lucky one, this parchment bears the secret tunnel route map I left behind... Even in death, I wish to see his tomb desecrated... Wang Tianqi''s final words!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi stared at the parchment for a long time, unable to snap out of his reverie.


    Everyone thought this was the ancient tomb of a Tao Tribulation Realm expert, yet it was the tomb of a being suspected to be from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, or even the Longevity Secret Realm!


    "So it seems Zhou Yuan and the others did not find the real tomb; does that mean the true treasures of this ancient tomb are still intact? They merely took some trifling benefits?" Xiao Yi''s eyes gleamed as he laughed heartily.


    Zhou Yuan and other experts at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak spent two months excavating the Secret Realm, thinking they had taken away the best treasures.


    They never imagined...


    What they got was merely trivial gains!


    Hiss hiss!


    The silver snake tilted its head, seemingly puzzled as to why Xiao Yi was laughing.


    Xiao Yi hugged the snake tightly and kissed it fiercely; if not for this little critter, he might never have discovered Wang Tianqi''s remains, nor obtained this parchment: "Little guy, you truly are my lucky star! It''s not good to keep calling you little guy, so considering your silver scales... from now on, I will call you Little Lin. How does Xiao Lin sound for a grand name?"


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin tilted its head, completely baffled.


    Xiao Yi casually collected Wang Tianqi''s remains and Martial Dao Divine Fruit into his storage ring, preparing to take them out for a proper burial and to establish a memorial.


    Looking at the parchment in his hand, Xiao Yi flicked Little Lin''s head lightly, "Little Lin, let''s dig a grave!"


    A tomb of a Dharma Manifestation Realm, or even a Longevity Secret Realm expert!


    What exactly was inside?


    Xiao Yi''s heart was filled with curiosity and anticipation...

 Chapter 90 - 90: Killing with a Single Finger

    The routes marked on the parchment were extremely detailed.


    In just half a day, Xiao Yi had entered the main burial chamber. At each of the four corners of the main tomb was a green lantern that had been burning for at least five hundred years, judging by the time of Wang Tianqi''s disappearance.


    That they still shone brightly was truly astonishing!


    There were two corpses within the ancient tomb.


    They must have been martial artists from the Tao Tribulation Realm of the Tianlan Kingdom and the Purple Robe Kingdom, captured alongside Wang Tianqi to construct the ancient tomb, only to die right on this spot, unfortunately.


    Their Martial Dao Divine Fruits lay quietly within the skulls.


    Xiao Yi collected each of the Martial Dao Divine Fruits, "Just these three Martial Dao Divine Fruits are worth a fortune, I''m afraid they might be even more valuable than all the gains of Zhou Yuan and Gu the elder at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm..."


    Just as Xiao Yi had thought...


    The treasures obtained by Zhou Yuan and Gu Junhe weren''t many. After all, the ancient tombs in the Tao Tribulation Realm outside were just a decoy, and all their treasures combined couldn''t compare to a single Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    Plus, as the peak Golden Elixir Realm martial artists divided the treasures among themselves, each person''s share was not significant.


    But Xiao Yi alone had obtained three Martial Dao Divine Fruits!


    What''s more important was...


    The most precious and mysterious thing in the entire burial ground was the bronze ancient coffin at the very center!


    The four corners of the bronze ancient coffin each had a divine beast statue, modeled after the images of The Four Divine Beasts: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, supporting the ancient coffin.


    The coffin was covered with a myriad of mysterious runes, with strange patterns connected to each other, emitting a faint golden glow.


    Ancient, vicissitudes of time, heavy, solemn, mysterious!


    Little Lin shrunk in Xiao Yi''s arms, although this little guy had just been born, it already possessed the strength comparable to a third-order high-level demon beast.


    Definitely considered gifted!


    Its little eyes stared at the ancient coffin, gently flicking its tongue as if asking Xiao Yi what was inside.


    Xiao Yi rubbed Little Lin''s head and placed his hands on the bronze ancient coffin.


    Clang!


    The lid of the coffin was suddenly flung open by him.


    A surge of golden light shot up into the sky, obscuring the entire tomb. When the light quietly dimmed, what lay within the ancient coffin was revealed before Xiao Yi.


    "This��"


    Xiao Yi was dumbfounded.


    Inside the ancient coffin, the burial wasn''t a corpse but a pitch-black jade box, and surrounding the jade box were luminous, transparent stones that glittered with spiritual light.


    Spirit Stones!


    The word surfaced in Xiao Yi''s mind.


    These Spirit Stones, which could only form in spirit veins where the heavenly and earth''s essence was incredibly condensed, were categorized into lower, middle, upper, and top grades.


    But even the lowest grade Spirit Stone was worth a fortune!


    According to what Xiao Yi knew, a single lower-grade Spirit Stone, if converted to gold coins, was worth a hundred thousand, and they were priceless!


    Besides the jade box in the ancient coffin, there were over a thousand lower-grade Spirit Stones, more than a hundred middle-grade ones, and even ten upper-grade ones!


    To put it bluntly...


    Just these Spirit Stones alone exceeded the gains of Zhou Yuan and others!


    "What''s inside this jade box?" Xiao Yi collected the Spirit Stones and held the jade box, attempting to discover its secrets.


    Yet, despite all his efforts, he couldn''t open it.


    "To compel an existence suspected from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, or even the Longevity Secret Realm, to abduct three martial artists from the Tao Tribulation Realm to construct a tomb and bury it, this cannot be an ordinary item! I''ll take it back and find a way to open it later!"


    Xiao Yi stored the jade box away.


    He sat cross-legged before the ancient coffin.


    He took out a lower-grade Spirit Stone and circulated his mysterious arts as a stream of pure heavenly and earthly essence flowed into his body. This energy was vast and pure, immediately swallowed up.


    "No wonder all martial artists are so eager for Spirit Stones; this is indeed an excellent aid for cultivation!" Spirit Stones were the essence of heaven and earth condensed to the extreme, materialized into substance.


    The energy within was purer than that of the dantian and medicinal pills.


    Xiao Yi kept devouring them.


    A single lower-grade Spirit Stone was equivalent to ten days of arduous cultivation, and at Xiao Yi''s current level of cultivation, he could devour a lower-grade Spirit Stone in about half an incense stick''s time.


    One by one, the Spirit Stones in his hands were refined.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation level also kept rising, and in the blink of an eye, seven days had passed. Xiao Yi had devoured more than a thousand lower-grade Spirit Stones.


    His cultivation level had broken through to the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!


    As the accumulated essence of the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm surged wildly into the God Sealing Seed within his body, Xiao Yi''s God Sealing Seed gained another fifteen thousand seeds, reaching a total of twenty thousand!


    ```


    Twenty thousand God Sealing Seeds reflected the power of divinity, causing Xiao Yi''s combat strength to swell once again.


    With his current level of combat strength...


    Even without using the Blood Explosion Skill, he can effortlessly crush a Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm expert, and when he exercises his full power, even an Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm opponent might be a match!


    "The time is almost up; they should have entered the ancient tomb by now!" A cold gleam flashed across Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    He then left the true main tomb according to the secret passage indicated on the parchment.


    The exit of the main tomb turned out to be beneath the stele at the entrance to the false tomb.


    Only from the inside could the stele be flipped; from the outside, it gave away no signs at all. As Xiao Yi left the secret passage, the stele reverted to its original state.


    "This must be the false tomb designed to mislead the world. Judging by Ye Feng and their speed, they should be in here��" Standing at the entrance to the false tomb, Xiao Yi pondered for a moment before stepping inside.


    The tomb passage was long and narrow, with traps destroyed by brute force visible everywhere �C clearly the handiwork of Zhou Yuan and the others.


    He continued on his way.


    The scent of blood in the air grew stronger.


    Xiao Yi slowed his pace, spotting many corpses along the way, mostly from the Purple Robe Kingdom, causing him to frown: "Why are people from the Purple Robe Kingdom dying here?"


    Suddenly...


    Intense sounds of fighting came from ahead, and Yue Ling''er''s exasperated voice could be heard: "Ling Feng, how dare you kill my subordinates? Aren''t you afraid of my cousin punishing you for your crimes?"


    "Hehe, His Highness the Seventh Prince is strong and a powerful contender for the Crown Prince position, one who my Nine Profound Sect cannot afford to offend. However, a dead prince has no standing to punish me, right?" Ling Feng''s voice was smug and fearless.


    The Nine Profound Sect was already supporting the eldest prince.


    Now that Ye Feng and Zhang Tianyi had joined forces against Jiang Tai, putting him in danger of not being able to protect himself, Ling Feng naturally became even more brazen.


    Yue Ling''er, with her back against the rocky walls of the tomb passage, had a trace of crimson at the corner of her mouth, her eyes filled with despair: "Cousin... I told you not to seek revenge for Xiao Yi. You wouldn''t listen, and now look where we are... We''re all going to die here..."


    The moment Jiang Tai learned of Xiao Yi''s "death," he immediately sought out Ye Feng and fought him.


    But with Zhang Tianyi''s support, Ye Feng not only avoided death at Jiang Tai''s hands but instead the two of them teamed up to attack Jiang, forcing him into a retreat to the inside of the ancient tomb.


    Yue Ling''er intervened to help Jiang Tai, which resulted in the death of her own subordinates.


    And now, even she faced death at Ling Feng''s hands.


    "Time to depart!"


    With a malevolent laugh, Ling Feng raised his hand, and the sharp blade thrust straight at Yue Ling''er.


    It was at this critical juncture...


    A figure suddenly appeared in front of Yue Ling''er, and with a clang, Ling Feng''s fierce sword thrust was blocked.


    The tomb passage fell into dead silence, with not a sound to be heard.


    Yue Ling''er''s phoenix eyes opened slightly wide, her large, watery eyes fluttering in shock. Ling Feng was slack-jawed, his sword firmly clamped between two fair fingers, trapped and unable to advance or retreat! sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Both individuals stared at the figure before them in disbelief, uttering his name: "Xiao... Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi slowly lifted his head, the corners of his mouth lifting as he looked at Ling Feng: "We meet again!"


    "You... you''re not dead?"


    Ling Feng drew in a sharp breath.


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "I''m not dead. Does that disappoint you?"


    "How could that be? Heh, I''m too pleased for words that you''re alive..."


    Ling Feng recovered from his initial shock, then sneered, "I was regretting not being able to kill you with my own hands. Now, you can go die!"


    Whoosh!


    Ling Feng''s weapon tore through the air, a mighty strike descending swiftly.


    "Be careful!"


    Yue Ling''er yelled out a warning.


    Yet Xiao Yi merely raised his hand and sent out a finger strike.


    Hum!


    That one finger, like the reemergence of a peerless divine sword in this world, clashed with a clang against Ling Feng''s assault, then with a thud pierced Ling Feng''s brow.


    Thump!


    Ling Feng''s body shuddered, his face still twisted in ferocity, but now devoid of life!


    Hiss!


    Yue Ling''er inhaled sharply, speechless and with eyes wide open in astonishment.


    Ling Feng, a Sixth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm martial artist, had been killed by a single finger from Xiao Yi?


    ```

 Chapter 91 - 91 Ancestors and Clans

    Ling Feng was at the Golden Elixir Realm Sixth Layer Cultivation, serving as the chief top disciple of the Nine Profound Sect.


    Before this��


    Xiao Yi had to resort to the Blood Explosion Skill, burning thirty percent of his blood to contend against him, but now, having broken through to the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, Xiao Yi needed only a flick of his fingers to slay him.


    This was the enhancement of combat power that came with a foundation in cultivation.


    Yue Ling''er stared in disbelief, unable to comprehend what she was seeing in this young man before her.


    When they had first entered the secret realm,


    she had on multiple occasions advised Jiang Tai to keep his distance from Xiao Yi, believing Xiao Yi''s cultivation to be unimpressive and only a harbinger of trouble that would undoubtedly drag Jiang Tai down.


    What she could never have anticipated was Xiao Yi''s growth to his current realm in the mere half-month since the opening of the secret realm.


    Gulp!


    Yue Ling''er swallowed hard, asking incredulously, "Xiao Yi, what exactly is your cultivation level?"


    She simply could not believe that just half a month ago, Xiao Yi was merely at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm!


    Xiao Yi glanced at her and said indifferently, "Fourth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm."


    Yue Ling''er fell silent for a moment before pressing, "Half a month ago, were you really just at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Hiss!


    Yue Ling''er sharply inhaled a breath of cold air.


    Half a month, from the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm to the Fourth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm?


    How terrifyingly fast was that?


    Even her brother, hailed as the first genius in the history of the Purple Robe Kingdom, couldn''t manage that!


    Surely no one from the eighteen kingdoms under the Great Qian Dynasty could possibly achieve that, could they?


    Except for that one��


    The idol of all the young people in the Great Qian Dynasty, Xiao Tianjiao, who also happened to be Yue Ling''er''s idol. Yue Ling''er looked intently at Xiao Yi and spoke in a grave voice, "Your surname is Xiao, could the rumors be true? Are you really from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty? It''s only a family that produced a figure like Xiao Tianjiao that could manifest a miracle like yours�� breaking through four realms in half a month..."


    Xiao Yi gave her a cold look, the indifference and iciness in his eyes causing Yue Ling''er to shiver, as if she had fallen into an ice pit.


    Xiao Yi said coldly, "Where is Jiang Tai?"


    "Ah?"


    Yue Ling''er was taken aback, snapping back to reality and quickly saying, "Cousin, chased by Ye Feng and Zhang Tianyi, has probably already entered the main tomb by now. Hurry and help him!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and, with a flash, dashed wildly toward the depths of the tomb.


    ......


    Inside the main tomb.


    Jiang Tai, Zhang Tianyi, and Ye Feng stood clearly divided, with a massive coffin appearing before the trio. The coffin was suspended mid-air, tethered by three chains.


    The chains wrapped around the coffin, with bright red links and yellow talismans plastered all over the coffin.


    An eerie ghostly aura pervaded, exceptionally terrifying!


    "The owner of this ancient tomb must be buried here!"


    Ye Feng said lightly, "Later, when the three of us join forces to open the coffin, the Martial Dao Divine Fruit is mine, and the rest of the treasures are yours!"


    Jiang Tai sneered, "Impossible!"


    Zhang Tianyi also had a nonchalant expression, "The Martial Dao Divine Fruit can''t possibly be yours."


    Ye Feng narrowed his eyes and said, "None of us can gain the upper hand over the others, and if we were to truly fight to the death, in the end, it would only benefit a third party."


    "What exactly are you trying to say?" Zhang Tianyi asked, frowning.


    Ye Feng said in a deep voice, "Let the three of us take turns attacking the coffin, and whoever opens it first gets the Martial Dao Divine Fruit. How about it?"


    After a moment of silence, they both nodded in agreement.


    Jiang Tai asked, "Who goes first?"


    Ye Feng said, "I have three sticks here, we could draw lots, with the length determining the order. The longest one goes first, the shortest last. How about that?"


    "Fine!"


    After drawing lots, Jiang Tai went first, followed by Zhang Tianyi, and then Ye Feng.


    Jiang Tai wielded a nine-ring great saber that gleamed with a silvery light, swinging the blade down. With a humming sound, the silver saber light fell heavily on the coffin.


    Thud!


    The coffin shook violently, and the chains rattled loudly.


    Yet it did not open!


    Zhang Tianyi was the second to perform, wielding a long spear like a raging dragon sweeping the heavens, landing a blow on the coffin. The entire coffin shook violently, and strips of yellow talismans exploded off it.


    It still did not open.


    Zhang Tianyi, his face twisted with annoyance, glared fiercely at Ye Feng, "Your turn!"


    Ye Feng''s mouth curled into a smirk, and with a casual toss, a bottle of blood-red liquid scattered forth.


    Hiss, hiss!


    The blood-red liquid stained the chains, from which plumes of black smoke began to rise, corrosion eating away at the chains.


    With a loud boom, the three chains snapped in succession, and the coffin crashed to the ground. The lid of the coffin had also opened a crack at that moment, and Ye Feng said with a smug face, "Sorry, this Martial Dao Divine Fruit is mine now!"


    "You... vile..." Zhang Tianyi glared at Ye Feng venomously.


    That blood-red liquid was the blood of a creature known as the Corpse-Eating Worm, possessing extremely potent corrosive properties.


    Never had they imagined that Ye Feng held this trick up his sleeve.


    Jiang Tai snorted coldly, "People from the Royal Martial Arts Academy really have no shame."


    "To the victor go the spoils; whoever laughs last is the real winner. As for the means used, nobody will care!" Ye Feng jeered and walked towards the coffin.


    But just as he was about three meters away from the coffin, a cold snort suddenly resonated throughout the main tomb: "Who dares disturb my eternal slumber?"


    Hiss!


    The three of them��Ye Feng included��trembled all over, "Who?"


    They looked around, but saw no one at all.


    The cold voice came again: "I am within this coffin. Who dare disturbs me?"


    Within the coffin?


    They exchanged looks, shock written all over their faces.


    Was the being inside the coffin still alive?


    Ye Feng asked in a deep voice, "May I ask the elder''s name?"


    "I am of the ancestral Zong clan!"


    "Ancestor Zong?"


    Ye Feng paused for a moment, then respectfully said, "I am Ye Feng, a junior. Unaware that Ancestor Zong rested here, I hope for your forgiveness!"


    "Hmph!"


    The cold voice came again, "If you seek my forgiveness, kneel down and kowtow ten times!"


    A cold light flashed in Ye Feng''s eyes.


    The cold voice spoke again, "Should you satisfy me, why should I not pass on my lifetime''s inheritance to you?"


    Hiss!


    Ye Feng''s complexion flushed.


    A lifetime''s inheritance? S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That was the inheritance of a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse!


    With this thought in mind.


    Ye Feng thudded to his knees, his head banging resoundingly against the ground, respect on his face: "Junior Ye Feng offers kowtows in apology to Elder Ancestor Zong!"


    "Um, those kowtows are loud and clear. It seems you have had plenty of practice with this!" The icy, authoritative voice suddenly turned mocking and familiar.


    Huh?


    Ye Feng was taken aback and looked up sharply, only to see Xiao Yi sitting atop the coffin, watching him with amusement.


    Ye Feng trembled all over, his eyes instantly bloodshot with rage, "Xiao Yi? You''re still alive?" He suddenly recalled that cold voice, "Was that you speaking earlier? It was not an elder from within the coffin?"


    "My dear grandson, how can you be so rude? Weren''t you calling me your ancestor so naturally just now?" Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow at Ye Feng, tauntingly asking.


    "You..."


    Ye Feng''s face instantly turned beet red, as if he had been slapped dozens of times.


    He had knelt before Xiao Yi and kowtowed ten times, even calling him ancestor?


    That was humiliating to the extreme!


    Zhang Tianyi''s eyes were also narrowed as he stared fixedly at Xiao Yi. To him, the secrets on Xiao Yi''s person were far more valuable than the Martial Dao Divine Fruit. His sanguine tongue licked his lips, "Xiao Yi, I''m glad you''re not dead. With the secrets on you, who needs the Martial Dao Divine Fruit anyway!"


    Ye Feng immediately looked at Zhang Tianyi, "Zhang Tianyi, let us join forces to take down this man!"


    "Good!"


    Zhang Tianyi nodded his head.


    "Humph, if you want to deal with Xiao, you''ll have to get past me first!" Jiang Tai snorted coldly, his face showing a genuine gleam of joy upon learning Xiao Yi was alive.


    With a flash, he positioned himself in front of Xiao Yi.


    Ye Feng narrowed his eyes, "Your Highness the Seventh Prince, you may be powerful, but any one of us can contain you. The other can then deal with Xiao Yi, you won''t be able to stop us!"


    Before Jiang Tai could respond.


    Xiao Yi''s voice came from behind him, "Brother Jiang, just watch from the sidelines! This unfilial progeny of mine is actually conspiring with strangers against me, his ancestor. I must personally administer the family discipline!"


    With those words, one could almost hear the sound of slaps in the air.


    Ye Feng''s face was an iron blue, his murderous intent soaring, "Xiao Yi, I will tear you into a thousand pieces..."

 Chapter 92 - 92: Choice

    "I shall tear your body into ten thousand pieces!"


    Ye Feng bellowed furiously, his voice like a booming bell, his figure moving like a startling rainbow.


    Leaving behind a trail of afterimages in his original position.


    In the blink of an eye.


    He had already arrived in front of Xiao Yi, with the cultivation of the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm fully unleashed in an instant. His palm surrounded by Yuan Qi, transformed into a ferocious tiger descending the mountain: "Starving Tiger Pounces on Prey!"


    Ao!


    This palm strike was magnificent and powerful.


    With one palm strike, it could shatter a small mountain.


    Xiao Yi slapped the coffin, and with a muffled thud, his body shot upwards, his right hand grasping in mid-air, the Fire Qilin Sword radiant with a fluctuating red light.


    With a casual swing, a red rainbow pierced through the void.


    There were no complicated techniques.


    Just a casual sword thrust!


    But it was the second stage of Sword Intent, the realm where the sword follows the heart!


    This sword was as gentle as the water of autumn.


    Yet, when it collided with Ye Feng''s momentous palm strike, it became as ruthless as the ice of a cold winter, tearing apart the Yuan Qi palm with a hiss.


    Xiao Yi advanced with his sword, threading through the crevice in the palm.


    In a flash.


    Xiao Yi had already landed in front of Ye Feng, his body spinning like a whirlwind, suddenly turning, sword in hand, as swift as an arrow released from its bow: "First form of the Solitary Nine Swords!"


    Shua!


    Countless Sword Qi shadows surrounded him.


    Dizzying to the eyes, one couldn''t tell which was real and which was false!


    "No matter how strong your swordsmanship is, it cannot stop my Hundred Battles King''s Fist!"


    Ye Feng''s eyes were bloodshot, his forehead veins bulging like a dragon turning over, all his strength converging in his fists.


    Hands clenched into fists.


    As fists flew, thunder roared, and when the fists landed, they charged like great beasts.


    In that moment, Ye Feng seemed to transform into the War God of a hundred battles, his fists challenging heaven and earth, unbeatable in all fights, victorious in every battle.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Fist shadows and sword shadows clashed like the tip of a needle against a stalk of wheat.


    Colliding with each other, grinding against one another.


    Rumbling...


    Inside the tomb, Sword Qi marks were all over the rocky walls, and fist prints were embedded all around. Dust was flying, sand and stones were moving about as if it were a battlefield.


    Jiang Tai and Zhang Tianyi had already retreated to the side.


    Both looked at the two in the battlefield with uncertainty and disbelief.


    In Zhang Tianyi''s shocked gaze, there was an added fervor, "Golden Core Realm! Xiao Yi is actually in the Golden Core Realm? It''s only been ten days since he jumped into the river, and he has had another breakthrough? I must find out his secret, such speed in improving cultivation is even more valuable than any Martial Dao Divine Fruit!" S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even Jiang Tai had red eyes, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, his face showing shock: "Xiao... worthy to be his brother!"


    At that moment...


    A shocking sword light tore through the flying dust.


    The red sword light flashed by.


    One saw Ye Feng emerging from the rising dust, moving forward a few steps, then turning around to look towards the dust with a hint of coldness in his eyes: "Xiao! Yi!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi walked out unscathed, facing Ye Feng, with a slight upward curve of his mouth, he said calmly, "You, have lost!"


    Thump!


    Ye Feng''s entire body shook, and his knees bent as he knelt before Xiao Yi.


    Blood continuously spurted out from his throat.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I said before... if I didn''t die, I would surely drench Tianlan Kingdom in blood and slaughter everyone in the Royal Martial Arts Academy! And now, this is just the beginning!"


    Thud!


    Ye Feng''s body fell straight to the ground, with eyes wide in anger and full of unwillingness.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze shifted to Zhang Tianyi, pointing his sword''s tip, "It''s your turn!"


    Clap clap clap!


    Zhang Tianyi clapped his hands together, wearing a brilliant smile, "Impressive, truly impressive! I never expected that in just half a month, you would make such a tremendous breakthrough, from the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm to the Fourth Layer of the Golden Core Realm. Tsk tsk, in just half a month''s time... Zhang Tianyi admires few people, but you, you are definitely one of them!"


    Xiao Yi looked at him dispassionately.


    Zhang Tianyi narrowed his eyes and said, "Xiao Yi, I admit your talent is strong, and your strength isn''t weak, to be able to kill Ye Feng is indeed beyond my expectations. But, you are no match for me, even with Jiang Tai on your side, it''s impossible for you to defeat me. How about we make a deal?"


    Xiao Yi remained silent.


    Jiang Tai, however, stood beside Xiao Yi with an indescribably solemn expression.


    Just as Zhang Tianyi said...


    Even if they joined forces, Jiang Tai was not confident they could beat him.


    Zhang Tianyi said, "As long as you tell me the secret to your rapid cultivation, I can spare your lives. Even the inheritance from the Tao Tribulation Realm expert within the coffin behind you, I''m willing to let you have it, how about that?"


    His eyes were full of eagerness and anticipation.


    To some who see no hope in breaking through to the Calamity Realm, the Martial Dao Divine Fruit is a treasure worth fighting for with their lives!


    But to a true genius, they are more inclined to break that shackle themselves.


    Xiao Yi, who managed to step into the Fourth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm from the Physical Body Realm in just half a year, having such a secret in hand, Zhang Tianyi was absolutely confident he could step into the Calamity Realm!


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved upward as he said playfully, "You beg me! Maybe if I''m in a good mood, I might just teach you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Zhang Tianyi''s eyebrows furrowed tightly, and a touch of gloom appeared in his eyes as he said coldly, "Xiao Yi, don''t be ungrateful! If you really anger me, I might as well just cripple your cultivation, break your limbs, and take you back for a slow and painful questioning. The Ministry of Punishments of Tianlan Kingdom has plenty of ways to make people talk!"


    Xiao Yi said, "You can ask my sword if it agrees!"


    Seeing that Xiao Yi was impervious, Zhang Tianyi then turned to look at Jiang Tai, "Jiang Tai, with Jiang Shanhe over you, your chances of seizing the Crown Prince title are not great. But if you can get Xiao Yi''s secret, and you step into the Calamity Realm, then the throne would inevitably be yours. Think about it, he managed to reach the Golden Core Realm from the Physical Body Realm in just half a year..."


    Jiang Tai''s face subtly changed.


    Indeed.


    In the struggle for the position of the Crown Prince, aside from his mother being from the royal family of the Purple Robe Kingdom, he had no advantage at all.


    In terms of cultivation?


    Jiang Shanhe was the first person on the Teng Long List of Tianqing Kingdom!


    In terms of background?


    Jiang Shanhe had the entire Royal Martial Arts Academy behind him!


    His chance of victory was extremely slim!


    But if he could step into the realm of Calamity, then the position of the Crown Prince would be uncontested, even Jiang Shanhe would not stand a chance!


    Jiang Tai''s eyes didn''t just look at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi calmly looked back at him, to be fair, he did not wish to be an enemy of Jiang Tai. But if Jiang Tai chose to attack him, then Xiao Yi would definitely not hold back!


    After a moment of silence.


    Jiang Tai took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and fixed his gaze on Zhang Tianyi, "No matter how down-and-out I, Jiang Tai, am, I have not stooped to the level of turning on my fellow disciples.".


    He clearly chose to stand with Xiao Yi.


    "Utter folly!"


    Zhang Tianyi let out an angry snort, his eyes suddenly turned sharp, "Since you''re courting death yourself, don''t blame me!"


    Boom!


    Zhang Tianyi''s vital energy surged like a sudden storm; with a swift movement, he attacked both of them...

 Chapter 93 - 93 Solitary Nine Swords

    ```


    Whoosh!


    Zhang Tianyi''s spear in hand rose like an angry dragon taking to the skies, as if it had become one with his body.


    Jiang Tai gripped his nine-ring saber with both hands, the blade glittering with silver light. The nine rings clinked against each other, emitting a clangor as he held the saber horizontally in front of him.


    Clang!


    The moment the saber edge collided with the spear''s radiance, a fearsome power burst forth in all directions.


    The stone tiles underfoot flew about, and Jiang Tai stumbled backward repeatedly, eventually thudding against a coffin and overturning it.


    A corpse tumbled out of the coffin, revealed to be a pitch-black skeleton.


    Within the skeleton,


    a black Martial Dao Divine Fruit rolled on the ground, coming to rest to one side.


    But at this moment, no one was concerned with that Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    Jiang Tai pushed off from the coffin, the rebounding force doubling his speed as he charged back towards Zhang Tianyi: "Slaying Dragon Saber Skill!"


    "Dragon Ascension to the Heavens!"


    Zhang Tianyi''s face was expressionless, the vital energy within his spear pulsing, flickering like dragon flames.


    This man had also comprehended Sword Intent!


    What''s more, he had reached the limit of the first tier of Sword Intent, and was just one step away from mastering the second tier��The Sword Moves with the Heart.


    With a loud clang, his spear shattered Jiang Tai''s saber, and using the spear as a staff, he swung it with momentum.


    The spear went straight for Jiang Tai''s back.


    Jiang Tai had no time to defend, and even Xiao Yi was too late to help him block this spear thrust. At this critical juncture, Xiao Yi had a flash of inspiration.


    With a swift movement, he delivered a hard kick right to Jiang Tai''s buttocks.


    Ow!


    Jiang Tai screamed, and with a bang, Xiao Yi kicked him flying.


    Although he crashed to the ground in a complete mess, he narrowly escaped that potentially fatal spear thrust!


    "Xiao Yi, you..." Jiang Tai glared at Xiao Yi with a look of deep resentment.


    Xiao Yi: "Don''t mention it!"


    Jiang Tai: "..."


    Xiao Yi advanced with his sword, executing a stroke that cut across the sky, The Sword Moves with the Heart. His sword moves were neither fancy nor particularly powerful, but each strike''s force, angle, and speed were extremely precise.


    To put it simply...


    They were just right!


    The force was just right.


    The angle was just right!


    The speed was also just right!


    What seemed like ordinary sword moves flowed seamlessly and naturally, keeping pace with Zhang Tianyi without falling behind. This left Jiang Tai astonished: "Is this... the second tier of Sword Intent, The Sword Moves with the Heart? Since when did Junior Brother Xiao master the second tier of Sword Intent..."


    As far as Jiang Tai knew, within the Tianqing Kingdom''s peers, only Jiang Shanhe had mastered the second tier of martial intent.


    Now there was another, Xiao Yi!


    At this moment...


    Jiang Tai suddenly felt thankful for his earlier decision, having stepped into the Golden Core Realm from the Physical Body Realm in just over half a year��a feat somewhat understandable if one had a special cultivation method.


    But...


    To have mastered the second tier of martial intent while at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm,


    That could only be achieved with truly great talent!


    "I''ll help you out!"


    Jiang Tai surged with an overwhelming fighting spirit, holding the nine-ring saber as he came whirlwind-fast. Side by side with Xiao Yi, the two simultaneously attacked, putting unrelenting pressure on Zhang Tianyi.


    Zhang Tianyi was so pressed that he could hardly catch his breath.


    No matter how he changed his tactics,


    Xiao Yi was always able to respond to changes with unchanging principles. His seemingly whimsical sword moves often had the most direct and significant effects.


    Add Jiang Tai to the mix,


    and as Zhang Tianyi parried a blow from Jiang Tai, he would have to face an immediate assault from Xiao Yi. This made him increasingly irritated: "Damn it, Xiao Yi is such a pain. I never expected him to have mastered The Sword Moves with the Heart. I can''t gain the upper hand with technique, it looks like I''ll have to use raw strength to suppress them!"


    Boom!


    Zhang Tianyi jammed his spear into the ground with one hand, kicked it up with a tap of his toe, and violently uprooted a chunk of earth the size of a small hut.


    Swoosh!


    ```


    Tu Shi shot towards Xiao Yi and another.


    Jiang Tai swung his saber, shattering the rocks and, amidst the flying sand and stones, they lost sight of Zhang Tianyi.


    "Where is he?"


    Jiang Tai was startled.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed, and he instinctively blocked to his side with the Fire Qilin Sword. With a clang, a violent force violently sent Xiao Yi flying.


    Seizing the momentum, Xiao Yi thrust the Fire Qilin Sword into the ground, but still, he could hardly stop the tremendous force. S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The ground was cleaved open by the Fire Qilin Sword, leaving a sword mark stretching tens of meters.


    At the same time Xiao Yi was sent flying,


    Zhang Tianyi thrust with his lance at Jiang Tai. Caught off guard, Jiang Tai''s shoulder was impaled. With a flick of his spear, Zhang Tianyi shattered Jiang Tai''s right shoulder, blood streaming down.


    The Nine Rings Saber was too heavy to hold and fell to the side.


    Zhang Tianyi pointed his long spear at Jiang Tai''s throat. Jiang Tai kept backing away, watching the spear''s light grow closer and closer, his body drenched in cold sweat.


    "Am I going to die?"


    At this moment,


    Jiang Tai suddenly wished for Xiao Yi to kick him once more!


    Just as the long spear was about to pierce his throat,


    At that moment...


    A tremendous force suddenly kicked him from behind right in the buttocks; with a howl of pain, Jiang Tai''s body flew sideways.


    With a thud, he crashed against the rock wall.


    Spread out like a starfish, as if embedded in it.


    And the one who had kicked him was none other than Xiao Yi!


    At this moment, Xiao Yi''s whole body was covered in blood, evidently using the Blood Explosion Skill. He directly ignited twenty percent of his blood, with his power surging by twenty times, Xiao Yi''s face was cold "Solitary Nine Swords, first move!"


    Whoosh!


    He moved like a whirlwind, with sword in hand.


    "Child''s play!"


    Zhang Tianyi''s legs, like pillars supporting the heavens, were firmly planted on the ground, holding the spear in one hand, unleashing sharp spear shadows one after another.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The clashing of spear and sword sparked flames, with violent energy scattering in all directions.


    If it were before...


    Zhang Tianyi could have easily withstood it, but now Xiao Yi''s power had increased twenty times!


    Each sword strike on the long spear made his palm go numb, threatening to burst at any moment.


    "Overturning Rivers and Seas!"


    Zhang Tianyi''s sword-like eyebrows tensed, he gripped the long spear with both hands, the entire spear bending severely under the violent force. Like a fully drawn bow, it released fiercely, and the suppressed power erupted completely.


    "Solitary Nine Swords, second move!"


    Xiao Yi gripped the sword handle tightly and abruptly thrust upward, bringing forth a blood-red sword glare.


    Boom!


    The sword glare collided with the long spear, dispersing its accumulated force. Meanwhile, Xiao Yi leaped into the air, "Solitary Nine Swords, third move!"


    This sword strike was like a fairy descending from the heavens!


    Falling from the sky!


    Utilizing the vibrating force of the sword, Xiao Yi continuously changed positions in mid-air, smoothly dodging the spear thrust by Zhang Tianyi, and with a puff, a sword slashed down from behind him.


    Aoowu!


    Zhang Tianyi screamed in pain, stumbling forward.


    The clothes on his back were torn, and a blood-red sword mark stretched from the back of his neck to his waist, with peeled skin revealing the spine wrapped within.


    Just this one sword nearly crippled Zhang Tianyi!


    In a life-or-death moment,


    Zhang Tianyi glared fiercely at Xiao Yi. With severe injuries, he was no longer a match for Xiao Yi and chose to flee without hesitation.


    A vengeful voice echoed within the ancient tomb, "If I do not avenge this, I shall not consider myself a person!"


    Xiao Yi forged ahead with his sword, giving chase relentlessly, laughing coldly, "Vow not to be human? Then become a ghost!"

 Chapter 94 - 94: The Consequences of This Sword!

    ```


    Boom!


    Sword Qi surged forth, proving fatally dangerous to Zhang Tianyi as he fled for his life through the narrow tomb passage.


    He couldn''t dodge at all, but if he turned back to defend,


    he would end up letting Xiao Yi close the distance even more.


    He could only use his energy to form an energy shield, constantly blocking Xiao Yi''s sword moves.


    However, the energy shield was extremely draining to maintain. Once or twice was still manageable, but after several times the speed at which the energy shield could be formed could no longer keep up with the speed of Xiao Yi''s sword.


    Pfft!


    Pfft!


    Pfft!


    Several ghastly wounds appeared on Zhang Tianyi''s back, from which blood gushed, dyeing his entire back a bloody red.


    "Xiao Yi, you''re going too far!" Zhang Tianyi roared in rage.


    Xiao Yi''s face remained expressionless as he struck with his sword, "So I bullied you, what can you do about it?"


    "I..."


    Zhang Tianyi was so angry he felt like spitting blood.


    At this moment...


    The only thought in Zhang Tianyi''s mind was why he hadn''t killed Xiao Yi when he teamed up with Ye Feng. Alas, there are no pills for regret in this world.


    He fled all the way.


    Finally escaped the ancient tomb.


    Seeing light appear ahead, Zhang Tianyi felt a surge of excitement: "To escape... Once I get out of here, without the restrictions of the tomb passage, he won''t be able to catch up to me."


    "Seize life!"


    A cold voice suddenly came from behind, followed by a series of ear-piercing whooshing sounds.


    "Not good!"


    Zhang Tianyi''s complexion changed dramatically, and he quickly placed his long spear behind him.


    Clang!


    A thunderous boom erupted.


    The violent force burst out behind him, creating an immense shockwave that sent Zhang Tianyi flying.


    At the exit of the ancient tomb...


    Yue Ling''er was healing under a nearby tree when she suddenly heard a loud noise and saw Zhang Tianyi flying out like a kite with its string cut.


    Thud!


    Zhang Tianyi slammed hard into the ground, not just getting a mouthful of mud but also rolling and crawling dozens of meters away.


    But Zhang Tianyi didn''t care about his own disgrace.


    He rolled and crawled, running wildly toward the distance.


    Like a dog that had lost its home!


    "This, this is... Zhang Tianyi?" Yue Ling''er blinked, completely baffled.


    This was the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, the second-ranked person on the Teng Long List of the Tianlan Kingdom!


    How had he become so disheveled?


    "Could it be that cousin has made a breakthrough?"


    Yue Ling''er''s eyes shone with hope, thinking that only if Jiang Tai had broken through to the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm could he have driven Zhang Tianyi to such desperation.


    She quickly got up, looking hopefully towards the entrance of the tomb.


    But...


    The figure appearing before her was not Jiang Tai, but Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi stood with his sword, frowning as he glanced at Yue Ling''er, "Which way did Zhang Tianyi run?"


    "Over, over there..."


    Yue Ling''er pointed subconsciously in the direction Zhang Tianyi had fled.


    Xiao Yi grunted in acknowledgment and like an arrow shot from a bow, he relentlessly pursued.


    "Uh..."


    Yue Ling''er stood there baffled, momentarily stunned. Then, she saw the pale-faced Jiang Tai walk out from the tomb. She swallowed and stammered, "C-cousin, was it Xiao Yi chasing Zhang Tianyi just now?"


    Jiang Tai nodded, "Didn''t you see it? Which way did they run?"


    Yue Ling''er: "..."


    ...


    Above the marsh.


    Zhang Tianyi ran wildly, changing his position from left to right.


    In his wake...


    Sword Qi tore through the air, slicing through the marsh, sending black soil splattering into the air. His complexion turned deathly pale due to excessive blood loss, and he caught a glimpse of Xiao Yi in hot pursuit from the corner of his eye.


    Zhang Tianyi seethed with hate, "Xiao Yi, let me go, and I''ll no longer be your enemy!"


    ```


    Xiao Yi said, "If you stop, I won''t kill you!"


    Zhang Tianyi shouted angrily, "You don''t trust me? I can swear that I will never be your enemy again!"


    Xiao Yi said calmly, "I swear too, if you stop, I won''t kill you with my own hands!"


    Zhang Tianyi was so angry that he was fuming, "..."


    Not kill me with your own hands?


    If you hand me over to Jiang Tai, that''s still death!


    Zhang Tianyi could only grit his teeth and flee desperately, his blood dripping down his legs to the ground with every movement, causing the wounds on his back to tear and bringing waves of piercing pain.


    But under Xiao Yi''s pressure, Zhang Tianyi had no choice but to run for his life!


    "I''m close, just past the forest ahead and I can leave this damn secret realm. Once there, with the Great General around, my life will be safe!" Zhang Tianyi thought to himself.


    Driven by a strong will to survive, his speed unexpectedly increased even more.


    Through the swamp.


    Inside the dense forest.


    Where the two passed, ancient trees collapsed with loud crashes, pushing straight through, carving a wide path through the dense forest.


    Finally arriving at the edge of the forest, the exit of the secret realm was right before his eyes.


    Zhang Tianyi was so excited he was near tears; the desperate flight had been far too tormenting. With tears in his eyes, he laughed loudly, "Xiao Yi, the exit of the secret realm is right ahead, you can''t kill me! Hahahaha, when I get back, I''m going to spread the word about you. Then, there will be more than just me trying to kill you! You''re done for, no one can save you..."


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless: "Blood Explosion Skill!"


    Boom!


    Once again burning off twenty percent of his blood, the fourth level of the Blood Explosion Skill, his strength soared forty-fold, and his speed surged as he and Zhang Tianyi raced towards the exit of the secret realm...


    ......


    Outside the secret realm.


    Gu Junhe, Zhou Yuan, and other mighty figures at the peak of the Golden Core Realm sat distinctly around the entrance of the secret realm.


    Suddenly...


    Several figures opened their eyes and looked towards the exit of the secret realm: "Someone''s coming out!"


    "Who could it be?"


    "Ye Feng?"


    "Zhang Tianyi?"


    "Jiang Tai?"


    The eyes of the figures grew fervent, along with a trace of anxiety.


    The reason they had handed over this secret realm for the younger generation to trial, was because the top figures were closely matched and none wished to fight to the death, allowing others to benefit from their dispute.


    After opening up this realm, they allowed the younger generation to contend within it.


    Whose descendant seized the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, their camp would claim the victory!


    Zhou Yuan wore a confident look: "It must be Ye Feng... gentlemen, the Martial Dao Divine Fruit will belong to me!"


    "Hmph, that''s not necessarily the case; it could be Zhang Tianyi," said Wu Yu confidently.


    Among the younger generation of powerhouses who entered the secret realm, Zhang Tianyi of the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm was the foremost contender, and he was utterly confident!


    At that moment...


    The entrance to the secret realm buzzed brightly as Zhang Tianyi burst out from it.


    "Hahahaha, indeed, it''s Zhang Tianyi; gentlemen, the Martial Dao Divine Fruit is mine to take!" Wu Yu said triumphantly, his face flushed with excitement as he laughed and walked toward Zhang Tianyi.


    But just then.


    Zhang Tianyi, with a look of terror, shouted, "Great General, save me!"


    "Huh?" sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wu Yu was stunned, and then he saw Xiao Yi, his body covered in blood light, brandishing the Fire Qilin Sword and chasing after him.


    "Life-taking!"


    Xiao Yi thrust out with his sword.


    Wu Yu''s face turned pale, and he roared, "You fiend, stop right there!"


    He wanted to intervene, but it was already too late.


    Thump!


    The sword struck hard on Zhang Tianyi''s back. Zhang Tianyi spat out a mouthful of blood and fell to the ground. Xiao Yi leapt up and stepped on Zhang Tianyi.


    The cold sword blade was against Zhang Tianyi''s neck.


    "Stop!"


    Wu Yu''s face turned grim, his eyes shining with a ferocious light, he gritted his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi, let go of Tianyi now. Think carefully about the consequences if you plunge that sword. Let him go, kneel and apologize, and I can let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, you will become the public enemy of Tianlan Kingdom!"


    In Wu Yu''s view...


    He was a towering figure at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, and the commander of the Tianlan Kingdom''s three armed forces.


    Xiao Yi surely wouldn''t dare oppose his will.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s sword gently slid across, and with a soft thud, he decapitated Zhang Tianyi. Then, looking up at Wu Yu, he asked, "You were saying... what would be the consequence of this sword strike?"

 Chapter 95 - 95 Kill!!!

    Xiao Yi''s face was tinged with amusement as he looked at Wu Yu, whose face was overcast with gloom, "What was that about consequences you just mentioned?"


    Silence enveloped the surroundings.


    All eyes inevitably fell upon Zhang Tianyi, who lay dead at Xiao Yi''s feet.


    This was the second-highest master of the Teng Long List from Tianlan Kingdom!


    A formidable power from the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    And he was dead?


    Dead by the hand of Xiao Yi, who just half a month ago, was only at the Peak of the Shentong Realm?


    In his shock, Wu Yu felt a burning pain on his face, as if he had been furiously slapped dozens of times.


    Xiao Yi had actually slain Zhang Tianyi right in front of him.


    If he couldn''t kill Xiao Yi, what face would he have left?


    A raging fury ignited within him; Wu Yu''s eyes turned frosty to the extreme, his teeth clenched, "Xiao Yi, I will tear you to pieces!" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    Wu Yu struck the air with a palm from above.


    Such was the might of one at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, a palm so powerful it seemed to cause the sun and moon to lose their luster, dimming their light.


    Qi unrivaled in might, coalesced into a hand as large as a small mountain; this palm, though condensed from Qi, was so lifelike, one could even discern the lines on its palm.


    A gray hand crushed the air downwards, its terrifying might causing the ground to buzz, and pebbles to shatter explosively.


    Xiao Yi''s body quivered, surrounded by a nimbus of blood light, his longsword in motion, "Solitary Nine Swords, the third move!"


    There were nine moves in total within "Solitary Nine Swords."


    Xiao Yi''s sword pierced through the sky, and from the Fire Qilin Sword burst a beam of Sword Qi, winding around a layer of red flames, exploding with a bang as it cleaved the giant gray hand in two.


    Bang!


    The Sword Qi fractured, and the hand was split into halves.


    As Xiao Yi landed on the ground, the valley violently shook with a rumble, and the ground cracked open, spread with fierce, web-like fissures.


    Dust swirled, and rocks flew through the air.


    Xiao Yi leaped up, his toes landing upon a flying rock, he lightly tapped it, his figure soaring once more, "Solitary Nine Swords, the fifth move!"


    Every move of "Solitary Nine Swords" flowed with the heart.


    The swordsmanship was ingenious and difficult to defend against.


    His figure constantly shifted positions in mid-air, left, right, high, and low, dazzling to the eye and making it impossible to grasp his intentions.


    Suddenly...


    Clang!


    A dazzling streak of silver ripped through the air, with a swish, appearing like a silver rainbow strung across the heaven and earth, slicing towards Wu Yu.


    Wu Yu had not anticipated that Xiao Yi could break his offensive; the subsequent sword technique was even more cunning.


    He casually conjured several Qi shields to block in front of him.


    But Xiao Yi''s sword, almost as if sentient, bypassed the Qi shields and, under Wu Yu''s astonished gaze, thudded into his shoulder.


    A splash of blood-red sprayed out, hot blood spattering across his left cheek.


    Hisss!


    Everyone was stunned, "I must be seeing things..."


    "Xiao Yi has actually injured Wu Yu?"


    "This man... must not be left alive..."


    Within the crowd, Zhou Yuan wore a dark expression, his gaze on Xiao Yi shifting from initial scorn to grave seriousness.


    A few months ago...


    When Xiao Yi caused a major disturbance in the Martial Arts Institute and Zhou Yuan personally pursued him, seeking to put him to death, Xiao Yi had vowed to flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy within a year to take his life.


    At that time, Zhou Yuan considered it nothing but a joke.


    But now...


    In just a few months, Xiao Yi had acquired the strength to slay a power from the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm and was even able to wound Wu Yu, someone at the Peak of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Even considering the possibility that Wu Yu had been careless and underestimated his opponent, one could not deny Xiao Yi''s strength!


    And it had been mere months!


    "If it''s a year later?"


    "What about three years later?"


    Harboring the same thoughts were Jin Sheng, Zhuang Bifan, and Master Kong Ming from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. Xiao Yi and them had unresolvable deep hatred!


    "Wu, the Great General, I am here to assist you!" Zhuang Bifan let out a cold snort; his longsword, sheathed at his back, was drawn and held in each hand, with another clenched between his teeth.


    The strongest sword technique of Mingjian Manor��Triple Sword Style!


    A cold gleam flashed in Jin Sheng''s eyes; his grandson was slain by Xiao Yi, and even his son was left half-dead by Xiao Yi''s hand. Now that he had the chance, he certainly would not hold back.


    Swish!


    Without a word, Jin Sheng also charged toward Xiao Yi.


    Both were of the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Together with Wu Yu, the two attacked Xiao Yi. This outraged Gu Junhe, who was originally just observing the battle, "Damn it, you shameless wretches, stop this instant!"


    He had seen Wu Yu unable to threaten Xiao Yi for the moment and had been on standby, but he hadn''t expected Zhuang Bifan and Jin Sheng to be so shameless.


    One at the Golden Elixir Peak, and two at the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Three elders from the older generation were ganging up on Xiao Yi.


    Is this something people would do?


    However...


    No sooner had Gu Junhe made his move, he was stopped by Zhou Yuan and Master Kong Ming working together. Gu Junhe glared furiously, "Zhou Yuan, Kong Ming, you bald donkey, get out of my way!"


    "Xiao Yi killed Zhang Tianyi, he must die! If the Tianlan Kingdom uses this as a pretext to start a war, causing untold suffering, the humble monk cannot let you save him!" said Master Kong Ming with an air of moral superiority and a face of compassion.


    Zhou Yuan spoke indifferently, "Sacrificing one for the avoidance of war between two nations is worth it!"


    "Bullshit!"


    Gu Junhe cursed loudly.


    He tried to break through their combined attack several times, but Zhou Yuan''s strength was no less than his, and he was joined by Master Kong Ming, who was at the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    He simply couldn''t break through their blockade.


    Gu Junhe''s eyes were blood-reddened. He could only look over them in fury at Xiao Yi, who was being overwhelmed by Wu Yu and the other two, falling back step by step and he roared angrily, "Zhou Yuan, you thieving baldy... If anything happens to Xiao Yi, I''ll never let you two off the hook!"


    "Amitabha, if he can sacrifice himself to relieve the suffering of all living beings, Xiao Yi''s death would indeed be worthwhile!" Master Kong Ming put his palms together.


    Zhou Yuan''s lips curled up into a mocking, cold smile. "Gu Junhe, the righteous gain help while the unrighteous find little support. You and the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, along with Xiao Yi, have chosen to act perversely and against the tide. It is destined that you will only face defeat!"


    Meanwhile...


    Faced with the attack of three great masters, Xiao Yi was retreating step by step, his body covered in wounds.


    Zhuang Bifan, with a sword in each hand, his Sword Qi stern, stated, "Xiao Yi, from the moment you destroyed my Sword Burial Ground, you should have foreseen this day''s outcome!"


    Jin Sheng''s punches whipped up fierce winds, mighty and powerful, driving Xiao Yi into a corner punch after punch, "Join my grandson in death!"


    Wu Yu''s expression was impassive, "Even the people of your own Tianqing Kingdom are so eager to kill you; you truly deserve your fate!"


    "I am dying, your motherf��"


    Xiao Yi spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his right hand gripping tightly onto the sword hilt, his fierce eyes scanning the three men, teeth clenched, "You want my life? You three old dogs are not worthy!"


    Boom!


    The Blood Explosion Skill, the fifth level.


    The sixth level.


    The seventh level...


    Xiao Yi''s complexion was pale as snow, but upon unleashing the seventh level of the Blood Explosion Skill, his strength had increased seventyfold.


    A blood-red storm rose from beneath his feet.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The ground beneath Xiao Yi exploded, and rocks burst upward in the crimson storm, crushed to dust by Sword Qi before him.


    His eyes were a blood-red glare, the Fire Qilin Sword in his hand trembling with an ascending Sword Intent.


    What of the Golden Elixir Peak?


    What of the three great figures?


    The divine general who commanded the heavens was invincible in battle and defeated all in war!


    His blood-colored gaze swept over the three men.


    Xiao Yi''s boundless fighting spirit erupted like a volcano, his roar thundering into the skies, "Kill!!!!"

 Chapter 96 - 96: Youve Rejoiced Too Soon!

    Xiao Yi''s blood turned wicked as seven-tenths of it became tainted in a single instance.


    The seventh layer of the Blood Explosion Skill exploded in full force.


    He was truly risking his life in this fight.


    After all...


    At the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, facing three high-layer Golden Core Realm powerhouses at once, Xiao Yi had no other choice but to fight desperately or face certain death.


    He erupted with power in this dire situation!


    Of course.


    If Xiao Yi had fled desperately to Gu Junhe''s side, with Gu Junhe''s strength, he could have protected him thoroughly. But Xiao Yi was the War God, holding command over the Ancient Tomb of Eons, suppressing the existence of heavenly immortals, ghosts, demons, and gods!


    Even if the enemy was dozens of times stronger than himself, he must not lose the heart to fight bravely.


    Otherwise, how could he suppress those legendary supreme powerhouses within the Ancient Tomb of Eons?


    Almost at the same moment that Xiao Yi unleashed the seventh layer of the Blood Explosion Skill, within the Ancient Tomb of Eons, the most dazzling among the nine majestic golden pyramids suddenly trembled violently as if trying to break free from the shackles of the Ancient Tomb of Eons.


    But the eighty-one radiant divinities restraining the Ancient Tomb of Eons suddenly burst forth with blindingly brilliant light.


    Along with the clanking chains.


    Forcefully suppressing this golden pyramid.


    Of course, Xiao Yi was unaware of all these events; at that moment, his body was shrouded in a ten-zhang high sea of blood, resembling a crimson War God. Holding the Fire Qilin Sword, activating his Divine Skills, his entire body was covered with a black membrane.


    He looked like an iron figure crafted from black iron.


    Whoosh!


    The Fire Qilin Sword, swung in the air, emitted a piercing sword glare that slashed straight toward Zhuang Bifan.


    Among these three...


    The most difficult and threatening to him was naturally Wu Yu, but Wu Yu''s strength was too immense. At the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, even with Xiao Yi''s current state, killing him would be quite challenging.


    Once entangled by Wu Yu, then Zhuang Bifan and Jin Sheng would become a great threat.


    Therefore.


    Xiao Yi''s objective in this three-against-one battle was clear, to first strike down Zhuang Bifan, who had a stronger offense, then kill Jin Sheng.


    And finally, to have a deciding life-or-death battle with Wu Yu!


    "You little bastard, do you really think I''m a pushover?"


    Seeing Xiao Yi choosing him first among the three, Zhuang Bifan''s face showed a hint of annoyed anger; his sword brows furrowed tightly as the Solitary Nine Swords were fully executed. His left hand commenced work, performing two entirely different sword moves.


    And the longsword he held in his mouth was also covered with a layer of vitality, stabbing straight at the vital points like a spirit snake.


    The Solitary Nine Swords was not only fast.


    It also simultaneously performed three different sword moves, overwhelming the opponent. These were three fourth-grade famous swords, each one ranked among the top ten in the Tianqing Kingdom, not to be underestimated in power.


    The sword moves with the heart.


    Xiao Yi''s sword moves constantly changed, one by one neutralizing Zhuang Bifan''s attacks, all the while shifting positions, using Zhuang Bifan to block the offensive of Jin Sheng and Wu Yu.


    When facing the siege of three great experts, Xiao Yi did not clash directly with them.


    While bombarding Zhuang Bifan with attacks, he used Zhuang Bifan to resist the offensive of Wu Yu and the other, making Wu Yu''s trio feel restrained everywhere; despite having mighty combat strength, they couldn''t utilize it at all.


    "Nine Evolution Divine Fist!"


    Jin Sheng''s fists glimmered like gold, smashing down with thunderous force, the two fist lights converging into a column of light.


    However...


    Xiao Yi turned back, his sweep carrying the momentum of a sweeping army and sliced toward Zhuang Bifan.


    Zhuang Bifan''s longsword stood vertical, blocking the sword in front of him. Yet the great impact from the sword edge sent him flying backward, landing right on Jin Sheng''s column of light with a loud bang.


    Zhuang Bifan took the full brunt of the punch.


    Wow!


    Zhuang Bifan spat out blood, glaring fiercely at Jin Sheng: "Damn you, aim more carefully!"


    Jin Sheng''s face twisted with embarrassment: "..."


    Wu Yu snorted coldly, "Zhuang Bifan, get out of the way!"


    Zhuang Bifan tried to dodge, but Xiao Yi returned swiftly, sticking close beside him.


    Eight Extremes Collapse!


    Eight Extremes Collapse!


    Life-Chasing Soul Sword...


    The constant onslaught left Zhuang Bifan with no way to escape, rendering Wu Yu and Jin Sheng helpless and forced to look on.


    Not far away.


    Watching Xiao Yi fight one against three and still have the upper hand to the extent of toying with them effortlessly, Gu Junhe felt much relieved and burst into laughter, "Wu Yu, you three shameless old dogs ganging up on a junior from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and still falling behind? You have truly lived your years in vain!"


    Zhou Yuan''s face was also extremely ugly as he angrily said, "Wu Yu, what good are you for?"


    Master Kong Ming, with eyes narrowed, pressed his palms together as the Buddha beads in his hands gently turned. All of a sudden, with a flick of his hands, the string of beads whizzed towards Xiao Yi. These Buddha beads were a fourth-grade spiritual weapon, and if they hit Xiao Yi, he would be gravely injured if not killed.


    "Bald donkey, you dare?"


    Gu Junhe flew into a rage, hurling his wine gourd out.


    Whoosh!


    The wine gourd suddenly expanded and with a bang, collided with the Buddha beads.


    The wine gourd burst open.


    The Buddha beads were abruptly halted, missing the prime opportunity to ambush Xiao Yi.


    "Bald donkey, how utterly despicable!" Gu Junhe glared furiously.


    Master Kong Ming pressed his palms together, chanting Buddha''s name with a face full of compassion, "Amitabha, this poor monk is merely exorcising demons and protecting the path!"


    "A fine exorcism, and protection of the path! Today, I, Gu Junhe will come to see for myself the Buddhist Law of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple..."


    Gu Junhe trembled all over as the aura of someone at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm fully erupted.


    He charged directly at Master Kong Ming.


    Master Kong Ming''s face changed dramatically, shouting to Zhou Yuan, "Director Zhou, help me!"


    "I am coming too!"


    Zhou Yuan charged towards Gu Junhe, joining forces with Master Kong Ming to fight Gu Junhe into a melee.


    For a moment...


    The entire valley was filled with soaring battle intent.


    ......


    "I''ll hold him off, you two strike quickly!" Zhuang Bifan suddenly let out a low roar as three longswords circled each other, forming a sword array.


    Trinity Sword Formation!


    The three renowned swords were positioned as Heaven, Earth, and Man to form a sword-shaped cage, trapping Xiao Yi within the sword formation. Xiao Yi''s Fire Qilin Sword constantly bombarded the sword formation but was unable to break free for the moment.


    Jin Sheng and Wu Yu''s faces revealed a trace of ecstasy, "Now''s the time!"


    "Nine Evolution Divine Fist!" S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Monument Splitting Hand!"


    The attacks from Jin Sheng and Wu Yu, one from the left and one from the right, came crashing in.


    Looking at Xiao Yi trapped in the sword formation with two ferocious attacks bearing down, Zhuang Bifan laughed triumphantly, "Like a damn dog, how are you not dead yet?"


    However...


    Just as the two attacks were about to hit Xiao Yi.


    A brilliant smile suddenly appeared on Xiao Yi''s face, which in Zhuang Bifan''s eyes resembled the soul-reaping grin of the grim reaper, causing his back to suddenly break out in a cold sweat.


    The next moment...


    A streak of silver light suddenly burst forth from Xiao Yi''s bosom.


    It was none other than Little Lin!


    Little Lin''s tail swept out, directly tearing through the Trinity Sword Formation, while Xiao Yi flashed out of it. The two attacks collided behind him, and the explosive shockwave accelerated Xiao Yi''s speed by several times.


    Like an arrow leaving the bowstring, he charged at Zhuang Bifan.


    "Sword Breaking Style!"


    The strongest attacking move of the Solitary Nine Swords, Xiao Yi''s form seemed to merge with the Fire Qilin Sword, barely revealing the third phase of Sword Intent''s unity of man and sword. Whoosh, he brushed past Zhuang Bifan.


    Zhuang Bifan shuddered, his hands subconsciously clutching his neck as blood uncontrollably gushed out.


    In his ears...


    He heard Xiao Yi''s cold voice, "You''ve celebrated too soon!"

 Chapter 97 - 97: The March Agreement

    "You''re celebrating too early!"


    A cold voice rang in his ears.


    The moment the words fell.


    Zhuang Bifan''s hands clutched at his neck as blood uncontrollably spurted out like a fountain.


    His life force was rapidly draining away.


    Darkness fell before his eyes.


    His vitality was completely extinguished!


    Xiao Yi quickly grabbed Zhuang Bifan''s corpse and threw it towards Jin Sheng and his companion.


    "Get out of my way!"


    Jin Sheng raised his hand to throw a punch, explosively blasting Zhuang Bifan''s corpse away, and amidst the blood mist that filled the air, Jin Sheng suddenly saw a streak of red sword light flash before his eyes. Wu Yu''s voice came from beside him, mixed with shock and anger, "Quick, dodge!"


    "Hmm?"


    Jin Sheng was stunned and instinctively dodged to the side.


    But he was still a step too slow!


    The moment Xiao Yi threw Zhuang Bifan''s corpse, he was already closely following behind, and with a ''pff,'' his sword''s cold light slashed off Jin Sheng''s left arm. A blood-stained arm soared high into the air, like a kite with its string cut.


    Aaawooo!


    Jin Sheng let out a miserable scream, his face instantly turning pale.


    Sharp Sword Qi came from behind again, and Jin Sheng, disregarding his injury, stumbled forward. But Xiao Yi merely whistled, and amid the whoosh of a sonic boom, Little Lin wrapped itself around Jin Sheng''s neck.


    Hiss!


    Little Lin opened its mouth and its sharp poisonous fangs deeply pierced Jin Sheng''s neck.


    "What the hell is this thing?"


    Jin Sheng winced in pain, grabbed Little Lin, and brutally slammed it to the ground. With a thud, Little Lin hit the floor, blood spraying from its mouth. It rapidly coiled and slithered away to the side.


    Little Lin was not strong in combat, but its physical body was incredibly tough.


    Even Xiao Yi could not break through its scale armor defense.


    Just now, it used its sturdy scale armor to wrap around the Three Talents Sword and broke through Zhuang Bifan''s Sword Array, but it was still seriously injured by Jin Sheng''s throw, trembling on the side, its cold eyes fixed on Jin Sheng as if staring at a lifeless corpse.


    Jin Sheng, running frantically, dodged Xiao Yi''s attacks several times, only to find his speed getting slower and slower, his body increasingly heavy, and his vision now and then fading to darkness.


    Jin Sheng''s expression changed drastically, "What''s, what''s happening?"


    He raised his hand.


    A sticky mess of blood clung to his palm.


    Black blood began to spurt from his seven orifices.


    "Poisoned?"


    Jin Sheng felt his scalp go numb.


    The poison from Little Lin was terrifyingly potent, and this bite was right on his carotid artery, the toxin rapidly spreading throughout his body. Despair filled Jin Sheng''s face as he could feel his life force swiftly slipping away.


    "I must detoxify immediately, or my life is at risk!"


    With a resentful glare at Xiao Yi, Jin Sheng did not dare to stay any longer and fled desperately.


    The turmoil here naturally caught the attention of Gu Junhe and others.


    Bang!


    Gu Junhe punched Master Kong Ming, breaking most of his ribs, and if Zhou Yuan had not intervened timely, Master Kong Ming would have surely perished at Gu Junhe''s hands.


    His face went pale as he looked at the disheveled Jin Sheng fleeing and Zhuang Bifan''s dismembered body, swallowing hard, "How, how is this possible? Zhuang Bifan and the others, faced with a three against one, ended up with one dead and one fleeing?"


    Zhou Yuan''s face was extremely ugly: "Useless trash."


    Gu Junhe laughed heartily, "Xiao Yi, well done! Worthy of being the successor of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!" He looked triumphantly at Zhou Yuan and Master Kong Ming, his face mocking, "Gentlemen, does that sting?"


    Previously, these two were convinced that as long as they kept him occupied, Xiao Yi was as good as dead.


    But...


    Xiao Yi was not only alive.


    He had counter-killed Zhuang Bifan and severely injured Jin Sheng, forcing him to flee in a wretched state.


    Now, that was a resounding slap in the face!


    Zhou Yuan''s face alternated between shades of green and white, so furious he was at a loss for words.


    At Master Kong Ming''s side, his face was as pale as death. He swallowed several Buddha Pills to stabilize his injuries but could no longer maintain the detachment he had before. His Buddha Beads kept spinning in his hand, and his eyes reached the ultimate level of gloominess.


    Zhou Yuan said in a deep voice, "Kong Ming, I will stop Gu Junhe. How confident are you in helping Wu Yu slay Xiao Yi?"


    Master Kong Ming was startled, about to speak.


    Gu Junhe, who was standing nearby, already sneered, "Zhou Yuan, if you dare to do that, I will ignite my Golden Core and fight you to the death right away!"


    "You��"


    Zhou Yuan''s face stiffened and he was at a loss for words for a moment.


    His combat strength was on par with Gu Junhe, even slightly suppressing him.


    But��


    If Gu Junhe were to ignite his Golden Core, it would be a fight to the death, and even if Zhou Yuan could kill Gu Junhe in the end, he would suffer great losses himself.


    Seeing this.


    Gu Junhe also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, obviously Zhou Yuan had his concerns too.


    He flashed to Xiao Yi''s side in an instant.


    With bloodshot eyes, Xiao Yi glanced at Gu Junhe and, enduring the severe pain all over his body as well as the exhaustion and weakness from loss of blood, gritted his teeth and said, "Headmaster!"


    "Leave it to me!"


    Gu Junhe nodded at Xiao Yi and placed his palm on Xiao Yi''s body, infusing a surge of vital energy into him. With the boost of vital energy, the color returned slightly to Xiao Yi''s face. Gu Junhe, staring at Wu Yu with an extremely ugly expression, said indifferently, "You can''t kill him, how about we call it quits?"


    Snorting, Wu Yu said with a dark face, "He killed our national Tianjiao, Zhang Tianyi. Do you expect me to let this go so easily?"


    Gu Junhe spoke indifferently, "Before entering the secret realm, we had an agreement that we will not discuss life and death in the competition within. When Zhang Tianyi and the others issued the kill order against Xiao Yi earlier, I did not interfere!"


    "That was inside the secret realm�� Zhang Tianyi had already escaped from the secret realm, yet Xiao Yi was relentless in pursuing... If we let it go like this, where would my face be?" Wu Yu said.


    That being said.


    Inside, Wu Yu was already starting to beat a retreat.


    Although he was at the Golden Elixir Peak and had experienced many battles.


    It''s not easy to suppress Xiao Yi at this moment either!


    Moreover��


    Xiao Yi''s desperate fighting style had also deeply alarmed him. Additionally, with Gu Junhe flanking, he knew it was impossible to kill Xiao Yi today. However, Wu Yu was clearly not willing to let Xiao Yi off the hook just like that. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Junhe said indifferently, "If you''re not satisfied, I can accompany you in a battle!"


    "You��"


    Wu Yu''s face changed repeatedly, his expression uncertain.


    At this moment.


    Xiao Yi spoke up, "If you want to kill me, let the strong from Tianlan Kingdom come to the Royal Martial Arts Academy in three months!"


    "Huh?"


    Wu Yu was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze turned towards Zhou Yuan and Master Kong Ming, an icy chill in his eyes as he said slowly, "I have said that within a year, I will flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy. In three months, I will personally go to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and then you can send your strong ones over!"


    "Xiao Yi��"


    Gu Junhe''s face changed.


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy is the holy land of martial arts in Tianqing Kingdom.


    Even he dared not claim to flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy outright. To him, Xiao Yi''s actions were suicidal!


    Yet Xiao Yi gently shook his head, stopping Gu Junhe from persuading him further, fixing Zhou Yuan with a stare, "Zhou Yuan, you old dog, do you dare accept the challenge?"


    Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly, "In three months, I will have a coffin ready for you!"


    Master Kong Ming murmured Amitabha and, with his Buddha Beads rolling and a cold expression on his face, said, "At that time, my Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple will definitely send people there!"


    Xiao Yi turned to Wu Yu.


    Wu Yu''s expression fluctuated, he took a deep breath, and said through gritted teeth, "Fine, in three months, my Tianlan Kingdom will surely come on time!"


    Zhou Yuan and others soared into the sky and disappeared into the horizon.


    With a complex expression on his face, Gu Junhe looked at Xiao Yi and sighed, "Xiao Yi, you''re too impulsive... The Royal Martial Arts Academy has a profound background, far beyond what you understand..."


    Xiao Yi gave a faint smile, about to speak, but suddenly everything went black, and he passed out.


    Gu Junhe quickly caught him, looking at Xiao Yi in his arms, he sighed gently, a resolute look appearing in his eyes, "Well then... I''ll accompany you in your utter madness!"

 Chapter 98 - 98: The Struggle for First Place

    Inside the valley.


    Gu Junhe gave Xiao Yi many elixirs to consume and, seeing Xiao Yi''s complexion regain some of its rosiness, finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    Looking at the dozen or so empty medicine bottles on the ground, Gu Junhe couldn''t help but laugh bitterly, "This kid... In order to save you, he almost emptied out my entire stock... You better not disappoint me!"


    Xiao Yi had burned up to seventy percent of his blood.


    Any other person at the Golden Core Realm would have long since died from excessive blood loss.


    Gu Junhe had also been startled when he saw Xiao Yi''s blood was nearly drained.


    He hastily fed all his treasured elixirs to Xiao Yi.


    "What a monster!"


    Watching the body that had become withered after losing the power boost of the Blood Explosion Skill, slowly recovering, Gu couldn''t help but take a deep breath, "Such terrifying recovery ability is no less than some Spiritual Bodies!"


    In the Heavenly Yuan Realm.


    There are many special physiques, and from weak to strong, they are classified as Spiritual Body, Sacred Body, and Divine Body!


    For instance, Xiao Tianjiao possesses the Supreme Overlord Holy Body!


    This is a terrifying physique that can evolve into a Divine Body.


    Although Xiao Yi doesn''t possess a special physique, the transformation from the silent influence of the divine power has made his body no weaker than an ordinary Spiritual Body. Otherwise, he would not have survived after consuming so much blood!


    Hum!


    The entrance to the secret realm suddenly transmitted a surge of energy fluctuations.


    Jiang Tai walked out with the support of Yue Ling''er, and the first thing they saw was the unconscious Xiao Yi and Gu Junhe.


    Jiang Tai''s face changed, and he quickly asked, "Principal Gu, Xiao, is he...?"


    "He''s fine!"


    Gu Junhe shook his head and frowned at Jiang Tai, "What about you? What happened to you?"


    Upon hearing Xiao Yi was fine, Jiang Tai also relaxed and then bitterly recounted everything that had happened in the secret realm to Gu Junhe, "I didn''t expect Junior Brother Xiao to be so terrifying, even Ye Feng was killed by him..."


    "Not just Ye Feng?"


    Gu wore a strange expression and moved his mouth towards a side, "Zhang Tianyi and Zhuang Bifan were both killed by him. Jin Sheng from the Nine Profound Sect also had an arm severed by him and fled in a sorry state..."


    Hiss!


    Jiang Tai and Yue Ling''er took a sharp breath, exchanging glances and seeing the shock in each other''s eyes.


    Zhuang Bifan and Jin Sheng!


    They were both high-level Golden Core practitioners from the older generation.


    They were killed by Xiao Yi?


    Seeing the astonishment that left the two at a loss for words, Gu Junhe thought for a moment but decided not to tell them that Xiao Yi had fought Wu Yu, who was at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, for dozens of rounds without falling at a disadvantage!


    To avoid hitting them too hard and making them lose their confidence in pursuing the martial path.


    Yue Ling''er sized up Xiao Yi with curiosity and suspicion sparkling in her phoenix eyes.


    The first time they met.


    Yue Ling''er didn''t think much of Xiao Yi at all.


    When they met again.


    In front of her, Xiao Yi had slain Ling Feng, making it hard for her to believe.


    Now, the third time they met...


    Even though Xiao Yi was unconscious, his battle achievements had also shaken her heart.


    Gu Junhe glanced at the secret realm entrance behind them and frowned, "Logically, now that you''ve broken through the main tomb, others should have come out too. How come it''s only you two..."


    "They''re all dead, I suppose!" said Yue Ling''er.


    "Hmm?"


    Gu Junhe was taken aback, "Was the competition in the secret realm that intense?"


    Jiang Tai glanced at the unconscious Xiao Yi and said with a bitter smile, "Most of them were killed by Junior Brother Xiao!"


    "Eh... He killed them?"


    Gu Junhe looked confused.


    Twenty people each from the royal family and the Royal Martial Arts Academy, ten each from the Nine Profound Sect and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, four from Mingjian Manor, and ten from the Tianlan Kingdom.


    All seventy or eighty people were killed by Xiao Yi?


    Gu Junhe looked down at the unconscious Xiao Yi, rubbed his forehead with his hand, and said with a wry smile, "This guy... Does he have such a heavy killing intent?"


    Yue Ling''er said, "Elder Gu, it was those people who tried to take Xiao Yi''s life first, that''s why he killed them!"


    Gu Junhe let out a sound.


    Jiang Tai looked at her with a strange expression, "Ling''er, you... seem to be very concerned about Xiao, aren''t you?"


    "Wha, what..."


    Yue Ling''er''s face turned red with embarrassment.


    But from the corner of her eye, she couldn''t help but glance over at Xiao Yi from time to time.


    Jiang Tai''s expression turned thoughtful.


    Gu Junhe shook his head and said, "Since no one else is coming out, we can also close the entrance to the secret realm!"


    With a wave of his hand, the secret realm''s entrance dispersed into nothingness.


    Out of the blue, Jiang Tai said, "Elder, this is a Martial Dao Divine Fruit that I acquired from the ancient tomb!"


    "You keep it,"


    Gu Junhe waved his hand, not even glancing at the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, for he was still young and fully capable of breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm on his own, "Let''s head back first! Next up, the Royal Capital is going to be a lively place indeed��"


    Gu Junhe whistled.


    High above in the sky.


    The Cangyun Eagle flapped its wings and descended, carrying a few people as they soared into the air...


    ......


    Just as Gu Junhe had predicted.


    The Royal Capital indeed became bustling with excitement, with everyone from noble lords to commoners in the streets discussing the battle in the secret realm.


    And the most famous from this battle was naturally Xiao Yi!


    He had slain nearly eighty young talents from various major forces!


    Fighting one against three, killing the lord of Mingjian Manor, grievously wounding the elder of Nine Profound Sect, and clashing with a peak Golden Elixir Realm powerhouse for dozens of rounds without falling behind, and so on...


    A series of such news spread through the entire Royal Capital like a plague.


    Xiao Yi became famous in one battle!


    Simultaneously...


    The news that Xiao Yi had agreed to fight Zhou Yuan and flatten the Martial Arts Institute in three months also spread rapidly, with the source being none other than Treasure Pavilion, the very same entity in charge of the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List!


    Treasure Pavilion''s influence extended across the Heavenly Yuan Realm, and its intelligence network was immensely powerful, with eyes and ears everywhere.


    On this day.


    Outside the Treasure Pavilion.


    It was already a sea of people.


    "The latest Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List is about to go on sale soon, where do you think Xiao Yi will rank?"


    "He must be in the top three!"


    "Top three? You are underestimating him. Xiao Yi killed Zhang Tianyi, the second-ranked of the Tianlan Kingdom''s Teng Long List, and the lord of Mingjian Manor. I think he might very well challenge for first place!"


    "First place? That''s impossible. Great Prince Jiang Shanhe has been at the ninth layer of the Golden Elixir Realm for two years, firmly holding the top spot on the Teng Long List. Xiao Yi cannot surpass him!"


    "I heard that Xiao Yi is only at the fourth layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. There''s still a significant gap between him and the Great Prince, so it''s unlikely he''ll surpass the Great Prince any time soon."


    "I think Xiao Yi has a good chance of challenging for first place..."


    Among the crowd, there was a heated debate.


    More than half of their focus in the debate was whether Xiao Yi could surpass Jiang Shanhe and become the first-ranked on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List and Teng Long List.


    Being first on the Teng Long List.


    That also signified the glory of being the foremost among the Tianqing Kingdom''s younger generation.


    It was a matter of significant importance!


    Under the watchful eyes of the masses, the doors of the Treasure Pavilion slowly opened.


    A young man stood at the doorway and shouted, "The latest edition of the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List is now on sale, one hundred Gold Coins per copy, limited to one copy per person!"


    Whoosh!


    The crowd rushed in, frantically purchasing.


    Moments later... S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A young man squeezed out from the crowd, eagerly flipping open the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List. Upon seeing the contents, he couldn''t help but draw in a sharp breath, "This, this..."

 Chapter 99 - 99: Renowned Everywhere, Xiao Yi Awakens!

    "Wha, what is this..."


    "Oh my God, I must be seeing things..."


    "How is this possible?"


    "The Tianqing Kingdom is in for a change..."


    From within the crowd, exclamations of shock followed one after another, filling the air. Every strong warrior was clutching the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List with faces filled with horror, unable to stop their gasps of surprise.


    On that very list, sharing the coveted top spot on the Tenglong List right next to Crown Prince Jiang Shanhe, was another name.


    Xiao Yi!


    Heaven-level student of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, with major achievements including: slaying Ye Feng, who was second on Tianqing Kingdom''s Tenglong List, defeating Zhang Tianyi, second on Tianlan Kingdom''s Tenglong List, killing the master of Mingjian Manor, and crippling an elder of the Nine Profound Sect...


    Every newbie who enters the Tenglong List would have their major achievements listed.


    This was essential for the rankings on the list to carry more weight!


    Until now.


    Everyone thought that at most Xiao Yi would only replace Ye Feng and claim the second spot on the Tenglong List, but to everyone''s surprise, Treasure Pavilion had ranked Xiao Yi alongside Jiang Shanhe, as the joint top figure on the Tenglong List.


    Joint first place!


    This was unprecedented in the history of the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List.


    Putting aside the dazzling series of achievements following Xiao Yi''s name, just his shared first place with Jiang Shanhe was already astonishing enough!


    Every strong warrior who had gotten their hands on a copy of the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List and seen this news, all looked in the direction of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and muttered to themselves, "The name Xiao Yi will surely spread across the world!"


    Treasure Pavilion has branches everywhere.


    Dragon and Tiger Lists of various countries could be purchased, and the name Xiao Yi quickly spread far and wide.


    In the Tianlan Kingdom.


    Wu Yu respectfully looked at the brocade-clad youth in front of him, who was none other than Wu Zheng, the top figure on the Tianlan Kingdom''s Tenglong List and the reigning Crown Prince.


    "Xiao Yi? Joint first on the Tianqing Tenglong List?"


    Wu Zheng clenched his fist fiercely, the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List in his hand turned into a blaze and burnt to ashes. His face revealed a grim and cold smile, "Issue my order, in three months, I will personally visit the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Yes!"


    Wu Yu bowed respectfully and withdrew.


    In the Purple Robe Kingdom.


    Yue Ling''er was staring at the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List in her hands, dazed. After a long while, she put down the list and rushed straight to the residence of the current Crown Prince Yue Cang, "Big brother, big brother, come out quickly!"


    "Ling''er? What brings you to visit me?" Yue Cang, with his trouser legs and sleeves rolled up, wearing a sun hat, and holding a watering can, was tending to his flowers. He looked curiously at the hastily arriving Yue Ling''er and asked.


    Yue Ling''er pursed her lips and said, "In three months, you have to accompany me to the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Ah? No way, no way!"


    Yue Cang was taken aback and shook his head, "This secret realm ordeal, Xiao Yi of the Tianqing Kingdom has killed too many people. His name has spread throughout the surrounding six countries by now, and surely many strong warriors will gather in the Tianqing Kingdom. There are a few tough guys who have been wanting to challenge me, and I would rather not waste my time with them!"


    Yue Ling''er''s face fell cold as she said, "You won''t go? Then I''ll just have to tell Father about your secret visit to Smoke and Dust..."


    "Shh!"


    Suddenly, Yue Cang vanished from where he was standing, covered Yue Ling''er''s mouth with his hand, and said with a mixture of crying and laughter, "Oh my dear aunt, I''ll go, okay? You absolutely cannot let this get out..."


    Adjacent to the Tianqing Kingdom were the Baijing Kingdom, Qingyun Kingdom, and Sihai Kingdom.


    Within these nations...


    Some of the favored children of heavens also received the news, "Golden Core Realm Four Layer, actually on par with Jiang Shanhe? Interesting, I really want to see what kind of genius this is!"


    "Most likely the Treasure Pavilion of Tianqing Kingdom is exaggerating. No matter how talented one is, how could they possibly kill an Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm expert with just the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm? I''m going to expose them in person..."


    "Three months from now, in Tianqing Kingdom, I shall go!"


    Just as Gu Junhe had said, Xiao Yi was indeed renowned in all directions.


    His fame skyrocketed!


    However...


    As the one who caused all this commotion, Xiao Yi knew nothing about it.


    Half a month had passed since he returned from the secret realm.


    During these past two weeks, Xiao Yi had been in a coma. If it wasn''t for his heartbeat still persisting, Gu Junhe would have thought he was dead.


    This time his exhaustion was truly tremendous!


    He had ignited seventy percent of his blood.


    If it were anyone else, they would have died long ago.


    That he was still alive was a miracle!


    In the bedroom. S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A silver-coated Little Lin was coiled by Xiao Yi''s pillow. Over these past two weeks, it had not only regained its vitality but was full of energy and had successfully stepped into the Fourth Order realm. In terms of cultivation alone, it was comparable to the early stage of the Golden Core Realm.


    Together with its powerful body that could withstand attacks from peak Golden Core Realm experts and the potent venom that could threaten Eighth Layer Golden Core Realm enemies, it was an extremely difficult foe.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin lifted its head, its emerald eyes looking towards the door.


    When it saw that Fang Qingzhu had come in, it relaxed, lazily worming its way over to her. Landing on her shoulder, it gently touched her cheek with a worried gaze at Xiao Yi.


    Fang Qingzhu placed Little Lin on the table, rubbed its little head, and said, "Don''t worry, Xiao Yi will wake up soon." After a pause, she looked at Xiao Yi, who lay motionless on the bed, and repeated in a more resolute voice, "He will definitely wake up!"


    For the past half month, it had been Fang Qingzhu who took meticulous care of Xiao Yi.


    Day after day, under the nourishment of century-old ginseng and red-bellied brocade chicken soup, the blood that Xiao Yi lost was recovering.


    It was just that the expenditure from that battle was too great, which was why he had yet to wake up.


    But Xiao Yi''s life was out of danger.


    "Xiao Yi, do you know? You are now on top of the Teng Long List, tied with Great Prince Jiang Shanhe!"


    Fang Qingzhu helped Xiao Yi to sit up against the headrest, talking to him. "Elder Yan and Bingxin sent a letter the other day! Elder Yan planned to visit the capital soon; you need to wake up earlier. Otherwise, if you are still in a coma when they come, that would be really embarrassing!"


    Fang Qingzhu cooled the chicken soup in the spoon and fed it to Xiao Yi bit by bit, "Do you remember when we first met, Xiao Yi? I was really desperate at that time! If it weren''t for you, I might have already been... Thank goodness for you!"


    "Xiao Yi..."


    Fang Qingzhu kept talking about the past.


    From when she met Xiao Yi to all that had happened along this journey.


    From the memories of her childhood to the present...


    During this half a month, she had persisted, talking to Xiao Yi every day, hoping to awaken him. Yet, as she saw Xiao Yi still with his eyes tightly shut, a layer of mist gradually formed over her eyes.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin crawled up to her shoulder, its tail gently wiping the tears from the corner of her eye.


    "Little Lin, I''m okay!"


    Fang Qingzhu offered a faint smile, but as she turned her head back, the bowl and spoon clattered to the ground. She widened her eyes in disbelief at the sight before her, Xiao Yi: "..."

 Chapter 100 - 100 Qingyun Banquet

    "Xiao Yi, Brother Xiao Yi? You, you''re awake?"


    Fang Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yi with incredulity, her phoenix eyes wide open and a layer of mist already veiling her watery orbs.


    Hiss!


    The Little Lin on her shoulder also stood erect, staring intently at Xiao Yi.


    In its eyes was a human-like excitement.


    Xiao Yi squeezed out a faint smile on his pale face, nodded, and with a hoarse voice that was still somewhat weak, he said, "Sorry for making you worry!"


    Even though he had been in a coma for half a month, there were times when he could still sense everything that was happening outside.


    Fang Qingzhu''s meticulous care over the past half-month, her tireless conversations in hopes of awakening him��Xiao Yi was fully aware of all this.


    Xiao Yi tried to rise, but his arms felt weak and he leaned heavily against the headboard.


    "Brother Xiao Yi, don''t move...What do you want to do? Let me help you!" Fang Qingzhu said in panic, supporting Xiao Yi as she hastily asked.


    With the help of Fang Qingzhu, he sat up properly.


    Xiao Yi caught Fang Qingzhu''s retreating hand. Her soft palm was somewhat cool, and medicinal ointment was applied on the back of her hand. Xiao Yi asked with concern, "Does it still hurt?"


    This was where Fang Qingzhu had accidentally scalded herself while stewing soup for him.


    Before this incident,


    Fang Qingzhu had never cooked, but for Xiao Yi, she started learning to cook, learning to make soup, learning to take care of people.


    Xiao Yi remembered all of this in his heart.


    Fang Qingzhu shook her head, a sweet smile on her face as she said, "It doesn''t hurt!"


    "You''re lying!"


    Xiao Yi forced a smile.


    Fang Qingzhu was taken aback and lowered her head, "It hurt a bit at the beginning, but His Highness the Seventh Prince got me these ointments, and they worked very well. It doesn''t hurt anymore!"


    Xiao Yi gently stroked Fang Qingzhu''s messy fringe on her forehead and said in a deep voice, "Qingzhu, thank you for staying by my side all this time!"


    "Brother Xiao Yi..."


    Fang Qingzhu hesitated for a moment and then rested her head against his chest, "We are husband and wife, if you never leave, I will never forsake you!"


    Smelling the faint fragrance that entered his nose, Xiao Yi gently patted her shoulder and lightly rested his chin against her head.


    In this life...


    Besides his mother, at least for now, Fang Qingzhu was the only one who had entered the sanctuary of his heart. This feeling was more than just between husband and wife, it was also an inseparable kinship!


    In his eyes, however, there was an unprecedented determination!


    Little Lin, looking at the two hugging each other, glanced left and right at itself, then brought its tail to its head.


    It rested its head against its tail.


    Its face showed a human-like contentment.


    ��


    At Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, behind the mountain.


    It was still that waterfall.


    Xiao Yi stood beneath the waterfall, holding an energy stone in each hand.


    The surging energy from the energy stones infused into his body, converging within his Golden Core, and above Xiao Yi''s Golden Core were already five light rings floating up and down.


    This signified that his cultivation had stepped into the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Half a month had passed since he woke up.


    "Breaking through a realm now requires fifty medium-grade energy stones, and the further I go, the greater the consumption��"


    Xiao Yi slowly opened his eyes, looking at the energy stones in his hand that had lost their luster and turned to waste, he sighed deeply.


    Back then, in that ancient tomb, Xiao Yi had obtained a little over a thousand low-grade energy stones, one hundred forty medium-grade, and twelve high-grade ones.


    The medium-grade energy stones contained ten times the energy of the low-grade ones, and the high-grade ones ten times that of the medium-grade.


    To break through to the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, he had exhausted all the low-grade energy stones.


    The remaining medium and high-grade energy stones amounted to what would be equivalent to two hundred and sixty medium-grade energy stones: "Two hundred and sixty medium-grade energy stones... Should be enough to break through to the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Below the tribulation, I''ll be invincible, Zhou Yuan is no longer a concern!"


    The greatest reward for Xiao Yi from this secret realm adventure was not the spirit stones, but those three Martial Dao Divine Fruits.


    Each of these Martial Dao Divine Fruits could be exchanged for several hundred or even a thousand top-quality spirit stones.


    But Xiao Yi had no intention of selling the Martial Dao Divine Fruits.


    "Xiao!"


    Jiang Tai''s voice came from outside the waterfall, and with a step, Xiao Yi emerged with rolling vital energy surrounding him, preventing the cascading water from getting close.


    In just a few flashes, Xiao Yi had reached Jiang Tai''s side.


    After the journey through the secret realm.


    Xiao Yi had come to recognize Jiang Tai. He sized him up and down and laughed, "Congratulations, elder brother, your cultivation has greatly improved!"


    Since returning from the secret realm, Jiang Tai had already stepped into the Eighth Layer Realm of the Golden Core Realm.


    His combat power was also even stronger than before!


    Jiang Tai rolled his eyes and said exasperatedly, "You''re supposed to be complimenting me, right? But why does it sound so awkward to my ears?"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, clearly aware Jiang Tai was referring to him being tied for first place on the Teng Long List, and then shook his head, "Did elder brother need me for something?"


    Jiang Tai nodded, a playful look on his face, holding an invitation between two fingers, "This is for you!"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, opened it, and looked with a peculiar expression, "Jiang Shanhe is inviting me to the Qingyun Banquet?"


    In half a month''s time, it would be the Tianqing Kingdom''s Qingyun Festival.


    Every year at this time, when the unique Qingyun flowers of the Tianqing Kingdom bloom, the royal family holds the Qingyun Banquet to invite the outstanding young talents from within the kingdom.


    Moreover, with the Crown Prince position not yet decided, the recent Qingyun Banquets have been organized by the eldest prince.


    Given Xiao Yi''s relationship with the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he couldn''t fathom why Jiang Shanhe would send him an invitation! sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jiang Tai squinted his eyes and suggested, "Maybe he wants to recruit you?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, "Recruit me? It''s probably a setup for a trap, aiming to put me in a deadly situation!"


    "Don''t worry, the Qingyun Banquet is a state banquet. If anything goes wrong, father won''t spare him, and he wouldn''t dare make a rash move. If you don''t want to go, I can help you decline," Jiang Tai said.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively and smiled at the invitation in his hand, "Go, why not go? Not only will I attend, but our fellow brothers from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy will go as well!"


    "Ah?"


    Jiang Tai was taken aback.


    "Our Tianqi Martial Arts Academy is too poor, you see, the Shi Family brothers and Niu Dali have all starved to the point of skinniness, it''s a good opportunity to take them for a good meal!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits, "It''s also a good chance for me to see for myself what this eldest prince, who has held the top position on the Teng Long List for many years, is really like!"


    A strong sense of fighting spirit suddenly burst forth from him.


    Ten days flew by in the blink of an eye...


    At the gate of the Tianqi Martial Arts Institute.


    Xiao Yi looked at Gu Junhe, who was drinking sullenly next to the Cangyun Eagle, and said helplessly, "Headmaster, the Qingyun Banquet is for young people, it''s really not suitable for you to go!"


    "Are you saying I''m old?" Gu Junhe squinted his eyes and asked.


    With a serious face, Xiao Yi hummed in agreement.


    Gu Junhe: "..."


    Niu Dali chuckled and said, "Headmaster, let the young people handle their affairs; you don''t need to get involved!"


    "Are you saying I''m old?" Gu Junhe asked again, putting down his liquor gourd.


    Mimicking Xiao Yi''s seriousness, Niu Dali nodded his head, but before he could utter a word, he was abruptly smacked to the ground by Gu Junhe''s palm.


    The slap made stars dance in his vision.


    Gu Junhe grabbed Niu Dali''s ankle and dragged him towards the institute like dragging a dead dog. Niu Dali''s head made a thudding sound with every intimate contact with the stairs, and Gu Junhe''s voice drifted, "You all go! Niu Dali will stay with me in the institute for some extra training."


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Everyone looked at the stairs with over a thousand steps, swallowing saliva subconsciously, their faces filled with sympathy.


    Shi Yaoming sighed and said earnestly, "Brother Dali, keep the headmaster company, we will eat your share as well..."

 Chapter 101 - 101: For Your Drink!

    Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion!


    It sits at the bustling intersection of Vermilion Bird Avenue and Azure Dragon Avenue in the royal capital.


    Though not the most luxurious tavern in the capital, it bore the strongest backing, hosting many royal banquets. For example, the current Azure Cloud Banquet was held within this Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion.


    Along the road, the non-stop flow of carriages was seen.


    Those within the carriages were either rich or noble.


    Not only did they include many famous and esteemed families from Tianqing Kingdom, but also numerous gifted masters from the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List.


    Azure Cloud Banquet, implying an ascension into the Azure Clouds.


    It was specifically organized by the royal family to invite the young heroes within the kingdom.


    "Xiao Yi, brother, the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion is so grand!" Fang Qingzhu admired the elegant and imposing building before her with a look of wonder on her face.


    Little Lin, perched on her shoulder, craned his neck and stuck out his tongue lightly.


    The Shi Family''s four brothers exchanged a glance, excitement plain on their faces. Shi Yaoqian''s eyes shone, "Owning such a tavern in this prosperous area would be like raking in gold every day!"


    Shi Yaodu rolled the dice in his hand non-stop, his eyes slightly squinted, "I wonder if there are any gambling games at this Azure Cloud Banquet!"


    "Gambling, gambling, gambling, is that all you ever think about? In a place like this, making connections with geniuses from all over is what''s most important, isn''t it?" Shi Yaoquan glanced at his brother and said, annoyed.


    Shi Yaoming said indifferently, "Second brother, as long as we hold tight to Xiao''s coattails, do we need to make connections with any other genius?"


    Shi Yaoquan''s face stiffened.


    Just as Shi Yaoming said, wasn''t Xiao Yi the most talked-about genius in Tianqing Kingdom at the moment?


    Xiao Yi glanced at the three and said, speechlessly, "Speak any more nonsense, and I''ll have you roll back home!"


    The four of them promptly shut up.


    Xiao Yi, holding Fang Qingzhu''s hand, smiled and said, "The Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion is backed by the royal family, naturally it is a lot more imposing! Brother Jiang should already be inside, let''s go in!"


    "Yes!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded obediently.


    Suddenly, a harsh whooshing sound came hurtling towards her shoulder, and Little Lin tensed up on her shoulder. He quickly turned and dodged as a streak of silver light, avoiding it just in time as a dark shadow flashed by.


    Swish!


    The cloth on Fang Qingzhu''s shoulder was torn apart.


    "Diao, come back!" An arrogant voice called out.


    The dark shadow quickly returned to the shoulder of a youth in brocade robes, with a face like a jade carving and a handsome, spirited appearance. Astonishingly, it was a gray-colored fourth-grade demon fox marten. The fox marten''s fiery eyes were fixed on Little Lin, who had climbed back onto Fang Qingzhu''s shoulder, its gaze filled with greed.


    Fox martens were naturally fond of preying on snake-type demons, and it had just tried to prey on Little Lin.


    "Are you all right?" Xiao Yi hastily inquired.


    Fang Qingzhu shook her head, her face slightly pale, but immediately hugged Little Lin in her arms, checking him over to make sure he wasn''t injured. Only then did she look at the youth, "You..."


    Before she could finish speaking,


    The youth arrogantly said, "My Diao has taken a fancy to your snake, sell it to me!"


    Meanwhile,


    The youth flicked his finger, and a silver note of one hundred silver floated towards Fang Qingzhu.


    Frowning with displeasure, Fang Qingzhu raised her hand and sent a gust of wind to blow the silver note back, saying coldly, "Little Lin is not for sale!"


    "Is it that you find the money too little?" demanded the young man impatiently, "One thousand silver!"


    Today, the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion was already full of people, and many recognized the youth: "Isn''t that the son of the Minister of War, Li Heng? He''s a master on the Flying Tiger List, and also proficient in The Way of Beast Tamer, truly one of the elites among the young generation!"


    "Young lady, you should just sell that demon beast to Young Master Li!"


    "Young Master Li is not someone you can afford to provoke!" the crowd advised in turn.


    Despite Xiao Yi''s growing reputation, very few people had actually seen him.


    Not to mention Fang Qingzhu.


    Fang Qingzhu retorted angrily, "Little Lin is our partner, and we will absolutely not sell him!"


    Over these past months, she had developed a deep, rooted bond with Little Lin, regarding him as a friend and family member. She would not sell him for mere thousands of silver, not even for a million yuan stones!


    Little Lin seemed to understand, holding its head high, its little eyes fixed on Fang Qingzhu.


    Squeak squeak squeak!


    The green marten on Li Heng''s shoulder let out a few piercing shrieks, standing its fur on end and drooling uncontrollably.


    "Alright, alright, I know you''re hungry!"


    Li Heng doted on the marten by rubbing its head, then looked towards Xiao Yi and the others, saying arrogantly, "I''ll say this one last time, hand over that little snake, crawl under my crotch, and I''ll let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, I..."


    His words were cut off.


    A crisp slap suddenly sounded across his face.


    Li Heng''s body spun on the spot from the impact, seeing stars, and he looked around in disbelief, "Who? Who hit me?"


    He was at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, along with a marten comparable to the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    How could he not have seen who slapped him?


    All was silent around.


    Nobody had seen who made the move.


    Li Heng''s face turned ashen with rage, unable to find the assailant, his eyes filled with venomous hate as he stared at Xiao Yi and his companions, "You... it must be you who ambushed me!" He patted the marten on his shoulder, "Little Diao, kill them for me!"


    The green marten was a fiercely murderous beast.


    Upon receiving Li Heng''s command,


    It gave a squeak.


    Whoosh!


    It turned into a grey streak of light, charging straight towards Fang Qingzhu, aiming to slay her and then capture Little Lin on her.


    Li Heng wore a look of triumph, "This is the fate of those who offend me!"


    However...


    Faced with the rapidly approaching marten,


    Xiao Yi merely gestured towards the void, invisible energy coalescing into a giant hand that snatched the marten firmly.


    Squeak squeak squeak... S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The marten glared with rage, struggling hysterically.


    Li Heng''s face underwent a drastic change, seeing Little Diao caught in Xiao Yi''s hand, powerless to break free, his heart skipped a beat, realizing he was facing a real expert. Li Heng spoke hastily, "Release Little Diao, and I will not pursue any grudge with you..."


    To tame that marten, he had exhausted countless resources and wealth.


    Just finding a young green marten had cost him nearly ten million silver pieces!


    "Not hold a grudge with us?"


    Xiao Yi let out a sneer, glancing sideways at Li Heng and suddenly clenching his fists harder.


    Crack!


    The sound of breaking bones made one''s scalp tingle.


    Squeak...


    The marten let out a pitiful cry, its life hanging by a thread.


    Xiao Yi tossed it towards Little Lin, "Here''s something for you to enjoy with your drink!"


    Hiss!


    With a single swallow, Little Lin consumed the marten.


    Little Lin was already comparable to a primary fourth-tier demonic beast, possessing strength equivalent to the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Once it assimilated the marten, chances were it would break through to the middle fourth-tier.


    After swallowing the marten, Little Lin returned to Xiao Yi''s embrace.


    In front of the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion, silence reigned.


    Pant! Pant!


    Li Heng watched Xiao Yi with disbelief. Had his painstakingly nurtured marten died just like that?


    But now, he didn''t dare to move an inch!


    If Xiao Yi could subdue a marten comparable to the Golden Core Realm with a single slap, how could he be his match?


    While Li Heng was in panic, his eyes suddenly brightened, and he sprinted towards the figure emerging from the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion, "..."

 Chapter 102 - 102: Its You Who Should Kneel!

    Li Heng''s face was filled with excitement and elation as he ran towards the figure emerging from the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion.


    While running,


    Li Heng turned his head back to look at Xiao Yi and his companions, his face twisted with smugness and ferocity, "You mangy curs, you will soon know just how terrifying the consequences of offending this young master are! Hahaha..."


    "Lei, you must stand up for me!"


    Li Heng, jogging all the way, arrived in front of the young man, sobbing his heart out.


    His father was the imperial Minister of War, a dignitary of the first rank.


    In the capital,


    Li Heng also belonged to the cream of the second generation.


    It was natural that he was acquainted with Yun Lei!


    Yun Lei was stunned; he had been entertaining guests on behalf of the crown prince when he heard a conflict brewing outside and came out to see what was going on.


    He hadn''t expected to step outside just to encounter Li Heng running up to him, crying his eyes out with a runny nose. The Yun Family had a good relationship with the Li Family, and Yun Lei had known Li Heng for many years. Seeing the fiery red palm mark on his face, Yun Lei furrowed his brows and asked, "Heng, how did you end up like this?"


    With a face full of resentment, Li Heng said, "Lei, someone killed my Diao and beat me up like this. You must seek justice for me!"


    But he was indeed reversing right and wrong!


    He did not mention at all that it was his own silver fox that had struck first, attempting to capture and kill Little Lin, and when his offer of one thousand taels of silver to forcefully buy Little Lin was declined, he resorted to murder. He only mentioned the killing of the silver fox and the fact that he was beaten.


    Yun Lei''s brows were tightly knit.


    He had been an earth-grade student himself but had stepped into the First Layer of the Golden Core Realm half a month earlier, becoming a heaven-grade student �C his status soaring high, basking in the height of success.


    Seeing his childhood friend beaten up like this, he swung his great hand and said coldly, "What audacity, to dare beat the son of the current Minister of War in the middle of the street! Heng, point out that lunatic, and Lei will avenge you!"


    "It''s them..."


    With his face full of excitement, Li Heng pointed towards Xiao Yi and his companions.


    But he hadn''t noticed...


    As soon as he saw he was pointing at Xiao Yi, Yun Lei''s expression turned exceedingly grim.


    Strutting up to Xiao Yi and the others with an air of superiority, Li Heng said with a smug face, "Brat, I told you, offending this young master would lead to no good end. My Lei is a heaven-grade student of the Royal Martial Arts Academy and also the crown prince''s confidant. Having offended me is like offending the crown prince, and if you don''t want to die, kneel down and crawl between my legs right now, then kneel before me and kowtow to apologize..."


    Shi Yaodu shook his head and sighed, "Li Heng, is it? I bet you''re going to cry!"


    "Hmm?"


    Li Heng was taken aback as Yun Lei came to his side.


    Feeling bold with Yun Lei beside him, Li Heng shouted, "Lei, it was this beast that hit me!"


    With a dark face, Yun Lei barked, "Kneel down!"


    Li Heng crossed his arms, looking triumphantly at Xiao Yi and the rest, "Did you hear that? Lei is telling you to kneel!"


    "I''m telling you to kneel down!"


    Standing by his side, Yun Lei suddenly let out a low roar, and immediately following, Li Heng felt his legs in severe pain as his knees knocked on the ground with two thumps. The pain made Li Heng grimace, and he looked at Yun Lei in confusion, pointing at Xiao Yi, "Lei... Lei, you must have kicked the wrong person. You should kick him..."


    Before he could finish speaking,


    Yun Lei had already grabbed the finger Li Heng was using to point at Xiao Yi and brutally broke it, causing Li Heng to scream in agony, his eyes turning bloodshot as he glared at Yun Lei, "Yun Lei, have you gone mad?"


    "The one who''s mad here is you!"


    Yun Lei slapped Li Heng across the face, sending him reeling with stars in his eyes as he shouted angrily, "Do you know who he is? He is Xiao Yi from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy..."


    "What?"


    Li Heng could no longer care about the pain.


    His complexion turned deathly pale, and large beads of cold sweat rolled down his forehead.


    Who within the Tianqing Kingdom today did not know the name of Xiao Yi?


    This is someone who even dares to kill the owner of Sword Mountain Manor!


    Killing the son of a Minister, what''s that to him?


    Gulp!


    Li Heng swallowed hard, crying with a grim face as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, Xiao... I didn''t recognize Tai Shan; please spare me..."


    Yun Lei''s face carried a pleasing smile, "Xiao, please be magnanimous and let him off this time!"


    With Xiao Yi''s current talent and strength, even the eldest prince wants to recruit him.


    Once Xiao Yi agrees to the eldest prince''s recruitment, he will definitely be the first fierce general under the eldest prince. That''s why Yun Lei is behaving like this!


    Xiao Yi looked at him with a strange expression, "Is Yun Fan your brother?"


    Yun Lei''s face twitched.


    He naturally knew that Yun Fan had died at Xiao Yi''s hands, but thinking of the eldest prince''s intention to recruit Xiao Yi, he had to suppress the hatred in his heart, smiling obsequiously, "I''ve heard about Little Fan''s incident. It was all his own doing; Xiao can''t be blamed for it!"


    Xiao Yi sized up Yun Lei and sneered, "If today you would seek revenge for your brother and strike at me, I might still respect you. As for now..."


    Yun Lei forced a smile, "Xiao is joking... The Crown Prince has been waiting inside for a long time. Now, look at this..."


    Xiao Yi glanced at Li Heng and waved his hand, "Let him kneel! Let him leave after the banquet is over!"


    "Rest assured, Xiao!"


    Yun Lei nodded firmly and glared fiercely at Li Heng, "Did you hear Xiao''s words? Kneel right here for me!"


    Li Heng was on the verge of tears, "..."


    He never imagined that he would hit a snag today!


    He could only kneel obediently in front of the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, this way, please!"


    Yun Lei led the way at the front, guiding Xiao Yi and the others into the banquet hall, "Xiao, the banquet will be held here shortly. You all can have a look around the banquet hall for now, or try some of the pastries here! The banquet will start very soon!"


    "Go attend to your duties!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand.


    The others stood in the banquet hall. Shi Yaodu''s eyes lit up, "What a huge roasted pig, and that fatty beast leg..."


    "Eat, we must eat our fill!"


    "And pack some to take back for the Institute Director and Da Li..."


    The Shi Family''s four brothers dashed away, vanishing among the array of delicious foods.


    Xiao Yi, on the other hand, was holding Fang Qingzhu''s hand, starting to savor various delicacies with her.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi did not know...


    After leaving, Yun Lei went to the eighth floor of the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion. With a respectful expression on his face, he spoke to Jiang Shanhe, who was standing with his hands behind his back, gazing outside through the window, "Your Highness, I''ve brought Xiao Yi to the banquet hall."


    "Hmm!"


    Jiang Shanhe didn''t turn around, his eyes narrowed to slits as he looked outside and said, "Yun Lei, do you blame this prince?"


    Xiao Yi had killed Yun Fan.


    And Yun Lei could not take revenge; instead, he had to serve Xiao Yi with all due respect. sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yun Lei said in fear, "Your Highness jests; how could I blame you? Your actions are all about the bigger picture, and I swear my unwavering loyalty!"


    "Good, this prince was not mistaken about you! Rest assured..."


    Jiang Shanhe narrowed his eyes, looking at the bustling Tianqing capital, a flash of icy cold light quickly passing through his gaze, "If he obediently complies and agrees to serve me, then let him live for a few more years. If he disobeys, this prince will personally hand him over to you..."


    "Your Highness''s great kindness is unforgettable!"


    Yun Lei bowed deeply, his lowered eyes filled with a fierce cold light, "Little Fan, your brother will surely avenge you!"

 Chapter 103 - 103: Is It Him?

    Xiao Yi''s arrival naturally attracted the attention of many people.


    This was the current genius of the Tianqing Kingdom who was in the spotlight��if it had been any other time, countless powerful individuals would have approached to befriend him.


    But now...


    Less than a month remained until the deadline for the duel between Xiao Yi and the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    For the crowd.


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy and Xiao Yi were at odds, with an evident lean towards Xiao Yi.


    In their eyes, Xiao Yi''s life and death were uncertain, and in this gamble, the Royal Martial Arts Academy was clearly more likely to win. To befriend Xiao Yi now and, should he die at the hands of the Academy in a month, they might face retribution come autumn.


    That''s exactly why.


    Even though many in the banquet hall nodded and made polite gestures towards Xiao Yi, not one person came forward to start a conversation.


    "Amitabha!"


    Xiao Yi was tasting the delicacies with Fang Qingzhu when a hoarse voice echoed in his ear.


    It was a bald monk, but on top of his head were not the usual scars of monkhood, but three ferocious claw marks running across his forehead and the back of his skull, making his appearance particularly vicious. At this moment, he had his palms together, smiling at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "From the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple?"


    "Amitabha, this poor monk Dao Tian is a disciple of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple!" Dao Tian said with a smile.


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "What do you want with me?"


    He didn''t have much fondness for these hypocritically benevolent monks.


    Dao Tian kept a smiling face, seeming amiable, and spoke in a not-so-loud voice, "Xiao benefactor, a few days ago our abbot had a dream in which the Buddha said you have a destiny with our Buddha. The poor monk has come uninvited today, wishing to invite you to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple to receive the baptism of the Buddhist Law!"


    The news that Xiao Yi was able to slay a practitioner of the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm with a cultivation at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm had long since reached the ears of various forces.


    Even Dao Tian, a disciple of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, coveted this secret.


    The abbot of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple ordered him to bring Xiao Yi back to the temple, and then to brainwash and control him with Buddhist Law. If they could force the secret of his ability to fight beyond his level out of him, the great prosperity of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple was in sight.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively, "I won''t go!"


    "Xiao benefactor, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple is the orthodox sanctuary of Buddhism, with a Buddha''s light that shines over all, it is a sacred place. Generally speaking, even the royal lineage cannot set foot there at will. Our Buddha is merciful and wishes to convert you with the Buddhist Law, so you should not refuse!" Dao Tian kept smiling, but his tone became somewhat stern.


    Xiao Yi said, "According to what you''re saying, going to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple would be an honor for me then?"


    Dao Tian replied, "Of course it is!"


    He was a contemporary chosen disciple, usually hidden from the world, not even listed on the Heavenly Qing Dragon and Tiger List. But Dao Tian''s strength was not to be underestimated��standing at the Golden Elixir Realm Seventh Layer Peak, he was comparable to Jiang Tai before his breakthrough!


    "Amitabha!"


    Dao Tian brought his hands together and reached out to grab Xiao Yi''s shoulder, "Xiao benefactor, come with me!"


    However...


    His palm rested on Xiao Yi''s shoulder, and with a fierce jerk, Xiao Yi didn''t budge an inch.


    "Hmm?"


    Dao Tian''s expression tightened.


    Xiao Yi said emotionlessly, "It seems that I have a destiny without affinity with your Buddha. However, I do think you have a destiny with the King of Hell!"


    "Huh?"


    Dao Tian was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi raised his palm and clamped onto his wrist, followed by a crisp crack��Dao Tian''s arm broke on the spot. Before he could even scream, Xiao Yi kicked out, striking Dao Tian in the abdomen.


    Whoosh!


    Dao Tian screamed miserably, collapsed to the ground holding his stomach.


    Spittle gushed from his mouth like a breached dam.


    After days of cultivation, Xiao Yi''s level had stepped into the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. The strength from the thirty-five thousand God Sealing Seeds made his physical power even more formidable.


    His martial prowess was comparable to the peak of the Golden Elixir!


    Was Dao Tian even a match for him?


    The commotion here naturally drew the attention of the surrounding crowd. Watching Xiao Yi casually cripple Dao Tian with ease, expressions of shock were evident on everyone''s faces. "As expected from the genius ranked equal to the crown prince on the Teng Long List, Xiao Yi''s strength is truly unfathomable!"


    "Dao Tian is a Buddha''s son from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. Although a Buddha''s son is detached from worldly concerns and not ranked, he definitely has the strength of the top five on the Teng Long List. Yet he couldn''t even take one move from Xiao Yi. Among the younger generation, I fear only the crown prince can suppress Xiao Yi!" S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The whispers in the crowd abruptly ceased.


    The crowd surrounding them automatically parted, creating a path, as Jiang Shanhe, arrayed in brocade robes, appeared within everyone''s sight, escorted by Yun Lei.


    His gaze was serene, and he wore a smile as he walked towards Xiao Yi.


    Their eyes met.


    Jiang Shanhe said with a smile, "Do me a favor and let him live, how about it?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "Drag him away!"


    Jiang Shanhe glanced at Yun Lei.


    Yun Lei stepped forward, intending to help Dao Tian up, but Xiao Yi stopped him.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I said drag him away!"


    Yun Lei was taken aback and looked to Jiang Shanhe.


    Jiang Shanhe frowned slightly, then gestured with his hand. Yun Lei immediately understood his intentions, grabbed Dao Tian by the ankle, and dragged him out of the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion like a dead dog.


    "Shall we have a good drink later?" Jiang Shanhe asked with a smile.


    Xiao Yi replied, "Only if it''s good liquor!"


    Jiang Shanhe nodded, "Royal brews guaranteed not to disappoint you!"


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Sounds good!"


    Jiang Shanhe said, "I''ll find you later!"


    "Suit yourself!"


    Watching Jiang Shanhe''s departing figure, Fang Qingzhu said softly, "Xiao Yi, I don''t like him!"


    Little Lin raised his head and nodded.


    As if expressing his agreement with Fang Qingzhu''s opinion.


    Xiao Yi asked curiously, "Why?"


    Fang Qingzhu''s brows furrowed slightly, and a strange light flickered in her beautiful eyes. "I can''t exactly put my finger on it, but I feel his smile is very fake, it gives an uncomfortable feeling!"


    "In this life, we can hardly avoid wearing a few masks, especially those born into the imperial family. But��" Xiao Yi smiled and then continued, "I don''t like him either, so avoid him!"


    "Okay!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded obediently.


    Around them, however, no one else dared to approach.


    They only nodded to him from a distance, in a gesture of goodwill.


    Xiao Yi was rather pleased with the peace and quiet.


    "Xiao, come over here for a second!" Shi Yaoqian gestured to him with a mysterious air.


    Xiao Yi was startled, looking at him curiously, "What is it?"


    Shi Yaoqian whispered, "Xiao, you have a storage ring, right?"


    Xiao Yi nodded subconsciously.


    Shi Yaoqian glanced around, then pulled open the collar of his clothes, revealing an astonishing array of crystal cups, plates, vases, and more stuffed inside his loose clothing. Xiao Yi''s eyes twitched, completely at a loss as to how Shi Yaoqian managed to fit all these items into his clothes.


    Shi Yaoqian said, "Xiao, open up your storage ring quick, these things are worth a fortune!"


    Xiao Yi''s face turned as black as coal: "��"


    He wanted nothing more than to smack this humiliating fool and send him flying.


    How embarrassing would it be if someone saw this?


    Shi Yaoqian whispered urgently, "Xiao, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and stash these things! I even spotted a table made from Azure Dragon wood over there; make sure to take that too later..."


    Xiao Yi, with a darkened expression, said, "Scram!"


    He took Fang Qingzhu by the hand and walked away.


    At that moment...


    Jiang Shanhe''s voice suddenly resounded throughout the banquet hall: "Welcome everyone to the Qingyun Banquet. It''s an honor given by the King for me to host this event. Before we begin, please allow me to introduce a distinguished guest!"


    He pointed towards the entrance.


    All eyes turned as one to look.


    Xiao Yi also saw the figure at the entrance and couldn''t help but reveal a trace of coldness in his eyes: "Is it him?"

 Chapter 104 - 104: Are You Satisfied Now?

    At the entrance to the banquet hall.


    Zhou Xin, resplendent in his robes, strode in with authority as the crowd parted to either side to make way, "Law Enforcement Elder Zhou Xin of the Royal Martial Arts Academy? Why did he return here?"


    "I heard Zhou Xin made a breakthrough to the Eighth Layer of the Golden Core Realm and has been promoted to the Deputy Head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Deputy Head? No wonder even the Crown Prince calls him an honored guest!"


    Amidst the whispering.


    Zhou Xin approached Jiang Shanhe with a beaming smile, "His Highness the Crown Prince is too polite. How can I, Zhou, be worthy of such a guest title?"


    "Please take a seat, Deputy Head Zhou!" Jiang Shanhe gestured invitingly.


    Zhou Xin smiled and sat beside him.


    His gaze swept through the crowd, eventually settling on Xiao Yi, the smile on his face slowly fading, replaced by a hint of amusement.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Zhou Xin.


    When he was being troubled by Ge Qingyun and others, it was Zhou Xin, the Law Enforcement Elder, who brazenly shielded them.


    This led to Xiao Yi causing an uproar at the Royal Martial Arts Academy!


    "Many thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince!"


    Zhou Xin bowed to Jiang Shanhe and then took the seat to Jiang''s left.


    Jiang Shanhe spoke loudly, "Ladies and Gentlemen, you must be wondering why Deputy Head Zhou would grace the Qingyun Banquet with his presence."


    The crowd turned their gaze toward him.


    Jiang Shanhe looked at Zhou Xin.


    Zhou Xin slowly stood up, face wearing a radiant smile, his eyes sweeping across those present before coming to rest on Xiao Yi, he declared, "Zhou has come to the Qingyun Banquet today for just one purpose!"


    "Xiao Yi, this seems to be targeted at you!" Fang Qingzhu said.


    Xiao Yi acknowledged with a hum, quietly waiting for what was to come.


    Zhou Xin said unhurriedly, "Perhaps everyone has heard, there was some misunderstanding between the Royal Martial Arts Academy and Xiao Yi, and all of it was because I, Zhou, was deceived by slander and wrongly accused him!"


    "Ah..."


    "What''s going on? Has someone from the Royal Martial Arts Academy actually admitted they were wrong?"


    "The Royal Martial Arts Academy, such a domineering entity, has actually admitted fault? Just how strong is this Xiao Yi, to make the Royal Martial Arts Academy capitulate... "


    All eyes focused on Xiao Yi.


    Surprise appeared on Xiao Yi''s face; he had thought of many reasons why Zhou Xin might appear here but had never considered that he would openly apologize to him?


    To know...


    Zhou Xin was now the Deputy Head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Wait a minute...


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his face showing thick sarcasm, "So that''s how it is... No wonder they would promote him to Deputy Head at this time..."


    If Zhou Xin were still the Law Enforcement Elder, his public apology to Xiao Yi would mean that the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s Law Enforcement Hall would suffer a loss of dignity and justice, and even lead others to question the rules of the Martial Arts Academy.


    But now Zhou Xin was the Deputy Head.


    His apology could entirely be attributed to him personally, minimizing the impact on the Royal Martial Arts Academy!


    Zhou Xin bowed deeply to Xiao Yi, his voice solemn, "Xiao Yi, it was all because I misbelieved malicious gossip, wrongly accusing you! This has nothing to do with the Royal Martial Arts Academy, it''s all my personal mistake. When we return, I will request the Head to relieve me of my position as Deputy Head!"


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    A wave of astonishment swept through the crowd once more.


    The disturbance was hard to calm!


    To appease Xiao Yi''s anger, was Zhou Xin actually prepared to resign in acknowledgment of his fault?


    "Xiao Yi, that''s enough!"


    "Deputy Head Zhou has already gone to this extent; if you keep pursuing this, you''ll truly be ungracious!"


    "Enough is enough!" the crowd urged.


    In their view, the Royal Martial Arts Academy had already conceded to such an extent, with full sincerity. Xiao Yi ought to accept Zhou Xin''s apology and no longer pursue the matter.


    However...


    Xiao Yi remained seated in his place, warmly serving vegetables to Fang Qingzhu: "This tastes good, and this too... Look at how thin you''ve become. You need to eat more meat, understand?"


    Fang Qingzhu smiled gently, dutifully nodding her head.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin stood up, sticking out its tongue.


    Xiao Yi rubbed its head, offering it a few pieces of meat: "Alright, alright, you need to eat meat too!"


    He seemed to have not seen Zhou Xin''s actions at all.


    "Xiao Yi, please forgive me!"


    Zhou Xin, still in a bowing posture, had a face that turned livid, but remembering Zhou Yuan''s command, he could only take a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "I truly come to offer an apology with all my heart. Whatever you ask of me, I can agree to it!"


    Xiao Yi said playfully, "Even if I asked for your life?"


    "This..."


    Zhou Xin was startled, the murderous intent in his eyes already seething, yet he forcibly suppressed it and said sternly, "Xiao Yi, I, Zhou, indeed made the first mistake, but today I have set aside my pride to apologize to you. Do you really intend to be mercilessly thorough?"


    Yun Lei said with unease, "Xiao Yi, no matter what Vice Head Zhou did wrong before, he has already apologized to you. Even if you still harbor resentment, he is, after all, your elder. Don''t you think you are being too excessive?"


    "Who the hell are you to lecture me on what to do?" Xiao Yi looked up at Yun Lei, with a face of indifference.


    "You..."


    Yun Lei was taken aback, his face turning an iron blue.


    Xiao Yi pointed at Zhou Xin, who was still maintaining a bowing posture, and sneered, "You think he''s really apologizing to me? He is but trying to manipulate public opinion, making everyone believe that I, Xiao Yi, am unreasonable and unyielding even when I''m in the right... In this way, no one will blame the Royal Martial Arts Academy for bullying others, nor will anyone remember how you twisted truth and justice, attempting to put me to death everywhere. Am I right?"


    His mocking gaze turned to Jiang Shanhe.


    Yun Lei''s expression changed.


    As a confidant of Jiang Shanhe, he naturally knew that all of today''s events were orchestrated by Jiang Shanhe''s hands. The plan was to first offer an apology with Zhou Xin, manipulating public opinion against Xiao Yi.


    Afterward...


    Jiang Shanhe would step in to placate Xiao Yi.


    If they could subdue Xiao Yi, his reputation would be greatly enhanced; even if Xiao Yi refused in the end, the Royal Martial Arts Academy would shed the accusation of oppressing the weak, a strategy that would kill several birds with one stone.


    But this plan was supposed to be top secret!


    Xiao Yi had pinpointed the crux of the scheme with a single statement. Yun Lei instinctively looked towards Jiang Shanhe.


    Jiang Shanhe narrowed his eyes, the plan indeed coming from him, and he never expected Xiao Yi to see through it. Yet he showed no panic, calmly tasting the dishes on the table.


    Zhou Xin straightened up, his face the picture of despair, "Xiao Yi, why can''t you trust me? Do you really need my life to extinguish your anger?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Yes! Are you willing to give it?"


    "You..."


    Zhou Xin''s mouth twitched violently.


    Was he willing?


    Of course not!


    All of this was just an act!


    Jiang Shanhe, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up, "Vice Head Zhou, since it''s an apology, you should show some sincerity!"


    Zhou Xin''s expression changed drastically.


    Under Jiang Shanhe''s cold gaze, he gritted his teeth and said, "Please enlighten me, Your Highness!"


    Pfft!


    With a flick of his sword finger, Jiang Shanhe severed Zhou Xin''s right arm at the shoulder, the bloody limb falling in front of Xiao Yi. Jiang Shanhe narrowed his eyes and asked, "Are you satisfied now?"

 Chapter 105 - 105 Who Else?

    "Are you satisfied now?"


    Jiang Shanhe''s face remained expressionless, his calm gaze fixed on Xiao Yi.


    The blood-drenched severed arm lay in a pool of blood, its fingers still twitching slightly. Zhou Xin covered his bleeding shoulder, not even daring to let out a cry of pain.


    Xiao Yi looked up at Jiang Shanhe and smiled, "What if I said I wasn''t satisfied?"


    "Hmm?"


    Jiang Shanhe was taken aback, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed.


    He did not speak.


    On the side, Yun Lei was already furiously indignant and rebuked, "Xiao Yi, don''t push your luck! His Highness has already severed a limb of Deputy Zhou, what more do you want?"


    "Are you talking to me?" Xiao Yi looked towards Yun Lei.


    His gaze was very calm, like an ancient well, without a ripple.


    But it was this calm look that struck Yun Lei like a bolt from the blue, turning his face abruptly pale, as if his throat was being choked, leaving him with a suffocating feeling.


    With just that one look, Yun Lei''s back was already drenched in cold sweat, thoroughly soaked.


    Gulp!


    Yun Lei swallowed reflexively, his words strained, "Xiao, Xiao Yi, this is the Qingyun Banquet, you..."


    He did not finish his sentence.


    Yun Lei''s vision went dark.


    Boom!


    A palm made of condensed energy descended from the heavens and with a thud, smashed down on Yun Lei''s head, driving it deep into his chest cavity.


    Blood gushed out like a fountain.


    Hisss...


    The banquet hall fell silent.


    Even Jiang Shanhe showed a look of shock, looking at Xiao Yi with disbelief, and so did everyone else, their gazes towards Xiao Yi as if looking at a madman: "Has this guy gone insane?"


    "Yun Lei is the Crown Prince''s confidant, did he just kill Yun Lei in front of the Crown Prince?"


    "He''s completely torn faces with the Crown Prince!"


    Amidst the exclamations of shock,


    Jiang Shanhe leaned forward slightly in his elevated chair and said gravely, "Are you satisfied now?"


    He indeed very much wanted to recruit Xiao Yi.


    After all...


    The fact that Xiao Yi could grow from the mere Physical Body Realm to his current state in such a short time, as well as his secret technique for slaying an Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm with the Golden Elixir Realm Fourth Layer Cultivation, these were secrets that made Jiang Shanhe''s heart race.


    That''s why.


    Jiang Shanhe had convinced Zhou Yuan and sent Zhou Xin to apologize to Xiao Yi publicly.


    Even if Xiao Yi killed Yun Lei in front of him, as long as he could obtain the secrets Xiao Yi possessed, it was still acceptable to him.


    Xiao Yi pointed at Zhou Xin: "And him!"


    Jiang Shanhe took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he fell into contemplation.


    He was considering whether sacrificing another Zhou Xin was worth it.


    Zhou Xin was very aware of Jiang Shanhe''s thoughts and ruthlessness. His face changed suddenly, and he quickly said, "Your Highness, you must not be deceived, this is Xiao Yi sowing discord..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi shouted coldly, "The Crown Prince is wise and martial, how could I provoke him?"


    "You..."


    Zhou Xin clutched his severed arm, looking nervously at Jiang Shanhe.


    Whoosh!


    Jiang Shanhe narrowed his eyes while his thoughts raced, weighing the losses and gains.


    Zhou Xin had lost an arm and was old, at most he might grow to reach the Ninth or even the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Xiao Yi was young and strong with infinite potential.


    Moreover...


    If he obtained Xiao Yi''s secrets, with Jiang Shanhe''s current cultivation of the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, he could even battle against the powers of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The throne would be within easy reach.


    As for Xiao Yi''s affront to him?


    Once he obtained those secrets, Jiang Shanhe was fully confident that he could slay Xiao Yi with his sword!


    With this thought,


    Jiang Shanhe exhaled a long breath and calmly said, "Deputy Zhou, everything is for the Martial Arts Institute..." He paused, then continued, "You, end it yourself!"


    Hisss!


    The surrounding crowd was dumbfounded.


    They had thought that Xiao Yi, by killing Yun Lei to his face, had completely enraged Jiang Shanhe, and was surely on a path to his death.


    But no one could have imagined...


    Jiang Shanhe''s final choice was actually to have Zhou Xin commit suicide?


    "Indeed... the royal family is ruthless!"


    "For the Crown Prince, as long as he achieves his goal, he wouldn''t even frown if the whole world died, right?"


    Everyone discussed amongst themselves.


    Zhou Xin''s complexion turned from white to red, from red to blue, and finally to a powerless pale.


    Ha!


    Haha!


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    Zhou Xin suddenly started laughing hysterically, his shoulders twitching nonstop, his eyes bloodshot. His teeth rattled, and his eyes were filled with blood vessels: "Well done, Jiang Shanhe, well done, merciless royalty... You just want to recruit Xiao Yi and obtain the secrets he possesses, don''t you? Willing to let me die for that? I won''t let you have your way..."


    Whoosh!


    All of a sudden, Zhou Xin burst up and rushed out of the banquet hall.


    He only wanted to save his own life!


    Once he escaped from this place, he would flee far away.


    "Seeking death!"


    A cold light flashed in Jiang Shanhe''s eyes, and with a flick of his finger, a cold glint condensed at his fingertip. This was a swordsharp as a writing brush, whizzing through the air.


    Thud!


    The sword just grazed Zhou Xin''s throat.


    A jet of blood sprayed out.


    Zhou Xin''s body lurched forward for a dozen steps, but his head had already tumbled to the ground.


    The banquet hall fell silent.


    Only Jiang Shanhe''s voice echoed through the hall: "Xiao Yi, are you satisfied now?"


    Xiao Yi still had his legs crossed, smiling comfortably: "Satisfied, very satisfied!"


    As if the deaths of Yun Lei and Zhou Xin had nothing to do with him.


    Jiang Shanhe squinted and said: "Since that''s the case, you can now publicly declare your departure from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and return to the Royal Martial Arts Academy. I have discussed with Zhou and can grant you the status of a heavenly-class student. Moreover, I will personally request a noble title from the Emperor on your behalf and strive to grant you the five cities of Nanhuang as your fief. How do you feel about that?"


    Hisss!


    Everyone looked at Xiao Yi, their eyes filled with shock and envy.


    Heavenly-class student and a noble title.


    While Xiao Yi''s strength was just average, being granted the five cities of Nanhuang as a fief was a grand gesture.


    You should know.


    Even someone like Ye Feng before him didn''t have a fief!


    Jiang Shanhe had indeed paid enough to recruit Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi said with a smile: "Satisfied, extremely satisfied!"


    Jiang Shanhe heaved a sigh of relief; he had made enough concessions, and fortunately, the outcome didn''t disappoint him. His smile became gentler, and a trace of eagerness flickered deep in his eyes: "Since that is the case, you can kneel and swear loyalty to me now!"


    Jiang Shanhe looked relaxed, leaning back in his chair.


    Once Xiao Yi swore loyalty and left the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, his way back would be cut off. By then, forcing him to reveal his secret techniques, Xiao Yi would surely not dare to disobey.


    However...


    As Jiang Shanhe was reveling in his daydreams, Xiao Yi looked shocked and incredulously asked: "Your Highness, how could you be drunk before the banquet has even started? When did I ever say I would swear loyalty to you?"


    Huh?


    Jiang Shanhe''s face stiffened, his body suddenly tensed, gripping the armrests tightly, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Xiao Yi: "What did you say?"


    Xiao Yi''s face was full of innocence: "When have I ever said I would swear loyalty to you? Is there a witness?"


    Jiang Shanhe''s face turned ashen.


    He really felt like cursing out loud!


    To recruit Xiao Yi, he had watched his confidant and lackey Yun Lei get slapped to death, and personally executed Zhou Xin of the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    And this was the result?


    Jiang Shanhe looked around the banquet hall, suppressing the rage in his heart: "Xiao Yi, I do not enjoy jokes! Before the eyes of everyone here, they are all witnesses!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and also looked at everyone, "Who heard me say I would be loyal to him?"


    A young man at the peak of the Divine Skills Realm stepped forward: "I heard it... I..."


    Before he could finish...


    Xiao Yi slapped him, and with a bang, the man was turned into a pile of mush. Blinking innocently, he said: "Sorry, my hand was itchy, I couldn''t help it... Is there anyone else who can testify?"


    "..."


    In the banquet hall, save for the grinding sound of Jiang Shanhe''s teeth, there was dead silence...

 Chapter 106 - 106: The Dragons Reverse Scale, Touch It and Die!

    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the people in the banquet hall.


    His eyes were icy and sharp, as if they could see right through someone.


    Anyone under his intense stare felt a sense of fear and involuntarily bowed their heads, remaining silent as cicadas in winter.


    Xiao Yi looked at Jiang Shanhe, who was clenching his teeth, and shrugged, "Crown Prince, it seems that you were indeed hallucinating earlier!"


    Jiang Shanhe''s complexion turned from green to white.


    The Qingyun banquet today was specially prepared by him to make Xiao Yi submit in front of everyone.


    Unfortunately...


    He had exhausted all his means, and not only did his plans fall through, but he had also lost Zhou Xin and Yun Lei. Now even his own face was swollen.


    Jiang Shanhe took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly, saying in a deep voice, "Indeed a good move, no wonder Ye Feng and Zhuang Bifan fell to you. But do you really think you''ve got me cornered?"


    Xiao Yi looked at him with interest, "Whatever tricks you have, go ahead and use them!"


    "Hmph!"


    With a cold snort, Jiang Shanhe''s eyes narrowed into slits, with a cold light flickering within, "I had wanted you to willingly join under my command; I could promise you a lifetime of wealth and glory. Unfortunately, all this is now irrelevant to you..."


    No sooner had he finished speaking.


    Jiang Shanhe suddenly stood up and strode towards Xiao Yi.


    Each step was like a prehistoric beast walking amongst men, the cold oppression was so intense that the banquet hall became silent except for the sound of his footsteps.


    Pat!


    The sound of Jiang Shanhe''s footsteps abruptly stopped, and there he stood, in front of Xiao Yi.


    The two of them looked into each other''s eyes.


    The tangible glares struck like lightning in the air, bursting into a fierce blaze.


    The crushing aura pressed down on Xiao Yi like a towering peak, and Jiang Shanhe said with narrowed eyes, "Xiao Yi, I''ll give you a chance to live. All you have to do is announce your withdrawal from Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and pledge your loyalty to the Royal Martial Arts Academy and myself. Tell me the secrets of your cultivation, and I will spare your life!"


    Xiao Yi cocked his head and looked past Jiang Shanhe''s shoulder at the sky outside, "The night''s just begun, why are you already dreaming?"


    "You..."


    Jiang Shanhe''s expression turned rigid as they locked gaze.


    Xiao Yi saw the cold intent to kill in Jiang Shanhe''s eyes; Jiang Shanhe saw the indifference and chill in Xiao Yi''s.


    Whoosh!


    Jiang Shanhe let out a long breath, "You''ve personally severed your only path to survival!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged, neither servile nor overbearing, each word ringing like a bell tolling, deafening, "I''d rather die standing than live on my knees!"


    "Then go and die!"


    Jiang Shanhe lashed out with a palm strike without warning.


    As the esteemed Crown Prince, the most probable successor to the throne, and the first-ranked fighter on the Tianqing Tenglong List, Jiang Shanhe felt he had made significant concessions to get Xiao Yi''s secret.


    Yet Xiao Yi still refused him!


    This was a challenge to his authority!


    "One palm to decide the world!"


    In Jiang Shanhe''s palm seemed to flow an endless river, with raging waves and towering mountains, aimed at Xiao Yi''s head.


    The terrifying force generated a massive gust.


    The wave walls over a hundred meters high seemed to be the hands of gods descending from the heavens. This palm was so mighty that even an ordinary practitioner at the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm would struggle to bear it.


    "Get away quickly!"


    "The Crown Prince''s ''One Palm to Decide the World'' is a high-level fourth-rank martial art, containing unparalleled destructive power. Xiao Yi is doomed..."


    "If he had turned away from the dark and joined the Crown Prince, becoming a noble or a general in the future would have been easy, but alas..." S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sighs and remarks filled the air, and of course, there were also some who were gloating, "The Crown Prince has already extended an olive branch to him, who asked for his refusal, so ignorant of death?"


    "It''s one thing for heaven to commit evils, but quite another for a man to bring disaster upon himself!"


    Amidst the discussion.


    Jiang Shanhe''s palm strike had already reached Xiao Yi''s front.


    The wild palm wind roared past, shattering the surrounding tables and chairs, and bursting the floor tiles as well, with sand and rocks hitting Xiao Yi''s body.


    But before anyone could get close, they were shredded into powder by the fierce surge of energy from Xiao Yi''s body.


    As Xiao Yi looked up, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Hum!


    Elemental energy roared out from within him like a tidal wave, transforming into a towering golden figure, with its right fist smashing fiercely towards the giant palm descending from the sky.


    The fist and the palm collided mid-air.


    Thud!


    In the midst of a world-shaking boom,


    From the point of contact between the fist and the palm, an invisible shockwave surged outwards in all directions, the rumbling noise unceasing to the ear. Surrounding tables and chairs were all shattered to pieces, and many powerful fighters were caught in the calamity, sent flying in all directions.


    Amongst cries of agony,


    The two forces disappeared in an instant.


    Xiao Yi defied gravity and soared up, engaging in close-quarters combat mid-air, exchanging blows with fists and palms.


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi and Jiang Shanhe''s figures were like two streaks of light, moving with extreme speed. Every collision between them set off tremendous roars that shook the heavens.


    After dozens of exchanges,


    The entire Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion was a wreck, its roof completely torn off by their fight, leaving them standing on the broken eaves, facing each other from afar.


    Xiao Yi stood proudly atop a broken wooden column.


    With his hands behind his back, a gentle breeze caressed his face, his black hair dancing wildly, his face remained calm, "Ranked alongside me at the top of the Teng Long List? Do you really think you''re worthy?"


    Jiang Shanhe wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his blood-shot eyes ice-cold, "I never expected that you''d already broken through to the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm..."


    His gaze was icy, but his heart was surging with emotion.


    It had only been about two months since the trip to the secret realm.


    Had Xiao Yi really risen from the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm to the Seventh Layer?


    Advancing three minor realms in two months?


    "Such a pace of cultivation is rare in the world. Even that Xiao Tianjiao probably isn''t this fast, right? If I could get my hands on such a treasure, not to mention the Tao Tribulation Realm, even the elusive Longevity Secret Realm might be within reach. I might even become a being that stands shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Tianjiao..."


    Jiang Shanhe took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart, and said in a deep voice, "With your current strength, Xiao Yi, even the palace might not be certain of defeating you. But don''t forget, you''re not alone. Your wife, and your brothers from Tianqi Martial Arts Academy... If the palace were to use its power against them, how many do you think you could save?"


    Hum!


    The wind that had been blowing around them seemed to stop all of a sudden.


    The smile on Xiao Yi''s face gradually faded, and what replaced it was a chilling gleam, "Jiang Shanhe, you''re courting death!"


    Fang Qingzhu was his inverse scale.


    To touch the dragon''s inverse scale is to court death!


    "Hm?"


    Jiang Shanhe''s expression changed. Xiao Yi''s aura had suddenly turned cold, instilling a deep sense of dread in him. Just as he was about to speak,


    A violent gust of wind surged towards him head-on, entering his mouth and forcibly pushing back the words that had reached his lips.


    When he opened his eyes again...


    Xiao Yi had already appeared before him, and a fist was coming straight toward his face.


    "Fuck!"


    Jiang Shanhe''s complexion changed drastically, devoid of his prior arrogance and pride. Crossing his hands defensively, he instinctively protected his chest. With a thud, Xiao Yi''s punch sent him flying.


    Wow!


    Jiang Shanhe spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flung through the air like a falling star, soaring hundreds of meters before crashing onto the street with a boom.


    The unyielding force continued, dragging Jiang Shanhe along and carving a trench hundreds of meters long on the ground.


    Soil and rocks were upturned, dust filling the air.


    There lay Jiang Shanhe in the pit, bleeding from every orifice, his life and death unknown...

 Chapter 107 - 107 Martial King of the Nation

    Half of the Spring Breeze and Rain Pavilion was reduced to ruins.


    The top talent on the Teng Long List, Great Prince Jiang Shanhe of the Tianqing Kingdom, couldn''t withstand Xiao Yi''s punch and was blasted hundreds of meters away.


    Such a scene left the tens of thousands of onlookers dumbstruck and speechless.


    The gazes that fell on Xiao Yi were filled with shock and awe, with fear and disbelief being the only other emotions left.


    "How on earth did he cultivate? Advancing from the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm to the seventh layer in two months?"


    "Such a speed of cultivation is simply terrifying!"


    "I''m afraid only Tianjiao of the Great Qian Dynasty can match him!"


    "There are rumors that Xiao Yi is also from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty, I initially thought it was true. But now, how could I feel it''s false? How could the Xiao Family send such a talent to Nanhuang City to be someone''s son-in-law?"


    "Unless the people of the Xiao Family are blind!"


    "The Xiao Family had given birth to Tianjiao, how could they be blind? This rumor is mostly false!"


    The murmurs among the crowd naturally reached Xiao Yi''s ears, and he slightly lifted the corners of his mouth in a trace of faint mockery: "Xiao Zhengde, if you heard these words, you must feel very embarrassed, right?"


    Originally, Xiao Zhengde had sent him to the Fang Family as a son-in-law to secure a breeding beast for Tianjiao''s mount.


    In the end...


    Wasn''t it because they thought Xiao Yi was useless?


    The stronger and faster Xiao Yi became, the more severe the slaps on Xiao Zhengde and Tianjiao''s faces were.


    He was even somewhat impatient to know, what would the expressions of Xiao Zhengde and Tianjiao look like when they heard this news!


    Boom!


    Suddenly, a dull and rapid sound of horse hooves came from the front, as if thousands of troops were galloping.


    A moment later...


    A group of several hundred Black Dragon Cavalry clad in black armor appeared on the streets, with two fast horses taking away the now unconscious Jiang Shanhe. The Black Dragon Cavalry moved imposingly, closing in on Xiao Yi.


    "This, this is the Black Dragon Cavalry of the imperial guards, even they have been alerted?"


    "In the entire Tianqing Kingdom, only His Majesty can command the Black Dragon Cavalry. It seems His Majesty has already learned of the situation here, Xiao Yi is in danger now!"


    Black Dragon Cavalry.


    They were all elite soldiers at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, and with their armored Black Dragon steeds, each was worth a hundred in the fight.


    When the hundreds of Black Dragon Cavalry charged collectively, even warriors in the High-Layer Golden Core Realm were in danger of losing their lives.


    "Xiao Yi..."


    Fang Qingzhu stood by Xiao Yi''s side, tightly clutching his palm with a look of concern on her face.


    The Shi Family''s four brothers also put away their usual irreverent expressions and stood solemnly by Xiao Yi''s side, ready to step in without hesitation if the Black Dragon Cavalry really launched a charge.


    Xiao Yi patted Fang Qingzhu''s hand and said with a light chuckle, "Don''t worry."


    Clip-clop!


    Amidst the crisp sound of horse hooves, a Black Dragon cavalry leader, clad in black armor, carrying a pitch-black long spear, and standing tall like a pine tree, came before Xiao Yi, his cold voice tinged with a metallic quality: "Xiao Yi, the King summons you!" S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmm?"


    Everyone was taken aback, "The Black Dragon Cavalry came not to kill Xiao Yi?"


    "Strange... The Great Prince has just been seriously injured by Xiao Yi and is unconscious, yet His Majesty is summoning Xiao Yi, what in the world is happening?"


    Xiao Yi also raised an eyebrow and asked, "Just me alone?"


    "Yes!"


    The Black Armored leader nodded, still as cold as ever, "His Majesty summons you, please proceed immediately with me to the palace!"


    "Xiao Yi..."


    Fang Qingzhu''s face still wore a worried expression.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes in thought for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, I will accompany you!" He turned to the Shi brothers, "You guys, see to it that Qingzhu safely makes it back to the Martial Arts Institute!"


    "Rest assured, Brother Xiao, we will definitely protect Miss Fang!" Shi Yaoquan patted his chest and said earnestly.


    Xiao Yi nodded and addressed the Black Armored leader, "Lead the way!"


    "Please!"


    Xiao Yi leaped up and landed on the back of one of the Black Dragon steeds, galloping away into the distance.


    Shi Yaodu looked at Fang Qingzhu with a smile on her face, full of concern, and laughed, "Good things come from harmony, I bet Xiao wouldn''t have a problem!"


    Shi Yaoqian rubbed the two silver ingots in his hands, "Fang, just ease your heart! If His Majesty had any intentions to harm Xiao, the Black Dragon Cavalry would have already launched an attack!"


    "Let''s head back to the Martial Arts Institute first!"


    Fang Qingzhu kept looking back every three steps, her face still filled with worry.


    ......


    The Royal Palace.


    Luxurious and majestic.


    Xiao Yi followed the lead of the black-armored general and came all the way to the Jade Dragon Pavilion, where the Emperor of Tianqing Kingdom, Jiang Tianchen, resided.


    The Jade Dragon Pavilion was at the very center of the entire palace, not only heavily guarded but also protected by dozens of formations.


    To the east, west, north, and south, each was overseen by a high-level practitioner of the Golden Core Realm.


    Even a peak Golden Core Realm powerhouse would find it utterly impossible to enter the Jade Dragon Pavilion without a sound, and the current Emperor of Tianqing Kingdom was now holding a scroll, sitting on the Dragon Throne with a commanding presence.


    "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi has been brought here!" declared the black-armored general respectfully.


    Jiang Tianchen put down the scroll in his hands and looked up at Xiao Yi, his gaze full of wisdom and unfathomable depth.


    Hmph!


    Jiang Tianchen suddenly let out a cold snort, making the temperature inside the grand hall drop tens of degrees in an instant, his voice containing a hint of coldness and ruthlessness, "Xiao Yi, do you know your crime?"


    The black-armored general was already so frightened that he knelt down with a clang.


    He couldn''t help but take a covert look at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, however, curled up the corners of his mouth and said, "I don''t."


    "Hmm?"


    Jiang Tianchen squinted his eyes, silent.


    But it was this silence that soaked the tough black-armored general, who had charged through battlefields and bloodshed, in cold sweat, and he gulped down his saliva before lowering his voice, "Won''t you kneel and admit your mistake to His Majesty?"


    Xiao Yi remained silent, just staring at Jiang Tianchen.


    They locked eyes.


    Then suddenly...


    Ha ha ha ha!


    The robust laughter of Jiang Tianchen echoed throughout the Jade Dragon Pavilion, like the rumbling of war drums and thunder from the heavens resonating long within the grand hall, deafening.


    A moment later.


    Jiang Tianchen''s laughter came to an abrupt stop, and with narrowed eyes, he said, "I heard... You have a bet with Zhou Yuan, to level the Royal Martial Arts Academy in a month?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Why? Does Your Majesty wish to stop me?"


    The black-armored general beside them wished he could cover his ears.


    Who dares to speak to Jiang Tianchen like this in all of the vast Tianqing Kingdom?


    Isn''t that seeking death?


    However...


    Jiang Tianchen, who sat high on the Dragon Throne, instead of getting angry, laughed heartily and said, "Good, good, good, young people should have this kind of spirit. If you really can level the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I will grant you the title of Martial King of the Nation of Tianqing Kingdom..."


    Boom!


    The black-armored general was scared out of his wits.


    Martial King of the Nation?


    The words "of the Nation" were not to be given lightly!


    If Xiao Yi truly became the Martial King of the Nation, he would be comparable to the Emperor in the future!


    The black-armored general looked at Xiao Yi with eyes full of envy.


    However...


    Xiao Yi frowned and said with a look of disdain, "Sorry, I refuse!"

 Chapter 108 - 108: Certain Death

    "What, what? He actually refused?"


    The armored general was dumbfounded, unable to believe what he was seeing. He even forgot to kneel. S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seated on the dragon throne, Jiang Tianchen''s initially certain and confident smile suddenly froze, and he blinked, subconsciously saying, "What did you say?"


    Xiao Yi curled his lips, "I said, I refuse to be the Martial King of the Nation!"


    Hiss!


    The armored general inhaled sharply and began to scold, "How daring of you, Xiao Yi. Do you know what being the Martial King of the Nation means? It is the highest title in the Tianqing Kingdom. Once you become the Martial King of the Nation, even the Royal Martial Arts Academy won''t dare to harm you, and even princes would have to show you the respect due between ruler and subject. You, you actually refuse?"


    Being the Martial King of the Nation!


    Since the founding of the Tianqing Kingdom, there had only been two occurrences.


    The first was the former Tianqi King from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, who created the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and single-handedly delineated the borders of Tianqing Kingdom with Tianlan and Purple Robe Kingdoms.


    Xiao Yi actually refused?


    "Are you out of your mind?" the general exclaimed subconsciously.


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Tianchen, speaking indifferently, "Don''t think I don''t know what you''re plotting..."


    This Jiang Tianchen had said that if he were victorious in the battle with the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he would be named the Martial King of the Nation.


    Indeed.


    As the Martial King of the Nation, Xiao Yi''s influence and status would be comparable to that of the monarch of a country.


    But...


    If he were to defeat the Royal Martial Arts Academy alone, his strength alone would be comparable to that of a monarch. Would he still need to be the Martial King of the Nation?


    And once he became the Martial King of the Nation, he wouldn''t just be receiving a title; it would also be a responsibility, the responsibility to protect the entire Tianqing Kingdom.


    He was solitary and carefree.


    Why should he put shackles on himself for a mere title?


    Jiang Tianchen''s profound gaze shimmered with wisdom as he tapped his fingers lightly on the table, thud thud thud, each tap striking at the heart.


    The armored commander was sweating profusely, wishing he could personally press Xiao Yi to the ground.


    This was the current sovereign!


    The ruler of a country!


    Even Zhou Yuan, the head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, wouldn''t dare to speak to him like this!


    "This is the end, this young man is so arrogant, he will surely enrage His Majesty�� he is as good as dead��" thought the commander.


    At that moment,


    Jiang Tianchen''s knocking on the table abruptly stopped, and his usually impassive face suddenly burst into a radiant smile as he laughed heartily, "Interesting, truly interesting!"


    Huh?


    He''s not angry?


    The armored general was bewildered and had begun to question his life, "Is this the same unpredictable, emotionless killer sovereign I know?"


    Jiang Tianchen waved at the armored general.


    "I shall take my leave!"


    The armored general retreated cautiously.


    Jiang Tianchen walked around the table and strutted up to Xiao Yi, staring at him, "Xiao Yi, are you truly not afraid I will kill you?"


    "You won''t kill me," Xiao Yi said lightly.


    Jiang Tianchen, neither joyous nor sad, his eyes a profound abyss revealing no emotions, casually remarked, "Oh? What makes you so sure?"


    Xiao Yi said, "You can''t kill me!"


    "What a joke!"


    Jiang Tianchen narrowed his eyes, leaning forward slightly as he stared straight at Xiao Yi. The two were so close they could feel each other''s breath, "I am the ruler of a nation, commanding an army of a million strong, with a host of powerful warriors at my disposal, and within the palace sits an old ancestor at the Tribulation stage. Yet you claim that I cannot kill you?"


    Indeed, Jiang Tianchen''s cultivation was no weaker than that of Zhou Yuan or Gu Junhe, also existing at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    His imposing, non-angry yet threatening gaze had once literally scared a powerful minister, who wielded great influence over the court, to death.


    Who would dare to meet his gaze?


    But Xiao Yi showed no fear, meeting his eyes directly, neither servile nor overbearing.


    The Jade Dragon Pavilion was silent for quite a few moments.


    The icy expression on Jiang Tianchen''s face gradually melted away, revealing a hint of admiration as he smiled and said, "You may go!"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi blinked in astonishment, looking at Jiang Tianchen, "Just like that, you''re letting me go?"


    Jiang Tianchen glanced at him, "Do you expect me to beg and plead for you to stay?"


    "There''s no need for that!" Xiao Yi waved his hand, "Since that''s the case, I will take my leave!"


    In the spacious Jade Dragon Pavilion.


    Jiang Tianchen stood with his hands clasped behind his back, squinting at the dragon throne before him, murmuring, "Some people would disown their kin, turn on their brothers, or even kill their parents for power and for this throne... And yet there are those who, when offered power, still look upon it with disdain..."


    "That must be human nature! Some value wealth, some value honor, and others value affection..." A hoarse voice seemed to come from all directions.


    Jiang Tianchen murmured, "Old Ancestor, what do you make of this young man?"


    The hoarse voice from all around fell silent for a moment before coming in fragments, "Your Majesty already has a decision in mind, why ask me?"


    Jiang Tianchen''s deep eyes shimmered with a flash of wisdom as he spoke to himself, "Then I shall trouble the Old Ancestor!"


    "Hmm!"


    The voice from the darkness quietly faded away.


    ......


    Within the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Zhou Yuan''s face was grim as he looked at Jiang Shanhe, whose face was pale, "Has that little bastard grown to such an extent that even you are not his match?"


    "He has already reached the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, and his vitality is mixed with pure essence, his strength formidable beyond belief..."


    Jiang Shanhe''s face was dark, Xiao Yi''s punch had nearly shattered his internal organs, every breath he took now brought with it agonizing pain that tore at his heart and lungs, his eyes filled with overwhelming hatred, "Master, this boy is a disaster, he must not be left alive!"


    Zhou Yuan clenched his fists so tightly they creaked, "How could I not know that this boy must not be spared? In just a few months since his arrival in the capital, he has advanced from the Divine Skills Realm to the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm; his rate of cultivation surpasses even that of Xiao Tianjiao. In another month, even I may not be his match..."


    The mere thought of a few months ago when Xiao Yi had told him he would flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy within a year, and his own scorn at the time...


    Zhou Yuan found his face burning with humiliation.


    At the same time, he felt extreme loathing towards Zhou Xin and the others.


    Had it not been for Zhou Xin driving Xiao Yi away, Xiao Yi would have been a disciple of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. How could it have come to this current situation?


    "He wants to step on the head of my Royal Martial Arts Academy? No chance!" Zhou Yuan''s eyes flashed with a sinister light.


    Jiang Shanhe''s eyes shone as he eagerly asked, "Master, have you thought of a way to deal with him?"


    "I had not wished to use that item, but the little brute is too troublesome. We have no choice but to use it..."


    Zhou Yuan took a deep breath and took a black jade box from his storage ring, slowly opening it. A surge of overwhelming energy emanated from the jade box; he observed the object lying quietly inside.


    Joy erupted on Jiang Shanhe''s face, his eyes filled with the ecstasy and excitement of impending revenge, "With this item, Xiao Yi is as good as dead!"

 Chapter 109 - 109: Xue Yilou

    Time fled rapidly.


    As the life-and-death duel between Xiao Yi and the Royal Martial Arts Academy drew ever closer, the bustling capital of Tianqing Kingdom became increasingly lively.


    In the streets and alleys, one could see many powerful martial artists coming and going.


    The frequency and intensity of the patrols within the capital also rose several notches.


    Even the Black Dragon Cavalry joined in the patrols.


    A troop of Black Dragon Cavalry slowly roamed the streets, led by the same black-armored general who had previously escorted Xiao Yi to meet Jiang Tianchen.


    "General, there are only seven days left until the battle between Xiao Yi and the Royal Martial Arts Academy begins. Who do you think will have the last laugh?" asked a deputy at his side.


    "Isn''t that obvious? It will surely be the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "The Royal Martial Arts Academy is home to many strong fighters, and Zhou Yuan, the head of the academy, is at the Golden Elixir Peak. Xiao Yi doesn''t stand a chance against him... "


    As the black-armored general listened to the discussion of his subordinates, his eyes narrowed, recalling the scene in the Jade Dragon Pavilion when Xiao Yi refused Jiang Tianchen''s rewards.


    A glint of insight flashed in his eyes as he murmured, "Perhaps, the outcome will be beyond everyone''s expectations."


    At that moment...


    The gaze of the black-armored general suddenly sharpened as two figures in red cloaks flashed through the crowd and disappeared among the throng of people. His expression turned grave, "Why would they appear here? I hope I am mistaken..."


    Within the capital...


    In a secluded courtyard...


    Two figures, wrapped tightly in red cloaks that concealed their identities, stepped into the enclosure.


    In the courtyard...


    Two figures cloaked in black had been waiting for some time. One of the red-cloaked figures spoke in a sharp voice, "Was it you who summoned us?"


    "Yes!"


    The figure in the black cloak narrowed their eyes into slits, tossed a letter casually, and it landed in the hand of the person clad in red. With a stern voice, he commanded, "Bring the one inside this letter to me!"


    The figure in red glanced at the letter, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Dead or alive?"


    "Preferably alive, but if resistance is met, you may kill them!" came the indifferent reply.


    "No problem!"


    The figure in the red cloak grinned with a somewhat ferocious smile, "That will be fifty million silver."


    "Fifty million silver?"


    The figure under the black cloak on the right frowned, "There is not a single person in the Golden Core Realm mentioned inside, why would it be so expensive?"


    The figure in red responded, "It''s true that the targets are not in the Golden Core Realm, but behind them stands the hottest young talent in Tianqing Kingdom today. Offending such a talent with limitless potential, fifty million silver is not a high price to pay!"


    "Alright then!"


    The two exchanged glances and produced three silver notes, "Here are thirty million silver. The rest will be paid after the job is done!"


    "Within three days, we will bring the person before you!" the figure in red assured, taking the silver notes.


    The two nodded and turned to leave.


    The figure in red casually lifted the letter, and with a ''whoosh,'' it ignited into flames, burning brightly. Amidst the fierce blaze, the names of several people were faintly visible; among them was the name Fang Qingzhu...


    ��


    Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Behind the mountains, beneath the waterfall.


    A surge of robust momentum suddenly erupted from Xiao Yi''s body. This vigor transformed into rolling waves of energy, rebelling against the heavens and rising mightily. Amidst the thunderous roaring, it forcefully pushed back the plunging waterfall.


    The waterfall, hundreds of meters high, was disrupted for a full ten breaths.


    The surge of energy around Xiao Yi gradually retracted back into his body, and within his dantian, a golden core was buoyed up and down by nine golden halos.


    This was the sign of stepping into the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!


    After refining all the spirit stones, Xiao Yi''s cultivation had ascended to the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, and the number of God Sealing Seeds within him had reached an alarming forty-five thousand.


    The yuan energy in his body, after being tempered by those forty-five thousand God Sealing Seeds, had completely transformed into God Sealing Power, bringing his physical body to the peak condition of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    It is no exaggeration to say...


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, even peak Golden Core Realm fighters couldn''t withstand even one of his punches!


    As for the fighters of the Tao Tribulation Realm, Xiao Yi can only ensure he remains undefeated with his current abilities!


    After all,


    There is but a step between the peak of the Golden Core Realm and the Tao Tribulation Realm, but the gap that exists between them is still immensely vast.


    Those in the Tao Tribulation Realm have transformed their Innate Divine Abilities into the Martial Dao Divine Fruit and are able to borrow a portion of the power of heaven and earth.


    Controls the weather as spoken about in the legends of mortals, in actuality, are the abilities of Tao Tribulation Realm fighters to manipulate the forces of heaven and earth.


    Their combat power surpasses the secular world.


    Even with Xiao Yi''s terrifying capability to fight across levels, he can only manage to maintain an undefeated status against Tao Tribulation Realm fighters. It''s worth noting that even just this is enough to shock the world.


    Just think about it...


    Golden Core Realm fighters are powerful in their own right, but how can human strength contend with the power of heaven and earth?


    Xiao Yi too relies on the power of the God Sealing Seed to purify and temper his body, giving him strength far beyond others in his realm, and the refined power of the God Sealing Seed to stand up to Tao Tribulation Realm fighters.


    If it were any other Golden Core Realm fighter, even at the peak, capable of breaking mountains and splitting stones with one punch, they would still fall short against Tao Tribulation Realm fighters who can lift mountains from dry land and tear the earth apart with their bare hands.


    How could they compare?


    "It''s a pity there are not enough spirit stones; otherwise, I could attempt to break through to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm. In that case, even if it were a novice Tao Tribulation Realm fighter, I could battle and prevail!" Xiao Yi said with a sigh of regret.


    "Xiao Yi, you have a letter!" Fang Qingzhu''s voice came from not far away.


    "Hmm?"


    Startled, Xiao Yi leaped down in front of Fang Qingzhu. Through this period of cultivation, Fang Qingzhu''s own cultivation had also reached the peak of the Shentong Realm, getting ever closer to the Golden Core Realm.


    And with her advancement in cultivation, Fang Qingzhu exuded a faint aura of cold and unworldly grace, reminiscent of a fairy who does not partake of earthly smoke and fire.


    Only in the face of Xiao Yi would she be as gentle and serene as ever.


    "Whose letter?" Xiao Yi asked, puzzled.


    Fang Qingzhu shook her head: "I don''t know. The person who delivered the letter just left it and went away!"


    Xiao Yi took the envelope, and his eyebrows slightly furrowed.


    The envelope had a faint trace of blood scent.


    Thud!


    As soon as he opened the envelope, a blood-stained finger dropped to the ground, and on the finger was a distinct green ring. Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly; the ring before him was all too familiar.


    "I hope it''s not him..."


    Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yi pulled out the blood-soaked letter within, which read: Before sunset, Zhuilong Valley!


    Boom!


    A raging energy wave burst forth from within Xiao Yi.


    A cold glint flickered in his eyes.


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyebrows furrowed as she gazed at the ring on the severed finger and said gravely, "Xiao Yi, isn''t this finger from Elder Yan?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded; the ring belonged to Yan Mingli.


    Back in Nanhuang City, Yan Mingli had always been respectful towards Xiao Yi, considering himself a disciple. It was only recently that Xiao Yi heard Elder Yan and Lin Bingxin were coming to the capital, but instead of meeting them, he was greeted with a cut-off finger.


    "Xiao Yi, whoever captured Elder Yan and Bingxin is doing this to lure you there, this journey may be fraught with much danger than safety," Fang Qingzhu said, worried.


    Taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling, Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits, the cold light within as sharp as a knife''s edge: "No matter, even if it''s through a mountain of blades or a sea of flames, I will make my way!"


    "I will go with you!" said Fang Qingzhu.


    "No!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "With the Martial Arts Institute head and Jiang Tai in seclusion, you should stay here and hold the fort. I will go to Zhuilong Valley myself. I want to see who dares to make a move at this critical juncture..." S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 110 - 110 Ready for Battle!

    Xiao Yi immediately summoned the four brothers of the Shi Family and Niu Dali as well.


    "Xiao, what''s so urgent that you''ve called us here?" Shi Yaoqian asked.


    Niu Dali, still groggy, yawned sleepily.


    Xiao Yi spoke in a deep voice, "I have to leave for a while. The dean and Jiang Tai are in seclusion, and only a few of you remain in the Martial Arts Institute. You must stay vigilant."


    "Don''t worry, with us here, there won''t be any problems!" The group hurriedly patted their chests in assurance.


    Fang Qingzhu spoke in a serious tone, "Xiao Yi, you must be careful yourself!"


    No one knew what awaited him in Zhuilong Valley!


    The unknown is always the most dangerous.


    Xiao Yi rubbed her head, and a silver figure slid down from his sleeve, landing on Fang Qingzhu''s shoulder.


    Only then did Xiao Yi leave the Martial Arts Institute.


    Zhuilong Valley was over a hundred kilometers away from Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, and even at Xiao Yi''s current speed, the round trip would take about an hour and a half.


    Half an hour after Xiao Yi left Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    At the foot of the mountain where the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was located, more than a dozen figures quietly emerged, converging together. The leader, cloaked in a blood-red robe, asked, "Has he definitely left?"


    "Our people have followed him all the way, there is no mistake!" one of them said.


    "Quick battle, quick decision. Take them all down with the utmost speed!" With a wave of his hand, the leader sent the dozen or so blood-clad figures sprinting towards the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Inside the institute.


    Fang Qingzhu and the others were gathered together when suddenly, Little Lin on her shoulder stood up straight and hissed, alerting them.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The sound of cutting through the air approached.


    Fifteen figures wrapped in blood-red cloaks landed all around, encircling Fang Qingzhu and the others.


    Fang Qingzhu''s expression changed, a cold aura emanating from her as she frostily regarded them: "Who are you riffraff, daring to barge into Tianqi Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy is nothing! Just a Martial Arts Academy that''s nearing its end. The Xue Yilou wouldn''t be scared of it!" one of the blood-robed figures sneered.


    "Xue Yilou?" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The faces of Fang Qingzhu and the others all changed.


    Xue Yilou.


    The strongest assassin organization across the ten nations of Nanhuang, with each member being a top-notch assassin. In the hundreds of years since its establishment, they had never failed.


    This was because Xue Yilou had an unwritten rule; if the first batch of assassins failed, they would send a stronger second batch and continue sending stronger ones with each failure.


    Only if someone withstood ten waves of Xue Yilou''s assassination attempts without dying would they cease their mission.


    Up until now...


    No one had ever survived an assassination attempt by Xue Yilou.


    They were a group dwelling in the darkness, reapers that made countless powerful figures pale at the mention of their name.


    "It''s an honor that you''ve heard of us. I am Xue Jiu, a Profound Level assassin from Xue Yilou��"


    Xue Jiu''s eyes, hidden beneath the cloak, glinted with a wolf-like green glow, "As a reward, if you surrender without a fight, I can assure you that I''ll only cripple your cultivation and not take your lives!"


    "Dali, when the time comes, you protect Qingzhu and flee first. Leave this to us!" Shi Yaoqian said in a deep voice.


    Shi Yaodu''s dice spun lightly in his hand as he coldly fixated on the surrounding Xue Yilou assassins, "I bet today is more likely bad than good... Gentlemen, take heed."


    Niu Dali''s eyes turned blood-red, he nodded firmly, looking at Fang Qingzhu.


    However...


    Fang Qingzhu firmly shook her head, "If we leave, we leave together!"


    "Qingzhu..."


    The others looked at her anxiously.


    But Qingzhu smiled and shook her head, her gaze calm yet resolute, "Xiao Yi left this place in my care. I won''t abandon you!"


    "This..."


    The group exchanged glances, their eyes all becoming determined.


    Xue Jiu furrowed his brow and shook his head, "Two at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm and four at the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm think they can stop us? Quick battle, quick decision. Take them down, and kill without mercy if they resist!"


    "Yes!"


    The fourteen blood-clad Xue Yilou experts surged forward.


    ```


    The mighty ones rose and attacked as one.


    "I bet your blade can''t kill me!" Shi Yaodu braced himself with both hands, as six dice circled around his body, each one deflecting the incoming saber blows.


    Shi Yaoqian clutched two silver ingots, which were engraved with mysterious runes.


    They emitted a brilliant silver light.


    With a casual flip of the silver ingots, he cast them forward, "Harmony brings wealth!"


    Bang!


    The silver ingots expanded continuously, slamming into their targets like small mountains, and with a thunderous roar, the ingots burst apart.


    Shi Yaoqian''s eyes turned bloodshot, "My money... you dared to destroy my money, I''ll fight you to the death!"


    Boom!


    Countless silver ingots flew out from Shi Yaoqian''s body, clinking as they gathered around him, forming a complete suit of armor made of silver ingots.


    His entire being transformed into a three-meter-tall silver giant.


    "Thousand Gold Fist!"


    Shi Yaoqian''s punch unleashed, forming a silver torrent of steel with numerous silver ingots, which enveloped one after another of the Xue Yilou''s mighty ones.


    Shi Yaoqian brought his hands together in a loud clap.


    The numerous silver ingots exploded, piercing the bodies of the Xue Yilou''s mighty ones.


    The attacks from Shi Yaoquan and Shi Yaose were no less fierce.


    Especially Shi Yaose.


    Usually lascivious, he was as cold as a killing god when it came to fighting. A pink glow flowed in his peach blossom eyes, as he made the Xue Yilou strongmen in front of him dazed with just a coquettish glance.


    At the same time, with a light sweep of his slender fingers, he slit his opponent''s throat, or ripped open their chest and crushed their heart.


    The attacks from Niu Dali and Fang Qingzhu were also formidable.


    In an instant.


    More than half of the dozen or so Xue Yilou strongmen had fallen!


    Xue Jiu''s face suddenly darkened, "A bunch of trash, you can''t even handle six from the Divine Passage Realm?"


    Boom!


    Xue Jiu''s body surged with blood-colored light, and a blood-colored longsword emerged in his hand, his cultivation having reached the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    "Blood Shadow Sword!"


    "Blood Demon Sword!"


    "A sword without blood..."


    Xue Jiu''s sword was frighteningly fast, and under his blood sword, the four Shi brothers and Niu Dali were no match for him at all.


    They were knocked to the ground one after another.


    In an instant.


    Only Fang Qingzhu was left standing in front of Xue Jiu, who held a longsword with an icy gaze, "You''re the only one left, such a pretty face would be a shame to scar. I advise you to surrender quietly..."


    "If it''s a fight you want, it''s a fight you''ll get!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s tone was icy as she lashed out with her Purple Dragon Whip, which whistled through the air as it struck at Xue Jiu.


    "Courting death!"


    Xue Jiu snorted coldly, grasping the air with one hand as blood-colored energy swirled around his palm, catching the Purple Dragon Whip firmly in his grasp. With a fierce yank, he pulled Fang Qingzhu rapidly toward his longsword.


    "Qingzhu..."


    "No..."


    Niu Dali and the others looked on in despair.


    If Fang Qingzhu collided with that blood-colored longsword, it would surely be a fatal blow!


    At that moment...


    A streak of silver light burst forth from Fang Qingzhu''s chest, it was unexpectedly Little Lin!


    "Hm?"


    Xue Jiu blinked in surprise; Little Lin''s speed was indeed fast, and an ordinary person at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm would surely not be able to dodge his surprise attack. But Xue Jiu was an assassin, whose strength was speed.


    Whoosh!


    Xue Jiu sidestepped to avoid Little Lin''s sneak attack, while simultaneously sending out a palm strike, landing a heavy blow directly above Little Lin''s vital inch...


    ```

 Chapter 111 - 111: Phoenix Spreads Its Wings, Annihilating the Blood-Clothed!

    Hiss!


    Little Lin shuddered all over, having been slapped to the ground by Xue Jiu, who then stepped on Little Lin with one foot.


    A trace of surprise appeared on Xue Jiu''s face, "Snake demon beasts of the Golden Core Realm are pretty standard, but I have never seen the likes of this one. Little guy, as long as you submit to me, I will spare your life!"


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin struggled desperately, its small eyes filled with human-like anger and hatred. It opened its tiny mouth, attempting to bite at Xue Jiu''s foot with its venom.


    "Hmm?"


    With a cold sneer and a sinister smile, Xue Jiu revealed his stark white teeth, "If you are so intent on seeking death, I will oblige you!"


    Swish!


    A bloody sword edge raised high, chopping down towards Little Lin''s head.


    The radiant blood-red sword light, piercingly bright, traced a scarlet arc through the air, promising to severe Little Lin''s head once it fell.


    "No!"


    Fang Qingzhu roared in anger.


    Throughout these days, both she and Xiao Yi had come to treat Little Lin as family.


    How could she possibly watch it be killed right before her eyes?


    "Get lost!"


    Xue Jiu merely raised his hand, backhanding and snatching the Purple Dragon Whip from Fang Qingzhu''s grasp. With a ripping sound, Fang Qingzhu''s palm was left bloody and mangled, dripping with fresh blood.


    He then flung the Purple Dragon Whip.


    Crack!


    This strike landed on Fang Qingzhu''s body.


    It burst her clothes open, leaving a bloody wound across her back.


    "Let him go..." Ignoring the intense pain in her back, Fang Qingzhu gathered her vital energy and once again charged at Xue Jiu.


    "Foolish woman, oblivious to death!"


    Xue Jiu casually swung his hand, slapping Fang Qingzhu across the face and toppling her to the ground. He then kicked out fiercely, striking her in the abdomen.


    Swish!


    Fang Qingzhu was savagely kicked away, pushed horizontally and violently crashing against the wall. Half the wall collapsed thunderously, and Fang Qingzhu spat out a mouthful of blood.


    Hiss hiss...


    Little Lin howled in anger, struggling ever more fiercely.


    Xue Jiu paused, looking at Little Lin with amusement, "You don''t want me to kill her? Just submit to me, and I can spare her from death..."


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin glared back in rage.


    "If you don''t submit, then don''t blame me for being merciless!" Xue Jiu reached out into the void, and with a swoosh, he grabbed Fang Qingzhu and dragged her before him.


    He punched her over and over again before Little Lin''s eyes.


    He held nothing back with each punch.


    Every blow landed heavily, each fist shot exacerbating Fang Qingzhu''s injuries, blood dripping from every orifice. She was nearly unconscious, her drooping eyes faintly glowing with ice-blue light.


    Yet all of this went unnoticed by Xue Jiu.


    He continued to bombard Fang Qingzhu with punches, taunting Little Lin, "If you don''t submit, she''s going to die!"


    "Let her go!"


    "Damn you, have the guts to come at me!"


    Niu Dali and the four brothers of the Shi Family bellowed with veins bulging, their eyes filled with madness.


    With a mocking laugh, Xue Jiu looked at them, "You''re like ants, killing you would only dirty my sword!" He stared at Xia Lin, "This final punch, I will directly obliterate her Golden Core. If you don''t want her to become a cripple, then submit to me obediently!"


    Hiss!


    Despair painted Little Lin''s eyes, reflecting a very human emotion.


    It clearly understood how important Fang Qingzhu was to Xiao Yi; it could not bear to watch Fang Qingzhu die before itself.


    However...


    Just as it was about to bow its head in submission,


    The temperature around plummeted suddenly.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh whoosh!


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh...


    A fierce wind tore through heaven and earth, growing larger and colder, sharp as a blade''s edge, slicing across onto faces as if to peel the skin off their flesh.


    Snowflakes like goose feathers began to drift between heaven and earth.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Is it snowing? But it''s June..."


    "What situation is this?"


    Xue Jiu too was taken aback, his confusion promptly turning to a chill when he felt an icy cold on his palm and subconsciously looked down to see an ice-blue hand firmly grasping his wrist.


    "What is this...?"


    Xue Jiu''s pupils suddenly narrowed, he lifted his head urgently and followed the direction from the icy blue hand.


    Standing before him, Fang Qingzhu was covered in a layer of blue frost crystals like a sculpture made of ice. She slowly raised her head, her pupils completely turning the color of ice blue.


    Her eyes held a coldness within.


    "What the hell is this? Get out of my way!"


    Xue Jiu kicked towards Fang Qingzhu''s lower abdomen, a kick that could overturn a small mountain, but it stopped abruptly before it could touch Fang Qingzhu.


    Crack, crack, crack!


    Chains of ice crystallized on his foot, binding him as if with icy shackles.


    The bone-chilling cold spread instantaneously from his foot up through his entire left leg.


    The ice continued to spread rapidly.


    Suddenly, it had surpassed his knee.


    In a matter of life and death.


    With a slash of his sword, Xue Jiu severed his leg at the knee, but the intense pain did not quell the shock in his heart. An icy chill was also transmitted from his wrist.


    "Let go!"


    Xue Jiu roared in anger, violently twisting his palm.


    Pop!


    His palm shattered at the wrist.


    The hand turned to ice sculpture fell to the ground, and in the blink of an eye, Xue Jiu had lost a hand and a foot. He staggered backward, unable to believe what he was seeing as he looked at Fang Qingzhu, whose body was covered in frost, "What kind of monster are you?


    He had never seen such a fearsome entity before.


    She was clearly just at the Peak of the Shentong Realm!


    And she had caused him to lose a hand and a foot in the blink of an eye?


    "I, sentence you, to death!"


    Fang Qingzhu lifted her head, and her face was covered with a layer of frost, giving her an extreme pallor, but it wasn''t terrifying; instead, there was a sacred sense of icy coldness.


    Fang Qingzhu spread her arms, and a huge ice-blue phoenix emerged behind her.


    "What, what is that?"


    "It seems like a phoenix?" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Impossible! Phoenixes belong to fire; they are creatures of supreme yang, but this..." The Shi Family''s four brothers and Niu Dali looked at the ice-blue Phantom Phoenix with horror and disbelief.


    Gazing at that ice-blue phoenix, Xue Jiu''s pupils contracted violently, and he felt a bone-piercing chill engulf his entire body.


    If it were his heyday, he would still have the confidence to fight.


    But now...


    The loss of a hand and a foot made him dare not linger any longer.


    Glancing at the Shi Family''s four brothers and Niu Dali, Xue Jiu let out a low growl, "Take them and leave..."


    The several Xue Yilou powerhouses immediately grabbed the five people.


    "Die!"


    Fang Qingzhu snorted coldly, and a gust of icy wind howled past, with the ice-blue Phantom Phoenix behind her taking flight. Behind her trailed a series of icy wind trails, and where it passed, the earth was sealed, and plants were frozen.


    The Xue Yilou powerhouses, while still in the posture of grabbing people, were covered with a layer of frost.


    As the ice-blue Phantom Phoenix behind Fang Qingzhu cried out to the heavens,


    Crack, crack, crack!


    The Xue Yilou powerhouses burst on cue, turning into a sky of ice fragments.


    The Phoenix flapped its wings, exterminating the Xue Yilou!


    For a moment...


    In the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, which had become a land of frost, only Xue Jiu remained from the Xue Yilou. The surrounding frost couldn''t compare to the coldness in his heart.


    "Now it''s your turn!"


    Fang Qingzhu turned into a blue streak of light and shot forth, skimming across the ground with fierce winds and swirling snow in her wake.


    Xue Jiu''s expression changed drastically, a crazed look filled his eyes, "You''re forcing me!"


    Whoosh!


    A blood-red bead was thrown by him.


    This was a Sword Orb!


    Only by understanding the third level of Sword Intent, the fusion of man and sword, could one condense such a Sword Orb!


    Its strongest swords moves were integrated within!


    Boom!


    The Sword Orb exploded, and a sky full of sword shadows enveloped everything, with a thunderous roar, shattering the frost around Fang Qingzhu.


    When the Sword Orb had completely dissipated, Fang Qingzhu suddenly trembled all over.


    The ice-blue Phantom Phoenix shadow behind her disappeared into nothingness, and she fell to the ground with a thud, as the Sword Orb had depleted all her strength.


    Gasp!


    Gasp!


    Xue Jiu, with a look of ecstasy on his face, laughed loudly, "Ha ha ha, so your secret technique has its limits? Without this secret technique''s blessing, killing you would be as easy as crushing an ant!"


    Just as Xue Jiu raised his sword with the intention of going forth to claim Fang Qingzhu''s life, an icy voice suddenly rang out, "Move again, and I''ll surely kill you!"

 Chapter 112 - 112: Come out and die!

    "Move again, and I will kill you!"


    From the cold voice, Xiao Yi''s figure slowly descended from midair.


    His gaze fell on Fang Qingzhu, Little Lin, and Niu Dali among others. He finally breathed a sigh of relief when he realized they were not in mortal danger.


    He held Fang Qingzhu in his arms, feeling her weak life force, his rage thundering in his heart.


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi? How did you come back so soon?" Xue Jiu looked at Xiao Yi with a shocked face.


    This was a man who could defeat Jiang Shanhe from the Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm. With his strength, he was no match for Xiao Yi. Precisely because of this, Xue Jiu had used Yan Mingli''s severed finger to lure Xiao Yi away.


    According to his plan...


    It would take nearly an hour for Xiao Yi to reach Zhuilong Valley.


    Even if he realized that it was a feint the moment he arrived at Zhuilong Valley and came back, it would still take an hour and a half, enough time for him to have captured Fang Qingzhu and the others.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "I never went to Zhuilong Valley!"


    After he left the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, he raced at full speed toward Zhuilong Valley, but halfway there, he discovered a spy from Xue Yilou tailing him.


    Xiao Yi captured the Xue Yilou expert, forced their plan out of him, and immediately turned back.


    But he was still a step too late!


    If Fang Qingzhu hadn''t unleashed that ice-blue phoenix at the critical moment, by now, they would probably have been taken away by Xue Jiu and his people. The thought made Xiao Yi shudder.


    Xue Jiu closed his eyes in despair, "I have pulled every lever I could, yet I forgot that with your strength, those who have just entered the Golden Core realm would ultimately betray themselves. It seems this mission is my failure!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Who is behind all this?"


    "Do you think I will tell you?"


    Xue Jiu let out a sneer filled with disdain, "There are countless strong individuals in Xue Yilou. You might have evaded this wave, but can you withstand the forces Xue Yilou musters from the Qing Dynasty? I am not afraid to tell you, we have warriors from the Tao Tribulation Realm in Xue Yilou. Once a Calamity Realm warrior takes action, do you think you can defend against it?"


    The most terrifying thing about Xue Yilou was the endless assassinations and the unpredictable killing methods.


    This wave had failed.


    They would immediately plan the second wave.


    And then the tenth!


    Xiao Yi looked at Xue Jiu with cold eyes. With a raise of his hand, his vitality formed an invisible hand in the air that tightly grasped Xue Jiu''s neck, lifting him up, "Tell me, who is behind all this, and I will spare your life!"


    "I will never tell you!" Xue Jiu scoffed.


    Splat!


    Xiao Yi tore off his right arm in one move, disregarding Xue Jiu''s face twisted in pain, and demanded, "Will you speak or not?"


    "No..."


    Splat!


    This time, he tore off Xue Jiu''s right leg.


    "I would rather die than tell you..."


    Splat!


    Xiao Yi cut off Xue Jiu''s third leg with a sword.


    Ahh...


    Xue Jiu''s screams of agony were continuous, his body convulsed and trembled uncontrollably.


    Xiao Yi''s voice was like a soul-hooking incantation, "Say it again, who exactly is it?"


    "I..."


    As soon as Xue Jiu began to speak, Xiao Yi ripped off his ears, one by one pulling out his hair. Xue Jiu''s entire head was bloodied and dripping, suffering unbearable pain, he shouted in despair, "I''ll tell, I''ll tell... please, just put an end to my agony, I''ll tell..."


    Xiao Yi threw the bloody, skin-covered hair to the side, "Who?"


    Bearing the excruciating pain, Xue Jiu gritted his teeth and said, "It was Yun Feiying from the Yun Family, and Jia Yisheng from the Jia Family..."


    "Yun Feiying? Jia Yisheng?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly, recalling their identities. They were the heads of the Yun and Jia Families., also the fathers of Yun Lei and Jia Sidao, "So it was them... they are simply courting death!" S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xue Jiu gasped for air, "I... I have told you, now... can you give me a swift end?"


    The mission failed, and it also exposed the employer.


    Xue Jiu, even if he left alive, would become a target for assassination by Xue Yilou.


    Death was certain!


    Xiao Yi said, "Where are Yan Mingli and Lin Bing Xin?"


    Xue Jiu swallowed a mouthful of blood and said, "After they were captured, they were sent to the Jia Family. According to Jia Yisheng, the death of his youngest son has something to do with Yan Mingli; they were imprisoned in the dungeons of the Jia Family."


    Jia Sichun died in Nanhuang City.


    And Yan Mingli was in Nanhuang City, Xiao Yi''s most loyal supporter.


    "I''ve told you everything I know..." Xue Jiu said with difficulty.


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, tightening his grip and twisting off his neck.


    Then, he looked toward Niu Dali and the others: "Are you all right?"


    "No, no problems..."


    Niu Dali and the others hurriedly shook their heads.


    They had never seen such a terrifying side of Xiao Yi before.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, glanced at the courtyard covered with frost, and said solemnly, "What exactly is going on here?"


    Niu Dali quickly relayed to Xiao Yi the scene where Fang Qingzhu had turned into an ice-blue phoenix behind him and killed the formidable foes from Xue Yilou.


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly, recalling the ice-blue phoenix that appeared on Fang Qingzhu when she broke through to the Shentong Realm: "I''ve never heard of such divine skills. It seems Qingzhu also has secrets hidden on her."


    But he didn''t probe any further.


    Everyone has their own secrets.


    Just like his Eternal Tomb, unless absolutely necessary, he would never reveal it to anyone.


    Xiao Yi checked their injuries and said in a deep voice, "Your injuries are not serious, and Qingzhu is just overly exhausted. She will recover with proper rest. You guys stay and guard the Martial Arts Institute; I''m going to the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Xiao, are you going to the Royal Martial Arts Academy to find the Yun Family and the Jia Family?" Shi Yaoquan asked.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Shi Yaoqian said with a wry smile, "Xiao, this is a troubled time. The battle between you and the Royal Martial Arts Academy has already attracted countless powerful figures. Before going into seclusion, Jiang advised us that we must not allow you to make any more enemies. Both the Yun Family and the Jia Family are prominent households in the capital, and they are high-ranking officials in the court. If you kill them, I''m afraid it will infuriate that person in the palace..."


    "No need to say more!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, his eyes cold, "The good are bullied, and the meek are preyed upon. The more this happens, the less we can afford to be weak. I''ll be back shortly!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi walked on air, heading straight for the capital.


    Shi Yaoqian and the others looked at each other, their faces filled with anxiety: "We must inform the institute head and Jiang immediately!"


    "This is going to be a big deal!"


    That was the capital!


    Whether it''s Yun Feiying or Jia Yisheng, those are high-ranking officials of the second grade or above.


    Whoever dares to touch them is shaking the foundation of Tianqing Kingdom!


    Becoming an enemy of the entire kingdom!


    They seemed to already see Xiao Yi becoming the target of all, a one-man-against-an-entire-nation situation.


    Just as they were in a frenzy to go to the seclusion area to try to wake Gu Junhe and Jiang Tai, within the capital, inside the Jia Family''s dark dungeon.


    Before Jia Yisheng stood Yan Mingli and Lin Bing Xin, who were bound hand and foot.


    Jia Yisheng''s wife, holding a red-hot iron, approached the nearly unconscious Lin Bing Xin with a malicious look on her face: "Hehe, you wretched woman, you look so pretty, you must be very close to Xiao Yi, right? Tell me, if I burn your face to resemble a toad''s, will he still fancy you?"


    "No, don''t come any closer..."


    Lin Bing Xin had a face of despair.


    Yan Mingli, who was beside her, barely conscious, opened his mouth but could not make a sound, tears of despair falling from his eyes.


    But just as the red-hot iron was about to touch her face, a loud boom suddenly came from outside the dungeon, followed by an angry roar like thunder: "Jia Yisheng, come out and die!"

 Chapter 113 - 113: One Man Destroys a Clan

    "Jia Yisheng, come out and meet your death!"


    The cold voice, like a thunderous roar from the heavens, shook the sky and resounded above the entire Jia Mansion. It even penetrated the multiple barriers and entered the dungeons down below.


    Mrs. Jia''s hand trembled, and the branding iron clattered to the ground, bouncing before settling on the top of her foot.


    Hiss!


    The top of the shoe was instantly burned through, and the scorching hot branding iron cooked the top of her foot in a mere moment.


    Ow...


    Mrs. Jia subconsciously withdrew her foot, but the branding iron tore off the flesh from the top of her foot as it stuck, leaving her with a blood-drenched wound as a hysterical scream escaped from her mouth.


    "Madam, are you alright?" Jia Yisheng, who had been watching coldly until then, changed his expression and rushed over immediately.


    He supported Mrs. Jia with his arm, his face full of concern.


    Slap!


    Mrs. Jia slapped Jia Yisheng across the face, her expression ferocious as she bellowed in anger, "Don''t you see the state of my foot? Do you think I could be alright?"


    Seated high in the halls of power, the formidable second-ranked official Jia Yisheng was actually a henpecked husband.


    Facing Mrs. Jia''s furious roar, Jia Yisheng instinctively shrank his neck and helped her sit down beside him, "Don''t panic, Madam. I''ll apply some medicine to you right now..."


    "What medicine? Go out and see which bastard dares to make trouble in my Jia Mansion and is responsible for hurting me like this... I want him torn to pieces!" Mrs. Jia said bitterly.


    Jia Yisheng quickly nodded, "I-I''ll go at once!"


    ......


    Jia Mansion.


    This estate was originally a gift from Jiang Tianchen to the Jia Family. The large vermillion gate stood five meters tall, three meters wide, and was extremely thick.


    But now...


    The gate was in disarray, utterly destroyed and in tatters.


    From the gate leading directly to the main hall of Jia Mansion, the path was littered with the bodies of the guards, each with an almost imperceptible bloodstain on their necks.


    Able to take their lives with a single sword strike!


    No one was spared!


    In front of the main hall...


    The manager of the Jia Family, Jia Fugui, was ghostly pale as he kept retreating under the protection of a group of guards. The eyes of all the guards looking towards the young man with the red longsword in his hand, inching closer with each step, were filled with terror.


    "Where is Jia Yisheng?" Xiao Yi asked indifferently.


    Gulp! S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jia Fugui instinctively swallowed, glaring with rage, "Audacious thief! You dare slaughter the Jia Family''s guards in broad daylight. Do you know where you are?"


    "Silence!"


    With his sword in the air, Xiao Yi, exhibiting the strength of the Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, faced the guards in the Divine Skills Realm as if slicing through vegetables.


    Where the sword''s edge passed, heads rolled.


    "Who dares cause trouble in my Jia Mansion?"


    Jia Yisheng had just come out of the dungeon when he saw the corpses everywhere and Jia Fugui, the manager of the Jia Family, kneeling on the ground, continuously kowtowing to Xiao Yi. He immediately spoke up to scold.


    No sooner had his words fallen.


    A streak of blood flashed before his eyes, and Jia Fugui''s head flew up, landing right in front of him.


    Xiao Yi smirked, looked up at Jia Yisheng, and said, "You''ve finally shown up!"


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi? Shit..."


    Jia Yisheng froze for a moment, and upon recognizing Xiao Yi''s face, he didn''t hesitate to turn around and run.


    "Since you''re here, don''t even think about leaving!"


    Xiao Yi reached out with his right hand, and an invisible force seized Jia Yisheng, pulling him fiercely and smashing him heavily onto the ground.


    The entire Jia Mansion roared as if an earthquake had struck.


    The ground was covered in dust, and within a human-shaped crater, Jia Yisheng lay there face up, bleeding from all orifices, looking up at Xiao Yi in despair, "Xiao, Young Master Xiao, don''t be impulsive... There must be some misunderstanding between us..."


    Xiao Yi, not saying a word, pressed on."


    Jia Yisheng scrambled backward in panic, his face filled with fear, "Young Master Xiao, you can''t kill me. I am an imperial officer. If you kill me, the Emperor will never let you go, and you will have no place in Tianqing Kingdom..."


    "Are you, threatening me?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said.


    "I..."


    Jia Yisheng swallowed nervously. Jia Sichun and Jia Sidao both had died at Xiao Yi''s hand, and he wished he could flay Xiao Yi alive a thousand times over.


    But...


    When facing Xiao Yi, he didn''t even have the courage to talk tough, and he quickly shook his head in a servile manner, "No, no dare, how could I threaten you? To you, I am nothing but an ant you could squash effortlessly. Murdering me to become the target of public criticism, that''s not worth it!"


    Who could have imagined that such a high-ranking official could also have such humble moments?


    At this moment, Jia Yisheng was full of regret.


    His son had died, but he could have another; why did he have to provoke this formidable foe?


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Where are Yan Mingli and the others?"


    "In the dungeon, I''ll take you there right away..." Jia Yisheng said hastily.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Jia Yisheng scurried ahead like a dog, crawling and groveling as he led the way.


    They made their way to the dungeon.


    Mrs. Jia was limping towards Lin Bingxin, holding the freshly reheated branding iron, about to stamp Lin Bingxin''s cheek.


    "Stop!"


    Jia Yisheng was terrified to the core; if she stamped down, he''d have no way out!


    Mrs. Jia was startled and turned around, only to be struck by a fierce slap from Jia Yisheng, sending her flying into the wall. With a thud, the branding iron fell into the collar of her garment.


    Hiss hiss...


    A scent of charred flesh emanated from within her bosom, accompanied by her hysterical screams, "Ahh... help, save me..."


    Jia Yisheng ignored Mrs. Jia, turning to Xiao Yi with a sycophantic look, "Xiao... Xiao, you can see... they both are here!"


    Mrs. Jia, enduring the intense pain, roared, "Jia Yisheng, have you grown too bold? Dare you lay hands on your own wife?"


    "Shut up!"


    Jia Yisheng ground his teeth, wishing he could gag her mouth with a cloth.


    After all, the dreaded Xiao Yi was standing right by his side!


    If he angered Xiao Yi, he and his wife would be done for!


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes as he looked at the unconscious Elder Yan and Lin Bingxin, the vicious wounds all over their bodies darkening his expression, "Release them!"


    "I... I''ll do it now!" Jia Yisheng hurried forward.


    Yet Mrs. Jia blocked his path, menacingly yelling, "I''d like to see who dares! These two bastards, together with that dog bastard Xiao Yi, killed my son. I''d like to see who dares release them?"


    "Shut up, if you want to die don''t drag me into it..." Jia Yisheng glared at her furiously, frantically signaling her, "Don''t you see Xiao is here? Get out of my way!"


    "Xiao? Is he Xiao Yi?"


    Mrs. Jia snapped back to reality, glowering at Xiao Yi with a ferocious face, screaming venomously, "Good for you, Jia Yisheng. Your son''s killer stands before you, and you''re as cowardly as a shrinking turtle? Won''t you kill him to avenge your son?"


    "Avenge? I''ll avenge your granddad..."


    Jia Yisheng exploded in anger, previously it was Mrs. Jia who had urged him to join forces with Flying Eagle and hire Xue Yilou to take action, and now that the Jia Family was nearly annihilated, Mrs. Jia was not without blame, "You stupid woman, if you don''t shut your mouth, I''ll kill you myself!"


    "Kill me? Come on, you impotent fool, you have no guts to avenge your son, and now you help his murderer against your own wife? If you lack the guts to take revenge for your son, I''ll do it myself!" As Mrs. Jia spoke, she grabbed a red-hot iron from the furnace, lunging at Lin Bingxin.


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi''s cold hum was followed by a swift strike that split Mrs. Jia in half, his icy gaze then turning to the dispirited Jia Yisheng, "You go die as well!"


    "No..."


    Jia Yisheng watched in despair as the sword''s blade pierced his body.


    Bang!


    Having consecutively killed Jia Yisheng and Mrs. Jia, the entire Jia Family was extinguished!


    Xiao Yi sheathed his Fire Qilin Sword and rescued Elder Yan and Lin Bingxin from the rack, sighing in relief after checking on them, "Thankfully, it''s just excessive blood loss, and there''s no danger to their lives!"


    He gave them pills to stabilize their injuries.


    At this moment...


    Outside Jia Mansion, a sea of people had gathered.


    They kept their distance, looking at the Jia Mansion strewn with bodies, "This... this is outrageous!"


    "Who could it be? Who would dare to massacre a high-ranking official''s entire family in broad daylight?"


    "Look, look... someone''s coming..."


    Within that grand gate, Xiao Yi walked out powerfully, carrying the two with him...

 Chapter 114 - 114: By His Majestys Decree, Annihilate the Entire Clan!

    "Is that Xiao Yi?"


    "My God! Is it really him? How... how does he dare to do such a thing..."


    "This is the residence of a second-rank official of the court, and he dared to annihilate his entire clan? Quick, quick, notify the city guards, this is a provocation against the entire Tianqing Kingdom..."


    Gasps of shock arose from the crowd.


    Onlookers outside the Jia Mansion scrambled out of the way, not daring to come within thirty feet of Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless.


    He simply carried two people and made his way to the Treasure Pavilion.


    He was spotless, but a pungent smell of blood and overwhelming Evil Qi surrounded him, causing everyone to make way wherever he went.


    And the news of Xiao Yi single-handedly exterminating the Jia Family spread like wildfire.


    Countless powerhouses received the news.


    In an instant.


    Everyone came upon hearing the news.


    "A major event has occurred, Xiao Yi has wiped out the entire Jia Family... he''s defying the heavens!"


    "I think he''s on a suicide mission, this is going to be interesting to watch. Since the establishment of the Tianqing Kingdom, no one has dared to do such a thing, the emperor will definitely not let him off!"


    "It seems Xiao Yi won''t last until seven days later, he is going to die today!"


    Powerhouses from all directions gathered with the intent to witness Xiao Yi''s bold challenge against the Royal Martial Arts Academy in seven days.


    But now it seems...


    They won''t be able to wait!


    Along the way, more and more onlookers joined.


    Xiao Yi carried Yan Mingli and Lin Bingxin all the way to the Treasure Pavilion, where the guards were on high alert. Not until Xiao Yi handed over the two did he say, "Take good care of them!"


    "This, this..."


    The guards were at a loss.


    Xiao Yi calmly stated, "If there''s any negligence, I will hold you accountable!"


    The guard hastily replied, "Xiao, rest assured, Elder Yan is originally one of us at the Treasure Pavilion, we will ensure nothing happens to them!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and then soared into the sky, like an eagle gliding through the air, heading toward the Yun Family.


    More and more powerhouses followed him, a dense crowd like a wave of black steel, unrelentingly chasing across the ground.


    They reached the Yun Family.


    Yun Feiying was an Imperial Secretary, holding a first-rank position, and he himself was a cultivator in the Golden Elixir Realm Sixth Layer Cultivation, much stronger than Jia Yisheng.


    Especially the Yun Family''s Elder Yun He, who had stepped into the Golden Elixir Realm a hundred years ago, unfathomable in his depth.


    "What is Xiao Yi doing at the Yun Family?"


    "Could it be... he wants to obliterate the Yun Family too?" someone in the crowd speculated.


    "Are you mad or is he mad? It''s not enough for him to have destroyed the Jia Family, he''s actually thinking of obliterating the Yun Family? Even if he had multiple lives, they wouldn''t be enough..."


    The crowd scoffed at this guess.


    But soon...


    These people were fiercely slapped in the face.


    Two guards, with grave expressions, looked at Xiao Yi and the immense crowd behind him, frowned and said, "Who goes there? This is the residence of the Imperial Secretary, all unrelated persons should get out!"


    "Bring Yun Feiying out to see me," Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    "How audacious, to address the Imperial Secretary by name... Seize him!" With a cold snort from one of the guards, they rushed toward him from both sides, full of murderous intent.


    The two simultaneously grabbed Xiao Yi''s shoulders, sneering, "Kneel down!"


    "Scram!"


    Xiao Yi''s figure did not move, yet his body vibrated fiercely.


    Hum!


    A violent surge of Qi erupted from within, flinging the two guards away, booming as they smashed into the vermilion gates on either side.


    Xiao Yi flipped his palm and the Fire Qilin Sword appeared in his grasp; he lifted the sword to the sky, "Solitary Nine Swords��Sword Breaking Style!"


    His vital energy surged, igniting the fiery red scale patterns on the Fire Qilin Sword to burst into dazzling light, and a ten-zhang-long Sword Qi descended from the heavens.


    Boom!


    As the Sword Qi plummeted, the earth shook, and the entire front gate of the Yun Family was cleaved in two.


    "How dare you, who dares to cause trouble at the Yun Family?"


    "No matter who you are, you are surely doomed!"


    Shouts of fury echoed from within the Yun Family, and numerous guards rushed out from the estate. There were at least a hundred of them, forming a dark mass.


    Xiao Yi, alone with his sword, charged into the midst of the guards, his sword light filling the sky, heads rolling everywhere; the elite Yun Family guards could not stop his advance.


    Flying Eagle Yun was among them.


    He recognized Xiao Yi at a glance and saw that in this short time, more than thirty guards had already perished under Xiao''s sword. His pupils shrank suddenly as he bellowed, "Elder Ancestor, come quickly to my aid!"


    Boom!


    From the depths of the Yun Family estate, a heaven-shaking Sword Intent soared into the sky.


    "Who dares to cause trouble in my Yun Family? Do you wish for death?" Amidst the powerful and authoritative voice, an aged figure tore through the void, wielding a black war saber.


    His Qi-Blood surged like dragons and tigers.


    It was none other than Elder Yun He, whose cultivation had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    This was a formidable expert that had not appeared in the world!


    Flying Eagle Yun bowed respectfully towards Elder Yun He and declared, "Elder, this thief has killed Yun Lei and Yun Fan. Now he even dares to attack our Yun Family''s doorstep. I implore Elder Ancestor to execute this scoundrel!"


    "Hmph, such young age and extraordinary cultivation indeed show exceptional talent, but the stench of blood and Evil Qi on you is strong, you have killed many. Let this Elder take your life, to act on behalf of heaven!" Yun He''s face was expressionless as his saber swept through the air, slicing outwards.


    The strike was extraordinarily sharp, with the edge of the saber gleaming with cold light.


    The terrifying Sword Intent caused the sabers in the hands of the watching powerhouses to hum as if they were about to leap out of their sheaths. Each of them suppressed their weapons, faces filled with shock: "Is that the second level of Sword Intent? Such a fearsome power, is the Yun Family Elder this terrifying?"


    "A hundred years ago, Yun Family Elder became a Golden Core Realm powerhouse. After a century of seclusion, his combat power is fearsomely strong. Xiao Yi has really hit a snag this time..."


    Amidst the exclamations of the crowd,


    Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed with a chill as he swung his sword, "Sword Breaking Style!"


    The Solitary Nine Swords had nine techniques, each with its own characteristics.


    Sword Breaking Style.


    Specifically used to counter the enemy''s saber techniques.


    It was the bane of saber methods!


    Together with Xiao Yi''s own Sword Intent at the second level, he had no fear of Yun He''s attack. With a thunderous bang, the fearsome saber light burst apart on cue.


    Yet the Sword Qi merely paused for a moment before crashing down relentlessly.


    Spurt!


    Yun He let out a pained scream, cleaved in two by the Sword Qi.


    Hiss...


    There was dead silence within the Yun Family.


    The onlooking crowd was dumbfounded.


    "He, he''s dead just like that?"


    "A Golden Core Realm expert of a hundred years, who painstakingly practiced saber techniques and mastered the second level of Sword Intent, couldn''t even block a single sword strike from Xiao Yi?"


    "My goodness..."


    The most shocked was none other than Flying Eagle Yun; Yun He was his greatest support.


    It was only because of Yun He''s presence that he dared to urge Jia Yisheng and hired Xue Yilou to make a move!


    Now...


    Yun He had died right in front of him.


    Xiao Yi turned his gaze to Flying Eagle Yun among the crowd, whose face was ashen, "Now it''s your turn!"


    "I, I..."


    Flying Eagle Yun''s pale face was full of terror, and just as he began to speak, a rumbling noise approached. The onlooking crowd automatically dispersed to reveal a formidable group of armored cavalry approaching.


    It was the Black Dragon Cavalry!


    "Hahaha, the Black Dragon Cavalry has arrived! Xiao Yi, you are doomed. The Black Dragon Cavalry is the king''s most elite force. You dare to kill the Yun Family Elder and destroy the gates of the Ministry in broad daylight. This is an affront to the Tianqing Kingdom; the king will not let you off!" Flying Eagle Yun''s face showed the ecstasy of a narrow escape.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    The imposing Black Dragon Cavalry was already close at hand.


    The leader was the black-armored commander whom Xiao Yi had met once before. At this moment, the commander''s countenance was cold and indifferent, mounted on a Black Dragon steed, radiating murderous intent.


    Flying Eagle Yun hastily called out, "General Li, the villain Xiao Yi dares to destroy my entrance and kill my Yun Family Elder. I beseech General Li to apprehend him!"


    The black-armored General Li slowly drew his sword, and behind him, the Black Dragon Cavalry also drew their black lances. Like a colossal beast of black steel, the terrifying presence of their Evil Qi was enough to drive one to despair.


    "It''s over; with the Black Dragon Cavalry''s deployment, Xiao Yi is as good as dead!"


    "Who asked him to be so arrogant? First obliterating the Jia Family, and now daring to provoke the Yun Family..." S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Flying Eagle Yun''s ferocious face was brimming with triumph, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yi: "You little bastard, I only regret not being able to kill you with my own hands!"


    Clang!


    General Li pointed with his longsword, but it was not at Xiao Yi; instead, the blade was directed at Flying Eagle Yun. With an indifferent face, he spoke, "By the king''s command, Flying Eagle Yun colluded with Jia Yisheng to plot against Tianjiao of the kingdom. We, the Black Dragon Cavalry, are hereby ordered to eradicate the entire Yun Clan!"


    "What, eradicate the entire clan?"


    Flying Eagle Yun''s look of triumph disappeared in an instant, his face a picture of stunned disbelief as he dropped to the ground with a thud...

 Chapter 115 - 115: They Come to Kill!

    Flying Eagle slumped to the ground, his face full of despair.


    He never imagined that the Black Dragon Cavalry, which he viewed as his lifesaver, would become the final straw that crushed him!


    "Why, why? I, I am a first-rank great official of the court, my Yun family has been loyal and courageous, why does His Majesty treat me this way?" Flying Eagle roared with bloodshot eyes.


    His Yun family was a deeply-rooted powerful family in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    With the backing of the crown prince and the Royal Martial Arts Institute, as well as the strength of his ancestor Yun He to suppress others, the Yun family was one of the most powerful in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Even the current emperor would have many concerns about eliminating the Yun family.


    But now...


    He merely paid to hire the strong from Xue Yilou to kidnap an important person close to Xiao Yi to avenge Yun Fan and also to intimidate Xiao Yi into restraint, thus currying favor with Jiang Shanhe and Zhou Yuan.


    In his view, even if the plan failed, Xiao Yi would still not be able to do anything to him.


    "Hmph!"


    General Li, clad in black armor, scoffed coldly, showing no emotion, and waved his hand, "Kill them!"


    Boom!


    The Black Dragon Cavalry turned into a black iron flood and surged forward, slaughtering all the strong members of the Yun family and leveling the grand Yun estate.


    For a moment.


    Dust billowed, and the clash of battle shook the heavens.


    The strong onlookers from afar were stunned, their faces confused, "We thought the Black Dragon Cavalry came to capture Xiao Yi, but they actually came for the Yun family?"


    "Just what is Xiao Yi''s background? He has destroyed the Jia Family and now almost obliterated the Yun Family without consequences?"


    "Haven''t you noticed... that when Xiao Yi killed the ancestor of the Yun family just now, he only used one move?"


    Hiss...


    Everyone drew a sharp breath.


    Only then did they return to their senses, realizing that Yun He was a Ninth Layer Golden Core Realm expert, who had also comprehended the second stage of the Dao of the Blade, yet was slain by Xiao Yi with a single sword strike.


    Just how strong was Xiao Yi''s combat prowess?


    The eyes of everyone looking at Xiao Yi were filled with shock and awe.


    Indeed, the Black Dragon Cavalry was the most elite force of the Tianqing Kingdom, and in just an instant, the entire Yun family was wiped out. General Li, in black armor, approached Xiao Yi.


    He dismounted from his horse.


    General Li looked at Xiao Yi with complex eyes, this was the man who had refused the title of Martial King of the Nation from Jiang Tianchen and had slain a Ninth Layer Golden Core Realm existence with a single sword.


    General Li saluted Xiao Yi with a fist wrapped in another, his words also filled with extra reverence, "Xiao, His Majesty has already sent someone to locate the branch of Xue Yilou in the Tianqing Kingdom. His Majesty has instructed that if Xiao has any needs, the Black Dragon Cavalry is willing to serve you to the best of our ability!"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and asked, "Is His Majesty not afraid of offending Xue Yilou?"


    Xue Yilou was an assassination organization that spread across the ten countries of Nanhuang, and it was said that the shadow of a Great Qian Dynasty''s big shot loomed behind it. For this reason, the Tianqing Kingdom had always refrained from acting against Xue Yilou.


    After all.


    Even though Jiang Tianchen, as the ruler of a nation, had a legendary figure of the Tao Tribulation Realm stationed in the palace and was not afraid of the assassination attempts of Xue Yilou.


    But were the other members of his royal family not afraid? Was the entire court, both civil and military, not afraid?


    If they provoked Xue Yilou and the organization kept sending assassins to murder members of the royal family and the entire court, even the mightiest of kingdoms couldn''t withstand such assaults!


    But now...


    Jiang Tianchen was actually willing to become an enemy of Xue Yilou for his sake.


    This was truly a costly move!


    General Li said, "The thoughts of His Majesty are not something I dare to speculate on!"


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath.


    He wasn''t someone who failed to recognize a good turn, even if he knew Jiang Tianchen had ulterior motives for wooing him. The mere fact that Jiang Tianchen chose to stand by him at such a critical time was a favor too great to repay.


    He looked up at General Li and said in a deep voice, "Then I''ll have to trouble General Li to accompany me to Xue Yilou''s branch..." S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A flash of joy crossed General Li''s heart.


    Once Xiao Yi accepted the help of the Black Dragon Cavalry, it meant that Xiao Yi was accepting Jiang Tianchen''s friendly overture!


    With a wave of his hand.


    A majestic Black Dragon steed was led over, and General Li said sternly, "Xiao, please mount the horse!"


    "Let''s go!"


    Xiao Yi leaped onto the horse.


    General Li left ten members of the Black Dragon Cavalry in charge of tidying up the Yun Family''s mess and, with a wave of his hand, hundreds of Black Dragon Cavalry roared off towards the west of the city under Xiao Yi''s lead.


    ...


    The west of the Royal Capital.


    This was also an extremely prosperous area, vast, with its many shops standing in great numbers.


    The throng of people passing to and fro was like a torrential flood.


    Xiaoyao Tower was the most luxurious place in the western part of the city, where expenses were particularly extravagant, a hallmark of opulence. Many princes and nobles, wealthy merchants, and powerful families often lingered there.


    Aside from the sumptuous food and fine wine, Xiaoyao Tower also boasted cloud-like beauties and the largest casino in the entire Royal Capital.


    It was a den of iniquity and decadence where money rotted away, as well as a hedonistic paradise of extravagance.


    As long as you had money...


    There was nothing Xiaoyao Tower couldn''t do.


    It was said...


    Even if you took a fancy to the daughter of a high-ranking official, as long as you could pay enough, Xiaoyao Tower would bring her to your bed.


    At this moment.


    Xiaoyao Tower, within the top floor.


    Within this room, resplendent with gold, a man clad in a brocade robe with long hair sat behind an enormous and luxurious desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface, producing a ''thud, thud, thud'' sound.


    In front of him, a figure in a blood-red robe knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head.


    "You can''t even handle such a simple task; you''ve really disappointed me!" the long-haired man said coldly.


    The figure in the blood-red robe replied with sincere trepidation, "Headquarters master, please calm your anger. We had not anticipated that Xiao Yi would not fall for it. Had he not returned in time, our men would not have failed!"


    "Silence!"


    With a wave of his hand, the long-haired man sent him crashing to the floor with a slap, his gaze filled with a cold, venomous, and chilling look, "Since I''ve taken charge of the Tianqing Kingdom branch, this is the first time an operation has failed. You have three days to send someone to fetch those people back to me. As for Xiao Yi... if he dares to spoil Xue Yilou''s plans again, let him simply disappear from this world!"


    "Yes!"


    The figure in the blood-red robe quickly nodded.


    "Leave!"


    The long-haired man dismissed him with a wave of his hand.


    The figure in the blood-red robe let out a silent sigh of relief and respectfully left the room.


    The long-haired man continued to tap on the desk, his half-closed eyes flickering coldly, making the temperature inside the room drop significantly, adding to the already ominous atmosphere, "The top genius of Tianqing Kingdom? The number one on the Teng Long List? Hmph, if I want you dead, it''s as easy as crushing an ant!"


    He narrowed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, humming a little tune.


    Suddenly...


    Bang!


    The door was suddenly burst open; it was the blood-robed figure who had left earlier, staggering back in. He gazed at the long-haired man with a face full of panic, bellowing, "Headquarters master, disaster strikes, Xiao Yi is coming here to kill us..."

 Chapter 116 - 116: I Am Naturally Invincible, Why Need to Borrow Momentum?

    "Xiao Yi has come to my door to kill!"


    The blood-robed figure spoke in a panic.


    Bang!


    The long-haired middle-aged man suddenly stood up, overturning the vermilion table in front of him with a overly vigorous motion, his face filled with anger, "What did you say? Xiao Yi has come to kill at our door? Does he really think he is invincible? How dare he openly provoke Xue Yilou?"


    Xue Yilou has existed for nearly a thousand years.


    Behind them stood a powerful figure from the Great Qian Dynasty, capable of reaching the heavens, which is why Xue Yilou had branches in both the Great Qian Dynasty and its affiliated kingdoms.


    For years.


    Xue Yilou has executed countless missions, beheading powerful warriors and even nobles from various factions, but still no kingdom dares to openly confront Xue Yilou.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi, he actually dares to attack Xue Yilou alone?


    "L-lord, it''s not just Xiao Yi, there''s also the Black Dragon Cavalry..." The blood-robed figure gasped for air, terror filling the eyes covered by his cloak. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Black Dragon Cavalry!


    They are the elite forces of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    They serve the current King of Tianqing Kingdom.


    If the Black Dragon Cavalry has made a move, it means Tianqing Kingdom intends to eradicate Xue Yilou!


    "Has Jiang Tianchen gone mad? How dare he become an enemy of Xue Yilou?" The long-haired middle-aged man was utterly stupefied; he couldn''t understand Jiang Tianchen''s decision.


    Just then...


    Boom!


    A tremendous explosion swept through the entire Carefree Pavilion.


    The ground shook and buildings collapsed with the roaring sound, turning the grand and lavish Carefree Pavilion into ruins. Among the ruins, numerous nobles and wealthy merchants who were in the Carefree Pavilion fled in disarray.


    But as they barely escaped with their lives, they were confronted by the cold blades of the Black Dragon Cavalrymen.


    General Li, standing proudly atop his black dragon steed, his eyes cold and merciless behind his mask, spoke loudly, "Black Dragon Cavalry is handling matters. Everyone surrender or be executed without mercy!"


    "Kill without mercy!"


    "Kill without mercy..."


    The Black Dragon Cavalry shouted in unison, their voices echoing like a great bell, louder than thunder.


    Besides the deafening roar, there was also a sky-high Evil Qi.


    This Black Dragon Cavalry in Tianqing Kingdom is infamous, a symbol of slaughter, and messengers of the Grim Reaper. No one dares to oppose the Black Dragon Cavalry, one by one, the warriors surrendered without a fight, not daring to resist.


    Because those who did resist...


    Were all beheaded!


    Amidst the ruins.


    A blood-colored figure burst forth from the rubble, soaring into the sky, his blood-colored Evil Qi swirling with his wildly dancing black hair, he looked both divine and demonic.


    "Li Qing? My Xue Chou and your Black Dragon Cavalry have always kept to our own affairs, why do you help Xiao Yi against Xue Yilou?" Xue Chou''s face was filled with resentment as he looked at Li Qing, beholding the Carefree Pavilion turned into ruins, and the many fallen warriors of Xue Yilou, his eyes brimming with vicious bloodlust, as if they might explode at any moment.


    Li Qing was the commander of the Black Dragon Cavalry.


    He sat astride his black dragon steed, his eyes heavy with a solemn light. His cultivation was only at the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, whereas this Xue Chou was a genuine powerhouse at the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    His combat strength was far superior to Li Qing''s.


    "Damn it, who would have expected this madman to personally be present in the Carefree Pavilion?"


    Li Qing''s expression shifted slightly. According to the intelligence he had, Xue Chou was not supposed to be in the capital these days. But now that things had come to a head, there was no turning back. He could only lower his voice and say, "Xiao, my Black Dragon Cavalry will hold off Xue Chou at all costs. You take the chance to leave..."


    Naturally, Xue Chou heard Li Qing''s words.


    His gaze was fixed on Xiao Yi.


    In his eyes, blood swirled, choosing its prey.


    Xue Chou said sinisterly, "So you are Xiao Yi? You''re just a little bastard. I underestimated you. I didn''t expect Jiang Tianchen would choose to stand by your side. If it weren''t for relying on Jiang Tianchen''s power, you wouldn''t even be able to step through the entrance of Carefree Pavilion!"


    "How bold, Xue Chou! Who gave you the audacity to call His Majesty by his name?" Li Qing roared angrily, raising his long spear.


    CLANG CLANG CLANG!


    Hundreds of Black Dragon Cavalry behind him simultaneously raised their weapons and struck their shields, making a resounding thud.


    In the deafening roar, an overwhelming battle intent fused with surging evil Qi created an aura that made one''s heart tremble with fear.


    Xue Chou narrowed his eyes, about to speak.


    But Xiao Yi suddenly stepped aside, bypassing Li Qing.


    Li Qing was startled and anxiously said, "Xiao..."


    "No matter!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and strode towards Xue Chou, his voice slowly spreading across Carefree Pavilion''s skies, "It seems you are somewhat mistaken. I''ve not relied on anyone''s power, nor do I need the backing of any force. Today, the one who will destroy Xue Yilou is me!"


    "Ridiculous!"


    Xue Chou laughed scornfully, "Without the Black Dragon Cavalry and Jiang Tianchen supporting you, what makes you think you can destroy Xue Yilou?"


    "Just because I am Xiao Yi!"


    Xiao Yi stretched his muscles and let out a series of crackling pops, "I am inherently invincible. Why would I need to borrow power?"


    "Invincible? Hahaha, I admit you are indeed strong, but to call yourself invincible is far too arrogant. You ignorant junior, today I shall teach you a lesson, so you learn that there is always someone stronger, there are always higher heavens!" Xue Chou gritted his teeth and emitted a hysterical bellow.


    He was a venerable powerhouse of the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm and a faction leader of Xue Yilou.


    How could he fear a junior?


    BOOM!


    Around Xue Chou, a surge of blood illuminated his form, which suddenly shook and turned into a blood-colored rainbow, covering dozens of meters in an instant to appear right before Xiao Yi. The experts of Xue Yilou were most skilled in movement techniques.


    Their unpredictable methods, coupled with vicious and extreme assassination techniques.


    This was the reputation that Xue Yilou had built for itself.


    "Be careful!"


    Li Qing''s expression changed as he saw a flash of red streak past, with Xue Chou already appearing before Xiao Yi.


    Li Qing believed that if it had been him in Xiao Yi''s position, he would undeniably be dead.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, and he calmly lifted his right hand. The Yuan energy inside him, transformed by the power of deification, turned into a vast surge of energy and concentrated on the Fire Qilin Sword. He unleashed a slash mighty enough to sweep away thousands of troops: "Solitary Nine Swords��Armor Breaking Style!"


    SWISH!


    A sword cut through the sky.


    CLANG!


    His sword collided with the weapon thrust by Xue Chou. But after just a moment of being stationary, the fourth-grade Yuan weapon in Xue Chou''s hand exploded. Under his frightful and incredulous gaze...


    The Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand spat out dazzling fire, resembling a ferocious twisting fire dragon.


    Opening its giant maw.


    BOOM!


    Xue Chou''s figure violently shook, and under the mad onslaught of the blood-colored fire dragon Sword Qi, his body was torn apart. His corpse fell to pieces, limbs severed, even the driving force was sliced into dozens of parts.


    A mighty Tenth Layer Golden Core Realm powerhouse faced off against the Ninth Layer Golden Core Realm Xiao Yi and couldn''t even withstand a single sword strike!


    At this moment...


    In the silence around the Carefree Pavilion, the words that Xiao Yi had said earlier echoed in the minds of countless people: "I am inherently invincible. Why would I need to borrow power?"

 Chapter 117 - 117: Then There is No Return!

    The vast Carefree Pavilion had turned to ruins.


    Dust billowed up, and corpses covered the ground.


    Before this...


    No one knew that the infamous Xue Yilou was hidden within the Carefree Pavilion, and when Xue Chou appeared in front of everyone, they all thought Xiao Yi had kicked an iron plate.


    Even Li Qing didn''t think Xiao Yi would be a match for Xue Chou.


    But now...


    Powerful as he was, Xue Chou had already been reduced to scattered pieces of corpse.


    Xiao Yi looked at the head of Xue Chou, eyes wide open in fury, lifted his foot, and with a loud ''bang,'' he crushed it. Xue Yilou dared to lay hands on Fang Qingzhu, and that was a violation of his inverse scales.


    A dragon''s inverse scales, touch them and you die!


    Xiao Yi''s inverse scales, likewise, must not be infringed!


    "Xiao, these are the treasures we found in the Carefree Pavilion, and also Xue Chou''s storage ring!" Li Qing wiped the blood off the storage ring with the corner of his clothes and presented it to Xiao Yi.


    There were a total of five storage rings.


    Xiao Yi took them and briefly examined them.


    Inside Xue Chou''s storage ring, apart from some precious medicinal herbs, elixirs, spirit weapons, and secret manuals, there were also a thousand lower-grade spirit stones, ten middle-grade spirit stones, and one top-grade spirit stone.


    As for the other four storage rings, they contained nearly a billion silver, as well as some property deeds and land titles.


    These items were of little use to Xiao Yi. He casually tossed the billion silver and the deeds to Li Qing, saying, "Commander Li, you''ve worked hard. The things inside, distribute them to the brothers!"


    "This..."


    Li Qing was astonished.


    A billion silver, plus property and land deeds, worth no less than two billion, just given away like that?


    Xiao Yi waved his hand. "Go on and distribute them!"


    Gulp!


    Li Qing swallowed hard. Although he was a commander of the Black Dragon Cavalry, he had many expenses for his cultivation and a large family to support, with not much property.


    These billions, even if he could only get a portion, would allow his family not to worry about expenses for more than a decade.


    "Thank you, Xiao!"


    Li Qing gave Xiao Yi a serious fist salute, then shouted to the few hundred Black Dragon Cavalry, "Brothers, Xiao has distributed treasures worth two billion silver to us, shouldn''t we thank Xiao?"


    Hisss!


    All the Black Dragon Cavalry sucked in a breath of cold air.


    Grateful glances turned toward Xiao Yi. They could hardly wait to swear loyalty right then and there, "Thank you, Xiao, for your generous reward!"


    "Xiao is mighty!"


    Everyone shouted one after another.


    Xiao Yi smiled, then looked at Li Qing. "Commander Li, I''ll leave this place to you; I have other business and must leave now!"


    "Rest assured, Xiao, we have this covered!" Li Qing replied.


    Watching Xiao Yi leave.


    Li Qing clutched the storage ring tightly in his hand and muttered to himself, "One must never be an enemy of Xiao! Great Prince Jiang Shanhe... you''d better take care of yourself."


    ...


    Xiao Yi made his way to the Treasure Pavilion.


    The guards at the entrance, upon seeing Xiao Yi, came forward eagerly, saying warmly, "Xiao, Elder Yan has awakened. He instructed me to wait here. Once you arrive, I will take you to see him!"


    "Lead the way!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    A moment later...


    He saw Elder Yan in the Treasure Pavilion, lying on a cot covered in medicinal salve. Beside him stood an elder as well as a chubby middle-aged man.


    The elder was conversing with Elder Yan, while the middle-aged man stood by with a sycophantic smile on his face.


    This middle-aged man was Zhang Kang, who had previously driven Xiao Yi out.


    "Why is it him?"


    Zhang Kang saw Xiao Yi walking in, frowned, and angrily shouted, "Boy, who gave you the audacity to barge into the Treasure Pavilion? Guards, break this ignorant kid''s legs and throw him out!"


    He had previously offended Xiao Yi in an attempt to flatter Chen Di.


    And lost a batch of spirit weapons.


    This affair caused him to be severely reprimanded and he even forfeited a year''s salary.


    He wished he could slaughter Xiao Yi!


    "Scram!"


    With a casual slap from Xiao Yi, Zhang Kang cried out in agony as his head slammed hard against the floor.


    "How audacious!"


    The elder sitting by the bed''s face darkened as he bellowed out loudly.


    Struggling up from the ground, Zhang Kang, with a face full of blood, pitifully looked at Chen Fu, "Pavilion Master, do you see what this mongrel has done to me? You must seek justice for me..."


    Chen Fu nodded indifferently, "Rest assured, I will indeed seek justice for you!"


    Zhang Kang looked triumphantly at Xiao Yi, for Chen Fu was at the pinnacle of the Golden Elixir Realm Peak and was particularly protective of his own. In Zhang Kang''s view, Xiao Yi daring to assault him in front of Chen Fu meant certain death, "Hehe, you mongrel, your doom is sealed!"


    However...


    Chen Fu''s slap landed on his face instead.


    Smack!


    Zhang Kang was sent tumbling to the ground, his teeth shattered from the blow, and he looked at Chen Fu in stunned confusion, "Pav..., Pavilion Master, you hit the wrong person..."


    "It''s you I''m hitting! Open your dog eyes and look clearly, this is Xiao Yi, the top warrior of the Teng Long List. How dare you be so disrespectful to him?"


    Chen Fu huffed coldly. He had deduced Xiao Yi''s identity upon seeing him; Xiao Yi was not just the top warrior of the Teng Long List but also the savior of Yan Mingli.


    How could Chen Fu, as Yan Mingli''s senior brother, side with Zhang Kang?


    "What? The top of the Teng Long List? Xiao... Xiao Yi?"


    Zhang Kang''s head buzzed dully as he collapsed onto the ground, his face filled with despair.


    This was the very same man who had slain the master of Mingjian Manor and defeated the Great Prince Jiang Shanhe!


    He was an existence who could crush Zhang Kang like an ant.


    And he had foolishly provoked Xiao Yi?


    "Please spare me... Young Master Xiao, please spare my life..." Zhang Kang, sobbing bitterly, crawled and rolled over to Xiao Yi.


    Chen Fu snorted coldly, "Someone, take Zhang Kang away, investigate if he has engaged in any dereliction of duty during his term. Should anything be uncovered, execute him without hesitation!"


    "Yes, sir!"


    Two strong men immediately entered, carrying away the limp Zhang Kang.


    He had embezzled quite a bit during his time in charge; if that was discovered, there would be no escaping death!


    At this moment, Zhang Kang was full of regret.


    Why did he provoke such a formidable person?


    Alas, there''s no medicine for regret in this world...


    Chen Fu looked at Xiao Yi with a smile, "Young Master Xiao, are you satisfied with how I''ve dealt with this?"


    "Hmm."


    Xiao Yi nodded, then turned to Elder Yan, "How is Elder Yan''s injury?"


    "Thanks to Young Master Xiao''s fortune, the injury didn''t affect me fundamentally..." Yan Mingli was speaking as he tried to sit up, but Xiao Yi stopped him.


    Xiao Yi said, "Since Elder Yan is alright, I can rest easy. This hundred low-grade spirit stones should help Elder Yan recover sooner!"


    "How could I possibly accept this?" Yan Mingli hurriedly refused.


    Xiao Yi didn''t entertain any discussion and placed the spirit stones into his hands. S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chen Fu nodded slightly on the side, hesitating for a moment before speaking in a deep voice, "Young Master Xiao, do you have a battle scheduled with the Royal Martial Arts Academy in seven days?"


    "Hmm."


    Xiao Yi nodded, looking puzzled at Chen Fu. The news had already spread throughout the Tianqing Kingdom, why would Chen Fu ask something he already knows?


    Chen Fu said gravely, "I see Young Master Xiao being so young with such cultivation, and I thought the Royal Martial Arts Academy would have been unable to bother you before. But now, it might not be the case!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Chen Fu said seriously, "I have received news that the Great Prince has gotten full support from the Royal Martial Arts Academy and has reached the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Moreover, Zhou Yuan obtained a Martial Dao Divine Fruit from the Tao Tribulation Realm''s secret chamber, using it to break through to the Calamity Realm."


    Xiao Yi''s expression slightly changed.


    The Golden Core Realm and the Calamity Realm were completely different concepts!


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, if he faced several warriors at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak alone, he would have no fear. However, facing a warrior of the Calamity Realm was problematic.


    "It seems I need to hurry up and break through to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, or even to the Peak!" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, contemplating to himself.


    He had enough spirit stones to support a breakthrough to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, but with less than seven days until the battle, there might not be enough time!


    Chen Fu wore a smile as if he held a winning hand, "Young Master Xiao, you must be aware of the power behind my Treasure Pavilion! If you join the Treasure Pavilion, with its backing, not even Zhou Yuan would dare to touch you with ten times the courage. What do you think?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Chen Fu and walked over to Yan Mingli, patting him on the shoulder, "Rest well, and come find me once you''re healed!"


    With that,


    Xiao Yi headed straight for the door, "How could a man of honor live at the mercy of others?"


    "A good bird chooses a tree to nest in. How can that be considered living at the mercy of others?" Chen Fu hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to refuse his proposition and said gravely, "Without the support of the Treasure Pavilion, you are bound for a one-way journey!"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Then it shall be a one-way journey!"

 Chapter 118 - 118: Movement from All Sides

    "Then there''s no return!"


    Xiao Yi, standing with his back to Chen Fu, simply waved his hand, his silhouette growing longer under the setting sun.


    Gazing at his figure as it disappeared from view.


    Only then did Chen Fu come back to his senses, his face looking particularly ugly, "Ungrateful!"


    Yan Mingli, who was lying in bed, however, smiled. Even with his face covered in plasters, one could still see the bright and steadfast gaze in his eyes, "Senior brother, you have underestimated him!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Fu was taken aback and said airily, "Underestimate him? I admit that his talent is strong, and indeed he can be called the first in the small land of Tianqing Kingdom. But compared to those true favored children of heaven, he still has a considerable gap. Take Xiao Tianjiao, for example, at his age, he had already reached the Tao Tribulation Realm..."


    "Senior brother, do you know what realm Xiao was in ten months ago?" Yan Mingli asked.


    Chen Fu frowned and said, "Shentong Realm?"


    Yan Mingli shook his head, the scene of their first meeting with Xiao Yi surfacing in his mind, revealing a trace of genuine admiration, "Ten months ago, he was only at the Physical Body Realm!"


    Hiss!


    Chen Fu sucked in a breath of cold air.


    Physical Body Realm ten months ago? And now he''s comparable to the Golden Elixir Peak?


    Chen Fu said in disbelief, "How is this possible? How could he go from the Physical Body Realm to comparable to the peak of the Golden Core Realm in ten months? Even Xiao Tianjiao wasn''t as fast as him!"


    "Exactly!"


    Yan Mingli shifted slightly, took a deep breath, and still found it hard to contain the shock in his heart.


    "No wonder he looked down on my Treasure Pavilion..."


    Chen Fu took a deep breath and murmured to himself, "The Xiao Family actually exiled such a monstrous talent, sending him to the Fang Family to be a son-in-law? Have the entire Xiao Family gone blind?"


    ...


    Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Xiao Yi returned to his separate courtyard.


    Fang Qingzhu had already transformed; she had completely forgotten the previous incidents and was sitting dumbly at the head of the bed, her face full of confusion, "Xiao Yi, am I a monster? Dali said I''ve become a bird person..."


    "..."


    Xiao Yi glared fiercely at the innocently faced Niu Dali beside him and gently rubbed her head, smiling, "How could my Qingzhu possibly be a monster? What''s important now is for you to rest well, understand?"


    "Yes!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes curved like crescent moons, and she smiled sweetly.


    As long as she was with Xiao Yi, she was no longer the cold and detached ice maiden but became tender and obedient, a jade of a house.


    Xiao Yi rubbed her head again, "You rest well; I need to go cultivate in the back mountain!"


    "Yes! Xiao Yi, good luck!" Fang Qingzhu cheered him on, waving her small, pink fists.


    Xiao Yi nodded, left Little Lin with Fang Qingzhu, and gestured to Niu Dali and the others to go out with him.


    Outside the door.


    Xiao Yi, looking at the few who seemed like they''d done something wrong, said sternly, "From now on, no one is allowed to mention her transformation in front of Qingzhu, especially you, Dali... If you dare call her a bird person again, I will personally castrate you!"


    Niu Dali''s face fell, "I know..."


    Looking at the battered few, Xiao Yi sighed, "You should also rest well these days. In seven days, follow me to the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Yes!"


    As soon as the Royal Martial Arts Academy was mentioned, everyone''s fighting spirit was ignited, and they responded with vigor and enthusiasm.


    Xiao Yi made a beeline for the back mountain.


    Completely immersed in his cultivation, Xiao Yi had no idea that the news of his consecutive annihilation of the Jia Family, the Yun Family, and the Carefree Pavilion had already spread throughout the entire Royal City.


    Within the royal palace.


    Jiang Tianchen sat upright with tension, his fingers lightly tapping on the desk. He waved his hand at Li Qing, who had just finished reporting, "You may leave now."


    "Yes!"


    Li Qing immediately left.


    In the empty great hall, Jiang Tianchen suddenly burst into loud laughter, "What a Xiao Yi indeed, annihilating two clans on his own, crushing Xue Yilou. Hahaha, such is the genius that my Tianqing Kingdom should boast of!"


    "Has Your Majesty made up Your mind?" A gentle voice asked from the darkness.


    Jiang Tianchen nodded emphatically, saying, "Xue Yilou, relying on the forces behind them, acts wantonly, even daring to assassinate the members of my royal family. This is a provocation against my royal authority. Yet among the many talents in the country, who dares to be the enemy of Xue Yilou? Only Xiao Yi!"


    The voice from the darkness fell silent for a moment, then said, "The old one understands."


    Within a secluded courtyard.


    A figure in a red robe, eyes filled with resentment, gazed at the messenger hawk soaring high into the sky, "Xiao Yi? Daring to oppose my Xue Yilou, I will make sure you have no grave to bury!"


    Inside the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Zhou Yuan was sitting cross-legged in the secret chamber, his body bathed in a radiant glow, the vital energy he inhaled and exhaled was so vast that it turned into a thick mist filling the entire chamber.


    Above his dantian, the Golden Core had transformed into a Martial Dao Divine Fruit, and one of the ten rings of light on its surface had shattered, leaving only nine intact.


    This was the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Using the power of heaven and earth to shatter the luminous shackles on the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, breaking and then establishing anew!


    Each shattered ring meant a step forward!


    Zhou Yuan had just entered the Tao Tribulation Realm, therefore there were still nine complete rings of light, while the shattered one had turned into specks of starlight, adhering to the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    Once all the rings are shattered, these specks will turn into Dao patterns.


    Only then will the Martial Dao Divine Fruit be truly perfected.


    Even though it was just his initial entry into the Tao Tribulation Realm,


    the current aura of Zhou Yuan was dozens of times stronger than before. Opening his eyes, a cold glint flashed past, causing Jiang Shanhe before him not to dare make eye contact, repeatedly cupping his hands, "Congratulations, Master, for advancing further on your illustrious path of cultivation!"


    "It is only because I consumed the Martial Dao Divine Fruit that I was able to step into the Tao Tribulation Realm so smoothly. But blessing and misfortune come hand in hand, relying on the Martial Dao Divine Fruit to enter the Tao Tribulation Realm means my future advancements will be exceedingly difficult!" Zhou Yuan said somberly.


    Jiang Shanhe clenched his teeth and said bitterly, "It''s all that Xiao Yi''s fault. If not for his aggression, would Master have destroyed his own prospects..."


    "Enough!"


    Zhou Yuan waved his hand and said sternly, "You just said Xiao Yi annihilated the Yun and Jia families, and also killed Yun He and Xue Chou?"


    "Yes!"


    Jiang Shanhe''s eyes took on a stern serious hue, "Master, Yun He might be a small concern, but the strength of Xue Chou... even if your disciple were to break through to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, I would only just match him. If Xiao Yi could slay Xue Chou, I''m afraid I''m no match for him!"


    "Afraid of what?"


    Zhou Yuan''s gaze was icy cold, like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, waiting for an opportunity to strike, "Master has long been fully prepared. On the journey to the Tao Tribulation secret realm, Xiao Yi has killed many. The Tianlan Kingdom, Sword Mountain Manor, Nine Profound Sect, Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple... Now add Xue Yilou to that list. Perhaps you and I, master and disciple, won''t even need to lift a finger, as others will take his life!"


    "But if perchance..." Jiang Shanhe said with concern. S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Having been previously defeated by Xiao Yi, an indelible shadow had been cast over his heart.


    "Perchance? Then we shall utilize every means to ensure an absolute success. You just need to..."


    Zhou Yuan revealed a sinister expression, whispering a few words into Jiang Shanhe''s ear. Extending his palm into the air, he suddenly clenched it shut. Countless vital energies condensed to the extreme before explosively bursting apart. A fierce wind stirred wildly, the vital energy surging like overwhelming clouds, "Besides, even should the unthinkable happen, there is still your master. With my current strength, crushing him would be like crushing an ant!"

 Chapter 119 - 119: Possessed by Evil?

    ```


    In the middle of the night.


    Despite the darkness, the entire Royal Capital was brightly lit, and countless individuals were unable to sleep this night.


    Tomorrow was the day of the challenge between Xiao Yi and the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Whether it was powerful martial artists or ordinary citizens, everyone was eagerly anticipating this moment.


    Ever since the decline of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy five hundred years ago, no one had dared to challenge the authority of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Xiao Yi''s emergence had become the hope to shake this overlord, and many were longing for him to accomplish this feat.


    Under that night sky...


    A few figures quietly left the Royal Capital, heading straight for the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Squeak, squeak, squeak!


    The silent Tianqi Martial Arts Academy was filled with the sounds of birds and insects.


    A gentle breeze blew through the leaves, accompanied by the rustling noises, it was exceptionally tranquil.


    In front of Fang Qingzhu''s separate dwelling, Fang Qingzhu, Niu Dali, the Shi Family''s four brothers, and the seventh prince Jiang Tai were seated around a bonfire.


    Niu Dali stared at the roaring flames before him, the orange-red glow reflecting on his face. Even though it was midnight, he was full of energy: "I just can''t fall asleep!"


    "Yeah, I''ve tried counting thousands of sheep while lying in bed, but still can''t sleep!" Shi Yaoqian yawned and said with a wry smile.


    Jiang Tai looked helplessly at everyone and saw Fang Qingzhu frowning slightly with a touch of worry between her brows. He then smiled and said, "Qingzhu, don''t worry too much. The Principal and I will also go there tomorrow. If Xiao runs into any danger, the Principal will definitely take action!"


    "Hmm!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded. Just as she was about to speak, the Little Lin in her arms suddenly leapt out.


    The small creature was tense, standing upright, staring intently at the pitch-black sky, and hissing anxiously.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Is someone there?"


    Jiang Tai and the others'' expressions changed. They saw in the space under the starry sky, ten figures shot through the air. Leading them was the Great Prince Jiang Shanhe, clad in brocade robes, his face wore a cold expression: "All here? That saves me the trouble of looking for you all!"


    "Jiang Shanhe? What are you doing here?" Jiang Tai''s face changed, and he demanded.


    Although his cultivation had reached the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, the Jiang Shanhe before him had reached the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Moreover...


    The nine people behind him, each one was a strong practitioner of the Golden Core Realm.


    All were celestial-level students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    In contrast, they only had Jiang Tai and Little Lin with the combat prowess of the Golden Core Realm. Jiang Tai stepped in front of Fang Qingzhu and lowered his voice, "Qingzhu, we''ll hold them off. You run to the back mountain immediately."


    "Run? None of you are going anywhere!"


    Jiang Shanhe sneered, gesturing with his hand, "Leave Jiang Tai to me, take the others back. If they resist, kill them on the spot!"


    "Yes!"


    The nine Golden Core Realm experts attacked at the same time.


    "I''d like to see who dares to touch them!"


    Jiang Tai was furiously outraged, standing firm in front of everyone.


    Jiang Shanhe snorted, "You piece of garbage thinks you can stop me?"


    Hum!


    A silver energy swirled uncertainly in the palm of his hand, as the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm''s cultivation burst forth in an instant, a vast surge of energy rolling toward them. With Jiang Shanhe''s cultivation and strength far surpassing Jiang Tai''s, the latter had no chance to block him at all.


    Bang!


    A muffled sound.


    Jiang Tai was sent flying backward, trampled to the ground under Jiang Shanhe''s foot.


    At the same time.


    The other nine experts also captured Fang Qingzhu and the remaining people. Each one had a lute lock in their hand, piercing through everyone''s shoulder blades, sealing their cultivation. Fang Qingzhu''s shoulders were drenched in blood as she shouted towards the trembling Little Lin who was facing two Golden Core Realm experts, "Run... Little Lin, you need to run..."


    Hiss...


    Little Lin looked at Fang Qingzhu anxiously.


    As Fang Qingzhu''s complexion grew paler, though she had some days of recovery, she was still not fully healed, and she cried out, "Go find Xiao Yi..."


    Hiss!


    Little Lin swiftly slinked away to the side.


    ```


    "Think you can escape? Die!"


    Great Prince Jiang Shanhe pointed a finger, and his ice-cold elemental power transformed into a massive pillar, which with a booming sound, struck Little Lin. The attack sent Little Lin flying, pieces of its silver Scale Armor sprinkled with blood fell to the ground. After struggling for a moment on the ground, Little Lin vanished into the darkness with a swish.


    "Your Highness, the beast has escaped��" a Martial Artist of the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm reported back, his pursuit fruitless.


    Jiang Shanhe waved his hand dismissively, "Just a beast; let it run. Take them all back immediately!" sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yes!"


    Nine people flew away, escorting Fang Qingzhu, Niu Dali, and the four brothers of the Shi Family.


    "Jiang Shanhe, you''re shameless. If you''re so brave, go challenge Xiao directly. What kind of man does this make you?" Jiang Tai roared in humiliation and anger.


    "My dear brother, in this world, it''s survival of the fittest. Mercy is just asking for death!"


    With a sneer, Jiang Shanhe leaned forward, patting Jiang Tai''s face, "Didn''t you put all your hopes on Xiao Yi? Tell him I''ll be waiting at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, hahaha��"


    Whoosh!


    Jiang Shanhe rose into the sky and disappeared into the night.


    "Damn it��"


    Jiang Tai struggled to his feet, the suddenness of it all turning his face into an ugly grimace, "This is trouble�� With Fang Qingzhu in Jiang Shanhe''s hands, Xiao Yi will surely hesitate, what to do now?"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Two sharp sounds of breaking through the air suddenly approached.


    It was Gu Junhe and Xiao Yi, one after the other, landing in the courtyard.


    Seeing the blood on Jiang Tai''s mouth and the footprint on his face, as well as the disheveled courtyard, Gu Junhe''s brow furrowed, "What exactly happened?"


    Xiao Yi, with the blood-covered Little Lin in his arms, urgently asked, "Where are Qingzhu and the others?"


    Jiang Tai said with self-reproach, "Headmaster, Xiao... it''s my fault for not being able to protect them. Just now, Jiang Shanhe and nine Martial Artists of the Golden Core Realm launched a surprise attack and captured Qingzhu and the others..."


    Gu Junhe''s expression turned extremely grim, "I apologize, I was busy with my cultivation and didn''t anticipate their shameless behavior, failing to save Qingzhu and the others in time..."


    "Don''t blame yourselves... I''m the only one to blame. I thought that after wiping out the Jia and Yun families along with Xue Yilou, no one would dare lay hands on Qingzhu and the rest... It''s all my fault... all my fault��" Xiao Yi said, blaming himself, slapping his head with his hands, his eyes bloodshot.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, a surge of elemental energy burst forth from Xiao Yi''s body.


    It turned into a tornado that enveloped his whole body.


    Dust was kicked up from the ground.


    Auras of Evil Qi swirled around him.


    The horrifying intent to kill caused the temperature in the vicinity to drop considerably.


    "Rage-driven madness?"


    Gu Junhe''s expression changed.


    Ordinary people, when faced with great upheaval, would go mad, commonly known as going insane!


    For Martial Artists caught in such a situation, it is referred to as rage-driven madness.


    At best, they would fall into the demonic path and become bloodthirsty demons; at worst, their cultivation would be completely destroyed, leaving them beyond redemption!


    Just as Gu Junhe was about to intervene.


    All 45,000 God Sealing Seeds inside Xiao Yi trembled simultaneously, and the figures sealed within the Seeds, including the Reaper Scholar, Bian He, and Sword Demon Dugu, all shone brilliantly.


    These radiant lights shrouded Xiao Yi.


    His body shook violently.


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation leaped forward, stepping into the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    The fierce and violent aura within the air then finally dispersed.


    He had actually used the stimulation of rage to achieve a breakthrough in his realm.


    At the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, the power emanating from 50,000 God Sealing Seeds brought Xiao Yi''s combat strength to a higher level!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and exhaled, his clear eyes reflecting the flames scattered around. Underneath the orange glow of the flames, his lips curled into a subtle, sinister smile as he spoke in a cold and menacing tone, "Very well, Jiang Shanhe, very well, Royal Martial Arts Academy. I, Xiao Yi, swear here that if I do not slaughter every last one of you at the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I shall no longer consider myself human!"

 Chapter 120 - 120: Lifting a Mountain with One Hand

    The next day.


    Early morning.


    When the royal guards opened the city gates, they were collectively stunned.


    In front of the vast and huge Vermilion Bird Gate.


    Xiao Yi stood alone, with a ten-meter-high and five-meter-wide black stele behind him. The stele was starkly empty without any inscriptions, and a chain as thick as an arm connected Xiao Yi to the stele.


    One hand was gripping one end of the chain.


    With every step Xiao Yi took, the stele would boom loudly, leaving a fierce scar on the ground.


    Hiss!


    The guards responsible for opening the gates, as well as some strong individuals hurrying out of the city, couldn''t help but gasp for air, their faces filled with shock, "This stele must weigh at least several hundred thousand pounds, right? This is like dragging a small mountain!"


    "He must be a Golden Core Realm powerhouse, otherwise, it would be impossible to have such strength!"


    "I remember now, he is Xiao Yi!"


    "What? He is the Xiao Yi who is challenging the Royal Martial Arts Academy today? But why is he dragging such a huge stone..."


    The crowd quickly made way to both sides, whispering amongst themselves.


    The guard sergeant braced himself to approach and interrogate, "Xiao, this stele cannot go in..."


    "Move aside!"


    Xiao Yi''s step did not stop, his expression ice cold as he spoke.


    Fang Qingzhu and others were taken away by Jiang Shanhe, and the resentment and anger in his heart had been suppressed all night, no longer able to be contained.


    The guard sergeant''s face turned somewhat ugly, but under Xiao Yi''s cold aura, he dared not show the slightest displeasure, and said in a deep voice, "Xiao, please don''t make it difficult for me. This stele is so heavy that if dragged all the way in, Vermilion Bird Avenue will be ruined, and I cannot take responsibility for that!"


    Xiao Yi''s brows furrowed, glancing back behind him.


    Where the giant stone passed, a deep trench was left behind on the avenue, like a ferocious scar upon the road.


    Just as the guard sergeant had said, if he really dragged it all the way to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, Vermilion Bird Avenue would be destroyed! S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Xiao, what do you think..." the guard sergeant asked Xiao Yi anxiously.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Then carry it!"


    "Carry, carry it? This thing?"


    The guard sergeant looked bewilderedly at the stone that was as tall as several floors, weighing several hundred thousand pounds. To drag it by one''s own strength already far exceeded the power of an ordinary Golden Core Realm cultivator.


    As for carrying it...


    Was that possible?


    Xiao Yi turned around and approached the underside of the giant stone. Standing in front of it, he was unbelievably small, and his right hand plunged into the stone like a steel spike.


    His muscles tensed instantly, and his veins popped out like writhing dragons. With a roar like thunder, he bellowed, "Lift!"


    Boom!


    The stone that weighed several hundred thousand pounds was forcibly lifted by Xiao Yi.


    Carrying the mountain with one arm, he moved forward.


    Each step made a thunderous rumble resonate.


    Amidst the booming sounds,


    Xiao Yi carried the giant stone into the city, each step leaving behind a deep pit.


    The guard sergeant had already forgotten to obstruct him, and it was not until he saw the sequence of deep pits that he collapsed on the ground, "Is this even humanly possible?"


    Such terrifying strength, the deafening noise, carrying several hundred thousand pounds of giant stone with just one''s power, he walked through Vermilion Bird Avenue.


    This scene had already attracted countless strong individuals.


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Thud!


    With every step that echoed, the ground trembled violently, and the houses on both sides of Vermilion Bird Avenue shook intensely with the steps.


    Tiles fell, tables and chairs bounced up, and people rushed out of their homes, "Is there an earthquake?"


    "No, no, look, someone''s carrying a mountain..."


    Unbeknownst to them,


    more and more people gathered behind Xiao Yi, forming a black iron flood trailing closely behind: "Xiao Yi is heading to the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "What''s he doing with such a huge rock at the Royal Martial Arts Academy?"


    On his way there,


    a figure suddenly appeared ahead - it was Elder Wang.


    Elder Wang, looking at Xiao Yi carrying the giant rock on his shoulder, forced a wry smile: "Why torture yourself so? Can''t this be resolved?"


    Elder Wang had been trying to mediate these past days,


    but Zhou Yuan was resolute and wouldn''t heed his counsel.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    Elder Wang felt ashamed to face him.


    But today...


    on the day of Xiao Yi''s showdown with the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he had no choice but to step forward to prevent Xiao Yi from going to his death: "Xiao Yi, heed my advice, do not be obstinate. Zhou has entered the Tao Tribulation Realm, you can''t possibly be his match..."


    "Step aside!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    Elder Wang pressed on with a grave voice: "Xiao Yi, I''m trying to save you! Other than the Royal Martial Arts Academy, forces like Mingjian Manor, Nine Profound Sect, Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, Tianlan Kingdom, Xue Yilou... their powerhouses all want your life, you..."


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi nodded. He was aware that Elder Wang truly wanted to protect him, but the grudge between him, Zhou Yuan, and the others was irreconcilable, "Zhou Yuan has no shame, he attacked me and left me severely injured and then sent strong men to besiege me in the secret realm. Now, they have taken Qingzhu and my brothers. Today, nobody shall stop me from leveling the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    "I..."


    Before Elder Wang could finish, Xiao Yi stepped forward, and a powerful gust blew Elder Wang away.


    Elder Wang was dumbfounded.


    His cultivation wasn''t particularly strong; a warrior of the High-Layer Golden Core Realm could blow him away, but for Xiao Yi to do so with such ease, without Elder Wang even having the will to resist, was something not even those at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak could easily do.


    "His strength has become so terrifying? It''s only been half a year, hasn''t it? This..."


    Elder Wang closed his eyes in despair, "Zhou Yuan... you are leading the Royal Martial Arts Academy to its doom..."


    Xiao Yi suddenly stopped in his tracks.


    He scanned his surroundings.


    "Come out, you hidden rats!" Xiao Yi shouted coldly, like a muffled thunder.


    The once-bustling streets were now eerily silent on both sides.


    "Will you not show yourselves? Then don''t blame me!"


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi swung his arm, hurling the massive rock towards the side of a building, smashing it violently.


    With a massive roar, rows of houses were crushed to dust.


    The rock, propelled by Xiao Yi, rolled over the debris, leaving behind a trail of wreckage and scattered remains.


    With that single throw, he destroyed hundreds of civilian homes and killed dozens of strong men hidden in the dark.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Amidst the sound of tearing air, nearly a hundred powerful figures appeared before Xiao Yi.


    "Nine Profound Sect, Mingjian Manor... Just the two of you?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, observing the nearly hundred powerhouses in front of him.


    Jin Sheng, once beaten into a retreat by him, was among them.


    Besides him stood another powerhouse, at the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm - the Sect Master of the Nine Profound Sect, known as ''Nine''.


    On Mingjian Manor''s side was Elder Jian San among the crowd, along with several other strong individuals. The strongest among them was an old man in an elegant white robe, bearing the refined air of a sage with seven longswords on his back. This man was Feng Qingge, a peerless genius of Mingjian Manor!


    It was rumored that Feng Qingge had disappeared for a hundred years, yet today, he had also made his appearance here.


    "We two are more than enough!"


    ''Nine'' said, his eyes cold as ice and with an air of arrogance.


    Feng Qingge stood beside him, the seven longswords buzzing behind him, his chilling gaze fixed on Xiao Yi: "Xiao Yi, you''ve gone against the Tao, wantonly slain the innocent, your sins unforgivable. Today, we shall be the instruments of Heaven and take your damned life!"

 Chapter 121 - 121: The Child of Destiny

    "Upholding justice in place of the heavens? Uphold your mother''s justice!"


    Xiao Yi cursed aloud. Sear?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His words starkly interrupted Feng Qingge''s speech.


    Feng Qingge''s face stiffened, his air of an immortal marred in an instant, his face twisted with a ghastly expression as he roared, "Xiao Yi, you desecrated our Sword Mountain Manor''s ancestral sword burial ground, killed the four great Sword Sons and Manor Lord Zhuang Bifan. And now, without any sign of remorse, you attempt to overthrow the sacred martial arts site of Tianqing Kingdom. You are truly seeking your own death!"


    "Ask the old dog Jian San beside you why I destroyed the sword burial ground. As for the sacred martial arts site... Once I annihilate the Royal Martial Arts Academy, Tianqi Martial Arts Academy will naturally take its place as the new sacred site!" Xiao Yi said.


    "Arrogance!"


    Feng Qingge sneered, "You think you can level the Royal Martial Arts Academy? Such foolish wishful thinking!"


    Jiu Ye spoke impatiently, "Feng Qingge, why bother with pointless talk? Just kill him!"


    "Attack!"


    With a wave of Feng Qingge''s hand, nearly a hundred skilled subordinates stepped forward to engage.


    Jiu Ye and Feng Qingge also rose up with their troops.


    "Those who block my path shall die!"


    Xiao Yi held a boulder weighing a hundred thousand catties in his right hand, yet his figure was agile like an ape. With each step he took, his right arm swung fiercely forward.


    With every swing, the boulder cut through the air like a mobile mountain.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom! Boom! Boom...


    With each fall of the huge rock, swathes of strong warriors had their lives snuffed out.


    The almost hundred warriors couldn''t form any sort of resistance.


    Xiao Yi brutally blazed a trail of blood, the stone drenched in blood, with bits of crushed flesh and severed limbs embedded in its surface.


    "Run..."


    "We can''t stop him; he''s a madman..."


    Among the crowd, Jian San''s face was filled with despair as he turned to flee.


    Xiao Yi had already had him in his sights, the huge rock plummeting down and smashing Elder Jian San into a pulp with a thud. Instantly, of the nearly hundred strong adversaries, only Feng Qingge and Jiu Ye remained standing. Xiao Yi, maintaining his grip on the boulder, beckoned at the two of them, "Your turn!"


    Hiss!


    The two exchanged a glance.


    Who had ever seen someone wield a mountain as a weapon?


    But they were, after all, high-ranking practitioners in the High-Layer Golden Core Realm, seasoned in countless battles, their combat prowess far beyond ordinary people.


    "Jiu Ye, we must join forces, no holding back!" Feng Qingge said solemnly.


    Jiu Ye nodded firmly with a grave expression, "Rest assured. As long as we kill him, his secret of how he broke through from the Physical Body Realm to the Golden Core Realm in merely one year will fall into our hands. By then, both Sword Mountain Manor and the Nine Profound Sect will surely rise to a new height!"


    "Good!"


    The two attacked Xiao Yi from the left and the right simultaneously.


    Jiu Ye practiced the ''Nine Lives Phantom Divine Skill'', which allowed him to manifest nine shadows, each possessing fifty percent of his power.


    Nine figures of Jiu Ye lined up in a row, all bristling with killing intent.


    Feng Qingge was the peerless sword genius.


    With a flick of his fingers as if holding a sword, seven longswords unsheathed themselves from behind him.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The swords wailed as they rent the sky.


    The seven longswords stood side by side like seven scorching suns between heaven and earth, charging straight toward Xiao Yi.


    The two''s combined onslaught was dazzlingly brilliant and overwhelming.


    It was relentless.


    Within the crowd, as they beheld this spectacular assault, exclamations erupted, "Truly formidable veterans who have made a name for themselves over the years! Just dealing with Jiu Ye''s Phantom Divine Skill is already difficult. And there''s the sword prodigy from a century ago, Feng Qingge. With the two of them teaming up, Xiao Yi is in danger!"


    "It''s truly a heart-pounding situation! Who would have thought that even before reaching the Royal Martial Arts Academy, he''d be intercepted by such powerful opponents."


    "It looks like it''s not just a matter of whether he can level the Royal Martial Arts Academy; the real question is whether he can survive and reach the Royal Martial Arts Academy..."


    "Master, shouldn''t we intervene?" Jiang Tai asked in a deep voice, hidden within the crowd.


    Gu Junhe squinted his eyes and shook his head slightly.


    His gaze penetrated the crowd as he watched Xiao Yi who effortlessly lifted mountains. He couldn''t help but recall how, not long ago while passing a small mountain, Xiao Yi had uprooted it entirely.


    Such strength was far beyond the Golden Core Realm!


    If Xiao Yi did not seem to have the aura of the Martial Dao Divine Fruit about him, Gu Junhe would have suspected that Xiao Yi had already ascended to the realm of Dao Tribulation.


    "Royal Martial Arts Academy, Zhou Yuan�� driving away Xiao Yi will likely be the most foolish decision of your lives!" Gu Junhe murmured to himself, "Hm... maybe the one to regret the most should be the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty? To go from the Physical Body Realm to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm in one year... Such talent makes even Xiao Tianjiaao pale in comparison. If Xiao Zhengde knew he had treated such a monstrous son as trash and given him away to the Fang Family as a son-in-law, I wonder what his expression would be like?"


    Initially, the Fang Family had widely publicized their marital alliance with the Xiao Family.


    This piece of news that Xiao Yi came from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty was not a secret to Gu Junhe and the others.


    It was simply because of Xiao Tianjiao that not many knew the man was actually the brother of Xiao Tianjiao.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Series of loud noises interrupted Gu Junhe''s thoughts, and he sharply turned his gaze forward.


    On the ground, there were two huge pits, each more than ten meters deep; amidst the swirling dust and smoke, Xiao Yi picked up the gigantic rock.


    With one hand, he lifted the boulder and strode away.


    Within those deep pits...


    Feng Qingge and the Ninth Elder had already been reduced to two puddles of flesh.


    Hisss!


    The group of powerful individuals gathered behind Xiao Yi could only feel their scalps tingle; these were two Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm powerhouses that had been smashed into a paste after just a few moves by Xiao Yi.


    "Just how strong is this Xiao Yi?"


    "With such terrifying strength, he might really have a chance to flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    The opinions of the crowd began to change from initially thinking that Xiao Yi was courting death.


    This is absolute power!


    Passing through Vermilion Bird Avenue, more than a thousand meters from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the grand architectural complex of the academy could vaguely be seen. In front of Xiao Yi, there appeared a youthful monk dressed in Buddhist robes with a handsome face. He sat properly in front of a short table, on which rested a bright red wooden fish.


    Clack clack clack!


    Each strike of the wooden fish emitted a crisp sound.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple?"


    "Amitabha!"


    The handsome monk slowly stood up with his hands pressed together and a kind smile, "This humble monk is Dao Yun, a Buddhist disciple from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple."


    "He''s actually a disciple from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple?"


    "The Buddhist disciples of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple are detached from worldly matters, unwilling even to be listed on the Teng Long List, always worshiping Buddha at the temple. I didn''t expect him to come here!"


    "It seems like there are not a few who wish for Xiao Yi''s life!"


    Although Dao Yun was not on the Teng Long List, his reputation was not shallow.


    Merely the title of a Buddhist disciple already set him apart.


    "Monk Dao Yun, are you also here to stop me?" Xiao Yi said impatiently.


    He disliked those from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple who had the appearance of being virtuous.


    "Amitabha!"


    Dao Yun smiled, "Several days ago, while worshiping Buddha, this humble monk received a vision of the Buddha in a dream. Buddha said, ''Xiao is a great demon of this world, destined to bring disaster to the living. This humble monk has come here following the Buddha''s decree to take Xiao and suppress him beneath a Buddhist stupa and convert him with the Buddhist Law...''"


    "I convert your mom!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and suddenly stomped forward.


    Dao Yun''s cultivation was indeed not weak, having reached the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Even stronger than Jiang Shanhe before his breakthrough.


    He was enveloped in golden light, utilizing the Buddhist Canon''s Vajra Secret, like a Vajra descending, trying to lift Xiao Yi with hands propped towards the heavens: "Amitabha, the Buddha was right, the donor really is a great demon... Let me use Buddhist Law to... fuck..."


    Mid-sentence, Dao Yun''s face suddenly changed.


    His hands failed to overturn Xiao Yi, instead, they experienced a sharp pain as he was forcefully kicked away by Xiao Yi''s foot.


    What followed...


    A fierce force crashed down on his chest.


    Wow!


    Dao Yun spat out blood violently, trampled to the ground by Xiao Yi''s foot, bleeding from all orifices, his face filled with confusion: "Weren''t you just at the Four Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm? How... how can you be so strong?"


    "Go ask your Buddha in the Western Paradise!"


    The gigantic stone in Xiao Yi''s hand was about to fall.


    In this moment of life and death.


    "Stop!"


    Dao Yun placed his hand in front of him and said with righteous indignation, "Donor Xiao, this humble monk is not afraid of death. If my death can dispel the resentment in you, I am willing to die!"


    These impassioned, righteous words immediately touched many: "Worthy of a Buddhist disciple, indeed profound in Buddhist Law!"


    "This is how a Buddhist prodigy should act, unlike those fake monks, with feigned benevolence and righteousness, but when it comes to their own interests, they are worse than ordinary people..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Then go die!"


    Hum!


    The boulder swung, creating a fierce wind.


    Dao Yun''s complexion turned from green to white, and suddenly he yelled: "Donor Xiao, wait..."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi frowned and looked at him, "Didn''t you say you would resolve my resentment with your life?"


    Dao Yun took a deep breath and said seriously, "In the moment between life and death, this humble monk has broken through the Zen mystery. The Buddha told this humble monk, ''Donor Xiao is not a great demon; you are the child of destiny of this era. The Buddha commands this humble monk to support Donor Xiao with all his might.''" As he spoke, regardless of the stunned onlookers, he kneeled before Xiao Yi with a thud.


    Bowing deeply to the ground, he said in a loud voice that resonated between heaven and earth: "Dao Yun greets the child of destiny, my lord!"


    Watching the meticulously kneeling Dao Yun, Xiao Yi''s eye corner twitched fiercely: "..."

 Chapter 122 - 122: Corpses for Graves, Bloodstains on the Epitaph!

    Xiao Yi: "..."


    He had seen shameless people, but he had never seen such shamelessness!


    The surrounding onlookers were dumbfounded, as the image they had of the disciples from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple crumbled completely. They had never expected that just a moment ago, this disciple appeared as if a living Buddha descended to Earth,


    yet at this moment, he was so shameless.


    What happened to the fearsome Great Demon?


    What happened to converting with Buddhist Law?


    In the blink of an eye, he became a favored child of destiny? This great monk who came to vanquish demons, he just recognized him as his master?


    Within the crowd.


    Jiang Tai was utterly dumbfounded: "Holy shit! Is this Dao Yun really so shameless?"


    Gu Junhe glanced at him but replied nonchalantly, "Haven''t you seen the true colors of those people from Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple? They go on and on about the boundlessness of the Buddhist Law, the salvation of all beings, staying detached from the world... but whenever there''s a precious treasure to be found, are they ever not fighting and scrambling for it?"


    Jiang Tai grunted and touched his nose: "Seems like it... "


    He looked at Dao Yun with a strange expression.


    Dao Yun lifted his head, brought his palms together in front of his chest, slightly tilted his head with a bloodied face, and forced a splendid smile, blinking as he said: "Master! Little Yunyun has long been displeased with the Royal Martial Arts Academy, please allow Little Yunyun to take the lead in storming through the gates of the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    Xiao Yi felt his scalp tingle.


    Little Yunyun?


    Master?


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi, suppressing the urge to vomit, kicked Dao Yun flying: "Get the hell away from me��"


    "As you wish, Master!"


    Dao Yun soared into the sky like a runaway horse, and in the blink of an eye, he had vanished.


    This damn guy has completely fled!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes twitched: "..."


    He had never imagined that a disciple from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple would turn out to be such a character.


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi looked up toward the Royal Martial Arts Academy, which was now faintly visible ahead: "There should be no one left to stop me now, right?"


    As he had expected.


    Along the way, Xiao Yi had slain Ninth Master and Feng Qingge one after another, and even trampled over the disciple Dao Yun. The news had already reached ahead, and the powerful figures who had been lying in wait had all withdrawn.


    The path was clear and unobstructed, and he finally arrived at the outskirts of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Gazing at the high walls, grand courtyard, and descending stairway to the sky.


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath of turbid air.


    A few months ago.


    The memories of his first visit to the Royal Martial Arts Academy returned to him, but back then Xiao Yi had come to take the assessment. Now, returning to the same place, he was here to destroy what the people of Tianqing Kingdom considered a martial sanctuary!


    Rustle!


    The moment Xiao Yi reached the gate, the strong within the Royal Martial Arts Academy had already been notified.


    A horde of disciples swarmed out like a black tide, spreading out to both sides like a steel flood which surged from the gates and dispersed to the left and right.


    They resembled two long snakes proceeding from both sides, encircling Xiao Yi in the middle.


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy boasted over sixty thousand teachers and students, and excluding those in the Qi Gathering Realm from the lower academies, there were over thirteen thousand in the Shentong Realm and above.


    At this moment, there were no fewer than four thousand gathered before him.


    And on either side of that stairway, every step was flanked by two formidable figures, standing to the left and right.


    The further towards the end of the stairway, the stronger their power.


    "It seems the Royal Martial Arts Academy is well-prepared!"


    "In five hundred years, this is the first time someone dares challenge the Royal Martial Arts Academy, they naturally can''t tarnish their reputation!"


    "Although Xiao Yi''s power exceeds our expectations, he is still just one person after all... "


    Amidst the chatter,


    a middle-aged woman dressed in black emerged from the powerhouses of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Her build was even more robust than many men, with muscles rippling across her frame and cold eyes resting on the giant boulder in Xiao Yi''s hands. She frowned slightly, "Do you bring your own tombstone, knowing you''re courting death?"


    "This is prepared for you all!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, squinting, "Where is my wife and brothers?"


    "Them? His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered that should you make it to the end of the stairway, you will naturally see them!" S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The middle-aged woman pointed behind her to the dense crowd of strong individuals and scoffed, "But, I''m afraid you won''t be seeing them!"


    ```


    Clang!


    Xiao Yi transferred the huge rock to his left hand and, with the Fire Qilin Sword in his right, swept a blood-red sword rainbow across the sky, declaring coldly, "Whether you can see it or not, ask my sword in hand!"


    The middle-aged woman shook her head, "You are deluded. Since you are so eager to meet death, I shall grant your wish!"


    She raised her right hand high, "Offenders of the Royal Martial Arts Academy��shall be killed without mercy!"


    Clang, clang!


    The warriors of the Royal Martial Arts Academy encircling Xiao Yi, as well as those standing on the stairway to heaven, all drew their weapons in unison.


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    Cries of thunderous rage rolled like claps of thunder on a clear day.


    "Kill!"


    The middle-aged woman swung her arm fiercely, and a longsword materialized in her palm, shooting out like a silver serpent towards Xiao Yi. She was an elder of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, with the cultivation of the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, skilled in spear techniques, and held considerable prestige within the academy.


    Whoosh!


    The silver spear light sprawled across the void, twisting like a dragon emerging from the sea.


    Her spear moved incredibly fast.


    Surpassing the group of disciples from the Royal Martial Arts Academy who were rushing towards Xiao Yi, as the silver spear light approached, he lightly tapped forward with the Fire Qilin Sword in his hand, "Claiming lives!"


    Ding!


    A crisp sound, like the needle''s point touching the wheat awn.


    Where the tip of the sword met the tip of the spear, two waves of energy burst outward.


    The force of the blast sent several of the nearby academy warriors flying, and Xiao Yi took the chance to spin, smashing the huge rock in his left hand through the air.


    Boom!


    The rock descended like a world-ending meteor.


    Its speed and power were astonishingly terrifying!


    Wherever the rock passed, it utterly crushed everything in its path.


    "No..."


    "Save me..."


    One after another, the strong warriors of the Royal Martial Arts Academy faced the onslaught of the rock, their weapons shattering, their bodies pulverized into mush.


    With each person he killed, Xiao Yi took a step forward.


    One step, ten deaths.


    What he left behind was a scattered field of corpses, and rivers of blood.


    Ten.


    A hundred.


    A thousand...


    Xiao Yi''s body was completely drenched in blood, and the number of strong warriors dead by his hand had reached more than fifteen hundred.


    He had almost wiped out half of those who had blocked the mountain gate; the nauseating stench of blood lingered in the air, suffocating.


    "Solitary Nine Swords��Breaking Spear Skill!"


    The angle of Xiao Yi''s sword was exceedingly tricky. Using the sword''s body and his own formidable strength, he deflected the middle-aged woman''s spear. Burgeoning forward, he closed the distance between them and swept his sword, bisecting the woman.


    "How is this possible..." The middle-aged woman''s face was filled with bewilderment and despair.


    Xiao Yi, with the giant rock in one hand and the blood-dripping sword in the other, stepped over the spread of corpses. His bloodied gaze swept across the group of powerhouses on the heavenly stairway, and his deep voice thundered like the roar of celestial thunder, "Today, I, Xiao Yi, shall cleanse the Royal Martial Arts Academy in blood. This will be your gravestone!"


    Whoosh!


    The Fire Qilin Sword in his hand burst forth with a blood-red sword light, carving on the boulder��HHere Lies the Royal Martial Arts Academy in bold characters!


    The letters were deep, dark, and gloomy.


    But Xiao Yi furiously swung the boulder down, smashing it mightily, the corpses becoming minced flesh embedded in the deep lettering.


    Gradually, the dark lettering was filled in, cast in the fresh, bloody red flesh.


    Xiao Yi looked towards the stairway to heaven,


    Striding proudly.


    In his wake...


    Corpses for gravestones.


    Blood for inscriptions!


    ```

 Chapter 123 - 123 The End of the Heavenly Ladder

    Only the strong at the foot of the mountain had already scattered and fled.


    These low-level disciples had long been terrified by the killings and dared not block Xiao Yi''s path in the slightest.


    Above the Heavenly Ladder.


    All of them were at least at the Shentong Realm, among them many powerful figures with golden light circling their bodies, unmistakably from the Golden Core Realm.


    Although among the disciples of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, there were only a few dozen with a cultivation level above the Golden Core Realm.


    But that was only among the currently enrolled disciples.


    Among the strong who had graduated in previous years, there were also many who dominated on their own.


    This time, Xiao Yi stormed the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and these strong individuals who had graduated years ago responded by returning one after another.


    "His Highness said, if you can reach the end of the Heavenly Ladder, you will see your wife and friends. However, I am afraid you won''t make it to the end!" two powerful beings at the Third Layer of the Golden Core Realm sneered continuously.


    "Noise!"


    Xiao Yi swept across with his sword.


    Two blood-drenched heads rolled down, their expressions still locked in a smug sneer.


    They simply intended to provoke Xiao Yi; they never expected him to act immediately and take their lives.


    "Demon!"


    "This man is a Great Demon of our time, kill him!" sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Kill..."


    Above the Heavenly Ladder.


    With every step Xiao Yi took, opponents charged at him.


    A tidal wave of sword and saber radiance merged and surged, rolling furiously towards him.


    Xiao Yi walked as though he was the very person who commands the tides, his head held high.


    Everywhere he passed, a sword strike would resolve the opponent.


    His gaze was fixed on the end of the Heavenly Ladder, for reaching that point meant seeing Fang Qingzhu and the others.


    "Xiao Yi, you..."


    Two powerful beings at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm barely began speaking before they were crushed to death under Xiao Yi''s foot.


    He had no inclination for parley.


    Whenever he struck, it was with full force.


    A deadly blow!


    Instant kill!


    An immediate kill...


    The opponents in front of him grew stronger, but he was also getting closer to the end of the Heavenly Ladder.


    Swish! Swish!


    Amid the fierce sound of tearing through the air, a full thirty beings at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm swarmed toward him, each pair wielding a large metal net. Amidst the clanging sounds, fifteen metal nets were flung toward Xiao Yi, their mesh so tough that even the Fire Qilin Sword could not split it at that moment.


    "Die!"


    "Xiao Yi, this is the fate of those who defy the authority of the Royal Martial Arts Institute..."


    Two strong beings at the Sixth Layer of the Golden Core Realm burst forth from behind the thirty, closely following in order to wait until everyone else had bound Xiao Yi, then they would strike to kill him.


    However...


    The moment the two appeared...


    The layered metal nets in front of them were violently shredded by a burst of crimson sword light; the frigid sword gleam took the lives of those thirty beings at the Divine Ability Realm.


    Xiao Yi simultaneously hurled a boulder.


    Boom!


    The boulder brutally crushed one of the powerful beings at the Sixth Layer of the Golden Core Realm into pieces, while his cold gaze turned to the remaining individual.


    That person trembled all over, pupils drastically constricting, the earlier bravado and confidence gone, replaced by horror and fear, and despair, "I, I surrender..."


    With an expressionless face, Xiao Yi slashed with his sword, splitting the man in two, walking past him, "Sorry, it''s too late!"


    Thud!


    The powerful being at the Sixth Layer of the Golden Core Realm''s body lay in halves on a pool of blood.


    Sweeping through.


    Xiao Yi had lost count of how many strong beings he had killed; he had completely become a bloodied figure, but the blood was all from his enemies. The pungent stench of blood lingered in the air, nauseating. Xiao Yi looked ahead with pride. There were only the last ten steps to the end of the Heavenly Ladder, "Qingzhu, I''m coming!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Suddenly, ten figures appeared in front of Xiao Yi.


    They were the powerful warriors guarding the last ten levels of the heavenly staircase.


    Each of them was above the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, including two at the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. All were prominent officials in charge of different regions in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    They were once disciples of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    A woman clad in silver armor, heavily made-up, turned to the man in golden armor beside her, "Big brother, this kid is a tough cookie!"


    "With such talent, if he could become a disciple of our Royal Martial Arts Academy, his future prospects would be boundless. Alas... Zhou Xin and Jia Sidao have missed a vital opportunity for our Royal Martial Arts Academy''s rise..."


    The man in golden armor sighed. He was one of the three great commanders of the Tianqing Kingdom, "But no matter how talented you are, defying our Royal Martial Arts Academy means only one thing�� a dead end. Little sister, don''t fight with me for his head later..."


    "Hahaha, then it''s each to their own abilities!" the woman in silver armor laughed.


    The man in golden armor grinned, "Let''s see who kills him first, then my century-old Ling Monkey Brew will belong to them!"


    "I want that wine!"


    "No one dare try to steal it from me..."


    The ten people were brimming with confidence.


    The weakest among them was at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, and they were all seasoned warriors who had returned from the battlefield. In their eyes, even if they faced someone at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, they dared to engage in battle.


    "Trade my head for wine?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were filled with a bloody light, and the corners of his mouth curled up into a grim, cold smile, "Let me send you to hell for Meng Po Soup instead!"


    Xiao Yi leapt into the air.


    Huge stones smashed against the attacks of the few, and amid a series of booming noises, the stele shattered considerably.


    And just as their attacks ended.


    Xiao Yi swiftly took back his boulder, swung his longsword widely, slashing out a fan-shaped wave of red sword light.


    Pfft pfft pfft!


    Blood spurted out like fountains.


    This sword bisected six people at the waist.


    Hisss!


    The remaining four took in sharp breaths of cold air. The woman in silver armor, clutching the ghastly wound on her belly, with intestines and blood uncontrollably pouring out, wore a look of utter despair, "Save me... Brother, save me..."


    "Damn..."


    The man from the Jin Family''s expression changed drastically as he rushed towards her.


    Xiao Yi''s sword edge was already upon them.


    At the critical moment.


    The man in golden armor steeled his heart and threw the woman in silver armor towards the sword edge.


    "No..."


    The woman in silver armor let out a scream of despair as Xiao Yi bisected her with one sword stroke.


    The man in golden armor wore a face full of terror; he was the youngest of the three great commanders and could even have become the military''s number one in the future.


    How could he lose his life here?


    The man in golden armor bellowed, "Xiao Yi, I''m leaving now, let me go..."


    "Sorry, I don''t agree!"


    Xiao Yi swung the boulder down fiercely, smashing the man in golden armor from midair while his right hand''s Fire Qilin Sword emitted a swirl of fiery sword light. With a crisp pfft, the man in golden armor was cleaved in two, and as his body fell from the sky...


    The remaining few also died at the hands of Xiao Yi.


    Open space lay before him.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a breath of turbid air and strode like a dragon and a tiger to the end of the heavenly staircase, and with a thump, he threw the blood-stained gravestone onto the ground.


    The whole world trembled with a roar.


    At this moment...


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy was utterly silent.


    Xiao Yi had truly swept through thousands of the Royal Martial Arts Academy''s warriors single-handedly and reached the end of the heavenly staircase.


    This was something no one had dared to believe beforehand.


    But he had indeed done it!


    Standing proudly at the end of the heavenly staircase, Xiao Yi surveyed his surroundings and spoke coldly, "Jiang Shanhe, I''m coming for you!"

 Chapter 124 - 124: Dare to Fight?

    "Jiang Shanhe, I''m here!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice, like rolling thunder, echoed across the skies above the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Clang!


    The tightly closed doors of the grand hall burst open.


    There stood Jiang Shanhe, who had brought with him a luxurious chair, sitting on it with all the grandeur of a king.


    Jiang Shanhe glanced at the huge tombstone and the river of blood and corpses that stretched across the entire staircase, his pupils violently contracting. Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had seen the battle earlier from the shadows, clear as day.


    If before...


    He had broken through to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, holding a seventy percent certainty of defeating Xiao Yi.


    But now...


    Jiang Shanhe only held a fifty percent certainty.


    However.


    He was not the least bit panicked.


    Jiang Shanhe confidently smiled and said, "I didn''t expect you to really make it here!"


    Xiao Yi asked, "Where are they?"


    "Don''t rush!"


    Jiang Shanhe smiled and gently clapped his hands.


    Boom boom boom!


    A series of loud noises came from inside the grand hall, as six prison carts were slowly pushed out.


    Each prison cart was jet-black, made of Xuanming iron, exceptionally sturdy��so much so that a Golden Core Realm expert trapped inside would find it difficult to escape.


    At each corner of the prison cart, there was a strong guard standing watch.


    The moment Xiao Yi saw the prison carts, his eyes turned completely blood-red, his breathing rapid and heavy.


    His fists clenched tightly, the bones cracking, his muscles and veins pulsing wildly.


    The flames of his rage seemed almost tangible.


    Within the prison carts...


    Fang Qingzhu, Niu Dali, and the four brothers of the Shi Family were all trapped inside.


    On both sides of each person''s shoulders, they were pierced through by pipa locks, as thick as an adult''s forearm, brutally penetrating their shoulders. The blood had already dried up, turning into dark red scabs, and the other end of the pipa locks was connected to the wheels of the carts.


    Every time the wheels rolled, they dragged at their wounds.


    Each rotation of the wheels was a heart-wrenching, agonizing pain for them.


    Apart from the pipa locks.


    The prison cart also had sharp spikes pointing toward their bodies. Even a slight heave of the chest during breathing would cause their flesh to be pierced by the spikes, leaving no part of their body unscathed.


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi..."


    Fang Qingzhu saw Xiao Yi, guilt filling her eyes, and with a hoarse voice, she shouted with the last of her strength, "Go... Xiao Yi, leave quickly..."


    Niu Dali just looked up, only for several spikes to pierce through his neck, blood gushing out, as he hysterically roared, "Boss, get out of here... Zhou Yuan has already broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, run..."


    "Get out..."


    "Go..."


    Whether it was Fang Qingzhu, Niu Dali, or the four brothers of the Shi Family, they all used every ounce of their strength to urge Xiao Yi to leave.


    "Too noisy!"


    Jiang Shanhe dug at his ear, saying impatiently.


    The strong guards surrounding the prison carts acted at the same time, lifting the carts and violently kicking the wheels.


    Clang clang clang...


    The wheels spun rapidly, making the chains of the pipa locks clank, cruelly tearing open their wounds once again.


    Blood gushed forth like a fountain.


    The pain caused them to faint, only to be awoken again by the excruciating agony.


    Xiao Yi''s heart bled!


    He watched helplessly as Fang Qingzhu and the others were tortured inhumanely before him.


    His eyes deep red, he exclaimed, "Jiang Shanhe, if you''ve got the guts, come at me. What kind of man does this?"


    "The victor becomes king, the defeated an outlaw; as long as victory is achieved, any means is fair game, isn''t it?"


    Jiang Shanhe casually waved his hand, and the people placed the prison carts down, yet their blades rested on the necks of Fang Qingzhu and the others.


    Jiang Shanhe took out an incense burner.


    He lit a stick of incense.


    Wearing a brilliant smile on his face, he stood up while twisting his neck and stretching his limbs, speaking indifferently, "Xiao Yi, you want to save them, don''t you? Come, let''s battle. If you can defeat me within the time it takes for this incense stick to burn, I will spare them. Of course, if you lose, not only will you die, but they will have to accompany you in death."


    "Fine!"


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice.


    With his current strength, slaying Jiang Shanhe was nothing more than a trivial task.


    However...


    Jiang Shanhe, however, shook his head with a smile and said, "I haven''t finished speaking! The Fire Qilin Sword in your hand is a fifth-grade prime weapon, which would be a huge unfair advantage against me."


    "What do you want?" Xiao Yi frowned and asked.


    Jiang Shanhe threw out a wooden sword, smiling, "Use it to fight me!"


    As he said this,


    he pulled out the black Coiling Dragon Spear in his hand, which turned out to be a fifth-grade Yuan weapon.


    Inside the prison cart, Niu Dali endured the acute pain and roared angrily, "Damn it, Jiang Shanhe, can you be any more shameless? You let the boss use a piece of wood as a weapon, while you arm yourself with a fifth-grade Yuan weapon?"


    "Did I allow you to speak? Slap him!" Jiang Shanhe said indifferently.


    The guard next to Niu Dali''s prison cart immediately made his move.


    Slap slap slap!


    A series of consecutive slaps rendered Niu Dali unconscious.


    Jiang Shanhe made a welcoming gesture, "Do you dare to fight?"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and exhaled turbid air, planting the Fire Qilin Sword into the ground and picking up the wooden sword on the ground.


    The wooden sword was exceptionally light, covered with cracks.


    It seemed as if it could split apart at any moment.


    Jiang Shanhe revealed a cold smile of conspiracy succeeded; with a leap, he instantly arrived in front of Xiao Yi. However, he did not close in, even though Xiao Yi had discarded the Fire Qilin Sword. He still maintained the most cautious approach, leveraging the Black Coiling Dragon Spear''s advantage of an inch longer being an inch stronger, keeping as much distance between them as possible.


    The black spear was like an angry dragon emerging from the sea.


    The dark gleam skimmed just above the ground, sending dust whirling in its wake, the ground itself being peeled away layer by thick layer.


    This dust, under the power of Yuan energy, aggregated into a mass, forming a rolling, surging wave of soil.


    Sharp spear gleams hid within the soil wave.


    Xiao Yi kept retreating, avoiding the rolling waves of soil, relying on the advantage of his movement technique to thwart Jiang Shanhe''s several attacks.


    Jiang Shanhe huffed angrily.


    The strong men guarding the prison cart raised it up and kicked at the wheels fiercely.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The wheels tumbled violently, pulling on the pipa locks, making Niu Dali and the others scream in pain, but Fang Qingzhu kept biting her lips, her pale pretty face completely contorted with pain, yet she resolutely refrained from letting out even a single cry of pain.


    She was afraid her screams would disturb Xiao Yi''s mind.


    "Jiang! Shan! He!"


    Xiao Yi bellowed with a heart-wrenching howl.


    His heart was bleeding!


    "Shout! The louder you scream, the angrier you get, the more excited I become! Hahaha..."


    Jiang Shanhe laughed with arrogance, having captured Fang Qingzhu and the others exactly for this moment, right?


    To make Xiao Yi hesitate, to disrupt his mind.


    In the battle between masters, victory often hinges on a single thought.


    As long as he affected Xiao Yi''s mind, in a battle where the combatants were equally matched, the scales of victory would naturally tip in his favor!


    However...


    Jiang Shanhe had calculated everything but had never anticipated that Xiao Yi had inherited the legacy of the Sword Demon Dugu.


    The Sword Demon Dugu had practiced sword all his life.


    By his late years, he had already reached a realm comparable to the third stage of Sword Intent, where one is at unity with the sword��anything could become a sword!


    "Demon Dragon Creates Havoc in the Sea!"


    Yuan energy vast as misty waves surrounded Jiang Shanhe. The Black Coiling Dragon Spear in his hand seemed to merge with his body. With a whoosh, the spear tore through the Yuan energy mist in front of him. With a resounding boom, the spear, carrying a terrifying destructive force, thrust straight towards Xiao Yi''s heart.


    Xiao Yi faced forward, holding up the wooden sword.


    Jiang Shanhe burst into laughter, "Idiot, the thing in your hand is not a fifth-grade Yuan weapon; it''s just a wooden sword. You think you can block my attack?"


    "Who said a wooden sword can''t stop you?"


    Xiao Yi suddenly smiled coldly, his face full of mockery.


    "Huh?"


    Jiang Shanhe was taken aback, but that wooden sword didn''t try to counter the spear head-on and instead lightly tapped the spear''s body. Using the recoil, Xiao Yi soared into the air, stepping on the spear and moving as fast as the wind.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Xiao Yi had already appeared in front of Jiang Shanhe, their faces almost touching.


    "Not good..."


    Jiang Shanhe''s expression changed dramatically. In his pupils, the wooden sword, which could shatter at any moment, transformed into a deadly blade that grew larger and larger as it aimed for the center of his forehead.


    A sense of death instantly enveloped him.


    Like limitless darkness, it brought him despair and the sense of death.


    Just at this critical moment...


    Jiang Shanhe suddenly let out a roar, "Act now, or I''ll be dead for sure!"


    "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils dilated, and from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a silver gleam piercing through the air.


    But it was too late to dodge, and with a muffled thud, Xiao Yi''s shoulder erupted in a burst of blood, his figure staggering and falling to the ground��

 Chapter 125 - 125: Kill Them Like Slaughtering Pigs and Dogs!

    Xiao Yi tumbled to the ground, and with a deft roll, he evaded the attack.


    In the path of his roll, a row of feather arrows stuck in the ground, totaling sixteen arrows.


    If it weren''t for Xiao Yi''s timely evasion, he would have become a hedgehog by now.


    Phut!


    Xiao Yi tore an arrow from his shoulder; its triangular head and shaft were engraved with the words "Tianlan."


    The Tianlan Kingdom?


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted as he looked in the direction from which the arrows had come.


    Out of thin air,


    a young man carrying a quiver on his back and wielding a two-meter long horn bow stepped forward. A playful smile on his face, he mocked Jiang Shanhe with his gaze, "Jiang Shanhe, you really are regressing the more you live. So much for being the number one on the Teng Long List of the Tianqing Kingdom, you''re nothing special, eh!"


    "Scram!"


    Jiang Shanhe snorted coldly, his hateful gaze locked on Xiao Yi, and he gritted his teeth, "Xu Feiying, help me kill him!"


    Xu Feiying.


    The number one on the Teng Long List of the Tianlan Kingdom.


    At the same time...


    He was also Zhang Tianyi''s close friend.


    "Helping you kill him is no problem, but..."


    Xu Feiying squinted, his gaze filled with greed as it swept over Fang Qingzhu, his blood-red tongue licking his lips, "In addition to the conditions you promised me, I want this woman!"


    "No problem!"


    Jiang Shanhe agreed without any hesitation.


    In his eyes, as long as Xiao Yi was eliminated, Fang Qingzhu and the others were of no use.


    Giving Fang Qingzhu to Xu Feiying was just a waste to be utilized!


    "Hahaha, Jiang Shanhe, Xu Feiying, such a good opportunity should not just benefit the two of you!"


    "Fair''s fair, we don''t want the woman, but we can''t lack the secret of how Xiao Yi broke through such a realm in such a short time!"


    Several sounds of breaking air suddenly came.


    Seeing the figures appearing out of thin air, both Jiang Shanhe and Xu Feiying''s faces changed simultaneously, "Baijing Kingdom''s Bai Xing, Qingyun Kingdom''s Ping Sifang, and Sihai Kingdom''s Nie Hechuan? How did these three guys get here?"


    Xu Feiying said angrily, "These three are no weaker than you or me."


    "This is troublesome..."


    Jiang Shanhe''s eyebrows furrowed tightly, but he had no choice but to clasp his fist towards the three men, "Gentlemen, forgive us for not greeting you from afar."


    Bai Xing, clad in a starry robe, was particularly eye-catching as he descended in front of Xiao Yi. His curious gaze sized up Xiao Yi, "You don''t have three heads and six arms, yet you managed to break through from the Physical Body Realm to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm in just one year? Tsk tsk, I must admit, I''m envious. How about this, tell me the secret of your training, and I can help you deal with Jiang Shanhe and the others!"


    "Xiao Yi, right? I am the number one on the Teng Long List from the Sihai Kingdom and also the Crown Prince, Nie Hechuan. Just tell me your secret, and my Sihai Kingdom will surely protect you with all its might!" he said arrogantly.


    "Why do you two need to go through all this trouble? I refuse to believe that if we cripple his cultivation and torture him severely, he won''t talk!"


    Ping Sifang from the Qingyun Kingdom glanced impatiently and coldly at Xiao Yi, "Boy, if you don''t want to die, tell me the secret immediately, otherwise, this day next year will be the anniversary of your death!"


    "Ping Sifang, shouldn''t we observe some order of who arrived first?"


    "You can''t do this..."


    The men actually started arguing among themselves, completely overlooking Xiao Yi.


    "I didn''t expect to meet so many old friends today!"


    Another hearty laugh came from the void, and a young man with his pant legs rolled up high and wearing a farmer''s hat, as if just coming back from the fields, stepped through the air. He carried a hoe on his shoulder, but the hoe flashed with a cold light, clearly a fifth-grade Yuan weapon! S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yue Cang?"


    "How did he get here?"


    Jiang Shanhe and the others looked at Yue Cang with colors of wariness in their eyes.


    Among the ten countries of Nanhuang,


    the Purple Robe Kingdom might not be the strongest, but Yue Cang of the Purple Robe Kingdom was acknowledged as one of the top three existences among the younger generation in the ten countries.


    Yue Cang landed in front of Xiao Yi, curiously examining him.


    Xiao Yi frowned, "Are you here to threaten me as well?"


    "No no no!"


    Yue Cang hurriedly waved his hand and cheerfully said, "I''ve been asked to help you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Yue Cang winked at him, "Yue Ling''er is my sister!" Then he turned his face into a mournful expression, looking at Ping Sifang and the others, and lowered his voice, "Man, you''ve really angered quite a few people! These five guys are not far off from me; I can handle three at most at the same time, leaving two for you?"


    "No need!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    "Huh?"


    Yue Cang was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said, "A few jumping clowns, no need for help!"


    "So confident?"


    Yue Cang raised an eyebrow and then scratched his head, "But I promised Ling''er I''d help you. You can''t let me make a fruitless trip, right?"


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "If possible�� I hope you can help me save them. I will be deeply grateful in the future!"


    Following Xiao Yi''s gaze, Yue Cang saw Fang Qingzhu and the others in the prison cart, and looking at their miserable state, he cast a disdainful glance at Jiang Shanhe: "Jiang Shanhe, you really regress the more you live. In a battle between equals, you actually took someone''s friends hostage as a threat?"


    "A true man doesn''t sweat the small stuff. As long as the final victory is achieved, what does it matter which means were used?" Jiang Shanhe said with a cold laugh.


    "A true man doesn''t sweat the small stuff..."


    Yue Cang''s face was full of mockery. He turned back to Xiao Yi, "I''ll help you save them�� but taking on five alone, are you sure it''s no problem?"


    Even with his strength, he wouldn''t dare say he could take on five opponents and defeat the five Jiang Shanhe at the same time!


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Killing them is like slaughtering pigs and dogs!"


    "What a ''slaughtering pigs and dogs.'' Then I shall wait and see!" Yue Cang''s eyes sparkled more the more he looked at Xiao Yi, and with a leap, he positioned himself to the side, seeking an opportunity to rescue Fang Qingzhu and the others.


    In the midst of the battlefield.


    Only Xiao Yi remained, facing Jiang Shanhe and the other four alone.


    These five individuals were all Tenth Layer cultivators of the Golden Core Realm, the top contenders on the Teng Long List of their respective nations.


    Jiang Shanhe''s face was full of spring, very self-satisfied.


    Before, he was only fifty percent sure on his own, but now, he was completely certain he could kill Xiao Yi.


    Jiang Shanhe said proudly, "Xiao Yi, if you kneel and surrender now, I might consider leaving you a whole corpse."


    "What a load of crap!"


    Xiao Yi reached toward the ground with his palm, grabbed the Fire Qilin Sword out of thin air into his hand, swept the longsword through the air, his fighting spirit surging to the skies, "If it''s a fight you want, it''s a fight you''ll get!"


    "Arrogant fool!"


    "You actually look down on us so much? Who wants to make the first move?"


    Jiang Shanhe said in a deep voice, "This kid is troublesome; it''s better to join forces."


    Ping Sifang sneered, "Join forces? Are you planning to drag us down with your disgrace? To kill him, I alone am more than enough!"


    Swish!


    Ping Sifang moved with the force of a dragon and the agility of a tiger, stepping out in a blink. Under the influence of his qi, his step became as massive as a small hill.


    Majestic and as flawless as snow!


    "Evil Python Coiling Around The Tree!"


    Xiao Yi rose against the current, his sword edge tearing open the qi, striking right at the center of Ping Sifang''s foot.


    Wow!


    Ping Sifang let out a miserable howl as his foot was pierced by a large hole, blood gushing profusely. He limped back in retreat.


    Jiang Shanhe mocked, "Didn''t you say you alone were more than enough?"


    "Damn it, shut your mouth!"


    Ping Sifang''s face alternated between shades of green and white, never having expected to be so embarrassingly outdone on his first attack. With a ferocious look toward Jiang Shanhe and the others, he shouted, "What are you standing around for? Attack together!"


    Without further delay, the five of them made their move at the same time.


    Facing the joint assault of five great masters and with Fang Qingzhu in the hands of others, Xiao Yi, concerned about harming a mouse for fear of breaking a vase, fought as he retreated, but was fiercely suppressed by the five.


    "Didn''t you say killing us was like slaughtering pigs and dogs?"


    "Why are you only capable of defending now?"


    "Just accept your death graciously..."


    The more Jiang Shanhe and his four companions fought, the more courageous they became, and Xiao Yi was gradually forced into retreat.


    As he was being firmly suppressed by the five.


    All of a sudden, Yue Cang''s voice came from not far off: "Xiao Yi, I''ve rescued them!"


    Boom!


    A terrifying surge of qi burst forth from Xiao Yi, pushing Jiang Shanhe and the other four back. His face bore a bloody thirst for battle as he laughed loudly, "Jiang Shanhe... your time to die has come!"


    Boom!


    No longer concerned about Fang Qingzhu and the others,


    Xiao Yi at this moment was like an Azure Dragon diving into the sea��

 Chapter 126 - 126: Cutting Down the Tianjiao with a Sword

    "Not good..."


    Jiang Shanhe''s expression suddenly changed.


    He had gone to great lengths to capture Fang Qingzhu and the others to keep Xiao Yi in check and to make him hesitate to act.


    As he had expected.


    Xiao Yi, concerned about the safety of Fang Qingzhu and the others, had been holding back during their previous encounter, greatly affecting his ability to fight.


    But now...


    Fang Qingzhu and the others had been rescued by Yue Cang, and Xiao Yi, free from his bonds, was like a tiger breaking free from its cage.


    A pair of cold eyes fell upon them.


    "Everyone be careful!" Jiang Shanhe said in a deep voice.


    Ping Sifang sneered, "Jiang Shanhe, it seems he has scared you! No matter how strong he is, could he really be a match for the five of us joining hands? Let''s make it quick and capture him first..."


    Bai Xing and Nie Hechuan felt the same way.


    They were each the top contender of the Teng Long List from their respective countries, the number one among the younger generation.


    Now joining forces against Xiao Yi was already shameful enough. If the five of them together could not bring Xiao Yi to his death, they would lose all face.


    This was a battle for honor.


    And a life-and-death battle.


    "Eighteen Arhats..."


    Xu Feiying leaped into the air and retreated backward, landing dozens of meters away. The bowstring of the huge horn bow in his hands was taut, and with each release, an arrow would shoot out with the sound of thunder.


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh!


    Amidst the whooshing sounds of the air being pierced, a total of eighteen arrows were fired in rapid succession.


    Jiang Shanhe growled, "Xu Feiying will disrupt from a distance, while the four of us will engage him in close combat. I refuse to believe that Xiao Yi can withstand the siege of us five talents!"


    "Good!"


    "Capture him, cripple his cultivation, break his limbs..."


    "His woman��I, Ping Sifang, will take her!"


    A series of growls were like sudden thunder on a flat ground.


    The five experts were from the five great kingdoms. Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Half of the top contenders of the Teng Long List from the ten nations of Nanhuang were present, and their target was Xiao Yi, who just a year ago was merely in the Physical Body Realm.


    Xiao Yi, now free from the shackles of Fang Qingzhu and the others, no longer needed to hold back, and the killing intent suppressed in his heart was also thoroughly unleashed. Over the past days, the Royal Martial Arts Academy and people like Jiang Shanhe had been relentless in their tactics, repeatedly trying to put him to death and even capturing Fang Qingzhu and the others as a threat.


    Their actions had intensified Xiao Yi''s desire to kill to the extreme.


    "Soul Snatching and Life Taking!"


    Xiao Yi pointed his sword, emitting a dazzling cold light as bright as day.


    "Merely a petty trick!"


    Ping Sifang sneered, and with a flick of his finger, a silver stream of Qi erupted from his index finger.


    The beam of light was incredibly condensed, like a towering giant finger.


    One Finger Pierces the Heavens.


    Boom!


    The giant finger collided with the sword light, each eroding the other''s energy.


    Gales raged wildly.


    A cold gleam erupted from Xiao Yi''s eyes as he tightly gripped the Fire Qilin Sword to face the opposition. His left hand, however, punched out, golden Qi clinging to the surface of his fist, its radiant brilliance blinding, as if a great sun was attached to his fist: "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Thud!


    The power of this punch was to the extreme.


    As soon as he punched.


    The wild power on the fist hammered out a wall of air, pushing forward with a loud bang and landing heavily on Ping Sifang''s body.


    Pff...


    Ping Sifang''s body trembled, his legs involuntarily lifting off the ground, flying backward like a kite with its string cut.


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi took a violent step forward, instantly catching up to Ping Sifang, and reached out with his left hand.


    "Not good!"


    "Quick, save him..."


    Everything happened so suddenly, and Xiao Yi''s speed was astonishingly fast.


    Just as Jiang Shanhe and the others were about to step in and rescue Ping Sifang, Xiao Yi''s hand, which resembled an eagle''s claw, already snapped onto Ping Sifang''s ankle with a smack, and with a fierce swing, Ping Sifang was thrown like a human weapon, smashing hard into Jiang Shanhe and the others behind him.


    Jiang Shanhe and the others instinctively raised their weapons.


    "No..."


    Ping Sifang, seeing the cold blades coming straight at him, eyes wide with terror, let out a roar of despair.


    Jiang Shanhe and the others had no choice but to forcefully retract their weapons.


    But this also meant that they lost their initial advantage.


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi used Ping Sifang as a weapon, consecutively knocking back Jiang Shanhe, Nie Hechuan, and Bai Xing.


    The three of them, with frustration on their faces, could only passively endure it, not even daring to defend with their full might.


    Otherwise, if they accidentally killed Ping Sifang,


    the troubles would be endless!


    Jiang Shanhe bellowed, "Xu Feiying, why aren''t you taking action?"


    Xu Feiying, a few dozen meters away, holding a horn bow, looked helpless upon hearing Jiang Shanhe''s words: "Take action my ass..."


    Every time he bent his bow and readied an arrow, preparing to take a shot,


    Xiao Yi would use Ping Sifang as a shield in front of himself. If Xu Feiying took the shot, he didn''t know whether he could hit Xiao Yi, but Ping Sifang''s body would definitely gain a few more holes.


    He was in a dilemma over hurting the hostage.


    Fearful and hesitant.


    At this moment, Jiang Shanhe felt extremely stifled. Just moments before, holding Fang Qingzhu and Niu Dali among others at his mercy, he had been so brazenly threatening Xiao Yi. But now, how the tables had turned��it was they who were handicapped, facing Xiao Yi who treated Ping Sifang like a weapon, they simply couldn''t find an opening to strike!


    "Xiao Yi, if you have the guts, release Ping Sifang and fight us fair and square!" Nie Hechuan said through clenched teeth.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "One-on-one?"


    "I..."


    Nie Hechuan''s face stiffened.


    The five of them, even when combined, were still being pressured to this state by Xiao Yi.


    If it were one-on-one...


    He truly had no confidence.


    "Xiao Yi, release me, and I swear no longer to be your enemy..." Ping Sifang, his head covered in blood, like a dead dog dragged behind Xiao Yi, shouted.


    Xiao Yi glanced back at him.


    The man was indeed in a sorry and pitiable state.


    Most of the bones in his body were broken.


    Most of his head was smashed out of shape, swollen and bruised beyond recognition.


    What he regretted most at this moment was getting involved in this mess.


    Xiao Yi looked at Ping Sifang, and with a sneer said, "Once I begin, it''s a fight to the death. There''s no room for surrender."


    "You, you want to kill me? I am..." Before Ping Sifang could finish,


    Xiao Yi had already swung violently, hurling him out like a thrown spear.


    Whoosh!


    Ping Sifang''s body flew like a sandbag, crashing towards Jiang Shanhe and the others.


    The three continuously retreated.


    But just as Ping Sifang appeared before them, suddenly, a crimson sword light tore through Ping Sifang''s body. With a splat, it struck Bai Xing square in the body. The sword light came too suddenly, and with Bai Xing''s line of sight blocked by Ping Sifang, he had no time to dodge.


    When the sword light dissipated,


    Ping Sifang was bisected at the waist by Xiao Yi''s sword.


    A blood trail ran through the center of Bai Xing''s forehead, spurting blood from the top of his head like a fountain.


    One sword to slay a Tianjiao!


    With one sword, Xiao Yi had killed both Ping Sifang and Bai Xing, two geniuses of the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm!


    Whoosh!


    The crimson sword light swept across the sky, and Xiao Yi looked towards Jiang Shanhe and the others: "Your turn now..."

 Chapter 127 - 127: Sorry, I Disagree!

    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Jiang Shanhe and Nie Hechuan retreated in succession, standing shoulder to shoulder with Xu Feiying, their expressions grave as they looked at Xiao Yi.


    Their eyes were filled with tumultuous waves.


    There was a time...


    Bai Xing and Ping Sifang were on par with them, dominating figures among the younger generation of the ten nations of Nanhuang, the strongest of existences.


    As long as the older generation of the Tao Tribulation Realm did not step in, they were nearly invincible.


    They had never imagined they would die at the hands of someone their own age.


    Especially not by someone who, just a year ago, was nothing more than waste at the Physical Body Realm.


    "He, he was really just at the Physical Body Realm a year ago?" Xu Feiying swallowed hard, asking in disbelief.


    Nie Hechuan too looked at Jiang Shanhe with a shocked face.


    Gurgle!


    Jiang Shanhe swallowed his saliva subconsciously and said with a wry smile, "According to the information I received, when he first came to Nanhuang City a year ago, he was merely at the initial stage of the Physical Body Realm."


    Hiss!


    Xu Feiying and the other person gasped in amazement.


    A year''s time, ah!


    For them, advancing even one realm might be tough, but Xiao Yi had spanned across a full four major realms in just one year!


    Such a cultivation speed, they had neither seen nor even heard of before!


    "Xu Feiying, Nie Hechuan... If we do not take out this lad, give him just a few more years... No, perhaps just a few more months, and we will not be his match..." Jiang Shanhe said with a somber expression and a gloomy face.


    Xu Feiying narrowed his eyes, and raised his hand to touch his hooked nose, "You''re right... But with the three of us combined, I''m afraid we''re no match for him!"


    Even when five of them joined forces, Xiao Yi managed to kill two.


    What more now that only the three of them were left?


    A ruthless look flashed in Jiang Shanhe''s eyes, "I have a poison at hand called Soul Dispelling Powder. Colorless and odorless, just a single breath of it, and even a Golden Core Realm powerhouse will lose their ability to fight. Nie Hechuan, each of us takes some Soul Dispelling Powder, and later on, let''s use our Innate Divine Abilities to entangle Xiao Yi. We will find a way to use the Soul Dispelling Powder to strip him of his combat power, and then Feiying will strike at the right moment, how about that?"


    "Soul Dispelling Powder? That''s a fifth-grade elixir, worth over a hundred million silver, you''re really quite willing to use it!" Nie Hechuan looked at Jiang Shanhe in surprise.


    Jiang Shanhe snorted coldly, "You can''t set a wolf trap without giving up a child, just tell me if you''ll do it or not?"


    "Using poison is a bit shameful... But if we can get his secret, it will all be worth it!" Nie Hechuan took the Soul Dispelling Powder from Jiang Shanhe''s hand.


    Xu Feiying nodded, "Let''s do it!"


    No sooner said than done.


    Jiang Shanhe and Nie Hechuan, one on the left and one on the right, transformed into two roaming dragons, sweeping towards Xiao Yi with two gusts of fierce wind.


    They moved so fast that in the blink of an eye, they were already in front of Xiao Yi.


    "Furious Dragon Shakes the Sea!"


    Jiang Shanhe''s long spear stood tall, like a Black Dragon entering the world.


    Nie Hechuan, expressionless, held a longsword in each hand. The twin swords whirled fiercely, attacking Xiao Yi from both sides with continuous and unrelenting strikes.


    Xu Feiying was further away, repeatedly looking for opportunities to shoot arrows.


    Oftentimes, just as Xiao Yi had dodged the attacks of Jiang Shanhe and the other, and sought to press forward, Xu Feiying''s arrow would fall in front of him, blocking his pursuit and causing him to miss several chances to eliminate the two.


    Xu Feiying, holding a great bow, said with a smug look, "Xiao Yi, with me here, you can forget about touching them again!"


    "Damn it!"


    A flicker of cold light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes, "It seems I can''t continue the fight without taking down Xu Feiying."


    "Breaking Spear Skill!"


    "Saber-Breaking Style!"


    Xiao Yi suddenly increased his speed, continuously invoking the Solitary Nine Swords, pushing back Jiang Shanhe and the other person time after time.


    His swordplay became faster and sharper.


    Like clouds flowing through the sky.


    It was as if the man and sword had merged into one...


    This made Xu Feiying''s arrows fail several times to stop Xiao Yi''s momentum, resulting in Jiang Shanhe and Nie Hechuan suffering several strikes from Xiao Yi''s sword.


    Jiang Shanhe was furious, "Xu Feiying, what the hell are you doing?"


    Nie Hechuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, also extremely angry, "Just a bit more... and I would have been beheaded..."


    Xu Feiying too appeared helpless, "How can you blame me for this? His sword is just too fast..."


    In the crowd.


    Gu Junhe''s eyes showed shock, "This... Is this the third level of Sword Intent, the unity of man and sword? No, it''s still a bit off, but he has already touched upon that barrier... What kind of monster is this guy? He''s not even twenty years old, yet he has grasped the third level of Sword Intent at the Golden Core Realm? This... this... "


    Yue Cang also had a glint in his eye, "What an impressive Xiao Yi... No wonder my silly sister took a liking to you, such talent is indeed terrifying. I''m somewhat tempted to fight with you myself! However..." He looked down at Fang Qingzhu who lay unconscious beside him and rubbed his brow, "Oh, my foolish little sister, I''m afraid it''s a case of unrequited love with you!"


    He was very aware of the massive gap in Xiao Yi''s combat strength before and after Fang Qingzhu was rescued.


    There was only one explanation for such a result...


    In Xiao Yi''s heart, Fang Qingzhu held an extremely important position.


    At that moment...


    Xiao Yi suddenly pushed the two back with a sword strike, but his figure sharply changed direction, rushing straight towards Xu Feiying.


    "Not good!"


    The complexions of Jiang Shanhe and the other changed drastically.


    If they lost Xu Feiying skirting on the sidelines, ready to act and distract Xiao Yi, then a Xiao Yi with no further concerns would be even more formidable.


    The two of them joined forces to chase after Xiao Yi.


    Xu Feiying wore a fierce smile, "Kill me? That''s a fool''s dream. Just eat my dust behind me!"


    Xu Feiying''s forte was long-range attacks.


    He ran while launching attacks.


    He lured Xiao Yi along as if flying a kite.


    "Hahaha. Xiao Yi, you''ll never catch up to me..." Xu Feiying laughed heartily.


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi suddenly smirked,


    A trace of thick mockery appeared on his face, causing Xu Feiying''s complexion to change abruptly, filled with a strong sense of unease. Almost at the same time, the Xiao Yi behind him suddenly vanished, his speed inexplicably quadrupling. It turned out he had employed the Blood Explosion Skill, doubling his strength and speed, and he threw a punch from mid-air.


    Boom!


    The heavy fist, tinted with a blood-colored airflow, struck Xu Feiying.


    Xu Feiying''s body shuddered, like a star falling from the sky, crashing to the ground with great force.


    With a loud crash,


    Xu Feiying hit the ground, his head smashed into a bloody pulp, transforming into a headless corpse.


    "Now''s our chance, release the poison!" Jiang Shanhe roared lowly.


    Nie Hechuan nodded fiercely.


    The two simultaneously scattered the powder in their hands.


    Swish! Swish!


    Two streams of white powder enveloped Xiao Yi.


    Just as Xiao Yi was about to be covered, he flipped his hand with a slap.


    With a swish, a gust of wind swept by, rolling back the white powder, wrapping Nie Hechuan and the other in its grasp.


    "It''s over..."


    The two wore faces of despair.


    Bang! Bang!


    The pair felt a numbness and weakness throughout their bodies and fell to the ground with two thuds.


    Tap tap tap!


    Xiao Yi, sword in hand, walked over to the two men.


    Nie Hechuan''s pale face was filled with bitter pleading, "I am the Crown Prince of Sihai Kingdom, you can''t kill me..."


    "That reason doesn''t work!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and slit his throat with his sword.


    Nie Hechuan covered his throat, unable to stop the gushing blood, lying in a pool of blood.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze fell on Jiang Shanhe, his eyes filled with brutality and coldness, "Should I hack you a thousand times? Or should I make it quick for you?"


    "No... don''t kill me, Xiao Yi, I realize I was wrong. Please don''t kill me..." At this moment, Jiang Shanhe had lost all his past arrogance, leaving only despair and the fear of facing death.


    Xiao Yi said, "Tell me, where did you go wrong?"


    "I, I..."


    Jiang Shanhe''s face showed panic.


    He didn''t feel he''d done anything wrong.


    He was only pleading to save his life.


    "It seems you still haven''t realized your mistake!"


    Xiao Yi lifted his longsword, and with two swishes, two arms flew high into the air.


    Aaah...


    Jiang Shanhe screamed continuously, enduring the severe pain, "I was wrong... I shouldn''t have let Ye Feng and the others try to kill you..."


    "Still wrong!"


    Xiao Yi struck again, this time severing Jiang Shanhe''s legs.


    Argh...


    Jiang Shanhe convulsed, suffering unbearable agony, his face completely twisted, tears streaming down, "I... I see my mistake now... I shouldn''t have opposed you, I shouldn''t have captured Fang Qingzhu and others to threaten you. I was wrong... Xiao Yi, Lord Xiao, I truly admit my fault, please spare me..."


    "You finally got it right this time, but unfortunately, it''s too late!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, his expression appearing as a nightmarish demon in the eyes of Jiang Shanhe, who shouted in terror, "Save me... Master, save me..." S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    A thunderous roar, reminiscent of a clap of thunder, suddenly emanated from the depths of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, an authoritative voice thundered like a divine decree, "Xiao Yi, release His Highness, and I''ll spare your life!"


    The terrifying pressure caused nearly ninety percent of the powerhouses present to feel weak in the knees.


    Yue Cang''s expression changed, "Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    Gu Junhe squinted his eyes, as if facing a great enemy, "This shameless fellow really did use the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, this is troublesome..."


    Facing Zhou Yuan, who appeared in the void, godlike and devilish,


    Xiao Yi smirked, "Sorry, I don''t agree!"


    Thrust!


    A single sword strike.


    A severed head rolled away.


    Jiang Shanhe''s face still held a look of relief and ecstatic joy at having survived, and a touch of confusion...

 Chapter 128 - 128: Even the Dao Tribulation Can Be Confronted!

    At the moment Zhou Yuan appeared.


    Everyone thought that Jiang Shanhe''s life was surely saved.


    Even Jiang Shanhe himself thought so.


    After all...


    Zhou Yuan had already stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm, a far more terrifying existence than the previous Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    If the earlier Zhou Yuan still needed to give face to the King of Tianqing Kingdom, now, even if he killed the King, he could easily leave the Tianqing Kingdom. Even the legendary ancestor backing Tianqing Kingdom certainly wouldn''t offend a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse over a dead King.


    But what was the result?


    Xiao Yi didn''t give Zhou Yuan any face at all.


    Without a word.


    He beheaded Jiang Shanhe!


    "Xiao! Yi! I told you to stop, didn''t you hear me?"


    Zhou Yuan stood suspended in the air, his face''s proud smile shattered, replaced by shock and disbelief.


    Xiao Yi had killed Jiang Shanhe right in front of him after he had spoken out to stop him.


    This was a slap to his face in public!


    At that moment, Zhou Yuan felt a burning pain on his face.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, looking up at Zhou Yuan with defiance. Indeed, the aura of a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse was robust, and even though he had broken through to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, he still felt a bit of pressure.


    Facing Zhou Yuan''s questioning.


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "Sorry, I don''t understand the barking of a dog!"


    Hiss!


    A series of gasps rose and fell in succession!


    Everyone''s gaze towards Xiao Yi was as if they were looking at a madman: "How dare he speak to Zhou like this? That''s a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse..."


    "With his talent, if he had kept a low profile for a few decades, he might also have had the chance to step into the Tao Tribulation Realm, becoming a dominant overlord. It''s a pity that this man doesn''t know how to judge the situation, always being so stubborn and reckless; this will only lead to the senseless waste of his life..."


    "Too young!"


    Even Gu Junhe couldn''t help but shake his head, whispering to Jiang Tai beside him: "Xiao Yi is no match for Zhou Yuan no matter how strong he is. Once Xiao Yi is in danger, I will intercept Zhou Yuan at the first instant. Then you take the opportunity to take Xiao Yi and escape to the palace and ask for the King''s protection��"


    "But�� Xiao Yi just killed my brother, I''m afraid Father��" Jiang Tai hesitated.


    Gu Junhe shook his head, "Now that Jiang Shanhe is dead, you are the most likely successor to the throne. Even if your father is furious, he will still think about building a foundation for you. He wouldn''t let go of a talent like Xiao Yi."


    "We have no other choice..."


    Jiang Tai nodded heavily.


    ......


    Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes, looking at the bodies scattered across the Heavenly Ladder.


    The Stele standing at the end of the Heavenly Ladder.


    And the corpses of Jiang Shanhe and the others...


    Whoo!


    Zhou Yuan took a deep breath and then forcefully exhaled, stirring up a gust of wind with his breath, which actually formed a gale amidst heaven and earth.


    The wind howled loudly.


    Under the raging wind.


    Sand flew and rocks were swept away.


    A scene of desolation and silence.


    Zhou Yuan stared at Xiao Yi: "I didn''t expect that the five-hundred-year prosperity of the Royal Martial Arts Academy would be ruined by your hands. I have to admit, allowing Zhou Xin to chase you away was the most foolish decision I''ve made since taking charge of the Royal Martial Arts Academy!"


    In just one year, from the Physical Body Realm to the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm!


    If such a genius were to be included in the Royal Martial Arts Institute, it would certainly make it even more splendid.


    He might even have a chance to leave Tianqing Kingdom and enter the Great Qian Dynasty.


    But due to his erroneous decision, he had forced Xiao Yi to the opposing side of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Only Zhou Yuan understood the regret in his heart.


    Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world.


    The slight remorse on Zhou Yuan''s face dissipated like smoke, replaced by a bone-chilling coldness: "Since it is my mistake, I must resolve it with my own hands. After I kill you, the Royal Martial Arts Academy will still be the sacred martial place of Tianqing Kingdom, unshakable by anyone!"


    What does it matter if many disciples have died or are injured?


    As long as Zhou Yuan is still here, the Royal Martial Arts Academy won''t possibly fall.


    And...


    He had already ascended to the Tao Tribulation Realm, and under his leadership, the Royal Martial Arts Academy would only grow stronger.


    "Kill me? With your strength from the first layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, which you broke through using the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, I''m afraid it''s not enough!" Xiao Yi said with a playful laugh.


    So what if it''s the Tao Tribulation Realm?


    With his current strength, he could even fight against the Tao Tribulation!


    Within the crowd.


    Yue Cang shook his head and said, "It seems that the previous victory has gone to Xiao Yi''s head... This is a warrior of the Tao Tribulation Realm we''re talking about, among the young generation in the ten countries of Nanhuang, I''m afraid only that one person could compete with a Tao Tribulation Realm warrior. But even he could only remain undefeated in the face of the Tao Tribulation, as for defeating a Tao Tribulation Realm warrior, it''s absolutely impossible!"


    There are over a hundred subordinate countries under the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Among them, there are ten major kingdoms surrounding Nanhuang, but throughout their history, there has never been one who could defeat a Tao Tribulation Realm existence with only the power of the Golden Core Realm.


    Gu Junhe also shook his head and sighed, "After all, he is still too young, but it''s good for him to suffer a little setback! Only by witnessing the strength of a Tao Tribulation Realm warrior firsthand will he understand that there are always greater powers out there..."


    Jiang Tai also nodded in agreement with his view, "However, speaking of which... If it were me, I''m afraid I wouldn''t even have the courage to face a Tao Tribulation Realm warrior!"


    After returning from the secret realm.


    With the treasures he obtained, Jiang Tai had stepped into the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, with his talent and martial skills, he could fight even against someone at the Tenth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    But the Tao Tribulation Realm?


    Even if one day he reached the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, he wouldn''t have the courage to challenge it.


    After all.


    A Tao Tribulation Realm warrior is a legendary existence in the ten countries of Nanhuang.


    The position of the king could be challenged, but the might of the Tao Tribulation should not be disrespected!


    "Hahaha, this is the first time I''ve heard of a little Golden Core Realm daring to challenge the existence of the Tao Tribulation..."


    Zhou Yuan sneered and shook his head, looking at Xiao Yi as if he were looking at a cold corpse, and drew a circle beneath his feet with the tip of his foot, "In light of your commendable courage, I will let you make three moves. Within these three moves, I will only defend and not attack. If you can force me out of this circle, I will acknowledge that you have the power to match the Tao Tribulation!"


    "Three moves?"


    Xiao Yi gently shook his head.


    Zhou Yuan was stunned and mocked, "What? Are three moves not enough? How about I let you make ten moves instead?"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "No no no, what I mean is three moves are too many. If you''re still within the circle after one move, I will surrender myself!"


    "Huh?"


    Zhou Yuan''s pupils suddenly constricted, feeling an unprecedented insult, and he scoffed repeatedly, "Very well, very well, a single move it is... If you can really force me out of this circle within one move, I will kneel before you, and all grievances between you and the Royal Martial Arts Academy will be wiped clean! But if you fail, before I kill you, I will execute your wife and friends right before your eyes!"


    "It''s a deal!"


    Xiao Yi grasped his sword hilt with both hands.


    Hum!


    The sword edge trembled, emitting a whooshing sound.


    "Nine Swords as One!"


    Xiao Yi leaped into the air, his figure suddenly turned into nine shadows, stacking and merging into each other.


    When he arrived in front of Zhou Yuan, the nine shadows merged into one.


    Swish!


    The cold light cleaved through the air, a dazzling cold star.


    Swish!


    A ten-foot-long Sword Qi surged violently, tearing up the ground wherever it passed, creating a fierce gale.


    This one sword made Zhou Yuan''s composed and smug face dissipate into nothingness in an instant, and shock flashed across his pupils, "This sword..."


    From that Sword Qi, he felt the threat of death.


    Even if he didn''t want to admit it.


    Zhou Yuan did not dare to be careless, crossing his hands in front of him, conjuring a series of elemental shields. S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The shields blocked before him, but the nine layers of elemental shields were continuously shattered by the Sword Qi, the invisible sword light nearly reaching his body.


    In a critical moment.


    Zhou Yuan had to leap back.


    Just as he leaped away...


    Boom!


    The Sword Qi furiously descended.


    Rumble!


    The entire Royal Martial Arts Academy trembled violently, cracks spread out in all directions on the ground, and a ten-foot-long fearsome sword mark almost tore the earth apart.


    Xiao Yi stood with his sword, mocking expression on his face, looking at Zhou Yuan whose complexion alternated between green and white, "You lost!"

 Chapter 129 - 129 Kill! Kill! Kill!

    "You lost!"


    Xiao Yi stood with his sword, his face thick with mockery as he stared at Zhou Yuan, who had retreated dozens of yards away.


    A whirlwind swept up, scattering the flying sand.


    The web-like cracks spread far and wide, along with that horrendous ten-yard-long sword mark, made all the mighty onlookers silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to make the slightest sound.


    Yue Cang was utterly dumbfounded, "Tha��That sword just now��"


    To be fair,


    if that sword had landed on him, he would have been dead without a doubt.


    Before this��


    Yue Cang still thought that he was worthy of a battle with Xiao Yi, but that sword had just driven him to despair, and he self-deprecatingly said, "I actually thought I could fight him? With Xiao Yi''s strength now, even Gai Qinglong, the number one in the ten nations of Nanhuang, wouldn''t be his match, right?"


    Gu Junhe was also left speechless, "Genius, this is a true genius! The Xiao Family, oh the Xiao Family, you actually treated such a genius as trash and sent him to the Fang Family as a son-in-law? Was Xiao Zhengde''s brain kicked by a donkey? Or was Xiao Tianjiao blind?"


    Fang Qingzhu slowly regained consciousness, just in time to witness that sword.


    Excitement and agitation were visible on her pale face, "Xiao Yi, he''s�� so strong!"


    Her eyes were filled with admiration and happiness.


    This was her man, after all!


    For Zhou Yuan, there was nothing more shocking than that sword.


    Watching the sword mark spreading under his feet, the corner of his eye twitched madly, and his eyes flickered with disbelief, "That sword�� How could someone in the Golden Core Realm unleash such a powerful strike?"


    Just moments before,


    he was full of confidence, claiming that if Xiao Yi could force him back within three moves, he would admit defeat voluntarily.


    But the result...


    Xiao Yi used just one sword strike!


    Not only did he force him back, but he also nearly inflicted serious injuries!


    That sword was like an invisible slap that harshly struck his face, leaving him seeing stars.


    The gaze of the crowd was like needles on his back.


    The humiliation!


    An unprecedented humiliation!


    It was even harder for him to bear than almost having the Royal Martial Arts Academy single-handedly demolished by Xiao Yi.


    "Zhou Yuan, you should be kneeling now!" said Xiao Yi.


    "You..."


    The skin on Zhou Yuan''s face twitched fiercely.


    He had just said that if Xiao Yi could push him out of the ring with one move, he would kneel to Xiao Yi.


    But that was just a figure of speech, how could he actually kneel?


    "Xiao Yi, you are too bullying!" Zhou Yuan said through gritted teeth.


    "I''m too bullying? Hahaha�� Zhou Yuan, don''t you feel ashamed saying that? Initially, when I sincerely applied for the Royal Martial Arts Institute, it was you who distorted the truth and forced me to leave. When I left, despite you being at the Golden Elixir Peak, you attacked me, who was only in the Shentong Realm, and nearly took my life."


    All of a sudden, Xiao Yi let out a long howl to the sky, his face full of mockery, "In the Tao Tribulation secret realm, it was also you who issued the kill order, wanting to put me to death. It was you who had people capture Qingzhu to threaten me. Now, the same you, the director of the Royal Martial Arts Institute, a mighty Tao Tribulation Realm master, reneged on his word�� Is this what you call too bullying?"


    These words had been suppressed in his heart for too long.


    Today, they burst out all at once.


    The loud voice spread throughout the entire Royal Martial Arts Institute...


    The secrets not known to others, and today they were made public.


    "What? The Royal Martial Arts Institute is too much of a bully, isn''t it?"


    "I used to think that Xiao Yi was too arrogant to challenge the Royal Martial Arts Institute, but who knew there was such a twist to the story?"


    "If that''s indeed the truth, the Royal Martial Arts Institute is really too bullying!"


    At that moment,


    the Royal Martial Arts Institute and Zhou Yuan became the targets of widespread scorn.


    The scapegoat for everyone''s arrows!


    Zhou Yuan''s face alternated between green and white, never expecting the situation to develop to this point, with the reputation of the Royal Martial Arts Institute becoming tarnished. Knowing that once the news spread, the Institute would truly become the target of public criticism, with this thought in mind, Zhou Yuan''s cold gaze fell on Xiao Yi, "As long as he is killed, all rumors and slander will also end. Kill him, no mercy!"


    Boom!


    Zhou Yuan transformed into a silver streak, piercing the void like a river soaring through the sky, and in an instant, he charged toward Xiao Yi.


    Even before the punch arrived,


    The punch wind was already striking the face.


    The howling wind stirred Xiao Yi''s clothing, whistling like a blade scraping his face, bringing bouts of intense pain.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, sword in hand, "Break Fist Style!"


    Boom!


    A glint of cold light hit the center of the fist shadow.


    Thud!


    The earth trembled, and the wind surged violently.


    Xiao Yi''s figure retreated thirty feet, while Zhou Yuan was also shaken back several yards.


    No sooner had the two landed than they were charging at each other again.


    The fist danced like a phantom.


    The sword glided like a dragon.


    Their fists and swords clashed continuously, each collision stirring up waves of energy that shocked the heavens and earth, mighty in all directions, imposing from every angle. Neither held back in their attacks, Zhou Yuan intent on killing Xiao Yi to wipe away his previous shame, Xiao Yi''s killing intent was no less than Zhou Yuan''s.


    "Blood Explosion Skill!"


    Xiao Yi suddenly ignited three-tenths of the blood within his body, his strength and speed suddenly tripling.


    The sudden increase in power and speed overwhelmed Zhou Yuan, who struggled to cope.


    Splat!


    A dot of cold light pierced through the air, penetrating Zhou Yuan''s palm.


    At the same time, he employed the Divine Skills of Weapon Fusion, his arms and the Fire Qilin Sword melding into one as dark light coursed through them. His left hand transformed into a claw and reached out, with a snap, it grabbed Zhou Yuan''s shoulder, violently tearing away a chunk of flesh.


    Ahhh...


    Zhou Yuan cried out in agony, continually retreating.


    A sword mark pierced through the palm of his right hand, and his left shoulder was missing a piece of flesh, horrifically exposing bone.


    "You mongrel, I swear I''ll kill you, kill everyone related to you..." Zhou Yuan''s face was ferocious.


    Xiao Yi advanced with his sword, his body surrounded by circulating blood light, laughing loudly, "You no longer have a chance!"


    Whoosh!


    The blood-colored sword edge was terrifying.


    With this sword, he forced Zhou Yuan to retreat.


    Xiao Yi''s voice rang out again, "Those who bully or insult me, kill!"


    The Life-Chasing Soul Sword was delivered in rapid succession.


    Zhou Yuan kept losing ground.


    "Harm my family, kill!"


    "Hurt my brothers, kill!"


    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"


    Xiao Yi grew increasingly valiant in battle, his murderous aura explosively unleashed, his entire being radiating with bloody light, and his offensive onslaught was like a tempestuous storm.


    Boom!


    Punch after punch landed solidly, unstoppable.


    Zhou Yuan was bloodied by the blows.


    Xiao Yi''s aura grew ever more frenzied, with half his blood now aflame, his strength and speed increased fivefold, completely overpowering Zhou Yuan. S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhou Yuan kept losing ground, absolutely unable to withstand the barrage of attacks from Xiao Yi, "Madman. You''re a madman..."


    His mouth flowed with blood, his body riddled with sword cuts, countless bones shattered.


    "Nine Swords as One!"


    Xiao Yi, holding the sword with both hands, raised it above his head and brought it slashing down.


    Boom!


    That sword tore through Zhou Yuan''s qi seal, a spurt of blood shooting skyward, savagely splitting open a ferocious wound in his chest. Amid a wretched scream, Zhou Yuan collapsed to the ground, blood spewing from his mouth, hair disheveled and face filled with terror, "Impossible, this can''t be... How can I, a practitioner of the Tao Tribulation Realm, be defeated by you?"


    Xiao Yi''s sword tip rested on Zhou Yuan''s throat, he said coldly, "Half a year ago, I vowed to flatten the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Today is the day you, Zhou Yuan, meet your demise, the day the Royal Martial Arts Academy falls!"


    "Impossible, impossible... I am of the Tao Tribulation Realm, how can this be..."


    Zhou Yuan was utterly dispirited.


    The blow was too great!


    Xiao Yi''s expression was unreadable, his longsword ready to strike, but just then, a cold voice suddenly reached his ears, "Xiao Yi, see who I have here?"

 Chapter 130 - 130 Kneel my ass!

    "Xiao Yi, look who I have in my hand?"


    A sharp voice suddenly erupted by his ear.


    Xiao Yi shivered all over.


    A strong sense of unease rose in his heart, the bone-chilling cold instantly swept through his body, and large beads of cold sweat soaked through the back of his clothes at this instant.


    As he looked up.


    He saw a blood-red chariot suspended in the void above, and before the chariot were four majestic demonic beasts with crimson bodies, single horns on their heads, tiger-like shapes, but with wings on their backs. Each of these demonic beasts emitted a presence no weaker than Zhou Yuan''s, clearly four Sixth-Layer Path Tribulation Realm beasts.


    And on that chariot...


    A middle-aged man dressed in a blood-colored robe, wearing a silver mask, and with a burly figure, leaned against the side of the chariot.


    In his hand extended from the chariot.


    Fang Qingzhu was being held by her neck, suspended in midair.


    The four Sixth-Layer Path Tribulation Realm Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers flapped their wings, stirring up howling gales that battered against Fang Qingzhu.


    Causing Fang Qingzhu''s black hair to dance wildly, her face growing even paler.


    The Pipa Locks on her shoulders clanked and clanged.


    "Qingzhu?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted as his eyes instantly turned blood red.


    Yue Cang, looking haggard, raised his hand to wipe the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, a deep fear and reverence surfacing on his pale face, "Xiao, I''m really sorry, the opponent was too strong."


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Anyone who could employ four Tao Tribulation Realm beasts to pull a chariot must indeed be powerful.


    Possibly someone from the High-Layer Tao Tribulation Realm, or even the stronger Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and stared at the blood-colored figure, "Who might you be, sir?"


    "Heh heh!"


    The middle-aged man in the blood-colored robe spoke in a voice that was difficult to distinguish as male or female, especially piercing, "Xiao Yi, you dared to destroy my Xue Yilou''s branch and kill my Xue Yilou branch master. Do you really not recognize who I am?"


    "A person from Xue Yilou?"


    "The blood-colored chariot... This, this is Xue Mantian, the Ninth Master of Xue Yilou!"


    "The Ninth Master? As far as I know, Xue Yilou has a total of eighteen Masters, and the weakest are at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm. And this Ninth Master Xue Mantian, who was at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm more than a hundred years ago, could very well be a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse..." Gu Junhe''s expression in the crowd turned extremely grave. S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With his current strength, if he exerted his full power, he could indeed contend with an ordinary Tao Tribulation Realm combatant.


    But facing the Dharma Manifestation Realm...


    Let alone being an adversary, he wouldn''t even have the courage to engage in battle!


    In the Dharma Manifestation Realm, one''s lifespan exceeded a thousand years.


    Unlike the Calamity Realm where one could borrow some of the world''s power, the Dharma Manifestation Realm had already mastered most of that power.


    A breath could call forth gales and storms.


    A stomp was like a dragon turning over beneath the earth!


    Unimaginably terrifying!


    "This is troublesome..." Gu Junhe''s face showed a look of anxiety.


    Zhou Yuan''s face, however, revealed hysterical madness as he laughed proudly, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, the heavens want to destroy you! With Xue Mantian himself descending, no matter how a hundredfold or a thousandfold stronger your talent is, you''re no match for him. You''re doomed, hahaha, the last laugh will still be mine..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi swung his sword backhand and sliced off Zhou Yuan''s jaw clean.


    Blood spurted uncontrollably from his mouth.


    Zhou Yuan howled miserably.


    But Xiao Yi no longer paid any attention to Zhou Yuan, his furious gaze fixed on Xue Mantian, "Xue Mantian, it was I who destroyed your Xue Yilou branch and killed your branch master. It has nothing to do with Qingzhu. Let Qingzhu go, and direct your issues at me!"


    "Irrelevant to her?"


    Xue Mantian laughed mockingly, speaking slowly and deliberately, "You dared to provoke my Xue Yilou, so your relatives, friends... anyone related to you, must all die. Do you think she can escape?"


    His pale, slender finger reached toward Fang Qingzhu''s face.


    Fang Qingzhu turned her head defiantly to avoid Xue Mantian''s finger, looking toward Xiao Yi with tears in her eyes, "Brother Xiao Yi, don''t worry about me... Leave, get away..."


    "Qingzhu... I won''t let anyone hurt you..." Xiao Yi clenched his fists tightly, his teeth grinding with a grating sound, he roared.


    Tears fell unstoppably from Fang Qingzhu''s face as she staunchly shook her head, "No... Brother Xiao Yi, you''ve already sacrificed too much for me. Ever since I''ve been with you, I have been your burden... I don''t want to burden you anymore, even if it means death, I won''t bear to see you sacrifice for me... Brother Xiao Yi, being with you these days, becoming your wife... I have no regrets in dying!"


    "Qingzhu, Fang Qingzhu... what are you doing?" Xiao Yi suddenly felt an intense unease, his eyes turning fierce as he roared.


    Fang Qingzhu gave him a bright smile.


    Her white teeth contrasted sharply against her pale face.


    Her eyes, brimming with tears, carried a resolute hue.


    Fang Qingzhu suddenly turned her head back, opening her mouth to bite at the palm of Xue Mantian fiercely.


    "Seeking death!"


    A cold light flashed through Xue Mantian''s eyes. He was of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, how could he possibly be bitten by Fang Qingzhu?


    With a slight tremor of his hand, a muffled ''thump'' echoed, and Fang Qingzhu trembled all over. Both of her shoulder bones were shattered by the impact. The chains binding her arms broke as well, one could only imagine how terrifying Xue Mantian''s palm strike was!


    Splat!


    Blood spurted wildly from Fang Qingzhu''s mouth, her complexion turning even paler, her breath as thin as a thread.


    "Lowly ants, dare to try and harm my body? Die!"


    Xue Mantian fiercely swung his hand.


    Whoosh!


    Fang Qingzhu was flung high into the air, tossed toward the four flying Heavenly Demons.


    Roar!


    The four flying Heavenly Demons'' eyes radiated a brutal light, showing their teeth and lunging for Fang Qingzhu to bite and tear.


    These were beasts comparable to a warrior of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Let alone Fang Qingzhu, who was only of Spiritual Realm Cultivation, even a common warrior of the Tao Tribulation Realm, once caught in their bite, would either be severely injured or become a feast in their mouths!


    "No..."


    In the nick of time,


    Xiao Yi erupted with unprecedented speed, rushing in front of Fang Qingzhu with a bang, grasping her and throwing her towards the crowd, "Dean..."


    Whoosh!


    Gu Junhe burst out from the crowd with a flash.


    Catching Fang Qingzhu in his arms.


    Simultaneously...


    The four flying Heavenly Demons, having lost their target, turned their razor-sharp fangs towards Xiao Yi.


    "Get lost!"


    Xiao Yi was surging with energy, but against the four Heavenly Demons as strong as the warriors of the Tao Tribulation Realm, these energy barriers were ineffective.


    Amidst a succession of crackling sounds, the energy shields burst one after another, and sharp fangs pierced through his back.


    Blood sprayed wildly.


    Xiao Yi fell like a shooting star, crashing to the ground with a loud bang.


    The entire Royal Martial Arts Academy trembled violently.


    Within the enormous crater, dust roiled, and cracks spread across the ground like a spiderweb.


    "Xiao Yi brother..."


    Fang Qingzhu''s eyes were wide with rage, struggling wildly.


    Gu Junhe held on tight to her hands, "Don''t go over there... going now is suicide..."


    "No... Even if it''s death, I want to be with Xiao Yi brother..."


    Fang Qingzhu exhausted all her strength struggling, the chains on her shoulders clanging noisily, her flesh torn and blurred, blood gushing like a fountain. Her pale face was filled with worry and despair; after all, those were four beasts as strong as warriors of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Xiao Yi had resisted the attacks of the four mighty beasts; despite his incredibly strong body,


    he was now gravely injured and might even be in danger of losing his life.


    Her hands, under Gu Junhe''s restraint, were torn open, blood dripping down.


    At this moment, the only thought in Fang Qingzhu''s mind was to rush to Xiao Yi''s side, "Let go, let go..."


    Despair and hope intermingled, overflowing her mind.


    Despair over Xiao Yi''s injuries.


    Hope that Xiao Yi could stand back up.


    Rustle, rustle...


    The disordered sound of falling gravel was heard as Xiao Yi shakily climbed out of the pit, his body swaying as he knelt on the ground, bracing himself with his hands, spewing blood violently. After a moment, he slowly recovered, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, staggeringly stood up, and raised his head to look at Fang Qingzhu. His mouth full of white teeth stained with blood, he managed to squeeze out a bright smile, "Qingzhu... I''m alright..."


    Fang Qingzhu, eyes wide with anguish, watched the unsteady Xiao Yi and cried out in heart-wrenching pain, "Xiao Yi brother..."


    High above,


    Xue Mantian raised an eyebrow and sneered, shaking his head, "Lowly ants love to play out these melodramas of parting and death. Xiao Yi, if you kneel and become my blood slave, I can spare you and that girl from death!"


    "Ha... hahaha... hahahaha..."


    Xiao Yi laughed uproariously, his blood boiling as a reddish fog surrounded him. Blood-red light pulsed from his eyes, "Kneel my ass!"

 Chapter 131 - 131 Fight! Fight! Fight!

    "Kneel before your fucking mother!"


    Xiao Yi''s body surged with blood, a thick layer of blood mist covering him.


    His entire frame radiated a profoundly potent blood qi, the very essence of the Blood Explosion Skill, which burnt up fifty percent of his fresh blood to boost his power fivefold.


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Mantian couldn''t help but straighten his posture, his eyebrows sharp like swords twitched lightly, his expression amused, "Burning qi-blood to enhance strength in such a short time? This increase is stronger than my Xue Yilou''s ''Blood Demon Great Skill''? An interesting little fellow!"


    He remained lazily leaned against the palanquin.


    With his status as the ninth floor master of Xue Yilou, not even the rulers of the hundred subordinate countries under the Great Qian Dynasty could make him take notice.


    If Xue Mantian wasn''t just passing through Tianqing Kingdom, he would not have made a move himself.


    "It''s rare to come across such an interesting little fellow..."


    Xue Mantian''s face was full of amusement as he looked on as if watching a jumping clown, and with a light flick of his finger said, "Number Four, go play with him!" S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yes, Master!"


    Among the four Winged Demon Tigers, the one at the end, capable of human speech, broke free from its shackles.


    With a flap of its wings, it soared towards Xiao Yi.


    The other three Winged Demon Tigers looked at each other, envy in their eyes: "Master indeed favors Number Four more; such a tasty little fellow is a treat for him!"


    "Don''t worry, Number Four won''t enjoy him all by himself; he''ll at least leave us a leg each!"


    Xue Mantian leaned back on the palanquin, spoke calmly and deliberately, "Don''t rush... Xiao Yi''s wife and his brothers are still here, aren''t they? Even if we can''t eat Xiao Yi, eating them is also possible!"


    "Master is wise!"


    The three Winged Demon Tigers said in unison.


    Meanwhile...


    Number Four had already flown in front of Xiao Yi, its giant paw swiping down at him.


    Once mature, a Winged Demon Tiger is a fifth-order high-level beast, comparable to the peak of the Golden Core Realm. These four Winged Demon Tigers, nurtured by Xue Mantian, had grown into sixth-order beasts. Their combat strength matched the Tao Tribulation Realm, and Number Four''s power was about equal to a fighter at the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The tiger paw tore through the sky, borrowing the world''s power, drawing gusts of fierce wind.


    The howling wind swirled about.


    In an instant...


    It came crashing down towards Xiao Yi''s head.


    Xiao Yi''s body glowed with blood; even before using the Blood Explosion Skill, he could match a fighter from the Tao Tribulation Realm. Now, with five times the speed and strength, he was comparable to someone in the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    "Nine Swords as One!"


    The Fire Qilin Sword burst into fiery light, a crimson sword beam sweeping across the incoming storm.


    With a thunderous boom,


    The storm shattered explosively.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    With a heavy punch, he struck down at Number Four, who reacted very quickly, twisting its body, and its tail swept at Xiao Yi.


    There''s an old saying that one must never touch a tiger''s butt!


    And it was precisely because of this tail!


    As the tiger''s tail swept over, its force was akin to a dragon''s tail lash.


    Thud!


    His iron fist landed heavily on the tiger''s tail.


    The savage force nearly swept Xiao Yi away, but in the moment he was about to be thrown off, he reached out with an open hand and snatched the oncoming tail, while the Fire Qilin Sword sliced upward from below.


    Spurt!


    In a flash of blood, Number Four''s tail was severed.


    Howl...


    Number Four let out a miserable cry.


    Losing its balance due to the loss of its tail, it staggered, and Xiao Yi seized the opportunity. The Fire Qilin Sword stabbed towards the exposed rear of the tiger.


    "How dare you�� Stop!" Xue Mantian on the palanquin showed his true concern for the first time, his face murderous, bellowing with sky-shaking rage.


    "Stop your fucking grandfather..."


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, his longsword not hesitating for a moment!


    Spurt!


    Amidst the sound of flesh and blood churning, Xiao Yi''s Fire Qilin Sword pierced into Number Four''s rear, and a mass of minced flesh and innards sprayed out from its mouth.


    Boom!


    The massive body of the Winged Demon Tiger dropped to the ground.


    The Winged Demon Tiger, a match for the Tao Tribulation Realm, thus died by the blade of Xiao Yi.


    "Evil beast, didn''t you hear me when I told you to stop?" Xue Mantian roared ferociously, his heart bleeding inside. To nurture these four Tao Tribulation Realm Winged Demon Tigers, he had spent untold resources, raising them from the time they couldn''t even open their eyes. Xue Mantian had no children, so he considered these four Winged Demon Tigers as his own kin!


    But now...


    The beloved youngest, the one he cherished most, had actually died at the hands of Xiao Yi, whom he had never taken seriously.


    "Youngest brother..."


    "Master, let us tear that little bastard apart..."


    The three Sky Demon Tigers twisted their bodies in madness, emitting wave after wave of earth-shaking roars.


    Xue Mantian''s face darkened, "Kill him for me!"


    Roar!


    Roar!


    Roar!


    The three Sky Demon Tigers broke free from their shackles and lunged at Xiao Yi.


    These were three beings of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Especially the largest Sky Demon Tiger, which was comparable to a sixth-order high-level demon beast at the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Facing the onslaught of the three Sky Demon Tigers, even Xiao Yi, who had burned fifty percent of his blood, was forced to retreat step by step.


    Claws and fangs left ferocious wounds all over his body.


    Blood covered his entire body.


    "Tear him to shreds!"


    "Avenge our youngest brother!"


    The eyes of the three Sky Demon Tigers gleamed coldly as they encircled Xiao Yi, watching him with covetous eyes.


    "Dean... please let me go, I want to help Xiao Yi..." Fang Qingzhu cried with stubborn tears streaming down her face.


    Gu Junhe took a deep breath and said firmly, "Enough, I''ll go!"


    Whoosh!


    Gu Junhe flashed by and landed in front of Xiao Yi.


    "Dean..." Xiao Yi blinked in surprise.


    "You are a disciple of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, and I, as the dean, cannot stand idly by and watch you be bullied," he said.


    Gu Junhe squinted at Xue Mantian and declared loudly, "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy Dean Gu Junhe, I request to fight!"


    Xue Mantian''s face was indifferent as he waved his hand dismissively, "Kill!"


    From beginning to end.


    He never spared Gu Junhe a glance for a moment, for to him, anyone below the Dharma Manifestation Realm simply wasn''t worth noticing.


    "Jiang Tai, the seventh prince of the Tianqing Kingdom, requests to do battle!"


    Jiang Tai leaped into the air, standing shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Yi.


    "Damn it, I can''t just watch this anymore!"


    "Is the Dharma Manifestation Realm so great? Are you saying that my Tianqing Kingdom has no one else?"


    "Brothers, let''s go together and show them that the Tianqing Kingdom has no cowards..."


    One by one, the strong warriors came forward.


    In no time at all.


    More than a thousand people had already gathered around Xiao Yi, many of whom had come just for the spectacle, but now all stood by Xiao Yi''s side.


    It was because in their hearts, Xiao Yi was one of them, a person of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Amidst the thunderous noise, a black cavalry, like a steel torrent, came swarming in. Leading them was Li Qing, "The Black Dragon Cavalry of the Tianqing Kingdom, requesting to join the battle!"


    In the void.


    Several figures stepped through the air.


    At the forefront stood a man in a yellow robe with his hands behind his back, Jiang Tianchen. He wore a purple crown and was expressionless, "Xiao Yi is our National Protection Martial King of the Tianqing Kingdom. The Tianqing Kingdom stands or falls with him! Whoever wishes to harm him, the Tianqing Kingdom will fight to the last, even if it means bringing the country to its knees!"


    Xiao Yi watched as more and more powerful people gathered by his side.


    His blood boiled inside him.


    This feeling was unprecedented.


    Before this...


    He felt no sense of belonging to the Tianqing Kingdom, but now, as countless citizens of the Tianqing Kingdom, the Black Dragon Army, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, and the royal presence represented by Jiang Tianchen all stood with him, he felt an unparalleled sense of emotion.


    This was the sense of belonging!


    This was home!


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and with a loud exhalation, he raised his longsword to the sky, "Battle!"


    The voices of the people around him merged into a torrent of sound, thundering in unison, "Battle!"


    "Battle!"


    Battle...

 Chapter 132 - 132: Tragic

    "A bunch of ants dares to defy the Azure Dragon?"


    Xue Mantian still lounged lazily atop the carriage.


    With his strength, even if the Tianqing Kingdom mobilized their entire nation, he would not take them seriously.


    Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Commanding the laws of heaven and earth, possessing the power to reach the heavens!


    A casual wave could summon fierce winds, a shouted command could call down thunder.


    Such a being would not fear thousands of troops and horses even in the face of an army; moreover, his back was supported by the mighty Xue Yilou, and behind Xue Yilou stood a great figure from the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Even annihilating the Tianqing Kingdom would at most earn Xue Mantian a scolding.


    "Ada, whoever dares to hinder your killing of Xiao Yi, kill them all!" Xue Mantian said indifferently.


    "Yes, master!"


    Three flying Heavenly Demon Tigers were surrounded by a floating black aura, a black halo enveloped their forms, and their two pitch-black wings flapped vigorously, as if surrounded by divine light. Their massive bodies soared with a leap and crashed down with force.


    Like three giant black beasts, they charged toward Xiao Yi and the others.


    Jiang Tianchen, dressed in royal robes and wearing a purple jade crown, drew the gold-inlaid longsword from his waist. "Subjects of the Tianqing Kingdom, follow your king into battle!"


    "Black Dragon Cavalry, kill!"


    "Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, kill!"


    "King Tieshan''s forces, kill!"


    "Kill..."


    More and more powerhouses from the crowd surged toward the three great flying Heavenly Demon Tigers. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although Jiang Tianchen was only at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, the sword in his hand was a high-grade, fifth-level famous sword, which legend claimed was forged from the spine of a peak Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, a sword of an emperor.


    The sword''s edge broke through the air, the sky dyed a uniform color.


    This enabled Jiang Tianchen to wield combat power comparable to the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    With the help of the Black Dragon Cavalry and others, they managed to barely entangle the youngest of the flying Heavenly Demon Tigers.


    A key pillar of the royal house, clad in black robes.


    Always hidden in the shadows, the royal ancestor Jiang Wei, with his invincible power at the Fourth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, blocked the leader of the tigers, whose strength was comparable to the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, alone.


    The second of the flying Heavenly Demon Tigers charged toward Xiao Yi.


    Gu Junhe, Jiang Tai, Yue Cang, and others assisted Xiao Yi, facing the formidable flying Heavenly Demon Tiger without the slightest negligence. Xiao Yi, with a bloody light flowing around him, took the lead in the offense.


    Gu Junhe and Jiang Tai, among others, provided support.


    Facing the siege of the crowd.


    The second tiger''s face was full of ferocity and rage, amidst thunderous roars, its claws, sharp as scythes, swatted away Jiang Tai, tearing open his chest.


    Blood gushed like a fountain.


    "Monster, you''re courting death!"


    Gu Junhe, enraged, swung a three-meter-long sledgehammer down fiercely.


    The third tiger snorted coldly and swung its tail fiercely!


    Crack!


    Tremendous force sent Gu Junhe flying into the air, and at the same time, with a thrust of its head, it roared like thunder. Terrifying sound waves rolled forth, aimed directly at Gu Junhe in midair. Xiao Yi switched his hand seals, and pure Yuan Qi converged into a circular shield.


    The circular Yuan Qi shield spread across the sky, blocking the rolling sound waves.


    Boom!


    In a thunderous explosion.


    The Yuan Qi shield shattered.


    Gu Junhe fell from the sky, his body like a sword, piercing the heavens, and a sharp sword light slashed down with a swish.


    "Roar!"


    The third tiger''s wings curled around its body in a swift roll.


    The fierce sword strike landed heavily on the wings.


    Rumble!


    The highly concentrated Yuan Qi sword light exploded, triggering a terrifying energy storm that slammed the third tiger violently into the ground. Blood and tattered wings flew in all directions; nearby, Jiang Tai, who had just stopped his bleeding, showed a trace of ecstatic joy on his face: "Did we succeed?"


    Gu Junhe also quietly breathed a sigh of relief.


    However, Xiao Yi''s face suddenly changed, and he pushed Gu Junhe beside him away with a palm.


    Whoosh!


    Caught off guard, Gu Junhe was pushed away dozens of meters by Xiao Yi.


    "Xiao Yi, what are you..."


    Just as Gu Junhe opened his mouth, he saw a tiger tail that was tens of meters long fiercely lash down on the spot where he had just been standing. The tiger tail swept up the building Gu Junhe had been standing in front of, wrapping around it and flinging it away with a violent twist.


    Boom!


    The building, over ten meters high, was crushed into smithereens.


    Whoosh!


    Amidst the rising dust, Lao San''s massive figure shot out like an arrow released from a bow, appearing instantly in front of Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi had just pushed Gu Junhe away and was too late to dodge.


    In a moment of life and death,


    Xiao Yi swiftly turned around, presenting his back to Lao San.


    Roar!


    Lao San''s sharp claws struck Xiao Yi''s back fiercely, blood spraying wildly, leaving three vicious claw marks on Xiao Yi''s back, deep enough to see the bone. His body was sent flying with the impact.


    With a thunderous noise, Xiao Yi crashed into a cluster of buildings below.


    Rumble!


    Plowing through, one building after another collapsed.


    After smashing through six buildings, Xiao Yi finally came to a stop, the blood light surging around his body gradually dimming.


    Roar!


    Lao San flapped its wings and dived, disappearing into the rubble, then shot up into the sky once more, lifting a pile of debris.


    It had Xiao Yi in its mouth.


    The sharp fangs pierced through half of Xiao Yi''s body.


    "Xiao Yi..."


    "Let him go..."


    Gu Junhe and the others tried to intervene but were entangled to death by the other two flying Heavenly Tigers.


    Roar!


    Lao San took to the air again, attempting to carry Xiao Yi up high and then drop him.


    But just at that moment,


    A purple whip shadow tore through the air, and with a smack, it coiled around its neck.


    The person who took action was Fang Qingzhu!


    Gu Junhe had unlocked her pipa lock, and now that she had regained some strength, her Purple Dragon Whip wound around Lao San''s neck. Clenching the Purple Cloud Whip tightly in both hands, she tried to stop it from rising, "Let go of my Xiao Yi brother..."


    "A mere ant dares to stop me?"


    Lao San flew into a rage, advancing instead of retreating, instantly closing the distance with Fang Qingzhu.


    Its sharp claws swept down towards Fang Qingzhu''s head.


    "Qingzhu... dodge..." Xiao Yi''s eyes were wide with desperation.


    Thump!


    Fang Qingzhu was sent flying, spewing fresh blood, her life force growing increasingly weak.


    "Wretched ant!"


    Lao San snorted disdainfully and took to the air once more.


    But just as it started to fly, the whip around its neck tightened fiercely, and with a bang, it was yanked forcefully back to the ground. Fang Qingzhu, trembling and unsteady on her feet, wrapped the Purple Dragon Whip around her waist.


    She held on firmly.


    "Qingzhu... let go... hurry and let go..." Xiao Yi felt Lao San''s intense murderous intent and struggled frantically with his exhausted body.


    "No... absolutely not..."


    Fang Qingzhu clenched her teeth, blood spilling from the corners of her mouth, appearing oblivious to the pain, as she stared down the flying Heavenly Tiger, "Xiao Yi brother, you''ve always been the one protecting me. Today, it''s my turn to protect you! Nobody is going to take you away from me, nobody..."


    "If you refuse to let go, then die!"


    Lao San held its head high, tossing Xiao Yi up into the air, and with a swift move, caught Xiao Yi in its claw.


    At the same time, it opened its gaping maw, lunging to tear apart Fang Qingzhu.


    The breath of death instantly shrouded Fang Qingzhu...

 Chapter 133 - 133: Tragic

    Death seemed to transform into a massive hand that shrouded Fang Qingzhu beneath its palm.


    Darkness, despair, and coldness came from all directions, like walls of despairing boulders, pressing down on the hearts of Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu.


    Once bitten by the third beast,


    It would certainly mean certain death.


    "No�� no��"


    Xiao Yi suddenly erupted in a thunderous roar, and the blood light that enveloped him erupted like a volcano, surging tumultuously. Waves of terrifying blood-red energy swept across, fully activating the Blood Explosion Skill to its limit.


    All of his blood!


    Xiao Yi had actually burned all the blood in his body.


    This was a mad, suicidal move.


    But for Fang Qingzhu��


    Xiao Yi had no choice!


    With a tenfold increase in strength and speed, Xiao Yi managed to pull his hands free, violently grabbing the third beast''s two tiger claws.


    Then, he twisted them outwards.


    Pop, pop!


    Two streams of blood burst forth, and Xiao Yi forcefully snapped off the tiger claws, causing the third beast to howl in agony and its body to tremble violently. The saying ''every finger feeling the heart''s pain'' wasn''t just about humans; it applied to beasts just as well.


    At the moment the tiger claws were snapped off, the third beast''s body also came to a sudden halt.


    Xiao Yi grabbed the beast''s sharp claws with both hands and, with a crack, brutally broke them, blood dripping over the jagged white bones.


    The intense pain made the third beast''s expression savage as it howled: "Human, go to hell!"


    Its sharp fangs turned viciously towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s body flickered as he flipped onto the third beast''s back, tightly grasping its ear with his left hand. Meanwhile, his right hand formed into a fist, and amidst swirling red energy, he pummeled the beast''s head with punch after punch.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    No matter how sturdy the third beast''s skull was, under Xiao Yi''s iron fists, blood surged.


    "Oww��"


    The third beast shrieked repeatedly.


    Trying to use its tail, claws, and even wild thrashing to throw Xiao Yi off its back.


    But Xiao Yi just kept ripping out its fur by the handful, bloody skin, flesh, and hair tearing away inch by inch. He had burned too much blood, and his consciousness grew increasingly blurry.


    He suddenly opened his mouth wide and bit down hard on the beast''s neck.


    Ow��


    The third beast''s body shuddered, trembling and struggling even more frantically.


    Xiao Yi instinctively kept devouring the blood in the beast''s body, the gulping noises making the third beast feel like the grim reaper was beckoning: "Save me�� Big brother, second brother�� my master��"


    "Third brother��"


    "Damn you, let go of the third��"


    The eldest and the second Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers changed color in shock, never expecting the seemingly victorious third beast to fall into such wretchedness.


    But as they wanted to intervene to help the third beast, Jiang Tianchen and the others held them tightly in place.


    Preventing them from freeing themselves to help.


    In the moment of life and death.


    Xue Mantian suddenly snorted coldly, his face turning iron blue: "Useless wastes, struggling against such trash, yet they still require my personal intervention?"


    Whoosh!


    Xue Mantian pointed a finger.


    Hum!


    That finger, compressed with pure energy, instantly turned into a streak of light, shooting straight towards Xiao Yi.


    "Xiao Yi, be careful��"


    Seeing this, Fang Qingzhu''s face changed dramatically as she stretched out her arms and threw herself in front of Xiao Yi.


    Boom!


    The blood-colored pillar instantly engulfed Fang Qingzhu. Amidst a loud noise, her body trembled, and blood sprayed from her mouth, splattering all over Xiao Yi''s face.


    The nearly unconscious Xiao Yi jolted as his eyes regained some lucidity.


    In that instant of clarity.


    Xiao Yi saw Fang Qingzhu spewing blood, struck by the pillar and flung away, her familiar figure flying horizontally before him, with her scalding blood landing on his face.


    "No, no��"


    Xiao Yi''s hoarse voice let out a desperate roar.


    He unleashed his final power.


    With a sudden reach of his right hand, his vital energy surged like a spring, turning into a ribbon that coiled around Fang Qingzhu''s waist, pulling her into his embrace. At the same time, his left hand reached out, and the Fire Qilin Sword, belching red flames, flew back from afar.


    Man and sword as one!


    "Die!"


    Hum!


    A sword slashed down, heavily landing atop the head of the third brother.


    Splat...


    Blood sprayed in the air.


    The massive head of the third brother of the Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers was directly cleaved off by Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, holding Fang Qingzhu, tumbled to the ground, rolling over several tens of meters, desperately protecting her. Struggling to maintain his will, he looked at Fang Qingzhu in his arms,"Qing, Qingzhu... are, are you okay?"


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi..." Fang Qingzhu, with trembling hands, tried to wipe the blood from the corner of Xiao Yi''s mouth.


    But no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn''t reach Xiao Yi.


    Her injuries were simply too severe!


    Xiao Yi felt the life force within him continuously slipping away, and memories of his life filled his mind.


    Before he was eight, although not valued by his family, at least he had his mother.


    Then he was imprisoned for ten years.


    During those ten years, he saw neither sun nor moon.


    Even his mother left him.


    It wasn''t until he was sent to the Fang Family by his father and elder brother, reduced to a lowly son-in-law, that he met Fang Qingzhu.


    Aside from his mother, she was the first person who truly cared for him, who entered his heart.


    But now...


    "I''m sorry... I, I couldn''t fulfill my promise, couldn''t protect you..." As Xiao Yi spoke, fresh blood uncontrollably flowed out.


    "Xiao Yi, meeting you has been the most fortunate thing in my life!" Fang Qingzhu said with a smile, shaking her head, but the bloodied pale face made one feel even more heartbroken.


    "What a pathetic couple, full of love, but alas, you have actually caused the death of my war beast, you all must die!"


    Xue Mantian''s voice suddenly resonated in their ears.


    Xue Mantian was seen striding through the sky, with a cold and gloomy face, reaching out with both hands.


    "Don''t even think about harming my students from Tianqi Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Are my people of Tianqing Kingdom something you can kill at will?"


    Gu Junhe, Jiang Tianchen, and an elder from the Jiang Family all made their moves.


    Two figures, comparable to the Tao Tribulation Realm, along with the elder from the Jiang Family, withstood Xue Mantian''s earth-shattering blow.


    But the expressions of the three were extremely ugly.


    Xue Mantian squinted, "A bunch of ants dare to block my path? Die!"


    Hum!


    Xue Mantian pointed his finger to the sky.


    Countless vital energy surged like an ocean, gathered into a huge, cold finger, and with a loud boom, shot towards the group.


    The elder from the Jiang Family, surrounded by dragon shadows, cried out, "Tianqing''s protection!"


    Roar!


    Numerous vital energy formed into a dragon shadow, spanning in front of everyone, but against Xue Mantian''s attack, the Azure Dragon illusion only paused for a moment before shattering into pieces. With a loud bang, the elder from the Jiang Family was sent flying.


    Blood spurted from his mouth, his breath weak as a thread.


    Xue Mantian, surrounded by a flow of blood energy, commanded, "Kill!" S��arch* The N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The leader and second brother of the Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers transformed into demon gods, leaving behind a trail of decapitated heads and rivers of blood wherever they went.


    Jiang Tai was bitten on the arm by a Flying Heavenly Demon Tiger, ripping the limb clean off.


    Niu Dali''s abdomen was pierced by the sharp claws of the tiger.


    Even the four brothers from the Shi Family, uniting their strength, were still blown away with a palm strike, their bones completely shattered.


    The Black Dragon Cavalry under Li Qing''s command, despite their formidable power against the Tao Tribulation Realm''s monstrous beasts, were smashed to pieces. Li Qing himself was impaled atop his steed.


    Tragic!


    Bloody!


    Watching helplessly as one powerful being after another died in front of him to protect him, Xiao Yi''s eyes were completely stained red with blood.


    "Feels quite desperate and helpless, doesn''t it?"


    Xue Mantian''s voice echoed in his ears as he walked on air, easily knocking away any strong being who dared to block him. With a ferocious laugh, he reached out towards Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu, "This is the fate of those who provoke Xue Yilou!"

 Chapter 134 - 134: Frozen for Thousands of Miles

    ```


    Whoosh!


    The cold vital energy surged mightily.


    The terrifying pressure made it impossible for Xiao Yi and his companion to resist, capturing them into the air from afar.


    Xue Mantian swept his icy gaze over the two of them, "Your love for each other is truly touching. Therefore, I''ve decided... after you die, I will dismember your bodies, feed one to the eagles in the sky, and throw the other into the river to feed the fishes. Even in death, you shall be separated by heaven and earth, never to meet again!"


    "Xue! Mantian!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were blood red as he stared daggers at Xue Mantian, as if to etch every bit of him into the depths of his soul.


    No words of hatred, no oaths of vengeance.


    At this moment...


    Hatred had reached its peak.


    If he could survive, he would surely seek his revenge!


    "Brother Xiao Yi, if you become a fish, then I''ll transform into an osprey... If you are an osprey, I''ll become the flying fish, and in the end, we will meet again..." Fang Qingzhu''s pale face suddenly revealed a radiant smile, and her tender voice was filled with unwavering determination.


    Xiao Yi trembled all over and nodded heavily towards Fang Qingzhu.


    "Hmph, whether you die together is not up to you to decide!"


    Xue Mantian sneered, "I shall slaughter Xiao Yi first, and then I will keep this damsel well for a hundred and eighty years. After Xiao Yi''s soul has utterly dispersed, then I will kill you, and I want to see how you''ll continue your affair with the osprey then!"


    Buzz!


    A stream of blood shot towards Xiao Yi.


    In that moment between life and death...


    Suddenly, a spotless blue light appeared between heaven and earth.


    In an instant, the world seemed to transform into a snowy domain, and the cold blood arrow was covered with a thick layer of ice amidst the clicking sounds. Just a finger''s width away from Xiao Yi''s forehead, the blood arrow was completely frozen.


    "Hm? What''s going on?"


    Xue Mantian''s expression changed.


    At the same time.


    The temperature between heaven and earth dropped dozens of degrees in an instant, and the wind blowing in the air contained slivers of icy blue coldness. The touch on one''s face was like the scrape of an ice blade, threatening to slit the skin at any moment.


    In the flowing cold wind.


    Snow began to drift down!


    Amidst the big flurry-like snow.


    Flashes of blue light, which were faintly visible, became brighter and more mysterious.


    "This, this is..."


    Everyone''s gaze turned uniformly towards the blue light, which was gathering around Fang Qingzhu.


    She was enveloped in a layer of blue light, which turned her long hair into an icy blue color, and her long eyelashes trembled slightly, seemingly covered with frost. Within her brows, a strange ice-blue rune flickered in and out of view.


    Behind her...


    There emerged a massive ice-blue Phantom Phoenix, poised to strike.


    The moment that ice-blue Phantom Phoenix materialized, everything around Fang Qingzhu turned to ice.


    Even the vital energy that Xue Mantian used to bind her was instantly frozen.


    Crack, crack, crack!


    The frost spread along the vital energy relentlessly, forming an ice pillar heading straight for Xue Mantian. Startled, Xue Mantian''s hand trembled violently, cutting off the flow of vital energy, nearly at the moment the energy flow was severed.


    The frost had already reached the column of vital energy.


    The intense chill even caused Xue Mantian''s palm to become covered with frost.


    Hiss!


    Xue Mantian drew a sharp breath, disbelieving as he looked at Fang Qingzhu, who resembled an ice fairy, "What, what is this?"


    "Is that Fang Qingzhu?"


    "Is that the same ice-blue phoenix again? When the assassin from Blood Shadow Tower came to Tianqi Martial Arts Academy previously, it was Sister Qingzhu who summoned this ice-blue phoenix and saved us..."


    "Could it be her Innate Divine Ability? But I''ve never heard of such a Divine Skill..."


    The crowd looked at each other in disbelief.


    Fang Qingzhu looked emotionless at Xue Mantian: "Let him go!"


    "Pretending to be a ghost..."


    Xue Mantian let out a cold laugh, and with a wave of his hand, a torrent of vital energy surged out, "Asura Great Palm Imprint!"


    Buzz!


    A blood-red palm, mountainous in size, loomed over Fang Qingzhu.


    Facing this blood-red palm.


    Fang Qingzhu just snorted coldly, and the ice-blue Phoenix behind her flapped its wings and flew right into the palm. Amidst the cracking sounds, the giant palm, forged entirely from vital energy, instantly turned into an ice sculpture shaped like a palm.


    In a burst of crackling sounds, it shattered into shards of ice that filled the sky.


    "This..."


    Xue Mantian''s expression changed dramatically.


    That strike was powerful enough to kill an ordinary practitioner of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and yet Fang Qingzhu, who was merely at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, could so easily destroy it?


    This was something he had never heard of!


    ```


    Fang Qingzhu''s slender palm reached out towards Xiao Yi, and a beam of ice sliced through the air, freezing everything it touched. The elemental energy that restrained Xiao Yi also shattered, accompanied by a howling chill wind.


    Within the raging wind, snowflakes danced. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All was turned to a powdery dust.


    An ice-blue phoenix scooped up Xiao Yi and flew back to Fang Qingzhu''s side, her face growing ever more pale, a trace of tenderness flashing in her eyes.


    "Qingzhu, you..." Xiao Yi looked at her with a complex expression.


    Fang Qingzhu shook her head gently, "Xiao Yi, you''ve always been the one to protect me. Today, let it be my turn to protect you!"


    As soon as she spoke.


    Fang Qingzhu waved her hand, sending Xiao Yi to Gu Junhe''s side. Meanwhile, the ice-blue phoenix behind her took to the skies, transforming into a beam of blue light that soared towards Xue Mantian.


    "You''re not worthy of my master''s effort!"


    "Die!"


    The leader and the deputy of the Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers charged out together.


    These two demonic beasts had been raised by Xue Mantian from their youth and were utterly loyal to him.


    "Die!"


    Fang Qingzhu just let out a cold snort.


    The ice-blue phoenix swept past, its tail elongated with swirling frost and snow, passing through the void. The two enormous Flying Heavenly Demon Tigers continuously accumulated thick layers of frost on their bodies.


    In the blink of an eye.


    They had turned into two ice sculptures.


    Boom! Boom!


    Two beasts, comparable to the sixth rank of the Tao Tribulation Realm, fell from the sky and smashed heavily onto the ground, shattering into broken ice.


    Hiss!


    At this moment...


    All was silent between heaven and earth.


    All eyes turned to her with shock and fear.


    With a mere flick of her wrist.


    She had slain two sixth-rank demonic beasts.


    Such ability would only be found in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, wouldn''t it? But Fang Qingzhu was clearly at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm!


    "Little beast, you dared to kill my battle pets, I''ll take your life!" Xue Mantian was furious, and as he raised his hand, the entire royal capital shook violently. The massive palace at the capital''s center was ripped from the earth by his might.


    The huge palace was held aloft in the void single-handedly by Xue Mantian.


    This was the power of a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert.


    With the slightest motion, they could harness the power of the heavens and the earth.


    "Die!"


    The enormous palace crashed down towards Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu as Xue Mantian flicked his finger.


    Confronted with the massive palace, should it fall, a significant part of the royal capital would be destroyed.


    In this moment of life and death...


    The ice-blue phoenix behind Fang Qingzhu suddenly spread its wings and flew up, its cry like thunder from the nine heavens, shaking the sky as it soared. The blue phoenix swelled, becoming immensely large, with a wingspan of thousands of feet.


    Wherever it passed...


    The world turned into a frozen realm.


    Rumble! Rumble!


    Thunder boomed in winter, and Feng Xue fluttered.


    The entire royal capital...


    Was transformed into a realm of ice sculptures under the impact of the ice-blue phoenix, and yet the icy storm had not ceased. The blue phoenix flew past, heading straight for Xue Mantian, whose expression changed drastically as he raised his hand to block.


    But, his elemental energy couldn''t stop the blue phoenix.


    Crack! Crack!


    Amid the crisp sounds of freezing ice, Xue Mantian''s arms were frozen solid, his expression suddenly changed, and he hastily soared into the skies.


    His arms were numb and lifeless.


    If this went on...


    He might well lose his hands, and yet the ice-blue phoenix continued to chase after him, causing the prestigious Xue Mantian of the Dharma Manifestation Realm to show fear as he glared at Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu: "You just wait... Having offended my Blood Shadow Tower, you will all die!"


    Whoosh!


    Xue Mantian shot up, disappearing into the sky.


    Over the vast royal capital...


    Beneath the giant ice sculpture of the palace, Fang Qingzhu, surrounded by ice-blue light, gazed at Xue Mantian as he disappeared into the heavens. Suddenly, she staggered, collapsing into Xiao Yi''s arms.


    The giant ice sculpture of the palace also fell from the sky, crashing to the ground with a loud bang.


    The chill covered thousands of miles!


    The people of Tianqing Kingdom looked at each other, their suspended hearts finally coming to rest, as their current crisis had been temporarily averted.


    But...


    Neither the departed Xue Mantian nor the unconscious Fang Qingzhu, nor Xiao Yi and the others knew. Just as Fang Qingzhu had fully unleashed the ice-blue phoenix, in the far north, amidst the endless snowstorm, within a massive palace, an immensely authoritative voice commanded: "Bring her back!"

 Chapter 135 - 135: The Curtain Falls

    This day was a catastrophic disaster for the capital of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    The palace alone, symbolizing royal dignity and supreme power, was destroyed in an instant, delivering a massive blow to the royal family of Tianqing Kingdom.


    Besides that...


    In her final outburst, Fang Qingzhu froze the entire palace into ice.


    It came crashing down.


    The razed buildings nearly covered half of the capital.


    At the very center of the capital, where the palace once stood, there was now an immense crater. It was the result of the palace being uprooted by Xue Mantian, looking from afar like a vast gaping hole.


    Inside the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    The scene was chaotic, land everywhere scorched by war, mountains of bodies and rivers of blood.


    Amidst the ruins.


    Zhou Yuan was tightly bound and kneeling before Jiang Tianchen and others, his face twisted with ferocity and madness, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, Jiang Tianchen... what does it matter that I have fallen into your hands? You''ve offended Xue Yilou, and you, together with the entire Tianqing Kingdom, have but one path left��death..."


    Jiang Tianchen''s face was extremely somber.


    Xiao Yi, who stood by his side, had managed to recuperate some Qi-Blood, thanks to Fang Qingzhu''s sudden burst, which prevented his Blood Explosion Skill from completely burning away his blood.


    Even so...


    Xiao Yi was still exceedingly weak at this moment, holding Fang Qingzhu in his arms, his icy gaze fixed on Zhou Yuan, "Even if Xue Yilou doesn''t come for me, I will go after them!"


    The appearance of Xue Mantian had not only nearly brought him and Fang Qingzhu to their deaths.


    But it also resulted in the demise of Li Qing and many other powerful warriors.


    All of whom had lent a hand in the moment of crisis, aiding him.


    Xiao Yi was filled with self-reproach over their sacrifices.


    And his hatred towards Xue Yilou was equally intense.


    "Seek revenge on Xue Yilou? That''s just about the most ridiculous joke I''ve ever heard."


    Zhou Yuan was startled, his face covered in viciousness, and sneered, "Xiao Yi, I admit your talent is strong, but Xue Yilou becoming the strongest assassin organization among the more than a hundred subordinate nations under the Great Qian Dynasty...their strength far exceeds your imagination. Someone as powerful as Xue Mantian is only one of the Nine Masters. Do you really think you can take your revenge on Xue Yilou? You''re delusional!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "That''s not for you to worry about anymore!"


    "Xiao Yi, what do you think should be done with him?" Jiang Tianchen looked towards Xiao Yi and asked.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Kill!"


    "Alright!"


    Jiang Tianchen nodded, his cold gaze falling upon Zhou Yuan, he waved his hand, "Execute him!"


    Jiang Weisheng made his move without delay.


    He brought down a palm.


    Boom!


    Zhou Yuan, the mighty head of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, was turned into a pile of flesh.


    Amongst the flesh.


    Jiang Weisheng retrieved a blood-stained Martial Dao Divine Fruit and passed it to Jiang Tianchen, "Your Majesty, this is Zhou Yuan''s Martial Dao Divine Fruit!" S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jiang Tianchen nodded and took it.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, nodded to Jiang Tianchen, and said, "Your Majesty, the Tianqing Kingdom has offered support in good faith, and I, Xiao Yi, am no ingrate. As long as I draw breath, I''ll stand with the Tianqing Kingdom through thick and thin!"


    "Good, very good!"


    Jiang Tianchen let out a long sigh of relief and laughed heartily with contentment.


    For him...


    The destruction of the palace, the devastating losses to the capital, the near annihilation of the Black Dragon Cavalry, none of that compared to Xiao Yi.


    An Xiao Yi, at present, seemed immeasurably more valuable than today''s losses.


    But in Jiang Tianchen''s heart, what he valued even more was Xiao Yi''s future!


    One year''s time.


    From the Physical Body Realm, he had grown into someone who could match a fighter from the Tao Tribulation Realm, and for this very reason, Jiang Tianchen decided to intervene at the last moment. If Xiao Yi hadn''t demonstrated such formidable strength during his confrontation with Zhou Yuan,


    Jiang Tianchen certainly wouldn''t have known about Xue Mantian''s intervention and still chosen to firmly support Xiao Yi.


    It turned out he had made the right bet!


    "Xiao Yi, I have noticed that Miss Fang..." Jiang Tianchen''s worried gaze fell upon Fang Qingzhu.


    Xiao Yi shook his head; with the inheritance of the Underworld Doctor, he had already examined Fang Qingzhu''s condition and found that she had merely fainted from exhaustion without life-threatening injuries. He then said, "Qingzhu is not in any serious danger, she just needs a good rest!"


    Jiang Tianchen breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the frail Fang Qingzhu, as an image of a figure with an ice-blue phoenix behind her, spreading its wings and taking flight,


    frost sealing thousands of miles, and forcing Xue Mantian back.


    He felt that Fang Qingzhu was also hiding a great secret.


    However...


    He did not inquire further.


    Jiang Tianchen said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, once I have properly settled the Royal Capital, I will issue a royal decree to all, proclaiming you as the Martial King of Tianqing Kingdom. This time, you won''t refuse me again, right?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "I am grateful for His Majesty''s reward!"


    Jiang Tianchen smiled in satisfaction, then turned to look at Gu Junhe, whose face was pale, "Headmaster Gu, the Royal Martial Arts Academy has been destroyed, but there are still many disciples who are innocent. My Tianqing Kingdom cannot do without a Martial Arts Institute. Would your Tianqi Martial Arts Academy be willing to accept them?"


    The Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, ever since Wang Tianqi disappeared five hundred years ago, had been brutally suppressed by the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    Now reduced to its current state, with only a few people left including Xiao Yi.


    After this battle.


    The Royal Martial Arts Academy had completely disappeared, and it was only logical for the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy to take its place.


    Although he had speculated as much, Gu Junhe still couldn''t help but feel excited, his eyes red with emotion as he nodded vigorously, "Your Majesty need not worry, I will lead the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy to cultivate even more powerful fighters!"


    "The future of our Tianqing Kingdom is in your hands!"


    Jiang Tianchen patted Gu Junhe''s shoulder, his gaze sweeping across the crowd and coming to rest on Jiang Tai.


    He had lost an arm.


    His face looked somewhat saddened at the moment.


    A ruler of a nation should be a man of perfection.


    Being physically incomplete, even with his greatest competitor, the Crown Prince, dead, he could never become the chosen heir to the throne. Yet, Jiang Tianchen merely smiled faintly, "Tai, from this day forward, you shall be the Crown Prince of Tianqing Kingdom. I hope you will not disappoint me, your father!"


    "Crown Prince? Me?"


    Jiang Tai''s face was a mix of confusion and disbelief as he looked at Jiang Tianchen.


    Jiang Tianchen nodded solemnly.


    Thud!


    Jiang Tai fell to his knees, his face filled with excitement, "I thank Your Majesty for your trust; I will do everything within my power to not let down your high esteem!"


    Xiao Yi watched the people before him, as well as the ruins of the Royal Capital.


    Yet in his eyes, he seemed to envision the great revival of the Tianqing Kingdom on the rise, clenching his fists tightly as he looked into the distance, "Xiao Tianjiao, within one year, I have already become a match for the Tao Tribulation Realm. I must be getting closer and closer to you, right?"


    However...


    Xiao Yi did not realize,


    that for him...


    for the Tianqing Kingdom...


    it was only just the beginning!


    A great storm, aimed at him and the Tianqing Kingdom, was quietly brewing...

 Chapter 136 - 136 Wedding Date

    ```


    Time flew by.


    A month had passed since the Royal Martial Arts Academy was destroyed.


    Over the past month, the capital had been in a state of complete reconstruction.


    The majestic royal palace was rebuilt, and with the assistance of Jiang Weisheng, the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, a large mountain was moved to block the massive pit. The mountain peak was flattened, and a more imposing palace was erected.


    The capital itself had also recovered to a great extent.


    Yet, even after a month...


    The area where the Royal Martial Arts Academy once stood was still thick with the scent of blood.


    It was a place people went out of their way to avoid.


    Jiang Tianchen had originally intended to level it to the ground, but Gu Junhe suggested that the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy be built on the site instead.


    For one, it would place the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy within the capital, which would be more convenient for its disciples and members.


    Secondly, it served as a reminder to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy not to follow in the footsteps of the Royal Martial Arts Academy.


    In response to this, Jiang Tianchen specially consulted Xiao Yi''s opinion, and with Xiao Yi''s affirmation, the site was then handed over to Gu Junhe to manage. Niu Dali and the four Shi brothers had performed exceptionally well in the recent battle and had caught the eye of Gu Junhe.


    They all took up important positions in the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, assisting Gu Junhe in restructuring it.


    The entire Tianqing Kingdom could be said to be recovering from ruin.


    And during this month...


    Xiao Yi was focused on healing his wounds and taking care of Fang Qingzhu.


    In the elegant courtyard,


    Xiao Yi was practicing his swordplay in the courtyard. Each move and each posture improved significantly with continuous practice, and his mastery of the third phase of Sword Intent, the unity of man and sword, became increasingly proficient.


    The battle had helped him accumulate experience, and Xiao Yi''s cultivation officially stepped into the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    The number of God Sealing Seeds in his body officially entered the ranks of fifty thousand.


    However...


    Even with fifty thousand God Sealing Seeds, Xiao Yi still was unable to open the next tomb. He had an intense premonition that to unlock the next tomb, the number of God Sealing Seeds must reach at least one hundred thousand.


    At the same time,


    Once the God Sealing Seeds reached one hundred thousand, huge changes would occur to his body.


    This feeling became more intense as Xiao Yi''s cultivation deepened.


    "Xiao Yi brother, dinner''s ready!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s voice came from behind. She and Lin Bingxin, one after the other, brought sumptuous dishes into the courtyard.


    "Coming!"


    Xiao Yi sheathed his Fire Qilin Sword, and the three sat down together.


    "Qingzhu, try this fish!"


    "Xiao Yi brother, eat more as well. I specially made this soup for you, to replenish your Qi-Blood!"


    "Qingzhu, try this..."


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu served each other food, enjoying a harmonious moment.


    They completely ignored Lin Bingxin, who sat beside them with a look of grievance.


    With wide watery eyes, she watched as they served food to each other, her pupils moving left and right following their movements, and suddenly let out a long sigh, "I really shouldn''t have come to suffer this��"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi and the other exchanged glances and then burst into laughter.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face turned red, and she glared at Xiao Yi before serving a piece of meat to Lin Bingxin, softly saying, "Bingxin, here''s some meat for you. Eat more too!"


    "It''s Qingzhu who treats me the best!"


    Lin Bingxin smiled sweetly, sending a challenging gaze towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi shook his head helplessly.


    ```


    Tastes surpassed only by the rich complexity of life.


    Xiao Yi put down his bowl and chopsticks and said in a deep voice, "Qingzhu, his majesty has sent a message. He''s preparing to hold my coronation ceremony in half a month, declaring to all that I shall be honored as the Martial King of the Nation. I''ve already told him that on that day, I plan to make up for our wedding!"


    "Ah?"


    Fang Qingzhu was stunned, her chopsticks falling onto the table as her face blushed, "A make-up wedding?"


    Xiao Yi nodded solemnly, "Our marriage was rushed, and I was even in a coma throughout. I owe you a grand wedding... Qingzhu, what do you think?"


    "I, I''ll listen to whatever Xiao Yi says!" Fang Qingzhu''s face was flushed as she lowered her head.


    Xiao Yi gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders.


    "Oh my, I can''t watch this anymore, I''m going to go blind, I need to wash my eyes out..."


    Lin Bingxin covered her face with an exaggerated expression, stood up, and trotted out. Behind her came Fang Qingzhu''s chiding voice: "It''s all your fault... Now Sister Bingxin has seen us and laughed..."


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily.


    But neither of them noticed that as Lin Bingxin ran, she slowed down, and between the fingers covering her face, a crystal-clear tear rolled down.


    She raised her hand to wipe away the tear from the corner of her eye.


    Lin Bingxin turned back to look at the courtyard not far away, a stubborn look on her face as she murmured to herself, "As long as they''re happy, that''s what matters, right?" sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The next day.


    The people from the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and the royal family all received the news.


    Half a month from now, Xiao Yi would be coronated as the Martial King of the Nation and would hold his wedding with Fang Qingzhu. This wedding would be unprecedented in its grandeur, its scale even comparable to that of the king''s own wedding to the queen.


    KIng Jiang Tianchen of the present will officiate the wedding, with all preparations being taken care of by the current Crown Prince, Jiang Tai.


    In addition.


    The headmaster of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, Gu Junhe, and the only Tao Tribulation Realm elder of the Tianqing Kingdom, Jiang Weisheng, will serve as elders for both the bride and the groom.


    The news of this wedding spread far and wide.


    Inside the palace of the Purple Robe Kingdom.


    Yue Cang gave a wry smile as he looked at the tightly closed door in front of him, his face gloomy: "Ling''er, didn''t you know long ago that Xiao Yi had a wife? They''re just redoing the wedding ceremony, why do you have to torment yourself like this?"


    "Brother... I''m fine, I just want to be alone for a while, you go ahead!" came Yue Ling''er''s low voice from inside the room.


    Yue Cang sighed helplessly: "This man... Being too outstanding is also a sin!"


    In the capital of the Tianqing Kingdom, within the Treasure Pavilion.


    Elder Yan looked at Lin Bingxin, who was bustling about, preparing the congratulations gift, and sighed softly: "Girl, aren''t you going to tell Xiao how you feel? If you''re too embarrassed to speak up, I''ll do it for you!"


    "No!"


    Lin Bingxin quickly turned around, "Master, please let me handle this, okay?"


    "You..."


    Elder Yan embraced Lin Bingxin with a look of heartache, gently patting her back.


    Lin Bingxin buried her head in Elder Yan''s chest, her tears falling uncontrollably as she bit her lip and murmured: "This is good... really... it''s good..."


    "Silly girl, silly girl..."


    Elder Yan''s heart ached deeply.


    Meanwhile, as the entire Tianqing Kingdom was busy preparing for Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu''s wedding.


    Within Jin Country, ranking first among the hundred subordinate nations of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    In the Xue Yilou.


    Xue Mantian, who had lost his arms, listened to the report of his subordinate, his face covered in a fierce grin: "Hehe... A wedding? I shall turn this wedding into their funeral..."


    At the same time.


    In the boundless void.


    Though flames blazed brightly, snowflakes suddenly began to drift down high in the sky. Amidst the flying snow, a colossal snow-white ship tore through space. Standing on the deck of the ship was a young man, dressed in a white robe, as handsome as a jade statue, with a golden crown upon his head.


    He squinted his eyes, gazing in the direction of the Tianqing Kingdom: "Soon, we''ll arrive very soon!"

 Chapter 137 - 137: Turn Against Each Other

    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    In the skies above the capital of Tianqing Kingdom, fireworks exploded one after another, the sound of salute cannons thundering.


    The entire capital was bedecked with lights and decorations, brimming with a festive atmosphere from top to bottom.


    "Martial King of the Nation''s grand wedding, everything in our store is half off!"


    "Come take a look! Our store has the very room the Martial King and his wife once stayed in, just a hundred taels of Silver for a visit..."


    "Martial King''s hearty hairstyle, only ten taels..."


    On the newly refurbished Vermilion Bird Avenue, hundreds of lavish carriages swept grandly by, bearing precious gifts. Leading the procession were the royally dressed Imperial Guards, with Xiao Yi riding on a tall steed followed by a gold, festively decorated carriage.


    The carriage was pulled by eight beasts comparable to the Golden Core Realm, an impressive and majestic sight.


    Inside the carriage.


    Fang Qingzhu, dressed in a red wedding gown and wearing a red veil, nervously clutched Lin Bingxin''s hand and said in a low voice, "Bingxin, I... I''m a bit nervous..."


    Lin Bingxin was startled for a moment, then gently patted the back of her hand and smiled, "You and Xiao Yi have been husband and wife for a while now, what''s there to be nervous about?"


    "It''s not the same..."


    Fang Qingzhu shook her head, "During our previous wedding ceremony, Xiao Yi was unconscious throughout, and I was like a walking corpse. Moreover, the Fang Family looked down on Xiao Yi, so everything was kept simple, but now..."


    The wedding held previously at the Fang Family was one in which Xiao Yi was continuously unconscious.


    And Fang Qingzhu...


    Her most vivid memory was being on the wedding ceremony where someone from the Xiao Family descended to strip her of her cultivation.


    How could she remember any details of the wedding?


    Fang Qingzhu said, "Bingxin, do you know? When I married Xiao Yi, I was truly in despair, to the extent that I wanted to kill him. Because of him, my cultivation was destroyed, because of him, I received cold looks from my family... I never thought that I would fall in love with him so hopelessly..."


    Lin Bingxin asked curiously, "When did you start falling in love with him?"


    "It was probably when he rushed into the Zhang Family''s dungeon and rescued me! In my most desperate moment, Xiao Yi appeared before me like a god descending from the heavens..." Fang Qingzhu murmured softly.


    As she recounted the past, she also gradually relaxed.


    Listening to their story piece by piece, Lin Bingxin felt a bittersweet pain in her heart: "It''s because you''ve experienced so much together that you could truly fall in love with each other! Just like me..."


    The image of being locked up in a dungeon, with Xiao Yi coming to her rescue, surfaced in her mind.


    That moment with Xiao Yi...


    Wasn''t he also like a god descending in her eyes?


    "Huh? Like who?" Fang Qingzhu was startled and asked.


    Lin Bingxin quickly said, "No, I was just saying I''m really envious of you!"


    "Heehee, Bingxin, you will meet that person too!" Fang Qingzhu said sweetly.


    Lin Bingxin managed a forced smile.


    Before long...


    The procession had entered the royal palace and arrived at the grand hall.


    This wedding was held inside the royal palace, an unprecedented honor, yet everyone present understood that Xiao Yi deserved this honor. Just by being the Martial King of the Nation, it was clear how important he was to Tianqing Kingdom.


    Inside the grand hall, lanterns and streamers adorned the space, with guests filling the seats. S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Junhe and Jiang Weisheng, representing the families of the bride and groom, sat in high seats at the front.


    Jiang Tai was in charge of all arrangements.


    Jiang Tianchen personally presided over the wedding, loudly announcing, "Let us welcome the bride and groom!"


    Xiao Yi, holding Fang Qingzhu''s hand, walked into the grand hall.


    "Truly a match of talents and grace!"


    "Worthy of the Martial King, such bearing... only Miss Qingzhu is fitting for him!"


    The crowd murmured one after another.


    Jiang Tianchen declared loudly, "Bride and groom... kneel to heaven and earth..."


    "Second bow to the high hall��"


    "Husband and wife bow to each other��"


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu faced each other, ready to perform the ceremony.


    But just at that moment��


    With a loud clang.


    Ten cold iron chests landed at the entrance of the hall, and blood-cloaked figures burst through the air, led by none other than Xue Mantian. His hands had been frozen by Fang Qingzhu; after returning, they could not be treated and had to be amputated.


    Now, the handless Xue Mantian seemed even more sinister and venomous.


    "Xue Mantian?"


    "He, how did he get here?"


    "It''s over, it''s over, this must be Xue Yilou seeking revenge�� I knew it, how could offending Xue Yilou end so easily��"


    Inside the entire hall, everyone wore a cautious expression.


    Xiao Yi held Fang Qingzhu''s hand tightly, his eyes squinting at Xue Mantian, "Xue Mantian, what are you here for?"


    "Hehe, your grand wedding, Xiao Yi, how could I be absent?"


    Xue Mantian smiled sinisterly, glanced at a Xue Yilou assassin beside him, and several went to the front of the ten iron chests, Xue Mantian''s face filled with malice as he said, "Inside these, are the congratulatory gifts I prepared for you two, congratulations on your joyous wedding!"


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    One by one, the chests were opened, and the pungent smell of blood instantly enveloped the entire hall.


    Hisss!


    Everyone inhaled sharply.


    "This, these are human heads?"


    "Wow�� how many people did this take to kill? My heavens��"


    Each iron chest was filled with bloody human heads, each more horrific than the last, with gouged eyes, cut ears, and pulled out tongues; their deaths were incredibly gruesome.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted: "Is it them?"


    Lin Bingxin and others turned deathly pale.


    The chests contained heads from Nanhuang City, those who had past interactions with Xiao Yi.


    Lord Sikong, the entire Zhao Family��


    The heads of all the people in Nanhuang City who had been friendly with Xiao Yi were all present.


    Xue Mantian smirked, "How about that? Do you like my gifts? To prepare this congratulatory gift for you, I dispatched five hundred elite assassins to Nanhuang City, hastening over day and night. Each head, freshly warm��"


    Giggle!


    Xiao Yi''s fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned pale, his eyes instantly filled with bloodshot fury.


    Rage!


    His anger surged to the heavens!


    Grinding his teeth, Xiao Yi said word by word, "They never provoked you��"


    "But you provoked me! I said those who offend me don''t end well, you must die, your family must die, your friends must die, everyone related to you must die!"


    Xue Mantian''s ferocious yell interrupted Xiao Yi, laughing cruelly, "These are just the beginning. Next, I will cleanse the capital city with blood, even the entire Tianqing Kingdom. I will make the billions of souls in the Tianqing Kingdom my war pets, as a burial for my arms��"


    "Madmen, everyone in Xue Yilou is a madman!"


    "Xue, we have nothing to do with Xiao Yi, you can''t involve us��"


    "Xiao Yi, you reek of evil, bringing calamity upon the people of Tianqing Kingdom. We''ve long found you displeasing. Today, as Xue seeks to rid you like a tumor, we shall fully support Xue in this endeavor��"


    "Xiao Yi must be executed, to return Tianqing Kingdom to its clear skies��"


    For a moment,


    there were nearly half of the guests who stood on Xue Mantian''s side, turned against Xiao Yi, and pointed fingers��

 Chapter 138 - 138: The Heavenly White Jade Capital, Twelve Towers and Five Cities!

    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, do you see? Even the guests you invited think you deserve to die!"


    Xue Mantian laughed heartily, his face full of mockery.


    Inside the grand hall.


    Peace was no more.


    Everywhere was filled with verbal attacks on Xiao Yi; when he had been in power, of course, they stood by his side. But now, Xue Mantian was evidently more powerful, and they had chosen to switch sides.


    Such was human nature.


    "How dare you!"


    "Xiao Yi is the Martial King of the Tianqing Kingdom; how dare you all act like this?" Jiang Tai was furiously enraged.


    Xue Mantian chuckled sinisterly, but his gaze fell on Jiang Tianchen, "Jiang Tianchen, you once claimed that you would use the entire country''s strength to protect Xiao Yi, do you think you can keep him safe?"


    Jiang Tianchen took a deep breath, and spoke solemnly, "As the Martial King of the Tianqing Kingdom, I would not fear even the fall of our nation to protect him!"


    "Is that so? But this Tianqing Kingdom is not yours alone. Why don''t you ask them if they agree?" Xue Mantian said mockingly, looking at those who had turned their coats.


    Many shouted, "My King, you can''t be so selfish!"


    "We do not wish to offend Xue Yilou just for Xiao Yi, we don''t want to die..."


    "Jiang Tianchen, do you really want the whole Tianqing Kingdom to be buried with him? If so, what right do you have to be our king?"


    "Xiao Yi, how can you be so selfish as to drag innocent people into your personal desires? Just kneel to Xue and beg for mercy..."


    "Please don''t be so selfish..."


    Faced with everyone''s accusations and curses.


    Jiang Tianchen''s face was extremely unsightly.


    Xue Mantian was smug, "You see, Xiao Yi? They''re all dying for you to die!"


    Whoosh!


    Jiang Tianchen let out a long, turbid breath, his gaze complex as he looked at the people before him, but he said firmly, "We of the Tianqing Kingdom, vow to share fate with our Martial King!"


    "Vow to share fate with our Martial King!"


    "Share fate!"


    Jiang Tai and the people from Tianqi Martial Arts Academy roared with anger.


    Their momentum managed to suppress that of Xue Mantian and the others.


    "Who knew there are still fools who do not cherish their lives..." Xue Mantian sneered and shook his head, raising his hand as a group of assassins from Blood Shadow Tower drew their weapons, ready to kill at his indifferent command.


    Xiao Yi and his party''s vital energies fluctuated.


    A great battle was on the verge of breaking out.


    But just then...


    Suddenly, the air was filled with flurries of white snowflakes.


    "Huh? It''s snowing? But it''s the middle of summer..."


    "Snow in the summertime, what''s going on?"


    "You, you guys look..."


    Suddenly someone shouted, and the crowd looked towards the outside of the hall.


    Above the dome of the sky...


    Countless snowflakes were falling.


    Within the sacred snowflakes, a twelve-story building, white as jade, was slowly descending. Around this ship, the snow continued to fall endlessly, turning wherever it was into a world of ice and snow.


    Lofty and solemn chanting echoed between heaven and earth...


    Heavenly White Jade Capital, twelve stories and five cities.


    Immortals touch my head, knots of hair bestow eternal life...


    A white-robed youth with his hands behind his back stood on a snow path amid the wind and snow, calmly descending. Behind him, ten men and women followed.


    All dressed in white.


    Five men, five women.


    Each one was a handsome man or a beautiful woman, ethereal and elegant, and incredibly powerful.


    Each of those ten attendants had cultivation levels of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Not to mention the leading man, whose depth was unknowable. He was like the vast expanse of the stars, boundless, unfathomable, facing whom even the mighty Xue Mantian seemed diminished.


    "White Jade Capital?"


    "What place is this? How have I never heard of it?"


    "That ship... must be worth a fortune, right?"


    The crowd was dumbfounded.


    The white-robed youth frowned and glanced at the last person who spoke.


    A cold-looking woman behind him waved her hand, and the man was enveloped by the falling snow, turning into an ice sculpture. Then with a clench of her fist, the man shattered into countless ice fragments.


    The youth''s face was indifferent, his icy gaze sweeping over the crowd.


    In the palm of his hand.


    A white jade pendant fell into her hands, and a faint white light emanated from it. With a whoosh, it flew out of her grasp and hovered above Fang Qingzhu''s head. After circling for a moment, it fell into her hands.


    The holy white light enveloped Fang Qingzhu.


    "It''s really here!"


    Following the direction in which the jade pendant flew, and seeing Fang Qingzhu in her bridal attire, covered by a red bridal veil��especially when seeing her hand being held by Xiao Yi��a frigid murderous intent flashed in his eyes. He said coldly, "Kill him!"


    "Yes!"


    The man behind him, who was at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, nodded respectfully, took a step forward, and waved a flurry of snowflakes.


    The snowflakes condensed into a chilling ice sword, slashing towards Xiao Yi.


    Without a word, the intent to kill was unleashed.


    A cold light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes as he scoffed and his fist struck out like a dragon: "Seeking death!"


    Hum!


    That punch was like one thrown by Jingang subduing demons.


    Boom!


    The ice shattered.


    The fist impacted, hitting the man squarely.


    Wow!


    The man screamed miserably.


    Under Xiao Yi''s devastating punch, half his body exploded, turning into a cold corpse.


    His cultivation had reached the Tenth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, and the power of the God Sealing Seed fed back by 50,000 others had elevated his strength to a new level. With one punch, he killed a common individual at the First Layer of the Calamity Realm as easily as crushing an ant.


    "Hmm?"


    The youth in white raised an eyebrow and sneered, "To think a nobody from such a remote corner could have such strength. It''s a shame, though, that you''re going to die!"


    "Hehe, do you need my assistance, brother?" Xue Mantian suddenly interjected with a smile.


    Slap!


    The youth in white spun around and slapped him across the face, the strike sending Xue Mantian reeling in confusion.


    He couldn''t even resist?


    The indifferent gaze of the youth in white bore into him: "What do you count for? You think to assist me?" sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You..."


    Color drained from Xue Mantian''s face, then returned, his eyes filled with dread.


    That slap was no ordinary one!


    To render him, a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert, utterly powerless, the youth''s strength must have been at least ten times greater than his. Such a young Dharma Manifestation Realm expert could only be matched by Xiao Tianjiao, the strongest genius of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    He dared not provoke such a person!


    "Good that he and Xiao Yi are enemies, not friends..." Xue Mantian thought to himself.


    The youth in white looked at Xiao Yi with a cold expression: "Commit suicide! I don''t want to dirty my hands."


    "Who are you? Xiao has never met you before, why do you seek my death?" Xiao Yi squinted, scrutinizing the youth in white.


    It wasn''t just that he had never met him, he had never even heard of him before.


    Yet the youth''s intent to kill him was incredibly strong.


    The youth in white sneered, "Who do you think you are to deserve to know my identity? Within three breaths, end yourself here, and I''ll spare their lives. Otherwise, everyone present today will die!"


    "No, no, this gentleman mustn''t do this, we have nothing to do with Xiao Yi!"


    "Yes, we''ve long been displeased with Xiao Yi and his wife, the pair of thieves and prostitutes..."


    "Xiao Yi is a sly villain, and Fang Qingzhu is nothing but a cheap woman..."


    The people who had turned against him earlier shouted one after another.


    The youth in white paused, frowning at them: "You called her a cheap woman?"


    "Yes, yes!"


    "A scum like Xiao Yi can only marry a cheap woman..." Thinking they found a lifeline, the crowd continued speaking.


    The youth in white uttered an "Oh" and glanced back at his followers: "Kill them!"


    "Yes!"


    The nine of them acted simultaneously.


    Heads rolled.


    All of those who had turned against him were killed, each screaming miserably, "Why? Why is this happening..."


    The youth in white''s face remained impassive: "A Sacred Maiden of Baiyu can be slandered by the likes of you?"


    "Sacred Maiden?"


    "Damn it..."


    Despair filled the faces of the powerful individuals.


    So she was your Sacred Maiden, why didn''t you say so earlier!


    But alas...


    There is no medicine for regret in this world.


    All these petty, two-faced turncoats died miserably right there in the hall.


    The youth in white turned again to Xiao Yi: "For daring to defile the Sacred Maiden of Baiyu, you too, must die!"

 Chapter 140 - 140: Kill Them All!

    Inside the great hall, there was silence.


    The atmosphere was particularly oppressive.


    The festive lights and decorations, meant to convey joy, instead made the oppression feel even heavier, leaving people afraid to even breathe too loudly.


    Everyone''s gaze swept over Xiao Yi, wishing to offer comfort but not knowing what to say.


    It was supposed to be a day of great joy.


    Yet, the bride had been forcibly taken away during the wedding ceremony, a blow that would be difficult for any man to bear.


    Among the crowd,


    Lin Bingxin wanted to step forward but was stopped by Elder Yan, who shook his head gently at her.


    Lin Bingxin could only look at him with worried eyes.


    After a moment of silence,


    Xiao Yi came back to his senses, saw the concerned faces around him, and managed a slight smile, saying, "Why do you all look at me like this? Don''t worry, I''m okay!"


    "Xiao Yi��"


    "Your Highness the Martial King��"


    People were still full of concern.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, having already collected his thoughts.


    If Fang Qingzhu had left on her own volition, he might still feel lost and heartbroken.


    But this was a situation forced upon her.


    And it was because he was too weak!


    If only his strength were enough, if he was in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, or even better, the Longevity Secret Realm, how could Ye Qingyu and the so-called Baiyu possibly have taken Fang Qingzhu away by force? In the end, it was all because he wasn''t strong enough!


    Just like back then with the Xiao Family��


    It was also because he wasn''t strong enough that he ended up as a live-in son-in-law sent to the distant Fang Family.


    "Xiao junior brother, are you really okay?" Jiang Tai asked solemnly.


    "Rest assured!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, looking at Jiang Tai''s severed arm, and said in a deep voice, "Elder brother Jiang, I saw earlier that Ye Qingyu gave a Heaven''s Remnant Elixir to Xue Mantian, which could regenerate his severed limb. If there''s a chance in the future, I will certainly find one for you!"


    "This..."


    Jiang Tai was stunned.


    Your wife has just been snatched away, and you''re still thinking about my severed arm?


    The looks of concern on everyone''s faces grew more pronounced.


    They feared that Xiao Yi was merely pretending to be at ease. S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi said in a grave voice, "Please rest assured, my friends. I, Xiao Yi, am not so easily defeated. Today, due to my lack of strength, I could only watch helplessly as my wife was taken away. But one day, I will go to Baiyu myself and bring Qingzhu back!"


    Only then did everyone feel somewhat reassured.


    Xiao Yi then turned to Jiang Tianchen, "Your Majesty, although Qingzhu has constrained Xue Mantian, preventing Xue Yilou from setting foot in the Tianqing Kingdom for three years, given Xue Yilou''s power, they might incite other kingdoms to act against us. Therefore, it''s crucial that our Tianqing Kingdom recruits several more Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses!"


    "Recruit several more Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses? That''s easier said than done," Jiang Tianchen said with a wry smile.


    Xiao Yi took out three Martial Dao Divine Fruits from his storage ring and handed them over to Jiang Tianchen, "These three Martial Dao Divine Fruits can help our Tianqing Kingdom rapidly gain three Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses. As for whom to give them to, Your Majesty will decide."


    The power held in the hands of the royal family is definitely not as simple as it seems on the surface.


    Perhaps there is indeed only one person, Jiang Wei, who is a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse.


    But there are definitely more than just Jiang Tianchen at the Golden Elixir Peak.


    Jiang Tianchen, holding the three Martial Dao Divine Fruits in his hands, showed an elated expression and said repeatedly, "With these three Martial Dao Divine Fruits, Tianqing Kingdom can quickly create three Tao Tribulation Realm pillars of the state. Xiao Yi, your actions are a monumental feat for our Tianqing Kingdom. If there''s anything you need, just let me know!"


    "This incident started because of me; this is what I should do!" Xiao Yi said dismissively.


    After discussing the Tianqing Kingdom''s countermeasures for some time, everyone dispersed.


    This was the day Xiao Yi was to be crowned the Martial King of the Nation, as well as his wedding day, but the bride was taken away, and the couple was separated. It really left no mood to continue the banquet.


    In the days that followed...


    The Tianqing Kingdom did go through some peaceful times.


    All industries flourished.


    The strength of the experts from the Tianqi Martial Arts Institute was rapidly enhancing, and their numbers were also increasing.


    Xiao Yi, however, stationed himself at the old site of the Tianqi Martial Arts Institute outside the city. Ever since that day, his cultivation became even more desperate. His cultivation level was advancing in an orderly manner, but stepping into the Tao Tribulation Realm still required a certain amount of time to accumulate, as well as the right opportunity.


    However...


    This peaceful life lasted only for ten days.


    ......


    Inside the palace.


    Jiang Tianchen gathered Xiao Yi and the others, his expression extremely serious as he pointed to the sand table in front of him and said, "Gentlemen, according to the scouts'' reports... The Tianlan Kingdom, Sihai Kingdom, Baijing Kingdom, and Qingyun Kingdom have formed an alliance of four nations, advancing with two million troops southward!"


    Hiss!


    A group of court officials gasped, "Our Tianqing Kingdom has always had a feud with the Tianlan Kingdom, but our relations with the other three kingdoms have always been good. Why would they join forces?"


    "I have received information that all of this is manipulated by Xue Yilou behind the scenes..."


    "Xue Yilou? Isn''t this because of the Martial King of the Nation..."


    "What''s the use of discussing this now? Your Majesty, do you know who is leading their army?"


    Jiang Tianchen narrowed his eyes and said, "The leader of the Tianlan Kingdom''s army is the Kuchan Elder, for the Sihai Kingdom it is the Co-King Nie Tong, Baijing Kingdom''s leader is the First Beastmaster Jing Yi, and for the Qingyun Kingdom, it is Zhang Ren, the Commander of the Three Armed Forces."


    "What? Are all the leaders of the four nations in the Calamity Realm?"


    "How can this be good? Our Tianqing Kingdom can''t possibly withstand four great Calamity Realm..."


    "Let alone four great Calamity Realm masters, we can''t hold off the two million strong army alone..."


    The court officials were wailing.


    It''s true that the Tianqing Kingdom had an army that numbered two million, but aside from the garrison troops defending the major cities, and the three hundred thousand troops in the South Desolate guarding against the sudden uprising of magical beasts in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range that could not be deployed elsewhere.


    The actual number of troops that could be committed to warfare was only around one million.


    How could they withstand the onslaught of two million lions from the four-nation alliance?


    Moreover...


    They also have four powerful Calamity Realm leaders commanding the army.


    Jiang Tianchen said in a deep voice, "This time, I wish to lead the campaign personally, with the Crown Prince overseeing the state affairs."


    "Your Majesty, you must not!"


    "You are only at the Peak of the Golden Elixir Realm; if the enemy Calamity Realm powerhouses attack, you..."


    Jiang Tianchen raised his hand to silence them and said sternly, "The Martial King gave me three Martial Dao Divine Fruits. This time, I will use these Divine Fruits to attempt to break through to the Calamity Realm. In addition, Great General Xia Yuan will also consume a Martial Dao Divine Fruit. By then, I will personally lead one army in the campaign, Great General Xia Yuan, the Martial King of the Nation, and our ancestor will each command one army, vowing to stop the four-nation alliance at our nation''s gates!"


    Given the ages of Jiang Tianchen and Xia Yuan, they still had plenty of opportunities to break through to the Calamity Realm on their own.


    If the situation were not absolutely critical, they would not easily consume the Martial Dao Divine Fruits.


    After all.


    Once they consumed the Martial Dao Divine Fruits, they would be severing their potential and limiting their future growth ceiling!


    But now, with the nation in crisis and troops at the city walls.


    They had no choice but to make a do-or-die effort.


    Seeing the court officials go silent.


    Jiang Tianchen''s gaze fell on Xiao Yi, and he said solemnly, "Martial King, do you have anything to say?"


    Xiao Yi slowly stood up, his eyes flashing with coldness as he articulated each word, "Meet force with force; where there are troops, there is resistance. Let them come, and we''ll slaughter them all!"

 Chapter 141 - 141: The Black Cliff Army

    Outside the capital.


    A column of Imperial Guards was fully equipped and ready to depart, and Jiang Tai, dressed in full armor, was leading a Tianqing savage bull that was entirely red.


    This Tianqing barbarian bull was Jiang Tianchen''s war beast, comparable to the fifth-order high-level demon beasts at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak. Jiang Tai handed the reins over to Xiao Yi and said solemnly, "Xiao, I entrust Heiya City to you!"


    By now, over half of the ten countries of Nanhuang had already declared war on the Tianqing Kingdom, with the Tianlan Kingdom''s forces reaching the battlefield first, having conquered three border cities in a row and pressing close to the stronghold of Heiya City. Once Heiya City is forced to capitulate, the Tianlan Kingdom''s army will march straight in and head for the capital of the Tianqing Kingdom. sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jiang Tianchen and the others still needed to assimilate the Martial Dao Divine Fruit to break through to the Tao Tribulation Realm and resist the powerful enemies.


    Jiang Weisheng needed to remain stationed in the capital.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was the most suitable candidate to be dispatched.


    Xiao Yi took the reins, nodding and saying, "This matter arose because of me, and I am also the Martial King of the Nation. How can I sit by idly?"


    If not for the interference of Xue Yilou, how could the ten peaceful countries of Nanhuang suddenly wage war against the Tianqing Kingdom? Ultimately, all this was related to Xiao Yi, and when previously facing Xue Yilou, Jiang Tianchen had even mobilized the country''s full strength to protect him thoroughly.


    Now that the Tianqing Kingdom was beset on all sides, he naturally would not stand on the sidelines.


    Jiang Tai took two steps back and bowed solemnly, "I await your triumphant return!"


    Behind him...


    All the civil and military officials, as well as the citizens of the capital, bowed respectfully: "We quietly await the triumphant return of the Martial King of the Nation!"


    The roar was thunderous, shaking the clouds above the sky.


    Xiao Yi mounted the Tianqing savage bull, pulled the reins and said, "Let''s set off!"


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The Tianqing savage bull stepped forward, followed closely by fifty thousand Imperial Guards.


    A vast and mighty current of steel, arrayed across the land.


    .........


    Heiya City.


    Built into the mountain, flanked by Black Mountain on the left and Heartbreak Cliff on the right, it was thus named Heiya City.


    The entire city was elongated, with towering walls making it easy to defend and hard to attack.


    While a single Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse could completely breach the city gates on their own, there were constraints between nations. Unless the opposing side''s Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse made a move, it was absolutely forbidden for any force greater than the Calamity Realm to appear on the battlefield. Otherwise, any Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse could annihilate tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of troops.


    This was an agreement reached under the advocacy of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Anyone who dares to break this agreement would be sanctioned by the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Inside Heiya City, the atmosphere was incredibly tense.


    Stationed to defend Heiya City was Tianqing Kingdom''s famed general, known as General Baisheng, Zhang Baisheng.


    Zhang Baisheng, conferred the title of marquis, was also a being at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    Within the City Lord''s Mansion.


    Bang!


    Zhang Baisheng, in full military attire with his armor covered in blood, furiously slammed his helmet onto the table and glared around, "Where are the reinforcements? How much longer until the reinforcements arrive?"


    Hou Sailei, a middle-aged general with a beard under his command, hurried forward and bowed, "General, we''ve received news from the capital; the reinforcements set out three days ago. They are estimated to reach Heiya City by tomorrow..."


    "But what?"


    Zhang Baisheng unbuckled his armor where there was an arrow shaft embedded in his shoulder.


    The military physician, already prepared by the side, glanced at it and said indifferently, "There''s no sign of poisoning in the muscle, and the arrow is not poisoned. It just needs to have the wound opened to be removed."


    "Yan, make sure to check thoroughly, are you certain there is no poison on this arrow?" Hou Sailei quickly asked.


    Not long ago...


    The Tianlan Kingdom''s army launched an attack on Heiya City, with General Zhang Baisheng personally leading the troops to stand alone. However, he was struck by a hidden arrow from the enemy and had to temporarily call for a retreat. General Zhang Baisheng is the Calm Sea Divine Needle of Heiya City; any mishap with him would be a massive blow to the city.


    Military healer Yan Ning was a third-grade medical officer.


    He was also the most skilled healer in Heiya City and had his pride. With a cold snort, he said, "If General Hou does not trust Yan, you are free to diagnose yourself!"


    Hou Sailei replied hastily, "That''s not what I meant..."


    "Enough, leave the healing to Master Yan. What business does an outsider like you have meddling in this?" General Zhang Baisheng waved his hand impatiently, hesitated for a moment, then looked at the bearded general in front of him, Hou Sailei, "Send scouts immediately to find reinforcements and urge them to hasten their march!"


    "Yes!"


    Hou Sailei saluted and was about to turn and leave.


    But a faint voice came from outside the door, "If you directly remove the arrowhead, then you''d better prepare for General Zhang''s funeral!"


    "Hmm?"


    "Who?"


    Everyone in the hall changed their expressions and turned to look at the door in unison.


    General Zhang Baisheng''s gaze was sharp as lightning, falling on Xiao Yi who stood at the entrance.


    Hou Sailei''s hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready for battle.


    Yan Ning furrowed his brows tightly, his face filled with anger, and he said sternly, "Who is this young upstart? How dare you spout nonsense and disrupt military morale here?"


    Xiao Yi strode into the hall with the grace of a dragon and the ferocity of a tiger, bowed to General Zhang Baisheng, and said solemnly, "Xiao Yi pays his respects to General Zhang."


    "Xiao Yi?"


    General Zhang Baisheng was taken aback, his eyes shooting out two sparks of recognition, "You are Xiao Yi, the Martial King of the Nation?"


    "Indeed, it is I!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said gravely, "Reinforcements will arrive at Heiya City within half a day. Concerned about the battle, I have come ahead."


    General Zhang Baisheng scrutinized Xiao Yi, squinting his eyes, "It must have been tough for His Highness the Martial King. However, with me here, Heiya City will certainly not face any mishaps. Yet, you, Your Highness, abandoning the reinforcements and acting alone, that''s not what a general should do!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "When I first arrived at Heiya City, I also felt this trip was superfluous. But now, it seems my arrival is timely. Had I been any later, I''m afraid my Tianqing Kingdom would be one General Baisheng short!"


    "Hmm?"


    General Zhang Baisheng was startled.


    Yan Ning''s complexion suddenly changed and he rebuked angrily, "Your Highness, one can eat indiscriminately but one must not talk nonsense! Are you implying that Yan has the intent to harm General Zhang by your earlier words?"


    "Whether it is deliberate or an unintentional mistake, we can talk about that later," Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively and continued calmly, "Right now, the most important thing is to treat General Zhang''s poisoning. Any longer delay, and even if a divine healer descended, it would be too late to save him!"


    "Treat the poisoning?"


    "Didn''t Master Yan just say there was no poison on the arrow? How could there be poisoning then?"


    "Your Highness, you couldn''t be mistaken, could you? Master Yan is a third-grade medical officer, an expert in the medical field. He has examined the arrow wound, and there were no signs of poison!" Hou Sailei spoke with gravity, and upon seeing Xiao Yi''s puzzled look, he quickly introduced himself, "I am Hou Sailei, the vanguard officer under General Zhang''s command!"


    Looking up at an angry Yan Ning, Xiao Yi spoke lightly, "Master Yan is certain there is no poison on the arrow?"


    Yan Ning sneered, "One hundred percent certain!"


    "What if there is poison?" Xiao Yi asked.


    "If there is poison on this arrow, then Yan has failed in his duty, and Your Highness is free to punish me as you see fit. However..."


    Yan Ning''s face was full of pride, and he looked at Xiao Yi with a cold laugh, "If there is no poison, then Your Highness is slandering an official. I will have you kneel and apologize to me!"

 Chapter 142 - 142: Slap in the Face Hard

    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but narrow his eyes, revealing a playful look, "You, want me to kneel before you?"


    Zhang Baisheng also snorted coldly, his face showing displeasure.


    Even though he had more faith in Yan Ning''s medical skills, Xiao Yi after all was the esteemed Martial King of the Nation. Not even required to kneel before the current King, how could he kneel to a mere third-rank medical officer?


    Zhang Baisheng rebuked, "Yan Ning, this is nonsense. Apologize to His Highness the Martial King right now!"


    Hou Sailei and a group of military officers were also constantly giving Yan Ning meaningful glances.


    This was the Martial King of the Nation.


    A noble royal title, holding the most rising prestige among the young generation of the Tianqing Kingdom, he was the future pillar of the state.


    For a mere medical officer to contend with him, wasn''t it like an old immortal eating arsenic seeking death?


    However...


    Yan Ning remained unmoved, standing tall, defiantly looking at Xiao Yi, "When it comes to martial arts talent and cultivation, I, a humble official, cannot even catch up to His Highness the Martial King if I were to spur a horse. However, I have been studying medicine under the tutelage of Lord Jin, the current first-rank Imperial Physician, since my childhood. Even Lord Jin has said that within fifty years I am certain to surpass him. How can I allow an outsider to challenge my authority?"


    Everyone was startled, their eyes turning towards Xiao Yi.


    Yan Ning was a disciple of the first person in medical expertise at the Imperial Physician Hall, first-rank medical officer Jin Zhen.


    He was a well-known medical genius.


    In terms of medical expertise, even the senior generation of physicians found it hard to match him.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    His martial arts talent was unparalleled, but human capacity has limits. For one to achieve such accomplishments in martial arts and be so young, it was impossible to also give attention to medicine.


    Even Zhang Baisheng couldn''t help but say, "Your Highness the Martial King, you see..."


    Xiao Yi, however, raised his hand to stop Zhang Baisheng, looking calmly at Yan Ning, "You have immense confidence in your medical skills?"


    Yan Ning proudly nodded, "As much as His Highness the Martial King has in your martial arts talent!"


    "Ha!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and gently stretched his neck, lightly laughing, "Confidence is a good thing, but overconfidence is not. Especially for a healer, once one is blindly overconfident, it can harm not only oneself but also others."


    "I, Yan Ning, have saved lives and helped the wounded. I do not claim to have merits as high as the heavens, but I am confident I have never harmed anyone!" Yan Ning said mockingly, narrowing his eyes as he sized up Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, saying, "You have already examined General Baisheng''s shoulder wound earlier, confirming that there was no poison on the arrow, and that it only needed to be pulled out, correct?"


    "That''s right!"


    When it came to the arrow injury, Yan Ning said earnestly, "If there were poison on the arrow, the flesh at the site of injury would surely have turned black, but the blood from the general''s wound is still brightly colored, and the skin and flesh are also of a normal hue, showing no signs of poisoning. With my forty years of experience, I guarantee that there is no poison on this arrow!"


    "Arrogance!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, a mocking tone in his voice, "There are more than a thousand kinds of poison in this world. Can you identify all signs of poisoning with just a glance of your naked eye?"


    Yan Ning confidently replied, "Of course I cannot do that, neither can Lord Jin. However, according to medical texts, there are only two poisons that can cause poisoning without darkening the flesh and showing signs of poisoning. And these two have long been lost and could not possibly appear here."


    Xiao Yi walked forward.


    With each step, his imposing aura grew stronger.


    The overwhelming presence made Yan Ning retreat step by step, his back already soaked in cold sweat, "Two kinds? Ridiculous. To my knowledge, the poisons that can kill silently and invisibly without leaving a trace are no less than a hundred varieties!"


    "A hundred? Laughable. You''re merely spouting nonsense, making things up. Could your knowledge possibly surpass that of the medical texts? Forget about a hundred. If you can name the two poisons I spoke of, then I, Yan Ning, will kneel before you to apologize, admitting my inferiority in medical expertise..." Yan Ning tried to maintain composure, laughing coldly.


    Xiao Yi said, "Moluo herb, grows in the land of extreme yin, invisible and colorless, causes no symptoms of poisoning and lets a person die in their sleep. Fire God Flower, grows in lands of extreme yang, often around volcanoes, and when it blooms, its poisonous powder can be collected. Once it enters the body, it is a peculiar fire poison. From the outside, one cannot see any injuries, but it can burn the viscera from inside out, killing the target!"


    "You, you..."


    Yan Ning was dumbfounded.


    These two poisons were precisely what he had mentioned earlier. He never imagined that Xiao Yi would actually name them, even knowing their habitats and effects so clearly.


    Yan Ning took a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and argued defensively, "Who would have thought you actually knew of these two poisons? But even if you''re aware, what of it? These two poisons have been extinct for over a hundred years..."


    "Bullshit extinction!"


    Xiao Yi sneered and cupped his fists towards Zhang Baisheng, "Old General, my apologies for the offense!"


    "Hmm?"


    Zhang Baisheng was startled.


    Then he saw Xiao Yi suddenly reach out, grabbing his shoulder in a grip.


    "Ah..."


    Zhang Baisheng cried out in pain.


    "Stop it!"


    "Let go of the General..."


    Hou Sailei and the others'' expressions changed drastically, about to step forward, but saw Zhang Baisheng raise his hand to stop them, "Wait a moment..."


    Everyone was stunned.


    They saw Xiao Yi''s fingers on Zhang Baisheng''s shoulder, channels of qi transforming into fine threads as thin as hair, penetrating into Zhang Baisheng''s wound through his pores. And when this qi completely enveloped the flesh around the wound and the arrowhead, Zhang Baisheng''s complexion dramatically changed.


    He had previously only felt a faint pain in the wound, but now, that throbbing pain had vanished?


    Xiao Yi looked at Yan Ning with a mocking gaze, "Open your eyes wide and see clearly, this is the ''extinct'' Demonic Laurel Grass you spoke of!"


    Pfft!


    Xiao Yi''s palm gave a fierce tug.


    A chunk of bloody flesh wrapped around an arrowhead was forcibly pulled out by Xiao Yi.


    "Hiss!"


    Having a piece of flesh brutally torn off, Zhang Baisheng merely inhaled a cool breath, feeling no pain at all. Instead, he felt a great relief in his body. It was as if a massive stone of thousands of pounds that had been pressing on his shoulder was suddenly lifted, with Xiao Yi channeling his qi to seal the wound and stop the bleeding.


    The chunk of flesh wrapped around the arrowhead was thrown onto the ground by him.


    With a flick of his finger,


    a ball of qi enveloped the chunk of flesh, and with a booming sound, a fierce fire ignited.


    Sizzle sizzle sizzle!


    There was a pervasive aroma of barbecued meat.


    Zhang Baisheng and the others just looked at the meat burning in the blazing flames in amazement, while Yan Ning was dumbfounded.


    He stared with disbelief at the arrowhead in the flames, which was emitting a faint, cold black glow, "Legend has it that when Demonic Laurel Grass is fused onto metal and subjected to intense fire, it permeates the metal, preventing the metal from turning red in the fire but instead making it shine with a glossy black. Is this really Demonic Laurel Grass?"


    Clap clap clap!


    In the void, one could almost hear the crisp sound of being slapped in the face.


    Yan Ning felt his cheeks burning with embarrassment.


    The arrow truly was poisoned!


    And it was the deadly poison of Demonic Laurel Grass!


    If Zhang Baisheng had truly followed his diagnosis and carelessly pulled out the arrow, he probably wouldn''t live to see tomorrow''s sun!


    "Are you convinced now?" Xiao Yi asked indifferently. S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thump!


    Yan Ning fell heavily to his knees, wholeheartedly conceding, "The Prince of Martial King is supremely talented, I, Yan Ning, willingly admit defeat..."

 Chapter 143 - 143: Seizing Power?

    ```


    The hall was silent.


    Yan Ning knelt on the ground, clutching his knees tightly, his face ashen and full of deep self-reproach.


    Since childhood, he had demonstrated a powerful talent for medicine and had studied under the first physician of the Tianqing Kingdom, believing that no one among the younger generation could surpass him in medical skills.


    With his medical expertise, if he had examined carefully, he could have definitely detected the poison from the Moro Herb, but he was overconfident and hadn''t done any investigation at all. He merely glanced at Zhang Baisheng''s wound and concluded there was no poisoning.


    If Xiao Yi hadn''t showed up in time to stop his foolish actions��


    After tonight,


    Zhang Baisheng would have died in his sleep.


    Now, with the Tianlan Kingdom''s army on the verge of laying siege, it''s clear how huge an impact Zhang Baisheng''s demise, as the commander, would have on the battle.


    By dawn tomorrow, Tianlan Kingdom may well have broken through to Heiya City.


    He would have become an eternal sinner!


    Zhang Baisheng and Hou Sailei, among others, also let out a long sigh of relief.


    Zhang Baisheng looked at Xiao Yi with complicated eyes. Before this, he had felt dissatisfied with Xiao Yi, a young man who, despite his tender age, held a higher title than him��a seasoned general who fought many battles and won great honors for his kingdom.


    Now however, he was already very much persuaded by Xiao Yi.


    "There''s no need for Mr. Yan to be like this!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, seeing Yan Ning''s sincere admittance of guilt, and he didn''t continue to make things difficult, "No one is perfect, but doctors are unlike ordinary people. A doctor saves lives, and any negligence could potentially cost someone their life. There absolutely must not be any room for errors!"


    "Your Highness the Martial King has taught me well. I''ll engrave this lesson in my heart and never make the same mistake again!" Yan Ning said earnestly.


    Xiao Yi smiled and nodded, then turned to Zhang Baisheng, "Old General, I''ve removed the poison from your body, but you shouldn''t engage vigorously in battle for a short time."


    "Thank you, Your Highness the Martial King, for saving my life!"


    Zhang Baisheng clasped his hands gratefully and chuckled bitterly, "Now that the Tianlan Kingdom''s army is at our doorstep, and having already clashed with them before, the enemy troops are the elite Tianlan Army this time. In their army, there are two generals at the Golden Elixir Peak, and their commander is none other than Ling Wufengyun, the National Advisor of the Tianlan Kingdom. An old man like me cannot afford to rest, alas!"


    Ling Wufengyun, the National Advisor of the Tianlan Kingdom.


    She was also the only female among the ten nations of Nanhuang to reach the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Her cultivation had reached the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, far surpassing Zhou Yuan, who had forcefully advanced to the Tao Tribulation Realm by using the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    This was the reason why there were restrictions among the kingdoms that forbid those in the Tao Tribulation Realm from taking direct action in wars.


    Otherwise...


    With just Ling Wufengyun alone, she could forcibly breach Heiya City and lead the Tianlan Kingdom''s army to storm through.


    Xiao Yi said, "Old General, rest assured. Since I''m here, I won''t allow the Tianlan Kingdom''s army to advance any further!"


    "Hmm?"


    Zhang Baisheng was startled, catching on to Xiao Yi''s confidence and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness the Martial King, could it be that you already have a strategy to repel the enemy?"


    Hou Sailei and others all turned their attention to him.


    The defending army of Heiya City numbered only two hundred thousand, while the Tianlan Kingdom''s army had a full million soldiers!


    Even General Baisheng, a veteran of countless battles, had no strategy to repel the enemy.


    Could Xiao Yi have one?


    Hou Sailei said gravely, "Your Highness the Martial King, this concerns the life and death of the Tianqing Kingdom. This is no matter for jokes!"


    "Your Highness the Martial King, we respect your martial prowess and medical skills, but in terms of leading troops into battle, any one of us here has more experience than you..." Brigadier General Zheng Le frowned and spoke.


    He was a young prodigy too.


    He had joined the military at a young age.


    Therefore, he had not made it onto the Dragon Tiger List.


    But his talent was certainly not weak. At the age of thirty-three, he had already reached the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, achieving great military accomplishments and becoming the youngest general in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Zhang Baisheng, worried that Zheng Le''s words would irritate Xiao Yi, hurriedly said, "Your Highness the Martial King, this is Brigadier General Zheng Le from my command. Don''t let his youth fool you, he has led ten thousand troops to annihilate thirty thousand of the Tianlan Kingdom''s army."


    Zheng Le looked proud.


    Xiao Yi laughed indifferently, "If it''s about going into battle and leading troops in warfare, I naturally cannot compare with all of you. But if everything could only be achieved through the accumulation of experience, what''s the point of being a prodigy?"


    ```


    "Uh..."


    Everyone was dumbfounded.


    Zheng Le''s expression also darkened. As a leading figure in the military, and hailed as the successor to Zhang Baisheng, the fact that Xiao Yi dared to mention the word "genius" in front of him was unthinkable. Zheng Le narrowed his eyes and taunted sarcastically, "So, His Highness the Martial King means to say that your talent in leading troops into battle is stronger than mine?"


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, "I wouldn''t dare claim my ability to lead troops into battle is stronger than yours, but at least I have a method to defeat the Tianlan Kingdom''s army, which you do not!"


    "You..."


    Zheng Le''s complexion shifted slightly.


    Indeed, he had no way to stop the Tianlan Kingdom.


    Even before Xiao Yi arrived...


    He had been advocating for a retreat to the capital and to negotiate peace with the Tianlan Kingdom!


    Xiao Yi claimed he could defeat the Tianlan Kingdom?


    Zheng Le sneered, "If you truly can defeat the Tianlan Kingdom''s army, I, Zheng Le, am willing to personally hold your horse!"


    "Really?"


    "A gentleman''s word is as good as his bond!"


    "Good!"


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly and turned to Zhang Baisheng. He gave a respectful bow and said, "Old General, Xiao Yi has a strategy to defeat the Tianlan Kingdom''s army, but it will require some sacrifice on your part!"


    "What are you talking about, Your Highness the Martial King! If we really can defeat the Tianlan Kingdom, even if it means this old body has to die right now, I''m willing!" Zhang Baisheng hastened to his feet and spoke earnestly.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said solemnly, "Then please, Old General, hand over the Tiger Talisman to me first!"


    The Tiger Talisman!


    The symbol of military command.


    Possessing the Tiger Talisman means one can mobilize the entire army.


    "Absolutely not!" Zheng Le protested.


    Hou Sailei also looked worried.


    Although Xiao Yi was the Martial King of the Nation, he had just arrived and was already asking for the Commander''s Seal.


    If Xiao Yi''s strategy failed, it could very well doom all the soldiers and civilians of Heiya City!


    Xiao Yi''s demeanor remained calm, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, wearing a faint smile.


    He did not say much more, only quietly looking at Zhang Baisheng.


    Waiting for his decision.


    After a moment of silence.


    Zhang Baisheng took a deep breath, held it for a moment, then slowly exhaled. He took a black Tiger Talisman out from his Storage Ring and handed it solemnly to Xiao Yi, "Your Highness the Martial King, the lives of the hundreds of thousands of Heiya City''s soldiers and civilians, and the fate of the Tianqing Kingdom, are now in your hands!"


    "Be at ease, General!"


    Xiao Yi solemnly accepted the Tiger Talisman and said in a deep voice, "Old General, to carry out my plan, we must kill you first!"


    "Hm?" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhang Baisheng was stunned.


    At that moment, Xiao Yi pointed a finger, and a wave of energy rippled wildly from the center of Zhang Baisheng''s forehead. With a buzzing sound, Zhang Baisheng spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his body rigidly falling backward...


    "General!"


    "Xiao Yi, you''re seeking death!"


    Hou Sailei and Zheng Le were beside themselves with rage, wishing they could tear Xiao Yi to pieces.


    He actually made a move to kill the old General, Zhang Baisheng?


    Was this a grab for power?


    In an instant...


    The hall was plunged into complete chaos...

 Chapter 144 - 144 Night Raid

    "What are you doing?"


    "How dare you, Xiao Yi, attack General Zhang?"


    Hou Sailei and Zheng Le''s faces suddenly changed, their angry roars echoing throughout the hall.


    The two of them transformed into streaks of light, shooting towards Xiao Yi from the left and right.


    Zheng Le was at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, and Hou Sailei was even stronger, at the Sixth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. Both experienced in numerous battles, they had accumulated a formidable Evil Qi. Together, they could even challenge a warrior at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Facing the encirclement of the two men,


    Xiao Yi didn''t even turn his head, one hand supporting Zhang Baisheng, while the other executed a spinning back kick.


    Smack! Smack!


    Between the two thuds.


    Xiao Yi completely crushed their thunderous attacks, stepping on their heads and pinning them to the ground.


    Cracks spread all over the ground.


    The two men clutched the ground with both hands, continuously roaring in fury, "Xiao Yi, General Zhang has made great contributions to the Tianqing Kingdom. How dare you kill him? Even if I become a ghost, I will not let you go..."


    "Idiot!"


    Xiao Yi huffed coldly, speaking indifferently, "Which of your eyes saw me kill General Zhang?"


    "You still want to argue?"


    "We witnessed it with our own eyes..."


    Their faces were now buried in the dirt, shouting furiously.


    At this moment,


    Yan Ning''s voice came, "Generals, please calm your anger. General Zhang is not dead!"


    "Huh?"


    Both of them were taken aback.


    Only then did Xiao Yi lift his foot, looking down at the two men covered in mud and in a sorry state, his voice carrying a grave tone, "Considering you two were concerned for General Zhang''s safety, I''ll spare you this time. If there''s a next time, I won''t be merciful!"


    Zheng Le and his companion exchanged a look, wearing expressions of confusion.


    They had seen with their own eyes Xiao Yi killing Zhang Baisheng with a single finger strike!


    How could he be alright?


    Yan Ning had already taken Zhang Baisheng from Xiao Yi''s hands, checked him over, and looked at Xiao Yi with ever-increasing admiration and awe, his voice deep, "Generals, His Highness the Martial King just used a special technique to induce a state of false death in the General!"


    "False death?"


    The two men were utterly bewildered.


    Xiao Yi offered no explanation but took out the Tiger Talisman, his voice firm, "Zheng Le, Hou Sailei, step forward to receive orders!"


    The two men glanced at each other.


    Although they still didn''t understand why Xiao Yi had put Zhang Baisheng into a state of false death, knowing that Zhang Baisheng''s life was not at risk, they were somewhat relieved. Kneeling on one knee, they spoke solemnly, "Hou Sailei (Zheng Le) is listening to the orders!" sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s voice was stern, "Hou Sailei, effective immediately, you are in charge of the city''s defense, and you must bring down all the guards from the top of the walls. However, increase the inner city patrols to ten times their usual number!"


    "Yes!"


    Hou Sailei was startled, not understanding the reason behind Xiao Yi''s orders, but military orders are as heavy as mountains, so he saluted and accepted the command.


    Xiao Yi then turned to Zheng Le, "Zheng Le, starting now, you are responsible for guarding General Zhang''s quarters, and you shall not allow anyone to enter his bedroom!"


    "Your Highness Martial King, may I know why?" Zheng Le asked, full of confusion.


    With the army of Tianlan Kingdom looming at the gates, Xiao Yi was withdrawing guards from the ramparts yet intensifying city patrols. Moreover, he was assigning him, a high-ranking general, to guard Zhang Baisheng''s bedroom?


    If Zhang Baisheng had been in mortal danger, it would have been understandable for him to be in charge of guarding him.


    But Zhang Baisheng was clearly just in a state of false death.


    With no threat to his life.


    So why wasn''t he, a warrior at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, involved in patrols or defending the city, but instead guarding a sleeping Zhang Baisheng?


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "This is a military order. Just carry it out!"


    Zheng Le opened his mouth but, seeing the Tiger Talisman in Xiao Yi''s hand, he could only nod and say, "This subordinate obeys the command!"


    Xiao Yi then turned to Yan Ning, "From now on, you must stay inside the old general''s bedroom, and you are not allowed to leave without my order. Additionally, I''ll arrange for someone to bring you a batch of medicinal herbs and food every three hours!"


    "Yes!"


    Yan Ning nodded vigorously.


    He had been completely subdued by Xiao Yi, naturally, he would not disobey.


    A series of commands were issued.


    Xiao Yi personally shouldered Zhang Baisheng, his face no longer calm but anxious, and said in a deep voice, "Hou Sailei, go and strengthen the patrol immediately, Zheng Le and Yan Ning, follow me to take the old general to his bedroom!"


    "Yes!"


    The crowd saluted with cupped hands.


    Hou Sailei left immediately.


    Zheng Le and Yan Ning, one on each side, guarded Xiao Yi as they carried Zhang Baisheng toward the bedroom.


    No one noticed.


    Above Heiya City, within the gloomy clouds, a pair of cold eyes was paying attention to everything happening inside the city. They watched Hou Sailei withdraw the soldiers from the ramparts while strengthening the patrols inside the city, and Xiao Yi and others anxiously carrying Zhang Baisheng into the bedroom.


    After watching intently for two hours, those eyes finally disappeared into the sky.


    And just as those eyes vanished...


    Xiao Yi in the bedroom, sensing something, glanced outside the window and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly, "The show is about to start!"


    ...


    Outside Heiya City, inside the military camp of Tianlan Kingdom.


    This time, Tianlan Kingdom had deployed a million soldiers, led by the current national advisor Ling Wufengyun as the chief commander, with two generals at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak assisting him, truly a formidable presence!


    In the central command tent.


    Geng Jie and Li Tenglong, the two generals at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, sat at the two main seats on the left and right, while their subordinates sat upright and tense.


    The dim firelight flickered, casting sallow light upon them.


    Geng Jie said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, scouts have reported that Heiya City has suddenly withdrawn its soldiers from the ramparts, what do you think?"


    A Golden Core Realm general under him said in a deep voice, "General, could this be a feint by Zhang Baisheng?"


    "If something had happened to Zhang Baisheng, they should be strengthening their defenses. In my opinion, Zhang Baisheng hasn''t been injured at all. He is deliberately setting a trap to lure us in..."


    Li Tenglong squinted his eyes, his fingers lightly tapping on the table, and said in a deep voice, "Stop arguing, we will know when the national advisor returns!"


    Whoosh!


    A gust of cold wind blew.


    A figure wrapped in a black robe quietly landed in the commanding seat.


    Shush shush shush!


    All the generals stood up and saluted toward the figure in the black robe, "We pay our respects to the national advisor!"


    The position of the national advisor in Tianlan Kingdom was extraordinary, on a par with Xiao Yi, the Martial King of the Nation.


    Moreover, she was the only practitioner in the Tao Tribulation Realm in Tianlan Kingdom.


    Even the King of Tianlan Kingdom would have to show the deference of a disciple in front of Ling Wufengyun.


    Ling Wufengyun gestured for everyone to be seated and said, with a soft yet undeniably authoritative voice, "In half an hour, we attack Heiya City at night!"


    Li Longteng said in a deep voice, "National advisor, is it because of Zhang Baisheng..."


    Ling Wufengyun nodded and said faintly, "Zhang Baisheng has been poisoned with the Mo Luo Grass and has fallen into a coma. Right now, Heiya City is defended by Hou Sailei and Zheng Le. They have withdrawn the soldiers from the ramparts in order to confuse us. However, inside the city, the defense has actually increased tenfold, further proving that something has happened to Zhang Baisheng!"


    "It is indeed impressive for Xue Yilou to possess such a poison as the Mo Luo Grass..."


    "It''s a pity for Zhang Baisheng, the illustrious General Baisheng, to not die on the battlefield but by poison..."


    The crowd shook their heads and sighed.


    The national advisor snorted coldly and said flatly, "Now is not the time to sympathize with the enemy. Get ready immediately. Tonight, this national advisor will break down the gates of Heiya City!"

 Chapter 145 - 145 Are you looking for him?

    ```


    The night was deep and the world was silent.


    However, atop the parapets of Heiya City, there were only a few sparse guards on patrol.


    But within the city, it was all hustle and bustle, with patrols of soldiers following one wave after another.


    Inside the city lord''s mansion.


    Xiao Yi once again convened Zheng Le, Hou Sailei, and the generals, his voice grave, "Gentlemen, the decisive moment is upon us!"


    "Hm?"


    "Martial King Your Highness, now that the Great General''s life or death is unknown, we..."


    The generals wore faces of concern.


    Even though they knew that all of this was part of Xiao Yi''s strategy, Zheng Le and Hou Sailei were also showing expressions of worry at this moment.


    Despite the fact that Xiao Yi''s fame as a warrior had spread far and wide over these past few months.


    But that was all about his martial arts talent!


    As for leading troops into battle, Xiao Yi was completely a novice!


    Xiao Yi directly took out the Commander''s Seal.


    Clang clang clang!


    The generals kneeled on the ground one after another.


    As soldiers, obeying orders was their sacred duty.


    Xiao Yi said in a cold voice, "Hou Sailei, immediately lead fifty thousand troops around Black Mountain. When the beacon smoke rises, charge the enemy''s main camp."


    "This subordinate obeys the order!"


    Hou Sailei responded respectfully.


    Xiao Yi continued, "Zheng Le, you lead fifty thousand troops along the concealed pathway of Heartbreak Cliff to launch a surprise attack, also waiting for the beacon smoke as the signal to strike the enemy''s main camp."


    "Yes!"


    Zheng Le respectfully accepted the order.


    Xiao Yi turned to the remaining generals, his eyes narrowing with a hint of cold intent, "The rest of the generals will lead the remaining garrison to defend Heiya City with this prince." After a pause, Xiao Yi summoned Yan Ning, "Yan Ning, how is the preparation for the things I had you arrange going?"


    Yan Ning, with a face full of excitement and agitation, came forward, holding a storage ring in both hands, and said in a deep voice, "Reporting back to Your Highness, your subordinate has made all the necessary preparations!"


    "Good!"


    The gleam in Xiao Yi''s eyes was sharp as he said gravely, "Lead the Medical Department personnel immediately and distribute these items. Have our own men take precautions... The net is spread, we just wait for the prey to leap into it!"


    ......


    The night was deep and the world was silent.


    Thick clouds obscured the stars and moon above.


    Rustle rustle!


    In the darkness, Tianlan Kingdom''s three hundred thousand-strong army quietly approached Heiya City under the command of Li Tenglong and Geng Jie.


    "General Geng, I''ve always had a bad feeling..." Li Tenglong looked at the vast city looming ahead, furrowing his brow and speaking in a hushed tone.


    Geng Jie spoke indifferently, "The National Advisor has personally investigated, there will not be any oversight. All you and I need to do is to act according to the National Advisor''s plan, besides..." He looked up at the looming city, "If Zhang Baisheng had not met with any mishap, with his cautiousness he would have deployed heavy troops to defend the parapets. The fact that it is loose on the outside but tight on the inside is proof that something has happened to Zhang Baisheng. This approach is just to make us believe that Heiya City is well defended and deter us from rash action!"


    "I hope that''s the case!"


    Li Tenglong hesitated for a moment, but felt that information personally investigated by Ling Wufengyun should not be wrong.


    "You wait here, I''ll personally ascend the city wall and dispose of these guards. Once I open the city gates, you all can drive straight in!" Geng Jie''s eyes glowed brightly in the darkness.


    "Be careful, General Geng!" Li Tenglong said solemnly.


    Geng Jie laughed heartily, "Even if this is indeed one of Zhang Baisheng''s traps, with my skills I can come and go as I please. Just wait for good news from me!"


    Whoosh!


    Geng Jie led ten elite soldiers, leaping onto the city walls.


    ```


    The few hundred soldiers atop the city walls were easily slaughtered with the assistance of Geng Jie, who was at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, and ten elites from the Shentong Realm.


    Geng Jie stuck his head out above the city wall and waved the flag in his hand.


    Beneath the city.


    Li Tenglong clenched his fists, his eyes sparkling with intensity, "It seems I was overly cautious. Now that the defenses on the city walls have been removed, we just need General Geng to open the gates, then we can drive straight in!"


    At the same time��


    Inside the city.


    Geng Jie looked at the corpses of a hundred guards lying in pools of blood, patted his hands, and sneered, "Just wait until we break through Heiya City, then our army can drive straight in and march directly to the capital of Tianqing Kingdom. I will be the first to set foot in the capital of the Tianqing Kingdom, and the position of a duke will be within easy reach, not to mention my name will go down in history!"


    "Sorry, but I''m afraid you won''t have that chance!" sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Geng Jie was basking in his smugness, a taunting voice emerged like a specter at his ear.


    "Who?"


    Geng Jie''s face changed dramatically as he looked towards the source of the sound.


    He saw Xiao Yi, dressed in white, with his arms crossed and an amused expression on his face.


    Those cold eyes were like knife blades, causing Geng Jie a chill from deep within his heart. Xiao Yi''s appearance had long been known throughout the ten countries of Nanhuang, and Geng Jie recognized him instantly, "Martial King of the Nation Xiao Yi? Not good, it''s a trap..."


    "Realizing it''s a trap now is too late!" Xiao Yi grinned.


    "Run!"


    Geng Jie bellowed, trying to instruct his men to scatter.


    However��


    As his voice fell, those ten men didn''t move an inch.


    While Geng Jie was puzzled...


    Bang, bang, bang!


    All ten men fell to the ground, each with a bloody hole the size of a fingernail in their foreheads.


    A silver figure stood upon the head of the closest powerful warrior to him, twisting its body with emerald green eyes fixed intently on him.


    It was none other than Little Lin!


    Through training during this period, as well as countless Golden Cores Xiao Yi had obtained from slaying numerous experts and fed to Little Lin, it had reached the advanced tier of the fifth stage��comparable to the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm. Besides, its speed was incredibly fast, and launching a surprise attack to solve ten elite warriors instantly was easy.


    "Li..."


    Geng Jie''s mouth flew open, trying to send out a message.


    But his voice seemed to be choked off.


    It stayed stuck in his throat, unable to come out.


    His pupils madly contracted, and as he followed the arm that was gripping his throat, he saw Xiao Yi''s expressionless face before him, and heard his cold voice echoing in his ear, "Watch with your own eyes how your troops are completely annihilated!"


    "Heh, heh heh..."


    Geng Jie struggled furiously but could not break free from Xiao Yi''s hold, the despair in his eyes spreading like ripples to fill his entire gaze.


    A moment later.


    Creak!


    The city gate opened thunderously.


    Li Tenglong, who had been waiting for a long time, gave the order, and 300,000 soldiers swarmed in, flooding into the city like mad.


    Thanks to the massive construction of the city gates of Heiya City, this army of 300,000 surged in like a steel torrent, taking only the time of half a stick of incense to all pour into the city. The surroundings were still darkly packed, and everyone could vaguely see Geng Jie standing atop the city wall, hands behind his back, watching everything unfold.


    As soon as the army had fully entered the city, the figure of Geng Jie on the city walls disappeared.


    Li Tenglong wore a bewildered expression, "Who has seen General Geng?"


    The words had barely left his lips.


    When a thunderous boom was heard, the city gates slammed shut, and at the same time, a mocking voice rang out, "Are you looking for him?"

 Chapter 146 - 146 Shut the Door and Beat the Dog

    "Are you looking for him?" Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The calm, playful voice sent chills skittering across Li Tenglong''s body.


    Bang!


    A dark shadow abruptly fell at his feet, a headless corpse.


    Blood gushed from the wound on the neck, staining his boots red. Li Tenglong''s complexion changed drastically, and his breathing became hurried, "This, this is impossible..."


    Although the corpse was headless, the clothes were all too familiar.


    But...


    Geng Jie was a strongman at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, unless someone from the Tao Tribulation Realm took action, how could he have been beheaded without a sound?


    "Sorry, I forgot to give this to you as well!" Xiao Yi''s voice came again; with a wave of his hand, he threw Geng Jie''s head over.


    That head, with eyes wide open and a face full of despair, wasn''t it Geng Jie''s?


    Thump! Thump!


    Li Tenglong''s heartbeat grew faster and faster, but his face became even paler. He looked up at Xiao Yi, "This, all of this was a trap you set up?"


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, "Congratulations, you''re right. As a reward, I''ll personally send you on your way!"


    "You insolent brat!"


    Li Tenglong drew his longsword with a sudden motion, glaring at Xiao Yi, "Under my command are three hundred thousand soldiers, do you think I''d be afraid of you? All soldiers, heed my command, break through the city gates..."


    "Wouldn''t it be nice to die quietly? Why do you struggle?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head gently, clapping his hands. The crisp clapping sound was like a soul-hooking devil''s tune.


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!


    From within the pitch-black buildings, amidst the thickets of trees, from within the city walls, one figure after another emerged. These were all soldiers stationed in Heiya City, each with a thick white cloth over their faces, carrying a jar of wine in their hands. At Xiao Yi''s command, hundreds of thousands of jars were viciously thrown amongst the Tianlan Kingdom''s troops.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The jars exploded one by one, and the white vapor, filled with the sharp, pungent smell of alcohol, dispersed.


    "What is this stuff?"


    "Wine? What are they doing throwing wine at us?"


    "No, something is wrong... it must be poison, it''s definitely poison..." Li Tenglong''s complexion changed drastically. Under the envelopment of the white smoke, some of the Tianlan Kingdom''s soldiers were already staggering.


    Li Tenglong leapt into the air, intending to escape.


    However...


    Just as he left the ground, a dark shadow suddenly appeared before his eyes.


    It was a black foot.


    Growing larger and larger in his vision!


    Bang!


    A foot slammed down on his face, driving his head brutally into the ground. Xiao Yi, with an amused look, watched Li Tenglong try to push himself off the ground to rise, "Why are you in such a rush to leave? Wouldn''t it be nice to see how your Tianlan Kingdom''s troops get annihilated?"


    "Despicable... You actually used poison? You lowlife coward..." Li Tenglong''s face contorted with rage as he yelled.


    In just this short moment, over a hundred thousand soldiers of the Tianlan Kingdom already lay fallen.


    The remaining two hundred thousand soldiers were also staggering, devoid of any combat strength.


    "Despicable?"


    Xiao Yi sneered, "When you poisoned Great General Zhang Baisheng, why didn''t you call that despicable? I am simply giving you a taste of your own medicine! Moreover, the poison I used was developed from the Moruo grass poison you used, so I should actually thank your Tianlan Kingdom. Otherwise, where would I find the long-lost Moruo grass?"


    "How, how can this be, is heaven intending to destroy my Tianlan Kingdom..."


    Li Tenglong''s face turned ashen.


    If this army of three hundred thousand were to be completely annihilated, it would be a crippling blow to the Tianlan Kingdom, especially since he and Geng Jie, both peak Golden Elixir generals, had perished together.


    Be it morale or strength.


    It was also too much for Tianlan Kingdom to bear!


    Xiao Yi gently bent down, gripped Li Tenglong''s neck, and lifted him up. Amidst the crackling sounds, he crushed Li Tenglong''s hands and feet, disabling his cultivation at the same time. With his vital energy, he sealed all the acupoints in Li Tenglong''s body, rendering him mute and immobile, just like a puppet on strings, which Xiao Yi placed atop the horse.


    He had already guessed the reason why Xiao Yi didn''t kill him, his eyes filled with despair.


    As the massacre of the Heiya City defense forces ensued, those of the Tianlan Kingdom''s army poisoned by the Demon Ravana grass had no strength to resist and were easily slaughtered.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand: "Everyone, according to plan, put on the Tianlan Kingdom''s army armor!"


    Whirr!


    The men rapidly began to change their armor.


    In a moment.


    An army of one hundred thousand from the Tianlan Kingdom reappeared before everyone''s eyes.


    Excitement and fervor were written on every face, their gazes blazing as they looked at Xiao Yi.


    Before this...


    Faced with an army of a million from the Tianlan Kingdom, they had lost all hope, entertaining only thoughts of a death struggle.


    But now.


    The situation had drastically changed.


    Without exerting any effort, they annihilated two generals at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak of the Tianlan Kingdom and wiped out three hundred thousand troops, right when their morale was at its peak after a big victory.


    Xiao Yi immediately ordered everyone to open the city gates.


    Majestically, the army of one hundred thousand poured out of the city.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi glanced at a young general at the peak of Divine Skills, who promptly launched a signal arrow. With a whoosh, a streak of silver light shot across the sky. Shortly thereafter, the ground shook and quaked as an imposing army of four hundred thousand from the Tianlan Kingdom surged towards them.


    "General Li, what''s the situation inside the city?" a general at the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm asked.


    Under Xiao Yi''s control, Li Tenglong''s voice came out: "Heiya City has been taken, the National Advisor is welcome to enter the city!"


    "Enter the city!"


    The army of four hundred thousand marched towards the city.


    They immediately saw corpses lying haphazardly in pools of blood within the city; the vast majority of them were dressed in the Tianqing Kingdom''s defensive army armor. The soldiers of the Tianlan Kingdom were overjoyed: "Worthy of the National Advisor''s personal intervention, Heiya City has fallen, and we can now drive straight in, flattening the capital of Tianqing Kingdom within half a month!"


    "Sorry, but I''m afraid you won''t ever get to see the capital of Tianqing Kingdom in this lifetime!" Xiao Yi''s cold voice came as the city gates thunderously closed.


    "Huh?"


    The generals of the Tianlan Kingdom were startled, only to see Xiao Yi leading a hundred thousand strong, frantically hurling jar after jar.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Amidst the spreading white smoke...


    The Tianlan Kingdom''s army fell in swathes.


    "Kill them!"


    At Xiao Yi''s command, the Tianqing Kingdom''s army ruthlessly slaughtered on all sides, while signal fires blazed high atop the city walls.


    Xiao Yi looked at Li Tenglong''s face, filled with despair, and released the seals on his body: "Thank you for your help, General Li. Without you, they would not have trusted me so easily!"


    "You��you''ll not die a good death... The National Advisor will avenge us..." Li Tenglong said through clenched teeth.


    Xiao Yi calmly replied, "The National Advisor? Ling Wufengyun? I will send him to join you!"


    Thump!


    Xiao Yi clenched his palm and brutally snapped Li Tenglong''s neck, then leaped high. A streak of silver landed on his shoulder. Little Lin spoke, "Boss, the signal fires have been lit, Zheng Le and Hou Sailei must have already launched their attack!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, his eyes narrowed as he looked towards the dark mass of the distant camp: "After tonight, Tianlan Kingdom will be a toothless tiger, no longer a concern!"

 Chapter 147 - 147: Tearing the Wind Barehanded

    The Tianlan Kingdom camp was ablaze with lights.


    Before this nighttime attack, they had dispatched seven hundred thousand troops, leaving only over two hundred thousand to defend the main camp out of the million-strong army.


    In Ling Wufengyun''s view, seven hundred thousand troops should have been enough to take down Heiya City. Once achieved, the western gate of Tianqing Kingdom would be wide open, exposed before the vast armies of Tianlan Kingdom.


    She just needed to lead the army and march straight in to capture the royal city of Tianqing Kingdom!


    "As long as I can break through the royal city of Tianqing Kingdom and capture Xiao Yi to hand over to Xue Yilou, I will have the chance to visit the headquarters of Xue Yilou in the Great Qian Dynasty. With the strength of Xue Yilou''s headquarters, I will surely break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm��"


    Ling Wufengyun sat within the main tent, holding a cup of clear wine, her crimson tongue curling the wine stained on her lips into her mouth as she took a deep breath, "Father, mother, once your daughter breaks through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, I will have enough strength to avenge you. The 1,635 members of the Ling Family cannot have died in vain!"


    A cold light flickered in her eyes.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Suddenly, the sound of marching troops erupted from outside the camp.


    Ling Wufengyun urgently sat up straight, her sharp eyes seeming to penetrate the tent, looking out towards the camp with a hint of excitement, "It must be that the two generals have already taken Heiya City!"


    However��


    Just as she was about to step out of the tent, an urgent sound of war drums came from the outside, "Enemy raid! Enemy raid!"


    Dong! Dong! Dong!


    The sound of the war drums was quick and urgent, with a hint of panic.


    Bang!


    The wine cup in Ling Wufengyun''s hand suddenly burst, and she stood up abruptly, her face a picture of shock, "An enemy raid? How is that possible... With General Geng and the others leading seven hundred thousand troops to attack Heiya City at night, from where would an army dare to assault our main camp?"


    Rustle!


    A young officer suddenly rushed into the tent, disheveled and in a sorry state, "Diviner, something terrible has happened... General Geng and General Li have been wiped out. The army from Heiya City disguised themselves as our forces to approach the camp and have already breached it. Diviner, we, we have been defeated��"


    Defeated?


    Defeated?


    Ling Wufengyun dropped into her seat with a thump, her face blank in disbelief, "We have been defeated? A million-strong army, defeated just like that? Impossible, absolutely impossible��"


    "Diviner, we truly have been defeated, we must retreat quickly!" the young officer''s face was filled with bitterness.


    "No!"


    Ling Wufengyun''s eyes blazed with madness as she clenched her teeth and snarled, "With me here, I''d like to see who can breach our main camp!"


    "Diviner, you mustn''t!"


    The young officer spoke anxiously, "As a powerful being of the Tao Tribulation Realm, you can serve as the commander sitting in the camp, but you absolutely cannot directly engage in the battlefield. Otherwise, it would be a provocation to the authority of the Great Qian Dynasty, and our country simply cannot withstand the sanctions from the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    Those in the Tao Tribulation Realm were not allowed to directly participate in wars between nations.


    This was an agreement between the Great Qian Dynasty and its subordinate nations. Otherwise, if Tao Tribulation Realm experts freely intervened, slaying the opposing generals or even their kings, would not the world be thrown into utter chaos?


    Ling Wufengyun''s eyes narrowed into slits, filled with fierceness, and she sneered, "What fear? As long as we kill them all, who will spread the news of my intervention? Without leaving any survivors, completely slaughtering the enemy, even if Tianqing Kingdom suspects that I have intervened, they will have no evidence!"


    "This..."


    The young officer stared at the maniacal Ling Wufengyun with a look of shock.


    Ling Wufengyun''s face twisted with ferocity, her fists clenched tightly, "No one shall stop me from taking revenge, those who do, kill!"


    Boom!


    Ling Wufengyun soared into the sky.


    The huge tent was flung away by her, and auras of black light ebbed and flowed around her body, her cultivation reaching the Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    A terrifying surge of energy formed a violent wind as she waved her hand, "Come, wild wind!"


    Tao Tribulation Realm experts could sense the heaven and earth through the Martial Dao Divine Fruit inside their bodies and harness a portion of the world''s elemental power. The Martial Dao Divine Fruit inside Ling Wufengyun was of the wind attribute, allowing him to borrow some of the wind''s power between heaven and earth. With a move of his hands and feet, a violent wind would rise, and his combat power was far beyond that of Zhou Yuan, who had stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm by relying on the absorption of the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    Whoosh!


    The furious wind raged like an Azure Dragon ascending to the heavens.


    Amidst the storm, tents were lifted high into the air, the terrible tempest carrying the might of apocalyptic destruction.


    Numerous mighty warriors were flung into the sky, tents ripped out from their roots, and warhorses torn to shreds by the raging wind.


    The storm grew larger and stronger.


    It did not distinguish between friend or foe.


    A young soldier gripped onto a wooden stake, half of his body whirling in midair, his face filled with despair, "It''s over, it''s over, the national teacher has actually made a move... If we can''t kill all the strong warriors of the Tianqing Kingdom this time, once the news of the national teacher taking action spreads, our Tianlan Kingdom will become the target of public criticism... "


    "Blow them away for me!"


    Ling Wufengyun stood suspended in the air, his hands constantly waving, and gusts of fierce wind surged from within his sleeves.


    The wind''s ferocity grew more terrifying.


    Whoo whoo whoo!


    The sound of the wind passing by was akin to the wailing of ghosts and howling of wolves.


    Within the crowd.


    Zheng Le and Hou Sailei''s expressions changed drastically, seeing that tens of thousands of vanguard troops had been lifted into the air, their eyes were splitting with rage, "Retreat quickly... These bastards from the Tianlan Kingdom have actually sent a Tao Tribulation Realm expert to act, retreat quickly..."


    "Brothers, retreat fast!"


    Under the lead of Zheng Le and others, the army of the Tianqing Kingdom turned around and fled in disarray.


    But the raging wind, under the control of Ling Wufengyun, pursued them relentlessly. Once overtaken, one would be swept into the high skies, and only the strong warriors above the Golden Core Realm could escape with their lives while the other ordinary soldiers had almost no way out.


    "It''s over, it''s over..."


    "Scum of the Tianlan Kingdom, you won''t die a good death..."


    The great army of the Tianqing Kingdom watched the hurricane bearing down on them like a demon, its maw wide open, their faces filled with despair.


    But just at this critical juncture... sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A figure suddenly soared into the sky, his silver armor gleaming brilliantly under the sparse star and moonlight. Perched upon his shoulder was a silver serpent, which raised its head proudly, gazing at the enraged wind. Xiao Yi''s eyes gleamed sharply as he looked through the storm at Ling Wufengyun, who was making the wind surge, and a cold smile appeared on his face: "A great Tao Tribulation, yet you lay hands on these ordinary soldiers, the Tianlan Kingdom is really nothing special!"


    "Victors are kings, losers are bandits. As long as you achieve the ultimate victory, who cares about the means used?" Ling Wufengyun said expressionlessly.


    Xiao Yi burst into hearty laughter, "Do you really think you''ve got us in the bag?"


    "I''m not a waste like Zhou Yuan!" Ling Wufengyun obviously recognized Xiao Yi, the beauty mark at the corner of his mouth curling into a sneer.


    "You may not be much stronger than Zhou Yuan!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled coldly as endless yuan qi within him whirled madly, surging into his hands.


    Hum hum hum!


    The yuan qi converged on his arms, and Xiao Yi abruptly reached out.


    "The Martial King actually intends to catch the hurricane barehanded?"


    "Isn''t this foolhardy? No matter how powerful a Golden Core Realm is, it is still human power. How can it contend with the power of heaven and earth?"


    "My wind incorporates the power of heaven and earth, how could your mere Golden Core withstand it? And you still fantasize about catching the wind with bare hands, it''s simply..." Ling Wufengyun said with a mocking face, but his smile froze suddenly, replaced by a look of shock and disbelief.


    "Open for me!"


    Xiao Yi roared angrily as his hands violently tore to both sides.


    The hurricane, which had rolled up tens of thousands of soldiers and steeds, was actually torn in two by his flesh-and-blood palms...

 Chapter 148 - 148: Martial King Supreme, Forever Dominates Tianqing!

    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Raging between heaven and earth, like a hurricane connecting sky and land.


    In Xiao Yi''s hands, it was torn apart into two halves.


    The tearing winds suddenly dissipated into nothingness in the void, and the soldiers caught in the hurricane fell from the sky; without the barrier of the fierce winds, they did not sustain serious injuries.


    However, on the entire battlefield...


    Hundreds of thousands of soldiers fell utterly silent.


    Every gaze was fixed on the figure standing in the sky, clad in silver armor��Xiao Yi.


    Gulp!


    Someone swallowed hard, breaking the deathly silence.


    Like a stone dropped into an ancient well, ripples spread out...


    "Damn! Damn! Damn!"


    "What did I just see? Tearing the wind with bare hands? Did the Martial King actually do that?"


    "Heavens above, I must be hallucinating... This is the power of nature, how can someone tear a hurricane apart with human strength? It''s unbelievable..."


    Zheng Le exchanged a glance with Hou Sailei, both seeing the terror and shock in the other''s eyes.


    Hou Sailei teased with a sneer, "General Zheng, you had a wager with His Highness the Martial King before; it looks like you are destined to lose!"


    "I, I..."


    Zheng Le opened his mouth, but with an excited expression, he said, "So what if I lose? Losing to such a Martial King is my honor. Do you qualify to make a wager with His Highness? When history records this battle, my name, Zheng Le, will surely be on it... Hmm, when I return, I must explain this part to the Imperial Censor personally. The young General Zheng bravely wagered with His Highness the Martial King and gloriously lost!"


    Looking at Zheng Le''s proud and self-satisfied demeanor.


    Hou Sailei''s lips twitched: "Such thick skin..."


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly came, "Hou Sailei, Zheng Le, what are you dawdling for? Wipe out those Tianlan Kingdom bastards for me!"


    "Ah?"


    "Don''t worry, Your Highness, we''re on it!"


    Zheng Le and his men hurriedly got the troops in order and launched another attack.


    Xiao Yi''s feat of tearing the wind had turned into a nightmare, seared into the hearts of the Tianlan Kingdom soldiers, completely robbing them of their will to fight.


    A defeated army fell like a crumbling mountain.


    Watching the forces of Tianqing Kingdom charging and sweeping through his troops, Ling Wufengyun recovered from his astonishment and stared at Xiao Yi with clenched teeth: "Who would have thought Tianqing Kingdom could produce someone like you. No wonder Xue Yilou was so eager for us to attack Tianqing Kingdom, to remove you quickly."


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "So it indeed was Xue Yilou scheming behind the scenes!"


    "That''s right, Xue Yilou!"


    Ling Wufengyun nodded, took a deep breath, his dark eyes filled with a predatory chill, "Xiao Yi, although we have no grudges or hatred, you''ve blocked my path."


    Xiao Yi was taken aback: "Blocked your path?"


    "That''s right!"


    Ling Wufengyun''s lips were tightly pressed, "Xue Yilou promised me that if I could bring about the downfall of Tianqing Kingdom and capture you, they would allow me to go to the headquarters of Xue Yilou in the Great Qian Dynasty and give me the method to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Why didn''t you just surrender peacefully? Why did you resist, why oh why..."


    Ling Wufengyun grew more agitated as he spoke, his shoulders trembling slightly, almost madly.


    Seeing the Tianlan Kingdom''s army collapse like a fallen mountain, she knew conquering Tianqing Kingdom was no longer possible.


    The only option now.


    Was to capture Xiao Yi and exchange him at Xue Yilou for the method to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Whizz!


    Ling Wufengyun''s black cloak trembled violently and took flight, opening like a pair of dark wings. Under the cover of that black cloak, gusts of wind roared in. The wind was not as massive as before, but it was extremely condensed, pouring down like a torrent of arrows.


    Facing the overwhelming assault of wind arrows, Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed, and the Fire Qilin Sword fell into his grasp: "Chasing Stars, Pursuing the Moon!"


    "Python Entwining the Tree!"


    "Sword Breaking Style..."


    Xiao Yi had already reached the realm where the man and his sword were one; the Fire Qilin Sword was like an extension of his body, following his command.


    Wherever the sword''s edge passed, no storm of arrows could approach him.


    Rather, as he continuously destroyed the arrows, Xiao Yi steadily closed in on Ling Wufengyun. As Ling Wufengyun loomed before him, Xiao Yi''s swordplay shifted, swiftly drawing a circular arc: "Enemy-Breaking Style!"


    This sword arc was incredibly dazzling, as bright as the moon. Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Swipe!


    The sword edge carved a path straight ahead.


    Xiao Yi dived forward and was now only a step away from Ling Wufengyun: "Nine Swords as One!"


    Nine sword shadows pierced through the air, only merging into one as they finally reached their target.


    The sword''s edge whistled, thrusting straight for Ling Wufengyun''s brow.


    Ding!


    That sharp, unstoppable sword tip came to a halt right at Ling Wufengyun''s forehead, blocked by a shield formed by winds compressed to the extreme. The sword edge and the tempest shield stood off against each other, unable to advance even a fraction more. The enormous force caused the Fire Qilin Sword to bend like a bow, the blade trembling with a buzzing sound.


    Of course...


    Ling Wufengyun wasn''t having an easy time either.


    The immense pressure caused her skin at the brow to burst open, with blood trailing down her cheeks.


    "Windless Motion!"


    Finally unable to withstand the massive pressure, Ling Wufengyun thrust her palm forward, a ferocious wind swept up, enveloping her body and blasting her backward in a retreat. Seeing Xiao Yi with sword in hand in close pursuit, a cold light burst forth in Ling Wufengyun''s eyes, and in her slender jade-like hand appeared a cyan feather fan. This fan, adorned with nine peacock feathers, was swung violently, "Three Months of Beacon Fires!"


    Swish, swish, swish!


    With every flick of the feather fan, the eyes on the nine peacock feathers radiated a cyan glow.


    This was a sixth-order Yuan weapon!


    Empowered by the Yuan weapon,


    the fierce winds became even more terrifying, howling and condensing into a wall made of sharp gales, stretching for hundreds of feet.


    It was like the beacon fires on a battlefield, burning for three months without extinguishing.


    Boom!


    The Fire Qilin Sword struck the wind wall but couldn''t shake it in the least, instead causing Xiao Yi''s palm to crack from the recoil.


    "Dragon''s Lament of Wind!"


    Ling Wufengyun waved her feather fan once more.


    Whoosh!


    The roaring wind transformed into nine wind-formed Azure Dragons intertwining with one another, creating a massive wind torrent.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly shrunk as he blocked his chest with the Fire Qilin Sword.


    Thump!


    The wind-formed Azure Dragon slammed against the blade.


    The terrifying force sent Xiao Yi shooting toward the ground, like a fallen star crashing with a loud noise, shaking the earth. A huge crater erupted with dust flying everywhere, but within that cloud of dust, a sword light shot up into the sky: "Nine Swords as One!"


    Swish!


    The sword''s edge reached its ultimate speed.


    In an instant...


    With a thud, it pierced through Ling Wufengyun''s shoulder.


    Ling Wufengyun shuddered, and the face beneath the cloak changed drastically. She hastily retreated, but she was a step too slow. With a ripping sound, the mask over her face was torn off by Xiao Yi.


    Their eyes met.


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, could there be such stunning beauty in this world?


    Even Fang Qingzhu could not compare!


    Ling Wufengyun also noticed the mask in Xiao Yi''s hand. Her eyes went from shocked to bewildered, and then to a complex mix of fury and subtle affection. She glared fiercely at Xiao Yi and suddenly soared into the sky: "Xiao Yi, I will remember you! The grudge of today, I shall return it another day!"


    Swish!


    Ling Wufengyun broke through the air, wrapped in the howling winds and disappearing into the night.


    She was too fast.


    Even Xiao Yi couldn''t catch up.


    He looked down at the mask in his hand and frowned, "This woman..."


    At that moment...


    The Tianlan Kingdom''s army, now without Ling Wufengyun, was thoroughly routed, utterly demoralized, and surrendered en masse.


    In this battle, Tianqing Kingdom achieved an unprecedented victory!


    Heiya City''s two hundred thousand army annihilated the one-million-strong force of Tianlan Kingdom!


    At that time...


    Ten thousand soldiers, under the leadership of Zheng Le and Hou Sailei, shouted loudly. Their voices thundered, as if scattering the thick clouds above, and the light of the stars and moon fell down: "Martial King is invincible, eternally dominating Tianqing!"


    "Martial King is invincible!"


    "Eternally dominating Tianqing..."

 Chapter 149 - 149: The Pit of Ten Thousand People

    The following day, at dawn.


    The scent of blood filled the air inside and outside Heiya City; everywhere one could smell the pungent reek of blood.


    In every street and alley lay corpses and traces of blood.


    Yet the soldiers and citizens of Heiya City were displaying extreme resistance and excitement. Not only the garrison but also the citizens of Heiya City spontaneously went onto the streets to help clean up the battlefield.


    Tianlan Kingdom had already captured three cities, and countless Tianqing Kingdom civilians had fled to Heiya City, multiplying the city''s population several times over. With their help, the post-battle cleanup of Heiya City was much more efficient and quicker.


    Moreover, Xiao Yi had long since given his military order.


    Any citizen who participated in cleaning up the battlefield would keep all loot, such as silver taels, except for weapons and armor.


    This further stimulated the enthusiasm of the citizens.


    "Martial King His Highness is truly incredible, in one night he annihilated the million-strong army of Tianlan Kingdom!"


    "You did not see last night... I was hiding on the rooftop and saw everything clearly. There was a tornado that reached to the sky among the Tianlan Kingdom''s army, and it was torn asunder by Martial King His Highness..."


    "You''re joking, right? Even if Martial King His Highness is strong, he''s only at the Golden Core Realm, how could he possibly tear apart a tornado?"


    "This is no lie at all; I also heard some soldiers discussing it..."


    "To have a genius like Martial King His Highness in our Tianqing Kingdom is truly a great fortune! It''s said that the Royal Martial Arts Academy and the Crown Prince even schemed against His Highness before. They were really blind..."


    "Mind your words!"


    "Afraid of what? Who dares to touch Martial King His Highness now?"


    The discussions among the citizens were overheard by passing soldiers, who not only did not take offense but actually agreed wholeheartedly.


    They had witnessed Xiao Yi''s miracles with their own eyes!


    Tearing the wind with bare hands.


    Defeating Tao Tribulation with the sword!


    Truly terrifying!


    In the city lord''s mansion...


    Zhang Baisheng had awoken; a night''s sleep had flushed his cheeks slightly, and his injuries were gradually stabilizing with the help of Xiao Yi''s elixirs.


    Zhang Baisheng, Hou Sailei, Zheng Le, and others were standing respectfully in the hall, quietly waiting for Xiao Yi''s arrival.


    With a wry smile, Zheng Le said, "General, you''ve just recovered. Please, take a seat!"


    Zhang Baisheng scanned the room with a tiger''s glare, and snorted coldly, "Before Martial King His Highness arrives, how can I sit?"


    "This..."


    Zheng Le and Hou Sailei exchanged a helpless glance.


    "Hahaha, who has offended the old general so early in the morning, causing him to be unhappy?" Xiao Yi''s hearty laughter came from outside the door.


    Clothed in silver armor, he looked even more majestic and handsome.


    "Martial King His Highness!"


    "Your Highness!"


    Zheng Le and Hou Sailei hurriedly bowed in respect.


    Zhang Baisheng turned to face Xiao Yi and was about to kneel on one knee, greeting him, "Subordinate Zhang Baisheng welcomes Your Highness..."


    "Old general, you must not!"


    Xiao Yi quickly raised his hand, and with an unseen burst of qi, prevented Zhang Baisheng from kneeling.


    A flash of astonishment crossed Zhang Baisheng''s eyes.


    His cultivation had reached the peak of the Golden Core Realm, yet Xiao Yi could stop him from kneeling with qi from afar, indicating his masterful control over qi.


    "No wonder even the experts of the Calamity Realm are no match for him..."


    Zhang Baisheng thought to himself and said with a deep voice, "Your Highness, this is me kneeling on behalf of the million soldiers and civilians of Heiya City!"


    "We are all citizens of Tianqing Kingdom; there''s no need for such gestures!" Xiao Yi shook his head.


    Seeing this,


    Zhang Baisheng had to relent, straightening his back once more and gesturing for Xiao Yi to sit, "Your Highness, please take your seat!"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, then smiled wryly, "Old general, you flatter me too much. You are the city''s commander; how can I sit in the seat of honor?"


    However...


    Zhang Baisheng had an unscrupulous look on his face as he said, "If Your Highness refuses to sit, then this old man shall remain standing!"


    "This..."


    Xiao Yi felt somewhat helpless as he looked towards Zheng Le and the others, who were also standing straight, indicating that if he did not sit, they would also remain standing.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "Fine then!"


    Only when Xiao Yi had taken his place in the main seat did everyone else sit down on either side.


    Xiao Yi said, "General Hou, how are the post-battle affairs progressing?"


    Hou Sailei stood up and clasped his hands, replying, "Your Highness, with the assistance of the citizens of Heiya City... the city has been cleared. The main camp of the Tianlan Kingdom will need half a day more. However, the main issue now is what to do with the four hundred thousand prisoners of war��we are uncertain how to handle them!"


    After the main camp was taken down, that alone resulted in the capture of over a hundred thousand soldiers.


    There were also about two hundred thousand soldiers within the city who were poisoned by the Maluo grass but not killed, totaling four hundred thousand prisoners.


    Xiao Yi looked towards Zhang Baisheng, "What does the old general think?"


    "Everything is up to Your Highness to decide!" Zhang Baisheng said solemnly.


    A cold light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes as he said coldly, "Then kill them all!"


    Hiss!


    A series of sharp intakes of breath echoed through the hall.


    It''s true that countless lives are lost on the battlefield, but that''s in the heat of combat. As for prisoners, they are generally used as slave labor, or as bargaining chips in negotiations between nations.


    Directly executing hundreds of thousands of prisoners.


    This is something that''s never been done before!


    Zhang Baisheng frowned and said, "Your Highness, this is not appropriate! If we execute them all, it will tarnish Your Highness''s reputation!"


    "Yes, Your Highness, if we kill them, future Imperial Censors will certainly record it in the history books, and later it might lead to you being labeled as brutal and inhumane..."


    "This could damage Your Highness''s prestige!"


    Everyone was trying to persuade him.


    But Xiao Yi just laughed heartily, saying, "Damage my prestige? Brutal and inhumane? Remember this, prestige is not won through kindness." His gaze became sharp and piercing, as if it were a sword thrusting into the depths of everyone''s soul, "Think about it��if it were us who were prisoners, if it were the citizens of Tianqing Kingdom, how would they treat us? Look no further than the three cities they conquered��how many were spared?"


    Everyone fell silent.


    In those three cities, apart from the refugees who fled...


    All of the soldiers and civilians were slaughtered.


    Wherever the Tianlan Kingdom''s army went, they killed, burned, and plundered without mercy...


    How utterly ruthless!


    With ice in his eyes, Xiao Yi stood up and declared, "Let these four hundred thousand prisoners be buried in a pit outside Heiya City, creating a Mass Grave. Through the heads of these four hundred thousand soldiers of the Tianlan Kingdom, I will show the world that whoever offends Tianqing, no matter how far, will be punished!"


    Everyone was visibly shaken.


    Their fists clenched tightly, and in their eyes blazed a fierce fire of war. S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By noon that day...


    The four hundred thousand soldiers were escorted to an area outside Heiya City, where they were executed and buried in the massive pit created by the battle between Xiao Yi and Ling Wufengyun.


    This Mass Grave exuded a chilling aura.


    But at the same time...


    It also became a formidable sword to deter the world!


    And as the Mass Grave was completed, the news of the great victory at Heiya City spread like the plague, reaching all corners of Tianqing Kingdom at an alarming speed.


    At that moment...


    The entire nation erupted in celebration!


    The name of Xiao Yi once again thundered across Tianqing!


    Nevertheless...


    Xiao Yi himself was indifferent to all of these achievements; at this moment, he was leading the belated fifty thousand Imperial Guards, setting off on a campaign towards the Tianlan Kingdom...

 Chapter 150 - 150: With Him, Tianqing Will Never Perish!

    Within the territory of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    A steed after steed galloped from Heiya City and sped away toward every corner of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    At present, the Tianqing Kingdom was besieged on all sides, facing enemies everywhere. The morale within the country was low and the populace was in a state of panic.


    And because of this��


    The Tianqing Kingdom needed a grand victory to boost spirits more than ever before.


    Zhang Baisheng well understood this concept, and as soon as he had triumphed over the million-strong army of the Tianlan Kingdom, he dispatched no less than eight hundred scouts, each with two horses, to quickly spread the news of this great victory throughout the Tianqing Kingdom.


    "Victory! Victory!"


    "The Martial King of the Nation, with his divine might, led his troops to completely annihilate the million-strong army of the Tianlan Kingdom, creating a pit of ten thousand corpses with forty thousand captives'' heads, deterring the world!"


    "The Martial King of the Nation, with his divine might..."


    Such news spread throughout the Tianqing Kingdom.


    At first, everyone was incredulous.


    But as one report followed another, Xiao Yi''s fame had soared to its peak.


    The dilapidated Mingjian Manor.


    Since Xiao Yi had destroyed the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the elite of Mingjian Manor had all perished there. The once-glorious and renowned Mingjian Manor had gradually fallen into decline, becoming nothing more than a large forge base providing military equipment for the kingdom, with all the once-formidable warriors of the manor reduced to blacksmiths.


    When news of Xiao Yi''s major victory reached Mingjian Manor, any lingering hopes were thoroughly extinguished: "Our leader was so foolish, why provoke Xiao Yi?"


    "The Third Elder is the criminal of Mingjian Manor. Even our ancestors won''t forgive him in the afterlife..."


    The Nine Profound Sect.


    Nowadays, the Nine Profound Sect had already crumbled, with its disciples dispersing and fleeing, leaving behind only a few loyalists.


    They had hoped to find a new master to follow once the Tianqing Kingdom was destroyed.


    But at this moment...


    Upon learning that Xiao Yi had led his troops to wipe out the million-strong army of the Tianlan Kingdom, tearing apart the wind with his bare hands, and repelling the Tao Tribulation with his sword, they were utterly intimidated: "Let''s go... Our hope for revenge is completely extinguished!"


    "Let''s sell off all of the Nine Profound Sect''s property. Didn''t the Treasure Pavilion offer to pay five hundred million silver? Let''s sell these assets to them and return to our hometown to live as wealthy landowners..."


    The same news also reached the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple.


    Inside the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple.


    A young monk named Dao Yun was sitting in front of an old monk, his face twisted with ferocity: "Abbot, I beg you to pass on the Buddha-Demon Scripture to me. I vow to catch up with Xiao Yi and use the Buddhist Law to convert him!"


    "Why pursue him?"


    The old monk, who was the current abbot of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple and whose cultivation had also reached the peak of the Golden Core Realm, just one step away from entering the Tao Tribulation Realm, clasped his hands together in prayer, his expression solemn as he spoke, "Foolish child, you must let go of your obsession..."


    "Abbot, are you truly unwilling to give it to me?" Dao Yun''s expression turned savage.


    Amitabha!


    The abbot chanted the Buddha''s name and shook his head with a wry smile: "Dao Yun, you have fallen into the demonic way... from today, you are... pfft..."


    In the midst of speaking, the abbot spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.


    He wore a look of disbelief on his face, staring at Dao Yun who stood before him, his hands stained red with blood, clutching the abbot''s Golden Core.


    He never imagined...


    Dao Yun, whom he had raised from a young age, would actually turn on him.


    Dao Yun''s face contorted with rage as he said, "You old fool, I asked you for the Buddha-Demon Scripture, and you should have just given it to me. Why waste words? I, Dao Yun, as a monk, held in high regard, was forced by Xiao Yi to kneel before his rule��this grudge is irreconcilable."


    "You, you��" The abbot opened his mouth, but could not stem the tide of blood rushing forth. S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As his Golden Core was lost, his life force rapidly drained away.


    Meanwhile, Dao Yun leaped onto a Buddha statue, reached beneath the Lotus Platform, and extracted a scroll. He howled to the heavens: "The Buddha-Demon Scripture... finally in my hands!"


    Gurgle!


    He actually took the bloodstained Golden Core into his mouth and chewed it before swallowing it down,


    Huff! Huff! Huff!


    Two Golden Cores burst out of his body, revolving around him ceaselessly.


    One of the Golden Cores was replenished with Buddha patterns, holy and precious; the other was shrouded in black energy, emitting an eerie ghostly aura.


    Dao Yun was surrounded by a brilliant glow.


    He instantaneously reached the peak of the Golden Core Realm.


    At times his face was engulfed in dark energy, fierce and ferocious, and at other times his visage was solemn, akin to that of a Buddha.


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, once I master this Buddha-Demon Scripture, it will be the time for your demise!" Dao Yun rose into the sky, flipping over the massive scripture with sheer force.


    In an instant...


    Screams of agony echoed throughout the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple.


    After Dao Yun departed, the once peaceful Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple was left as a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.


    ......


    In the Tianqing Kingdom, at the Royal Capital, on Vermilion Bird Avenue.


    "Victory announcement! Victory announcement!"


    "The Martial King of the Nation, with overwhelming divine might, led the army to annihilate the entire million-strong army of the Tianlan Kingdom. With four hundred thousand enemy heads, he built the Pit of Ten Thousand Corpses, deterring the whole world!"


    The messenger soldier charged through recklessly, but the people along the way had not a hint of complaint; instead, they celebrated jubilantly, and the oppressive air in the Royal Capital was swept away, plunging everyone into ecstatic joy. The whole city''s populace was shouting, "The Martial King of the Nation, with divine might..."


    In the midst of the celebration, there were also those who worried, "His Highness the Martial King''s meritorious achievements surpass the king''s, could it be that he will become the target of His Majesty''s jealousy?"


    "This might not necessarily be a good thing!"


    But such concerns were quickly dispelled.


    All because Jiang Tianchen issued a royal decree, proclaiming to all, "The Martial King of the Nation, Xiao Yi, with peerless contributions, is hereby bestowed the title of Guardian Martial God of the Tianqing Kingdom. Orders are given for temples to be built and statues cast in his likeness throughout the cities in the nation..."


    Guardian Martial God!


    Building temples, casting statues!


    This was to worship Xiao Yi as a god!


    A man, can have achievements that overshadow the monarch!


    But what about a god?


    Rising above all things, transcending royal authority!


    In other words...


    Even if Xiao Yi commanded them to change the emperor, the royal family would have absolutely no complaints!


    This decree shattered the rumors that Xiao Yi''s achievements were too great and that his life would soon be in jeopardy.


    At the same time.


    Within the royal palace.


    Jiang Tianchen, who had already entered the Tao Tribulation Realm, looked at Jiang Tai with a full measure of satisfaction in his eyes. However, upon seeing Jiang Tai''s severed arm, a hint of sorrow flashed across his eyes, and he said solemnly, "Tai, I had planned for the ancestor to guard the Royal Capital, but now that Elder Gu has broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, he will be the guardian. I will lead an army alongside Xia, the Great General, and the ancestor to meet the enemy at the frontier. I leave the Royal Capital in your care!"


    Jiang Tai''s eyes reddened and he nodded fervently, "Father King, please take care!"


    "Hahaha, why such concern? Now that the Guardian Martial God has annihilated a million soldiers of the Tianlan Kingdom, they are no longer a threat. Other nations will surely get the news, and our Tianqing Kingdom will certainly triumph in this great war!" Jiang Tianchen laughed heartily.


    Jiang Tai nodded emphatically.


    Jiang Tianchen stood up, patted his shoulder, and spoke firmly, "Tai, if something does happen to me, you shall open this edict and ascend the throne..."


    "Father King..." Jiang Tai gasped, looking incredulously at Jiang Tianchen.


    Jiang Tianchen waved his hand dismissively and laughed heartily, "As long as the Guardian Martial God is here, our Tianqing Kingdom shall not fall! You must remember, even if our Jiang family is reduced to a single soldier, we must never betray the Guardian Martial God. With him, Tianqing shall never perish!"

 Chapter 151 - 151: Those Who Are Not of Our Kind Will Surely Have Different Hearts

    Tianqing Kingdom''s border.


    Si Shui Pass, this was one of the three cities that had previously fallen to the Tianlan Kingdom.


    Xiao Yi led fifty thousand Imperial Guards, along with fifty thousand elite troops from Heiya City, and with Zhang Baisheng and Zheng Le pushed forward directly towards the Tianlan Kingdom.


    As for Hou Sailei, he was assigned to stay and defend Heiya City.


    This arrangement nearly brought the seven-foot man to tears!


    "Your Highness, Si Shui Pass is just ahead��" Zheng Le said in a deep voice.


    Zhang Baisheng looked distantly at Si Shui Pass that lay stretched across the land, his expression somewhat sorrowful, "The original commander of Si Shui Pass was an officer under my command�� an honest man, brave in battle. Unfortunately, he was killed by a rain of arrows while covering the retreat of the civilians when Geng Jie and others broke through Si Shui Pass��"


    "Rest assured, General, their sacrifices will not be in vain!" Xiao Yi declared solemnly.


    "Hmm!"


    Zhang Baisheng nodded his head.


    If Xiao Yi had said this a few days ago, he would have just smiled and dismissed it.


    But now��


    After the battle at Heiya City, Xiao Yi had completely earned their respect.


    "Report��"


    Suddenly, a scout hurried back from the front, his face filled with urgency, "Cavalry General, fifty li ahead, a village has been discovered, but�� but��"


    "But what?" Zhang Baisheng asked, frowning.


    The scout''s eyes reddened, his teeth clenched as he relayed, "But all the villagers in that village have been slaughtered."


    "What?"


    "Lead us there quickly!"


    Everyone followed the scout.


    A moment later.


    They arrived at the village, which was not a small one, containing a hundred households.


    Only��


    The village before them was in complete disarray, with signs of burning everywhere, and bodies strewn about in all positions.


    Men, women, the elderly, and children, all were mercilessly killed, not a single survivor!


    "Those Tianlan Kingdom bastards, how could they... they even slaughter innocent civilians?"


    "Your Highness, look over there��"


    Zheng Le suddenly pointed ahead.


    Xiao Yi followed his gaze, and his pupils constricted sharply, as if the temperature around him dropped dozens of degrees instantly.


    Everyone felt a bone-chilling coldness.


    It was a mill with a large stone mill covered in uneven bloodstains.


    What truly enraged Xiao Yi were the severed hands and feet still lying on that stone mill. These limbs were small; the largest were merely those of a two or three-year-old child, and the smallest even of a newborn�� they had been ground into pulp by the millstone, now scattered on the ground��


    Ugh��


    Some of the soldiers who couldn''t bear the sight covered their mouths, violently retching.


    Xiao Yi, Zhang Baisheng, and Zheng Le, however, shivered with rage!


    Fury!


    Fury that reached its peak!


    Kill!


    The will to kill soared to the skies!


    "How could these animals�� how could they bring themselves to do such a thing?" Zheng Le gritted his teeth, feeling as if a raging fire was burning within his chest, wishing it could burst forth at any moment.


    Zhang Baisheng''s face was ashen, his fists clenched tightly, crackling with tension.


    His nails dug into his flesh, with blood streaming down through his fingers, yet he seemed totally unaware.


    Looking at the half-meter-high pile of minced flesh surrounding the stone mill, with broken bodies on top.


    They could almost see the infants still in swaddling clothes, or toddlers just beginning to speak, being brutally thrown by Tianlan Kingdom soldiers onto the stone mill, ground into flesh and blood by the grinding stones. Some of these children couldn''t even talk yet, some had not even opened their eyes before being reduced to pulp between those massive stones!


    Gritting sounds��


    Xiao Yi clenched his fists, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes bloodshot as he looked towards Zhang Baisheng and Zheng Le, "Do you still think my massacre of those four hundred thousand prisoners was too cruel?"


    "It was too merciful; they should have been cut into a thousand pieces!"


    "These beasts��"


    Zheng Le and Zhang Baisheng had eyes red with anger.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, squatting on the ground, and looking at the scattered flesh around him, he clenched his teeth and said, word by word, "I, Xiao Yi, swear here that I will definitely crush Tianlan Kingdom and avenge you all!"


    Indistinctly.


    It seemed to Xiao Yi and the others that in the midst of the shredded flesh, the color-drained shackles fell away from the smiling children, and they ascended to heaven.


    They were freed!


    "Settle the remains of our fellow villagers properly!" Xiao Yi instructed.


    The crowd set to work, clearing the remains within the village.


    After the cleanup was done.


    It was already sunset.


    Xiao Yi gathered his army of one hundred thousand, his face covered with frost, his sharp gaze sweeping over his men.


    The army seemed unusually suppressed.


    Gone was the joy of a great victory that had come with the start of the campaign.


    Clearly, everything that had happened in this village had become a huge stone, weighing on everyone''s heart.


    "Non-kin, their hearts must differ!"


    Xiao Yi''s sudden voice drew everyone''s attention, and they all looked up at him, "You''ve also seen what happened, this is war. If we fail, the Tianlan Kingdom''s army will invade, and countless citizens of Tianqing Kingdom behind us will suffer this same fate. Our relatives, our friends, our loved ones�� no one will be spared!"


    The crowd was tense, gritting their teeth.


    Xiao Yi raised his voice, "Do you want to see such scenes again?"


    "No!"


    The crowd shouted loudly.


    Xiao Yi''s voice grew louder, echoing among the hundred thousand soldiers, "Then what should we do?"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    A hundred thousand men, their killing intent soaring into the sky.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi abruptly drew the Fire Qilin Sword, the blade cleaving the air, and with one stroke, he cut off a piece of his garment, declaring loudly, "I, Xiao Yi, hereby swear that wherever our weapons point, we must break through Tianlan! Should I break this oath, may I be like this garment!"


    Zhang Baisheng raised his longsword likewise, cutting off a piece of his garment, "Wherever our weapons point, we must break through Tianlan!"


    Zheng Le followed suit, "Should I break this oath, may I be like this garment!"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The action of the hundred thousand was uniform.


    Raise arms.


    Cut garments!


    "Wherever our weapons point, we must break through Tianlan!"


    "Should I break this oath, may I be like this garment!"


    The roar of a hundred thousand men shattered the skies, their murderous intent and battle spirit coalescing into a blood-red cloud that hovered over their heads.


    Xiao Yi pointed forward with his longsword, "Advance!"


    The sound of the hundred thousand-strong army rolled like a tide of iron, moving forward.


    Along the way.


    The hundred thousand-strong army led by Xiao Yi was unstoppable wherever they went.


    The several thousand Tianlan Kingdom soldiers stationed at Si Shui Pass had already fled at the sight of them, leaving behind a burning ghost town. The roaring flames reached for the sky, but as Xiao Yi''s army passed by, heavy clouds gathered above, chill winds howled, and torrential rains fell, extinguishing the flames until the sky cleared after the storm! Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Following that, Huai Shui City, Liu Yin City��


    Without much effort, these two cities were also reclaimed by Xiao Yi and his men.


    The three cities lost to the Tianlan Kingdom were all returned to the hands of the Qing Tian Kingdom.


    It was only at this point...


    that Xiao Yi and his entourage finally set foot on the territory of the Tianlan Kingdom.


    A grand feast of slaughter hence began to unfold��

 Chapter 152 - 152: Easy to Meet the King of Hell, Tough to Deal with His Underlings!

    Tianlan Kingdom, Zhenxi City.


    This was a border fortress between Tianlan Kingdom and Tianqing Kingdom and also served as the gateway city to the west of Tianlan Kingdom.


    It was even more massive than Heiya City.


    The city walls alone were a hundred meters high, and the extensive walls stretched for dozens of miles like an Azure Dragon lying across the land, guarding the western gate of Tianlan Kingdom.


    The commander of Zhenxi City was the King of Zhenxi, Zhao Qiankun, known for his impregnable defense.


    Inside the city lord''s mansion.


    Zhao Qiankun''s face was dark as he looked at the scout reports, kicked the table and chairs in front of him to the ground, and cursed, "Useless trash, Geng Jie and Li Tenglong, these two pieces of rubbish, a million-strong army, just like that completely annihilated? What the hell were they doing?"


    "Please calm your anger, my lord!"


    "Your Highness, what''s most critical now is to consider how to fend off the Tianqing Kingdom''s army..."


    "To assemble that million-man army, our Tianlan Kingdom almost emptied out the nest, even Zhenxi City had a hundred thousand troops pulled away. Now, with only a hundred thousand left, what are we supposed to do..."


    One after another, Zhao Qiankun''s subordinates offered their advice.


    Tianlan Kingdom was more or less on par with Tianqing Kingdom; there was little difference in national strength between the two countries.


    But now...


    Having lost a million troops all at once, they were grievously wounded.


    "Given the circumstances, what else can we do but make a last stand?"


    Zhao Qiankun said coldly, "At the time when it was decided to wage war against Tianqing Kingdom, I disagreed, yet all of you thought that Tianqing was beset on all sides, at its weakest. Now that trouble has arisen, you come to ask me what to do? What were you doing earlier?"


    All along.


    Zhao Qiankun had been defending Zhenxi City, while Zhang Baisheng had been guarding Heiya City.


    Although there were minor frictions between the two armies, they had never engaged in large-scale warfare.


    This was because Zhao Qiankun had a clear understanding of the strength of the two nations; neither could truly overpower the other.


    But this time...


    It truly was a war that could lead to the destruction of a nation!


    From the moment Tianlan Kingdom mobilized en masse, dispatching a million-strong army to attack Tianqing Kingdom, it was destined that only one of the two countries would continue to exist.


    Just then.


    A messenger from outside announced, "My lord, an imperial envoy has arrived!"


    "Let him in!"


    Zhao Qiankun commanded with a grim face.


    A moment later.


    An old eunuch with a sly look walked in, holding a royal edict, and proclaimed in a deep voice, "King of Zhenxi, receive the order!"


    "Your servant receives the order!"


    Zhao Qiankun and the others all knelt.


    The eunuch unfolded the royal edict and intoned, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the king decrees: Zhenxi City is the western gateway of Tianlan Kingdom, Zhao Qiankun is hereby ordered to ensure that the enemy forces are kept out of Zhenxi City, let this be known!"


    "Your servant obeys the order!"


    Zhao Qiankun received the royal edict with a dark face, almost wishing he could tear the edict to shreds.


    The eunuch stepped forward, his sharp voice slightly grating, "My lord, His Majesty orders you to hold Zhenxi City at all costs, the armies of Baijing Kingdom and Sihai Kingdom will soon launch an attack. As long as we withstand this wave of the Tianqing Kingdom''s army, the final victory will surely be ours..."


    "I know!"


    Zhao Qiankun responded coldly, "Given the urgency of the war situation, I will not detain you any longer, please!"


    The eunuch named Zheng Yu was a trusted confidant of Tianlan Kingdom, and even the royal princes would show him some respect. When had he ever carried out an edict without some personal gain?


    Zhao Qiankun actually gave him a direct order to leave?


    Zheng Yu narrowed his eyes, sizing up Zhao Qiankun, gave a sinister smile, and said, "If that''s the case, I will take my leave first!"


    Zheng Yu walked towards the exit.


    From behind him came the conversation between several generals and Zhao Qiankun, "My lord, this Zheng is a close confidant of His Majesty and is notoriously greedy. You sent him away without even offering a tip, I fear..."


    "Fear what? Zhenxi City is in imminent danger, yet you expect me to indulge him with lavish hospitality? An old castrated cur that does nothing but stir up trouble, would he dare to bite me?" Zhao Qiankun''s chilly voice came through, followed by an impatient remark, "Enough about that old cur, promptly inform me about the detailed reports on the Tianqing Kingdom''s army..."


    Outside the door.


    Zheng Yu''s smile on his face grew increasingly malevolent, like a ferocious venomous snake, he sneered in a chilling voice, "What a Zhao Qiankun, what a King of Zhenxi, hmph..."


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    Eight hundred li outside Zhenxi City.


    Xiao Yi, leading the army, swept all before him, sniping the scouts sent by Zhenxi City one by one and was now resting here.


    Before the campfires.


    Xiao Yi and the others were waiting for the meat to finish roasting, while Zhang Baisheng was speaking about the King of Zhenxi, Zhao Qiankun, "I have crossed swords with Zhao Qiankun for twenty-eight years and understand him extremely well. I excel in attack, while he excels in defense, so trying to use the same method that trapped Li Tenglong and Geng Jie might not work. This is going to be a tough battle!"


    The King of Zhenxi, Zhao Wuji, was known as the Copper Wall and Iron Rampart.


    This reputation was forged from one brilliant defensive battle after another.


    "Is it possible for His Highness the Martial King to break through their city gates directly?" Zheng Le tentatively asked.


    Although Xiao Yi possessed the combat strength of the Tao Tribulation Realm, his realm was only at the peak of the Golden Core Realm after all.


    Even if he took action, others couldn''t seize any handle on him.


    Xiao Yi was also somewhat tempted.


    With his strength, forcibly breaking through to Zhenxi City and blasting open the gates before withdrawing in one piece was still somewhat assured.


    But Zhang Baisheng just bitterly smiled and shook his head, "You''re all being too optimistic... His Highness''s power is beyond doubt, but Zhao Qiankun surely knows this too. Do you think he wouldn''t be prepared? If he were to lay a trap with a net reaching the sky and a snare covering the earth and use a human wave tactic to entrap His Highness, then with human lives to exhaust His Highness..."


    This was the reason why those in the Tao Tribulation Realm were not allowed to participate in direct combat.


    The Tao Tribulation Realm could harness the forces of nature for wide-ranging attacks.


    Like Ling Wufengyun, a wave of his hand could summon howling gales, able to stand against tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of enemies all by himself.


    But those in the Golden Core Realm, no matter how powerful, could not match such destructive power.


    If Zhao Qiankun used tens of thousands of troops and strategies like nets to entangle Xiao Yi and then employed relentless volleys of arrows regardless of the cost, he could still potentially capture Xiao Yi.


    In the midst of their conversation,


    a scout nearby brought over a skinny young man, saying, "Your Highness, Generals, I found him while patrolling ahead. He claims to have come to help us take Zhenxi City!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi and the others exchanged glances, looking at the young man with curiosity.


    Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "Who are you?"


    "This humble one is a little shadow under the command of Eunuch Zheng from Tianlan Kingdom''s Internal Affairs!" replied Xiao Ying, his face revealing a submissive and deferential expression.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "The Head of Internal Affairs? If you''re from Tianlan Kingdom, why would you help us take Zhenxi City?"


    "This... this..." Xiao Ying hesitated, unable to complete his sentence.


    Zheng Le, with a flourish of his long knife, pressed it against the young man''s neck, frightening Xiao Ying to kneel and kowtow for mercy. Zheng Le said, "Spit it out, or I''ll end you!"


    Xiao Ying quickly exclaimed, "Honorable lords, this is all because the King of Zhenxi insulted my master and infuriated him. He ordered me to bring the defensive layout of Zhenxi City and the city''s patrol schedule to you, generals. I swear to the heavens, everything I''ve said is true, if there''s even half a lie, may I be struck by lightning and die without a complete corpse!"


    While saying this,


    Xiao Ying produced the defense map of Zhenxi City and the patrol schedule.


    Xiao Yi passed them to Zhang Baisheng.


    After inspecting them, Zhang Baisheng gave a slight nod toward him.


    Xiao Yi then instructed the scout, "Take him away and guard him well!"


    "Yes!"


    The scout immediately departed.


    Only then did Xiao Yi look at Zhang Baisheng, "Old General, how credible do you think this is?"


    "At least ninety percent credible!"


    Zhang Baisheng took a deep breath and then said, "I''ve heard of this Zheng Yu. He is a greedy eunuch and very narrow-minded, one who seeks revenge for the smallest slights. With Zhao Qiankun''s temper, offending him is quite normal, and indeed, this defense map and patrol schedule are flawless, very much matching Zhao Qiankun''s style of military disposition!"


    "With that said... breaking through Zhenxi City is within reach!" exclaimed Zheng Le, excitedly.


    Zhang Baisheng nodded emphatically.


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply, looking at the defense map, and shook his head slightly, "Even the King of Hell is easy to see, little devils are tricky to deal with! Zhao Qiankun, probably never imagined that, despite his wisdom, he would be ruined at the hands of a eunuch..."

 Chapter 153 - 153: Plan to Win the Heart

    That night.


    Xiao Yi and his men spurred their horses, rushing toward Zhenxi City at top speed.


    Eight hundred li.


    For this carefully selected elite force of a hundred thousand, it was but a three-hour journey.


    As the dawn''s first rays appeared the following day.


    The defending army within Zhenxi City was shocked to find that the army of the Tianqing Kingdom had already set up camp ten li away from the city, and all this had been accomplished right under their noses without drawing the attention of the Zhenxi City''s defenders. This indeed caused Zhao Qiankun inside the city to wipe away a cold sweat as he went personally to the top of the city wall.


    Clatter clatter clatter!


    Zheng Le, carrying a command flag, rode a tall horse to the gates of Zhenxi City.


    "Is General Zhao Qiankun there?" Zheng Le called out loudly.


    Atop the city walls.


    Zhao Qiankun narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Who are you?"


    "I am Zheng Le, the vanguard officer serving directly under His Highness Xiao Yi, the Martial King of Tianqing Kingdom. I have come to deliver a message to General Zhao!" Zheng Le''s voice was loud and solemn, booming like a large bell, resounding thunderously.


    Zhao Qiankun narrowed his eyes and deliberately said, "What Martial King Xiao Yi? Who is this youngster whose hair hasn''t even grown fully? I have never heard of him."


    "Then that indicates your ignorance!"


    Unangered, Zheng Le laughed heartily and then continued, "My lord has stated, limit General Zhao to surrender within three days to spare your life. Should you still stubbornly resist after three days, my lord will lead the great army of the Tianqing Kingdom to crush through Zhenxi City. Anyone who obstructs the Tianqing Kingdom''s army shall be killed without mercy!"


    "Arrogance!"


    "You scoundrels of Tianqing Kingdom, we don''t need three days, if you dare, attack now!"


    "We shall see whether it is your Tianqing Kingdom''s soldiers that are sharp, or if our Zhenxi City is more impenetrable!"


    One by one, the generals under Zhao Qiankun loudly taunted.


    With a sneer, Zhao Qiankun said, "Go back and tell your master, if he kneels and begs for mercy, I might spare your lives!"


    Bang!


    Zheng Le abruptly planted the command flag into the ground and proclaimed, "By the orders of my lord, this flag stands here. From this moment on, each day you fail to surrender, we will execute one of your generals and hang their head from this flag! After three days, our army will launch a full assault and flatten your Zhenxi City!"


    Clatter clatter clatter!


    Zheng Le immediately rode his tall horse, leaving swiftly.


    Atop the city walls.


    The Tianlan Kingdom''s generals were utterly furious: "Damn it, these bastards from Tianqing Kingdom, they''ve gone too far!"


    "Are they suggesting that Zhenxi City has no one capable?"


    "Send orders down, implement the original plan and double the patrols and defenses!"


    Zhao Qiankun coldly snorted and with a casual flick, shot an arrow that split the command flag, and squinting, he looked toward the distant encampment of Xiao Yi and his men, "My Zhenxi City is a net of heaven and earth, I would like to see how you would execute my generals!"


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    When he returned to the camp, he guzzled down water, wiped his lips, and looked at Xiao Yi with a wry smile: "My lord, please don''t send me to do such things in the future. You didn''t see the look in those generals'' eyes under Zhao Qiankun''s command; they looked like they wanted to eat me alive!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If that''s the case, then you''re relieved from your position as vanguard officer and can become the quartermaster instead!"


    "No, my lord!"


    Zheng Le became anxious and quickly said, "I only spoke off the cuff!"


    "Hahaha..."


    Both Xiao Yi and Zhang Baisheng laughed heartily.


    Causing Zheng Le to look embarrassed.


    Xiao Yi said in a serious tone, "What is the state of Zhenxi City''s defenses?"


    "Extremely stringent!"


    Zheng Le also turned serious and said in a deep voice, "Based on the defensive setup I saw, it is indeed identical to the one shown on that defense map."


    "So it seems that the defense map is indeed credible!" Xiao Yi nodded.


    Of course, they could not simply believe in the authenticity of the defense map based on just a few words from a minor eunuch.


    This time, they had sent Zheng Le to provoke the enemy, firstly to disrupt the enemy troops, and secondly to confirm the authenticity of the defense map.


    Zhang Baisheng said, "My lord, you had Zheng Le set up that commanding banner and even claimed that every day a head of an enemy soldier would be hung on it, are you going to take action personally?"


    "Mm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Zheng Le frowned and said, "By doing so, although we can disturb their military heart, it will also make Zhao Qiankun become alert. He might increase his defensive forces, which is not advantageous for us!"


    Zhang Baisheng gave him a glare and said, "Do you think you''re the only one who can think of that?"


    "Ah?"


    Zheng Le was stunned.


    Zhang Baisheng revealed a meaningful smile, "In military strategy, direct confrontation is inferior, psychological warfare is superior. His Highness has a well-thought-out plan. Let''s just wait and enjoy the show!"


    That very night.


    Within the western city, a group of generals gathered together.


    General Zhang Ti was one of Zhao Qiankun''s fierce generals, with a cultivation at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, and possessed Innate Divine Strength. Fierce and fearless in battle, he had established a mighty military record. However, his temper was too impulsive, suitable as a general but not as a commander, unable to hold his ground alone.


    Witnessing Zhao Qiankun increase the defensive forces overnight, Zhang Ti was very dissatisfied, muttering, "My lord, Xiao Yi is nothing but a green youth. Why such a fuss over his words?"


    "Shut up!"


    Zhao Qiankun sharply interrupted, "Carry out the defense and guard according to plan, and also pay attention to your own safety. Xiao Yi is the top talent of the Tianqing Kingdom. Even the national master was defeated by him. Do not underestimate him, lest he takes your heads!"


    "Rest assured, my lord, we have been fighting wars for years, and we will not make such a novice mistake!"


    "If he dares to come, I will ensure he does not return!"


    The men swore their oaths earnestly.


    Watching the men leave, Zhao Qiankun squinted up at the star-filled sky, rubbing his brows, "I hope... these are only my misgivings!"


    The next day, at dawn.


    Zhao Qiankun suddenly awoke from deep sleep, his forehead drenched in cold sweat. He looked around and then let out a long breath, "Good, it was just a nightmare..."


    As soon as those words fell.


    An urgent knocking sound came from outside the door, "My lord, something terrible has happened; General Zhang Ti''s head has been hung on the flag outside the city gate!"


    "What?"


    Zhao Qiankun was shocked, his body springing up from the bed, rushing out the door.


    Along the way, he could continuously hear whispers among the military and civilians, "Did you hear? General Zhang Ti had his head cut off and hung outside the city gate. Even the general''s wife lying beside him didn''t realize until she woke up this morning."


    "I heard it too... Some say that our Tianlan Kingdom has incurred the wrath of the heavens, and that deities are aiding the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Alas... why bother with such a battle? The Tianqing Kingdom never took the initiative to provoke us, and now, it has made everyone panic..."


    Hearing the murmuring of the people.


    Zhao Qiankun''s face turned exceedingly grim.


    He faintly understood the purpose behind Xiao Yi''s move; it was to scatter the hearts of the military and civilians of the western city!


    When Zhao Qiankun reached the top of the city wall, he saw yet another banner erected below.


    On the banner hung the head of Zhang Ti.


    The blood had already dried, but his face still bore the peaceful expression of deep sleep.


    Bang!


    Zhao Qiankun smashed a brick on the city wall with his palm, his face somber as he looked towards his subordinates, "Increase the guard forces by fivefold. Additionally, combine the generals in pairs to stay together, all centralized in the city lord''s residence. I want to see how Xiao Yi will kill under my watch..."

 Chapter 154 - 154: Zhèn Xī City, Finished!

    The next day, early morning.


    Inside the city lord''s mansion.


    Zhao Qiankun had not slept all night, sitting with legs astride in the front courtyard of the city lord''s mansion, with his Flame Moon Battle Saber placed beside him.


    The saber radiated a cold light that shocked the heavens, its edge strikingly apparent.


    Having kept watch all night, he had not noticed any disturbances and finally let out a sigh of relief, a confident smile curling up at the corners of his mouth, "Xiao Yi? Humph, nothing but a callow youth. Do you think you can contend with me with such trivial tricks and heresies? Your heart-striking strategy is indeed fierce, but once you fail to honor your promise and behead my commanders, you''ll face the backlash of your own psychological ploy��"


    "Your Highness!"


    Two guards stepped forward.


    Zhao Qiankun spoke indifferently, "Have all the generals gather at the city walls immediately!"


    "Yes!"


    The two guards immediately departed.


    Zhao Qiankun narrowed his eyes, chuckling coldly, "Once the military and civilians of our Western Command city realize that not a single commander has been killed today, Xiao Yi''s psychological warfare will collapse on itself. Instead, it will be the morale of the Tianqing Kingdom that suffers a great blow!"


    A group of commanders gathered in the front courtyard, "Your Highness!"


    "We are grateful to Your Highness for protecting us through the night!"


    Gratitude filled the eyes of the crowd.


    Zhao Qiankun asked, "Is anyone missing?"


    "No one!"


    The crowd briefly scanned their ranks and responded.


    "Let''s go!"


    Zhao Qiankun laughed heartily, "Let us go to the top of the city wall and witness the disappointment on Xiao Yi''s face! Right, Liu Yi, go inform the citizens to also come up to the city walls to see how I will humiliate Xiao Yi!"


    "I''ll go at once!" Liu Yi hurriedly left.


    The generals were in an especially joyful and relaxed mood, the stone that weighed on their hearts due to Zhang Ti''s unexplained death the day before had now been lifted, "It''s thanks to Your Highness''s strategy of having us stay together, and with Your Highness personally standing guard, leaving Xiao Yi no opportunity to strike. Letting the civilians onto the battlements to see for themselves will stabilize the military and civilian hearts alike!"


    "Truly worthy of Your Highness, killing two birds with one stone!"


    The crowd sang praises in unison.


    A look of pride appeared on Zhao Qiankun''s face.


    When Zhao Qiankun, together with a group of commanders, arrived at the bottom of the city wall, he found that many citizens had already gathered there.


    "Your Highness, nothing happened last night, right?"


    "Your Highness..."


    Zhao Qiankun gestured for calm with a relaxed expression, "Rest assured, my people, I kept personal vigil last night and all the generals are safe and sound. As long as we, as military and civilians, stand united, the Tianqing Kingdom shall not set foot within our Western Command city!"


    "Long live Your Highness!"


    "Truly the ''Iron Wall and Bronze Wall'' as they say, Your Highness is our Calm Sea Divine Needle indeed!"


    Amidst the cheers of the citizens, Zhao Qiankun declared loudly, "Everyone, follow me to the walls and take a look. Later, I will need to trouble you to shout out loudly, to let the soldiers of the Tianqing Kingdom know the people and military of Western Command city are united and impregnable!"


    "Rest assured, Your Highness!"


    "We won''t let you down!"


    The people followed Zhao Qiankun''s lead, heading up to the city wall.


    However...


    He had barely set foot on the city wall when he saw a guard rolling and scrambling up to him, his face a mess of distress.


    Thud!


    Zhao Qiankun''s heart skipped a beat, his face suddenly changing as the guard approached with a look of panic, "Your... Your Highness, something terrible has happened... General Liu Yi''s head has been hung on the flagpole without anyone noticing!"


    "What?"


    Zhao Qiankun''s face turned ashen.


    The smiles froze on the faces of the surrounding commanders, replaced by shock and terror.


    Behind them, the citizens looked at each other in confusion, bewildered, "Didn''t they say nothing happened? How did another general die?"


    "I heard that Your Highness kept personal vigil last night, how could something have gone wrong again?"


    "Could it really be as the rumors say, divine wrath? Are there gods helping the Tianqing Kingdom?"


    The human heart is the most obstinate yet simultaneously the most fragile.


    If no commander''s head had been displayed on a flagpole today, Xiao Yi''s threat would have been broken, and the spirits of both military and civilians in Western Command city would have soared, solidifying their unity. United as one, they could have made Western Command city an unbreachable fortress. But now, both military morale and civilian spirits had once again been dealt a devastating blow.


    Looking at one disconcerted commander after another and the changing gazes of the citizens��which no longer held the unwavering trust they had before��Zhao Qiankun''s face grew increasingly pale, a sweetness rising in his throat as a mouthful of hot blood surged up and he spat it out.


    "This isn''t good!"


    "The prince has collapsed, quickly help him back..."


    "Where''s the royal physician? Find the royal physician quickly..."


    The entire town of Western Zhensi was thrown into chaos.


    Nobody noticed.


    In that corner, a silver figure witnessed it all and then quietly slipped underground.


    A moment later.


    Within the Tianqing Kingdom''s military camp.


    Little Lin emerged from the ground and climbed onto Xiao Yi''s shoulder, "Boss, everything went according to your plan. Zhao Qiankun was so furious he spat blood and fainted. Now the town of Western Zhensi is in total disorder!"


    "Good!"


    Xiao Yi rubbed Little Lin''s head, "You''ve worked hard these past two days!"


    Only Little Lin could sneak into the town of Western Zhensi under Zhao Qiankun''s watchful eye and silently kill a Golden Core expert!


    Little Lin flicked its tongue and asked, "Boss, shall we continue tonight?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "No, we won''t kill tonight. I''ve already had someone make a hundred thousand copies of this defense plan and patrol schedule overnight. Your task tonight is to distribute these defense maps and patrol schedules throughout the town of Western Zhensi. I want everyone in the town to know that Zheng Yu has betrayed them..."


    "We can''t kill anymore? Sigh..." Little Lin looked disappointed.


    Xiao Yi tapped his head and glared at him sternly.


    Little Lin flicked its tongue again.


    Only then did Xiao Yi turn to Zhang Baisheng and Zheng Le, "Generals, rally the troops. Tomorrow morning, we launch the full assault!"


    "Yes!"


    The two men were visibly excited.


    That very night...


    Zhao Qiankun, who was lying in bed, had regained some of his Qi-Blood. A group of generals gathered around the bed, looking at him worriedly.


    Zhao Qiankun shook his head, "Don''t worry, I''m not dead yet!"


    "My lord, with our military morale scattered and the public unsettled, what should we do now?" The generals looked to him, completely at a loss.


    Zhao Qiankun said sternly, "It doesn''t matter. We still have the advantage of defense. As long as..."


    He hadn''t finished speaking.


    Suddenly, a commotion arose outside.


    Zhao Qiankun frowned, "What''s going on?"


    Creak!


    A soldier rushed in frantically, clutching a scroll of paper, his face full of panic, "My lord, something terrible has happened..." S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thud!


    A jolt of alarm went through everyone present in the bedroom.


    Over these days...


    They were most afraid of hearing those words!


    It was like a summons of life or death tolling its bell!


    Zhao Qiankun frowned, "What happened?"


    The soldier immediately presented the scroll, "The message says that Zheng, the eunuch, has leaked our defense map and patrol schedule of the town of Western Zhensi to the Tianqing Kingdom. Zheng has betrayed us all..."


    "What?"


    "That''s impossible!"


    Everyone''s expression changed dramatically.


    But when they saw the defense maps and patrol schedules depicted on the scroll, each person''s face turned horribly grim, ashen with despair, "It''s truly our defense map!"


    "Zheng Yu, that damned eunuch, deserves to be cut into a thousand pieces..."


    "How dare he do this..."


    "My lord, what do we do?" The generals looked at Zhao Qiankun in dread.


    With the defense map and patrol schedule exposed, it was too late for them to make any adjustments.


    It meant that everything within the town of Western Zhensi was exposed to the people of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    There were simply no secrets left!


    Zhao Qiankun remained silent, his hand that held the paper trembling violently.


    Suddenly...


    Zhao Qiankun threw his head back and spewed a mouthful of fresh blood, his Qi-Blood immediately weakened, and two drops of blood tears fell from his eyes, "The town of Western Zhensi... is finished..."

 Chapter 155 - 155: With My Body, I Shall Forever Guard This City!

    ```


    The next day, at dawn.


    The sky had just brightened, with the golden morning sun casting its glow upon the land.


    Casting a long, long shadow of the entire Zhenxi City, the banners on the city walls fluttered against the blue sky, creating a rustling sound, but the wind brought with it a feeling of desolation.


    The vast Zhenxi City was bleak, top to bottom.


    The spirit of the soldiers, the hearts of the people, all were dim.


    Boom!


    Boom, boom!


    Rumbling...


    A series of earth-shattering sounds approached from afar, mighty and vast, it was the Tianqing Kingdom''s hundred-thousand-strong army led by Xiao Yi, forming like a dark demonic cloud, marching towards Zhenxi City.


    Their pace was not fast, but it exuded an extremely heavy and suffocating presence.


    Like a colossal stone weighing down on everyone''s chest.


    It was stifling to the point of breathlessness.


    Atop the city walls, the defending army of Zhenxi City gazed at the dense battle formation, feeling as if every step taken by the enemy forces were invisible hammers ruthlessly pounding against their chests.


    So oppressive, they could hardly speak.


    Cough, cough, cough!


    A series of urgent and weak coughs were heard, as the esteemed Martial King of Tianlan Kingdom, Zhao Qiankun, known as the impregnable great general of the era, appeared to have aged decades in moments. His hair was white, his stature hunched, his face gaunt, as if a gust of wind could knock him over at any time, teetering on the edge.


    A group of Zhenxi City''s defending generals followed behind him, each with their heads bowed and eyes bloodshot.


    Their hands clenched into fists, shoulders trembling slightly.


    Opressiveness.


    The atmosphere was oppressively terrifying!


    Thud!


    The sound of the war drum suddenly stopped.


    Xiao Yi and his men had already arrived at the base of Zhenxi City.


    The two armies faced each other.


    Riding a Heavenly Blue Bull Python, Xiao Yi, adorned in white armor, his black hair billowing, cape fluttering, with the Fire Qilin Sword at his waist emitting a blinding light. Handsome and majestic, like a dragon among men, he rode atop the Heavenly Blue Bull Python, and alone he seemed like an entire army, exuding a powerful sense of oppression.


    "What a Xiao Yi, what a Martial King of the Nation..."


    Zhao Qiankun gazed at Xiao Yi with intense eyes, unblinking, and then with a sense of resignation and defeat, he sighed, "If Tianlan Kingdom had such a heroic figure, why would we lack a prospering era? Alas, it''s a pity..."


    "General..."


    "My lord..."


    A group of generals, tears in their eyes, stared at Zhao Qiankun, who just three days ago had been a majestic King of Zhenxi but now appeared as weak and frail as an elderly neighbor gravely ill, each of them struggling to say what they wanted.


    Zhao Qiankun waved his hand with a smile and said, "Since it''s been decided, then proceed as I''ve instructed!"


    "Yes!"


    The generals fought back tears, nodding compressedly.


    Zhao Qiankun supported himself with both hands on the city walls, gazing down at Xiao Yi and at Zhang Baisheng who appeared by his side, basked in the warm, golden sunlight. He gently rubbed the bricks of the city wall in front of him, so familiar to him��he had guarded this place for decades: "Every era produces its own talents, and now, it''s time this old bone stepped down!"


    Whoosh!


    Zhao Qiankun let out a long breath, circulated his Qi-Blood, and made his voice resonate, loud and clear, spreading throughout Zhenxi City, "Martial King Xiao Yi, would you care to talk with this old man?"


    "Your Highness, be wary of deceit!" Zheng Le cautioned in a deep voice.


    Zheng Baishang, however, shook his head. He fixed his gaze on Zhao Qiankun high upon the city walls, all too familiar with this old adversary, and said in a serious tone, "Zhao Qiankun is not that kind of man!"


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, stood tall and levitated in front of the city walls.


    The old and the young, eyes locked on each other.


    Xiao Yi gave a bow and said, "The younger generation, Xiao Yi, pays respect to the King of Zhenxi!"


    "You''re young, so very young! It''s good to be young!"


    Zhao Qiankun laughed warmly, his eyes on Xiao Yi held no resentment or hatred, only helplessness and envy for the youthfulness, "This old man will venture to call you Xiao Yi!"


    "Hmm!"


    ```


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Zhao Qiankun said, "Xiao Yi, could you agree to one condition for me?"


    "Speak," Xiao Yi replied.


    Zhao Qiankun said in a deep voice, "Spare the soldiers and civilians within the city, can you do that?"


    Xiao Yi slightly frowned.


    He remembered the villagers who had been slaughtered, the babies ground into pulp beneath the millstones.


    Seeming to sense Xiao Yi''s hesitation, Zhao Qiankun said solemnly, "I can guarantee with my life that none of the people under my command have ever laid a finger on any innocent civilians outside the battlefield!"


    Xiao Yi looked back at Zhang Baisheng.


    Zhang Baisheng nodded slightly.


    He had been Zhao Qiankun''s opponent for many years and knew the other man''s character very well.


    Xiao Yi let out a breath and said solemnly, "Alright! As long as they don''t stand against me, I won''t kill them! As for the citizens within the city, they will henceforth be subjects of my Tianqing Kingdom, and I naturally won''t harm them!"


    "Whew!"


    Zhao Qiankun let out a long, turbid breath and smiled, "No wonder even the old fellow Zhang Baisheng is willing to follow you. You truly are exceptional, losing to you is not unjust." After a pause, Zhao Qiankun took out a Commander''s Seal and handed it to Xiao Yi, announcing loudly, "All people of Zhenxi City, from now on, you shall no longer be enemies with the Tianqing Kingdom. In seeing Xiao Yi, you are seeing me!"


    Whirrrr!


    All the soldiers and civilians of Zhenxi City knelt in unison, the atmosphere incredibly oppressive.


    Some soldiers could not hold back their tears any longer.


    Even more civilians wailed loudly.


    But they understood... S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Qiankun was doing this only to save their lives.


    Xiao Yi held up the Commander''s Seal and also spoke loudly, "Listen, everyone in Zhenxi City, I, Xiao Yi, hereby swear, as long as you do not resist my Tianqing Kingdom, I shall not harm you one bit! I will protect you just as I protect the citizens of the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Open the gates!"


    Zhao Qiankun shouted with all of his strength.


    The guards already at the city gates immediately opened them��boom! The gates that had sealed off the western border of the Tianlan Kingdom for hundreds of years were finally opened.


    This gateway to the west of the Tianlan Kingdom was completely opened!


    But there were no cheers from the generals of the Tianqing Kingdom, only silent procession into the city, accepting the surrender of the soldiers of Zhenxi City.


    Atop the city walls.


    Xiao Yi looked at Zhao Qiankun, whose form was swaying before him, and said with gravity, "Senior King of Zhenxi, I have here some pills that nurture Qi-Blood..."


    "No need!"


    Zhao Qiankun smiled, propped himself up using the battlements, tilted his head back to greet the golden sunlight, and revealed a radiant smile, "Xiao Yi, do you know why I chose to surrender without a fight?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "You knew that if there was a battle, not even one in ten would survive, and Zhenxi City would be brought to ruin. Besides that... your heart has been thoroughly wounded!"


    Whew!


    Zhao Qiankun nodded, "Yes, wounded beyond repair. I have been defending Zhenxi City for decades, never allowing the army of the Tianqing Kingdom a single step across our borders, exerting all my effort without daring to relax in the slightest. But that Zheng Yu, he betrayed the million soldiers and civilians of Zhenxi City over a single dispute. And Zheng Yu is that foolish ruler''s confidant. In the face of such a state of affairs, I am weary..."


    Xiao Yi remained silent.


    He knew very well that the most hated people on Zhenxi City now were not him, but Zheng Yu and the King of Tianlan Kingdom.


    And for this reason...


    The officers did not stop Zhao Qiankun''s surrender!


    "Senior King of Zhenxi..."


    Just as Xiao Yi began to speak, Zhao Qiankun interrupted him with a wave of his hand. He shakily walked over to the flag that symbolized the Tianlan Kingdom, gently caressing it, and said wistfully, "My Tianlan Kingdom has paid countless lives to defend this city. So many young people, who should have been full of vigor, died early just to hold on to this place. Now, it has been breached by my hands..."


    "Xiao Yi!"


    Xiao Yi looked sharply at Zhao Qiankun.


    "I''ve lost!"


    Zhao Qiankun seemed to summon all his energy to say these three words, and his aura immediately became even more wilted. He suddenly yanked the flag from its place, waving it back and forth causing it to flutter fiercely. Suddenly, Zhao Qiankun threw the flag high into the air, and with a thunderous crash, it plummeted down, piercing through his cranial point, rooting firmly atop the city walls.


    It fixed his body firmly to the battlements of Zhenxi City.


    The aged voice, but still resonant and powerful, echoed through the heavens and earth, "With my body, I shall eternally guard... this city..."

 Chapter 156 - 156: Slapped to Death

    "General..."


    "Your Highness..."


    All the soldiers and civilians in Zhenxi City knelt on the ground, wailing and howling, their cries echoing to the heavens.


    Zhao Gaoyi, the deputy general of Zhenxi City and at the Eighth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, let out a mournful howl, "Foster father, may your journey be peaceful..."


    In his life, Zhao Qiankun fought and battled for the western gate of the Tianlan Kingdom, with no children of his own but thirteen foster sons. Now, only Zhao Gaoyi was left. He looked up at the sky, his face streaming with tears, fists clenched tightly, his eyes fierce and terrifying, "Foster father... I swear I will personally take Zheng Yu''s life, that old eunuch dog, to avenge you!"


    "Take the life of the eunuch dog..."


    "Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!"


    Cries and shouts shook the heavens.


    Xiao Yi remained silent, landing atop the city wall, facing Zhao Qiankun who stood to death upon Zhenxi City, he deeply bowed and said in a solemn voice, "Someone, build a tomb for the King of Zhenxi outside the city!"


    "Thank you, Martial King of the Nation!"


    "Thank you, General Xiao!"


    The commanders of Zhenxi City were moved to tears.


    They didn''t care that they were generals of a defeated army, Xiao Yi could have simply burnt Zhao Qiankun''s body, or even sent him back to the capital of Tianqing Kingdom to claim merit. But he chose not to do so, instead respecting Zhao Qiankun''s final wish by building a tomb to fulfill his desire to eternally guard Zhenxi City.


    Zhao Gaoyi said loudly, "The defenders of Zhenxi City are willing to serve Your Highness with the loyalty of dogs and horses!"


    Xiao Yi turned back to the commanders of Zhenxi City, waving his hand forcefully, "Gentlemen, are you willing to follow me and breach the heart of the Tianlan Kingdom?"


    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"


    The commanders roared in response.


    In the crowd.


    Zheng Le was dumbfounded as he watched the two hundred thousand defenders of Zhenxi City roaring, looking towards Zhang Baisheng and swallowing hard, "General, this, this prince''s tactics are too terrifying, aren''t they? Without spending a single soldier, he conquered Zhenxi City and directly took command of its two hundred thousand strong army, this, this..."


    It was simply unimaginable!


    Zhang Baisheng also looked astonished, but unlike Zheng Le, he did not find it incredible, and said in a deep voice, "Such is the charisma of His Highness. With such a prodigy in our Tianqing Kingdom, why should we worry about not prospering!"


    The reorganization of Zhenxi City did not take much time.


    After all, Zhao Qiankun was a man of integrity. Having chosen to surrender, he was upfront and honest.


    Furthermore, Xiao Yi''s actions had won the approval of the disillusioned soldiers and civilians of Zhenxi City.


    Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.


    Leaving ten thousand soldiers from Tianqing Kingdom to defend Zhenxi City, Xiao Yi led the remaining two hundred ninety thousand troops, marching mightily towards the heart of Tianlan Kingdom on the next day.


    Tianlan Kingdom had already lost a million soldiers and had also lost Zhenxi City.


    Now another two hundred thousand soldiers were gone.


    Inside the kingdom, emptiness had long since taken hold.


    With Zhao Gaoyi and others leading the way as the vanguard, many cities along the road didn''t even require an assault; the enemy would open their gates and willingly fall into Xiao Yi and his army''s hands.


    Pressing forward and sweeping through.


    They were like a relentless longsword, mercilessly tearing through Tianlan Kingdom.


    Three cities.


    Five cities.


    Ten cities...


    In the blink of an eye, half a month quietly passed, and during this half-month, Xiao Yi and his forces had reached the capital of Tianlan Kingdom. The entire capital of Tianlan Kingdom was in chaos; in this war, they had nearly exhausted all their resources. Now, only fifty thousand soldiers and Wu Yu, who was at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, remained to defend the capital.


    "Great General, the army of Tianqing Kingdom will be here within ten miles!"


    On the sprawling city walls of the great capital, a general at the Golden Core Realm stood before Wu Yu, speaking in a grave tone.


    Wu Yu held a longsword, standing proudly atop the city wall.


    Beneath his furrowed brows, his eyes were as sharp as a hawk''s, gazing directly ahead, as if he could see the formidable army approaching from ten miles away. His expression was incredibly complex, "Never did I imagine... it''s been only a little over half a year, and that lad has grown to this extent. I regret not having fought with all I had to kill him back then. One mistake leads to another..."


    "General, we..."


    The officer glanced around at the dispirited soldiers and said with a wry smile, "In this battle, I fear our chances of victory are slim!"


    Seventy percent of Tianlan Kingdom''s territory was now occupied by Xiao Yi.


    Only the capital and a few cities in the east remained.


    Unable to withstand the irresistible army of Tianqing Kingdom.


    Wu Yu took a deep breath and commanded in a firm voice, "Pass down my order, fight to the death!"


    "Yes!"


    The general immediately left to carry out the order.


    A short while later.


    ```


    Boom boom boom!


    The mighty army of the Tianqing Kingdom had already arrived before the capital. Along their march, they had been capturing and conscripting prisoners. Xiao Yi''s forces now numbered up to five hundred thousand. Facing an enemy ten times their own, the fifty thousand soldiers within the capital showed nothing but despair on their faces, void of even the slightest desire to fight.


    "Surrender and you shall not be killed!" sea??h th�� N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Surrender and you shall not be killed!"


    "Surrender and you shall not be killed..."


    Zhao Gaoyi and Zheng Le took the lead, bellowing with their army of five hundred thousand.


    Their roars shook the heavens.


    It is only in complete despair that one musters everything to fight back. As Xiao Yi''s army shouted, those soldiers who had intended to fight to the death saw their last line of defense collapse within their hearts.


    "No, no more fighting, why struggle when defeat is certain?"


    "We surrender, we surrender..."


    In a moment, a third of the five thousand defending soldiers were shouting, ready to open the city gates and surrender.


    Wu Yu, his face ashen with rage, cut down more than a dozen men and bellowed, "Sowing discord among our ranks will be met with death!"


    But he could not stem the tide of those determined to surrender in order to live.


    Seeing the city gates being opened, Wu Yu''s face was filled with despair, knowing that the last barrier of the Tianlan Kingdom had been breached.


    But he could not retreat!


    He could not surrender even more so!


    "Killing Xiao Yi is the only chance to turn the tide of this battle!" Wu Yu suddenly soared into the sky with a boom, transforming into a streak of light rushing towards Xiao Yi.


    "Xiao Yi, meet your demise!"


    The mighty Wu Yu, at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, enveloped in endless blade light, wielding an astonishing war saber. The massive saber light, dozens of yards long like a blade slicing the heavens, slashed towards Xiao Yi, the dreadful light extending dozens of yards. Where the blade passed, even the invisible air seemed to be cleaved, turning into violent winds rolling out in all directions.


    Wu Yu''s features twisted ferociously, eyes locked onto Xiao Yi.


    A hint of a smile played on Xiao Yi''s lips.


    Back then, outside the Tao Tribulation secret realm, this Wu Yu had repeatedly tried to kill him, and now the moment for revenge had finally arrived.


    "My lord, be careful!" Zhao Gaoyi''s face drastically changed as he bellowed out.


    He was about to step forward when Zheng Le stopped him.


    Zhao Gaoyi glared at Zheng Le, "What are you doing, Zheng Le? Don''t you see the lord is in danger? That''s Wu Yu, an existence at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, the War God of our Tianlan Kingdom..."


    Zheng Le spoke carelessly, "What damned War God? In the presence of our lord, he''s nothing but trash!"


    "Uh..."


    Zhao Gaoyi was taken aback.


    "Perfect timing!"


    Xiao Yi maintained a serene demeanor sitting atop the Tianqing mangy bull, and as he faced the sky-covering blade light, he simply raised his right hand.


    "What? You''re trying to catch my blade light with your bare hands? You''re seeking death!" Wu Yu''s pupils dilated suddenly, his face filled with manic joy. His single slash was something even those in the Tao Tribulation Realm could not withstand!


    However...


    As the dozens-of-yards-long blade light fell upon Xiao Yi''s hand, only a clang of a massive impact was heard, and incredibly, Xiao Yi caught it outright.


    "Impossible..."


    Wu Yu''s eyes nearly split with fury.


    Xiao Yi grinned and uttered, "Shatter!"


    He clenched his five fingers.


    Crack!


    The massive blade light burst asunder.


    The horrific backlash caused Wu Yu to spurt blood violently, his eyes filled with terror, "Run, I must run..."


    No longer did he harbor any thoughts of slaying Xiao Yi.


    To crush a saber light dozens of yards long with bare hands.


    Even Ling Wufengyun of the Tao Tribulation Realm couldn''t accomplish that!


    How could he dare to continue the fight?


    "Since you''ve come, don''t even think of leaving!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly rang in Wu Yu''s ears, and the latter, catching a glimpse from the corner of his eye, was stricken with panic. He saw a cold hand descend from the sky and with a thunderous crash, forcefully smacked Wu Yu down from the heights. He slammed into the ground, and the land roared beneath him, leaving behind a gigantic hand-shaped crater several dozens of meters long on the surface.


    Within the crater,


    Wu Yu had become nothing more than a heap of smashed flesh.


    The mighty War God of the Tianlan Kingdom, struck dead by Xiao Yi''s palm!


    ```

 Chapter 157 - 157: The Last Emperor, Died by Lingchi!

    Inside the capital of Tianlan Kingdom, the flames of war reached to the skies.


    A blood-soaked figure rushed into the Golden Throne Hall, wailing, "Your Majesty, the Great General has fallen in battle, the city gates have been breached, we, we have lost..."


    Boom!


    As the current King of Tianlan Kingdom, Xu Zhengnan, sat on the Dragon Throne, upon hearing the news, his whole body violently shook, nearly toppling from his seat.


    "Lost? We have lost..."


    Xu Zhengnan abruptly stood up, his eyes bloodshot with fury, glaring at the silent ministers below, "Have you all gone mute? Huh? When you were all eager to persuade me to agree to Xue Yilou''s demands, to send troops to attack Tianqing Kingdom and divide it up, weren''t you very vocal then? Why are you all silent now?"


    The ministers bowed their heads even lower.


    Bang!


    Xu Zhengnan furiously kicked over the table in front of him, his eyes nearly bursting with rage, gritting his teeth, "Half a month, merely half a month, and my Tianlan Kingdom''s army of a million men has been annihilated, even allowing the army of Tianqing Kingdom to advance unchecked, now even my capital city has been breached. What use are you all?"


    "We, your ministers, deserve death..."


    The ministers quickly knelt down to take the blame.


    "Deserve death? Even if I were to flay you alive, could that save my Tianlan Kingdom?" Xu Zhengnan said, with his chest heaving violently.


    "We, your ministers, deserve death..."


    The ministers knelt in obeisance once more.


    Looking at the ministers before him, Xu Zhengnan suddenly burst into maniacal laughter, "I understand now... this empire is mine alone, you are just ministers. Even if the king is replaced, you can still serve as ministers, you do not truly care about my empire. Since that is the case, let you all accompany my kingdom in death!"


    Clang!


    Xu Zhengnan drew his longsword, charging into the midst of the ministers.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    With each sword stroke, a minister was slain.


    "Your Majesty, spare our lives..."


    "I have been loyal to you, Your Majesty..."


    "Loyalty? I no longer need your loyalty, all of you shall accompany my kingdom in death..." Xu Zhengnan, appearing to be crazed, frantically killed the ministers before him.


    He had now reached the end of his rope.


    An emperor at his wit''s end, no longer seeing any hope.


    The frenzied slaughter drenched Xu Zhengnan in blood, when suddenly, his gaze turned to Zheng Yu, who was hiding to the side, his expression even more ferocious, "You eunuch dog, if not for you, how could Zhenxi City have been so easily breached? You''ve been emboldened by my favor to commit all sorts of evils, but Zhenxi City is the gateway to my Tianlan Kingdom, how dare you set a trap at such a critical moment. I will kill you..." S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Don''t, Your Majesty, please spare your servant..."


    With a face full of terror, Zheng Yu clung desperately to Xu Zhengnan''s leg.


    "Spare you? If I spare you, who will spare my Tianlan Kingdom?" Xu Zhengnan roared, his longsword poised to stab at Zheng Yu.


    But just then...


    Thrust!


    A sharp sword suddenly pierced through his lower body, straight out from his chest, with blood and shredded organs trailing behind.


    Thrust!


    Xu Zhengnan violently spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing onto the Dragon Throne, looking blankly at Zheng Yu with bloodied hands, "You, you, you..."


    With a cold snort, Zheng Yu''s face turned icy, "Must have felt good to call me an old dog and a eunuch, huh? Now you''re just a king of a fallen country, still thinking you''re a king? You still want to kill me? Humph, I had only planned to secretly contact Lord Xiao Yi and coordinate from within and without. Since you insist on killing me, then don''t blame me for being ruthless! All I need to do is take your head to Lord Xiao Yi and that would be a great contribution. Then I will be the powerful chief minister once again!"


    "I, I hate this..."


    Xu Zhengnan closed his eyes in despair.


    Thrust!


    Zheng Yu decapitated him and turned his cold, merciless gaze onto the ministers, sneering, "Gentlemen, do you want to avenge this foolish king? Or would you follow me to offer surrender?"


    They looked at each other in dismay.


    Having just experienced Xu Zhengnan''s murderous rampage, and now witnessing Zheng Yu execute him, they were utterly confused. But as Xu Zhengnan had said earlier, they didn''t truly care who the king was; even if Tianlan Kingdom were destroyed, they could still offer their allegiance to another, merely switching masters.


    For a moment.


    Ministers echoed in unison, "We wish to follow Zheng!"


    "Hahaha, rest assured, I will lead you to surrender to Lord Xiao Yi, and glory and riches will still be ours!" Zheng Yu was brimming with pride, feeling increasingly fortunate about his decision to betray the Zhenxi Army, "With my contribution of supplying the defense map of Zhenxi City, I will at least be heavily relied upon by the royal family of Tianqing Kingdom, perhaps even becoming a great territorial official!"


    With Zheng Yu at the forefront, he walked towards the palace exit, head of Xu Zhengnan in tow.


    The ministers followed closely behind him.


    As they approached the palace entrance, Xiao Yi and his party had just arrived there as well.


    With haste, Zheng Yu approached, offering Xu Zhengnan''s head with both hands, falling to his knees, "Your humble servant, Zheng Yu, greets Lord Xiao Yi! Long live the Lord, for ten thousand years..."


    "Zheng Yu..."


    General Zhao''s face suddenly twisted with ferocity within the crowd.


    Hot streams blew from the nostrils of his battle steed, hissing loudly.


    Zheng Yu proclaimed, "Lord Xiao Yi, your humble servant has beheaded the King of Tianlan Kingdom, Xu Zhengnan, to demonstrate allegiance and wishes to submit to Tianqing Kingdom!"


    The ministers knelt down in succession, "We are willing to submit to Tianqing Kingdom!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Zheng Yu with a playful expression, "You killed Xu Zhengnan?"


    Zheng Yu immediately nodded, overflowing with pride, "The defense map of Zhenxi City was also delivered to your Highness by someone on my command. I have long been in awe of your renowned name, Lord. At last, my wish has been fulfilled. I am willing to serve under your command with the utmost devotion, even if it means grinding my bones to dust, without a word of complaint!"


    "Willing to grind your bones to dust without a word of complaint? Truly?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said.


    "If I break this oath, may thunder strike me from the sky!" Zheng Yu continued to demonstrate his loyalty.


    In his view...


    No one dislikes flattery.


    It was by his silver tongue and his supreme flattery that he had won Xu Zhengnan''s favor, "Your Highness is a celestial being, blessed with a unique destiny. Wherever your Highness resides, that land is graced with your radiance. Even I have abandoned the darkness and turned towards the light, simply captivated by your majestic fame!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, stroking his chin, "Your knack for flattery is indeed quite remarkable!"


    Thinking that Xiao Yi was praising him, Zheng Yu quickly spoke with false modesty, "Your humble servant is not flattering, I speak only the truth!"


    "Since that''s the case, I would not want to overlook your sincere devotion..."


    Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    Overjoyed, Zheng Yu exclaimed, "It is an honor to serve your Highness!"


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s next sentence sent chills through Zheng Yu as if plunging into the eighteenth layer of hell, "Since you say you''re willing to grind your bones to dust, then this prince shall fulfill your wish. General Zhao, I entrust this old dog to you. Whether to behead, to cook in boiling oil, or to execute by dismemberment is for you to decide!"


    "Thank you, my lord!"


    Zhao Gaoyi was ecstatic, stepping forward with a bow, his gaze ferocious as he stared at Zheng Yu.


    Zheng Yu trembled uncontrollably, in disbelief, "No, no... My lord, I have contributed to you, I have contributed to Tianqing Kingdom, no, this cannot be..."


    Xiao Yi, however, was expressionless, paying him no further attention.


    With the force of a thunderclap, Zhao Gaoyi savagely broke Zheng Yu''s limbs, binding him in front of the palace gate, "Zhenxi Army, hear my command, this traitor before us is Zheng Yu, who betrayed his foster father. Each of us will take a turn with the blade, let him endure the sentence of dismemberment!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill..."


    The two hundred thousand strong Zhenxi Army, each wielding a blade, sequentially sliced off pieces of Zheng Yu''s flesh.


    One cut.


    Two cuts.


    Three cuts...


    In agonizing pain, Zheng Yu felt life was unbearable, gazing upon the daunting ranks of the Zhenxi Army, his face etched with despair...

 Chapter 158 - 158: The Legendary Land

    Outside the palace gates.


    Xiao Yi and his five hundred thousand troops had not advanced a single step, simply waiting there quietly.


    Not until Zheng Yu was dismembered and executed by the two hundred thousand-strong army of Zhenxi City, his flesh carved, his bones picked clean until not a single scrap remained, did they stop.


    Clang! Clang!


    Zhao Gaoyi, leading the two hundred thousand troops, knelt before Xiao Yi in unison, each face bearing heartfelt worship and gratitude, "Thank you, Lord Xiao, for avenging the general!"


    "Thank you, Lord Xiao!"


    The two hundred thousand troops roared in unison.


    They were thoroughly conquered by Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi raised his hand and said, "Rise, if the King of Zhenxi has a spirit in heaven, he would not wish to see you living in the past. From now on, you are all subjects of the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Long live the Martial King of the Nation!"


    "Long live the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    Shouts erupted, earth-shattering, the roars seemingly shattering the clouds in the sky.


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "Zhang Baisheng, take charge of the capital''s guard immediately." He paused, then continued to look at Zhao Gaoyi, "Zhao Gaoyi, I command you to lead the Zhenxi army, conquer all cities that have not yet been brought into Tianqing Kingdom territory, and show no mercy to any who resist!"


    "Yes!"


    "Your subordinate obeys the order!"


    The troops split into two forces, with Zhao Gaoyi and Zhang Baisheng leading them away separately.


    Xiao Yi then led the remaining fifty thousand Imperial Guards into the royal palace; this conquest of the Tianlan Kingdom was definitively a colossal victory.


    After the battle, naturally, came the collection of the spoils of war.


    In the cities conquered in the past, Xiao Yi advocated a non-disturbance policy and did not loot any treasure. But this was the royal palace, once the dwelling place of the Tianlan royal family, gathering the greatest wealth and treasures of the Tianlan Kingdom. At Xiao Yi''s command, Zheng Le led the men to enter the palace to start collecting the spoils.


    As well as to purge the remnants within the palace.


    As for the royal orphans hiding in the palace, they were to be captured alive if they surrendered, but killed immediately if they resisted.


    For a time.


    Smoke of conflict rose within the palace.


    Before long...


    Inside the Golden Throne Hall.


    Zheng Le, escorting a plump, graceful and luxurious woman, came before Xiao Yi and respectfully said, "Your Highness, this is the queen of the Tianlan Kingdom."


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, looking at the beauty kneeling before him.


    The queen of the Tianlan Kingdom indeed possessed bewitching beauty, every movement radiating a dignified and regal air. Her eyes, seemingly electrifying, looked at Xiao Yi and she respectfully said, "I have seen Lord Xiao!"


    Truly seductive in every aspect.


    Even Zheng Le beside her couldn''t help but swallow his saliva.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s face remained expressionless as he said indifferently, "Put away your seductive act; it''s useless against me!"


    "Uh..."


    The queen''s face stiffened, showing a tinge of embarrassment.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "Where is the royal treasury?"


    "I do not know..." the queen''s eyes flickered as she spoke.


    Xiao Yi uttered a sound of acknowledgment, then waved his hand towards Zheng Le, "Take her away and behead her!"


    "Yes!"


    Zheng Le responded solemnly.


    The queen''s face suddenly changed, and she quickly said, "Wait, Lord Xiao... I have just remembered. There is a secret chamber within the King''s chambers; perhaps he may have hidden treasures there."


    "Lead the way!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    The Queen no longer dared to conceal anything, leading Xiao Yi and Zheng Le to Xu Zhengnan''s bedchamber, where she opened the entrance to the secret chamber beneath the bed.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the Queen, "Take her down and guard her well!"


    Zheng Le immediately escorted the resentful-looking Queen away.


    Xiao Yi then entered the secret chamber.


    The secret chamber was underground.


    It was built very large, with lamps made of mermaid oil on both sides of the passage that could burn for a thousand years in adequate air. Walking through the long narrow passage, Xiao Yi reached the chamber, which was sealed by a bronze door. Xiao Yi took out his Fire Qilin Sword and slashed the bronze door open.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    Inside the secret chamber, there was a dazzle of jewels and gold.


    There was over ten billion in silver alone here, not to mention the many rare treasures and ancient paintings and calligraphy.


    The total value was definitely close to a hundred billion Silver Taels!


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin popped out from Xiao Yi''s arms, eyes shining, "Boss, there are so many treasures here!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Little Lin, see if there are any heavenly treasures here."


    He was now at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, just a step away from the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    With sufficient vital energy accumulation and bodily refinement, he had reached the standard for breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm; only his understanding of the forces of nature was a hair''s breadth shy. If he could find some treasures that enhanced the perception of natural forces, like the legendary Azure Dragon Wood, Windstorm Stone, Diamond Rock, and other heavenly treasures, he could increase his comprehension of the forces of nature and step into the Calamity Realm.


    Little Lin flicked its tongue, searching through the pile of treasures.


    A moment later.


    Little Lin emerged from amongst the treasures and shook its head at Xiao Yi, "Boss, I couldn''t find any heavenly treasures, but, I did find an interesting place!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi was surprised, "What place?"


    Little Lin was a variant beast, and even it didn''t know what species it belonged to, but it had an unparalleled sense for treasures.


    If Little Lin called it an interesting place, it was definitely out of the ordinary.


    Little Lin led Xiao Yi through the treasures to a corner where there were several large chests full of Silver Taels. Xiao Yi pushed them aside and found a hidden entrance. Little Lin pointed its tail at the entrance, "Boss, I smell a strange scent coming from here!"


    "Stand back, I''ll blast this entrance open!" Xiao Yi said, taking a deep breath and throwing a punch.


    Boom!


    The whole secret chamber shook violently, with countless treasures falling from the shelves, littering the ground with jewels.


    But the entrance didn''t budge.


    "This..." S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils slightly constricted.


    With his current cultivation and combat power, one punch could directly shatter a small mountain.


    Yet this entrance remained immovable?


    "I don''t believe this..."


    Xiao Yi took out his Fire Qilin Sword and only after a dozen continuous strikes did he manage to bust the entrance open. And, as the entrance broke apart, there seemed to be an ancient roar coming from below.


    Ao!


    This roar was earth-shaking.


    Fierce wind gushed out violently, almost flipping over both Xiao Yi and Little Lin.


    The two looked at each other, "What on earth is this place?"


    Only after the wild wind from the entrance had ceased did they quietly approach it; the elemental energy of heaven and earth filling the air was several times denser than the outside.


    An existence from the legends suddenly flashed across Xiao Yi''s mind and he subconsciously swallowed, "Could it be? Is my luck that good? Did I really encounter that legendary place?"

 Chapter 159 - 159: Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool, Shocking Bad News!

    "Boss, where are you talking about?"


    Little Lin looked at Xiao Yi, puzzled, and climbed up to his shoulder along his leg.


    He had never seen Xiao Yi so excited!


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "If it''s really the place from the legends, we could make a fortune!"


    Then, with a leap, Xiao Yi dove into the cavern.


    Whoosh!


    The cavern was extremely deep. Xiao Yi fell for a hundred meters before landing on the ground, surrounded by millet-yellow stalactites. These stalactites had very strange shapes, some growing from the ground like spines, while others fell from the dome of the cavern, connecting the heaven and earth of the cavern.


    "Boss, the elemental energy of the heavens and the earth here is so dense!" Little Lin exclaimed.


    The elemental energy in this cavern was ten times that of the outside!


    Xiao Yi nodded, his eyes growing brighter, "Eight or nine out of ten, it is that place!"


    Drip, drop!


    Drip, drop!


    The crisp sound of water droplets entered their ears, echoing loudly in the silent cavern. Xiao Yi followed the sound and soon saw a swath of stalactites ahead, winding and stretching like a massive Azure Dragon with spines on its back.


    They were actually at the position of the dragon''s tail.


    Following the pathway formed by these stalactites, they walked for nearly a kilometer before reaching the end. There was a pond made of pure white liquid, and the stalactite Azure Dragon extended right up to this pond.


    Two particularly thick stalactites protruded from within the pond, vaguely resembling the two horns on the head of an Azure Dragon.


    A breeze blew past.


    Faint dragon chants emanated from between the two horns, carrying a trace of dignity and evoking a feeling of awe.


    Little Lin shrank back, "Boss, I''m feeling a bit uncomfortable!"


    "Uncomfortable is the right reaction. This is the legendary Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool that can suppress a nation''s destiny. That''s why the Tianlan Kingdom is just a small dependent country. According to the legends, the Great Qian Dynasty is suppressing a Dragon Vein Spiritual Lake, and that spirit vein has already developed awareness. If the Great Qian Dynasty weren''t powerful enough to use it to suppress the nation''s destiny, it would have already transformed into a dragon and ascended to heaven, leaving far behind the nine heavens!" Xiao Yi laughed.


    Little Lin was a snake. S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The dragon is the chief among countless such creatures.


    Though the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool in front of them had not yet developed awareness, it naturally exerted a suppressive effect on him.


    "Boss, this Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool just seems to have denser elemental energy, there''s nothing special about it!" Little Lin asked doubtfully.


    Xiao Yi rubbed his head, smiling, "Then you''re mistaken. This Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool not only has extremely dense elemental energy but more importantly, it contains a strand of dragon''s will. Dragons are the chiefs of all such creatures, able to summon wind and call rain, dance with thunder and play with lightning, and foster all living things. According to legends, where dragon''s blood drops into rivers, the fish and shrimp within will gain awareness; where dragons pass over mountains and forests, the vegetation all become spiritual plants��"


    Dragon''s blood that can give awareness to fish and shrimp in rivers?


    Passing over mountains and forests, turning all into spiritual plants?


    Little Lin was dumbfounded.


    This was like something out of a fairy tale!


    Xiao Yi continued with a smile, "Once this Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool is refined, I can step into the Tao Tribulation Realm. However, to refine the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool, I need to prepare some methods. Little Lin, you stay here and guard it, make sure no one else approaches. I will go back and get ready!"


    "Understood!"


    Little Lin leaped up and landed on one of the horns.


    Xiao Yi then returned to the palace and summoned Zheng Le, "Zheng Le, I need the items on this list, prepared for me as quickly as possible!"


    "Yes!"


    Zheng Le left immediately.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "I thought I would need another year and a half to break through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, but I didn''t expect to encounter the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool here, saving me a lot of effort. Once I''ve helped the Tianqing Kingdom resolve this calamity, I can leave this place."


    In his mind, several figures appeared.


    Fang Qingzhu, Xiao Tianjiao��


    "Qingzhu, I will find you, no one will be able to tear us apart!"


    Xiao Yi clenched his fists tightly, his gaze trailing off into the distance toward the direction of the Great Qian Dynasty, "Xiao Tianjiao, Xiao Zhengde�� When I stand before you once more, I wonder what your feelings will be��"


    However��


    Xiao Yi did not wait for Zheng Le to gather and refine the necessary materials for the Spirit Vein Spiritual Pool, but instead, Niu Dali came to him.


    "Dali, aren''t you cultivating at the Martial Arts Institute? What brings you here all of a sudden?" Xiao Yi asked, eyeing the travel-worn Niu Dali with confusion.


    Huff puff huff puff!


    Niu Dali was panting heavily. After gulping down a few mouthfuls of water, his breathing finally steadied, and he said with a wry smile, "Boss, something big has happened��"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi''s face turned grim, "What has happened?"


    Niu Dali said, "Great General Xia Yuan has defected and pledged allegiance to the Baijing Kingdom, leading his troops deep into our territory. Elder Gu himself led our forces to Babao Pass to meet the enemy. Elder Jiang has been gravely injured and is in retreat, with the Sihai Kingdom having already breached six of our cities. Moreover�� the Jin Kingdom suddenly declared war on the Tianqing Kingdom and dispatched two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses to the Qingyun Kingdom battleground. His Majesty, he��"


    "What happened to His Majesty?" Xiao Yi pressed.


    Why was Xiao Yi willing to accept the position of Martial King of the Nation?


    Why did he lead troops to attack the Tianlan Kingdom?


    All this was because of Jiang Tianchen!


    When he became the target of widespread hostility and faced enemies on all sides, it was Jiang Tianchen who stood up for him, ready to mobilize the entire nation to ensure his safety.


    It can be said that if not for him��


    The Tianqing Kingdom would never have found itself besieged on all sides.


    Niu Dali''s eyes reddened as he spoke word by word, "His Majesty led our forces and had already breached the Qingyun Kingdom''s army, but Jin Kingdom''s powerhouses suddenly descended and captured His Majesty. They pressured him to hand you over, but His Majesty refused, and thus, he was beaten to death by the Jin Kingdom''s Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses and was hung outside Po Jun City. They want the Crown Prince to exchange you for His Majesty''s corpse, but the Crown Prince refused, and has already personally led the troops to Po Jun City��"


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi instantly turned pale.


    His head was buzzing, and stars danced before his eyes.


    Jiang Tianchen was dead?


    Brutally beaten to death by Jin Kingdom''s powerhouses and his body hung outside Po Jun City?


    This was earth-shattering bad news.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but recall Jiang Tianchen''s voice and smile, his amiable demeanor at their first meeting, his willingness to use the nation''s power to protect him during their second encounter�� and now, were they truly separated by life and death?


    With a grave voice, Niu Dali said, "Knowing that the Jin Kingdom has entered the war, the Crown Prince realized that our Tianqing Kingdom stands no chance of victory. He personally led the troops to Po Jun City, merely to stall the Jin Kingdom''s army. The Crown Prince sent me to find you, asking you to take the Crown Princess Consort, who carries the royal heir, away from the Tianqing Kingdom, the farther the better. The Crown Prince has a message for you: With you alive, Tianqing shall not perish!"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s expression went through a series of changes.


    In the face of national destruction.


    Faced with certain death.


    Jiang Tianchen and Jiang Tai still entrusted all their hopes in him, showing him absolute trust.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, slowly exhaling, "If His Majesty and the Crown Prince have such trust in me, how could I, Xiao Yi, let them down?"


    "Boss, we need to leave here quickly��" Niu Dali urged.


    "We''re not going anywhere��"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, squinting his eyes with a chilling glint, "His Majesty wasn''t wrong; with me here, Tianqing shall not perish!"

 Chapter 160 - 160: Crazy Decision, Tomb of Heaven Abnormality!

    "With me here, Tianqing shall not perish!"


    This sentence was the admonition of Jiang Tianchen to Jiang Tai.


    As long as Xiao Yi was present, the Tianqing Kingdom would not fall, even if it did, there would still be a chance for a resurgence.


    It was for this reason...


    Upon learning that the body of Jiang Tianchen was hung outside Po Jun City, that Great General Xia Yuan had rebelled and gone over to the enemy, and that the elder Jiang Weisheng was seriously injured, Jiang Tai knew that going to Po Jun City meant a slim chance of survival. Yet, he still chose to trust Xiao Yi, entrusting the Crown Princess Consort and the child within her womb to Xiao Yi to ensure the survival of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    This was an unconditional trust from two generations of the kingdom''s monarchs.


    Xiao Yi would never betray this trust.


    "Boss, you, you��" Niu Dali''s eyes widened as he stared at Xiao Yi, unable to utter a word.


    He very much wanted to persuade Xiao Yi to escape immediately.


    The farther, the better.


    But he also knew that even if he said so, it would be of no use.


    Xiao Yi would absolutely not flee!


    He would not become a coward, abandoning the trust of Jiang Tianchen and his son. That was Xiao Yi!


    Hu!


    Niu Dali let out a long sigh of turbid breath and said with a wry smile, "I just knew it would be like this, how could you possibly run away?"


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "Dali, where is the Crown Princess Consort?"


    "The Crown Princess Consort, weary from the journey, has been resting inside the carriage all along. I''ll go invite her over right now!" Niu Dali replied.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, "I''ll go!"


    Moments later.


    Xiao Yi met the Crown Princess Consort in front of the carriage for the first time.


    The Crown Princess Consort, named Yue Shuang, was a Commandery Princess from the Purple Robe Kingdom.


    "Xiao Yi pays his respects to the Crown Princess Consort!" Xiao Yi greeted with a bow.


    Yue Shuang was gentle and quiet, with a slightly bulging belly, her palm instinctively protecting it as she bowed to Xiao Yi, "Yue Shuang pays her respects to the Guardian Martial God!"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, "Guardian Martial God?"


    Yue Shuang nodded, "The War God might not be aware, but when you were breaking through the western stronghold, my father had ordered you to be named the Guardian Martial God. With you here, the Tianqing Kingdom exists!"


    Weng!


    Xiao Yi''s body trembled.


    A man dies for his confidant.


    Xiao Yi never intended to hold office, nor was he particularly keen on power.


    However, Jiang Tianchen''s unconditional trust and the kindness of the nation protecting him at all costs were things that Xiao Yi, who believed in repaying even the smallest kindness, had eternally etched into his heart. Xiao Yi took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Crown Princess Consort, from now on, you shall stay here! As for His Majesty, I will go to him personally!"


    Yue Shuang nodded quietly, took a few steps forward, then suddenly paused and turned back.


    Before Xiao Yi could even react to stop her, she knelt on the ground, "On behalf of the Jiang family, Yue Shuang thanks the Guardian Martial God!"


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, not saying anything more.


    ......


    Late that same night.


    Zheng Le eventually found all the materials required, all of which were needed for refining the Dragon Vein.


    Xiao Yi took the materials and returned once more to the cave.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin crawled out from a corner. The scales on its body had become increasingly bright, and on its forehead, two small bulges were faintly visible. Xiao Yi was startled, "Little Lin, what happened to you?"


    Little Lin shook its head, looking a bit intoxicated, "I, I couldn''t help but drink some of the water here..."


    His little tail pointed at the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool in front of him.


    Xiao Yi was speechless, "You, the energy in this Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool has condensed into a liquid essence. Drinking like that without bursting is already your great fortune. Quickly consume these herbs, and we will refine this Dragon Vein together."


    "Burp..."


    Little Lin swallowed the herbs, quivered all over, and let out a satisfied belch.


    Then, both person and snake plunged into the Spirit Pool.


    "Without limits, the cosmos reverses..."


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged in the Spirit Pool, facing the sky with his five hearts, practicing the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill.


    The energy around his body surged like stormy seas, and all thirty-six thousand pores of his body opened at once, devouring the liquid essence of the Spirit Pool like a gluttonous beast.


    During the absorption,


    Xiao Yi could clearly feel the energy inside his body strengthening incessantly. In just one day, he had already reached the limit of what the Golden Core Realm could hold. However, he had yet to sense the Dragon Spirit Will within the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool. Only by comprehending the Dragon Spirit Will would the true purpose of absorbing the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool be revealed.


    Otherwise, it was just the absorption of some cosmic essence, which was of no help in breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    "What''s happening? Could it be that this Dragon Vein is too weak, with the Dragon Spirit Will being too faint?" Xiao Yi knitted his brows tightly.


    Until the next day.


    Roar!


    A clear and loud dragon''s roar suddenly resounded, startling Xiao Yi. He opened his eyes wide just in time to see Little Lin shooting up into the sky. The silver scale armor around its body emanated an increasingly holy white light, enveloping the entire body in a vast glow, with two horns crazily growing from its forehead.


    Beneath its belly, five sharp claws were faintly visible.


    Starting from the back of the head, tufts of pale golden fluff broke through the skin, extending to the tail.


    Whoosh!


    Little Lin opened its mouth wide, and a fist-sized Golden Core was spat out.


    In the sky, a bizarre rune emerged, containing unparalleled destructive power. It violently struck the Golden Core.


    Boom crack!


    With a loud noise,


    One of the ten golden halos floating atop the Golden Core exploded under the impact of the rune.


    It transformed into Dao patterns, merging into the Golden Core.


    To reach the Tao Tribulation Realm, one must shatter the halos on the Golden Core, turn them into Dao patterns, and brand them into the core, transforming it into a Martial Dao Divine Fruit. The entire process of the Tao Tribulation Realm is to shatter all the halos, turning them into Dao patterns. The fracturing of each Dao pattern signifies a greater mastery of the cosmic forces. At the peak of the Tribulation Realm, one could control one-tenth of the cosmic power.


    Hum!


    The Martial Dao Divine Fruit retreated back into Little Lin''s body, and its cultivation officially stepped into the Calamity Realm.


    Little Lin gently descended, lying down by the edge of the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool.


    He was digesting the breakthrough of his realm. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And Xiao Yi...


    Watching Little Lin break through to dragonhood, his head buzzed, a flash of inspiration passing through.


    "The strength of the Tao Tribulation Realm is largely measured by the strength of the Dao patterns. And the foundation for all this is the Golden Core Realm. Why should there be only ten layers in Golden Core Realm? Why only ten rings on a Golden Core? If there were twenty, thirty... When others at the peak of the Tribulation Realm can control one-tenth of cosmic power, when I am at the same realm but can control three-tenths, or even four-tenths or more..."


    A terrifying thought emerged in Xiao Yi''s mind.


    That was to delay breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    To continue refining the Golden Core.


    To solidify the Golden Elixir Halo!


    "The ten rings of the Golden Core are definitely not the limit. I feel that my Golden Core can still endure. I can do it..."


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath as an infinite amount of water from the pool rushed into his mouth. He again went crazy with the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill, continuously compressing the cosmic essence and directing it towards the Golden Core.


    However, at this moment, Xiao Yi didn''t know...


    When he made this decision, in the deepest part of the Ancient Heavenly Tomb, the central pyramid shook violently, breaking the restraints of the Ancient Heavenly Tomb. It transformed into a golden ray of light, flying towards him...

 Chapter 161 - 161: Limitless Golden Elixir, Qingyun Sword Song!

    Hum!


    Xiao Yi, seated within the Spirit Pool, was shaken to his core.


    His body suddenly appeared in the ancient tomb from times immemorial, and as he looked around in bewilderment, a golden light burst forth from the depths of the tomb.


    "This, this is��"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted suddenly.


    The golden light surged from the depths of the ancient tomb, disturbing one enormous tomb after another on its path. In the void, massive black chains attempted to bind him, ghastly giant white bone claws tried to capture him, and the sharp edges of swords that could split the heavens and shatter mountains charged at him...


    But...


    The golden light was like a fearless War God, crashing headlong into the fray.


    Shattering the chains.


    Snapping the claws.


    Destroying the glint of swords...


    Hum!


    The golden light suddenly entered between Xiao Yi''s brows, and at the same time, in his mind, the "Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill" suddenly mutated, and an additional chapter materialized.


    "Limitless Golden Elixir!"


    These four words were deeply imprinted in his mind.


    At the same time, an old but dignified voice echoed in his mind, "All things under heaven operate by the Tao; every creature is bound by chains... Without breaking, nothing can be established; only through destruction comes creation!"


    "Every creature is bound by chains?"


    Xiao Yi''s body quivered, as he seemed to see his Golden Core, with ten rings, wrapped in chains, preventing him from reaching the eleventh Golden Elixir Halo. That streak of golden light had transformed into the sharpest weapon of war, blasting the chains asunder with a powerful strike, causing Xiao Yi to abruptly open his eyes.


    He had left the ancient tomb from times immemorial and returned to the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool.


    His eyes swirled with golden light.


    "Breaking the limit, eleven rings of the Golden Elixir!"


    Xiao Yi roared in a low voice.


    The surrounding heaven and earth vitality rushed towards him frantically, forming one vortex after another, devouring the energy of heaven and earth without rejection.


    The abundant heavenly and earthly vitality continuously flowed into his body.


    Making Xiao Yi''s entire body seem translucent, a Golden Core with ten overlapping rings flew out into the cosmos, hovering above his head.


    Countless streams of heaven and earth vitality poured into it.


    Crack!


    Invisibly, one could hear the sound of chains shattering, and a sea of golden light condensed into a ring, landing on the Golden Core.


    The eleventh halo took shape.


    But Xiao Yi did not stop there, continuing to devour the heaven and earth vitality madly, "Continue, keep condensing..."


    Hum!


    Hum!


    Hum...


    Above his Golden Core, halos formed one after another.


    Twelve rings.


    Thirteen rings.


    Fourteen rings...


    He stopped only after the fifteenth Golden Elixir Halo had formed, because the heaven and earth vitality inside the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool had been thoroughly consumed by him. In the faintness, one could hear a mournful, tragic cry of the Azure Dragon, with Xiao Yi holding the Golden Core adorned with fifteen halos, he reached out with his palm.


    Pfft!


    His palm crushed the stalactites, snatching a transparent crystal as thick as a finger from within.


    This was the essence of the Dragon Vein that had accumulated in the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool!


    It was struggling frantically.


    "I never expected you to be hiding inside here. One of you is worth two Dragon Vein Spiritual Pools; devour you, I shall!" Xiao Yi opened his mouth wide and stuffed the struggling Dragon Vein into his mouth.


    Boom!


    The Dragon Vein was the essence, its pure energy far surpassing the entire Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool.


    Terrifying power of the Dragon Vein circulated throughout his body.


    Above Xiao Yi''s head, the halo of his Golden Elixir once again climbed.


    Sixteen.


    Seventeen.


    Eighteen...


    It soared to a full twenty golden halos that encircled the Golden Core, shimmering and sinking, their might enhanced dozens of times more than before. But this was not the end; as the twentieth Golden Elixir Halo condensed, the abundant energy within the Golden Core began to feed back, madly surging into the God Sealing Seed within Xiao Yi''s body. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The energy contained in the twenty Golden Elixir Halos was far more potent than breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The quantity of God Sealing Seeds also skyrocketed like crazy.


    Sixty thousand.


    Seventy thousand.


    Eighty thousand...


    One by one, the God Sealing Seeds were activated, and in the blink of an eye, they broke through the hundred thousand mark, reaching a terrifying two hundred thousand.


    According to Xiao Yi''s previous conjectures, to achieve two hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds, he would have to wait at least until the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    This meant that possessing a twenty-haloed Golden Core now allowed him to stand in realm, no weaker than a powerhouse of the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Whoosh!


    The twenty haloed Golden Core once again merged back into his body, and the heaven and earth Qi, refined by the two hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds, became the power of Divine Enthronement and re-integrated into the Golden Core. This power of Divine Enthronement, while roaming through his body, made it even stronger.


    Sitting in meditation within the Spirit Pool, Xiao Yi stabilized his cultivation and pondered, "Two hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds, I wonder which ancient tomb they can unlock?"


    With a thought, his figure appeared within the Eternal Heavenly Tomb.


    Xiao Yi discovered that the gate to the second layer of the area had unexpectedly opened.


    There are nine layers in the whole Eternal Heavenly Tomb, and he had always been in the outermost layer. He never expected that after breaking through two hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds, he would actually unlock the second layer.


    Just the outermost layer alone allowed him to inherit the legacies of formidable beings like the Death Envoy and Sword Demon Dugu.


    What kind of gains would this second layer bring?


    Xiao Yi stepped inside.


    The moment he entered the second layer of the tomb area, Xiao Yi''s gaze fell on the ancient tomb of Martial God Zhao Wuji, and he licked his lips as he walked towards it. Although there was an invisible resistance, the God Sealing Seeds on him shone brightly, blocking the obstruction from Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb, causing Xiao Yi''s heartbeat to grow even more frantic.


    This was Martial God Zhao Wuji!


    The first in Qingtian Realm''s history to shatter the void and ascend to the divine level.


    What a pity...


    Xiao Yi was still some distance away from Martial God Zhao Wuji''s tomb and could only shake his head dejectedly, "After all, this is the pinnacle existence of Qingtian Realm, I''m afraid I will need over a million God Sealing Seeds to suppress it. Martial God Zhao Wuji, just you wait, it won''t be long before I take your inheritance!"


    Moments later, Xiao Yi stood in front of another legendary powerhouse''s ancient tomb.


    One sword cleaved the heavens, Qingyun Sword Saint!


    This being, who existed in the same era as the young Martial God Zhan Wuji, had superlative swordsmanship, and his Qinglian Sword Anthem dominated the Qingtian Realm!


    "Suppress!"


    Xiao Yi threw a fierce punch, and endless Divine Enthronement power surged wildly, shattering the low mound in front of him. The mound burst explosively, and a heaven-piercing Sword Intent soared upward, revealing a majestic middle-aged man with a sword on his back, wearing plain robes with a refined face, his eyes sharp as swords, staring at Xiao Yi.


    His mouth curled up slightly, then he spoke, "Straight down the three thousand feet cascade!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The longsword behind him soared to the heavens, splitting from one into two, and from two into four, forming thousands upon thousands of sword shadows that spanned across and fell like a curtain from the sky. Like a waterfall plummeting straight down three thousand feet, the endless sword shadows poured down insanely. Xiao Yi, tilting his head back, snorted coldly, "Godly Prison of Suppression!"


    Crash!


    The two hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds erupted simultaneously with black light, turning into a sky filled with black chains, fiercely smashing through the sword rainfall.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The black chains wrapped around Qingyun Sword Saint, binding him tightly and forcibly pulling into Xiao Yi''s body. Qingyun Sword Saint struggled fiercely, unable to break free from the God Sealing Seeds'' restraint, ultimately transforming into a statue poised proudly with a longsword on his back.


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi''s mind buzzed, and the tune of the "Qinglian Sword Anthem" was imprinted in his mind.


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath, his eyes sparkling with bright essence, "Po Jun City, here I come!"

 Chapter 162 - 162: Only He Cannot Die!

    Tianlan Kingdom, royal palace.


    Crown Princess Consort Yue Shuang looked anxiously at Xiao Yi, her face full of worry, "Lord Xiao, are you really going to Po Jun City?"


    In her eyes, aside from anxiety, there was also a hint of expectation.


    Jiang Tai went to Po Jun City with a heart ready to die. Without a miracle, facing the aggressive suppression of Qingyun Kingdom and Great Jin Kingdom, Jiang Tai had no chance of survival.


    Xiao Yi had become the only person she could rely on.


    Niu Dali clenched his fists tightly at the side, "Boss, let me go with you!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, his voice solemn, "You need to take good care of the Crown Princess Consort. With General Zhang Baisheng here, there won''t be any problems. Leave Po Jun City to me!"


    "Alright then!"


    Niu Dali hesitated for a moment before nodding in resignation.


    With his strength, even if he went to Po Jun City, he wouldn''t be of any help.


    Instead, he would be a burden.


    Xiao Yi did not say it outright, as he did not want to discourage him.


    "General!"


    Xiao Yi turned to look at Zhang Baisheng and took out a Martial Dao Divine Fruit��one of the three obtained from that secret realm��and handed it to him, "This is a Martial Dao Divine Fruit. If you refine it, General, you can step into the Tao Tribulation Realm. With this, I will have no worries!"


    "This..."


    Zhang Baisheng''s hands trembled as he took the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, took a deep breath, and said earnestly, "Your Highness, rest assured. As long as this old man draws breath, I will not let anyone harm the Crown Princess Consort!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded vigorously, then looked at everyone, "Everyone, take care!"


    "Your Highness, we''ll wait for your triumphant return!"


    "Guardian Martial God, invincible in battle!"


    "Waiting for your triumphant return..."


    The crowd shouted out loud one after another.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, and a Tianqing wild ox charged into the sky; he leapt up onto its back and broke through the air.


    Although this Tianqing wild ox was only a fifth-order beast, its speed was comparable to that of an average Tao Tribulation Realm expert. Moreover, its stamina was astonishing, making thousand-mile journeys in a day no problem.


    It was a full three thousand miles from the capital of Tianlan Kingdom to Po Jun City.


    Under Xiao Yi''s urging, the Tianqing wild ox burst forth with unprecedented speed. Watching the capital grow smaller and smaller behind him, Xiao Yi clenched his fists tightly, "Jiang Tai, wait for me!"


    ......


    Po Jun City.


    This is the northern border of Tianqing Kingdom, bordering on Qingyun Kingdom.


    Once...


    Qingyun Kingdom and Qing Tian Kingdom were of the same lineage, but a thousand years ago, a prince who failed to secure the throne launched a coup, and Qingyun Kingdom seceded.


    After a thousand years of development.


    Qingyun Kingdom''s national strength is no weaker than Qing Tian Kingdom.


    With the historical grudge between the two nations, they have become sworn enemies, never interacting with each other.


    The man leading the troops from Qingyun Kingdom was Jiang Shihai, known as the Supporting Mountain King of Qingyun Kingdom, who is also the paternal uncle of Jiang Tianchen. In the initial clashes between the two kingdoms, Jiang Tianchen managed to halt the advance of Jiang Shihai''s forces by taking advantage of Po Jun City''s defenses.


    That was until the powerhouse of Great Jin Kingdom arrived on the battlefield.


    Three Tao Tribulation Realm experts attacked Jiang Tianchen at the same time, and the elite Golden Crow Guards of Great Jin Kingdom launched an assault, cutting down a hundred thousand elites of Tianqing Kingdom.


    This led to the fall of Po Jun City.


    Jiang Tianchen himself was taken prisoner, and when the experts from Great Jin Kingdom forced him to hand over Xiao Yi, he refused and was brutally killed. To this day, eight days later, Jiang Tianchen''s body has been hanging outside the gate of Po Jun City, marred by signs of decay, occasionally attracting flies to buzz and settle.


    In the sky, vultures circle and swoop down from time to time to snatch away pieces of flesh.


    The once-dignified King of Tianqing Kingdom not only died in battle but now his body was beyond recognition.


    If it weren''t for Jiang Tai leading his army here, upon seeing this scene, deploying ten divine archers to guard Jiang Tianchen''s corpse, and once they discovered any vultures immediately shooting them down with arrows, by now, Jiang Tianchen would probably be nothing but a skeleton.


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    Jiang Tai stood within the military camp, gazing at Jiang Tianchen, who was hanging above the city gate; his palms clenched into fists.


    His fingernails were also digging into his palms.


    Blood trickled down through the gaps between his fingers.


    "Crown Prince, messengers from the Qingyun Kingdom have delivered a letter!" Shi Yaoquan respectfully said, presenting the letter with both hands.


    The four Shi brothers had also set out with Jiang Tai to Po Jun City.


    Shi Yaoquan had already broken through to the Golden Core Realm, becoming the commander of Jiang Tai''s trusted aides.


    Jiang Tai took the letter, opened it, and his body suddenly staggered, nearly tumbling down.


    "Your Highness..."


    Shi Yaoquan, startled, quickly steadied Jiang Tai.


    Jiang Tai''s eyes were bloodshot, and the letter in his hand was crumpled into a ball, producing a creaking sound between his knuckles, "This is outrageous, absolutely outrageous!"


    "Your Highness, what exactly happened?" Shi Yaoquan asked in a shocked and puzzled tone, looking at Jiang Tai. In his memory, Jiang Tai had always been able to control his emotions well, never allowing his joy or anger to show. But now, he was visibly shaken by a letter.


    Jiang Tai, trembling, handed the crumpled letter to him.


    Shi Yaoquan quickly unfolded the wrinkled letter, and upon reading it, his complexion too changed drastically, "Is this, this, this the act of humans?"


    The letter stated...


    Only two hours remain of the three-day ultimatum. If Jiang Tai still refuses to hand over Xiao Yi within the next two hours, a cauldron of boiling oil will be placed outside Po Jun City, and Jiang Tianchen''s corpse will be fried in it!


    The corpse had been suspended for eight days, left to rot, in the utmost humiliation.


    And now they actually want to deep fry it?


    "Your Highness, we should..." Shi Yaoquan''s eyes were filled with blood.


    Jiang Tai took a deep breath, his teeth clenched, "Summon all the generals, mobilize the troops. The moment they dare to fry Father Emperor''s body, we will launch a full-scale attack!"


    "Yes!"


    Shi Yaoquan immediately withdrew.


    Shortly after.


    The central army tent.


    All the generals had gathered, looking at Jiang Tai, who had a face as dark as thunder. They glanced at each other, not even daring to breathe too loudly.


    They had already read the contents of that letter.


    Fearing they might provoke Jiang Tai.


    Left Army Commander Lei Ming hesitated for a long time, then with a toughened resolve, spoke in a grave voice, "Your Highness, given the current disparity in forces between us and the enemy, it is really not suitable to go to war!"


    "Not suitable to go to war? Then when is it suitable? Do we have to wait until they fry my father''s body for it to be suitable?"


    Jiang Tai smashed the table in front of him with a slap, his face grim, as he roared furiously.


    The right Imperial Censor muttered, "Actually... we just need to hand over Xiao Yi, and it would be fine. This whole mess was his doing..."


    "Idiots!"


    Jiang Tai looked at Shi Yaoquan, "Drag him out and chop his head off!"


    "Yes!"


    Shi Yaoquan immediately stepped forward, seized the Imperial Censor, who was only at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, and dragged him out of the tent.


    The right Imperial Censor wailed miserably, "Spare me, Your Majesty, please spare me..."


    Jiang Tai''s gaze was ice-cold as he looked towards the crowd, every word deliberate, "Every single one of you listen up, you can die, I can die, Father Emperor can also die, but the Guardian Martial God must not die! As long as he lives, there is hope for our Tianqing Kingdom! If he stands, our nation stands, if he falls, our nation falls! Anyone who dares to speak such demoralizing words again, questioning the foundation of our nation, will be executed without mercy! Do you hear me?"


    "We will heed your orders with utmost care!"


    Fearfully and respectfully, they responded.


    Jiang Tai took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes, with a surge of fighting spirit, "Main army, prepare for battle!"

 Chapter 163 - 163: Why Has the Sky Darkened?

    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The war drums within and outside Po Jun City thundered, sounding like heaven''s wrath.


    The army of the Tianqing Kingdom was already fully equipped and ready to go, consisting of all the remaining soldiers, even the city guard soldiers from the royal capital were brought over. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Altogether, three hundred and fifty thousand.


    Inside Po Jun City, there were eight hundred and ten thousand troops from the Qingyun Kingdom, plus thirty thousand of the most elite Golden Crow Guards from the Great Jin Kingdom.


    These thirty thousand Golden Crow Guards were worth a hundred thousand ordinary soldiers.


    The battle drums roared, the banners flew against the clear sky, fluttering noisily.


    A menacing atmosphere spread across the dome of the sky, forming thick clouds that turned blood red in the sunset, like a crimson cloud hanging in the sky, exceptionally oppressive, making it difficult to breathe. In front of the formation, Jiang Tai, clad in golden armor, held a long spear in his hand, his face expressionless as he stared ahead.


    From within Po Jun City, black iron torrents of troops were pouring out in great numbers.


    Like ants emerging from their nest.


    To facilitate the movement of the army and also to obstruct the enemy, the entrance to Po Jun City was made particularly large, while the exit facing the Qingyun Kingdom was narrow.


    The massive armies of Qingyun Kingdom and Great Jin Kingdom spilled out of the city gates, scattering to both sides outside Po Jun City, dividing into two huge square formations of soldiers. The armies swiftly swelled to over five hundred thousand, and only then did Jiang Shihai slowly ride out on a fiery dragon-lion steed.


    Positioning himself in front of the troops.


    Jiang Shihai looked coldly at Jiang Tai and sneered, "Jiang Tai, little nephew, not greeting your uncle when you see him?"


    "Jiang Shihai..."


    Jiang Tai''s face turned steel blue as he gritted his teeth and said, "Return my father''s body to me!"


    "Return it? Of course, I will return it! But, I''ve made my terms clear to you. If you hand over Xiao Yi, not only will I return Jiang Tianchen''s body to you, but I will also immediately withdraw my troops!" Jiang Shihai said indifferently, resting his elbow on the saddle and leaning to the side as he chuckled, "Of course, if you refuse, soon your father''s body will be returned to you fried in oil!"


    Jiang Tai''s eyes split with rage as he roared, "Jiang Shihai, we are both of the Jiang clan, from the same root, why be so hasty to turn on each other!"


    "Hahaha, when your old ancestor dubiously snatched the Tianqing Kingdom''s rulership, did he consider we were from the same root?"


    Jiang Shihai laughed scornfully, "It seems you are reluctant to hand over Xiao Yi. Tsk tsk, I thought you, being younger, would know how to read the situation and understand that a good bird chooses the tree it perches on. I didn''t expect you to be as foolish as he was, wagering the fate of an entire kingdom for someone who has no relation to you? Ridiculous, truly ridiculous!"


    "Xiao Yi is the Guardian Martial God of Tianqing Kingdom; as long as he lives, Tianqing shall not perish. I, Jiang Tai, can die, my father can die, all of my Jiang family can die, but he alone cannot die!"


    Jiang Tai pronounced each word distinctly, his voice unwavering with determination.


    These words were what Jiang Tianchen had once said to him.


    All along.


    Jiang Tianchen had always been a wise and sagacious ruler, leaving an indelible mark in Jiang Tai''s heart.


    If Jiang Tianchen was willing to sacrifice his life and wage war for Xiao Yi.


    Naturally, Jiang Tai would not go against Jiang Tianchen''s wishes.


    "Fool! I really don''t understand what kind of spell Xiao Yi has cast on you, but since you''re so stubborn, don''t blame me then!"


    Jiang Shihai shook his head in contempt and sneered, "Someone, bring out the oil cauldron; let''s show the Tianqing Kingdom a performance of frying an emperor!"


    "Frying an emperor!"


    "Hahaha, my lord, this will surely be a dish to be remembered through the ages!"


    Generals under the Qingyun Kingdom laughed aloud.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Dozens of soldiers pushed out a cauldron of boiling oil, under which wood was stacked to stoke a fierce fire.


    Bubbles continuously erupted from the oil cauldron, exploding and spraying scalding hot oil onto the ground with a hissing sound.


    Creak! Creak! Creak!


    Two Qingyun Kingdom soldiers slowly operated the ropes, gently lowering Jiang Tianchen''s body down, one in front and one behind, carrying Jiang Tianchen''s corpse towards the cauldron. By the side of the cauldron, both men were ready, just waiting for Jiang Shihai''s order to throw Jiang Tianchen''s body into the oil.


    Jiang Shihai slowly raised his right hand, smirking coldly as he looked at Jiang Tai. "Within three breaths, if you choose to surrender and hand Xiao Yi over to me, I will return the body to you!"


    Thud!


    Jiang Tai dismounted from his horse with a flip.


    Shi Yaoquan and a host of other generals and soldiers did the same, dismounting in unison.


    Hundreds of thousands of men, uniformly coordinated.


    Thud!


    One by one, they knelt on the ground.


    Jiang Tai''s eyes were bloodshot, he clenched his steel teeth so hard that blood seeped from the corners of his lips as he roared, "Father, may you have a safe journey ahead!"


    "Your Majesty, may you have a safe journey ahead!"


    "Your Majesty, take your time!"


    Jiang Shihai''s eyebrows were tightly furrowed. He had already counted to two, but Jiang Tai''s actions were causing him great irritation and anger. He shouted, "Since you all remain so obstinate, you can''t blame me! Blow him up!"


    "Yes!"


    Two soldiers carried the corpse of Jiang Tianchen and ascended to the platform next to the cauldron of oil.


    With a loud bang, Jiang Tai flipped back onto his horse.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The generals and soldiers mounted their horses simultaneously.


    Pointing his spear forward, Jiang Tai roared, "Generals and soldiers, follow me into battle!"


    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"


    "Kill��"


    Rumble!


    Three hundred and fifty thousand warriors, in uniform motion, their voices shaking the heavens.


    As the saying goes, mournful troops are sure to win!


    In the hearts of every soldier of the Tianqing Kingdom, there burned a fierce rage, watching helplessly as their sovereign was about to be thrown into a cauldron of oil and fried alive. Every Tianqing Kingdom soldier wished they could tear into the enemies of the Qingyun Kingdom with their bare hands.


    "Blow him up!"


    Jiang Shihai unsheathed his longsword. As the sword swept across the sky and his fighting spirit soared, he bellowed, "My sons, follow me into battle!"


    Rumble!


    The armies of both sides surged forward simultaneously.


    They were like two cataclysmic floods, madly rushing towards each other.


    The earth roared and the mountains trembled.


    The armies were separated by a few miles, but as they charged at full strength, they grew ever closer.


    It appeared that the two forces were about to collide.


    The two soldiers had already climbed onto the platform, lifting high the body of Jiang Tianchen and were about to throw it into the cauldron of oil. But just as they looked up, their pupils suddenly shrank; a black dot had appeared in the blue sky above them. The dot grew nearer and larger, eventually filling their sight.


    It even turned into a vast black shadow that covered half the battlefield.


    "Why has the sky darkened?"


    "What''s happening?"


    "You��you all look, what is that thing in the sky?"


    Sudden cries of alarm rang out from the crowd.


    Even the charging armies instinctively slowed, looking up towards the heavens. And when they did, everyone''s face changed��

 Chapter 164 - 164: Throwing Thousands of Mountains, Slaughtering a Hundred Thousand Enemies!

    "Is that... a mountain?"


    "How can a mountain fly in the sky?"


    The faces of the crowd were filled with astonishment.


    Jiang Shihai''s face suddenly changed. He, riding on a fierce Flame Dragon Lion, turned back to look at his own troops behind him, who had been stunned by the flying mountain peak, and roared, "Get out of the way, all of you, move..."


    However...


    His voice was completely drowned out by the whistling sound of the falling mountain.


    "Damn it..."


    Jiang Shihai''s face turned ashen, but with the mountain peak now only a hundred meters away, all he could do was flip off his mount and land heavily, placing his hands on the ground, he roared, "Rise!"


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Waves of elemental energy surged from within him and poured into the earth.


    The ground shook as if a dragon beneath the earth had turned over.


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    With Jiang Shihai at the center, mounds of earth rose from the ground, standing tall around his body. They protected the hundred thousand soldiers inside the mounds, and although they tried to spread outward, it was already too late. With a thunderous crash, the giant mountain peak rolled down.


    Boom, boom, boom...


    Heaven and earth shook. The sun and the moon lost their light. To the soldiers, it seemed as though the entire world had turned to darkness.


    The massive mountain, hundreds of meters high and enormously large, fell violently, shattering the ground. The terrifying impact destroyed tens of thousands of soldiers, crushing them into pulp, and then, propelled by the huge force of the impact, the mountain rolled madly on.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The mountain continued to crush everything in its path.


    Along the way, soldiers from the Qingyun Kingdom screamed in agony, "Run, run for your life..."


    "Help me..."


    "I don''t want to die..."


    Countless soldiers scattered in all directions, in utter disarray.


    But how could they escape under the rolling of this several hundred-meter-high mountain?


    Where the nest is overturned, no eggs remain intact.


    When the mountain finally stopped several miles away, the earth was caved in, and within those cavities were corpses everywhere, all crushed to bits, and the number of injured was countless, with severed hands, severed legs, bodies cleaved in half... each lying in pools of blood, wailing, screaming, like a depiction of hell on earth.


    This mountain had crushed nearly a hundred thousand as it rolled past!


    After all.


    The closeness of the troops during the charge had been too great.


    Besides being crushed by the mountain, many others were trampled to death by their own comrades and horses.


    All was silent between heaven and earth.


    The cold wind howled sharply, the horizon was clear for thousands of miles, the setting sun hung in the sky, yet it gave a desolate and bone-chilling cold feeling.


    Even the likes of Jiang Tai and the other champions from the Tianqing Kingdom, were dumbfounded at this moment, their faces perplexed, "What... what''s going on? Did the Qingyun Kingdom incur the wrath of the heavens?"


    "I''ve never heard of a mountain falling from the sky..."


    "No, it''s not the wrath of the heavens, look quickly..." Shi Yaoqian suddenly bellowed from the crowd.


    The crowd looked up.


    They saw yet another mountain slowly flying from the horizon, but the focus of everyone''s gaze was not on the mountain, but on the figure below it, holding up the several hundred-meter-high mountain with a single hand. Compared to the massive mountain, that figure was not large, even minuscule, but at that moment, it gave off an impression of a divine demon descending to the world.


    With one hand holding up the hundred-meter-high mountain, he proceeded through the sky.


    What tremendous strength was this?


    "That''s... The Guardian War God!"


    "The Guardian War God? Xiao Yi?"


    Jiang Tai was also shocked, squinting his eyes to scrutinize that figure, and when he saw the familiar face, joy erupted on his face. But that joy quickly turned to horror, "No, this cannot be... Xiao Yi, leave quickly, go..."


    As he had said before, he could die, Jiang Tianchen could die, everyone in the Tianqing Kingdom could die!


    But Xiao Yi could not!


    Xiao Yi was the beacon of hope for the Tianqing Kingdom.


    And now...


    It wasn''t just Jiang Shihai from the Tao Tribulation Realm here, but also two experts from the Great Jin Dynasty within the same realm.


    The Great Jin Kingdom, ranking first among the more than one hundred affiliated nations under the Great Qian Dynasty, was a country with numerous powerful individuals, including the existence of a Dharma Manifestation Realm. Such a behemoth was far beyond what the Tianqing Kingdom could contend with��all the more so if Xiao Yi hadn''t shown up, the experts of the Great Jin Kingdom might not have taken action.


    But Xiao Yi had appeared...


    And the experts of the Great Jin Kingdom would definitely not let him leave.


    Boom!


    The mound covering Jiang Shihai and others vanished. Jiang Shihai turned back to gaze upon the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, his eyes blood-red with fury as he glared at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi? I didn''t expect you to actually show yourself? Good, very good, you..."


    Before he could finish his sentence.


    Xiao Yi threw the giant mountain in his hand once again.


    Swish!


    The vast peak plummeted from the sky, faster than the previous one and even more massive.


    "Damn it!"


    Jiang Shihai''s threats turned into an expletive as he hurriedly raised up dirt mounds again.


    The gigantic mountain slammed onto the mounds with a thunderous impact.


    Boom!


    The mounds burst apart, and the shockwave from the collision caused many hiding warriors'' organs to shatter. As the mountain rolled over, it crushed tens of thousands of soldiers, and while the second mountain was mightier than the first, the casualties were not as staggering due to the soldiers spreading out.


    Even so...


    After two waves of attacks, nearly two hundred thousand soldiers from the Qingyun Kingdom were lost.


    Almost a hundred thousand died in battle, with the injured numbering well over a hundred thousand.


    This army of five hundred thousand was nearly decimated by half!


    Swish!


    Seizing the chaos on the battlefield, Xiao Yi teleported, charging toward the cauldron like a shooting star.


    "Let go!"


    With a reach across the distance, Xiao Yi pulled Jiang Tianchen''s corpse into his grasp, hoisting it onto his shoulder. Casting a glance at the boiling cauldron, with a sweep of his hand, the two soldiers responsible for carrying Jiang Tianchen''s body were thrown into the oil by him.


    Hissss!


    The moment the two entered the cauldron, it began to boil fiercely.


    "Help..."


    "Ah..."


    Screams were quickly submerged by the scalding oil.


    When Jiang Shihai emerged from the mounds once more, Xiao Yi had already returned to stand before Jiang Tai and others, carrying Jiang Tianchen''s body with heavy steps.


    Thump!


    Jiang Tai fell to his knees, holding back tears as he roared, "Welcome back, Your Majesty!"


    "Welcome back, Your Majesty..."


    Soldier after soldier knelt on the ground in unison.


    Their cries resounded to the heavens.


    Xiao Yi slowly placed Jiang Tianchen onto the back of the Tianqing wild ox, his regular mount.


    Moo!


    The Tianqing wild ox bellowed mournfully to the sky, tears welling in its eyes.


    Xiao Yi tore down the military flag and covered Jiang Tianchen''s body with it.


    Taking the Fire Qilin Sword in hand, he led the Tianqing wild ox and pointed forward, "Tianqing Kingdom''s generals, will you follow me into battle?"


    Three hundred and fifty thousand soldiers roared in unison...


    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

 Chapter 165 - 165: Cutting Down the Dao Tribulation Effortlessly

    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"


    Three hundred and fifty thousand soldiers of the Tianqing Kingdom marched mightily, led by Xiao Yi, they charged at the army of Qingyun Kingdom, which had already lost its formation.


    In the standoff between the two armies, the beleaguered troops of Tianqing Kingdom already possessed superior morale.


    Now, with Xiao Yi having thrown mountains and annihilated two hundred thousand troops, the morale of the Tianqing Kingdom''s army was deeply invigorated.


    What diminished one side only made the other grow stronger.


    Under the onslaught of the Tianqing Kingdom''s army, the Qingyun Kingdom''s soldiers were ground down like meat through a grinder.


    Defeat spread like a landslide.


    Atop the city tower of Po Jun City,


    stood two figures, a man and a woman, hands behind their backs, they were the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The man was the Guardian Martial God of the Great Jin Kingdom''s Eastern Factory, Yu Huaxian, and the woman was the leader of the Great Jin Kingdom''s foremost intelligence organization, known as ''the Lady in Red'', Li Moqiu.


    "Guardian Yu, aren''t you going to take action?" Li Moqiu said calmly.


    Yin and yang indistinguishable in his voice, Yu Huaxian''s slender fingers gently pinched the strands of hair by his temples, his orchid-like fingertips causing Li Moqiu to frown slightly, "Why should I? It''s not the citizens of Great Jin who are dying!"


    "Are we just going to watch?" asked Li Moqiu.


    With a giggle, Yu Huaxian covered his mouth, "Don''t you find it beautiful to watch a bunch of ants slaughtering each other, their blood and corpses piling up?"


    As he spoke, his crimson tongue licked around his lips.


    His eyes glinted with excitement.


    Li Moqiu frowned slightly and huffed, "The mission is led by you; we will follow your command!"


    "No rush, no rush!"


    Yu Huaxian smiled and watched Xiao Yi gallop through the crowd on his horse as if he owned the field, his eyes brimming with excitement and greed, "Such a handsome young man, so powerful yet so young. Those two mountains just now would not be so easily lifted even by me. No wonder Xue Yilou wants him so badly. Hmm, before handing him over to Xue Yilou, I must savor this young man!"


    Li Moqiu''s eyes twitched as a deep repulsion crossed her face.


    Meanwhile, on the battlefield,


    the winds and clouds transformed, and the army of Tianqing Kingdom was unstoppable.


    Xiao Yi, like a god of slaughter from ancient times, allowed no one to come within thirty feet of him.


    Wherever he passed, the dead piled up like mountains; blood flowed like rivers!


    "Cease!"


    Jiang Shihai mounted his fiery dragon lion, charging forth like wind and fire. Tianqing Kingdom''s soldiers were sent flying by his rush, then immolated to ash by the flames belching from his mount. In no time, he was face to face with Xiao Yi, "You wretched little bastard, how dare you slaughter my soldiers. Your death is certain!"


    "Hasn''t the Great Qian Dynasty decreed that Tao Tribulation Realm experts shouldn''t directly partake in battles? You are overstepping the mark!" Xiao Yi''s gaze was icy as he stared down Jiang Shihai.


    Jiang Shihai laughed coldly, "Rules are meant to bind the weak. With the Great Jin Kingdom at my back, so long as I slay all of you, who would know I have intervened?"


    Only because of the special relationship between the two kingdoms did Jiang Shihai dare to act.


    The two nations, though of one lineage, had been splintered apart for a millennium.


    If he could unite them single-handedly, then he would be the unparalleled hero of the Qingyun Kingdom.


    His name would live on for eternity, spoken of through the ages!


    Jiang Shihai, the Supporting Mountain King of Qingyun Kingdom, was also a powerhouse of the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Now, all he sought was the pinnacle of Martial Arts and prestige.


    It was precisely because of this��


    That he threw all caution to the wind and intervened personally!


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Ever heard of ''the mantis trying to stop the chariot''?"


    "Hmm?"


    Jiang Shihai was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said, "You, are that mantis!"


    "Insolent brat!"


    Jiang Shihai became furious. He, the illustrious Supporting Mountain King, a second-level Tao Tribulation Realm master, was being called a mantis overestimating its own strength by Xiao Yi. His complexion turned thunderous, "You arrogant mongrel, let this king see what the Guardian Martial God of Tianqing is made of!"


    Boom!


    Jiang Shihai spurred his fiery dragon lion.


    Roar!


    The fiery dragon lion, a rank six lower-tier demonic beast, comparable to a First Layer Tao Tribulation Realm expert, was shrouded in soaring flames. The mane around its neck licked the air like tongues of fire, and with an open mouth, it shot a fierce fireball.


    "Little Lin!"


    Xiao Yi muttered with a cold snort.


    Swoosh!


    A streak of silver light burst forth from his arms �C it was Little Lin, who had reached the sixth tier.


    "Holy shit..."


    Little Lin faced the fireball as it appeared, its silver scales shining brilliantly. With a fierce open mouth, it swallowed the fireball whole.


    Hiss!


    Little Lin''s belly abruptly swelled into a round ball, as if it might burst at any moment!


    The ferocious Dragon-Lion roared like thunder, laughing heartily, "Where did this little snake come from, daring to swallow this Lion King''s attack? You can go to die now!"


    However...


    The words of the ferocious Dragon-Lion had barely faded. S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little Lin suddenly spewed out a cloud of black smoke, its distended belly deflating back to normal. After belching contentedly, Little Lin''s emerald-green eyes rolled, staring intently at the ferocious Dragon-Lion, "Where did this big cat come from? A mere fireball wants to kill the young master? Such a delusion!"


    "Roar! Little snake, you''re courting death!"


    The ferocious Dragon-Lion charged at him furiously.


    Little Lin''s body shone with silver light as he suddenly grew larger.


    Transforming into a ten-zhang long snake, he tangled with the ferocious Dragon-Lion.


    Meanwhile...


    The battle between Xiao Yi and Jiang Shihai also erupted in full force. Jiang Shihai wielded a long spear. The tip gleamed with silver light, the dark shaft was tall and slender, adorned with the pattern of a dragon and tiger, the tassels fluttering, "Pierce through the dragon!"


    That spear thrust came at lightning speed.


    Vital energy was vigorous, clinging to the spear shaft like a dark yellow flood dragon, charging with bared teeth and claws.


    Xiao Yi swept his sword horizontally across his chest to block.


    Clang!


    A sharp sound resonated in the air.


    A burst of firelight shot into the sky as the spear tip struck the sword.


    Xiao Yi remained motionless.


    Jiang Shihai''s spear, however, bent completely under the enormous force, the shaft bowing like a full arch. No matter how much he exerted himself, he still couldn''t shake Xiao Yi in the slightest. This left Jiang Shihai utterly dumbfounded, "Impossible... This kid clearly hasn''t reached the Tao Tribulation Realm, so how can he possess such terrifying strength?"


    "With just this level of ability, you think you can kill me?"


    Xiao Yi smiled relaxedly, then his eyes suddenly narrowed into slits, the smile on his face dissipating instantaneously, replaced by a trace of coldness, "Let me show you what real power is!"


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    Xiao Yi flicked the blade of his sword with his left hand, and with a humming resonance, the Fire Qilin Sword trembled violently.


    The quivering force transmitted from the tip to the shaft of the spear, growing more terrifying by the second.


    Hum hum!


    The long spear was almost shaken out of Jiang Shihai''s hands.


    "What?"


    Jiang Shihai looked astounded. He gripped the end of the spear tightly and finally managed to stabilize it, but his palm was burst open from the vibration, blood dripping down. He looked at Xiao Yi in shock, "Just a light flick on the blade, and such a terrifying force? Can this guy really not be from the Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    At that moment, Jiang Shihai no longer looked down on Xiao Yi, as his gaze became extremely solemn.


    Little did he know...


    Though Xiao Yi wasn''t in the Tao Tribulation Realm, he was surpassing it.


    Limitless Golden Elixir with twenty loops!


    In terms of sheer strength and vital energy, he was already comparable to a Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm expert.


    Moreover...


    Xiao Yi''s ability to fight above his level was already far beyond that of his peers. How could his strength be comparable to Jiang Shihai''s?


    "Take my sword!"


    Xiao Yi brandished his sword from afar, "Torrents descend three thousand feet!"


    Hum!


    Sword shadows flickered and fluttered, one splitting into two, two into four...


    In the blink of an eye, dense sword shadows fell from the sky like a three thousand feet waterfall.


    "Black Dragon Searches the Sea!"


    "Dragon Battles in the Wilderness..."


    Jiang Shihai consecutively deployed his strongest spear techniques, but he simply couldn''t stop the endless waves of sword energy. Overwhelmed by the sword waves, he was forced to retreat in panic, while Xiao Yi pressed on relentlessly.


    Boom!


    The long spear was chopped away fiercely.


    "No..."


    Jiang Shihai''s eyes nearly split with fury as he turned to look in the direction of Po Jun City, "Lord Yu... Save me..."


    "Xiao Yi, stop!"


    A voice, indistinguishable between Yin and Yang, came from Yu Huaxian as he walked alone in the sky, hands behind his back.


    However...


    Xiao Yi merely glanced at him, his longsword not ceasing!


    Thud thud thud!


    A series of sword lights pierced through his body, severing his hands, cutting off his legs. Following up with a thrust of the spear, he impaled Jiang Shihai''s body, then with a fierce toss, Jiang Shihai''s body was flung out with a swoosh and fell with a thud into the bubbling cauldron, his hysterical screams filling the air.


    Supporting Mountain King of Qingyun Kingdom, the formidable Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm expert Jiang Shihai, was fried to a golden crisp...

 Chapter 166 - 166 Who Won

    ```


    In the cauldron of oil.


    Jiang Shihai''s body had already been fried to a golden brown, bubbling up and down with the hot oil. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The smile on the nonchalantly walking Yu Huaxian''s face solidified, his venomous eyes locked onto Xiao Yi and he said deliberately and slowly, "Didn''t you hear this overseer tell you to stop?"


    "Who the hell are you?"


    Xiao Yi looked up at him, snorted coldly, "I don''t like talking to people looking up. Come down here!"


    Whoosh!


    His right hand reached into the void.


    In the void, the qi became like silk threads, forming a giant qi palm that grasped Yu Huaxian and smashed him forcefully towards the ground.


    Yu Huaxian had not expected Xiao Yi to strike without a word.


    It was too late to counter.


    Boom!


    The elegant, effeminate Yu Huaxian was slapped harshly into the ground, half of his body buried in the earth, his face a picture of bewilderment as he looked up at Xiao Yi above him.


    Xiao Yi looked down from above, nodding in satisfaction, "That''s much more comfortable!"


    "You, you..."


    Yu Huaxian was so enraged that his hair stood on end, his eyes blood-red.


    Fury!


    Extreme fury!


    He was the overseer of the Eastern Factory in the Great Jin Kingdom, a figure of renown even amongst the sea of powerful beings in Great Jin. Even the lofty officials and wealthy gentry of the Great Jin had to address him respectfully as Overseer Yu!


    But now...


    He had been half buried in the ground with a slap by a boy not even twenty years old?


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    Gusts of wind erupted from Yu Huaxian''s body, the ground thundering and trembling, violently churning around him as the epicenter.


    Fierce cracks spread in all directions.


    The cracks grew more numerous and wider.


    Like a spider''s web.


    The surrounding land was lifted several meters high, and the ground around Yu Huaxian burst apart as he extricated himself. Floating in the air, a sweep of the wind around him blew the dust away, his cold eyes filled with ferocity, fixed on Xiao Yi, "You little bastard, you''ve completely enraged this overseer!"


    "What''s with the androgynous act here? Stop your meaningless yapping!" Xiao Yi said with a disgusted scold.


    "An-androgynous?"


    Yu Huaxian''s face suddenly stiffened.


    Rage!


    Livid with rage!


    The thing he hated most was to be described as androgynous!


    Yu Huaxian spat viciously, pointing at Xiao Yi with a pinching gesture, and growled, "This overseer didn''t want to hurt you, but now this overseer has changed his mind!"


    "Scram!"


    Xiao Yi slapped him away.


    Yu Huaxian snorted coldly, "Ignorant fool, you mistook my oversight for weakness. Do you think the same trick would work twice?"


    Yu Huaxian easily waved and smashed the qi palm into pieces.


    He said smugly, "See that, you..."


    Bang!


    His words were cut off abruptly.


    Xiao Yi''s palm had contained a surge of Sword Qi; Yu Huaxian managed to shatter the qi palm, but failed to guard against the Sword Qi blast.


    It sent him flying, burying his body halfway into the ground once again, and Xiao Yi quickly followed up.


    Strike the sick, take the life!


    He kicked towards Yu Huaxian''s face.


    Bang!


    Yu Huaxian''s chin took the blow, his body spinning like a top with a clump of earth as he was thrown through the air, rolling dozens of meters before coming to a stop.


    "You little bastard, bastard... You''ve dirtied this overseer''s clothes? Damn it, you deserve to die a thousand deaths..."


    ```


    Yu Huaxian trembled and struggled to his feet, looking at his pristine white robe now sullied with mud and blood, even with chunks of flesh hanging on his belt. His eyes were completely covered with a blazing red as he raged uncontrollably, "Xiao Yi, if I don''t flay you a thousand times, I won''t be able to quell the hatred in my heart!"


    Boom!


    Yu Huaxian leaped into the air, flicking his wrist, and in the blink of an eye, a series of silver needles whizzed through the air.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The needles broke through the sky, trailing bright red threads.


    They wove into a dazzling red peony in mid-air as Yu Huaxian''s voice, indistinct between Yin and Yang, sent chills down the spine, "A thought and the flower blooms!"


    Swoosh!


    The peony flower actually burst into full bloom.


    And those blooming petals were numerous needles and red threads linked together, as if each needle had its own renowned name, firing towards Xiao Yi from different directions.


    There were simply too many needles.


    Xiao Yi tapped the ground and leaped backward to retreat.


    Bang!


    The needles landed where he had been standing, burrowing into the ground, and as Yu Huaxian gave a tug on the threads, a clump of earth heavy as a hut was lifted high into the air. It was shredded by the red threads in mid-flight, and in a flash, countless needles charged at Xiao Yi once more.


    Xiao Yi fought as he retreated.


    The crisp sounds of clashing echoed continuously.


    The Fire Qilin Sword collided with the needles, emitting a series of dazzling sparks.


    "The Epiphyllum blooms for but a moment!"


    As Yu Huaxian''s fingers weaved an otherworldly sequence, the incoming needles and red threads suddenly vanished.


    Xiao Yi first froze, then immediately felt a chill up his spine.


    Instinctively, he swung the Fire Qilin Sword behind him.


    Ting Ting Ting!


    A series of crisp sounds followed and a great force pushed Xiao Yi forward.


    "Not good!"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils dilated instantly, as dozens of needles appeared out of thin air ahead of him, coming straight at him.


    In a critical moment,


    Xiao Yi instinctively executed a sword move: "Parting the White Egrets on the Twin Waters!"


    This was a move from the "Qinglian Sword Song."


    With a thrust forward, rolling waves of air formed on the blade, splitting everything in front ahead into two halves.


    The air, the wind, and even those needles.


    All were split apart.


    They flew past Xiao Yi on either side, and he seized the opportunity to burst forward, breaking through the needle blockade and closing the distance with Yu Huaxian. Yu Huaxian was at the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and his tactics were extremely bizarre and skilled in ranged attacks; Xiao Yi had to close the distance between them.


    "The Torrent Plunges Down Three Thousand Feet!"


    The sword shadows transformed into a waterfall, pouring down.


    The numerous needles before him were shattered.


    Yu Huaxian''s pupils shrank, the sharp sword point now only half a foot from his brow as he stumbled backward. Meanwhile, his hands weaved in front of him, red threads forming the shape of an ancient zither, as Yu Huaxian''s slender palms gently fluttered across the strings.


    Zeng Zeng Zeng!


    Amidst the ear-piercing sound of the zither, countless red-threaded needles burst forth.


    The needles and the sword shadows, like the point of a needle against a wheat awn.


    They collided, dissipating one another!


    "Nine Swords Unite as One!"


    Xiao Yi merged all his sword shadows into unity, jabbing forward with one thrust.


    Yu Huaxian''s expressionless face, hands pressed forcefully on the zither strings, "A Hundred Flowers Blossom Together!"


    Countless needles and red threads woven into an image of a hundred flowers competing in beauty, the blossoms exploded, and the collision of swords and needles made the void around them seem to stand still.


    In the blink of an eye��


    Boom!


    An eye-blinding orb of light appeared out of nowhere.


    Right after, the orb expanded tenfold and burst with a loud bang.


    In an instant, Xiao Yi and Yu Huaxian were engulfed in the brilliance.


    Above the battlefield, everyone stopped fighting and looked towards the gradually dimming orb of light: "Who won?"

 Chapter 167 - 167: Unrivaled with Me!

    "Who won?"


    All eyes were fixed on the light orb that was gradually shrinking.


    Even on the walls of Po Jun City, another expert from the Great Jin Kingdom at the Tao Tribulation Realm, Li Moqiu, was squinting his eyes into slits at this moment.


    Suddenly...


    The light faded, revealing a silhouette.


    "Is it him?"


    "Hahaha, we won, Yu won��"


    "The bastards of the Tianqing Kingdom, your Guardian Martial God has lost!"


    The figure appearing within the light was none other than Yu Huaxian, and at that moment, the faces of everyone from the Qingyun Kingdom showed ecstatic joy.


    The death of Jiang Shihai had dealt a heavy blow to their morale.


    But if Yu Huaxian could kill Xiao Yi, it would be a tremendous boost for them as well.


    "No, that''s not right��"


    An exclamation of surprise suddenly came from the crowd.


    As the light dissipated from Yu Huaxian''s body, a red light appeared on his forehead��it was unmistakably the Fire Qilin Sword. The blade was breathing out fierce red flames, pointing directly at Yu Huaxian''s forehead. As the light faded away, the body of the Fire Qilin Sword was revealed.


    And holding the Fire Qilin Sword, floating in the air was Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi had not been defeated!


    He had won!


    In the midst of the battlefield...


    The people of the Tianqing Kingdom let out a collective sigh of relief, followed by excited roars: "With our Guardian Martial God, we are invincible!"


    "How could our Guardian Martial God possibly lose?"


    "The bastards of the Qingyun Kingdom, go to hell��"


    Jiang Tai let out a roar that reached the heavens, waving his spear with one arm, his fighting spirit soaring endlessly: "Wipe them all out!"


    On the other side.


    Little Lin bit down on the neck of the Flaming Dragon Lion, its silvery body coiling mightily, entangling the Flaming Dragon Lion tightly. Its terrifying power crushed the Flaming Dragon Lion''s bones to powder, the sickening cracks accompanying the desperate screams of the beast, before its massive body fell to the ground with a thud.


    Roar!


    Little Lin let out a furious roar towards the sky.


    In the void.


    Xiao Yi stood holding his sword, the corner of his mouth dripping with blood, but his eyes were bright: "You, lost!"


    Spurt!


    Yu Huaxian''s body trembled, blood uncontrollably spraying from his orifices, his face revealing a pitiful and bitter smile: "You... really aren''t at the Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "No!"


    "Not at Tao Tribulation, yet you surpass it��"


    Yu Huaxian stared intently at Xiao Yi for a moment, before bitterly smiling, "I lost, losing to someone like you isn''t an injustice! Strike now!"


    Yu Huaxian had a resigned look and closed his eyes.


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrow, about to take action when suddenly, a noise tore through the air, and Xiao Yi reflexively swung his sword to his side.


    Thud!


    The heavy impact nearly shattered Xiao Yi''s eardrums, and the wild force sent him flying.


    His body spun several rotations in the air before it finally stopped.


    No sooner had Xiao Yi steadied himself than he tapped the void with the tip of his foot, springing upwards. He turned around mid-leap for a sword strike: "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Pitter-patter!


    The rain of swords surged, like a torrential downpour.


    In front of him was a nine-section crimson whip, covered in silver knives that gleamed with poison. A nick would seal one''s throat upon bleeding. Fortunately, Xiao Yi had chosen retreat earlier; if he had been hit by this poisonous whip, the consequences would have been unimaginable.


    The rain of swords surged, repelling the long whip.


    Crimson Fairy Li Moqiu stood mid-air, whip in hand, her phoenix eyes filled with surprise as she sized up Xiao Yi: "No wonder even Yu Huaxian is no match for you. You indeed have some skills!"


    "Who are you?" Xiao Yi asked, narrowing his eyes.


    "Crimson Fairy Li Moqiu!"


    Li Moqiu spoke indifferently, "You''re much more formidable than that trash Jiang Tianchen!"


    "Jiang Tianchen was killed by you?" Xiao Yi asked with a frown.


    Li Moqiu shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, speaking carelessly, "I told him to hand you over, but he refused, so I lashed him a few times. I never expected such an old fool to be so useless, dying from my lashes alone."


    Xiao Yi said, "You, deserve to die!"


    Jiang Tianchen had treated him with true kindness.


    And it was to protect him that Jiang Tianchen was killed by Li Moqiu.


    This vengeance must be avenged!


    "Kill me? You should be thinking about how to save your own little life!"


    Li Moqiu coldly smiled, her scarlet tongue licking her lips like a venomous crimson chain viper about to strike its prey.


    All of a sudden.


    Li Moqiu''s mouth slightly curled up, her figure becoming blurred.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank. "Afterimage?"


    Realizing what was happening, Xiao Yi turned and struck at the same time, but behind him was still an afterimage, the crimson sword light shattering it. However, Li Moqiu''s chilly laughter came to his ears, "Not bad, a pity you''re still one step too slow!"


    Swish!


    The crimson nine-section whip pierced through Xiao Yi''s body.


    A look of amusement appeared on her face. "Little guy, you''re still too green to fight me!"


    "That''s not necessarily true!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice, ghostlike, rang out beside her ear, causing Li Moqiu''s pores to erupt.


    The Xiao Yi in front of her, who had been pierced by the nine-section whip, also rippled and blurred into an afterimage, just like water.


    Li Moqiu cursed inwardly.


    The nine-section whip whistled, coiling around her body, forming whip rings that fell down, trying to protect her body beneath them. But her actions were still one step too late, the whip had just coiled around her neck when she heard a clear ''ding'' sound. It was Xiao Yi blocking the nine-section whip with the Fire Qilin Sword and reaching out with his palm at the same time.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!" S��arch* The N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He slapped his palm onto Li Moqiu''s shoulder.


    Wow!


    Li Moqiu violently spat out a mouthful of blood, tumbling down like a kite with its string cut.


    Xiao Yi pointed with his longsword, entangling the nine-section whip, and pulled back at the same time.


    Li Moqiu, who was falling, suddenly jerked as she was pulled back. Xiao Yi''s right hand lifted, and with a fierce downward elbow strike.


    Bang!


    The elbow landed on the back of Li Moqiu''s head.


    Hum!


    Stars swirled before Li Moqiu''s eyes, her head spinning, feeling as if her head no longer belonged to her.


    Xiao Yi''s attack was not yet over.


    He dived down in an instant, catching up to Li Moqiu, his body spinning like a top, and a heavy whip kick viciously struck her waist.


    Thud!


    The kick possessed an incredibly powerful force.


    She was forcefully kicked back into midair, with Xiao Yi relentlessly following, his fists pounding out like phantoms.


    Bang bang bang!


    Each punch was unreserved, all hitting Li Moqiu''s body.


    Her body had completely deformed!


    Almost all her bones were smashed.


    Tendons shattered.


    All her internal organs were damaged.


    Blood sprayed from her seven orifices.


    With every strike from Xiao Yi, she was lifted tens of meters, now positioned hundreds of zhang in the air. Xiao Yi violently surged heavenward, surpassing Li Moqiu, and as she watched in despair, a sword fell, "A thousand miles in Jiangling, returned in a single day!"


    Swish!


    A silver river of swords appeared in the void.


    The sword river fell from the sky, engulfing Li Moqiu.


    Li Moqiu was like a sailboat navigating the river of swords, plummeting from the sky with a boom, and with a thunderous crash, she fell from the high sky down to the ground. In the blink of an eye, Li Moqiu crashed to the earth with a bang.


    The silver river of swords composed of countless sword shadows followed closely behind.


    Boom boom boom!


    The earth shook, and mountains collapsed!


    The ground continued to sink, and when the sword light dissipated, a giant pit dozens of meters deep appeared on the battlefield.


    The pit was funnel-shaped, at the bottom lay a corpse so mangled it was unrecognizable, lying in a pool of blood.


    Xiao Yi stood proudly in midair, his longsword like a dragon, his roar shattering the sky, "With me, invincible!"


    On the battlefield.


    The hundreds of thousands of Tianqing Kingdom''s grand army roared hysterically, "The Guardian Martial God, invincible!"


    "Invincible..."

 Chapter 168 - 168 Azure Dragon Guard

    "Guardian Martial God, with me, Wudi!"


    "Wudi..."


    Bellowing roars of fury echoed between heaven and earth.


    Hundreds of thousands of Tianqing Kingdom soldiers seemed to take this opportunity to vent all the grievances and frustrations accumulated over the past month.


    Over the past month,


    Tianqing Kingdom was besieged on all sides, facing enemies from every direction, almost crushing every soldier and civilian under its weight, leaving them gasping for air.


    This was especially so after Great General Xia Yuan turned traitor during battle, leaving the royal ancestor Jiang Weisheng gravely wounded and forced into retreat. Moreover, the current King Jiang Tianchen was killed and his body hung outside Po Jun City, a series of blows that weighed on everyone''s hearts like a massive mountain.


    Until now...


    Xiao Yi''s emergence, the emergence of Tianqing Kingdom''s Guardian Martial God.


    He hurled mountains, slaughtering a hundred thousand foes!


    With a casual hand, he cleaved Tao Tribulation beings, effortlessly cutting down Chilian.


    All these glorious victories finally shattered the dark clouds hovering overhead, giving them a glimpse of hope.


    When people in despair see hope, they chase after the light with all their might, like bloodthirsty ants!


    The soldiers of Tianqing Kingdom were in just such a state!


    "Kill!"


    "Those who offend Tianqing, though far away, shall be punished!"


    "Die..."


    Each one appeared frenzied, their fighting spirits high.


    As if possessed by the War God.


    In contrast, the soldiers of Qingyun Kingdom now resembled mourners at a funeral.


    With Xiao Yi''s appearance, he annihilated over a hundred thousand of them with two mountains, and then strongly executed Jiang Shihai, frying his body to a golden crisp.


    But at that time, they had not yet fallen into despair.


    In the hearts of Qingyun Kingdom''s people, behind them stood strong allies from the Great Jin Kingdom.


    However...


    As Yu Huaxian and Li Moqiu fell, their last hope crumbled too.


    Endless despair followed suit.


    As one side waxed, the other waned.


    The military of Qingyun Kingdom collapsed like a house of cards.


    Under the crushing sweep of Tianqing Kingdom''s soldiers, hundreds of thousands either fled in disarray or begged for mercy on their knees. This battle, Tianqing Kingdom had already won!


    Clip-clop, clip-clop!


    Amidst the sound of horse hooves, Jiang Tai, flanked by the Shi Family''s four brothers, came to Xiao Yi''s side.


    Kneeling before Xiao Yi with his hands behind his back was Yu Huaxian.


    Yu Huaxian''s face was pale; the earlier clash with Xiao Yi had left him badly wounded, and now he looked like a prisoner at the foot of the steps, his face wearing a bitter smile, "No wonder Tianqing Kingdom regards you as their Guardian Martial God, no wonder Jiang Tianchen and the others would rather die to protect you..."


    "As long as I''m here, Tianqing Kingdom will not fall!" Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    "You''re very confident, it''s just a pity..."


    Yu Huaxian let out a sneer and said lightly, "Your enemy this time is too strong, much stronger than you could ever imagine!"


    "You''re talking about Xue Yilou, right?" Xiao Yi said.


    Yu Huaxian nodded.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "One day, I will personally eradicate Xue Yilou!"


    "Hmm?"


    Yu Huaxian blinked in surprise, frowning as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Eradicate Xue Yilou? Do you have any idea how powerful Xue Yilou is? They have thirteen Lords, even the weakest among them is at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and among them, there are no lack of Dharma Manifestation Realm beings, even up to the peak of that realm..."


    "I know!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, being from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty, he was naturally aware of Xue Yilou, "So what? If they are the enemy, then it''s either them or us!"


    "If you go head-to-head with Xue Yilou, the most likely outcome is that you''ll be crushed to pieces, with no hope of redemption..."


    Xiao Yi said, "Then let there be no hope of redemption!"


    Yu Huaxian fell silent.


    A moment later,


    Yu Huaxian looked up again, gazing steadily at Xiao Yi, "Are you truly confident in eradicating Xue Yilou?"


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "More than a year ago, I was but in the Physical Body Realm!"


    "Er..."


    Yu Huaxian was taken aback, "Over a year ago, you were just at the Physical Body Realm? So what? With that, you think you can challenge Xue Yilou... wait, what did you say? A year ago you were just at the Physical Body Realm? A year ago?"


    Yu Huaxian looked at Xiao Yi with a dumbfounded face.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Yu Huaxian, incredulous, looked towards Jiang Tai and others.


    Jiang Tai shrugged, "I felt the same when I first found out. But, it''s all true!"


    The four brothers of the Shi Family, "It''s true..."


    "Damn..."


    Yu Huaxian suddenly cursed, a struggle apparent on his face, and after a moment he fiercely clenched his teeth, "Xiao Yi, I am willing to submit to you, but I have one condition..." S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi asked, "What condition?"


    Yu Huaxian took a deep breath, articulating each word, "If one day, you have the capability, help me annihilate the royal family of the Great Jin Kingdom!"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    Jiang Tai frowned, "Annihilate the Great Jin Kingdom''s royal family?"


    Shi Yaodu looked confused, "Aren''t you the supervisor of the Eastern Factory for the Great Jin Kingdom? Logically, you should be a staunch loyalist to the Great Jin Kingdom''s royal family..."


    "No, in their eyes, I am nothing but a dog. I bite whoever they tell me to bite, and if they want me dead, I''m the dog that can''t refuse to die..." Yu Huaxian suddenly smiled, but his smile was especially ferocious.


    Xiao Yi squinted and said, "That reason isn''t enough to make me believe you!"


    Yu Huaxian hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and said, "I had a sister who died at the hands of the Great Jin Kingdom''s Third Prince."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Yu Huaxian seriously.


    In his eyes now, there was only hatred and coldness.


    After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Yi said, "I promise you, if one day I have sufficient power, I will help you flatten the Great Jin Kingdom''s royal family!"


    "My lord above, please accept Yu Huaxian''s bow!" Yu Huaxian knelt heavily, his voice indistinguishable between Yin and Yang, he called out.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    That voice was somewhat unbearable!


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "From now on, just call me Xiao!"


    "Yes, Xiao!"


    Yu Huaxian said respectfully.


    "Rise!"


    Xiao Yi helped him to his feet and said solemnly, "Yu Huaxian, how do you plan to deal with the thirty thousand Golden Crow Guards within Po Jun City?"


    Yu Huaxian replied, "Xiao, rest assured, the Golden Crow Guards were trained by me. I will have them all pledge allegiance!"


    "Good, go and get the Golden Crow Guards in order!" Xiao Yi said.


    Yu Huaxian nodded and replied, "I will do it now!"


    Watching Yu Huaxian''s departing figure, Jiang Tai''s face showed a contemplative expression, he whispered, "Xiao, can we really trust this man?"


    Xiao Yi said, "I don''t know!"


    "Uh..."


    Jiang Tai blinked, "He''s a Fourth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm power, is it really okay to keep him by your side?"


    Xiao Yi continued, "Intuition tells me he''s not lying. Besides... with me here, he can''t cause any trouble!"


    Jiang Tai was startled, then shook his head with a wry smile.


    A moment later.


    Yu Huaxian returned, his once immaculate white clothes now stained with fresh blood, and only twenty thousand of the thirty thousand Golden Crow Guards followed him to the presence of Xiao Yi and others. Yu Huaxian knelt on one knee and said solemnly, "Xiao, mission accomplished; these twenty thousand brothers of the Golden Crow Guards wish to follow me!"


    The remaining ten thousand, obviously unwilling to submit, had been dealt with.


    "Very well!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, looking at the Golden Crow Guards kneeling neatly behind him, he proclaimed loudly, "From now on, you are no longer the Golden Crow Guards of the Great Jin Kingdom, you are the Azure Dragon Guards of the Tianqing Kingdom. You, the Azure Dragon Guards, are you willing to fight with Xiao?"


    The twenty thousand soldiers of the Azure Dragon Guards looked up at Xiao Yi.


    In the previous battle.


    The formidable power Xiao Yi had displayed had completely subdued them, and with Yu Huaxian stepping forward, everyone proudly said, "We swear to follow the Guardian Martial God!"


    "We swear to follow!"


    Xiao Yi looked satisfied at the twenty thousand Azure Dragon Guards before him, the equivalent of a hundred thousand strong army.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and announced loudly, "Azure Dragon Guards, heed my command, follow me in the counterattack against the Qingyun Kingdom!"

 Chapter 169 - 169: You Do Not Deserve

    Within the borders of Qingyun Kingdom.


    A formidable army of three hundred thousand marched forth in a vast, iron-black current that continuously twined through the Qingyun Kingdom.


    Everywhere it passed, it was invincible in battle, and unstoppable in attack!


    It was an unstoppable force that no one could withstand!


    Within the marching formation...


    Shi Yaoqian, with a profound sense of emotion on his face, watched the Azure Dragon Guards leading the way and said, "Xiao, the combat power of these Azure Dragon Guards is too frightening, isn''t it? Seizing cities and taking fortresses, there''s nothing they can''t accomplish..."


    "Indeed! Along the way, it has almost always been them earning merits!"


    "We''re just spectating the show..."


    The four Shi brothers were chatting with each other. Shi Yaose admired Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao''s discernment is truly unique! If you hadn''t taken Yu Huaxian under your wing, we wouldn''t have gotten the Azure Dragon Guards, and our journey wouldn''t have been this smooth..."


    Xiao Yi glanced at them calmly and said indifferently, "What if I said that I spared him out of sheer curiosity about a question, would you believe me?"


    "Hmm? What question?"


    The four brothers were puzzled.


    Even Yu Huaxian, who was standing beside him and twiddling his orchid fingers, looked at Xiao Yi curiously, also somewhat unclear as to why Xiao Yi hadn''t just killed him. From Yu Huaxian''s interactions with Xiao Yi over the past few days, he knew that Xiao Yi was decisively ruthless towards his enemies, just as he was with Li Moqiu, whom Xiao Yi had slain without hesitation.


    Yet, he had spared Yu Huaxian instead.


    Xiao Yi coughed lightly and looked at Yu Huaxian: "Huaxian, what made you do it... out of desperation?"


    The four Shi brothers'' eyes lit up, turning their gaze simultaneously to Yu Huaxian.


    Yu Huaxian''s face twitched violently, never having expected that Xiao Yi''s curiosity stemmed from this.


    Xiao Yi said, "If it''s really inconvenient, then just pretend I never asked."


    Yu Huaxian, twirling a lock of hair by his temple, hesitated but eventually said, "It''s not that it''s inconvenient, but you mustn''t laugh at me after hearing it..."


    Xiao Yi: "I promise not to laugh!"


    The Shi brothers: "Whoever laughs is a dog!"


    "Alright then!"


    Yu Huaxian took a deep breath, and with a defeated look on his face, he said, "To make ends meet, I joined the army at eighteen and became a soldier. But due to my average cultivation, I never received any recognition. Everything changed when I stumbled upon a scroll. Initially, I didn''t practice the art within, but after the Third Prince caused the death of my sister, I vowed to master it." sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The opening of the scroll read, ''to train in this art, one must first be castrated!''"


    Hiss!


    Everyone drew in a cold breath of air.


    Their gaze towards Yu Huaxian softened, filled with sympathy: "For your sister''s sake, you went through a great deal!"


    "It wasn''t easy indeed!"


    "Don''t be sad, as long as you follow Xiao, you''ll have your day of revenge!"


    The four comforted him.


    However...


    Yu Huaxian then leisurely said, "Before, I had never turned to the last page of the scroll. It wasn''t until I broke through to the Tao Tribulation Realm that I finally read it, and it said, ''No castration necessary, success is still achievable...''"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    The Shi brothers: "..."


    Pfft!


    All five of them couldn''t contain their laughter and burst out laughing uncontrollably.


    Yu Huaxian looked at them with a resentful gaze...


    "My apologies, it wasn''t intentional, I just can''t hold it back... pfft..."


    "Such, such misery..."


    "Hahaha..."


    They all laughed so hard they were bent double.


    As the group was talking, a colossal city loomed on the horizon, twice the size of the capital of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    This was the capital of Qingyun Kingdom.


    "Ahead is the capital of Qingyun Kingdom. Now that Qingyun Kingdom has no Tao Tribulation Realm experts, with only about two hundred thousand troops to defend the city, they are no match for us," said Shi Yaoqian, his eyes gleaming as he stared at the enormous city ahead. This was a campaign that would wipe out a nation, and they were about to become heroes of such a war.


    In the hearts of the people of Tianqing Kingdom, Qingyun Kingdom was a traitor.


    For millennia.


    Generations of the Tianqing Kingdom always harbored the desire to reclaim Qingyun Kingdom.


    Today...


    They were finally about to fulfill that desire!


    "Lord Xiao, I request to lead the charge!" Yu Huaxian declared solemnly.


    He had already been thoroughly convinced by Xiao Yi, and Xiao Yi had given him hope of becoming a man once again.


    Now, his loyalty to Xiao Yi was unshakable.


    Xiao Yi said, "Granted!"


    Yu Huaxian''s face beamed with ecstasy, and with a squeeze of his legs, his warhorse charged out, "Azure Dragon Guards, follow me to break through the city!"


    Shi Yaodu, stroking his chin, pondered, "The capital''s defenders still number two hundred thousand, and although the Azure Dragon Guards are powerful, it is impossible for them to take the city quickly. I bet that it will take Yu Huaxian at least three days to breach the city!"


    "Makes sense!"


    The crowd nodded in agreement.


    The capital was built with imposing grandeur, easy to defend and difficult to attack, defended by a large army of two hundred thousand.


    Indeed, taking such a city was no simple feat.


    However...


    When they arrived at the capital, they were stunned by the scene before them.


    They saw Yu Huaxian''s Azure Dragon Guards halted several miles outside the city while the gates were wide open. King of Qingyun Kingdom, Jiang Tianxiao, with his ministers in tow, approached in a horse-drawn carriage. With a fawning smile and a slight bow, Jiang Tianxiao rubbed his hands together and said, "Which one among you is Lord Xiao, the Guardian Martial God of Tianqing Kingdom? I am Jiang Tianxiao, and here I am, leading my ministers to request surrender..."


    Yu Huaxian: "..."


    The Shi brothers: "..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Surrender?


    With two hundred thousand troops in hand, presiding over such a mighty city, yet you request surrender without a fight?


    Xiao Yi, mounted on a Tianqing wild bull, stepped out from the formation, his icy gaze upon Jiang Tianxiao: "You don''t deserve the Jiang surname!"

 Chapter 170 - 170: Devouring the Dragon Vein, Suppressing the Medicine Saint?

    "You''re not worthy of the Jiang surname!"


    Xiao Yi looked indifferently at the obsequious monarch of the Qingyun Kingdom standing before him.


    Compared to the Tianqing Kingdom''s Jiang Tianchen and his son Jiang Tai, who fought to their death for their state and stood guard at the kingdom''s gates with decisiveness and valor, this Jiang Tianxiao was nothing but trash.


    When the pillar of the Qingyun Kingdom, Jiang Weisheng, fell in battle.


    When the Azure Dragon Guards approached the city walls. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jiang Weisheng did not choose to continue resisting; instead, he chose to open the city gates and surrender.


    This was an absolute disgrace!


    It was an insult to the Jiang lineage!


    Jiang Tianxiao''s face showed no hint of shame, still with a flattering demeanor, he meekly said, "Lord Xiao is right, I am not worthy of the Jiang surname!"


    The courtiers of the Qingyun Kingdom were no different.


    Fawning and bootlicking, they took sycophancy to extremes.


    Huh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long sigh of relief and said in a deep voice, "Take them away and escort them back to the capital to be dealt with by the Crown Prince!"


    With his status, and Jiang Tai''s trust in him.


    Even if he were to execute these people on the spot, no one would dare to utter a word of objection.


    But Xiao Yi felt a sense of belonging to the Tianqing Kingdom and considered it his own homeland, so naturally, he would not commit such an overstep. Taking Jiang Tianxiao and the others back to be dealt with by Jiang Tai was the most appropriate choice.


    He might be draped in dragon robes, but Jiang Tianxiao showed not the slightest hint of kingly aura.


    "How did such a man come to sit on the throne of a king?" Xiao Yi wondered.


    Seeing his expression, Yu Huaxian guessed his thoughts and said softly, "Lord Xiao, this Jiang Tianxiao was merely an idle king who never had a chance at the throne. All of this is the result of the secret manipulations of the Supporting Mountain King, Jiang Shihai of the Qingyun Kingdom. He''s nothing but a puppet monarch raised to power."


    Xiao Yi was startled, then suddenly realized, "So that''s how it is..."


    A monarch promoted by Jiang Shihai would naturally be someone he could use and control.


    Naturally, he would not elevate a wise ruler.


    With a character like Jiang Tianxiao''s, he was indeed very well-suited to be a puppet monarch.


    "Yu Huaxian, take the Azure Dragon Guards and assume control of the two hundred thousand Qingyun Kingdom''s defending forces right away. Have them set up camp outside the city. At the same time, Shi Yaoquan, you and your four brothers lead the troops to take over the capital city''s defenses��make no mistakes!" Xiao Yi immediately began issuing commands, and everyone set off to carry out their orders.


    Xiao Yi then led his men towards the royal palace.


    Now that both the Qingyun Kingdom and the Tianlan Kingdom had been conquered by him, and he had even incorporated Yu Huaxian and his Golden Crow Guards,


    the situation seemed very favorable for the Tianqing Kingdom.


    In reality...


    The Tianqing Kingdom was still in grave danger.


    Not to mention the distant threats,


    even the Sihai Kingdom and the Baijing Kingdom had not yet been dealt with. Moreover, with the death of Li Moqiu and Yu Huaxian bringing his Golden Crow Guards over, news would surely reach the Great Jin Kingdom, a power far greater even than Nanhuang. With Xiao Yi''s current strength, although he could contend with a Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm-level power, the Great Jin Kingdom even had Dharma Manifestation Realm experts!


    Within the palace,


    with Little Lin''s help, he quickly located the dragon vein.


    This Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool was even more enormous than that of the Tianlan Kingdom, its reserves at least twice as abundant.


    Little Lin, coiled around the stalactites, showed a human-like excitement, "Boss, this Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool is huge!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "The Qingyun Kingdom, in just a thousand years, surpassed the Tianqing Kingdom in national strength, which must be closely related to this dragon vein bolstering the nation''s fortunes!"


    National fortunes may seem illusory, but they do indeed exist.


    Just like a person''s luck!


    Walking on the same path, some people may stumble and suffer injuries, while others might find money.


    What Xiao Yi didn''t know at this moment was that the prince who had failed in the Qingyun Kingdom''s succession struggle had decided to proclaim himself king precisely because he had discovered this dragon vein.


    "Little Lin, we each take a side and see who can absorb more of nature''s elemental energy!" Xiao Yi ruffled Little Lin''s head, laughing as he spoke.


    Little Lin flicked his tongue out, looking unimpressed: "Is this really something humans do?"


    He was very aware of how terrifyingly fast Xiao Yi could absorb the earth''s elemental energy; even he, a mutated mystical beast, was far from comparable!


    While saying so,


    Little Lin twisted his body and settled into a corner, soaking in it as if he were taking a bath.


    He absorbed the elemental energy in a leisurely, unhurried manner.


    Xiao Yi smiled indulgently and leaped into the center of the Spirit Pool.


    Boom!


    The entire Spirit Pool instantly transformed into a vortex, with countless strands of nature''s elemental energy frantically converging towards Xiao Yi, pouring into his body.


    On his body, a twenty-ring enhanced Golden Core bobbed up and down. As the elemental energy surged crazily into him, the rings of light on the Golden Core also increased steadily.


    An incredibly terrifying pressure emanated from the Golden Core.


    Little Lin, watching the surrounding elemental energy diminish, sighed: "I knew it would be like this..."


    Time flew by.


    Xiao Yi''s retreat this time lasted a full three days and three nights.


    As the elemental energy in the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool was completely absorbed by him, the hidden dragon vein was also pulled out by Xiao Yi. At that moment, above Xiao Yi''s head, the floating Golden Core was surrounded by thirty rings of light. Xiao Yi crushed the dragon vein in his hand, and with a bang, it transformed into a sky filled with dazzling light, merging into his body.


    Xiao Yi trembled all over, a streak of golden light flashed across his eyes, tearing through the void as if it were tangible.


    Hum!


    The Golden Core shook violently.


    The rings of light rapidly coalesced.


    Thirty-one.


    Thirty-two.


    Thirty-three...


    In the blink of an eye, he reached thirty-five rings of light; only then was the energy of the dragon vein entirely depleted. At this moment, Xiao Yi''s cultivation was enough to rival a practitioner of the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Combined with the legacy of the Azure Sword Saint and the God Sealing power that surpassed other practitioners of the same realm,


    Even facing a practitioner of the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he could fight!


    "I will elevate the God Sealing Seed with all the elemental energy..." Xiao Yi channeled all the elemental energy into his body at once.


    Pop, pop, pop!


    The sounds of the God Sealing Seed breaking apart could be heard.


    The God Sealing Seeds inside Xiao Yi''s body exploded in number like mad.


    They increased to a total of three hundred fifty thousand!


    Three hundred fifty thousand God Sealing Seeds fed back an endless supply of God Sealing power; Xiao Yi''s figure directly entered the Eternal Heavenly Tomb, heading straight for the second layer. In front of him appeared that tomb which had enticed Xiao Yi since his first entry into the Eternal Heavenly Tomb - the tomb of Medicine Saint Feng Lei!


    This was the person hailed as the progenitor of the Qingtian Realm''s medicine world!


    A legend in the world of medicine!


    "Medicine Saint Feng Lei..."


    A fiery light filled Xiao Yi''s eyes, and black light swirled around him. Three hundred fifty thousand God Sealing Seeds erupted with a surge of thick and vast God Sealing power,


    Forming a huge black palm that smashed down towards the tomb of Medicine Saint Feng Lei.


    This palm made of God Sealing power was lifelike,


    To the extent that even the lines on the palm could be seen. As it appeared, the Medicine Saint Feng Lei''s tomb also burst out with a terrifying glow.


    The two collided in the void like the meeting of the tip of the needle and the head of wheat.


    Being the progenitor of the Qingtian Realm''s medicine world, his methods were unpredictable and mysterious; even Xiao Yi wasn''t completely confident about successfully suppressing it...

 Chapter 171 - 171: Peerlessly Elegant, Medicine Saint Venerable!

    Medicine Saint Feng Lei Venerable.


    He was not only the founder of the Qingtian Realm''s pharmaceutical world, but today''s most mainstream alchemy techniques and numerous concoction methods were also of his creation.


    At the same time...


    He was also a martial arts genius comparable to the likes of Qingyun Sword Saint and Martial God Zhao Wuji.


    His Wind Thunder Battle Body, in particular, was the only physique among the top ten Sacred Bodies that could be cultivated through acquired practice.


    It ranked ninth among the ten Sacred Bodies.


    If Xiao Yi could obtain the heritage of the Wind Thunder Venerable, not only would his strength increase to a new level, but he might even acquire the training method for the Wind Thunder Battle Body, thus gaining the chance to possess a Sacred Body.


    More importantly...


    The alchemy techniques of the Wind Thunder Venerable and the endless concoction methods would bring immense benefits to Xiao Yi, as well as to the Qing Tian Kingdom.


    Of course.


    All these premises required that he be able to suppress the Wind Thunder Venerable!


    Boom!


    A black palm suddenly descended, yet the tomb of the Wind Thunder Venerable also erupted with a terrifying glow.


    This radiance was a confluence of purple-gold and cyan.


    The cyan wind and the purple-gold lightning intertwined into a storm of wind and rain, with the spectacle of lightning and thunder.


    Boom!


    The two energies dissipated at the same time.


    However, the terrible shockwave blasted open the tomb of the Wind Thunder Venerable, sending a pillar of light soaring into the sky, in which a bronze sarcophagus slowly rose.


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly contracted.


    This was the first time he had seen a burial with a sarcophagus in the Ancient Heavenly Tomb.


    Even the powerful Qingyun Sword Saint didn''t have a sarcophagus! Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Crash!


    The bronze sarcophagus suddenly trembled, the lid flipped open a crack, and a pale hand thrust out from the dark sarcophagus to fling aside the lid.


    Boom!


    The lid fiercely smashed towards Xiao Yi.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Xiao Yi threw a punch, as though a Wrathful Vajra had come to life, his body shimmering with golden light, and his heavy punch landed on the lid of the sarcophagus.


    Thud!


    The lid trembled violently.


    Cracks spread across the lid, eventually disintegrating into countless fragments that fell from the sky.


    In front of Xiao Yi, numerous bronze fragments fell, and inside the sarcophagus, a breeze blew as lightning condensed into a glowing ball. Atop that lightning, a figure slowly emerged from the sarcophagus, wearing a cyan robe with purple-gold hair and beard, his eyes shining like precious gems.


    Standing with his hands behind his back, he looked as if he was the sole master of this world!


    Graceful and unparalleled, Medicine Saint Venerable!


    The gem-like eyes of the Wind Thunder Venerable landed on Xiao Yi, "Little fellow, what place is this?"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned.


    Since he had obtained the Ancient Heavenly Tomb, this was the first one to speak. Xiao Yi bowed to the Wind Thunder Venerable and said, "This junior is Xiao Yi, we are in the Ancient Heavenly Tomb!"


    "Ancient Heavenly Tomb? A graveyard?"


    The Wind Thunder Venerable was taken aback, looking around in all directions, a hint of astonishment and shock appeared on that usually unflappable face, "Zhao Wuji? The Twin Star Elder... What, what''s going on? How are they all dead? How could they be dead? Impossible, this is impossible..."


    Wind Thunder Venerable''s face was full of bewilderment.


    Many of the beings here belonged to the same era as he did, with astonishing talent, suppressing their generation.


    Among them, Martial God Zhao Wuji, even stood at the very pinnacle of that brilliant, peerless era where prodigies were as numerous as the ocean.


    How could they possibly be dead?


    And all buried here?


    Wait a moment...


    Wind Thunder Venerable looked incredulously at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, my young friend, are you saying that this place is a tomb? Was even I buried here?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Wind Thunder Venerable clasped his hands on his head, his fingernails digging into his scalp as if to pierce through: "How could this be? What exactly happened? Why can''t I remember anything at all? Why? What on earth happened?"


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    Ula la...


    A burst of purple-gold thunder erupted from Wind Thunder Venerable''s body. The thunder lit up the sky, its rumbling deafening. A fierce wind blew, it seemed as though heaven and earth were on the verge of collapse. Inside the Eternal Celestial Tomb, the ground shook violently as chains emerged from beneath the earth, sealing the ancient tombs within.


    Not even the wind and thunder could get close to them.


    The apocalyptic storm of wind and thunder continued for several breaths before it dispersed, and Wind Thunder Venerable regained his composure. He gazed at Xiao Yi, "Who exactly are you? And why are you here?"


    Xiao Yi hesitated, then said, "Senior, I am the master of the Eternal Celestial Tomb, as well as the current Heaven-defending Divine General. I preside over the Eternal Celestial Tomb, and as long as I can subdue the buried powerhouses within these firmaments, I can obtain their true inheritance..."


    He had seen records of Wind Thunder Venerable in history books.


    This was a being worthy of trust.


    It was said...


    Wind Thunder Venerable initially focused solely on martial arts, but upon witnessing the suffering of the common people plagued by illness, he embarked on a journey across the world, tasted all herbs, and eventually forged a path in alchemy, benefitting countless lives.


    Such a being who for the sake of the common folk tasted all herbs and created the path of alchemy.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t bear to deceive him.


    "To subdue powerhouses and obtain their true inheritance?"


    Wind Thunder Venerable was taken aback, speechless. After many breaths, Wind Thunder Venerable firmly said, "Young friend, why do you practice martial arts?"


    "Me?"


    Xiao Yi frowned, recalling his life''s experiences, "At first, I only wanted to prove myself, to have my parents acknowledge my existence. Later, I practiced martial arts to seek revenge, to make those who wronged me pay the price... But now... I want to become stronger in order to better protect those I love and those who love me..."


    A flash of insight crossed Wind Thunder Venerable''s eyes, as deep as a sea of thunder, and he nodded in satisfaction, "Good, very good! My young friend, I can feel the power of this Eternal Celestial Tomb. You being able to wield such a divine artifact means your future is boundless. I would like to ask a favor of you..."


    "Senior, please speak!" Xiao Yi said earnestly.


    Wind Thunder Venerable said, "I once crafted a Medicine Canon, but it was incomplete when I left the Qingtian Realm. After I finished it, I was unable to return to the Qingtian Realm. I hope that after you inherit my legacy, you could go to the heavenly realm, find Shennong Valley, and pass my Medicine Canon on to my descendants. Would you be able to do this?"


    "Senior, I will do my utmost to fulfill your request!" Xiao Yi said solemnly.


    "Good!"


    Wind Thunder Venerable smiled and nodded, then his figure suddenly shifted, transforming into a gleam of light that flew into Xiao Yi''s brow.


    In an instant.


    Xiao Yi''s body jolted.


    The God Sealing Seed within him erupted, covering his body in a black light, and eventually, Wind Thunder Venerable transformed into a statue inside the God Sealing Seed.


    An immense amount of information and inheritance deeply imprinted into Xiao Yi''s soul.


    The Wind Thunder Battle Body Skill, Shennong Medicine Canon, and so on...


    This inheritance brought significant benefits to Xiao Yi, as just the numerous alchemical methods and formulas recorded in the Shennong Medicine Canon were enough to make him the theoretically strongest Alchemist in the world, bar none!


    As Xiao Yi was assimilating the inheritances, Wind Thunder Venerable''s voice sounded in his mind, "My young friend... be extremely wary of Zhao Wuji..."

 Chapter 172 - 172: As You Wish!

    "Be extremely cautious of Zhao Wuji..."


    The voice of the Wind Thunder Venerable boomed like a tide, crazily echoing in his mind.


    Xiao Yi''s head buzzed with the sound.


    His complexion also turned deathly pale due to this revelation, perplexed by the severity, he asked, "Senior, you say to be cautious of Zhao Wuji? What do you mean? Senior..."


    However...


    Transformed into a statue, thoroughly suppressed by the God Sealing Seed, the Wind Thunder Venerable gave no further response.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows were tightly knitted: "What exactly does it mean? Tell me to be cautious of Zhao Wuji?"


    Martial God Zhao Wuji.


    The most legendary figure in the history of the Qingtian Realm.


    He possessed the Chaos Tyrant Body, ranked first among the Qingtian Realm''s top ten Sacred Bodies.


    In the entire history of the Qingtian Realm, aside from Zhao Wuji, no one else had ever been born with the Chaos Tyrant Body, which firmly occupied the first position among the top ten Sacred Bodies.


    Even Xiao Tianjiao''s Supreme Overlord Holy Body was only ranked third on the list of the top ten Sacred Bodies.


    It was imaginable.


    Just how terrifying Zhao Wuji must be!


    With his own strength, he overwhelmed peerless geniuses like the twin hermits, Qingyun Sword Saint, and the Wind Thunder Venerable.


    He left behind countless legends.


    The Wind Thunder Venerable actually warned him to be wary of Zhao Wuji?


    "Senior Wind Thunder Venerable must have a reason for his warning... It seems that to suppress Zhao Wuji, I need to plan for the long term!" Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, his fingers lightly stroking his chin as he murmured to himself.


    He had originally planned to suppress the legendary figure Zhao Wuji as soon as the God Sealing Seed could approach Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb.


    Perhaps he could obtain his peerless Cultivation Technique, as well as the top-ranked Chaos Sacred Body.


    But now...


    The last warning from the Wind Thunder Venerable made Xiao Yi instinctively vigilant, casting a deep glance at Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb, deciding he would not make a move on it for at least the short term!


    Fortunately, the inheritance from the Wind Thunder Venerable also brought Xiao Yi tremendous benefits. Not to mention the unparalleled Alchemy and infinite elixir recipes of the Wind Thunder Venerable, just the cultivation method of the Wind Thunder Holy Body alone was priceless. It was the only one among the top ten Sacred Bodies that could be cultivated later on as a special constitution.


    Although it''s not as good as the Supreme Overlord Holy Body, it was at least far superior to ordinary prodigies.


    "The Wind Thunder Holy Body uses the body as a crucible to absorb the power of the Heaven and Earth Gangfeng and thunder to strengthen oneself..."


    Xiao Yi''s mind conjured the cultivation method of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, causing him to sigh inwardly, "No wonder since the Wind Thunder Venerable, no one has heard of anyone who has cultivated such a Sacred Body. Common Heaven and Earth Gangfeng and various thunders are minor, but every time one undergoes Wind Thunder Body Refinement, it causes huge damage to the body. It must be accompanied by the corresponding elixir recipes and cultivated with the respective elixirs..."


    The cultivation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body fundamentally strengthens the body with the power of Wind Thunder, while also gaining the power of Wind Thunder.


    There are dozens of types of Heaven and Earth Gangfeng, the most common of them being the Five Elements Gangfeng, the Annihilation Gang Wind, the Cleansing World Gangfeng, and so on.


    The number of thunders is considerably greater.


    The most basic thunder of the thunder domain, then the Five Elements Jielei, Five Elements Divine Thunder, Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, and so forth...


    Finding these Gang Winds and thunders was not difficult.


    But whether it''s the Heaven and Earth Gangfeng or the various thunders, their destructive power is extremely terrifying!


    Every time one forcibly undergoes Wind Thunder Body Refinement, there is certain damage to the body, some of which is irreversible. The Wind Thunder Venerable, based on the uniqueness of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, formulated nine elixir recipes corresponding to the nine realms of the Wind Thunder Holy Body. After each Wind Thunder Body Refinement, consuming the specific elixir could eliminate the damage.


    Take the essence, discard the dross!


    "The Wind Thunder Holy Body has nine turns. The first turn only requires ordinary Gangfeng and the thunder from a stormy day, but I need to prepare the materials to concoct the First-turn Fenglei Elixir. These materials should be found in the Qingyun Kingdom!" Xiao Yi took a deep breath, glanced at Little Lin who was laying beside him, fallen into a deep sleep after devouring a great amount of heavenly and earthly energy, and was slowly digesting it.


    Taking Little Lin into his arms, Xiao Yi left the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool.


    ...


    "Xiao, I''ve finally found you..." Xiao Yi had just appeared when he heard Shi Yaoqian''s voice.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "Shi Yaoqian? What do you want with me?"


    "Xiao, where have you been? You''ve been gone for three or four days..."


    Shi Yaoqian looked depressed, then slapped his forehead and said, "Right, Xiao, you need to come with me quickly, there''s trouble!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "What kind of trouble?"


    After entering the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool, he had gotten lost in his cultivation and lost track of time, and he hadn''t expected it had been three or four days already.


    Shi Yaoqian explained urgently, "Yu Huaxian was taking inventory of the treasures in the palace when he encountered a strange old man in the imperial physician''s room. They''re arguing fiercely now, and it''s about to come to blows..."


    "Strange old man? Haven''t all the people from Qingyun Kingdom surrendered? Where did this strange old man come from?"


    Xiao Yi was utterly perplexed.


    Then, he followed Shi Yaoqian to the imperial physician''s room.


    This was the place where medicine was stored in the old palace.


    From Shi Yaoqian''s story, Xiao Yi learned that this strange old man had appeared suddenly today and that his strength was unfathomably strange, even Yu Huaxian couldn''t match him, and he was profoundly wary of him.


    When Xiao Yi and Shi Yaoqian reached the exterior of the imperial physician''s room, Shi Yaoqian was about to push the door open but Xiao Yi grabbed his collar and pulled him back. Almost at that moment, a thud was heard, and a shadow flew out backward. With a bang, the door was broken, and with another thud, the figure hit the ground. Looking closely, wasn''t this Yu Huaxian?


    At this moment, Yu Huaxian''s delicate white skin had turned purple-black, she was foaming at the mouth and convulsing on the ground.


    Shi Yaoqian''s face changed, "Yu Huaxian? What happened?"


    Just as he was about to step forward, Xiao Yi grabbed him, "If you don''t want to die, don''t go over there. She''s been poisoned by Manggu Zhuha!"


    Manggu Zhuha?


    Shi Yaoqian was completely baffled. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had never heard of such a thing.


    At that moment...


    A harsh, old voice came from inside the room, "Eh? Young man, you''re not old, but you''re quite informed. Can you tell at a glance that she has been poisoned by Manggu Zhuha?"


    Tap, tap, tap!


    A bright red walking stick was the first to poke out from the threshold, followed by a hunchbacked and aged figure tremblingly stepping out.


    He looked as feeble as a candle flickering in the wind, ready to fall at any moment.


    But this person''s cultivation was definitely not weak!


    On the old man''s wrinkled face, which resembled the bark of an old tree, the deep lines seemed capable of trapping flies. He said proudly, "Since you know it''s the poison of Manggu Zhuha, then you should know that unless I personally take action, there''s no cure under the heavens. Young man, where is the Dragon Vein of Qingyun Kingdom? Offer it to me, and not only will I spare your lives, but I will also save her!"


    Xiao Yi looked up at him, "It''s just the poison of Manggu Zhuha, I can solve it with a flick of my finger, why would I need to trade the Dragon Vein for it?"


    "You know nothing!"


    The hunchbacked old man sneered, "The Manggu Zhuha is a rare venomous creature. It only grows on the towering Manggu Mountain Range, its body golden with purple poison stripes. It exhales a breath of poison mist that envelops a thousand-zhang tall mountain for half a month, within which all creatures die. The only antidote is the venom sac fluid from its back. There''s no second way to cure it, not even for me!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Ignorant and uninformed indeed!"


    "Hmm? Are you saying I''m ignorant and uninformed?"


    The hunchbacked old man''s face darkened, his wrinkled face trembling slightly with fierceness, "I was playing with poison when you didn''t even know where you were! And you dare to say that I''m ignorant?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "The poison of the Manggu Zhuha, I have at least ten ways to cure it!"


    "Ten methods? Forget ten, if you can cure this poison of Manggu Zhuha, I will immediately kneel down to you and acknowledge you as my master! But..."


    The hunchbacked old man sinisterly said, "If you lose, you must offer the Dragon Vein to me with both hands and become my poison slave. Do you dare to bet?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "As you wish!"

 Chapter 173 - 173: The Undying Ghost Doctor

    "As you wish!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and then walked into the physician''s room.


    The poison from Manggu Zhuha was exceedingly terrifying; once it entered the human body, it would completely merge with the blood.


    Even the hunchbacked old man who had been raising the Manggu Zhuha all his life had not found a second method to detoxify it, and he simply did not believe that Xiao Yi, a youth under twenty years old, could have a way to solve the poison of the Manggu Zhuha.


    However...


    The hunchbacked elder did not know that Xiao Yi had received the inheritance of the ancestor of Qingtian Realm''s alchemy, the Wind Thunder Holy Body, mastering all of the alchemy techniques and experience of Wind Thunder.


    Wind Thunder had traveled all over the world, tasting every herb.


    He also conducted thorough research on Manggu Zhuha.


    "Poria, Golden Lotus, Hundred-Year Frost Ginseng..."


    Xiao Yi found more than twenty types of herbs and returned to the outside of the physician''s room.


    The area was already surrounded by the Azure Dragon guards and the four brothers from the Shi Family, who encircled the hunchbacked elder with a watchful demeanor.


    The hunchbacked elder leaned on his cane, full of self-confidence, calm and collected, gently stroking his beard, smiling at the sight of Xiao Yi reappearing before him, "Young man, if you''re not confident, don''t force yourself. If this guy''s poison is not resolved, it will seep into the marrow, and by then even I won''t be able to turn things around!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said indifferently, "Watch carefully, this is the first method!"


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi reached out into the air, and his surging Yuan Qi roared forth.


    Under Yu Huaxian''s body, a layer of Yuan Qi cushion formed, gently straightening Yu Huaxian''s body.


    The intense poison of Manggu Zhuha on his body meant that even if an outsider touched his skin with their palm, they would be infected by the toxin. Xiao Yi had not yet cultivated the Wind Thunder Holy Body and was also not immune to these toxins.


    With the support of Yuan Qi.


    Yu Huaxian stood upright, his skin dark and purplish, his aura becoming increasingly faint.


    Xiao Yi took out the Golden Lotus, Poria, and several other herbs, grinding them into stems and leaves in the palm of his hand, then pointed his sword finger forward.


    Pfft!


    A silver Sword Qi streaked past.


    It effortlessly cut open Yu Huaxian''s wrist, and Xiao Yi pressed the liquid from the herbs into the wound. Yu Huaxian''s body trembled violently. The wound on his wrist, anointed with the green herbal juice, began to emit plumes of black smoke and as the smoke rose continuously, the dark color on Yu Huaxian''s body rapidly faded away.


    "This, this is impossible..."


    The hunchbacked elder stood up straight, disbelieving the scene before him.


    He was well aware of the tyrannical nature of the Manggu Zhuha''s poison.


    How could it be resolved so easily?


    But the reality before his eyes left him no choice but to believe.


    After ten breaths.


    Yu Huaxian''s complexion had returned to normal, and his breath had stabilized, his eyes weakly opened, and he saw Xiao Yi standing before him.


    Although he had been poisoned into unconsciousness earlier, he was still clear-headed.


    He was well aware that it was Xiao Yi who had saved him!


    Yu Huaxian cracked a smile, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you so much, Xiao... "


    "It''s all right now!"


    Xiao Yi looked at the hunchbacked elder and said indifferently, "You lose!"


    "No, I haven''t lost..."


    The hunchbacked elder grasped his cane with both hands, clenching his teeth, his eyes shining brightly, "You said there were many methods to offset the poison, right? This is just one of them..."


    Xiao Yi said, "Still not convinced? Then let your Manggu Zhuha bite him again!"


    Yu Huaxian shuddered, "..."


    To be bitten again?


    Having been poisoned by the Manggu Zhuha, his blood felt as if it was being scorched by blazing flames, an unbearably painful experience!


    He certainly did not want to endure that torment a second time.


    But the hunchbacked elder was quicker than him. From his sleeve, a yellow figure sprang out and bit Yu Huaxian''s arm. Yu Huaxian cried out, his figure stiffening, and from the bite, a ring of blackness spread across his entire body, turning him once more into a charred, dark-purple figure.


    Xiao Yi, from a distance, lifted Yu Huaxian, made a small cut on his heel, and applied a second entirely different medicinal mixture.


    Hissss!


    Black blood gushed out like a fountain.


    Yu Huaxian regained consciousness once again, teetering on the brink.


    Xiao Yi looked at the hunchbacked old man, "The second method!"


    "This, this..."


    The hunched elder sized up Yu Huaxian, pried open his lips to check his teeth, lifted his clothes to peek underneath, and pulled at his pants... until Yu Huaxian desperately shielded himself, looking toward Xiao Yi with tears in his eyes and pleading, "Save, save me... Xiao save me..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Are you convinced, or not?"


    The hunchbacked elder''s face turned shades of green and white, clenching his teeth, and angrily said, "If you can produce a third method, I''ll admit you''re better!"


    "No, don''t..."


    Yu Huaxian stumbled and fell to the ground, crawling and rolling toward the side.


    But the Manggu Zhuha was even faster!


    Croak!


    It bit him right on his buttock.


    "Ow..."


    Yu Huaxian lay on the ground, his buttock swelled up high, and he extended his right hand toward Shi Yaodu in front of him, begging, "Save, save me..."


    Shi Yaodu instinctively wanted to reach out and help.


    Croak!


    The Manggu Zhuha directly jumped onto Yu Huaxian''s head, eyeing him with a predatory gaze.


    Shi Yaodu quickly withdrew his hand, unable to help, and said sympathetically, "Brother, hang in there, huh!"


    Yu Huaxian''s eyes rolled back: "..."


    Fortunately, Xiao Yi didn''t let him down. Moments later, the poison in Yu Huaxian''s body was completely cured.


    Xiao Yi used yet another entirely different method and looked at the hunchbacked elder, "A bet''s a bet, you agree?"


    "I..."


    Just as the hunchbacked elder opened his mouth to speak.


    Yu Huaxian had already flipped over, clung tightly to his thigh, and burst into sobs, "Senior, Big Boss, Ancestor, oh... Can you maybe try it on someone else? I, I really can''t take it anymore..."


    His indistinct voice laced with resentment and grievance was genuinely creepy!


    The hunchbacked elder shuddered, looking at Yu Huaxian''s pitiful appearance. His face, wrinkled like old tree bark, twitched slightly, and, with a wry smile, he looked at Xiao Yi, "I concede, I concede! I, Xue Bufan, have wandered the worlds for many years and seen countless geniuses, but someone like you, I have never encountered before. Losing to you feels no injustice!"


    "Xue Bufan?"


    "You are the Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan?" S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "My heavens, it''s actually you?"


    Shock and surprise were etched on the faces of all the spectators around.


    The Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan!


    Legend has it...


    He is from the Great Qian Dynasty''s number one alchemical family, the Xue Family, yet because he peeked at the Xue Family''s secret manual meant only for the head of the family, he was expelled from the Xue Family.


    Since then, he wandered Jianghu, traveling between various nations.


    His medical and alchemy skills were both notoriously famous, to the extent that even the King of the Great Jin Kingdom once offered a tremendous price to invite him to become the Chief Imperial Physician of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    No one expected that this disheveled, hunchbacked old man in front of them was actually the renowned Undying Ghost Doctor!


    "This old servant Xue Bufan, greets master!"


    Xue Bufan bent his knee, about to kneel down to Xiao Yi.


    But Xiao Yi prevented him from doing so, lifting him upright and said with a smile, "I, the junior, had no idea that the senior was Xue Bufan. I cannot accept such a grand gesture."


    Although Xue Bufan''s methods were a bit bizarre, earning him the title of ''Ghost Doctor, he had never been reputed to harm anyone. Poisoning Yu Huaxian earlier was only because Yu Huaxian made the first move and there was no real intent to kill him.


    Xue Bufan shook his head and said, "Master Xiao, I, Xue Bufan, am a man of my word. There was a bet, and I willingly accept the loss. From now on, I shall be an old servant before you, and I ask for Master Xiao''s instructions and care!"


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows slightly.


    Not only did this Xue Bufan possess profound medical and alchemical skills, but he was also a master of the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Having such a master to watch over the Tianqing Kingdom could only be beneficial.


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "In that case, I shall ask for Elder Xue''s advice and guidance in the future!"

 Chapter 174 - 174 The Initial Formation of the Sacred Body

    Within the palace of the Qingyun Kingdom.


    Xiao Yi sat facing the Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan; the two were sitting opposite each other, discussing the path of alchemy.


    Alchemist.


    In the entire Qingtian Realm, it was a most prestigious occupation, its status even higher than that of ordinary martial artists. However, becoming an alchemist was no easy task. Firstly, the most basic requirement was that one''s cultivation had to reach at least the Shentong Realm, and one needed to possess Divine Skills with a Fire Attribute.


    Only in this way could one control the alchemic fire and refine the medicinal pills.


    Additionally, every single pill recipe was incredibly precious.


    Even the most basic pill recipe was worth at least a hundred thousand silver.


    One would also need a pill furnace, as well as countless herbs for practice.


    Therefore.


    Within the ten nations of Nanhuang, there wasn''t even a single true alchemist.


    "The way of alchemy and martial arts actually complement each other. The stronger one''s martial arts, the more exquisite control over strength one has, the better the effect of the pills one refines. An alchemist from the Golden Core Realm and an alchemist from the Tao Tribulation Realm would produce pills with vastly different effects under the same conditions..."


    Xiao Yi spoke eloquently, his inheritance from the Wind Thunder Sage making him the unquestioned number one in theoretical alchemy knowledge within the Qingtian Realm. Even a few words from him could give Xue Bufan a sense of enlightenment, feeling as if his eyes were suddenly opened, "Now, alchemists often fall into a misconception, believing that the more precious the herbs, the better the quality and effects of the pills produced. This is not the case, however. Without sufficient cultivation and alchemical experience, one might not be able to utilize precious herbs properly, not only wasting heavenly resources but also greatly reducing the effects of the pills produced!"


    Xue Bufan nodded sometimes, frowned sometimes, and occasionally stretched out with an excited smile.


    The two had a long, heart-to-heart conversation.


    Not far from them, Little Lin lazily sprawled over the railing, watching a Manggu Zhuha on a lotus leaf in the pond, flicking its tongue out to catch the insects flying by.


    Xiao Yi and his companion talked nonstop, exchanging knowledge.


    Xue Bufan was completely convinced by Xiao Yi. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The next day.


    Early in the morning, warm sunlight fell.


    Whoosh!


    Xue Bufan slowly stood up and bowed deeply to Xiao Yi, "Thank you, Xiao, for the guidance. Listening to your insights is better than reading for ten years. If I had met you earlier, perhaps these old bones of mine could have made further progress!"


    "You flatter me, Elder Xue!"


    Xiao Yi smiled humbly, "Elder Xue is still vigorous in spite of age. As long as you research along the lines I mentioned before, within a year you will surely break the five-star barrier and step into the six-star alchemist level!"


    Alchemists were divided into seven stars, and above seven stars, they were known as masters, grand masters, Medicine King, and Medicine Saint!


    A total of eleven levels.


    As far as Xiao Yi knew...


    The chief imperial physician of the Great Qian Dynasty''s royal family was a master-level alchemist, whose status could compare with that of the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    "Xiao, I have been enlightened and need to meditate in seclusion," Xue Bufan said eagerly.


    The day and night of exchange had been immensely beneficial to him.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Have Shi Yaoqian lead you to the quiet room for your seclusion!"


    "Thank you, Xiao!"


    Xue Bufan respectfully withdrew.


    Xiao Yi stood up, stretching his limbs with a series of crackles and popping his joints, he yawned and said, "Little Lin, summon Yu Huaxian to see me!"


    "Alrighty!"


    Little Lin turned into a streak of silver light and vanished into the sky.


    A short while later...


    Yu Huaxian arrived in front of him, spirited and beaming, bowing and saying, "I''ve seen Xiao!"


    "Congratulations. With your current state, you should be able to step into the Sixth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm within half a month!" Xiao Yi looked Yu Huaxian up and down, teasing, "You don''t resent me now for using you as a guinea pig and letting the Manggu Zhuha bite you repeatedly, do you?"


    The toxicity of the Manggu Zhuha is lethal.


    But as long as the poison is neutralized in time, not only will it not endanger one''s life, but it can also greatly enhance the vitality of one''s qi-blood.


    It is beneficial to cultivation!


    For this reason...


    Previously, Xiao Yi had allowed the Manggu Zhuha to bite Yu Huaxian time after time. Now, Yu Huaxian''s qi-blood is dozens of times more vigorous than before, his energy is abundant, and his realm has become more profound. In about half a month, he should be able to step into the Sixth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. With Yu Huaxian''s unpredictable attack methods, by then, he could battle even ordinary warriors at the Seventh Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Yu Huaxian chuckled and then said, "Xiao, is there something important that you have summoned me for?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Yesterday, I asked you to send someone to find a place that possesses both Heaven and Earth Gangfeng and lightning. Is there any news?"


    Entering the Wind Thunder Holy Body is not difficult, one only needs to find an ordinary place with Heaven and Earth Gangfeng and lightning.


    "It has been found!"


    Yu Huaxian nodded eagerly, "Three hundred li east of the royal capital, there is a Wind Thunder Canyon. The terrain of that canyon is extremely peculiar, with year-round presence of Heaven and Earth Gangfeng and thunder!"


    Xiao Yi took the map presented by Yu Huaxian, memorized the route, and instructed, "I will be gone for some time, perhaps seven to eight days, or as few as two to three days. During this period, clean up the forces within the royal capital, I do not wish that no sooner have we left than the Qingyun Kingdom revives from the ashes!"


    "At your command!"


    Yu Huaxian assured with a serious face.


    Xiao Yi gave additional instructions and then, with Little Lin, he soared into the sky.


    Three hundred li.


    For him, it was just over half an hour before he arrived at the Wind Thunder Canyon as described by Yu Huaxian.


    Still dozens of li away, he could already see a thick, pitch-black cloud circling above the canyon, with purple-gold lightning striking down within the clouds from time to time. The lightning, resembling a lantern, caused the canyon to flicker in and out of brightness. From a distance, it looked just like a ghost canyon haunted by devils.


    "Little Lin, you wait outside the canyon later!" Xiao Yi instructed.


    Little Lin nodded, lying on top of a towering tree beside the canyon.


    Xiao Yi entered the canyon shrouded with wind and thunder.


    "Wind and Thunder fortify my body, smelt my flesh��"


    Xiao Yi''s figure shook, immersing himself in the midst of wind and thunder.


    The wild winds and astonishing thunder, as if a pack of wolves had encountered their prey, launched a fierce attack, each landing on him.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The knife-like wind and the arrow-like lightning continuously bombarded his body.


    Xiao Yi circulated the Wind Thunder Battle Body Skill, constantly absorbing the power of the Gangfeng and lightning, refining his entire body. This Wind Thunder Holy Body starts with the skin, then the flesh, followed by the tendons, after which the internal organs, and finally refining the bones... to reach a state where the spine is like an Azure Dragon of Wind and Thunder, and the internal organs are unbreakable. The first turn is to fortify the skin.


    It is also the simplest realm.


    Once the cultivation is successful, the skin will be as tough as copper, impervious to water and fire.


    Time flies.


    Immersed in the wind and thunder, Xiao Yi appears like a god or a demon; what began as a tearing pain with the first onslaught of wind and thunder has now become fearlessness.


    This wind and thunder might surround him, but it can no longer hurt a single hair on his body!


    Xiao Yi, enveloped by wind and thunder, took the prepared First-turn Fenglei Elixir, a faint cyan light traveled around his body, causing his skin, which was like black iron, to return to its normal color. The surrounding Gangfeng and lightning fell but formed an invisible barrier around his body, fundamentally unable to get close.


    The first turn of the Wind Thunder Holy Body has been achieved!


    Meanwhile...


    Ten li away from the Wind Thunder Canyon, a massive figure flew through the midair, a Golden Crown Black Eagle, a huge beast of the Tao Tribulation Realm that could travel five thousand li in a day.


    Atop this massive beast, several figures stood proudly.


    Their clothing bore distinct insignia, unmistakably from the Great Jin Kingdom!

 Chapter 175 - 175: How Do You Want to Die?

    A group of powerful beings from the Great Jin Kingdom passed by this place.


    Suddenly, they were attracted by the commotion caused by Xiao Yi''s cultivation and turned their eyes in that direction, only to see Xiao Yi amidst the Wind Thunder.


    They were captivated by the sight of him absorbing the power of Wind Thunder to temper his physical body.


    One must know...


    Even within the Great Jin Kingdom, such a secret technique that devours the power of heaven and earth to cultivate the body is extremely rare!


    One of them had a hunch and looked towards Wind Thunder Canyon, squinting his eyes, "Is there someone who can absorb the power of Wind Thunder to refine their body? Such body-refining secret skills are not even possessed by our Great Jin Kingdom. How can these lowly commoners from inferior kingdoms be qualified to cultivate them?"


    Another person laughed arrogantly, "Let him hand over that body-refining secret technique!"


    "What if he refuses?"


    "He''s just an insignificant ant, killing him is all it takes!"


    The young man who started speaking reminded, "Your Highness, our mission is to execute Yu Huaxian, the traitor, and to bring Xiao Yi from the Tianqing Kingdom back with us. If unintended problems arise and His Majesty becomes aware, I fear it could reflect poorly on you."


    This party was indeed from the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The news that Yu Huaxian had led the Golden Crow Guards to betray the nation had already reached the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The King of the Great Jin Kingdom was furious.


    He immediately sent the seventh prince, Liu Mubai, to kill Yu Huaxian and capture Xiao Yi.


    Liu Mubai was the pride and joy of the heavens in the Great Jin Kingdom, just twenty-eight years old, yet he had already reached the Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. Besides, there was also the commander of the Great Jin Kingdom''s Imperial Guards, Zhan Bitao!


    Zhan Bitao, the Bloodless Swordsman!


    This man was a Sword Intent prodigy, at the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, with the third stage of the human-sword unity Sword Intent.


    His combat strength was not inferior to an ordinary Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm warrior!


    Zhan Bitao stood proudly beside Liu Mubai, with his hands clasped around his sword, and said indifferently, "Your Highness, if you wish to obtain this person''s body-refining technique, later on I will take action to capture him directly. It shouldn''t take much time!"


    "No!"


    Liu Mubai waved his hand dismissively, "Considering that this person does not have the aura of divine skills, he is probably not at the Tao Tribulation Realm. Why use a butcher''s knife to kill a chicken? Wu Lun, you handle it later. If he obediently hands over the body-refining technique, that would be it. If he does not cooperate, break his limbs first, then force him to hand it over!"


    "Rest assured, Your Highness!"


    Wu Lun was the young man who had spoken first, with a cultivation reaching the peak of Golden Core Realm. His power was far more than ten times stronger than that of Jiang Shanhe.


    "Hm?"


    Little Lin, who was resting on the tree canopy, shuddered and suddenly looked up at the sky.


    The Golden Crown Black Eagle was incredibly fast, and in the blink of an eye, it was already outside Wind Thunder Canyon. As they saw several people intending to enter, Little Lin spoke lazily, "Stop right there!"


    "Hm?"


    The group was startled and looked in the direction of the voice.


    The eagle eyes of the Golden Crown Black Eagle were incredibly sharp, they stared fixedly at Little Lin''s direction, emitting a series of low cries.


    Little Lin climbed down leisurely from the tree canopy, stood up straight, and said indifferently, "My boss is cultivating. You can''t go in there!"


    "What a cute little snake!"


    "I''ve studied the Compendium of Hundred Beasts diligently, but I''ve never seen such a small snake before. Could it be a mutated magical beast? It''s worth a fortune. If I capture it and present it to my mother, she will be overjoyed!" Liu Mubai''s eyes lit up as he glanced at the Golden Crown Black Eagle beside him, "Catch it!"


    "Yes, Your Highness!"


    With a soft tweet, the Golden Crown Black Eagle flapped its wings and swept up a great wind, turning into a streak of black light swooping down.


    Its sharp talons reached out from under its belly, grabbing towards Little Lin.


    The Golden Crown Black Eagle, being at the initial stage of the sixth tier, was comparable to the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and its speed was incredibly fast. Even strong warriors at the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm had difficulty contending it.


    In its eyes, the aura emanating from Little Lin was merely at the fifth tier.


    It should have been an easy catch.


    Little did they know...


    Having followed Xiao Yi for so long, Little Lin had picked up many things from him, especially the skill of concealing his true cultivation level, in which he had surpassed the master. Although the aura he displayed was only that of a fifth-grade senior, comparable to the peak of the Golden Core Realm, in reality, after ingesting the essence of the Dragon Vein Spiritual Pool twice, Little Lin had reached the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    His speed was even faster than that of the Golden Crown Black Eagle.


    When faced with the sudden attack of the Golden Crown Black Eagle, Little Lin curled up into a ball, and at the moment when the sharp claws came down, he shot out violently.


    Little Lin was like an arrow leaving the bow.


    Whoosh!


    A streak of silver light tore through the void, perfectly evading the claws of the Golden Crown Black Eagle, burrowing into its forehead and flying out the back of its head. The giant Golden Crown Black Eagle shuddered, falling to the ground with a thud, while Little Lin once again dived into its body, emerging with a Martial Dao Divine Fruit in his mouth, which he swallowed in one gulp.


    Standing proudly on the head of the Golden Crown Black Eagle, he squinted his eyes and, with a human-like provocativeness, stared down at Liu Mubai and the others.


    Hiss!


    Liu Mubai and his companions took a sharp intake of breath.


    This Golden Crown Black Eagle was a foe that even a human expert at the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm would find difficult to handle, yet this seemingly pretty little snake had killed it with one strike?


    "What a silver demon snake, this prince will take it for himself!"


    Liu Mubai''s eyes shone as he turned to Zhan Bitao, "Zhan, capture this beast alive!"


    "A mere beast, I will subdue it with one sword strike!"


    Zhan Bitao held his sword with both hands, his fishtail outfit rustling in the air, and in an instant his sword was drawn, with no visible sword moves, and the longsword returned to its sheath.


    At the same time, a dense mass of sword scars suddenly appeared around Little Lin, intersecting and striking down.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Little Lin kept dodging, his speed remarkably fast. A streak of silver light weaved through countless sword beams, untouched like a leaf that does not stick to any flower in a field of thousands.


    Zhan Bitao''s face stiffened as he felt a burning humiliation on his cheeks.


    He had vowed only a moment ago that he could subdue Little Lin with a single sword strike.


    And yet, that strike hadn''t even touched a scale on Little Lin''s body.


    How embarrassing indeed!


    Zhan Bitao glared furiously: "Little creature, how dare you insult me thus? Meteor from Beyond the Heavens..."


    Zhan Bitao thrust his sword out as he spoke.


    This thrust was his signature move, extremely fast and tricky to defend against��a bloodless strike!


    Little Lin''s pupils suddenly constricted. His speed was undeniably astonishing, but Zhan Bitao was after all at the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, far superior to him. With a clink, the cold glittering sword tip fell squarely on him, silver scales shattering instantly, fresh blood sprayed from Little Lin''s mouth as his body was sent flying.


    "Hahaha, little fellow, come obediently to this prince''s hands!" Liu Mubai was ecstatic as he reached out for Little Lin.


    But at that moment...


    An icy chill swept through him suddenly.


    Liu Mubai shivered as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.


    Bang!


    In front of him, there was an invisible wall of energy, abruptly halting his advance.


    Little Lin turned into a streak of silver light, landing on Xiao Yi''s shoulder, his face bearing a look of grievance: "Boss, if you didn''t come, they would have beaten me to death..." S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "As long as I''m here, I will seek justice for you!"


    Xiao Yi rubbed his head, narrowing his eyes as he stood up and looked towards Liu Mubai and the others, "You hurt my brother, how would you like to die?"

 Chapter 176 - 176 Wind Thunder Starts to Show Its Power

    "How do you want to die for harming my brother?"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was icy as he looked at Zhan Bitao and the others.


    He had sensed the presence of the group earlier when the Golden Crown Black Eagle arrived. At the time, he was digesting the First-turn Wind Thunder Elixir, healing his body from the erosion of the gang winds and thunder.


    He couldn''t move hastily.


    He hadn''t expected Little Lin to nearly encounter a fatal accident, and his rage was uncontrollable.


    Liu Mubai frowned and looked at Xiao Yi with a sneer on his face, scoffing, "I wondered who it was, turns out it''s just a mere Golden Core Realm Peak. Boy, I see your Body Refinement Technique is not weak, just hand over that technique and the serpent-like magical beast, and I can leave you a whole corpse."


    Xiao Yi sighed, "Leave me a whole corpse? I''m afraid you can''t afford to do so!"


    "Hmm?"


    Liu Mubai let out a cold laugh, seeing Xiao Yi at just the peak of Golden Core Realm, he was not worth his attention at all, he turned to Wu Lun and said, "Cut off his limbs!"


    "Rest assured, Your Highness!"


    Wu Lun smiled confidently, striding towards Xiao Yi like a dragon stalking a tiger.


    In his footsteps.


    Each step was firm and powerful, showing his mastery in leg techniques.


    His leg muscles tensed in an instant, as tough as if they were cast from gold and iron. With a ferocious push against the ground, a resounding boom filled the air and dust flew from the ground as he suddenly leaped into the air. In a flash, he appeared before Xiao Yi, and as he spun in the air, two white whips flew from his hands.


    These whips were intertwined with chains and were incredibly sturdy.


    With two clanking sounds, they wrapped around Xiao Yi''s hands.


    Liu Mubai laughed derisively, looking at Zhan Bitao by his side, "I thought he was some kind of expert, but it turns out he''s just a silver-spearhead that looks good without substance. Once bound by Wu Lun''s bloodthirsty white satin, even an ordinary warrior at the Tao Tribulation Realm would struggle to break free! After Wu Lun severs his limbs, we''ll use severe torture to extract the Body Refining Techniques from him!"


    "Congratulations to Your Highness for acquiring a set of Body Refining Techniques!" Zhan Bitao said with a smile.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation was merely at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    He had not yet stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    In their eyes, he was no different from an ant.


    "Certainly, congratulations are in order, only..."


    Liu Mubai glanced at the Golden Crown Black Eagle lying in a pool of blood, shaking his head with regret, "This Golden Crown Black Eagle was a gift from my mother, and now it has died here, truly a pity!"


    "Your Highness, that little silver snake is much stronger than the Golden Crown Black Eagle. I believe the Queen Mother will also like it!" Zhan Bitao said in a heavy voice.


    The queen of the Great Jin Kingdom was a rare Beast Tamer.


    Many formidable magical beasts of the Great Jin Kingdom were personally tamed by her.


    Her greatest hobby was collecting powerful magical beasts with pure bloodlines and extremely rare mutated magical beasts.


    The two were talking when suddenly a harsh crackling sound came from ahead. The men looked at each other and both laughed, "Wu Lun doesn''t hold back, does he? That sounded like a crippling fracture!"


    However...


    When they followed the sound to look, both were momentarily stunned.


    Xiao Yi still appeared easy and carefree, standing with his hands behind his back.


    But Wu Lun''s limbs were broken, and like a flagpole, he was stuck into the ground, half his body buried in the earth, blood spurting from every orifice, his face pale with horror and despair as he shouted towards them, "Save me... Your Highness, save me..."


    "Wu Lun?"


    Liu Mubai looked on in astonishment.


    Zhan Bitao also showed a surprised expression, "What happened? How did he break free from the bloodthirsty white satin?"


    That bloodthirsty white satin was a genuine Yuan weapon, exceptionally tough, and not easily broken even by warriors at the Calamity Realm in a short time.


    What exactly had happened?


    "Your Highness, save me..." Wu Lun bellowed, his face covered in blood.


    Liu Mubai''s complexion alternated between pale and flushed as he looked at Zhan Bitao, his face distorted with ferocity, and he growled, "Kill him, kill him for me!"


    "Yes!"


    Zhan Bitao slapped his hand on the hilt of his sword; with a piercing sound of metal slicing through air, the longsword he cradled shot out of its sheath, becoming a silver streak heading forward. Zhan Bitao tapped the ground with his foot, skimming swiftly across the surface like a swallow, grabbing the sword hilt and slashing a sword arc in follow-through, "Diagonal Moon!" S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Swish!


    The silver arc, like a diagonal moon, swept close to the ground.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Wherever the sword arc passed, the ground was torn apart, and the air itself was cleaved open, forming walls of force on either side of the sword edge.


    Xiao Yi reached out a hand, spread his fingers, and grasped toward the sword arc.


    "You think you can catch my sword with your flesh and blood? That''s delusional wishful thinkin��" Zhan Bitao''s fierce and confident expression froze on his face.


    The sharp sword light could not advance an inch further in Xiao Yi''s hand.


    "That''s all!"


    Xiao Yi closed his hand.


    Crack!


    The sword arc shattered, scattering a sky full of sword light.


    "A sword without a trace!"


    Zhan Bitao, after all, was a battle-hardened warrior. Shock quickly gave way to composure, as he gripped his longsword with both hands, his figure turning into a phantom.


    Whoosh!


    His figure suddenly vanished from the spot.


    By the time he reemerged,


    he stood behind Xiao Yi.


    The two stood back to back.


    Zhan Bitao slowly raised his longsword in front of him and gently stroked the blade, a proud look on his face, "With this sword of mine, my strikes are always met with blood. Until now, no one of my realm has ever avoided it. Take pride in dying by this sword!"


    As he spoke,


    Zhan Bitao intended to sheathe his longsword!


    However...


    There suddenly came a crisp crack from the longsword, followed by a spreading crunching sound.


    Apart from a section of the tip that had entered the sheath, the rest of the blade shattered to pieces.


    Turning into fragments on the ground.


    Zhan Bitao: "..."


    His body jolted as if struck by lightning, before freezing in place, disbelievingly staring at the fragments on the ground, his throat moving up and down.


    Gulp!


    Zhan Bitao forcefully swallowed his saliva, stiffly turning to look at Xiao Yi, "You-you-you aren''t dead?"


    "Indeed, your sword strike was remarkable!"


    Xiao Yi snapped back to reality, touched his neck, finding a white line of a sword scratch there.


    The speed of the strike had indeed been extremely fast.


    Even Xiao Yi had been grazed slightly, and for any ordinary fighter even a slight touch would have been enough to slit their throat.


    Xiao Yi relied on the power of his Wind Thunder Holy Body to protect his throat at the crucial moment, leaving only a sword scratch.


    The fifth-grade Yuan weapon, however, was shattered by the power of Wind Thunder.


    That''s what led to this scene.


    "No-no way, my sword has never failed..." Xhan Bitao''s eyebrows twitched violently, his face full of shock.


    Xiao Yi looked up at him and said indifferently, "You did not miss, but you just didn''t break through my defense. As it happens, my Body Refining Technique is newly completed, so I''ll use you to practice."


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi suddenly dove forward, the wild force from his body blasting the ground apart.


    A cloud of dust billowed behind him.


    His iron fist was already in sight.


    "Damn it!"


    Zhan Bitao crossed his arms in front of him and suddenly, his whole body shook, with a terrifying power of Wind Thunder coursing through him, paralyzing his body in an instant.


    The terrible force spread throughout his body.


    Zhan Bitao was sent flying more than fifty meters away, plowing through everything in his path.


    Boom!


    Zhan Bitao''s whole body became embedded in the rock wall, blood covering all his orifices.


    Xiao Yi shook his arm, the Wind Thunder power fading away from his fist, "Worthy of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, being this powerful even in the first-turn realm!"


    Xiao Yi withdrew his fist and turned back to look at a stunned Liu Mubai.


    Thud!


    Liu Mubai''s legs gave out, and he knelt on the ground, his face full of fear and trepidation, "Spare me, young hero, spare my life. Here''s a billion in silver notes as compensation, please let me live..."


    Whether it was the common folk or the high and mighty emperors and generals,


    when faced with death, most are the same.


    Xiao Yi gave him a cold glance, casually taking the billion silver notes and said indifferently, "Today I''ll spare your life. Remember to be more careful with your eyes in the future!"


    "Yes, yes, Mubai will keep it in mind!" Liu Mubai was earnestly fearful.


    Xiao Yi snorted and took off into the sky.


    Long after Xiao Yi had left, Liu Mubai finally stood up, his body drenched in sweat. He glanced at the dumbstruck Wulun, steeled his heart, and with a ferocious face walked towards Wulun.


    Wulun trembled and struggled frantically, "Your Highness, please don''t kill me... I swear I won''t speak of today''s events, please don''t kill me..."


    "Only the dead can keep secrets!"


    Liu Mubai smashed Wulun''s skull with a palm strike, then approached Zhan Bitao, finding that Zhan was knocked unconscious, and heaved a sigh of relief. He pried him from the rock wall, fed him Healing Pills, and after a while Zhan Bitao came to, his face full of pain, "Your Highness, I failed my duty and couldn''t protect you..."


    "Zhan, you exaggerate. This man is beyond you and me, it''s not your fault," Liu Mubai consoled him.


    Zhan Bitao managed a bitter smile, "Your Highness, now that both my hands are shattered, I won''t be able to wield a sword for some time. Are we still heading to Qingyun Kingdom?"


    "Why wouldn''t we go?"


    Liu Mubai''s eyes were filled with ferocity, "We can''t afford to provoke that young man, but what''s Xiao Yi to us? I have the top-quality Golden Healing Elixir that can restore fifty percent of your injuries. Even if you can''t wield a sword, Zhan, you should still be able to capture him. Besides, if it weren''t for Xiao Yi, we wouldn''t have come to this godforsaken place and ended up like this. I will make Xiao Yi pay dearly..."

 Chapter 177 - 177: How is it you?

    Qingyun Kingdom, the capital city.


    It had been only two days since Xiao Yi left, and there hadn''t been any changes in the capital.


    Just as he returned to the palace...


    Xiao Yi heard a scream coming from within the palace, yet the patrolling guards seemed accustomed to it, leaving him puzzled, "What''s going on here?"


    "Lord!"


    After a respectful bow, a guard said with a strange expression, "Lord Xue is conducting an experiment..."


    "Conducting an experiment?" Xiao Yi was startled.


    The guard struggled to hold back his laughter and said, "Lord Xue seems to have developed some new elixir, and Lord Shi Yaoqian was deeply interested, so he volunteered to test it. However, pfft..."


    The guard could no longer restrain his laughter.


    Another guard beside him hurriedly said, "It seems there was a problem with the medicine, and now Lord Shi Yaoqian, he has been out of control since yesterday, rampaging around like a mad bull..."


    "Pfft!"


    "Hahaha..."


    The surrounding guards all doubled over with laughter, "You don''t know... after Lord Shi took the elixir, he became as strong as a humanoid beast, invulnerable to knives and spears, impervious to water and fire..." S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Listening to the guards'' descriptions, he became increasingly interested in the new drug developed by Xue Bufan.


    What on earth had Xue Bufan developed?


    Thinking this, Xiao Yi followed the noise and came to the imperial garden, where a crowd was gathered at the entrance, each craning their necks to look inside.


    Shi Yaoquan, Shi Yaodu, Shi Yaose, and Yu Huaxian were also in the midst of the crowd.


    Each one stretched their necks to look inside.


    "What''s going on?"


    Xiao Yi was puzzled and levitated to get a better view inside; what he saw left him dumbfounded.


    In the imperial garden.


    Shi Yaoqian was running wildly.


    His body glowed red as if drenched in fresh blood, charging through the garden and smashing everything in his path to pieces.


    Xue Bufan was in hot pursuit with a dagger: "Don''t run... If I cut open a wound over your heart and drain the poisoned blood, you''ll return to normal. Why run? Just one slice, you have to trust me..."


    "I trust your evil intentions, you wretched old man..."


    Shi Yaoqian, enraged and continuously roaring, said, "You told me it was just for strengthening and maintaining health, with absolutely no side effects. Look now... I haven''t been able to stop since yesterday..."


    Xiao Yi was completely bewildered.


    He then noticed that the imperial garden was in complete disarray, as if a frenzied mythical beast had rampaged through it.


    At that moment...


    Shi Yaoqian tripped by accident.


    Xue Bufan swiftly caught up and pinned him to the ground: "I''ve finally got you!"


    "Shi Yaoqian is in big trouble..."


    "It looks like he won''t be able to dodge this knife..."


    As everyone expressed their nervous sympathy, they suddenly heard the sound of Xiao Yi clearing his throat behind them, and they quickly straightened up, respectfully saying, "Lord, you''re back!"


    Xiao Yi cleared his throat and with a stern face, said, "What is everyone doing here? Don''t you have work to do?" He looked at Shi Yaoquan and the others, "The lot of you, hurry up and prepare the troops. Aside from those staying to protect the capital, the rest will come back with me to Tianqing Kingdom. The troops from Sihai Kingdom and Baijing Kingdom haven''t withdrawn yet!"


    "Yes!"


    Shi Yaoquan and Yu Huaxian and the others quickly retreated.


    Inside the imperial garden.


    Shi Yaoqian was finally in Xue Bufan''s hands, as he pinned Shi Yaoqian to the ground and used his vital energy to form chains that bound his limbs.


    He fiercely guzzled a mouthful of strong alcohol and sprayed it on the dagger.


    Xue Bufan smiled and said, "Don''t be afraid, it will be over in just a moment!"


    "No..."


    Shi Yaoqian closed his eyes in despair.


    "Wait!"


    Xiao Yi sighed, having no choice but to intervene. If this knife strike could indeed release some poisoned blood, it would also severely damage Shi Yaoqian''s meridians.


    "Xiao... save me..." Shi Yaoqian clutched at him like a lifeline.


    Xue Bufan''s face was a mask of embarrassment, "Xiao, you''re back? It was just a small accident, I can handle it right away!"


    Xiao Yi bitterly smiled and said, "Elder Xue, if you make this cut, he can forget about making any progress in this lifetime!"


    "Uh..."


    Xue Bufan blinked and said, "Is it that serious?"


    "The pill and his blood have to integrate completely for him to lose control of his body. If you release a large quantity of blood now, it will damage his meridians. Take Shi Yaoqian to the back kitchen, find a large steaming basket, and steam him on a gentle fire. Slowly expel the poisoned blood and that should do it!" Xiao Yi said earnestly, "This way we can fully detoxify him, not just release all the poisoned blood at once..."


    "I see!"


    With a sudden realization, Xue Bufan carried Shi Yaoqian off toward the back kitchen.


    Shi Yaoqian wailed miserably, "Xiao, save me..."


    "What a headache this old man is..."


    Xiao Yi sighed in resignation, preparing to head to the kitchen to keep an eye on things when his expression shifted slightly, revealing a hint of amusement, "What are they doing here?"


    ......


    In front of the Golden Throne Hall.


    Two figures walked side by side, killing the guards that attempted to stop them and leaving their bodies strewn about.


    In their path...


    Yu Huaxian and the Shi Family brothers stood shoulder to shoulder, their expressions solemn as they faced the newcomers.


    "Yu Huaxian, do you not kneel and greet this prince?" Liu Mubai stood with his hands behind his back, his face cold as he stared at Yu Huaxian.


    Zhan Bitao stood by his side, having regained mobility with the help of the Golden Healing Elixir.


    Although he was unable to wield his sword for a while,


    his power at the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm was still enough to suppress Yu Huaxian.


    Yu Huaxian''s expression shifted. Especially upon looking at Zhan Bitao, his expression turned more solemn as he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, the Seventh Prince, Commander Zhan, it has been a while. Are you unharmed?"


    "Heh, what do you think? The chief supervisor of my Eastern Factory has sided with the enemy along with the Golden Crow Guards. Do you think I would be well?" said Liu Mubai with a sneer.


    His smile was ferocious, sending chills down the spines of those who saw it.


    Zhan Bitao quietly released the overpowering aura of the Sixth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, instilling trepidation in everyone present, "Yu Huaxian, why do you not kneel before His Highness?"


    "I am no longer a subject of the Great Jin Kingdom, why should I kneel to him?" Yu Huaxian spoke with neither arrogance nor servility.


    "Once a dog of the royal family, always a dog. The Seventh Prince is your master. It''s not just kneeling�� even if he commands you to die, you can only obediently comply!" Zhan Bitao spoke dispassionately, enunciating every word.


    Yu Huaxian''s face suddenly changed, "You..."


    "Yu Huaxian, you are just a neutered dog raised by our royal family. A dog should have the awareness of being a dog. If you dare to bite the hand that feeds, there is only one path left for you��death!" Liu Mubai said dismissively, "By the way, where is that bastard Xiao Yi? Has he not come out to kneel before this prince yet?"


    As he finished speaking,


    a taunting voice emerged from the Golden Throne Hall, "You say... I should kneel and welcome who exactly?"


    "Of course, it''s kneel before this prince, prince, prince..."


    Liu Mubai looked up proudly following the voice, but as he saw Xiao Yi emerging from the Golden Throne Hall, his face became stricken as if an invisible hand had clutched at his throat, and the words he was about to speak choked off. Stunned and disconcerted, he stammered, "How... how... how is it you?"

 Chapter 178 - 178: One Man Suppresses a Country

    "How, how, how is it you?"


    Liu Mubai looked utterly bewildered at the sight of Xiao Yi standing before him.


    He had never imagined that the person who, like a nightmare, had inflicted a heavy blow on Zhan Bitao and frightened him into kneeling and begging for mercy would appear before him so soon.


    Yu Huaxian and others quickly bowed to Xiao Yi, "We''ve seen the Guardian Martial God, sir!"


    "The, the Guardian Martial God? You, you''re Xiao Yi?"


    Liu Mubai was dumbfounded.


    Cold sweat the size of beans oozed from his forehead, flowing down in a torrent.


    Zhan Bitao next to him was also pale, with both hands uncontrollably shaking. Not long ago, those same hands had been shattered by Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, examining the two, especially lingering on Zhan Bitao''s hands, "It seems the Healing Pills from the Great Jin Kingdom aren''t bad, huh? In such a short time, they''ve reconnected the broken bones in your hands!"


    "I, I..."


    Zhan Bitao turned green with grief, a bitter smile on his face, "It''s, it''s not that great, it still hurts terribly..."


    Liu Mubai''s lips turned even paler.


    In that Wind Thunder Canyon, the indelible impression Xiao Yi left on him was crystal clear!


    How could he dare to oppose Xiao Yi now?


    Liu Mubai forced a smile, "Xiao, Lord Xiao, I am Liu Mubai, the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I''ve heard already. You were the one who said you wanted my life, right?"


    "I��"


    Liu Mubai''s shoulders trembled like sieves, and he said with a wry smile, "What are you talking about, sir? How could I possibly want your life?"


    Yu Huaxian and the others standing by were flabbergasted.


    A moment ago.


    Liu Mubai and Zhan Bitao were so proud and domineering!


    Yet upon seeing Xiao Yi, they were like mice that had seen a cat.


    Seeing them sweating profusely and acting so cautiously, where was there any trace of their previous arrogance?


    The onlookers'' gaze towards Xiao Yi grew more fervent.


    Yu Huaxian was even more certain of his decision to side with Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Don''t want to? I think you''re not daring to, right?"


    Liu Mubai uttered an awkward laugh and could only smile sheepishly.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the dozens of corpses lying haphazardly in front of him �C these were the guards killed by Zhan Bitao �C and his expression turned slightly cold. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Liu Mubai, you''ve killed so many of my men, we need to settle this account properly!"


    "Compensation, I''ll compensate with money!" Liu Mubai replied hastily.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Compensate with money? I wonder how much they''re worth in your eyes?"


    Liu Mubai hesitated for a moment, then clenched his teeth and said, "Ten million for each, how about that?"


    "Ten million Silver for each? As expected of the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, you are indeed generous."


    Xiao Yi spoke nonchalantly, and just as Liu Mubai breathed a sigh of relief, Xiao Yi suddenly let out a cold snort, "My guards are worth ten million each, then I wonder, how much is your life, Liu Mubai, worth?"


    "I, I��"


    Liu Mubai was at a loss for words.


    How much is it worth?


    Of course, he wanted to say priceless!


    He was the proud seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, and his mother was even the current leading Beast Tamer.


    But how could he dare?


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "Let''s settle the life debt with life, shall we?"


    "Life?"


    Liu Mubai shuddered, his complexion turning deathly pale, and he quickly waved his hands, "Xiao, Xiao, have mercy. I''m the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, dearly loved by my father the Emperor and mother the Empress. If you kill me, it will surely enrage them both. Then, the elite forces of the Great Jin Kingdom will officially declare war on the Tianqing Kingdom..."


    Xiao Yi leaned forward slightly, "Are you threatening me?"


    Liu Mubai hastened to shake his head, "No, no, no, I wouldn''t dare threaten you! What I mean is, if you spare me, I can plead with my father the Emperor and mother the Empress to spare the Tianqing Kingdom."


    Zhan Bitao chimed in from the side, "The Tianqing Kingdom and our Great Jin Kingdom don''t have any deep grudges; all this is Xue Yilou stirring troubles behind the scenes. Moreover, with the strength you, Xiao, have shown, even if the Great Jin Kingdom really wanted to annihilate Tianqing Kingdom, the loss would be significant. I believe after weighing the options and with your mediation, they would definitely not send troops against the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    Their words also reached the ears of Yu Huaxian and the others.


    The three Shi Family brothers all thought it made sense.


    Yu Huaxian spoke softly, "Xiao, given the current strength of Tianqing Kingdom, trying to confront the Great Jin Kingdom is not realistic. If peace can truly be negotiated, it would be beneficial and harmless to us!"


    Meanwhile.


    Liu Mubai was secretly communicating with Zhan Bitao, "First, keep them stable, you can even promise many benefits. Once we return, I will have the emperor send a large army to flatten Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Your Highness, rest assured, our Great Jin Kingdom is powerful, with countless mighty warriors; crushing Tianqing Kingdom is as easy as the flick of a wrist!" Zhan Bitao also communicated in secret.


    The two were covertly discussing how to annihilate Tianqing Kingdom.


    But on the surface, they wore obsequious smiles.


    Smiles that concealed knives.


    Harboring ulterior motives!


    Under the expectant gazes of the two, Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly as he leisurely walked up to them, "Have you ever heard a saying?"


    "Hmm?"


    The two were taken aback, both looking at him intently.


    Xiao Yi spoke leisurely, not fast in speech, but with unwavering resolve, and even as he spoke, his figure seemed to become even more imposing, "As long as I am here, Tianqing shall not fall!"


    Just seven simple words.


    Yet at that moment, they resounded like a bolt from the blue, a thunderclap in a clear sky, shaking people''s hearts.


    They left Liu Mubai and Zhan Bitao''s faces colorless with shock and astonishment in their eyes.


    Xiao Yi''s voice rolled like a massive wave, "If Tianqing Kingdom is to stand tall in this world, it will do so with our own fists and blades, slashing down every enemy. There''s no need for you to plead on our behalf. Your Great Jin Kingdom may be strong, but if you wish to annihilate Tianqing Kingdom, then come at us! We will meet the troops with our generals, and stem the water with our earth..."


    "If you want a battle, I''ll give you one!" Xiao Yi said, his expression icy cold.


    These six words seemed to carry a profound power, echoing in the air, reverberating long and far.


    Immediately, the faces of the three Shi Family brothers turned crimson with impassioned vigor as they clenched their fists, "If you want a battle, we''ll give you one!"


    Yu Huaxian, too, was deeply moved, his neck flushed red and veins throbbing, "If you want a battle, I''ll give you one!"


    "If you want a battle, I''ll give you one!"


    "If you want a battle..."


    "I''ll give you one!"


    "Battle!"


    "Battle!"


    "Battle!"


    Throughout the palace, throughout the capital, the Azure Dragon Guards and Tianqing Kingdom''s soldiers, without exception, were yelling at the top of their lungs, with voices like rolling thunder, dominating the skies.


    Liu Mubai and Zhan Bitao fell back step by step.


    The two were so shocked they couldn''t speak.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze fell upon them, pointing at the dozens of bodies lying in pools of blood, "My brothers cannot die in vain! Since you want to compensate, let it be a life for a life!"


    "No... you can''t kill me, I am the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, you can''t..." Liu Mubai was hysterical, roaring in fear, "Zhan Bitao, save me..."


    Zhan Bitao''s expression was ferocious, "Your Highness, run..."


    Buzz!


    Countless sword lights erupted from his body, charging head-on towards Xiao Yi.


    Liu Mubai soared into the sky. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhan Bitao bellowed, "To kill His Highness, you''ll have to step over my dead body!"


    "Then I shall oblige you!"


    With a cold snort, Xiao Yi stepped forward, his Wind Thunder Holy Body radiating the light of Wind Thunder, and with a booming stomp he crushed Zhan Bitao''s head into his chest cavity, while launching an aerial feint with his hand as a sword, pointing out, "Sailing a thousand miles to Jiangling... in just one day!"


    Whoosh!


    A silver sword light burst forth.


    Puff!


    Liu Mubai, who was fleeing rapidly through the void, trembled, his body split in two and fell from the sky...

 Chapter 179 - 179: One Man with a Sword, Charging into the Enemy Camp Alone!

    The seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, Liu Mubai.


    In a torrent of blood, his bifurcated body plummeted, crashing to the ground with two thumps, shattering to pieces.


    His death meant that there would be no end to the rivalry between Tianqing Kingdom and the Great Jin Kingdom until one was annihilated!


    However...


    Whether it was the ordinary soldiers or powerhouses like Yu Huaxian and the three Shi brothers, not a single person blamed Xiao Yi.


    Their hearts were ablaze with the will to fight.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, no strong nation had ever emerged from compromise!


    If Tianqing Kingdom was to rise, it could only rely on itself!


    Meet warriors with warriors, counter water with earth!


    What of the Great Jin Kingdom?


    As long as one is sufficiently powerful, one can completely repel them at the nation''s gates, or even sweep through the Great Jin!


    Of course...


    The reason Xiao Yi did this, apart from his confidence in his own strength, was that he had acquired the inheritance of the Wind Thunder Venerable, equipping him with countless alchemy formulas. Among them was one that could greatly enhance the strength of basic martial artists in a short period of time, and once this set of formulas was successfully concocted.


    Within three months, Tianqing Kingdom would have a million-strong Azure Dragon Guard!


    It is to be noted that the Azure Dragon Guard was formerly the Golden Crow Guard!


    The most elite military force of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    According to Yu Huaxian, even with the full might of the Great Jin Kingdom, the armies that could rival the Golden Crow Guard were no more than a hundred thousand strong.


    If Tianqing Kingdom could muster a million Azure Dragon Guards, and with powerhouses like Xiao Yi, Yu Huaxian, Xue Bufan, and others to defend it, even the Great Jin Kingdom would be helpless against them!


    This was the source of Xiao Yi''s confidence!


    "Xiao, the news of Liu Mubai''s death can hardly be concealed, and it will most likely reach the Great Jin Kingdom within half a month. When that happens, the Great Jin Kingdom will be enraged and may lash out in full force, provoking a war of annihilation. We must be on guard!" Yu Huaxian knew well the strength of the Great Jin Kingdom and spoke with a grave expression.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Don''t worry, I have a plan in mind. Immediately arrange for men. Tomorrow morning, follow me back to the kingdom with the Azure Dragon Guard!"


    "Understood!"


    Yu Huaxian bowed and withdrew.


    Xiao Yi turned to Shi Yaodu and the other two, "How goes the collection of medicinal herbs I tasked you with?"


    Shi Yaodu promptly replied, "We have gathered all the herbs that could be found in the capital."


    "Very good!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said, "First, hand over all the collected herbs to me. Tomorrow, I will return to the kingdom with Huaxian and the Azure Dragon Guard. We must resolve matters with Sihai and Baijing Kingdoms as soon as possible. As for you... on the way back, collect every single herb I mentioned in every city, without exception."


    "Yes, sir!"


    Shi Yaoquan handed a storage ring to Xiao Yi. The three bowed respectfully and then withdrew.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, looking toward the horizon where the red sun was slowly setting: "Your Majesty, I promised to protect Tianqing Kingdom, and I will keep that promise. Overthrowing the Great Qian Dynasty is too distant a goal, so let me first overthrow the Great Jin Kingdom, and make Tianqing the supreme beneath Great Qian!"


    ......


    Babao Pass.


    Gu Junhe sat in the governor''s residence.


    Indeed, he was a man of extraordinary talent, having stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm relying solely on his comprehension.


    Moreover, he had single-handedly withstood Xia Yuan and Bai Jianfeng from Baijing Kingdom, both Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, and staunchly defended Babao Pass, preventing them from gaining even an inch of ground.


    With news of Xiao Yi''s consecutive annihilation of Tianlan Kingdom and Qingyun Kingdom reaching Babao Pass, the morale of Tianqing Kingdom''s soldiers was high, repeatedly thwarting the advance of Baijing Kingdom''s army. Yet, in such brutal warfare, the army defending Babao Pass for Tianqing Kingdom had dwindled from its original four hundred thousand to now only one hundred and eighty thousand.


    More than half had died in battle!


    On the other hand, though Baijing Kingdom had also suffered heavy casualties, they still commanded an army of six hundred thousand.


    A medical officer beside Gu Junhe was treating his wounds with meticulous care. His back was covered with dozens of fierce sword marks, inflicted by the combined efforts of Xia Yuan and Bai Jianfeng.


    Gu Junhe remained expressionless, allowing the medical officer to tend to his savage wounds, and asked the officer before him, "Cheng De, how much longer can our provisions last?"


    "To report to the general, our provisions will only suffice for seven more days."


    Cheng De, having lost an arm, revealed a grim expression, "That bastard Xia Yuan, when he pledged allegiance, he burnt our granaries to the ground, leaving nothing behind. Otherwise, we wouldn''t be in such a passive position."


    "General, the attacks from Baijing Kingdom''s army have become increasingly ferocious these past few days. I fear the men won''t be able to hold out much longer!"


    "I suggest we first evacuate Babao Pass, and once Guardian Martial God Lord Xiao arrives with support, we can counterattack..."


    "Once Babao Pass is lost, the vast prairie lies beyond. How will we defend against the Baijing Kingdom''s army once they spread out?"


    "We must not retreat!"


    "But if we don''t retreat, how can just our 180,000 men hold out?"


    The generals argued fiercely.


    At that moment...


    A messenger rushed in from outside the door, out of breath: "Report..."


    "What''s the matter?"


    The generals turned their anxious eyes to the messenger, "Has the Baijing Kingdom''s rabble launched another attack?"


    Bang!


    Gu Junhe slammed his palm down on the table, eyes blazing with fury: "This is intolerable! Bring me my armor; I''m going to fight them myself!"


    "No, no, no, that''s not it..."


    The messenger finally caught his breath and quickly said, "It''s... It''s the War God himself who has appeared. He alone, with a single sword, has gone to the Baijing Kingdom''s military camp..."


    "What?" Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The National God of War Xiao Yi himself?"


    "He''s going into the camp alone? Isn''t that suicide?"


    "All men, heed my command, rush out of the city to meet the enemy... No matter what, we must protect Xiao Yi!" Gu Junhe shouted anxiously.


    Despite the continuous good news from Xiao Yi during this period,


    there were even rumors...


    that even those in the Tao Tribulation Realm couldn''t withstand a single move from him.


    But those were just rumors!


    The Baijing Kingdom has two beings of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and hundreds of thousands of troops. With Xiao Yi charging into the camp alone, isn''t this like sending a lamb into the tiger''s mouth?


    For a moment,


    Babao Pass was in chaos.


    At the same time,


    Xiao Yi, riding the Tianqing wild ox, appeared alone in front of the Baijing Kingdom''s camp.


    "Who goes there?"


    The soldiers guarding the camp gate tensed up, spears and swords ready, and the archers on the arrow tower aimed their arrows at Xiao Yi.


    Now that the two countries were at war, they could not be too careful with a man appearing alone in front of their camp.


    Xiao Yi glanced at them and said indifferently, "Summon Xia Yuan and Bai Jianfeng to see me!"


    "How dare you!"


    "General Xia and Mr. Bai are not names you can call out directly!"


    "Seize this arrogant fool at once!"


    The guard captain waved his hand, and two alert guards stepped forward.


    Xiao Yi shook his head slightly and flicked his fingers.


    Bursts of vital energy shot out like a torrential rain of arrows.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    A dozen guards fell to the ground at the sound.


    "This is bad!"


    "It''s an attack!"


    "Kill him..."


    The archers on the arrow tower continuously fired volleys, but their arrows came to an abrupt halt half a meter from Xiao Yi, then reversed direction. With the sound of thuds, they struck down the soldiers on the tower, one by one. In an instant, the guards at the front of the Baijing Kingdom''s camp were wiped out, and Xiao Yi''s voice boomed like a song, reverberating between heaven and earth: "The National God of War of the Tianqing Kingdom, Xiao Yi, is here. Xia Yuan, Bai Jianfeng, come out and face your deaths!"

 Chapter 180 - 180: Capturing the Generals Head as Easily as Reaching into a Bag!

    "Xia Yuan, Bai Jianfeng, aren''t you coming out to meet your death?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice boomed like the tide, reverberating above the military camp of the Baijing Kingdom.


    There was a moment of silence within the camp, followed by an explosive outburst.


    "Who is this bastard that dares to come knocking at our door looking for trouble?"


    "Brothers, kill him..."


    The entire camp was boiling over, as countless soldiers swarmed out.


    Amidst the explosive sound like that of a bursting flood, hundreds of thousands of soldiers from the Baijing Kingdom''s army poured out of the camp in an orderly and united manner. In an instant, there were a sea of people in front of Xiao Yi, each with ferocious looks in their eyes, staring intently at him.


    Inside the camp.


    Two figures walked side by side, and the surrounding soldiers voluntarily stepped aside to make way for them.


    The two were none other than Xia Yuan and Bai Jianfeng.


    Xia Yuan had an impressive appearance with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. He had entered the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm with the help of the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    Bai Jianfeng, by his side, was also of the Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    But he had stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm relying on his own talent, genuinely surpassing Xia Yuan by quite a bit!


    When Xia Yuan saw Xiao Yi, his pupils shrank sharply, and then he sneered, "I was wondering who it was. It turns out to be the great Guardian Martial God Xiao Yi!"


    "Xia Yuan, you, as the Great General of the Tianqing Kingdom, betrayed your country on the eve of battle. What crime should you be charged with?" Xiao Yi''s gaze was fixated on Xia Yuan as he spoke coldly.


    Xia Yuan''s betrayal had nearly led to the fall of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Had it not been for Gu Junhe stepping into the Tao Tribulation Realm in time and heading to Babao Pass to stop their advance, the army of the Baijing Kingdom might have already stormed through the capital of Tianqing Kingdom by now.


    "What constitutes betrayal?"


    Xia Yuan scoffed, his expression twisting viciously as he said deliberately, "It is the wise who recognize the times. I have served the Jiang Family for nearly a hundred years, fought battles on many fronts, and made illustrious military achievements. Yet Jiang Tianchen did not even bestow upon me a title of nobility, instead giving you the title of Guardian Martial God... I do not accept this!"


    Xia Yuan''s contributions to the Tianqing Kingdom were indeed not insignificant.


    But he was already sitting in the position of Great General, commanding the armed forces, with powerful troops at his disposal.


    Before Xiao Yi''s rise... S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was one of the most powerful people in the Tianqing Kingdom, second only to Jiang Tianchen alone.


    But so it is with human hearts!


    Never satisfied!


    Upon seeing Xiao Yi was named Guardian Martial God, and after being promised high office and rich rewards by the Baijing Kingdom, Xia Yuan decisively chose to betray.


    Xiao Yi said, "Achievements? Have you ever expanded the borders of the Tianqing Kingdom?"


    "I��"


    Xia Yuan''s face froze.


    Before this, there had been few major wars in the Tianqing Kingdom. Though his military achievements were remarkable, they were in defense of the nation, without any territorial expansion!


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "I eliminated Tianlan and then erased Qingyun, incorporating their lands into the territory of Tianqing. Are you sure you want to compare achievements with me?"


    "I, I��"


    Xia Yuan''s complexion fluctuated, turning from green to white. Under Xiao Yi''s oppressive presence, he involuntarily started to step back.


    Xiao Yi''s momentum was simply too strong!


    It was so overwhelming that Xia Yuan found it hard to breathe.


    Xiao Yi pressed on step by step, creating an invisible wave of energy that forced the soldiers on either side to fall back. Unaware, he was now only a hundred meters away from Xia Yuan, his expression cold, "You say the Jiang Family treated you unfairly. With the position of Great General in all these years, how many assets have you embezzled? How much bribery have you accepted, do you really think His Majesty was unaware? Did he ever punish you for it?"


    "I��"


    Xia Yuan trembled all over, speechless.


    Since becoming Great General, he had embezzled up to a billion taels of silver just in military funds.


    And that wasn''t even to mention the other various grey incomes.


    He had always thought he was seamless, but now, he realized that Jiang Tianchen had actually known all along and had even hinted at reminding him.


    Xia Yuan was drenched in cold sweat.


    "To hold oneself above others, accept bribes, and pervert the law, this is inhuman."


    "When the nation was in peril, you sided with the enemy, disregarding the suffering of the people, this is disloyal."


    "His Majesty''s favor upon you is as heavy as a mountain, yet you betrayed him, this is unjust."


    Xiao Yi''s expressionless face, his scolding voice becoming louder and more sonorous, his words increasingly resounding, "How dare someone as disloyal, inhumane, and unjust as you continue to live in this world?"


    Boom!


    Dark clouds suddenly clustered above the firmament, and a bolt of lightning roared as it fell from the sky.


    The flash of lightning connected heaven and earth, as if illuminating the world.


    Confronted with Xiao Yi''s soul-piercing questioning, and suddenly hearing the thunderous sound, Xia Yuan''s face turned deathly pale, and he abruptly clasped his hands onto his hair. His nails dug deep into his skull, and blood instantly smeared his entire face as he bellowed hysterically, "No... you''re spouting nonsense, I did nothing wrong, I did nothing wrong..."


    "Obstinate fool!"


    Xiao Yi formed a sword gesture with his hand, his gaze icy, "In the name of the Guardian Martial God, I sentence you to death!"


    Swish!


    A single pointed finger thrust forward.


    The sword light, like a fiery meteor, vanished in an instant.


    Thud!


    Xia Yuan''s body shook, and a dot of blood burst from his brow, struck dead by Xiao Yi with one finger!


    Hiss!


    All the soldiers around could not help but show shock and fear.


    Xia Yuan, a genuine First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, had just been so effortlessly killed by Xiao Yi?


    The most shocked of all was Bai Jianfeng.


    Xia Yuan''s death was beyond his expectations.


    What shocked him even more was that Xiao Yi, with just a few reprimands, had thoroughly unsettled Xia Yuan''s mind, a feat akin to ghostly sorcery, unheard of. By the time he realized what had happened, Xia Yuan had already become a corpse, and seeing Xiao Yi''s gaze turn toward him, the corner of Bai Jianfeng''s eye twitched, and he roared, "Kill him for me, whoever takes his head will be rewarded with a billion silver, promoted three ranks, and given a city as a fief..."


    "Kill!"


    "Xiao Yi, prepare to die!"


    Immense rewards breed brave warriors.


    In an instant.


    Tens of thousands of soldiers, their eyes red, regarded Xiao Yi as their prey, swarming toward him like a pack of hungry wolves.


    Xiao Yi was instantly engulfed by the overwhelming mass of Baijing Kingdom''s soldiers.


    Bai Jianfeng, standing behind tens of thousands of soldiers, had his face twisted with ferocity: "No matter how strong you are, two fists can''t beat four hands, let alone my tens of thousands of valiant warriors under my command."


    But at that moment...


    Within the crowd, a terrifying Sword Intent suddenly soared into the sky.


    "Why is my sword not obeying my command..."


    "No... my sword has flown away on its own..."


    Exclamations of astonishment followed.


    Swords filled the sky, rising into the air.


    Xiao Yi, master of the third stage of Sword Intent, the realm of unity between man and sword, could control the ordinary weapons in the hands of these soldiers with his powerful Sword Intent. Among the tens of thousands, one third were swordsmen; tens of thousands of longswords lifted into the sky, forming a spherical sword orb, wrapping Xiao Yi within.


    Xiao Yi stood aloft, sweeping his sword fingers: "Kill!"


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Countless rains of swords fell, and the warriors around were scattered and dismembered, suffering heavy casualties under the frenzied onslaught of falling swords.


    All of a sudden.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept forward, past hundreds of thousands of people, fixing on the appalled Bai Jianfeng: "Divide the water into two parts for White Egret Island!"


    Rustle, rustle, rustle!


    Countless longswords gathered above his head, over a hundred thousand blades forming a kilometer-long greatsword held aloft. Xiao Yi brought the greatsword down with one slash, a kilometer-long blade falling from the sky with a swish, the Sword Qi tearing a gash through the soldiers in front, and with a bang, it landed on Bai Jianfeng''s body.


    Bai Jianfeng, merely at the Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, how could he be Xiao Yi''s opponent?


    "No..."


    A scream echoed.


    The sword blade fell.


    Boom!


    The entire military camp trembled violently, the earth splintering, and hundreds of thousands of Baijing Kingdom warriors were thrown into chaos.


    At the end of that blade...


    Bai Jianfeng was decapitated!


    To take the head of a general amid an army of ten thousand was like reaching into a bag for an object!


    In that moment, Xiao Yi was like a god, like a demon, single-handedly suppressing hundreds of thousands of Baijing Kingdom soldiers, none daring to move a muscle...

 Chapter 181 - 181 Xiao Yi Triumphant Return

    ```


    Bai Jianfeng fell.


    Tens of thousands of Baijing Kingdom warriors were headless dragons, momentarily dazed, standing still in their place.


    They never expected that someone as strong as Bai Jianfeng couldn''t even block a single sword strike from Xiao Yi.


    At the same time...


    The ground thundered with vibrations.


    Dust and smoke rolled in the distance; banners pierced the sky. It was Gu Junhe leading the eighteen thousand-strong army of Tianqing Kingdom from Babao Pass to assist.


    When they saw from afar the congregation of Baijing Kingdom warriors inside the camp, Gu Junhe''s expression suddenly changed, "This is bad, Xiao Yi must have been surrounded by them... The lad is too reckless, no matter how strong he is, how can he contend against hundreds of thousands of troops?"


    As he thought, Gu Junhe''s expression turned increasingly grim.


    Whoosh!


    He fiercely pulled out his weapon and roared, "Bai Jianfeng, if you dare harm a single hair on Xiao Yi, I swear to explode myself to take you down with me!"


    "Kill!"


    "Protect the Guardian Martial God..."


    In that moment, the entire eighteen-thousand-strong army of Tianqing Kingdom was furious, rushing towards the enemy camp with utmost speed.


    However...


    When they truly approached the Baijing Kingdom camp, they all froze in shock.


    The Baijing Kingdom camp was in shambles, corpses strewn everywhere. The tens of thousands of soldiers, upon seeing their ferocious charge, were shedding their armors and weapons. Some surrendered right there, others fled in complete disarray; where was the ferocity and fierceness they had displayed earlier?


    Amidst the crowd, neither Xia Yuan nor Bai Jianfeng, the two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, could be seen.


    "What, what''s going on?"


    "You, you look... Isn''t that Xia Yuan''s body?"


    "Damn... it can''t be, can it?"


    Everyone felt as if they had been struck by lightning, their faces filled with disbelief.


    All of them couldn''t help but entertain a wild idea that emerged in their minds.


    This idea was even somewhat terrifying!


    "It can''t be possible, can it?"


    "If it''s true, then, then haven''t we won?"


    Boom boom boom!


    The eighteen thousand cavalry charged wildly, how could the soldiers of Baijing Kingdom, who had lost their will to fight, be their match?


    Like a landslide, defeat was imminent!


    A moment later.


    Gu Junhe arrived at the central command tent, and Xiao Yi had been waiting there for quite some time. Seeing Gu Junhe arrive, his face broke into a radiant smile, "Dean, congratulations on your grand victory over the Baijing Kingdom''s camp!"


    "You lad..."


    Gu Junhe felt a warmth in his eyes, understanding that Xiao Yi was attributing the credit to him!


    He hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Xia Yuan and Bai Jianfeng..."


    Xiao Yi nodded his head.


    Gu Junhe took a sharp intake of breath and sized up Xiao Yi. After a moment, he shook his head with a wry smile, "Incredible, truly incredible..." A year ago, when he first met Xiao Yi, the latter was just a little guy in the Shentong Realm, and now he stood at a height that even he could hardly reach. "Are the people of the Xiao Family blind? Such a genius, yet they treated him as trash? Even Xiao Tianjiao is no match for Xiao Yi!"


    ```


    Ah!


    Gu Junhe exhaled deeply, his gaze complex as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I truly could not believe that someone could achieve such terrifying accomplishments within a mere year!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and smiled, "Just luck!"


    "Luck?"


    Gu Junhe rolled his eyes, "How come I never have such good luck?"


    Xiao Yi spread his hands in a helpless gesture.


    Gu Junhe said in a deep voice, "Now that the Baijing Kingdom''s power is waning, should we take advantage of our victory and pursue them?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "We have already conquered Tianlan and Qingyun; it is not advisable to make a move on Baijing and Sihai Kingdoms for now. Let them jump around for a few more days! Moreover...I killed the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, so at the earliest in one month, and at the latest in three, the Great Jin Kingdom will arrive at our doorsteps. Our priority should be to consolidate our strength and deal with the Great Jin Kingdom!"


    Gu Junhe, with a confused expression, asked, "The Great Jin Kingdom?"


    That was known as the strongest power among the more than one hundred subordinate countries under the Great Qian Dynasty.


    There was even a saying, ''Below the Great Qian, the Great Jin reigns supreme.''


    The Great Jin Kingdom had countless powerful warriors, including the Golden Crow Guards who were reputed to be worth ten each and an army said to number five million.


    Even if it were just an ordinary army, that was five million people!


    After such successive tough battles, the Tianqing Kingdom''s army of a million had diminished to about half. Even with three months'' respite, dealing with the Great Jin Kingdom would be extremely difficult, or even utterly impossible!


    Xiao Yi, on the other hand, smiled and said, "Don''t worry, I already have a plan. And this time, while indeed it is a calamity for the Tianqing Kingdom, it is also a big opportunity... If we succeed in overthrowing the Great Jin Kingdom, from then on, it will be ''Below the Great Qian, Tianqing reigns supreme''!"


    "Below the Great Qian, Tianqing reigns supreme?"


    Gu Junhe''s body shook, and he suddenly felt his blood boiling, as if a fierce battle were raging within him.


    As a warrior born and bred in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    He naturally very much looked forward to witnessing his own country''s rise in strength.


    If they could truly replace the Great Jin and become the strongest nation under the Great Qian Dynasty, their names would be forever etched in the history of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    With this thought in mind.


    Gu Junhe nodded vigorously and said, "Although your idea is extremely crazy... if one is not crazy in youth, they are wasting their years. I''ll be crazy with you this one time!"


    Xiao Yi said, "I am sure you won''t be disappointed, Chancellor!"


    In his mind, Xiao Yi recalled the medicinal pills previously developed by Xue Bufan. The recipe had been personally given to Xue Bufan by him. Although there had been some mistakes in its development, as long as Xiao Yi took action, it could be perfected. With Xue Bufan, the undead doctor, and Xiao Yi himself working on it, the plan could certainly be executed perfectly.


    Once it was possible to elevate tens of thousands of the Tianqing Kingdom''s soldiers to match the Golden Crow Guards, who would then dare to compete under the Great Qian Dynasty?


    Subsequently...


    Gu Junhe took over the tens of thousands of soldiers captured from the Baijing Kingdom, incorporated them into the ranks, and, after handing over the responsibility of guarding Babao Pass to Cheng De, he set off on the road back to the capital with Xiao Yi.


    As Xiao Yi and the others left Babao Pass.


    In another battlefield of the Tianqing Kingdom, Yu Huaxian led twenty thousand Azure Dragon Guards in support of Jiang Weisheng. They slaughtered their way through, coordinating from inside and outside, and completely routed the tens of thousands of soldiers from the Sihai Kingdom. The tactics of the Azure Dragon Guards and Yu Huaxian were far beyond what the Sihai Kingdom''s army could match. Defeat was like a landslide, and, after this battle, Tianqing Kingdom''s perilous situation was temporarily averted.


    Out of the four kingdoms that had declared war on the Tianqing Kingdom, two had been destroyed.


    The remaining Baijing and Sihai Kingdoms had also suffered heavy losses; within their countries, barely a tenth of their forces remained.


    At this point, the rulers of Baijing and Sihai Kingdom had no more thoughts of currying favor with Xue Yilou or waging war against the Tianqing Kingdom. They were already planning on how to please the Tianqing Kingdom to avoid the fate of devastation like Tianlan Kingdom and Qingyun Kingdom.


    These two kingdoms could no longer stir up any trouble.


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi, Gu Junhe, Yu Huaxian, Jiang Weisheng, and others had already made their way back to the capital, one after another. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 182 - 182: Gambling with Life

    Tianqing Kingdom, within the royal capital.


    It was a time of peace and prosperity, overflowing with joy and celebration.


    The Tianqing Kingdom of today was no longer the vulnerable nation beset by dangers on all sides that it had been two months prior.


    Xiao Yi alone had subdued the Tianlan Kingdom and the Qingyun Kingdom, incorporating these two nations, neither of which was weaker than the Tianqing Kingdom, into his own territory.


    At the same time, he had also repelled the Sihai Kingdom and the Baijing Kingdom.


    He had thus become the undisputed overlord among the ten nations of Nanhuang.


    Even more so...


    If one were to discuss area alone, the Tianqing Kingdom could now enter the top ten among the more than one hundred vassal nations under the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The name of Xiao Yi was sung by everyone, as he deservedly became the Guardian Martial God, a matchless hero!


    In the vast Tianqing Kingdom, almost every household enshrined Xiao Yi''s Longevity Stela.


    Particularly in Nanhuang City, where Xiao Yi used to be, a huge Martial God Temple had been built to worship a statue of Xiao Yi, and the temple was bustling with devotees.


    Within the palace.


    Jiang Tai sat at the main seat, laughing and toasting three cups with Xiao Yi before jestingly saying, "Xiao, your reputation has far outshone mine nowadays. In Nanhuang City, your Martial God Temple has been thronged with worshippers since its establishment. I''ve heard that even many people from the surrounding areas come in droves to pray for marriage, for martial fortunes, for wealth, and even for children..."


    "Hahahaha..."


    "Lord Xiao, can you truly grant children? If so, you''ll have to give me a pair of dragon and phoenix twins!"


    Everyone laughed merrily, full of joy and happiness.


    Xiao Yi shrugged helplessly and said, "I can''t guarantee gifting children, but I can definitely pour you a few drinks! Daring to tease me, come on, drink three cups in a row..."


    The official hastily said, "Three cups it is!"


    People had gradually come to understand Xiao Yi''s character.


    As long as one didn''t foolishly provoke him, he was easy to get along with.


    Of course...


    To truly gain Xiao Yi''s approval was not so easy!


    After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Jiang Tai.


    In an understanding nod, Jiang Tai waved his hand to dismiss the servants by his side, leaving the court officials in the great hall.


    All eyes turned to Jiang Tai in unison.


    Jiang Tai took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Today is a day of great joy for our Tianqing Kingdom, with the Guardian Martial God Xiao Yi wiping out both Tianlan and Qingyun Kingdoms, Dean Gu Junhe repelling the Baijing Kingdom, Yu Huaxian together with our ancestors annihilating the army of 700,000 from the Sihai Kingdom, slaying their Tao Tribulation Realm progenitor. Among the ten nations of Nanhuang, our Tianqing Kingdom shall stand as first!"


    Boom!


    A thunderous applause suddenly erupted.


    Everyone''s eyes burned with passion, sharing in the glory.


    As important officials of the court, when the kingdom was strong, so were they, and the kingdom''s glory was also theirs.


    Jiang Tai continued, "Now our Tianqing Kingdom is in need of rebuilding. With strong presences like the Guardian Martial God, Dean Gu Junhe, our ancestors, Yu Huaxian, and the Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan, these five Tao Tribulation Realm beings, as well as 20,000 Azure Dragon Guards and more than 400,000 regular soldiers, our national strength can be described as the most flourishing ever."


    "Long live the King, long live, long live the King!"


    "Tianqing Kingdom, for a thousand autumns and ten thousand generations, shall never fall!"


    The court officials shouted one after another.


    However...


    Jiang Tai let out a cold snort and mocked, "A thousand autumns and ten thousand generations? Never fall? Do you truly believe that?"


    "..."


    The expressions of joy gradually faded from the officials'' faces.


    Jiang Tai turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao, tell them!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi slowly stood up, his gaze sharp as a knife sweeping across the officials, and he spoke with a heavy voice, "According to reliable information, within three months, the Great Jin Kingdom will launch a full-scale attack on our Tianqing Kingdom. By that time, there will be as many as 100,000 soldiers as powerful as the Azure Dragon Guards and the army sent by the Great Jin Kingdom will certainly not be less than one million, perhaps even more..."


    Hiss!


    The officials looked at each other, their faces filled with horror.


    They were completely unaware of this news!


    For a moment,


    the expressions on the officials'' faces were no longer smiles, but fear and unease.


    Amidst the crowd,


    an old man with snow-white hair, yet emanating a dignified aura, stood out. This person was Ge Zheng, the Right Chancellor of the Tianqing Kingdom. Ge Zheng clasped his fists and said, "I dare to ask Lord Xiao, the Great Jin Kingdom had not previously launched a major offensive. Now that our Tianqing Kingdom has achieved this brilliant victory, why have they struck again?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I killed the seventh prince of the Great Jin Kingdom and the Grand Commander Zhan Bitao!"


    Whoosh!


    The courtiers were in an uproar.


    "This, this is too impulsive, isn''t it?"


    "That was a prince�� If I were the King of the Great Jin Kingdom, I wouldn''t be able to swallow this pride either..."


    Ge Zheng said in a deep voice, "Lord Xiao has indeed made great contributions to our Tianqing Kingdom, but whether it was the initial attack by the four countries or now the impending Great Jin Dynasty, everything has pointed to Lord Xiao as the catalyst..."


    "Mr. Ge, what are you implying?" Jiang Tai narrowed his eyes, showing a displeased expression.


    However, Xiao Yi remained as nonchalant as ever, toying with the wine cup in his hand.


    Ge Zheng straightened his back and said sternly, "Your Majesty, I mean no disrespect. Now that our Tianqing Kingdom has just survived a great disaster, albeit strong as Lord Xiao may be, I fear he may not be able to stop the Great Jin Dynasty. I think, as the Guardian Martial God of our nation, Lord Xiao should protect the Tianqing Kingdom at all costs. I earnestly request that Lord Xiao, for the sake of billions of our Tianqing citizens to avoid a catastrophe, should go alone to the Great Jin Dynasty and quell their rage!"


    "Outrageous��"


    Yu Huaxian''s expression darkened, and he rose from his seat, slamming the table.


    Yet Xiao Yi raised his hand to stop Yu Huaxian, with an intriguing look in his eyes as he gazed at the courtiers who, just a moment ago, were toasting and shedding tears of gratitude with him.


    Upon meeting Xiao Yi''s gaze,


    many of the officials lowered their heads, not daring to look back at him.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze finally settled on Ge Zheng, "Mr. Ge, are you aware of what fate awaits me should I go to the Great Jin Dynasty?"


    Ge Zheng''s pupils shrank slightly.


    What fate could there be?


    Of course, it would be a dead end!


    But he could not say this outright. After a moment of consideration, Ge Zheng spoke righteously, "Even at the cost of one''s life, a true man should act with righteousness! Lord Xiao is the Guardian Martial God of our Tianqing Kingdom. If your life could, in exchange, ensure the peace and prosperity of billions of our citizens, it might not be such a bad deal. Of course, we will also not forget Lord Xiao''s kindness. In the future, your temples will surely be built across the Tianqing Kingdom, to pay tribute to your spirit in heaven, and engrave your name in everlasting history!"


    "Mr. Ge is right!"


    "If Lord Xiao is willing to sacrifice himself, my government office will erect a Longevity Stela in your honor to be worshiped for generations!"


    "We assure you, the incense will never cease to burn..."


    Suddenly, one third of the courtiers stood out.


    The majority kept their heads down, staying out of the affair.


    Only a minority of officials spoke up in defense of Xiao Yi, "Do you all have no conscience? If not for Lord Xiao, we would have long been slaves to a fallen nation..."


    "The late King, even in his death, did not wish to sacrifice Lord Xiao. What are you all doing?"


    "Slaves of a fallen nation? Without him, would we be surrounded by enemies, facing formidable foes?"


    "Now, the Great Jin Kingdom has sent troops because of him..."


    The two sides quarreled incessantly.


    "Enough!"


    Ge Zheng shouted lowly, silencing everyone. He then focused his gaze on Xiao Yi, "Lord Xiao, don''t be so selfish!"


    Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, squinting his eyes at Ge Zheng, "Mr. Ge, if I were to tell you that your life in exchange could ensure the everlasting prosperity of Tianqing Kingdom, would you be willing?"


    "This..."


    Ge Zheng''s face changed slightly, then with a cold huff and righteous words, he said, "For the Tianqing Kingdom, Ge is naturally willing�� However, Ge''s life is insignificant, dying a thousand or ten thousand times would still not be enough to stop the Great Jin Dynasty. Lord Xiao, you..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, saying, "Mr. Ge, would you dare to make a bet with me?"


    "Hmm?"


    Ge Zheng was momentarily taken aback, "Bet what?"


    "Bet our lives!"


    Xiao Yi spoke each word deliberately, looking at Ge Zheng and the rest of the officials, "I bet the lives of all of you!"


    sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 183 - 183 Four Symbols Legion

    "Bet all of your lives!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, intently staring at the ministers who had just asked him to sacrifice himself to save the Tianqing Kingdom.


    The ministers looked at each other in dismay.


    Ge Zheng''s aged face trembled slightly, and his muddy eyes fixed on Xiao Yi with deep sorrow and anger, "Madness, you are utterly mad! Lord Xiao, we are all pillars of the Tianqing Kingdom. The absence of any one of us could cause unimaginable turmoil to the kingdom. How can you be so selfish? Just for your own desires, you would drag us all down with you?"


    "That''s right, your death might save the Tianqing Kingdom, but our deaths would only cause chaos in the kingdom, with no other benefits!"


    "We earnestly implore you, Lord Xiao, to prioritize righteousness. The countless people of the Tianqing Kingdom will surely remember your merit!"


    "Ah, Lord Xiao, if the Great Jin Kingdom had targeted me, I would have willingly gone to the Great Jin Kingdom to apologize, working diligently till death. But their target isn''t us!"


    For a moment.


    The ministers were in an uproar.


    This was about their lives at stake; how could they not fight for themselves?


    Xiao Yi watched the crowd, their faces filled with pain and righteousness as he passed by.


    This was human nature!


    Just a moment before��


    They had been cheering and flattering him.


    And now?


    They would love nothing more than to kill him themselves and offer his head to the Great Jin Kingdom to appease their anger.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long, turbid breath and said deliberately, "Who said your lives can''t save the Tianqing Kingdom? I have a secret technique that can create an army of a million elite soldiers comparable to the Golden Crow Guards in a short period. Tell me, if we had an army of a million soldiers as strong as the Golden Crow Guards, could we not save the Tianqing Kingdom?"


    "A million Golden Crow Guards?"


    "This, this... if we could really create such an army, we wouldn''t just be talking about resisting the Great Jin Kingdom, but even possibly usurping them!"


    "But how could that be possible? The Great Jin Kingdom, as strong as it is, has only trained about a hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards��"


    Ge Zheng''s face also underwent inexplicable changes. After contemplating for a moment, he then spoke, "Lord Xiao actually has such a secret technique?"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said indifferently, "However, to use this secret technique, I require your lives as a sacrifice. I wonder if you would be willing to lay down your lives for the Tianqing Kingdom? Rest assured, once this army is formed, not only will it hold off the Great Jin Kingdom''s forces, but our Tianqing Kingdom could even take their place and become the foremost vassal state under the Great Qian Dynasty. You all will be the prime contributors and will be remembered throughout history. I believe the millions of people in the kingdom will remember your kindness!"


    Yu Huaxian, Gu Junhe, Jiang Tai, Xue Bufan, and others looked at the ministers with a sarcastic gaze.


    However��


    The ministers looked at each other, and not one spoke.


    Yu Huaxian twirled a lock of hair around her finger and laughed mockingly, "Didn''t you lords say that you would exert all efforts till death if it could save the kingdom? Why has everyone fallen silent now?"


    "Rest assured, Mr. Ge," said Gu Junhe as he raised his cup, "if you sacrifice yourself, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy will definitely train enough capable ministers at the fastest speed to take over your positions and protect the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    Ge Zheng''s face twitched, turning red with embarrassment.


    What a slap in the face!


    This was an excruciating blow. Just a moment ago, they had been coercing Xiao Yi with talk of duty, and now the roles had reversed, leaving them in an untenable position.


    Jiang Tai sat in the seat of honor, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest, and said leisurely, "Mr. Ge, Minister Wang, Minister Li�� Are you few willing to sacrifice yourselves for the eternal glory of the Tianqing Kingdom?"


    Thump!


    Wang Yi, Minister of Revenue, was the first to kneel on the ground, frightened and anxious, "Your Majesty, spare my life, I��I still have a hundred-year-old mother at home, and newly wedded concubine��" S��arch* The ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Your Majesty, spare my life��"


    Minister Li also knelt on the ground.


    Ge Zheng''s face alternated between shades of pale and flushed as his crafty eyes flickered. Finally, he sighed, "Your Majesty�� this old servant�� this old servant is aged, and I request to retire and return home��"


    Seeing this.


    Many ministers immediately stood up, "We too request to resign our offices and return home!"


    Of the six ministers, four offered their resignations.


    Inside the great hall, a good forty percent of the officials knelt on the ground.


    Ge Zheng''s formerly drooping mouth corners lifted slightly, marking his strategy of advancing by seeming to retreat.


    He didn''t mention a word about the sacrifices.


    Instead, he proposed retiring and returning to his hometown.


    This was also a threat to Jiang Tai��if you push this old man too far, I''ll retire and return home. With his status and position, many of the court''s high officials were his disciples. If these ministers resign en masse, the court would descend into chaos without needing the Great Jin Kingdom''s armies to strike, and in Ge Zheng''s view, Jiang Tai, the new king, with his unstable grip on the kingdom, would not dare allow the court to fall into further disorder.


    Such a clever ploy would likely compel any other monarch to relent.


    But this time, his scheme fell through.


    Not to mention Jiang Tai was carrying out the will of Jiang Tianchen, and as long as Xiao Yi was there, Tianqing would not perish.


    Jiang Tai was keenly aware of the trump card Xiao Yi held, so there was no need to worry about these ministers.


    Jiang Tai gave Xiao Yi a glance.


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly.


    Jiang Tai sat up straight and said indifferently, "Since all you respected ministers feel powerless to assist me, then I shall fulfill your wishes! Guards, remove the black gauze hats from their heads!"


    "Your Majesty..."


    "Your Majesty, this..."


    Ge Zheng and the others wore faces of utter bewilderment, unable to believe what they were seeing from Jiang Tai.


    In their plan, Jiang Tai was supposed to insist on their staying, eventually having no choice but to yield!


    How could things have gone completely contrary to their expectations?


    Ge Zheng''s hands trembled, and he stared incredulously at Jiang Tai: "Your Majesty, I..."


    "Mr. Ge is of advanced age; I understand that there''s no need to say more," Jiang Tai retorted indifferently.


    Ge Zheng''s complexion alternated between pale and flushed, watching as the black gauze cap��a symbol of power and glory��was taken off by the guards. He was so angry he spurted out blood, glaring furiously at Jiang Tai and Xiao Yi: "Your Majesty, are you willing to drive us, the old officials who have worked hard and made significant contributions, to our deaths for the sake of Xiao Yi? You... you... you are acting as a wayward king..."


    "Silence! Old fool, the War God and I have already given you a chance. And what about you? You all claim to act for the Tianqing Kingdom, pressuring Xiao Yi to his death. But when it''s your turn, you threaten me with resignation? You think I, as the new king, can''t handle you?" Jiang Tai, unable to bear any longer, glared furiously. "I''m not afraid to tell you that this was also my father''s will. In the Tianqing Kingdom, everyone but Xiao Yi can be sacrificed, even me! What do you count for, daring to threaten me with resignation? Then I shall fulfill your wish! Guards, throw them all into the heavenly prison! Yu Huaxian, I appoint you as Imperial Censor to investigate them thoroughly. If they are found guilty of bribery or law-breaking, execute or punish them accordingly..."


    Yu Huaxian stood up at once and said respectfully, "Your servant obeys the decree!"


    As the director of Great Jin Kingdom''s Eastern Factory, let alone that these men were not clean, even if they were all upright officials, he could still dig out dirt on them!


    Thump!


    Ge Zheng and the others collapsed on the spot.


    Jiang Tai then stood up and declared loudly, "Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan, step forward to receive your title!"


    "This old man is here!" Xue Bufan said.


    Jiang Tai continued, "Elder Xue, I appoint you as the National Healing King of the Tianqing Kingdom, to assist the Guardian Martial God in creating the Four Symbols Legion!"


    "Yes!"


    Xue Bufan nodded his head.


    Jiang Tai went on, "Gu Junhe, I appoint you as the Great General of the Kingdom, to assist the Guardian Martial God in creating the Four Symbols Legion!"


    "As you command!"


    Gu Junhe stated solemnly.


    Finally, Jiang Tai''s gaze rested on Xiao Yi, as he rose to his full height, bowing deeply, "War God, the fate of the Tianqing Kingdom is in your hands."


    "I shall not fail the trust placed in me!" Xiao Yi responded gravely.


    Thump!


    Listening to Jiang Tai''s series of commands, Ge Zheng and the others turned deathly pale, finally realizing that all of today''s events were traps that Xiao Yi and Jiang Tai had meticulously prepared to purge the court, to silence any dissenting voices, to establish Jiang Tai''s authority as the new king, and to clear the obstacles for the construction of the Four Symbols Legion.


    Ge Zheng and the rest exchanged despairing looks.


    They were utterly ruined!

 Chapter 184 - 184: The Peoples Allegiance, Great Jins Fury!

    Everything that occurred within the royal palace quickly spread throughout the entire Tianqing Kingdom, with the consent of Xiao Yi and Jiang Wei.


    Upon learning that Ge Zheng and a group of important court officials had actually considered sacrificing Xiao Yi in exchange for the kingdom''s safety after his imprisonment, not a single voice within the entire Tianqing Kingdom rose to plead their case.


    There was unanimous celebration and applause.


    The reason being...


    Before Xiao Yi''s time.


    Although Jiang Tianchen was also a wise king, there were several great kingdoms eyeing them covetously from afar, and the Royal Martial Arts Academy meddled in succession disputes, staying close to the bed but reaching for the throne. This distracted Jiang Tianchen, leading to rampant corruption among his officials and a life for his people that was far from peaceful and content.


    Until the appearance of Xiao Yi.


    First, he annihilated Tianlan, then wiped out Qingyun.


    Now, he even managed to repel the Baijing Kingdom and the Sihai Kingdom.


    What''s more...


    Xiao Yi leveled the Royal Martial Arts Academy. In its stead, the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, now the holy land of martial arts in the Tianqing Kingdom, was recruiting students from all the populace. As long as one could pass the examination, regardless of background, they could enter the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Without any exaggeration, Xiao Yi alone changed the destinies of the people of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    When they heard that Ge Zheng and others were conspiring against Xiao Yi, the first to refuse were these very people!


    As for the Great Jin Kingdom''s army that was about to lay siege to their city?


    With the numerous miracles Xiao Yi had performed before, the people had an even firmer belief than Xiao Yi himself that they could win this war.


    "Have you heard? The War God is planning to create the Four Symbols Legion and is recruiting soldiers right now!"


    "Are you serious?"


    "Of course, I am... Hey, hey, hey, where are you going? Your noodles just came to a boil..."


    "I''m not eating anymore; I have to go back and get my sons to enlist..."


    "Right, enlist!"


    In the past, enlisting in the army was a bitter ordeal for the people, and everyone wished they could hide their menfolk at home.


    Now, they could hardly wait to send their sons to enlist upon hearing the news.


    Gu Junhe, who was in charge of the recruitment, sighed softly upon receiving this news and looked down at the recruitment plan he had diligently prepared all night, "The hearts of the people are with us... this is truly the hearts of the people being with us..."


    The following day.


    When the Tianqing Kingdom''s enlistment sites opened, the officers responsible for recruitment were completely stunned; there were long queues outside the door. Each person was brimming with energy, a stark contrast to the usual disheartened attitude of being forced to enlist, wishing they could be dismissed by the officers to return home.


    The recruitment went astonishingly smoothly.


    In one day, they managed to recruit an army of 150,000 men.


    This was still due to insufficient staffing at various locations; many people who came to enlist were unable to complete testing in time.


    Gu Junhe, looking at the thick roster in his hands, sought out Xiao Yi overnight.


    Xiao Yi was discussing medicine with Xue Bufan. The medicine that Xue Bufan had concocted for Shi Yaoqian was provided by Xiao Yi''s prescription.


    It was just that there had been a small mistake in Xue Bufan''s concoction, which caused Shi Yaoqian to lose control.


    "Xiao, with your guidance, all four medicines are showing promise. Without any mishaps, mass production can begin in three days..." Xue Bufan looked at Xiao Yi excitedly, his cloudy eyes shining with both admiration and fervor.


    Xiao Yi''s attainments in medicine truly startled Xue Bufan.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "The medicine is in your hands; I just wonder how smoothly the recruitment is going!"


    "Smoothly? It''s been beyond smooth!"


    Gu Junhe''s voice came from outside the door; he spoke with a wry smile, "This is just the first day, and we''ve already recruited 150,000 people. That''s with us being unprepared and understaffed, so many people couldn''t complete the tests. I came over to discuss with you whether we should expand the number of recruits to 1.5 million if the medicine can keep up."


    If they recruited another 1.5 million, the Tianqing Kingdom''s total military strength would reach two million.


    Xue Bufan spoke gravely, "As long as the medicinal materials can keep up, there will be no issues with the medicine!"


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment and then said, "Wait here; I''ll go to the Treasure Pavilion. If the Treasure Pavilion is willing to assist us, there will absolutely be no problem with the medicinal materials!"


    "Good!"


    Both nodded repeatedly.


    Xiao Yi turned and left ...


    ...


    Great Jin Kingdom.


    This was the only one among more than a hundred vassal states under the Great Qian Dynasty that possessed a warrior of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. sea??h th�� nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, this Dharma Manifestation Realm warrior was in closed-door cultivation all year round, seldom showing his face, serving more as a deterrent.


    Under the Great Qian, Great Jin reigned supreme!


    This was no idle boast ...


    The sprawling palace of the Great Jin Kingdom was ten times the size of the capital of the Tianqing Kingdom, immensely vast and majestically imposing. For an ordinary person to walk from one end of the palace to the other took at least ten days to half a month. The entire palace was actually a formation, and there were even rumors that beneath the palace lay the suppressed dragon veins of the Great Jin Kingdom!


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Outside the Golden Throne Hall, the heavenly drum thundered.


    Only in emergencies would this heavenly drum be sounded.


    In an instant,


    Countless ministers hurried toward the palace. Along the way, many of them encountered their colleagues and asked each other, "Do you know what has happened?"


    "I have no idea ..."


    "Isn''t that Minister Qin up ahead? Let''s ask him ..."


    Qin Yu, Minister of War of the Great Jin Kingdom, warrior of the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Riding on a tall horse, Qin Yu glanced at the few ministers who had caught up to him. In response to their inquiries, Qin Yu said indifferently, "If this minister is not mistaken, it should be related to the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Tianqing Kingdom?"


    The ministers were momentarily stunned.


    In their eyes, Tianqing Kingdom was but a speck of dust, a place hidden in the remote recesses of the Nanhuang region.


    How could such a small country stir the heavenly drum?


    With various thoughts in mind,


    The ministers arrived at the Golden Throne Hall; after they took their stand, a soft voice came through, "His Majesty arrives!"


    "We greet His Majesty!"


    "His Majesty''s contributions last a thousand generations, his legacy endures forever!"


    The crowd shouted in unison.


    This was the difference between the Great Jin Kingdom and the Tianqing Kingdom!


    The ruler of the Tianqing Kingdom could only be referred to as "may he live forever," but the Great Jin Kingdom could acclaim "may he live for thousands of generations and eternity," while the emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty was referred to as "may his reign last forever."


    This was a sign of hierarchical standing, and at the same time, a reflection of strength!


    The Jin Emperor was dignified and magnanimous, draped in a dragon robe wrapped with golden dragons, his movement was like a true dragon striding upon the earth, his eyes as brilliant as if they harbored the sun, moon, and stars, sitting atop the dragon throne, his presence was commanding without anger. A calm voice issued from him, "My seventh son is dead, the chief commander of my imperial guards is dead ..."


    Two simple sentences chilled the assembled ministers to the bone.


    They exchanged looks, full of shock and disbelief.


    The seventh prince was dead?


    Who was so brazen as to dare to assassinate the seventh prince?


    The Jin Emperor coldly asked, "Is Qin Yu present?"


    "Your servant is here!"


    Qin Yu stood up straight, his towering figure presiding over the court.


    The Jin Emperor commanded coldly, "I grant you one hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards, one million troops, lead the Four Kings from the east, south, west, and north to the Tianqing Kingdom, flatten Tianqing for me, and bring back the head of Xiao Yi!"


    "Your servant obeys the edict!"


    Qin Yu respectfully accepted the command, his head held high, his face full of determination and confidence: "Your Majesty, rest assured, your servant will flatten Tianqing, and avenge the prince!"

 Chapter 185 - 185 Ill Give it a Try!

    ```


    Long since his last visit to this place, Xiao Yi couldn''t help feeling somewhat wistful.


    Back when he was in Nanhuang City, he had started his road to fortune at Treasure Pavilion; only, with the increase in his strength and status, coupled with the recent frequent battles surrounding Tianqing Kingdom on all sides, Xiao Yi''s connection with Treasure Pavilion had grown much fainter.


    Stepping through the entrance.


    A servant smiled and approached, "May I help you with anything?"


    Xiao Yi said, "Please let Elder Yan know that an old friend from Nanhuang is here to visit!"


    "Of course, please wait a moment!"


    The messenger left at once.


    After a short while...


    Elder Yan Mingli rushed out in a flurry, his hair unkempt and his face covered in grime, his clothes torn and tattered as though he had been smoked by fire.


    On his charcoal-black face, two eyes shone with unmatched brightness. From a great distance, he caught sight of Xiao Yi and hurried over, "Xiao, what wind has blown you here!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Yan Mingli quizzically, "What happened to you, Elder Yan?"


    "Let''s not talk about it. Elder Chen is refining a pill and I got like this while assisting him!"


    Yan Mingli wiped his face, chuckled, and said, "Xiao, it''s rare for you to visit Treasure Pavilion; come and sit with me in the back hall. Elder Chen should be done soon. He''s been talking about you ever since you last left!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, just about to reply, when suddenly his brows knitted, "Elder Yan, better take me to where Elder Chen is refining pills first!"


    "Eh? Xiao, you''re interested in alchemy as well?" Yan Mingli was surprised.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "If we don''t go now, I''m afraid Elder Chen''s batch of pills will be ruined!"


    "Eh?"


    Yan Mingli''s face showed utter astonishment.


    He was well aware of Elder Chen''s alchemy skills��he was the only one in the entire Tianqing Kingdom who had reached the stellar level as an Alchemist. Within Tianqing Kingdom, if anyone talked about alchemy, Elder Chen was the one to beat.


    He had been refining this batch for seven days and nights, about to succeed!


    How could it possibly fail?


    But...


    Yan Mingli knew very well the kind of person Xiao Yi was; he wouldn''t speak without cause. He immediately said, "Let''s go, I''ll take you there now!"


    The two arrived at the back yard''s alchemy room.


    This alchemy room was connected directly to the earth''s fire, and from afar, one could feel the temperature rising.


    "Congratulations to Master, cheers to Master, once this Second-layer XuanYang Elixir is completed, Master will become a two-star Alchemist!" A sycophantic voice came from inside the alchemy room.


    Laughter from Chen Fu also followed, "Haha, Chen Yu, this time I owe it to your and Elder Yan''s assistance. Once your master becomes a two-star Alchemist, there will be great rewards!"


    "Thank you, Master!"


    Chen Yu''s face was beaming with joy when suddenly his eyes shifted and he spotted Elder Yan and Xiao Yi hurriedly entering through the door. His brows furrowed and he said displeasedly, "Elder Yan, the alchemy room is a restricted area, no outsiders allowed. How could you just bring someone in?"


    Yan Mingli had no time to explain and instead turned to Chen Fu, "Elder Chen, stop quickly, there''s a problem with this batch of pills!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Fu was taken aback, "A problem? What kind of problem?"


    Yan Mingli was at a loss for words; he didn''t know what the problem was, so he looked to Xiao Yi, "Xiao, you see..."


    Xiao Yi gestured politely to Chen Fu, about to speak, when Chen Yu beside him interrupted with a sneer, "Elder Yan, bringing some green kid here and daring to instruct my master in alchemy? Aren''t you looking down on my master a bit too much? Who doesn''t know in the vast Tianqing Kingdom that my master is the number one in the field of alchemy?"


    Chen Fu was certainly aware of Xiao Yi''s identity, but he also knew Xiao Yi for his martial talent.


    In his view, no matter how talented Xiao Yi was, he couldn''t possibly be well-versed in both martial arts and alchemy at such a young age.


    Moreover, his confidence soared as he watched his batch of pills nearing completion, further buoyed by Chen Yu''s flattering praise just now. And here was Xiao Yi claiming his batch of pills was about to be ruined.


    ```


    How could he accept that?


    Chen Fu also said with an unpleasant face, "Xiao, this batch of elixir will be ready soon. Please wait in the back hall for a while!"


    Elder Yan''s face showed an anxious look, "Elder Chen, Xiao said there''s a problem with this batch of elixir, you..."


    "Enough!"


    Chen Yu said angrily, "Elder Yan, you know how much our master has put into this batch of elixir. At such a critical moment, you don''t help, and now you even want to disturb our master''s mind? What are you really thinking? Could it be that you don''t want to see our master become a two-star alchemist?"


    "I..."


    Yan Mingli''s face went from pale to flushed, he opened his mouth to argue but was stopped by Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Since they don''t want to listen, let''s just watch from the side!"


    Yan Mingli hesitated for a moment, and seeing that Xiao Yi had already taken a stance of watching indifferently, he could only sigh and stand aside.


    Chen Fu watched the pill furnace intently, his face expressionless.


    Chen Yu''s face was laced with mockery, "Still thinking about instructing our master? You really don''t know how high the sky is... This kid is not even twenty years old. If he can point out where our master went wrong in alchemy, I''m willing to take my head off and use it as your night pot. Really don''t know the immensity of heaven and earth..."


    However...


    His words had just ended.


    Suddenly, the pill furnace trembled violently.


    Boom!


    With a loud noise, the earth fire splattered around, and a column of fire shot into the sky, actually bursting through the roof of the alchemy room.


    Bang!


    The whole roof was blown off, and the fire column, dozens of meters high, completely enveloped the entire pill furnace.


    The scorching heat forced Chen Fu and his disciple to retreat.


    "What, what''s happening?" Chen Yu''s eyes bulged, his legs softened with fright.


    If it weren''t for Chen Fu pulling him away just in time, that column of fire could have incinerated him to ashes!


    Chen Fu was also at a loss, seeing the flames wrapping the pill furnace and faint cracks emerging, his face showed a look of despair, "Why is this happening? It was about to be a success, I was about to step into the level of a second-layer alchemist, why did it turn out like this? Why..."


    "Master, what, what exactly happened?" Chen Yu was completely bewildered.


    Chen Fu was covered in cold sweat, his face the picture of despair, "The earth fire has lost control. If this continues, the furnace will explode..."


    "What? Explode?"


    Chen Yu''s face turned deathly pale, his head buzzing, his mind went blank, then he suddenly looked viciously at Xiao Yi, "It''s all your fault... you''re the jinx. If you hadn''t mentioned an explosion, how could it have come to this?"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Yan Mingli glared at Chen Yu, "Nonsense! Xiao had warned you earlier, but you refused to listen to his explanation, and now you''re blaming it on him?"


    "I, I..."


    Chen Yu was at a loss for words, his face burning with shame.


    It was him who had just rebuked Xiao Yi for knowing nothing and yelling nonsense. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He hadn''t expected to be proven right by Xiao Yi!


    Chen Fu laughed bitterly in despair, "Forget it, forget it... It seems that fate has decreed I won''t become a second-layer alchemist... Let''s leave this place quickly. Chen Yu, immediately have everyone evacuate from the Treasure Pavilion. Should the furnace explode, the consequences are unthinkable..."


    "Yes!"


    Chen Yu nodded hurriedly.


    But just then...


    Xiao Yi''s voice, leisurely, rose, "Let me give it a try!"

 Chapter 186 - 186: His Name is Xiao Yi!

    ```


    "Let me try."


    Xiao Yi sighed and stepped forward.


    The previous attitude of Chen Fu and the other had made him not want to meddle.


    However...


    If the Four Symbols Legion were to develop smoothly, they still needed the massive resources of the Treasure Pavilion, so helping now would make future transactions much easier.


    Chen Yu was taken aback, then angrily said, "Boy, do you even understand alchemy? The situation is completely out of control, and there''s no way to save it now. If you mess around and it causes a huge explosion, the backlash of the earth fire could turn the entire capital into a sea of fire. Can you bear the consequences?"


    Xiao Yi frowned and gave him a cold look, causing Chen Yu to tremble all over as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, swallowing the words he was about to say.


    Xiao Yi''s face was indifferent, "Keep whining, and I''ll tear your mouth apart!"


    "You..."


    Chen Yu shuddered, his face turned pale, feeling as if Xiao Yi had turned into a terrifying beast that left him without the courage to speak.


    Xiao Yi looked at Chen Fu, "Let me try."


    Chen Fu''s expression changed rapidly, but he was out of options and could only respond with a wry smile, "We are grateful for your assistance, Xiao."


    "Hmm."


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly and casually walked up to the alchemy furnace.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The earth fire boiled, fiery columns shot into the sky, and the terrifying waves of fire seemed as if they could engulf everything.


    The crimson glow of the flames reflected on his face.


    Chen Yu sneered repeatedly, "Elder Yan, is your friend out of his mind? With the earth fire out of control, even my master can''t handle it. Who does he think he is?"


    Elder Yan gave him a look and watched Xiao Yi anxiously.


    Just then...


    Xiao Yi suddenly extended his palm into the blazing flames.


    Chen Yu''s face showed an even more mocking expression, "Has this guy gone mad? That''s earth fire! Even the vital energy of someone in the Golden Core Realm can''t withstand the high temperature of the earth fire. Is he planning to perish with it?"


    However.


    As Xiao Yi''s hand entered the flames, the raging fire that boiled ceaselessly seemed to meet its natural enemy and avoided him.


    His hands moved to the left and right, forcibly tearing a gap in the wall of flames that had converged in front of him.


    He wasn''t harmed in the slightest!


    "What?"


    Chen Yu was dumbfounded, "This is impossible..."


    That was earth fire!


    The vital energy of someone in the Golden Core Realm would be instantly incinerated, yet Xiao Yi could tear apart the earth fire with his bare hands?


    Chen Fu was also deeply shocked, "Incredible, absolutely incredible!"


    Elder Yan''s face showed excitement, and he smiled proudly, "I''ve always said Xiao could do anything, now do you believe me?" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chen Fu nodded in astonishment.


    Chen Yu, clenching his fists tightly and unwilling to accept defeat, said, "Hmph, this only shows that his vital energy is strong, it proves nothing else."


    "Open!"


    Xiao Yi uttered a light shout.


    Vital energy burst out from around him, completely tearing apart a fire column tens of meters high while pushing forward with one hand. His left hand grabbed the red-hot pill furnace, and amidst a series of harsh sounds, a puff of black smoke rose up, and Xiao Yi forcefully lifted the furnace.


    Sss!


    Chen Fu and the others were stunned, completely dumbfounded.


    This alchemy furnace weighed tens of thousands of pounds.


    It was burning hot, and Xiao Yi lifted it with one hand?


    Xiao Yi held the alchemy furnace aloft with his right hand while pushing forward with his left, vital energy gushing wildly from his palm, coalescing into a column of energy, and suddenly crashing down towards the outlet of the earth fire, "Seal!"


    Boom!


    The column of vital energy smashed down, blocking the earth fire outlet with a bang.


    At the same time, the energy column dispersed, its pure energy seeping into the broken Earth Fire Array, causing the fearsome flames to dissipate into the air.


    Thud!


    Xiao Yi set the alchemy furnace to one side, dusted his hands, and looked at Chen Fu with a smile, "It''s just that the Earth Fire Array is worn out after years and your use of it for too long this time caused it to break. I''ve sealed the array; now, as long as someone repairs it, there''ll be no more problems!"


    "Thank you, Xiao, for saving our lives!" Chen Fu, finally recovering, said with a serious expression.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively, "It was nothing."


    "Hmph, he''s just relying on his great strength..." Chen Yu muttered unconvincedly.


    "Shut up!"


    Chen Fu gave him a stern look and scolded, "Aren''t you going to apologize to Xiao?"


    "Apologize? What did I say that was wrong..."


    Chen Yu stiffened his neck, "He previously said my master made a mistake during the alchemy process, just showing off. It was just luck that he encountered a broken earth fire array, and he''s only relying on his strong cultivation. What did I say wrong?"


    ```


    "Xiao, this boy has been spoiled by me, please forgive him!"


    Chen Fu said with a bitter smile as he clasped his hands towards Xiao Yi, but in his heart, he agreed with Chen Yu''s view, regretfully looking at the pill furnace covered in cracks, "It''s just a pity for this batch of pills, it was only one step away from success, but now all efforts have been in vain..."


    "It doesn''t matter, it was just that the temperature was too high during the solidifying pill process. All you need to do is add a measure of Frost Condensing Herb!" Xiao Yi said from the side.


    Chen Fu was startled: "Frost Condensing Herb?"


    Chen Yu folded his arms across his chest, full of sarcasm: "Sure enough, a layman. Do you even understand alchemy? The nature of the Mysterious Yang Elixir is of yang fire, while the Frost Condensing Herb is a medicinal herb with yin cold properties. If these two are combined, it will lead to a chaos in the medicinal properties and turn directly into a poison pill. And you''re saying to add Frost Condensing Herb?"


    Chen Fu couldn''t help but shake his head as well.


    Xiao Yi smiled as he looked at the two of them: "You don''t believe me?"


    "Your words are nothing but nonsense, what''s there to believe?" Chen Yu sneered, "My master was practicing alchemy when you didn''t even know where you were!"


    Chen Fu said in a deep voice: "Xiao, we still have to thank you for stepping in to help!"


    "Forget it!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and sighed, "Since you don''t believe, then let it be!"


    He had no intention of casting pearls before swine.


    However, Yan Mingli said solemnly from the side: "Elder Chen, I think you should give it a try!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Yu frowned and said, "Elder Yan, are you questioning my master?"


    Chen Fu''s face showed a trace of displeasure, being the number one figure in the Tianqing Kingdom''s alchemy world. Seeing Yan Mingli would rather believe Xiao Yi than himself, his expression also turned somewhat unsightly.


    Yan Mingli said solemnly: "Elder Chen, at this point, it''s just a waste of a Frost Condensing Herb either way, why not give it a try?"


    "Master, just try it as he says, lest someone remains unconvinced!" Chen Yu said in a tone tinged with sarcasm.


    Chen Fu sighed: "Alright then!"


    The Frost Condensing Herb wasn''t a precious medicinal herb; they were stocked in the alchemy room.


    The entire Frost Condensing Herb was dark green, its surface dotted with crystal-clear crystals like ice, cool to the touch. Chen Fu threw the Frost Condensing Herb into the pill furnace. At the same time, he activated the Condensing Elixir Art, with qi converging inside the pill furnace. After a while, the pill furnace stopped trembling, clearly indicating the end of the pill condensing.


    Chen Fu could not be bothered to look at the ''poison pills'' and sighed: "Chen Yu, go and take out the pills."


    "Yes!"


    Chen Yu looked at Xiao Yi triumphantly, "Let''s see what you have to say now!"


    Thud!


    Chen Yu lifted the lid of the pill furnace.


    However��


    The moment the pill furnace was uncovered, the smug look on Chen Yu''s face disappeared: "This, this is impossible..."


    A rich fragrance of medicine pervaded the entire alchemy room.


    Chen Fu''s eyes widened: "This, this is..."


    He pulled Chen Yu aside and took out the three pills from the pill furnace.


    The pills were entirely red, and they felt warm in the hand.


    "This, this is a Mysterious Yang Elixir? Moreover, a top-quality Mysterious Yang Elixir? How is this possible..." Chen Fu was utterly dumbfounded.


    Top-quality indeed!


    Normally, only a second-grade middle-level alchemist could refine pills of this quality.


    This was clearly supposed to be just a batch of waste pills!


    How could it be that simply by adding a stalk of Frost Condensing Herb, not only was the situation turned around from waste to treasure, but it even became top-quality?


    "Top-quality?"


    Chen Yu was also shocked, disbelievingly staring at the pills in Chen Fu''s hand, his face turning alternately pale and flushed as if he had just been viciously slapped dozens of times.


    Yan Mingli laughed heartily: "Hahaha, Elder Chen, Xiao hasn''t let you down, has he!"


    "It''s not just about not being let down, it''s simply a miracle! Indeed, there are people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens. Chen admits to not recognizing the greatness in front of him!"


    Chen Fu shook his head self-deprecatingly and clasped his hands towards Xiao Yi, "Xiao, I hope you can forgive my shortsightedness!"


    Yan Mingli said leisurely: "I do remember someone saying that if one really turns waste into treasure, they''re willing to unscrew their head and use it as a night pot!"


    "I..."


    Chen Yu''s face turned ashen as he knelt on the ground, his neck stiff, "Xiao, please take my head!"


    "Get up. Elder Yan was merely joking, no need for such extreme measures!"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily as he looked at Chen Fu, "Elder Chen, I have a matter to discuss with you!"


    "Xiao, please speak!"


    Chen Fu bowed.


    Chen Yu looked at the disappearing backs of the two, turning towards Yan Mingli. "Elder Yan, who exactly is he?"


    Yan Mingli looked at him with an odd expression and said indifferently: "His name is Xiao Yi!"


    "Xiao Yi?"


    Chen Yu was stunned, his face suddenly changing, incredulous, "He, he, he... the Guardian Martial God?"

 Chapter 187 - 187: My Hatred Will Not Be Quelled Until Xiao Yi Dies!

    Inside the Treasure Pavilion.


    Chen Yu''s face was brimming with eagerness and admiration as he respectfully stood to one side, serving Xiao Yi tea and water.


    Xiao Yi, seeing his demeanor, felt somewhat helpless, "You needn''t go to such lengths!"


    Chen Yu promptly shook his head, not showing the slightest bit of his previous arrogance and pride, speaking with utter sincerity, "War God, I did not realize it was you earlier, and I inadvertently offended you. You, being magnanimous, did not take my petty actions to heart. But all these are things I ought to do..."


    Chen Fu chuckled, "Xiao, you can ignore him. This lad has really taken you as his idol!"


    "Heh heh!"


    Chen Yu scratched his head and said, "In the Tianqing Kingdom these days, almost everyone regards you as an idol!"


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but laugh and cry, then he turned to look at Chen Fu, "Chen, I''ve taken the liberty to come today because we are forming the Four Symbols Legion, to respond to the Great Jin Kingdom. However, there is quite a shortfall when it comes to medicinal materials. We hope to establish a cooperation with the Treasure Pavilion. Of course, we''ll still purchase the materials at market prices!"


    The royal family was footing the bill for these materials, so naturally, Xiao Yi didn''t need to worry about the cost in silver taels.


    Chen Fu nodded, "Xiao, rest assured, I, Chen Fu, am also a man of the Tianqing Kingdom. Whatever medicinal materials you need, just give me a list. I will arrange for it to be transferred from other branches as quickly as possible!"


    "Then, I shall trouble you, Chen," Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    "It''s my duty!" said Chen Fu earnestly.


    Chen Yu, who was at the side, seemed hesitant to speak. Xiao Yi inquired with curiosity, "Chen Yu, is there something on your mind?"


    Taking a deep breath and mustering all his courage, Chen Yu said, "War God..."


    "You can address me by my name!" Xiao Yi interjected.


    "Then, then I''ll follow my master and call you Xiao from now on!" Chen Yu chuckled, then continued, "Xiao, regarding the Four Symbols Legion you mentioned, I was wondering if I can qualify to join?"


    His cultivation had also reached the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, and he was not far from the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "You? Does Chen really feel willing to let you enlist?"


    Even though the Four Symbols Legion was to be built to the standards of the Golden Crow Guards, it was, after all, about joining the military.


    In the future, they were to be deployed to the battlefield.


    This was a matter of risking one''s life.


    With Chen Yu''s status, studying the art of medicine under Chen Fu''s guidance and possibly even taking over the position of Pavilion Master someday...


    Why take the risk?


    Chen Yu spoke in a determined voice, "As a man in this world, one should be like Xiao, entering the battlefield, slaying enemies, and protecting the homeland. I��I want to try!"


    Xiao Yi looked towards Chen Fu.


    Chen Fu gazed deeply at Chen Yu, his eyes filled with relief. He nodded, "Xiao, go ahead and agree to his request!"


    "In that case, you just need to go to the recruitment spot tomorrow to enroll!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, thinking that Chen Yu''s entry into the Four Symbols Legion was all to the good. With this setup, Chen Fu would definitely be more active in providing medicinal materials to the Legion. Therefore, he warned, "However, let me be clear upfront, once you join the Four Symbols Legion, you will be a soldier, not Chen''s disciple anymore. I will treat everyone the same; there will be no special treatment!"


    "Xiao, rest assured, I promise not to disgrace you or my master!" Chen Yu pledged, thumping his chest.


    Xiao Yi nodded then stood up, "Chen, then I''ll leave the matter of the medicinal materials in your hands. I still have other matters to attend to, so I''ll take my leave now!"


    "Xiao, take care!"


    Said Chen Fu, continuously.


    "Master, let me see Xiao off!" Chen Yu quickly offered.


    "Go ahead!" S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Watching the departing duo, Chen Fu smiled and turned to Yan Mingli by his side, "Mingli, this Xiao is really extraordinary! Not only is his martial arts talent so formidable, capable of leading troops into battle, but he also has such a profound knowledge in medicine. This man''s gift, I''m afraid, is not even a bit inferior to the legendary Xiao Tianjiao!"


    Yan Mingli chuckled, "Who could disagree? I''m becoming more and more curious whether the Xiao Family is entirely blind..."


    ......


    Inside the royal palace.


    When Jiang Tai learned that the Treasure Pavilion had agreed to help provide medicinal herbs, he also quietly let out a sigh of relief, "Xiao brother, Father Emperor was right, with you here, Tianqing will not fall!"


    "If you keep praising me like this, I might just ascend to the heavens!"


    Xiao Yi said helplessly before continuing, "Right now, there''s no need to worry about the medicinal herbs. Elder Xue will handle the pill concoction, and as for the training of the Four Symbols Legion, Yu Huaxian and Gu will work together��there won''t be any problems. Next, I plan to take a trip out."


    "Where to?"


    Jiang Tai asked, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "Weapons. I found a massive mine in Iron Mountain City before, with an extremely rich reserve. I''m planning to go to Iron Mountain City, first to develop that vein, then to have Iron Mountain City put all their efforts into forging weapons and armors!"


    He intended to create special armor and weapons for the Four Symbols Legion.


    All these required a massive amount of ore.


    That mine, with reserves worth over ten billion Silver Taels, had never been developed before due to a lack of time, and now was the moment.


    Jiang Tai said, "If that''s the case, then let the Shi Family brothers lead the Imperial Guards to accompany you there."


    "That works!"


    The Shi Family brothers had all advanced to the Golden Elixir Realm Cultivation, and with their help along with the Imperial Guards, at least clearing the beasts around the vein wouldn''t be a problem, and it would save a lot of effort.


    The two were discussing this matter.


    However, they hadn''t noticed that an old eunuch who had been standing by their side with bowed head had a glint of sharpness flash through his eyes.


    Deep into the night, all was quiet.


    Within the dungeon.


    Ge Zheng and a group of people were imprisoned inside, waiting for Yu Huaxian to thoroughly investigate their crimes before a public judgment.


    In the dim and damp dungeon.


    A shadowy figure quietly appeared before Ge Zheng and knelt down before him, "Righteous father!"


    Ge Zheng opened his bleary eyes and looked at the shadow before him, "Why are you here? Didn''t I tell you to be extremely careful and not to expose our relationship?"


    "Righteous father, your son has an urgent matter that requires your decision!" the shadow said.


    Ge Zheng frowned and inquired, "What''s the matter?"


    The shadow spoke in a grave tone, "Your son has received news that Xiao Yi is headed to Iron Mountain City with the Shi Family brothers and fifty thousand Imperial Guards. They have seemingly discovered an astonishingly large mine there. Xiao Yi plans to develop that mine to forge weapons for the Four Symbols Legion!"


    "Oh?"


    Ge Zheng''s pupils suddenly dilated.


    He was already a prisoner, and with the relationship between Jiang Tai and Xiao Yi, there was no chance they would allow him to turn the tables.


    Unless...


    The formation of the Four Symbols Legion failed.


    The Tianqing Kingdom was defeated by the Great Jin Kingdom.


    Then, perhaps he would have a way out.


    With this thought in mind.


    Ge Zheng gave a hideous smile, "Well, this is really a godsend opportunity." He looked at the shadow before him, took out a peace charm from his bosom, and said in a deep voice, "This is your father''s token. Take it and quickly go to the depths of Nanhuang to find that person. That person owed your father a favor, and as long as you present this charm, he will certainly make a move to help you. Have him kill Xiao Yi."


    "Righteous father, rest assured, your son will surely fulfill the trust!" the shadow reverently withdrew.


    Ge Zheng''s eyes gleamed savagely as he raised his head to look at the pitch-black dungeon, and he sneered sinisterly, "Xiao Yi, my hatred will not be soothed until you are dead!"

 Chapter 188 - 188 Who Are You?

    Outside Iron Mountain City.


    The Iron Arm Princess, Hu Qingbi, led the people of Iron Mountain City as they waited outside the city.


    She had already received the news that Xiao Yi would be arriving in Iron Mountain City.


    Hu Qingbi combed her hair and straightened her clothes while still feeling uncertain, she turned to her maid and asked, "Xiao Yun, is my hair messy? Is this outfit really okay?"


    Xiao Yun rolled her eyes and said helplessly, "Commandery Princess, it''s only been an hour, and you''ve already asked me over thirty times."


    Hu Qingbi glared at her and said, "It''s always you who talks too much��"


    "Oh�� Commandery Princess, your clothes are fine and so is your hair, I guarantee that Lord Xiao won''t be able to take his eyes off you��now are you satisfied?" Xiao Yun muttered.


    A flush of embarrassment emerged on Hu Qingbi''s face as she said in feigned anger, "Who told you I dressed up like this for Xiao?"


    Xiao Yun rolled her eyes again, "Right, right, right, you''ve dressed up so beautifully for them, not for Xiao��happy now?"


    "..."


    Hu Qingbi looked at the burly blacksmiths surrounding her, her pretty face turning dark.


    At that moment...


    A series of rumbling sounds approached, amid clouds of dust and smoke.


    Xiao Yi, leading fifty thousand Imperial Guards, appeared majestically on the horizon, quickly arriving in front of Iron Mountain City.


    "Qingbi pays her respects to Xiao!" Hu Qingbi hurried forward.


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily and said, "The Commandery Princess is so thoughtful. I wonder if the experienced mining masters you''ve arranged are ready?"


    Hu Qingbi said, "Xiao, you must be exhausted from the journey. Why not enter the city and rest for a while?"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "No need, military duties beckon, I can''t delay!"


    "Alright then..."


    Hu Qingbi gazed at Xiao Yi with a look of unfulfilled longing and sighed, "The arrangements have been made, we can set out now!"


    "Then let us be on our way!"


    Xiao Yi ignored Hu Qingbi''s gaze.


    In his heart, there was only Fang Qingzhu. He really had no spare attention for anything else.


    Moreover...


    He was but a passing traveler in the Tianqing Kingdom. He would leave once the Kingdom overcame its current crisis and established stability. Rather than foster any ambiguous feelings in Hu Qingbi that might deepen into love, it was better to nip any budding hopes in the bud.


    Upon receiving Xiao Yi''s message, she had gathered all the experienced mining masters of Iron Mountain City.


    They were now fully prepared and ready to depart.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the crowd by the city gates and said solemnly, "Gentlemen, you will accompany me to the Iron Mountain Range. There lies an undeveloped Tungsten Iron Mine with vast reserves. I hope you all will assist me with all your might to develop this mine as soon as possible!"


    "Tungsten Iron Mine?"


    "Are there still undeveloped Tungsten Iron Mines in the Iron Mountains?"


    The crowd was taken aback.


    Every person seated was an experienced master miner, and they had developed more than seventy percent of the mines within the Iron Mountains.


    It wasn''t an exaggeration to say��


    They knew the mountains better than anyone else.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If I say there is, then there is."


    The group of master miners looked at each other and whispered, "This Guardian Martial God is really too arrogant. We''re certainly no match for him in martial arts, but how could he possibly compare with us in mining?"


    "We were mining when he was still wearing split pants!"


    "Let it be, after all, he''s the Guardian Martial God. They say even the King of Tianqing listens to him. All we need to do is follow orders. Once we can''t find the mine, he''ll naturally take our advice..."


    Shi Yaoqian whispered, "Xiao, these guys don''t respect you, huh!"


    Xiao Yi smiled without commenting, "It''s fine. Once they see the mine, they''ll know who''s right."


    A procession of people moved majestically towards the Iron Mountain Range.


    The Iron Mountain itself was already dotted with numerous mines.


    Thanks to the continuous development by generations of people from Iron Mountain City, many wide roads had also been constructed along the way to facilitate the transport of ores.


    Even a fifty-thousand-strong Imperial Guard army could advance with ease. S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    According to the map.


    Xiao Yi led everyone through mountains and over ridges, and after spending two days, they finally arrived at the Tungsten Iron Mine.


    "Shi Yaoqian, level that forest ahead for me!" Xiao Yi commanded.


    "Yes!"


    The four brothers of the Shi Family soared into the sky, with four Golden Core experts acting simultaneously.


    Their momentum was enough to change the color of the heavens and the earth.


    The dense jungle in front of them was razed to the ground, creating space enough to accommodate a hundred thousand people. Xiao Yi immediately arranged for everyone to set up camp, while leading several thousand mining masters to the entrance of the mine: "Inside here lies the Tungsten Iron Ore!"


    "How could there be Tungsten Iron Ore in a place like this?"


    "The conditions for the birth of Tungsten Iron Ore are very strict, this place does not meet the requirements for Tungsten Iron Ore to form at all��"


    A group of mining masters murmured among themselves.


    Xiao Yi said, "Just go in and see for yourselves whether it''s true or false!"


    The crowd was skeptical.


    Not until they saw the dazzling Tungsten Iron Ore within the mine were they completely dumbfounded: "Holy shit! Holy shit! There''s really Tungsten Iron Ore here? And the quality of these ores is incredibly high, this, this is impossible! We''ve been here many times before, how did we never discover this vein?"


    "Based on my experience, this Tungsten Iron Ore vein must have at least ten billion taels of silver in reserve!"


    "I think it''s more than that! With a vein this large, it''s very likely that we''ll find Tungsten Iron Ore concentrate. If we do find the concentrate, its value could multiply several times over��"


    Shi Yaoqian, looking at the dumbfounded mining masters with a weird intonation, said, "Didn''t you all conclusively say there was no vein here? Take a good look at what this is. Does your face hurt? Isn''t this embarrassing?"


    The mining masters looked at each other, their faces flush with shame.


    They knelt down and bowed to Xiao Yi: "Lord War God, your wisdom and valor are unsurpassed, we are ashamed!"


    Xiao Yi cast a glance at Shi Yaoqian, finding him rather vengeful.


    However��


    Giving these mining masters a bit of a scolding didn''t do any harm.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "Everyone, please stand. What''s most important now is to get a clear understanding of the full extent of this vein and to develop the fastest mining process. I don''t expect all the Tungsten Iron Ore to be extracted from the vein. However, within ten days, we must see the first batch of ore reach Iron Mountain City; the Iron Arm Princess and a host of forging masters are waiting there!"


    "Rest assured, Lord, we will do our utmost!" the crowd said in unison.


    "Yaoqian, I''m leaving this place in your care!" Xiao Yi said.


    Shi Yaoqian patted his chest, "Brother, rest assured, as long as I''m here, not a single ore will be missing!"


    His eyes glinted with eagerness, almost as if he wanted to sleep with these priceless ores, cradled in his arms.


    Xiao Yi shook his head helplessly and left the mine.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin climbed onto his shoulder and gently nudged Xiao Yi''s cheek with its head, a faint sadness emanating from it: "Boss, I don''t know why, but I feel so sad when I''m here��"


    Xiao Yi was startled, then remembered that Little Lin''s mother was buried nearby.


    Gently rubbing Little Lin''s head, Xiao Yi said, "I''ll take you somewhere!"


    "Where?"


    Little Lin looked up with human-like confusion.


    Without saying much, Xiao Yi soared into the sky and soon arrived at the place where Little Lin''s mother was buried.


    However��


    When Xiao Yi reached the site, his expression suddenly changed, a cold murderous intent flashing in his eyes: "Who are you?"

 Chapter 189 - 189: Lord of Nanhuang

    Xiao Yi''s face was covered with a layer of frost, and his eyes were filled with killing intent.


    However, the grave where Little Lin''s mother had been buried had now been dug open, and her body was exposed to the air.


    Next to that grave,


    a gaunt figure clad in yellow robes had his back turned to Xiao Yi and the others. Squatting on the ground, he was actually roasting meat. And that meat was alarmingly cut from Little Lin''s mother''s corpse, the faint aroma of cooked meat wafting into the air, tempting one''s taste buds.


    Xiao Yi''s face darkened, "Who are you?"


    He and Little Lin were as close as brothers.


    Little Lin''s mother was the same as an elder to him.


    To have the bones of an elder dug out from their grave and their flesh cut and roasted, Xiao Yi wished he could immediately chop the man before him to pieces.


    "Hm?"


    The man in the yellow robes slowly stood up, pushing the golden-brown skewer of meat forward with a smile, "I didn''t expect to encounter such a pure beast in this forsaken place. Although it''s been dead for quite some time and the quality of the meat has deteriorated, the taste is still not bad. Would you like to try some?"


    "I''ll taste your grandpa!"


    Before Xiao Yi could speak, Little Lin on his shoulder let out an angry roar.


    Upon seeing that body, the connection of blood had let him know that she was his mother.


    To have his own mother''s body exhumed and used for roasting meat,


    Little Lin''s eyes instantly turned blood red, and with a whiz, he shot out from Xiao Yi''s shoulder. As he crossed the air, his body shone with a silver brilliance and swelled in size, transforming into a thirty-meter-long silver serpent as thick as a barrel. With a tremendous lash of its tail, it violently struck at the gaunt figure.


    His cultivation had also reached the Third Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, with fighting prowess comparable to the Sixth Layer of the realm.


    With a sweep of the tail,


    even mountains and rivers could be leveled by his power.


    However...


    the man in the yellow robes simply held the skewer in one hand and casually flicked the other.


    A wave of yellow light surged, as countless grains of sand came together to form a massive hand, which firmly caught Little Lin''s tail.


    Then, with a fierce upward swing,


    Little Lin''s body was violently flung to the ground with a thud.


    This repeated over a dozen times.


    Little Lin saw stars, his mouth filled with blood, his silver light receding, transforming back into his original size, lying on the ground, barely alive.


    Xiao Yi reached out through the air and pulled Little Lin back to him.


    After confirming there was no threat to his life, he then placed him back into his arms.


    The man in yellow robes looked at Little Lin in Xiao Yi''s arms with amusement, "No wonder your mother''s flesh is so delicious; it turns out she bore a mutated beast. Once I take you back and raise you slowly, I''ll take your bloodline."


    "Who exactly are you?"


    Xiao Yi scrutinized the man, aware that anyone who could defeat Little Lin so easily was not to be underestimated.


    The gaunt figure split into a proud smile and arrogantly said, "I am Huang Bo, the lord of Nanhuang!"


    "The lord of Nanhuang?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, his face suddenly changing.


    He had heard Yan Mingli mention before that deep in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range there was a high-tier sixth-order Beast King. But a demonic beast couldn''t possibly transform into human form unless they reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Could it be that the beast before him was a seventh-order, comparable to the Dharma Manifestation Realm?


    "No. That''s not right. A Dharma Manifestation Realm expert would emanate power of the heaven and earth, and he is not a Dharma..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as he intensely watched Huang Bo. "Why aren''t you in Nanhuang? What are you doing here?"


    Huang Bo grinned, "Someone paid me to take your life, so here I am!" S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly shrank.


    Someone wanted his life?


    The Great Jin Kingdom?


    Something is wrong!


    With the power of the Great Jin Kingdom, if they truly wanted to send a master to take his life, they wouldn''t have needed to rely on Huang Bo''s help. Tianlan and the other three major kingdoms couldn''t possibly do it either, as they were too preoccupied with their own troubles to even think about killing him.


    The only possibility was someone from within the Tianqing Kingdom itself.


    An image flashed through Xiao Yi''s mind as he said in a heavy voice, "Ge Zheng?"


    He had also considered whether it might be remnants from the Nine Profound Sect, Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, or Mingjian Manor, but those powers had long since crumbled to dust, especially the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, which had been slaughtered by the once Buddhist disciples. Moreover, if these forces were related to Huang Bo, they would not have waited until now to ask for his help.


    Considering all the people he had offended recently, only Ge Zheng, who once had overwhelming influence in the court and countryside, had the capability.


    After all.


    Ge Zheng had once defended Nanhuang City!


    Huang Bo was startled, then burst into laughter, "Indeed intriguing, you actually guessed that it was that old guy Ge Zheng who sent this king to kill you." He bit off one end of the meat skewer, yanked the stick out with one pull, his mouth brimming with the aroma of meat, which he chewed and swallowed before staring at Xiao Yi and saying, "In light of the delicious meal you''ve given this king, I''ll give you three breaths'' time to leave your last words!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed as he stared intently at Huang Bo and said in a deep voice, "Save your last words for yourself!"


    "Oh?"


    Huang Bo raised an eyebrow, sneering, "Since you''re seeking death, then don''t blame this king!"


    Boom!


    His figure violently shook.


    A yellow mist swirled and Huang Bo''s figure transformed into a massive wall of sand, surging towards Xiao Yi.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Xiao Yi threw a punch, and the expanse of yellow sand before him exploded with a bang. However, the sand immediately flowed to fill in the gap torn by Xiao Yi. The vast wave of yellow sand rolled towards Xiao Yi, who leaped into the sky. Amidst the whooshing sounds, palm after palm made of yellow sand shot out vigorously.


    Grasping continuously towards Xiao Yi.


    Each attempt failed to catch him.


    Huang Bo''s expression turned ugly, and with a cold snort, he pressed both hands to the ground, "Chaotic Sand Sea!"


    Rustle!


    The entire land trembled, and countess grains of yellow sand from within the earth swarmed over, covering a hundred zhang all around.


    The ground turned into golden yellow gravel.


    Rumble!


    The entire sand sea erupted violently.


    Sand and dust formed long spears that furiously shot towards the sky, each spear made of sand was exceedingly tough and unrivaled in sharpness.


    "A Waterfall Flows Down Three Thousand Feet!"


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain..."


    Xiao Yi stood in the sky, his swordsmanship brilliant, releasing a swath of sword lights that covered the sky densely and rained down. The sword light collided with the yellow sand in the sky, like needle tips against wheat stalks, setting off explosions that resounded like thunderclaps. The vast sand in the heavens gathered into a thick mass, resembling dark clouds stretching across the sky.


    "Annihilation Sandstorm!"


    Huang Bo''s figure soared, his body emanating a crazed yellow glow, and a wild wind rose, whipping up the sand that filled the sky.


    The entire world was obscured by the sandstorm.


    Turning into a world of yellow sand.


    Though Xiao Yi''s swordsmanship was astonishing, it could not slice through all of the sand.


    Countless sand grains raged around him, merging and forming into a spherical prison, trapping him within. The overwhelming sand continued to compact, finally turning into a giant sand sphere with a diameter of a hundred zhang, with Xiao Yi firmly locked inside. Huang Bo''s lips curved up in a sinister smile, and raising his right hand, he clenched his palm, "Shatter!"


    Boom!


    The massive sand sphere exploded thunderously, sending sand cascading down from the sky.


    But in the void.


    Xiao Yi''s figure... was nowhere to be seen...

 Chapter 190 - 190: Submit, or Die!

    In the void, sand filled the sky.


    Only Xiao Yi''s figure was nowhere to be seen.


    Huang Bo stood suspended in the air, squinting at the drifting sand ahead, with a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth and a cold sneer, "A mere Golden Elixir Realm Peak, and yet you forced me to use my Annihilation Sandstorm, you are the first. Sigh, how lonely it is to be invincible, hahaha!"


    "Invincible? Are you that confident?"


    As Huang Bo was about to leave, he suddenly heard Xiao Yi''s voice near his ear.


    The voice was so close that it sent shivers down his spine.


    "Not good!"


    Huang Bo instinctively dodged to the side, but as soon as he moved, he banged his head against a wall composed of Sword Qi.


    The collision broke Huang Bo''s nasal bone.


    Blood gushed wildly from his nostrils.


    Tears streamed out uncontrollably.


    He clutched his head wailing, and it took a good while before he recovered, looking around with a befuddled face.


    At some point, several Qi walls, entirely condensed from Sword Qi, had appeared around him. The walls were extremely strong; he had just rammed into one of them. Rubbing his broken nose, which was now completely crooked, he clicked it back into place. Huang Bo''s pupils contracted slightly, staring at Xiao Yi, "How did you break free from my Annihilation Sandstorm?"


    Annihilation Sandstorm.


    It was Huang Bo''s Innate Divine Ability merged with the power of heaven and earth, a lethal move. With his cultivation nearly at the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, even when facing someone from the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he could entrap and kill them.


    That Xiao Yi managed to slip away without him realizing was truly astonishing.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Your move is indeed powerful, but its weakness is also very obvious. As long as one''s speed is fast enough, one can leave before your sand completely seals off the area. It''s not difficult."


    "Impossible!"


    Huang Bo angrily said, "I was watching the whole time, you were clearly surrounded by the sand..."


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "Watching the whole time? Are you sure what you saw was me?"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Bo was stunned. He rapidly recalled the previous moment, and his expression suddenly changed, "The one trapped was just your afterimage?"


    Xiao Yi gave a mysterious smile.


    When Huang Bo deployed the Annihilation Sandstorm, Xiao Yi sensed the terror of the move.


    With the help of the sandstorm, he escaped the encircling sands at incredible speed, leaving only an afterimage wrapped in the dust.


    But in Huang Bo''s view, it appeared as if it was his real body that was trapped.


    All of this seemed simple.


    Yet achieving it was exceedingly difficult.


    First and foremost, one needed to have an extremely fast movement technique, and additionally, a keen sense of timing was required.


    Escape too early, and the afterimage would disappear before the sand had enveloped it.


    Escape too late, and the sand would''ve formed an enclosure, preventing escape.


    Huang Bo''s face went from pale to flushed. He never imagined his seemingly unbeatable trump card would be directly broken through by Xiao Yi. His face twisted into a vicious expression, "No wonder Ge Zheng used up that favor to have me come kill you. You indeed are a troublesome opponent. However, do you really think this mere Sword Qi can stop me?"


    Whoosh!


    Huang Bo raised his arm, and countless grains of sand burst forth from his yellow robe, crashing against the Sword Qi walls around him.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    After several collisions,


    the Sword Qi walls remained unmoved. Instead, countless grains of sand filled the cage, binding Huang Bo''s range of motion.


    "How is this possible? I can''t break through this mere Sword Qi?" Huang Bo looked around in astonishment.


    Never underestimate the sand in his hands, which seemed weak and powerless when scattered, but once gathered together, were as hard as mysterious iron and as sharp as any ordinary primordial weapon.


    Xiao Yi hovered in the air, "Let me see you off!"


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi felt the divine power within him converge, flowing into the Fire Qilin Sword.


    The Fire Qilin Sword glowed red, its scale-like patterns coming to life, as the fiery heat and Sword Qi surged forth. In an instant, the temperature within the cage of Sword Qi soared, turning everything into a world of flames, akin to being inside a volcano, facing the terrifying blaze.


    The yellow sand began to melt, transforming into rolling magma.


    Huang Bo, trapped within the magma, grimaced in excruciating pain. While the magma couldn''t kill him, it inflicted unbearable, agonizing pain. "You scoundrels... Despicable humans, release me if you dare, and fight me fairly!"


    "You, a high-ranking sixth-tier Beast King, dares to attack me, a mere human at the Golden Core Realm, and you speak of fairness?" Xiao Yi scoffed repeatedly.


    "I, I..."


    Huang Bo''s face twisted in ugliness, his teeth clenched in anger, "Xiao Yi, release me, or I swear I''ll annihilate your entire clan..."


    "Clueless fool!"


    Xiao Yi vibrated the blade of his sword.


    Shua! Shua! Shua!


    Sword Qi from all directions swarmed in, merging with the magma.


    Chi! Chi! Chi!


    The sword''s edge effortlessly sliced open Huang Bo''s body, leaving vicious wounds over him, and the magma seeped into every opening.


    Should Huang Bo''s demonic power not cover him in time, the magma would infiltrate and burn his flesh.


    The piercing pain!


    The scorching burn!


    It completely drove Huang Bo mad. His face turned beet red, his body crisscrossed with ferocious wounds, many of which were scorched.


    Finally...


    Huang Bo gave up resistance: "I admit defeat..."


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "That''s it? You surrender just like that?"


    "Hmph!"


    Huang Bo snorted coldly, "Using such despicable tactics..."


    "It seems it''s not enough!"


    Xiao Yi sighed, pointing his sword, "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Shua! Shua! Shua!


    Sword beams fell like rain, bombarding Huang Bo frantically.


    Incapable of dodging within the magma, Huang Bo resolutely bore the brunt of the relentless sword beams, frustrated and furious, "Xiao Yi, are you so desperate to force a fight to the death with me?"


    "Still talking tough?"


    "Ao... Xiao Yi, I command the allegiance of a million demonic beasts in Nanhuang. Believe me or not, if I instigate a beast tide..."


    "A beast tide? Then I shall sacrifice you to Nanhuang!"


    "No..."


    "Xiao, ancestor Xiao, I admit my defeat... I was wrong... I lost..."


    "Stop, please... no more..."


    Huang Bo, covered in wounds and barely alive, had completely ceased to resist. He looked at Xiao Yi with dodging and fearful eyes, "Stop... I surrender..."


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled into a small smile, "You surrender?"


    "I surrender!"


    Huang Bo nodded hastily, fearing to anger Xiao Yi further, "As long as you don''t kill me, I''ll agree to anything you ask!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "If you don''t want to die, then submit to me!"


    "What? Don''t even dream of it, I am the noble ruler of Nanhuang..."


    Xiao Yi''s Fire Qilin Sword thrummed with power, "Submit or die! The choice is yours!"


    Huang Bo gulped down saliva nervously, quickly changing his stance, "I submit! I submit! I, the king, submit..." Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 191 - 191: Million Demon Beasts

    "I submit, this king submits..."


    Faced with the threat of death, Huang Bo made a very decisive choice to submit.


    Xiao Yi then ceased his attack.


    At this moment, Huang Bo was in an extremely miserable state, with almost no part of his body unharmed. His face was not just swollen and bruised; he had also broken dozens of bones throughout his body.


    He was covered in wounds, with sword scars crisscrossing and blood flowing freely.


    What''s more, many of his wounds were seared, and the smell of cooked flesh filled the air.


    With a face full of grievance, Huang Bo looked at Xiao Yi and muttered, "You, you humans are indeed the most terrifying creatures in this world!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, "If you hadn''t provoked me, would I have gone to Nanhuang to deal with you?"


    "..."


    After thinking it over, Huang Bo said with indignant resentment, "It''s all Ge Zheng''s fault, that old husband. Otherwise, I would still be in Nanhuang, leading my million demon beasts. How could I have ended up in such a plight?"


    A million demon beasts?


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shone slightly.


    He had always been lamenting that the Four Symbols Legion only relied on pills to temporarily improve the warriors'' cultivation while enhancing their combat strength with equipment. They hadn''t managed to assemble a powerful cavalry force. After all, in this world of martial artists, ordinary warhorses used as cavalry, if faced with elite troops like the Golden Crow Guards, would have minimal effect.


    But what if he could have a million demon beasts as mounts?


    When the million demon beast cavalry charge together, even the Golden Crow Guards would have to avoid their sharp edge, right?


    Watching Xiao Yi''s gleaming gaze fixed on himself, Huang Bo subconsciously shuddered, looking warily and asking, "What, what, what do you want to do?" sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi rubbed his hands together and smiled with a grin, "Huang Bo, are you comfortable living in Nanhuang?"


    "Huh?"


    Huang Bo was taken aback and said with pride, "I am the lord of Nanhuang. With a million demon beasts under my command, I''m waited on hand and foot for food and lodging. How could it not be comfortable?"


    "What do you eat? What do you wear? And where do you live?"


    Xiao Yi pointed at him, "Are you talking about this poor quality yellow robe you''re wearing? Is your food just roast meat? Don''t tell me you live in a cave?"


    Huang Bo: "..."


    The physiques of demon beasts are much stronger than humans, but they are far inferior in terms of creativity.


    Just as Xiao Yi said, he lived in a cave!


    Xiao Yi tutted, "The august lord of Nanhuang actually still lives in a cave. If word of this got out, wouldn''t people die laughing?"


    "I, I..."


    At a loss for words, Huang Bo could only say indignantly, "If not in a cave, where else could I live? We demon kind don''t build cities..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Let''s cooperate!"


    "Cooperate?"


    Huang Bo looked at Xiao Yi with a strange expression.


    Xiao Yi nodded earnestly, "I''ll have the king confer upon you the title of a Protectorate Divine Beast, a status equivalent to that of a noble in the Tianqing Kingdom. In due course, His Majesty will build a Beast King City for you near Nanhuang. Imagine having top human chefs prepare you lavish meals, top human tailors crafting you beautiful clothes, and living in a palace..."


    Heaving! Heaving! Heaving!


    Huang Bo''s face turned red, and his breathing quickened.


    The demon beast race was indeed very envious of human life.


    Especially after he became capable of transforming, Huang Bo found himself adopting many human living habits.


    If his life could truly be as Xiao Yi described, with a city built for him and servants to attend to his every need, the days would be blissful!


    But...


    Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Huang Bo said with a trembling voice, "What would this king have to give in return?"


    Xiao Yi squinted and said, "I plan to form a cavalry of a million monster beasts. All you need to do is let your million monster beasts cooperate with us and become the combat companions of my cavalry."


    "Let my children be mounts? No, that won''t do��" Huang Bo shook his head hurriedly.


    Xiao Yi said, "Not as mounts, but as combat partners, and when the time comes, your children will also be rewarded for their merits and promoted nobly! Look at my clothes, soft in texture and luxuriously fashioned. You, as the ruler of Nanhuang and the majestic Beast King, what are you wearing?"


    Huang Bo subconsciously tightened his yellow robe.


    This clothing, which had once filled him with immense satisfaction, now seemed uglier the more he looked at it. It would be embarrassing to be seen in it!


    Xiao Yi pressed on his advantage: "Look at what you''re eating. Roasted meat without a hint of seasoning. Try this��"


    He took out a stack of osmanthus cakes from the storage ring.


    Huang Bo took a bite, his eyes squinting into slits, a look of satisfaction on his face.


    Xiao Yi spoke leisurely: "This is just a dessert after dinner. The real delicacy is far more delicious than this! Imagine, in your Beast King City, lying in a luxurious palace under the sun, with a chef cooking various gourmet dishes by your side, a tailor custom making beautiful and noble garments for you..."


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Huang Bo''s heartbeat sped up, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, "Done! Isn''t it just being a mount? I, the king, have decided. When you need them, I will bring my children right away!"


    Xiao Yi''s heart leapt with joy and he said, "Within half a month, have all the monster beasts arrive in Jing Mountain outside the capital, and they must travel through the wild mountains and rivers along the way, without revealing the news of the million monster beasts. Can you manage that?"


    "No problem!"


    Huang Bo patted his chest, his face showing a peculiar expression, "You''re planning to ambush someone, aren''t you?"


    "Don''t put it so crudely. It''s just a strategic necessity!" said Xiao Yi.


    Huang Bo rolled his eyes and said, "Then shall I return to Nanhuang now to bring the children over?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and asked further, "By the way, you''re not a Dharma Manifestation Realm beast, how can you transform?"


    Huang Bo said, "I found a Transforming Herb in Nanhuang once, so I could transform early."


    "Is there any more Transforming Herb in Nanhuang?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Huang Bo shook his head and said, "No more. The Transforming Herb blooms once in a thousand years, and it takes another thousand years to mature. It''s not so easy to come by!"


    "Forget it!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand resignedly and took out a token to give to him, "When you bring the monster beast army to the capital, take this token to find Gu Junhe, and he will know how to arrange things for you!"


    "No problem!"


    Huang Bo accepted the token, hesitating before he left, he asked, "You''re just letting me go like this? Aren''t you afraid I''ll disappear and never return?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If you disappeared, I guarantee that there would be no more monster beasts in Nanhuang. Even at the Ends of the Heaven, I would take your head!"


    Seeing the Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand emitting flickering flames, Huang Bo shivered all over and said with an awkward smile, "Rest assured, am I the kind of person who reneges on a promise?"


    Whoosh!


    Huang Bo soared into the sky.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, thinking of the time when the two armies would face each other.


    With a sudden appearance of a million monster beast cavalry on his side, sweeping through everything, what kind of scene would that be!


    "With the addition of a million monster beast army, my Four Symbols Legion will truly be perfect!"


    Xiao Yi took a long breath, already foreseeing the invincible scene of the Four Symbols Legion, and he unconsciously gripped the Fire Qilin Sword in his hand tighter.


    But just then...


    A shocking explosion came from afar, the ground shook and the mountains trembled, and a purple light column could be seen shooting up into the sky.


    Wasn''t that in the direction of the Tungsten Iron Mine?


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed dramatically, "Has something happened?"

 Chapter 192 - 192: Good Death!

    Xiao Yi soared into the sky, flying towards the direction of the mine vein where purple light was shooting into the heavens.


    The entire vicinity of the vein was in utter chaos; everyone was stunned by the scene unfolding before their eyes.


    Had it not been for the fifty thousand Imperial Guards maintaining order, those thousands of mining masters would have already fled. "What on earth is happening? I, I''ve been mining for so many years and have never seen such a bizarre sight!"


    "Could it be that we''ve disturbed the Mountain God?"


    "We can''t mine any further..."


    A host of mining masters, filled with sincere fear, knelt on the ground praying for the Mountain God''s forgiveness.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi landed at the entrance of the mine, and Shi Yaoqian approached him. "Xiao, our men were working on the mine when it suddenly turned into this. Now, those mining masters dare not enter, fearing they''ve alarmed the Mountain God and brought down heavenly wrath..."


    "Heavenly wrath?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a wry smile. Ignorance is truly frightening; they had clearly unearthed a vein of elemental stones!


    "Wait here, I''m going to explore the depths of this mine!" Xiao Yi''s figure flashed, disappearing into the mine.


    The mine was filled with elemental energy so dense it was palpable.


    The purple radiance was the result of elemental energy in its purest form.


    Along with it, the Tungsten Iron in the mine began to slowly transform, becoming superior in quality to how it had been initially.


    Xiao Yi descended deeper, reaching five hundred meters underground.


    All around him lay purple elemental stones.


    Looking as far as the eye could see.


    Tens of thousands of low-grade elemental stones, thousands of medium-grade, and even hundreds of high-grade stones lay before him.


    What shocked Xiao Yi even more was that at the very depths of the mine, there were precisely ten supreme grade elemental stones.


    The elemental stones he had obtained within the Tao Tribulation Realm were not even one-thousandth of what was here!


    "Now this is a true fortune!"


    Xiao Yi turned into a busy miner, prying out each elemental stone with his Fire Qilin Sword and collecting them into his storage ring.


    He busied himself for the better part of the day.


    Only then had he collected all of the stones in the mine, by rough count, fifty-one thousand three hundred low-grade, three thousand two hundred twenty-five medium-grade, five hundred twenty-one high-grade, and fifteen supreme grade elemental stones.


    These many elemental stones were not only sufficient to enhance his cultivation by several levels.


    They could also enable the birth of several more Tao Tribulation Realm experts for the Tianqing Kingdom!


    "Acquiring this vein of elemental stones is better than creating thousands of troops and horses!" Xiao Yi took a deep breath.


    After excavating these stones, the elemental energy that filled the mine diminished significantly, but even so, mining here and bathing in the residual elemental energy could still prolong life and improve health.


    Xiao Yi returned to the surface to see Shi Yaoqian and the group of mining masters, stating solemnly, "Gentlemen, this is not about disturbing the Mountain God, but rather the mine is rich in elemental energy. Bathing in this energy will not only cure your chronic diseases but can also prolong your lives; it poses no threat to your safety!"


    He held an extremely high status among the people.


    Hearing this, the crowd finally let go of their fears and apprehensions.


    The strong miners re-engaged with the development of the vein.


    Xiao Yi then called Shi Yaoqian and his three brothers over, giving each of them one thousand low-grade, one hundred medium-grade, and ten high-grade elemental stones, saying, "These stones are enough for you to reach the peak of the Golden Core Realm. Over this period, guard this place, excavate the Tungsten Iron Mine, and send the forged weapons to the capital."


    "Thank you, Xiao!" The four brothers were visibly excited.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "I have matters to attend to and must leave for now, so I''m entrusting this place to you!"


    "Rest assured, Xiao!" the four of them nodded repeatedly.


    Xiao Yi shot up into the sky, disappearing into the horizon.


    ......


    Half a day later.


    The capital, Sky Prison.


    Ge Zheng, sitting deep within the Sky Prison, suddenly opened his eyes. When he saw Xiao Yi appear before him, Ge Zheng''s face changed drastically, ultimately settling into a resigned, bitter smile. "So, I have failed after all? To think, not even he could deal with you!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Who told you I was in the Iron Mountain Range?"


    "Do you think this old man would tell you?" Ge Zheng scoffed.


    Crack!


    His right arm shattered in response.


    Ahh...


    With a miserable howl, Ge Zheng glared at Xiao Yi, "You... you dare?"


    Crack!


    The left arm shattered.


    Ge Zheng screamed hysterically, "I am the current Prime Minister, how dare you treat me this way?"


    Crack!


    Both legs shattered.


    Lying in a pool of blood like a lump of mud, with beads of cold sweat seeping from his forehead, Xiao Yi''s face remained expressionless, "Last chance! If you don''t confess, I''ll strip you naked and hang you at the city gates, let everyone see what this former Prime Minister looks like..."


    "I... I..."


    An intense contraction filled Ge Zheng''s pupils; if he really was stripped and hung at the city gates as Xiao Yi said, his lifetime reputation would be ruined. Clenching his teeth, he closed his eyes, "The Imperial Secretary Teng Yi is my adoptive son..."


    "The Imperial Secretary Teng Yi?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits as he turned and walked away.


    In the darkness.


    Ge Zheng found himself surrounded by countless rats, scared to the point that his hair stood on end. The rats, drawn by the scent of blood and no longer deterred by Xiao Yi''s presence, swarmed upon him. Crazy gnawing sounds and bloodcurdling screams echoed from the prison...


    Meanwhile.


    At the residence of the Imperial Secretary Teng Yi.


    Teng Yi sat in his study, humming a tune, "Just waiting for that person to kill Xiao Yi, Tianqing Kingdom will surely fail. Then I can pledge allegiance to the Great Jin Kingdom and definitely rescue my adoptive father..."


    An icy voice suddenly rang in his ear, "I''m afraid you no longer have that chance!"


    Teng Yi''s body shivered, and the brush in his hand dropped to the ground.


    His complexion turned deathly pale as he looked in disbelief at the figure of Xiao Yi appearing before him, gulping down saliva, "Xiao... Xiao Yi?"


    Thud!


    Teng Yi hastily knelt on the ground, "This subordinate pays his respects to Lord Xiao!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "It seems like quite the surprise to you that I''m not dead, doesn''t it, Lord Teng?"


    "What Lord Xiao is saying, you are the mainstay of Tianqing Kingdom, I pray day and night for your endless longevity..." Teng Yi hurriedly said.


    "Endless longevity? You must wish me buried in foreign lands," pausing for a moment, Xiao Yi sneered, "I forgot to tell you, Ge Zheng is dead!"


    "What?"


    Teng Yi''s body trembled, collapsing to the ground.


    Ge Zheng is dead?


    The reappearance of Xiao Yi here, didn''t it mean his relation with Ge Zheng was exposed?


    Thud!


    Kneeling on the ground, Teng Yi''s head thudded against the floor, trembling in fear, "Spare me, Lord Xiao, please spare my life..."


    "The love between you and your adoptive father is deep, now you can reunite as a family in the Yellow Springs!"


    Xiao Yi''s palm came crashing down.


    Bang! S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This current first rank minister became a pile of broken corpse.


    The next morning, servants in Teng Yi''s house discovered his body and immediately reported the incident to the court. The response they received was just three icy words: Good that he''s dead!

 Chapter 193 - 193 Extreme Training Skill

    ```


    Ge Zheng and Teng Yi.


    To Xiao Yi, those two were nothing more than annoying flies, easily crushed with a flick of his hand.


    He didn''t consider them worthy of attention.


    After dealing with Teng Yi, Xiao Yi headed to Jing Mountain alone.


    Jing Mountain was the training ground for the Four Symbols Legion.


    In the past ten days of recruitment, the numbers had already reached a staggering one million, with more soldiers from the Four Symbols Legion still being transported to Jing Mountain from all directions.


    Gu Junhe and Yu Huaxian were stationed at Jing Mountain, in charge of the legion''s training.


    Particularly, the twenty thousand Azure Dragon Guards under Yu Huaxian''s command were all valiant warriors refined from the ferocious battles within the Golden Crow Guards. Yu Huaxian scattered them among the Four Symbols Legion to supervise and train these new recruits. The effect was extremely apparent, and in just a few days, the Four Symbols Legion had begun to take shape.


    At the very least, they looked like an army with strict military discipline.


    Of course...


    This was also inseparable from Xiao Yi''s involvement.


    The Four Symbols Legion was Xiao Yi''s own force, with people joining in admiration of his name, naturally not wanting to tarnish his reputation.


    Inside the central military tent.


    Gu Junhe and Yu Huaxian looked at Xiao Yi with befuddled expressions, "What did you say? A million monster beasts?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I''ve ordered that a million monster beasts be brought to Jing Mountain within half a month. You two will be responsible for coordinating and arranging them when the time comes!"


    "Damn, an army of a million monster beasts! The Great Jin Kingdom once attempted to build a monster beast cavalry as well, but due to overwhelming costs, they could only maintain about fifty thousand... that was already claimed to be the foremost army under the heavens of Great Qian. I never thought we could actually create a million-strong monster beast cavalry..." Yu Huaxian''s delicate face was filled with deep shock.


    Gu Junhe nodded earnestly, "I''m already impatient to see what expressions they''ll have when we deploy our million-strong monster beast army in front of the Great Jin Kingdom!"


    Monster beasts are incredibly difficult to tame.


    Even after taming them, the cost of maintaining a single monster beast is colossal.


    Even a country with the might of the Great Jin Kingdom can''t support too many monster beast cavalry units.


    But Xiao Yi was different; his million-strong monster beast cavalry could simply be led back to Nanhuang by Huang Bo after the battle, without worrying about unsustainable expenses.


    Xiao Yi asked, "Are there any issues with the training of the Four Symbols Legion?"


    Gu Junhe shook his head, "With Yu Huaxian''s Extreme Training Skill and the elixirs provided by Elder Xue, everything is proceeding smoothly, without any problems."


    Yu Huaxian added, "We estimate that the Four Symbols Legion will be able to form combat capability within a month!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi was very confident in the two of them. He then inquired, "Any news from the Great Jin Kingdom?"


    Yu Huaxian nodded, "I was just about to discuss this with you... Elder Yan from Treasure Pavilion came to see us yesterday. According to the information passed through the pavilion, the Great Jin Kingdom has dispatched one hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards and a million-strong army. They are led by the Minister of War, Qin Yu, and it will take them about two more months to reach the border!"


    "Qin Yu?"


    They had already predicted the military force the Great Jin Kingdom would send, and the numbers were close. Xiao Yi was more interested in this commander, "What about him?"


    Fear flashed in Yu Huaxian''s eyes as he said in a grave tone, "His cultivation is at the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and there are rumors he possesses the Blood Demon Battle Body, second only to the top ten holy lands, making him extremely tough to deal with."


    "Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm peak? Blood Demon Battle Body? Then his combat strength should be comparable to the Eighth, or even Ninth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm..."


    ```


    Xiao Yi stroked his chin, pondering, "Indeed, he''s a formidable adversary!"


    He was now at the thirty-fifth ring of the Golden Core realm.


    Comparable to the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, with the enhancement of the Wind Thunder Holy Body and the Divine Enthronement power, he could rival the power of a Seventh Layer Tao Tribulation Realm expert.


    This Qin Yu was at the peak of the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm himself, and possessed the Blood Demon Battle Body. With Xiao Yi''s current strength, if he clashed with him, his odds of victory were less than fifty percent.


    "Dean, Yu Huaxian, I have some elemental stones here, you two divide them up!"


    Xiao Yi left a portion of elemental stones for each of them. S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They did not have God Sealing Seeds, and they weren''t practicing a heaven-defying cultivation technique like the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill, so their speed and efficiency in absorbing elemental stones were far less than Xiao Yi''s.


    The number of elemental stones he gave them was enough for them to cultivate for a half month at least, and they could possibly increase by a minor realm.


    The two looked at the elemental stones in their hands, exchanging glances, "Where did you find these elemental stones?"


    Among them were even two top-grade elemental stones.


    These were treasures beyond price!


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, recounted the news of the mineral vein, which earned him their envious looks, "You truly are a child of fortune!"


    Xiao Yi simply shrugged, "Among these are some lower and middle-grade stones, suitable for Golden Core realm experts to use. See which Golden Core realm experts in the army could use them." He then prepared another two portions of elemental stones, "These two are for you to kindly deliver to Elder Xue and Elder Jiang on my behalf!"


    Jiang Weisheng''s injuries had not yet healed, but with the aid of elemental stones, he would surely be able to recover before the arrival of the Great Jin Kingdom, and he might even make further progress in his cultivation.


    Gu Junhe nodded and said, "Xiao Yi, you''re planning to go into seclusion, aren''t you?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "With my current strength, I''m still insufficient to face the top experts of the Great Jin Kingdom!"


    Gu Junhe said, "Then you can go to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy, their cultivation chambers are always vacant!"


    He was naturally referring to the old site of the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    Xiao Yi hummed in affirmation; he had already planned to retreat to the cultivation chambers of Tianqi Martial Arts Academy to break through to higher realms, "The management of the Four Symbols Legion is in your hands now!"


    "It''s all for the Tianqing Kingdom!" the two said in unison.


    After discussing a bit more, Xiao Yi then set off.


    He was really too busy now.


    Since returning from Iron Mountain City, he had gone to the sky prison, then arrived at Jing Mountain, and now he was heading to the Tianqi Martial Arts Academy.


    He was practically non-stop.


    Gu Junhe sighed softly, watching as Xiao Yi disappeared, "He keeps himself so busy, probably also to avoid having idle moments that would make him remember every bit and detail about Qingzhu..."


    It could be said that Gu Junhe had watched Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu grow up step by step, respecting and admiring each other, until they were ultimately forced to part.


    Yu Huaxian said solemnly, "With Xiao''s talent and strength, one day he will become the most paramount being under these stars. And then, no one in this world will be able to stop him from being with Miss Qingzhu!"


    These days, he too had heard quite a bit about Xiao Yi from Gu Junhe.


    And he admired him even more for it.


    Every time Xiao Yi''s talent was mentioned, Gu Junhe couldn''t help but nod in agreement, "You''re right, with his talent, in the future under these stars, he will surely be the most dazzling existence. He might even become like the resplendent sun at high noon..."

 Chapter 194 - 194: Slaughter the City! Slaughter the City! Slaughter the City!

    Tianqi Martial Arts Academy''s former site.


    The new Tianqi Martial Arts Academy is located above the former Royal Martial Arts Academy, leaving this old site vacant.


    Walking along the familiar tree-lined path.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze lingered for a long time on some familiar places, where memories of him and Fang Qingzhu existed.


    Only the peach blossoms remain the same.


    The place is there, but the people are gone!


    The beloved is no longer by his side...


    "Qingzhu, are you doing well?" Xiao Yi gazed into the vast starry sky, where countless stars shone with dazzling light.


    The stars filled the sky, yet he could not find the one that belonged to him.


    Huff!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, releasing a surge of turbid air; just as Gu Junhe had said, keeping himself busy was largely to temporarily forget the pain of separation. His fists clenched quietly as the scene from that day at the Royal Martial Arts Academy emerged in his mind. Powerless to stop the people from Baiyu taking Fang Qingzhu away, he was incapable of intervention.


    That sense of powerlessness and despair, he did not want to experience a second time!


    "Qingzhu..."


    Xiao Yi clenched his fists. "I will definitely find you!"


    In the hazy distance.


    He seemed to see Fang Qingzhu''s smiling face formed by the numerous stars in the sky, smiling sweetly at him.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and slipped into the cultivation quiet room.


    Rustle!


    Before him lay a dazzling array of elemental stones. For him now, the effects of the middle-to-lower grade elemental stones were minimal, and they were mostly given to Yu Huaxian and the others.


    He retained several hundred superior elemental stones and ten top-grade elemental stones.


    A single top-grade elemental stone was equivalent to the heaven and earth qi contained in one hundred thousand low-grade elemental stones.


    "Use the body as a tomb, seal the divine within the tomb, Godly Suppression of Heaven..."


    Xiao Yi''s body shook, transforming into a tremendous Taotie. A vast vortex emerged around him, and elemental stones were thrown into the vortex, frantically drawing in the heaven and earth qi.


    As the heaven and earth qi surged into his body. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Above Xiao Yi''s head, a Golden Core gradually appeared.


    Ordinary Golden Elixir Peak experts would not dare to let their Golden Core leave their bodies.


    But Xiao Yi was different...


    His Golden Core far surpassed the ordinary peak Golden Cores, with thirty-five golden rings encircling it. As Xiao Yi continued to devour elemental stones, more rings gradually appeared.


    Thirty-six.


    Thirty-seven.


    Thirty-eight...


    He was as serene as a meditating monk.


    Little Lin also crawled out, lying beside him, devouring the scattered heaven and earth qi around Xiao Yi.


    Both man and beast were continuously enhancing their cultivation.


    Time flew by.


    In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed, and the cultivation quiet room was littered with the husks of elemental stones that had been devoured.


    Little Lin''s scales, shimmering with silver light, had turned a faint gold.


    The golden, shiny scale armor looked as if it were forged from gold.


    It was exceptionally dazzling.


    Its cultivation had also greatly improved, rising from the initial sixth rank to the mid-level tier, akin to the Fourth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, making Little Lin''s combat power no weaker than ordinary Sixth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm experts.


    If it were to launch a surprise attack, using its potent venom, it could even potentially poison a Seventh Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm master.


    Of course...


    The one with even more terrifying improvement was Xiao Yi.


    Above his Golden Core, there now shone forty-nine rings.


    The rings floated around the Golden Core, rising and falling, radiating a dazzling light.


    The aura this invisible Golden Core gave off was enough to crush most Martial Dao Divine Fruits.


    In fact...


    Five days ago, he had already reached forty-nine rings, and despite devouring the remaining elemental stones over these five days, his progress had stalled. The Limitless Golden Elixir seemed to have truly reached its limit, unable to advance even an inch further, and the Ancient Heavenly Tomb had only given him a glimpse of inspiration, informing him of the Limitless Golden Elixir''s existence.


    As for the specific cultivation method and the path he should follow, there was not a single record.


    This forced Xiao Yi to grope his way forward on his own.


    Now stuck at the Forty-Nine Rings Golden Elixir, unable to condense any more halos, Xiao Yi tried to shatter the halos and step into the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The result...


    was still fruitless.


    He also couldn''t shatter the halos and was firmly stuck at the level of the Forty-Nine Rings Golden Elixir.


    At the same time.


    The number of God Sealing Seeds within Xiao Yi''s body had also reached a massive forty-nine thousand, and he was now barely able to approach Zhao Wuji''s tomb.


    However, with the previous warning from the Wind Thunder venerable, Xiao Yi did not take action against Zhao Wuji.


    "Whew!"


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath of foul air and opened his eyes, "It seems like it''ll be impossible to step into the Tao Tribulation Realm in the short term, but with my current strength, I should be enough to deal with that Great Jin war god!"


    Blood Demon Battle Body.


    This was the first time he was facing someone with a special physique.


    The newly formed Wind Thunder Battle Body versus the Blood Demon Battle Body.


    Who was stronger and who was weaker?


    Xiao Yi had a vague feeling that the battle will within him was growing more and more intense...


    ......


    Sihai Kingdom, the capital.


    The current Sihai Kingdom''s Sea King Hai Ruidong was drenched in cold sweat, kneeling on the ground, looking at Qin Yu in blood-colored battle armor with eyes full of pleading, "Please spare us, General Qin, I beg you to spare us..."


    Qin Yu''s gaze was icy as he regarded the Sihai Kingdom''s royal family and ministers prostrated before him and said coldly, "Had it not been for your disastrous handling of the battle, would my seventh prince have suffered at the hands of Xiao Yi? I am ordered to avenge the seventh prince, so let''s use the fresh blood of every living being in the Sihai Kingdom''s capital to pay respects to his spirit in heaven!"


    "No..."


    "General Qin, you must not do this..."


    Hai Ruidong''s face was filled with desperation.


    But Qin Yu simply waved his hand coldly, "Kill!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    At this command, his hundred-thousand-strong Golden Crow Guards turned into bloodthirsty demons and charged into the capital.


    Killing gods when they encountered gods, and Buddhas when they found Buddhas.


    It only took half a day.


    One of the once ten countries of Nanhuang, the capital of Sihai Kingdom, became a sea of blood.


    Nearly ten million civilians within the capital were slaughtered.


    The royal family members and officials could not escape their fate.


    "General, there''s not a single living soul left in the city!" one of the Golden Crow Guards reported expressionlessly.


    Qin Yu nodded, reined in his horse, and said indifferently, "Everyone listen, the vengeance for the seventh prince is just beginning! From this day forth, one city will fall every day until we reach the Tianqing Kingdom... sparing none we encounter in any city, killing on sight��do you understand?"


    "Spare none in every city!"


    "Kill on sight!"


    "Kill..."


    Roars shook the earth and sky.


    No one noticed...


    In that massacred capital, countless Qi-Blood were wandering in the air, frantically converging toward Qin Yu.


    Devouring the Qi-Blood of these millions made Qin Yu''s expression ever more exhilarated, his eyes gradually covered in a layer of crimson. A faint smile curved his lips as he watched the blood pearl condensing in his palm. He threw it into his mouth and chewed, his mouth quirked slightly, "Once every city in the Tianqing Kingdom is emptied, that strength from their Qi-Blood should allow me to step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, right? Hehehe..."


    As this Great Jin legion set off, dreadful news followed one after the other.


    Wherever Qin Yu went, cities were slaughtered.


    Slaughter the city!


    Slaughter the city!


    Slaughter the city!


    One city per day, none were spared!


    All ten countries of Nanhuang were in panic; Qin Yu''s name hung over them like a dark cloud. This oppression and fear finally descended on the borders of the Tianqing Kingdom after ten days...

 Chapter 195 - 195 Inhumanity

    Tanglang City.


    A border town between Tianqing Kingdom and Sihai Kingdom.


    Tanglang City is by no means inferior to Heiya City, safeguarding between Tianqing Kingdom and Sihai Kingdom.


    Because the border area between Sihai Kingdom and Tianqing Kingdom is an endless grassland, most of the war horses of both countries are raised on this plain, hence the border towns between the two countries are built very massive.


    It''s an easy task to garrison a million troops.


    Above the city gate.


    Xiao Yi, Gu Junhe, Yu Huaxian, Jiang Weisheng, Xue Bufan, Jiang Tai, Huangpao, and others were all present.


    The banners whipped against the azure sky, fluttering in the wind.


    On the plain below, a fierce cold wind blew across the boundless expanse, where Great Jin Kingdom''s hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards and a million-strong army were arrayed in line. They made no attempt at concealment; in the eyes of Great Jin Kingdom, Tianqing Kingdom was nothing but ants, easily crushed by hand, especially since this battle was one of vengeance for Great Jin Kingdom.


    They aimed not only to annihilate Tianqing Kingdom but also to intimidate their vassal states.


    To showcase the might of Great Jin Kingdom!


    Beneath the Great Qian, Great Jin reigns supreme!


    Therefore.


    As soon as Qin Yu arrived outside Tanglang City, he ordered his troops to fully deploy, with an imposing momentum, and powerful murderous intent condensed into blood-red clouds.


    Over a million people stood in silence, with only the banners against the sky and the war horses neighing.


    The mere sight of this was enough to send shivers down one''s spine, hair standing on end.


    This time, the lead commander was Xiao Yi!


    Even Jiang Tai, the lord of Tianqing Kingdom, had to stand aside, but he did so without any complaints.


    In the past, Tianqing Kingdom had only one person in the Tao Tribulation Realm, Jiang Weisheng, but now there were six, including extraordinary beings like Xue Bufan, Yu Huaxian, and Huangpao, who were far beyond the typical Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Behind him stood an even more formidable force of two million from the Four Symbols Legion.


    A million beast cavalry!


    All of this was thanks to Xiao Yi!


    The sound of hooves clopped rapidly.


    A figure rushed out from the Great Jin Kingdom''s camp, heading straight for Tanglang City.


    This was a general at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, clad in golden armor.


    This person was a commander of the Golden Crow Guards.


    The golden-armored warrior stood below Tanglang City, slightly tilting his head up to look at Xiao Yi and the others above the city gate with a face full of arrogance, "Who is the lord of Tianqing Kingdom, Jiang Tai?"


    Jiang Tai stood with his hands behind his back, squinting as he replied, "I am he!"


    "So it''s you!"


    The golden-armored warrior sneered with contempt, "By the order of General Qin, Tianqing Kingdom''s lord Jiang Tai is demanded to open the city gates swiftly and present the traitor Xiao Yi''s head. Otherwise, our army will purge Tianqing Kingdom, sparing not a single soul!"


    Boom!


    Above the city gate, everyone was furious.


    Pairs of cold eyes landed on the golden-armored warrior.


    Yet he stood confident with the backing of Great Jin Kingdom, utterly unafraid of the crowd, "General Qin gave you one hour to consider. However, to prevent that hour from being too dull, General Qin has prepared some entertaining performances for you all��I hope you''ll enjoy them! Hahaha��"


    With that, the golden-armored warrior strode away.


    When he returned to the ranks.


    Within the Great Jin Kingdom''s military formation, a dense crowd of people appeared.


    At a rough count, their number exceeded two hundred thousand.


    "Those seem to be the civilians from Sihai Kingdom!"


    "What is Qin Yu planning to do? Surely he doesn''t intend to drive the refugees from Sihai Kingdom to assault our Tanglang City?"


    While everyone was puzzled.


    Behind each civilian from Sihai Kingdom emerged a soldier of Great Jin Kingdom.


    "Not good!"


    "They plan to execute at the front of the army?"


    The faces of Xiao Yi and the others suddenly changed...


    Puu, puu, puu!


    A series of blade lights tore through the air, the silver glint of the blades extremely dazzling amidst the blazing flames.


    Wherever the blade''s edge passed.


    Heads hit the ground!


    Two hundred thousand people, none were spared!


    Above the great land, heads rolled and blood flowed, converging into rivers of blood, dyeing the fields a bright shade of red.


    Two hundred thousand people were killed just like that!


    "Beasts, these are nothing but beasts..."


    "Among them were many children, could they really bring themselves to kill even children?"


    All the generals of Tianqing Kingdom had their eyes split with rage, unable to contain their fury.


    In their anger,


    they became even more determined to win this battle!


    If they were to fail...


    Should the armies of Great Jin Kingdom enter Tianqing Kingdom, the fate of Tianqing''s people would be the same as those two hundred thousand.


    Clip-clop, clip-clop!


    The golden-armored general made his return trip, his face bearing an arrogant look, and declared, "This is the spectacle General Qin has prepared for you... If within an hour Xiao Yi is not handed over, when Great Jin Kingdom''s iron hooves flatten Tianqing Kingdom, everyone from the top down in your Tianqing will meet this end! Remember, you only have one hour, hahahaha..."


    Watching the golden-armored general leave with high strides,


    the top of the city gate was immersed in silence.


    Bang!


    Jiang Tai abruptly shattered the stone tiles in front of him, his eyes blood-red as he gnashed his teeth and said, "How dare Great Jin Kingdom do this?"


    Yu Huaxian said indifferently, "This is the law of the jungle, where the weak can''t even control their own life or death."


    "Qin Yu is delusional, thinking he can make me hand over Xiao? Ridiculous!"


    Jiang Tai, with a fiery gaze towards everyone, suddenly bowed deeply, solemnly saying, "I entrust you, generals, to protect Tianqing Kingdom, to not let those beasts step even half into Tanglang City!"


    With Qin Yu''s tactics,


    once they got past Tanglang City, once Tianqing Kingdom was conquered, they genuinely might go as far as to massacre the whole country!


    This is not just a mere city''s slaughter,


    but the butchery of a nation!


    Massacring an entire country!


    Before this...


    They couldn''t even imagine such things.


    But Qin Yu, he was someone who truly could do it.


    After all,


    as Xiao Yi had previously trapped and slaughtered several hundred thousand of Tianlan Kingdom''s army, it was because both armies were locked in battle, where either you die or I perish. Even after he later breached Tianlan Kingdom and Qingyun Kingdom, he never laid a hand on any innocent civilians, but Qin Yu was different. As the owner of the Blood Demon Battle Body, the more he killed, the stronger he became.


    Should he massacre an entire nation, he might even manifest his Dharma and step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    This is also why Qin Yu''s march to war involved daily city slaughters.


    He is using this opportunity to enhance his cultivation, aiming for Dharma Manifestation!


    Inside the military formation of Great Jin Kingdom.


    The Eastern War King laughed, "General Qin, those scums of Tianqing Kingdom are probably shaken by your move, now they must be in a state of panic!"


    The Southern War King cleaned his ears, speaking lightly, "The mere Tianqing Kingdom dares to provoke Great Jin Kingdom; they truly have no sense of living or dying. What''s the big deal even if we massacre their entire population?"


    "We should first congratulate General Qin, once he massacres the entire Tianqing Kingdom, his Blood Demon Battle Body might reach complete maturity, and Dharma is not far off!" The Western War King looked at Qin Yu with deep wariness and a tinge of envy, "By then, we will rely on General Qin''s support!"


    The Blood Demon Battle Body!


    Capable of devouring the Qi-Blood of living beings to rapidly increase one''s cultivation.


    They too coveted such a heaven-defying physique!


    However...


    In the past, Great Jin Kingdom seldom engaged in wars, so it was impossible to start a war of annihilation just for Qin Yu''s sake, and he could only covertly kill to absorb Qi-Blood. Now, however, he has a legitimate opportunity, even the chance to strike at Dharma Manifestation Realm, naturally, he will not squander such a perfect chance. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qin Yu laughed heartily, "Well said, well said!"


    On this campaign across Sihai Kingdom, he had slaughtered over a dozen cities; his cultivation had progressed from the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm to the Eighth Layer Realm. He was eager to breach Tianqing Kingdom, massacre the whole country, and make his push towards Dharma Manifestation.


    An hour passed in the blink of an eye.


    "It seems Tianqing Kingdom''s rabble has decided to resist to the end!"


    Taking a deep breath, Qin Yu glanced at the golden-armored general beside him and coldly ordered, "Sound the drums, attack!"

 Chapter 196 - 196: The Ghost Gods Soldiers

    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The war drums of the Great Jin Kingdom sounded in the distance.


    Rumbling, rumbling, rumbling!


    The ground shook as if a dragon were turning over beneath it.


    A troop of one hundred thousand soldiers split from the enemy''s formation, forming ten square units that advanced neatly toward the front.


    Each of these hundred thousand soldiers was clad in golden armor, wielding a long sword and bearing a war shield on their shoulders.


    An icy, deadly aura emanated from each of them.


    Just from the uniformity of their footsteps, devoid of any other noise, one could tell this was an elite force!


    At the very front of these one hundred thousand, there were two figures in white battle armor from the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    "They are the Eastern War King and Western War King from among the Four Symbols Kings. Every one of them is a strong practitioner above the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and behind them are the hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards,"


    Yu Huaxian said with a grave voice, "This is General Qin Yu''s usual tactic, to strike the enemy down with the Golden Crow Guards in the front. Then the cavalry, half a million strong, will swoop down to completely break the enemy, followed by the infantry..."


    "A hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and gave an order, "Gu Junhe, Yu Huaxian, hear my command, I order the two of you to lead fifty thousand from the Four Symbols Legion each to meet the enemy!"


    "Your subordinate obeys!"


    Gu Junhe clenched his fists, full of an overwhelming desire to fight.


    With the help of Xiao Yi''s elemental stones, he too had stepped into the Third Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    He was fully capable of dealing with a practitioner of the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    As for Yu Huaxian, he had reached the Seventh Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and a great battle was just what he needed to exhibit his power.


    After the two had left, S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi continued, "Jiang Weisheng, Huangpao, hear my command... You two immediately organize the Beast Riders. Once Generals Gu and Huaxian break through the Golden Crow Guards, the Beast Riders will charge. If Qin Yu wishes to slaughter all the people of the Tianqing Kingdom, then I will bury his army of over a million right outside Tanglang City!"


    "Yes!"


    The two immediately withdrew.


    Clang!


    The city gates flung open.


    Yu Huaxian and Gu Junhe led the one hundred thousand of the Four Symbols Legion and charged out, heading straight for the one hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards.


    In front of the Golden Crow Guards,


    The Eastern War King in white battle armor, expressionless, said, "Yu Huaxian, that eunuch, has indeed defected to the Tianqing Kingdom. When His Majesty appointed him to manage the Eastern Factory, I vehemently opposed it. Eunuchs are truly unreliable!"


    "The soldiers behind them are not simple either!"


    Coming from a military background, the Four Symbols Kings could see at a glance how exceptional the Legion was. The Western War King spoke in a deep voice, "Send the order down, tell the men not to take this lightly, they must hit them hard. Ideally, we should annihilate these one hundred thousand before the cavalry even makes a move!"


    They had complete confidence in the Golden Crow Guards of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The one hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards struck their shields with their swords.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The sound resonated through the sky, fierce as wolves and aggressive as tigers.


    Gu Junhe pointed with his Longsword and roared, "Four Symbols Legion, be unstoppable! Kill..."


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill..."


    The shouts from the Four Symbols Legion were thunderous, rivaling the Golden Crow Guards.


    Boom!


    The two sides collided in an instant.


    The Western War King and Eastern War King were respectively held up by Yu Huaxian and Gu Junhe.


    The remaining Golden Crow Guards and the Legion clashed like two giant waves meeting each other.


    The sounds of fierce battle filled the sky.


    Within the military formation,


    The Southern War King nodded slightly, saying, "No wonder the four major kingdoms combined could not trouble the Tianqing Kingdom; their military strength is truly not weak!"


    Qin Yu''s face was cold, his sneer continuous, "They are but grasshoppers after the autumn, not able to bounce around for much longer. The Golden Crow Guards of my Great Jin Kingdom are unstoppable, how can they compare with such a tiny country?"


    "Of course!"


    The Northern War King laughed, his figure immensely bulky, to the extent that the low-level six-stage beast he was riding seemed to struggle under his weight. "General Qin, after we break the Tianqing Kingdom, do you truly intend to slaughter the entire nation?"


    Qin Yu nodded, "Only by exterminating the Tianqing Kingdom can we truly avenge His Highness!"


    The Southern and Northern War Kings looked at each other, and there was not a hint of pity in their eyes, but rather a nod of agreement, "You speak sense, the dignity of our Great Jin Kingdom cannot be tarnished!"


    "The Golden Crow Guards should be about to crush the opposition, we can let the cavalry..." the Southern War King was saying when his expression abruptly changed, his pupils shrinking dramatically, "What, what is this situation?"


    On the battlefield.


    The Eastern War King had already been slain by Yu Huaxian.


    The Western War King was also entangled by Gu Junhe and could not extricate himself.


    But what shocked them even more was the Golden Crow Guards who had been invincible...


    They were actually on the verge of complete collapse under the onslaught of the one hundred thousand Four Symbols Legion.


    In just a brief moment.


    Over half of the one hundred thousand Golden Crow Guards had been lost!


    "Impossible!"


    "How, how could the Tianqing Kingdom possibly have such elite troops?" The Southern War King''s face changed wildly, looking to Qin Yu, "General Qin, what should we do?"


    Qin Yu''s face was ashen.


    He had also not anticipated that the Golden Crow Guards, who had previously been invincible, would face such a setback against the Tianqing Kingdom, which he had never taken seriously!


    With a gloomy face, Qin Yu snapped angrily, "A hundred thousand magical beast cavalry charge the enemy ranks, followed closely by the remaining four hundred thousand cavalry. Tianqing Kingdom, a small and insignificant country, these one hundred thousand elites must be all their military strength, as long as we annihilate these one hundred thousand men, Tianqing Kingdom will have no more power to resist..."


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The war drums thundered, and the earth trembled.


    One hundred thousand magical beast cavalry, along with four hundred thousand regular cavalry, burst out of the military ranks and charged towards the Four Symbols Legion.


    The vast army of five hundred thousand, like a black tide, left no grass growing or tile intact wherever it passed.


    The Western War King and Gu Junhe, trembling with excitement, showed a look of wild joy on their faces, "Haha, Gu Junhe, you''re doomed!"


    "Is that so?"


    Gu Junhe simply gave a cold, mocking smile, suddenly retreated, and along with Yu Huaxian, led the hundred thousand Four Symbols Legion away from Tanglang City.


    "Charge, don''t let them get away!"


    "Wipe them out!"


    The Western War King, having been suppressed by Gu Junhe, who was of a lower cultivation level than him, was already frustrated to no end. Seeing the Southern War King and the Northern War King leading the cavalry to pursue, and the Four Symbols Legion in ''disorganized retreat'', how could he miss this chance to regain his honor? Immediately taking the lead, he chased after them with the remaining Golden Crow Guards.


    However...


    As Gu Junhe and Yu Huaxian neared Tanglang City, they did not flee into the city but scattered to both sides.


    Almost simultaneously.


    The ground trembled with a series of terrifying quakes.


    The earth shook as if stricken by an earthquake.


    "That, what is that?"


    From within Tanglang City, suddenly a black iron torrent swelled forth, each one clad in tungsten iron armor, holding a tungsten iron spear.


    Their bodies shone with a dim black light.


    Underneath them were hulking and powerful magical beasts.


    One hundred thousand.


    Two hundred thousand.


    Three hundred thousand...


    A full million magical beast cavalry charged out from Tanglang City.


    Leading them were none other than Jiang Weisheng and Xue Bufan.


    Jiang Weisheng roared loudly, "Kill!"


    The rumble of a million magical beast cavalry was like an iron torrent, like the army of specters.


    The terrifying momentum stunned the five hundred thousand cavalry of Great Jin Kingdom. The Western War King''s eyes burst with madness, "Flee, flee for your lives!"


    "Retreat, retreat!"


    The Southern War King and the Northern War King, faces filled with terror, reined their horses to retreat.


    But their battle formation was such that the magical beast cavalry were in front, with the regular cavalry behind. Now that they had to turn around, how could the regular cavalry outrun the magical beasts? They were directly crushed by their own side''s magical beast cavalry, thoroughly disorganizing the entire battle formation. Along with the onrush of a million magical beast cavalry from Tianqing Kingdom, the million-strong army of Great Jin Kingdom collapsed like a landslide.


    Across the plains, blood flowed into rivers, and a sea of corpses piled high.


    Of the Great Jin Kingdom''s million-strong army, only a fifth escaped in all directions, fleeing desperately for their lives.


    The Western War King was pierced through by Xue Bufan and trampled to death by magical beasts.


    The Southern War King and the Northern War King were also gravely injured and managed to flee to Qin Yu''s side.


    The few of them looked out over the plains, where a million magical beast cavalry stood in a line, eyes bursting with madness, "We''ve lost... we have lost..."

 Chapter 197 - 197: You All Must Die!

    "We lost, we''ve lost..."


    The Southern War King''s face was a picture of defeat.


    The Northern War King covered his face with his hands, roaring in disbelief, "Who can tell me where these beast cavalry came from? A million beast cavalry, even the Great Jin Kingdom doesn''t possess such forces, what on earth is going on..."


    A million beast cavalry!


    That was a massive killing machine!


    Even with powerful Beast Tamers, Great Jin Kingdom had taken over a hundred years to form a beast cavalry of just a hundred thousand.


    And Tianqing Kingdom had directly produced a million?


    A million beast rampaging was something an ordinary soldier simply couldn''t stop!


    You must understand...


    These common soldiers were merely at the Physical Body Realm, reaching the Divine Skills Realm meant becoming a captain of a hundred, to the middle phase of Divine Skills Realm they became a captain of a thousand, and late phase or peak meant becoming a captain of ten thousand.


    The Golden Core Realm were the generals, and the Tao Tribulation Realm were army commanders, even commanders-in-chief of three armies. S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But within an army of a million.


    The Golden Core Realm comprised just one in ten thousand.


    The Tao Tribulation Realm was even scarcer: one in several hundred thousand.


    The vast majority were still in the Divine Skills Realm and Physical Body Realm, such strong individuals faced with rampaging beasts were simply being crushed.


    Just now, with a charge from the million beast cavalry, they had trampled tens of thousands, even up to a hundred and fifty thousand.


    It was a completely one-sided crushing.


    Annihilation!


    "General Qin, what should we do now?" the Southern War King asked, his gaze fixed on Qin Yu, who remained silent.


    Qin Yu sat atop his mount, watching as the million-strong army dwindled to barely two hundred thousand, yet his face showed no expression.


    He was still utterly detached.


    Qin Yu''s eyes fixed on those two hundred thousand soldiers, he said coldly, "Charge for me, anyone who retreats dies!"


    "What?"


    "That''s a million beast cavalry you''re sending them to confront, are you not sending them to their deaths?" yelled the Southern War King in anger.


    However...


    Qin Yu sneered coldly, "Indeed, I am sending them to their deaths!"


    "Huh?"


    The Northern War King was stunned.


    Qin Yu said chillingly, "We''ve already lost this battle. Whether it''s twenty thousand left or none makes no difference. To win this battle, we need only to slay all the higher-ups of Tianqing Kingdom. My Blood Demon Battle Body is about to achieve great success; by absorbing the Qi-Blood of these two hundred thousand, I will be able to reach the Nine-fold layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Then, who in Tianqing Kingdom can stand against me?"


    "You �C you mean to use these two hundred thousand warriors as a sacrifice for your cultivation?" The Southern War King shuddered, speaking with teeth chattering.


    The Northern War King glared furiously at Qin Yu, "Madman, you''re a madman... they are the children of the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    Splat!


    Before the Northern War King could finish his sentence, he was suddenly grasped by the head in Qin Yu''s claw.


    The fingers crushed the crown of the Northern War King''s skull.


    The fingers dug deep into the head.


    Gurgle gurgle gurgle!


    The streams of Qi-Blood were sucked out frantically, absorbed into Qin Yu''s body, his form flickering with a crimson glow. Tossing aside the Northern War King''s corpse, now like a dried husk, Qin Yu licked his scarlet tongue across his lips, his fierce gaze turned towards the Southern War King, "Do you also plan to stop me?"


    Hiss!


    The Southern War King drew a sharp breath, his eyes wide with fear looking at Qin Yu.


    He had never imagined Qin Yu would be so deranged.


    To devour even the Northern War King without a second thought.


    Gulp!


    The Southern War King swallowed hard and hastily said, "General Qin jests, how could I dare to obstruct you?"


    Clang!


    South War King drew his battle saber, pointing the blade forward as he roared, "Men, follow me into battle and slay the enemy!"


    Yet the two hundred thousand men looked at each other in dismay, not daring to move an inch.


    There were only two hundred thousand wounded soldiers left on their side, while facing them was an army of a million monster cavalrymen. How could they possibly fight this?


    Splat!


    The South War King''s saber gleamed as it swept across, slicing several retreating soldiers in two as he bellowed, "Any who retreat��shall be shown no mercy!"


    Under the threat of death,


    The two hundred thousand could only grit their teeth and charge forward.


    Yu Huaxian sneered repeatedly, "Kill them all!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The million-strong army of monster beasts rushed forward uncontrollably.


    In an instant,


    The two hundred thousand were ruthlessly slaughtered to the last man, leaving only a scattered few thousand kneeling and begging for mercy, or fleeing in all directions.


    Even the South War King himself soared into the sky, fleeing to the distant horizon.


    He dared not provoke Qin Yu, but he was also unwilling to lose his life here.


    "Qin Yu, I will make everything clear to His Majesty. You dared to kill the Northern War King and led to the annihilation of a million-strong army of Great Jin Kingdom, turning them into nourishment for your cultivation. His Majesty will never let you off!" The South War King''s voice thundered like rolling thunder, but his figure had already retreated into the high sky, disappearing into the clouds.


    Qin Yu looked up towards his departing direction and sneered, "It''s just killing one from Tao Tribulation Realm, losing a million-strong army. Once I kill off all these rabble from Tianqing Kingdom and step into Dharma Manifestation Realm, I will even contend for the throne of the Jin Emperor. Why fear his punishment?"


    Boom!


    Qin Yu soared into the sky.


    With arms wide open, the blood light around him surged violently, "Blood Demon Body, melt the qi-blood, devour!"


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, a bloody wind whipped through the heavens and earth.


    In the bloody storm, the qi-blood within the corpses on the battlefield was forcibly extracted, turning each and every body into a dried husk. The qi-blood that flowed on the ground and that which dispersed in the air gathered into streams of scarlet ribbons, rushing into Qin Yu''s body.


    The qi-blood of this million-strong army was far more than that of slaughtering tens of millions of ordinary people.


    An endless amount of qi-blood coalesced around Qin Yu into a blood cocoon.


    This blood cocoon was bleak and terrifying, with an icy chill that caused the million monster beasts to hesitate, emitting sounds of intense disquiet and low growls.


    Yu Huaxian''s face suddenly changed, "Not good, Qin Yu is devouring qi-blood. His Blood Demon Battle Body is about to be fully realized..."


    Gu Junhe tightened the reins, pacing back and forth atop his steed, "What a Qin Yu... I knew that with his title as a god of war, the battle wouldn''t have been this easy even with our forces holding absolute advantage. All of this was his overt scheme. Whether we lost or they did, he could devour an enormous amount of qi-blood power."


    "Madman, this guy is simply insane..."


    "We absolutely cannot let him devour enough qi-blood power, or else we will stand no chance against him!"


    Jiang Weisheng, Xue Bufan, and the others also spoke with heavy expressions.


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!


    Several figures soared into the sky.


    Yu Huaxian flung his sleeves, releasing a downpour of silver needles.


    Gu Junhe''s saber cleaved through the air, its light like the moon, slant-slicing through the firmament.


    Jiang Weisheng''s spear shone like a rainbow, piercing the heavens.


    Xue Bufan''s staff hammered down, transforming into a massive mountain of vital energy, ruthlessly smashing downward...


    On the ground below, archers collectively released a torrent of arrows.


    Countless attacks darkened the sky, filling it as they enveloped Qin Yu''s blood cocoon.


    However...


    Just as those attacks were mere meters away from the blood cocoon, the blood light around it suddenly expanded a hundredfold, forcefully stalling the overwhelming onslaught in its tracks.


    Followed by hissing sounds,


    All of the attacks, along with the arrows, were corroded by the blood light, turning into a sky full of black smoke.


    Crack!


    A palm suddenly burst forth from within the blood cocoon, followed by another, pushing violently outward to either side. Qin Yu, cloaked in a radiant red glow, stood tall in the void with the corners of his mouth slightly raised. His eyes, filled with blood threads, were brimming with an overwhelming desire to kill, sending shivers down the spine. He uttered the chilling and sinister words, "You all, must die!"

 Chapter 198 - 198: Xiao Yi Battles Qin Yu

    ```


    "You, all of you shall die!"


    Qin Yu hovered in the air, his eyes a deep blood red.


    Suddenly, his body turned into a streak of red light, stretching a hundred meters across the sky, instantly appearing in front of Yu Huaxian and the others.


    "Storm Pear Blossom!"


    Yu Huaxian''s expression changed slightly as he flicked his hand, sending out countless fine needles.


    Qin Yu sneered coldly, "Blood Demon Transformation!"


    Whoosh!


    A surge of blood light swirled around him, gathering on the surface of his body, turning into a huge blood-colored demon shadow. Opening its gaping maw, it swallowed all the fine needles in one gulp, and then with a shake of its head, the needles flew out in reverse, the sound of them tearing through the air targeted squarely at the Four Symbols Legion.


    Puff puff puff!


    Streaks of blood soared into the sky.


    In that swift exchange of moves, thousands had fallen into pools of blood.


    The Qi-Blood of thousands rushed into Qin Yu''s body. His scarlet tongue licked his lips, showing a thirst for blood: "Delicious, hahaha, indeed, the Qi-Blood of the strong is the most savory!" His gaze turned to Yu Huaxian and the others, "Yu Huaxian, this general has yet to taste what the Qi-Blood of a eunuch is like..."


    "You''re probably not going to get the chance!"


    With that calm statement, Xiao Yi''s figure appeared in front of Qin Yu.


    "Xiao Yi?"


    Qin Yu''s blood-red eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, and his tongue involuntarily slipped out at the surging Qi-Blood beneath his gaze, his voice sinister, "Your blood must taste exceedingly fine. I had planned to save you for last so you could watch them die before you, to slowly savor your Qi-Blood. But since you''ve willingly come to me, then this general shall oblige you!"


    "Indulge me? We''ll see if you have the ability!"


    Xiao Yi''s palm surged with Wind Thunder. He glanced over at Gu Junhe and the others, "Principal Gu, you must lead the people back to the city quickly. I''ll hold him off!"


    "Be careful!"


    Gu Junhe deeply understood that if Qin Yu turned his attention to the Four Symbols Legion, it would result in a terrible slaughter.


    And...


    Qin Yu''s Blood Demon Battle Body only grew stronger with every life it took.


    They must not allow the Four Symbols Legion to become his "Human-shaped Elixir" to advance his cultivation.


    Several of them organized the Four Symbols Legion to retreat.


    "Do you think that can stop this general? Useless, even after I kill you, they''ll still not escape death. But don''t worry, I won''t kill you right away. I''ll let you watch first hand how I slaughter every last one of your Tianqing Kingdom people."


    Qin Yu sneered, "Heh, your Tianqing Kingdom''s billions of citizens will serve as the stepping stones for this general to ascend to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, they should feel proud even in death!"


    Xiao Yi pointed to the towering city behind him, "If you can step past Tanglang City, then consider it my loss."


    "Tremble in endless fear!"


    Qin Yu''s arms shook, and with a crackling sound from his chest, it swelled violently, only to collapse instantly, letting out a roar: "Die!"


    Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!


    Waves of sound burst forth from his mouth.


    The circular sound waves rolled in, growing larger and larger, deafening to the ear.


    Anyone caught within the waves would be overtaken with splitting headaches and stars before their eyes.


    Whoosh!


    Qin Yu turned into a blood rainbow, appearing in a flash right in front of Xiao Yi, his fingers tipped with nails like scythes, slashing down towards Xiao Yi''s head: "Five-Colored Blood Claw!"


    Crackling!


    The claws had not yet touched Xiao Yi when they were engulfed by thunder.


    ```


    ```


    Ao!


    Qin Yu let out a wretched scream as he was flung backward.


    On his ten fingers, the scythe-like nails all exploded into black carbon, with streaks of purple lightning floating above them before falling off.


    Shock appeared on his face, "Thunder? How come there''s thunder on you?"


    "Sorry, you''re not the only one with a special physique!"


    As soon as his words ended,


    lightning covered Xiao Yi''s body, and a wild wind rose around him.


    Thunder wrapped around his body, each hair standing on end as lightning surged in and out.


    With every move he made, he resembled a giant of wind and thunder.


    Swish!


    The Fire Qilin Sword appeared out of thin air, his figure stepping through the void. As he grasped the hilt, the sword came out like a dragon: "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    In his hands, the Fire Qilin Sword was like a brush soaked with ink, its tip decorating the void, accompanied by a roaring wind and startling thunder. Amidst the fusion of wind and thunder, a torrential rain of thunderous sword energy formed, drizzling down. The everywhere sword rain shone brightly, displaying extraordinary power. Just a touch would paralyze one with thunder and sweep them away with violent winds.


    The blood light that made countless strong individuals wary around Qin Yu now seemed like a campfire in a storm.


    The blood light was pushed back, step by step.


    The sword struck Qin Yu''s shoulder with a ''pfft,'' piercing through it.


    Wa!


    A stream of fresh blood spurted from Qin Yu''s mouth. S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He struck out at the void with both hands, creating waves of blood-red Qi-Walls in front of him, and only then did he manage to withdraw a hundred yards away.


    He glared at Xiao Yi from across the distance.


    Their gazes locked in confrontation.


    As tangible as substance, their stares collided in the void, sparking brilliant flashes of light.


    A vacuum zone formed between the two.


    The blood light on Qin Yu surged, flowing into the wound on his shoulder, where the sword cut was rapidly healing before his eyes. Qin Yu squinted, "One of the ten Sacred Bodies, the Wind Thunder Holy Body?"


    "You do know a bit!" Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    "Unexpected, really, that such a long-lost Sacred Body would reappear in the world!"


    Qin Yu took a deep breath, his eyes suddenly sharpening as he sneered, "Pity though! If I''m not mistaken, your Wind Thunder Holy Body is merely in its initial stage. If it were fully developed, I would stand no chance against you. But now, the distance is far for you to defeat me with it."


    Xiao Yi said, "You can try!"


    "Heh heh, spare me the bluster here. Xiao Yi, if you tell me how to cultivate the Wind Thunder Holy Body, I can spare your life. Furthermore, once I''ve slaughtered the citizens of the Tianqing Kingdom and stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm to seize the throne of the Jin Emperor, I could even make you the Comrade King of Great Jin, equal to me. What do you think?" Qin Yu''s eyes were ablaze as he stared greedily at Xiao Yi.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body is the only one among the ten Sacred Bodies that can be cultivated later in life.


    His Blood Demon Battle Body, though strong, did not rank among those ten Sacred Bodies.


    If he could get the cultivation method for the Wind Thunder Holy Body, combined with the special trait of his Blood Demon Battle Body to consume Qi-Blood for improvement, his combat power would surely make a qualitative leap!


    He might even be able to rival the top entities of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "You want the cultivation method for the Wind Thunder Holy Body?"


    Qin Yu, with a fervent face, "Exactly!"


    Xiao Yi said, "No problem, but you''ll need to exchange something for it!"


    "What thing? As long as I possess it, I can give it to you!" With his crimson tongue licking his lips, Qin Yu stared at Xiao Yi with greed.


    He thought that as long as he could obtain the cultivation method for the Wind Thunder Holy Body, he would even agree to give up the Jin Emperor''s throne to Xiao Yi if asked��since he could simply kill Xiao Yi after advancing to the Dharma Manifestation Realm later on!


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile and said, "Exchange it for your life!"


    ```

 Chapter 199 - 199: Beyond the Limits

    "Your life for mine!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was ice cold as he looked at Qin Yu, speaking every word deliberately.


    Huh?


    The greedy smile on Qin Yu''s face suddenly froze, slowly twisting into a venomous hue. He ground his teeth and spat out, "You dog-like thing, dare to play with me? Go to hell!"


    "Blood Demon Hand!"


    Blood-red Qi surged wildly, pouring out like breaching floodwaters.


    Before him, it transformed into a huge blood-colored claw, resembling a sky-covering blood cloud, reaching out for Xiao Yi.


    This blood-red Qi possessed an extremely strong corrosiveness.


    Once caught,


    even with the Wind Thunder Holy Body, he would probably not last long.


    After all,


    his Wind Thunder Holy Body was only at the first stage.


    If he had cultivated it to a more advanced level, he could repel Qin Yu''s blood demon power with a single shake of the surrounding wind and thunder.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi kept retreating.


    But the blood-colored palm missed him and regathered for another grab, relentlessly pursuing.


    "A heron divides the billowing waves amidst the two rivers!"


    "A separate realm unlike the human world!"


    "A thousand miles back to Jiangling within a single day..."


    With his sword moves emerging in rapid succession, Xiao Yi''s Green Lotus Sword Song was exquisite beyond measure. Fortified by the power of wind and thunder, it shattered Qin Yu''s attacks time and again.


    This further infuriated and exasperated Qin Yu.


    His speed lagged significantly behind Xiao Yi''s, and he was being led by the nose. Qin Yu fiercely slapped his chest, "Blood Demon Wings!"


    Crack crack!


    Sounds of bones shifting could be heard from within his body.


    He bent his torso.


    Bulges on his back writhed continuously, then burst through the skin with two popping sounds, forming two blood-colored bony wings. With a wingspan of ten meters, red blood veins ran along the bones, and numerous vein-like structures writhed like worms, entwined with each other, forming flesh. Eventually, they became two bright blood-red meaty wings.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The flesh wings beat the air, whipping up a foul wind.


    "Let''s see where you can run now!"


    With the Great Accomplished Blood Demon Battle Body, one can transform into a blood demon.


    At this moment, Qin Yu, having deployed the Blood Demon Wings, could travel tens of thousands of li in a day with such speed that Xiao Yi was somewhat caught off guard.


    "Blood Demon Sword!"


    Utilizing the speed granted by the Blood Demon Wings, Qin Yu maneuvered behind Xiao Yi, and with a forward thrust of his right hand, a blood-colored light congealed into a longsword. The blood-colored longsword traced a semicircular arc in the air, a perfect combination of speed, angle, and power, representing the pinnacle of Qin Yu''s skill.


    Xiao Yi''s complexion shifted slightly as he raised the Fire Qilin Sword behind him.


    Clang!


    The swords collided with a piercing ring.


    However, the Blood Demon Sword suddenly went limp, coiling around Xiao Yi like a serpent wrapping around a tree.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted. If he was entangled, he would struggle to break free. He smacked the hilt of his sword, using the rebound force to plunge towards the ground. Almost the moment he escaped, the Blood Demon Sword had formed a cage, but it closed on empty air.


    "Blood Demon Sea!"


    Qin Yu bellowed from above.


    Whoosh!


    His Blood Demon Wings beat frantically behind him, shedding countless blood droplets that fell below, swiftly covering a hundred zhang in all directions with a sea of blood.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Amidst the churning of the blood sea''s massive waves, numerous gigantic blood-colored hands emerged, grasping at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, drawing upon the Wind Thunder Holy Body, conjured a shield with wind and thunder, warding off the relentless blood hands.


    "Blood Demon Sky Net!"


    Qin Yu brought his hands together in front of him, and strands of blood-red silk shot out, weaving a vast blood-colored net in the air, plummeting towards the ground.


    Below was the sea with its gigantic blood hands, above was the blood-colored net.


    No matter where Xiao Yi tried to escape, he couldn''t avoid being caught between the two. In this crisis, a glint of cold light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes as he channeled the power of wind and thunder into the Fire Qilin Sword. A mix of different forces coalesced on the sword��wind, thunder, and fire��threatening to overwhelm its capacity. But Xiao Yi had no other choice. With both hands on the sword, he swung upwards against the heavens, "Green Lotus Reincarnation!"


    One of the two ultimate moves of the Green Lotus Sword Song.


    It was supposed to be used only at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, but he had no choice but to use it now.


    Boom!


    A green lotus formed in front of the sword''s tip, with cyan wind, purple-gold thunder, and crimson flames. The tri-colored forces intertwined on the sword lotus hovering above his head.


    The tri-colored petals spun continuously.


    Life inexhaustible!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Under the intertwined crushing of the Three-Colored Sword Lotus, the crimson net was forcibly torn open, creating a large hole. Freed from its constraints, the Sword Lotus suddenly burst forth. The tricolor sword light soared into the sky, and before Qin Yu could react, it pierced through his chest with a ''puh'' sound. Blood spurted out like a fountain, and Qin Yu screamed in agony.


    His face twisted with ferocity as he, without any hesitation, once again gathered the large net to envelop everything below.


    Boom!


    He forcefully pushed Xiao Yi back.


    "Hehehe, I never imagined you could break through this general''s Blood Demon Sky Net, but you will definitely not succeed a second time. Xiao Yi, you are bound to die today!" Qin Yu said with a sinister tone.


    While being pushed back by the mighty Blood Demon Net, Xiao Yi''s legs were also seized by the massive hands made of blood.


    In a rush.


    His hands were also bound.


    With hands and feet restrained, he couldn''t move at all.


    He could only watch helplessly as his body was engulfed in bloodlight.


    He raised his head to look at Qin Yu, whose chest was still hemorrhaging, "You are also seriously injured. As soon as Yu Huaxian and the others take action, you will have only one path left��death!"


    "Hahaha, do you think the Great Accomplished Blood Demon Battle Body is so easy to defeat? I''m not afraid to tell you that the Great Accomplished Blood Demon Battle Body possesses terrifying regenerative abilities. As long as the Qi-Blood remains, even the gravest of injuries can heal back to normal..." Qin Yu laughed triumphantly, his Qi-Blood surged, covering the ferocious gap in his chest.


    Strands of blood wove together, visibly repairing the fatal wound at a speed noticeable to the naked eye.


    "How is this possible?" Xiao Yi''s complexion changed abruptly.


    Patting his chest with pride, Qin Yu said, "Give up struggling, you''re doomed!"


    "Blood Grinding Disc!"


    Qin Yu brought his hands together in prayer.


    The Blood Demon Sky Net and the Blood Demon Sea, one above and one below, morphed into a massive blood-red grinding disc.


    It began rotating to the left and right. S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Attempting to grind Xiao Yi into oblivion!


    Caught between the two opposing forces tearing at him, Xiao Yi''s body seemed ready to be ripped apart and ground into pieces at any moment.


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, you''re done for! Once the Blood Grinding Disc shreds your body, your Qi-Blood power will become mine... You do not possess the Blood Demon Battle Body, you can''t recover from injuries like I can and heal back to normal... Just die obediently!" Qin Yu laughed boastfully.


    However, Xiao Yi, entrapped within the Blood Grinding Disc, shuddered.


    A buzzing filled his mind, "Heal back to normal? Heal back to normal? Wait, I understand now, I finally see the path that lies beyond the Limitless Golden Elixir!"


    "Hahaha, Qin Yu, I thank you!"


    Xiao Yi roared to the sky.


    Qin Yu looked perplexed: "Thank me? Has this guy''s brain been mashed by the Blood Grinding Disc?"


    "Since forty-nine halos is the limit, then I shall do the opposite. By fusing the halos and refining them anew, I am also breaking the limit!"


    The Golden Core within Xiao Yi vibrated intensely as countless amounts of heavenly and earthly energy surged into it.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    As seas of heavenly and earthly energy converged.


    Xiao Yi no longer focused on condensing a Golden Core Halo; he chose fusion instead!


    Hum! Hum! Hum!


    The forty-nine Golden Core Halos collided fiercely, trembling violently. The energy they produced was so intense that it nearly caused Xiao Yi''s Golden Core to break apart. Excruciating pain almost caused Xiao Yi to faint, but his iron willpower kept him conscious. His teeth clenched tight enough to bleed, veins throbbed as if they would burst, and his fists clenched so hard his nails dug into his flesh.


    Pain!


    Endure!


    Agony!


    Endure!


    Finally...


    After countless collisions, the forty-ninth and forty-eighth halos smashed into each other on Xiao Yi''s Golden Core, bursting loudly and then merging together.


    Spurt!


    Xiao Yi spewed a mouthful of blood, but a brighter smile appeared on his face: "Break for me!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    One halo after another collided and fused with each other.


    The number of halos on the Golden Core diminished.


    Forty-eight.


    Forty-seven.


    Forty-six...


    Until there were only thirty left, the Golden Core trembled violently, releasing a mysterious power that enveloped his body. Suddenly, the scene before Xiao Yi''s eyes changed. He saw a vast and immense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Pool suspended in the depths of infinite space, with boundless heavenly and earthly forces pouring madly into his body.


    Tao Tribulation Realm, comprehending the power of heaven and earth.


    With these heavenly and earthy powers infusing him, patterns started to appear on Xiao Yi''s Golden Core!


    These were the Dao patterns that only those in the Tao Tribulation Realm could condense.


    Yet, he had already formed them while still in the Golden Core Realm.


    At the same time...


    The number of God Sealing Seeds within Xiao Yi''s body skyrocketed, reaching a staggering six hundred thousand.


    Thirty Golden Core Halos, patterns one after another, six hundred thousand God Sealing Seeds!


    When Xiao Yi reopened his eyes, the Blood Demon power that had been an insurmountable obstacle seemed incredibly frail. A cold and grim smile curled on the corner of his mouth, "Qin Yu, your time of death has come!"

 Chapter 200 - 200 You Lost!

    "Qin Yu, your time has come!"


    Cold light burst forth from Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    When his Golden Core had forty-nine rings, his cultivation was comparable to the Fourth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Although now only thirty rings remain on his Golden Core, he has recondensed nine Golden Elixir Halos, making Xiao Yi now comparable to the realm of the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    In addition to the Wind Thunder Holy Body, and the support of divine power.


    He could match a practitioner of the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    "A stream cascades down three thousand feet!"


    Whoosh!


    The Fire Qilin Sword burst into flight, hovering above his head.


    It split into two, two into four, four into eight...


    Countless showers of swords rained down.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The sea of blood and the Blood Demon Sky Net shattered under the onslaught of the sword rain, the Sky Net ruptured, and the blood sea crumbled apart.


    Freed from his bindings, Xiao Yi soared into the sky.


    As he passed by the Fire Qilin Sword, he reached out into the void, and the longsword came to him, settling into his palm. Like a swift swallow slicing through the air, he hovered aloft, brandishing his sword with one hand in a sweeping motion: "The white egret isle divides the two streams!"


    Whoosh!


    The sword tip pointed forward.


    The air, the wild wind, the space itself seemed to have been sliced in two, with the incredibly sharp edge of the sword cutting relentlessly through everything!


    Qin Yu''s complexion was unspeakably grim.


    He had thought Xiao Yi would undoubtedly die, but unexpectedly, Xiao Yi had managed to break free from his restraint. Blood-red cold light burst forth from his eyes, and behind him, a pair of Blood Demon Wings vibrated frantically. A fishy wind engulfed the sky above, growing ever more fierce and covering a hundred-yard radius. Even blowing from high above, it still caused gusty winds to sweep across the plains. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The boundless green grass swayed in circles of green waves.


    Xiao Yi stood amidst the fierce winds, but his sword was able to cut through even the wind, and his figure was unhindered.


    In an instant.


    Xiao Yi had torn through the hurricane and appeared mere meters in front of Qin Yu, his sword technique transitioning: "Green Lotus Reincarnation!"


    Whoosh!


    Blue wind, purple-gold thunder, and crimson flame.


    The tri-colored energies interwove and twined around each other.


    They formed a trifecta of Three-Colored Sword Lotus at the tip of the sword, which rotated slowly, and in an instant, was upon Qin Yu''s proximity.


    Qin Yu had witnessed the horror of this sword lotus; once it was unleashed, even he found it hard to withstand.


    With a tremble of his Blood Demon Wings through the air, he continuously retreated backward.


    Almost at the same time he retreated,


    The Sword Lotus exploded with a bang, the terrifying brightness of the sword radiance stunning, like a brilliant sun across the sky, dazzling to behold.


    Qin Yu only felt a flash before his eyes, and by the time he recovered, he could no longer see Xiao Yi''s figure: "Where is he?"


    "Right here!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly came from behind him.


    "What? How could it be so fast?" Qin Yu''s face changed drastically; he hadn''t noticed that Xiao Yi was already behind him.


    This speed was several times faster than before!


    Xiao Yi had now executed the Blood Explosion Skill, but with the lessons learned from previous experiences, he dared not overstimulate this self-detrimental technique; he only burned thirty percent of his blood. Yet, it still tripled his strength and speed. Together with the breakthrough of the Limitless Golden Elixir, his combat power surged.


    Bang!


    Qin Yu had just turned his head when his mind went blank with a buzz; Xiao Yi''s elbow had smashed into the back of his head.


    Whoosh!


    Qin Yu''s head tipped forward, and like a falling meteor, he plummeted toward the ground.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Qin Yu''s head smashed fiercely into the ground.


    The entire grassland roared violently, as if a dragon beneath the earth had turned over, seeming to herald the end of the world.


    Amidst the flying grass and mud, a huge crater formed on the ground, and within the deep pit dozens of meters deep, Qin Yu struggled to his feet and shook his head, still seeing stars.


    The back of his head was thoroughly caved in.


    But as Qin Yu possessed the Blood Demon Battle Body, as long as his Qi-Blood was not exhausted, even having his heart torn apart, he could recover.


    Threads of blood covered the sunken area at the back of his head, patching up the dent as he shook his head. With a fierce leer, he stared at Xiao Yi and sneered, "I didn''t expect you to have hidden your strength before. But so what if you did? As I said, as long as my Qi-Blood is not exhausted, I will not die. You cannot defeat me!"


    "Qi-Blood not exhausted, you won''t die?"


    Xiao Yi''s narrowed eyes suddenly opened wide, the gleam within as piercing as lightning, "Then I will grind down your Qi-Blood, and I want to see if you die or not!"


    The Blood Demon Battle Body''s Qi-Blood energy was all stored within the Golden Core or the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    As a practitioner of the Tao Tribulation Realm, Qin Yu naturally condensed his Qi-Blood energy within the Martial Dao Divine Fruit. If Xiao Yi wanted to cut off his Qi-Blood, the only way was to shatter his Martial Dao Divine Fruit. But the Martial Dao Divine Fruit was the essence of a martial artist''s life, protected by Dao patterns, extremely solid and durable, impervious even to a sixth-order divine weapon.


    "Let''s gamble!"


    Xiao Yi moved in an instant, tracing a silver streak across the sky.


    Whoosh!


    It was just a fleeting flash.


    Xiao Yi had already appeared on the ground, his left hand clenched into a fist, his right hand wielding a sword.


    Launching two attacks at the same time.


    Vajra Subdues Demons.


    The Qinglian Sword Song!


    Both lethal moves fell like fiery meteors, as Qin Yu, surrounded by a flow of bloody light, forcefully withstood Xiao Yi''s assault.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Each collision, each confrontation between the two, released a terrifying energy that wreaked astonishing destruction on the surroundings. Across the plains, every burst of thunderous noise left, in their wake, gaping holes sprawling densely across the grassland as the ground collapsed upon their departure.


    Atop the city wall.


    Yu Huaxian gasped in shock, his face a picture of horror, "Xiao, where exactly is Xiao''s limit..."


    "He..."


    Gu Junhe hesitated, "Maybe he simply doesn''t have one!"


    Huang Bo''s face twitched fiercely, muttering to himself as he recalled the past encounter in the Iron Mountain Range, "Good thing that day in the Iron Mountain Range Xiao planned to let me off; otherwise, he might have beaten me to death!"


    Jiang Tai, anxious, looked at the others, "Honored sirs, who has the greater chance of winning this battle?"


    Xue Bufan, without blinking, stared at the battlefield. Upon hearing the question, he spoke, "Xiao''s strength at the Golden Core Realm is indeed terrifying, but that Qin Yu''s Blood Demon Battle Body is not easy to deal with! Unless Xiao can find a way to destroy his Martial Dao Divine Fruit, otherwise, Qin Yu will stand on invincible ground!"


    "Destroying the Martial Dao Divine Fruit isn''t so easy, is it?"


    "Most likely, Xiao will end in a draw!"


    "Prepare for battle!"


    "We cannot let anything happen to Xiao��"


    The crowd quietly tightened their grip on their weapons.


    Meanwhile��


    Under the relentless bombardment of Xiao Yi, Qin Yu kept spitting blood, continuously injured, and was incredibly frustrated, "You doglike thing, you''re forcing my hand!"


    Qin Yu fiercely slapped his chest.


    Humm!


    A Martial Dao Divine Fruit emerged outside his body and violently smashed towards Xiao Yi.


    This Martial Dao Divine Fruit was exceptionally sturdy and contained a hint of the power of heaven and earth. In Qin Yu''s view, this blow was bound to inflict heavy damage, or even kill Xiao Yi.


    However��


    What Qin Yu never anticipated was that this was the moment Xiao Yi had been waiting for.


    "Shatter it for me!"


    Xiao Yi pointed his sword forward.


    The dazzling Golden Core shot out, slamming ferociously into the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    "Idiot, you actually think you can use your Golden Core to smash my Martial Dao Divine Fruit? That''s simply the musing of a fool... wait, this Golden Core�� why does it have thirty rings?" Qin Yu''s eyes split open, his face that was full of pride emptied of its smugness, watching in horror as thirty swirling Golden Elixir Halos enveloped the luminous core.


    Boom!


    The Golden Core and the Martial Dao Divine Fruit collided fiercely.


    The world seemed to freeze for a moment.


    Then, from the point of collision between the Golden Core and the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, an immensely terrifying energy shockwave erupted.


    "Has Xiao gone mad?"


    "He actually used his Golden Core to strike the Martial Dao Divine Fruit? Isn''t that like using an egg to smash a rock?"


    "It''s over, it''s all over..."


    Despair covered the faces of everyone on top of the city wall.


    Within the silent world.


    Crack! Crack! Crack!


    A series of cracking sounds drew everyone''s attention, as they nervously stared towards the core of the light.


    When all the light had dissipated.


    Xiao Yi''s Golden Core swiftly flew back into his dantian, while looking at Qin Yu, his Martial Dao Divine Fruit was completely shattered, turning into a shower of energy that scattered across the ground.


    "No..."


    Qin Yu roared in despair, as the bloody glow furiously retracted into his body, and the Blood Demon Wings behind him disappeared with a swoosh.


    Thud!


    Hit the ground hard, blood seeping from all orifices, and in a face filled with despair, Xiao Yi appeared in front of him.


    Gazing down at Qin Yu from above.


    Xiao Yi spoke coldly, "You lost!"

 Chapter 201 - 201: The Counterattack

    "You''ve lost!"


    Xiao Yi''s face bore a cold hue, as the sharp point of the Fire Qilin Sword rested against Qin Yu''s throat.


    A mere sweep of the blade.


    And Qin Yu would be no more than a corpse.


    Gurgle!


    Qin Yu swallowed spit, his Adam''s apple moving slightly against the tip of the Fire Qilin Sword, easily splitting open his skin��both a chilling sensation and the scalding of fresh blood fused together, sweeping over him with the breath of death.


    "Don''t, don''t kill me��" Qin Yu stammered.


    Now that he had lost the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, he was nothing more than a cripple.


    Even the Blood Demon Battle Body could no longer repair his physique.


    Xiao Yi, having used the Blood Explosion Skill, looked somewhat pale but regarded him coldly, "Give me a reason not to kill you!"


    Qin Yu''s complexion changed repeatedly, "I, I can serve you like Yu Huaxian, be your dog..."


    The higher one climbs, the more afraid of death one becomes.


    He was once the esteemed Minister of War in the Great Jin Kingdom, the mighty Great General.


    Even now, with his cultivation destroyed, he still did not want to die.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I don''t lack such a dog, especially not one that could bite back!"


    "You��"


    Qin Yu''s complexion fluctuated between green and white, his survival instincts pushing him to abandon all dignity, "You could use me as a trophy; I could spread word of your power everywhere, so that everyone knows you have defeated me, defeated the Great Jin Kingdom. Truly, I am willing to help you, just let me live..."


    "That reason is still not enough!" Xiao Yi declared.


    Qin Yu racked his brains and hastily added, "I''ve just remembered, I know a secret about the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    "What secret?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    Qin Yu said, "You, you must swear not to kill me before I''ll tell you the secret. It''s a matter of life and death for the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes flickered, "I swear, I will not kill you!"


    Qin Yu breathed a sigh of relief.


    Gathering his thoughts in a rush, he said, "The Great Jin Kingdom''s Dharma Manifestation Realm protector ancestor left the kingdom a hundred years ago, and it''s highly likely that he has fallen."


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils slightly constricted.


    This was indeed a very important piece of news.


    His greatest concern at present was the Dharma Manifestation Realm protector ancestor of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    If he had indeed died.


    Then Xiao Yi was certain that he could lead the Tianqing Kingdom to overthrow the Great Jin Kingdom, truly becoming the foremost kingdom under the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Do you have any evidence?"


    "Ten years ago, I was stuck at the peak of the Golden Core Realm and couldn''t break through. The Jin Emperor granted me a month inside the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave for cultivation. In the cave, the soul tablet of the ancestor was enshrined, and I saw with my own eyes that the soul tablet was shattered..." Qin Yu, desperate to save his life, did not hold back any secrets.


    Soul tablet.


    Many powerful forces would create a soul tablet for their top experts.


    Once that person died, the force would be the first to know.


    If the protector ancestor''s soul tablet of the Great Jin Kingdom was shattered, then there was a ninety-nine percent chance that he had perished.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze sharpened, "Are you sure his soul tablet is shattered?"


    "I am sure!"


    Qin Yu nodded vigorously, "I can swear on my life! Xiao, I, I have now told you the secret, you can let me go, right?" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi nodded and retracted the Fire Qilin Sword.


    "Thank you, Xiao, for sparing my life!"


    Qin Yu hastily expressed his gratitude, though inwardly he vowed: Damn mongrel, I, Qin Yu, will return this debt a hundredfold, a thousandfold in the future!


    In that moment...


    Yu Huaxian and the others approached, puzzled to see Xiao Yi letting Qin Yu go.


    Yu Huaxian said anxiously, "Xiao, you absolutely cannot let him go!"


    Gu Junhe also spoke gravely, "A tiger returning to the mountain will eventually become a threat!"


    Qin Yu''s face shifted subtly, his gaze flickering toward Xiao Yi with trepidation.


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "I promised I wouldn''t kill him!"


    Relief washed over Qin Yu as he laughed heartily at Yu Huaxian and the others, "Hehe, Xiao has already promised not to kill me. Surely you don''t want to make him break his word? I suggest you step aside and let this general leave..."


    ```


    However...


    He had just finished speaking.


    Xiao Yi''s languid voice then came from the side, "But, I never said you couldn''t kill him!"


    "What?"


    Qin Yu''s body trembled, and he looked at Xiao Yi with a ferocious face, "Xiao Yi, how dare you play me?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "I''m playing you, what are you going to do, bite me?"


    "I..."


    Qin Yu''s face was filled with despair.


    In a turn of his head.


    He saw Yu Huaxian, Gu Junhe, Jiang Weisheng, Xue Bufan and others had already surrounded him.


    One after another, Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses threw punches and kicks.


    "I''ll teach you to be arrogant!"


    "Keep being arrogant now! Damn it..."


    Amidst the screams.


    This Minister of War from the Great Jin Kingdom, the owner of the Blood Demon Battle Body, was beaten into a pile of mush, so much so that even his mother couldn''t help but come over.


    Hu!


    Jiang Tai had also taken the opportunity to kick a few times, exhaling a satisfied breath, "Hahaha, I have now kicked a Tao Tribulation Realm expert too!"


    Yu Huaxian, standing by with a wistful look on his face, "Your Majesty, you just kicked me..."


    He pointed at the two large footprints on his face.


    Jiang Tai: "..."


    Everyone laughed heartily.


    Yu Huaxian was also speechless, touched his face, and began to laugh.


    This battle had been weighing on everyone''s hearts for far too long.


    Today''s battle.


    Completely released the pent-up frustrations of this period.


    Killing was satisfying!


    Fighting was exhilarating!


    Winning was invigorating!


    Jiang Tai looked towards Xiao Yi and said solemnly, "Xiao, after this battle, the most elite Golden Crow Guards and the hundred thousand beast cavalry of the Great Jin Kingdom have been annihilated; they probably won''t dare to send troops against us again. What do you think we should do next?"


    Everyone''s eyes turned to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, with narrowed eyes, said, "Your Majesty, what do you want to do?"


    The two locked eyes with each other.


    Suddenly...


    Their mouths both curled up at the same time, and in unison, they said, "Counterattack!"


    "Counterattack?"


    Yu Huaxian exclaimed with a grave voice, "Xiao, absolutely not! The Great Jin Kingdom has indeed suffered heavy losses this time, but they still have a guardian ancestor, a Dharma Manifestation Realm existence..."


    Gu Junhe also pondered, "Think thrice about this!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Qin Yu said that the guardian ancestor of the Great Jin Kingdom has fallen!"


    "What?"


    "Fallen? If this is true, then with our strength, perhaps we really can counterattack the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    Xue Bufan said in a deep voice, "But can we take Qin Yu''s words for truth?"


    Yu Huaxian asked, "Xiao, how did Qin Yu say it?"


    Xiao Yi recounted what Qin Yu had said.


    Yu Huaxian pondered, "If that''s the case, then it is most likely true! To my knowledge, every Royal Road Tribulation Realm and above strong person in the Great Jin Kingdom makes a soul stele to be enshrined in the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave!"


    "If so, then we''ll counterattack the bastards!"


    "The Great Jin Kingdom has been overbearing for years, it''s time they paid the price!"


    The opinions of everyone were surprisingly in agreement.


    Xiao Yi and Jiang Tai exchanged glances, and Jiang Tai said solemnly, "Then it''s decided, we''ll regroup our troops and counterattack the Great Jin!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed with fighting spirit soaring to the heavens, "After this battle, below the Great Qian, Tianqing reigns supreme!"


    ```

 Chapter 202 - 202 - A Sword Breaks the City

    Xiao Yi and the others settled on a plan to counterattack the Great Jin Kingdom.


    Immediately, they began mobilizing troops, horses, and supplies.


    The entire Tianqing Kingdom''s army was almost entirely assembled in Tanglang City, which saved a great deal of effort.


    Among them, Jiang Weisheng remained in Tianqing Kingdom, guarding the rear.


    Xiao Yi as the commander-in-chief, with the support of Yu Huaxian, Gu Junhe, Xue Bufan, and Huang Bo, led the army towards the Great Jin Kingdom.


    In just three days.


    Outside Tanglang City.


    Upon the marshal''s platform.


    The black banners against the clear sky, cold wind howling, even though three days had passed, the air over the grassland was still thick with the pungent stench of blood.


    The crimson of fresh blood could still be seen on the grass.


    Jiang Tai stood proudly on the marshal''s platform, proclaiming loudly, "Soldiers, today our Tianqing Kingdom, by the will of heaven, led by our Guardian Martial God, Xiao Yi, will counterattack the Great Jin Kingdom. I, in the capital, will wait for your triumphant return!"


    "Triumphant return!"


    "Triumphant return!"


    One million demon beast cavalry and one million soldiers of the Four Symbols Legion shouted in unison, loud and clear.


    Jiang Tai said in a deep voice, "I invite the Guardian Martial God Xiao Yi to the marshal''s platform!"


    "The Guardian Martial God is mighty!"


    "The Martial God is mighty!"


    The million-strong army roared in unison, shaking the heavens.


    Xiao Yi''s prestige among the military and the civilians was at its peak.


    It even far surpassed that of Jiang Tai, the King.


    However, Jiang Tai held no dissatisfaction, for he knew that the present state of Tianqing Kingdom was all thanks to Xiao Yi''s contributions. Otherwise, Tianqing Kingdom would still be a bottom-rung power among the ten nations of Nanhuang, tucked away in an obscure corner. How could they possibly have assembled such an invincible army, how could they have mobilized a million-strong army to counterattack the Great Jin Kingdom?


    Clip-clop, clip-clop!


    Xiao Yi climbed the marshal''s platform with steady, deliberate steps.


    Jiang Tai handed over the Tiger Talisman to him, saying solemnly, "Xiao, I am counting on you!"


    "Your Majesty, rest assured!"


    Xiao Yi held up the Tiger Talisman and roared, "With me, invincible!"


    "With us, invincible!"


    "Invincible!"


    "Invincible..."


    Wave after wave of roars pierced the heavens, as if shattering the clouds.


    Under the vast sky.


    Two million soldiers formed a black, iron flood that rolled towards the Great Jin Kingdom.


    One million demon beast cavalry, each accompanied by a soldier from the Dragon Elephant Legion.


    All marched on demon beasts.


    This speed was many times faster than Qin Yu and his forces.


    As the Sihai Kingdom advanced, their numbers only grew, because when the people of the Sihai Kingdom heard that Xiao Yi was preparing to counterattack the Great Jin Kingdom, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians spontaneously organized to follow them.


    Qin Yu''s previous slaughter of more than a dozen city-states in the Sihai Kingdom had thoroughly enraged its citizens.


    Furthermore, Xiao Yi and his group never interfered with local civilians, leaving behind a good reputation.


    When they left the territory of the Sihai Kingdom.


    The two million-strong army had swelled to three million.


    Lying between the Sihai and Great Jin Kingdoms were the Great Yuan, Cheng Han, and Xin Yu Kingdoms.


    These three kingdoms had long suffered under the oppression of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    Upon hearing that Xiao Yi had defeated the Great Jin Kingdom''s million-strong army and was now leading two million troops to attack Great Jin, many people from these three kingdoms volunteered to join the battle against Great Jin.


    And so...


    A month later.


    By the time Xiao Yi and his forces reached Luoyan Pass, a border fortress of the Great Jin Kingdom, their army had grown to a staggering five million!


    An immense five million stood arrayed in formation.


    "What do you think Tianqing Kingdom is planning to take down Luoyan Pass with?"


    "The defender of Luoyan Pass, He Xing, is a powerful Tao Tribulation Realm practitioner from the Great Jin Kingdom. It is said that he is a master of the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, with more than five hundred thousand troops under his command. This battle will not be easy!"


    "Let''s wait and see..."


    Amidst everyone''s discussions.


    A figure flew out from Luoyan Pass, it was the defending commander of Luoyan Pass, He Xing.


    He Xing looked at Xiao Yi and the others with an expressionless face, standing in midair, and coldly said, "Which one of you is Xiao Yi?"


    "I am!"


    Xiao Yi calmly looked at him.


    He Xing''s pupils shrank slightly. The King of the Southern War had already transmitted the news back to the Great Jin Kingdom, and because of this, the defensive troops of Luoyan Pass were raised from the original five hundred thousand to one million. Apart from He Xing, there were also two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses within the pass, currently ambushed in the city. He Xing said in a deep voice, "By the Jin Emperor''s oral decree, Tianqing Kingdom has launched a major invasion against the Great Jin Kingdom, an act of rebellion and a crime punishable by death. Order Xiao Yi to surrender and be escorted to the capital to await judgement��"


    "What did you say?" Xiao Yi cleared his ear and asked.


    He Xing frowned and said, "His Majesty orders you to surrender and��"


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi slapped him across the face.


    He Xing''s half of the face swelled up, and he glanced at Xiao Yi in complete confusion: "You��"


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi slapped him again.


    He Xing was forcefully slapped down from midair, and with a palm reaching out into the air, Xiao Yi forced He Xing to kneel on the ground before saying, "I don''t like talking to someone with my head tilted back. Repeat what you just said!"


    "I, I��"


    After being slapped several times, He Xing was dizzy with his eyes seeing stars. He shook his head vigorously and said with a trembling voice, "His Majesty the Jin Emperor invites you to a meeting at the capital��"


    "Oh!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Don''t worry, once I''ve breached your Great Jin capital, I naturally will meet your emperor!"


    "Breach the capital?"


    He Xing was stunned, then realized he had been played, and said with a laugh full of anger, "Nonsense. You won''t even be able to get past this Luoyan Pass, let alone the capital��"


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi looked amusedly at He Xing, smiling said, "Care to make a bet with me?"


    He Xing was caught off guard: "Bet on what?"


    Xiao Yi said, "On how long it will take me to break through this Luoyan Pass. If you win, I will immediately withdraw my troops. If I win, you are at my disposal!"


    He Xing frowned and firmly said, "I bet you can''t breach this city!"


    "Brave!"


    Xiao Yi gave him a thumbs-up, then slowly turned his thumb towards the ground and lightly tapped it, "Sadly, you''re destined to lose!"


    He Xing proudly said, "Luoyan Pass is the strongest fortification of the Great Jin Kingdom, now defended by a million-strong army, plus there are two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses aside from me. The city wall, designed by the Great Qian Dynasty''s formation master Xu Yao, is simply impregnable!"


    At this moment...


    Yu Huaxian approached with a cup of hot wine, saying, "Xiao, the wine has just been heated!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, "Set it aside for now, I''ll be right back!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leaped into the air, hovering before Luoyan Pass.


    Looking at the majestic fortification before him, Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly, and the Fire Qilin Sword appeared in his hand with a flip.


    Hum!


    The sword''s edge glowed with a crimson firelight.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sparkled with cold light, and he raised the longsword high above his head, then brought it down: "Qinglian Rebirth!"


    Hum!


    Three-colored light converged, and a giant sword hundreds of feet long materialized in the air.


    This sword seemed like one that could split the heavens.


    This sword was mightier than the Earth Dragon''s Sword!


    This sword...


    Descended from the skies with extraordinary might!


    Rumble!


    The hundred-foot sword light crashed down on the huge fortification, and with a loud boom, the great city wall, built by the Great Jin Kingdom at great expense, burst apart. The wall, more than fifty meters high and over ten meters wide, was smashed to pieces by Xiao Yi''s sword, collapsing over a stretch of more than five hundred meters, causing the army within to fall in disarray. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi stood in the air, sword in hand, and commanded, "Attack!"


    Rumble!


    A million beast cavalry charged forward.


    The earth shattered, it was like the end of days!


    When Xiao Yi returned to his camp, the cup of wine was still emitting a faint warmth. The cup of wine that broke the city wall, Xiao Yi looked at the bewildered He Xing before him: "The city is breached!"

 Chapter 203 - 203: Unstoppable Force, Straight to the Capital!

    "The city has fallen!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice brought He Xing back to reality, as if waking from a dream.


    Looking at the steaming cup of hot wine in Xiao Yi''s hand, he swallowed reflexively.


    This Luoyan Pass, which cost a fortune and was guarded by a million-strong army and three Tao Tribulation Realm masters, had been breached just like that?


    With a single sword?


    Gulp!


    He Xing swallowed hard, looking at Xiao Yi with deep fear and awe, his voice trembling, "I, I''ve lost..."


    "Since you''ve lost, you should know the consequences," Xiao Yi said.


    He Xing''s face twitched.


    He didn''t want to die!


    It had taken him most of his life to cultivate to the Tao Tribulation Realm, and he had finally climbed to his current position.


    He really didn''t want to die.


    After a moment''s hesitation, He Xing fell to his knees with a thud, his tone filled with fright, "Xiao, I am willing to submit to you, please spare my life!"


    "Submit?"


    Xiao Yi''s face showed a hint of amusement.


    He neither agreed nor refused. sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This silence made He Xing feel even more helpless and powerless. Clenching his teeth, he said in a deep voice, "Xiao, I know the way from Luoyan Pass to the royal capital like the back of my hand, and the hardest to conquer is surely Jinmen City. Now that Luoyan City has just fallen, as long as you kill the other two Tao Tribulation Realm masters in the city and prevent the news from spreading, I can lead you to take Jinmen City without wasting a single soldier..."


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "How can you make me believe that you won''t set traps in Jinmen City to kill me?"


    He Xing''s heart skipped a beat.


    Indeed, he had contemplated just that��feigning surrender, leading Xiao Yi and his people to Jinmen City. Meanwhile, he would collude with the defenders there, capturing Xiao Yi and his men in one fell swoop, trapping and killing them alive.


    Clearly, Xiao Yi was not so easily deceived.


    After much hesitation.


    He Xing realized that in the face of Xiao Yi, who was watertight, he couldn''t find any opportunity to execute his schemes and finally laughed dejectedly, "Xiao, what must I do for you to trust me?"


    Xiao Yi looked back at Xue Bufan.


    The Undying Ghost Doctor Xue Bufan, besides his medical skills, was best at making people beg for life and unable to beg for death.


    This title of his, the Undying Ghost Doctor, came largely from this!


    Xue Bufan took out a red elixir the size of a red bean, grinning, "This is the Nine Leaves Nine Worms Elixir. Once ingested, an antidote must be taken every half an hour, and it must be taken continuously for a month to detoxify. Without the antidote, the nine toxic herbs in the elixir will stimulate a toxic worm to awaken and start burrowing into your heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. If you don''t take the antidote for four consecutive half-hours, the nine toxic worms will leave your body riddled with holes, yet curiously, they won''t let you die, and you''ll be forced to watch your own body being penetrated..."


    "You, don''t try to scare me; how could there be such a vicious poison in this world?" He Xing''s face turned pale.


    Xue Bufan chuckled, "Don''t believe it? Then give it a try!"


    He stepped forward, grabbed He Xing''s chin, and forced the Nine Leaves Nine Worms Elixir into his mouth.


    Whimper!


    The elixir melted as soon as it touched his tongue.


    No matter how much He Xing tried to force it out, he couldn''t expel it from his body.


    An hour passed quickly.


    By then, Luoyan City had been thoroughly cleared by the monster cavalry; a million defenders had been executed, and the two mighty Tao Tribulation Realm masters had fallen at the hands of Yu Huaxian and Huang Bo.


    "Ah..."


    He Xing convulsed, curling up on the ground in a frenzied struggle.


    He gripped at his abdomen desperately, the location of his liver.


    He felt as if someone were relentlessly stabbing his liver with a needle, creating countless tiny holes, leaving him in excruciating pain that tore through his heart and lungs, unbearable to endure.


    He Xing, his face a savage snarl, saliva dripping from his mouth, bellowed, "Antidote, give me the antidote... "


    Xiao Yi watched with detached interest.


    Xue Bufan and the others paid him no attention, simply allowing two soldiers from the Dragon Elephant Legion to prop him up and continue forward. This round of poison torment lasted for the duration of an incense stick, leaving the formidable He Xing from the Tao Tribulation Realm completely drained. His face was ashen, and the look he gave Xue Bufan and Xiao Yi was filled with nothing but fear and awe.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "Take us to Jinmen City, you know what to do!"


    "Understood!" He Xing quickly nodded.


    Fearing a late response might lead to not receiving the antidote from Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi turned to Xue Bufan, "Elder Xue, give him an antidote."


    "Alrighty!"


    Xue Bufan handed him a green elixir, saying, "Be sure to use it sparingly, one antidote can only last for half an hour!"


    "I, I understand..."


    He Xing carefully stored away the antidote, his life hanging on it.


    Jinmen City wasn''t far from Luoyan Pass.


    The city was defended by three hundred thousand troops, and its commander was even more powerful than He Xing, having reached the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    However, this city was built against a mountain, which made it difficult even for the beast cavalry to effectively charge; as He Xing had said, even beast cavalry couldn''t get through, truly making it an impregnable fortress.


    The group took their positions in a dip between hills.


    Hiding their presence.


    He Xing suggested, "Xiao, as long as you send men in the armor of the Great Jin Kingdom, pretending to be defeated soldiers from Luoyan Pass, they will surely open the gates! Once the gates are open, I will join you in killing their commander, and we can take down the city doors, allowing the army to march straight in!"


    "Yu Huaxian, Huang Bo, you two lead ten thousand Dragon Elephant Legionnaires to follow him into the city," Xiao Yi instructed.


    "Yes!"


    Huang Bo and Yu Huaxian changed into the Great Jin Kingdom''s armor along with He Xing and headed towards Jinmen City.


    Now that He Xing had tasted the effects of the Nine Leaves Nine Worms Elixir, he dared not entertain any other thoughts. He successfully fooled the gatekeepers and, alongside Yu Huaxian and the others, managed to overwhelm the commander in Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Subsequently, they destroyed the city gates from the inside out.


    Xiao Yi and his forces entered swiftly and took the final barrier standing before the capital of the Great Jin Kingdom; the remaining cities that led to the capital were no longer a concern.


    Inside Jinmen City.


    He Xing looked at Xiao Yi with utmost respect, "Xiao, I have not failed in my duty!"


    Now that there was no turning back, he wholeheartedly submitted to Xiao Yi.


    "You''ve done well," Xiao Yi nodded in approval.


    Xue Bufan brought out a bottle of antidote, "This should last you ten days; come find me after it''s gone!"


    "Thank you, Elder Xue!" He Xing, as if receiving a treasure, carefully accepted the antidote.


    The army moved in an unstoppable mighty wave.


    In merely five days.


    They had conquered thirteen cities and arrived before the capital of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The capital of the Great Jin Kingdom was known as Jindu!


    Like a behemoth sprawling across the land, the massive city was square-shaped, with gray walls standing a hundred meters tall, facing from north to south. The southern wall boasted eight massive gates, now tightly shut; the battlements swarmed with people, with every powerful individual''s face stern.


    Standing before Jindu.


    As Xiao Yi''s army began to establish camp behind him, his gaze pierced through the void, landing on the imposing figure atop the city walls, who watched them with icy indifference.


    This individual was the ruler of the Great Jin Kingdom��Jin Emperor!


    Xiao Yi, riding on his Tianqing savage bull, slowly approached Jindu. Positioned beneath the city gates, he smiled faintly, "Jin Emperor, at last we meet!"

 Chapter 204 - 204: Its actually him?

    ```


    "Jin Emperor, we finally meet!" Xiao Yi said, his eyes playing over the Jin Emperor''s figure.


    The Jin Emperor''s face betrayed no emotion.


    The ministers at his side, however, were livid with anger, "How daring of you, Xiao Yi, to see the Jin Emperor and not kneel?"


    "Aren''t you going to kneel?"


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly, looking up at the few ministers who were shouting the loudest, showing his impatience with a dismissive wave of his hand, "Noisy!"


    Whoosh!


    A streak of golden light shot out from his chest.


    Little Lin''s cultivation had broken through yet again, and its speed had doubled. It was nothing but a streak of light as it flew to the top of the city wall.


    When it returned, it was perched on Xiao Yi''s shoulder, raising its head slightly, and sticking out its tongue, "Where did these old dogs come from, daring to speak to my boss like that? They''re simply asking for death!"


    As soon as these words were spoken,


    the ministers who had pointed and cursed Xiao Yi all burst into blood at the center of their foreheads.


    They fell to the ground one by one, lifeless.


    The city wall descended into chaos.


    The Jin Emperor, who had been silent all along, finally spoke, "Enough!"


    His voice was not loud, but it carried an imposing authority.


    The chaos on the city wall came to an abrupt halt.


    The Jin Emperor narrowed his eyes, like a fierce tiger eyeing its prey, and said coldly, "I rarely admire anyone, but you are one exception."


    "This is my honor!" Xiao Yi laughed.


    The Jin Emperor snorted coldly, speaking indifferently, "Being able to lead the Tianqing Kingdom''s army here by yourself is indeed surprising to me, and it could even be called a miracle. However, miracles are fleeting and cannot last."


    Xiao Yi responded lightly, "Are you talking about the Great Jin Kingdom?"


    "You..."


    The Jin Emperor''s face darkened, and his words lost the nonchalance and calm of before. This was the first time that the Great Jin Kingdom had been attacked all the way to its capital, "Xiao Yi, if you retreat immediately, I can let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, you and the Tianqing Kingdom will pay a heavy price for today''s actions."


    Xiao Yi slapped the Tianqing buffalo, turned around, and headed towards the military camp. With his back to the Jin Emperor, he waved his hand, "By noon tomorrow, your capital will fall!"


    "Outrageous!"


    "This boy is too arrogant!"


    "Do you think the Great Jin Kingdom is without its people? You mangy cur..."


    The intimidated ministers jumped up as soon as they saw Xiao Yi leaving, hurling insults and jeers.


    The Jin Emperor looked at his ministers with a cold gaze, anger burning in the depths of his eyes.


    Why had they all turned mute just a moment ago?


    Now they are jumping and cursing for whom to see?


    Moreover...


    The Great Jin Kingdom indeed has no one left, doesn''t it?


    How many of the Great Jin Kingdom''s powerhouses had Xiao Yi killed in this battle?


    Even counting the Jin Emperor himself and the shabbily recalled Southern Battle King, there were only six strong Tao Tribulation Realm warriors left in the entire court.


    How could these warriors be a match for the Tianqing Kingdom?


    Xiao Yi alone could sweep them all away, couldn''t he?


    "Your Majesty, as Xiao Yi said, they will launch the total attack at noon tomorrow. What should we do?" a minister asked, his eyes twitching nervously as he looked at the Jin Emperor.


    The Jin Emperor watched him coldly, "What do you think we should do?"


    The minister hesitated, then said in a heavy voice, "Perhaps... we should negotiate peace?"


    "Negotiate peace? Good, very good!"


    The Jin Emperor laughed heartily, and the minister''s face lit up with joy at his words, about to speak further, but then he heard the Jin Emperor''s laughter slowly turn cold, "I, the Great Jin Kingdom, have raised a bunch of useless things like you, negotiating peace? You must be kidding, go to your death!"


    Bang!


    The Jin Emperor''s palm came crashing down.


    The minister was turned into a lump of flesh and blood.


    The Jin Emperor''s icy gaze swept over the ministers, his words piercing their hearts, "I don''t care how many of you are thinking of surrendering or negotiating peace. You better put away those thoughts right now. Even if the Great Jin falls and our families are destroyed, we will never surrender. The Great Jin has only ministers who die in battle, not cowards who live on their knees!"


    "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"


    "We know our sins..."


    The ministers were sincerely frightened.


    The Jin Emperor swept his sleeves and strode away.


    The group of ministers looked at each other, not daring to say any more.


    After a while,


    Inside the royal palace, the Jin Emperor went to the inner court.


    In a courtyard filled with birdsong and floral fragrance, a beautiful woman was feeding two mythical beasts that resembled cats, but the aura emanating from these beasts was enough to deter any ordinary Tao Tribulation Realm from approaching. These were two bloodthirsty dragon cats, whose docile appearance belied their savage lineage. If they were to rage, even the most average Tao Tribulation Realm warrior could be in grave danger when they combined forces.


    ```


    "My queen!"


    The voice of the Jin Emperor came from outside the courtyard.


    This beautiful woman was none other than the Empress of the Great Jin Kingdom, a revered Beast Tamer.


    Empress Jin lifted her head to look at the Jin Emperor, a touch of warmth flickered in her eyes, "Your Majesty, has the murderer who killed Prince Mubai arrived?"


    The Jin Emperor nodded, sat beside Empress Jin, and gently embraced her, "My queen, I am useless... I can''t even deal with the killer of our son. He has even made it to the capital..."


    "Your Majesty, you needn''t be so hard on yourself!"


    Empress Jin smiled slightly, beneath her radiant smile lay a venomous chill, "I have already sent Bai to the Great Qian Dynasty to inform our eldest prince. As long as he returns from the Great Qian Dynasty, no matter who the opponent is, they will inevitably meet their demise!"


    "Oh?"


    The Jin Emperor was taken aback.


    The crown prince had had a conflict with the Jin Emperor and afterwards, he ventured alone into the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Over the years, the crown prince had only been in contact with Empress Jin.


    The Jin Emperor said solemnly, "Can the eldest prince deal with Xiao Yi?"


    Empress Jin laughed softly, a cold light flickered in her eyes, "He definitely can!"


    ......


    The next day, at noon.


    The sun blazed overhead, scorching the earth.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The war drums sounded in succession, thunderous and deafening.


    Leading with a million demon beast cavalry and followed by a million dragon-elephant legions, the followers from various kingdoms were also closely behind.


    The vast army of over four million spread before the capital of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    A sea of heads moved under a dark expanse.


    With banners against the clear sky, they fluttered in the wind, driving the cold to howl, and there was an underlying aura of deadly silence. The cold evil Qi cleared the skies for miles around, and under the bright sun, Xiao Yi rode a Tianqing wild ox to the front of his army, sweeping his gaze over the solemn faces of the Jin Emperor and others on top of the city gates, "Jin Emperor, the appointed time has come, and here I am!"


    The Jin Emperor glared back fiercely with an icy expression, his longsword soaring through the air, "Deploy the troops!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The massive city gates flung open, and countless figures swarmed out from within, with no fewer than two million in number.


    This was the final strength of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The War King of the South, the Director of the Western Factory Cao Tiancheng, and the Great General Nalan Hai, these three Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, led the charge at the forefront.


    "Kill!"


    "Fight!" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The urgent beat of war drums suddenly filled the heavens and earth as both sides launched their charge at the same time.


    Boom!


    The great battle erupted instantaneously.


    The Tianqing Kingdom aimed to break the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The Great Jin Kingdom, on the other hand, vowed to defend the capital to the death.


    Both sides fought with the certainty of victory in their hearts.


    The battle was exceedingly brutal.


    But Xiao Yi''s million demon beast cavalry were simply too terrifying; ordinary soldiers couldn''t withstand their charge.


    Defeated like a landslide.


    As they witnessed the two million-strong army being slaughtered, the outcome was sealed!


    At the top of the city walls.


    The face of the Jin Emperor was as dark as water, and the court officials of the Great Jin Kingdom looked at each other in horror and fear.


    The battle had lasted only two hours...


    The last two million army of the Great Jin Kingdom was utterly routed, the three Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses were all slain, and Xiao Yi''s million demon beast cavalry pushed forward, breaking into the capital of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The banner of victory was within grasp!


    Atop the city walls.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly as he looked at the Jin Emperor, whose face was as dark as water, "I have won!"


    The Jin Emperor''s face was pitch black as he said coldly, "I am not yet dead, and my Great Jin has not fallen!"


    "Then go to your death!"


    The Fire Qilin Sword buzzed in Xiao Yi''s finger, spewing hot flames, ready to strike.


    But just at that moment, a chilling voice suddenly exploded, "I would like to see who dares to run wild in my Great Jin Kingdom!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, finding the voice eerily familiar. He looked up sharply, his pupils suddenly constricting, "It''s him?"

 Chapter 205 - 205: I Am Xiao Yi!

    "Could it be him?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted sharply as he stared at the newcomer.


    In the midst of the sky.


    Three figures broke through the air, and the leader bore a resemblance to the Jin Emperor, with a red mole between his brows and a radiant yet sinister appearance.


    He was the crown prince of the Great Jin Kingdom, Liu Qin.


    But what caused Xiao Yi to react was another identity he held.


    He was one of the one hundred and eight generals under Xiao Tianjiao!


    Xiao Tianjiao, considering himself the reincarnation of a Heavenly Emperor, had emulated the ancient Heavenly Emperor and created one hundred and eight generals to follow him, and Liu Qin was among them.


    At the same time...


    Liu Qin was also one of the powerful individuals originally arranged by Xiao Tianjiao to monitor Xiao Yi in that secluded courtyard. Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was unexpected that their next encounter would be under such circumstances.


    Whoosh!


    Liu Qin landed on the ramparts, glancing indifferently at Xiao Yi as he passed by and walked up to the Jin Emperor, bowing his hands and saying, "Father, your son is late!"


    "Not late at all, hahaha, it''s good that my son has returned!" The Jin Emperor laughed heartily, turning to look at the two people beside him.


    Liu Qin said in a stern voice, "Father, these two are the war slaves bestowed to me by my master, you may call them Liu Yi and Liu Er."


    "Master?"


    The Jin Emperor''s face stiffened.


    The crown prince of the Great Jin Kingdom had a master?


    An Imperial Censor by the side rebuked angrily, "Your Highness, please choose your words carefully, you are an exalted prince, who in this world has the right to be your master?"


    "Die!"


    Liu Qin said dispassionately.


    With a point of his finger, Liu Yi Yi caused the Imperial Censor''s head to burst with a bang, and amidst the spray of fresh blood, Liu Qin placed his right hand over his left chest, his face filled with fervor and adoration, "My lord is the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor, the strongest genius under this starry sky. Anyone who dares to oppose my lord has but one path��to die!"


    Hisss!


    Everyone was taken aback.


    The Jin Emperor couldn''t help but swallow, never having imagined that his usually fearless crown prince would show such reverence towards his master.


    An image formed in the Jin Emperor''s mind.


    It was of the hottest talent in the entire Great Qian Dynasty, who was also one of the most powerful beings in the Great Qian Dynasty at present. Containing his excitement, the Jin Emperor asked, "My son, is the master you speak of that Xiao Tianjiao, Lord Xiao, who is known as the number one genius in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    "Correct, my master is Xiao Tianjiao!" Liu Qin said proudly.


    Hisss!


    The Jin Emperor drew in a sharp breath, then burst into ecstatic laughter, "It''s really him, hahaha, to think that my son could have Xiao Tianjiao as his master. With this, my son will surely be able to protect our Great Jin Kingdom!"


    "Father, rest assured, with your son here, even if a prince from the Great Qian Dynasty were here, he would have to show me some respect!"


    Liu Qin smiled confidently, then turned to look in Xiao Yi''s direction, his expression icy as he said, "Is it you who wishes to destroy our Great Jin Kingdom?"


    Xiao Yi smiled, "That''s right! If you hadn''t appeared, the Great Jin Kingdom would have changed hands by now!"


    Liu Qin actually hadn''t recognized him.


    But that was also to be expected...


    Back when Liu Qin was guarding him, Xiao Yi was only ten years old, and afterwards Liu Qin was called away by Xiao Tianjiao.


    Moreover.


    Perhaps Liu Qin and the others had never truly looked at him with open eyes from beginning to end; in their eyes, Xiao Yi was nothing more than an ant that could be squashed at will, a stain upon their supreme and flawless lord. Plus, given the great changes in Xiao Yi, it was not surprising that he hadn''t been recognized.


    Standing with his hands behind his back, Liu Qin said indifferently, "You think you have the ability to destroy our Great Jin Kingdom? You, commit suicide!"


    Commit suicide?


    These one hundred and eight generals really follow the same style as Xiao Tianjiao.


    So domineering!


    Xiao Yi said, "Won''t you ask me why I want to annihilate your Great Jin Kingdom?"


    "Is it important?"


    Liu Qin said with an impatient face, "No matter the reason, I want you dead, and you will die."


    Xiao Yi revealed a smile and said, "You might want to ask your father emperor what my name is first!"


    Liu Qin frowned and scrutinized Xiao Yi with sharp eyes before coldly laughing, "It doesn''t matter what your name is, nor the power or backing behind you. I want you dead, and you will die!"


    Xiao Yi said, "You should really ask, otherwise you''ll regret it!"


    "Hmm?"


    Liu Qin was startled.


    He hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to be so insistent on his name. Upon looking at Xiao Yi more closely, he couldn''t shake a sense of d��j�� vu, so he turned toward the Jin Emperor.


    The Jin Emperor said hastily, "My son, his name is Xiao Yi, from the Tianqing Kingdom!"


    "Xiao Yi? Tianqing Kingdom?"


    Liu Qin''s expression suddenly changed, his incredulous gaze fixed on Xiao Yi as if to confirm his identity. But he quickly shook his head, "Impossible, this person cannot be the Xiao Yi I know. That one was nothing but trash, how could they be the same person?"


    The entire Xiao Family knew that Xiao Yi was trash.


    A trash that even his own father and brother despised.


    He had been imprisoned in separate quarters since childhood.


    Over a year ago,


    Xiao Tianjiao, to breed his mount, had kicked Xiao Yi out of the family and sent him to a minor family in Nanhuang of Tianqing Kingdom as a live-in son-in-law. Back then, Xiao Yi wasn''t even in the Physical Body Realm, yet the man before him was at the peak of the Golden Core Realm. Even his master, Xiao Tianjiao, whom he thought omnipotent, couldn''t possibly have stepped from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Golden Core Realm in just over a year!


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up with a hint of amusement, "General Liu, it''s only been a few years since we last met, don''t you recognize me anymore?"


    Hum!


    Liu Qin''s mind went blank.


    His breathing became hurried, his eyes staring blankly, disbelievingly at Xiao Yi, "Really, really, you?"


    Xiao Yi grinned, "Back then, it was General Liu himself who escorted me to the Yulan Court! I remember, even when my mother wanted to send me some food, it had to go through General Liu''s thorough inspection. It seems you''re a person who forgets things once you''re in power, forgetting me so soon!"


    Thump thump thump!


    Liu Qin staggered back several steps, his face growing pale.


    It really was him!


    This youth before him was indeed the Xiao Yi he knew!


    A disgrace of the Xiao Family.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s brother he refused to acknowledge!


    "Impossible... the master said you were trash, that you''d never achieve anything in the martial path in your lifetime, how could this be possible?"


    Liu Qin shook his head repeatedly, unable to believe that the genius who nearly destroyed the Great Jin Kingdom was Xiao Yi.


    Even less could he believe...


    That Xiao Yi, who was merely in the Physical Body Realm a year ago, was now at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak!


    Just over a year''s time!


    Even the miracle that Xiao Tianjiao, whom he deemed omnipotent, couldn''t accomplish!


    "You are not wrong, I am indeed the Xiao Yi whom Xiao Tianjiao mentioned as a failure who is so shameful that even the blood flowing within me, the same as his, is deemed a disgrace by him. He would rather send me away as a live-in son-in-law to someone else, to breed his mount!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth twisted with a cold sneer, his mocking eyes fixed on Liu Qin''s shocked face, "Surprised? Or were you not expecting this?"

 Chapter 206 - 206: Just So-So!

    Xiao Yi had a playful expression on his face, "Surprised? Unexpected?"


    Liu Qin''s face was a picture of mixed emotions.


    He had never imagined that Xiao Yi, who he had never taken seriously, and who was even considered a disgrace by all of the Xiao Family, including their one hundred and eight generals, would have a day of resurgence.


    However...


    Liu Qin snorted coldly, and said indifferently, "Indeed, your achievements are beyond our expectations. But compared to our master, you are still nothing but trash."


    "Trash?"


    In Xiao Yi''s mind emerged the figure who once stood like a mountain, whom he could only look up to, and now he was getting closer and closer to him!


    "Of course, you are trash!"


    Liu Qin sneered with pride, "The master awakened the Supreme Overlord Holy Body before the age of three, possessing the divine power to lift a thousand-pound cauldron with one arm. At the age of five, he broke through to the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm; at seven, he stepped into Qi Gathering with Ten Layers; and at eight, he successfully entered the Shentong Realm, becoming the youngest Shentong Realm powerhouse in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty. At the age of ten, he entered the Shentong Realm with Ten Layers, thus joining the Tianjian Sect, the top sect of the Great Qin Dynasty, and became a direct disciple."


    "Now, at only twenty-two, he has successfully stepped into the realm of Dharma Manifestation, becoming the youngest Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse in both the Great Qian Dynasty and the Qingtian Realm."


    Liu Qin stopped inflating his chest with pride, and his companions, Liu Yi and Liu Er, also wore ecstatic expressions, "In front of our master, you will always be nothing but an ant!"


    As Liu Qin said, the halo of glory on Xiao Tianjiao was indeed countless.


    Incredibly dazzling.


    Unique in this era.


    However...


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "At the age of five, reaching the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. When he broke through to the Golden Core Realm, he was already eleven years old; that took six years. As for me, I took only a year and a half to break through from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Golden Core Realm. Even so, do you still think I''m trash? That I''m not as good as him?"


    Liu Qin snorted coldly.


    A year and a half to break through from the Physical Body Realm to the Golden Elixir Peak, not to mention Xiao Tianjiao��even the legendary Martial God Zhao Wuji did not have such monstrous talent.


    But he would never admit that Xiao Yi was better than Xiao Tianjiao.


    Liu Qin said coldly, "What if you broke from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Golden Core Realm in a year and a half? If the master calls you trash, then you will always be trash, and that is all you can be!"


    "Hahaha, so are you planning to cripple my cultivation just like you did to Qingzhu back then?" Xiao Yi laughed angrily.


    Fang Qingzhu was once the treasured daughter of the Fang Family.


    Only because she married him.


    Xiao Tianjiao, with his words ''a trash husband can only match a trash wife,'' personally crippled Fang Qingzhu''s cultivation.


    Who would have thought...


    After a year and a half...


    Liu Qin, under the command of Xiao Tianjiao, when facing Xiao Yi, made the same choice.


    Liu Qin nodded slightly, his expression indifferent, "The master is the true destined son of heaven, a reincarnation of the Celestial Emperor. He could never be wrong. His life does not tolerate any blemishes, and the purpose of our one hundred and eight generals is to clear away any blemish that tries to taint the master. Since the master said you are trash, you should remain trash for life, instead of rebelling against the master!"


    "Hahaha, Liu Qin, do you really think I am still the same Xiao Yi you can bully at will? As for crippling my cultivation, let alone you, even if Xiao Tianjiao were here it would be absolutely impossible!"


    The eight years of imprisonment, the humiliation of being reduced to a son-in-law for the sake of breeding his steed, being kicked out of his family and even stripped of his right to worship his own mother, crippling Fang Qingzhu''s cultivation...


    The actions of Xiao Tianjiao had long wounded Xiao Yi beyond repair.


    There was no longer any fraternal affection.


    Only hatred!


    Only resentment!


    Liu Qin snorted coldly, "How audacious, to directly call the master by his name... Liu Yi, Liu Er, cripple his cultivation for me!"


    "Yes!"


    Liu Yi and Liu Er were also experts at the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The two were death warriors.


    Ruthless and fearless.


    Unyieldingly loyal!


    Whoosh!


    ```


    Whoosh!


    The two men charged at Xiao Yi from the left and right, simultaneously.


    The Jin Emperor said in a deep voice, "My son, do not underestimate him. Even Qin Yu died at his hands..."


    "No worries!"


    With a wave of his hand, Liu Qin was full of confidence, "Liu Yi and Liu Er are the death soldiers cultivated by our lord, far stronger than ordinary warriors of the Tao Tribulation Realm. With their participation, Xiao Yi''s death is certain!"


    However...


    He had barely finished speaking. S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With two muffled groans, two figures fell at his feet in quick succession.


    It was Liu Yi and Liu Er.


    They lay before him, one to the left and the other to the right.


    Blood streamed from their seven orifices, and their internal organs had been shattered.


    Hiss!


    Liu Qin''s pupils suddenly constricted, incredulously looking at Xiao Yi: "You dared to kill them?"


    "You said they were death soldiers groomed by Xiao Tianjiao, so I used fifty percent of my strength. I didn''t expect them to be so frail and die instantly. It seems the death soldiers groomed by Xiao Tianjiao are just so-so!" Xiao Yi shrugged nonchalantly, an innocent look on his face.


    "Bastard!"


    Liu Qin flew into a rage. Xiao Tianjiao was his idol, how could he tolerate any doubt or insult? His eyes narrowed, a cold glint shining like a knife, and with a whoosh, a three-meter-long cyan greatsword fell into his hand. The blade trembled violently, emitting a series of chilling sword cries, "The master was right; your existence does nothing but sully his name. Today, I shall cut you down!"


    Whoosh!


    Like the crescent moon, a semi-circular blade of light tore through the void, descending from the sky.


    This strike contained an incomparable sword intent, reaching the second stage of the sword intent realm.


    The buzzing of the sword made one''s scalp tingle.


    The wild wind of primeval qi raised caused even the Jin Emperor and the other powerhouses of the Great Jin Kingdom to feel a chill: "No wonder he is one of the 108 Heavenly Generals under Xiao Tianjiao''s command; this strike is powerful enough to threaten even a Nine-fold Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm expert."


    "Even if Xiao Yi could take this strike, he would be gravely injured!"


    "I really didn''t expect that Xiao Yi was the brother of the famous Xiao Tianjiao, but it seems Xiao Tianjiao doesn''t like his brother much..."


    "Who cares whether he likes him or not, he''s about to die..."


    "Our Great Jin Kingdom is saved..."


    The courtiers of the Great Jin Kingdom wore expressions of wild joy.


    In contrast, representatives from Tianqing Kingdom like Yu Huaxian stood with their arms crossed over their chests, appearing completely unconcerned: "Really makes you wonder what''s going on in the heads of the Xiao family, considering they think of Xiao as useless..."


    "Is Xiao Tianjiao even comparable to Xiao?"


    "Could Xiao Tianjiao go from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Golden Core Realm in a year and a half? Does Xiao Tianjiao know alchemy?"


    Amidst murmured conversations.


    Liu Qin''s strike had already landed on Xiao Yi, yet the anticipated scene of Xiao Yi being gravely wounded or even cleaved in two did not occur.


    There was only the clang of a loud noise.


    The stone slabs under Xiao Yi''s feet burst apart, and cracks spread across the walls within a hundred meters. In contrast, Xiao Yi still stood tall and straight like an ancient pine, upright like a sharp sword. And at the spot where the greatsword struck him, there was not even the slightest mark...


    "This is impossible..."


    Liu Qin''s face underwent a drastic change.


    He was a cultivator of the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and in full force, he could kill even an Eighth Layer expert with one slash.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi didn''t dodge or evade and had withstood his strike without a scratch?


    "I stand still and let you slash, yet you can''t injure me! Is this the strength of one of the 108 Heavenly Generals?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head slightly, his lips curving into a cold, cruel smile, "I thought all those years following Xiao Tianjiao would have taught you some invincible techniques. Turns out, that''s all there is to it!"


    ```

 Chapter 207 - 207: One Man Destroys a Country

    "The 108 Heavenly Generals are nothing more than this!"


    Xiao Yi''s face bore a thick layer of mockery as he sized up Liu Qin with an amused gaze.


    His right hand slowly lifted.


    With two fingers, he pinched the three-meter-long sixth rank Yuan weapon saber, and as the force of Wind Thunder circulated within his palm, a series of crackling sounds ensued, and he actually flattened the blade of the saber.


    Hisss!


    The crowd inhaled sharply, looking at Xiao Yi as if he were a monster.


    This was a sixth rank Yuan weapon, after all,


    incredibly sturdy.


    And he managed to flatten the blade with his bare hands?


    "That is a Yuan weapon granted by my master, and you dare to destroy it? You''re seeking death!"


    Liu Qin looked at the flattened blade, his eyes nearly splitting with rage as he roared, his arm muscles tensed in an instant while bulging veins coiled like dragons along his arms. A savage power swept down the saber in the blink of an eye, like an endless torrent of river water, furiously aiming to chop at Xiao Yi''s neck.


    One force to overcome ten meetings.


    Though the blade edge was now flat, under the overwhelming suppression of absolute strength, even a piece of wood could become a lethal weapon. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Faced with Liu Qin''s storm-like assault,


    Xiao Yi just snorted coldly and flicked his finger on the saber.


    Boom!


    Amidst the piercing boom,


    the saber bent violently, and with it, Liu Qin''s body was sent flying.


    Xiao Yi stepped forward and reached out to grab the saber''s hilt from the air, "Let go!"


    Whoosh!


    As Xiao Yi twisted his wrist sharply, the saber span wildly like a spinning top, stirring up fierce winds, and he forcefully snatched it from Liu Qin''s grasp. Leaping into the air, the saber descended from the heavens, "whoosh" it pierced through Liu Qin''s chest, and with a "thud" half of the saber embedded itself into the city wall, nailing Liu Qin firmly to it.


    Blood dripped down the hilt.


    Xiao Yi floated down, standing over Liu Qin with the edge of the saber, looking down disdainfully at the struggling man, "To die by the Yuan weapon given by your master is quite an honorable end!"


    Back then, Xiao Yi had been confined to a separate courtyard.


    His mother, in her attempts to see him, had been obstructed by Liu Qin on numerous occasions.


    Now,


    the tables have turned.


    Liu Qin had finally fallen into his hands.


    Liu Qin spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his eyes filled with horror, and he looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "Impossible, this can''t be�� You are just at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, how can you be this strong?"


    At this moment,


    Liu Qin''s unwavering beliefs began to waver.


    Was Xiao Yi really a waste?


    Really a blot on Xiao Tianjiao''s life?


    Even at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, Xiao Tianjiao couldn''t possibly have easily defeated a Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, could he?


    Xiao Yi squatted down, the cold wind blowing through, stirring his black hair, his robes billowing messily, "Do you think I''m strong? Do you think even Xiao Tianjiao wasn''t as good as I am when he was at this level? Do you feel like I''m not the waste you all imagined me to be, am I not?"


    His barrage of questions rendered Liu Qin speechless.


    He desperately wanted to say no!


    But the reality was right before his eyes!


    This time��


    The invincible Xiao Tianjiao had really made a mistake.


    Xiao Yi was not a stain on his life, nor a worthless waste; he was actually a peerless genius with more talent than Xiao Tianjiao!


    However,


    that thought was only momentary before Liu Qin fiercely banished it from his mind, staring hideously at Xiao Yi and screaming hysterically, "No, my master is the strongest, the Xiao Family is enough with just my master. No matter how strong your talent is, you''ll never surpass my master, it''s impossible!"


    Each of the 108 Heavenly Generals was Xiao Tianjiao''s absolute confidant.


    Utterly loyal to him.


    Even if reality shook his faith, he would never admit it.


    Even in death,


    he would never acknowledge it!


    Liu Qin clenched his steel teeth and said hysterically, "Don''t be so smug, you will always be nothing but an ant in front of the master. With just the flick of his finger, he could crush you, this insignificant ant!"


    "Is that so? Sadly, you won''t live to see that day!"


    Xiao Yi slowly rose to his feet.


    Puff!


    Xiao Yi''s foot stomped down.


    He crushed Liu Qin''s head into his chest cavity, and blood sprayed wildly from his shoulders.


    Xiao Yi landed back on the city wall, his cold gaze turned to the Jin Emperor who was looking on in dumbstruck horror, "Killing you means the end of the Great Jin Kingdom, doesn''t it?"


    "Xiao Yi, I am the Jin Emperor, enfeoffed by the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty. If you dare kill me, the Great Qian Dynasty will never spare you!" The Jin Emperor clenched his fists and said in a low voice, "Whatever benefits Tianqing Kingdom has offered you, I can give you the same, tenfold, a hundredfold..."


    Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "As long as it does not shake the rule of the Great Qian Dynasty, he will not care about the life and death of a subordinate nation. If the Great Qian Dynasty really cared about the survival of your Jin Country, my army wouldn''t have been able to get here."


    "You..."


    The Jin Emperor''s face turned ashen.


    He knew full well the mindset of the Great Qian Dynasty. Just as Xiao Yi had said, as long as their rule wasn''t shaken.


    As for who occupied the seat of this superior subordinate nation, the Great Qian Dynasty didn''t care at all!


    "The national protector ancestor of my Great Jin Kingdom is a high-level master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, if you dare to kill me, he will surely not spare you..." The Jin Emperor threatened.


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "If your Jin country''s ancestor was still alive, why would he not have shown up by now? Stop bluffing, Jin Emperor, let me send you on your way!"


    "No..."


    The Jin Emperor''s face was the picture of despair as he turned to flee into the sky.


    Puff!


    A fiery-red sword light flashed across his neck.


    The mighty Jin Emperor fell at that moment.


    This also marked the end of an era for the Great Jin Kingdom, now over for good.


    From this day forward...


    Under the Great Qian, Tianqing reigns supreme!


    Xiao Yi, holding the severed head of the Jin Emperor in one hand, hovered in the air and called out towards the inside of the royal capital, "The head of the Jin Emperor is here, those who surrender will not be killed!"


    "Those who surrender will not be killed!"


    "The Jin Emperor is dead, those who surrender will not be killed!"


    For a moment.


    Mourning was widespread within the royal capital.


    Countless strong individuals chose to surrender, while the stubborn ones were brutally suppressed.


    This splendid and powerful Great Jin Kingdom, after a thousand years of glory, had met its downfall today.


    And the one who had personally buried and obliterated this colossal entity was Xiao Yi!


    A youth who had created miracle after miracle, ascending from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Golden Core Realm in just over a year!


    Within the luxurious royal palace.


    In front of Yu Huaxian, a line of royal orphans, the queen, and various princes kneeled, all bound and kneeling on the ground.


    In their midst was Yu Huaxian''s sworn enemy, the third prince, responsible for the death of his sister. At this moment, the faces of these princes and grandsons were pale with despair.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the people, patted the shoulder of Yu Huaxian, who was biting her lip tightly, her fists clenched, and shoulders trembling, "I leave them to you."


    "Th-thank you, Xiao!"


    Yu Huaxian''s eyes were bloodshot with excitement, and her gaze, filled with the intent to devour, fell upon the third prince, "Did you ever imagine this day would come? I swore that I would grind your bones to dust, and today, today is when I fulfill that promise..."


    "No..."


    The third prince screamed in utter despair.


    The sound of flesh being torn apart by hand was enough to make one''s skin crawl.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    He walked alone through the ravaged royal capital post-battle. The bustling capital was no longer as vibrant as before, with signs of war everywhere.


    Along the way.


    Everyone who saw Xiao Yi stepped aside from afar, their expressions a mix of respect, fear, and curiosity.


    It was this young man...


    Who alone, brought down an entire nation!

 Chapter 208 - 208 Emperor Qian

    Great Qian Dynasty.


    This vast kingdom could rank among the notable names in Qingtian Realm, with over a hundred subsidiary nations under its command.


    Its prosperity was therefore no surprise.


    Martial Artists and traders alike traversed its lands in countless numbers, ensuring the swiftest spread of news throughout the imperial city.


    The fall of Great Jin Kingdom was carried back by these roaming merchants.


    In an instant.


    The Great Jin Kingdom, Tianqing Kingdom, and Xiao Yi became the talk of the town.


    "Have you heard? One of our first-class subsidiary nations, Great Jin Kingdom, has been annihilated!"


    "What? Someone annihilated Great Jin Kingdom? Who did it?"


    "It seems to be a small country called Tianqing Kingdom. Do you know who led Tianqing Kingdom to destroy Great Jin Kingdom? I heard it''s the younger brother of Xiao Tianjiao, the number one prodigy of our Great Qian Dynasty..."


    "Are you talking about the one the Xiao Family kicked out as a waste?"


    "Shh... that''s no waste, I heard the Xiao Family was worried he was too outstanding, overshadowing Xiao Tianjiao''s brilliance, so they sent him off to Tianqing Kingdom as a son-in-law to some minor family. What they didn''t foresee was Xiao Yi''s growth speed..."


    Inside an elegant carriage.


    The coachman, listening to the people''s conversation and standing beside the carriage, cautiously said, "Master, the one they say destroyed Great Jin Kingdom, it''s Xiao... indeed, it''s Xiao Yi!"


    "Xiao Yi?"


    A moment of silence lingered inside the carriage before the voice resumed, "Who would have thought that even a salted fish could turn over. But to raise his cultivation from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of Golden Core Realm in just a year and a half? There''s already talk his talent surpasses Tian''er. No, this can''t be allowed to happen, or else our Xiao Family will become a laughing stock among the major families!"


    Seated inside the carriage was none other than Xiao Zhengde, the patriarch of the Xiao Family.


    With his right hand adorned with a jade ring, Xiao Zhengde gently touched his nose and narrowed his eyes, displaying a cold and predatory glint as he spoke to the coachman outside, "First take me back to the estate, then summon General Greedy Wolf and General Po Jun to my residence!"


    "Yes, Master!"


    The carriage slowly made its way towards the Xiao family''s residence.


    Xiao Zhengde squinted his eyes, the cold gleam flickering within, "My Xiao Family has always been brilliant, never to be tarnished by others!"


    The Xiao Family was indeed at the height of its power.


    With Xiao Tianjiao''s advancement into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the family''s reputation was unmatched for the time being.


    If it were revealed now that Xiao Yi, whom they had expelled from the family, possessed an even stronger talent than Xiao Tianjiao, people would surmise they had done so out of jealousy and fear of Xiao Yi''s superior talent, casting a detrimental shadow over both the family and Xiao Tianjiao.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    Xiao Zhengde looked down at the ring on his hand, his expression ice-cold, "Having Tian''er is more than enough for the Xiao Family. Xiao Yi, if there''s anyone to blame, it''s that you were born too late..."


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the imperial palace.


    The supreme Emperor of Great Qian Dynasty examined the secret letter in his hands with a playful expression, "Xiao Yi? Xiao Tianjiao''s younger brother? From Physical Body Realm to the peak of Golden Core Realm in a year and a half, yet with the combat power of Tao Tribulation Realm? Interesting, this kid is quite interesting..."


    In front of Emperor Qian, a handsome young man respectfully inquired, "Father Emperor, shall we invite Xiao Yi?"


    Emperor Qian looked at the young man, his face smiling, "What do you think?" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This young man was Emperor Qian''s youngest son, the Thirteenth Prince, Yang Ling.


    He was intelligent and had exceptional martial talents.


    Raised by Emperor Qian''s side since childhood, deeply favored and cherished, there were even rumors that Emperor Qian intended to bestow the Crown Prince''s title to Yang Ling.


    Yang Ling spoke in a deep voice, "Xiao Tianjiao is attracting too much attention. It might be worth considering cultivating a chess piece to counterbalance him!"


    Emperor''s Mind Art is about balance.


    The younger generation of the Great Qian Dynasty is almost entirely overshadowed by Xiao Tianjiao, to the extent that the Xiao Family is becoming overwhelmingly dominant, even showing signs of emerging as the fifth great clan of the dynasty. The original four great clans kept each other in check, creating a delicate balance that the royal family could control. If another great clan were to be added, this would not be good news for those in power.


    With the royal family''s methods and intelligence, they naturally could grasp the grievances between Xiao Yi and Xiao Tianjiao.


    If Xiao Yi could be nurtured to offset Xiao Tianjiao and limit the Xiao Family''s development...


    Emperor Qian, his expression unreadable, asked, "What do you think should be done?"


    Yang Ling frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "The position of head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute has been vacant for a decade. I believe Xiao Yi is quite suited for this position!"


    "Oh?"


    Emperor Qian squinted and said, "Why not summon him to court to become an official, or bestow a title upon him?"


    Yang Ling replied seriously, "Balance! Once a title is bestowed or he is appointed to an official position at court, it would disrupt the balance between the royal family and Xiao Tianjiao. However, the Xiaoshanhe Institute is different. This sect, once one of the top ten sects and on par with the Tianjian Sect, has declined since submitting to the dynasty and is now far from its former glory among those top ten sects. Appointing Xiao Yi as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute wouldn''t be a clear sign that the royal family is taking his side..."


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute, once one of the ten great sects, ranking alongside the Tianjian Sect.


    The royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty has always wanted to consolidate the imperial power and eliminate the exceptional influence of the ten great sects.


    But in the end, only the Xiaoshanhe Institute submitted to the royal authority.


    Over the years...


    Under the pressure of the other ten great sects, the Xiaoshanhe Institute has been in decline, to the point where for ten years no one has been willing to take the position of its head, resulting in it being practically non-existent.


    By making Xiao Yi the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, not only could the royal family convey their goodwill to him, but also it wouldn''t overly provoke Xiao Tianjiao and the others.


    Indeed, it was a solution that could serve two purposes beautifully.


    "Hahahaha!"


    Emperor Qian let out a satisfied laugh and nodded, saying, "My son, the fact that you have thought of these things shows that you have not been slacking off over the years."


    "Thank you, Father, for the praise!" Yang Ling replied with a grin.


    Emperor Qian shook his head: "However, you have overlooked one thing, my son!"


    "Oh?"


    Yang Ling was startled, "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty!"


    "Issue my decree, promote the Tianqing Kingdom to a first-class vassal state, bestow the title of ''Qianqiu'' upon Lord Jiang Tai and reward him with a Resurrection Elixir, appoint Xiao Yi, the Guardian Martial God of the Tianqing Kingdom, as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute; promote Xiao Zhengde, the head of the Xiao Family, to the title of Guardian Duke, and appoint Xiao Tianjiao as the National God of War of the Great Qian Dynasty..."


    Emperor Qian gestured to the old eunuch beside him to draft the edict, then looked towards Yang Ling, "Do you understand now?"


    Yang Ling had an epiphany: "Thank you, Father, for pointing this out. I understand now!"


    He had only thought about appointing Xiao Yi as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, which would not cause much dissatisfaction within the Xiao Family.


    But he had forgotten about the relationship between Xiao Yi and the Xiao Family.


    Xiao Yi had been expelled from the Xiao Family, and rumors were circulating everywhere that it was because Xiao Tianjiao was jealous of Xiao Yi''s talent. Now, by raising Xiao Yi to the position of head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, it would inevitably create some resentment in Xiao Tianjiao''s heart.


    Now not only Xiao Yi was elevated to the position of the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, but also Xiao Zhengde and Xiao Tianjiao were appointed.


    This would minimize the dissatisfaction of the father and son of the Xiao Family.


    This would achieve true balance!


    "Good that you understand!"


    Emperor Qian smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing to slits as he stared into the distance, "The Xiao Family? Heh, truly interesting!"

 Chapter 209 - 209: A Visitor from the Xiao Family!

    Great Jin Kingdom, within the capital city.


    A month had passed since the Great Jin Kingdom was destroyed, and during this month, Xiao Yi had been staying in the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave within the Great Jin Kingdom''s royal palace. Sear?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Tianqing Kingdom would soon relocate its capital here.


    Naturally, Xiao Yi could not completely consume the Dragon Vein of this place, but fortunately, the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave of the Great Jin Kingdom stored an enormous amount of heavenly and earthly energy. Over the month of cultivation, Xiao Yi had compressed his Golden Core to only twenty rings, and the number of God Sealing Seeds he possessed had reached eight hundred thousand. Even Little Lin had ascended to a high-level sixth order, comparable to the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Even so,


    only thirty percent of the heavenly and earthly energy in the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave had been consumed.


    "Xiao, people from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty have come!"


    While Xiao Yi was in cultivation, he heard the voice of Yu Huaxian from outside.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes snapped open. "The Xiao Family?"


    Two substantial beams of cold light burst forth from his pupils.


    He had thought that it should be the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty sending people over, but to his surprise, it was the Xiao Family who had come first.


    "Have them wait, I''ll be over shortly!" Xiao Yi said.


    Yu Huaxian bowed respectfully. "Understood!"


    "Xiao Zhengde, sending people over at this time, what exactly is your game?" While dressing, Xiao Yi called for Little Lin and left the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave.


    Inside the front hall,


    General Po Jun, Zhao Ying, and Hai Fu were seated boldly within the hall.


    These two were experts left by Xiao Tianjiao at Xiao Zhengde''s side. However, Xiao Yi had not seen them much, after all, his movements within the Xiao Family were confined to a secluded small courtyard.


    "Greedy Wolf, the reports say that waste only took a year and a half to rise from the Physical Body Realm to the Peak of the Golden Elixir Realm. How much of that do you believe?" General Po Jun asked.


    Hai Fu narrowed his eyes, speaking indifferently, "Once we see him, we''ll naturally know if it''s true or not!"


    "That''s also true!"


    Zhao Ying nodded, his face wearing an odd expression, "It''s strange to say, that waste actually managed to come this far!"


    As the two conversed,


    Xiao Yi''s figure appeared in the hall.


    "Hmm?"


    The two looked at Xiao Yi, their sharp gazes scrutinizing him back and forth. When they realized that Xiao Yi truly was at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm, they couldn''t help but exchange glances, "Indeed, he is at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm��"


    Both could see the shock in the other''s eyes.


    A year and a half!


    From Physical Body Realm to the Peak of the Golden Core Realm, this rate of cultivation was far superior to even Xiao Tianjiao.


    Xiao Yi swept a glance at the two, speaking faintly, "Is this how Xiao Tianjiao teaches his subordinates, not even a greeting when they see me?"


    Zhao Ying replied indifferently, "Our master told us, some people deserve respect and therefore ought to be greeted. As for wastes, they need not be bothered with!"


    "Heh, that''s truly Xiao Tianjiao''s style!"


    Xiao Yi scoffed, then walked straight to the main seat and sat down, fiddling with the cup on the tea table without a word.


    Silence fell over the hall.


    Zhao Ying and the other exchanged looks.


    Hai Fu took a deep breath, stood up and said, "By the order of Xiao Zhengde, head of the Xiao Family, I have come to read out the family decree, Xiao Yi, will you not kneel to receive the order?"


    Xiao Yi still leaned back in his chair, relaxed, and uttered indifferently, "Speak!"


    "Hmm?"


    Hai Fu''s expression darkened, and a cold light flashed in his eyes as he stared at him, "I told you to kneel down and receive the order!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Hai Fu, saying nothing.


    Tangible gazes collided in the air.


    The piercing eyes that seemed capable of penetrating one''s heart made Hai Fu feel somewhat dazzled, his momentum unconsciously weakened. He took a deep breath and said, "The family head has ordered you to secretly transfer control of the Tianqing Kingdom to us. From now on, the Tianqing Kingdom will be secretly controlled by the Xiao Family. At the same time, the family head has heard that you have reached the Golden Core Realm and orders you to present your cultivation technique and breakthrough method to the family. Furthermore, one Xiao Tianjiao in the Xiao Family is enough. You, Xiao Yi, are ordered to cripple your own cultivation. If you defy this, you will be executed without mercy..."


    "Ha ha, ha ha ha... Interesting, interesting... Xiao Zhengde, oh Xiao Zhengde, you really have some nerve!"


    Xiao Yi laughed in anger.


    The order in his palm burst into flames with a bang, turning into ashes that scattered all around.


    Xiao Zhengde actually intended to control the Tianqing Kingdom from the shadows and even wanted Xiao Yi to secretly hand over the reins to someone from the Xiao Family.


    He was also demanded to hand over his cultivation technique and the secret to his breakthrough...


    Even worse...


    Xiao Zhengde actually wanted Xiao Yi to cripple his own cultivation!


    The underlying reason was simply that he didn''t want Xiao Yi to outshine and thus affect Xiao Tianjiao.


    Any of these demands alone would be enough to drive Xiao Yi to murder, let alone all three!


    Each one was a statement of heart-slashing cruelty.


    Sigh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of turbid air, his icy gaze fixed on the two men in front of him, "Roll back and tell Xiao Zhengde that I, Xiao Yi, am no longer a person of the Xiao Family. His dog-shit family head order has nothing to do with me."


    Zhao Ying was furious, "Xiao Yi, are you planning to defy the family head''s order?"


    Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, "Are you talking to me?"


    "Who else could it be? Even though you have been expelled from the Xiao Family, you still carry the Xiao Family''s blood in your veins. All that you have obtained was bestowed upon you by the Xiao Family. You should unconditionally contribute everything back when the family head demands it..."


    Zhao Ying didn''t finish his words.


    A chill suddenly locked onto him, making Hai Fu feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, and with a thump, his legs gave out, and he knelt rigidly on the ground.


    A weight as heavy as a towering mountain seemed to press down on Zhao Ying, preventing even a single thought of resistance��an icy feeling spread throughout his body.


    He was at the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Xiao Yi had, with a casual gesture, forced him onto his knees, unable to rise; such skill was indeed terrifying.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If you refuse to speak standing, then speak kneeling!"


    "You..."


    Zhao Ying opened his mouth, but under Xiao Yi''s dangerous gaze, he could only steel himself and say, "Xiao Yi, do not be obstinate. Offending the Xiao Family, you won''t be able to move a step. Only by obeying the family head''s orders do you have a path of survival, just, just, just..."


    Toward the end, Zhao Ying''s voice began to tremble.


    He felt the surrounding temperature dropping lower and lower, to the point that his blood seemed about to freeze solid.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi reached out into the air with his right hand, and the order stamped with the Xiao Family head''s seal landed in his hand. The contents were exactly as Hai Fu had described. With a flick of his wrist, flames enveloped the letter, burning fiercely in his palm. Xiao Yi squinted at the two men, "Go back and tell Xiao Zhengde, I, Xiao Yi, have debts to settle and vengeance to claim. It won''t be long before I visit the Xiao Family to take back what is mine!"


    "Xiao Yi, don''t be willful!"


    "The master has already broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Once he learns that you dare to defy the family order, he will never let you go!"


    The two men Zhao Ying threatened.


    "He won''t let me go?"


    Xiao Yi slowly stood up, his figure suddenly vanishing from the spot, and when he reappeared, he was behind the two men. Hai Fu and his companion were kneeling on the ground, clutching their stomachs. Each had a bloody hole in their lower abdomen, and the Martial Dao Divine Fruit had been taken by Xiao Yi. The icy voice sent a bone-chilling coldness through them, "There''s no need for him to look for me. It won''t be long before I go looking for him!"

 Chapter 210 - 210: You Want Me to Be the Dean?

    "Xiao!"


    Yu Huaxian walked in from outside the door and looked at Xiao Yi with respect, "I have arranged for people to send them back to the Xiao Family in the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Yu Huaxian expressed his concerns, "Xiao, after all, they are generals under Xiao Tianjiao''s command, I''m afraid Xiao Tianjiao won''t let us off easily for doing this!"


    Yu Huaxian''s expression was filled with anxiety.


    The name Xiao Tianjiao was indeed very well-known, an absolute giant-like figure.


    He was even the most hopeful person to step into the Longevity Secret Realm in the Great Qian Dynasty over the past millennium!


    Now, he had even broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    No matter how strong Xiao Yi was, he was merely at the peak of the Golden Core Realm; how could he possibly be a match for a master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm? Moreover, this Dharma Manifestation Realm being was none other than the famous Xiao Tianjiao!


    Xiao Yi naturally understood Yu Huaxian''s thoughts and smiled, "Do you think that by entertaining them with good food and wine, and agreeing to their conditions, Xiao Tianjiao would let me off?"


    "This..."


    Yu Huaxian hesitated for a moment, "After all, you are blood brothers; he probably wouldn''t..."


    "Wouldn''t?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and smiled, a smile that was somewhat cold and fierce, "If he really cared about brotherly affection, do you think he would have expelled me from the home to be someone''s son-in-law just to breed his mount? If he cared about brotherly affection, would he threaten me at this time?"


    When it came to this brotherly affection, and that father-son affection,


    Xiao Yi had long since despaired.


    The vast Xiao Family...


    The only thing worth his yearning was his mother.


    Yu Huaxian was speechless on the side.


    He never thought there could be family members so heartless and cruel.


    Imprisoned for eight years, expelled from the family, reduced to a son-in-law, his wife discarded.


    Not a word of concern!


    Now that they saw Xiao Yi rising, they began to covet the power he obtained, the secrets of his breakthroughs, and even for the sake of maintaining Xiao Tianjiao''s face, they wanted him to cripple his cultivation.


    Yu Huaxian took a deep breath, "Xiao, no matter if the road ahead is lined with sword mountains or sea of flames, I, Yu Huaxian, will stand by your side!"


    "Hahaha..."


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily and patted Yu Huaxian''s shoulder, "How much longer until His Majesty arrives?"


    The Tianqing Kingdom was about to relocate its capital here.


    As for the original territory of the Tianqing Kingdom, it would be controlled by Jiang Weisheng, with Huang Bo successfully becoming the Protector Beast King, ruling over Nanhuang.


    Jiang Tai even specially built a brand-new Nanhuang Beast King City for Huang Bo to rule!


    A million cavalry and a million monsters living together in Nanhuang Beast King City, and if there was a war, they could straightaway form a million-strong monster cavalry, becoming the sharpest blade in the hands of the Tianqing Kingdom, waging war in all directions!


    "He should arrive at the capital by tomorrow at the latest!" Yu Huaxian said, "At that time, Gu from Tianqi Martial Arts Academy and Chen from Treasure Pavilion will both relocate here!"


    Xiao Yi said, "I have confidence in the way you handle things. I''m going to cultivate; call me when they arrive!"


    "Yes!"


    Yu Huaxian nodded.


    Xiao Yi returned to the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave, but after the recent events, he found it hard to calm his mind all of a sudden.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi simply exhaled deeply, leaning against the side.


    Flashes of the past surfaced in his mind.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin felt Xiao Yi''s despondent mood, climbed up to his shoulder, and gently nudged his face, "Boss, no matter when, Little Lin will always be with you!"


    "Thank you, little fella!"


    Xiao Yi held Little Lin in his arms, gently rubbing his little head, his eyes half-closed, "Qingzhu, are you okay?"


    ��


    The next day.


    Jiang Tai had already led everyone into the capital, taking up residence in the palace.


    Looking at the splendid Golden Throne Hall, Jiang Tai held the spiritual tablet of Jiang Tianchen in his arms, "Father, when you took me here to celebrate the Jin Emperor''s birthday, you once said, how wonderful it would be if one day we could make the palace as splendid as this. Now, not only do we have such a palace, but we have also overthrown the Great Jin Kingdom..."


    At this moment, Jiang Tai was incredibly excited.


    This was a feat that not even generations of rulers of the Tianqing Kingdom dared to dream of!


    "The former emperor in heaven must be very happy!" came Xiao Yi''s voice from behind.


    Jiang Tai snapped back to reality, flashed a grin, handed Jiang Tianchen''s spiritual tablet to the old eunuch beside him, and went forward to give Xiao Yi a tight hug.


    Patting Xiao Yi''s back hard, Jiang Tai said solemnly, "Brother, thank you!"


    "Hahaha, you''re calling me brother, why so formal with me?" Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and said.


    Jiang Tai grinned.


    The two of them then sat side by side on the threshold of the Golden Throne Hall, chatting with each other. Not knowing how long had passed, Jiang Tai hesitated for a moment, then said, "Xiao Yi, I heard that the Xiao Family sent someone over and you crippled the envoy and sent them back?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and recounted the contents of the family head''s order.


    Jiang Tai''s face turned angry, especially upon hearing that Xiao Zhengde actually demanded Xiao Yi to cripple his own cultivation. He couldn''t help but curse, "How can there be such fathers and brothers in the world? I really want to cut them open and see if their hearts are black..."


    "Hahaha, if I ever encounter Xiao Tianjiao, I''ll be sure to pass the message on!" Xiao Yi joked.


    Jiang Tai''s expression darkened, "..."


    With his strength, not to mention Xiao Tianjiao, even the Xiao Family wasn''t something he could handle!


    Xiao Yi patted Jiang Tai on the shoulder and laughed, "Don''t worry, I''ll take care of it!"


    Jiang Tai said somberly, "Xiao Yi, no matter where you go in the future, whatever you encounter, our Tianqing Kingdom will always stand by your side. Tianqing may perish, but you, Xiao Yi, must not die!"


    Tianqing may perish, but Xiao Yi must not die!


    These words, once spoken by Jiang Tianchen, were now passed on to Jiang Tai...


    The promise of two generations.


    "I remember!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and enunciated, "If I don''t die, Tianqing won''t perish!"


    Both men fell silent.


    In the glow of the setting sun, the entire palace was bathed in crimson, symbolizing victory and hope alike.


    In the following days...


    Xiao Yi, Jiang Tai, and others were busy taking over the Great Jin Kingdom. The territory of a single Great Jin Kingdom was hundreds of times larger than that of the Tianqing Kingdom, not an easy task to manage. Fortunately, with the wealth of powerful figures in the current Tianqing Kingdom, plus Xiao Yi''s battle earlier, which had nearly annihilated the military and officials of the Great Jin Kingdom, they had thoroughly intimidated the populace.


    Jiang Tai also didn''t encounter any obstacles.


    Until the tenth day.


    The envoy from the Great Qian Dynasty arrived in the capital. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The one leading the envoy was the young prince Yang Ling. Atop the Golden Throne Hall, Yang Ling held up a golden imperial decree and proclaimed loudly, "Lord Jiang Tai of the Tianqing Kingdom, National God of War Xiao Yi, heed the decree!"


    The others all knelt down.


    Xiao Yi and Jiang Tai, however, stood to receive the decree.


    Yang Ling showed no hint of displeasure and loudly decreed, "By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor of Great Qian decrees, promote the Tianqing Kingdom to a first-class vassal state, Lord Jiang Tai to be crowned with the title enduring through thousands of ages. Appoint the Protector Martial God of Tianqing Kingdom, Xiao Yi, as the headmaster of the Xiaoshanhe Institute of the Great Qian Dynasty, to accompany the prince Yang Ling to the Xiaoshanhe Institute to assume the position! Let it be known!"


    Xiao Yi was utterly baffled, "What the heck? They want me to be a headmaster?"

 Chapter 211 - 211: The Princes Mouth, Deceiving Ghost!

    Xiao Yi was completely baffled as he looked at Yang Ling, "You want me to be the dean?"


    Yang Ling gave a light cough, "Accept the decree first!"


    Jiang Tai hurried forward, "Jiang Tai accepts the decree with gratitude!"


    Yang Ling handed the sacred decree to Jiang Tai, smiling as he said, "Monarch Jiang, my father is aware that you''ve lost an arm and has specially bestowed upon you a six-star Resurrection Elixir. As long as you consume it, your severed limb will regrow."


    "Resurrection Elixir?"


    Jiang Tai''s face changed, he had never expected the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty to bestow upon him such a precious elixir, and he gratefully said, "Jiang Tai deeply thanks Emperor Qian, may His Majesty live forever!"


    Yang Ling took out a brocade box and handed it to Jiang Tai, "Try taking it now and see!"


    "Okay, okay!"


    Jiang Tai, fighting back his excitement, opened the brocade box.


    Inside lay a pea-sized, emerald green pill, its surface etched with mysterious patterns and the scent of the medicine was intoxicating.


    Gulp!


    Jiang Tai swallowed the pill in one gulp.


    Hisss!


    His face went deathly pale as large beads of cold sweat continuously broke out on his forehead, and suddenly, he let out a scream as a spurt of fresh blood sprayed from the stump of his arm. Then, wisps of blood intertwined, and lo and behold, a brand new arm formed at a visible rate. The Resurrection Elixir indeed could regenerate lost limbs. Jiang Tai looked at the newly grown arm, his face full of excitement and gratitude, "Your Highness Yang Ling, I cannot thank you enough!"


    "No need for such formalities, Monarch Jiang!"


    Yang Ling smiled, looking at Xiao Yi, who was still in a baffled state, and said, "Dean Xiao, it seems you do not wish to become the dean of Xiaoshanhe Institute?" S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, saying speechlessly, "What is Emperor Qian thinking, actually letting me manage Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    All he wanted was to improve his cultivation as soon as possible.


    Only by possessing sufficient strength,


    could he prove to everyone that he was stronger than Xiao Tianjiao, disowning him was the Xiao Family''s biggest mistake.


    What''s more important is...


    he wanted to return to the Xiao Family to pay homage to his mother openly and honorably.


    After settling the grudges with the Xiao Family, the next step would be to go to Baiyu and take back Fang Qingzhu.


    He had never thought about being any dean!


    Yang Ling had long investigated Xiao Yi''s various deeds and also knew that not long ago the Xiao Family had sent people to find him, resulting in two experts of the Tao Tribulation Realm being crippled and the loss of Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    If it weren''t for Yang Ling''s timely appearance, presenting rewards and simultaneously revealing the news that Xiao Yi would become the dean of Xiaoshanhe Institute,


    the Xiao Family''s retaliation would have arrived much earlier.


    Yang Ling said gravely, "Xiao Yi, do you know what Xiaoshanhe Institute is?"


    Xiao Yi frowned, "I''ve heard of it, it was once one of the top ten sects but was later annexed by the Liyang Sect."


    Before he was imprisoned by Xiao Tianjiao, he had some understanding of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    "You''re right,"


    Yang Ling nodded, speaking softly, "Xiaoshanhe Institute, unlike the top ten sects, is a sect under the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty. My father hopes that you can lead Xiaoshanhe Institute, revitalizing its glory and returning it to the ranks of the top ten sects. Even more, to reach a level that can rival Tianjian Sect!"


    "Rival Tianjian Sect?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, thoughts racing through his mind; he quickly understood the Emperor''s intentions.


    Today''s royal family wanted to consolidate imperial power, but the top ten sects and the four great clans stood in the way.


    They desperately needed a game-changer.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute was the perfect choice to disrupt this balance.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    Given his relationship with Xiao Tianjiao, it was impossible for him to join forces with the top ten sects, and with the Xiao Family on the verge of becoming the fifth great clan, Xiao Yi could not side with the great clans either.


    It was most suitable for him to take charge of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    What''s more important is...


    Xiao Yi was certainly heading to the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Whether it was for cultivation resources or a stronger environment, the Great Qian Dynasty was undoubtedly more expansive than the Tianqing Kingdom.


    But with the influence of Xiao Tianjiao and the Xiao Family,


    The ten major sects would never accept him, and even if they did, they would give him endless trouble and make things difficult at every turn.


    But if Xiao Yi were to take up the position of head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, first of all, the Xiao Family and Xiao Tianjiao would hesitate to make a move against him, at least not overtly, as that would be a public slap in the face of the royal family. Secondly, backed by the royal family, the Institute would have access to a multitude of resources, which would be a huge advantage, whether for his personal cultivation or for building his own power base.


    This is a mutually beneficial cooperation!


    Seeing Xiao Yi showing interest, Yang Ling continued, "In fact, my father had other options, but in the end, he still chose you, primarily because we value your character!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi looked at him, puzzled.


    Character?


    Yang Ling spoke earnestly, "We have investigated everything about you; you are a partner we can trust!"


    This point genuinely came from Yang Ling''s own feelings.


    If it were someone else...


    After Jiang Tianchen''s fall, they probably would have already taken the opportunity to seize the position of Monarch.


    Where would they have gone to such lengths to assist Jiang Tai?


    Xiao Yi fell silent for a moment, then gave a wry smile, "It seems I don''t have a better option... However, if I am to become the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, there is one condition that you must agree to!"


    "Speak!" said Yang Ling.


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "The royal family must not interfere in the management of the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Yang Ling frowned; Emperor''s Mind Art is about balance, and his original idea was to place another royal expert as the deputy head of the Institute.


    He hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to cut off this possibility directly.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "This is my only demand. If you can''t agree, then there''s no need to discuss further!"


    After pondering for a moment, Yang Ling responded, "Alright, I agree!"


    "Pleasure doing business!"


    "Congratulations, Director Xiao!"


    Yang Ling smiled, looked around, then lowered his voice, "To be honest with you, I really dislike Xiao Tianjiao too!"


    Xiao Yi simply smiled non-committally.


    The mouth of a prince is a lying ghost!


    I trust you -- as if!


    That night...


    Jiang Tai held a grand feast in the palace, with toasts and laughter all around.


    It wasn''t until noon the next day that everyone gradually awoke.


    Outside the palace.


    Jiang Tai handed a storage ring to Xiao Yi, "You''ll find many ways to spend money in the capital. Inside is fifty billion silver, and if this isn''t enough, I can send more!"


    "Alright!"


    Brothers don''t need to thank each other, Xiao Yi accepted it naturally.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    In the sky above, a massive shadow swept down. It was a Sixth-Layer High-Grade Fiend, Liyang Jade Sculpture, a being comparable to a Tao Tribulation Realm Peak. With a wingspan of a hundred meters, it could carry a hundred people on its back, and could travel tens of thousands of miles a day. It was the flying fiend that the Great Qian Dynasty''s delegation was riding. Yang Ling boarded the back of the Liyang Jade Sculpture and looked towards Xiao Yi and the others, "Xiao Yi, we can set off now!"


    "Hold on a moment!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Jiang Tai and said, "Take care!"


    "Take care!" Jiang Tai said solemnly.


    Then...


    Jiang Tai, Yu Huaxian, Yan Mingli, Lin Bingxin, and Xue Bufan all boarded the Liyang Jade Sculpture, the people Xiao Yi was taking to the Xiaoshanhe Institute as instructors.


    Chirp, chirp!


    The Liyang Jade Sculpture spread its wings and soared into the sky.


    Watching the Liyang Jade Sculpture disappear from sight, Jiang Tai took a deep breath and muttered to himself, "I will make Tianqing Kingdom stronger and become the strongest support for you!"

 Chapter 212 - 212: The Imperial Capital

    The fierce sun jade sculpture travels ten thousand li in a day.


    Such speed cannot be said to be slow.


    But the Great Qian Dynasty was really too vast; even at the pace of the fierce sun jade sculpture, it took a full seven days and nights to reach the destination.


    Sitting on the back of the fierce sun jade sculpture.


    Passing through the thick clouds, the fierce sun jade sculpture was rapidly descending, and the scene below also appeared before everyone. Yang Ling said with a smile, "The imperial capital is up ahead!"


    Everyone looked in that direction.


    They could see on the horizon...


    A massive city that occupied nearly half of the horizon, akin to a black dragon lying across the land, stretching for hundreds of miles. Yang Ling''s voice resonated in everyone''s ears, "Our Great Qian Dynasty''s imperial capital is eight hundred sixty-nine kilometers long, seven hundred eighty-five kilometers wide, with a permanent population exceeding one billion..."


    Hisss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp in amazement. S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As they drew closer to the imperial capital, dark shadows flew out from within the royal city.


    At least ten dark shadows grew closer.


    "No need to worry, those are the Imperial Guards of the imperial capital!" Yang Ling said.


    Moments later.


    The dozen or so dark shadows appeared before them, indeed ten Golden Core Realm experts, with the leading person being a First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. He obviously recognized Yang Ling and saluted, "Subordinate Ye Chao, greets Your Highness!"


    "General Ye, you have worked hard!"


    Yang Ling smiled and, pointing at Xiao Yi and the others, said, "They are Father Emperor''s honored guests; please allow them to pass, General Ye!"


    Ye Chao glanced at Xiao Yi and the others and nodded, "Please, follow me!"


    Ye Chao led the way with ten men, and the fierce sun jade sculpture closely followed behind.


    The fierce sun jade sculpture was a flying beast exclusively used by the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty and was also the only one allowed to fly over the royal city. Nearing the city gate, Ye Chao said, "Your Highness, everyone, I still need to patrol, so I shall leave you here!"


    "Thank you, General Ye!"


    Everyone saluted him.


    Whoosh!


    The fierce sun jade sculpture flew swiftly past, entering the imperial capital and landing at the post house.


    Crackle and pop!


    As soon as Xiao Yi dismounted from the fierce sun jade sculpture, he couldn''t help but stretch his limbs, producing a series of crisp sounds.


    After continuous travel for seven days and nights, he was truly a bit tired.


    Yang Ling twisted his neck, said helplessly, "The fierce sun jade sculpture is very fast, but sitting on it is indeed uncomfortable. If there''s a chance in the future, I''ll get a suspended carriage �C that would be comfortable!"


    Xiao Yi looked at him, "Being a prince, don''t you have a suspended carriage?"


    In their days together, they had become much more casual with each other.


    Yang Ling rolled his eyes, "A suspended carriage is worth ten billion silver, and although I am a prince, my fortune isn''t as great as yours!"


    While it''s true that a prince is indeed noble, he still had his father above him!


    After handing over the fierce sun jade sculpture to the post house, Yang Ling led Xiao Yi and the rest towards the outside, "You all rest here today, I will go to report to Father Emperor. Probably by tomorrow, Father Emperor will summon you, and then I will take you to the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    This post house was intended for entertaining state guests.


    The decoration was indeed luxurious.


    After assigning an individual room to each person, Yang Ling then left the post house.


    Everyone gathered in Xiao Yi''s room.


    Yu Huaxian, Xue Bufan, Yan Mingli, and Lin Bingxin sat before him as Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "Having you all accompany me to the Xiaoshanhe Institute this time is an uncertain journey, I''m afraid it''s going to be tough on you!"


    "What are you saying, Xiao!"


    Yan Mingli hurriedly waved his hand; with Xiao Yi''s help, he had also stepped into the Golden Core Realm, becoming even younger, "It''s an honor for Mingli to follow Xiao!"


    Xue Bufan stroked his walking stick and said with a chuckle, "As long as Xiao can give me more guidance in the art of alchemy, even serving you in your chamber is no problem at all!"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes.


    Yu Huaxian said, "Xiao, what do you plan for us to do? I can train troops, but if I''m to be a mentor in the Shanhe Court, I have no experience at all!"


    Xiao Yi replied, "Lack of experience can be gradually accumulated. For now, I only have some rough ideas; we''ll have to see the state of the Xiaoshanhe Institute before I can be certain!" He looked at Yan Mingli and took out the Storage Ring that Jiang Tai had given him, containing fifty billion silver, "Elder Yan, keep this silver with you, you''ll manage it!"


    Yan Mingli''s face was flushed with excitement as he took the storage ring with trembling hands, "Mingli will definitely not disappoint Xiao!"


    That was five billion silver taels!


    If he weren''t considered one of their own, how could they entrust him with such a responsibility?


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Don''t be nervous, everyone. It''s also my first time serving as the dean, so let''s grope our way forward together!" He paused, then said, "Emperor Qian won''t summon us until tomorrow, so after dinner, you can all take a stroll through the capital city!"


    Yu Huaxian was about to speak when Xue Bufan tugged at his sleeve.


    Glancing at Yan Mingli and squeezing his eyes, Xue Bufan cleared his throat lightly, "Xiao, we''ll skip dinner, the three of us have some matters to discuss. How about this, you take Bing Xin for a stroll, it''s rare for her to come to the capital city anyway..."


    Realization dawned on Yan Mingli, and he also said, "Bing Xin, you should go with Xiao then!"


    The two of them quickly took Yu Huaxian, who was still in a daze, and hurried away.


    "Teacher, Master��"


    Lin Bingxin''s cheeks were bright red; she couldn''t even dare to lift her head to look at Xiao Yi along the way. She hadn''t anticipated that Xue Bufan and the others would just leave her with Xiao Yi. Her head hung low, fingers pinching the corner of her clothes nervously, and she said timidly, "Xiao Yi, if you don''t want to go, that''s okay too!"


    Xiao Yi smiled helplessly.


    How could he not know Lin Bingxin''s feelings?


    It was just that he had Fang Qingzhu in his heart and truly had no desire to start another romance.


    But seeing Lin Bingxin''s hesitant look, he sighed lightly, "After dinner, we can take a walk together!"


    "Huh?"


    Lin Bingxin was stunned, then nodded joyfully, "Then I''ll go back and change my clothes, and my hair is a mess too��"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    He feared it would be a long wait indeed!


    True enough...


    By the time Lin Bingxin emerged dolled up and ready, the sky had darkened.


    Lin Bingxin was somewhat embarrassed, "I''m sorry��"


    Xiao Yi waved it off, "It''s fine, let''s just go get some late-night snacks instead. There''s a food street in the east of the city that''s very lively at night!"


    "Okay! I''ll listen to you!" Lin Bingxin said, beaming sweetly.


    She was deliberately dressed in a fiery red long dress, with a white embroidered sash tied around her waist, accentuating her slender figure, irresistibly captivating.


    After washing up, her hair emitted a faint fragrance, as intoxicating as orchids, stirring hearts and inciting desires, the handsome man and beautiful woman looking like a match made in heaven!


    The two made their way to the food street in the east of the city.


    Nearly a decade had passed.


    The food street hadn''t changed much, it was still as bustling as it had been in his memories.


    Xiao Yi had always loved this place when his mother used to bring him here as a child.


    "Fresh out of the oven, golden donkey meat here!"


    "Dragon blood tofu made from this morning''s fresh dragon blood, come and try it..."


    "Freshly sliced Eight Treasure Dragon Fish, delicious and beautifying..."


    "Roasted Tianqing wild ox meat skewers..."


    Amongst the cries of the vendors, the entire street was filled with tantalizing aromas.


    With a plethora of delicacies on display, it was a feast for the eyes sure to whet anyone''s appetite.


    Lin Bingxin was looking around with excitement, glancing left and right, holding two skewers in one hand and a bag in the other, her happiness plain to see.


    Xiao Yi followed closely behind her with a smile on his lips.


    As they walked...


    Suddenly, a figure burst out from the crowd and with a ''plop'', landed in Xiao Yi''s arms. Frowning, Xiao Yi asked, "Are you alright?"


    "I''m, I''m fine��"


    The girl was dressed in a white gown, about to say something, when suddenly several voices cursed from behind her, "Damn it, where do you think you''re running to!"


    "You little wench, why don''t you hand it over?"


    Four menacing-looking men emerged from the crowd, eying the girl in the white dress with malicious intent.


    The girl''s eyes darted about, then suddenly she pointed at Xiao Yi and shouted, "Brother, give them what they want, I''ll be going first��"

 Chapter 213 - 213: Call as Many People as You Want

    "Return their stuff to them; I''m leaving first!"


    As soon as the girl in the white dress finished speaking, she ran into the crowd.


    Xiao Yi''s brows furrowed, "Come back here..." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However...


    The girl in the white dress slipped away like an eel, vanishing into the crowd without a trace.


    The group of fierce-looking men surrounded Xiao Yi in an instant, with the leader tilting his head and a menacing look on his face, "Kid, aren''t you going to return the stuff to me?"


    "If I say I don''t know her, would you believe me?" Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and asked.


    The man was taken aback, then sneered, "Do you think I''m an idiot? If you don''t know her, why did she throw herself into your arms?"


    Xiao Yi sighed, feeling quite aggrieved as he could only say, "I don''t have what you''re looking for on me. If you want to get your stuff back, you''d better chase after her now. Otherwise, once she gets away, you''ll really end up with nothing!"


    "You say it''s not on you; why should we believe you?" the man with the tilted head said.


    Xiao Yi pointed to his clothes, "Look at my clothes. Do they look like they can hide anything?"


    "Boss, that wench stole five hundred silvers from us; indeed, these clothes can''t hide that much!"


    "It seems he really isn''t in cahoots with that girl!"


    "However..."


    The man with the tilted head licked his crimson tongue over his lips, his eyes filled with greed as they swept over the storage ring on Xiao Yi''s finger, "Kid, you must have hidden our stuff in that storage ring. Hand over the storage ring for me to search; if it really doesn''t contain my stuff, then I''ll let you go!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and said humorously, "Hand over the storage ring? Are you still dreaming?"


    A storage ring cannot be given to just anyone.


    Moreover...


    The storage ring on his own finger was priceless; did he need to steal a mere five hundred silvers from you?


    The surrounding crowd also began to say, "Just by looking at this young hero, one can tell he''s not a thief!"


    "Whoever can afford a storage ring wouldn''t need to steal!"


    "You''re really wronging him..."


    The man with the tilted head glared venomously at the crowd and said spitefully, "Who asked you to talk? Keep chirping, and I''ll kill you!" He looked up at Xiao Yi, "Kid, hand over the storage ring honestly, or don''t blame us for being ruthless!"


    Facing the man''s aggressive stance, Xiao Yi completely lost his patience and sighed, "I''ve already told you it''s not with me, why won''t you believe me?"


    "You..."


    One of the men pointed at Xiao Yi and had just begun to speak when Xiao Yi broke his finger.


    The right index finger folded ninety degrees towards the back of the hand, and with a push to the elbow, Xiao Yi shoved the whole hand into the man''s mouth.


    Immediately turning around with a kick, he sent two others flying simultaneously.


    In an instant.


    Only the man with the tilted head remained in front of him. Seeing Xiao Yi turn his gaze toward himself, the man dropped to his knees with a thud, pitifully saying, "Big brother, great hero, I was wrong, I won''t dare again..."


    "Scram!"


    Xiao Yi said coldly.


    The men scrambled to their feet and ran into the crowd. After some distance, the man with the tilted head turned back, his face twisted with malice as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Kid, you''ve got yourself into trouble. Daring to meddle with the Black Hawk Gang''s business, you''re dead for sure, and no one can... ow..."


    He hadn''t finished his sentence when he was hit squarely on the head by a large pot thrown by Xiao Yi.


    With blood streaming from his head, he no longer dared to linger and fled in a sorry state.


    Xiao Yi took out a hundred silvers and placed them on a nearby stall, "Shopkeeper, I borrowed your pot; this is to compensate you!"


    "This, this..."


    The shopkeeper, panic-stricken and hesitant, said, "Esteemed guest, you should leave quickly; the Black Hawk Gang is not to be trifled with!"


    "No matter!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, but he didn''t see Lin Bingxin. Just as he was wondering, he heard a shout from the crowd, "A very beautiful girl is in trouble at the Clean Clothes Tower, everyone, go have a look!"


    Xiao Yi was momentarily startled before instinctively sensing that the beautiful girl was very likely to be Lin Bingxin, and so he followed over.


    Just as he arrived outside the Clean Clothes Tower.


    Sure enough, he could hear the somewhat aggrieved voice of Lin Bingxin, "I haven''t even touched this piece of clothing, how could it be that I''ve damaged it? Furthermore, an item like this is worth at most a hundred Silvers, yet you demand one hundred thousand from me. You are clearly extorting me!"


    "Where did this bumpkin come from? You dare to come to our Clean Clothes Tower without money?"


    "You have two choices, either pay up for the clothes or I''ll have you sent to a brothel to pay off the debt..."


    A few passersby beside Xiao Yi whispered among themselves, "This girl really has bad luck, who doesn''t know that Clean Clothes Tower specifically targets foreigners?"


    "Now there''ll be a good show to watch!"


    The crowd started to press forward, craning their necks to get a better look inside.


    Suddenly...


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    A burst of intense fighting noise came from inside, along with shrill, furious shouting, "This little wench is pretty feisty, come on people, tie her up for me."


    Boom! Boom!


    The aura of two Golden Core Realm experts emanated from within the Clean Clothes Tower. Xiao Yi''s expression changed subtly, and he squeezed his way through the crowd, moving forward.


    Inside the Clean Clothes Tower.


    Lin Bingxin was tied up tightly, with two Golden Core Realm experts standing in front of her. A middle-aged woman with heavy makeup and bright lipstick, hands on her hips, looked at Lin Bingxin with triumph, "You little wench, you''re unlucky to be caught by this old lady. So smooth and tender, with a good figure and a pretty face, you''ll go for at least a million Silvers."


    "You..."


    Lin Bingxin bit her lips stubbornly.


    She was full of regret.


    She had thought of sneaking out to buy a piece of clothing for Xiao Yi while he wasn''t paying attention, but had not expected to run into this situation.


    The middle-aged woman ordered, "Take her away for me!"


    Just then.


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly came from outside the door, "I''d like to see who dares!"


    "Xiao Yi..." Lin Bingxin''s face lit up with joy.


    The middle-aged woman frowned at Xiao Yi, sizing him up from top to bottom, then scoffed, "Looks like there''s an accomplice, eh? What, are you here to pay the money?"


    "Pay? How much?" Xiao Yi asked with narrowed eyes.


    The middle-aged woman''s eyes spun, and she stood up with fingers pulled out of the hat: "Five million Silvers, and you can take her away. Otherwise, this old lady will have her sold off to a brothel to pay off the debt!"


    "Five million Silvers? That''s too little!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, walking up to Lin Bingxin''s side, "Given her appearance, this figure, not even a hundred million Silvers would be enough!"


    "A hundred million?"


    The middle-aged woman''s eyes gleamed as she rubbed her hands together, "Oh? Are you willing to spend a hundred million to buy her?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, raising three fingers.


    The middle-aged woman paused, saying instinctively, "Three hundred million?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "No, three punches!"


    As soon as his voice fell.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Three fist shadows heavily struck the three individuals, sending the two Golden Core Realm experts and the middle-aged woman flying out. The Golden Core Realm experts were knocked out cold, while the middle-aged woman rebounded off the wall and landed on the ground, howling in agony. With a mouth full of blood and a face contorted in rage, she looked at Xiao Yi, "You, you dare cause trouble in my Clean Clothes Tower, you''re done for. Stay if you dare...I''ll be waiting."


    Xiao Yi, while untying Lin Bingxin, looked at her coldly, "Call as many people as you want, I''ll be waiting!"

 Chapter 214 - 214 Dont Drag Me into Your Mess!

    Lin Bingxin''s face was full of self-reproach, "Xiao Yi, it''s all my fault..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and consoled, "It''s just a trivial matter. By the way, how did you end up here?"


    Lin Bingxin''s pretty face blushed, and she whispered, "I, I saw that the clothes here were pretty, and wanted to secretly buy one for you. Little did I know that before I even touched the dress, she accused me of damaging it and demanded a compensation of a hundred thousand taels of silver..."


    "Buying clothes for me?"


    Xiao Yi was startled and had not expected Lin Bingxin to come to the clothing store to buy clothes for him.


    Looking at the fresh red palm print on her face, Xiao Yi let out a light sigh, "Silly girl, does it hurt?"


    Lin Bingxin shook her head like a rattle-drum.


    Just then...


    The middle-aged woman sneered, "Hahaha, you dog couple, now there''s no chance for you to run away!"


    Whoosh!


    A gang of fierce and evil-looking men swarmed in from outside the door.


    There were at least twenty of them.


    Each one was holding a longsword or a dagger, their ferocious gaze fixated on Xiao Yi and Lin Bingxin: "Daring to stir up trouble in the territory of the Black Hawk Gang, are you tired of living, kid?"


    Among the twenty-odd Black Hawk Gang members...


    There was that man with the cocked head, his face red from the scald of a hot pot, maliciously pointing at Xiao Yi and shouting to the man with one eye beside him, "One-Eyed Brother, it''s this brat that beat us!"


    The cultivation of One-eyed Dragon was at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    He was a steward of the Black Dragon Gang.


    Tasked with collecting protection money on Food Street, he had a fierce reputation, and people on Food Street would normally stay far away from him. His one eye glanced over Xiao Yi, then landed on Lin Bingxin, as he gulped down saliva, his one eye blazing with desire, "What a beautiful girl... Brothers, beat that brat to death for me, and bring that little beauty back for my enjoyment!"


    "Yes!" Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Big Brother, after you''re tired of her, let your brothers have a taste too!"


    The One-eyed Dragon laughed heartily, "No problem, when the time comes, I will let you taste the flavor of this beauty!"


    As the twenty or so Black Hawk Gang members crowded around, Xiao Yi sighed, "Isn''t it good to live peacefully? Why look for death!"


    His figure flickered suddenly.


    He left a trail of afterimages in place as he weaved through the crowd of twenty people.


    When Xiao Yi returned to Lin Bingxin''s side...


    Only then did the twenty men let out a synchronized scream, clutching their bellies as they fell to the ground, curled up and shivering.


    Their dantians had all been destroyed by Xiao Yi, with no possibility of repair.


    Gurgle!


    The One-eyed Dragon, scared witless, dropped his longsword to the ground, his face filled with terror: "You, you''ve got trouble now, kid. The Black Hawk Gang is not something you can mess with..."


    "Still planning to call for backup?"


    Xiao Yi''s face turned cold as he said indifferently, "Go ahead, call them. Today, I shall act as an agent of heaven and exterminate your damned Black Hawk Gang."


    "Good lad, you''ve got guts. You just wait..." the One-eyed Dragon was about to leave.


    Xiao Yi flicked his fingers.


    Puff!


    A burst of vital energy pierced through his abdomen, completely shattering his dantian as he said coldly, "Crawl out of here!"


    The One-eyed Dragon, a formidable practitioner at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, had his cultivation ruined in the blink of an eye.


    He was so terrified that he fled, tumbling and scrambling.


    The middle-aged woman was even more frightened, kneeling on the ground and sobbing: "Please spare my life, young hero, please..."


    "You should be grateful I don''t like hitting women!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    "Phew..."


    The middle-aged woman had just breathed a sigh of relief, only to be smacked away with a crisp slap, crashing into the wall with a thud. Lin Bingxin''s angry voice followed, "Xiao Yi does not hit women, but that doesn''t mean I don''t! How dare you try to extort me? And you even thought about selling me to a brothel? I''ll slap you to death..."


    Slap! Slap! Slap!


    Lin Bingxin''s palm, like a shadow, struck the middle-aged woman''s face over and over, eventually knocking her unconscious.


    Her face was swollen like a pig''s head.


    Looking at the unresponsive middle-aged woman, Lin Bingxin then shook off her hand, "This woman''s face is so thick, it made my hand hurt from slapping..."


    Xiao Yi glanced at the middle-aged woman who was nearly unrecognizable and then at Lin Bingxin''s slightly reddened palm, the corner of his eyes twitching, "A woman in rage is indeed terrifying..."


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps came from outside, and the onlookers at the door had already dispersed on their own.


    A crowd of more than a hundred people surged into the Clean Clothes Tower.


    Looking at the twenty or so people lying on the ground wailing, their Dantians destroyed, three powerful individuals walked out from the crowd.


    From left to right, a trio of varying heights and builds.


    These three were the leaders of the Black Hawk Gang��Black Falcon, Black Dog, and Black Tiger. Both Black Dog and Black Tiger were at the Golden Elixir Peak, while Black Falcon was at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Having the capability to establish the Black Hawk Gang in the imperial capital and collect protection money, they did indeed have some strength.


    Cyclops, following at Black Shadow''s side with a pale face, pointed at Xiao Yi, "Boss, it''s this little bastard who injured me and the brothers..."


    "Kid, give me your name!"


    Black Tiger, with a machete slung over his shoulder, sneered, "I, Black Tiger, don''t kill the nameless!"


    Black Dog licked his lips, "Kill the men, chop them up to feed the dogs. Take the women back for the brothers to enjoy!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking.


    Both men made their move.


    Cries of shock came from the crowd, "All three leaders of the Black Hawk Gang are here? That man and woman are definitely dead!"


    "How pitiful, they offended the Black Hawk Gang and didn''t even run!"


    "That man probably wanted to show off, not expecting to hit rock bottom..."


    Just when everyone was waiting to see Xiao Yi chopped to death by the chaotic blades, Black Dog and Black Tiger suddenly halted in their tracks, as Xiao Yi stepped on their heads, one foot each, smashing them brutally into the ground. Their heads burst open, brains splattering, as Xiao Yi spun with a kick, hitting the arms Black Falcon used to block in front of his chest.


    Crack!


    Bones shattered, and Black Falcon screamed as he fell to the ground.


    Hiss!


    The onlookers, who had just been posturing and making bold declarations, fell silent.


    The crowd watched in disbelief at the scene before them.


    Two at the Golden Elixir Peak and one at the First Layer of the Calamity Realm, all brought down to two dead and one injured in just an instant?


    The members of the Black Hawk Gang looked at each other, at a loss.


    Splat!


    Black Falcon spat out a mouthful of blood, looking at Xiao Yi with horror.


    "What''s going on?"


    "How dare you cause trouble in the imperial capital, do you not want to live?"


    A voice of authority sounded from the outside.


    A squad of city guards in battle armor walked in, looking at the wailing members of the Black Hawk Gang on the floor, and the corpses of Black Dog and Black Tiger. The city guards raised their weapons in unison, eyeing Xiao Yi fiercely.


    "Hahaha, you little bastard, you''re done for!"


    Upon seeing the city guards, Black Falcon appeared as though he had found a life-saving straw, limping over, he shouted, "General, I am Black Falcon of the Black Hawk Gang. I''ve met you before, brought by Li. General, this little bastard killed my two brothers and hurt so many people, you must bring him to justice!"


    Having established the Black Hawk Gang in the imperial capital to collect protection money, Black Falcon naturally had powerful backing.


    The general of the city guard before him was good friends with his backer.


    Black Falcon looked smugly at Xiao Yi, "You little bastard, you''re done for!"


    The city guard general said coldly, "Take him down!"


    Black Falcon laughed heartily, "Kid, you think you''re strong? Go ahead and resist, attacking city guards is a capital offense... hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? Not me, him, get him..."


    Black Falcon looked dumbfounded as he was bound by the city guards, and he shouted hysterically, "General Ye, you got the wrong one... I''m with Li, you''re supposed to get him..."


    "I''m seizing your ass, you''re trying to get me killed too?"


    This General Ye was none other than Ye Chao.


    Upon entering, he recognized Xiao Yi at once; Yang Ling had said that Xiao Yi was a guest of Emperor Qian. He looked coldly at Black Falcon, "I had long heard that your Black Hawk Gang was acting atrociously, lawlessly. Seeing it today, it is indeed true. To dare to strike against His Majesty''s guest is simply courting death. Guards, seize everyone from the Black Hawk Gang!"


    Black Falcon stood dumbfounded.


    A guest of Emperor Qian?


    Ye Chao approached Xiao Yi, and with a cupped fist salutation, said, "My sincerest apologies for startling you, sir!"


    "It''s alright," Xiao Yi waved his hand, saying, "But it would be best to purge such a malignant tumor."


    Ye Chao replied earnestly, "Rest assured, I will immediately eradicate this tumor..."


    Hearing this, Black Falcon''s face was the picture of despair as he slumped down like mud, "It''s over, it''s completely over for me..."

 Chapter 215 - 215: If You Cant Win an Argument, Start a Fight!

    Inside the post station.


    Xiao Yi looked at the faint handprint on Lin Bingxin''s face and said with a bitter smile, "Remember to apply medicine when you get back, otherwise, it won''t look good if it swells tomorrow!"


    "Mhm, mhm, mhm!"


    Lin Bingxin obediently nodded, her eyes slightly squinted, looking like two crescent moons.


    Xiao Yi said, "Get some rest early!"


    "Xiao Yi... brother..."


    Lin Bingxin mustered up her courage and called out.


    Xiao Yi was startled and turned back, only to have two fair hands cup his face directly, followed by a pair of red lips pressing onto his.


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s mind went blank.


    Fuck!


    What''s happening?


    By the time he came back to his senses, Lin Bingxin''s figure was nowhere to be seen.


    Only the faint warmth and fragrance on his lips reminded him that what had just happened was not an illusion. Xiao Yi touched his lips, his face filled with distress, "What does this mean..."


    He turned back.


    At the end of the corridor, three heads were staring at him with an ambiguous expression. When Xiao Yi looked towards them, the three heads swiftly retracted.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Meanwhile.


    Leaning against the room door, Lin Bingxin''s heart thumped wildly, and she breathed rapidly with deep gasps, her face flushed red, "I scared myself to death... Lin Bingxin, you must be out of your mind..." she muttered to herself for a while, then clenched her fists, psyching herself up, "Xiao Yi, I know your heart is with Qingzhu... Let me take care of you before Qingzhu returns..."


    This night.


    Was destined to be sleepless.


    ...


    Early the next morning.


    Upon stepping out from his room, Xiao Yi saw Yang Ling already waiting at the door.


    Yu Huaxian was telling him something, but upon seeing Xiao Yi, Yu Huaxian quickly dashed away.


    Yang Ling looked at Xiao Yi with a strange expression, making him feel uncomfortable all over. Xiao Yi frowned, "What did that beast tell you?"


    "Beast?" Yang Ling was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said, "Yu Huaxian..."


    "Ah�� the beast��"


    Realization dawned on Yang Ling, and he laughed out loud, shaking his head, "He didn''t say anything."


    Xiao Yi stared at him with suspicion, "Then why are you looking at me so strangely?"


    Yang Ling gave a wry smile and said, "The matter with the Black Hawk Gang is now well-known; they say you, in a rage for a beauty, slaughtered the Black Hawk Gang."


    Xiao Yi: "I was eliminating a menace to the people. Speaking of which, the fact that such a cancer exists in the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty, have you never thought of getting rid of them?"


    "Where there''s light, there''s shadow. Just like where water is clean, there are no fish. The world has both darkness and light coexisting, and one cannot exist completely without the other��"


    Yang Ling sighed, continuing, "Behind the Black Hawk Gang is the son of the Minister of Rites, Li Shengtian, named Li Chen. This man is extremely domineering, and Li Shengtian is very indulgent towards his son. After the morning court ended today, Li Shengtian didn''t leave the palace but instead went to see our father, the Emperor. I''m afraid he might make things difficult for you, so be extra careful!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I''ll try my best to resist killing him!"


    Yang Ling''s eye twitched: "..."


    Emperor Qian summoned only Xiao Yi, so just the two of them headed towards the palace.


    By now, the morning court had passed.


    Emperor Qian was to receive Xiao Yi in his imperial study. Under the guidance of Yang Ling, they made their way there.


    At the doorway, an old eunuch holding a white horsetail whisk, with all white hair and beard, was waiting, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that you may both enter directly upon arrival!"


    "Thank you for your trouble, eunuch!"


    Yang Ling smiled and nodded, leading Xiao Yi as they pushed open the door and entered.


    Inside the imperial study.


    Besides the Emperor Qian, who was sitting on the throne dressed in regular imperial robes and holding a scroll of ancient text, there were three more figures in official attire.


    Yang Ling whispered, "Those three are the Imperial Censor Geng Li, the Minister of Punishments Tian Xiao, and the Minister of Rites Li Shengtian."


    Xiao Yi slightly nodded. S��arch* The n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He noticed Geng Li and Tian Xiao had their eyes slightly closed, paying no attention to him, while Li Shengtian had a hint of hostility in his eyes as he looked at him.


    Yang Ling said reverently, "This son pays his respects to Father Emperor!"


    "Dispense with the formalities!"


    Emperor Qian smiled and looked at Xiao Yi with interest.


    "How audacious, why don''t you kneel upon seeing His Majesty?" Li Shengtian scolded with a cold face.


    Yang Ling tugged at the hem of Xiao Yi''s robe.


    Xiao Yi turned his head to look at Emperor Qian and said with cupped hands, "Xiao Yi pays his respects to His Majesty, the Emperor of Great Qian!"


    Emperor Qian smiled without uttering a word.


    Li Shengtian, however, exploded in anger, "Audacious Xiao Yi, where do you get the courage to not prostrate before the Emperor? Are you disrespecting His Majesty and not taking the Emperor seriously?"


    "Of course, I have not taken His Majesty seriously in my eyes!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    "How audacious!"


    "You''re courting death!"


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao scolded simultaneously.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "His Majesty deserves to be respected from the heart and not to be falsely worshipped with lip service or kept in the eyes. Could it be that you two lords wish for me to hold His Majesty in my eyes?"


    "Uh..."


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao were momentarily at a loss for words.


    You''ve said that holding him in the heart is to respect, while keeping in the eyes is hypocrisy.


    What could we possibly say to that?


    "Well, these are but empty courtesies, there''s no need to quibble over them!"


    Emperor Qian broke the deadlock with a chuckle, his gaze calm as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, I have entrusted you with the management of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, you must not disappoint me!"


    Xiao Yi had not yet spoken.


    Li Shengtian immediately stepped forward to say, "Your Majesty, this must not be done! The Xiaoshanhe Institute is an important part of the dynasty; it cannot be entrusted to a green youth just wet behind the ears. Please reconsider, Your Majesty!"


    Tian Xiao also stepped forward, "Your Majesty, please retract this command!"


    Emperor Qian, expressionless, his demeanor neither joyous nor sorrowful, looked at the only person who had not yet spoken, Geng Li, "Mr. Geng, what do you think?"


    Geng Li, drowsy and seemingly awakened by Emperor Qian''s words, made a hasty bow and said, "Everything is for Your Majesty to decide!"


    Emperor Qian put down the ancient book he was holding and rubbed his brow, "I have already promised to entrust Xiaoshanhe Institute to Xiao Yi. Do you intend to make me break my word?"


    "Your Majesty, the Xiaoshanhe Institute is vital to our nation''s foundations, and should be managed by a person of high virtue and esteem within the court. I suggest Mr. Li take the position of the head of the institute. As for Xiao Yi... he is still young, and he could serve as a mentor, learning from Mr. Li on how to manage the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Once he is mature enough, then it can be handed over to him to manage," said Tian Xiao, evidently well-prepared with his argument.


    Li Shengtian spoke righteously, "Your Majesty, I am willing to devote myself to this task, to toil away without rest until death!"


    Emperor Qian sighed, "Your loyalty and dedication are a comfort to me. However..." he looked towards Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, as this pertains to you, what is your opinion on what the two lords have proposed?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Emperor Qian, "May I speak truthfully?"


    "It is the truth that I wish to hear!" said Emperor Qian.


    Xiao Yi let out an "Oh," and with an indifferent gaze that swept over Li Shengtian and the others, he said coldly, "I have read few books and my belly does not have all those twists and turns that these lords have. I definitely can''t out talk them. When His Majesty asks me to tell the truth, then I can only tell the truth... I can''t beat them in argument, and when I face this kind of situation, if I can''t win with words, then I start to fight!"


    Crackling sounds!


    Between Xiao Yi''s fists, Wind Thunder roared, and a chilling aura filled the entire Imperial Study.


    Hiss!


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao looked at each other with astonishment on their faces.


    Both had heard of Xiao Yi''s terrifying battle achievements, nearly the power to destroy a nation single-handedly!


    They were both civil officials, not deeply versed in martial arts.


    How could they possibly be Xiao Yi''s match?


    And looking at Emperor Qian...


    He showed no intention of intervening.


    If a real fight broke out, they wouldn''t die but would certainly be stripped of a layer of skin!


    Under the pressure of absolute martial force, Tian Xiao''s complexion shifted rapidly, and he quickly said, "Your Majesty, I have suddenly realized that the Xiaoshanhe Institute is, after all, a place for cultivating martial arts; it would be more suitable for Dean Xiao to take charge!"


    Li Shengtian: "..."


    Emperor Qian looked at Li Shengtian with a strange expression, "Mr. Li, what do you think?"


    On Xiao Yi''s palms, the sound of crackling continued.


    Li Shengtian''s eyelid twitched and through gritted teeth, he said, "Dean Xiao would indeed be more appropriate..."

 Chapter 216 - 216 Xiaoshanhe Institute

    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao''s faces were black as coal.


    Yang Ling only felt a cold sweat on his forehead and wished he could go up and cover Xiao Yi''s mouth himself.


    If you can''t win an argument, just start a fight!


    This was the Imperial Library, and sitting before them was the mightiest existence of the entire Great Qian Dynasty, those three ministers were even more powerful in the dynasty.


    Xiao Yi was about to start a fight at the drop of a hat.


    However, considering Xiao Yi''s past military exploits, his threat was not without foundation.


    If Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao continued to be oblivious to what was good for them, he might indeed start a fight right in front of Emperor Qian!


    "Cough cough!"


    Emperor Qian coughed lightly and glared at Xiao Yi, pretending to be displeased, "This is my Imperial Library, what kind of decorum is this?"


    Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Yi retracted his Wind Thunder power and cupped his hands towards Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"


    "Enough, considering this is your first offense, I will spare you this time, but do not let there be a next time!"


    Emperor Qian said indifferently, "Since the courtiers have no objections, then the position of head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute is yours, Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi, you must not let me down, you must manage the Xiaoshanhe Institute well, do you understand?"


    Xiao Yi nodded earnestly and said, "Rest assured, Your Majesty!"


    Emperor Qian waved his hand, "Everyone, withdraw!"


    All the officials left in succession.


    Outside the door.


    Li Shengtian''s face was dark, and he looked at Xiao Yi with a mockingly sinister expression, "Director Xiao, managing the Xiaoshanhe Institute is not so easy, Li wishes you good luck!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said, "Keep squawking and see if I don''t smack you, believe it or not?"


    Li Shengtian''s face twitched, his anger rising, turning his eyes bloodshot red, "You''re too insolent to conspire with!"


    With a fierce flick of his sleeve, Li Shengtian strode away.


    Tian Xiao quickly followed after him, "Mr. Li, wait for me..."


    Yang Ling watched Xiao Yi with a mix of tears and laughter, "Xiao Yi, didn''t you promise to keep yourself in check?" sea??h th�� N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I am keeping in check. Otherwise, you''d be arranging his funeral right about now!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Yang Ling seriously, with a corner of his eye glancing in the direction of the Imperial Library and a slight smile on his lips, "Besides, don''t you think that what I''m doing aligns more with Emperor Qian''s expectations?"


    "Hm?"


    Yang Ling paused, pondering.


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the Imperial Library, Emperor Qian picked up ancient texts and put them down several times, unable to help but burst into laughter, "Interesting, very interesting, Xiao Yi... Xiao Zhengde, are you blind or mad? To cast aside such a prodigy, hahaha..."


    The old eunuch standing by rarely saw Emperor Qian so amused and asked out of curiosity, "Your Majesty, that Xiao Yi was so reckless, daring to threaten a minister in the Imperial Library, yet why are you so pleased with him?"


    "Reckless?"


    Emperor Qian shook his head and laughed, "Old Dog, do you really think that young man is reckless?"


    The old eunuch asked in confusion, "Is he not?"


    "The kid is quite shrewd!"


    Emperor Qian stood up slowly, his eyes shining like a rainbow as if he could see through everything, "He knows that by handing him the Xiaoshanhe Institute, besides balancing the ten major sects and the noble families, I''m also weighing the court... If he were to try to please everyone, to cringe and bow, I would have to be wary and guard against him everywhere. His seemingly reckless behaviour has offended Li Shengtian to death, leaving himself isolated, surrounded by enemies. As a result, I will naturally trust him completely..."


    The old eunuch had a sudden realization, "I did not expect someone of his young age to be so thoughtful!"


    Emperor Qian gazed ahead, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Tianjiao... Things are getting more and more interesting!"


    ......


    Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Located at the eastern side of the imperial capital was Imperial Dragon Peak.


    Legends say...


    The first emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty had once tamed a true dragon here. After Xiaoshanhe Institute pledged allegiance to the royal family, they were granted Imperial Dragon Peak as their sect''s entrance.


    One, to manifest the royal family''s regard for Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Two, to have Xiaoshanhe Institute guard Imperial Dragon Peak, as the royal family''s ancestral and heavenly worship ceremonies were always held here.


    However,


    With the decline of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Imperial Dragon Peak gradually became desolate.


    Aside from the annual ancestral ceremony, it was mostly unvisited.


    Even with the once flourishing institute that had tens of thousands of disciples and countless experts, now there were only over a thousand disciples left, and only about twenty or thirty instructors, a severe decline in talent.


    Indeed, due to the decline of Xiaoshanhe Institute, the royal family had not been able to bring any other sect under their wing.


    Yang Ling, leading Xiao Yi and the others, arrived at Imperial Dragon Peak and, looking down at the building complex that nearly covered the entire peak and was comparable in size to the former palace of Tianqing Kingdom, everyone couldn''t help but lament the past prosperity of the Great Qian Dynasty. Even a fallen Xiaoshanhe Institute had such a magnificent scale.


    As for those high above��the glorious ten great sects��what must their grandeur be like?


    Yang Ling said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, for the past ten years, Xiaoshanhe Institute has not appointed a dean, and all of the institute''s matters have been managed by Mr. Chen Shuiwen, the vice dean. He''s not an easy character to deal with; you must be very careful!"


    Although Xiaoshanhe Institute had fallen, the royal family still came here for the ancestral rites every year.


    The funding allocated to Xiaoshanhe Institute was also substantial.


    Moreover, there was the status of an official title.


    Chen Shuiwen, holding the position of vice dean for over a decade, had long viewed himself as the dean. With Xiao Yi suddenly parachuted into the role of his superior, Chen Shuiwen would certainly feel disgruntled.


    Xiao Yi nodded to show his understanding.


    Whoosh!


    The fierce sun eagle sculpture swooped down, landing on the vast square of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The large square was devoid of anyone.


    Yang Ling slightly frowned, "Strange, I had already sent someone to inform Chen Shuiwen yesterday. Why is there not a single person here?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Here they come!"


    "Hmm?"


    Yang Ling was startled, only to see a bald figure approaching from the distance, strolling over leisurely with a beaming smile, "Ah, Your Highness Yang Ling, my apologies for the delay. Something came up, and I only managed to rush over now."


    Yang Ling raised his eyebrows, "Mr. Chen, this is Xiao Yi, the new dean of Xiaoshanhe Institute. And these are the instructors that Dean Xiao has brought along��Xue Bufan, Yu Huaxian, Yan Mingli, Lin Bingxin!"


    "Hahaha, Dean Xiao, I''ve long heard of your great reputation, and seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary!"


    Chen Shuiwen laughed heartily as he nodded to Xiao Yi and the others, clicking his tongue and commenting, "Dean Xiao truly has an imposing presence. I''ve heard that you alone eradicated the Great Jin Kingdom. Such a young age yet with such achievements, you are truly remarkable! Welcome to Xiaoshanhe Institute��treat this as your home from now on!"


    This was a smiling tiger.


    Xiao Yi was inwardly on alert. Better to face an honest scoundrel than a smiling tiger!


    All smiles to your face, but ready to stab you in the back.


    Despite the warm words Chen Shuiwen had expressed, he essentially positioned himself as the host and treated Xiao Yi and his party as guests.


    Furthermore...


    Yang Ling had already sent a message previously. Logically, Chen Shuiwen should have brought the institute''s instructors and disciples to welcome them, but no one was present.


    This was his way of intimidating Xiao Yi.


    It was as if he was telling Xiao Yi in an intangible manner: This is my turf, Chen Shuiwen''s!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly: "Interesting. It seems my days at Xiaoshanhe Institute won''t be boring..."

 Chapter 217 - 217 Double-faced and treacherous

    "Mr. Chen, haven''t I already sent someone to notify you that today is the day Xiao takes office? Why hasn''t a single person shown up?"


    It was clear that Yang Ling had also noticed something amiss and spoke with veiled hints.


    His status meant he couldn''t say some things outright.


    Chen Shuiwen exactly seized on this point, rubbed his bald head, and smiled, "Unfortunately, today happens to be the disciples'' time for quiet cultivation. Everything must prioritize their practice. I believe Xiao shares this sentiment, don''t you think so, Xiao?"


    Quiet cultivation?


    The entire Xiaoshanhe Institute, thousands of people cultivating quietly at the same time?


    Are you fucking kidding me?


    Xiao Yi sneered inwardly, but his face showed agreement, "Mr. Chen is right, we should indeed prioritize the disciples'' cultivation."


    Hearing Xiao Yi stress the words "Mr. Chen" with particular emphasis made Chen Shuiwen''s eyelids twitch abruptly.


    His smile also showed a moment of stiffness.


    But he quickly concealed it. Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chen Shuiwen responded with a chuckle, "I''m truly grateful that Xiao can be so understanding!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "After all, this is my Xiaoshanhe Institute, and as the headmaster, it''s only natural to look after the teachers and disciples, including Mr. Chen, as my own! What do you think, Mr. Chen?"


    As my own?


    He''s comparing them to his children and grandchildren!


    Chen Shuiwen gritted his steel teeth, which ground together audibly. He had intended to make Xiao Yi uncomfortable, but Xiao Yi, in just a few words, not only turned the situation around but also belittled him by a generation. With a forced smile on his face, Chen Shuiwen swiftly changed the subject, "Prince Yang Ling, Xiao, I''ve already had food and drinks prepared in the back garden to welcome and refresh you!"


    "I shall not go, and you take good care of Xiao and the others. Remember to hand over the work to Xiao as soon as possible!"


    Yang Ling gave Xiao Yi a meaningful look and said, "Xiao, I leave the Xiaoshanhe Institute in your hands. Also, the Emperor asked me to tell you that in three months, it will be this year''s ancestor worship ceremony, and he hopes to see a different Xiaoshanhe Institute then!"


    "Three months, you say? Tell His Majesty he won''t be disappointed!" Xiao Yi smiled and nodded.


    This was more than just an ancestor worship ceremony.


    It was also Emperor Qian''s test for Xiao Yi, to prove his abilities within three months.


    The greater the ability, the more privileges and resources one has.


    To receive greater support from Emperor Qian, one must demonstrate one''s capabilities.


    Yang Ling mounted the back of the fiery sun jade sculpture and began to ascend leisurely, looking at Chen Shuiwen, "Mr. Chen, I hope you will fully support Xiao''s work!"


    "Rest assured, Prince, I will certainly cooperate well!"


    Chen Shuiwen nodded with a smile, watching Yang Ling rise into the sky, as the smile on his face slowly faded to be replaced by a hint of coldness.


    Xiao Yi looked at Chen Shuiwen, "Mr. Chen, didn''t you say there was food and drink prepared? Shall we eat and talk?"


    "Ah? Food and drink? Oh dear, look at my poor memory. I forgot everyone is in quiet cultivation, and there''s no one to cook!" Chen Shuiwen slapped his bald head, looking self-reproachful, "I''m really sorry, Xiao; it''s all my oversight. Please punish me as you see fit!"


    Xiao Yi watched Chen Shuiwen with an amused smile in the corner of his mouth, silently observing his performance.


    When Yang Ling was here, you volunteered to have food and drinks ready in the back garden.


    No sooner had Yang Ling left,


    than you changed your story, saying no food or drinks were prepared?


    Truly a duplicitous character!


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "No matter, if there''s no food and drink prepared, then I''ll just take care of lunch myself!"


    Chen Shuiwen nodded and said, "For now, your accommodations will be arranged in the east wing''s side rooms. There are many vacant rooms there, but the Xiaoshanhe Institute is short on manpower, so you, Xiao, will have to tidy up by yourself. I still have matters to attend to, so I will be leaving now. If there''s anything you need my help with, Xiao, you can find me in the west wing''s side rooms!"


    "Sure, you go ahead and take care of your business!"


    Xiao Yi watched as Chen Shuiwen left.


    Yu Huaxian frowned and said, "Xiao, that old jerk is really hateful..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "No worries, we have all the time in the world to play his little games slowly!"


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the west wing''s room, when Chen Shuiwen returned, a table full of lavish dishes and drinks was already waiting.


    Several instructors from the Xiaoshanhe Institute had long been there, waiting.


    As soon as they saw Chen Shuiwen arrive, they stood up hastily, "Mr. Chen!"


    Chen Shuiwen gestured with his hand for everyone to sit down.


    Looking at each other with puzzled expressions, the instructors asked, "Mr. Chen, has His Highness Yang Ling not blamed us?"


    "Why would anyone blame you? It''s understandable that instructors and disciples in quiet cultivation couldn''t spare the time to welcome him."


    "I heard it was His Highness Yang Ling who suggested handing over the Xiaoshanhe Institute to that damned Xiao Yi. It''s beyond me why the Emperor Qian would entrust the Institute to such an inexperienced kid..."


    The people around chimed in.


    Chen Shuiwen took a sip of his wine and said indifferently, "Who can comprehend the Emperor''s mind? But I, Chen Shuiwen, have worked diligently at the Xiaoshanhe Institute for many years. The idea that he can just come in and take over is pure fantasy." Squinting his eyes, he declared coldly, "Listen up, all of you. The ancestral worship ceremony is in three months. If he fails to handle it properly, I''ll have ways to drive him out. Inform all the instructors and disciples that anyone who cooperates with Xiao Yi will be my enemy!"


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Chen!"


    "The brothers know what to do!"


    "And as for the disciples... we''ll withhold their cultivation resources. Who would dare to oppose us then?"


    They all said, laughing.


    With a smug smile, Chen Shuiwen raised his cup, "Now, let''s feast and enjoy ourselves!"


    Looking at the sumptuous food in front of him, the corners of Chen Shuiwen''s mouth turned up slightly, revealing a cold smile, "Xiao Yi? Nothing more than a stray dog driven out of the Xiao Family, daring to scavenge from the tiger''s maw? He truly doesn''t know he''s courting death!"


    Nobody noticed...


    In that corner, a faint golden figure quietly slipped away.


    In the east wing''s room.


    Xiao Yi and the others were organizing the disorderly room, which was filled with dust and a musty smell, having been long abandoned.


    "Boss!"


    Little Lin had come back, landing on his shoulder, "Just as you expected, Chen Shuiwen is in the west wing, eating and drinking with a dozen instructors. That bastard, he even claimed there was nothing prepared to eat, he''s really hateful!"


    Xiao Yi said, "Did you remember who all were there?"


    Little Lin nodded its little head, "I remembered."


    As Xiao Yi continued to tidy up the room, he looked at the dusty table beneath the windowsill and bent down slightly, "Indeed, this is a fine table; both the material and the craftsmanship are exceptional. However, covered with so much dust, it''s treated like trash. To restore this table to its former glory, we need to sweep away all this dust!"


    Whoo!


    He blew out a breath.


    Swish!


    The thick layer of dust covering the table was blown away in an instant...

 Chapter 218 - 218: Who do you think you are?

    Under the veil of night.


    Xiao Yi and the others had finally tidied up the room, and Lin Bing Xin had personally cooked, preparing some food and drink.


    They sat around the table.


    Yan Mingli took a sip of wine and said with a heavy voice, "Xiao, the Xiaoshanhe Institute is not easy to manage!"


    The entire Xiaoshanhe Institute, under the control of Chen Shuiwen for more than a decade, had already been shaped into an impenetrable fortress.


    It had become a little kingdom belonging to Chen Shuiwen.


    To put it bluntly...


    If Xiao Yi directly employed drastic measures, with one command from Chen Shuiwen, I''m afraid all the tutors and disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute would follow him and leave.


    When that time came, Xiaoshanhe Institute would be left with just a few of them, existing in name only.


    As for showing weakness and trying to win people over?


    With their brief interaction with Chen Shuiwen today, everyone understood that this path was also absolutely impossible.


    Chen Shuiwen would definitely not be content to be inferior to others.


    "Let''s wait and see how things unfold for now, then slowly look for a breakthrough!" Xiao Yi said.


    "However, we don''t have much time left. In three months, the Ancestral Worship Ceremony will take place. If we cannot achieve some results by then, it will be difficult to explain to Emperor Qian!" Yan Mingli said gravely. For the sake of following Xiao Yi, he had even declined the opportunity to succeed as the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion in the Tianqing Kingdom.


    Yu Huaxian said impatiently, "In my opinion, just kill those who don''t obey. Kill one to warn a hundred. I don''t believe they wouldn''t be afraid!"


    This was the former Supervisor Yu Huaxian of the Eastern Factory.


    The principle followed by the Eastern Factory was to quench killing with killing!


    Those who don''t obey?


    Kill!


    Those who aren''t honest?


    Kill!


    Kill until everyone dares not disobey.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said speechlessly, "We are a sect here, not your Eastern Factory. Let alone killing them, if I take out any one of them and scold them, wouldn''t a bunch of tutors immediately follow Chen Shuiwen to offer their resignations?"


    "Resign? Wouldn''t that be perfect? Let them get lost, and leave Xiaoshanhe Institute to us!" Yu Huaxian asserted as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and didn''t bother to respond.


    Yan Mingli sighed, "To the people of Xiaoshanhe Institute, we are all outsiders. Once we anger them, it''s not just a matter of them all resigning; what if all the tutors go on strike? Who''s going to teach those thousands of disciples? Besides, can you be certain that those disciples will listen to us? You''re too naive!"


    Xiao Yi said gravely, "Elder Yan, tomorrow you and Yu Huaxian go check Xiaoshanhe Institute''s finances, see if we can start from there. Elder Xue, the several elixir formulas I gave you before, hurry up with your research and refine them as soon as possible. They will be greatly needed!"


    "Leave it to us!"


    Elder Yan and the others said one after another.


    Lin Bing Xin blinked, "Xiao Yi, what about me?"


    "You?" sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi was startled, looking at the table with plenty of dishes left, "Your primary task for now is to improve your cooking skills!"


    Yan Mingli, "That makes sense!"


    Yu Huaxian, "I second that!"


    Xue Bufan, "Do your best!"


    Lin Bing Xin, "..."


    ...


    The next day.


    Xiao Yi and his group split into four teams.


    Lin Bingxin indeed remained in the kitchen to deepen her culinary skills.


    Yu Huaxian and Yan Mingli went to check the accounts in the storeroom, while Xue Bufan holed up in his room to research elixir recipes.


    Xiao Yi started wandering around the Xiaoshanhe Institute in his black robe, which added a bit of majesty to his bearing. Xiaoshanhe Institute resembled more of an academy, where the disciples had scheduled classes every day. As he reached the martial arts training field, he could see from afar two instructors lazily lying under the shade of a tree while dozens of disciples were scattered around in various corners.


    Some were chatting away, others were sound asleep, and still others were arm in arm with fellow disciples of the opposite sex.


    There were very few who were genuinely cultivating.


    "No wonder the Xiaoshanhe Institute was squeezed out of the top ten sects. How many strong cultivators can be created like this?" Xiao Yi shook his head slightly.


    His arrival naturally drew the attention of the instructors and disciples on the training field.


    One of the skinnier instructors spoke up in a deep voice, "Zou, Xiao is here. Shouldn''t we gather the disciples?"


    "Gather what?"


    Zou spat out dismissively, "In Xiaoshanhe Institute, as long as we follow closely behind Chen, we can soar to great heights. This Xiao hasn''t even grown a full set of whiskers yet. He won''t last long and will be out of here in no time!"


    The disciples whispered among themselves, "Is this the new head of the institute? He looks even younger than us. And he thinks he can be the head?"


    "I heard he was personally selected by the emperor. Do you think he could be the emperor''s illegitimate child?"


    "Very likely, haha..."


    "Look, Zheng Dongsheng is heading over to the new head now, isn''t he?"


    The two instructors noticed a burly young man walking towards Xiao Yi. Zou chuckled, "Now this will be fun to watch. Zheng Dongsheng is a real thorn; even I can''t suppress him. Our new head here is probably going to have a tough time!"


    On the martial arts training field.


    All the instructors and disciples looked over excitedly.


    Xiao Yi was a bit taken aback, watching this muscular young man with a full beard who was two heads taller than himself, his eyes filled with a hint of confusion.


    Zheng Dongsheng''s voice was the complete opposite of his imposing build; it was soft and gentle, "You are the new head?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Who are you?"


    "Fight me! If you win, then I''ll admit you''ve got the qualifications to be our head and deserve to know my name," Zheng Dongsheng pointed his thumb at himself, stating proudly, "If you lose, it proves you''re not fit to lead us and should get the hell out of Xiaoshanhe Institute immediately!"


    "Hahaha, I knew it. Zheng Dongsheng is as wild as ever. I want to see what the new head is going to do about it!" Zou boasted with pride.


    Zheng Dongsheng''s cultivation was at the peak of the Golden Core Realm.


    Plus, he had Innate Divine Strength.


    Among those of the same realm, he was nearly invincible!


    "Do you think the new head will dare to accept Zheng Dongsheng''s challenge?"


    "He might refuse, right? After all, his cultivation is only at the peak of the Golden Core Realm. Wouldn''t it be embarrassing if he lost to Zheng Dongsheng?"


    "But if he refuses, wouldn''t that also be humiliating? An institute head who''s afraid to accept a challenge from a disciple..."


    Everyone discussed animatedly.


    Zou got up, dusted himself off, and came over, rebuking, "Zheng Dongsheng, who gave you the guts to talk to the new head like that? All you know is fighting; don''t you know that fists have no eyes? What if you injure Xiao, and something terrible happens? Could you afford that?" He turned to Xiao Yi, gestured with his hands in respect, and said, "Xiao, he''s just a kid who doesn''t know any better. Don''t hold it against him!"


    This seemed like Zou was trying to get Xiao Yi out of a tight spot.


    But in reality, he was hinting that Xiao Yi was inferior to Zheng Dongsheng and that if the two of them fought, Xiao Yi was bound to lose!


    If at this moment Xiao Yi indeed refused Zheng Dongsheng''s challenge, it would be an admission that he was less capable than Zheng Dongsheng, and a significant blow to Xiao Yi''s reputation.


    Just when everyone was waiting to see Xiao Yi make a fool of himself.


    Xiao Yi lifted his eyes, looked at Zou in front of him, "Did I allow you to speak? Who do you think you are, prattling on like that in front of me?"

 Chapter 219 - 219: Fist and foot have no eyes

    "Who the hell do you think you are?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Zou with an indifferent gaze and spoke coldly.


    Err...


    Zou''s face stiffened, and a flash of anger flickered deep in his eyes as his fists suddenly clenched with a grating sound.


    But upon recalling Chen Shuiwen''s instructions not to initiate any attack and avoid giving Xiao Yi any leverage, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and suppress his anger. He forced a smile and said, "Director Xiao, my name is Zou Zheng, and I am an instructor at the Xiaoshanhe Institute. It''s normal that Director Xiao, being new here, wouldn''t recognize me!"


    Zou Zheng turned around and said to Zheng Dongsheng, "Zheng Dongsheng, hurry back and stop causing trouble!"


    "Hmph!"


    Zheng Dongsheng snorted in dissatisfaction and turned to leave.


    Zou Zheng was an expert of the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and he was not a weak presence among the many instructors at the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    "Wait!"


    Xiao Yi called out to Zheng Dongsheng. His detached gaze fell upon Zou Zheng as he said indifferently, "Are you the head of the institute, or am I?"


    Zou Zheng was taken aback and said, "Naturally, you are, Director."


    Xiao Yi uttered an "oh" and said, "Anyone who didn''t know better would think you were the head of the institute. I hadn''t even spoken, yet you''ve already taken it upon yourself to decide for me."


    Zou Zheng''s face darkened. He had always been arrogant and overbearing thanks to his good relationship with Chen Shuiwen. But now, with Xiao Yi questioning him repeatedly, the anger in his heart was increasingly hard to control. Taking a deep breath and with a dark face, Zou Zheng said, "Director Xiao, do you have an issue with me? If you do, you''re free to state it openly. Why the insinuations and sarcasm?"


    "Me, insinuations and sarcasm?"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, leaning slightly forward. The piercing look in their locked eyes nearly forced Zou Zheng to look away. "Instructor Zou Zheng, if I did have an issue with you, you''d be dead by now."


    Zou Zheng retorted angrily, "Director Xiao, are you threatening me? I, Zou Zheng, am an upright and honorable man. I''ve come here with the best of intentions to help you settle this conflict, yet you fail to appreciate my goodwill and even go as far as to give me a hard time at every turn. And now you dare threaten me?"


    "A threat? Who do you think you are to deserve a threat from me?" Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up in a mocking smile.


    He was provoking Zou Zheng.


    If Zou Zheng were to strike first, he''d fall right into Xiao Yi''s trap.


    It would be the breakthrough he needed!


    Zou Zheng''s fists were tightly clenched, with a cold glare flashing in his eyes, and the vital energy on his palms surged, ready to make a move.


    But just then...


    A cold shout came from behind, "Zou Zheng, what are you playing at?"


    "Hm?"


    Zou Zheng''s face changed as he looked at the stern middle-aged man with sword-like eyebrows by his side. A deep reverence flashed in his eyes, and with a wronged expression, he said, "Elder Sun, you''ve arrived just in time. You must stand up for me!"


    "Shut up!"


    Sun Zhengyi snorted coldly, his frosty aura putting out Zou Zheng''s fiery temper like a bucket of ice water. Sun Zhengyi then looked at Xiao Yi, "You must be the new Director Xiao here, right? I am Sun Zhengyi, the third elder of the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Without waiting for Xiao Yi to speak, Sun Zhengyi turned to Zou Zheng and asked with a frown, "What''s going on here?"


    As Xiao Yi was about to speak, he narrowed his eyes and touched his nose, watching the two men with interest.


    Sun Zhengyi saw him ready to speak, but chose to ignore him, instead fixing his gaze on Zou Zheng. It seemed he was another one of Chen Shuiwen''s people!


    Zou Zheng, with a look of grievance, repeated the events that had just taken place.


    "This is outrageous!"


    Sun Zhengyi coldly snorted but directed the comment at Xiao Yi, adding unnecessarily as if to clarify, "Director Xiao, please don''t take it the wrong way, I wasn''t speaking about you."


    Xiao Yi remained silent with a smile.


    However, Sun Zhengyi turned to Zou Zheng and said, "Director Xiao is the new head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute and, as such, has the responsibility to advise all the disciples and instructors of the institute. Since Zheng Dongsheng wanted to challenge Director Xiao, and Director Xiao being the head of the institute is in some way his instructor, Xiao can''t just ignore it. Yet you interfered, how could Director Xiao not be upset?"


    Zou Zheng, catching the frantic signals from Sun Zhengyi, quickly revised his story with an aggrieved voice, "I��I was just worried about the risks of physical confrontation. What if Director Xiao got hurt by Zheng Dongsheng!"


    "What nonsense are you spouting?"


    Sun Zhengyi''s heart burst with joy, but his face showed righteous indignation, "How could Director Xiao possibly be injured? If he couldn''t take care of a Zheng Dongsheng, then what face would he have to continue as the head of our Xiaoshanhe Institute? Even if Director Xiao is no match for Zheng Dongsheng, you shouldn''t have refused on his behalf! Don''t you owe Director Xiao an apology?"


    Zou Zheng looked towards Xiao Yi, "I''m really sorry, Director Xiao. It was all my oversight!"


    The two of them went back and forth.


    They coordinated quite well with each other.


    Seizing the moment, Sun Zhengyi spoke up, "Listen here, disciples, Director Xiao is new to our institute, and no one is allowed to challenge him from below their station, understand?"


    However...


    These words only provoked strong dissatisfaction among the disciples, "Why not? We can usually spar with our instructors; does our esteemed Director not even have the courage for that?"


    "If that''s the case, why is he still the director? He might as well just roll back home!"


    Zheng Dongsheng''s voice thundered, "Elder Sun, I want to challenge Director Xiao!"


    "Right, right, right, keep pushing him..." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sun Zhengyi''s heart was overjoyed, but he wore a troubled expression as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Director Xiao, what do you think about this?"


    Xiao Yi smiled, looking at the excited crowd of disciples, "So you all think I should accept Zheng Dongsheng''s challenge, is that right?"


    "Exactly!"


    "Accept the challenge!"


    "Or just get lost..."


    With a smile still on his face, Xiao Yi looked at Zheng Dongsheng, "Zheng Dongsheng, let me ask you a question first, between you and Instructor Zou Zheng, who is stronger and who is weaker?"


    Zheng Dongsheng hesitated, "I am but at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, and even though I have greater strength, Instructor Zou Zheng is a genuine First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm power. I am no match for him!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said with a laugh, "My fellow disciples, you don''t know much about me, and there are some things you may not be clear about. Most of my cultivation has improved through fighting, and I don''t really pull my punches. If I really were to spar with Zheng Dongsheng, I might hurt him by accident, and then it would look like I, the Director, am beating up a student!"


    "Pfft, you''re just afraid to fight!"


    "Stop with those grandiose excuses..."


    "I think you should just roll out of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    The disciples shouted one after another.


    Sun Zhengyi''s face was full of smug satisfaction, and he winked at Zou Zheng.


    "You''re much more cunning!"


    Zou Zheng stealthily gave a thumbs up, snickering, "This way, if Xiao Yi refuses to accept the challenge, his reputation will be ruined, and if he accepts, regardless of win or loss, he''ll acquire the disgrace of bullying the weak..."


    Xiao Yi caught a glimpse of the two men from the corner of his eye and took note of their little schemes, his lips lifting slightly in a smile, "Everyone, please calm down. I only said that it''s inappropriate to accept Zheng Dongsheng''s challenge. However, Zheng Dongsheng just admitted that Instructor Zou Zheng is stronger than him. If I were to defeat Instructor Zou Zheng, that would mean I could also defeat Zheng Dongsheng, wouldn''t it?"


    "Huh?"


    "That could work!"


    "If Director Xiao can really beat Instructor Zou Zheng, then that means his power is indeed above that of Zheng Dongsheng, and he is genuinely concerned about injuring a student, not cowardice in battle!"


    The disciples nodded one after another, agreeing with Xiao Yi''s reasoning.


    "Instructor Zou, since everyone agrees, please accept my challenge!"


    Xiao Yi smiled at the bewildered Zou Zheng and made a welcoming gesture, "But I must say before we begin, fists and feet are blind��so if I accidentally injure you later, I hope Instructor Zou will forgive me!"


    The disciples were excited, "Instructor Zou, hurry up and accept the challenge!"


    "Go Instructor Zou!"


    "If you win, you''ll be the man who defeated the Director..."


    Zou Zheng: "..."


    Sun Zhengyi: "..."

 Chapter 220 - 220 What a Good Dean!

    Zou Zheng looked bewilderedly at Sun Zhengyi.


    Sun Zhengyi''s eyes twitched, feeling like his heavy punch had landed on soft cotton.


    He had seen the conflict between Xiao Yi and Zou Zheng earlier and had devised a plan, urging Xiao Yi to battle with Zheng Dongsheng.


    When the time came...


    Whether Xiao Yi lost or won, S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    he could spin the story to damage Xiao Yi''s reputation.


    If Xiao Yi refused Zheng Dongsheng''s challenge, then Xiao Yi would inevitably lose credibility, and the disciples would look down on this young institute head even more.


    If Xiao Yi won against Zheng Dongsheng, they could proclaim that Xiao Yi bullied the weak.


    And if Xiao Yi lost?


    Even better!


    He would spread the news of today''s battle far and wide, letting everyone know that the new head of Xiaoshanhe Institute couldn''t even defeat a disciple of the same realm. By then, public opinion would be entirely on their side, potentially affecting Emperor Qian and possibly even leading to Xiao Yi''s removal from his position as head of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    After all,


    Xiaoshanhe Institute, though now in decline, had once been glorious.


    How could it be led by someone who couldn''t even defeat a disciple?


    What he never expected was that Xiao Yi would use a retreat as advance, refusing his challenge under the pretext of not wanting to hurt Zheng Dongsheng, and instead proposed to challenge Zou Zheng.


    Zou Zheng was indeed stronger than Zheng Dongsheng!


    If Xiao Yi won against Zou Zheng, naturally he could defeat Zheng Dongsheng.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi and Zou Zheng were peers, one a head and the other an instructor; their sparring was nothing out of the ordinary. Plus, Zou Zheng was more than twenty years older than Xiao Yi. Even if Xiao Yi lost, it would be Zou Zheng who was accused of bullying the younger.


    Although they knew this was Xiao Yi''s strategy of advance through retreat, they couldn''t refuse.


    Otherwise, they would have to swallow the bitter fruit they had just seeded themselves!


    And they would be labeled as bullies forcing the head''s hand.


    "Quite a move, Xiao Yi, it seems we have all underestimated you!"


    Sun Zhengyi was secretly annoyed, but then he thought that Xiao Yi was just at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, whereas Zou Zheng was at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. If the two fought, Zou Zheng was bound to win. Sun Zhengyi winked at Zou Zheng and said, "Instructor Zou Zheng, since Xiao wishes for it, you should fight him!"


    Zou Zheng nodded, "Since Xiao wishes for this, I shall comply! However, blows and kicks are blind; should I inadvertently harm Xiao, I hope he will forgive me!"


    "This..."


    Xiao Yi feigned hesitation.


    This made Sun Zhengyi even more certain that Xiao Yi only wanted to use Zou Zheng to escape, having no confidence in defeating Zou Zheng. With this thought, Sun Zhengyi said, "Head Xiao, let''s be petty people before we are gentlemen. After all, blows and kicks are blind. What I mean is, let''s sign a life-and-death agreement first, to prevent any unexpected consequences from leading to someone being held accountable!"


    Zou Zhen nodded, "Let''s sign the life-and-death agreement!"


    "Alright then!"


    Xiao Yi sighed and then the two signed the life-and-death agreement in front of Sun Zhengyi and the disciples.


    The crowd of disciples dispersed.


    Xiao Yi and Zou Zheng moved to the center of the martial arts field.


    Their eyes met.


    Zou Zheng grinned, "Head Xiao, blows and kicks are blind!"


    Xiao Yi gestured invitingly, "Come on!"


    Whoosh!


    Zou Zheng''s body shook, and his figure suddenly transformed into three afterimages, charging towards Xiao Yi from three different directions at an astonishing speed, difficult to track, eliciting gasps from the onlooking disciples, "As expected of Instructor Zou Zheng, his speed is just too fast."


    "Instructor Zou Zheng''s Divine Skills are like the wind, incredibly fast. Among the instructors in our Xiaoshanhe Institute, his speed ranks in the top ten!"


    "Look at Head Xiao; why isn''t he moving?"


    "Probably because he can''t detect Instructor Zou Zheng''s position and doesn''t know what to do!"


    Standing among the crowd with crossed arms, Sun Zhengyi wore a smug look, "As long as Zou Zheng wins, Xiao Yi will lose face, and Head Chen will surely reward us handsomely!"


    At that moment...


    The previously unmoving Xiao Yi suddenly stretched out his arms.


    Bang!


    Pushing his hands backward, he caught the exact moment Zou Zheng materialized, his palms striking Zou Zheng''s face.


    Wow!


    With a pitiful cry, Zou Zheng fell backward with his nose broken, blood spurting wildly from his nostrils as he lay sprawled on the ground.


    Sun Zhengyi: "..."


    All: "..."


    "Damn, Director Xiao''s luck is against the heavens, just stretching his arms and he actually strikes Instructor Zou Zheng?"


    "But luck always runs out eventually, the next attack he surely won''t be able to dodge!"


    Whoosh!


    Zou Zheng propelled himself up, wiping the blood from under his nose, his eyes shooting cold light as he growled through gritted teeth, "Fierce Wind Strong Grass!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Zou Zheng, with a sweep that could take out an entire army, radiated a vast aura that turned into waves of green energy, covering the ground like an emerald lawn appearing out of nowhere. His body was able to change positions continuously on the green grass, sometimes left, sometimes right, and when he reappeared before Xiao Yi.


    Swoosh swoosh!


    Beams of green light soared into the sky, turning into green chains that bound Xiao Yi''s hands and feet.


    Several figures of Zou Zheng overlapped, appearing right in front of Xiao Yi, with his right hand extending into a sword finger aiming straight at him.


    Hum!


    Countless green lights condensed into a green longsword.


    This sword broke through the air, cut across space, and its speed was as fast as lightning.


    Xiao Yi''s hands and feet were bound and he couldn''t dodge at all.


    Seeing this sword, Xiao Yi was sure to be gravely wounded!


    Amidst thousands of troops...


    Xiao Yi''s body shook, and the green chains binding him shattered, Zou Zheng, who was inches away, saw Xiao Yi''s face reveal a mocking smile, causing a buzz in Zou Zheng''s head, "Not good..."


    He thought of dodging, but it was too late.


    Bang!


    A powerful slap landed on his face.


    Whoosh!


    Zou Zheng was sent flying, tumbling dozens of meters across the ground. Xiao Yi let out an "Aiyo," "Instructor Zou, are you okay? It wasn''t intentional!"


    Whoosh!


    He suddenly kicked back and charged toward Zou Zheng.


    To the onlookers, it seemed like Xiao Yi was worried about Zou Zheng''s injury, rushing forward to help him up.


    Crack!


    Xiao Yi, seemingly flustered, stepped heavily on Zou Zheng''s left leg, which broke with a snap, causing Zou Zheng to howl in agony. Xiao Yi ''panicked'' and quickly apologized, "I''m sorry, it wasn''t intentional..."


    Crack!


    The right leg was severed as well.


    "Aooo..."


    Zou Zheng screamed in pain, both legs broken!


    Xiao Yi looked remorseful: "My fault, Instructor Zou Zheng, are you okay? It wasn''t intentional. Here, let me help you up!"


    Xiao Yi quickly squatted down, helping Zou Zheng to his feet, and while no one was paying attention, he gave a shove to Zou Zheng''s elbow. Zou Zheng''s right hand involuntarily swiped at Xiao Yi''s chest. Xiao Yi let out an exaggerated scream, his figure flying backward while seemingly pushing Zou Zheng away instinctively.


    Bang bang bang!


    Zou Zheng''s body rolled across the ground like a log.


    His head struck the ground, blood gushing open from the wound; his hands folded backward from the rolling, bones snapping; his skin was severely grazed over large areas, blood covered his face, extremely distressed.


    Xiao Yi also rose with a pained expression: "Instructor Zou Zheng, I was just going to help you up, why did you try to sneak attack me? Is this what a teacher should do?"


    Zou Zheng opened his mouth: "..."


    But his jaw was dislocated from the fall, his limbs broken, he couldn''t get up at all.


    The surrounding disciples were indignant: "That''s too much, Instructor Zou. Director Xiao went to help him kindly, and he attacked..."


    "Director Xiao really is a good director!"


    "Instructor Zou Zheng shouldn''t have done that..."


    Within the crowd.


    Sun Zhengyi''s eye twitched, his face alternating between shades of green and white: "..."


    In the martial arts training field.


    Zou Zheng, listening to the disciples'' comments, was so frustrated that he spurted out a mouthful of blood, his eyes rolled back, and he passed out completely...

 Chapter 221 - 221: Youre the One Who Should Get Lost!

    "Zou Zheng..."


    Sun Zhengyi rushed over immediately. When he finished checking Zou Zheng''s body, his face turned an iron blue, and he looked at Xiao Yi with a cold fury, accusing him, "President Xiao, wasn''t your attack too harsh? Instructor Zou''s limbs have been broken, and the fractures are comminuted. How can you, as the president, act so viciously?"


    He was now trying to smear Xiao Yi''s name.


    Only by branding Xiao Yi with the labels of despicable, shameless, and ruthlessly cruel could Zou Zheng''s sacrifice not be in vain.


    However...


    Before Xiao Yi could speak.


    The surrounding disciples were already voicing their dissatisfaction, "Elder Sun, aren''t you going too far? We all saw with our own eyes that President Xiao was just trying to be careful with Instructor Zou, and the injury was an accident. The last strike was also because Instructor Zou made a sneak attack first, and President Xiao was forced to strike back. He is the real victim here!"


    "Right, with so many of us as witnesses, could it still be false?"


    "Moreover, President Xiao is only at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, and when facing Instructor Zou of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he naturally had to give it his all. Accidents happen in a fight, and you always said that��it''s not President Xiao''s fault!"


    "You, you..."


    Sun Zhengyi was so angry he was almost spitting blood.


    This was completely different from what he had anticipated!


    The one who should be receiving these accusations was Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a slight smile as he stepped forward, "Gentlemen, please don''t blame Elder Sun any further. He is also concerned for Instructor Zou''s safety and spoke rashly out of eagerness. Moreover, I do bear some responsibility for Instructor Zou''s current state. To make amends, I am willing to personally contribute five hundred silver taels to buy some ginseng to replenish Instructor Zou''s health!"


    As he was speaking.


    Xiao Yi took out five hundred silver taels and handed them to Sun Zhengyi.


    The disciples nodded one after another, "No wonder President Xiao occupies the seat of president. Look at his generosity, and then look at Elder Sun..."


    "Clearly Instructor Zou launched a sneak attack, and President Xiao was forced into a corner, but he still warmly offers silver as a consolation. At least I acknowledge President Xiao''s character!"


    Sun Zhengyi''s hand, holding the five hundred silver taels, was trembling, and he was so angry his teeth nearly cracked, yet he had to say, "Thank you, President, for your concern. I will make sure to buy some high-quality ginseng to help Instructor Zou recover!"


    He deliberately emphasized the words "high-quality ginseng."


    Zou Zheng''s injuries would require several million silver taels for medicine alone, and he would have to lay in bed for one or two months��the five hundred silver taels were hardly useful!


    But still, he had to express his thanks!


    Otherwise, he would be seen by the disciples as returning kindness with ingratitude!


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, then turned to the disciples and said aloud, "Gentlemen, today''s incident has thoroughly demonstrated a lesson to us all��that cultivation level is not the sole criterion for strength or weakness. If one is careless and underestimates the enemy, they can stumble even against a weaker opponent. I hope that in the future, no matter who you face, you all will remember that even when a lion fights a rabbit, it must use all its might��never be careless or underestimate the enemy!"


    "We will heed the president''s teachings!" the crowd said in unison.


    Xiao Yi hummed in acknowledgment and said, "Instructor Zou is seriously injured. Tomorrow, I will arrange another instructor to guide your cultivation. That will be all for today."


    "Have a safe walk, President!"


    "President, if you have time, remember to guide us in our cultivation!" the people shouted.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and walked straight towards the direction of the Zen Martial Hall.


    The Zen Martial Hall, also known as the Lecture Martial Hall.


    This place is mainly for disciples who have just entered the path of martial arts to learn the theoretical knowledge of martial arts.


    Although the path of martial arts emphasizes personal cultivation and accumulation of actual combat experience.


    Theoretical knowledge is also indispensable!


    Otherwise, even with an excellent secret manual in hand, if one cannot understand it, how is one to cultivate?


    And then, what are the effects of various kinds of pills, what should be emphasized in each stage of cultivation? These are all necessary knowledge. Otherwise, if one were to explore the path of martial arts by themselves, what would be the purpose of having a sect and instructors?


    Xiao Yi arrived outside the Zen Martial Hall.


    A cold voice came from within, "The path of martial arts values talent, and higher talent means higher potential achievements. Just like Tianjiao of the Great Qian Dynasty, the number one genius, he is the strongest talent of contemporary times. At the age of five, he broke through the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm. At seven, he stepped into the Qi Gathering with Ten Layers, and at eight, he successfully challenged the Shentong Realm. By ten years old, he entered the Shentong Realm with Ten Layers... Now, he has even stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm and will certainly enter the Longevity Secret Realm within ten years!"


    "Mr. An, I think your statement is biased. Talent is certainly important, but hard work and persistent cultivation can also lead to a breakthrough and possibly even catch up with, or surpass, those geniuses!"


    In a corner, a handsome youth stood up, his face set with determination as he said, "I believe that as long as one endures the toughest hardships, my future accomplishments may not fall short of Xiao Tianjiao''s, and might even surpass him!"


    "Surpass Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "Ye Heng, have you lost your mind?"


    "I''m dying of laughter, you''re fifteen years old and still only in the Qi Gathering Realm, yet you dream of surpassing Xiao Tianjiao?"


    The disciples in the Zen Martial Hall cast mocking glances at the young Ye Heng.


    "Silence!"


    In front of the lectern, a woman in a purple dress with a pleasant appearance gave him a cold look and said indifferently, "Ye Heng, one must have self-awareness and not aim too high. No one in this world can surpass Xiao Tianjiao. He is the dragon among men, the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor. His existence breaks all conventions and creates a record of brilliance that is unprecedented and will be unrivaled."


    When mentioning Xiao Tianjiao, adoration and fervor filled the face of this purple dress instructor.


    Xiao Tianjiao indeed had many followers in the Great Qian Dynasty.


    "Unprecedented and unrivaled? As far as I know, shouldn''t Martial God Zhao Wuji be stronger than him? And what about Qingyun Sword Saint, Wind Thunder Sovereign, and these legendary powerhouses, isn''t each one stronger than Xiao Tianjiao?" Ye Heng stood tall, defiance on his face.


    An Rujing said coldly, "The era in which these powerhouses lived had a richer atmosphere of Heaven and Earth, and many more natural treasures than today. They achieved such accomplishments because of various fortuitous encounters, whereas Xiao Tianjiao''s achievements are all due to his own efforts."


    "On his own?"


    Ye Heng curled his lip, "I heard that for the sake of breeding his mount, Xiao Tianjiao would even sacrifice his own brother. Is that what you call relying on oneself?"


    "Shut up!"


    An Rujing''s expression was as cold as water, "Ye Heng, if you continue to slander Xiao Tianjiao with your nonsense, I''ll have you roll out of my classroom!"


    Ye Heng stood his ground, "I haven''t done anything wrong, why should you kick me out?"


    A young man sitting in the first row stood up, his haughty gaze sweeping over Ye Heng, "Ye Heng, who gave you the courage to speak to Mr. An like that? I order you to kneel down immediately and apologize to Mr. An!" Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ye Tian, this is none of your business!" Ye Heng said through gritted teeth.


    He and Ye Tian were from the same clan.


    Only��


    His talent was far inferior to that of Ye Tian. At fifteen, Ye Tian was already at the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm.


    And him?


    Merely the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.


    Ye Tian let out a cold laugh, "Mr. An is my mentor in martial arts. By defying her, you are challenging me. I''ll say it again, kneel down and apologize to Mr. An!"


    "Apologize to your mother��" Ye Heng shot back angrily.


    "You''re courting death!"


    With a cold snort, Ye Tian''s figure rushed forward, appearing instantly in front of Ye Heng. As he smashed out a heavy punch, even though Ye Heng crossed his arms in front of his chest, he couldn''t withstand the terrible punch. With a booming sound, he was sent flying, crashing heavily against the wall, his mouth full of blood.


    Ye Tian grabbed hold of Ye Heng''s hair and said coldly, "I told you to kneel!"


    From beginning to end, An Rujing watched coldly from the side, never lifting a finger to stop it.


    "I''ll kneel to your mother!"


    Ye Heng''s face was a mask of ferocity and stubbornness. He shook his head violently to free himself from Ye Tian''s grasp and then, with a thud, headbutted Ye Tian''s chin, knocking Ye Tian to the ground.


    Swiftly!


    Like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, Ye Heng pinned Ye Tian beneath him, ready to throw punches.


    "Enough!"


    An Rujing suddenly spoke up. With a flick of her finger, she sent Ye Heng flying, then pointed to the door and said coldly, "I''ll tell you one last time, get out!"


    At that moment��


    From outside the door came the voice of Xiao Yi, "If you ask me, the one who should be rolling out is you!"

 Chapter 222 - 222: Men Cant Be Cowards, Fight If You Disagree!

    "You''re the one who should be rolling out!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice came from outside the door, bringing silence to the Zen Martial Hall.


    An Rujing''s brows slightly furrowed as she looked towards Xiao Yi with a hint of confusion in her eyes, "Who are you? This is a critical area of the Zen Martial Hall. The likes of you have no place here, roll out at once!"


    "Mr. An, you sure carry an imposing aura!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and flashed his headmaster''s waist badge, "Are you sure you can drive me out?"


    "A headmaster''s waist badge? Are you the new headmaster?"


    An Rujing was taken aback for a moment and somewhat surprised but showed no reverence as she said indifferently, "So, it''s Headmaster Xiao. My apologies for not greeting you from afar. However, this is my classroom, and it''s hardly appropriate for Headmaster Xiao to barge in like this, is it?"


    An undeniable authority radiated from Xiao Yi, enveloping An Rujing as he sneered, "I am the headmaster of Xiaoshanhe Institute; there''s nowhere I cannot go. Besides, had I not happened to come here today, would I have had to watch impassively as a genius student from my Xiaoshanhe Institute was destroyed by your hands?"


    "Genius student?"


    An Rujing was taken aback again and pointing to Ye Heng in the corner she asked, "Is he the one Headmaster Xiao refers to?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Correct!"


    "Hahaha..."


    "The new headmaster actually says Ye Heng is a genius?"


    "Headmaster, are you sure you''re not mistaken about the person?"


    Ye Tian looked at Ye Heng with contempt, "This person is called Ye Heng, and at fifteen he''s only at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, hardly different from trash. How could he possibly be a genius?"


    An Rujing watched with a cold gaze, her eyes thick with provocation as she looked at Xiao Yi.


    Even the disciples think Ye Heng is trash.


    And you, the grand headmaster, claim he''s a genius?


    I''d like to see how you get yourself out of this one!


    Xiao Yi, however, was staring at An Rujing and asked, "Mr. An also thinks Ye Heng is trash?"


    An Rujing shrugged her shoulders, "The facts speak for themselves!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept across all those present as he asked, "In your view, who in this Zen Martial Hall is a genius?"


    An Rujing pointed at Ye Tian, who straightened up cooperatively, and she continued, "This person is called Ye Tian, he''s Ye Heng''s kinsman and even half a month younger than Ye Heng. Yet he is now at the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, while Ye Heng is merely at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm..."


    "Ye Tian? Fifteen and in the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, indeed not bad. However..."


    Xiao Yi gestured for Ye Heng to come over to his side and said lightly, "I still think Ye Heng is the one with the highest talent here!"


    An Rujing scoffed, "You''re the headmaster, whatever you say goes!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "You disagree?"


    "Heh heh..."


    An Rujing pointed at the people inside the Zen Martial Hall, "The headmaster can ask them if they agree with your opinion!"


    "Ye Tian is the strongest!"


    "What''s a Ye Heng compared to Ye Tian? Does he even deserve to be compared?"


    Hearing the words of the crowd, An Rujing smiled sarcastically, "Headmaster, you''ve heard it. It seems no one shares your opinion!"


    "Ye Heng, how do you think you compare to Ye Tian?" Xiao Yi asked, looking down at Ye Heng who only reached his chest.


    Ye Heng was startled, then looked up at Xiao Yi, his clear eyes sparkling with emotion.


    From a young age...


    He had always been the least regarded in his family, and even after coming to the Xiaoshanhe Institute it was the same. Whether it was family members, fellow disciples, or teachers, everyone focused on Ye Tian and habitually ignored him.


    This was the first time someone had placed such trust in him!


    Ye Heng took a deep breath, and said emphatically, "I am stronger than him!"


    "Hahaha, that''s hilarious, Ye Heng, oh Ye Heng, who gave you such courage?"


    "Your skin is really thick!"


    Ye Tian''s face was full of mockery as he gave Ye Heng a thumbs-up and then slowly turned it downward, haughtily saying, "Ye Heng, you will never catch up to me in this lifetime!" S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Heng clenched his teeth tightly.


    Xiao Yi patted Ye Heng''s shoulder and said, "Ye Heng, I have a way to help you surpass Ye Tian within seven days, but it''s extremely painful. Are you willing to try it?"


    "Surpass Ye Tian in seven days?"


    Ye Heng was stunned, recalling all the years he had been oppressed by Ye Tian, how everyone had discarded him like a worn-out shoe. Clenching his fists tightly, he nodded firmly and said, "I am willing! My mother used to say, ''To be superior, one must endure hardship.'' I am not afraid of suffering!"


    "Good!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, looked at An Rujing, and said, "Mr. An, didn''t you say that talent determines everything? Starting today, I''ll be guiding Ye Heng, and you will mentor Ye Tian with all your might. Let them face off after seven days. Do you dare?"


    Ye Heng looked up at Ye Tian, "Ye Tian, do you dare accept my challenge?"


    Ye Tian, full of self-confidence, sneered, "What''s there to fear? It wouldn''t matter if you had seven days, seven years, or even seventy years, you could never catch up to me!"


    "Since the headmaster is interested, I am happy to oblige to the end!" An Rujing narrowed her eyes, revealing a playful smile, "But since it''s a competition, there naturally should be stakes. If Ye Tian wins, I want you to publicly apologize to me!"


    Xiao Yi replied, "No problem! And if you lose, you''ll have to apologize to Ye Heng!"


    "Mr. An, don''t worry, I can''t possibly lose!" Ye Tian said confidently.


    An Rujing nodded and said, "Agreed. After seven days, at the martial arts field, we will see who is better!"


    "Ye Heng, let''s go!"


    Ye Heng followed closely behind, and the two of them strode away.


    Ye Tian stepped forward and confidently said to Mr. An, "Don''t worry, I won''t let you down!"


    "Hmm!"


    An Rujing nodded, then squinted her eyes and muttered to herself, "Hasn''t Chen been looking for an opportunity to deal with him all this time? Isn''t this a perfect opportunity?"


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi took Ye Heng back to his residence.


    The two stared at each other.


    Feeling somewhat uneasy, Ye Heng said, "Head, Headmaster, can I really defeat Ye Tian in seven days?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Weren''t you very confident just now? How come you''ve lost faith in yourself?"


    Ye Heng replied with a bitter smile, "Wasn''t I provoked by Ye Tian? My mother always said that a man should never show weakness, and if you can''t accept it, just fight it out! But... I''m only at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, while he''s at the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm, and there are only seven days..."


    What can you really get done in seven days?


    Even with the help of medicinal pills, at most he could advance to the Eighth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, right?


    How could he possibly defeat Ye Tian?


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder and said, "Take on the spirit you had at the Zen Martial Hall. It''s just the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, isn''t it? If you can''t even defeat Ye Tian, how can you talk about surpassing Xiao Tianjiao..."


    Ye Heng bit his teeth and nodded, "Right, what''s there to fear? A man should never back down, if you can''t accept it, just fight it out!"


    "Hahaha, well said!"


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder in satisfaction, his lips curling slightly upward as he looked in the direction of the west wing, "Chen Shuiwen, I''ve made my move, now it''s your turn!"

 Chapter 223 - 223: The Desire to Win

    Ye Heng''s seven-day challenge to Ye Tian quickly spread throughout the entire Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Among the many new disciples, Ye Tian was quite a famous talent, and not a few knew of him.


    In contrast, Ye Heng was unremarkable.


    Many hadn''t even heard his name.


    After some inquiries, learning that Ye Heng, at fifteen, was only at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, everyone''s first thought was that Ye Heng had gone mad.


    Until news came out...


    It was the newly appointed President of the Xiaoshanhe Institute who had Ye Heng challenge Ye Tian.


    The consensus then was that Xiao Yi had gone mad!


    Seven days, ah!


    Even with the aid of elixirs, it was impossible for a waste at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm to catch up to a genius at the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm.


    "Could the new president have gone completely mad?"


    "It''s the delusion of a madman, if Ye Heng can defeat Ye Tian, I''ll twist off my head and let him use it as a stool!"


    Similar sentiments echoed throughout the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Meanwhile...


    An Rujing was bringing Ye Tian before Chen Shuiwen.


    Chen Shuiwen, with a satisfied look, let his gaze sweep over An Rujing and Ye Tian and chuckled, "Mr. An, you''ve done quite well this time."


    "Thank you for the compliment, President!" An Rujing said serenely.


    Chen Shuiwen nodded and narrowed his eyes, "From now on, Ye Tian will cultivate with me!"


    An Rujing''s cultivation was at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, still a distance away from the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Chen Shuiwen, however, was genuinely at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, only a step away from the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Having Chen Shuiwen personally mentor Ye Tian was definitely more suitable than cultivating under An Rujing.


    An Rujing smiled and said, "With the President personally taking charge, it will surely be within our grasp."


    "Hahaha..."


    Chen Shuiwen laughed proudly; he had been looking for an opportunity to deal with Xiao Yi but hadn''t found an opening. Now with the agreed battle between Ye Tian and Ye Heng, it was like a pillow had arrived for his drowsiness. Contemplating this, he then handed a brocade box to An Rujing, "Inside is a Divine Passage Elixir, which can increase the chance of breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm by thirty percent."


    "Thank you, President!" An Rujing showed a look of excitement.


    At this moment, the Divine Passage Elixir was a six-star elixir, incredibly precious. Even at her level of the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, her entire fortune was barely enough to afford such an elixir.


    Chen Shuiwen said indifferently, "As long as you are loyal to me, you won''t be short of what you deserve!"


    An Rujing nodded firmly.


    Chen Shuiwen then turned to look at Ye Tian, who was somewhat restrained, and stroked his chin with a playful expression, "Little fellow, you''d better not disappoint me!"


    Ye Tian quickly patted his chest, full of confidence, and assured, "Don''t worry, President Chen, I''ve been with Ye Heng since we were kids, and he has never won a fight against me. Now, with President Chen''s personal guidance, the gap between him and me will only widen. In the battle after seven days, I am completely confident I can win!"


    For the past fifteen years, Ye Tian had bullied Ye Heng quite a bit.


    All along.


    In his eyes, Ye Heng was like an ant, easily crushed at any time.


    Chen Shuiwen laughed heartily, "Good, very good! Ye Tian, go back and pack up, then move over here. You will be staying with me for these seven days!"


    "Yes!"


    Ye Tian stepped back, his face flush with excitement.


    If he could gain Chen Shuiwen''s approval within these seven days and become his disciple, that would be like a carp leaping through the dragon''s gate!


    After Ye Tian left, he turned to An Rujing beside him, "Mr. An, please prepare a batch of invitations for me, and send them to the nobles within the imperial capital. This will be our Institute Head Xiao''s first time giving guidance since taking office, and it cannot be too lackluster!"


    An Rujing gave a sweet smile, "Director, rest assured, leave this to me. I will make sure everyone knows about the battle in seven days!"


    "Hahaha..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s fingers gently tapped on the table surface, his eyes twinkling with slyness and a cold gleam, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, you''ve really brought this upon yourself!" sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    Inside the eastern wing room.


    Xiao Yi and others sat in a circle, while Ye Heng stood in the small courtyard in front of them, maintaining a very peculiar posture under the moonlight that enveloped him.


    "Xiao, this Xiaoshanhe Institute is utterly corrupt. When we went there to check the accounts, they first used various excuses to prevent us from viewing the ledger and settled us in the front courtyard. It was just the time it took to drink a cup of tea when the backyard caught on fire, and all the ledgers were burnt to ashes..." Yan Mingli clenched his fists tightly, his face filled with rage.


    Yu Huaxian nodded and said, "When I was the supervisor of the Eastern Factory, I also investigated many cases of corruption and fraud, but even those high-ranking officials would not dare destroy evidence and corpses so blatantly!"


    Xue Bufan, the old man, however, was much calmer, speaking indifferently, "Chen Shuiwen has been running the Xiaoshanhe Institute for decades, turning it into an iron fortress. We simply can''t intervene. Now we can only hope that this young fellow can help us break the stalemate!"


    The group looked toward the courtyard.


    Ever since they''d returned, they found Ye Heng maintaining that posture.


    Three hours had passed, and Ye Heng was drenched in sweat with pale lips, yet he meticulously maintained his stance.


    Xiao Yi stroked his chin and said, "For the upcoming period, we don''t need to do anything. Let''s wait until after seven days to discuss further!"


    "Xiao, with just seven days, can this young man really do it?" Yu Huaxian asked worriedly.


    Ye Heng was only at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, while Ye Tian was at the Third Layer of the Shentong Realm.


    There was already a vast gap between them.


    Moreover, to ensure victory, Chen Shuiwen would surely utilize all resources to nurture Ye Tian.


    He might even resort to forcing growth, trading Ye Tian''s future for a short-term burst of power.


    Xue Bufan squinted his eyes and said, "I do have a few elixirs that could allow him to break through to the Shentong Realm in the shortest time possible, but doing so would mean he would be stuck in the Shentong Realm for the rest of his life..."


    The group turned to look at Xiao Yi.


    To them, the only way to make a Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm practitioner capable of defeating a Third Layer of the Shentong Realm master within seven days was to stimulate his potential at all costs. Although this could ruin Ye Heng''s future, what was most important to them at the moment was to break the stalemate.


    Xiao Yi had been watching Ye Heng standing outside the door, not answering directly, but instead saying, "It''s almost four hours now. I just told him that if he wants to defeat Ye Tian, he should maintain this posture, and he didn''t ask why but just did it!"


    The group was startled.


    Following Xiao Yi''s gaze to the courtyard.


    In the dim moonlight of the courtyard, Ye Heng meticulously kept the exact posture, utterly still.


    Even when mosquitoes landed on him and bit him, he didn''t move a muscle.


    All this because he possessed a heart set on victory!


    The group couldn''t help but fall silent.


    "I''ll take him out for a bit. We''ll come back after seven days!"


    Xiao Yi slowly stood up, stretching his limbs gently as he walked toward the door. As his left foot crossed the threshold, it paused slightly, and his calm voice echoed in everyone''s ears, "Seven days may be short, yet they are enough to create a miracle!"

 Chapter 224 - 224 Four Symbols Spiritual Blood

    Great Liang Mountain.


    This place was located a thousand and three hundred miles from the imperial capital; even with Xiao Yi''s speed, it took a full three hours.


    Within the vast mountains.


    Xiao Yi looked at Ye Heng in front of him and said, "For the next seven days, we will be spending our time here."


    "Principal, what should I do?" Ye Heng asked with burning eyes.


    Just a moment ago, Xiao Yi had taken him to soar through the sky, and that feeling of looking down upon the world had left him utterly captivated.


    Xiao Yi said, "You just need to do as I tell you, without needing to know too much!"


    "Yes!"


    Ye Heng nodded heavily.


    For fifteen years.


    Apart from his mother, Xiao Yi was the first person, and the only one, who truly cared for him.


    In Ye Heng''s heart, he had long accepted Xiao Yi.


    Even if Xiao Yi now told him that he needed to exhaust all his potential and fight Ye Tian in seven days, he would agree without any hesitation.


    Xiao Yi spoke in a serious tone, "You should be aware of the gap between yourself and Ye Tian, which is why I have tailored a cultivation plan just for you in the next seven days. This cultivation plan will be extremely brutal for you. I''ll ask you one more time, are you really willing to try it?"


    "I am!"


    Ye Heng said solemnly.


    His clear eyes were filled with an unwavering will to fight.


    Xiao Yi nodded, took out a set of specially made clothes and shoes from the storage ring; these were treasures obtained from the treasury of the Great Jin Kingdom.


    The entire set was made from silkworm threads infused with Xuan Heavy Stone.


    It seemed light and thin but was actually quite hefty.


    This set of clothes and shoes together weighed a full thousand pounds.


    Xiao Yi threw this set of Xuan Heavy clothing to Ye Heng. Caught off guard, Ye Heng almost knelt to the ground under the weight of the clothes, his face filled with astonishment and shock: "Prin... Principal, what material is this clothing made of? Why is it so heavy?"


    "This is Xuan Heavy clothing. Starting now, unless I tell you to take it off, you cannot remove it��whether you''re eating, sleeping, or training!" Xiao Yi said gravely.


    This set of Xuan Heavy clothing was worth a fortune.


    Don''t be fooled by its weight of over a thousand pounds; it was soft and comfortable due to the weaving of silkworm thread, warm in winter and cool in summer.


    Ye Heng quickly changed into the Xuan Heavy clothing.


    This Xuan Heavy clothing was extremely heavy; even with Ye Heng''s Seventh Layer of Qi Gathering Realm cultivation, he felt as if he was filled with lead when wearing this set of clothes. Even the most routine movements became incredibly difficult. Ye Heng, with a face as if on the verge of tears, said, "Principal, this Xuan Heavy clothing is truly too heavy."


    "You''ll gradually get used to it!"


    Xiao Yi looked up at the depths of Great Liang Mountain deep; Little Lin followed his arm down to the ground, "Little Lin, from now on, you supervise Ye Heng and make sure he completes all the training tasks I have given him!"


    "Don''t worry, Big Boss, I''ll keep a close eye on him!" Little Lin''s tail lifted, pointed at Ye Heng, and then at its own eyes.


    Xiao Yi was very assured with Little Lin watching over this place.


    Xiao Yi then left quickly and headed toward the depths of Great Liang Mountain.


    Little Lin perched on Ye Heng''s shoulder, sticking out its tongue and said, "Kid, from now on, you''re in Little Master''s hands; we''ll start with the first training item, run around this valley for me! Listen up, if you''re too slow, watch out for a whipping from me!"


    Smack smack!


    Little Lin suddenly flicked its tail, sending out two bursts of air that chiseled two dozens-of-meters-long cracks into the rock face.


    Hiss!


    Ye Heng was so scared that his scalp tingled and he hurriedly broke into a run.


    Only...


    He was now wearing the Xuan Heavy clothing, equivalent to carrying a thousand pounds of weight. For Ye Heng, who was only at the Seventh Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, the burden was still enormous. His pace was uneven and slow, but luckily, Ye Heng''s will was extremely tenacious. Having been despised and bullied since childhood, he valued every opportunity to grow stronger greatly.


    He didn''t need Little Lin''s urging; he would give it his all regardless.


    The valley was more than a thousand meters in circumference.


    Ye Heng ran laps around the valley.


    One lap.


    Two laps.


    Three laps...


    By the end, even Ye Heng himself didn''t know exactly how many laps he had run; his face had turned pale, stars danced before his eyes, and his will nearly collapsed, holding on through sheer determination. With each lift of his legs, pain tore through him as if ripping his heart and lungs out, large beads of sweat rolled down, having already soaked his clothes through and through.


    Panting! Panting! Panting!


    The only sounds left in Ye Heng''s ears were his heartbeat and heavy breathing.


    Little Lin perched on a rock nearby, nodding slightly, "No wonder the boss values him so highly. Just by this will alone, it''s destined that this kid''s future achievements are boundless!"


    If martial artists are likened to an army,


    cultivation is the soldier, but will is the commander.


    Though the number of soldiers can decide the outcome of many battles, as long as the commander is strong enough, there''s still a chance to stage a comeback from the weaker side against the strong. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi''s figure returned to the valley, with a corpse of an armored boar on his shoulder. He glanced at Ye Heng who was still persistently running, one step shallow, one step deep, "How long have you been running?"


    "Since you left, he hasn''t stopped; by now, it''s already over one hundred and sixty laps!" Little Lin cocked its head, thinking and speaking.


    One lap is over one thousand meters, meaning that Ye Heng had continued to run for over a hundred thousand meters, even with over a thousand catties weighing in his belly.


    Even though his speed was not fast, the fact that he had held on until now was already very impressive!


    Xiao Yi tossed the beast to Little Lin, "You roast it; I''m going to apply medicine to the kid first!"


    This extreme training was highly effective but the training content and intensity were still secondary; the biggest reason Xiao Yi had confidence that Ye Heng would defeat Ye Tian within seven days was due to Ye Heng''s special physique and a way in Xiao Yi''s inheritance from the Wind Thunder Venerable to stimulate Ye Heng''s potential.


    "Ye Heng, you can stop now!" Xiao Yi said.


    "..."


    As if he heard nothing, Ye Heng continued to run forward.


    Xiao Yi was stunned, then realized that Ye Heng''s eyes had already lost focus, relying entirely on will to keep going; he couldn''t help but admire, "Good lad, just as said in the Wind Thunder Venerable''s medical canon, those with this kind of physique have unexpectedly strong wills. Kid, stop for me!"


    With a wave of his hand through the air, Xiao Yi stopped Ye Heng and tossed him into the lake on one side of the valley.


    Hissss!


    The cold lake water stimulated him, gradually bringing back Ye Heng''s consciousness, but he was exhausted to the point of being unable to move his arms. The profound heavy clothing made him especially heavy, and his body involuntarily sank towards the bottom of the lake.


    Luckily, Xiao Yi promptly reached out and pulled him up, looking at the weakened Ye Heng, Xiao Yi took out four jars.


    They contained the blood of beasts previously hunted deep within Great Liang Mountain: Green-eyed White-foreheaded Tiger, Purple Crowned Golden Python, Camel Mountain Tortoise, and Red-bellied Brocade Chicken. These four beasts were descendants of Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Turtle, the Four Symbols Divine Beasts, each carrying a trace of Divine Blood.


    Mixing the blood of these four beasts together, it was known as Four Symbols Spiritual Blood. Although it was not as potent as the fabled Divine Blood of the Four Symbols Divine Beasts, it was still ample for Ye Heng, who was only at the Seventh Layer of Qi Gathering Realm.


    Of course.


    Apart from the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood, Xiao Yi had added a multitude of medicinal herbs for healing and recovery into the mixture.


    Only through this could he stimulate the awakening of Ye Heng''s physique while negating the fatigue from a day of strenuous cultivation.


    "Master... Master..."


    Ye Heng opened his mouth, squeezing out a forced smile.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "It''s going to hurt a bit; bear with it."


    "Mm!"


    Ye Heng weakly nodded his head.


    Xiao Yi applied the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood mixed with the medicinal herbs onto his body.


    At first, the reaction was mild, eliciting only a slight feeling of heat.


    But before long...


    As the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood began to take effect, Ye Heng''s eyes suddenly widened, his hands and feet desperately pushed back, veins pulsating wildly, eyes bloodshot, and he opened his mouth wide but was utterly unable to make a sound.


    Little Lin gasped, "Boss, isn''t this too painful?"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, "This is just the beginning. Whether he can withstand it or not is up to him now..."

 Chapter 225 - 225: Jade Fetal Elixir

    ```


    Roar!


    In the valley, there came a series of hysterical agonizing cries.


    "Ugh ah..."


    "So painful, so painful..."


    "Ye Heng, hold on, Ye Heng..."


    In the valley.


    The ground where Ye Heng was located had been completely smoothed out, covered with traces of struggle, as well as countless claw marks from fingers.


    Even on the hard stone, there were claw marks all over.


    Utterly terrifying.


    It was hard to imagine the extreme pain he had endured.


    The Four Symbols Spiritual Blood in Ye Heng''s body had changed from dark red to a bright red color, shiny like magma, with waves of heat sweeping through. His entire body seemed to be immersed in magma; the intense pain was as though countless bloodthirsty ants were crawling on him, gnawing at his flesh.


    The pain was penetrating to the core, heartrending and soul tearing.


    Little Lin could no longer bear to watch and had curled up in Xiao Yi''s embrace, poking out her little head, "Boss, how much longer will this take?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at the time, "The first time takes longer, probably about the time it takes an incense stick to burn!"


    "Alright then!"


    Little Lin sighed, "Boss, what kind of physique does Ye Heng actually have? Just to awaken his potential, it has to be this troublesome?"


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help feeling a bit envious when Ye Heng''s physique was mentioned, "This little guy has quite a domineering body! It''s even stronger than my Wind Thunder Holy Body, the Battle War Holy Body, which is made for combat. It ranks sixth among the top ten holy bodies. However, under normal circumstances, the Battle War Holy Body will not awaken on its own. It requires the use of special methods to stimulate the body''s potential to fully unleash it!"


    When Xiao Yi first saw Ye Heng, he was only impressed by his drive.


    It wasn''t until Xiao Yi saw Ye Heng fighting Ye Tian at the Zen Martial Hall that he realized Ye Heng''s body was very likely the Battle War Holy Body mentioned in the Pharmacopoeia by the Wind Thunder Venerable.


    That was the start of Ye Heng''s seven-day challenge with Ye Tian!


    "I see!"


    Little Lin had an epiphany, "That''s what I thought. If he was really just an ordinary person, no matter how miraculous Boss''s methods are, unless forcing growth by overfeeding and recklessly improving his cultivation, it wouldn''t be possible in just seven days to give him the strength to defeat Ye Tian!"


    Seven days was indeed too short.


    Even Xiao Yi, after immersing himself in the Physical Body Realm for ten years and building a foundation, took nearly a month to break through to the Shentong Realm.


    After an incense stick had burned down.


    Finally, Ye Heng slowly stopped screaming, lying on the ground and twitching slightly, the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood on his body completely absorbed.


    "You go wake him up," Xiao Yi said.


    Little Lin glided forward and patted Ye Heng''s face with her tail. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Woo..."


    Ye Heng struggled to open his eyes and looked around vaguely, "Am I, am I not dead? Am I still alive?"


    It was almost unbearable pain just now!


    He thought he was surely going to die several times!


    Little Lin rolled her eyes, not pleased, "You''re not dead, you''re quite alive! Get up now, dinner is ready, hurry up and eat to continue training tonight!"


    "Eh? There''s still training tonight?" Ye Heng looked confused.


    Little Lin said without amusement, "Seven days, you only have seven days!"


    Ye Heng: "..."


    He struggled to his feet, shakily walked over to the bonfire, and eyed the roasted pig weighing around five hundred pounds, swallowing his saliva.


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi split the roasted pig into three portions; he kept two pounds for himself, Little Lin got over three hundred pounds, and the remaining nearly two hundred pounds were placed in front of Ye Heng, Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "The next part of your training is to eat all of this!"


    ```


    Gulp!


    Ye Heng swallowed hard, "Head, headmaster, you aren''t joking, are you? This, this is over two hundred pounds..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If I tell you to eat, you eat!"


    "..."


    Ye Heng wanted to cry but had no tears. Staring at the roasted pig in front of him, heavier than himself, he swallowed his saliva and had no choice but to brace himself and start eating. However, what Ye Heng did not expect was that he was eating voraciously without feeling full at all, as if the meat vanished immediately upon entering his stomach.


    Ten pounds.


    Twenty pounds.


    Thirty pounds...


    His speed of eating meat was almost on par with Little Lin''s, leaving Little Lin staring dumbfounded, "My goodness, isn''t this more of a Gluttonous Holy Body rather than a Battle War Holy Body?"


    Xiao Yi said flatly, "The Battle War Holy Body is born for battle. He has only been baptized with the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood once, simply unlocking part of the Battle War Holy Body''s abilities. His current digestion and absorption capacity is dozens of times stronger than before. Tonight, we''ll give him some magic pills to supplement with the meat of this armored boar. By tomorrow morning, he should be able to step into the Eighth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm and by tomorrow night reach the Ninth Layer... However, the Qi Gathering Realm is only the foundation; it''s much faster to pile up one''s cultivation level. The real key is the fourth day..."


    "The fourth day?"


    Little Lin looked at Xiao Yi with confusion.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "The Four Symbols Spiritual Blood can stimulate the potential of his Battle War Holy Body every day, but after all, this is not the pure blood of the Four Symbols Divine Beasts, and there are still flaws. The potential can be activated up to four times. Whether he succeeds or not will depend on the fourth day... If successful, the Battle War Holy Body will awaken; if not, this bet will most likely be lost!"


    The two of them looked in unison towards the Ye Heng who was gobbling down the two hundred pounds of meat and eagerly eyeing the piece in front of Little Lin.


    ......


    Meanwhile.


    Within the confines of Xiaoshanhe Institute...


    Chen Shuiwen sat before Ye Tian, with seven jade vials placed in front of Ye Tian. Each vial contained a precious five-star magic pill, any one of which was incredibly valuable.


    Chen Shuiwen said solemnly, "Ye Tian, you should take one of these pills every day. In seven days, your cultivation level should at least rise to the Sixth Layer of the Divine Skill Realm. Coupled with the sword techniques and martial skills I''ve prepared for you, I believe you will surely defeat Ye Heng in seven days. You must not disappoint me. As long as you win against Ye Heng, you will become my recognized disciple!"


    "Headmaster, rest assured, I will definitely not let you down!" said Ye Tian earnestly.


    Excitement and fervor filled his eyes.


    This was a magnificent opportunity for him to leap into prominence!


    As long as he became Chen Shuiwen''s disciple, he could walk sideways in Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Seeing the excitement on Ye Tian''s face, Chen Shuiwen smiled and said, "Cultivate well here."


    "Yes!"


    Ye Tian nodded emphatically, opened a jade vial, and gulped down the pill, "Ye Heng? Just a piece of trash, and like before, I will crush you beneath my feet!"


    The pill entered his body and felt slightly cool.


    Transforming into pure medicinal power, it merged into his body. Ye Tian could clearly feel his vital energy circulating much faster. Overjoyed, he thought, "Worthy of a pill given to me by the headmaster, at this rate, I might even reach the Seventh Layer of the Divine Skill Realm in seven days..."


    Outside the secret chamber.


    Sun Zhengyi stood before Chen Shuiwen, bowing. Chen Shuiwen frowned and asked, "What did you say? Xiao Yi has disappeared with Ye Heng?"


    "Yes!"


    Sun Zhengyi nodded, with cold sweat on his forehead, and said with a grave voice, "Xiao Yi is too fast, our people couldn''t catch up."


    "Never mind!"


    Chen Shuiwen waved his hand dismissively, his eyes narrowing into slits, radiating a cold light, "Even if he has the power to turn the tide, what does it matter if Ye Heng breaks through to the Divine Skill Realm in seven days? I''ve spent a great price to buy seven Jade Fetal Elixirs. Seven days are enough for Ye Tian to at least step into the Sixth Layer of the Divine Skill Realm. Unless a miracle happens, Ye Heng has no chance of winning!"


    "Jade Fetal Elixir? Headmaster, with Ye Tian taking this pill, not only will his progress be confined to the Divine Skill Realm for life, but his lifespan will also shorten to only ten years. This..." Sun Zhengyi inhaled sharply.


    Chen Shuiwen waved his hand, "Great undertakings are not bogged down by trifles. Besides, there are still ten years, aren''t there?"


    Sun Zhengyi opened his mouth but changed the subject, "Headmaster, Mr. An has already sent out the invites. By then, most of the capital''s elite will be here. Officials like Li and Tian will also be present to witness the fight..."


    "Well done with this task!"


    Chen Shuiwen stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing coldly, "Seven more days... I''m already getting impatient!"

 Chapter 226 - 226 Battle War Holy Body

    The setting sun descended, and the red glow set the sky ablaze, enveloping the entire Great Liang Mountain.


    Above the sky, a gigantic eagle with massive wings skimmed the air, its sharp talons drawn up into its belly as its eagle eyes, capable of seeing through dozens of miles, rotated smoothly.


    Within its golden pupils reflected the image of a mountain valley.


    A young man clad in black armor tightly bound by two iron chains, each as thick as an arm and dozens of meters long, was tied at the other end to four armored boars. Each boar weighed over a thousand jins, covered in black armor with tusks like spears. These tough-skinned and formidable beasts were unusually docile at the moment.


    They were desperately running in the opposite direction to the young man.


    These four armored boars were lower tier second realm monstrous beasts, comparable to the first layer of the Divine Passage Realm in strength, with incredibly tough hides and supernatural strength.


    When charging at full speed, even warriors of the third layer of the Divine Passage Realm couldn''t stop them.


    But now��


    Despite the four armored boars frenziedly sprinting, they still couldn''t impede the young man''s progress and were forcibly dragged behind.


    The young man''s speed kept increasing.


    This caused the four armored boars to scream continuously as their iron hooves carved deep trenches into the ground.


    Cheep cheep!


    The eagle''s gaze swept over the valley and spotted a person and a snake sitting to the side, causing its entire body to tremble as it hurriedly flapped its wings to fly away into the distance.


    Within the valley.


    Ye Heng, dragging the four armored boars, sprinted wildly with an iron chain in each hand.


    Merely four days'' time.


    Ye Heng''s body had undergone earth-shattering changes. Although his cultivation was only at the Tenth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm and he had not yet broken through to the Divine Passage Realm, the muscles on his body bulged conspicuously. Compared to his slightly leaner appearance before, the transformation was drastic, even sharpening the features of his face.


    The muscles on the arms that pulled the chains were particularly pronounced.


    In the midst of running, the muscles on his legs were chiseled and nearly perfect as well.


    Bang Bang Bang!


    Ye Heng''s speed continued to accelerate, and when all four armored boars had been dragged into unconsciousness, collapsing softly on the ground, he remained full of vigor and vitality.


    Xiao Yi stood up.


    Seeing this, Ye Heng also stopped, conscientiously carrying the armored boars to the side and methodically skinning and butchering them before setting them over a campfire. Then, with a leap, he plunged into a lake to let the icy water wash over his body before returning to Xiao Yi, his eyes brimming with excitement, "Principal, I''m ready!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and with a wave of his hand tossed four barrels of Four Symbols Spiritual Blood in front of him, "Today is the critical moment. The quantity of materials used is the sum of the past few days, and of course, the pain you will endure is tens of times that of the previous days. If you can withstand it, you will awaken the Battle War Holy Body. If you fail, you will never be able to awaken it in this lifetime!"


    "Ye Heng understands!" Ye Heng said solemnly.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Begin!"


    Ye Heng took a deep breath and clenched his fists.


    These four days had been longer than the fifteen years he had lived prior, but for Ye Heng, they were the days that would change his destiny.


    Every day, he could acutely feel the changes within himself.


    All this was thanks to Xiao Yi.


    "I absolutely cannot let the Principal down!" Gritting his teeth, Ye Heng rubbed the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood on his body and suddenly coiled the two chains tightly around himself, sealing his own body within them.


    After a moment...


    Ye Heng''s entire body tensed up, covered in a red glow.


    Half an incense stick later...


    Ye Heng''s body was trembling with bulging veins, drenched in a cold sweat, yet he gritted his teeth and held fast.


    After one incense stick of time...


    The two arm-thick iron chains were strained to their breaking point and snapped, and there he was, kneeling on the ground, repeatedly pounding his hands and head against the earth.


    The thudding echoed throughout the valley.


    The suppressed screams and roars of agony caused the monstrous beasts within a hundred miles to be terror-stricken, all fleeing in panic.


    Roar!


    Roar!


    Roar...


    Ye Heng kept screaming miserably, his roars shaking the heavens and making one''s scalp tingle.


    At the place where he knelt, the ground had already sunk deeply by four or five meters.


    Bloodied head, broken fingernails, shattered fingers.


    An image of extreme wretchedness.


    "Hold on..."


    "Ye Heng, hold on..." sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His voice had become incredibly hoarse, screaming to the point of exhaustion.


    "Hang in there!" Little Lin shouted softly.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, but his gaze never left Ye Heng.


    One hour.


    Two hours.


    This intense pain lasted for three full hours. As the blood-red glow on Ye Heng''s surface gradually faded, there was still no sign of him awakening the Battle War Holy Body, prompting Xiao Yi to sigh and say, "It seems like it''s still a failure..."


    Little Lin looked at Xiao Yi with concern: "Boss..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and smiled, "It doesn''t matter! Although he still hasn''t awakened the Battle War Holy Body, however..."


    Before he finished speaking.


    Ye Heng''s body suddenly shook, and as he finished absorbing the Four Symbols Spiritual Blood, a series of red glows suddenly burst forth from his body.


    The red light became more and more intense, already covering his entire body.


    "Break! Break! Break!"


    Ye Heng suddenly straightened his back, shuddered his arms behind him, let out a long howl to the sky, red beams burst from his seven apertures stretching towards the heavens, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"


    A series of low growls, deafening.


    Boom!


    The red light emanating from his body all converged into a soaring red pillar of light, connecting the heaven and earth. Within that red light pillar, the energy of heaven and earth surged madly towards Ye Heng, and his aura continued to rocket, climbing ever higher.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    His body made thunderous booming sounds as if he was beating a drum.


    Humm!


    The red glow around Ye Heng suddenly converged, and at the same moment, a gigantic blood-colored figure leaped out from within his body.


    This figure was towering and majestic, pitch black, with eyes a fiery red.


    Its massive body was like a mountain.


    "This is... the legendary Battle Saint Ape!" Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted, "This is the Innate Divine Ability of the Battle War Holy Body, the manifestation of the Battle Saint Ape! We''ve succeeded, we did it!"


    Little Lin looked at the black giant ape and swallowed: "Boss, I think this monkey is really strong!"


    "The real Battle Saint Ape is an existence that stands shoulder to shoulder with the Four Symbols Divine Beasts like Azure Dragon and White Tiger!" Xiao Yi nodded, unable to hide his excitement.


    The imposing giant ape entered Ye Heng''s body.


    Ye Heng slumped in the deep pit.


    Little Lin''s expression changed: "He''s alright, isn''t he?"


    Xiao Yi said, "He''s just extremely tired. Let him have a good rest tonight, for now, he has awakened the Battle War Holy Body, and from tomorrow on, he can start the second round of actual combat training. The Battle War Holy Body is born for battle, and it can grow fastest in combat. I wonder what their faces will look like in seven days when they find out that Ye Heng is the Battle War Holy Body among the ten great sacred bodies!"

 Chapter 227 - 227: A Man Should Commit Murder!

    As the seven-day appointment between Ye Tian and Ye Heng drew near,


    news of this battle had already spread throughout the imperial capital, from high-ranking nobles down to common peddlers, almost everyone was talking about this fight.


    After all��


    everyone knew that this battle was not just between two disciples, but also a contest between Xiao Yi and Chen Shuiwen.


    Whoever won


    would gain an advantage in the upcoming struggle for control over Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    "Have you heard? Chen has been cultivating Ye Tian with all his might, and it seems he has already broken through to the Sixth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, with a very likely chance of entering the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm before the duel!"


    "It''s unbelievable, in just six days, Ye Tian has broken through from the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm to the Sixth Layer. Advancing one layer every two days, such a speed of cultivation, we couldn''t catch up even if we were on horseback!"


    "Is there any news from Xiao Yi''s side?"


    "Not a single word��"


    "Could it be that he''s afraid of losing face and has run off?"


    "Hahaha��"


    The crowd laughed together.


    On the wide street, a luxurious carriage slowly passed by, and sitting inside, Li Shengtian smiled coldly as he listened to the passersby''s conversations, "Tian Xiao, it seems that this Xiao, whom His Majesty holds in high esteem, is going to take a fall this time!"


    Tian Xiao stroked his beard, chuckling, "I heard that His Majesty will be sending Prince Yang Ling to supervise the battle at Xiaoshanhe Institute tomorrow. We shall have quite a show to watch!"


    "Indeed!"


    Li Shengtian said with a gleeful smile, "These past few days, this official has been tossing and turning in bed, all for the sake of witnessing Xiao Yi''s embarrassment!"


    Tian Xiao spoke solemnly, "What about this official? When I heard the news, I was so angry that I punished my newly taken concubine!"


    "Hahaha��"


    Meanwhile��


    Within the grand imperial palace,


    Emperor Qian glanced over the memorial, without looking up, and said indifferently, "In tomorrow''s battle, your duty is to oversee, not to intervene!"


    Yang Ling replied respectfully, "Your child obeys the order!"


    "You may withdraw now!"


    After sending Yang Ling away, Emperor Qian placed the memorial on the desk and, playing with the ring on his thumb, muttered, "Xiao Yi, how will you break the situation this time?"


    ......


    In the depths of Great Liang Mountain,


    Monstrous beasts roamed rampant, and Ye Heng traveled through the forest.


    Ever since awakening the Battle War Holy Body, his cultivation speed had increased by dozens of times. In just two days, with Xiao Yi''s elixirs and the constant battles with beasts, Ye Heng had already broken through to the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    Ye Tian''s method of rushing cultivation at the expense of potential, advancing one layer every two days, had been highly praised.


    If people knew about Ye Heng advancing one layer a day, they would probably be dumbfounded!


    These two days, he continuously hunted monstrous beasts, and each was specially prepared by Xiao Yi; every beast required his full effort in a life-and-death struggle to defeat. Between life and death, there was great terror but also great opportunity, and it was in these life-and-death battles that Ye Heng''s actual combat experience skyrocketed.


    With his current strength, even without invoking his Innate Divine Ability, the Battle Saint Ape, he could easily defeat a Sixth Layer of Divine Skill Realm opponent.


    Roar!


    A Yin-Yang Leopard suddenly appeared in front of Ye Heng, displaying a mix of black and white. The Yin-Yang Leopard, a third-tier junior monstrous beast, was comparable to the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. Especially adept at sneak attacks, it pounced like a starving tiger toward Ye Heng, who seemed to be unprepared, but Ye Heng suddenly contracted his body at the last moment, avoiding the Yin-Yang Leopard''s sharp teeth.


    In the instant the Yin-Yang Leopard and he brushed past each other, Ye Heng''s hands shot out, grabbing the hind legs of the leopard.


    He threw his arms forcefully toward the ground!


    Thud!


    Amidst a loud crashing noise, the Yin-Yang Leopard was fiercely slammed to the ground, Ye Heng flipped onto the back of the leopard, holding tightly to its ears, and then his fists hammered down hard on its head.


    Thump thump thump!


    After a dozen punches, the Yin-Yang Leopard''s head burst open, dead for certain.


    Ye Heng wiped the blood on his hands onto the fur of the Yin-Yang Leopard, and as his stomach growled loudly, he couldn''t help but touch his belly and decided to start a bonfire to roast meat on the side.


    Ever since awakening the Battle War Holy Body, Ye Heng''s appetite had become even more frightful.


    He now consumed over five hundred pounds of meat each meal!


    Moreover, all the meat he consumed was perfectly transformed into strength; although he was eating, it was actually akin to cultivating whilst eating.


    Roast meat on the rack.


    Suddenly...


    Urgent footsteps sounded from ahead, and a bloodied young man ran out. Upon seeing Ye Heng, a look of ecstasy appeared on his face, and he rushed towards Ye Heng, "Brother, save me, please save me..."


    The young man ran straight to Ye Heng''s side and moved behind him.


    At the same time.


    Four figures followed closely, each fierce and vicious, staring at them with greedy eyes and sneering, "Kid, I advise you mind your own business and hand him over to me. Otherwise, this big brother will kill you too!"


    The nervous young man behind Ye Heng said, "Brother, you mustn''t believe them. I went into the mountains with the village hunting team, and these guys coveted our game. They killed all the people in our village and wanted to silence me as well. Please, help me..."


    "Murder for loot?" Sear?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Heng frowned and looked up at the four men, "Get lost quickly, or don''t blame me for being rude!"


    "Hahaha, you wet-behind-the-ears brat, you haven''t even grown all your hair yet, dare to meddle in this big brother''s business?"


    "Brothers, let''s slaughter him!"


    The four charged at Ye Heng.


    Among them, the strongest was only in the Fifth Layer of the Divine Skill Realm; they naturally stood no chance against Ye Heng. After several rounds of fighting, the four lay on the ground wailing. Ye Heng spoke indifferently, "Get lost!"


    "You little punk, just you wait..."


    The four glared at him with resentment.


    The young man''s eyes rapidly shifted as he seized the opportunity to come close to Ye Heng, saying excitedly, "Thank you for rescuing me, brother. If it weren''t for you, I would surely be dead under their knives."


    "No need to be polite..."


    As Ye Heng was speaking, he suddenly caught a flash of silvery cold light in the corner of his eye.


    Whoosh!


    The young man''s face still wore a smile, but his eyes were filled with ferocity and coldness. He thrust a dagger towards Ye Heng''s waist.


    "Not good!"


    Ye Heng''s complexion turned pale.


    He was completely unguarded, and at such close distance, the stab could not be avoided.


    Just when he was in despair...


    A blast of vital energy shot forth.


    Clang!


    It shattered the dagger, sending the young man''s entire arm bursting apart, and he lay on the ground alongside the four robbers, wailing in agony.


    Ye Heng, still shaken, looked at the figure that appeared before him, "Director... Director..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Do you realize that if it wasn''t for me, you would be dead by now!"


    "Director, I..."


    Ye Heng bowed his head in shame.


    Xiao Yi, with an icy expression, said, "You made two mistakes in this battle. Do you know which two?"


    Ye Heng nodded, "First, I shouldn''t have trusted a stranger so easily; second, I didn''t kill those four immediately to prevent future troubles, giving him an opportunity to exploit..."


    "Ye Heng, remember the lesson of today. As a man in this world, you should kill. Treating your enemies with mercy will only become a weapon for your enemies to use against you!" Xiao Yi said solemnly.


    He had sensed the presence of the five individuals as soon as they appeared.


    But he did not make a move.


    It was to let Ye Heng understand the perilous nature of the human heart.


    Xiao Yi said, "You know what to do now, right?"


    "I know!"


    Ye Heng nodded firmly, stepped forward boldly, and disposed of the five people one by one under their terrified gazes.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "That''s enough cultivation for today. Go home, take the medicinal pills, and try to break through to the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. Return to Xiaoshanhe Institute early tomorrow..."

 Chapter 228 - 228: The Gap Is Too Big!

    Imperial Dragon Mountain, Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Besides the days of ancestral worship ceremonies, today was the busiest day of the year for Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Below Imperial Dragon Mountain, figures surged everywhere, gathering into a black sea of people all climbing toward Imperial Dragon Mountain. Of course, there were also some wealthy nobles riding in carriages, ascending along the official road.


    There were official roads and mountain paths on Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Peasants and commoners could only take the mountain paths.


    Officials and dignitaries of the fourth rank or above were allowed to ride carriages up the official road straight to the middle of the mountain.


    As for the official road that leads directly to the mountain top.


    That was a privilege reserved only for members of the royal family and first-rank officials of the court.


    Even so.


    The number of commoners coming to watch the battle was still immense, reaching a hundred thousand. This was because Xiaoshanhe Institute had lived up to its reputation over the years. If it had been at its peak, the event could have drawn upwards of a million people, including masters from the other ten great sects coming to watch the battle.


    But now...


    Xiaoshanhe Institute had fallen into decline for many years, unable to recover.


    At least the younger generation despised coming here!


    This battle would take place at the martial arts field located on the waist of the mountain at Xiaoshanhe Institute, which had also once been glorious, possessing disciples and sect members in the tens of thousands.


    This martial arts field could accommodate millions of people.


    Housing these hundred thousand was a piece of cake.


    Once the peasants and commoners arrived, they were directed into the stands of the martial arts field, while the officials and nobles were greeted by Sun Zhengyi, who had arranged the best viewing spots for them, particularly.


    Chen Shuiwen stood at the carriage stop in the middle of the mountain.


    Seeing several carriages slowly approaching from a distance, his face beamed with a splendid smile, and he hurriedly went to greet them.


    The carriages stopped.


    Yang Ling, Li Shengtian, and Tian Xiao stepped down from the carriages one after another, and Chen Shuiwen''s face was full of smiles, "Your Highness Yang Ling, Mr. Li, Mr. Tian!"


    Yang Ling nodded.


    Li Shengtian glanced at Yang Ling beside him and said with great concern, "Chen, I heard that this challenge was initiated by Xiao Yi himself? Xiao Yi has just taken office, and you as an elder of Xiaoshanhe Institute should have been fully supporting his management. How did it end up in such a state?"


    Chen Shuiwen, as perceptive as he is, caught the meaning in Li Shengtian''s eyes and stepped onto his train of thought.


    Chen Shuiwen sighed, appearing quite helpless, "Mr. Li, this is really unfair to Chen! By the time Chen knew about the matter, it had already happened... even if I had wanted to stop it, it was too late..."


    "What exactly happened? I heard that Xiao Yi got into a conflict with a female instructor, which led to this battle appointment?" Tian Xiao feigned surprise.


    These details had already been conveyed to them when Chen Shuiwen sent out the invitations with An Rujing''s help.


    They were simply bringing it up intentionally in front of Yang Ling.


    Chen Shuiwen stealthily sized up Yang Ling; although Emperor Qian''s most beloved prince was Yang Ling, the position of Crown Prince couldn''t be obtained by affection alone. Chen Shuiwen and the likes of Li Shengtian supported the Great Prince Yang Guang from Tianjian Sect.


    Therefore, he wasn''t concerned about the attitude of Yang Ling toward him. He sighed and said, "I shouldn''t say much about this matter, but I truly feel aggrieved for Mr. An. That day, she was explaining martial arts knowledge to her disciples at the Zen Martial Hall. The issue arose simply because she praised Xiao Tianjiao a few times, and by happenstance, Xiao came by and heard it, thus starting the conflict."


    "What is this behavior? Does the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, of all people, not have even that much tolerance?" Li Shengtian exclaimed in anger.


    Tian Xiaoyi spoke out righteously, "When we return, I will file a report against him!"


    Yang Ling''s expression turned cold, and he frowned, "It''s about time, isn''t it?"


    Li Shengtian said, "Important matters come first; let''s head to the martial arts field."


    Chen Shuiwen immediately led them into the martial arts field. Yang Ling sat right in the center. The spot to Yang Ling''s left should have been for the master of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi, but after Li Shengtian took the first seat on the right, he called out to Chen Shuiwen, "Chen, why don''t you take this spot here? It''s closer to us, and it''ll be more convenient to explain things later!" Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Well... Chen will respectfully comply!" Chen Shuiwen immediately took the first seat on the left.


    The crowd had almost all arrived.


    Li Shengtian asked, "Mr. Chen, where is Xiao Yi? The appointed time is almost upon us. Why has he still not shown up?"


    Chen Shuiwen pretended to look around with a troubled expression, "I also don''t know..."


    Within the area where instructors were seated.


    Yu Huaxian spoke in a deep voice, "Your Highness Yang Ling, Xiao has taken Ye Heng to cultivate, and they should be back any moment now!"


    "Hmm!"


    Yang Ling nodded, "Then let''s wait a little longer!"


    As Yang Ling represented the royal family, once he spoke, naturally no one dared to say more.


    Time passed.


    In the blink of an eye, the hour of the duel arrived, but Xiao Yi was still nowhere to be seen, which caused dissatisfaction among the crowd: "What''s going on here? Ye Tian is already waiting in the arena, why haven''t Xiao Yi and Ye Heng appeared yet?"


    "Could it really be that knowing he is outmatched, he has already fled?"


    "Impossible, right? He is the respected head of Xiaoshanhe Institute after all. If he fled now, how would he face anyone in the Great Qian Dynasty thereafter..."


    Just then...


    A sharp whistling sound came from the sky.


    Two figures descended from the heavens like shooting stars, quickly landing in the arena in an instant.


    Xiao Yi placed Ye Heng below the stage, then leapt up to the stands, glanced over at Yang Ling''s side, and said indifferently, "Move!"


    Chen Shuiwen''s face darkened.


    He did not expect Xiao Yi to be so disrespectful, telling him to move as soon as he arrived.


    Li Shengtian let out a cold snort, and sneered sarcastically, "Such airs Mr. Xiao has!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him coldly and said indifferently, "Did I allow you to speak?"


    "You..."


    Li Shengtian''s face changed, ready to retort, but he saw Xiao Yi say with an icy voice, "Keep yapping and I will rip your mouth apart!"


    "..."


    Li Shengtian fumed, puffing up his beard and glaring.


    He was a high-ranking official; everyone who met him normally greeted him with reverence, calling him ''Mr. Li''. Yet, in front of Xiao Yi, he had been rebuked twice in a row, leaving him with no reply.


    Yang Ling spoke lightly, "Enough, with so many onlookers, let''s speak less!" He turned to Chen Shuiwen, "Mr. Chen, Xiao is the principal and your superior. This seat is rightfully his!"


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned shades of purple and white, as if he had been slapped dozens of times.


    He gritted his teeth in fury.


    "You little wretch, enjoy your moment of pride for now. I want to see how you handle what''s to come!"


    Chen Shuiwen thought bitterly to himself while maintaining a humble smile on his face, "His Highness is absolutely right, Mr. Xiao, please take the seat!"


    He immediately got up and sat down to one side.


    Xiao Yi did not even look at him as he took his seat.


    Yang Ling lowered his voice, "These old fellows are waiting to see you make a fool of yourself. Are you really confident?"


    Xiao Yi smiled mysteriously, "You''ll find out soon enough!"


    Yang Ling made a noncommittal noise.


    At that moment...


    Ye Tian and Ye Heng had already made their way onto the stage.


    Looking at Ye Tian with his robust Qi-Blood and the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm''s energy unrestrainedly released, then at Ye Heng dressed in a black and heavy-looking outfit, seemingly disheveled, the first thought of the tens of thousands in the arena was: "The gap is too huge! Ye Heng stands no chance at all!"

 Chapter 229 - 229: One Move Is Enough

    "The gap is simply too great!"


    "Look at Ye Tian, full of spirit, with Qi-Blood surging like a rainbow, and then there''s Ye Heng, who seems utterly unremarkable..."


    "There''s no need for a fight; the outcome is already decided, Ye Heng is bound to lose!"


    In the stands, over a hundred thousand people whispered amongst themselves.


    Almost no one was betting on Ye Heng.


    Li Shengtian looked at Xiao Yi with a mocking smile, but recalling the several times Xiao Yi had left him speechless, he turned to Chen Shuiwen and said, "Chen, that Ye Tian is only fifteen years old, isn''t he? Judging by the fluctuations of his aura, he must be at the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm now. He advanced four minor realms in just seven days. If you can apply this method to the other disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, why worry about not being able to revitalize it?"


    Chen Shuiwen''s eyes darted about, and he said with a smile, "Mr. Li, Chen has been searching for a way to revitalize the Xiaoshanhe Institute for years. However, after all, I am only a vice president and do not have the final say!"


    Li Shengtian looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, if Chen has such capability, why don''t you let him take the lead if you can''t revitalize the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "Hasn''t he been in charge of the Xiaoshanhe Institute for the past decade or so?" Xiao Yi glanced at Li Shengtian and asked with a puzzled expression.


    Li Shengtian''s face stiffened: "..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s expression was also one of embarrassment: "..."


    As Xiao Yi said, the Xiaoshanhe Institute hadn''t had a president for over a decade; it was all directed by Chen Shuiwen.


    If he really had the capability to revitalize the Xiaoshanhe Institute, why wait until today?


    Chen Shuiwen coughed lightly, easing his embarrassment, and changed the subject, "The time has come, Elder Sun, please preside over this duel!"


    "Yes!"


    Sun Zhengyi bowed to Yang Ling and others, then leaped onto the stage, standing between Ye Heng and Ye Tian, he said, "This battle is a challenge by Ye Heng against Ye Tian; fists and feet have no eyes, life and death will not be attributed to blame. If Ye Tian loses, An Rujing must apologize to Ye Heng in public. If Ye Heng loses, Xiao shall apologize to An Rujing''s mentor in public. I, Sun Zhengyi, shall be the referee. Please, everyone be witnesses!"


    Yang Ling said indifferently, "Begin!"


    "Yes!"


    Sun Zhengyi glanced at the two Ye Tian, "You may begin now!"


    Whoosh!


    He stepped back behind them, standing at the edge of the stage.


    Ye Heng and Ye Tian locked eyes.


    The two were cousins and had known each other for fifteen years.


    In these fifteen years, Ye Tian was the favored child of heaven, surrounded by stars; Ye Heng was dull as dust, enduring bullying, with no one caring for him.


    Ye Tian stood tall and confident, with an air of confidence on his face. He gestured a thumbs-up to Ye Heng and then inverted his finger to point at the ground, disdainfully saying, "You''ve never been my match in these fifteen years, not before, not now, and certainly not in the future. Within three moves, I will defeat you!"


    Ye Heng shook his head and held up one finger, "Three moves are too many, one will suffice!"


    "Uh..."


    Ye Tian was taken aback but then laughed, "You do have some self-awareness, acknowledging the huge gap between us. You can''t even withstand one move from me!"


    Ye Heng shook his head, speaking earnestly, "What I mean is, one move is all I need to defeat you."


    Ye Tian: "..."


    The audience in the stands: "..."


    Li Shengtian shook his head, looking at Xiao Yi with a mocking gaze, "Just as the master, so is the disciple. The master disregards everyone, and the disciple does not know his own limits. The gap between them is as vast as a chasm, and yet he dares to boast that he will defeat Ye Tian in a single move?"


    "Confidence is a good thing, but blind confidence is not!" Tian Xiao said, shaking his head and body.


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "Do you all firmly believe that Ye Heng will lose?"


    "Of course!"


    "In seven days, at most, you may have helped him move from the Seventh Layer of Qi Gathering Realm to step into the Divine Passage Realm. How could he possibly be a match for Ye Tian?"


    The others looked self-assured.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said, "What if Ye Heng wins?"


    Li Shengtian said, "If he wins, I''ll eat this table!"


    Xiao Yi knocked on the table and clicked his tongue, "Then you are in for a treat, as this is a table made from Qinggang rock!"


    "Hmph, what if he loses?" Li Shengtian stared intently at him.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "If he loses, I''ll eat the table as well!"


    "Good!"


    "Agreed!"


    Li Shengtian turned to Yang Ling and the others, "Your Highness, please serve as a witness!"


    Yang Ling sighed, "Since both of you insist on this, I shall be the witness..."


    Meanwhile.


    On the stage, Ye Tian was already enraged by Ye Heng''s contempt, gritting his teeth, clenching his fists, his body trembling. His eyes filled with coldness and ferocity: "Ye Heng, prepare to die!"


    Boom!


    An aura whirled around Ye Tian, and with a flourish of his hand, a long spear appeared from his sleeve��it was a Threefold Spear. Normally it could fold into three layers and be stored like an arm''s length in the sleeve, but in battle, it transformed into combat form.


    Under the cover of elemental energy, the spear tip tore through the void, buzzing loudly. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    A silver spear light burst forth, transforming into a dragon-like figure, skimming just above the ground as it sped towards its target.


    Its momentum was massive, and its sharpness unparalleled!


    The power of this strike was such that even a common warrior of the Seventh Layer of the Divine Passage Realm would not dare to take it head-on.


    "Excellent spear technique!"


    "With a lifetime devoted to the blade and the staff, those who bring their spear skills to such a realm are truly geniuses. This Ye Tian is indeed worthy of that title."


    "In my view, he''s nearly capable of congealing spear intent..."


    Ye Tian''s side was filled with great momentum.


    In contrast, Ye Heng stood firm like a pine tree, motionless.


    In fact...


    This was a habit Ye Heng had formed from repeated life-and-death struggles with demonic beasts, responding to change with the unchanging, always maintaining the most composed state. When the long spear was but three inches away from him, Ye Heng''s mild eyes suddenly shot forth a cold, predatory light, and he reached out with a swift claw.


    Clang!


    His palm firmly gripped the long spear, followed by a back shoulder throw.


    Whoosh!


    Ye Tian, along with his spear, was flung away by Ye Heng, crashing down onto the platform with a bang.


    The platform shattered, cracks spreading all around, and Ye Tian grimaced in pain.


    Ye Heng said indifferently, "You''ve lost!"


    "I have not!"


    Ye Tian got up, saying with furious embarrassment, "That was just a moment of negligence. Ye Heng, prepare to die!"


    "Too slow, your power is superficial, your cultivation is merely piled up with the help of elixirs... Your combat strength is even inferior to that of an armored boar!" Without using any martial skills, Ye Heng employed his extensive experience from fighting demonic beasts to continuously dodge Ye Tian''s splendid spear technique while leisurely making his comments.


    His attempts at striking were ineffective every time.


    The crowd in the stands, witnessing Ye Tian being completely suppressed by Ye Heng, could not hide their astonishment: "This can''t be possible, right? Ye Tian clearly has the upper hand in cultivation level, how can he not even touch Ye Heng?"


    "Incredible, Ye Heng is likely to pull off an upset victory!"


    Ye Heng''s heart-piercing comments, coupled with the completely different discussions of the spectators, infuriated Ye Tian: "Shut up! All of you, shut up!"


    "Twin Dragons Seeking the Pearl!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Two spear shadows surged out at the same time, like evil dragons competing for a Dragon Ball, charging straight at Ye Heng.


    "Now is the moment!"


    Just as Ye Tian made his move, Ye Heng''s eyes burst forth with two gleams of sharp light.


    With a sudden halt to his backward step, he pushed off the ground with hands and feet, shooting forth like an arrow released from a bow.


    Whoosh!


    His body barely passed between the two spear shadows and then leapt high into the air, bringing up his knee sharply and slamming it into Ye Tian''s chin with a loud bang.


    Wow!


    Ye Tian cried out in agony as his entire jaw shattered.


    Blood spurted from his mouth.


    His figure flew backward.


    Bang! Bang!


    Ye Tian landed in disarray, tumbling repeatedly, and was about to tumble out of the platform. Ye Heng darted after him with a flash, grabbing his throat with one hand and slowly lifting him up.


    "You, you..."


    Ye Tian''s eyes were bloodshot, and his face was burning with excruciating pain.


    He never imagined that Ye Heng, whom he had bullied for fifteen years, would actually defeat him!


    From beginning to end, Ye Heng had indeed made only one move!


    All of his pride and confidence crumbled away in that moment.


    Ye Heng looked calmly at Ye Tian: "You''ve lost!"


    "Lost?"


    A strange, sinister smile suddenly appeared on Ye Tian''s ferocious face, saying eerily, "Ye Heng, do you really think you have won? Look what this is..."


    Struggling, Ye Tian took out a magical pouch from his bosom.


    Seeing the magical pouch in his hand, Ye Heng''s expression suddenly changed: "..."

 Chapter 230 - 230 You Deserve to Die!

    "Ye Tian, what have you done to my mother?"


    Ye Heng''s pupils suddenly constricted with a furious change of color, contorting his face so much that it was unrecognizable from its original form, fixating on Ye Tian with the intensity of a hellish Asura.


    His eyes flickered with a dangerous red glow, the cold edge of a blade ready to strike.


    It made Ye Tian''s heartbeat falter sharply in front of him.


    Gulp!


    Ye Tian instinctively swallowed, his face taking on a venomous tinge to mask his inner turmoil and fear, "Don''t worry, your mother is fine, at least for now. However, if you dare to fight back in the upcoming battle, I can''t guarantee your mother will live to see tomorrow''s sun!"


    Feeling Ye Heng''s grip on his hand instinctively loosen, Ye Tian also breathed a sigh of relief.


    At the same time, he became increasingly brazen.


    Bang!


    Ye Tian threw a punch, blasting Ye Heng ten meters away and tumbling to the ground. Twisting his neck, he rubbed his stinging cheek and sneered, "Ye Heng, I never imagined that in a short seven days, you could become this terrifying. I must admit, Xiao is somewhat skilled, but it''s a pity, in the end, it''s still me, Ye Tian, who will have the last laugh."


    Bang!


    Ye Tian unleashed a kick, striking Ye Heng in the abdomen.


    Wow!


    Ye Heng let out a muffled groan, skidding ten meters across the ground and raising his head, his icy, angry gaze locked tightly on Ye Tian.


    The brocade pouch was a personal item of his mother''s.


    It had never left his mother''s hand.


    Ye Heng had never imagined that this pouch would end up in Ye Tian''s hands.


    "Ye Tian, if you dare harm a single hair on my mother, I will grind you to dust��" Ye Heng gritted his teeth.


    "Tsk tsk, still daring to threaten me after all this?"


    Ye Tian charged forward abruptly, throwing a punch at Ye Heng.


    Ye Heng instinctively dodged while also catching the punch.


    Having awakened the Battle War Holy Body, Ye Heng''s strength far surpassed Ye Tian''s, and having spent his days under Yi''s guidance, fighting life-and-death battles against powerful beasts, his combat awareness and experience were incomparable to Ye Tian''s, who only increased his power through pills. One fully committed strike would be enough to break Ye Tian''s arm.


    But as he prepared to act, Ye Tian''s voice rang in his ears: "You dare fight back? It seems you don''t want to see your mother again!"


    "Despicable��"


    Ye Heng''s eyes turned blood-red, he bit his teeth, but ultimately, he had no choice but to let go.


    Bang!


    Taking advantage, Ye Tian spun around and landed a heavy hook on Ye Heng''s face, sending him crashing away. Blood sprayed from Ye Heng''s mouth as he soared like a kite with its string cut, and Ye Tian followed closely, grabbing Ye Heng''s ankle and starting to spin in place, whipping up gusts of wind.


    Whoosh!


    Ye Tian suddenly released his grip, flinging Ye Heng high into the air.


    "Ye Heng, you are destined to be trampled under my feet your whole life. You are merely a pitiful ant, an absolute failure, while I am a genius, exalted above all. For a ruin like you to defy me is to go against heaven��go to your death!"


    Whoosh!


    Ye Tian roared, ascending rapidly to catch up with Ye Heng.


    He twisted mid-air, delivering a leg whip from above, fiercely striking Ye Heng''s back.


    Wow!


    Ye Heng''s body arched backward from the force, plummeting from the sky like a falling star, and crashed to the ground with a whoosh.


    Boom!


    Ye Heng landed hard on the stage.


    The whole martial arts field shook violently, while dust and smoke billowed on the stage, lines of cracks spreading across it.


    Cracks spread in all directions, resembling a spiderweb.


    The arena fell silent before erupting into terrified cheers, "Holy shit! What on earth happened? Wasn''t Ye Heng in the lead? How did he suddenly end up being the one getting thrashed?"


    "I guess Ye Tian must have been pulling his punches before, otherwise, it''s hard to explain such a huge contrast!"


    In the VIP seats.


    Li Shengtian clicked his tongue and chuckled strangely, saying in a mocking tone, "Director Xiao, it seems the Ye Heng you advised isn''t so great after all! At this rate, he''s going to lose!"


    Yang Ling frowned, and although he didn''t speak, his eyes, full of worry, fell on Xiao Yi.


    If Ye Heng lost today, it would be a tremendous blow to Xiao Yi''s reputation.


    If someone used this as an excuse to propagate the idea, even Yang Ling and Emperor Qian, who advocated for Xiao Yi to take over as head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute would be affected, facing immense pressure.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes; he didn''t know what had happened to Ye Heng, but he saw everything clear as day��it all started when Ye Tian took out that brocade bag. Xiao Yi''s eyebrows knitted tightly, and all of a sudden, he turned to glance at the smugly smiling Chen Shuiwen beside him, "Director Chen, truly clever tactics!"


    "Ah?"


    Putting on a surprised look, Chen Shuiwen said with an innocent face, "Chen doesn''t know what Director Xiao is referring to. If it''s about advising disciples in their cultivation, after all, Chen has been a vice director for many years and has mentored no small number of students. Director Xiao, after all, is still young. To be able to guide Ye Heng to such a level of combat strength in just seven days is indeed commendable!"


    The brocade bag in Ye Tian''s hands was, of course, his masterpiece.


    Although he spent a fortune to buy the Jade Fetal Elixir for Ye Tian, just in case, he had someone kidnap Ye Heng''s mother and handed the brocade bag to Ye Tian. sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was just a precaution.


    Now looking at it...


    If it weren''t for his shrewd move, today he would have likely taken the fall here.


    With this thought.


    Chen Shuiwen, amidst his triumph, grew even more wary of Xiao Yi.


    He never expected Xiao Yi to be able to train Ye Heng, a mere Seventh Layer of Qi Gathering Realm, to such strength in just seven days. If it weren''t for Ye Tian holding the brocade bag, Ye Heng would have already won the victory!


    Xiao Yi''s expression became slightly tense.


    Watching Ye Heng continuously suffering Ye Tian''s relentless beating without being able to fight back, Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and suddenly said to Yang Ling beside him, "Your Highness Yang Ling, Ye Heng possesses one of the top ten Sacred Bodies, the Battle War Holy Body. I think he should be cultivated with emphasis. If he wins this battle, I hope Your Highness can secure a reward for Ye Heng!"


    "Battle War Holy Body?"


    Yang Ling exclaimed with surprise.


    Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and others were also baffled.


    The Battle War Holy Body, ah!


    Ranked high among the top ten Sacred Bodies, although not as formidable as Xiao Tianjiao''s Supreme Overlord Holy Body, it was still extremely powerful.


    Within the entire Great Qian Dynasty, strong individuals possessing a Sacred Body were rarities, pillars of the major sects.


    If Ye Heng indeed possessed the Battle War Holy Body, his future would be boundless, and even the royal family would treat him as a treasure, investing limitless resources to nurture him.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Yes, it is the Battle War Holy Body!"


    Yang Ling said gravely, "If Ye Heng truly has the Battle War Holy Body, on behalf of my Emperor Father, I can promise to bestow upon him the title of a first-class earl, and moreover, until he reaches the Tao Tribulation Realm, all resources will be borne by the royal family!"


    Xiao Yi asked, "What about his family?"


    Yang Ling replied, "His family will naturally also be rewarded, and his parents will also be ennobled, receiving the protection of the royal family. Whoever dares to harm his family will be making an enemy of the Great Qian royal house!"


    Whir!


    Yang Ling''s words turned Chen Shuiwen''s face pale.


    Xiao Yi nodded, then shouted towards the arena, "Ye Heng, stop holding back, as long as you win this fight, His Highness promises you the title of a first-class earl, and your family will also be protected; no one will dare to threaten them!"


    On the arena.


    As Ye Heng''s head was bombarded relentlessly by Ye Tian, his expression dramatically changed and a fierce battle light shone in his eyes. With his body shaking, he let out an angry roar that sent a terrible surge around him, flinging Ye Tian away.


    Ye Heng slowly rose to his feet, his face fierce as he stared at Ye Tian, "Ye Tian, you deserve to die!"

 Chapter 231 - 231 The Battle War Holy Body First Shows Its Might

    "You should die!"


    Ye Heng''s eyes were cold as ice as he looked at Ye Tian.


    From childhood to adulthood.


    He had suffered under Ye Tian''s bullying, and for a long time, no one in the Ye Family wanted to lay eyes on him.


    Especially after his father''s death.


    The Ye Family gave no living space to him and his mother, his mother was driven out of the former courtyard by Ye Tian''s father, even treated worse than some servants.


    He and his mother could only live in a shed for firewood.


    To support his cultivation, his mother washed clothes for the young masters and mistresses of the Ye Family, and she went out to mend clothes for others to earn a living. But even under such difficult circumstances, Ye Heng''s mother never cut back on his food, she didn''t compromise his attire, nor did she stint on his medicinal pills.


    Mother and son had been reliant on each other for more than ten years.


    During this time...


    No matter in the Ye Family or in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, Ye Tian never stopped oppressing him.


    If it wasn''t for Xiao Yi this time, Ye Heng would have feared living under Ye Tian''s oppression for his entire life.


    It was Xiao Yi who gave him the chance to rise up.


    It was Xiao Yi who enabled him to stand up again.


    At the same time.


    Ye Heng was also very clear about what this battle represented, it was not only a grudge between him and Ye Tian, but also a gamble between Xiao Yi and Chen Shuiwen.


    Because of this.


    Ye Heng wanted to defeat Ye Tian from the beginning, but Ye Tian threatened him with his mother''s keepsake, which caused Ye Heng to hesitate and not dare to fight back. He could only passively take a beating, and if not for the amazing resilience of the Battle War Holy Body, under Ye Tian''s frenzied attacks, he would have been seriously injured, even close to death.


    He wanted to resist, but worrying about the safety of his mother and wife''s lives, he didn''t dare to fight back.


    That kind of frustration could drive a person insane.


    Until now...


    At his most helpless moment, Xiao Yi once again stood up for him.


    As long as he won this battle, he would have the title of a first-class earl, and even his mother would be the mother of an earl.


    In this way.


    Even Chen Shuiwen, who was behind Ye Tian, would not dare to touch Ye Heng''s mother anymore.


    Knowing that his mother and wife''s lives were safe, Ye Heng naturally stopped holding back.


    Gululu!


    Ye Tian swallowed hard, a flash of annoyance crossing his eyes, "Ye Heng, don''t you care about your mother anymore? How much has she suffered for you these years, could it be that you..."


    Slap!


    Ye Heng cut him off with a slap.


    Ye Tian''s left cheek swelled up, his mouth bloody and teeth shattered, he looked at Ye Heng blankly, "Are you crazy?"


    Slap! Slap!


    This time, a back and forth slap made Ye Tian see stars and feel dizzy, Ye Heng said coldly, "Do you still dare to mention the suffering my mother has endured? If it wasn''t for your family targeting us at every turn, would my mother have had such a hard life?"


    Bang!


    A punch landed on Ye Tian, causing him to spray blood continuously, Ye Heng said coldly, "If you hadn''t come every so often to beat me up with your cronies, would my mother need to wash clothes for others in the dead of winter, earning money to heal me?"


    "I, I..."


    Boom!


    Ye Heng grabbed Ye Tian''s head with both hands and slammed it into his knee, Ye Tian''s nose bridge shattered, blood spraying and falling onto Ye Heng''s body.


    Ye Heng seemed unfazed, clutching Ye Tian''s neck tightly and smashing him to the ground with a thunderous noise, blood bursting out from the back of Ye Tian''s head. Ye Heng''s voice turned even colder, "Ye Tian, you have called me trash over and over again, today, I will let you know who the real trash is!"


    "Battle War Holy Body, invincible in all battles!"


    Boom!


    Ye Heng''s roar shook the heavens.


    Golden streams of Qi swirled around his body, their speed and number increasing rapidly.


    In an instant.


    They had transformed into a golden storm, enveloping his figure.


    His robe whipped about noisily, and his hair danced wildly.


    Roar!


    A massive sound suddenly emerged behind him.


    It was unmistakably the Battle Saint Ape!


    As the ten-zhang-tall Battle Saint Ape materialized, it provoked shocked exclamations from the martial arts field: "Holy shit, what is that?"


    "Innate Divine Ability! Ye Heng has reached the Shentong Realm, awakening his Innate Divine Ability... unbelievable, how exactly did Xiao Yi do it? In just seven days, he actually helped the Seventh Layer of Qi Gathering Realm Ye Heng break through to the Shentong Realm..."


    "This, this seems to be the legendary Battle Saint Ape, is Ye Heng the possessor of a Battle War Holy Body?"


    "My god! So Xiao Yi was right after all, Ye Heng is the true genius, a peerless genius with a Battle War Holy Body..."


    In the VIP seats.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face alternated between shades of green and white, his hands crushing the armrests into powder, his veins throbbing wildly.


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao also had gloomy expressions.


    Their faces burning. S��arch* The ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As if they had been viciously slapped dozens of times.


    But Yang Ling was incomparably excited, forgetting Emperor Qian''s admonitions as he stood up from his seat, slapping the table and exclaiming, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, you truly did not disappoint me and Father Emperor! A Battle War Holy Body! The Great Qian Dynasty has produced another Sacred Body, your contributions are immeasurable. Giving Xiaoshanhe Institute into your hands was indeed the right choice!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved in a slight smile, scanning the extremely embarrassed Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and the others with a cold chuckle in his heart.


    Of course...


    The most awkward was the once insufferably arrogant An Rujing.


    At this moment, An Rujing stood dumbfounded, her complexion deathly pale, her body quivering uncontrollably, disbelief written all over her face: "How, how can this be? Ye, Ye Heng is a Battle War Holy Body? This, this is one of the ten great Sacred Bodies, my former student is actually a possessor of a Sacred Body? I, I''ve always treated him like trash?"


    At this moment, An Rujing felt the world spinning, everything becoming incredibly dark.


    This was one of the ten great Sacred Bodies!


    Within the vast Great Qian Dynasty, only a scarce few people possessed a Sacred Body.


    Each of them standing at the pinnacle of the Great Qian Dynasty''s martial path.


    If she had been the one to cultivate Ye Heng, then An Rujing''s name would have gone down in history. But now, all that glory had nothing to do with her anymore.


    Looking at the triumphant Ye Heng, and then at Ye Tian, lying on the ground like a lump of mud.


    An Rujing felt as if she must be blind, to have ignored a treasure and instead wasted her time on Ye Tian, a mere copper coin.


    Let''s pause the crowd''s reaction for now.


    Turning back to the stage above...


    Seeing the enormous Battle Saint Ape behind Ye Heng, Ye Tian was so terrified that he shook uncontrollably, soiling himself, scrambling on hands and knees towards Ye Heng, continuously kowtowing and begging for mercy: "Ye Heng, spare my life! I realize my mistake, please, for the sake of us being from the same clan, let me go this time, I dare not do it again..."


    Ye Heng looked down with icy eyes, and said indifferently, "Principal Xiao once told me a saying, ''Being merciful to the enemy is being cruel to oneself''. In your next life, remember to be a good person!"


    "No..."


    Ye Tian''s eyes were filled with cracks, as he howled in despair.


    Ye Heng lifted his foot, and so did the Battle Saint Ape towering behind him, its giant foot coming down from the sky with a buzzing sound.


    Boom!


    A thunderous noise echoed over the entire martial arts field.


    When the Battle Saint Ape behind Ye Heng disappeared, what remained on the ground was only a squashed pile of flesh...

 Chapter 232 - 232 Mr. Li, Please Start Your Performance!

    "..."


    The vast martial arts arena was silent as a graveyard.


    All the strong men were dumbfounded, as if invisible hands were gripping their throats tightly, leaving them unable to speak.


    They had all heard of the might of the Sacred Body, but none had ever witnessed it with their own eyes.


    But now...


    Ye Heng showed them what a Sacred Body was!


    Bang!


    The Battle Saint Ape behind Ye Heng returned to his body, tears streaming down its eyes as it fell to its knees with a thud and bowed deeply to Xiao Yi, as if mustering all its strength to shout, "Xiao, I, your disciple Ye Heng, have not disappointed you!"


    This roar released all the frustration he had bottled up over the past decade.


    All his resentment vanished in that moment.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a smile as he slowly stood up, "Well done!"


    "Thank you, Xiao!"


    Ye Heng expressed his thanks but remained on the ground, his head continuously knocking against the floor, making a thudding sound, and declared loudly, "Disciple Ye Heng earnestly requests Xiao to accept me as his disciple!"


    Whir!


    The entire martial arts field fell even quieter.


    All eyes turned to Xiao Yi, "Ye Heng is choosing to take a master at this time? He is a Battle War Holy Body after all, and following this battle, his name will spread throughout the Great Qian Dynasty. Soon, not only Xiao Yi, but even the leaders of the top ten sects will be vying to take him as a disciple, there''s surely no need for him to do this now!"


    "That, you probably don''t know, huh? Xiao is his benefactor. If not for Xiao Yi, Ye Heng would still be buried in obscurity!"


    "That''s true, I too felt that Xiao Yi was too young to be head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. But now it seems he is indeed the most suitable candidate for the position!" sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmph, it''s just good luck! Xiaoshanhe Institute will only flourish under Chen''s leadership!"


    "Good luck? Flourish? Brother, are you Chen Shuiwen''s own son by any chance? If he was really capable of revitalizing the Xiaoshanhe Institute, why has its reputation fallen increasingly over the past decade? If he had the ability, would Ye Heng have remained hidden for so long without being discovered?"


    "I know him, he''s an instructor from Xiaoshanhe Institute, Zou Zheng..."


    "So he''s one of Chen Shuiwen''s dogs..."


    For a time.


    Under the relentless jeering and mockery from the crowd, Zou Zheng fled with his tail between his legs, not daring to stay in the stands any longer.


    People''s gaze returned to Xiao Yi once more.


    Waiting for Xiao Yi to take a disciple.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze flickered; indeed, he had taken a liking to Ye Heng. Over these seven days, Ye Heng''s resilience and circumstances were very similar to his own.


    Just as Xiao Yi was about to agree.


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao were secretly communicating, "Xiao Yifeng is too prominent. If he takes a Sacred Body as his disciple, it will be much harder for us to bring him down later."


    Tian Xiao, "We absolutely cannot let him take a disciple!"


    Chen Shuiwen said, "We must stop it!"


    With that thought.


    Li Shengtian coughed lightly and looked at Yang Ling, "Your Highness, the matter of the Sacred Body taking a master is of great importance; I believe it is best to inform His Majesty and let him decide!"


    Tian Xiao agreed, "Indeed, this decision cannot be made lightly!"


    Chen Shuiwen made a show of nodding, "Xiao is indeed excellent, but as for whom Ye Heng should take as a master, I think that is still up for discussion!"


    "This..."


    Yang Ling furrowed his brows, as he naturally wouldn''t hinder Ye Heng from becoming Xiao Yi''s disciple.


    But with Li Shengtian and the others exerting significant influence and adamantly objecting, even invoking Emperor Qian,


    it wasn''t his place to overstep.


    This matter must be reported to Emperor Qian.


    Yang Ling took a deep breath and cast an apologetic glance at Xiao Yi before saying, "Mr. Li''s words make sense. Let''s discuss this matter later. Xiao, what do you think?"


    Xiao Yi gave Li Shengtian and the others a deep look filled with conceit, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "Then let''s follow His Highness''s wishes."


    Yang Ling nodded and turned to Ye Heng on the stage, "Ye Heng, you''ve heard what Mr. Li and the others said as well. Let''s talk about the matter of accepting disciples another day!"


    Ye Heng was unmoved and just looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Ye Heng, please get up first!"


    "Yes!"


    Ye Heng immediately stood up, swept his gaze over the crowd, and fixed it on An Rujing, "Mr. An, does our bet still stand?"


    An Rujing''s face stiffened.


    Have her apologize to a disciple in public?


    How would she continue to stay at Xiaoshanhe Institute after that?


    An Rujing looked at Chen Shuiwen with a pleading gaze, hoping that he would intervene to extricate her from the situation. However, at this moment, Chen Shuiwen was thinking of currying favor with Ye Heng, hoping Ye Heng would eventually accept him as a mentor. How could he help her and offend Ye Heng?


    "Ahem!"


    Chen Shuiwen cleared his throat and spoke righteously, "Mr. An, a bet is a bet. Won''t you apologize to Ye Heng?"


    "..."


    Faced ashen, An Rujing knew she wouldn''t be able to leave the training field today unless she apologized, and so she reluctantly walked up to the stage. Biting her lips tightly, her delicate hands clenched into fists, her nails digging deep into the palms of her hands, blood flowing through her fingers, she gritted her teeth and said, "Ye Heng, it was my fault for not recognizing talent and causing you to be hidden in the dust. I beg for your forgiveness!"


    Swish!


    An Rujing made a meticulous bow at ninety degrees as she apologized.


    Now her heart was filled with regret.


    If only she had known, she wouldn''t have been biased against Ye Heng.


    But alas, there''s no such thing as a regret medicine in this world.


    Ye Heng looked at An Rujing, who had insulted him several times and even sided with Ye Tian when he was bullying him. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Mr. An, I hope you remember this saying, ''Never bully the young and poor!''"


    An Rujing clenched her teeth, "An Rujing has learned her lesson!"


    Thereupon...


    An Rujing turned around and bowed deeply to Xiao Yi and Yang Ling. She said solemnly, "Your Highness Yang Ling, Headmaster Xiao, I am aware that I am not competent enough for the position of an instructor, and I voluntarily resign!"


    How could she face staying at Xiaoshanhe Institute now?


    Better to leave right away.


    Xiao Yi and Yang Ling exchanged glances, and Yang Ling said, "Granted!"


    An Rujing bowed to everyone, then walked towards the exit of the training field. As she walked, whispers entered her ears: "It''s for the best that such a harmful instructor is gone!"


    "Indeed, who would dare to send their child to her anymore?"


    An Rujing''s delicate frame trembled, and she bit her teeth firmly, only letting out a mouthful of fresh blood after she had left the training field.


    Her eyes were full of resentment and hatred: "Xiao Yi, Ye Heng, Chen Shuiwen... I will not let you off..."


    In the VIP seating area.


    Chen Shuiwen''s eyes flickered as he tentatively asked, "Your Highness, since the fight today is over, should we let everyone disperse?"


    Tian Xiao also spoke up, "Your Highness, there are important matters to deal with in the court. Let''s call it a day!"


    Yang Ling was taken aback, about to speak, but was interrupted by Xiao Yi.


    "Have you gentlemen forgotten so quickly? It has only been a short while, and you''ve already forgotten about the bet between Mr. Li and myself!"


    Xiao Yi lifted the red silk covering the table, tapped his finger on the cyan-inkstone table producing a dull thud, and looked at Li Shengtian, whose face was ashen, with a smile, "Mr. Li, please begin your performance!"

 Chapter 233 - 233 Stirring All Directions

    "Mr. Li, please begin your performance!"


    Xiao Yi pointed at the green oak stone table in front of him and made a welcoming gesture.


    Yang Ling: "..."


    Tian Xiao: "..."


    Chen Shuiwen: "..."


    The expression on Li Shengtian''s face kept changing, and he squinted his eyes as he measured up Xiao Yi, pronouncing each word carefully, "Principal Xiao, are you sure you want to be so aggressive?"


    "Me, aggressive?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, then couldn''t help but laugh, "When you snatched the principal position from me in the imperial palace, why didn''t you say it was aggressive? Before Ye Heng and Ye Tian fought, when you were everywhere trying to set up a wager with me, why wasn''t that considered aggressive? When Ye Heng became a disciple and you intervened to stop it, why didn''t you find that aggressive? Now you have the nerve to accuse me of being aggressive��do you think the higher your office, the thicker your face becomes, expecting everyone to show you respect?"


    There was no direct conflict between him and Li Shengtian.


    If we''re talking about grievances...


    It was just that the Black Hawk Gang under the command of Li Shengtian''s son, which bullied and oppressed the common people, had been wiped out by him.


    Because of this...


    Li Shengtian had targeted him at every turn.


    A gentleman avenges his grievances, does he not? Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And who more so than Xiao Yi?


    "You..."


    Li Shengtian''s face turned shades of green and white with rage, his moustache puffing as his eyes bulged in anger, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, very well, this matter��I, Li Shengtian, will remember it!"


    Bang!


    Li Shengtian slammed his palm down on the table, and the entire green oak stone table was smashed into powder.


    He snorted coldly and strode away.


    This old rogue had opted to play dirty!


    Xiao Yi called out loudly, "Yu Huaxian, pack up this green oak stone table powder and send it to Mr. Li''s residence, to nourish his body!"


    "Yes!"


    Yu Huaxian responded loudly.


    Li Shengtian, who was walking ahead, stumbled and nearly fell to the ground, but did not dare to stop and fled in a panic.


    Yang Ling gave a wry smile as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Why push so hard? Mr. Li has many followers, and his father-in-law is even an elder of the Tianjian Sect. Offending him like this, I fear there will be much trouble ahead."


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, "Do you really think that if I hadn''t done this, he would be grateful to me?"


    "Uh..."


    Yang Ling was taken aback and shook his head helplessly.


    With Li Shengtian''s domineering character, who couldn''t tolerate even the slightest dissent, how could he just let it go?


    Yang Ling sighed and then said, "I''ll report back to Emperor Qian immediately. As for the matter of Ye Heng becoming a disciple, you needn''t worry; it''s just a formality. Both Emperor Qian and I definitely support him becoming your disciple!"


    Emperor Qian had entrusted Xiaoshanhe Institute to Xiao Yi because he wanted to support the Institute to restrain the ten major sects and the four great clans and to help empower the imperial family.


    He would naturally support Xiao Yi wholeheartedly.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Let''s have a good gathering at the discipleship banquet later!"


    "Good, I''ll swipe a few jars of fine wine from Emperor Qian''s wine cellar for you!" Yang Ling grinned and went on his way.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the crowd in the martial arts field that had not yet dispersed.


    When he first arrived, many people were extremely indifferent towards him, and many even thought he was completely incapable of managing Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    But now...


    The looks many people gave him had undergone a complete transformation.


    From initial indifference, it had turned fervent, even to the point of adoration.


    Clearly, he had already garnered the recognition of many people.


    Xiao Yi lightly coughed to get everyone''s attention and then spoke loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, as the new head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, I will soon be opening our doors to recruit both students and mentors. Anyone who believes they possess a unique skill or is willing to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute is welcome to try out. I trust that no one will be disappointed!"


    In the previous decade, Chen Shuiwen had been using his power for personal gain and amassing influence.


    He mostly treated the Xiaoshanhe Institute as a tool for his own power and benefits, to the point where the reputation of the institute had deteriorated, leading to its gradual decline.


    Now that Xiao Yi had taken over the Xiaoshanhe Institute, he had broken the stalemate, using Ye Heng as a breakthrough point.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute was bound to face a brand new situation.


    "Principal Xiao, rest assured, we will definitely support you!"


    "My younger brother originally wanted to go to the Kuangdao Sect, one of the top ten sects, but now I think it''s worth letting him try out the Xiaoshanhe Institute��"


    "Principal Xiao has only been here a few days and already identified a Sacred Body such as Ye Heng. With your discerning eye for talent, I believe the Xiaoshanhe Institute will become stronger and stronger under your leadership��"


    "Principal Xiao, when is the Xiaoshanhe Institute next recruiting students and mentors?"


    The crowd responded one after another.


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "The plan is to hold it three days from now. As long as you pass the assessments and join the Xiaoshanhe Institute, all disciples'' cultivation resources will be fully covered by us. In addition, if anyone becomes a mentor in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, I, Xiao Yi, guarantee to provide all necessary resources until they break through to the Tao Tribulation Realm. After that, each person will be provided with a fourth-grade Yuan weapon!"


    Hisss!


    A gasp of astonishment rose from the crowd.


    Cultivation resources, fourth-grade Yuan weapons!


    Each was worth a fortune!


    The crowd was stunned by Xiao Yi''s generous offer.


    For a moment,


    Countless powerhouses were secretly tantalized.


    Since ancient times, there has been a saying of the poor scholar and the rich warrior. For the cultivation of martial arts, talent is indeed important, as is a good mentor, but what truly stumps the vast majority is the lack of resources!


    Ever since Ye Heng had defeated Ye Tian, Chen Shuiwen, whose face had been extremely unsightly, suddenly showed a look of wild joy when he heard Xiao Yi''s announcement. Over the years, Xiaoshanhe Institute had almost been hollowed out by him, and even the recently audited account books by Yan Mingli and others had been destroyed.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute''s available resources couldn''t even suffice for the monthly cultivation of a single Golden Core Realm expert.


    In such a situation,


    Xiao Yi was actually planning a large-scale recruitment of students and mentors, and committing to cover the cultivation resources. This seemed like a road to ruin in Chen Shuiwen''s eyes!


    Once the recruits come and there''s no money to be had,


    Not only Xiao Yi''s reputation would be ruined, but if those students and mentors made an uproar, even his position as head of the institute would be in jeopardy!


    "Hahaha, this is truly Heaven helping me!"


    Chen Shuiwen was ecstatic in his heart, yet his face displayed a look of concern as he feigned advice, "Principal Xiao, with the current state of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, I''m afraid it will be difficult to support the cultivation resources for too many students and mentors!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Chen Shuiwen intently and smiled, "No matter, I will find a way!"


    "Find a way? What can you possibly do? Go ahead, recruit more. When you can''t provide the necessary resources, I''ll see what you do!"


    Chen Shuiwen sneered internally but maintained a solemn appearance, "Principal Xiao is truly a man valued by Emperor Qian, I believe that under your stewardship, the Xiaoshanhe Institute will certainly regain its former glory!"


    "I believe so too!"


    Xiao Yi said, smiling.


    The two of them were cordial on the surface, but each harbored their own devious motives!


    The atmosphere was quite awkward!


    A short while later��


    The crowd gradually dispersed, and the news of Xiao Yi massively recruiting mentors and students for the Xiaoshanhe Institute, as well as the revelation that Ye Heng was a Battle War Holy Body, spread like wildfire throughout the Great Qian Dynasty.


    For the first time, the name Xiao Yi sent shockwaves in all directions!

 Chapter 234 - 234 Im Really Fucking Poor!

    Inside the western chamber.


    Chen Shuiwen convened with Sun Zhengyi and others once again, but this time, the gathering clearly had a few fewer attendees than before.


    With a sullen face, Chen Shuiwen asked, "Where are Wang Li and Jiang Yue?"


    Sun Zhengyi answered, "When I went to call them, they said they weren''t feeling well..."


    "Not feeling well?"


    Chen Shuiwen let out a cold snort and sneered contemptuously, "Most likely, they perceive that I''m at a disadvantage in this round and want to distance themselves from me. Never mind them, once I''ve dealt with Xiao Yi, let''s see how I''ll pinch them."


    Sun Zhengyi hurriedly said, "Chancellor, rest assured, we are firmly on your side and will definitely not be fence-sitters like those two!"


    "Right, in life we are yours, in death we are your ghosts!"


    "What''s Xiao Yi anyway? It''s just that he''s had some good luck today, even running into Ye Heng..."


    Several people added hastily.


    Although Chen Shuiwen knew they were simply flattering him, their words were still music to his ears.


    Chen Shuiwen''s expression softened somewhat, and he spoke indifferently, "The matter with Ye Heng isn''t over yet. Today, Mr. Li stepped in to intervene, preventing Ye Heng from successfully becoming a disciple. Sun Zhengyi, from now on, you must stay in contact with Mr. Li and make sure to prevent Ye Heng from taking Xiao Yi as his master. Otherwise, having a disciple with a Sacred Body will become a big problem!"


    "Chancellor, don''t worry. I will head to Mr. Li''s residence right after this!" Sun Zhengyi stated.


    Chen Shuiwen nodded and continued, "Xiao Yi wants to recruit disciples and mentors, and he will certainly need your help..."


    Zou Zheng said with a fawning face, "Chancellor, rest assured, we definitely won''t let Xiao Yi recruit any disciples!"


    "Nonsense!"


    Chen Shuiwen rebuked sharply, his face twisted into a malicious grin, "Not only must we not stop it, but we must also assist Xiao Yi with all our might, ensuring he recruits as many people as possible."


    "Ah?"


    The crowd was momentarily stunned, confused yet impressed.


    If Xiao Yi recruited enough disciples and mentors, wouldn''t Xiaoshanhe Institute fall into his control?


    In the corner.


    A middle-aged man with a sharp chin and monkey-like cheeks spoke in a sinister tone, "Chancellor, this is a brilliant move!"


    "Hm?"


    The others looked at him, not understanding.


    Zou Zheng asked in confusion, "God of Wealth, what do you mean by that?"


    This person was none other than Chen Shuiwen''s absolute confidant, a Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse Chen Xing, who also managed the finances of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    All resources of Xiaoshanhe Institute had to pass through his hands.


    Thus, people called him the God of Wealth!


    Grinning widely, Chen Xing said with a sly look, "Xiao Yi has made a grand claim that he will cover all cultivation resources for the disciples and mentors. Do you know how huge an expense that is? Not to mention anything else, just with the current size of Xiaoshanhe Institute, providing resources in his promised manner would cost three hundred million Silver Taels monthly. If he recklessly doubles the number of disciples and mentors, that''s a monthly expense of six hundred million Silver Taels. And right now, there''s less than a hundred million in Xiaoshanhe Institute''s accounts..."


    Hiss!


    Everyone drew a sharp breath.


    Then they understood Chen Shuiwen''s intention.


    "The Chancellor is indeed astute!"


    "When Xiao Yi can''t provide the resources, won''t the newly arrived mentors and disciples tear him apart?"


    Chen Shuiwen smiled smugly, saying, "As long as you follow me properly, naturally you''ll reap your benefits! As for that Xiao Yi... just a wet-behind-the-ears boy thinking he can arm wrestle with me? He''s still too naive..."


    ......


    In the eastern wing room.


    Xiao Yi and the others were also gathered together, with Little Lin climbing onto his shoulder, "Boss, it''s just as you expected, Chen Shuiwen has called all those people together."


    Yu Huaxian asked, "Little Lin, what is their plan?"


    Little Lin nodded, his face showing a human-like mockery, "They are thinking of obstructing Ye Heng from becoming an apprentice, and at the same time they will do their utmost to help us recruit disciples and tutors, just waiting to see you fail to produce the promised resources so they can laugh at us!"


    "These guys are really cunning!"


    "Xiao is truly formidable, everything is just as you predicted..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "There''s no need to worry about Ye Heng. As long as he is determined to take me as his master, even if Emperor Qian speaks out, it will be useless. Moreover, Emperor Qian will stand on our side..." He paused, then continued, "As for recruiting disciples and tutors, Chen Shuiwen and others are waiting to laugh at us, but this time they definitely won''t trip us up; on the contrary, they will help us by all means possible. We should recruit as many disciples and excellent tutors as possible, and I will also find a way to bring in some experts!"


    Currently, almost all tutors and disciples at the Xiaoshanhe Institute belonged to Chen Shuiwen''s faction.


    Xiao Yi must quickly cultivate his own loyal followers; otherwise, in the struggle for control of Xiaoshanhe Institute with Chen Shuiwen, he would ultimately be at a disadvantage.


    "Yu Huaxian, leave the recruitment of disciples to you and Bing Xin. Elder Yan and Elder Xue will be responsible for the tutors!" Xiao Yi assigned the tasks.


    Everyone nodded. sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yan Mingli hesitated for a moment before asking, "Xiao, how many should we recruit this time?"


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment and replied, "For now, let''s recruit twice the current size!"


    "Currently, the Xiaoshanhe Institute has seventy-three tutors and just over four thousand nine hundred disciples... If we recruit at twice the size, we''ll need roughly one hundred fifty tutors and ten thousand disciples..."


    Yan Mingli''s deep eyes sparkled with wisdom.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Based on that scale, how much would our expenses be each month?"


    Yan Mingli replied with a wry smile, "Almost one billion per month, and that doesn''t even include the granting of a fourth-rank Yuan weapon should any tutor break through to the Tao Tribulation Realm."


    "One billion silver taels a month? Good gracious!" Yu Huaxian swallowed hard.


    Xiao Yi knew the expenses would be large, but he didn''t expect them to be this enormous; frowning, he asked, "Elder Yan, how much money do we still have?"


    When he left the Tianqing Kingdom, Jiang Tai had given him fifty billion silver taels as a reserve.


    "There were fifty billion silver taels that you previously gave me. A few days ago, you withdrew five billion for Ye Heng''s cultivation. Adding some expenses during this time, we still have forty-four billion five hundred million silver taels. Ten billion of which must be reserved for the ancestral worship ceremony in three months. This means we can support our expenses for at most three months!" Yan Mingli explained clearly, then added, "And if any tutors break through to the Tao Tribulation Realm within these three months, that expense is additional!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows were tightly knit.


    He had thought that fifty billion was a lot, but who would have guessed that it was only enough to cover three months of expenses?


    Although if he just asked, Jiang Tai would provide the silver, even if he had to sell his last pot, Xiao Yi was unwilling to do that.


    The Tianqing Kingdom was in need of advancement in all trades and industries. If too much silver was drawn, it would certainly impact the development of the Tianqing Kingdom.


    "When will the royal subsidies arrive?" Xiao Yi inquired.


    Yan Mingli replied with a bitter smile, "This year''s subsidy was distributed half a year ago. Now that all the account books have been destroyed, there''s less than one billion silver taels left in the treasury..."


    "Those bastards..."


    Xiao Yi immediately felt a headache coming on. But the situation was such that they had to shoot the arrow since it was already on the string, so he said, "I''ll figure out a way for the funds. You just proceed according to the plan!"


    "Yes!"


    Everyone nodded and then dispersed.


    Xiao Yi leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers lightly on the table, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over him.


    He had thought himself rather wealthy, but now it seemed...


    I''m truly damn poor!

 Chapter 235 - 235: Only a Fool Would Not Take Advantage of a Bargain

    Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Ye Heng, dressed in a profound garb, carried two large cauldrons on his shoulders as he ran rapidly around the martial arts field.


    His speed was incredibly fast, each cauldron weighing several thousand pounds, yet he carried them with ease. His tiptoes touched the ground as if he were a dragonfly skimming water, barely making contact before taking off again.


    His swift pace kicked up clouds of dust behind him.


    He had been persisting in his training since before dawn.


    The martial arts field measured a couple thousand meters in circumference, and only after fifty laps did he stop, placing the two cauldrons back in the corner of the field.


    Thud, thud!


    The cauldrons landed with a resonant sound.


    "Ye Heng!"


    A clear voice suddenly came from behind him; a graceful young lady approached him, her white dress flowing as she moved.


    Ye Heng paused, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and said, "Nangong!"


    Nangong Liuyun.


    The lady of a collateral branch of the Nangong Clan, one of the Great Qian Dynasty''s four main noble families, and also the goddess in the hearts of all male disciples in Ye Heng''s cohort.


    In the past...


    Nangong Liuyun rarely even gave him a second glance.


    He hadn''t expected her to initiate a greeting today.


    With a gentle smile on her face, Nangong Liuyun took out a handkerchief attempting to wipe Ye Heng''s sweat, but he dodged her, looking at her questioningly, "Nangong, do you need something from me?"


    Seeing that Ye Heng refused to let her wipe his sweat, Nangong Liuyun showed no displeasure, simply putting the handkerchief away. A radiant smile appeared on her face, which was as beautiful as a portrait, "Ye Heng, actually, from the first time I saw you, I already liked you."


    Ye Heng was taken aback, raising an eyebrow, "Nangong, don''t joke with me. You are the pride of heaven, how could you possibly have taken a liking to me?"


    "I knew you wouldn''t believe me, which is why I didn''t know how to tell you!"


    Nangong Liuyun looked hurt, sighed, and said, "But now I''m afraid, if I don''t speak my feelings, I may never have another chance. I don''t want to miss out on you, Ye Heng. Would you be willing to be with me?"


    Nangong Liuyun tilted her head slightly, blinking her watery large eyes.


    Her exquisite face bore an expression of slight grievance and expectation, truly mesmerizing.


    Gulp!


    Ye Heng swallowed, after all, she was once his goddess!


    Ye Heng hesitated for a moment, then grabbed Nangong Liuyun''s hands, rubbing them in his palms, and said, intoxicated, "Nangong, actually, I have always liked you too. Can, can I hug you?"


    "Ah?"


    Nangong Liuyun was stunned.


    Ye Heng looked injured, "Forget it, just pretend I never said anything. I know, it was indeed too presumptuous of me!"


    "Oh, no, it''s not that."


    Nangong Liuyun''s complexion changed, she quickly embraced Ye Heng, saying hurriedly, "I''m not unwilling, it was just... a bit sudden!"


    Ye Heng''s lips curled up slightly, his hands gliding across Nangong Liuyun''s body.


    She felt extremely uncomfortable, twisting her body continuously.


    Ye Heng said, "Nangong, since we''re both willing, why don''t you come to my room?" S��arch* The N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ah?"


    Nangong Liuyun was shocked, unable to break free from Ye Heng''s embrace, his body rubbing against hers. She steeled herself and said, "Ye Heng, we can''t be like this. You, if you want to have me, you must at least marry me in a proper ceremony!"


    Ye Heng said, "But... I have no power or influence, would the Nangong Family be willing to let you marry me?"


    "This, this might be a bit difficult, but..." a flash of anticipation and excitement crossed Nangong Liuyun''s eyes as she said, "If you are willing to marry into my Nangong Family, I am sure I can persuade my parents!"


    At this moment, Nangong Liuyun''s heart was filled with excitement.


    She had received a message from her family instructing her to win over Ye Heng at all costs and preferably have him join the Nangong Family.


    That''s why...


    Nangong Liuyun had braced herself to find Ye Heng, this insignificant person who had never caught her attention before.


    If Ye Heng hadn''t awakened the Battle War Holy Body and become the target of contention among various powers, she, Nangong Liuyun, would never have had anything to do with such a small character in her entire life.


    Upon hearing Nangong Liuyun''s words, Ye Heng''s lips curved slightly, and he sneered in his heart: As expected, no one visits a temple without a cause!


    He took a deep breath and agreed outright, "Nangong, I am willing to marry into your Nangong Family, but... I need to find a master, and I want to prepare a gift for my future mentor... I''ve heard that the master of the Tianjian Sect also intends to take me as a disciple, and the gift must not be taken lightly..."


    "What? The master of the Tianjian Sect?" Nangong Liuyun was flabbergasted.


    Her first reaction was that Ye Heng was lying.


    But then she thought...


    Ye Heng had awakened the Battle War Holy Body, which, although inferior to Xiao Tianjiao''s Supreme Overlord Holy Body, was also not much different.


    It wasn''t impossible for the master of the Tianjian Sect to want to take him as a disciple.


    If she could win over Ye Heng and help the Nangong Family forge a connection with the Tianjian Sect, that would be a great achievement!


    With that thought...


    Nangong Liuyun clenched her teeth and said, "You will marry into our Nangong Family sooner or later, so let the Nangong Family prepare the gift for the master for you. But Ye Heng, you are sure you will marry into our Nangong Family, right?"


    Ye Heng nodded, cradling Nangong Liuyun''s cheeks in his hands, and said sternly, "Nangong, my admiration for you flows like the endless rivers and shines like the sun and moon that never fall..."


    Nangong Liuyun was very confident in her own charm and nodded, "I will go back to my family now to fight for you, wait for my good news!"


    "Nangong, I''ll wait for you!"


    As Ye Heng watched Nangong Liuyun leave, the smile on his face gradually vanished and looking at his hands, he murmured, "They do smell rather nice!"


    "Cough, cough!"


    A series of light coughs made Ye Heng''s body shake, and he quickly stood up straight, turning to look at Xiao Yi leaning casually against the corner of the wall, wearing a strange expression as he looked at him; Ye Heng chuckled, "Master, what brings you here?"


    Although they hadn''t officially become master and disciple yet, in Ye Heng''s heart, Xiao Yi was already his master.


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, "Did I interrupt you?"


    "No, not at all!" Ye Heng scratched his head.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, gesturing towards the direction Nangong Liuyun had left, "What''s going on?"


    Ye Heng curled his lips and disdainfully said, "What else but knowing I''ve awakened the Battle War Holy Body and thinking about winning me over!"


    Xiao Yi''s face showed amusement, "Did you agree?"


    "No way!"


    Ye Heng quickly shook his head and sneered disdainfully, "Back when I was worthless, she couldn''t avoid me fast enough. Now she suddenly comes up and says she likes me, how could I possibly believe her?"


    Xiao Yi uh''d, "So you still let her help you prepare the master''s gift? When has anyone from the Tianjian Sect contacted you?"


    Ye Heng touched his nose and grinned sheepishly, "Master, please don''t misunderstand! Not to mention the master of the Tianjian Sect hasn''t looked for me, even if he really came to me, I wouldn''t accept him as my master. In my eyes, there is only one master, and as for Nangong Liuyun... heh heh, didn''t you say we needed money? The four great aristocratic families are all very rich, so I thought, why not take advantage of it and get some..."


    Take advantage of it and not be a fool?


    Xiao Yi''s eye twitched, looking at Ye Heng''s naive and earnest laughter, speechless: "Who the hell did you learn this from?"

 Chapter 236 - 236 Combat Pavilion

    ```


    "Who the hell did you learn this from?"


    Xiao Yi looked bewilderedly at the simple-faced Ye Heng in front of him.


    In his memory, this guy was a straightforward boy!


    How did he turn out like this?


    Ye Heng, feeling somewhat embarrassed by Xiao Yi''s gaze, touched his nose and said awkwardly, "Master, can you stop looking at me like that?"


    Xiao Yi withdrew his gaze, speaking earnestly, "Ye Heng, if you truly wish to become my disciple, then you must first refrain from engaging in such self-serving acts. Throughout my life, I have conducted myself with integrity. We cannot allow others to point at our spine and curse, understand?"


    "Master, I realize my mistake. I''ll explain the situation to Nangong as soon as I can!"


    Ye Heng looked ashamed, but upon thinking of the Nangong Family''s vast wealth and influence, he couldn''t help but sigh regretfully, "It''s just a pity, if the Nangong Family were to intervene, the treasures wouldn''t be worth less than a billion, right?"


    "Not less than a billion?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, then coughed lightly, speaking righteously, "Ye Heng, have the other three great clan families tried to recruit you?"


    Ye Heng: "Eh?"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose and said, "I''ve heard that the four great clans have numerous businesses, including brothels, gambling houses, and even slave trading��all of which are ill-gotten gains. If we were to take this money and use it for the construction of Xiaoshanhe Institute and to benefit the common folk, that would be a great deed!"


    "But Master... didn''t you say that we shouldn''t let others point at our spine and curse?" Ye Heng said, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "Aren''t you being a bit too old-fashioned? We would be robbing the rich to help the poor. The common people would praise us, not curse us! Don''t you think that''s the right thing to do?"


    Ye Heng nodded subconsciously.


    "Let''s go, I''ll take you around the imperial capital!" Xiao Yi called out to Ye Heng as they headed out of the combat field.


    As the master and disciple walked along, they discussed whether the other three great families had any intentions of soliciting Ye Heng...


    In a corner of the combat field,


    Yu Huaxian looked befuddled as he watched the master and disciple walking away, finally managing to say, "What a shameless pair of master and student..."


    The journey from Imperial Dragon Mountain to the imperial capital was not far.


    Xiao Yi flew through the air, and in a short while, they arrived outside the imperial capital.


    He had originally intended to come alone today to find ways to make money, but after running into Ye Heng in the combat field, he decided to bring him along.


    Within the imperial capital.


    Though it was only early morning, the place was already bustling with activity.


    Along the way, the master and disciple were discussing various money-making strategies.


    As for swindling the other three great families, sea??h th�� nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    after discussing it, they unanimously decided that such actions should be taken only as a last resort, absolutely not otherwise.


    Otherwise...


    The two of them would probably end up like rats on the street, everyone shouting to hit them.


    This made Xiao Yi feel somewhat regretful.


    "Should we sell elixirs? Or appraise treasures?"


    Ever since finding out that the monthly expenses exceeded a billion silver taels, Xiao Yi felt pitifully poor and now had only thoughts of making money.


    But with his current level of cultivation, he could at most concoct four-star elixirs, which wasn''t very profitable.


    Even though Xue Bufan could make five-star elixirs, Xue Bufan''s alchemy efficiency was too low.


    That path was a dead end too.


    As for appraising treasures...


    He did have the Life-Snatching Scholar''s ability to appraise treasures; for instance, at the Treasure Pavilion in Nanhuang City, he had easily earned several hundred thousand silver taels.


    However,


    Finding treasures also depended on fate! They weren''t just lying around everywhere.


    "Brothers, was my hospitality last night to your liking?" a boisterous voice came from the crowd.


    Five burly men walked shoulder to shoulder.


    ```


    Everyone reeked of alcohol, mixed with the scent of rouge, clearly having just left a brothel after a night of revelry.


    "Third Brother''s arrangements are absolutely beyond reproach!"


    "Tsk tsk, that girl was really quite sprightly... By the way, Third Brother, you must''ve spent a fortune yesterday, right?"


    "Not much, not much, just a hundred thousand silver taels!" Third Brother said with a wave of his hand.


    The robust man beside him said with a look of envy, "Third Brother won three million silver taels at the Combat Pavilion yesterday, so this hundred thousand is just a mere trifle to him!"


    In the face of the envious glances from the others, Third Brother laughed heartily, "It''s just luck! The one called Dongfang''s winnings were truly something else. Just one match and Dongfang won five hundred million silver taels, that''s five hundred million! If you piled up all that silver, it would probably be as tall as a mountain!"


    "Combat Pavilion? Five hundred million in one day?"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    He was now very sensitive to money.


    Xiao Yi looked at Ye Heng beside him and asked, "Ye Heng, do you know about the Combat Pavilion?"


    "I know!"


    Ye Heng nodded and said, "The Combat Pavilion is also a gambling house. They arrange battles between martial artists, and people can place bets on the fighters they favor. Of course, one can also apply to become a combatant and fight; if you win, you get a certain percentage. However, the Combat Pavilion is very dangerous, with frequent fatalities."


    "How substantial are the Combat Pavilion''s financial resources?" Xiao Yi asked.


    "From what I''ve heard, the Combat Pavilion is backed by the Great Qian Dynasty''s most mysterious assassination organization, Xue Yi Tower, so their financial strength is undoubtedly immense!" Ye Heng replied.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Xue Yi Tower?"


    That was an old nemesis of his!


    If it hadn''t been for an assassin from Xue Yi Tower, Fang Qingzhu wouldn''t have had to use her Innate Divine Ability multiple times, which led to her being detected and taken away by people from Baiyu.


    There was also Xue Mantian...


    The encirclement of the Tianqing Kingdom from all sides had something to do with him as well.


    "Ye Heng, your master has found a way to make money!" Xiao Yi said with a grin.


    Ye Heng was startled, "Master, you''re not thinking of going to the Combat Pavilion, are you?"


    "Let''s go!"


    Xiao Yi grabbed Ye Heng and started walking forward, "Master will show you how to rob the rich to aid the poor!"


    Ye Heng looked speechless, "Master, the Combat Pavilion is to the east, you''re going the wrong way..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    ......


    Combat Pavilion.


    Located in the eastern part of the imperial capital, it covered an extremely vast area.


    The entire Combat Pavilion was square-shaped, divided into four areas: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow.


    The Heaven Character Pavilion was of the highest grade, while the Yellow Character Pavilion was the lowest.


    The Yellow Character Pavilion was for fighters of the Physical Body Realm, the Mysterious Character Pavilion for the Divine Skills Realm, the Earth Character Pavilion for the Golden Core Realm, and the Heaven Character Pavilion for the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    For the Mysterious and Yellow Character Pavilions, one simply needed to buy a ticket to enter and watch the battles or place bets.


    To enter the Earth Character Pavilion, your net worth had to be verified, and those with less than ten million silver taels were not allowed in.


    The Heaven Character Pavilion had even higher requirements, demanding a minimum net worth of one hundred million silver to gain entry.


    Xiao Yi spent two hundred silver taels to buy two tickets and entered the Mysterious Character Pavilion.


    As soon as they entered,


    they were greeted with a deafening cacophony: "The next match is about to start, place your bets quickly!"


    "Put ten thousand taels on Tiger King for me!"


    "Tiger King my ass, this round is definitely going to the Azure Dragon Association. Put fifty thousand taels on Azure Dragon for me..."


    On the way there, Ye Heng had explained that in the Combat Pavilion, many martial artists who didn''t want to reveal their identities would choose to use nicknames instead.


    Both Tiger King and Azure Dragon were martial artists of the Divine Skills Realm.


    Xiao Yi and his companion had just arrived and did not place bets immediately. Instead, they went into the arena to have a look around, intending to get a feel for the place before making a move. They had just found good seats in the stands when the fighters for the next battle entered the ring, and a fierce fight erupted instantly...

 Chapter 237 - 237: One Hundred Million Chips!

    The entire Combat Pavilion was protected by a formation.


    Each of the four sub-pavilions had its own Protective Formation, capable of withstanding a clash from warriors at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, so there was no need to worry about damaging the Combat Pavilion or endangering innocent bystanders or the audience in the stands.


    Despite it being morning...


    There were still many people inside the Combat Pavilion.


    In the circular duel arena, iron gates on the east and west sides respectively opened slowly, and two figures emerged from within.


    The person from the east was extremely muscular, with a blood-red tiger tattoo on his chest, and his cultivation had reached the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    He was the Tiger King!


    On the west was Azure Dragon, wearing a black mask and wielding a Green Cloud Coiling Dragon Spear, his cultivation also at the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    If one were to look solely at cultivation, the two men were evenly matched.


    "Tiger King, snap that lad''s neck, I''ve placed a wager of five million heavyweight on you!"


    "Azure Dragon, kill the Tiger King..."


    "Kill him!" S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shouts and roars echoed above the duel arena.


    Inside the duel arena.


    Azure Dragon and Tiger King both let out furious roars and charged at each other with murderous intent. Killing the other would allow them to gain a certain percentage of the wagered chips. Given the reputation of Tiger King and Azure Dragon, this battle attracted stakes that started from at least one billion, and even one ten-thousandth of that was a hundred thousand silver.


    The Tiger King had immense strength and was poor; his fighting style was fierce and dominant.


    He continuously suppressed Azure Dragon.


    Gaining the upper hand.


    Those who had placed bets on Tiger King were all yelling excitedly at the top of their lungs.


    As for those who had wagered on Azure Dragon, they clenched their fists tightly with foreheads dripping with cold sweat.


    Xiao Yi watched for a while but soon found it rather dull, and turning to Ye Heng beside him, he asked, "Who do you think will win?"


    Ye Heng was taken aback for a moment and furrowed his brows, saying, "Master, I think it should be Azure Dragon!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Why?"


    Ye Heng rested his chin on his hand and spoke in a deep voice, "Although it looks like Azure Dragon is at a disadvantage and is being completely suppressed by Tiger King, I see that Azure Dragon''s battle does not show any hint of panic. On the contrary, it seems as if he is deliberately putting himself in an unfavorable position... It feels like he''s digging a pit, waiting for Tiger King to jump in!"


    "Your little brat''s hair hasn''t even grown fully, what do you know?"


    "Didn''t you see Tiger King completely suppressing Azure Dragon? When narrow paths meet, the brave wins, and the winner will definitely be Tiger King!"


    A few people beside Ye Heng mocked him with their remarks.


    Ye Heng''s brow furrowed deeper, and just as he was about to speak, a wave of shocked gasps cascaded down from the stands like rolling waves, "What just happened? How did Tiger King die?"


    "What?"


    "Tiger King is dead?"


    "That''s impossible... My money... I bet my wife and daughter''s dowry and just lost it like that, how am I supposed to redeem my wife and daughter now..."


    All those who had placed bets on Tiger King were collectively stunned.


    Just a moment ago, Tiger King was completely dominating Azure Dragon, yet suddenly, he was dead?


    Several warriors seated next to Xiao Yi and Ye Heng had bloodshot eyes; their gazes fixed dead on the two, infuriatedly roaring, "Dammit, it must be you two jinxed bastards. Before you opened your mouths, Tiger King was completely suppressing Azure Dragon, but as soon as you say Tiger King''s going to lose, he dies. You two, compensate us for our losses!"


    "I bet five hundred thousand silver on him, you have to compensate us!"


    "I staked a million silver..."


    Facing a crowd of people with fierce gazes fixed on them, Xiao Yi and Ye Heng exchanged a glance, speechless.


    Were they supposed to take the blame for this, too?


    Xiao Yi touched his nose, and said playfully, "This isn''t fun! Are you blaming us for your wrong bets?"


    "Go to hell, are you compensating or not?"


    "If not, watch your backs trying to leave this Combat Pavilion!" The five men across from them bore malicious expressions as they glared at Xiao Yi and Ye Heng.


    The five had already encircled them.


    Their fists clenched, making crackling noises.


    Ye Heng looked to Xiao Yi, "Master, what should we do?"


    "Mix it up!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and said, "If anyone dares to make a move, break their arms and legs and throw them out!"


    Having said that.


    He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as if nothing concerned him.


    Ye Heng stood by his side like a statue.


    The surrounding spectators all drew back a distance, watching them with interest; such conflicts were very common in the Combat Pavilion and no longer surprising: "That youngster is unlucky, to have provoked those five gambling addicts."


    "I remember last time there was a bald guy who just because he sat next to them, and when these five guys lost money, they blamed that bald guy for bad luck and beat him to death!"


    "Young man, you might as well compensate them with the money! It''s not worth losing your life over money!"


    Faced with the crowd''s advice, Ye Heng smiled and said, "Thank you all for your concern, but five flies are no trouble at all!"


    "This brat actually dares to call us flies?"


    The five men exchanged glances and said ferociously, "Damn it, kill him!"


    Whoosh!


    The five men charged at once.


    Bang bang bang!


    After a series of muffled sounds of fists meeting flesh, calm was restored.


    It was all over in the space of three breaths.


    The crowd: "..."


    They saw the five fierce men already scattered on the floor, with broken hands or feet, completely incapacitated.


    Ye Heng searched the men and took out five purses, counted the silver notes inside, and said speechlessly, "Five grown men together have only a hundred thousand silvers? You''re really too poor, aren''t you?"


    The five men rolled their eyes together and passed out: "..."


    Rustle rustle!


    The guards of the Combat Pavilion arrived one after another, carrying the five men away without even asking about the cause and effect.


    The Combat Pavilion does not prohibit fighting between guests.


    For any damages caused, pay tenfold compensation!


    If you don''t pay?


    Throw them directly into the dueling arena, let them out when they''ve made enough money, and if they die, just throw them onto the pauper''s grave.


    After this disturbance, it became much quieter around Xiao Yi.


    At that moment...


    A girl in a red dress appeared in the center of the dueling arena, her delicate voice echoing in the Combat Pavilion: "The next duel will be between the newcomer, Blind Swordsman, with cultivation in the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. The other is Liu Meng with a broadsword, at the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm."


    Clang!


    Clang!


    Two iron gates opened.


    The man from the east was the tyrannical Liu Meng, with eyes like lightning and a burly figure, holding a nine-ring saber, exuding an impressive aura.


    The swordsman from the west was thin and wore ragged clothes; his eyes were hollow, revealing he was blind.


    "Eh?"


    Xiao Yi suddenly opened his eyes, looking towards the direction of the Blind Swordsman.


    The Blind Swordsman seemed to sense something, his hollow gaze wandering before it landed in the direction of Xiao Yi. His grey and white eyes moved around, then he lowered his head once more, a deathly stillness emanating from him, as if his life was nearing its end.


    The iron gates were open for about a hundred breaths before closing again, and the girl in the red dress announced loudly: "You all have half an incense stick''s time to place your bets!"


    "Do we even need to choose? It''s obviously free money for us, with Liu Meng suspected to be a disciple of the Kuangdao Sect and with a higher cultivation than the other; of course, I choose him!"


    "The odds for Liu Meng are 1.5 to 1, while the Blind Swordsman is 3 to 1; clearly, even the Combat Pavilion thinks Liu Meng has a higher chance of winning!"


    "Look at that Blind Swordsman, scrawny and blind, no way he could win..."


    Ye Heng looked at Xiao Yi: "Master, which side should we bet on?"


    Xiao Yi exhaled a deep breath and said, "Blind Swordsman!"


    "Okay!"


    Ye Heng nodded, then asked, "How much?"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said solemnly, "One billion!"

 Chapter 238 - 238: A Loss of Ten Billion

    "A hundred million?"


    Ye Heng stared at the stack of silver notes Xiao Yi handed to him, completely flabbergasted.


    This was a hundred million taels of silver!


    Actual, tangible silver!


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Go ahead!"


    When he saw the blind swordsman, he had a peculiar feeling, an intuition that exists between swordsmen.


    Xiao Yi was certain that the blind swordsman must have mastered the power of Sword Intent.


    In contrast, the overbearing Liu Meng displayed no hint of blade intent. Even if the blind swordsman''s mastery was only the first stage of Sword Intent, he was more than capable of defeating someone at the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm!


    Xiao Yi''s bet of a hundred million taels of silver truly shocked many people.


    You have to understand...


    Bets starting at a hundred million usually took place in the Earth Character Pavilion or even the Heaven Character Pavilion!


    There weren''t many inside the Mysterious and Yellow Pavilions who could place a bet of a hundred million taels of silver.


    Someone kindly advised, "Brother, betting a hundred million on that blind man is simply throwing your money away! Liu Meng the Overbearing Swordsman has nine consecutive wins. Even facing a master at the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm, he can easily deal with them!"


    "Yeah, you should change your bet while your disciple hasn''t placed it yet!"


    The crowd urged.


    Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "It''s fine, it''s just a hundred million. If I lose it, then so be it!"


    "..."


    The crowd exchanged glances, speechless.


    To him, a hundred million was nothing!


    The crowd''s gaze at Xiao Yi carried a tinge of envy, of course, that was also because of Ye Heng''s previously demonstrated strength, which prevented them from harboring other thoughts.


    Otherwise...


    There would likely be many more who would set their sights on him!


    It didn''t take long for Ye Heng to return, holding the betting slip in hand. He asked, "Master, can that blind swordsman really win?"


    Xiao Yi indifferently answered, "In this world, there is no such thing as absolute certainty, the battle will begin shortly!"


    Ye Heng instantly closed his mouth.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Two iron gates opened at the same time.


    The blind swordsman and Liu Meng the Overbearing Swordsman appeared on the dueling ground, facing each other. The blind swordsman held a long bamboo cane, gently tapping it on the ground as he fumbled forward, his grayish-white eyes moving left and right without focus. In contrast, his opponent Liu Meng wielded a big nine-ring saber, muscles like lead, radiating a domineering presence.


    Liu Meng forcefully implanted his nine-ring saber into the ground, opened his arms wide, and repeatedly clapped his hands over his head, calling out loudly, "Cheer, come on!"


    "Overbearing Swordsman!"


    "Victory to the Overbearing Swordsman!"


    Liu Meng laughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying the sensation of being the center of attention. With a tip of his foot, he kicked up the nine-ring saber, grasping the hilt midair with one hand.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The rings on the saber collided, producing a series of crisp sounds.


    Liu Meng''s gaze was ice-cold as he addressed the blind swordsman, "Blind man, you take the first move. I''ll let you have ten strikes!"


    The blind swordsman cocked his head, his grayish-white eyes wandering aimlessly.


    He made no reply.


    All that could be seen was his right hand gripping one end of the long bamboo cane, followed by a buzzing sound that resonated sharply. A streak of silver light flashed along the cane and then vanished.


    The blind swordsman, leaning on the long bamboo cane, tapped it around and stumbled toward the iron door on the east side.


    The crowd was puzzled, "What''s going on? Is he forfeiting?"


    "The fight hasn''t even started, why is he leaving?"


    Just as everyone was brimming with confusion, a soft sigh suddenly arose, "He has already won."


    All eyes turned in unison towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, a sharp light swirling within: "What swift swordplay��just now, in that instant, he actually unleashed nine swords!"


    "Nine swords?"


    Ye Heng was shocked.


    Just then...


    In the middle of the dueling arena, Liu Meng suddenly trembled, a speck of blood spurting from his neck followed by fountains of blood gushing forth like geysers, nine jet streams instantly dyeing the ground red.


    Bang!


    Liu Meng fell into the pool of blood.


    Hiss!


    A dead silence fell around the dueling arena, which after a brief pause, erupted like a flash flood: "Holy shit! Can someone tell me what the hell just happened? How did Liu Meng die without me seeing anything?"


    "Incredible, the Bling Swordsman''s sword is just too fast!"


    "In that split second, Liu Meng was hit by nine swords, this, this..."


    Several strong individuals next to Xiao Yi were shocked by the Blind Swordsman''s power, and they also remembered that Xiao Yi had placed a bet of one hundred million silver on the Blind Swordsman; envy appearing on their faces: "Congratulations, the Blind Swordsman was at three-to-one odds, you just made two hundred million with that bet!"


    "Brother, who are you planning to bet on in the next match? We''ll follow your lead..."


    Everyone was excitedly looking at Xiao Yi.


    In two consecutive duels, Xiao Yi had accurately predicted the outcome.


    Especially in the match with the Blind Swordsman.


    When almost everyone was doubting the Blind Swordsman, Xiao Yi resolutely placed a heavy bet of one hundred million silver on him, earning two hundred million silver in one go.


    This truly made people envious and at the same time, won their admiration.


    They all wanted to follow his bets.


    To Xiao Yi, this was of little concern, after all, the Combat Pavilion was backed by Blood Shadow Tower; to carve a slice from the enemy, why not revel in it?


    And so...


    The third match.


    The fourth match.


    The fifth match...


    Xiao Yi accurately predicted the outcome of nine consecutive matches, his wealth now accumulating to twelve billion. This was despite the odds not being as rare as the three-to-one seen in the Blind Swordsman''s match; otherwise, his profits from nine consecutive victories would have far exceeded this number.


    Even so, Xiao Yi was quite satisfied.


    In just a couple of hours, he had earned what Xiaoshanhe Institute spent in a month.


    "Combat Pavilion, indeed a right place to come!" Xiao Yi muttered to himself.


    If he were to engage in alchemy and marketing, just gathering the herbs would take a significant amount of time!


    Meanwhile...


    In the very center of the Combat Pavilion, within an area standing alone, where outsiders were not permitted...


    "Pavilion Master, there''s a big problem!" A powerful individual from the Combat Pavilion rushed in, frantic, facing a figure in a blood robe.


    "What''s the issue?"


    The figure in the blood robe frowned.


    The urgent individual said, "There''s a major problem from the Mysterious Character Pavilion''s side; a young man has been precisely predicting the outcome of each match. He has now won nine consecutive matches and earned more than ten billion silver."


    The figure in the blood robe impatiently responded, "So he won, just ten billion, we can afford to lose that much!" S��arch* The n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s not that, Pavilion Master..."


    The person with a distressed face said, "Now, everyone in the Mysterious Character Pavilion is betting with him, and everyone''s making a killing. A rough estimate, in just one or two hours, we''ve lost over one hundred billion silver."


    "What?"


    The figure in the blood robe suddenly opened his eyes wide.


    One hundred billion silver!


    Even if the Combat Pavilion was a goldmine, that''s still a substantial amount.


    The figure in the blood robe narrowed his eyes, speaking gravely, "Go invite him here... no, I will see him personally. I want to see who is so audacious as to cause trouble in my Combat Pavilion!"

 Chapter 239 - 239 Are You Threatening Me?

    After Xiao Yi had won nine consecutive battles.


    The Mysterious Character Pavilion temporarily halted the next fight.


    As everyone was puzzled, Xue Wuhen, clad in a blood robe, approached Xiao Yi with a gentle smile on his face and said, "My name is Xue Wuhen, I am the Pavilion Master of the Combat Pavilion, may I inquire as to your esteemed name?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and replied indifferently, "Does my name really matter?"


    "Indeed, it does not!"


    Xue Wuhen smiled, sat down next to Xiao Yi, and spoke softly, "You''ve won quite a bit, why not quit while you''re ahead?"


    Xiao Yi looked at him amusingly, "What? Can the mighty Combat Pavilion not afford to lose?"


    "The strength of our Combat Pavilion is far beyond what you can imagine, how could we not afford to lose? However, greed is an insatiable snake that swallows elephants, and those who are overly greedy tend to meet bad ends. I''m merely considering your well-being. Take the money you''ve won and leave; you can still enjoy it greatly once you return. If you continue, it''s very likely you''ll lose everything..." The smile never left Xue Wuhen''s face, but the chill in his eyes grew ever more piercing.


    Not only was Xue Wuhen the Pavilion Master of the Combat Pavilion, he was also the lord of Xue Yilou.


    His cultivation had reached the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    An air of icy coldness emanated from him, prompting the surrounding crowd to scatter and avoid getting too close.


    Xiao Yi sized up Xue Wuhen, noting an aura similar to that of Xue Mantian��clearly, both had cultivated the techniques of Xue Yilou.


    Such an aura was exactly the kind Xiao Yi detested the most.


    If not for Xue Mantian, would he and Fang Qingzhu have been separated?


    Xiao Yi spoke calmly, "Wealth is but an external possession; loss is simply loss."


    "Are you determined to oppose my Combat Pavilion to the bitter end?" Xue Wuhen squinted and asked.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders.


    Xue Wuhen chuckled, stood up, and straightened his clothes, saying, "Very well, then I wish you continued good luck!"


    Before his voice had faded.


    He stroked his sleeve and strode away.


    Ye Heng looked at Xiao Yi with worry, "Master..."


    "It''s alright!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, revealing a serene smile, "I want to see what tricks he has up his sleeve!"


    Shortly after.


    The tenth battle commenced, this time a Blind Swordsman would face a bald young man of the same realm.


    "The Blind Swordsman is the one who slew Liu Meng of the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm with a single sword strike; isn''t this bald kid of the First Layer of the Divine Passage Realm seeking death?"


    "I''m betting on the Blind Swordsman this round!"


    As they watched the Blind Swordsman in the arena, the crowd had fresh memories of his swift swordsmanship and commented one after another.


    Ye Heng asked, "Master, should we put all our silver on the Blind Swordsman?"


    "No!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, and watching the crowd place heavy bets on the Blind Swordsman, he said in a serious tone, "Place everything on the bald kid!"


    Several people around were startled, "On the bald kid?"


    "Young master, the Blind Swordsman is definitely stronger than the bald kid..."


    Xiao Yi said calmly, "I haven''t forced you to believe me!"


    While the people hesitated, someone spoke up, "Gentlemen, in my opinion, he''s been bluffed by the Pavilion Master of the Combat Pavilion. He''s thinking of intentionally losing the money back to them. We shouldn''t trust him!"


    "Exactly, anyone can see that the Blind Swordsman will win. Yet he insists we bet on the bald kid, for sure he''s chickened out!"


    "Don''t listen to him!"


    The crowd placed their bets on the Blind Swordsman.


    Ye Heng looked at Xiao Yi worriedly, "Master, this..."


    Xiao Yi laughed, "It''s their own money!"


    Ye Heng fell silent.


    Thump!


    The battle commenced.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, the blind swordsman indeed lost, losing in a somewhat inexplicable manner.


    Xiao Yi''s 1.2 billion turned into 1.5 billion.


    The others, however, suffered a crushing defeat.


    Less than a tenth had followed Xiao Yi''s bet.


    For a moment��


    The crowd looked at Xiao Yi as if he were an enemy, "It''s all your fault, you yourself bet on the bald kid, yet you made us bet on the blind swordsman��"


    "I really hate you, how could you harm us like this?"


    "I bet all my fortune on this, and now you''ve ruined me��"


    "You must have colluded with the Combat Pavilion to swindle our money��"


    Faced with the crowd''s accusations and provocation, someone even charged towards Xiao Yi, "Give us back our hard-earned money!"


    A chill flashed through Xiao Yi''s eyes, and with a casual wave of his hand, a torrent of vital energy surged out.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    One strong fighter after another was sent flying, sprawling across the ground in all directions.


    Xiao Yi''s face remained expressionless.


    Ye Heng burst into a furious rage, "Have you no conscience? My master never asked you to follow his bets. When you make money, you forget his goodwill, but when you lose, you come to blame him? Besides, my master already said he would bet on the bald kid. It was you who thought you knew better and bet on the blind swordsman. Now that you''ve lost everything, it''s your own fault. Anyone who talks nonsense again, be careful lest I tear your mouth apart!"


    Looking at the few people wailing on the ground, everyone exchanged glances, not daring to utter another word.


    The eleventh pair of fighters made their appearance on the dueling stage.


    However��


    This time, Ye Heng returned, smiling bitterly, "Master, Xue Wuhen at the betting station, he won''t accept our chips."


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and stood up, making his way to the betting station.


    Xue Wuhen, with his legs crossed and an air of nonchalance, looked amused, "Oh, what brought you here?"


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "My disciple says you won''t take my chips?"


    "We won''t!"


    Xue Wuhen spoke defiantly, "Even if you calculate it accurately, I still won''t accept your chips. You also don''t need to think about predicting the outcome and letting others bet. I can change the outcome at any time." He slowly raised his right hand and clenched it lightly, "No matter how powerful you are, you will never be able to escape from the palm of my hand!"


    Xue Wuhen looked at Xiao Yi, smugly.


    He didn''t care about losing ten or so billion.


    After all��


    The latest round with the blind swordsman had allowed him to recoup a hundred billion. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But Xiao Yi had previously disrespected him, which irritated Xue Wuhen, prompting him to deliberately make things difficult for Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "You mean to say, today it''s impossible for me to bet at the Combat Pavilion?"


    "Not just today, tomorrow, the day after�� for the rest of your life, don''t even think about placing a bet at my Combat Pavilion again, don''t even think about earning a single silver tael from my Combat Pavilion. Of course��"


    Xue Wuhen leaned forward slightly, a radiant smile on his face as he spoke ominously, "If you have the courage, you can directly participate in the duels. If you win, you will get a share of the bets. Moreover, the more consecutive victories at my Combat Pavilion, the higher the share. Ten consecutive victories entitle you to a tenth of the share, twenty consecutive victories a fifth�� If you can win a hundred consecutive matches, then congratulations, all the earnings are yours! However, if you participate in the duels, you could very well lose your life in the process!"


    Xiao Yi stared intently at Xue Wuhen with narrowed eyes, "Are you threatening me?"


    Xue Wuhen shrugged his shoulders confidently, "I am threatening you. What can you do about it?"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath and said, "I only wanted to make some money quietly and leave, but since you insist on pushing me, so be it!"

 Chapter 240 - 240 Who Can Withstand My Unbeatable Punch?

    "As I wish?"


    Xue Wuhen was taken aback, his eyes narrowed into slits as he looked at Xiao Yi with a playful expression, "Kid, you''re not actually thinking about participating in the dueling arena, are you?"


    In his eyes, Xiao Yi must have lost his mind.


    The duels within the Combat Pavilion were a matter of life and death.


    However...


    All of this, in Xiao Yi''s view, was exactly what he desired.


    Wasn''t this a great opportunity to make money?


    Winning ten consecutive matches would yield one-tenth of the prize, and winning a hundred matches in a row would grant him all the wagers.


    Such a streak of victories may be difficult for others.


    But to Xiao Yi, it seemed as simple as reaching into a bag and taking what he needed.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Don''t you just wish for me to join the duel in the Combat Pavilion?"


    Xue Wuhen frowned and said, "Kid, do you really prefer to die rather than yield to me? Don''t forget, this is my turf, and if you really get on the dueling ground, killing you wouldn''t be any harder than crushing an ant!"


    "I''ll also tell you, you''re forcing me into the duel now, but later you will be kneeling and begging me to leave!" Xiao Yi said with a cold laugh.


    "Hahaha..."


    Xue Wuhen straightened his body, his tangible gaze fixed on Xiao Yi as he said deliberately, "Little bastard, since you''re so bent on courting death, I''ll grant your wish!" Xue Wuhen shouted to someone behind him, "Bring someone here, prepare a token for this foolhardy kid, and take him to the Earth Character Pavilion!"


    Among the four pavilions of Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Huang, the Earth Character Pavilion is where the Golden Core Realm powerhouses fight.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation level was of the Golden Core Realm; naturally, he was directed to the Earth Character Pavilion.


    A strong member of the Combat Pavilion approached, took out a token, and said, "Please state your name, or you may use a nickname as a substitute!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "One Punch!"


    "One Punch?"


    The servant was momentarily startled, looking at him in confusion, "Does this name carry any special meaning?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Xue Wuhen behind the servant and said deliberately, "Who can withstand my undefeated punch?"


    With those words...


    A sense of arrogance and confidence was like an invisible storm, crushing everything.


    Hiss!


    The servant holding the token trembled violently, and the token almost fell to the ground.


    "Who can withstand your undefeated punch? That''s quite the bold claim. You''re not considering yourself Xiao Tianjiao, are you?"


    Xue Wuhen mocked incessantly, his face full of disdain and impatience, as he waved to the servant, "Take him to the Earth Character Pavilion and arrange his fight!"


    "Yes!"


    The attendant immediately led Xiao Yi to the Earth Character Pavilion.


    As for Ye Heng, he was taken by Xue Wuhen to the VIP area and was not allowed to place bets on the way.


    This left Ye Heng quite helpless.


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi had already been led by the servant to the prep area of the Earth Character Pavilion, where hundreds of powerhouses were meditating with their eyes closed.


    Each of these people was a Golden Core Realm existence, and every one of them was exceptionally indifferent, only giving Xiao Yi a glance when he appeared before slowly withdrawing their gaze.


    "Please prepare a mask for me!" Xiao Yi said.


    "Please wait a moment!"


    Shortly after, the servant brought over a silver mask.


    As soon as Xiao Yi put on the mask, the servant said, "The Pavilion Master has given special instructions that as long as you don''t cry halt, we can keep arranging opponents for you. He regards this as a special favor to you!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, stood up, and walked toward the dueling arena.


    Within the VIP area.


    Xue Wuhen sat in a bold manner, with his legs crossed and relaxedly tasting his fine wine, his eyes narrowing into slits as he gazed at Ye Heng beside him who seemed somewhat apprehensive, "Kid, if you hand over those billions to me now and have your master kneel and apologize to me, I might consider sparing you both!"


    Ye Heng gave him a look and said, "You better think about how you''re going to beg my master to leave the dueling ground later on!"


    "Oh? It seems you have quite the confidence in your master!" Xue Wuhen said with a laugh.


    Ye Heng replied, "My master is invincible in battle!"


    "Invincible? Hahaha..."


    Xue Wuhen shook his head, chuckling disdainfully, "Then let''s just wait and see!"


    Xue Wuhen snapped his fingers.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The grand gates on both sides of the dueling arena burst open, and at the same time, a graceful woman appeared in the center of the arena and announced loud and clear, "The combatants for this battle: on the left side, our Barbarian King. The other is a newcomer; his name is quite unique, called One Punch. According to him, the meaning behind this name is ''Who can withstand my punch undefeated''!"


    The rules of Earth Character Pavilion are different from those of Huang Xuan''s pavilions.


    Here, they don''t publicize the combatants'' cultivation levels, but rather let people guess based on their feelings.


    "..."


    The vast Earth Character Pavilion fell silent.


    Then a burst of roaring laughter erupted, "Hahaha, isn''t this kid way too arrogant? Who gave him the courage?"


    "I''ve seen the arrogant, but never this arrogant!"


    "Barbarian King, beat him to death!"


    In the middle of the dueling arena.


    The Barbarian King snickered continuously, standing at a towering height of three meters, reportedly a strong man from a barbaric tribe living in remote forests. His hands kneading each other, producing a crackling sound that was loud and clear, he said coldly, "Kid, I''ll let you have the first punch!"


    "Oh!"


    Xiao Yi nodded agreeably.


    He threw a punch that seemed casual and light.


    Full of mockery, the Barbarian King remarked, "Your punch is so slow, and your power so weak, are you trying to tickle me?"


    However...


    The smile on his face suddenly vanished.


    It wasn''t that the fist had hit him, but just the force of the punch approaching.


    Whoosh!


    The Barbarian King didn''t even have time to scream before being blasted away by the force of the punch, without even being touched by the fist itself! S��arch* The N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thud!


    The Barbarian King slammed hard against the Array and rebounded back onto the ground, completely knocked out cold.


    Hiss!


    The strong ones who were previously mocking Xiao Yi collectively fell silent.


    They all stared stupefied at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi looked up at the graceful girl and said, "Next!"


    The graceful girl had already received instructions, to continuously provide him with opponents as long as Xiao Yi didn''t call a stop.


    Previously, the Barbarian King was only at the fifth layer of the Golden Core Realm; this time, the challenger was at the sixth layer.


    And then...


    Bang!


    The Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Bang!


    The Eighth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Bang...


    Even when a fighter of the Ninth Layer of the Golden Core Realm stood before Xiao Yi, he was brutally smashed away, with none even capable of forcing Xiao Yi to throw a second punch.


    Just like the name he chose��Who can withstand my punch undefeated?


    As Xiao Yi continued to challenge.


    His winning streak was rapidly increasing.


    Ten rounds.


    Twenty rounds.


    Thirty rounds...


    Without realizing it.


    Xiao Yi''s consecutive victories had reached fifty, meaning that Xiao Yi could now take half of the total bets placed in each of his following battles.


    You should know...


    Due to his continuous victories, and so far no opponent being a match for even one of his punches, Xiao Yi''s reputation soared. More and more powerful figures came to place bets in his name. Now, for every battle of Xiao Yi''s, the Combat Pavilion had to pay out at least two to three billion Silver, and that''s not even including the half of the chips Xiao Yi now claimed with each battle.


    Inside the VIP room.


    Xue Wuhen was drenched in cold sweat, his hands tightly gripping the armrests, his face pale, listening to the reports from his subordinates: "What did you say?"


    "P-Pavilion Master, now with every battle One Punch fights, we have to pay out around one hundred and fifty billion total. Moreover, as his share of the winnings grows greater, more and more people come to bet on him. If this continues, we''re doomed..." The attendant''s face was full of despair and bitterness.


    "You little bastard, you''re forcing my hand!"


    Xue Wuhen''s face turned an iron blue, his eyes filled with fierce light, he gritted his teeth and ordered, "You, go fetch Ghost General immediately..."

 Chapter 241 - 241 Records are Meant to be Broken!

    VIP room.


    Clang clang clang!


    A series of metallic clashing noises came, and a figure appeared before Xue Wuhen and Ye Heng, clad in blood-colored metal battle armor, disheveled, and with long hair caked with congealed blood, sticking together, his face indistinct amidst the tousled strands.


    The very moment this person appeared,


    Ye Heng felt the temperature inside the VIP room plummet to freezing point.


    The drink in his hand also turned to ice.


    "There''s such a heavy evil Qi on this person..." Ye Heng silently cautioned himself.


    Beneath the disheveled hair, a pair of blood-red eyes flickered with cold, detached glimmers of light, fixing on Xue Wuhen: "Why did you summon me?"


    Xue Wuhen pointed towards Xiao Yi in the dueling arena and said in a deep voice, "Didn''t you instruct me to wake you if I encountered a strong enough contender worthy of being your opponent? Such a person has appeared. This man is nicknamed ''One Punch'' and has achieved a fifty-win streak. I want you to kill him!"


    "Fifty-win streak?"


    The Ghost General''s voice was ice-cold yet resonant, as he sneered, "Call me when he reaches his ninetieth match!"


    His voice was like that of a haunting spirit.


    At times delicate, at times rough, the yin and yang were indistinguishable.


    Xue Wuhen angrily retorted, "Why wait until the ninetieth match? Do you know how much I stand to lose?"


    The Ghost General replied indifferently, "When Xiao Tianjiao was in the Golden Core Realm, he defeated me on his ninetieth match, thus achieving an unprecedented ninety-win streak. It''s precisely because I failed to stop Xiao Tianjiao that I agreed to guard the Combat Pavilion. Let me take action when he reaches his ninetieth match!"


    The Ghost General then dragged his heavy body away,


    Completely ignoring Xue Wuhen''s angry roar, "Damned bastard..."


    Ye Heng quietly heaved a sigh of relief.


    For some reason...


    Even when he heard Xue Wuhen ordering the Ghost General to strike down Xiao Yi, he felt no worry at all.


    In his heart, Xiao Yi was invincible.


    No one could threaten his life.


    There was simply no need for concern.


    Xue Wuhen stared fixedly at Ye Heng, grinding his teeth as he said, "Boy, just who is your master?"


    Ye Heng answered lightly, "When my master completes a hundred-win streak, let him tell you himself!"


    "A hundred-win streak? Pure folly!"


    Xue Wuhen sneered as if looking at a madman, staring at Ye Heng, "Not even Xiao Tianjiao, the top talent of the Great Qian Dynasty, achieved more than ninety consecutive victories in the Golden Core Realm, a record that has been maintained for years. No one has ever been able to come close to his record. Do you think your master can be stronger than Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "Xiao Tianjiao?"


    Ye Heng was taken aback.


    That name was thunderous in his ears.


    The number one talent of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Saint Heir of Tianjian Sect, and now a master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    An existence comparable to the proud sun above the sky.


    Yet Ye Heng hadn''t imagined that Xiao Tianjiao also only managed a ninety-win streak back in the day?


    What then, had stopped him from achieving the hundred-win record?


    Narrowing his eyes, Ye Heng muttered to himself, "If it were my master, he should be able to reach a hundred consecutive victories, right?"


    Xiao Yi''s winning streak continued to rise.


    Even when faced with opponents who were at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, they were still no match for a single punch.


    "One Punch, Unbeatable!"


    "Unbeatable!"


    As soon as Xiao Yi''s opponent entered the stage, the entire Earth Character Pavilion was filled with thunderous cheers and roars.


    Xiao Yi never disappointed the crowd.


    No matter where you came from, all were brought down by one punch!


    Unconsciously...


    The win streak had reached the ninetieth match.


    The graceful lady''s figure reappeared before the crowd, her gaze filled with reverence as she looked at Xiao Yi, and announced loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contender is our Combat Pavilion''s ultimate warrior. Additionally, he is the only one who caused Xiao Tianjiao to use two moves to win during his Golden Core Realm duels in our Combat Pavilion. His name is��Ghost General!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


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    The war drums thundered relentlessly.


    "The Ghost General? My god, the Combat Pavilion actually sent him out?"


    "I was here when Xiao Tianjiao stormed the Combat Pavilion. He was truly invincible! Before he faced the Ghost General, no one could withstand even one of his moves. It wasn''t until his ninetieth fight that he met the Ghost General, and it took Xiao Tianjiao two moves to defeat him, thus setting the Combat Pavilion''s longest winning streak of ninety consecutive victories."


    "Ninety consecutive victories? With Xiao Tianjiao''s strength, wouldn''t a hundred consecutive victories be easy?"


    "What do you know? After Xiao Tianjiao defeated the Ghost General, no one in the Earth Character Pavilion''s Golden Core Realm was his match. He went straight to the Heaven Character Pavilion to challenge those in the Tao Tribulation Realm, winning nine straight victories there and accumulating nearly a trillion silver, angering the Pavilion Master who personally intervened and defeated him, halting his streak at ninety-nine consecutive victories!"


    In the midst of the whispering crowd.


    The Ghost General appeared in front of Xiao Yi, a tall and burly figure clad in blood-colored iron armor, clanking as he moved.


    His disheveled hair fell across his face, and his blood-red eyes stared at Xiao Yi as he said firmly, "You, are strong!"


    Xiao Yi squinted, assessing the Ghost General.


    There was a terrifying evil qi emanating from the man, chilling the air to freezing point. Within ten paces of the Ghost General, the ground was frosted over, the frost reaching up to Xiao Yi and stopping there uncannily.


    Xiao Yi said, "I heard it took Xiao Tianjiao two moves to beat you?"


    "Yes!"


    The Ghost General spoke with a muffled voice, "He is the strongest Golden Core Realm warrior I''ve ever seen, and no one has been able to break his record!"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, "Records are made to be broken. It took him two moves to defeat you, but I only need one punch!"


    "One punch? Hahaha, that''s the funniest joke I''ve ever heard!" The Ghost General''s laughter carried a hint of murderous intent as he took Xiao Yi''s claim of defeating him with one punch as a great insult, "As a reward for amusing me, I''ll leave your body intact!"


    As soon as the words fell.


    The Ghost General''s body shook, and the gray qi beneath him surged into a fierce gray steed.


    Mounted on the gray qi steed, clad in his blood-colored battle armor, and wielding a black spear, the Ghost General''s legs clamped down hard, and with a loud boom, he transformed into a blur of black and red, shooting past.


    His speed was so fast that all one could see was a trail of afterimages.


    "Ghost King Spear!"


    Boom!


    On the black spear, a fierce wind howled, emitting a wailing sound as it cut through the air, akin to the ghost king''s roar.


    Along the spear''s light, white frost continuously formed under the invasion of evil qi.


    Like the fangs of a ghost king, it thrust straight at Xiao Yi''s heart.


    In the VIP seats.


    Xue Wuhen reclined comfortably in his chair, smirking at Ye Heng, "Stop watching, your master''s fate is sealed. Over the years, aside from Xiao Tianjiao, no Golden Core Realm powerhouse has managed to survive against the Ghost General!"


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    "No!"


    Ye Heng stated emphatically, "My master will not lose!"


    "Stubborn till the end..."


    Xue Wuhen let out a sneer.


    Meanwhile��


    Faced with the Ghost General''s lethal strike, Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, his right fist drawn back to his waist, then suddenly hammered out like an arrow from a bow.


    Rustling!


    Endless qi gathered atop his fist.


    This punch, seemingly effortless, was imbued with the power of wind and thunder. With a massive boom, his punch landed solidly on the sharp spear tip. Amidst another resounding boom, the long spear shattered.


    The violent gust of wind sent the Ghost General flying backwards.


    Boom!


    The Ghost General slammed harshly into the protective array and fell noisily to the ground, his body crackling with thunder, unable to get up again.


    One punch, instant kill!


    "Holy shit, he actually defeated the Ghost General with one punch?"


    "This is the Ghost General who could withstand two of Xiao Tianjiao''s moves, who on earth is this one-punch guy?"


    Amidst the crowd''s speculation, Xiao Yi paid them no attention.


    His gaze turned towards the VIP area, his voice calm but filled with a fervent warlike intent, "Xue Wuhen, I want to challenge the Heaven Character Pavilion!"


    "..."


    At these words, the world was shocked...

 Chapter 242 - 242: Stirring in All Directions

    The Earth Character Pavilion was filled with silence.


    All eyes converged on Xiao Yi.


    Before the battle began��


    The majority believed the odds were evenly split between Xiao Yi and the Ghost General, with only a few thinking Xiao Yi could defeat the Ghost General, but certainly not with the two-move victory that Xiao Tianjiao achieved.


    However��


    When the scene truly unfolded before them.


    The first reaction of the crowd was disbelief.


    This was the Ghost General, who, just a few years ago, could withstand Xiao Tianjiao''s two moves before succumbing. No one believed Xiao Yi could outdo Xiao Tianjiao.


    Or rather, no one throughout the entire Great Qian Dynasty thought anyone could surpass Xiao Tianjiao.


    Until this moment.


    They witnessed Xiao Yi''s strength and excellence with their own eyes, as he defeated the formidable Ghost General with a single punch.


    Keep in mind.


    When Xiao Tianjiao faced off against the Ghost General back then, he was also at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, and so is Xiao Yi now. Under the same level of cultivation, and with the Ghost General having undergone years of hard training to become even stronger than before.


    Yet under such circumstances, Xiao Yi still defeated the Ghost General.


    It was a one-hit kill!


    Without any doubt!


    While the crowd was still immersed in the shock of Xiao Yi''s victory over the Ghost General, Xiao Yi then proposed the challenge of fighting in the Heaven Character Pavilion.


    That''s the Heaven Character Pavilion!


    It''s filled with practitioners of the Tao Tribulation Realm, even those at the peak of the realm.


    Years ago, after Xiao Tianjiao single-handedly secured ninety consecutive victories in the Earth Character Pavilion, he went on to win nine matches in the Heaven Character Pavilion, earning a trillion silver. With just one more victory, he would have accomplished a hundred consecutive victories and create a miracle.


    The result was that in the tenth match at the Heaven Character Pavilion, Xue Wuhen, the Pavilion Master of the Combat Pavilion, personally intervened to target Xiao Tianjiao.


    At that time, Xue Wuhen was at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s cultivation was also at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    Even Xiao Tianjiao had not defeated the Xue Wuhen of that time, let alone the current Xue Wuhen whose cultivation had increased several-fold from a few years back, "He couldn''t possibly be thinking of breaking Xiao Tianjiao''s record, could he?"


    "With ninety consecutive victories in the Earth Character Pavilion, and having defeated the Ghost General, there is no one in the Earth Character Pavilion who can match him. It seems he really intends to challenge Xiao Tianjiao''s record!"


    "I think he''s been addled by his victories��"


    Inside the VIP room.


    Xue Wuhen was also startled, a trace of astonishment appearing on his face, "Could this kid really be intending to break Xiao Tianjiao''s record? How preposterous!"


    Back then, he had interfered to prevent Xiao Tianjiao from achieving a hundred consecutive victories because the final bet was a staggering ten trillion silver, and should Xiao Tianjiao win, the Combat Pavilion would have been bankrupted.


    He had no choice but to take action.


    Even though he ultimately won and stopped Xiao Tianjiao, that battle also damaged his foundation, preventing him from ever advancing to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Xue Wuhen never imagined that Xiao Yi was thinking of replicating Xiao Tianjiao''s feat?


    Ye Heng confidently said, "What does Xiao Tianjiao amount to? My master said that records are meant to be broken, and he will definitely break Xiao Tianjiao''s record!"


    "Nonsense!"


    Xue Wuhen sneered with irony, recalling his own battle with Xiao Tianjiao, he couldn''t help but express his feelings, "That Xiao Tianjiao was truly a favored son of heaven, exceptionally brilliant, unparalleled in ages past. That battle drew countless strong individuals, with even the ten great sects sending experts. That brought about a betting round of eighteen trillion silver, forcing me to intervene!"


    Eighteen trillion silver?


    Ye Heng inhaled sharply.


    Carrying several billion silver notes on him, he already felt immensely wealthy.


    How much would eighteen trillion silver be?


    Xue Wuhen squinted his eyes, looking down at Xiao Yi in the dueling arena, and spoke out loud, "Young man, do you know who''s inside the Heaven Character Pavilion? Your strength is not bad, but there are plenty stronger than you in there, and one careless move could cost you your life!"


    Xiao Yi looked up proudly in the direction of the VIP room, "Just say whether you dare let me go to the Heaven Character Pavilion or not?"


    Hiss!


    All those present drew in a breath of cold air.


    That was none other than the Pavilion Master of the Combat Pavilion, the Master of Xue Yilou, a being at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Xiao Yi actually dared to speak to him like that?


    Xue Wuhen snorted coldly and said, "What is there to dare?" After a pause, Xue Wuhen spoke aloud, "Open the Heaven Character Pavilion!"


    Boom!


    The entire Combat Pavilion thundered.


    A series of ear-splitting, resounding bell tolls echoed across the emperor''s capital.


    The Heaven Character Pavilion was different; those who fought there were all strong practitioners of the Tao Tribulation Realm. When could one usually witness experts of the Tao Tribulation Realm clashing? Therefore, every time the Heaven Character Pavilion opened, the Combat Bell would ring to attract countless skilled individuals to come and watch the battle.


    At the same time...


    The tickets for the Heaven Character Pavilion were also extraordinarily pricey.


    Just the entry ticket alone was worth a million taels of silver, and the vast Heaven Character Pavilion could accommodate ten thousand people.


    It meant that selling all the tickets would bring in a revenue of a hundred billion taels of silver!


    This was truly a business without any capital!


    Just the ticket was priced at a million, and the betting amounts by strong practitioners in the Heaven Character Pavilion were even more staggering��usually no less than tens of millions, and many were even amounts in the tens or hundreds of billions. For instance, the battle between Xiao Tianjiaao and Xue Wuhen that year attracted a record-breaking betting amount of eighteen thousand billion taels of silver!


    A girl in a flowing red dress came before Xiao Yi and said respectfully, "Lord Yiquan, activating the formation of the Heaven Character Pavilion requires a vast amount of Yuan stones and will take two hours. Please, would you wait in the backstage area?"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    In fact.


    This mentioned adjusting of Yuan stones was just an excuse; they were waiting for those big shots to hear the news and come to the Heaven Character Pavilion.


    Without those big shots participating, how could there be massive betting?


    Xiao Yi had no objections to this.


    After all...


    With his current ninety consecutive wins, he could earn a ninety percent share of the betting amount for each battle. The more bets placed, the more he would earn��why wouldn''t he be happy?


    At the same time.


    The sounding of the Combat Bell in the Heaven Character Pavilion spread the news that a youth called ''One Punch'' would go to the Heaven Character Pavilion with his cultivation at the peak of the Golden Core Realm to challenge the record of ninety-nine consecutive wins set by Xiao Tianjiaao the news spreading throughout the emperor''s capital.


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    It even quickly reached the ears of the experts from the ten great sects.


    All ten great sects had branches in the emperor''s capital.


    In the Tianjian Sect''s branch, an arrogant youth, upon hearing the news, laughed coldly, "I want to see exactly who is so confident as to dare challenge the record of Saint Heir!"


    At the Vast Righteousness Pavilion''s branch, a man in white with a righteous aura smiled slightly, "Challenge Xiao Tianjiaao''s record? Interesting, truly interesting; it might be worth taking a look..."


    "The Heaven Character Pavilion is reopening, a perfect chance to make money!"��Kuangdao Sect''s branch.


    In the Yin Yang Dao Arena''s branch, "Immeasurable Heavenly Honored, child, follow your master to the Combat Pavilion..."


    Apart from the powerful individuals of the ten great sects, the four great noble families��Dongfang, Ximen, Nangong, and Beitang��also received the news and each sent their experts toward the Combat Pavilion.


    Inside the royal palace.


    Yang Ling put down the book in his hand, narrowed his eyes, and murmured with an odd expression, "Challenge Xiao Tianjiaao''s record? Golden Elixir Peak? It couldn''t be Xiao Yi, could it? Interesting, with nothing else much to do, let''s go take a look!"


    At the Xiao Family, they too received the news.


    Xiao Zhengde sneered and tossed the secret letter in his hand aside, scoffing, "What audacity, to think he can challenge the record set by my son? Someone, prepare my carriage; I will go to the Combat Pavilion..."


    If the emperor''s capital was bustling with activity, countless prominent figures were all converging towards the Combat Pavilion... Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 243 - 243: Father and Son Reunion

    Combat Pavilion. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This has always been one of the liveliest places in the imperial capital.


    But today, the Combat Pavilion was exceptionally bustling, filled with a cacophony of voices, as countless officials and nobles converged toward it.


    "Why won''t you sell to me? Is two or three hundred million not enough to qualify my worth?"


    "You think two or three hundred million is a lot? My master has eight hundred million, and they still won''t sell to him..."


    "It''s said that there are too many people coming to watch this time, the Combat Pavilion has temporarily raised the threshold. Without a net worth of ten billion, you can''t even buy a ticket..."


    "Is it that exaggerated?"


    "Nonsense... It''s said that people from the top ten sects, the four major noble families, and the royal family have all sent people..."


    The entrance to the Heaven Character Pavilion was a surging sea of people.


    In the past, those with a net worth of one billion could enter the Heaven Character Pavilion by spending only one million Silver, but now the requirement has been raised to a ten billion net worth, and each ticket has been scalped to a price of ten million Silver.


    Those buying tickets were swarming like moths to a flame.


    Just from this one ticket sale, the Combat Pavilion could earn hundreds of billions of Silver.


    Xue Wuhen looked at the sea of people outside, with many crushing their heads in their eagerness to buy tickets, a playful smile appeared on his face, "Xiao Tianjiao''s reputation really is useful, just hearing that someone wants to challenge Xiao Tianjiao''s record, and so many people have rushed over!"


    "After all, he is the number one talent of the Great Qian Dynasty, the current Saint Heir of Tianjian Sect, and he has just recently broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he''s really in the limelight!"


    "Pavilion Master, all the tickets have been sold out!"


    "The top ten sects, the four major noble families, the royal family, the Xiao Family... basically, anyone in the imperial capital who is qualified to buy a ticket is here!"


    Listening to the continuing stream of good news from his subordinates, Xue Wuhen nodded, squinting his eyes, "How are the personnel arrangements going?"


    "As per your orders, personnel from the First Layer to the Ninth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm have all been arranged."


    A Golden Elixir Realm Peak expert revealed a sinister smile, "I''ve also discussed it with them, the first eight will intentionally lose to Yi Punch, then we''ll defeat him with the ninth!"


    Xue Wuhen squinted his eyes, speaking indifferently, "Remember to have them perform convincingly, don''t let any flaws be detected."


    "Pavilion Master, rest assured! They are all experienced at this!"


    Xue Wuhen nodded in satisfaction, gesturing, "Send Yi Punch to the Heaven Character Pavilion then!"


    "Yes!"


    Several people immediately withdrew.


    Xue Wuhen took a gentle sip of the drink in his hand, clucking in admiration, "Good wine must be savored slowly... All these fellows are supremely shrewd, it really takes a big bait to coax the money out of their pockets!"


    On the way to the Heaven Character Pavilion duel arena.


    Xiao Yi, his face covered by a black mask, paused in his steps as a figure appeared before him.


    That figure was so familiar.


    Their four eyes met.


    Xiao Yi recognized the other party at a glance, but it seemed as though the other party did not recognize him at all.


    This person was Xiao Zhengde, the head of the Xiao Family!


    The Combat Pavilion strongman guiding the way respectfully said, "Xiao Family Head!"


    "Mhm!"


    Xiao Zhengde nodded, his face displaying arrogance as he sized up Xiao Yi with a slant eye, "Kid, are you the one boldly claiming to challenge the record set by my son?"


    Xiao Yi''s body went rigid, his fists clenched involuntarily.


    Even though he kept telling himself that that family had nothing to do with him anymore, that the man before him was not his father,


    when truly facing him, he still inevitably held some expectation, hoping that Xiao Zhengde would recognize him. However, reality once again disappointed him. Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yi nodded, "Yes, it''s me!"


    Tsk!


    Xiao Zhengde scoffed, his arms crossed as he circled Xiao Yi, shaking his head, "I can''t see what''s so special about you. You don''t look like a fool, so how could you have such an unrealistic idea? Young man, I''d advise you to give up. My son Tianjiao is the number one talent of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Saint Heir of Tianjian Sect, a tremendous expert in the Dharma Manifestation Realm at just twenty-four years old. What gave you the courage to challenge his record?"


    Indeed.


    Nothing has changed at all!


    In his eyes, there is only Xiao Tianjiao.


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath of foul air and struggled to calm himself, speaking lightly, "There''s always someone better, how can one know without trying?"


    "Hahaha, what a sayings, ''There''s always someone better.'' While it''s true, it''s meant for ants like you. My son Tianjiao, is the ''someone better'' you speak of..." Xiao Zhengde stated confidently, full of mockery.


    Xiao Yi''s tightly clenched fist quietly relaxed and he said, "I might not be inferior to Xiao Tianjiao, how would I know without trying?"


    This sentence had been buried in Xiao Yi''s heart for a very long time!


    During those eight years of imprisonment, when Xiao Zhengde coldly announced that Xiao Yi should go to the Fang Family to become a live-in son-in-law, he had longed to say these words to Xiao Zhengde. However, Xiao Zhengde had never given him the chance.


    Today, he finally said them.


    Although...


    Xiao Zhengde did not recognize him at all.


    Xiao Zhengde was stunned, then shook his head and sighed, "Well, let us wait and see!"


    The two passed by each other.


    The sliver of hope in Xiao Yi''s heart, already so faint, was completely extinguished at this moment.


    What replaced it was a trace of icy coldness and determination.


    ...


    The Heaven Character Pavilion was ten times the size of the Earth Character Pavilion, after all, those who fought here were practitioners of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and the scale of their battles was countless times greater than that of Golden Core Realm fighters. The protective arrays around were also stronger.


    Just maintaining this protective array for an hour would consume elemental stones worth over a hundred million silver.


    It could easily withstand the battles of those at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The seats for spectators had already been filled.


    The highest level on each of the four corners, east, south, west, and north, contained rows of VIP rooms, and each VIP room ticket started at ten million silver. Today, they had sold for as much as one hundred million silver. Anyone who could enter the VIP rooms was either a regional powerhouse or a merchant wealthy enough to rival nations.


    Inside the VIP room on the east.


    Yang Ling''s face was cold. Sitting next to him was a man in a luxurious robe who bore some resemblance to Yang Ling.


    This was Yang Ling''s imperial brother, the sixth son of Emperor Qian, Yang Jin.


    Yang Lin, a disciple of the Tianjian Sect and also in charge of the sect''s division in the imperial capital, sat there boldly, one leg crossed over the other, a mocking smile on his face, "Imperial brother, did I hear it was you and our father who recommended that Xiao Yi take charge of the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Yang Ling nodded expressionlessly.


    Yang Jin clicked his tongue and said, "Foolish! Don''t you know about Xiao Yi''s relationship with Xiao? You let him sit as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute; isn''t that just offending Xiao for no reason?"


    Yang Ling replied indifferently, "Whether it''s Xiao Yi or Xiao Tianjiao, they are all subjects of the Great Qian Dynasty. What''s wrong with my recommendation of Xiao Yi?"


    "Even if you recommended a beggar or even a cat or a dog, there would be nothing inappropriate. But you specifically recommended Xiao Yi, which is slapping Xiao in the face, stirring up trouble between Xiao and the royal family..."


    Yang Jin scoffed coldly, fully aware he had no qualifications to compete for the throne and always supporting the eldest prince Yang Kun, he naturally did not show goodwill towards Yang Ling, "Once this matter is over, immediately submit a petition to our father to dismiss Xiao Yi, and go to the Tianjian Sect to find Xiao and apologize to him in person, begging for his forgiveness. That is the eldest prince''s wish!"


    "Dismiss Xiao Yi? Apologize to Xiao Tianjiao?"


    Yang Ling caught his breath, then sneered and shook his head, "Go back and tell the eldest prince that if he wants to ingratiate himself with Xiao Tianjiao, that''s his business. Expect me, Yang Ling, to bow to him? Sorry, I can''t do that!"


    "You..."


    Yang Jin''s face turned alternately pale and flushed, his eyes instantly turned cold, and he huffed, "Very well, I hope you can still be so defiant when Xiao''s wrath descends!"


    Yang Ling responded coolly, "You needn''t worry yourself, Imperial Brother!"


    "Hmph!"


    Yang Jin snorted and stormed off.


    Yang Ling''s palm clenched the armrest so hard it burst apart, and as the wood chips fluttered, his gaze turned toward the dueling arena, "Xiao Yi, you better not disappoint me!"

 Chapter 244 - 244: Punch Explosion!

    ```


    In the dueling arena.


    The cold wind howled, swirling up dust and sand.


    It carried with it a hint of desolation.


    Tens of thousands in the stands were gathered, buzzing with excitement. Each person was deep in discussion, "Do you think this guy named Yi can hope to break the record set by Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "Are you still asleep? Why are you talking in your dreams in broad daylight? How could anyone surpass Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "He is the strongest genius of our Great Qian Dynasty. The only one who could probably break his record is himself!"


    Almost no one in the crowd of tens of thousands fancied Xiao Yi''s chances.


    At that moment...


    The figure of Xue Wuhen appeared in the dueling arena.


    The Heaven Character Pavilion has always been presided over by him personally.


    "Welcome everyone to the Combat Pavilion. As I believe you all know, today''s battle will be rather special. The challenger Yi, just two hours ago, defeated the Ghost General and achieved ninety consecutive victories at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm, and has announced his attempt to enter the Heaven Character Pavilion to challenge the record set by the Great Qian Dynasty''s number one genius, Xiao Tianjiao!"


    Xue Wuhen''s face bore a calm smile as he stood aloft, surveying the crowd, "Today, we invite all of you to witness whether Xiao Tianjiao''s record is nearly unshakable, or whether this young genius known as Yi can create another miracle!"


    "Xue Wuhen, don''t even think about tricking us into betting on someone named Yi..."


    "As if we don''t know your tricks already."


    "Hurry up and start! When it''s time to bet, we will naturally make our move,"


    Everyone chimed in.


    Xue Wuhen, feigning helplessness, said, "It seems the richer people are, the stingier they get! The Combat Pavilion''s business isn''t easy either, so please, do bet a bit more generously!"


    "Hahaha, I''ll definitely support, betting a hundred taels!"


    "I''m betting ten taels..." the crowd joked among themselves.


    Xue Wuhen shrugged his shoulders, pretending to be aggrieved, "Ladies and gentlemen, that''s too much! Surely you could start with at least ten thousand taels?"


    In the VIP seats to the west, an impatient Xiao Zhengde urged, "Just get started!"


    Honor follows upon one''s offspring.


    Ever since Xiao Tianjiao made his breakthrough into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the Xiao Family''s status rose like the sun at midday, and it seemed they were on the cusp of becoming the fifth great clan, so even Xue Wuhen had to show some respect.


    "Don''t rush, everyone. We''re about to begin!" Xue Wuhen nodded and declared loudly, "The two powerhouses in this battle are Yi, at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, and the Moonshadow Demon Blade, at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Ladies and gentlemen, betting will stop after ten breaths'' time, please place your bets!"


    The betting in the Heaven Character Pavilion didn''t require any special registration; each person''s ticket bore an engraved Formation, and bets could be placed using these tickets.


    People had not yet witnessed Xiao Yi in battle.


    Thus, the betting was cautious, and certainly not just a matter of a few thousand or tens of thousands of taels, as was joked before.


    After all...


    They were all notable figures who couldn''t afford to lose face.


    A rough estimate.


    The betting amount for this round reached one hundred billion, with less than forty percent betting on Xiao Yi''s victory.


    Xue Wuhen was not satisfied with this figure, but he knew this was only the first battle and that it was understandable for people to be cautious. He immediately said, "Betting is now closed. Please welcome the duelists for this round��from the eastern district, Yi, and from the western district, the Moonshadow Demon Blade!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The heavy iron doors on both sides were opened by two powerhouse fighters at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm.


    Xiao Yi and the Moonshadow Demon Blade''s figures gradually became visible.


    Xiao Yi was still wearing his black mask, his gaze icy and hands clasped behind his back.


    As soon as the Moonshadow Demon Blade made his appearance, he fixed his black eyes directly on Xiao Yi, the corners of his mouth lifting in a slight sneer, rich with disdain: "A mere ant dares to challenge Xiao Tianjiao''s record? How utterly delusional�� If it weren''t for the substantial conditions offered by the Combat Pavilion, I could take such an ant''s life with a single slash of my blade. Still, the Combat Pavilion didn''t say I couldn''t teach him a lesson..."


    With this thought...


    ```


    The Moonshadow Demon Blade pulled the black long sword from his back, blade grazing the ground, baring his teeth in a grin, "Xiao Tianjiao is my idol. You''re just unlucky to face me!"


    "Oh!" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi nodded indifferently and looked up at Xue Wuhen, "Can we start now?"


    Xue Wuhen glared fiercely at the Moonshadow Demon Blade and urged, "Begin!"


    Boom!


    The Moonshadow Demon Blade dragged his long sword, sparks flying from the ground.


    In an instant.


    He had already reached Xiao Yi, his sword slashing down from the air, "Starry Moonshadow!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The sparks that flew off converged into a vast expanse of stars, and within that embrace of countless stars, a silver crescent moon-like blade light descended from the sky. With a swift motion, it aimed directly for Xiao Yi''s head to chop down, its chill clearly perceptible even before the blade itself had closed the distance.


    The sharp blade light seemed like it would cut Xiao Yi open on the spot.


    Xiao Yi didn''t move a muscle.


    As if he hadn''t reacted at all.


    "Holy shit!"


    Xue Wuhen''s eyes twitched violently. The Moonshadow Demon Blade''s strike held nothing back, a definite killing blow, "The Moonshadow Demon Blade couldn''t be unable to stop, could he? If he finishes off Xiao Yi in one fight, how am I supposed to make money?"


    At this moment...


    A crisp clang echoed throughout the combat arena.


    "Won?"


    "It can''t be over just like that, right?"


    The crowd turned their gaze toward Xiao Yi.


    Somehow, Xiao Yi had already thrown a punch, his fist colliding with the blade.


    But at this time...


    Jagged cracks sprawled across the sharp battle blade which, with a loud bang, shattered into pieces, sweeping toward them. Amid the dull thudding sounds, fragments of the long sword pierced through the Moonshadow Demon Blade''s body.


    The Moonshadow Demon Blade lay on the ground like a porcupine, blood flowing freely, body convulsing uncontrollably.


    Hiss!


    The previously noisy Heaven Character Pavilion fell silent as a grave.


    "Am I seeing things? Flesh and blood, and he smashed the Moonshadow Demon Blade with a single punch?"


    "If I saw it right, that blade of the Moonshadow Demon Blade''s is a fourth-grade high-level Yuan weapon..."


    "This guy called ''One Punch'' is no simple character!"


    Amidst the chorus of exclamations.


    Countless faces were slapped.


    Yang Ling had confirmed Xiao Yi''s identity the moment he appeared, and had been nervous for Xiao Yi when he faced the Moonshadow Demon Blade. Now, he relaxed, baring his teeth with a smile, "As expected of Xiao Yi, he really didn''t disappoint me!"


    In the next private room, Yang Jin wore a mocking expression, "The Moonshadow Demon Blade is just at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Back then, Xiao could defeat a Nine-fold Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse at just the Golden Elixir Realm Peak. Even Xue Wuhen at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak was left severely injured by Xiao, unable to step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm for a long time. How can this kid compare to Xiao..."


    In a private room to the west.


    Xiao Zhengde shook his head, "He''s not bad, but compared to my son Tianjiao, the gap is more than just a tiny bit!"


    Although Xiao Yi''s defeat of the Moonshadow Demon Blade with one punch was indeed astonishing, no one was optimistic about his chances against the record of Xiao Tianjiao. Predictions abounded, "Within three matches, ''One Punch'' is bound to lose!"


    And at this moment...


    A second opponent appeared in front of Xiao Yi...

 Chapter 245 - 245: One Punch, Still One Punch!

    Xue Wuhen hovered in midair and declared loudly, "For the second fight, Yi''s opponent is a Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm master, who boasts a fifty victories streak record in my Combat Pavilion''s Earth Character Pavilion��Geziyi with the Green Edge Sword!"


    "Geziyi?"


    "This is a born female swordsman, wielding the Green Edge Sword that moves with the wind, not to be underestimated!"


    "However, I find that Yi interesting. He could explode the Moonshadow Demon Blade with a single punch. I''m planning to bet on him and see..."


    Ten breaths later, betting ends.


    The total bet amount reached fifty billion, of which eighteen billion was placed on Xiao Yi, yet still the vast majority believed he would lose.


    In the dueling arena.


    Geziyi, clad in a green-tight fitting garment with a white silk veil covering her face and gem-like bright eyes, appeared before Xiao Yi.


    They looked into each other''s eyes.


    Geziyi smiled slightly, "Three swords!"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "Hmm?"


    Geziyi said, "It will take only three swords to defeat you!"


    "Oh!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, gestured to her with his hand, "Stop talking, let''s get on with it!"


    "Hmm?"


    Geziyi''s expression stiffened. As a beautiful female swordsman, this was the first time she had encountered such a cold reception. She snorted coldly, "You''ve thoroughly angered me. With one sword, I shall disable you!"


    Whoosh!


    Breezes swirled around Geziyi.


    The sound of rushing wind was incessant.


    In an instant.


    The breezes merged into a storm, which then turned into a violent wind, concealing Geziyi''s figure within, making it difficult to capture her silhouette. This was the power of mastering the elemental wind of heaven and earth, applied to swordsmanship.


    The wind conceals the sword, the sword becomes the wind!


    Unpredictable!


    Swish, swish, swish!


    A series of spine-chilling whooshing sounds as sword shadows disappeared in the violent wind, unseen, yet the ice-cold intent to kill was palpable.


    Xiao Yi''s robe fluttered loudly as the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, "Playing with wind? I''m your forefather in that!"


    Wind Thunder Holy Body.


    Mastery over the power of wind and thunder.


    Xiao Yi merged instantly with the wind, and suddenly he threw a punch into the invisible violent wind: "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Whoosh!


    A golden Wrathful Vajra phantom condensed behind him, his arm shining like cast gold, swinging his fist that seemed to tear through the void, instantly disappearing within the dueling arena.


    Hum!


    The violent wind pervading the entire dueling arena came to a sudden halt.


    A streak of blood traced a graceful arc across the sky, followed by numerous tornadoes condensing and forming the figure of Geziyi being blown away in retreat.


    Thud!


    She crashed heavily against the Defensive Array, bounced, and fell to the ground.


    She completely lost consciousness.


    Xiao Yi conquered another battle!


    This battle, still just one punch!


    The Second Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm''s Green Edge Sword Geziyi was defeated.


    Without suspense!


    At this moment...


    Some of the strong figures who had come just to watch the excitement began to look serious, some who thought Xiao Yi was overestimating himself in challenging Xiao Tianjiao''s record started to change their minds, and some who had already been looking forward to Xiao Yi performing a miracle felt increasingly excited.


    With two battles, Xiao Yi resolved both with single punches, and was slowly beginning to change everyone''s opinion.


    Inside the VIP room.


    Yang Ling laughed heartily, the light flashing in his eyes, "Good job, Xiao Yi, I knew you wouldn''t disappoint me. How could a man who annihilated numerous strongmen from the Great Jin Kingdom at the peak of Golden Elixir Realm be simple? Perhaps, he really has a chance to break Xiao Tianjiao''s record!"


    Yang Ling was taken aback by his own thoughts as he calmed down.


    That was Xiao Tianjiao!


    Universally recognized as the number one prodigy of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    Every record he created was said to be unmatched, unparalleled, unbreakable by anyone!


    Could this immortal legend really be broken?


    Yang Ling was excited and anticipatory, in contrast to Yang Jin, Xiao Zhengde, and others.


    Yang Jin snorted coldly, narrowing his eyes with disdain, "He has only defeated a Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse. Each layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm is like a different heaven. I want to see how long he can keep winning!"


    Xiao Zhengde had smashed two cups in front of him, and the maidservant beside him, with a bloody palm print on her face, looked at him in terror.


    Bang!


    Xiao Zhengde hurled another cup, his gaze icy cold. "This damned brat indeed has some skill. But to break Tian''er''s record? You''re still far from it!"


    No matter what everyone thought, Xiao Yi''s battles did not stop.


    And as he won two consecutive battles, the betting amounts grew larger, and the odds on him grew higher.


    The third battle.


    The betting amount reached eighty billion, with thirty-five billion on Xiao Yi.


    In the end, Xiao Yi still resolved his opponent with a single punch.


    The fourth battle.


    The betting amount broke one hundred billion for the first time, reaching one hundred twenty-three billion and five hundred million, with the first time over fifty percent on Xiao Yi��sixty-six billion.


    The fifth battle.


    The sixth battle.


    The seventh battle...


    Xiao Yi maintained his unbeaten record for eight consecutive battles, exploding his opponents with one punch every single time.


    Those present were regulars of the Combat Pavilion, but when had they ever seen such satisfying combat?


    No matter your cultivation level!


    No matter your streak of consecutive victories!


    All blown apart with one punch!


    This aggressive, dominant Xiao Yi had conquered most of the strong fighters.


    By the ninth battle, Xiao Yi''s opponent became an ace assassin from Xue Yilou, a Nine-fold Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. He was a superstar who had achieved sixty-five consecutive victories in the Heaven Character Pavilion, known as the Thousand-Handed Blood Butcher, Xue Asura.


    Thud, thud!


    Xue Asura''s steps were heavy as he entered the dueling arena.


    He tilted his head back slightly, opened his arms, and his eyes were slightly closed.


    In past battles...


    As soon as he took this stance, everyone would cheer for him, shouting his name.


    Today was no exception.


    Only, echoing through the Heaven Character Pavilion, the roaring cheers were not calling his name: "Wudi with one punch!"


    "Explode him with one punch!"


    "One punch..."


    The crowd was frenzied, chanting Xiao Yi''s title within the Combat Pavilion.


    As for Xue Asura...


    Indeed, there were a few loyal fans shouting his name, but they were quickly drowned out by the resounding cheers.


    "Huh?"


    Xue Asura opened his eyes, looking bewildered around him as the familiar faces were not only failing to chant his name but were also calling for Xiao Yi to blow him away with one punch!


    This made Xue Asura''s face turn extremely ugly; his eyes coldly fixed on Xiao Yi.


    High above.


    Xue Wuhen''s expression was not pleasant either. According to his plan, Xiao Yi would have been defeated in the eighth battle.


    However, that Eightfold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse he had put his hopes on was still blown away by Xiao Yi with one punch.


    This had Xue Wuhen feeling stuck!


    Now, Xiao Yi''s popularity was skyrocketing, and the betting amount for the ninth battle had reached more than fifty-three trillion, with over forty trillion placed on him. If Xiao Yi won this battle, he would not only cause the Combat Pavilion to pay out over forty trillion, but he would also equal Xiao Tianjiao''s record!


    He absolutely could not allow this to happen.


    Xue Wuhen narrowed his eyes and transmitted his voice, "Xue Asura, at all costs, kill him!"


    Whoosh! S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xue Asura let out a long breath, his cold gaze fell on Xiao Yi, "Leave it to me!"

 Chapter 246 - 246 Unbreakable? Then Let Me!

    Xue Asura was the ace assassin meticulously nurtured by Xue Yilou.


    Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm cultivation.


    With a mysterious movement technique and his art of killing, he was second only to the level of the sect leader within Xue Yilou.


    This time, had it not been for the promise of a benefit worth a hundred billion silver from Xue Wuhen, he would not have been willing to cross hands with Xiao Yi, who wasn''t even of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Inside the VIP room.


    Yang Ling''s pupils constricted slightly, recognizing the formidable strength of Xue Asura, especially his unpredictable art of killing. Xue Asura once, all by himself, successfully assassinated a powerhouse at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    His combat power far surpassed the previous eight opponents.


    "I can''t believe Xue Wuhen would actually send Xue Asura, now things are troublesome�� Xiao Yi, can you win?" Yang Ling clenched his fists tightly.


    Yang Jin''s mouth curled upward, revealing a fierce expression, "With Xue Asura taking action, Xiao Yi is bound to lose."


    "The last opponent was a powerhouse at the Eighth Layer Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and Xiao Yi burst him with a punch. It seems that Xiao Yi''s strength must far surpass an Eightfold Realm, and though Xue Asura is powerful, Xiao Yi might not be unable to defeat him!"


    "The odds for both of them are nearly the same, this could be a battle of equals!"


    Bang!


    Xiao Zhengde''s cup shattered in his hand again, his face ashen, as he roared in anger, "Are all the people at the Combat Pavilion incompetent? So many people yet they can''t stop a junior at the Golden Core Realm Peak? Damn it, damn it��"


    Watching Xiao Yi win another round would allow him to tie Xiao Tianjiao''s record.


    How could Xiao Zhengde tolerate that?


    In his heart��


    His son, Xiao Tianjiao, was the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor, an unrivaled prodigy and pride of the heavens from past until present.


    Not to mention someone breaking Xiao Tianjiao''s record.


    Even equaling it was an insult to Xiao Tianjiao.


    "Patriarch, please be calm. Xue Asura''s strength is second only to Xue Wuhen in the Combat Pavilion. I believe he can surely defeat that boy!" said a Xiao Family guard solemnly by Xiao Zhengde''s side.


    Xiao Zhengde nodded, "You are right, Xue Asura will surely win." He glanced at the betting pool, "These idiots, so many think he can win? It''s simply laughable to the extreme. Bet on Xue Asura for me, five hundred billion��"


    The guard opened his mouth.


    He really wanted to remind Xiao Zhengde that in the previous eight fights, they had already lost nearly a hundred billion silver.


    Even for the Xiao Family, which was at its peak, such a loss was enough to cause significant damage.


    But he was just a guard and could only swallow the words that reached the tip of his tongue.


    Meanwhile��


    Within the duel arena, Xue Asura had already approached Xiao Yi, his aura of murderous intent making it difficult for anyone to look him in the eye. He said coldly, "To reach this step as a Golden Core Realm Peak, aside from Xiao Tianjiao, you are the first!"


    Xiao Yi calmly responded, "I intend to keep going!"


    "Impossible!"


    Xue Asura shook his head with indifference, "With me here, you can only stop here!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Nothing is impossible, what Xiao Tianjiao has done, I can do too. What Xiao Tianjiao hasn''t done, I still can!"


    "Truly arrogant!"


    Xue Asura laughed repeatedly, respect showing on his proud face when mentioning Xiao Tianjiao, "Xiao Tianjiao is the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor, an unrivaled genius. To this day, he has created countless miracles, and no one has ever been able to break these records!"


    Xiao Yi grinned, right hand casually opening and then firmly clenched, a muffled thump exploded within his palm. With each word firmly emphasized, he declared, "Unbreakable by anyone? Then let me be the one!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Asura was taken aback and then laughed heartily. S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His laughter was still echoing.


    Yet the expression on his face slowly became blurred, like a reflection in water, gradually fading away.


    This was just an afterimage!


    During their conversation.


    Xue Asura had silently launched an attack.


    Whoosh!


    A streak of blood light suddenly burst from behind Xiao Yi, dazzling to the eye, as if piercing from the depths of a void. Appearing silently and without warning, its power was extraordinary.


    Xiao Yi''s body was wreathed in the power of wind and thunder, crackling as it transformed into a purple-gold streak of lightning. He swiftly dodged with a swish.


    Whew!


    The scarlet sword made a futile stroke.


    It did not touch Xiao Yi''s body.


    From the air came Xue Asura''s ethereal, dreamy voice, "Asura Sword Prison!"


    Hum!


    Beneath Xiao Yi''s feet, a round patch of blood-red light suddenly surfaced. No matter how Xiao Yi tried to dodge, it continued to follow him. As Xue Asura''s voice reached him, the blood-red light suddenly rippled, much like the waves on the surface of water.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Blood-red chains burst forth, and in the midst of their clanking sounds, hundreds of blood-red chains sealed Xiao Yi within.


    At the same time.


    Xue Asura''s figure appeared before Xiao Yi. As the blood-red chains clanged and collided with each other, they twined together, continuously compressing the space where Xiao Yi stood.


    Atop the chains, longswords bristling with murderous intent simultaneously appeared.


    Hundreds, thousands of longswords, their sharp points directed straight at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Zhengde suddenly rose to his feet, his hands clenching a cup so tightly that it trembled. His eyes burned with fervent light, "Exactly, just like that... Kill him, Xue Asura, kill him for me!"


    Yang Jin leaned forward slightly, "This man must die!"


    Xiao Tianjiao was the Great Qian Dynasty''s strongest genius.


    And...


    He was also the Saint Heir of Tianjian Sect!


    He represented the fusion and face of Tianjian Sect.


    Every disciple of Tianjian Sect looked up to Xiao Tianjiao as an idol and would not tolerate any stain on his illustrious deeds.


    As Xiao Yi grew closer to breaking the record set by Xiao Tianjiao, Yang Jin grew more and more eager for his death.


    Yang Ling clenched his fists tightly, holding his breath, "Xiao Yi, you can''t lose, you absolutely can''t lose!"


    Trapped within the Asura Sword Prison.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved up slightly as he looked through the chains at Xue Asura standing before him, and he smirked, "Your movement technique is indeed good. I couldn''t even lock onto your position. If you had kept engaging me with that mysterious movement technique, you might have had a chance to live. But now, you''ve lost!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Asura was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "After deploying this martial skill, you can no longer move freely, right?"


    Xue Asura''s expression suddenly changed.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said...


    After deploying the Asura Sword Prison, he had to maintain a continuous flow of his vital energy into the prison; otherwise, he could not sustain it and was unable to move freely. That was why his Asura Sword Prison was designed to trap first, then kill the enemy!


    This technique was unbeatable!


    Even when he faced the assassination of a peak Tao Tribulation Realm expert before, it was with this move that he had slain the attacker within the prison.


    "Don''t dream of disturbing my focus..." Xue Asura snorted coldly, full of confidence, "This Asura Sword Prison is my Innate Divine Ability fused with the power of heaven and earth, not even a peak Tao Tribulation Realm expert could break through!"


    "We''ll see about that!"


    The smile on Xiao Yi''s face suddenly vanished, his sword-brows shot up, and his eyes sparked with brilliance like lightning.


    Swish!


    A crimson longsword landed in his palm.


    Wielding the Fire Qilin Sword with one hand, he drew several sword flowers, then suddenly unleashed a slash, "Reincarnation of the Azure Lotus!"


    Swish!


    The Three-Colored Sword Lotus condensed, ever regenerating in endless cycles.


    Boom!


    Under the impact of the Sword Lotus, the blood-red chains were crushed to pieces, and under the disbelieving gaze of Xue Asura, the Three-Colored Sword Lotus infused with the power of Wind Thunder struck Xue Asura''s chest with a swish.


    Immediately following...


    The Three-Colored Lotus bloomed.


    Gorgeous petals scattered about, completely enveloping Xue Asura within.


    Boom!


    A burst of blinding light obscured the sky.


    When the light faded and the Azure Lotus withered away.


    Xue Asura lay as a lifeless corpse in a pool of blood.


    "..."


    The vast Heaven Character Pavilion fell completely silent.


    In this moment...


    The words of Xiao Yi echoed in everyone''s mind, "Unbreakable? Then let me be the one to break it!"

 Chapter 247 - 247: Battle with Xue Wuhen

    No one can break it?


    Then let me be the one!


    Before this...


    This sentence had been the butt of many jokes, with people thinking Xiao Yi was overrating his own abilities.


    But now.


    Xiao Yi had actually done it.


    At least.


    In the Combat Pavilion, under the same conditions of being at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak as Xiao Tianjiao was at the time, he reached the same level as Xiao Tianjiao.


    Ninety-nine consecutive victories!


    He had equaled Xiao Tianjiao''s record!


    "Impossible, how could this be possible? My son Tianjiao''s record has been equaled? No, it can''t be..." Xiao Zhengde was completely enraged, venting like a madman in the VIP room, smashing tables and chairs, beating maidservants.


    The floor gained a few more cold corpses.


    All beaten to death by him.


    The guard was trembling with fear, hiding in the corner and watching the hysterical Xiao Zhengde with a sense of dread.


    "My son Tianjiao is the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor, unique through the ages... The record he set was unprecedented and unmatched; how could it be equaled? Why has it come to this..."


    Xiao Zhengde''s eyes were bloodshot.


    In his heart, Xiao Tianjiao was perfect; no blemish could be tolerated.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi''s equaling Xiao Tianjiao''s record was like a black blemish on a pure and flawless piece of jade, tarnishing the beautiful gem, utterly ruining that perfect jade pendant.


    "Bastard, damn it all!"


    Suddenly, Xiao Zhengde, like a man possessed, looked at the guard and grabbed him by the neck.


    He needed to vent his frustration and anger through killing.


    The guard''s face turned red, struggling desperately, he yelled with all his might, "Master, I have a way..."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Zhengde paused, loosening his grip a little, he frowned and said, "What did you say?"


    The guard gasped for breath, disregarding his narrow escape from death and said hastily, "He, he has not quite equaled the young master''s record yet. In the young master''s hundredth fight back then, he withstood two moves from Xue Wuhen before showing signs of defeat, and he also seriously injured Xue Wuhen. As long as he dies at the hands of Xue Wuhen, the record will still belong to the young master!"


    Xiao Zhengde''s eyes lit up, he laughed and said, "You''re right, if Xue Wuhen kills this boy in one move, the record will still be my son Tianjiao''s. Go, tell Xue Wuhen that if he kills that boy within one move, I will grant him a breakthrough opportunity to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and besides, the Xiao family will owe him a favor."


    "I will go immediately!"


    The guard let out a long sigh of relief and quickly left the VIP room.


    A moment later.


    He found Xue Wuhen through the Combat Pavilion.


    Xue Wuhen was preparing to take the field himself; he didn''t care whether Xiao Yi could break Xiao Tianjiao''s record, what mattered to him was that he absolutely could not let Xiao Yi achieve a hundred consecutive victories.


    At this time, the guard of the Xiao family actually came to him.


    Xue Wuhen squinted and said, "He?"


    The guard hastily said, "Pavilion Master Xue, my master asked me to inform you... if you can kill that boy within one move, our Xiao family will grant you a breakthrough opportunity to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, additionally owing you a favor!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Wuhen was startled, a trace of burning desire flashed in his eyes.


    A favor from the Xiao family meant a favor from Xiao Tianjiao.


    That was worth a fortune!


    Moreover...


    There was the opportunity for a breakthrough to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    If it had been anyone else who made such an offer, he might have had doubts, but the Xiao family, with a monster like Xiao Tianjiao, indeed had the ability to offer such an opportunity.


    Plus, Xue Wuhen already intended to stop Xiao Yi from getting a hundred consecutive victories.


    To go with the flow, why not?


    Xue Wuhen nodded and said, "Go back and tell Xiao, I accept this matter!"


    "Then I hereby wish Pavilion Master Xue a triumphant victory in advance!" The guard also breathed a sigh of relief.


    No sooner had the guard left.


    Yang Jin appeared in front of Xue Wuhen. Xue Wuhen dared not treat Yang Jin as lightly as he did the guard, he saluted with his hands and said, "Your Highness!"


    Yang Jin nodded and said indifferently, "I want you to kill him!"


    "Rest assured, Your Highness!"


    Xue Wuhen bared a ferocious and cold smile, "I will execute him!"


    "Hmm!"


    Yang Jin left with an indifferent expression on his face.


    Xue Wuhen took a deep breath, his eyes glinting with a cold, knife-like light, "Kid, you can''t blame me for this. Too many people want you dead!"


    ...


    In the dueling arena.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged, with his eyes closed, gathering his strength.


    Whoosh!


    He suddenly opened his eyes to see Xue Wuhen appearing not far in front of him.


    Their eyes locked.


    Xue Wuhen spoke indifferently, "I didn''t want to kill you, but someone came to me, wanting your life!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "The Xiao Family?"


    "Not just the Xiao Family!"


    "Tianjian Sect?"


    Xue Wuhen nodded, not surprised that Xiao Yi could guess the Xiao Family and the Tianjian Sect. Within the vast Great Qian Dynasty, probably only these two powers wouldn''t want to see the legend of Xiao Tianjiao shattered.


    With firm steps approaching Xiao Yi, Xue Wuhen said with an indifferent expression, "To make it this far at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, you are truly strong, even giving me the impression that you''re stronger than Xiao Tianjiao in his early days. If it were me back then, even if I could beat you, it would be extremely difficult. But now, killing you would be as easy as flipping my hand!"


    The murderous aura on his body became more and more concentrated, chilling to the bone.


    A cold breath enveloped the entire Heaven Character Pavilion.


    Everyone subconsciously tightened their collars.


    The chill was bone-piercingly cold.


    It was the concentration of a supreme killing intent.


    Tao Tribulation Realm Peak!


    Even if the great battle back then had damaged his foundation, after many years of healing, his injuries had long since recovered. Even without stepping into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he was much stronger than before. Xue Wuhen beckoned, "Sword, come!"


    Whoosh!


    A flood of blood erupted from within his body, spreading up his arm, ultimately condensing in his palm.


    A blood-colored longsword appeared.


    The sword was coiled with a blood snake; its scales were lifelike, as if it were alive.


    "A Sixth-Layer Primal Soldier Bloody Mang Sword?"


    "Who would have thought Xue Wuhen would bring out this sword �� he''s going to slice that man with a single strike!"


    "It''s over, it''s over, I, I actually placed a hundred billion on him! If he loses now, won''t I be ruined?"


    "Idiot, we knew from the start that the Combat Pavilion wouldn''t let him win easily. We all bet on Xue Wuhen to win. You dared to place a bet on him; if you lose, who can you blame?"


    A low shout drowned out the murmured discussions.


    "Blood Python Swallowing the Dragon!"


    Xue Wuhen thrust out the Bloody Mang Sword in his hand.


    Whoosh! sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The blood snake on the sword seemed to come to life, its eyes emitting a dim, cold light, and a blood snake over ten meters long opened its huge mouth.


    A blood-colored glow instantly covered the entire dueling arena.


    The ground of the platform thundered and roared wherever the blood sword light passed, like a dragon turning over, shattering the ground with loud noises. Everything seemed to be on the verge of destruction, even the protective Array surrounding the dueling area was violently trembling, appearing as if it might shatter.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly contracted, as he struck against the tide with his Fire Qilin Sword, "Azure Lotus Rebirth!"


    Whoosh!


    A Three-Colored Sword Lotus condensed.


    However...


    Xue Wuhen''s strength was ultimately far too much for him, as a giant blood python swallowed the Three-Colored Sword Lotus in one bite.


    With a booming sound.


    Xiao Yi''s figure flew backward, vomiting fresh blood, landing staggeringly.


    The Fire Qilin Sword in his hand shattered into pieces amidst crackling sounds, and fresh blood continuously spilled from Xiao Yi''s mouth.


    After all, he was only at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    Even though the Golden Elixir Halo had been reformed and had shrunk back to twenty layers, and even though he was bolstered by the Wind Thunder Holy Body, he was only comparable to an ordinary Tao Tribulation Realm Peak. Faced with Xue Wuhen, who was among the top warriors of the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, Xiao Yi''s current cultivation was still not enough.


    "You lost!"


    Xue Wuhen said expressionlessly, "In consideration of your talent, I will leave you a whole corpse!"


    "Heh, heh-heh..."


    Xiao Yi, however, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and let out a series of low chuckles, slowly raising his head and staring intently at Xue Wuhen. On his body, a layer of blood-colored light continued to spread as he said, word by word, "This is just the beginning!"

 Chapter 248 - 248: You, Lost!

    ```


    "This is just the beginning!"


    A brilliant smile appeared on Xiao Yi''s face as he grinned and said.


    His voice wasn''t loud, yet it echoed in the ears of everyone in the Heaven Character Pavilion.


    Accompanied by that hint of vivid red at the corner of his mouth, it gave off a chilling sensation.


    In a trance...


    It was as if on a battlefield littered with corpses, a general standing alone with a bloodstained battle flag in hand, proudly standing between heaven and earth, faced tens of thousands of enemies without a hint of retreat.


    One man holds the pass, ten thousand men can''t break through!


    "You are indeed very strong, but after all, your cultivation is too weak. Just at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, being able to come this far, you are already comparable to Xiao Tianjiao," Xue Wuhen spoke indifferently, the blood-colored sword light in his hand humming and pulsating.


    If the sword light moved forward just a tad more, it would be able to pierce through Xiao Yi''s heart.


    In the VIP room.


    Xiao Zhengde''s voice came through: "Xue Wuhen, what are you hesitating for?"


    His voice was somewhat impatient, and even more so furious. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One move had passed.


    Xiao Yi had lost.


    As long as he took one more step and killed him, then the record of his beloved son, Xiao Tianjiao, would not be tied, much less broken.


    Xue Wuhen frowned, staring at Xiao Yi and said in a deep voice, "Little guy, I''m sorry. The benefits promised by Xiao Zhengde are simply too tempting. I can only say sorry to you! But don''t worry, I won''t let anyone harm your corpse..."


    Xiao Yi grinned and replied, "Thanks in advance!"


    Based on his understanding of Xiao Zhengde.


    Once he died, it was very possible that Xiao Zhengde would indeed claim his body to torment him in various ways.


    To not even let him rest in peace after death!


    This was a person verging on madness!


    To protect Xiao Tianjiao, Xiao Zhengde could carry out acts of insanity that people couldn''t comprehend.


    For example...


    Imprisoning his own flesh and blood for eight years.


    And for example...


    To arrange a mate for Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, he sent his own son to a remote place to become a son-in-law, even going as far as removing his name from the family register.


    Such actions, for a father, were terrifying and mad to the extreme.


    However.


    None of that mattered anymore.


    Today''s Xiao Yi was no longer someone who could be manipulated at will!


    "When I break your precious son''s record and unmask myself, I wonder what your expression will be? My dear father..." Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed coldly as he watched the longsword in Xue Wuhen''s hand thrust towards his chest.


    A blood-red light had completely enveloped his body.


    Blood Explosion Skill!


    The fifth level!


    Immediately burning fifty percent of his blood, a loud boom resounded, and the blood-red light around his body surged.


    Endless blood light converged into a suit of blood-colored armor. With a clang, the longsword in Xue Wuhen''s hand was forcefully blocked by the blood-colored armor, unable to advance any further, let alone shatter his heart.


    "What?"


    Xue Wuhen''s expression changed drastically.


    His left hand simultaneously placed itself on the hilt of the sword, pushing forward continually.


    But no matter how hard he tried, the blade just wouldn''t advance an inch further!


    At that moment, Xiao Yi''s strength and speed, both enhanced fivefold by the Blood Explosion Skill, exceeded Xue Wuhen''s.


    Relying on his Wind Thunder Holy Body, the power of becoming a god, and his Limitless Golden Elixir, he already possessed the power to contend with the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Now with all aspects of his power quintupled, he had surpassed Xue Wuhen.


    Clang!


    Xiao Yi reached out abruptly with his right hand, gripping the blade of Xue Wuhen''s Blood Mang Sword.


    As two blood-colored lights collided, a series of terrifying spatial ripples burst forth, followed by raging winds that swept out in all directions. Amid those raging winds, Xiao Yi''s left hand slapped the ground.


    Boom!


    ```


    The ground cracked open, and as dust flew about, Xiao Yi leaped into the air.


    In the midst of his ascension,


    Xiao Yi grabbed hold of the Blood Mang Sword and yanked it back, "Let go!"


    Whoosh!


    Propelled by a brutal force, the Blood Mang Sword shot out of hand, tearing apart the palms of Xue Wuhen, with blood spurting wildly, as the crimson glow surged madly from Xiao Yi''s body.


    It turned into a massive blood-red hand, extending over ten meters, and with a loud bang, it grasped the ground.


    The ground burst open.


    The blood-red hand, like a dog''s paw, firmly grasped the ground, simultaneously pulling back Xiao Yi''s form, shooting toward the back of Xue Wuhen like an arrow released from its string. Xue Wuhen''s face changed abruptly, the loss of the Blood Mang Sword causing a momentary lapse in concentration.


    At that moment, he snapped back to reality as a piercing whoosh sounded from behind him.


    The battle-hardened Xue Wuhen let out a cold snort without turning his head, and thrust his hands backward, "Blood Demon Great Palm Imprint!"


    Hum!


    Amidst the sea of blood light, a cold and blood-colored hand emerged in the void, only to be shattered by Xiao Yi with a loud bang.


    Taking advantage of this split second,


    Xue Wuhen lunged forward, avoiding by tens of meters.


    Almost simultaneously��


    Xiao Yi landed with a thunderous noise where Xue Wuhen had been standing, the ground beneath exploding and cracks spreading out in all directions, with large chunks of stone and soil jutting out. Amidst the rolling dust, Xiao Yi abruptly pulled back and propelled himself away.


    In the moment of his evasion,


    Xue Wuhen''s counterattack was already on its way.


    This was a sea of blood, spreading across the ground, just shy of engulfing Xiao Yi.


    "Blood Sea Purgatory!"


    Xue Wuhen spat out a mouthful of vital blood, merging it into the torrent of crimson.


    The blood fervently expanded.


    Ten meters.


    Fifty meters.


    In the blink of an eye��


    The entire dueling ground was covered in a layer of bright red, forcing Xiao Yi to hover above, while Xue Wuhen stood smugly atop the blood sea, "Blood Demon Devouring God!"


    Crash!


    Waves of blood surged monstrously, towering tens of meters high.


    Like a colossal wall of blood.


    Blood-colored hands emerged from the waves, clawing and reaching frantically toward Xiao Yi.


    These waters were intensely corrosive and paralytic.


    The moment one came into contact,


    Even a mere touch to the skin would instantly corrode it, paralyze the entire body, depriving one of the strength to fight again. Xiao Yi had witnessed such tactics firsthand when facing Xue Mantian.


    Though the moves differed, their effects were strikingly similar.


    "The power of Wind Thunder, eradicate all!"


    Xiao Yi shook all over.


    Unleashing the power of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, a blend of azure winds and purple-gold lightning enveloped him like a net of electricity. His speed surged, and he blasted through the massive blood waves with a thunderous roar.


    The force of thunder was inherently overpowering.


    With the added annihilating force of the raging wind, it was even more terrifying!


    Hisss!


    Xiao Yi tore through the blood wave, and at the same time, his gaze landed on the figure that had appeared before him.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a smirk as he threw a punch at the astonished face of Xue Wuhen.


    Thud!


    Amid a resounding noise as loud as evening drums and morning bells, Xue Wuhen screamed in agony, flying backward like a kite with its string cut.


    With a loud crash,


    Xue Wuhen hit the ground, and just as he attempted to rise, he saw a cold and blood-colored edge already resting upon his throat, accompanied by Xiao Yi''s indifferent voice, "You''ve lost!"

 Chapter 249 - 249: Xiao, Please Wait!

    "You, lost!"


    Xiao Yi stood proudly in the middle of the duel arena, with a blood-colored light converging at his fingertips, forming a blade pressed against Xue Wuhen''s throat.


    A drop of blood fell from his neck.


    Just a little further and he would sever his throat and decapitate him.


    A look of confusion flashed across Xue Wuhen''s face.


    He was the master of Xue Yilou, the Pavilion Master of Combat Pavilion, a towering presence at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak.


    Today...


    He had actually lost!


    And to a junior at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak?


    A deep sense of defeat swept over him, and Xue Wuhen''s face turned pale. He wanted to activate his profound energy and fight again. But as the thought occurred to him, the energy blade in Xiao Yi''s hand had already cut through his neck.


    The sharp pain and the hot blood flowing from his neck made Xue Wuhen shudder.


    After much hesitation.


    The profound energy inside him subsided.


    With a forced smile, he defeatly said, "I lost!"


    Boom!


    With those three words, the entire Heaven Character Pavilion erupted: "Damn, won? Just like that?"


    "A hundred consecutive victories! A Golden Elixir Realm Peak junior actually defeated a Tao Tribulation Realm Peak powerhouse, achieving a hundred consecutive victories..."


    "Xiao Tianjiao''s record wasn''t just tied, it was broken!"


    "Being at the same Golden Elixir Realm Peak and facing the same Xue Wuhen, Xiao Tianjiao took two moves and was defeated, but this man directly overcame Xue Wuhen. The difference is clear, at least within the same realm, Xiao Tianjiao is no match for him!"


    "My money... it''s all gone..."


    "Hahaha, I tripled my billion silver, hahaha..."


    The odds for Xiao Yi''s victory were set at three to one, while Xue Wuhen''s were at two to one, and nearly everyone believed Xue Wuhen would have the last laugh before the end of the fight.


    Reality proved...


    Reality and fantasy have a huge gap.


    In the VIP seats.


    "Useless trash."


    Yang Jin''s face was incredibly grim as he stared at Xiao Yi with a deadly gaze, "This man, he must not remain!"


    Strong representatives from several other sects saw potential: "With such talent, even if he''s not comparable to Xiao Tianjiao, the difference is slight. If cultivated well, he could possibly become the next Xiao Tianjiao. We must pull him into our sect!"


    "If he doesn''t submit, then we should eliminate him before he grows!"


    Among the Four Great Clans.


    Nangong Jingtang, patriarch of the Nangong Family, narrowed his eyes and stroked his mustache: "My Nangong Family has successfully recruited Ye Heng. If we can bring this young man under our wing, who then can stop the Nangong Family''s rise?"


    Dongfang Yuechu, the head of the Dongfang Family, and Ximen Yijian, the head of the Ximen Family, exchanged a glance. These two families had close bonds: "We must discover this man''s identity. If he can''t be a friend, we must eliminate him as soon as possible!"


    Representing the Beitang Family was the young master, Beitang Yu, who meanwhile stroked his chin with a pondering smile: "Interesting, really interesting... Xiao Tianjiao, your legend has been broken, and I can''t wait to see the expression on your face when you hear this news! Hahahaha..."


    In the VIP room where Xiao Zhengde was.


    The guard was once again gripped by the throat and pinned against the wall by Xiao Zhengde, who furiously punched him, "Scum, scum, scum..."


    His eyes were bloodshot, his breathing as rough as a wolf''s howl, and he was radiating a fierce killing intent.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s record had been broken.


    The undefeated legend of Xiao Tianjiao had been broken.


    This once pure and flawless jade now bore an indelible blemish.


    No matter how powerful Xiao Tianjiao was, he would no longer be like before, almost a deity, unparalleled among his peers.


    Whenever anyone mentioned Xiao Tianjiao, they would surely think of Xiao Yi! Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This man, also at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm, broke the sealed record of Xiao Tianjiao...


    Some are happy, some are in despair.


    Upon seeing Xiao Yi claim the final victory and create a new record surpassing Xiao Tianjiao''s hundred consecutive wins,


    Yang Ling abruptly sprang up from his chair, his face awash with ecstatic joy as he murmured to himself, "Truly worthy of being the one who nearly destroyed the entire Great Jin Kingdom single-handedly, he actually did it..."


    It was Yang Ling''s idea to recommend Xiao Yi as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The initial scheme of Yang Ling and Emperor Qian was to let Xiao Yi succeed the position as institute head in order to balance the powers of the four major noble families and the ten great sects.


    But he never expected...


    That Xiao Yi would be so strong!


    His growth rate was so fast!


    What surprised him even more was that Xiao Yi''s talent was in no way inferior to that of Xiao Tianjiao, the top genius of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Narrowing his eyes, Yang Ling''s face showed excitement, "I''ll go meet Xiao Yi first, then go back and tell my father this news. He will definitely be very pleased!"


    Xiao Tianjiao is incredibly proud, not even regarding the royal family in his eyes.


    In contrast to Xiao Yi...


    He is amicable, and especially values loyalty!


    When Jiang Tianchen was willing to exert his nation''s full strength to confront Xue Yilou for his sake, Xiao Yi single-handedly flattened Tianlan, crushed Qingyun, defeated the Four Seas, broke through the White Whale, and ultimately annihilated the Great Jin Kingdom.


    He propelled Tianqing Kingdom, once ranked at the bottom among the 100+ vassal nations of the Great Qian Dynasty, to become the strongest subordinate nation.


    Under Great Qian, Tianqing reigns supreme.


    "As long as we treat Xiao Yi sincerely, I believe he will definitely stand on the side of our royal family..." Yang Ling thought, becoming even more firm in his decision to forge a genuine bond with Xiao Yi.


    At the same time...


    In the duel arena, Xue Wuhen closed his eyes in despair, waiting for Xiao Yi to take his life.


    But what he got instead was Xiao Yi''s impatient voice, "How long do you plan to lie there?"


    "Huh?"


    Xue Wuhen was taken aback, opened his eyes, and looked incredulously at Xiao Yi, "You, you''re not going to kill me?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Do you really want to die? I can oblige you if you wish!"


    He never had a strong intent to kill Xue Wuhen, especially since during their previous encounter, Xue Wuhen had insisted that no one should defile his corpse, which in itself gained Xiao Yi''s respect and led him to decide to spare his life.


    Xue Wuhen: "..."


    His face changing, he finally let out a deep breath and said with a wry smile, "Losing to you is not a disgrace."


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "But you can''t owe me a single cent of the money you lost to me!"


    "..."


    With a bitter smile, Xue Wuhen said with pained expression, "Don''t worry, you won''t be shortchanged!"


    A hundred consecutive wins, no less!


    Just from the last match alone, Xiao Yi would take away thirteen trillion silver.


    Add to that the various other shares from previous matchups.


    This time, Xiao Yi could claim thirty-seven trillion silver from the Combat Pavilion, which in real gold and silver and based on the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s monthly expenditures of ten billion, would suffice to fund the institute for more than three thousand years.


    "It seems like the scale of Xiaoshanhe Institute can be expanded a bit more this time!" Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a slight smile.


    All of a sudden...


    He caught a glimpse of Xiao Zhengde leaving the VIP room from the corner of his eye. Xiao Yi fell silent for a moment, then turned to Xue Wuhen beside him, "Do me a favor!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Wuhen was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said in a low voice, "Arrange a room for me. Have Xiao Zhengde come see me!"


    "Xiao Zhengde?"


    Xue Wuhen blinked in surprise but didn''t overthink it and nodded, "I''ll get to it right away!"


    A moment later...


    At the exit of the Heaven Character Pavilion, Xiao Zhengde walked out with a dark expression. Just then, he heard the voice of Xue Wuhen from behind, "Pavilion Master Xiao, please wait a moment!"

 Chapter 250 - 250: Hes Xiao Yi?!

    "Pavilion Master Xiao, please wait!"


    The voice of Xue Wuhen echoed from behind, causing Xiao Zhengde to halt in his steps.


    His face was extremely ugly, and his body was stained with copious amounts of fresh blood.


    The guard and several maidservants were nowhere to be seen, obviously having become the objects of his vented fury, all of them slain by his hand.


    Although Xiao Zhengde''s cultivation talent was subpar, with the help of Xiao Tianjiao, he had also reached the Third Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. Cold light flickered in his eyes as he glared at Xue Wuhen, revealing a smile that did not reach his eyes as he said contemptuously, "Pavilion Master Xue, what wisdom do you have to impart?"


    His mood was terribly sour at the moment.


    His treasured son, Xiao Tianjiao''s record of being invincible had been shattered.


    What''s more...


    This trip to the Heaven Character Pavilion had cost him several hundred billion silver taels.


    Naturally, he bore no goodwill towards Xue Wuhen.


    Xue Wuhen smiled wryly, well aware of why Xiao Zhengde was so icy, but he was helpless. After all, standing behind Xiao Zhengde was none other than Xiao Tianjiao. Even Xue Yilou, which backed him, was exceedingly cautious of Xiao Tianjiao and dared not provoke him lightly.


    Xue Wuhen promptly said, "Pavilion Master Xiao, Lord Yiquan has requested to see you!"


    "Yiquan?"


    Xiao Zhengde was stunned, then scoffed disbelievingly, "What? Is he not satisfied with winning the contest and now wishes to mock me to my face?"


    Xue Wuhen let out an ''eh'' and said with a wry smile, "Pavilion Master Xiao, you misunderstand!"


    "Hmph!"


    Xiao Zhengde snorted coldly, paying no heed to Xue Wuhen, and dismissed him with a wave of his hand, "Lead the way! It will be good for me to see for myself, what this junior who broke my son''s record really looks like."


    At this moment, Xiao Zhengde had no idea that the person he was speaking of was the very son he had always despised and looked down upon, Xiao Yi!


    ......


    Xue Wuhen was actually quite capable in handling matters.


    He had specially prepared a VIP room for Xiao Yi and personally brought Xiao Zhengde to its door, saying, "Lord Yiquan is inside!"


    "Hm!"


    Xiao Zhengde, with a cold face, pushed the door open and entered.


    Xue Wuhen then took his place sitting at the door.


    Xiao Yi stood with his back to Xiao Zhengde, hands behind his back, still wearing that black mask on his face.


    Upon entering the VIP room, Xiao Zhengde took a seat dominantly in the chair, legs crossed, eyeing Xiao Yi with a hostile gaze and said coldly, "Boy, did you have someone bring me here to show off in front of me? If that''s the case, then you have seriously miscalculated."


    In his eyes, Xiao Tianjiao was invincible and the strongest!


    No one could surpass Xiao Tianjiao!


    "Pavilion Master Xiao, you misunderstand!"


    Xiao Yi knew all too well what Xiao Zhengde was thinking. He slowly turned around, his icy gaze piercing through the mask and falling upon Xiao Zhengde as he said indifferently, "Pavilion Master Xiao, I have heard that you have two sons. Your eldest son, Xiao Tianjiao, has been a genius since childhood, and your younger son, Xiao Yi, is also not weak. He has recently destroyed the Great Jin Kingdom and has even become the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Zhengde snorted coldly, "I have but one, Tianjiao, as a son."


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi''s hands trembled slightly.


    Am I so unworthy that I don''t even have the right to be acknowledged by you?


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath to calm his emotions and feigned ease as he spoke, "Why must Pavilion Master Xiao be this way? There are many in the Imperial City who are aware of this matter. Why do you deny it? Besides, Xiao Yi''s achievements by now should not bring shame to the Xiao Family, should they?"


    "Bullshit! What is he?"


    Xiao Zhengde scoffed, his face full of contempt, "If it weren''t for the face of my late wife, I would have disposed of that little bastard long ago. He is a waste, carrying the same blood as my son Tian. That itself is an insult to my son Tianjiao. Just recently, Xiao Tianjiao made a breakthrough to the Dharma Manifestation Realm and has been busy with important affairs, with no time to care for him. Otherwise, for daring to return to the Imperial City and making a spectacle of himself, he would have only one path - death!" S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In Xiao Zhengde''s eyes, not only did Xiao Yi have no status, he was even a source of disgrace.


    Feigning confusion, Xiao Yi said, "As a father, don''t you wish to see your sons being amicable and respectful toward each other?"


    "Amicable and respectful? That trash deserves to be on equal terms with my son Tianjiao? Couldn''t he just stay in Nanhuang and be a waste? If he truly didn''t want to be a son-in-law to the Fang Family, he could have just killed himself. Instead, he had to come to the capital and lose face... I wish that troublemaker would just die sooner!"


    With an air of indifference, Xiao Zhengde casually ranted before saying impatiently, "Did you have Xue Wuhen stop me just to ask these meaningless questions?"


    Xiao Yi nodded without saying a word.


    Xiao Zhengde sneered, "Kid, whether you had Xue Wuhen call me over to show off, or for some other purpose, you need to know that you''ve only broken the record my son Tianjiao set years ago. Now, my son has already become a master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and not even if you rode the fastest horse could you catch up!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Xiao Zhengde pushed the door and left.


    Xue Wuhen, who was leaning against the door, was startled, "He''s leaving just like that?"


    Xiao Zhengde glanced at him and said indifferently, "Pavilion Master Xue, the fighters in your Combat Pavilion really are degenerating with each generation. Back when they fought with my son Tianjiao, each and every one of them was a talented powerhouse. But look at them now, nothing but a bunch of good-for-nothings. I advise you to recruit more strong fighters. Otherwise, any Tom, Dick, or Harry could come and rack up several hundred victories..."


    Xue Wuhen: "..."


    Xiao Zhengde snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and strode away, only to run into Yang Ling along the way and promptly greet him, "Xiao Zhengde pays respects to His Highness Yang Ling!"


    "Pavilion Master Xiao?"


    Yang Ling was taken aback. Seeing that Xiao Zhengde was coming from the direction of the private room where Xiao Yi was, he subconsciously said, "Pavilion Master Xiao, you''ve just met with Xiao Yi and returned?"


    "Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Zhengde was stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at a perplexed Yang Ling, "You, you mean that ''Lord Yiquan''... is Xiao Yi?!"


    "Eh? You didn''t know?"


    Yang Ling''s expression changed, cursed himself silently for his loose tongue, and left with a gloomy face.


    "Lord Yiquan is Xiao Yi?"


    Standing there dumbfounded, Xiao Zhengde muttered incredulously to himself, "How could this be? That''s impossible... Xiao Yi is nothing but trash, how could he be the one who broke Tianjiao''s record?" His head shook in disbelief at the reality.


    His head buzzed with noise.


    His face turned ghostly pale in an instant.


    Thump!


    He staggered and leaned against the wall.


    As the world spun around him, Xiao Zhengde felt unable to hear any sound from his surroundings, there was only his rapid heartbeat and labored breathing. He found it hard to believe that the person who had shattered his beloved son Tianjiao''s record was none other than Xiao Yi, the very person he never took seriously and even considered a shame.


    Even upon learning that Xiao Yi had reached the Golden Core Realm and even succeeded as head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    He had never felt such shock and regret.


    But now...


    For the first time, Xiao Zhengde felt regret.


    Both being at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, facing the even more formidable Xue Wuhen, Xiao Yi was able to achieve victory. Just this alone was enough to prove that his talent was not weak, perhaps even stronger than that of Xiao Tianjiao!


    He thought of how he had been willing to find a breeding beast for Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, and yet he disdainfully gave away a prodigy of heaven to the Fang Family to become a son-in-law.


    Xiao Zhengde sincerely wished he could slap himself.


    "With Tianjiao at the helm and if we could add Xiao Yi to the Xiao Family, it would be like adding wings to a tiger! At that point, not to mention becoming the fifth major noble family, becoming the strongest family wouldn''t be out of the question..."


    In his shock, the first thing Xiao Zhengde thought of was how much a genius not inferior to Xiao Tianjiao could benefit the Xiao Family.


    He hurriedly rushed towards the private room where Xiao Yi had been.


    But was informed that Xiao Yi had already left.


    Xiao Zhengde''s face tightened, he pondered for a moment, and clenched his fists, "He is now the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, right? I will go to the Xiaoshanhe Institute to find him. If he knows I am willing to let him rejoin the Xiao Family, he will surely be overjoyed and immensely grateful to me!"


    As he thought to himself.


    Full of pride, Xiao Zhengde strode out of the Combat Pavilion...

 Chapter 251 - 251: Dog Fighting

    Within the Combat Pavilion.


    Xiao Yi, Yang Ling, and Xue Wuhen sat together, with Xue Wuhen meticulously making some Spiritual Tea.


    He now knew the identity of Xiao Yi.


    The shock in his heart was indescribable.


    He who was despised by the Xiao Family, expelled and sent to the remote Nanhuang to be a son-in-law, had managed to rise from no cultivation to reaching the Golden Elixir Realm Peak in just over a year.


    Moreover, his strength was comparable to that of the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, an unparalleled feat at the Golden Elixir Peak.


    At the same time��


    Xue Wuhen was also extremely curious about the Xiao Family.


    Just what kind of family would be so blind as to expel a talent like Xiao Yi?


    Yang Ling''s face showed an apologetic expression, "Xiao Yi, I''m really sorry. I thought Xiao Zhengde knew your identity and I accidentally let it slip��"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to show it didn''t matter.


    Yang Ling offered a wry smile, "Now, various powers are investigating who the ''One Punch'' of the Combat Pavilion really is. If Xiao Zhengde leaks your identity, I''m afraid you''ll face many unnecessary troubles!"


    In just over a year, to advance from the Physical Body Realm to the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, this was already shocking enough to the world.


    Moreover.


    Xiao Yi was able to defeat Xue Wuhen at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak while at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    These two secrets, each on their own, were enough to drive countless powerful beings insane, let alone Xiao Yi having both. Once his identity got out, many would covet such an individual.


    If it were merely enticement with benefits, it would be one thing.


    The worst Yang Ling feared was that some powerful entities would take a darker approach in dealing with Xiao Yi.


    An innocent man is in trouble because he has a gem!


    That was the principle!


    Xue Wuhen, thoroughly convinced by Xiao Yi''s abilities, earnestly nodded, "From the end of the duel until now, seven out of the ten major sects have inquired, as well as people from the four great noble houses; I''ve managed to fend them all off. But we must remain vigilant!"


    Xiao Tianjiao also faced the covetous pursuit of many powers. The sect masters of the ten major sects even broke out in a terrifying war to fight over him.


    In the end, it was the Pavilion Master of the Tianjian Sect that stood above the rest and took Xiao Tianjiao under his wing.


    It was thanks to the backing of the number one sect in the Great Qian Dynasty that Xiao Tianjiao could grow in peace. Even so, Xiao Tianjiao had faced numerous life-threatening assassinations.


    "For them, anything or anyone they cannot possess and might become a threat, has only one fate��destruction!"


    While saying this, Xue Wuhen reminded, "Unless absolutely necessary, it''s best to keep your true identity hidden!"


    Yang Ling voiced his concern, "I just hope that Xiao Zhengde won''t leak your identity!"


    Aside from the three of them, only Ye Heng and Xiao Zhengde knew that ''One Punch'' was Xiao Yi.


    There was no need to worry about Ye Heng.


    But Xiao Zhengde��


    As both of them looked at him worriedly, Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Don''t worry, Xiao Zhengde won''t leak my information!"


    "Hm?"


    The two men blinked, looking at him confused.


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "If people were to know that I, who was expelled from the Xiao Family, had broken Xiao Tianjiao''s records, it would be a huge blow to Xiao Tianjiao''s prestige. Xiao Zhengde would not allow that to happen. Not only will he not leak it, but he will also help me cover it up!"


    At that moment.


    Ye Heng walked in from outside, came to Xiao Yi''s side, and looked provocatively at Xue Wuhen, "Master, I have retrieved the silver!"


    Xue Wuhen rolled his eyes, "Why are you looking at me like that? Would I actually renege on a debt?"


    Ye Heng curled his lip, "I just don''t like how you guys in the Combat Pavilion abandon your conscience for money!"


    "What do you mean?" Xue Wuhen was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi also looked towards him.


    Ye Heng said in a deep voice, "Master, do you know who I saw when I first arrived?" Seeing several people looking at him, Ye Heng continued gravely, "The blind swordsman who has fought with you before, his tendons in his hands and feet were severed by someone, and he was thrown onto the street outside the Combat Pavilion. If I hadn''t saved him, he would have been crushed to death by a carriage."


    "What?" S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, as he had a rather deep impression of that blind swordsman. He frowned and looked toward Xue Wuhen.


    Xue Wuhen hurriedly waved his hands, saying, "I don''t know what happened, let me ask around!"


    A moment later.


    Returning with a grim face, Xue Wuhen forced a smile and said, "This matter has nothing to do with our Combat Pavilion. That blind swordsman is not a martial artist nurtured by our Combat Pavilion. He is a fighting dog kept by that young master of the Dongfang Family, Dongfang Bai, specifically used to participate in competitions at the Combat Pavilion and covertly manipulate the outcomes of the matches to make money. You''re aware of the forces of the Dongfang Family. Unless they go too far, it''s not good for me to intervene."


    "A fighting dog? He''s clearly a person, why is he called a fighting dog?" Ye Heng asked, puzzled as he looked at Xue Wuhen.


    Xue Wuhen shrugged: "Reduced to such a plight, do they still have the dignity to be called human? Their master commands them to live or die, and they endure a life worse than that of a dog. The blind swordsman ended up like this simply because Dongfang Bai ordered him to intentionally lose the match, but he did not comply. In a fit of rage, Dongfang Bai had his limbs disabled..."


    "Scoundrel!"


    "How can they be so cruel?"


    Ye Heng''s expression turned extremely ugly. Having been oppressed by Ye Tian all this time and living at the bottom of society, he felt a strong aversion to such unfair treatment.


    As they were discussing this.


    A powerful individual from the Combat Pavilion hurried in, glancing at Xiao Yi and the others, hesitating to speak.


    Xue Wuhen gestured with his hand: "Speak, it''s alright."


    The strong individual pointed at Ye Heng and said solemnly, "Pavilion Master, Ye Heng previously entrusted the blind swordsman to our care, and now Dongfang has found out. He''s bringing people to demand the blind swordsman from us, nearly resorting to violence..."


    "What?"


    "After severing his hand and foot tendons, they still refuse to let him go? This is too much to bear!"


    With a face ashen as iron, Ye Heng looked toward Xiao Yi, "Master..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes into slits, "Let''s go have a look!"


    Side by side they walked.


    Just as they approached the doorway, they heard a haughty voice calling out, "He''s nothing but a fighting dog I''ve raised, merely a dog. He can live only if I allow it, and he cannot refuse death if I command it. Even if I discard my dog, you all cannot pick him up. Now, hand him over to me!"


    "Young Master Dongfang, this blind swordsman is also temporarily entrusted to us by another guest. If we hand him over to you, we won''t be able to explain ourselves when that guest returns. Please don''t make it difficult for us..." said a Combat Pavilion attendant with a helpless expression.


    "What? You mean to say that guest is more esteemed than I, Young Master Dongfang?" The voice of Dongfang Bai was chillingly cold.


    Previously, he had ordered the blind swordsman to intentionally lose a match, but after being provoked by the opponent''s words, the swordsman ended up killing his adversary with a single stroke, causing Dongfang Bai to lose a hundred million taels of silver.


    That was why he had disabled the blind swordsman''s limbs and left him in the street to fend for himself or die.


    This wasn''t the first time he had done something like this.


    Ordinarily, no one dared to meddle in his affairs.


    But this time...


    He encountered Ye Heng.


    Who actually saved the blind swordsman.


    In a towering rage, this scene unfolded.


    "Young Master Dongfang, I wouldn''t dare..." said the attendant with a wry smile.


    "Wouldn''t dare? If you wouldn''t dare, then get lost. Today, I will beat this dog to death myself, and I want to see what that guest you mentioned can do to me..." Dongfang Bai snorted coldly.


    His two subordinates immediately pushed the attendant in front of them aside, one of them charging toward the barely alive blind swordsman.


    With a cold palm forming into sharp claws, he reached for the blind swordsman''s throat.


    Just as those claws were about to crush the blind swordsman''s windpipe, a cold sword light shot through the air.


    Swish!


    Amid a burst of blood, the strong man''s wrist snapped off, blood gushing out. Amid his screams, a cold voice came from behind them, "I would like to see who dares to touch him today!"

 Chapter 252 - 252: Apologize, or Die

    "I want to see who dares to touch him today!"


    The icy voice came from Xiao Yi.


    Ye Heng had already reached the side of the blind swordsman, propping up the swordsman, who lay on the ground with a lifeless face, and straightening his body. After a brief check, Ye Heng''s expression changed slightly, "Master, the blind swordsman''s dantian has been destroyed..."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly.


    He never expected Dongfang Bai and his people to be so ruthless.


    Not satisfied with merely severing the tendons of his hands and feet, they had now even destroyed his dantian.


    Xiao Yi looked expressionlessly at Dongfang Bai, "Who did it?"


    Dongfang Bai glanced at him indifferently then looked away. In his view, Xiao Yi was just at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, and within the Dongfang Family, there were even strong individuals in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Why would he take Xiao Yi seriously?


    Even facing Yang Ling, the prince, Dongfang Bai just gave a perfunctory hand clasp and said with a proud expression, "Prince Yang Ling!"


    Yang Ling frowned. The power of the four great clan families was extremely terrifying, and they generally stood together against outsiders, often disrespecting the royal family. Naturally, he didn''t show a good face either and said lightly, "Dongfang Bai, did you not hear Pavilion Master Xiao ask you a question?"


    "Pavilion Master Xiao?"


    Dongfang Bai was slightly startled and looked Xiao Yi up and down with narrowed eyes, chuckling scornfully, "Oh ho, so you''re the new head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi? You look quite the part, so why were you kicked out of the Xiao Family by Xiao Tianjiao? Oh, my apologies, I forgot Xiao Tianjiao doesn''t recognize you as part of the Xiao Family. So, that means you..."


    Slap!


    The words were cut off by the crisp sound of a slap.


    "..."


    Everyone was dumbfounded.


    They all turned to look at Xiao Yi''s indifferent face. This was the Dongfang Family''s young master he had just slapped in public.


    Dongfang Bai''s eyes were crimson, exhaling a chilling light that seemed ready to devour someone, and he stared dead at Xiao Yi, "You little bastard, you dare to hit..."


    Slap!


    Another slap.


    Xiao Yi still stood there with his hands behind his back, as serene as a gentle breeze and soft clouds.


    "Holy shit..."


    Slap!


    "You..."


    Slap!


    No one could see how Xiao Yi made his move, but everyone knew these slaps had to be his doing.


    Looking at Dongfang Bai again...


    His cheeks were swollen like a pig''s head, blood streaming from the corners of his mouth, leaving him unable to speak. In his bloodshot eyes, there was resentment and rage, and more noticeably, a shade of fear.


    "Young master, are you alright?" asked several strong men of the Dongfang Family tentatively.


    Bang!


    Dongfang Bai kicked them to the ground viciously, roaring in anger, "Do I look alright to you? Don''t just stand there, kill him! Whichever hand he used to hit me, I want you to chop it off and feed it to the dogs..."


    Five Golden Elixir Realm strong men immediately stepped forward, eyeing Xiao Yi with predatory gaze.


    "Pavilion Master Xiao, you can''t just hit our young master and expect things to end like this. I advise you to surrender without a struggle and not to resist," one of them said.


    "The Dongfang Family is not afraid of your little Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    The five of them surrounded Xiao Yi.


    Yang Ling frowned and looked at Dongfang Bai with concern, "Dongfang Bai, I advise you to pull your men back!"


    "Prince Yang Ling, this matter doesn''t concern you," said Dongfang Bai venomously. "I know this kid is your recommendation for head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, but since he dared to hit me, he''s slapped the Dongfang Family in the face, and no one can help him!"


    Yang Ling sighed, "I''m trying to help you!"


    Dongfang Bai sneered, "Help me? Does Dongfang Bai look like he needs your help?" His face twisted hideously as he stared at his men, "Kill him for me!"


    "Kill!"


    "First cripple his cultivation..."


    Five men advanced at the same time.


    Among them, two were at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, and the other three were also experts of the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Dongfang Bai was the most cherished grandson of Dongfang, the head of the Dongfang Family.


    Even his bodyguards were at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    Five men teaming up could even put up a fight against a warrior of the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Faced with the onslaught of five assailants, Xiao Yi merely waved his hand casually. Cold light fluttered at his fingertips, exploding out like dazzling light rainbows. Amidst muffled sounds, the five figures trembled violently, blood spraying wildly as they fell to the ground.


    On their brows and fingertips were points of red.


    A one-strike kill!


    Hiss!


    Complete silence surrounded the area.


    With an expressionless face, Xiao Yi approached Dongfang Bai. "You just said you wanted to break my hands, right?"


    "You, you, you... don''t come any closer..."


    Dongfang Bai''s face turned deathly pale. He had never imagined that Xiao Yi would be so terrifyingly powerful, instantly slaying his five major bodyguards in a blink.


    Feeling the cold Evil Qi emanating from Xiao Yi.


    Dongfang Bai felt his legs go weak, stumbling back tremulously: "I am the eldest young master of the Dongfang Family. If you dare to hurt me, you will make an enemy out of the Dongfang Family. You... ah..."


    A sudden scream burst forth from Dongfang Bai''s mouth.


    Blood arrows shot from his hands and feet, and among the torn flesh, one could vaguely see severed tendons twitching slightly.


    Dongfang Bai slumped to the ground like a pile of mud.


    Xiao Yi acted quickly and decisively.


    By cutting the tendons in his hands and feet, and shattering them completely, he left Dongfang Bai crippled for life unless a magical elixir was used to reattach his limbs. Lying on the ground, wailing, Dongfang Bai looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of terror, not daring to threaten wildly as before, but instead pathetically begged for mercy. "Spare me, Director Xiao, spare my life. I won''t dare to do it again..."


    In the face of life and death, even those who hold high positions and have powerful backing will still become humble.


    Xiao Yi walked up to Dongfang Bai, slightly bent over, grabbed his hair, and pointing to the deathly still blind swordsman said, "You as well as he, both are born of mothers and fathers, have only one life, and are not necessarily more noble than the other. If you don''t want to die, apologize to him immediately by kowtowing!"


    "I, I should kowtow to him?"


    Dongfang Bai looked astonished; the blind swordsman was just a fighting dog he owned, no more than a dog in his eyes!


    Xiao Yi actually wanted him to apologize to the blind swordsman by kowtowing?


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Apologize, or die. Choose for yourself!"


    "..."


    Under the threat of death, Dongfang Bai''s head thudded to the ground with tears of humiliation on his face as he gritted his teeth and said, "I''m sorry..."


    Those three words seemed to drain all his strength.


    He collapsed to the ground in defeat.


    A cold glint flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes; he believed in utterly rooting out problems. Crippling Dongfang Bai would surely not be forgotten by the Dongfang Family, so it might be better to finish him off once and for all.


    However...


    Yang Ling, who was standing by, said in a low voice, "Do me a favor and spare him this time!"


    After all, he was a prince, and if he could become the Crown Prince and succeed the Great Qian Dynasty, it wouldn''t be good to fall out with the Dongfang Family completely.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Fine!"


    Discarding Dongfang Bai aside as if tossing away trash, Xiao Yi walked toward the blind swordsman and, with Ye Heng on one side and another on the other, helped the blind swordsman walk outside.


    "Dongfang Bai, I hope this ends here!"


    Yang Ling looked toward Xue Wuhen, who had been silent all along, "Please, Pavilion Master Xue, take him back to the Dongfang Family." S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Leave it to me!" Xue Wuhen nodded.


    Yang Ling chased after Xiao Yi, who was already heading outside...

 Chapter 253 - 253 Tian Mang

    Within the Yang Ling mansion.


    Ye Heng, with the blind swordsman on his back, laid him onto the bed. Looking at the swordsman''s deathly stillness and silence, Ye Heng''s face showed a hint of concern.


    Yang Ling offered consolation, "I have sent for the Imperial Physician."


    Ye Heng responded with a grateful look.


    A moment later.


    An old man with white hair entered; this was Bian Yihong, the Imperial Physician of the Great Qian Dynasty''s royal court, and also an Underworld Doctor. As Bian Yihong examined the blind swordsman, he shook his head and sighed, "Your Highness, this man is intent on dying, all medicines are ineffective, please forgive this old man''s powerlessness."


    "Imperial Physician Bian, is there really no hope left?" Yang Ling asked.


    Bian Yihong shook his head.


    Ye Heng quickly turned to Xiao Yi, "Master, I beg you to save him!"


    During special training, he had personally witnessed Xiao Yi preparing various herbs and even personally concocting elixirs to enhance his cultivation.


    Those skills were truly awe-inspiring.


    Xiao Yi had yet to speak.


    An arrogant young man beside Bian Yihong scoffed, "My master is a four-star Alchemist, as well as a rare inheritor of the line of Underworld Doctors. Even he says there is nothing to be done, there is no second person in the Great Qian Dynasty who can save him!"


    Ye Heng ignored him and continued to gaze at Xiao Yi, "Master, I beg of you, please help him!"


    Seeing Ye Heng ignore himself, the youth''s face showed a trace of anger as he mocked, "Are you deaf? My master already said he''s beyond saving, what use is begging him?"


    "Shut up!"


    Ye Heng glared at him fiercely, angrily retorting, "Your master can''t do it, but that doesn''t mean my master can''t!"


    "You insolent fool, you..." the youth burst out in rage.


    "Shut up!"


    However, Bian Yihong coldly snorted, his old face showing displeasure as he looked at Xiao Yi with a hint of mockery, "This old man''s skills are limited; perhaps this young hero really does possess a life-saving technique..."


    His words contained an implicit challenge and defiance.


    Xia Yi glanced at him and said indifferently, "I don''t have a life-saving technique, but saving him should be no problem!"


    "Oh?"


    Bian Yihong scoffed, arrogantly saying, "If that''s the case, then I beseech you to take action, and let this old man broaden his horizons!"


    The youth''s challenging gaze rested on Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi shrugged; he hadn''t wanted to intervene, but Ye Heng''s continuous pleas made it difficult for him to disappoint his newly accepted disciple. He then turned to Yang Ling, "Your Highness, do you have any demonic cores in the mansion?"


    "Yes!"


    Yang Ling nodded, "What kind of demonic core do you need?"


    Xiao Yi asked, "Do you have one with dark attributes?"


    Yang Ling thought for a moment, "Father bestowed upon me a Black Prison Scorpion core previously, would that be sufficient?"


    Black Prison Scorpion.


    A fifth-order high-level demonic beast, comparable to the peak strength of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Xiao Yi said, "That will do, have someone bring that core here immediately!"


    "One moment!"


    Yang Ling immediately ordered someone to fetch it.


    The youth, with a sneer, said, "Are you actually going to save him or not? His injuries are too severe, his limbs'' tendons completely severed, his Dantian destroyed, despairing with a death wish; not to mention just a fifth-order beast''s core, even a ninth-order beast''s core wouldn''t save him!"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold humph, causing the youth''s complexion to pale. In that instant, he felt as if he were on the verge of plunging into an ice cellar, and he dared not speak again.


    Xiao Yi approached the bedside and looked at the blind swordsman on the bed, who was in utter despair, and said softly, "I know you can hear me, I have a way to repair your Dantian and heal your limbs. If you want to live, then nod your head. If you don''t want me to heal you, then shake your head, and I won''t waste any more effort!"


    Hum!


    The blind swordsman, previously enveloped in an aura of death, trembled all over upon hearing these words, as if a drowning man had found a lifeline.


    He struggled to nod his head.


    He wanted to live.


    He still had many unfulfilled wishes.


    The blind swordsman''s pale, cracked lips moved slightly, opening with difficulty, "Really, you can restore my Dantian?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly.


    The blind swordsman fell silent for a moment, his hoarse voice somewhat weak: "If... if you can really heal my dantian and my limbs, I am willing to recognize you as my master, my life will be yours..."


    "We can talk about this later!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    A moment later. S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The demon core was delivered into Xiao Yi''s hands.


    The young man muttered disdainfully under his breath, "I have never heard of a demon core being able to heal a destroyed dantian, I think he is just showing off..."


    "Shut your mouth!"


    This time, it was Bian Yihong who spoke.


    His murky eyes were fixed intently on Xiao Yi, his breathing involuntarily becoming rapid.


    Watching Xiao Yi''s technique, he suddenly thought of a legend within the Underworld Doctor lineage��Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill!


    Reconstructing a dantian with a demon core.


    Making a shattered dantian come back to life once again.


    But...


    This kind of secret technique, even within the heritage of the Underworld Doctor, had been lost; could it be that this young man in front of him truly understood such a secret technique?


    Bian Yihong clenched his fists tightly, watching Xiao Yi with a face full of excitement and anticipation.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath.


    Now, performing Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill for another person, using the demon core in place of the dantian, was much easier than when he had replaced the demon core for Fang Qingzhu.


    Xiao Yi emitted a suffocating vital energy fluctuation from his body, this vital energy refined through the God Sealing Seed and infused with the power of God Sealing. Dozens of times stronger than ordinary vital energy, it condensed into a vortex above the blind swordsman''s lower abdomen.


    The demon core, rotating in the midst of the vortex, merged into the blind swordsman''s body with a swish.


    Finding its place within the blind swordsman''s dantian.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi, using the Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill, guided the vital energy into the blind swordsman''s body, constructing a vital energy bridge, linking the demon core with the meridians.


    At this moment, the blind swordsman''s body appeared transparent, his meridians crisscrossing and coming into view.


    As these meridians communicated with each other.


    The vital energy, taking the demon core as the nucleus, began to circulate within the blind swordsman''s dantian.


    "Is this, this, really the Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill? Who in the world is this person? How can he understand such a lost secret technique..." Bian Yihong''s face was full of astonishment, his body soaked in sweat, watching Xiao Yi''s silhouette with excitement.


    His breathing became even heavier.


    This was a secret technique that had been lost in the Underworld Doctor lineage!


    He had never imagined that he would be able to witness such a miraculous method with his own eyes.


    Buzz!


    The blind swordsman trembled, sitting up straight from the bed, his vital energy flowing more and more smoothly.


    One complete cycle.


    Two complete cycles...


    After a full thirty-six complete cycles, the demon core had fully integrated with his body, transforming into a brand-new demon core dantian. At the same time, the blind swordsman''s cultivation had also returned to the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm.


    As for the tendons in his hands and feet, they were also reconnected with Xiao Yi''s help.


    Thump!


    The blind swordsman, under everyone''s astonished gaze, rolled out of bed and knelt before Xiao Yi, speaking in a deep voice, "Above all, Master, please accept Tian Mang''s bow!"


    "Tian Mang?"


    Xiao Yi helped the blind swordsman to his feet, showing a hint of confusion.


    Tian Mang nodded, "Master, I was born blind, and my parents abandoned me. My grandmother gave me the name Tian Mang. A few years ago, my grandmother also passed away, and I sold myself to the Dongfang Family to bury her, becoming a fighting dog under Dongfang Bai; he gave me the name ''blind swordsman''!"


    "I see, from now on you should still be called Tian Mang!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, then said, "Tian Mang, from now on you should call me Institute Director! From today onwards, you are a disciple of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Thank you, Master... Institute Director!" Tian Mang said respectfully.


    He would not have any defiance towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi nodded, about to speak, when he heard a hurried voice from outside the door: "Your Highness, the people from the Dongfang Family have come knocking at our door!"

 Chapter 254 - 254: Revenge for the Smallest Grievances

    "Your Highness, people from the Dongfang Family have come knocking at our door!"


    The expression of the guard outside the door was uneasy as he spoke.


    Yang Ling''s eyebrows knitted together, and a cold light flashed through his eyes as he let out a cold snort, "What an audacious Dongfang Family, they really don''t take me seriously!"


    Although he had not yet become the Crown Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, he was still a prince!


    For the Dongfang Family to dare bring trouble to his residence was nothing short of a public slap in the face, and Yang Ling''s complexion turned extremely ugly.


    Tian Mang''s complexion changed slightly as he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, Director, this matter started because of me, it would be better to just hand me over..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Since you have joined Xiaoshanhe Institute, it is my responsibility to ensure your safety! Just stay here at ease, even if the Dharma Manifestation Realm ancestor of the Dongfang Family itself comes today, they can forget about taking you away!"


    Dharma Manifestation Realm, living over a thousand years.


    In any power, they are the pinnacle of existence.


    Now, even though Xiao Yi knew that Dongfang Bai was the great young lord of the Dongfang Family, he still reached out to save Tian Mang with the confidence of being able to fight even against a beginner of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    On the aged face of Bian Yihong, the shock gradually subsided, but his gaze at Xiao Yi still carried heat and admiration.


    He coughed lightly and said, "Director Xiao, why must you take action personally? I have some acquaintances with the ancestor of the Dongfang Family, and they will certainly give me some face!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Mr. Bian, I appreciate your kindness, but..."


    Before he could finish.


    Lin Qian, a disciple of Bian Yihong, spoke up and scolded, "My master is willing to help you, and that''s your honor. With my master''s status and position, even the head of the Dongfang Family would have to show him some respect!"


    All this time.


    He had always taken great pride in being a disciple of Bian Yihong.


    But earlier...


    The incurable Tian Mang, who had been diagnosed by Bian Yihong, had miraculously come back to life in Xiao Yi''s hands, and even his shattered dantian had been restored.


    This made him feel as if he had lost face, like he had been slapped dozens of times.


    Now, seeing the Dongfang Family actually pressuring them at their door, if his master could resolve this matter, it would definitely turn the tables. In his view, one of the reasons Bian Yihong volunteered to step forward was precisely this.


    Little did he know.


    Bian Yihong was astounded by the Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill displayed by Xiao Yi, it was miraculous, and he thought of currying favor with Xiao Yi in order to learn this long-lost Secret Technique of the Underworld Doctor lineage from him.


    "Shut up!"


    Bian Yihong glared at him fiercely, fearing he would anger Xiao Yi, and said with nerves, "Director Xiao, my foolish disciple is ignorant, I hope you won''t hold it against him!"


    "Master..."


    Lin Qian was utterly bewildered.


    He thought he was helping Bian Yihong; how did it turn into a scolding?


    "Speak another word of nonsense, and I''ll expel you from the sect!" Bian Yihong turned and slapped him across his face, scolding him in anger.


    Lin Qian''s face stiffened, and he dared not say anything more.


    But in those downcast eyes, there was a flicker of hatred and resentment.


    Xiao Yi looked at Bian Yihong''s ingratiating face and sighed, "Then you may try!"


    "Don''t worry, Director Xiao, I will not let you down!"


    Bian Yihong''s heart leapt with joy.


    Yet his aged body moved with agility, quickly making his way outside to meet the people from the Dongfang Family.


    At this moment...


    Over a hundred Dongfang Family powerhouses were surrounding a carriage, on which lay Dongfang Bai, wrapped up like a zongzi. The person leading them was one of the five great elders of the Dongfang Family, Dongfang Mu.


    "Elder Mu, you must stand up for me!" Dongfang Bai said with a face full of grievance.


    Dongfang Mu nodded, his face darkening as he said, "Young Master, rest assured, even if Xiao Yi is protected by Yang Ling, he can''t injure my Dongfang Family''s people over a mere fighting dog. Today, I will make him hand over Xiao Yi to kowtow and apologize to you!"


    Dongfang Mu crossed his arms over his chest, a green light circulating around his body, his cultivation reaching the nine-fold layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Creak!


    The gates swung open wide.


    Standing before him was Bian Yihong, with his immortal-like demeanor, causing Dongfang Mu to pause and frown, "Bian Yihong? What is he doing here?"


    Bian Yihong approached Dongfang Mu and greeted him with a fist-and-palm salute, "Elder Mu, long time no see, how have you been recently?"


    "So it''s Mr. Bian, indeed it''s been a while!"


    Dongfang Mu returned the gesture to Bian Yihong, but he made sure not to be too cold, considering Bian had a not inconsiderable relationship with the head of the Dongfang Family, and asked, "What brings Mr. Bian here?"


    Bian Yihong replied, "I came to His Highness''s residence to treat a good friend of his. But as for Elder Mu, what brings you here?"


    Dongfang Mu saw no reason to doubt him and said, "Yang Ling''s friend, Xiao Yi, has severely injured our family''s young master. I have come here to seek justice."


    "Xiao Yi?"


    Bian Yihong raised an eyebrow and said, "Elder Mu, your timing is not good. Xiao Yi has already left; he went back to the Xiaoshanhe Institute. If you go there now, you might be able to find him!"


    "He''s gone?"


    Dongfang Mu was taken aback.


    If Xiao Yi had left Yang Ling''s residence to return to the Xiaoshanhe Institute, then it wouldn''t be easy for him to seek revenge directly.


    Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    That is the site chosen by the royal family for offering sacrifices to the heavens and ancestors.


    Furthermore, with the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s special status, even the great clans like theirs cannot simply set foot there.


    Just when Dongfang Mu found himself in a precarious situation.


    Lin Qian, standing beside Bian Yihong, curled the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a trace of maliciousness, and feigned surprise, "Master, are you mistaken? Didn''t we just part ways with Mr. Xiao and the others? They are now inside the residence!"


    Boom!


    Bian Yihong''s body suddenly trembled, disbelievingly looking at his disciple beside him.


    He had not at all expected his beloved disciple to trip him up at such a moment.


    Dongfang Mu''s face turned an ashen blue as his cold gaze fixed on Bian Yihong. He sneered with a sinister laugh, "Mr. Bian, the Dongfang Family always had a decent relationship with you, yet you do this for an outsider. Isn''t that quite inappropriate?"


    Bian Yihong stared intently at Lin Qian and said in a deep voice, "Elder Mu, could you do me the honor of letting this matter go?"


    "Let it go?"


    Dongfang Mu pointed to Dongfang Bai inside the carriage and roared, "Open your eyes and see for yourself, what condition has my young master been beaten into? This is a slap in the face to my Dongfang Family! Bian Yihong, I, Dongfang Mu, have treated you with respect because of our past affiliations, yet you have played me for a fool. From this day onward, you, Bian Yihong, are forever barred from setting foot in my Dongfang Family!"


    Whoosh!


    Bian Yihong''s complexion instantly turned pale.


    He never imagined that because of a single sentence from Lin Qian, he would be blacklisted by the Dongfang Family.


    And furthermore...


    The four great noble families are branches of the same tree.


    Once shunned by the Dongfang Family, it meant the other three great families, any related families, officials, and citizens would no longer welcome him, Bian Yihong. For Bian, who made his living as a doctor, this was akin to having his limbs cut off and his eyes gouged out!


    And the mastermind behind it all was his cherished disciple!


    Bian Yihong''s body shook with fury and, in his extreme anger, he spat out a mouthful of blood, pointing at Lin Qian, "You, you unfilial disciple..." S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Unfilial disciple? Humph, old man, you should have thought of today when you slapped me in public to please Xiao Yi."


    Lin Qian gave him a cold glance. He had always been the type to hold grudges. Bian Yihong had slapped him in public to appease Xiao Yi, and how could he swallow such an insult? With a fawning expression, he walked up to Dongfang Mu and pointed to the large estate: "Elder Mu, Xiao Yi and the others are inside!"

 Chapter 255 - 255: The Dying Man

    "Elder Dongfang Mu, Xiao Yi and the others are in there!"


    Lin Qian stood before Dongfang Mu, bowing and scraping, with a fawning expression.


    Dongfang Mu''s face was cold as he glanced at him.


    He truly despised those who would betray even their own masters.


    However...


    Considering that Lin Qian still had some usefulness at the moment, Dongfang Mu couldn''t be bothered to argue, his gaze turned toward the residence of Yang Ling. Sensing the aura of Yang Ling and the others, he called out coldly, "Your Highness Yang Ling, please show yourself!"


    Inside the residence.


    Xiao Yi walked out shoulder to shoulder with Yang Ling.


    As their eyes met,


    a hint of icy coldness flashed through Dongfang Mu''s eyes, and he sneered, "So you''re Xiao Yi?" S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Bian Yihong, pale-faced, and Lin Qian, standing beside Dongfang Mu with a smug look, before his gaze settled on Dongfang Mu, "I am Xiao Yi!"


    "I never thought... that even Tianjiaao would misjudge."


    Dongfang Mu sized up Xiao Yi from head to toe, noting that Xiao Yi''s aura was no weaker than that of an ordinary warrior from the Tao Tribulation Realm. He jeered with a cold smile, "Xiao Yi, even though you are the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, there will be a price to pay for offending someone of the Dongfang Family!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and asked, "What price?"


    Yang Ling spoke in a heavy voice, "Dongfang Mu, don''t go too far!"


    "Your Highness, rest assured, I, Dongfang Mu, know my limits!"


    Dongfang Mu gave a respectful hand clasp towards Yang Ling, the corners of his mouth lifting into a chilling smile as he stared at Xiao Yi, "Since His Highness Yang Ling is protecting you, I will give him this face. You crippled Dongfang Bai''s hands and feet, but I won''t make it difficult for you. Sever your own hands and feet, and we''ll call the matter settled, how about that?"


    Inside the carriage.


    Dongfang Bai roared furiously with a ferocious face, "Second Elder, you can''t let him off so easily!"


    Dongfang Mu waved his hand, signaling him to be patient.


    Ye Heng sneered, "What''s Dongfang Bai worth? Even a single hair from my master is more precious than his life, and you want my master to sever his own hands and feet? That''s an absolute fantasy!"


    "Where did this little bastard come from, what right do you have to speak?" Dongfang Mu let out a cold snort.


    The oppressive aura of the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm was released.


    It bore down on Ye Heng like a great mountain.


    Ye Heng, being only of Spiritual Realm Cultivation, how could he withstand such a powerful pressure?


    With a muffled grunt,


    Ye Heng''s form trembled slightly, and he was just about to be forcibly pressed to his knees when Xiao Yi casually waved his hand and shattered the terrifying pressure.


    "Hmm?"


    Dongfang Mu''s pupils suddenly constricted.


    With a mere wave of his hand, he had shattered the pressuring force of a Ninth Layer Tao Tribulation Realm warrior.


    This move made him take Xiao Yi much more seriously. Narrowing his eyes, he sized up Xiao Yi, "Such formidable skill. To think you can achieve this while at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, no wonder His Highness Yang Ling recommended you to be the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    Xiao Yi replied blandly, "You flatter me."


    Lin Qian had thought that once Dongfang Mu made a move, Xiao Yi would immediately be taught a harsh lesson.


    But instead, he saw how extraordinary Xiao Yi was.


    Realizing that if things continued this way, his hopes for revenge would likely be dashed,


    his eyes rolled shiftily.


    Suddenly, Lin Qian said, "Elder Mu, Xiao Yi has a secret technique that can re-connect severed limbs and tendons, and can even repair others'' damaged ''Golden Cores''!"


    Hisss!


    Upon hearing this, everyone present couldn''t help but draw in a sharp breath.


    "You scoundrel, do you know what you''re doing?" Bian Yihong''s face changed drastically, looking incredulously at Lin Qian.


    Lin Qian let out a cold laugh, confident and unafraid, "How could I not know?" His venomous gaze fell on Xiao Yi as he sneered repeatedly, "Xiao Yi, this is what happens when you offend me!"


    Dongfang Mu''s pupils shrank slightly.


    Repairing a shattered ''Golden Core.''


    Connecting severed tendons.


    These techniques were nothing short of miraculous!


    To think...


    Even the strongest alchemist of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Chief Imperial Physician of the Imperial Pharmacy, a Seven-Star Alchemist Lian Wencheng, couldn''t achieve this feat.


    Dongfang Mu squinted his eyes, his face showing less anger and more solemnity, "Head of the Xiao, can you truly heal a shattered ''Golden Core''?"


    Xiao Yi was expressionless.


    Lin Qian pointed to Tian Mang, who stood beside Ye Heng, "Elder Mu, I did not deceive you. Just now, he indeed cured that blind man..."


    Dongfang Bai, on the carriage, had an incredulous look on his face, "Second Elder, that''s my fighting dog, the Blind Swordsman. I had someone ruin his Golden Core and limbs previously, but, but how is he unscathed now?"


    "What?"


    Dongfang Mu''s expression changed dramatically, looking at Tian Mang with disbelief.


    At this moment, Tian Mang had intact limbs, and the vital energy flowing faintly around his body was clearly that of the Spiritual Realm Cultivation.


    How could that be the appearance of someone with a destroyed Golden Core?


    By Lin Qian''s side, he sneered inwardly, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, how strong are you? With just a little ploy of mine, I can make life difficult for you... This blind man was crippled by young master Dongfang Bai, yet you saved him, which is a slap in the face for the Dongfang Family. They will definitely not let you off!"


    Just as Lin Qian was self-congratulating for his cleverness and for having allied with the Dongfang Family,


    all of a sudden, Elder Dongfang Mu deeply bowed to Xiao Yi, saying respectfully, "I implore Xiao, the head of the institute, to lend your assistance!"


    Huh?


    Lin Qian was dumbfounded.


    Isn''t he supposed to reprimand him?


    Why are you bowing to him?


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at Dongfang Mu, "You''ve come to me with such a threatening manner, aren''t you here to seek justice for Dongfang Bai? Why are you begging me now?"


    "Second Elder, I..."


    Dongfang Bai shouted in anger.


    Before he could finish,


    Dongfang Mu coldly huffed, interrupting him, and said respectfully to Xiao Yi, "Please forgive Elder Dongfang Mu for not recognizing the dangers of Imperial Dragon Mountain and nearly offending you. If the head of the institute would render your assistance this time, the Dongfang Family is willing to become your most loyal ally!"


    Yang Ling''s pupils suddenly constricted, his breathing becoming slightly rapid.


    This is the Dongfang Family!


    One of the four great noble families!


    If he could persuade the Dongfang Family to support him, his position as the Crown Prince would certainly be much more secure.


    However...


    After weighing in his heart, Yang Ling felt that Xiao Yi''s influence far exceeded that of the Dongfang Family and thus swallowed back the words he was about to say. This actually made Xiao Yi look at him with a hint of respect, his lips curling up slightly as he looked at Yang Ling, "Your Highness Yang Ling, do you think I should help them?"


    Yang Ling felt a stirring in his heart, seeing the smile on Xiao Yi''s lips as he looked at him, and then seeing the pleading eyes of Elder Dongfang Mu.


    He immediately understood that Xiao Yi was deliberately offering him the favor.


    Phew!


    Yang Ling took a deep breath, his grateful gaze on Xiao Yi, and he said solemnly, "The Dongfang Family are the arms and legs of our Great Qian Dynasty, I implore you, Brother Xiao, to lend them your assistance!"


    Elder Dongfang Mu looked at Yang Ling with gratitude.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I must give face to His Highness Yang Ling, but my fees for lifting a finger are not low!"


    "You can rest assured, Xiao Institute Head, as long as it is within the means of the Dongfang Family, you may name your condition!" Elder Dongfang Mu said earnestly.


    Xiao Yi nodded, looking at Bian Yihong, whose face was pale, "Mr. Bian, are you willing to accompany me on a trip?"


    "Ah?"


    Bian Yihong was stunned, then ecstatically said, "I am willing, I am most willing!"


    Just when it seemed that an imminent conflict was about to erupt, not only had Lin Qian not gotten revenge, but he had also deeply offended both Bian Yihong and Xiao Yi, his complexion turned pale. Sheepishly, he approached and said, "Congratulations to Xiao Institute Head, my felicitations, you..."


    However...


    Xiao Yi just coldly glanced at him, saying indifferently, "It''s rather unlucky to have a dead man constantly in sight!"


    "A dead man?"


    Lin Qian was startled, completely baffled.


    Elder Dongfang Mu''s eyes shifted, and he said with a smile, "Institute Head Xiao truly is a divine being, even capable of predicting the future!"


    "Predicting the future?"


    Lin Qian was even more bewildered.


    He couldn''t understand at all!


    But in the next moment, he understood what the two meant by their words.


    All he saw was Elder Dongfang Mu casually waving his hand, and a surge of green vital energy turned into numerous green vines that wildly wrapped around Lin Qian. Under the envelopment of those vines, Lin Qian''s body shuddered, his life force swiftly draining away.


    It only took a few moments.


    He was completely drained, and when the vines dissipated, Lin Qian''s body thudded to the ground, utterly disintegrating as if he were nothing but a pile of ash...

 Chapter 256 - 256: The Strength of Xiao Tianjiao

    The Dongfang Family.


    One of the four major noble houses of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    These four major noble families were the closest trusted aides to the founding emperor when the Great Qian Dynasty was first established, each one being the most loyal supporter of the founding emperor.


    After the founding emperor united the Great Qian Dynasty, he also bestowed upon them generous rewards and power.


    However...


    As time passed and dynasties changed,


    the heads of the four noble families rotated and, coupled with the rise of the ten great sects challenging their authority, the imperial family gradually became weaker, and their bond with the royal house began to disintegrate.


    At least for now, the four major noble families still stand by the side of the royal family.


    But as their ties with the ten great sects grow closer, they have been showing signs of slipping out of the royal control.


    This point was crystal clear in both Emperor Qian''s mind and Yang Ling''s heart.


    And yet, there was nothing they could do about it.


    After all.


    Although the royal family was powerful, it couldn''t completely fall out with the four major noble families.


    Precisely for this reason,


    when Xiao Tianjiao emerged from the Xiao Family, Emperor Qian supported the Xiao Family with all his might. What he hadn''t expected was that Xiao Tianjiao''s ambition and rate of growth were far beyond his expectations, and now he had exceeded his control.


    If this continued,


    a fifth major noble family would emerge.


    On the road,


    Dongfang Bai was being carried by several guards of the Dongfang Family, looking woefully at the carriage in front of him.


    That should have been his carriage!


    But...


    Dongfang Mu had directly thrown him off the carriage, letting Xiao Yi and others sit inside.


    However,


    the five great elders hold significant power within the Dongfang Family, and he didn''t dare to disobey, only growing more resentful and sorrowful in his gaze.


    To think that he, the grand young master of the Dongfang Family, was not only beaten and had his limbs broken, but couldn''t even keep his own carriage.


    Truly a sad plight!


    Inside the carriage,


    Xiao Yi curiously asked the slightly nervous Dongfang Mu, "Elder, may I ask who in your residence has encountered trouble?"


    With a bitter smile, Dongfang Mu glanced over the others and finally sighed, "I will not conceal it from you, the person who is in trouble is my eldest brother, Dongfang Jin!" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The five great elders of the Dongfang Family were named after the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.


    Dongfang Jin was the leader of the five great elders.


    And...


    He was also the strongest among them, having entered the Dharma Manifestation Realm fifty years ago. Since then, he has mostly kept to himself, rarely taking action, but his status is second only to the Patriarch and the old ancestor of the Dongfang Family.


    "Dongfang Jin?"


    Bian Yihong was startled and frowned, "How could it be him? When our side met with him recently, he seemed fine!"


    Dongfang Mu responded with a wry smile, "Mr. Bian, when I arranged for you to meet with Elder Jin, it was actually to see if you could detect anything unusual about him."


    Bian Yihong''s face froze.


    Dongfang Mu hadn''t stated it explicitly, but his meaning was clear.


    Obviously, Bian Yihong hadn''t noticed anything unusual about Dongfang Jin, which proved his medical skills were not up to par, and the Dongfang Family naturally wouldn''t tell him voluntarily.


    Each of the four noble families has two individuals in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. If the news of Elder Jin of the Dongfang Family having his dantian destroyed were to get out, the Dongfang Family would fall to the lowest ranks among the four noble houses.


    If it weren''t for hearing from Lin Qian that Xiao Yi could heal a shattered dantian, and having witnessed Tian Mang''s shattered dantian restored to its original state with his own eyes, he would not have taken the initiative to expose this secret that could potentially plunge the Dongfang Family into an abyss.


    Yang Ling had not expected it to be Elder Jin, he frowned and said, "Second Elder, as far as I know, after Elder Jin broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm fifty years ago, he has rarely shown himself. When was his dantian damaged?"


    Dongfang Mu''s face showed a hint of hesitation.


    Xiao Yi said, "The reasons for a shattered dantian are varied and so are the methods of healing. It''s best not to conceal anything."


    Upon hearing this,


    Dongfang Mu gave a bitter smile, his expression tinged with barely concealed rage and hatred, he gritted his teeth and said, "My elder brother stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm fifty years ago, and he has been in seclusion ever since. A few years ago, he had already broken through to the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm and had found a quiet place to manifest his Dharma. Unfortunately, he disturbed a young genius making a breakthrough to the Tao Tribulation Realm. A conflict erupted between them, and my brother''s dantian was shattered by a single blow from that person..."


    "Hmm?"


    "A young genius?"


    "A single blow from someone in the Tao Tribulation Realm shattered the dantian of a fifth level Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse? This..."


    The others exchanged glances.


    This Dongfang Jin, who had stepped into the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, had his dantian crushed by a blow from someone who had just broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    How formidable must that strength be?


    And moreover...


    That was a youth?


    Yang Ling''s face revealed a look of shock, "Who was that person?"


    "I think... I might guess who it is!"


    Seeing everyone looking towards him, Xiao Yi let out a long breath, his fists involuntarily clenched, "If I''m not mistaken, that person should be Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "How is that possible? Even for Xiao Tianjiao, to be that strong seems unlikely, right?"


    All eyes uniformly turned to Dongfang Mu.


    Dongfang Mu gave another bitter smile and nodded, "Dean Xiao has not spoken wrongly, that person is indeed Xiao Tianjiao." Fear flickered in his eyes, "This person is truly the reincarnation of a Heavenly Emperor, unmatched in this world. According to my brother, Xiao Tianjiao had just stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm and was still not stable..."


    When one has just broken through a realm, the energy within the body is most turbulent, and the mastery over one''s own realm is not yet proficient.


    Xiao Tianjiao dared to engage in combat with a fifth level Dharma Manifestation Realm expert at such a crucial moment, and it took only one move to shatter the opponent''s dantian?


    What a terrifying power!


    Everyone instinctively looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi closed his eyes slightly, his fists quietly clenched under his sleeves.


    Until now, they had known that Xiao Tianjiao was strong, but they had never imagined he would be strong to this extent.


    Barely entering the Tao Tribulation Realm, he could kill a fifth level Dharma Manifestation Realm expert with one strike.


    Now, having been in the Dharma Manifestation Realm for over half a year, with his speed of cultivation, what realm has he reached now? And what kind of strength does he have?


    The name Xiao Tianjiao, to countless people, is an insurmountable mountain.


    One could only look up to it, unable to climb it!


    But for Xiao Yi...


    This mountain must be climbed, must be surpassed!


    "Xiao Tianjiao... One day, I will definitely catch up to you, surpass you..." Xiao Yi took a deep breath, calming the restlessness in his heart.


    Meanwhile,


    The carriage came to a slow stop, and they had arrived at the Dongfang Family''s estate.


    Dongfang Mu took the lead in getting off, lifted the carriage curtain, and his tone carried a trace of respect, "Your Highness Yang Ling, Dean Xiao, please!"


    They got off one after another.


    The Dongfang Family''s residence in front of them occupied nearly half the street, grand and luxurious, ornate and solemn

 Chapter 257 - 257: Quietly Watching You Show Off!

    "Is this the Dongfang Family''s grandeur? It seems rather unimpressive!"


    Zhang Yang''s voice carried arrogance and a sense of superiority, instantly drawing the focused gaze of Xiao Yi and the others.


    There stood a man dressed in garish clothes, with a palm-sized Buddha amulet around his neck, a string of shiny black Buddha beads in his left hand, and in his right hand he held a flag that read: "Miraculous Hands Rejuvenation Skill, the medicine that won''t let you die!"


    Accompanying him was a young man, his face brimming with flattery: "Mr. Liu speaks the truth, our Dongfang Family''s estate has indeed been constructed many years ago and has certainly aged a bit!"


    Dongfang Mu''s face darkened as he said in a low voice, "Dongfang Qing, what are you doing?"


    The Dongfang Family was one of the four major noble families.


    The magnificence and luxury of their estate were top-ranking throughout the Great Qian Dynasty. When had they ever been humiliated like this?


    The young man was startled, looking up to see Dongfang Mu looking at him with an angry expression. He quickly stepped forward and said, "Dongfang Qing pays his respects to the Second Elder!"


    Dongfang Mu glanced at Mr. Liu and asked with a gloomy face, "What''s the meaning of this?"


    Dongfang Qing hurriedly replied, "Second Elder, please keep your voice down, we wouldn''t want to anger Mr. Liu. He is a reclusive expert whom I managed to find with great difficulty, a sacred hand in the field of medicine, capable of returning the dying to life, mending flesh and bones, rejuvenating with miraculous hands. There''s no ailment in the world he can''t cure!"


    Dongfang Mu: "..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    The crowd: "..."


    Returning the dying to life, mending flesh and bones, an ailment-free world.


    Such titles were quite resounding!


    "Hmmph!"


    Mr. Liu let out a displeased snort, tapping his flag against the ground, producing a thudding sound, "Dongfang Qing, time is extremely precious to me. Aren''t you going to take me to see the patient?"


    "Please wait a moment, Mr. Liu. I''ll take you there immediately!"


    Dongfang Qing hastily responded and led Mr. Liu forward, saying, "Second Elder, this Mr. Liu, the miraculous healer, is indeed powerful. I personally witnessed him reviving someone from the dead."


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by Liu the miraculous healer: "He can even revive the dead?"


    "Doubtful?"


    Liu the miraculous healer swept his indifferent gaze over Xiao Yi and the rest, with a slightly raised chin he haughtily said, "But how could you ordinary mortals possibly comprehend the wonders of such a lost art? As long as I take action, there is no disease that cannot be healed!"


    Xiao Yi revealed an amused expression: "Does the gentleman possess such abilities?"


    "Naturally!"


    Liu the miraculous healer snorted coldly, pridefully adding, "Have you ever heard of the last chief Imperial Physician of the Imperial Pharmacy, Mr. Bian Yihong?"


    "Uh��"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, glancing at Bian Yihong standing beside him with an equally puzzled expression, and said with a smile, "I have heard of him, but I''ve never met the man himself!"


    Dongfang Mu, Ye Heng, and the others wore expressions of disbelief.


    Bian Yihong was right beside them; how could Xiao Yi say he never met him?


    Liu the miraculous healer held his chin high, full of pride as he said, "I won''t hide it from you, Bian Yihong and I come from the same master. He is my senior brother. However, his medical talent was so poor, he failed to inherit the master''s mantle and was expelled from the sect. I, on the other hand, was the apple of our master''s eye and received his true heritage. In terms of medical skill, a hundred Bian Yihongs couldn''t compare to me!"


    Xiao Yi and the others looked at Bian Yihong with peculiar expressions.


    Bian Yihong''s face twitched, and he rolled his eyes inwardly, thinking: "When did I have such an experience?"


    Liu the miraculous healer sighed and continued, "Actually, my senior brother''s medical skills are just passable! Though he''s far from my level, he''s enough to be the chief Imperial Physician of the Imperial Pharmacy!"


    Xiao Yi struggled to stifle a laugh and asked, "May I know who your master is?"


    "My master is a reclusive expert, beyond the reach of your level. However, I can let slip that our lineage is under the tutelage of the venerable Wind Thunder," Liu the miraculous healer declared proudly, puffing out his chest. "Master once said that my medical talent is comparable to that of Wind Thunder''s own master. With my current medical expertise, there is no one in the vast Qingtian Realm to match me; it is indeed the lonely plight of a great master. Oh well�� such loneliness and solitude are well beyond the grasp of you ordinary mortals!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    The crowd: "..."


    Dongfang Mu''s face was ashen.


    He had already concluded that this man before them was most certainly a fraud.


    And that wasn''t all...


    The most blatant giveaway was Liu the miraculous healer claiming Bian Yihong was his senior brother.


    Can''t you see Bian Yihong right there, giving you a forlorn look?


    Liu, seeing everyone''s eyes on him, wore a look of smug satisfaction and said, "Well, I have already wasted enough time here, so hurry and bring me to the patient! But let me make it clear beforehand, my fees are quite steep!"


    Dongfang Qing hurriedly responded, "Rest assured, Mr. Liu, we will meet whatever conditions you propose!"


    Dongfang Mu, with a dark expression on his face, was about to expose Liu, but then Xiao Yi shook his head at him.


    With a playful tone, Xiao Yi said, "Second Elder, today we are fortunate enough to witness the disciple of Mr. Bian, the successor of the renowned Wind Thunder. It''s a rare opportunity to see him in action. Could we possibly observe from the sidelines?"


    Dongfang Mu''s mouth twitched. Observe his technique, huh? You just want to watch him show off, don''t you?


    He coughed lightly and said, "Mr. Liu, what do you think about this..."


    Liu feigned difficulty, then took on an air of mystery: "Allowing you to observe is not a problem, but my profound medical skills might be too complex for you to understand. Moreover, my deep knowledge of medicine cannot be disclosed lightly, so you will have to pay a hefty tuition fee!"


    Dongfang Mu suppressed the urge to hit him and said, "No problem, we will pay this fee along with the visiting fee!"


    "That''s very good!"


    Liu nodded in satisfaction. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The group then entered into the Dongfang estate.


    Moments later.


    They saw Dongfang Jin, whose complexion was slightly pale, yet he moved like a dragon and a tiger, showing no sign of ailment.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes slightly as he assessed Dongfang Jin and realized with understanding, "It seems there''s a force of Dharma Manifestation clinging to his body, which conceals the abnormality of his dantian. This must be the work of that old ancestor from the Dongfang Family!"


    "Big brother!"


    Dongfang Mu helped Dongfang Jin to take a seat.


    With respect, Dongfang Qing said, "Elder!"


    Yang Ling also bowed to Dongfang Jin, for even as a prince he must show the courtesy due to a junior when facing such a stalwart of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, "Elder Jin, it has been a long time since we last met. I hope you''ve been well!"


    "Why, it''s Prince Yang Ling. Indeed, it''s been some time. Please forgive me for any lack of hospitality!" Dongfang Jin said with a cheery demeanor.


    Yang Ling replied with a smile, "You are too kind, Elder Jin!"


    Dongfang Mu gestured towards Xiao Yi as he introduced, "Big brother, this is the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi!"


    "Oh? Head Xiao, I''ve long admired your great reputation, and indeed, seeing is believing, a true case of a young hero!" Dongfang Jin''s demeanor towards Xiao Yi was obviously much colder, and his eyes held a trace of animosity.


    After all, he was the one crippled by Xiao Tianjiao.


    How could he possibly show a friendly face to someone from the Xiao Family?


    Dongfang Jin''s gaze swept over the attendees and, upon seeing the forlorn Bian Yihong, his eyes lit up with interest, "Mr. Bian, what brings you here? Have you perhaps thought of a way to assist this old man?"


    Bian Yihong replied with a wry smile, "Elder Jin, I am incapable and have thought of no solution."


    "This��"


    Dongfang Jin''s face fell slightly, but then he shook his head with a bitter smile, "It''s not your fault, Mr. Bian..."


    At that moment.


    Dongfang Qing spoke up, "Elder, I have invited a distinguished hermit on your behalf, claiming he has the means to cure you!"


    "Oh?"


    Dongfang Jin''s eyes brightened as he looked towards Liu, "And who might you be?"


    Liu cleared his throat and said with arrogance, "I am Liu, the most outstanding successor of the Wind Thunder lineage. Surely, I am not yet famous as I have just left seclusion. But you must have heard of my senior brother, Bian Yihong!"


    "What did you say?"


    The smile on Dongfang Jin''s face froze as he looked at Liu, "Your senior brother is Bian Yihong?"


    Liu, with chin held high, asserted, "Correct, though my senior brother''s natural talent in medicine is mediocre compared to mine, which is why our master expelled him long ago. As for me, I have fully inherited my master''s true teachings..."


    "Wait, hold on a moment!"


    Dongfang Jin frowned and pointed to Bian Yihong, asking, "Do you recognize him?"


    "With my status and position, how could I possibly recognize some obscure individual? This person is simply an admirer of my great name, coming here to witness my profound medical skills!"


    Liu glanced at Bian Yihong curiously and added, "Oh? But from what you''re saying, Elder Jin, you also share the surname Bian?"


    "If I remember correctly..."


    Bian Yihong coughed lightly and said with an odd expression, "I am indeed Bian Yihong..."

 Chapter 258 - 258: Dragon Blood, Reverse Scale!

    "If I''m not mistaken..."


    Bian Yihong said with a troubled face, "My name is Bian Yihong!"


    "Bian Yihong? Hmm, that''s a fine name, I''ll observe carefully later... Wait, what did you say your name was?" Liu, who had been speaking proudly, stiffened and stared at Bian Yihong in disbelief.


    With a wry smile, Bian Yihong said, "My name is Bian Yihong, I just recently stepped down from the position of Chief Imperial Physician. However, I am definitely not from the lineage of the Wind Thunder venerable, and I don''t have any junior brothers..."


    "Bian Yihong? But that''s not right, Mr. Liu said you were his senior brother, how can you not have any junior brothers?"


    Dongfang Qing looked at Liu with a puzzled expression and asked, "Mr. Liu, what is going on here?"


    Liu''s face twitched, a desire to cry welling up in him: "..."


    He had spent his whole life bluffing, deceiving countless people.


    He never expected to accidentally blunder right into the man himself.


    He too had recently arrived in the imperial capital and had inquired about the most prestigious medical expert in the capital, finally setting his sights on the elusive Bian Yihong.


    But then...


    He had never imagined he would actually run into the real Bian Yihong.


    And to show off in front of the man!


    Liu glanced at Xiao Yi and the others, seeing that everyone was barely holding back their laughter, looking at him with amusement, it was clear they all knew his true identity and were just watching him put on a show.


    In an instant.


    Liu fell to his knees with a thud, bursting into tears and begging, "Mr. Bian, spare my life, please... I, I was just trying to make a living, I meant no disrespect to you, please forgive me!"


    Dongfang Qing: "..."


    At this point, how could he not understand that he had been played by Liu.


    Dongfang Qing''s face turned shades of green and red.


    He had hoped to impress Dongfang Jin and show off in front of him, but instead, he had thoroughly showcased his lack of intellect.


    "I''m finished, the elders must think I''m a fool..."


    Dongfang Qing internally wailed, his gaze turning fierce as he glared at Liu and shouted angrily, "You, Liu, dare to fool me, the young master? I, I''ll kill you, you bastard..."


    "What the hell, you want to bite me? I''ll bite you to death..."


    Liu counterattacked.


    The two of them scuffled together.


    Dongfang Jin''s pale face flushed with anger, and he slammed the table furiously, yelling, "Guards, break this swindler''s arms and legs and throw him out. And you, Dongfang Qing, you disgrace, starting from now you are to reflect in the family shrine, not to leave the house for half a year!"


    "No..."


    "Please, elder, no..."


    The two of them wailed as they were dragged out.


    Dongfang Jin let out a long breath of turbid air, looking embarrassedly at Xiao Yi and the others: "Your Highness Yang Ling, Headmaster Xiao, my apologies for the farce you had to witness!"


    "It''s alright!"


    Yang Ling waved his hand hurriedly.


    Even though he really wanted to laugh, the occasion didn''t permit it!


    Xiao Yi touched his nose: "In a big forest, all sorts of birds can be found, it''s understandable!"


    Dongfang Jin: "..."


    He could only awkwardly shift the topic, looking towards Dongfang Mu: "Second brother, do you think Headmaster Xiao can cure my illness?"


    Dongfang Mu snapped back to reality and nodded earnestly, "Big brother, I''ve already informed Headmaster Xiao about your condition. He truly has the ability to cure you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Dongfang Jin''s eyes turned cold, seeming to chide Dongfang Mu for having disclosed his condition directly.


    But Dongfang Mu, as if he had not seen that look, said solemnly, "Big brother, I haven''t deceived you. Dongfang Bai, that brat, had his dantian destroyed, and it was Headmaster Xiao who stepped in to help him recover his Golden Core..."


    Dongfang Jin was taken aback, looking towards Tian Mang.


    Tian Mang''s energy surged forth, mighty and peerless.


    There were no traces of injury to the dantian at all.


    Dongfang Jin frowned and said, "Are you sure... his dantian is damaged?"


    "Positive!"


    Dongfang Mu quickly said, "His dantian was personally destroyed by that kid Dongfang Bai, and it happened just a few hours ago. This has already been confirmed from the mouth of Dongfang Bai. Brother, you are saved!"


    Hum!


    Dongfang Jin''s face flushed with excitement. Ever since Xiao Tianjiao had crushed his dantian with a single blow,


    he had resigned himself to his fate.


    After all,


    With the power of the Dongfang Family, they had already searched through the prominent physicians of the Great Qian Dynasty, but none had any solution.


    And now...


    He finally saw hope.


    "Xiao..."


    Dongfang Jin gave Xiao Yi a deep bow, speaking solemnly, "If you truly can restore my dantian, my life, Dongfang Jin, will be in your hands. In the future, whenever you commission me, whether to climb a mountain of swords or descend into a pot of boiling oil, I, Dongfang Jin, will follow you to the death!"


    Despite his sincere words, he was actually harboring some ulterior motives.


    He only offered his personal loyalty, not bringing the Dongfang Family into the pledge.


    After all,


    seeing the relationship between Xiao Yi and Yang Ling, if Yang Ling were to compete for the Crown Prince position in the future, Xiao Yi would surely stand behind Yang Ling.


    The Dongfang Family had not yet clearly supported any prince.


    He could not entrust the interests of the family to one individual.


    Xiao Yi naturally caught the meaning behind his words but didn''t mind, saying indifferently, "Restoring your dantian is not difficult. However, my consultation fee is not cheap!" sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dongfang Jin hesitated for a moment, then said solemnly, "Mr. Xiao, given your status, I imagine you wouldn''t care for mundane wealth. I once had the fortune of encountering a Nine-headed Demon Python undergoing tribulation to become a dragon and obtained one dragon scale, as well as a jar of Dragon Blood. Would these suffice as compensation?"


    As he spoke,


    Dongfang Jin took out a piece of cyan dragon scale as big as a calf and a crystal vase thick as an arm from his storage ring.


    The dragon scale shimmered with azure light, with strange natural patterns etched upon it.


    Merely placing it in front of one...


    Instilled a heart-trembling sensation, with a faint oppressive aura spreading, comparable to that of a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse.


    The Dragon Blood within the crystal vase was crystal clear, with light undulating inside it.


    From different angles, the Dragon Blood showed different colors.


    Faintly,


    The vibrant colors formed a tiny dragon shadow moving within the blood.


    The dragon is the leader of all scaled beings.


    Legend has it...


    that when a divine dragon soars between heaven and earth, it can hide within the rivers and mountains and travel amidst the clouds and winds. When a divine dragon traverses a mountain, the grass and trees become spirited; when it plays in the water, the fish and shrimp become divine. Should mortals drink a mouthful of Dragon Blood, they could live forever, watch the rivers and mountains change with the years, and remain forever young.


    The energy contained within this drop of Dragon Blood was indeed not weak; although not reaching the legendary level of a divine dragon, it was still of a true dragon''s lineage.


    "The dragon loses its scales twice in its life, once when it transforms into a dragon, and once when it falls. This scale, with its slightly weaker dragon aura, must have been shed during the Nine-headed Demon Python''s transformation. This Dragon Blood, with its stronger dragon aura, must have been left after the transformation into a dragon."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes glinted as he regarded the scale and the Dragon Blood, "This scale could be used to forge a sixth-grade elemental weapon, and the energy in this Dragon Blood... is enough for Little Lin and me to further our cultivation..."


    Little Lin was already at a high-tier fifth order, comparable to the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Xiao Yi''s Limitless Golden Core had reversed twenty cycles.


    Any further breakthrough would require consuming a great deal of energy.


    Having a jar of Dragon Blood, was worth countless elixirs.


    With this thought,


    Xiao Yi looked at Dongfang Jin and said in a deep voice, "Deal!"

 Chapter 259 - 259 Full of Loopholes

    "Deal!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was adorned with a radiant smile as he accepted the Dragon Blood and the inverse scales from Dongfang Jin''s hands.


    Even if Dongfang Jin had not offered treasures tempting enough to stir his heart, he would have chosen to lend a hand to him anyway.


    After all.


    The fact that Xiao Tianjiao had destroyed Dongfang Jin''s Dantian, and the prospect of restoring what Xiao Tianjiao had damaged back to its original condition, promised a most entertaining reaction from Xiao Tianjiao when he next saw Dongfang Jin!


    Dongfang Jin, of course, had no inkling of Xiao Yi''s thoughts and was somewhat nervous when he offered the two treasures.


    Though Dragon Blood and inverse scales were indeed very precious, repairing a damaged Dantian was a feat unmatched by anyone in the Great Qian Dynasty. Even had Xiao Yi demanded an exorbitant price, he would have had no choice but to comply.


    Luckily, Xiao Yi was not greedy, which allowed Dongfang Jin to breathe a sigh of relief.


    Dongfang Jin asked in a grave tone, "Dean Xiao, may I know what I need to prepare?"


    "This list contains the medicinal ingredients you need to get ready!"


    Xiao Yi handed Dongfang Jin a list, "In addition to the items on this list, you will also need to find a monster core from a beast of at least the sixth order with the Metal attribute."


    Now that Dongfang Jin had reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and considering his desire to repair his Dantian, a monster core of a sixth-order beast was necessary as the foundation. Naturally, Xiao Yi did not disclose to him that the biggest drawback of the transplant method was that once the monster core replaced the Dantian,


    If he wished to advance his cultivation in the future, he would need to find a stronger monster core as a substitute.


    After all.


    He did not have any deep ties with the Dongfang Family, and if they managed to earn his approval someday, he would naturally think of a way to help Dongfang Jin replace the monster core.


    Otherwise...


    Dongfang Jin would be resigned to the Dharma Manifestation Realm for the remainder of his life.


    "A sixth-order Metal attribute monster core?" Dongfang Jin''s expression faltered slightly; such a core was not something the Dongfang Family had!


    Elder Dongfang Mu spoke with a heavy tone, "The Ximen Family killed a Six-Armed Sky-Climbing Ape tenth year ago, and its core should still be in the hands of our family''s elder. I will ask the elder to secure that monster core for us!" Elder Dongfang Mu declared solemnly.


    Dongfang Jin said, "I should be the one to speak with the elder. You go ahead and take Dean Xiao and His Highness Yang Ling to the back garden to rest for a while, and meanwhile get the medicinal ingredients on the list ready. I believe that once the elder steps in, obtaining the monster core will be swift!"


    "Alright!"


    Elder Dongfang Mu nodded.


    Then he arranged for Xiao Yi and the others to be accommodated in the backyard and had people prepare a lavish spread of fruits and wines.


    The Dongfang Family''s backyard was vast, with an artificial lake at its center and a Lake Heart Pavilion erected on the lake.


    It was in this Lake Heart Pavilion that Xiao Yi and the others rested. Ye Heng took a bite of a Spirit Fruit, savouring the refreshing taste as he gazed at the lush green waters surrounding him and mused, "The life of the wealthy is indeed blissful. If one were to raise some spirit fish in this lake, to catch a few leisurely for grilling and dining, how delightful that would be!"


    Xiao Yi teased, "Would you like a few beauties to attend to you as well?"


    "Uh..."


    Ye Heng''s face twisted in embarrassment, "That won''t be necessary, right?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and turned his gaze to Tian Mang, who sat quietly to the side, chuckling, "Tian Mang, are you troubled by something?"


    Tian Mang shook his head, replying, "I was just imagining what this back garden looks like from your descriptions."


    Ye Heng glanced at Tian Mang''s sightless grey-white eyes and his expression darkened. He turned to Xiao Yi, "Master, your medical skills are unparalleled; is there a way to heal Tian Mang''s eyes?"


    Tian Mang tensed up, an evident hint of hope in his demeanor.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, declaring, "Tian Mang''s blindness is congenital. There''s nothing I can do."


    Tian Mang''s facial expression dimmed for a moment before he forced a smile, "It''s okay, I''m used to it!"


    "There''s no need to be like this, Tian Mang. In truth, having sight does not necessarily mean seeing the world clearly. Though you lack physical eyes, you can cultivate the Heart Eye Skill. It is with the Heart Eye that one can truly perceive the essence of this world!" Xiao Yi explained. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The Heart Eye?"


    The group was taken aback, their gazes filled with confusion as they looked towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s mind conjured up the swordsmanship he had seen Tian Mang executing during a match in the Combat Pavilion, and he spoke in a deep voice, "Think back to when you were fighting someone. How did you judge your opponent''s moves and their position?"


    Tian Mang replied subconsciously, "I can''t explain it clearly, but during battle, even though I can''t see the enemy, I can somehow picture their moves and positions in my mind..."


    "That is the power of the Heart Eye Skill. You just didn''t know the proper method to cultivate it before. When we return, I will teach you the ''Heart Eye Skill.'' Use the sword as your heart, and your heart as your sight. Then, you will be able to see the world with your heart eye..." Xiao Yi said.


    This ''Heart Eye Skill'' was also one of the inheritances he had acquired from the ancient tomb.


    Use the sword as your heart, and your heart as your sight.


    The Heart Eye can observe all things in heaven and earth, and see through the true essence of the world.


    It is even more powerful than the naked eye!


    It is indeed most suitable for Tian Mang to cultivate.


    While they were speaking...


    Suddenly...


    A crisp voice came from not far away, "Who are you? Who gave you permission to stay at Lake Heart Pavilion? Don''t you know this is my personal sword training spot?"


    The group looked toward the source of the voice.


    Aboard a small boat that followed the waves, a girl in blue dress stood with a sword at her waist, frowning at them. Beside the girl was a middle-aged man who held a longsword, with a red mole between his eyebrows, his face expressionless and arrogant.


    Whoosh!


    The middle-aged man jumped up, bringing the girl with him to land in the center of Lake Heart Pavilion.


    Yang Ling said with a smile, "We are friends of Elder Dongfang Mu, resting here!"


    "Mr. Mu? Since it''s arranged by Mr. Mu, then you may stay here. However..."


    The girl uttered an "Oh," then continued indifferently, "Mr. Bai will soon be instructing me in my sword practice. You best keep away and not try to secretly learn!"


    The middle-aged man swept them a glance and snorted arrogantly, "No need for such concern, my disciple. My mastery in the way of the sword has already transcended the ordinary, even if they watch, they wouldn''t understand!"


    Xiao Yi and the others: "..."


    This fellow''s cultivation had also reached the peak of the Golden Core Realm, but the fluctuation of his Sword Intent was extremely weak, clearly only having a rudimentary understanding of the first stage of Sword Intent. Such a mediocre talent, and yet he dared to snub them?


    The group watched with interest.


    The girl was performing a sword technique, the moves stiff and unpolished.


    However, the middle-aged man commented with satisfaction, "Not bad, very good. It''s just that the angle of your ''Sand Falling, Geese Landing'' move isn''t quite right. Let your master demonstrate it for you!"


    The middle-aged man leaped into the air, his longsword drawn from its sheath in a flash, and with a piercing ring of the blade, a silvery light streaked before their eyes.


    As the middle-aged man raised his arm, silver sword light ripped through the air, tracing brilliant shadows in the sky, like a flock of geese landing.


    Even after he sheathed his sword, the sound of it still hummed in the air.


    If an ordinary person witnessed this sword technique, they would find it exquisitely peerless, but to Xiao Yi and his companions, it was full of flaws.


    The girl in the white dress clapped her hands excitedly, "Mr. Bai truly is a master of swordsmanship, it would take me decades of hard work to reach your level!"


    "The pursuit of swordsmanship is indeed not something that can be achieved overnight!"


    The middle-aged man looked coldly at Xiao Yi and others with a smirk of faint mockery saying, "You all have been secretly observing, have you figured out the essence of my sword technique?"


    Xiao Yi and his companions exchanged looks and smiled, "We really did not see any essence!"


    "Hmph, a bunch of rotten wood!" The middle-aged man''s face showed an expected expression.


    The girl in the white dress also shook her head and said, "My master is the great swordsmanship master Bai Zuotang, you are fortunate enough to have witnessed him personally demonstrate swordsmanship, and yet you do not take the chance to humbly learn. It''s truly a pity!"


    The middle-aged man, Bai Zuotang, proudly said, "Disciple, my swordsmanship is profound, its essence is difficult for even a sword expert to grasp, let alone these commoners."


    Seeing Bai Zuotang''s haughty demeanor, Xiao Yi couldn''t help but feel helpless and shook his head, "Indeed, we didn''t see the essence of swordsmanship, only a sword technique full of flaws and incompetence..."

 Chapter 260 - 260 Misleading the Young

    "I''ve failed to see the essence of swordsmanship, instead, I''ve seen a sword technique full of flaws..."


    Xiao Yi said calmly.


    Bai Zuotang''s expression of pride abruptly solidified, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed tightly, and the red mole between his brows, set within a ''��'' character, took on a chill as he stared at Xiao Yi, "Are you saying that my sword technique is full of flaws?"


    He was considered a swordsmanship master from the True Martial Hall.


    The Dongfang Family had specially invited him to guide the practice of this young lady in white in the art of swordsmanship.


    The True Martial Hall was one of the top ten sects.


    Bai Zuotang, priding himself on having mastered the true teachings of the True Martial Hall and having a divine command of swordsmanship, never used to pay any heed to the common folk.


    But now...


    The very commoner he disdained was criticizing his swordsmanship as a technique full of flaws?


    How could he tolerate this?


    "What''s most contemptible about you commoners is your pretension and self-proclaimed excellence. Perhaps your talents are not bad among the common folk, but in the sects teeming with geniuses, you wouldn''t even qualify to be at the bottom."


    Bai Zuotang said scornfully, laughing in anger, "Clearly, it''s your mediocre abilities that prevent you from grasping the essence of my swordsmanship, yet you insist my swordsmanship is flawed. It''s utterly laughable!"


    Xiao Yi, holding a Spirit Fruit, stuffed the flesh into his mouth and, clutching the stick-like stem, said indifferently, "I haven''t studied the ''Falling Goose Sword Skill'' extensively, but from the sword technique you just demonstrated, you couldn''t even grasp the fundamentals, let alone the essence of this swordmanship. I truly don''t understand why the Dongfang Family would invite someone like you, who misguides the younger generation, to teach swordsmanship!"


    The ''Falling Goose Sword Skill'' is a high-grade, third-tier sword technique widely spread in the Great Qian Dynasty.


    It was created by Master Ge.


    Xiao Yi had received Master Ge''s complete legacy, and although he wasn''t an expert in all of his created sword techniques and martial skills, he was quite familiar with them.


    Bai Zuotang''s face darkened as he said sarcastically, "From what you said, it seems you have also practiced the ''Falling Goose Sword Skill''?"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Somewhat."


    "Hmph, overestimating yourself!"


    Bai Zuotang sneered, "You either know it or you don''t, and yet you claim to know it somewhat. I''ve seen plenty of people like you who clamor for attention. If you''re so capable, then show it to me. I doubt you can perform even one complete move..."


    "Sigh!"


    Xiao Yi sighed, saying, "Open your eyes and watch carefully, this is the true ''Falling Goose Sword Skill''!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leaped into the air and landed on the surface of the lake.


    With that stick-like fruit stem in his hand, he began indifferently, "The ''Falling Goose Sword Skill'' consists of three moves, ''Swans Separating'', ''Geese Falling on Level Sands'', and ''Plucking the Goose''. I will demonstrate it only once, watch carefully, and learn whatever fortune allows you to grasp!"


    "Hmph, I''d like to see what tricks you can pull off!" Bai Zuotang said, with a look of anger.


    He felt deeply humiliated.


    As a disciple of the True Martial Hall, he was handsomely paid by the Dongfang Family to guide the young lady, Dongfang Ying, in swordsmanship. Always respected, he was the one to give instruction, never had someone dared to criticize his methods.


    "The first move, ''Swans Separating''!"


    Whoosh!


    A sharp sword light shot out from the fruit stem in Xiao Yi''s hand, which split into two and fiercely darted in different directions.


    Boom boom!


    As the sword lights hit the lake, two towering columns of water surged skyward.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi''s voice came again, "The second move, ''Geese Falling on Level Sands''!"


    Whoosh!


    The fruit stem in Xiao Yi''s hand was like a heaven-cleaving sword, controlled as nimbly as one''s own limb, striking out with a sweeping motion. With a sharp whistle, a surge of sword qi swept across the lake''s surface, creating ripples and waves.


    In the midst of the raging waves, the entire lake was covered with ripples.


    And then...


    Xiao Yi leaped high into the air and called out, "The third move, ''Plucking the Goose''!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The fruit stem, like a sword, descended from the sky, and a rain of sword lights fell, plunging into the lake.


    Boom boom boom!


    Waterspouts rose above the lake surface, thrusting into the sky, dozens of meters high water columns instantly shattering. Pieces of water splashed down like plucking feathers from a goose, akin to feathers falling from a wild goose.


    Pitter-patter!


    Strings of water drops fell into the lake continuously, creating dazzling ripples one after another.


    The Lake Heart Pavilion was engulfed in silence.


    Bai Zuotang was dumbstruck.


    The girl in the white dress saw stars.


    Xiao Yi''s execution of the sword technique flowed like clouds and water, each move complete, his mastery refined to perfection. Although he held no sword, just a leftover fruit stem, it was as though he wielded a divine sword, merging man and sword into one, unfathomably profound.


    This was the true master of the sword path!


    This was the ultimate realm he had been pursuing all his life!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi floated elegantly back into the Lake Heart Pavilion, the fruit stem still intact in his hand. With a flick of his fingers, the stem whizzed and pinned itself into the stone table. It penetrated the stone by three parts, the stem quivering slightly. Xiao Yi shook his head and sighed, "Indeed, even the simplest sword techniques require frequent practice. I''ve barely cultivated this ''Falling Goose Sword Skill'', and it has become somewhat rusty!"


    Clap clap clap!


    Bai Zuotang felt a burning pain on his face.


    The swordsmanship he regarded as flawless was seen as lacking by Xiao Yi?


    Xiao Yi looked up at Bai Zuotang and asked indifferently, "How does my swordsmanship compare to yours?"


    "This..."


    Bai Zuotang''s face turned alternately ashen and pale. He had to admit that Xiao Yi''s swordsmanship was vastly superior to his own, but to bow his head like that was impossible. He snorted coldly, "You indeed have the upper hand with this ''Falling Goose Sword Skill'', but I have only dabbled in this technique. The essence of my sword path lies in the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Skill''!"


    ''Subduing Tiger Sword Skill''?


    Xiao Yi was astonished. Could there be such a coincidence in the world?


    Back in Nanhuang City, he had obtained the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Skill'', and now Bai Zuotang also knew this technique?


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Oh? I have also dabbled in this technique. Why don''t we exchange some pointers?"


    "Watch carefully!"


    Bai Zuotang huffed and demonstrated the ''Subduing Tiger Sword Skill'' once, proclaiming proudly, "How about that?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head in disappointment and sighed, "Seeing your confidence, I thought you were at least somewhat proficient. But it turned out you''ve only grasped the basics. Watch carefully; this is the true ''Subduing Tiger Sword Skill''!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi performed the technique, each stroke fierce as a tiger pouncing down a hill, every slash capable of taming a ferocious tiger.


    Broad and expansive motions, the momentum grand and imposing.


    Far beyond what Bai Zuotang could compare to.


    Bai Zuotang''s face turned a shade of iron blue, his teeth nearly shattering from clenching, he angrily said, "I also have a unique sword technique ''Azure Dragon Nine Swords''. That will make you admit defeat!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Bai Zuotang demonstrated his technique, which indeed was more exquisite compared to his previous swordsmanship, proudly saying, "How about that? This sword technique is the unique heritage of the True Martial Hall; have you ever seen it before?"


    "Seeing you perform it once, let me try..."


    Based on memory, Xiao Yi repeated the performance Bai Zuotang had just shown.


    Whether it was the proficiency of the sword moves or the smooth transitions between techniques, he was far superior to Bai Zuotang.


    Xiao Yi said, "This sword technique indeed has its unique aspects, but unfortunately, when you execute it, it''s full of flaws and unbearable to behold. With your half-baked skill level, how could the Dongfang Family have been blind enough to hire you to instruct their juniors? Aren''t you misleading their children?"


    "You, you, you..." S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bai Zuotang''s face turned from ashen to red, never expecting Xiao Yi to learn his ''Azure Dragon Nine Swords'' after one glance and even surpass him by several grades.


    Faced with Xiao Yi''s mockery, Bai Zuotang could not retort.


    Overcome by rage, he spewed a mouthful of fresh blood.


    He lay rigidly on the ground.


    The Lake Heart Pavilion was silent again as everyone turned their gaze towards Xiao Yi, their eyes filled with awe.


    The girl in the white dress was even more starry-eyed, clasping her hands in front of her chest, blinking her large eyes, and said with admiration, "Senior, please take me as your disciple! This guy is just unwanted trash compared to you..."


    Bai Zuotang, who had just regained consciousness, heard these words and spewed another mouthful of fresh blood, his eyes rolling back as he passed out once more...

 Chapter 261 - 261: You, finally came!

    When Dongfang Mu arrived at the Lake Heart Pavilion and saw the unconscious Bai Zuotang, as well as the white-dressed young girl serving Xiao Yi tea and water with a fawning expression, he too was utterly confused.


    This girl in the white dress was Dongfang Ying, the youngest daughter of the patriarch of the Dongfang Family.


    She was indeed the pearl of the Dongfang Family.


    Among the younger generation of the Dongfang Family, she was the only girl!


    Greatly pampered.


    For this reason...


    The Dongfang Family had spared no expense in hiring Bai Zuotang to teach her swordsmanship one-on-one.


    All along.


    Dongfang Ying had always greatly respected and wholeheartedly followed Bai Zuotang in learning swordsmanship. But now, seeing her not caring about Bai Zuotang lying on the ground and instead following closely behind Xiao Yi, Dongfang Mu couldn''t help but feel utterly confused, "Ying, what... what is going on here?"


    "Grandpa Mu!"


    With a brilliant smile on her face and hugging Dongfang Mu''s arms, Dongfang Ying gently shook them, "Grandpa Mu, this Bai Zuotang is just a swindler leading people astray. His swordsmanship is nothing compared to big brother''s. From now on, I want to learn from big brother!"


    "Ah?"


    Dongfang Mu''s eyelids twitched, his face full of puzzlement.


    He remembered how much Dongfang Ying had adored Bai Zuotang''s swordsmanship before!


    Dongfang Ying quickly recounted what had happened earlier.


    Dongfang Mu looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of astonishment, his shocked gaze sweeping over him.


    While he wasn''t surprised that Xiao Yi could perform the Falling Goose Sword Skill and the Subduing Tiger Sword Skill, what truly astounded him was that Xiao Yi had merely watched Bai Zuotang''s sword technique once, and improved upon it, outdoing the master.


    This ability to learn was nothing short of terrifying!


    "Grandpa Mu, please agree to it!" Dongfang Ying swayed his arm.


    "Stop fooling around. He''s Xiao, the headmaster of Xiaoshanhe Institute, not just some ''big brother''," Elder Mu scolded with a voice, seeing Dongfang Ying pursing her lips with a longing look. He couldn''t help but rub his forehead with a headache, chuckling bitterly, "Grandpa can''t decide this. You''ll have to ask your dad!"


    "Hmph!"


    Dissatisfied, Dongfang Ying snorted and pouted, "I will ask the old ancestor!"


    As she spoke.


    Dongfang Ying boarded a small boat and paddled towards the lake''s edge, looking back at Xiao Yi and waving, "Headmaster brother, I will definitely convince the old ancestor to let me study at Xiaoshanhe Institute with you!"


    Dongfang Mu looked at Xiao Yi with a peculiar expression, "Headmaster Xiao, Ying has been spoiled. Please forgive her!


    "It''s alright!"


    Xiao Yi awkwardly touched his nose, pointing to Bai Zuotang on the ground, "Elder Mu, about this..."


    Dongfang Mu sighed, "I will have someone send him back to True Martial Hall!" He paused for a moment, then said, "Headmaster Xiao, everything is ready. We will rely on you for the next part!"


    "Lead the way!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Under the lead of Dongfang Mu, everyone came to the underground chamber of the Dongfang Family.


    This chamber was a thousand meters below the ground.


    The chamber was exceptionally quiet.


    It had a Spirit Gathering Formation, making the spiritual energy here much denser than that on the surface.


    Dongfang Jin was already waiting inside the chamber. Upon seeing Xiao Yi arrive, he hurriedly greeted him, unable to hide the excitement on his face, "Headmaster Xiao, we entrust everything to you!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Yang Ling and the others stood guard outside the chamber.


    Dongfang Jin sat cross-legged in front of Xiao Yi, staring at the young man whose appearance bore a resemblance to Xiao Tianjiao, Dongfang Jin seemed hesitant to speak.


    Xiao Yi asked curiously, "Elder Jin, do you have something to say?"


    "Headmaster Xiao, my question may be a bit abrupt, and it''s fine if you don''t wish to answer..." Seeing that Xiao Yi didn''t mind, Dongfang Jin asked, "With your talent and strength, even though you may not be on par with Xiao Tianjiao, you''re still a top-tier genius. Why did the Xiao Family expel you?"


    Xiao Yi briefly paused, then smiled and said, "That''s something you''ll have to ask Xiao Tianjiao about!"


    His grudge with the Xiao Family didn''t need to be openly discussed with everyone.


    Dongfang Jin started in surprise, then pondered for a moment before sighing softly, "I was indeed too abrupt!"


    "No harm done!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and proceeded to use the Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill.


    The destruction of Dongfang Jin''s dantian was thorough��if it weren''t for Xiao Yi''s proficiency in the Transferring Flowers and Connecting Trees Skill, there would''ve been no chance for recovery.


    The demon core entered his body.


    Guided by Xiao Yi''s vital energy, it continuously repaired Dongfang Jin''s damaged dantian, merging it with his body.


    Dongfang Jin, being a strong practitioner from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, indeed exhausted Xiao Yi as he restored his dantian.


    "Congratulations, Elder Jin, your dantian has been fully restored! However, it would be wise not to use your vital energy too much for the next half month," Xiao Yi said gravely.


    The vital energy of a Dharma Manifestation Realm practitioner was immensely powerful.


    The newly integrated demon core was still very fragile and needed to be gradually nurtured. All connections had to be thoroughly solidified before it could withstand the flow of vital energy. Dongfang Jin understood this point well and nodded vigorously, his gaze filled with gratitude as he looked at Xiao Yi: "Thank you, Director Xiao. If there''s anything the Dongfang Family can do for you in the future, my family will spare no effort to help!"


    There was a distinct change in Dongfang Jin''s attitude.


    Previously, he had pledged to repay Xiao Yi only in his personal capacity, but now he was making a commitment on behalf of the entire Dongfang Family.


    The two left the secret chamber.


    In just six hours, witnessing the restoration of vital energy circulation within Dongfang Jin''s body, Dongfang Mu''s face lit up with ecstatic joy.


    The Four Great Noble Families each had two practitioners from the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    If the loss of Dongfang Jin''s dantian became known, the Dongfang Family would certainly face suppression from other forces. Without exaggeration, Xiao Yi was the savior of the entire Dongfang Family. Dongfang Mu said solemnly, "Director Xiao, the patriarch wishes to meet with you!"


    "Dongfang Patriarch?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Even Yang Ling beside him showed a look of surprise.


    The Dongfang Patriarch, known as Dongfang Kuang.


    This man was a Dharma Manifestation Realm master from five hundred years ago, a peer to the patriarchs of the ten major sects.


    In the history of the Great Qian Dynasty, he too had left a significant mark as a legend.


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "Lead the way!"


    "Please follow me!"


    Dongfang Mu immediately guided Xiao Yi toward the deepest part of the secret chamber.


    Dongfang Kuang was the Calm Sea Divine Needle of the Dongfang Family.


    He rarely appeared in public.


    Very few knew that he actually resided at the most recondite part of this underground chamber.


    At the end of the secret chamber, a place brightly lit by lamps.


    In the middle, a massive bronze door slowly opened, revealing a dark entrance. Dongfang Mu spoke with a respectful face, "Director Xiao, the patriarch awaits you inside!"


    Xiao Yi frowned, "Just the two of us?"


    "The patriarch did not instruct us to enter; we cannot set foot in this forbidden place," Dongfang Mu quickly replied.


    Xiao Yi nodded and then entered the pitch-black secret chamber alone. S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Clang!


    The heavy bronze door slowly shut.


    Scrape, scrape, scrape!


    One after another, torches were lit in the dark chamber.


    The Tongtian flames illuminated the entire chamber.


    At the same time��


    A hoarse and deep voice echoed within the chamber, "You have finally arrived!"

 Chapter 262 - 262 Yin Yang Tower

    "You, you''ve finally arrived!"


    The low voice carried a sense of weight and ancientness.


    Coming from the deepest part of the secret chamber, the voice actually caused a subtle vibration in the air, prompting the surrounding flames to flicker continuously.


    Xiao Yi felt a chill sweeping over his body, which sent shivers down his spine, "How could Dongfang be living in a place like this?"


    Whoosh!


    A sudden force of suction came from ahead.


    As if countless invisible hands were pulling him toward the depths of the secret chamber.


    A moment later.


    There was a sudden openness in front of Xiao Yi, revealing an underground palace that was dazzling with gold and glittering with luxury. The hundred-meter-high palace''s dome was studded with fist-sized Luminous Pearls, with more than three thousand pearls lighting the place up as bright as day.


    The floor was laid with lustrous glazed tiles, and walking on them, there was a faint sensation of warmth.


    In front...


    Seven nine-story tall black towers stood out somewhat abruptly.


    At this moment.


    In front of those seven towers stood a black-haired man smiling at him, his presence contained, with strands of natural essence flickering around him as if converging into his body like a primal spring.


    His pair of pitch-black eyes seemed to have two stars rotating within them.


    Bright and dazzling, they were deep enough to draw one in, making it feel as if one would be absorbed into their depths, unable to extricate oneself.


    "Could this be Senior Dongfang Kuang?" Xiao Yi asked in a deep voice.


    The voice of Dongfang Kuang did not quite match his appearance, sounding much more ancient, "Young fellow, come over here!"


    Xiao Yi stepped forward, "Junior Xiao Yi, pays respects to Senior!"


    "Hmm!"


    Dongfang Kuang smiled slightly, a friendly expression on his face. His eyes were bright with sharpness, their gaze so penetrating as if they could see right through a person. He said with a smile, "Very good, really good, no wonder Dongfang Mu holds you in such high esteem. Xiao Zhengde really was blind to expel you from the Xiao Family. Young fellow, would you be interested in taking the Dongfang surname? If you''re willing, you can be the next head of the Dongfang Family!"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, his face showing surprise.


    Take the Dongfang surname?


    Wasn''t that asking him to marry into the family?


    Although just changing a surname would allow him to control a huge family with thousands of years of inheritance, becoming one of the most powerful entities in the Great Qian Dynasty, Xiao Yi still shook his head with a smile, "Thank you for your generous offer, Senior. My name was given to me by my mother, and I do not wish to change it!"


    "It''s fine if you don''t change your surname. I have a great-granddaughter named Dongfang Ying, lively and lovely, whom you can marry. You would become the favoured son-in-law of the Dongfang Family, how about that?" Dongfang Kuang said with a sly smile.


    Xiao Yi wore an embarrassed expression, "..."


    What exactly was Dongfang Kuang planning?


    Wasn''t he proposing that Xiao Yi either take his surname


    Or marry into the family?


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a rueful smile, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior, but my ambition lies elsewhere."


    "Well, let it be!"


    Dongfang Kuang sighed with a trace of regret and then straightened up, saying, "You cured Dongfang Jin, which is a life-saving grace to my Dongfang Family. In my life, Dongfang Kuang has never begged nor owed anyone. I see that your cultivation has reached the Golden Elixir Peak, just a step away from the Tao Tribulation Realm. You can try your luck in the Yin and Yang Tower behind me; it might be helpful for you!"


    The Yin and Yang Tower.


    Its full name is the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, divided into seven parts.


    Legend has it...


    When the founding emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty and his four sworn brothers obtained five Divine Artifacts from a secret realm, one of them was the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, which was secured by the ancestor of the Dongfang Family as a treasure to protect the clan.


    Inside the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, there are Elemental Combat Automatons of Yin and Yang.


    The realm of these Elemental Combat Automatons is identical to those who enter the tower, and by defeating one, you could absorb a portion of the Yin Yang and Five Elements heavenly forces.


    You must know...


    To advance from the Golden Core Realm to the Tao Tribulation Realm, one needs to grasp the power of heaven and earth to shatter the Golden Elixir Halo and condense the Dao patterns.


    But trying to comprehend the power of heaven and earth directly from nature yields minimal results.


    However, inside this Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, the power of heaven and earth is several times, or even dozens of times stronger than the outside world.


    Dongfang Kuang casually tossed a Token into Xiao Yi''s hand, saying in a deep voice, "Everyone can control different attributes of the power of heaven and earth. See which tower you can enter, and it will represent the corresponding attribute of the heavenly force you can control."


    Xiao Yi gazed at the seven Yin Yang Five Elements Towers and muttered, "Can I only choose one? Can''t I choose them all?"


    "All of them?"


    Dongfang Kuang was taken aback and then burst into loud laughter, "Kid, you really are daydreaming! Even Xiao Tianjiao, relying on the Supreme Overlord Sacred Body enabling him to master the Five Elements of heaven and earth, has become the most astonishing genius of the Great Qian Dynasty in thousands of years. And you''re thinking of choosing all? With your talent, at most you could master three, certainly no more!"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils constricted slightly, "Xiao Tianjiao has mastered the Five Elements of heaven and earth? No wonder he could shatter Dongfang Jin with one strike without stepping into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. However, if he could master the Five Elements of heaven and earth, why couldn''t I master them all?"


    With that thought.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and walked toward the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower.


    The first one.


    The Metal Tower!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi entered with no resistance; a golden puppet appeared before him, its cultivation equal to his, both at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak. S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    The golden puppet flashed violently, surrounded by fluctuating golden light, as its sharp metal-like blade thrust forward.


    "Break for me!"


    Xiao Yi simply struck down with one palm.


    Bang!


    The golden puppet exploded into pieces, turning into a sky full of golden dust, which melded into his body.


    Xiao Yi could clearly feel his mastery over the Metal attribute of the heaven and earth''s power had increased slightly, "No wonder it''s the clan''s treasure, just the first level equals the effect of my six months of arduous understanding."


    Xiao Yi''s gaze shifted toward the entrance of the second level.


    The second level, this time two puppets appeared.


    Though they were both at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, Xiao Yi was a Limitless Golden Elixir!


    He shattered them all with one palm.


    This time, the Metal power of heaven and earth he received was twice that of the first level.


    Xiao Yi continued to move forward...


    The third level.


    The fourth level.


    The fifth level...


    All the way to the ninth level.


    Hum!


    The Metal power within Xiao Yi''s body had actually reached one-tenth of its potential, and at the same time, countless Metal powers of heaven and earth converged on his Golden Elixir, wildly bombarding the Golden Elixir Halo.


    Boom, Boom, Boom!


    After repeated impacts, the fluctuating halos around the Golden Elixir suddenly exploded.


    Crack! Crack!


    Two successive halos burst, transforming into a pattern that was branded onto the Golden Elixir. At the same time, surging energy flooded into the God Sealing Seed, wildly increasing it by two hundred thousand, achieving the number of one million.


    Generally, as long as one condenses the pattern, they could step into the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    But Xiao Yi was still at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak.


    "To enter the Tao Tribulation Realm with a Limitless Golden Elixir, I must shatter all the Golden Elixir Halos, transforming them into Martial Dao Divine Fruit."


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath; he had already topped the Metal Tower, which was a major step toward the Tao Tribulation Realm, "Eighteen more Golden Elixir Halos to go, let''s shatter them in one fell swoop!"


    With that thought.


    Xiao Yi left the Metal Tower and appeared in front of Dongfang Kuang.


    Dongfang Kuang was completely stunned, "You came out so soon?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I''ve already reached the top!"


    "Reached the top?"


    Dongfang Kuang was dumbfounded, "It''s only been a short while, and you''ve already reached the top? How is that possible? When Xiao Tianjiao came to use the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, it took him half an hour just for the first tower, and you..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "He is him, I am me!"


    "This, this..."


    Even Dongfang Kuang, who had lived for hundreds of years, felt his emotions surge for the first time as he looked at Xiao Yi with anticipation, "Are you preparing to challenge the second Yin Yang Tower?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, then walked toward the second tower, the Wood Tower.


    Dongfang Kuang couldn''t help but watch intently, "Can he... succeed?"

 Chapter 263 - 263: Breaking Xiao Tianjiaos Record Again!

    ```


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Xiao Yi felt his heartbeat quickening, his breath grew short and rapid as he approached the second Wood Tower before him.


    Ever since the establishment of the Great Qian Dynasty,


    Xiao Tianjiao had set countless records, and Xiao Yi never expected that even in the Dongfang Family''s Yin Yang and Five Elements Tower, records left by Xiao Tianjiao would exist. Ever since the day he was expelled from home, Xiao Yi had vowed to let the world know he was stronger than Xiao Tianjiao.


    So...


    The countless records left by Xiao Tianjiao naturally lay before him.


    "The records in the Combat Pavilion are just the beginning, not the end!" Xiao Yi took a deep breath, now standing before the Wood Tower.


    Hum!


    A green glow flashed from the token in his hand, and he stepped inside.


    Hiss!


    Dongfang Kuang inhaled sharply, his body tensing suddenly, "He actually went in? Can this kid really comprehend both the Golden and Wood elemental powers? What kind of dumb luck has the Xiao Family stumbled upon, first with an exceptional genius like Xiao Tianjiao, and now another, Xiao Yi..."


    Even after seeing Xiao Yi enter the Wood Tower,


    Dongfang Kuang still didn''t believe that Xiao Yi could break the record left by Xiao Tianjiao.


    After all,


    Someone wielding the power of the five elements of heaven and earth alone was an incredibly rare talent, not just in the Great Qian Dynasty, but in the entire Qingtian Realm.


    Simultaneously,


    Inside the Wood Tower, the first wooden puppet appeared before Xiao Yi.


    It was a tree-man, wrapped in bark, exuding vigorous vitality. With a lift of its hand, green tendrils shot out like hundreds of twisting green snakes.


    Confronted with this tree-man puppet, Xiao Yi used only a single palm.


    Bang!


    The puppet shattered.


    The Wood elemental power of heaven and earth surged into his body.


    Xiao Yi looked up towards the entrance to the second level...


    The third level.


    The fourth level. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The fifth level...


    Just as before, ten hours later, Xiao Yi emerged outside the Wood Tower.


    Upon topping the Wood Tower, he had mastered ten percent of the Wood Attribute elemental power of heaven and earth, shattered two more Golden Elixir Halos, solidified a second dao pattern, and the quantity of his God Sealing Seed had climbed to one million two hundred thousand.


    But he still had not stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Dongfang Kuang''s face twitched, "He topped it again?"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, looking towards the third.


    Gulur!


    Dongfang Kuang swallowed nervously, "Are you going to keep trying?"


    Xiao Yi hummed in affirmation, "Xiao Tianjiao conquered five towers, I will not be weaker than him!"


    Dongfang Kuang gave a wry smile, "Xiao Tianjiao''s situation is different from yours; he is an unparalleled Tianjiao..."


    "Are you certain I am not?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Dongfang Kuang: "That..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and stepped toward the third Water Tower.


    "It can''t be��damn..."


    Dongfang Kuang hadn''t finished speaking when Xiao Yi had already set foot inside the third Water Tower.


    After ten hours.


    Xiao Yi stood before the fourth Fire Tower.


    With only fourteen Golden Elixir Halos remaining, having solidified three dao patterns of gold, wood, and water, the quantity of his God Sealing Seed soared to one million four hundred thousand.


    Watching Xiao Yi step into the Fire Tower.


    ```


    At this moment, Dongfang Kuang could no longer remain seated and stood up abruptly, his fists clenched tightly. On his usually impassive face, a strong shock surfaced along with deep anticipation, "This kid, he, he might really have a chance at catching up to Xiao Tianjiao''s record!"


    He had never thought that, in his lifetime, he would see someone catching up to Xiao Tianjiao''s record.


    As for breaking this record?


    He didn''t even dare to entertain such a thought!


    After all.


    Controlling five kinds of elemental forces was already considered miraculous.


    Ten hours later.


    Xiao Yi made his way to the fifth tower, which was also the last of the Five Elements Tower in the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, the Tower of Earth.


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Dongfang Kuang, with clenched fists, held his breath, and even closed his eyes at the moment when Xiao Yi was about to enter the Tower of Earth, hardly daring to open them, "Did he succeed? Has he entered? Xiao Yi? Xiao Yi?"


    "..."


    All was silent in front of him, no one responded.


    Gurgle!


    Dongfang Kuang cautiously opened a slit in his eyes, but Xiao Yi''s figure was nowhere to be seen. Sweat had soaked through his clothes, his fists clenched, his veins throbbing wildly, "He, he actually succeeded? My heavens, this is unbelievable, he''s really done it, matching Xiao Tianjiao''s record, it''s just too inconceivable!"


    Ten hours later.


    When Xiao Yi appeared before him again, Dongfang Kuang displayed a look of wild joy and burst out laughing as he approached, "Xiao Yi, you lad are truly beyond expectations! Hahaha, congratulations, you''ve matched Xiao Tianjiao''s record. In terms of talent alone, you are definitely no lesser than Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "Senior, please make way," Xiao Yi said unruffled.


    Dongfang Kuang was startled and blinked, "You still want to attempt the sixth? Alright, there''s no harm in trying... However, throughout the history of the Qingtian Realm, there have been legendary figures who could simultaneously control either Yin and Yang or the Five Elements of nature. But to simultaneously master both Yin Yang and the Five Elements, the seven forces of nature, that''s never happened before. Even if you fail, you don''t need to feel dis...dis...dis...holy shit..."


    Dongfang Kuang leapt up abruptly.


    "He really succeeded? This breaks Xiao Tianjiao''s record? Martial God above, this can''t be real, I must be hallucinating..."


    He swung his palm fiercely, slapping his own face again and again, at least a dozen times, yet his expression was still one of bewilderment, "The Xiao Family must be blind to have expelled such a monster from their home..."


    Inside the Tower of Yin.


    Xiao Yi''s battle was not as easy as before, the battle puppets in the Tower of Yin were clearly much stronger, and even with Xiao Yi''s strength, the fight took many times longer.


    One hour later.


    Xiao Yi reached the ninth layer and successfully broke through the five Golden Elixir Halos, condensing the Yin Dao patterns.


    The count of God Sealing Seeds climbed to three million three hundred thousand!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi returned to the secret chamber, ignoring the stunned Dongfang Kuang, and went straight into the last Tower of Yang.


    "Yin Yang and the Five Elements forces of nature," Dongfang Kuang murmured, his fists clenched, his eyes bloodshot, his entire body trembling, "He, he''s defying the heavens!"


    Throughout the history of the Qingtian Realm.


    There had never been an existence that simultaneously mastered the seven forces of Yin Yang and the Five Elements.


    Today...


    He was fortunate enough to witness the birth of such a prodigy.


    However.


    This time, Dongfang Kuang waited for two full hours, yet he still hadn''t seen Xiao Yi emerge from the Tower of Yang.


    He was growing anxious.


    Three hours.


    Four hours.


    Ten hours...


    "What''s going on? Could something have happened?" Dongfang Kuang''s face was filled with worry as he paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.


    Only when ten hours had passed, just as Dongfang Kuang was about to forcibly enter the Tower of Yang, a dazzling light suddenly burst forth from within the Tower. The light contained terrifying energy, its grandeur like a wild storm, which hurled Dongfang Kuang away.


    Within the brilliant, multicolored light, a vague figure could be seen, approaching through the air��

 Chapter 264 - 264: The Heavenly Calamity Arrives, Ten Thousand People Are Shocked!

    Within the secret chamber.


    Xiao Yi was surrounded by dazzling, multicolored lights, radiating an otherworldly divine presence.


    He stood suspended in midair.


    With every step he took, the ground trembled, and the air seemed to solidify around him.


    A massive Golden Core floated above his head, marked with nine Daopatterns.


    There was one pattern for each of the Five Elements.


    And two patterns for Yin and Yang respectively.


    A total of nine Daopatterns were imprinted on the Golden Core, yet it hadn''t transformed into a Martial Dao Divine Fruit. Right after thoroughly shattering the Golden Elixir Halo and condensing the Daopatterns, Xiao Yi sensed the approaching Celestial Tribulation.


    Typically speaking.


    The Celestial Tribulation only appeared after one had broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi, having just stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm, had actually triggered the Celestial Tribulation.


    This took Xiao Yi somewhat by surprise.


    Enveloped in light, Xiao Yi looked toward Dongfang Kuang, who had been blasted away by his aura, and said in a deep voice, "Senior, open the chamber''s exit quickly, I must transcend the tribulation!"


    He could sense that the Celestial Tribulation would descend in just an hour.


    If he continued to stay in the secret chamber, he feared that the entire Dongfang Family estate would be leveled to the ground.


    "What the hell? You''re going to transcend the tribulation?" Dongfang Kuang stared at Xiao Yi blankly, unable to believe what he was hearing.


    To transcend the tribulation!


    He had never heard of anyone needing to transcend a tribulation just for breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Xiao Yi smiled bitterly and said, "Senior, do you think I have the time to joke with you? In an hour, the Celestial Tribulation will arrive. Open the chamber so I can leave, otherwise, your Dongfang Family will be implicated..."


    "Holy shit!"


    Dongfang Kuang was stunned, speechless.


    He felt as if his nearly a thousand years of life had been in vain.


    A few years ago, Xiao Tianjiao appeared, mastering the Five Element Daopatterns alone and creating shock and admiration as the new surpasses the old in an ever-evolving wave.


    But now...


    It hadn''t been long before Xiao Yi emerged.


    He broke the records set by Xiao Tianjiao, which seemed impossible to surpass, and he even condensed the unprecedented Yin Yang and Five Element Daopatterns. Look at the Golden Core floating above Xiao Yi''s head, shining with ten thousand zhang of light!


    That''s no ordinary Golden Core!


    Who has ever seen a Golden Core larger than a Martial Dao Divine Fruit?


    Who has seen a Golden Core condensed with the Yin Yang and Five Element Daopatterns?


    Who has seen a Golden Core that can bring about the Celestial Tribulation?


    This is simply a divine pill, for goodness'' sake!


    Dongfang Kuang felt today''s experiences could become bragging rights for him in front of others in the future.


    With myriad thoughts in his mind, Dongfang Kuang''s actions were swift. He led the way, his voice resolute, "Your current state cannot be directly exposed in the imperial capital, or it would attract unnecessary trouble. I have a secret passage that leads directly to Great Liang Mountain. Quick, follow me!"


    The four major noble families had been operating in the imperial capital for many years.


    Naturally, they had retreat routes for their families.


    This secret passage...


    Only the ancestors of the Dharma Phase Realm Peak were privy to it, not even the head of the Dongfang family knew; it was only to be used when the Dongfang Family faced the threat of extinction. But now, Dongfang Kuang had opened this passage, sealed for countless ages, for Xiao Yi.


    Dongfang Kuang, with his cultivation at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, led the way, and Xiao Yi followed closely behind.


    The brilliant, multicolored light from Xiao Yi illuminated the entire passage as if it were day.


    His speed was in no way inferior to Dongfang Kuang, surprising him slightly, "It''s no wonder he''s a monster who has mastered seven types of natural forces of both Yin Yang and the Five Elements simultaneously. Just breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm he can draw forth the Celestial Tribulation; I can''t even imagine what it will be like when he steps into the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    If it had been before...


    Rushing from the imperial capital to Great Liang Mountain at full speed would have taken Xiao Yi three to four hours.


    But now...


    His speed had increased several-fold, and with the shortcut the secret passage offered, they arrived at Great Liang Mountain in just half an hour.


    The secret passage''s exit was hidden behind a waterfall. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Blocked by a huge rock.


    Dongfang Kuang lifted the boulder, quickly exiting, and almost at the moment he left the passage, the dazzling light ripped through, creating a booming sound. The massive waterfall, cascading down thousands of feet, was forcefully torn apart.


    The flow of the entire waterfall was intercepted.


    It surged backward.


    Crash!


    The water below the cascade surged rebelliously toward the heavens.


    The roaring sound was unceasing.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi rushed out from the secret passage and stood suspended in midair, his body enveloped in increasingly brilliant light. He gave Dongfang Kuang a fist salute, "Thank you, senior. I will find a place to transcend the tribulation. I will visit to express my gratitude another day!"


    "Go quickly!"


    Dongfang Kuang, who had once experienced the Celestial Tribulation himself, nodded hurriedly, "I will protect you from afar, doing my best to prevent any disturbances during your breakthrough!"


    "Thank you, senior!"


    Without another word, Xiao Yi soared into the sky.


    The light around him grew even more radiant, expanding from its initial ten zhang.


    A hundred zhang.


    A thousand zhang.


    Ten thousand zhang...


    Even from hundreds of kilometers away in the imperial capital, one could see in the skies above Great Liang Mountain a resplendent and orb-like rainbow of light floating and bobbing. Above this orb of light, in the void, black clouds churned and thunder and lightning roared.


    It was a scene similar to the coming of the apocalypse.


    In the imperial capital.


    "What is that?"


    "Such beautiful radiance... Could it be that a treasured light is emerging?"


    "That direction seems to be Great Liang Mountain? Could it be that a powerful monster is about to breakthrough to the sixth tier? But that''s not right either. How could breaking through to the sixth tier create such a massive commotion?"


    "Could it be that someone is about to breakthrough to the Dharma Manifestation Realm?"


    "Very likely! Have you forgotten when Xiao Tianjiao broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he triggered a Heavenly Tribulation that spanned a hundred miles..."


    The disturbance from the direction of Great Liang Mountain naturally attracted the prying eyes of countless powerhouses.


    Within the palace.


    Emperor Qian suddenly opened his eyes, beams of light shooting from his pupils as if piercing through ancient void space, gazing in the direction of Great Liang Mountain. A hint of shock flickered across his eyes, "Is someone undergoing tribulation? So close to the imperial capital, could it be that one of the four major clans is stepping into the Dharma Manifestation Realm?"


    "Old Dog!"


    Emperor Qian gave a cold command.


    "Your Majesty!"


    The old eunuch always standing by with his hands down approached.


    Emperor Qian gazed at him and said solemnly, "You, go to Great Liang Mountain with the Dragon Guards immediately. If it is one of those four family clans, you know what to do, right?"


    "This servant understands!"


    The old eunuch respectfully withdrew, stepped out of the palace gate, and soared into the sky.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Inside the palace, four figures suddenly shot up into the sky, closely following him. At this moment, the old eunuch bore no trace of his servility before Emperor Qian. Right now, his Qi-Blood surged like a dragon and tiger.


    Behind him, the four Dragon Guards were all at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Inside the Dongfang Family.


    Dongfang Jin gazed in the direction of Great Liang Mountain, his expression slightly changing, "What''s happening?"


    The Nangong Family.


    The Ximen Family.


    The Beitang Family.


    Treasure Pavilion.


    Combat Pavilion.


    The branches of the top ten sects in the imperial capital...


    Countless powerhouses from the imperial capital''s forces soared into the air, rushing toward Great Liang Mountain.


    In the void.


    Countless powerhouses encountered each other, among them was Yang Jin, the head of the Tianjian Sect''s division in the imperial capital. Grinning at Xue Wuhen flying beside him, he joked, "Pavilion Master Xue, are you also interested in joining in on the excitement?"


    Xue Wuhen glanced at him and replied indifferently, "I''ve been trapped at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm for many years. Perhaps observing this Heavenly Tribulation will give me some enlightenment, and I might even step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    "Hahaha, that punch from the Saint Heir back then really did give you a hard time!" Yang Jin laughed heartily.


    Xue Wuhen snorted coldly, his expression indifferent, "Xiao Tianjiao''s record in my Combat Pavilion has been broken, have you passed on the news to him? Knowing his record has been surpassed, he must be feeling quite uncomfortable, right?"


    "You..."


    Yang Jin''s face darkened.


    Xiao Tianjiao was indeed extremely enraged upon learning that his record had been broken, and the whole Tianjian Sect was greatly upset.


    In the eyes of the Tianjian Sect...


    Xiao Tianjiao was perfect, flawless. Anyone breaking his record was seen as defiling his perfection.


    Xue Wuhen sneered, speaking lightly, "The fact proves Xiao Tianjiao is not invincible. There are many Tianjiaos in the world, and there are still people who can surpass him!"


    In his mind, the image of Xiao Yi surfaced, and he thought to himself Privately he thought, if Xiao Tianjiao knew that the one who broke his record was that brother he considered a disgrace, I wonder what he would think?


    Yang Jin snorted coldly and quickened his pace to widen the gap between them.


    The crowd drew closer and closer to Great Liang Mountain.


    Within Great Liang Mountain, the monsters began fleeing en masse to the outside.


    From the weaker first-tier monsters to the powerful fifth-tier ones, all were fleeing in panic.


    Only some high-level fifth-tier, even sixth-tier monsters, remained in Great Liang Mountain. Heavenly Tribulation represents both destruction and opportunity. If one could glean understanding from it, there might be a chance to take the final step.


    Of course...


    If the one undergoing the tribulation were to be killed by the Heavenly Tribulation, they could have a share of the spoils!


    As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold!


    This applies to both humans and monsters alike!


    Boom rumble!


    The closer to Great Liang Mountain, the clearer the dreadful nature of the Heavenly Tribulation.


    The black clouds in the sky roiled incessantly, a dark expanse where one could faintly hear thunder and see flashes of lightning. The terrifying momentum was so oppressive it made it difficult to breathe. These Tribulation clouds had already covered a hundred-mile range and still showed no signs of stopping.


    Before the thunder struck, the fierce winds had already begun.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh whoosh!


    A terrifying storm swept across the vast Great Liang Mountain, uprooting countless grasses and trees, lifting sand and rocks. River water was drawn up into the sky, like a dragon leaving the sea, connecting heaven and earth, with fierce winds howling as if it were doomsday!


    Gurgle!


    "Back when Xiao Tianjiao broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, his tribulation only spanned a hundred miles. Xiao Yi is just breaking through the Tao Tribulation Realm, and it''s already beyond a hundred miles..."


    Even from dozens of miles away, Dongfang Kuang still felt his heart skip a beat. Clenching his fists, he murmured to himself, "Are the Xiao Family brothers fated rivals? Is Xiao Yi intent on breaking even Xiao Tianjiao''s record for the Heavenly Tribulation?"


    Time swiftly passed by.


    All of a sudden...


    The Tribulation clouds had already enveloped over two hundred miles of the sky.


    It was like the end of days.


    And just then...


    Xiao Yi suddenly looked up, squinting at the thunder rolling and the storm howling in the Heavenly Tribulation above, "Is it finally coming?"

 Chapter 265 - 265: Terrifying Heavenly Tribulation

    "Is it finally coming?"


    Suspended in the void, Xiao Yi suddenly lifted his head, staring at the dark oppressive tribulation clouds above, a hint of solemnity in his gaze.


    Back when Xiao Tianjiao broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, it had only drawn a tribulation that spread out for a hundred miles around.


    But now...


    He was merely stepping into the Tao Tribulation Realm and yet the tribulation it induced already faintly exceeded a hundred miles.


    The dark, oppressive tribulation clouds were thick and gloomy, floating above the firmament like an all-encompassing hand as if to take control of this world within the grasp of a palm. Inside the black cloud mass, there was lightning and thunder.


    Violet-gold thunder lit up heaven and earth.


    Within the vastness of Great Liang Mountain, countless monster beasts were still desperately running amok.


    Trying to escape to the skies.


    Under the majesty of the heavens, all beings submit.


    The one closest to Xiao Yi was doubtlessly Dongfang Kuang, his forehead streaming with cold sweat: "This kid... what kind of monster is he? Just for breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, he actually drew such a terrifying heavenly tribulation..."


    When he had broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the tribulation he had attracted had only covered a ten-mile radius.


    At that time, it had nearly destroyed a city.


    Whenever Dongfang Kuang recalled the terrifying scene of surviving that tribulation, he couldn''t help but shiver with fear, his hair standing on end.


    Until recently...


    When Xiao Tianjiao stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm and elicited a tribulation that spanned a hundred miles, Dongfang Kuang had been astounded.


    And now.


    Not only had Xiao Yi broken Xiao Tianjiao''s record, but he had also mastered the seven powers of Yin Yang and the Five Elements, and even upon stepping into the Tao Tribulation Realm, he had already attracted a heavenly tribulation, leaving Dongfang Kuang at a loss for words to describe his current feelings.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The wild winds sweeping through heaven and earth grew ever stronger, and where the storm passed, not a blade of grass remained.


    Countless creatures failed to escape in time and were swept up high into the sky.


    There, they were torn apart by the omnipresent ferocious winds.


    It was truly terrifying!


    Boom! Boom!


    Within heaven and earth, numerous wild winds coalesced into a massive tornado storm, linking heaven and earth with tornadoes that twisted their colossal columns of wind, lifting rocks and uprooting grass and trees, and even small mountain peaks were being swept up into the sky.


    The tempestuous wind and rain, in an instant, spread across most of Great Liang Mountain!


    Terrifying!


    Despair!


    The end of days!


    These were the thoughts shared by the countless beings within Great Liang Mountain.


    Even some high-ranking monster beasts that had thought to wait for Xiao Yi''s tribulation to fail and then take advantage of the chaos were now running madly towards the outskirts of Great Liang Mountain.


    The might of the heavenly tribulation had not yet descended, and yet it had already struck fear into all living things.


    "We''ve got to run... This kid is envied by the heavens!" Dongfang Kuang had intended to help Xiao Yi by preparing the sword array, but under the apocalyptic scene, he dared not linger any longer and turned to run towards the outskirts of Great Liang Mountain.


    Along the way.


    The monster beasts that normally fought upon sight now ran shoulder to shoulder with him.


    Whether human or monster beast, there was only one thought at the moment��run!


    By the time they reached the edge of Great Liang Mountain.


    Yang Jin, the old eunuch, and other powerful beings arrived in quick succession, and their eyes immediately fell on Dongfang Kuang.


    A flash of cold light flickered in the old eunuch''s eyes, his face wearing a grim smile: "Dongfang, is this tribulation passer from your Dongfang family?"


    Dongfang Kuang, upon seeing the look in the old eunuch''s eyes, showed a hint of wariness.


    This inconspicuous old eunuch was none other than one of the strongest warriors of the Great Qian Dynasty''s royal family, a Peak Dharma Manifestation Realm existence.


    Dongfang Kuang spoke gravely, "Old fellow, there''s no need for you to fish for information here. I also felt the tribulation''s fluctuations and rushed over, but..." Glancing at the tribulation clouds that almost covered half of Great Liang Mountain, he said with a wry smile, "This heavenly tribulation is just too terrifying!"


    With these words spoken.


    All eyes turned eagerly towards the tribulation clouds, with everyone nodding in agreement.


    Even the few demonic beasts by his side looked on with faces full of shock, speaking in human tongue, "This king has never witnessed such a terrifying heavenly tribulation!"


    "The person undergoing tribulation, if not a Great Demon inciting the wrath of heaven and the hatred of people, must be an unparalleled genius!"


    Yang Jin squinted his eyes, sizing up the high-level demonic beasts, and said solemnly, "Gentlemen, have any of you seen clearly the one who is undergoing the tribulation?"


    Dongfang Kuang shook his head and said, "Can''t see clearly!"


    The several demonic beasts also shook their heads, "Too terrifying, we simply can''t see!"


    Yang Jin and the others all frowned.


    If it had been Dongfang Kuang, they might have suspected he was lying.


    But since even these powerful demonic beasts said so, it obviously meant they had not seen clearly the person undergoing the tribulation, nor did they know the identity of that person.


    "With such a terrifying heavenly tribulation, could it be that someone is breaking through the secret realm of immortality?"


    "Impossible, the heavenly tribulation of the secret realm of immortality is far more terrible than this, it is said to be accompanied by the five disasters of heaven and man..."


    "When Xiao Tianjiao underwent his tribulation, the Tianjian Sect set up a ninety-nine layered sword array for him, and Xiao Tianjiao, with the power of the sword array, forcefully shattered the heavenly tribulation. The scene was truly terrifying. This person suddenly appeared at Great Liang Mountain and does not have a grand array to assist; it is unknown how he will overcome the tribulation!"


    "He chose Great Liang Mountain probably to make use of the mountain''s numerous peaks to offset the power of the tribulation thunder. However, these ordinary mountains might not be able to withstand the thunder, and he is likely to die under it..."


    Just as everyone was talking...


    Boom!


    A thunderous roar came from within the tribulation clouds.


    In the sky above, within those black tribulation clouds that stretched over a hundred miles, a column of purple-gold thunder descended like a pillar of water. Amidst the rumble, the space where the thunder light passed seemed to be torn apart. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All of heaven and earth were shaken, and all beings were subdued.


    Great Liang Mountain, which looked as dark as night under the press of the Black Cloud, was transformed into a sea of purple-gold under this flash of thunder.


    The thunder struck directly at Xiao Yi.


    Crackle and pop!


    Xiao Yi shook violently, his body instantly turned charred black, and blood spurted from his mouth.


    The first thunder alone was as powerful as a full blow from a peak Tao Tribulation Realm expert.


    Of course.


    If Xiao Yi had resisted with force, the thunder would not have made him spit blood.


    But he did not defend, instead he completely opened up, calmly bearing the baptism of the tribulation thunder.


    Under the heavenly tribulation...


    He was actually cultivating the Wind Thunder Holy Body!


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body requires the baptism of the heavenly thunder to temper the physical body and the Heaven and Earth Gangfeng to polish the body.


    At this moment, under the heavenly tribulation, the Heaven and Earth Gangfeng was raging, and the thunder was the fearsome tribulation thunder.


    It was indeed the perfect opportunity to cultivate the Wind Thunder Holy Body!


    "With my body, baptized by heavenly thunder, tempered by Gangfeng, Wind Thunder Holy Body��"


    Xiao Yi suddenly looked up, letting out a thunderous roar.


    Enshrouded with a radiance of myriad colors, in the watchful eyes of numerous horrified experts, he not only did not dodge the thunder, but instead rose against the heavens and charged toward the rolling clouds of tribulation thunder, where dragons of lightning danced.


    All of this happened in the blink of an eye.


    The experts who had previously commented that Xiao Yi could not possibly succeed in his tribulation were stunned, "Has he gone mad? Instead of hiding, he heads straight towards the tribulation clouds?"


    "Mad, truly mad!"


    "Perhaps he knows that he cannot successfully get through the tribulation and has given up on himself?"


    "Look quickly... the second thunder is coming down, and each one is stronger than the last. The power of the ninth thunder is a hundred times that of the first. Charging directly into the tribulation clouds, he might not even withstand the second thunder..."


    At that moment...


    The radiance of the thunder, many times thicker than the first, enveloped Xiao Yi with a boom.


    There was silence between heaven and earth.


    In the minds of the onlookers, the same thought arose simultaneously: "It''s over..."

 Chapter 266 - 266: Destroying the Heavenly Calamity, Eradicating Tianjiao!

    "It''s over!"


    The terrifying thunderbolt descended from the heavens, a purple-gold lightning bolt cascading down like a waterfall, falling from the sky.


    Xiao Yi''s figure was instantly engulfed by the thunderbolt.


    Swallowed whole.


    His trace could no longer be seen...


    Everyone felt a chill crawl over their scalps, not daring to get close.


    The ferocity of the descending thunder showed no signs of abating, and with a loud bang, it struck the ground, covering a mountain of a hundred zhang. In the noise of the explosion, the mountain was split in half.


    The debris was blasted in all directions, and then, under the relentless lightning, it ground to nothingness.


    In just the blink of an eye.


    The hundred-zhang mountain had been leveled to the ground!


    A fifth-tier superior beast roared in despair, a hot tear falling from its enormous eyes.


    The crowd looked at it with confusion.


    A sixth-tier monster capable of human speech said, "That was its home!"


    The crowd looked at it with sympathy.


    Auuwoo!


    The beast wailed, tears the size of fists rolling down.


    "Even a mountain has been flattened, when such terrible heavenly thunder strikes a person, isn''t it likely they will be blasted to ashes without a trace?"


    "No, look, the clouds of calamity haven''t dissipated..."


    "Is that person not dead?"


    Everyone''s attention returned to the sky.


    The giant pillar of thunderbolt began to shrink rapidly, until it disappeared without a trace, and Xiao Yi, surrounded by a myriad of colors, stood with his robe torn apart, faint traces of lightning flashing across his body.


    Above his head.


    The Golden Core shone brilliantly, dazzling like a deity.


    "Hahaha, exhilarating! This feeling...bring it on!" Xiao Yi shook all over, Little Lin landed on his shoulder, looking utterly baffled.


    Little Lin''s body glowed with golden light, covered with a faint layer of thunder light.


    Xiao Yi casually took out the vial of Dragon Blood and tossed it to Little Lin on his shoulder, "Little Lin, consume this vial of Dragon Blood and ascend with me!"


    Little Lin had reached the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Once it ascended.


    It would be a sixth-tier beast comparable to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    "Boss..."


    Without any hesitation, Little Lin swallowed the Dragon Blood, its body shining with an exceptionally brilliant golden light, and with a tremendous jolt. In the noise of the explosion, Little Lin transformed into a hundred-zhang giant serpent, soaring into the sky.


    Xiao Yi stood atop its head.


    Together, man and serpent, they stood suspended.


    In the distance...


    Watching the multi-colored light, where a hundred-zhang long serpent suddenly emerged, all were taken aback with astonishment, "A monster?"


    "Has that man gone mad? He actually plans to transcend heavenly tribulation alongside a beast?"


    "With two beings transcending together, the power of the Heavenly Tribulation will double..."


    "Madman, madman..."


    Dongfang Kuang''s eyes twitched madly, he watched in terror as Xiao Yi rode on top of Little Lin, facing the thunder.


    Only now...


    Did Dongfang Kuang realize he had still underestimated Xiao Yi.


    Before this.


    He thought Xiao Tianjiao breaking the record, commanding the Yin Yang and Five Elements��seven great forces of heaven and earth alone was crazy enough.


    Then Xiao Yi triggered a Heavenly Tribulation upon breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, and he realized he had underestimated Xiao Yi.


    And then...


    Faced with such a terrifying Heavenly Tribulation, Xiao Yi neither dodged nor evaded but charged straight into the thunderbolt.


    Once again, his understanding of madness was redefined.


    Now.


    In the face of such a terrifying Heavenly Tribulation, Xiao Yi even dared to let his combat pet ascend and transcend tribulation alongside him.


    "This guy is simply a lunatic..." Dongfang Kuang''s forehead sweated profusely.


    At the same time...


    The tribulation clouds, sensing the presence of Little Lin, actually stopped their descent, continuing to accumulate energy and expand ceaselessly.


    They swelled to cover an area of two hundred li.


    The terrifying dark clouds blocked out the sun and obscured the sky.


    But the end was not yet in sight��


    Just when everyone thought the heavenly lightning was about to strike, the clouds began to shrink.


    One hundred eighty li.


    One hundred sixty li.


    One hundred fifty li��


    They returned to a range of one hundred li.


    But the might of the heavens did not diminish but increased. Although it was still an area of one hundred li, the power of the heavens was ten times more terrifying than before.


    Gurgle!


    The crowd involuntarily gulped, "I''ve never seen tribulation clouds that can shrink after expanding��"


    "This isn''t shrinking, this is compression!"


    "Could it be that the person undergoing the tribulation and his beast have become so powerful that even the tribulation clouds find them difficult to handle and have no choice but to compress their force?"


    "Terrifying, who on earth is this sacred being?"


    Amid the exclamations,


    Yang Jin''s gaze swept over the crowd, especially lingering on the powerful figures from the top sects, and he said in a deep voice, "Everyone, regardless of who this sacred being is, if their divine tribulation is this terrible and they succeed in stepping into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, they will likely become a great concern for us in the future!"


    The representatives of the top sects in the capital from True Martial Hall, Vast Righteousness Pavilion, and others squinted thoughtfully.


    Indeed, as Yang Jin had said��


    Merely observing the horror of the heavenly tribulation, it was likely that they were witnessing a being who could rival Xiao Tianjiao.


    If such an existence could not be utilized by the top ten sects, it would inevitably become a major concern, threatening the foundation of the top sects.


    "Yang Jin, what do you propose?" Tie Yun, the top representative of Kuangdao Sect in the capital, a peak powerhouse from the Tao Tribulation Realm, said in a deep voice.


    All eyes turned to him.


    A cold glint flashed in Yang Jin''s eyes, "Let us watch and wait. If this person perishes under the heavenly tribulation, then all will be well. But if there is a possibility that they survive the tribulation, we shall act together to increase the tribulation''s might. Regardless, we must nip this threat in the bud!"


    Prior to this��


    They had thought that the person undergoing the tribulation was a strong individual from the top ten sects, or perhaps from one of the four great families.


    But now,


    This person was not from any of their powers.


    The Great Qian Dynasty was vast, and between the top sects, the imperial family, and the four great families, a subtle balance had already formed. Should a new, uncontrollable force now emerge, it would disturb this balance.


    This was something none of the parties wished to see.


    Seeing this, Dongfang Kuang''s heart skipped a beat and he said in a grave tone, "My Dongfang Family will not partake in this!"


    "Hmm?"


    Everyone''s eyes simultaneously turned to Dongfang Kuang.


    The patriarch of the Nangong Family, Nangong Shengtian, furrowed his brows, "Dongfang, don''t tell me you know this person?"


    Dongfang Kuang kept a straight face and calmly said, "The method you all are proposing doesn''t guarantee we can eliminate the opponent. If we fail to kill him and with this person''s strength, if they seek revenge afterward, my Dongfang Family cannot afford this risk."


    As soon as these words were spoken,


    Many showed a look of hesitation.


    Just as Dongfang Kuang had said��


    An existence that could summon such a terrifying tribulation - if the plan failed and they did not completely deal with them, S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It would likely bring about the retaliation of a super-genius not weaker than Xiao Tianjiao.


    All the powers wanted to avoid this.


    With this thought,


    An elder eunuch said, "My royal family will also not interfere!"


    The head of the Ximen Family, Ximen Jianxue, stared at Dongfang Kuang and spoke in a serious voice, "I also believe that what the Dongfang elder said is correct, and thus, my Ximen Family will not be involved!"


    Yang Jin''s expression turned somewhat unsightly.


    With the Dongfang, Ximen, and the royal family opting out, sabotaging the heavenly tribulation would be much more difficult for them.


    However��


    As they watched Xiao Yi overcome yet another level of the tribulation, Yang Jin looked at the remaining people, "What do the rest of you think?"


    The remaining people exchanged glances.


    No one else backed out.


    The top ten sects, along with the Nangong and Beitang families, the twelve pinnacle forces of the Great Qian Dynasty, came to an agreement, "Destroy the tribulation, eradicate the Tianjiao!"

 Chapter 267 - 267: Heaven and Earth Shattering

    "Since we are cooperating, when the time comes to act, none of you can hold back any longer!"


    Yang Jin''s eyes glinted with an icy sharpness as he spoke in a heavy tone, "This person has already withstood the Sixth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder, and there are three more�� If he can withstand the Eighth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder, we shall all strike together!"


    "No problem!"


    "Many of us are at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, as long as we stimulate our profound skills together to impact the Dharma Manifestation Realm, it will be sensed by the heavenly tribulation and thus amplify its power!"


    "Nearly twenty peak Tao Tribulation Realm experts triggering the heavenly tribulation simultaneously, even if this person has extraordinary talents, there''s no way he can withstand it��"


    "He is certain to die!"


    A smug look appeared on everyone''s faces.


    Dongfang Kuang''s expression was indecisive, but he couldn''t make a move.


    He was very clear about the nature of Xiao Tianjiao and the Tianjian Sect.


    They would never tolerate any factors that could shake their status.


    Given the relationship between Xiao Yi and Xiao Tianjiao, once Xiao Yi''s identity was exposed, the Tianjian Sect would be the first to go all out to destroy him. Even with Xiao Yi''s great talent, he was still too weak in the face of the Tianjian Sect and Xiao Tianjiao.


    "Damm it�� Under the heavenly tribulation, I am simply unable to send a message��" Dongfang Kuang wore an anxious look, though willing to help, he found himself incapable.


    Meanwhile.


    The seventh wave of the heavenly tribulation had already descended.


    Xiao Yi still charged into the midst of the thunder, eagerly devouring the power of the lightning.


    Devouring the previous six waves of tribulation thunder had already brought his Wind Thunder Holy Body to the third stage.


    As long as he fully absorbed these Nine-Heavy Tribulation Thunders, Xiao Yi was confident that he could step into the fourth stage.


    Once the Wind Thunder Holy Body was cultivated to the fourth stage, Xiao Yi alone, with just the power of his physical body, would be able to easily defeat those at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The most noticeable change was in Little Lin.


    After undergoing the Heavenly Thunder Tempering, he had refined two-thirds of the dragon blood within his body; his hundred-zhang body had already swelled to three hundred zhang, and his entire body was covered in scale armor that flickered with gold light. Intricate patterns subtly marked the scales, while two protuberances rose from the top of his head.


    These protuberances were like dragon horns and still growing.


    If this trend continued��


    Little Lin might very well evolve into a true dragon.


    But what puzzled Xiao Yi was that Little Lin had a pair of flesh wings growing on his back; the wings were not particularly large for the time being but were undeniably growing. Dragons could grow large enough to soar through the heavens, swallowing stars and moons, or shrink to hide within mud and dwell upon a single leaf.


    Yet among true dragons, none had flesh wings!


    Boom!


    The seventh wave of tribulation thunder dissipated completely.


    In the heavens above.


    The black tribulation clouds churned wildly, and purple-gold lightning, taking the form of thunder dragons and serpents, zigzagged through the cloud masses. The Eighth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder suddenly descended, and Xiao Yi, defying the heavens, rose again to forcibly devour this robe of tribulation thunder.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body made further progress toward the fourth stage.


    Watching the Ninth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder already churning and taking shape inside the tribulation clouds.


    But just at that moment��


    Startling waves of energy suddenly converged from all directions.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank abruptly, following the energy fluctuations, he saw that led by Yang Jin, experts from ten major sects as well as, the Nangong Family and the Beitang Family, these twelve forces had simultaneously had over twenty peak Tao Tribulation Realm experts emerge.


    Every one of them began attempting to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    They had not yet reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm themselves, but their grand attempts to break through under the heavenly tribulation still provoked a response from it.


    Rumble!


    The Ninth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder that was about to fall was suddenly halted. S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A purple-gold spherical orb, as if a gigantic gem embedded within the black clouds, burst forth with dazzling light that shot into the sky; its brilliance spanned ten thousand zhang, pulsing and flickering. The surrounding hundred li of tribulation clouds furiously gathered, with countless energies converging toward the orb.


    The energy within the tribulation thunder was accumulating swiftly, climbing higher.


    The force increased at a rapid pace.


    Tenfold.


    Twentyfold.


    Thirtyfold��


    The hundred li tribulation clouds condensed into a ten-li radius, all other energies congregating into that Ninth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder.


    The suppressed thunder, which had yet to be released, radiated a terrifying pressure that made the creatures within hundreds of li shudder in fright.


    Especially powerful beings like Yang Jin, who were scared out of their wits.


    Their legs could not help but tremble.


    Bowing in reverence to that heavenly might!


    "How terrifying the tribulation lightning is..."


    "Hahaha, we succeeded, the power of this tribulation lightning has increased by dozens of times, the one undergoing tribulation is doomed to die without doubt!"


    Yang Jin clenched his fists tightly, his face filled with malevolence, "The Saint Heir also underwent tribulation no more than a hundred miles away, who do you think you are to compare with him? No matter who you are, under such a terrifying heavenly tribulation, there is absolutely only the path to death, hehehe..."


    Xiao Tianjiao was the face of the Tianjian Sect.


    His position on the throne as the number one talent within the Great Qian Dynasty brought immense benefits to the Tianjian Sect.


    The complexities of the interests involved are beyond words.


    In short...


    Apart from the Tianjian Sect, the top ten sects and the four great families actually didn''t want to see such an uncontrollable variable emerge frequently.


    This was also why, when Yang Jin proposed the idea of borrowing the power of the heavenly tribulation to destroy Xiao Yi, he immediately gained everyone''s agreement.


    Boom!


    A thunderous beam of lightning, eclipsing the sun, fell from the sky, so fierce that it shattered a part of the tribulation clouds upon impact. Lightning bolts and electric snakes rolled incessantly, with a hissing sound that was deafening, and a storm of destruction rushed towards them.


    Above Xiao Yi''s head, the Golden Core floated, with nine Dao patterns erupting into brilliant light simultaneously.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body was fully unleashed.


    Little Lin stayed by his side, his massive body shrouded in golden light circulating like a gold-carved dragon, opening its huge mouth, with specks of blue light converging into a round light orb.


    Whoosh!


    A blue light pillar gathered from Little Lin''s mouth, shooting straight into the sky, colliding with the lightning head-on.


    Boom!


    The terrifying Ninth-Heavy Tribulation Thunder crashed down.


    Like a sky-covering waterfall, it enveloped and devoured everything.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin were engulfed by the lightning pillar in an instant, violently pushing them towards the ground in a rapid descent.


    Boom!


    The light pillar landed in the midst of Great Liang Mountain.


    A massive roar echoed from the point of contact between the lightning pillar and the ground, followed by a thud, as the earth trembled and the sky shattered. A circular shock wave emanated from the lightning pillar above.


    The shock wave came quickly, but it also subsided quickly.


    Everything seemed frozen in time.


    Until several breaths later.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom...


    Terrible tremors followed by earth-shattering explosions resounded, mountains collapsed, the earth cracked, and everything was destroyed, pulverized, and leveled by the impact of the thunderous blast.


    At the epicenter of where the lightning struck, a gigantic circular mushroom cloud soared into the sky, reaching for the clouds.


    As this cloud shot up.


    When everything dispersed...


    In the midst of where Great Liang Mountain once stood, there was now a huge circular plain with a diameter of twenty miles...


    Thick tribulation clouds above slowly cleared away.


    Golden sunlight gradually fell down.


    All the strong beings held their breaths, not daring to utter a single sound, all looking towards the heart of the lightning strike.


    One breath.


    Two breaths.


    Three breaths.


    After a full ten breaths, the crowd saw no sign of any living being in the plain.


    Yang Jin suddenly clenched his fists tightly, "Hahaha, we did it!"


    "Those who cannot be controlled should not exist in this world!"


    "The Great Qian Dynasty has the royal family, the top ten sects, and the four great families, that''s more than enough!"


    Dongfang Kuang''s face turned pale, his clothes soaked in cold sweat.


    In despair, he slowly closed his eyes.


    But just as his eyes were about to shut, he suddenly opened them wide, staring intently at the center of that plain, at a pile of rubble, where a pebble the size of a thumb trembled slightly and rolled down from the pile of stones...

 Chapter 268 - 268 How Do You Want to Die?

    Crack!


    Crack crack!


    As one piece of rubble fell away, stone after stone followed suit.


    Indistinctly...


    Inside that mountain of rocks, a series of intense rumbling sounds echoed without end, as massive boulders burst apart, scattering in all directions, or else falling and smashing into the ground.


    Boom!


    With a loud noise, rocks pierced through the air.


    Two figures shot up from the midst of the stone debris.


    In the blink of an eye.


    The two figures were now suspended in midair, Little Lin still transformed into a hundred yards in size, his body shimmering with golden light, his head crowned with dragon horns, his dragon whiskers fluttering, his dragon scales dazzling with brilliant light, emitting an unparalleled majesty.


    A pair of golden wings grew from his back, stirring up gusts of wind with their slight quiver.


    Below his belly, his four claws reached into the void, creating ripples in the air.


    The aura of the Beast King seeped out.


    It made all of the surviving beasts around them kneel on the ground, quivering in fear.


    A sixth-rank Beast King!


    Comparable to the human Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    Above Little Lin''s head, Xiao Yi sat cross-legged between two dragon horns.


    The power of Wind Thunder circulated around his body, obscuring his features.


    The ninth lightning strike, bolstered by the likes of Yang Jin and others, held a power that was dozens of times stronger than a normal ninth lightning strike; had he not cultivated the Wind Thunder Holy Body and swallowed the majority of the lightning''s power, that recent strike would have sufficed to erase both him and Little Lin from this world.


    Even so...


    The Wind Thunder power inside him was still violent beyond measure, hindering the condensation of the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    Xiao Yi was exerting his entire strength to suppress the tumultuous power of Wind Thunder, enabling the Wind Thunder Holy Body to officially step into the fourth realm, and in turn, to solidify the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    "He... he''s not dead?"


    "Impossible! Such a powerful Heavenly Tribulation, and they still didn''t die?"


    The smug expressions on the faces of Yang Jin and the others abruptly solidified.


    Each of them stared dumbfounded at the person and beast hovering in the sky.


    Dongfang Kuang clenched his fists tightly with a flicker of excitement in the depth of his eyes, silently breathing a sigh of relief, "I knew it... With a talent far surpassing Xiao Tianjiao, how could you possibly die under that Heavenly Tribulation?"


    The facial expressions of Yang Jin and other prior attackers changed in unison.


    Could it be that the Heavenly Tribulation triggered by the unrestrained outbreak of twenty Tao Tribulation Realm experts still failed to kill them?


    "He has just overcome the Heavenly Tribulation and must be at his weakest, this moment is the best opportunity to eliminate them..." Ye Lun, the chief officer of True Martial Hall in the imperial city, narrowed his eyes and spoke gravely.


    Yang Jin''s face was expressionless, "This child cannot be spared, he''ll be a continuous threat, make your move!"


    The crowd mutually exchanged glances, silently forming a consensus.


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh!


    One by one, powerful beings soared into the sky, streaking towards Xiao Yi.


    In the void.


    Little Lin shook his head; the last wave of Heavenly Tribulation had been almost entirely devoured by Xiao Yi, so he wasn''t greatly affected. Suddenly seeing Yang Jin and others coming to kill, a hint of cold light passed through his eyes, "Was it not these guys who almost killed my boss just now, still harboring ill intentions, intent on putting me and the boss in danger?"


    Little Lin remembered very clearly, it was these people who burst forth with their energy at the critical moment, igniting the Heavenly Tribulation, that led him and Xiao Yi into a life-and-death crisis.


    Now...


    These people were thinking of attacking Xiao Yi at the critical moment of condensing the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, how could Little Lin not be furious?


    Roar!


    As Little Lin roared, his huge body flickered with golden light, his mouth forming a purplish-black orb of light that shot towards Yang Jin and the others with a swish. This purplish-black orb was surrounded by lightning, and serpentine bolts churned around it, containing a destructive force.


    Yang Jin and the others changed expressions, simultaneously raising their hands to form barriers of Yuan energy.


    Hum!


    The purplish-black orb struck the Yuan energy barrier, and both forces stuck against each other like a needle to wheat.


    Suddenly...


    Boom!


    Crack!


    With a gigantic boom,


    the purple-black orb exploded violently, causing cracks to spread over the energy barrier like a spider web, covering the entire barrier.


    Crack, a crisp sound echoed.


    The energy barrier shattered instantly, and the purple-black energy orb flew into Yang Jin and others, exploding with a loud bang.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Countless black chains flew out from within the purple-black energy orb.


    Yang Jin and the others couldn''t have anticipated a second attack hidden inside the black energy orb. In an instant, four Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses were too late to dodge, caught by the black chains, and rendered immobile. As the chains wrapped around them, Little Lin suddenly burst out, opening its huge bloodthirsty maw, and bit into the two nearest True Martial Hall Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses.


    Splat! Splat!


    Two streams of blood shot out.


    Little Lin swallowed both powerhouses whole and chewed with a crunching sound that sent shivers down one''s spine.


    In the blink of an eye,


    both of the True Martial Hall''s Tao Tribulation Realm experts stationed in the imperial capital had become a feast in Little Lin''s belly. Its pair of cold eyes swept over Yang Jin and the others, "You''re next!"


    "Damn it!"


    Yang Jin''s heart skipped a beat, a flash of horror crossed his dark eyes, and he gritted his teeth, "This beast is ferociously cruel. If we let it escape alive, it will become a disaster for the world. Dongfang, Ancestor Nangong, Qi, please assist me in capturing this monster!"


    The ten great sects had not stationed any Dharma Manifestation Realm experts in the imperial capital.


    With Little Lin having stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, they, who were mere Tao Tribulation Realm experts, could not contend with it.


    Yang Jin was hence appealing to the likes of Dongfang Kuang and others.


    Among the Dharma Manifestation Realm experts present,


    Qi and Dongfang Kuang, both at the Peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, were the most revered. Nangong Shengtian was not far behind, with the cultivation of the sixth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    If the three of them made a move,


    it was certain that Little Lin could only be captured. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, Qi simply said indifferently, "Your Highness Yang Jin, please forgive me, His Majesty has not permitted this old servant to take action!"


    Emperor Qian had only sent him to be present in case the person undergoing the Heavenly Tribulation was from the four great families or one of the ten major sects; only then should he take the opportunity to eradicate them. But clearly, Little Lin was not a powerhouse from either of these forces, and naturally, he would not rashly act and make an enemy for the royal family.


    "You wretched old dog... when my elder brother ascends the throne, I will have you executed!"


    Yang Jin glared fiercely at Qi, deeply dissatisfied. Even as a prince, Qi did not take him seriously at all, and he thought maliciously to himself, then turned to look at Dongfang Kuang, "Dongfang, you..."


    Dongfang Kuang said with an expression of difficulty, "Your Highness Yang Jin, please forgive me, I have recently encountered a problem with my cultivation and really should not exert myself!"


    "You..."


    Yang Jin''s eyes were filled with ruthless venom, a problem with cultivation? As if he was trying to fool ghosts!


    He could only turn to Nangong Shengtian.


    At this moment...


    The twenty-two Tao Tribulation Realm experts from the ten great sects had already lost three more members in the battle against Little Lin. Tie Yun of the Kuangdao Sect had been bitten in half by Little Lin, with his upper body falling to the ground, his hands struggling to crawl forward as a trail of blood was dragged behind him. If no one from the Dharma Manifestation Realm stepped in to suppress Little Lin soon, all these people might be killed by it.


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes, having also played a part in luring the Heavenly Tribulation earlier, and with a gleam flashing in his eyes, he said in a deep voice, "Kill it, the beast''s corpse belongs to the Nangong Family!"


    This was the corpse of a rank-six Beast King.


    Every part of it was a treasure!


    Yang Jin nodded, "As long as Ancestor Nangong is willing to make a move and kill this beast, its corpse is all yours!"


    "Good!"


    Nangong Shengtian burst into laughter, leaping into the air. He slapped down from above, and a huge energy palm descended like a mountain peak, shaking heaven and earth with his cold voice, "You demon, surrender now!"


    Boom!


    The massive peak slammed hard onto Little Lin''s body.


    Little Lin, being a novice at the sixth rank, how could it be a match for Ancestor Nangong of the Dharma Manifestation Realm with six levels of cultivation?


    Sputter!


    Little Lin trembled all over, crushed by the energy palm and fell with a crash into the Great Liang Mountain. The massive energy palm in the sky condensed into a cold sword light and slashed down towards Little Lin.


    This strike aimed to split Little Lin in two!


    Just as the moment was at its most critical...


    An icy voice suddenly pierced through heaven and earth, "Harm my brother, how do you wish to die?"

 Chapter 269 - 269 Are You Worthy?

    "How do you wish to die?"


    The icy voice suddenly arose.


    Meanwhile...


    In front of Little Lin, an invisible palm gradually became visible to everyone''s eyes. The light of wind and thunder slowly dissipated, and it was Xiao Yi, who had been sitting cross-legged above Little Lin''s head. He now grasped the qi blade single-handedly.


    The five fingers tightened quietly.


    Bang!


    The qi blade burst into explosion.


    Xiao Yi slightly lifted his head and looked toward Nangong Shengtian, Yang Jin, and the others who were not far away.


    "Hmm?"


    Everyone was startled.


    At the beginning of the descent of the heavenly tribulation, they instinctively assumed the person undergoing tribulation was Xiao Yi.


    Yet now...


    Looking at Xiao Yi standing in front of Little Lin, it was clear that he merely possessed the aura of the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    "Could it be that the one who actually underwent the tribulation was that beast?"


    "This guy is just at the Tao Tribulation Realm, and he has just broken through not long ago. There''s no way he could have induced such a heavenly tribulation. The only possibility is that beast. However, for a beast to draw a tribulation comparable to when Xiao Tianjiao advanced, its bloodline must also be incredibly strong..."


    "It seems like a dragon but has wings... Such a beast is unheard of; it could very well be a mutant!"


    "If we could subdue this creature, its future would be boundless!"


    The gazes of the strong beings towards Little Lin became fervent, while Xiao Yi was instinctively overlooked by them.


    In their eyes...


    Xiao Yi was merely basking in Little Lin''s light.


    A youngster who had just broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, in front of these giants at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm or even the Dharma Manifestation Realm, indeed seemed as insignificant as an ant.


    Of course.


    Dongfang Kuang and Qi from the crowd did not see it that way.


    Listening to everyone''s discussion, Dongfang Kuang laughed scornfully, "A bunch of idiots... How could you know that the heavenly tribulation was induced by Xiao Yi? Tsk tsk, to trigger a tribulation comparable to the one Xiao Tianjiao faced when breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm upon advancing to the Tao Tribulation Realm, this kid''s talent is definitely far beyond Xiao Tianjiao''s. It''s limitless! Now, only I know that it was Xiao Yi who brought about the tribulation. This is an opportunity for the Dongfang Family!"


    Although the sarcasm and triumph on his face were subtle, they were still caught in the eyes of Qi.


    Qi also recognized Xiao Yi''s identity and, seeing Dongfang Kuang''s various expressions, suddenly transmitted his voice, "Old Dongfang, it seems you share a close relationship with President Xiao!"


    "Naturally, he... uh..."


    Dongfang Kuang subconsciously retorted and immediately thereafter, his expression changed. Angrily glancing at Qi, he said, "You old man, how dare you trick me into speaking?"


    "Hmph!"


    Qi snorted coldly and said solemnly, "Old man, we have known each other for hundreds of years, you should know my temperament. What should be hidden from me and what should not, you ought to be clear on that, right?"


    Dongfang Kuang''s face slightly changed.


    He did not want to expose Xiao Yi''s talent but only wished for the Dongfang Family to be on good terms with Xiao Yi alone.


    But then he thought...


    After all, Xiao Yi was the President of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and at least for now, the royal family seemed to have a good attitude towards him. With this thought, Dongfang Kuang gave Xiao Yi a deep look and transmitted back, "The tribulation just now was induced by Xiao Yi." He didn''t care about the astonishment on Qi''s face and continued, "Xiao Yi has passed through my seven Yin Yang Five Elements Towers!" sea??h th�� N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hiss!


    Qi couldn''t help but inhale sharply.


    He knew all too well what it meant to have passed through seven Yin Yang Five Elements Towers!


    Back then...


    Xiao Tianjiao had only traversed five of the Five Elements Towers when he entered the Tao Tribulation Realm, and even so, he had already become the most talented individual in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Could Xiao Yi be even stronger than Xiao Tianjiao?


    Was that Heavenly Tribulation really brought about by Xiao Yi?


    Qi said in a heavy voice, "He is merely at the Tao Tribulation Realm..."


    Dongfang Kuang scoffed, "Who told you that someone at the Tao Tribulation Realm can''t trigger a Heavenly Tribulation?"


    Hiss!


    Qi looked at Xiao Yi, his eyes filled with disbelief. Before this, the royal family had already placed great emphasis on Xiao Yi, especially after learning that he, under the alias One Punch, had broken Xiao Tianjiao''s consecutive victory record at the Combat Pavilion. Emperor Qian''s attention to Xiao Yi had reached new heights. Now it seemed that the royal family''s understanding of Xiao Yi was still too limited.


    "With talent surpassing Xiao Tianjiao, combat strength beyond that of Xiao Tianjiao at the same realm, and capable of drawing a Heavenly Tribulation upon breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm... this boy must be firmly recruited!"


    Qi, who had spent his life loyally serving the royal family, had a flash of thought in his mind and made a decision, transmitting his voice solemnly, "Dongfang, we must protect Xiao Yi with all our might!"


    "Rest assured!"


    Dongfang Kuang nodded his head.


    Their conversation, all through voice transmission, took but a moment.


    Meanwhile...


    Nangong Shengtian''s intense gaze shifted from Little Lin to speak in a heavy tone, "Boy, in consideration of your young age and ignorance, I forgive your disrespect. However, while death may be avoided, punishment cannot be escaped. Kneel before me now and swear loyalty to the Nangong Family, and I shall spare you both!"


    Yang Jin''s eyes, too, burned with eagerness as he looked at Little Lin. Even the Heavenly Tribulation triggered by Xiao Tianjiao''s fire dragon''s breakthrough to the sixth rank was no more than half as intense as Little Lin''s. If he could bring Little Lin back and present it to Xiao Tianjiao, it would definitely be a tremendous achievement. He immediately said in a deep voice, "Although the Nangong Family is strong, it still does not compare to our Tianjian Sect. As long as you join our sect, I will secure a position as a Core Disciple for you��an opportunity countless people dream of!"


    "Come to our Vast Righteousness Pavilion!"


    "Our Yin Yang Dao Arena is not bad either..."


    One after another, people began to speak up, attempting to recruit.


    Before this.


    They all thought it was Xiao Yi who was undergoing the tribulation, and so a human strongman, with talent not inferior to Xiao Tianjiao and beyond their control, was naturally someone they desired to deal with swiftly.


    But now...


    They thought the one undergoing the tribulation was Little Lin.


    This was a mythical creature!


    To recruit it would be akin to possessing a mythical beast to protect their sect!


    Compared to the ambitious and difficult-to-control human strongmen, such a talented mythical creature was naturally easier to control, and at the same time, an immediate combat force that all major sects and powers were eager to obtain!


    As several people competed to recruit.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly as he looked at Little Lin on his shoulder, "Little Lin, what do you think?"


    Little Lin grinned, "Wherever big brother goes, I go!"


    "You all heard him!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, his expression playful as he leisurely said to the crowd, "However, I have no intention of joining any of your sides!"


    "Hmm?"


    All of them frowned.


    Nangong Sheng''s face was as dark as water.


    Yang Jin sighed, his expression turning cold and sinister as he said, "Boy, if you know what''s good for you, you''ll make your beast recognize me as its master. As long as you hand it over to our Tianjian Sect, I not only spare you from death, but I will also recommend you to Brother Xiao Tianjiao, so that you can become a servant under his command and care for this creature. Otherwise, don''t blame me for being ruthless... It''s not difficult to simply kill you and then make this beast recognize a new master!"


    Yang Jin''s gaze was icy, aggressively pressing.


    Facing Yang Jin''s coercion.


    Xiao Yi let out a light sigh, his body leaning forward slightly as he locked eyes with Yang Jin, "Have Little Lin recognize you as master? You''re not even fit to ask��look in the mirror before you say such things."

 Chapter 270 - 270: Come at me all together!

    "You''re not even fit to speak,"


    Xiao Yi''s face was thick with scorn and disdain, as his slightly leaning figure loomed like a towering mountain about to collapse, bringing with it an oppressive heaviness.


    Even Yang Jin, at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, felt a shiver in his heart under Xiao Yi''s intense gaze.


    A clench gripped Yang Jin''s heart; when he met Xiao Yi''s icy stare, he had the feeling of being utterly seen through. It was as if he stood naked before Xiao Yi, completely exposed. Such a sensation, he had only felt in the presence of some Dharma Manifestation Realm masters.


    But...


    Upon reflection, Yang Jin sneered, "Kid, you''re the most arrogant one I''ve ever seen among our peers!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "Thanks for the compliment!"


    "Hmph!"


    Yang Jin snorted coldly, his smile turning cruel, "Arrogance requires capital, and without sufficient strength, such arrogance is simply a death wish. Since you refuse to hand over the monster obediently, I''ll just have to take it myself!"


    The robed elder from Yin-Yang Dao said in a deep voice, "Yang Jin, everyone who sees has a share, this monster cannot be yours alone!"


    "That''s right!"


    "Although your Tianjian Sect is powerful, if this monster is well nurtured, in the future it might become a being not the least bit inferior to Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "When it comes to nurturing monsters, my Ten Thousand Beasts Sect is the true expert. Better hand it over to me!"


    One after another, the powerhouses started to speak up.


    They completely disregarded Xiao Yi, discussing the ownership of Little Lin.


    After all.


    In their eyes, Xiao Yi, merely at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, was far too weak.


    As insignificant as an ant.


    Could be crushed with a single finger.


    Yang Jin''s complexion went from pale to flushed, never expecting that others would dare to vie with Tianjian Sect for the beast. His expression was dark as he said, "Shut up... Since everyone wants this monster, let''s take matters into our own hands! Whoever captures this young man first gets the monster, how about that?"


    Although Tianjian Sect was powerful, they did not wish to completely offend the other nine major sects.


    Left with no choice.


    Yang Jin could only make a concession, allowing everyone to make their move simultaneously, and whoever captured Xiao Yi first would effectively own the monster.


    The crowd exchanged looks.


    This was the fairest method at the moment.


    "Swish!"


    A powerhouse from the Vast Righteousness Pavilion, at the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, suddenly made a move, instantly appearing before Xiao Yi. Looking at the unguarded Xiao Yi, his face revealed an excited expression, "Haha, gentlemen, this monster shall belong to my Vast Righteousness Pavilion!"


    "Damn it!"


    "The scoundrels of Vast Righteousness Pavilion are as cunning as ever..."


    "Stop right there!"


    Yang Jin and the others were furious.


    The Vast Righteousness Pavilion had a name that suggested righteousness, but their actions often ran contrary to their name.


    Seeing one of their members already in front of Xiao Yi, Yang Jin and the others were seething with anger as if Little Lin was already slipping away from them.


    After all.


    The one who had made a move was at the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Xiao Yi was merely at the First Layer!


    The gap was too great!


    Crack!


    The Vast Righteousness Pavilion''s powerhouse''s hand landed on Xiao Yi''s shoulder without impediment, his face alight with excitement as he laughed heartily, "Boy, give yourself up and hand over the monster to my Vast Righteousness Pavilion. Otherwise, don''t blame me..."


    Before he could finish.


    His voice was cut off abruptly.


    Xiao Yi had, at some point, broken his wrist, and while following the motion, he clasped the assailant''s throat with a claw-like grip. Tightening his fingers, a crisp snap sounded, and the Vast Righteousness Pavilion''s strong man shuddered, spewing out a gush of blood. His head twisted to one side, his neck broken by Xiao Yi, dead before he could finish his threat.


    Hiss!


    Yang Jin and the others, who were originally furious, were now dumbfounded.


    This was a powerful being from the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Logically speaking...


    With his strength, taking on Xiao Yi, who was merely at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, should have been a walk in the park.


    How could he have died just like that?


    Another Vast Righteousness Pavilion martial artist from the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, who had been obstructing the crowd, suddenly saw his companion killed. His eyes instantly turned blood red, and he bellowed, "You dog, how dare you kill my junior brother? You''re dead for sure, no one can save you now!"


    Whoosh!


    The martial artist from the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm soared into the air.


    Whoosh!


    Behind him, three silver Sword Qi burst forth, and in the midst of boundless light, three longswords, shimmering with silver luminescence, hovered in mid-air.


    "Vast Righteousness Qi!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Three streams of Sword Qi transformed into three silver streaks, stretching across heaven and earth like falling silver meteors, and in an instant, they appeared before Xiao Yi. This attack contained the power of Gold, sharp without equal, and also incomparably swift, a speed that not even ordinary martial artists at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm could evade.


    "Not good, Xiao Yi is in danger!" exclaimed Dongfang Kuang, his face changing rapidly.


    But Qi knew that Xiao Yi had defeated Xue Wuhen from the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak when he was at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, and he shook his head at Dongfang Kuang, saying, "Don''t worry, if he can''t even block an attack of this level, he doesn''t deserve our protection." S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Huh?"


    Dongfang Kuang was taken aback.


    At that moment...


    Facing the three sharp Sword Qi hurtling towards him, Xiao Yi yawned and casually swung his hand.


    Whoosh!


    As he slapped his hand down.


    Brilliance circulated upon his palm as dazzling light swirled around it, the slap growing larger and larger.


    Just in an instant...


    Bang!


    The palm landed on the three streams of Sword Qi.


    The Sword Qi trembled violently.


    And then, under the force of the palm, burst explosively apart.


    "What?"


    "Those were high-grade fifth-tier spiritual weapons, even sixth-tier spiritual weapons would not easily break them, he, he shattered those three high-grade fifth-tier spiritual weapons with just one slap?"


    "How is that possible?"


    All the martial artists were agape with astonishment.


    A casual slap had shattered three high-grade fifth-tier spiritual weapons!


    It was simply unbelievable.


    Little did they know...


    Xiao Yi had cultivated his Wind Thunder Holy Body to the fourth realm, his physical strength alone was comparable to a sixth-tier spiritual weapon, and with the power of the Seal of Divinity refined in his body, his vitality far surpassed martial artists of the same realm. Even against a primary sixth-tier spiritual weapon, he could withstand it with his flesh, let alone a high-grade fifth-tier spiritual weapon?


    After crushing the three spiritual weapons.


    Xiao Yi reached out and grabbed a broken sword fragment, thrusting it forward.


    Whoosh!


    The thrust was incredibly fast.


    So fast that the martial artist from Vast Righteousness Pavilion was unable to react, as the sharp broken sword pierced his brow with a ''puff'' sound.


    And with a thunderous explosion, burst out from the back of his skull.


    His entire back of the head split apart, fresh blood instantly saturated his entire body, his face still wore an expression of deep shock and disbelief, as he laid straight in a pool of blood.


    After slaying two martial artists from the Vast Righteousness Pavilion in the Tao Tribulation Realm, Xiao Yi shook his hands lightly and looked at Yang Jin and the others, crooking his finger, "One by one is too slow, come at me all together!"

 Chapter 271 - 271: One Against Ten

    "All of you, come at me together!"


    Xiao Yi said with an indifferent expression on his face, his voice calm.


    The expressions of Yang Jin and the others changed dramatically.


    The two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from the Vast Righteousness Pavilion were now slain, and Little Lin had killed three from the True Martial Hall and the Kuangdao Sect.


    Out of the twenty-two Tao Tribulation Realm experts from the ten great sects, a quarter had perished.


    For the ten great sects, this was an outright slap in the face!


    They had already forgotten when the last time someone from the ten great sects was killed!


    Hu!


    Yang Jin took a deep breath, his cold eyes sweeping over the remaining sixteen people.


    Still present at the scene were the powerhouses from the Tianjian Sect, Kuangdao Sect, Three Seas Mountain, Liyang Sect, Feixue Temple, Wendao Villa, Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, and Yin Yang Dao Arena.


    Each person''s gaze toward Xiao Yi held a weight it previously didn''t, rather than the previous disdain, there was now a serious undertone.


    Despite Xiao Yi only being at the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The ease with which he had slain the two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from the Vast Righteousness Pavilion revealed his strength to be that of a formidable opponent.


    The old Daoist from the Yin Yang Dao Arena narrowed his eyes, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, his horsetail whisk trembling slightly in his hand, "A mere First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, yet possessing such terrifying power, this young man could not possibly be some nobody!"


    The Liyang Sect powerhouse, surrounded by swirling red Yuan Qi, looking as ferocious as a wild beast with a miniature sun emitting a crimson glow above his head, the heat waves rolling off of it, spoke in an extremely cold voice, "No matter who he is, daring to challenge the dignity of our ten great sects, he must die!"


    "We must kill him, otherwise where would the dignity of our ten great sects stand?" said the iron follower of the Kuangdao Sect, his blood-red tongue licking the handle of his saber with a sinister tone.


    The middle-aged woman from the Feixue Temple, dressed in a blood-red gown, her expressionless face surrounded by drifting snow, her eyes as cold as frost, said, "Since he insisted on seeking death, we shall grant it to him."


    The experts from the ten great sects exchanged glances.


    They had reached an understanding!


    This was the reason the ten great sects were such a headache for the imperial family: they were constantly competing with each other, but once an outside force touched their interests, challenging their authority and status, the ten great sects would unite at the first opportunity, presenting a united front. This unity was why the once flourishing Xiaoshanhe Institute had fallen to such a state.


    And the suppression from the ten great sects played no small part in that.


    For instance, during a training exercise, the disciples of the ten great sects would do nothing but join forces to suppress the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Thousands of disciples would enter a mysterious realm for training, and fewer than a hundred would come out alive.


    Situations like this happened all the time.


    Eventually...


    Naturally, no one dared to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute anymore.


    Today.


    The appearance of Xiao Yi challenged the authority of the ten great sects, and they immediately came to an agreement to collaborate and suppress Xiao Yi together.


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    Among the seventeen experts, there were seven at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, with the rest being experts above the Fourth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. When these seventeen people joined forces, the multicolored Yuan Qi filled the sky, and amidst the ten thousand rays of light, terrifying fluctuations of Yuan Qi converged into a dazzling, rainbow-like streamer.


    As a top disciple of the Tianjian Sect and the person in charge of its branch in the royal capital, Yang Jin naturally took the lead.


    Shua!


    A pierced-heaven sword appeared around Yang Jin.


    This sword was shrouded in a turquoise light, with mysterious runes inscribed upon its blade, a sixth-grade Yuan weapon!


    Being the son of Emperor Qian and a loyal supporter of the Crown Prince and Xiao Tianjiao, his strength was naturally formidable. His cultivation might not have been at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, but it was no weaker than the vast majority who were, especially when bolstered by this sixth-grade Yuan weapon and employing the Tianjian Sect''s secret Sword Control Technique.


    Taking the head of an enemy general from a hundred miles away was as easy as reaching into a bag.


    His combat power was not to be underestimated!


    "Sword, come!"


    Yang Jin roared low, a flick of his sword finger.


    With a series of grating clashing sounds, a sixth-grade longsword split in two, then four... until it became sixty-four longswords.


    The strength of Sword Control Technique is measured by the number of flying swords one can manipulate at the same time.


    Manipulating sixty-four flying swords at once, Yang Jin''s combat power was by no means weaker than that of a warrior at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    "Sword Control sixty-four?"


    Dongfang Kuang thought of the eldest Crown Prince, second only to Xiao Tianjiao in the Tianjian Sect, and Yang Ling, whose depth no one could fathom, and he couldn''t help shaking his head and sighing, "I didn''t expect Prince Yang Jin''s strength to be so formidable. If it weren''t for the Crown Prince and Prince Yang Ling, he''d have a good chance at contending for the throne..."


    "The matter of the successor is for his Majesty to decide, best we don''t discuss it!"


    Qi said indifferently, then with a squint, he added, "As far as I know, Prince Yang Jin''s Sword Control Technique was instructed by Xiao Tianjiao himself that''s how he achieved such proficiency."


    "Indeed, Xiao Tianjiao is an unrivaled genius with no equal, having cultivated the three great secret techniques of the Tianjian Sect to a very high realm. Just the Sword Control Technique alone, it is said that he can manipulate two hundred and fifty-six flying swords simultaneously. However..."


    Dongfang Kuang narrowed his eyes, his gaze landing on Xiao Yi, reminded of the miracles Xiao Yi had created along the way, he said solemnly, "I think Xiao Yi might very well surpass him!"


    "Oh?"


    Qi looked deeply at Dongfang Kuang, a flicker of surprise darting through the depths of his eyes.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s strength had already taken deep root in people''s hearts.


    Firmly entrenched!


    Almost everyone believed that no one could surpass Xiao Tianjiao within a thousand years.


    Until now...


    Dongfang Kuang had thought so too.


    Especially after he had personally seen Xiao Tianjiao conquer the Five Yin Yang Five Elements Towers and condense the five elemental Dao patterns, he became an even firmer proponent of this view.


    But now.


    His thoughts had undergone earth-shattering changes.


    Both of them turned their attention to Xiao Yi.


    The attacks from Yang Jin''s Sword Control Technique, the Mad Demon Saber Skill from Kuangdao Sect, the Mysterious Tao Skill from Yin Yang Dao Arena, the Snow Transformation from Feixue Temple, and others filled the skies like a catastrophic flood, inundating from the ten major sects'' experts.


    One against ten.


    How would Xiao Yi respond?


    Under their watchful eyes...


    Xiao Yi suddenly soared into the sky, the power of Wind Thunder greatly stirring; purple-golden lightning and cyan winds twirled around his body, amidst ear-splitting explosive sounds, Xiao Yi stood aloft, reaching forward with his right hand, energy converging into a sword, sweeping out: "The waterfall cascades down three thousand feet!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The number of energy longswords kept increasing, instantly turning into hundreds of energy blades.


    These blades condensed into a silver waterfall.


    Like a galaxy cascading down three thousand feet.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Wherever the sword qi waterfall passed, colliding with Yang Jin''s flying swords, it was like the point of a needle against the broad side of wheat. Amidst a series of earth-shaking roars, the flying swords fell one after another, defeated by the onslaught of thunder.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Xiao Yi reached out, seizing one of the flying swords, turning himself into a sword, becoming one with the sword!


    Whoosh!


    A streak of sword light spanned the sky, with silver threads covering his form, he seemed to become a tens of zhang long beam of sword light, thrusting forward...

 Chapter 272 - 272 My Name is Xiao Yi!

    Xiao Yi stood suspended in the air, seizing one of the flying swords that had been struck down by a blade of elemental energy.


    His Fire Qilin Sword had already shattered.


    He had no handy weapon at the moment.


    With the flying sword in hand, he became one with the sword.


    His body as the sword, the sword as his weapon.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Xiao Yi pointed forward slightly, and sword light surged around him, carrying the supreme sharpness of sword energy, transforming into a beam tens of meters long. This beam of sword light stood across the sky like a pillar holding up the heavens, its dazzling brilliance making it impossible for one to open their eyes. As Xiao Yi''s gaze moved, the sword''s edge swiftly shot out toward the spot he pointed at.


    It was as if a pen that writes the universe of black and yellow descended upon the firmament.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Where the sword light landed, elemental energy exploded, turning into a sky filled with sword rain.


    A violent storm erupted, and the sword rain poured down.


    This torrential sword rain fell, crushing the dozens of flying swords before it to pieces, like a terrifying river of swords opening its gaping maw and swallowing the swords in its path.


    Yang Jin''s face split with rage, filled with shock, "How can this be? My Sword Control Technique can''t command the flying swords..."


    Sword Control Technique.


    Controlling swords with one''s mind.


    Where his thoughts went, the flying swords followed.


    But...


    Under the assault of Xiao Yi''s elemental energy sword river, his thoughts were abruptly cut off from the flying swords, as if they had been severed.


    Yang Jin had never seen such an eerie sight, but Dongfang Kuang and Qi had!


    The two exchanged glances, each seeing the shock in the other''s eyes, "Sword Intent at the third layer, unifying man and sword? This is the power of Sword Intent, honed to perfection, using it to shatter the telekinesis attached to the flying swords by Yang Jin... We never expected that Xiao Yi, so young, has already advanced his power of Sword Intent to such a realm..."


    "With Sword Intent this strong, he''s probably not far from the fourth layer, where the sword moves at will!" Dongfang Kuang said gravely.


    The deeper they understood Xiao Yi, the more terrifying they found him to be!


    Initially...


    They thought Xiao Yi had managed to break through from the Physical Body Realm to the Golden Elixir Realm Peak in just one or two years, astonishingly fast in his cultivation.


    But then...


    They realized that Xiao Yi''s combat power was also terrifyingly strong.


    Combat Pavilion, breaking Xiao Tianjiao''s winning streak!


    Afterward.


    Xiao Yi also passed through seven Yin Yang Five Elements Towers, even condensing nine Dao patterns, and with the cultivation at the initial stage of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he triggered the heavenly tribulation.


    This was like an unfathomable treasure!


    With continuous excavation, there were always new discoveries.


    Boom!


    A thunderous noise suddenly disrupted their thoughts.


    They saw Xiao Yi breaking through Yang Jin''s Sword Control Technique, and his figure turned into a streak of light in mid-air, with unrivaled speed, rushing past, and appearing in front of the old Daoist from the Yin Yang Dao Arena. The Daoist had earlier fired several talismans, which contained Profound Mysteries Formation, with raging flames and freezing ice.


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    Had his Wind Thunder Holy Body not reached the fourth layer, he would also have suffered greatly under these stealthy talisman attacks.


    Now that his hands were free, it was natural to deal with the powerful ones from the Yin Yang Dao Arena first.


    "Damn it!"


    The old Daoist''s face drastically changed, waving the horsetail whisk in his hand.


    Whoosh, whoosh!


    The horsetail whisk shone with white light, constantly extending in length, similar to a white dragon, twisting its huge body in the air, rolling towards Xiao Yi.


    This was no ordinary item.


    It was made from the Heavenly Profound Silkworm Silk, harvested from a Sixth-Layer High-Level Monster Heavenly Profound Silkworm, extremely tough, and once it entangled someone, even a master of the First Layer of Dharma Manifestation Realm would struggle to get free in a short time.


    Whoosh!


    The horsetail whisk entangled the flying sword in Xiao Yi''s hand, and began to spread towards his arm.


    Xiao Yi instinctively let go.


    And at the same time, he retreated.


    "Come down to me!"


    The old Daoist''s face turned icy as he lifted his arm, and the whisk aggressively followed.


    Behind Xiao Yi...


    The woman in white from the Feixue Temple had her face set like still water, cold as an iceberg, as she slapped the air with her slender palm. The falling snow condensed into a world of white ice and snow, and under its cover, it formed into a giant hand that blotted out the sky.


    As the giant hand reached across the sky, it aimed a strike at Xiao Yi''s back.


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi''s body trembled as he was forcefully halted by the giant hand, and at the same time, the horsetail whisk tangled around his waist.


    The old Taoist burst into laughter, "Attack quickly, he''s bound by my horsetail whisk and cannot break free..."


    Two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect commanded two monsters to charge at him simultaneously.


    These were two Fifth Layer High-Level Monster Black Wind Wolves, known for their incredible speed, akin to dark night gales, appearing in an instant before Xiao Yi, one biting at each of his legs, left and right.


    "Hahaha, Black Wind Wolves, bite off his legs!" the two proud powerhouses from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect exclaimed.


    However...


    Beneath the sharp fangs of the Black Wind Wolves, instead of seeing Xiao Yi''s legs bitten off, they emitted a series of spine-chilling, brittle cracks.


    "How is this possible?"


    The two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses from Ten Thousand Beasts Sect looked at each other in disbelief.


    The Black Wind Wolves were infamous for their razor-sharp fangs, yet they couldn''t pierce through Xiao Yi''s flesh?


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi shook his legs, and with a snap, the fangs of the Black Wind Wolves shattered, their mouths gushing with blood, and they looked at Xiao Yi with terrified eyes before they turned and fled in panic. But Xiao Yi wasn''t about to let them escape so easily. His figure darted forward, catching up with the two Black Wind Wolves and grabbing them by their necks.


    Crack!


    With two crisp sounds, he broke the necks of the Black Wind Wolves.


    And then he leapt into the air.


    Chasing after the two powerhouses from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    The woman in white from the Feixue Temple''s face changed, and a blizzard swirled from her sleeves, producing a fierce storm of snow in an instant. It formed a barrier of wind and snow in front of the two powerhouses from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect and the old Taoist from the Yin Yang Dao Arena, enclosing all three of them.


    The three heaved a sigh of relief and looked towards the woman in white, "Thank you!"


    The woman in white nodded slightly, about to speak, when suddenly Yang Jin''s voice, filled with shock and rage, came from behind, "Get out of the way, quickly!"


    "Hm?"


    In their daze, they suddenly heard Xiao Yi roar from behind the snowy barrier, "Er Shui Zhong Fen Bai Lu Zhou!"


    Whoosh!


    A sky-shocking blade of sword light split the snowy wall in front of them in two, the terrifying sword light whistling past, cutting the four, who were completely unprepared, into halves.


    In that instant.


    Seventeen Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, four more fell.


    Xiao Yi remained calm and collected, surrounded by raging Wind Thunder, his icy gaze fixed on Yang Jin and the others, "Your turn now!"


    Gulp!


    Yang Jin and the others swalowed hard, their faces filled with terror.


    Seventeen Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, nearly half at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, this array of true strength could even stand up to those in the Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    And the result...


    They were so easily defeated by Xiao Yi, merely at the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm?


    "Who, who are you really?"


    "I''ve never heard of such a powerful being within the Great Qian Dynasty..."


    To possess such strength at the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, even more terrifying than Xiao Tianjiao of the same realm!


    How could such a person exist without renown?


    Suddenly...


    Yang Jin''s complexion drastically changed as he recalled the mysterious powerhouse he had seen at the Combat Pavilion, who bore a striking resemblance to the man before him. His face showed disbelief as he stared intently at Xiao Yi, "You, you are ''One Punch'' from the Combat Pavilion?"


    "What?"


    "He is ''One Punch''?"


    "Despite our inquiries, Xue Wuhen refused to reveal the identity of that ''One Punch'', could it really be this man before us?"


    All were displaying looks of utter astonishment.


    Ever since Xiao Yi surpassed Xiao Tianjiao''s record, all factions had been exhaustively searching for the mysterious "One Punch," naturally to no avail.


    But now...


    That enigmatic, even claimed to surpass Xiao Tianjiao, powerhouse was right before their eyes?


    "Yes, I am the ''One Punch'' you''ve been searching for. However, you might be more familiar with another name of mine..."


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled into a peculiar smile, and he spoke deliberately, "My name, is Xiao Yi!"

 Chapter 273 - 273 Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion

    "My name is Xiao Yi!"


    Xiao Yi stated each word with pauses, enunciating clearly.


    Each word resounded like rolling thunder, echoing between heaven and earth.


    Humming!


    Yang Jin and the others felt their heads buzzing, their eyes wide with disbelief as they stared at Xiao Yi, who watched them with an amused smile on his face.


    Xiao Yi?


    He is Xiao Yi?


    Yang Jin felt his world spinning, stars bursting before his eyes, "Impossible, how could this be possible? How could Xiao Yi be so strong?"


    Within the Imperial Capital.


    There were no small number of people who were aware of Xiao Yi''s existence.


    Especially after Xiao Yi returned to the Imperial Capital and became the headmaster of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Even more people became aware of his identity and thus learned that Xiao Yi had been expelled from the Xiao Family, but in everyone''s eyes, Xiao Yi was seen as a disgrace by Xiao Tianjiao.


    How could he possibly be this young man in front of them?


    After all...


    This young man before them had broken the consecutive victory record set by Xiao Tianjiao in the Combat Pavilion.


    This young man was stronger than Xiao Tianjiao at the same realm.


    Such a peerless genius.


    How could he possibly be Xiao Yi, whom Xiao Tianjiao viewed as a disgrace and thus expelled from the Xiao Family?


    If all this were true, wouldn''t it imply that Xiao Tianjiao was blind? The very person he discarded as trash, the shame in his eyes, the Xiao Yi who, in his opinion, didn''t even deserve a place in the Xiao family''s genealogy, was actually a peerless genius who could continuously break the records that Xiao Tianjiao took pride in.


    "Impossible, how can you be Xiao Yi?" Yang Jin''s eyes were bloodshot as he roared hysterically.


    If the person before him truly was Xiao Yi.


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    Everything he achieved was real.


    Then, wouldn''t it mean that Xiao Tianjiao was wrong?


    Yang Jin was a loyal supporter of Xiao Tianjiao, who had always idolized Xiao Tianjiao as the hero of his life, how could he admit that Xiao Tianjiao was wrong?


    His eyes bloodshot, he said through clenched teeth, "Who exactly are you? Who gave you the guts to impersonate Xiao Yi?"


    "Idiot!"


    Xiao Yi scoffed coldly and casually took out the headmaster''s token of the Xiaoshanhe Institute from his storage ring. This token was impossible to replicate, and its presentation was an undeniable proof of Xiao Yi''s identity, "Open your eyes wide and see what this is?"


    Gulp!


    Yang Jin swallowed subconsciously.


    His mind was buzzing, blank.


    Around him...


    With the exception of Dongfang Kuang and Qi, everyone was dumbstruck, speechless.


    The shock in everyone''s hearts was immeasurable: "I previously thought that since Xiao Yi was expelled by Xiao Tianjiao, he must have been worthless as Xiao Tianjiao claimed. But now it seems, Xiao Tianjiao is wildly mistaken! This is not a worthless person, this is a peerless genius not in the least bit inferior to Xiao Tianjiao..."


    "There were rumors saying that Xiao Tianjiao was jealous of Xiao Yi''s talents, hence he expelled him from the family and prevented him from cultivating since childhood. I didn''t believe it before, but now it seems there might be some truth to those rumors!"


    "Could it be possible? Xiao Tianjiao isn''t that kind of person, is he?"


    "It''s hard to know what lies behind a face! If that wasn''t the case, how could he treat his own younger brother so ruthlessly?"


    The murmurs of the crowd reached Yang Jin''s ears, causing his face to turn a complex shade of angry red and pale green.


    Just the few people present who recognized Xiao Yi''s exceptional talent had already spread many theories.


    If the entire Imperial Capital, the whole of the Great Qian Dynasty, were to know about this?


    How many unspeakable assertions would that breed then?


    "To completely eliminate this hidden danger, the only way is..."


    His gaze landed on Xiao Yi, a chilling glint passing through the depths of his eyes, "to get rid of him! As long as he''s killed, who would believe a dead man?"


    With this thought,


    Yang Jin suddenly let out an angry shout, "Audacious villain, how dare you impersonate the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute? You are challenging the majesty of my royal family. Gentlemen, I ask for your assistance in eradicating this individual, to set the record straight for all to witness!"


    Dongfang Kuang glanced at him coldly, a sneer on his face.


    Qi remained expressionless.


    How could they not guess what was on Yang Jin''s mind? He planned to do away with Xiao Yi, to nip any future trouble in the bud.


    However...


    Neither Dongfang Kuang nor Qi would lift a finger.


    Yang Jin turned his gaze toward Nangong Shengtian.


    Nangong Shengtian''s face was devoid of any expression. After realizing that the young man before him was Xiao Yi, Nangong Shengtian too had his own plans.


    The four great families certainly didn''t intend to tear their faces with the royal family.


    Xiao Yi was now the royal family''s spokesperson, fully supported to balance the power of the ten great sects. Why would he take action at this time?


    Yang Jin felt immense annoyance inside. He could only look to the remaining experts of the ten great sects, "Gentlemen, if this child is not removed, he will definitely become a great thorn in our sides..."


    "You mean a great thorn in the side of your Tianjian Sect, right?"


    "Xiao Yi''s feud with your Saint Heir is complicated; it''s really not our place to intervene!"


    The crowd spoke one after another.


    Though the ten great sects shared a common bond, that was only when facing external threats. Internally, there were many disputes among them.


    Ever since Xiao Tianjiao rose to power,


    the Tianjian Sect had so overwhelmed the other nine sects that they hardly had room to breathe. Now, the presence of Xiao Yi seemed to be a potential threat to both the Tianjian Sect and Xiao Tianjiao. Naturally, they were happy to sit on the sidelines and watch the fight. Everyone had their own thoughts, and Yang Jin''s expression grew even more unsightly. His gaze shifting coldly, Yang Jin suddenly turned to the two Beast Kings from Great Liang Mountain.


    "Two honored Beast Kings, if you assist me in slaying this child, my Tianjian Sect is willing to offer you the position of our sect''s guardian beasts!" Yang Jin said gravely.


    These two Level 6 demon beasts were twin brothers.


    Both were Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions.


    The two beasts had occupied Great Liang Mountain for many years, but they didn''t dare cause trouble because of Benlin''s presence in the Imperial Capital, opting to seclude themselves deep within the mountains.


    If they could gain the support of the Tianjian Sect, their situation would change entirely.


    With this thought,


    The two beasts exchanged a glance and spoke in human tongue, "This king can help you, but you must fulfill the promised terms!"


    "Rest assured, Beast King, I, Yang Jin, never go back on my word!"


    Yang Jin pounded on his chest in guarantee, his eyes coldly fixated on Xiao Yi as he sneered, "Xiao Yi, no matter how talented you are, what does it matter? You''re not even worthy to carry the shoes for the Saint Heir... without the Saint Heir lifting a finger, I can send you to your death!"


    Boom!


    Roar!


    The two Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions twisted their massive bodies, one on the left and one on the right, pacing toward Xiao Yi.


    Both of these Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions were at the initial stages of Level 6, comparable to the cultivation of the first layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    After all, Great Liang Mountain is not far from the Imperial Capital.


    The Great Qian Dynasty wouldn''t allow excessively powerful demon beasts near the capital; the two beasts had stayed low-key, secluding themselves in the mountains. Had it not been for this heavenly tribulation forcing them out, they would not have appeared before humans, nor would they have acted against the powerhouses of the Great Qian Dynasty. However, now faced with the chance to become guardian beasts for the Tianjian Sect,


    They naturally wouldn''t let this opportunity pass!


    The Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions spoke in human tongue, their eyes shining with ferocity, as they stared intently at Xiao Yi, "Human, blame only that you''ve offended someone you shouldn''t have!"

 Chapter 274 - 274: Beat Up the Beast King, A Battle to Gain Fame!

    Roar!


    Roar!


    The two Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions simultaneously let out fierce roars, their blood-red eyes filled with chilling light seeking prey, sending shivers down people''s spines.


    Purple light flowed around their bodies, like flames burning fiercely in a purple hue.


    The scale-like mane on their necks resembled royal crowns, adding an air of majesty to their presence.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The two Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions charged from the left and the right with extreme speed; their hefty bodies moved nimbly. As they rushed forth, they trailed twin ribbons of purple light. Their figures intertwined, with layers of purple light coiling around each other. In an instant, they appeared before Xiao Yi.


    The one from the left suddenly raised its claw, and beneath the fluffy fur, sharp claw blades shot out with two metallic sounds.


    The silvery claws were incredibly sharp, their ringing sound chilling to the bone.


    Xiao Yi summoned the power of Wind Thunder around him, his movements exuding vital energy that he directed to his arms, forming a pillar-like barrier at his side.


    Boom!


    Amidst the thunderous noise,


    Xiao Yi''s figure was forcefully knocked sideways.


    After all, the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion was a sixth-tier Beast King; combined with the innate physical superiority of mythical beasts over humans, it was able to temporarily suppress Xiao Yi.


    Meanwhile,


    The other Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion had already been waiting aside.


    As Xiao Yi was sent flying, this lion opened its mouth wide, and the air around it swirled as the essence of heaven and earth converged into its maw. It formed a dazzling golden orb, condensed to the extreme, and its surface flickered with purple flames breathing in and out.


    Whoosh!


    The golden light orb shot out at an incredible speed, tearing through the void like a bolt of golden thunder.


    Striking Xiao Yi square on.


    Boom!


    In an explosion, the golden light orb burst apart.


    Amidst the blinding gold light, clusters of purple flames raged fiercely.


    The purple flames formed a sea of fire engulfing Xiao Yi completely; this was the Innate Divine Ability of the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion, the Purple Heavenly Fire.


    Forged from the absorbed essence of the sun and the moon,


    Capable of burning all things!


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, now let''s see how you die!" Yang Jin gloated, "The Purple Heavenly Fire of the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion can burn all things. Even those in the Dharma Manifestation Realm find it hard to resist, let alone you, merely at the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. Keke, this is the fate of those who oppose the Saint Heir..."


    No sooner had he finished speaking,


    A violent wind suddenly appeared within the blazing purple flames.


    A cyan storm lifted the fiery purple blaze, forming a fire tornado that spiraled into the sky.


    Within the storm,


    Crackle and pop!


    Streaks of purple-gold thunderbolts emerged, and under their assault, the Purple Heavenly Fire released by the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions was forcefully dispersed.


    When all settled,


    Xiao Yi walked out from the scorched earth, unharmed.


    His hands were clasped behind his back, the corner of his mouth raised slightly, and his blazing gaze fell upon the two Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions, "Not bad at all. The two stone beasts at the gates of my Xiaoshanhe Institute are somewhat damaged. Capturing you two to stand guard would be just perfect!"


    "How dare you!"


    "We are esteemed Beast Kings; how could you think of having us stand guard? You''re courting death!"


    Both Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lions roared in anger.


    They were the Beast Kings of the Great Liang Mountain, beings of the sixth tier, on par with the giants of the Dharma Manifestation Realm among humans.


    Even when Yang Jin recruited them, he had promised them the lofty position of guardian divine beasts.


    And now Xiao Yi dared to suggest they should stand guard?


    "For you to stand guard for me is already giving you too much credit!"


    Xiao Yi licked his lips, his hands rubbing together with a snapping sound. As he stepped forward, a series of afterimages were left behind, and with a piercing swoosh, Xiao Yi abruptly appeared in front of the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion to the left. "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    Hum!


    Behind him, it was as if a Wrathful Vajra had opened its eyes.


    Those majestic, ice-cold eyes exuded a sharpness that made one''s heart tremble with fear.


    Boom!


    A massive golden palm descended from the sky like an imposing mountain, fiercely pressing down upon the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion.


    Roar!


    With a pained cry, the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion was struck by Xiao Yi''s palm, its legs buckling before it slammed into the ground with a thud. The ground caved in with a loud crash, cracks spreading in all directions like a spider''s web, as chunks of rock shot through the air. Xiao Yi stomped his foot, and the power of the earth surged below.


    Rumbling!


    As the ground trembled, stalagmites burst forth, crisscrossing to trap the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion beneath.


    "Big brother, save me..."


    The Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion roared in anger, it was the younger of the two Beast Kings.


    "Let go of my second brother!"


    The other Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion abruptly opened its mouth, a golden light orb condensing within.


    Xiao Yi''s figure flashed, suddenly appearing in front of it.


    With a reach of his right hand, golden light dots converged in his palm, a vast aura of vitality forming an enormous hand that seemed to cover the sky. This golden-cast hand swiftly clamped over the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion''s mouth. Its eyes widened in shock as the energy orb continued to condense, swelling its mouth round and taut.


    And then...


    Boom!


    The energy orb exploded right inside its mouth. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The terrifying energy nearly killed the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion on the spot.


    Its body violently trembled before crashing to the ground, black smoke billowing from its seven orifices.


    Its tongue hung limply to the side.


    It had already passed out.


    Hisss!


    The onlookers were absolutely stunned by the scene before them. The two sixth-rank Beast Kings, unable to hold out even a mere quarter-hour against Xiao Yi.


    Looking at the two Beast Kings...


    One had passed out, while the other was immobilized by the earthen spikes.


    The crowd felt a chill run down their spines.


    "Is this Xiao Yi really just at the Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    "Why do I feel like he''s even stronger than a typical Dharma Manifestation Realm expert?"


    "The Xiao Family and Xiao Tianjiao really blinded themselves. Such a powerful being was driven out of his own family as if he were trash? If my clan had such a descendant, we would worship him like an ancestor..." Ximen Jianxue said, shocked.


    Dongfang Kuang: "..."


    The crowd felt their minds go blank.


    Yang Jin was swallowing nervously, constantly backing away, his gaze filled with awe when looking at Xiao Yi, "How can the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm be this powerful? It''s simply impossible..."


    He looked utterly dispirited.


    His world had crumbled.


    In Yang Jin''s world, there was only a distinction between Xiao Tianjiao and commoners; no other genius was comparable to Xiao Tianjiao.


    But now...


    He realized that even Xiao Tianjiao, whom he thought was unrivaled in his heart, didn''t possess the battle prowess Xiao Yi had when he was at the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm!


    "Yang Jin, it''s your turn now!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly interrupted Yang Jin''s train of thought.


    Following the sound,


    He saw Xiao Yi standing on the Purple Flame Brown Qilin Lion, gesturing towards him with a hooked finger.


    Gulp!


    Yang Jin instinctively took a few steps back, looking pleadingly at the people around him for help, but they all averted their gaze. Having witnessed Xiao Yi''s formidable strength, no one was willing to face him anymore. It was no exaggeration to say that Xiao Yi had made a name for himself with this battle. Although he might not be at Xiao Tianjiao''s level yet, it was believed that soon, the Great Qian Dynasty''s list of Saint Heirs would include another name!


    Another peerless genius on par with Xiao Tianjiao!

 Chapter 275 - 275: Not Convinced? Then Well Fight Until You Are!

    "Yang Jin, it''s your turn now!"


    Xiao Yi''s face carried a playful expression as he hooked his finger towards Yang Jin.


    Thud thud thud!


    Yang Jin subconsciously took three steps back, his complexion paling with each retreat.


    If it had been before this moment...


    He might have had the confidence to battle Xiao Yi.


    But after witnessing how easily Xiao Yi had subdued two powerful sixth-order Beast Kings, that formidable figure had left an indelible mark in his heart, like a nightmare that made it impossible for him to harbor any thoughts of hostility against Xiao Yi. This was the crushing force of absolute power, just like the countless strong individuals in the Great Qian Dynasty felt when facing Xiao Tianjiao, lacking even the courage to fight.


    Yang Jin''s face alternated between shades of green and white, grinding his teeth with determination, he stiffly said, "Xiao Yi, I admit you''re very strong. But don''t go too far, I am a noble imperial prince, and also a disciple of the Tianjian Sect. Offending me... In the Great Qian Dynasty, you''ll find it hard to make any moves..."


    Xiao Yi said with amusement, "So that means... you can represent the imperial family and the Tianjian Sect of the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    "That''s naturally..." Yang Jin arrogantly replied.


    In his view, neither the imperial family nor the Tianjian Sect would ever allow Xiao Yi to challenge their majesty.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes but looked towards Qi, the eunuch at the side, and asked, "Eunuch Qi, may I ask if His Highness Yang Jin can possibly represent the will of Emperor Qian?"


    Eunuch Qi glanced at Yang Jin with an almost contemptuous look, seeing him no different from Lou Yi, and said unhurriedly, "Director Xiao, please don''t misunderstand. His Majesty holds Director Xiao in high regard. Otherwise, he would not have entrusted the Xiaoshanhe Institute to you."


    Although these words did not directly refute Yang Jin, their meaning was self-evident. sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yang Jin''s face turned from green to white.


    As if he had swallowed a fly, his expression was horribly ugly.


    He never expected Eunuch Qi to snub him so publicly, it was a slap in the face!


    Xiao Yi smiled playfully, looking at Yang Jin, "It seems you can''t represent the imperial family after all!"


    "Hmph!"


    Yang Jin snorted, "I am a disciple of the Tianjian Sect, I..."


    Snap!


    Before he could finish speaking.


    Yang Jin was already slapped to the ground by Xiao Yi, covering his face, he looked at Xiao Yi in a daze, "You, you, you dare to hit me?"


    Snap!


    Xiao Yi slapped him across the face again, "The Tianjian Sect is remarkable, huh?"


    "You..."


    Snap!


    "I don''t like someone pointing fingers at me!"


    "I..."


    Snap!


    "Your gaze makes me uncomfortable!"


    "��"


    Snap snap snap!


    After a merciless barrage of slaps.


    Yang Jin lay limp on the ground like a lump of mud, twitching, his face bruised and swollen, the very picture of misery. He lay there weakly on the ground, his eyes filled with fear and resentment, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, "Xiao... Xiao Yi... you won''t get off easy for offending the Tianjian Sect..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you threatening me?"


    A cold and chilling killing intent enveloped Yang Jin.


    Darkness, despair, coldness.


    As if plunging into an ice cellar of a thousand years.


    It was like an invisible hand gripped his throat, forcing the words about to leave his mouth back down.


    Sigh!


    A sigh suddenly sounded.


    Eunuch Qi appeared beside Yang Jin like a ghost, giving a bow towards Xiao Yi, his ambiguous voice said, "Director Xiao, please, for His Majesty''s sake, spare his life!"


    After all, Yang Jin was an imperial prince.


    Though not favored, he was still of imperial blood.


    If he were to be killed right in front of him, Eunuch Qi could not escape punishment.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, surveying Eunuch Qi with a slight smirk, "Eunuch Qi jests. After all, he is of the imperial family; how could I possibly harm his life?"


    Eunuch Qi was about to express his gratitude.


    But Yang Jin behind him suddenly howled with a ferocious face, "Eunuch Qi... this man dares to assault a prince, are you just going to stand there and watch? Don''t forget your place. You are nothing but an old dog raised by our royal family! If the master cup doesn''t protect me, what use are you?"


    Eunuch Qi''s face twitched slightly.


    "Eunuch Qi, it seems someone does not respect your command!" Xiao Yi said with a laugh.


    Eunuch Qi gave a wry smile and shook his head.


    Yang Jin roared, "Old dog, I order you to kill him right now..."


    "Eunuch Qi, don''t trouble yourself; leave it to me!"


    Xiao Yi smiled as he walked past Qi and aimed a kick at Yang Jin''s mouth.


    Bang!


    A muffled sound erupted.


    Yang Jin''s teeth were kicked out root and all, his mouth filling with blood as he wailed in agony. Xiao Yi didn''t stop; his fingertip pulsing with vital energy, four streaks of blood shot out as he ruthlessly severed Yang Jin''s tendons in both hands and feet. The pain made Yang Jin pass out, eyes rolling back as he lay rigidly in a pool of his own blood.


    Seeing Yang Jin lying there like a dead dog, a mocking glint passed across the depths of Qi''s eyes. He gave a respectful cupped fist salute to Xiao Yi, "Headmaster Xiao, I must return to the palace to report back to His Majesty. I will take my leave first!"


    "Eunuch Qi, safe travels!" Xiao Yi replied with a smile.


    Qi promptly ordered his men to carry Yang Jin away and left soaring through the sky.


    Nangong Shengtian glanced at Xiao Yi and cupped his fists, "Headmaster Xiao, I acted rashly earlier without knowing your status. Please forgive me. When I''m free someday, I will personally visit to apologize!"


    Beitang Feng said, "Headmaster Xiao, please forgive us!"


    The surviving Calamity Realm powerhouses from Wendao Villa, Feixue Temple, Liyang Sect, and others came forward one after another, "Headmaster Xiao, we were also provoked by Yang Jin today, please understand!"


    Xiao Yi looked at them all with a faint smile and said indifferently, "Do you all intend to leave just like this?"


    "Hmm?"


    "What do you mean by that, Headmaster Xiao?"


    The crowd was momentarily stunned, frowning in confusion.


    In their view...


    The battle of today had already come to an end.


    Xiao Yi surely wouldn''t dare to trouble them further!


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I have never been at odds with any of you, yet on your arrival, you triggered a heavenly tribulation that almost killed my two brothers. After the tribulation, you then joined forces trying to put me in a deadly predicament. Do you really think you can just walk away like that?"


    "Headmaster Xiao, we should show some leniency for the sake of future relations. Don''t be too harsh!"


    "We were also misled by others. How can you blame us?"


    "Headmaster Xiao, you are indeed powerful, but we are not pushovers either. Our ten great sects may not have anything else, but we have countless strong individuals. You should think carefully about the consequences of offending us..." the crowd warned threateningly.


    Backed by the ten great sects, they were brimming with confidence!


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth turned up slightly as he said, "The ten great sects? That''s quite an impressive tone. I just wonder, if I were to kill you all right now, would your respective sects really be willing to take a stand against me for a bunch of dead men?"


    The complexion of the crowd changed dramatically.


    Indeed, as Xiao Yi had said...


    If they died here, would their respective forces really engage in a deadly struggle with Xiao Yi over them?


    The answer, clearly, was no!


    Let alone the fact that they had been in the wrong to begin with, just the power Xiao Yi had displayed was enough to make the sects behind them wary.


    Moreover...


    Xiao Yi was the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, with the royal family at his back.


    One hair affects the whole body.


    Troubling Xiao Yi could potentially serve as an excuse for the royal family to reorganize the ten great sects.


    Upon this realization,


    the faces of the crowd all fell.


    The Calamity Realm expert from the Liyang Sect, Ye Zheng, spoke in a deep voice, "Headmaster Xiao, what do you want?"


    Xiao Yi replied coolly, "My Shanhe Court needs resources for reconstruction. Each of your sects gives me one hundred billion silver taels, and we can consider the matter settled!"


    "What?"


    "One hundred billion? You might as well just rob us!"


    "Xiao Yi, you are too outrageous!"


    The crowd flew into a rage.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed to slits as he looked at them with a smile, "I am bullying you, and what can you do about it?"


    "Do you really think we''re afraid of you?"


    In the face of these furiously glaring people, Xiao Yi sighed softly, "Refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, don''t blame me then!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi made his move with the force of thunder.


    In an instant...


    All these Calamity Realm powerhouses were flipped onto the ground by Xiao Yi. Not satisfied? Then he would just beat them until they were!


    Looking coldly at the bruised faces before him, Xiao Yi said, "Pay up or use your lives as collateral, the choice is yours!"


    "We... we don''t have that much money..." the crowd said with mournful faces.


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Then, write a debt acknowledgment."


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Several debt acknowledgments appeared before the crowd, who looked at each other helplessly and ultimately signed their names.


    Xiao Yi collected the acknowledgments, clapping his hands in satisfaction, "On behalf of the disciples of the Shanhe Court, I thank you all for your generous donations!"

 Chapter 276 - 276: The Sky Wont Fall!

    The group of mighty figures watched as Xiao Yi stored the humiliating debt note into his storage ring, their faces as black as charcoal.


    They represented the ten great sects.


    All along,


    it was only they who extorted others; when had they ever been extorted?


    The ten billion silver wasn''t too much for them, but it represented their face and reputation!


    At least until this debt was repaid.


    They couldn''t hold their heads high in front of Xiao Yi, always feeling inferior!


    However, when they thought about the fates of the several strong figures from True Martial Hall and Vast Righteousness Pavilion, they felt their situation wasn''t that bad.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the crowd with a radiant smile, cupped his hands, and said, "On behalf of all the tutors and disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao gives his thanks for your generous assistance. Should there be an opportunity in the future, you are more than welcome to visit Xiaoshanhe Institute to share your guidance!"


    "Xiao, you''re too polite!"


    "Under your leadership, Xiaoshanhe Institute will certainly regain its glory!"


    "If there''s anything you need our help with, Xiao, just say the word. As long as it''s within our power, we will certainly help!" Hai Wei of Three Seas Mountain, a peak Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, said with a falsely smiling face as he cupped his hands.


    No sooner had he finished speaking,


    than Xiao Yi took the opportunity to say, "Indeed, I do need your help with something, but I felt embarrassed to ask after just beating you. Since you''ve offered now, I won''t be polite... I wish to build a large Spirit Gathering Array within Xiaoshanhe Institute. I''ve heard that both Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa have an abundance of array stones; I''ll have to trouble the two of you to prepare some array stones for me! I won''t ask for much, just a hundred thousand catties of array stones from each of you should suffice, on behalf of all members of Xiaoshanhe Institute, I thank you both!"


    Puff!


    Hai Wei and the powerhouse from Wendao Villa''s complexions abruptly changed, nearly spitting out a mouthful of old blood.


    The powerhouse from Wendao Villa shot a look full of resentment towards Hai Wei, wishing to devour him alive.


    That''s what you get for your loose tongue!


    Those hundred thousand catties of array stones were worth no less than fifty billion!


    Hai Wei only felt a bitter taste in his mouth and regretted it to his guts.


    He did have the intention to refuse.


    But seeing Xiao Yi''s smiling gaze fixed on them, he feared that if he dared to refuse, he might immediately face another beating. So, he could only grit his teeth and manage a tearful expression as he said, "Xiao, that, that hundred thousand catties is truly too..."


    "What? Too little? How about one hundred and fifty thousand..." said Xiao Yi, feigning surprise.


    "No!"


    Hai Wei hurriedly straightened his back, thumped his chest, and said, "One hundred thousand catties, I will make sure it is delivered to Xiaoshanhe Institute within ten days!"


    "Then I thank you very much!"


    Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze toward the other strong figures.


    The crowd trembled all over.


    "Xiao, I still have a pot of soup on at home, I must get going now!"


    "Aiya, my granddaughter is about to give birth, I must excuse myself..." Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fearing that Xiao Yi would catch them to squeeze another sum, they hurriedly took their leave, each breaking through the air to leave.


    This left people like Dongfang Kuang dumbstruck.


    When everyone had left,


    Xiao Yi''s gaze fell on Nangong Shengtian and Beitang Feng, who had previously made their moves against him.


    Nangong Shengtian slightly furrowed his brows; although he was a six-layer Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse and wasn''t afraid of offending Xiao Yi,


    considering Xiao Yi''s identity, he didn''t want to provoke him excessively. Cupping his hands, he said, "Xiao, I didn''t know your identity before, which is why I was swayed by Yang Jin to take action. I ask for your forgiveness!"


    Beitang Feng touched his nose, "Same here!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes.


    His treatment towards the four great families was clearly different from that towards the ten great sects.


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "What are the two elders talking about? It''s true that no fight means no acquaintance!"


    "Chairman Xiao is right, without a fight, we can''t really get to know each other. If you need anything in the future..."


    Nangong Shengtian laughed heartily and was about to continue when he suddenly thought of Hai Wei''s fate and immediately changed the subject, "We must surely keep in touch more often in the future!"


    Beitang Feng also said, "Same for me!"


    Xiao Yi curled his lips, thinking to himself, "Old fox." However, he had his own reason for letting the Nangong Family off so easily, and went on to say, "Ancestor Nangong, I hear that the Nangong and Beitang Families mainly deal in pills and medicinal herbs. My Xiaoshanhe Institute is about to be rebuilt, and I urgently need a large number of pills and medicinal materials. I wish to do business with the two of you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shengtian was taken aback, giving Xiao Yi a meaningful look.


    He was puzzled before...


    Given Xiao Yi''s strong stance against the top ten sects, how could he let him off so easily? It turns out it was for this reason.


    The four major families spread their influence across various trades within the Great Qian Dynasty, with the Nangong and Beitang Families controlling over sixty percent of the pill and medicinal herb business. The Dongfang and Ximen Families, on the other hand, control over seventy percent of the weapon and weapon material business. In their respective fields, all four families are dominant.


    Unshakeable by anyone.


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes. For Xiaoshanhe Institute to rise, it was essential to have access to pills and medicinal herbs. He then smiled and said, "So Chairman Xiao is here for this matter. We can provide pills and medicinal materials, but as for the price..."


    Xiao Yi looked Nangong Shengtian up and down.


    This old man thought he held Xiao Yi''s lifeline, planning to manipulate him!


    Xiao Yi said, "Seventy percent, I can pay seventy percent of the market price for the materials and pills I need!"


    This was also because Xiaoshanhe Institute was short of manpower. Otherwise, with Xiao Yi and Elder Xue''s methods, they could have been self-sufficient.


    Why would they need to purchase pills from outside?


    Beitang Feng looked towards Nangong Shengtian.


    The two families complemented each other and always followed the lead of the Nangong Family.


    As long as Nangong Shengtian nodded, he would naturally not refuse.


    "Seventy percent, huh..."


    Nangong Shengtian stroked his chin, showing a troubled expression, and said, "Chairman Xiao, I''m afraid there''s a misunderstanding. Actually, the profit from the pill industry isn''t that high. Seventy percent is really too much, so here''s what I can do��I can give you the most favorable price. The Nangong Family and the Beitang Family can provide Xiaoshanhe Institute with the pills and materials it needs, but the lowest price can only be ninety-five percent of the market price!"


    Ninety-five percent?


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    The profit on pills was at least double; not to mention seventy percent, even if they sold them at fifty percent, the Nangong and Beitang Families would make a killing.


    He did not expect Nangong Shengtian to be so inconsiderate.


    Ninety-five percent?


    Xiao Yi smiled, but his words turned much sharper, "Is Ancestor Nangong joking with me?"


    Nangong Shengtian replied with a grin that didn''t reach his eyes, "Chairman Xiao is joking, do you think I need to joke with you?" He was used to being high above others and naturally couldn''t bow down in front of a junior like Xiao Yi, confidently saying, "Although the Great Qian Dynasty is large, when it comes to the pill and medicinal material business, without the Nangong Family''s approval, no one would dare to supply you regardless of the price��even if it''s higher than ninety-five percent!"


    The contempt and disdain were evident in his words.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed to slits, "Isn''t what Ancestor Nangong said a bit too definitive?"


    "Definitive? I''m merely stating the plain truth. After all, the Nangong Family has the strength and confidence to do so!"


    Nangong Shengtian looked at Xiao Yi with a mocking gaze, as if to say, "Aren''t you very strong? Aren''t you very impressive? Now you still come asking for my help?" With an air of nonchalance, he said, "Chairman Xiao, think it over when you return! If you''ve made up your mind, come find me again!"


    With those words, Nangong Shengtian gestured, and with Beitang Feng, they soared away into the sky.


    For a moment.


    Only Xiao Yi, Dongfang Kuang, and Ximen Jianxue were left behind.


    Dongfang Kuang said in a heavy tone, "Chairman Xiao, Nangong Shengtian is right. Without them, it would be tough to purchase pills and medicinal materials!"


    Xiao Yi watched the direction in which Nangong Shengtian disappeared, his eyes flashing coldly like shooting stars, "Without anyone, the sky still won''t fall!"

 Chapter 277 - 277: Take your paws off!

    "Xiao, what are you planning to do?"


    Dongfang Kuang looked at the cold light in Xiao Yi''s eyes and couldn''t help but feel a shiver run through him as he asked.


    Just as the Nangong and Beitang Families were as close as branches on the same tree, the Ximen and Dongfang Families were also tightly knit.


    Ximen Jianxue said in a deep voice, "Xiao, if Xiaoshanhe Institute needs materials for Yuan weapons, my Ximen Family can provide them at half price." He paused, then continued, "As for pills and medicinal materials, I advise you to think it over. Nangong Shengtian''s words were unpleasant, but he has his confidence. If the Nangong Family does not give the nod, no one dares to sell you pills and medicinal materials!"


    Dongfang Kuang nodded in agreement.


    The Nangong Family and Beitang Family had been rooted in the medicinal pill and material trade for centuries.


    They almost had control over all the channels.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Don''t worry, I won''t be reckless!"


    Seeing this, the two men didn''t press further.


    Xiao Yi said, "Dongfang, Ximen, regarding Yuan weapons and the materials for forging them, we must rely heavily on both of your cooperation!"


    "Of course!"


    Dongfang Kuang nodded, then said, "Henceforth, for any Yuan weapons and materials supplied to Xiaoshanhe Institute, we will give them to you at fifty percent of the market price!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and shook his head.


    Dongfang Kuang was taken aback and explained, "Xiao, you know that the difficulty of forging Yuan weapons is extremely high, and the material waste is great. The profits are not as high as that of medicinal pills. Fifty percent of the market price is already the limit we can afford!"


    "Dongfang, don''t be so formal and call me ''Xiao''," Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Just call me by my name!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled and then said, "I, Xiao Yi, don''t like to take advantage of my own people. Whatever the market price is, let''s just trade at that rate!"


    "This..."


    Dongfang Kuang and Ximen Jianxue looked at each other.


    They had thought Xiao Yi was haggling for a lower price, but he didn''t want any discount at all.


    Xiao Yi said, "We''re all family here!"


    "Right, right, right, we''re all family!" Dongfang Kuang laughed.


    Ximen Jianxue also smiled and nodded his head.


    With the strength Xiao Yi had shown, as long as he didn''t fall, his future achievements would be boundless.


    This was greatly beneficial for both their families as well.


    Xiao Yi said, "I will have someone take over the cooperation matters!" S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Shall we head back then?"


    "Hmm!"


    The three of them left, piercing through the air.


    Dongfang Kuang and Ximen Jianxue headed straight for the imperial capital, while Xiao Yi made his way toward Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Now, with the funds for rebuilding Xiaoshanhe Institute secured��a whopping trillion taels of silver��he could support an expansion of the institute''s scale by tenfold for decades. The most pressing issue was recruiting new disciples and instructors, and Xiao Yi also had a comprehensive reform plan in mind for Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    All these needed to be set in motion.


    ......


    Imperial Dragon Mountain, Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Xiao Zhengde sat in the guest hall with great authority, his leg propped up arrogantly as he said, "This Xiaoshanhe Institute really isn''t up to much, is it? This place used to be comparable to the top ten sects, and yet there isn''t even one large-scale Spirit Gathering Array. This is far too modest. Mr. Chen, it''s time you made some serious improvements..."


    Chen Shuiwen stood by his side with a sycophantic smile on his face, wringing his hands as he said, "Xiao is right, Xiaoshanhe Institute has truly fallen on hard times."


    Nowadays, the Xiao Family was on the rise.


    Ever since Xiao Tianjiao stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the Xiao Family had been showing signs of becoming the fifth great noble family.


    Compared to Xiao Yi, who had been expelled from the Xiao Family, Chen Shuiwen dared not show any pretense in front of Xiao Zhengde.


    Xiao Zhengde was very pleased with Chen Shuiwen''s attitude.


    He was about to speak.


    Catching a glimpse of a figure passing by the doorway in the corner of his eye, Xiao Zhengde''s interest was piqued, and he called out, "Stop there!"


    ```


    "Hm?"


    Lin Bing Xin was startled.


    As she happened to be passing by the guest hall, she suddenly heard Xiao Zhengde''s voice and subconsciously looked back.


    Xiao Zhengde''s gaze swept over her, a hint of lust passing through his eyes. Lin Bing Xin''s figure and appearance were exceptional, igniting lustful thoughts in Xiao Zhengde. A faint smile on his face, he said, "Mr. Chen, who is this lady?"


    Chen Shuiwen knew all too well what Xiao Zhengde was thinking.


    He quickly said, "This is Lin Bing Xin, a teacher from the Xiaoshanhe Institute!" Chen Shuiwen turned to Lin Bing Xin and said, "Lin Bing Xin, this is the head of the Xiao Family, the father of Xiao Tianjiao, the number one genius of the Great Qian Dynasty, Xiao Zhengde. Aren''t you going to come over and pay your respects?"


    "Mr. Chen, how can you speak to a beautiful woman like that?"


    Xiao Zhengde pretended to be displeased as he glanced at Chen Shuiwen, but the smile on his face remained bright. He adjusted his clothes and approached Lin Bing Xin: "Teacher Lin, I am Xiao Zhengde!"


    He couldn''t help but straighten his back.


    In his eyes...


    Any woman who learned of his identity would naturally flock to him.


    This was an opportunity to rise to the top.


    However.


    Lin Bing Xin''s face was expressionless, and even a deep disgust flashed in her eyes as she glanced at him.


    She was well aware of Xiao Yi''s status. It was this man before her who had expelled Xiao Yi from the family and sent him to the Fang Family to become a son-in-law. Of course, she wouldn''t show any courtesy to Xiao Zhengde and said to Chen Shuiwen, "Mr. Chen, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now!"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Zhengde''s face stiffened, his eyes narrowing to slits.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face darkened as he rebuked, "Lin Bing Xin, did I give you permission to leave?"


    However, Lin Bing Xin ignored him and continued to walk towards the exit.


    "Mr. Chen, your teachers from the Shanhe Institute do carry themselves with quite the air!" Xiao Zhengde said sarcastically, with a Yin-Yang tone.


    Chen Shuiwen quickly said, "Please forgive her, Xiao. I''ll have her come back immediately!"


    Chen Shuiwen immediately chased after her, shouting at Lin Bing Xin, "Lin Bing Xin, did I permit you to leave? Get back here!"


    "Idiot!"


    Lin Bing Xin looked back at him, sneered coldly, and continued on her way out.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face alternated between green and red.


    As he was caught in his dilemma...


    Xiao Zhengde''s voice echoed in his ear, "Mr. Chen, it seems the quality of your Shanhe Institute''s teachers is truly lacking. Let me, the head of the household, discipline her on your behalf!"


    Whoosh!


    A surge of vital energy burst forth.


    A colossal hand of energy formed in the air and with a swish, it grabbed Lin Bing Xin. Amidst her screams, Lin Bing Xin''s body was yanked back by Xiao Zhengde. He held her throat with one hand and took a deep whiff from her hair, the faint fragrance making his eyes shine. Smugly looking at Chen Shuiwen, he said, "Mr. Chen, one must use forceful measures to deal with disobedient people. See, now she''s being obedient, isn''t she?"


    Chen Shuiwen flattered him with a reply, "What you say is absolutely right, Xiao!"


    Xiao Zhengde, still smiling, looked at the pale-faced Lin Bing Xin and said, "My beautiful lady, my son Xiao Yi is the dean of the Shanhe Institute, which essentially makes it mine. As you''re a teacher of the Shanhe Institute, you belong to me. Serve me well, and I guarantee you''ll get to live in luxury..."


    Lin Bing Xin''s eyes were filled with despair.


    Her throat was seized, and she couldn''t utter a word.


    Tears of desperation sparkled in her eyes.


    Xiao Zhengde laughed heartily, "That''s right, that''s right, I like that look of desire in your eyes..."


    As he spoke,


    Xiao Zhengde''s hand reached out towards Lin Bing Xin''s body.


    At that moment...


    A chilling voice boomed like thunder, "If you don''t want to die, take your filthy paw off her now!"


    ```

 Chapter 278 - 278: Born but Not Raised, Cut Off a Finger to Make Amends!

    "Bring your dog paw here!"


    The icy voice made Xiao Zhengde''s movements abruptly stiffen.


    Whoosh!


    As Xiao Zhengde lifted his head, he followed the sound and squinted his eyes into slits, glaring at the newcomer with an eagle''s vigilance and a wolf''s wariness.


    At the entrance of the meeting hall.


    Dressed in black, with eyebrows sharp as blades and eyes flashing like lightning, stood Xiao Yi, exuding a chilling aura.


    Xiao Yi stood at the doorway, his eyes fierce like a tiger''s, emanating a chilling light as he stared at Xiao Zhengde, who was choking Lin Bingxin by the neck and about to lay his hands on her. A murderous intent began to build intensely around him.


    "Who are you?"


    Xiao Zhengde suddenly spoke.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Chen Shuiwen, who had just opened his mouth, also stiffened, his puzzled gaze sweeping back and forth between Xiao Zhengde and Xiao Yi.


    His eyes filled with confusion, he subconsciously said, "Xiao, isn''t this Xiao Yi, the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute? You... you don''t recognize him?"


    This is your son!


    Although more than a year had passed and Xiao Yi had changed conspicuously in temperament, cultivation, and even height, his appearance had hardly altered. How could you not recognize him?


    Xiao Zhengde was also startled. For nearly a decade, he had only seen Xiao Yi once, the day he had announced that Xiao Yi would go to the Fang Family. Moreover, on that day, all of Xiao Zhengde''s attention had been on Xiao Tianjiao; how could he have noticed Xiao Yi''s appearance? That was why he did not recognize Xiao Yi at the moment.


    Watching the fleeting confusion on Xiao Zhengde''s face, Xiao Yi felt suffocated and agitated, an indescribable restlessness stirring within him.


    Despite continually telling himself,


    he had no relationship with the Xiao Family anymore.


    But standing in front of Xiao Zhengde, his biological father who couldn''t recognize him, the sensation still struck at the core of his soul.


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and said with a firm voice, "Let her go!"


    Xiao Zhengde''s brows knitted, anger appearing on his face as he rebuked, "Is this how you speak to your father? Since you are the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, I am the institute head''s father. Everything within this institute belongs to me. I am merely asking for a woman from your institute, and you dare to speak to me this way? Your guts have truly grown fat!"


    Seeing this, Mr. Chen thought to himself: No wonder the rumors say that tensions run high between father and son in the Xiao Family. It seems all of it is true. Heh, Xiao Yi, how will you handle your father, no matter how powerful you are?


    With that thought.


    Mr. Chen fanned the flames, saying, "Xiao, it''s your fault here! Not to mention Xiao is your father, just his status as the head of the Xiao Family means that Lin Bingxin is honored by his attention. Not only should you not obstruct this, but you should also facilitate it, for this could be Lin Bingxin''s opportunity to soar from the branch to the phoenix''s perch!"


    Xiao Zhengde slightly raised his chin, very pleased with Mr. Chen''s statement, "Did you hear that? Mr. Chen here knows the ways of the world. And look at you... not even knowing how to respect your own father. I should have listened to your elder brother back then and had you killed and thrown into the mass graves. All the care I''ve wasted on you..."


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi''s head buzzed.


    Back then...


    If not for his mother, who had threatened her own life to save him, he would have died ten years ago.


    Where would there have been eight years of imprisonment?


    Seeing the profound disgust on Xiao Zhengde''s face, Xiao Yi let out a breath of foul air, pronouncing each word, "When you sent me to the Fang Family to be a son-in-law, I told you that our ties of kindness and righteousness were severed. I, Xiao Yi, owe you nothing. And now you speak to me of parental grace? Ha ha ha, Xiao Zhengde, don''t you feel ashamed saying these words?"


    During those eight years of imprisonment...


    In the entire Xiao Family, aside from his mother, had anyone given him a glance?


    Had anyone brought him a meal?


    Had anyone offered him clothes?


    No!


    Nothing at all!


    "Bastard!"


    Xiao Zhengde was enraged, tossing the unconscious Lin Bingxin to the side and furiously glared at Xiao Yi, "You unfilial, forgetful wretch, I brought you into this world, and that is the greatest kindness. No matter how I treat you, I am still your father. I command you to kneel right now!"


    "Kneel?"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, leaning forward and asking coldly, "Are you worthy?"


    Am I worthy?


    Deserve to have me kneel before you?


    Throughout my entire life...


    in Xiao Zhengde''s eyes, there was only Xiao Tianjiao. When had he ever spared a thought for this younger son of his?


    Every birthday, Xiao Tianjiao would have grand banquets, while I didn''t even receive a single word of blessing. Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Recalling my childhood efforts to capture my father''s attention, to no avail��never earning even a word of praise��Xiao Yi''s heart grew gradually cold. Yet before that, he still harbored hope that once he became stronger, once he was outstanding enough, Xiao Zhengde would surely look his way.


    And the result?


    My efforts ultimately served only as a bargaining chip to procure a mystical beast for Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, sending me off to the Fang Family as a despised son-in-law.


    Does such a father even deserve my kneeling?


    Under the calmly intense gaze of Xiao Yi, Xiao Zhengde frowned and said condescendingly, "I came today to inform you that I will summon your elder brother back. Once he returns, you will be notified to come back home, and as long as you obediently offer an apology to your brother by kowtowing, with me by your side speaking in your favor, combined with your current achievements, I believe he will allow your name to re-enter the family records!"


    Looking at Xiao Zhengde''s pride, as though bestowing a favor for which I should be profoundly grateful.


    Xiao Yi''s fists clenched quietly, rage boiling within him as he sneered, "Kneel to him? By what right? Because he imprisoned me for eight years? Because he sent me to the Fang Family to be a live-in son-in-law, just so his mount could mate? Or because he disowned me and deprived me of the right to pay respects to my own mother?"


    Xiao Zhengde, so furious that smoke could have billowed from his ears, raised his right hand to strike Xiao Yi''s face. "I''ll beat you to death, you unfilial son!"


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi neither dodged nor evaded, taking the slap head-on.


    Half of his face turned bright red, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.


    Xiao Yi''s face was calm, his eyes coldly fixed on him.


    Xiao Zhengde bellowed, "Giving you life is the greatest kindness. Whether I kill you or sell you, you have no right to defy me."


    "Giving me life is a kindness?"


    Xiao Yi let out a bitter, mournful laugh, filled with desolation, "Xiao Zhengde, ask yourself, did you ever look at me as I grew up? Did you ever fulfill the responsibilities of a father? If not for my mother, I''d have been erased from this world long ago in shame by you all. Now how can you so self-righteously stand before me and say these things? Go back. Since the moment you cast me out, I''ve had no relation to the Xiao Family!"


    "You scoundrel!"


    Xiao Zhengde wasn''t able to contain his fury. He had thought that with his appearance and offer to let Xiao Yi return to the Xiao Family, Xiao Yi would be grateful and willingly come back with him. Not expecting a rejection, Xiao Zhengde''s face turned a deep shade of red as he roared, "You ungrateful cur, I should have listened to Tian''er back then and killed you, saved myself the trouble of dealing with your defiance now! No, I should have thrown you out to the mass graves the moment you were born..."


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Xiao Yi involuntarily took three steps back. Such cruel words, so venomous!


    "Haha, hahaha..."


    Amidst Xiao Yi''s laughter tinged with sorrow, the look in his eyes towards Xiao Zhengde became unflinchingly steady.


    Whoosh!


    A silver gleam surged forth, and with a splat, severed a thumb. Xiao Yi tore off a piece of his clothing to wrap the severed finger, and looking at a stunned Xiao Zhengde, he spoke deliberately, "If unbred yet nourished, gratitude lasts a lifetime; if bred but not nurtured, breaking a finger settles the debt! Take back this finger, from now on, all ties of father and son between us are completely severed!"


    "You, you, you..."


    Xiao Zhengde''s eyes leaped wildly at the sight of the severed finger, his face alternating shades of anger and pallor. He bellowed like a furious lion, "You insolent brat, you''re nothing! Only I, the Xiao Family, can disown you, since when can you sever ties with me?"


    Whoosh!


    He raised his right hand high, intending to strike at Xiao Yi''s face once more.


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi raised his right hand and firmly caught his palm, speaking coldly, "I no longer have any ties with you. If you dare to raise your hand again, I will cripple you!"


    Boom!


    Xiao Zhengde was forcefully blasted away by the frigid aura emanating from Xiao Yi.


    With a loud crash, he landed in the front courtyard.


    Watching Xiao Yi, with a face as cold as frost, Xiao Zhengde''s expression underwent several rapid changes, but recalling Xiao Yi''s strength that even defeated Xue Wuhen, he gritted his teeth and viciously said, "Alright, alright, Xiao Yi, good show! You just wait, I''ll make you regret ever being born..."


    "Get out!"


    Xiao Yi roared furiously.


    Xiao Zhengde, terrified, plopped down on the ground, the icy killing intent making him feel chilled to the bone, and he no longer dared to linger, quickly scrambling outside.


    Gazing at that ignominious retreat, Xiao Yi calmly withdrew his gaze and turned to land on Chen Shuiwen who stood beside him, dumbfounded...

 Chapter 279 - 279: Wanting to Add to Ones Crimes

    "..."


    Chen Shuiwen shivered all over.


    Before this...


    When he faced Xiao Yi, he didn''t have any special feelings.


    After all.


    He himself was an impressive existence at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, while Xiao Yi was merely at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm. He was far superior to Xiao Yi in cultivation, which naturally couldn''t exert any pressure on him.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi in front of him gave him the feeling of an insurmountable mountain, as if it was a peak that could not be surpassed.


    Especially when Xiao Yi''s cold gaze fell on him, it was like millions of battle-hardened, bloodied elite troops were staring at him. An intrinsic chill spread throughout his body in the blink of an eye, causing Chen Shuiwen''s face to turn a tinge pale.


    This was naturally because Xiao Yi had reached the Tao Tribulation Realm and condensed a unique Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    At the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, one possesses nine Dao patterns.


    This was simply unprecedented!


    Xiao Yi said coldly, "As the Vice Head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, you watched your own mentor being humiliated without taking action, merely standing by. What crime should you be held responsible for?"


    Gulp!


    Chen Shuiwen instinctively swallowed his saliva, the corners of his mouth rising slightly to form a forced smile, "Head Xiao, after all that man is your father..."


    Smack!


    Xiao Yi returned a slap across his face.


    Chen Shuiwen''s body stiffened, half of his face swelling up, and he looked at Xiao Yi with a dumbfounded expression, unable to believe it, "You, you dare hit me?"


    Smack!


    Xiao Yi slapped his face again.


    Chen Shuiwen saw stars, feeling dizzy and disoriented.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "As the Vice Head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, you failed to protect the mentors and disciples of the Institute, even aiding the tyrant instead. These two slaps are to remind you of your identity."


    "You..."


    Chen Shuiwen regained some sobriety, his face turning shades of green and white, and in his fluctuating gaze was a hint of horror.


    With his cultivation at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he hadn''t even seen how Xiao Yi struck.


    He had no power to resist those two slaps.


    Chen Shuiwen considered his own strength not to be weak, and even a common practitioner at the First Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm wouldn''t be able to do this in front of him!


    How did Xiao Yi manage it?


    Xiao Yi was already helping Lin Bingxin sit to one side. At this moment, Lin Bingxin had not yet woken up, but she was not in danger of losing her life, so Xiao Yi let go of his worries. Now that he returned to Xiaoshanhe Institute, his primary objective was to oversee the recruitment of disciples and mentors, but he encountered this scene instead.


    Ever since his arrival at Xiaoshanhe Institute, Chen Shuiwen had been putting obstacles in his way at every turn.


    Before this.


    Xiao Yi hadn''t fully grasped the situation in Xiaoshanhe Institute and didn''t want to make a major move, but now he had enough resources and also enough strength and connections.


    He naturally no longer needed to endure Chen Shuiwen.


    To secure the exterior, one must first stabilize the interior!


    Removing Chen Shuiwen was the first step in rectifying Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    Xiao Yi sat authoritatively at the head seat, looking coldly at Chen Shuiwen standing before him, "Vice Head Chen, are you aware of your crime?"


    Chen Shuiwen regained his composure and said in a deep voice, "Your subordinate does not know!"


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, "Over the past decade or so, the imperial family has been allocating ten billion silver taels every year, but as far as I know, only one billion is actually spent on the Xiaoshanhe Institute each year. Where has the rest gone?"


    "I have served the Xiaoshanhe Institute diligently and honestly, never embezzling a single silver tael. Moreover, every expense of the Xiaoshanhe Institute is recorded in the ledger. If you have any doubts about my management of the Institute''s finances during my tenure, you are more than welcome to examine the books. If there is any problem, I, Chen Shuiwen, am willing to twist off my own head and kick it around like a ball!"


    Chen Shuiwen stood tall and proud, his voice filled with earnest pain, "Director Xiao, I have served the Xiaoshanhe Institute with dedication. If you humiliate me without any evidence, I, Chen Shuiwen, will even bring my case before Emperor Qian to clear my name!"


    The ledgers had already been burned to ashes.


    There could not possibly be any clue or trace left!


    It was precisely because of this.


    That Chen Shuiwen could be so confident and fearless!


    How could Xiao Yi not know what Chen Shuiwen was thinking? He chuckled coldly and clapped his hands, "Little Lin, bring them in!"


    Whoosh!


    A streak of golden light flashed by, transforming into a creature the size of a person. Little Lin fluttered into the hall, its claws carrying Chen Xing, known as the Fortune God. Little Lin dropped Chen Xing on the ground and perched on Xiao Yi''s shoulder. Upon seeing Chen Shuiwen assist Xiao Zhengde against Lin Bingxin, Xiao Yi was determined to reorganize the Xiaoshanhe Institute that very day, hence he had Little Lin bring Chen Xing over.


    Chen Xing''s face was filled with panic.


    He had just been resting in his bedroom when he was caught by Little Lin without any resistance.


    He was a practitioner at the Nine-fold Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    To be captured without any resistance, Little Lin must be an existence of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Seeing Xiao Yi seated in the place of honor, Chen Xing''s complexion shifted slightly and he quickly looked towards Chen Shuiwen beside him, "Mr. Chen..."


    Chen Shuiwen shook his head at him.


    Xiao Yi looked at Chen Xing and spoke lightly, "Chen Xing, let me ask you... these years, you have been in charge of the accounts, handling all expenditures of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. As I know, every year the imperial family allocates ten billion silver taels to the Institute. Where has all this money gone?"


    "All this money was spent on the construction of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. This can be attested to by Mr. Chen!" Chen Xing said hastily, "Moreover, every transaction is recorded in the account books. If you, Director, do not trust it, you may check the accounts!"


    Chen Shuiwen said, "Director Xiao, you heard it yourself, I haven''t deceived you!"


    "Hahaha, check the accounts? The ledgers have already been destroyed by you; how can I check them?" Xiao Yi sneered.


    Chen Xing hurriedly said, "Director Xiao, you are our director, but you can''t wrong us like this! The ledger has always been fine, but something happened the day your people came to check the books. If there is any suspicion, your subordinates are more suspect, aren''t they? After all, I have managed the accounts without a single discrepancy these years!"


    Chen Shuiwen also added fuel to the fire, "Elder Chen, are you saying that the incident in the account room occurred while Director Xiao''s people were checking the accounts? Why didn''t you say so earlier?"


    "Mr. Chen, I... I didn''t dare! After all, they are Director Xiao''s people..." Chen Xing said with a look of grievance.


    Chen Shuiwen glared at Xiao Yi and denounced, "Director Xiao, you must give us an explanation for this matter."


    Xiao Yi looked at the two of them with amusement.


    This is playing a double act, putting the blame squarely on me!


    Xiao Yi chuckled, "How does destroying the previous accounts benefit me?" sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chen Shuiwen pretended to agree, winking at Chen Xing, "Director Xiao is right, what''s in it for him to do this?"


    Chen Xing hesitated pretentiously.


    Chen Shuiwen said, "Speak freely and boldly, no one can falsely accuse you!"


    Chen Xing sighed and said, "Mr. Chen, it''s easy to find a pretext to accuse someone. If the ledger were still here, our past accounts could prove our innocence. But if the ledger is destroyed, then some slanderous accusations could be pinned on us, leaving us utterly defenseless!"


    "I see, so the person who did this is truly malicious at heart!" Chen Shuiwen feigned sudden understanding, casting a provocative glance at Xiao Yi.


    You have no evidence.


    As long as I insist that you are framing us.


    What can you do to me?


    Chen Shuiwen and Chen Xing exchanged a proud look��

 Chapter 280 - 280: Those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish!

    "Are you done talking?"


    Xiao Yi watched the two of them exchanging words, speaking slowly and methodically.


    Chen Shuiwen and the other person were startled.


    Xiao Yi fiddled with the cup in his hands, his face wearing a faint smile, "If you''re finished, then it''s my turn!"


    Chen Shuiwen frowned, "Mr. Xiao, what exactly do you want?"


    Xiao Yi said, "Actually, whether this is about trumping up charges or you getting what you deserve �� none of that truly matters..."


    "Mr. Xiao, what do you mean by that?" Chen Shuiwen looked at him, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi stood up, stretching his limbs, and smiled, "Since Emperor Qian has handed Xiaoshanhe Institute over to me, everything within it is at my disposal. If I say you are guilty, then you are guilty; if I say you are innocent, then you are innocent. Whether there is evidence or not is beside the point!"


    "You..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face went through a series of changes, showing a hint of horror in his eyes.


    In his view...


    Xiao Yi would surely not dare to confront him head-on if he wanted to control Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Otherwise...


    If he and a group of instructors and disciples banded together to resist, not to mention revitalizing Xiaoshanhe Institute, even the most basic management would become problematic for Xiao Yi.


    Then he would incur severe punishment from Emperor Qian.


    Moreover...


    Having managed Xiaoshanhe Institute for over a decade, Chen Shuiwen had turned it into an impregnable fortress, beyond the reach of others. It was precisely for this reason that Chen Shuiwen was so confident and fearless, confronting Xiao Yi head-on, intending to make Xiao Yi''s life difficult until he had no choice but to leave, and the control of Xiaoshanhe Institute would once again fall into his hands.


    As for forcefully removing them?


    Chen Shuiwen had never thought Xiao Yi would do such a thing, or to put it another way, in his view, Xiao Yi absolutely wouldn''t dare to do so.


    After all...


    He had deep roots in Xiaoshanhe Institute, and should Xiao Yi forcefully oppose him, he could simply take all instructors and disciples and leave. What then, with Xiao Yi alone, could be said about revitalizing Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    If it were under normal circumstances, anyone else taking Xiao Yi''s position indeed wouldn''t dare to do so.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi had already resolved to expand Xiaoshanhe Institute, and once new disciples and instructors were recruited, Chen Shuiwen''s departure, along with that of his cadre of parasites, would have absolutely no impact on Xiaoshanhe Institute. In addition, Xiao Yi held a capital of a trillion two of silver and had also formed alliances with the powerful Dongfang and Ximen families.


    As long as the issue of the elixirs was resolved, a completely new Xiaoshanhe Institute could be established.


    Why would a Xiao Yi, who had no concerns for the consequences, fear them?


    "Mr. Xiao, stop posing and posturing here. Xiaoshanhe Institute can do without you, Xiao Yi, but it can''t do without me, Chen Shuiwen!" Chen Shuiwen said confidently.


    Chen Xing nodded from the side, "Mr. Chen has devoted all his efforts to Xiaoshanhe Institute; without him, there would be no Xiaoshanhe Institute today! If you dismiss Mr. Chen without any evidence, all the teachers and students of Xiaoshanhe Institute will not stand for it, and we will surely petition to Emperor Qian about your actions!"


    "Very well, since you want evidence, I will give you evidence!"


    Xiao Yi reached out with one hand.


    Whoosh!


    The vitality was like a sea, instantly binding Chen Xing.


    Chen Xing''s body involuntarily hung in midair, his hands clutching at his neck desperately, his face full of shock, his limbs flailing wildly, "Let me go... Xiao, Xiao Yi, what are you doing? Let me go..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face was extremely unsightly, and he gritted his teeth, "Xiao Yi, are you really going to tear our faces apart?"


    Vitality fluctuated around him.


    Hiss, hiss!


    A series of low hissing suddenly echoed in his ears; Little Lin had unknowingly landed on his shoulder, its sharp fangs glinting a cold light.


    Gulp!


    Chen Shuiwen''s body trembled all over.


    The arrival of Little Lin sent a chill throughout his body, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.


    This was the feeling of death!


    It made him dare not move.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, staring at Chen Xing. Under the powerful pressure that crushed down, Chen Xing''s face turned extremely pale, completely bloodless, his voice icy, "Chen Xing, if you confess truthfully, I can spare you from death. Otherwise, I will make you understand what it means to neither live nor die at will!"


    "I, I don''t know what you''re talking about..." Chen Xing gritted his teeth.


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi gave a faint smile.


    Thud!


    A streak of silver light flashed by, severing Chen Xing''s right arm at the shoulder.


    The severed arm flew high into the air and fell to the ground.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Speak? Or not?"


    "I don''t know..."


    Thud!


    His left arm was cut off.


    Chen Xing screamed in agony, his eyes reddening, "Xiao Yi... you are framing me, I..."


    Thud!


    Both legs were severed.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If you confess honestly, not only will I spare your life, but I will also procure a Jade Fetal Elixir for you, allowing your severed body to be reborn. If you remain deluded, the next thing to part from your body will be this head of yours!"


    "I, I..."


    Chen Xing''s face was filled with terror as he watched the silver light dancing on Xiao Yi''s fingertips. His complexion shifted constantly until the silver light reached in front of his eyes, when he quickly bellowed, "I''ll talk, I''ll talk... I have backups of all the ledgers in my Storage Ring. Over the years, Chen Shuiwen has been embezzling imperial funds. He has swallowed nearly a hundred billion by himself, for all of which I have evidence..."


    "Chen Xing, how dare you betray me?" Chen Shuiwen''s eyes were about to split with fury.


    Chen Xing said with a bitter smile, "Mr. Chen, I, I had no choice..."


    "You..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face was as black as coal.


    Xiao Yi took the ledger that Chen Xing handed over, his eyes narrowing, "Mr. Chen, do you have anything to say?"


    Chen Shuiwen''s face alternated between green and white, his eyes filled with venomous hatred as he gnashed his teeth, "Xiao Yi, you''re ruthless. I admit my loss today. Yet, over these years at Xiaoshanhe Institute, I have endured hardships even if I haven''t made meritorious deeds. So what if I embezzled this money? Do you really dare to kill me?"


    Over these years.


    Although Chen Shuiwen was insatiably greedy, he had indeed cultivated many strong individuals.


    Among these strong individuals, many held high positions, or were powerful figures in their own right.


    Even if the evidence was conclusive and all submitted to Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian would not kill him!


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I will not kill you, but Xiaoshanhe Institute can no longer accommodate you. Leave!"


    Xiao Yi''s aim had never been to kill Chen Shuiwen but to simply expel him from Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Chen Shuiwen sneered, "Xiao Yi, as the saying goes, ''The mountains do not turn, but the waters do.'' Today, I, Chen Shuiwen, have underestimated you and fallen into your hands. But don''t get too comfortable. There will come a day when I will claim back today''s humiliation with interest!"


    A cold snort.


    Chen Shuiwen stalked off with a flick of his sleeve.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, remaining silent.


    A moment later...


    Little Lin flew in from outside, landing on his shoulder: "Boss, that old guy is gathering instructors and students..." S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If those parasites choose to leave with him, it saves me the effort of weeding them out one by one."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, then narrowed his eyes, speaking indifferently, "Little Lin, you tell those people, if they want to leave, I won''t stop them, but if they stay, they must abide by my rules."


    Little Lin blinked, "Boss, what rules?"


    Xiao Yi enunciated each word, "Those who follow me will prosper, those who oppose me will perish!"

 Chapter 281 - 281: Name Remains, Essence Gone?

    Xiaoshanhe Institute, Martial Arts Field.


    Chen Shuiwen stood on the high platform, with thousands of people standing before him.


    These were all the current instructors and disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and over the more than a decade that Chen Shuiwen had been in charge, they had become his steadfast supporters.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, I, Chen Shuiwen, have exhausted all my efforts for the Xiaoshanhe Institute for decades, but ''when the hare is dead, the hound is cooked...''"


    With a sorrowful expression, Chen Shuiwen spoke in a heavy voice, "Now that Xiao Yi has ascended to the position of head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, I, Chen Shuiwen, have lost my usefulness. Just a moment ago, Xiao Yi asked me to resign from the position of Deputy Head. I, Chen Shuiwen, cannot bear to leave and cannot bear to part with all of you; I was unwilling to resign. Xiao Yi then coerced Elder Chen Xing into slandering me by accusing me of embezzling more than a hundred billion taels. If I do not leave, he will use this crime of embezzlement against me. I have no other choice but to resign from the position of Deputy Head of Xiaoshanhe Institute effective immediately..."


    Boom!


    As soon as this was said,


    The entire Martial Arts Field boiled over.


    Thousands of people widened their eyes in shock and bewilderment.


    Chen Shuiwen looked toward Sun Zhengyi, Zou Zheng, and others in the crowd.


    Sun Zhengyi, in stark anguish, cried out, "Ladies and gentlemen, over the years, Mr. Chen has given his all for the Shanhe Court. Xiao Yi has barely arrived at the Xiaoshanhe Institute and is already trying to eliminate dissidents, repressing Mr. Chen. Can you tolerate this?"


    "We cannot!"


    Zou Zheng shouted, "Mr. Chen has worked tirelessly for our benefit. What is Xiao Yi? What contributions has he made to the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "Right, we support Mr. Chen!"


    "If Xiao Yi wants to drive Mr. Chen away, he has to drive us all away together!"


    "It should be him leaving, why should you be the one to go?"


    "We support having Xiao Yi resign from the position of Head..."


    The crowd shouted one after another.


    The unified shouting of thousands of people was like thundering war drums reverberating in the skies above the Martial Arts Field.


    The corners of Chen Shuiwen''s mouth lifted slightly, revealing a smile of successful intrigue. He clasped his hands together in front of his chest, tears glistened in his bloodshot eyes: "Ladies and gentlemen, there is no need for this. Xiao, the Head of the Institute, has the Emperor Qian''s instructions and is the rightful leader of Xiaoshanhe Institute. And what am I, Chen Shuiwen? I have treated the Xiaoshanhe Institute as my home, and for over a decade I have diligently and unswervingly worked without a moment''s laziness... but none of that matters anymore. Since Xiao the Head cannot accommodate me, then let me depart! Ladies and gentlemen, you should stay at the Xiaoshanhe Institute, I trust that Xiao the Head will certainly lead you to a glorious future!"


    His words were earnest and touched the heart of every hardship and difficulty he had faced over the past decade.


    It brought pain to those who heard it, and tears to those who saw it.


    The instructors of Xiaoshanhe Institute had long received Chen Shuiwen''s instructions and began to speak one after another: "Ladies and gentlemen, we absolutely cannot let Mr. Chen''s years of hard work be wasted!"


    "We support Mr. Chen; if Xiao the Head insists on driving Mr. Chen away, we will leave with him!"


    "Right, we will advance or retreat together with Mr. Chen!"


    The disciples, who usually spent more time with their instructors than the newly arrived Head Xiao Yi, began to speak up, "We are willing to advance or retreat together with Mr. Chen!"


    "If Xiao the Head wants to drive Mr. Chen away, then drive us all away!"


    "Advance or retreat together!"


    Sun Zhengyi raised his arms and shouted. Seeing a sea of disciples worked into a fervent state, their spirit fully ignited, a look of pride appeared on his face as he looked toward Chen Shuiwen.


    In Chen Shuiwen''s eyes flashed a hint of satisfaction. Feigning emotion, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for your recognition and support of me. Since you all wish to follow me, I will certainly not let you down! I will find a way to establish a new Xiaoshanhe Institute. If you trust in me, Chen Shuiwen, then leave with me, and I, Chen Shuiwen, promise that you will not be treated unfairly!"


    "I am willing to follow you!"


    "Mr. Chen, we will always support you!"


    For a moment.


    All the instructors and two-thirds of the disciples chose to follow Chen Shuiwen as he left.


    Those who remained were students with mediocre talents coupled with a lack of flattery. They received scant resources usually and were extremely dissatisfied with Chen Shuiwen and the various instructors. In Chen Shuiwen''s eyes, these people were trash that couldn''t be helped up, and he naturally did not care about their departure, laughing as he said, "Everyone, please believe in Chen, I definitely won''t let you down!"


    "Long live Dean Chen!"


    "Following Dean Chen''s lead is indeed the correct choice!"


    Oozing with pride, Chen Shuiwen turned his gaze to Xiao Yi, who appeared on the edge of the training field, his face wearing an arrogant look, and he proclaimed loudly, "Dean Xiao, if a place does not welcome me, I will find one that does. Today, due to your stubbornness, you forced us to leave the Xiaoshanhe Institute. I believe it won''t be long before you regret today''s decision!"


    Xiao Yi''s shoulder was home to Little Lin.


    Standing behind him were Yu Huaxian and others, their gazes towards Chen Shuiwen and his people icily sharp.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up slightly, glancing at the crowd before him, excited, with each person standing behind Chen Shuiwen��both instructors and disciples��with an indifferent look, "If you step out of the Xiaoshanhe Institute today, you will never be employed again, having no further ties with my Xiaoshanhe Institute!" S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Who wants to have anything to do with you?"


    "Since we''ve chosen to leave with Dean Chen, we naturally won''t come back!"


    "Dean Xiao, you can stay here and play the lone commander..."


    Sun Zhengyi wore a mocking smile, laughing derisively.


    All the instructors and disciples felt the same.


    Nobody was optimistic about Xiao Yi.


    A top powerhouse in a sect is indeed important, but the true foundation lies in the disciples and the strength of various instructors. Without them, one is but a lone commander, of what use is strength then?


    "Everyone, follow me and leave!"


    Chen Shuiwen made a grand sweeping gesture, and everyone closely followed him.


    As he brushed past Xiao Yi, Chen Shuiwen''s step faltered slightly, revealing a smug smile, "Xiao Yi, there''s just over two months until the ancestor worship ceremony, I''d like to see how you explain yourself to Emperor Qian!"


    "You needn''t worry yourself over that!" Xiao Yi replied indifferently.


    "Truly a case of not crying until seeing the coffin!"


    Chen Shuiwen shook his head, leading Sun Zhengyi, Zou Zheng, and the rest of the instructors and disciples away, striding off with great steps.


    For a moment.


    On the training field, only Xiao Yi''s party remained, along with the bottom third of disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute who had not left.


    They looked at each other, their faces a picture of bewildered uncertainty.


    Although they were unwilling to follow Chen Shuiwen, staying in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, they also saw no hope.


    After all.


    Compared with the experienced and renowned Chen Shuiwen, Xiao Yi was indeed far less famous in managing a sect.


    Moreover...


    Now that almost all instructors and disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute had left, with the Institute in name only, how could it return to its former glory?


    The vast training field was cast in dreary gloom.


    Xiao Yi''s sharp gaze swept over everyone, how could he not understand their thoughts? His mouth rose slightly, and he was about to speak astonishingly, "..."

 Chapter 282 - 282: Turning Hand into a Mountain of Silver!

    "If you wish to leave, I will not force you to stay!"


    Xiao Yi''s words were startling.


    The over one thousand disciples left on the training ground all looked at each other in disbelief, unable to believe what they were hearing from Xiao Yi.


    In their eyes...


    Presently, all the instructors of Xiaoshanhe Institute, along with two-thirds of the elite disciples, had followed Chen Shuiwen away.


    They were all that was left of Xiaoshanhe Institute''s foundation.


    Shouldn''t Xiao Yi exhaust every effort to keep them instead of letting them leave?


    Was he planning to throw in the towel and give up on Xiaoshanhe Institute completely?


    For a moment.


    Many disciples wavered and ultimately chose to leave, "Sorry, Director Xiao..."


    "I apologize, Director Xiao..."


    One.


    Two.


    Three...


    Once someone took the lead, others quickly followed.


    In the blink of an eye.


    One-third of the group had left, leaving only over seven hundred still standing in their places.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over these seven hundred and saw a trace of satisfaction flash in the depths of his eyes, knowing that those who still wished to stay must be truly loyal to Xiaoshanhe Institute at heart.


    Their talents might not be high.


    But with Xiao Yi there, was a lack of talent a problem?


    Even for those considered talentless, he could create a demon core Dantian!


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a smile as he spoke loudly, "I''m glad you chose to stay. I know many of you are doubting whether I can lead Xiaoshanhe Institute to its former glory��"


    The crowd was silent.


    But their gazes all fell on him.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, they were indeed doubting his abilities.


    Xiao Yi''s smile grew slightly, and a powerful pressure suddenly burst forth from him as the Martial Dao Divine Fruit floated above him.


    That golden Martial Dao Divine Fruit radiated myriad halos and a thousand streaks of auspicious light.


    Under the enveloping pressure.


    The crowd felt their spirits lifted, gazing at the Martial Dao Divine Fruit above Xiao Yi''s head in disbelief. They had never seen a Divine Fruit of the Martial Dao so pure, so holy, so powerful.


    At least in terms of power��


    Xiao Yi had given them a strong impact and confidence, after all, not even Chen Shuiwen had ever exerted such terrifying pressure on them.


    Looking at the awe and admiration in the eyes of the crowd, Xiao Yi knew he had achieved the desired effect.


    The Martial Dao Divine Fruit retracted into his body.


    The terrible pressure disappeared without a trace.


    The crowd''s gaze was unprecedentedly unified, all focused on Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "Please believe in me, I am certain I can lead Xiaoshanhe Institute back to its glory!"


    "Director Xiao, all the instructors of Xiaoshanhe Institute have now followed Deputy Director Chen, how then can you lead us back to glory?"


    "I am sure Director Xiao is also aware that our talents are not outstanding among the disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, we might even be considered the bottom tier. It is precisely because of this that we were always neglected, which is why we didn''t follow Deputy Director Chen when he left..."


    "Director Xiao''s strength is there for all to see, but your strength alone does not mean you can make us strong too!"


    The disciples said one after another.


    Xiao Yi nodded, clearly understanding their concerns, but he had long been prepared for these questions. He responded, "Please rest assured, the current predicament of Xiaoshanhe Institute is only temporary. Soon, you will meet a batch of outstanding instructors, as well as a group of talented fellow disciples. I am confident that Xiaoshanhe Institute will shine once more, and those who left today will regret their decision for the rest of their lives!"


    "Director Chen, did you hear what he said? It appears that our Director Xiao is unaware of what it truly takes to strengthen Xiaoshanhe Institute!" Sun Zhengyi''s voice came from the edge of the training ground.


    It turned out they had already packed their belongings, ready to leave Xiaoshanhe Institute, and had overheard Xiao Yi''s words while passing by.


    Chen Shuiwen, with his arms folded across his chest and a smile curving his lips, spoke in a mocking tone, "Director Xiao, let me remind you... the strength of a sect requires not only a sufficient number of strong figures to guide the disciples in their Cultivation Technique, and not just disciples with enough talent in numbers. It also needs a vast amount of resources, medicinal pills, elemental weapons, martial skills... all of these are indispensable."


    Zou Zheng expressed regret, "It''s just a pity that Xiaoshanhe Institute really doesn''t have any spare silver left for you. Oh right, it seems the manuals for the martial arts Cultivation Techniques also lack proper management and have been damaged by worms. Tsk tsk, it''s such a waste!"


    "Director Chen, how about we each donate a Silver Tael to help them out a bit? Otherwise, with Xiaoshanhe Institute in its current state, I''m afraid they won''t even be able to afford ordinary grains and fodder!" Sun Zhengyi said with a smirk by the side, his eyes filled with ridicule and provocation as he looked at Xiao Yi.


    As Chen Shuiwen''s confidant, he naturally knew that over the past decade.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute had already been hollowed out by Chen Shuiwen.


    In the treasury room.


    Leaving several hundred thousand taels of silver was already an act of great charity from Chen Shuiwen.


    No people, no money.


    How could they possibly revitalize the Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    Faced with everyone''s ridicule and provocation, Xiao Yi noticed that the expressions on the seven hundred disciples'' faces also showed a trace of sorrow.


    Xiao Yi turned to look at Chen Shuiwen and said with a cold smile, "You''re right, the resources you mentioned are indeed essential for the revival of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. However, who told you that the Xiaoshanhe Institute is lacking in these?"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Shuiwen was startled.


    Sun Zhengyi sneered, "Head Xiao, there''s no need to pretend here. The Xiaoshanhe Institute''s treasury can''t even produce a million taels of silver, let alone have a sufficient number of cultivation techniques, and even the tutors have all left. Could it be that you think just the few of you are enough to revive the Xiaoshanhe Institute? Don''t overestimate yourself!"


    Zou Zheng clicked his tongue and mocked, "Chen is preparing to establish a new Shanhe Court. If Head Xiao really can''t make ends meet, feel free to come over. I''ll personally put in a good word with Chen for you and get you a job as a gatekeeper!" Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Pretending to be displeased, Chen Shuiwen rebuked, "Zou Zheng, what nonsense are you talking? He has Emperor Qian''s support, how could he possibly need to come to us to make a living?"


    "Chen is right..."


    Sun Zhengyi also chimed in, winking and teasing, "With Head Xiao''s relationship with the imperial family, if he really can''t make it, he could completely become a chief steward in the palace!"


    "Hahaha..."


    The crowd burst into laughter.


    The look in their eyes towards Xiao Yi became even more filled with mockery.


    "Bastards..."


    "I really want to tear their mouths apart..." Yu Huaxian and the others'' faces turned green and then white, looking terribly ugly.


    They were about to make a move, but Xiao Yi stopped them.


    Xiao Yi looked at Chen Shuiwen and the others, who were full of pride, and said lightly, "My Xiaoshanhe Institute may lack everything, but it certainly doesn''t lack resources."


    "It''s not up to you to decide whether you lack resources or not!"


    "Hahaha, Head Xiao, could it be that you can conjure up a mountain of gold out of thin air?"


    Facing their ridicule and teasing,


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a smile and said, "A mountain of gold may be out of the question, but a mountain of silver is quite easy to come by!"


    "Hmm?"


    "A mountain of silver?"


    The crowd was taken aback.


    With a wave of Xiao Yi''s hand, a swath of silver light suddenly burst forth.


    From his storage ring, box after box of silver taels fell to the ground.


    Ten thousand.


    One hundred thousand.


    One million.


    Ten million...


    In the blink of an eye.


    An entire one trillion taels of silver were laid out in the martial field, piling up into a dazzling mountain of silver.


    Looking at the blinding mountain of silver, those who were just mocking Xiao Yi were dumbfounded.


    They felt their faces burn as if they had been viciously slapped dozens of times: "How is this possible?"


    "There has to be several trillion taels of silver here, right?"


    "With so much money... what resources couldn''t be bought? My god, where did Xiao Yi get all this money? How much can he buy with it? What have we exactly missed?"


    "With so much money in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, how could there be any worry about rejuvenation? Why did we choose to leave?"


    "..."


    For a time.


    Many disciples who had left with Chen Shuiwen were full of regret and beat their chests in frustration.


    Chen Shuiwen and the others were even paler, looking at the mountain of silver that rose dozens of feet high, their eyes wide...


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a slight smile as he looked at the stunned crowd and said, "Isn''t this mountain of silver spectacular?"


    Clap clap clap!


    Chen Shuiwen and the others'' cheeks twitched violently, they glared viciously at Xiao Yi but ended up leaving in a sorry state...

 Chapter 283 - 283: Do Not Move or Die!

    Chen Shuiwen and his party left in disarray.


    Excitement was painted on the faces of the several hundred disciples who chose to stay at the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    This was a trillion silver taels!


    One should know...


    Even considering the former scale of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, the monthly expenses were only about three hundred million silver taels, even if the costs increased a hundredfold it would only amount to one hundred billion. Here, the silver was enough to sustain for more than a decade, and with the resources increasing by tens of times, even if their talents were not as good as those who followed Chen Shuiwen, they could completely make up for it with the resources!


    In that moment,


    Those who had been full of doubts, thinking that Xiao Yi couldn''t lead the Xiaoshanhe Institute to its former glory, all showed excited expressions.


    Even Yu Huaxian had never seen so many silver taels before, and he swallowed subconsciously, turning to Yan Mingli beside him, "Elder Yan, do you think Xiao managed to get his hands on so much silver? He couldn''t have sold himself, right?"


    Yan Mingli twitched the corner of his eye: "..."


    Xue Bufan and others also gave him a deep look, with weird expressions on their faces.


    Touching his chin, Yu Huaxian felt even more convinced that his guess was right and pondered, "It''s only been a few days since Xiao left, and he''s made a trillion silver taels! This business is definitely worth it... It''s just that I don''t know if it can be a long-term deal. If it can last, it may be worthwhile for Xiao to make a few more trips..."


    "Yu Huaxian, I happen to know a place where you can sell your ass, are you interested?" A sinister voice suddenly rang in his ear.


    "Of course I''ll go... uh..."


    Yu Huaxian''s face stiffened as he turned to look at Xiao Yi, who had appeared before him, his face dark as coal, staring at him. He swallowed instinctively, and with a sheepish laugh, said, "Xiao... Xiao, I won''t dare... ah..."


    A scream pierced the air.


    Yu Huaxian was directly grabbed by Xiao Yi, who changed his direction and with a thud, buried his head in the ground. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His legs stood straight up,


    Like an uprooted green onion.


    Xiao Yi said, "You''re not allowed to come out until it gets dark!"


    Yu Huaxian''s aggrieved voice came from the ground: "&*()..."


    Xiao Yi looked towards Yan Mingli and spoke in a deep voice, "Elder Yan, I will entrust these silver taels to your management. From now on, you will lead all matters related to finance at the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Yes!"


    Yan Mingli''s face was filled with excitement.


    This was entrusting him with the financial authority of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, a sign of absolute trust.


    He looked at Xiao Yi with eyes full of gratitude.


    Xiao Yi then looked towards Xue Bufan and spoke solemnly, "Elder Xue, we will be expanding the recruitment of disciples and instructors next. There will be a large shortage of medicinal pills. List out what kinds we need, and I will find a way to source them."


    "Xiao, the medicinal pills in the Great Qian Dynasty are all controlled by the Nangong and Beitang families, shall I go see them?" Xue Bufan asked.


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment. Although Nangong Shengtian was previously overbearing and aggressive, just as Xue Bufan said, the medicinal pill and herb market within the Great Qian Dynasty was in the hands of these two families. If they could cooperate with them, it would definitely save a lot of trouble: "First, go to the Nangong Family to negotiate. If things don''t work out, we will find another way!"


    "Sure!"


    Xue Bufan nodded, "I''ll go right away!"


    Struggling, Yu Huaxian pulled his head out of the ground, spat out a mouthful of dirt, and expressed his concern, "Xiao, now that Chen Shuiwen has taken away all the instructors, as well as so many elite disciples. Our priority should be to recruit new disciples and instructors. Otherwise, just with us here... Not to mention revitalizing the Xiaoshanhe Institute, we won''t even be able to cope with the ancestral ceremony in two months!"


    Yan Mingli nodded, "Xiao, Yu Huaxian makes a good point!"


    Xiao Yi said, "Don''t worry, I have my plans for these matters!"


    His eyes narrowed into slits.


    The resurgence of the Xiaoshanhe Institute was of great significance. After all, if he wanted to truly surpass Xiao Tianjiao, it would not be possible just by fighting alone.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute was the perfect platform.


    Muttering to himself, Xiao Yi thought, "Xiao Tianjiao, you pride yourself on the backing of the Tianjian Sect and its massive power. But I wonder what your expression will be when I build the Xiaoshanhe Institute to rival the Tianjian Sect?"


    "Yu Huaxian, from this moment on, these disciples'' cultivation is entrusted to you. I will have Elder Xue and Elder Yan assist you. Whatever resources are needed, tell them directly. Spare no cost in providing for you. I want to see results in the shortest amount of time!" Xiao Yi instructed.


    He was determined to thoroughly reform the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    This reform was bound to face pressure from all sides, and with his current strength, he could barely resist these pressures. But what was truly important was to address all potential concerns of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Among these, the most critical was to secure the loyalty of the few hundred disciples before him, to offer them sufficient benefits, and to enable them to breakthrough their realms in the shortest time possible.


    These individuals were the gold-plated signboard he planned to send out into the world.


    Yu Huaxian understood the gravity of the situation; he patted his chest and solemnly promised, "Xiao, rest assured, I will not let you down!"


    His eyes fell on the few hundred disciples, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly: "Boys, brace yourselves for Grandpa Yu''s thunderstorm!"


    The few hundred disciples shuddered.


    They felt a chill all over.


    At this moment, they did not yet know that a storm as terrifying as hell would soon descend upon them.


    Of course...


    This storm was also a tremendous opportunity.


    An opportunity that could change their lives!


    After making all the arrangements, Xiao Yi returned to his private residence, "The strength of a sect, apart from having top warrior forces, also requires sufficient expert guidance, a substantial and high-quality group of disciples, and various types of resources... As for attracting enough experts and geniuses to join, one must show the strengths of the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Now that the Xiaoshanhe Institute had experienced the departure of people like Chen Shuiwen, its reputation would inevitably plummet to its lowest.


    This posed a great challenge for both the Xiaoshanhe Institute and Xiao Yi.


    A single misstep.


    Could lead to a tarnished reputation, and then no one would wish to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    But this was also an opportunity.


    Chen Shuiwen would undoubtedly widely publicize their departure, and at that time, many eyes would turn to the Xiaoshanhe Institute. If at this moment, they could instill confidence in everyone, letting them know the tremendous benefits of joining the Xiaoshanhe Institute, how could it worry about not attracting people?


    "The formation stones from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa will arrive in two days. If I can turn the entire Xiaoshanhe Institute into a cultivation holy land, it will surely attract a group of followers." At this thought, Xiao Yi''s figure flashed, and he entered the eternal tomb.


    His cultivation had now reached the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and the number of God Sealing Seeds he possessed was a terrifying tens of millions!


    His eyes couldn''t help but fall upon the tomb of Zhao Wuji.


    This was a presence that stood at the very pinnacle of the outermost layer of the pyramid in the eternal tomb, Martial God Zhao Wuji, a figure shrouded in legend, a being spoken of as both god and devil.


    Simultaneously...


    He was also the only being among many strong figures who could be termed a "God."


    Before this.


    With several million God Sealing Seeds in Xiao Yi''s possession, he was already close to accessing Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb. Now, with tens of millions of God Sealing Seeds, he could naturally progress further. But just as he was about to touch Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb, the God Sealing Seeds inside his body suddenly began to tremble violently, and in his mind, the anxious voice of the Wind Thunder Venerable suddenly rang out: "Do not touch! To touch is to die!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi''s face drastically changed, and he quickly withdrew his hand.


    The tomb of Zhao Wuji in front of him seemed to be greatly angered, and the tombstone trembled thunderously.


    The formidable pressure made Xiao Yi''s face turn even paler.


    The tens of millions of God Sealing Seeds inside his body trembled wildly, the terrifying black light shrouded him, and only then was he barely able to withstand that terrible pressure.


    Xiao Yi drew a cold breath, looking at the ancient tomb in front of him with lingering fear: "What exactly is hidden inside Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb? Why is Wind Thunder Venerable so wary of it? Well, I will deal with it after I truly step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    His gaze reluctantly moved away from Zhao Wuji''s ancient tomb.


    Xiao Yi arrived at the destination of his journey...


    In front of this low tomb was a standing green tombstone that read��Tomb of the Great Formation Master Twin Star Taoist!

 Chapter 284 - 284: The Twin Star Taoist

    ```


    Twin Star Taoist.


    His life was legendary.


    This man was born into a martial arts family. His martial arts talent was mediocre, not valued by his clan.


    Thus, he took a different path and delved into the study of formation arts.


    It is said��


    Throughout his life, Twin Star Taoist created over 63,000 formations, virtually encompassing all conceivable arrays.


    Though he wasn''t hailed as the Medicine Saint like the Wind Thunder revered one, nor considered the pioneer of the path of alchemy, his status in the realm of formations was no less than that of the Wind Thunder revered one in alchemy. The most famous battle in Twin Star Taoist''s life was against Zhao Wuji, during which he laid down over 13,800 killing formations and 21,056 trapping formations.


    He had trapped Zhao Wuji for an entire century.


    To break free from that world of formations, Martial God Zhao Wuji had forcibly shattered the once whole Qingtian Realm into bits and pieces.


    This resulted in the current five continents of north, south, east, west, and central Qingtian Realm. S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And the former world of formations, as the main battlefield, was directly sunk into the depths of the ocean.


    The path of formations, the path of alchemy, the martial path.


    Mastering any of these could grant power to rival the gods.


    If Zhao Wuji was considered the pinnacle of the martial path, then Twin Star Taoist was the dominant force in the world of formations!


    In terms of being troublesome, he was undoubtedly the first in all ages throughout Qingtian Realm!


    It was for this reason...


    Xiao Yi had held back from making his move until now.


    "Once I''ve excavated Twin Star Taoist''s grave, the only other tomb that seems promising is Zhao Wuji''s��" Xiao Yi looked around, even though there were many tombs here, there weren''t many that caught his eye!


    However��


    The Wind Thunder revered one''s consecutive warnings had made Xiao Yi more cautious and wary of Zhao Wuji''s tomb.


    He was determined not to touch it until he truly broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Swish!


    Inside Xiao Yi, tens of millions of God Sealing Seeds furiously converged, forming a pitch-black palm that fiercely struck toward Twin Star Taoist''s tomb.


    Boom!


    The tomb exploded.


    Suddenly, countless formation flags shot out, with up to a thousand of them landing around Xiao Yi.


    The surrounding space twisted, revealing a piece of tranquil land.


    It was an ancient village.


    The villagers were coming and going, their faces bearing happy smiles. They looked at Xiao Yi with very gentle eyes.


    "May I ask��"


    Xiao Yi saw a girl appear ahead of him. The girl was exquisite, as if carved from jade.


    Her pigtails on either side were especially cute, and she held a tanghulu in her plump hands, hopping past Xiao Yi. When she heard Xiao Yi speak, the girl stopped, curiously sizing him up with her head tilted, her voice as pleasant as an oriole''s, "Big brother, how come I''ve never seen you before? Are you new to our village?"


    Xiao Yi subconsciously nodded, "Little sister, what''s your name? Where is this place?"


    The girl tilted her head and said with a beaming smile, "My name is Qingzhu, Fang Qingzhu!"


    "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Fang Qingzhu?


    How could she be Fang Qingzhu?


    While Xiao Yi was stunned, he saw the girl suddenly thrust the tanghulu in her hand forward, stabbing at a young boy passing by her side. The candied hawthorn stick was as sharp as a knife, and with a ''puff,'' it sliced off the young boy''s head. His fresh blood sprayed onto the tanghulu, making the string of candied fruits even more vividly red.


    The surrounding villagers continued to go about their business with happy smiles on their faces.


    As if they hadn''t seen any of it.


    The girl clapped her hands, her face beaming with excitement and joy, "My tanghulu is sweeter now! Big brother, do you want to try some?"


    In front of Xiao Yi��


    The girl''s appearance began to change, her body transforming to look exactly like Fang Qingzhu.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly contracted, disbelief in his eyes, "How can you kill people at will?"


    "Big brother, my tanghulu wasn''t sweet anymore, but after killing them, it''s sweet again!" said the girl innocently.


    She stuck out her blood-red tongue and licked the tanghulu.


    ```


    The sugar coating on the hawthorn fruit skewers gradually faded.


    The girl frowned in dissatisfaction, looking at the villagers coming and going around her, "How annoying! The candied hawthorn isn''t sweet anymore, big brother, wait for me, okay? I''m going to add some sugar to the skewers!"


    Swish!


    Swish!


    The girl''s smile remained on her face, as beautiful as Fang Qingzhu''s, while the candied hawthorn in her hand turned into a deadly weapon.


    One life after another was claimed by the candied hawthorn.


    Blood added to the bright red color on the skewers.


    The taste became increasingly sweet.


    "Stop!"


    Xiao Yi flashed in front of her, staring at the girl, "You can''t just kill people at will!"


    The girl''s eyes brimmed with longing, looking at Xiao Yi with a look of grievance, her slender palm covering her heart, "Big brother, don''t you like me anymore? I just wanted to eat the candied hawthorn, why must you stop me?"


    "You..."


    Xiao Yi looked at that familiar face, filled with a sorrowful expression, and his heart twisted in pain.


    For a moment...


    It was as if it really was Fang Qingzhu standing before him.


    The girl said with a look of grievance, "You promised that you would do anything for me, are you going back on your word now? You don''t love me anymore?"


    Every word the girl spoke, every character was filled with a magic power.


    Striking directly at Xiao Yi''s heart.


    An alluring voice appeared in his mind, "It''s just killing a few people, isn''t it? She is the one you love the most; what''s the big deal?"


    Xiao Yi''s heart wavered.


    On one side was the person he loved the most; on the other, strangers who meant nothing to him.


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi gritted his teeth, shook his head forcefully, and the confusion and hesitation in his eyes vanished as he snorted coldly and seized the neck of the Fang Qingzhu in front of him.


    "Big brother, you... are you going to kill me? You said you''d love me and protect me for a lifetime, will you really kill me for their sake?" The girl''s eyes welled up with longing tears, her aggrieved appearance almost irresistibly stirring the impulse to protect her.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath, his voice sinking, "The real Qingzhu would never slaughter the innocent like you... You can''t influence me!"


    His state of mind was ascending.


    As firm as iron, unbreakable.


    No matter how the girl in front of him tried to beguile or look aggrieved, she could not shake his spirit.


    The look of grievance on the girl''s face disappeared in an instant, transforming into a strange smile. Everything around him shattered. The villagers vanished; the village disappeared. In front of Xiao Yi, the girl turned into a middle-aged man dressed in starry Daoist robes.


    He had somehow broken free from Xiao Yi''s grasp, his hands behind his back, and a warm smile on his face as he looked at Xiao Yi and nodded, "To break the Dream-Entering Formation of this old man in such a short time, lad, you''ve done well!"


    "Are you... the Twin Stars Daoist?" Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank slightly as he took in the Ancient Heavenly Tomb reappearing around him, "Was that just a formation? How could a formation feel so real..."


    "Real? Unreal? What''s the difference? If the false resembles the true, then the true also becomes false, and if the true is taken for the false, then the false also becomes true. As long as you hold steadfast to your original heart, there''s no need to distinguish between reality and illusion!"


    The Twin Stars Daoist chuckled, then continued, "Lad, I sensed the aura of the Wind Thunder Holy Body on you! What is your relationship with that fellow Wind Thunder? And what is this place?"


    Xiao Yi said, "This is the Ancient Heavenly Tomb. I am the Celestial War General, the master here. You share the same fate as the venerable Wind Thunder, buried within the Ancient Heavenly Tomb. As its keeper, once I subdue you all, I can obtain your inheritances..."


    "The Ancient Heavenly Tomb? The Celestial War General?"


    The Twin Stars Daoist seemed taken aback, clearly unfamiliar with the Ancient Heavenly Tomb, a look of foreignness on his face, then he shook his head and said, "Well, if that old fellow Wind Thunder has also been subdued by you, and you were able to break my formation, I won''t make it difficult for you. Come, let''s see, how does the master of this Ancient Heavenly Tomb subdue us?"


    "Senor, forgive my offense!"


    Xiao Yi''s God Sealing Seed vibrated, transforming into a colossal black hole, swallowing the Twin Stars Daoist with a swish.


    A moment later...


    Inside it, another statue appeared within the God Sealing Seed.


    At the same time...


    All knowledge of the Twin Stars Daoist regarding formations flowed into Xiao Yi''s mind, deeply imprinted within his soul, indelible!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply, finally obtaining the inheritance of the Twin Stars Daoist, and then instantly vanished from the Ancient Heavenly Tomb.


    When he reappeared in his bedroom, the anxious voice of Ye Heng came from outside the door, "Master, the people from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa have arrived! They''ve also brought two formation masters with them, and their intentions aren''t friendly..."

 Chapter 285 - 285 Im not targeting anyone!

    Xiaoshanhe Institute, in the guest hall.


    Representatives from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, Hai Wei and Li Jinjun, stood with bowed heads. Before them sat a man and a woman.


    These two had considerable reputations.


    The man was known as the Purple-robed Daoist. Although he was only at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, his status within Wendao Villa was by no means inferior to that of any cultivator in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. After all, he was a six-star Array Master.


    The woman hailed from Three Seas Mountain: Li Youruo.


    Li Youruo''s cultivation was also at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, and like the Purple-robed Daoist, she was a six-star Array Master, holding a significant position within Three Seas Mountain.


    Yu Huaxian stood to the side, chest out, head held high, vigilantly watching the four of them.


    The Purple-robed Daoist said impatiently, "Your Director Xiao sure puts on quite the air. Even meeting with Emperor Qian wouldn''t have us waiting this long!"


    Yu Huaxian responded indifferently, "Director Xiao is preoccupied with important matters and cannot get away at the moment. I''ve sent someone to notify him, and I believe he will be here shortly!"


    "Hmph!"


    The Purple-robed Daoist snorted coldly, glanced around, and then turned to Li Youruo by his side and said, "I''ve always heard that the Xiaoshanhe Institute has fallen into disrepair for quite some time now, but I never knew to what extent. Now that I''ve seen it with my own eyes, it indeed is in a sorry state! Despite being a former presence among the top ten sects, you don''t even have a Spirit Gathering Array��"


    Li Youruo nodded, her words dripping with sarcasm, "In the vast Great Qian Dynasty, aside from the Tianjian Sect, which other sect''s formations can compare to ours? Before, when I heard that Xiao Yi requested a hundred thousand array stones, I thought the Xiaoshanhe Institute had some grandmaster of formations, which is why I went out of my way to come by. But now, it seems we might be returning disappointed!"


    Among the top ten sects.


    Every sect possessed a Spirit Gathering Array, of which Tianjian Sect''s was the most effective, boasting a fivefold increase in gathering efficacy.


    Immediately following were Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa.


    Both sects'' Spirit Gathering Arrays achieved a fourfold increase in efficacy.


    The condensed spiritual energy from heaven and earth transformed their respective sects into holy grounds for martial cultivation.


    Hai Wei and Li Jinjun displayed a smug look on their faces, their gaze toward Yu Huaxian growing more disdainful by the moment.


    Yu Huaxian clenched his teeth in anger yet had no words to refute.


    At that moment...


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly came from outside the door, "Rest assured, the two of you will not make this trip in vain!"


    "Oh?"


    The group was taken aback and looked towards the entrance.


    Xiao Yi entered the guest hall, led by Ye Heng.


    Yu Huaxian quietly breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and said with pride, "The two of you, this is our Director of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi!"


    "So you are Xiao Yi? Having the cultivation of the Tao Tribulation Realm at such a young age is indeed not weak!" Li Youruo squinted her eyes, scrutinizing Xiao Yi from head to toe, then nodded slightly. She followed up with ridicule, "You say we won''t be disappointed? Yet in my opinion, that''s unlikely! I heard that all the instructors of Xiaoshanhe Institute, including Chen Shuiwen, have left. Does anyone else among you understand formations?"


    Formation arts are easy to start but extremely difficult to truly master.


    Before this...


    Xiaoshanhe Institute had Chen Shuiwen, who was a four-star Array Master himself.


    Now that Chen Shuiwen had left the Xiaoshanhe Institute, in the eyes of Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist, there was no longer anyone who understood formations.


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly and said, "Xiao has some understanding."


    "Some understanding?"


    Li Jinjun, who stood behind the purple-robed Daoist, snickered with contempt, "Headmaster Xiao, do you know who these two are before you? This purple-robed Daoist and Senior Li Youruo are both illustrious Array Masters of the Meteor Formation. Within the Great Qian Dynasty, there are hardly a handful of people who excel beyond them in the art of formations."


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, his face taking on a strange expression as he looked at Li Youruo and the purple-robed Daoist and saluted, "So the two seniors grace us with their presence, I''ve long admired you! May I know what brings the two seniors here today?"


    Li Youruo said coldly, "Is it you who made our two families deliver a hundred thousand array stones?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Li Jinjun and Hai Wei, who averted their gazes briefly, and he smiled, "Indeed! I believe they''ve also told you the reasons why you should deliver the array stones to me. Have the two seniors personally come here intending to go back on your word?"


    "Go back on our word? Three Seas Mountain is not so low as to renege on a hundred thousand array stones, however..."


    Li Youruo''s face, resembling old tree bark, carried an indifferent tone, "Array stones are extremely precious, and as Array Masters, we will never allow anyone to waste them."


    The purple-robed Daoist nodded and said, "If your Xiaoshanhe Institute can make good use of these array stones, we naturally won''t interfere. However, your institute most likely lacks the capability!"


    The sole Array Master of Xiaoshanhe Institute had left.


    Who else had the ability to use array stones?


    Xiao Yi smiled.


    If they had come before, he indeed wouldn''t have had a retort.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi said, "You needn''t worry about that, seniors. Since I''ve requested these array stones, naturally I have the ability to make them serve their purpose without wasting a single one." sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Is that so?"


    Li Youruo examined Xiao Yi with a mocking gaze and scoffed, "What big talk, Headmaster Xiao! Even when we are setting up formations, they can hardly avoid some damage. Yet, you claim to have such confidence that you won''t waste a single array stone. I wonder which master you plan to invite for the task? Surely it''s not the Headmaster Xiao who has ''some understanding'' of formations himself?"


    The purple-robed Daoist burst into laughter and said, "Li Family''s young lady, why do you speak such harsh truths? Aren''t you embarrassing Headmaster Xiao?"


    Li Youruo snorted coldly, "Embarrass him? Wasting those hundred thousand array stones for nothing would be the true embarrassment!"


    Hai Wei smiled with irony and said, "Headmaster Xiao, if you can''t find someone to set up the formation, you could ask Elder Li to step in! Of course, Elder Li''s services don''t come cheap!"


    The purple-robed Daoist said with a smile, "Xiao Yi, as long as you sincerely ask me, I can also set up the formation for you!"


    In their eyes, Xiao Yi clearly had no one to set up the formations, which is why they were so brazen.


    Faced with their teasing and mockery,


    Xiao Yi shrugged playfully and said with a sly smile, "There''s no need for the seniors to trouble themselves. Just setting up a few simple formations, Xiao can manage that!"


    "What? You''re going to do it yourself?"


    "That''s just nonsense, the ways of the formation are not like martial arts. Without sufficient time for understanding and practice, how can you possibly set up a formation?"


    "Do you understand how to set up formations? Don''t think reading a few books on formations makes you impressive!"


    "You needn''t concern yourselves with that, my institute doesn''t need to set up any sophisticated formations; just a simple Spirit Gathering Array with tenfold effect is enough for Xiao to handle. Moreover, when it comes to understanding and crafting formations, you are all but trash compared to me!"


    Xiao Yi looked at the furious Li Youruo and the purple-robed Daoist, and with a smile, he said, "I''m not targeting anyone, but when it comes to formations, you all present are trash!"

 Chapter 286 - 286: The Indenture of Sale

    "I''m not singling anyone out, everyone seated here is trash!"


    Xiao Yi''s face bore a peaceful smile as he spoke one word at a time, extremely earnest.


    Pfft!


    Yu Huaxian and Ye Heng couldn''t help but laugh aloud.


    Li Youruo, and the Purple-robed Daoist��their faces alternated between shades of green and white, instantly turning unsightly.


    Especially the Purple-robed Daoist and Li Youruo, who slammed their fists onto the table and stood up, their eyes fiery red as if shooting flames, glaring steadfastly at Xiao Yi with clenched teeth, their eyes filled with wrath and humiliation.


    The Purple-robed Daoist bellowed, "You little bastard, how dare you insult me like this? Do you know, before you were even born, I was already known as a grandmaster of formations..."


    Li Youruo''s face was frosty as he said with a gloomy expression, "This is utterly absurd. No wonder Chen Shuiwen led his people away from Xiaoshanhe Institute... What on earth was Emperor Qian thinking? To entrust Xiaoshanhe Institute to someone as ignorant as you?"


    When it comes to mastery of formation arrays.


    They indeed were among the top in the Great Qian Dynasty, with perhaps only the Elder of the Tianjian Sect being able to utterly surpass them in the field of formations.


    That person is a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert, a seven-star senior array master!


    What is Xiao Yi?


    In their eyes, nothing but an insignificant whelp.


    Within their sects, those of Xiao Yi''s age would, at most, only be three or four-star Array Masters, even if they were hailed as formation geniuses. Moreover, Xiao Yi had been imprisoned for many years; they didn''t believe Xiao Yi had any chance to come into contact with any knowledge about formations.


    Not to mention receiving guidance from a renowned master.


    How could he possibly surpass them in the art of formations?


    This feeling was like a beggar standing in front of two rich men, mocking them for being poor.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The oppressive aura of two Tao Tribulation Realm Peak powerhouses was simultaneously released, significantly increasing the invisible pressure in the guest hall, making the tables and chairs creak.


    At any moment, they might just fall apart!


    Yu Huaxian''s face changed abruptly, as he clenched his twin blades in his hands, vigilantly watching the two.


    In the face of the two enraged individuals.


    Xiao Yi simply waved his hand, and an invisible force dissipated the tense atmosphere as if cutting through it with a knife, and the oppressive aura of the two also vanished without a trace in an instant.


    "This..."


    Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other''s eyes. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a wave of his hand, he had crushed the oppressive aura of the two of them.


    Such a feat could only be achieved by a true Dharma Manifestation Realm expert!


    But there was no sign of Dharma Manifestation energy on Xiao Yi, who was undoubtedly at the Tao Tribulation Realm level!


    Li Jinjun and Hai Wei still had shock in their eyes, remembering the battle at Great Liang Mountain. They involuntarily swallowed their saliva, their backs soaked with cold sweat.


    Xiao Yi looked at the two indifferently and said, "When Xiao calls you trash, are you two not convinced?"


    "Of course, we''re not convinced!"


    The Purple-robed Daoist snorted coldly, and once the topic turned to formations, he brimmed with self-confidence, "I''m not bragging, but in the entire Great Qian Dynasty, only the Elder of Tianjian Sect truly surpasses us in the art of formations. And you? Hmpf, even if I give you a hundred, a thousand years, you might not be able to catch up to us!"


    "We have immersed ourselves in the art of formations for nearly a hundred years. If we can''t outmatch a young fellow like you, then these hundreds of years truly would have been wasted," said Li Youruo.


    Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "It seems you two have some misconceptions about the art of formations! If living long and spending a lot of time studying formations guaranteed high skill, then what''s the need for talent? Both of you have cultivated for over a hundred years and are only at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak. Whereas I, two years ago, was still at the Physical Body Realm. Now, between you and me, who is stronger?"


    "..."


    The two faced each other, at a loss for words for a moment.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation history had not spread throughout the Great Qian Dynasty, but the ten major sects had already grasped it.


    They were extremely shocked that Xiao Yi had been able to grow to his current level in just two short years. However, there was another saying within the ten major sects, that Xiao Yi had always been cultivating but had been suppressing his cultivation level because of Xiao Tianjiao''s existence. It was only after leaving the Xiao Family that he revealed his true power without hiding it.


    This view was acknowledged by the vast majority of the powerhouses.


    After all,


    two years to go from the Physical Body Realm to the Tao Tribulation Realm was simply too inconceivable!


    And yet...


    Xiao Yi was not even twenty years old, and after a mere ten or so years of cultivation, his cultivation level was almost catching up to theirs.


    This speed of cultivation truly made them feel inadequate!


    Li Youruo snorted defiantly, "Xiao, what we''re discussing is prowess in formations, not comparing our cultivation levels!"


    "Let''s be clear, your cultivation talent indeed leaves us in the dust, but I don''t believe your strength in formations surpasses ours!" said the man in purple robes with a sneer.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "What if my prowess in formation arts really is above yours?"


    The man in purple robes said proudly, "If your formation arts truly surpass ours, I will gladly acknowledge you as my master!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes brightened. The most pressing lack of the Xiaoshanhe Institute was strong figures to uphold it. These two were at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm and were also six-star Array Masters. If he could get them to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute, it would not only greatly enhance the institute''s strength but also deal a heavy blow to the ten major sects.


    To have Elder-level existences from the esteemed ten major sects join Xiaoshanhe Institute would be excellent publicity!


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi turned to Li Youruo, "What about you?"


    Li Youruo frowned.


    Behind her, Hai Wei hurriedly warned, "Elder Li, you mustn''t!"


    "What''s so impossible about that? Could it be that you think his formation arts truly do surpass ours?"


    Li Youruo glared fiercely at Hai Wei and snorted coldly, her gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, "Just like Ziyi, if your formation arts prowess is actually above ours, I, Li Youruo, will also take you as my master! However, if you lose, then we''ll forget about the one hundred thousand formation stones, and in addition, you''ll have to kneel and apologize to both of us!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "It''s a deal!"


    "Not even four horses can catch it up!"


    Li Youruo and the man in purple robes spoke at the same time.


    Xiao Yi snapped his fingers, pulled out a scroll, and elaborately wrote a gambling agreement, "Empty promises count for nothing. Please sign your names on this gambling agreement! Of course, if you are afraid, you naturally don''t have to sign!"


    "Hmph!"


    "Afraid of you? Impossible!"


    The two snorted coldly, their faces defiant, and signed their names on the scroll.


    A signed pledge.


    With this scroll in hand, if the two dared to renege, Xiao Yi had a hundred ways to make them pay dearly.


    And for such elder powerhouses, their reputation was of the utmost importance. They naturally would not risk their reputation by behaving dishonestly. Xiao Yi, satisfied, put the scroll into his storage ring, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, sporting an amused expression as he watched the two.


    The angered pair did not yet realize that what they had just signed was essentially an indenture!


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Gentlemen, please propose the terms of how we shall compare our skills!"

 Chapter 287 - 287: Formation Path Overwhelm

    "How would the two of you like to compare? Propose a set of rules!"


    Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    He carried the double-star Daoist''s Array heritage, not to mention Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist, these two mere six-star Array Masters. Even if he searched the entire Qingtian Realm, no one could surpass him in Array mastery!


    Of course...


    What he mentioned was only mastery of Array theory, not the setting up of Formations.


    After all.


    Many Formations require strong cultivation as support. Otherwise, it is simply impossible to set them up.


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, he was more than capable of setting up any Formation below nine stars.


    Li Youruo spoke in a deep voice, "For an Array contest, it is natural to use the Formation as the standard of judgment. We won''t bully you. You requested Array stones to set up a Spirit Gathering Array, didn''t you? Let''s compete in setting up Spirit Gathering Arrays. Whoever sets up the Spirit Gathering Array with the best effect will naturally be the winner!"


    The Purple-robed Daoist nodded, agreeing with the proposed method of competition: "Just as the Li family''s young lady said, let''s compete in setting up Spirit Gathering Arrays!"


    Spirit Gathering Array.


    It is an extremely peculiar Formation.


    The weakest is the One-star Gathering Spirit Formation, while the strongest can even exceed nine stars, becoming a Divine-level Gathering Spirit Formation.


    It is said that the Divine-level Gathering Spirit Formation can achieve a ten-thousand-fold Spirit gathering effect.


    However...


    This Divine-level Gathering Spirit Formation had already been lost to history.


    Existing only in legend.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, setting up Spirit Gathering Arrays was just a small test for him, and so he said, "Let''s do it the way you said, but I have one more condition!"


    "Speak!"


    The two were brimming with confidence.


    Xiao Yi said, "A Spirit Gathering Array can be big or small. Let''s limit it to one hundred Array stones and see whose Formation has the better effect!"


    "One hundred stones?"


    Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of hesitation in each other''s eyes.


    Limiting the number of Array stones greatly increased the difficulty.


    When they set up Spirit Gathering Arrays at Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, they used a million Array stones to achieve a four-fold Spirit gathering effect.


    One hundred!


    At most, they could set up a One-star Gathering Spirit Formation, and an increase of fifty percent in Spirit gathering effect was already the limit.


    "What? Are you afraid?" Xiao Yi taunted with a smile.


    The two had never been so belittled.


    They snorted coldly and nodded, "What would we be afraid of? We''re just worried that Director Xiao might not even be able to form a Spirit Gathering Array, making a fool of himself!"


    "Then there''s no need for the two of you to worry!"


    Xiao Yi said, laughing.


    "Hmph!"


    The two snorted coldly.


    They took out three hundred Array stones, and each person took a hundred.


    The crowd moved to the martial arts field.


    Xiao Yi divided the area into three sections, each a hundred meters long and wide, a perfect square, with each person occupying one.


    The commotion here naturally attracted the attention of the disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Hundreds of disciples gathered at the martial arts field.


    Some recognized Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist and couldn''t help but be anxious for Xiao Yi, "Those are the six-star Array Masters, Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa. Director Xiao is going to compete with them in setting up Formations? Isn''t this asking for trouble?"


    "Keep it down, be careful that Director Xiao hears you!"


    "Sigh... our Shanhe Court really faces constant troubles..."


    The crowd discussed among themselves.


    Li Youruo sneered, "Director Xiao, even your own disciples have no faith in you!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and replied with a laugh, "So I''ll have to rely on the two distinguished guests to give me a boost, so these disciples can regain their confidence in their Director!"


    "Hmph!"


    The two of them snorted coldly.


    The Purple-robed Daoist spoke blandly, "We have the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, let''s begin!"


    Swish!


    Yu Huaxian lit an incense stick and placed it in the censer in front of the three of them.


    Swish! Swish!


    Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Daoist had their vital energy swirling around them, with the Array stones flying up and encircling their bodies. As their fingers continuously pointed to different spots, the Array stones fell into their corresponding positions.


    Their movements were fluid and graceful.


    "Such an impressive Array setting technique!"


    "It''s so fast! They don''t even need to draw an Array diagram first, they can set up the Formation from thin air. Worthy of being six-star Array Masters!"


    "Why is Director Xiao still watching them? Director Xiao, please focus, it would be too embarrassing to lose like this..."


    The disciples shouted one after another.


    However, Xiao Yi was completely unfazed, his arms crossed as he watched the two setting up their Formations. He nodded and shook his head from time to time, as if a teacher guiding his students: "The Array setting technique is indeed proficient, and your control of the Array stones is perfect. Worthy of being six-star Array Masters. However, your understanding of the Formation is still lacking!"


    The Purple-robed Daoist''s mouth twitched, almost wishing he could tear Xiao Yi''s mouth apart.


    What does he mean by ''understanding of the Formation is lacking''?


    Did he not see their wondrous Array setting technique? In what way is it lacking?


    Li Youruo spoke sternly, "Don''t be influenced by him, focus on setting up the Formation!"


    Time kept slipping away.


    Half an incense stick''s burn time.


    Two-thirds of an incense stick''s burn time...


    As time passed, already two-thirds gone, the purple-clad Daoren and Li Youruo''s formations were beginning to take shape, yet Xiao Yi remained utterly composed, without making a single move. All the disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute had lost hope, "It seems that Xiao has given up!"


    "Had we known it would be like this, he shouldn''t have competed at all!"


    "It''s truly humiliating..."


    The crowd sighed with these sentiments.


    At that moment.


    The purple-clad Daoren and Li Youruo completed their formations one after another, leapt up, and stepped out of the Spirit Gathering Array, roaring in unison, "Activate the Array!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The array stones burst into radiant light at the same time, connecting with one another; a series of light beams linked together to form two dazzling arrays. Within the arrays, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth continuously converged, and the spiritual energy within them escalated. S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One part.


    Two parts.


    Three parts...


    In just a few breaths'' time, the formations had reached their peak.


    "A fifty-five percent Gather Spirit effect, not bad at all!" the purple-clad Daoren said with a face full of pride. One hundred array stones had achieved a fifty-five percent Gather Spirit effect, which was an extraordinary performance from him!


    Li Youruo''s face was brilliant with a smile, "A sixty percent Gather Spirit effect, it seems I still have the upper hand!"


    The purple-clad Daoren nodded; indeed, Li Youruo was more accomplished in the Spirit Gathering Array. Both turned to look at the motionless Xiao Yi, sneering, "Xiao, there''s not much time left, yet you haven''t begun to set up your formation. It looks like the outcome of this wager is settled, you''ve lost!"


    The purple-clad Daoren said, "Kneel down and offer apologies to both of us with your head to the ground!"


    "Don''t rush! There''s still time left!" Xiao Yi laughed as he glanced at the quarter of the incense stick left.


    Li Youruo scoffed, "With so little time left, you couldn''t possibly complete the formation!"


    "Even if you did, it would just be a useless formation, I''m afraid it wouldn''t even have a ten percent Gather Spirit effect!" the purple-clad Daoren shook his head, confidently critiquing.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "There''s plenty of time!"


    Crack crack crack!


    He rubbed his hands lightly, causing a series of crisp sounds, and the smile on his face suddenly vanished as he intensely focused his energy. In that moment, Xiao Yi seemed like a different person altogether, his brows slightly furrowed, utterly serious, and with each movement of his hands, array stones shot out and the crisp sounds embellished as they landed around him.


    Every array stone that fell traced a strange path, completely unlike the two purple-clad individuals.


    "Such a messy array stone layout could never possibly succeed!"


    "If that formation works, I would willingly become his disciple..."


    The two purple-clad individuals shook their heads in unison.


    At that time...


    The last bit of the incense burned out.


    Yu Huaxian announced, "Time''s up!"


    Simultaneously.


    Xiao Yi leaped backward, standing outside of the formation, and exclaimed while smiling, "Looks like I haven''t practiced enough, but fortunately I made it in time!" He looked at the two challengers with a smile and snapped his fingers, "Gentlemen, please open your eyes wide and observe what a real formation is!"


    Boom!


    Above those array stones, beams of light soared, miraculously transforming into columns of light.


    The columns of light connected to each other, and chains of light interlocked, actually creating a formation!


    A vast white merging took place, and a gentle breeze began to swirl in the martial arts field.


    Whoo!


    Whoo whoo!


    Whoo whoo whoo!


    The wind picked up in strength.


    And above Xiao Yi''s formation emerged a vortex, with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth continuously converging, and the internal energy of the formation soaring.


    Three parts.


    Five parts.


    Seven parts...


    In the blink of an eye, it had surpassed the Gather Spirit Array of the two purple-clad Daorens.


    "This, this is impossible..."


    "How could this be? He, he was clearly acting recklessly, such a messy formation could never possess such immense power..." Li Youruo and his companion were dumbfounded, their faces etched with shock.


    The disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute also shared a look of disbelief.


    This gathering of spiritual energy continued for a full fifty breaths of time, far exceeding the other two''s ten breaths.


    When everything settled!


    Inside the Gather Spirit Array, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth had actually formed a thin layer of white mist, achieving a staggering effect of one and a half times its original strength!


    Thump!


    Thump!


    The purple-clad Daoren and Li Youruo collapsed to the ground, staring incredulously at the Gather Spirit Array before them.


    With the same one hundred array stones, they had exerted their utmost power to produce a Gather Spirit effect of sixty percent, which was already astounding.


    But what about Xiao Yi?


    His Gather Spirit Array reached one and a half times the effect, which was already at the level of a three-star Gathering Spirit Formation!


    One hundred array stones forming a three-star Gather Spirit Formation!


    No one had seen, let alone heard of such a thing!


    The thought of their earlier mockery and disdain for Xiao Yi made their faces burn; this wasn''t a contest in the way of the Array, it was complete domination by Array! This Xiao Yi, whom they had never taken seriously, had utterly crushed them in Array prowess, reduced them to dust completely.


    Xiao Yi looked at the two challengers with a smile, "It seems, I have won!"

 Chapter 288 - 288: Suing Xiao Yi!

    "It seems I have won!"


    Xiao Yi smiled as he looked at the two people slumped on the ground.


    Li Youruo and the purple-robed Taoist exchanged looks, finding it difficult to accept the reality before them.


    They had always been proud of their deep mastery of Formation Path and never took Xiao Yi seriously. In their eyes, Xiao Yi''s challenge in Formation Path was like an ant shaking a tree, a tiny spark trying to outshine the bright moon.


    But reality had slapped them hard!


    In the end...


    They were the tiny sparks and Xiao Yi was the true bright moon.


    His brilliance overwhelmed them completely.


    They both felt as if they had lived their last hundred years in vain.


    "Enough is enough, I admit defeat without resentment!"


    The purple-robed Taoist let out a resigned smile, looking at his own Array that he had been so proud of for its 55% Spirit Gathering effect, then at Xiao Yi''s which completely crushed his with a 1.5 times multiplier, and he suddenly came to terms with it, "Xiao... no, Master above, please accept your disciple Chen Ziyi''s bow!"


    The purple-robed Taoist''s real name was Chen Ziyi.


    It was just that after becoming an Array Master, people had grown accustomed to his Taoist name.


    Chen Ziyi bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle in front of Xiao Yi, meticulously, obviously completely convinced by Xiao Yi.


    Li Youruo''s face twitched.


    Although she was impressed by Xiao Yi''s mastery of Array Path, the thought of actually taking him as her master was still somewhat hard to accept when she looked at his youthful face.


    But seeing Chen Ziyi keeping his word, she hesitated for a moment and then, with a wry smile, said, "Master above, please accept your disciple Li Youruo''s bow!"


    Li Jinjun and Hai Wei looked at each other with cold sweat dripping down their faces, pale and bloodless.


    Hai Wei''s hands trembled, "It''s over... we''re finished..."


    Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo were pivotal figures in Wendao Villa and Three Seas Mountain, with high status and significant influence.


    They had thought to bring these two to regain some prestige.


    But now...


    Not only did they lose their wives, but also their soldiers!


    These two had become direct disciples of Xiao Yi and even joined Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The ten great sects absolutely did not allow anyone to be part of two sects, which meant that Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo would be expelled from their sects. This was an immeasurable loss for Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa. Hai Wei and Li Jinjun could almost foresee the massive shock this news would cause their sects.


    At that time, they would inevitably suffer the consequences, with a very high probability of being executed!


    Li Jinjun lamented with a wretched face, "What are we to do? I, I really don''t want to be nailed to death on Wen Dao Stage..."


    "I don''t want to cross the Sea of Knives and Flames either..." Hai Wei also looked desperate.


    Within Three Seas Mountain, there was a punishment called the Sea of Knives and Flames, which was truly a fate worse than death, an ordeal where one could neither live nor die!


    Yu Huaxian, who stood beside them, raised an eyebrow with a teasing look, "Why don''t the two of you join Xiaoshanhe Institute? With Xiao''s protection, I believe your sects won''t be able to do much to you!"


    "Uh..."


    The two men were stunned, looking at each other.


    They were about to rebuke Yu Huaxian, but then they thought about it, and this seemed to be the only way out!


    Although Xiaoshanhe Institute had fallen, it was still backed by the royal family, and the ten great sects had to give face to the royal family.


    "Can we really do this?" Hai Wei asked tentatively.


    Yu Huaxian smiled and called out to Xiao Yi, "Xiao, these two also wish to join Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at the two men with awkward and strained expressions, and said with a smile, "Xiaoshanhe Institute is indeed in need of people. As long as you are sincere in joining, I naturally welcome you with open arms!"


    "Damn it, since it''s a dead end either way, I''ll take the plunge!"


    Li Jinjun clenched his fists tightly, gritted his teeth, and stepped forward, "Li Jinjun pays respects to Head Xiao; I''m willing to serve you loyally!"


    Hai Wei hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward as well, "To meet Head Xiao, Hai Wei is willing to toil like a dog and horse!"


    "Hahaha, welcome both of you to Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    His gaze turned to Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo in front of him, "Chen Ziyi, Li Youruo, starting today, you two are my, Xiao Yi''s, named disciples. Would you like to join Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "Do we have any other choice?"


    The two exchanged a glance and revealed a bitter smile, "Disciples are willing to follow teacher''s lead!"


    "Very good!"


    With a hearty laugh, Xiao Yi waved his hand, and two scrolls fell into their hands. He said, "These are the ''Hundred Volumes of Array Path.'' You two should study them carefully. It should be no problem to enter the Seven Stars Array Master within a month."


    Hiss!


    Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo held the scrolls, looking at each other in disbelief.


    Breaking through to Seven Stars Array Master within a month?


    The two of them quickly opened the ''Hundred Volumes of Array Path,'' which detailed the path of cultivation from a Six Stars to a Seven Stars Array Master. Just as Xiao Yi had said, as long as they studied the formations recorded on the scrolls, they would definitely be able to reach the long-desired realm of Seven Stars Array Master in a short time. It must be noted that the shackles between Six and Seven Stars had stymied them for several decades.


    Within the Great Qian Dynasty, only that person from Tianjian Sect knew how to break through to Seven Stars Array Master.


    They never expected...


    That Xiao Yi would casually give them hope for a breakthrough.


    Any hint of grievance and dissatisfaction in their hearts towards Xiao Yi vanished in that moment, replaced by sincere joy and obedience.


    "Disciple thanks teacher!"


    "We will not disappoint teacher. We will do everything in our power to assist teacher!" said Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo with the utmost respect.


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth curled slightly.


    He knew how to wield both grace and authority.


    To him, the ''Hundred Volumes of Array Path'' was nothing more than doodles made in passing, yet it managed to secure the heartfelt submission of the two Six Stars Array Masters. Xiao Yi helped them to their feet, laughing, "As long as you two are loyal to me, being a Seven Stars Array Master is certainly not the end!"


    Gulp!


    The two swallowed hard.


    If Xiao Yi had spoken this way before, they would have scoffed.


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    They were completely convinced by Xiao Yi and, considering that his achievements in the Array Path far exceeded Seven Stars, they naturally harbored no doubts at all.


    Chen Ziyi said gravely, "Teacher, I have some trusted aides and belongings in Wendao Villa. Please allow me to go back and bring them to join Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    "I also have some people I wish to bring into Xiaoshanhe Institute!" Li Youruo added.


    Xiao Yi felt a surge of joy.


    Since they were their trusted aides, they were bound to be the elite of Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa.


    With Xiaoshanhe Institute in need of manpower, his policy was naturally to welcome all who came.


    Li Jinjun also spoke up, "Principal, I''ve also cultivated some aides in the capital..."


    "And I still have some subordinates..." Hai Wei added.


    The two had been in charge of the capital and had managed to build up some power of their own.


    Xiao Yi burst into hearty laughter, "Good, good, good. I await your good news!"


    This was truly an unexpected joy!


    Not only did he acquire two disciples about to break into Seven Stars Array Master, but also two peak warriors of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Moreover, he had swept up all their direct followers in one fell swoop.


    Once this news spread out...


    It would be enough to offset the negative impact caused by the departure of Chen Shuiwen and the others.


    After handing over two hundred thousand array stones to Xiao Yi, Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo hurried back to pack their bags, intending to bring their people to Xiaoshanhe Institute before the news leaked out.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to disperse the formation in the training ground, ready to begin setting up the Spirit Gathering Formation throughout Xiaoshanhe Institute. Just then, the figure of Qi appeared in the training ground. He looked at Xiao Yi and said, "Principal Xiao, His Majesty summons you!"


    "Qi? May I ask what it''s regarding?" inquired Xiao Yi.


    Qi spoke gravely, "Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao are lodging a complaint against Principal Xiao before His Majesty..."


    "Li Shengtian? Tian Xiao?"


    Xiao Yi paused, his eyes narrowing into slits, his gaze emanating two chilling beams, "Those two old men are indeed persistent ghosts!"

 Chapter 289 - 289: Confrontation in Court

    The imperial palace, the imperial study.


    Li Shengtian was filled with righteous indignation, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi has gone too far. He has the audacity to drive Mr. Chen out of the Xiaoshanhe Institute; this is already undermining the very foundation of the institution!"


    At his side, Tian Xiao added fuel to the fire, "Your Majesty is unaware, when Chen Shuiwen left, nearly all the instructors and over two-thirds of the disciples at the Xiaoshanhe Institute voluntarily followed him. One can imagine how unpopular Xiao Yi is. To monopolize power, he actually drove the hardworking and meritorious Chen Shuiwen away, it is truly disheartening!"


    On one side of them.


    Chen Shuiwen was kneeling on the ground, his face filled with grief and despair, his shoulders twitching, unable to cry out, "Your Majesty, this subordinate is not coveting the position of deputy director. It is truly because over the years, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to the Xiaoshanhe Institute. I have come to regard it as my own home. Xiao Yi expelled me from the Xiaoshanhe Institute for no reason, my heart aches..."


    Li Shengtian spoke with righteous indignation, "How can such a person be in charge of the Xiaoshanhe Institute? I implore Your Majesty to rescind the order, and let Chen Shuiwen continue to manage the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Tian Xiao declared loudly, "I implore Your Majesty to rescind the order!"


    Emperor Qian sat upright behind the desk.


    Squinting his eyes.


    Listening quietly as the three of them argued back and forth, he remained silent and showed no sign of any emotional change.


    After hesitating for a moment, Li Shengtian said gravely, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Xiao Yi even crippled His Highness Yang Jin. This man is simply lawless, showing absolutely no regard for Your Majesty!"


    "Exactly, he even dared to cripple a prince, isn''t this an act of rebellion?" Tian Xiao said.


    "Rebellion? The two of you are placing a heavy accusation upon me; I really can''t bear such a charge!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice came from outside the door, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi seeks an audience!"


    Emperor Qian raised an eyebrow, his squinted eyes opening slightly, and said, "Enter!"


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    Xiao Yi entered the imperial study with his head held high and chest out.


    Head held high, chest out.


    His stature as upright as pine and cypress, his backbone like a piercing heavenly sword.


    Xiao Yi bowed to Emperor Qian, "Xiao Yi pays respects to Your Majesty!"


    "Hmm!"


    Emperor Qian, neither joyous nor sad, with an unreadable expression, said indifferently, "Xiao Yi, Mr. Li and Tian, along with Chen Shuiwen, accuse you of clinging to power for your own personal gain, forcing Chen Shuiwen to leave the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Is there truth to this?"


    Xiao Yi, with a detached gaze, glanced at the three men and said, "There is!"


    "Your Majesty, see, he has admitted it!" Li Shengtian said.


    Tian Xiao followed up, "How brazen, Xiao Yi! Chen Shuiwen is the deputy director appointed by Your Majesty. Who gave you the authority to dismiss him?"


    Emperor Qian remained silent.


    Xiao Yi, calm and composed, looked at the two men and spoke neither humbly nor haughtily, "The authority granted to me by Your Majesty, is that sufficient?"


    "The authority given to you by His Majesty?"


    Li Shengtian scoffed, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, do you dare spout nonsense in front of His Majesty? His Majesty is a wise ruler, how could He grant you such authority?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Are you suggesting, Mr. Li, that if this authority really were granted by His Majesty, He would be a negligent ruler?"


    "Of course..."


    Li Shengtian nodded subconsciously, immediately regretting his words as soon as they left his mouth.


    "How audacious!"


    Xiao Yi already had raised his voice to rebuke, his roar like thunder, causing Li Shengtian''s complexion to suddenly turn stark white, "Li Shengtian, what are you worth? How dare you insult His Majesty by calling him a negligent ruler?"


    Li Shengtian''s face turned pale, and he quickly denied, "You, you, you''re farting, when did I ever say that His Majesty is a muddle-headed ruler?"


    Xiao Yi bowed respectfully towards Emperor Qian and said, "When His Majesty initially appointed me as head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, he mentioned that the institute would be under my full responsibility. Since it is full responsibility, then not to mention expelling the institute''s parasites, even if I decided to kill them, outsiders could not fault me. You say His Majesty is a wise ruler, and wouldn''t endow me with such power. Now that I have been granted this power by His Majesty, are you not implying that His Majesty is a muddle-headed ruler?"


    "I, I..."


    Li Shengtian, sweating profusely, quickly turned to Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian spoke solemnly, "Indeed, it is a power I gave him."


    Thump!


    Li Shengtian fell to his knees, his head banging against the floor, "Your Majesty, forgive me, your servant... your servant never had such intentions, this is all Xiao Yi''s misinterpretation of your servant..."


    "Enough, Li, there is no need for this, you are my trusted official, and I naturally trust you," said Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian waved his hand, signaling Li Shengtian to stand up. He turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao Yi, although I have given you the authority, you are in charge of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. I should not intervene, but since Mr. Li and Mr. Tian have filed a complaint against you, you should tell them why you expelled Chen Shuiwen from the Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "The royal family allocates ten billion silver to the Xiaoshanhe Institute every year, but according to my investigations, the institute''s monthly expenditure is merely three hundred million silver. There should be a surplus of over sixty billion silver each year. Chen Shuiwen has been in charge of the Xiaoshanhe Institute for over a decade, which by reasoning should have resulted in a fund of no less than one hundred billion silver, yet now the treasury only holds a few million silver..."


    "What?"


    "A few million silver?"


    Even Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao were taken aback, glaring at Chen Shuiwen.


    This information was something Chen Shuiwen had not told them!


    But Chen Shuiwen was prepared, and with a sinister smile, he drew out from his bosom a thick account book that appeared aged. He thought to himself with silent glee: Thank goodness I was clever enough to prepare a true and a false set of account books.


    The true account book had already been burned away.


    The false account book was the one in his hands.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows tightened.


    Chen Shuiwen gave him a provocative look.


    Emperor Qian flipped through the account book. Indeed, inside were detailed records of all expenses, including nearly seventy billion spent on just one ancestral worship ceremony. Emperor Qian frowned and said, "An ancestral worship ceremony requires seventy billion?"


    "Your Majesty may not know, the ceremonial standards for the ancestral worship are the highest and naturally the expenses are a bit more!" Chen Shuiwen cried out with an anguished face, "Oh, Your Majesty, I have been wholeheartedly loyal to you! Not only have I not embezzled a single penny, the yearly allocation isn''t even sufficient to support the institute''s expenses. I have been dipping into my own pockets to cover them. But as a servant of the emperor, it is my duty to relieve Your Majesty''s worries, and I have never complained to Your Majesty about my hardships. Yet Xiao Yi uses this as a threat, even so far as to burn the treasury to destroy the account books and to wrongly incriminate me. I am truly wronged!"


    Li Shengtian said harshly, "Your Majesty, how can such a loyal official be defamed and framed by others? Please, Your Majesty, stand up for Chen Shuiwen!"


    "Please, Your Majesty, stand up for justice!"


    Tian Xiao also said.


    Emperor Qian frowned slightly and looked towards Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, what is your view?"


    Gazing at the united front presented by Chen Shuiwen and the others, Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed slightly and the corners of his mouth lifted up subtly. He said, "Your Majesty, I have a way to prove innocence!"

 Chapter 290 - 290: Do As You Wish, Ill Take a Nap!

    "Oh?"


    Emperor Qian was taken aback and raised an eyebrow at the composed expression on Xiao Yi''s face, "What method? Let''s hear it!"


    Li Shengtian and the others also turned their attention to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi walked straight up to Chen Shuiwen, who looked up at him with a puzzled expression.


    Emperor Qian and the others were also full of confusion.


    You want to prove your innocence?


    What is this about?


    At that moment...


    Slap!


    A crisp sound left everyone dumbfounded.


    They saw Xiao Yi deliver a clean and swift slap across Chen Shuiwen''s face, sending him crashing to the ground, his head striking the floor violently and bursting open.


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    Li Shengtian and the others were dumbstruck.


    Chen Shuiwen saw stars, felt dizzy, and looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of shock and anger, roaring, "You, you dare to hit me?"


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi met him with a punch straight to Chen Shuiwen''s face.


    Wow!


    Chen Shuiwen fell backwards, blood spurting from his mouth and nose.


    "Audacious Xiao Yi!"


    "In the Emperor''s presence, how dare you be so reckless?" Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao''s expressions changed rapidly as they angrily rebuked him.


    This is the Imperial Study, in the presence of Emperor Qian.


    Xiao Yi actually dared to strike without any regard?


    However, Xiao Yi seemed not to hear the rebukes of the two and reached out into the air with his palm, his elemental energy forming chains that wrapped around Chen Shuiwen''s body, lifting him into the air. Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, but his hands did not stop.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Punch after punch landed on Chen Shuiwen''s body.


    The strength of each punch was immense, showing no mercy.


    The crowd went from initial bewilderment to numbness and shock.


    Numb at Xiao Yi''s audacity, beating Chen Shuiwen in front of Emperor Qian, and shocked at Xiao Yi''s strength, that he could render the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak''s Chen Shuiwen powerless to resist?


    After a thorough beating,


    Chen Shuiwen was left with a bruised and swollen face, four or five broken ribs, damaged internal organs, and a head swollen like a pig''s.


    Xiao Yi held up Chen Shuiwen as if holding up a dead dog.


    Emperor Qian raised an eyebrow, "Xiao Yi, is this your method of proving your innocence?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Your Majesty, if I wanted to deal with Chen Shuiwen, I have a hundred ways to kill him without anyone noticing. Do you think I need to frame him falsely?"


    Emperor Qian uttered an "eh" sound, looking at Chen Shuiwen''s pitiful state and said with a wry smile, "I suppose... not!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao, "What do the two lords think?"


    "..."


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao looked at each other, at a loss for words.


    Before coming, they had anticipated all the methods Xiao Yi might use, but they had never imagined that Xiao Yi would be so bold, so decisive. To beat Chen Shuiwen up in front of Emperor Qian to prove his innocence.


    This made all the evidence and tactics they had prepared before completely useless!


    In front of absolute power, all schemes and tricks are garbage!


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi tossed Chen Shuiwen aside like a dead dog and bowed to Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, it seems that the two lords also believe that I have been wronged!"


    Emperor Qian cleared his throat and looked toward Li Shengtian and another adviser, "My dear subjects, what do you think?"


    "With Xiao''s strength, he indeed has no need to frame others; there must be other secrets behind this!" Tian Xiao said with a pained expression.


    "It seems there is indeed some misunderstanding, however..."


    Li Shengtian, unable to resign himself and unwilling to let Xiao Yi off so easily, begrudgingly said through gritted teeth, "Xiao Yi is stubborn and exclusive, making Xiaoshanhe Institute a mess is a fact. Now that the tutors have collectively left Xiaoshanhe Institute, and two-thirds of the disciples have also gone, I think this is all Xiao Yi''s fault. He is not suitable to continue as the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "I see it the same way, he has only been in charge of Xiaoshanhe Institute for less than a month, and has already reduced it to nothing more than a name, I earnestly request Your Majesty to strip him of his position as the head of the institute!" Tian Xiao also said.


    Emperor Qian narrowed his eyes, sizing up Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, what do you think?"


    "May I ask Your Majesty, could Chen Shuiwen and the others possibly compare to two six-star Array Masters?" Xiao Yi inquired.


    "Hmm? What do you mean by that?" Emperor Qian asked, puzzled.


    "After expelling Chen Shuiwen, I have already recruited four Tao Tribulation Realm Peak powerhouses for Xiaoshanhe Institute, including two six-star Array Masters."


    Xiao stood tall and spoke with confidence. After finishing, he turned to look at Li Shengtian, "May I ask Mr. Li, compared to each other, have my merits outweighed my faults? Or have my faults outweighed my merits?"


    Li Shengtian''s face changed slightly.


    The strongest among Chen Shuiwen and his group was only Chen Shuiwen himself at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak; how could they compare to four great Tao Tribulation Realm Peaks?


    Moreover...


    There were also two six-star Array Masters!


    It''s known that even among the Array Masters serving the royal family, the strongest are only at six-star level.


    "If that is true, naturally the merits are greater. However, words alone are not proof..."


    Li Shengtian said with a cold face, then added with disbelief, "Where are these four great experts you speak of? What are their identities? Six-star Array Masters, huh? There are only so many in the entire Great Qian Dynasty; I wonder who Mr. Xiao is referring to?"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Li Youruo and Hai Wei from Three Seas Mountain, as well as the Purple-robed Monk Chen Ziyi and Li Jinjun from Wendao Villa."


    Buzz!


    Everyone, including Emperor Qian, felt a buzzing in their heads.


    Li Youruo from Three Seas Mountain?


    The Purple-robed Monk from Wendao Villa?


    Not to mention the two renowned Array Masters, even Hai Wei and Li Jinjun had extraordinary backgrounds, being the representatives of Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa in the imperial city! These people were influential figures within their own sects.


    How could they possibly betray their sects to join Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    "Nonsense!"


    "Xiao Yi, the people you mentioned could never join Xiaoshanhe Institute, you''re deceiving the Emperor..." Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao declared sternly.


    "Deceiving the Emperor? Such a grave accusation!"


    Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, staring at the two, "What if everything I said was true?"


    "True?"


    Li Shengtian snorted in derision. If Xiao Yi had mentioned someone else, he might have hesitated, but Li Youruo and the Purple-robed Monk? Renowned Array Masters and the public faces of Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa; how could they possibly betray their sects to join Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    Li Shengtian defiantly said, "If what you say is true, I, Li, will let you deal with me as you please. However, if it is proven that your words are false, I will have you kneel before me to kowtow and apologize, and you will resign as the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Tian Xiao voiced his agreement, "I share the same sentiments!"


    "Good, I''ve tolerated the two of you for quite some time now!"


    Xiao Yi chortled coldly and casually presented the ''indenture agreements'' signed by Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo, which he handed to Emperor Qian, "Please have a look, Your Majesty."


    Emperor Qian glanced at the scroll.


    His eyes twitched sharply, and with a sympathetic look at Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao, he said with a wry smile, turning to Xiao Yi, "As you wish, I''m going to take a nap!"


    "Ah?"


    "Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?"


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao were utterly baffled.


    "What do I mean? His Majesty''s words mean that I can honor our wager and give the two of you a sound beating!"


    With a cold laugh, Xiao Yi, like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, rushed forward, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks on the two men...

 Chapter 291 - 291: Undercurrents Surge

    Screams echoed within the royal study.


    As for Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao, the two who kept troubling him, Xiao Yi showed no mercy. Although the beatings weren''t fatal, he aimed for the most humiliating and painful spots.


    A thorough thrashing.


    He beat Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao until their faces were swollen and bruised, leaving them in a pitiful state, screaming in agony, yet their lives were spared.


    "Cough cough!"


    Emperor Qian coughed lightly, and Xiao Yi kicked Li Shengtian once more before satisfyingly ceasing his actions and bowing toward Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, please forgive my impropriety!"


    Emperor Qian rolled his eyes.


    Impropriety?


    You actually know the meaning of impropriety?


    This is practically perverse! Since the enthronement of Emperor Qian, this was the first time someone dared to beat a minister in the royal study!


    However...


    Seeing the miserable state of Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao, Emperor Qian felt quite pleased as they had often caused him headaches. But due to his status, it wasn''t appropriate for him to act personally. Watching Li Shengtian and the others wailing, Emperor Qian touched his nose and called out to Qi, who was outside the door, "Why haven''t you taken them to the Imperial Pharmacy yet?"


    "Yes!"


    Qi walked in from outside and motioned for several guards to carry Li Shengtian and the others away.


    For a moment.


    Only Xiao Yi and Emperor Qian were left in the royal study.


    Emperor Qian looked at Xiao Yi, who seemed disengaged and nonchalant, and coughed lightly, "Feel better now?"


    Xiao Yi cracked his neck, producing a snapping sound, and grinned, "I feel completely relieved!"


    "..."


    Emperor Qian was speechless.


    Qi looked at Xiao Yi with a strange expression on his face.


    Emperor Qian waved his hand, stood up, walked up to Xiao Yi, and said gravely, "Although you have driven Chen Shuiwei away, his methods are not simple, and he will not let this go so easily."


    "No matter, ''When soldiers come, a general will block them, when the water rises, the earth will cover it!''" Xiao Yi smiled and didn''t elaborate further.


    Emperor Qian looked deeply at Xiao Yi and nodded, "Since I''ve entrusted the Xiaoshanhe Institute to you, I naturally trust your methods. The process is not important; I only care about the results!"


    "Your Majesty, just wait and see," said Xiao Yi.


    Emperor Qian nodded, strolled over to the desk, and began idly flipping through the books, speaking indifferently, "You may leave now. If there''s anything you need in the future, you can come directly to the palace to see me!"


    "Xiao Yi takes his leave!"


    Xiao Yi immediately departed.


    With his back to Xiao Yi, Emperor Qian didn''t turn around until long after he had gone. He then slowly turned, squinting his eyes at the closed door, and said leisurely, "Old dog, what do you think of this young man?"


    Qi, with his head bowed, voiced faintly, "Your Majesty has already made a decision, why need you ask this old servant for more words?"


    Emperor Qian glanced at him and chuckled, "You old dog, when did you learn to protect yourself with such prudence?" He paused, then added mysteriously, "Are you sure the heavenly tribulation wasn''t brought upon by him?"


    "It shouldn''t be!"


    After thinking for a moment, Qi continued, "At that time, the demonic beast he carried with him had been hidden all along, only revealing itself when the heavenly tribulation struck. However, it''s indeed strange for Xiao Yi to withstand several strikes of the heavenly tribulation with just the cultivation of the Tao Tribulation Realm!"


    Emperor Qian hummed without any expression, revealing no emotion, "It''s best that way... Otherwise, a single Tao Tribulation Realm being able to summon a heavenly tribulation, a genius even more fearsome than Xiao Tianjiao, might not necessarily be a good thing!"


    Qi remained silent.


    ......


    Inside the Imperial Pharmacy.


    After being treated, the three people including Li Shengtian had finally woken up.


    Xiao Yi hadn''t hit their vital spots, but the pain would last for several days. The three lay in their sickbeds, grimacing in agony. Especially Chen Shuiwen, who had suffered quite a few underhanded blows from Xiao Yi, now found even talking to be excruciatingly painful.


    Li Shengtian, enduring the intense pain, his eyes filled with hatred and venom, gnashed his teeth and said, "That bastard Xiao Yi, this official will never let him off!"


    "Mr. Li, do you have any strategies?" Tian Xiao asked with difficulty as he turned his body.


    Li Shengtian narrowed his eyes and looked towards Chen Shuiwen, whose head was bandaged like a pig''s head. "Chen Shuiwen, didn''t you say you wanted to create a new Shanhe Court to challenge Xiao Yi?"


    Chen Shuiwen said, "I did have this idea before, but Xiao Yi has recruited four masters at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak in such a short time, and even has two Array Masters��Ziyi Daoist and Li Youruo. I''m not confident in competing with him now��"


    He was acutely aware of the caliber of Xiaoshanhe Institute''s instructors and students.


    Ziyi Daoist or Li Youruo alone would be stronger than the group of instructors he had taken with him.


    Li Shengtian sneered and said, "What''s there to fear? It would naturally be impossible with just you and your people, but rest assured, this official will support you with all his might. Plus, since Xiao Yi dared to undermine Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, they certainly won''t let things slide. Not to mention my relationship with the Nangong Family, we can completely cut off the supply of elixirs to the Xiaoshanhe Institute. With our support, what do you have to fear?"


    Tian Xiao, with narrowed eyes, said, "Actually�� we could also rope in that person!"


    "Which person?" Chen Shuiwen appeared puzzled.


    Li Shengtian showed a shocked expression, "You mean that person?"


    "Exactly!"


    Tian Xiao nodded emphatically.


    Li Shengtian hesitated, then looking at the confused Chen Shuiwen, he said in a deep voice, "The one behind Xue Yilou��"


    Hss!


    Chen Shuiwen gasped in shock, his heartbeat doubled in an instant, and he swallowed hard before saying, "Can we really invite that person?"


    "Don''t worry, Tian Xiao is on good terms with that person!"


    Li Shengtian''s face held a malicious expression as he sneered coldly, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, I will make you understand the consequences of offending this official. You wish to revive the Xiaoshanhe Institute? I will specifically prevent your wish from coming true. In two months'' time, it is the Ancestral Worship Ceremony, and at that time, we will utterly trample your New Shanhe Court underfoot��"


    Ferocity flickered in the three men''s eyes.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was unaware that Chen Shuiwen and his group had already formed an alliance.


    After leaving the palace, he headed straight for the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Only��


    Before Xiao Yi could return to the Xiaoshanhe Institute, he encountered the carriage of Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan on the way. While Xiao Yi had gone to the palace, Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan had also gone to the Nangong Family, attempting to seek a partnership.


    "How did they return so quickly?"


    Xiao Yi frowned, a trace of surprise flickering in his eyes.


    In the air around the carriage, there was a faint hint of the scent of blood.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi landed in front of the carriage.


    Hush��


    Ye Heng was the carriage driver; he abruptly pulled on the reins, and upon recognizing the appearance of Xiao Yi, the bruised Ye Heng cried out with a wronged look, "Master, you must stand up for us!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Ye Heng''s appearance, who had clearly been beaten up, and with the faint smell of blood wafting out from the carriage.


    Xiao Yi''s demeanor grew terribly somber as he said in a deep voice, "What exactly happened?"


    sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 292 - 292: Then Leave Both Hands Behind

    "What the hell is going on?"


    Xiao Yi''s face darkened as he yanked open the carriage curtain.


    A strong stench of blood assailed his nostrils.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed drastically at the sight within the carriage, where Xue Bufan and Yan Mingli lay breathing faintly. Both men''s right arms were amputated at the shoulder, their clothes soaked red with blood, and their pale faces looked even more horrifying under the sunlight.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank suddenly, his gaze fixed furiously on Ye Heng, "Weren''t you supposed to be discussing a partnership with the Nangong Family? How did you end up like this?"


    "This, this..."


    Ye Heng''s face showed hesitation.


    Xiao Yi bellowed, "What exactly happened?"


    Ye Heng clenched his fists tightly, his face contorted in ferocity and anger as he gritted his teeth and said, "Master, all of this was done by the Nangong Family. We went to discuss cooperation with them, and they made us wait in the reception hall for three full hours. During the negotiations that followed, they refused to give any ground..."


    As Ye Heng continued to recount the events, Xiao Yi came to understand what had transpired.


    The Nangong Family had no intention of cooperating with them at all.


    They had simply been looking to trouble and target them at every turn.


    The arrogance of the Nangong Family completely infuriated Xue Bufan and Yan Mingli, leading them to decide to visit the Treasure Pavilion.


    "Members of the Nangong Family said that unless you, Master, personally go to ask them, our Xiaoshanhe Institute wouldn''t even be able to buy a blade of grass... Elder Xue couldn''t stand their arrogance and got into a verbal conflict with them, which led us to be besieged by the Nangong Family''s experts..."


    Ye Heng, pointing at Xue Bufan and Yan Mingli''s amputated arms, his eyes bloodshot, said, "Elder Yan''s and Elder Xue''s arms were chopped off by the third young master of the Nangong Family, Nangong Jian. He, he even said they weren''t worthy to die by his hands, so he only took their arms..."


    Boom!


    The ground beneath Xiao Yi''s feet shattered violently, a fierce wind whipping up, causing the two horses drawing the carriage to nearly kneel down.


    "Very good, a fine Nangong Family indeed, claiming ''unworthy to die by your hands''..."


    Xiao Yi looked at the unconscious Xue Bufan and Yan Mingli, a cold light flashing in his eyes as he said in a deep voice, "Take them back. I''ll return shortly!"


    Ye Heng hurriedly said, "Master, are you heading to the Nangong Family? Or should we wait until we return to Imperial Dragon Mountain to gather more people and go with you..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, "No need. The Nangong Family is nothing to worry about, I alone am enough!"


    Whoosh!


    A cold wind rose, shooting directly towards the heavens.


    Xiao Yi strode through the air, flying towards the direction of the Nangong Family...


    ......


    The Nangong Family.


    As one of the four major aristocratic families of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Nangong Family''s influence was indisputably powerful.


    The vast Nangong Family estate was the epitome of luxury.


    Though it was less than one-fifth the size of the imperial palace, in terms of lavishness, it was certainly far beyond the palace.


    The current patriarch of the Nangong Family, Nangong Lie, had three sons and one daughter. The most outstanding eldest son had entered Tianjian Sect under a senior elder, while the second and third sons were disciples of Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa respectively.


    The third son, Nangong Jian, was flanked by a beautiful maidservant on each side. His face bore a satisfied smile as he watched the graceful dance in front of him, shaking his head and commanding, "You dance well, but you''re wearing too many clothes. Strip for your young master and continue dancing..."


    Four dancers, with flirtatious expressions, obediently did as they were told.


    The gorgeous maidservant in his arms delicately fed Nangong Jian a fruit, her eyes full of seduction as she said, "Third young master, you are truly impressive. Those two old men from Xiaoshanhe Institute were just like ants before you..."


    "Hahaha, never mind just two old dogs, even if Xiao Yi from Xiaoshanhe Institute were here, he would be no different from an ant in front of this young master!"


    Nangong Jian reveled in the ministrations of a beautiful woman, his face was thick with disdain, "Just a small institute like Xiaoshanhe Institute, do they really think they can stand equal to our Nangong Family by leaning on the royal family? This time, unless Xiao Yi himself kneels before me, his institute won''t get a single blade of grass..."


    At this moment.


    Suddenly, a servant hurriedly ran in from outside, an anxious look on his face, "Thir�� Third Young Master, a young man has arrived at the gate, specifically asking for you to come out!"


    "What are you good for? Do I have to meet every Tom, Dick, or Harry who comes? Have someone break his arms and legs and throw him into the mass graves to feed the dogs!" Nangong Jian glared hard at the servant, waving his hand impatiently.


    The servant''s face was the picture of misery, "Third Young Master, you should go yourself... That person is very strong; he has already beaten down dozens of our guards!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Jian stood up abruptly, a violent rage on his face, "What audacity! I want to see who is so blind as to cause trouble in my Nangong Family''s territory?"


    Nangong Jian charged out like a raging fire, heading directly to the main gate.


    The residence of the Nangong Family was built on the bustling Vermilion Bird Avenue, with people coming and going and the commotion here had already attracted the attention of countless onlookers. In front of that magnificent gate, dozens of the Nangong Family guards were piled haphazardly.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, stepping on these dozens of the Nangong Family guards.


    In front of him, over a hundred guards at the Nangong Family''s gate looked at him warily.


    The Nangong Family was replete with strong individuals.


    Among these hundred-odd guards, there were fully ten warriors from the Tao Tribulation Realm, including a Fifth Layer master of Tao Tribulation Realm. This person was the Deputy Commander of the Nangong Family guards, Nangong Tu, who was now kneeling before Xiao Yi.


    The long knife shattered, lying beside him.


    Nangong Tu was drenched in cold sweat, not daring to move in the slightest.


    "Who has such guts to cause trouble in my Nangong Family?" Nangong Jian''s voice was remarkably loud, his expression fierce as he walked out from inside the Nangong Family compound.


    His eyes, sharp as knife blades, fixed onto Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "You''re Nangong Jian?"


    "That''s me!" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nangong Jian looked at Nangong Tu, who knelt before Xiao Yi. Although Nangong Tu was not as strong as he was, he was also a Fifth Layer master of Tao Tribulation Realm who had been defeated by Xiao Yi? Nangong Jian frowned, gazing at Xiao Yi, "Who are you? Daring to make trouble in my Nangong Family, are you not afraid of death?"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, he spat indifferently, "Isn''t it you who wanted me to come to you personally?"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Jian paused, then realized, "You''re Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi nodded his head.


    Nangong Jian''s face immediately turned ashen, he raged, "It seems those two old dogs didn''t convey my words to you. I wanted you to come begging on your knees. And now you dare to strike my Nangong Family men, it seems you are tired of living!"


    "Which hand did you use?" Xiao Yi asked.


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Jian paused.


    Xiao Yi stated coolly, "I''m asking, which hand did you use to break Xue Bufan and their arms?"


    "..."


    Nangong Jian, with a look of disbelief, scoffed, "Do I need to do it myself to break the arms of those two old dogs?"


    "Since you won''t say..."


    Xiao Yi shook his head, casually stepping off the bodies of the several dozen guards, "then just leave both arms behind!"

 Chapter 293 - 293: One Man Guards the Pass, Ten Thousand Are Unable to Open!

    "Then both of your hands will stay behind!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was tinged with indifference, as his eyes swept over both of Nangong Jian''s hands.


    Yan Mingli was one of the earliest powerhouses to follow him, and it could even be said that without Yan Mingli, Xiao Yi''s initial progress wouldn''t have been so rapid.


    There was also Xue Bufan.


    Ever since he followed him, Xue Bufan had been hardworking and complaint-free.


    But now...


    Nangong Jian had not only severely injured both of them and severed an arm but also declared that this was just because he didn''t want to dirty his hands, disdainfully saying that he wouldn''t kill them personally.


    Disdain!


    What was Nangong Jian to be so arrogant?


    He disabled the arms of his companions, inflicting severe injuries, and it was all because of disdain to kill?


    Nangong Jian, upon hearing Xiao Yi''s words, showed a face full of mockery and laughter and arrogantly said, "Leave behind my hands? You must be out of your mind. I am Nangong Jian. Not to mention crippling my hands; if you even hurt a single hair on me, you will pay with your life!"


    Bang!


    The words had just been spoken.


    Nangong Jian''s body suddenly trembled, springing up from the ground with his legs, rotating three hundred and sixty degrees in mid-air, and with a bang, his head smashed forcefully onto the ground.


    Buzz!


    Nangong Jian propped himself up from the ground with his hands, violently shaking his head, feeling dizzy and seeing stars. After a great struggle to steady himself, Nangong Jian looked at Xiao Yi with bloodshot eyes: "Bastard, you dare to hit me?"


    Slap!


    Another slap followed.


    "Fuck..."


    Slap!


    Slap slap slap!


    Xiao Yi reached out into the void with one hand, and invisible "Yuan Qi" firmly clutched Nangong Jian''s throat, lifting his body into the emptiness. His right hand fell like phantom shadows.


    Crack crackle!


    During the chilling sound of crisp snaps, Nangong Jian''s cheeks swelled enormously, and a mix of fresh blood and saliva dripped down.


    At this moment, Nangong Jian''s features were completely disfigured, and even if his own mother were here, she might not recognize him!


    Hiss!


    The surrounding people couldn''t help but gasp for air, their faces dumbfounded, looking in horror at Nangong Jian who was still held aloft by Xiao Yi.


    "I must be seeing things, right?"


    "Xiao Yi actually dares to beat up Nangong Jian in front of the Nangong Family''s gate?"


    "Is he planning to completely sever ties with the Nangong Family?"


    All of this happened too quickly.


    So fast that a group of the Nangong Family''s powerhouses couldn''t react in time. Now hearing the crowd''s discussions, they awakened with a start, looking at Nangong Jian whose features were distorted beyond recognition of a human.


    A group of the Nangong Family''s guards changed their expressions drastically, glaring at Xiao Yi with blood-red eyes and roaring, "Bastard, release our Third Young Master now!"


    "Xiao Yi, you''re seeking death!"


    Over a hundred of the Nangong Family''s guards surrounded him fiercely.


    Xiao Yi held Nangong Jian in his hand and faced the crowd. Xiao Yi coldly shouted, "Whoever dares to take a step forward, I will finish him immediately!"


    "Stop!"


    "Hold your hand!"


    "Don''t you dare harm the life of our Third Young Master..."


    Everyone''s faces went pale.


    For a moment, over a hundred fiercely murderous Nangong Family guards were caught in a dilemma.


    Nangong Jian, too, came to his senses, with an excruciating burning pain on his face and the comments from the crowd like thorns in his back, making him appear as black as coal. The venom in his eyes was chilling, and he yelled hysterically, "Xiao Yi... you''re dead, I definitely won''t let you go, I will kill you, kill you..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold snort, and with a casual punch, he hit his face squarely.


    Wow...


    Nangong Jian cried out in agony, blood gushing from every orifice. He clutched his mouth with both hands, no longer able to utter a word.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, "You injured an elder of Xiaoshanhe Institute and even crippled his arm. Today, I will repay the debt, breaking both your arms as a warning to others."


    "No..."


    Nangong Jian watched as Xiao Yi''s fingertips swirled with silvery Qi, and his eyes nearly split with fury.


    He had thought that Xiao Yi would never dare to lay a hand on him.


    But those dozens of slaps had already let him know that Xiao Yi wouldn''t care at all about the Nangong Family.


    Nangong Jian shouted in terror, "Xiao�� Xiao Yi�� Director Xiao, I was wrong. Please spare me, I��I am willing to compensate Xiaoshanhe Institute. Don''t you want to cooperate with us? As long as you don''t kill me, I am willing to sell elixirs to you at market prices..."


    Under the threat of death, even the usually arrogant Nangong Jian completely cowered at this moment.


    In his view...


    If Xiaoshanhe Institute didn''t have the support of the Nangong Family, they wouldn''t even be able to obtain the most basic elixirs.


    Xiao Yi would surely be unable to resist the temptation to cooperate with the Nangong Family!


    However...


    Xiao Yi sneered and shook his head, "Sorry, your Nangong Family is not worthy of cooperating with me!"


    Whoosh!


    A streak of silver light swept past Xiao Yi''s fingertips.


    Blood gushed like a fountain, and a jet of blood spurted out.


    Nangong Jian''s body shook, his pupils dilating as a blood-soaked arm flew off his body. Then a second blood sword burst into the air, and another arm flew up.


    Two severed arms, both dripping with fresh blood, landed in front of him.


    Both arms were neatly severed at the shoulder.


    It all happened too fast!


    It wasn''t until two arms landed in front of him that Nangong Jian finally felt a surge of sharp pain from his shoulders. His facial features twisted together in an instant, emitting a scream so miserable it seemed inhuman, "Ahhh... My hands, my hands..." S��ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi casually threw him aside.


    Nangong Jian slammed heavily onto the ground, and two guards from the Nangong Family quickly came forward to help him up, looking at his bloody, armless shoulders.


    The guards'' faces went pale in an instant.


    Nangong Jian, enduring the intense pain, snarled venomously, "What are you looking at? Kill him for me! I want to tear him to shreds, chop him up and feed him to the dogs..."


    Faced with Nangong Jian''s roar, the guards of the Nangong Family exchanged glances.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Sharp blades glinted as they rose to the sky, and over a hundred guards rushed towards Xiao Yi at once. Facing the oncoming tide of guards like a steel flood, Xiao Yi remained expressionless.


    He simply raised his right hand and pushed it forward.


    Hum!


    Eyecatching earthen-yellow light bursts blazed, landing on the ground, shaking the earth as if a dragon were turning over. Wall after wall of yellow earthen surged upwards, forming a wave of earth.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Under the surge of earth waves, the strongest of whom was merely at the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, the guards lay sprawled on the ground, each pinned down by a mound of earth.


    Unable to move, as if they were sealed.


    This was the part of the power of heaven and earth that Xiao Yi could wield after stepping into the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    In just a single palm move.


    Xiao Yi had suppressed all those hundred-odd guards. With such power, the remaining strong were all halted in their tracks, not daring to advance any further. At this moment, Xiao Yi, standing with his hands behind his back, was like the War God himself.


    A single man holding back ten thousand, unbreakable by any!


    Hiss!


    The surrounding onlookers were also completely shocked by the sight before them, "Is this�� is this Xiao Yi''s strength? So�� so terrifying..."


    "How can there be such a big gap within the same Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    "The Nangong Family really hit a wall this time!"


    Just then...


    A cold and indifferent voice suddenly came from the crowd, "Who dares to cause trouble in the Nangong Family territory? Do you no longer wish to live?"


    Hearing this voice.


    A look of ecstatic joy appeared on Nangong Jian''s pale face as he yelled, "Master, avenge me!"

 Chapter 294 - 294: Disciple pays respect to the Master!

    "Master, quickly avenge your disciple!"


    Nangong Jian, like a drowning man who had found a life-saving straw, had an ecstatic look on his face as he bellowed toward the middle-aged man who stepped out from the crowd.


    The middle-aged man was dressed in luxurious brocade.


    He wore a white cloud belt around his waist, his long hair tied behind him, holding a folding fan in his hand.


    Upon hearing Nangong Jian''s shout, the middle-aged man was first startled, and his fan paused. He then followed the sound and saw Nangong Jian''s pitiful state, his face suddenly contorted, and he snapped the fan shut with a loud clap.


    Whoosh!


    The middle-aged man was, in a flash, standing right in front of Nangong Jian.


    Looking at Nangong Jian, whose arms were severed at the shoulders.


    The middle-aged man''s eyes were blood-red.


    This person was none other than Lu Chen, a martial arts expert of Three Seas Mountain, with a cultivation that reached the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, only slightly more powerful than Nangong Jian. But he was an Array Master, and Nangong Jian was studying the art of formations under his command.


    This Nangong Jian was his prized disciple, and also his cash cow!


    Backed by the Nangong Family, every month, Nangong Jian provided Lu Chen with innumerable benefits. The medicinal pills and precious herbs he presented as a tribute during holidays alone were worth several hundred million Silver a year.


    Now that Nangong Jian had fallen to such a state, it was as if someone had destroyed his source of wealth!


    "Master, you must take revenge for me!" Nangong Jian roared fiercely.


    "Rest assured, my disciple, I absolutely will not let the murderer go unpunished!"


    Lu Chen nodded solemnly, his cold eyes looking toward Xiao Yi''s direction. Seeing the Nangong Family guards lying all around Xiao Yi in disarray, Lu Chen sneered, "No wonder you dared to cripple my disciple''s arms, kid. You indeed have some skill! However, running into me, Lu Chen, is your ultimate misfortune today!"


    Boom!


    A powerful surge of energy suddenly burst from Lu Chen''s body.


    The surge soared into the sky.


    It formed a cyan tornado, which with a roar, transformed into a column of wind connecting heaven and earth.


    Lu Chen slowly ascended within the column of wind, his aura of the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm unveiled without reservation, so intense that it could be felt for tens of miles around, filled with a terrifying intent to kill.


    Within the imperial city, many a formidable person sensed this powerful aura.


    "Is that coming from the direction of the Nangong Family?"


    "Who could be so bold as to initiate a conflict within the territory of the Nangong Family?"


    "This seems to be Senior Brother Lu''s aura..."


    Within the Three Seas Mountain''s division in the imperial city, a young man''s complexion changed, and looking at an old lady beside him, he said, "Master, Senior Brother Lu Chen might be in trouble!"


    The old lady squinted, huffing coldly, "I want to see who dares to mess with my disciples. Follow me!"


    Whoosh!


    Behind the old lady, more than twenty formidable individuals stood up together, quickly following her towards the Nangong Family''s location.


    In a quiet courtyard.


    Nangong Shengtian was sitting inside, toying with a Jade Pendant in his hands, muttering, "Go back and tell your master, our Nangong Family accepts their proposal of cooperation. However, the details of the cooperation will have to wait until we meet in person to discuss further!"


    "This subordinate will return and relay your message!" the young man responded respectfully.


    "Hm!"


    Nangong Shengtian nodded, suddenly raising his head to look in the direction of the Nangong Family, his brows furrowed and a cold light flashing in his eyes, "Who dares to cause trouble in my Nangong Family''s territory?"


    Whoosh!


    Nangong Shengtian tore through the sky.


    Meanwhile...


    At the main entrance of the Nangong Family''s estate.


    The cyan storm forced the surrounding strong individuals to retreat, and those guards who were bound by the earth and rocks, were violently pulled out from beneath the ground, tossed into the air.


    The fearsome tempest left many strong individuals with astonished expressions: "Is this the power of the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm? Truly, as an expert of Three Seas Mountain, such strength, indeed, even the common peak powers of the Tao Tribulation Realm cannot match him!"


    "Xiao Yi has really kicked an iron plate this time!"


    "Who would have thought that Lu Chen would suddenly appear here?"


    "But... even if Lu Chen hadn''t shown up, Xiao Yi would have been doomed with the Nangong Family''s influence. After all, they are one of the four grand clan families..."


    Amidst the chatter.


    Lu Chen stood suspended in the air, looking down on Xiao Yi from on high: "Kid, you injured my disciple and even dared to confront me. Won''t you kneel and kowtow in admission of your guilt?"


    Xiao Yi looked up at Lu Chen, his neck slightly craning, and said impatiently, "I don''t like looking up to people."


    "Hm?"


    Lu Chen was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi continued to speak, "Get down here!"


    "You''re looking for..."


    Lu Chen had just opened his mouth when suddenly, countless spiritual energies of heaven and earth began to wildly coalesce in the void. They actually tore open the wind column, and amidst the raging winds, they transformed into chains of wind.


    They bound Lu Chen completely within them.


    Tightly trussed up.


    Lu Chen couldn''t move an inch and could only watch helplessly as Xiao Yi''s palm pressed towards the ground. Then, with a whooshing sound breaking through the air, Lu Chen''s body plummeted from the sky.


    Like a falling star.


    Bang!


    Lu Chen smashed hard onto the ground, creating a human-shaped crater.


    With his face toward the dirt, Lu Chen was embedded in it, his limbs twitching slightly.


    "..."


    There was dead silence all around.


    When Lu Chen appeared, everyone thought Xiao Yi was certainly doomed.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi had taken down the imperious Lu Chen with just one move.


    Considering the several hundred meters he fell from the sky, even smashing a huge pit into the ground, even a mighty practitioner of the Tao Tribulation Realm would probably find it unpleasant!


    Spurt!


    Lu Chen was hoisted up by Xiao Yi with one hand, spitting out a mouthful of dirt; his face was swollen and bruised, staring at Xiao Yi in utter bewilderment, "You, you, who on earth are you?"


    In his eyes, Xiao Yi was just a practitioner of the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. In front of him, a proud Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm master, Xiao Yi was like an ant, easily crushed.


    But now... S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s strength far exceeded his expectations.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi!"


    "Hmm?"


    Lu Chen was taken aback, then frowned, "You''re the new head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi?"


    "Guaranteed genuine!" Xiao Yi nodded.


    Lu Chen shouted angrily, "I don''t care if you are real or fake, you dared to break my disciple''s arms and cause me such humiliation; you''re on a path to death!"


    "A path to death? By your hand?" Xiao Yi said with amusement.


    Lu Chen sneered, "I admit I underestimated you. But don''t forget who I am. I am a four-star Array Master, and my master is none other than Li Youruo from Three Seas Mountain, the number one Array Master. My master is a respected six-star Array Master. If she knows I''ve been injured by you, she will definitely not let you off. Just with a trap or killing array set by my master at your Xiaoshanhe Institute, your whole institute would be wiped out in the blink of an eye. Scared now?"


    A six-star Array Master, whose status was comparable to a practitioner of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    As long as Li Youruo was willing to personally set up a formation for someone, even practitioners of the Dharma Manifestation Realm would be willing to take action.


    This was where Lu Chen''s confidence and assurance lay.


    "Li Youruo is your master?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, showing a strange expression, "Are you sure, she will avenge you?"


    "Of course... she is my master. If she knows I''ve been injured by you, she will never let it go. Just one formation by my master at your Xiaoshanhe Institute, and your entire institute will be annihilated in an instant. Feeling fear now, aren''t you?"


    Lu Chen sneered, "So, why don''t you put me down and kneel before me, begging for my forgiveness? If I personally plead for you to my master, considering my face, my master might spare you a way to live!"


    Looking at the haughty Lu Chen, Xiao Yi''s expression grew even more peculiar.


    Suddenly.


    He felt something and turned to look at the crowd.


    He saw a group of figures rushing over, led by the expressionless Li Youruo.


    "Master?"


    Lu Chen was startled, then burst into laughter, "Xiao Yi, you''re done for. My master has come..." he shouted towards Li Youruo, "Master, come save me!"


    Whoosh!


    Li Youruo landed with a leap in front of Xiao Yi.


    With a venomous look on his face, Lu Chen gazed at Xiao Yi, "Hahaha, you''re like a dog now. It''s too late for regrets. Kneel down now and beg for my forgiveness!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Li Youruo with amusement, "Li Youruo, your disciple says that with your arrival, my end is certain?"


    However...


    In the full view of everyone.


    Li Youruo suddenly knelt before Xiao Yi, loudly saying, "Disciple pays respects to master! I earnestly beg for master''s forgiveness. I have failed in disciplining, and I must punish this wicked disciple severely..."


    For a moment.


    Everyone was utterly baffled, "..."

 Chapter 295 - 295: So What If I Bully You?

    "..."


    In front of the Nangong Family''s gates, everyone was staring dumbfounded, their faces a picture of utter confusion.


    Lu Chen was the most baffled of all.


    His eyes were wide open, his mouth agape, and his face was filled with bewilderment. His black pupils, thick with shock and incomprehension, shifted back and forth between Xiao Yi and Li Youruo.


    His pupils slowly dilated, and his gaze was replaced by alarm and fear. S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Who was Li Youruo?


    An elder of Three Seas Mountain, a Peak Tao Tribulation Realm existence, and also the only six-star Array Master of Three Seas Mountain.


    Any of these identities, even on their own, could make a person''s name resound throughout the Great Qian Dynasty and hold a pivotal status.


    It''s no exaggeration to say that apart from the Dharma Manifestation Realm ancestors, Li Youruo, the Purple-clad Daoist Chen Ziyi were among the very top existences.


    Yet such a being...


    Was now kneeling before Xiao Yi, addressing him as master?


    Gulp!


    Lu Chen swallowed hard, his eyelid twitched, and with a face as if at a funeral, he tentatively asked, "Mas, Master, are, are you mistaken about the person?"


    "Shut up!"


    Li Youruo glared daggers at him and backhanded him across the face with a slap.


    She was acutely aware of how terrifying Xiao Yi was!


    With the cultivation of the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, he had slain numerous Tao Tribulation Realm Peak existences on Great Liang Mountain. He was even able to completely overwhelm her and Chen Ziyi on the path of formation mastery with his power alone.


    Most importantly...


    The "Hundred Volumes of Array Path" Xiao Yi gave her had left her utterly astounded.


    For many reasons...


    Li Youruo had been completely won over.


    Willingly, and even proudly, she took Xiao Yi as her master.


    Now, she would have done anything to please Xiao Yi, yet Lu Chen dared to lay hands on him publicly, even attempting to put Xiao Yi in mortal danger?


    How could Li Youruo tolerate that?


    "Master, you, you hit me for that kid..."


    Lu Chen looked at Li Youruo with a face full of grievance.


    He was Li Youruo''s proud disciple, deeply favored and trusted by her; she had never even scolded him before. When Li Youruo first appeared, he thought his backing had arrived!


    In his mind...


    Li Youruo would definitely stand up for him and fiercely teach Xiao Yi a lesson!


    But now Li Youruo was not only kneeling before Xiao Yi, calling him master, but she also slapped him hard across the face?


    Lu Chen felt his world was shattering.


    "Shut up!"


    Li Youruo slapped him again, a series of slaps that made Lu Chen''s head spin with stars, and she scolded with a huff, "Talking about ''that kid'' this, ''that kid'' that, the person standing before you is your grandmaster!"


    "Ah?"


    Lu Chen was flabbergasted, his face full of shock, "Mas, Master, you''re not joking, are you?"


    "Could Master Li have gone mad?"


    "Impossible, right as Master Li appeared, she addressed Xiao Yi as master!"


    "What on earth is going on here? What merits or abilities does Xiao Yi have to become Master Li''s master?" Not only could Lu Chen not accept it, but all the onlookers were also utterly baffled, feeling as if they were hallucinating.


    Speaking of cultivation, Xiao Yi was just at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, whereas Li Youruo was at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak.


    Age-wise, Li Youruo was old enough to be Xiao Yi''s grandmother!


    How did she become his master?


    Li Youruo did not explain but turned around and respectfully saluted Xiao Yi, pleading for her disciple, "Master, please spare his life for my sake!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Li Youruo''s face lit up with joy, and she glared fiercely at Lu Chen, "Aren''t you going to come over and kowtow to apologize to your grandmaster?"


    A spasm twitched at the corner of Lu Chen''s eye, "..."


    Just moments ago.


    He was thinking about making Xiao Yi kneel down and beg for mercy, but in the blink of an eye, he was forced by Li Youruo to kneel and kowtow to Xiao Yi, even referring to him as grandmaster.


    How fortunes turn.


    But when it turned to him, it was simply too fast!


    Lu Chen was extremely bitter in his heart, but he was helpless, unable to defy Li Youruo''s wishes. His head banged repeatedly on the ground as he said with a mournful face, "Grandmaster above, please forgive your disciple''s utter disrespect!"


    "Get up!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said earnestly, "Remember to keep a low profile in the future when you behave."


    "Grandmaster''s lesson is well taken!" Lu Chen hurriedly replied.


    From the side...


    Nangong Jian was completely dumbstruck.


    He felt that today was just the pinnacle of bad luck.


    When Xiao Yi appeared, he relied on the backing of the Nangong Family, thinking Xiao Yi wouldn''t dare to touch him.


    Then his arms were broken.


    When Lu Chen appeared, he relied on having Lu Chen as his support, believing he could take revenge and wash away his humiliation.


    As a result, Lu Chen too was beaten up by Xiao Yi!


    Finally, with Li Youruo''s arrival, Nangong Jian thought he saw light through the clouds, the light of hope finally descending upon him.


    Hopes of vengeance seemed attainable!


    Yet...


    This grandmaster, who was equivalent to a Dharma Manifestation Realm ancestor in Three Seas Mountain, actually kneeled before Xiao Yi, calling him master!


    "What sins have I committed?" Nangong Jian wore a face of misery, a strong sense of regret welling up inside him.


    If he had known earlier.


    Why did he have to act so arrogantly at that time, insisting on breaking the hands of Yan Mingli and the others?


    "Xiao Yi, who gave you the courage to cause trouble within the Nangong Family?" Just then, a roar like thunder came from the sky, as a figure descended from above.


    Boom!


    The figure was surrounded by roiling energy, with a terrifying pressure that weakened the others'' legs, nearly bringing them to their knees.


    The person was none other than the patriarch of the Nangong Family, Nangong Shengtian!


    "Ancestor... You''ve finally come. That dog bastard Xiao Yi broke my arms, I beg you to take revenge for me!" Just as Nangong Jian was losing all hope, he once again found hope and shouted loudly.


    Nangong Shengtian was stunned for a moment, scrutinizing Nangong Jian for a long time, and frowned, "Who are you?"


    Nangong Jian: "..."


    Now with a swollen face beyond recognition, and his arms severed, sitting slumped on the ground, he was indistinguishable from a beggar. It took Nangong Shengtian a moment to recognize him, as Nangong Jian said with a bitter face, "Ancestor, I... I''m little Jianjian..."


    "..."


    Nangong Shengtian looked baffled, studying Nangong Jian up and down, and finally recognizing his identity, "You... you''re Nangong Jian? Damn, how did you end up like this?"


    Nangong Jian, with a pitiful face, exaggerated his story, "Ancestor, it was all Xiao Yi''s doing. Following your instructions, I refused the person from Xiaoshanhe Institute who came to discuss cooperation. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yi came knocking. He beat me into this state and even severed my arms, you must avenge me..."


    "Alright, alright, what a Xiao Yi!"


    Nangong Shengtian''s eyes blazed with a blood-like red, his teeth clacking with rage, and his ferocious gaze fell on Xiao Yi, he ground his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi, you''ve gone too far!"


    Hum!


    A terrible surge of energy formed a fierce wind that rushed towards them.


    Among the flying sand and rolling stones.


    The layers of tiles on the ground rose and shot towards Xiao Yi.


    Bang bang bang!


    An invisible barrier formed in front of Xiao Yi, blocking the wind and debris. His eyes slitted, he stared unabashedly at Nangong Shengtian, "So what if I bully you?"

 Chapter 296 - 296: At Your Disposal!

    "So what if I bully you?"


    Xiao Yi''s face bore a playful expression as he faced the fierce wind and flying rocks without even blinking, speaking in a neither servile nor overbearing tone.


    Nangong Shengtian''s face stiffened: "..."


    After all, he was the venerable ancestor of the Nangong Family, a master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Even Emperor Qian had to address him as Ancestor Nangong.


    Who had ever dared to belittle and provoke him like this?


    Boom!


    Nangong Shengtian stomped fiercely, and the ground trembled thunderously as if a dragon were turning beneath it. Fissures spread from beneath his feet towards Xiao Yi, and terrifying surges of earth formed spikes thrusting straight at Xiao Yi and those beside him, including Li Youruo.


    "Master, be careful!" Li Youruo''s face changed drastically, ready to intervene.


    Xiao Yi raised his hand to signal her not to panic.


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi tapped the ground with the tip of his foot, half of his sole sinking into the earth, followed by an explosive burst of ferocious power from within his body, like the waters of a river rushing into the open sea, surging beneath the ground.


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    The entire ground vibrated around Xiao Yi as a center, wave after wave of terrifying energy pulsating outward in deafening explosions towards what lay ahead.


    The two waves of earth collided with a crash.


    Bang bang bang!


    The two waves kept smashing against each other, grinding the other down, while at the point of collision, mounds of earth and rocks piled up.


    One zhang.


    Two zhang.


    Three zhang...


    When the turbulent energy on the ground had dissipated, the earth wave halted two meters in front of Xiao Yi, having formed a small mountain of earth and stone ten zhang high as a result of their collision.


    "Nangong Shengtian, I came to the Nangong Family in good faith, hoping to seek cooperation. Even if you refuse to cooperate, I would have voiced no complaints," Xiao Yi said, leaping onto the summit of the earthen mountain and looking down at Nangong Shengtian from on high. "However, Nangong Jian has severely injured my men, Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan, even breaking their arms. Do you still think the blame lies on me today?"


    The surrounding crowd, having heard Xiao Yi''s words, whispered among themselves: "So there are these reasons behind the incident. If that''s the case, indeed the Nangong Family is in the wrong!"


    "The Nangong Family may be large and powerful, but the Xiaoshanhe Institute is not to be trifled with. Nangong Jian''s actions are an insult to the Xiaoshanhe Institute and Xiao Yi, no wonder he is so enraged!"


    "The fault lies with the Nangong..."


    "Nangong Jian deserves it!"


    The crowd spoke one after another.


    These murmurs reached Nangong Shengtian''s ears, causing his expression to flicker and turning his face extremely ugly.


    Indeed, they did not have a leg to stand on in this matter.


    However...


    Nangong Shengtian had long been accustomed to acting tyrannically.


    His face was thick with mockery as he sneered, "Xiao Yi, who doesn''t know that for the sole purpose of dominating Xiaoshanhe Institute, you drove out Chen Shuiwen and all his associates. How could my Nangong Family possibly cooperate with someone like you, a petty person who will stop at nothing to exclude others for your own selfish desires?"


    "Exclude others?"


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly and replied, "That''s an internal matter of Xiaoshanhe Institute. Since when does the Nangong Family have to consider such things in their business dealings?"


    "I am good friends with Chen Shuiwen. Over the years, Chen Shuiwen and my Nangong Family have had a very harmonious collaboration. You expelled him from Xiaoshanhe Institute; I can''t trust you, and naturally, I won''t work with you!"


    Nangong Shengtian''s figure slowly rose until he was eye-level with Xiao Yi and said with a mocking tone, "I''m not afraid to tell you that Chen Shuiwen has already allied with various forces, preparing to build a new Martial Arts Institute to contend against your Xiaoshanhe Institute. My Nangong Family will enter into comprehensive cooperation with him, providing all of our elixirs at a mere thirty percent of the market price. You must be quite furious now, aren''t you? Hahaha..."


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed ever so slightly.


    He hadn''t expected Nangong Shengtian to be so willing to sell to Chen Shuiwen at merely thirty percent of the market price.


    That was almost no profit at all!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and scoffed, "Nangong Shengtian, don''t tell me you really think the Nangong Family can cover the sky with one hand? In the vast Great Qian Dynasty, I refuse to believe that, apart from you, there isn''t another power daring to sell elixirs to us!"


    "Hahaha, sorry, but in the elixir industry, my Nangong Family indeed can cover the sky with one hand!" Nangong Shengtian said pridefully, "With just one word from me, throughout the entire Great Qian Dynasty, you won''t be able to obtain even the lowest-grade Blood Qi Elixir. You must be really angry now, right? Hahaha, young man, trying to fight me? You''re still too green!"


    Seeing Xiao Yi remain silent,


    "Ladies and gentlemen, the former vice dean of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Chen Shuiwen, accompanied by all instructors and disciples, is about to establish a brand-new Martial Arts Institute."


    Nangong Shengtian looked around at everyone, his voice amplified with vital energy, deep and resonant, echoing between heaven and earth: "At that time, both the Nangong Family and the Beitang Family will fully support Chen Shuiwen. If you wish for your children to have access to the best resources, you may consider joining Chen Shuiwen''s Martial Arts Institute, and definitely avoid a place like Xiaoshanhe Institute, which is fraught with scheming and discord, ostracizes others, and can''t even supply its own elixirs..."


    "A new Martial Arts Institute?"


    "With support from both the Nangong and Beitang families, the resources of this new institute will undoubtedly be impressive!"


    "Xiaoshanhe Institute has been decaying over the years, and now having lost all its instructors, it has been cut off from the elixir resources by the Nangong Family. If we join them, we probably won''t even be able to satisfy the most basic cultivation needs!"


    Everyone joined in the chorus.


    The voices that prophesied doom for Xiaoshanhe Institute grew more and more numerous, louder and louder.


    Nangong Shengtian''s face was filled with smugness as he provocatively looked at Xiao Yi, "See? Just with one word, I can bring you down, kid. When a praying mantis tries to stop a chariot, it''s on a path to certain death! Of course, if you kneel down and beg me now, I might just agree to supply some elixirs to you at twice the market price out of sheer mercy!"


    "Master..."


    Li Youruo looked at Xiao Yi with concern.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand.


    Whoosh!


    He exhaled a long breath of turbid air, fixing his gaze on Nangong Shengtian: "Nangong Shengtian, I did not wish to be your enemy, but since you insist on being aggressive, then I, Xiao Yi, have no choice but to take up this challenge. You pride yourself on the Nangong Family being able to cover the sky with one hand in the Great Qian Dynasty? One month..."


    Xiao Yi held up a finger.


    The cold light in his eyes was piercing as he stared at Nangong Shengtian and enunciated, "Within one month, I will force all the Nangong Family pharmacies to shut down and cease business."


    "What?"


    Nangong Shengtian was taken aback, then burst into laughter, "Have you lost your mind, beginning to spout nonsense? Let alone one month, even if I gave you a hundred years, a thousand years, you wouldn''t be able to shake the Nangong Family!"


    "Don''t believe it? Let''s try!" Xiao Yi challenged. S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmph, I''m not afraid of you!"


    Nangong Shengtian sneered, "If you really can make the Nangong Family Pharmacy close within one month, my Nangong Family will willingly provide all elixir resources to your Xiaoshanhe Institute free of charge. But, if you fail, what then?"


    Xiao Yi''s words rang out firmly, "At your disposal!"

 Chapter 297 - 297 All the World Rushes for Profit

    "Agreed!"


    A glint flashed through Nangong Shengtian''s eyes.


    He simply did not believe that Xiao Yi could shut down all of the pill shops owned by the Nangong Family within a month.


    After all...


    The Nangong Family had dominated the medicinal pill industry for many years.


    Just in the imperial capital alone, they owned over a hundred pill shops, and throughout the vast Great Qian Dynasty, the number surpassed ten thousand. Even if Xiao Yi sought the royal family''s help, it was impossible for all his pill shops to be forced to close!


    "Xiao Yi is too impulsive, this is simply an impossible task!"


    "In the end, he is just too young!"


    The murmuring discussions that vaguely came from the crowd made Li Youruo''s face turn a bit unsightly. She looked at Xiao Yi worriedly, "Master, we have no chance at winning this bet!"


    "No matter, I have my plans!" Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits.


    The Nangong Family was indeed strong!


    Especially in the medicinal pill industry, they held a pivotal position.


    But...


    When it came to medicinal pills, who could Xiao Yi fear?


    "Li Youruo, are these your close confidants?" Xiao Yi looked at the twenty or thirty people behind Li Youruo. Among them, six were in the Tao Tribulation Realm, and the rest were in the Golden Core Realm or the Shentong Realm, each with a decent posture and robust physique.


    Although there were only about thirty people, their quality was comparable to the group of instructors that Chen Shuiwen had taken away.


    Li Youruo nodded, pride also evident in her expression, but thinking of her departure being known by Three Seas Mountain, a trace of bitterness appeared on her face: "Master, when I left, the Deputy Sect Master of Three Seas Mountain came to intercept me. I trapped him with a formation. But knowing Three Seas Mountain''s way of doing things, they will absolutely not let this go..."


    "Let them come!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to signal Li Youruo not to worry and said indifferently, "At least before the ancestral worship ceremony, they would not dare to openly deal with us. There are still more than two months left, enough for us to build up strength. Once the ceremony is over, it will be too late for them to start dealing with us!"


    Li Youruo opened her mouth to speak but then hesitated. Looking at Xiao Yi''s confident face, she ultimately swallowed her words.


    Xiao Yi said, "You take people back to Xiaoshanhe Institute first, I will make a trip to the palace!"


    "Yes!"


    Li Youruo promptly led the people away.


    Lu Chen was even dragged by her, like an injured puppy, his face full of despair.


    Moments later.


    Xiao Yi arrived at the imperial palace. Before even seeing Emperor Qian, Qi was already waiting at the entrance. Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and stepped forward with a cupped-fist salute: "Eunuch Qi!"


    "Director Xiao, His Majesty is aware of your purpose for coming, and he instructed this old servant to wait for you here!" Qi said with a smile.


    Xiao Yi nodded, not surprised in the least.


    The incident with the Nangong Family was not a small matter, and with the means of the royal family, if they could not control what happened within the imperial capital, then Emperor Qian would not be sitting where he was.


    "These are two Jade Fetal Elixirs, enough to regrow the severed limbs of the two people under your command. Besides..."


    Qi handed a clear jade vial to Xiao Yi, his eagle-like eyes glanced around, and he lowered his voice, "His Majesty instructed me to tell you that the royal family cannot help you deal with the Nangong Family, and you must resolve the matter of the bet yourself!"


    Xiao Yi accepted the jade vial and smiled, "Please tell His Majesty that the Nangong Family is just a trivial matter. If I can''t even handle them, how can we talk about revitalizing Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    A look of surprise crossed Qi''s face as he gazed at Xiao Yi.


    That was the Nangong Family!


    Even he and Emperor Qian, upon learning of Xiao Yi''s bet with Nangong Sheng, felt that Xiao Yi was too arrogant.


    That bet had no chance of success!


    But now...


    Seeing Xiao Yi so confident, Qi couldn''t help but be curious. What means did Xiao Yi have?


    However, he also knew Xiao Yi would not tell him.


    Qi chuckled, "Then this old servant will wish Director Xiao a swift and resounding success in advance!"


    ```


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi clasped his hands together, "Xiao Yi shall take his leave now!"


    "Go ahead!"


    Qi smiled, watching as Xiao Yi strode away with long steps. He raised his hand to stroke his chin, muttering to himself, "He really is an unfathomable young fellow�� It''s great to be young, even this old man is somewhat excited to see what the outcome will be in a month!"


    Pedaling swiftly away from the capital, Xiao Yi then took to the air, flying towards Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    With his current speed.


    It was only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn from the capital to Imperial Dragon Mountain. When he returned to the Xiaoshanhe Institute at Imperial Dragon Mountain, Li Youruo and the others had not yet arrived. Xiao Yi went straight to find Elder Yan and Elder Xue.


    The two had already awakened, lying on their beds.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s arrival, they struggled to sit up, their pale faces filled with deep self-reproach, "Xiao, we have failed your trust��"


    "Why should you say so?"


    Xiao Yi, with a gesture of his palm, helped the two of them up, saying, "This matter arose because of me, and if anyone should apologize, it is I who should be apologizing to you. Right, I have requested two Jade Fetal Elixirs from His Majesty, which after taking, will allow you to regrow your severed limbs!"


    "Jade Fetal Elixir?"


    "This, this��"


    The two faces were filled with excitement as they received the jade vials.


    With trembling hands, they both took the elixir one after another.


    Hiss!


    A wave of intense pain made their scalps tingle, their foreheads'' veins throbbing, and cold sweat poured out. Where their arms had been severed, streaks of blood spread out, and at a visible rate, new arms began to grow.


    Moments later.


    The two had their severed arms regenerated.


    "Thank you, Xiao, for granting us new life!" The two tested their new arms. Though they still felt somewhat unfamiliar, with some time they could easily master their function, both faces filled with gratitude.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, saying, "You two should focus on recovering for a day. Tomorrow, Elder Yan, you will need to accompany me on a trip to the Treasure Pavilion!"


    Afterward.


    Xiao Yi informed everyone about his wager with Nangong Shengtian.


    Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan looked at each other.


    Being the most knowledgeable about the Great Qian Dynasty''s elixir industry, they were also acutely aware of how terrifying the Nangong Family''s hold on the elixir industry was, with one Beitang Family controlling the medicinal resource and the Nangong Family controlling the elixir resource.


    Overthrowing them seemed as difficult as scaling the heavens!


    Yan Mingli said with a wry smile, "Xiao, if it were just about getting the Treasure Pavilion to provide elixir resources, I might have some confidence, but with your current wager with Nangong Shengtian, I fear the Nangong and Beitang households will certainly do everything to block us. I''m afraid that the Treasure Pavilion��" sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Treasure Pavilion held a powerful position throughout the Qingtian Realm.


    But in the Great Qian Dynasty��


    The Treasure Pavilion was suppressed by the four big families'' joint effort, only occupying a small part of the market, completely unable to compete with them!


    After all.


    Everything that the Treasure Pavilion could offer, the four big families could too.


    And because the four big families were on their home ground, their costs were lower and their prices more competitive. Even in the price wars, which the Treasure Pavilion was best at, they couldn''t beat them!


    For that reason��


    The Great Qian Dynasty''s elixir and Yuan weapon industries were firmly controlled by the four big families.


    The Treasure Pavilion could only struggle to survive in the cracks!


    They certainly couldn''t afford to offend both the Nangong and Beitang families to death just to aid Xiao Yi!


    "Don''t worry, I have my ways to make the Treasure Pavilion cooperate with us!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, narrowing his eyes, "All under heaven are attracted to profit, I do not believe the Treasure Pavilion is willing to settle for being beneath others��"


    ```

 Chapter 298 - 298: Two Dharma Aspects in One Day

    That night.


    Li Youruo, Chen Ziyi, and others also arrived at Xiaoshanhe Institute in succession.


    Everyone gathered together.


    This time...


    It was no longer as deserted as before.


    Just the people brought by Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi numbered over seventy, and with the confidants that Li Jinjun and Hai Wei brought, the count had already surpassed a hundred.


    Among them, there were thirty-seven powerful practitioners above the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    There were five at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak.


    Hai Wei, Li Jinjun, Li Youruo, Chen Ziyi, and his wife Zhou Jing.


    Five great Tao Tribulation Realm Peak powerhouses, thirty-two practitioners above the Tao Tribulation Realm, along with Xiao Yi, Xue Bufan, and Yu Huaxian, brought the number of Tao Tribulation Realm strong practitioners in Xiaoshanhe Institute to forty.


    Yu Huaxian looked at the people present, shook his head with a sigh, and said, "How do I feel like I''m becoming less and less useful here with Xiao?"


    Elder Yan''s eye corner twitched, "Then what about me?"


    His cultivation was only at the Golden Core Realm.


    In front of the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, he was as fragile as an ant.


    Yu Huaxian glanced at him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Don''t worry, you have your disciple to back you up!"


    "Damn..."


    Elder Yan glared fiercely at him.


    Xiao Yi scanned the crowd and said, "When you left your respective sects, there were no complications, I hope?" S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hai Wei and Li Jinjun shook their heads and said, "Our confidants are all in the capital, so there were no other incidents. However, Elder Li and Elder Chen did encounter some obstacles on the way!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and looked towards Chen Ziyi.


    He already knew about the pursuit of Li Youruo by the Deputy Sect Master of Three Seas Mountain, but Chen Ziyi had not said much. However, Xiao Yi sensed a hint of blood on him.


    Chen Ziyi remained silent.


    Zhou Jing gave a bitter smile and said, "Xiao, my husband Chen is in a bad mood because his direct disciple did not come back with us. Please forgive him!"


    Xiao Yi hummed in acknowledgment, but seeing Chen Ziyi''s complexion, he knew it was not as simple as just the missing direct disciple, "Ziyi, what exactly happened?"


    Chen Ziyi sighed softly and said, "Master, my direct disciple exposed me, and on the way here, we were intercepted by practitioners from the Dharma Manifestation Realm. My second disciple was captured while trying to protect us, and I know nothing of their life or death..."


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly.


    A betrayal by a direct disciple and the capture of the second disciple while they covered their escape.


    No wonder Chen Ziyi was so heavy-hearted.


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder and said solemnly, "Ziyi, rest assured, I will definitely bring back your second disciple!"


    "Thank you, Master!"


    Chen Ziyi nodded, still looking disheartened.


    After all, that was someone who fell into the hands of Wendao Villa.


    Even a Dharma Manifestation Realm practitioner wouldn''t dream of taking someone from Wendao Villa, let alone Xiao Yi, who was only at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Wendao Villa would never release a captive!


    Xiao Yi was of course aware of Chen Ziyi''s concerns, but he did not elaborate further. Instead, he turned to the others and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, since you have joined Xiaoshanhe Institute, you are from now on my companions. I, Xiao Yi, hereby assure you that I will never let you regret today''s decision!"


    With that said,


    Xiao Yi glanced at Lin Bingxin beside him.


    Lin Bingxin stepped forward immediately, taking out a chest from her storage ring.


    Clang!


    Lin Bingxin opened the chest, and everyone''s gaze converged on it. Inside the chest were scrolls piled up.


    Under the confused gazes of the group, Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "During dinner, I observed everyone, and these scrolls are martial arts techniques tailored for you. Your names are on them, as gifts to welcome you to Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    A martial art specifically tailored for the individual?


    The crowd was taken aback.


    Some marveled.


    Some were puzzled.


    Others scoffed.


    They all came from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, which, compared to the declining Xiaoshanhe Institute, were behemoth sects.


    They didn''t think Xiao Yi could offer any high-level martial arts.


    Xiao Yi didn''t explain but just smiled, watching everyone.


    He was, after all, the heir to the Dao Yan legacy.


    And who was Dao Yan?


    He was the strongest martial theory master in the history of Qingtian Realm, who had created countless martial arts and cultivation techniques in his lifetime. For Xiao Yi, who possessed Dao Yan''s inheritance, to tailor martial arts and techniques for the powerhouses beneath the Longevity Secret Realm was simply a matter of ease.


    Lin Bingxin distributed the scrolls to everyone.


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Take a look for yourselves!"


    Everyone thought to just put the scrolls away, but seeing Xiao Yi suggesting so, they opened them half-heartedly.


    Upon looking...


    The crowd couldn''t recover their senses.


    Each one was dumbfounded, their attitudes shifting from casual to astonished, staring at the scrolls intently, reading every word with great focus.


    Even Chen Ziyi and the four others at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm were staring at the scroll''s content with serious expressions. Some furrowed their brows, some marveled, some were puzzled, and some suddenly understood...


    Buzz!


    Suddenly, a terrifying surge of aura burst forth as Li Youruo suddenly lifted his head to look at Xiao Yi and knelt on the ground with a thud, "Thank you, Master, for your gift. I have sensed the opportunity to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and I request your permission to enter seclusion to strive for it!"


    "Granted!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, then turned to Lin Bingxin, "Take Youruo to..."


    Before he could finish,


    Another buzz echoed.


    Chen Ziyi trembled all over, his eyes shining with a brilliant light, and he too knelt with a thud, "Thank you, Master, for your gift. I, too, have sensed the opportunity to break through to the Dharma Manifestation and need to enter seclusion to attack the realm!"


    "Very good, very good, two Dharma Manifestations in a single day, what worries could Xiaoshanhe Institute have about not thriving?"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, having anticipated that the contents of the scroll could lead them to breakthroughs but not expecting it to happen so quickly. Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "Both of you go and seclude yourselves in the secret chamber. However, you must inform me in advance when you''re about to break through. I will take you to a secluded place for your breakthroughs!"


    Nowadays, everyone looked down on Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    They didn''t think it could be revitalized.


    At this time, of course, he couldn''t reveal all his strength in front of everyone. He had to conceal his power. When the time came for the ancestral worship ceremony, several Dharma Manifestation experts would emerge alongside a host of strong disciples cultivated by Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    At that time...


    It would certainly shock everyone!


    "Xiao, I can hardly wait to see the expressions on Nangong Shengtian and others'' faces when they see our Xiaoshanhe Institute suddenly boasting so many experts!"


    "Hahaha, it will definitely be very exciting!"


    The crowd laughed in agreement.


    With the guidance of Xiao Yi, Li Youruo, and Chen Ziyi on the verge of their breakthroughs, the other powerhouses who received the scrolls also had significant gains. The way they looked at Xiao Yi was now filled with an intense warmth and inner admiration.


    The experts brought by Li Youruo and others were already won over by Xiao Yi.


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, squinted his eyes toward the star-studded night sky outside the door, and muttered to himself, "As long as we solve the Dan medicine resource supply, the rise of Xiaoshanhe Institute is within reach!"

 Chapter 299 - 299: The Dying Man

    The next day, early in the morning.


    Xiao Yi, Yan Mingli, and Lin Bingxin went together to the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion.


    Treasure Pavilion.


    This was an incomparably vast organization, its influence spread throughout the entire Qingtian Realm. There were rumors that behind the Treasure Pavilion was an enormously powerful force, many times stronger than the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Even though the four great noble families could suppress the Capital Treasure Pavilion, they dared not drive it into a corner.


    Otherwise, once they incited the wrath of the force behind the Treasure Pavilion, even the four great families couldn''t withstand the consequences.


    "Xiao, Master Nalan Qianqiu is a close friend of my mentor, but they were also contenders in the past. I''ve had some disputes with his disciples, and I fear we might encounter some of them this time. If they are impolite in their speech, please, teacher, for my sake, let it slide!" Standing in front of the Treasure Pavilion, Yan Mingli said.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    The three of them entered the Treasure Pavilion.


    This Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion was far from comparable to those in the Tianqing Kingdom; it was similarly divided into an Inner Cabinet and an Outer Cabinet.


    The Outer Cabinet was primarily made up of street stalls, a dazzling array of items, everything available, but it was a mix of good and bad, with no guarantee of quality. However, if one were lucky, it was possible to find precious treasures at extremely low prices.


    Just as Xiao Yi had found the Golden Radiance Stone Spirit in the Outer Cabinet of the Treasure Pavilion in Nanhuang.


    The Inner Cabinet dealt in high-end products, but the values were extremely expensive; even a single piece of clothing could cost over a hundred taels of silver, enough to cover a common family''s expenses for a year. Few ordinary people would spend in the Inner Cabinet.


    Xiao Yi and his companions made their way to the Inner Cabinet.


    "May I help you with something?" A good-looking young man stepped forward, his gaze subtly sweeping over the three of them, the smile on his face growing more brilliant and enthusiastic upon seeing the quality of their attire.


    Yan Mingli said, "Brother, we are here to see Master Nalan!"


    "To see our Pavilion Master?"


    The young man was taken aback and asked, puzzled, "May I know who you are?"


    Yan Mingli said, "My name is Yan Mingli. Please notify the Master; I believe he will want to see us!"


    "Alright... please wait here!" The young man promptly left.


    After a short while.


    The young man came back with a haughty-looking youth.


    The young man pointed at Xiao Yi and his group: "Steward Ning, it is they who wish to see the Pavilion Master!"


    "Hmm, you can go now!"


    Ning, the steward, waved his hand dismissively and slightly lifted his chin, his indifferent gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi and the others. His eyes paused briefly when they landed on Lin Bingxin, a flash of sharpness passing through them before he stepped forward and asked, "May I know how to address this miss?"


    Lin Bingxin''s brows creased slightly: "Lin Bingxin!"


    "Lin Bingxin? A name as pure as ice; indeed, a fine name!"


    Ning, the steward, chuckled, presumptuously flicking his hair, "I am Ning Kang, a first-level steward at the Treasure Pavilion!"


    There were three levels of stewards at the Treasure Pavilion.


    The first level was the highest, just below the Pavilion Master.


    The second and third levels were subordinate to the first.


    Ning Kang, being a first-level steward at such a young age, must have a formidable background. His face carried a radiant smile. Just as he was about to speak, Yan Mingli said, "Young brother, we came today to see Master Nalan. Is he currently available?"


    "And you are what exactly? Didn''t you see that I was speaking with Miss Lin?" Ning Kang rebuked loudly, displeasure showing on his face.


    Yan Mingli''s expression changed slightly.


    Ning Kang snorted, turning back to Lin Bingxin with a radiant smile: "Miss Lin, I infer from your accent that you are new to the Imperial Capital. There are quite a few interesting places here in the capital. If you''re interested, I could show you around!"


    "No need!"


    Lin Bingxin looked at Ning Kang with disgust and shook her head.


    Ning Kang hadn''t given up yet, and continued, "Miss Lin..."


    Yan Mingli took a deep breath, "Ning, we have something to discuss with Master Nalan, please..."


    Slap!


    Ning Kang turned around and slapped Yan Mingli across the face, fuming, "How can you be so clueless, old man? Don''t you see that I am talking to Miss Lin? Why don''t you take a look in the mirror and see what kind of person you are, thinking you have the right to see the Pavilion Master? Do you think you''re worthy?"


    "You..."


    Yan Mingli''s face turned a ghastly shade.


    Bing Xin''s eyes were ablaze with fury. Yan Mingli was not only her master but also her only family member. She glared at Ning Kang, "Who gave you the right to hit someone?"


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    Lin Bingxin raised her delicate palm to strike his face.


    Slap!


    Ning Kang quickly caught Lin Bingxin''s wrist, his face full of disdain, "Giving you face, huh? I''ve seen plenty of women like you, virtuous and righteous in public, but who knows how wanton you are behind closed doors. You want to see the Pavilion Master? As long as you serve me well, I will surely arrange a meeting for you with the Pavilion Master!"


    He sneered malevolently, eyes glancing over Lin Bingxin''s chest.


    A scarlet tongue licked his lips.


    His hand, resembling a salacious pork trotter, was about to reach out.


    But then there was a snap.


    Ning Kang''s smile abruptly disappeared from his face, replaced by shock, then overtaken by horror and paleness, "Ah... my hand, my hand is broken..."


    Ning Kang''s entire arm was dangling lifelessly in pieces at his side.


    His face contorted in excruciating pain.


    Clutching his broken arm, he staggered back repeatedly.


    Xiao Yi''s cold gaze fell upon him, he said indifferently, "If you dare to make another move, I''ll twist off your neck!"


    "You, you..."


    Ning Kang''s face turned ashen.


    Though his cultivation was at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, Xiao Yi had broken his arm effortlessly, an indication of strength far surpassing his own.


    Ning Kang eyed Xiao Yi warily, with boundless hatred flaming in his heart, he gritted his teeth, "Just you wait... How dare you cause trouble in the Treasure Pavilion, I won''t rest until I make you beg for life and death!"


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The sound of metal clashing heralded the arrival of an eleven-person team rushing in.


    The leader was a formidable Third Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm expert.


    This person was Ning Luo, the deputy master of the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion, and a favored student of Nalan Qianqiu.


    He was also Ning Kang''s father!


    "Kang''er, how did this happen to you?" Ning Luo, upon seeing Ning Kang''s shattered arm, his eyes filled with ferocity.


    With a vengeful look, Ning Kang turned to Xiao Yi and his companions, "Father, it was them who broke my arm. Capture them for me; I want the woman to become a plaything under me, and as for the men, chop them into pieces and feed them to the dogs��"


    "Don''t worry, your father will not let them off!"


    Ning Luo nodded his head, his savage eyes turning to Xiao Yi and his group. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly noticed Yan Mingli among the three, revealing a look of astonishment, which quickly morphed into ferocity and bitterness, "How dare someone cause trouble at the Treasure Pavilion? So it''s you? Yan Mingli, you dared to abet someone to harm my son, I will ensure you are torn to pieces!"


    At that moment...


    A deep voice caused Ning Luo to freeze abruptly, "A man about to die still dares to talk of tearing people to pieces?"

 Chapter 300 - 300 Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb

    ```


    "A dying man still has the nerve to think about crushing others to pieces?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice eerily reached Ning Luo''s ears.


    Ning Luo''s movements abruptly stalled.


    His sword-like eyebrows contracted, as he turned towards the speaking Xiao Yi: "Boy, what nonsense are you spouting?"


    Xiao Yi coolly responded, "What? Isn''t Master Nalan, the Pavilion Master of Treasure Pavilion, a Seven-Star Alchemist? Can''t he even see that you are on death''s doorstep?"


    Hum!


    Ning Luo''s complexion dramatically changed.


    Behind him...


    Ning Kang roared, "You little bastard, what rubbish are you spouting? My father..."


    "Shut up!"


    Ning Luo turned back and glared at him fiercely, his expression solemn as he regarded Xiao Yi, unconsciously adding a hint of reverence, "May I know how to address you, sir?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at the increasingly curious onlookers and remained silent.


    Ning Luo immediately understood and gestured invitingly, "This way, please!"


    "Dad, he just broke my arm..." Ning Kang''s face was filled with confusion, not understanding why his father, who always doted on him, was showing such respect to the enemy who had broken his arm.


    "Quiet!"


    Ning Luo barked in anger, then said to the guard beside him, "Take Steward Ning to have his wound dressed!"


    "Yes!"


    The guard promptly carried away a bewildered Ning Kang.


    "Please, this way," Ning Luo said, leading Xiao Yi and the others towards the back hall.


    Along the way.


    Ning Luo''s attitude towards Yan Mingli became much gentler: "Brother Mingli, it has been over twenty years since we last met, how have you been these years?"


    Observing the warmth on Ning Luo''s face, Yan Mingli''s mouth twitched slightly.


    Just a moment ago.


    This guy was thinking about tearing him to pieces!


    And now, he was all smiles and pleasantries.


    Knowing he was at fault, Ning Luo quickly said, "Brother Mingli, my son is injured, and I was just concerned to a fault! Please understand the heart of a parent!"


    With things said to this point, Yan Mingli didn''t continue to hold back and said, "I have been staying in Nanhuang these years, now I''m following Xiao to the imperial city, seeking a career!"


    "Xiao?"


    Ning Luo was taken aback, his face full of shock, "This, this gentleman is Xiao Yi? Director Xiao?"


    Yan Mingli nodded.


    Ning Luo gasped in surprise.


    Of late...


    The name Xiao Yi has been on everyone''s lips.


    In the entire imperial city, who does not know Xiao Yi?


    At the peak of the Golden Core Realm, in control of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Forcefully expelled Chen Shuiwen.


    Just yesterday, he even set a one-month agreement with the Nalan Family.


    Ning Luo took a deep breath, seeing that Xiao Yi was not looking at him, he quietly asked Yan Mingli, "Brother Mingli, what brings you here today?"


    Yan Mingli replied, "We came today hoping to meet with Master Nalan, I wonder if it''s convenient?"


    "My master received an ancient elixir prescription a few days ago and has been immersed in studying it recently. May I know the purpose of your visit? If it is urgent, I can pass on the message, but..." Ning Luo pointed to himself and made an eye gesture at Yan Mingli, implicitly indicating.


    Yan Mingli looked towards Xiao Yi.


    ```


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "As long as I see Master Nalan, I have a way to save your life!"


    Ning Luo frowned slightly, hesitating, "Master Xiao..."


    "I know what you''re worried about!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, his sharp gaze seemed as if it could see right through him, "I still have a way to deal with the poison of the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb!"


    Hiss!


    Ning Luo''s face suddenly changed.


    He was indeed poisoned by the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb.


    This was something that even Ning Kang didn''t know, only he and Nalan Qianqiu were aware of it.


    The ancient prescription that Nalan Qianqiu was studying was an attempt to find a way to cure his poisoning. Xiao Yi was able to determine the poison he was afflicted with in a single statement, and the last shred of doubt in Ning Luo''s heart also vanished.


    With a respectful expression, he led the three to a reception room and said solemnly, "Master Xiao, please wait here for a moment, I will go and ask my master to come out!"


    Inside the reception room.


    Xiao Yi and his companions waited quietly. Yan Mingli asked with curiosity, "Master Xiao, the symptoms of Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb poisoning only manifest when the person is near death. How could you tell at a glance that Ning Luo was poisoned by the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb?"


    "It''s the scent on his body!" Xiao Yi said.


    Yan Mingli was startled.


    Xiao Yi explained calmly, "The Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb grows in extremely yin places, and where this herb grows, there must be a three-tailed bamboo leaf green snake nearby. This extremely poisonous snake likes to urinate on the herb, leaving a faint bamboo leaf fragrance. Just now, I smelled that tinge of bamboo leaf scent on Ning Luo..."


    Clap clap clap!


    A crisp round of applause followed.


    In front of Ning Luo, an old man in plain clothes with white hair but a youthful face wore an appreciative look, "To deduce the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb from that faint scent, Master Xiao''s understanding of medicinal herbs even surpasses that of this old man!"


    "Master Nalan!" Yan Mingli quickly stood up and said respectfully.


    Lin Bingxin bowed slightly as a greeting.


    Xiao Yi cupped his hands towards Nalan Qianqiu and said, "Master Nalan is too kind!"


    "No, no, no!"


    Nalan Qianqiu shook his head, speaking earnestly, "Master Xiao, there''s no need for modesty. I wasn''t flattering, just stating the truth. Even I didn''t initially realize what poison Ning Luo had been afflicted with and had to consult many ancient texts before figuring it out!"


    Xiao Yi replied modestly, "It was purely by accident!"


    Nalan Qianqiu smiled and didn''t dwell on the matter any further, asking, "Master Xiao, Ning Luo tells me you have a way to cure the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb poison?"


    Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb, colorless, tasteless, extremely yin and chilling.


    This poison is extremely terrifying!


    The poisoned person won''t show any signs but will become very sensitive to heat, and only at the moment of death will their meridians burst and a pattern similar to the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb appear on their body.


    Ning Luo also discovered something was amiss due to his frequent handling of alchemical fires for his work as an alchemist.


    This past month, he had been relying on Nalan Qianqiu''s medicine to suppress the toxins in his body; otherwise, he would have died from exploding veins long ago.


    Nalan Qianqiu said with a guilty look, "I''ve consulted ancient texts but haven''t been able to find a cure for this poison. If Master Xiao can truly save Ning Luo''s life, Nalan Qianqiu would be eternally grateful!"


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    Ning Luo''s face was full of emotion, as he was an orphan who had been raised by Nalan Qianqiu since childhood.


    He was not just a master to him, but even more a father!


    Xiao Yi said, "Saving him is not difficult, but, I have a matter I would like Master Nalan to agree to!"


    Nalan Qianqiu replied, "Master Xiao, feel free to speak. As long as it is within my capabilities, I would go through fire and water without hesitation!"


    "I believe Master Nalan knows that Xiaoshanhe Institute is now in my hands."


    Seeing Nalan Qianqiu nod, Xiao Yi continued, "I would like to establish cooperation with Treasure Pavilion, having Treasure Pavilion supply us with pills and medicinal herbs."


    Nalan Qianqiu had been engrossed in researching ancient prescriptions lately and was not fully informed about the happenings within the imperial capital. Hearing this, he nodded and said, "I thought it was something serious, but it turns out to be merely a supply of pills and medicinal herbs. Rest assured, Master Xiao, my Treasure Pavilion..."


    Just as Nalan Qianqiu seemed ready to agree, a faint voice came from outside the door, "Master Xiao, dragging Master Nalan to accompany you in death doesn''t seem too appropriate, does it?"

 Chapter 301 - 301 Incompetent Doctor Causes Harm

    "Xiao, you''re taking Master Nalan with you to your grave, that''s hardly proper, is it?"


    A voice came from outside the door.


    Two figures appeared together in the parlor.


    Yan Mingli''s face changed slightly as he quickly lowered his voice and said, "Xiao, the visitors are ill-intentioned!"


    "Who are they?" Xiao Yi asked.


    In a grave tone, Yan Mingli said, "The one on the left in black is called Nangong Shoucheng, a six-star Alchemist from the Nangong Family. The one on the left in white is Beitang Kong, also a six-star Alchemist."


    The six-star Alchemists from the Nangong and Beitang Families had appeared together.


    Clearly, as Yan Mingli had said, the visitors had bad intentions.


    It must have been that they found out that he had come to see Nalan Qianqiu, and they had specifically sent these two to disrupt and sabotage the cooperation between him and Nalan Qianqiu.


    Nalan Qianqiu had known the two men for many years and greeted them with a cupped-hand salute, confusion showing on his face, "What exactly did you mean by your previous words, gentlemen?"


    With a mocking look, Nangong Shoucheng said sardonically, "Master Nalan, you should ask Xiao about this matter!"


    "Tsk tsk, Xiao, you''re on a road to death yourself and dragging others down with you. That''s not very ethical!" Beitang Kong''s tone was gloomy as he provocatively stared at Xiao Yi.


    Nalan Qianqiu was completely baffled.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless.


    Nangong Shoucheng, brimming with conceit, said, "Master Nalan, let this old man tell you! This Xiao Yi, ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth, has made a bet with our family elder, boasting that he will cause all the pill shops of the Nangong Family to close down within a month. He must be seeking your Treasure Pavilion now, intending to strike at the Nangong Family!"


    "What?"


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face stiffened, and he looked incredulously at Xiao Yi.


    He knew all too well how powerful the Nangong and Beitang Families were when united in the pill medicine industry.


    Xiao Yi actually wanted to contend with these two giants?


    Not to mention just him alone...


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    Otherwise,


    Why would the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion be suppressed so severely by the four great families?


    Annoyed, Nalan Qianqiu was quite displeased with Xiao Yi''s concealment, "Xiao, what you have done is somewhat��"


    Xiao Yi cupped his hands toward Nalan Qianqiu and said, "Master Nalan, I did not disclose the full truth to you, and for that, I indeed erred. As an apology, I will now rid Vice-Master Ning of the poison!"


    As his voice fell,


    Xiao Yi''s figure had already appeared beside Ning Luo, and with a single strike in the air, he knocked Ning Luo out with a slap to the back of his neck before the latter, at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, could react.


    Ning Luo''s body went limp, and Xiao Yi swiftly pointed at Ning Luo''s waist.


    At the same time, his arm shook.


    Whoosh!


    Ning Luo''s body was forcibly pushed into the air by Xiao Yi, and his surging Qi wrapped around Ning Luo, actually condensing into an ethereal Qi Pill Furnace.


    "Qi manifesting into form? Such an exquisite technique; this youngster''s control over Qi is exceptionally strong..." Nangong Shoucheng''s face showed a slight change. Even having spent many years at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he could not manipulate Qi so skillfully.


    Beitang Kong squinted his eyes and sneered, "This young man''s control over Qi is indeed astonishing, but the poison of the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb has no cure in this world. I see this is but a show of smoke and mirrors!"


    "Shut up!"


    Yan Mingli glared coldly at them and said indifferently, "Xiao is curing Ning Luo''s poison. If you disrupt and cause a delay because of your disturbance, can you bear the consequences?"


    "How dare you..."


    Beitang Kong''s expression darkened as the power of the Calamity Realm pressed towards Yan Mingli.


    "Stop!"


    Nalan Qianqiu let out a cold hum.


    The presence of the Dharma Manifestation Realm rolled out like a vast tide, scattering Beitang Kong''s energies. His unblinking gaze fell on Xiao Yi, giving Beitang Kong the feeling of being tightly watched by a blade-like stare, "Whoever dares to disturb Xiao, I will kill them!"


    Beitang Kong''s face turned alternately green and white, but he did not dare to defy Nalan Qianqiu.


    He glared at Yan Mingli fiercely.


    Beitang Kong and Nangong Shoucheng stood to one side.


    Meanwhile...


    Inside the energy furnace created by Xiao Yi''s vital energy, streaks of crimson light circulated and drilled into Ning Luo''s body.


    Roar!


    Ning Luo''s whole body trembled.


    His muscles instantly tensed, his body arched backward, like a bow drawn taut.


    The blue veins on his body turned wildly prominent.


    Vein after vein, they coiled around his body like writhing dragons.


    Waves of severe pain turned Ning Luo''s body a scarlet red as beads of sweat the size of beans rolled off him, some even tinged with strands of fresh blood, falling to the ground.


    As these beads hit the floor, a sizzling noise ensued.


    "Roar..."


    "Ugh..."


    Ning Luo''s screams of agony were continuous.


    The sound of his cries was heart-wrenching to hear, tear-inducing to see, and utterly devastating.


    Beitang Kong spoke with cold-hearted ridicule, "This isn''t detoxification, it''s clearly murder!"


    Nangong Shoucheng nodded in agreement, adding, "In all the ancient texts, where has there been such a method of detoxification? In my opinion, he''s just playing with Deputy Pavilion Master Ning''s life as a joke!"


    Nalan Qianqiu''s expression was taut as he watched Ning Luo scream in agony, passing out multiple times from the pain.


    He couldn''t bear it.


    Just as he was about to call a halt,


    he heard Xiao Yi roar lowly, "Needles!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    From his storage ring, a series of hair-thin silver needles burst out, numerous as cow''s hair and sparkling like countless stars in the sky.


    With a flick of Xiao Yi''s finger,


    hundreds, thousands of silver needles shot out rapidly, silently landing on the many acupoints on Ning Luo''s body.


    One could vaguely see,


    the needles on Ning Luo''s body forming the image of a ghastly face with green features and sharp fangs.


    "This, this is..." Nalan Qianqiu''s pupils suddenly contracted, his face showing disbelief and shock.


    Both Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong exchanged glances, voicing their concerns, "Xiao Yi, are you planning to murder Deputy Pavilion Master Ning? With so many needles piercing into his body, if the poison doesn''t kill him, your needles will..."


    "Master Nalan, you should stop Xiao Yi quickly. A quack is endangering someone; Deputy Pavilion Master Ning''s life is in danger!"


    "Shut up, both of you!"


    Nalan Qianqiu turned around and slapped both men to the ground, glaring at them fiercely and cursing out loud, "What the hell do you know? Damn quacks endangering people, what Xiao is using is the Ghost King Needle..."


    Beitang Kong, clutching his face in confusion, said, "What, what''s the Ghost King Needle?"


    Not caring about the burning pain on his face, Nangong Shoucheng looked shocked, "The Ghost King Needle? The legendary technique of the Underworld Doctor that has been lost for many years, which can revive the dead? Impossible, Bian once said that even in Southern Border, the ancestral land of the Underworld Doctor lineage, the Ghost King Needle had long been lost. How could he possibly know this lost supreme technique?"


    Just then...


    "The Ghost King Order, Death fears, to revive the dead..."


    Xiao Yi roared lowly.


    Pup, pup, pup!


    Silver needles exploded from Ning Luo''s body, embedding themselves into the floor and the ceiling above. Each needle carried black poisonous blood. Once all the thousands of needles had disappeared from his body,


    Xiao Yi waved his hand casually, and Ning Luo fell in front of everyone.


    Xiao Yi bowed his hands to Nalan Qianqiu, "Mission accomplished!"

 Chapter 302 - 302: Have You Ever Seen Alchemy with a Single Finger?

    "I was successful in my mission!"


    Xiao Yi cupped one hand in the other before his chest toward Nalan Qianqiu with a smile.


    Ning Luo also opened his eyes at this moment, subconsciously looking at his own hands. A fierce flame surged up in the palm of his hand. This was the Pill Fire condensed from the fiery attribute of his vital energy.


    During the time when he was poisoned by the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb, let alone condensing Pill Fire, even being near flames would make him feel unbearably uncomfortable.


    But now...


    He could once again clearly sense the familiarity emanating from the Pill Fire.


    "Master, I am healed, I am completely healed..."


    Excitement and ecstasy covered Ning Luo''s face as he ran to Nalan Qianqiu''s side.


    Nalan Qianqiu''s eyes were red-rimmed, with tears threatening to spill, for he had been restless and losing sleep over Ning Luo''s poisoning these past months. This was not only his direct disciple but also a loved one he regarded as his own kin.


    But after searching through ancient tomes, he found absolutely no way to cure the poison of the Three-Flower Seven-Leaf Herb.


    Now.


    The poison afflicting Ning Luo was finally cured.


    Nalan Qianqiu cupped his hands toward Xiao Yi, full of gratitude, "Thank you, Master Xiao, for saving his life!"


    Ning Luo also came back to his senses, hurriedly paid respects to Xiao Yi, and said respectfully, "Thank you, Master Xiao, for saving my life!"


    "There''s no need for such formalities. As I said, consider this a token of penance for not having been able to disclose the full truth," Xiao Yi waved his hand, then looked at Nalan Qianqiu, "Pavilion Master Nalan, I wonder if the Treasure Pavilion is willing to collaborate with my Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Nalan Qianqiu was stunned, showing a hesitant look, "This..."


    He never liked to be indebted to someone.


    Xiao Yi had just saved Ning Luo, so he really couldn''t refuse.


    But...


    To directly confront the Beitang and Nangong families to the point of a life-and-death struggle, Nalan Qianqiu also couldn''t make up his mind. After all, it could potentially send the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion into an abyss with no return.


    Nangong Shoucheng quickly said, "Pavilion Master Nalan, you must think this through. If you collaborate with him, you will be making enemies of both the Nangong and Beitang families, to the bitter end!"


    "Think thrice before you act!" Beitang Kong also spoke up.


    The two families controlled one the channels for medicinal ingredients, and the other the channels for pill elixirs.


    The pill elixir industry of the Great Qian Dynasty was in their hands.


    Even if the Treasure Pavilion wanted to purchase medicinal ingredients and pill elixirs within the Great Qian Dynasty, it would have to go through them. As for the Treasure Pavilion bringing in resources from outside the Great Qian Dynasty, given the four major families'' control over the Great Qian Dynasty, they definitely had the ability to make those transported resources mysteriously disappear en route.


    This kind of incident had indeed happened before!


    With righteous indignation, Nangong Shoucheng looked at Xiao Yi, "Master Xiao, if you seek your own end, don''t drag others down to die with you!"


    Beitang Kong nodded, saying, "Master Xiao, one mustn''t be so selfish in life!"


    Nalan Qianqiu looked towards Xiao Yi with a troubled expression.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Pavilion Master Nalan, I will only ask you one thing..."


    Nalan Qianqiu frowned at him.


    Xiao Yi spoke slowly, emphasizing each word, "Are you, willing to remain beneath others?"


    Whoom!


    Nalan Qianqiu shuddered all over.


    Willing to remain beneath others?


    Of course not!


    Treasure Pavilions were spread across all corners of the Qingtian Realm, and except for a few of them, nearly ninety percent of the Treasure Pavilions were the absolute rulers of their respective localities. But what about him?


    Since the foundation of the Treasure Pavilion in the Great Qian Dynasty, it had always been suppressed by the four major families.


    And with that, Nalan Qianqiu also faced scorn at the headquarters of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Those who were once no better than him, or even slightly inferior, now held power and status in the Treasure Pavilion that surpassed his own. All this was due to the awkward position of the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Facing the oppression of the four major families.


    He was powerless to turn the tide!


    Nalan Qianqiu thought of turning his fortunes around at all times, but after several failed attempts, he had long since lost his fighting spirit.


    "Easier said than done..." Nalan Qianqiu sighed.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Master Nalan, I naturally understand that this matter is not easy. You only need to tell me, are you willing to be subordinate to others?"


    Nalan Qianqiu hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said word by word, "No!"


    "That''s enough!"


    Xiao Yi relaxed, his biggest worry being that Nalan Qianqiu had lost all will to fight. As long as he still had the desire to turn the tables, there was still a chance, "Master Nalan, I''d like to borrow your alchemy room."


    "Hmm?"


    Nalan Qianqiu was stunned.


    Weren''t they discussing cooperation?


    Why did he suddenly want to go to the alchemy room?


    Although he was puzzled, he still nodded and said, "Please follow me."


    Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong exchanged glances and followed as well.


    Nalan Qianqiu''s alchemy room was extremely large, containing four pill furnaces in total. Each one was of the sixth-order Yuan weapon level, each worth more than a hundred billion Silver.


    "Xiao Yi, what on earth are you trying to pull?" Nangong Shoucheng frowned.


    Beitang Kong said coldly, "Playing mysterious."


    Xiao Yi paid no attention to the two men and instead walked toward the medicine cabinet where the herbs were stored. He took some herbs and said as he walked, "The competition in the elixir industry comes down to efficacy and price. For the same efficacy, the cheaper one is superior; for the same price, the one with better effects is superior. If the effects are outstanding and the price is low, then that elixir will be invincible, without any opponents!"


    "Everyone knows that, but if you want to lower the price, you need to control costs. And how can you improve the efficacy of the elixirs once you control the costs?" Nangong Shoucheng said with a face full of scorn.


    Beitang Kong sneered, "My Beitang Family controls the medicinal resources, and the Nangong Family controls the elixir resources. United, we are invincible."


    "What you call united is actually collusion!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was scornful then he looked at Nalan Qianqiu seriously, "Master Nalan, what are the best-selling elixirs on the market now? And what is the cost?"


    Nalan Qianqiu said, "The bestseller is Qi Gathering Elixir with a cost of ten Silver, Qi and Blood Elixir with a cost of a hundred Silver, Divine Passage Elixir with a cost of a thousand Silver, Gold Cloud Elixir with a cost of five thousand Silver..."


    Ning Luo continued, "These four types of elixirs nearly occupy seventy percent of the market."


    "Let''s take these four elixirs then!"


    Xiao Yi suddenly made a statement.


    The crowd had not yet come back to their senses.


    They saw Xiao Yi throwing batches of herbs into each of the four pill furnaces, then with a flick of his finger, his elemental energy transformed into a pill flame, pure azure in colour landing on the furnaces.


    Boom!


    Underneath the four pill furnaces blazed the pill flames forcefully.


    "What? He''s going to concoct four types of elixirs at the same time?"


    "Isn''t he too arrogant? Even as six-star alchemists, we can''t manage to multitask to such an extent!"


    "Don''t mention you... Even I cannot multitask in this manner, let alone concoct four different types of elixirs at the same time..." said Nalan Qianqiu, shocked.


    Different elixirs require different strengths of pill flames, steps in their concoction, and timing for the pills to form.


    The difficulty of concocting four different elixirs at the same time even exceeds that of concocting eight furnaces of the same elixir.


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    "Absolutely impossible to succeed!"


    Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong confidently said.


    They had been immersed in the art of alchemy for a hundred years. Xiao Yi, even if he had started alchemy from the womb, had only been at it for twenty years. How could he succeed with the difficulty increased by dozens of times when they themselves could not?


    Just as everyone was full of doubt and surprise, Xiao Yi turned around and looked at them, "Have you ever witnessed single-finger alchemy?"


    "Ah?"


    "What, what is single-finger alchemy?" The crowd was baffled.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upwards, with a playful arc, "Open your eyes wide and watch carefully, the moment of witnessing a miracle has arrived!"

 Chapter 303 - 303: Astonishingly Talented

    ```


    "The next moment is when we witness a miracle!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled into a slight, mysterious smile.


    To make Nalan Qianqiu agree to cooperate, it was necessary to leave him with no worries, and the simplest method was to let Nalan Qianqiu witness his formidable abilities firsthand.


    Whether it be martial arts, formations, or alchemy, the simplest and most practical approach was to overpower the other party with sheer strength!


    Only by showing off enough power,


    could one make others submit.


    A flick of a finger alchemy.


    This was a unique move that only the Wind Thunder Sage could perform by harnessing the Wind Thunder Holy Body.


    Hiss, hiss!


    Electricity flickered around Xiao Yi''s body, followed by a fierce wind thunder that concentrated on his fingertips. His hands moved through the air like playing a piano, with rhythmic motions.


    A tempest of blue winds raged.


    In the air, they formed the embryonic shapes of nine pill furnaces.


    At the same time... S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Purple-gold thunderbolts shot out like snakes, twisting and coiling around the blue furnace shapes, turning into the spiraling serpentine Wind Thunder Pill Furnaces.


    "Ingredients!"


    With a call from Xiao Yi, he summoned objects from afar.


    One by one, the medicine cabinets opened automatically.


    Various herbs flew out.


    These herbs gathered into ten medicinal streams that, drawn by the force of the wind thunder, each entered one of the ten Wind Thunder Pill Furnaces.


    "Are those ingredients for refining the Earthly Treasure Elixir?"


    "Those are for the Heavenly Treasure Elixir..."


    "That is..."


    The crowd, with their eyes on the diverse herbs forming streams into the Wind Thunder Pill Furnaces, could naturally discern what type of elixir was being crafted, thanks to their alchemical knowledge.


    Ten different elixirs, plus those four pill furnaces, made for fourteen completely different types of elixirs.


    From the lowest Grade 1 elixirs to Grade 6.


    And all were the most popular kinds on the market.


    "Has this guy gone mad?"


    "Mad? I think he''s practically a god... Leaving aside whether he can succeed in refining, just this technique of solidifying the qi pill furnace is priceless..." Nangong Shoucheng''s eyes blazed with greed.


    Aside from herbs, formulas, and alchemical methods, the thing that troubled alchemists the most was the pill furnace!


    Pill furnaces are hard to craft.


    Even for a seasoned artifact refiner, the success rate is extremely low when forging pill furnaces. After all, while a formation carved on a weapon is sufficient, it must be inscribed inside a pill furnace.


    An excellent artifact refiner is definitely a top-tier array master.


    But array masters, how rare and precious they are!


    In major forces, they are worshipped like ancestors!


    How could they be used for artifact refining?


    But what about Xiao Yi?


    He could actually solidify qi into a pill furnace and proceed smoothly with alchemy. If he truly succeeded in forming pills, this method of qi-solidifying pill furnaces would be a technique that all alchemists would desperately seek.


    "If Xiao Yi loses the wager with the old ancestor, he''ll have to comply with whatever the old ancestor wishes. By then, he must make him hand over this technique of qi-solidifying pill furnaces..." Nangong Shoucheng was already fantasizing about the benefits after winning the wager.


    But Nalan Qianqiu stared without blinking, fixated on those fourteen pill furnaces.


    Xiao Yi''s control of four pill furnaces previously had already impressed them.


    Now, he was simultaneously controlling fourteen furnaces!


    This was simply divine!


    "If he can succeed in making pills like this, as long as the quality of the elixirs can keep up, cooperating with him might offer a chance to suppress the Nangong and Beitang families..." Nalan Qianqiu''s eyes narrowed into slits, murmuring to himself.


    At this moment,


    burst after burst of medicinal fragrance suddenly emitted from the pill furnaces.


    From the time Xiao Yi put the ingredients into the furnaces, it had only been the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.


    To have fragrance within the time it takes an incense stick to burn?


    This meant that Xiao Yi had completed the refining of the ingredients, capturing their essence. What followed was the solidifying of pills. If he succeeded at solidifying, this round of alchemy would be a complete success.


    What remained to be seen was the quality of the elixirs and the cost after distribution.


    For example, a Qi Condensing Pill''s cost was ten silvers each.


    Xiao Yi''s batch of ingredients was worth thirty silvers; if it yielded three pills, it would meet the average standard. If there were five pills, then the cost of each would be six silvers, far below the market cost.


    "Hmph, refining ingredients is the easiest part, the key is solidifying the pill!" Beitang Kong declared.


    Nangong Shoucheng nodded, "Solidifying the pill will be a failure if unsuccessful. If he focused on crafting one batch of elixirs, the success rate would undoubtedly be high. But he is so arrogant as to craft fourteen kinds of elixirs at the same time, I believe it is impossible for him to succeed!"


    Solidifying pills is what consumes the most focus.


    ```


    Ordinary alchemists concentrate on refining a single batch of pills, and even then, the success rate isn''t high.


    What''s more for Xiao Yi, who was refining fourteen batches of pills at the same time?


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd.


    A dazzling light radiated from the top of each of the fourteen pill furnaces as Xiao Yi''s figure floated ethereally, his slender fingers dancing gracefully as if caressing the strings of a harp, leaving behind a trail of afterimages.


    In a splendid display.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows knitted together as he let out a low roar, "Pills solidified!"


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Fourteen pill furnaces trembled simultaneously.


    "Bing Xin, collect the pills!" Xiao Yi commanded in a low shout.


    "Yes!"


    Lin Bingxin leaped up, floating gracefully like a fairy or a nimble swallow soaring through the air, flitting amongst the pill furnaces. She reached out with her pill bottles, and one by one, the pills flew into the bottles.


    A moment later.


    All ten Qi Condensing Pill furnaces had disappeared.


    The flames around the other four furnaces had also quietly subsided.


    In front of everyone stood fourteen pill bottles in a row.


    Everyone was dumbstruck...


    Gulp!


    Nangong Shoucheng swallowed hard, "He, did he really finish? Refining fourteen different kinds of pills at once, and all of them solidified?"


    "Incredible, is this even possible for a human to achieve?" Beitang Kong was astounded.


    Ning Luo sucked in the cold air, unable to speak.


    Admiration and pride filled the eyes of Yan Mingli and Lin Bingxin.


    Nalan Qianqiu''s eyes sparkled with intense anticipation.


    Xiao Yi looked at Nalan Qianqiu with a smile, "Master Nalan, please inspect them!"


    "Alright!"


    Nalan Qianqiu took a deep breath and opened the first bottle of Qi Condensing Pills, counting as he opened, "Qi Condensing Pills, normally one can get three pills from one batch of materials, but in this bottle, there are one, two..."


    With each number he uttered, everyone''s heart pounded heavily.


    When the count reached four.


    Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong''s expressions stiffened.


    As Nalan Qianqiu''s count reached five, their faces turned pale.


    "That''s it, right?"


    "It must be, right? There are already five pills; the average cost is six taels..."


    Both were nervous.


    However...


    Nalan Qianqiu''s mouth didn''t stop, "Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven..." with each number, his hands shook more violently, until at fifteen, Nalan Qianqiu was drenched in cold sweat.


    His hands trembling, he looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "Fifteen pills? One batch of materials yielded fifteen pills? How, how is this possible?"


    "Impossible, even if we perform beyond expectations, we can at most get eight or nine pills from a batch... Fifteen, how can this be?"


    "The efficacy must be subpar..."


    Nangong Shoucheng and the others pushed past Nalan Qianqiu, but when they saw the fifteen lustrous, jade-like pills, they fell to the ground with a thud.


    All fifteen pills were of the highest quality!


    "No, it must only be this one; the others definitely cannot compare..." They could not give up and opened the other bottles.


    Earthly Treasure Elixir, ten pills.


    Gold Cloud Elixir, ten pills solidified.


    Ten pills!


    Fifteen pills...


    All fourteen types of pills, at least ten pills solidified, all uniformly of the highest quality!


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong slumped, legs weakening, faces turning pale, cold sweat soaking through their clothes. Their gazes towards Xiao Yi shifted from the previous scorn and mockery to shock and fear.


    This man was worth hundreds of six-star alchemists!


    "What kind of existence have we provoked?" They looked at each other, at a loss.


    Xiao Yi didn''t pay heed to them, smiling at Nalan Qianqiu, "Master Nalan, is this cooperation to your satisfaction?"


    Gulp!


    Nalan Qianqiu swallowed hard, barely containing his excitement, and said through gritted teeth, "Very satisfactory!"

 Chapter 304 - 304: Black Market News

    Outside Treasure Pavilion.


    Two figures supported each other, but their legs were still weak and wobbly, like those of a soft-shelled shrimp. Even clinging to each other, they seemed on the verge of collapsing.


    They looked up at the somewhat piercing sunshine, their faces growing paler.


    With his mind filled with those dazzling arrays of pills, Nangong Shoucheng''s pale lips quivered, "It''s over, what kind of existence have we provoked?"


    "We must inform the family head immediately..."


    Beitang Kong said hastily.


    With each step as soft as the last, they headed towards their respective family estates.


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi in Treasure Pavilion was signing a contract with Nalan Qianqiu.


    The contract specified:


    Treasure Pavilion would supply the medicinal materials, while Xiao Yi would advance the training of Treasure Pavilion''s alchemists, ensuring that their pill success rate would increase at least twofold, and all pill production costs would be reduced to one-third of the average baseline.


    Afterward, Treasure Pavilion would handle the sales.


    Just think about it.


    When these pills, stronger in effects but priced at only one-third or even lower appear on the market, what business could the Nangong Family''s pill shops possibly have left?


    By then, they would be unable to sell their stockpiled medicinal materials and pills.


    Their financial chain would break.


    Not to mention a month...


    It would be troublesome for them even to hold out for half a month.


    "Xiao, our Treasure Pavilion indeed has some stockpiled medicinal materials, but compared to the scale of the Beitang and Nangong families, it is still lacking, enough for at most ten days," Nalan Qianqiu said, now that they had decided on a partnership, he no longer had any reservations to hide.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said, "Ten days is definitely not enough, we still need to resolve the issue of medicinal materials. Master Nalan, where does the Beitang Family get their medicinal materials from?"


    Nalan Qianqiu spoke in a deep voice, "It''s not a big secret. The medicinal materials for the Beitang Family and indeed the entire Southern State are actually supplied by Medicine King Valley."


    "Medicine King Valley?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, as he had never heard of this place.


    Nalan Qianqiu explained, "Medicine King Valley is located within the Medicine King Mountain Range of the Nantian Dynasty. The Nantian Dynasty is incredibly far from us; even for Dharma Manifestation Realm experts crossing the void, it would take several years."


    "That far?" Xiao Yi said in surprise, "How does the Beitang Family conduct trade with them?"


    After pondering, Nalan Qianqiu said, "Medicine King Valley has outposts in every dynasty, and our Treasure Pavilion also cooperates with them. However, before we came to the Great Qian Dynasty, the Beitang Family had already struck a deal with them. Moreover, it seems that the old ancestor of the Beitang Family has some relationship with an elder in Medicine King Valley, so we cannot snatch the supply channel from their hands!"


    Squinting his eyes, Xiao Yi asked, "Is there any other way?"


    "Actually..."


    After a moment''s hesitation, Nalan Qianqiu said, "Apart from Medicine King Valley, there''s a black market on Beast Emperor Island within the Beast Emperor Sea to the east, which is no less potent than Medicine King Valley, where we could also purchase medicinal materials. However, the black market is a place of mixed repute, and if one doesn''t have sufficient strength, they might be swallowed whole without a trace!"


    The black market, a marketplace hidden in the shadows.


    It''s naturally an unlawful place!


    There...


    Strength is respected, and it''s the law of the jungle.


    Without sufficient strength, going to the black market can mean not coming back, let alone buying medicinal materials. That''s why, even though Treasure Pavilion is aware of the black market, they have not sourced goods from there.


    After all.


    The risks are simply too great!


    Squinting his eyes, Xiao Yi said, "First, gather all of Treasure Pavilion''s alchemists, I''ll give them a round of training. At the very least during these ten days, we''ll bring down the market price of pills, and leave the rest to me to resolve!"


    "We have no other choice!"


    Nalan Qianqiu nodded, then ordered Ning Luo to summon all of Treasure Pavilion''s alchemists.


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    While Xiao Yi was instructing the group of alchemists, he was also concocting some pills for the Xiaoshanhe Institute, which he gave to Lin Bingxin to take back to the Institute.


    On this day.


    Xiao Yi looked at the hundreds of alchemists in front of him and, under the adoring gaze of the crowd, spoke in a deep voice, "After two days of intensified training, each of you should at least be able to refine two furnaces of medicinal pills simultaneously. In the coming time, it will be hard on you all! Should we win this bet, Xiao guarantees to teach you the method to refine three, even four furnaces of pills at once!"


    "Pavilion Master Xiao, rest assured, we will give it our all!"


    "We definitely won''t let you down!"


    The crowd shouted in unison.


    "Elder Xue, Elder Yan, I''ll have to trouble you two to keep an eye on things here!"


    After giving instructions to the two, Xiao Yi turned to Nalan Qianqiu, "Master Nalan, we need you to put in more effort regarding our previous agreement for the Treasure Pavilion and the Xiaoshanhe Institute to join forces in preparing for the talent battle!"


    "Don''t worry, you won''t be disappointed!"


    Nalan Qianqiu patted his chest. His alchemy skills had skyrocketed before Xiao Yi, and he had almost reached the threshold of an eight-star alchemist; he was sincerely impressed with Xiao Yi, "Xiao, please be extra careful on your trip to the Beast Emperor Sea!"


    Xiao Yi nodded solemnly, "I''m taking my leave first!"


    After the time it takes to burn a joss stick had passed.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    In front of the mountain gate, where two stone lions used to stand, now sat two sixth-order Beast Kings of Dharma Manifestation Realm. Upon seeing Xiao Yi''s arrival, the two magical beasts immediately straightened up, "Welcome back, Institute Head!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi gave them a glance and said, "You''ve done quite well, take these two pills as a reward."


    They were two sixth-grade medicinal pills.


    They could potentially double the effectiveness of comprehending the forces of heaven and earth, with the effect lasting a full ten days.


    The two beasts'' eyes shone brightly, "Thank you, Institute Head!"


    "Guard the mountain gate well; substantial rewards will follow in the future!" Xiao Yi said.


    "Yes!"


    The beasts'' voices thundered like rolling thunder.


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly, feeling a sense of expectation, "When the Ancestral Ceremony comes and everyone sees that the gatekeepers of my Xiaoshanhe Institute are Beast Kings comparable to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, I wonder what their expressions will be?"


    As he mused, Xiao Yi returned to the interior of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    He summoned Hai Wei, Li Jinjun, Zhou Jing, and Yu Huaxian, and instructed, "I have already discussed the details of the talent battle with Nalan Qianqiu. Three days from now, while we release the new type of medicinal pills, we will also announce the talent battle. The battle will begin in ten days, and it''s crucial to the revival of our Xiaoshanhe Institute that nothing goes wrong."


    "Institute Head, rest assured, we will not fail our mission!"


    "We guarantee to complete the task!"


    The four said, thumping their chests.


    After dismissing the four, Xiao Yi then went to the secret chamber to look at Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi, who were still in seclusion. However, their aura seemed ever more profound, "It seems by the time I return, they might already be in the Dharma Phase Sutra. If that''s the case, my Xiaoshanhe Institute will have five Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, which should give us enough standing to set foot in the Great Qian Dynasty''s capital."


    A moment later.


    Xiao Yi arrived at the back mountain of Xiaoshanhe Institute, amid a flurry of sword lights and shadows.


    Ye Heng was engaged in fierce combat with Little Lin.


    Ye Heng''s strength was growing daily, with advances in his Battle War Holy Body��the most important thing for him was to fight!


    Non-stop fighting.


    Fighting to nourish warfare!


    Only after half the time it takes to burn a joss stick did Ye Heng get beaten down by Little Lin once again, laying on the ground unable to rise, and that''s when Xiao Yi finally made his appearance.


    "Master..." Ye Heng struggled to get up, speaking respectfully.


    "Very good, you haven''t been lazy these past days!"


    Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction and tossed him several bottles of pills, "These are for you. Strive to reach the Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm or higher by the Ancestral Ceremony!"


    "I will not let down your high expectations, Master!" Ye Heng replied respectfully.


    "Hmm, you continue your cultivation for now, and if there''s anything you don''t understand, ask Yu Huaxian and the others!"


    After giving some last instructions, Xiao Yi then looked at Little Lin perched on his shoulder, "Little Lin, accompany me to the Beast Emperor Sea..."

 Chapter 305 - 305: The Legend of the Sea Demon!

    Under the cover of night.


    A figure quietly entered the Nangong Family''s premises, heading straight to the backyard.


    At this moment, the backyard was gathered with top figures, each capable of causing the Great Qian Dynasty to tremble with a mere stomp of their feet.


    Ancestor Nangong, Nangong Shengtian, and Nangong Ye, the patriarch of the Nangong Family.


    Ancestor Beitang, Beitang Zun, and Beitang Feng, the patriarch of the Beitang Family.


    The first-rank officer of the current court, Li Shengtian, and Tian Xiao.


    Yun Ruowang, the Deputy Sect Master of Three Seas Mountain.


    Sword Inquiry Taoist, the Deputy Master of Wendao Villa.


    In front of these people��


    A young man stood somewhat nervously among them. Facing the array of powerhouses, Ning Kang''s face turned pale and he swept his uneasy gaze over them before lowering his head.


    Sitting high above, Nangong Shengtian said, "Ning Kang, just think of it as if you are at home, there''s no need to be so nervous!"


    "Yes, Ancestor Nangong..." Ning Kang feigned calmness, but the fear and trepidation in his heart were still hard to conceal.


    This caused several of the top figures to shake their heads involuntarily.


    Nangong Shengtian spoke in a deep voice, "Ning Kang, you said you have urgent intelligence, what exactly is it?"


    Ning Kang hurriedly said, "Reporting to the ancestors, I... I heard that Xiao Yi is about to leave the Great Qian Dynasty, heading for the Beast Emperor Sea!"


    "Beast Emperor Sea? What is he doing there at this critical time?"


    "Beast Emperor Sea... Could it be that he''s going to the black market?" Beitang Kong''s eyes gleamed as he spoke.


    "What? To the black market?"


    "With the medicinal herbs hoarded by Treasure Pavilion, they simply cannot sustain for long, the only possibility is that he is going to the black market of Beast Emperor City to purchase medicinal materials."


    "Hahaha, truly heaven is aiding us!"


    "In the imperial capital, we fear being discovered by His Majesty, and we cannot lay hands on him. But now that he''s headed to the Beast Emperor Sea, a place known for being unforgiving, even if His Majesty were to find out he died and it was related to us, there would be no evidence!" Joy was apparent on everyone''s faces.


    Ever since learning from Nangong Shoucheng and Beitang Kong that Xiao Yi could actually reduce the cost of elixirs to one-fifth or even lower while maintaining their quality,


    the Nangong and Beitang families became anxious.


    If these elixirs were to flood the market, their market share would be squeezed to the limit.


    But Xiao Yi was, after all, the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute selected by the royal family, and they could not just attack him directly. Now, they had finally waited for an opportunity!


    "Ning Kang, you have made great contributions. Shoucheng, take Ning Kang down and give him a hundred million silver!" Nangong Shengtian laughed heartily, his face radiant as he spoke.


    Nangong Shoucheng nodded, "Yes!"


    "Thank you, ancestor!"


    Ning Kang was overjoyed.


    Just for a piece of information, he had obtained a hundred million silver!


    His eyes narrowed into slits, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, who made you so arrogant? To think you dared to break my hand? This is the consequence of provoking me, hehehe��"


    Within the backyard.


    The group of top figures continued their discussion. Nangong Shengtian said, "Gentlemen, although Xiao Yi''s strength is not weak, we can''t kill him in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Since our goal is the same, let''s discuss how to proceed."


    "Three Seas Mountain is willing to dispatch a second layer Dharma Manifestation Realm expert!" Yun Ruowang spoke up.


    Sword Inquiry Taoist narrowed his eyes and said, "Xiao Yi dared to poach the couple Chen Ziyi and Li Jinjun from my Wendao Villa, I absolutely cannot forgive him. However, His Majesty will surely notice if we make a move. Wendao Villa will also send a second layer Dharma Manifestation Realm expert then!"


    "Nangong Family and Beitang Family are currently fully engaged in handling Treasure Pavilion and cannot be freed."


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes and turned to Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao, "Mr. Li, Mr. Tian, if you want our support for Chen Shuiwen, you can''t simply stand by without doing anything, right?"


    "Right, why hasn''t Chen Shuiwen come? Does he look down on us?" Sword Inquiry Taoist asked.


    "Sword Inquiry Taoist, you misunderstand. Chen Shuiwen received some opportunities from that person and is attempting to break into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. He is preparing for the establishment of the new Martial Arts Institute!"


    Li Shengtian explained hurriedly, then said, "Our side is ready to dispatch a master at the tower leader level to make a move!"


    "Tower leader?"


    "May I know which one?" The people asked.


    If it were just Li Shengtian and another person, they wouldn''t qualify to sit with them.


    The reason there were seats for two was because of the person behind them!


    It was an imposing presence who controlled Xue Yilou, with over a dozen followers in the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Li Shengtian grinned, "Xue Mantian, the master of Xue Yilou!"


    Hiss!


    The crowd gasped in astonishment.


    "If Xue Mantian makes a move, Xiao Yi is bound to die beyond a doubt!"


    "I''ve heard that Xue Mantian and Xiao Yi have a deep grudge, it''s only appropriate that he takes action!"


    Nangong Shengtian squinted and said, "Remember to instruct the person making the move, before killing him, he must hand over his profound alchemy skills. Right, and his Cultivation Technique is also very peculiar, both must not be missed!"


    One by one, their eyes gleamed with blood, as if they had already seen Xiao Yi dead....


    ......


    Linhai City.


    This was the city where the Great Qian Dynasty''s ports to enter the Beast Emperor Sea were located, and it was a day and a half''s journey from the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The entire Linhai City was built along the coastline, stretching for hundreds of kilometers. As it faced the constant onslaught of the Beast Emperor Sea''s giant waves and attacks from Sea Beasts, Linhai City''s walls were exceptionally high.


    They stood over five hundred meters tall and were more than a hundred meters wide.


    Upon the pitch-black walls, there were fierce claw marks from beasts, as well as dark bloodstains.


    These were the medals earned from long years of resisting the assault of demonic beasts!


    The port was built inside Linhai City.


    When the tide was high, the dock''s gates would open, and ships could freely enter and exit. When the tide was low, the gates were closed to prevent Sea Demons from getting inside. And if one missed the time when the gates opened, then they could only stay on the Beast Emperor Sea.


    If you were lucky, wait until the next day to enter the city.


    If you were unlucky,


    in the dead of night, you would be devoured by countless marine Sea Demons.


    Under the bright sunshine,


    Xiao Yi walked through Linhai City, looking at the countless ships docked at the port, the smallest of which were a hundred meters long, and the largest stretched for ten thousand meters. Hundred-meter vessels could only sail in the near seas, to go to Beast Emperor City, one must board the ten-thousand-meter giant ships.


    Otherwise, a single giant wave or a slightly strong Sea Demon could overturn the ship.


    Xiao Yi spent one million Silver to buy a boat ticket, but he had to wait until the next day to depart. With time to spare, he strolled around the dock, where the air was filled with the cries of vendors selling all sorts of wares.


    There were those selling Sea Demon Beasts, those selling so-called treasures from overseas, and even slave traders.


    Regularly voyaging on the Beast Emperor Sea was akin to betting one''s life, and the people here were more uninhibited, with a mix of the good and the bad, and conflicts could erupt at any time.


    After wandering around, Xiao Yi stopped in front of a blind old man''s stall.


    A crowd had gathered in front of the stall.


    "You''ve never seen it before, but the Sea Demon is more beautiful than the most beautiful woman in the world. Moreover, their singing voices are incredibly captivating. Whenever a Sea Demon appears, it''s accompanied by a fog that covers the sky, and within that fog, a beautiful song can be heard." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The old man''s voice was a bit hoarse, sending a chill down one''s spine, "If you encounter such a situation, you must not leave the cabin, approach the water, or seek out the source of the voice; it''s the Sea Demon luring souls and claiming lives! If you really get enchanted by a Sea Demon and cannot extricate yourself, you must poke out your own eyes to escape this disaster..."


    "Tsk, old man, you''re fooling people again!"


    "The legends say Sea Demons kill on sight. If you''ve really seen one, how could you have survived to return?"


    The old man was furious, "You bunch of little brats, why would I deceive you? I poked out my own eyes to avoid being captured by a Sea Demon; look at this necklace, I took it from a Sea Demon..."


    "Tsk, you just want to trick us into buying your necklace!"


    "Old man, we''ve seen these tricks before, we won''t fall for it!"


    Laughing, the crowd dispersed.


    The old man was frustrated but helpless.


    He clutched at a necklace made of colorful, speckled seashells. Xiao Yi''s gaze fell upon the necklace for a brief moment before he planned to leave, but suddenly, a crisp and pleasant voice reached his ears: "..."

 Chapter 306 - 306: Beast Emperor Sea

    "Save me... save me..."


    The clear and melodious voice suddenly rang in his mind.


    Xiao Yi was startled and looked around, but there was not a single woman nearby. He couldn''t help but frown, "Could it be an illusion?"


    "Save me..."


    That clear voice sounded again.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly shrank as his gaze turned towards the necklace in the old man''s hands. It was at that moment he sensed a strange fluctuation emanating from the necklace.


    It seemed to be calling out to him.


    "Could it be this necklace?"


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but recall the old man''s previous tale about the Sea Demon legend. His eyes flickered slightly as he squatted in front of the old man, "Old man, how much for this necklace?"


    "Hmm? Young man, do you believe what I said?" the old man asked excitedly.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "In this vast world, nothing is too strange to exist. Why wouldn''t I believe?"


    "Good, good, good, finally someone believes me!"


    The old man''s milky white eyes rolled around, revealing a sly smile. He said, "Young man, you fancy this necklace? If you really like it, I''ll sell it to you �C just for one million taels of Silver!"


    Xiao Yi stood up, "Keep it for your own amusement!"


    "Don''t go..."


    The old man hastily called out to Xiao Yi, showing a struggling expression with difficulty on his face, "How about this, half a million... no no no, one hundred thousand��"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "One hundred taels of Silver!"


    "..."


    The old man pursed his lips, his face darkened as he said, "Get lost, I''d rather it rot in my possession..."


    Xiao Yi uttered an "oh" and stood up, ready to leave.


    The old man quickly shouted, "Enough, enough, one hundred taels then. Who made me so fated to meet you?"


    Xiao Yi curled his lip.


    He paid one hundred taels of Silver and took the necklace into his hands.


    Xiao Yi fiddled with the necklace in his hand, trying to infuse it with his vitality, but still, there was no effect. It was as if that faint fluctuation he had just felt was merely an illusion.


    "Could it really have been my illusion?"


    Xiao Yi frowned in puzzlement, unable to figure it out, so he simply put the necklace away.


    As he was distracted, a figure collided head-on into him. Xiao Yi''s Wind Thunder Holy Body was at the fourth realm, hitting him was like crashing into a city wall.


    Xiao Yi didn''t budge an inch.


    The person opposite him cried out in pain, flipping backward and falling to the ground.


    Xiao Yi snapped back to reality and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"


    "Are you blind? Can''t you walk with your eyes open? Didn''t you see me walking here? You motherless bastard, pay me money. Today, this matter won''t be settled without ten to eighty thousand!" the person retorted, flipping up to his feet, glaring angrily at Xiao Yi, and cursing at him.


    Xiao Yi''s brow furrowed tighter, "Watch your mouth!"


    Anything about his mother was his Achilles'' heel.


    The young man sneered, rolled up his sleeves to reveal his muscular arms, and said ominously, "Little bastard, I just have a dirty mouth. What can you do about it? Have the guts to hit me, come on, do you dare?"


    The young man stretched his face forward, challenging him defiantly.


    "I''ve never seen such a shameless request..." S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, not wanting to escalate the situation further.


    However, the young man was relentless, reaching out with a grab toward Xiao Yi''s shoulder.


    "Scram!"


    Xiao Yi sidestepped the young man''s grab while a low growl escaped his lips. With a sonic boom erupting from his mouth, the young man was blasted away by the force.


    Whoosh!


    The young man was sent flying for a good thirty meters, thudding to the ground with a roll.


    Xiao Yi gave him a cold glance, then turned and vanished into the crowd.


    The young man lay on the ground for quite a while, and after struggling for some time, he finally got up. As he searched around and did not see Xiao Yi anywhere, a fierce look crossed his face, "Damn it, you little bastard, you better hope I never run into you again!"


    ...


    An uneventful night passed.


    At dawn, the sound of the tide was roaring as it poured through the open floodgates and into the harbor.


    Ships floated on the surface of the sea while the wharf bustled with people, all of whom became busy. Some were moving goods; others were setting sails out to sea.


    Besides merchant vessels, there were many ships dedicated to hunting sea demons.


    After all.


    The number of sea demons in the sea was simply too vast, and their flesh was delicious; once it was sold inland, the price could multiply by dozens of times.


    Xiao Yi, holding his ticket, boarded the colossal ship that stretched ten thousand meters and was clad in azure-gray.


    The ship''s hull was inscribed with dozens of Formations, including the Wave Breaking Formation, Wind Riding Formation, and so on. Even if hundred-meter-high waves struck, they wouldn''t be able to shake the ship in the slightest.


    "Cabin number ninety-eight, first-class, at the topmost level!" The crew member checked Xiao Yi''s ticket and pointed to the top layer of the massive ship.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Thank you!"


    The cabins on this giant ship were divided into four classes: A, B, C, and D. The first-class cabin that Xiao Yi chose cost a million taels of Silver. The cheapest, class D, only cost a few hundred taels of Silver. However, Xiao Yi decisively gave up on the idea of squeezing into a room with dozens or hundreds of people.


    Money was no object!


    It was all about caprice!


    As they say, you get what you pay for. The first-class cabins were for two persons each.


    In cabin number ninety-eight, first-class, a graceful woman who had arrived before Xiao Yi was sitting inside. She wore a long blue dress with a wide hem that tightly wrapped her legs. A pale blue veil covered her face, and she held an ancient zither in her hands.


    Upon seeing Xiao Yi enter, the enchanting woman glanced at him with her phoenix eyes, then swiftly looked away.


    Xiao Yi touched his nose, "Sorry, I didn''t know there were coed accommodations here..."


    The melodious voice from beneath the woman''s veil sounded light and pleasant, like a warbling oriole, "It''s fine!"


    "Hm."


    Xiao Yi nodded and sat down on another bed.


    A screen separated the two, giving them a measure of privacy and reducing the awkwardness.


    "Set sail!"


    About half an hour later, a series of resonant shouts woke Xiao Yi.


    Through the window, he saw the giant ship''s Formations shining brightly as the vessel trembled and leisurely left the harbor. While imposingly vast within the harbor, once it entered the Beast Emperor Sea, it became as insignificant as a grain of sand in the Azure Sea.


    Utterly minuscule.


    Whoosh!


    The ship cut through the wind and waves, speeding up as it went.


    Under the support of the Formations, the ship was especially stable, without a hint of rocking.


    Xiao Yi noticed more people had emerged on deck, all admiring the seascape.


    "I wonder how long it will take to reach Beast Emperor City from here!" Xiao Yi mused as he walked out of his cabin, intending to ask someone.


    The decks for cabins of classes A, B, C, and D were separated and interconnected, but only passengers from higher-class cabins could enter the decks of lower classes. Those from the lower-class cabins were not allowed to access the areas designated for the higher class.


    There''s always a hierarchy, a division between the noble and the common, no matter where you are.


    Standing on the deck.


    The sea breeze blowing in his face carried a faint saltiness, giving one a sense of the boundless ocean.


    Just as Xiao Yi was about to approach a crew member ahead with his questions, he heard a brash voice from behind, "Hahaha, you little wretch, it truly is a small world. Never thought I''d run into you here!"

 Chapter 307 - 307: Cutting the Sea with a Single Strike

    "You little bastard, I didn''t expect to run into you here, really, enemies do cross paths!"


    In the midst of Zhang''s wild laughter. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The youth Xiao Yi bumped into yesterday emerged from behind him, his face tainted with a vengeful grimace, followed by a bald strong man with a heavy saber on his back.


    The gazes of the two men landed on Xiao Yi, filled with a cold evil qi.


    Xiao Yi furrowed his brows and cursed his bad luck under his breath, then said indifferently, "Indeed, I didn''t expect to bump into someone spewing crap like you here!"


    "Who are you calling a crap-spouter?"


    The youth flew into a rage, pointing at Xiao Yi and cursing, "You bastard who''s born without upbringing, I..."


    Crack!


    A streak of silver light flashed by.


    His finger broke off cleanly and he fell to his knees in front of Xiao Yi with two thuds.


    Xiao Yi looked down with an icy face, "Dare to curse me again, and the next thing to break will be your head!"


    "You bastard, let go of my brother!"


    The bald strong man''s face darkened as the heavy saber on his back hummed, ready to make a move, when an icy rebuke came, "Who allowed you to start a fight here? If you want to fight, get off my ship and do it!"


    A group of sailors closed in.


    At the forefront was a one-eyed man in a large coat, his sole surviving eye sharp as an eagle''s, resting on the trio. Around him, the sailors were full of killing intent, grinning maliciously at them.


    "Cyclops?"


    The youth''s face changed, and he quickly called out, "Boss Cyclops, this isn''t my fault! It was, it was him who struck first!"


    "Shut up!"


    Cyclops sneered coldly, "Don''t think I didn''t see what just happened. Trouble should not extend to family, nor insults to parents. You cursed his mother, so him breaking your finger is only just and fair!"


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, casting a curious look at Cyclops.


    He hadn''t expected Cyclops to say something like that.


    The youth''s face turned from pale to green, but he didn''t dare to retort, pressing down the resentment in his heart and said to Xiao Yi, "Earlier, it was indeed my fault. Please forgive me!"


    "Get lost!"


    Xiao Yi flicked his arm and gave a cupped fist salute towards Cyclops.


    Cyclops nodded and limped towards the cabin, his left leg below the knee a pitch-black short sword.


    The youth glared at Xiao Yi viciously, "You little bastard, since Boss Cyclops has spoken, I''ll spare your life today. If you dare to leave the ship, I''ll make sure to avenge this day''s disgrace!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I''ll be waiting!"


    "Hmph!"


    The youth huffed coldly and left with the bald strong man.


    Only then did Xiao Yi find a sailor to ask, "How long will it take to reach Beast Emperor City from here?"


    "We should arrive by early morning the day after tomorrow!" said the sailor.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Thank you!"


    "Think nothing of it!"


    Seeing that Xiao Yi''s aura was profound, and his cultivation far exceeded his own, plus the fact that only a few who could stay in a first-class cabin were ordinary people, the sailor was quite polite.


    If it were in the lowest class cabin, even asking a simple question would cost you!


    Sea voyages are extremely tedious and dull.


    But they are also full of change and danger.


    Morning might shine with blazing sunshine and clear skies, but by afternoon it has become a torrential downpour with fierce winds and towering waves. The huge ship''s formations were buzzing intensely, pushing to their limits.


    Doing everything possible to stabilize the vessel.


    Without these formations, the ship, even a hundred meters long, would have no fate other than sinking into the vast ocean under such severe weather.


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    Through the window, Xiao Yi saw the pitch-dark world outside, lined with successive thunderbolts connecting heaven and earth, and huge waves a kilometer tall crashing down as if a colossal beast was opening its maw to swallow the lightning.


    "Come out and look, there''s someone on the sea!"


    "Look, that person is daring to cross the sea in this weather; is he exceptionally skilled and brave, or just ignorant of death?"


    "No, he''s practicing with a saber..."


    Shouts of surprise reached Xiao Yi''s ears.


    He arched an eyebrow.


    In such harsh weather, with driving rain, fierce winds, towering waves, and thunder striking the world, even warriors at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm would not dare to cross the sea.


    And yet someone was practicing with a saber at sea now?


    Xiao Yi left his cabin and headed for the deck.


    He did not notice...


    ...that the veiled woman opened her eyes as he left, a hint of azure light flashing through her pitch-black pupils. A persistent sadness lingered between her brows.


    Above deck, despite the protection of the formation, the storm raged on.


    Raindrops, as big as beans mixed with sea spray, struck the face with a tearing pain.


    In the boundless thunder ahead.


    A figure stood proudly upon the pinnacle of the wind and waves, his feet stepping on kilometer-high waves, holding a black long knife in hand. His body stood tall like a pine, his spine arrogantly erect like a sword, facing the descending purple-gold thunder without flinching or avoiding.


    Suddenly...


    He swung his knife down.


    Boom!


    The black knife light rose shockingly into the sky, a thousand-zhang blade aura tearing through the void, the terrifying black light actually obscuring all the brilliance between heaven and earth, plunging this area into darkness.


    Suddenly.


    The black blade aura ferociously slashed down, and with a thunderous boom, the knife light passed, shattering thunder and dispersing the wild wind.


    Only the massive wave beneath his feet continued to surge relentlessly.


    "Wrong!"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly contracted.


    He saw that the kilometer-high waves beneath that person''s feet were like a piece of silk, torn apart by force. Starting from the crest of the wave, a crack spread along the direction where the blade aura vanished.


    A hundred meters.


    A kilometer.


    Ten thousand meters...


    On the sea surface stretching for ten thousand meters, the water was literally split in half.


    A single strike severed the sea.


    A ten-thousand-meter-long trench appeared on the sea surface, the water walls on both sides stood tall, and the sea water kept pouring into the trench, the thunderous sound even drowning out the shocking thunder and the storm.


    The figure who had shattered the Azure Sea then sheathed his long knife, broke through the air, and disappeared into the horizon.


    "This one strike..."


    Xiao Yi stared at that terrifying stroke, his mind exploding like a thunderclap.


    He suddenly closed his eyes.


    Repeating that one stroke over and over in his mind.


    The stroke swift as thunder, the slash that shattered the Azure Sea.


    "Speed, speed pushed to the extreme�� The speed of that one strike has surpassed the wind and the thunder, that''s why it could shatter them, even splitting the sea with one strike��" Xiao Yi closed his eyes tightly, his pores opening freely.


    He was feeling the wind, feeling the thunder, feeling the storm and the thunderclap.


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi''s eyes snapped open, as he pointed a sword finger forward.


    Whoosh!


    Without using any elemental qi, just a single finger thrust, but Wind Thunder was only dispersed, not shattered.


    "Still not fast enough!"


    Xiao Yi continued making his moves.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Time after time, each move met with Xiao Yi''s own rejection.


    Many onlookers also noticed Xiao Yi''s actions, including that young man from the morning who was among the crowd, sneering over and over, "Has that guy gone mad? Does he think he''s the one who can sever the sea with a single strike? Ridiculous..."


    "If just by watching someone else perform a move, one could learn it, what''s the point of martial arts heritage?"


    "He''s way out of his league!"


    People around shook their heads and laughed.


    Only the one-eyed man, looking at Xiao Yi, revealed a trace of amazement.


    "No, that''s not right..."


    He kept recalling that one strike in his mind. Suddenly, a glint of understanding swept across Xiao Yi''s eyes, "Right... Wind, thunder... Wind Thunder are elemental forces of nature, going against them naturally meets great resistance, but what if one follows their path? Going with the wind, with the thunder..."


    Xiao Yi carefully felt it out, and then suddenly unleashed a sword finger strike.


    Whoosh!


    A single sword finger point created a vacuum zone within ten feet in front of him.


    The wind was broken.


    The rain extinguished.


    The thunder disappeared.


    This finger actually carried a hint of the essence of that one strike!


    "How, how is this possible?"


    "Damn, he actually learned it?"


    "Is he even human?"


    Amid the shocked cries, the young man''s face alternated between green and white, feeling as if he had been slapped hard across the face, he glared at Xiao Yi viciously, grinding his teeth, "Motherfucker, this brat has just lucked out..."


    He angrily returned to the cabin of the ship.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was completely immersed in the sensation of that last finger strike, the corners of his mouth slightly curved upward, "Sword Intent at the fourth layer, the sword moves at will, I never expected to encounter such a marvelous adventure on this sea voyage!"

 Chapter 308 - 308: Midnight Knocking

    Above the deck.


    The fierce wind was raging, the storm volatile.


    Xiao Yi stood amidst the wind and rain, he slowly opened his arms, his Sword Intent at the fourth stage responding to his will. He was perceiving the force of heaven and earth, acting with the flow, capable of surpassing the wind, surpassing the power of lightning and thunder.


    Riding the waves might be exhilarating, but it''s not as effortless as drifting with the current.


    Defying the heavens indeed has its flair, but it''s not as comfortable as acting in harmony with them.


    This is the fourth stage of Sword Intent. sea??h th�� novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Generally speaking��


    Only upon reaching the Dharma Manifestation Realm and fully mastering a force of heaven and earth could one attain this level. Even many masters of the Dharma Manifestation Realm had not grasped the fourth stage of Sword Intent.


    Yet Xiao Yi had reached this realm while still in the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    His talent in the way of the sword was certainly extraordinary.


    He opened his arms and slightly closed his eyes.


    Feeling the clear sensation of wind and rain falling on his body, Xiao Yi''s figure didn''t seem to move at all, even the crowd around him didn''t notice any change in his position.


    But if one observed carefully, a shocking discovery could be made.


    "Look, the wind and rain are not falling on him!"


    "It''s not that they''re not falling on him, but he''s actually avoiding the wind and rain? How, how did he do that?"


    Astonished cries filled the deck.


    In this torrential downpour, where the raindrops nearly formed a curtain, Xiao Yi, without using his elemental power to create a barrier, relied on extremely subtle movements to cleverly avoid all wind and rain.


    In the remaining eye of the one-eyed dragon, a spark of sharpness flickered.


    Even with his vast experience, he had never seen such a terrifying movement technique.


    "This lad, he''s not simple!" said the one-eyed dragon, his facial expression reflecting his amusement. His leg, braced by a short sword, gently tapped the deck, seemingly eager to try.


    After a long time.


    Xiao Yi slowly opened his eyes, having just entered the fourth stage of Sword Intent.


    The act of avoiding the wind and rain was an application of Sword Intent in motion.


    Moving with the wind, with the thunder, with the rain. Going with the wind and rain created a trajectory that perfectly avoided the storm. Such mastery, if applied to the sword, would be extraordinarily powerful.


    Imagine this...


    Two people moving at the same speed, one needing to overcome the resistance of the wind, while Xiao Yi could move with the wind, not only unimpeded by the wind but also able to use it to his advantage.


    Who is stronger, who is weaker?


    It''s obvious at a glance!


    Heading straight back to his cabin, Xiao Yi found the veiled woman tightly embracing her ancient zither with her eyes closed, seemingly unaware of his entrance.


    Xiao Yi shook his head lightly, and sat down cross-legged on his bed.


    This trip to the Beast Emperor Sea had allowed his Sword Intent to step into the fourth stage, an unexpected joy.


    It also increased his combat strength.


    At the very least, facing a second-layer master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he would have the strength to fight!


    With his eyes closed, Xiao Yi immersed himself in cultivation, and before long night had fallen. The storm outside had stopped, but there was no light from stars or moon. The huge ship entered into a patch of fog, surrounded by dense whiteness.


    In the deep silence of the night.


    Xiao Yi heard a captivating song, ethereal as if descendent of heaven.


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi opened his eyes, the crisp and pleasing song coming into his ears, momentarily causing him to lose focus. But at that moment, the necklace he had bought the day before suddenly radiated a warm wave of energy, flooding into his mind.


    This strange energy wave wiped the blankness from Xiao Yi''s eyes, bringing back clarity.


    Thump!


    Thump, thump!


    Suddenly, an increasingly urgent knock came from outside the cabin door.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils constricted instantly, but before he could speak, a pale, icy hand covered his mouth��it was the woman embracing the ancient qin, her azure blue eyes flashing with fear and solemnity as she shook her head at him, signaling him to be silent.


    Thud!


    Thud thud!


    Thud thud thud!


    The relentlessly urgent knocking was hair-raising, especially deep in the middle of the night, out on the vast ocean. The sudden rise of fog and the intermittent singing were unsettling enough, and now this relentless knocking.


    It was enough to make one''s heart pound with terror.


    The knocking persisted for a moment before gradually fading away.


    Xiao Yi looked at the girl beside him and asked, frowning, "What on earth is going on?"


    The girl shook her head lightly, the panic in her eyes not receding, and pointed outside the window.


    Xiao Yi carefully lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside, and saw in the midst of the thick fog, figures moving like walking corpses, walking out from the cabins.


    They ambled about on the deck, each holding a torch in their hand.


    Flaring and dimming in the mist, they resembled numerous fireflies.


    Plunk!


    Plunk!


    Xiao Yi was horrified to discover that quite a few people walked straight to the edge of the sea, then leaped up and plunged into the icy waters below.


    In the sea,


    Xiao Yi caught glimpses of green figures flitting by, quickly dragging those who jumped into the water into the depths, disappearing from sight.


    The seductive singing still sporadically reached his ears, and Xiao Yi couldn''t help but recall the old man''s tale of Sea Demon legends. He turned to the graceful woman beside him, "Are these the doings of a Sea Demon?"


    "No, not a Sea Demon!"


    The graceful woman shook her head emphatically.


    Xiao Yi, frowning, said, "I heard when Sea Demons appear, they bring dense fog and singing. Once you hear the singing, you get bewitched and controlled by the Sea Demon. Doesn''t this coincide with what''s happening here?"


    "It really isn''t a Sea Demon. Sea Demons don''t harm people!"


    The woman was extremely certain in her response. As she spoke, a dark shadow suddenly passed by the window. The figure paused abruptly by the window, a pair of blood-red eyes looking into the cabin.


    Staring straight at the graceful woman.


    At that moment,


    beneath the blood-colored figure, a black face cracked into a grin, revealing rows of serrated fangs, and a ghastly, hoarse voice sent shivers down the spine, "So you''re here..."


    Boom!


    The shadow violently thrust out a clawed hand, shattering the window with a bang, reaching for the graceful woman.


    "Be careful!"


    Xiao Yi yanked the graceful woman back to his side and reached out reflexively with his hand, seizing the wrist of the black-clawed hand. Then, gripping tightly, he broke off the black claw with a series of crisp snaps.


    Awooo!


    The shadow let out an agonized scream, piercing to the ear.


    Almost at the same time,


    numerous mighty figures on the deck shuddered as if under a Binding Spell, rooted to the spot, while among the crowd, shadow after shadow leaped into the air, converging swiftly towards Xiao Yi''s cabin.


    Under the thick fog, their faces were indiscernible.


    "The target is here, hurry up!"


    "Heh heh, don''t even think about escaping..."


    Among the spine-chilling, sinister laughter, the sound of rushing air kept drawing nearer.


    Mostly, the presence was that of beings with the aura of the Golden Core Realm, and there were many at the level of the Tao Tribulation Realm. The number was astonishingly high, densely packed, swiftly encircling the cabin where he was located, trapping him with no way out.


    A pair of blood-colored eyes fell upon Xiao Yi and the girl, and a grating voice emanated from the throats of the dark figures: "Kill him..."

 Chapter 309 - 309: The Fog of Murder

    "Kill him!"


    A group wrapped in darkness charged towards Xiao Yi, intent on killing him.


    These figures were completely covered in black garb, their features indiscernible, only their eyes shining with a blood-red light, like rubies, ghastly and ghostlike.


    Their red eyes flickered with ferocity and a chilling intent to kill.


    Xiao Yi pulled the young girl behind him and said in a deep voice, "Stay here, and don''t go out!"


    Whoosh!


    His figure suddenly leapt up.


    The sword followed his intent.


    In his mind, the trajectory of every hidden claw within the darkness was crystal clear, and with the subtlest of movements, he managed to dodge those sharp claws.


    "The waterfall descends three thousand feet like a flying stream!"


    From Xiao Yi''s palm, a fourth-grade longsword unsheathed and moved with the wind.


    This stroke was silent and unperceived.


    Pff!


    Xiao Yi moved fluidly like a fish in the sea, darting and weaving, leaving trails of blood wherever he passed. Black figures were decapitated, and in an instant, dozens of corpses lay around him.


    More and more black figures converged around him.


    "You lot hold him off, I''ll grab the girl!" a figure emanating the aura of the Tao Tribulation Realm growled. With agile maneuvers, he bypassed Xiao Yi and headed straight for the veiled young girl.


    "Over my dead body!"


    Xiao Yi leapt forward, but suddenly, more than a dozen people appeared in front of him, surrounding him.


    A cold light flashed in Xiao Yi''s pupils: "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    "A white egret splits the waters in two!"


    He thrust his sword repeatedly.


    The sword edge danced with the wind, moving effortlessly.


    The shadows blocking him were continuously cut down, but the brief delay allowed the powerhouse of the Calamity Realm to reach the girl.


    His blood-red eyes were filled with greed and desire as he reached out with his dark, sharp claws toward her.


    "Damn it��"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were about to split with rage.


    He wanted to help, but it was too late.


    The girl''s blue eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light, and a delicate voice sounded under her veil as her slender fingers gently plucked her ancient zither.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The zither strings vibrated, sending out waves of sound.


    Hum!


    The Calamity Realm strongman seemed to be controlled, a look of bewilderment flashed across his eyes, followed by what seemed like countless wires wrapping around his body, slicing it into a grid.


    The wires tightened more and more.


    Boom!


    He was forcefully torn into countless pieces.


    Amid the rain of fresh blood and flesh.


    The girl continued to play the Qin Xuan, the pleasant clanging sound caused all the black figures surrounding Xiao Yi to tremble violently, their eyes filled with confusion.


    Pff pff pff!


    One by one, the figures were shredded into pieces.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted sharply, staring at the girl holding the ancient zither in disbelief, never having imagined that such a seemingly fragile girl possessed such extraordinary methods.


    The carnage here had also drawn the attention of countless powerhouses nearby, with more and more shadows gathering.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly, and he turned to the veiled girl, about to speak.


    Suddenly, from the dense fog over the sea, a bewitching flute melody could be distinctly heard.


    The flute''s melody wafted through the air, pleasing and melodious.


    The shadowy figures trembled all over, their eyes filled with unwillingness and hatred as they glared harshly at Xiao Yi and the masked girl, before they gathered up the pile of blood and flesh on the ground and quietly disappeared into the mist.


    As these shadows dissipated, the thick fog also quietly receded.


    As if they had never been there in the first place.


    "What on earth is going on?"


    Xiao Yi was completely baffled, turning to look at the masked girl, only to hear her retch and spew a mouthful of fresh blood. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted onto the guqin, unconscious.


    "Hey... are you okay?"


    Xiao Yi quickly propped up the girl. He checked her breathing and, finding no life-threatening danger but realizing she had fainted from weakness, he let out a sigh of relief. He took out a pill to restore her Qi-Blood and fed it to her; Xiao Yi then noticed that the ship had already sailed out of the foggy area.


    Ahead, the light of the stars and moon shone brightly, reflecting off the surface of the sea in dazzling, scattered points of light.


    The sparkling waves softly glowed, and from afar, a mass of mist could be seen drifting farther and farther away.


    Within that mist.


    It seemed as if a pair of cold eyes were fixed on this very ship.


    "Who were those people? And that fog... Why does it feel as if it were being controlled by someone? It''s like they were searching for something..." Xiao Yi was utterly confused, his mind full of questions.


    Time flies...


    In the blink of an eye, it was morning.


    Many powerful individuals awoke to find themselves lying on the deck, each with a look of astonishment and surprise on their faces: "What happened?"


    "I clearly remember sleeping inside the cabin, how did I end up on the deck?"


    "Last night, I seemed to hear someone singing, then I fell asleep, without knowing what happened..."


    "Wait, my roommate is missing..."


    "My brother is missing too..."


    A cry of grief filled the entire ship.


    Many realized that their companions had vanished without a trace, and some even found themselves hanging halfway off the mast, nearly falling into the sea. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    You must know...


    There were tens of thousands of people on this ship, among them not a few from the Golden Core Realm and the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    What sort of power could control tens of thousands of people to leave their cabins silently?


    And to be completely oblivious to what had happened?


    At this moment.


    Tales of sea demons began to circulate among the ship''s passengers, and some said the ship was haunted... There were various theories, and some attempted to confront the one-eyed shipowner to demand an explanation.


    After all.


    A quick estimate revealed that last night, no fewer than a thousand people had disappeared.


    The one-eyed man''s face looked extremely grim; after waking up, he had also been on the deck, and even his deputy captain had vanished without a trace. That was an individual in the Calamity Realm, who had disappeared so quietly.


    "One-eyed Sir, you should give us an explanation for this, don''t you think?"


    "We paid a lot for these tickets, and now so many people have vanished without reason. You wouldn''t be behind this, would you?"


    Facing the crowd''s questioning.


    The one-eyed man''s face turned icy, and he said coldly, "Shut up, all of you."


    Whoosh!


    From his black shortsword, a black flash suddenly burst forth, its ominous shine deterring anyone from coming close. Only then did he continue to speak: "I will investigate what happened last night. Additionally, if anyone can provide clues, I am willing to offer a reward of one hundred million Silver!"


    "One hundred million?"


    "It seems the one-eyed man doesn''t know what happened either!"


    The crowd whispered among each other.


    At that moment...


    Suddenly, a voice emanated from the crowd: "I know what happened!"

 Chapter 310 - 310: Three Strikes

    ```


    "I know what happened!"


    This sudden voice drew everyone''s attention.


    The speaker was the young man who had a conflict with Xiao Yi yesterday, and behind him was still the bald muscular man carrying a black heavy sword.


    Seeing the crowd''s gaze converging on himself, the youth''s face flashed with excitement, and he strode forward to stand before the One-Eyed Dragon. With a cold expression, he said, "Boss One-Eyed Dragon, my name is Ren Wu, and I know what happened last night!"


    "Hmm?"


    One-Eyed Dragon squinted at him and said coldly, "Do you know what will happen if you lie?"


    Ren Wu promptly patted his chest and said, "Who doesn''t know of Boss One-Eyed Dragon''s fame? How could I possibly deceive you?"


    One-Eyed Dragon nodded and said, "Speak then, what exactly happened?"


    "When I woke up this morning, I saw everyone on the ship was outside, except for one cabin whose door was closed." Ren Wu said with a malicious look, "That was cabin number ninety-eight ''A'' class, the door was closed, and nobody from inside came out!"


    Hiss!


    Everyone''s expressions changed in unison.


    To know...


    Even the captain, the One-Eyed Dragon at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, appeared on deck without anyone noticing. And now someone was still hiding inside their own cabin?


    "Cabin number ninety-eight ''A'' class? Who was staying there?"


    "Now that you mention it... I remembered, when I passed by there just now, I noticed that the window of cabin ninety-eight was shattered..."


    "Who lives in cabin number ninety-eight? We must have him come out..."


    Everyone was saying.


    With a cold expression, Ren Wu''s mouth curled slightly and he whispered to himself with a sneer, "Heh heh, you little bastard, this is what you get for provoking me. You''re not dead yet?"


    One-Eyed Dragon''s remaining eye narrowed slightly, and with a wave of his hand, he said, "Gentlemen, please follow me to cabin number ninety-eight!"


    The group set off together.


    They arrived at the cabin where Xiao Yi was staying.


    Knock knock knock!


    The cabin door was knocked.


    Xiao Yi opened the door and saw One-Eyed Dragon standing with a crowd blocking the doorway. He couldn''t help but frown, "Is there something you need?"


    One-Eyed Dragon scanned the inside of the cabin, indeed noticing the shattered window.


    The cabin was also a mess.


    Clearly, a fight had occurred.


    In the cabin, aside from Xiao Yi, there was a masked girl lying asleep on the bed. One-Eyed Dragon and others felt even more suspicious of Xiao Yi, and One-Eyed Dragon asked in a deep voice, "Where were you last night?"


    Xiao Yi answered frankly, "I was inside the cabin."


    But considering those shadows seemed to be after the masked girl, he didn''t reveal anything further.


    Ren Wu, standing on his tiptoes among the crowd, called out, "See... I didn''t lie, did I? We were all mysteriously on the deck, yet he was safely in his cabin. If you say this matter has nothing to do with him, I wouldn''t believe it even if you beat me to death!"


    "Young man, you better come clean. What exactly happened last night?"


    "Is this incident related to you?"


    "So many people have mysteriously disappeared, yet you are unharmed. You owe us an explanation!"


    Everyone was speaking.


    One-Eyed Dragon stared at Xiao Yi, enunciating each word, "You''d better not hide anything, otherwise, don''t blame me for being impolite!"


    He was extremely angry at the moment.


    An eerie incident had occurred on the ship, and even his first mate had mysteriously disappeared.


    He was currently brimming with fury.


    Eager to find an outlet for his wrath.


    Looking at One-Eyed Dragon without a hint of subservience, Xiao Yi said in a steady voice, "As I said, I was asleep in the cabin last night. It was your knocking that woke me up just now!"


    "Sleeping? Then what happened here?" Ren Wu spoke with an eerie tone, "Don''t tell me this was from your tossing and turning in sleep?"


    ```


    The one-eyed Long Yi remained silent, but the cold light in his eyes grew increasingly icy.


    Xiao Yi swept a disdainful glance at Ren Wu. That guy was causing a ruckus here, leading everyone to direct their hostility towards him. Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "It''s the third time now!"


    "Hmm?"


    The crowd was startled.


    Xiao Yi stared intently at Ren Wu and said coldly, "This is the third time you''ve provoked me. There won''t be a fourth because you can die now!"


    Ren Wu was taken aback, then burst into laughter, arrogant and fearless, "Kid, who do you think you are? You think just because you say I should die, I will? You don''t even realize the situation you''re in, and you''re still thinking about killing..."


    Before he could finish speaking.


    Xiao Yi''s figure had already moved past Long Yi and the others, appearing in front of him.


    With a single hand raised, he directly grasped Ren Wu''s neck and lifted him up.


    "Save... save me..." Ren Wu grabbed desperately at Xiao Yi''s hand, his legs flailing, his face filled with terror.


    How Xiao Yi had appeared next to Ren Wu without anyone noticing was beyond them all.


    The bald strongman was furious, "Let go of my brother!"


    Hum!


    The heavy sword slashed down towards Xiao Yi, edgeless but with enormous force.


    Clang!


    Amidst a crisp sound.


    Xiao Yi casually lifted his left hand, and with just two fingers, he firmly clamped the heavy sword, his icy gaze falling onto the bald strongman, "Die!"


    Bang!


    With a tightening of his two fingers.


    The heavy sword shattered, with countless fragments flying backwards, piercing through the bald strongman''s body in a series of thuds, leaving him lying in a pool of blood.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes, cold as ice, looked at Ren Wu in his grasp, "You''ve provoked me several times, and now you even try to frame and harm me. I cannot tolerate you!"


    "No, don''t..."


    Ren Wu was filled with regret.


    He had thought that with Long Yi and the others present, Xiao Yi would surely be unable to do anything to him, hence he had instigated others and sowed discord. But now, facing a dominant Xiao Yi, none of the bystanders stepped forward to stop him.


    Regret filled his heart.


    But alas...


    There is no medicine for regret in this world.


    Crack!


    Xiao Yi''s palm clenched, and he crushed Ren Wu''s neck, tossing him to the side. Only then did he turn back to Long Yi and the others, "Believe it or not, last night''s affair has nothing to do with me."


    The crowd exchanged glances.


    Long Yi stared deeply at Xiao Yi; the bald strongman was a powerhouse of the Third Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, yet he couldn''t withstand a single move from Xiao Yi and was easily killed on the spot.


    This was enough to discern that Xiao Yi''s strength was far beyond what he showed, not merely at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Long Yi squinted his eyes and said coldly, "You had better be honest. If I find out last night''s incident is related to you, I will surely cut you down without mercy!"


    Thud!


    Xiao Yi closed the cabin door directly.


    Long Yi and the others also left one after another. After all, with Xiao Yi''s show of strength, they had no evidence and indeed could not continue to press him.


    Inside the cabin. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi sensed that Long Yi and the others had left, waved his hand casually, and a burst of vital energy formed a barrier sealing the cabin. Xiao Yi patted his chest, and Little Lin emerged. Xiao Yi instructed, "Keep a watch on our surroundings!"


    "Roger that, boss!"


    Little Lin nodded its head and swam around the cabin.


    Only then did Xiao Yi turn to the unconscious girl and said in a deep voice, "Since you''re awake, stop pretending. Get up and let''s talk. What exactly happened last night?"

 Chapter 311 - 311 Beast Emperor City

    "Get up and let''s talk about what exactly happened last night!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, staring at the veiled girl who was lying down, seemingly still asleep.


    The veiled girl kept her eyes tightly shut, appearing as if she were still deep in slumber and hadn''t woken up.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "If you don''t wake up, then don''t blame me for taking apart your zither!"


    The veiled girl remained unmoved.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi reached for the zither.


    It was only then��


    ��that the girl finally opened her eyes, grabbed the zither, and curled up in the corner, her blue eyes warily watching Xiao Yi.


    Sigh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a turbid breath. The girl''s blue eyes were like an endless ocean, their depth making one feel as if they couldn''t extricate themselves. He said in a deep voice, "Who are you, really? And what were those things last night?"


    The wariness in the veiled girl''s eyes did not dissipate.


    She was still clutching the zither nervously.


    Xiao Yi sighed, "If I had wanted to harm you, I wouldn''t have helped you last night, and I wouldn''t have concealed your presence just now when they came over!"


    The veiled girl''s gaze flickered a few times, her hands relaxing slightly around the zither.


    Her guard against Xiao Yi wasn''t as strong as before.


    She hesitated for a moment and then a melodious voice like that of an oriole came from beneath the veil, "They were underlings of Sha Kun, the deputy city lord of Beast Emperor City."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, a strange expression on his face, "The deputy city lord of Beast Emperor City? Then who are you? Don''t tell me you are the city lord?"


    The veiled girl shook her head, "My name is Huang Yuwei. The city lord of Beast Emperor City, Huang Baitao, is my father. When I was very young, my father sent me to my mother''s family. Not long ago, I received news that my father was gravely ill, so I rushed back."


    Xiao Yi wondered, "You''re the princess of Beast Emperor City? If that''s the case, those people last night indeed came for you. Isn''t Sha Kun one of your father''s subordinates? But those men didn''t seem like they were there to escort you back!"


    "They were Black Shark Guards under Sha Kun. Sha Kun is my father''s sworn brother, but they have been at odds for a long time. It''s because of him that my father sent me to my mother''s family,"


    Huang Yuwei hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "Sha Kun wants to capture me and threaten my father to pass on the city lord''s position to him��"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes.


    He was considering the truth of Huang Yuwei''s story and asked, "Do you have any proof to back up what you''re saying?"


    Huang Yuwei hesitated, then took out a token from her bosom.


    The token glittered with gold light.


    It was carved with beast claws all around. The front bore the character for ''beast'', and the back had the character for ''emperor''.


    Huang Yuwei''s voice was firm as she said, "This is one of the five city lord tokens of Beast Emperor City. I hold one of them. If you don''t believe me, when you get to Beast Emperor City, you can verify if this token matches the city''s flag!"


    "Fine, I''ll take your word for now,"


    Xiao Yi nodded and then said solemnly, "We are still a day and a night''s journey from Beast Emperor City. Will those people appear again tonight?"


    The tactics of the Black Shark Guards were too strange.


    If it weren''t for his necklace that activated just in time, he too would''ve been bewitched last night.


    If they plan to come again tonight, they must be prepared in advance!


    "They shouldn''t!"


    Huang Yuwei shook her head, "The Black Shark Guards never strike the same target twice. Moreover, we''re not far from Beast Emperor City now. They wouldn''t dare to be too obvious."


    "Let''s hope so,"


    Xiao Yi nodded. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But in his heart, he remained on guard, believing only half of what Huang Yuwei said.


    It''s better to be wary than to be harmed.


    In this world where the strong prey on the weak,


    being naive and without guile,


    one would likely die without even knowing how!


    Just as Huang Yuwei had said, the Black Shark Guard did not appear again, and the next morning, a gigantic island appeared on the surface of the sea.


    This island was suspended above the sea, and atop it sat an immensely huge city.


    This was Beast Emperor City.


    A powerful faction owning countless wealth, situated above the Beast Emperor Sea.


    Even the Great Qian Dynasty, when faced with the Beast Emperor City, dealt with it on an equal footing. After all, Beast Emperor City, apart from sitting deep in the Beast Emperor Sea and being incomparably wealthy, was also a place where powerful figures were as common as clouds.


    It was not any weaker than any of the top ten sects!


    "Beast Emperor City is almost upon us, everyone prepare your entrance fee!" The voice of the one-eyed dragon spread throughout the entire vessel.


    The entrance fee for Beast Emperor City is determined by one''s strength.


    For the Qi Gathering Realm, one hundred taels.


    For the Shentong Realm, one thousand taels.


    For the Golden Core Realm, ten thousand taels, and for the Tao Tribulation Realm, one hundred thousand taels.


    Of course...


    If a warrior of the Dharma Manifestation Realm were to enter Beast Emperor City, they would not be charged any fee and would even receive treatment befitting a VIP. After all, even the powerful Beast Emperor City would have a headache if it provoked the existence of someone from the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Xiao Yi had known these rules since he boarded the ship and handed over one hundred thousand taels of silver to the sailor.


    Boom!


    The ship entered the port of Beast Emperor City, the enormous dock of Beast Emperor City was several times larger than that of Linhai, and there were four such docks in Beast Emperor City.


    Just think...


    The entrance fee for a vessel like this one could amount to tens of millions of taels of silver.


    A single port could accommodate tens of thousands of such vessels, and just the entrance fees from the four major ports constituted a vast wealth. It''s a glimpse into the extent of Beast Emperor City''s affluence.


    After leaving the ship.


    Huang Yuwei put on a cloak and waved at Xiao Yi, "Let''s part ways here. If you run into any trouble, you can find me at the city lord''s mansion!"


    "Alright!"


    The two parted ways.


    No sooner had Xiao Yi stepped off the dock than he saw several carriages in front of him, all available for rent. One thousand taels of silver a day, and the coachmen were all residents of Beast Emperor City.


    They were extremely familiar with Beast Emperor City.


    "My lord, do you wish to rent a carriage? I am Lei Sanwang, my ancestors have been in this business for three generations, there''s no place in the whole of Beast Emperor City I don''t know about..." A middle-aged man with a pointed face and a goatee below his nose approached with a smile.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Take me to the black market!"


    "Right away!"


    Lei Sanwang''s face was glowing with a bright smile as he skillfully ushered Xiao Yi onto the carriage and then, whipping the reins, drove the carriage towards the city.


    Beast Emperor City was simply too large.


    Even while sitting in the carriage,


    they traveled for a full hour before arriving at the location of the black market, Lei Sanwang''s voice came from outside, "My lord, we''ve arrived at the black market!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi stepped out of the carriage and looked at the black market, which covered the entire East City, showing a puzzled expression, "This entire place is the black market?"


    "Yes!"


    Lei Sanwang smiled proudly, "Our Beast Emperor City''s black market is the largest in Southern State, the whole East City is the black market. However, carriages are not allowed inside the black market, we will need to go on foot. What are you planning to purchase? I can take you there!"


    Xiao Yi said, "I want to buy medicinal materials..."


    "Medicinal materials?"


    Lei Sanwang spoke with practiced familiarity, "Then you''ve come to the right place. I know all the medicinal material merchants in the black market, big and small. But there''s no need to bother with the smaller ones, I''ll take you to the three major medicinal material merchants!"


    "That works!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, about to speak when suddenly, an urgent shouting and curses came from behind, "Move aside, all of you move aside for me!"


    Xiao Yi frowned and turned around.


    But what he faced was a streak of black that swooped towards him with the sound of the air being torn apart...

 Chapter 312 - 312: The Black Market

    Whoosh!


    The black whip shadow broke through the air, aiming straight for Xiao Yi''s face.


    The whip was extremely fast.


    Xiao Yi''s sword-like eyebrows furrowed as he instinctively raised his hand to grab the whip and then slammed it to the ground. With a loud bang, a dark shadow fell and smashed heavily onto the surface.


    Ouch...


    A wail followed.


    This was a young man dressed in black, riding a beast that was pitch black all over, with two horns on its head, shaped like a bull, rampaging along the way. On its path, it had knocked over quite a few people.


    Unexpectedly, he had fallen into the hands of Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh!


    The young man got up from the ground, glared at Xiao Yi with clenched teeth and said, "You scoundrel, who gave you the guts to block my way? Get over here and kneel down to apologize!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said, "In broad daylight, in the middle of the street, you dare to ride a beast so recklessly. If I hadn''t reacted quickly enough, you would have knocked me down just now. And you think you have the right?"


    "Damn it, even if I just knock over a few people, so what if I killed someone?"


    The young man''s cultivation was merely at the Golden Elixir Peak, but his aura was as if he were a figure of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, disdainful of everything, he said coldly, "Kid, kneel down and apologize to me immediately if you know what''s good for you, or I''ll make sure you enter upright and leave horizontally!"


    Lei Sanwang, who saw the beast behind the young man, had already turned pale, stepped forward, and tugged at Xiao Yi, whispering, "Sir, you should apologize to him! This is Master Tan Huajian of the Tan Family, the largest slave trading merchant in Beast Emperor City, their power is immensely great..."


    Slave trading merchant.


    No matter where, those who dared to engage in such trade always had significant backing.


    The Tan Family could control such trade in Beast Emperor City, their family head was a formidable expert at the first level of Dharma Manifestation Realm, and they also had close relations with Sha Kun.


    The surrounding crowd was also persuading in unison, "Young man, apologize to him!" S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That''s Master Tan, he''s not someone to provoke!"


    Tan Huajian''s face showed an arrogant look as he coldly watched Xiao Yi, "Did you hear that? Are you not going to kneel for me?"


    "Kneel your mother!"


    Xiao Yi retorted with a slap.


    Slap!


    Tan Huajian was struck and sent flying, holding his face in bewilderment as he looked at Xiao Yi, "You, you, you dare to hit me?"


    Xiao Yi''s expression was as calm as still water, "Get lost! If I see you around me again, I will cripple you!"


    Hum!


    A pressure from the Tao Tribulation Realm weighed down upon Tan Huajian.


    Thump!


    Tan Huajian was pressed so hard that his legs went weak, forcing him to kneel on the ground, with cold sweat emerging on his forehead and his face turning pale. In the depths of his eyes was a deep resentment, "Fine, fine, fine, I''ll admit defeat today. The mountains won''t turn but the waters will; you''d better pray you don''t fall into my hands!"


    Tan Huajian mounted the beast and sped away.


    Lei Sanwang wore a face of despair, "My lord, you, you''ve really stirred up trouble now..."


    Xiao Yi asked, "What? Are you scared?"


    Lei Sanwang gave a wry smile, "How could I not be? There''s not a single person in the Tan Family who is merciful. Not long ago, a friend of mine just because he didn''t yield a parking space to someone from the Tan Family, the whole family was taken away to be slaves..."


    "The Tan Family is so domineering? Doesn''t anyone deal with them?" Xiao Yi frowned.


    So Beast Emperor City was in such chaos?


    Lei Sanwang hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a lower voice, "If the City Lord were still in charge, they wouldn''t dare be so rampant. But these past few months, with the City Lord severely ill and not concerned with worldly affairs, and Deputy City Lord Sha Kun having such a close relationship with the Tan Family, who do you think would dare to intervene?"


    Looking at Lei Sanwang, Xiao Yi knew he was backing down.


    He casually took out some silver notes and threw them to Lei Sanwang, "Here are fifty thousand silver notes. You better leave!"


    "This, this..."


    Lei Sanwang looked at the silver note in his hand and then at Xiao Yi with gratitude-filled eyes, saying, "Thank you for your generous gift... If you want to purchase medicinal materials, you might want to go to the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, the Starlight Chamber of Commerce, and the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce to take a look. These three are the biggest medicine material commerce gatherings in the black market!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Not daring to linger, Lei Sanwang quickly urged his carriage on and departed swiftly.


    Xiao Yi wandered alone in the black market.


    Besides shops selling all kinds of goods, there were also taverns and entertainment venues from all over, offering everything one could ask for. Especially the brothels, which one could see on every street.


    The hookers, scantily clad, stood at the doorway luring clients with their charming postures.


    It was truly a sight of luxury.


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin poked his head out, asking in wonder, "Boss, what is this place? Why are these women wearing so little..."


    Xiao Yi''s face darkened as he pushed Little Lin back in, "Not suitable for children!"


    Little Lin: "..."


    After asking for directions along the way, Xiao Yi finally arrived at the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce.


    The three big medicine material commerce gatherings were actually built together, mere hundreds of meters apart. Each chamber was exceptionally luxurious and grand. From a distance, one could even smell the fragrance of medicinal herbs wafting through the air.


    Xiao Yi entered the nearest Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.


    Inside, people bustled to and fro; it was a vibrant scene.


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi saw a crowd of strong individuals gathered ahead. The place was buzzing with noise and was extremely lively when suddenly, curiosity was piqued by an exclamation from the crowd, "Holy shit, bro, you''re awesome! With just 100 taels of silver, you actually picked out a Purple Glow Dragon King Ginseng worth several million!"


    "Whimper, why don''t I have such luck? I''ve already spent over a million and only got a three-year-old Polygonum Multiflorum, which hasn''t even fully grown yet..."


    "Your luck is just too bad!"


    Xiao Yi, puzzled, stopped a passerby, "Brother, may I ask what''s happening over there?"


    The passerby glanced in the direction Xiao Yi was pointing and laughed, "That''s the medicine gambling! The Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce sealed some medicinal materials in ninety-nine containers. People can bid for them, and the highest bidder wins. If you choose the right one, you''ll become rich overnight, but if you choose wrong, you might lose everything you have!"


    "Medicine gambling?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes twinkled. He had heard of betting on stones and money but had never heard of gambling on medicine. He thanked the passerby with a gesture of his hand, "Thanks!"


    "You''re welcome!"


    The passerby then left.


    Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment, then also headed to the medicine gambling area.


    In front of him was a giant disc with grooves. Inside the grooves were white spheres. Each sphere was sealed with a Formation, making it impossible for even Dharma Manifestation Realm experts to see what was inside.


    The spheres were numbered from one to ninety-nine.


    An expert from the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce was shouting, "It''s about to begin, place your bets and no more after that!"


    "Number ninety-nine for one hundred taels!"


    "Number eighteen for five hundred taels..."


    Various strong individuals kept outbidding each other.


    Xiao Yi stared at the disc, and suddenly Little Lin whispered from his embrace, "Boss, there''s something good inside number eight!"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled and looked at number eight. The highest bid so far was nine thousand taels of silver. Xiao Yi immediately offered ten thousand taels on the sphere numbered eight.


    Thud!


    A bell chimed.


    The expert from the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce announced, "Bets are locked in! Let''s start the draw!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, a trace of curiosity in his gaze, "It must be something good if even Little Lin thinks it is a ''good brother.'' I wonder what''s really inside number eight! Just hope it''s not a loss!"

 Chapter 313 - 313: A Punch to the Head

    ```


    After the bidding for the medicine concluded.


    The powerful members of the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce opened each sphere in sequence, starting with number one, and the herbs within each sphere were promptly revealed to the audience upon their opening.


    "Number one, a strand of Qingluo Root!"


    "Number two, a piece of Monk Fruit..."


    Seven spheres were opened in succession, and all contained extremely cheap common herbs.


    The person who got sphere number one fared the worst.


    He had bet a hundred thousand to win this number one sphere, only to end up with a Qingluo Root worth a hundred silver, and then sphere number eight was opened, to which Xiao Yi also looked forward with some anticipation.


    Crack!


    The sphere opened.


    A fragrance of herbs wafted through the air.


    Instantly, it prompted a wave of gasps, "This, this seems to be a fifth-grade Spiritual Medicine Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng!"


    "Looking at its quality, it must have a hundred years of maturity. Brother, for this herb I offer one million..."


    "One million for a Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng of such fine quality? You must be joking. I bid five million, sell it to me!"


    "I bid six million..."


    In no time, Xiao Yi found himself surrounded by a throng of people, each eagerly bidding to acquire the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Seeing Xiao Yi remain unmoved, a middle-aged man stepped forward and said, "Young man, my mother is gravely ill and in dire need of the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng to survive. I''m willing to pay ten million silver, could you please sell it to me?"


    Ten million?


    Xiao Yi blinked, marveling at how he had spent only ten thousand silver but had gained an herb worth ten million.


    A ten thousand percent profit!


    "Young man, please..." the strong man begged with a piteous face.


    Xiao Yi sighed and said, "All right, I''ll sell it to you."


    "Thank you, thank you so much!"


    The middle-aged man''s face lit up with ecstasy, as he took out a stack of silver notes from his Storage Ring, ready to make the transaction. But at that moment, an arrogant voice cut through the crowd, "Eh? This Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng looks good. Taking it back for soup would be highly nourishing; I''ll take it, young master!"


    "Hm?"


    The middle-aged man''s face slightly changed as he looked over to the source of the voice.


    A young man named Zhang Yang, hands clasped behind his back, appeared before the crowd with an air of aloofness.


    The middle-aged man''s expression turned ugly as he said in a deep voice, "Brother, I saw this herb first and I hope..."


    Smack!


    A burly man standing behind the young man backhanded the middle-aged man across the face, sending him tumbling to the ground while saying coldly, "Who do you think you are? Worthy to call our young master brother?"


    "You..."


    The middle-aged man''s face turned ashen.


    The young man looked up at Xiao Yi, his lips curling with amusement, "Kid, it''s a small world, isn''t it? I didn''t expect to bump into you so soon!"


    Wasn''t this young man Tan Huajian?


    The cultivation of the burly man beside him was at the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. His muscles were like heavy slabs of metal, intricately outlined, stands next to Tan Huajian like a chunk of solid iron.


    Xiao Yi frowned as he helped the middle-aged man to his feet, saying, "Keep the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng for yourself."


    "This..."


    The middle-aged man was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi handed back the silver notes to him and said with a smile, "Better for you to take it to save your mother, than to let it be wasted by some beasts unworthy of it!"


    "Brother, thank you!"


    The middle-aged man took the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng gratefully, shooting a glance filled with gratitude at Xiao Yi, and whispered, "Please be careful, they''re dangerous."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively, "Don''t worry, they''re just annoying flies."


    As Xiao Yi handed over the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng to the middle-aged man, Tan Huajian''s face turned livid as he said coldly, "Kid, are you deaf? Didn''t you hear me? I said I wanted the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng, how dare you give it to someone else?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "And you are? Do I know you?"


    "You..."


    Tan Huajian''s face contorted with displeasure.


    He had no use for the Purple Jade Dragon King Ginseng himself; his intention had been merely to spoil Xiao Yi''s deal. And now, Xiao Yi had the audacity to give the ginseng away right in front of him.


    In Tan Huajian''s eyes, it was an utter affront to his own dignity!


    Tan Huajian turned to the burly man beside him, "Ah Long, cripple his cultivation, break his arms and legs!"


    "Understood!"


    Ah Long cracked his neck, producing a series of crisp sounds.


    He stepped forward.


    Ah Long was now in front of Xiao Yi, his right hand clenched into a fist, his knuckles crackling like thunder. With a punch thrown, the whistling of his fist carried the fury of wind and thunder, heading straight for Xiao Yi.


    This punch was infused with the essence of fist intent.


    ```


    A cage of condensed fighting intent had formed, trapping Xiao Yi within its confines.


    An immense pressure bore down from all directions.


    "This is the Tan Family''s Iron Fist Ah Long. It is said that he was once a slave, but was kept by the Tan Family due to his exceptional combat talent..."


    "The strongest aspect of Iron Fist Ah Long is his pair of fists, which are said to have reached the third stage of fighting intent, extremely terrifying!"


    "That youngster is in danger!"


    Mastering the third stage of fighting intent at the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, his combat power could rival someone at the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm; even among the top ten sects, a being like Ah Long could be considered a genius.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sharpened, a glint of cold light flashing through them like thunder.


    All that could be seen was a flash of black light before him.


    Xiao Yi''s right hand formed a palm and blocked in front of him; with a crisp snap, that mocking, iron fist was steadied firmly in his grasp.


    Hiss!


    Sparks flew from under Xiao Yi''s feet as he slid backward two meters, fist and all.


    The power of that punch was imaginable.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "At the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, you can make me retreat? If I were to bring this man back, my Xiaoshanhe Institute could gain another remarkable warrior!"


    Amazement painted Ah Long''s face, shock overwhelming his heart, "A mere First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm blocked my Invincible Iron Fist?"


    His expertise was in boxing.


    The name Iron Fist Ah Long was already famous throughout Beast Emperor City.


    Even among those desperados on the Slave Battlefield who licked the edges of blades, there were few who could withstand more than three moves from him. Xiao Yi was only at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, yet he had so easily blocked his punch.


    This level of strength was truly terrifying!


    Tan Huajian, unaware of Ah Long''s shock, assumed Ah Long had not put forth his full strength. He raised his black whip and lashed toward him, and with a crisp snap, the piercing sound of flesh being torn followed.


    A sinister streak of blood appeared on Ah Long''s back, soaking his clothes red in an instant.


    Tan Huajian bellowed, "Useless thing, why haven''t you killed him for me yet?"


    Ah Long grimaced in pain, a flash of hatred and resentment crossing the depths of his eyes, but as a mere slave, defying his master would mean being hunted by the entire Beast Emperor City.


    Grinding his teeth, Ah Long could only lash out again with his fists, "Invincible Iron Fist!"


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Fists rained down like a torrential downpour.


    Xiao Yi''s figure moved with ease, dodging the overwhelming barrage of fists from Ah Long and whispered, "Your name is Ah Long, right? Would you like to follow me?"


    "Huh?"


    Ah Long''s punches faltered.


    Xiao Yi continued whispering, "If you follow me, we will be partners. I''ll give you your freedom; you''ll no longer be a slave!"


    Hum!


    Ah Long''s expression changed dramatically.


    Freedom! S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That word could only appear in his dreams.


    Ah Long''s punches did not lessen; he whispered back begrudgingly, "Stop talking nonsense... I am but a slave; the Tan Family would never let me leave."


    "Don''t worry, as long as you''re willing to follow me, I''ll handle the Tan Family!" Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    Ah Long halted his assault, frowning, "You''ll handle the Tan Family? What makes you think I can trust you?"


    Tan Huajian, seeing Ah Long stop, was instantly furious, "You dog, did I tell you to stop? Kill him for me, get to it��"


    Snap! Snap! Snap!


    The black whip continued to strike Ah Long''s body relentlessly.


    Even with Ah Long''s strong physique, he was covered in wounds from the whip''s lashes.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, flashed past Ah Long, grabbed the whip with a fierce yank, pulling Tan Huajian in front of him. The whip coiled around Tan Huajian''s neck as he looked at Ah Long with amusement: "This is the proof!"


    "What are you doing? Let go of me��"


    Pinned to the ground by Xiao Yi, Tan Huajian was a picture of humiliation and fury, roaring at Ah Long, "Bastard, you see me being held down here and do nothing? Kill him for me or I swear I will kill you..."


    Roar!


    Ah Long''s eyes blazed red, his fists clenched tightly, veins pulsing on his arms.


    Whoosh!


    He threw a punch forward.


    Xiao Yi remained smiling, not moving an inch.


    Tan Huajian''s face showed a smug satisfaction, "You bastard, you''re done for..."


    Before he could finish.


    His expression of satisfaction turned to horror and disbelief; the punch was not meant for Xiao Yi, but headed straight for his head. With a loud bang, Tan Huajian''s head exploded, leaving his body beyond recognition.


    Huffing! Huffing!


    Ah Long gasped for air, his reddened eyes filled with exhilaration and a sense of liberation, staring intently at Xiao Yi, "You said, you would give me freedom!"


    Xiao Yi smiled broadly, "Welcome to Xiaoshanhe Institute!"

 Chapter 314 - 314: Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce

    Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce, within the main hall.


    A dead silence filled the area, as everyone stared dumbfounded at Tan Huajian, who had become a headless corpse lying in a pool of blood.


    This was the young master of the Tan Family.


    To have been publicly killed like this was a major incident!


    The look in people''s eyes when they turned to Xiao Yi was full of deep awe and shock. Of course, there were quite a few who gazed at him and Along with schadenfreude and mockery, "You two are dead meat, the Tan Family is a giant in Beast Emperor City!"


    "They control the slave market and have many powerful followers under their command. Killing Tan Huajian will surely bring about the Tan Family''s retribution!"


    "Especially that big guy, he''s a slave! To dare turn on his master, he''s going to be dismembered..."


    Murmurs ran through the crowd.


    Along looked at Xiao Yi with a worried expression.


    He had also been seduced by the promise of freedom that Xiao Yi talked about, and had killed Tan Huajian in a rage after being humiliated over and over again by him. Now that he had calmed down, he was filled with regret.


    A slave turning on his master was a serious offense.


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "Afraid of what? They are talking about a slave turning on his master, but you are not a slave!"


    "I��I''m not a slave?"


    Along paused, looking incredulously at Xiao Yi.


    Ever since he could remember, he had been a slave, and countless of his tribe members were slaves as well.


    Along had forgotten when was the last time he hadn''t been branded with a slave mark.


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder, laughing, "Don''t worry, from now on you are my companion. Since you are a companion, you are naturally free. How could you possibly be a slave?" S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But the Tan Family..." Along hesitated.


    He was acutely aware of how terrifying the Tan Family was!


    His people had once lived carefree on a remote island above the Beast Emperor Sea.


    It was the appearance of the Tan Family, like demons, slaughtering, looting, and capturing... that nearly wiped out his tribe. Many of his fellow tribesmen, who had suffered the same fate, were still in the Tan Family''s slave market.


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder again and smiled, "We can''t stay here long; let''s go somewhere else to look around."


    The strongest of the Tan Family was only a Dharma Manifestation Realm level-one strongman, and with Xiao Yi''s current strength, even if a Dharma Manifestation Realm level-three expert were to come after him, he was confident he could escape unscathed.


    That was the confidence that had emboldened him to behead Tan Huajian!


    The two of them had just left.


    A group of powerful warriors clad in battle armor appeared within the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce.


    Looking at the headless corpse, this group of law enforcers felt a tingling on their scalps. Killing fights were forbidden in Beast Emperor City, yet someone from the Tan Family had died, and a slave of the Tan''s was taken away.


    This was a major incident.


    The leader of the Law Enforcement Team rubbed his brow, feeling a headache coming on, "Send Tan Huajian''s body back to the Tan Family. This is no longer something we can intervene in; let the Tan Family deal with it themselves!"


    ......


    Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    Xiao Yi looked at Along, who had changed into a new set of clothes and was holding a roasted beast leg, savoring it deliciously, speechlessly asking, "Is that thing really so tasty?"


    Along rolled his eyes, his mouth greasy, and mumbled indistinctly, "I can''t remember the last time I ate meat!"


    Xiao Yi paused mid-step, frowning, "Along, are there many slaves in this Beast Emperor City?"


    "Hmm!"


    Along nodded, his eyes red as he spoke, "All under the control of the Tan Family. Just from my tribe alone, more than ten thousand of our people have been made slaves by them."


    Xiao Yi frowned, "How are these slaves in terms of talent?"


    "Talent?"


    Along paused, thought for a moment, and said, "Those who are kept by the Tan Family as slaves generally have some talent. However, those with truly high talent are all in the Slave Battlefield, kept by various powers as tools for gambling and entertainment!"


    At the mention of the Slave Battlefield, Along involuntarily exuded a terrifying Evil Qi.


    That was the slaughterhouse of slaves.


    A paradise for the high and mighty!


    Countless slaves battled for their lives on the Slave Battlefield, and freedom from slavery was theirs if they could secure a hundred victories. But how many could achieve a hundred wins?


    Even the mighty Along had only won sixty-five battles so far.


    Xiao Yi stroked his chin and said, "The Tan Family has such a vast slave resource in their hands. If I could find more people with Along''s talent to bring back and make them disciples of my Xiaoshanhe Institute, why should my institute worry about not prospering?"


    At this thought.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes gleamed brighter, but he was well aware that behind the Tan Family stood Sha Kun, who was a sixth-level expert in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. With his current strength, confrontation was not an option. "It seems I must find a way to enhance my realm first. The matter of the slaves can wait!"


    "Institute Head, the people from the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce have arrived!" Along''s voice rang in his ear.


    Xiao Yi looked ahead and saw a beautiful figure in a red dress with a curvaceous and graceful silhouette approaching. A beauty mark sat by her lips, and she smiled charmingly, "Shi Feiya pays respects to the young master. I hear you''re looking for me for a big trade?"


    Shi Feiya had striking beauty and a natural allure.


    Every frown and smile seemed to stir the heart.


    "Xiao Yi has met President Shi!"


    Xiao Yi, with a mind unmoved, clasped his hands toward her and said, "I wish to purchase a large quantity of medicinal materials. May I inquire if President Shi is interested?"


    Shi Feiya was startled and raised her eyebrows. "Mister Xiao, may I ask just how ''large'' is the volume you speak of?"


    Xiao Yi threw out a list. "As stated in the list!"


    Shi Feiya took the list and couldn''t help but gasp.


    Even though her Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce was one of the three major medicinal material chambers in Beast Emperor City, it was rare to see an order of such magnitude. According to the list, the annual transaction amount was over a hundred billion.


    However...


    Shi Feiya furrowed her brows slightly and said gravely, "Mister Xiao, our Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce can certainly handle this order, but the problem is your Xiaoshanhe Institute is located within the Great Qian Dynasty. That''s the territory of Medicine King Valley. Aren''t you afraid of offending them by working with us?"


    "What? Is President Shi afraid of Medicine King Valley?" Xiao Yi said with a hint of jest.


    "Yes indeed, I''m just a defenseless woman, and Medicine King Valley is the overlord of the Southern State. How could I not be afraid?" Shi Feiya raised her eyebrows with a seductive and vulnerable look that could not help but provoke a protective instinct in others.


    Xiao Yi smiled. "If so, I''ll just find someone else!"


    Watching Xiao Yi turn to leave.


    Shi Feiya''s enticing and vulnerable expression froze. Stamping her foot in vexation and gritting her teeth, she called out, "Please wait a moment, Mister Xiao..."


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi looked at her with amusement.


    Shi Feiya said helplessly, "This order is also a great opportunity for the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, but it requires further discussion. Please come back to this place after three days, and I promise to give you an answer. How does that sound?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head. "No later than tomorrow!"


    "This..."


    Shi Feiya hesitated and, seeing Xiao Yi''s firm demeanor, relented, "Alright, I''ll have an answer for you tomorrow!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and then asked, "President Shi, may I ask if there''s any place worth visiting in Beast Emperor City?"


    "A place worth visiting?"


    Shi Feiya''s brows slightly furrowed and her eyes lit up. "Mister Xiao must have just broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, right? In the west of the city, there is a Cave of Desire. You might want to try visiting it; perhaps you''ll come across an unexpected gain!"


    "Cave of Desire?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and clasped his hands toward her. "Thank you for the suggestion, President Shi. I''ll be back tomorrow to discuss the matter!"


    Watching the retreating figure of Xiao Yi.


    Shi Feiya''s lips curled slightly at the corners, revealing a dimple near the beauty mark, "What an interesting young man..."

 Chapter 315 - 315: Cave of Desire

    Beast Emperor City was immense beyond compare.


    It was divided into five major city districts: east, south, west, north, and central, with the East City District being the black market.


    The West City District was also bustling with activity.


    Under Along''s lead, Xiao Yi rented a horse-drawn carriage and, for the cost of ten thousand Silver, arrived at the Cave of Desire located in the West City. This Cave of Desire was a huge cavern.


    To the left and right of the cave, a nine-story tower was constructed respectively.


    Along explained, "These two towers are known as the Demon Suppression Towers... It is said that deep within the Cave of Desire, an evil Demon Spirit brimming with wickedness is sealed. The first City Lord of Beast Emperor City built these two towers in an attempt to suppress the Demon Spirit within the Cave of Desire!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    He didn''t believe in such tales of suppressing Demon Spirits.


    As the two approached the Cave of Desire, they found that many powerhouses were already queuing up in front, and at the entrance of the Cave of Desire, there were ten strong men dressed in the armor of the Law Enforcement Team standing guard.


    In the center, an old man sat nonchalantly at a small table.


    "This old man is not simple!"


    Xiao Yi watched the old man, warily on guard inside.


    Even though this person''s cultivation might not have reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he was still more terrifying than the usual peak Tao Tribulation Realm cultivator!


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept around.


    At the entrance of the Cave of Desire, there was actually a black stele.


    On the stele, there were names inscribed.


    The one at the top was none other than Xiao Tianjiao!


    Behind Xiao Tianjiao''s name, there were seventeen golden stars twinkling.


    "Why would Xiao Tianjiao''s name be here?"


    Xiao Yi turned to Along and asked, "Along, who are the people listed on that stele?"


    Along, who somehow had produced a roasted beast leg to gnaw on, mumbled vaguely, "That''s the ranking for the Cave of Desire. See the one ranked first, Xiao Tianjiao? It is said that he comes from the Great Qian Dynasty and is an unparalleled genius. He once came to the Cave of Desire when he was at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm and bravely made it to the seventeenth level. At that time, the entire Beast Emperor City was shaken!"


    Xiao Yi murmured, "Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm? The seventeenth level? Just how many levels does the Cave of Desire have?"


    Along said, "There are a total of eighteen levels. It is said that the Evil Demon Spirit is sealed on the eighteenth level. If one can enter there, they can gain the strength of the Demon Spirit. However, to this day, no one has ever reached the eighteenth level..."


    "Evil Demon Spirit?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Even Xiao Tianjiao was stopped at the seventeenth level? I''m curious as to where my limit lies!"


    "Make way, all of you, make way!"


    There suddenly came a hurried rush of footsteps from behind the crowd, and a haughty young man followed by a group of people walked over. This young man had an air of arrogance, with a look of disdain for everyone, and a dark long spear on his back. S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The people in line stepped aside to make room.


    "Who is that?" Xiao Yi asked, puzzled.


    Along shook his head.


    He was just a slave, how could he know so much?


    The cultivator from the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm who had been standing in front of Xiao Yi turned around and said, "You don''t know him? He is Sha Ying, the Vice City Lord Sha Kun''s son from our Beast Emperor City. He''s considered an extraordinary genius, and it''s said that he has always idolized Xiao Tianjiao, striving to surpass him. He''s already made it to the fifteenth level before but refuses to leave his name on the ranking. He''s probably here this time to challenge Xiao Tianjiao''s record!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking with interest at the imperious Sha Ying, "To idolize Xiao Tianjiao? That''s quite interesting!"


    Sha Ying quickly entered.


    The crowd continued to queue, and after a short while,


    it finally came to their turn. The old man sat there calmly, his eyes not even bothering to look up, "Tao Tribulation Realm, one million entry fee per person!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and handed over two million Silver.


    This Beast Emperor City really does charge money for everything!


    If a poor person were here, they wouldn''t even be able to afford a meal.


    As Xiao Yi entered the Cave of Desire, he found himself in a narrow passageway. While walking, he suddenly discovered that Along had disappeared from his side. Abruptly, two diverging paths appeared before him.


    Between the two paths stood a stele.


    On the stele was written: Left for life, right for death.


    Choose the path of life, leave the cave!


    Choose the path of death, risk falling!


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Just entered and then leave? I doubt anyone would choose that!"


    He headed straight for the path on the right.


    Suddenly, everything in front of him changed dramatically. A pitch-black space materialized before him, and amidst clanging noises, massive black stone walls fell into place all around him.


    They formed a square cage, sealing Xiao Yi within.


    Woosh!


    Woosh!


    Two beams of light fell in front of Xiao Yi. The left transformed into a group of elderly, women, and children, while the right became a host of fierce-looking bandits exuding evil qi.


    A hoarse voice echoed in the air: "Choose one group as your opponent, kill them all, and you may proceed to the next level!"


    One side held bandits, the other the elderly, women, and children.


    If one wished to pass easily, naturally they would choose the latter.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders but, without a second thought, walked straight toward the bandits.


    Roar!


    The bandits'' eyes revealed a ferocious look, their glow disappearing, and like unleashed wild horses, they charged towards Xiao Yi. Facing this group of bandits, Xiao Yi showed no mercy, unleashing a sword finger slash that swept through the air.


    Woosh!


    A silver sword light burst forth from his fingertips.


    Wherever the light passed, the bandits were ground into pieces, left without a resting place in death.


    And after these bandits died, they turned into glimmers of light resembling stars, swiftly merging into Xiao Yi''s body. A glint of understanding flashed across his eyes, "This, this feeling... Is this the power of heaven and earth?"


    Those fallen bandits turned out to be manifestations of the force of heaven and earth.


    Upon being crushed, this force of heaven and earth merged into his body.


    Xiao Yi could distinctly feel his Martial Dao Divine Fruit becoming even more refined, hinting at the forming of a second layer of Dao patterns. He revealed a look of wild joy, "This Cave of Desire actually has such miraculous effects, it seems I really came to the right place!"


    Just as Xiao Yi was about to continue to the next level.


    Those elderly, women, and children who he had not chosen displayed warm smiles, their hands pressed together as they directed looks of gratitude and praise towards him.


    Woosh, woosh, woosh!


    They too transformed into a vast expanse of stars, merging into Xiao Yi''s body.


    Xiao Yi''s Martial Dao Divine Fruit possessed nine Dao patterns, with the five elemental Dao patterns each representing one of the five elements of the force of heaven and earth, and the Yin-Yang Dao patterns each representing two parts of the Yin and Yang forces of heaven and earth.


    Now...


    After absorbing these two waves of light, the heavenly forces he controlled each increased by half a part.


    With a gleam in his eyes, Xiao Yi moved towards the entrance of the second layer that had appeared before him.


    This time, two choices again presented themselves before Xiao Yi.


    In front of him...


    On the left was Fang Qingzhu, and on the right was also Fang Qingzhu.


    An icy voice subsequently rang in his mind, causing Xiao Yi''s expression to undergo a sudden change: "..."

 Chapter 316 - 316: Breaking Records Again, The 18th Layer!

    "Within half an incense stick''s time, killing any one person will let you pass this round!"


    A cold voice echoed in his mind.


    On the left, Fang Qingzhu wore a serene smile, in the prime of her youth; on the right, a pregnant Fang Qingzhu, her belly swollen, was speaking to Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, our child will be born soon!"


    Two Fang Qingzhus.


    They were the most important people to Xiao Yi.


    However, the one on the left was alone, while the one on the right was with child, carrying Xiao Yi''s baby.


    Within half an incense stick''s time!


    He must kill one!


    As time dripped away, Xiao Yi sighed, walked towards the two Fang Qingzhus, and gently caressed their faces, as real as any, "Qingzhu, are you doing well now? Wait for me; I will definitely come find you!"


    The cold voice sounded again: "Time''s up, please make your choice!"


    "Choose my ass!"


    Xiao Yi curled his lip, "Even if they''re fake, I refuse to make any choice between them!"


    The cold voice fell silent for a while, its tone chilling and threatening, "If you don''t choose, you will be expelled from the Cave of Desire. You should know, with your talent and strength, it is very likely you will surpass Xiao Tianjiao and gain the power of the demon spirit!"


    "I do crave power, but if it means exchanging it for the people I treasure, I''d rather not have that power!" Xiao Yi''s voice was calm, but his resolve was unwavering.


    The cold voice completely disappeared. S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The two "Fang Qingzhus" in front of him vanished at the same time, turning into stars that merged into his body.


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi''s whole body shook.


    The Martial Dao Divine Fruit emerged from his body, gathering above his head, and with a crisp "pop," nine more Dao patterns condensed on it.


    The power of the Five Elements reached twenty percent.


    The power of Yin and Yang reached thirty percent.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation officially stepped into the Second Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    "Just two layers, and I''ve already broken through a minor realm? What kind of power is hidden in this Cave of Desire? Unbelievable, truly unbelievable!" Xiao Yi absorbed the Martial Dao Divine Fruit back into his body and stepped into the third layer.


    Then the fourth layer.


    The fifth layer.


    The sixth layer...


    Xiao Yi advanced unobstructed.


    The choices he faced became increasingly bizarre, but Xiao Yi always kept his initial resolve and pressed forward decisively.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Xiao Yi had already reached the seventeenth layer, and the forty-five Dao patterns on his Martial Dao meant that his cultivation had reached the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    With his current strength, even if he faced an expert at the Fifth Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he had the confidence to fight!


    "The seventeenth layer, Xiao Tianjiao stopped at this layer. When you reached this step, Xiao Tianjiao, you were already at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, yet I am merely at the Fifth Layer..."


    Xiao Yi licked his lips, his eyes shining as he stared at the two pillars of light that had appeared in front of him, "As long as I get through this, I will have broken another one of your records!"


    This journey.


    The Combat Pavilion, the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower, the Tribulation of Heaven in the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Xiao Yi had already consecutively broken three records that Xiao Tianjiao took pride in!


    Now...


    The fourth record was right in front of him!


    Hum!


    The two pillars of light paused.


    In front of Xiao Yi, two figures appeared; on the left was Xiao Tianjiao, but he was in a sorry state, tied to a wooden stake. In front of him, a cursed demon sword enveloped in runes, its black aura swirling.


    On the right was a low grave, with a tombstone standing over it.


    The tombstone read��The grave of Mrs. Liu from the Xiao Clan!


    It was the grave of Xiao Yi''s mother!


    The cold voice sounded at the same time, "The sword on the left is the Cursed Demon Sword, use it to slay Xiao Tianjiao, and the curse will manifest in reality; Xiao Tianjiao will die from the curse, and killing Xiao Tianjiao will let you pass. On the right is your mother''s grave, kneel and worship, and you may also pass!"


    This voice was utterly calm, yet held a strange magic power within it.


    Xiao Yi could clearly hear his own heart pounding.


    It was as if a million mouths were whispering in his ear, tempting him, "Kill Xiao Tianjiao, and no one will be able to threaten you anymore!"


    "Once you kill Xiao Tianjiao, the Xiao Family will lose their support, and they will have to beg you to return. Then you can worship your mother; why waste the opportunity here?"


    "Kill Xiao Tianjiao..."


    Wave after wave of seductive voices arose in his ears.


    Xiao Yi involuntarily walked towards Xiao Tianjiao, his palm already gripping the demon sword.


    Xiao Tianjiao!


    This was one of Xiao Yi''s heart demons, which he vowed to slay!


    Hum!


    The demon sword had been pulled out from the ground, the blade enveloped in black demonic Qi and the runes shimmered with dazzling light. With just a slight thrust forward, he could completely eradicate the heart demon that was Xiao Tianjiao.


    Afterward, his martial path would be unimpeded.


    He could even use a curse to kill Xiao Tianjiao.


    The sword''s tip moved constantly forward.


    Just as he was about to behead Xiao Tianjiao, a buzzing sounded in Xiao Yi''s mind.


    "My heart is as iron, unbreakable; my heart is as a sword, peerlessly sharp!"


    Mysterious sounds emanated from Xiao Yi''s mouth, dispelling the countless beguiling voices around him. He abruptly flung his arm, tossing the demon sword aside, and began to gasp for breath.


    In that instant, he was already drenched in a cold sweat.


    Huff! Huff!


    Xiao Yi gasping heavily, stared at Xiao Tianjiao tied to the wooden post and snorted coldly, "I, Xiao Yi, will deal with you myself..."


    He promptly turned around.


    Xiao Yi kneeled before the lowly grave with a thump, respectfully kowtowed three times, and spoke solemnly, "Mother, please forgive your unfilial son for not being able to worship at your grave. But believe me, it won''t be long before I can pay tribute to you openly and honorably!"


    Hum!


    The image of Xiao Tianjiao and the lowly grave vanished before him.


    An extremely terrifying surge of energy madly flooded into Xiao Yi''s body.


    The Martial Dao Divine Fruit left his body once more, hovering above his head as the Dao patterns continued to climb. It increased to fifty-four Dao patterns, and his cultivation formally stepped into the Sixth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm!


    At the same time...


    The heavenly and earthly energies within Xiao Yi''s body surged into the God Sealing Seed, increasing their number by tens of millions, reaching a total of sixty million!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi''s figure darted into the eighteenth layer.


    He...


    Once again broke the record set by Xiao Tianjiao!


    Moreover.


    Xiao Yi also became the only one since ancient times to enter the eighteenth layer of the Cave of Desire.


    And just moments before Xiao Yi stepped into the eighteenth layer...


    Outside the Cave of Desire.


    Sha Ying''s figure appeared before everyone, his mouth slightly curving upwards, enjoying the adulation and gazes of the crowd with a proud face.


    "Young Master Sha Ying, have you broken Xiao Tianjiao''s record this time?"


    "Is that even a question? Last time Young Master Sha Ying reached the fifteenth layer, and now that his cultivation has ascended to the Peak of Tao Tribulation Realm, he''s definitely stronger than Xiao Tianjiao!"


    The crowd flattered him.


    Sha Ying''s eyes twinkled with pride, but he maintained a nonchalant facade and waved his hand, "Xiao Tianjiao is, after all, the strongest genius in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty. I still have some distance to cover. This time, I barely reached the sixteenth layer, just one step away!"


    "The sixteenth layer?"


    "That''s terrifying as well. Since the emergence of the Cave of Desire, there have been no more than nine individuals who have reached the sixteenth layer. Young Master, you are the youngest among them. Once you''re on the ranking, you will definitely be second only to Xiao Tianjiao!"


    The crowd remarked one after another.


    Sha Ying feigned difficulty, nodded his head, and said, "So be it, I shall leave my name then!"


    Sha Ying, with a smile, turned to the elder, "Elder, please inscribe my name on the ranking board!"


    "Hmm!"


    The elder nonchalantly wrote down Sha Ying''s name.


    Watching his name placed second, just behind Xiao Tianjiao, Sha Ying''s mouth curved upward, bearing a proud demeanor.


    However...


    The elder suddenly let out a sound of surprise.


    His gray eyebrows furrowed tightly, then relaxed as his palm gently swept over the ranking board. Xiao Tianjiao''s name moved back a step, and Sha Ying''s name also fell to the third position.


    Sha Ying''s face stiffened with self-satisfaction, and he looked puzzled at the elder, "Elder, what does this mean?"


    The elder let out an "Oh" and spoke in a haunting tone that left Sha Ying''s face resembling a liverish hue, "Someone has reached the eighteenth layer. Xiao Tianjiao is now historically second, and you, third..."

 Chapter 317 - 317: Kneel Not to the Heavens Above, Nor to the Earth Below!

    "Xiao Tianjiao ranks second, and you''re third!"


    The elder spoke slowly and deliberately.


    What?


    Sha Ying''s face, which was filled with triumph and excitement, suddenly froze, and he looked at the elder in confusion, asking in disbelief, "What, what did you say? Someone entered the eighteenth level?"


    "Yes!"


    The elder nodded.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    Sha Ying''s face was a picture of confusion, turning pale and then flushing red, as he roared in disbelief, "This is impossible... Even when Xiao Tianjiao was at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he only reached the seventeenth level. How can anyone enter the eighteenth level? Could it be that some old ancestor from the Dharma Manifestation Realm has entered?"


    He simply couldn''t imagine, if Xiao Tianjiao himself couldn''t break through the seventeenth level, how could anyone else manage to reach it.


    The surrounding crowd, shocked, nodded in agreement, "It must be an old ancestor of the Dharma Manifestation Realm challenging it. Among those in the Tao Tribulation Realm, no one should possess greater talent than Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "Was there a Dharma Manifestation Realm old ancestor just now? How come I didn''t notice?"


    "What kind of status does a Dharma Manifestation Realm old ancestor have? If he didn''t want you to notice him, even standing right in front of you, you wouldn''t recognize him!"


    However...


    The elder shook his head and said, "Not Dharma Manifestation, just Tao Tribulation!"


    Not Dharma Manifestation, just Tao Tribulation?


    Merely eight words.


    To Sha Ying, they sounded like a bolt out of the blue thundering in his ears, causing his face to alternate between pale and flushed, showing an intense color of disbelief, "How can this be? I don''t believe it, I can''t believe it... In the Tao Tribulation Realm, who can be stronger than me, stronger than Xiao Tianjiao? How can such a being exist..."


    His face was extremely ugly.


    Recalling how he had just breached the sixteenth level, only one step away from his idol.


    He was so happy, so excited, so proud!


    But now...


    Reality had slapped him hard across the face.


    No!


    This was rubbing his face in the dirt!


    "Damn it, who is this person who has the audacity to humiliate me so? I will tear you to pieces..." Sha Ying''s eyes were bloodshot, his initial shock turning into venomous hatred.


    Today was supposed to be the most glorious day of his life.


    But now...


    All of it had turned into a mirage, into a stepping stone for Xiao Yi.


    Sha Ying''s eyes gleamed with a vicious cold light. Had the person breaking through been an old ancestor of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he would have hesitated to seek revenge, but the elder in front of him had already clarified that the other party was not an old ancestor from the Dharma Manifestation Realm. With his status, wasn''t it a simple matter for him to crush the other party as he pleased?


    At this moment.


    Xiao Yi, deep within the Cave of Desire, had no idea of Sha Ying''s thoughts.


    He had already entered the eighteenth level.


    In front of him was an endless expanse of pitch darkness, with an aura of ghostly solemnity. The world was pitch black without any light. Yet strangely, in such an environment, Xiao Yi could still clearly see everything in front of him.


    In the center of this dark space, a colossal figure lay prostrate on the ground.


    "What is that?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank slightly. Upon seeing the figure, he instinctively felt a heart-throbbing sensation.


    Even Little Lin in his arms was restless and uneasy.


    Wriggling its body and poking its head out, its eyes full of wariness, it said, "Boss, I have a very bad feeling about this..."


    "Don''t worry, I''m here!"


    Xiao Yi patted its head reassuringly as he cautiously approached the massive figure.


    In this entire dark space, there was only this one dark existence.


    The mountain appears near but is far in reality.


    What seemed to be a mere few hundred meters away turned out to be several kilometers in distance. As Xiao Yi approached the dark figure, he couldn''t help but inhale sharply.


    This immense body was a thousand zhang tall, towering and reaching into the Azure Sea.


    It was not a mountain peak.


    This was, shockingly, half a head.


    Just half a head, and yet it was a thousand zhang tall. What kind of massive creature could this be?


    "You''ve come!"


    An ancient voice suddenly rang out. sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It seemed to come from the depths of the void, echoing throughout the empty Cave of Desire on the eighteenth layer, vast and filled with majesty, and even a trace of vicissitude.


    As if it had witnessed the ancient vastness, seen the Azure Sea turned into mulberry fields.


    "Who is the senior?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Humm!


    Above the enormous beast''s head, a shadowy figure fell.


    It was an elder with a cane.


    With kind eyebrows and benevolent eyes, and a red mole between the eyebrows, compassionate and merciful, his eyes were peaceful and profound, like a calm ocean. In his eyes, seemingly a cycle of vast phenomena, they rested upon Xiao Yi and Little Lin in his arms.


    "I had thought that it would be Xiao Tianjiao who could enter the eighteenth layer, but he stopped at the seventeenth. You, you are even more outstanding!" The elder''s ancient gaze carried a hint of peculiar colors.


    Making one''s state of mind unconsciously become tranquil.


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, "May I ask who the senior is?"


    "You may call me Xuan!"


    Xuan smiled, then said, "Little fellow, aren''t you curious about what Xiao Tianjiao encountered on the seventeenth layer?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Xuan waved his hand.


    A screen of light fell before Xiao Yi, showing the figure of Xiao Tianjiao within it. Before him appeared two choices. On the left was Xiao Yi, and on the right was the grave of Xiao Yi''s mother.


    "Nothing but trash, killing him would dirty my hands. As for this..."


    Xiao Tianjiao''s proud words came from the screen, his gaze directed at the humble grave: "I, Xiao Tianjiao, do not kneel to heaven above or earth below, how could I kneel to a dead person?"


    Xiao Tianjiao, with a wave of his hand.


    Boom!


    The entire grave burst apart.


    Even though it was merely an illusion, Xiao Yi''s body still tensed, his eyes turning completely red in an instant. He gritted his teeth tightly, making a grinding noise: "Xiao Tianjiao..."


    Each word was uttered with exceptional weight.


    As if he wanted to grind him to dust.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s pride and strength were evident.


    The illusion had not confused his mind.


    But his pride made even the thought of annihilating Xiao Yi''s illusion feel like a disgrace, as if killing Xiao Yi would taint his hands. Even in front of the grave of his birth mother, he disdained to offer tribute.


    Not kneeling to heaven or earth.


    What was his mother?


    What right did she have to make me, Xiao Tianjiao, kneel?


    With just a palm strike, shattering the mother''s grave, even though it was an illusion, the indifference and ruthlessness of Xiao Tianjiao could still be seen.


    The light screen quietly disappeared.


    Xuan gazed at Xiao Yi, saying, "Do you hate him?"


    "What does it have to do with you?"


    Xiao Yi looked up at Xuan, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly.


    Xuan narrowed his eyes, saying, "I can give you the power to surpass him!"


    The voice was enticing and mesmerizing.


    Those with weak wills,


    Would surely be affected.


    Xiao Yi bit his tongue, the sweetness and sting helping him to regain clarity, he said coldly, "Without you, I can still surpass him, Xiao Tianjiao!"


    Xuan fell silent.


    After a long moment,


    Xuan revealed a gratified smile, "Having passed the test of the seventeenth layer of the Cave of Desire, you truly did not disappoint me. Xiao Yi, aren''t you very curious about my identity?"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes.


    Xuan slowly began, "I am��"

 Chapter 318 - 318: The Nine Cauldrons Seal Eternal Life

    Xuan slowly spoke, revealing his identity, "I am right beneath your feet!"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    He subconsciously looked toward the ground, asking in confusion, "You are the Cave of Desire?"


    "..."


    The corner of Xuan''s eye twitched, he said, "I am the Beast Emperor Island beneath your feet!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    What the hell?


    Beast Emperor Island?


    He did not know the full size of the entire Beast Emperor Island, but he did know how vast the Beast Emperor City was, with billions of inhabitants, and it took two hours to travel from East City to West City by carriage.


    And that was no ordinary carriage.


    It was one pulled by Sea Dragon Horses, capable of travelling a thousand kilometers a day without breaking a sweat.


    Two hours, almost three hundred kilometers!


    Between two city districts, that''s nearly three hundred kilometers, so how massive was the whole Beast Emperor Island?


    At least four to five hundred kilometers in length and width!


    Xuan was actually saying he was the Beast Emperor Island?


    Has the island become incarnate?


    Xiao Yi sized up Xuan from head to toe and ventured, "Senior, have you become an island incarnation?"


    "..."


    Xuan''s eyelid twitched violently as he glared at Xiao Yi and said through clenched teeth, "What island incarnation... This Beast Emperor Island is my body, refined into an island by someone as a sacrifice."


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s mind went blank.


    He naturally knew about the methods of sacrifice, and indeed many powerful beings would refine the bodies or bones of powerful beasts into prime weapons. But after such a refinement, they usually remove the dross, and the scale only gets smaller.


    After Xuan''s body was refined, it was still a massive four to five hundred kilometers in length and width.


    How terrifying must his true form have been?


    "I was originally one of the Nine Beasts guarding the Hall of Longevity. Since Zhao Wuji shattered the Qingtian Realm in battle, the Hall of Longevity escaped into the depths of the void, and we, the Nine Beasts, scattered across various places in the Qingtian Realm."


    Xuan spoke unhurriedly, "I was on the brink of death back then, so I refined my body into this Beast Emperor Island. One, to transform my soul into an Artifact Spirit, managing to cling to life. And two, to protect one of the Nine Tripods, in hope that when the Hall of Longevity reappears in the world, I could return and be resurrected..."


    "Hall of Longevity?"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    Having received the legacy of sages like the Wind Thunder, he naturally knew of the Hall of Longevity''s existence.


    Legend has it...


    In the Ancient Era, the Qingtian Realm was united, and the natural energy of heaven and earth was a thousandfold, even ten-thousand-fold more abundant than it is now.


    But in that era when martial arts were first burgeoning, the martial arts system was in a chaotic, primitive state, with cultivation at its peak being no more than the Dharma Phase Realm Peak.


    Thus, an ancient mighty one crafted nine cauldrons and suppressed the martial fate of the Qingtian Realm within the Hall of Longevity. From then on, genuine martial arts began to flourish, and some powerful beings broke through the shackles of heaven and earth, stepping into the Longevity Secret Realm.


    It was precisely because of this.


    The world started to say, "The Nine Tripods secure longevity!"


    Yet even in the legacies of sages like Wind Thunder, references to the Hall of Longevity were scarce and ambiguous.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "Senior, are you saying that to step into the Longevity Secret Realm, one must truly have the Hall of Longevity?"


    "Not at all!"


    Xuan shook his head and chuckled, "Rumors are often exaggerated. Although there indeed are ways within the Hall of Longevity that allow one to enter the Longevity Secret Realm, its existence is not actually about breaking free from limitations to achieve longevity. The notion of ''The Nine Tripods secure longevity'' is about stabilizing heaven and earth with the nine cauldrons, constraining the great dao so that the powerhouses of the Longevity Secret Realm can move freely between heaven and earth. Have you noticed that ever since the Hall of Longevity vanished, those who walk the Longevity Secret Realm are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    That was precisely his confusion.


    Xuan continued, "The Longevity Secret Realm is too powerful; if its beings were allowed to roam freely between heaven and earth, the impact on the world would be enormous. A single Longevity Secret Realm being could draw all the natural energy of a nation with a mere breath... ''The Nine Tripods secure longevity'' stabilizes the earth and heaven, the great dao itself. Now that the Hall of Longevity has been struck by Zhao Wuji into the depths of the void, those from the Longevity Secret Realm naturally cannot wander freely between heaven and earth..."


    Xiao Yi suddenly realized, "So ''The Nine Tripods secure longevity'' refers to such anchoring!"


    No wonder, even a power such as the Great Qian Dynasty doesn''t have beings from the Longevity Secret Realm in existence.


    Perhaps the Longevity Secret Realm beings of the Great Qian Dynasty have just never walked among the world.


    Xuan said gravely, "Xiao Yi, I''ve waited for so many years, and you are the only one who has managed to come here. I am willing to bestow upon you one of the Nine Tripods of longevity. If one day the Hall of Longevity reappears in the world, I hope you can bring the Nine Tripods back to me, bringing my soul back to the Hall of Longevity!"


    The nine beasts of longevity were born together with the Hall of Longevity.


    If they could return to the Hall of Longevity, there was still hope for revival and rebirth!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, immersed in deep thought.


    He didn''t fully trust the ancient fellow before him who had lived for untold years. Dealing with such beings required extreme caution, or else one might be devoured to the point of leaving no remains.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s hesitation to agree, a look of urgency flashed in the depths of Xuan''s eyes, and he continued, "To show my sincerity, I am willing to give you two drops of the Beast Emperor''s heart blood!"


    Hum! Hum!


    With a casual gesture from Xuan, two drops of golden blood flew down from the peak of a thousand feet.


    The blood was like pearls.


    Crystal clear.


    It contained an overwhelming surge of the Qi of heaven and earth within.


    What is a Beast Emperor?


    Above the seventh rank, comparable to the Human Race''s Longevity Secret Realm!


    The heart blood of the Beast Emperor was especially precious. It was said that a seventh-rank Beast Emperor could only condense a few dozen drops of heart blood in its lifetime, and consuming it could extend one''s life by a thousand years.


    It also had tremendous benefits for martial artists.


    Little Lin was itching to move, its eyes gleaming as it looked at the two drops of heart blood.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, "Senior, please assist me and my brother in refining the heart blood!"


    "No problem!"


    Xuan nodded his head.


    With a wave of his hand.


    A dazzling golden cauldron fell between the two, and Xuan said, "This is one of the Nine Cauldrons, driven by the Qi of heaven and earth, it can speed up the refinement process. Place the heart blood within, and with your strength, you should be able to increase the refining speed by a hundredfold!"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly, a hundredfold refining speed?


    What if it was a Dharma Phase Realm practitioner, or even a master of the Longevity Secret Realm?


    Wouldn''t that be thousands or tens of thousands of times faster?


    One must know...


    Even consuming medicinal pills required a considerable amount of time.


    But if one could increase the speed of refinement, for instance, by a hundredfold, what would normally take a year would now only take three days. What kind of heaven-defying Divine Artifact was this?


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin sat cross-legged before the small cauldron, dropping the heart blood into it, with the Qi of heaven and earth driving the cauldron. Golden light circulated around the small cauldron, nine golden dragons moved about its body, and it began to vibrate with a humming sound.


    Brilliant rays of light enveloped both Xiao Yi and Little Lin.


    They could distinctly feel their power rising rapidly��such a refining speed was indeed terrifying!


    One hour.


    Two hours.


    Three hours...


    After just ten hours,


    the heart blood within the small cauldron was completely refined. Little Lin''s body flickered with golden light, its scale armor shining brilliantly. It had reached the high level of the sixth rank, comparable to the seventh layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Xiao Yi also advanced two realms, reaching the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and the number of God Sealing Seeds increased again to eighty million.


    With his current strength, he was a match for a practitioner of the Dharma Phase Realm at the eightfold level! S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Under normal circumstances, refining these two drops of heart blood would take at least three to four months, but now it''s only taken ten hours. With this hundredfold refining speed and with this Divine Artifact''s assistance, what difficulty would there be for my Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples to grow stronger?"


    Xiao Yi looked at the golden cauldron before him with a fervent gleam in his eyes. Turning to Xuan, he said, "Senior, I am willing to assist you!"


    "Excellent!"


    Xuan smiled with relief and eagerly said, "Xiao Yi, then quickly bond with this Longevity Cauldron! Simply drop a bit of fresh blood onto it!"


    Xiao Yi, looking thoughtful, glanced at Xuan and squeezed out a drop of essential blood, letting it fall onto the small cauldron.


    Hum!


    The golden cauldron shimmered, enveloping him within its light.


    Watching Xiao Yi covered in golden light, the benevolent expression on Xuan''s face vanished, replaced by a vicious and mad grin: "Hehehe, after being trapped for so many years, this emperor will finally escape! Hahaha, boy, your body now belongs to this emperor!"


    Hum!


    Xuan transformed into a streak of light and entered Xiao Yi''s brow.


    Witnessing this, Little Lin''s pores exploded, its eyes widened in fury, and two terrifying words surfaced in its mind��body snatching!

 Chapter 319 - 319: Youre the one seeking death!

    Body Possession!


    Xuan had actually used Xiao Yi to refine the Longevity Cauldron, and in the moment when he released his mind, he entered Xiao Yi''s forehead in an attempt to take over Xiao Yi''s body.


    Little Lin''s face showed humanized signs of anxiety, circling back and forth in desperation, "Xuan... you old thief, if you dare to hurt my boss, I will fight you to death and drag you to hell... "


    A smug voice from Xuan came out of Xiao Yi''s mouth, "Little one, if you dare to hurt me, you would be hurting your master."


    "Aaaargh..."


    Little Lin roared furiously.


    He was anxiously circling like an ant on a hot pan.


    Meanwhile...


    Xuan had already entered Xiao Yi''s soul, his face brimming with excitement, "To have passed the trial of the Cave of Desire, this boy''s willpower is strong enough to endure my soul. Coupled with the fact that his talent is not the slightest bit inferior to Xiao Tianjiao, even stronger, it seems that missing Xiao Tianjiao back then turned out to be a blessing in disguise! Hahaha... "


    In Xuan''s eyes, this body was already within his grasp.


    After all.


    He was the mighty Beast Emperor, comparable to the existence of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    And he had lived for countless years.


    His soul was exceptionally strong, by no means comparable to a mere twenty-year-old youth; to possess Xiao Yi''s body with his soul was as easy as taking something from one''s pocket.


    However...


    When Xuan entered Xiao Yi''s soul, he did not find Xiao Yi''s soul there.


    Xuan was baffled, "What''s going on? Where''s his soul? Without a soul, how can I devour it? How can I possess the body?"


    "Are you looking for me?"


    Suddenly, a playful voice came through.


    "Hmm?"


    Xuan was startled and looked in the direction of the sound.


    On that glance.


    His pupils suddenly dilated, and his eyes revealed intense shock and disbelief, "How, how, how is this possible? What, what exactly is that thing behind you?"


    In front of him...


    Xiao Yi''s soul stood suspended in mid-air, but behind him stood a vast graveyard.


    This was a graveyard floating in the midst of the stars, with countless stars falling like rain, giant celestials whizzing by, creating space ripples that stretched for billions of miles.


    The entire black graveyard, set amidst the stars, was encircled by four exceptionally dark dragons, as if cast from black iron, massive in size and connected head to tail around the graveyard.


    Like pillars supporting the heavens, they seemed to pierce through the entire starry sky.


    No fewer than eighty-one gigantic black chains hung from the tops of the pillars, on one end, extending deep into the depths of space, and on the other end, they hung upon eighty-one suns blazing with incomparably bright and hot light.


    The burning flames from each of the eighty-one suns could incinerate a realm, but they were firmly held up under the constraint of the black chains, upholding this mysterious pitch-black graveyard.


    Xiao Yi was currently standing at the entrance of the graveyard.


    To his left and right stood two cyan stone pillars, inscribed with two lines of blood-red characters, framing a couplet.


    A thousand calamities, a hundred lifetimes of hardship, pass in the blink of an eye throughout eternity.


    An immortal body, an indestructible soul, who can rival across ancient and present times?


    Above his head...


    Four towering characters emitted a despair-inducing aura��Eternal Heavenly Tomb!


    "Who exactly are you? What place is this?" Xuan felt as if his countless years of life had been lived in vain; he had never heard of such a terrifying existence.


    Xiao Yi stood proudly before the Eternal Heavenly Tomb, his hands slowly opening, a hint of a cold smile on his lips, "I am Xiao Yi, the Heaven-Suppressing Divine General. This is my Eternal Heavenly Tomb!"


    Boom!


    As Xiao Yi spread his arms.


    The gates of the Eternal Heavenly Tomb burst open.


    Xuan''s eyes nearly exploded, his scalp going numb.


    What did he see?


    The tomb of Martial God Zhao Wuji?


    The tomb of Medicine Saint Feng Lei?


    Each of these figures had made a name for themselves through the ages, and yet they were all buried here.


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Xuan''s heart pounded wildly, his soul nearly fleeing, his eyes no longer daring to look at Xiao Yi, with only one thought in his mind��escape!


    Whoosh!


    Xuan transformed into a golden stream of light, attempting to escape from Xiao Yi''s soul.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, "Do you think you can escape?"


    Xiao Yi reached forward with his right hand.


    Boom!


    Within the Ancient Tomb of All Ages, there suddenly came a loud rumbling, as chains of black shot out frenziedly. These chains, like black Azure Dragons, twisted their massive bodies, shaking heaven and earth, startling even time and space.


    Clash!


    In an instant, numerous chains wrapped around Xuan, who tried to flee.


    Xuan could not break free at all.


    As he watched himself being dragged toward the Ancient Tomb of All Ages by the black chains, his eyes were filled with terror and despair, "Let me go, Xiao Yi, release me... I am willing to submit to you, I acknowledge you as my master, no..."


    Boom!


    The black chains yanked him into the Ancient Tomb of All Ages, enveloping and turning him into a low, small mound.


    Xiao Yi raised his palm, "Bring forth the stele!"


    Swish!


    A tombstone appeared in Xiao Yi''s hand, upon which he swiftly inscribed, before casting it in front of the small mound.


    It read: Tomb of Xuan, the Eternal Beast of Longevity!


    Staring at the small grave before him, Xiao Yi fell into contemplation. The moment Xuan invaded his soul and tried to possess it, he discovered that he could control the Ancient Tomb of All Ages and seal it.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the vast Ancient Tomb of All Ages, "Are all the graves here similarly sealed by the Heaven Seal Divine Generals themselves? It cannot all be soul possessions... Could it be that in the future, the Ancient Tomb of All Ages might appear in the world again, sealing the strong from all realms?"


    Just thinking about standing among the heavens and earth one day, facing innumerable strong foes, and summoning the Ancient Tomb of All Ages.


    Are you a descendant of Martial God?


    Your ancestor''s grave is in my hands!


    Are you a disciple of Medicine Saint?


    Your master''s grave is in my hands!


    Tsk, tsk...


    "It feels exhilarating just to think about it..." Xiao Yi muttered to himself, regaining control of his body.


    Almost at the same time.


    The Longevity Cauldron before him had also completed its refinement.


    With a flip of his palm, the Longevity Cauldron entered his body.


    "Who exactly are you?" Little Lin asked Xiao Yi cautiously.


    Xiao Yi burst into laughter and ruffled his head, "Who do you say I am?"


    Little Lin ventured, "Boss?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, his gaze turned to the towering peak and said, "Xuan had just taken the Beast Emperor''s heartblood from there; I wonder if there''s more left! Little Lin, go and see if you can find any treasures and bring them back!"


    Little Lin had a unique talent for treasure hunting!


    Swish!


    Little Lin dashed towards the towering peak, and moments later, he excitedly returned with a storage ring in front of Xiao Yi, proudly proclaiming, "Boss, look what I found!"


    Xiao Yi was startled, then took the storage ring and bound it to himself.


    He checked the treasures inside.


    Ecstasy spread across Xiao Yi''s face as he discovered not only ten drops of the Beast Emperor''s heartblood and a pitch-black magic sword within but many other treasures as well. Especially this pitch-black magic sword was the same one he had seen on the seventeenth layer.


    The seventh-tier magic sword, Moon Slayer! S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A seventh-tier magic sword... must not be used until a critical moment!" Xiao Yi''s mind was clear as a mirror. Such a weapon was a treasure of the Longevity Secret Realm level, and its revelation would surely tempt even the leaders of the top ten sects to act impulsively.


    "Little Lin, it''s time for us to go back!"


    This trip to the Cave of Desire had brought him peerless treasures; it was time to return.


    ...


    At the entrance of the Cave of Desire.


    Along was covered in blood, impaled firmly on the ground by a black, blood-stained spear. A middle-aged man, who bore a slight resemblance to Tan Huajian, stood before him with an expressionless face, "Along, quit stalling and tell us, who killed my son?"


    This man was Tan Huajian''s father, the current head of the Tan Family, Tan Zheng.


    "Ptui!"


    Along spat a mouthful of blood at the man, his voice fierce, "Don''t dream of making me betray Xiao!"


    "You''re courting death!"


    A flash of cold light passed through Tan Zheng''s eyes as a frigid sharpness smashed towards Along''s head.


    At that moment.


    An ice-cold voice, booming like thunder, exploded, "The one courting death is you!"

 Chapter 320 - 320: Its My Honor

    "You''re the one seeking death!"


    The cold voice was filled with ghastly murderous intent.


    Xiao Yi burst forth from the Cave of Desire, bringing with him a gale that with a bang, pounced directly upon Tan Zheng.


    "Hmm?"


    Tan Zheng''s face changed, his body radiating light for a hundred yards.


    Vast amounts of vital energy converged in front of him, forming an energy shield that gleamed with the luster of gold, as if forged from the metal itself. It was immensely solid, such that even the common warriors at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak would dream of shattering it.


    However...


    Under the sweep of this ferocious wind.


    This powerful energy shield exploded with a bang.


    The violent wind enveloped Tan Zheng, hurling his form viciously through the air.


    Wow!


    Tan Zheng let out a scream, his body flying backward like a kite with its string cut, bright red blood spraying wildly from his mouth. It traced a beautiful arc in the air and then crash-landed dozens of meters away with a thump.


    Hiss!


    Before the Cave of Desire, a deathly silence prevailed.


    Everyone was staring, dumbstruck at the scene before them.


    Tan Zheng was a warrior at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, yet the mere air disturbance caused by Xiao Yi''s rush was able to destroy his vital energy shield?


    How terrifying must that strength be?


    Even a common master at the first layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm would likely find it difficult to manage this feat, wouldn''t they?


    Gulp!


    Sha Ying involuntarily swallowed, his arms which were previously crossed in front of his chest with an indifferent spectator''s gaze, unconsciously loosened and fell to his sides.


    Xiao Yi helped Along up and pulled out the long spear from his body.


    He threw him a pill to consume.


    Xiao Yi said with a dark face, "Are you alright?"


    Along forced a weak smile on his pale face, "I won''t die!"


    "That''s good. You rest here; the rest is up to me."


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze turned to the trembling Tan Zheng as he struggled to stand up, fresh blood continuously pouring from his mouth and his pale face with a pair of pitch-black eyes glaring fixedly at Xiao Yi, "Who on earth are you?"


    Xiao Yi coldly said, "Weren''t you looking for the culprit who killed Tan Huajian? It is I!"


    "You..."


    Tan Zheng''s face changed slightly, and with a somber expression, he said, "With your strength, why would you have to deal such a ruthless hand to my son?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "Your blind son wanted to kill me; if I don''t kill him, should I just stretch out my neck for him to do the deed?"


    "..."


    Tan Zheng was left speechless, his expression changing uncertainly, and he said sternly, "Even if my son was wrong, you could have spared his life, and I would have made him apologize to you. That would have been the end of it. Yet you cruelly took his life..." S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi responded with an "Oh," and said, "I''m sorry!"


    "Ah?"


    Tan Zheng was stunned.


    The surrounding crowd was equally bewildered.


    What was going on?


    Xiao Yi clearly had the absolute upper hand, so why had he suddenly apologized?


    While Tan Zheng was still in a daze.


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "I apologize to you first, then I shall kill you, and that will be the end of it!"


    Tan Zheng stared, dumbfounded: "..."


    Just as he was about to speak.


    He suddenly felt the world spin, and before his progressively blurring vision, his own body appeared.


    It turned out...


    His head had taken off on its own.


    Flying towards the ground behind him.


    Bang!


    Tan Zheng''s head landed firmly on the ground, while Xiao Yi shook his head, looking at Along, "I''ve never heard such a peculiar request before, that an apology could permit killing..."


    Along: "..."


    Sha Ying: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Xiao Yi, too lazy to pay attention to the crowd, walked straight to the elder and said, "Senior, please trouble yourself to write my name up there!"


    "Alright!"


    The elder, facing Xiao Yi again, no longer acted as casual as before and his expression became more solemn. He said, "May I ask for your name, young master? To which level of the Cave of Desire did you reach?"


    Xiao Yi enunciated each word, "Xiao Yi! The eighteenth level!"


    Boom!


    Even though everyone had a premonition when they saw Xiao Yi make a move, they still couldn''t help but gasp in shock when they heard Xiao Yi himself speak of reaching the eighteenth level.


    The elder''s hand trembled slightly as he meticulously wrote Xiao Yi''s name on the leaderboard.


    A full eighteen dazzling gold stars.


    All were incredibly brilliant.


    Like a blazing sun, they outshone all other lights in the world.


    The one most directly affected...


    ...was none other than Xiao Tianjiao, who once topped the list as the idol and target of everyone''s pursuit!


    Those once highly glorious seventeen stars.


    In front of Xiao Yi, became dim and lacklustre!


    Looking at the name Xiao Tianjiao beneath his own, Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, "Xiao Tianjiao, I''m getting closer and closer to you!"


    After the elder had written Xiao Yi''s name on the leaderboard, it seemed he remembered something and looked towards Sha Ying: "Sha Ying, didn''t you say earlier that you wanted to be notified immediately if anyone reached the eighteenth level? His name is Xiao Yi, this young master right here!"


    Sha Ying, who had been preparing to sneak away, felt a shiver down his spine and cold sweat ran down his back; he wanted to curse that old man to death!


    His mouth twitched into a smile uglier than a cry as he cupped his hands towards Xiao Yi: "Xiao, Xiao Yi, congratulations on breaking Xiao Tianjiao''s record."


    Xiao Yi''s face showed a hint of amusement: "You''ve been waiting here to congratulate me?"


    "That, that of course!"


    Sha Ying nodded hastily, having witnessed Xiao Yi slaughtering Tan Zheng like a pig or dog, he dared not entertain any other notions.


    The onlookers looked at Sha Ying with thick disdain: "Just now, we didn''t know who was spouting bold claims, saying something about letting the person who broke into the eighteenth level know why the flower is so red!"


    "Now he''s chickened out..."


    "But Xiao Yi is indeed powerful, killing Tan Zheng as if crushing ants. Speaking of which, he also has the surname Xiao; since when did the Xiaos have so many geniuses..."


    Sha Ying''s face turned green.


    The whispered conversations of the crowd felt like thorns in his back.


    Damn it!


    Shut your mouths!


    Sha Ying looked towards Xiao Yi and, seeing the mocking look in his eyes, hurriedly said: "Brother Xiao''s talent is astonishing, and his martial prowess is unmatched. I am utterly in awe. I would like to offer you a banquet at Dragon Phoenix Tower, Brother Xiao, and wonder if you would honor me with your presence?"


    "Xiao, I''m hungry..." Along suddenly said.


    Little Lin in his arms: "Boss, I''m hungry too!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    He looked at Sha Ying and shrugged his shoulders, "Then I''ll trouble you!"


    Sha Ying was dumbstruck.


    He was just being polite, trying to change the subject.


    But who would have thought that Xiao Yi would actually agree?


    Sha Ying wanted to cry but had no tears: I really don''t want to spend another moment with you!


    Still, he could only manage a forced smile and said humbly, "It''s no trouble, it''s my honor..."


    The party of three headed straight for the Dragon Phoenix Tower.


    Dragon Phoenix Tower in Beast Emperor City is a top-tier restaurant where even a casual meal costs several thousand silver, and the most extravagant Dragon Phoenix Banquet is worth a hundred million silver.


    Today, Sha Ying had reserved the Dragon Phoenix Banquet to celebrate reaching the sixteenth level of the Cave of Desire.


    He also invited many friends.


    As Sha Ying stepped into Dragon Phoenix Tower, a group of friends greeted him, congratulating him one by one: "Hahaha, Brother Sha, congratulations on your new achievement!"


    "Now, aside from Xiao Tianjiao, you''re the one on the Cave of Desire leaderboard, right?"


    "Today, we''re definitely going to have a good time at your expense..."


    Listening to his friends'' congratulatory words, Sha Ying''s eyes twitched, and he felt like crying but couldn''t. Just as he was about to reply, he heard one of them, a sly-looking young man, step forward and say: "Brother Sha, we''ve gone to great lengths to celebrate for you, even tricking the young lady from the city lord''s manor to come here..."

 Chapter 321 - 321: If You Dont Fill It Up, Whats the Point of Drinking?

    "Hmm?"


    Sha Ying was taken aback.


    The sharp-tongued, gaunt-faced young man was his childhood friend, Lin Bo, the son of the vice president of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce of the Beast Emperor City. They had grown up together and were as close as brothers, sharing every secret.


    On normal days, the two would collude and were no strangers to causing trouble.


    Lin Bo could be said to understand him best.


    Sha Ying raised an eyebrow, seeing this as the only piece of good news he had heard today, and his eyes revealed a shade of greed, "Are you sure you coaxed her to come? That damn woman, since she''s been back, I''ve tried inviting her out several times, but she''s refused to show up!"


    Lin Bo smirked sinisterly, "You know the condition that old codger of a city lord is in now. She came to the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce yesterday to seek medicine from my father and happened upon me. I told her to come along, promising to speak to my father on her behalf if she made me happy, and she agreed!"


    "Good lad, you really have a way!"


    Sha Ying laughed heartily, the gloom in his heart somewhat dispersed.


    Only then did Lin Bo look towards Xiao Yi and Along standing behind him, frowning slightly, "Sha, who are these two?"


    "Uh..."


    Sha Ying was startled, only then remembering Xiao Yi and his companion; however, he did not want to reveal Xiao Yi''s identity in front of his good friend.


    After all.


    He had invited everyone to this banquet under the pretense of celebrating his rise to the second spot on the Cave of Desire''s leaderboard.


    If he were to reveal Xiao Yi''s identity now, wouldn''t it make Xiao Yi the main attraction?


    This would only undermine his own reputation.


    Sha Ying said, "This is Xiao Yi, and that''s his companion Along!"


    "Oh!"


    Since Sha Ying didn''t emphasize the introduction, Lin Bo and the others defaulted to thinking that Xiao Yi was just a tagalong for food and drinks and that he held no special status, so they merely gave a perfunctory bow.


    As for the attitude of the others, Xiao Yi didn''t mind it at all.


    After all, he was just there to enjoy a meal with Along and Little Lin.


    The group made their way to a private room on the third floor.


    There were about a dozen people seated, all of whom were prominent figures in the Beast Emperor City, each with a distinguished family background and impressive status. However, they were clearly there for Sha Ying, flattering him one after another, "We have Sha to thank for today''s feast; if it weren''t for him, we wouldn''t have had the chance to enjoy this dragon and phoenix banquet."


    "Everyone knows Sha is exceptionally talented and is bound to surpass Xiao Tianjiao."


    Lin Bo stood up, raising his glass, "Let''s toast to Sha! He''s taken another step towards surpassing Xiao Tianjiao!"


    Everyone raised their glasses.


    Xiao Yi and Along also politely lifted their cups.


    Only Sha Ying looked awkward.


    For the love of...!


    Can we please not bring this up?


    The number one in the Cave of Desire, the genius who would surpass Xiao Tianjiao, is sitting right here!


    Why are you all showering me with praise?


    Isn''t this just rubbing salt in my wound?


    Sha Ying was on the verge of tears, restless as if sitting on pins and needles, wishing he could just dig a hole and bury himself.


    Lin Bo then stood up again, "Sha, why don''t you tell us what it''s really like inside the Cave of Desire?"


    Embarrassed, Sha Ying glanced at Xiao Yi and noticed that he was just focused on his meal, not paying any attention to him.


    Relieved, he began, "Alright then, I''ll tell you about... the fifteenth level of the Cave of Desire..."


    Inhale! Slurp! Inhale! Slurp!


    The sound of someone noisily eating noodles interrupted Sha Ying''s speech.


    The others frowned.


    Looking towards the source...


    They saw Along holding a bowl of noodles, hungrily wolfing them down, while Lin Bo and others looked displeased. Just as they were about to speak up, Sha Ying quickly continued, "That fifteenth level, well..."


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Bang!


    Lin Bo slammed the table fiercely, causing the dishes to shudder. Furiously glaring at Along, he said, "Are you a starving ghost reincarnated? Didn''t you see Sha is explaining the Cave of Desire here?"


    Along slurped up the noodles into his mouth, wiped the grease from his lips with his hand, and muttered, "Isn''t it just the sixteenth level? I really want to know what''s inside the Cave of Desire. I''ll just ask Xiao later; he''s even been to the seventeenth and eighteenth levels..."


    "Hahaha, did you guys hear that? This guy actually dares to brag in front of Sha about the seventeenth and eighteenth levels? Even Xiao Tianjiao stopped at the seventeenth level, where did you get the eighteenth from?"


    "Xiao? He wouldn''t happen to be saying he knows Xiao Tianjiao, would he? With your starving ghost looks, how could you possibly know someone like Tianjiao?"


    "Brother, there''s no shame in bluffing, but if your bluff is called out, you''ll lose face completely..."


    "Hahaha..."


    Listening to his friends mocking Along, Sha Ying wished he could dig a hole and bury himself. He wanted to tell everyone: He''s not bluffing, the Xiao he''s talking about isn''t Xiao Tianjiao, but the even more impressive Xiao Yi!


    Along frowned, about to speak, but then the doors to the private room opened.


    A svelte figure appeared in their view.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, wasn''t the person coming Huang Yuwei?


    Although Huang Yuwei had changed clothes and wasn''t wearing a veil, Xiao Yi recognized her at a glance.


    Huang Yuwei naturally saw Xiao Yi as well, and she paused for a moment. Seeing Xiao Yi sitting with Sha Ying, a hint of disgust flashed in her eyes. Her gaze then fell on Lin Bo.


    Lin Bo quickly stood up, smiling, "Oh my, let''s all welcome the little princess of Beast Emperor City!"


    "Princess Yuwei, what brings you here?"


    "You must have come to congratulate Sha Ying, right?"


    "Come on in!"


    Everyone chimed in.


    Huang Yuwei''s face showed difficulty, and Lin Bo, with eyes narrowed and feeling invincible, said, "Princess Yuwei, if you look down on us, you are free to leave. But then, that matter would become..."


    Huang Yuwei''s face changed slightly.


    Her teeth tightly clenching her lower lip.


    She took a deep breath and walked in.


    Lin Bo gave up the seat next to Sha Ying and pointed to it, "Princess Yuwei, please!"


    Sha Ying sat with his legs crossed, looking over Huang Yuwei with a sense of entitlement, a slight smile curving his lips as his gaze swept over her exquisite face, like something out of a painting. He revealed a glint of Greed and heat, "Yuwei, sit next to me and keep me company while I drink!"


    Huang Yuwei looked a bit resistant.


    Lin Bo said indifferently, "Behave, or else..."


    Huang Yuwei''s complexion turned somber, her lips tightly pressed together, yet she had no choice but to sit beside Sha Ying.


    Sha Ying filled Huang Yuwei''s cup with wine, smilingly said, "Yuwei, how about a drink?"


    Huang Yuwei replied, "I''m sorry, I can''t hold my liquor!"


    "Oh, can''t hold your liquor, huh!"


    Sha Ying slammed the wine cup onto the table and looked at Lin Bo, "Lin Bo, since Princess Yuwei is so unappreciative, you might as well let her go back!"


    Lin Bo laughed, "Why should Sha get upset? I believe Princess Yuwei can drink, and drink well at that. Am I right, Princess Yuwei?" S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her face chilled with the cold threat.


    Huang Yuwei''s delicate frame shivered, her teeth clenched, as she lifted her cup, "Sha Ying, I toast you!"


    She tilted her head back to drink.


    Smack!


    Sha Ying slapped the cup from her hand, coldly said, "My cup''s empty, you expect me to drink from an empty cup while you drink by yourself?"


    Huang Yuwei''s face paled, her eyes reddening with tears.


    Tears swirled in her eyes.


    She wanted to run away.


    But remembering that the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce was her only lifeline, she had to endure the humiliation and picked up the wine jug, intending to pour wine for Sha Ying. But at that moment, a calm voice echoed inside the dining room, "Sha Ying, my cup''s empty too, if you don''t fill it up, what kind of drink could you be enjoying?"

 Chapter 322 - 322: Huang Yuwei, Ive Got Your Back!

    "Don''t fill it up for me, and you drink with such gusto yourself?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice echoed in the private room, and the faces of all the strongmen present changed.


    Especially Sha Ying, who stiffened on the spot.


    In front of him��


    Huang Yuwei, holding the wine jug, paused slightly and subconsciously looked towards Xiao Yi, with a hint of gratitude in her eyes.


    However, Lin Bo was furious, "Bastard, what do you count for? Do you even have a say here?"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and leaned forward slightly, about to rise.


    But Sha Ying suddenly spoke up, "Xiao is right, you''re a guest, how could we not fill your cup?" Having witnessed Xiao Yi''s terror firsthand, the instantaneous slaying of Tan Zheng at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, he dared not provoke Xiao Yi and looked towards Huang Yuwei immediately, "Why don''t you fill up Xiao''s cup?"


    Huang Yuwei took a deep breath and stood up, walking over to Xiao Yi''s side.


    However��


    Just as she was about to pour the wine, Xiao Yi raised his hand to stop her.


    While Huang Yuwei was puzzled,


    Xiao Yi gently tapped the table with his finger, pointing at Lin Bo, and said, "I want him to pour it!"


    Bang!


    Lin Bo slammed his hand onto the table, causing the dishes to rattle loudly. With bloodshot eyes, he stared fixedly at Xiao Yi, grinding his teeth, "Kid, who do you think you are? You want me to pour wine for you? You must be dreaming!"


    He was the son of the vice-chairman of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    In the entire Beast Emperor City, he was a person of standing.


    Among his peers.


    Apart from a few like Sha Ying, no one else had the qualifications to make him pour wine.


    Xiao Yi squinted at Sha Ying, "Your friend doesn''t give me face, huh!"


    Two cold flashes shot from his eyes, directly onto Sha Ying, giving him a chilly feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.


    Hiss!


    Sha Ying inhaled sharply, and gave Lin Bo meaningful looks, saying, "Lin Bo, for my sake, let''s not spoil the harmony!"


    "Sha��"


    Lin Bo looked at Sha Ying incredulously.


    They had been best friends since childhood, as close as brothers.


    Now, seeing him humiliated, Sha Ying did not stand up for him but was instead helping Xiao Yi?


    Sha Ying had his own difficulties and said with a bitter smile, "I''m sorry to wrong you!"


    Whoosh!


    Lin Bo let out a long sigh and stared at Xiao Yi with icy eyes, gritting his teeth, "Fine, for Sha Ying''s sake, I''ll pour the wine for you!"


    Lin Bo picked up the wine jug and walked over.


    Just as he was about to pour,


    Xiao Yi tapped his toes, retracted backward, and the cup bounced up from the table and flew into his hand. With his legs crossed, Xiao Yi nonchalantly pointed at the wine cup in his hand and said, "As for you, you''re not qualified to stand and pour for me, kneel down!"


    Hiss!


    Inside the private room, a sudden sound of sharp inhalations arose.


    Having the son of the vice-chairman of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce pour wine was already seen as a great insult to Lin Bo by everyone, and now they were asking him to kneel to pour wine?


    This was simply humiliation, a provocation!


    Bang!


    Lin Bo violently smashed the wine jug onto the floor, with wine and fragments of the pot scattering everywhere. He looked ferociously at Xiao Yi, "You little bastard, no one has ever dared to humiliate me like this!"


    He turned back to Sha Ying and said through gritted teeth, "It''s not that I don''t give you face, Sha Ying, it''s just that this kid is too arrogant."


    Sha Ying''s face was full of bitterness.


    The moment Lin Bo smashed the wine jug, he knew something bad was about to happen.


    Before Sha Ying could open his mouth, Lin Bo moved swiftly, already seizing a dish basin and smashing it toward Xiao Yi''s head.


    "It''s over..."


    Sha Ying''s face instantly turned pale.


    Bang!


    The dish basin burst apart with a loud crash.


    But it did not land on Xiao Yi; instead, it smashed directly onto Lin Bo''s face.


    The person who acted was not Xiao Yi, but Along beside him.


    Along held Lin Bo''s neck with one hand, lifting his body and pressing him against the wall. In his other hand, he held a golden roasted beast leg, gnawing on it as he turned his head to look at Xiao, "Xiao, how should we deal with this?"


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "This room is a bit empty; it lacks decorations!"


    "Oh!"


    Along nodded.


    With a slurp, he sucked the meat off the beast leg in his hand, and with a probing motion of the two bones, a double sound of flesh being pierced could be heard as the bones directly penetrated Lin Bo''s shoulders.


    Impaling him onto the wall. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Blood nearly flowed down the bones.


    Only then did Along let go of his grip.


    With a face flushed red from struggle, Lin Bo was finally able to scream, wailing pitifully with bloodshot eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, "Ah... you scoundrels, how can you treat me like this? My father is Lin Yuejin, the Vice President of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce. You treat me this way, I will surely have you torn to pieces..."


    Xiao Yi, annoyed, dug at his ear, "It''s a bit noisy!"


    "Oh!"


    Along picked up a ball of carpet from the ground and stuffed it into Lin Bo''s mouth with a ''pfft.''


    Lin Bo''s eyes nearly burst with rage, but he could only make muffled ''wuwuwu'' noises.


    All this happened in a flash.


    The onlookers all had shocked expressions on their faces as they looked at Xiao Yi and Along, filled with both awe and fear. Their backgrounds might be formidable, but except for Sha Ying, their own cultivation levels were quite ordinary.


    Like that Lin Bo, he was merely at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Gurgle!


    The crowd turned their eyes to Sha Ying.


    Sha Ying''s face was full of bitterness, but he knew all too well that if he did not stand up now, his prestige within this group would be utterly swept away. He said gravely, "Xiao, doing this might not be quite appropriate, right?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "What''s inappropriate about it?"


    "This..."


    Sha Ying frowned and, sensing the stares of everyone on him, felt as if he were on pins and needles. He steeled himself and said, "We were merely asking Princess Yuwei to pour wine, and yet you fly into such a rage, pinning Lin Bo to the wall like this. Such an action seems rather overbearing!"


    "Overbearing?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, and without any visible movement from him, the chair came to Sha Ying''s side on its own.


    The two men locked eyes.


    They could even feel each other''s breath.


    A sense of oppression stronger than anything Sha Ying had felt before caused his face to change slightly, his gaze dodging as he dared not meet Xiao Yi''s eyes. Xiao Yi then spoke leisurely, "This is how I, Xiao Yi, have always acted. If you''re not comfortable with it, you can try to be more overbearing than me!"


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Under Xiao Yi''s gaze, sharp as a blade, Sha Ying''s face alternated between shades of green and white.


    Since birth,


    This was the first time he had felt so embarrassed in front of a peer.


    Xiao Yi slowly withdrew his gaze, turning to the disoriented Yuwei beside him and pulling her to his side. His cold eyes swept across the people in the private room, and he spoke with a deliberate cadence, "Huang Yuwei is under my protection. Whoever dares to bully her, this will be their fate!"


    Following the direction of his finger,


    The crowd saw Lin Bo, with a carpet stuffed in his mouth and his shoulders impaled by bones, pinned to the wall in pain...

 Chapter 323 - 323: Seeing Shi Feiya Again

    Watching Lin Bo''s miserable state, everyone couldn''t help but gasp in shock.


    At the same time, the looks they gave Huang Yuwei were no longer filled with mockery and ridicule as before.


    Sha Ying''s pupils shrank slightly, and he hadn''t expected that Xiao Yi would do this for Huang Yuwei. He looked at Huang Yuwei deeply and said solemnly, "I didn''t expect that Yuwei actually knew Xiao!"


    Huang Yuwei nodded, not saying much.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I can see that everyone here doesn''t seem to welcome me much. Yuwei, let''s find another place."


    "Okay!"


    Huang Yuwei nodded obediently.


    This made Sha Ying''s mouth twitch slightly, and a deep jealousy and resentment flashed through the depths of his eyes.


    He and Huang Yuwei were betrothed.


    But Huang Yuwei had always been indifferent to him, and even her few invitations were mercilessly rejected by Huang Yuwei, which had caused him resentment and the urge to humiliate her severely.


    He never imagined...


    Not only did the humiliation fail, but it turned into a severe slap in his face.


    Now.


    The Huang Yuwei, who had been indifferent to him, was so compliant and obedient to Xiao Yi. Sha Ying''s eyes nearly popped out; he felt as if there was a glaring greenness above his head, with the wind blowing and waves of green surging!


    "Along..."


    Xiao Yi called out, but then he heard slurping noises. Turning his head, he saw Along enjoying a large basin of food. Xiao Yi''s face darkened, "Along, we''re leaving!"


    "Ah? Oh!"


    Along tore off a piece of beast leg from the table and, holding a jug of wine in his right hand, followed along.


    Not until they had all left.


    Bang!


    Sha Ying suddenly flipped the table, scattering the dishes and cups, and nobody dared to make a sound.


    Panting!


    Panting!


    Sha Ying''s chest heaved violently, his eyes smoldering with toxic resentment; it was as if something was choking him, making his voice hoarse and gravelly, "Xiao Yi, Huang Yuwei...what a pair of treacherous lovers, if I don''t avenge this, Sha Ying swears I won''t be human!"


    "Sha, we..."


    A group of strong men tentatively consoled the furious Sha Ying.


    "Get lost! Get lost!"


    Sha Ying roared furiously with bloodshot eyes.


    No one dared stay any longer, and they scattered, fleeing like birds and beasts.


    For a moment, only Sha Ying and Lin Bo remained in the private room. Sha Ying took deep breaths to calm down slightly before finally letting Lin Bo down from the wall. Lin Bo had a pale face, his eyes filled with as much venomous resentment as Sha Ying''s.


    Enduring the severe pain from his shoulder, Lin Bo gritted his teeth and said, "Sha, who exactly was that man just now?"


    Sha Ying, with a gloomy face, replied, "He''s called Xiao Yi, the first person to reach the eighteenth level of the Cave of Desire." He paused briefly before continuing, "Tan Huajian and Tan Zheng, they were both killed by him!"


    Hiss!


    Lin Bo inhaled sharply.


    Tan Zheng was the head of the Tan Family, his status was not unlike Lin Bo''s father.


    No wonder Sha Ying didn''t dare to provoke such a person lightly.


    "Sha, are we really going to let this go?" Lin Bo hesitated, then asked in a deep voice.


    Sha Ying angrily replied, "Do you think I''m willing to let it go? Right now, my father is at a critical juncture, and I definitely can''t afford to cause any distractions. If it affects my father''s fight for the position of city lord, even death won''t let me escape responsibility!"


    "No, there''s no need for Deputy City Lord to take action!"


    Lin Bo said with a sinister smile, "Didn''t Xiao Yi kill Tan Zheng and Tan Huajian? Naturally, the Tan Family will deal with him. As for that Huang Yuwei...hmpf, her brothers are nothing but good-for-nothings. With a bit of intimidation and temptation, I believe they will cooperate with us willingly!"


    Sha Ying''s eyes lit up.


    These insidious schemes were always Lin Bo''s specialty.


    He squinted his eyes and touched his chin, nodding, "Alright, we''ll do as you say!"


    ......


    Upon the carriage.


    Xiao Yi furrowed his brow at Huang Yuwei before him and said, "How is your father doing?"


    With a bitter smile, Huang Yuwei replied, "My father''s illness is getting worse... I have sought help throughout the entire Beast Emperor City, but most are Sha Kun''s people, and nobody is willing to help me. That''s why I turned to Lin Yuejin, the vice president of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce and a six-star alchemist, but..."


    She did not continue, but Xiao Yi could guess the rest.


    Huang Yuwei must have failed to enlist Lin Yuejin''s help, hence she thought of reaching out through Lin Bo to get in touch with Lin Yuejin.


    After pondering for a moment.


    Xiao Yi asked, "What exactly is wrong with your father?"


    Huang Yuwei looked hesitant.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "Perhaps I can help!" S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh?"


    Huang Yuwei was startled, she furrowed her brows and contemplated for a moment before speaking, "My father has been poisoned, and no one knows what poison he has been afflicted with. It''s just that Lin Yuejin has a Hundred Tribulations Elixir, which is said to cure all poisons in the world, so..."


    "Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow; he was familiar with this medicine.


    The process of making the Hundred Tribulations Elixir was extremely complex and painstaking, requiring over one hundred and eighty different herbs, and the details down to the age of each ingredient could not be off by even the slightest.


    Moreover, during the concoction, it was also necessary to find a place where lightning was densest on a stormy day with thunder and lightning.


    One had to refine the elixir while facing the tempering of the thunder.


    Therefore...


    Each Hundred Tribulations Elixir was extremely valuable and rare.


    Xiao Yi said, "I need to make a trip to the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce. After things here are finished, I will go to the city lord''s mansion with you to see your father. Maybe, I can be of assistance!"


    "This..."


    Huang Yuwei fell silent for a moment, then biting her lip, she said, "Okay!"


    Before long.


    Along''s voice came from outside the carriage: "Xiao, we''ve arrived at the Hundred Herbs Chamber!"


    "Mm!"


    The trio stepped into the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce and stated their purpose.


    After a short while.


    The enchantingly attractive Shi Feiya appeared before them, twisting her waist, with a radiant smile on her face. She had come to know of Xiao Yi breaking the record of Xiao Tianjiao in the Cave of Desire, reaching the unprecedented eighteenth level.


    Now, her treatment of Xiao Yi was even warmer.


    "Xiao, you''ve finally come!" Shi Feiya said with a beaming smile.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and said, "President Shi, we agreed that today you would give me an answer. How did your discussions go?"


    "Naturally, we would not let Xiao down!"


    Shi Feiya grinned coyly, her gaze swept subtly over Huang Yuwei and Along, and said, "This isn''t the place to talk. Shall we discuss the details upstairs?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    The group followed her to the top floor, to the office of Shi Feiya.


    The entire room was very large, decorated in an elegant and solemn style, filled with a faint fragrance.


    Shi Feiya, twisting her waist, brought two contracts and placed them on the table, saying, "After our discussions, we decided that the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce will sign a cooperation agreement with your Xiaoshanhe Institute. For the next ten years, we will supply you with the listed medicinal herbs annually at thirty percent of the market price."


    "Thirty percent?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    He had been expecting fifty percent, yet Shi Feiya was only asking for thirty percent of the price?


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "If I''m not wrong, there must be conditions behind this price, right?"


    "Indeed, you can''t be fooled!"


    Shi Feiya smiled faintly, then she opened the second contract, "The condition is this!"


    With an amused smile, Xiao Yi''s gaze fell on the contract, and as he read it, his expression suddenly changed: "..."

 Chapter 324 - 324: The Tan Family Visits

    Xiao Yi''s face changed slightly.


    His gaze fell on the contract, which indeed stipulated the terms Shi Feiya had mentioned.


    It was to assist the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce in annihilating the Tan Family!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and sized up Shi Feiya, "President Shi, what do you mean by this?"


    Shi Feiya smiled charmingly, leaning forward slightly, her ample bosom exposed in an enticing way, her seductive voice causing a wave of restlessness, "Xiao has already become known for his deeds, Feiya has heard. You cut down Tan Huajian, slaughtered Tan Zheng, and braved through the eighteen levels of the Cave of Desire. Now, Xiao is at the point of no return with the Tan Family. By agreeing to the terms of this contract, not only can you eliminate a powerful enemy, but also acquire medicinal materials at a third of the market price. Why would you refuse such an offer?"


    Xiao Yi leaned back slightly, resting against the chair.


    His eyes narrowed into slits, scrutinizing Shi Feiya through them.


    This woman was extremely dangerous.


    A wasp''s sting comes from its tail, and the most venomous is a woman''s heart.


    Especially someone like her who had made her way in the commercial world and even managed to become the president of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce in a place like Beast Emperor City, she was definitely not as simple as she appeared on the surface.


    A stream of thoughts ran through Xiao Yi''s mind, and he figured out the crux of the matter, leaning forward almost to touch Shi Feiya, "Are you trying to enter the Slave Market?"


    "Xiao is truly formidable, nothing can be hidden from you! The medicinal materials market in Beast Emperor City has long been clear-cut, with the three major guilds occupying about eighty percent and none able to do anything about the others," Shi Feiya said, her face showing a hint of surprise and amazement at how quickly Xiao Yi had caught on to the key point. She shrugged her shoulders and moved back a bit, "If the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce wants to grow, we must find a new path. The Slave Market is exactly what we need. And these medicinal materials are what you need as well. It''s just mutual benefit. Xiao, what do you think?"


    Xiao Yi''s fingers tapped lightly on the table surface.


    Just then... sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A hurried voice came from outside the door, "President, it''s bad news. The Tan Family patriarch Tan Feng is coming here with his men."


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, observing the calm on Shi Feiya''s face, and frowned, "I''m afraid that the Tan Family could find this place so quickly because President Shi also put in a lot of effort, don''t you think?"


    "You''ve caught me," Shi Feiya didn''t deny it, nodding with a smile.


    Xiao Yi sighed.


    He slowly rose to his feet.


    Xiao Yi, looking at Shi Feiya, said, "Pleasure doing business with you!"


    "Pleasure doing business with you!"


    Shi Feiya was about to stand, smiling, but Xiao Yi stopped her with a hand, Shi Feiya blinking in confusion, "Xiao, do you not want Feiya to cover your flank?"


    "No need!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and turned to look at Along and Huang Yuwei, "Wait here for me, I''ll be right back!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi shook his sleeve and strode out towards the outside.


    Shi Feiya looked at Along in astonishment, "Aren''t you going to follow him out? The Tan Family hasn''t just sent one person, and that Tan Family patriarch Tan Feng is a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert!"


    "No need, Xiao said it''s not a problem, then it''s not a problem."


    Along burped contentedly, saying, "President Shi, could you get me a bowl of warm wine? I just ate too much!"


    "Uh..."


    Shi Feiya blinked her eyes and snapped her fingers, signaling someone to bring a bowl of warm wine.


    The wine was steaming hot.


    Meanwhile.


    At the entrance of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    Mounted on a horned demonic beast, the formidable and fierce Tan Feng held a square halberd high as he stood in front of the gate, flanked by hundreds of murderous-looking warriors.


    There were over fifty just from the Tao Tribulation Realm alone.


    The strongest among them was naturally Tan Feng!


    Dharma Manifestation Realm, at the first layer.


    "Let Xiao Yi come out and die!" Tan Feng demanded with a sullen face.


    "Please calm down, Patriarch Tan Feng. I''ve already sent for the president..." A member of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, drenched in cold sweat and with a face pleading for mercy, said.


    Tan Feng snorted coldly, "Hurry up and get him out here, or else don''t blame me for not giving face to the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce!"


    "Why is Tan Feng clashing with the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce?"


    "It''s said that someone killed Tan Huajian and Tan Zheng, and the murderer is within the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce..."


    "Hiss! Someone actually killed Tan Zheng and his son? They were the ones Tan Feng cherished the most; this is a blood feud that won''t end until death!"


    Tap tap tap!


    A series of crisp footsteps came from inside the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce as Xiao Yi looked at Tan Feng, "Are you the one looking for me?"


    Tan Feng narrowed his eyes, looking down on Xiao Yi from a superior position, "You are Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Tan Feng snorted coldly again, thunder faintly rumbling around him��a sign of a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert, whose anger could change heaven and earth, "Since you''re Xiao Yi, then I''ve found the right person. Men, kill him for me and avenge my son and grandson!"


    "Yes!"


    Hundreds of the Tan Family''s experts pressed towards Xiao Yi.


    Fifty from the Tao Tribulation Realm, several hundreds from the Golden Core Realm.


    The Tan Family, being the biggest slave trader in Beast Emperor City, commanded a multitude of fighters, each one a desperate reprobate who licked blood off the edge of the blade in the Slave Battlefield. Faced with the siege of hundreds of experts, Xiao Yi, calm and collected, stared directly at Tan Feng.


    Capture the king to defeat the enemy!


    As long as Tan Feng was slain, the fighters would naturally fall apart!


    "Boy, prepare to die!"


    A Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm expert leaped high, his longsword cutting across the sky, its silver radiance like a falling Milky Way, reaching Xiao Yi in the blink of an eye. Facing the sword that tore through the air, Xiao Yi stretched out his flesh and blood palm into the void.


    Bang!


    His palm collided with the tip of the sword, and amidst a piercing shattering sound,


    The sword light exploded.


    Xiao Yi grasped the longsword and shouted lowly, "Release it!"


    Swish!


    The longsword flew out of the opponent''s hand, his arm bones shattered by the force, and Xiao Yi, gripping the longsword, lightly tapped his toes on the ground.


    His figure moved like a fish through water.


    Gliding among the hundreds, untouchable as if moving through a dense thicket without a leaf sticking to him, in the blink of an eye, he was already in front of Tan Feng. A piercing sound through the air made one''s scalp tingle, and Tan Feng''s face turned from initial complacency to sheer surprise.


    Swish!


    He thrust his legs fiercely and shot upwards into the air.


    Almost at the same time.


    Xiao Yi''s sword had transformed into a thirty-foot sword beam that cut the sixth-order high-level beast beneath Tan Feng into two halves. Amid the gushing blood, Xiao Yi leaped into the sky.


    His body was like an arrow released from the bowstring.


    Fast!


    Astonishingly fast!


    In just a moment...


    Xiao Yi had already caught up with Tan Feng.


    Tan Feng''s face twisted with ferocity and ice, and he roared lowly, "Direct assault to the core!"


    Hum!


    The Fangtian huaji in his palm spun continuously, generating a fierce storm that came head-on. The tempest roared, stirring up the clouds above the sky, enveloping the space around Xiao Yi.


    Turning it into a vacuum zone.


    At the same time.


    At the center of that storm, a gleam of cold light suddenly appeared.


    It was Tan Feng''s Fangtian huaji, taking advantage of the storm for cover, striking unexpectedly. By the time the cold light appeared in his field of vision, the sharp point of the Fangtian huaji had already touched Xiao Yi''s body��

 Chapter 325 - 325: Warm Wine Beheads Tan Feng

    Whoom!


    The halberd''s edge shone like a glint of cold light, piercing through the layers of storms, and in an instant, appeared before Xiao Yi.


    It aimed directly at his face.


    This edge was incomparably sharp; a single strike could shatter a small city.


    The swirling gusts contorted Xiao Yi''s facial features, as the knife-like wind blades seemed to tear at his skin at any moment.


    Cries of alarm rose from the ground: "The victor will be decided now!"


    "As expected of a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse, whether it is speed or strength, every aspect is completely suppressing Xiao Yi!"


    "Xiao Yi has been too reckless. How dare he, merely from the Tao Tribulation Realm, challenge the Dharma Manifestation Realm?"


    Whoosh!


    The halberd''s cold light thrust forward, piercing through Xiao Yi''s head.


    Tan Feng''s face revealed a trace of ecstatic joy, but in the next instant, that joyful expression vanished, replaced by shock: "Not good!"


    Almost at the same time.


    A chilling sharpness assaulted him from behind.


    A fleeting glimpse in the corner of his eye left Tan Feng with a cold feeling all over.


    It was a sword shadow.


    This sword was shockingly fast yet silent, wielded by Xiao Yi, who had mastered the fourth tier of Sword Intent. The sword followed his intention, moved with the wind, and without the wind''s obstruction, its speed increased several times.


    At the same time��


    The sword strike was utterly silent.


    A silent sword strike meant that by the time one''s opponent noticed it, it was already too late to react.


    Thud!


    A streak of blood soared to the sky. S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sharp sword edge grazed Tan Feng''s neck, a trail of blood surging open, while the Xiao Yi in front of him, pierced by the halberd, was slowly dissipating like a reflection in rippling water.


    It was but an afterimage!


    Whoosh!


    Tan Feng dodged repeatedly in mid-air, reappearing hundreds of meters away in a blink.


    He touched his neck.


    The fresh, thick blood had a pungent odor, and his eyes twitched: "An Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and yet such terrifying speed and swordsmanship. I didn''t even notice how he appeared behind me. Who exactly is this young man?"


    Xiao Yi stood suspended in midair.


    With his sword held high, the wild winds blew against him, making his robes flutter loudly.


    He was like a peerless swordsman!


    In his hand��


    From the fifth-order longsword, droplets of fresh blood trickled down, plinking onto the ground and sending plumes of dust into the air. At that moment, Xiao Yi''s figure abruptly vanished.


    Whoosh!


    Like a fish diving into the sea, an Azure Dragon breaking free and soaring into the heavens!


    Around Xiao Yi, there seemed to be an invisible barrier of air currents, merging with the winds and air around him without hindering his movement.


    "This, this is�� Sword Intent following his will? He''s on the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and he has mastered the fourth tier of Sword Intent? How is this possible?" Tan Feng''s pupils shrank suddenly, shock written all over his face.


    The fourth tier of Sword Intent.


    Even among the sword masters in Dharma Manifestation Realm, very few could comprehend this level of understanding.


    Within the vast Beast Emperor City, the strongest in swordsmanship was none other than Sha Kun''s eldest son, Sha Diao. Sha Diao was currently in the third stage of Dharma Manifestation Realm, but he too only comprehended the third tier of Sword Intent.


    He was still far from stepping into the fourth tier.


    Xiao Yi was merely an Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm!


    And yet, he had already grasped the fourth tier of Sword Intent��something unheard of.


    "Damn it, this kid was able to break into the eighteenth layer of the Cave of Desire. It seems he''s not just mentally resolute, but his martial talent is also no weaker than Xiao Tianjiao from back then. If let to grow, he will surely become a great problem; he must be eliminated!" Tan Feng''s thoughts raced in the split second.


    Boom!


    Tan Feng let out a low roar, his body trembling violently.


    Behind him��


    A vast and ancient tree suddenly rose up. The tree was thirty feet tall, glowing with a verdant light and covered with mysterious and profound runes.


    Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    He controlled an entire force of nature and earth.


    Therefore, with the power of nature and earth, he manifested the Dharma; Tan Feng''s path was one of the five elements, the path of wood, mastering the earthly power of wood. This manifestation was the Dragon Scale Wood, according to legend, the very first piece of Dragon Scale Wood came from a true dragon that sprinkled a drop of Dragon Blood in a forest.


    It grew after being nurtured by the Dragon Blood.


    It grew an inch every thousand years.


    This was an extremely tough divine wood.


    Tan Feng also chanced upon a piece of Dragon Scale Wood and, after visualizing it, formed it with the power of nature and earth. As soon as the Dragon Scale Wood appeared, the leaves on its crown fluttered like the tips of needles.


    Streams of green light enveloped Tan Feng''s body, as Dragon Scale Wood is one of the most solid divine woods.


    Under the shelter of the Dragon Scale Wood Dharma Manifestation, Tan Feng was surrounded by a hundred zhang of green light.


    Defense, invincible!


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s sword struck Tan Feng''s body but was met with a thunderous sound, as if lightning had torn through the sky.


    That green light didn''t weaken at all, and his sword hadn''t caused Tan Feng any harm!


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, I admit your strength is strong. Being in the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm to force me to use the power of Dharma Manifestation, you are the first. But with the protection of my Dragon Scale Wood Dharma Manifestation, you can''t even break through my defense. This battle is destined to be your loss!" Tan Feng said arrogantly, standing between heaven and earth.


    The Dragon Scale Wood behind him rustled, his green light covering the sky, as if mocking and provoking.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed to slits.


    This was the first time he''d faced a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse head-on; before this, the only real fight he''d had was with Xue Mantian. But with Xiao Yi''s strength at that time, he couldn''t force Xue Mantian to use the power of Dharma Manifestation.


    "Is this the power of Dharma Manifestation? No wonder it becomes extremely difficult to fight across levels after reaching the Dharma Manifestation Realm. The power of Dharma Manifestation is indeed terrifying!" Xiao Yi carefully looked at Tan Feng, who was enveloped in green light, eyes flickering with a trace of amazement.


    The power of Dharma Manifestation was indeed the command of a complete force of nature and earth, combined with the visualization of powerful living beings in the world.


    The power it possessed was indeed terrifying.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s longsword trembled in the air, its edge vibrating with a buzzing sound, as sharp as a swift storm. The sword''s edge encircling Xiao Yi condensed into a green lotus.


    "Green Lotus Rebirth!"


    "Eternal Life!"


    Xiao Yi moved, standing upon the green lotus, performing a dance with his sword.


    Gorgeous and smooth as flowing clouds and streaming water.


    Nine sword edges, condensed into green lotus swords, connected with each other, and as they slowly rotated, they shot towards Tan Feng.


    Tan Feng snorted coldly, believing in the nearly invincible defense of the Dragon Scale Wood, and stood on invincible ground. Holding a square halberd in one hand, he cut down at the green lotus swords: "Dragon Slayer Slash!"


    Roar!


    A resounding dragon''s roar filled the air.


    The halberd flashed with light, condensing into a golden Azure Dragon, crushing towards the green lotus swords.


    However...


    What Tan Feng did not expect was that his halberd''s light shattered continuously with a series of bangs under the pressure of the intertwining green lotus swords. In a blink of an eye, the halberd''s light was completely pulverized.


    In an instant, nine green lotus swords surrounded Tan Feng.


    Eternal life, undying.


    Beneath the rotation of the green lotus swords, the green light on his body was continuously compressed, and behind him, the Dragon Scale Wood thundered loudly. A crack spread with a snap, followed by a bone-chilling series of cracking sounds, like beans frying.


    "No. No..."


    Tan Feng''s pupils dilated to the extreme, filled with terror in his eyes.


    He had never imagined...


    that the powerful Dragon Scale Wood, known for its nearly invincible defense, would burst with a bang under the pressure of the green lotus swords. With the Dharma Manifestation shattered, Tan Feng spurted blood violently, and his orifices were filled with blood.


    His pale face showed fear, and as he turned his head sharply, a sword mark flashed before his eyes.


    Xiao Yi leaped up and disappeared into the crowd.


    Only the headless corpse plummeted from the sky with a loud bang, crashing into the crowd, causing screams and shouts of terror.


    At the same time...


    Within the top floor of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    Bang!


    A blood-drenched head rolled in front of the dumbstruck Shi Feiya. She was breathless with shock, her face disbelieving as she looked at the hideous head with blood spurting from its seven orifices, still with eyes wide open.


    "You, you, you really killed Tan Feng?"


    Shi Feiya swallowed hard, unable to stop her gaze from drifting to the table, where a bowl of wine was still steaming��

 Chapter 326 - 326: Hundred Tribulations Elixir

    Gurgle!


    Shi Feiya gulped down mouthful after mouthful of water, her delicate face adorned with strong shock and disbelief.


    The cup of wine had yet to cool.


    Xiao Yi had already slain Tan Feng.


    This was a genuine Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse!


    Since when had the existence of the Dharma Manifestation Realm become so fragile?


    Xiao Yi looked at Shi Feiya and spoke indifferently, "Tan Feng has been killed by me, how to control the slave market next will depend on your own capability, Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce!"


    "Ah? Ah!"


    Shi Feiya snapped back to reality, her gaze towards Xiao Yi filled with several shades of reverence as she said solemnly, "Rest assured, our Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce has long been prepared. Now with Tan Feng dead, the slave market will surely be within my grasp."


    Excitement began to replace the shock on her face.


    The slave market of Beast Emperor City was incredibly large, with yearly profits exceeding hundreds of billions of Silver.


    If she could take control of the slave market of Beast Emperor City into her hands, her position in the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce would become even more secure. Shi Feiya immediately brought out two contracts, "Xiao, shall we sign this contract then?"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "Not in a rush, the terms on the contract need to be changed!"


    "Hmm?"


    Shi Feiya was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi leaned forward slightly, smiling as he looked at her, "I will take thirty percent of the profits from the slave market. In addition, I will need a hundred slots per year to select from the slave market in priority. Also, the slave market will cooperate with Xiaoshanhe Institute. In the future, I will send disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute to the Slave Battlefield to fight and enhance their combat experience."


    Flowers in a greenhouse can never withstand storms.


    Xiao Yi could provide the best cultivation environment and the most abundant resources for the disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, but just having cultivation was not enough��combat experience was equally important.


    Real powerhouses are never created through mere consumption of elixirs.


    Only through battle...


    Especially the battle between life and death, can one''s potential be thoroughly stimulated.


    Shi Feiya''s lovely eyebrows furrowed lightly, the last two conditions were not a problem, but Xiao Yi actually wanted thirty percent of the slave market''s profits, which amounted to over a hundred billion Silver a year.


    At her core, Shi Feiya was still a merchant. She shook her head and said, "I can agree to the last two conditions right now, but the first one... Thirty percent is really too much. You have to understand that controlling and maintaining the slave market requires a huge expenditure. Moreover, you should be aware that behind the Tan Family is Deputy City Lord Sha Kun. Now with Tan Feng dead, we also need to establish connections, and the annual expenses here are not small... "


    This was indeed the truth.


    Just like the Tan Family...


    They had been able to control the slave market of Beast Emperor City for so long, earning so much money each year, but why did the clan only have one Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator? That was why.


    It was because the Tan Family had to give over fifty percent of their profits to Sha Kun every year.


    After deducting all the various maintenance fees and expenses for training powerhouses, having twenty percent left was already considered good.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Don''t worry, from now on the slave market will be under my protection, no need to find another backer!"


    "Uhh..."


    Shi Feiya paused, her phoenix eyes flashing with an inexplicable radiance as she said with a wry smile, "Xiao, Feiya knows you are strong, but in Beast Emperor City, to protect such a large piece of juicy meat from being coveted by others, it''s still somewhat insufficient!"


    Beast Emperor City, where might makes right, was a place of rampant strength.


    This place was a jumble of dragons and snakes, full of desperate desperadoes who would lick the edge of a knife for survival.


    No matter how strong Xiao Yi was as an individual, he could not deter everyone.


    In the vast Beast Emperor City, the only people who had the power and status to protect the slave market were the former City Lord and Sha Kun alone.


    Although Shi Feiya didn''t make it explicit, the implication in her words was self-evident.


    Huang Yuwei, who had been silent all this while, said, "What if you add me to the equation?"


    "Hmm?"


    Shi Feiya was startled, she knew full well Huang Yuwei''s identity and laughed ruefully, "Princess Yuwei, with all due respect... If your father were here, indeed there would be no issues. But now, your father is... "


    "My father is only poisoned. As long as President Shi can provide me with the Hundred Tribulations Elixir from Vice President Lin''s hands, I can definitely wake my father," Huang Yuwei said with furrowed brows, biting her lip. "As long as President Shi is willing to help me, once my father wakes up, I will have him protect the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, and in addition to the conditions Xiao Yi has negotiated with you, we will not take any benefits!"


    Shi Feiya''s gaze flickered.


    If she could secure the City Lord''s protection in Beast Emperor City, that would naturally be most desirable.


    However...


    Shi Feiya gritted her teeth and said, "Alright, I''ll go find Vice President Lin and get that Hundred Tribulations Elixir for you!"


    Half an incense stick of time later.


    Shi Feiya returned to everyone, her face wearing a light, relieved smile, "The Hundred Tribulations Elixir is in hand, Princess Yuwei, I hope you will keep your promise."


    "President Shi, please be assured!"


    Huang Yuwei excitedly took the Hundred Tribulations Elixir.


    Xiao Yi said, "President Shi, please prepare the herbs on the list for me, and once we''ve woken up the city lord, we''ll return to sign the contract!"


    "As it should be!" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shi Feiya nodded emphatically.


    Xiao Yi called out and left the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce with Along and Huang Yuwei.


    ......


    City Lord''s Mansion.


    Located in the central city.


    The entire City Lord''s Mansion covered a vast area, with buildings closely packed together in an arrangement resembling the Eight Trigrams. If someone unfamiliar entered, they could easily become lost and unable to find their way out.


    Huang Yuwei led Xiao Yi and Along, heading straight for the Beast Emperor Pavilion where her father resided.


    The Beast Emperor Pavilion was situated at the very depths of the City Lord''s Mansion.


    Huang Yuwei carefully cradled the elixir, and as she arrived at the Beast Emperor Pavilion, she was stopped at the entrance. Two guards crossed their weapons in front of her, saying coldly, "By the young master''s order, without his permission, no one is to enter!"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Yuwei''s face changed slightly as she rebuked, "Are you blind? Even I can''t go in?"


    "Sorry, young mistress!"


    The two guards spoke coldly.


    "You..."


    Huang Yuwei''s face went from pale to flushed with anger. She never imagined that after going through so much trouble to acquire the precious medicine, she would be blocked at the door by her own family. She shouted into the pavilion, "Huang Jinghong, get out here!"


    "Who is so bold as to make such a racket in the City Lord''s Mansion? Do they no longer wish to live?"


    An arrogant voice came from inside as a haughty young man who bore a slight resemblance to Huang Yuwei walked out boldly, dressed in brocade clothes and wearing a golden crown.


    This person was Huang Yuwei''s older brother, Huang Jinghong!


    At the Third Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Huang Jinghong squinted at Huang Yuwei, his eyes filled with deep contempt and ridicule, "So it''s you, you wild girl. Father needs to cultivate in peace, and yet you''re causing a commotion. What sort of decorum is this?"


    Huang Yuwei bit her teeth and said, "Huang Jinghong, have your men stand aside. I have acquired the Hundred Tribulations Elixir for father, which can save his life. If you delay and something happens, can you take responsibility?"


    "Hmm? Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    Huang Jinghong''s face changed slightly.


    He was of course aware of such a medicine; it was a treasure that had been lost to time.


    It could cure all poisons!


    "No, I absolutely can''t let this girl give the elixir to father, or the great credit will be hers..."


    Huang Jinghong''s thoughts quickly turned, and he said, "Hand the Hundred Tribulations Elixir to me, and I will personally administer it to father."


    "No way, I must personally give it to father!" Huang Yuwei said.


    Huang Jinghong huffed, frustrated, and said, "Huang Yuwei, how can you be so selfish? Do you think I, your elder brother, care about such petty credit? I, too, am thinking of father''s safety... What do you think is more important, your credit or saving father''s life?"


    Huang Yuwei''s expression changed, her teeth biting down on her cherry lips.


    After hesitating for a moment.


    Huang Yuwei handed the medicine box to Huang Jinghong, admonishing, "You must administer it to father!"


    "Leave it to me!"


    Huang Jinghong, his face filled with excitement, took the medicine box and ran towards the pavilion...

 Chapter 327 - 327: Turning Black into White

    At the Beast Emperor''s Private Gardens entrance.


    Huang Yuwei anxiously paced in circles, occasionally glancing toward the interior of the private garden.


    Xiao Yi reassured her, "Don''t worry, everything will definitely be okay!"


    "Mm!"


    Huang Yuwei squeezed out a forced smile and hesitated before bitterly saying, "Sorry, I must be making a spectacle of myself!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, the image of his brother, who had imprisoned him for eight years and even sent his own younger brother away as a groom to provide a mating partner for his mount, floated through his mind and he said with a laugh, "I''ve seen even more outrageous siblings, this is nothing!"


    "Mm?"


    Huang Yuwei was taken aback.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s smile without further explanation, she did not press the issue.


    Meanwhile...


    Inside the Beast Emperor''s Private Gardens.


    A group of City Lord Huang Baitao''s confidants and several elders of the Huang Family were gathered here, Huang Jinghong''s mother Ji Lingluo sat beside the bed, her face full of worry.


    Seeing Huang Jinghong walk in, Ji Lingluo frowned and said, "Is that wild girl making trouble outside again? Your father is already in this state, yet she knows no restraint!"


    "Mother, don''t get upset over that wild girl, I''ve already taken care of it!"


    Huang Jinghong spoke and then turned toward an elderly man with grey hair beside him, "Senior Elder, I have someone fetch a Hundred Tribulations Elixir, supposedly it can neutralize all poisons, I wonder if it could save father?"


    "Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    The Senior Elder Huang Zheng was taken aback, his murky eyes revealing a trace of wild joy, "If it really is the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, there''s a great chance it could save the City Lord."


    Second Elder Huang Yi patted Huang Jinghong''s shoulder, praising, "Jinghong, you truly haven''t let us down! The Hundred Tribulations Elixir has long been lost to history, to think you could actually find it, quickly administer it to your father!"


    Ji Lingluo watched as the two elders, previously unsatisfied with Huang Jinghong, changed their attitude drastically and even praised him unprecedentedly. Her smile grew even brighter as she said, "Jinghong, quickly give the Hundred Tribulations Elixir to your father, if it can revive him, that would be a great service indeed!"


    "Mother, what are you saying? Even if it''s not just the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, even if it''s my life in exchange for father''s, I would not hesitate!"


    Huang Jinghong patted his chest, saying righteous words.


    The gazes of the people turned tenderer and more approving.


    The Second Elder whispered, "Elder brother, it seems we''ve been too prejudiced against this child in the past!"


    "Even if his talent is a bit weak, with us old bones to help him, he should still be able to make something of himself!"


    The Senior Elder nodded, very satisfied with Huang Jinghong for having found the long-lost Hundred Tribulations Elixir to save Huang Baitao, "Once the City Lord recovers, we should propose that Jinghong take over as the successor to the City Lord!"


    At the same time.


    Huang Jinghong carefully fed the Hundred Tribulations Elixir to Huang Baitao, who lay motionless on the bed.


    The Hundred Tribulations Elixir glowed with a golden light.


    It was covered in golden pill patterns, and a faint medicinal fragrance filled the air.


    Everyone felt invigorated: "This is the real Hundred Tribulations Elixir, the City Lord is saved!"


    "The eldest young master has made a great contribution!"


    Listening to the people''s praises, Huang Jinghong slightly tilted his chin, his face brimming with pride, thinking to himself, "Oh, my foolish little sister, I owe you one this time. Don''t worry, once father wakes up, I will make sure to hasten your marriage to Sha Ying. That way, as Sha Ying''s brother-in-law, the Sha Family would surely feel embarrassed to compete for the City Lord''s position with me, hahaha!"


    However...


    Huang Baitao lying on the bed suddenly shivered, convulsing wildly as if he were in agony.


    Thump thump thump!


    Huang Baitao''s body shook uncontrollably, making the entire bed tremble violently as blood began to flow from his nose and mouth. Black blood spurted wildly from all his orifices.


    Spurt, spurt, spurt!


    Huang Baitao''s pale face turned pitch black instantly.


    It was the violent onset of the poison!


    "Damn it, hold him down quickly!"


    Huang Zheng and Huang Yi acted at the same time, their vital energy transformed into chains that firmly locked Huang Baitao to the bed. Only with their combined efforts pressing down on him did Huang Baitao finally stabilize.


    But the black blood from his seven orifices was a gruesome sight.


    Huang Baitao''s breath grew increasingly fainter and his face dark as death.


    After a brief examination, Huang Zheng''s complexion changed drastically, "Damn it, the lord of the city is suffering from an extremely potent poison, a hundred times more intense than the poison he was originally afflicted with. He, he''s not likely to live through the night..."


    "What?"


    "How did he get poisoned? Didn''t he already take the Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    "Wait, the Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    The Second Elder, Huang Yi''s face suddenly twisted, his eyes sharpening as he stared straight at Huang Jinghong, furiously accusing, "Jinghong, what exactly did you bring? Are you trying to poison your father to death with poison?"


    Huang Jinghong was utterly dumbfounded.


    He too was petrified by the scene unfolding before him.


    His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the floor.


    Facing Huang Yi''s interrogation, Huang Jinghong''s voice shook as he said, "Second Elder, it''s a misunderstanding, I''m wronged..."


    "Wronged? You brought the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, and your father became like this after taking it. What''s so wrongful about that? Fess up, who made you do it?" Huang Zheng bellowed fiercely, his face livid. sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ji Lingluo was also beside herself with anxiety, desperately saying, "Speak up, quickly!"


    "Thi-this, this Hundred Tribulations Elixir was... was brought back by that wild girl..."


    Huang Jinghong said with a sorrowful face, revealing the truth.


    If it truly was the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, saving Huang Baitao would certainly be a great merit, and it was naturally not something he would let fall into the hands of others.


    A perilous situation...


    This was outright poison!


    Aimed at taking Huang Baitao''s life.


    Let the comrade die rather than the pauper.


    Huang Jinghong promptly shifted all the blame onto Huang Yuwei, "Eldest Elder, Second Elder, listen to me... This must all be Huang Yuwei''s conspiracy. She brought this pill back just now, telling me it was the Hundred Tribulations Elixir that could save our father. I let her come in to deliver the medicine. But she said she wanted to give me credit for it, told me to inform you that I was the one who found the Hundred Tribulations Elixir. I, I didn''t realize it was poison!"


    "What?"


    "Yuwei did this?"


    Everyone was flabbergasted.


    Ji Lingluo roared with a distorted face, "I knew it... That wild girl returned with impure motives at this time; she certainly wanted to kill the city lord through Jinghong. How vicious this woman is, Eldest Elder, Second Elder, you mustn''t let her off!"


    Huang Jinghong''s face was a picture of sorrow, his hands clutching his hair, "I get it now... Huang Yuwei must have known she had no hope of succeeding as the city lord, so she thought to poison our father, then marry Sha Ying. For the Sha Family, killing our father would be an immense merit; it must be so... This woman is just too malicious..."


    Listening to the mother and son echo each other''s sentiments.


    The Eldest Elder, Huang Zheng, and Second Elder, Huang Yi, exchanged a glance, their expressions extremely grim.


    Huang Zheng said with a grim face, "Second brother, bring Yuwei in here. We must investigate this thoroughly. If Yuwei really did this, I will kill her myself..."

 Chapter 328 - 328 Shut Your Mouth!

    ```


    Huang Yi nodded heavily, his face darkening as he said, "Don''t worry, big brother, I will bring her in right away!"


    Huang Yi, with a gloomy face, walked out of the other garden.


    At the entrance of the other garden.


    Xiao Yi, sensing someone approaching, gently patted Huang Yuwei''s shoulder, "Someone''s coming!"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Yuwei was taken aback as she saw Huang Yi with a dark expression on his face walking toward her, his gaze filled with wariness and confusion. But Huang Yuwei''s heart was concerned about Huang Baitao''s safety, and she paid no attention to the change in Huang Yi''s expression, hastily calling out, "Second Elder, how is father doing?"


    Huang Yi squinted at Huang Yuwei, "Did you bring back the Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    Huang Yuwei nodded subconsciously.


    Huang Yi''s gaze paused briefly on Xiao Yi and Along, frowning, "Who are they?"


    Huang Yuwei said, "These are my two friends, Xiao Yi and Along! It''s thanks to their help that I was able to obtain the Hundred Tribulations Elixir. Second Elder, my father should have recovered by now, right?"


    "Greetings, Second Elder!" Xiao Yi and the other greeted.


    Huang Yi said, "Come in with me."


    "Okay!"


    Huang Yuwei hurriedly walked toward the inside of the Beast Emperor''s other garden, Xiao Yi and the other following with furrowed brows.


    Upon entering the room.


    Huang Yuwei saw Huang Baitao on the couch, tears filling her eyes instantly, "Father..."


    She tried to step forward.


    But the Second Elder barred the way with an outstretched arm in front of her.


    The atmosphere in the room made Xiao Yi''s brows tighten slightly.


    He noticed that everyone in the room looked at them with wariness and hostility. Especially the First Elder, who, as soon as they entered, waved his hand to close the door. sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    There was also a surge of energy, locking onto the three of them.


    Xiao Yi glanced around and saw Huang Baitao on the couch with a blackened face and blood pouring from his seven orifices, and his heart skipped a beat, "This is bad, trouble''s brewing..."


    As if to confirm his conjecture.


    Ji Lingluo was the first to accuse, "Huang Yuwei, did you bring that Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    Huang Yuwei was startled, her eyes full of tears, without taking her gaze off the bed, she nodded, "Auntie, the Hundred Tribulations Elixir was indeed brought by Yuwei."


    Huang Zheng said in a heavy voice, "Yuwei, the Hundred Tribulations Elixir has been extinct for many years, where did you find it?"


    "I got it from Vice President Lin Yuejin of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce!" Huang Yuwei said through tears.


    Huang Zheng frowned, "The Hundred Tribulations Elixir is extremely valuable, how could Lin Yuejin bear to give it to you?"


    Huang Yuwei''s gaze remained fixed on Huang Baitao, the worry and pain in her eyes not diminishing one bit, "All thanks to Xiao Yi''s help, he knows Shi Feiya from the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, and we got the Hundred Tribulations Elixir through her from Vice President Lin."


    "Oh?"


    Huang Zheng narrowed his eyes into slits, sizing up Xiao Yi, "May I know where this young brother comes from to have such influence, that Shi Feiya would help you get a Hundred Tribulations Elixir?"


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly and said, "I come from the Great Qian Dynasty, with some cooperation with President Shi!"


    "Just ''some cooperation'', and she would give such a precious pill to you, just for your sake?" Ji Lingluo said in a peculiar tone.


    Huang Yuwei was taken aback, too, sensing something amiss in the atmosphere, and frowned, "Auntie, what do you mean by that? Xiao Yi has helped us, and yet you''re questioning him like this..."


    "Helped us? Hmph, I think it''s you, this wild girl, colluding with outsiders, intentionally using poison to harm your father!" Ji Lingluo snorted coldly, her eyes glaring angrily and her voice piercingly sharp.


    ```


    Hum!


    Huang Yuwei''s face turned pale as she looked at Ji Lingluo in disbelief, "Auntie, what are you saying? How could I possibly harm my father?"


    "How could it not be possible?"


    Huang Jinghong snorted coldly from the side. In an effort to exonerate himself, he spared no effort to push all the blame onto Huang Yuwei, "Everyone knows that you were engaged to Sha Ying. Now that father is seriously ill, Sha Kun can hardly wait to seize the position of city lord. I think you want to poison our father to please your future father-in-law, so you can be the young madam of the city lord''s family!"


    "You��you''re talking nonsense!"


    Huang Yuwei''s forehead pulsed with anger as she glared at Huang Jinghong.


    "I''m talking nonsense? Humph, I think you are the one with a guilty conscience. If the Hundred Tribulations Elixir isn''t poison, why would you hand it over to me, letting me take all the credit for nothing?" Huang Jinghong said with a strange intonation.


    Huang Zheng and Huang Yi squinted their eyes, though they said nothing, they seemed to agree with Huang Jinghong''s words.


    After all,


    the calls for Huang Yuwei to inherit the position of city lord were already strong. If she could save Huang Baitao at this time, those neutral elders would surely switch their support to her.


    Yet, at this critical moment, she had given the Hundred Tribulations Elixir to Huang Jinghong, her competitor��indeed, it didn''t make sense!


    Ji Lingluo''s tone was dark and frosty, each word she uttered was like a dagger piercing Huang Yuwei''s heart, "Huang Yuwei, I didn''t expect you to have such a malicious heart. Just for your own selfish desires, you even wouldn''t spare your own father!"


    "Auntie, I didn''t, I''ve been wronged��" Huang Yuwei''s eyes pleaded as she looked at Huang Zheng and Huang Yi, "Elders, I am truly wronged. You must believe me, I couldn''t possibly harm my father, I am innocent��"


    However��


    Everyone seemed to turn a deaf ear.


    At this moment, Huang Yuwei was like a child lost at a crossroads, with the sky darkened and no light from the sun or moon. She couldn''t find anyone to trust, couldn''t find anyone willing to believe her.


    Loneliness, helplessness, darkness, coldness, and despair.


    It was as if these elements had intertwined into a vast black net, firmly trapping her beneath it.


    Unable to move.


    Unable to struggle.


    Her heart was already completely shrouded by the darkness.


    It was at this time,


    a gentle voice suddenly pierced her dark world, "I believe you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Yuwei felt the darkness before her eyes tear away, a ray of light shining upon her.


    There stood Xiao Yi beside her.


    With tears in her eyes, Huang Yuwei murmured, "Xiao Yi��"


    Xiao Yi gently wiped the tears from her face, his calm gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Huang Jinghong, and spoke coldly, "Let me tell you why Yuwei went to great lengths to obtain the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, yet didn''t bring it in herself!"


    "Shut up, this is the Huang Family, you outsider have no place to speak here!" Huang Jinghong''s face changed as he quickly berated.


    He had only just managed to push the blame onto Huang Yuwei.


    If Xiao Yi revealed the truth now, wouldn''t all his previous schemes be in vain?


    "Shut your filthy mouth! If you dare utter one more word, I will kill you!"


    Two solid beams of cold light shot from Xiao Yi''s eyes, the intensity of his gaze pushing Huang Jinghong back against the wall, his back already drenched in cold sweat.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over everyone, and he began to speak calmly, "��"

 Chapter 329 - 329: Who Says Hes Been Poisoned?

    "The moment Yuwei got her hands on the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, she rushed back to the Beast Emperor''s Private Garden to deliver it. But at the entrance, Huang Jinghong''s men stopped us, not allowing us in..."


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was fixed on the crowd, "Even after Huang Jinghong learned that Yuwei had brought the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, he still wouldn''t let us in. Instead, he took the elixir from Yuwei''s hands and insisted on bringing it in himself. Do you think it was Yuwei who wanted to harm him, or was it he who wanted to steal the credit?"


    Everyone was stunned.


    Their eyes involuntarily fell on Huang Jinghong.


    The people of the Huang Family were all too familiar with Huang Jinghong''s character��a selfish and extremely greedy man, with little to no genuine ability.


    Despite the many resources provided by Huang Baitao, he had only achieved the Tao Tribulation Realm through the excessive use of drugs.


    Given the same resources, anyone else would have already reached the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    They might even have begun attempting to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    But Huang Jinghong took no shame in his mediocrity, instead, he took pride in it.


    Such an arrogant person doing these things was indeed understandable.


    "Nonsense!"


    Ji Lingluo''s face twisted with rage, and her makeup-caked face showed a venomous hue, "How could my son be such a person? It must be you setting a trap deliberately, deceiving him into taking the poison to the city lord..."


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi''s hand flew out in a backhand slap across her face.


    Ji Lingluo clutched her face, completely dumbfounded: "You... You dare to hit me?"


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi delivered another backhand slap, his voice cold, "I don''t like being interrupted when I''m speaking. If there''s a next time, I will cut out your tongue!"


    Ji Lingluo''s cheeks swelled up significantly, and her eyes were filled with fear as she looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi spoke with deliberate emphasis, "You keep insisting that Yuwei wanted to harm her father, but do you know that on her way here, she narrowly escaped an attack by Sha Kun''s Black Shark Guard?"


    The crowd was shocked.


    The Black Shark Guard were Sha Kun''s loyal death squads, demons that lurked in the night.


    Huang Yuwei never mentioned this incident to them after she returned.


    Xiao Yi continued, "You repeatedly accuse her of wanting to earn meritorious accolades and curry favor with Sha Kun. But do you know she repeatedly rejected Sha Ying''s invitations and refused to meet with him? And yet to obtain the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, she was willing to pour wine and apologize to Sha Ying?"


    The expressions of the people changed, and they looked at Huang Yuwei with softer eyes.


    Huang Yuwei''s character was resolute and unyielding, and this was witnessed by all. Yet such was her temperament, she had actually been willing to pour wine and apologize to Sha Ying?


    With every word he uttered, Xiao Yi took a step forward.


    Huang Jinghong kept stumbling backward.


    Until his back, drenched with cold sweat, was against the wall, and his heels were raised high. If not for the wall behind him, he would probably have continued to retreat.


    "Yuwei did everything within her power to save her father. And you?"


    Xiao Yi''s words weighed heavily, striking his face, "As her family, as her elder brother, instead of understanding her, trusting her, at this time you try to take her credit and, once things went wrong, you pushed the responsibility onto her. Is this the way the people of the Huang Family act? If so, perhaps Huang Baitao is not worth saving..."


    Thump!


    Huang Jinghong''s body trembled, his legs gave out, and he slid down the wall, collapsing to the ground.


    His face was deathly pale.


    Seeing his condition, Ji Lingluo''s eyes were filled with pity yet she dared not come close, for fear of angering Xiao Yi and actually having her tongue cut out.


    Like mother, like son.


    When disaster struck,


    Ji Lingluo decisively chose to protect herself, having no regard for her son whom she might shield.


    Huang Zheng and others also lowered their heads.


    Xiao Yi''s words pierced their souls and left them filled with immense guilt.


    Whew!


    Huang Zheng let out a long sigh of relief and bowed deeply to Huang Yuwei, "Yuwei, we misjudged you, we are sorry!"


    Huang Yi looked at Huang Yuwei, his eyes regaining their usual tenderness, "Yuwei, I''m sorry!"


    "Miss, I''m sorry!"


    ```


    People were talking all around.


    Huang Yuwei had long since been in tears, choking back sobs as she shook her head, "It''s okay, I''m fine, please don''t be like this..."


    Her gaze towards Xiao Yi was filled with gratitude.


    In her most desperate moment, S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi appeared before her, tearing through the suffocating despair and bringing her the light of renewed hope. It was also Xiao Yi who vindicated her, making her family understand her true intentions.


    "Xiao Yi, thank you!" Huang Yuwei whispered in a voice only she could hear.


    "Yuwei, go see your father!"


    Xiao Yi walked up to her and said.


    "Okay!"


    Huang Yuwei nodded vigorously.


    Since her return, Ji Lingluo and Huang Jinghong had been preventing her from seeing Huang Baitao; she had only managed to catch a glimpse of him from a distance before Ji Lingluo drove her away.


    This was the first time she was so close to her father.


    Xiao Yi stood by the bedside, gazing at Huang Baitao on the bed, and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "That''s not right, who said he was poisoned? This is just ridiculous; it''s no wonder that the Hundred Tribulations Elixir not only failed to revive him but made him suffer from severe poisoning. He wasn''t poisoned in the first place..."


    "What?"


    "Not poisoned?"


    Everyone was shocked.


    Huang Zheng said with seriousness, "Xiao Yi, my young friend, are you sure the city lord was not poisoned?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and affirmed, "Of course, I''m certain. The Hundred Tribulations Elixir indeed can counter most poisons, but it does so by using poison to fight poison; it is inherently a highly toxic substance. If one who wasn''t poisoned took the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, it would be a deadly poison. Huang Baitao wasn''t poisoned before, so taking the Hundred Tribulations Elixir is what caused his current condition!"


    "Impossible!"


    "We had the president of the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce, none other than the Seven-Star Alchemist Master Yuan himself, diagnose the city lord. Master Yuan personally said that the city lord was suffering from severe poisoning��how could he be wrong?"


    The crowd looked at each other, completely befuddled.


    Huang Yi said in a grave tone, "Xiao Yi, my young friend, are you certain the city lord wasn''t poisoned before?"


    "Absolutely certain!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, saying, "Only those poisoned by the Hundred Tribulations Elixir would bleed black blood from all seven orifices and turn black all over, as if struck by lightning. Look at Huang Baitao''s symptoms; it''s solely from the poison of the Hundred Tribulations Elixir itself!"


    "Master Yuan?"


    Huang Yuwei suddenly looked up at everyone, "Elder, I had previously gone to the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce to find Master Yuan, who told me that Vice President Lin had a Hundred Tribulations Elixir that could save my father."


    Boom!


    Huang Zheng and the others felt their minds explode, going blank.


    It was Master Yuan who had diagnosed Huang Baitao, and at that time he had not mentioned anything about the Hundred Tribulations Elixir.


    It was only after Huang Yuwei visited him that he brought up that Lin Yuejin had a Hundred Tribulations Elixir.


    Everyone connected these clues together.


    Master Yuan was the key link in it all.


    Everything seemed to have started because of him.


    But if not for Xiao Yi''s discovery that Huang Baitao had not been poisoned before, nobody would have thought to connect this matter with Master Yuan. He was the one who had instigated everything, yet he had managed to extract himself perfectly from the situation.


    "Could it be that Master Yuan wanted to harm the city lord?"


    "But we have always had no conflicts with the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce..."


    Huang Zheng''s face fluctuated between shades, "If I''m not mistaken, all of this must be Sha Kun''s conspiracy."


    "Sha Kun?"


    The expressions of everyone changed.


    Sha Kun stood to benefit the most from Huang Baitao''s death.


    Furthermore...


    Only someone like Sha Kun had the influence to compel a prestigious Seven-Star Alchemist to act!


    While everyone was filled with anger over this matter, Huang Yi''s eyes shone brightly as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, my young friend, since you were able to tell at a glance that the city lord was not poisoned before taking the Hundred Tribulations Elixir, it seems you have profound knowledge in the art of alchemy. I wonder, do you have a way to save the city lord?"


    Whoosh!


    All eyes suddenly fell on Xiao Yi, waiting for his reply...


    ```

 Chapter 330 - 330 Sha Kun Visits!

    "Xiao Yi, you can save my father, can''t you?"


    Huang Yuwei looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of hope.


    Under the focused gaze of everyone around.


    Xiao Yi touched his nose and gave a wry smile, "I do have a way, but, it''s just that I don''t know if you would trust me!"


    Huang Zheng said, "Xiao Yi, my friend, of course I trust you!"


    "Whatever your demands may be, just state them. As long as we can fulfill them, we will do our utmost!" Huang Yi said gravely.


    Now, they were truly grasping at straws.


    After all.


    The strongest alchemist in Beast Emperor City, Fu Yuan, was suspected of playing an ignoble role in this affair, and they were out of options.


    Huang Yuwei clutched Xiao Yi''s hand, "Xiao Yi, I beg you to save my father..."


    "Enough!"


    Xiao Yi sighed and said, "Bring me paper and ink!"


    "Right this way!"


    Huang Yi gestured invitingly as there was a desk in the room. He went forward to spread out the paper and personally ground the ink for Xiao Yi, "Please."


    Xiao Yi took up a brush and wrote down a list of medicinal ingredients with flourish.


    On that list.


    There were no fewer than three hundred different ingredients.


    The poison of the Hundred Tribulations Elixir was extremely complex; the method of detoxifying it also could not follow the beaten path.


    Xiao Yi handed the list to Huang Yi, "Elder Huang, have all the items on this list ready within three hours."


    "Leave it to me!"


    Huang Yi took the list and immediately left.


    Then.


    Xiao Yi looked at the people and said, "Except for Yuwei, everyone leave the Beast Emperor Villa. I am going to heal Huang Baitao and drive out his poison." He turned to the great elder Huang Zheng, "Great Elder, once Elder Huang has prepared the items, the two of you may bring them in together! During this time, make sure no one disturbs me!"


    "No problem!"


    Huang Zheng solemnly promised, his icy gaze sweeping over Huang Jinghong and the others, "Everyone get out!"


    Huang Jinghong and Ji Lingluo, though reluctant, did not dare linger and left supporting each other.


    A group of people gathered outside the villa.


    Huang Zheng personally guarded the entrance, his cold gaze pausing on Huang Jinghong, "You and your mother, go back to your room and reflect behind closed doors. When the city lord awakens, we will decide how to deal with you!"


    "Yes, Great Elder!" Ji Lingluo quickly agreed, pulling away a resentful and unwilling Huang Jinghong.


    On their way.


    Huang Jinghong''s face was clouded over, "Mother, why are you pulling me away?"


    Ji Lingluo looked around and whispered in a lowered voice, "Hong''er, go find Sha Kun right now!"


    "Hm?"


    Huang Jinghong was startled and frowned, "What do we need him for?"


    Ji Lingluo''s eyes flickered cunningly, carrying a venomous tone, "Given the current situation, if your father wakes up, that wild girl will surely become the heir. What chance of survival would you and I possibly have then?"


    Hiss!


    Huang Jinghong sucked in a breath of cold air, "Mother, you mean..."


    He made a throat-slitting gesture.


    Ji Lingluo nodded, her eyes filled with viciousness, "As long as your father dies and Sha Kun ascends to the position of city lord, we''ll get him to grant you the deputy city lord position. With Sha Kun''s help, we can then eliminate those two meddlesome old fools. The Huang Family will be ours, and we can still enjoy wealth and glory!"


    Upon hearing that the whole Huang Family would be under his command.


    Huang Jinghong''s breathing quickened, and he nodded emphatically, "Okay, I''ll contact Sha Kun right away..."


    Ji Lingluo turned back to look in the direction of the Beast Emperor Villa, her eyes sweeping past a glint of extreme cruelty, "You forced my hand, don''t blame me for being ruthless..."


    ...��


    Only an hour and a half had passed. Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Huang Yi had returned with all the items on the list, not just over three hundred kinds of medicinal ingredients but also ten huge wooden barrels.


    "Xiao, the items are all ready!" Facing Xiao Yi, Huang Yi showed a few more signs of respect.


    By now, Huang Baitao was full of silver needles all over his body.


    The black color on his skin had also faded somewhat.


    Huang Zheng said gravely, "Xiao, what else do we need to do?"


    Xiao Yi replied in a deep voice, "Place the wooden barrels inside the house and fill them with water. Use your vital energy to boil the water within. Meanwhile, have someone start preparing the medicine according to the prescription, dividing it into ten separate batches..."


    Huang Yuwei said, "With the two Elders here helping out, I can take care of brewing the medicine!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Remember, you must follow the exact method laid out in the prescription, and not miss a single step."


    "Mhm!"


    Huang Yuwei immediately left.


    Xiao Yi called out to Along, "Along, move Huang Baitao into the first barrel."


    Along stepped forward, hoisting Huang Baitao up and lowering him into the first barrel.


    Huang Zheng and the other man used their vital energy to constantly bring the water in the barrels to a boil.


    Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!


    Bubbles rose one by one, and a layer of white mist filled the room.


    After half an hour.


    Huang Yuwei had finished preparing the first dose of medicine. Xiao Yi poured it into the first barrel, the medicinal liquid clear as water. But upon touching Huang Baitao''s body, the bubbles in the barrel turned a dark purple color.


    The water in the barrel became a dark, murky purple.


    Another half an hour passed.


    Huang Yuwei brought the second batch of medicine.


    "Switch to the second barrel!" Xiao Yi ordered.


    And so it went on.


    The third barrel.


    The fourth barrel...


    In an instant, seven barrels later and after many relentless hours of work, everyone was extremely fatigued. Huang Yuwei''s face was pale, her eyelids fought each other, and she was on the verge of falling asleep.


    She was preparing the eighth batch of medicine.


    At this moment...


    A figure appeared behind her��it was none other than Ji Lingluo. Huang Yuwei was startled, "Auntie, why have you come?"


    Disgust and bitterness flitted through Ji Lingluo''s eyes, but her face wore an expression of worry and guilt, "Yuwei, it was all Auntie''s fault before, I didn''t treat you right. Today''s events have made me realize my past mistakes. From now on, I will treat you well. Let''s be a harmonious family together..."


    "Auntie..."


    Having a soft heart, Huang Yuwei saw the self-reproach and the guilt on Ji Lingluo''s face and smiled, shaking her head, "Don''t be like this, Auntie. Don''t worry, I have no intention of competing with Big Brother for the position of heir. Once Father wakes up, I will go back!"


    "No, Yuwei, you can''t go. Your mother left us too soon, from now on I am your mother, and we''ll be a family together!" Ji Lingluo said.


    Huang Yuwei''s eyes reddened, and she nodded emphatically, "Mhm, we''ll be a family together!"


    A cold sneer played in Ji Lingluo''s mind while she glanced at the medicine being prepared, "Yuwei, it looks like you''re tired. Why don''t you take a rest and let Auntie handle this?"


    "This..."


    Huang Yuwei hesitated, her face showing indecision.


    She clearly remembered Xiao Yi''s instructions; there must not be the slightest mishap.


    Impatient in her heart, Ji Lingluo''s face bore a look of self-reproach, "Yuwei, let Auntie do this. I feel guilty, allow me to contribute this small effort as an atonement!"


    Seeing this.


    Huang Yuwei naturally felt it was hard to refuse any longer, and she indeed was very tired, so she leaned to one side, and soon fell into a deep sleep.


    "Yuwei, Yuwei!"


    Ji Lingluo woke Huang Yuwei up, saying, "The medicine is ready!"


    "Ah? Good, I''ll take it now!"


    Huang Yuwei immediately took the medicine and left; she was extra cautious and told Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, this medicine was prepared by Auntie, please check if there''s anything wrong with it!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was surprised but after checking, he shook his head, "No problem!"


    "That''s a relief, it seems Auntie really has learned from her mistakes!" Huang Yuwei breathed a sigh of relief.


    Afterward, the eighth barrel.


    The ninth barrel.


    The tenth barrel was also prepared by Ji Lingluo, and Huang Yuwei personally delivered them to Xiao Yi''s hands.


    About half an hour after the tenth barrel of medicine was sent to the Beast Emperor City annex, a signal arrow suddenly shot across the void from within the city lord''s mansion. Barely a dozen breaths later.


    A grand and domineering voice echoed above the city lord''s mansion, "Huang, Sha Kun has come to visit. Why have you not come out to meet me?"

 Chapter 331 - 331: Sorry, I let you down!

    "Lord Huang, Sha Kun has come to visit, and you still won''t come out to meet me?"


    The domineering and thunderous voice rolled like thunder, echoing in the skies above the lord''s mansion.


    For a moment.


    All the powerhouses of Beast Emperor City had heard this voice, and countless strong individuals turned their gazes toward the lord''s mansion.


    Within the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    Shi Feiya stood with her hands clasped behind her back, looking in the direction of the lord''s mansion through the window.


    Behind her, a middle-aged man furrowed his brows and said, "President, you had me deliver the Hundred Tribulations Elixir to Huang Yuwei, but if Sha Kun learns of this, I fear he won''t let us off easily!"


    "Besides you and me, who knows about this?" Shi Feiya said indifferently.


    "Uh..."


    Lin Yuejin was taken aback, then realized, "I understand now, President, your methods are indeed clever. If the Hundred Tribulations Elixir truly manages to save Lord Huang, we will be the heroes and naturally receive the protection of the lord''s mansion. If it fails, no one will be aware of it, and we can still cooperate with Sha Kun!"


    Shi Feiya narrowed her eyes, Xiao Yi''s figure emerging in her mind: "You, can you create a miracle once again?"


    Meanwhile.


    In the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce, at the very top.


    The Seven-Star Alchemist Master Yuan let out a sigh and murmured to himself, "After today, the ownership of Beast Emperor City will probably be changed to Sha!"


    Throughout Beast Emperor City.


    Nearly everyone believed that Sha Kun''s provocation at this moment meant the lord''s mansion would inevitably be unable to resist.


    After today.


    Beast Emperor City will surely change its name to Sha!


    This had almost become a consensus among everyone!


    Not a single person was optimistic about the lord''s mansion...


    ......


    Inside the lord''s mansion.


    Several figures soared into the air, led by Huang Zheng and Huang Yi.


    Thousands of guards from within the lord''s mansion also rose into the sky, densely packed, standing beside the two''s divine beasts.


    The faces of the few were extremely ugly, staring at Sha Kun and the tens of thousands of Black Shark Guards behind him. They were Sha Kun''s strongest trump cards, the grim reapers who walked in the shadows.


    No one knew how many strong individuals had died at the hands of the Black Shark Guard.


    Today, Sha Kun had brought the Black Shark Guard directly above the lord''s mansion; this was a blatant challenge to the authority of the lord and disregard for the honor of the Huang family''s lord!


    Huang Zheng spoke in a deep voice, "Sha Kun, the lord has strict orders not to allow the Black Shark Guard into Beast Emperor City. Are you trying to rebel?"


    Sha Kun, dressed in a robe with python patterns, stood on a cloud of sand below him, looking down at Huang Zheng and others with disdain, and arrogantly said, "Rebel? Huang Zheng, that''s a heavy accusation you''re laying down there, I, Sha Kun, can''t bear it!"


    "Hmph!"


    Huang Yi snorted coldly, his face gloomy, "Is there anything in this world you, Sha Kun, dare not do?"


    Sha Kun said flatly, "Today, Sha has come here at the behest of someone to support the rightful order of Beast Emperor City. Instead, you few have colluded with outsiders, taken control of the lord, and plotted rebellion, a crime punishable by death. Sha has come here to rescue the lord and defend the safety of Beast Emperor City!"


    "Bullshit!"


    Huang Yi, quick-tempered, cursed outright, "Which damned bastard invited you here?"


    "I did!"


    A venomous voice suddenly came from within the lord''s mansion.


    The expressions on the faces of Huang Zheng and the others all changed at once, as they turned to look in the direction of the voice.


    They saw Huang Jinghong and Ji Lingluo walking on air, flying straight past Huang Zheng and the rest, and arriving in front of Sha Kun.


    Huang Jinghong bowed to Sha Kun and said, "Jinghong greets Uncle Sha, thank you for your help!"


    "This humble woman thanks Deputy Lord Sha!" Ji Lingluo also said, bowing gracefully.


    "Sister-in-law, worthy nephew, please rise!"


    Sha Kun smiled as he pretended to lift the two, his scornful gaze falling on Huang Zheng and Huang Yi. He raised his eyebrows with a mocking expression, "Huang Zheng, Huang Yi, now do you know who invited me here?"


    Huang Zheng''s eyes almost burst with rage as he looked at Huang Jinghong and his mother with contempt. "Huang Jinghong, Ji Lingluo, do you realize what you''re doing?"


    "Damn it," Huang Yi roared, "it''s you two bastards. Do you realize you''re burying the legacy of our Huang Family that has lasted for hundreds of years?"


    Huang Jinghong smiled and said, "Elders First and Second, please calm down."


    "Shut up!"


    Huang Zheng shouted angrily, "I truly regret not slapping you to death just now!"


    Huang Jinghong shrugged, emboldened by Sha Kun''s presence. "Elder First, you should shut up first! Don''t you know why I''m doing this? If you had supported me as the heir to the City Lord, instead of that wild girl, do you think I would have done this? The ruin of the Huang Family''s legacy is not my doing, it''s yours!"


    "Huang Zheng, Huang Yi, you are the eternal culprits of the Huang Family. And my son is the hero who continued the glory of the Huang Family in adversity. Sha Kun has already agreed, as soon as he ascends to the position of City Lord, he will appoint my son as the Deputy City Lord..."


    Ji Lingluo said proudly, "I advise you to surrender without a fight, and stop your futile resistance..."


    "You shut up!"


    Huang Zheng erupted in fury, his gaze icy to its limits, "Ji Lingluo, the City Lord is not yet dead, and you can''t wait to hand over the seat of our Huang Family to others?"


    Ji Lingluo sneered, "Don''t think I don''t know, the City Lord has already been killed by you in collusion with that wild girl." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Elders First and Second, my father treated you sincerely and entrusted you with important tasks, hoping you could support me in ascending to the position of City Lord."


    Huang Jinghong''s face was filled with grief as he stared at Huang Zheng and the others with the vengeful look of someone facing his father''s murderer: "And what about you? You colluded with that wild girl and that outsider named Xiao Yi to persecute me and my mother, and you even killed my father. I, Huang Jinghong, swear to the heavens, I will personally execute both of you, to avenge my father and wash away his humiliation..."


    Sha Kun, pretending to be dignified, said, "My dear nephew, do not be sad. Your uncle promises to capture these two treacherous bastards and hand them over to you for disposal!"


    "Thank you, Uncle Sha..."


    Huang Jinghong bowed in gratitude to Sha Kun but heard a snort from Sha Kun. His body trembled slightly, and with a swift glance, he loudly said, "Thank you, Lord Sha, for taking charge for me!"


    "Hahaha, well said, well said!"


    Sha Kun''s face was beaming with a radiant smile.


    Behind him...


    Sha Kun''s eldest son, Sha Diao, led a group of powerhouses, all loudly exclaiming, "Long live the City Lord!"


    "Long live the City Lord!"


    Amidst the ringing shouts, Sha Kun''s face grew even brighter with smiles.


    He lifted his chin slightly, an arrogant gaze falling upon Huang Zheng and the others. With a grand gesture pointing forward, he declared, "Black Shark Guard, listen to my command! The former City Lord, Huang Baitao, has been framed by traitors and now hangs by a thread. Follow me into the City Lord''s mansion and rescue City Lord Huang. Whoever dares to obstruct, kill without mercy!"


    "Whoever dares to obstruct, kill without mercy!"


    "Kill without mercy!"


    The crowd shouted in unison, fervently echoing the command.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    One by one, the Black Shark Guards, shrouded in black clothing with only their blood-red eyes visible, surrounded by thick fog, led by Sha Diao, were ready to launch an attack on Huang Zheng and the others.


    But at that moment...


    A voice full of authority came from within the City Lord''s mansion: "I''d like to see who dares touch anyone from my City Lord''s mansion!"


    "Hmm?"


    Sha Kun''s complexion changed drastically.


    The faces of Ji Lingluo and Huang Jinghong beside him also turned pale with a whoosh, devoid of any color.


    Three figures stepped out of the City Lord''s mansion, walking on air.


    To the left was Xiao Yi, to the right Huang Yuwei.


    The person in the middle, dignified, holding a Golden Trident, landed in front of Huang Zheng and the others.


    Hisss!


    Sha Kun gasped, shock painting his face: "Huang Baitao? Aren''t you supposed to be dead?"


    Huang Baitao smiled coldly, squinting his eyes, "Sorry to disappoint you!"

 Chapter 332 - 332: Youre Still Lacking!

    Huang Baitao''s face bore a touch of icy coldness, "Sorry to disappoint you!"


    His eyes were fixed deathly on Sha Kun, as well as the mother and son pair of Ji Lingluo by his side.


    In his gaze was anger, sorrow, and an unprecedented iciness.


    These were his wife and child.


    At the most critical moment...


    They had actually chosen to betray him.


    In Huang Baitao''s heart, Ji Lingluo and Huang Jinghong had already equated to cold corpses.


    Sha Kun''s face was ashen. He turned to Ji Lingluo and Huang Jinghong beside him and bellowed angrily, "Is this your so-called foolproof plan? Didn''t you say that Huang Baitao was already dead?"


    "I, I had no idea..."


    Huang Jinghong''s face was a picture of confusion. Under the threat of death, he played his blame-shifting trick again, pointing at Ji Lingluo, "All this was done by my mother. She told me to do everything according to your orders."


    Hiss!


    Ji Lingluo''s triangular eyes widened in shock as Sha Kun turned to look at her. With a face of mourning, she said, "I did as you instructed and tampered with their last batch of medicine. They didn''t notice at all!"


    Sha Kun''s expression shifted unpredictably.


    He was certain that Ji Lingluo and Huang Jinghong wouldn''t dare deceive him.


    His gaze turned to Huang Baitao, with a cold glint in his eyes, he sneered, "I was truly careless. I never expected that you''d have such a capable person by your side who could even detect the Drunken God Powder."


    Drunken God Powder.


    Colorless and odorless, ranked among the eighth grade.


    In strict terms...


    Drunken God Powder was not a poison, but a special kind of elixir that only alchemists of eight stars and above could concoct.


    As its name implies.


    Once taken, even gods would be overpowered by its effects.


    It was by chance that Sha Kun had gotten his hands on two doses of Drunken God Powder.


    The first was used to drug Huang Baitao, then he had Fu Yuan diagnosed Huang Baitao as poisoned, and calmly arranged his plot, using others to attempt poisoning Huang Baitao with the Hundred Tribulations Elixir.


    Sha Kun''s plan was seamless.


    But now.


    Everything had come to naught!


    "Sha Kun, I always treated you well, yet you plotted to poison me and take over the city lord''s position. I am deeply disappointed in you!" Huang Baitao lamented.


    He and Sha Kun had been as close as brothers, but now they stood on opposite sides, enemies to the death.


    "Hmph!"


    Sha Kun snorted coldly, his eyes shining with a cold light. He scoffed, "Treat me well? That''s just wishful thinking on your part. Over these years, you''ve been ordering me around, always using your position as the city lord to suppress me. If it wasn''t for your constraints, the slave trade would have expanded a hundredfold by now. Beast Emperor City could have opened trade with those inland dynasties and prospered beyond measure compared to its current state. Under your rule, Beast Emperor City can only decline, only I can make it thrive!"


    Sha Kun''s ambition was boundless.


    He wanted to turn Beast Emperor City into a maritime kingdom and even sought to reach into the inland dynasties.


    But Huang Baitao had always been unwilling to stir up war.


    He simply wished to maintain the status quo.


    Their ideologies clashed; Sha Kun had no choice but to take action and eliminate Huang Baitao.


    "Sha Kun, you might as well surrender!"


    Huang Baitao sighed. Although he was conservative, he was not a backward thinker, especially after his recent brush with death had awakened him, "I have recovered, and you cannot take the city lord''s seat. I promise to only take your life and spare your family. If you remain willfully blind, then don''t blame me for totally uprooting the Sha Family!"


    "Surrender? Do you think that''s possible?"


    Sha Kun gave a cold laugh, his hand waved, and a ''whoosh'' echoed as countless grains of sand filled the sky.


    The golden sand gathered together, forming two heavy hammers in his hands.


    Thud, thud!


    These were the Sixth-Layer High-Grade Primordial Vajra Hammers, forged from a millennium of flowing sand, each hammer weighing ten thousand pounds. The hammers swung in his hands, stirring up a fierce wind, kicking up clouds of sand.


    His black hair whipped wildly as his python robe burst open.


    The sandstorm swirled around him.


    Transforming into a suit of golden armor.


    Sha Kun bellowed furiously, "Kill them all for me!"


    "Stubborn fool!"


    Huang Baitao''s eyes spat cold electricity, his wrist twisting as the Golden Trident in his grasp whirred to life, spinning wildly at the hum of its sound, he charged towards Sha Kun with the trident poised for battle.


    Boom!


    The two collided with immense force.


    The terrible clash of energies produced two circular shockwaves that swept outwards in all directions.


    Wherever the shockwaves passed, every building trembled with loud roars, crumbling into a sky-full of dust.


    Huang Baitao roared, "Sha Kun, fight me in the sea!"


    "Afraid of you?"


    Sha Kun, wielding a pair of Primordial Vajra Hammers, stepped across the sky filled with sand and dust, appearing godlike and demonlike as he pursued hotly.


    At the same time.


    Huang Zheng and Huang Yi were also fighting towards Sha Diao and others.


    The city lord''s guards were locked in fierce battle with the Black Shark Guard.


    On the side of the city lord''s mansion, there were Huang Zheng and Huang Yi, both at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, whereas Sha Kun''s side had Sha Diao, Slave King Meng Tuo from the Slave Battlefield with ninety victories, and a sixth-layer intermediate rank beast, the Desert Poison Scorpion, equivalent to the fourth level of Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Two against three.


    Huang Zheng and his companion were being pushed back step by step.


    Especially Sha Diao, whose combat prowess was also extraordinary.


    With his third-level Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivation and mastery of Half-Step Fourth-Order Sword Intent, plus his control over the mist where the Black Shark Guard dwelled. He hid within the mist or suddenly appeared among the Black Shark Guard, making him unpredictable and hard to defend against.


    Wuu wuu wuu!


    Suddenly, the sound of a flute burst forth.


    Huang Yi''s eyes glazed over as he fought the Desert Poison Scorpion. Behind the Scorpion, in the mist, the figure of Sha Diao suddenly emerged.


    He held a flute in one hand and a Longsword in the other.


    Hum!


    In an instant, the sword''s edge appeared at Huang Yi''s back.


    Without a sound.


    This sword would have ended Huang Yi''s life, but at that moment, a fair hand reached out from the void. It caught the Longsword, and Huang Yi came to his senses in that moment, drenched in cold sweat as he fled.


    Looking back, Huang Yi saw Xiao Yi gripping Sha Diao''s Longsword, heaving a sigh of relief, "Thank you!"


    "Leave this to me!"


    Xiao Yi waved it off, looking up at Sha Diao wrapped in the black mist, raised his eyebrows, "The person I encountered on the Beast Emperor Sea, that was you, wasn''t it?"


    Sha Diao squinted his eyes, and two red lights shone through the mist. He quietly retracted his Longsword, his voice dark and chilly, "I didn''t expect to meet again!"


    "Hiding in the shadows, too scared to show your face?" Xiao Yi said.


    The mist around Sha Diao swirled, his voice coming from all directions, elusive as his form, "At the moment when you die, I will let you see me!"


    "That is truly unfortunate, looks like I won''t have the chance to see you in this lifetime!" Xiao Yi chuckled.


    "Is that so?"


    Sha Diao''s voice echoed from every direction.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils slightly constricted.


    A sword finger erected.


    He pointed behind himself.


    Clang!


    A crisp sound rang out from within the mist, and sparks flew. It was Xiao Yi''s sword finger meeting a cold sword tip, clashing like a needle against wheat.


    "Hmm?"


    Surprise tinged Sha Diao''s voice, "You can actually sense my sword?"


    "Half-Step Fourth-Order Sword Intent is indeed strong, but..."


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up, the genuine aura of Fourth-Order Sword Intent released without restraint, he coldly laughed without regard for Sha Diao''s cry from within the mist, "Compared to me, you''re still lacking!"


    S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 333 - 333: The Dharma Form Shatters, Sword Slays the Sha Diao!

    "You''re still not quite there compared to me!"


    The energy of the Fourth-Order Sword Intent around him was released without any reservation.


    It was a terrifying presence.


    In an instant, within the black fog, Sha Diao lost his voice, "Fourth-Order Sword Intent? Impossible, you''re just at the Tao Tribulation Realm, how could you possibly understand the Fourth-Order Sword Intent?"


    Sha Diao was acclaimed as the number one sword genius of Beast Emperor City.


    Now at the Third Layer of Dharma Manifestation Realm, he had reached Half-Step Fourth-Order Sword Intent.


    Even when compared to some of the peerless geniuses in the mainland, he was not to be outdone.


    But now��


    A youngster a dozen years his junior, who was also only at the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, actually mastered true Fourth-Order Sword Intent, how could he not be shocked?


    "Who exactly are you?" Sha Diao''s voice was unprecedentedly solemn.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, "Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi!"


    "It can''t be�� Xiaoshanhe Institute has long been in ruins; how could they produce a powerhouse like you?"


    Even though Beast Emperor City was situated in the distant seas, it still kept some contacts with the mainland and was well-aware of the news of powerful geniuses and sects among the various dynasties of the mainland.


    He had never heard of the name Xiao Yi.


    As for Xiaoshanhe Institute, it had declined decades ago.


    How could they have nurtured such genius?


    Xiao Yi said, "I am not a disciple of Xiaoshanhe Institute; I am the current dean of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "No matter who you are, today, you must die!" Sha Diao roared repeatedly.


    His voice, besides the cold killing intent, was filled with intense jealousy.


    Even now, he had not mastered Fourth-Order Sword Intent.


    Xiao Yi was just at the Tao Tribulation Realm, what right did he have to wield such power?


    Wuu wuu wuu!


    All of a sudden, a gust of wind swept through the land, the sound of the wind piercing, and Xiao Yi found that the fog around him was getting thicker. The pale fog had severely affected Xiao Yi''s vision.


    Under normal circumstances��


    Xiao Yi would have clearly seen an ant on a tree several kilometers away.


    But now.


    With the fog blocking his view, Xiao Yi found he could only see things half a meter away; the energy from the fog obstructing his vision was truly terrifying.


    "There!"


    Xiao Yi turned and launched a sword strike.


    Pu!


    His strike tore through the thick fog in front of him, but he did not find Sha Diao''s figure.


    Xiao Yi paused, "Did he escape?"


    "This!"


    "This!"


    "This��"


    Xiao Yi shifted his attack direction time and again but still couldn''t locate Sha Diao.


    Attack after attack missed its mark.


    This made Xiao Yi''s expression rather unsightly.


    Within the fog.


    The cold laugh of Sha Diao came, still coming from all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint his location, "Is this all you''ve got? If so, you can die now!"


    Shua!


    Xiao Yi''s pores suddenly exploded as he instinctively brought the longsword to protect his back.


    Dang!


    Amid a crisp sound.


    A ferocious force swept from behind, sending Xiao Yi flying. In that silent moment, Sha Diao''s sword had appeared behind him; Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank suddenly.


    Longsword above his head.


    Dang!


    Another loud noise.


    A longsword slashed out of the dense fog, striking heavily upon Xiao Yi''s longsword, sending sparks flying, and Xiao Yi''s longsword broke apart.


    The violent sword waves continued to force Xiao Yi to retreat explosively.


    At that moment...


    Wuu wuu wuu!


    A flute sound made one drowsy.


    Luckily, the necklace in Xiao Yi''s bosom emitted a wave of warmth; the heat spread into his body, and in an instant, he regained clarity. At the same time, Xiao Yi sensed a subtle fluctuation in the air behind him.


    "Come down!"


    Xiao Yi turned quickly and grabbed at the stabbing longsword.


    Vital energy coursed through his palm, firmly gripping the longsword.


    At the same time, his right hand swung, "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Shua shua shua!


    Sword beams flew out one after another, following the longsword into the dense fog.


    "Awoooo..."


    An hysterical scream suddenly came from within the fog, and a spurt of blood gushed forth, as Xiao Yi withdrew his longsword from the mist. Clasped upon the hilt was a pale hand.


    Severed by Xiao Yi right at the elbow.


    An enraged and venomous howl came from within the fog, "Xiao Yi, for the enmity of my severed arm, we are irreconcilable, I will slaughter you!" S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A rat that hides its head but shows its tail still dares to threaten my life?"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and tossed the severed arm aside, but he took possession of the longsword.


    This longsword was actually a sixth-order high-grade Yuan weapon.


    Now the demonic sword could not be used.


    Having this longsword, however, was enough to use for a period of time.


    Hum!


    A sixth-grade Yuan weapon was not so easily controlled, and it buzzed in Xiao Yi''s hand; he tightly grasped the hilt as the power of Sword Intent enveloped the longsword.


    Sword Intent!


    Commanding the swords of the world!


    Hum!


    The longsword''s vibration slowly subsided.


    In the blink of an eye, this sixth-order high-grade Yuan weapon was suppressed by Xiao Yi; looking at the ''Flowing Cloud'' inscribed on the blade, Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "So your name is Flowing Cloud Sword, you belong to me now!"


    As the Flowing Cloud Sword was subdued, Sha Diao already sensed it.


    Earth-shaking roars came from within the black fog, "Xiao Yi, you broke my arm, and stole my treasured sword, our grudge is irreconcilable!"


    "Such nonsense!"


    Xiao Yi sneered, looking around at the thick fog, his heart growing more composed, "What exactly is this mist? Sha Diao is actually concealed within it, aside from Dharma Manifestation, I have never heard of anyone else capable of utilizing such natural force..."


    Suddenly.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes lit up, "Dharma Manifestation? Could it be, this mist is his Dharma Manifestation?"


    Dharma Manifestation, full of marvels.


    In ancient times.


    It is said that some people used the sun and the moon as their Dharma Manifestations, there was once a clan that used the sun as their Dharma Manifestation.


    Once the Dharma Manifestation was deployed, it was as if the sun was plummeting to earth.


    A barren land for thousands of miles, drought for three years!


    If Sha Diao truly used the mist as his Dharma Manifestation, condensing the mist into a Dharma Manifestation, employing the force of nature to hide himself within it, this would also explain why he could control the mist.


    With this thought.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shone, the corners of his mouth curved upward with a playful arc, "Sha Diao, you are as good as dead!"


    Hum!


    Brilliant light swirled around Xiao Yi.


    In his hands, the Flowing Cloud Sword traced sword flowers in front of him, dazzling sword flowers twinkled with silver light, like quicksilver spilling onto the ground. The terrifyingly sharp edge of the sword hummed thunderously, deafening.


    "Unblemished Revolution!"


    "Eternal Life!"


    One blossom.


    Two blossoms.


    Three blossoms...


    Forty-nine Sword Dao lotuses appeared around Xiao Yi, each one containing an unparalleled sharp Sword Qi. The Sword Qi filled the sky, crisscrossing and obscuring the sun.


    "Go!"


    Xiao Yi flicked his fingers.


    Forty-nine Sword Qi lotuses plunged into the fog.


    Boom boom boom!


    Amidst thunderous explosions, the might of the Sword Qi lotuses burst forth without reserve, wherever they struck within the mist, echoed with violent sounds, a constant stream of carnage. The fog that shrouded the entire lord''s mansion was ultimately obliterated under the slaughter of the forty-nine Sword Qi lotuses.


    And just then...


    In front of Xiao Yi appeared a pale-faced young man with a chilling aura, his right arm broken, holding a short flute in his left hand.


    Seemingly bewildered as he stared at Xiao Yi.


    As their eyes met.


    Xiao Yi commanded in a low voice, "Sword, come!"


    Hum!


    The Flowing Cloud Sword spun several times before landing into his grasp, he held the hilt with both hands and slashed forward, "Dividing the Egret Islet amidst the Dual Streams!"


    Whoosh!


    A hundred zhang of sword light, pure and white as driven snow.


    It cleaved through the mist attempting to condense once again, roaring as it swiftly passed over Sha Diao.


    As the sword light faded.


    The mist in the void gradually dispersed.


    Xiao Yi stood in the void with sword in hand, the wild wind swirling around him, his robes snapping in the wind, his black hair dancing with the gusts. And in front of him, Sha Diao''s body slowly split in two...

 Chapter 334 - 334: The Majesty of Dharmakaya

    Sha Diao''s corpse fell from the sky.


    Without Sha Diao''s mist to cover them, the Black Shark Guard were like eagles without wings, facing the counterattack of the experts within the city lord''s mansion, and their defeat was as rapid as a landslide.


    Xiao Yi stood amidst the crowd and did not make another move.


    Huang Zheng and Huang Yi were also suppressing their respective opponents, and the battle on the side of the city lord''s mansion was gradually becoming clear.


    Victory was only a matter of time.


    But what truly decided the battle today was not the fight on the side of the city lord''s mansion, but the confrontation in the Beast Emperor Sea between Sha Kun and Huang Baitao. Whoever could have the last laugh between them was the key.


    "Little Lin, stay here and protect Yuwei!" Xiao Yi patted Little Lin''s head.


    Now, Little Lin''s combat power was comparable to that of an Eightfold warrior of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    With his protection...


    Huang Yuwei would definitely be safe.


    Little Lin nodded, "Boss, rest assured, I will take care of this place!"


    Xiao Yi broke through the air and left.


    A moment later.


    He arrived above the vast Beast Emperor Sea, where the endless sea was filled with surging winds and waves. Huge waves, a kilometer high, viciously slapped the sea surface, stirring up ripples that surged in all directions.


    "Where are they?"


    But Xiao Yi couldn''t find Huang Baitao and Sha Kun.


    Suddenly...


    In the calm sea ahead, two huge whirlpools appeared out of nowhere.


    The whirlpools grew larger and larger, swirling countless amounts of water, which they devoured into the bottomless black hole in their midst. The terrifying sound of the water waves was deafening.


    The whirlpools expanded to a diameter of tens of kilometers.


    Suddenly.


    Whoosh, whoosh!


    Two figures burst out of the whirlpools, raising two columns of white water.


    The water columns reached for the sky, hundreds of meters high, like two water dragons. They furiously swallowed the white waves, twisting their bodies as they charged at each other.


    Above the terrifying water columns.


    Huang Baitao, holding the Golden Trident, and Sha Kun, swinging a pair of Primordial Vajra Hammers, stood proudly on the wave crests.


    Boom!


    The two collided above the sea, creating massive waves that crashed into each other, forming a circular water wall.


    Countless amounts of water fell from the sky, forming a torrential downpour amid the loud splashing sounds.


    The entire area was sprinkled with rainfall, falling onto the sea surface.


    There were also remains of magical creatures, falling from the water columns.


    Thud!


    The Golden Trident clashed heavily with the Primordial Vajra Hammer, sparks flew in a flash, and fireworks bloomed in the sky. The two combatants crossed weapons, exerting all their strength in a contest of power.


    Their elemental weapons were both high-tier, sixth-order, invaluable and overwhelmingly powerful.


    Like the tip of the needle against the wheat awn.


    Series of terrifying roars sent shivers down one''s spine.


    Sha Kun pressed the attack with his dual hammers, forcing Huang Baitao into a retreat and sneered, "Huang Baitao, it seems your strength is merely so-so!"


    Huang Baitao sneered coldly, gripping the Golden Trident tightly, he began pushing Sha Kun back step by step, "You''re enough to be dealt with!"


    Boom!


    The two of them separated at once.


    Between them.


    Two completely different elemental energies exploded with a bang.


    Whoosh!


    A massive shockwave covered a hundred miles around.


    In its path...


    The water wall soared into the clouds.


    Atop the terrifying energy-infused water wall, azure water thundered down.


    When Xiao Yi''s vision cleared in front of him...


    All he saw above the ocean.


    Were two colossal figures, towering over and facing each other.


    Huang Baitao, holding the Golden Trident, stood on the shoulder of an imposing figure with a fish body and a human head. This imposing figure held a trident, with eyes as vast as the sea and surrounded by tumultuous waves.


    The Sea God Dharma Idol!


    Huang Baitao had visualized the statue of the Sea God to condense the Dharma Idol, as if a true deity had descended to the mortal world.


    Behind Sha Kun, a sky of sandy dust formed a dome of earthy yellow.


    Under that canopy.


    A massive desert scorpion was shaking its huge and formidable tail.


    Its pincers clanged loudly, sparking flames.


    Sha Kun observed the Dharma Idol formed by his desert poisonous scorpion mount. Mounted on the back of the desert poisonous scorpion, half of his body merged into the scorpion''s Dharma Idol.


    The hammers swung and rumbled mightily, like thunder.


    "Wrath of the Sea God!"


    Amid Huang Baitao''s roaring bellow,


    A fierce wind suddenly whipped up over the entire sea surface, stirring up colossal waves. The roaring waves, one after another, rolled towards Sha Kun to crush him.


    Sha Kun stood atop the desert poisonous scorpion, pointing forward with both hands.


    The scorpion''s iron pincers also slammed down on the water, the immense force stirring up huge waves as well, with yellow sand blending into them.


    The earthy yellow water waves burst forth like a mountain torrent.


    As the saying goes, meet the soldier with a general and stem the water with earth.


    This mixture of water and sand created waves far more solid than mere water could ever be.


    Upon collision,


    The water waves shattered continuously, but the wall of sand and water grew ever taller.


    Suddenly...


    The desert poisonous scorpion beneath Sha Kun leaped into the air, plummeting from the sky in an instant, its iron pincers smashing fiercely towards Huang Baitao. Strands of yellow sand spread, enlarging the pincers with each moment.


    The iron pincers, each a hundred zhang in size, crashed down like two small mountains.


    "Sea God''s Protection!"


    Unperturbed, Huang Baitao responded calmly.


    A tremor ran through his trident.


    The Sea God Dharma Idol flickered with blue light as its hands slowly opened, as if summoning the sea itself to awaken.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Countless giant waves coalesced into pillars, soaring into the sky like water dragons.


    One.


    Two.


    Three...


    Over a hundred tremendous waves interlaced, protecting Huang Baitao within their midst.


    Thump!


    Amid the earth-shattering noise,


    The two iron pincers of the desert poisonous scorpion''s Dharma Idol smashed violently on the water wall.


    In that moment...


    The wind stopped, and the water stilled.


    It was as if time itself had frozen. S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly,


    A series of cracking sounds erupted.


    The iron pincers exploded, and at that moment, a golden light slashed through the water wall. With a swish, it pierced upward through the body of the desert poisonous scorpion''s Dharma Idol.


    Splat!


    The Golden Trident pierced through Sha Kun''s body.


    Wow!


    Sha Kun let out a miserable scream as blood spewed forth.


    The Dharma Idol shattered.


    A shower of yellow sand fell from the sky, instantly swallowed by the sea.


    The majestic Sea God Dharma Idol also vanished without a trace.


    Only Huang Baitao stood proudly between heaven and earth, holding the Golden Trident single-handedly, skewering Sha Kun''s body in mid-air. Huang Baitao''s face was expressionless, his hair fluttering with the sea breeze swirling around him.


    Huang Baitao looked at the dying Sha Kun with a calm gaze, "You, have lost!"


    "Heh, hehe..."


    Sha Kun coughed out a mouthful of blood, his energy much depleted. Grinding his teeth, he said, "I always knew I was no match for you... No, but you didn''t win this time because of your own skills..."


    His bloodshot eyes turned towards Xiao Yi.


    In those eyes were hatred and resentment, mixed with helplessness.


    Had it not been for Xiao Yi unlocking the Drunken God Powder, how could he have fallen into such a state?


    "I... I hate this..."


    Sha Kun''s eyes rolled back, and he lost all signs of life.


    Huang Baitao''s face remained expressionless as he shook the trident, shattering Sha Kun''s body. Bits of flesh and blood mixed into the slightly salty sea breeze, and Huang Baitao murmured to himself, "I will leave a single bloodline for the Sha Family!"


    Whoosh!


    Huang Baitao stepped into the void and walked towards Xiao Yi, saying solemnly, "I owe you thanks for this assistance, young friend!"


    "No need for formalities, Yuwei is a friend of mine!" Xiao Yi said.


    "Please wait a moment, after I have dealt with the rebels, I will properly express my gratitude to you!"


    After saying so, Huang Baitao teleported away, flying towards the Beast Emperor City.


    Xiao Yi''s lips slightly curved in a schadenfreude smile, "Someone''s in for it now!"

 Chapter 335 - 335: Deputy City Lord

    Over the manor lord''s residence.


    The battle was still raging on.


    Huang Zheng was locked in an inseparable fight with the Slave King, a formidable fighter the Sha Family had bought from the slave market, who was also a death warrior.


    Constantly on the line between life and death, a desperado by any name.


    Fighting as if he had no regard for his own life.


    Even if his cultivation was inferior to Huang Zheng''s, he still managed to severely restrain his opponent.


    Suddenly,


    a beam of golden light descended from the sky.


    Thud!


    The golden trident pierced through the Slave King''s body, splitting him in twain. Amidst a downpour of blood, Huang Baitao, stood above the heavens, his authoritative voice echoing throughout the entirety of Beast Emperor City, "Sha Kun is dead, surrender and you shall not be harmed!"


    "Sha Kun is dead, surrender and you shall not be harmed!"


    "Surrender and you shall not be harmed!"


    The shouts came one after another from the people in the manor lord''s residence, thundering through the air and leaving the powerhouses of the Sha line looking at each other in disbelief.


    Apart from the death warriors of the Black Shark Guard.


    All other powerhouses ceased their assaults, and some even turned their weapons against their former allies, aiding the manor lord''s forces in a massacre of the Black Shark Guard. Blood rained down from the sky.


    Tens of thousands from the Black Shark Guard were spared no mercy, all were slain.


    Outside the manor lord''s residence.


    Huang Baitao stood with his hands behind his back.


    Behind him were Huang Zheng, Huang Yi, Huang Yuwei and Xiao Yi, and before him was a host of powerhouses who had sided with the Sha Family, including influential figures from large clans within Beast Emperor City and merchants with considerable strength.


    At this moment, all the powerhouses were kneeling before Huang Baitao, filled with fear and trepidation.


    Sha Kun was dead.


    They had lost their backbone and could only surrender.


    Huang Baitao''s gaze was icy as he looked down at Huang Jinghong and his mother kneeling at the very front.


    At that moment...


    the mother and son duo were in tears, wailing loudly.


    Huang Jinghong, choking with sobs, cried out in self-pity, "Father, spare my life! It was all mother''s doing, you know it... I would never dare defy you, it was mother who made me harm you..."


    "You, you��"


    Ji Lingluo, furious at his lack of resistance and with a face twisted with rage, glared at Huang Jinghong and hissed through clenched teeth, "Husband, you mustn''t believe this traitor. It was he who wanted to claim the throne of the manor lord. He feared you wouldn''t pass the position to him, which is why he plotted with Sha Kun to harm you. He even resorted to threatening his own life; it was all his doing..."


    "Bullshit, you vile woman, all this was clearly your idea!"


    "You''re the one bullshitting. I gave birth to you and raised you, and you dare to harm me?"


    "Since you already gave birth to me and raised me, why can''t you die for me?"


    "I carried you in my womb for ten months, you should be the one to die for me..."


    "You malicious woman..."


    "You unfilial son..."


    The two of them began to tear at each other, hitting one another.


    Xiao Yi''s eyelid twitched. "..."


    What a bizarre pair indeed!


    He glanced at Huang Yuwei beside him, "How could your father have married such a woman... it''s good that you''re not her daughter!"


    Huang Yuwei: "..."


    Huang Baitao: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Ahem!


    Huang Baitao coughed lightly, casting Xiao Yi a sharp glare as if to say, ''Kid, do you think I don''t need face?''


    Xiao Yi gave an awkward smile.


    Huang Baitao''s cold gaze lingered on the quarreling pair, his eyes filled with disgust. He turned to Huang Yi beside him and said, "Elder, take these two away and deal with them according to family law!"


    "Yes!"


    Huang Yi stepped forward, grabbed the two of them, and left.


    In the distance, their pitiful pleas for mercy could be heard.


    Xiao Yi whispered, "Dealt with by family law? What''s going to happen to them?"


    Huang Yuwei shook her head.


    Huang Zheng said, "Chop them into pieces and throw them into the Beast Emperor Sea to feed the fish!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi took in a cold breath, the family law was harsh indeed!


    In front of everyone...


    The powerful followers who had rebelled with Sha Kun looked on as Huang Baitao showed no mercy even to his wife and children. They, one after another, were terrified and kowtowed frantically, "City Lord, we were also momentarily blinded by greed and led astray. Spare our lives, please!"


    "We beg the City Lord for mercy..."


    Huang Baitao''s indifferent gaze swept over them as he said calmly, "Take your own lives! I will not involve your families."


    The pleas for mercy ceased abruptly.


    The crime of rebellion.


    It''s not to be taken lightly.


    In the dynasty, it would merit the execution of the entire extended family.


    Huang Baitao was indeed very merciful to only kill them. In that instant, everyone thanked him profusely, "Thank you, City Lord!"


    "Thank you, City Lord..." sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The thousands of powerful individuals present all took their own lives.


    Huang Baitao glanced at Huang Zheng, who nodded and said, "Don''t worry, City Lord, I will have their bodies cleaned up immediately..."


    "Hmm!"


    Huang Baitao nodded, then turned to look at Xiao Yi, softness appearing on his face. He especially swept over Xiao Yi and Huang Yuwei back and forth with a smile, "Xiao Yi, if it weren''t for you, Beast Emperor City would have changed hands. Ask for any reward you desire, and you shall have it!"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and scratched his head, "I haven''t thought of what benefit I want yet!"


    "How about... marrying my precious daughter to you?" Huang Baitao said jokingly.


    "Father..."


    Huang Yuwei''s pretty face flushed as she chided.


    Her eyes inadvertently stole a look at Xiao Yi. Apart from shyness, there was a hint of expectancy in her gaze.


    Huang Baitao laughed heartily, "The little girl is shy, eh?" He looked at Xiao Yi, "What do you say? She''s my only daughter. If you agree to this marriage, all of Beast Emperor City will be yours one day!"


    Wow!


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    All of Beast Emperor City?


    That dowry was indeed impressive!


    However...


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a wry smile, "Sorry, City Lord Huang, I already have a wife!"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Baitao''s brows drew together sharply.


    A look of disappointment flitted through Huang Yuwei''s eyes as she forced a smile, "Father, are you really so eager to marry off your daughter? I left your side when I was young and don''t want to be married off so soon. I want to spend a few more years with you!"


    Huang Baitao was well aware of Huang Yuwei''s feelings and sighed inwardly, "How could I bear to marry off my precious daughter? Let''s not talk about this anymore!"


    "Mmm!"


    Huang Yuwei nodded and stood obediently at his side.


    Xiao Yi looked at Huang Yuwei gratefully. If she hadn''t actively defused the situation, things could have become very awkward.


    After pondering for a moment, Huang Baitao said, "In that case, with Sha Kun dead, Beast Emperor City just happens to need a Deputy City Lord. From now on, you will be the Deputy City Lord of Beast Emperor City. Your authority and status will be second only to mine. What do you think?"


    Xiao Yi was surprised.


    The overall strength of Beast Emperor City was comparable to the top ten sects; becoming the Deputy City Lord was no small privilege. Moreover, this would make the cooperation between his Xiaoshanhe Institute and Beast Emperor City in the future even more convenient.


    Beast Emperor City controlled Beast Emperor Sea.


    The resources were immensely abundant.


    This was nothing but beneficial for Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    Xiao Yi gave a respectful bow to Huang Baitao, "I accept your offer with thanks... Xiao Yi hereby expresses his gratitude to the City Lord!"


    "Hahaha, with the relationship between you and Yuwei, there''s no need for such formalities between us. You may call me Uncle..." He paused, then took out a Token��it was the City Lord''s Token��and handed it to Xiao Yi, "From now on, you are the Deputy City Lord of Beast Emperor City. With this Token, you may exercise all the powers of the City Lord!"


    "Thank you, Uncle!"


    Xiao Yi said as he bowed his hands.


    Huang Baitao said with a hearty laugh, "Come on, come on, we must drink well today..."

 Chapter 336 - 336: Visiting to Apologize

    The next day.


    Xiao Yi woke up to find himself lying on the bed.


    He smacked his head hard.


    Last night, he was dragged by Huang Baitao and others to drink all night, and those were strong liquors made from spiritual medicine. Even those with deep cultivation couldn''t withstand it.


    Xiao Yi only remembered before he passed out.


    There was not a single person at the table who could stand.


    "Damn, this feeling is so painful, I definitely can''t drink with them again..." Xiao Yi got out of bed, only to feel his legs go soft, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.


    Creak!


    Huang Yuwei pushed open the door, carrying a bowl of hot porridge as she walked in. Seeing Xiao Yi''s state, she covered her mouth and chuckled, "Xiao Yi, you''re finally awake!"


    "Ah? Yuwei, how much did I drink last night? How come I can''t remember anything that happened afterward?"


    Xiao Yi scratched his head, sat at the table, and as he smelled the fragrant porridge, his stomach growled. He gave a thumbs up, "This porridge smells amazing!"


    As Huang Yuwei served Xiao Yi a bowl of porridge, she said with a hint of reproach: "You still have the nerve to talk! Last night, my father, the First Elder, and the Second Elder were knocked unconscious by your heavy drinking, and they were still throwing up this morning. And you, you even dragged my father and the elders to swear brotherhood of a different surname..."


    Xiao Yi''s face turned embarrassed, "Really?"


    Huang Yuwei rolled her eyes and said, "Could it be anything else? My father and they said they don''t hope to be born on the same year, month, and day, but hope to die on the same year, month, and day. Do you know what you said?"


    "What?"


    Xiao Yi managed to swallow a couple of spoonfuls of porridge, and a warm sensation brought him some relief.


    Huang Yuwei covered her mouth and laughed out loud, "You said... a bunch of old farts, and I am still in the prime of my youth, you guys are taking advantage of me. This got my father and the others to drink a few more jars with you..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes twitched: "..."


    He hadn''t expected that so many embarrassing things happened after he got drunk.


    Huang Yuwei said, "By the way, President Shi came to look for you early in the morning, but since you weren''t awake, I asked her to come back later. However, she didn''t leave and has been waiting in the guest hall!"


    "Oh? Just her alone?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Huang Yuwei replied, "There''s also Deputy President Lin and Lin Bo!"


    "Heh..."


    Xiao Yi continued drinking his porridge, not even lifting his head, and said with a smile, "It seems she''s a bit anxious. Let her wait a little longer, I''ll see her later!"


    "Mhm!"


    Huang Yuwei sat across from Xiao Yi, resting her chin on her hands and quietly watched him.


    ......


    In the guest hall.


    Shi Feiya was meditating with her eyes closed, while Lin Yuejin, who was beside her, shook his leg impatiently, picking up and setting down his cup repeatedly, glancing toward the door now and then, but no one was coming.


    Lin Yuejin glared at Lin Bo, who was kneeling before him with a bruised face, and kicked him hard, "Dammit, kneel properly!"


    Lin Bo looked aggrieved: "..."


    Conscience of heaven and earth!


    He had been kneeling here since this morning without daring to frown!


    And you just keep kicking me now and then.


    Is that really necessary?


    "Enough!"


    Shi Feiya could not help but intervene.


    Lin Yuejin, dissatisfied, said: "President, I think that Xiao Yi is doing this on purpose, just leaving us hanging..."


    Shi Feiya helplessly said, "Even if we know he is deliberately letting us wait, what can we do? It used to be him seeking us, but now it is us who are seeking him..."


    The wheel of fortune turns, she just did not expect it to turn this quickly.


    "President Shi, Deputy President Lin, I''m terribly sorry for drinking too much last night and making you wait," Xiao Yi''s voice came from outside the door as he walked in cheerfully, yet he did not glance at Lin Bo from beginning to end.


    Shi Feiya and her companion quickly stood up, "Deputy City Master Xiao, you shouldn''t say that! We''ve only waited a moment!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled to himself.


    They had arrived early in the morning, and now it was almost lunchtime.


    A moment?


    Xiao Yi rubbed his head, "Drinking is indeed harmful. The City Master still hasn''t woken up!"


    "We too didn''t know that Deputy City Master Xiao had too much to drink. We should have come later to bother you... truly..." Shi Feiya began to say, hoping to lead into the main topic.


    But Xiao Yi pretended as if he hadn''t caught on.


    He looked at Lin Bo with feigned surprise, "Isn''t that Lin, Young Master Lin Bo? What are you doing kneeling here?"


    Shi Feiya''s eyes twitched.


    Lin Yuejin responded stiffly, "Deputy City Master Xiao, my son lacks manners and caused trouble with Sha Ying, offending you and Princess Yuwei. I have specifically brought him here to apologise." He looked at Lin Bo, "Rebellious child, aren''t you going to apologize to Deputy City Master Xiao?"


    Lin Bo knelt on the ground, moving in front of Xiao Yi, "Vice City Lord Xiao, it was all my fault before, please forgive me!"


    "Hehe, I dare not assume such a role!" Xiao Yi said with a composed expression.


    Lin Yuejin slapped him hard on the head, angrily saying, "Is this the attitude you apologize with?"


    Lin Bo''s fists were clenched tightly, his teeth grinding audibly.


    What humiliation!


    When had Lin, as the young master, ever been subjected to such an insult?


    However��


    When he thought about how the powerful Sha Family had already been wiped out.


    He could only submit.


    Bang bang bang!


    Lin Bo''s head hit the ground, striking it repeatedly, his face earnest as he said, "Vice City Lord Xiao, I, Lin Bo, was blind and offended both you and Princess Yuwei. Please forgive me this time!"


    At this moment, Lin Bo was nothing like his arrogant and domineering self at the Dragon Phoenix Tower.


    The circumstances were stronger than the person!


    Even his father had to tread lightly in front of Xiao Yi, what ground did he have to be arrogant and haughty?


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "Get up."


    Lin Bo was stunned.


    He had thought Xiao Yi would continue to humiliate him, but he was actually letting him stand up?


    Yet Lin Bo didn''t dare to move, cautiously looking towards Lin Yuejin.


    Lin Yuejin said, "Vice City Lord Xiao told you to get up. Why are you still kneeling? Haven''t you thanked Vice City Lord Xiao for sparing your life?"


    "Many thanks for the great kindness and mercy of Vice City Lord Xiao!" Lin Bo quickly stated.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, and then turned to Shi Feiya saying, "President Shi, regarding the cooperation we talked about before��"


    "Vice City Lord Xiao, my visit today is indeed for this matter. After our discussion, we felt that the previous contract was too unfair to you, so we have redrafted the contract."


    Lin Yuejin presented the redrafted contract, and Shi Feiya continued, "Over the next ten years, the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce is willing to provide the Xiaoshanhe Institute with medicinal materials at no cost. You''ll get forty percent of the profits from the slave market, and at the same time, the Slave Battlefield will cooperate fully with the Xiaoshanhe Institute." S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Full cooperation mentioned here was clearly stipulated in the contract.


    Should disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute come to the Beast Emperor City, the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce would bear all expenses, and victory rewards in the Slave Battlefield were guaranteed. For example, there were different rewards for ten victories, twenty victories, and so on.


    And the reward standards were quite high!


    Xiao Yi briefly looked over the contract; it was definitely full of sincerity!


    Xiao Yi, narrowing his eyes, asked, "What about the restrictions?"


    "There are no restrictions!"


    Shi Feiya hurriedly said.


    The contract involved a tremendous sacrifice from the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, foregoing billions of silver annually. However, in exchange, they would have Xiao Yi as their powerful backer.


    The slave market would be entirely in the hands of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Yi said, "The terms of the contract are mostly fine, even that forty percent profit��I will take just twenty percent. But you must agree to one condition from me!"


    "Hmm?"


    Shi Feiya and Lin Yuejin looked at each other, surprised that Xiao Yi voluntarily proposed to lower his share of the profits; both said, "What condition?"


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "The targets for capturing slaves in the slave market need to change, prioritizing those who are extremely vicious and felons caught on battlefields, among others."


    He vividly remembered Along''s tribe, which lived on an isolated island in the Beast Emperor Sea.


    Living peaceably and without conflict.


    It was because of the Tan Family''s slave captures that their whole tribe was uprooted.


    He couldn''t change the world, but at least within his capacity, he could make it better!


    Xiao Yi added, "I will help you liaise with the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    The royal family had a substantial number of war criminals and extremely vicious felons.


    As slaves, they were most suitable!


    They looked at each other.


    Shi Feiya nodded and said, "No problem!"


    With the new term added to the contract, in duplicate, Xiao Yi smiled, "Pleased to cooperate!"


    "Pleased to cooperate!"


    Shi Feiya smiled as she took the contract, then said, "Vice Institute Head Xiao, the medicinal materials will be ready by tomorrow. Also, our people have already taken over the slave market. There are quite a few outstanding slaves there; would you be interested in taking a look?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, arching an eyebrow and responding, "Good, let''s take a look!"

 Chapter 337 - 337 Shi Feiyas Gift!

    Under the guidance of Shi Feiya, Xiao Yi and his party arrived at the Slave Market.


    The entire Slave Market was filled with noise and despair, with most slaves facing bleak futures.


    The lucky ones, like Along, could become enforcers for powerful forces, and although they lacked freedom, at least they had food and clothing and could stay alive in this world.


    The unlucky ones.


    They might not even know how they died.


    In the countless black cages, numerous slaves curled up inside, each one''s face filled with bitterness, despair, or unwillingness, despair, and darkness, were the main theme of the Slave Market.


    The atmosphere was oppressively terrifying.


    Upon entering the Slave Market, Along''s fists clenched tight, and his breathing lost its steady rhythm.


    His eyes were blood-red.


    There was a time.


    He, too, was like these slaves, locked up in black cages like animals, starving and waiting for buyers to decide their fates.


    Shi Feiya knew Along''s identity and was very cautious with her words, "Xiao, these slaves are mostly brought back by the Tan Family from Beast Emperor Sea, with a few from the inland regions. Depending on cultivation level and talent, the slaves are divided into four grades��A, B, C, and D, each with different prices!"


    Lin Yuejin said in a deep voice, "Grade A, those above the Tao Tribulation Realm; Grade B, above the Golden Core Realm; Grade C is above the Shentong Realm; the Physical Body Realm and Qi Gathering Realm are both Grade C. Those not even in the Physical Body Realm, unless they are very beautiful women, would not even qualify to enter the Slave Market!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and asked, "If during the capture process, they encounter someone not even at Grade C, how are they generally dealt with?"


    "This..."


    Lin Yuejin and Shi Feiya were taken aback, hesitating to speak.


    Along''s eyes turned blood-red, and he bit his steel teeth tightly, his words punctuated with pauses, "Death, unless it''s a very beautiful woman who could still fetch a price. As for the old, the weak, women, and children, they have only the path of death!"


    When the Tan Family captured Along and his people, they killed all the old, weak, women, and children of their tribe.


    Those were hundreds of thousands of living souls!


    All buried by the Tan Family in the depths of the sea.


    Shi Feiya quickly said, "Xiao, don''t worry, we would absolutely not resort to the Tan Family''s methods, we would never harm those old, weak, women, and children!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    He couldn''t put an end to the slave trade, nor was he a saint.


    If such a trade existed, it had its own rationale.


    All he could do...


    Was to minimize the harm to innocent people within his power!


    Along looked at Shi Feiya and Lin Yuejin with disdain, "You would be so kind-hearted?"


    Shi Feiya gave a wry smile, "Xiao used two percent of the Slave Market''s profits as a condition to sign a contract with us, how dare we deceive him?"


    Xiao Yi was now the deputy ruler of Beast Emperor City.


    His status was second only to Huang Baitao.


    With just one word, he could shut down the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, how could they dare to deceive Xiao Yi?


    Along was startled, his gaze falling unexpectedly upon Xiao Yi, filled with heartfelt gratitude.


    He was very aware of how terrifying the profits from two percent of the Slave Market were, a colossal fortune of hundreds of billions of silver pieces, which Xiao Yi had chosen to forgo in order to add that condition.


    This made Along even more grateful to Xiao Yi. After a moment of silence, Along said in a low voice, "Xiao, thank you!"


    "No need to be polite, we''re companions, aren''t we?"


    Xiao Yi smiled indifferently, then turned to Shi Feiya, "President Shi, didn''t you say you had a surprise for me?"


    Shi Feiya quickly nodded, "Xiao, please follow me!"


    They walked on.


    Shi Feiya led Xiao Yi to the deepest part of the Slave Market, a place formerly occupied by the Tan Family, which had now been taken over by the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce following the Tan Family''s ousting.


    Shi Feiya said, "Xiao, the surprise I''ve prepared for you is in here!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi looked puzzled as he stared at the large black gate ahead.


    Clap Clap!


    Shi Feiya gently clapped her hands.


    Boom Boom Boom!


    The black gates burst open, and a ray of light, like that of a sliver of sky, shone through. Xiao Yi squinted slightly, waiting for the light to dissipate before finally seeing the scene inside the gate.


    It was a massive duel arena, and at that moment, there were ten carriages within the arena.


    The carriages were draped with black cloth.


    Shi Feiya glanced at Lin Yuejin, who immediately stepped forward with a smile, "Xiao, please look!"


    Boom!


    The black cloth on all ten carriages disappeared at once.


    In their place were cages, each imprisoning ten slaves. These slaves, both men and women, had an impressively profound aura.


    The weakest among them was at the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The strongest were even three powerhouses of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    "This is..."


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank slightly, one hundred beings at the Tao Tribulation Realm as the weakest?


    Among those three from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, a man appearing around forty with graying hair exuded a rather eerie presence. Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed slightly, for this man was at least at the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Along took a sharp intake of breath, incredulously saying, "How is this possible? How, how could they be here?"


    Xiao Yi turned to Along: "You know them?"


    Gulp!


    Along nodded emphatically, swallowing hard, and said, "These people are all ranked in the top hundred of the Slave Battlefield, especially those three Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, each one has achieved over a hundred victories. However, wasn''t it rumored that they regained their freedom? How could they be here��"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    He had heard from Along about the horrors of the Slave Battlefield, a meat grinder where losing meant death.


    These individuals were ranked among the top hundred on the Slave Battlefield, which was sufficient proof of their strength.


    Especially those three from the Dharma Manifestation Realm�� S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They had even achieved over a hundred victories.


    "Indeed, those three achieved over a hundred victories. The Tan Family had publicly declared that they regained their freedom and left the Beast Emperor City. In reality, they were taken away by Sha Kun, just like the Slave King. However, unlike the Slave King who chose to submit, these three refused to submit, and thus have been secretly detained in the slave market," Shi Feiya said with a smile as she looked at Xiao Yi, speaking in a low voice, "Xiao, that white-haired man known as Shadow Demon, is an existence that achieved a hundred victories even before the Slave King. Now, his cultivation has reached the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the three individuals, noticing that all of them wore pipa locks on their collarbones.


    These pipa locks could seal their power.


    Making them as ordinary people.


    Unable to exert their powerful combat strength.


    It was for this reason��


    That the Tan Family was able to imprison them for so many years.


    Xiao Yi withdrew his gaze, showing great interest as he looked at Shi Feiya: "What does President Shi suggest?"


    Shi Feiya smiled, "This is the surprise I have for you! Your Xiaoshanhe Institute is in the process of rebuilding, it is in need of people, and I believe they can provide great assistance to you!"


    Xiao Yi said playfully, "I''m afraid there''s more to it than just that, isn''t there?"


    "Uh��"


    Shi Feiya was taken aback, then she gave a bitter smile, "Nothing escapes you! With the strength of the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce, we truly can''t intimidate those three Shadow Demons, but it would be a pity to kill them. I believe you, Xiao, will certainly be able to subdue them!"


    "President Shi, that is a hard gift to accept! But��"


    Xiao Yi smiled, his eyebrows raising slightly, "I do like a challenge!"

 Chapter 338 - 338: Hundred Calamities, Three Dharma Aspects!

    "I just love doing challenging things!"


    With an indifferent smile on his face, Xiao Yi walked toward the prisoner carriage where the Shadow Demon and others were.


    Among these more than one hundred slaves, the strongest was the Shadow Demon.


    As long as he subdued the Shadow Demon, why would he worry about other strong ones not submitting?


    Inside the carriage.


    The Shadow Demon sat squarely in the middle, flanked by two other Dharma Manifestation Realm experts.


    One was Zhang Ling of the first level of Dharma Manifestation Realm, and the other was Shu He of the second level.


    The Shadow Demon kept his eyes closed, motionless.


    Shu He looked at Xiao Yi with a playful gaze.


    Boom!


    Zhang Ling, who had the hottest temper, shook his body violently, slamming against the carriage. His hands desperately clung to the black iron bars, his eyes filled with coldness and resentment, like an enraged lion, "Kid, let us out!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him but did not respond; his gaze moved past Zhang Ling and fell on the Shadow Demon.


    He whistled at the Shadow Demon.


    Xiao Yi said with a playful tone, "If you''re still alive, squeak!"


    Bang!


    Zhang Ling, shaking the prisoner carriage with rage, glared at Xiao Yi, "You little bastard, who gave you the courage to talk to my brother like that?"


    "If you don''t shut up right now, I''ll make sure you never speak again!" Xiao Yi''s icy gaze fixed on Zhang Ling.


    "With you?"


    Zhang Ling''s face was thick with scorn, and he laughed mockingly, "Kid, don''t think I look down on you. If it wasn''t for this damned pipa lock, one spit from me could drown you. What the hell, a mere Tao Tribulation Realm, and you dare to clamor in front of me?"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Zhang Ling with an amused, mocking gaze, "Are you so sure I''m not your opponent?"


    Zhang Ling said proudly, "Isn''t that obvious? You''re just a mere Tao Tribulation Realm, while I am of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. If it wasn''t for this damned pipa lock, I wouldn''t even let you stand in front of me with my power unleashed!"


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Then let''s give it a try!"


    "Hmm?"


    Zhang Ling was startled.


    At that moment...


    A streak of silver light shot out from between Xiao Yi''s fingers, smashing the pipa lock on Zhang Ling''s shoulder to pieces with a thud.


    Hum!


    The entire prisoner carriage shook violently.


    Following that...


    Countless amounts of qi from heaven and earth gathered crazily, pouring into Zhang Ling''s body.


    "Roar!"


    Zhang Ling was first stunned, then realizing he truly had gained freedom, his face broke into ecstatic joy. He thumped his chest with both arms, emitting hysterical roars as countless qi from heaven and earth furiously gathered.


    His aura also climbed rapidly.


    A fierce wind blew, and the prisoner carriage rattled loudly.


    It lasted for dozens of breaths before finally quieting down.


    Zhang Ling looked at Xiao Yi incredulously, "You, you just set me free, aren''t you afraid I''ll kill you on the spot?"


    "What''s there to be afraid of?"


    Xiao Yi laughed lightly, standing in front of Zhang Ling, he made a welcoming gesture; "The pipa lock has been unlocked, now I''m quite curious to see how you''ll make me unable to stand!"


    "You..."


    Zhang Ling''s face changed colors repeatedly; after hesitating for a moment, he said solemnly, "Kid, considering that you unlocked my shackles, I won''t take your life. If you can''t hold out, just squeak!"


    "Bring it on!"


    Xiao Yi laughed.


    Boom!


    Zhang Ling''s body shook, and an unrivaled oppressive force rolled towards Xiao Yi in an instant.


    This oppressive aura was akin to a great mountain.


    All the Tao Tribulation Realm slaves within the prison cart turned pale, with cold sweat drenching them.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    He remained as calm as a breeze or a gentle cloud.


    Completely unaffected!


    "Hmm? You''ve really got something there. I''ve already used fifty percent of my oppressive power, and you can withstand it? Kid, I''m going to increase it to seventy percent now, you''d better be careful..." Zhang Ling put away his underestimation. S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However...


    Seventy percent still couldn''t shake Xiao Yi.


    "Is this all you''re capable of?" Xiao Yi shook his head and said.


    "Damn it!"


    Zhang Ling''s eyes were a fierce red as he angrily said, "This is what you asked for!"


    Whir!


    The oppressive force climbed again.


    This time, it rose to a full hundred percent, and beads of sweat appeared on Zhang Ling''s forehead: "This time, you won''t be able to resist, right?"


    "Hey, your brother is too weak. It''s your turn to come!"


    Xiao Yi''s calm voice suddenly sounded, causing Zhang Ling''s face to stiffen as he saw Xiao Yi looking relaxed at the Shadow Demon behind him, saying, "Shadow Demon, right? I heard you''re the first to claim a hundred victories on the Slave Battlefield. Don''t you long for freedom?"


    Swish!


    The Shadow Demon, who had been indifferent, suddenly opened his eyes.


    Those were deep and pitch-black eyes, like a night sky without a trace of light.


    His gaze was like an abyssal black hole.


    A single glance could pull you in deep.


    The Shadow Demon stared at Xiao Yi, fell silent for a moment, then spoke, "Freedom? You just want me to submit to you and do your bidding. If I were willing to bow down, I would have already bowed to Sha Kun like that slave king, would I end up in such a state?"


    Xiao Yi calmly said, "I''m different from Sha Kun. If you''re willing to become my companion and join my Xiaoshanhe Institute, just stay at the Xiaoshanhe Institute for ten years. After that, whether you leave or stay, I will not stop you!"


    "Ten years?"


    The Shadow Demon was startled.


    Dharma Manifestation Realm experts lived for more than a thousand years.


    Ten years was merely a fleeting moment.


    He had been imprisoned for several decades!


    The Shadow Demon asked in a deep voice, "How can I trust you?"


    "I am the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute of the Great Qian Dynasty, and I am also the deputy city lord of the Beast Emperor City..."


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "If these titles are not enough for you to trust, I can sign a contract with you, how about that?"


    Listening to their straightforward talk.


    Zhang Ling felt like crying but had no tears: Do I have no dignity at all? We are in the middle of a bet here! You are dealing with my strong oppression, and you just ignore me like this, is that really okay? Do you think this is easy for me?


    Clap, clap!


    Shu He couldn''t stand it anymore, walked forward, patted his shoulder, and sighed, "Third brother, pack up your pitiful oppression!"


    Zhang Ling: "..."


    The Shadow Demon looked at the two, "What about you?"


    Shu He smiled and said, "I listen to big brother!"


    Zhang Ling, with a woebegone face, said, "You call the shots!"


    The Shadow Demon was silent for a moment before stating his condition, "I can sign a contract with you, but my two brothers and I will only follow you for ten years. After ten years, you cannot interfere with our decision to leave or stay. Aside from us three brothers, the same goes for these brothers here; include them in the contract as well, and after ten years, you cannot stop them from leaving."


    "No problem!"


    Xiao Yi agreed readily, summoned Shi Feiya to draft the contract immediately, and also released the zither locks from the two.


    Looking at the nearly a hundred Tao Tribulations and the three Dharmas before him.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upward. With the addition of these people, the Xiaoshanhe Institute finally had the strength to stand up to the top ten sects. As for the ten-year agreement? Xiao Yi didn''t take it to heart at all. With his means, he thought that after ten years, he probably wouldn''t be able to get rid of these people even if he tried!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes: "The Tournament of Geniuses is about to start; it''s time to go back!"

 Chapter 339 - 339: Another Person Joins!

    When Xiao Yi left the slave market,


    a hundred strong followers were trailing behind him, ninety-seven of which were from the Tao Tribulation Realm and three from the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Notably, the Shadow Demon''s cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the Fivefold Heaven in the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    He was just one step away from entering the Sixfold Heaven of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    The Shadow Demon''s strength was very powerful.


    However...


    At this moment, the way the Shadow Demon looked at Xiao Yi was filled with reverence.


    Previously, at the slave market, the Shadow Demon had fought with Xiao Yi, and the outcome speaks for itself. This existence, comparable to the so-called Slave King, was forcefully rubbed against the ground by Xiao Yi.


    Since then,


    the Shadow Demon, Zhang Ling, Shu He, and those dozens of ferocious and evil Tao Tribulation Realm slaves dared not underestimate Xiao Yi any longer.


    Let alone challenge his authority!


    "Shadow Demon, you take everyone to the docks to rent a boat, let everyone get on board, order some food, and have a good rest. Later, have Along tell me which boat it is. I''ll make a trip to the city lord''s mansion, and then we can all ride back!" Xiao Yi instructed.


    These slaves had their food and clothing strictly controlled in the slave market.


    Especially these past few days.


    The Tan Family was overthrown, and Sha Kun rebelled; nobody paid any attention to them. They had been starved for days.


    Upon hearing that Xiao Yi was letting them go eat first, their eyes lit up.


    The Shadow Demon nodded, "Thank you, Xiao."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, gave the Shadow Demon several silver notes, and then went with Shi Feiya to the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce.


    Shi Feiya had already prepared the many medicinal materials, the value of which totaled one hundred billion silver. It took ten storage rings to hold them all. The storage rings alone were worth more than ten billion silver, demonstrating the lengths Shi Feiya went to ingratiate herself with Xiao Yi.


    "Xiao, I heard that in another two months, the Great Qian Dynasty''s imperial family will be holding the ancestral worship ceremony?" Shi Feiya asked.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "What about it? Does President Shi have an interest in taking a trip there?"


    "If Xiao doesn''t mind, Feiya does wish to brazenly go and take a look!" Shi Feiya said with a charming smile, enchanting to anyone who saw it.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Then I shall await President Shi''s honored visit!"


    "As long as Xiao doesn''t mind Feiya''s bothering you," said Shi Feiya with a smile.


    Xiao Yi exchanged pleasantries for a few moments, then he left.


    Watching his retreating figure,


    Shi Feiya turned to Lin Yuejin standing beside her, her gaze serious, "Send out the order, from now on, any business dealings related to Xiao must go through my approval and be treated with the highest standards!"


    "Understood!"


    Lin Yuejin nodded gravely.


    As he watched Xiao Yi leave, Lin Yuejin replayed the scene from the slave market in his mind.


    With just a slap, Xiao Yi had knocked the Shadow Demon, a fivefold Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator, to the ground. Although the Shadow Demon had been imprisoned for many years and his combat strength had not yet recovered to its peak,


    it was enough to prove the extent of Xiao Yi''s strength and terror.


    What was even more crucial was...


    Xiao Yi had only reached the Eighth Layer Cultivation in the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    What if he broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm?


    "Perhaps even Tianjiao can''t compare to him!" Lin Yuejin murmured to himself.


    Meanwhile,


    Xiao Yi arrived at the residence of the city lord.


    Huang Baitao had already awakened, his whole body reeking of alcohol, listening to Huang Yuwei "educating" him with his head lowered, "Father, you''ve just recovered from a serious illness, and yet you drank so much last night. You even think about becoming sworn brothers with Xiao Yi, can''t you quit drinking?"


    Huang Baitao''s head drooped down.


    The lord of Beast Emperor City, who feared nothing in heaven or earth, only feared this beloved daughter of his.


    Huang Baitao''s eyes lit up, hastily shouting, "Xiao Yi, you''re here?"


    "Ah?"


    Huang Yuwei was momentarily stunned, her pretty face flushed slightly with anger, as she glared fiercely at Huang Baitao. She withdrew her hands from her waist and looked towards Xiao Yi with a gentle smile, "Xiao Yi, how come you''re back?"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose.


    Seeing the way Huang Yuwei scolded Huang Baitao, he felt even more amused and said, "I have come to bid farewell!"


    Huang Yuwei was startled again, and a hint of loss and sadness appeared on her face as she muttered, "So soon, you''re leaving?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "The reconstruction of Xiaoshanhe Institute is imminent, and I must hurry back." After a pause, Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Uncle, Yuwei, in two months, it will be the Great Qian Dynasty''s ancestral worship ceremony, which will take place in my Xiaoshanhe Institute. If you don''t mind, you are welcome to come and visit then!"


    "Really? Can we, can we really go?" The gloom on Huang Yuwei''s face vanished in an instant. S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Of course you can!"


    Huang Yuwei quickly turned to Huang Baitao, "Father, we will definitely go then, won''t we?"


    "Naturally, Xiao Yi is our Beast Emperor City''s Vice City Lord. We must go to support him then!"


    Huang Baitao laughed heartily and then cast a mysterious glance at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, I had guessed that you would be going back, so I arranged for a gift for you!"


    "A gift?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Clap, clap!


    Huang Baitao clapped his hands twice, and Huang Zheng and Huang Yi entered from outside the door.


    In front of these two was a white-haired elder.


    This man was none other than the Seven-Star Alchemist Master Yuan from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.


    "This is��"


    Xiao Yi looked puzzled.


    Huang Baitao smiled and said, "I have already spoken with Master Yuan. He has agreed to go to Xiaoshanhe Institute to assist you for ten years. After ten years, you can send him back to Beast Emperor City!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned.


    As he pondered,


    the voice of Huang Baitao echoed in his mind, "Although Master Yuan indeed had dealings with Sha Kun, the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce is not easy to shake, and we cannot kill him. Now that your Xiaoshanhe Institute is being rebuilt, don''t you need more help? Master Yuan is a Seven-Star Alchemist, and his help will be only beneficial to your institute without a single drawback!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Huang Baitao, touched by his gesture.


    A Seven-Star Alchemist! No matter where, such a person is a top-tier existence.


    Huang Baitao could have kept him by his side, but instead, he offered Master Yuan to him. Although it was only for ten years, these ten years could very well bring Xue Bufan into the Seven-Star realm.


    Xiao Yi bowed to Huang Baitao and said solemnly, "Thank you, uncle!"


    "Hahaha, you''re being too polite!"


    Huang Baitao waved his hand dismissively. His gaze fell on Master Yuan, "Master Yuan, once you''re at Xiaoshanhe Institute, follow Xiao Yi''s orders without slackening. I will ensure the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce takes care of you!"


    "City Lord, rest assured, Master Yuan understands what''s important!"


    Master Yuan looked towards Xiao Yi and bowed, "Xiao, I hope for your care in the future!"


    "Master, you''re too courteous!"


    Xiao Yi returned the gesture meticulously.


    The group exchanged pleasantries for a while.


    Along arrived, signaling that the ship was about to set sail.


    Xiao Yi immediately took Along and Master Yuan and headed straight for the docks.


    Before long,


    Xiao Yi was boarding the colossal ten-thousand-meter ship, which was not the same one he had arrived on, but it was just as massive. The Shadow Demons were already resting inside the cabin, and Xiao Yi didn''t want to cause a big stir, so he didn''t call everyone together.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi had not noticed.


    From the moment he appeared on the docks, there were several eyes watching him secretly. When he boarded the ship, two Sky Eagles took off and disappeared into the vast ocean...

 Chapter 340 - 340: Meeting with the City Lord!

    Above the endless ocean.


    Huge waves reached for the sky, and the storm raged on ceaselessly, with the blue sea vast and limitless.


    A kilometer-long warship was positioned within the high waves.


    Rising and falling.


    This ship was about half a day''s distance from Linhai City, exactly blocking the essential sailing route for the ships returning from Beast Emperor City. Motionless, it resembled a hunter waiting patiently for his prey.


    On the ship.


    Xue Mantian stood at the bow with his hands clasped behind his back, facing the sea wind without so much as a frown.


    Suddenly.


    His gaze shifted toward the sky, just as a figure glided through the wind and waves, landing on his shoulder.


    Xue Mantian removed the envelope from the eagle''s claw.


    "They''ve already set out?"


    Xue Mantian squinted his eyes, and the envelope in his hand exploded with a bang, "I never imagined that the lad who once seemed no more than an ant could have come this far. However... this time you won''t have the aid of the experts from Baiyu, and I, Xue, will take your head personally!"


    Tap, tap, tap!


    A series of footsteps came from within the cabin.


    It was none other than two experts of the Dharma Manifestation Realm''s second stage, Xu Jinlong from Three Seas Mountain and Ge Ruoyi from Wendao Villa!


    Apart from these three great practitioners of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, on this ship, there were also powerhouses from the Nangong Family, the Beitang Family, and Xue Yilou from the Tao Tribulation Realm. Out of the hundreds of experts, there were as many as thirty from the Tao Tribulation Realm alone.


    Xu Jinlong stepped forward and said, "Xue, we''ve received news that Xiao Yi left Beast Emperor City yesterday and should arrive here in less than half a day!"


    Ge Ruoyi played with a dagger between his fingers and chuckled, "The Nangong Family sure thinks highly of Xiao Yi. The two of us alone could easily dispose of him, yet they even had you, Xue, make a personal appearance!"


    Xue Mantian was at the fourfold peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    He was quite a bit stronger than the two of them.


    Xue Mantian said indifferently, "This kid is not that simple; we must not allow any mistakes."


    "Xue, did you once cross paths with Xiao Yi in the Tianqing Kingdom?" Ge Ruoyi asked.


    Xue Mantian glanced at him and said expressionlessly, "It wasn''t quite a confrontation. But, that kid was indeed full of oddities. When I encountered him, he was merely at the Golden Core Realm. But now..."


    A look of astonishment flashed in his eyes.


    Even if he didn''t see Xiao Yi as a threat, Xue was still shocked by his innate talent for cultivation.


    From the Physical Body Realm to the Tao Tribulation Realm in just two short years.


    Such speed of cultivation was utterly astonishing!


    The two men were stunned.


    Ge Ruoyi nodded thoughtfully, "His progression in cultivation is indeed bizarre. The vice villa owner of Wendao Villa personally instructed me to force out his cultivation technique!"


    "And his Alchemy skills are said to be extremely fearsome as well," Xu Jinlong added somberly.


    Xue Mantian said lightly, "Have someone constantly watch the sea, we absolutely can''t let him get away!"


    "Rest assured!"


    "He has no chance of escape!"


    A cold, cruel smile spread across the faces of the three.


    ......


    It would take a full two days to reach Linhai City from Beast Emperor City.


    On the stormy, rain-lashed sea, a ten-kilometer gargantuan ship cut through the waves.


    Boom!


    A deafening roar echoed across the entire ship.


    The tremendously long vessel shook violently and came to an abrupt halt amidst the winds and waves, resulting in a chorus of curses from within the cabin: "What the hell?"


    "Did we hit a reef?"


    "What''s going on? Nearly shook me off the bed..."


    At that moment.


    An icy voice suddenly spread throughout the entire ship: "Xiao Yi, come out and face your death!"


    "Xiao Yi, come out and face your death!"


    "Come out and face your death!"


    The thunderous sounds reverberated through the storm and waves.


    The terrifying presence of the Dharma Manifestation Realm enveloped the ship in an instant.


    The mighty suppressive force of the Dharma Manifestation Realm caused the cursing to cease abruptly.


    People either left the cabin or looked through the windows to see what was happening outside.


    In the midst of the storm.


    Xue Mantian, Ge Ruoyi, and Xu Jinlong, leading a group of three, stood proudly atop the wind and waves, surrounded by hundreds of formidable experts lined up in a row. Just in the Tao Tribulation Realm alone, there were more than thirty people.


    Their momentum was grand, their presence overwhelming.


    The owner of the ship was a lean man, who had also reached the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, but faced with the pressure of the three great Dharma Manifestation figures, his face had gone pale, and he hurried forward, saying, "Jin Yu pays respects to the three seniors, may I ask the esteemed reasons for your visit?"


    "Let Xiao Yi roll out here, or this seat will have everyone on this ship join him in death!" Ge Ruoyi said with an icy expression.


    Jin Yu''s face changed drastically, and he responded quickly, "Seniors, might there be some misunderstanding? There... there''s no one called Xiao Yi on our ship..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xu Jinlong barked, his face full of scorn, "Do you think we have the time to be joking with you?"


    Xue Mantian said indifferently, "Xiao Yi, if you don''t come out now, don''t blame this seat for being ruthless!"


    At that moment.


    From inside the cabin, a series of curses could be heard: "Who is Xiao Yi? Get out there and face death quickly, don''t drag us into this!"


    "Xiao Yi, you get out there yourself, we don''t want to die for you!" S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Amidst the cursing of the crowd.


    Xiao Yi, with his hands behind his back, walked leisurely out from the cabin. Facing the howling wind and pelting rain, Xiao Yi wore an unchanging smile, amusingly watching Xue Mantian and the others suspended in mid-air.


    "Xiao Yi!"


    "You really are here!"


    Xue Mantian''s eyes showed a trace of coldness as he sneered, "Xiao Yi, long time no see, didn''t expect you''d still end up in my hands, did you?"


    Xiao Yi laughed as he glanced at the strong figures surrounding Xue Mantian. Although he was smiling, the killing intent in his eyes was increasingly cold: "Xue Mantian, long time no see! I''ve waited a long time for this day!"


    "Hm?"


    Xue Mantian was taken aback, looking at him puzzled, "You''ve been waiting for this day?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Ever since that day in the Tianqing Kingdom, I''ve been thinking non-stop about personally slaughtering you!"


    "..."


    Xue Mantian was at a loss for words.


    Ge Ruoyi laughed heartily, "Xiao Yi, who gave you the courage to even dream of provoking the Master of Xue Yilou?"


    "Leave aside the Master of Xue Yilou, even we could crush you as easily as crushing an ant!" Xu Jinlong looked at Xiao Yi, shaking his head with a disdainful smile.


    In their eyes...


    Those below Dharma Manifestation are merely ants!


    Xiao Yi wasn''t even at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, how could he possibly be their opponent?


    Xiao Yi cast a glance at Xue Mantian and the others, and said with a smile, "Xue Mantian, to come kill me, this few people you''ve brought just aren''t enough!"


    "Hahaha, that has to be the funniest joke I''ve ever heard in my life!"


    "Xiao Yi, to kill you we have deployed three great Dharma Manifestation figures, more than thirty Tao Tribulation Realm experts, nearly a hundred Golden Core Realm... we''ve already outnumbered you, and yet you say we''re not enough?"


    Xu Jinlong and the others shook their heads with laughter, faces full of mockery.


    Xiao Yi sighed, "This many people and you still talk about overwhelming with numbers? It seems you have a misunderstanding about what overwhelming with numbers truly means!"


    "Hm?"


    The group was momentarily taken aback.


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Let me teach you what it means to ''overwhelm with numbers''!"


    Snap!


    Xiao Yi slowly snapped his fingers.


    All of a sudden.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    From the cabin, over a hundred figures burst forth at once.


    Leading them were none other than the four Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, Shadow Demon, Zhang Ling, Shu He, and Fu Yuan, followed by ninety-eight Tao Tribulation Realm experts, including Along.


    One hundred and two people, lined up behind Xiao Yi.


    Especially the formidable Shadow Demon, at the Fifth Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak, whose chill seemed to overshadow even Xue Mantian.


    "How, how could there be so many people?"


    "Good heavens! Four great Dharma Manifestations, and all the rest are Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    "Who are all these people?"


    As everyone was in a state of shock and uncertainty.


    Starting with Shadow Demon at the lead, the one hundred and two people turned simultaneously to look at Xiao Yi and spoke in unison, their voices thundering like a storm, eclipsing the sound of the fierce wind and rain, "We greet the Lord of the City!"

 Chapter 341 - 341 One Move is Enough!

    "Greetings, City Lord!"


    Over a hundred powerful individuals cried out in unison, their voices thunderous, drowning out the stormy weather.


    Their shouts reverberated between heaven and earth.


    Aboard the giant ship, tens of thousands of strong figures were intimidated by this noise, turning pale and standing agape.


    The three figures of Xue Mantian in the void were also clueless.


    "City Lord?"


    "Where does this City Lord come from? Could it be Huang Baitao, the City Lord of Beast Emperor City?"


    "Is he also on this ship?"


    Everyone looked bewildered, constantly scanning their surroundings, trying to locate this legendary City Lord.


    The three people from Xue Mantian looked at each other in confusion.


    Ge Ruoyi said in a deep voice, "Huang Baitao is a seventh-ranking power in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and it is said that he had an encounter with the Sea God and condensed the Sea God Dharma Idol. On the ocean, his combat power is nearly on par with a peak Dharma Manifestation Realm expert. If he is here, we must not offend him!"


    "Damn it, who would have thought Huang Baitao would be here. We can''t disturb him. We must make this a quick battle!" Xu Jinlong said, his expression grave.


    Xue Mantian nodded and called out loudly, "I was unaware of Huang''s presence; my offense was unintentional. I, Xue Mantian, am here on orders to capture Xiao Yi, and I had no intention of disturbing the City Lord!"


    "..."


    Yet no one inside the ship responded to him.


    While Xue Mantian was frowning,


    Shadow Demon and the others already stood up, looking at him with strange expressions on their faces.


    Suddenly...


    Xue Mantian''s face violently changed, the corners of his eyes twitching uncontrollably as he looked at Xiao Yi with disbelief.


    Gulp!


    Xue Mantian swallowed hard, a dreadful thought emerging in his mind, and he hastily shook his head: "Impossible, absolutely impossible..."


    At that moment,


    Shadow Demon had already approached Xiao Yi, bowing and saying, "City Lord, this man dares to target your life. Please give the order to execute this criminal!"


    Hum!


    Xue Mantian''s complexion turned ashen.


    Ge Ruoyi and Xu Jinlong stood dumbfounded, their perplexed faces burning as if slapped dozens of times.


    What the hell!


    The City Lord is Xiao Yi?


    Xiao Yi is the City Lord who made the four major Dharma Manifestation experts and nearly a hundred Tao Tribulation experts bow?


    Gulp! S��arch* The N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A twitch appeared at the corner of Ge Ruoyi''s mouth as he tasted bitterness: "I, I must be hallucinating, right?"


    Xu Jinlong glanced at him blankly: "I, I seem to be hallucinating too. They are actually calling Xiao Yi the City Lord? Hehe, isn''t that funny..."


    Xue Mantian: "..."


    Funny my ass!


    Hallucinations my grandpa!


    All of this is real!


    Indeed, they were addressing Xiao Yi as the City Lord, and Xiao Yi was that City Lord whom the four major Dharma Manifestation experts and nearly a hundred Tao Tribulation experts willingly served!


    At this moment...


    Xue Mantian only wanted to flee for his life.


    Even just Shadow Demon alone was enough to make him feel his life was in jeopardy, not to mention the other three high-ranked Dharma Manifestation Realm experts and the nearly a hundred Calamity Realm powerhouses!


    He couldn''t imagine how the young man who could have been crushed by a mere finger not so long ago had in just a little over a year reached a height that he could only look up to.


    Xiao Yi looked on with a playful expression, staring intently at Xue Mantian and said with a smile, "Xue Mantian, Xue, weren''t you going to bully with numbers?"


    "..."


    Xue Mantian felt his face resounding with slaps.


    His face was burning from the metaphorical slaps!


    Xue Mantian said with a dark face, "Xiao Yi, I admit I underestimated you. I never thought that in just over a year, you would have come this far. Today I will take my loss, but the tables will turn. One day, you will fall into my hands!"


    Knowing he was no match, Xue Mantian decisively chose to retreat.


    Just the four major Dharma Manifestation experts were trouble enough for them, let alone nearly a hundred Tao Tribulation experts.


    This time, the attempt to kill Xiao Yi was already impossible!


    "Want to leave now? It''s too late!"


    Xiao Yi gave a cold smile and looked at Shadow Demon, "Leave Xue Mantian for me, kill all the others!"


    "Yes!"


    Shadow Demon nodded vigorously.


    Even he was no match for Xiao Yi, let alone Xue Mantian, a mere fourth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm?


    However...


    Xue Mantian, who was intent on fleeing, stopped in his tracks when he heard this, pointed at himself, and looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "What did you say? You want to kill me?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Why not?"


    "Interesting, really interesting. Xiao Yi, it seems that not only has your cultivation improved over the years, but you''ve also become completely arrogant. You, a mere Tao Tribulation Realm, think you can kill me? That''s utterly ridiculous. Since you''re determined to seek death, then I shall fulfill your wish!"


    Xue Mantian laughed heartily. He had thought there would be no chance to kill Xiao Yi. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yi was the one who delivered himself to the door. He turned to Ge Ruoyi and the others, "Hold them off, don''t let them get free to help Xiao Yi. Once I''ve killed this lad, we''ll make a quick escape!"


    "Rest assured!"


    "With such arrogance, Master Xue needs to teach him a good lesson!"


    Ge Ruoyi and his companion responded in succession.


    Xue Mantian said with confidence, "Rest assured, within three moves, I will have his head!"


    Looking at the confident Xue Mantian.


    Shadow Demon and the others shook their heads and sighed inwardly, "This idiot!"


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi had already soared into the sky, confronting Xue Mantian in the air above.


    Xue Mantian said confidently, "Within three moves, I will take your head!"


    "Three moves?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, a strange expression on his face, "Three moves are too many, one is enough!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xue Mantian was taken aback and then laughed, "It seems you''re not hopelessly arrogant after all, knowing that I only need one move to finish you off!"


    "Wait a minute!"


    Xiao Yi raised his hand to stop the self-satisfied Xue Mantian, saying seriously, "What I mean is, to kill you, I only need one move!"


    Huh?


    Xue Mantian''s face turned from red to white. He was, after all, a formidable fourth-level expert of the Dharma Manifestation Realm and the ninth master of Xue Yilou; even his peers wouldn''t dare claim they could beat him in one move.


    Xiao Yi was merely at the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    And yet he had the audacity to proclaim he could defeat Xue Mantian in one move?


    In Xue Mantian''s view, this was an intolerable humiliation and provocation.


    Xue Mantian laughed angrily, "One move? I shall stand right here, not moving an inch, and see how you can defeat me in one move!"


    "As you wish!"


    Xiao Yi''s smile suddenly vanished from his face.


    Whiz!


    His figure soared into the sky, and as the vital energy within him surged, the sky and earth changed color, and storms raged. Countless gales and thunderbolts fused into the palm of his hand, forming a purple-gold spear out of Wind Thunder.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi flung his hand.


    The purple-gold spear tore through the void, pulling along a golden trail of light, and headed straight towards Xue Mantian. The terrifying sound, accompanied by booming thunder, approached, and the horror of the energy fluctuation caused Xue Mantian''s smug smile to suddenly freeze.


    His eyes bulged with rage and filled with terror, "This... this power..."


    The might rolling off the purple-gold thunderous spear made Xue Mantian feel the threat of death; light surged around his body, forming a circular energy barrier.


    Shielding himself.


    Simultaneously.


    The purple-gold spear struck swiftly, and with a thunderous explosion, the energy barrier shattered instantly.


    Within the purple-gold light, thunder surged over the spear.


    Splat!


    The spear effortlessly pierced through Xue Mantian''s shoulder.


    Ahhh...


    Xue Mantian screamed miserably as he was thrown backward with the spear, crashing into the sea with a bang. A hundred-foot-high wave rose into the sky, and Xiao Yi hovered in the air, gazing at the sea surface as it returned to calm.


    He reached out with his palm.


    Whoosh!


    A vast whirlpool appeared on the surface of the sea, and a water tornado shot up into the sky. Within that watery vortex, the pale-faced Xue Mantian was grasped by the neck by Xiao Yi and lifted up in front of him, "You, have lost!"

 Chapter 342 - 342: My Word Is The Evidence!

    "You lost!"


    Xiao Yi grasped Xue Mantian''s throat with one hand, lifting him to face himself, his expression void of emotion as he spoke.


    The purple-gold lightning spear above Xue Mantian''s shoulder had vanished, but blood continued to gush profusely from the gaping wound.


    His pale face was filled with intense shock and disbelief.


    Staring fixedly at Xiao Yi.


    In his eyes, there was also a hint of sudden realization and confusion.


    Once upon a time...


    Back in the Tianqing Kingdom, Xiao Yi was as insignificant as an ant in his presence, not even capable of resisting. But now, in just a little over a year, Xiao Yi had risen to heights he could only look up to.


    Pu!


    Xue Mantian''s mouth uncontrollably spewed out a mouthful of fresh blood, his eyes crimson as he stared at Xiao Yi, "I, I never imagined that in just a short year, you could become so strong. However, if you dare to kill me, Xue Yilou will never let you off!"


    Xue Yilou, the most formidable assassination organization of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Behind it stood a weighty figure of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Within the vast ranks of Xue Yilou, even Xue Mantian, who was just the ninth floor''s master, had already reached the fourth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    This meant that there were at least eight others stronger than him.


    It was unquestionably a force that could not be ignored.


    However...


    Xiao Yi, with an expressionless face, said indifferently, "Xue Yilou? If they don''t provoke me, then fine, but if they dare... I''ll kill them one by one, a pair for every pair that comes..."


    Overbearing, confident.


    In this moment, Xiao Yi exuded a disdainful coldness that overlooked everything under the heavens.


    "Xue Mantian, let me send you on your final journey!"


    Xiao Yi''s hand suddenly exerted force.


    Ka-chak!


    Xue Mantian''s head tilted to the side, life extinguished completely.


    At the same time.


    Shadow Demon and the others had also dealt with Zhang Ling and Shu He, as well as the hundreds of strong individuals from various powers.


    Bodies drifted in the sea water, fresh red blood saturating the surrounding area.


    Moving with the waves.


    Stirring up waves of crimson foam.


    Not far away...


    Some beasts eyed them greedily, just waiting for Xiao Yi and his group to leave so they could launch a fierce attack to contest the corpses floating in the water. S��arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi stepped onto the deck.


    All the powerhouses on the ship shivered, looking at him with awe on their faces.


    Xiao Yi looked at the ship''s master and said indifferently, "Gather up all these bodies!"


    "Yes!"


    The ship''s master, not daring to disobey, immediately sent men to begin collecting the corpses.


    An hour later.


    All the bodies had been retrieved, the ship''s master looked at Xiao Yi uneasily, "Sir, some of the bodies were too fragmented, we could only find some pieces, the rest have been collected!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, noticing that many of the bodies on the deck were missing arms and legs.


    Zhang Ling touched his nose, his expression awkward, "Xiao, I''m really sorry, I just couldn''t hold it any longer!"


    Zhang Ling had achieved a hundred victories in the Slave Battlefield ten years ago, and after that, he was imprisoned by Sha Kun and spent the last decade in a dark and sunless dungeon.


    Now that he was free, he had finally encountered a fight where he could go all out without any restraint.


    Naturally, he had to vent thoroughly.


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and waved his hand, "It''s fine, just remember to be more measured next time!"


    Too much bloodshed is not good!


    Zhang Ling nodded, "Don''t worry, in the future, I''ll try to leave them intact!"


    *Thump*


    The ship''s master''s legs went weak, nearly kneeling on the ground.


    What the hell!


    What kind of people are these?


    Being more measured means leaving a whole corpse?


    The ship''s master''s head was practically buried in his chest; he dared not lift his eyes to look at these fearsome and threatening figures!


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and ordered, "Tie all these corpses to that small boat; we ourselves will pilot the small boat back!"


    "Ah?"


    The captain was taken aback.


    He had thought that Xiao Yi would ask them to take the small boat and the bodies back, and he was worried about being implicated. To his surprise, Xiao Yi volunteered this request, leaving the captain utterly grateful; he knelt on the ground and said, "Thank you, sir, for your mercy!"


    "This matter has nothing to do with you; there is no need for such actions!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively.


    Then, the group took the bodies of Xue Mantian and the others to the small boat, hanging them around the small ship before sailing towards Linhai City.


    That vast ship, however, followed far behind.


    Half a day later.


    Linhai City appeared in their sight.


    Shu He steered the boat mightily towards Linhai City.


    Linhai is the only port of the Great Qian Dynasty that leads into Beast Emperor City. Countless ships come and go every day; among them are gigantic ships thousands of meters in length.


    Their thousand-meter-long small ship was unremarkable in the port of Linhai City.


    But now...


    As soon as Xiao Yi''s ship appeared, it caused a sensation.


    This sensation spread through the entire Linhai City harbor like a plague: "Look over there, why is that ship tied with so many bodies?"


    "Wait, I recognize that person; he is a strong warrior from Three Seas Mountain!"


    "That is the Taoist robe of Wendao Villa..."


    "Is that person tied at the bow wearing clothes from Xue Yilou? Isn''t that Xue Mantian, the ninth master of Xue Yilou? My heavens, how could he also be dead?"


    The entire dock was boiling over with excitement.


    Astonishment and terror were written all over the faces of countless powerhouses as they looked at each other.


    Fearing they were caught in an illusion.


    Clang clang clang!


    Amidst the sound of clashing metal, a troop of over a thousand people surged into the dock - it was Linhai City''s enforcement military.


    Leading them was none other than the city lord of Linhai City, the second-ranked General Li Bin.


    Li Bin was clad in silver battle armor and riding a Sea Dragon Horse, his eyes filled with gravity. He had only received news of a ship full of corpses entering Linhai City and had immediately come with the enforcement soldiers.


    Not until he saw with his own eyes this little ship teeming with severed heads did Li feel a chill engulfing his body.


    The situation has blown up!


    That was Li Bin''s first reaction.


    He recognized not only Xue Mantian but also Ge Ruoyi.


    The hundreds of corpses on this ship included powerhouses from Three Seas Mountain, Wendao Villa, the Nangong Family, the Beitang Family, and Xue Yilou!


    Which one of them was easy to provoke?


    Rumble!


    The small ship docked at the shore.


    A group of figures walked out from the cabin, with Xiao Yi at the forefront, followed closely by the Shadow Demon, Fu Yuan, Zhang Ling, and Shu He. Then came Along and the other ninety-eight Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses.


    Hiss!


    The appearance of these hundred-plus people, four Dharma Manifestation Realm, and over a hundred Tao Tribulation Realm, seemed to calm the turbulent waters of the harbor.


    Everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound.


    Sweat poured down Li Bin''s forehead; he too was at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, but among this group, there were more than a dozen whose aura was no less than his.


    Especially the Shadow Demon and the other three, each of them was unfathomable to him.


    Gulp!


    Li Bin desperately swallowed, his previous assertive aura completely doused. He stepped forward and said, "City Lord Li Bin of Linhai bids welcome to all the distinguished guests!"


    "City Lord Li!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I am Xiao Yi!"


    "Xiao Yi?"


    Li Bin was taken aback, his pupils suddenly narrowing, "You, you are Xiao, the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Xiao Yi hummed affirmatively, then pointing to the corpses of Xue Mantian and others, he spoke indifferently, "These people attacked me and have all been executed. You need not trouble yourself, City Lord Li!"


    "This..."


    Li Bin hesitated. Xiao Yi''s reputation was indeed not weak, but it still didn''t compare to the intimidating power of Xue Yilou, the Nangong Family, and the Beitang Family. In a grave voice, Li Bin said, "Director Xiao, this is a matter of great importance. You say they attacked you, do you have any evidence?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as he scanned Li Bin.


    The Shadow Demon and the others behind him also turned their gaze towards Li Bin.


    Thud!


    Li Bin trembled all over, feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, with darkness, despair, and bone-chilling cold enshrouding him.


    He only heard Xiao Yi''s icy voice ringing in his ears, "My word is the evidence!"

 Chapter 343 - 343: Taking You to See the Play!

    "My words are evidence!"


    Xiao Yi''s face sported a frosty hue as he stared intently at Li Bin, enunciating each word, "What? Do you have an objection?"


    Gulp!


    Li Bin swallowed reflexively.


    His complexion turned deathly white.


    Under Xiao Yi''s oppressive aura, it felt as if an invisible giant hand was clutching his throat, leaving him unable to make the slightest sound. Even his legs were trembling. He could only muster the strength to stand before Xiao Yi.


    Whew!


    Li Bin let out a long breath of foul air and said somberly, "Director Xiao jests. This subordinate wouldn''t dare have any opinion." After a pause, he asked, "Director Xiao, would you like this subordinate to send someone to help you handle these corpses?"


    "No need!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and then looked toward Shadow Demon and the others, "Take down the masts on the ship for me, and hang their corpses on them. We''re heading back to the imperial capital!"


    "Yes!"


    The Shadow Demon and the rest promptly took action. sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The masts were disassembled.


    One by one, corpses were suspended from the masts.


    A total of ten masts.


    Each one hung with more than a dozen bodies, shouldered by two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses. Xiao Yi swept his gaze over Li Bin and said indifferently, "City Lord Li, I shall take my leave first!"


    Swish!


    A group of figures soared into the sky.


    As he watched the ten masts laden with corpses, Li Bin felt a chill run down his spine and could no longer stand, collapsing to the ground with a thud. Breathing heavily, his pale face was filled with shock and fear, and he looked toward the enforcing soldiers at his side, "Quick, send a message to the imperial capital..."


    He looked up at Xiao Yi and the others, growing distant and disappearing into the void.


    Li Bin realized he was soaked in cold sweat and murmured to himself, "It''s over, this is going to cause major trouble!"


    ...��


    In the imperial capital, Xuanwu Square.


    This vast square located in Beicheng was the main battlefield for the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s Genius Battle, set to begin in half an hour.


    But now...


    The grand Xuanwu Square was nearly empty.


    Eerily desolate.


    Hai Wei, Yu Huaxian, and Li Jinjun sat on a high platform, and their expressions were somber.


    Swish!


    Amidst a whooshing sound.


    Ye Heng''s figure appeared in the square. He bowed to the three of them and said solemnly, "Three elders, I have ascertained the situation. Everyone has gone to the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?"


    "The one established by Chen Shuiwen and others?"


    The three Yu Huaxian were taken aback.


    Chen Shuiwen, after leaving the Xiaoshanhe Institute, was set on creating a martial arts academy of his own.


    Through the connections of Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao,


    Chen Shuiwen got in touch with heavyweights such as Three Seas Mountain, Wendao Villa, the Beitang Family, and the Nangong Family. Supported by these giants, Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa dispatched experts to populate the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    The Beitang and Nangong families provided herbal and alchemical resources.


    The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, even before its establishment, had already overshadowed the Xiaoshanhe Institute in terms of influence.


    "They changed their inaugural grand ceremony, originally scheduled seven days from now, to today. Anyone attending the founding ceremony will receive ten pieces of silver as a gift. Right now, the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy has gathered several hundred thousand people, and��"


    Ye Heng nodded gravely and continued, "I have just heard that Chen Shuiwen announced that anyone who joins the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy today and becomes its disciple will receive resources for cultivation worth a hundred thousand pieces of silver. Moreover, those with exceptional talent can even become disciples of masters in the Tao Tribulation Realm and even the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Now, everyone is heading there!"


    Hiss!


    Yu Huaxian and the others'' faces changed simultaneously.


    All the hustle and bustle of the world is for profit.


    Just by attending the opening ceremony, one could receive ten Silver, which was hardly different from picking it up for free; naturally, the common folk would head that way.


    Moreover, simply by joining the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy today, one could obtain cultivation resources worth a hundred thousand Silver��these offerings alone could attract countless powerhouses to give it a try.


    A hundred thousand Silver!


    For many people of modest family background, that was a substantial sum.


    And more importantly...


    They could possibly become disciples under masters of the Tao Tribulation Realm and Dharma Manifestation Realm, a dream coveted by so many, wasn''t it?


    Chen Shuiwen''s move hit the Xiaoshanhe Institute right where it hurt!


    Bang!


    Yu Huaxian slammed his hands hard on the table, his eyes a fiery red: "That bastard Chen Shuiwen, he wants to put an end to our talent competition!"


    "What are we to do now? Before Xiao left, we promised that there would be no issues, but now..." Hai Wei said with a worried face.


    Li Jinjun offered a wry smile, "Shall we... raise the rewards too?"


    This was their first mission after siding with the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    If they messed this up...


    How could they continue to mix in at the Xiaoshanhe Institute in the future?


    Yu Huaxian shook his head: "It''s no use!"


    Xiaoshanhe Institute, at best, had the trillion Silver that Xiao Yi won, whereas behind Chen Shuiwen''s Shanhe Martial Arts Academy stood multiple forces like Three Seas Mountain, Wendao Villa, the Beitang Family, and the Nangong Family.


    Any one of these forces was wealthier than the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    In terms of money, resources, and foundation...


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute had no advantage whatsoever.


    As they were pondering...


    A streak of golden light descended from the sky, landing instantly before them. This golden light was none other than Little Lin, who stood upright with a human-like grin, "It looks like you guys are in trouble!"


    "Little Lin?"


    "Why have you come back? Where''s Xiao Yi? Didn''t he return with you?"


    Yu Huaxian and Ye Heng were taken aback, looking around, yet they found no trace of Xiao Yi.


    Little Lin chuckled and scanned Ye Heng, "Little Ye, not bad at all! Already at the Fourth Layer of the Divine Passage Realm. It seems that you haven''t been slacking off in the days I was away!"


    "Uncle Master Little Lin..."


    Ye Heng gave a wry smile, "Shouldn''t we be more worried about other matters right now?"


    Little Lin nodded, "Don''t worry, the boss already knows about the situation here. He sent me to tell you guys, the talent competition is on hold, and he wants you all to go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to watch the show!"


    "Go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to watch the show?"


    Yu Huaxian and the others were stunned.


    Ye Heng''s eyes shone, "Is Master at Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?"


    Little Lin nodded.


    Yu Huaxian laughed heartily, the gloom on his face clearing entirely, as he looked at Hai Wei and Li Jinjun, "Let''s go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, we finally get to see Xiao Yi take action personally again!"


    Since they had wiped out the Great Jin Kingdom, it had been some time since he had seen Xiao Yi in action.


    Hai Wei and the others were taken aback.


    Li Jinjun murmured, "Xiao Yi indeed is a real dragon among men, but the forces behind Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are formidable, what good can he do by coming back alone?"


    Little Lin glanced at him, speaking lightly, "You''ll find out soon enough!"


    Everyone promptly headed in the direction of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Each person''s heart was filled with both confusion and anticipation.


    The Xiao Yi, who had created countless miracles before, how would he deal with Shanhe Martial Arts Academy this time?

 Chapter 344 - 344: The Mountain Opening Ceremony

    Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Located in the bustling East City, this estate originally belonged to the Nangong Family, which was used to support Chen Shuiwen in establishing the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to counter the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The Nangong and Beitang Families bought up more than a dozen other courtyards in the vicinity.


    It is said.


    That just the land in the area where the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is situated cost a total of 500 billion Silver Taels.


    That''s real, genuine silver.


    "This Shanhe Martial Arts Academy really is luxurious!"


    "How could it not be luxurious? I heard that they even invited a seven-star Formation Master from the Tianjian Sect to set up a Spirit Gathering Array. The vitality of heaven and earth inside the academy is five times that of the outside, which has significantly boosted the heaven and earth vitality throughout the entire imperial capital!"


    "This is way more generous than the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Isn''t that the truth? That''s why almost all the participants from the previous Talent Battle have rushed over here!"


    "The people from Xiaoshanhe Institute must be crying. They went through so much trouble to hold a Talent Battle, only for no one to show up..."


    Hundreds of thousands of people gathered outside the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, clogging up Xuanwu Avenue so tight that not even water could flow through. Among the crowd, members of the Nangong and Beitang Families occasionally moved through, distributing Silver Taels.


    Anyone willing to come to the opening ceremony of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy would receive ten Silver Taels.


    This gimmick really attracted quite a crowd.


    Inside the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face was alight with excitement as he watched the sea of people outside and smiled at Nangong Shengtian beside him, "Ancestor Nangong, you truly are wise and resourceful! You''ve managed to make the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s doors beg for visitors, by spending just a few million Silver Taels!"


    "Don''t underestimate these ten Silver Taels. People are greedy, and nobody wants to miss out on a pie falling from the sky," Nangong Shengtian said calmly.


    Beitang Feng also laughed scornfully, "To think that Xiao Yi, a boy whose whiskers haven''t even fully grown, would dare to compete with us? He''s simply a moth flying into the flame!"


    Sun Zhengyi stood by with a flattering look on his face, "Chancellor, honored ancestors, the time is almost upon us. We should head to the front and host the opening ceremony!"


    "Hmm!"


    Nangong Sheng nodded his head and made a welcoming gesture to Chen, smiling, "Chancellor Chen, you are today''s star. Please, after you!"


    "Thank you, Ancestor Nangong. Then I won''t be courteous!"


    Chen Shuiwen laughed heartily with a ruddy complexion, striding forward with the vigor of a dragon and the step of a tiger.


    Vital energy radiated wildly from his body, already showing signs of leaking out.


    The Sword Inquiry Taoist watched his receding figure and murmured, "He is truly worthy of that person''s favor; in just a few days, Chen Shuiwen has made such great progress. With his condition, he can already step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. I suspect he''s been purposely suppressing it until today to make a breakthrough!"


    "That person has controlled Xue Yilou for many years, and his power is certainly not inferior to yours or mine," Yun Ruowang said indifferently.


    Nangong Sheng smiled, "Now that he stands with us, the stronger his power, the better for us." He paused, narrowed his eyes, and shook his head with a sigh, "It''s a pity, though, that we won''t be able to see Xiao Yi''s expression when he sees all this!"


    "In another two or three days, Xue Mantian will probably be able to bring his head back, right?"


    As everyone talked. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They had arrived at the gate of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    A series of resonant bell tolls suddenly rang out, quieting the noise from the hundreds of thousands of onlookers on Xuanwu Avenue, as they all turned to look toward the huge vermillion gate of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Above the gate, a bright red sash concealed the plaque.


    At the time of the opening ceremony.


    Chen Shuiwen himself would uncover the red cloth, and at that moment, the red gates thundered and slowly swung open.


    "They''re coming out!"


    "Is that Chen Shuiwen, the headmaster of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Look behind him; isn''t that Ancestor Nangong Shengtian from the Nangong Family? And Beitang Feng from the Beitang Family..."


    "Those two are Yun Ruowang, the Deputy Sect Master of Three Seas Mountain, and the Sword Inquiry Taoist, the Deputy Master of Wendao Villa!"


    "It seems the rumors are true; the forces behind the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are much stronger than those behind the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Besides, inside the academy, there is even a Heaven and Earth Vitality Gathering Array that boosts vitality by five times. Why bother with the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    For a moment,


    The crowd was abuzz with excitement.


    "Ahem!"


    Chen Shuiwen cleared his throat, and his voice spread among the people, proclaiming loudly, "Today is the grand opening of our Shanhe Court. First and foremost, I thank you all for coming to witness the event..."


    A series of tedious ramblings.


    "As everyone knows, I, Chen Shuiwen, was once the Deputy Headmaster of the Xiaoshanhe Institute; however, due to the machinations of some petty individuals, I was forced to leave. After my departure, all instructors and over sixty percent of the disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute chose to leave with me. To avoid disappointing them, I began preparations for this Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    Chen Shuiwen''s voice grew heavier as he continued, "Your presence here today proves that you trust me, Chen Shuiwen. I assure you that by joining the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, you will be provided with cultivation resources worth one hundred thousand Silver Taels. Those who are exceptionally talented may even have the chance to become disciples of masters in the Tao Tribulation Realm and Dharma Manifestation Realm, gaining access to even more cultivation resources. Ancestor Nangong and the others can vouch for this!"


    Ancestor Nangong Shengtian nodded and said, "My Nangong Family will fully support Headmaster Chen''s Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    Beitang Feng added, "My Beitang Family will fully support Headmaster Chen!"


    Yun Ruowang declared, "Three Seas Mountain will send ten Tao Tribulation Realm cultivators and one Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator to take residence at the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Wendao Villa has decided to send ten cultivators in the Tao Tribulation Realm and one in the Dharma Manifestation Realm to reside in the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!" The Sword Inquiry Taoist, his gaze sharp as a blade, swept over the crowd and said indifferently.


    Boom!


    An ecstatic cheer suddenly erupted among the crowd.


    With just Wendao Villa and Three Seas Mountain, they were supporting the academy with twenty Tao Tribulation Realm and two Dharma Manifestation Realm masters.


    Additionally, the Nangong and Beitang Families were providing pill and medicinal herb resources.


    The teaching faculty and the resources of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy far exceeded those of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    "I heard that the strongest in the Xiaoshanhe Institute is only at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and they don''t even have a Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator!"


    "The entire Xiaoshanhe Institute has less than ten people in the Tao Tribulation Realm. How can they even compare?"


    "I was thinking of having my son attend the genius battle at Xiaoshanhe Institute, but now it seems there''s no need to choose. The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is obviously the right choice..."


    Hearing the discussions among the crowd, the smile on Chen Shuiwen''s face became even brighter.


    "Ladies and gentlemen..."


    Chen Shuiwen, his face aglow with joy, continued to speak, "I would like to express my gratitude here to the Nangong and Beitang Families, Three Seas Mountain, and Wendao Villa for their generous support. At the same time, today, at the grand opening of my Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, I, Chen Shuiwen, have another piece of great news to announce!"


    "Great news?"


    "What on earth could it be?"


    The crowd looked puzzled.


    The corners of Chen Shuiwen''s mouth turned up slightly, and a terrifying aura suddenly surged to the heavens from him.


    His cultivation was climbing rapidly.


    He had reached the pinnacle of the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, and at the same time, a black cloud began to gather above him. The wind and clouds churned, lightning tumbled, and with a loud laugh, Chen Shuiwen rose slowly into the air, "Today, I, Chen Shuiwen, will step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. I invite you all to bear witness!"


    "Damn, is Headmaster Chen about to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm?"


    "Doesn''t that mean Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will have three great Dharma Manifestation Realm masters presiding over it?"


    Just as everyone was expressing their amazement and Chen Shuiwen was wearing a look of pride, at that moment, a mocking voice came from the void: "Are we here to witness your failed tribulation?"

 Chapter 345 - 345: I, Can Help You!

    A sardonic and cold voice suddenly spread throughout heaven and earth.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face, previously filled with self-satisfaction, abruptly froze, his eyes lifted in shock as he turned towards the source of the sound, pupils shrinking abruptly as he exclaimed in disbelief, "Xiao Yi? How could it possibly be you?"


    Within his line of sight.


    Xiao Yi was approaching, walking in mid-air, his hands behind his back, his face carrying a taunting gaze as he looked at Chen Shuiwen.


    At the entrance.


    Nangong Shengtian, Beitang Feng, Sword Inquiry Taoist, and Yun Ruowang were all exchanging unbelieving looks, saying with shock, "How can this be? Could it be that Xue Mantian has failed?"


    "With Xue Mantian''s pinnacle cultivation in the Fourth Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, plus the help of Zhang Ling and another, how could they possibly fail?"


    "Could it be that they did not encounter Xiao Yi?"


    "Damn, this brat is really lucky!"


    Everyone was seething with irritation.


    In their opinion...


    If Xiao Yi had encountered Xue Mantian and the others, he would surely have only one path��to death.


    Now that Xiao Yi was able to appear here, it must be that Xue Mantian and the others had not met him. At this moment, Nangong Shengtian and the others could not possibly have imagined that Xue Mantian and his compatriots had already perished at Xiao Yi''s hands.


    In mid-air.


    Chen Shuiwen, his face icy, stared at Xiao Yi, his expression had returned to normal, and he laughed coldly, "You really are lucky... But this is also good, to let you see with your own eyes, your Xiaoshanhe Institute being trampled under my feet, this would satisfy the hatred in my heart!"


    "Trample my Xiaoshanhe Institute under your feet? With just you?"


    Xiao Yi laughed, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a thick sneer.


    Chen Shuiwen snorted coldly, saying arrogantly, "Xiao Yi, I admit you are strong and talented, but I now have the backing of Xue Yilou, both the Nangong and Beitang Families, as well as Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa. Moreover, I am about to traverse the Heavenly Tribulation and step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. What do you have to contend with me?"


    "Heavenly Tribulation?"


    Xiao Yi looked up at the tribulation clouds covering ten miles of the sky, the corner of his mouth curling slightly.


    When I broke through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, I drew a Heavenly Tribulation that spanned a hundred miles.


    You''re breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and you only draw a ten-mile-wide Heavenly Tribulation.


    Why do you feel so proud?


    Chen Shuiwen, observing Xiao Yi''s silence, assumed Xiao Yi was intimidated by the might of the Heavenly Tribulation and straightened his spine, his smile growing more proud, "Xiao Yi, open your eyes wide and see clearly��this is the might of Dharma Manifestation. Once I achieve Dharma Manifestation, with support from Ancestor Nangong and the others, my Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will surely trample your Xiaoshanhe Institute under its feet. Hahaha..."


    Boom!


    Chen Shuiwen soared into the sky.


    Rumbling!


    Above the heavens, the pitch-black clouds teemed with zigzagging purple-golden lightning.


    Thunderous roars reverberated, deafening to the ears.


    On Xuanwu Avenue, countless citizens who had never seen such a terrifying heavenly might exclaimed in fear, "Is this the Heavenly Tribulation? Chen is able to draw such a terrifying Heavenly Tribulation; his power is indeed formidable!"


    "Chen is about to step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. With the support of the Nangong Family, the rise of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is within sight!"


    Listening to the praises of the crowd.


    Chen Shuiwen, full of conceit, bellowed, "Everyone, today is the day I, Chen Shuiwen, overcome the tribulation. Open your eyes wide and watch how I, Chen Shuiwen, defy the heavens..."


    Boom!


    Silver light radiated around Chen Shuiwen, expanding to a hundred feet, as if he were a silver War God himself.


    Swish!


    He leapt into the air, hurtling toward the thunderclouds.


    Watching the lightning roar above, the purple-golden rays within the black clouds flickering uncertainly, the terrifying Heavenly Tribulation brewing, ready to strike.


    But at that moment...


    Xiao Yi''s voice once again reached Chen Shuiwen''s ears, "Since Chen wishes to perform a heaven-defying act for everyone to see, how could I, Xiao Yi, come empty-handed? Let me add a few bricks and mortar to your grand feat!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Shuiwen, single-mindedly preparing to traverse his tribulation and showcase his mighty power, stiffened.


    He whipped around, staring incredulously at Xiao Yi.


    A look of terror crept into his eyes.


    Even his voice trembled, "Xiao Yi, what do you want to do?"


    "No good!"


    "Xiao Yi is planning to enhance the power of the heavenly tribulation!"


    "Damn it, we must stop him..."


    "Don''t even think about intervening, if our power is detected by the heavenly tribulation, it will only make its power grow stronger."


    Nangong Shengtian and others turned pale and helpless.


    Beitang Feng growled with rage, "Chen Shuiwen, that idiot, should have found a safe place to hide while undergoing tribulation, but he chose to do it in front of a crowd to show off. This has provided Xiao Yi with an opportunity, yet we can only watch helplessly. What should we do..."


    In order to inaugurate the grand opening ceremony of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, they had exhausted every means and effort to attract all the attention of the imperial capital.


    If Chen Shuiwen could safely get through the tribulation, naturally, it would enhance the prestige.


    But if he failed, it would be disgraceful!


    Hum!


    The aura of the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm emanating from Xiao Yi immediately made the heavenly tribulation restless. The roaring sound was deafening, and the purple-gold lightning surged without stopping, causing the clouds of tribulation to swell abruptly.


    From a ten-mile radius, it directly climbed to twenty miles.


    Thirty miles.


    Forty miles...


    It surged to a fifty-mile radius.


    The power of the heavenly tribulation increased by more than fivefold, the terrifying heavenly might caused Chen Shuiwen''s bones to crackle and his body was soaked with cold sweat.


    Gurgle!


    Chen Shuiwen turned deathly pale, "It''s over, it''s over, how can I possibly get through such a tribulation?"


    Boom!


    The first lightning strike of the heavenly tribulation violently descended.


    "Taiji without limits!"


    Chen Shuiwen ran his Qi to its limits throughout his body, forming a Qi Taiji above his head, hoping to fend off the heavenly tribulation.


    Crack!


    The bucket-thick lightning shattered the Qi Taiji.


    The terrible lightning engulfed him in an instant.


    Wow!


    Chen Shuiwen screamed miserably, his body charred, falling from the sky.


    With a thud, he crashed to the ground.


    In a huge pit, the second bolt of heavenly tribulation struck down violently, and a ghastly scream emerged from within the pit: "Awooo..."


    "Damn it!"


    "Is this a tribulation failure?"


    "How can it not be a failure? Chen Shuiwen''s realm was forced through with the secret techniques of Xue Yilou, and now the tribulation has increased fivefold, how could he withstand it?"


    Nangong Sheng and the others looked at each other, their faces also turning grim. S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And at this moment, they couldn''t even intervene!


    After all.


    That was the heavenly tribulation!


    Fortunately, there was a brief interval before the third lightning, and Chen Shuiwen, covered in soot and spitting blood, climbed out of the pit with a wretched face, emitting a puff of black smoke from his mouth.


    Chen Shuiwen looked at Nangong Shengtian and others: "Ancestor Nangong, help, help me..."


    Nangong Shengtian was powerless to assist: "Sorry, there''s nothing I can do!"


    The Sword Inquiry Taoist and others also had bitter expressions on their faces.


    Watching the purple-gold lightning reaccumulate within the tribulation clouds above, Chen Shuiwen''s face turned green with fright. Just as he was losing all hope, Xiao Yi''s voice reached his ears: "Need help? I can help you!"

 Chapter 346 - 346: Sword Slashing the Heavenly Tribulation

    "I can help you!"


    Xiao Yi squatted in front of the pit, smiling as he looked at the Chen Shuiwen before him.


    On Chen Shuiwen''s pitch-black face, two blood-stained eyes stared fixedly at Xiao Yi, and he sneered, "You? It''d be good enough if you don''t kill me. How could you possibly help me? Besides, this is the Heavenly Tribulation..."


    In Chen Shuiwen''s view,


    It would be good enough if Xiao Yi didn''t kill him.


    How could he possibly help him?


    Besides...


    Nangong Shengtian and the others were powerless against the Heavenly Tribulation''s might. How could Xiao Yi possibly help him?


    At this moment,


    The third thunderbolt from the sky above suddenly descended, a thick, purple-gold lightning bolt coalesced into a mighty dragon, twisting its massive body as it fell from the heavens.


    In an instant, it illuminated half of the sky, seemingly about to strike right behind Xiao Yi.


    In the nick of time,


    Xiao Yi, without turning his head, simply slapped his hand out!


    Hum!


    That terrifying thunderbolt suddenly froze, followed by a surge of peerless elemental power, ascending rebelliously. It enveloped that bolt of lightning and, with a hissing sound, shattered the thick thunderbolt completely.


    Hiss!


    On Xuanwu Avenue, a collective gasp rang out.


    "Impossible!"


    "This is the Heavenly Tribulation! How could Xiao Yi shatter the Heavenly Tribulation with just a slap?"


    "Has the power of the Heavenly Tribulation weakened? No, that''s not right. With nine levels of Heavenly Tribulation, each level is stronger than the last... How did Xiao Yi do it?"


    Everyone was dumbfounded.


    Chen Shuiwen was even more dumbstruck, staring at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "You, you, you..."


    Xiao Yi shook his hand, purple-gold lightning snakes coursing around his palm before they disappeared into his hand. Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Now do you believe that I can help you?"


    Chen Shuiwen showed hesitation on his face.


    Xiao Yi continued, "There are still six more levels of the Heavenly Tribulation to go! You can take your time to think about it!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi withdrew and retreated quickly.


    Simultaneously...


    The fourth thunderbolt of Heavenly Tribulation fell, its terrifying divine might turning Chen Shuiwen''s complexion ashen. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I refuse to believe that I can''t withstand a thunderbolt that can be destroyed by a slap from that kid!"


    Hum!


    Silver light swirled around Chen Shuiwen''s body, as if he was a giant formed of poured silver.


    In his palm, a purple-gold long knife hummed and slashed towards the thunderbolt. However, when that fifth-grade weapon touched the lightning, there was a loud crack, and the combat knife was cleaved apart and destroyed by the lightning.


    With its impediment gone, the lightning struck Chen Shuiwen directly.


    Boom!


    This bolt of lightning connected heaven and earth, blowing up the area where Chen Shuiwen stood, creating a ten-meter-deep pit in the ground. Spitting out blood, Chen Shuiwen embarrassedly crawled out of the pit.


    Seeing the fifth wave of the Heavenly Tribulation about to descend,


    Chen Shuiwen no longer dared to be arrogant and quickly looked at Xiao Yi, transmitting his voice, "Xiao Yi, save me!"


    Xiao Yi dug at his ear as if he hadn''t heard a thing.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned from green to white, fully aware of Xiao Yi''s intentions; he was expected to loudly beg Xiao Yi for help. But doing so would surely damage his reputation!


    The Headmaster of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy asking for help to survive the tribulation?


    Yet his life was at stake now.


    Chen Shuiwen took a deep breath, and under the threat of death, he closed his eyes and bellowed, "Headmaster Xiao, please save me!"


    "Didn''t Headmaster Chen claim he would trample the Xiaoshanhe Institute underfoot? Now he''s actually begging Headmaster Xiao for help?"


    "I thought Headmaster Xiao handled the Heavenly Tribulation very easily earlier. Why is it so difficult when it reaches Headmaster Chen? Could it be that Headmaster Chen is too weak?"


    The surrounding hundreds of thousands of onlookers all turned their eyes to Chen Shuiwen, murmuring amongst themselves.


    Prior to this...


    Chen Shuiwen was as humiliated as he had been arrogant and smug, and at this moment, his face couldn''t have been more scandalized!


    His complexion turned to the ugliest shade, his eyes nearly bleeding tears. He had gone to great lengths and spared no expense to gather these people here, timed perfectly with the day the geniuses'' battle began, for the grand opening of his institution.


    He had hoped to severely dampen the spirits of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, but now everyone was laughing at him instead.


    Chen Shuiwen felt so mortified, he practically wished for death! S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said coolly, "Is this how you ask someone for help?"


    "I..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned incredibly ugly as the fifth bolt of Heavenly Tribulation struck down, burying him underground once again. This time, he broke four ribs, suffered internal injuries in all organs, and blood spewed from his every orifice.


    If he delayed any further...


    At most, by the seventh strike of the Heavenly Tribulation, his life would be over.


    Out of desperation,


    Chen Shuiwen closed his eyes in despair, tears of humiliation falling, and he fell to his knees with a thud, pulling at his neck with bulging veins, and roared, "Institute Head Xiao, please save me!"


    "Save me..."


    His roar actually drowned out the sound of thunder.


    At the entrance,


    Nangong Shengtian and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the disagreeable expressions on each other''s faces and the disappointment in their eyes.


    All of their meticulous preparations.


    Had been utterly ruined by Chen Shuiwen''s kneeling!


    As he looked at Chen Shuiwen kneeling before him, the corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly. As the sixth heavenly bolt descended, he declared in a loud voice, "Chen, why go through such lengths? Get up quickly, it''s just a minor Heavenly Tribulation. Watch as I help you transcend this tribulation!"


    "A minor Heavenly Tribulation?"


    "Such grand words, I truly want to see how you will help him transcend this tribulation..."


    Nangong Shengtian and the others all turned their attention to Xiao Yi, watching the tribulation clouds that spanned fifty miles across the sky. A sliver of expectation and hope arose in their hearts, "Wouldn''t it be exactly what we wanted if Xiao Yi died under the Heavenly Tribulation?"


    The several hundred thousand spectators were also fixedly watching Xiao Yi.


    How would he deal with the same Heavenly Tribulation that had nearly killed Chen Shuiwen?


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd.


    Xiao Yi reached to his side with his right hand and commanded sharply, "Sword, come!"


    Humm!


    A fifth-grade Longsword shot out from his Storage Ring, landing in the palm of his hand.


    Xiao Yi gripped the sword with one hand.


    Facing the rolling thunder clouds, he tilted his head back with a cold glint in his eyes and let out a low roar, "A mere Heavenly Tribulation, behold my sword cutting it down!"


    Swish!


    A chill enveloped the blade.


    At this moment...


    Xiao Yi transformed into an invincible Sword God.


    The Longsword in his hand buzzed, and a terrifying streak of Sword Qi condensed atop the blade, fluctuating erratically like a green galaxy piercing through the void. With a swift motion, it slashed towards the tribulation clouds above.


    Humm!


    With one stroke, the sword''s chill reached across nineteen provinces!


    This sword, as if a mystic sun had descended, lit up the whole imperial city!


    Countless strong men found the Longswords they wore or hung on the walls all buzzing, as if eager to unsheathe themselves, as though thousands of swords sensed the presence of the Sword Ancestor, wishing to pay homage!


    The dreadful Sword Intent made countless experts pale with shock.


    In full view of the crowd, the Sword Qi vanished into the pitch-black tribulation clouds.


    With a thunderous boom...


    Beams of light shot from within the clouds; they were beams of Sword Qi that cleaved the fifty miles of tribulation clouds in half. The violent thunder dissipated abruptly, and the clouds were also torn asunder under the relentless assault of the boundless Sword Qi!


    The Heavenly Tribulation that had nearly sent Chen Shuiwen to his death was shattered by Xiao Yi with a single slash!


    At this moment...


    All eyes on Xiao Yi, apart from shock and awe, were filled with fear...

 Chapter 347 - 347: Complete Domination

    Whoosh!


    The calamity clouds were cleaved apart and scattered by Xiao Yi, as if a torrential rain began to pour down from the heavens.


    The rain came swiftly and left just as quickly.


    In the blink of an eye,


    the sky cleared up again with no cloud in sight, and the sun shone brightly.


    However, the people within the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy no longer held the pride and excitement they had before, looking as if they had lost their dear parents.


    It was supposed to be a joyous occasion as their own Institute Director was transcending the heavens'' tribulation and breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    It was an opportunity to bolster the prestige of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    But then Xiao Yi suddenly appeared...


    Not only did Chen Shuiwen fail to withstand a single heavenly thunderbolt, but he also knelt and begged for help in public, losing all face. Now that Xiao Yi had shattered the tribulation with one sword stroke, it was Xiao Yi''s might that reached its peak.


    Looking at the adoration and fervor in the eyes of those tens of thousands of people as they gazed at Xiao Yi,


    the grand ceremony meticulously organized by Chen Shuiwen and the others had largely failed!


    "I see this Chen Shuiwen is nothing special after all!"


    "A heavenly tribulation that Xiao, the Institute Director, could shatter with a single sword, nearly took his life..."


    "This only shows that Chen, the Institute Director, was not as skilled, but that doesn''t prove the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is inferior! After all, with so many powerful forces backing it, even without Chen, the Institute Director, there are still two figures in the Dharma Manifestation Realm and dozens in the Tao Tribulation Realm!"


    "The teaching staff and resources simply cannot be compared to those of the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Tens of thousands of people were shocked by Xiao Yi''s strength, but the strength of a sect depends more on resources and the number of strong practitioners. A single top martial artist alone can''t sustain an entire sect.


    The crowd was still more optimistic about the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Hearing the crowd''s discussions, Chen Shuiwen''s ash-like heart ignited with hope once more. His body shook as he forcefully suppressed his injuries, restoring a few shades of color to his pitch-black face.


    Quickly changing into a new set of clothes, Chen Shuiwen endured the pain and looked towards the crowd. He did not mention the tribulation, but declared loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, the grand opening of our Shanhe Martial Arts Academy continues. Next up, please welcome Ancestor Nangong to unveil the academy''s plaque for us... Please witness the ceremony!"


    Nangong Shengtian immediately stepped forward.


    Whoosh!


    With a wave of his hand,


    the red silk was torn off, revealing a plaque with black background and golden characters.


    Inscribed with the lively characters��Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!


    Nangong Shengtian swept a cold glance at Xiao Yi and said indifferently, "The Nangong Family congratulates the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy on its grand opening and presents a gift of medicinal pills valued at five hundred billion silver."


    Boom!


    A ripple of astonishment spread through the crowd.


    Medicinal pills worth five hundred billion silver!


    That could cultivate how many strong practitioners?


    Beitang Feng said, "Institute Director Chen is wholeheartedly committed to cultivating more strong practitioners, which deeply moves me. The Beitang Family has decided to donate medicinal herbs valued at five hundred billion silver."


    Wow!


    The crowd boiled over again.


    Another five hundred billion?


    That''s a total of one trillion silver!


    Chen Shuiwen''s face glowed with triumph as the shadows of his failed tribulation completely dissipated. He cast a provocative gaze at Xiao Yi.


    Yun Ruowang said indifferently, "Considering that the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is about to welcome many new disciples and students, the Three Seas Mountain is willing to add ten more Tao Tribulation Realm practitioners, one hundred Golden Core Realm practitioners, and one more Dharma Manifestation Realm figure!"


    "Wendao Villa will do the same!" declared the Sword Inquiry Taoist.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face glowed as he bowed to the supporters, gratefully saying, "Thank you all for your support. I, Chen Shuiwen, promise not to let everyone down! Anyone who joins the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will definitely receive guidance from the most top-tier practitioners and abundant resources!"


    "Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is truly wealthy and powerful!"


    "With this, the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will have four Dharma Manifestation Realm experts, over forty Calamity Realm experts, and more than two hundred Golden Core Realm experts. This strength surpasses the Xiaoshanhe Institute countless times over!"


    "Xiaoshanhe Institute only has Xiao Yi, and he''s not even in the Dharma Manifestation Realm. How can they compete with the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?"


    Under the influence of several major powers'' crazy resource-dumping, the impact of Chen Shuiwen''s failed tribulation greatly diminished.


    Chen Shuiwen, with a challenging look at Xiao Yi, boastfully said, "Institute Director Xiao, the people''s eyes are sharp. It seems they trust our Shanhe Martial Arts Academy more after all!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, smiled, and said, "Institute Director Chen, you are truly adaptable!"


    "Humph, you only know how to twist words to your favor!"


    Chen Shuiwen snorted coldly, his chin raised arrogantly as he said, "Our Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will have four Dharma Manifestation Realm figures and nearly fifty Calamity Realm strong practitioners. What do you have to compare with me?"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Institute Director Chen is, after all, a product of my Xiaoshanhe Institute. Since Ancestor Nangong and the others have been so generous, I, Xiao Yi, should not be petty. I have specially prepared a great gift for Institute Director Chen��I hope you will like it!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Shuiwen was stunned.


    As he looked at Xiao Yi''s calm face, he suddenly felt a strong sense of unease.


    At that moment...


    Xiao Yi had already snapped his fingers!


    Click!


    The crisp sound echoed through the void.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Figures flew in from afar.


    Taking the lead were the Shadow Demon, Fu Yuan, Zhang Ling, and Shu He. Without any restraint, they released their fluctuating auras, each one of them a master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Especially the Shadow Demon and Fu Yuan, both of whom possessed the cultivation of the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Of course...


    The truly awe-inspiring sight wasn''t these four formidable beings, but rather the mass of people behind them, including Yu Huaxian and others, comprising over a hundred masters of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Over a hundred Tao Tribulation Realm masters stood densely packed.


    Without a word.


    Their terrifying presence created an overwhelming pressure, suffocating those nearby.


    It abruptly quelled the whispers and murmurs of the hundreds of thousands of onlookers!


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Under the lead of the Shadow Demon, more than a hundred people knelt on one knee behind Xiao Yi and announced loudly, "Reporting to the Institute Director, the forces of the Xiaoshanhe Institute are here by your command, awaiting your review!"


    Swoosh!


    All faces shifted at once, the crowd looking in disbelief at the group that had suddenly appeared in the void.


    Four Dharma Manifestation masters!


    Over a hundred Tao Tribulation masters!


    Such a terrifying lineup wasn''t something even the ten great sects could easily muster!


    "They, they all belong to the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "Since when did the Xiaoshanhe Institute have so many powerful beings? Four Dharma Manifestation Realm masters and over a hundred Tao Tribulation Realm masters, this, this..."


    Shock was written all over everyone''s faces.


    Chen Shuiwen, Nangong Shengtian, and the others exchanged glances, each seeing the shock and disbelief in the other''s eyes.


    The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy too had four Dharma Manifestation masters!


    But those were gathered from the Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, and were either first or second layer Dharma Manifestation Realm masters. Xiao Yi, however, had two fifth layer Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses!


    As for the Tao Tribulation Realm...


    The two major sects together had only gathered forty people for Chen Shuiwen.


    Xiao Yi, on the other hand, had over a hundred!


    Quantity, quality.


    Both were utterly crushed!


    How the hell were they supposed to compete with this?


    "Thank you for your hard work!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, then introduced, "Director Chen, allow me to introduce them to you. These four are the elders of my Xiaoshanhe Institute, the Shadow Demon at the peak of the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, Fu Yuan, a seven-star Alchemist at the fifth layer, and Zhang Ling and Shu He from the first layer..."


    Hiss!


    Already reeling from the blow, Chen Shuiwen and the others took in another sharp breath.


    Among the two fifth layer Dharma Manifestation Realm masters, one was also a seven-star alchemist? S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the vast Great Qian Dynasty, each seven-star alchemist was a rare treasure, with only one each in the royal family, the Tianjian Sect, the Treasure Pavilion, and the Nangong Clan.


    And now a seven-star alchemist had emerged from the Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    The value of just that one seven-star alchemist far surpassed the ten trillion silver worth of medicine resources of the Nangong and Beitang Families!


    Chen Shuiwen''s face had turned ashen, his expression becoming extremely ugly.


    Today''s inaugural ceremony was supposed to completely crush the Xiaoshanhe Institute, but now, it was the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy that was truly underfoot. Chen Shuiwen felt cold despair, nearing hopelessness.


    The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy had been utterly overpowered by the Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    And yet Xiao Yi''s voice made him feel as though he were falling even deeper into the abyss of despair, "Shadow Demon, why don''t you present our prepared gift to Director Chen and the others?"

 Chapter 348 - 348: Coughing Up Blood!

    "Shadow Demon, have you not presented our prepared gift to Principal Chen yet?"


    Xiao Yi turned his head to look at the Shadow Demon and said indifferently.


    This remark immediately caught everyone''s attention, and hundreds of thousands of people looked towards the Shadow Demon en masse.


    Curiosity filled every pair of eyes.


    This Chen Shuiwen was once the Vice Principal of Xiaoshanhe Institute. Now that he has established his own institute, it is clear that he intends to challenge Xiaoshanhe Institute. Xiao Yi had also brought people to the opening ceremony of the mountain to make Chen Shuiwen lose face.


    Under such circumstances, what kind of gift could Xiao Yi possibly send?


    Even Chen Shuiwen was bewildered.


    Without any delay, the Shadow Demon stood up and walked in front of Chen Shuiwen, announcing loudly, "Principal Chen, my Principal Xiao has learned that your Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is hosting the mountain-opening ceremony today and has specially prepared a grand gift for you!"


    Click, click!


    Imitating Xiao Yi''s manner, the Shadow Demon snapped his fingers twice.


    And then...


    Ten Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses lined up in a single row and walked to the front gate of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    The confusion on everyone''s faces intensified.


    What kind of gift would require ten Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses to act together?


    Just at that moment.


    All ten Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses simultaneously raised their right hands and, in unison, gave Chen Shuiwen and the others the middle finger.


    Chen Shuiwen: "..."


    Nangong Shengtian: "..."


    All the onlookers were dumfounded: "..."


    Those ten raised middle fingers stood there provocatively, quite an eyesore!


    "What do you mean by this?" Chen Shuiwen''s face darkened.


    The Shadow Demon laughed, "Don''t be hasty, the gift is only now making its appearance!"


    Whoosh!


    All ten of them emitted blinding vital energy glows from their bodies, which merged into the storage rings, and streaks of light flashed before their eyes. In front of each Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse, a mast now stood.


    Ten masts, each over ten meters tall.


    All were erected in front of the gate of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Lined up in a row.


    On those masts, corpses were hung one by one.


    Each person had been impaled by the mast, and the naked bodies of over a hundred corpses hung before all to see.


    Upon witnessing this scene, everyone was dumbstruck: "What, what is going on?"


    "Xiao Yi actually sent over a hundred corpses to Chen Shuiwen?"


    "Wait a minute... Look... Those seem to be people from Three Seas Mountain..."


    "That''s from Wendao Villa!"


    "And that''s... Xue Yilou? People from the Nangong & Beitang Families..."


    A series of exclaims erupted one after another.


    Like a flood breaking its banks, they could no longer be contained and spread among the crowd.


    Gulp!


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned extremely pale.


    Nangong Shengtian, Beitang Feng, the Sword Inquiry Taoist, Yun Ruowang, and others had eyes bloodshot red, struggling to breathe while staring at the corpses hanging from the masts.


    Just a moment before.


    They had thought Xiao Yi was lucky not to have encountered the likes of Xue Mantian.


    But now...


    They finally understood why there had been no word from Xue Mantian. S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They had been killed by Xiao Yi!


    "Xiao Yi..."


    The Sword Inquiry Taoist, with eyes burning red, stared intently at Xiao Yi. The fluctuations of the Dharma Manifestation Realm radiated from him. But just as he was about to take action, the Shadow Demon and Fu Yuan stepped forward together. Although their auras were not as strong as that of the Sword Inquiry Taoist, they still caused his momentum to abruptly falter.


    Xiao Yi stepped out from the crowd, smiling at Chen Shuiwen and the others, "Ladies and gentlemen, do you like my gift?"


    ```


    Gurgle!


    Chen Shuiwen and the others gritted their teeth so hard they wished they could tear Xiao Yi into pieces alive.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "These people dared to ambush and attempt to kill me in Linhai. Luckily, I have great fortune and barely managed to dodge a calamity. It seems that these few have a close relationship with you, so I have specifically brought back their bodies for you, to lay them to rest properly!"


    Thump!


    Crack!


    Boom!


    Nangong Shengtian and the others were either gritting their teeth, clenching their fists, or seething with rage...


    Each of them was on the verge of losing control.


    However...


    Even though they could arrange for people to assassinate Xiao Yi in secret, they absolutely could not admit it publicly. After all, Xiao Yi was the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, personally appointed by Emperor Qian. If they dared to openly send people to assassinate Xiao Yi, it would be a slap in the face of the royal family.


    Although with their strength, even Emperor Qian wouldn''t easily provoke them.


    Still, it was a dishonorable act.


    If it fell into the hands of Emperor Qian, becoming a handle against them, the loss would outweigh the gain.


    The Sword Inquiry Taoist clenched his teeth tightly and said in a deep voice, "Head Xiao is joking, I don''t know these people!"


    Yun Ruowang also said, "These people dare to impersonate our forces, it must be an attempt to provoke discord. Head Xiao, please don''t be fooled!"


    "How could we possibly send someone to assassinate you?"


    "Head Xiao, there must be a misunderstanding here!"


    Everyone spoke in turn.


    "A misunderstanding?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and with a playful look, which glided over the individuals, said with a smile that was not quite a smile, "I was thinking, all of you are reputable individuals in the Great Qian Dynasty. How could you engage in such lowly acts? Since they''re not your people, I will have to deal with these bodies myself!"


    "This..."


    "Head Xiao, it''s also good for us to keep their bodies!" Yun Ruowang and the others said.


    Not to mention that these bodies served as evidence.


    Just the Martial Dao Divine Fruits from the three Dharma Manifestation Realm and Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, like Xue Mantian, were treasures of immeasurable value. If they could recollect the bodies and take their Martial Dao Divine Fruits, they could create many powerhouses.


    However.


    "There''s no need to trouble yourselves, as my Xiaoshanhe Institute is about to hold the Genius Battle, and we''re actually in need of some rewards. I hereby announce that the top three winners of the Genius Battle will receive the Martial Dao Divine Fruits from these three Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, and the top twenty will receive this Tao Tribulation Realm Martial Dao Divine Fruit!"


    Xiao Yi interrupted Yun Ruowang and the others'' wishful thinking with an air of righteousness, then turned to look at the several hundred thousand powerhouses and announced loudly, "As all of you can see, my Xiaoshanhe Institute has four Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, over a hundred Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, a Seven-Star Alchemist, and two Six-Star Array Masters. Moreover, my Xiaoshanhe Institute has established cooperation with the Treasure Pavilion. As long as the disciples of my institute have sufficient talent and cultivation, we will not limit the supply of medicinal pills!"


    Boom!


    These words, like oil on fire, instantly ignited the crowd.


    The sea of people roiled, and shouts resounded to the skies.


    "Top three get Dharma Manifestation Realm Martial Dao Divine Fruit, top twenty get Tao Tribulation Realm Martial Dao Divine Fruit... with such rewards, who needs the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?"


    "As long as we have enough talent and strength, they won''t limit the supply of medicinal pills, can it be possible?"


    "What''s impossible? Xiaoshanhe Institute has a cooperation with the Treasure Pavilion, plus that Master Fu Yuan, means Xiaoshanhe Institute has two Seven-Star Alchemists. Medicinal pills are nothing to them!"


    "Hurry and go sign up for the Genius Battle!"


    "I must join Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    In an instant.


    Among the several hundred thousand people present, there was a tumultuous uproar, fluctuating like waves one after another.


    Listening to the crowd''s shouting and talking.


    The faces of Chen Shuiwen''s group were as dark as the bottom of a pot, and they watched helplessly as powerhouse after powerhouse left the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, signifying that the plans they had spent countless resources constructing over these days, had already been defeated.


    Xiao Yi looked towards Yu Huaxian in the crowd and said, "What are you still standing around for? Didn''t you see that everyone is going to participate in the Genius Battle? Go and get ready!"


    "Ah? Right away!"


    Yu Huaxian promptly nodded and led people away into the sky.


    The stream of people also turned into a black steel torrent, heading towards Xuanwu Square.


    Xiao Yi gave a fist salute to Chen Shuiwen, "Head Chen, I won''t disturb your opening ceremony anymore. I wish your Shanhe Martial Arts Academy a thriving influx of students and talent that astonishes the world, ha ha ha!"


    "Xiao Yi, I will not share the sky with you..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned from red to white, anger causing him to spit out a mouthful of fresh blood, and he fainted dead away...


    ```

 Chapter 349 - 349: Battle of Genius

    The vast Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, deserted.


    Apart from Chen Shuiwen and his enthusiastic entourage, everyone had left the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to converge towards Xuanwu Square.


    Chen Shuiwen had hoped to use the grand opening ceremony to disrupt the battle of talents at the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    It was also a powerful declaration of the establishment of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    For this purpose...


    They had not only spent a great deal of resources but also promised generous compensation.


    Chen Shuiwen himself had been forcefully suppressing the timing of his breakthrough, all to pass through heavenly tribulation with an overwhelmingly strong stance during the grand opening ceremony, and step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm to boost the prestige of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Unfortunately.


    Reality and fantasy always have a huge gap!


    Not only did Xiao Yi''s appearance turn his tribulation into a joke, but even his own cultivation had failed to enter the Dharma Manifestation Realm. With his current state, if he wanted to enter the Dharma Manifestation Realm again, he would likely have to wait several more years.


    If Chen Shuiwen was the only one who failed, the impact on the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy would not be too great.


    After all.


    Nangong, Beitang, Three Seas Mountain, and Wendao Villa had promised to send experts to support the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, which included several in the Dharma Manifestation Realm and dozens from the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Such a formidable lineup of experts could barely rival any of the top ten sects.


    As a result...


    Xiao Yi directly brought over a hundred from the Tao Tribulation Realm and four from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, among them even a seven-star Alchemist.


    In both quantity and quality, he thoroughly crushed the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Just when Chen Shuiwen thought everything was over, Xiao Yi dropped another bombshell; the corpses of Xue Mantian and others became the final straw that broke the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    The corpses of Xue Mantian and the others not only severely slapped the face of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Xiao Yi even used their Martial Dao Divine Fruits as rewards, attracting countless talented experts who wished to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute. These were the Martial Dao Divine Fruits of the Dharma Manifestation Realm and Tao Tribulation Realm!


    If one could obtain it, it would be more important than acquiring resources worth hundreds of billions of Silver!


    What''s more...


    All those people were sent by Chen Shuiwen and his allies!


    Nangong Shengtian and the others looked at the comatose Chen Shuiwen with extremely ugly expressions. Strictly speaking, it was they who had handed over the Martial Dao Divine Fruits of Xue Mantian and others directly to Xiao Yi!


    "Ancestor Nangong, do make a decision. What should we do?" Yun Ruowang said gravely.


    The Sword Inquiry Taoist narrowed his eyes, his Sword Intent was earth-shattering, and his rage was no less intense than his Sword Intent, "Where did Xiao Yi get those experts from? A seven-star Alchemist, four from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, over a hundred from the Tao Tribulation Realm, that''s no small lineup!"


    "I see that those people are suffused with Evil Qi, and Xiao Yi has just come back from Beast Emperor City. I''m afraid they are all the experts he garnered from Beast Emperor City," Beitang Feng said darkly, pondering.


    All eyes turned to Nangong Shengtian.


    The capital they had invested in the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy was substantial. If it all fell through now, they would suffer complete losses.


    Nangong Shengtian squinted his eyes and said, "No matter, we still have one opportunity left!"


    "Hm?"


    The crowd looked at him expectantly.


    Nangong Shengtian''s eyes radiated a chilling glint, his gaze cold to the extreme as he sneered, "In less than two months, it will be the Ancestral Worship Ceremony. As long as the disciples of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy can trample the people of the Xiaoshanhe Institute underfoot during the ceremony, there''s still hope for the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Ancestor Nangong, given the current state of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, how is it possible to trample the Xiaoshanhe Institute underfoot?"


    "The strongest among the disciples of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are only at the peak of the Golden Core Realm..."


    Nangong Shengtian smiled coldly and said lightly, "If we can support the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy with those in the Calamity Realm and Dharma Manifestation Realm, are we lacking in disciples?"


    Hum!


    The crowd exchanged glances.


    Yun Ruowang said in a deep voice, "Let''s do it just like that!"


    "We must trample the Xiaoshanhe Institute beneath our feet!"


    Clutching his fists tightly, Nangong Shengtian looked toward the direction of Xuanwu Square, his eyes filled with a gloomy madness, "Xiao Yi, daring to oppose me, you are still too inexperienced!"


    ...


    Xuanwu Square.


    The square was vast and could accommodate hundreds of thousands of people without feeling crowded.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, today is the great day of the genius battle at our Xiaoshanhe Institute. As Xiao mentioned before, the top three of this genius battle will each get a Martial Dao Enlightenment Fruit of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, while the top twenty will each get a Martial Dao Divine Fruit of the Tao Tribulation Realm."


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute had long set up a ring, and Yu Huaxian appeared in the center, announcing with an elevated voice, "All other disciples who pass the genius battle and enter our Xiaoshanhe Institute will receive great benefits. Next, please come forward to collect your Identity Tokens, the genius battle of our Xiaoshanhe Institute is about to begin!"


    Rustle!


    Figures surged out from the crowd to collect their Identity Tokens.


    A total of thirty thousand Tokens were distributed for this genius battle, and the last ten thousand people remaining would enter the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    At the same time...


    This genius battle would also rank the top one hundred, with rich rewards for each rank.


    After the incident in front of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, the number of warriors willing to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute had multiplied, and the thirty thousand Tokens were quickly distributed.


    Yu Huaxian immediately began arranging the matches, and pairs of powerful fighters took to the ring, where the situation changed in a split second.


    On the elevated platform.


    Xiao Yi sat upright, watching the competitors on the ring, and nodded slightly, "Not bad, the quality of these disciples is quite good. If they are well-trained, they can absolutely support the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Director, there is less than two months left until the Ancestor Worship Ceremony, I''m afraid we might not have enough time," Hai Wei said, his expression hesitant with concern.


    Li Jinjun nodded and said, "Based on what I know about Nangong Shengtian and the others, they will definitely not stop here. It is likely that the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy will cause trouble during the Ancestor Worship Ceremony."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said with a smile, "Don''t worry, I have my own strategy!" sea??h th�� novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, he had the Elixir of Immortality at his disposal.


    This Divine Artifact, capable of enhancing refining efficiency, had a refining effect a hundredfold greater; two months with the aid of the Elixir of Immortality was equivalent to two hundred months.


    That was nearly twenty years!


    It was completely enough for the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute to increase their cultivation by several levels!


    "By the way, how is everything going with the Treasure Pavilion?" Xiao Yi asked, looking at Li Jinjun.


    Li Jinjun replied gravely, "The first batch of elixirs from the Treasure Pavilion has already been delivered to various places. However, since you have not returned, Master Nalan and Elder Xue have not launched an attack immediately."


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Without his return, the supply of medicinal materials not being secure, the Treasure Pavilion dared not rashly launch an attack.


    Once the bow is drawn, there is no turning back.


    If they start the encirclement against the Nangong and Beitang Family''s elixir shops only to have the supply of medicinal materials cut off mid-way, they would face the two families'' furious counterattack.


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth turned up slightly, and a cold light flickered in his eyes as he said, "Li Jinjun, take Elder Fu to the Treasure Pavilion, and tell Master Nalan to begin the attack!"


    "Yes!"


    With respect, Hai Wei and Fu Yuan set off towards the Treasure Pavilion.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, looking down at the heated ring below and revealing a chilling smile, "Nangong, Beitang... your end has come!"

 Chapter 350 - 350: Is This Also Inspired by Xiao?

    Inside Treasure Pavilion.


    Nalan Qianqiu, Xue Bufan, and Yan Mingli exchanged glances, their faces troubled, "When can Xiao return? Our stock of medicinal materials has run out!"


    "The first batch of elixirs has already been delivered to the Treasure Pavilions across the Great Qian Dynasty, just waiting for the order to ignite this price war. But if the follow-up materials can''t keep up, there''s no way to start the battle!" Nalan Qianqiu said with a bitter smile.


    Right at this moment.


    Ning Luo hurried in with a look of excitement, "Master, Xiao has sent someone!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nalan Qianqiu was startled, his face breaking into ecstatic joy, "Quickly, invite them in!"


    A moment later.


    Li Jinjun arrived in front of the group with Fu Yuan.


    Li Jinjun greeted everyone with a bow, showing no disrespect even though Yan Mingli''s martial arts prowess fell far short of his, "Jinjun pays respects to the sirs, the headmaster sent me to assist you with Master Yuan!" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Fu Yuan?"


    "The only seven-star alchemist, Master Yuan, from Beast Emperor City?"


    Nalan Qianqiu''s complexion changed dramatically, his incredulous gaze falling upon Fu Yuan. Taking two steps at once, he approached Fu Yuan and burst into laughter, "Hahaha, Fu Yuan, it is indeed you!"


    The two embraced each other, patting each other on the back.


    Fu Yuan''s face was filled with emotion, "Qianqiu, it''s been many years; you haven''t changed a bit!"


    "But you have aged a lot!"


    Nalan Qianqiu laughed heartily, his face showing a hint of confusion as he asked, "Old fellow, when I asked you to join my Treasure Pavilion, you refused to budge. Why have you come now?"


    Fu Yuan let out a sigh, "Don''t mention it!"


    He then recounted his misadventure in Beast Emperor City, how he mistakenly threw in his lot with Sha Kun, which almost resulted in the destruction of the Heavenly Treasure Chamber of Commerce, and finally, how he traded ten years of loyalty to ensure the Chamber''s survival to Nalan Qianqiu.


    Fu Yuan''s face bore a bitter smile, "Now, I am just waiting for this ten-year period to end, and then I can regain my freedom!"


    Nalan Qianqiu was taken aback and gave Fu Yuan a strange look, "Are you sure that after ten years you will leave?"


    "Hmm?"


    Fu Yuan was puzzled as he looked at Nalan Qianqiu, saying somewhat annoyed, "After ten years, if not leave, should I continue to stay here?"


    Nalan Qianqiu coughed lightly and said, "I advise you not to leave; follow Xiao''s footsteps closely instead!"


    "Hmm? What do you mean by that?"


    Fu Yuan frowned, displeasure on his face, and said haughtily, "I am a distinguished seven-star alchemist; if it weren''t for Huang''s face, Xiao Yi wouldn''t have the capacity to request my presence at the Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    Yan Mingli sneered, "Thinking too highly of yourself? It''s as if Xiao was begging you to come!"


    Xue Bufan also showed disdain, "Having the opportunity to be by Xiao''s side is a fortune for you!"


    "Ridiculous, do you know who I am? How dare you speak to me like this?"


    Fu Yuan''s face darkened; he had not, like the Shadow Demon and others, witnessed Xiao Yi''s terrifying side. Moreover, as a seven-star alchemist, unless someone could surpass him in alchemy, it was impossible for them to earn his respect, "I acknowledge Xiao Yi''s martial arts talent is strong, but in terms of alchemy..."


    Before he could finish.


    Nalan Qianqiu, touching his nose, interjected, "In terms of alchemy, you are even less a match for Xiao!"


    "Hmm?"


    Fu Yuan''s face stiffened, his expression one of disbelief as he turned to Nalan Qianqiu, "Qianqiu, do you know what you''re saying? I am inferior to him? You''re joking..."


    "Fu Yuan, what do you think of me?" Nalan Qianqiu asked.


    Fu Yuan slightly furrowed his brow.


    Having known Nalan Qianqiu for many years, he was aware that Nalan Qianqiu''s talent and strength in alchemy were on par with his own.


    Fu Yuan said in a deep voice, "You and I are on par."


    "That was in the past!"


    Nalan Qianqiu responded and then took out a bottle of elixir from the side and handed it to Fu Yuan, "Take a look at these elixirs!"


    "Hmm? Aren''t these just Three-Star Elixir Shen Yi Elixirs? Are you still making such low-level... Eh? Wait, these, these elixirs..."


    The disdain and contempt on Fu Yuan''s face crumbled as he looked at the elixirs poured onto his palm; his face went through cycles of pallor and flush, constantly changing: "This, this is impossible... All of these thirty-plus elixirs are from the same batch? And, and the quality is so pure? All of them are of top-grade quality?"


    Even with the current level of Fu Yuan''s alchemy skills, when making Shen Yi Elixirs, a batch would at most yield twenty elixirs, and it would be considered an exceptional performance if half of them were top-grade.


    But the batch in his hands actually had more than thirty, and all of them were of top-grade quality!


    To achieve such an effect,


    only an alchemy level surpassing his own by an entire rank could explain it!


    Fu Yuan looked at Nalan Qianqiu solemnly, his breathing hastening, "Qianqiu, could it be that an Eight-Star Alchemy Grandmaster has made these? Where is that Grandmaster? Can you introduce me?"


    Nalan Qianqiu sighed, pointing to himself, "I made these elixirs!"


    "Ah?"


    Fu Yuan was startled and frowned, "Don''t joke with me, how could I not know your level?" He paused for a moment, and then Fu Yuan understood, "I see now, you must have received guidance from an Eight-Star Alchemy Grandmaster, right?"


    Nalan Qianqiu smiled bitterly, "Indeed, it was me, but it wasn''t under the guidance of an Eight-Star Alchemy Grandmaster, but Xiao."


    "What?"


    Fu Yuan''s face stiffened.


    Xiao Yi?


    He shook his head like a rattle-drum, "Qianqiu, I know Xiao is gifted in martial arts, but alchemy is entirely different from martial arts. How old is he? How can he master both..."


    He absolutely refused to believe that Xiao Yi, who was merely twenty years old, could be stronger than him in alchemy!


    Nalan Qianqiu sighed, pointing to Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan standing behind him, "How about these two?"


    "Them?"


    Fu Yuan wrinkled his eyebrows, directly disregarding Yan Mingli, who was merely at the Golden Core Realm, and said to Xue Bufan, "This one is indeed promising, and he might be able to reach a Seven-Star level in the future, but whether he can reach our heights depends on his opportunities!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking.


    Xue Bufan and Yan Mingli both took out a medicinal bottle and poured out the elixirs inside.


    The same Shen Yi Elixirs.


    Xue Bufan''s bottle contained twenty-eight, all of them top-grade.


    Yan Mingli had slightly fewer, only twenty-two, but they were also all of top-grade quality.


    Nalan Qianqiu said in a grave voice, "These elixirs were all personally crafted by them."


    "These, were these also guided by Xiao?"


    Fu Yuan looked dumbfounded, completely baffled.


    Even with his skills in making Shen Yi Elixirs, a successful batch would yield a maximum of twenty elixirs, with half being top-grade at best. But now, even Yan Mingli, who was at the Golden Core Realm, had surpassed him?


    Nalan Qianqiu and the other two looked at him with sympathy, nodding in unison.


    Gulp!


    Fu Yuan swallowed hard.


    Remembering his earlier disdain and contempt for Xiao Yi in the field of alchemy, he felt his face burning as if he had just been slapped dozens of times...

 Chapter 351 - 351 Thoroughly Convinced

    Before arriving at the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Fu Yuan''s sole intention had been to do just enough to get by, hoping only to endure these painful ten years so he could regain his freedom.


    But now...


    Facing his old friend Nalan Qianqiu and those who were far inferior to him, Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan, had Fu Yuan really become the worst Alchemist among them?


    Of course.


    This was only in terms of concocting low-grade medicinal pills; if it was about creating seventh-grade pills, he would naturally be far superior to both Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan.


    After all.


    Their cultivation levels limited them from concocting such high-grade medicinal pills.


    But those who truly understood Alchemy wouldn''t take the ability to concoct the highest-grade pills as the only standard; the success rate and the rate of producing top-quality pills for the same level of pills were the real criteria for measuring an Alchemist''s skill.


    Take the Shen Yi Elixir, for example.


    Even now, as a seven-star Alchemist, Fu Yuan could at most produce twenty elixirs in a single batch, and having half of them be of top-quality was already an exceptional performance.


    Yet, even at his best, his success rate and top-quality rate still didn''t match those of the four-star Alchemist, Yan Mingli!


    Gurgle!


    Fu Yuan swallowed hard and stared at Nalan Qianqiu, saying gravely, "Qianqiu, does Xiao ever come to the Treasure Pavilion?"


    Nalan Qianqiu was taken aback and shook his head, "Xiao seldom comes here."


    A trace of disappointment appeared on Fu Yuan''s face.


    Nalan Qianqiu smiled and said, "Fu Yuan, do you want to wait for Xiao to give you guidance?"


    "This..."


    Fu Yuan''s face stiffened, remembering his previous disdain for Xiao Yi. Now he was desperately eager for Xiao Yi''s guidance, which made him feel quite embarrassed. He managed a wry smile and said, "Just, just to discuss, I guess!"


    "Hahaha!"


    Nalan Qianqiu laughed and shook his head, patting his shoulder, "No need to be embarrassed. Xiao is like the starry sky, profound beyond our comprehension as mere mortals. We simply cannot fathom how vast the heavens are. Don''t you just want to learn Xiao''s Alchemy techniques? Let little Yan teach you!"


    "Uh... him?"


    Fu Yuan was taken aback.


    He had assumed Nalan Qianqiu would personally give him guidance, not that he would ask Yan Mingli to instruct him?


    How could a mere four-star Alchemist give pointers to him, a mighty seven-star Alchemist?


    Nalan Qianqiu said with a smile, "Just give it a try!"


    "This... alright then!"


    Fu Yuan nodded and turned to Yan Mingli, "Brother Mingli, I''ll be in your care!"


    "Master Fu, you''re too kind!"


    Yan Mingli smiled meticulously, then took out some herbs and began to demonstrate and instruct Fu Yuan. At first, Fu Yuan wore a look of scorn on his face, but as Yan Mingli began Alchemy.


    His expression kept changing.


    From initial disdain and contempt, he became serious and solemn.


    He watched every move of Yan Mingli''s without blinking.


    Now frowning, now exclaiming, now bewildered...


    "Is it really possible to do it this way?"


    "Damn, such a subtle technique, could it really be conceived by a mortal?"


    "Terrifying, truly terrifying..."


    All of Fu Yuan''s pride dissipated.


    He looked at Yan Mingli with a face full of shock, and suddenly, with a humming sound, the Pill Furnace abruptly opened. A fragrance of medicine wafted out; it was the Shen Yi Elixir again, and this time Yan Mingli had indeed outperformed himself.


    There were twenty-nine elixirs, with twenty-eight of top-quality.


    The remaining one was also of high quality.


    Yan Mingli smiled and said, "Xiao left in a hurry at that time, just giving me one session of guidance. There are many areas where I still don''t measure up, please forgive me, Master Fu!"


    "..."


    Fu Yuan''s face was a picture of shock.


    To achieve such astonishing results from just one piece of advice?


    Just how terrifying was Xiao Yi''s mastery in the field of alchemy?


    Gulp!


    Fu Yuan swallowed hard, his eyes brimming with excitement as he looked at Nalan Qianqiu, "Qianqiu, if Xiao personally does the alchemy, what''s the success rate for forming pills? And the rate for producing top-quality ones?"


    Nalan Qianqiu was taken aback and said, "The success rate is over thirty percent, all top-quality..."


    He didn''t finish his sentence.


    Fu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "If that''s the case, I can accept it."


    In his opinion, after all, even Nalan Qianqiu could achieve over thirty percent success, all top-quality, and with more practice, Fu Yuan was confident he could catch up to, and even surpass, Xiao Yi.


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    He had learned quite a few exquisite techniques and skills from the earlier demonstration by Yan Mingli.


    Just as Fu Yuan was feeling self-satisfied.


    Nalan Qianqiu coughed lightly, "I haven''t finished yet! Such success and top-quality rates were achieved by Xiao while refining fourteen batches of pills at the same time. After all, Xiao himself said he wasn''t a professional alchemist, and it was rare to see him give his all..."


    "..."


    Fu Yuan was dumbstruck, the medicine bottle in his hand fell to the ground with a clatter, and he blinked, "What, what the hell? Refining fourteen batches at the same time? You''re not joking with me, right? Refining fourteen batches at the same time?"


    "We saw it with our own eyes!"


    "Fourteen furnaces, each one containing different pills..."


    In the alchemy room, Ning Luo and the others also nodded in unison.


    Hisss!


    Fu Yuan''s hand trembled, and he couldn''t help but take a sharp breath.


    Just the thought of achieving such success and top-quality rates with one batch of pills had already amazed him. And Xiao Yi could control fourteen batches at once?


    You should know...


    Fu Yuan himself could multitask, but he could at most control three pill furnaces.


    And he could not guarantee success and top-quality rates.


    Controlling fourteen pill furnaces at once, let alone seeing it, he had never even heard of it!


    At this moment.


    All the arrogance Fu Yuan had been carrying vanished without a trace, and the image of Xiao Yi surfaced in his mind, murmuring to himself, "There is always someone better, heaven beyond the heavens, the ancients truly did not deceive me."


    Seeing Fu Yuan completely convinced, and even showing unconscious admiration and fervor on his face when mentioning Xiao Yi.


    Li Jinjun sighed inwardly, "Truly worthy of being Xiao, he didn''t even need to make an appearance himself, and he had already completely subdued the proud Seven-Star Alchemist. Who could compare with such means?"


    At this moment.


    Xiao Yi, who was actually sitting at Xuanwu Square, had no idea that he had just made Fu Yuan run errands with medicinal materials to Nalan Qianqiu, and it turned into a personal show-off session!


    He utterly suppressed this proud Seven-Star Alchemist!


    In the alchemy room.


    Fu Yuan put aside his arrogance, and his attitude became much more humble as he looked at Nalan Qianqiu, "Qianqiu, Xiao asked me to bring these medicinal materials over, and all these ten storage rings are full of them. By the way, what does Xiao need so many medicinal materials for?"


    Ten storage rings fell into Nalan Qianqiu''s hands.


    Looking at the storage rings in his hand and briefly inspecting them, he saw an accumulation of medicinal materials like a mountain inside.


    You should know...


    These medicinal materials represented goods worth a hundred billion silver after being discounted by thirty percent from the market price by the Hundred Herbs Chamber of Commerce. At regular prices, it would be equivalent to three to four hundred billion silver to gather this many materials.


    Even the storages of the Beitang Family might not have this much!


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face lit up with extreme joy, "Great, with these materials supplied, we can finally launch a full-scale offensive in our price war against Nangong and the Beitang Family!"

 Chapter 352 - 352: Something Big Happened!

    The Imperial City.


    Above Vermilion Bird Avenue.


    There are a total of four grand avenues in the Imperial City: Vermilion Bird, Xuanwu, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger. They crisscross each other, running through the entire Imperial City.


    Among them, Vermilion Bird Avenue is the most prosperous street.


    This Vermilion Bird Avenue is more than five hundred meters wide, enough to accommodate nearly three hundred carriages side by side, while on either side is a row of towering buildings. These buildings have an elegant style, with a strong Great Qian Dynasty character.


    The front row is five stories high above and below, and the further back, the higher the floors.


    Inside each building are shops with different decorations, bustling with people coming and going, thriving and prosperous.


    Vermilion Bird Avenue is the main artery of the Imperial City.


    During grand festivals, the royal procession always parades through the entire Vermilion Bird Avenue to demonstrate the majesty of the royal family.


    In the most bustling central location.


    The Nangong Pharmacy of the Nangong Family and the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy stand opposite each other, constantly engaging in overt and covert battles on normal days. Only, the Nangong Family''s cost for medicinal ingredients is extremely low, so the pills they sell are half as cheap as those of Treasure Pavilion.


    As a result, the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy has been repeatedly suppressed and is helpless to fight back.


    After all.


    The Nangong Family and the Beitang Family are branches of the same tree.


    The Beitang Family has a monopoly over the entire medicinal market of the Great Qian Dynasty. Apart from them, there is no second family in the vast Great Qian Dynasty that can buy any medicinal herbs from Medicine King Valley, not even Treasure Pavilion.


    The persistently high costs made it impossible for Treasure Pavilion to wage a price war against the Nangong Family.


    Just think...


    Even though the prices are half as cheap as the same category of pills from Treasure Pavilion, the profits of the Nangong Family are still much higher than Treasure Pavilion''s.


    On this day.


    Nangong Shou, the manager of the main Nangong Pharmacy on Vermilion Bird Avenue, was sipping his tea leisurely, legs crossed confidently, humming a little tune and squinting smugly at the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy across the street, proudly saying, "Treasure Pavilion? In the face of the compelled tribute family, whether you''re a dragon you have to coil up, and if you''re a tiger you must lie down."


    "Hmm?"


    Suddenly, Nangong Shou narrowed his eyes as he caught sight of someone posting a notice in front of the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy.


    It quickly attracted a crowd of onlookers.


    Raising an eyebrow, Nangong Shou spoke to a servant behind him, "Go see what trick Treasure Pavilion is up to."


    "Right away, manager!"


    The servant hurried off, and returned moments later with an urgent face, saying, "Manager, it''s bad news. Treasure Pavilion has posted a notice, all their pills are being sold at a 10% discount, and now many people are heading over there!"


    "A 10% discount?"


    Nangong Shou was stunned, then said carelessly, "What''s there to worry about? They can''t hold out for long, don''t pay them any mind!"


    The first day.


    The second day.


    The third day...


    Before he knew it, four days had passed. Nangong Shou watched as several servants were dozing off at the counter, and with a bang, slapped the table and angrily exclaimed, "What the hell are you all eating? With that lazy look of yours, if a customer comes in and sees, what would they think?"


    "Manager, there hasn''t been a customer at all!"


    "Yeah, there were a few people the day before yesterday, but from yesterday afternoon until now, not a single one!"


    "What did you say? Not a single person?"


    Nangong Shou''s face stiffened, then he looked towards the hall, and besides those servants, there wasn''t a single person in sight.


    In the past.


    This place was as busy as a marketplace, especially when opening the doors every day, customers would flock in droves. Listening to the servant''s words, there hasn''t been a single customer since yesterday afternoon��what on earth is going on?


    Nangong Shou said sternly, "It must be because of your poor attitudes that you''ve offended the customers!"


    "Manager, it really has nothing to do with us! It''s all because of the tricks played by Treasure Pavilion across the street..."


    "Actually, our number of customers has been decreasing for the past three days, and since yesterday afternoon not a single customer has come in��they''ve all gone over to the Treasure Pavilion across the street!"


    Everyone said one after another.


    "Treasure Pavilion?"


    Nangong Shou frowningly said, "Impossible, the Treasure Pavilion has been across from us for more than a day or two. Our business has always been better than theirs, how could our customers possibly be taken away by them?"


    "Shopkeeper, what you''re talking about is all in the past. Now all the elixirs at the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy are being sold at a 10% discount, half a percent cheaper than ours."


    "Now everyone is heading over there!"


    Suddenly, Nangong Shou recalled the poster that the Treasure Pavilion had put up four days ago, advertising a 10% discount, and he said with a frown, "Do you mean to say that for these four days, the Treasure Pavilion has been consistently selling elixirs at a discount? How is that possible? Where does the Treasure Pavilion get so many elixirs?"


    He marched straight to the door and looked out across Vermilion Bird Avenue to the opposite side.


    A long queue had formed outside the elixir shop of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Then looking back at their side...


    The entryway was so deserted, not even a bird cared to linger.


    "Shopkeeper, what should we do? Should we report this to the family?" a servant asked.


    Nangong Shou gave him a cold glare and sneered, "Report this trivial matter to the family? Do you want our family head to think I''m incompetent?" After a pause, Nangong Shou said in a deep voice, "It''s just a price reduction, isn''t it? If he dares to offer a 10% discount, then we''ll offer a 15% discount. In any case, our profits will still be very considerable even if we sold at that discount!"


    "Yes!"


    The servant immediately went to prepare the notice.


    Nangong Shou glanced at the long line across the street, sneering, "Trying to wage a price war with the Nangong Family? You''re deluded!"


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    On the fifth day,


    when Nangong Shou arrived at the pharmacy, he found that his side still had not a single customer. He couldn''t help being furious, "What''s going on? I''ve already offered a 15% discount, and we still can''t beat the Treasure Pavilion?"


    A servant came forward with a gloomy face, "They''ve offered a 20% discount on the opposite side!"


    "20% discount?"


    Nangong Shou''s complexion suddenly changed, a fierce look flashing in his eyes, "It seems they''re really determined to go head-to-head with us. Is it just about lowering prices? The Nangong Family has never been afraid of anyone! Post a notice that we''ll give a 25%... no, a straight 40% discount. I refuse to believe that the Treasure Pavilion will dare to compete with us!"


    Even with a 40% discount, their profits would still be quite substantial.


    But the cost of medicinal herbs for the Treasure Pavilion was much higher than theirs; a 40% discount was almost equal to their cost price.


    Nangong Shou confidently said, "Unless the Treasure Pavilion is truly determined to compete with us at a loss, there''s no way they would dare to drop their prices any further."


    "Shopkeeper, you are wise!"


    "Tch, tch, a 40% discount, I''m afraid the Treasure Pavilion will be scared witless now..."


    The servants all said in succession.


    Only...


    On the sixth day, they still had not a single customer on their side.


    Meanwhile, the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy was bustling with people, a long line snaking from the door.


    The servant panted heavily, his face pale as he said, "Shopkeeper, the Treasure Pavilion is now selling all elixirs at a 50% discount..."


    Thump!


    Nangong Shou''s eyes bulged, his fan dropping to the ground and the tea cup was left empty, only the rocking chair creaked back and forth as it swayed. Beads of sweat formed on Nangong Shou''s forehead as he forced down a gulp of saliva, feeling an icy chill throughout his body, "Something''s wrong, a big problem is brewing."


    He quickly turned to the servants, "You keep an eye on the opposite side for me, I''ll be back in no time!"


    Nangong Shou hurried toward the Nangong Family home, frantic and flustered.


    However...


    When he arrived at the entrance of the Nangong Family home, he discovered that the people in charge of over a hundred elixir shops in the imperial city had all gathered here, including some pharmacy shopkeepers from cities near the imperial capital.


    Seeing the deep worry on everyone''s faces, Nangong Shou turned pale, "I fear a major incident has indeed occurred!"

 Chapter 353 - 353: Tip-Off!

    Inside the vast estate of the Nangong Family.


    At this moment, however, it was filled with the pharmacy managers from around a dozen cities surrounding the imperial capital��a scene that usually only occurred during the once-a-year clan meeting.


    After all,


    Given the Nangong Family''s booming pharmacy business across the regions, with daily transactions worth tens of billions, no one could afford any delay.


    "Nangong Shou? Why are you here too?"


    "Nangong Xiao, your Tianfeng City pharmacy is doing such good business. How dare you leave without permission?"


    "You all..."


    There were nearly ten thousand Nangong Family pharmacies within the entire Great Qian Dynasty, and this was only a small fraction of them here. Yet, the number had already surpassed a hundred. People who knew each other were all showing a look of surprise on their faces.


    You must know that...


    Even during clan meetings in the past, the better the pharmacy did, the later its manager would arrive.


    Today, everyone was hastily gathered here.


    A sense of unease began to form in everyone''s heart.


    The pharmacy where Nangong Shou worked ranked within the top ten of all the Nangong Family Pharmacies. On regular days, his pharmacy''s daily business volume was in the hundreds of millions of silver. At its peak, it even reached a staggering twenty billion silver in a single day.


    His status among the managers was also very high.


    Nangong Shou approached Nangong Xiao; the two of them were brothers by blood and naturally had a closer relationship. "Second brother, why did you suddenly run back here?"


    Nangong Xiao replied with a wry smile, "Big brother, if you''re back at this time, I''m afraid you''ve encountered the same situation as us. Don''t ask now. The family head and the old ancestor will be here soon. We can talk about it then!"


    "Hmm?"


    A sense of foreboding struck Nangong Shou.


    His gaze swept across the faces of the crowd, noting that everyone looked very upset.


    Recalling his own experiences over the past few days, Nangong Shou''s brows furrowed with increasing anxiety.


    At this moment,


    Nangong Shengtian and the current family head of the Nangong Family, Nangong Shengji, appeared before everyone. In an instant, over a hundred powerful managers quieted down. Although the Nangong Family''s old ancestor was Nangong Shengtian, the one who truly held the reins was Nangong Shengji.


    This man was of the same generation as Nangong Shengtian but much younger in age.


    Yet, even Nangong Shengtian, before this young family head, acted with utmost respect.


    This was the Nangong Family''s number one expert, a being at the Peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    "We already know the reason why you have all come back," Nangong Shengji said, getting right to the point.


    The people looked at each other and grimaced.


    Nangong Shengtian spoke indifferently, "Let each pharmacy manager report their situation!" His gaze swept across the crowd and landed on Nangong Xiao, "Nangong Xiao, you go first!"


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Xiao grimaced, steeling himself as he spoke, "Seven days ago, the Treasure Pavilion''s pharmacy started selling pills at a ten percent discount. At first, I didn''t pay much attention, thinking it was just a promotion to clear their stock."


    The crowd nodded in understanding.


    The Nangong Family and the Treasure Pavilion''s pharmacies had been competing overtly and covertly for many years, with the Nangong Family usually having the upper hand.


    As a result, the Treasure Pavilion''s pharmacies would often reduce prices to clear their inventory.


    But such sales wouldn''t last too long,


    Usually not more than three days.


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes and said, "Continue!"


    Nangong Xiao''s bitter smile persisted, "Who knew that by the third day, there were still no changes; they continued with the ten percent discount. Only then did I realize something was wrong and immediately dropped our prices. However, the Treasure Pavilion also lowered their prices, and every time, they were lower than ours. Until today, we have been doing a forty percent discount, yet they have gone down to fifty percent off."


    "What?"


    "Fifty percent? Has the Treasure Pavilion gone mad? Their profit margin is only around thirty percent. A fifty percent discount means a loss. What on earth are they doing?"


    "What''s fifty percent? The Treasure Pavilion in our place has started to sell pills at a thirty percent discount. If it weren''t for that, why would I have rushed back so urgently..."


    "Thirty percent? They get their medicinal materials from the Beitang Family at twice the price we pay. Isn''t Nalan Qianqiu afraid of going bankrupt?"


    The crowd began to express their distress.


    Upon hearing this.


    The expression on Nangong Shengtian''s face became increasingly ugly. Based on everyone''s reaction, it meant that Treasure Pavilion wasn''t just clearing out stock on a small scale��this was a price war against the Nangong Family!


    "Shut up!"


    Nangong Shengtian huffed coldly, and seeing that people turned to look at him, he continued with a stern face, "Have any of you sent people to verify the quality of the medicinal pills from Treasure Pavilion? How is it?"


    Nangong Xiao hurriedly responded, "Elder Ancestor, I also thought that they might be passing off inferior products as good quality, so I sent people to buy some of their medicinal pills. But the comparison results are..."


    "They are selling them so cheaply, the quality of the medicinal pills must definitely not be guaranteed?"


    "It''s very likely they are passing off inferior products as good quality!"


    However...


    Nangong Xiao''s face looked gloomy as he said, "The lowest quality of the medicinal pills they sell is high-grade, and the rate of top-quality pills even exceeds fifty percent. If it weren''t for the outstanding quality of their pills, just the price alone wouldn''t leave us at a loss!"


    As he spoke.


    Nangong Xiao took out several medicine bottles and respectfully presented them to Nangong Shengtian and another person.


    "Patriarch, please take a look!"


    Nangong Shengtian handed a few jade bottles to Nangong Shengji.


    The two opened the medicine bottles.


    A rich fragrance of medicine wafted out.


    The pills were round and lustrous, full and substantial, with especially clear pill patterns contained on them, absolutely of excellent quality. Moreover, these medicinal pills were none other than the varieties sold by the Nangong Family in the market.


    Unable to compete in price.


    Unable to match in quality as well.


    In such a situation...


    Who would still buy the Nangong Family''s medicinal pills?


    "Patriarch..."


    Nangong Shengtian''s face was dark and terribly grim as he looked towards Nangong Shengji.


    Nangong Shengji squinted his eyes and slowly opened them, speaking coldly, "Treasure Pavilion wants to have a price war, then let''s compete with them. Additionally, Shengtian, you must immediately go to the Beitang Family and have them cut off all medicinal material supplies to Treasure Pavilion and also reduce the price of our materials by another fifty percent."


    "Reduce by another fifty percent?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s expression changed, saying, "Patriarch, I''m afraid Beitang Feng will not agree to it."


    The Nangong Family was already purchasing medicinal materials from the Beitang Family at half the market price.


    If the price were to be pushed down by another fifty percent.


    The Beitang Family would be losing money!


    Nangong Shengji sneered coldly, his face arrogant, "What right does Beitang Feng have to disagree? Tell Beitang Feng, if he doesn''t agree, then he can forget about recovering the debt we have accumulated over the years!"


    Over the years, the Nangong Family owed the Beitang Family a total of more than one hundred trillion silver.


    One must know...


    The Beitang Family also has to answer to the Medicine King Valley behind them, and if this huge sum can''t be returned, even the relationship between the Beitang Family and Medicine King Valley is likely to be completely severed.


    Nangong Shengtian nodded, "I know what to do!"


    At this moment.


    A thin figure appeared beside Nangong Shengji. The person was slender, with a face like jade, dressed in clothes whiter than snow. It was Nangong Yi, the direct disciple of Nangong Shengji. He stepped forward and said, "Master, someone outside is requesting an audience, claiming to have important information regarding Treasure Pavilion!"


    "Who is it?"


    Nangong Shengji was startled.


    Nangong Yi said with a grave voice, "He says his name is Ning Kang!" sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ning Kang?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s eyes brightened, saying, "Patriarch, this man is the son of Ning Luo, the Vice Pavilion Master of Treasure Pavilion. He previously had some conflicts with Xiao Yi. The last time Xiao Yi went to Beast Emperor City, it was this very person who tipped us off!"


    "Oh? Let him in!"


    Nangong Shengji squinted his eyes, a fierce cold light in his gaze, "Treasure Pavilion? Hmph, I really want to see what exactly Nalan Qianqiu is up to!"

 Chapter 354 - 354: Unexpected Joy

    In the main hall.


    Nangong Shengtian and Nangong Shengji sat high and mighty on the main seats, looking down at Ning Kang as he entered the hall under Nangong Yi''s lead.


    Ning Kang''s legs trembled uncontrollably as he stood before the two, his face slightly pale.


    Both of these individuals were of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    In the entire Great Qian Dynasty, they were titans capable of shaking the earth thrice with just a stomp of their feet.


    Either could match his master''s ancestor, the overall Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion of the Great Qian Dynasty, Nalan Qianqiu.


    "Ning Kang pays respect to the two seniors!" Ning Kang knelt before them with a thud, his voice quivering.


    Nangong Shengji squinted his eyes, looking completely at ease.


    Nangong Shengtian said indifferently, "Ning Kang, what business do you have with us?"


    Ning Kang hurriedly said, "Ancestor Nangong, I have come across a piece of vital news concerning the life and death of the Nangong Family and have made a special trip to notify you both!"


    "Heh, my Nangong Family has stood at the pinnacle of the Great Qian Dynasty for many years, who could possibly threaten the Nangong Family?" Nangong Shengtian said with an indifferent face, his confidence and determination in his words showing no sign of concern for the all-out assault the Treasure Pavilion was mounting against the Nangong Family.


    The Nangong Family had indeed stood firm for many years, with their own foundation and confidence.


    After all.


    The actions of one of the four great families could affect them all.


    Even though the Dongfang and Ximen Families were at odds with the Nangong Family, if there truly was a force intending to uproot the Nangong Family, those two families would not stand idly by.


    You should know...


    The reason these four great families have managed to stand for so many years is their unity!


    As Nangong Shengtian spoke, Ning Kang''s heart became somewhat chaotic, and he hurriedly said, "Ancestor Nangong, please believe me, this news truly relates to the life and death of the Nangong Family."


    Nangong Shengtian said, "Then let''s hear it."


    "This..."


    Ning Kang feigned hesitation.


    Nangong Shengtian said calmly, "If your news is as you say, concerning the life and death of the Nangong Family, I naturally will not mistreat you. Did I not give you a hundred million Silver when you disclosed Xiao Yi''s whereabouts before? If this news is indeed as important as you claim, I can promise you ten times that amount!"


    Gulp!


    Ning Kang swallowed hard.


    Ten times?


    That would be a billion Silver!


    With so much money, why would he stay at the Treasure Pavilion? He could just take the money and flee, living a life of wealth!


    With that thought in mind.


    Ning Kang said solemnly, "Ancestor Nangong, have you noticed that recently the pharmacies in the Treasure Pavilion have been lowering their prices across the board? I''ve learned that Nalan Qianqiu now has a mysterious master by her side, a man with extremely adept alchemy skills. He''s the one who arrived at the Treasure Pavilion seven days ago, and from the second day onwards, our Treasure Pavilion began heavily discounting all the medicinal pills for sale!"


    "Hm?"


    "A master?"


    Nangong Shengji''s tightly closed eyes sprang open, a flash of cold light passing through them as he leaned forward and said in a stern voice, "Do you know the master''s name and surname?"


    "I know, I know, my father calls him Master Fu Yuan!" Ning Kang hurriedly said.


    ''Master Fu Yuan?''


    "I remember now, among the powerhouses Xiao Yi brought back from Beast Emperor City, there was a Seven-Star Alchemist called Fu Yuan!"


    Nangong Shengtian''s face changed dramatically, his handgrips bursting from his grip, "Damn it, all of this must be Xiao Yi''s doing, that little bastard has a bet with me for a month. I wondered why the Treasure Pavilion suddenly started fighting us recklessly��it must be because of that bastard Xiao Yi. I''m going to Xiaoshanhe Institute right now to kill him..."


    "Stop!"


    Nangong Shengji said coldly.


    His voice boomed like thunder, exploding through the hall.


    A chilling aura pervaded the entire hall, causing the enraged Nangong Shengtian to tremble and come to a sudden halt.


    Nangong Shengji squinted his eyes as he sized up Ning Kang, speaking indifferently, "If that''s the information you''re talking about, it''s certainly not worth ten billion!"


    Ning Kang''s lips turned white.


    Nangong Shengji''s presence made him feel as though he had fallen into an ice cellar, his body trembling slightly, he quickly said, "Reporting to the Nangong, I, I have brought another piece of information... The reason the Treasure Pavilion can suppress the prices of their elixirs so low is all because Master Fu Yuan has a secret recipe that can double the success rate and rate of top-quality elixirs no matter what kind of elixir it is once it''s added!"


    Hiss!


    As soon as these words came out, Nangong Shengtian and the others couldn''t help but take a sharp breath.


    The success rate and rate of top-quality elixirs can both be doubled?


    If that''s really the case...


    It meant that the cost could be reduced by at least half, and with the increase in success and top-quality rates, the cost might very well be controlled to around thirty percent!


    "No wonder the Treasure Pavilion dares to push the prices down to this level!"


    "If this secret recipe is real, and we can get our hands on it, considering the price at which we purchase from the Beitang Family, wouldn''t we be making a profit even if we sold it at ten percent of the current price..."


    Nangong Shengji and Nangong Shengtian exchanged glances.


    But neither of them trusted Ning Kang on this alone, Nangong Shengji, still squinting his eyes, said, "Ning Kang, would you like to earn more money?"


    "Hm?"


    Ning Kang was startled.


    Nangong Shengji continued, "If you can get your hands on this secret recipe, I can reward you with one hundred billion silver, and additionally, I promise to let you join the Nangong Family and grant you the Nangong surname."


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Ning Kang''s heartbeat suddenly accelerated, his breathing became hurried, and his eyes reddened.


    Not to mention joining the Nangong Family, just that hundred billion silver was enough to make his heart race.


    Of course.


    If he actually did this...


    He would also be completely standing against the Treasure Pavilion.


    After hesitating for a moment.


    Ning Kang said in a deep voice, "The two ancestors can rest assured, I will definitely find a way to get that secret recipe!"


    "We await your good news!"


    Nangong Shengji gave a slight smile and then looked towards Nangong Yi, "Yi''er, take Ning Kang down and give him ten billion silver as a reward!"


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Yi immediately led Ning Kang away.


    Leaving only Nangong Shengji and one other...


    Nangong Shengtian asked in a grave voice, "Family head, do you believe what he said?" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Does it matter whether I believe it or not? If he truly can bring us that secret recipe and it proves effective after we test it, then it will be an unexpected joy. If not, we have lost nothing!" Nangong Shengji said indifferently, then squinting at Nangong Shengtian, "Let Nangong Yi handle the matters concerning the Beitang Family. You go to the Treasure Pavilion at once and try to meet Master Fu Yuan. If you can persuade him to join us, that would be best. If not, find a way to get rid of him..."


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Shengtian left at once.


    Meanwhile.


    On the Xuanwu Square, the genius battle had finally come to its last fight, a clash that would determine the top talent of this event.


    The vast Xuanwu Square was already teeming with people.


    On the high platform.


    Xiao Yi sat squarely in the center, his gaze fixed on the two figures on the stage, a peculiar light flickering through his eyes, "He actually managed to hold out until now, what a pleasant surprise!"


    PS: Explosion tomorrow!!!!!!

 Chapter 355 - 355: Do You Still Remember Me?

    "I didn''t expect her to last this long, it''s quite the pleasant surprise!"


    Xiao Yi revealed a hint of amusement as he watched the purple silhouette on the arena.


    The white figure was the woman Xiao Yi had encountered upon his arrival at the imperial city, the one who had intentionally drawn the attention of the Black Hawk Gang to him.


    During the earlier rounds, Xiao Yi had discovered the woman''s identity, but since she was only at the peak of the Shentong Realm, he had not taken her too seriously. However, to his surprise, she had managed to reach the final.


    And she was even competing for the title of number one genius.


    Although the competition limited the age of participants to under thirty, the temptation of the Martial Dao Divine Fruit offered by those three Dharma Manifestation Realm experts still attracted many talents from the Golden Core Realm.


    That the woman had managed to endure until the end was indeed a pleasing surprise.


    And quite unexpected!


    Swish!


    The young girl in the white dress stood with her hands clasped behind her back, facing her opponent with a calm expression.


    Her adversary was a youth who looked as imposing as a humanoid beast.


    With a gleaming bald head and muscles like blocks of lead that traced explosive lines of power, the youth''s cultivation also reached the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, combined with Innate Divine Strength.


    Throughout the tournament, many strong contenders had been blasted out of the arena by his fists.


    "You, a little girl, dare to compete with me for the first place?" sneered Lei Li, the bald youth, with disdain.


    The white-dressed girl, Jin Feiyan, raised an eyebrow, showing a look of grievance while pouting and said plaintively, "Big brother, can''t you let me win? When I was three, I lost my dad, and at the age of six, I no longer had a mom. I was sold to a landlord''s house to be a maid at five. I drank dew when thirsty and ate grasshoppers when hungry. I''m so pitiful..."


    Lei Li frowned and scoffed, "Stop playing the pity card here; I''m not falling for it!"


    "It''s okay, big brother, if you don''t want to let me win, it''s no big deal. If later you break my limbs, I''ll just apply the medicine myself. I''m just a child with no one to love me; I''ve been used to it since I was young, really, you don''t have to feel sorry for me!"


    Jin Feiyan''s face was covered in tears, her look full of sorrow as she looked around at the crowd, "Everyone, please don''t blame him for hitting me; we can''t hold it against him!"


    Moments later.


    A chorus of condemnation rang out around the arena: "Lei Li, are you even a man?"


    "How can you bully a weak girl like this, where is your conscience?"


    "If I were you, I would just concede! How can you, a big guy, bully a young girl like that, are you not ashamed?"


    "Lei Li, if you don''t surrender immediately, I will look down on you!"


    Lei Li''s face twitched uncontrollably, wanting to cry without tears!


    What the hell!


    I just want to fight in the arena, don''t I?


    How did I become a crime against morality?


    "Silence!"


    The voice of Yu Huaxian suddenly resounded, cutting through the noise abruptly as his gaze settled on the two in the arena, "Three breaths, then the battle begins!"


    On the high platform.


    Hai Wei looked at Xiao Yi beside him and asked, "President, who do you think will win the final victory?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "What do you think?"


    Hai Wei paused before answering, "It should be Lei Li who has a higher chance of winning!"


    Li Jinjun said, "I think so too; whether it''s in cultivation or combat strength, Lei Li seems to have the upper hand. I''ve also watched Jin Feiyan''s previous fights; she relies more on clever tricks..."


    "Hahaha..."


    Xiao Yi suddenly laughed, squinting his eyes as he sized up Jin Feiyan on the arena with an amused look, "Then you are seriously underestimating her!"


    "Huh?"


    The crowd was taken aback.


    At that moment...


    Yu Huaxian struck the bronze gong: "The battle begins!"


    Swish! S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    On the stage, both fighters struck simultaneously, turning into streaks of light rushing towards each other, and in an instant, the wind rose and clouds surged, dust billowing. Lei Li''s figure sprinted wildly like a ferocious beast, covered in terrifying waves of force, sweeping over everything.


    Jin Feiyan''s figure seemed frail, like a seagull in a storm, as if it could be swallowed by the tempest at any moment.


    Just when everyone was tense about Jin Feiyan''s safety.


    Suddenly, Jin Feiyan''s figure twisted, nimbly dodging Lei Li''s fierce punch with a swift whoosh, as agile as a swallow.


    At the same time...


    Jin Feiyan, like a clinging maggot, stuck close to Lei Li''s body without creating any distance between them. Lei Li indeed possessed Innate Divine Strength, but his moves were overly forceful and lacking in variation.


    Facing Jin Feiyan''s close-quarters combat, Lei Li found himself with immense power but completely unable to deploy it.


    This frustration made Lei Li more and more impatient.


    "Thunderstorm Fist!"


    Lei Li roared furiously, his fists sweeping across horizontally.


    Above these fists, energy crackled like lightning, creating a massive vacuum bubble. Like an arrow shot from a bowstring, it whooshed towards Jin Feiyan, compressing the surrounding air to the extreme.


    Even with Jin Feiyan''s agile movement technique, there was a sense of difficulty in moving.


    Just as the punch was about to hit.


    A pitiful look suddenly appeared on Jin Feiyan''s face, and in the midst of the buzzing noise, Lei Li was reminded of the words previously said by Jin Feiyan and the accusations of the people around the stage against him.


    He seemed to have already envisioned the scene where, once his punch landed, Jin Feiyan would be grievously injured and he would become the target of public criticism!


    On the high platform.


    Xiao Yi noticed Lei Li''s moment of hesitation and shook his head, "Lei Li has lost!"


    "Huh?"


    Hai Wei and the others were startled.


    Wasn''t Lei Li oppressing Jin Feiyan at the moment? How could he have lost?


    On the stage.


    Jin Feiyan noticed Lei Li''s momentary hesitation, her lips slightly lifted into a smile, and her figure flickered, like a ghostly white silhouette. With a swift whoosh, she dodged Lei Li''s fierce punch and circled behind him.


    At the same time, a palm strike landed on the back of Lei Li''s neck.


    Spurt!


    Lei Li''s body trembled, his energy dissipated, and he thumped onto the ground.


    Falling unconscious.


    Hiss!


    Around the stage, a collective intake of breath could be heard.


    Nobody had expected Lei Li, who seemed to have victory in his grasp, to be turned over at the last moment.


    Yu Huaxian was also taken aback, then spoke out loud, "The first place winner of this Genius Battle is Jin Feiyan!"


    On the stage.


    Jin Feiyan''s face revealed a serene smile, and she cheered as she looked towards Yu Huaxian, "Elder Yu, they say that the first-place winner of the Genius Battle will receive a Martial Dao Divine Fruit of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, is that true?"


    "That is indeed true; the dean himself will be presenting it to you shortly!"


    Elder Yu smiled.


    He held a favorable impression of this girl who seemed so fragile yet had made her way to first place in the Genius Battle.


    "Yay!"


    Jin Feiyan clenched her fists excitedly, her face full of thrill.


    At that moment...


    A playful voice suddenly sounded in her ear, "Jin Feiyan, do you still remember me?"

 Chapter 356 - 356 Supervisory Group

    "Jin Feiyan, do you still remember me?"


    Xiao Yi''s playful voice suddenly came through, causing Jin Feiyan to start.


    She raised her head and looked in the direction of the voice.


    She saw Xiao Yi looking at her with a half-smile, though Jin Feiyan just felt that the person before her was somewhat familiar. With a slight knit of her brows, she shook her head and said, "I don''t know you... Little brother, are you trying to hit on me? Sorry, though you''re handsome, I''m not looking to date anyone at the moment!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Yu Huaxian: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Xiao Yi touched his nose and said with a wry smile, "I''m not trying to date you..."


    "Then are you trying to keep me as a mistress? That won''t do either. I''m a girl with principles, and I don''t do such things..." Jin Feiyan''s head shaking was as resolute as a rattle-drum as she firmly said.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Pfft!


    Yu Huaxian and others had never seen Xiao Yi this flustered; they couldn''t help but laugh out loud.


    Xiao Yi glared at them fiercely.


    Only then did Yu Huaxian speak, "Jin Feiyan, the man standing before you is the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi!"


    "Eh?"


    Jin Feiyan, startled, sized up Xiao Yi but showed no sign of embarrassment. With her hands balled into fists propping up her chin, her eyes sparkling with stars, she said, "Little brother, you''re our academy''s head? I''ve long heard that the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi, is young and handsome and possesses immense strength. Seeing you today truly lives up to your reputation!"


    Xiao Yi cleared his throat to interrupt Jin Feiyan''s words.


    This guy changes faces faster than flipping through a book.


    Xiao Yi said, "Jin Feiyan, you really do forget important people easily, huh! Black Hawk Gang, remember that?"


    "Hmm?"


    Jin Feiyan''s whole body stiffened, and her eyes widened in shock. Her autumn-water-like pupils shone with astonishment and surprise as she sized up Xiao Yi, "You, you, you''re the one who wiped out the Black Hawk Gang?"


    How could she forget Xiao Yi?


    Back then, all she had in mind was to use Xiao Yi to escape; later, she heard that the Black Hawk Gang was exterminated.


    At the time, Jin Feiyan was shocked as well.


    She specifically fled to the countryside and hid for a while until she recently heard that the top three geniuses would receive a Dharma Manifestation Realm''s Martial Dao Divine Fruit, and only then did she return to the capital.


    She didn''t expect...


    She still couldn''t avoid it, after all!


    Jin Feiyan looked crestfallen and said, "Head Xiao, I really didn''t do it on purpose. How about this, I don''t want the Martial Dao Divine Fruit anymore, can you just let me go like it was nothing?"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly, his face full of amusement as he said, "Since you''ve walked into the net of your own accord, it''s impossible to let you go now. However, if you''re willing to join Shanhe Court, I might consider not punishing you!"


    "Huh?"


    Jin Feiyan stunned, looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, her slender finger pointing to her nose, "You want me to join Shanhe Court?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Jin Feiyan hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Are you sure you want me to join Shanhe Court, and not just thinking of tricking me there so you can punish me later?"


    Xiao Yi said, "Securing the first place in the talent competition sufficiently proves your potential, enough to become a disciple at Shanhe Court!"


    Jin Feiyan''s eyes showed a hint of wariness as she asked, "Are you sure it''s my talent you''re interested in, and not... lusting after my body?"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    God damn lusting after your body!


    Yu Huaxian and the others couldn''t hold back any longer and burst into laughter.


    Even when facing the powerhouses in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the always composed Xiao Yi had never been so vexed. He shook his head and said indifferently, "Just keep your mind at ease, I''m not interested in little apples!" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Little, little apple?"


    Jin Feiyan was taken aback, subconsciously glanced at herself, then immediately puffed out her chest, angrily saying, "Who says I''m a little apple? You''re a little apple, your whole family is little apples..."


    Xiao Yi gave her a glance, refusing to be led by the nose by a woman, he indifferently said, "Fine, since you''re unwilling to join Shanhe Court, then you can forget about the first place prize."


    "Wait a minute..."


    Jin Feiyan''s face showed urgency as she called out quickly, "I am willing to join Xiaoshanhe Institute, but I need you to agree to one condition!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi looked at her.


    Jin Feiyan said, "I want to take you as my master!"


    "Take me as your master?"


    Xiao Yi was startled for a moment, then looked at her with a playful expression and said, "You may first join my sect and become my nominal disciple. If within half a month, you manage to step into the Golden Core Realm, I will consider taking you as my disciple!"


    "Master, please accept your disciple''s bow!"


    Jin Feiyan quickly knelt down and kowtowed deeply.


    With a casual wave of his hand, Xiao Yi lifted Jin Feiyan with an invisible surge of Qi and looked towards Yu Huaxian, "Notify the top ten thousand talents of the battle to rest tonight and return to Xiaoshanhe Institute tomorrow at noon for the initiation ceremony."


    "Yes!"


    Yu Huaxian accepted the order with an excited expression.


    The disciples who ranked among the top ten thousand talents all had good potential, and if these new forces were to join Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    With Xiao Yi''s methods, it was definitely possible to nurture a large group of strong practitioners.


    This was the hope for the rise of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Jin Feiyan followed closely alongside Xiao Yi and asked curiously, "Master, why don''t we return to Xiaoshanhe Institute right now?"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, his lips curling up with a hint of amusement, "We ought to give those people some time, shouldn''t we?"


    "Hmm?"


    Jin Feiyan was stunned, and then thinking of the ''those people'' Xiao Yi referred to, probably the strong practitioners from the top ten thousand, she didn''t ponder any further. As she saw Xiao Yi preparing to leave, she hurriedly followed, "Master, where are you planning to go?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at her and said, "To the Treasure Pavilion."


    "Treasure Pavilion?"


    Jin Feiyan''s eyes lit up, "Master, can you take your disciple with you?"


    Upon Jin Feiyan''s pleading, Xiao Yi shook his head helplessly, "Going together is no problem, but you must control your hands!"


    This guy had a history of misconduct!


    If she were to sneak around in the Treasure Pavilion, it would be an embarrassment!


    After Jin Feiyan promised repeatedly, Xiao Yi led her to the Treasure Pavilion.


    Meanwhile...


    Inside the palace.


    Li Shengtian, Tian Xiao, and Chen Shuiwen were kneeling in front of Emperor Qian, having done so for a full two hours already.


    Emperor Qian set down the memorial, his face expressionless as he said, "My loyal subjects, are you truly resolved to this?"


    "Your Majesty, our actions are not driven by personal grievances but by a profound sense of responsibility towards the countless citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty!" Li Shengtian spoke with a heavy voice.


    Tian Xiao''s head banged against the ground, tears streaming down his face as he said, "Your Majesty, those who have distinguished themselves in the genius battle are definitely the future pillars of the Great Qian Dynasty. How can we stand by and watch them thrown into a pit of fire?"


    Emperor Qian narrowed his eyes and said, "Pit of fire? Xiaoshanhe Institute is a sect supported by our royal family, how can you speak of it as a pit of fire?"


    "Your Majesty, Xiaoshanhe Institute has been in decline for many years and lacks even a Spirit Gathering Array... Even though Xiao Yi has brought in those powerful people from Beast Emperor City, to the best of my knowledge, they are slaves bought from the slave market... How can they become qualified mentors? To hand over the future pillars of the Great Qian Dynasty to a group of slaves for guidance is to ruin them..."


    Chen Shuiwen knelt in front of Emperor Qian, tearfully imploring, "Your Majesty, we humbly request you to send an inspection team to Xiaoshanhe Institute to audit it, sending those disciples to Xiaoshanhe Institute is truly a waste of heaven''s gifts!"


    Emperor Qian tapped his fingers lightly on the table, speaking indifferently, "Sending an inspection team to examine isn''t a problem, but if, as you say, Xiaoshanhe Institute fails to provide a suitable cultivation environment for those disciples, what should be done with the more than ten thousand of them?"


    Li Shengtian said, "I believe although Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is newly established, it has strong teachers and is deeply rooted. They can be sent to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "I second the motion!"


    Tian Xiao also spoke up.


    Chen Shuiwen pounded his chest and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, your servant will not let you down!"


    Emperor Qian pondered for a moment, then spoke solemnly, "So be it, since you insist, I will appoint Qi together with the three of you to form an inspection team and go to Xiaoshanhe Institute for the audit. If it''s as you say, and Xiaoshanhe Institute is unable to provide those disciples with a suitable cultivation environment, then have them go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. However, if it turns out that what you say is not true, don''t blame me for charging you with the crime of defaming and entrapping an important court official..."


    "Your Majesty is wise!"


    "Please rest assured, Your Majesty!"


    The three of them, excited, exchanged glances, revealing vicious and triumphant expressions, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, the disciples you worked so hard to recruit are about to become ours!"

 Chapter 357 - 357: Coming to Find Death!

    Treasure Pavilion.


    Xiao Yi and Jin Feiyan moved unhindered and arrived in the alchemy room.


    Fu Yuan and others were in the process of concocting pills. The Treasure Pavilion had launched a full-scale total offensive against the Nangong Family, and pill pharmacies throughout the Great Qian Dynasty had lowered their prices. The daily consumption of pills was extremely terrifying.


    "Xiao!"


    "Director, you''re here!"


    Everyone said one after the other.


    Fu Yuan also put down his work, walked up to Xiao Yi, and respectfully saluted, "Xiao, I was blind before and failed to recognize that you are the true Alchemy Grandmaster. Please punish me!"


    Ever since the day Nalan Qianqiu and the others passed on the alchemy techniques advised by Xiao Yi to Fu Yuan.


    Fu Yuan could now control five Pill Furnaces at the same time.


    This leap in progress made Fu Yuan completely convinced and sincerely impressed by Xiao Yi.


    Now, it wasn''t just a matter of voluntarily leaving after the ten-year agreement.


    Even if Xiao Yi drove him away, he wouldn''t be willing to leave.


    Xiao Yi raised his palm lightly and helped Fu Yuan stand up slowly, saying with a smile, "Fu, you''re too polite. Since we''re all fellow members of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, we are companions. How can there be punishment between us?"


    Gratefulness filled Fu Yuan''s heart. He opened his mouth, seemingly having something to say but hesitated.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Fu, is there something you wish to discuss with me? There''s no need for such caution between us, just speak plainly!"


    "This..."


    Fu Yuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Xiao, I am puzzled about something in alchemy..."


    "Hahaha, I thought it was something serious. Go on and tell me!" Xiao Yi laughed.


    Fu Yuan promptly said, "I have been a Seven-Star Alchemist for many years, but I have never found the clue to concocting Grade-Eight pills. Although every attempt does complete each step properly, the quality of the pills I create is extremely low. Until now, the most successful Grade-Eight pill I have made is only of low quality..."


    Xiao Yi said, "So, that''s the issue... Fu, if I''m not mistaken, since you entered the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, you''ve had no breakthroughs in at least thirty years, correct?"


    Fu Yuan showed a look of surprise; he didn''t expect Xiao Yi to discern his cultivation issue at a glance. He nodded and said, "It''s been thirty-one years. No matter how I cultivate, I can never make any further progress..."


    "And that''s where the problem lies!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "The quality of a pill is deeply related to the purification of the herbal essence and the refinement of the heaven and earth energies during the Solidifying Pill process. When Fu broke through the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, it must have been with the aid of external forces. But these forces also affected the quality of your qi, naturally preventing you from perfectly enhancing the quality of Grade-Eight pills!"


    Hiss!


    Fu Yuan looked perplexed, staring incredulously at Xiao Yi.


    His breakthrough to the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm indeed happened because he accidentally acquired a Thousand-Year Golden Dragon Herb, which allowed him to break through his shackles.


    But other than himself, no one knew about this!


    How could Xiao Yi pinpoint it exactly?


    Fu Yuan watched Xiao Yi with an excited face, earnestly saying, "Please save me, Xiao!"


    Xiao Yi laughed, "It''s actually quite simple, just enter the Pill Furnace!"


    "Ah?"


    Fu Yuan was taken aback.


    Enter the Pill Furnace?


    Jin Feiyan was astonished, "Master, are you planning to make a Human Refining Elixir?"


    Fu Yuan and the others: "..."


    A line of black lines crossed Xiao Yi''s forehead as he glared at her fiercely, then explained, "What aided your breakthrough contained an overbearing medicinal power which, despite facilitating your breakthrough, left a substantial amount of medicinal power lingering in your body. Over these years, this medicinal power has taken deep root, and only by refining it through the Pill Furnace can the problem be fundamentally resolved!"


    "This..."


    Fu Yuan''s face showed hesitation. Entering the Pill Furnace was truly alarming!


    If there were any mishaps, one would become a literal human pill.


    After hesitating for a while.


    Fu Yuan gritted his teeth and said, "Please assist me, Xiao!"


    Whoosh!


    Fu Yuan directly headed towards one of the pill furnaces and dove into it like a wisp of smoke, immediately sealing the furnace from inside. Xiao Yi''s figure soared into the air, and with a push of his palm towards the front, the gigantic pill furnace roared as it uprooted from the ground.


    It hung in midair, entwined and buoyed by countless threads of elemental qi.


    The surrounding hundreds of alchemists all stopped their actions, each looking on with a horrified expression. They had never heard of someone being refined inside a pill furnace. It was well-known that the temperature inside a pill furnace could easily reach thousands of degrees, and at its highest, it could even soar to tens of thousands of degrees. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even the physical body of someone from the Dharma Manifestation Realm would struggle to endure such a terrifyingly high temperature.


    This required an extremely high level of control over the furnace fire.


    Xiao Yi''s form danced in front of the pill furnace, his ten fingers flickering with flames that he breathed into the furnace.


    Hiss Hiss!


    The flames blazed fiercely, with Fu Yuan''s pained grunts occasionally emanating from within.


    "He''s not going to refine the person to death, is he?"


    "Xiao''s alchemical skills are incredibly impressive; how could he make such a novice mistake?"


    Everyone discussed amongst themselves.


    Suddenly.


    The pill furnace buzzed and with a bang landed back on the ground.


    Xiao Yi clapped his hands and said, "Open the furnace after 24 hours, and no one is allowed to come near it in the meantime!"


    "Don''t worry, Xiao, I''ll personally keep watch!"


    Nalan Qianqiu quickly nodded, stepping forward to take his position in front of the pill furnace.


    Xiao Yi nodded and then waved his hand to disperse the crowd before asking, "Master Nalan, how are things going?"


    Nalan Qianqiu squinted his eyes and murmured in a low voice, "Everything is proceeding according to plan!"


    "Good!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a slight smile, a cold light flickering in his narrowed eyes, "The trap has been set, just waiting for you to jump in!"


    ......


    The following day, at high noon.


    Outside the Imperial Capital''s Vermilion Bird Gate.


    Xiao Yi, Yu Huaxian, Hai Wei, and Li Jinjun had been waiting here for quite some time. All the warriors who ranked among the top ten thousand geniuses had gathered, each wearing a look filled with intense anticipation and excitement.


    After seven days of genius battles, they had emerged victorious.


    About to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    To receive the many rewards promised by Xiao Yi.


    Inside the Great Qian Dynasty, there stood numerous sects, especially the ten great sects.


    If one''s family had some connections, or one possessed sufficiently dazzling talent, they were generally spotted by one of the great sects around the age of ten or so. Among these people, many were over twenty years of age.


    The ten great sects did not regard them highly.


    If they had to rely on themselves, their martial arts journey would undoubtedly be difficult, with limited prospects.


    Now, the Xiaoshanhe Institute was offering them hope!


    "Dean, everyone has arrived!" Yu Huaxian stepped forward and said respectfully.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "No rush, we are still waiting for some people!"


    "Eh?"


    Yu Huaxian was baffled.


    After a momentary wait...


    Hoofbeats could be heard approaching, led by Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and Tian Xiao, with Qi and Yang Ling at their side.


    Yu Huaxian looked surprised and frowned, "What are they doing here?"


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, his words deliberate, "They''ve come to meet their death!"

 Chapter 358 - 358: Who Goes There?

    "Here to die!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth corners subtly lifted, his eyes flickering with a chilling glint.


    Yu Huaxian and the others were all momentarily stunned.


    At this moment...


    Yang Ling and his group had already arrived before them, with Yang Ling giving Xiao Yi a knowing wink.


    There was no mention of him in the initial inspection group roster, but upon learning of the conspiracy by Li Shengtian and others, Yang Ling volunteered to join the group. Emperor Qian was extremely fond of Yang Ling, naturally he wouldn''t reject his request.


    Chen Shuiwen and his two associates wore thick smirks of mockery, their provocative gazes fixed on Xiao Yi.


    Qi spoke in a deep voice, "Xiao, by the emperor''s command, we''ve formed the inspection group to join you back to Imperial Dragon Mountain, to review whether Xiaoshanhe Institute indeed has the capacity to guide these ten thousand disciples in their cultivation. These are official duties, and I hope Xiao doesn''t take offense!"


    Xiao Yi responded with a half-smile, "Is this the emperor''s wish?"


    "How audacious!"


    Chen Shuiwen shouted coldly, his face full of arrogance, "Xiao Yi, regardless of whose idea it was, it ultimately represents the emperor''s edict. Are you dissatisfied with the emperor''s edict?"


    "Who let something slip because they didn''t fasten their belt properly?" Xiao Yi said feigning confusion.


    "You..."


    Chen Shuiwen''s face turned an iron shade of green.


    What kind of thing would slip out if a belt isn''t tightened?


    Wasn''t Xiao Yi insulting him by calling him that ''thing''?


    "Oh, isn''t this Headmaster Chen? How come your Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is so empty that you have the time to join this inspection group and investigate our Xiaoshanhe Institute?" Yu Huaxian said, his face full of surprise as he loudly addressed Chen Shuiwen.


    Xiao Yi cleared his throat and pretended to be displeased, "Yu Huaxian, how can you speak to Headmaster Chen like this? He is the busy head of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, who has taken time out of his packed schedule to review our Xiaoshanhe Institute. What an honor for us!" S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hahaha, well then we''ll have to trouble Headmaster Chen!" Yu Huaxian bowed mockingly to Chen Shuiwen, his face full of provocation.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face alternated between shades of green and white.


    His Shanhe Martial Arts Academy didn''t even have one new disciple, what busy matters could he possibly have?


    Under Xiao Yi and Yu Huaxian''s mocking, his face turned as black as coal. He snorted coldly and said with a stern voice, "Xiao Yi, don''t rely on your verbal agility here. Today, we, as part of the inspection group, are acting with a sense of responsibility toward these ten thousand plus individuals. If your Xiaoshanhe Institute doesn''t have the capacity to support their cultivation, then these disciples will be transferred to our Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    Li Shengtian spoke indifferently, "Shanhe Martial Arts Academy has a fourfold Spirit Gathering Array, is supported by the resources of the Nangong and Beitang Families'' pills, and is provided martial arts techniques from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, among others. Their foundation is far stronger than that of Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    Tian Xiao said with a sinister tone, "Headmaster Xiao, let''s not waste everyone''s time. Today our inspection group will act impartially, and if Xiaoshanhe Institute is truly qualified, these disciples will naturally belong to you. However, if you are not up to par, we will have to take these disciples away!"


    "Headmaster Xiao..."


    Chen Shuiwen boasted, "The doors of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are already open for them. I''ll preemptively thank Headmaster Xiao for selecting these talented disciples for our Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved in a slight smile, "You might just end up regretting it!"


    "That''s far from certain!"


    "We''re very clear about the state of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "This time, you''re destined to be dressed up with nowhere to go!"


    Chen Shuiwen and the others were brimming with pride.


    Yang Ling frowned, "It''s getting late; let''s set off."


    "Let''s depart!"


    The three led the way.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Yu Huaxian, then signaled his followers, and headed toward Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Yang Ling came to Xiao Yi''s side. Since the first time he escorted Xiao Yi to Xiaoshanhe Institute, he hadn''t been back since. He knew the place well and spoke with concern, "Xiao Yi, I''ll try my best to meddle and save some disciples for you when the time comes."


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but no one has yet been able to snatch away a disciple from my Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Hmm?"


    Yang Ling was slightly stunned and, squinting at the confidence on Xiao Yi''s face, he said, "You''re that confident?"


    Xiao Yi nodded: "Of course, I have confidence."


    Yang Ling''s lips curled up as he said, "If that''s really the case, then you''ll have to slap them hard in the face for me. Even Emperor Qian has become angry this time. If it turns out that they have been misrepresenting the truth, at the very least, the hats on the heads of Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao won''t stay secure!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at the three smug figures ahead, a playful look in his eyes.


    Finally, the group arrived at the foot of Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    The Spirit Gathering Array of Xiaoshanhe Institute had not yet been activated and still appeared somewhat desolate. Chen Shuiwen and the other two''s smiles grew even brighter. Turning to look back at Xiao Yi, they said coldly, "Headmaster Xiao, does your Xiaoshanhe Institute not have a Spirit Gathering Array? Just look at how scarce the natural energy of heaven and earth is here, how can anyone cultivate in this place?"


    "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, with such conditions at your Xiaoshanhe Institute, you still dare to recruit so many disciples? You''re really misleading these young people!"


    "And you even treat slaves brought back from Beast Emperor City as instructors? Do you wish for a group of slaves to guide these pillars of the future Great Qian Dynasty?"


    The three chastised in deep concern and indignation.


    Within the crowd.


    The tens of thousands of disciples also felt bewildered. They hadn''t expected Xiaoshanhe Institute to be in such a state of decay and exchanged glances, whispering among themselves: "We''d heard that Xiaoshanhe Institute was in decline, but didn''t expect it to have fallen this far. Are we really going to cultivate here?"


    "It seems now it would be really better to join the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "At least they have a fourfold Spirit Gathering Array, and also experts from Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa to guide us... "


    With that, unexpectedly, over a thousand people had second thoughts, unwilling to join Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Chen Shuiwen''s lips tilted upwards as he spoke out loud: "Everyone, no need to worry. The doors of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are always open to you. If you do not wish to join Xiaoshanhe Institute, please stand on my side. Once the review is complete, I will take you back myself!"


    "Thank you, Headmaster Chen!"


    "We are willing to go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    More than twelve hundred people stood behind Chen Shuiwen.


    Yu Huaxian''s face turned ashen; he had not expected that even before they had entered the mountain gate, more than a thousand people had already changed their mind. He was about to scold them but was stopped by Li Shengtian: "Yu Huaxian, do you intend to threaten them in front of us and force them to join Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Chen Shuiwen spoke with heartfelt pain, "After all, whether these disciples choose Xiaoshanhe Institute or go to Shanhe Martial Arts Academy should be their own choice. How can we force them? By doing this, how can you assure us that you''re fit to take care of these future pillars?"


    At that moment.


    Another three hundred people joined the ranks behind Chen Shuiwen.


    Even before they had entered the mountain gate, there were already fifteen hundred people who had chosen to join the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    Yu Huaxian''s face looked incredibly displeased.


    Xiao Yi, however, appeared indifferent and said lightly, "Don''t be in such a hurry. It''s only just begun!"


    Chen Shuiwen nodded and said in a sardonic tone: "That''s right, it has just begun. Let''s continue with the review. Perhaps by the time we reach the mountain''s peak, you won''t have a single person left behind you! Hahaha..."


    The group moved majestically towards the mountain gate.


    From a distance.


    The gate had not a single disciple guarding it; shaking his head, Li Shengtian said, "This is Xiaoshanhe Institute? Without any disciples to guard the mountain, the gate simply lies open here, allowing anyone to freely enter and exit, it''s really disappointing!"


    Chen Shuiwen said with pride, "Don''t worry, Mr. Li. The doors of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy are guarded year-round by disciples in the Golden Core Realm; they certainly don''t lack discipline like this place!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking.


    From the direction of the mountain gate came two thunderous roars: "Who goes there?"

 Chapter 359 - 359: Eye-Popping

    "Who goes there?"


    A thunderous roar suddenly erupted, like a startling clap of thunder from the clear sky, nearly knocking Chen Shuiwen and his two companions off their horses.


    Hiss!


    Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and the third person''s faces turned pale, their hands clutching their ears, as their heads buzzed loudly.


    It was an utterly embarrassing sight.


    Chen Shuiwen glared in the direction of the mountain gate, "Who dares to be so bold, hiding your head and showing your tail, intentionally frightening us?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said indifferently, "Chen, you worry too much. We of the Xiaoshanhe Institute are upright and aboveboard; how could we engage in such sneaky acts?"


    "Upright and aboveboard? Hmph, if you really were, why would you hide your gate guardians?" Chen Shuiwen retorted with a dark face. That voice had almost scared him off his horse.


    It was certainly embarrassing.


    He had already heard many of the disciples discussing his panicked state.


    Yu Huaxian said indifferently, "Chen, you''re showing your ignorance. Our Xiaoshanhe Institute has never hidden its gate guardians..."


    "Not hidden?"


    Li Shengtian sneered, "If they aren''t hidden, then why can''t we see them?"


    Tian Xiao scoffed, "You''re not going to say there''s something wrong with our eyes, are you?"


    Yu Huaxian nodded and said, "Indeed, there is something wrong with your eyes. These two Mountain Guardian Demon Beasts are right in front of you, yet you look right through them!"


    "Mountain Guardian Demon Beasts?"


    Everyone was taken aback.


    All eyes turned towards the mountain gate, and there, in front of the white jade stone gate, sat a formidable demon beast on each side. These two demon beasts were meticulous and immobile, making them seem like statues.


    Gululu!


    Chen Shuiwen and the other two exchanged glances, "These are demon beasts?"


    Chen Shuiwen approached one of the demon beasts and reached out to test its authenticity.


    And then...


    Boom!


    Chen Shuiwen was sent flying, tracing a beautiful arc through the air, and crashed to the ground with a thud. Blood spewed from his mouth, and he looked utterly bewildered, while the demon beast he had touched coldly said, "Don''t you even look at what you are, daring to touch me with such filthy hands?"


    Hiss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but take a sharp breath.


    They looked at the two demon beasts in astonishment.


    Chen Shuiwen was at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and yet, this demon beast sent him flying with such ease, leaving him no chance to resist. The only possibility was that this beast was a Sixth Order Beast King.


    Sixth Order Beast King!


    This was an existence comparable to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and even the ten great sects would treat such a creature as a guardian spirit beast!


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute was using them as gatekeepers?


    "It must be a hoax, it has to be!"


    "How could anyone bear to use a Sixth Order Beast King as a gatekeeper?"


    "Even if they were willing to use it as a gatekeeper, such a proud being would never stand for such an insult!"


    All faces were a picture of bewildered confusion.


    Sixth Order Beast Kings, known for their immense pride.


    Let alone guarding a gate.


    Even taming them as mounts had an extremely low chance of success.


    Qi narrowed his eyes, withdrew his gaze from the two demon beasts, and turned to Xiao Yi, his eyes gleaming, "Xiao, if I''m not mistaken, these two Beast Kings are the very ones you subdued on the Great Liang Mountain, right?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and nodded, "Qi, you have sharp eyes indeed. After I gave these two beasts a beating, they insisted on guarding my gate with shameless persistence; I couldn''t even drive them away!"


    Everyone: "..."


    The two demon beasts: "..."


    A look of sorrow filled their eyes as they gazed at Xiao Yi.


    They had thought about fleeing more than once, but initially, they were subdued by Xiao Yi''s formidable martial force. Later, Xiao Yi offered them precious elixirs. In just over a month, the two mighty Beast Kings made breakthroughs from being comparable to the first level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm to the second level.


    You must understand...


    Demon beasts typically relied on the passage of time to cultivate. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Where would they find such precious elixirs?


    Now, the two of them were genuinely committed to staying here; they need not worry about being ambushed, nor fret over cultivation. Why would they object?


    Gululu!


    The crowd swallowed hard.


    The complexions of Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and Tian Xiao turned exceedingly grim, especially Chen Shuiwen, who wished he could burrow into a hole and hide. He had been so proud, boasting about the permanent presence of Golden Core Realm experts guarding his gate.


    Yet at Xiao Yi''s, there were beings of the Dharma Manifestation Realm stature!


    The blow to their pride was severe.


    For a moment...


    Within the crowd of over fifteen hundred people, some began to stir: "The Xiaoshanhe Institute can have Beast King experts guard its gate��such grandeur, even the ten great sects might not be able to accomplish that, right?"


    "Then why did we even leave Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "Let''s go back!"


    More than three hundred people tried to return to where Xiao Yi and the others were.


    However...


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "What do you think Xiaoshanhe Institute is? A place you can come and go as you please? Get lost and head back!"


    Boom!


    As if from nowhere, a violent gust of wind pushed those three hundred people back behind Chen Shuiwen.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face looked incredibly displeased.


    Scowling, he turned to the more than fifteen hundred people and said solemnly, "Everyone, remain calm... What truly offers assistance to you in a sect is not the gatekeeper but the powers within the sect and its various resources. This Xiaoshanhe Institute doesn''t even have a Spirit Gathering Array��cultivating here is no different from cultivating at home! My Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, however, has a Spirit Gathering Array that is four times as effective..."


    Li Shengtian''s eyes also lit up, his defeatist attitude swept away as he stared at Xiao Yi, "Dean Xiao, the most fundamental standard for establishing a sect is the Spirit Gathering Array, and you don''t even have one..."


    "Don''t rush!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "The Spirit Gathering Array has already been laid out by my people, and I estimate they will activate it very soon. Follow me and see for yourself!"


    "Being laid out? Humph, who doesn''t know that within the Great Qian Dynasty regarding Spirit Gathering Arrays, only that person from Tianjian Sect is the top one! The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy''s array was personally laid out by that very person. Do you mean to tell me that your Xiaoshanhe Institute found an Array Master even more skilled than him?" Chen Shuiwen said with disdain.


    Xiao Yi simply replied with a smile, "Let''s go up and have a look!"


    The group began to make their way toward the summit.


    Shortly after...


    They entered the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and at that moment, in the practice arena of Xiaoshanhe Institute:


    Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo were leading a group of disciples waiting there.


    As soon as Xiao Yi and his people reached the foot of the mountain, they had received voice transmissions from the two Beast Kings and were specially waiting here.


    "Hmm?"


    "Chen Ziyi? Li Youruo? It looks like the two of them really did betray Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa!"


    "But... These two are only six-star Array Masters; even if they work together, they couldn''t possibly set up a Spirit Gathering Array more powerful than the one at Shanhe Martial Arts Academy..."


    Li Shengtian sneered at Xiao Yi, "Dean Xiao, is the Spirit Gathering Array you mentioned laid out by these two? If that''s the case, it seems we needn''t bother to look any further, as there''s no way they can set up a stronger Spirit Gathering Array than the one at Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "That''s not necessarily true!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and looked toward Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo, "You heard Mr. Li. Why don''t you activate the Spirit Gathering Array and let them check it out?"


    "Yes!"


    The corners of their mouths raised slightly as they both ascended into the air.


    Each of them held an array flag in their hands. With a whoosh, the array flags entered into the mountain, and the two of them shouted in unison, "Activate the array!"


    Boom!


    A column of light, indescribably powerful, shot up into the sky.


    This pillar connected heaven and earth.


    Within the immense column of light, a profusion of stars ebbed and flowed, sketching out a magnificent star chart in the void that aligned with the trajectories of the constellations above, forming a massive vortex atop the sky of Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Rumble rumble!


    Countless elements of heaven and earth began gathering.


    Within ten miles.


    Within a hundred miles.


    Within a thousand miles...


    All the elements within a thousand miles seemed to be instantly drained.


    And the concentration of the heaven and earth''s essence within Xiaoshanhe Institute continued to soar.


    Twice as dense.


    Three times denser.


    Four times denser...


    In the blink of an eye, it had already surpassed the fourfold concentration of the Spirit Gathering Array at the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    "This, this is impossible..."


    "How could it be like this? What kind of terrifying formation is this, it''s actually..."


    Chen Shuiwen and his group were dumbfounded, their faces filled with horror.


    An hour later.


    The Spirit Gathering Array was fully operational, and the concentration of the heaven and earth''s essence within the Xiaoshanhe Institute had reached a staggering tenfold!


    Ten times the density of the heaven and earth''s essence caused the somewhat barren Imperial Dragon Mountain to begin covering itself with greenery at a speed visible to the naked eye. Flowers bloomed in abundance, dead wood sprang to life, bursting with vitality...


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled upwards, his gaze playful as he looked at Chen Shuiwen and the others, "Gentlemen, what do you think of my Spirit Gathering Array?"


    "..."


    The three of them were speechless, at a loss for words.


    The scene before them...


    Completely blew their minds!


    A Spirit Gathering Array with tenfold efficiency could be called a miracle!


    Chen Shuiwen''s eyes were bloodshot, unable to utter a word, only feeling a burning pain on his face. His smug fourfold Spirit Gathering Array seemed like trash compared to Xiaoshanhe Institute''s Spirit Gathering Array!

 Chapter 360 - 360: Turning Heaven and Earth Upside Down

    ```


    Slap! Slap! Slap!


    Chen Shuiwen could only feel a series of crisp slapping sounds beside his ear, the sharp sound of slapping, and his face was in excruciating pain.


    Today, he had come with the determination to wipe away the disgrace of the past.


    But the result...


    At the mountain gate.


    The Golden Core Realm disciples whom he took pride in, acting as gatekeepers, were directly crushed into powder by two sixth-order Beast Kings.


    Afterward.


    The fourfold Spirit Gathering Array he boasted about was once again battered beyond recognition by Xiao Yi''s tenfold Spirit Gathering Array.


    One failure after another caused Chen Shuiwen''s heart to sink to rock bottom.


    Behind him...


    The one thousand five hundred disciples were even more enraged, their eyes bloodshot and their breathing became rapid; their gazes filled with venom and hatred towards the three individuals like Chen Shuiwen. If not for them, it would be they who were cultivating under the tenfold natural energy of heaven and earth.


    Now.


    They had chosen betrayal.


    If it were before...


    They were already very content with cultivating under the fourfold Spirit Gathering Array at the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy.


    But now, having seen the tenfold Spirit Gathering Array of the Xiaoshanhe Institute with their own eyes, by comparison, it was naturally ten times more attractive!


    Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world.


    Especially for betrayal.


    Once is enough!


    Xiao Yi would absolutely not allow those who chose betrayal to return to the Xiaoshanhe Institute ever again.


    Yang Ling spoke indifferently, "Sirs, do you have any further objections regarding the inspection of Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    It was he who had originally proposed Xiao Yi as the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Li Shengtian and others had repeatedly targeted Xiao Yi; in Yang Ling''s view, they were targeting him as well.


    So, he had no pleasant expressions for the three of them.


    Li Shengtian''s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.


    They had not easily convinced Emperor Qian, allowing them to inspect the Xiaoshanhe Institute in the capacity of an inspection team; all of this was well-prepared. Before going to see Emperor Qian, they had sent people to probe around the Xiaoshanhe Institute three times.


    Each probe ended with the same result as Chen Shuiwen had stated; the Xiaoshanhe Institute was nothing special.


    That''s what led to this inspection.


    They had never imagined...


    That their plans would be shattered once again.


    Thinking of the military order they had issued in front of Emperor Qian, if they were to report back with such results, the three of them would indeed face severe punishment from Emperor Qian. Li Shengtian could even be sure that at the very least, he''d lose his official hat!


    "I have painstakingly reached this far, how could it end like this?" Li Shengtian''s eyes were blood-red with determination.


    "Mr. Li..."


    Yang Ling, with a piercing gaze, stared at Li Shengtian, pressing on.


    Li Shengtian took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on Xiao Yi, "Head Xiao is indeed formidable, having established the Xiaoshanhe Institute to such a state in just over a month. I believe the institute will flourish under your leadership. However, whether a sect can teach outstanding disciples is not only about these factors; what''s more important is the number and quality of the strong members within the sect!"


    Yang Ling said calmly, "As I am aware, there are now four individuals at the Dharma Manifestation Realm in Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Your Highness, I must correct you there!"


    "Oh?"


    Yang Ling was startled.


    Xiao Yi smiled and pointed to Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi, who had already come before the crowd, "Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo have broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and at the same time, both of them have also stepped into the ranks of seven-star Array Masters!"


    Hiss!


    Yang Ling took in a breath of cold air, his pupils shrinking sharply.


    Qi was also showing a discerning glint.


    Li Shengtian, Chen Shuiwen, and Tian Xiao''s faces changed colors continuously, looking incredulously at Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi.


    ```


    ```


    These two, they are very familiar with.


    Elders of Three Seas Mountain and Wendao Villa, but previously, both had been stuck at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm for many years, their progression in formations stopped at a six-star advanced level without any improvement. Even the seven-star Array Master from Tianjian Sect had said that in this life, they had no hope of becoming seven-star Array Masters!


    Now, both of them have actually broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm?


    And both stepped into the ranks of seven-star Array Masters at the same time?


    Plus that seven-star Alchemist, Fu Yuan.


    Doesn''t that mean...


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute now has a seven-star Alchemist and two seven-star Array Masters?


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Your Highness, my Xiaoshanhe Institute now has three great Beast Kings of the sixth order, six Dharma Manifestation Realm experts. There are over a hundred powerful individuals in the Tao Tribulation Realm; I wonder if such a lineup is enough to instruct these disciples?"


    Glug!


    Even Yang Ling, who had always supported Xiao Yi, couldn''t help but swallow his saliva when he suddenly heard the current lineup of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    He was acutely aware that, before Xiao Yi''s arrival, the Xiaoshanhe Institute only had a few thousand disciples, a hundred or so instructors, and fewer than ten individuals in the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    How long has it been since Xiao Yi took over the Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    Just one or two months in total.


    In just one or two months, if we include those three Beast Kings, it means the Xiaoshanhe Institute has gained a whopping nine Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses, and over a hundred in the Tao Tribulation Realm. Moreover, it has established an unprecedented tenfold Spirit Gathering Array from nothing at the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    What a heaven-and-earth-shattering change!


    With the Xiaoshanhe Institute in its current state, even compared to the top ten sects, the difference would only be in the top experts and elite disciples!


    Yang Ling''s face showed excitement; he held his chin high, his disdainful gaze fell upon Li Shengtian and his two companions, and his words contained an added sense of pride, "The three of you, do you have anything else to say?"


    "I, I..."


    Li Shengtian was momentarily at a loss for words.


    Tian Xiao''s face turned pale, his limbs feeble.


    Chen Shuiwen''s face showed struggle; he gritted his teeth and bravely said, "Your Highness, it is indeed beyond our expectations that Xiao has made the Xiaoshanhe Institute so powerful. However, as far as I know, those powerhouses in the Xiaoshanhe Institute are all slaves; they..."


    Slap!


    Before he could finish speaking.


    Chen Shuiwen was suddenly struck across the face by Xiao Yi, sending him flying sideways, his head striking the ground with a thud.


    The martial arts field trembled violently.


    Half of Chen Shuiwen''s head was buried in the dirt as Xiao Yi said coldly, "Anyone who joins my Xiaoshanhe Institute is a comrade of mine, Xiao Yi. I will not allow anyone to insult them based on their origins and backgrounds. Today, I spare your life, but if you dare to insult again, this will be the result!"


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi held his hand in the air, exerting force to manipulate an object from afar.


    Swoosh!


    A stone the size of a human head fell into his hand, and with a squeeze of his five fingers, the stone shattered into four or five pieces, spraying dust all around.


    Hiss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp, their gazes towards Xiao Yi filled with awe.


    Jin Feiyan and the other disciples who chose to follow Xiao Yi were dazzled, looking at Xiao Yi''s not particularly tall figure with admiration and fervor. Powerful, calm, proud, protective...


    Who else could be more suited to be their Institute Head than Xiao Yi?


    "Long live the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Long live Institute Head Xiao!"


    "Long live..." S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The group of disciples shouted loudly, their emotions surging.


    In contrast...


    The fifteen hundred disciples who had chosen to follow Chen Shuiwen and his group all hung their heads low, faces full of regret and frustration. Their gazes towards Chen Shuiwen and his companions were filled with spite and ferocity.


    If it weren''t for the words of those three, would they have chosen betrayal?


    "Damn it, to hell with Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, I''ll wait for the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s next recruitment to come back..."


    "I''ve decided, it''s Xiaoshanhe Institute or nothing!"


    Just as Chen Shuiwen, who had just been awakened by Li Shengtian, suddenly heard the words of the crowd, he let out a painful scream, spewing a mouthful of blood, his eyes rolling back as he fainted once more...


    ```

 Chapter 361 - 361: The Golden Throne

    "Chancellor Chen, Chancellor Chen..."


    Li Shengtian and Tian Xiao''s complexions changed dramatically as they hastily supported Chen Shuiwen.


    Their faces were as grey as death.


    The current Xiaoshanhe Institute was like an impregnable iron barrel, the only weakness being the slave status of its strong members, which could barely serve as a breach for them. But now Xiao Yi was so domineering and tyrannical that they dared not mention this matter anymore.


    This inspection aimed at the Xiaoshanhe Institute had utterly and completely failed.


    Yang Ling said indifferently, "Gentlemen, I will definitely report to the Emperor that this inspection of the Xiaoshanhe Institute was entirely baseless, surely someone has been secretly instigating trouble, intending to slander Chancellor Xiao. I believe the Emperor will surely give Chancellor Xiao a satisfying explanation!"


    Whoosh!


    The complexions of the three men, Li Shengtian, turned deathly pale in an instant.


    Qi eyed the three of them and having a favorable impression of Xiao Yi, coupled with a deep understanding of Emperor Qian''s thoughts, said indifferently, "I too will report the truth!"


    Hum!


    Li Shengtian and his companions felt a buzz in their heads, a wave of numbness washing over their scalps.


    It''s over!


    Completely over!


    The three men exchanged looks, and their vision darkened; they all fainted on the spot.


    "What a disgraceful display..."


    Yang Ling looked coldly at the three men, then turned to Xiao Yi, saying, "Xiao Yi, I will take them back to report. You can rest assured, after this they will not die but will be severely punished!"


    "Thank you, Your Highness!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and then took out two bottles of elixirs, which he had personally crafted the previous evening at the Treasure Pavilion.


    A total of two bottles.


    He handed them to Yang Ling and Qi, smiling, "These are just some elixirs I made when I had the time!"


    Yang Ling smiled and directly accepted them.


    However, Qi seemed somewhat embarrassed.


    Xiao Yi added, "They''re just some trifles, no need for you to be so polite!"


    Yang Ling said, "Grand Eunuch Qi, just accept them!"


    "Well..."


    Grand Eunuch Qi hesitated for a moment, then received the jade bottle, saying, "Thank you, Chancellor Xiao!"


    "No need for thanks!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head.


    Immediately after...


    Yang Ling and Grand Eunuch Qi, taking the three persons with them, soared into the sky and left.


    In the void.


    Yang Ling saw Qi fiddling with the jade bottle and suggested, "Grand Eunuch Qi, since you''re curious, why not open it and take a look?"


    "Alright!"


    Upon opening the jade bottle, Qi inhaled sharply and then forced a smile, saying, "It appears I now owe Chancellor Xiao a tremendous favor!"


    Yang Ling, too, opened his own bottle, and his expression drastically changed.


    The bottles contained seventh-grade elixirs.


    Yang Ling, who was stuck at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm and just a step away from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, found that his bottle contained the high-level seventh-grade Law-Phase Elixir, which could dramatically increase the chances of breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm by fifty percent, a veritable miracle drug.


    The bottle in Grand Eunuch Qi''s hand contained the seventh-grade Pine Crane Longevity Elixir, which could extend one''s lifespan by a hundred years!


    Those in the Dharma Manifestation Realm could live for a thousand years.


    Grand Eunuch Qi, whose lifespan was not much longer, now had a Pine Crane Longevity Elixir that could add another hundred years to his life, and possibly even more, significantly increasing his chances of reaching for that legendary Longevity Secret Realm.


    The two exchanged a glance.


    Their eyes simultaneously fell on the three men including Chen Shuiwen.


    Yang Ling said, "Grand Eunuch Qi, I''m afraid I''ll need your assistance with this matter!"


    "Rest assured, Your Highness!"


    Qi nodded, his eyes cold, "They are undoubtedly dead men!"


    The two immediately put away the elixirs and headed towards the imperial palace. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    Within the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Jin Feiyan looked at Xiao Yi with curiosity and asked, "Master, why didn''t you just kill them directly?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at her and said indifferently, "They are already on the path to death, so why bother taking action myself?"


    Li Shengtian and his group had targeted them time and again, which had touched Emperor Qian''s sore spot.


    After all.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute had the royal family''s backing.


    Li Shengtian and the others had even teamed up with Three Seas Mountain, Wendao Villa, the Nangong Family, and the Beitang Family to establish the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to target the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Now, they wanted to put the Xiaoshanhe Institute in a desperate situation, and Emperor Qian was merely lacking a reason to put them to death!


    Now...


    He had that reason.


    With the help of Yang Ling and Qi, their death was certain!


    "Huh?"


    Jin Feiyan was stunned, not understanding.


    Xiao Yi did not explain but turned to Yu Huaxian: "Huaxian, go to the back mountain and gather the Shadow Demons. Taking advantage of today''s recruitment of disciples into the Xiaoshanhe Institute, we should also establish some new rules!"


    "Yes!"


    Yu Huaxian left immediately.


    A moment later...


    The Shadow Demons, who had been training those few hundred disciples in the back mountain, returned to the practice arena. With them came the several hundred disciples who had originally chosen to stay at the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Along with the more than eight thousand newcomers, they formed a group of nearly nine thousand disciples.


    Outside, five Dharma Manifestation Realm masters, over a hundred Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, and dozens of Golden Core Realm teachers formed the instructor lineup.


    With a bitter smile, Yu Huaxian said, "We must be the only sect where the number of people from the Tao Tribulation Realm outnumbers those from the Golden Core Realm, right?"


    Xiao Yi smiled wryly.


    As Yu Huaxian said, the proportion from the Tao Tribulation Realm in the Xiaoshanhe Institute was indeed excessive.


    He looked at the few hundred disciples, who under the training of the Shadow Demons had made significant breakthroughs in just seven days. Each of them had gained an invisible aura of evil qi and fighting spirit.


    One must know...


    The Shadow Demons all came from the Slave Battlefield, where every battle was a matter of life and death.


    It was fight or perish!


    Every move they made was a deadly attack risking their own lives.


    They dared not hold back in the slightest.


    Under their guidance, the growth of these disciples was also astonishingly fast.


    Shadow Demon stepped forward and reported, "Chief, all disciples and instructors have arrived!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and waved his hand.


    With a booming sound, the land beneath their feet rose abruptly amidst a series of loud noises. High platforms made of earth and stone emerged from the ground in the practice arena, towers several dozen feet tall.


    Thrones carved from sturdy rocks appeared in the center of the high platforms.


    There were eleven thrones in total.


    The one in the center radiated a brilliant and noble golden light, while the five on each side shone with a silver glow.


    All eyes focused on those eleven thrones.


    Everyone''s face showed a look of confusion.


    No one knew what Xiao Yi was planning!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi, under the gaze of nearly ten thousand pairs of eyes, took his place on the central golden throne. Sitting upright, the golden light from the throne made him seem even taller and filled with authority.


    Although his cultivation was not the highest among those present, even Shadow Demon felt no disloyalty when facing Xiao Yi.


    Sitting upon the golden throne.


    Xiao Yi looked down upon the more than nine thousand people. His calm gaze carried an indescribable weight of pressure.


    The crowd couldn''t help but clench their fists, feeling as if their blood had been ignited.


    Their blood boiled with excitement!


    Xiao Yi slowly withdrew his gaze and said in a loud voice, "..."

 Chapter 362 - 362: Comprehensive Reforms

    "Today, as you join the Xiaoshanhe Institute and become disciples under me, this is a momentous occasion!"


    Xiao Yi slowly began, his voice clear and resonant like a thunderclap on a sunny day, the reverberating thunder striking every ear.


    It echoed over the vast Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    All eyes fixed intently on Xiao Yi, unblinking, carefully listening to every word he spoke.


    Xiao Yi''s voice became ever more tranquil, yet the authority in his words grew increasingly powerful, "I believe that many of you must have heard of the Xiaoshanhe Institute before this."


    The crowd nodded.


    "Go on, tell me, what is the Xiaoshanhe Institute like in your minds?" Xiao Yi asked.


    The crowd exchanged glances, at a loss for words.


    Amidst the people,


    Jin Feiyan, always the lively one and rather brazen, blurted out, "Trash! What I''ve heard the most is that if you don''t make an effort, you''ll end up in the Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    The crowd: "..."


    Ye Heng glared fiercely at her.


    Jin Feiyan had a aggrieved look on her face, "Brother, I''m not wrong!"


    "Hahaha, Fei Yan is correct. Once, in the eyes of everyone in the Great Qian Dynasty, the Xiaoshanhe Institute was nothing more than a trash bin. Only those who were rejected by the top ten sects and the four major families would come to the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Xiao Yi was frank, and his words made the faces of those who had already been in the Xiaoshanhe Institute grow somewhat solemn.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said��


    When they first entered the Xiaoshanhe Institute, there were not any tests to speak of.


    Anyone who came to sign up could join straight away.


    There were even some ordinary people who had not reached the Physical Body Realm; as long as they paid a certain amount of money, they could enter the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Bearing the identity of a disciple from the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    That was a disgrace!


    During that shameful period, everyone was reluctant to admit they were disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute out in the world.


    Xiao Yi''s tone shifted, his voice growing more uplifting, "Those days are gone!"


    "Hmm?"


    The crowd suddenly looked up.


    With each word he spoke, it was as if he could strike the deepest chord in their souls, "From now on, being a disciple of the Xiaoshanhe Institute will no longer be a mark of disgrace. You can stand tall and proud, you can tell anyone loudly that you are from the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    The crowd''s breathing began to grow rapid.


    "From now on, the identity of a disciple of the Xiaoshanhe Institute will be a glory, will be the highest radiance. When everyone knows your identity, they will no longer scorn and mock but envy and look up to you. The identity of a Xiaoshanhe Institute disciple will also become synonymous with the strong, with genius!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice was high-spirited, his gaze cutting through the crowd like a knife edge, thunderous and resounding, he asked like a thunderclap from a clear sky, "Do you want to be trash?"


    "No... we don''t!" Sear?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The crowd''s response was somewhat intermittent, somewhat disordered.


    "Do you wish to become a disgrace?"


    "We do not!"


    The crowd''s voice became much more unified.


    "Do you want to become stronger?"


    "We do!"


    This time nearly seventy percent of the people started shouting at the top of their lungs.


    "Do you want to stand equal with, or even surpass, the disciples of the top ten sects?"


    "We do!"


    "I dream of it!"


    Almost all the disciples were screaming hysterically.


    Among them were former disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute and also those commoners who had hit walls at the top ten sects, without money or influence, until the opportunity from Xiaoshanhe Institute finally gave them a path to rise.


    In this moment...


    The fighting spirit that had been dormant within them for years, their edges worn down by reality,


    Were simultaneously ignited by Xiao Yi!


    "Xiaoshanhe Institute once experienced glory, and it also fell into decline..."


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly deepened, then rose high, like a person''s heartbeat, causing everyone''s breathing to become rapid at times and deep at others, "I will lead you, lead Xiaoshanhe Institute to a new era of splendor, to surpass the past. Would you trust me?"


    Boom!


    The faces of the crowd turned red, even those strong individuals from the Beast Emperor City stretched their necks at that moment, their veins pulsing: "Believe! Believe! Believe!"


    Roars shook the heavens.


    Echoing through the sky!


    The rolling sound waves surged like pillars, rushing towards the heavens, forcefully scattering the clouds above the sky.


    A faint smile appeared on Xiao Yi''s lips, revealing a look of satisfaction.


    Before this...


    Their sense of belonging to Xiaoshanhe Institute wasn''t strong, but now, Xiao Yi had planted a seed in everyone''s heart.


    As long as this seed took root and sprouted, grew strong.


    It would surely become a towering tree in the future!


    "Ladies and gentlemen!"


    Xiao Yi looked towards Shadow Demon, Li Youruo, Yu Huaxian, and others, and said solemnly, "Effective immediately, our Xiaoshanhe Institute will no longer be just about instructors and students. All instructors will be divided into Elders and Deacons based on strength and contributions, and all students will be collectively known as disciples, also divided into levels based on your cultivation and contributions!"


    "What? Divided into levels?"


    "Elders and Deacons? How is that to be divided?"


    "Disciples are also based on cultivation and contributions? What exactly does that mean?"


    Everyone''s hearts were filled with both anticipation and hesitation.


    Before this...


    The amount of resources every disciple at Xiaoshanhe Institute received was completely up to the instructors.


    If you were in good terms with your instructor, you naturally received more resources.


    If you were someone without backing, like Ye Heng previously, and not favored by your instructor, you might not even receive a single silver.


    "From the first to the third realm of the Golden Core Realm, you will be One-Star Deacons, from the fourth to the sixth you are Two-Star, and from the seventh to the ninth, you are Three-Star Deacons. The Tao Tribulation Realm will be Elders, also divided into three stars. Those strong in the Dharma Manifestation Realm will be Hall Masters, entitled to a throne!"


    Xiao Yi continued, "As for the disciples, those below the Shentong Realm will be up to Three-Star, Golden Core Realm from four to six stars, Tao Tribulation Realm from Seven to Nine-Star disciples. Dharma Manifestation Realm disciples will be True Disciples, and the top-ranking True Disciple will be the Saint Heir! Whether instructors or disciples, from this moment on, you will enjoy the appropriate level of benefits. Those who join Xiaoshanhe Institute in the future, in addition to cultivation requirements, will also need to accumulate points in order to rise in level!"


    Hiss!


    All the strong ones looked at each other for a moment.


    The instructors present were almost all above the Golden Core Realm, meaning they were at least One-Star Deacons.


    If they were to join Xiaoshanhe Institute in the future, in addition to fulfilling the requirements of cultivation, they would also need to accumulate points. This clearly favored those currently present, and everyone accepted this without objections.


    After all...


    Those still here could rightly be called the veterans!


    Ye Heng stepped forward and said solemnly, "Master, what is meant by ''Hall Master''?"


    All eyes turned to Xiao Yi.


    This ''Hall Master'' he just mentioned was someone who could enjoy the honor of a throne!


    Their gazes fell upon the ten silver thrones shimmering beside Xiao Yi, their eyes turning envious for a moment.


    To be able to sit upon a silver throne at Xiao Yi''s side.


    That would be a supreme honor!


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly as he said, "From this moment on, our Xiaoshanhe Institute will be divided into five halls. These five halls will be the Punishment Hall, in charge of law enforcement; the Skill Transmission Hall, in charge of cultivation technique inheritance and the management of the scripture vaults; the All Things Hall managing resource distribution; the War Hall in charge of external campaigns; and the Task Hall responsible for the distribution of disciples'' tasks and point tallying."


    The Punishment Hall was the internal law enforcement system.


    The Skill Transmission Hall was responsible for teaching cultivation techniques and secret manuals, and the strong individuals in this hall must be skilled in guiding cultivation.


    The All Things Hall was essentially the previous accounting office.


    The War Hall would inevitably be the location of the strongest military force in the future.


    The Task Hall was for points and task coordination; in Xiao Yi''s vision for the reformed Xiaoshanhe Institute to function smoothly, this Task Hall was crucial.


    For a moment.


    Everyone''s eyes were fixed on Xiao Yi, awaiting the announcement of the chosen masters for each hall...

 Chapter 363 - 363: The Five Hall Masters

    Xiao Yi sat upright on the golden throne.


    He pointed to the first seat to his left and said in a clear voice, "Punishment Hall Hall Master, Xiao Lin!"


    Whoosh!


    A beam of golden light burst forth from him, as a golden figure soared through the nine heavens.


    The figure, originally only the size of a palm, twisted its huge body in the sky, constantly enlarging with the swallowing and spitting of golden light until it became a gigantic figure a hundred yards long.


    A pair of shimmering golden wings flapped on either side, each beat causing the clouds above to burst open.


    Four claws hung in the air as if capable of shredding the void.


    Two dragon horns on top of its head were exceptionally dazzling.


    Majestic!


    Little Lin let out a long howl to the sky, the sound thunderous and earth-shaking. Suddenly, a violent wind arose, dark clouds gathered, and rolling thunder crashed down, covering the entire Imperial Dragon Mountain with the aura of a sixth-order high-level Beast King.


    Boom! Boom!


    At the mountain gate.


    The two sixth-order Beast Kings guarding the gate exchanged glances, their eyes filled with terror as they looked at the enormous golden figure in the void.


    The two creatures lay prostrate on the ground, shivering.


    Within a hundred miles of Imperial Dragon Mountain, all the demon beasts lay down on the ground as if worshipping their supreme king!


    At this moment, Little Lin''s aura was comparable to that of an Eightfold Dharma Manifestation Realm creature, causing even figures like Shadow Demon to change color.


    Whoosh!


    Little Lin''s form shrank rapidly, returning to Xiao Yi''s side and taking his place on the first throne to the left. Though his form was no longer as towering and immense as before, the looks everyone gave him were still filled with awe and fear.


    This was a being on par with the top existence of the Eightfold Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    And at the same time...


    From the moment he flew out of Xiao Yi''s arms, it was clear what Little Lin''s relationship was with Xiao Yi.


    With him presiding over the Punishment Hall, no one dared to disobey.


    Xiao Yi continued, "The Hall Master of the Skill Transmission Hall will be Chen Ziyi!"


    Whoosh!


    Chen Ziyi, dressed in a purple robe, flashed his form and landed in front of Xiao Yi, "Disciple obeys the order of the master!"


    Hiss!


    As soon as these words were spoken, a surge of astonished voices rose from the training field, "What? Mr. Chen is actually Xiao''s disciple?"


    "You don''t know the whole story. Mr. Chen was able to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm and become a Seven Stars Array Master so quickly all thanks to Xiao!" S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Xiao is that formidable?"


    Even the various Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses looked at Xiao Yi with growing reverence.


    Amidst the exclamations.


    Chen Ziyi immediately walked to the first throne on the right hand side.


    When he was at Wendao Villa, he was in charge of transmitting skills and Formations. Now that he has broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm and become a Seven Stars Array Master, no one objected to him taking the position of Hall Master of the Teleportation Hall.


    "The Hall Master of the All Things Hall, Fu Yuan, is currently on a mission. Next, let us welcome the Hall Master of the Battle Hall, Shadow Demon!" Xiao Yi looked towards Shadow Demon in the crowd.


    Shadow Demon was stunned.


    He had not expected Xiao Yi to entrust him with such an important responsibility, to take the position of a Hall Master.


    And such a crucial one as the Battle Hall!


    Just as the Punishment Hall manages the internal affairs of Xiaoshanhe Institute, the Battle Hall is the strongest martial force meant for external affairs.


    Shadow Demon was originally a slave, Xiao Yi had restored his freedom, and now he was entrusting him with a heavy responsibility. His eyes turned blood red as he shot forward to Xiao Yi. He knelt down with a thump and said loudly, "Principal, rest assured, Shadow Demon will not disappoint you!"


    "Lord Shadow Demon, please take your seat!" Xiao Yi raised his hand in a gesture, helping Shadow Demon to his feet.


    Shadow Demon acknowledged with a heavy grunt and took his seat in the second position on the right.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the crowd, noticing that everyone was looking at him, clearly everyone was anticipating the identity of the last Hall Master of the Task Hall.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled slightly upwards, and his eyes rested on Li Youruo, "Task Hall Hall Master Li Youruo!"


    Whoosh!


    Li Youruo soared into the sky and landed in front of Xiao Yi, saying with great respect, "Thank you, Master. Your disciple will surely not fail your trust!"


    Even with Chen Ziyi before him, Li Youruo nevertheless addressed Xiao Yi as Master.


    It once again caused a stir among the crowd.


    That two Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses were willing to become disciples of Xiao Yi was enough to prove Xiao Yi''s strength and terror.


    The likes of the Shadow Demon looked at Xiao Yi with eyes increasingly filled with awe.


    Within the crowd.


    Jin Feiyan looked at Ye Heng with a worried frown, "Senior brother, our Master actually has two disciples from the Dharma Manifestation Realm? The pressure on us is so great!"


    "Don''t be afraid!"


    Ye Heng smiled.


    Jin Feiyan was taken aback, and said sweetly, "Senior brother is so kind, always knowing how to comfort junior sister!"


    As soon as she finished speaking.


    Ye Heng said indifferently, "Master said that I am a Battle War Holy Body, and as long as I follow his guidance, breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm is almost a certainty."


    "I..."


    Jin Feiyan was instantly in disarray.


    On the high platform.


    With the five Hall Masters already having their candidates, who then are the remaining five thrones for?


    Xiao Yi looked at the expressions on everyone''s faces and said solemnly, "Vice Hall Master Yu Huaxian of the Punishment Hall, Vice Hall Master Xue Bufan of the Skill Transmission Hall, Vice Hall Master Yan Mingli of the All Things Hall, Vice Hall Master Shu He of the Battle Hall, and Vice Hall Master Zhang Ling of the Mission Hall. Except for Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan, who are occupied with tasks and absent, let the other three come up quickly!"


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Yu Huaxian, Shu He, and Zhang Ling all flew up to the high platform at the same time.


    Yu Huaxian looked at everyone with a bitter smile on his face, "Institute Head, everyone present is a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert, I..."


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "I believe in you!"


    "..."


    Yu Huaxian''s body trembled.


    Having started off on the wrong foot with Xiao Yi, Yu Huaxian had followed him all this way. Xiao Yi had never let him down, and now, he was entrusting him with a heavy responsibility.


    This trust.


    Caused Yu Huaxian''s eyes to heat up.


    "Huaxian, this is the thing I promised you!" Xiao Yi tossed out a bottle of medicinal pills.


    Yu Huaxian had castrated himself for the sake of cultivating the Cultivation Technique.


    Ordinary Jade Fetal Elixir could not regenerate his ''thing,'' but yesterday, Xiao Yi had finally found enough medicinal ingredients to refine a special Jade Fetal Elixir that, once taken, should enable Yu Huaxian to regain his manhood.


    Thump!


    Yu Huaxian held the jade bottle in both hands and heavily knelt on the ground, "Thank you, Institute Head, for granting me a new lease on life. Huaxian will lay down his life in gratitude, never to betray you!"


    "You''re already the Vice Hall Master of the Punishment Hall, what kind of dignity is it to kneel at every turn?"


    Xiao Yi raised his hand, and Yu Huaxian stood up once more. Xiao Yi said lightly, "You must work hard, and break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm as soon as possible!"


    "Yes!"


    Yu Huaxian nodded heavily.


    Without too many words, his resolute heart spoke volumes.


    Everyone took their seats.


    Although Fu Yuan, Yan Mingli, and Xue Bufan were absent, leaving three thrones empty, the lineup of eight people sitting up there still gave a sense of looking up. These eleven thrones would be the very top existence of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    At the same time...


    They were also like the Calm Sea Divine Needle, suppressing the entire Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    All eyes unanimously turned to Xiao Yi, sitting in the center, the man who had changed the once disorganized Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Indeed, he had united the entire Xiaoshanhe Institute as never before!


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over everyone, seeing some of the disciples showing signs of anxiety on their faces �C these were the disciples who had participated in the Genius Battle and were waiting for their rewards. The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, and he looked at Mission Hall Master Li Youruo, "Youruo, both the main and deputy heads of the All Things Hall are absent, so let you, the Hall Master of the Mission Hall, distribute the rewards for the Genius Battle!"

 Chapter 364 - 364: Beheading at the Meridian Gate

    Li Youruo immediately rose to her feet, standing before the elevated platform.


    She received the talent battle rankings list from Yu Huaxian and promptly unfolded it, announcing loudly, "This genius battle started with ten thousand disciples and now there are eight thousand four hundred and fifty-two remaining."


    The lost thousand and more were precisely those who had previously chosen to follow Chen Shuiwen.


    Xiao Yi had already made it clear that Xiaoshanhe Institute was not a place they could come and go as they please.


    Having chosen to leave, they could not possibly be employed again.


    Even if Xiaoshanhe Institute were to recruit disciples in the future, they would definitely not be selected.


    Li Youruo said solemnly, "Every disciple outside the top hundred will gain an additional hundred points. Each point is worth ten thousand taels of silver, which can be exchanged for cultivation resources at the All Things Hall."


    Boom!


    An exclamation erupted from the crowd instantly.


    Thousands of people were boiling with excitement!


    The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy had promised one hundred thousand taels of silver, but Xiaoshanhe Institute granted points worth a million taels of silver. The treatment for the ordinary disciples was tenfold greater in difference!


    Li Youruo continued, "From the twenty-first to the hundredth place, each person will receive a reward of one thousand points!"


    One thousand points.


    This was a resource reward worth ten million taels of silver!


    This was absolutely a grand gesture!


    Everyone''s gaze inevitably fell on the top twenty strong individuals, as their rewards would surely be even more substantial.


    Li Youruo went on, "From the eleventh to the twentieth place, you may receive a reward of three thousand points, from the fourth to the tenth place five thousand points. In addition, each of the aforementioned disciples will receive one Martial Dao Divine Fruit from a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse."


    Boom!


    This time, the crowd was completely boiling over!


    The points awarded for such rankings were no longer important; what truly made people envious was the Martial Dao Divine Fruit from the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses.


    Each one was worth billions of taels of silver.


    The crowd''s breathing grew rapid.


    Jin Feiyan and Lei Li, who had obtained the top three places, were especially staring wide-eyed.


    As for the third-place Hong Zilong...


    He had previously chosen to follow Chen Shuiwen in leaving, and naturally, his name was missing from the rewards list.


    Jin Feiyan murmured, "That guy is probably crying somewhere, unaware of this!"


    Lei Li next to her nodded, heaving a sigh and saying, "I don''t know why, but thinking of him crying somewhere makes me feel so good!"


    "How can you be like that? It''s wrong to take joy in other people''s misfortunes!"


    Jin Feiyan glared at him, then lowered her voice, "Although, I feel the same way, but reveling in another''s misfortune should be done quietly!"


    "Mhm, mhm!"


    Lei Li nodded in agreement.


    At that moment,


    Li Youruo announced solemnly, "The second-place Lei Li will receive a reward of ten thousand points, and he will also obtain a Martial Dao Divine Fruit from the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    Boom!


    The crowd was thoroughly astounded.


    When Xiao Yi proposed using a Martial Dao Divine Fruit from a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse as a reward, many strong individuals still expressed doubt. After all, even if a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse was slain, they would usually self-destruct their Martial Dao Divine Fruit before death.


    This was an extremely rare treasure!


    A Martial Dao Divine Fruit from the Dharma Manifestation Realm was worth over a hundred billion taels of silver! sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And it was priceless!


    If Lei Li were to really sell it, countless people would likely fight over it, and selling it for hundreds of billions of taels of silver wouldn''t be a problem!


    Gurgle!


    Jin Feiyan swallowed her saliva, her eyes shining, fixated on Li Youruo.


    Li Youruo gave her a slight smile and said, "The first-place Jin Feiyan will receive a Martial Dao Divine Fruit from a fourth-tier Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse, along with a reward of twenty thousand points!"


    "Yay!"


    Jin Feiyan leaped up joyously like a spirited swallow, her cheeks flushed with excitement.


    Li Youruo put away the list in her hands, speaking in a deep voice, "These are the rewards for all the disciples in this genius battle. Additionally, I will announce another decision from Director Xiao. Every disciple who chose to stay at Xiaoshanhe Institute will receive a reward of one thousand points."


    Boom!


    The original disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, who had been somewhat disheartened, were now utterly dumbfounded.


    They had thought that with Xiao Yi obtaining these excellent disciples selected through the genius battle, they had been forgotten about. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yi still remembered them and awarded each of them one thousand points.


    Though compared to the rewards for Jin Feiyan and Lei Li, one thousand points wasn''t much,


    These were rewards from the genius battle.


    By merely choosing to stay at Xiaoshanhe Institute, they could gain one thousand points, which made these disciples all the more grateful to Xiao Yi. They were aware that they were the ones whom Chen Shuiwen had looked down upon, the marginalized at Xiaoshanhe Institute who hardly got any resources.


    Now, Xiao Yi valued them greatly.


    Immediately, everyone felt a sense of pride and belonging to Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    "Report to the Headmaster, the mission has been completed!" Li Youruo said to Xiao Yi, giving a respectful cupped fist salute.


    Xiao Yi nodded, stood up tall, and ascended the high platform.


    His gaze swept over everyone''s faces as he spoke in a deep voice, "My friends, I hope you all can treat Xiaoshanhe Institute as your own home. Let us work together to revitalize our homeland!"


    "Revitalize our homeland!"


    "Long live the Headmaster..."


    Cheers erupted, shaking the heavens and the earth.


    Under the nourishment of the world''s life energy, the grass and trees in the mountainsides and the myriad flowers competed for beauty.


    It was as if everything was heralding a new beginning for Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    With a grand wave of his hand, Xiao Yi gently lowered the platform and the eleven thrones also descended into the ground. This was an application of the power of earth and heaven, which, at its ultimate extent, even allowed legends of unparalleled beings to create continents with a mere gesture.


    However...


    Xiao Yi was still a considerable distance away from such a realm.


    Just as Xiao Yi was concluding the reorganization and reforms of Xiaoshanhe Institute, within the imperial palace, Emperor Qian had already summoned his officials and was in the midst of a thunderous rage.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Emperor Qian furiously threw the memorials and tea cups onto the ground, looking down at Chen Shuiwen and two others kneeling below, as well as the silent court officials with heads bowed, he coldly said, "Look, take a good look, these are the loyal ministers of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"


    The court officials chorused.


    "Calm my anger? How do you expect me to calm my anger?"


    Emperor Qian, like an enraged Azure Dragon, let out a low roar like thunder, "I have set my heart on revitalizing Xiaoshanhe Institute, but look at what they are doing? Time and again they aim at Xiaoshanhe Institute, they even frame and defame, and do not hesitate to establish their own faction in defiance of me. Are these the loyal ministers who claim loyalty to me? Ah? Is this your so-called loyalty?"


    "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"


    "We deserve to die a thousand deaths!"


    The court officials kneeled down one after another.


    Li Shengtian and the others did not dare to raise their heads and trembled uncontrollably.


    "A thousand deaths? Since you all believe they should die, then I will satisfy you... Guards, take these three men and behead them at the Wumen gate!" Emperor Qian growled, his icy gaze sweeping over the court officials.


    Especially pausing slightly over the figure who stood at the first position on his left, who had kept his eyes closed and silent.


    Buzz!


    Li Shengtian and the others'' faces changed repeatedly as they frantically kowtowed, begging for mercy, "Your Majesty, spare our lives, oh spare us..."


    "Your Majesty, we won''t dare to do it again!"


    "Take them out!"


    Emperor Qian snorted coldly, "After the beheading, send their heads to Xiao Yi!"


    "Yes!"


    Several guards immediately escorted the three men away.


    Silence fell upon the Golden Throne Hall.


    Emperor Qian resumed his seat, only to see the person at the first position on his left step forward and speak, "Your Majesty, with Chen Shuiwen sentenced, Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is without a leader. This is an excellent opportunity to bring it under Your Majesty''s control."


    "Oh?"


    Emperor Qian narrowed his eyes, looking at the man, "What are your thoughts, Uncle Royal?"


    This person was Yang Yuhuan, the unrivaled war king of the Great Qian Dynasty and a figure at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Yang Yuhuan spoke indifferently, "Your servant believes that Prince Yang Ling is the most suitable person to serve as the headmaster of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "Hm?"


    A cold light flickered in Emperor Qian''s eyes.


    Everyone knew that Yang Ling strongly supported Xiao Yi.


    Appointing him as the headmaster of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, how would he get along with Xiao Yi?


    The old fox!


    Emperor Qian snorted inwardly, speaking indifferently, "Yang Ling is still young and not suited for this position. I think it''s the son-in-law of the Royal Uncle, Brave General Sun Yao, who is the right candidate."


    "Sun Yao?"


    Yang Yuhuan frowned slightly and said, "Your Majesty, Sun Yao is in command of the border army..."


    "It''s fine, the border army can be entrusted to someone else!"


    Emperor Qian waved his hand, smiling faintly, "Issue my edict, appointing Brave General Sun Yao as the headmaster of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. Command Deputy Commander Pang Yi to proceed to the eastern frontier army to take over Sun Yao''s post!"


    "Yes!"


    "His Majesty is wise!"


    The officials all responded in unison.


    Emperor Qian and Yang Yuhuan exchanged glances, their gazes colliding in the void like actual substances, sparking fierce flames.


    Yang Yuhuan''s eyes grew slightly cold as he cupped his fists, "This servant will obey Your Majesty''s decree!"

 Chapter 365 - 365: Someone from the Nangong Family Comes

    The Imperial First-Rank Minister Li Shengtian, along with Tian Xiao and the headmaster of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, Chen Shuiwen.


    News of their scheduled public beheading outside the Meridian Gate spread quickly throughout the entire imperial capital.


    Countless strong figures hurried towards the Meridian Gate.


    To know that...


    Just a few days ago, during the opening ceremony of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, Chen Shuiwen was a name known throughout the imperial capital.


    Of course.


    This was not a good reputation, but it indeed made him a topic of conversation. It was unexpected that just a few days had passed, and they were to be beheaded outside the Meridian Gate, one could imagine the immense sensation it caused.


    Especially for the Nangong Family and the Beitang Family, the news shocked the whole clan.


    The Nangong Family residence.


    With a gloomy face, Beitang Feng looked at Nangong Shengtian in front of him, "Ancestor Nangong, could His Majesty''s sudden move against Mr. Li and the others be related to the establishment of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy?"


    "Impossible!"


    Nangong Shengtian shook his head and said in a deep voice, "With His Majesty''s tactics, it is absolutely impossible for him to vent his anger on Li Shengtian and the others over the affairs of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. I have already sent people to inquire in the palace, and I believe news will come soon!"


    Beitang Feng nodded, but his expression remained grave, "I hope it''s not bad news."


    An hour later.


    Nangong Yi rushed back hastily, and after saluting the two, he said gravely, "Ancestor, Mr. Beitang, I have found out the details. This time, it was the three of them, Li Shengtian, who took matters into their own hands and erected a military order, forming an inspection team to audit the Xiaoshanhe Institute. This is what provoked His Majesty, leading to their doom!"


    "A military order?"


    The two men were stunned.


    Nangong Yi then proceeded to relay every detail of the information he had gathered to them.


    "Idiots!"


    Nangong Shengtian shook his head, "These three are truly courting death!"


    Beitang Feng was speechless, "It seems that the setback from the earlier opening ceremony has driven Chen Shuiwen out of his senses. If Xiao Yi dared to hold this genius battle, how could he possibly be unprepared? This is clearly a trap, yet he jumped into it headlong��"


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes, "Do we know who will replace Chen Shuiwen?"


    Beitang Feng also looked towards Nangong Yi.


    This was the most important matter at the moment.


    With Chen Shuiwen''s death, Shanhe Martial Arts Academy would be leaderless.


    The Nangong Family and Beitang Family had invested many resources in the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, with just those lands alone valuing hundreds of billions of silver. If the academy were now to be taken over by the royal family, it would be a tremendous loss for them.


    With an odd look, Nangong Yi said, "According to the information I''ve received, His Majesty has appointed Brave General Sun Yao to replace Chen Shuiwen!"


    "Sun Yao?"


    The two men, Nangong Shengtian, paused, looking at each other, "Is that the grandson-in-law of the Peerless War King?"


    "Exactly him!"


    Nangong Yi said.


    Beitang Feng furrowed his brows, "Strange, the Peerless War King has always been at odds with His Majesty. How could His Majesty entrust Shanhe Martial Arts Academy to Sun Yao?"


    "No, giving it to Sun Yao is the most appropriate choice!"


    Nangong Shengji''s eyes twinkled with wisdom as he lifted his gaze to the door, speaking ominously, "Our His Majesty is a sovereign ruler; if he were to directly control Shanhe Martial Arts Academy now, it would surely make Xiao Yi wary. But by entrusting it to Sun Yao, he can ingeniously use Xiao Yi and the Peerless War King to weaken each other, while he reaps the benefits!"


    "Then what about us��" Beitang Feng asked doubtfully.


    Nangong Shengji narrowed his eyes, revealing a cold smile, "Currently, our greatest enemy is Xiao Yi. He has joined forces with Treasure Pavilion, attempting to suppress our medicinal business, so he must be eliminated!"


    Beitang Feng inquired, "Do you already have a plan?"


    With a sly smile, Nangong Shengji said, "We just need to do this��"


    ��


    Imperial Dragon Mountain, Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Xiao Yi was arranging a Formation, and now that the Xiaoshanhe Institute has established five halls, each with its own duties, although there was still some unfamiliarity among them, the machinery had started to operate. As long as the halls got through the initial teething period��


    the Xiaoshanhe Institute would surely get on the right track in the future.


    In a huge cave dug a hundred meters deep underground.


    Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi looked at Xiao Yi as he inscribed one formation glyph after another, showing expressions of confusion. Even though the two of them had become Seven Star Array Masters, facing the Formation Xiao Yi was setting up, they still felt clueless.


    Chen Ziyi asked, "Master, what exactly is this Formation?"


    Xiao Yi smiled, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said, "What do you think our Xiaoshanhe Institute is lacking the most right now?"


    "Lacking the most?"


    Chen Ziyi was stunned and frowned slightly.


    His wife, Zhou Jing, said, "Master must be talking about the disciples'' cultivation, right?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said with a smile, "Zhou Jing is correct. Currently, the strength of the elders in charge at our Xiaoshanhe Institute is barely comparable to the top ten sects, but in terms of the number and quality of disciples, we are far inferior to them."


    "Master, then this Formation?" Li Youruo asked in confusion.


    As far as they knew, except for the Spirit Gathering Array, there wasn''t any Formation that could assist in cultivation!


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "Once the Formation is complete, you will understand." He paused, then handed them the formation diagram, "Follow the markings here and inscribe the glyphs around the perimeter."


    "Yes!"


    The two nodded and began to inscribe the Formation glyphs.


    At this moment...


    Ye Heng came in from outside and said to Xiao Yi, "Master, Nangong Yi from the Nangong Family requests an audience!"


    "Who?"


    Xiao Yi was startled and looked up at Ye Heng.


    Ye Heng said solemnly, "The visitor claims to be Nangong Yi, the Direct Disciple of the Nangong Family head, and has important matters to seek an audience for!"


    "Oh?"


    "Master, the people from the Nangong Family coming to us at this time, could it be that they want to reconcile?"


    Xiao Yi stroked his chin, showing a hint of amusement, "No matter what they''re here for, continue inscribing the glyphs. I''ll go see what this is about!" Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A moment later.


    Xiao Yi met Nangong Yi in the guest hall. This person was at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, yet his demeanor was very respectful. When he saw Xiao Yi come out, Nangong Yi bowed to him, performing the salutations meticulously: "Nangong Yi pays respects to Head Xiao!"


    "Please, have a seat!"


    Xiao Yi sat in the seat of honor, watching Nangong Yi sit down and showing a playful look, "What brings you to me?"


    Nangong Yi said in a deep voice, "Head Xiao, I wonder if you''ve heard about His Majesty ordering the beheading of Chen Shuiwen, Li Shengtian, and Tian Xiao at the noon gate?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "About half an hour ago, His Majesty just had their heads sent over, I''ve already thrown them to the dogs in the back mountain!"


    "..."


    Nangong Yi''s face twitched slightly.


    He hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to be so blunt, not bothering to cover up the facts.


    After all��


    Even though there was a deep hatred between them, to the dead goes respect. Xiao Yi disposing of their heads by feeding them to the dogs in the back mountain to vent his anger was not exactly honorable. Most people would much likely have tried to cover it up.


    Xiao Yi being so candid was something Nangong Yi found hard to adapt to.


    Xiao Yi laughed, "What, you''re not here to claim their heads, are you? If that''s the case, you might still find a few bones if you go to the back mountain now!"


    "Er..."


    Nangong Yi let out a wry smile and said, "Head Xiao, you misunderstand, my visit this time is for..."

 Chapter 366 - 366: Men Die in Pursuit of Wealth, Birds Die in Pursuit of Food

    "I am here to deliver a gift to Director Xiao!" sea??h th�� N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nangong Yi''s face bore a mysterious smile.


    With the flick of a finger.


    A secret letter flew out from his storage ring and landed in Xiao Yi''s hand.


    The seal on the secret letter was intact, unbroken.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "What is this?"


    Nangong Yi smiled and said, "You will know once you''ve read it!"


    Xiao Yi opened the secret letter.


    It was addressed to Xiao Zhengde.


    The gist of the content was that Xiao Tianjiao had received Xiao Zhengde''s letter, aware that Xiao Yi had taken over the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Xiao Tianjiao''s disdain for Xiao Yi was palpable, even leaping off the page from just a few words, which still made it clear that in Xiao Tianjiao''s eyes, Xiao Yi was no more than an ant.


    At the end of the letter...


    Xiao Tianjiao told Xiao Zhengde that he had important matters to attend to and couldn''t return in a short time.


    He instructed Xiao Zhengde to use this letter to seek help from the unrivaled War King Yang Yuhuan, to deal with Xiao Yi.


    Bang!


    Flames blazed in Xiao Yi''s palm, burning the letter to ashes. Xiao Yi looked calmly at Nangong Yi, his eyes serene as he said, "I have read the letter. What exactly is your purpose in handing it to me!"


    Nangong Yi spoke solemnly, "Director Xiao, my great ancestor tasked me to pass on a message to you: there are no eternal enemies. The Nangong Family has invested a tremendous amount of capital in Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, but now the Emperor has handed over the academy to Sun Yao, who is the War King''s son-in-law. The great ancestor hopes we can set aside past grievances and join forces to drive Sun Yao out of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. The great ancestor is willing to turn hostility into alliance with you!"


    Xiao Yi leaned back in his chair.


    His fingers gently tapped on the armrest.


    All of this seemed flawless, as if just as Nangong Yi had said.


    Yet it was this seemingly impeccable rationale that made Xiao Yi sense something extraordinary. However, he did not outright reject the offer, but instead said, "Go back and tell your great ancestor that I have received the letter. As for the cooperation, we shall discuss it after the one-month agreement is over!"


    Nangong Yi maintained his composure, replied with a smile, "Good, I will relay your message to the great ancestor!"


    Watching Nangong Yi''s retreating figure.


    Little Lin emerged from Xiao Yi''s embrace and coiled around his shoulder, "Boss, the Nangong Family harbors ill intentions!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and gently rubbed Little Lin''s head, saying, "Follow him!"


    Whoosh!


    Little Lin transformed into a streak of light, vanishing from sight.


    Xiao Yi''s head rested against the back of the chair, his eyes narrowed to slits, with a cold glint flickering within, "Xiao Tianjiao... It''s been over two years since we last met, and you remain as prideful as ever! In your eyes, am I still not worth your personal attention?"


    The fingers tapping on the armrests suddenly paused.


    Xiao Yi stood up and left.


    Only after his figure had completely disappeared did the chair he had been sitting in explode with a bang, reducing it to dust.


    ......


    After leaving Xiaoshanhe Institute, Nangong Yi immediately headed back to the Nangong Family.


    But he didn''t realize that as he left, a golden light had already hidden itself within his body.


    Within the Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengtian had been waiting for some time; seeing Nangong Yi return, he looked anxious, "How did it go?"


    Nangong Yi gave a wry smile, "The secret letter has been delivered to Xiao Yi, but he refuses to bite. He only told me to convey to you that everything will wait until after the one-month agreement is concluded!"


    Bang!


    Nangong Shengtian smashed the table beside him in fury, "Damn it, this cunning kid..."


    "Ancestor, Xiao Yi refuses to fall for it. What should we do?" Nangong Yi asked.


    Nangong Shengtian''s face was gloomy as he snorted coldly, "Since he won''t take the bait and making him clash with Yang Yuhuan to buy us time is impossible, we can only hope that Ning Kang succeeds in stealing that secret recipe. If he can produce a higher quality pill, we might be able to turn defeat into victory!"


    Over the past few days...


    The price war between the pills of Treasure Pavilion and the Nangong Family has been escalating.


    Currently, Treasure Pavilion is selling pills at a 60 percent discount.


    The Nangong Family is simply unable to replicate this.


    After all...


    Even if they reduced their prices further, Treasure Pavilion would immediately match them, and moreover, over these past days, the word has spread that the quality of Treasure Pavilion''s pills far surpasses those of the Nangong Family''s. At equivalent prices, no one is buying the Nangong Family''s pills.


    The Nangong Family is suffering huge losses every day.


    With the financial resources of the Nangong Family, they can only hold out for about another ten days.


    "Nangong Yi, go see Ning Kang immediately and urge him to act faster... and also, give him this package. If there''s a chance, throw this into their Pill Furnace��" Nangong Shengtian instructed as he handed a paper package to Nangong Yi, "Remember, do not let anyone discover this!"


    Nangong Yi nodded and said, "Rest assured in my handling of this!"


    Watching Nangong Yi leave, Nangong Shengtian took a deep breath and his face showed a chill expression, "Let''s hope everything goes smoothly! Whether it''s getting the secret recipe or using this package, either can put them in a dead end!"


    The moon rose to the treetops, and the starlight was dim.


    In the dark of night.


    A shadowy figure sneakily emerged from Treasure Pavilion, heading to a small courtyard nearby.


    Knock! Knock! Knock!


    After a few intermittent knocks, the room''s door finally opened, and the figure was quickly pulled inside.


    Nangong Yi looked at Ning Kang, "Did you get the thing?"


    Ning Kang nodded, a look of excitement on his face, "I got lucky today. Master Fu Yuan seemed to be preoccupied with something important, and the Pavilion Master and the rest were all guarding him. That gave me the chance to steal this secret recipe from the Pavilion Master''s room!"


    "No problems with the item, I hope?" Nangong Yi asked.


    Patting his chest, Ning Kang replied, "You can rest assured, I risked my life for this!"


    "That''s good!"


    Nangong Yi nodded, handed the package he was carrying to Ning Kang, and said in a low voice, "The Ancestor said, find a chance to throw this into their Pill Furnace. Once it''s done, leave Treasure Pavilion immediately. We''ll have someone to meet you. Afterward, I''ll call you Nangong Kang, and we''ll be brothers of the same clan!"


    Thump!


    Thump!


    With his face flushed red, Ning Kang nodded earnestly, "Rest assured, I''ll go do it right away!"


    Watching Ning Kang''s departing figure.


    Nangong Yi smiled coldly, looking down at the secret recipe in his hands, his eyes gleaming, "Finally in my hands. If Ning Kang can throw that package into the Pill Furnace, then it''s truly foolproof!"


    Whoosh!


    Nangong Yi immediately left.


    He did not realize...


    All of this was being watched by Little Lin, hiding in the shadows.


    With a slight shift in gaze, and a hint of coldness emerging, Little Lin moved toward Treasure Pavilion. After a moment, he stealthily entered the pill-making room, waiting until deep into the night, when a silent figure appeared in the quiet pill room.


    Ning Kang looked at the huge Pill Furnace with a cold gleam in his eyes, "Men die for wealth as birds die for food, don''t blame me for this. Who told you all to side with Xiao Yi?"


    Whoosh!


    Ning Kang took a deep breath and threw the paper package into the Pill Furnace...

 Chapter 367 - 367: Adding Fuel to the Fire

    Late at night.


    After throwing that package into the Pill Furnace, Ning Kang fled in a mad dash, seeking refuge with the Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengtian and Nangong Shengji personally received him.


    This made Ning Kang even more certain that his decision was the right one. He kowtowed respectfully to the two men and said, "Elders, head of the family, I have followed your orders and have thrown that package into the Pill Furnace!"


    "You''ve done very well!"


    Nangong Shengtian smiled and nodded, walking up to Ning Kang and patting his shoulder. "Ning Kang, now there is one more thing I need you to do. Once it''s done, you will be my adopted grandson!"


    "Please give me your instructions, Elder!" Ning Kang said excitedly, thumping his chest in assurance.


    Nangong Shengtian, with a smile, said, "The secret formula you brought back has already been tested by someone. Following that formula truly can greatly increase the success rate and the rate of producing top-quality pills. However, if it''s just that, we are still incapable of crushing the Treasure Pavilion!"


    They had started to test the formula in the evening as soon as they obtained it.


    The results, following the operations on the formula.


    For Nangong Shengtian, a Pill Furnace that typically produced about fifteen pills now yielded thirty, and every single one was a top-quality pill.


    This sent the Nangong Family into an ecstatic frenzy.


    But...


    Just as he said.


    If it were only that, the Nangong Family would still be unable to completely defeat the Treasure Pavilion.


    Ning Kang, whose mind was fully occupied with becoming Nangong Shengtian''s adopted grandson and reaching the peak of his life, hurriedly asked, "Elder, what else do you need me to do?"


    Nangong Shengtian narrowed his eyes and said, "Within these three days, my Nangong Family will spare no effort in hurrying to produce pills using the method from that secret formula. Three days later, we will also lower our prices and sell this batch of new pills. I need you, three days from now, to stand out as the deputy Pavilion Master''s son and accuse the pills sold by Treasure Pavilion of being highly poisonous!"


    "What?"


    Ning Kang''s body trembled, and he said in disbelief, "How can this be?"


    Whether it was stealing the secret formula or throwing that mysterious package into the Pill Furnace, these actions were done in secret.


    Even if the Treasure Pavilion found out, they would have no evidence.


    But if he were to openly stand against Treasure Pavilion, he feared that both Treasure Pavilion and Xiao Yi would be eager to kill him!


    Nangong Shengtian said, "Rest assured, with the protection of my Nangong Family, no one can harm your life!" S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This..."


    Ning Kang showed a hesitant expression.


    Nangong Shengji spoke indifferently, "If you refuse to help us, we will tell Treasure Pavilion about your stealing the formula and poisoning the Pill Furnace. At the same time, we will personally escort you to Treasure Pavilion to ease the tension between our two parties!"


    "..."


    Ning Kang turned pale.


    The two old men, who in his eyes had always been benevolent, now seemed like fierce beasts ready to devour their prey.


    Ning Kang realized that he was in a predicament with no way out and, with a somber face, said, "Alright, alright! I can come forward, but the pills from Treasure Pavilion are of excellent quality. How could they possibly be deadly poisons..."


    "Did you forget the package I had you throw into the Pill Furnace? There were no deaths before, but within three days, people will certainly die!" Nangong Shengtian said with a chillingly sinister smile.


    That laugh was enough to send shivers down the spine.


    A forced smile appeared on Ning Kang''s face.


    Nangong Shengtian glanced at Nangong Yi, "Take him down and take good care of him. In three days, let him come forward!"


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Yi immediately stepped back.


    Inside the great hall, only Nangong Shengtian and his companion remained. His face bore a look of excitement as he spoke in a deep voice, "I never imagined that such a miraculous secret formula truly existed in the world, one that could increase the success rate of pill creation and the rate of producing superior-grade pills. It''s a wonder where they got it from!"


    "No matter where they got it from, it now belongs to us!"


    Nangong Shengji''s face was adorned with a radiant smile, "Right, have all the pills been tested?"


    "They''ve all been tested!"


    Nangong Shengtian smiled, and as he recalled the astonishing outcomes of trying to concoct pills with that secret formula, he couldn''t help but remark, "If it hadn''t been for Ning Kang, in this battle with the Treasure Pavilion, we probably would have suffered a crushing defeat!"


    Only ten days had passed.


    The losses of the Nangong Family had already exceeded eight hundred billion Silver. If it hadn''t been for the Beitang Family taking on the pressure of the urgent debts from Medicine King Valley, the Nangong Family would have already collapsed.


    However...


    Now that they had the secret formula in hand, and with Ning Kang adding that packet of material to the Pill Furnace, they were confident they could strike back from the brink of defeat.


    "If we can crush the Treasure Pavilion in one fell swoop and bring them into our fold, who else in the Nangong Family could stand against us?"


    Nangong Shengji clenched his fists, greed evident in his gaze as he looked at Nangong Shengtian, "Go find Beitang Feng at once and have him gather the medicinal ingredients as soon as possible. Also, summon all the alchemists in the family to concentrate on concocting pills. In three days, I want to take down the Treasure Pavilion in one stroke!"


    Meanwhile.


    In the alchemy room of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Little Lin, Xiao Yi, Nalan Qianqiu, Fu Yuan, Yan Mingli, Xue Bufan, and Ning Luo were all gathered together.


    Ning Luo''s complexion was exceedingly pale as he looked at the packet of white powder in Xiao Yi''s hand, his fierce gaze mixed with a hint of heartache.


    Thud!


    Ning Luo knelt before Nalan Qianqiu, tears welling up, "Master, it''s all because I failed to teach my son properly. Please punish me, Master!"


    "Stand up!"


    Nalan Qianqiu sighed, helping Ning Luo to his feet, and said with a wry smile, "Ning Kang made his own choices, what does it have to do with you?"


    Xiao Yi spoke calmly, "Vice Pavilion Master Ning, there is no need for such self-reproach!"


    "Xiao..."


    Ning Luo said with a rueful smile, "Had you not uncovered that scoundrel''s conspiracy, he would have destroyed the Treasure Pavilion."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "The real culprits are the Nangong Family. Had they not incited and instigated the affair, I believe Ning Kang wouldn''t have committed such a folly."


    Nalan Qianqiu looked at Xiao Yi and asked in a serious voice, "Xiao, what exactly is this substance?"


    Xiao Yi smiled, lifting the packet of powder in his hand, and said, "This is pollen from the Other Shore Flower. Taken alone, it simply causes one to fall into a deep sleep, with no toxicity. However, it turns into a deadly poison when mixed with any medicinal ingredient. Furthermore, a Pill Furnace that has come into contact with Other Shore Flower pollen, or any pill that has been made using this pollen, will infect other pills it touches with this poison."


    Hiss!


    Everyone drew in a breath of cold air.


    Did it mean that once pills are concocted in such a Furnace, even if they were stored with other pills, they could turn the other pills into deadly poison?


    "The Nangong Family, they really have ruthlessly poisonous hearts!" Nalan Qianqiu clenched his fists tightly.


    Ning Luo glared indignantly, "I swear, I will not claim to be human until I have avenged this!"


    "Revenge is not urgent at this moment!"


    Xiao Yi, however, waved his hand and said with a smile, "What''s most important for us now is to add fuel to the fire for the Nangong Family!"


    "Add fuel to the fire?"


    Everyone was puzzled, not understanding the meaning behind Xiao Yi''s words.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes glowed like the deep expanse of the night sky as he smiled and said, "Pouring oil on the fire will make it burn even more fiercely... until it completely consumes the vast enterprise of the Nangong Family, burning it to ashes and oblivion..."

 Chapter 368 - 368: Digging Ones Own Grave

    Beitang Family.


    Beitang Feng looked troubled as he faced Nangong Shengtian, who was composed and at ease, and said with a wry smile, "Ancestor Nangong, please stop making things difficult for me!"


    Nangong Shengtian glanced at him and said indifferently, "Beitang Feng, considering the relationship between our two families over so many years, are you really unwilling to do me this small favor? I promise you that once the deal is successful, I will repay all the previous debts to you!"


    When he thought of the secret recipe he had received.


    It was a secret recipe that could double the rate of successful pill concoction and the rate of producing premium-grade pills!


    With the low prices at which he obtained medicinal ingredients from the Beitang Family, even selling them at one-tenth of the price would be profitable.


    That was precisely where Nangong Shengtian''s confidence lay.


    Beitang Feng, with a mournful face, said, "Ancestor Nangong, for your sake, I''ve already been scolded by the people from Medicine King Valley several times for shouldering that previous debt of fifteen trillion Silver. Now you want me to procure another ten trillion Silver of goods, it''s simply impossible!"


    As it turned out.


    Nangong Shengtian had come this time to procure another ten trillion Silver worth of medicinal ingredients from the Beitang Family.


    However...


    They already owed fifteen trillion Silver from before, and it was only because the relationship between the Beitang Family and Medicine King Valley was strong enough that they had been able to delay payment. Otherwise, given the Medicine King Valley''s domineering manner of doing things, they would have already come knocking at their door.


    Bang!


    Nangong Shengtian slammed his cup onto the tea table and angrily said, "Beitang Feng, this time you have to help whether you like it or not. If you help us, I will give you an additional one trillion Silver on top of the debts owed by the Nangong Family as compensation!"


    "This��"


    Beitang Feng''s expression shifted slightly.


    Selling medicinal ingredients was not as profitable as selling pills.


    One trillion Silver was equivalent to his entire year''s profit.


    Seeing Beitang Feng tempted, Nangong Shengtian pressed his advantage and said, "Once we take down Treasure Pavilion and seize their market share, I am willing to give you thirty percent of Treasure Pavilion''s shops, how about that?"


    Thirty percent of the shops?


    Beitang Feng''s heart trembled, knowing that the shops of Treasure Pavilion were by no means fewer than those of the Nangong Family.


    If he could get one trillion Silver in rewards, plus the thirty percent of the shops.


    This deal would be equivalent to earning nearly two trillion Silver!


    With that thought.


    Beitang Feng was about to agree when, at that moment, a servant rushed in, "Master, Ning, the Vice Pavilion Master of Treasure Pavilion, is here requesting an audience!"


    "Hmm?"


    Beitang Feng was startled, "Ning Luo? What''s he doing here?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s gaze shifted and he said in a deep voice, "I''ll excuse myself for a moment!"


    "Alright!"


    Beitang Feng nodded, then turned to the servant, "Bring the person in!"


    A moment later.


    Ning Luo appeared in the hall, his face carrying a radiant smile as he greeted, "Mr. Beitang, long time no see, how have you been?"


    "Vice Pavilion Master Ning, it has been some time since you last visited my residence, what brings you here today?" Beitang Feng responded coolly, already accustomed to acting superior from having had a stranglehold on the medicinal ingredient supply to Treasure Pavilion for so long.


    Ning Luo replied with a wry smile, "Mr. Beitang, you should be aware that recently our Treasure Pavilion and the Nangong Family have been in a price war. We are quickly running out of medicinal ingredients and are urgently searching for supplies. The Pavilion Master asked me to come to you for help!"


    "Oh? I thought you had already found another source for your medicinal ingredients, why seek my help?" Beitang Feng said mockingly.


    Ning Luo shook his head with a bitter smile, "Mr. Beitang, you should know where those medicinal materials come from. The black market in Beast Emperor City is really too extortionate; they know about our critical struggle against the Nangong Family and suddenly broke the contract, unilaterally raising prices. We just can''t afford it, so we have no choice but to turn to you..."


    "Oh?"


    Beitang Feng''s eyes moved subtly, and Nangong Shengtian''s voice suddenly echoed in his mind, "Ask him how much medicinal ingredients he needs!"


    "Deputy Pavilion Master Ning, how much medicinal material do you need?" Beitang Feng asked.


    Ning Luo replied solemnly, "I won''t hide it from you, we had originally agreed with Beast Emperor City to purchase medicinal materials worth two hundred trillion Silver, but they suddenly raised the price, demanding three hundred trillion. The Pavilion Master hopes that you can sell us two hundred trillion worth of goods at the original price!"


    "Two hundred trillion?"


    Beitang Feng''s pupils shrank slightly.


    Goods worth two hundred trillion Silver, at the price he sold to Treasure Pavilion, would net a profit of fifty trillion Silver.


    "Agree to it!"


    The voice of Nangong Shengtian once again resounded in his mind, "But demand a hundred trillion Silver as a deposit!"


    Beitang Feng took a deep breath, squinting his eyes and said, "I can provide the goods for you, but I need a hundred trillion Silver as a deposit!"


    "A hundred trillion Silver for a deposit? Isn''t that too much?" Ning Luo''s face changed slightly, showing hesitation.


    Beitang Feng said indifferently, "If you think it''s too much, you don''t have to buy!"


    "This..."


    Ning Luo showed a struggling expression and, gritting his teeth, said, "Very well, please sign a contract with me, Mr. Beitang!"


    "Agreed!"


    Beitang Feng immediately took out paper and pen, and the two signed a contract.


    Treasure Pavilion paid a hundred trillion Silver as a deposit to order goods worth two hundred trillion Silver, and the Beitang Family would deliver within seven days. If the Beitang Family failed to provide the goods after seven days, they would compensate Treasure Pavilion with one hundred and fifty trillion Silver.


    At the same time...


    If Treasure Pavilion couldn''t come up with the remaining one hundred trillion Silver within seven days, the transaction would be void, and the deposit would not be refunded!


    All these were the same as the usual contracts.


    Beitang Feng wasn''t concerned.


    Ning Luo said solemnly, "Mr. Beitang, you must hurry. The goods must be delivered to me within seven days!"


    "Don''t worry, this isn''t our first transaction!" Beitang Feng said with a smile.


    Ning Luo left immediately.


    Only then did Nangong Shengtian come out from behind, watching the direction in which Ning Luo left with a cold smile on his face, "It''s really like a pillow arriving in time for someone wanting to sleep, Treasure Pavilion, oh Treasure Pavilion, it seems Heaven wants you doomed, don''t blame me for this!"


    Beitang Feng asked with a heavy tone, "Ancestor Nangong, what do you plan to do?"


    Nangong Shengtian said, "Naturally, I''m going to use your hundred trillion Silver to buy medicinal materials for myself!"


    "But that''s Treasure Pavilion''s deposit. If I use the money to buy materials for you, and they ask me for the goods, I won''t be able to produce them and will have to compensate with one hundred and fifty trillion Silver!" Beitang Feng frowned and said.


    "Don''t worry, they won''t last seven days!"


    Nangong Shengtian sneered with confidence, "As long as you get the goods to me as fast as possible, within three days, I will make sure that Treasure Pavilion can''t continue operating!"


    "Are you sure?"


    Beitang Feng frowned and said.


    This matter could not be taken lightly, a single misstep could shake the very foundation of the Beitang Family!


    Recalling the miraculous prescription in his mind, Nangong Shengtian patted his chest, guaranteeing solemnly, "Just be at ease, I assure you there will be no problem!"


    "If that''s the case, then I will trust you this time!" Beitang Feng said resolutely, nodding, "I will set off immediately, and at the latest by tomorrow morning, I will have the medicinal materials delivered to you!"


    Nangong Shengtian''s face glowed with anticipation, "Treasure Pavilion, this is really digging your own grave, hahaha..."


    A moment later.


    Nangong Shengtian quietly left the Beitang Family, riding away in his luxurious carriage.


    But Nangong Shengtian did not notice.


    Across from the Beitang Family, on top of a tavern where he was drinking with Ning Luo, Xiao Yi''s lips curved up slightly, watching the slowly departing carriage, "Nangong Sheng, you are really digging your own grave!" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 369 - 369: Your Majesty Summons!

    Great rewards beckon the brave.


    Under the allure of money, Beitang Feng''s actions indeed were swift.


    That very night, he returned to the imperial city with medicinal materials worth a trillion silver, handing them over to Nangong Shengtian.


    Nangong Shengtian''s face was full of excitement as he burst into hearty laughter, "Good, good, very good! With these medicinal materials and that secret formula, we can surely produce pills worth thirty trillion silver. With this move, we''re talking about profits exceeding sixty trillion silver. We''ve struck it rich!"


    Even on Nangong Shengji''s eternally unchanging, icy face, a brilliant smile emerged.


    Sixty trillion silver!


    It could double the wealth of the Nangong Family!


    Beitang Feng, too, was secretly astounded. In the past, the profits of the Nangong Family merely doubled, but now they were set to quadruple, causing him also to feel an uncontrollable itch of greed as he said solemnly, "Ancestor Nangong, what mysterious treasure have you found that can increase the yield and quality rate of the pills by so much?"


    Nangong Shengtian smiled at him and squinted his eyes, "Of course we''ve made a great discovery!"


    "Ancestor Nangong, may I also take a look?" Beitang Feng asked with a sycophantic smile.


    Nangong Shengtian looked at Nangong Shengji.


    Nangong Shengji said, "It''s fine. Mr. Beitang is our most steadfast partner; there''s no need to guard against him!"


    He had his own plans as well.


    The Beitang Family was backed by Medicine King Valley, a connection they absolutely could not afford to lose.


    If Beitang Feng saw the Nangong Family''s strength, their cooperation would become even more solid.


    The group arrived deep within the Nangong estate.


    There was an underground palace constructed deep below the ground; the palace connected to an underground fire vein, using which they had built over a thousand Pill Furnaces. Every one of these thousand Pill Furnaces was manned by an alchemist.


    The reason the Nangong Family could stand firm, even unafraid to face Treasure Pavilion, was not only due to the Beitang Family providing medicinal materials at a low cost but also thanks to these thousand alchemists.


    This was the wealth that the Nangong Family had inherited over a thousand years.


    "Master!"


    Over a thousand alchemists called out in unison.


    Nangong Shengji nodded. These alchemists were orphans with the talent for alchemy, adopted from childhood, raised, and deeply loyal to the Nangong Family.


    Of course...


    How many of them were indeed orphans, and how many were made orphans by the Nangong Family, that was unclear.


    Nangong Shengji spoke calmly, "Everyone, our Nangong Family is currently facing a life-or-death crisis... Whether our Nangong Family lives or dies will depend on your performance in these next few days!"


    "Master, we swear to defend the Nangong Family to our dying breath!"


    "What do you need us to do?"


    The crowd asked.


    Nangong Shengji lifted the forty storage rings in his hand and said in a deep voice, "These contain medicinal materials worth a trillion silver. I need you to refine them into finished pills as quickly as possible."


    "Rest assured, Master, even if we die in front of the Pill Furnace, we will complete the task!"


    "Master, should we use the secret formula you provided earlier?"


    Nangong Shengji nodded and said, "Yes, use that formula. If this operation is successful, I promise you a month off after the task is completed, to reunite with your families!"


    "Master is wise!"


    These individuals had been brainwashed from a young age, devoted entirely to the Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengji then distributed the medicinal materials, and instantly the whole underground palace was bustling with fervent activity.


    Flames surged.


    Over a thousand Pill Furnaces roared into operation, with over a thousand alchemists starting to craft pills.


    The sight was truly terrifying!


    Every person was giving it their all, exerting their full strength.


    With the help of the secret formula, the success rate of pill formation and the rate of producing top-quality pills from each Pill Furnace doubled. Watching pill after pill freshly come out of the furnace and being stored into medicine bottles, Beitang Feng was completely dumbfounded, "This, how is this possible? Thirty pills per batch, all of them top-quality?"


    Nangong Shengtian was smug, "How about it? You''re not worried now, are you, that we can''t afford to pay those sums?"


    "Impressive, truly impressive!"


    Beitang Feng sincerely exclaimed, "With such a Divine Artifact at hand, let alone the Treasure Pavilion of the Great Qian Dynasty, even the main pavilion of the Treasure Pavilion could be brought down by you one day!"


    Nangong Shengji laughed heartily and gently patted Beitang Feng''s shoulder, saying, "We owe it to your support! The glory of one is the glory of the other; should our Nangong Family profit, we won''t let you down!"


    "That goes without saying!"


    Beitang Feng''s smile was full of flattery.


    The entire Nangong Family was bustling, continuously refining pills and distributing them to various places.


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the imperial palace, the royal study.


    The lights in front of Emperor Qian were still bright as he put down the memorial in his hand and gently rubbed his sore brows, saying, "Old Dog, is the strife between the Treasure Pavilion and the Nangong Family still ongoing?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty!"


    Qi replied in a deep voice.


    Emperor Qian stretched his limbs, which caused a series of cracks, and said somewhat speechless, "How good it would be to be harmonious and make money, but they insist on making things so stiff."


    Qi replied, "Your Majesty, the Nangong Family has indeed become a bit uncontrollable over the years. Allowing the Treasure Pavilion to weaken them somewhat may not be a bad thing!"


    "What we need now is balance, and it''s not good to rashly break this balance!"


    Emperor Qian got up and walked towards the door, looking up at the sparse starlight in the sky. In the midst of the night, a meteor suddenly streaked across the sky, its brilliant and splendid tail spread out in the air, extending thousands of miles, "Just like this starry sky, the harmony of stars and moon is so peaceful, yet there must be a meteor that, despite its beauty and brilliance, is ultimately fleeting, tasteless to eat and regrettable to waste!"


    "What does Your Majesty imply?" Qi asked as he draped a heavy robe over Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian squinted and said, "Tomorrow night, let them come to the palace to enjoy the moonlit view!"


    "Yes!"


    Qi responded respectfully.


    Emperor Qian, with his back to Qi, spoke in a deep voice, "Old Dog, everyone has their self-interest, and I can understand that. But the affairs of the world have their rules, do not overstep them!"


    "This servant understands!" Qi''s figure paused slightly, then promptly returned to normal.


    Under the night sky.


    Master and servant stood tall for a long time, without moving an inch.


    ...


    The next day.


    Within the capital city, the figures of eunuchs appeared in many households.


    Inside the Nangong Family.


    "His Majesty invites you to enjoy the moon in the Imperial Garden tonight!"


    "Please tell His Majesty that Shengtian will surely be on time for the banquet!" Nangong Shengtian said.


    Within the Beitang Family, Beitang Feng: "Beitang Feng acknowledges the decree with thanks!"


    Treasure Pavilion.


    Nalan Qianqiu, looking at the imperial edict in his hand, had a complex expression, "What is His Majesty really thinking?"


    Within the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Qi personally came before Xiao Yi and read the imperial edict, saying, "Dean Xiao, His Majesty has sent for you!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Eunuch, who else will be there tonight?"


    Qi squinted and said, "Those who should come, have all come!"


    Xiao Yi revealed an understanding smile, his eyes narrowing into slits, "It seems the great drama is about to begin!" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 370 - 370 Youre Seeking Death!

    The moon shone bright with few stars, an excellent time for moon-gazing.


    The Imperial Garden had already been set with numerous tables and chairs, laden with an abundance of fine wines and delectable dishes.


    The silver moon had just risen above the willow tips, like a tempting silver-white fruit hanging from the branches.


    At this moment...


    In the Imperial Garden, seats had already filled with many powerful figures.


    Among them were influential court officials, noble families, and representatives of the top ten sects from the capital.


    Each one possessed immense clout.


    Any one of them could shake the capital with a mere stomp of their foot.


    Xiao Yi''s seat was in the first row to the left, a good spot, and right next to him was Yang Ling. Clearly, this was a deliberate arrangement; Yang Ling also whispered introductions of the attendees to Xiao Yi.


    "That one who nodded to you with his cup is Shi Yun, who replaced Li Shengtian because of your wish; it''s thanks to you that he could sit in this position!"


    "Next to Shi Yun is Qin Li, who took over Tian Xiao''s place. This man was once Tian Xiao''s confidant, be careful with him!"


    "And that one..."


    After the introductions, Xiao Yi had become acquainted with many of those present.


    Suddenly.


    The noisy Imperial Garden quieted down, and Xiao Yi frowned slightly; despite it being a summer night, he felt a chill. His gaze shifted to the entrance of the Imperial Garden. He saw many guests rising from their seats, bowing towards the garden gate.


    A young man dressed in green, with a purple jade crown on his head, walked in.


    The youth radiated a cold and solemn aura. Yang Ling''s pupils contracted slightly and he whispered, "Xiao Yi, this person is Brave General Sun Yao, who took over from Chen Shuiwen to lead the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. He also has some history with you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    He had never seen this person before, how could there be history between them?


    Yang Ling whispered, "Sun Yao is from the Tianjian Sect, a senior fellow of Xiao Tianjiao. However, after marrying Princess Changping, the niece of the Emperor''s uncle, he left Tianjian Sect and has been defending the frontier for many years as the Brave General. He was expected to become the Great General after another two years'' wait, but now he has been appointed as the head of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy instead. He must surely bear a grudge against you!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes helplessly.


    This was truly a mix of new grudges and old ones!


    Since he was Xiao Tianjiao''s senior fellow and because of Xiao Yi himself, who had killed Chen Shuiwen, Sun Yao had lost the chance to compete for the position of Great General.


    Moreover, Xiaoshanhe Institute and Shanhe Martial Arts Academy were natural rivals.


    This truly seemed like a fated enemy!


    Sun Yao also noticed Xiao Yi''s gaze and a glint of cold light flashed in his eyes. The aura of the seventh layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm surged toward him like a vast, towering wave. His gaze, corporeal as it was, seemed even sharper than the edge of a blade.


    A normal person from the Tao Tribulation Realm would likely be scared out of their wits.


    Xiao Yi remained unmoved, his gaze just as sharp as he stared back at Sun Yao.


    Bang!


    The substantial gaze of the two collided mid-air, exploding into a terrifying blast that caused two nearby guests to scream in agony. Both were civil officials, their eardrums ruptured by the impact of the gaze.


    Yang Ling frowned, "Someone, take them away!"


    "Yes!"


    Two guards immediately escorted the pair away.


    Inside the Imperial Garden.


    All eyes were alternately sweeping over Xiao Yi and Sun Yao.


    Sun Yao walked straight up to Xiao Yi, looking down on him from above.


    Qin Li somehow made his way to Sun Yao''s side with a sycophantic expression, then turned to Xiao Yi, "This seat is Sun Yao''s now, you get lost!"


    "Scram!"


    Without even lifting his head, Xiao Yi simply responded with one word.


    "You little shit, who gave you the audacity..."


    Qin Li''s face changed, but before he could finish.


    He was met with Xiao Yi''s slap.


    Slap!


    With a scream, Qin Li flew backwards, smashing directly into a lotus pond.


    "How dare you strike my man? Do you no longer wish to live?"


    Sun Yao''s gaze hardened, his murderous intent surging like a raging tide.


    Yang Ling quickly stood up, placing himself between the two men, and spoke sternly, "General Sun, the seating for tonight''s banquet is fixed. Your seat is over there!"


    With narrowed eyes, Sun Yao assessed Yang Ling, then suddenly let out a sneer of contempt, his disdainful gaze falling on Xiao Yi, "Compared to brother Tianjiao, you still fall far short!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "The dogs raised by Xiao Tianjiao are all so arrogant?"


    "You''re courting death!"


    Sun Yao''s expression darkened as he glared at Xiao Yi.


    Boom!


    A gust of wind burst forth from him, flipping the tables and chairs of several bystanders. Only Xiao Yi and Yang Ling''s seats remained immobile. Xiao Yi sat upright, watching him with interest, "What''s wrong? Hit a nerve? If you''re going to be a dog, act like one and tuck your tail to the side!"


    "You little shit, you''re looking to die!"


    Sun Yao erupted in fury as evil Qi rolled off him.


    "Hahaha, General Sun, let this old man give you a hand!" Nangong Shengtian strode in with amusement, standing shoulder to shoulder with Sun Yao.


    Beitang Feng also watched Xiao Yi with an amused expression.


    "I really want to see who dares to bully my little brother Xiao Yi!" The boisterous voice was none other than Dongfang Kuang, with Ximen Jianxue following at his side, as both landed one on each side of Xiao Yi.


    Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo also came strolling casually.


    They all had their swords drawn and crossbows cocked.


    A great battle was on the verge of erupting!


    Inside the Imperial Garden, some people took pleasure in the misfortune of others, while some showed worried expressions.


    But at that moment...


    An authoritative cough echoed, dissolving the tense atmosphere instantaneously. Emperor Qian and Qi stepped in, their gazes sweeping over everyone as they spoke indifferently, "Why is everyone standing? Tonight, I have invited you all to enjoy the moon!"


    "We welcome Your Majesty!"


    "Long live Your Majesty!"


    Everyone hastily paid their respects.


    Emperor Qian took his seat at the head, gesturing with his hand, "Please, sit down."


    Whoosh!


    Everyone sat down meticulously.


    Nangong Shengtian whispered, "General Sun, there will be plenty of opportunities to deal with this kid. Why cause His Majesty displeasure?"


    "Hmm!"


    Sun Yao nodded, his cold gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi, "You just wait!"


    "I will be waiting with open arms!"


    Xiao Yi replied evenly.


    "Hmph!"


    Sun Yao snorted and went back to his seat.


    Xiao Yi gave Dongfang Kuang and the others a cupped fist salute, "Thank you, everyone!"


    "How could I, your brother, miss out on a fight?" Dongfang Kuang winked.


    Ximen Jianxue smiled, "It''s nothing!"


    Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo smiled faintly, sitting down beside Xiao Yi.


    At the head seat.


    Emperor Qian said lightly, "Tonight the moon is full, and I have especially arranged this feast. I hope it hasn''t interrupted everyone''s life."


    "Your Majesty jests!"


    "To accompany Your Majesty in admiring the moon is an honor for us..."


    Everyone responded in turn.


    Emperor Qian nodded, "Tonight we won''t talk about state affairs, just drink wine and enjoy the moon..."


    No sooner had he spoken,


    then Sun Yao said, "Your Majesty, I believe that under such beautiful scenery, we should add some entertainment to the mix!"


    "Oh?"


    Emperor Qian looked at Sun Yao, his face breaking into a smile, "General Sun, what do you suggest?"


    Sun Yao''s chilling eyes flickered toward Xiao Yi as he said with a smile, "I have recently taken over the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, where I have a sword prodigy. Tonight, I have brought him especially to present a sword dance for Your Majesty and the ministers!"


    "A sword dance?"


    "It is well-known that General Sun is the finest swordsman in the military. If you consider him a sword prodigy, he must be impressive!"


    Emperor Qian chuckled, "Then let him come forth and show us!"


    "By Your Majesty''s command!"


    Sun Yao nodded and then ordered someone to fetch the person.


    Shortly afterwards,


    a graceful young man appeared in the Imperial Garden, bowing respectfully to Emperor Qian and proclaiming, "Your Majesty, this humble person Jiang Feng presents a sword dance called ''Autumn Rain'', in hopes of bringing a smile to Your Majesty''s face!"


    "You may proceed!"


    Emperor Qian nodded, smiling brightly.


    Clang!


    Jiang Feng unsheathed his longsword, manoeuvring it as if it were an extension of his arm. sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The dance "Autumn Rain" flowed like drifting clouds and running water, exquisitely performed, eliciting waves of applause: "He truly is a sword prodigy from the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!"


    "This young man''s mastery of the sword is extraordinary. Although he''s only at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, he has already grasped half a step of Sword Intent. Remarkable indeed!"


    Emperor Qian also nodded in satisfaction, "Award him a thousand taels of silver and bestow upon him a flask of Imperial wine!"


    "Thank you, Your Majesty!"


    Jiang Feng looked up and drained the Imperial wine in one gulp, then wiping his mouth, he said loudly, "Your Majesty, I''ve heard that the Xiaoshanhe Institute is full of talent, and Xiao, the head of the institute, is a master of the sword. I humbly request Your Majesty''s permission for me to seek instruction from Xiao!"


    "Hmm?"


    Emperor Qian''s brow furrowed slightly, and his expression turned somewhat displeased.


    Just as he was about to reprimand,


    Sun Yao spoke up, "Your Majesty, as the head of an institute, Xiao surely wouldn''t begrudge offering guidance to the younger generation!" He looked at Xiao Yi with a smile, "Instructor Xiao, what do you say?"


    Xiao Yi turned his head to look at Sun Yao, curled his lip, and said indifferently, "Screw you!"

 Chapter 371 - 371 Can You Kill?

    ```


    "Shut the hell up!"


    Xiao Yi spoke coldly, silencing the imperial garden.


    Immediately after, a civil official cursed angrily, "Such vulgarity is disgraceful!"


    "How can you speak such foul language in the Emperor''s presence?"


    "He must be punished, punished indeed!"


    Sun Yao''s face turned an iron shade of blue. This was the first time he had been publicly reprimanded like this in his life, and with a gloomy face, he said, "Xiao Yi, you''re courting death!"


    "Enough!"


    Emperor Qian rebuked sharply, his face looking unpleasant as he said, "What behavior is this? I am still here, seated!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "Your Majesty, please, calm down!"


    "Your Majesty, please, calm down!"


    Sun Yao quickly responded, then turned to look at Jiang Feng.


    Jiang Feng, holding a sword, stood in the center of the imperial garden, watching Xiao Yi icily, "Master Xiao, could it be that you are afraid your swordsmanship is inferior to mine, and thus you dare not compete with me?"


    "Afraid?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a smile and said indifferently, "You are not worthy!"


    "You..."


    Jiang Feng became furious, knelt down to Emperor Qian, and exclaimed loudly, "I beseech Your Majesty to grant permission for this humble one to duel with Master Xiao!"


    Emperor Qian''s eyebrows were tightly knotted.


    Cold light was flitting through his eyes.


    Xiao Yi said calmly, "Jiang Feng, is it? You needn''t trouble the Emperor. I have a disciple by the name of Tian Mang; if you can defeat him, then you''ll be worthy of my guidance!"


    "Where is Tian Mang?" asked Jiang Feng.


    Xiao Yi looked at Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, Tian Mang is just outside the palace!"


    Emperor Qian rubbed his eyebrows and said, "Bring Tian Mang in!"


    Master Qi said, "This servant will go at once!"


    After a short while.


    Tian Mang appeared in the imperial garden, his arms cradling a sword, eyes hollow and unseeing. Yet his heart held a clear mirror, as he respectfully greeted Emperor Qian and then faced Jiang Feng, "Is it you who wishes to challenge the master?"


    "A blind man?"


    Jiang Feng frowned at Tian Mang, his face showing a hue of humiliation as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, letting a blind man compete with me in swordplay��is this not an insult to me?"


    "Win first, then speak!" Xiao Yi responded lightly.


    Jiang Feng, annoyed, looked at Tian Mang, "Blind man, if you can withstand three moves under my sword, I will spare your life!"


    Tian Mang ignored Jiang Feng''s provocation, simply turning to ask Xiao Yi, "Master, am I allowed to kill?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Emperor Qian and then said, "How can we kill at will in front of His Majesty?"


    "Yes!"


    Tian Mang nodded, his expression indifferent, the regret seeming to tinge his tone. His vacant eyes shifted onto Jiang Feng as he made an inviting gesture, "Draw your sword!"


    Jiang Feng''s face darkened, "You make the first move! If I were to strike, within three moves, your death would be certain!"


    Tian Mang said, "If I make the first move, you won''t have the chance to strike at all!"


    Jiang Feng: "..."


    Sun Yao snorted disdainfully, "Like master, like disciple. Master Xiao, I wonder if all the disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute are as arrogantly naive as this one?"


    Nangong Shengtian chuckled mockingly, "A blind man, daring to boast so grandly?"


    "It seems Master Xiao''s disciple is quite confident in himself! However, if he loses later on, it will certainly be quite the embarrassment!" Beitang Feng said mockingly, his fingers lightly tapping on the table surface.


    Yang Ling said indifferently, "In a martial competition, we stop at the first hit!"


    Sun Yao said, "Jiang Feng, since Yang Ling has spoken, just break his limbs and cripple his cultivation. Spare his life!"


    "Yes!"


    Jiang Feng agreed, and before his words trailed off, his figure suddenly moved.


    Whoosh!


    The sword leaped from its sheath, and in the next instant, Jiang Feng had appeared before Tian Mang.


    Hum!


    The longsword turned into a flash of silver, rushing towards Tian Mang in an instant. The sharp sword light, incredibly fast, was nearly reaching the realm of the first stage of Sword Intent and was about to slice through Tian Mang''s body.


    But at that moment...


    Tian Mang''s feet shook.


    Swish!


    Tian Mang brushed past Jiang Feng.


    The two stood back to back.


    "Hmm?" sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ```


    ```


    "That sword just now..."


    ```


    Among those present were surely no lack of experts, each of whom clearly saw everything that transpired in the moment of the clash between the two. Their gaze inevitably fell on the sword in Tian Mang''s embrace, from which a drop of fresh blood was sliding down the scabbard.


    Thud!


    Jiang Feng''s legs went soft, and he knelt directly on the ground, covering his dantian, hissing for breath.


    That momentary exchange.


    Tian Mang had already pierced his dantian!


    Emperor Qian toyed with his wine cup.


    He seemed indifferent to the outcome of the battle.


    Qi gave one of the guards a meaningful look: "Drag him away!"


    "Yes!"


    Two guards immediately came forward, each taking one of Jiang Feng''s arms, and led him away. Faintly, the onlookers heard a burst of vicious barking and the sounds of flesh being torn from where Jiang Feng was dragged. Clearly, Jiang Feng''s repeated provocations had angered Emperor Qian.


    After his cultivation was crippled, he was dragged away to be fed to the dogs!


    Sun Yao''s face was extremely ugly.


    Tian Mang, without uttering a word, walked over to Xiao Yi, still holding the sword.


    Xiao Yi said with some dissatisfaction, "Your sword is still too slow. It must be swift enough to kill without a trace of blood. Once we return, your training will be tripled!"


    Tian Mang expressionlessly acknowledged with a grunt.


    Xiao Yi smiled and looked at Sun Yao, "A sword prodigy from the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, not so impressive after all!"


    "Hmph!"


    Sun Yao snorted coldly, his face ashen.


    Jiang Feng was a swordsmanship seedling he had brought from the military, hoping to cultivate him well in Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, but never expected to end up feeding him to dogs.


    He glowered at Xiao Yi, his teeth clenched in fury.


    On this day''s first confrontation, he had indeed come off worse.


    But with Emperor Qian present, he was also not in a position to make a scene, and could only swallow his grievances.


    After the third round of drinks and five flavors of dishes.


    Emperor Qian glanced in Yang Ling''s direction.


    Yang Ling immediately understood and asked, "Nangong, Master Nalan... I''ve heard that the prices at your pharmacies have been dropping for many days now, why is that?"


    "Here it comes!"


    Nangong Shengtian and Nalan Qianqiu tensed inside.


    The gathered individuals'' bodies shuddered slightly.


    They set down their wine cups.


    Clearly, this was the real reason behind this evening''s moon-viewing banquet. Emperor Qian intended to intervene in the dispute between the two families!


    Thinking to himself, Nangong Shengtian felt certain of victory and thus was unwilling to cease his efforts, casually responding, "It''s merely normal commercial competition!"


    Nalan Qianqiu also said, "We''ve just accumulated too much stock in the warehouse, so we decided to lower the prices to clear the inventory, that''s all."


    Both men had their own schemes.


    One was confident of victory, hoping to swallow up the Treasure Pavilion in the process.


    The other thought of the trap they had painstakingly set, which was about to yield results, how could they possibly back down now?


    Unseen, there was a tacit cooperation between the two.


    Yang Ling frowned slightly and looked at Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian squinted his eyes and asked, "You two still have a lot of stock in your warehouses?"


    Nangong Shengtian replied, "There''s quite a bit left!"


    Nalan Qianqiu nodded, "We''ve stockpiled too much before!"


    This was a refusal of the royal intervention.


    Everyone hardly dared to breathe.


    All waited for Emperor Qian to state his position.


    After a moment...


    Emperor Qian squinted his eyes and waved his hand, "Dismiss everyone!"


    Nangong Shengtian and Nalan Qianqiu both sighed a sigh of relief; Emperor Qian''s gesture meant he did not plan to get involved.


    "Farewell to Your Majesty!"


    "We take our leave!"


    People got up one after another and left.


    Emperor Qian squinted his eyes, waiting until everyone had gone before reopening them.


    Yang Ling said, "Father, about this matter..."


    Emperor Qian chuckled, waved his hand to interrupt him, and looked down to fiddle with the wine cup, saying indifferently, "Since they want to fight, let them fight! No matter how fierce a dog I raise, it cannot escape the control of a true dragon..."


    ```

 Chapter 372 - 372: Tit for Tat

    Outside the imperial palace.


    A throng of guests departed in their respective carriages.


    Dongfang Kuang and Ximen Jianxue bade farewell to Xiao Yi, also departing by carriage.


    "Tian Mang, bring the carriage over!"


    Seeing Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo approaching, Xiao Yi instructed the nearby Tian Mang.


    "Understood!"


    Tian Mang left with his sword in hand.


    Nalan Qianqiu stepped forward and, after exchanging formalities, asked in a grave voice, "Dean Xiao, there shouldn''t be any issues from His Majesty''s side, should there?"


    After all, the Nangong Family was nominally subject to the royal family.


    They were outsiders!


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to set Nalan Qianqiu at ease and spoke indifferently, "In that person''s eyes, everything in this world is but a chess piece, as long as it doesn''t affect his rule, he couldn''t care less about the struggles between the pieces!"


    Nalan Qianqiu breathed a sigh of relief, about to speak again.


    Suddenly...


    A loud boom came from ahead.


    Looking towards the source of the noise.


    One could see that the carriage driven by Tian Mang had been violently overturned, and the two horses that had been pulling it lay on the ground, barely alive. Tian Mang had managed to avoid calamity, but just as he landed, a black whip shadow lashed toward him.


    The speed of the whip was incredibly fast.


    And it was vicious!


    Crack!


    Caught off guard, Tian Mang was harshly struck by the whip on his back, his robe splitting open as blood gushed forth. The fresh, red wound on his back resembled a bloody centipede clinging to him, and then the second lash came down even faster.


    "Stop!"


    Xiao Yi''s expression darkened, and he leapt in front of Tian Mang, catching the black whip with his hand.


    The one riding a tall horse and wielding the long whip was none other than Qin Li.


    Qin Li, looking down from his high position, gazed emotionlessly at Xiao Yi and said coldly, "Control your dog. He blocked my way for no reason. Today, for your sake, I''m only whipping him once. If it happens again, he''ll certainly be executed!"


    He had previously been slapped into the lotus pond by Xiao Yi, utterly humiliated.


    Now, as everyone departed.


    Qin Li saw Tian Mang alone and immediately drove his warhorse to overturn Xiao Yi''s carriage.


    He even attempted to kill Tian Mang to ingratiate himself with Sun Yao.


    He hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to react so quickly and save Tian Mang''s life.


    Xiao Yi gazed at the ferocious wound on Tian Mang''s back with its flesh torn and bone visible. His eyes turned icy as he stared at Qin Li and said word by word, "You''re courting death!"


    "Hmph, I am a first-rank official; you dare to kill me?" Qin Li spoke with brash confidence.


    This was still the imperial palace.


    Who would dare to kill a high-ranking courtier in front of the imperial palace?


    Moreover...


    He saw Sun Yao''s carriage approaching and immediately raised his voice, "Xiao Yi, don''t think you can disregard everyone just because you are the dean of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. General Sun presides over the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, and it won''t be long before your little Xiaoshanhe Institute is beneath our feet. Compared to General Sun, you are nothing but trash!"


    "Well said!"


    The voice of Nangong Shengtian came as he arrived alongside Beitang Feng in a carriage, abreast with Sun Yao''s. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sun Yao looked at Xiao Yi holding the whip and spoke indifferently, "Release it, kneel down, and apologize to Qin Li!"


    Qin Li''s face was triumphant as he watched Xiao Yi, "Did you hear that? General Sun is ordering you to kneel and apologize to me?"


    "Apologize?"


    Xiao Yi scoffed and a surge of violent force suddenly erupted from his arm, pulling Qin Li off his horse with a swoosh. With a thud, Qin Li hit the ground face first, ending up with a bruised nose and swollen face.


    Xiao Yi stepped on Qin Li''s face, pinning his head to the ground, and looked up at Sun Yao and Nangong Shengtian, "You want me to apologize? You''re not qualified!"


    "Scoundrel, if you harm a single hair on him, I will exterminate..." Sun Yao was furious.


    But he hadn''t finished speaking.


    A crisp cracking sound interrupted him.


    Xiao Yi''s foot crushed Qin Li''s head beneath it, as he nonchalantly shrugged at the enraged Sun Yao, "Oops, I might have used a bit too much strength by accident!"


    "You..."


    Sun Yao''s face twisted with ferocity.


    By his side, Nangong Shengtian frowned slightly and said gravely, "General Sun, there''s no need to fuss over such a soon-to-be dead man!"


    "Hmm?"


    Sun Yao was taken aback, frowning at Nangong Shengtian.


    "After all, Xiao is appointed by His Majesty, it wouldn''t be good for us to lay hands on him! However..."


    Nangong Shengtian sneered continuously, looking at Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu behind him: "Xiao has a profound relationship with Master Nalan, as they are close as branches on the same tree. All the pills for the Xiaoshanhe Institute are supplied by the Treasure Pavilion. If Master Nalan''s Treasure Pavilion falls, I''m afraid Xiao''s Xiaoshanhe Institute will also be unable to provide pills for its disciples, and then it won''t be far from destruction."


    "You''re right, once the Xiaoshanhe Institute falls, we won''t need to lift a finger, the Emperor will be the first to want your head!"


    Sun Yao''s eyes lit up, and he laughed loudly, "Xiao Yi, now relying on the Emperor''s support, I''ll wait for the day your Xiaoshanhe Institute falls apart, the day you lose the Emperor''s favor. Let''s see who can save you then!"


    Xiao Yi said calmly, "It''s still not certain who will fall!"


    Nangong Shengtian spoke proudly, "In the end, it will definitely be us who laugh last!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "We''ll see!"


    "We''ll see!"


    Their gazes collided, sparking fierce flames.


    Tit for tat.


    It wasn''t until Qi appeared that the tense atmosphere loosened a bit: "The Emperor decrees that no misconduct shall occur in front of the palace!"


    "We shall heed the Imperial command!"


    Everyone bowed in respect.


    Qi looked helplessly at Xiao Yi: "Xiao, His Majesty has sent me to tell you, since it was Qin Li who initiated the fight, he will not punish you. But next time, be mindful of the place where you act!"


    "Hahaha, please tell His Majesty that Xiao Yi has taken note," Xiao Yi said, nodding with a laugh.


    Nangong Shengtian, Sun Yao, and the others cast a cold glance at him and strode away.


    Xiao Yi squinted, watching their carriages leave, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly: "Who laughs last, it''s really not certain yet!"


    ...


    Time flew by.


    In just three short days, they had refined all of the medicinal materials worth a total of ten trillion Silver into pills, with a total value of sixty trillion Silver, all of which were sent to various pill stores.


    Starting from the third day.


    All pill stores owned by the Nangong Family restored their pill prices to a fifty percent discount.


    This move bewildered everyone.


    After all...


    The Treasure Pavilion was selling at a two-fold discount, yet you not only refrained from lowering prices but even increased them to fifty percent?


    For a time.


    The Nangong Family''s pill stores were utterly ignored.


    However, the people of the Nangong Family were not the least bit anxious, and right at noon on the third day, a flat cart appeared outside the headquarters of the Imperial Capital Treasure Pavilion. On the cart lay a young man, blood oozing from his seven orifices, his complexion pale, lifeless.


    Pushing the cart was an octogenarian old man, sobbing loudly: "Someone come quick, the cheap pills have killed a man!"


    "What?"


    "Treasure Pavilion''s pills have killed a man?"


    "That can''t be possible, can it? I also bought some before and had no problems at all! Moreover, the quality of the Treasure Pavilion''s pills is much stronger than those of the Nangong Family''s!"


    "It''s true, they''re causing trouble at the Treasure Pavilion headquarters right now, everyone hurry up and take a look!"


    For a time.


    This news spread throughout the Imperial Capital with the help of those with vested interests.


    Numerous powerhouses converged toward the headquarters of the Treasure Pavilion.


    The Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengtian received the news and immediately got up laughing with a slap on the armrest, "The batch of pills has finally shown its effects, hahaha, Treasure Pavilion, let''s see how you die this time!" He turned to Nangong Yi, "Notify Ning Kang immediately, he can make his move now. Also, command Beitang Feng to set off right away to the headquarters of the Treasure Pavilion!"


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Yi left at once.


    Nangong Shengtian laughed heartily as he boarded a carriage and headed for the Treasure Pavilion headquarters.


    By the time they arrived at the headquarters of the Treasure Pavilion, the place was already flooded with people, even the rooftops of the surrounding buildings were crammed with onlookers. Excitement and schadenfreude were evident on all their faces.


    The young man on the cart was starting to smell, and the old octogenarian sat on the ground, crying loudly: "Everyone, please stand up for me, cheap pills have taken a life, compensate my grandson''s life..."


    "The Treasure Pavilion hasn''t shown any response yet, aren''t they pushing people too far?"


    "Could it be an admission of guilt?"


    "There might be some misunderstanding!"


    As the crowd was speculating, a young man suddenly walked out from among them, his face showing grief, and he knelt down with a thunk before the old man, saying solemnly, "Old sir, I apologize to you on behalf of the Treasure Pavilion..."

 Chapter 373 - 373: Turning Black and White

    "Patriarch, I apologize on behalf of the Treasure Pavilion!"


    The young man knelt before the old man with a plop, his face full of intense self-reproach and guilt.


    This young man was none other than Ning Kang!


    Immediately, someone in the surrounding crowd recognized him, "Isn''t that Ning Kang?"


    "The son of the Treasure Pavilion''s Vice Pavilion Master Ning Luo��he just said he''s apologizing on behalf of the Treasure Pavilion to this patriarch? Could it be that the medicinal pills from the Treasure Pavilion really have issues?"


    "It''s very likely, otherwise why would he come out to apologize?"


    Whispers spread through the crowd.


    The old man looked at Ning Kang with confusion, "Young man, why are you apologizing on behalf of the Treasure Pavilion to me?"


    "Patriarch, you may not be aware, but my father is the Vice Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, Ning Luo. As I''m sure everyone has noticed, the Treasure Pavilion has been selling cheap medicinal pills recently. Actually, all these pills were concocted using inferior ingredients..."


    Ning Kang''s face was filled with sorrow as he continuously patted his chest, "I''ve always been advising my father and Nalan Qianqiu, telling them that this is an unconscionable act, and that they shouldn''t do it! But they never listened to me��I''m of no importance and have little say..."


    "I knew something bad was going to happen, but I never imagined it would really lead to someone''s death."


    "It''s all my fault��if only I had exposed the scheme behind this sooner, so many people wouldn''t have been deceived!"


    Ning Kang''s fists kept pounding the ground, producing thudding sounds. When he looked up again, his face was streaked with tears, "If only I had stopped them in time, it wouldn''t have led to death. Look at this��this was a living person, and they didn''t care about anything but making money..."


    At that moment,


    The crowd was in an uproar!


    "What? The Treasure Pavilion actually concocted medicinal pills with inferior ingredients?"


    "Isn''t this going too far?"


    "That''s not right, isn''t it said that all the medicinal materials in the Great Qian Dynasty are sold through the Beitang Family? Apart from them, no one else has access, so where did the Treasure Pavilion get these inferior materials from?"


    Nangong Yi, hidden in the crowd, suddenly questioned out loud.


    As expected, his question caught everyone''s attention.


    This was a scene that Ning Kang and Nangong Yi had orchestrated together, responding to each other. Ning Kang pretended to hesitate, making the others believe there were more secrets to uncover, "Ning Kang, rest assured and speak up boldly. We are all your strong backing!"


    "No matter what sort of entity is involved behind this, we support you!" The crowd shouted one after another.


    It was as if Ning Kang was a brave warrior daring to uncover the conspiracy.


    Ning Kang feigned difficulty and finally gritted his teeth, angrily saying, "Alright, I, Ning Kang, will risk my life if necessary to bring the truth to light. These materials were supplied through Xiao Yi, the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. It is said that he sourced these materials from the black market in Beast Emperor City..."


    Boom!


    This news, like a bombshell, ignited the anger of the people.


    Xiao Yi had once been to the Beast Emperor City and had returned with a group of powerful individuals��this news had long spread throughout the capital.


    Compared with what Ning Kang had said,


    The pieces fit together for the crowd!


    Xiao Yi had cooperated with the Treasure Pavilion, he had been to the Beast Emperor City, so he brought the channel for these cheap, inferior materials. The two struck a deal, conspiring together to exploit the hardworking masses, earning money at the expense of people''s lives!


    "Damn it, I actually thought Xiao Yi was a good guy before, who knew he was so heartless?"


    "This is scheming for money at the cost of human lives!"


    "He must be severely punished!"


    The public sentiment was inflamed!


    The sound of condemnation was deafening.


    Amidst the crowd,


    Nangong Shengtian wore a smug look, laughing loudly, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, will you not be completely discredited this time? This is what happens when you oppose me��I want you not only to fall from grace but also to die before me..."


    Beitang Feng''s figure suddenly appeared beside him, excitement on his face, "Ancestor Nangong, when do I make my move?"


    "Not yet!"


    Nangong Shengtian smiled crookedly, his face cold, "Wait for Nalan Qianqiu and the others to show up, then you take action."


    "No problem!"


    Beitang Feng nodded, looking at the angry crowd that seemed ready to smash the Treasure Pavilion, he shook his head, "Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu are as good as dead this time, with no chance of turning things around. Ancestor Nangong is truly formidable, able to control these people with a simple flick of his fingers!"


    "Hahaha, it''s just standard procedure!" Nangong Shengtian said smugly.


    Just at that moment...


    Ning Luo and Nalan Qianqiu walked out of the Treasure Pavilion.


    "Nalan Qianqiu, a life for a life!"


    "Ning Luo, look at your son, he''s the true man. You actually did such an atrocious deed for wealth; you deserve a thousand deaths!"


    Facing the raging curses of the crowd.


    Ning Luo''s face was expressionless, as he just looked at Ning Kang before him, his gaze filled with coldness, but even more with despair and loss.


    This was his son, after all.


    Yet he had unexpectedly sided with outsiders, wishing to send his own father to death.


    Nalan Qianqiu slightly raised his hand and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this matter has not yet been clarified. Please give me some time, and I will definitely provide everyone with a satisfactory response!"


    Ning Kang stood up, glared at Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo with fury, and said through clenched teeth, "Don''t fall for their lies; they are just trying to buy time. With the power of the Treasure Pavilion, they might be able to use a hefty bribe to settle these issues later on."


    "Ning Kang is right, we absolutely can''t wait any longer!"


    "The Treasure Pavilion is rich and powerful; if they choose to smooth things over in the end, they could completely cover up this incident!"


    "If it''s really being investigated, then let''s see the proof right here and now..."


    "We don''t believe you..."


    People shouted one after another.


    Ning Kang held his chin high, looking at Nalan Qianqiu with smug satisfaction, "Master Nalan, you must have heard the voice of the people. You must explain yourself here and now; otherwise, this matter is far from over today!"


    "Rebellious son, oh my rebellious son..."


    Ning Luo''s eyes were a blood-red hue as he glared at Ning Kang and roared furiously.


    In fact.


    When Xiao Yi told him that Ning Kang had secretly poisoned the pill furnace and stolen the secret recipe, there was still a sliver of hope and illusion in his heart.


    But now...


    Watching Ning Kang standing before him, head held high with an attitude of righteousness and menacing aggression, any last hope in his heart was thoroughly extinguished.


    Whoosh!


    Ning Luo let out a long breath of foul air, his vitality swirling around him like the wind.


    A cold sharpness thrust directly at Ning Kang.


    Ning Kang''s complexion suddenly changed, and he thundered loudly, "Ning Luo, what are you trying to do?"


    "What am I trying to do?"


    Ning Luo snorted coldly, "I, as your father, ought to properly discipline an unfilial son like you!"


    "You, you''re trying to coerce a confession? I will not submit, I..."


    The defiant rant of Ning Kang was abruptly interrupted by a scream.


    Bang!


    "Damn it, Ning Luo, you..."


    "How dare you call your father by his name, I''ll beat you to death!" S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bang bang bang!


    "You..."


    "What about you? You''re nothing but an ungrateful animal!"


    Bang bang bang!


    Ning Luo''s face showed no emotion as his fists fell relentlessly, a flurry of blows that left Ning Kang with a swollen nose and a face as bruised as a pig''s head. Curled up on the ground, he whimpered and mumbled, spitting out bloodied, broken teeth from his mouth.


    Shriek!


    Everybody around gasped in shock, a chill running down their spines.


    A glint of cold light flashed in Ning Luo''s eyes: "If not for the master taking us in, how could you and I have come to this day? You dared to betray the Treasure Pavilion; you are no son of mine..."


    Hum!


    A longsword, gleaming with cold light, fell into Ning Luo''s hands, ready to bring an end to Ning Kang.


    But at that moment...


    A cold snort echoed between heaven and earth: "Stop right there!"

 Chapter 374 - 374: Do You Dare?

    "Stop right there!"


    In the midst of chilling shouts, a soldier clad in iron armor broke through the crowd and appeared in front of Ning Luo and the others.


    Each of these soldiers exuded an icy, deadly aura.


    They were true lions of war who had fought on the battlefield.


    Bang!


    The leading general, with his saber held across, looked down from his high horse upon Ning Luo, his expression cold as he shouted, "In broad daylight, you dare to beat someone in the street, what crime do you think you''re committing?"


    Ning Luo glared at the newcomer and said in a deep voice, "General Yuan, I was merely disciplining my disobedient son, surely that''s not in violation of the law?"


    The newcomer was called Yuan Da.


    He was one of General Sun Yao''s fierce generals, at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    On the battlefield, he was known as a meat grinder!


    Yuan Da sneered, "He is first and foremost a subject of the Great Qian Dynasty, and only secondly your son."


    Ning Luo frowned and said, "What, according to General Yuan, do I need to get your approval before I discipline my own son?"


    "Exactly!"


    Yuan Da, supporting himself with one hand on the horse''s head, leaned forward slightly, his cold gaze falling on Ning Luo as he smiled sinisterly, "Ning Luo, the affair of Treasure Pavilion selling fake medicine has already caused a huge stir. I have reason to suspect that you beat Ning Kang to silence him!"


    "You''re talking nonsense!"


    Ning Luo was furious. Yuan Da, as a high-ranking military commander, was outright accusing Treasure Pavilion of selling fake medicine, which could lead people to believe it was an official investigation, "You, a high official of the court, accuse my Treasure Pavilion of selling fake medicine without any evidence. That''s defamation!"


    "Defamation? Take a look at what this is..."


    Yuan Da pointed to the young man on the handcart and snorted coldly, "This is the evidence!" Then, pointing at Ning Kang who was whimpering on the ground, "And this is a witness! Now that the physical evidence and witness are both present, what excuse do you have left?"


    Within the crowd.


    Nangong Shengtian could not help but clap and cheer, "Worthy of being General Sun''s top fierce general, this Yuan Da truly is fierce!"


    "Even General Sun has intervened, Treasure Pavilion won''t have a chance to recover after this!" Beitang Feng also nodded excitedly.


    Back in the day, during the moon-viewing at the royal garden.


    Xiao Yi had a confrontation with Sun Yao, and Sun Yao would have killed Xiao Yi if not for Emperor Qian''s consideration.


    Now.


    Treasure Pavilion was undoubtedly Xiao Yi''s strongest support; rooting it up


    would be akin to cutting off Xiao Yi''s arms.


    In this way.


    Shanhe Martial Arts Academy would gain an advantage in its competition with Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The Nangong Family and Beitang Family, meanwhile, eyed the market share and the priceless shops owned by Treasure Pavilion.


    The three parties struck a deal in perfect harmony, acting in concert.


    Beitang Feng asked in a low voice, "Ancestor Nangong, when should I step in?"


    "No rush!"


    Nangong Shengtian smiled maliciously, "Right now, Xiao Yi has yet to show himself. This time we are not just dealing with Treasure Pavilion, we must also drag Xiao Yi down with it. It''s best to wait until he shows up, then you make your move!"


    "Right!"


    Beitang Feng felt there was sense in the words and nodded firmly.


    A fierce light shone in his eyes.


    At the same time...


    Facing Yuan Da''s accusations, Ning Luo''s face alternated between pale and flushed, his rage uncontainable, "Yuan Da, you''re twisting the truth. Do matters of right and wrong depend solely on your word? My Treasure Pavilion sells countless medicinal pills daily, why did only this person have an issue? Why did you show up right after they arrived? I have reason to suspect there''s a scheme going on here..."


    "It seems you won''t give up until you''ve hit rock bottom! If that''s the case, I''ll turn your Treasure Pavilion inside out. Once we find those fake medicinal pills, I''d like to see how you''ll argue your way out of it!" Yuan Da said with a mocking smile.


    "How dare you!"


    Ning Luo spread his arms in front of him.


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face was grim, "General Yuan, my Treasure Pavilion is not a place you can just decide to investigate!"


    "Hm?"


    Yuan Da narrowed his eyes.


    Nalan Qianqiu said indifferently, "If you want to investigate my Treasure Pavilion, unless there is an imperial decree, no one should think about stepping inside!"


    Yuan Da sneered, "That might not necessarily be the case!"


    Nalan Qianqiu was startled.


    Just then, something appeared in Yuan Da''s palm, Nalan Qianqiu''s pupils suddenly contracted, for in Yuan Da''s hand was unmistakably a black Commander''s Seal shaped like a sprinting cheetah. Inscribed upon it were the characters for ''Unmatched'', Yuan Da bellowed coldly, "With the Unmatched War King Order here, who dares to obstruct?"


    Hisss!


    The surrounding strong echoes couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath.


    Unmatched War King!


    One of the two most overwhelmingly powerful men in the Great Qian Dynasty, some even believed he was the uncrowned king of the Great Qian Dynasty, with prestige that even surpassed that of Emperor Qian.


    Bearer of the Unmatched War King Order.


    Even if one were to barge into the imperial palace, no one would dare to stop them.


    Yuan Da laughed triumphantly, "Master Nalan, are you still planning to stop me now?"


    Facing Yuan Da''s aggressive approach.


    Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo''s complexions turned shades of green and white.


    With the corners of his mouth curling upward, Yuan Da flashed a smug cold smile, about to speak, when a playful voice came from within the Treasure Pavilion, "The Unmatched War King Order is always close to the Unmatched War King himself and rarely leaves his person. Does General Yuan have the ability to predict the future, that he even managed to request this order in advance from the Unmatched War King?" Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Following the voice, Xiao Yi''s figure slowly emerged from the Treasure Pavilion.


    A playful expression was on his face.


    He appraised Yuan Da with a half-smiling, half-mocking gaze.


    Yuan Da couldn''t help but narrow his eyes, eying Xiao Yi up and down with a dangerous gleam, and scoffed, "And who might you be?"


    "Xiao, the Director!"


    Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo nodded in acknowledgment and stepped aside.


    Although this was the Treasure Pavilion.


    They still held Xiao Yi in the highest regard!


    This caused Yuan Da''s pupils to constrict slightly; what was Nalan Qianqiu''s status? As the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion of the Great Qian Dynasty, his position was comparable to the heads of the four great families, and yet he was so deferential to Xiao Yi?


    Yuan Da demanded in a deep voice, "Are you Xiao Yi?"


    "Indeed, I am!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, staring at Yuan Da unflinchingly and with undisguised sarcasm in his voice, "Does General Yuan wish to enter the Treasure Pavilion?"


    "Yes!"


    Yuan Da narrowed his eyes, his face bearing a cold smile, "What? Do you also wish to stop me?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged and said, "With the General holding the Unmatched War King Order, naturally, I am not in a position to stop you. However, I would like to know, if the General finds counterfeit medicine in the Treasure Pavilion, what plans does he have?"


    "Hmph, I am only here to serve justice to the people. If counterfeit medicine is found, I will eradicate your Treasure Pavilion," Yuan Da replied with full confidence.


    Xiao Yi nodded, then continued to inquire, "What if counterfeit medicine is not found?"


    Yuan Da frowned, "If it''s not found, then it''s not found, what else can be done? Moreover, I am confident that justice is like a net spread far and wide: escaping it is unlikely. Your Treasure Pavilion''s sale of counterfeit medicine is an indisputable fact, and even if you''ve cleaned up thoroughly, there will definitely be clues left behind!"


    "Truly laughable to the extreme. If clues of counterfeit medicine are found, eradicate the Treasure Pavilion; if not found, then there''s no penalty at all?"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily three times.


    His laughter boomed like thunder, causing Yuan Da''s face to shift slightly as he frowned and said, "What do you propose?"


    "If found, then as the General has said, destroy the Treasure Pavilion. But if no clues of counterfeit medicine are found, then the General has slandered the loyal and good, and I will have you kneel in front of the Treasure Pavilion to kowtow and apologize to Master Nalan and the others..."


    As Xiao Yi spoke hurriedly, he abruptly paused, leaning slightly forward, eying Yuan Da intently, and demanded word by word, "Do you dare?"

 Chapter 375 - 375: I Want to Kill Him, Who Can Stop Me?

    "You, dare you?"


    Xiao Yi asked, his tone deliberate and forceful.


    His eyes, narrowed to slits, glittered with a piercing coldness, exuding an undeniable authority.


    Hiss hiss hiss...


    Yuan Da''s horse nervously stomped its hooves, snorting out wafts of hot air in its restlessness.


    Yuan Da''s complexion subtly changed.


    He had thought that by wielding the Unmatched War King Order, he would be invincible, without any obstruction.


    However, Xiao Yi''s neither servile nor overbearing attitude in the face of the Unmatched War King Order, and his absolute refusal to back down, caught Yuan Da off guard. Yuan Da''s expression shifted between sunlight and shadow as he suddenly heard Nangong Shengtian''s voice transmission: "General Yuan, agree to him! As long as Ning Kang leads people into the Treasure Pavilion, there will surely be gains!"


    Yuan Da''s thoughts twitched slightly.


    He had learned from Sun Yao that all of this was a scheme orchestrated by the Nangong Family and the Beitang Family from the shadows.


    "Xiao Yi has offended the general. If I can use this opportunity to humiliate him severely, the general will undoubtedly reward me handsomely."


    As thoughts raced through Yuan Da''s mind, he scoffed coldly and said, "This general shall grant your wish, but if I find evidence related to counterfeit medicine in the Treasure Pavilion, it won''t be as simple as just eradicating the Treasure Pavilion."


    "Oh? What would you do?" Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    Yuan Da sneered, "If indeed counterfeit medicine is found, your obstruction here today must be connected to the incident. I will have you kneel before me, lead my horse, and walk around the imperial capital!"


    Kneel and walk around?


    If that truly happened...


    How could Xiao Yi ever show his face in the imperial capital again?


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth curved upward��those familiar with him would shiver uncontrollably at the sight of this playful smirk.


    For, every time Xiao Yi truly became angry, such a smile would appear on his face.


    "No problem, but if the investigation turns up nothing, I''ll have you kneeling here in the Treasure Pavilion for three days and three nights!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    "Agreed!"


    Yuan Da nodded proudly, then turned to Ning Kang, "Ning Kang, lead the way for this general!"


    Ning Kang, with a bruised and swollen face, shakily stood up with the help of two soldiers. His gaze towards Xiao Yi and the others was filled with hatred and bitterness as he said loudly, "Rest assured, general. I will now lead you to search for the evidence!" sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hold on!"


    Xiao Yi blocked their path.


    Yuan Da frowned, "What now? You want to go back on your word?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "Since it''s a search, naturally you cannot go in alone. I''ve already informed His Highness Yang Ling, and I believe he will arrive shortly. Once His Highness is here, you can go in and search together!"


    "It doesn''t matter whom you''ve called, it won''t make any difference!" Yuan Da was full of confidence.


    A moment later.


    Yang Ling arrived in a hurry, and Xiao Yi explained the situation to him.


    Yang Ling nodded and looked towards Yuan Da, "General Yuan, let''s go inside!"


    "After you, Your Highness!"


    Yuan Da and Yang Ling immediately led people towards the Treasure Pavilion.


    Among the crowd.


    Onlookers watched them enter the Treasure Pavilion, all filled with curiosity: "Do you think General Yuan will find evidence?"


    "Seeing Xiao Yi that confident, there might be a twist in this affair!"


    "Could he just be bluffing?"


    Inside Nangong Shengtian''s carriage.


    Beitang Feng''s face showed concern, "Ancestor Nangong, could it be that Xiao Yi and the others have discovered your methods and cleared them away?"


    "Cleared away? Impossible!"


    Nangong Shengtian snorted derisively, full of conviction as he said, "You''re also aware of the properties of the Hell''s Mandrake pollen. Unless someone sees the act of poisoning with their own eyes, who could detect it? Moreover, even if they find an issue with the batch of pills, they''ll never suspect the traces left in the Pill Furnace��and those are impossible to clean. The Treasure Pavilion and Xiao Yi will never rise again after this, hahaha!"


    Inside the Treasure Pavilion.


    Ning Kang, his face already beaten beyond recognition, ferociously led Yuan Da straight toward the pharmacy. "General Yuan, the evidence is within the pharmacy. I''ve urged them several times to stop these heinous acts against nature and reason, but they simply wouldn''t listen to me..."


    Yuan Da replied coldly, "Rest assured, as long as the evidence is found, I will report everything to His Majesty and you will be rewarded for your meritorious service!"


    "This is my duty; I cannot betray my conscience!" Ning Kang insisted righteously, pounding on his chest.


    Ning Luo''s face was as dark as coal, wishing he could strangle Ning Kang.


    The group arrived inside the pharmacy.


    Ning Kang didn''t point out the Pill Furnace directly; instead, he stood by with a cold and watchful eye.


    Yuan Da''s expression was ice-cold: "Search!"


    A group of soldiers began searching within the pharmacy.


    Yuan Da sneered as he watched Xiao Yi and the others: "You all seem quite composed!"


    "Why be nervous if our conscience is clear?" Xiao Yi responded calmly.


    "Hmph!"


    Yuan Da scoffed, "When the evidence is found, let''s see how long you can keep up your tough front!"


    Shortly after.


    As the soldiers seemed to find nothing, Yuan Da glanced at Ning Kang, who nodded and walked straight to the Pill Furnace. "General Yuan, the evidence is in this Pill Furnace!"


    Xiao Yi looked over at Nalan Qianqiu, who immediately stepped forward and said, "This Pill Furnace is in the middle of concocting pills. Rashly opening it will ruin these pills and the loss will be nearly a hundred million Silver. If nothing is found after opening it, can you afford the compensation?"


    "Hmph! If no evidence is found inside this Pill Furnace, I am willing to lay down my life as compensation!" Ning Kang declared with absolute certainty.


    He was the one who personally added the Styx flower powder to this Pill Furnace; how could he possibly be mistaken?


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face darkened with sorrow. Ning Kang had grown up under his watch, but now he had come to this. With a pained expression, he closed his eyes and stepped aside, "Go on, take a look!"


    Boom!


    Ning Kang struck the Pill Furnace with a palm, and with a muffled hiss, black smoke billowed out, bringing with it the charred scent of spoiled medicinal pills.


    Ning Kang looked on triumphantly, his provocative gaze aimed at Xiao Yi and the others: "The evidence is within the Pill Furnace."


    Yuan Da sneered, "Xiao Yi, what do you have to say now?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and said exasperatedly, "What evidence? These are just ruined pills, aren''t they?"


    "These ruined pills are the evidence; they are all laced with deadly poison!" Ning Kang said with a sneer.


    "Deadly poison?"


    Ning Luo sneered and directly grabbed some of the charred medicinal residue, throwing it into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed it, "This is the deadly poison that you claimed to be fatal? Aside from a bit of a burnt taste, there''s nothing wrong!"


    "I''ll try it too... tsk, tsk, such good medicinal ingredients gone to waste..." Yang Ling also took a handful and chewed and swallowed it, looking amused as he watched Ning Kang and Yuan Da.


    Yuan Da''s face stiffened: "..."


    Ning Kang was dumbfounded: "This is impossible, how could this be? There''s supposed to be..."


    "Supposed to be what?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    "Supposed to be... something..." Ning Kang''s face turned pale, no longer possessing his earlier confidence and arrogance. Muttering in complete disarray, he stammered, "This can''t be, why isn''t it there? How did this happen?"


    Xiao Yi''s face bore a cold smile as he fixed his gaze on Ning Kang, "You said that if the Pill Furnace didn''t hold the evidence, you would pay with your life. Now, let''s settle the debt!"


    "No..."


    Ning Kang''s face suddenly twisted in terror and he quickly looked towards Yuan Da, "General Yuan, save me..."


    "No one can save you!"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold huff, flicking his finger; a streak of silver light shot out like a meteor.


    "Stop!"


    Yuan Da slapped it away, shattering Xiao Yi''s attack and looked at him icily, "Without my permission, let''s see who dares to kill him!"


    Xiao Yi gave him a glance, then suddenly flashed past him.


    The wind whipped up Yuan Da''s robes, and with a heavy thud, Ning Kang had already been reduced to mush by Xiao Yi''s palm, his cold voice echoing in Yuan Da''s ears, "When I want him dead, who dares to stop me?"

 Chapter 376 - 376: How Could It Be Him?

    "Who dares to stop me if I wish to kill him?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice echoed in the ears.


    Yuan Da''s body trembled violently as he stiffly turned around, only to see Xiao Yi standing with his hands behind him, watching him with a playful look on his face.


    Behind Xiao Yi, Ning Kang had already been reduced to minced flesh.


    Hiss!


    Yuan Da''s pupils suddenly constricted.


    With his cultivation at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, honed in battle on the battlefield, he was confident that he could defeat a first-layer practitioner of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    But just at that moment...


    He hadn''t even noticed how Xiao Yi had made his move.


    Right under his eyes, Xiao Yi seemed to casually kill Ning Kang.


    If Xiao Yi had targeted him just now?


    Yuan Da felt a chill down his spine, and a shiver ran through his body. If Xiao Yi''s earlier target had been him, he was certain he would not have been able to evade.


    Gulp!


    Yuan Da swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, no longer as confident and arrogant as before, but now with a touch of solemnity and caution.


    Xiao Yi walked past Yuan Da.


    He approached Ning Luo.


    Ning Luo looked at the minced remains of Ning Kang, his expression complex and indescribable, filled with pain and regret. After all, this was his son, and although Ning Kang''s betrayal had deeply hurt him, he still couldn''t help but feel sad.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Sorry!"


    "This, this is what he deserved!"


    Ning Luo forced a strained smile and said.


    He had no resentment toward Xiao Yi.


    If not for Xiao Yi, the actions of Ning Kang alone would have doomed Treasure Pavilion to an irreparable catastrophe.


    Yang Ling took a deep breath and stared at Yuan Da, "General Yuan, the investigation results are now out, proving that Treasure Pavilion did not manufacture fake medicine. You have no objections to this result, do you?"


    Xiao Yi said mockingly, "If there are no objections, then please, General Yuan, fulfill your promise!"


    Yuan Da''s face twitched slightly, and his heart was cursing Nangong Shengtian''s ancestors up and down.


    If Nangong Shengtian had not vowed to find evidence within Treasure Pavilion...


    Why would he have made a bet with Xiao Yi?


    Now...


    Having proved Treasure Pavilion''s innocence, would he not have to kneel outside for three days and three nights?


    This was something Yuan Da could never allow to happen!


    A soldier should kneel to no one but the sovereign!


    If he knelt, it would not only be his own face that was lost, but the face of the entire border army and also that of the unparalleled War King Yang Yuhuan.


    With this thought...


    Yuan Da took a deep breath, didn''t respond to Xiao Yi, but turned to Yang Ling and bowed his hands, "Your Highness, this time I was also deceived by a traitor. Now that it''s proven that Treasure Pavilion is innocent, and the traitor has been killed by Director Xiao, I shall take my leave!"


    "General Yuan seems to have a short memory of the privileged,"


    Xiao Yi paused, blocking Yuan Da''s path, and said with a smile, "General Yuan, are you planning to renege on our bet?"


    Yuan Da''s face darkened, and he said coldly, "Xiao Yi, don''t push your luck. I am the Cavalry Colonel General, a third-rank officer of the court, and directly affiliated with the valiant General. Challenging me is akin to slapping General Sun''s face. You cannot afford to provoke General Sun''s fury!"


    "Sun Yao, is it? I''m sorry, but I really didn''t take his anger into consideration!" Xiao Yi replied, neither humbly nor arrogantly.


    "You..."


    Yuan Da''s face was as black as charcoal, with a threatening tone, "Xiao Yi, consider your actions carefully. If you let General Bei leave now, I can overlook the past. I may even speak favorably of you to General Sun. But if you continue in your folly, behind General Sun stands the unparalleled War King. Can you bear the War King''s rage?"


    "Enough nonsense!"


    Xiao Yi dug at his ear, clearly impatient, "Fulfill the bet; kneel at the gates of Treasure Pavilion for three days and three nights. Otherwise, I''ll break your legs and have you kneel outside for three days and three nights!"


    "Scoundrel, I will leave today, and I want to see who dares to touch me!"


    Yuan Da snorted and addressed his ten soldiers, "If anyone dares to make a move, kill without mercy!"


    "Yes!"


    The ten soldiers responded in unison.


    Clang clang clang!


    One by one, they aimed their weapons at Xiao Yi.


    Yuan Da, with a cold sneer on his face, directly walked away, his triumphant voice echoing inside the alchemy room, "Hahaha. Xiao Yi, you''re just a paper tiger. I''m leaving openly and nobly, what can you do to me?"


    "Seeking death!"


    A cold gleam swept through Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    Whoosh!


    His figure suddenly transformed into a streak of black light. The ten military men''s expressions drastically changed, as they all swung their swords toward Xiao Yi.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    Amidst the crisp ringing, sparks flew in all directions.


    The sounds of Wind Thunder were incessant.


    "No..."


    "Ah, my eyes��"


    Under the onslaught of Wind Thunder, the ten soldiers were instantly beheaded, turning into ten headless corpses lying in a pool of blood.


    Around Xiao Yi, lightning flickered and danced; with a burst of roaring wind, an icy qi hand formed and grabbed towards Yuan Da''s neck. Yuan Da''s face changed dramatically, already on guard, as a buzz sounded and a black long knife landed into his palm.


    Whoosh!


    The long knife cut through the air, creating a dazzling, colorful arc like a rainbow set in front of him.


    However��


    This slash, potent enough to threaten a Dharma Manifestation Realm first-level warrior, didn''t even manage to break the lightning coursing over Xiao Yi''s body.


    Xiao Yi stepped out. S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bang!


    His foot hit Yuan Da squarely in the face.


    Wow!


    Amidst his screams, blood spurted from all seven orifices, as Yuan Da was stomped beneath Xiao Yi''s foot, his face twisted with ferocity and resentment, "Xiao Yi, release me at once. Otherwise, I will report to the prince and have you torn to pieces��"


    "Shut up!"


    A cold light passed through Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    Whoosh!


    Silver sword energy flickered at his fingertips. In a spurting burst of fresh blood, Yuan Da''s legs were severed just below the knees. Xiao Yi used telekinesis to grab one of the severed legs, complete with its shoe, and stuffed it directly into Yuan Da''s mouth.


    Yuan Da''s eyes were filled with fury, his body bound by Xiao Yi''s qi, reduced to making only muffled noises.


    Xiao Yi carried Yuan Da with one hand, walking out of the Treasure Pavilion.


    At the same time.


    The crowd waiting outside the Treasure Pavilion were growing impatient, "What on earth is happening inside?"


    "Has General Yuan found any evidence?"


    "Is the Treasure Pavilion wronged or innocent?"


    Within the crowd.


    Beitang Feng was somewhat anxious, "Ancestor Nangong, Yuan Da has been inside for so long, could something have happened?"


    Nangong Shengtian waved his hand, his face calm and confident, "Be patient, our plan is flawless. With General Yuan and Ning Kang cooperating, nothing can go wrong. We just have to wait for him to come out and reveal the truth to everyone!"


    As they were talking.


    A shadow suddenly flew out of the Treasure Pavilion.


    "Here it comes!"


    "Who is that?"


    "Could it be Xiao Yi?"


    The onlookers turned their curious eyes towards the shadow.


    Thud!


    The shadow fell heavily outside the Treasure Pavilion, kneeling on the ground facing the building, with a severed leg in its mouth.


    As the dust settled.


    The onlookers finally saw the person''s face and couldn''t help but take a sharp intake of breath, "Yuan Da?"


    Bang!


    The confidence on Nangong Shengtian''s face vanished, replaced by confusion, "How can it be him?"

 Chapter 377 - 377 Taking Advantage of Ones Predicament

    "How could it be him?"


    Nangong Shengtian looked bewildered at Yuan Da, whose legs had been severed and who now knelt on the ground in humiliation, unable to move.


    His aged face was filled with astonishment.


    No longer could he maintain his previous calm and composure.


    Surprised cries also arose from the crowd, "General Yuan Da? How did he end up like this?"


    "Damn it, could there really be a problem with the Treasure Pavilion?"


    "Could it be they''re planning to silence him by killing him?"


    Da da da!


    A series of footsteps came from inside the Treasure Pavilion. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi and Yang Ling walked shoulder to shoulder, with Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo closely following behind.


    The group once again appeared before everyone.


    Yang Ling exchanged a glance with Xiao Yi, nodded, then stepped forward and scanned the crowd as he spoke in a deep voice, "It has now been ascertained that there is no trace of counterfeit medicine within the Treasure Pavilion; it was indeed Ning Kang who falsely accused the Treasure Pavilion. General Yuan Da honored his gambling agreement with Xiao, voluntarily kneeling in front of the Treasure Pavilion to repent for three days and three nights!"


    Everyone: "..."


    Looking at Yuan Da, whose legs had been cut off and who knelt motionless on the ground.


    Is this what is called ''voluntary''?


    However...


    Yang Ling was Emperor Qian''s most beloved prince, so naturally, no one would dare to speak rashly, so as not to offend the prince who might well ascend the throne in the future.


    Xiao Yi stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.


    Passing through the crowd.


    His eyes briefly swept over the carriage where Nangong Shengtian and Beitang Feng were located, a cold smile curling the corners of his mouth as he spoke out loud, "Ladies and gentlemen, it has now been proven that the Treasure Pavilion has nothing to do with this counterfeit medicine incident..."


    "Wait a moment!"


    The voice of Beitang Feng suddenly cut through the crowd.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth twitched slightly, "So you couldn''t help but jump out, could you?"


    The crowd turned in the direction of the voice.


    There, Beitang Feng walked with his hands behind his back, a look of cold indifference on his face, approaching Xiao Yi and the others.


    He bowed respectfully to Yang Ling, then turned his gaze to Nalan Qianqiu who stood behind Xiao Yi, "Master Nalan, I have come for the final payment for that batch of medicinal herbs!"


    Ning Luo spoke in a heavy voice, "Mr. Beitang, our agreement was in seven days..."


    "Let me correct you, our agreement was within seven days!


    Beitang Feng laughed proudly, his gaze challenging as he looked at Xiao Yi and the others, "Now I''ve brought the medicinal herbs; if you pay the final sum immediately, I will hand them over to you. Otherwise, it shall be taken as Treasure Pavilion forfeiting the deal!"


    The contract they had signed was clear, in black and white.


    If the Treasure Pavilion forfeited the deal, the one hundred trillion silver deposit would go to the Beitang Family.


    This was exactly what Beitang Feng intended.


    Taking advantage of the counterfeit medicine scandal that erupted in the Treasure Pavilion, he came to press for the payment. With the financial resources of the Treasure Pavilion, given time, it was certainly possible to gather one hundred trillion silver, but Beitang Feng insisted on an immediate deal.


    He didn''t believe the Treasure Pavilion could come up with that much money!


    Ning Luo shouted in anger, "Beitang Feng, you''re taking advantage of someone''s misfortune!"


    Beitang Feng said indifferently, "Even if I am taking advantage of someone''s misfortune, what can you do about it?"


    Nalan Qianqiu frowned, "Mr. Beitang, we''ve worked together for decades; can you not grant an extension of a few days?"


    "Personal relationships are one thing; business is another, and the two should not be mixed!"


    Beitang Feng said impatiently, "Just tell me, do you still want the medicinal herbs? If not, the one hundred trillion silver deposit is mine!"


    "You..."


    Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo''s faces were gloomy.


    Beitang Feng was smug, rejoicing inwardly: I knew you didn''t have the money; getting one hundred trillion silver for nothing is just too exhilarating!


    Just when Beitang Feng was feeling self-satisfied.


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly interjected, "Why not want them?"


    "Hm?"


    Beitang Feng was stunned, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yi as he frowned, "Xiao Yi? I was speaking with Master Nalan, when was it your turn to interject?"


    Nalan Qianqiu spoke calmly, "What Xiao is saying is exactly what I intended to say!"


    "Huh?"


    Beitang Feng''s sword-like eyebrows knitted tightly as he sized up Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu, saying in a heavy voice, "Make sure you heard me correctly, I''m talking about the final payment, a total of ten trillion taels of silver!"


    "Exactly ten trillion taels are here, the final payment has been settled. Now, hand over the medicinal materials!" Xiao Yi took out a storage ring, flicked it open with a swish, and a box of silver notes fell before Beitang Feng.


    Beitang Feng was instantly thrown into disarray: "..."


    Damn it!


    Where did you get so much money from?


    This is ten trillion taels of silver, not ten billion!


    Seeing Beitang Feng''s baffled face, Xiao Yi, Nalan Qianqiu, and the others couldn''t help but sneer inwardly, as if watching a clown perform.


    The money had been borrowed by Xiao Yi from Huang Baitao when he set this trap.


    Now, it was being put to good use!


    Xiao Yi extended his palm towards Beitang Feng: "Hand over the medicinal materials to me!"


    "I, I..."


    Beitang Feng''s eyes twitched.


    Nalan Qianqiu narrowed his eyes and said, "Mr. Beitang, surely you don''t have no stock at all? If that''s the case, then you would be the one in breach of contract..."


    "Master Nalan, we''ve been working together for so many years..." Beitang Feng said with a dark face.


    "Personal feelings aside, business is business, and that''s what you said!"


    Nalan Qianqiu threw Beitang Feng''s own words back at him. Watching Beitang Feng''s twitching face, Nalan Qianqiu felt an immense sense of satisfaction, and mockingly calculated, "You owe us a total of fifteen trillion taels of silver!"


    Beitang Feng''s face turned pale: "..."


    Where would he get fifteen trillion taels now?


    The ten trillion taels of initial payment given to him by Ning Luo had already been used to pay the Nangong Family for goods.


    "It''s not that..."


    Beitang Feng looked confused, cold sweat rolling down his forehead, his voice somewhat stammering, "You have to think this through; the goods are worth twenty trillion taels of silver. Your Treasure Pavilion is barely staying afloat, won''t these medicinal materials just rot in your hands if you take them?"


    "Who says we can''t stay afloat?" Xiao Yi asked with an odd look on his face.


    Beitang Feng frowned and said, "Your pills have killed people, who would dare to buy your pills?"


    "Who says our pills have killed people?" Xiao Yi asked in surprise.


    "Xiao Yi, the fact is right before us, are you still trying to deny it?"


    Beitang Feng pointed at the corpses on the handcart, gritting his teeth.


    Xiao Yi wore an odd expression: "Yuan Da found no evidence of fake medicine in Treasure Pavilion, so what makes you claim that the fake and poisonous pills he consumed were ours?"


    "Hmph, Xiao Yi, it seems you won''t shed tears until you see the coffin. Others may not know why your pills killed people, but I understand perfectly!"


    Beitang Feng scoffed, decreeing righteously, "The reason Treasure Pavilion produced poisonous pills that led to deaths is because of the substandard medicinal materials you brought back from the black market of Beast Emperor City. Open your eyes and look, this man''s grandson was so young, and he was killed by your hands, where is your conscience?"


    He was now determined to change the subject.


    Otherwise, if Xiao Yi insisted on him delivering the goods, it would be disastrous!


    Xiao Yi observed Beitang Feng with amusement.


    I talk to you about friendship, you bring up business.


    I bring up business, and now you speak to me about conscience?


    "Who told you he was poisoned by Treasure Pavilion''s medicine?"


    Xiao Yi revealed a sly smile and walked straight toward the old man pushing the cart, saying, "Old man, did your grandson die from consuming Treasure Pavilion''s pills?"


    The crowd turned their gaze to the old man.


    Beitang Feng also watched him unwaveringly.


    However...


    The old man shook his head, looking bewildered, "Treasure Pavilion? No, my grandson died after taking the Nangong Family''s pills, isn''t this the Nangong Family''s pill shop?"


    Woosh!


    Once these words were uttered.


    The noisy crowd instantly quieted down.


    It was eerily silent!


    You could hear a pin drop...

 Chapter 378 - 378 Counterattack Begins

    "What, what did he say?"


    "He seemed to say that he died after taking the Nangong Family''s elixir..."


    "That''s not right. If he died from taking the Nangong Family''s elixir, why did he run to the Treasure Pavilion?"


    "Wait... I suddenly remember, this old grandfather never said his grandson died from the elixirs of the Treasure Pavilion. He only said that he died from taking elixirs..."


    The old man''s words struck like a bolt of thunder, exploding amidst the crowd.


    In the midst of whispers coming from all around,


    Nangong Shengtian nearly fell off his carriage. His face turned ashen, his eyes glaring with disbelief as he shook his head, "How could this happen? How did this get pinned on us?"


    Hearing that someone died from the elixirs of the Treasure Pavilion, Nangong Shengtian jumped to conclusions,


    Believing it was the contamination of his Bihai Flower Powder in the elixirs.


    That was why he excitedly hurried over here.


    He even called Beitang Feng and Sun Yao along, aiming to put the Treasure Pavilion in a dire situation.


    However...


    Under Xiao Yi''s hands, all his previous schemes were being thwarted one after another.


    First, Ning Kang''s attempt to smear the reputation of the Treasure Pavilion led to a brutal beating by Ning Luo.


    That did not have much of an effect at all.


    Then Yuan Da appeared to investigate and verify the evidence.


    The outcome,


    Not only was the evidence not found, but Yuan Da himself had his legs chopped off and was now kneeling in front of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Out of frustration,


    Nangong Shengtian could only let Beitang Feng make a move, using the final payment of ten trillion Silver as leverage to fiercely suppress the might of the Treasure Pavilion while also openly embezzling the ten trillion Silver deposit of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Finally...


    Beitang Feng was outright played for a fool by Xiao Yi and others.


    Not only did he fail to take advantage of the situation and force the Treasure Pavilion, but he also ended up trapping himself. Now stuck in a quandary, Beitang Feng could only shift the target, but he ended up throwing the blame onto the Nangong Family.


    "Damn... How could there be such a coincidence in this world... How come it seems like Xiao Yi and his companions anticipated everything..."


    Nangong Shengtian was furious.


    Suddenly,


    His body stiffened abruptly.


    Nangong Shengtian''s complexion turned pale, and he swallowed hard, his heart pounding wildly as sweat rolled down his forehead, "It can''t be, I must be overthinking, it''s impossible..."


    At the same time,


    Xiao Yi feigned surprise and said, "What did you say? Your grandson was poisoned to death by the elixirs of the Nangong Family?"


    "Yes..."


    The old man looked confused, "Isn''t this place the Nangong Family Pharmacy?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "Old grandfather, you''ve got the wrong place. This is the Treasure Pavilion, and the Nangong Family Pharmacy isn''t here!"


    "Oh dear, I''m so sorry, I''m illiterate and came to the wrong place!"


    The old man seemed to finally come back to his senses. He quickly bowed and apologized to Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu, and then asked, "Young man, do you know where the Nangong Family Pharmacy is? I must seek justice for my grandson!"


    Xiao Yi said, "Old grandfather, the Nangong Family is powerful and influential. It might be dangerous for you to go there alone. Since we''ve come across this matter today, we will definitely not ignore it. Let us accompany you to the Nangong Family Pharmacy to demand justice!"


    "That''s right, we''ll accompany you to get justice!" Ning Luo said.


    Nalan Qianqiu looked towards Yang Ling and called out loud, "Your Highness Yang Ling, please join us as we proceed to the Nangong Family Pharmacy to seek redress!"


    "..."


    Yang Ling looked at Xiao Yi and his companions exchange words, and suddenly realized the key to the situation.


    He couldn''t help but smile bitterly to himself.


    He hadn''t expected that all of this was Xiao Yi''s stratagem.


    Otherwise,


    How could the old man coincidentally confuse the Treasure Pavilion with the Nangong Family Pharmacy?


    "Nangong Shengtian... of all people to provoke, you just had to provoke Xiao Yi..."


    Yang Ling sighed, then nodded and said, "Master Nalan, rest assured, I will certainly accompany you all to investigate this counterfeit medicine incident thoroughly. I will not let any villain get away with it!"


    "Your Highness is wise!"


    Nalan Qianqiu exclaimed loudly.


    The old man, with tears streaking down his face, showed his gratitude: "Your Highness is wise, thank you for standing up for us!"


    Xiao Yi shouted to the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, would you like to join us to the Nangong Family Pharmacy, to seek justice for this poor grandfather and grandson?"


    "Let''s go together!"


    "We must get justice!"


    "If it''s really the Nangong Family''s medicine that killed people, they must give us an explanation..."


    Those who had initially targeted the Treasure Pavilion, now suddenly shifted their aim.


    Beitang Feng''s face turned pale in an instant, and he subconsciously looked towards the crowd for Nangong Shengtian. However, he didn''t catch a glimpse of Nangong Shengtian; the latter''s carriage had long since made a quick escape.


    "It''s over..."


    Beitang Feng felt a chill run down his spine.


    He was just about to lower his head and sneak away into the crowd when he suddenly saw a pair of feet in front of him. Looking up instinctively, he saw Xiao Yi with his arms crossed, gazing at him playfully, "Mr. Beitang, our deal isn''t done yet! Thinking of slipping away already? That doesn''t seem quite right, does it?"


    "Uh..."


    Beitang Feng''s face went through a series of awkward contortions, and with a light cough, he said, "Who said I was running away? Since you''re all going to the Nangong Family Pharmacy, I plan to go have a look as well!"


    "Oh? In that case, let''s go together!" Xiao Yi laughed heartily, and with one arm slung around Beitang Feng''s shoulder, said, "After we sort out the matter with the Nangong Family Pharmacy, we''ll continue discussing our deal for the two hundred trillion silver''s worth of medicine materials!"


    Beitang Feng: "..."


    Thinking of breaking free, but with Xiao Yi''s strength, how could he possibly shake him off?


    Poor Beitang Feng, the imposing master of the Beitang Family, was being led away by Xiao Yi like a little chick.


    The news of the poisonings from the Treasure Pavilion had spread throughout the entire capital, bolstered by the Nangong Family''s propaganda. The number of people who rushed to observe was in the hundreds of thousands, surpassing even the turnout for the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy''s grand opening.


    The crowd gathered into a dark, steel torrent, rolling towards the Nangong Family Pharmacy. S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Along the way,


    More and more people join the throng as they hear the news.


    The Nangong Family, one of the four great noble families, had stood tall in the Great Qian Dynasty for over a thousand years.


    Such a behemoth had never before been openly challenged.


    But now...


    Led by the Treasure Pavilion and with Prince Yang Ling among them, as well as the rapidly rising star, Chancellor Xiao Yi of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, this group launched a sudden attack on the Nangong Family''s pharmacy.


    Naturally, it drew the attention of countless powerhouses.


    "Did the Nangong Family''s medicine really kill someone?"


    "I believe we will have a result very soon..."


    "Let''s go have a look!"


    Watching the crowd continuously gathering around, Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly: "The counterattack begins now!"

 Chapter 379 - 379: Youre going to kill me!

    Vermilion Bird Avenue.


    Since receiving the batch of new medicines sent by Nangong Shengtian and others, Nangong Shou felt as though he had taken a reassuring pill.


    He spent his days lounging lazily in a rocking chair at the entrance, swaying his body, with a fan in one hand and a teacup in the other.


    Tasting the fresh tea in his cup.


    With squinted eyes, Nangong Shou looked at the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy across the street, his face gleeful at their misfortune: "I wonder how the situation is being handled over there. If the matter is confirmed, the Treasure Pavilion will never see a day of return!"


    Nangong Shou hummed a little tune to himself.


    Suddenly...


    The ground shook, and a series of rapid footsteps was heard.


    Nangong Shou was taken aback and frowned, only to see figures converging from both sides of Vermilion Bird Avenue.


    There were tens of thousands of them.


    "Hmm? Could they be coming to smash up the Treasure Pavilion?"


    Nangong Shou was startled, eager and anticipatory.


    These days...


    They had been tormented by the Treasure Pavilion, watching people come and go there, while here, their doorstep was deserted. Today, upon suddenly hearing that trouble had befallen the Treasure Pavilion, Nangong Shou had purposely moved a stool to the entrance to wait.


    Just to watch the drama unfold!


    However.


    These people were not heading to the Treasure Pavilion Pharmacy but were coming straight towards him.


    Nangong Shou''s heart skipped a beat: "What''s going on?"


    A servant beside him said instinctively, "Manager, could it be that something really happened at the Treasure Pavilion, so they''re all coming here to buy medicine?"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shou was startled and smiled approvingly, "That''s right, it must be as you say. Have someone tidy up inside quickly; looking at this situation, we''re very likely to break our previous sales record today!"


    The servant hurried away.


    Watching the crowd that had already reached him, Nangong Shou greeted them with a smile: "My friends, are you here to buy medicine? Please come inside. Our Nangong Family Pharmacy has been in business for many years, with honesty for the young and the old, unlike those low-priced, inferior medicines!"


    However...


    The crowd was unmoved, their faces strangely looking at Nangong Shou and the pharmacy behind him.


    Nangong Shou was puzzled: "What''s happening?"


    From within the crowd.


    People whispered to each other: "Do you think that rumor is true?"


    "They say that it was the deceased young man''s family who personally claimed he died after taking medicine from the Nangong Family Pharmacy..."


    "Xiao and Yang Ling are on their way here to seek justice for the young man who passed away."


    Thud!


    Nangong Shou''s smile abruptly stiffened, and his eyes showed shock: "What do you mean? Someone died from taking our Nangong Family''s medicine? This, wasn''t it the Treasure Pavilion''s medicine that killed someone? How did it become ours..."


    At this moment.


    A pathway suddenly cleared in the crowd, and a flatbed cart was slowly pushed out by Ning Luo.


    Xiao Yi and others followed closely behind.


    Nangong Shou''s gaze fell on the body of the young man on the cart, his face drastically changing, his breathing becoming rapid: "A, a serious incident has happened..."


    "Are you the manager of this pharmacy?" Yang Ling''s gaze was cold as he stared at Nangong Shou.


    Nangong Shou had a bitter taste in his mouth but had no choice but to nod: "Indeed, I am, Your Highness Yang Ling. May I know your commands?"


    Yang Ling spoke indifferently, "Someone has accused that taking medicine bought from your Nangong Family Pharmacy has led to death. We need to conduct a search inside!"


    "This..."


    Nangong Shou said with a troubled face, "Your Highness, there will definitely be no issues with our Nangong Family Pharmacy. This must be someone framing us."


    ```


    "Whether there is a problem, let it be clear after investigation!" Yang Ling said.


    Nangong Shou''s face kept changing, his heart filled with anxiety as he thought about how to respond.


    Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky above.


    The person was none other than Nangong Shengtian.


    He had just gone to another pharmacy to completely clear out all the medicinal pills, storing them in his Storage Ring. He had not come to Vermilion Bird Avenue Pharmacy first because it had the widest sales, and he had specifically instructed Nangong Shou to stock up on pills in advance.


    They were not displayed on the shelves.


    That''s why he was in no hurry to come over.


    "Ancestor!"


    Upon seeing Nangong Shengtian, Nangong Shou felt as if he had seen a lifesaver and approached him excitedly.


    Nangong Shengtian nodded and said, "Leave this to me."


    "Yes!"


    Nangong Shou breathed a sigh of relief and stood beside Nangong Shengtian.


    Nangong Shengtian''s icy gaze swept over Xiao Yi, finally settling on Yang Ling as he said with a faint smile, "Your Highness Yang Ling, I didn''t know you were coming from afar, my apologies for not welcoming you sooner!"


    Yang Ling waved his hand and said indifferently, "Ancestor Nangong, someone has accused the Nangong Family Pharmacy''s pills of causing death!"


    Feigning shock, Nangong Shengtian said, "Caused death? Your Highness really knows how to joke. The Nangong Family has been in the pill business for so many years, let alone causing death, there hasn''t even been a single side effect. This must surely be a frame-up, perhaps the malicious competition of a rival!"


    While speaking, his gaze paused on Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu.


    His eyes revealed an indescribable meaning.


    Nalan Qianqiu said lightly, "Ancestor Nangong, are you pointing at the mulberry tree to curse the locust?"


    Ning Luo said, "When they came to my Treasure Pavilion, we never said anything about malicious competition like this. We cooperated actively with the investigation. But you, Ancestor Nangong, are obstructing us here. Could it be that your Nangong Family Pharmacy actually has a problem?"


    Nangong Shengtian snorted coldly and said, "Nonsense, how could there be a problem with my Nangong Family''s pharmacy?"


    "If there''s no problem, then let''s perform the examination!" Ning Luo said.


    Nangong Shengtian sneered confidently, "If after the examination it is found that we have no issue, what then?"


    Nalan Qianqiu said, "If there is no problem, I am willing to apologize formally to you!"


    "That''s not enough!"


    Nangong Shengtian scoffed, his cold gaze landing on Xiao Yi, "If we are proven innocent, I want all of you to kneel down and crawl between my legs to apologize to me!"


    Yang Ling frowned and said, "Ancestor Nangong, aren''t you going too far?"


    Those present are all respectable people.


    Apologizing formally is already quite humiliating.


    To crawl between legs? To kowtow and apologize?


    Nangong Shengtian''s provocative gaze looked at Xiao Yi and the others, "Don''t you dare?"


    Nalan Qianqiu and others all looked towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, and a golden figure flashed through the pharmacy, his lips curling upwards, "What is there to fear? But if it is proven that your Nangong Family has a problem, what then?"


    "As you wish!"


    Nangong Shengtian was brimming with confidence.


    "Deal!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Yang Ling, "Your Highness, please!" sea??h th�� novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yang Ling nodded and immediately led people towards the interior of the pharmacy.


    Nangong Shengtian lowered his voice and turned to Nangong Shou beside him, "The batch of new pills that was distributed to you earlier are all well hidden, right?"


    "Uh... Ah?"


    Nangong Shou was dumbfounded, "Ancestor, I saw so many people coming just now, I assumed they were all here to buy medicine, so, so I had it all brought out."


    "What?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s face turned rigid and he almost spewed a mouthful of old blood, looking at Nangong Shou with grief and indignation, "I... I... I''m going to be killed by you!"


    ```

 Chapter 380 - 380: Its Over! Completely Over!

    ```


    "I''m fucking killed by you!" Nangong Shengtian''s eyes were about to split with anger as he bellowed furiously.


    Pfft!


    Nangong Shou spat out a mouthful of fresh blood due to the shock, his face turning deathly pale in an instant.


    Seeing that Yang Ling and others were about to enter the pharmacy, Nangong Shengtian whispered, "I''ll stop them, you go and collect all the new medicines right now, not leaving behind a single bottle!"


    "Understood��"


    Nangong Shou, enduring the excruciating pain as if his internal organs were being torn apart, nodded slightly.


    He had now realized the severity of the situation.


    Not daring to delay any further.


    Nangong Shengtian took a deep breath, sidestepped to block Xiao Yi and the others, and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, Xiao, you may inspect the pharmacy, and there is no problem with that. But we must follow proper procedures, and once inside, you are not permitted to touch any of the medicines without permission. Of course, I will ensure that the pharmacy staff assist you fully!" S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From the corner of his eye, Xiao Yi noticed Nangong Shou had already circumvented the crowd and was heading towards the back yard of the pharmacy.


    "Get out of the way!"


    Xiao Yi took a step forward.


    "Xiao, don''t push it too far!" Nangong Shengtian threatened grimly.


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh, "What are you having Nangong Shou sneak off to the backyard for? I have reason to suspect you are destroying evidence, move aside��"


    "Nangong Shengtian, don''t push your luck. Do you really think I, Xiao Yi, am afraid of you?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s eyes turned a fierce red as he flew into a rage, his booming roar like thunder on a clear day, deafening, "Without my permission, no one dares set foot in part of the pharmacy. To do so would be considered a challenge to the Nangong Family''s authority, and my Nangong Family will fight to the death!"


    Hiss!


    His swearing was truly intimidating.


    It made those strong individuals who were following Xiao Yi and trying to enter the pharmacy dare not get too close.


    Little Lin''s voice echoed in his mind, "Boss, Nangong Shou has already entered the pharmacy from the backyard, do you want me to subdue him?"


    "Do not act rashly, if you strike they can completely frame us, claiming you placed those medicines on the shelves. I will find a way inside��"


    After Xiao Yi transmitted his message, he stepped forward, "Nangong Shengtian, if you don''t move aside within three breaths, don''t blame me for being merciless!"


    "Nangong Shengtian, I want to see how merciless you can be!" Nangong Shengtian mocked confidently.


    In his view��


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation level, no matter how strong, was ultimately only at the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    While he was a Dharma Manifestation Realm sixth layer powerhouse.


    How could Xiao Yi possibly be his opponent?


    "One!"


    Nangong Shengtian scoffed, "Two, three! Three breaths have passed; what can you do to me?"


    "This is your own doing!"


    Xiao Yi harrumphed coldly.


    Between his brows, lightning flickered.


    All over his body, a fierce wind began to howl.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body erupted in an instant, with terrible winds and thunder enveloping Xiao Yi. His right hand slowly drew to his waist, and with a sudden shout, his punch shot out like a dragon leaping from the sea.


    Boom!


    Amidst a terrifying boom.


    A colossal fist shadow mixed with wind and thunder appeared in front of Nangong Shengtian in an instant.


    "Trifling tricks, I can destroy them effortlessly��" Nangong Shengtian said confidently, sweeping his hand casually.


    A huge golden palm materialized in front of him.


    Crack!


    Amidst a harsh snapping sound.


    The golden palm exploded into pieces.


    Nangong Shengtian''s pupils constricted sharply as a terrifying energy storm turned his face instantly pale. His vital energy circulated around his body, trying to activate his Martial Dao Fasxiang, but at that moment, the Mad Wind Thunder Fist had already struck him.


    ```


    Crackling and popping!


    Amidst a sharp sound, lightning and electric arcs covered his entire body.


    Nangong Shengtian''s body stiffened.


    He was paralyzed all over.


    And immediately after��


    A fierce windstorm swept over his body, whooshing as it viciously flung him flying, the path of his figure marked by the howling wind and flashing lightning with thunderous roars. Nearly half of the pharmacy''s roof was blown away, and amidst the terrifying boom, Nangong Shengtian crashed down into the backyard.


    Hisss!


    A chorus of sharp intakes of breath rose from the crowd.


    As pair after pair of eyes turned towards Xiao Yi, they all revealed shock and surprise, "Is Dean Xiao that strong?"


    "To send Ancestor Nangong flying with a single punch, is that even possible for someone at the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    "Look at the pharmacy..."


    There, Nangong Shou was rapidly putting vials of medicine into his storage ring. He had only collected a small part when the pharmacy was blown open by Xiao Yi, exposing the inside of the Nangong Family Pharmacy to everyone''s gaze in an instant.


    His movements abruptly stiffened, hanging in midair.


    Pair after pair of eyes fell on him, "Isn''t that Nangong Shou? Wasn''t he outside the door just now? When did he sneak in?"


    "Sneaking around, now he''s gathering these medicines, could it be that the Nangong Family''s medicines really have issues?"


    "That''s not possible, right?"


    "Take another look, see if there''s anything wrong with the medicines in those vials..."


    The barrage of gazes felt like thorns on Nangong Shou''s back.


    Holding several vials in his hand, he was caught in a dilemma, uncertain whether to put them down or not.


    "Nangong Shou, what are you doing?" Yang Ling shouted angrily.


    Bang!


    The medicines in Nangong Shou''s hands dropped to the ground, as he said anxiously, "I, I was just tidying up the counter, to make it easier for Your Highness to inspect��"


    "Hand over all the medicines you''ve gathered!" Ning Luo stepped forward and grabbed Nangong Shou by the neck with one hand.


    "Let go, let go..."


    Nangong Shou struggled frantically, his face a picture of desperation.


    Ning Luo tossed Nangong Shou in front of Yang Ling and with a casual wave, gathered all the medicines that hadn''t been packed in time from the counter. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he placed the vials at the entrance.


    Yang Ling''s expression was cold as he glared at Nangong Shou.


    He had not expected Nangong Shengtian to dare such trickery right under his nose.


    Truly, he did not take him seriously.


    Yang Ling''s face darkened, "Just now, what were you doing?"


    Nangong Shou''s body trembled, but he refused to speak.


    "You think I can''t deal with you if you don''t talk?" Looking up at Ning Luo, Yang Ling said indifferently, "I detest those who play dirty tricks behind people''s backs the most. Break ten of his fingers first!"


    "Yes!"


    Ning Luo acted swiftly, breaking Nangong Shou''s fingers one by one.


    "Ah..."


    Nangong Shou convulsed in agony, his face so contorted that his features were squeezed together.


    Yang Ling said dispassionately, "If you don''t come clean now, I''ll break ten of your toes!"


    Hisss!


    Nangong Shou gasped in pain, not daring to hide anything any longer, and hastily confessed, "I''ll tell you everything... It was the ancestor who asked me to sneak in secretly, he instructed me to take these medicines and not let you discover them."


    "Are there issues with these medicines?"


    "If there weren''t any problems, why would Nangong Shengtian have Nangong Shou secretly collect them?"


    In the backyard.


    Nangong Shengtian, who had just crawled out from the ruins, suddenly heard the whispers in the crowd, as well as the vials placed in front of Yang Ling; his face turned deathly pale, the world spinning around him, "It''s over, the Nangong Family is completely finished..."

 Chapter 381 - 381 Disgraced

    "It''s over, the Nangong Family is finished."


    Nangong Shengtian felt the world spinning, dizzy and vision-blurred.


    The Nangong Family had stood strong for many years, and aside from the cheap medicinal materials supplied by the Beitang Family, the most important aspect was the Nangong Family''s potent alchemy team. Even without top alchemists, the middle- and low-end elixirs were enough to dominate the entire Great Qian Dynasty.


    Plus the hefty profits.


    That''s what allowed the Nangong Family to pass down their legacy, becoming one of the four great noble clans.


    Once there was trouble with the elixir shop.


    The financial lifeline of the Nangong Family was severed.


    Just the massive amount of money they owed the Beitang Family could nearly drain the Nangong Family''s resources, never to recover.


    What''s the thing the elixir industry fears the most?


    Exactly, problems with the elixirs!


    "I just hope that all my suspicions are false, only then does my Nangong Family have a glimmer of hope!" muttered Nangong Shengtian, but even he felt that this hope was extremely slim!


    Meanwhile.


    Nangong Shou had already taken out all the elixirs from the storage ring.


    Elixir bottles, crystal-clear and flawless, were laid out on the ground, totaling over ten thousand bottles, each containing ten pills. Just here, there were elixirs worth over a hundred billion silver.


    Yang Ling picked up one of the jade bottles and poured out the elixirs inside.


    This was the Shen Yi Elixir.


    Yang Ling examined the color and quality, frowning slightly.


    These elixirs not only lacked any issues but also were all of the highest quality, definitely not fakes!


    "Your Highness, may I have a look?" Nalan Qianqiu spoke up.


    Yang Ling was startled, as Nalan Qianqiu himself was a seven-star alchemist. He indeed had more authority in assessing elixirs than Yang Ling, who immediately passed the elixirs to Nalan Qianqiu.


    "Shen Yi Elixir? Top quality?"


    Nalan Qianqiu inspected it carefully.


    Yang Ling frowned, "Master Nalan, are you saying there''s nothing wrong with these elixirs?" sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nalan Qianqiu shook his head, sneering, "The fact that there''s nothing wrong is the biggest problem.


    "What do you mean by that?"


    Everyone looked at Nalan Qianqiu, puzzled.


    Nalan Qianqiu spoke gravely, "The Shen Yi Elixir uses thirty-six different herbs that interact with each other, capable of neutralizing most atypical medicinal properties. The only herb, Green Glaze Grass, would make the elixir have cold attributes. But these Shen Yi Elixirs have no cold properties, which means something else must have been added!"


    Yang Ling frowned, "Can you analyze what exactly was added?"


    Nalan Qianqiu shook his head, "With my expertise, I can''t tell, but..." He looked at Xiao Yi, smiling, "Dean Xiao, I''ll have to trouble you now!"


    Nangong Shengtian raged, "Nalan Qianqiu, even you can''t discern what extra has been added, so why pass it to Xiao Yi? He''s just a young boy, could his alchemy skills surpass yours? The elixirs from my Nangong Family would never have any problems; I think you''re intentionally saying this, trying to frame my Nangong Family!"


    In his view, this was a unique opportunity.


    As everyone knows.


    Xiao Yi is invincible among his peers, and he''s only twenty years old!


    With such a cultivation at twenty years of age.


    How could he possibly also practice the way of alchemy?


    Nalan Qianqiu looked at Nangong Shengtian as if looking at an idiot, shaking his head in a sigh, "Nangong Shengtian, to this moment you still don''t know how terrifying your opponent truly is. I really don''t understand where you got the courage to dare make an enemy of Dean Xiao!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shengtian was stunned, his face filled with bewilderment.


    Ning Luo spoke indifferently, "Dean Xiao''s alchemy skills far surpass ours."


    "What?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s eyes widened in disbelief, he shook his head, "Impossible, absolutely impossible. How old is he? Moreover, as far as I know, he was imprisoned by Xiao Tianjiao and has only truly been exposed to the martial path for less than three years��"


    Nangong Shengtian''s voice suddenly stopped.


    His face turned from pale to flushed repeatedly.


    Yes!


    A person who had been exposed to martial arts for less than three years had managed to grow from the Physical Body Realm directly to a realm comparable to the masters of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Could it be that he couldn''t cultivate the path of alchemy at the same time?


    Gurgle!


    Nangong Shengtian''s face turned pale as he muttered to himself, "Is there really such a genius in this world? Xiao Zhengde even said he was trash? Go to hell with your trash..."


    Xiao Yi gently sniffed the Shen Yi Elixir placed in front of his nose.


    "This has added millennium flower, hundred beasts'' blood, as well as heavenly centipede vine... all these ingredients can increase the pill success rate and the quality of the elixirs, but they all have one thing in common. That is, they cannot be preserved for long, generally undergoing changes within three days and turning into deadly poisons. Within seven days, all the elixirs will rot into mud!"


    Xiao Yi looked at the corpse on the cart with bleeding orifices, shook his head slightly, and sighed, "He must have taken the elixirs after they changed, that''s why he was poisoned and died. What a pity, if he hadn''t taken those elixirs immediately and waited a few more days, those pills would have thoroughly rotted away!"


    "Is there evidence?" Yang Ling asked.


    Xiao Yi nodded his head and approached the young man''s corpse.


    He pointed several times at his lower abdomen.


    Streams of Qi entered the body.


    Xiao Yi stepped back and said, "One of the characteristics of taking heavenly centipede vine is that after death, the stomach will turn into sticky black strip-like objects, resembling black centipedes."


    As soon as the words were out.


    The young man''s body shook violently, he opened his mouth with a "wow," and several black, sticky stripe-shaped objects spurted out from his mouth.


    They hung from the cart.


    Like black centipedes, they crawled between the cart''s boards.


    Hiss!


    All present inhaled sharply.


    The symptoms were exactly as Xiao Yi had described!


    "He really was poisoned!"


    "The poisoned components are the same as the ones added by the Nangong Family in their elixirs, it seems that he did indeed die from taking the Nangong Family''s elixirs..."


    "The Nangong Family has been in business for many years, how could they suddenly add these things?"


    "Didn''t you hear what Xiao Yi said? These ingredients can improve the success rate and quality rate of pills, just think about it, a batch of pills that would normally yield ten pills, adding these could lead to twenty or even thirty, cutting the cost down to one third!"


    "Isn''t that too unscrupulous?"


    "Who will dare to buy the Nangong Family''s elixirs again in the future?"


    "We must let everyone know about this. The Nangong Family has tens of thousands of elixir shops within the Great Qian Dynasty, we absolutely cannot let these unscrupulous merchants get away with it. From now on, when buying elixirs, only trust Treasure Pavilion!"


    Outraged curses continued to arise.


    In Nangong Shengtian''s ears, they were like numerous swords, repeatedly piercing his body.


    Nangong Shengtian''s vision darkened.


    Feeling as if all the strength had been drained from his body, his face was filled with despair. This time the Nangong Family was utterly disgraced.


    Completely defeated!


    Defeated beyond repair.


    There was no longer any possibility of rising again!


    Let alone the ruined reputation, it was now impossible for anyone to purchase elixirs from them again, just based on what Xiao Yi had just said, all elixirs made with those ingredients would turn to mud after seven days.


    For the sake of concocting this batch of elixirs, his Nangong Family had invested all they had!


    The elixirs, which were crafted from ingredients worth a total of ten trillion Silver, would turn into mud within a few days and all would be lost.


    At that moment...


    Nangong Shengtian suddenly realized.


    Ning Kang''s betrayal.


    The secret formula stolen.


    Poisoning!


    All of it was a trap laid out by Xiao Yi!


    With bloodshot eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, Nangong Shengtian spewed out a mouthful of fresh blood, and as his eyes rolled back, he let out a desperate and unwilling roar before fainting, "Xiao Yi... you have such a cruel heart..."

 Chapter 382 - 382: The True Dragon Among Men

    Nangong Shengtian slowly woke up.


    He found himself still inside the pill shop on Vermilion Bird Avenue, raised his hand to pat his head, only feeling a bout of weakness throughout his body.


    "You''re awake?"


    A playful voice rang out beside his ear.


    Nangong Shengtian was startled and instinctively looked towards the sound, only to see Xiao Yi squatting next to him with a slight smile on his lips and a radiant expression, mockingly staring at him. The teasing in his eyes almost made Nangong Shengtian pass out again.


    "Cough, cough cough��"


    Nangong Shengtian coughed several times and finally regained some composure, staring intently at Xiao Yi, "I did not expect that I would actually fall into your hands."


    "There are many things you wouldn''t expect, such as��" Xiao Yi pointed behind him, and there was Beitang Feng, looking at him with a wry smile on his face, then stood up smiling, "You two have a chat first!"


    Beitang Feng cleared his throat with a light cough, his face showing a hint of embarrassment, said, "Nangong Shengtian, it''s about time to settle those debts your Nangong Family owes me!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shengtian''s face turned deathly pale as he coughed violently and pointed at Beitang Feng in fury, "Beitang Feng, do you really have to kick me when I''m down, taking advantage of someone''s misfortune, despite our acquaintance?"


    The batch of medical ingredients worth ten trillion silver had completely gone to waste.


    In a few more days, it would all turn to sludge.


    Moreover...


    He had already owed the Beitang Family over ten trillion silver in debts, and with a total of nearly thirty trillion silver, it was impossible to gather such a sum unless he sold off all of the Nangong Family''s properties!


    Beitang Feng sighed, "Friendship is friendship, but business is business, you were the one who taught me that!"


    "..."


    Nangong Shengtian trembled all over.


    Back then, outside the Treasure Pavilion, when he prompted Beitang Feng to demand repayment of the debt, it was he who taught Beitang Feng these very words.


    And now...


    In just a few hours, Beitang Feng returned those same words to him, unchanged.


    At that moment, Nangong Shengtian felt the world spin.


    His vision darkened, and he almost passed out again.


    Even a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert''s mental resilience is extremely strong, yet the fact that Nangong Shengtian was so infuriated that he nearly fainted multiple times shows just how great this blow was to him.


    Nangong Shengtian clenched his jaws, said in a deep voice, "Beitang Feng, you are well aware of the situation my Nangong Family is in. We have so many pills stockpiled and hardly any liquid silver..."


    The Nangong Family''s profit from the pill trade might have been very high.


    But they also had a large household with immense daily expenses!


    After a year''s time,


    If they could save a few hundred billion silver, that would be considered a prosperous year.


    Unless he sold all of the Nangong Family''s shops and the stockpiled pills, there was no way to come up with nearly thirty trillion silver. But with the reputation the Nangong Family now had in the pill industry, who would dare to buy their goods?


    Weren''t they afraid that a few days later, all those pills would turn to mud?


    Beitang Feng hesitated for a moment and said, "Nangong Shengtian, you have to understand my situation as well. Medicine King Valley has been pressing for the fifteen trillion silver debt from you, and because of your family, I have to compensate the Treasure Pavilion with fifteen trillion silver. If you don''t repay the money, my Beitang Family will also suffer!"


    "I, I really have no money!" Nangong Shengtian cried out in despair and indignation.


    Experts at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the old ancestor of the Nangong Family, when had he ever been so subservient?


    Beitang Feng turned his head to look at Xiao Yi and Nalan Qianqiu and said in a deep voice, "I do have a way!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shengtian was stunned, a glint of hope flashing across his eyes.


    Beitang Feng said gravely, "Master Nalan and Xiao have promised that they are willing to spend the money to buy all of the Nangong Family''s shops and the medicinal pills they have hoarded."


    "Are they so kind-hearted?" Nangong Shengtian snorted coldly.


    Beitang Feng forced a smile and said, "Everybody acts for the sake of profit. Master Nalan, after all, is a businessman. He means to offer two hundred trillion silver to buy all of your Nangong Family''s shops and the hoarded medicinal pills." S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Two hundred trillion? They must be dreaming!" Nangong Shengtian exploded in rage.


    Initially, just purchasing those shops had cost them nearly one hundred trillion silver, not to mention the hoarded medicinal pills, which were valued at least at two hundred trillion silver.


    Xiao Yi and his people wanted to swallow it all up for the price of two hundred trillion silver.


    In Nangong Shengtian''s view, this was nothing short of daydreaming!


    Beitang Feng shrugged his shoulders and said, "To speak frankly, those medicinal pills are worth that much only if you can sell them; if you can''t, they are just rubbish. I have said all that I can, the rest is up to you to consider!"


    This time, Beitang Feng, too, was driven into a corner.


    He had not yet found a way to pay back the one hundred and fifty trillion silver he had guaranteed for the Nangong Family at Medicine King Valley, and now he needed to compensate Treasure Pavilion with another one hundred and fifty trillion silver in damages.


    After paying these two sums, the Beitang Family would be almost emptied out.


    It was at this moment...


    Xiao Yi gave him a choice; as long as he could persuade the Nangong Family to sell their shops and medicinal pills to Treasure Pavilion, they would only need to return the one hundred trillion silver deposit. Moreover, from now on, Treasure Pavilion would continue to source from the Beitang Family.


    Now that the Nangong Family had fallen, Treasure Pavilion was certain to completely dominate the medicinal pill market of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    At that time, the volume of medicinal herbs consumed by Treasure Pavilion each year would be a frightening figure.


    After weighing his options, Beitang Feng could only choose to betray his allies!


    Just as Nangong Sheng had taught him, friendship was one thing, but business was business!


    A dead comrade is not a dead me!


    Watching Beitang Feng, who returned to Xiao Yi and the others, bowing and scraping and all smiles, Nangong Shengtian''s face turned ashen. Trembling, he struggled to get up and walked desolately toward the Nangong Family.


    The Nangong Family was not something he alone could decide for.


    Watching Nangong Shengtian leave, Ning Luo said in a deep voice, "Director Xiao, are you sure it''s okay to let him go like this?"


    This was a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert, after all!


    "Don''t worry, he won''t be able to escape!"


    With wise light flickering in his half-closed eyes, Xiao Yi smiled slightly and said lightly, "When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. The Nangong Family''s tree has just fallen, and the demons and goblins have yet to make their move. Once they do, and he faces a real desperate situation, that''s when Nangong Shengtian will truly despair. That will be our chance to take over the Nangong Family!"


    Beitang Feng, standing by, secretly breathed a sigh of relief: Thank goodness my grudge with Xiao Yi wasn''t that deep, otherwise the one driven into a tight corner might have been me!


    He looked up at Xiao Yi in front of him.


    That handsome and young face, along with the achievements he had made in just three short years, Beitang Feng muttered, "Such a true dragon among men, why was he not born into my Beitang Family! But... that idiot Xiao Zhengde, to have abandoned such a heaven-sent child as if he were worthless, he is the truly pathetic one..."


    PS: The climax is not over yet, the explosion continues tomorrow!!!

 Chapter 383 - 383: When the Tree Falls, the Monkeys Scatter

    The news of the Nangong Family Pharmacy selling fake medicines swept through the entire imperial capital like a whirlwind.


    With the push from Treasure Pavilion, the news spread even further towards the countless cities of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    As the news spread...


    The Nangong Family Pharmacy saw sparse foot traffic, with hardly a single soul in sight.


    Eyes filled with despair.


    Not to mention these new medicines, even the previously hoarded high-quality pills were now unsellable.


    In just a mere two days.


    This news had permeated the entire Great Qian Dynasty, and more than thirty percent of the Nangong Family Pharmacies had been forced to close their doors. If it were just a matter of medicinal pills being unsellable, it would not have led to closure.


    What mattered more was that with the spread of this news.


    Strong figures who had bought pills from the Nangong Family Pharmacy before were knocking on the doors, requesting refunds, and even compensation.


    One or two families.


    Three or four families...


    Nearly every Nangong Family Pharmacy was faced with numerous strong figures seeking refunds and compensation.


    The Nangong Family had always been domineering, engaging in overt and covert battles, bullying many influential local forces. These locals had refrained from retaliating due to the Nangong Family''s strength, but now they had no more concerns.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, when the wall falls, everyone pushes it, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.


    Seeing the colossal Nangong Family about to collapse, all kinds of evil spirits began to emerge.


    As a result.


    In just two days, thirty percent of the Nangong Family Pharmacies had chosen to shut down, and the shopkeepers in charge of these pharmacies had also fled back to the imperial capital.


    Nowadays, the Nangong Family was even busier than during the yearly family meetings.


    Only this bustle was something the Nangong Family did not wish to see!


    Within the expansive Nangong Family estate.


    Nangong Shengtian was lying on the bed with a pale face, purple lips, and hollow eyes, feeling utterly hopeless and filled with deep remorse and guilt. Beside the bed, Nangong Shengji''s face was grim, and he remained silent.


    "Patriarch, the shopkeeper from Falling Star City, Nangong Tao, has also returned and is outside asking to see you..."


    "Patriarch, the shopkeeper from Sanyang City has returned..."


    Voices called out from outside the door.


    Nangong Yi''s face also looked extremely grim, and he didn''t even dare breathe heavily as he waved his hands to dismiss the announcers at the door.


    Now every piece of news that came was like a poisoned sword of invisible killing, stabbing into Nangong Shengtian''s body.


    Spuuurt!


    Nangong Shengtian suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face growing even paler, and he turned his head with difficulty to look at Nangong Shengji beside him, "Family, family head, all of this is because I was careless for a moment, bringing trouble upon our family..."


    Nangong Shengji shook his head, "Don''t say that, I too bear responsibility. It''s not all on you!"


    "Cough, cough cough..."


    Nangong Shengtian was coughing violently.


    Nangong Yi quickly stepped forward, covering his mouth with a handkerchief.


    When Nangong Yi lifted the handkerchief, he found it stained with blood, his expression changed slightly as he looked towards Nangong Shengji.


    A peak Dharma Manifestation Realm expert, now bedridden with illness and even coughing up blood.


    This clearly showed how devastating the blow was to Nangong Shengtian.


    Nangong Shengji took a deep breath and said solemnly, "You need to rest well, I will handle everything within the family!"


    Nangong Shengtian shook his head, a wry smile on his face, "Family head, although Beitang Feng''s words were harsh, as he said, this is indeed the only way we can preserve the family. We..."


    "Don''t speak!"


    Nangong Shengji shook his head, his eyes a bone-chilling ice-cold, "The Nangong Family''s legacy has lasted for a thousand years, it cannot end in my hands."


    "But we..."


    Nangong Shengtian''s pale face was tinged with an unshakable sorrow.


    Nangong Shengji waved his hand, yet said nothing more. After advising them to take good care of themselves and rest well, he got up and left.


    A moment later.


    Nangong Yi also followed him out, standing behind him. He said in a deep voice, "Master..."


    Nangong Shengji narrowed his eyes, his complexion as cold as ice, and asked indifferently, "What did they say when you contacted them?"


    "Master..."


    Nangong Yi''s face showed anger as he clenched his fists and said in a deep voice, "They mean that they can help us through this difficult time and ensure the survival of the Nangong Family. However, our Nangong Family would have to become their house slaves..."


    "House slaves?"


    Nangong Shengji trembled all over.


    Boom!


    A terrifying wave of energy exploded from his body. This wave surged heavenward from his center, tearing up the grass and roots in the surrounding area and turning the large garden into a mess in an instant.


    This furious storm continued for ten breaths.


    The grass and trees that had been flung up into the sky began to fall back down.


    Whoosh!


    Nangong Shengji took a long breath and said sternly, "Go tell them I agree to their demands. However, the Nangong Family''s structure must remain unchanged, and they cannot touch any of our business enterprises!"


    "Don''t worry, Patriarch, I''ll tell them right away!" A look of terror appeared on Nangong Yi''s pale face. That terrifying ten breaths had made him feel like he was in a deathly ice cellar, where he could die at any moment.


    Right now, he was fleeing for his life, not daring to stay by Nangong Shengji''s side.


    It was only after Nangong Yi had left.


    Nangong Shengji slowly opened his eyes, a flash of cold light flickering within: "Xiao Yi, Nalan Qianqiu... all of this is thanks to you both, I will absolutely not let you go!"


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the Treasure Pavilion.


    Nalan Qianqiu was standing in front of Xiao Yi, saying in a heavy voice, "Xiao, we''ve received news that Nangong Yi has left the Nangong Family and is heading to the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy."


    "The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy? It seems they''ve really made contact with the Unparalleled Martial King..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    Nalan Qianqiu nodded. Ever since the scandal at the Nangong Family Pharmacy was exposed, they had been monitoring the Nangong Family non-stop. If it weren''t for the presence of Nangong Shengji, a Dharma Phase Realm Peak powerhouse, they would have taken advantage of the situation and completely crushed the Nangong Family by now.


    After all. S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If driven to desperation, the rampage of a Dharma Phase Realm Peak existence.


    The reckless retaliation.


    Even the Treasure Pavilion and Xiaoshanhe Institute would suffer heavy losses.


    "If the Nangong Family truly joins forces with the Unparalleled Martial King, his power could completely help them out of this difficulty. In that case, wouldn''t all our previous plans be in vain?" Nalan Qianqiu''s face was colored with worry.


    They had paid a huge price to bring down the Nangong Family this time.


    If they couldn''t swallow the Nangong Family whole in the end, their efforts would have been for naught.


    The Unparalleled Martial King.


    This person was not just Emperor Qian''s imperial uncle but also a military powerhouse with heavy troops at his command. Moreover, he was the backing force behind Xue Yilou.


    Ning Luo and the others looked on worriedly.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved up slightly, revealing a fervent fighting spirit. He spoke lightly, "I have the Nangong Family in the bag... No matter the Martial King or War King, if they dare to reach out, I''ll chop off their claws as well..."

 Chapter 384 - 384: The First Task

    "Whoever dares to reach out, I''ll chop off their claws as well!"


    Xiao Yi said with a cold gaze.


    For the sake of plotting against the Nangong Family, he had spent a considerable amount of time.


    Victory seemed within reach.


    At this moment, regardless of who it was, if they dared to meddle, they were destined to end up on Xiao Yi''s blacklist.


    I don''t care if you''re some Unparalleled War King!


    I''ll lay them all flat!


    "Xiao, do you have a plan?" Nalan Qianqiu and Ning Luo exchanged glances, asking curiously.


    Even though Xiao Yi was much younger than them, after the interactions they had had over this period, they were completely convinced by Xiao Yi and looked to him for leadership.


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, "There are still three days left until my bet with Nangong Shengtian... But, we can''t idle away these three days!"


    "Are you preparing to..."


    Nalan Qianqiu looked on with curiosity.


    He couldn''t think of any strategy that Xiao Yi might have.


    After all.


    With the push from the Treasure Pavilion, the scandal of the Nangong Family Pharmacy had spread throughout the entire Great Qian Dynasty.


    Now the Nangong Family was collapsing, and everyone was eager to push them over.


    At this time...


    Unless they went to their door, they indeed had no other strategy.


    Xiao Yi cracked a sly smile, a playful look in his eyes, "The hermit has his own clever plans!"


    Two hours later.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute, Shanhe Court.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    A dull tolling of a bell sounded, reverberating throughout Imperial Dragon Mountain, the bell''s sonorous peals thunderously loud.


    The disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute who were practicing, along with the presiding elders, were all startled: "Is that the bell from the Shanhe Court?"


    "Could it be that a task is finally being issued?"


    "I''ve used up all my points, at last a task has come!"


    Everyone hastily headed towards the Shanhe Court.


    This was the first time a task had been issued since Xiaoshanhe Institute''s restructuring.


    Both disciples and presiding elders alike rushed towards the Shanhe Court.


    The five halls were newly built, and with the strength of the martial artists from Xiaoshanhe Institute, constructing these buildings was a matter of moments. The architecture of the five great halls was not luxurious but very grand and simple.


    The entire Shanhe Court was two stories tall.


    The first floor was for issuing and accepting tasks.


    The second floor was where, after completing tasks, disciples would submit their task completion applications. It was also where the Hall Master, the Vice Hall Masters, and those in charge of the Shanhe Court usually worked.


    Almost ten thousand people gathered in the first-floor hall of the Shanhe Court without it feeling crowded, with a ceiling height of thirteen meters. At the top, there hung an eight-sided pillar with a screen made of crystal on each side.


    These crystal screens contained an Eighth-layer Formation inscribed personally by Xiao Yi, capable of transmitting task information in real time.


    In the future, when there would be more tasks, all eight crystal screens would scroll through task information. If a task had already been completed, it would also be cleared from the screen immediately.


    Extremely convenient!


    When Xiao Yi first proposed this idea of crystal screens, it had stunned everyone for quite some time.


    It was astonishing!


    But now...


    The Shanhe Court had just opened, and the task information was sparse, just a single entry.


    Task 1: The Nangong Family Pharmacy has been selling fake medicines, seeking wealth and causing harm. Those with a conscience, join forces against it!


    Task Requirements: Ten people per team, both stewards and disciples may accept this task.


    Task Content: Each squad is responsible for one of the Nangong Family Pharmacies, helping those who have been deceived to seek justice and demand compensation!


    Task Reward: For each completed task, each member of the squad will be awarded 100 points!


    Hiss!


    Seeing the rows of bright red text, almost ten thousand people in the Shanhe Court inhaled sharply, their faces flushed with excitement, "They''re putting the Nangong Family on the road to doom!"


    "Do you even know how to speak? This is clearly about enforcing justice!"


    "Whether it''s putting oneself in danger or enforcing justice, I only know that every task completed earns you 100 points. If you complete a hundred tasks, isn''t that ten thousand points?"


    "Move, move, move..."


    "I want to receive a task!"


    One after another, strong figures stepped forward to receive their tasks.


    The method of receiving tasks was also quite peculiar; one simply needed to place their Token on the resonating Stele within the Task Hall, and options for selectable tasks would appear. By adding a chosen task, one could accept the task.


    Suddenly,


    Nearly ten thousand stewards and disciples had all received their tasks and left the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Only a group of elders looked at each other with wry smiles on their faces. A Tao Tribulation Realm Peak martial artist from Beast Emperor City grumbled, "The head of the institute is really stingy, only allowing stewards and disciples to take on tasks. This is like free points falling from the sky, and yet we aren''t allowed to participate?"


    Yu Huaxian gave him a glance.


    The strong figure trembled and said with a forced smile, "Vice Hall Master Yu, I was just... just making a casual complaint!"


    With the help provided by the special Jade Fetal Elixir given by Xiao Yi, Yu Huaxian had rejuvenated his vigor. Even the beard he had purposefully grown gave him an air of additional dignity. Combined with his status as a Vice Hall Master of the Punishment Hall, even the various elders and stewards held him in high regard.


    Yu Huaxian said indifferently, "Don''t worry, the head of the institute hasn''t planned for you all to be idle."


    Swish!


    A new task appeared on a crystal screen, a task that only elders could accept��to secretly protect the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute who had gone out.


    Each elder could receive a reward of ten thousand points.


    This was equivalent to resources worth a hundred million Silver!


    Moreover...


    The treasures, cultivation techniques, secret manuals, weapons, and even elixirs that could be exchanged for points were all much cheaper than those sold outside. If these ten thousand points were to be sold, they could fetch at least one hundred and fifty million Silver.


    Of course.


    The points of the Xiaoshanhe Institute were incredibly valuable, and not many were willing to part with them.


    The elders accepted the tasks one by one and left the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Half a day later.


    In the capital and its surrounding cities, disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute appeared. They either worked alone or in groups to assist the public in returning elixirs to the Nangong Family Pharmacy or demanding compensation.


    These disciples were determined to receive their compensation and resorted to all sorts of tactics.


    Some spent money to gather crowds, blocking the pharmacy until it was packed. S��ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Others simply began cultivating inside the pharmacy or even sparring for demonstration.


    This caused the Nangong Family''s pharmacy to be utterly helpless.


    Some shopkeepers, unable to bear the pressure, chose to return the elixirs or accept compensation.


    Suddenly,


    The news of the Nangong Family Pharmacy accepting returns and compensations for their elixirs spread like wildfire, and more and more people chose to return their elixirs and claim compensation, even those who did not suffer any adverse reactions from using the elixirs started returning them.


    After all...


    Although the prices of elixirs at the Treasure Pavilion had risen, they were still being sold at half price.


    There were even some thugs who deliberately consumed poison, claiming to have been poisoned by the Nangong Family''s elixirs, and sought compensation.


    By now, the Nangong Family was already in a predicament as they were caught with their pants down, unable to clear their name, and no one willing to believe their explanations.


    They had no choice but to compensate while gritting their teeth!


    This only added to the Nangong Family''s snowballing woes!


    One by one, the Nangong Family''s pharmacies had no alternative but to close down and dodge debts.


    One day.


    Two days.


    Three days...


    Within just three days, all of the pharmacies under the Nangong Family''s banner had shut their doors.


    Under normal circumstances, even if there was no business, it would be impossible for all of the Nangong Family''s pharmacies to close down. However, under the impetus of a single task from Xiao Yi, it became the last straw that broke the Nangong Family''s back.


    "Xiao, all the pharmacies of the Nangong Family within the Great Qian Dynasty have closed down!" Nalan Qianqiu exclaimed excitedly upon finding Xiao Yi.


    Gazing at Xiao Yi, his eyes were filled with awe.


    It was this young man who, almost single-handedly, had brought down one of the Great Qian Dynasty''s four major families in just one month''s time!


    "They''ve all closed down?"


    Xiao Yi opened his eyes, grinned, his eyes sparkling with a sharp light, "It''s finally my turn to take action!"

 Chapter 385 - 385: Who Do You Think You Are?

    The Nangong Family.


    A gloom filled the air.


    In just three short days, the amount of silver taels they had spent to recover medicines and to cover compensation had exceeded 1.3 trillion silver taels.


    This had nearly drained all the funds reserved by the various medicinal shops of the Nangong Family.


    Now, with all the medicinal shops closed, they could stem the loss of several hundred billion silver taels each day.


    This was an act of last resort!


    Nangong Shengtian had regained some vitality and, with the support of Nangong Yi, made his way into the main hall; today marked the deadline of the gambling bet with Xiao Yi. As the initiator of the wager, Nangong Shengtian naturally had to be present.


    "Ancestor!"


    "How did you become like this in just half a month..."


    Nangong Xiao and the others couldn''t help but exclaim upon seeing Nangong Shengtian, his hair white and his complexion pale and bloodless.


    Half a month ago.


    The Treasure Pavilion had just reduced its prices, and they had made a trip to the Nangong Family.


    How full of vigor and spirit had Nangong Shengtian been at that time?


    Now, he looked like an ordinary old man close to death.


    It was hard to imagine...


    What kind of power could have made such a being in the Dharma Phase Realm look this way.


    Nangong Shengji frowned and said, "Why did you come out?"


    Nangong Shengtian cracked a weak smile, "Since this situation arose because of me, even if I have to die today to atone for my sins, I cannot burden the family."


    ...


    Nangong Shengji fell silent.


    If it were indeed possible to exchange Nangong Shengtian''s life for the security of the Nangong Family,


    He would be the first to raise both hands in agreement.


    Only...


    Being the head of the Nangong Family, he could not voice this himself.


    Seeing Nangong Shengji''s silence, the various high-ranking members of the Nangong Family also lowered their heads.


    With Nangong Shengtian now in such a weakened state and given that this whole situation had started because of him, if not for his bet with Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi would have never targeted the Nangong Family like this.


    The once unassailable and powerful Nangong Family would not have fallen into such a dire state.


    Seeing that none of his usually respectful family members spoke out after hearing his willingness to trade his life for the safety of the family, Nangong Shengtian felt a desolate sadness.


    At this moment...


    Nangong Shengji''s expression changed slightly as he looked towards the entrance, "They''re here!"


    Swish!


    All eyes turned toward the direction of the main gate.


    ...


    Outside the great gates of the Nangong Family''s estate.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, with Nalan Qianqiu and Fu Yuan flanking his left and right.


    The Shadow Demon and others had not yet revealed themselves.


    However, just the three of them were already shockingly impressive.


    Three great Dharma Phase Realm figures!


    One was the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and another was the Pavilion Master of the Great Qian Dynasty''s Treasure Pavilion, a lineup that ordinary forces wouldn''t dare provoke.


    "Nangong Shengtian, Xiao Yi has arrived!" Xiao Yi''s voice echoed through the sky, billowing and booming with resonance.


    Clang!


    The heavy gates of the Nangong Family estate slowly opened.


    Nangong Shengji took the lead, followed closely by Nangong Yi, who aided Nangong Shengtian.


    A group of the Nangong Family''s strong figures also emerged from the residence, with more than fifty in the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The strength of the Nangong Family''s foundation was undeniable!


    Nangong Shengji narrowed his eyes, inspecting Xiao Yi and those like Nalan Qianqiu next to him, and snorted coldly, speaking indifferently, "I am not sure why Master Xiao has come here. What is your purpose?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Nangong Shengji.


    This man was none other than the patriarch of the Nangong Family, a towering figure at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    A supreme being at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm could stabilize a clan''s fortune for a thousand years without decline. S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was an undisputed giant among men.


    Xiao Yi spoke calmly, "The deadline of our one-month agreement has arrived, I''m here today for the gambling agreement between me and Nangong Shengtian!"


    All eyes swiftly turned to Nangong Shengtian.


    The gambling agreement was witnessed by many back then, and if Nangong Shengtian dared to go back on his word, it would mean throwing away the face of the entire Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengji took a deep breath and said gravely, "So it''s about the gambling agreement!"


    With that said.


    Nangong Shengji fell silent.


    Nangong Shengtian sighed lightly, trembling as he stepped forward, "Director Xiao, this gambling matter is a personal grievance between you and me, and has nothing to do with the Nangong Family!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, his expression playful, "Is Ancestor Nangong preparing to default on the agreement?"


    Nangong Shengtian said in a deep voice, "Whether I default on the agreement or fulfill it, it has nothing to do with the Nangong Family. It is all my personal doing."


    What he wanted now was to extricate the Nangong Family from the situation.


    Otherwise.


    Just by fulfilling the agreement, providing the necessary elixirs to the Xiaoshanhe Institute at no cost, could plunge the Nangong Family deep into a quagmire from which they could not extricate themselves.


    You should know...


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute now has nearly ten-thousand disciples, hundreds of Tao Tribulation Realm stewards, and close to ten Dharma Manifestation Realm elders.


    The amount of elixirs they require daily is an astonishing number.


    It''s something the Nangong Family simply cannot afford at this time.


    The only way for the Nangong Family to get out of this situation was for Nangong Shengtian to personally bear the responsibility of the gambling agreement.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shifted ever so slightly; he had already discerned Nangong Shengtian''s intentions.


    This was the strategy of sacrificing a piece to save the game!


    But...


    The Nangong Family was truly ruthless enough to abandon a top figure of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, just like that!


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, he was about to speak but then he heard a cold voice coming from the crowd, "Director Xiao, with daylight above us, you''ve brought such a large group to our doorstep, pressuring Ancestor Nangong like this, isn''t that a bit inappropriate?"


    Everyone was startled.


    They looked in the direction of the voice.


    They saw Sun Yao riding a tall horse, with Qin Li, whose legs had been broken, sitting in a carriage behind him.


    Qin Li''s eyes were filled with venomous hatred as he stared unblinkingly at Xiao Yi, his gaze brimming with loathing.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows knit slightly, as he hadn''t expected Sun Yao to appear here, and said indifferently, "If it isn''t Director Sun, I heard your Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is recruiting talents. As its director, how do you have time to wander around?"


    Ever since the grand opening of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy had been disrupted by Xiao Yi.


    And after the rise of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Almost no one was willing to go to the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, to say it was deserted would be an understatement.


    Sun Yao''s expression darkened, as he was someone with a strong desire to win.


    This was the case in the army.


    And it was even more so now that he was in control of the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy!


    Sun Yao snorted coldly and said indifferently, "I originally wanted to go to the Xiaoshanhe Institute to seek justice from Director Xiao, but when I heard you were at the Nangong Family residence, I hurried over. I wanted to ask Director Xiao how you plan to settle the matter of crippling the legs of my top general."


    "And how do you wish to settle it?" Xiao Yi looked at Sun Yao with amusement.


    Sun Yao''s gaze was icy, and he enunciated each word, "Whoever broke his legs should stand forward, kneel down before him, and apologize."


    Qin Li sat atop the carriage.


    His features twisted with callousness, he sneered viciously, "General Sun, it was Xiao Yi who broke my legs!"


    Sun Yao raised his eyebrows and stared coldly at Xiao Yi, "Kneel down and apologize!"


    "You''re asking me to kneel?"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up slightly, his form leaning forward as he closed the distance between him and Sun Yao, and said deliberately, "You want me to kneel just like that... who the hell do you think you are?"

 Chapter 386 - 386: Kill with One Palm

    Xiao Yi looked at Sun Yao with an expressionless face.


    A chilling aura emanated from him, so intense that it was like a bone-piercing cold wind that instantly covered the entrance of the Nangong Family estate.


    All the strong ones standing close to Xiao Yi on the street shuddered uncontrollably under the assault of this cold wind, their faces turning pale.


    Especially Qin Li on top of the horse-drawn carriage, already badly wounded, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood when faced with the cold momentum from Xiao Yi.


    He tumbled and scrambled down from the carriage.


    Supporting himself on his hands, he crawled desperately towards the distance.


    "General Qin..."


    "General Qin, please stop..."


    The several soldiers responsible for escorting Qin Li changed their expressions and quickly chased after him.


    But Qin Li was roaring in terror, "Don''t come near, Xiao Yi, don''t you come any closer..."


    His terrified posture was as if he had encountered a demon lord.


    A dark yellow liquid continuously flowed between his legs.


    As he kept crawling forward, a yellow stain dozens of meters long was dragged out on the ground, the foul smell of urine diffusing all around, making people frown.


    Sun Yao''s face was extremely unsightly.


    Qin Li was one of the four main lieutenants under his command, practically his right-hand man.


    But now...


    Qin Li had been scared into a frantic escape by Xiao Yi''s mere presence, like a dog that had lost its home.


    Many of the strong ones gathered around had already recognized Qin Li''s identity, looking at the disheveled figure and commenting, "Isn''t that Qin Li, one of the four great Vajra Subdues Demons under General Sun? What happened to him?"


    "To think he was called one of the four Vajra Subdues Demons with this behavior?"


    "If he can be one of the Vajra Subdues Demons like this, what kind of useless lot are the others around Sun Yao?"


    The whispers of the crowd were piercing to Sun Yao''s ears, like venomous steel needles stabbing into him!


    The four Vajra Subdues Demons.


    Each one had been carefully cultivated by him as his trusted aides.


    Over the years, Sun Yao had achieved great military feats with the four Vajra Subdues Demons, but now, Qin Li had turned all his years of hard work into nothing.


    "Disgraceful trash..." a hint of coldness flashed in Sun Yao''s eyes.


    A young man with a black whip at his waist and a black mask covering half of his face stepped forward and stood beside Sun Yao.


    Sun Yao said coldly, "Tie up this disgraceful trash!"


    "Yes!"


    This young man was Ghost God Whip Lin Xiao, a renowned expert comparable to Qin Li, one of the four Vajra Subdues Demons.


    Lin Xiao walked towards Qin Li.


    Whoosh!


    With a flick of the black whip, it coiled around Qin Li''s body, and with a vigorous tug, amid a whooshing sound of tearing the air, Qin Li was yanked back onto the carriage.


    With a light tap on Qin Li''s head, he fell unconscious.


    Having dealt with Qin Li,


    Lin Xiao then returned to stand silently beside Sun Yao, like a statue.


    Sun Yao looked at Xiao Yi expressionlessly; their previous two confrontations had ended in his defeat, and he had lost both Jiang Feng and Qin Li, his capable henchmen. However, his true motive for coming today was not to seek justice for Qin Li.


    With this thought,


    Sun Yao took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, people are watching. I want to see just how long you can continue to be arrogant."


    "I''m afraid you won''t see me acting low-key in your lifetime!"


    Xiao Yi, impatient, waved his hand dismissively, "If you want revenge for Qin Li, bring it on. If not, then step aside; I didn''t come here for you today!"


    "Hmph!"


    Sun Yao''s face darkened, but he also knew he couldn''t prevail in a war of words and coldly said, "As for Qin Li, it was his bet with you beforehand, I can overlook that. However, the Nangong Family has already pledged allegiance to my Unparalleled War King''s Mansion; you cannot touch them!"


    This was Sun Yao''s purpose for coming.


    To prevent Xiao Yi from acting against the Nangong Family.


    To know...


    The four great noble families had always maintained neutrality between the royal family and the Unparalleled War King.


    Both the royal family and the Unparalleled War King were desperate to fully control the four families, a breakthrough had yet to be found. Now, the Nangong Family''s pill shop had closed down, and this fake medicine incident caused them heavy losses.


    They were truly desperate.


    Under normal circumstances...


    The Nangong Family''s first choice would undoubtedly have been Emperor Qian, but the relationship between Emperor Qian and Xiao Yi had led them to seek out the Unparalleled War King.


    For the Unparalleled War King, the Nangong Family was of great importance.


    As long as they held the Nangong Family firmly in their grip, they could then use them to infiltrate the Beitang Family.


    And thus, gained control over two of the four great families.


    That is precisely why...


    Sun Yao had appeared here.


    To prevent Xiao Yi from forcing the Nangong Family to honor their bet.


    Xiao Yi looked at Sun Yao with an indifferent gaze, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a chilling, cold smile, "There''s a wager between Nangong Shengtian and me, on what basis do you say I can''t act, and I should heed your words?"


    Sun Yao, standing squarely in front of Xiao Yi, threatened with a chilly tone, "Xiao Yi, I advise you to think carefully before you speak. I''m here on behalf of the Unparalleled War King today."


    "The Unparalleled War King?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    "Indeed!"


    Sun Yao folded his arms across his chest, his face displaying conceited pride.


    Within the Great Qian Dynasty, he was one of the two men with the greatest authority.


    A presence second only to the Emperor Qian!


    Who would dare not give him face?


    Sun Yao didn''t believe that Xiao Yi would dare to defy the Unparalleled War King.


    The multitude of powerful individuals from the Nangong Family behind Sun Yao all breathed sighs of relief, their looks towards Xiao Yi filled with mockery and scorn. Nangong Shengtian laughed heartily, feeling fortunate as if he had survived a great disaster, "Xiao Yi, weren''t you so arrogant? Dare you disobey the orders of the Unparalleled War King?"


    Sun Yao stood there complacent, fearless because of his backing.


    However...


    As they basked in their self-satisfaction, Xiao Yi let out a breath and responded indifferently, "I hadn''t expected the Nangong Family to already be under the command of the Unparalleled War King."


    "A fine bird chooses a tree to nest in, what''s wrong with that?"


    "With the support of the Unparalleled War King, even if those medicine shops don''t do business, we can still supply elixirs to the army under the Prince''s command. The Nangong Family will still stand tall!"


    "Xiao Yi, I''m afraid your plans will fall through!"


    The people of the Nangong Family spoke one after another, their words infused with triumph and provocation.


    Sun Yao slightly tilted his head, speaking indifferently, "By the Prince''s verbal decree, the bet between Xiao Yi and Nangong Shengtian is hereby nullified! Xiao Yi, you may leave now!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long sigh, shaking his head lightly, "Nangong Shengtian, since you insist on being dishonest and refuse to honor the bet, I guess I''ll have to settle this my own way!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nangong Shengtian startled.


    Sun Yao frowned, "Xiao Yi, did you not hear what I said? The Prince has ordered the cancellation of your bet with Nangong Shengtian, and you still refuse to see reason? Are you going to openly oppose the Prince?"


    "Heh, since the Unparalleled War King has given an order, naturally I''ll comply. The bet is cancelled indeed. However..."


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upwards, looking at Sun Yao''s face with that smug and confident expression, he laughed coldly, "The Prince didn''t say I couldn''t seek revenge on Nangong Shengtian!"


    "Revenge?"


    Everyone was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "On the day of my tribulation, Nangong Shengtian attempted to interfere with the Heavenly Tribulation, nearly causing my death beneath the tribulation lightning. This is a personal grudge, and even the Unparalleled War King has no right to intervene!"


    "Wait a minute..."


    Sun Yao suddenly spoke up, intent on intervening.


    But Xiao Yi''s figure had already disappeared in front of him like a phantom.


    Swish!


    "Be careful..."


    Sun Yao spun around sharply, looking towards Nangong Shengtian.


    At that moment, Nangong Shengtian, already incredibly weak, only realized what was happening when it was too late. He saw Xiao Yi appearing in front of him. As the hand descended from the air, Nangong Shengtian subconsciously brought his hands above his head to block.


    Bang!


    In a burst of cracking sounds,


    Nangong Shengtian''s arms shattered completely, a scream of agony escaping his lips.


    But that scream also abruptly ceased.


    There was only the humming sound of a dull thump.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!" S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s palm fell like a small mountain, thundering down. Behind him, a surge of golden light spread out as if he were a Wrathful Vajra, his huge surge of qi manifested in his palm, which slammed down onto Nangong Shengtian with a thud, covering him completely.


    Hiss!


    All was silent between heaven and earth.


    When the dust settled, Xiao Yi landed back in front of Sun Yao.


    In the very spot where the palm had struck, a massive palm imprint lay on the ground.


    At the center of the palm imprint,


    A mass of pulped flesh was intermixed with blood, a ghastly sight...

 Chapter 387 - 387: The Most Shameless

    Quiet.


    Deathly quiet!


    In front of the vast estate of the Nangong Family, silence reigned; not a sound could be heard. Everyone watched agape as Nangong Shengtian lay on the ground, reduced to a pile of mangled flesh.


    This was the revered elder of the Nangong Family, and even more so, a powerful entity of the sixth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Even though he was extremely weak at the moment.


    But not even an entity of the Dharma Manifestation Realm could have so easily taken his life like this!


    "You, you..."


    Sun Yao looked at Xiao Yi, disbelief written all over his face, his eyes flickering with astonishment, truly unable to believe that this scene before him was real.


    Nangong Shengji was also dumbstruck.


    Xiao Yi had acted too quickly.


    So quickly that even he, a being at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, had not had time to react, watching as Nangong Shengtian died right before his eyes. Even though he had resolved earlier that he could sacrifice Nangong Shengtian to preserve the Nangong Family,


    after Sun Yao appeared and revealed that the Nangong Family had already submitted to the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion.


    Nangong Shengji felt that Nangong Shengtian''s life was saved.


    Even if this meant they would stand in opposition to the royal family, with the might of the Unparalleled War King, they could well protect the Nangong Family without worry. After all, that was an existence second only to Emperor Qian in the entire Great Qian Dynasty.


    Holding sway over millions of elite troops.


    Among the ten chief commanders in the army, six were his direct disciples.


    Not to mention Xiao Yi, even Emperor Qian would find it difficult to move against the Nangong Family at this time.


    It was because of this...


    Nangong Shengji had never guarded against Xiao Yi.


    "Xiao Yi, you''re courting death!" Nangong Shengji''s eyes turned blood-red, the crimson pupils swallowing a savage cold light that threatened to devour its prey.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking disdainfully at Nangong Shengji, "Paying debts is a matter of principle. Since Nangong Shengtian refused to honor the bet, taking his life to settle the debt is only right, isn''t it?"


    "Ridiculous justification!"


    Nangong Shengji snorted coldly, his aura surging violently. "Even if Emperor Qian himself comes today, he won''t be able to save you!"


    "Hmph!"


    Nalan Qianqiu, standing beside Xiao Yi, suddenly let out a cold snort, her aura bursting forth unrestrained, as her icy gaze locked onto Nangong Shengji, "With Master this Pavilion Master here, you''ll never touch a hair on Xiao''s head!"


    "You..."


    Nangong Shengji''s complexion shifted slightly.


    Nalan Qianqiu was also a being at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, and furthermore, Qianqiu possessed a Fire Spirit Physique, which, while not as immaculate as a Sacred Body, was still immensely powerful.


    She could even summon earth''s fire to transform into a flaming giant.


    Her combat power was incomparably fierce.


    Even with equal Cultivation Realm, Nangong Shengji was not sure he could defeat Nalan Qianqiu.


    For a time.


    Nangong Shengji''s expressions changed unpredictably, but he also held off on making a move for the moment.


    Sun Yao, however, had no such reservations. He let out a cold huff, his figure suddenly tensed, and he charged toward Xiao Yi. In an instant, Sun Yao had reached Xiao Yi, his hand outstretched in the air, sending a chill piercing through space.


    Sun Yao''s cultivation was also strong, having reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm fifth-level peak.


    Moreover, he had long been positioned in command of the military.


    Hardened in countless battles.


    He had cultivated a formidable combat strength, capable of battling even a seventh-level Dharma Manifestation Realm opponent.


    Confident in his mighty combat ability.


    Even after witnessing Xiao Yi kill Nangong Shengtian, Sun Yao did not take him seriously: "Destroying Army Finger!"


    Hum!


    Cold light condensed on his right forefinger, bursting forth like a pillar.


    Green auras coiled around the cold light, like a massive green serpent entwining itself around the column. Spinning like a top, it generated a howling gale, whistling sharply as it lunged forward.


    The piercing chill approached, and the sweeping cold wind felt as sharp as knives on the skin, causing stinging pain.


    "Be careful!"


    Nalan Qianqiu''s expression abruptly changed.


    Nangong Shengji sneered and waved, creating a blue aura barrier in front of Qianqiu, blocking her path and laughing coldly, "Master Nalan, don''t forget I''m also here!"


    "You..."


    Nalan Qianqiu''s pupils suddenly constricted, a trace of annoyance flashing across his face.


    Nangong Shengji, brimming with pride, said, "With me here, don''t even think about lifting a finger to help him."


    At the same time...


    The mightily impressive finger, seemingly about to land on Xiao Yi, condensed horrifying destructive power. If it were to strike, even a seventh-layer master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm might face the danger of falling.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes into a slit, a flash of silver light streaking across his dark and profound pupils.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi''s right hand traced an arc of light out of thin air.


    Vital energy gathered into a silver ring, positioned in front of him. With a hissing sound, it encircled that sharp finger. Then Xiao Yi clenched his hand and shouted, "Vajra Vanquishing Demons!"


    Hum!


    The silver ring, like a Subduing Demons Ring, suddenly tightened, firmly trapping the sharp finger light.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi slammed his palm towards the ground with force. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bang!


    The finger light suddenly struck the ground, and a thunderous boom followed, as the ground cracked open. As Xiao Yi retracted his hand, capturing the Subduing Demon Ring and stepping back, it was as if a dragon raced below the surface of the earth.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Wherever it passed, the ground rose up, and a series of stones and sand flew about.


    After a good fifteen meters...


    Xiao Yi stepped back. With a humming sound, a column of earth burst forth from the ground, the violent energy finally dissipating. Xiao Yi''s mouth curved up in a smirk, standing atop the earthen pillar, looking down at Sun Yao: "Great General of the frontier army, is that all you''ve got?"


    "Damn it!"


    Sun Yao bellowed with rage.


    Before his words were finished...


    He was already in front of Xiao Yi, grasping at the air with one hand, and with a crisp buzzing sound.


    A streak of cold light burst forth from the storage ring on his finger.


    It was a silver long spear.


    With the long spear in hand, the cold air was biting.


    The silver long spear, reflecting blinding silver light, vibrated, emitting a humming sound. Holding the spear with one hand and standing on air, Sun Yao looked like an unrivaled War God.


    Sun Yao, with his bright eyes, fixed his gaze firmly on Xiao Yi, towering with war intent: "Xiao Yi, if you kneel and beg for mercy now, I can spare your life. Otherwise, don''t blame me if the weapons are ruthless and I can''t guarantee your safety!"


    "Kneel to you..."


    Xiao Yi suddenly caught a glimpse of Sun Yao''s lips, the almost imperceptible smirk and the sneer of conspiracy.


    His heart skipped a beat.


    Subconsciously, he looked behind him.


    Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a black flash coming at great speed��it was a black arrow. Exquisitely forged, so silent when cutting through the air that not a sound could be heard.


    Ding!


    With a sharp sound...


    The black arrow struck Xiao Yi, who staggered and fell from the sky, crashing to the ground with a thud.


    "What?"


    "That, that''s the Silent Arrow, commonly used by assassins in the army?"


    Everyone was flabbergasted.


    Following the trajectory of the Silent Arrow, they saw Lin Xiao, his face expressionless, slowly retracting a crossbow. The arrow that struck was his doing.


    Nalan Qianqiu''s eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "Sun Yao, how dare you use a sneak attack?"


    "A sneak attack? This is called military strategy. When I gallop across the battlefield, I don''t rely solely on brute force, but more on this..."


    Sun Yao pointed to his head, saying disdainfully, "Why wade through a life and death struggle when you can conquer without fighting? Look, without mobilizing a single soldier, I''ve taken care of Xiao Yi!"


    Seeing the complacency and confidence on his face, there was not even a hint of shame for using a hidden weapon.


    This made Nalan Qianqiu''s eyes burn with fury as he kept shouting, "Shameless, outrageously shameless..."


    "Shameless? Hmph, as long as victory is achieved in the end, what does it matter the means used? Don''t forget, history is written by the victor..."


    Sun Yao sneered, unmoved by Nalan Qianqiu''s accusations, instead he turned to Lin Xiao not far off, "Lin Xiao, aren''t you going to check on our dear Director Xiao? Let''s not let him die too easily!"


    "Yes!"


    Lin Xiao put away the crossbow, holding a long knife, and walked towards Xiao Yi...

 Chapter 388 - 388 Who Won?

    Lin Xiao''s face was icy cold, like a callous killing machine.


    He walked straight up to Xiao Yi.


    The longsword in his hand gleamed with a chilling, icy light. With a deadpan expression, he looked at Xiao Yi like he was merely an ant, "My Silent Arrow is coated with a deadly poison that seals the throat upon contact with blood. Even masters of the Dharma Manifestation Realm will meet their death if they''re hit, you..."


    Before he could finish,


    Lin Xiao felt a blur before his eyes.


    Xiao Yi, who had been lying motionless on the ground, suddenly disappeared from sight.


    "Not good!"


    Lin Xiao''s face instantly changed.


    Having always followed at Sun Yao''s side and having experienced many battles, he had a strong instinctual sense of danger.


    Almost at the same time,


    Lin Xiao dodged to one side.


    But Xiao Yi''s cold sneer reached his ears, "It''s already too late!"


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s palm suddenly loomed large in his pupils, grabbing Lin Xiao''s face and with a fierce surge of strength, he slammed Lin Xiao''s entire body toward the ground.


    Boom!


    Lin Xiao let out a muffled groan as his head struck the ground.


    With one hand pressing on Lin Xiao''s face, Xiao Yi charged forward, dragging Lin Xiao''s head across the ground like a shovel tearing up the earth.


    Dust flew up, and rocks scattered in all directions.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    A vicious trail was left dozens of meters behind Xiao Yi.


    A silvery light flowed within the palm of his hand, as surging Qi converged there, transforming into a silver ball of energy. With a dull buzzing sound, the ball expanded and finally exploded with a loud boom.


    The energy ball completely enveloped Lin Xiao''s body.


    Boom!


    The terrible energy surrounded Lin Xiao, as if countless palms were ripping apart his body from every direction, tearing it to shreds.


    His body disintegrated into a shower of blood and flesh.


    A prominent general at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm was utterly erased from this world!


    All this happened in the blink of an eye.


    Even Sun Yao could not react in time.


    By the time he came to his senses,


    Lin Xiao was already dead at Xiao Yi''s hands. Sun Yao''s pupils shrank in disbelief as he looked at Xiao Yi, "This is impossible... Weren''t you hit by the Silent Arrow? Lin Xiao''s Silent Arrow has never missed its target, you..."


    Xiao Yi slowly came to his senses.


    He cracked a smile.


    Between his teeth was a black arrow.


    In that critical moment...


    Xiao Yi caught the Silent Arrow, capable of assassinating Dharma Manifestation Realm masters, with his teeth.


    Hiss!


    Sun Yao drew in a sharp breath.


    The Silent Arrow was their military''s secret weapon, fatal upon drawing blood, never known to fail.


    Against all odds, without any defense, Xiao Yi managed to catch the arrow with his teeth, something utterly inconceivable.


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi spat out the Silent Arrow with a flick of his mouth, and with a swoosh, it struck Sun Yao''s mount, a Fifth Layer Advanced Magical Beast Flying Dragon Colt. With a pitiful neigh, the colt collapsed to the side.


    The deadly poison on the Silent Arrow sealed the throat upon contact with blood.


    Even the Flying Dragon Colt, comparable to the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, succumbed to the poison and died instantly.


    Hiss!


    Everyone watched in horror at the scene.


    When Sun Yao used the Silent Arrow to launch a sneak attack earlier, people felt he was despicable, and when faced with Nalan Qianqiu''s questioning, Sun Yao justified it saying that in war, deceit is not uncommon, making everyone think of him as shameless.


    But now...


    People''s impression of Sun Yao had turned exceedingly vile.


    How could mere despicable and shameless describe him?


    He was a ruthless, treacherous villain!


    "Who would have thought Sun Yao was such a person?"


    "He is still the head of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. What future can the academy have under the leadership of such a person?"


    "I heard that the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion is the backer of Xue Yilou, which is full of assassins who lurk in the shadows, assassinating with treacherous means. It''s no surprise Sun Yao would employ such methods!"


    Listening to the discussions of the people, Sun Yao''s face turned shades of green and white.


    If his sneak attack had killed Xiao Yi,


    it would have been a case of the victor being the king and the defeated the bandit.


    No one would have dared to blame him one bit.


    But now...


    His sneak attack had not been successful. Instead, his favorite underling had been killed by Xiao Yi, the poisoning on the Silent Arrow had been exposed, and it was a failed surprise attack from the shadows.


    In such a situation,


    the image of Sun Yao in the eyes of the public had become synonymous with a sly and shameless villain.


    Whoosh!


    With a gloomy gaze, Sun Yao looked at Xiao Yi and said ominously, "Xiao Yi, knowing full well that the Nangong Family has submitted to my Unparalleled War King''s Mansion, you still dared to publicly kill Nangong Shengtian. Now, you''ve even killed my beloved subordinate. This is nothing short of contempt and provocation towards my War King''s Mansion. Today, even if I kill you in the street, no one can say a bad word against me!"


    "Kill me? That will depend on whether you have the ability!" Xiao Yi said with a cold laugh.


    Back in the imperial garden,


    Sun Yao had provoked him time and time again.


    Today,


    he even wanted to put him to death.


    How could Xiao Yi tolerate this?


    "Seeking death!"


    Sun Yao leaped into the air, rising instantly into the sky.


    The black aura around him rose and sank, and in his hands, a silver longspear stood across the sky, its icy edge flickering at the tip like a cold venomous snake, baring its sharp fangs.


    Hiss!


    The longspear suddenly swept up, turning into a silver gleam that shot forth.


    In the blink of an eye, it was in front of Xiao Yi.


    The silver spear light obscured the surroundings, casting layers upon layers of silver light and shadow, surging unceasingly and turning into a massive silver wave. The wave, dozens of feet high, rushed towards him with overwhelming momentum, making the numerous buildings below tremble violently,


    as if they could be shattered at any moment.


    Xiao Yi stood proudly on the ground.


    He looked up slightly,


    watching the overwhelming spear shadows approaching, with a slight upward curve of his lips, he extended his right hand towards the void and beckoned, "Sword come!"


    Swish!


    Countless auras condensed into his palm.


    The wind roared, and lightning flashed with thunderous might.


    A longsword, formed from the cyan wind and purple-gold thunder, landed in his hand. This longsword was conjured by Xiao Yi using the force of heaven and earth along with his aura.


    Holding the longsword in one hand, he slashed forward, "Parting the White Egret Islets with Indifferent Waters!"


    Hum!


    Multiple sword shadows flew out from the longsword.


    As the endless sword shadows overlapped and merged with each other, they formed a tremendous sword shadow dozens of feet in length.


    Boom!


    Wind and thunder enveloped the sword shadow.


    The howling wind and shaking thunder cracked the sky.


    With one stroke of the sword,


    the sky full of spear shadows was cleaved in half, the terrible noise deafening, roaring continuously. A dazzling white light forced the crowd of onlookers to instinctively close their eyes.


    "It''s so blinding... can someone tell me what just happened?"


    "Who won? Who''s the victor?"


    In a chorus of astonished cries,


    one could only hear a thunderous noise from the heavens, followed by the pervasive blinding light disappearing in an instant. Amongst the whistling sound of something slicing through the air, a figure was flung backward out of the vast whiteness.


    As they regained their sight, everyone hurriedly looked towards the shadow...


    "Who won?"


    Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 389 - 389: The War Kings Command

    ```


    "Who won?"


    The crowd looked towards the figure that was sent flying.


    This figure had flown out for a few hundred meters before it managed to stop midair with difficulty, holding a silver spear, as fresh red blood flowed down the shaft of the spear.


    Like a ferocious blood-red little snake, it coiled around the spear.


    Drip drop, drip drop!


    The blood fell, crystal clear, like rubies, emanating a powerful and pure energy.


    Practitioners at the Dharma Manifestation Realm had already harnessed a force of heaven and earth, using the Dharma Manifestation as the core to turn their bodies into a mini-universe of sorts with the element of Qi circulating on its own.


    At every moment, they were transforming their flesh and bodies.


    Allowing their bodies to continuously evolve.


    Becoming increasingly powerful.


    Their every drop of blood was a panacea, which, if consumed by mortals, could prolong life.


    And this figure...


    Was none other than the illustrious General Sun Yao.


    Sun Yao gasped for breath, and from the corner of his eyes caught a glimpse of a hideous sword wound on his shoulder - it was particularly glaring. Under the overwhelming barrage of spear shadows, Xiao Yi had sliced with a single sword stroke, and the dreadful Sword Qi even cut open his arm.


    It should be known...


    The distance between the two was over a hundred meters.


    Xiao Yi''s Sword Qi could still wound him from across that distance. Had they fought in close quarters, Sun Yao could hardly imagine what state he would be in now. His look towards Xiao Yi grew more solemn, "How can he be so strong? A mere Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, and he managed to wound me? Even Tianjiaao, when he was at the Tao Tribulation Realm, wasn''t this strong, right?"


    Xiao Tianjiao.


    He was universally recognized as the top talent of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Sun Yao had practiced in the same sect as Xiao Tianjiao and was also a loyal follower of Xiao Tianjiao, fully aware of how terrifying he was.


    But even as powerful as Xiao Tianjiao was in the Tao Tribulation Realm, his combat prowess was definitely not as fearsome as Xiao Yi''s!


    "Daring to lose focus during our fight?" Xiao Yi''s voice, ghost-like, suddenly appeared in his ear, startling Sun Yao into a pale face.


    Subconsciously, he raised his silver spear and drew a beautiful arc beside him.


    He pushed the circular arc forward.


    Circle upon circle.


    Dozens of circular spear arcs stacked upon each other, lunging towards the sword light stabbing from Xiao Yi. A series of crisp ''bang bang bang'' sounds followed. The round spear arcs, one after another, burst apart.


    Xiao Yi''s sword in his hand was invincible, indestructible.


    Everywhere it passed...


    Everything was slashed to pieces.


    Amidst the thundering energy and the ear-splitting noise, Xiao Yi''s figure once again shifted, appearing above Sun Yao''s head. A glint flashed in Sun Yao''s eyes: "Straight to the heart!"


    Whoosh!


    His body suddenly halted, and as he tightened grip on his spear, he stabbed towards Xiao Yi.


    The spear thrust was like a venomous dragon across the sky.


    Hum!


    The silver spear tore through the air, unstoppable. Faced with the sudden thrust, Xiao Yi remained calm and composed, merely tapping a toe in the void, landing with a ''clang'' on the tip of the spear.


    Ripples like those on water spread outward.


    That seemingly casual tap from Xiao Yi added a weight to the silver spear, as if it had increased by tens of times in an instant. With a heavy ''boom'', the spear fell towards the ground.


    And with it, Sun Yao''s body plummeted like a falling star towards the earth.


    "Damn it!"


    Sun Yao''s descent was extremely fast. Clenching the silver spear in his right hand, he struck the ground with his left palm.


    An endless stream of Qi was struck towards the ground repeatedly.


    Using the resistance to stabilize his form, Sun Yao caught a glimpse of Xiao Yi following closely behind him, and the corners of Sun Yao''s mouth lifted in a hideous cold smile: "Turnabout Spear!"


    Whoosh!


    His swiftly falling figure abruptly stopped in the void.


    Sun Yao turned the direction of his spear, stabbing it straight towards the pursuing Xiao Yi from behind.


    The Turnabout Spear was sudden.


    Xiao Yi was close on his heels.


    In a back and forth encounter.


    It was like a needle pointing at a stalk of wheat, coming head-to-head, seemingly about to collide with the tip of the spear. Excitement appeared on Sun Yao''s face, as the Qi in his body boiled, bubbling with sound.


    In an instant, silver Qi covered his arm, spreading along the spear.


    Whoosh!


    ```


    The spear''s radiance swelled continuously.


    Like a torrent of silver flames, it surged forth. The surrounding space quivered visibly, as if it was about to be torn apart by the sharp spear''s glow.


    "This is bad!"


    "Xiao is in danger..."


    Ning Luo and Nalan Qianqiu exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock.


    Just as Nalan Qianqiu was about to take action, Nangong Shengji, who had been eagerly waiting for Xiao Yi to be unable to dodge the attack, snorted coldly. He leaped forward, his Yuan Qi undulating around him, transforming into a stream of Yuan Qi that blocked Nalan Qianqiu''s path. "It''s against the rules for you to intervene in the juniors'' fight!"


    "You..."


    Nalan Qianqiu was shaking with fury but was helpless.


    Nangong Shengji was on par with him in strength, and if he insisted on stopping her, there was nothing Nalan Qianqiu could do.


    In the blink of an eye.


    The silver spear''s glow was already half a foot from Xiao Yi''s face, the chilling sharpness contorting his entire face as if being pressed out of shape. In the critical moment between life and death, Xiao Yi suddenly shouted a low roar, "Shatter!"


    Hum!


    At that moment, the world seemed to freeze.


    Everything was as if petrified.


    The wind stopped, the clouds solidified, and everyone was eerily still.


    Immediately following...


    A terrifying sound wave, bolstered by Yuan Qi, blasted out. As it passed, the silver spear''s glow began to crumble amidst a series of cracking sounds and disintegrate into powder.


    Turning into a sky full of silver dust, it fluttered down like a heavy snow of goose feathers.


    Yet the sound wave did not stop.


    Hum hum hum!


    In an instant, the rolling sound waves engulfed Sun Yao.


    Waah!


    Instinctively, Sun Yao covered his ears, his eyes bulging with terror and his pupils rapidly contracting. Almost at the same time, Xiao Yi flipped in the air. His right leg whipped out like a long lash towards Sun Ao''s head.


    Bang!


    Sun Yao''s body shuddered as he was sent flying by Xiao Yi''s strike.


    Like a falling star, he plummeted rapidly towards the ground.


    "Not good!"


    Nangong Shengji''s complexion changed dramatically, and even his usually indifferent gaze became solemn and filled with worry at this moment.


    He had just joined General Yong Wu''s ranks; he absolutely couldn''t let Sun Yao die before his eyes.


    With that thought.


    Nangong Shengji was about to leap into action when suddenly a figure appeared in front of him��the one who acted was Nalan Qianqiu. His face bore a mocking smirk. "Intervening in the juniors'' fight isn''t appropriate, is it?"


    "You..."


    Nangong Shengji''s face turned green with anger.


    Moments ago, he used the same words to prevent Nalan Qianqiu from helping Xiao Yi, and now Nalan Qianqiu was using them against him.


    This left Nangong Shengji saddened and infuriated but powerless!


    All he could do was watch Sun Yao anxiously.


    Sun Yao, proving to be tough as a soldier, quickly recovered. He slapped the ground repeatedly with his hands. Breaths of Yuan Qi pulsated outwards, beating against the ground over and over, creating enough reverse thrust to considerably slow his fall.


    Plop!


    The moment he landed, Sun Yao bounced up and shot to the side.


    But just as he was about to rise again...


    Xiao Yi had already caught up, and with a swipe, a sweeping force struck Sun Ao''s waist, sending him flying once more.


    Whoosh!


    Hugging the ground, Sun Yao flew over thirty meters. A dark shadow suddenly flicked past before him, and in just a moment, it had surpassed him, appearing overhead. Intuitively, Sun Yao looked forward, only to see Xiao Yi waiting with a playful look on his face. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Watching helplessly as Xiao Yi raised his arms over his head, fists together, ready to smash down.


    "No..."


    Sun Yao''s eyes were wide with veins popping; despair filled his gaze.


    Death approached relentlessly.


    But just at this critical juncture...


    Whoosh!


    A black shadow shot through the sky.


    With a snap, it coiled around Sun Yao''s waist, and in a whoosh, yanked him out of harm''s way just as Xiao Yi''s punch hit nothing but air. As everyone looked on in confusion, a cold voice suddenly rang out from nearby, "By the order of General Yong Wu..."

 Chapter 390 - 390 Black and White Shuangsha

    "The War King has decreed that the Nangong Family is under the command of the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion. Anyone who dares to move against the Nangong Family is an enemy of the War King''s Mansion. Xiao Yi, the War King''s verbal order states that your feud with the Nangong Family is to be settled once and for all. If you remain obstinate..."


    A cold voice exploded in his ears, deafening like thunder, "No mercy will be shown!"


    All eyes followed the sound.


    A man and a woman were riding on dragon steeds, looking down at Xiao Yi from a high vantage point, their faces cold.


    The two of them were dressed in black and white.


    Each wore black armored battle gear.


    The man in white had a face like a fine jade, wore a purple-gold crown, and held a feather fan in his hand, his manner graceful and poised.


    The woman in black had a solemn face, with a striking red birthmark on the left side, making her appear rather fierce. She held a purple-black long whip in her hand, and it was this very whip that had snatched Sun Yao away from the brink of death.


    "The Black and White Shuangsha?"


    "The Black-clad woman, Yama, and the White-clad funeral envoy... They are the personal guards of the Unparalleled War King, both are at the Seventh Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. I didn''t expect that both of them would actually make an appearance!"


    "It looks like Xiao Yi is in big trouble..."


    Shock was evident on everyone''s faces.


    Ning Luo and Nalan Qianqiu wore solemn expressions, appearing beside Xiao Yi, guarding him on his left and right, their eyes filled with intense vigilance.


    Ning Luo lowered his voice and said gravely, "Xiao, these two are not to be trifled with. Let''s withdraw for now!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits as he sized up the two of them.


    Ever since he found out that the Nangong Family had allied themselves with the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion, he had anticipated that someone from the mansion would take action, even imagining that the Unparalleled War King himself might intervene.


    But he hadn''t expected...


    That the other side would send two trusted aides instead.


    Sun Yao, having finally caught his breath, glared at Xiao Yi with venomous hatred in his eyes, his hands clenched tightly, cracking sounds emanating from them, while the surrounding air vibrated with his fury, emitting a series of sonic booms.


    Whoosh!


    Grinding his teeth, Sun Yao commanded, "Black and White Envoys, kill him for me, kill him!"


    The female Yama frowned and cast a displeased look at Sun Yao, saying, "General Sun, mind your status. You represent the face of the War King''s Mansion."


    The figure in white, the funeral envoy, gently waved his feather fan, lifting a few strands of hair at his temples, and smiled, "As men of the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion, how could we lose our composure so?"


    "You are right in your admonishments!"


    Faced with their reprimands, the once-arrogant Sun Yao trembled all over but dared not show any sign of dissent.


    He was merely the War King''s son-in-law.


    These two, on the other hand, had been the War King''s absolute confidants for over a hundred years. Despite being offered the position of Great General by Emperor Qian, they had refused it.


    Offending the War King, he could still survive on account of being the son-in-law.


    But offending these two meant a certain dead end!


    With this thought...


    Sun Yao suppressed the anger in his heart and said sternly, "Honored ones, this scoundrel is extremely arrogant. I had already informed him that the Nangong Family has joined the ranks of the War King''s Mansion, yet he still killed Nangong Shengtian in front of me. Lin Xiao was also killed by him. If not for your timely intervention, I too would have died by his hand..."


    "You had already informed him that the Nangong Family is subordinate to the War King''s Mansion?" the funeral envoy in white frowned and asked.


    Sun Yao nodded his head.


    Glancing at the two, he noticed a slight hint of cold murderous intent on their faces.


    Feeling relieved inside, Sun Yao looked at Xiao Yi with a schadenfreude expression, thinking: Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, aren''t you done for now? These two take the honor of the War King''s Mansion more seriously than their own lives!


    Indeed...


    The female Yama let out a cold harrumph, her icy gaze landing on Xiao Yi as she said deliberately, "Xiao Yi, you knew full well that the Nangong Family has been taken under the War King''s Mansion''s command, yet you still dared to strike against them. This is a provocation against the bottom line of the War King''s Mansion."


    The pallbearer in white appeared elegant and graceful, but the sharpness in his voice was like a knife to the skin, sending chills down one''s spine, "Now you have two paths before you, one, go to the War King''s Mansion and kneel for three days and three nights to show your repentance. Two, the two of us will break your arms and legs, take you to the front of the mansion, and make you kneel for three days and three nights before letting you leave. Choose for yourself!"


    Sun Yao''s face was filled with schadenfreude as he said in a mocking tone, "This is the price you pay for offending the War King''s Mansion!"


    Every strong member of the Nangong Family showed an excited look on their faces. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before this.


    They had been overwhelmed by Xiao Yi, and the Nangong Family''s recent troubles had not been unrelated to Xiao Yi.


    Their hatred for Xiao Yi was sky-high!


    Now.


    Seeing Xiao Yi facing the pressure from Black and White Shuangsha, they felt an indescribable pleasure, secretly hoping that Xiao Yi would resist the two, so that his arms and legs could be broken, or even be killed on the spot!


    After all.


    The Nangong Family did not dare to kill Xiao Yi openly, as they feared providing Emperor Qian with a handle against them.


    But the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion didn''t have such fears!


    "Kill him!"


    "This bastard caused us to fall into such a state; he must die!"


    Under the gaze of everyone, Xiao Yi''s mouth twitched slightly, revealing a playful cold smile as he said indifferently, "I choose the third option!"


    "Huh?"


    The woman dressed in black, Yama, was startled and frowned, "Where is a third option for you to choose?"


    Sun Yao mocked, "Xiao Yi, you haven''t been scared stupid, have you? We only gave you two choices, where did the third come from?"


    "This third option is the choice I''m giving you!"


    Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, the dust under his feet suddenly dispersing in all directions, a trace of indifference flashing in his eyes like a hungry wolf eyeing a flock of lambs.


    Under this predatory gaze.


    Even Black and White Shuangsha, used to big scenes, couldn''t help but exchange glances.


    They had never seen a younger generation maintain such composure against them.


    What was more important...


    Xiao Yi was only at the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm!


    The two exchanged glances.


    The hoarse voice of the woman in black, Yama, sounded, "Oh? I''m curious, what choice are you giving us?"


    "Scram quickly! Or else..."


    Xiao Yi''s voice paused, looking at the suddenly darkened faces of the duo, he continued, "Be buried here!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    As these four words were uttered, two claps of thunder suddenly sounded from the horizon.


    Purple-gold thunder descended from the sky, and a thick layer of dark clouds appeared out of nowhere in the clear blue sky, making the atmosphere grow particularly heavy and oppressive.


    "..."


    All the strong ones around held their breath, not daring to let out the slightest sound.


    Everyone''s gaze swept back and forth between Xiao Yi and Black and White Shuangsha, finally settling on Black and White Shuangsha, the duo notorious for following the Unparalleled War King, capable of silencing a child''s night cries and striking terror into countless people''s hearts.


    Facing Xiao Yi''s threat, what choice would they ultimately make?

 Chapter 391 - 391: Six-Word Mantra Breaks the Devils Sound

    The Black and White Shuangsha exchanged glances.


    In the Great Qian Dynasty, both were notorious for their ferocity, credited with the ability to silence a child''s cries in the night.


    Like death gods incarnate.


    Apart from the unrivaled War King Yang Huanyu, there was no one who dared to treat them with such disrespect. Xiao Yi''s words had completely enraged them. In their eyes, a cold light flickered as if swallowing and spitting venom, while the woman clad in black, Yama, rolled her throat, emitting a chilling chattering laugh.


    This grating laughter became louder and more piercing.


    Invisibly.


    It was already making numerous powerful figures feel their scalps tingle, their body hair standing on end.


    It was as if this were a summoning of demons.


    With the sound came the awakening of countless devils, rushing into their bodies, relentlessly tearing at everyone''s soul. Amidst agonizing, heart-wrenching pain, the people''s complexions turned deathly pale.


    They clutched their heads, gripping their hair tightly, their features twisted, their expressions hideous, "It hurts, it hurts so much..."


    "What is this sound? So terrifying, I feel like I''m being torn apart..."


    "Run..."


    Watching the mighty warriors on Vermilion Bird Avenue in unbearable pain, fleeing in embarrassment.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, a hint of amused cold laughter on his face, "Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound? I didn''t expect that someone would still know this long-lost Sound Wave Martial Technique, it seems your fortune hasn''t been shallow!"


    Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound.


    A supreme class within the six-rank martial techniques, it was an extremely rare Sound Wave Martial Technique.


    Legend has it...


    There was once an unparalleled swordsman, deeply versed in the way of musical rhythm.


    He also possessed a voice like the music of heaven.


    But.


    In the end, due to the betrayal of a loved one, and even being poisoned in his food, although he managed to survive by virtue of his powerful cultivation, his voice was ruined. In his sorrow, this being used his hoarse and unpleasant voice to create the Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound.


    Such a martial technique could evoke the most evil demon within a person''s heart.


    Killing people invisibly!


    "Hmm?"


    Yama''s eyes sharpened, looking at Xiao Yi with interest, "I didn''t think that someone as young as you would be able to discern that this is the Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound?"


    "Just a mere Sound Wave Martial Technique, and it''s not only you who know it!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and chuckled.


    He had received Dao Yan''s inheritance, mastering countless martial techniques and cultivation techniques.


    Sound Wave Martial Techniques!


    The number he possessed was no less than what could be counted on both hands.


    "You also master Sound Wave Martial Techniques? Truly laughable!"


    Yama let out a snort of disdain, confidently declaring, "In the vast Great Qian Dynasty, apart from myself, no one else has mastered a Sound Wave Martial Technique."


    These Sound Wave Martial Techniques had been lost for many years, plus they were extremely difficult to cultivate. She did not believe that Xiao Yi could understand and master one as well.


    "Xiao Yi, prepare to die!"


    Yama''s voice rolled thunderously, becoming more piercing, deafening to the ear.


    Swish swish swish!


    In these invisible sound waves, the vibration of the sound shifted the air, turning it into blades of compressed wind, like a rain of swords that flew towards Xiao Yi''s face.


    The fierce wind howled, the terrible sound waves stirring up a wild gale, lifting layer upon layer of stone tiles from the ground.


    Dust flew everywhere, stones scattered across the sky.


    Grasses and trees on either side were uprooted, crashing down towards Xiao Yi in a frenzy.


    Standing amidst the furious wind, Xiao Yi remained unmoved, standing tall and proud like a Cangsong pine, resolute as a divine sword. His hands suddenly joined together in front of him, his golden Qi swirling around him, a golden sun forming behind him.


    His body was submerged in golden light, as if adorned by the shadow of Buddha.


    With the majesty of the treasure''s appearance. S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi suddenly opened his eyes, enunciating each word as they reverberated like a great bell, thunderous and resounding through the heavens, "Om Mani Padme Hum!"


    The Buddhist Six Syllable Mantra!


    Among the many Sound Wave Martial Techniques passed down through his lineage, it was ranked among the top five.


    As the phrase was uttered, all laws of nature followed suit.


    As if the Buddha himself had descended to the mortal realm!


    Boom!


    Invisibly, the six characters swept up a sky full of golden light, surging upward, causing the raging winds swirling around to abruptly halt. A peaceful and sacred aura enveloped everyone present.


    Facing the heart-wrenching pain and severe headaches induced by the Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound, all completely vanished with the arrival of this sound.


    "What is this sound?"


    "My head, it stopped hurting?"


    "Xiao Yi, it''s Xiao Yi helping us..."


    Everyone''s gaze turned uniformly toward Xiao Yi.


    The normally indifferent and indifferent Lady Yama watched as her seemingly invincible Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound was easily dispelled by Xiao Yi, and her complexion violently changed.


    Immediately following...


    Lady Yama shuddered, her eyes opening wide in fury as she turned deathly pale and vomited a mouthful of fresh blood.


    The fresh blood formed a mist in the air.


    Unyielding.


    Wa!


    Lady Yama kept spewing blood continuously from her mouth, and blood began to stream from her seven facial orifices as well, her form staggering almost to the point of falling from mid-air.


    "My lady!"


    The White-robed Enforcer''s face violently changed, hastily supporting Lady Yama, full of worry in his eyes, "My lady, are you alright?"


    Spurt!


    Lady Yama vomited another mouthful of fresh blood, her eyes filled with shock as her voice echoed in the Enforcer''s mind, "My lord, I��I can''t speak, I��I can''t hear you say anything... I''ve gone mute, deaf..."


    "What?"


    The Enforcer''s face violently changed, his body freezing on the spot.


    He couldn''t believe what he was seeing��the hysterical struggling of the Lady Yama in his arms, his face full of terror.


    Lady Yama was, after all, a powerful practitioner of the Dharma Manifestation Realm''s seventh layer, and her Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound was unbeatable. Even against more powerful opponents, it could still be effective.


    But now...


    Not only was Xiao Yi unscathed, but he had also countered with his own Sound Wave Martial Technique.


    Causing Lady Yama to suffer a backlash from Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound, silencing her voice and even rendering her ears deaf?


    "Revenge... My lord, avenge me..." Lady Yama was hysterical, hate distorting her face unrecognizably as she clutched at the White-robed Enforcer''s clothes, bellowing through thought transmission.


    "Rest assured, my lady, I will avenge you!"


    The White-robed Enforcer nodded solemnly, responding through thought transmission, "My lady, please calm down. Once I slay this scoundrel, we''ll return to consult His Highness. He will surely have a remedy for you!"


    "I want him torn to thousands of pieces... No, you rid him of his cultivation, break his limbs; I want to personally chop him up..." Lady Yama roared through thought transmission.


    "Worry not!"


    The White-robed Enforcer nodded resolutely, rising to his feet and brandishing his feather fan forward.


    A gale swept up.


    Standing upon the tempest, the White-robed Enforcer rode the wind and in an instant, arrived before Xiao Yi. Merely ten meters separated them as the White-robed Enforcer, with an expressionless face, declared, "Xiao Yi, you deserve to die!"


    "You are truly laughable. When you sought to kill me, my mere self-defense warrants a death sentence? Should I have extended my neck for you to chop?"


    Xiao Yi had already withdrawn his hands, looking mockingly at the White-robed Enforcer, and pointed to his own head, "Brains are a good thing, pity you don''t have any!"

 Chapter 392 - 392 Reincarnation Puppet

    "Brains are a good thing, too bad you don''t have any!"


    Xiao Yi sneered at the Black and White Evildoers.


    With their strength, if the two joined forces, Xiao Yi could have defeated them, but it would have cost him some price.


    But...


    This black-clad female Yama actually chose to use her Sound Wave Martial Technique.


    She attempted to suppress Xiao Yi with the most shocking method, thereby demonstrating the majesty of the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion.


    What she never anticipated was that Xiao Yi also mastered a Sound Wave Martial Technique, and it was even stronger than her "Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound"��the "Buddhist Six Syllable Mantra", rendering her Phantom Demon Heavenly Sound completely ineffective.


    Not only did it have no effect, but it even caused her to suffer a terrifying backlash, turning her into a deaf-mute.


    And it was still unknown whether she could ever recover!


    At this moment.


    With only the white-clad funeral envoy left, Xiao Yi didn''t take him seriously at all.


    The funeral envoy''s complexion turned from green to pale, and his anger burned like a roaring flame, raising the temperature around him suddenly. Looking at Xiao Yi, his gaze turned icy cold, and he gnashed his teeth, "Xiao Yi, I will kill you today!"


    Hum!


    He flicked his feathered fan again.


    Riding on the wind, the funeral envoy''s speed was astonishingly fast. In the backdrop of the raging wind, his figure started to blur and split into five silhouettes.


    Diving down from five different directions.


    With overwhelming momentum and murderous intent.


    Facing the fiercely incoming funeral envoy, Xiao Yi remained emotionless, lifting one hand in the air, and pointing forward with one finger.


    Using his hand as a sword.


    Hum!


    A burst of azure Sword Qi surged forth, it was "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain" from the "Qinglian Sword Song", a stroke as if written by a peerless madman composing a matchless chapter.


    Freely flowing, the stroke moved like a dragon snaking through the sky.


    That Sword Qi howled towards its target.


    Boom!


    The void shook violently, and the heavens and earth trembled.


    This sword visibly shattered the clouds above the firmament, with a swooshing noise covering the area in front of him in a fan shape.


    It caused the gales under the funeral envoy''s feet to explode as well. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The funeral envoy''s figure halted, and without the support of the wild winds, his five silhouettes also dissipated simultaneously. Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly, and he softly called out, "Sword, come."


    With a clanging sound.


    A black longsword abruptly appeared in his palm.


    With Xiao Yi''s cultivation at the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, plus the Wind Thunder Holy Body, the fourth tier of Sword Intent, and the power of the gods augmenting him. Even when faced with an opponent at the Eightfold Dharma Manifestation Realm, he had the confidence to fight.


    Confronted with the white-clad funeral envoy alone, he felt no pressure whatsoever.


    "Qinglian Reincarnation!"


    Xiao Yi''s black longsword exuded Sword Qi that surged and pulsated, its sharp edge fluttering like a lively sprite, dancing gracefully in the air, and transformed into a dazzling azure Sword Lotus.


    The Sword Lotus spun endlessly.


    One split into two.


    Two turned into four...


    The number of Sword Lotuses grew more and more, making it seem as if one were amidst a pond of lotus flowers, with those dozens of azure Sword Lotuses enveloping the white-clad funeral envoy.


    "Be careful, Lord Funeral Envoy..." Sun Yao''s face dramatically changed.


    He had personally crossed hands with Xiao Yi.


    He was acutely aware of Xiao Yi''s strength!


    Seeing the funeral envoy surrounded by the Sword Lotuses, he immediately grew worried.


    However, the funeral envoy sneered, full of pride, "Such trifling skills, you think they can harm my life? Xiao Yi, you''re overestimating yourself too much... Break for me!"


    Bursts of white light suddenly appeared around the Funeral Envoy.


    These spots of light, like stars in the night sky, were increasing in number, gradually enclosing him in a sphere.


    Under the cover of these white lights,


    to the left and right of the Funeral Envoy, two figures identical to him appeared.


    All three "Funeral Envoys" moved in perfect unison.


    It was as if there truly were three Funeral Envoys.


    "Xiao, be careful, this is the Funeral Envoy''s unique skill, Reincarnation Puppets," Ning Luo''s face changed drastically as he shouted loudly.


    Nalan Qianqiu also looked serious, "Reincarnation Puppets can instantaneously switch his main body with a puppet. Without striking his true body, even if you destroy the puppet, he can immediately bring out a new one. Xiao is in trouble now..."


    By his side,


    Nangong Shengji''s face lit up with a brilliant smile, previously thwarted by Nalan Qianqiu when he had the best chance to snipe Xiao Yi, which had gnawed at him. Now, he was filled with excitement and said in a strange tone, "Even you and I can barely discern which one is the Funeral Envoy''s true body. Xiao Yi''s combat strength is indeed against the heavens, but his cultivation is ultimately too weak. Nalan Qianqiu, it seems you''ve definitely lost this time!"


    "You..."


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face darkened as he quietly shifted his position, ready to make a move.


    Crack!


    A beam of cold light burst forth.


    It was a point of pure energy that suddenly landed in front of Nalan Qianqiu. The ground exploded with a bang, and the icy cold wind surged wildly.


    Nangong Shengji''s mouth curved slightly upward, with a hint of amused cold sneer, "Not while I''m here, you won''t save him!"


    "Nangong Shengji, do you realize what you''re doing? Xiao Yi is the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute��" Nalan Qianqiu said angrily.


    Nangong Shengji shrugged his shoulders, scoffing, "So what? It wasn''t I who killed him, but the Funeral Envoy under War King''s command. If the Emperor wants to punish anyone, he''ll have to find the War King..."


    Nalan Qianqiu''s face stiffened.


    With the War King''s influence, would he fear Emperor Qian coming after him?


    Watching Nalan Qianqiu''s displeased expression, Nangong Shengji felt a wave of gratification.


    These past few days...


    He had been suffocated by Xiao Yi and the Treasure Pavilion.


    Seeing Xiao Yi about to be executed,


    Nalan Qianqiu, helpless, could only watch as Xiao Yi was killed. He felt a burst of spiteful relief and felt supremely refreshed. His venomous gaze fell upon Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, this is what happens when you oppose the Nangong Family!"


    All of this seemed slow, but in reality, it all happened in an instant.


    Xiao Yi''s black longsword whished through one of the Funeral Envoys, but under a puff of white smoke, it was just a puppet. The unconcerned voice of the Funeral Envoy came again, "Hahaha, you''ll never break my Reincarnation Puppets!"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Amidst the piercing sounds of the air being split,


    all three "Funeral Envoys" attacked simultaneously, each wielding a blade that shimmered with cold light, aiming straight for Xiao Yi''s vitals.


    These three Funeral Envoys coordinated flawlessly.


    And it was even harder to tell which was real!


    Confronted with these tangible and intangible attacks, Xiao Yi was also forced to retreat step by step.


    In the void,


    Xiao Yi and the Funeral Envoy''s figures clashed like the wind, now dispersing, now colliding, now exchanging blows...


    Their battle became more and more intense.


    Clang!


    In a burst of resounding firelight,


    Xiao Yi''s black longsword fell from the sky, cleaving downward, but it was blocked by the bladed weapons held up by the two ''Funeral Envoys'' on either side.


    At the same time,


    the one in the center revealed a cold smile, and a gleam of cold light flew from his hand straight toward Xiao Yi''s dantian, "Xiao Yi, go to hell!"

 Chapter 393 - 393: Sorry, Youre Too Late!

    ```


    Transmigration puppets are an extremely bizarre method.


    The transitions between one''s main body and the two puppets are continuous, everything completed in the blink of an eye.


    Even powerhouses of the same realm fail to catch any clues.


    As Xiao Yi attacked the puppets on both sides, the Funeral Envoy''s true body was in the middle, his cold edge stabbing towards Xiao Yi''s vitals. Xiao Yi''s whole body shook, fierce winds battered him, and thunder roared.


    Streaks of purple and gold lightning clung to his body, transforming into a suit of purple and gold battle armor.


    Clang!


    In the ear-splitting noise,


    the sharp weapon failed to penetrate Xiao Yi''s defenses, causing the Funeral Envoy''s expression to suddenly change, "Not good!"


    No sooner had he spoken,


    than Xiao Yi''s palm had already come crashing down from above.


    Spurt!


    A golden palm descended from the sky, and with a loud bang, the Funeral Envoy was smacked to the ground.


    Like a kite with a broken string, he plummeted from the sky.


    Boom!


    The entire body slammed into the ground, raising clouds of dust, and amidst a swooshing sound of tearing through the air, Xiao Yi followed closely. In an instant, Xiao Yi also reached the pit where the Funeral Envoy had fallen.


    Rumble!


    The ground shook as though an earth dragon was turning over.


    An immensely powerful energy formed a shockwave, surging up from beneath the ground and splashing a column of dirt straight into the sky. Amidst the flying dust, a white figure over thirty feet tall tore through the layers of sand and shot into the air in an instant.


    This fifteen or so feet tall white figure turned out to be the Funeral Envoy.


    Behind him, a white Dharma Manifestation floated in the air, radiating a cold chill, while his snow-white face had a blood-red tongue that was seven or eight feet long, fluttering with the wind.


    The Funeral Envoy was on top of the Dharma Manifestation''s head, half of his body merged with the Dharma Manifestation.


    The Funeral Envoy''s face was swollen from Xiao Yi''s beating, and his eyes now seethed with a venomous look, fixed on Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, you''ve completely enraged me!"


    "Boundless Ghost Realm!"


    During the Funeral Envoy''s fierce roar,


    brilliant white light emanated from him, streams of white energy stretched across the sky, creating a ghastly white world.


    This white energy, like the waters of a white lake, rippled, revealing bluish silhouettes one by one amidst the waves��these were unmistakably blue coffins.


    "Boundless Ghost Realm?"


    "Has the Funeral Envoy gone mad? He dares to use this move within the imperial capital?"


    "Damn it, run!"


    The white-garbed Funeral Envoy, the controller of the Boundless Ghost Realm.


    This was the Funeral Envoy''s strongest move.


    It was also the Innate Divine Ability of his Dharma Manifestation.


    Within the Great Qian Dynasty, only he could use this Secret Technique. Once the Boundless Ghost Realm was initiated, the area in all directions would turn into a grim ghost realm.


    One after another, ancient bronze coffins appeared within the ghost realm.


    Clang!


    Clang!


    Amidst a series of chilling clanging sounds,


    the lids of the ancient bronze coffins began to open, some pushed forcefully, some gently shifted, and others shot up... From within these bronze coffins, one after another horrifying figure emerged.


    Some had green faces and fierce fangs, some were covered in rotting flesh, and others were just chilling skeletons...


    Every gaze that turned towards Xiao Yi carried resentment and coldness, as if looking at the enemy who had killed their father and stolen their wife.


    With a ferocious look, the Funeral Envoy sneered, "Xiao Yi, as someone of the Tao Tribulation Realm, you''re the first to force me to use the Boundless Ghost Realm."


    Xiao Yi smiled, "I''ve killed more than one in the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    "Hm?"


    The Funeral Envoy''s face darkened as he sneered menacingly, "Want to kill me? Let''s see if you have the ability!" He pointed forward with his right hand, and the ten-foot-tall long-tongued Dharma Manifestation raised its right hand, from within its wide sleeves, a ghastly white skeletal hand reached out, pointing at Xiao Yi.


    Roar!


    One after another, green-faced and fierce-fanged, terifyingly grotesque ghosts rushed towards Xiao Yi.


    As they charged, they brought with them a suffocating shadowy and deathly air.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Xiao Yi tapped his longsword in the void, every streak of sword light that appeared turned into a shower of blades.


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh!


    ```


    The sword rain filled the sky, tearing apart those ghosts one by one.


    But the moment they were destroyed,


    second and third heads would again pop out from within the bronze coffins...


    They were endless, unkillable!


    "Hahaha. Xiao Yi, do you really think my Boundless Ghost Realm is that simple? Within the Boundless Ghost Realm, these ghosts are infinite, you cannot kill or eradicate them all..." The Funeral Envoy laughed uproariously to the sky, his face full of ferocious glee.


    He slowly raised his hands, clasping them together in front of him, and let out a low roar, "Destroy!"


    Roar!


    Hundreds of ghosts converged into a black iron torrent, rolling in waves, making one''s scalp tingle and heart despair at a mere glance.


    Nangong Yi clenched his fists tightly, excitement on his face, "With such a powerful attack, Xiao Yi is undoubtedly doomed!"


    Sun Yao nodded heavily, "This is the fate of those who offend our Battle King Mansion!"


    Almost everyone believed that Xiao Yi had no chance of winning.


    Yet, even in such a situation...


    Xiao Yi still maintained his calm and composure, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up as he gently swung his sword.


    Hum!


    The sword edge cut through the air.


    A circular sword arc formed in front of him, the silver arc gradually dissipating and returning to tranquility. Xiao Yi, gripping a black longsword in one hand, seemed to merge with his blade.


    Becoming one!


    The man was the sword, and the sword was the man!


    "Slash!"


    In that moment, the sword in Xiao Yi''s hand appeared to move extremely slowly, yet it was so swift it was beyond human reaction, slicing through the air with supreme speed.


    Swish!


    This sword seemed utterly ordinary.


    Yet its power was astonishingly immense!


    Shrrk!


    A sound, akin to fabric being torn apart, abruptly filled the air.


    There was no storm with Xiao Yi''s sword stroke, no earth-shattering Sword Qi, nor did it summon thunder and fierce winds.


    It appeared mundane!


    However, its power was unbelievably strong.


    It was like the stroke that mysterious expert, practicing amongst the thunderstorm at the Beast Emperor Sea, had unleashed.


    Whatever the sword edge passed, everything else was an illusion!


    Ssss...


    The numerous ghosts, as if made of paper,


    burst under the edge of the sword, scattering into dust, vanishing into thin air. Within the Boundless Ghost Realm, the numerous bronze coffins were completely blown apart by Xiao Yi''s sword as well.


    The white Boundless Ghost Realm was cleaved in two by this one sword stroke.


    The terrifying sword aura didn''t dissipate.


    Sput!


    Within the cover of the sacred white light, the sword aura plummeted onto the ten-zhang tall Dharma Manifestation. A hysterical scream burst from the Funeral Envoy as the Dharma Manifestation beneath him exploded with a boom.


    "No..."


    The Funeral Envoy screamed, a torrent of blood spewing forth from his mouth.


    His body fell from the sky like a broken kite.


    With a bang, it smashed onto the ground.


    The Dharma Manifestation completely dissipated.


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi, following closely behind, soared with his longsword, chopping down towards the Funeral Envoy''s head.


    At the same time...


    A shout suddenly echoed through heaven and earth, "Spare a life under your sword!"


    However,


    Xiao Yi remained unmoved, his sword edge sweeping past, and with a thud, the Funeral Envoy''s head was gruesomely severed. Blood spurted out like a fountain, the Funeral Envoy''s body convulsing wildly, then suddenly stretching out, ceasing to struggle.


    Xiao Yi stood with his sword beside the headless corpse, his foot resting on the Funeral Envoy''s head that was still glaring in anger and unwillingness. He looked towards the newcomer and spoke indifferently, "Sorry, you''re too late!"


    S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 394 - 394: After Today, Nangong Will Be No More!

    Xiao Yi looked at the newcomer expressionlessly, "I''m sorry, you''re too late!"


    In the void.


    Qi''s face wore a strange expression as he looked at Xiao Yi, especially when his eyes lingered on the head of the funeral envoy at the latter''s feet, eventually turning into a wry smile, "Director Xiao, you really are..."


    Qi found himself at a loss for words.


    The funeral envoy.


    This was none other than the unwavering confidant of the peerless War King Yang Huanyu, who had followed him for over a hundred years!


    Even Emperor Qian would not dare to provoke such a being lightly.


    And yet Xiao Yi had just killed him?


    Seeing the shock on Qi''s face, Xiao Yi sneered inwardly.


    Although the Imperial Capital is vast,


    the news had already spread.


    He refused to believe that Emperor Qian had only received the news now. Qi was not early nor late, but chose to show up just as he had completely fallen out with Black and White Shuangsha, at the moment he was about to execute the funeral envoy.


    If one were to say it was a coincidence, Xiao Yi would absolutely not believe it!


    Emperor Qian must have been observing everything from the shadows.


    Indeed, as Xiao Yi had conjectured, Emperor Qian had been aware of everything happening here, long before they had failed to draw in the Nangong Family. However, Emperor Qian''s plan was to deepen the animosity between Xiao Yi and Black and White Shuangsha, aiming for a complete fallout with the peerless War King.


    But...


    Emperor Qian would not have wanted to see what was happening before him.


    After all,


    he only wished for Xiao Yi to stand against Yang Huanyu, not to engage in armed conflict with him just yet. That did not align with his immediate plans; Xiaoshanhe Institute was still too weak, and confronting the peerless War King head-on at this juncture was not a wise move.


    For that very reason,


    when he saw that Xiao Yi was about to defeat the funeral envoy, Emperor Qian immediately sent Qi to intervene.


    With Qi''s cultivation at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm, traveling from the imperial palace to the Nangong Family''s residence was but a moment''s work. Yet, his speed still did not match Xiao Yi''s decisiveness.


    Countless thoughts ran through Qi''s mind.


    Sun Yao''s voice had reached him, "Eunuch Qi, Xiao Yi dared to brazenly kill the funeral envoy. You must seek justice for the funeral envoy!"


    "Eunuch Qi, I want him dead... I want Xiao Yi to join my husband in death..." Yama''s eyes brimmed with tears of blood, and the venomous gaze fixed on Xiao Yi like that of a viper, her hysterical roar echoed in Qi''s mind.


    She had been turned into a deaf-mute by Xiao Yi''s Six Syllable Mantra.


    Now, she could only communicate with others through the method of sound transmission.


    Qi narrowed his eyes, his face showing difficulty.


    Strike Xiao Yi?


    Out of the question!


    Xiao Yi was an extremely important part of Emperor Qian''s plan.


    But to ignore it?


    That was clearly not an option either.


    If the peerless War King took advantage of this, it could potentially trap Emperor Qian between a rock and a hard place.


    Just as Qi felt caught between two difficult choices, Xiao Yi''s voice rang in his mind, "Eunuch Qi, are you troubled about how to conclude this matter?"


    "You realize that this matter is difficult to conclude?" Qi glared at Xiao Yi, annoyance clear in his tone. S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had received quite a few benefits from Xiao Yi.


    His treatment of Xiao Yi was naturally different from others.


    Xiao Yi cracked a grin and continued to transmit his voice, "The matter is actually quite simple!"


    "Hmm?"


    Qi was taken aback, looking at Xiao Yi with puzzlement.


    In his view...


    The situation was extremely difficult to handle.


    How could it become so simple when it came out of Xiao Yi''s mouth?


    Xiao Yi''s gaze shifted to Nangong Shengji and the rest of the Nangong Family members, his lips curling slightly upward, causing Nangong Shengji''s heart to race with a strong sense of ominous foreboding.


    With a playful look, Xiao Yi said without any hesitation, "As long as you and I join forces and wipe out them and the entire Nangong Family, wouldn''t it be enough to tell the War King that they fought amongst themselves until both sides were wounded?"


    "Er..."


    Qi''s eyes twitched with an indescribably absurd feeling, looking at Xiao Yi with a bizarre expression.


    Before he could speak.


    "Does Grand Eunuch Qi think this is too much of a child''s play? That neither the War King nor Emperor Qian would believe our words?"


    Qi rolled his eyes, as if to say you know this is a childish ploy, don''t you? But Xiao Yi remained unmoved and continued, "Such an outcome is exactly what Emperor Qian wants to see!"


    Buzz!


    Qi''s face changed dramatically.


    Xiao Yi''s words struck him like a thunderclap, giving him a sudden revelation.


    Indeed, as Xiao Yi said...


    The reason he came to stop the conflict was nothing more than to avoid a direct and uncontrollable outcome between Xiao Yi and the War King''s Estate. After all, Emperor Qian was not yet willing to have a direct clash with the War King''s Estate.


    However, if it were possible for Xiao Yi to extricate himself and deal with Black and White Shuangsha, Sun Yao, and the Nangong Family, who were the War King''s Estate''s minions.


    Emperor Qian would certainly be pleased to see this scene unfold.


    But...


    Grand Eunuch Qi conveyed through telepathy, "Aren''t you afraid of the War King blaming you?"


    "Blaming?"


    Xiao Yi sneered, speaking dispassionately, "Even if I let them go now and kneel in front of the doors of the War King''s Estate, would Yang Huanyu forgive and forget?"


    "This..."


    Qi was taken aback for a moment, at a loss for words.


    The domineering reputation of the Peerless War King Yang Huanyu was well-known, not to mention Xiao Yi had already killed the funeral envoy; just the fact that Sun Yao declared on behalf of the Nangong Family their allegiance to the War King''s Estate.


    Xiao Yi''s strong move to kill Nangong Shengji would definitely not be something the Peerless War King would let go of lightly.


    "Grand Eunuch Qi, don''t forget that the Nangong Family has openly sought refuge with the War King''s Estate! Furthermore..."


    Xiao Yi smiled slightly, "If Emperor Qian doesn''t want to clash with the War King''s Estate at this time, do you think the War King would want to fall out with Emperor Qian right now?"


    Buzz!


    Qi''s body shook.


    Indeed, Emperor Qian had his reservations about the War King''s power, but was the War King not afraid of Emperor Qian?


    The competition between the two most powerful men in the Great Qian Dynasty was not a matter of just a day or two. If they were truly confident in overcoming the other directly, they would have acted long ago.


    As Emperor Qian''s confidant, Qi knew Emperor Qian''s heart well.


    The Nangong Family''s outright allegiance to the War King''s Estate had already touched upon Emperor Qian''s taboo, but due to the War King''s Estate, Emperor Qian could not directly move against the Nangong Family.


    If it were possible to eliminate the Nangong Family without causing the War King''s Estate to retaliate, this would undoubtedly be something Emperor Qian would like to see!


    Upon this thought.


    Qi exhaled a long breath, his turbid eyes, which were in fact brimming with sharpness, fixed intently on Xiao Yi, "How confident are you?"


    Xiao Yi flashed a grin, "Nalan Qianqiu and you together can take care of Nangong Shengji. As for those beneath him, leave them to my Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Hm?"


    Qi was startled and looked at Xiao Yi puzzledly, "Leave them to your Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Currently, Xiao Yi was the only one from the Xiaoshanhe Institute present.


    And yet the Nangong Family had gathered nearly seventy percent of their clan members here, with dozens within the Tao Tribulation Realm alone. Xiao Yi suggested he and Nalan Qianqiu deal with Nangong Shengji.


    Could it be that he intends to take care of all the remaining members of the Nangong Family by himself?


    Just as Qi was puzzled...


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi raised his right hand, his fingers quietly clenched. His cold gaze landed on Nangong Shengji, and with a chilling smile, he declared, "After today, the Nangong will be no more!"

 Chapter 395 - 395: More People?

    "After today, the Nangong Family will be no more!"


    As Xiao Yi bellowed lowly, his right hand, raised high, suddenly clenched into a fist and crashed down toward the ground.


    Almost simultaneously��


    The area surrounding the Nangong Family''s estate boundaries reverberated with gigantic booms that spread across the majority of the imperial capital. The deafening sounds made one''s ears ring as the ground trembled as if an earth dragon was turning over. Countless buildings collapsed amidst the roaring sounds, swallowed whole by the fissures that tore through the earth.


    Figure after figure hurriedly fled outside the area where the Nangong Family was located.


    No longer daring to remain and witness the battle.


    Rumble, rumble!


    Amidst the trembling earth,


    One after another, earthen walls suddenly sprang up from the cracked ground, hundreds of feet tall, soaring into the clouds and forming a circular barrier that completely enclosed the Nangong Family. Xiao Yi''s figure also rose into the air.


    Standing atop the earthen wall.


    Sun Yao''s face changed dramatically as he grabbed Yama, trying to take to the sky. "Xiao Yi, you''re outrageously audacious! To think you''d try to trap and kill us, you''re provoking the War King''s Mansion, you''re dead for sure��"


    "A dying man still dares to threaten me?" Xiao Yi said coldly, sneering.


    Sun Yao snorted coldly, "Xiao Yi, you are too arrogant! I admit your strength far exceeds my imagination, even Tianjiao couldn''t necessarily be stronger than you if he were at the same realm. But if I want to leave, do you think these mere earthen walls can stop me?"


    Whoosh!


    He stepped into the void and turned around, transforming into a streak of rainbow light, eager to break free into the air.


    "Without my permission, do you think you can leave?"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh, lifting his hands.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Array stones shot out one after another, landing atop the earthen wall with plopping sounds.


    A total of nineteen thousand eight hundred array stones fell into their respective positions. Xiao Yi showed no expression, but his vital energy gushed out like water bursting through a dam. Amidst the roaring sounds of flowing energy, torrents of vital energy swarmed in, merging into the earthen wall, connecting each array stone with one another.


    "Activate the formation!"


    Xiao Yi raised his palms toward the sky, lifting his hands.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Streams of light soared to the heavens, forming a silver-white net in the sky above the wall.


    White light turned into mysterious runes, gathering on the surface of the earthen wall, and as these runes converged, the entire wall became incredibly sturdy. The silver net that accompanied it enshrouded this piece of sky and land.


    "A mere formation wants to stop me? Break!"


    Sun Yao bellowed, his spear striking the air in an overhead assault��it came out like a roaring dragon amidst the stars.


    Terrible vital energy from all directions converged, gathering on the spear, and with a loud bang, it struck against the silver net obstructing his path.


    However��


    What Sun Yao thought was a frail silver net, under his mighty attack, merely buzzed with a ripple of silver waves before completely neutralizing the formidable strike.


    "This can''t be possible..."


    Sun Yao was full of confidence in his attack, accelerating to break through the air as he struck.


    The result...


    Bang!


    His head smashed directly into the net.


    The entire net burst into streams of silver light; as thunder boomed repeatedly, amidst crackling sounds, Sun Yao''s body coursed with swallowed lightning, instantly paralyzing him. He let out a wretched scream, tumbling from the sky.


    Boom!


    Sun Yao crashed to the ground heavily, blood spilling from his mouth, and even Yama in his arms was flung violently away.


    Crackle, crackle, crackle!


    Bolts of lightning snaked around his body incessantly.


    Sss!


    This scene made the Nangong Family''s powerhouses underneath the formation gasp in shock, eyes filled with horror. "What kind of formation is this that even Principal Sun''s full-force strike can''t break through? This..."


    "With a mere wave of his hand, Xiao Yi can set up such a terrifying formation, it seems the rumors of the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s Spirit Gathering Array that boosts energy gathering by ten times indeed came from him!"


    "Martial talent comparable to Xiao Tianjiao, and such terrifying talent in Formation arts... it''s said he''s even skilled in alchemy. What kind of monster is this?"


    "What kind of enemy has our Nangong Family actually provoked?"


    Amidst the cries of alarm.


    Nalan Qianqiu and Qi approached Nangong Shengji as the aura of the Dharma Manifestation Realm locked onto him.


    Nalan Qianqiu said with a smile, "Nangond, I''m afraid I''ve offended you!"


    Qi sighed, "Nangong, don''t blame me for this!"


    These were two beings whose cultivation was not at all inferior to his own.


    Together.


    Now, especially within these confines of the sky net, there was no chance of escape��Nangong Shengji had no choice but to fight to the death!


    As the two closed in, his expression grew increasingly grim.


    The Nangong Family, one of the four great noble clans, had been forced to such an extent that they had no choice but to seek refuge with the Peerless War King. This was an immensely shameful matter, and he felt he could no longer face the ancestors and forefathers of the Nangong Family. S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now...


    Xiao Yi had even set up a Formation, intending to completely annihilate the Nangong Family.


    How glorious the Nangong Family once was!


    All because Nangong Shengtian had provoked Xiao Yi, they were faced with this calamity that could lead to their clan''s destruction.


    It''s just a pity...


    There''s no medicine for regret in this world!


    Nangong Shengji took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled it, looking back at Nangong Yi and the others, "Nangong Yi, I will hold them off later. Try to find a way to open a path for everyone... Take the clansmen and run... escape with as many as you can..."


    "Master..."


    "Family head..."


    The complexion of everyone present changed.


    Nangong Shengji was clearly prepared for a fight to the death, as if he was entrusting them with his last will!


    "Shut up!"


    Nangong Shengji bellowed angrily, his eyes full of resolve. Facing Nalan Qianqiu and Qi, he knew there was no chance of survival. All he could think about now was creating an opportunity for Nangong Yi and the others to escape, to preserve a sliver of lineage for the Nangong Family, "I am the family head, you all listen to me!"


    With red-rimmed eyes, Nangong Yi knelt to the ground and kowtowed thrice with a thud. He said with a solemn voice, "Master, rest assured, I will definitely take them with me, to preserve a lineage for our Nangong Family!"


    "Go!"


    Nangong Shengji''s body burst forth with a magnificent glow. With a thunderous boom, a swath of blood-red light enveloped him.


    Like a blood shadow.


    Whoosh!


    The horrifying blood light ebbed and surged, and with a sweep of Nangong Shengji''s hand, the blood light actually wrapped around Nangong Yi and the others. With a whoosh, it turned into a beam of red light, blasting towards the sky net above.


    With the strength of his peak Dharma Phase Realm, he struck with all his might, causing the sky net to rumble violently.


    Over ten thousand array stones shone brilliantly.


    The earthen walls trembled thunderously.


    As if they might collapse at any moment.


    Just as the sky net was about to shatter, an icy sword light suddenly flew through the air. With a whoosh, it cleaved the blood-red light in half, splitting it apart and decapitating more than a dozen strong members of the Nangong Family with its fierce slash.


    Whoosh!


    Nangong Yi, Nangong Xiao, and the others fell back to the ground, regrouping with Sun Yao, Lady Yama, and the others.


    Nangong Yi said firmly, "General Sun, we must work together if we have any hope of escaping with our lives!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Sun Yao nodded, his cold gaze falling on Xiao Yi as he sneered, "Xiao Yi, there are so many of us here. Do you think we are afraid of you?"


    "A matter of numbers, you say?"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upwards. He waved his hand grandly, "Lads of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, all come out!"

 Chapter 396 - 396: The Army of Tigers and Wolves

    "Come out, all of you!"


    At Xiao Yi''s command, the radiant heavens'' net above the earthen wall suddenly tore open with countless fissures.


    Within those fissures...


    Shadows began to emerge bit by bit.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh! sea??h th�� n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These specks transformed into nearly ten thousand silhouettes, steadily descending and landing behind Xiao Yi.


    An oppressive sea of black, like a steel torrent, they lined up in neat squares, each face bearing an aura of severity.


    Leading them were none other than Little Lin and the Shadow Demon, among others.


    Whoosh!


    Turning into a two-meter-tall Little Lin, she moved her body, settling to Xiao Yi''s left, her golden scale armor shimmering with a dazzling light. Glittering and blinding, each scale looked as if it were forged from endlessly tempered metal, producing a chilling metallic sheen as she moved silently.


    Her two-meter stature stood erect, with four claws dangling from her underbelly and two particularly brilliant dragon horns atop her head.


    Her eyes sparkled like gemstones.


    The moment she released her aura comparable to the Eightfold Dharma Manifestation Realm, it made everyone, including Sun Yao, fall silent, only to hear Little Lin speak in human tongue, "Xiaoshanhe Institute Punishment Hall Master Xiao Lin, at your service, Institute Head!"


    Following closely.


    The Shadow Demon stepped forward, his towering figure like a humanoid bear, and his voice thunderous like shocking thunder, deafening, "Battle Hall Master Shadow Demon, at your service, Institute Head!"


    Whoosh!


    Fu Yuan''s hands blazed with two balls of fire, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned as the orange-red flame illuminated his face, casting distinct contours, "All Things Hall Master Fu Yuan, at your service, Institute Head!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Li Youruo and Chen Ziyi appeared one after the other, respectfully saying, "Greetings, Master!"


    "We are here to serve you, Institute Head!"


    Vice Hall Masters, as well as various Hall Elders and officials, and numerous disciples, all came forward in succession.


    Mere Dharma Manifestation Realm experts amounted to no less than seven people!


    Tao Tribulation Realm experts even exceeded a hundred.


    Behind these more than a hundred experts were several thousand disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute, forming another overwhelming display, like a steel torrent.


    United, they knelt on one knee behind Xiao Yi.


    Despite the moment...


    These nearly ten thousand people didn''t shout loudly, but their uniform actions and the imposing aura oozing from the silence was terrifying. It was as if invisible hands were severely gripping their throats, leaving Sun Yao and others feeling breathless.


    Those of weak spirit,


    Even fainted outright upon witnessing this scene, rolling their eyes back in complete unconsciousness.


    Gulp!


    Sun Yao swallowed hard; just a moment ago, he was confident with their numbers and strength, but in the blink of an eye, the roles had been reversed. Looking at the nearly ten thousand powerful figures behind Xiao Yi, especially among the seven great Dharma Manifestation Realm figures, there were beings like Fu Yuan and the Shadow Demon, whom he couldn''t fathom.


    At that moment, Sun Yao felt as if he had swallowed a mouthful of Coptis, the bitterness overwhelming, "What kind of monster have I provoked?"


    Nangong Yi''s face was grim as he looked towards Nangong Xiao and others, "We''ve got no choice but to fight them now!"


    "If it weren''t for Xiao Yi, how could we have ended up like this?"


    "Kill them!"


    Under the pressure of impending death and despair, the eyes of the Nangong Family experts turned blood-red, filled with hatred and resentment as they looked at Xiao Yi and the Xiaoshanhe Institute folks behind him.


    They were descendants of the Nangong Family, once high and mighty.


    But now...


    They faced the threat of their family''s destruction and personal demise.


    In the eyes of the strong ones from the Nangong Family, all of this was because of Xiao Yi, because of Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    Hearing the roar and curses of the Nangong Family members, Ye Heng shouted, "Shut up... Have you not realized yet why things have turned out this way? Had you not repeatedly refused to cooperate with us and even attacked Elder Yan and Elder Xue, breaking their arms, and maximally humiliating them, would the Institute Head have targeted you?"


    From the beginning to the end, it was always the Nangong Family who were aggressive and domineering.


    Nangong Shengtian initially rejected Xiao Yi''s offer for cooperation.


    When Xiao Yi sent Yan Mingli and Xue Bufan to seek collaboration, they not only refused but also injured them grievously, breaking their arms.


    All of this was brought upon the Nangong Family by themselves!


    However.


    People like Nangong Yi would never see it that way.


    Nangong Yi sneered, "What a joke, our Nangong Family is one of the four great noble families. Do you even qualify to work with us? And those Elder Yan and Elder Xue you mentioned, who are they to us? We merely broke their arms; it''s their honor. You don''t appreciate our mercy, and yet you think about revenge?"


    "You..."


    Jin Feiyan stopped an angry Ye Heng, shaking her head and laughing, "Senior brother, why bother getting angry with these shameless people? In their eyes, only they are the noblest, and speaking reason to them is just wasting your breath. There''s only one way to deal with them!"


    "Oh?"


    Ye Heng was startled and curious. Having spent a considerable amount of time with Jin Feiyan recently, he had some understanding of this quirky junior sister and asked, "What way?"


    With a grin, Jin Feiyan''s eyes narrowed slightly, like crescent moons, she spoke slowly and clearly, "That is��to make sure they can never speak again!"


    Never speak again?


    Ye Heng was shocked, then he understood.


    Who would never be able to speak again?


    Obviously, a dead person!


    Jin Feiyan, smiling cheerfully, looked at Xiao Yi, "Master, am I right?"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction. Although his disciple Ye Heng possessed the Battle War Holy Body, his personality was much duller than the lively and agile Jin Feiyan. Under the proud gaze of Jin Feiyang, Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Fei Yan, Ye Heng, the two of you can have a contest... This time, whoever kills more people from the Nangong Family will receive a reward from me!"


    "A reward?"


    Jin Feiyan''s eyes gleamed, looking at Ye Heng, she said coyly, "Senior brother, you wouldn''t compete with your junior sister, right?"


    Ye Heng gave her a glance and snorted, "I will strive for the reward that our master grants with all my might!"


    "You... don''t you have any sense of being a senior brother? You''re my elder; you should be more humble!" Jin Feiyan complained on her tiptoes. After Ye Heng awakened the Battle War Holy Body, he had grown taller and more imposing, and even on her tiptoes, she barely reached his chest.


    Ye Heng pressed a hand on her head gently and said, "Sorry, we''re equals!"


    "You..."


    Jin Feiyan, vexed, slapped away Ye Heng''s hand from her head, and said angrily, "We''ll see who gets the master''s reward. It will definitely be mine!"


    Ye Heng confidently responded, "You don''t stand a chance!"


    Jin Feiyan huffed, her dark eyes whirling around.


    At that moment...


    The Shadow Demon had already waved his hand grandly, "All warriors of the War Hall, follow me to kill!"


    Little Lin howled to the sky, "All members of the Punishment Hall, kill!"


    "The Skill Transmission Hall..."


    "The All Things Hall..."


    "The Task Hall..."


    Command after command was given.


    Disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute charged like a fierce army at Sun Yao and his followers.


    For a moment.


    Only Yan Mingli, Xue Bufan, Zhou Jing, and Lin Bingxin remained by Xiao Yi''s side.


    Yan Mingli, curious about the competitive Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan, asked, "Who do you think will win between Ye Heng and Little Yanzi?"


    Xue Bufan said indifferently, "Little Yanzi is indeed clever, but she has only recently entered the Shentong Realm, whereas Ye Heng is at the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm, and he also possesses the Battle War Holy Body. He is certain to win!"


    Zhou Jing nodded in agreement.


    Lin Bingxin hesitated a bit and said, "I think Yanzi might win!"


    "Hmm?"


    Everyone looked at Lin Bingxin with puzzlement.


    In their eyes...


    Jin Feiyan seemed to have no chance of winning at all!


    Xiao Yi, however, smiled and said, "I also think Bing Xin is right. That foolish boy Ye Heng is likely to be at a disadvantage!"

 Chapter 397 - 397: The Unparalleled War King

    This time the people from Xiaoshanhe Institute joined the battle.


    The main purpose was still to train the disciples, hence, the Shadow Demon and others only took action against powerhouses like Sun Yao and the female Yama.


    The ordinary disciples from the Nangong Family were all left to the disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Ye Heng''s Battle War Holy Body was meant to grow through combat, to elevate amidst life and death battles, becoming increasingly brave as the war went on. He alone, cutting his way in and out of the crowd, was at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, but even facing ordinary masters of the Golden Core Realm, he was not one bit cowardly; instead, he became more valiant as the fight progressed.


    The stronger the enemy, the stronger I become!


    Under Ye Heng''s frenzied slaughter, his battle achievements were rapidly improving.


    As for Jin Feiyan...


    She never focused on killing.


    But her movement technique was so elegant and nimble that even the common Golden Core Realm powerhouses found it extremely difficult to catch her.


    Like a fish in water, she weaved through the crowd.


    Jin Feiyan''s voice kept ringing out, "Big sister, can you beat him half to death and leave him to me to finish off? If I get the reward from our master, I''ll share some with you!"


    "Big brother, can you let me handle the guy in your hands? Just help me out, and if I beat that unscrupulous senior brother of mine... I promise to hook you up with a beautiful girl..."


    "Grandpa Hall Master..."


    "Uncle Elder..."


    Wherever Jin Feiyan passed,


    the elders, deacons, and disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, and even the Hall Masters and Vice Hall Masters like the Shadow Demon, couldn''t resist her coquettish charm, continuously handing over their targets to her. Soon, the number of Nangong Family powerhouses Jin Feiyan hunted climbed steadily, ten, twenty, thirty...


    She had long left Ye Heng far behind.


    Ye Heng, locked in a tough fight with a Second Layer Golden Core Realm master, gritted his teeth in anger, cursing loudly, "Jin Feiyan, aren''t you just too despicable?"


    Lalalala!


    Jin Feiyan flicked her slender finger beneath her lower eyelid, pulling a face, and stuck her tongue out at him, "The heads I got with my abilities, how is that being despicable? Master didn''t say we couldn''t get help. If you have the skills, brother, you can also find someone to help you!"


    As she spoke,


    Jin Feiyan took a Golden Elixir Realm Peak powerhouse, who was at his last breath, from an elder''s hands, and with an effortless flick of her dagger, she slit his throat, killing him with a single strike.


    Ye Heng was speechless. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He vented all his inner frustration on the Golden Core Realm master opposite him as his arms blurred like phantoms, fists and palms striking together, his sword energy soaring to the sky, "I''ll kill you, you despicable and shameless bastard..."


    The Nangong Family Golden Core Realm powerhouse: "..."


    A moment later,


    Under the resentful and unwilling gaze of the Golden Core Realm powerhouse, Ye Heng finished him off with a sword strike. Seeing his own kill count was far less than Jin Feiyan''s, Ye Heng clenched his teeth and steeled himself, "I refuse to believe... With my personal charm, I can''t beat this little girl?"


    And so,


    Ye Heng ran over to Yu Huaxian, "Uncle Huaxian, could you please..."


    Hiss!


    Yu Huaxian shuddered at Ye Heng''s soft and tender voice, and upon turning back to see Ye Heng blinking at him and acting coquettishly, Yu Huaxian shook all over, "Damn it, I''m a real man!"


    Bang!


    Yu Huaxian slapped Ye Heng away with a casual hand.


    "..."


    Ye Heng looked aggrieved, his gaze shifted to Little Lin not far away, who was fighting two Tao Tribulation Realm masters.


    Before he could speak,


    Little Lin coldly said, "Scram!"


    Ye Heng: "..."


    Having rebuked Ye Heng, Little Lin then moved over to Jin Feiyan, "Xiaoyanzi, I''ll leave these two to you!"


    With a flick of her tail, she placed two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses, both on their last breath, in front of Jin Feiyan.


    "Thank you, Uncle Little Lin!"


    Jin Feiyan was overjoyed, her dagger greeting the pair.


    The result...


    Ding ding!


    Two dazzling sparks of fire, but they failed to break through their defenses?


    Jin Feiyan wanted to cry but had no tears, a look of grievance on her face, "Little Lin Uncle-Master, I can''t beat them!"


    "Can''t beat them?"


    Little Lin was taken aback, then saw that two Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouses were secretly circulating their primordial energy, forming an invisible protective shield around themselves. How could such a defense be broken by Jin Feiyan of the mere Shentong Realm? Little Lin snorted coldly, his body tensed, and with a crisp crack, the bones of the two Tao Tribulation Realm strongmen were crushed amidst their screams. Little Lin laughed, "Little Yanzi, now you can do it!"


    Thud thud!


    Two slashes, life extinguished!


    Jin Feiyan giggled, "Thank you, Uncle-Master Little Lin!"


    "Hahaha, off you go!"


    Little Lin laughed, speaking human language, when suddenly he felt a chill on his back.


    Little Lin subconsciously turned around, just to see Ye Heng looking at him with a face full of resentment.


    "Uh..."


    Little Lin showed a humanized embarrassment on his face, somewhat annoyed, "What are you looking at?"


    "Lustful serpent..."


    Ye Heng muttered.


    Slap!


    The words were not yet complete.


    He was already smacked away by Little Lin''s tail, watching Ye Heng tumble into the crowd. Little Lin snorted coldly, proudly lifting his neck and twisting his body as he strutted away.


    Yan Mingli and the others watching the battle exchanged looks.


    Lin Bingxin couldn''t help but laugh and cry, "I knew it would end up like this!"


    Zhou Jing said with a bitter smile, "That girl Fei Yan really is incredible. Ye Heng''s loss is not unjust!"


    The battle situation was almost completely one-sided.


    Under the leadership of the Shadow Demon and others, the members of Xiaoshanhe Institute were invincible, slaying gods when obstructed by gods, slaying buddhas when hindered by buddhas. One after another, the strongmen of the Nangong Family fell before them, without any chance to resist. With the power Xiaoshanhe Institute now wielded, they had already far surpassed any of the four great noble families.


    It was enough to compare with the least of the top ten sects, the Liyang Sect and the Kuangdao Sect.


    Dealing with the mere Nangong Family was naturally a piece of cake!


    Looking at Nangong Shengji again...


    Under the siege of Qi and Nalan Qianqiu, who were by no means weaker than him, Nangong Shengji was forced to retreat step by step, his body covered in blood.


    His internal organs were all scorched by Nalan Qianqiu''s fiery primordial energy.


    As primordial energy circulated.


    His internal organs felt a severe burning pain, as if being scorched by a raging fire, and he was already at the end of his tether.


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    Qi stood in the air holding a horsetail whisk, his body radiating a flowing halo.


    Nalan Qianqiu held aloft two fireballs in his hands, like two suns spitting firelight in his palms, looking down from high above at Nangong Shengji.


    Wow!


    Nangong Shengji violently spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, looking at the Nangong Family strongmen who died one after another. His face became extremely ferocious.


    These were the elites of his Nangong Family!


    And now more than half had perished.


    It was as if he could already see the once-glorious Nangong Family, one foot in the dust of history, on the verge of collapse. The cause of all this was that carefree boy not far off, the one he had once not taken seriously, like a mere ant.


    Step by step by step!


    Xiao Yi walked on air, landing in front of Nangong Shengji.


    He looked down at the once unassailable head of the Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengji struggled to lift his head, staring at Xiao Yi with venomous eyes, "You little bastard, don''t get too happy too soon. The War King won''t let you go..."


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi grinned, speaking indifferently, "I''d like to see just how your so-called War King won''t let me go!"


    No sooner had he spoken than...


    At that moment...


    A terrifying axe light suddenly fell from the sky, and with a loud bang, the vast net in the sky was smashed to pieces. A majestic figure stood suspended in the air, his cold gaze sweeping over those below, finally resting on Xiao Yi, his substantial gaze sharp as a blade, causing one''s scalp to tingle.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils slightly constricted, he turned to look at the figure, showing a hint of solemnity, "The Peerless War King?"

 Chapter 398 - 398: Domineering and Overbearing

    "Unparalleled War King!"


    Xiao Yi''s face revealed a solemn expression.


    In the void.


    That towering figure stood like a mountain, and the aura emanating from him alone far surpassed that of anyone present.


    Even Nalan Qianqiu and Qi were firmly suppressed by him.


    This man was none other than one of the two most powerful men in the Great Qian Dynasty, the Unparalleled War King��Yang Yuhuan!


    Hiss!


    The people engaged in the fierce battle all stopped.


    Sun Yao''s face was filled with ecstatic joy, barely fending off the attackers under Lady Yama''s protection. Though he was on his last breath, he made it, clinging to life. Sun Yao spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and yelled with all his might, "King, my Lord King, save me..."


    The Unparalleled War King merely glanced at him.


    Without a word.


    Yet, the form of the Unparalleled War King descended lightly from the sky.


    Sun Yao''s face twisted with pride and savagery as hatred-filled eyes rested on Xiao Yi, he hysterically yelled, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, you''re done for! The King has arrived, even if Emperor Qian himself were here, he couldn''t save you, you''re done for, done for..."


    Nangong Yi had lost an arm, and now, with a pale face, tears of relief after surviving a calamity fell, "Brothers, the War King is here... He''s come to save us..."


    "Hahaha, you scum from the Xiaoshanhe Institute, with His Highness the War King''s arrival, you''re as good as dead!"


    "Our Nangong Family won''t be destroyed..."


    A crowd of the Nangong Family''s warriors wept with joy.


    The warriors of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, however, were tense as they gathered around Xiao Yi.


    A man''s reputation, a tree''s shadow.


    The Unparalleled War King, Yang Yuhuan!


    He was the only one in the entire Great Qian Dynasty who could rival Emperor Qian in terms of power.


    Most of the ten governing Great Generals in the Great Qian Dynasty came from under Yang Yuhuan''s command.


    He controlled troops numbering over ten million in his hands.


    What''s more...


    There were rumors that the Unparalleled War King, Yang Yuhuan, was the mastermind behind Xue Yilou!


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    This was the first time Xiao Yi had come face to face with Yang Yuhuan!


    Whoosh!


    Yang Yuhuan landed in front of Xiao Yi, looking at everyone expressionlessly, silent.


    It''s this kind of silence.


    That made Nalan Qianqiu and Qi show unprecedented gravity, Nalan Qianqiu said solemnly, "Rending my respects to His Highness the War King!"


    "This humble one pays respect to Your Highness!" said Qi.


    Yang Yuhuan just glanced at them, still not uttering a single word.


    In his eyes...


    Qi was nothing but a dog raised by their royal family, as for Nalan Qianqiu... he was just a merchant, in his view.


    He naturally looked down on him.


    Qi narrowed his eyes, already accustomed to Yang Yuhuan''s arrogance.


    Nalan Qianqiu also narrowed his eyes, showing a hint of displeasure.


    Yang Yuhuan continued to stare at Nangong Shengji, his voice calm as ever, betraying no emotion, "Do they know you''ve joined my ranks?"


    Nangong Shengji nodded with difficulty, clenched his teeth, and said, "To report to Your Highness, I''ve already told them that our Nangong Family has come under the War King''s command. General Sun and the two Emissaries of Black and White also informed them... They didn''t take the War King''s mansion seriously at all..."


    Helped by several people, Sun Yao also came forward.


    His face was full of resentment and viciousness, glaring at Xiao Yi before then looking at Yang Yuhuan, he said, "My Lord King, we''ve already made clear our identities and origins, but Xiao Yi ignored them. He almost exterminated the Nangong Family, and he has left both me and Lord Yama severely injured, and Lord Yama was even killed by Xiao Yi. You must seek justice for us!"


    Lady Yama, her mouth stained with blood, transmitted her voice saying, "Master, you must avenge me and my husband!"


    "Hmm!"


    Yang Yuhuan nodded, his gaze shifting to Qi, but he didn''t even spare Xiao Yi a glance, "Qi, knowing that the Nangong Family has joined my ranks, why did you dare to make a move?"


    Qi''s expression remained unchanged as he spoke indifferently, "This one did not know!"


    "You lying dog, he..."


    Before Sun Yao''s words could settle,


    Boom!


    An invisible shockwave slammed into him, sending his body flying backward.


    Wow!


    Sun Yao spat out blood, his face a picture of disbelief as he looked at Yang Yuhuan.


    Yang Yuhuan said indifferently, "If this dog won''t obey, it''s still a dog raised by my imperial family, not to be commanded by you!"


    "Your Highness, please calm your anger... I, I realize my mistake..." Sun Yao, struggling to endure the intense pain, stammered fearfully.


    Only then did Yang Yuhuan shift his gaze to Qi and Nalan Qianqiu, "Both of you, sever one of your arms!"


    "Prince of War, although I, Nalan Qianqiu, am not your equal, I am still a master of one pavilion of Treasure Pavilion. Aren''t you afraid of offending my Treasure Pavilion by doing this?" Nalan Qianqiu narrowed his eyes, his expression unfriendly as he spoke.


    Yang Yuhuan scoffed coldly, "Are you threatening me?"


    The power of Treasure Pavilion far exceeded that of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    However...


    That was the overall Treasure Pavilion within the Nantian Dynasty.


    A mere division of Treasure Pavilion within the Great Qian Dynasty, among the countless other divisions, ranked at the very bottom and was considered insignificant. How could he take them seriously?


    "You..."


    Nalan Qianqiu frowned.


    Just as he was caught between a rock and a hard place,


    Xiao Yi''s voice slowly rang out, "What great authority the Prince wields!"


    "Hmm?"


    Yang Yuhuan glanced towards Xiao Yi, raised an eyebrow, and revealed a sneer of ice-cold mockery, "Are you the Xiao Family''s cast-out, Xiao Yi?"


    Whoosh!


    The faces of all present changed at once.


    With the rise of Xiao Yi...


    The trials of his past decade or so had also spread, not known by everyone, but well-known by those of some status. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Eight years of imprisonment.


    Expelled from his home.


    Reduced to a son-in-law living off his wife...


    These were labels Xiao Yi could not shake off.


    "My master is a true dragon among men; the Xiao Family casting him out shows their lack of discernment..." Jin Feiyan shouted, her neck straining.


    "Hmm?"


    Yang Yuhuan raised an eyebrow, turning his gaze to Jin Feiyan.


    "Not good!"


    Xiao Yi''s face suddenly changed, golden light swirling around his body as he released his vital energy with a snap of his fingers. Alas, he was still a step too slow. With a muffled boom, Xiao Yi''s directed energy was mostly dissipated, yet a strand still struck Jin Feiyan.


    Wow!


    Jin Feiyan screamed miserably as she was flung backward.


    Luckily, she was caught by Fu Yuan standing beside her. Even so, the terrifying force sent Fu Yuan and Jin Feiyan stumbling back more than a dozen meters before they came to a halt.


    Fu Yuan grunted.


    He promptly channeled his vital energy, infusing it into Jin Feiyan''s body.


    That was what finally stabilized her condition,


    And saved her life.


    But after this ordeal, Jin Feiyan would likely have to spend days, if not weeks, bedridden.


    "Are you alright?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Fu Yuan, who indicated that Jin Feiyan was not in life-threatening danger, and he let out a sigh of relief. Looking down at the slowly awakening Jin Feiyan, he said with a tone of helplessness, "Silly girl, that''s the Unrivaled War Prince. Do you have a death wish?"


    Despite her pale face, Jin Feiyan stubbornly replied, "I, I can criticize my master, but he, he is beyond reproach..."


    Seeing the stubbornness on the little girl''s face,


    Xiao Yi let out a heavy sigh, his eyes narrowing into slits as his gaze settled on the domineering and tyrannical Yang Yuhuan...

 Chapter 399 - 399: Youre Not Worthy Yet!

    "My disciples, I can beat or scold, but others may not!"


    Xiao Yi slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, his icy gaze fixed intently on Yang Yuhuan.


    Yang Yuhuan''s eyebrows were tightly knitted.


    Those eyes, bright as the moon and deeper than the night, stared at Xiao Yi. His lips curled into a disdainful smile, "No wonder the Xiao Family looks down on you. It''s that arrogance of yours, thinking you''re above heaven and earth. Sooner or later, you will bring calamity upon the Xiao Family! Compared to Xiao Tianjiao, you truly fall short!"


    Xiao Tianjiao.


    The universally acknowledged number one prodigy in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Despite Xiao Yi''s impressive achievements, in the eyes of the public, he still wasn''t considered comparable to Xiao Tianjiao.


    Because.


    In the hearts of most, they still didn''t believe Xiao Yi could match up to Xiao Tianjiao.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a breath and said, "As to who is stronger between me and Xiao Tianjiao, time will naturally give everyone the answer. It''s not your place to make judgments here!"


    "Oh? Is that so?"


    Yang Yuhuan smiled softly and said indifferently, "The reason I say these things is not to criticize you. After all, if not for Xiao Tianjiao''s sake, you wouldn''t be worthy of my comment. Moreover��"


    His voice paused slightly.


    With a step forward, an overwhelming pressure rolled in like a towering mountain.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Thunderous explosions from nowhere startled everyone, forcing them to retreat several steps.


    Even Nalan Qianqiu and Qi, who had reached the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, were compelled to step back twice under the dreadful pressure of Yang Yuhuan. This was the unmatched War King of the Great Qian Dynasty, the legendary Military God who never lost a battle��Yang Yuhuan!


    Though all at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, even Qi and Nalan Qianqiu combined could not withstand ten moves from him!


    "Is this the unparalleled War King? Just his aura alone makes me dare not harbor any thoughts of defiance, it''s truly terrifying!"


    "Worthy of being the Military God of the Great Qian Dynasty, an existence like the Calm Sea Divine Needle��"


    Even the Shadow Demon and Zhang Ling, who feared neither heaven nor earth, felt a trace of fear when facing Yang Yuhuan.


    It was merely the oppression of aura.


    Yet, it extinguished the fighting spirit of these strong warriors who had emerged from the Slave Battlefield.


    One could imagine��


    just how formidable Yang Yuhuan was.


    Xiao Yi''s face turned somewhat pale, yet he stood as proud as an ancient pine before Yang Yuhuan, his feet rooted to the ground as if they had taken root. Not shaking in the slightest, his eyes blazed fiercely, staring at him as if they were tangible.


    Yang Yuhuan raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised that Xiao Yi could remain so composed under his pressure, "Not bad, not bad at all. You didn''t kneel under my aura. You''ve got some backbone, kid. But I wonder if the bones in your body are as tough!"


    Xiao Yi said coolly, "You can try!"


    Facing Xiao Yi''s challenge, Yang Yuhuan remained indifferent and calm.


    In his eyes, Xiao Yi was but an ant.


    "You don''t need to try to provoke me, why would the Azure Dragon be infuriated by an ant?"


    Yang Yuhuan chuckled lightly, shaking his head gently as usual, and raised three fingers, "Three moves. If you can withstand three moves from me, I might give you a chance to live."


    "Three moves?"


    "Although Director Xiao is formidable, he is only at the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. How could he possibly withstand three moves from the War King?"


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    "To accept is to die, to resist is also to die��"


    "Xiaoshanhe Institute finally saw a glimmer of hope for rising, is it going to be destroyed now?"


    After hearing Yang Yuhuan''s words, everyone shook their heads and sighed.


    Given Yang Yuhuan''s strength.


    Let alone Xiao Yi, who was just at the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, even someone at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm would likely not be his match!


    Everyone looked at Xiao Yi with eyes full of worry.


    Of course...


    Figures such as Nangong Shengji and Sun Yao had expressions of schadenfreude, a look of excitement on their faces.


    It was as if they had already witnessed Xiao Yi dying at the hands of Yang Yuhuan!


    At the same time.


    Within the imperial palace, Yang Ling looked anxiously at Emperor Qian, "Father, great-uncle has already made his move, if you don''t intervene, Xiao Yi''s life will be in danger!"


    "What''s the rush?"


    Emperor Qian glanced at him indifferently, his calm demeanor showing a hint of amusement, "Have you ever seen this kid at a disadvantage? Since your great-uncle appeared until now, I haven''t detected any sign of despair from him, on the contrary, there''s an excited eagerness. Let''s wait a bit longer, and see what kind of ''medicine'' he''s selling!"


    Emperor Qian''s gaze seemed to travel through time and space, landing on Xiao Yi.


    In those profound eyes, there was a touch of deep curiosity and anticipation.


    Yang Ling was momentarily stunned, and seeing that Emperor Qian had no more to say, he felt it improper to press further. He clenched his hands tightly and with a worried look, he gazed in the direction of the Nangong Family and muttered to himself, "Xiao Yi, I hope nothing happens to you!"


    ...


    Inside the Nangong Family mansion.


    Everyone''s eyes were fixed on Xiao Yi, awaiting his response.


    Facing the challenge of the unparalleled War King Yang Yuhuan, who asked for a three-move agreement, would he accept?


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly as he stared intently at Yang Yuhuan and said deliberately, "Three moves are enough, you say?"


    "Hm?"


    Yang Yuhuan was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, "You want to kill me, but three moves are far from enough!"


    "How insolent!"


    "Xiao Yi, you''re utterly ignorant of your own limits �� that''s War King His Highness there. He could crush you to pieces with just a flick of his finger, let alone three moves..."


    Sun Yao and the others were furious, roaring in anger.


    In their eyes, Yang Yuhuan was an invincible existence.


    For a mere Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm Xiao Yi to look down on Yang Yuhuan? S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To them...


    It was like their faith had been insulted!


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at them coldly, "Defeated dogs, what right do you have to wag your tongues before me? Keep yapping and don''t blame me for killing you first!"


    "You..."


    Sun Yao and the others were red-faced.


    They were about to curse, but upon encountering Xiao Yi''s cold gaze, the words they had at the tip of their tongues were forcefully swallowed back down.


    Yang Yuhuan couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow.


    In the moment of eye contact with Sun Yao and the others, he felt Xiao Yi release a subtle aura of oppression, and it was this very pressure that silenced them from speaking out.


    "Interesting little fellow!"


    Yang Yuhuan suddenly laughed, his mouth curving up slightly, his gaze on Xiao Yi now filled with curiosity and interest, "Xiao Yi, you have successfully piqued my interest. If you can survive three moves from me without dying, then you''ll prove you''re worthy to be my dog. It just so happens that the Funeral Envoy was killed by you, and if you submit to me and become the new Funeral Envoy under my command, I can spare your life!"


    "Your Highness..."


    Sun Yao and Yama''s expressions changed.


    "Hm?"


    Yang Yuhuan turned to look at them, they shuddered and turned pale, quickly responding, "Your Highness is wise!"


    "Hmm!"


    Yang Yuhuan nodded and then turned his attention back to Xiao Yi, "What is your decision?"


    "Have me submit?"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile and said with emphasis, "You''re not worthy!"

 Chapter 400 - 400 Xiao Yi VS War King

    "You''re not worthy!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth slightly upturned as he stared at Yang Yuhuan before him.


    Hiss!


    All those who heard these words couldn''t help but suck in a breath of cold air, their vastly different faces simultaneously showing shock and disbelief. Astonished gazes fell upon Xiao Yi.


    This was the Peerless Battle King!


    Even Emperor Qian wouldn''t dare speak to him like this.


    Xiao Yi had actually said he wasn''t worthy?


    Gulp!


    Sun Yao swallowed hard, then his eyes shone with an unprecedented excitement, "Hahaha, this kid is really unthinkable in his arrogance, he''s truly courting death!"


    "No one has ever dared to humiliate His Highness like this, Xiao Yi is surely a dead man!" Yama clenched her fists tightly, her eyes fierce.


    When she heard the Peerless Battle King propose that Xiao Yi become the new funeral envoy, she was genuinely worried Xiao Yi would accept it.


    If that happened.


    She wouldn''t be able to avenge the funeral envoy!


    Now.


    Xiao Yi had not only rejected Yang Yuhuan''s proposal, but he had also openly humiliated and provoked him. How could this not excite Yama?


    Nalan Qianqiu covered her face with one hand, turning to Qi beside her, "Eunuch Qi, it seems we need to be prepared for a do-or-die struggle."


    "Ah..."


    Eunuch Qi looked frustrated and could hardly bear to smile, "I''m just here to deliver a decree, how did it turn into this mess? I shouldn''t have listened to Xiao Yi''s bewitchments, should I? It would have been fine just to announce the imperial edict and leave... Now I''ve gotten myself involved..."


    Despite saying so.


    Eunuch Qi''s movements showed no hesitation or retreat, his nerves taut, ready to act at the first sign of danger to Xiao Yi''s life.


    Everyone''s gaze shifted between Xiao Yi and Yang Yuhuan.


    The two stood like two towering pines, proudly occupying their respective sides, eyes locked onto each other.


    Nobody took the initiative to speak first.


    Yet, it was this silence that created an invisible pressure, forcing the powerhouses lingering near them to retreat involuntarily. For a moment, the only ones who dared to stay within a hundred yards of the two were Nalan Qianqiu, Eunuch Qi, and Little Lin.


    Chi!


    Chi, chi!


    Crackle and pop!


    Cold light burst forth from the eyes of both men, tangible beams clashing between them, creating blinding sparks. These sparks dazzled brightly, crackling incessantly like frying beans.


    Suddenly.


    Blades of wind began to surge around both of them.


    The wind grew stronger.


    Gradually turning into a fierce gale!


    Two gray tornadoes rose into the sky, centered around the men, reaching dozens of feet high, howling as they swirled.


    Twisting their massive bodies, they moved towards each other.


    Boom!


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Rumbling...


    As the two storms collided, they generated the grating sound of metal clashing.


    As the two storms merged, they became increasingly terrifying.


    Under the sweep of the wild wind, corpses on the ground were lifted into the air, torn apart, turning into a rain of blood. The debris and buildings were also ripped apart and sucked into the air.


    Clashing against each other, they exploded into brilliant sparks like swords and spears in combat.


    The two had yet to make a move.


    The sheer force of their presences alone created a destructive power akin to a typhoon''s passing.


    Boom!


    All of a sudden.


    The two tornadoes both trembled and, like a clay ox entering the sea, vanished without a trace in an instant.


    In the heavens above...


    The corpses and fragments of buildings that had been carried into the air, now bereft of the support of the tornadoes, paused abruptly in midair before plummeting down like torrential rain.


    Crash!


    Stone debris, fragments of buildings, rooftops, corpses...


    They formed a chaotic rain of rubbish.


    Bang!


    This was a stone beast that once stood at the entrance of the Nangong Family mansion; as it hit the ground, it stirred up a whirl of dust.


    It was the sound made by the stone beast as it landed that, like the beating of war drums, seemed as if Xiao Yi and Yang Yuhuan had agreed upon it, for they both made their move at the moment it touched the ground.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi dared not be careless and went all out from the start.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body was activated.


    Glimmers of wind and thunder gathered around him, and a sixth-tier Longsword suddenly appeared in his palm��this was the weapon he bought from the Treasure Pavilion.


    The sixth-tier Longsword, Shadowless!


    The Shadowless Sword was shrouded in darkness, with streaks of blue wind blades and purplish-gold lightning crawling along his arm, entwining around the Shadowless Sword. Xiao Yi leapt up, his Shadowless Sword seemingly fused with his own body.


    Man and sword as one!


    Xiao Yi let out a low roar, "Sword Qi Blue Lotus."


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Sword light carved in front of him, the sharp sword glows turning into clusters of Sword Qi Blue Lotuses.


    Forty-nine Sword Qi Blue Lotuses arranged themselves into a formation like a lotus flower, spinning and regenerating endlessly, and exploded towards Yang Yuhuan.


    Yang Yuhuan''s face was expressionless, his right hand placed behind him.


    He reached forward with his left hand.


    Between his fingers, a hand with distinct veins became visible; Yang Yuhuan spoke indifferently and coldly, "Shanchuan within the palm!"


    Hum!


    A vortex appeared within that hand.


    The vortex kept spinning.


    Making the veins within the palm seem like rivers in incessant flow, with the palm lines turning into endless expanses of mountains and hills. It was as if ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains were captured in his hand, reaching towards those forty-nine Sword Qi Blue Lotuses.


    Hum!


    As the vortex spun.


    It actually kept dragging the Sword Qi Blue Lotuses towards its depths, into the profound abyss.


    "Such terrifying power..."


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly, his face more solemn than ever before.


    His Sword Qi Blue Lotus even showed signs of being devoured by that vortex, unable to withstand the fearsome devouring force emanating from within.


    Xiao Yi''s body shook, boundless primordial energy converged into his palm, without any hesitation he changed his move. His Shadowless Sword rapidly drew circular sword arcs, the arcs outlining silver sword light, linking the Sword Lotuses together, and Xiao Yi shouted, "Never-ending regeneration!"


    Hum!


    Under the connection of the sword light.


    The forty-nine Sword Qi Blue Lotuses supported each other, simultaneously starting to rotate, resembling a colossal grinding wheel. Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    They spun in the direction opposite to the vortex.


    Resisting the devouring force of the vortex.


    The Sword Qi Blue Lotuses and the black vortex faced off like the needle against the wheat awn, yet neither could do anything to the other, which made Yang Yuhuan unable to help but raise an eyebrow slightly and he chuckled, "Interesting, but with just this, you can''t stop me!"


    Hum!


    Yang Yuhuan''s fingers suddenly clenched.


    Rumble! S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Terrifying energy glowed and radiated nonstop while the black vortex also rapidly expanded in the palm.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The forty-nine Sword Qi Blue Lotuses actually all escaped into the vortex.


    Like a clay ox entering the sea.


    Without another sound to be heard.


    As Yang Yuhuan''s fingers tightened, the Sword Qi that had made countless strong men tremble dissipated, and the profound vortex that no one dared to gaze into vanished as well.


    "You do have some skills, but..."


    The corners of Yang Yuhuan''s mouth curved slightly upwards, his gaze towards Xiao Yi full of thick mockery, "With your ability, challenging me, the King, is far from enough!"


    "Two moves have passed..."


    Yet Xiao Yi just grinned, saying indifferently, "For the final move, I wonder how you will beat me?"

 Chapter 401 - 401 Im Willing to Call You the Strongest!

    "Only one move left!"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, his eyes playfully fixed on Yang Yuhuan.


    However, his heart was far from being as relaxed as he appeared; in their previous exchanges, Yang Yuhuan had not launched any offensive moves, primarily focusing on defense. Yet even so, it was enough for Xiao Yi to see the enormous gap that existed between them.


    The two strongest moves of "Sword Qi Blue Lotus," Blue Lotus Reincarnation and Eternal Life.


    In front of Yang Yuhuan, they were extremely fragile.


    Destroyed with a simple gesture.


    This proved the insurmountable chasm in combat strength between Xiao Yi and him.


    Yang Yuhuan looked down at his palm and suddenly smiled, saying, "Not bad at all. Your talent and attainment in the way of the sword rank in the top ten of all the geniuses I''ve seen."


    As a sovereign equivalent to the leaders of the top ten sects,


    he was often invited to participate in the celebrations of various great sects.


    He had naturally seen countless geniuses.


    Xiao Yi''s talent in the way of the sword was indeed extraordinary.


    Yang Yuhuan smiled and said, "I am growing more and more interested in taking you as my disciple."


    "Hmph!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "I told you that you are not worthy!"


    "Is that so?"


    Yang Yuhuan slowly spread his hands open, his lips curving into a playful smile, "Then I shall show you whether or not I am worthy of being your master!"


    As soon as the words fell.


    A circular shockwave burst forth violently from Yang Yuhuan''s body.


    Hum!


    The shockwave spread like a vast tidal wave.


    Roaring thunderously.


    The shockwave moved in every direction, causing the ground to tremble and thick floor tiles were flung up into the air. Behind him, massive cracks suddenly appeared on the enclosing wall of the Nangong Family estate.


    The cracks spread across it like a spider web.


    Then...


    Boom!


    The high wall, half a meter thick, burst open.


    Turning into a sky full of dust.


    Whirling up into the sky amidst the wind, the dust amassed behind Yang Yuhuan into a towering sandstorm, like a hand covering the sky, obscuring the sun. It was as if a black cloud had descended, turning day into night, so thick that one could not see one''s own hands.


    With a mere gesture, he changed heaven and earth!


    Yang Yuhuan''s power was otherworldly, like that of a celestial being!


    "Xiao Yi, if you survive this move, I shall spare your life!"


    Yang Yuhuan''s face was expressionless as his palm pressed down from above toward Xiao Yi.


    Hum!


    The boundless sandstorm behind him churned wildly, as if invisible hands were kneading it, shaping it forcefully into the form of a gigantic palm. Like the hand of a god descending from the heavens.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows knitted together: "Divide the Two Waters �C White Heron Island!"


    "Blue Lotus Reincarnation!"


    "Eternal Life!"


    Xiao Yi merged his whole body with the Shadowless Sword.


    Where Sword Intent directed, the sword edge followed.


    Countless Sword Qi Blue Lotuses multiplied endlessly, converging into a hundred-zhang tall Sword Qi Flower Lotus, spinning continuously. They bloomed and released a bright, emerald-green light, radiant as jade, covering the sky and shooting straight toward the gigantic sandstorm palm.


    Hum!


    The Blue Lotus collided with the gigantic sandstorm palm.


    Blue light and gray light burst forth at the same time.


    Boom!


    The terrifying energy created during the collision formed a fearsome shockwave that swept in all directions, and the walls formed by Xiao Yi''s manipulation of the powers of the earth shattered amidst a rumbling noise, stone by stone exploding into pieces.


    The earthen wall also exploded with a bang.


    A cloud of dust filled the sky, obscuring the sun.


    The skies above the majority of the imperial city were enveloped in frightening gray dust.


    In the rolling dust and smoke.


    A streak of bright emerald-green light was particularly dazzling on the ground, and all the strong warriors who had lost the barrier of the earthen wall were scattered in all directions, afraid of being inadvertently caught in the crossfire.


    "Who won?"


    "Naturally, it''s His Highness the War King. Didn''t you see the power of his palm just now? Even a Peak Dharma Manifestation Realm expert can''t withstand it!"


    Sun Yao clenched his fists tightly, excitement written all over his face, "Xiao Yi could die at His Royal Highness''s hand. Even in death, he will be remembered throughout history!" Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire


    At that moment...


    Within the swirling dust.


    A green light shot up into the sky, cleaving the dense Black Cloud in two. The chilling Sword Qi shot up like a pillar supporting the heavens. The terrible energy fluctuations billowed forth, causing the dust above the sky to stop abruptly, as if time and space had frozen. Then, after a split second, a humming sound burst forth, accompanied by the sound of thunder.


    The blue sword light formed a terrifying storm, forcefully blowing the sand and dust in all directions.


    Everyone hastily took cover.


    The roaring sounds were unceasing.


    In the midst of this dust storm were countless fragments of buildings, shooting forth with the force of a thousand arrows unleashed.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Within a radius of a thousand zhang, everything had been leveled to the ground.


    The vast Nangong Family residence had half of it sliced away, leaving a scene of desolation and ruins everywhere.


    When all became quiet again.


    The crowd cautiously looked towards the battlefield, only to see Xiao Yi standing with his sword, with a trickle of fresh blood rolling down his mouth, falling onto the dust-covered ruins. As his blood exploded upon impact, it bloomed like a garish red plum amidst the dusty battlefield, strikingly conspicuous.


    Pfft!


    Xiao Yi suddenly opened his mouth, but before he could speak, his body trembled, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.


    In the midst of the blood sprayed.


    His complexion turned ghostly pale, and he plunged the Shadowless Sword into the ground with a "pfft" sound, propping himself up with the support of the sword to avoid falling.


    "It looks like His Highness the War King really did win!"


    "Hahaha, I''ve always said Xiao Yi was overreaching, daring to challenge His Royal Highness... He was on a path to certain death!" Sun Yao said smugly, his eyes gleeful as he looked towards Nalan Qianqiu and the Shadow Demon among others, "You all saw that, right? With His Royal Highness''s move, Xiao Yi has only one path��death. All of you who follow Xiao Yi will die as well!"


    "No!"


    Nalan Qianqiu suddenly spoke up, his eyes intently fixed on Xiao Yi, "Headmaster Xiao hasn''t lost!"


    "Huh?"


    Sun Yao was stunned and scoffed, "Still in denial when death is at your door? With the Prince himself taking action, if Xiao Yi could win, I''d twist off my head and use it as your night pot!"


    However...


    Nangong Shengji beside him said in a deep voice, "Nalan Qianqiu is right, Xiao Yi hasn''t lost!"


    "What?"


    Sun Yao was shocked and looked back toward the battlefield.


    In the midst of the ruins.


    Xiao Yi stood on one hand with his sword, his pale face flushed with unbearable excitement and agitation. He grinned and said, "You, lost!"


    In the full view of the public.


    Yang Yuhuan, standing proudly between heaven and earth like a supreme monarch, slightly furrowed his brows. Drip, a drop of fresh blood fell from his right hand through the gaps of his fingers.


    Yang Yuhuan opened his right hand and looked down at the blood mark on his palm.


    The blood mark was not large.


    But it was made by Xiao Yi''s preceding strike, which not only split open his sky-concealing hand but also left a cut on his palm.


    Yang Yuhuan''s expression was incredibly complex.


    He had forgotten when he last sustained an injury. S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Phew!


    Yang Yuhuan exhaled a long breath, his eyes blazing as he stared at Xiao Yi and slowly said, "Eighth Layer Cultivation of the Tao Tribulation Realm, yet possessing Sword Intent of the fourth stage, I take back my previous words. Among people of your age, I am willing to call you the strongest."

 Chapter 402 - 402: Youre Nothing

    "Among people of our age, I am willing to call you the strongest!"


    Yang Huanyu''s gaze was piercing as he stared at Xiao Yi, with a serious expression spreading across his face.


    His voice was not loud, yet it clearly entered the ears of all present.


    Hisss!


    One after another, the strong onlookers exchanged glances, dumbfounded.


    Who was Yang Huanyu?


    One of the two most powerful men in the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The strongest War God of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    The Calm Sea Divine Needle of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    The most noble prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Unmatched War King!


    Such an existence was openly acknowledging Xiao Yi as the strongest among his peers?


    Even Xiao Tianjiao had not received such praise from Yang Huanyu in the past!


    Gurgle!


    Sun Yao''s face turned pale as he looked at the woman beside him, trembling, "Did I, did I hear wrong? The prince actually said Xiao, Xiao Yi is the strongest among his peers?"


    He simply couldn''t believe it!


    Proud as Yang Huanyu was, could he actually say such a thing?


    The woman''s face was full of unwillingness and resentment, grinding her teeth, "The prince seemed to say it''s his ''Sword Intent'' talent..."


    "Right!"


    "It must be so!"


    "He''s just at the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, how could he possibly be the strongest of his peers? The prince must have been referring to his ''Sword Intent'' talent, being able to comprehend the fourth stage of Sword Intent at the cultivation of the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, such sword talent has never appeared in the history of our Great Qian Dynasty..."


    "Did the Xiao Family walk into some dogshit luck? First there was Xiao Tianjiao with the strongest martial talent, and now Xiao Yi with the strongest ''Sword Intent'' talent?"


    "Dogshit luck? I think the Xiao Family has suffered a huge misfortune! Such a genius, yet they treated him as trash and gave him away as a son-in-law..."


    Amidst exclamations of shock,


    Yang Huanyu''s lips curved slightly upward, "Xiao Yi, three moves have passed and you indeed have withstood three moves from this prince. You have won this bet, and as a reward, I will spare your life. Come, kneel before me and swear allegiance to me! I will give you the most powerful resources, so surpassing Xiao Tianjiao will be nothing difficult!"


    Yang Huanyu''s face beamed with a splendid smile.


    He showed no displeasure at all from being injured by Xiao Yi.


    To him...


    The scar on his palm was merely a superficial wound.


    But to subdue a talent like Xiao Yi would be very worthwhile.


    "It''s over, it''s all over. With Xiao Yi''s talent, if he enters the prince''s service, he will definitely be nurtured as a confidant. If Xiao Yi seeks revenge on us, what are we going to do?" Sun Yao looked dumbfounded, frantically like ants on a hot pan, anxiously looking at the woman.


    The woman''s face also fluctuated between shades of hope and despair.


    Xiao Yi had slain the Funeral Envoy.


    For her, it was a blood feud that couldn''t be shared under the same sky.


    If Xiao Yi truly joined Yang Huanyu, how could she seek her revenge?


    Nangong Sheng''s face was also ashen, filled with gloom, "Damn it... With Xiao Yi''s talent, just give him enough resources and in a few more decades, he will probably surpass all of us. Given the War King''s nature, to woo Xiao Yi, he might very well sacrifice the Nangong Family..."


    In Yang Huanyu''s eyes, both Xiao Yi and the Nangong Family were nothing more than chess pieces.


    If they were both chess pieces, naturally, he would cultivate the one with more potential.


    As for the useless discarded chess piece, it ought to be easily disposed of!


    Given the current situation of the Nangong Family, they were of negligible help to the War King''s Mansion, entirely incomparable to Xiao Yi!


    Members of the Xiaoshanhe Institute also wore an anxious look, "Will the headmaster agree to submit to the War King''s command?"


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd,


    Seeing that Xiao Yi was slow to respond, Yang Huanyu frowned, "What''s the matter? You are not willing?"


    Xiao Yi calmly said, "What do you think?"


    "Why not?"


    Yang Huanyu looked bewildered, taking it for granted as he said, "There are countless people in this world who want to enter my service, to become my dogs. Even within the ten great sects, many desire to join me. Even though you have some ability and your ''Sword Intent'' talent is the strongest among your peers in my opinion, in the end, you are merely an abandoned piece of the Xiao Family. Shouldn''t you be overwhelmed with gratitude and begging me to take you in?"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Watching Yang Huanyu''s arrogant demeanor, he felt momentarily speechless.


    Of course.


    With Yang Huanyu''s status and position, he indeed had such confidence and arrogance.


    "Perhaps, as you''ve said, there are countless people longing to enter your service and become your dogs."


    Xiao Yi smiled indifferently and spoke, "But I am not one of them!"


    "Huh?"


    Yang Huanyu''s smile slowly disappeared, his eyes squinting into slits, flickering with dangerous light, "Xiao Yi, do you know what the consequences of refusing this king will be?"


    "What consequences could there be? Just bring it on!" S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, but that smile was ever more icy, neither servile nor overbearing, matching in sharpness.


    Hiss hiss!


    The two men''s gaze collided in mid-air as if tangible.


    Erupting into blinding sparks.


    Swoosh!


    Yang Huanyu''s single hand hovered in the air, a black gleam pulsating in his palm, swiftly enveloping Xiao Yi. From within the encompassing darkness, countless unseen hands seemed to press down upon him. Darkness, despair, and cold instantly filled Xiao Yi''s body and soul, as if he were placed in a millennia-old ice cellar.


    Krik krik krik!


    Xiao Yi''s bones emitted bursts of crisp sounds.


    The horrifying oppressive force caused beads of blood to seep out from his skin.


    Xiao Yi''s bones felt as if they would be crushed, the tremendous force relentlessly squeezing his internal organs. His chest felt as if a giant stone were pressing down, making it hard to breathe.


    Yang Huanyu''s cold voice remained proud and indifferent, like the lament of the Grim Reaper echoing in one''s ears: "Kneel down and submit, or die!"


    The surrounding darkness and cold became stronger and stronger.


    It bred despair.


    Under Yang Huanyu''s oppression, Xiao Yi''s legs trembled as though he might kneel at any moment. Yang Huanyu''s lips curled up with indifferent arrogance: "An ant still dares to defy this king? If it weren''t for your talent in swordsmanship, enough to qualify as a dog under my command, for your audacity to defy this king, death would be your only path!"


    "I order you to kneel!"


    Yang Huanyu''s palm turned, directed at Xiao Yi, pressing towards the ground.


    Thump!


    Boom!


    The ground under Xiao Yi''s feet exploded, yet his legs remained straight as a sword, his back as erect as an ancient pine.


    Krik krik krik!


    Xiao Yi twisted his neck, raising his stern face. His eyes, dark and tumultuous, stared intently at Yang Huanyu as he let out a deep roar.


    "If the heavens oppress me, I will split the heavens; if the earth confines me, I dare to shatter the earth... I, Xiao Yi, will kneel to neither heaven nor earth..."


    With each cry, his teeth clicked, his figure becoming ever more upright, forcefully pushing out the dreadful pressure surrounding him. As he fiercely raised his head, his bloodshot eyes burst forth with two blood-red rainbows, "Who the hell are you to make me kneel? Get lost!"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shone with a red light that reached for the sky, within his body, the ancient tomb that had been sealed for ages roared.


    Above the vault of heaven, eighty-one resplendent suns spanned across the sky while the chains that tethered the ancient tomb trembled mightily. From within the core zone, one of the nine gold tombs burst forth with a brilliant golden light.


    This tomb trembled violently.


    As if a golden giant was roaring in defiance.


    Whirr!


    The chains shook wildly.


    The sunlight from the suns became even more brilliant.


    Roar!


    The dragons around roared, shaking the heavens.


    Within the eternal tombs, countless grave sites shook uncontrollably, and a terrifying might dispersed in every direction. But no matter how strong the golden tomb was, it was still suppressed by the eternal tombs. Yet, before the calm was restored, a beam of golden light burst from within the gold tomb and shot into Xiao Yi''s body with a swoosh.


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    The golden light in Xiao Yi''s eyes surged, his eyeballs as if wrought from gold, and he roared to the heavens: "Sword, come!"


    Hum!


    The Shadowless Sword soared into the sky, ripping through the darkness, shattering despair, breaking the cold as it landed in his palm.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi seemed as a god among swords!


    "With one sword, split the heavens!"


    A terrifying sword strike, loaded with endless starlight, grand and vast. Countless starlights converged into a hundred-zhang-long sword beam.


    With a swoosh it shot into the sky, slashing towards Yang Huanyu.


    Rumble rumble!


    Wherever the sword beam passed, all things perished, as if it was the end of the world!


    Every bit of darkness and despair between heaven and earth was shattered, only that dazzling sword light slashed down.


    Boom!


    The sword light fiercely struck the unprepared Yang Huanyu, the terrible starlight exploding, the sword beam turning into a river of stars, sweeping Yang Huanyu off his feet and hurling him away.


    "..."


    Between heaven and earth.


    Silence...

 Chapter 403 - 403 Hes Just a Kid!

    Between heaven and earth, there was complete silence.


    The surrounding earthen walls had long since crumbled, and the powerful ones who had been blocked outside were now converging from all directions, intently observing the fierce battle atop the Nangong Family''s residence.


    At the beginning of Xiao Yi and Yang Yuhuan''s encounter,


    No one had ever imagined that the battle would last so long.


    And even fewer could have envisioned the scene that was now before them.


    The rolling dust slowly settled down, and the hazy fog that shrouded the heavens and earth also gradually dissipated, revealing a trench that started from Xiao Yi and stretched over two hundred meters long on the ground. This trench appeared straight on the surface, splitting a large part of the Nangong Family''s residence neatly in half.


    Both sides were flat and smooth, while the middle was pitch-black, an unfathomable trench.


    This was the result of Xiao Yi''s sword!


    Amidst the ruins,


    Everyone''s gaze followed the trench forward until they saw a deep pit at the end of the trench.


    At that moment,


    The pit was filled with countless pieces of broken rock, like a chaotic grave.


    Gurgle!


    "Is the prince alright?"


    "That sword just now... Even for the prince, I''m afraid the odds of survival are slim!"


    Faces among the crowd were painted with shock.


    Sun Yao and Lady Yama exchanged glances, unable to believe the sight of the enormous pit.


    Tap tap tap!


    Xiao Yi walked lightly upon the ruins, his face somewhat pale. That one sword had nearly drained all the vital energy within his body.


    One must know...


    Practicing the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill made Xiao Yi''s vital energy invincible at his level.


    And yet, at this moment, he had exhausted the vital energy he had been accumulating within his body.


    One could only imagine how terrifying the power of that sword must have been.


    Huff


    Puff


    Xiao Yi breathed heavily, already at the edge of the large pit. Staring at the messy heap of rocks before him, Xiao Yi let out a long breath, "Yang Yuhuan, that sword could not possibly have killed you. How much longer will you pretend to be dead?"


    "..."


    There was no response from within the pit.


    It was as if there was no trace of life inside.


    "If you don''t show yourself now, I''m going to leave," Xiao Yi said with a cold laugh.


    Crack!


    A crisp sound suddenly emerged from the pit.


    Followed by...


    Crack crack crack!


    A series of grating noises came in succession.


    The speed was getting faster.


    And the sound grew louder.


    Boom!


    Like the explosive roar of a volcano eruption, a column made of dust and crushed stones soared into the sky; atop that column stood Yang Yuhuan, proud and high. His hands clasped behind him, he looked down disdainfully, his eyes a blaze of cruel coldness fixed on Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi lifted his head to gaze at Yang Yuhuan.


    Their four eyes met.


    Without uttering a word.


    In that terrible silence, the surrounding strong ones suppressed even their breathing, faintly hearing the thumping of their own hearts.


    Whoosh!


    A breeze blew by.


    Leaves drifted with the wind, fluttering and swaying, tracing elegant curves through the air, finally settling on the ground.


    The leaves returned to their roots, without a sound.


    It was then that Yang Yuhuan finally spoke, "You have thoroughly enraged me!


    Xiao Yi looked up, neither humble nor arrogant, "So what?"


    "You must die!"


    Yang Yuhuan''s voice, icy as it was, carried an additional chill of cruelty and heartlessness.


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "What if I don''t wish to die?"


    Yang Yuhuan said coldly, "If I want you dead, you have to die!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, bared his white teeth with a grin, and said deliberatively, "If I want to live, not even the King of Heaven can kill me!"


    "Arrogant!"


    Yang Yuhuan let out a cold laugh. From his ferocity, a blade-like chill shot out; his figure suddenly moved, transforming into a black streak of light like a hunting eagle, bursting forth in an instant. The chilling light around him was piercing; before his figure arrived, a violent wind reached first, the booming noises and gusts scraped against Xiao Yi''s body like the blades of a knife.


    Amidst the uproar around him, the ground cracked, boulders shattered, and vegetation was uprooted!


    Xiao Yi stood tall and straight like an ancient pine, proudly facing the wind, without so much as a frown.


    At this critical juncture.


    Hum!


    A golden light descended from the sky and, with a swish, enveloped Xiao Yi.


    Clang!


    Amidst a thunderous noise.


    The golden light and Yang Yuhuan''s black light obscured the heavens simultaneously.


    After ten breaths passed.


    The two terrifying energies vanished without a trace, and in front of Xiao Yi, two figures stood opposite each other.


    One was naturally Yang Yuhuan.


    The other, dressed in a purple-gold dragon robe with a purple-gold dragon jade belt at his waist, stood with his hands behind his back, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned with a faint smile. It was the supreme ruler of the Great Qian Dynasty��Emperor Qian!


    Emperor Qian looked at Yang Yuhuan with a smile, "Uncle, why bother getting angry with a child?"


    "A child?"


    The corner of Yang Yuhuan''s eye twitched.


    The hands behind his back clenched involuntarily; if someone were standing behind him at this moment, they would see the vicious bloodstains in the center of Yang Yuhuan''s palms. The bloodstain in his right hand was from an earlier injury, while the one in his left was even more ghastly, a result of Xiao Yi''s use of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill to cleave Yang Yuhuan��you could see it was left by his left hand when he used it to block the strike.


    It was a deep wound that went down to the bone, severing his palm.


    Had it not been for the constant constriction of the wound by his vital energy, blood would have soaked his palm by now.


    Emperor Qian shrugged and said with a smile, "Isn''t he? After all, Xiao Yi is only nineteen years old, not even a close match for you. Yet you, the unparalleled War King, insist on holding a grudge against a mere teenager, determined to send him to his death. If this were to spread, it won''t sound good for your reputation, Uncle. What do you think?"


    "..."


    Yang Yuhuan''s expression shifted between grim and uncertain as he looked at Xiao Yi with immensely complex eyes. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Indeed, as Emperor Qian had said, Xiao Yi was only nineteen years old.


    In the Great Qian Dynasty, a teenager was indeed just a child!


    But the problem was...


    This ''child'' had nearly destroyed the Nangong Family and had even almost severed one of his palms!


    Yang Yuhuan said with a dark face, "Is Your Majesty really determined to protect him?"


    "What kind of words are those, Uncle? It doesn''t matter whether it''s Uncle or Xiao Yi, both are my subjects�� How could I favor one over the other? However��"


    Emperor Qian raised an eyebrow, his face still wearing a smile that betrayed nothing of his inner thoughts, "I am also aware of this matter. It was a private wager between the Nangong Family and Xiao Yi. Uncle, you really shouldn''t be interfering, it is indeed a fault on your part to start with��" Seeing Yang Yuhuan''s angry face, Emperor Qian continued, "Of course, Xiao Yi dares to defy Uncle, and that is an act of great insolence. However, you have already inflicted severe injuries on him. In my view, let''s just leave it at that!"


    Yang Yuhuan stared intently at Emperor Qian, saying annoyed and bashfully, "Which of Your Majesty''s eyes saw that I inflicted severe injuries on him?"


    Emperor Qian glanced at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shifted, and with a wail, he clutched his chest and exaggerated a face of agony. With a weak voice, and under Yang Yuhuan''s nearly murderous gaze, he said, "The War King is truly unparalleled in battle, I am no match for you. I implore you, War King, to overlook this since I am only a child!"


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    Yang Yuhuan: "��"


    Emperor Qian: "��"


    Damn it!


    If you''re going to pretend to be injured, at least put some heart into it!


    Emperor Qian glowered at Xiao Yi but found himself in an impossible position and could only grit his teeth and say, "Uncle, look, Xiao Yi is apologizing to you, and he''s badly injured. Shall we drop the matter? How about it?"


    "War King, I''m just a child!" Xiao Yi said somberly.


    Giggles!


    Yang Yuhuan''s teeth gritted audibly, furious enough to crush Xiao Yi right at that moment.


    However...


    Seeing the smiling face of Emperor Qian, he knew that with Emperor Qian there, he could do nothing against Xiao Yi.


    But to let Xiao Yi off without consequence was something Yang Yuhuan found hard to swallow. At that moment, his eyes rolled, his mouth curving into a venomous smile, he said, "Since Your Majesty has intervened, I obviously have to comply. However��"

 Chapter 404 - 404: Kill Him Like Slaughtering Pigs and Dogs!

    "However..."


    Yang Yuhuan''s lips slightly curved upwards, revealing a trace of chilling intent as he said, "The bet between Xiao Yi and the Nangong Family was made with Nangong Shengtian. Now that Nangong Shengtian is dead, the debt should have died with the person, yet Xiao Yi nearly annihilated the Nangong Family, which is a grudge against their entire clan. I believe that Nangong Shengji would not be willing to just let this matter rest!"


    His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of Nangong Shengji.


    Emperor Qian''s expression suddenly changed.


    He had guessed what Yang Yuhuan was thinking.


    Nangong Shengji was also a cunning man, and naturally heard the hidden meaning in Yang Yuhuan''s words. Without waiting for Emperor Qian to speak, he stepped forward.


    He bowed solemnly to Emperor Qian and Yang Yuhuan, then with a resolute expression and in a tone filled with righteous indignation, he said, "For a personal vendetta, Xiao Yi destroyed our ancestral home and nearly wiped out my entire clan, which is a deep and immense hatred. I am willing to stake my life and duel Xiao Yi to the death, and I earnestly request the Emperor''s permission!"


    "Nonsense, you..."


    Emperor Qian scolded with a dark face.


    But Yang Yuhuan interrupted his words, saying, "The Nangong Family has made significant contributions to the Great Qian Dynasty for generations, serving as the empire''s strong supporters and mainstay. I beseech Your Majesty to grant the request of the Nangong Family head, lest you chill the hearts of these loyal old ministers!"


    Yang Yuhuan glanced towards Nangong Shengji.


    Thump!


    Nangong Shengji knelt heavily before Emperor Qian, his head repeatedly thudding against the ground making a muffled thud, and he said gravely, "I earnestly beg Your Majesty to grant my wish!"


    Rustle!


    The remaining powerhouses of the Nangong Family knelt one by one on the ground, their faces filled with sorrow and anger, "We earnestly beg Your Majesty to grant our wish!"


    Sun Yao and others also shouted, "Your Majesty..."


    The corners of Yang Yuhuan''s mouth slightly lifted as he took a step forward, bowing to Emperor Qian and saying, "I earnestly request Your Majesty to grant this wish!"


    "Your Majesty, please grant it!" Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire


    The crowd cried out loudly.


    Emperor Qian''s face was expressionless, but deep within his eyes flowed emotions as unpredictable as the deep and cold waters of a secluded pond. He narrowed his eyes to slits and gently touched his nose, his gaze emanating dangerous glimmers. His eyes then turned to Xiao Yi, "Since this matter is a grudge between you and the head of the Nangong Family, what do you think?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes.


    The ball was squarely in his court now.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze flickered with amusement as it swept over Nangong Shengji and Yang Yuhuan''s figures. His lips slightly curved upwards as he said, "Your Majesty, I am not opposed to settling life and death with the Nangong Family head. However, I have a few conditions!"


    "Oh?"


    Emperor Qian raised his eyebrows, looking at Nangong Shengji and Yang Yuhuan with a half-smile, "What do the two of you think?"


    Yang Yuhuan indifferently said, "Let''s hear what his demands are first!"


    All eyes turned towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi spoke, "Lord Yang stated that since Nangong Shengtian is dead, the bet I had with him does not count. So, as Lord Yang says, we will let this bet be dismissed! However, Nangong Shengtian once took away the Treasure Pavilion''s deposit of 100 trillion Silver from Beitang Feng''s hands, and the Nangong Family must return this 100 trillion Silver. If they don''t have the money, then their shops can be used to cover the debts. The day the head of the Nangong Family clears the debt will be the day he and I confront each other!"


    Hiss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but inhale sharply.


    100 trillion Silver?


    Given the current situation of the Nangong Family, they would have to use their shops to pay off this debt to Xiao Yi, otherwise, they simply wouldn''t be able to clear it!


    Could the Nangong Family afford to give up their shops?


    Clearly, they could not!


    This was the Nangong Family''s last hope for a resurgence, and even if Yang Yuhuan took in the Nangong Family at this moment, the more than ten thousand shops that were in the hands of the Nangong Family were a significant factor. Even if those shops could no longer sell medicinal pills, they were worth a fortune and could bring in a hefty profit if put to good use.


    Nangong Shengji angrily declared, "You want my shops? Impossible!"


    Yang Yuhuan narrowed his eyes and said, "Xiao Yi, propose another condition!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "Lord Yang, I have already given you face by dismissing my bet with Nangong Shengtian. You still want to reject my terms now; your appetite seems a bit too large, doesn''t it?"


    "My appetite is indeed this huge, what can you do to me?" Yang Yuhuan leaned forward slightly, his dangerous aura locking onto Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi looked at Emperor Qian, his tone neither servile nor overbearing, "I ask Your Majesty to decide!"


    Emperor Qian''s lips twitched, wishing he could smack Xiao Yi flat on the ground.


    Angered by Xiao Yi drawing him into the fray, Emperor Qian, in his vexation, also felt somewhat helpless. He knew this was Xiao Yi''s silent protest at him for watching the fight from the sidelines. With this thought, Emperor Qian spoke gravely, "Let''s do this then; let the Nangong Family first hand over the deeds to those shops to me, and you will have your fight with Xiao Yi. If you win, the deeds will be returned to you, but if you lose, the deeds go to Xiao Yi. How about that?"


    This was indeed Emperor Qian playing peacemaker.


    Offending no one!


    Xiao Yi cursed silently, "Old fox," but he also knew this was the only way to get both parties to agree and said indifferently, "I don''t care!"


    Uncertainty flickered across Nangong Shengji''s face.


    He wasn''t afraid of losing to Xiao Yi, but he was worried that once the property deeds were handed over to Emperor Qian, he wouldn''t get them back.


    As he hesitated...


    Yang Yuhuan said softly, "Nangong, rest assured, I am still here!"


    "Thank you, Your Highness!"


    Nangong Shengji''s heart relaxed, and then he looked at Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, your servant agrees to your proposal. However, my Nangong Family owns many businesses, and many property deeds are in the hands of the shopkeepers, which cannot be coordinated all at once..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Then wait until Master Nangong brings the property deeds to His Majesty, and then come challenge me."


    Emperor Qian nodded and said, "It should indeed be so!"


    Yang Yuhuan frowned but ultimately said nothing more.


    "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your accommodation!"


    Nangong Shengji secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and when he raised his head, his eyes were blood-red, and with a fierce glare at Xiao Yi, he said sinisterly, "Xiao Yi, cherish the last few days of your life! When I battle you, it will be time to take your head!"


    "I''m waiting!"


    Xiao Yi, neither humble nor arrogant, gave him a glance, his fighting spirit no less than that of Nangong Shengji''s.


    Shi shi!


    Their gazes clashed in the air, sparking fierce flames of battle.


    The onlookers'' eyes were all sweeping back and forth between the two men, some with sadness, some with joy, some with pleasure, and some with sorrow...


    "Nangong Shengji is at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Although he''s not as powerful as the War King, he is much stronger than Xiao Yi!"


    "This wager, Xiao Yi is sure to lose!"


    "It''s not necessarily so..."


    Amidst the crowd''s murmurs, Yang Yuhuan led Nangong Shengji and the others away.


    Emperor Qian patted Xiao Yi''s shoulder, smiled faintly, and said, "After you''ve settled the matters here, come to the palace. I have something to discuss with you!"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Emperor Qian glanced at Qi, and master and servant soared into the sky.


    For a moment.


    On the vast ruins of the Nangong Family estate, only Xiao Yi, the two from the Treasure Pavilion, and the people from the Xiaoshanhe Institute were left. Everyone fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into a violent cheer: "We won, we have won!"


    "Hahaha, Xiaoshanhe Institute is invincible!"


    A few months ago...


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute was still begging the Nangong Family for supplies of medicinal pills, but now, the powerful Nangong Family had been practically leveled by the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    How could they not be excited?


    Xiao Yi waved his large hand and declared, "Little Lin, take everyone back and wait for me! Prepare food and drink; tonight, we will not return until we are drunk!"


    "Yes!"


    Little Lin responded loudly.


    "Long live the Institute Head!"


    "The Institute Head is invincible..."


    The crowd shouted excitedly.


    Only Nalan Qianqiu and a few other Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses had worried looks, turning to Xiao Yi, "Head Xiao, are you confident in defeating Nangong Shengji?"


    "Confidence? If I were to battle him now, I would not be confident. But by the time he has finished coordinating all the businesses, which at the soonest will take a month, by then..."


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upward, he said faintly, "I will slaughter him like butchering pigs and dogs!"


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 Chapter 405 - 405: The Three Great Paths to Immortality

    Within the royal palace.


    Today''s meeting with Xiao Yi was not in the Imperial Study but in Emperor Qian''s bedchamber.


    Emperor Qian had also shed his usual solemn dragon robe, his casual attire appearing somewhat sloppy, yet Xiao Yi, fully aware of Emperor Qian''s terror, did not dare to underestimate him. With his hands crossed in front of him, he stood quietly before Emperor Qian, wordless.


    After a moment of silence.


    Emperor Qian laid down his writing brush, his face wearing a faint smile, like the kind gaze a neighborly elder might cast upon Xiao Yi, "What are your thoughts on today''s battle?"


    Xiao Yi was momentarily stunned.


    Then he understood.


    Emperor Qian was surely referring to his insights from the battle with Yang Yuhuan.


    In his mind, every single move from his exchange with Yang Yuhuan surfaced, no detail overlooked.


    From the initial probing to the last moments of the fight.


    Yang Yuhuan gave Xiao Yi the impression of being unfathomable, like a bottomless abyss, with no end in sight.


    Despite saying it was today''s battle.


    Xiao Yi''s inner voice kept reminding him incessantly that this was not Yang Yuhuan''s true method. Especially after the fight ended, as Xiao Yi calmly recounted every detail of their clash.


    This feeling became clearer and clearer.


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "Lord Yang''s strength far surpasses the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm."


    The battle prowess of the Dharma Phase Realm Peak should naturally be like that of figures such as Nangong Shengji and Nalan Qianqiu. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, even though he is no match for those at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he is fully confident that he can remain undefeated even against Nangong Shengji and Nalan Qianqiu. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But during his exchange with Yang Yuhuan, had he not burst forth with many hidden techniques, laying all his cards on the table.


    Let alone injuring Yang Yuhuan''s hands.


    He himself might have met his demise at the hands of Yang Yuhuan.


    Emperor Qian nodded, his expression unchanging, but a serious look appeared on his face, "You''re right, my royal uncle''s strength indeed far exceeds the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm."


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "Your Majesty, may I inquire the realm of Lord Yang''s true strength?"


    He stopped himself from saying more.


    Emperor Qian chuckled, "Do you think my royal uncle far surpasses the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm and could be a mighty figure from the Longevity Secret Realm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, then he smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I had indeed harbored such thoughts previously, but Lord Yang is likely not a mighty figure from the Longevity Secret Realm."


    "You''re right!"


    Emperor Qian nodded, his hands clasped behind him and a look of reminiscence on his face, speaking solemnly, "My royal uncle is indeed not from the Longevity Secret Realm. Until now, our Great Qian Dynasty has never fostered a single mighty figure from the Longevity Secret Realm. Currently, the most likely person to step into this realm is Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "Xiao Tianjiao? The Longevity Secret Realm?"


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly.


    The Longevity Secret Realm.


    An existence that stood above the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Where every major force cherishes the Dharma Manifestation Realm as their pillar, a single mighty figure from the Longevity Secret Realm definitely has the power to reign supreme, unmatched by any. It has always been said that Xiao Tianjiao is the most likely individual in the Great Qian Dynasty to become a mighty figure from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    But that was all hearsay.


    This is Emperor Qian himself confirming it!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, spoke solemnly, "May I ask Your Majesty, if Lord Yang is not from the Longevity Secret Realm, why is his strength so formidable?"


    With Lord Yang''s battle power.


    If Xiao Yi''s attacks hadn''t been outrageously powerful, he wouldn''t have even been able to leave those two cuts on him.


    Even so...


    The two scars had not struck vital areas, they were merely superficial wounds.


    With Yang Yuhuan''s means, he probably has already recovered from his injuries.


    Emperor Qian hesitated for a moment, then said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, do you know what the Longevity Secret Realm is?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, and said, "The Longevity Secret Realm is the realm beyond the Dharma Manifestation Realm. It involves probing Yin and Yang, exploring the Five Elements, mastering the secrets of life and death, and thereby controlling eternal life in this world, indestructible and immortal. Although the rumors may be exaggerated, it is not a problem for the strong ones in the Longevity Secret Realm to live for tens of thousands of years!"


    All of these were things obtained within the Dao Yan legacy.


    What Xiao Yi had said was based on solid reasoning and evidence.


    Clap clap clap!


    Emperor Qian clapped his hands vigorously, his face beaming with a radiant smile. He said, "You''re right, but indeed, after Dharma Manifestation does not come immortality!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi''s expression suddenly changed.


    After the Dharma Manifestation comes longevity.


    This had been deeply engrained in the minds of countless powerhouses.


    Since when had it been heard that after the Dharma Manifestation Realm, one did not achieve immortality?


    Emperor Qian nodded and spoke in a grave tone, "After the peak of Dharma Phase Realm, one cannot directly achieve the Longevity Secret Realm. Between the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm and the Longevity Secret Realm, there is still one realm called the Nine Nirvana Realms. Only after going through the Nine Nirvanas can one enter the Sacred Land of Nantian and participate in the competition for the Spirit of Longevity!"


    Xiao Yi was stunned.


    He felt that the amount of information he had gathered today was quite substantial!


    Not to mention what exactly the Nine Nirvanas were all about.


    The mere name Spirit of Longevity was enough to make one associate it with the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Emperor Qian spoke in a deep voice, "Do you know why, despite the plethora of powerhouses within the Great Qian Dynasty, including many at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, not a single one is in the Longevity Secret Realm?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head.


    This was indeed something that puzzled him greatly.


    It is known...


    Within the Great Qian Dynasty, there are countless powerhouses at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm, and yet there is not a single presence in the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Emperor Qian squinted his eyes, looking distantly out the window, and said in a deep voice, "It''s all because of the Spirit of Longevity, without which no one can step into the Longevity Secret Realm. To obtain the Spirit of Longevity, one must choose one of the three major Longevity paths and complete nine Nirvanas to have a chance of obtaining the Spirit of Longevity. Your imperial uncle has now reached eight Nirvanas..."


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    The three major paths of longevity?


    The Nine Nirvana Realms?


    The Spirit of Longevity?


    What exactly were these?


    Even within the Dao Yan legacy, there were no records pertaining to the three major paths of longevity and the Nirvana Realm! As for the Spirit of Longevity, there were some records within the Dao Yan legacy, described as the key to breaking through the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Without the Spirit of Longevity, no matter how exceptional, one cannot set foot in the Longevity Secret Realm!


    Xiao Yi said in a heavy voice, "Your Majesty, what are the three major paths of longevity?"


    Emperor Qian said, "Physical Nirvana, Spiritual Nirvana, and Dharma Phase Nirvana. To achieve the Longevity Secret Realm, one must choose one of these three paths and reach the limit of nine Nirvanas to have a chance of obtaining the Spirit of Longevity and entering the Longevity Secret Realm."


    Physical Nirvana, Spiritual Nirvana, and Dharma Phase Nirvana.


    Xiao Yi had never heard of these three major longevity paths before. He repeated them thoughtfully and said in a heavy voice, "May I ask your Majesty, can you only choose one of these three paths? Can you not choose all three at the same time?"


    "Choose all three paths at the same time?"


    Emperor Qian was taken aback, looking at Xiao Yi with a strange expression, and slowly said, "..."

 Chapter 406 - 406: Extorting Emperor Qian

    "Walking three paths at once?"


    Emperor Qian was stunned, his expression strange as he looked at Xiao Yi and shook his head, saying, "That''s impossible, let alone walking three paths at once, even specializing in one path and reaching its zenith, entering Longevity Secret Realm, is extremely difficult. Haven''t you seen that in our Great Qian Dynasty, no master of the Longevity Secret Realm has been born for thousands of years?"


    The Great Qian Dynasty had been established for thousands of years.


    Yet not a single strong figure from the Longevity Secret Realm had emerged.


    The one regarded within the entire Great Qian Dynasty as the most likely to enter the Longevity Secret Realm was Xiao Tianjiao!


    It was precisely because of this...


    that the Xiao Family was able to become a force comparable to the four great noble families, all thanks to Xiao Tianjiao.


    Xiao Yi furrowed his brow: "Is it really not possible?"


    Physical Nirvana, Spiritual Nirvana, and Dharma Manifestation Nirvana.


    These were the three great paths to immortality.


    Was it truly impossible to cultivate them simultaneously?


    In Xiao Yi''s view, no matter which path one chose, it would ultimately be flawed.


    Physical Nirvana meant a deficit in spirit and dharma manifestation, Dharma Manifestation Nirvana meant a deficiency in body and spirit... Walking a single path to enter the Longevity Secret Realm, was like having an innate defect, could one really reach the peak of the martial path?


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s determination, Emperor Qian let out a bitter laugh and said, "Xiao Yi, it''s not that I want to strike at your confidence, but... not to mention our Great Qian Dynasty, even the Nantian Dynasty has never heard of anyone who could walk more than two paths and reach the Longevity Secret Realm."


    He paused.


    Emperor Qian continued, "I know you have doubts in your heart, but once you understand how to cultivate the three great paths of longevity, you will no longer find it strange..."


    With that, Emperor Qian began to introduce the three great paths of longevity with a heavy heart.


    Physical Nirvana was divided into the Nine Nirvana stages, with each heavenly tribulation endured advancing one stage.


    The power of each tribulation was double that of the one before!


    The ninth tribulation would be more than two hundred times as powerful as the first one!


    What''s more, one had to endure the heavenly tribulations with their physical body alone, without the use of any formations or weapons to protect oneself.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but take a sharp breath.


    Having experienced a tribulation before, he knew the terror of a heavenly tribulation. Even with the boost of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, he had no confidence in surviving if the tribulation''s intensity increased by more than two hundred times.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s solemn face, Emperor Qian continued, "Spiritual Nirvana requires one to endure Nine Trials of the Heart Demon. Each trial completed equates to one Nirvana, each twice as intense as the last. Dharma Manifestation Nirvana, on the other hand, involves shattering and rebuilding the dharma manifestation, each rebuilding marking one stage of Nirvana..."


    Xiao Yi''s expression grew even more grave.


    Whether it was the Nine Trials of the Heart Demon or reshaping the dharma manifestation,


    both were extremely dangerous.


    Heart Demons, originating from the dark and evil thoughts deep within one''s heart, attack the weakest part of the human psyche. Even those with the most resolute willpower couldn''t ensure they were unaffected by Heart Demons.


    As for reshaping the dharma manifestation...


    It involved shattering the dharma manifestation, and if one failed to reshape it, their cultivation could be destroyed in an instant.


    The three great paths to immortality, none of them were ordinary paths.


    One could say...


    Each was a matter of life and death!


    Emperor Qian, looking at Xiao Yi''s solemn face, said slowly, "Now you understand why walking three paths simultaneously is utterly impossible, right?"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi''s face showed deep contemplation, but he didn''t respond to Emperor Qian''s question. Instead, he asked, "May I ask Your Majesty, which path did you and the War King choose?"


    Emperor Qian was taken aback and squinted as he said, "Xiao Yi, I won''t hold it against you for speaking to me in this way. But remember, you absolutely cannot ask others so bluntly in the future, as the three great paths of longevity are top secrets for any martial artist."


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    Xiao Yi was startled and looked at Emperor Qian''s serious face, about to nod in agreement.


    Then Emperor Qian said in a deep voice, "The royal uncle chose the path of Physical Nirvana. A hundred years ago, he had reached the stage of Fifth Nirvana of the body, and his strength has long been at the Eighth Nirvanic Stage!"


    Physical Eighth Nirvana?


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and remarked, "No wonder the War King is so formidable..."


    With his combat power, he could fight even at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Yet in the face of Yang Yuhuan, he had exerted all his might and could only inflict two superficial wounds.


    Watching Xiao Yi with a look of emotion, Emperor Qian rolled his eyes, his face speechless, and remarked irritably, "Xiao Yi, do you know that even for a strong person at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, causing even a superficial skin injury to the royal uncle is extremely difficult? With your strength at the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, you managed to injure the royal uncle and make him bleed, and you''re still not satisfied?" sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qi, standing nearby, also nodded, his face showing agreement.


    Xiao Yi touched his nose, his face embarrassed, "It was just two cuts on his hand, it''s not as serious as being injured and bleeding!"


    Emperor Qian''s face twitched, "Qi, bring me my Dragon-Beating Whip, I''m going to whip this pretentious guy to death!"


    Qi declared loudly, "This servant will fetch it right away!"


    "Wait..."


    Xiao Yi quickly spoke up to stop him, looking at Emperor Qian with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, is that really necessary? I''ve just been through a big battle, and before long I''ll have to face off against Nangong Shengji. What happens if you injure me and I lose to Nangong Shengji?"


    Emperor Qian responded indifferently, "If you lose, you lose!"


    "Does Your Majesty really think so?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Emperor Qian with a playful expression, his smile tinged with irony, "Now that the Nangong Family has openly taken sides with the War King''s estate, Your Majesty doesn''t care at all?"


    Looking at Xiao Yi''s mocking gaze, Emperor Qian darkened his face, and snorted coldly, "If you dare lose to Nangong Shengji, I will immediately strip you of your title as head of Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    Even though Emperor Qian and the War King both belonged to the royal household.


    But...


    Everyone knew that the War King and Emperor Qian did not get along.


    Nangong Shengji''s action was nothing less than a slap in Emperor Qian''s face.


    Naturally, he would love to exterminate the Nangong Family.


    Xiao Yi smiled inwardly, "Your Majesty, you''re aware that I was seriously injured in the fight with the War King. Given Nangong Shengji''s temperament, I''m afraid they will issue a challenge during the Ancestor Worship Grand Ceremony. If I lose to Nangong Shengji during the ceremony, then..."


    Emperor Qian''s eyelid twitched.


    The Ancestor Worship Grand Ceremony was a major event for the royal family, and Emperor Qian would preside over the ceremony to worship the heavens.


    If Xiao Yi really lost to Nangong Shengji at the Ancestor Worship Grand Ceremony, then it would not only be Emperor Qian''s face that was lost, but people might also feel that Emperor Qian was inferior to the War King!


    Emperor Qian''s face darkened as he stared at Xiao Yi, "What do you propose?"


    Xiao Yi grinned and said, "I humbly request Your Majesty''s permission to allow me to visit the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area."


    "The Dragon Vein Forbidden Area?"


    Emperor Qian was stunned, and his head started to shake like a rattle, "That area is where the national destiny is suppressed, and even I cannot enter or leave at will, let alone you?" He hurriedly refused, "Absolutely impossible!"


    Xiao Yi sighed, his vitality suddenly drooping, he covered his chest saying, "Well then, since it troubles Your Majesty, I won''t insist. It''s just that... I''m afraid my body won''t last much longer. If I lose to Nangong Shengji during the Ancestor Worship Ceremony, please don''t blame me!"


    Emperor Qian''s face grew stormy, "Are you threatening me?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "Your Majesty misunderstands, how could I dare threaten you?"


    Emperor Qian gritted his teeth, "I can have the court''s chief alchemist concoct elixirs for you..."


    "Your Majesty, Pavilion Master Nalan of the Treasure Pavilion and Hall Master Fu Yuan of my Xiaoshanhe Institute are both Seven-Star Alchemists!" said Xiao Yi indifferently.


    Emperor Qian: "..."


    He hesitated for a moment, then said, "I can order someone to set up a formation that will assist you in your cultivation..."


    Xiao Yi cleaned his ear, "Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo are my disciples!"


    These two were newly recognized Seven-Star Array Masters.


    Emperor Qian naturally knew their status.


    Now being reminded by Xiao Yi, his face turned unpleasant.


    To be outdone by alchemists, array masters... did the royal household really pale in comparison to Xiao Yi?


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "If Your Majesty truly finds it difficult, I won''t press the issue. But as for the fight with Nangong Shengji..."


    "Enough!"


    Emperor Qian glared fiercely at Xiao Yi, his teeth clenched with anger, and commanded, "Old dog, take My royal token and escort Xiao Yi to the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area!"


    "Yes!"


    Qi respectfully accepted the orders.


    Xiao Yi''s smile widened, his pale complexion returning to a healthy glow, nowhere to be seen was his earlier weakness and life-threatening injuries, as he gave a respectful bow to Emperor Qian, and with a smile under the latter''s almost murderous gaze, said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting my request!"


    Emperor Qian''s face dark with fury, "Get out, get out, get out..."

 Chapter 407 - 407: Dragon Vein Forbidden Area

    ```


    Imperial Garden.


    Xiao Yi, led by Qi Gonggong, arrived at the most luxurious garden in the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Curiosity painted Xiao Yi''s face as it was his second visit to the Imperial Garden. "Qi Gonggong, don''t tell me... the illustrious Dragon Vein of the Great Qian Dynasty is suppressed right here?"


    Qi Gonggong rolled his eyes and said, "What else?"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Scanning Xiao Yi from head to toe, Qi Gonggong spoke with a profound gaze, "You little rascal... I''ve followed His Majesty for so many years, yet you are the first one who dares to extort His Majesty!"


    Emperor Qian.


    The very pinnacle of the power pyramid within the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Even princes and favored officials are utterly respectful when facing him, let alone daring to extort him.


    Extortion was not even a consideration.


    Even when the Emperor Qian bestowed treasures of his own accord, recipients would be profusely grateful.


    Who would dare to directly extort him as Xiao Yi did?


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, "His Majesty is compensating me!"


    "Hmm?"


    Qi Gonggong was taken aback for a moment, his eyes whirled around as he quickly grasped the situation.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said...


    Previously, in facing the Nangong Family and the Battle King''s actions.


    Emperor Qian did not intervene immediately but chose to watch the fight from the sidelines, which to some extent, was treating Xiao Yi unfairly.


    At least for the time being.


    Emperor Qian still needed Xiao Yi''s strength, so naturally, he couldn''t let Xiao Yi feel slighted.


    Otherwise.


    How could he possibly acquiesce to Xiao Yi''s demands?


    After all.


    This was the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, suppressing a nation''s fortunes; calling it the foundation of the Great Qian Dynasty was no exaggeration.


    Qi Gonggong gave a flick of his palm, and a purplish-gold token fell into his hand.


    The token was merely the size of a palm, surrounded by a coiling golden dragon, head and tail connected in an unending state. Clasped in the dragon''s claws was a purple "Emperor" character, emitting an aura of ancient dignity.


    Hum!


    Vital energy poured into the token.


    The entire token radiated a gold light, the dragon carving on its surface suddenly trembled, its purplish-gold light flowed, casting a projection forward.


    Hum!


    The purplish-gold projection landed on the calm lake surface, which shone like a piece of translucent jade.


    Rustle!


    Ripples suddenly rose on the lake, converging into a vortex, as Qi Gonggong said, "Stay close to me!"


    "Understood!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and stepped into the faint purplish-gold light next to Qi Gonggong.


    One after another, they stepped into the vortex.


    As their figures vanished, the vortex also disappeared, and tranquility was restored.


    The underwater passage stretched for thousands of meters.


    Xiao Yi had never imagined that the lotus pond inside the Imperial Garden could be so deep. Thousands of meters under the water, they walked on successive lotus leaves that escorted them to the lake''s bottom.


    In front of them appeared a huge golden palace, with two mighty warriors sitting cross-legged to the left and right respectively. sea??h th�� N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon seeing these two warriors, Xiao Yi''s pupils couldn''t help but sharply constrict.


    ```


    The aura exuded by these two figures was, astonishingly, even more enduring and profound than that of Qi. Both individuals were existences of the Nirvana Realm.


    Swish, swish!


    Both of them opened their eyes together.


    An intense cold light fell upon Xiao Yi, then finally, their gaze shifted to Qi and they asked, "What''s the matter?"


    "By the Emperor''s order, I am to take Xiao Yi to the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area for cultivation!" Qi presented the token to the two, and even though he was a confidant of Emperor Qian, he still held a trace of respect when facing them.


    The two glanced at the token.


    Then, they both raised their hands.


    One to the left, one to the right, the palms facing each other.


    Hum!


    Vital energy flew out from their hands, converging together and landing on the great gate. Amid a thunderous roar, the heavy gate slowly opened. The person on the left side looked at Qi: "He may enter, but you must remain!"


    Qi said, "This one understands the rules!" He turned to Xiao Yi and cautioned, "Director Xiao, His Majesty has granted you ten days of cultivation time within. After ten days, this one will come to fetch you!"


    "Thank you, Mr. Qi!"


    Xiao Yi nodded his head, cupped his fists toward the two powerful figures at the door, and then stepped through the gate.


    ......


    Inside the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area was another world entirely.


    The surroundings were filled with five-colored auroras, which contained dozens of times more vital energy of heaven and earth than the Dragon Vein Spirit Cave that Xiao Yi had excavated in the Great Jin Kingdom''s palace. With every breath, he could feel an abundance of vital energy of heaven and earth pouring into his body.


    Circulating through his viscera and meridians.


    If an ordinary person were to take a breath here, they would probably burst their meridians and die from a body explosion.


    The vital energy of heaven and earth here was simply too rich!


    Xiao Yi walked through the five-colored vital energy of heaven and earth and, after a distance of nine kilometers, finally arrived at the core area of the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area.


    In front of him was a shadow coiled within the five-colored vital energy of heaven and earth. Experience more content on My Virtual Library Empire


    The shadow flickered between brightness and darkness, between substance and illusion.


    Its form resembled that of a coiled flood dragon, and it even contained a hint of dragon prestige.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but feel moved: "The legends say that a five-colored dragon vein can develop intelligence; a seven-colored one can transform into a Jiao dragon, and a nine-colored one can metamorphose into a true dragon... The Great Qian Dynasty may be flourishing in national power, but after all, it has been established for only a few thousand years. If it could accumulate the fortune of a nation for tens of thousands of years and birth one or two strong figures of the Longevity Secret Realm, perhaps this dragon vein could truly transform into a Jiao dragon..."


    It was said.


    That the dragon veins of some ancient kingdoms could manifest as National Guardian True Dragons, becoming divine beasts that protect the nation!


    Like the lord of Southern State, the Nantian Dynasty!


    This powerful nation with a heritage of a hundred thousand years had a dragon vein that could manifest its true form, sheltering the country, and protecting the wellbeing of the people, ensuring peace and prosperity, and favourable weather. Although the dragon vein in front of him had not yet taken shape, it already had that tendency.


    This adequately demonstrates the strength of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath that even seemed fragrant, like the scent of flowers dispersing in all directions. Feeling the abundant vital energy of heaven and earth around him, his lips curved into a slight smile: "With such abundant vital energy of heaven and earth, the power of the world here is becoming increasingly strong. In seven days, I wonder if I can step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm..."


    His current cultivation level was already at the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, with two minor realms separating him from the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    If it were an ordinary strong person, in a mere seven days, they would at most attempt to break through to the Ninth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    But Xiao Yi was different...


    The Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill he cultivated could refine all types of energy in the world. As long as there was enough energy, his cultivation speed was hundreds to thousands of times faster than that of ordinary people!


    "Nangong Shengji will most likely choose the ancestral sacrifice ceremony to challenge me... and furthermore..."


    Several figures emerged in Xiao Yi''s mind.


    The ancestral sacrifice ceremony, besides being a royal ancestral worship event, was also a grand occasion to assess the strength of the major forces. At that time, it was likely that all ten great sects would send their experts to attend. This would be a significant test for both Xiaoshanhe Institute and Xiao Yi!


    "If I can''t even overcome this hurdle, how can I talk about contending with Xiao Tianjiao?"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, sat down cross-legged within the dragon vein, and entered into cultivation...

 Chapter 408 - 408: Let that beast come see me!

    ```


    As Xiao Yi immersed himself in the practice within the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area,


    in the deepest part of the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, a room shielded by multiple formations contained three figures sitting cross-legged.


    All three were clad in imperial robes adorned with nine dragons and exuded a faint majestic presence befitting an emperor; were Qi Gonggong present, he would recognize the man sitting on the far right��it was the father of the current Emperor Qian and previous Emperor Qian, Yang Zheng!


    The individual on the left, with a faint lightning-shaped scar on his brow, was Yang Zheng''s father, Yang Bingtian.


    The figure sitting in the center, with his eyes perpetually closed, was the second Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, Yang Zun.


    According to the legends in the outside world, all three were long fallen.


    In reality, S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    they had been hiding within the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area all along.


    Even Yang Zheng, the youngest among them, was more powerful than the unparalleled War King Yang Yuhuan.


    And to top it off...


    Yang Zun, among the three of them, was an old monster who had lived for thousands of years!


    He was truly unfathomable!


    "Yang Zheng, your son is becoming increasingly unruly. How could he let someone enter the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area so casually?" Yang Bingtian and the other two had sensed Xiao Yi''s arrival the moment he stepped into the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area. They also knew that Xiao Yi had been approved by Emperor Qian, which was why they did not stop him.


    Yang Zheng said with a bitter smile, "Father, I have no idea what that boy was thinking... I will go and drive that person away immediately!"


    "Hold on!"


    Yang Bingtian spoke to halt him, saying indifferently, "If you show yourself now, wouldn''t that reveal the three of us? Besides, he''s just a little guy at the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, let him continue to stay here!"


    Yang Zheng was taken aback and tentatively said, "Father, our Great Qian Dynasty is now flourishing, and the Dragon Vein is about to transform into a seven-colored Jiao. If we allow this person to cultivate here, I''m afraid it will affect the advancement of the Dragon Vein..."


    "What''s there to be afraid of?"


    Yang Bingtian rolled his eyes, his gaze seemingly piercing through the multiple barriers and falling upon Xiao Yi as if he couldn''t care less, "He''s merely at the Eighth Layer Cultivation of Tao Tribulation Realm. Can he possibly drain the Qi of heaven and earth inside the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area? With the strength of our Great Qian Dynasty''s Dragon Vein, even if he cultivates up to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, it wouldn''t use up one ten-thousandth of it!"


    The figure sitting squarely in the middle, Yang Zun, slightly lifted his eyelids.


    The two immediately silenced themselves.


    Looking at Yang Zun with respect.


    Not only was Yang Zun the second Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, but his cultivation was also far superior to the two of them.


    Yang Zun swept a calm gaze over the two and spoke lightly, "Just a little guy at Tao Tribulation Realm has shaken your minds..."


    "Please punish us, honored ancestor!"


    The two said anxiously.


    Yang Zun spoke faintly, "Not elated by external gains, nor saddened by personal losses, without self and without others, single-mindedly focused on the Dao... You both are following the path of Spiritual Nirvana, and this path requires you to temper your will and disposition. Your cultivation is still lacking!"


    "Honored ancestor, we have realized our mistake!" Yang Bingtian said repeatedly.


    Yang Zheng bowed and said, "Please, honored ancestor, calm your anger!"


    "Hmm,"


    Yang Zun nodded, his gaze serene and detached, showing neither joy nor sadness, "Cultivate well and let not external things affect you!"


    All three closed their eyes and immersed themselves deeply in cultivation.


    Clearly,


    all three were following the path of Spiritual Nirvana of the three great paths of immortality; after all, they had all been monarchs and were tempered by the imperial throne, making their wills and spirits far surpass those of their peers at the same stage. Compared to Physical Nirvana and Dharma Manifestation Nirvana, the path of Spiritual Nirvana had a better chance of success for them.


    Meanwhile,


    Xiao Yi had already adjusted to the concentration of the surrounding Qi, "The Qi here is at least ten thousand times denser than the outside world, and the power of heaven and earth is much clearer. Cultivating here for one day is equivalent to a year outside; seven days should be enough for me to reach the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm..."


    The breakthrough to the Dharma Manifestation Realm required not only the accumulation of energy and control over the power of heaven and earth,


    but most importantly, the Contemplation of Dharma Manifestation!


    Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    The Dharma Manifestation is the foundation!


    The stronger the Dharma Manifestation, the stronger the combat power and potential.


    For example, two Tao Tribulation Realm Peak powerhouses with identical talent, one contemplates a clump of weeds while the other contemplates an Azure Dragon, and the disparity between them upon entering the Dharma Manifestation Realm would be vast as heaven and earth. No matter how strong the weeds may be, they could never surpass even the weakest Azure Dragon; such is the essential difference. Xiao Yi managed to raise his cultivation to the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak in the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, but he did not find a satisfactory object of contemplation here.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The speed at which Xiao Yi absorbed the energy of heaven and earth grew faster and faster.


    As these energies of heaven and earth merged into his body and he entered a state of cultivation, Xiao Yi''s perception of the surrounding elemental forces became increasingly clear.


    In the void all around him.


    Wisps of light of various colors floated, converging into strands.


    "What is water? Water is supremely good... It can carry a boat, and it can also capsize it..."


    "What is earth? Earth is the ground, the root of all things, with virtue so profound it bears all... It bears everything..."


    "What is fire..."


    Xiao Yi''s understanding of the elemental forces continued to improve.


    As his comprehension of these forces deepened, the speed at which the energy of heaven and earth gathered around Xiao Yi increased rapidly; from the initial thin streams of energy converging, it expanded to the point where it was like a surging river. Finally, it formed a vast vortex, with roaring sounds, ceaselessly devouring the energy of heaven and earth.


    As time swiftly passed, so did the energy of heaven and earth within the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area.


    Two days later.


    Xiao Yi officially entered the Nine-fold Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The spiritual energy of heaven and earth in the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area had been depleted by one-thousandth!


    Equivalent to several decades'' accumulation within the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area.


    In the depths of the forbidden area.


    Yang Zheng opened his eyes, furrowed his brows, and with a trace of astonishment and confusion in his eyes, he said, "Ancient Ancestor, a lot of the spiritual energy in the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area has diminished..."


    "Stay calm! Composed!"


    Yang Zun replied indifferently, not even opening his eyes, "Yang Zheng, your mind is still not steady enough. It''s just a minor Eighth Layer Cultivation youngster. How much energy can he absorb? Focus on your cultivation!"


    "This..."


    Yang Zheng thought about it, looked at Yang Zun with his tranquil and composed face, and nodded, "The Ancient Ancestor is right. I must stay calm, be composed... It seems my temperament has much to improve!"


    He closed his eyes once again.


    Three days passed.


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi finally made another advancement, stepping into the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak.


    On top of his Martial Dao Divine Fruit, dense Dao patterns covered the surface. Ordinary powerhouses controlled one elemental force and would gather one Dao pattern per realm. In comparison, Xiao Yi possessed the power of the Five Elements as well as Yin and Yang��seven elemental forces in total, meaning that the difficulty and energy required for each realm breakthrough were hundreds to thousands of times that of ordinary counterparts at the same level!


    His consecutive breakthroughs equated to almost a thousand Tao Tribulation Realm Eighth Layer powerhouses advancing to the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak!


    Even if one person could use one ten-thousandth of the energy of the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, almost a thousand would equal one percent, or even several percent.


    A total consumption of hundreds of years of accumulation in the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area!


    "Tao Tribulation Realm Peak... The God Sealing Seed should break through one billion, right?" Xiao Yi''s mouth curled slightly upward, his eyes alight with a fiery glow.


    According to previous arrangements, breaking through one billion meant that the Eternal Tomb of the Ages would surely give out rewards.


    Subsequently...


    Xiao Yi circulated the energy throughout his body, injecting it into the God Sealing Seed.


    As each and every God Sealing Seed within him activated, in the deepest part of the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, Yang Zun and the other two simultaneously opened their eyes. Feeling the rapid decline of the spiritual energy in the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, Yang Zun turned pale with blazing eyes, "Who the hell brought such a monster here? One-eightieth of it has been used up, squandering over seven hundred years of accumulation..."


    "Ancient Ancestor, please calm your anger, stay calm, composed!" Yang Zhenglian urged.


    Yang Bingtian also said, "Ancient Ancestor, you mustn''t get angry, you absolutely cannot leave this place, or those people will sense your presence. Please calm down, you''ve told us to stay calm, to be composed, to have a steady mind..."


    "Steady? I''ll steady your sister..."


    With eyes bloodshot, Yang Zun glared deadly at Yang Zheng, roaring, "Send a message to that little bastard instantly, tell that creature to come to me immediately! I''m so angry, I am so angry..."

 Chapter 409 - 409: Genius? Waste?

    Within the Imperial Study Room.


    Emperor Qian had just finished reviewing a stack of petitions and stretched languidly, leaning back against the throne with a carefree demeanor.


    His fingers lightly tapped the armrest, producing a crisp "tudu tudu" sound as he hummed a ditty, contented with himself, "Should I visit Consort Wen tonight, or Consort Xiang?" S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly.


    Emperor Qian felt a violent vibration from the jade token at his waist.


    Startled, he quickly took out the jade token, "Hmm? Does Father Emperor summon me? Could something major have occurred?"


    As he thought.


    Emperor Qian infused his vital energy into the jade token, about to extend his greetings, only to hear the frantic voice of Yang Zheng from within, "You little brat, the old ancestor commands you to roll over here immediately!"


    Thump!


    Emperor Qian fell off the dragon throne onto his behind, staring blankly at the flashing jade token in his hand, "The old ancestor? Unless there''s a catastrophe threatening the nation, he absolutely would not show up. He actually wants to see me? Could it be... that he knows about the new consort I''ve taken? But that''s hardly a major issue..."


    While contemplating.


    Doubt spread across Emperor Qian''s face.


    At the side, Chamberlain Qi coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi is still in the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area."


    "Xiao Yi? The Dragon Vein Forbidden Area?"


    Emperor Qian was stunned, then suddenly slapped his thigh, cold sweat pouring from his forehead, his expression muddled, "What a disaster, has that boy provoked the old ancestor? Xiao Yi, truly you are my nemesis..."


    He hastily looked toward Chamberlain Qi, saying, "Quick, follow me to the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area!"


    The master and servant transformed into two streaks of rainbow light, racing toward the Imperial Garden with great speed.


    Moments later.


    They appeared at the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area.


    "We greet Your Majesty!" said two powerful guards, stationed at the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area with respect.


    Emperor Qian nodded and glanced back at Chamberlain Qi, "Old dog, you all stay here!"


    "Yes!"


    Chamberlain Qi stood aside respectfully, watching as Emperor Qian stepped through the massive light gateway, a trace of confusion and worry in his eyes, "Xiao Yi... you''d better not get into trouble!"


    Upon entering the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, Emperor Qian nearly staggered and fell.


    As the emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, he naturally had the freedom to come and go within the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area. Besides visiting his consorts, he often practiced cultivation here at night. He was very familiar with everything inside the Forbidden Area, especially the richness of the vital energy of heaven and earth, which he knew like the back of his hand.


    And that''s exactly why...


    As soon as Emperor Qian entered the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, he immediately noticed a substantial drop in the density of the vital energy, "How could this be? The vital energy here has decreased by at least one percent, no, it could be even more... No wonder the old ancestor is furious, but what exactly is happening?"


    He never even considered linking this event to Xiao Yi.


    After all.


    Xiao Yi was only at the Eighth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm, no matter how talented, it was impossible for him to devour years of accumulated vital energy within the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area in just seven short days!


    "Aren''t you rolling in to see me yet?" As Emperor Qian was lost in thought, suddenly Yang Zun''s irritated voice boomed in his mind. Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire


    Emperor Qian shivered and hurried toward the inner part of the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area.


    In the central area, he saw Xiao Yi seated cross-legged, surrounded by swirling vital energy, which made him raise an eyebrow, "The peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm? This fellow''s cultivation speed is truly frightening..."


    Hum!


    He approached the draconic figure coiled there in energy form, which suddenly spoke and swallowed Emperor Qian whole.


    Emperor Qian, facing the three figures of Yang Zun and the others, quickly said, "I pay my respects to the two esteemed ancestors and to Father Emperor!"


    ```


    "Humph!"


    Yang Zheng snorted coldly and said, "Yang Hualong, do you know why our ancestor has summoned you here?"


    Emperor Qian hesitated for a moment before tentatively asking, "Could it be because of the sharp decline of the spiritual energy in the Dragon Veil Forbidden Area?"


    "It seems you''re not as stupid as you look!" Yang Zheng snorted coldly again.


    Emperor Qian responded with a wry smile, "Father, esteemed ancestors, Hualong too has only just arrived at the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area and learned of the sharp decline in spiritual energy. As for the reason, Hualong is completely in the dark!"


    Yang Bingtian''s face darkened as he said, "Completely in the dark? Isn''t it all because of that little freak you brought here?"


    "Ah?"


    Emperor Qian was utterly baffled and said incredulously, "Do the ancestors mean... the decline in spiritual energy in the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area is all Xiao Yi''s doing? That''s impossible. He''s merely at the Tao Tribulation Realm... Let alone breaking through from the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm to the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, even if he had broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he wouldn''t need so much spiritual energy! And besides, if it was really Xiao Yi''s doing, how could the three ancestors sit by idly in the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area and watch him consume so much spiritual energy without lifting a finger..."


    Yang Zheng: "..."


    Yang Bingtian: "..."


    Both of them twitched at the corners of their eyes, subconsciously looking towards Yang Zun.


    During Xiao Yi''s cultivation process, they had indeed sensed the sharp decline of spiritual energy.


    Only...


    Yang Zun had always told them to remain calm and composed, and to keep their emotions stable.


    However.


    By the time Yang Zun realized what was happening, Xiao Yi had already consumed hundreds of years'' worth of spiritual energy accumulated in the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area.


    Clearly, they couldn''t just pass the buck to Yang Zun!


    Therefore...


    Yang Zheng snorted coldly again and rebuked sternly, "Shut up! It''s clearly your fault for bringing that Xiao Yi to the Forbidden Land, causing such a massive loss. You must take responsibility for this!"


    "Why should I be responsible? Each of you three has a higher cultivation level than me, and Xiao Yi was cultivating right under your watch. If you couldn''t stop him, how can you blame me?"


    Emperor Qian angrily said, "Moreover, even if I did let Xiao Yi into the Spirit Vein Forbidden Land, so what? Xiao Yi is one of the strongest talents of the Great Qian Dynasty, and now he wields authority over the Xiaoshanhe Institute for our royal family. Previously, when the Nangong Family pledged allegiance to my royal uncle, Xiao Yi was of great help, and we almost annihilated the Nangong Family. I bestowed upon him the right to enter the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, and what is wrong with that?"


    "Hmm?"


    The trio of Yang Zheng was taken aback.


    Yang Bingtian frowned and said, "You claim he is the strongest talent of the Great Qian Dynasty? Could that lad be Xiao Tianjiao? Didn''t he join the Tianjian Sect? How did he become the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Even Yang Zun, seated high above, opened his eyes wide, looking at Emperor Qian with puzzlement, "Hualong, is that really Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "Err..."


    Emperor Qian faltered, seeing excitement and anticipation in all three pairs of eyes, and could not help but give a bitter smile as he said, "No, he is not Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "Not Xiao Tianjiao? Then why claim he''s the strongest talent?"


    "In the Great Qian Dynasty... no, even in the Nantian Dynasty, how many can compare with Xiao Tianjiao? You dare to falsely proclaim him as the strongest talent just to escape blame?"


    Even Yang Zheng looked displeased and scolded vehemently.


    Emperor Qian responded with a bitter smile, "Honored ancestors, father, how could I deceive you? Xiao Yi is indeed the strongest talent of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "I don''t believe it!"


    "Neither do I!"


    "Let''s do this..."


    Yang Zun narrowed his eyes and stared at Emperor Qian, saying coldly, "Bring that Xiao Yi here. If he truly is as strong as you claim, the greatest talent among all, then we shall let bygones be bygones. But if he''s only a pretender with no real ability, you can''t blame us for being ruthless..."


    Yang Zheng nodded and said, "The ancestor is right. Let him come here for us to test him, and we''ll know for sure if he''s a talent or a waste..."


    ```

 Chapter 410 - 410: Xiao Tianjiao is Nothing Special!

    Emperor Qian hurried out of the Forbidden Area Space and quickly found Xiao Yi.


    At this moment, above Xiao Yi''s head, a black vortex swirled, and surges of heaven and earth''s energy transformed into torrents, pouring into his body and activating the God Sealing Seeds one after another.


    The number of God Sealing Seeds was climbing rapidly.


    It had reached ninety-nine million, nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine!


    Just one step away from one hundred million God Sealing Seeds.


    However...


    It was this one hundred millionth God Sealing Seed that stood like an insurmountable wall, blocking Xiao Yi''s path forward.


    Over ninety-nine million God Sealing Seeds simultaneously burst forth with dazzling light, continuously refining the heaven and earth energy once more, turning it into the purest God Sealing force which fed back into Xiao Yi''s dantian. Forming a crystal-clear lake comprised entirely of the God Sealing force, which immersed the Martial Dao Divine Fruit within the essence of God Sealing force.


    The entire Martial Dao Divine Fruit seemed to be situated in the origin of heaven and earth, constantly undergoing the cleansing of the God Sealing force.


    A subtle change was happening.


    However.


    At least for the current Xiao Yi, he was unable to feel this change.


    Whoosh!


    Exhaling a long breath of turbid air, Xiao Yi opened his eyes, showing a hint of regret, "What a pity, it seems that to break through the one hundred million God Sealing Seeds, I must step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm first!"


    As he was thinking.


    Xiao Yi suddenly felt a chilling creepiness sweeping over his body, and subconsciously he looked up to see Emperor Qian staring at him with an eerie expression.


    Uh...


    Xiao Yi was baffled, "Your Majesty, what are you doing here?"


    "Come with me!"


    Emperor Qian looked at Xiao Yi with a strange expression, gritted his teeth, and said.


    It was this youngster indeed!


    If it had not been for him devouring nearly one-eightieth of the heaven and earth energy within the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, Emperor Qian wouldn''t have been harshly reprimanded by Yang Zun and the others.


    Xiao Yi was stunned, "Where to?"


    "Come with me, that''s all!"


    Emperor Qian''s face was grim.


    Xiao Yi scratched his head, but since he had just acquired significant benefits from the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, it wouldn''t be polite to refuse Emperor Qian. He could only bite the bullet and follow him into the core area of the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, into the dragon silhouette formed by the convergence of heaven and earth energy. With a swoosh, the surrounding space rippled like water ripples, and the figures of Xiao Yi and Emperor Qian appeared in the Forbidden Area Space.


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi instinctively took a sharp breath of cold air as he stepped into the Forbidden Area Space; he felt six gazes, as substantial as reality itself, fall upon him.


    Gulp!


    Xiao Yi swallowed.


    Emperor Qian''s voice echoed within the Forbidden Area Space, "Father Emperor, two venerable ancestors, Xiao Yi has been brought here!"


    "Father Emperor? Ancestors?"


    Xiao Yi was thoroughly confused.


    Emperor Qian''s father? And his ancestors?


    Could those be the former emperors of legend, said to have perished many years ago?


    Xiao Yi instinctively looked up at the three individuals, feeling the aura of each person to be more profound and unending than Emperor Qian and the War King, signifying that their strengths far surpassed the War King and Emperor Qian. It was only at this moment that Xiao Yi truly understood why the Yang Family was able to control the Great Qian Dynasty and prevent the ten great sects from openly rebelling��indeed, they possessed a formidable power that made all factions wary.


    Xiao Yi greeted the three ancestors with a cupped fist salute, "Xiao Yi pays respects to the three elders!"


    Yang Zheng let out a cold snort, his voice carrying a powerful spiritual onslaught that would have severely wounded the soul of an ordinary Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse.


    However, Xiao Yi merely grunted and neutralized the terrifying spiritual onslaught. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Huh?


    Yang Zheng and the other two revealed a hint of surprise in their eyes. Although Yang Zheng did not use his full strength, he was an expert of Spiritual Nirvana. How could Xiao Yi, a mere Tao Tribulation Realm Peak cultivator, endure his spiritual onslaught without changing his expression?


    In the midst of their shock,


    Xiao Yi frowned and spoke displeasingly, "Respected elder, this is our first meeting, and we have no grievances. Why would you strike at me so viciously?"


    The spiritual onslaught just now was extremely powerful; had Xiao Yi not been exceptionally resolute in mind and far superior to his peers in spirit, the previous attack could have turned him into a fool.


    "Xiao Yi, do you admit your guilt?" asked Yang Zheng with a darkened face.


    Xiao Yi responded, "I do not."


    Yang Zheng let out another cold snort and said, "You have drawn away one-eightieth of the heaven and earth vital energy accumulated within the Imperial Dragon Vein Forbidden Area of our Great Qian Dynasty, nearly jeopardizing the very foundation of our nation. Yet you claim you do not know your crime?"


    Xiao Yi pursed his lips and looked at Emperor Qian, who was standing to the side, "The reason I could enter the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area was that I had made a significant contribution. It was an opportunity given to me as a reward by his majesty, Emperor Qian. Moreover, no one ever told me that a breakthrough within the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area could shake the nation''s foundation. If we are to speak of guilt, his majesty, Emperor Qian, should be held accountable alongside me!"


    "Xiao Yi, you..." Emperor Qian stared, wanting to cry but finding no tears.


    How did this get pinned on him again?


    Emperor Qian hastily looked towards Yang Zheng and the other two.


    Yang Zheng hesitated slightly, then glanced at Yang Bingtian and the others.


    Yang Bingtian said indifferently, "Xiao Yi, had you been cultivating normally within the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, we would have had no cause to blame you. But was your cultivation normal? Does a typical progression from the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm to its peak necessitate the consumption of hundreds of years'' worth of heaven and earth vital energy accumulated in the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area? You had better be candid and explain what method you used that led to such a significant loss of vital energy in the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area. If you confess frankly, I can forgive and forget, otherwise..."


    They simply did not believe that Xiao Yi''s breakthrough was merely due to cultivation.


    They assumed that Xiao Yi must have resorted to some underhanded tactics to steal the heaven and earth vital energy.


    After all...


    How could a mere progression from the Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm to its peak consume so much of the heaven and earth vital energy? That amount could have allowed thousands of Eighth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm cultivators to reach the peak!


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and, with an incredulous look at Yang Zheng and the others, said, "I didn''t use any methods, so what exactly do you want me to explain?"


    Bang!


    Yang Bingtian slammed his palm onto the armrest, which shattered in response, a terrifying energy storm filling the entire Forbidden Area Space, his gaze firm and icy as he stared down Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, will you continue to persist in your delusion? Not to mention your breakthrough from the Eighth Layer to the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, even Xiao Tianjiao did not consume so much of the heaven and earth vital energy when he was breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Are you trying to tell me that your talent surpasses that of Xiao Tianjiao?" Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire


    Yang Zheng and Yang Zun also fixed their gaze on Xiao Yi.


    Three masters of Spiritual Nirvana simultaneously locked their sights on him.


    The invisible pressure they exerted was incredibly terrifying!


    Most beings of his age would likely have a mental breakdown under such horrific pressure.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, revealing a hint of cold mockery as he coolly said, "Xiao Tianjiao counts for nothing! How dare he compare with me?"

 Chapter 411 - 411: The Pillar of the Nation

    "Xiao Tianjiao also deigns to compare with me?"


    Xiao Yi''s face was thick with disdain, his lips curling into a faint sneer as he looked mockingly at the few people before him.


    The four from the Great Qian Dynasty looked at each other, each seeing the astonishment on the others'' faces.


    Yang Zun looked at Xiao Yi with a strange expression, "Little guy, as far as I know, Xiao Tianjiao is the strongest prodigy of the Great Qian Dynasty. It''s only been about a year since he reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm, yet he has already started to attack the Nirvana Realm. And you have just broken through to the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Where do you get the courage to look down on Xiao Tianjiao so much?" Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    Yang Zheng and the other also wore amused expressions, their eyes filled with thick mockery and displeasure.


    All three of them had once sat in Emperor Qian''s position.


    They stood at the very pinnacle of power within the Great Qian Dynasty.


    They had seen countless prodigies.


    The thing they hated the most was those who thought too highly of themselves, aspiring to the unattainable.


    Clearly, Xiao Yi''s disdain for Xiao Tianjiao made them label him as someone who didn''t know the immensity of heaven and earth!


    Xiao Yi smiled indifferently, standing tall and straight as a sword, prideful between heaven and earth, and spoke coldly, "Could he, Xiao Tianjiao, possibly have broken through from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm in less than three years?"


    "How is that possible?"


    "Qi Gathering Realm, Physical Body Realm, Shentong Realm... Although it''s possible to use elixirs to bypass these realms, each realm is crucial for honing one''s foundation. How can one reach the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm in just three years?" Yang Zheng said, shaking his head with a smile, his words laden with heavy sarcasm.


    Yang Bingtian also chuckled and shook his head, "Just to undergo the transformation of a Golden Core and condense the Martial Dao Divine Fruit, an ordinary person would need to spend several years. Even an outstanding genius would need to go through one to two years of refining!"


    "Three years? Absurdly impossible!"


    Yang Zun also shook his head confidently.


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, looking towards Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian watched his three venerable ancestors with a wry smile and said, "Father Emperor, dear ancestors, Xiao Yi broke through from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm in less than three years!"


    "What?"


    "What nonsense are you spouting?"


    The three ancestors from Yang''s family sat up straight, looking at Emperor Qian with confused faces.


    Their eyes were wide open, filled with shock and disbelief.


    Three years!


    From the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm?


    Is that even possible?


    Their gaze towards Xiao Yi was like looking at a monster.


    Even Xiao Tianjiao, the reputed number one prodigy of the Great Qian Dynasty, took more than ten years to go from the Physical Body Realm to the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    And Xiao Yi in front of them had only spent three years?


    If that was truly the case, then as Xiao Yi said, Xiao Tianjiao was indeed trash in front of him, utterly undeserving to compare!


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, continuing, "The strongest prodigy you speak of, Xiao Tianjiao, did he bring down the heavenly tribulation when he broke through to the Tao Tribulation Realm?"


    Boom!


    The faces of the three went through a series of indescribable changes.


    Even though they had all been in the emperor''s position, accustomed to trials and remaining calm in the face of upheavals.


    But when faced with the matter that Xiao Yi mentioned, about attracting heavenly tribulation upon breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, they still found it inconceivable.


    Gulp!


    Yang Zheng felt his neck stiffen, and with difficulty, he turned to look at Emperor Qian, "Hua Long, is what he said the truth?"


    Even Emperor Qian looked at Xiao Yi with astonishment.


    Before this.


    He too had his suspicions, but it wasn''t until he heard Xiao Yi personally confirm it that Emperor Qian nodded with a bitter smile, "Father Emperor, dear ancestors, what Xiao Yi said is true! Just a few months ago, when he had just broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, he indeed attracted a heavenly tribulation at Great Liang Mountain that was in no way weaker than the one Xiao Tianjiao faced when he broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm!"


    Hisss!


    Even with the temperament of Yang Zun and his two companions, they couldn''t help but gasp in shock at this moment.


    Seeing the astonishment on their faces, Xiao Yi''s lips slightly curled upward��this was precisely the result he wanted.


    After learning the identities of the three, Xiao Yi decided not to conceal his abilities any longer but to fully unveil his extraordinary martial talent.


    A world where the strong preys on the weak.


    The stronger one''s talent, the greater one''s strength, and the more resources one can obtain!


    These three individuals were the supporting pillars of the Great Qian Dynasty. As long as he could gain their approval, he would be able to secure the full support of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    After all... S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Behind Xiao Tianjiao stood the Tianjian Sect, which was called the foremost of the ten sects!


    If Xiao Yi relied only on himself, he would find it difficult to contend with the Tianjian Sect.


    However, if he could align the Great Qian royal family with his side, the situation would be completely different. To fully convince the royal family to support him, he must offer an overwhelmingly dazzling potential, or he would never be able to shake those who had long held power and grown accustomed to watching the rise and fall of influence!


    Xiao Yi saw the three men with solemn expressions, engaged in a silent exchange, and spoke up, "Xiao Tianjiao''s talent is indeed strong, but I am completely confident that within three years, I can catch up to him or even surpass him. And while he is the Saint Heir of the Tianjian Sect, I am the head of the Great Qian Dynasty''s Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    All four pairs of eyes focused intently on him.


    The implications of his words were self-evident.


    One layer was to remind the three that Xiao Tianjiao was the Saint Heir of the Tianjian Sect, aligned with the ten great sects!


    The second layer was to declare his own stance!


    The head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, that was truly an ally of the Great Qian royal family.


    The four men looked at each other, pondering for a moment. Yang Zun squinted his eyes and said, "Xiao Yi, I must ask you... what method did you use to be able to absorb such an immense amount of the world''s essence?"


    Xiao Yi flashed a grin and said, "Because of this!"


    Hum!


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi''s body burst forth with dazzling glows as his Martial Dao Divine Fruit emerged from within and hovered above his head.


    Swish swish swish!


    Streaks of radiant light filled the entire Forbidden Area Space.


    With every appearance of a light beam, the expression on the faces of Yang Zun and the others changed: "One, two..."


    "Three, four..."


    "Five..."


    Gold, azure, blue, red, yellow-brown, white, and black... Seven-colored lights shone like a thousand gleaming colors, filling the space in front of them.


    Gurgle!


    The four men looked at each other, their faces filled with shock: "Five Elements Yin and Yang? Full attribute Dao patterns? How is this possible?"


    "Even Xiao Tianjiao has only the Five Elements attributes; does Xiao Yi actually possess all attributes?"


    "I finally understand why he was able to attract heavenly tribulation upon breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm. Full attribute Dao patterns��such an unrivaled genius actually exists in this world? Incredible, simply incredible..."


    "Hahaha..."


    Yang Zun suddenly burst into hearty laughter, his face flushed with excitement, his eyes fervently fixed on Xiao Yi, "Excellent, excellent! A full attribute Dao pattern owner, Xiao Yi. Are you willing to become the protective pillar for the Great Qian Dynasty? Just give the word, and the Great Qian royal family will use all its resources to support you!"


    Gurgle!


    Yang Zheng and the other two exchanged glances.


    Protective pillar?


    This was a position even above the emperor, and the three of them were the protective pillars!


    Since the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty, there had never been a non-royal serving as a protective pillar. Yet, thinking of Xiao Yi''s talent, the three of them were without any intention of objecting!


    They looked at Xiao Yi with burning gazes.


    Xiao Yi''s lips slightly curled upward as he began to speak, "..."

 Chapter 412 - 412: The Four Great Dharma Likenesses

    Xiao Yi wore a serene smile and said, "A national pillar? How does that compare to Wudi, the unparalleled war king?"


    Emperor Qian was taken aback.


    Yang Zun and the other two also exchanged puzzled glances.


    Emperor Qian said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, both the national pillar and Wudi, the unparalleled war king, are the cornerstones of the Great Qian Dynasty. There is no distinction between strong and weak, high and low!"


    "Equal footing?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Emperor Qian grunted once, then nodded his head.


    The power and strength that Wudi, Yang Yuhuan, wielded in the military were so great that even Emperor Qian regarded him with immense wariness.


    That''s exactly why...


    Wudi had the capital to stand on equal footing with the national pillar.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "Since that''s the case, I''ll take on this identity of the national pillar!"


    The corner of Emperor Qian''s mouth twitched slightly.


    Who knows how many people dream of becoming the Great Qian Dynasty''s national pillar, yet to Xiao Yi it seems like it''s being forced upon him, with him even appearing somewhat troubled?


    This made Emperor Qian feel quite indignant!


    And yet, he was powerless!


    After all, who can argue when someone''s talent is so strong, to the point where even Yang Zun, the old ancestor, personally took the initiative to recruit him as the Great Qian Dynasty''s national pillar? Even if Emperor Qian wanted to oppose, it would be of no use!


    Looking at Emperor Qian, Yang Zun said in a deep voice, "Hua Long, it''s up to you to reward Xiao Yi with the title of national pillar!"


    "Rest assured, ancestor, in half a month''s time, it will be the Ancestral Worship Grand Ceremony. I will announce Xiao Yi as the national pillar then!" Emperor Qian nodded, bowing respectfully to Yang Zun as he spoke.


    "Good!"


    Yang Zun was very satisfied with Emperor Qian''s arrangement and said with a smile, "The Ancestral Worship Grand Ceremony is a solemn and grand event for our royal family, second only to the imperial succession. Announcing Xiao Yi as the national pillar at that time is indeed appropriate. Xiao Yi is the first national pillar in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty who is not of royal blood. Isn''t Xiao Tianjiao touted as the strongest genius in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty? Let''s call Xiao Yi''s title ''Wudi''!"


    Xiao Tianjiao is known to be the strongest genius, but he is solely focused on the martial path, caring little for the rise and fall of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Yang Zun had Xiao Yi inherit the title of ''Wudi''.


    This was also a slap in the face to Xiao Tianjiao!


    With this thought...


    Emperor Qian said with a smile, "Understood!"


    Yang Zun turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao Yi, once you become the national pillar, all your treatments will be on par with ours. You have already broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, and with your talent, the Dharma Manifestation Realm is likely not far off. Have you thought about what to manifest as your life-bound Dharma aspect?"


    The strength of a Dharma aspect directly affects a practitioner''s power in the Dharma Manifestation Realm and their future potential for growth!


    Xiao Yi shook his head and replied, "I do not have a target yet!"


    Yang Zun said solemnly, "We three have some insights into the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Would you like to hear them?"


    Xiao Yi was startled; although he did not know the true strength of the three, he could sense that their abilities were much stronger than Yang Yuhuan''s. Their understanding of the Dharma Manifestation Realm was definitely invaluable experience. He bowed to the three and said, "I would be grateful for any teachings the three ancestors are willing to impart!"


    Yang Zun glanced at Yang Zheng and the others, and they all nodded at the same time.


    Whoosh!


    The four of them waved their hands simultaneously.


    Amid a blaze of glowing light, four Dharma Aspects appeared behind them.


    The one behind Yang Zun was the most peculiar: it was a towering ancient tree.


    The immense canopy spread like the top of a cloud, covering the sky and shading the sun. The leaves rustled as if alive, an impressive and fearsome sight!


    Yang Bingtian''s Dharma Aspect was a square bronze seal swirling with dragons and tigers, as large as a mountain, hovering above his head with a solemn and majestic presence.


    Yang Zheng''s Dharma Aspect was a winding river, with roaring waters that seemed to merge into a vast deluge.


    Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire


    Behind Emperor Qian was a Dharma Aspect in the form of a full-bodied crimson Chi Dragon with a pair of wings on its back and a solitary horn atop its head. Its eyes held such a condensation of evil Qi that one glance seemed to draw the onlooker deep into its abyss.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept past the Dharma Aspects manifested by each person.


    Among them, Emperor Qian''s Ironwing Chi Dragon was the most terrifying. Merely the profoundness of its night-like eyes deterred anyone from meeting its gaze. Its aura was so intense that, even compared with Yang Zheng and Yang Bingtian, who were of higher cultivation, it was in no way inferior. Only when compared with Yang Zun would it be suppressed by the towering tree Dharma Aspect behind him.


    This was the reliance of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the power of the Dharma Aspect!


    The stronger the object of contemplation, the greater the power of the Dharma Aspect.


    This Ironwing Chi Dragon was a high-tier sixth-grade demon beast, equivalent to the presence of the Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak. The fact that Yang Zun''s towering tree Dharma Aspect could suppress the Dharma Aspect of the Ironwing Chi Dragon meant it was definitely no ordinary object.


    Yang Zun, noticing Xiao Yi''s curiosity, said with some pride, "My Dharma Aspect is the Li Mu, a tree born from a branch of the mythic phoenix tree which, after being struck down by a heavenly god, rooted itself upon touching the ground. I found it on a hidden island in the Beast Emperor Sea, by contemplating the Li Mu to manifest my Dharma Aspect. However, when people were later sent to find the island, it could never be found again!"


    Yang Zheng continued, "Dharma Aspects can largely be divided into four categories: Animal System, Plant System, Natural System, and Spiritual Object System. My Nine Bends River, for instance, was formed through contemplating great rivers, and belongs to the Natural System!"


    "My Dharma Aspect is modelled after the Seventh-Grade Imperial Soldier Dragon and Tiger Seal, part of the Spiritual Object System!" Yang Bingtian chimed in with a smile.


    Xiao Yi nodded; Emperor Qian''s Ironwing Chi Dragon belonged to the Animal System, while Yang Zun''s Li Mu belonged to the Plant System.


    These were the four broad categories of Dharma Aspects, also known as the Four Great Dharma Aspects!


    Speaking solemnly, Yang Zun said, "Each of the Four Great Dharma Aspects has its own merits, and the choice of Dharma Aspect also relates to the type of Nirvana one pursues in the future. Generally speaking, those who go for Physical Nirvana often choose from the Animal or Natural Systems, while those opting for Spiritual Nirvana lean towards the Plant, Spiritual, or Natural Systems. Of course, there are also some who choose to manifest from the Spiritual Object System, taking the direct path to Dharma Nirvana!"


    The four of them simultaneously retracted their Dharma Aspects.


    Seeing Xiao Yi deep in thought, Emperor Qian said, "Xiao Yi, your combat power is exceptional, and your ability to fight beyond your level is astonishing. You could choose the strongest attacking Animal System Dharma Aspect and pursue the path of Physical Nirvana in the future!"


    Yang Zheng nodded and added, "If you decide to manifest an Animal System Dharma Aspect, I''ll have Hua Long take you to observe the National Guardian Beast Ironwing Chi Dragon of our Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Thank you for your generous consideration, ancestor, but I haven''t yet decided which path to take,"


    Xiao Yi said, politely declining.


    "Indeed, this is a decision regarding your future and requires careful consideration," Yang Zun said, pausing briefly before continuing, "Our imperial family has many Imperial Soldiers, so if you have any ideas later on, feel free to ask Hua Long."


    Emperor Qian nodded at Xiao Yi.


    Holding Xiao Yi in high esteem and even planning to appoint him as a pillar of state protection, Emperor Qian naturally was eager to show goodwill and attract him to his side.


    "Hmm!" S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi nodded, hesitated for a moment, then looked at Yang Zun and asked, "May I ask, ancestor, what is Xiao Tianjiao''s Dharma Aspect?"

 Chapter 413 - 413 Youre the Disgrace!

    Xiao Yi''s face carried a serious and curious expression.


    Xiao Tianjiao.


    This universally recognized number one prodigy of the Great Qian Dynasty, what Dharma Manifestation had he formed?


    Yang Zun pondered for a moment, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed as he said in a deep voice, "No one knows what Dharma Manifestation Xiao Tianjiao has formed..."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    It had been some time since Xiao Tianjiao reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm, could it be that he never made a move?


    Seeming to notice Xiao Yi''s confusion, Yang Zun gave a wry smile and said, "That''s because all those who have seen him make a move are dead!"


    Emperor Qian, who was standing by, shifted his gaze with a solemn expression and said gravely, "I once received intelligence that when Xiao Tianjiao was breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, an assassin from the Northern Sword Dynasty had taken action; he was an expert at the Third Nirvana Realm. That powerful figure attempted to disrupt Xiao Tianjiao''s tribulation, but was instead slaughtered by Xiao Tianjiao with one strike!"


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly.


    He had just broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm and was able to slay an expert of the Third Nirvana Realm with one strike?


    Although Xiao Yi was currently at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm and had the confidence to fight an expert at the First Nirvana Realm, the certainty of slaying one in a single strike was not something even Xiao Yi had!


    Xiao Tianjiao actually managed to slay a Third Nirvana Realm expert with a single strike, despite having just entered the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    This kind of ability to fight across levels truly shook Xiao Yi, but at the same time, it thoroughly ignited the battle fire within him, burning fiercely as he clenched his fists and muttered, "Xiao Tianjiao, I am really looking forward to meeting you more and more!"


    Seeing Xiao Tianjiao''s strength, don''t you feel despair?" Yang Zheng asked curiously.


    Several people turned their gaze towards Xiao Yi.


    They all knew of Xiao Yi''s identity and had some understanding of the grudge between him and the Xiao Family.


    Xiao Yi and Xiao Tianjiao were mortal enemies.


    In their eyes, upon learning of Xiao Tianjiao''s tremendous strength and terror, Xiao Yi should be feeling despair!


    But Xiao Yi''s face showed no hint of fear, instead, it was filled with excitement and a burning desire to fight.


    Xiao Yi looked at the four of them, smiled, and said, "The stronger he is, the more excited I get!"


    "Hmm?"


    "What kind of logic is that?"


    Everyone was somewhat puzzled.


    Xiao Yi smiled and did not answer, but instead asked, "May I ask the three Elders and Your Majesty if it would be possible for me to observe the Iron Winged Chilong and the Dragon and Tiger Seal?"


    He currently did not have a clear visualization target.


    Both the Iron Winged Chilong and the Dragon and Tiger Seal were the strongest demon beast and the strongest magical weapon that could be found by the Great Qian Dynasty, hence Xiao Yi''s request.


    "This... The Dragon and Tiger Seal is not a problem, but for the Iron Winged Chilong, we will need its consent; you should return first, and we will notify you after we ask the Iron Winged Chilong," Yang Zun thought for a while but did not directly refuse, and said.


    "If that''s the case, then I''ll trouble the Elders!"


    Xiao Yi bowed toward the four and said, "Since the Ancestral Worship Ceremony is not far off, Xiao Yi will take his leave now!"


    "Hmm!"


    "Go ahead!"


    "Don''t be careless about the Ancestral Worship Ceremony..." They warned him and watched Xiao Yi leave.


    Yang Zheng, still puzzled, said, "Do you think�� what the kid just said, what did it really mean?"


    Everyone looked at each other, unable to guess.


    "Xiao Tianjiao, you''ve always looked down on me from on high, seeing me as nothing but an ant struggling in the dirt, while you are the dragon soaring above the nine heavens. I wonder, when this ant crushes you, the true dragon, underfoot, what your reaction will be..."


    Xiao Yi, who was walking toward the outskirts of the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, slowly unclenched his fists, a slight smile appearing at the corners of his mouth as his eyes brimmed with a surging battle intent, "I''m looking forward to meeting you more and more!"


    ...


    Imperial Dragon Mountain, Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Seven days after returning to the Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi was astounded to find that Imperial Dragon Mountain was now a chaotic overcrowded scene.


    "I used to think that only the top ten sects and the four great families were the sacred places of martial arts in the Great Qian Dynasty. I never expected the Xiaoshanhe Institute to be so strong too!"


    "All of this is thanks to the new Dean Xiao Yi. Without him, the Xiaoshanhe Institute would still be the gathering place for the wretched under Chen Shuiwen''s leadership. But Dean Xiao is truly daunting; it''s said that he''s not even twenty years old, yet he almost used his own power to bring down the Nangong Family!"


    "It is said that the current Xiaoshanhe Institute is no weaker than the top ten sects. With a genius powerhouse like Dean Xiao, its future is boundless!"


    Amidst the bustling noise,


    a long line had formed from the foot of the mountain all the way to the front gate.


    An ocean of people.


    Gathering into a steel tidal wave winding along the mountain paths, the scene could be described as bustling.


    If not for the two sixth-order Beast Kings standing at the entrance, guarding with a menacing gaze and scrutinizing the passersby, it is likely that the crowd would swarm in like a breached flood, rushing into the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The two Beast Kings stood on either side, emanating a heaven-reaching aura, suppressing everyone before them.


    They held their chins high, nostrils to the sky, majestic and imposing, their voices stern and solemn, "If you wish to be admitted into our Xiaoshanhe Institute, line up properly. If anyone dares to cut in line and disturb the order, don''t blame us for throwing the troublemakers down the mountain!"


    These were the equivalent of Dharma Manifestation Realm sixth-order Beast Kings.


    Their prestige was like the heavens.


    Naturally, none dared to act rashly.


    Of course...


    This world is never lacking in self-righteous individuals.


    At the foot of the mountain,


    a young man with a resolute expression walked among the crowd, who avoided him like the plague, "Isn''t that Ruan Yunyi? What is this harbinger of doom doing here?"


    "It is said that when he was born, he caused the death of his parents, and he was kicked out of the Ruan Family when he was just a month old. Fortunately, an old woman raised him. But when he turned eighteen, even she died because of him... It''s rumored that over the years, he''s tried to enter the top ten sects and the four great families, and everyone who participated in the assessments with him died, leading all the major powers to shut him out..."


    "I definitely don''t want to be near someone like this harbinger of doom..." Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing the unreserved remarks of the people around him, Ruan Yunyi clenched his fists tightly, his lips pressed firmly together, not saying a word.


    He just kept moving forward.


    At Ruan Yunyi''s side, Xiao Yun, with white hair and beard, leaned on a cane, reassuring him with a smile, "Yunyi, you don''t need to care about what others say. Just be true to yourself!" Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire


    "Mm!"


    Ruan Yunyi forced a small smile.


    Xiao Yun had appeared beside him a few days ago, knowing everything about him inside out. Ruan Yunyi had never had friends, and Xiao Yun''s arrival quickly made them confidants.


    With Xiao Yun''s encouragement, they had come to the Xiaoshanhe Institute today.


    To participate in the disciple assessment!


    "Get out of my way!"


    Suddenly, Ruan Yunyi was shoved hard by someone, causing Xiao Yun to also stumble and fall to the ground with him.


    Bearing a look of contempt, a handsomely dressed, arrogant young man looked down at the two, his gaze filled with disdain and disgust, "A lowly beggar and an old man with one foot in the grave coming to participate in the Xiaoshanhe Institute assessment? Do you really think the Xiaoshanhe Institute is a refuge for trash? If you know what''s good for you, get out before I lose my temper, and don''t make a spectacle of yourself here..."


    As soon as the words fell,


    a calm voice emerged from the crowd, "The one making a spectacle is you!"

 Chapter 414 - 414: The Day the Golden Scales Transform into a Dragon

    "The one who is disgracing himself is you!"


    A calm voice suddenly rose, halting the smug smile on Lu Chen''s face abruptly.


    With a darkened expression, Lu Chen turned toward the source of the voice.


    There stood Xiao Yi, hands behind his back, his face showing tranquility. Yet his eyes, still as an ancient well without a ripple, seemed as if they could see through the human heart, giving Lu Chen the feeling of being stripped bare before him.


    This caused Lu Chen''s complexion to fluctuate between dark and light, as he forcefully said, "Who do you think you are? What right do you have to speak here?" S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No sooner had the words left his lips.


    Than a wave of murmuring arose from the crowd around them, "I remember now, he is the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "That''s right, I saw him once at the Nangong Family previously!"


    "Lu Chen has really hit a snag this time..."


    The conversations of the crowd, like knives, caused Lu Chen''s complexion to stiffen suddenly.


    He looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief.


    Gululu!


    Lu Chen''s face turned somewhat unsightly, "Are you Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi nodded lightly and said indifferently, "Yes, it''s me!"


    "You..."


    Lu Chen''s face grew darker as his eagerness to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute was met with Xiao Yi''s dismissive attitude. His eyes darted about before he said in a heavy tone, "Head Xiao, I am the nephew of Minister of War Xu Wengang. I believe you have surely heard of my uncle''s great reputation. I am his..."


    A Minister of War, a second-ranked official.


    Even within the entire Great Qian Dynasty, this was considered a prestigious family background.


    And Xu Wengang, being young, was highly valued by Emperor Qian and likely to assume the position of Minister of War in the future.


    For this reason.


    Even some prominent families and royal relatives were extremely polite toward Xu Wengang. By association, Lu Chen, Xu Wengang''s nephew, found success and influence in the capital city, as everyone sought his favor. Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire


    In public, Xiao Yi reprimanded him and declared that he was not qualified to enter Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Wasn''t this a slap in the face?


    How could Lu Chen swallow such an insult? That''s why he brought up his uncle, trying to use Xu Wengang''s reputation and influence to press Xiao Yi.


    However.


    Xiao Yi did not wait for him to finish and cut off Lu Chen''s words directly, speaking with a detached look, "It doesn''t matter that you are merely Xu Wengang''s nephew. Even if Xu Wengang himself were here today, he also would not be able to set foot within my Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    "You..."


    Lu Chen''s face darkened further.


    Just as he was about to speak again.


    A loud voice suddenly rang out from the crowd, "Head Xiao, who is this ignorant fellow that has drawn your ire?"


    Xiao Yi looked toward the voice.


    He saw Xu Wengang, dressed in green silk, emerge from the crowd. He had accompanied Lu Chen here but had fallen behind due to conversations with some acquaintances. He hadn''t expected to hear the news that Lu Chen had clashed with Xiao Yi, and hurriedly followed, smiling as he said, "Head Xiao, I am Minister Xu Wengang!"


    "Minister Xu!"


    Xiao Yi greeted him with a bow, his manners impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.


    Xu Wengang''s face was radiant with success and pride.


    In response to Xiao Yi''s greeting, he simply nodded and then spoke, "Head Xiao, this is my nephew, Lu Chen. It seems there has been a misunderstanding between you two..."


    "A misunderstanding?"


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly and said, "There''s no misunderstanding. It''s just that your nephew indeed does not qualify to enter my Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Hm?"


    Xu Wengang frowned.


    Almost assured to be the next Minister of War and courted by even the Unparalleled War King, he saw Xiao Yi as merely the head of a minor institute with no power or status in the court and who could not afford to disregard him.


    Yet, even with his own intervention, Xiao Yi had still not yielded.


    This caused Xu Wengang''s expression to sour, and his voice dropped somewhat, "Head Xiao, are you sure you want to trouble yourself with me over such insignificant ants?"


    His gaze, filled with disdain, fell upon Ruan Yunyi and Xiao Yun.


    One an old man with one foot in the grave, the other a jinx shunned by all powers.


    In his eyes...


    they were nothing more than ants that wouldn''t merit the blink of an eye even if crushed to death.


    How could they compare with someone as exalted as him?


    How dare Xiao Yi stand up for these two and have the audacity to challenge him?


    This was something Xu Wengang couldn''t comprehend.


    At that moment,


    Xiao Yi was already helping Ruan Yunyi and Xiao Yun to their feet, infusing them with vital energy to stabilize their injuries somewhat.


    Facing Xu Wengang''s ridicule, Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Even a golden scale can transform into a dragon... Despite their humble origins and the many hardships they''ve faced, their resolute pursuit of the martial path with such tenacious hearts means their future accomplishments needn''t be inferior. As for your nephew, he''s arrogant and complacent, indifferent to others. He will likely lead a mediocre life forever!"


    These words exploded like thunder from a clear sky.


    Ruan Yunyi''s cheeks flushed crimson, and he looked at Xiao Yi with eyes brimming with profound emotion.


    From birth until now...


    He had never received such a solemn appraisal and attention.


    Ruan Yunyi''s gaze towards Xiao Yi was filled with fervent worship and gratitude. He whispered to Xiao Yun at his side, "Ren, you were right. Director Xiao doesn''t disdain me!"


    "Of course!"


    Xiao Yun smiled faintly, his eyes on Xiao Yi, showing a trace of inexplicable complexity. "No matter how much time has passed, you are still the same, unchanged!"


    Of course,


    Xiao Yi didn''t hear this, for at that moment, he was looking at Lu Chen.


    "What did you say?"


    Lu Chen''s face alternated between shades of green and white. He couldn''t bear Xiao Yi''s words any longer, pointing at Xiao Yi with his right index finger and yelling angrily, "You dare say I am inferior to these two ants? Xiao Yi, don''t push your luck, I..."


    Before he could finish,


    Xiao Yi was already shaking his head slightly. "I don''t like people pointing at me."


    "So what if I''m pointing at you? My uncle is a high-ranking official of the second rank in the Great Qian, the future Minister of War. Do you think I''m afraid of you?" Lu Chen said defiantly.


    Xu Wengang''s expression changed abruptly. "This is bad!"


    Almost at the same time,


    Xu Wengang saw a flash of black dart past him��it was Xiao Yi brushing past him and appearing in front of Lu Chen. With a raise of his hand, he grabbed Lu Chen''s finger. A crisp snap, accompanied by Lu Chen''s hysterical scream, marked the moment Xiao Yi twisted his five fingers into a twisted shape, causing his entire arm to suffer a comminuted fracture.


    In agony, Lu Chen knelt on the ground, howling in pain.


    Xiao Yi looked emotionless as he addressed him, "Considering your uncle''s face, I''m only crippling one of your hands. If there is a next time, I will show no mercy!"


    "No, I daren''t... I won''t dare again..."


    Lu Chen knelt on the ground, cold sweat dripping profusely, pleading desperately.


    Xu Wengang stood beside him, his face dark with anger but also filled with deep wariness. He had barely registered Xiao Yi''s move when it happened. If that blow had been aimed at a fatal spot on his body... Xu Wengang played the scenario out in his mind and realized that if Xiao Yi had targeted him, he would have had only death to look forward to.


    Cold sweat rolled down his forehead as well.


    Xu Wengang turned his eyes, and said in a grave voice, "Director Xiao, please, for my sake, let him off this time!"


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi let go of his hand.


    Lu Chen, in a pitiful state, crawled to Xu Wengang''s side. Regaining his nerve with Xu Wengang close by, Lu Chen glared at Xiao Yi and roared, "Xiao Yi, today you cast me aside for the sake of two ants. This will be the biggest mistake of your life. It won''t be long before I trample both you and your Xiaoshanhe Institute beneath my feet..."


    Xu Wengang''s face turned deathly pale. He was about to speak when a gust filled his mouth, silencing him abruptly.


    Almost simultaneously...


    A spray of warm blood splashed across his face.


    Xu Wengang''s neck stiffened as he turned to look, only to see Lu Chen''s head flying high into the air, with blood spurting from the neck like a fountain.


    Amidst the crowd,


    Xiao Yi''s voice echoed like a demonic whisper from the netherworld, "I dare to hit Yang Yuhuan. Do you think I''d fear you, a mere Deputy Minister of War? Get lost with this idiot''s corpse. If you dare set foot in Xiaoshanhe Institute again, I will slaughter you as well!"


    Xu Wengang''s face turned from pale to red, his arrogance gone, like a dog that has lost its home.


    Carring Lu Chen''s body, he left in utter disgrace.


    But Xiao Yi failed to notice the malice and hatred burgeoning within Xu Wengang''s downcast eyes, growing like bamboo after the rain. "Xiao Yi? You''d better not fall into my hands, or else, I will make you beg for life in vain and beg for death in despair!"

 Chapter 415 - 415: Take off your clothes?

    Xu Wengang clutched Lu Chen''s body and fled in a miserable state.


    This scene brought immense satisfaction to the surrounding powerhouses, feeling as if a heavy stone that had been pressing on their chests was finally removed.


    Backed by Xu Wengang''s influence, Lu Chen had done far more than merely cutting in line.


    He had already injured three or four people on the way there.


    He had long been an object of public indignation.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the crowd, expressionless; however, his cold eyes bore a sharpness that seemed to pierce through one''s soul, as if he could see right through a person. He spoke indifferently, "Everyone listen to me, anyone who wishes to enter Xiaoshanhe Institute, no matter your identity or background, no matter who stands behind you, must abide by the rules. Those who dare to break my rules will end up like Lu Chen!"


    "Rest assured, Master Xiao!"


    "We have come here in admiration and will certainly not cause any trouble..."


    One powerhouse after another shouted out.


    Before this.


    Every year, Xiaoshanhe Institute would recruit disciples, but there were very few participants.


    Even for the previous Genius Battle, if it wasn''t for the rich rewards that attracted them, it surely wouldn''t have drawn so many powerful contenders. But now, with Xiao Yi at the helm of Xiaoshanhe Institute implementing a series of measures.


    And especially after nearly bringing about the downfall of the Nangong Family single-handedly, the powerhouses eager to apply for Xiaoshanhe Institute numbered in the tens of thousands!


    The current image of Xiaoshanhe Institute in the minds of the masses had undergone a radical transformation.


    Within the crowd.


    Ruan Yunyi and Xiao Yun both knelt before Xiao Yi. Had it not been for Xiao Yi''s intervention, they would have likely been unable to escape Lu Chen''s venomous hands.


    "Ruan Yunyi pays his respects to Master Xiao. Thank you for saving my life!" Ruan Yunyi bowed his head deeply, expressing heartfelt gratitude.


    Xiao Yun''s frame trembled, and his gaze towards Xiao Yi was filled with an inexplicable excitement.


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    Xiao Yi waved his hand casually, and an invisible Qi lifted the two men up.


    His expression grew somewhat peculiar as he looked at Xiao Yun, feeling a strange feeling��as if he had known him for a long time.


    But...


    Xiao Yi searched through his memory and could not find any trace of Xiao Yun, furrowing his brow, he asked, "Xiao Yun? Your last name is Xiao too? Have we met before?"


    "To reply to the teacher..."


    Xiao Yun paused, his wrinkled face, reminiscent of tree bark, flashed with excitement as he instinctively spoke out.


    "Teacher?" Xiao Yi uttered in confusion, his face showing puzzlement.


    Xiao Yun''s eyes revealed a hint of panic as he quickly shook his head, "Master Xiao, we have not met before..."


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi''s brow furrowed again, his eyes filled with doubt.


    He was certain his instincts were not wrong.


    He definitely knew Xiao Yun.


    But...


    He also trusted his memory, and he had never encountered Xiao Yun before.


    He had never felt this strange and complex sensation before.


    Xiao Yi stared intently at Xiao Yun and did not detect any Qi fluctuations; yet, Xiao Yi''s instincts told him that Xiao Yun was not as frail as he appeared to be. It seemed a remarkably peculiar power lay hidden within his body.


    However, no matter how Xiao Yi probed, he could not make any discoveries, so he eventually gave up and asked, "Xiao Yun, have you also come to apply for the Xiaoshanhe Institute assessment?"


    Xiao Yun seemed to be in his sixties or seventies already.


    Moreover, with the cultivation level he had revealed, he was merely at the peak of the Physical Body Realm, not even having reached the Qi Gathering Realm.


    How could someone of such caliber possibly join Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    Xiao Yun nodded and said, "Director Xiao, I heard that Xiaoshanhe Institute recently added two branches for formation paths and medicinal paths, so I wanted to give it a try!"


    "Formation paths and medicinal paths branches?"


    Xiao Yi paused, then remembered it was something he had discussed with Chen Ziyi and Fu Yuan. To truly strengthen Xiaoshanhe Institute, they couldn''t focus solely on training martial arts experts. The paths of formations and alchemy also couldn''t be underestimated!


    It seemed that during the seven days he was in closed-door cultivation at the Dragon Vein Forbidden Area, Chen Ziyi and the others had built the two branches.


    Looking out, the line that started at the foot of the mountain seemed endless.


    It was estimated that many people in the line were here to join these two branches. After all, whether it was the top ten sects or various major forces, they all considered martial arts as the only standard!


    "I hope to see you at Xiaoshanhe Institute!" Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    In the face of Lu Chen''s ridicule and marginalization, Ruan Yunyi''s fortitude and forbearance, undisturbed, were clearly indicative of his sturdy and powerful temperament. And when Xiao Yun had almost died at Lu Chen''s hands, Ruan Yunyi''s brave and responsible stance in stepping forward earned Xiao Yi''s admiration.


    As for Xiao Yun...


    There was something mysterious about him that even Xiao Yi couldn''t see through. He thought that if this man could enter Xiaoshanhe Institute, he could be observed more closely.


    But it was Xiao Yun who spoke, patting his chest with determination, "Rest assured, Director Xiao, we will not let you down!" S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi let out a sound and looked at the two men with a peculiar expression, then slightly smiled, "Then I''ll be watching. I look forward to you passing the assessment and becoming a part of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Caught off guard, Ruan Yunyi also said, "I won''t let you down!"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, soared into the sky, and vanished from sight.


    Watching Xiao Yi''s departing figure, Xiao Yun''s eyes narrowed into slits, and in his eyes, aside from excitement, there was also a glint of moisture. He muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear, "Teacher, please allow your disciple not to recognize you... This time, I definitely won''t let that incident happen again..."


    ...


    Soon it was Xiao Yun and Ruan Yunyi''s turn.


    Xiao Yun lowered his voice and said, "If the examiner doesn''t let you pass during the assessment, just take off all your clothes!"


    "What did you say?"


    Ruan Yunyi looked at Xiao Yun with a confused face, unable to help but shout out loud.


    He hastily retreated, creating distance between himself and Xiao Yun, his face filled with shock and wariness as if he were looking at a pervert.


    This was Xiaoshanhe Institute, after all!


    The examiners were all at the Tao Tribulation Realm or even at the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    To strip off his clothes in front of these masters?


    Wasn''t that suicidal?


    If he were deemed a pervert and got slapped to death, how wronged he would be!


    Shua shua shua!


    The surrounding gazes all turned towards them, showing strange expressions, and among the crowd, a sharp-faced young man expressed disdain, ridiculing, "You two idiots, think taking off your clothes in front of the examiner will let you pass the assessment? That''s daydreaming!"


    "Taking off clothes? Are you planning to seduce them?"


    "Hahaha, I always heard Ruan Yunyi was an ill-fated star, it turns out like attracts like, the old man with him is also a pervert��"


    The crowd jeered.


    Ruan Yunyi''s face burned with embarrassment as he glared at Xiao Yun, about to speak, but then heard Xiao Yun say, "If you want to enter Xiaoshanhe Institute, just listen to me. Otherwise, you''ll have to wait another three years��"


    Ruan Yunyi: "..."


    His eyebrows knitted together.


    Ruan Yunyi sized up Xiao Yun, noting that his aged face bore not a hint of jest, but was filled with seriousness and gravity. After hesitating for a moment, Ruan Yunyi nodded and said, "Ren, if the examiner really doesn''t let me pass, I''ll do as you say!"


    "Mm!"


    Xiao Yun breathed a sigh of relief.


    Seeing Ruan Yunyi agreeing so earnestly, the sharp-faced young man burst into laughter, his tears flowing, "Hahaha, did you hear what those two idiots said? They actually think taking off their clothes will let them pass the assessment? If that was the case, all of us here could get into Xiaoshanhe Institute!"

 Chapter 416 - 416: How could this happen?

    "Hahaha, did you hear what these two idiots said? They actually think they can pass the assessment just by taking off their clothes? If that were the case, everyone here would be able to get into Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Listening to the youth''s mockery.


    The crowd also laughed nonstop.


    This was Xiaoshanhe Institute, now the hottest sect in the Great Qian Dynasty, how solemn an affair was the disciple assessment?


    How could one possibly enter by simply stripping?


    Ruan Yunyi''s face turned red with embarassment, but he dared not retort.


    Xiao Yun patted his shoulder, and in a grave and earnest tone advised, "Don''t pay attention to them, do you think your brother would lead you astray? You won''t go wrong following my advice!"


    Ruan Yunyi could only stiffen his scalp and indicate that he understood.


    A moment later.


    Xiao Yun and Ruan Yunyi, along with the six people behind them, together passed through the mountain gate, and entered a grand hall beyond it.


    This grand hall was the place for the assessment.


    It was divided into four areas.


    Each time four people could enter, and the remaining four would wait at the door.


    In the number one examination room where Xiao Yun was, it was Elder Yan Mingli and Zhou Jing who were in charge of the assessment. Both had peaceful smiles on their faces, but when they saw Xiao Yun''s aged appearance, their smiles momentarily froze.


    Xiao Yun, looking at the two before him, felt a tinge of red come to his eyes in an instant.


    "Disciple Xiao Yun greets Elder Yan, Elder Zhou..." Xiao Yun bowed his hands to the two, with a look in his eyes that couldn''t hide his excitement.


    Zhou Jing was taken aback and said softly, "You know us?"


    Elder Yan Mingli''s face showed curiosity, "I''ve never met you before; how do you know me?"


    Xiao Yun''s face changed slightly, and between flickering glances, he opened his mouth and said, "Seven days ago, I was also near the Vermilion Bird Avenue at the Nangong Family, and had the fortune to see both of you!"


    "Oh!"


    Elder Yan Mingli and Zhou Jing exchanged glances, but didn''t think too much of it. Zhou Jing smiled and said, "Xiao Yun, according to your registration information, you intend to apply for both Array and Medicine Sub-Institutes, but you didn''t clarify which one you''re really testing for?"


    Xiao Yun said solemnly, "I wish to apply for both the Sub-Institutes at the same time!"


    "Apply for both Sub-Institutes at the same time?"


    "Xiao Yun, you should know that a person''s energy is limited. Many geniuses, with all their heart and effort in cultivation, might not be able to reach the pinnacle; yet you''re thinking about doing two things at once..." Zhou Jing''s brows furrowed slightly, her expression showing a touch of displeasure.


    Xiao Yun nodded with an understanding smile, but his eyes were still exceptionally firm, "Elder Zhou, rest assured, I''m aware that trying to focus on two things can lead to failure at both, but I am confident that I will achieve something on both these paths!"


    "If that''s the case, then good luck to you!" Zhou Jing hesitated for a moment, returned a polite smile and said, "Let''s start with the Array assessment. There''s an array diagram before you, you have ten breaths'' time to record it, then we''ll see how much of it you can reproduce. If you can reach at least three-tenths, you''ll pass the assessment!"


    "All right!"


    Xiao Yun seemed to already know the content of the assessment and wasn''t surprised at all.


    Swish!


    Zhou Jing waved her hand, and a scroll of array diagrams landed before Xiao Yun.


    Xiao Yun spread it out, took just one glance, and showed a look of "just as I thought." He then looked up at Zhou Jing, "I''ve memorized it!"


    "Hmm?"


    Zhou Jing was taken aback. He had memorized it in just two breaths? She frowned, already tagging Xiao Yun as arrogant and conceited, and said, "Since you''ve memorized it, then reproduce it from memory!"


    Xiao Yun meticulously picked up the brush and ink on the side.


    A moment later.


    An array diagram appeared before the two, identical to the assessment''s diagram without a doubt. S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhou Jing was surprised, frowning at him, "Have you seen this array diagram before?"


    Xiao Yun said, "You could say that!"


    "This..."


    Elder Zhou looked toward Yan Mingli beside him. Yan Mingli laughed and said, "This isn''t considered cheating... He did apply for two different institutes, didn''t he? Let him try the alchemy assessment!"


    "Then let it be so!"


    Elder Zhou nodded in agreement.


    Yan Mingli waved his hand and produced a bottle of elixir, placing it in front of Xiao Yun, and said, "Name three or more ingredients in this elixir!"


    Xiao Yun opened the bottle and took a gentle whiff, reciting as if enumerating his family treasures, "This is a first-grade elixir, Crane Face Elixir, which, if consumed regularly, can delay aging and maintain one''s youthful appearance. Its main ingredients are Serene Grass, Condensed Frost Dew, and Sun Moon Star Flower, and there are thirteen additional ingredients. Would you like me to list them all?"


    "This..."


    Yan Mingli was taken aback and looked at Elder Zhou.


    The two exchanged glances.


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    Both saw astonishment in each other''s eyes. After hesitating for a moment, Elder Zhou said, "Passed!"


    Yan Mingli said, "Passed!"


    "Phew!"


    Xiao Yun quietly breathed a sigh of relief and couldn''t help but glance next door, muttering to himself, "Ruan Yunyi, you must do as I said!"


    Meanwhile.


    Yu Huaxian and Little Lin were frowning as they looked at Ruan Yunyi in front of them. Given Ruan Yunyi''s current age and cultivation, he indeed did not meet the standards for entering the Xiaoshanhe Institute. They said with a hint of apology, "We are sorry, but you do not meet the criteria for discipleship at our Xiaoshanhe Institute, you..."


    "As expected, I didn''t pass, did I?"


    Ruan Yunyi''s face showed a hint of dejection.


    Just as he was about to leave, the words Xiao Yun had said earlier flashed through his mind.


    If he didn''t pass, he would strip off his clothes!


    "Damn it, I''m going all out!"


    Ruan Yunyi clenched his fists and steeled his heart.


    Right in front of Little Lin and Yu Huaxian, with a ripping sound, he stripped off all his clothes and pants. Closing his eyes tightly, he stood naked before them.


    Spurt!


    Yu Huaxian, who had just taken a sip of hot water, spat it out immediately, his face filled with utter bewilderment as he looked at the stark naked Ruan Yunyi standing in front of them. Just as he was about to scold him, he heard Little Lin, his eyes shining, exclaim, "Passed the assessment!"


    "What?"


    Yu Huaxian was completely baffled.


    A look of surprise also appeared on the blushing face of Ruan Yunyi, followed by an excited shout, "I passed, hahaha, I passed the assessment!" He quickly thanked them, "Thank you so much, both Elders, thank you..."


    While speaking, Ruan Yunyi ran excitedly towards the exit, "Elder Ren, I passed the assessment!"


    At the doorway.


    The sharp-faced youth who had mocked Ruan Yunyi before was bewildered as he watched the naked Ruan Yunyi run out, "Holy shit, he really passed the assessment? The Shanhe Court has such bizarre standards for accepting disciples? Just stripping naked is enough?"


    While thinking to himself.


    The youth walked in, faced Yu Huaxian and Little Lin, hesitated for a moment, then with a ripping sound, stripped off all his clothes, saying with a flattering face, "Elders, have I passed too?"


    Yu Huaxian, with a stiff face, turned to look at Little Lin, his mouth twitching, "Little Lin, this is... your call."


    Little Lin rolled his eyes, face dark as coal, and shouted lowly, "Get out!"


    Boom!


    A gust of wind arose.


    The naked youth was blown away, the scenery around him receding rapidly.


    He had never imagined that stripping naked would result in such dramatically different outcomes; Ruan Yunyi passed the assessment immediately, while he faced the complete opposite. The youth''s face was filled with confusion and bewilderment, "Why is this happening?"

 Chapter 417 - 417: Slap in the Face Hard

    "How could this happen?"


    The sharp-faced young man was slapped and flew away by Little Lin, his face filled with confusion and helplessness.


    He truly couldn''t understand why, both being stripped to the bare, Ruan Yunyi could pass the examination, yet he was slapped away?


    Just as puzzled was Yu Huaxian, who arched an eyebrow and looked at Little Lin coiled on the table, asking with confusion, "Little Lin, what exactly is going on here?"


    Little Lin''s amber eyes swept over Yu Huaxian, a human-like smile appeared on its face, "Are you asking me why I chose to accept him into my door upon seeing Ruan Yunyi''s body?"


    Yu Huaxian nodded.


    Ruan Yunyi''s talent and cultivation level were both insufficient to meet the standards of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    That was precisely why...


    he had been repeatedly turned away by the top ten sects. Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just now, Yu Huaxian and Little Lin had also seen that Ruan Yunyi''s talent was lacking, which is why they started to refuse, until Little Lin saw Ruan Yunyi''s body, then suddenly changed their minds.


    This truly made Yu Huaxian unable to understand.


    With a grin, Little Lin said, "You should directly ask boss when you see him! Hahaha, I didn''t expect to meet such a guy; it''s truly not a wasted trip... I sense the boss''s aura; he should be back. I''ll leave this place to you!"


    As it spoke, Little Lin turned into a streak of light, vanishing within the examination grounds.


    "Uh..."


    Yu Huaxian''s face was full of bewilderment.


    ...


    Inside the separate courtyard.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged.


    He was now preparing to visualize the core object for his Martial Dao Fasxiang and could temporarily put aside other cultivations, murmuring with his eyes half-closed, "I wonder what Xiao Tianjiao''s Martial Dao Fasxiang is like? How does it compare to the Iron Wing Chi Dragon and the Dragon and Tiger Seal?"


    "Boss, come out quick!"


    Little Lin''s voice came from outside the door, as it rushed into the courtyard. Upon seeing Xiao Yi in cultivation, it climbed onto his shoulder, baring two sharp venomous teeth in a proud smile, saying, "Boss, I have a huge surprise for you!"


    "A surprise?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, teasingly replied, "You have a surprise for me? Are you sure it''s not a scare?"


    Little Lin said dissatisfiedly, "Boss, do I look like that kind of person? Hurry up and follow me, it''s really a huge surprise, hehe..."


    Little Lin wriggled to Xiao Yi''s wrist, wrapping around it as they flew out toward the outside.


    Xiao Yi said helplessly, "Don''t pull, I''ll go with you, okay?"


    A moment later.


    The two arrived at the martial arts field.


    At this moment, there were already many new disciples who had passed the examination, gathering around sporadically.


    In the center of the martial arts field stood ten square formations, neat and distinct, with not a sound from the thousands of people.


    As if they were all one entity.


    Each person''s body was tense, statue-like, and completely still.


    Standing between heaven and earth, like tens of thousands of divine swords slicing the sky.


    Sharp beyond measure, proudly standing against the sky!


    These were the disciples and functionaries of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, trained by Shadow Demon and others, and the disciples increasingly behaved with military-like order and discipline. This was what Xiao Yi demanded. In his view, if even the most basic discipline couldn''t be ensured, how could the unity of a sect be elevated?


    The new recruits watching the formations in the center of the martial arts field were all shocked and confused, "Isn''t this too terrifying?"


    "Why do I feel like I''ve entered a military camp?"


    "No, they''re even more terrifying than the soldiers in the military camp; in addition to terrifying discipline, each one of them is a genius!"


    "With such strict discipline in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, plus the teaching of Hall Master Xiao and the elders, why wouldn''t we be strong? It seems we made the right choice coming here..."


    Amidst the whispering.


    Ruan Yunyi, still hung up on what had happened before and feeling ashamed for passing the examination in such a manner, seemed to see increasingly strange looks from everyone around, "Ren, why do I feel like everyone''s looking at me weirdly?"


    Xiao Yun waved his hand with a smile, "You''re overthinking it. No one cares about how you passed the examination!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking.


    In the crowd, someone pointed at Ruan Yunyi and whispered, "Have you heard? That unlucky star, Ruan Yunyi, actually stripped naked in front of the examiners, and only then did he pass the assessment and get into the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "No way? Could it be that the examiner has that kind of preference?"


    "This Ruan Yunyi really knows how to go all out!"


    Xiao Yun: "Uh..."


    Ruan Yunyi, with a face as morose as if he were at a funeral, wished he could dig a hole and bury himself.


    Observing the despair on his face, Xiao Yun patted Ruan Yunyi on the shoulder and leaned in to whisper, "Little brother, your Ren would never harm you. These people are mocking you now, but they''ll be tripping over themselves with envy later!"


    "Envy me?"


    Ruan Yunyi gave a bitter smile and shook his head, "Ren, I know you''re just trying to comfort me... What''s there to envy about me..."


    Xiao Yun said, "Who knows, you might have caught the attention of some Hall Master, or even Xiao himself, and become their disciple?"


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    Before Ruan Yunyi could speak, a young man beside him with a scholar''s fan and a graceful demeanor couldn''t help but laugh, "Excuse me, I really couldn''t hold it in..."


    He bowed to Xiao Yun and Ruan Yunyi and then turned to the crowd, announcing loudly, "Did you all hear that? An old geezer in his seventies who''s only in the Physical Body Realm, and a jinx who passed the assessment by stripping, are delusional enough to think about becoming disciples of Xiao! Hahaha..."


    "Are you kidding me? Him becoming a disciple under Xiao?"


    "He probably doesn''t know who is under Xiao, right? Battle War Holy Body Ye Heng, the top genius in combat, Jin Feiyan, and even seven-star Array Masters and Alchemists are just nominal disciples..."


    "For this jinx to think he could become a disciple under Xiao? That is sheer delusion!"


    Facing the crowd''s mockery.


    Ruan Yunyi''s face turned deathly pale, and he humbly bowed his head as though the weight of a towering mountain was pressing down on his spine, bending it.


    But at that moment...


    Slap!


    A palm struck firmly against his back, straightening his increasingly hunched frame. Xiao Yun glared at the crowd, "Who said it''s delusional? Dreams are necessary; what if they come true?"


    The crowd mocked, "Dreams? He''ll have to dream it in his sleep. Does he really think it will come true?"


    "I''m dying of laughter..."


    Ruan Yunyi felt his face burning with shame and heat. He tugged at Xiao Yun, "Ren, Ren, don''t argue with them..."


    Dragging Xiao Yun away by force.


    All of this fell into Xiao Yi''s eyes, and he felt a twinge of curiosity seeing the pair. Logically, with their talent, it would have been hard for them to pass the assessment. Yet here they were, and from what he could gather from the conversation, Ruan Yunyi even stripped in front of the examiners?


    Little Lin, seeing Xiao Yi''s confusion, grinned and said, "Boss, you''ve guessed what my present is, right?"


    Xiao Yi, startled, frowned and said, "The kid just now?"


    "Nailed it, boss!"


    Little Lin smirked widely, flicking his tail toward Ruan Yunyi and proudly declared, "This guy is the disciple I picked out especially for you, boss. Can you tell what''s so special about him?"


    "Not a Sacred Body, and with his age, his cultivation talent can only be considered average..."


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "I don''t see it!"


    Little Lin chuckled, looking triumphantly at Xiao Yi, "I''ll call him over now!"


    Shortly after.


    A confused and excited Ruan Yunyi followed Little Lin to Xiao Yi.


    The surrounding crowd, seeing Ruan Yunyi approaching Xiao Yi, were all baffled, "Isn''t that Xiao himself? Could it be that Ruan Yunyi has really caught his eye?"


    "No way? Is this jinx really going to become a disciple under Xiao?"


    The handsome young man who had been ridiculing Ruan Yunyi and Xiao Yun earlier dropped his fan in shock, his face filled with disbelief: "How can this be? How could he possibly catch Xiao''s eye..."


    Xiao Yun, looking at him with a mocking smile, said, "I told you, dreams are necessary. What if they come true?"


    "..."


    The young man felt his face burning with a fiery sting.


    As if he had just been slapped across the face dozens of times!


    That hurt!

 Chapter 418 - 418 Body of Misfortune

    In the crowd.


    Aside from Xiao Yi and Little Lin, even the group of elders, stewards, and the old generation of Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples were looking on with faces full of astonishment.


    Xiao Yi''s name had long since been engraved in their hearts.


    Especially in the eyes of the people of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi was like a divine sovereign.


    His authority was immense and unshakable!


    Let alone the disciples, even the elders and stewards were tremendously eager to become his disciples, to be under Xiao Yi''s command, even if only as a nominal disciple. This could be seen from the examples of Chen Ziyi, Li Youruo, and Fu Yuan.


    Under Xiao Yi''s guidance, Chen Ziyi and Li Youruo broke through the constraints of many years and stepped into the ranks of Seven-Star Array Masters.


    Fu Yuan had even become a Seven-Star Senior Alchemist.


    Only one step away from becoming an Eight-Star Alchemy Grandmaster!


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    All these achievements were made under Xiao Yi''s guidance. Without his advice, it''s doubtful that they would have reached their current level of accomplishment even after a few hundred years. As for the path of cultivation, the rapid progress of Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan was also witnessed by everyone.


    There was a saying within Xiaoshanhe Institute: There are no mediocre talents under the headmaster!


    Even a rotten piece of wood, once in Xiao Yi''s hands, could be transformed!


    The fact that Ruan Yunyi, who was shunned and avoided by the ten major sects, could garner Xiao Yi''s favor, truly shocked and incredulous to the crowd.


    "Xiao, Headmaster Xiao!"


    Ruan Yunyi appeared quite awkward, respectfully performing a greeting to Xiao Yi and Little Lin.


    Little Lin also held the position of a hall master in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and since he followed Xiao Yi''s surname, it was not wrong to refer to him as Hall Master Xiao.


    Little Lin nodded with satisfaction, smiling and said, "Ruan Yunyi, I specifically introduced you to the headmaster so he would take you as his disciple. You can''t let me down now!"


    "Ah?"


    Ruan Yunyi looked dumbfounded, staring at Little Lin in disbelief.


    To become a disciple of Xiao Yi?


    Is that even possible?


    Xiao Yi was the hottest figure in the Great Qian Dynasty, did he have the qualifications to be his disciple?


    Xiao Yi also frowned, but instead of directly contradicting Little Lin, he stated indifferently, "Whether you can become my disciple depends on your performance."


    His gaze swept toward Little Lin.


    Little Lin chuckled, "Ruan Yunyi, take off your shirt."


    "Ah? Oh!"


    Ruan Yunyi instinctively complied, removing his shirt. On his chest was a black birthmark that resembled a sunken skull. Xiao Yi''s pupils sharply contracted as he gazed intently at Ruan Yunyi, "Ruan Yunyi, did you have this birthmark from birth, or did it appear later?"


    Ruan Yunyi was startled.


    He subconsciously glanced at his own chest and lamented, "I''ve had it since I was born, and as I grew up, it''s gotten bigger."


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment before pointing his finger.


    Hum!


    The vital energy entered Ruan Yunyi''s body but was soon absorbed by the black skull birthmark.


    That bit of vital energy disappeared without a trace, as if thrown into the sea.


    "Just as I thought!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shone, staring at Ruan Yunyi and declared, "Ruan Yunyi, are you willing to take me as your master? Of course, for now, you can only be a nominal disciple. Once you break through to the Golden Core Realm, I will accept you as an official disciple. Are you willing?"


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    Ruan Yunyi felt as if heaven was playing a colossal joke on him.


    Plagued by bad luck since childhood, none of the ten major sects wanted him.


    And now...


    The illustrious Xiao Yi actually wanted to take him as a disciple?


    Little Lin urged, "Aren''t you going to kneel and swear fealty quickly?"


    Thump!


    Ruan Yunyi hastily knelt down and called out loud, "Disciple Ruan Yunyi greets his master!"


    "Rise."


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly; Ruan Yunyi had a very special physique called the Body of Misfortune.


    The owners of the Body of Misfortune typically encountered bad luck from childhood to adulthood.


    And no matter how they cultivated, most of their energy would be swallowed by the black skull on their chest. If not controlled, by the time this skull spread over the entire body, that would mark their end. However, Xiao Yi had inherited Dao Yan''s legacy, which contained methods to control the Body of Misfortune and turn waste into treasure.


    Xiao Yi took out the scroll of the "Cultivation Technique of the Calamitous Poison Body" from his storage ring and handed it to Ruan Yunyi.


    Since taking control of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, he had transcribed many volumes from Dao Yan''s legacy to facilitate bestowing them upon the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    This "Calamity Poison Body" is one such scroll.


    "Thank you, Master, for bestowing the cultivation technique!" Ruan Yunyi said excitedly.


    The powerful figures around could not help but exhibit looks of envy and jealousy.


    But they were also helpless.


    After all.


    Ruan Yunyi was now a disciple of Xiao Yi, and they dared not mock and ridicule him as they had done before.


    Of course...


    What this world never lacks are those with stubborn heads. The young man with the fan and the elegant scarf, Tang Feihu, stepped forward angrily and said with a stiff neck, "I am not convinced!"


    Within the crowd.


    Even with the daily training by the likes of the Shadow Demon, which kept them from any undisciplined behavior, there were still quite a few people who showed the same unconvinced expression.


    After all.


    This was the matter of becoming a disciple under Xiao Yi.


    If it were someone with extraordinary talent, they might advance by leaps and bounds in a short period of time.


    If it fell into Ruan Yunyi''s hands, it would likely be a waste of time and the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s resources. Soon, many powerful figures began to speak up, "Headmaster, we are not convinced, why should he become your disciple?"


    "What about this jinx makes him any better than us? We are not convinced!"


    One by one, the strong figures shouted out.


    Under the shouts of the crowd, Ruan Yunyi''s face had turned pale, his eyes seeking help as they landed on Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi looked at the people expressionlessly and said calmly, "It seems that you all feel you are better than Ruan Yunyi?"


    "That''s right!"


    "How could this jinx be compared with me? I am definitely superior!"


    "Please, Headmaster, retract your decision and reserve this precious disciple position for us!"


    Facing the crowd''s arguments, Xiao Yi asked with a smile, "Do you all think so?"


    Almost over two-thirds of the strong figures nodded immediately.


    As for the rest, although they hesitated, they did not deny it.


    Xiao Yi smiled and continued, "What if I told you that Ruan Yunyi''s talent surpasses all of you here, would you believe it?"


    "Ah?"


    "How could that be possible?"


    "If his talent were really that high, why would the ten major sects have rejected him?"


    Ye Heng stepped out of the crowd, touched his nose, and said indifferently, "I too was once called trash, but after meeting the Master, I found out that I am the legendary Battle War Holy Body!"


    Jin Feiyan yawned; she had just returned from training behind the mountain, looking a bit tired, but her voice was still loud, "I always thought my movement technique was strong until I met the Master. Only then did I realize that my technique was merely at the beginner level. The methods mastered by the Master are not something we can fathom. If he intends to take Ruan Yunyi as his disciple, there must be a reason!"


    Ignoring everyone''s words, Tang Feihu shouted loudly, "Headmaster, this disciple, Tang Feihu, considers himself to be far superior to Ruan Yunyi in both talent and character. I believe I am more suitable to be your disciple!"


    "Tang Feihu?"


    "Legend has it that he is a descendant of one of the four great talents of the past, Tang Pu, the unparalleled poet and painter. Tang Feihu, with dual excellence in poetry and painting, enters the way of the sword, a rare talent indeed!"


    "It''s unexpected that even a descendant of Tang Pu has come to seek the Xiaoshanhe Institute and wishes to become a disciple under Headmaster Xiao; Headmaster Xiao is truly powerful!"


    The crowd exclaimed in surprise.


    The identity of Tang Feihu was indeed shocking, even Xiao Yi was somewhat surprised.


    Tang Pu.


    This person was once as famous as the life-taking scholar, Jin Wuheng. As his descendant, Tang Feihu was indeed a rare genius, capable of mastering the way through poetry and painting.


    Listining to the hushed conversations around him, Tang Feihu''s face was beaming with pride.


    He slightly lifted his chin as if he had already seen Xiao Yi regretting deeply, rejecting Ruan Yunyi, and thus taking him as his disciple!


    However...


    Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "You are not his match!"


    "Huh?"


    Tang Feihu''s face stiffened, and he looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "Headmaster, do you know what you are saying? You are actually refusing me? I am the descendant of Tang Pu, unparalleled in poetry and painting as I enter the way of the sword, and you say I am not his match? Are you blind..."


    "Shut up!"


    Before Xiao Yi could speak, a usually weak Ruan Yunyi suddenly roared out, glaring furiously at Tang Feihu, "You can insult me, but you may not insult the Master!"


    Tang Feihu angrily retorted, "Go to hell, you piece of trash..."


    Ruan Yunyi''s face turned crimson, the veins on his neck throbbing violently as he stared down Tang Feihu, his eyes emitting a cold glint that seemed to pick its target, and suddenly let out the loudest voice he had ever used in his lifetime, "I challenge you!"

 Chapter 419 - 419: Worthless as Dog Fart!

    "Good!"


    Tang Feihu let out a cold snort, a confident smile on his face as he bowed to Xiao Yi and said, "Principal, if I can defeat Ruan Yunyi, may I become your disciple?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Ruan Yunyi, "Have you thought it through?"


    Tang Feihu''s cultivation was far superior to Ruan Yunyi''s. From any aspect, Ruan Yunyi had no chance of winning.


    Ruan Yunyi nodded vigorously, his eyes filled with unprecedented determination: "I have thought it through, disciple. If I were to become master''s disciple, yet only bring shame upon you, it would be better for me to scram as early as possible. Since my master believes in me, I absolutely cannot let you down. Even if it leads to my death, I will fight him with everything I''ve got!"


    "Very well, I really didn''t misjudge you!"


    Xiao Yi nodded approvingly, patting Ruan Yunyi on the shoulder: "Go on, then. Prove yourself to everyone!"


    "Yes, Master!"


    Ruan Yunyi wiped the tears from his face, straightened his back, and stared down Tang Feihu: "Come at me!"


    "Ruan Yunyi, don''t say that I, Tang Feihu, am bullying you. I will suppress my cultivation to the same realm as yours. I will let the principal see that choosing you as his disciple was a misjudgment!" Tang Feihu was arrogant, his cultivation actually at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, yet now he forcefully suppressed it to the Third Layer of the Divine Passage Realm.


    Boom!


    Tang Feihu suddenly lunged forward, pouncing towards Ruan Yunyi like a ravenous beast.


    Ruan Yunyi tumbled out of the way in response.


    ��The two of them fought in a tumble at the center of the sparring ground��


    A few figures landed beside Xiao Yi, it was none other than Shadow Demon and Fu Yuan, who both bowed respectfully towards Xiao Yi: "Greetings, Principal!"


    "Mmh!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, smiling, "What brings you here?"


    Shadow Demon replied: "The commotion here was so lively, it attracted us over. Principal, I heard you are considering taking Ruan Yunyi as your disciple?"


    Xiao Yi hummed in affirmation.


    Shadow Demon stopped short as if he had more to say, but it was Fu Yuan who spoke up: "Principal, I think this matter still warrants some discussion! This Ruan Yunyi really is somewhat lacking and doesn''t compare to Tang Feihu''s excellence!"


    Xiao Yi looked at them with an odd expression: "Do you both believe so?"


    They nodded at the same time.


    Shadow Demon spoke with gravity: "Tang Feihu is a descendant of Tang Pu, his swordsmanship, blending poetry and painting, is so talented that it is not even inferior to Ye Heng''s. As for that Ruan Yunyi... I genuinely cannot see what makes him extraordinary!"


    Fu Yuan agreed: "What Shadow Demon said is right, that Ruan Yunyi indeed falls short. In this battle, he is bound to lose!"


    Xiao Yi smiled confidently, "He will not lose!"


    "..."


    The two of them looked at each other, about to speak.


    But just then...


    A series of exclamations suddenly erupted from the crowd: "This is impossible!"


    "I must be seeing things!" S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the midst of the sparring ground.


    Facing Tang Feihu''s relentless onslaught, Ruan Yunyi was beaten down again and again, yet he kept getting back up, his face covered in blood, and showed no signs of backing down.


    The will to fight in his eyes became stronger and stronger, and he kept muttering to himself, "I cannot let my master down!"


    "I must win!"


    "I have to win..."


    Boom!


    The terrifying will to fight, the overwhelming desire for victory, caused the black skull on Ruan Yunyi''s chest to suddenly blaze with a dazzling black light.


    His pupils, including the whites of his eyes, turned entirely pitch-black.


    He became like a mad demon.


    A black aura emanated from his body, and no matter how Tang Feihu attacked, he never showed any hint of backing down.


    This was the strong resilience Ruan Yunyi had developed over the years from constant oppression and bullying, and now, with the boundless longing for victory, he had begun to awaken the power of the Body of Misfortune within him.


    When the black energy attached itself, it was able to absorb the energy produced by the opponent''s attacks.


    The fiercer the battle, the braver they became!


    The more they fought, the stronger they became!


    As the fight progressed, however, Tang Feihu''s internal energy continued to deplete.


    One''s loss was another''s gain.


    After dozens of rounds...


    Tang Feihu''s internal energy was completely drained by Ruan Yunyi; exhausted, he was sent flying with a punch from Ruan Yunyi.


    Thud!


    Ruan Yunyi stepped on Tang Feihu''s chest, his eyes pitch black, "You lost!"


    Hiss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp, their faces filled with shock as they watched the scene unfold.


    The underestimated Ruan Yunyi had actually won?


    This was simply a miracle!


    Tang Feihu''s face turned ashen, and with a wry smile, he shook his head, "You won�� the Institute''s Head''s judgment was indeed correct."


    Whoosh!


    The black energy around Ruan Yunyi retracted back into his body, and he looked excitedly at Xiao Yi, "Master, I didn''t let you down!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and nodded, then looked towards Shadow Demon and Fu Yuan, "See, he won, didn''t he!"


    "Institute''s Head, you must have long recognized that he is the Body of Misfortune, right?"


    Fu Yuan gave a bitter smile.


    Body of Misfortune? You mean to say Ruan Yunyi is the Body of Misfortune, on par with the top ten Sacred Bodies?" Shadow Demon was astonished.


    First, Ye Heng, now Ruan Yunyi!


    Both are either Sacred Bodies or entities on par with Sacred Bodies!


    Yet no one else had been able to see their special qualities; only Xiao Yi had the keen vision to unearth them from the vast sea of people. Such acumen could make countless proud and highly regarded powerhouses feel ashamed!


    "I heard that the top ten sects all turned Ruan Yunyi away from their doors�� If they knew that this Ruan Yunyi was a Body of Misfortune, comparable to a Sacred Body, I wonder what their expressions would be like��" Shadow Demon suddenly said with a strange smirk.


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder, "That will depend on you, Hall Master Ying, to see to what realm you can help Ruan Yunyi break through before the Ancestral Worship Ceremony!"


    "Ah? Me?"


    Shadow Demon was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "Next I need to prepare for the breakthrough to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and I won''t have much time to guide his cultivation. This task is now yours!"


    "��"


    Shadow Demon looked grievously at Xiao Yi, "Institute''s Head, be honest with me, have I offended you in some way? Are you taking revenge on me?"


    Whoever messes with the Body of Misfortune is in for bad luck, let alone guiding its cultivation. It would be fatal if one isn''t careful!


    "Am I that kind of person?"


    Xiao Yi laughed it off. Then, looking at the astounded and shocked faces all around, his booming voice echoed across the training grounds, "I know some among you still feel unconvinced, thinking that Ruan Yunyi doesn''t deserve to be my disciple, believing you are stronger and more exceptional than he is, isn''t that right?"


    The crowd remained silent.


    But their eyes were all telling Xiao Yi that was exactly what they thought.


    Nowadays, the requirements for admitting disciples at Xiaoshanhe Institute were by no means less demanding than the top ten sects, and anyone who passed the assessment was indeed a genius among their respective families and forces.


    From their childhood...


    They had lived in the midst of praise, imbued with a sense of superiority far beyond their peers.


    Now, they found themselves surpassed by a person despised as a harbinger of disaster, how could they accept this? Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    Seeing the stubbornness and disdain on the faces of the crowd, Xiao Yi shook his head slightly, his expression suddenly turning cold as he chided them word by word, "In my eyes, at least for now, compared to Ruan Yunyi, you lot are not even worth dogshit!"

 Chapter 420 - 420: The Youth Has Their Own Wild Ways!

    "You are all utterly worthless!"


    Xiao Yi''s words plunged the training ground into a moment of silence.


    Immediately afterward, the disciples erupted completely...


    "Headmaster, I don''t accept this!"


    "On what basis can you say that about us?"


    "We won''t accept this..."


    The crowd shouted in unison.


    "You don''t accept it?"


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "Let me ask you, if you had encountered a life like Ruan Yunyi''s, could you have endured until now?"


    This question sent shivers down many spines.


    Ruan Yunyi''s life?


    His parents had died early, and the whole village treated him as a harbinger of doom, showering him with disdain!


    The relative who had taken care of him passed away, and everyone saw him as a disaster that would bring bad luck, expelling him from the village, leaving him utterly alone to struggle for survival!


    Seeking refuge among the various powers, he hit a wall everywhere...


    He became the widely despised harbinger of death, with no one to take him in.


    It could be said that the most miserable things one could experience in life had all happened to him.


    Such a life could drive countless people to despair!


    Some would even choose to end their own lives.


    But Ruan Yunyi didn''t! Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    He still lived tenaciously, supported himself with his own hands, and in order to change his fate, he failed again and again, but each time he stood up again, pursuing the Martial Tao that belonged to him.


    "Ruan Yunyi''s life is like this, yet he still persisted and made it to where he is today. Just for that, how many of you can compare?" Xiao Yi''s voice was resonant, each word striking to the heart.


    "..."


    Everyone could not help but lower their heads, speechless.


    They realized that if they had experienced these things, they would probably have already been crushed by the cruel reality.


    How could they possibly be standing here?


    For a moment.


    Everyone''s attitude towards Ruan Yunyi underwent a drastic change.


    Xiao Yi, seeing this change, showed a gratified smile on his face.


    "Since you''ve joined Xiaoshanhe Institute, as the headmaster, I should impart some words to you all!"


    Xiao Yi, seeing everyone''s gazes converging on him, coughed lightly twice, and then his vigorous voice echoed over the training ground like thunderous rolling thunder: "When the red sun rises, its path is brilliantly illuminated. The river flows from its source, rushing forth into a vast ocean."


    Everyone felt a tingling sensation on their scalps.


    It was as if an infinite ocean appeared before their eyes, with the red sun rising above it, casting half of the Azure Sea into a reddish hue.


    "The hidden dragon soars from the abyss, phoenix claws take flight; tiger cubs roar in the valley, all beasts tremble in fright!"


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    One by one, the strong figures all raised their heads to look at Xiao Yi.


    Gazing at him.


    With fiery, resolute gazes, filled with the will to fight.


    Hidden dragons, tiger cubs!


    Weren''t they, the disciples training in Xiaoshanhe Institute, just like the dragons from the abyss, tiger cubs among the mountains? Wait for the opportune moment, and hidden dragons will soar to the heavens; tiger cubs will climb high, roar over vast expanses, subdue a hundred beasts, and proclaim ''I alone am king''!


    Isn''t that speaking of them?


    "Each young person has their own wildness!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice grew even more powerful, impassioned, each word striking, his speech cadenced and inspiring, lifting everyone''s spirits, "With a backbone as sturdy as the mountains and rivers; daring to measure the sun and moon anew; today only I, the youth, can question; daring to test my edge against the heavens and earth!"


    "Who can stand in my way as I push through thorns and thickets?"


    "Let the world laugh, I will strengthen myself!"


    "No matter what setbacks you have faced or are currently facing, as long as you aim for the light, do not forget your initial resolve, and strive towards your goals, one day you will surely achieve them! I hope that one day you can contend with the heavens and earth for years, vie with Myriad Paths for eternal life..."


    Boom!


    Those words were like a drop of ice water splattering into boiling oil.


    Atop the martial arts field.


    One powerful individual after another reddened in the face and neck, their eyes blazing with a fiery combativeness.


    Their gazes towards Xiao Yi were like those one would give to a deity!


    Beyond their feverish veneration was a belief as firm as faith itself.


    Those steadfast stares made Shadow Demon and Fu Yuan exchange looks, both swallowing hard and saying, "Worthy of the Institute''s headmaster, just a few words were all it took to completely subdue these youngsters!"


    "These words just now have even set this old man''s blood boiling!" Fu Yuan also felt moved.


    Youth is the time of blooming splendor.


    It is also the age of harboring dreams and ambitions!


    Which young man doesn''t wish to transform into a dragon and soar to the skies?


    Which young man doesn''t desire to clear paths through brambles, unstoppable by any?


    Before this.


    Xiao Yi had only used his battle achievements to command respect from these proud disciples.


    After today.


    Xiao Yi had truly become the idol and goal they worshipped and chased in their hearts, even a spiritual deity, and no one could shake Xiao Yi''s place in their hearts.


    "Excellent, the madness of youth is its own, the world laughs and I grow stronger on my own..."


    Yang Ling approached with a face full of admiration and emotion, the words of praise coming from his lips.


    Xiao Yi smiled and stepped forward, "Your Highness, what brings you here today?"


    Yang Ling glanced at the people on the martial arts field and said, "May I have a word in private?"


    "Just a moment!"


    Xiao Yi called over Shadow Demon and Fu Yuan, instructing, "I''ll leave this place to you..." He paused, then pointed at Xiao Yun, "Senior Fu, let that fellow called Xiao Yun follow your tutelage for now!"


    "Yes!"


    The two nodded in agreement to take on the task and then bowed their hands to Yang Ling.


    Xiao Yi led Yang Ling back to the private courtyard.


    Yang Ling began, "My visit is mainly for two matters. The first is that Father Emperor told me to inform you that he has been communicating with the National Guardian Beast Ironwing Chi Dragon, and you should be able to meet with it in the next few days. The second matter, I hope you can accompany me to the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect!"


    Emperor Qian had promised Xiao Yi the encounter with the Ironwing Chi Dragon long ago.


    That didn''t surprise Xiao Yi.


    But for Yang Ling to ask him to go to the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect?


    Xiao Yi asked with curiosity, "The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect? What for?"


    The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect was renowned for beast taming, and many of the beasts in the Great Qian Dynasty''s army were subdued and provided by the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    Yang Ling spoke gravely, "The ancestral worship ceremony is about to begin... You should know that within the ceremony, there is a literary tribute, and this year''s tribute will determine the winner between me and the elder prince!"


    The ancestral worship ceremony is divided into literary, martial, and the final heaven worship tributes.


    The literary tribute is where all the major powers present their prepared offerings upon the altar, and the most valuable amongst them wins lavish rewards.


    And this particular ceremony is quite special.


    There are rumors that Emperor Qian will choose the next Crown Prince during this ceremony, and anyone who shines there would surely earn extra points in the battle for succession.


    Yang Ling and Crown Prince Yang Kun are the two princes currently most likely to vie for the Crown Prince title under Emperor Qian.


    Without exaggeration...


    This literary tribute will decide the outcome between the two, and the victor stands a great chance to claim the Crown Prince''s position.


    Yang Ling continued, "The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect has a peak sixth-tier demonic beast, a Mo Jiao that''s said to have acquired a strange illness, with little time left to live. The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect has put out a call that whoever can cure the Mo Jiao can make any request of them. I know you understand the art of alchemy and I hope you can accompany me on this trip..."


    Ten years to be a snake, a hundred to be a python, a thousand to be a Jiao, ten thousand to turn into a dragon.


    This Mo Jiao is an extremely powerful and precious demonic beast.


    If it can be cured.


    And then borrowed to present as an offering at the literary tribute.


    The Crown Prince''s seat would be as good as his. S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Facing Yang Ling''s request, Xiao Yi pondered for a moment; this Mo Jiao was indeed powerful, and since he himself did not have a Martial Tao Skill visualization object yet, a visit wouldn''t hurt, he then nodded in agreement, "Alright, I''ll go with you!"

 Chapter 421 - 421: Strong Counterattack

    Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    Located within the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range.


    The entire mountain range was demarcated as the territory of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, raising millions of beasts.


    Apart from cultivating powerful beasts, the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect also bred creatures like the Python Blood Horse, the Flying Sky Jackal Wolf, the Dual-winged Demon Tiger, etc., for military use, as well as various birds and beasts suitable for riding. These beasts were then sold to the military of the Great Qian Dynasty, or to private commerce and so on.


    Of course.


    Beyond these, the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect also possessed many powerful guardian beasts.


    Just like the Ink Jiao that Yang Ling mentioned.


    Ten years to become a snake, a hundred years a python, a thousand years a jiao, ten thousand years to transform into a dragon.


    The Ink Jiao of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect had existed for over five thousand years and its cultivation had reached the sixth-order peak, possessing combat strength comparable to a human at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    However...


    Lately, this Ink Jiao of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect had been hanging by a thread. S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even the beast cultivation experts of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect were at a loss.


    This provided Yang Ling with an opportunity.


    Xiao Yi accompanied Yang Ling to the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, where two sixth-order low-level beasts were stationed at the gate.


    Yang Ling had already made contact with the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, and he entered the Ten Thousand Life Mountain Range without any obstacles.


    "Yang Ling, your Highness, my apologies for not meeting you from afar. Please forgive me!"


    The one approaching was Shen Yan, the Vice Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, with a mild smile on his face. He glanced at Xiao Yi with a hint of confusion, "And this is?"


    "Vice Sect Leader Shen!"


    Yang Ling saluted Shen Yan and then introduced, "This is Xiao, the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Oh! So it is Head Xiao, I have long admired your reputation!"


    Shen Yan promptly looked towards Xiao Yi, sizing him up from head to toe. Although at this moment Xiao Yi was merely at the Tao Tribulation Realm and he was a true Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak, Shen Yan did not show the slightest hint of contempt, saying with a gentle smile, "With Head Xiao''s esteemed presence, our Ten Thousand Beasts Sect is honored!"


    "Vice Sect Leader Shen is too kind. Let''s go see the Ink Jiao," said Xiao Yi with a wave of his hand.


    Shen Yan''s face showed a trace of difficulty.


    Yang Ling frowned and asked, "Vice Sect Leader Shen, is there something troubling you?"


    Shen Yan hesitated, about to speak, when a cold voice came from behind them: "There''s nothing troubling. It''s just that we no longer need your services here. Vice Sect Leader Shen is probably struggling with how to send you back!"


    "Hmm?"


    Hearing that voice, Yang Ling''s expression abruptly changed.


    He turned his head with difficulty.


    He saw a figure striding towards them, someone who bore a slight resemblance to him but appeared much more mature and domineering in both words and demeanor.


    This person was the Crown Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, Yang Kun.


    He had trained in the Tianjian Sect since he was young and was even a direct disciple of the Sect Leader of Tianjian Sect.


    At the same time...


    He was also the formidable rival competing with Yang Ling for the position of Crown Prince.


    Standing before Yang Ling, Yang Kun sneered coldly, his eyes narrowed, "What''s the matter? Have you forgotten how to greet your royal brother before you even became the Crown Prince?"


    "Your servant pays respects to the Great Crown Prince!"


    Yang Ling took a deep breath and responded to Yang Kun, turning his attention to Xiao Yi, "This is..."


    "Did I allow you to introduce him?"


    Yang Kun scoffed, cutting off Yang Ling''s words. He looked over at Xiao Yi with a side-eye, curling the corner of his mouth into a faintly cold and mocking smile, "So you''re the worthless younger brother of Xiao Tianjiao, Xiao Yi? I''ve heard your management of the Xiaoshanhe Institute isn''t bad, which makes you quite suitable to be a dog of our imperial family. From now on, follow me! As long as you serve me well, I will put in a good word for you with Xiao Tianjiao. On account of my face, perhaps he won''t make things difficult for you..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed involuntarily as he scrutinized Yang Kun, saying coldly, "Keep babbling, and I''ll shut that filthy mouth of yours forever!"


    Yang Kun: "..." Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire


    Yang Ling: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Yang Kun pointed at himself, disbelievingly looking at Xiao Yi, "Are you... speaking to me?"


    He was, after all, the Great Crown Prince!


    He was also the direct disciple of the Tianjian Sect Leader and the senior brother of Xiao Tianjiao!


    Even someone as strong as Shen Yan would respectfully call him Great Crown Prince Your Highness in his presence.


    He found it unimaginable that Xiao Yi, a mere Tao Tribulation Realm cultivator, would dare to speak to him like this.


    Yang Kun glared furiously, staring intently at Xiao Yi, "You''re looking for death!"


    "You can try and see who dies first!" Xiao Yi replied, neither servile nor overbearing.


    If one does not offend me, I will not offend them; but if I am offended, I shall offend in return!


    This was his principle of conduct.


    Since Yang Kun had been sarcastically mocking and squeezing him out from the moment he arrived, why should Xiao Yi give hm any face?


    "Cut off his tongue for me..." Yang Kun turned his gaze towards a strong practitioner of the Dharma Manifestation Realm''s fifth level standing behind him.


    "Yes!"


    The Tianjian Sect disciple approached with a malicious smile, and with a clang, a silver hook shot out from his sleeve, sneering sinisterly, "Kid, do you spit out your tongue by yourself, or shall I hook it out and cut it off for you?"


    "Cut your bullshit!"


    Xiao Yi uttered in an expressionless tone.


    "Seeking death!"


    The young man''s eyes were fierce as he swung his hand, and the iron hook with the flashing cold light headed straight for Xiao Yi''s mouth.


    "Be careful!"


    Yang Ling''s expression changed.


    Yang Kun laughed contemptuously, "Wu Lin''s ''Iron Drawing Silver Hook'' has long been practiced to the transformation stage, capable of hooking anything. Xiao Yi''s tongue won''t be saved."


    However...


    Just as the silver hook was about to slash open Xiao Yi''s mouth and hook onto his tongue, the hook abruptly stopped mid-air.


    "Uh..."


    Everyone was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi was seen holding the hook in one hand, his gaze ice-cold, as if frost was condensing, he shouted lightly, "Since you like hooking other people''s tongues so much, hook out your own first."


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi, still holding the iron hook, swiftly moved behind Wu Lin.


    With his left hand, he reached out, grasping Wu Lin''s throat.


    At the same time, he flicked the iron hook...


    Spurt!


    Amidst the spurt of blood, the hook caught Wu Lin''s tongue and with a violent tug pulled it out.


    An entire tongue, along with the root, was ripped out.


    It fell to the ground with a plop.


    Wu Lin, with both hands covering his bloody mouth, lay on the ground, screaming in agony, but without a tongue, he could not make any sound.


    Hiss!


    Yang Kun: "..."


    Yang Ling: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    No one had anticipated Xiao Yi''s move to be so decisive, nor had they expected his retaliation to be so forceful.


    You wanted to cut off my tongue.


    I will pull yours out by the root.


    Yang Kun''s face turned shades of green and white, grinding his teeth, he word by word said, "You''re seeking death!"


    "Your Highness, please, calm your anger..."


    Shen Yan hurriedly stepped forward to mediate.


    This place was the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    If Xiao Yi and Yang Kun were to conflict here, no matter who got injured from both sides, the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect would be caught up in no small trouble.


    "Vice Sect Leader Shen, this is none of your business, better step aside..." Yang Kun said with a ferocious face.


    Xiao Yi remained expressionless.


    This made Yang Kun feel deeply insulted, his face darkening as he clenched his teeth furiously, "I must kill him!"


    Shen Yan''s face was bitter, about to speak, but then he saw a figure rushing over in a fluster, his face full of unease and agitation, "Vice Sect Leader Shen, something terrible has happened, Mo Jiao can''t hold on much longer!"

 Chapter 422 - 422 You Lost!

    "The Moke is dying!"


    The person who hurried over in a rush was precisely a disciple of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, tasked with caring for the Moke on a daily basis.


    "What?"


    Shen Yan''s face suddenly changed.


    Yang Ling and Yang Kun also showed signs of urgency; they had come here specifically for the Moke.


    If the Moke died, then their previous efforts would have been in vain.


    With this thought.


    Yang Kun could no longer fight with Xiao Yi and said in a deep voice, "Vice Sect Leader Shen, please take us to see the Moke..." He pointed to an old man behind him with white hair and beard, yet spirited, "This is the number one Alchemist of the Tianjian Sect, Dan Chenzi. With him taking action, we can definitely save the Moke!"


    Shen Yan looked surprised.


    A sixth-grade senior Alchemist, a figure who could rank within the top ten in the Great Qian Dynasty.


    "So it is Mister Dan Chenzi, I have long heard of your great reputation!"


    Shen Yan quickly said, "Mister Dan Chenzi, please follow me!"


    Yang Kun looked at Yang Ling with a smug expression.


    Yang Ling said, "Vice Sect Leader Shen, Xiao Yi also understands the art of alchemy, please allow me to accompany you to have a look!"


    "Him? Yang Ling, you don''t think that knowing a few herbs makes one an Alchemist, do you? Moreover, do you think that with Dan Chenzi stepping in, there is any need for him?" Yang Kun taunted with an air of sarcasm.


    Yang Ling''s expression darkened.


    Fearing another dispute among them, Shen Yan quickly said, "Together, let''s all go together!"


    Yang Kun frowned slightly but didn''t say anything further.


    This was, after all, the territory of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    The group arrived at the cold pond where the Moke resided. Even in the height of summer, the pond emitted a bone-chilling cold.


    At this moment...


    The Moke, spanning a hundred zhang in length, had its lower half submerged in the cold pond and the upper half lying on the bank, lifeless, showing none of the vitality expected of a sixth-order peak demonic beast.


    "Dan Chenzi, go take a look!"


    Yang Kun looked at Dan Chenzi, his lips curling up in a vicious sneer, taunting, "Yang Ling, didn''t you say Xiao Yi also knows the art of alchemy? Why not let him have a look?"


    Yang Ling looked towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "No rush, if he cannot save the Moke, it will naturally be my turn to take action!"


    "Ridiculous, you dare claim that Dan Chenzi cannot save the Moke? If even he cannot, how could you possibly manage it?" Yang Kun looked at him with disdain, clearly not believing Xiao Yi could cure the Moke.


    Shen Yan, however, was too preoccupied to pay attention to their quarrel.


    He watched the Moke in front of him nervously. After Dan Chenzi conducted a thorough examination, Shen Yan hurriedly asked, "Mister Dan Chenzi, is there any hope for the Moke?"


    "I''m sorry!"


    Dan Chenzi shook his head, a bitter smile on his face, "This Moke has no signs of life within it, it is beyond the help of medicine. Even a descent of the heavens could not cure it..."


    Shen Yan''s face collapsed, and he managed to squeeze out a smile more pained than crying, "So there is truly no way to save it? It seems the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect is indeed fated to part ways with this Moke..." Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire


    Yang Ling clenched his fists unwillingly, looking at Xiao Yi with one last glimmer of hope, "Xiao Yi, do you have a way to save it?"


    Before Xiao Yi could speak.


    Yang Kun scoffed, "Even Dan Chenzi is unable to do anything, how could he possibly have a way? If he can save the Moke, I will no longer contend for it with you..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Do you really mean that?"


    "Of course! But..."


    Yang Kun laughed confidently, "If he fails to treat it, however, I''ll make him kneel before me and kowtow a thousand times, then incapacitate his cultivation! Do you dare?"


    "Why wouldn''t I dare?"


    As Yang Ling hesitated, Xiao Yi had already spoken first, "But if I win, in addition to what you''ve proposed, you too will kneel down and kowtow a thousand times to me. If you agree, then I will take that bet with you!"


    "No problem!"


    Yang Kun''s attitude was one of absolute certainty.


    "Xiao Yi..." Yang Ling looked at him with concern.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and walked straight to the side of the ink-scaled serpent, merely glancing at it a few times before heading towards Shen Yan.


    Yang Kun laughed loudly, "You''re not thinking of running away, are you?"


    Dan Chenzi shook his head, "Young people love to pretend to be mysterious, always trying to mystify..."


    Xiao Yi crossed them to stand in front of Shen Yan, saying, "Prepare three hundred portions of healing herbs for me, and at the same time, prepare a hundred female demonic beasts, any species will do. It all must be ready within an hour, and be quick about it!"


    "What?"


    Shen Yan looked utterly bewildered.


    Healing herbs?


    Female demonic beasts?


    What in the world is all this?


    Xiao Yi urged, "If you want to save the ink-scaled serpent, then do as I say!"


    Shen Yan hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth, "Damn it, a dead horse will be a living horse doctor!"


    He immediately left.


    A moment later.


    Shen Yan returned with a peculiar expression, carrying the healing herbs, followed by more than a hundred Beast Tamers from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, each leading a female demonic beast to the vicinity of the cold pool.


    Xiao Yi took the healing herbs and commanded everyone to drive the demonic beasts near the cold pool.


    At the same time, the array stones were activated.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    In an instant, he had set up a Spirit Gathering Array with a small range but three times the usual effect, filling the area around the cold pool with an abundance of spiritual energy.


    "What on earth is he trying to do?"


    "I heard that even the Tianjian Sect''s Dan Chenzi has declared the ink-scaled serpent incurable; what''s he up to now?" S��arch* The n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If Dan Chenzi couldn''t do anything, how could he possibly cure the ink-scaled serpent?" The Beast Tamers were also utterly baffled.


    Yang Kun became increasingly smug, looking at Yang Ling, "Little brother, it seems your judgment was poor, to have found such a charlatan to help you!"


    "How can you declare victory or defeat before the last moment?" Yang Ling said.


    Yang Kun shook his head and scoffed, "This is just a last-ditch struggle. Let''s see what excuses you''ll have after he fails..."


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi pried open the ink-scaled serpent''s mouth and stuffed in two hundred portions of healing herbs. He then administered the herbs to the remaining female demonic beasts before quickly stepping back from the cold pool.


    "Ridiculous, do you even know medicine? The life force of that ink-scaled serpent is nearly exhausted; giving it healing herbs now is just harming it..." Dan Chenzi angrily rebuked.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said indifferently, "Just watch quietly."


    The crowd turned their eyes towards the cold pool.


    Under the stimulation of the healing herbs, the hundred-plus female demonic beasts roared furiously, rampaging wildly.


    The ink-scaled serpent, which had been at death''s door, suddenly raised its head, its eyes filled with blood, and let out a thunderous roar.


    Incredibly, it shot out of the cold pool and pounced towards the hundred-plus female demonic beasts.


    For a time...


    The Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range echoed with the intense roars of male and female demonic beasts.


    The ground shook, and ripples spread far and wide.


    For ten hours, the terrifying commotion continued before it finally ceased.


    The hundred-plus demonic beasts lay on the ground, their faces almost human with satisfaction.


    The ink-scaled serpent too was coiled at the edge of the cold pool, breathing heavily, its face also eerily human in its contentment.


    Before, it had been at death''s door, but now it glowed with vitality, as if it could fight another three hundred rounds. How was this the incurable creature that Dan Chenzi had described?


    A playful smile appeared on Xiao Yi''s face as he looked towards a dumbfounded Yang Kun, "You''ve lost!"

 Chapter 423 - 423: Unscrupulous Means

    "You''ve lost!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Yang Kun with a playful expression.


    Yang Kun''s face twitched violently: "..."


    He glared at Dan Chenzi, his eyes ice-cold to the extreme, as if to say: Weren''t you the one who claimed that the Ink Jiao was incurable? How then did someone save it with just a few lowly herbs?


    Dan Chenzi was also in complete disbelief, staring intently at Xiao Yi as he demanded, "This is impossible, it makes no sense! It was clearly at the brink of death, beyond redemption, and you cured it with just a few cheap herbs?"


    Dan Chenzi began to doubt his entire life.


    He had been an alchemist for many years, passionately devoted to the medical path, and had earned himself the reputation of a miracle doctor.


    But today...


    An Ink Jiao he had declared beyond help was revived by Xiao Yi with a few insignificant herbs.


    This completely overturned his beliefs of several hundred years!


    Xiao Yi smiled slightly and calmly said, "Dragons are inherently lustful, and the Jiao is no exception... And you have bound this Ink Jiao in the cold abyss for hundreds of years. Let alone an Ink Jiao, even a normal man imprisoned like that, abstinent for hundreds of years, would certainly become despondent, right? Just now, I used the herbs to stimulate it, and then replenished its vitality with the spiritual energy from the Spirit Gathering Array. Allowing it to let off steam and find satisfaction, it naturally recovered on its own!"


    Hiss!


    People looked at each other, many disciples of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect showing shame: "So that''s how it is, Dean Xiao is truly formidable, we even doubted him..."


    "This is what a true master is like!"


    "Not like some people who can''t identify the crux of the problem, outright deceiving with talk of no cure..."


    Dan Chenzi''s face turned shades of green and white.


    Dan Chenzi''s chest heaved violently as he glared with his eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, his teeth gritted with anger: "Heretical practices, this is heretical practices, not the medical path at all, I disdain to associate with someone like you..."


    He prided himself on being a holy hand in the medical path.


    He had rarely encountered a rival in the field of medicine.


    How could he possibly admit to being inferior to a youth whom he had never taken seriously, one still wet behind the ears?


    "Heretical practices?"


    Xiao Yi asked, "I''d like to ask you what is the medical path?"


    Dan Chenzi spoke righteously: "To save the dying and heal the injured, to cure disease with medicine!"


    Xiao Yi took a step forward: "Who saved the Ink Jiao?"


    "You..."


    Dan Chenzi hesitated for a moment, then angrily said, "So what? The methods you used are not righteous..."


    Xiao Yi''s voice rose a notch: "What is righteousness? The ''incurable'' you spoke of is righteous? The ''beyond help'' you claimed is righteous? To knowingly have a way to save it yet watch it die is righteous?"


    "I, I..."


    Dan Chenzi stumbled backward, unable to respond.


    "Rigid and inflexible, that is your so-called righteousness."


    "Not understanding the root cause of the ailment, merely declaring it incurable is your so-called righteousness."


    "And I, using extraordinary measures to save it, am practicing heretical methods? What kind of reasoning is that? It seems to me it''s you who is practicing heretical methods, harming others and yourself, a path of plotting and endangering lives..."


    With every word Xiao Yi said, he took a step forward, relentlessly pressing in, making Dan Chenzi retreat again and again.


    His back was already soaked with cold sweat.


    Breathing heavily with great gasps of breath.


    Dan Chenzi pointed at Xiao Yi with fury, but he was speechless.


    Xiao Yi, from the high ground, looked down at him coldly: "You, are unfit to be a doctor!"


    Suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of old blood and fell straight to the ground, fainting.


    Yang Kun: "..."


    Shen Yan: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    A sixth-tier senior alchemist, the miraculous doctor Dan Chenzi, to actually be scolded into spitting blood and fainting by Xiao Yi, it was unthinkable, unheard of!


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh, turning his gaze back to Yang Kun: "Your Highness Yang Ling, it''s time to honor our bet."


    Yang Kun''s eyes twitched slightly, and seeing everyone''s eyes on him, he let out a cold snort: "I accept my loss today! This Ink Jiao, I''ll cede to you!"


    Having said this, he turned to leave.


    Xiao Yi said, "Your Highness sure has a short memory, already forgotten the bet we just made? Besides the ink python, there are still a thousand kowtows owed!"


    "You..."


    Yang Kun stopped in his tracks, glaring furiously, "Xiao Yi, do not push things too far!"


    "Push things too far? Is Your Highness accusing me of crying ''Stop, thief''?"


    Xiao Yi''s face showed mockery as he teased, "The bet was proposed by Your Highness in the first place, and I''m merely collecting the debt from the wager! To repay a debt is only natural, and having lost the bet, you are, of course, expected to fulfill the terms... However, Your Highness could simply turn around and leave, but if you do, it won''t take long for word of this to spread through every street and alley of the imperial city, and who knows, it might even reach the Emperor''s ears...."


    "Are you threatening me?" Yang Kun said through gritted teeth. S��arch* The ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If this matter were to spread throughout the imperial city, his prestige would be utterly ruined.


    If it reached Emperor Qian''s ears...


    Not to mention the inevitable scolding, it would also seriously damage his image in Emperor Qian''s eyes.


    In this difficult situation,


    it was actually Yang Ling who stepped forward, pleading on his behalf, "Xiao Yi, for my sake, let''s forget about the kowtowing!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "Since His Highness has interceded for him, let''s just leave it at that!"


    Yang Ling breathed a sigh of relief and nodded gratefully towards Xiao Yi, then turned to Yang Kun, "Brother, you should go!"


    Yang Kun glared fiercely at Xiao Yi and Yang Ling, his eyes filled with venomous hatred, and gritted his teeth, "Xiao Yi, I will remember today''s enmity!"


    Whoosh!


    Yang Kun flung his sleeves and strode away.


    He couldn''t even be bothered to take Dan Chenzi, who was lying on the ground, with him.


    Shen Yan looked towards the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect disciples standing aside, "Haven''t you guys taken Dan Chenzi to His Highness yet?"


    "Yes!"


    Two disciples immediately lifted Dan Chenzi and followed after him.


    Shen Yan turned to Xiao Yi and Yang Ling, his mood quite pleased as a result of the ink python''s recovery, and said with a smile, "Your Highness Yang Ling, Dean Xiao, we owe the recovery of the ink python to your help."


    "You''re too polite, Vice Sect Leader Shen!" said Xiao Yi.


    Yang Ling said in a deep voice, "Vice Sect Leader Shen, I presume you''re also aware of the purpose of my visit...."


    Shen Yan nodded and responded, "Rest assured, Your Highness. Since Dean Xiao has cured the ink python, I will naturally honor our promise. This ink python can be transferred to your custody, to be used as the sacrificial offering in the Ancestral Ritual..."


    The sacrificial offering does not need to be killed.


    However, if it wins first place in the Ancestral Ritual, the offering will be taken by the royal family to Divine Beast Mountain to become a national guardian beast, and it will not be returned to the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    For the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect...


    The ink python was already at death''s door, and its revival was a net gain.


    They naturally wouldn''t offend Yang Ling over this.


    Yang Ling relaxed and smiled, "In that case, I deeply thank Vice Sect Leader Shen. Regardless of whether the ink python becomes the Ancestral Ritual''s first offering, I, Yang Ling, will not forget this favor!"


    "No need for thanks, Your Highness!"


    Shen Yan smiled, then proposed, "Your Highness, Dean Xiao, chance encounters are better than formal ones. Why not join me for a casual drink?"


    One does not slap a smiling face.


    Find your next read on My Virtual Library Empire


    Faced with such a sincere invitation, Yang Ling and Xiao Yi looked at each other and didn''t refuse, "Then we shall impose!"


    "No imposition at all, no imposition!"


    With a hearty laugh, Shen Yan and the group promptly departed.


    However...


    Shortly after everyone had left, a shadow reappeared near the cold pond.


    The person was Yang Kun!


    He had returned, his cold gaze fixed on the ink python that had settled into a deep slumber. A cold ferocity flashed across Yang Kun''s eyes, "If I can''t have it, I''d rather see it destroyed than benefit you!"


    Whoosh!


    An icy gleam of a blade burst forth from his sword, transforming into a hundred-yard blade that slashed towards the ink python''s head.


    A mournful howl echoed throughout the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    Yang Kun watched the ink python, now decapitated, a cold smile on his lips as he disappeared into the void...

 Chapter 424 - 424: His Majesty Invites!

    Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    The separate courtyard where Shen Yan stayed was not far from the Cold Pool.


    The three of them were enjoying a drink when suddenly, a scream echoed throughout the entire Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    All three were taken aback at the same moment.


    Xiao Yi''s face turned pale in an instant, "Not good, the Ink Jiao has met with trouble��"


    "What?"


    Yang Ling stood up abruptly, his wine cup falling to the ground.


    Shen Yan''s face was also unsightly, as he gritted his teeth, "It indeed came from the direction of the Cold Pool, let''s hurry over and have a look!"


    The three of them flew through the air.


    By the time they arrived at the Cold Pool, they saw a figure escaping through the sky from afar, which made Xiao Yi slightly frown, "Is it him?"


    However, the distance was already too great.


    They simply could not catch up with that person.


    As Xiao Yi and the others descended into the Cold Pool, blood was everywhere, the whole Cold Pool was a sea of blood red.


    The Ink Jiao lay decapitated at the edge of the Cold Pool.


    Its eyes wide with rage, filled with bewilderment, it had been imprisoned for hundreds of years, stifling its afflictions for hundreds of years until it became sick. It had just satisfied its desires and was completely exhausted, resting when it was beheaded in the aquatic gate.


    It died without knowing why it was killed!


    "The Ink Jiao is dead��"


    Yang Ling''s face turned pale, as he felt the world spin around him.


    Even though Yang Ling was Emperor Qian''s most beloved son, his background was far less profound than that of Yang Kun.


    Yang Kun''s mother was a disciple of the Tianjian Sect, and for this reason, Yang Kun had been practicing in the Tianjian Sect since his childhood, even being a disciple of the Sect Leader of the Tianjian Sect, supported by the sect''s entire lineage.


    At the same time��


    The unparalleled War King Yang Yuhuan also stood on his side.


    This Ancestral Ceremony was Yang Ling''s only chance.


    But now��


    The Ink Jiao was dead!


    Where else would he find such an offering? S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Who exactly did this? Who dares to act within my Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, is this a challenge to the authority of my Ten Thousand Beasts Sect?" Shen Yan was also beside himself with rage, the Ink Jiao had followed him for many years, the bond between master and servant ran deep, and now he could only watch as it died before his eyes, how could Shen Yan not be furious?


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, "Just now, I saw a figure leaving, it looked very much like Yang Kun!"


    "Yang Kun?"


    "The Crown Prince?"


    Yang Ling and Shen Yan wore confused looks on their faces.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I''m at least seventy percent sure that it was Yang Kun!"


    Bang!


    Yang Ling punched the ground fiercely, causing the ground to tremble violently, his cultivation had also reached the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, and although his combat power was not as monstrous as Xiao Yi''s, he was certainly no weakling.


    At this moment��


    Yang Ling''s eyes flickered with a cold light, like lightning, and his eyes were bloodshot as he hissed through gritted teeth, "It must be him�� only he would be so ruthless..."


    Looking at the decapitated Ink Jiao, his heart was bleeding!


    Shen Yan''s face was black as coal, Yang Kun actually dared to assassinate a demonic beast in the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, it was tantamount to slapping the face of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    But.


    Despite his rage, Shen Yan found himself without any possible recourse.


    Yang Kun was not only a prince but also a disciple of the Sect Leader of the Tianjian Sect.


    Lacking evidence, even if there was irrefutable evidence, he would be unable to trouble Yang Kun at the Tianjian Sect over a demonic beast.


    Shen Yan looked towards Yang Ling with a grim face, appearing extremely distressed, "Your Highness Yang Ling, as you have seen�� regardless of who the culprit is, this Ink Jiao can no longer be provided to you for the Ancestral Ceremony."


    Yang Ling''s expression subtly changed as he said, "Vice Sect Leader Shen, the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect has numerous beasts. Could it be possible..."


    Shen Yan shook his head with a rueful smile, "I''m truly sorry!" He paused before explaining, "Your Highness Yang Ling, do you think that, with Crown Prince Yang Kun''s methods and temperament, even if we were to exchange another beast for you, the outcome would be any different?"


    Yang Ling bowed his head, "��"


    Just as Shen Yan had said��


    If Yang Kun could kill one ink qilin, he could kill the second, the third��


    As long as he could stop Yang Ling, he would go to any lengths and would stop at nothing.


    Yet Yang Ling was utterly powerless against him.


    This frustration made Yang Ling''s complexion grow even more unsightly.


    Shen Yan hesitated, observing Yang Ling''s discontented and shadowed face, feeling a bit of pity, he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness Yang Ling, the world is vast, and beasts are not solely possessed by the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect. The Beast Emperor City also has many powerful beasts. As far as I know, Xiao has a good relationship with the Lord of the Beast Emperor City!"


    Yang Ling was startled and looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow. The Beast Emperor City, situated in the midst of the Beast Emperor Sea, indeed had many powerful beasts. He said, "I do have some acquaintance with Huang Baitao, the Lord of the Beast Emperor City. In that case�� once I return, I will send a message to Huang Baitao!"


    "Xiao Yi, I entrust this matter to you!" Yang Ling said with a face full of gratitude. Find more chapters on My Virtual Library Empire


    This was yet another glimmer of hope after a frustrating setback, allowing him to see new possibilities.


    Xiao Yi bid farewell to Shen Yan, saying, "If that''s the case, I''ll take my leave with Yang Ling now!"


    "That''s fine!"


    Shen Yan nodded his head.


    The death of the ink qilin had also left him feeling heavy-hearted, too preoccupied to look after the two of them.


    Xiao Yi and Yang Ling then made their way back to the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Upon returning to the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Xiao Yi summoned Zhang Ling and personally wrote a letter, handing it to Zhang Ling, he instructed, "Zhang Ling, take this letter to the Beast Emperor City and deliver it to Lord Huang. He will know what to do once he reads the letter!"


    "Yes!"


    Zhang Ling respectfully accepted the envelope, bid farewell to Yang Ling, and soared away.


    Yang Ling said with a wry smile, "Xiao Yi, it seems you''ve witnessed quite the spectacle today!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "As the saying goes, ''The imperial family is heartless.'' Father and son fighting to the death over that position is not uncommon, let alone between brothers��"


    "The imperial family is heartless��"


    Yang Ling repeated the phrase, his mind filled with memories of the covert and overt struggles between brothers over the years. Originally more than a dozen brothers were competing for the position of Crown Prince, but over time it was whittled down to just him and Yang Kun. The other princes had been allocated their own fiefs and were now out of contention for the position, "People often envy the imperial family, not realizing it''s a beast that devours without spitting out the bones��survival of the fittest, either you eat or get eaten�� Being born into the imperial family sometimes really is beyond one''s control!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, showing his understanding.


    Don''t even mention the power struggles of the imperial family.


    Wasn''t he the same?


    Xiao Tianjiao, in order not to tarnish his own shining and perfect image, had tried to kill him, his own younger brother, several times. If not for their mother''s desperate protection, where would his eight years of imprisonment have come from? Or his status as a son-in-law to the Fang Family?


    He would have died more than a decade ago!


    "Xiao Yi, I leave the matter of the beast to you!" Yang Ling said earnestly.


    Xiao Yi nodded. He and Yang Ling were essentially in the same camp.


    Especially since he and Yang Kun had become enemies that day. If Yang Kun were to take the imperial throne in the future, Xiao Yi could leave the Great Qian Dynasty alone, but the Xiaoshanhe Institute couldn''t just be moved!


    For both the public good and private reasons.


    Xiao Yi would assist Yang Ling in obtaining that position.


    As the two of them were talking��


    Ye Heng rushed over, saying, "Master, Qi is on his way here with an imperial decree!"


    "An imperial decree?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and exchanged a glance with Yang Ling.


    Yang Ling shook his head to indicate he didn''t know.


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly but still stood up to meet the visitor.


    Moments later��


    Qi arrived before him, his face adorned with a kindly smile as he announced, "By imperial command, Xiao Yi is summoned to the palace to appear before the Emperor��"

 Chapter 425 - 425: Dragon and Tiger Seal, Divine Beast Mountain!

    "Eunuch Qi, do you know why His Majesty is seeking an audience with me?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Eunuch Qi with puzzlement.


    He had not left the imperial palace for long; why was Emperor Qian summoning him again?


    Eunuch Qi wore a kind smile and said, "Rest assured, this is good news!"


    "Good news?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, a glint of sharpness crossing his eyes, "Could it be related to the Dharma Likeness Meditation?"


    Eunuch Qi nodded with a smile.


    Xiao Yi''s face lit up with joy, and beside him, Yang Ling also offered his congratulations, "Xiao Yi, this truly is a joyous occasion, congratulations!"


    Eunuch Qi urged, "Xiao Yi, you should follow me to the palace without delay, lest the Emperor be kept waiting!"


    "Alright!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and then followed Eunuch Qi to the imperial palace.


    A short time later.


    Guided by Eunuch Qi, Xiao Yi arrived at Emperor Qian''s royal study for the first time, having traversed much of the imperial palace. He gained a newfound appreciation for the opulence and vastness of the palace.


    Seeing that Emperor Qian was reviewing memorials.


    Xiao Yi did not speak out to interrupt.


    He waited for what felt like half an incense stick''s burning time before Emperor Qian finally set aside the memorial in his hand. He had been aware of Xiao Yi''s arrival all along but the memorial was rather important, so he had waited until now. "Have you been waiting anxiously?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head to indicate he hadn''t.


    Emperor Qian massaged his brows and said in a deep voice, "Lately, the Northern Ice Plains have been far from peaceful, with frequent reports of mysterious disappearances among the populace. It truly is vexing."


    "Mysterious disappearances?" Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Since it troubled Emperor Qian so, it was clear that the matter was no small issue.


    However.


    Emperor Qian did not dwell on this topic, chuckling as he said, "I promised you the chance to observe the Dragon and Tiger Seal and visualize the state''s guardian Iron Winged Chi Dragon. Divine Beast Mountain has sent their assent, agreeing to your visit to observe the Iron Winged Chi Dragon. Eunuch Qi will accompany you there."


    A thrill of anticipation shone in Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    He was already at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, a single step away from the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    The most crucial part was to manifest the Martial Tao Skill.


    But as of now, he had not yet found a suitable entity for Dharma Likeness Meditation.


    Within the Great Qian Dynasty, the strongest spiritual weapons and mystical beasts available were precisely the Dragon and Tiger Seal and Iron Winged Chi Dragon that Emperor Qian just mentioned.


    Xiao Yi bowed to Emperor Qian and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"


    "Go,"


    Emperor Qian said with a smile, waving his hand, "I hope you will break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm soon and ascend to your position as a pillar of the state!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and then took his leave with Eunuch Qi.


    Once Xiao Yi had left.


    Emperor Qian lowered his head to look at a confidential letter on the desk, and with a snap of his fingers, a burst of flame incinerated it.


    The faint outline of the words "Xiao Tianjiao seeks to go to the Nantian Holy Institute" could be seen being devoured slowly by the flame. Emperor Qian squinted his eyes, "No matter how outstanding Xiao Tianjiao is, he is not destined to serve me. Xiao Yi, I hope you won''t disappoint me. I can give you wealth, honor, and even help you overturn the Xiao Family, but you must obediently heed my words..."


    ...


    The Dragon and Tiger Seal was housed in the Heavenly Dragon Hall.


    Upon arriving at the Heavenly Dragon Hall, Xiao Yi instantly felt that he was being watched by no fewer than ten presences at the level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and among them, there were a few breaths above that realm that were faintly discernable. Clearly, these were the guardians of the Heavenly Dragon Hall.


    Only after noticing the token in Eunuch Qi''s hand did these presences vanish.


    Eunuch Qi said, "The Dragon and Tiger Seal is inside. You have three hours to contemplate it. I''ll wait for you here. Once you''re done here, I will take you to Divine Beast Mountain."


    "Thank you, Eunuch Qi!"


    Xiao Yi bowed to Eunuch Qi and then entered the Heavenly Dragon Hall.


    The hall was vast and empty.


    There were eight towering dragon pillars supporting the hall, and the floor was covered with Formation runes glowing and flowing. If anyone attempted to break in forcibly, these Formations would activate. Xiao Yi noticed many killing Arrays and Illusion Arrays among them.


    The royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty had indeed made extensive preparations to protect the Dragon and Tiger Seal.


    After all...


    This was a seventh-order premium spiritual weapon, unique in the entire Great Qian Dynasty!


    ```


    In the center of the Formation, there was a black metal platform, and within the transparent energy dome, the Dragon and Tiger Seal floated quietly.


    As the name suggests.


    It was pitch-black, adorned with a dragon and a tiger, spiraling and clashing against each other as if they were alive, as if they truly existed. Xiao Yi sat cross-legged in front of the Dragon and Tiger Seal, carefully examining it.


    The first step in Manifesting Dharma was to create the fledgling form of the Dharma Likeness.


    Then, to truly enter the Dharma Manifestation Realm, one must endure the Trial by Heavenly Thunder to awaken the spirit with heavenly lightning within the Dharma Likeness.


    The strength of the Dharma Likeness is related to the target of Contemplation, and also, the affinity between the self-manifested Dharma Likeness and the object of contemplation. For example, if both visualize the Iron Winged Chi Dragon for their Manifestation of Dharma, one merely visualizing its form while the other can even simulate the dragon''s majesty, then the latter, with the dragon''s majesty, would naturally be stronger.


    Xiao Yi didn''t overlook any detail, and after two hours, he began to attempt to deduce the Dharma Likeness''s fledgling form in his mind.


    A real dragon soars across the sky, an angry tiger roars fiercely.


    As lifelike as it could be.


    However...


    Xiao Yi was extremely unsatisfied with this fledgling form of the Dharma Likeness, overturning it time after time, attempting to manifest it again and again, never content with the result.


    Three hours later.


    The Dragon and Tiger Seal in front of him slowly retracted into the ground, the light of the Formation covering it, and Xiao Yi shook his head, knowing that time was up. But he still could not deduce a satisfactory fledgling form of the Dharma Likeness, proving that this Dragon and Tiger Seal was not suitable for him.


    "How is it?"


    Qi looked at Xiao Yi and asked.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, saying helplessly, "Not quite right!"


    "No matter, each person''s core Dharma Likeness is different, and you''re young enough to take your time finding it!"


    Qi smiled, offering a few words of comfort, then said, "Let''s go, we shall head to Divine Beast Mountain now; we mustn''t keep the Divine Beast of the state waiting any longer!"


    Divine Beast Mountain wasn''t just home to the Iron Winged Chi Dragon; there were also other state-guarding mystical creatures. These were the creatures that won first place in the ancestral worship ceremonies each year.


    Yet...


    Within the vast expanse of Divine Beast Mountain, only the Iron Winged Chi Dragon could be called the Divine Beast of the state.


    Divine Beast Mountain was located within the Imperial Palace.


    It was protected by an Array on all sides, and it also severed any communication between Divine Beast Mountain and the Imperial Palace; without a Token, entry and exit were impossible.


    With a Token in hand, Xiao Yi entered Divine Beast Mountain.


    Looking around, one could see countless birds and beasts, each one radiating immense power; even the weakest were of the sixth order. There were plenty of seventh order Beasts, but there was only one at the pinnacle of the seventh order�� the Iron Winged Chi Dragon.


    These mystical creatures glanced indifferently at the arrival of Xiao Yi and another, some even too lazy to spare more than a fleeting look.


    The two made their way unobstructed to the summit of the mountain.


    There was a huge man-made lake, and from within the emerald-blue water, ripples spread.


    Qi holding the Token, spoke, "O Divine Beast, I have been commanded to bring Xiao Yi before you!"


    Pop, pop, pop!


    Giant bubbles rose from the bottom of the lake, bursting at the surface and sending ripples outward.


    Suddenly...


    A column of water shot up into the sky, hundreds of meters high, falling back down while a massive creature slowly appeared before Xiao Yi. It was an enormous mystical creature, its body covered in black scale armor, each scale the size of a shield.


    In the shape of a dragon, yet with a pair of black wings on its back as if forged from fine iron, a single spiral horn atop its head, its eyes flashing like lightning.


    This was the state-guarding Divine Beast of the Great Qian Dynasty, the peak seventh-order Beast King�� the Iron Winged Chi Dragon!


    Majestic dragon might covered the whole Divine Beast Mountain.


    Roar! Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire


    Woo woo...


    Within the vast Divine Beast Mountain, countless mystical creatures submitted, kneeling on the ground in fear and trepidation.


    Facing the immense pressure from the Iron Winged Chi Dragon, Qi''s face turned slightly pale, and Xiao Yi too furrowed his brows tightly, with a few beads of cold sweat on his forehead. But his eyes, locked on the Iron Winged Chi Dragon, were incredibly resolute, with a hint of eagerness, "Worthy of being the state-guarding Divine Beast. The dragon might alone is enough to cause the minds of ordinary Dharma Manifestation Realm experts to shatter..." S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Iron Winged Chi Dragon glanced at Xiao Yi, whose gaze was fervent upon it. A touch of surprise and curiosity flickered through its giant, bell-like eyes.


    Most people, seeing it for the first time, would be frightened to the point of turning pale.


    Hasn''t Qi, who has seen it several times, still looked like that?


    Yet, Xiao Yi showed no fear, and the Iron Winged Chi Dragon blinked its large eyes, saying, "Xiao Yi, right? Since Emperor Qian has spoken, I naturally will not refuse. However, I will only give you five hours. Whether you can use this to manifest your Dharma or not is up to you!"


    "Thank you, Divine Beast!" Xiao Yi bowed to the Iron Winged Chi Dragon.


    Just as he was about to start his meditation with the Iron Winged Chi Dragon as his object of contemplation, a teasing voice came from the foot of the mountain, "Hold on..."


    ```

 Chapter 426 - 426 Unsightly

    "Hold on!"


    A haughty voice suddenly rang out.


    Eunuch Qi''s expression changed slightly, as he clearly recognized the owner of the voice. He turned towards the newcomer, saying respectfully, "Greetings to His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince!"


    The person approaching was none other than Crown Prince Yang Kun!


    A playful look crossed his face as he nodded to Eunuch Qi and swept a cold, mocking gaze over Xiao Yi. Finally, he walked up to the Iron Winged Chi Dragon, bowed respectfully, and spoke in a loud voice, "Yang Kun pays his respects to the Divine Beast!"


    The Iron Winged Chi Dragon was the Great Qian Dynasty''s guardian divine beast.


    It held a revered status.


    Even Emperor Qian would address it respectfully as "Divine Beast" upon meeting it.


    Although Yang Kun was a prince, he dared not be disrespectful in its presence.


    The Iron Winged Chi Dragon nodded its head, and its majestic voice echoed, "Yang Kun, what brings you to Divine Beast Mountain?"


    Yang Kun cracked a smile, inadvertently glancing at Xiao Yi.


    A sense of foreboding clenched Xiao Yi''s heart. He had clashed with Yang Kun previously at the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    Now that Yang Kun had suddenly appeared here, watching him with that strange smile, Xiao Yi couldn''t shake off a feeling of unease.


    Yang Kun said in a grave voice, "Divine Beast, I wonder if you remember this item?"


    As he spoke,


    Yang Kun pulled a fiery red scale from within his robes.


    As soon as the scale appeared,


    the temperature in the surroundings rose sharply, a red glow pulsing as the intense heat made everyone sweat involuntarily.


    The Iron Winged Chi Dragon frowned slightly, its massive claw grasping the scale. Its pupils contracted slightly as it nodded and said, "Of course I remember; this is the reverse scale from the Fire Dragon that accompanied Xiao Tianjiao. How did you come to possess this scale?"


    Yang Kun grinned, "This was given to me by Brother Xiao Tianjiao. He asked me to deliver a message to you..."


    The Iron Winged Chi Dragon nodded, "Speak."


    Yang Kun''s eyes gleamed with pride as he looked over at Xiao Yi, his gaze thick with mockery. He deliberately raised his voice and said, "Brother Xiao Tianjiao said that, as the guardian divine beast that upholds the fortunes of the Great Qian Dynasty, it''s not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry who can visualize you to manifest their Martial Dao Fasxiang..."


    "Hmm?"


    The Iron Winged Chi Dragon was taken aback.


    Whether someone was allowed to visualize and manifest their Martial Dao Fasxiang


    had nothing to do with its status as the guardian divine beast.


    What was Xiao Tianjiao trying to imply?


    Yang Kun continued, "Brother Xiao Tianjiao said that you owe him a favor and he hopes you will grant him a condition. Within a hundred years, do not let anyone outside the royal family visualize and manifest their Dharma!"


    Hum!


    At these words, Eunuch Qi''s face drastically altered, and he looked at Xiao Yi with a worried gaze.


    The situation was now clear.


    Obviously, Xiao Tianjiao was targeting Xiao Yi!


    This was an attempt to cut off Xiao Yi''s path of visualizing the Iron Winged Chi Dragon��the strongest beast of the Great Qian Dynasty��as his Martial Dao Fasxiang!


    Xiao Yi remained expressionless.


    Yet underneath his sleeves, his hands were clenched into fists; his fingernails dug into the flesh of his palms without him even feeling the pain.


    Rage!


    Fury!


    ```


    Unwilling!


    Utterly unwilling...


    Although it couldn''t be said that the Iron Winged Chi Dragon was necessarily the most suitable beast for his Martial Dao Fasxiang Meditation, it was indeed the strongest demon beast he could find within the Great Qian Dynasty and the best choice. Yet now, because of a single statement by Xiao Tianjiao, this path had been destroyed, blocked off completely.


    The Iron Winged Chi Dragon hesitated for a moment before nodding in understanding, then turned towards Xiao Yi, "Little guy, you heard it too. I owe Xiao Tianjiao a favor and cannot refuse his request!"


    Qi said, "Divine beast, sir..."


    He still wanted to plead for a chance.


    But Yang Kun huffed coldly, "Qi, this isn''t the time for you to speak!"


    Qi''s expression shifted between gloom and resignation, finding it difficult to speak up again.


    With a mighty dragon''s roar, the Iron Winged Chi Dragon dove into the lake with a splash.


    "Xiao Yi, you must be feeling very sad and desperate now, right? Hahaha, I''ve told you before, in front of Brother Xiao Tianjiao, you''re nothing but a pile of excrement. He doesn''t even need to lift a finger to sever all your hopes!"


    Yang Kun was full of pride as if enjoying a victorious battle, staring at Xiao Yi, smirking, "The Iron Winged Chi Dragon is the strongest demon beast that can be found in the Great Qian Dynasty. Without it, you''ve lost that path! Hahaha, and you think you can compete with Brother Xiao Tianjiao? You''re dreaming!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits as he stared intently at Yang Kun, saying steadily, "Man has control over his own destiny. I don''t believe Xiao Tianjiao can cover the sky with one hand."


    "Hahaha, whether he can cover the sky with one hand I do not know, but I do know his word just turned your countless efforts into bubbles!"


    Yang Kun walked up to Xiao Yi, lightly patted his shoulder and taunted with glee, "I advise you to think about what to meditate on for manifesting your Martial Tao Skill. Oh right, didn''t you cure the ink python from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect? You should go meditate on it, hahaha..."


    The ink python?


    Xiao Yi''s eyes turned cold. That ink python had already been killed by Yang Kun, so what was there to meditate on?


    Watching Yang Kun strut about smugly, a trace of coldness flashed through Xiao Yi''s eyes. Gently patting his chest, Little Lin snuck into the ground, silently approaching Yang Kun and burrowed onto him.


    And then...


    Little Lin had a bottle in its mouth.


    Carefully, it sprinkled the bottle''s powder onto Yang Kun and then vanished without a trace.


    At this moment, Yang Kun was passing through a domain where a group of Blaze Lions gathered, teasing the lions in high spirits.


    However.


    The moment he came close to the Blaze Lions, their eyes turned red in an instant.


    They stared at Yang Kun with the same intensity as a famished beggar looking at delicious food, and with an excited roar, dozens of Blaze Lions charged at Yang Kun. Caught off guard, he was knocked to the ground.


    Dozens of Blaze Lions surrounded him.


    "Get away�� Get away..."


    Yang Kun roared in anger. Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire


    His aura surged, forcefully sending the surrounding Blaze Lions flying.


    However...


    By the time he got to his feet, his appearance was disheveled, covered in filth, exuding a strange stench that could not be dispelled; it nearly drove Yang Kun to the brink of insanity.


    His face turned ashen, then white, looking extremely unsightly as he howled hysterically, "Damn it, damn it... I''ll kill you all..."


    "Tsk tsk tsk!" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s voice full of mockery suddenly rang out, making Yang Kun''s face look even uglier. Xiao Yi clicked his tongue and said, "I never expected His Highness the Crown Prince to have such unconventional tastes; it''s just a bit too much to look at! Of course, I mean no disrespect. After all, to each their own. By the way, I''ve heard that in the Divine Beast Mountain, there''s a kind of demon beast called the Three-Colored Tiger, which is several times stronger than the Blaze Lions. Maybe His Highness the Crown Prince might like to try them out!"


    Yang Kun: "..."


    Xiao Yi burst into hearty laughter and strode away with Qi.


    Looking at Xiao Yi''s retreating figure, Yang Kun gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with ferocity and bitterness. "Xiao Yi, we will never coexist peacefully..."


    ```

 Chapter 427 - 427 Huihai Sword Master

    Great Prince''s Residence.


    Yang Kun had been soaking in the bathhouse for a full two hours.


    He always felt there was still a strange smell on his body.


    Swish!


    A figure walked in from outside the door, standing by the bathhouse, this person was Yang Kun''s house steward, who said respectfully, "Your Highness, a message from the secret agent has arrived..."


    "Hmm?"


    Yang Kun removed the towel covering his face and frowned, "What message? Does it have to be delivered to me at this time?"


    The steward said in a deep voice, "It''s about Prince Yang Ling, Prince Yang Ling has made contact with Huang Baitao of the Beast Emperor City with Xiao Yi''s help. According to reliable information, Huang Baitao will provide magical beasts as offerings for Prince Yang Ling!"


    Splash!


    Yang Kun abruptly stood up from the bath, water droplets continuously rolling off his body.


    His eyes narrowed into slits, with cold light flickering within.


    He took the secret letter from the hands of the steward.


    Yang Ling was his most formidable competitor for the crown prince position. Yang Kun also had spies placed close to him, reading the content of the secret letter, his eyes emitted two beams of cold light, "So, it''s Xiao Yi. It''s one thing for him to oppose me at every turn, but to dare to help Yang Ling? You, immediately take my token to the Tianjian Sect to find the Huihai Sword Master!"


    "Your Highness, shall we ask the Huihai Sword Master to visit the Beast Emperor City?" the steward inquired.


    Having followed Yang Kun closely, he was very clear about his master''s thoughts and style of conduct.


    Yang Kun nodded, his eyes revealing a glint of icy coldness, "Let the Huihai Sword Master take a trip to the Beast Emperor City, to warn Huang Baitao..."


    "Your Highness, but the relationships behind the Beast Emperor City are also complicated, and Huang Baitao himself is a man from that place. I''m afraid the Huihai Sword Master''s visit might not be taken seriously..." the steward pondered, expressing his concerns.


    Yang Kun scoffed, "Don''t worry, the Huihai Sword Master surely has his ways to deal with it!"


    "Yes!"


    The steward promptly left.


    Yang Kun narrowed his eyes, his gaze icy to the extreme, "Yang Ling? Xiao Yi? Hmph, defy me, and when I ascend the throne, that will be the day of your demise!"


    ��


    Beast Emperor City.


    Huang Yuwei was looking at Huang Baitao in front of her and asked, "Father, has the magical beast that Brother Xiao Yi requested been prepared?"


    "It''s ready!"


    Huang Baitao glanced at Huang Yuwei, almost speaking but stopped. He felt amused, a childish spirit rising in him as he laughed, "Your father is going to deliver it personally to him, and also attend the ancestral ceremony of the Great Qian Dynasty. It''s said that Xiao Yi, the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, is to preside over the ceremony. He is our deputy city lord of the Beast Emperor City, after all; I must show up to support him. When the time comes, the Beast Emperor City will be entrusted to you to guard!"


    "Ah?"


    Huang Yuwei''s face filled with astonishment as she hesitated to say, "Father, I don''t want to guard the city..."


    "Now, that won''t do. When your father is away, there must be someone trustworthy left here!" Huang Baitao said with a beaming smile.


    "But I..."


    Huang Yuwei opened her mouth to speak, then suddenly realized that Huang Baitao was grinning mischievously. She said coyly, "Ah, Father, you tease me again. I, I won''t bother with you anymore..."


    "Haha, you little girl, since you''re fond of that scoundrel Xiao Yi, then come with your father..." Huang Baitao was saying.


    Suddenly...


    A terrifying aura enveloped the entire Beast Emperor City.


    At the same time, a cold voice came, "Where is Huang Baitao?"


    "Hmm?"


    Huang Baitao''s face suddenly changed.


    The aura was countless times more powerful than his own, just the oppressive presence alone made him feel despair and powerless; his heart turned ice cold: "A master of the Nirvana Realm?"


    Cold sweat poured down Huang Baitao''s forehead, and he clenched his teeth as he looked into the void.


    A figure with a longsword on his back stood suspended in the air, an expression of complete indifference on his face. He was the Deputy Sect Master of the Tianjian Sect, the Huihai Sword Master, a super expert of the Seventh Nirvana Realm, his every move left Huang Baitao utterly powerless to resist.


    "Father, father..." Huang Yuwei''s complexion was pale as she looked at Huang Baitao with concern.


    Huang Baitao shook his head, bit the tip of his tongue, and a sweet taste of blood filled his mouth, calming him down somewhat. He fixed his gaze on the Huihai Sword Master, "Huang has no knowledge of who your excellency might be. What brings you to our Beast Emperor City?" S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Huihai Sword Master slowly descended, positioning himself in front of Huang Baitao with an indifferent expression, "I am the Huihai Sword Master of the Tianjian Sect!"


    Hiss!


    Huang Baitao sucked in a breath of cold air, his gaze extraordinarily solemn.


    The Tianjian Sect, the foremost sect of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Its sect master, Xu Changsheng, is even rumored to be the number one expert of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Even with a profound background behind him, Huang Baitao did not wish to make an enemy of such a force. He said gravely, "So, you are the Huihai Sword Master. I have long heard of the sword master''s great name. However, our Beast Emperor City has no quarrels with the Tianjian Sect, so may I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?"


    The power of the Tianjian Sect is extremely formidable, such that even the royal family has to show them respect.


    Though Beast Emperor City is backed by powerful forces, which make the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty and the top ten sects covet the resources of Beast Emperor City, they have been maintaining a relationship of non-interference.


    But if the Tianjian Sect were truly to go all out to obliterate Beast Emperor City, those behind it would not mobilize with full force.


    Huang Baitao had no choice but to be cautious.


    The Huihai Sword Master said indifferently, "I have come to convey a message from my sect master. He wishes for Beast Emperor City to be locked down for half a year, starting immediately!"


    A lockdown for half a year?


    Huang Baitao''s face changed slightly. He had anticipated the reason for the Huihai Sword Master''s presence as he said solemnly, "A lockdown for half a year is not a problem, but I have an agreement with Xiao Yi of the Xiaoshanhe Institute to deliver a demon beast to him..."


    "There''s no need to deliver it now!"


    The Huihai Sword Master gave a cold smile, already having noticed the sixth-order peak demon beast inside the city lord''s residence. With but a flick of his finger,


    a flying sword shot out.


    It directly sliced the demon beast within the city lord''s residence in two. The Huihai Sword Master said expressionlessly, "That demon beast has been slain by me. There''s no need for further delivery. Furthermore, I hope Lord Huang remembers the words of my sect master: starting now, lockdown Beast Emperor City for half a year, and no one from Beast Emperor City is permitted to take even a half-step outside. Otherwise, my Tianjian Sect won''t care who is backing you..."


    Whoosh!


    A chilling Sword Qi penetrated into the sea.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The entire sea surface was actually cleaved apart, leaving a terrifying Sword Qi circulating within, causing this stretch of sea trench, extending for dozens of miles, to remain unrepaired for a long time.


    Huang Baitao''s face alternated between shades of green and white, yet he did not dare to voice his anger.


    The Huihai Sword Master scoffed disdainfully and said lightly, "Lord Huang, you better take good care of yourself!"


    Whoosh!


    The Huihai Sword Master then immediately departed.


    Only then did Huang Yuwei step forward, her face full of worry: "Father, why would the Tianjian Sect suddenly demand a lockdown of our city..."


    "Yang Kun!"


    Huang Baitao slowly uttered two words, his face dark with grimness, "I''ve long heard that the elder prince Yang Kun is a person of the Tianjian Sect. Naturally, the Tianjian Sect hopes that Yang Kun will inherit the throne. The demon beast we were preparing for Xiao Yi was for Prince Yang Ling to participate in the ancestral worship ceremony. Their appearance at this time, forcing me to lockdown the Beast Emperor City for half a year, is surely for the sake of Yang Kun..."


    "Then... what should we do?" Huang Yuwei fretted, "Now that the demon beast is killed and we''re forced into a lockdown, what about Brother Xiao Yi..."


    "Alas..."


    Huang Baitao sighed, feeling quite helpless, "As of now, your father has no solutions. The demon beast is the only casualty for now, but if we don''t lockdown, you and I could be the ones to perish. Let''s just send a message to Xiao Yi to inform him of everything happening here. Go announce the news immediately, starting now, Beast Emperor City is to be locked down for half a year."


    "I... alright..."


    Huang Yuwei struggled internally, but she also knew of her father''s helplessness.


    She had witnessed the might of the Huihai Sword Master firsthand. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    How could Beast Emperor City possibly contend with such power?


    As Huang Yuwei departed,


    a spirit bird flew out from Huang Baitao''s sleeve, carrying the message to let it fly to the Great Qian Dynasty. Huang Baitao looked at the miles-long and still-unhealed sea trench, and heaved a deep sigh, "A lockdown for half a year? Xiao Yi, I hope that after six months, I will still be able to see you..."

 Chapter 428 - 428 Northern Territory News

    Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Xiao Yi was giving guidance to Ye Heng, Jin Feiyan, and Ruan Yunyi in their cultivation practices.


    Ever since returning from Divine Beast Mountain, he had also been trying to visualize heaven and earth, nature, and the starry sky, but he had never found a visualization target that perfectly matched his opportunity.


    The object of visualization for Martial Dao Fasxiang is not something one can choose carelessly.


    Otherwise...


    One could only capture its form but fail to gather its essence.


    In the end, it would lead to a deviant path where one might either be stuck in this realm for life or be forced to dissolve their physique and manifest their dharma anew.


    But once one dissolves their physique, it means digging one''s own grave and severing one''s potential.


    It is an option not to be taken unless absolutely necessary.


    "Ye Heng, with your current progress in cultivation, reaching the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm around the time of the Ancestral Worship Ceremony should pose no problem. Coupled with your Battle War Holy Body, I estimate that even at Golden Elixir Peak, you would be able to put up a fight!" Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    "Master, I will definitely not disappoint you!" Ye Heng patted his chest excitedly.


    Jin Feiyan, smiling sweetly, tugged at Xiao Yi''s sleeve and asked, "Master, what about me? What about me? I have already stepped into the Golden Elixir Realm..."


    "Rest assured, your teacher has not forgotten!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes helplessly and said, "You''ve stepped into the Golden Elixir Realm, so naturally, you can be promoted to my direct disciple. I will pass on the ''Eight Trigrams Dragon Roaming Body Skill'' to you, and I hope you won''t disappoint me during the fight for the first incense offering at the Ancestral Worship Ceremony!"


    "Don''t worry, Master, I will surely capture the first incense offering!" Jin Feiyan received the scroll gleefully, all smiles.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze fell on Ruan Yunyi, who looked somewhat uneasy.


    He had the shortest time of contact with Xiao Yi.


    Due to his experiences, he felt extremely inferior and was very envious that Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan were recognized by Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi glanced at him and said with a smile, "Yunyi, since you''ve joined my tutelage not long ago and your cultivation level isn''t suitable to participate in the Ancestral Worship Ceremony, here are some elixirs for you. Take them and cultivate diligently, and try to raise your cultivation level!"


    "Th-thank you, Master!"


    Ruan Yunyi showed gratefulness in his eyes as he respectfully took the elixirs.


    Xiao Yi hummed an acknowledgment and then asked, "How has Xiao Yun been doing lately?"


    He had an inexplicable feeling toward Xiao Yun, as if they had known each other for a long time, but Xiao Yi was certain he had never seen him before.


    Ruan Yunyi replied, "Master, Brother Xiao Yun is currently in seclusion, seemingly researching a formation!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, his curiosity about Xiao Yun being merely passing, and he did not inquire further. After reminding the three to practice well, Yu Huaxian came running from afar in a great hurry, "Head of the Institute, His Highness Yang Ling requests an audience!"


    "Yang Ling?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, frowning slightly, "What does he want with me at this hour?"


    A moment later.


    Xiao Yi saw an anxious Yang Ling in another pavilion. Looking at his worry and unwillingness, Xiao Yi realized that something serious must have happened. He furrowed his brows and asked, "Yang Ling, what exactly has happened? Why are you seeking me out so urgently?"


    "You''re finally here!"


    Yang Ling came forward with a bitter smile, holding a spiritual bird in his hand, which he had sent to communicate with Huang Baitao, "Huang Baitao sent a message saying that Yang Kun sent the Huihai Sword Master to Beast Emperor City to slay the magical beast he had prepared for me and ordered Beast Emperor City to be sealed for half a year!"


    Xiao Yi''s face changed drastically.


    He finally understood why Yang Ling was so anxious.


    Beast Emperor City being sealed for half a year.


    It meant they would not be able to find a sacrificial beast from Beast Emperor City. He couldn''t help but sigh inwardly: "Yang Kun... what a ruthless move."


    Anger too was stirring in his heart.


    To stop Yang Ling, Yang Kun was truly stopping at nothing.


    After failing to vie for the Ink Flood Dragon, he decided to slay it.


    Xiao Yi set out to Divine Beast Mountain to visualize the Iron Winged Chi Dragon, taking with him the reverse scale of Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, causing Xiao Yi to miss the opportunity to contemplate the Iron Winged Chi Dragon.


    Now, he had even dispatched the Huihai Sword Master, forcing Huang Baitao to seal the city for half a year.


    This cut off their hopes of finding sacrificial beast from Beast Emperor City.


    Yang Ling was at his wit''s end, as the Ancestral Sacrifice Ceremony was drawing closer and closer, but he had yet to secure his sacrificial beast. Xiao Yi was his only lifeline, "Xiao Yi, you must think of a way to help me..."


    Xiao Yi nodded and reassured him, "Don''t worry, I will think of a way for you!"


    After pondering for a moment.


    Xiao Yi said, "Let''s do this, follow me to the Treasure Pavilion, they have branches everywhere, surely they will have some news!"


    "That''s the only thing we can do now!"


    Yang Ling nodded.


    The two of them immediately headed to the Treasure Pavilion.


    When Nalan Qianqiu learned of their backgrounds, she pondered for a moment and then said, "Our Treasure Pavilion rarely deals with the beast industry, and it would be somewhat difficult for us to provide beasts. However, I have heard that some strange events have recently occurred on the Northern Ice Plains, with mysterious beasts causing trouble. Even General Yan Wei, who personally oversees the situation, is unable to deal with that mysterious beast. Maybe you can go check the Northern Ice Plains..."


    "Even General Yan Wei can''t handle it?" Yang Ling''s eyes lit up.


    Yan Wei was one of the ten Great Generals of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    His combat power was comparable to the ninth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    If even he couldn''t handle the beast, it was very likely a sixth-order high level or even a sixth-order peak.


    With this thought.


    Yang Ling looked at Xiao Yi and spoke gravely, "Xiao Yi, the news about my deal with Beast Emperor City was discovered so quickly by Yang Kun; I''m afraid he has infiltrated my ranks. Could you accompany me to the Northern Ice Plains?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and agreed, "To the Northern Ice Plains, I will accompany you!"


    "Thank you!"


    Yang Ling expressed his gratitude.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand; he had always had a good impression of Yang Ling.


    Besides, if Yang Kun was causing him trouble time and again, Xiao Yi naturally would not wish to see Yang Kun ascend to the position of Crown Prince.


    Yang Ling spoke solemnly, "However, going to the Northern Ice Plains to find a beast is not going to be easy. Both of us know little about beasts, and with the Northern Ice Plains being fraught with crises, we need to find a few more helpers. I will go look for helpers first; let us meet outside the city tonight and set off overnight, alright?"


    "Fine!"


    Xiao Yi naturally had no objections to this.


    The two of them went their separate ways.


    In the shadows...


    A figure watched as Xiao Yi split up from his companion, a cold glint passed through his eyes, "They are separating at this time; they must be up to something. I need to inform His Highness quickly..." sea??h th�� n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However.


    Just as he turned around, he saw Xiao Yi looking at him with a half-smile.


    Hisss!


    The man''s face changed, and without any hesitation, he turned and fled into the distance.


    "Do you think you can run away without my permission?" Xiao Yi said with a faint smile.


    He reached out into the void with his palm and directly grabbed the other man by the neck, pulling him back in front of him, Xiao Yi calmly said, "You were sent by Yang Kun, weren''t you?"


    "I, I don''t know what you''re talking about..." The man feigned innocence and said, "Let me go quickly, or else I''ll start calling for help..."


    "You''ve quite a tough mouth!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head slightly, then with a crack, he twisted the man''s neck, squinting his eyes and looking in the direction Yang Ling had left, "I hope Yang Ling doesn''t encounter any problems..."

 Chapter 429 - 429: Defeating the Tianjiao with a Single Finger

    The silver moon hung high in the sky.


    The tightly shut Vermilion Bird Gate quietly opened a crack, and two figures emerged from within.


    Wrapped in black cloaks, they looked left and right before quickly heading forward, assured that no one was around.


    A moment later.


    They arrived at a dense forest ten miles away from the imperial capital.


    Rustling noises!


    Amidst the chaotic sounds, several figures gathered together.


    The ones who had come from the city were none other than Xiao Yi and Yang Ling, and those meeting them here were a man and a woman.


    The man was handsome and extraordinary, wearing his pride plainly on his face.


    The woman''s face was covered with a white veil, and an icy aura was unconsciously released from her, resembling a snow goddess.


    "Your Highness!"


    The two greeted Yang Ling with a bow.


    "Shen, Miss Bai, I''m sorry to have kept you waiting!"


    Yang Ling returned their greeting with a bow and then turned to look at Xiao Yi beside him, saying, "This is Shen Mo from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, the youngest sixth-rank high-level Beast Tamer there. And this is Bai Xue from the Feixue Temple, she..."


    Before he could finish his sentence.


    The cold Bai Xue waved her hand and with an indifferent tone tinted with a trace of disdain said, "Prince Yang Ling, I agreed to help because my master owes you a favor. Once this matter is over, we shall have no further connections with the Feixue Temple. There''s no need to introduce these irrelevant people to me!"


    "This..."


    Yang Ling''s face slightly changed, showing a hint of anger.


    No matter what, Xiao Yi was his friend, and Bai Xue''s arrogance went so far as to show impatience even while he was introducing Xiao Yi.


    Shen Mo, standing aside with an expressionless face, spoke indifferently, "Prince Yang Ling, in aiding you this time, the thing you promised me before..."


    Yang Ling said with a heavy voice, "Rest assured, when this is accomplished, I will not break the promises I made to you!"


    "Great!"


    Shen Mo nodded, his gaze swiftly passing over Xiao Yi with a hint of impatience, "Your Highness, we''re headed for the perilous Northern Ice Plains, yet you bring along such trash who''s only at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Aren''t you deliberately dragging us down?"


    He was the Direct Disciple of Shen Yan.


    Not only was he at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, but he was also a high-level sixth-rank Beast Tamer, controlling three sixth-rank beasts.


    In the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, he was regarded as a prodigy.


    He had never seen Xiao Yi before and thus was unaware of his identity.


    The eyes beneath Xiao Yi''s cloak swept over Shen Mo as he spoke lightly, "If I''m trash, then aren''t you even less than trash?"


    "Hm?"


    Shen Mo''s complexion darkened as he sneered ominously, "Prince Yang Ling, it seems your friend does not take me seriously!"


    "Shen, my friend has always been like this, please forgive him!" Yang Ling quickly said, not wishing for a conflict to erupt before they had even set out, as he did not want to offend either Xiao Yi or Shen Mo.


    Shen Mo said coldly, "He has always been like this? With your strength, such an arrogant character, how have you not been beaten to death?"


    Xiao Yi responded with an exasperated look, "Idiot!"


    "You''re asking for it!"


    Shen Mo''s face fell, for he had never suffered such humiliation. His eyes erupted with a cold glint as he struck out at Xiao Yi, "Fierce Tiger Palm!"


    Whoosh!


    The palm wind was extremely fierce.


    The whirlwind of vital energy formed into a majestic tiger that pounced toward Xiao Yi with immense ferocity.


    Bai Xue, noticing that Xiao Yi hadn''t moved an inch, wore a mocking expression, "Shen Mo''s Fierce Tiger Palm is so well cultivated it''s flawless, and its power is immense. Even I wouldn''t dare to take it head-on. Is this boy foolishly overconfident? He''s simply courting death!"


    But she was quickly proven wrong!


    Xiao Yi simply lifted his right hand and pointed a single finger.


    Hum!


    As the vital energy surged out, it shattered the oncoming tiger''s shadow into nothingness.


    His finger did not stop there.


    Bang!


    His finger struck Shen Mo, who spat out a mouthful of blood, flying backward, his complexion suddenly turning deathly pale. Shen Mo looked at Xiao Yi with shock, "How, how is this possible? You''re merely at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, yet how can you be so powerful?"


    He was, after all, a Dharma Manifestation Realm quintuple master.


    How could such a forceful punch be broken by Xiao Yi, and even more, be injured with a single finger point?


    Bai Xue was also dumbfounded.


    Only Yang Ling let out a wry laugh, "I told you not to be impulsive, you are not his match..."


    "Impossible!"


    Shen Mo snorted coldly, gritted his teeth and said, "My greatest skill is being a Beast Tamer, not hand-to-hand combat, come out!"


    Snap!


    Shen Mo slapped his beast taming pouch at his waist. S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    A black light flew out from the beast taming pouch and shot up into the sky. The palm-sized black shadow swelled and enlarged rapidly. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a twenty-some-meter-long shadow with wings on its back, stirring up wild winds that bent numerous trees in the dense forest.


    This was a sixth-order middle-grade monster beast, comparable to the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm sixth tier: the Winged Serpent.


    The Winged Serpent landed on the ground.


    Its head held high, full of pride, its ruby-like eyes shone with a sharp light.


    Its scarlet tongue flicked in and out of its mouth.


    Whoosh!


    Shen Mo landed on top of the Winged Serpent''s head, his cold gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, "Winged Serpent, swallow him for me!"


    "Yes!"


    The Winged Serpent spat out human speech, flapped its wings, and with a whoosh, shot towards Xiao Yi.


    Faced with the twenty-some-meter-long Winged Serpent diving at full force, Xiao Yi remained calm, standing still without moving. Only when the Winged Serpent''s gaping maw was right before him did he lift a finger and point forward.


    Yuan Qi flowed from his fingertip, transforming into a cold star.


    Buzz!


    The Yuan Qi cold star trembled violently. Upon touching the Winged Serpent, it instantly transformed into a circular Yuan Qi shield.


    Boom!


    The Winged Serpent''s huge body could not advance any further, yet it couldn''t stop its momentum and crashed violently against the Yuan Qi shield. The blow dazed the Winged Serpent, seeing stars, while Xiao Yi simply extended his hand and pressed downward.


    Whoosh!


    A Yuan Qi hand appeared out of nowhere, grabbed the Winged Serpent''s head, and slammed it hard onto the ground.


    Boom!


    The Winged Serpent slammed hard into the ground, pinned down by Xiao Yi''s single finger, unable to move.


    Shen Mo, who stood atop the Winged Serpent''s head, also tumbled over, pressed under the Winged Serpent, and screamed in pain, "Hurry, let me out, I... I surrender, let me out..."


    At this moment, Shen Mo had lost all his previous arrogance.


    His gaze at Xiao Yi was filled with awe and respect.


    Yang Ling stepped forward at the right moment and persuaded, "Xiao, our journey to the Northern Ice Plains is long and arduous, and we can''t do without the Winged Serpent for transport. Plus, we need Shen Mo''s ability to track monsters for the journey through the ice plains. Could you let him off for my sake?"


    "Hm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, relaxed his hand, and looked coldly at Shen Mo and the Winged Serpent, who were warily watching him, "This time, I''ll spare you for Yang Ling''s sake. Should you dare to provoke me again, your fate will be like this stone!"


    Puff!


    He pointed his finger.


    A stone beside him instantly turned to dust.


    "No, I wouldn''t dare... I wouldn''t dare..." Shen Mo hurriedly shook his head.


    This Tianjiaao of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect was completely subdued under Xiao Yi''s single finger point.


    Bai Xue kept silent, but upon hearing Yang Ling''s mention of their destination, the Northern Ice Plains, her fingers twitched slightly inside her sleeves. She let a piece of cloth fall to the ground, which she quietly covered with weeds.


    Shen Mo also crawled out from under the Winged Serpent, cupped his hands towards Yang Ling, and said, "Thank you, your Highness, for lending a hand!"


    Yang Ling breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It''s good that the misunderstanding is resolved. The journey is long; we should set off!"


    "Alright!"


    Shen Mo nodded, beckoned to everyone to mount the Winged Serpent, which looked at Xiao Yi respectfully, flapped its wings, and disappeared into the night sky.


    But no one noticed...


    Shortly after they departed, a group of men in black appeared at the location, quickly finding the piece of cloth on the ground. One of them raised an eyebrow and let out a sinister cold laugh, "Go back and inform his Highness that their destination is the Northern Ice Plains. The rest of you, continue the pursuit and try to eliminate them before his Highness arrives..."

 Chapter 430 - 430: Murderous Heist

    ```


    The Great Qian Dynasty spanned vast territories.


    It faced the Beast Emperor Sea to the east, bordered vassal states of the Western Region to the west, the ten nations of Nanhuang to the south, and only to the north was it bordering the Sword Dynasty, which was in no way weaker than the Great Qian Dynasty.


    In terms of national strength and powerful individuals, the Sword Dynasty was comparable to the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The border between the two countries lay at the Northern Ice Plains.


    Rich in mythical beasts and a variety of resources, the plains often became a battleground as the two countries vied for these assets.


    Frictions, both large and small, were frequent.


    This rendered the situation on the Northern Ice Plains extremely tense.


    Atop the Northern Ice Plains stood fortresses, specifically the Northern Bing City of the Great Qian Dynasty and the Southern Ice City of the Sword Dynasty. Positioned in opposition, with a plain of ice stretching between them, they faced each other from a distance.


    Their destination this time was precisely the Northern Ice Plains, situated between the two cities.


    Above the heavens, snowflakes fluttered unpredictably.


    As they approached the Northern Ice Plains, the temperature plummeted suddenly, with a vast expanse of goose-feather-like snow covering the land. A Winged Snake soared through the skies, breaking through the wind and snow, carrying Xiao Yi and his three companions as they sat on its back, their elemental energy rising and falling around them, blocking out the bitter cold snow and wind.


    Shen Mo had already learned of Xiao Yi''s identity, and with a wry smile, said, "Your Highness, if only you had told me that this was Xiao earlier, I wouldn''t have ended up being beaten up!"


    Though he had never seen Xiao Yi before,


    he had heard of Xiao Yi''s terrifying combat record, especially how Xiao Yi recently went to the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect to cure the ink dragon, earning high praise from Shen Yan. Had he known it was Xiao Yi, Shen Mo would certainly not have harbored any contempt.


    Yang Ling rolled his eyes, "I was going to introduce you, but you guys..."


    He glanced over at Bai Xue.


    It was Bai Xue who had interrupted his introduction to Xiao Yi just now. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shen Mo snapped out of it and glared at Bai Xue fiercely but said nothing else.


    Feixue Temple was the most unique among the ten major sects.


    Composed entirely of women, its overall strength was considered the weakest among the ten, but it was the power that all other forces were the least willing to provoke. The reason was simple; every generation of Feixue Temple disciples would marry into the other nine major sects and various forces.


    Shen Mo''s mother and Bai Xue were both disciples of the Feixue Temple''s nine elders, and by seniority, he had to address Bai Xue as his martial aunt, hence he dared not trouble her.


    Bai Xue, however, maintained an attitude of closed-eye meditation, as if she hadn''t heard their conversation at all.


    The Winged Snake was in mid-flight.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Get down!"


    "Huh?"


    Everyone was taken aback and looked at him, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi shouted in a low voice, "Get down, now!"


    A chill enveloped everyone as Shen Mo''s hands trembled, and without daring to question further, he patted the head of the Winged Snake and commanded, "Get down!"


    Whoosh!


    The Winged Snake flapped its wings and began to descend to the ground.


    Almost at the same moment that it began its descent, a cold arrow flew through the space where it had been previously. The arrow, three to four meters long, was a Feiyu Arrow, specifically designed to shoot down flying mythical beasts and aerial martial artists.


    With a deadly poison applied to it, a single hit would mean death even for those in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, whether human martial artists or mythical beasts.


    The Feiyu Arrow was often used for defending cities, intended to prevent enemy powerhouses from breaking through the defenses while in flight.


    Because of its formidable power, even those warriors who could fly seldom dared to risk breaking through the defenses from the air during a siege. After all, the poison on the Feiyu Arrow could kill even those in the Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    This was a forbidden military weapon.


    Not something that would be found in civilian hands.


    "A Feiyu Arrow?" Yang Ling''s pupils suddenly constricted as he recognized the Feiyu Arrow.


    Cold sweat broke out on everyone''s foreheads.


    If it hadn''t been for Xiao Yi''s timely warning to dodge, the Winged Snake would most likely have been killed by that Feiyu Arrow.


    "Who could it be, wielding a Feiyu Arrow?" Shen Mo was astonished and quickly urged the Winged Snake to descend to the ground.


    Swish swish swish!


    Three more Feiyu Arrows followed, each with incredible speed.


    Xiao Yi leaped up and exclaimed, "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    ```


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Sword light tore through the air like a torrential downpour.


    Under the onslaught of the blinding sword rain, the three feathered arrows were all sever and gone, allowing the Winged Serpent to safely land. The moment it touched the ground, Xiao Yi ordered Shen Mo to store the Winged Serpent in the beast-controlling bag, saying gravely, "The enemy will catch up soon, hide yourselves first!"


    The group immediately disbanded, concealing themselves within the jungle.


    A moment later.


    Dozens of figures appeared in succession, searching everywhere for traces of Xiao Yi and the others, but they had not found any. The leader''s face darkened as he said, "You useless bunch, couldn''t even take them out with four feathered arrows?"


    "Leader, it''s not our fault!"


    "We didn''t know how they realized we were making a move..."


    The group looked aggrieved.


    "Damn it!"


    The leader in black gnashed his teeth, "Such a good opportunity wasted! Now that they''re on guard, it won''t be so easy to succeed..."


    "If you reveal who you are, maybe I can give you another chance!" Before the leader could finish, Xiao Yi''s voice came from within the jungle.


    "Hmm?"


    The leader''s expression changed drastically as dozens of people turned to look in the direction of the sound.


    Xiao Yi walked out with his hands behind his back, emerging from the dense forest.


    With a playful and cold smile on his face, he looked at the few dozen people before him and said softly, "To wield feathered arrows, there must be military personnel backing you up. Let me guess, were you sent by Yang Kun?"


    "Humph!"


    The leader''s pupils shrank slightly, yet he snorted coldly without confirming it and said indifferently, "I don''t know what you''re talking about... We''re just robbers blocking the road, have your companions come out!"


    "To deal with you, one of me is enough!" Xiao Yi said flatly.


    "Arrogant!"


    The leader in black sneered, "Since they''re too scared to show up, forcing you to come out and die, then I''ll oblige you!"


    Swish!


    The leader in black charged forward, followed closely by the dozens of men behind him.


    The cultivation of this black-clad leader wasn''t weak either; he had reached the fourth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Among his ranks were six others at the Dharma Manifestation Realm and the rest were at least at the Tao Tribulation Realm. Dozens of men attacked simultaneously, creating an imposing manner; their well-organized formation made it clear they were hardy military warriors.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, "If you won''t speak, then shut up forever!"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    His figure suddenly moved, like a ferocious tiger pouncing on its prey, charging directly into the crowd of black-clothed figures.


    A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!


    White herons splitting the river water!


    The Blue Lotus Reincarnation...


    Xiao Yi''s sword moves flowed like clouds and water, sweeping broadly and delivering devastating power.


    Under the terror of his fearsome sword technique, heads flew high into the sky, and within just a few moments of breaths, not a single person was left standing beside Xiao Yi. Everyone had their heads severed, turning into headless corpses.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath and started searching the body of the black-clad leader, retrieving a token.


    It bore the inscription Blood Saber!


    Narrowing his eyes, Xiao Yi said, "Yang Yuhuan''s Blood Saber Guard? Was it him who sent people to assassinate us?"


    "Blood Saber Guard?"


    Yang Ling''s face darkened as he came by Xiao Yi''s side, looking at the token of Blood Saber Guard with a savage flash in his eyes, and said in a low voice, "It''s not the king''s uncle, they were sent by Yang Kun!"


    "Yang Kun?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Yang Ling nodded and said firmly, "Yang Kun also has command over the Blood Saber Guard; it must be his men who were sent. Damn, I''ve been extremely careful, how could they still know my whereabouts? With Yang Kun''s methods, he will not stop here, and I''m afraid our journey will be fraught with even more danger..."


    "No matter,"


    Xiao Yi simply smiled, his gaze sharp with a trace of cold intensity, "We''ll deal with the soldiers as they come, if one comes, I''ll kill one, if a pair comes, I''ll slaughter both... I want to see how many more he can send after us..."

 Chapter 431 - 431 Northern Bing City

    After cleaning up the battlefield,


    Shen Mo summoned a Winged Serpent, and the group set off again.


    However, about half an hour after they left, Yang Kun appeared at the site with a band of powerful individuals.


    Looking at the corpses of the black-clothed leader and the others on the ground, an icy expression appeared on Yang Kun''s face, "Useless trash, all wiped out in one fell swoop."


    "Your Highness, we have startled the snake by hitting the grass, what should we do now?" A young man dressed in black beside Yang Kun asked.


    If Xiao Yi had been there, he would have recognized that this young man was none other than Sun Yao.


    Yang Kun said coldly, "What is there to fear? Each of us could drown them with just a spit. Furthermore, we have Bai Xue as an insider among them. No matter what, they will not be able to escape the palm of my hand!"


    "Your Highness is indeed wise, to even have your people in Feixue Temple!" Sun Yao said with a smile.


    Yang Kun proudly smiled and then said coldly, "Listen, everyone, as soon as you catch up with them, show no mercy. Yang Ling has been staying in the imperial capital this whole time, and I have never had the chance to make a move. This is an opportunity bestowed by heaven; he must not be allowed to live and return!"


    "Rest assured, elder brother, we know what to do!"


    "The position of the Crown Prince should rightfully belong to Your Highness. Who else has the right to vie for it?"


    "Besides them��"


    With a wave of his hand, Yang Kun led the group in pursuit toward the direction of the Northern Ice Plains.


    ��


    In Northern Bing City,


    As a frontier fortress of the Great Qian Dynasty in the north, the city was substantial.


    Built against the mountain, it guarded the northern thoroughfares.


    By the time Xiao Yi and his companions arrived at Northern Bing City, the place was already a sea of people.


    Countless individuals formed a black torrent, rushing towards the square inside the city.


    In the crowd, apart from the defending soldiers of Northern Bing City, there were also many stray Martial Artists and townsfolk. At this moment, each person''s face was marked by ferocity and coldness, accompanied by anger that seemed to reach its breaking point.


    "Damn it, don''t let me find out who did this, or I''ll tear them to pieces!"


    "Not just tear them to pieces? I want to dig out their ancestral graves��"


    Curse after curse echoed among the crowd.


    Xiao Yi and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.


    Shen Mo asked, "What on earth happened? Why does everyone look so enraged?"


    "Let''s go and see what''s going on!" Yang Ling said.


    The group followed the crowd forward.


    In the square...


    Three carriages were lined up in a row.


    Atop the carriages,


    bodies were spread out haphazardly, each body mutilated, as if torn apart by someone''s bare hands or savagely ripped asunder by beasts.


    It was a terrifying sight.


    Menacing to behold.


    Hiss!


    Even Xiao Yi couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath. There were easily over a hundred bodies on the three carriages, including some elderly, women, and children, as well as some soldiers in broken armor.


    There were even the hands and feet of babbling toddlers among them!


    What kind of being could have such cruel methods?


    Shen Mo''s eyes reddened with rage, and he said in a suppressed voice, "Xiao, Your Highness, I''ll go and find out what''s going on."


    Xiao Yi nodded, remaining silent.


    A moment later,


    Shen Mo returned with a gloomy face, his voice somewhat hoarse, "I''ve found out what happened. These are the villagers from a village called the Wen Family Village on the ice plains. The city''s patrol team found them during their rounds��more than two thousand people from the Wen Family Village reduced to just these mangled bodies..."


    Hiss!


    The group couldn''t help but gasp.


    A village of over two thousand people left with only these mutilated remains?


    What about the others?


    Clearly, they couldn''t still be alive!


    A few villagers nearby were also discussing, "This is already the seventh village to suffer such a fate this month. The city lord''s mansion says it''s the work of a beast, but what kind of beast could be so vicious?"


    "In these two months, the death toll has exceeded one hundred thousand..."


    "Over one hundred thousand dead or injured in two months?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and stared at the wounds on the mutilated corpses, frowning slightly, and asked in a low voice, "Little Lin, can you tell what might have caused these injuries?"


    Little Lin possessed inherited memories and a vast wealth of knowledge.


    Its sharp gaze swept over the corpses, and it shook its head, "Boss, these wounds are highly peculiar; even in my inherited memories, I can''t find a clear match. It must be an extremely rare beast!"


    Xiao Yi was startled and his eyebrows furrowed deeply, "Ordinary beast attacks, even those that wipe out entire villages, wouldn''t leave without a trace. The affairs that have taken place in the Northern Bing City over these past two months are probably not simple!"


    At that moment...


    A middle-aged military leader clad in grey armor landed in the middle of the square; his gray armor was ancient and weathered, covered with numerous battle scars, each a testament to the bloodshed he had seen.


    This man was none other than General Yan Wei, the city lord of Northern Bing City, a master at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak!


    He was one of the ten great commanders of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    Yang Ling looked solemnly at Yan Wei, his eyes flashing with serious colors, and whispered to Xiao Yi, "This General Yan Wei is one of the few commanders of the Great Qian dynasty who is not from under the War King''s command."


    Xiao Yi nodded in acknowledgment.


    Within the Great Qian Dynasty, there were ten commander-level great generals, and no less than six of them came from under Yang Yuhuan, the Unmatched War King.


    The meaning behind Yang Ling''s words implied that Yan Wei was someone to be trusted.


    At the same time...


    He was also someone Yang Ling was preparing to win over.


    Yan Wei, looking at the hundreds of corpses, his eyes bloodshot, said to the people, "Ladies and gentlemen, as the lord of Northern Bing City, I let such a tragedy occur within my jurisdiction, for which I owe you all an apology. Once I find and bring the criminal beast to justice, I shall go to the imperial capital and request His Majesty to pass judgment and punishment on me..."


    "General Yan, we all know you''ve tried your hardest!"


    "Yes, General Yan, you''ve exhausted yourself for our sake. How can we blame you?"


    The crowd said one after another.


    Yan Wei felt grateful in his heart and declared loudly, "Please be assured, everyone. Even if I have to sacrifice my own life, I will surely capture the culprit!"


    "We believe in you!"


    "You can do it, General Yan!"


    Yan Wei nodded profoundly and then his gaze fell upon Xiao Yi and the others; upon seeing Yang Ling, Yan Wei paused, then quickly stepped forward and said, "I had no knowledge of your visit, Your Highness, and failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me!"


    "General Yan, what are you saying? You have worked tirelessly to defend the northern borders of the Great Qian Dynasty. My sudden visit is actually an imposition, and you bear no blame," Yang Ling replied respectfully, his gaze earnest and sincere, moving Yan Wei profoundly.


    Yan Wei turned to Xiao Yi and the others, "And this gentleman is..."


    Yang Ling quickly said, "This is Xiao Yi, the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, Shen Mo, a disciple of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, and Bai Xue, a disciple of the Feixue Temple!"


    "Oh? So it''s Head Xiao Yi, a name I have long heard!"


    Yan Wei raised an eyebrow, and for both Shen Mo and Bai Xue, he merely nodded as a sign of recognition, but his gaze towards Xiao Yi was filled with intense curiosity.


    This was the young genius who had nearly eradicated the Nangong Family and was capable of standing toe-to-toe with Yang Yuhuan.


    Now Xiao Yi''s name was well-known throughout the Great Qian Dynasty!


    Xiao Yi humbly said, "General Yan gives me too much credit��guarding the frontier is truly the admirable task, and you are the idol in our hearts!"


    "Idol?" Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yan Wei let out a bitter smile and pointed to the hundreds of corpses, "In the region under my watch, such a tragedy occurs, and I''m powerless to stop it. How do I qualify to be your idol?"


    The group fell silent for a moment.


    Xiao Yi said, "General Yan, we have come to track down the beast responsible for this tragedy. Do you have any leads?"


    "The beast is very cunning and hasn''t left any clues. In the past, once a village was attacked, the whole village would disappear together. This incident with the Wen Family Village leaving behind corpses is a first. However..."


    Yan Wei hesitated for a moment. He hadn''t expected Xiao Yi and his group to come in pursuit of the beast, then he shared, "I received information three days ago that in the Teng Family Village, villagers and livestock have been mysteriously disappearing, so I sent people to keep watch. But I didn''t expect the Wen Family Village to be the one met with disaster..."


    "The Teng Family Village?"


    Xiao Yi and the others were taken aback, narrowed their eyes, and murmured, "With no leads to follow, let''s start with the Teng Family Village then!"

 Chapter 432 - 432 The Teng Family Village

    "You''re heading to the Teng Family Village?"


    Yan Wei was taken aback, frowning at them with a worried expression, "The ice plains are fraught with dangers these days. I urge you not to rashly expose yourselves to risk!"


    Yang Ling was Emperor Qian''s most beloved prince.


    If anything were to befall him on the ice plains, Yan Wei, who was in charge of guarding Northern Bing City, would not be able to escape responsibility either.


    Yang Ling smiled and said, "General, rest assured, we will be careful and cautious!"


    "But..."


    Yan Wei still wanted to prevent them.


    Yang Ling had already waved his hand, smiling as he said, "General, please don''t worry too much. As a prince, these deceased citizens are also my subjects, and it is my duty to uncover the truth for them!"


    Upon hearing this,


    Yan Wei looked at Yang Ling with a touch more reassurance in his eyes and nodded, "Since this is the case, I won''t obstruct you any further. However, the ice plains above are not conducive to flying. I''ll prepare a snow sled for you, to facilitate your movement!"


    The cold of the ice plains was bone-chilling, and unless one was constantly protected by vital energy while flying,


    even those in the Dharma Manifestation Realm would still be frostbitten!


    Therefore...


    snow sleds had become the most common means of transportation across the Northern Ice Plains.


    Shen Mo went to retrieve the snow sled, while Xiao Yi and Yang Ling were discussing the matter with monster beasts and didn''t notice that Bai Xue secretly handed a piece of torn fabric to a youth with a gloomy face among the crowd.


    Whoosh!


    Watching the youth disappear into the crowd, Bai Xue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes revealing an excitement she could hardly conceal.


    "As long as His Highness Yang Kun kills them, I can become the main prince''s concubine, no, I should be the Crown Princess Consort..."


    Her gaze settled on Yang Ling, Xiao Yi, and the others, and she said softly, "I''m sorry, you all, but who asked you to stand in the way of the main prince?"


    ...


    Above the ice plains.


    The wind cut to the bone, and the world was a vast expanse of white.


    The Northern Ice Plains were known for year-round biting winds and falling snow, which covered every living thing in a blanket of white, transforming the land into a boundless white kingdom. Here, only the creatures extremely resistant to cold could survive.


    As a result, the people living above the ice plains were especially fond of alcohol, especially strong spirits!


    Xiao Yi''s party stepped onto the ice plains, riding a snow sled that was pulled by eight snow wolves.


    These snow wolves were merely low-rank monster beasts, not very strong but extremely resistant to cold and easy to tame. They raced across the ice plains all year round, breaking through the wind and snow as if assisted by divine powers. The party rode the snow sled pulled by the snow wolves, racing across the ice plains.


    The snow sled was also protected by a formation; a faint white light shield wrapped around it, ensuring that the fierce wind and snow could not reach them.


    Above the ice plains where the snow flew like a storm.


    The sled traveled unrestrained, disappearing into the vast sea of snow.


    They raced on.


    After two full hours...


    The snowstorm gradually ceased, and even a ray of sunlight appeared in the grey, clouded sky.


    Upon the snowy ground, eight snow wolves sprinted, dragging behind them a sled that kicked up flurries of snowflakes. Suddenly, a voice from Shen Mo came from the sled: "Teng Family Village is just ahead, let''s pick up the pace..."


    Howl!


    The snow wolves howled up to the sky, changing direction and heading straight for the village.


    As they drew closer,


    one could faintly make out many figures stirring in the village; they''d also noticed the arrival of Xiao Yi''s party, with many people congregating at the entrance to the village. Most were burly men, each with a robust frame, armed with spears and long tridents, watching Xiao Yi''s party with vigilance.


    The leader, a middle-aged man dressed in a grey fur coat with a vigorous aura and cultivation at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, spoke in a deep voice, "Who goes there?"


    "We come from Northern Bing City, to investigate the recent village massacres. Passing through this area, we''d like to rest here if permitted..." Shen Mo shouted.


    "Northern Bing City?"


    The middle-aged man was taken aback; they had only just relaxed their vigilance slightly when he said in a deep voice, "Rest is fine, but we do not provide lodging in our village!"


    "Just to rest!"


    "We''ll leave soon afterwards!" Xiao Yi said.


    The middle-aged man nodded, dispersed the crowd, and said, "Keep the sled outside. Follow me!"


    "Village Chief..."


    "It''s better if we come with you!" the villagers said uneasily.


    "What''s there to worry about? Go back to your homes. If something really happens, you can still intervene in time!"


    The middle-aged man waved his hand then led Xiao Yi and his companions towards the village. Along the way, he said, "The people of the Northern Ice Plains have always been hospitable, but too many villages have been wiped out recently, so we have to be cautious. Please understand!"


    Xiao Yi nodded in understanding and looked around as they walked: "How should I address the village chief?"


    "My name is Teng Shan. You can just call me Big Shan!"


    Teng Shan led everyone into a courtyard and instructed his wife to arrange food for them. Then he ushered the group to sit in front of a stove, sizing up Xiao Yi and the others, "By the looks of your clothes, you''re not ordinary folks. Why would you come here?"


    Yang Ling said, "We are all kin of the Great Qian Dynasty. How can we turn a blind eye when our kin are in trouble?"


    "Well said!"


    Teng Shan slapped his thigh, becoming even more enthusiastic, and said, "Young brother, for those words, we''ll need to have a couple of drinks later!" He paused, then slapped his head, "Right, I still don''t know all of your names?"


    Yang Ling said, "Yang Ling, this is Xiao Yi, Shen Mo... She is Bai Xue..." S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just then...


    Teng Shan''s wife brought over steaming meat to the table, a somewhat shy woman, with a boy and a girl who looked like adorable porcelain dolls by her side. Each carried a wine jar almost as tall as themselves and said in childish voices, "Daddy, here''s your wine!"


    "Hahaha, come to Daddy!"


    Teng Shan lifted the two children onto his lap, laughing, "These are my precious daughter Teng Qingqing and my son Teng Qingshan... You two haven''t greeted the uncles and aunties yet!"


    With wide, watery eyes, the two children looked at Xiao Yi and the others, saying in their soft voices, "Hello, uncles and aunties!"


    "Hahaha, what obedient children!"


    "Qingqing, let uncle give you a hug..."


    They were all in high spirits.


    Teng Qingqing''s eyes spun around, pausing on Bai Xue, and then she toddled over to Bai Xue, saying crisply, "Pretty sister, can I, can I touch your clothes?"


    Bai Xue''s face was as calm as still water. She glanced over disdainfully and said coolly, "Stay away from me!"


    "..."


    Teng Qingqing retracted her hand in fright, her lip quivering and her eyes instantly reddening.


    Teng Shan frowned slightly.


    Xiao Yi held Teng Qingqing in his arms and gave Bai Xue a cold look. He then smiled at Teng Qingqing and said, "Don''t be scared Qingqing... Uncle has a gift for you..." He waved his hand, and a jade pendant appeared in his palm.


    He had infused a trace of vital energy into it.


    The jade pendant was warm to the touch, ensuring Teng Qingqing would remain warm even amidst the cold winds.


    "Ah! It''s so warm!"


    Teng Qingqing''s eyes curved like crescent moons, holding the jade pendant with great fondness.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Qingqing, wear this jade pendant on you, it will keep you safe!"


    "Thank you, uncle!" Teng Qingqing said sweetly.


    Xiao Yi ruffled her hair and looked towards Teng Shan, "Big brother Teng Shan, we have come to investigate the matter of the beasts, you... "


    Before he could finish,


    Teng Shan slammed the table forcefully, his face darkened, and he said, "I don''t know anything about beasts. Leave now, hurry up and leave..."

 Chapter 433 - 433: Not a Single One Left

    ```


    "I don''t know what mythical beast, get out, just get out..."


    ```


    Teng Shan''s face suddenly lost color, as if the words ''mythical beast'' were a taboo in his presence.


    Making him act crazily, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Xiao Yi and the others, like a wild beast gone mad. His heavy breathing added an eerie touch.


    It wasn''t just Xiao Yi and the others who were startled by Teng Shan''s sudden outburst; Teng Qingqing and Teng Qingshan were also fearful, curling up in the arms of Xiao Yi and his companions.


    Teng Qingqing, with tears streaming down her face, cried softly, "Daddy, please don''t be like this, Daddy..."


    "Dad..."


    Teng Qingshan called out loudly.


    Teng Shan shuddered, and the violent look in his eyes regained some clarity. He breathed heavily, the blood fading from his eyes. He exhaled a long breath of foul air and gave a bitter smile, saying, "Sorry, I, I..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to show it was alright and asked in a deep voice, "Brother Teng Shan, we mean no harm. It''s just that the mythical beast has been causing havoc on the ice plains, and in the past few months, more than a hundred thousand people have died at its hands. We just want to find it and eradicate the menace for the people!"


    Huff!


    Teng Shan let out a long breath and sat back down, his eyes revealing a trace of fear.


    He pursed his lips and remained silent, seemingly struggling.


    A moment later.


    Teng Shan, as if having made a decision, spoke solemnly, "Half a month ago, when I went into the Great Snow Mountain to look for Snow Lotus, I saw a mythical beast driving a group of humans deep into the mountain. We didn''t dare to follow too closely, but we vaguely saw that the group was the people of the Luo Family Village who suddenly disappeared half a month ago..."


    Xiao Yi and the others exchanged glances, "The Great Snow Mountain?"


    Yang Ling''s eyes shone brightly as he said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, if what he says is true, then the mythical beast in the Great Snow Mountain might be the target we are looking for!"


    Xiao Yi turned to Shen Mo. The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect had a broad study of mythical beasts and was the real expert, so he asked, "Shen Mo, do you know of any mythical beasts that like to live in the Great Snow Mountain and have a preference for eating humans?"


    Shen Mo hesitated for a moment before asking Teng Shan, "Brother Teng Shan, have you ever seen what that mythical beast looks like? Or does it have any distinctive characteristics?" Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Characteristics?"


    Teng Shan thought for a moment then said gravely, "At that time, I only saw an indistinct figure, the place where it passed was always obscured by wind and snow, and I couldn''t make out what kind of mythical beast it was!"


    "Wind and snow covered wherever it passed?"


    Shen Mo''s brow furrowed, and after thinking for a bit, he suddenly stood up, clapping his thigh, and said sternly, "I got it... If I''m not mistaken, that mythical beast should be an Ice Phoenix. I hadn''t expected to encounter such a rare beast here!"


    "Ice Phoenix?"


    "Are you talking about the legendary Ice Phoenix that has the bloodline of a phoenix?"


    "But as far as I know, Ice Phoenixes don''t usually eat humans..."


    Several people looked at Shen Mo.


    Shen Mo nodded affirmatively, "Indeed, Ice Phoenixes don''t eat humans, but they have a habit of collecting other creatures frozen into ice sculptures as their treasures. It''s very likely that it has captured the villagers and turned them into ice sculptures for its collection! If that''s the case, it could explain why whole villages disappeared all at once..."


    "There''s a mythical beast with such a perverse habit?"


    "Whether it eats people or turns them into ice sculptures, now that we have a lead, we shall make a trip to the Great Snow Mountain!" Xiao Yi said sternly.


    No one had objections.


    Xiao Yi looked at Teng Shan, "Brother Teng Shan, in that case, we won''t impose any longer!"


    "You... You''re really going to the Great Snow Mountain? It''s very dangerous there, you..." Teng Shan''s face showed concern.


    Yang Ling said sternly, "As long as we can find the beast responsible, no matter the danger, we must go!"


    Seeing their determination, Teng Shan stopped trying to dissuade them and instead said, "Since you are determined to go, I won''t try to stop you. This is Snow Lotus Wine we brewed ourselves; it has the effect of warding off the cold. It should be able to help you on the Great Snow Mountain!"


    "That''s a good item!"


    "Thank you, Brother Teng Shan!"


    The group gratefully accepted the Snow Lotus Wine.


    Just as they were about to get up...


    Bai Xue suddenly stumbled and collapsed into Yang Ling''s arms, taking advantage of his distraction to slip a Jade Pendant from his waist into her sleeve. Yang Ling supported Bai Xue, astonished, "Are you alright?"


    Bai Xue shook her head with a bitter smile, "Perhaps I''ve been sitting too long, I need to use the latrine!"


    "Mhm!"


    Yang Ling unsuspectingly made way for her.


    Bai Xue walked toward the back and once in the latrine, hid the Jade Pendant she took in the rafters, leaving behind a secret sign, her eyes showing a hint of malice: "Don''t blame me for this, blame yourselves for offending someone you shouldn''t have!"


    She was about to write down the next destination of Xiao Yi and his party when Xiao Yi''s voice came from the door: "Bai Xue, are you done yet?"


    ```


    Hiss!


    Bai Xue shuddered in fear, cold sweat instantly soaking her back, "Xiao Yi? How did he manage to follow us? Could it be, he suspects me?"


    With this thought,


    Bai Xue dared not delay any longer. She pushed open the door and said, "It''s all set, Xiao, do you need to use the latrine as well?"


    Xiao Yi squinted at her, speaking indifferently, "No need, we are ready to depart!"


    "Oh, then let''s go!"


    Bai Xue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, pretending everything was normal as she walked outside.


    Xiao Yi frowned as he glanced inside the latrine but found no other clues. He then headed towards the entrance of the village.


    At the Teng Family Village entrance.


    "Brother Teng Shan, we''ll take our leave first!" Xiao Yi said to Teng Shan with a cupped fist salute.


    Teng Shan nodded, "Be careful on your journey!"


    Teng Qingqing stood on tiptoe and asked crisply, "Big Brother Xiao Yi, will you come back to see Qingqing?"


    Xiao Yi ruffled her hair, smiling, "Don''t worry, once we finish our tasks, we will come back!"


    Shen Mo pulled the reins, and the sled surged into the snowstorm.


    About an hour after Xiao Yi and the others left,


    Yang Kun, leading Sun Yao and other men, chased after them to the Teng Family Village. Yang Kun, observing the faint blue light radiating from the Jade Pendant in his hand, frowned at the sight of the dilapidated settlement, "Bai Xue''s secret signal pointed to this place. Sun Yao, go and question the villagers!"


    "Yes!"


    Sun Yao, along with several Blood Saber Guards, moved forward. The villagers had already noticed their approach, each one of them armed and blocking the entrances.


    Sun Yao frowned and declared, "I am Brave General Sun Yao. Those who don''t wish to die, make way��"


    "Brave General?"


    "That''s the Great General, we can''t afford to offend him��"


    The villagers panicked, hastily dispersing.


    Teng Shan stepped forward, cupping his fists in salute, "Village Chief Teng Shan of the Teng Family Village at your service, Brave General. May I ask what brings you to our Teng Family Village?"


    Looking down from his high position, Sun Yao spoke coldly, "Has a group of three men and one woman passed through here before us? Where are they headed now?"


    Teng Shan''s complexion changed slightly, thinking: It seems these people are looking for Xiao Yi and his companions. But with their aggressive approach, it''s unclear whether they are friend or foe. Better not to cause trouble for Xiao Yi and the others!


    With this thought,


    Teng Shan spoke gravely, "I apologize, but we have not seen the people you are speaking of!"


    "Not seen them?"


    A sinister sneer suddenly came from behind Yang Kun, and there he was, his expression cold and malicious, corners of his mouth faintly upturned like a bloodthirsty demon, chuckling menacingly, "Do you know the consequences of lying to me?"


    Teng Shan felt a chill in his heart; Yang Kun''s ferocious look only solidified his decision to keep Xiao Yi and the others'' whereabouts a secret. He said firmly, "I do not know what you are talking about, sir, but I indeed have not seen those people you mention��"


    "Sun Yao!"


    Yang Kun suddenly called out.


    Sun Yao stepped forward, "Your Highness!"


    Yang Kun handed over the Jade Pendant to Sun Yao, "Use the reaction to find the trail left by Bai Xue!"


    "Yes!"


    Sun Yao took the Jade Pendant and departed. After a moment, he returned with Yang Ling''s Jade Pendant, saying, "Your Highness, this is what Bai Xue left behind!"


    "Oh? Yang Ling''s personal Jade Pendant?"


    Yang Kun was taken aback, a glint of viciousness in his eyes.


    Sun Yao asked, "Your Highness, it seems these people are lying. Shall we extract a confession through torture?"


    "There''s no need!"


    Yang Kun toyed with the Jade Pendant in his hand, his eyes revealing a malicious gleam, and said with deliberate emphasis, "Since they wish to keep Xiao Yi''s secrets, let''s ensure they forever hold their tongues, keeping the secret rotting in their stomachs!"


    "Your Highness means to��" Sun Yao made a throat-slitting gesture.


    Yang Kun nodded, grinning wickedly, "Leave no one alive!"

 Chapter 434 - 434 Framed and Entrapped

    ```


    "Not a single one left!"


    Following Yang Kun''s order, hundreds of Blood Saber Guards charged into the Teng Family Village at once.


    The Blood Saber Guards were all death warriors who didn''t blink an eye at murder, possessing only one belief, and that was to obey orders.


    Let alone Yang Kun''s command to slaughter these villagers, even if he had ordered them to commit suicide instantly, they wouldn''t have hesitated. In an instant, the village was filled with sorrow and despair as fires raged everywhere.


    The towering flames merged into a sea of fire, with orange tongues of fire constantly lapping up, mercilessly devouring the entire village.


    Under the illumination of the firelight.


    The Blood Saber Guards, brandishing their sabers, mercilessly reaped the lives of these innocent villagers.


    "Save me..."


    "Don''t kill my mother..."


    "Return my child..."


    Hysterical screams echoed continuously in the sea of fire, each cry tearing at the heart, distressing to the listeners and moving them to tears.


    Yet those blood-drenched figures in the midst of the flames, wielding their swords and brutally slaughtering innocent villagers, remained unmoved.


    The crimson light reflecting on their faces made the pair of handsome features appear all the more ferocious and terrifying.


    "Stop it!"


    Teng Shan''s eyes were split with fury, towering and fierce like a demon beast, swinging his spear.


    But how could he be a match for the Blood Saber Guards?


    He was immediately overpowered and pinned to the ground, a cold blade against his neck.


    Just half an incense stick later...


    The vast Teng Family Village was left with only a few dozen people, who were captured and kneeling at the entrance of the village.


    The pungent smell of blood permeated the air.


    Amidst the roaring flames.


    Teng Shan''s wife clutched their two children tightly, their innocent and tender faces filled with terror.


    They had witnessed with their own eyes how these figures wielding blood sabers killed the villagers one by one.


    At the same time.


    Teng Qingqing and the others felt bewildered; the Teng Family Village had always been peaceful and had never offended anyone. Why then were these well-dressed people treating them like this?


    Teng Qingqing''s little head was nestled tightly in her mother''s arms, her pale little face carrying a look of bewilderment, "Mommy, I''m scared..."


    "Don''t be afraid, Mommy is here, don''t be scared..."


    Teng Shan''s wife''s face was filled with despair and horror, yet she still used her trembling body to shield her two children.


    She held them tightly in her embrace.


    Her worried gaze followed the figure of her man.


    "Your Highness, only these few dozen people are left in front of us; the others have all been taken care of," a Blood Saber Guard stepped forward, saying respectfully.


    Yang Kun nodded, his eyes squinting as he surveyed Teng Shan and the others.


    His eyes narrowed into slits, filled with deep disdain; he was the noble Crown Prince, the future heir to the throne!


    To him, these commoners were of the most lowly existence.


    Yang Kun narrowed his eyes and, in a flash, grabbed Teng Qingqing, lifting her by the neck in front of Teng Shan.


    Teng Qingqing cried out, "Daddy save me..."


    "You bully, let go of my sister..." Teng Qingshan broke free from his mother''s hold and charged towards Yang Kun.


    "Don''t come over, Qing Shan, go back..." Teng Shan''s eyes were splitting with rage. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sun Yao snorted coldly, "Dog-like things, get lost!"


    ```


    Whoosh!


    A blue wave of elemental energy streaked from Sun Yao''s hand, transforming into a massive surge that roared and enveloped Teng Qingshan. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the blue elemental force, like the claws of a demon, savagely tore Teng Qingshan apart.


    The innocent and naive Teng Qingshan became a sky full of fresh blood, sprinkling down.


    "No..."


    "Qing Shan..."


    The vast Teng Family Village, all of its villagers howled in grief and rage.


    The pungent smell of blood, reflecting the crimson firelight, made Sun Yao''s smile on his face even more ferocious, like a demon.


    Teng Shan trembled all over, his teeth clenched tightly, his roars continuous: "Why? Why do this? When did the Teng Family Village offend you, if there are grievances they can be taken out on me, why treat a child like this..."


    "Shut up!"


    Sun Yao snorted coldly, his voice filled with malice, "Since you insisted on keeping secrets for Xiao Yi and the others, you should be prepared to die for it. If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves for siding with the wrong person!"


    Teng Shan''s body shook.


    He never imagined that merely for not disclosing the whereabouts of Xiao Yi and his group, the vast Teng Family Village would suffer such a massacre.


    Rage and murderous intent congealed into a bloody red in his eyes, his bitterness and madness terrifying to the extreme. But his hatred was utterly disregarded by Sun Yao and his group.


    How could the hatred and grudge of ants harm a dragon?


    Struggling, Teng Qingqing shouted: "Evil-doers, you bad people... Xiao Yi will avenge us..."


    "Xiao Yi? It seems you have quite a relationship with Xiao Yi!" Yang Kun said with narrowed eyes.


    "No, sir, we don''t know Xiao Yi, he just passed by..." a villager shouted.


    "Did I allow you to speak?"


    Sun Yao snorted coldly, his blade swept down, and beheaded him.


    Blood gushed like a fountain.


    The headless body thudded to the ground.


    Hiss!


    Everyone was left utterly speechless.


    Looking down coldly at Teng Shan, Yang Kun demanded, "Tell me, where did Xiao Yi and the others go?"


    Teng Shan looked at the village behind him, now a sea of flames, and at the heaps of villagers'' corpses, and said through clenched teeth: "I don''t know!"


    "Still refusing to talk at the brink of death, huh? If that''s the case, then you''ll never speak again!" With a cold huff, Yang Kun snapped Teng Qingqing''s neck right in front of Teng Shan.


    "No..."


    "You will not die a good death..." Teng Shan howled hysterically.


    Yang Kun spoke indifferently: "Don''t worry, you won''t die in vain. After you die, I will tell everyone that Xiao Yi killed you. By then, he will be a murderer everyone wishes to punish. In the underworld, you can continue keeping secrets for him, hahaha..."


    With a wave of Sun Yao''s hand.


    The blades of the Blood Saber Guard were drawn in unison, blood spraying everywhere, and not a single survivor was left in the Teng Family Village.


    Yang Kun looked to Sun Yao, "Have your men work quickly, arrange the scene, and take a few dozen bodies back to Northern Bing City. Since we can''t find them, we''ll make them the target of public indignation. As long as we solidify their reputation as murderers, it won''t matter if they find mighty mythical beasts!"


    "Your Highness is truly brilliant, this move to divert the disaster eastward is ingenious!"


    Sun Yao, with a sycophantic expression, said, "Once Xiao Yi and his group return to Northern Bing City with the mythical beasts, unable to refute their identity as murderers, they''ll have no choice but to face death without us lifting a finger!"


    Yang Kun smiled smugly: "You''re right, anyone who opposes me has only the path of death!"


    Meanwhile.


    Completely unaware of the tragedy that had befallen the Teng Family Village, Xiao Yi and his group had already arrived at the great snowy mountain.


    Looking at the snowy mountain before him, with snow and wind swirling around, Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes: "Is the creature that killed so many really here?"

 Chapter 435 - 435: The Ice and Snow Phoenix

    Great Snow Mountain.


    Xiao Yi and his companions trudged through the wind and snow, searching tirelessly for half a day without finding any trace of the Ice Phoenix.


    "Xiao Yi, do you think it''s possible that Teng Shan was mistaken? There''s no sign of monster activity here..." Yang Ling said doubtfully, seeing Shen Mo shake his head silently, indicating nothing was found.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "We have no grievances with Teng Shan; he has no reason to deceive us."


    After a moment''s thought.


    Xiao Yi patted his chest, and Little Lin popped out, looking up at Xiao Yi: "Boss, what''s wrong?"


    Xiao Yi asked, "Little Lin, can you sense any traces of monsters nearby?"


    "Monsters? Wait a moment..."


    Little Lin moved about on Xiao Yi, then landed on the icy snow. Its delicate body trembled slightly, its amber-like eyes flashing with dazzling light as it flicked its forked tongue and moved forward.


    Xiao Yi commanded, "Follow him!"


    Shen Mo, astonished at the sight of Little Lin walking in front, said, "Xiao, what kind of monster is this? I''ve known the Encyclopedia of Ten Thousand Beasts by heart since I was ten, yet I''ve never heard of such a monster!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "I don''t know what species Little Lin is, but he should be considered a mutant monster!"


    "A mutant monster?"


    Shen Mo took a deep breath in shock.


    Mutant monsters.


    They were even rarer than the offspring of ancient divine beasts. As far as he knew, within the vast Great Qian Dynasty, only the Iron-winged Chi Dragon on Divine Beast Mountain was a mutant monster.


    Shen Mo looked at Xiao Yi with envy: "I never expected you, Xiao, to be able to tame a mutant monster. It really is enviable!"


    Xiao Yi just smiled without saying much.


    Tame?


    He and Little Lin were as close as brothers; he never regarded Little Lin as just an ordinary monster.


    Bai Xue, following behind the group, looked at Little Lin with a profound gaze and said softly, "Since you have a mutant monster, why go through all the trouble to come here? Why not just give it to His Highness Yang Ling as a tribute?"


    Xiao Yi stopped in his tracks.


    Yang Ling sensed trouble and was about to speak when he heard a sharp smack.


    Xiao Yi had already slapped Bai Xue to the ground.


    Bai Xue covered her swollen face, looking at Xiao Yi with a mixture of shock and anger: "You, you, why did you hit me?"


    "Little Lin is my brother. Anyone who dares to target him is seeking death!" Xiao Yi''s gaze was as sharp as a blade''s edge, locking onto Bai Xue. He enunciated each word, "This is the first time, and I hope it''s also the last. If you dare to scheme against Little Lin again, do not blame me for being impolite!"


    "I, I..."


    Bai Xue opened her mouth but, under Xiao Yi''s icy stare, swallowed back what she was about to say.


    "Where do you think you''re going!"


    Little Lin suddenly let out a low roar and charged into the wind and snow ahead.


    Boom!


    An explosive sound rang out, and snowflakes filled the air.


    An ice-blue figure burst out of the snowstorm, reaching Xiao Yi and the others in an instant. Little Lin swiftly landed on Xiao Yi''s shoulder, eyeing the ice-blue figure warily.


    The snowstorm gradually dissipated.


    The blue figure that emerged was a bird-like monster, ten zhang tall with a wingspan of thirty zhang, covered in ice-blue feathers, trailing three blue plumes each more than a dozen zhang long.


    It was the six-tier high-level monster��Ice Phoenix��that Yang Ling had been desperately searching for!


    "Lowly humans, how dare you trespass on my territory, die!" The Ice Phoenix spoke human language, its blue wings flapping violently to create a howling gale, swirling snow around.


    It formed several ice-blue monsters, the size of adults, that swarmed towards Xiao Yi and his companions.


    "Ice into shape? Indeed, it''s a technique of the Ice Phoenix..." Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank slightly.


    He was about to make his move...


    But Shen Mo was one step ahead. He smacked the beast-controlling pouch at his waist and roared, "Xiao, leave this beast to me!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Three silhouettes flew out of the beast-controlling pouch, growing larger and larger, transforming into three massive monsters in the blink of an eye.


    The winged serpent was right in their midst.


    To its left and right were two high-level sixth-tier mythical beasts, the Three-eyed Suan Ni and the Four-armed Demon Ape.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The Four-armed Demon Ape beat its chest heavily, its mouth emitting a series of muffled roars like rolling thunder, as all three beasts charged towards the swarm of incoming figures. In an instant, their mighty forces unleashed rampant destruction upon the snow mountain. The wind and snow burst apart, and the peaks thundered loudly.


    The avalanche burst forth in a mere instant.


    With the threat of annihilation, the entire snow mountain shook violently. However, Xiao Yi and his companions showed no fear.


    A mere avalanche was no threat to them.


    Under the onslaught of the winged serpent and the other two great beasts, the blue figures were continually crushed, indeed composed of ice sculptures born from ice and snow, not real life forms.


    The winged serpent opened its mouth and swallowed a handful, which then turned into meltwater and spat out, "Tastes terrible..."


    "Snowstorm!"


    With a long cry, the Ice Phoenix unleashed a terrifying blizzard.


    The wind and snow fluttered, shrouding the heavens.


    It was so that Xiao Yi and his group could not see the trace of the Ice Phoenix. In the midst of this violent storm, even Little Lin struggled to discern the Ice Phoenix''s position. Shen Mo recalled the winged serpent and other mythical beasts to his side, his expression serious as he said, "Xiao, this Ice Phoenix can hide within the wind and snow, making it difficult to determine its position. What should we do?"


    "Leave it to me!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes suddenly shot forth two dazzling lights, and sharp Sword Qi formed around his body, sweeping out in all directions. It was like a volley of thousands of arrows, the whizzing sound of them cutting through the air was unceasing.


    This Sword Intent was so strong, it enveloped a hundred-yard radius.


    Xiao Yi''s figure constantly weaved and shifted. In the midst of the wind and snow, he carved out a series of figure-eight glows. Suddenly, a series of dull thuds came from within the blizzard. Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed as he burst forth.


    He reached out into the void.


    The wind and snow converged in his palm, forming an ice and snow longsword tens of yards long.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Shwoosh! Shwoosh! Shwoosh!


    The longsword suddenly exploded, transforming into thousands of swords that shot forth towards the front.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The shadow of the sword continuously burst apart.


    With his current cultivation at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, he was able to unleash a combat power comparable to the Nirvana Realm. With one strike, Wind Thunder roared. The wind and snow suddenly condensed, and a blue figure sharply fell from within, tumbling several times upon hitting the snowy ground and struggling to stand, but the sword wound in its abdomen made it stumble to the ground.


    Struggling, it could no longer get up.


    Hiss!


    Shen Mo, Yang Ling, and Bai Xue all couldn''t help but inhale sharply.


    The Ice Phoenix, which even the three great beasts under Shen Mo''s command could not deal with, was unable to withstand even a single sword strike from Xiao Yi?


    Everyone looked at Xiao Yi with a renewed sense of respect and awe.


    Shwoosh!


    Xiao Yi rose to his full height, landed in front of the Ice Phoenix, and single-handedly grasped its neck, his voice cold as he demanded, "Where are the villagers you took?"


    "Insignificant human... you''ll never..." The Ice Phoenix began defiantly with clenched teeth.


    Before it could finish.


    Crack!


    Xiao Yi had already broken both its wings, causing it to cry out in agony. Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and threatened, "If you don''t confess, I''ll pluck all your feathers and roast you..."


    "..."


    Under Xiao Yi''s icy stare, the Ice Phoenix dared not resist any further, promptly speaking, "They... they''re all in my cave abode." sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "In the cave abode? Lead us there!"


    Yang Ling and the others exchanged glances, excitement showing on their faces: "It seems we have found the culprit!"


    Yet Xiao Yi slightly furrowed his brows, looking at the pathetic figure in front of him with a trace of doubt in his eyes, "Is this creature really the prime evildoer behind the massacre of over a hundred thousand people?"

 Chapter 436 - 436: Someone Else?

    Xiao Yi reattached the broken wings of the Ice Phoenix.


    All the people landed on the back of the Ice Phoenix, and its huge wings beat fiercely as they soared straight into the clouds.


    Although the Ice Phoenix was master of ice and snow, its body was extremely warm.


    The blue feathers all over its body were exceptionally soft, making it quite comfortable to sit on. As the Ice Phoenix flapped its wings and rose, its tail, dozens of yards long, trailed behind in the air, creating a faint blue light.


    A moment later,


    it blended into the storm and disappeared from sight.


    Riding on the back of the Ice Phoenix, everyone felt warm as the biting winds and heavy snow could not come close.


    Whoosh!


    The dazzling sunlight burst down through the thick wind and snow and the clouds above.


    Reflected by the sunlight, the snow atop the mountain peaks shimmered with a faint golden glow. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Like a golden summit.


    In the center of the golden summit was a cave where the Ice Phoenix flapped its wings through the void and settled down. The cave was also quite warm and without any strange odors, not like the dwelling place of a monster.


    Ding, ding, ding!


    A series of crisp sounds rang out, and Xiao Yi and the others were startled to see a group of humans carving the rock walls inside the cave.


    The entire cave was dazzling with gold, like a palace.


    "What is this..."


    Shen Mo looked around bewildered, at the rock walls carved with countless images of the Ice Phoenixes.


    It controlled the wind and rain, bringing peace to the ice fields.


    It oversaw the snowy mountains, preventing avalanches from destroying the world of men.


    Looking at these murals, where was the Ice Phoenix just a beast? It was clearly a divine beast, guarding the ice fields, a deity protecting the countless creatures of the ice fields!


    Xiao Yi looked at the Ice Phoenix with a strange expression, "Did you have them carve these murals?"


    The Ice Phoenix showed a human-like embarrassment and shook its head, "They did this voluntarily!" After a pause, the Ice Phoenix continued, "Most of these people were lost in the snowy mountains and I saved them."


    "Saved them?"


    Xiao Yi was startled and frowned, "Do you mean to say you saved these people? Are you not the one who took them from the village?"


    Yang Ling also frowned, "In the past few months, there have been continuous slaughters in the villages on the ice fields. Are you saying that has nothing to do with you?"


    "You better come clean, we have witnesses who saw you taking people from the Luo Family Village half a month ago. Surely you haven''t eaten those people, have you?" Shen Mo added.


    "It''s a misunderstanding, sirs..."


    The Ice Phoenix hurriedly explained, "I have lived in the great snowy mountains since I was born, preying on the beasts in the mountains, never on humans. Not to mention descending to slaughter villages..."


    "Never eaten humans?"


    "So, are you saying the tragedies on the ice fields have nothing to do with you?" Yang Ling frowned.


    "A month ago a mysterious person came to the snowy mountains; after he injured me, I''ve been healing all this time and couldn''t possibly go out!"


    The Ice Phoenix said with a look of grievance, "The humans you spoke of half a month ago came to the snowy mountains on their own, and since I happened upon them, I brought them back. Now they''re in the cave, carving statues for me! If you don''t believe me, you''re welcome to ask them!"


    Xiao Yi and the others exchanged glances.


    The Ice Phoenix did not seem to be lying.


    Xiao Yi promptly found a few villagers, who showed no fear of the Ice Phoenix; instead, they showed respect and gratitude from the depths of their hearts.


    Upon hearing Xiao Yi''s inquiry about the village massacres and the Ice Phoenix,


    the villagers unanimously declared the Ice Phoenix''s innocence: "Gentlemen, the Phoenix has not lied, she would never consume humans!"


    "I''ve been with the Phoenix for thirty years and have never seen her eat a person!"


    Everyone was perplexed.


    If not the Ice Phoenix, then who was the real culprit?


    At that moment...


    Someone from Luo Family Village whispered, "S-sirs, I, I know who the killer is..."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi looked at the person.


    He was a youth of about eighteen or nineteen, looking nervous as he stepped forward and said, "I am Luo Rou from Luo Family Village. Half a month ago, our villagers were chased by those monstrous beasts that slaughtered our village, which is why we fled into the great snowy mountains..."


    "Monstrous beasts chased you?"


    "Do you know what kind of monstrous beasts they were?" the crowd asked.


    The youth shook his head, "It was dark at the time, and I couldn''t see clearly what they looked like. However, I know that those beasts were controlled by someone. I heard that person mention something about the north..."


    "The north? Could it be someone from Sword Dynasty?"


    Yang Ling''s face turned grave as he said in a deep voice, "Damn it, if it''s really someone from Sword Dynasty causing trouble, then this matter is probably not as simple as we thought!"


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment, eyeing the cave dwelling of the ice and snow phoenix, and spoke solemnly, "Regardless of whether you are the culprit or not, you must come with us. If it turns out you are indeed not the killer, I will naturally let you go..."


    "Alright..." the ice and snow phoenix resignedly drooped its head.


    Xiao Yi looked at the villagers in the cave, "If you wish to leave this place, you are welcome to come down the mountain with us!"


    "No, no need!"


    "It''s warm in winter and cool in summer here, plus we can cultivate ice rice. We''d rather stay here!"


    "Right, if we go back, we''d have to buy ice rice from the Gu Family Fort. Here, we can live in abundance. We choose to stay, but sirs, please don''t harm Lord Phoenix. It truly is a good monstrous beast..."


    Seeing that everyone chose to stay and kept pleading on behalf of the ice and snow phoenix, Xiao Yi looked at the ice and snow phoenix with some surprise.


    This fellow is quite interesting!


    A monstrous beast could earn such heartfelt adoration from so many people; Xiao Yi''s suspicion of it lessened quite a bit, saying, "Don''t worry. If it is proven that this creature is not responsible for the incident, I will certainly not mistreat it!"


    Then...


    The crowd rode the ice and snow phoenix, flying toward Northern Bing City.


    They had to bring back the news they''d gathered to Northern Bing City. Since the matter might be related to Sword Dynasty, there must be a bigger secret lurking behind it.


    Action must not be taken rashly.


    They must notify General Yan and take extra precautions!


    Only...


    When Xiao Yi and his group reached Northern Bing City, they were not greeted with celebratory welcome but with cold sharpness.


    At the top of the city walls.


    Hundreds of feathered arrows were all aimed at them.


    Yang Ling''s face changed drastically as he shouted, "I am Yang Ling; this is Xiao, the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, with high disciples Shen Mo from Ten Thousand Beasts Sect and Bai Xue from Feixue Temple. We have come to see General Yan Wei with important military intelligence. Won''t you open the gates?"


    "General Yan has ordered that if Yang Ling and Xiao return, you and your party are to be taken to the prefectural lord''s mansion!" the soldiers guarding the city said coldly, their eyes filled with ice and disdain while looking at Xiao Yi and others.


    Xiao Yi''s expression darkened slightly, "Something isn''t right!"


    "It seems like they hold a deep grudge against us? What on earth happened?" Shen Mo also said with a worried face.


    Yang Ling spoke in a deep voice, "No matter what, let''s go in and see first!"


    Then...


    The crowd landed on the ground.


    Clang clang clang!


    Immediately, thousands of soldiers approached, standing at the ready, surrounding the four of them tightly in the middle.


    A deputy approached and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, Xiao, no offense intended!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Lead the way, General!"


    They walked towards the prefectural lord''s mansion. Along the way, many citizens stared at them, pointing and whispering. Their looks and gestures were as if they were viewing incredibly nefarious characters, with words that were even less pleasant to hear...

 Chapter 437 - 437: What Else Do You Have to Say!

    "Have you heard? The massacre of entire villages in the past few months was committed by these people!"


    "I heard it already, apparently, it was the Crown Prince who found the evidence. I never expected such heartless deeds could be done by a prince and the director of the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "This just goes to show that appearances can be deceiving!"


    "It''s said that Yang Ling was even thinking of fighting for the Crown Prince''s position. If such scum becomes the Crown Prince, what kind of days can we expect to have in the future?"


    The discussions among the crowd were vehement. S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Leaving Xiao Yi, Yang Ling, and the others looking at each other, utterly bewildered, "What the hell? We did it?"


    "We just arrived at Northern Bing City today, how could we possibly have done these things?"


    "This is a goddamn frame-up..."


    However...


    Nobody was listening to their explanations.


    Shen Mo looked despairing as he turned to Xiao and Yang Ling, "Xiao, Your Highness, what should we do now?"


    Yang Ling''s face was grim, "They said it was my eldest brother who implicated us, it seems we can only wait to see General Yan to prove our innocence!"


    But Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed, showing a trace of cold and chilling light.


    The vice-commander, losing patience, urged them, "Stop whispering to each other and move it!"


    Inside the city lord''s residence.


    Yan Wei sat upright with a serious demeanor, and at the highest seat to his left sat the Crown Prince Yang Kun.


    Sun Yao stood behind Yang Kun, watching with a peculiar gaze as Xiao Yi and his group were escorted by the city guards into the great hall. His smile became more radiant, and he said in a taunting tone, "Well, well, isn''t that our Xiao Yi, the director of the institute? After committing such unconscionable acts, how can you still have the face to appear before General Yan?"


    Yang Kun pretended to be angrily scolding, "What nonsense are you talking about? We don''t have conclusive evidence to prove that they did all this. How can we treat them as prisoners? Perhaps there''s some misunderstanding?"


    Sun Yao exaggeratedly objected, playing the aggrieved party, "Your Highness, there''s no need to justify their actions anymore. We have irrefutable evidence. We found the personal item of Yang Ling at the Teng Family Village. Isn''t that enough to prove everything?"


    "Shut up! I don''t believe my younger brother would do such a thing!"


    Yang Kun feigned a look of heartfelt pain, and turned to the seated General Yan, with righteous indignation, "General Yan, although I too find it hard to believe that all of this was done by my younger brother. But the dead villagers, numbering over a hundred thousand, also require justice. If it indeed was his doing, I hope General Yan can enforce the law impartially!"


    "Rest assured, Your Highness, I know what to do," General Yan nodded, his gaze sharp as a blade''s edge, falling upon Xiao Yi and the others.


    "General Yan, I..." Yang Ling began to speak.


    General Yan shook his head at him, and asked, "Your Highness, have you been to the Teng Family Village?"


    "Indeed, I have!"


    Yang Ling nodded, then realizing something, he frowned and asked, "What happened in the Teng Family Village?"


    With a stern face, General Yan said, "The entire Teng Family Village was annihilated, no one was spared. Nearly a thousand villagers were brutally murdered, their deaths very similar to the previous massacre in the Wen Family Village. The Crown Prince found the murderer''s personal item at the scene..."


    "What? The Teng Family Village has been wiped out?"


    Their expressions changed drastically, for they had not caught the latter part of General Yan''s words.


    In Xiao Yi''s mind appeared the image of Teng Qingqing, with her braided hair, who called him ''Xiao Yi brother'' in her crisp voice, and Teng Qingshan, who was a little shy yet bravely protected his sister.


    They were all dead?


    Whirr!


    Xiao Yi''s body uncontrollably burst out with a wild surge of elemental energy, his eyes narrowed into slits, his gaze spitting icy sharpness.


    This chill surprised everyone.


    "Xiao Yi!"


    With a low shout from Yan Wei, Xiao Yi snapped back to his senses.


    Taking a deep breath, he tried to regain his calm and said in a deep voice, "General Yan, please continue."


    Yan Wei glanced deeply at Xiao Yi and then took out a jade pendant from his chest, saying, "Do you recognize this jade pendant?"


    Yang Ling paused, frowning, "Isn''t this my personal jade pendant? How did it end up in your hands?"


    "It is indeed you!"


    "Brother, I have been telling myself it must be a misunderstanding. You couldn''t possibly do something so cruel. But I never imagined, this jade pendant really is yours... How could you be so heartless? Not a single soul left in the Teng Family Village, even the children were not spared, you..." Yang Kun suddenly clutched his chest, letting out a pained and aggrieved sigh.


    Yan Wei''s face was somber as he gazed at Yang Ling and Xiao, "Your Highness, Head Xiao, this jade pendant was found in the Teng Family Village. You had better explain clearly how this came to be."


    "The jade pendant is always on me, never leaving my side. I don''t know how it could have ended up in the Teng Family Village..." Yang Ling said, his face full of confusion.


    Sun Yao rebuked, "Your Highness Yang Ling, with matters as they are, do you still intend to argue? Why it was in the Teng Family Village is obvious �C you must have dropped it incidentally while massacring the village. This is ironclad evidence; the Teng Family Village was wiped out by you. I even suspect that the other destroyed villages were also your doing!"


    "You''re talking nonsense!"


    Shen Mo glared angrily, "We just arrived at the Northern Ice Plains today �C the village massacres started happening two months ago. Moreover, the corpses of the villagers from the Wen Family Village were clearly killed by beasts. What basis do you have to say we did it?"


    Xiao Yi remained silent, but his gaze fell upon Bai Xue.


    Bai Xue trembled all over, not daring to lift her head.


    Sun Yao sneered repeatedly, saying, "With Your Highness'' status, why would you need to act personally? Besides, aren''t you from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect best at controlling beasts?"


    Yang Kun shook his head and sighed, "Brother, if you truly did this, please just admit it. I can assure you that I won''t let this leak out. Otherwise, when I report this to father and he orders a thorough investigation, none of you will be able to escape..."


    Yang Ling said angrily, "I didn''t do it!"


    Shen Mo gritted his teeth, "It has nothing to do with us!"


    Xiao Yi remained silent.


    But at that moment, Bai Xue finally timidly raised her head, hesitating to speak.


    Yang Kun''s lips curled up slightly, "Bai Xue, do you have something to say? If you know the truth, just speak up. As long as you reveal the culprit, I will plead for you!"


    Gathering her courage, Bai Xue pointed at Xiao Yi and Yang Ling, "They did all this... They threatened me not to tell anyone. I just can''t bear my conscience anymore, and now whenever I close my eyes, I see them slaughtering the villagers. Your Highness, it has nothing to do with me; I was forced..."


    "What?"


    "Bai Xue, what the hell are you talking about? When did we ever threaten you?"


    "Fuck you, Bai Xue, how can you make up such lies? Aren''t you afraid of divine retribution?"


    Shen Mo completely lost it.


    He never expected Bai Xue would stab them in the back so ruthlessly at this moment.


    With a triumphant smile, Sun Yao stared coldly at Xiao Yi, accusing, "Xiao Yi, with the situation as it is, the proof and testimonies at hand, what more do you have to say?"


    All eyes were on Xiao Yi.


    Yet Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly, and he slowly uttered four words: "Speak your fucking mind!"

 Chapter 438 - 438: Overwhelming Bombardment

    "Fuck you!"


    Xiao Yi, with a ferocious cold smile on his face and eyes that seemed able to penetrate people''s souls, stared deathly at Bai Xue.


    This low roar, like thunder, was ear-splitting.


    It made everyone''s expressions in the hall change.


    Especially Bai Xue''s...


    She bore the brunt of it.


    Under Xiao Yi''s intense gaze, Bai Xue trembled all over, large beads of cold sweat dripping down. Her lips turned a shade of pale, wanting to avoid his stare but finding her body as if it had been subjected to a Binding Spell, unable to move.


    Yang Kun was the first to snap back to reality, his face dark as storm clouds, teeth clenched as he bellowed, "Xiao Yi, now the evidence is irrefutable, yet you refuse to confess. You even dare to be so insolent, do you really think I won''t kill you?"


    Sun Yao also came to his senses, his face savage, "Xiao Yi, I''ve long known that you act unorthodoxly and are cruel and ruthless. But I never imagined you''d be so vicious as to lay a hand on those innocent villagers, especially those children. They were so innocent and lively, how could you bear to kill them?"


    "Ha ha ha ha..."


    Xiao Yi burst into uproarious laughter.


    His laughter was jarring.


    It directly overshadowed the others'' scolding.


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi''s laughter came to a halt, he narrowed his eyes and stared straight at Sun Yao and the others, saying word by word, "You keep saying that I am cruel and ruthless, that I cold-bloodedly slaughtered the villagers. And that the evidence is conclusive? Aren''t you just trying to put me to death by harming those innocent lives and framing me? But such despicable methods are beneath me, Xiao Yi. If I kill, I do it openly, never skulking in the shadows!"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Xiao Yi''s figure suddenly disappeared from where he stood.


    "Not good!"


    "Be careful, Your Highness!"


    Yang Kun and Sun Yao''s expressions changed dramatically, both standing up simultaneously, watching their surroundings with caution.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s figure did not appear beside them, but next to Bai Xue.


    His right hand reached out into the air.


    Crack! sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s hand grasped Bai Xue''s neck, lifting her off the ground.


    "Xiao Yi, let go of Bai Xue!"


    "Are you trying to kill the witness to silence her?" Sun Yao and Yang Kun erupted in anger.


    Bai Xue''s face was ashen, marked with terror, as she looked at the two, "Save me... Your Highness, save me..."


    "Let her go!"


    Yang Kun attempted to step forward, but was stopped by Xiao Yi''s cold shout, "Take another step and I''ll kill you too!"


    "You..."


    Yang Kun''s face changed drastically.


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze was fixed sternly on Bai Xue, with each word he spoke, he tightened his grip on her neck, "I ask, you answer. If you answer incorrectly, I''ll cripple one of your arms! First question, was it Yang Kun who made you frame us?"


    "No, please..."


    In terror, Bai Xue pleaded, "I don''t know anything, please let me go..."


    "Wrong answer!"


    Crack!


    With a swing of his arm, Xiao Yi violently tore Bai Xue''s left arm from her shoulder, blood spurting wildly. Her face turned pale from pain as she screamed incessantly. Xiao Yi, expressionless, asked again, "Answer my first question, was it Yang Kun who made you frame us?"


    Bai Xue hesitated.


    Xiao Yi stated indifferently, "You hesitated!"


    Crack!


    Her right arm was also torn off.


    It was literally torn off!


    The torn flesh still hanging from the shoulder, Bai Xue wailed in agony, looking at Xiao Yi with eyes full of terror, as if seeing a demon, "I''ll, I''ll tell, I''ll tell... Everything was ordered by Crown Prince Yang Kun. He said as long as I followed you and reported your whereabouts to him, after it was done, he would take me as his concubine. I didn''t know they would massacre the Teng Family Village, really, I''m telling the truth..."


    "You bitch, how dare you slander me?" Yang Kun exploded with rage, about to retaliate.


    But Yan Wei issued a cold command, "Please restrain yourself, Your Highness!"


    "You..."


    Yang Kun''s face changed color.


    He hadn''t expected Yan Wei to dare to obstruct him.


    Yet, Yan Wei''s face was expressionless as he stared at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, you may continue!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and continued his questioning, "My second question, who placed Yang Ling''s Jade Pendant in the Teng Family Village?"


    "It, it was I..." Bai Xue was in a state of utter disarray, her fright reaching an extreme, "I only wanted to steal his Jade Pendant to let Crown Prince Yang Kun know where we were. But I truly didn''t expect them to massacre the village. You have to believe me, I really didn''t know... Please spare me, I don''t want to die..."


    Yang Kun''s face was as black as coal.


    This time he had been nearly certain of success. Even if he couldn''t bring Xiao Yi to his demise, as long as Yang Ling was firmly implicated in the massacre of the village.


    Then...


    The position of the Crown Prince would definitely have nothing to do with Yang Ling.


    But what he hadn''t expected was that Xiao Yi would be so bold as to directly capture Bai Xue in front of Yan Wei and force the truth out of her with such cruel means.


    A venomous glint of resentment swept through his eyes as he glanced at Sun Yao beside him.


    Sun Yao immediately nodded.


    From within his sleeve, a point of cold light began to condense.


    Xiao Yi eyed Bai Xue, "How can you guarantee that everything you''ve said is true?"


    Bai Xue kept saying, "To, to report your whereabouts, I have a Feixue Token in Crown Prince Yang Kun''s possession. As long as you find that Token, it will prove that what I have said is..."


    Bai Xue''s voice abruptly stopped.


    A streak of cold light struck her in the back. She spit out a mouthful of fresh blood, and her face was instantly covered in darkness.


    She had been killed by a poisoned arrow.


    Xiao Yi''s brows knitted together as he looked at Sun Yao, who was hiding a hidden weapon in his robe, a cold murderous intent showing on his face, "Looking for death!"


    Whoosh!


    He reached out with his right hand.


    A surging force of qi burst out toward Sun Yao.


    "Not good!"


    Yang Kun''s face changed drastically, and he instinctively dodged out of the way.


    Sun Yao''s complexion turned pale, having personally experienced Xiao Yi''s terror, he moved aside trying to evade. But how could Xiao Yi let him get what he wanted?


    With a single leap, he appeared in front of Sun Yao.


    A Dragon Tail Whip!


    Whoosh!


    His leg whipped fiercely across Sun Yao''s body. With a retching cry, Sun Yao was sent flying. As he flew backward, Xiao Yi pursued him once more, grabbing his ankle and smashing him violently to the ground.


    Boom!


    Sun Yao hit the ground hard, and as he bounced back up, Xiao Yi''s mighty fist met his face.


    Boom!


    A punch smashed into his face, shattering teeth.


    Boom!


    Another punch to the chest, breaking all his ribs.


    Sun Yao spat blood from all seven orifices, his face filled with horror and despair as he shouted, "Spare me, Xiao Yi... I''ll testify for you, all this was done by the eldest prince, don''t kill me, I can prove your innocence..."


    "My innocence doesn''t need your proof!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, his final punch landing heavily on Sun Yao''s temple.


    Sun Yao''s head first twisted and then, with a bang, exploded, with blood and flesh bursting out. He turned into a headless corpse, which Xiao Yi tossed with a thud, right in front of Yang Kun.


    Hiss!


    Yang Kun took in a sharp breath, his expression wary as he looked at Xiao Yi, "What, what are you going to do? I am a prince, you..."


    "Being a prince means nothing. If I want to kill you, it''s as easy as slaughtering a pig or dog!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, his body radiating a chilling killing intent.


    But just at that moment...


    Suddenly, a rush of urgent voices came from outside the door, "Father, something terrible has happened, another village has been wiped out..."

 Chapter 439 - 439 The Gu Family Fort

    "Father, something terrible has happened��another village has been wiped out!"


    An anxious voice came from outside the door.


    It was none other than Yan Wei''s son, Yan Yinghao, his face drenched in sweat and his expression gravely solemn.


    Before this��


    Upon learning that Xiao Yi and his group had slaughtered the Teng Family Village, Yan Yinghao had been filled with righteous indignation and held extreme aversion and disgust towards Xiao Yi and his companions. But now, while Xiao Yi and the others were in the city lord''s mansion, another village atop the ice plain had been wiped out.


    So, it was clear.


    These previous village massacres had nothing to do with Xiao Yi.


    Yan Wei''s face changed color, "What did you say? Another village has been wiped out? Which village?"


    Just as Yan Yinghao was about to respond, he caught sight of Bai Xue and Sun Yao''s bodies lying in a pool of blood and swallowed hard involuntarily. Looking incredulously at Xiao Yi, who was emitting a murderous aura, he furrowed his brow slightly, "Father, what''s going on here?"


    "The Teng Family Village was exterminated. It was Sun Yao colluding with Bai Xue to frame Xiao Yi and His Highness Yang Ling��"


    Yan Wei said offhandedly, his gaze drifting to Yang Kun before pressing, "Which village is it this time?"


    He knew very well that it was Yang Kun who had framed Xiao Yi.


    Yet if this matter were to spread, it would undoubtedly damage the royal family''s prestige, so he simply pushed all the blame onto Sun Yao and Bai Xue. It just so happened that Yan Wei was aware that Sun Yao already had a feud with Xiao Yi from the battle with the Nangong Family.


    Seeing this, Yan Yinghao didn''t press further but reported, "This time, it''s the Chen Family Village. Our patrol team happened to pass by the Chen Family Village just in time to see the demonic beasts slaughtering the villagers. We gave chase, but lost their trail near the Gu Family Fort��"


    "The Gu Family Fort?"


    Yan Wei''s expression shifted slightly.


    Gu Family Fort.


    This was one of the largest settlements atop the ice plain, with the Gu Family Fort being extremely powerful.


    The lord of the fort, Gu Yun, was a formidable expert at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and the Gu Family Fort ranked among the top ten presences across the entire ice plain. Leveraging the unique geographic position of Ice Valley, they cultivated the ice plain''s unique ice rice deep within the valley.


    This ice rice was extremely high-yielding, and the majority of the ice plain''s villagers purchased their ice rice from them.


    They were practically the emperor of the ice plain!


    Even Yan Wei, the lord of Northern Bing City, was quite cautious regarding the Gu Family Fort.


    Xiao Yi looked at Yan Wei, "General Yan, what''s so special about the Gu Family Fort?"


    Yan Wei paused, hesitating for a moment before speaking gravely, "The Gu Family Fort''s strength is formidable, and they almost have a monopoly over all the ice rice in the ice plain. Moreover, the ice plain where the Gu Family Fort is located sits between the Great Qian Dynasty and the Sword Dynasty, and they have always managed to benefit from both sides. If it were some other village, we could dispatch a large force to investigate, but the Gu Family Fort��"


    Like the Gu Family Fort serving as the granary of the ice plain.


    Both great dynasties regarded it with utmost importance!


    If Yan Wei were to dispatch a large force to the Gu Family Fort, the Sword Dynasty would surely take notice, and they would likely send a large army as well.


    Facing off, the two armies might clash and conflict could erupt.


    A tug on a single thread affects the entire web.


    A single misstep��


    Could potentially trigger a full-scale war between the two nations.


    Xiao Yi, sensing Yan Wei''s dilemma, stated resolutely, "General Yan, let us go to the Gu Family Fort to investigate!"


    "Hmm? You''ll go?"


    Yan Wei was startled, his mind somewhat moved by the idea, yet also concerned, he spoke gravely, "If you were to go, there would be no worry of sparking an interstate conflict, but His Highness Yang Ling holds a prestigious status. If the Gu Family Fort proves uninvolved, then well and good. But if this matter truly relates to them, then you may well be��"


    He dared not gamble with Yang Ling''s life and safety.


    Yang Ling smiled slightly, his voice soft yet firm, "General Yan, as a prince of great stature, if I lack the courage to even visit my own nation''s territory, how shall I speak of expanding our borders in the future?"


    "This��"


    Yan Wei hesitated, but looking into Yang Ling''s determined eyes, he gritted his teeth and agreed, "Alright then, Yinghao, join His Highness on a trip to the Gu Family Fort. Remember, His Highness''s safety is the utmost priority!"


    "Father, rest assured, even if I am torn to pieces, I will not let His Highness suffer any harm!" Yan Yinghao patted his chest, firmly promising.


    "Hmm!"


    Yan Wei nodded, his gaze shifting toward Yang Kun standing beside him.


    Yang Kun coughed lightly and said indifferently, "Since it''s a matter that concerns the safety of the citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty, as the Crown Prince, it is my inescapable duty. The three hundred Blood Saber Guards under my command will also head out. Should there be any issue with the Gu Family Fort, we will simply eliminate it!"


    Yan Wei uttered affirmatively, "With Your Highness and the Blood Saber Guard in attendance, I can indeed worry less."


    Then...


    Xiao Yi and the others followed Yan Yinghao and left.


    In the darkness.


    A middle-aged man dressed in a scholar''s robe stepped out, asking with a smile, "General, by having Yang Ling accompany Xiao Yi and the others, aren''t you afraid that he''ll interfere with mischief again?"


    "Afraid of what?"


    Yan Wei smiled faintly, gently stroking his beard, "If Yang Ling cannot even handle this small affair, then he does not deserve to be Emperor. Similarly, if Yang Kun, in the face of a national crisis, continues to scheme against his own brother, then he too does not deserve to be Emperor."


    He had never expressed support for either prince.


    Now was the perfect opportunity to use this as a test and find the prince truly worthy of his support.


    The scholar-garment man nodded, praising with a laugh, "True to your reputation, General, you are indeed a crafty old fox!"


    In the past.


    Receiving such high praise from the scholar-garment man would have undoubtedly thrilled Yan Wei.


    But after experiencing Xiao Yi''s strength and his audacious act of killing Sun Yao and Bai Xue to prove his innocence, he lamented, "I''ve grown old; now it''s the era of the young..."


    ......


    In the midst of snowstorms.


    Xiao Yi and his companions rode quickly on a sled.


    Yan Yinghao constantly remained among them, sometimes casting curious glances at Xiao Yi.


    Yang Kun, leading three hundred Blood Saber Guards, kept pace at a certain distance from them. Both groups tacitly raced against time, vying to reach the Gu Family Fort as swiftly as possible.


    Particularly Yang Kun...


    His schemes against Xiao Yi had come to Yan Wei''s knowledge. If he failed to capture the perpetrator of the tragedy with his own hands, his image in Yan Wei''s eyes would plummet, never to recover.


    His cold gaze flickered towards Xiao Yi and the others nearby.


    Thinking of how his painstakingly laid plans had nearly been ruined by Xiao Yi, Yang Kun''s intent to kill was chilling, "Xiao Yi, Yang Ling... I will make sure you suffer the agony of longing for death but being unable to die..." sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yan Yinghao, noticing the murderous intent in Yang Kun''s eyes, frowned slightly and turned to Xiao Yi, "Be careful, Xiao Yi. I always feel like the Crown Prince harbors ill intentions!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled and responded, "If he behaves himself, I could still let him return in one piece to attend the ancestral worship ceremony. But if he dares to have more crooked thoughts, it would be a perfect time for root and branch elimination..."


    "Uh..."


    Yan Yinghao''s eyes twitched, and he said with a wry smile, "Isn''t that a bit much? He is, after all, the Crown Prince..."


    "So what if he''s the Crown Prince?"


    Xiao Yi curled his lip, saying dismissively, "Kill him and dump him in the wild; wild beasts will have gnawed his flesh away within half a day. Who would know it was my doing?"


    "..."


    Yan Yinghao''s mouth twitched, and he looked at Yang Kun with sympathy, "Your Highness, you better stay in line!"


    The group raced onwards.


    It wasn''t until midnight that Yan Yinghao spoke, "We''ve arrived at the Gu Family Fort!"

 Chapter 440 - 440 God Devouring Ants

    In front of the crowd appeared a huge Ice Valley.


    Three gigantic ice mountains guarded the valley, with only one entrance on the east side allowing entry and exit.


    From a distance, the entire Gu Family Fort seemed to be protected in the middle by three colossal giants supporting the sky.


    Xiao Yi and his group approached the Gu Family Fort.


    Yan Yinghao said, "The Gu Family Fort cultivates over seventy percent of the ice paddy on the ice fields, and to prevent people from other villages on the ice fields from stealing the ice paddy, they have extremely strict defenses. When we get there, we should reveal our identities and try not to conflict with them..."


    "Mm!"


    Everyone nodded in agreement.


    However...


    They were able to enter Ice Valley without any hindrance, encountering no obstacles or guards whatsoever.


    Shen Mo asked with a puzzled face, "Yinghao, didn''t you say that the defenses of the Gu Family Fort are very strict? We haven''t seen a single soul on our way..."


    "This..."


    Yan Yinghao was also puzzled, "I don''t know either, I''ve been here once before with my father and it was indeed heavily guarded. I have no idea why there''s no one around today!"


    Xiao Yi, however, slightly furrowed his brows, his expression subtly uneasy.


    The Ice Phoenix that had been following him transmitted a message, "Master, I sense the presence of that mysterious person who injured me before..."


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    The mysterious person who injured the Ice Phoenix a month ago?


    He had been suspicious before, that person might very well be the real culprit behind the massacre on the ice fields, and he didn''t expect the Ice Phoenix to feel his presence here. Xiao Yi discreetly warned Yan Yinghao and Yang Ling, "Be careful, the Ice Phoenix senses the presence of that mysterious person who injured him!"


    "The one suspected from the Sword Dynasty?" S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Everyone, be cautious!"


    Each of them became vigilant and continued towards the middle of the valley.


    As they advanced...


    The entire Ice Valley was filled only with dead silence and cold.


    The sentries who were usually scattered everywhere to guard against other villagers stealing the ice paddy were nowhere to be seen; the vast Gu Family Fort was eerily silent, and the air was tinged with a faint scent of blood.


    Not a single soul could be seen.


    It was as if all the people of the Gu Family Fort had vanished into thin air.


    "Ah..."


    A scream suddenly cut through the silence of the valley.


    The group followed the sound.


    Rushing to the deepest part of the Gu Family Fort.


    This was the most remote area of Ice Valley, sprawling in size and surrounded by three ice mountains. The chill here was even more intense than in other areas.


    The valley floor, shrouded in cold air, was filled with endless emerald-green ice paddy, each grain shone like crystal, exuding a faint, alluring fragrance.


    In the deepest part of Ice Valley, there was a massive cave.


    The scream had come from within this cave.


    All of a sudden.


    Several bloodied figures rushed out of the cave.


    Each person was covered in blood, their faces etched with terror. An elderly man at the front held a stone pillar as thick as a waist, swinging it behind him as he roared, "Come on, if you dare, face me..."


    Other figures were running frantically out of the cave alongside him.


    Yan Yinghao''s pupils contracted upon seeing the old man, "That''s the master of the Gu Family Fort, Gu Yun..."


    Gu Yun attacked the dark cave continuously, unleashing waves of energy that surged like an ocean, seemingly to prevent something from pursuing them out of the cave. Meanwhile, a dozen other members of the Gu Family Fort ran desperately out of the cave.


    Upon seeing Xiao Yi and the others, joy erupted on their faces: "Save us..."


    "Please save us quickly..."


    A group of Gu Family Fort''s powerhouses shouted.


    Rustle, rustle!


    In the midst of a piercing cacophony, a swath of pitch-black figures swiftly scrambled out from the cave. Some were tangled with Gu Yun, while others chased after the fleeing Gu Family Fort''s powerhouses.


    These figures were roughly the size of human heads, each one entirely black.


    They resembled ants.


    Atop their heads were faint silver, skull-like patterns.


    Whoosh!


    These black ants gathered in swarms, countless as hairs on an ox, invoking fear at first sight. In an instant, they caught up with the folks from the Gu Family Fort. With but a single sweep, a dozen people instantly turned into nothingness.


    Not even a drop of blood or a piece of bone was left behind.


    There was still one person by Gu Yun''s side, someone whose legs had been completely gnawed clean, now being dragged by Gu Yun in a frantic run. But the black ants encircled them with menacing eyes. The man in front Gu Yun shouted, "Master of the Fort, go on without me... leave me be..."


    "If we die, we''ll die together. I will absolutely not leave alone!"


    Gu Yun clung onto the man, his face filled with despair as he saw the black ants closing in all around them. "Scum of the Sword Dynasty, you won''t die a good death!"


    Whoosh!


    The swarm of ants, like a black flood of steel, charged at them in an instant.


    Just as they were about to be devoured by the swarm of ants...


    With a thunderous boom,


    a heavenly sword light descended from above, cutting open a vast gorge around them. Hundreds of black ants were cleaved into pieces and dispersed. Gu Yun, who had prepared himself for a noble death, was startled and turned towards Xiao Yi, "Who are you?"


    Xiao Yi said, "I am Xiao Yi, here specifically to investigate the annihilation of the village..."


    "Investigating the annihilation of the village?"


    Gu Yun showed a strong desire to live, pointing at the swarm of black ants and saying, "Sir, the tragedy on the ice field was caused by these devilish things. They are demons, demons that eat humans without leaving bones. Nearly ten thousand of my Gu Family Fort''s people have been eaten by them..."


    Upon seeing the black ants, a look of terror emerged unconsciously on Gu Yun''s face.


    These black ants were truly terrifying!


    Wherever they went, no grass grew.


    Once flesh and blood entered their mouths, not even bone fragments remained!


    The recent victims from the Gu Family Fort were such that not even blood was left behind.


    "I never thought we would actually encounter these ghastly creatures here..."


    Xiao Yi saw the true nature of these black ants, his gaze carrying a trace of seriousness.


    Yang Ling and Shen Mo, among others, also gathered around.


    Everyone looked at the surrounding dense swarms of black ants that made one''s scalp tingle, and Yang Ling asked in a serious tone, "Shen Mo, do you recognize these ghastly creatures?"


    Shen Mo shook his head gravely.


    "These are the God Devouring Ants!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes held a serious look mixed with suppressed rage, "These are a very unique type of monster beast. A single God Devouring Ant isn''t scary, but a swarm of God Devouring Ants is. Just as you''ve seen earlier, where a swarm of God Devouring Ants passes, not a bone or blade of grass remains..."


    "God Devouring Ants? Quite a domineering name. What kind of monster beast is this? Why doesn''t it even appear in the Myriad Beasts Manual of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect?" Shen Mo looked puzzled at the surrounding God Devouring Ants. The Myriad Beasts Manual cataloged tens of thousands of monster beasts �C it was the encyclopedia of monster beasts!


    Shen Mo had been well-versed in the Myriad Beasts Manual since he was ten, yet he had never heard of the God Devouring Ants.


    Xiao Yi said, "Your Ten Thousand Beasts Sect has only been around for a thousand years, whereas the God Devouring Ants disappeared five thousand years ago."


    "Five thousand years ago?"


    Yang Ling asked with a puzzled face, "That''s impossible, right? If they disappeared five thousand years ago, then where did these come from?"

 Chapter 441 - 441 The Real Culprit Emerges

    "If they disappeared five thousand years ago, where do these come from?"


    Shen Mo and Yang Ling looked at each other.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, and with his gaze fixed on the vast cavern ahead, he said coldly, "If I''m not mistaken, they must have been artificially bred."


    Clap clap clap!


    A series of crisp slapping sounds suddenly came from within the cave.


    What followed was a skin-crawling rustling sound, and in no time, tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants emerged from the cavern. They loomed like a dark steel torrent, swiftly surrounding Xiao Yi and the others.


    Encircled.


    Xiao Yi and his fellows could only stand back to back, warily watching their surroundings. However, the God Devouring Ants seemed to be under control, showing their teeth and snarling but not launching an attack. S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Rustle rustle!


    Tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants accumulated together, forming a black throne of ants.


    A dark figure, wrapped in a cloak, sat proudly on the throne, pushed forward by the God Devouring Ants into everyone''s view.


    The Ice Phoenix''s expression changed subtly, his deep voice filled with solemnity and caution, "Master, it was this person who wounded me a month ago!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze settling on the figure exuding a faint aura of ice-coldness.


    In his hand, he held a black cane, topped with a ferocious dragon''s head.


    He played gently with the cane, giving off an extremely eerie and gloomy feeling.


    The eyes beneath the dark figure''s cloak sparkled like lightning, wearing a cold smirk as he stared at Xiao Yi and the others, and said, "I didn''t expect you to recognize the God Devouring Ants, no wonder you became the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute and gained the trust of that old fool, Emperor Qian!"


    "You recognize me?" Xiao Yi asked, greatly surprised.


    "Heh heh, you''re quite the wanted man; how could I not recognize you?"


    The man in black gave a sinister smile and said, "I''ve long heard that the Great Qian Dynasty, aside from Xiao Tianjiao, now has a remarkable Xiao Yi. Seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze locked onto the man as he replied with a sneer, "Your methods are also extraordinary, to be able to breed God Devouring Ants that have been extinct for many years. However, aren''t your methods a bit too ruthless?"


    "Oh? So you know how to breed the God Devouring Ants?" The man raised his eyebrows, curious as he looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "Using the lives of the innocent to nurture the queen ant and bring forth new God Devouring Ants��such methods are disgraceful. Aren''t you afraid of retribution?"


    "Hm?"


    The man in black lifted an eyebrow, toying with the cane in his hand.


    The method for breeding the God Devouring Ants was something he had discovered in an ancient site, a secret unknown to others. Yet Xiao Yi spoke of its intricacies with ease, surprising and shocking him.


    Leaning forward slightly, the black-clothed man narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "Retribution? That is a word used by the weak to deceive themselves. If retribution truly existed in this world, I, Lin Xu, would have died at the hands of that old fart Emperor Qian decades ago!"


    "Lin Xu?"


    Yang Ling''s face changed drastically as he looked incredulously at the man in black, "You''re Cangyue City''s city lord from fifty years ago, Lin Xu? How is this possible? Weren''t you executed? How can you still be alive..."


    "Heh heh, you''re quite young yet you know so much! Yes, indeed I was sentenced to death by that old fart Emperor Qian. But my life was not yet at its end, and the heavens spared me a breath so I could annihilate the Great Qian Dynasty and avenge the blood feud of that year!"


    Lin Xu tore off his cloak, revealing a face covered with centipede-like nasty scars.


    The scars crisscrossed over his face, extending to the back of his head.


    Not a single piece of flesh on the entire head was intact.


    One can only imagine...


    the excruciating pain Lin Xu must have suffered to receive those scars.


    His face was filled with a ferocious grin as he said gloomily, "All these are thanks to that old fart, Emperor Qian! I thought I would never be able to avenge myself in this lifetime, but Heaven has allowed me to discover the cultivation method of the God Devouring Ants. Heh heh, I will let my army of God Devouring Ants sweep across the entire Great Qian Dynasty. I want Emperor Qian to be unable to live or die. Devour their flesh, drink their blood, gnaw their bones, execute their nine kin, annihilate their entire family..."


    Every word Lin Xu uttered was powerful and filled with overwhelming hatred!


    Yang Ling''s face turned slightly pale as he roared, "If it hadn''t been for your brutal use of the people of Cangyue City for your medicinal experiments, turning millions into walking corpses, causing cannibalism amongst family, and filling the city with lamentation, my father would not have killed you. You deserved what you got. What right do you have to talk of revenge?"


    "Father? You''re also a son of that old fart Emperor Qian? Hahaha..."


    Lin Xu was startled for a moment, his cold gaze beneath the dark cloak staring dead at Yang Ling as he sneered, "I didn''t expect Heaven to deliver his son to me before I sought revenge on old fart Emperor Qian. Heh heh, it seems even the Heavens are helping me! Tell me, if I were to flay and dismember you and send you back to Emperor Qian, would he be heartbroken? Heh heh heh..."


    That grating voice made one''s scalp tingle.


    Gurgle!


    Yang Ling subconsciously swallowed.


    Yang Kun''s complexion also turned pale��flaying and dismemberment?


    That was even more painful than death!


    He instinctively took a step back.


    But Xiao Yi pointed at Yang Kun, "That one is also a prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, and a strong contender for the Crown Prince''s position, the grand prince, Yang Kun!"


    Yang Kun: "...*&*()"


    He felt like he could kill someone at that moment!


    He had already deliberately stayed far away, but with just a word from Xiao Yi, the man in black had focused all his attention on him.


    The man in black stared intently at Yang Kun, his eyes brimming with murderous intent, "The grand prince? A contender for the Crown Prince? Hahaha, fortune favors the bold, indeed Heaven has eyes! Old fart Emperor Qian, today I will sever your Crown Prince''s lineage..."


    Rustle rustle!


    A dark mass of God Devouring Ants rushed toward Yang Kun''s direction, driven mad by the man in black lifting his cane.


    "Damn!"


    Yang Kun was scared out of his wits��the sight of tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants en masse was enough to make anyone''s skin crawl��he hurriedly shouted to Xiao Yi and Yang Ling, "Xiao Yi, Yang Ling, we should be united in our hatred now, in opposition to our common enemy. Let''s join forces and slay this villain first, and deal with our grievances privately later, shall we?"


    Xiao Yi remained expressionless.


    Yang Ling furrowed his brow.


    Watching the God Devouring Ants draw nearer, Yang Kun bellowed, "Yang Ling, if I die, even if you survive, it won''t be easy to explain to the Emperor. We need to work together to kill him first; otherwise, if this army of God Devouring Ants enters the Great Qian Dynasty, it will be a catastrophe. We have to think of the bigger picture!"


    Whoo!


    Yang Ling bit his lip��it was a perfect opportunity to get rid of Yang Kun.


    But...


    Just as Yang Kun had said, if these God Devouring Ants poured into the Great Qian Dynasty, countless lives would suffer. With that in mind, Yang Ling turned to Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, let''s join forces, and get rid of these God Devouring Ants first!"


    "Alright!"


    A hint of relief flickered through Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    If Yang Ling were only after the throne without regard for the people, he would need to consider how much support to give him going forward.


    Fortunately, Yang Ling had not disappointed him!


    Hearing the words of the three, Lin Xu sneered, "Idiots, my God Devouring Ants are impervious to swords and spears, unaffected by water or fire, invincible in this world. You think you can fight me?"


    "Invincible in this world?"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upwards, a confident smile appearing, "Well, that remains to be seen!"

 Chapter 442 - 442 God Devouring Ants

    "That''s far from certain!"


    Xiao Yi sneered coldly, "Though the God Devouring Ants are strong, if the ant queen is killed... I don''t even need to lift a finger; they will start killing each other. Don''t think that hiding the ant queen will prevent me from dealing with you. I have at least a hundred ways to find the queen''s location..."


    Hiss!


    Lin Xu''s face changed dramatically, his heart instantly filled with a towering murderous intent.


    These God Devouring Ants were the Sword Dynasty''s deadly weapon against the Great Qian Dynasty.


    To cultivate these ants, the sacrifices made were no less than tens of thousands of lives.


    Just the initial cultivation alone resulted in more than a hundred thousand deaths.


    During this time...


    He led the swarm of God Devouring Ants across the ice plains, consuming countless lives to continuously augment the ant army''s numbers. From the birth of the first ant, he had devoured no fewer than one hundred and fifty thousand people.


    He was just waiting for the day of the Great Qian Dynasty''s ancestral sacrifice ceremony, when he would command his army of God Devouring Ants to march south and sweep through the Great Qian Dynasty.


    To devour countless millions of lives.


    Just as his grand achievement was within reach, Xiao Yi unexpectedly saw through the existence of the God Devouring Ants, even knowing their only weakness?


    Lin Xu''s face twisted into a ferocious snarl; with a wave of his crutch, he directed the swarm of ants to change course toward Xiao Yi in a frenzied rush: "Talkative fool, I will slaughter you first..."


    The ants originally targeting Yang Kun instantly changed direction.


    Forming a sword-shaped formation.


    Rustle rustle rustle!


    Amidst the harsh grating sounds, tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants turned into a black, iron tide rushing straight at Xiao Yi with extraordinary speed. Wherever they passed, dirt and pebbles were gnawed away, leaving nothing behind.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    "The Lotus of Resurrection!"


    "Eternal Cycle of Life..."


    Xiao Yi unleashed a series of sword moves, his strokes as smooth as drifting clouds and flowing water, slicing through swath after swath of God Devouring Ants.


    By his side...


    Yang Ling, Yan Yinghao, and Shen Mo were also taking action, tirelessly attacking the swarm of ants.


    However...


    Yang Kun, who had continuously claimed to prioritize the greater good, watched as the ants changed course and stopped targeting him. He called out and led more than three hundred Blood Saber Guards in a frantic dash away from the Gu Family Fort.


    "Fuck, Yang Kun you son of a bitch..." Shen Mo exploded in fury and cursed aloud.


    Yang Ling''s vision darkened, nearly spitting out a mouthful of blood in anger: "Yang Kun, you will not die a good death..."


    Yang Kun didn''t look back as he sprinted out of the valley, yet his self-satisfied voice could still be heard drifting back: "I am also prioritizing the greater good. After you all die, I will naturally take care of your bodies. I shall take my leave first, hahaha..."


    "Fuck..."


    The crowd roared in rage.


    Lin Xu was also stunned, then sneered, "So this is the crown prince of the Great Qian Dynasty! Truly worthy of being Emperor Qian''s son, like father, like son, both equally shameless..."


    With Yang Kun and the three hundred Blood Saber Guards escaping first, it massively increased the pressure on Xiao Yi and his three companions.


    The four had no choice but to stand back to back, resisting the encircling assault of the God Devouring Ants.


    Lin Xu, floating in midair, looked down with a mockingly at Xiao Yi, baring his teeth in a fierce smile: "Boy, you claim to have ways to deal with the God Devouring Ants, do you? I am eager to see just how capable you are..."


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi released a crescent arc with his sword, decisively cleaving through thousands of ants in front of him. His chilly gaze fixed on Lin Xu, he said with a sinister smile, "If I''m not mistaken, that ant queen is on your body, right?"


    Lin Xu''s face showed a slight change.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, the queen was indeed on his body.


    As long as he controlled the ant queen, he could command the God Devouring Ant army, naturally it was safer to carry her with him.


    Exhale!


    Lin Xu took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, "Do you know? Exposing someone''s secrets like this can be very annoying!"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Lin Xu''s mouth curved in a grimace, revealing a set of pale teeth, and with a sinister laugh.


    He waved his dragon-headed cane toward Xiao Yi.


    Rustle rustle!


    Swarms of God Devouring Ants raised their hefty pincers in unison, their reddened eyes fixed deathly upon Xiao Yi and the others. The chilling gleam of their choosing prey struck terror into hearts and sent shivers down the spine.


    Lin Xu, his face covered with fierce scars, revealed a terrifying smile and sneered, "Give up your resistance. There''s no way you can withstand the assault of the God Devouring Ants!"


    "Master, let''s run away fast!" the Ice and Snow Phoenix said.


    Yang Ling said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, a wise man does not fight when the odds are against him. We should retreat first!"


    "We can''t retreat. It was not easy to find them. If we allow him to leave this place, it will be even harder to find him later. Once he commands the God Devouring Ant army to attack the Great Qian Dynasty, countless commoners will be displaced..." Xiao Yi decisively shook his head, his gaze resolute.


    Yang Kun could shamelessly run away.


    But he couldn''t!


    The God Devouring Ants in front of him were clearly not the entirety, nor were they in their full form.


    Based on Lin Xu''s control of the God Devouring Ants that had devoured over a hundred thousand people, their army must number in the millions. Once allowing him to leave and control the army to attack the Great Qian Dynasty,


    wherever they passed...


    Absolutely nothing would remain, and all life would be plunged into misery.


    "You guys hold off the God Devouring Ants, I''ll deal with Lin Xu..."


    A cold gleam flashed across Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    Whoosh!


    His figure suddenly moved, and dazzling glory emerge all around him.


    Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, violet.


    Dazzling radiance gathered like a rainbow, completely enshrouding Xiao Yi, and at the same time, a sharp sword light pervaded around him.


    The power of Sword Intent was pushed to its ultimate, as the divine sealing power within his body operated simultaneously. His qi breathed life into the air with roars like that of tigers and dragons, and the Longsword swept across the sky.


    Wherever his figure passed, God Devouring Ants were struck flying.


    In just the blink of an eye.


    Xiao Yi forcefully tore open a gap.


    "Islands divide the river into two,"


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain,"


    "The Blue Lotus of Rebirth..."


    The masterful "Blue Lotus Sword Song" flowed smoothly like clouds and water, flipping away one God Devouring Ant after another, and the Longsword in the sky smashed them to pieces.


    His speed was so fast that it caught one off guard.


    In the instant Lin Xu reacted, Xiao Yi was already in front of him.


    Leaping high.


    A sharp sword descended from the heavens: "The Blue Lotus of Rebirth, everlastingly cyclic!"


    Whoosh!


    Clusters of Sword Qi Flower Lotus condensed into being.


    Circling around each other continuously, never-ending, endlessly unfolding.


    Lin Xu''s expression changed dramatically; he had not anticipated that Xiao Yi could so swiftly tear through the encirclement of the God Devouring Ants. With no time to spare, he swung his staff and hundreds of God Devouring Ants rushed towards the sharp sword light.


    Pfft pfft!


    The sword light swept past.


    These hundreds of God Devouring Ants were cleanly bisected.


    In the moment the sword edge crushed the group of ants, Lin Xu found a chance to catch his breath.


    With one hand, he reached into the void, and hundreds of ants transformed into a shield in front of him while he explosively withdrew. Swinging the dragon-headed cane in his hand, another few hundred ants followed suit, throwing themselves at Xiao Yi. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Get lost!"


    Xiao Yi shouted with enraged eyes, sweeping his sword across.


    The cold sword light, like a rainbow, cut through Changkong, cleaving it in the middle.


    As blood sprayed wildly,


    Xiao Yi leapt over the corpses of countless God Devouring Ants. Looking at Lin Xu protected by the ants, he said lightly, "How do you want to die?"

 Chapter 443 - 443: Frantic Pursuit

    ```


    "How do you wish to die?"


    Xiao Yi''s longsword in his hand spat forth Sword Qi, like a venomous snake revealing its fierce fangs.


    In the flashing cold light,


    a chilling breath swept through the surroundings in an instant.


    The God Devouring Ants were indeed powerful!


    But he was the Heavenly General, and even more, he possessed many secret techniques and heritages of the powerful, among which included the heritage of the Wind Thunder Master that mentioned the God Devouring Ants. With the power of Wind Thunder contained within his Wind Thunder Holy Body, he was perfectly suited to restrain these God Devouring Ants.


    That''s exactly why...


    Upon discovering that Lin Xu controlled the God Devouring Ants, Xiao Yi also let out a sigh of relief.


    Hiss hiss hiss!


    Lin Xu''s grip on his walking stick tightened, and the surrounding God Devouring Ants subsequently produced a series of hissing sounds, their gazes void of any emotion. Under the control of the God Devouring Ants queen, these ants were like puppets.


    Fearless of death, only slaughter remained!


    Lin Xu''s face was as still as water, and seeing the corpses of the God Devouring Ants on the ground made his heart bleed, for he had invested countless efforts in raising these ants: "You little bastard, you dare to slaughter my God Devouring Ants? Do you know how much effort I put into raising them?"


    For every person the queen of the God Devouring Ants devoured, it could give birth to ten more God Devouring Ants.


    The tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants that Xiao Yi had just slain would have required the consumption of an entire small village!


    "It is precisely because I know how you raised them, that I have to kill you even more!" Xiao Yi''s sword tip rose, pointing at Lin Xu in front of him, his Sword Qi roaring like a rainbow, creating ripples in the air as it breathed in and out.


    "Heheh, let''s see if you have the ability!"


    Amidst a grim smile, Lin Xu fiercely stomped the ground with his dragon-head cane.


    Boom!


    The ground suddenly let out a dull thud.


    With his dragon-head cane as the center, ripples spread outwards in all directions, the cracks sprawling across the ground like a spider''s web. On the ground, countless God Devouring Ants twisted their bodies frantically, swarming towards Xiao Yi in a dense mass.


    As Xiao Yi had previously broken through the encirclement of God Devouring Ants and escaped to the side, Yang Ling and the others watched the scene with tense expressions.


    The dense swarm of God Devouring Ants was enough to make one''s scalp tingle.


    Yang Ling clenched his fists, his face filled with concern: "Shen Mo, what chances do you think Xiao has of defeating these God Devouring Ants?"


    "This..."


    Shen Mo instinctively opened his mouth but realized the answer in his head was extremely pessimistic; he said with a wry smile, "I don''t know much about the God Devouring Ants, but when we broke out earlier, I struck a few of them. These creatures have extremely tough shells and are very tricky to deal with. Moreover, their numbers are vast, they fear neither life nor death, and even though Director Xiao is strong, facing so many God Devouring Ants, I''m afraid..."


    Yang Ling''s complexion turned slightly pale.


    Gu Yun, covered in blood and with a pained expression, said: "It''s over, we''re all going to die here..."


    Meanwhile,


    Xiao Yi was faced with a wall of black ants, their pairs of blood-red eyes fixed upon him, ready to devour. In their eyes, Xiao Yi was food, was prey. Sear?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Rip him to shreds!" Lin Xu raised his arm, the dragon-head cane pointing towards Xiao Yi.


    Boom!


    The wall of ants writhed madly, suddenly transforming.


    Into a massive black hand, the great hand lunging to crush Xiao Yi.


    This hand, made entirely of God Devouring Ants, would leave Xiao Yi with no chance of escape if he were caught.


    "Sword Qi Flower Lotus!"


    "An endless cycle of life!"


    Xiao Yi''s face showed no emotion as he stood with his sword in hand, like an invincible swordsman.


    Swish!


    ```


    The Sword Qi Flower Lotus appeared out of nowhere, spinning and complementing each other, endlessly blooming. Sword Qi Flower Lotuses fell into the massive hand of the God Devouring Ants, exploding violently with a booming sound.


    The black hand was cleaved open, leaving a huge gash.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi dashed forward, shooting across the air like a bolt of lightning, passing through the gap in the massive hand.


    His speed was incredibly fast.


    Tapping his toes continuously on the Sword Qi Flower Lotuses in the void, his speed burst forth a second time, shooting through like an arrow released from a bowstring. As he passed through the black hand, the God Devouring Ants behind him had just filled the huge gap.


    Transforming back into a black hand, it pursued Xiao Yi relentlessly.


    "Not good!"


    Lin Xu''s face changed dramatically.


    He had not expected Xiao Yi''s sword technique to be so powerful that it could easily rip through the hand formed by the God Devouring Ants.


    With the sharp Sword Qi already before him, Lin Xu, in haste, could only raise his cane to block in front of him. A thunderous ''thud'' resonated as the cane trembled violently, sending out circular ripples.


    The terrifying force transmitted up his arms, Lin Xu screamed in agony as the flesh at the base of his thumb split open, with even the bones in his arms showing signs of fractures.


    "Such a terrifying force, this young man''s strength is so formidable��"


    Lin Xu''s complexion drastically changed.


    Seeing Xiao Yi charging at him again with his sword, his heart lost the desire to fight any longer. His figure fled, lifted and carried by a clutch of God Devouring Ants, as he ran madly into the distance.


    At the same time��


    Squads of God Devouring Ants formed a black tide, attempting to block Xiao Yi.


    Lin Xu''s own cultivation was merely at the First Nirvana Realm. If he engaged Xiao Yi in close combat, it would surely be a path to certain death. Previously, relying on the peskiness and vast numbers of the God Devouring Ants, he managed to capture Yang Kun and the others.


    But now��


    Against Xiao Yi, who possessed the Wind Thunder Holy Body as well as the Green Lotus Sword Song, the God Devouring Ants seemed virtually useless. Having lost his main reliance, he could only flee.


    Watching Xiao Yi chasing relentlessly from behind, Lin Xu cursed viciously, "Damn it, if these God Devouring Ants hadn''t just hatched, would I have fallen to such a wretched state? Xiao Yi, don''t get too proud. Once I gather the rest of the God Devouring Ants army, your death will be at hand!"


    Lin Xu had far more than the mere hundred and some thousand God Devouring Ants before him that he had cultivated to disrupt the Great Qian Dynasty''s ancestral worship ceremony.


    Among this batch of God Devouring Ants, the vast majority were new insects that had just hatched after devouring the people from the Gu Family Fort.


    His true trump card wasn''t with him.


    The two of them, one chasing and one fleeing.


    In the blink of an eye, they reached the exit of the Gu Family Fort. Xiao Yi glanced at Yang Ling and the others pursuing from behind using his peripheral vision. He patted his chest and instructed Little Lin, "Little Lin, protect Yang Ling and the rest, take them back to Northern Bing City and wait for me. I''ll come back once I''ve dealt with Lin Xu!"


    "Got it, Boss. Take care of yourself!" Little Lin nodded and flew towards Yang Ling and the others.


    Xiao Yi nodded and resumed his mad pursuit of Lin Xu.


    Along the way...


    Xiao Yi continually slew the swarms of God Devouring Ants that tried to block him, watching the number behind him dwindle.


    The distance between Xiao Yi and him grew ever closer.


    Traversing through the woods, Xiao Yi''s longsword swept across the sky, cutting down hundreds of towering trees with a swath of sword light. With a kick, the felled trees transformed into arrows, shooting forth with a whooshing sound.


    Bang bang bang!


    Several trees struck Lin Xu hard, the force causing him to spew blood from his mouth, but he dared not slow his pace.


    With a vicious gleam in his eyes, Lin Xu roared, "Xiao Yi, stop chasing me... If you keep this up, don''t blame me for being ruthless and slaughtering all the citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty atop this ice plain!"


    "You can try..."


    Xiao Yi sneered repeatedly, "Let''s see whether you manage to slaughter them first, or I manage to slay you first!"

 Chapter 444 - 444: The Place of Burial

    "Let''s see if you can slaughter them before I slay you!"


    Xiao Yi gave relentless chase, the distance between him and Lin Xu growing ever closer.


    Feeling the icy edge of a sword behind him, Lin Xu''s body chilled, and he glanced back from the corner of his eye. He saw Xiao Yi, surrounded by Sword Qi, cutting through the God Devouring Ants with such force that their bodies burst apart, exploding into the sky.


    Like a black storm, wherever he passed, the strewn bodies of God Devouring Ants lay in his wake.


    As he watched the God Devouring Ants, which had devoured every living creature in the Gu Family Fort to grow stronger, being slaughtered in droves by Xiao Yi, Lin Xu''s heart bled.


    His eyes, now bloodshot, shone red as rubies, and through gritted teeth, he said, "Xiao Yi, you and I are irreconcilable!"


    These God Devouring Ants were creatures he had nurtured with great effort and hardship.


    He had thought that the God Devouring Ants were an invincible army, capable of sweeping through the Great Qian Dynasty.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi had appeared unexpectedly along the way.


    What was worse, Xiao Yi seemed to be immune to the ants'' attacks, something Lin Xu had not anticipated. The God Devouring Ants carried a toxin within them, so that even a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert would lose their combat ability when swarmed and bitten by countless ants.


    Xiao Yi seemed to be immune to the toxin of the God Devouring Ants.


    His Sword techniques were also extremely sharp, capable of easily penetrating the tough outer shells of the God Devouring Ants.


    What was supposed to be an invincible army of God Devouring Ants, seemed virtually ineffective before Xiao Yi, Lin Xu fled desperately for his life, "This man must not be spared, he will become a huge obstacle for my God Devouring Ant army as it sweeps across the Great Qian Dynasty. These ants are just newly hatched and not in their full form. If I can lure Xiao Yi into the den where I have been accumulating my army, I refuse to believe millions of fully-formed God Devouring Ants can''t deal with him!"


    With that thought,


    Lin Xu looked back at Xiao Yi, his eyes filled with madness, "Xiao Yi, if you dare, keep chasing me! If you cannot kill me today, I will make sure to slaughter every living being in the Great Qian Dynasty tomorrow��"


    Whoosh!


    Lin Xu suddenly increased his speed.


    A village suddenly appeared before them.


    In the village, smoke rose from the chimneys, the elderly had support and the youth had care; it was a blissful haven resembling the Peach Blossom Spring.


    At the entrance of the village, several naive and innocent children were playing, squatting in front of an anthill, watching as the ants moved food in organized groups.


    Lin Xu''s eyes gleamed as he sneered menacingly, "Watch closely, Xiao Yi, these people will die because of you!"


    "You dare!" S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi was furious, having guessed Lin Xu''s intention.


    He was planning to attack the people of this village!


    Xiao Yi was filled with a desire to kill as he looked at the playing children and the cheerful villagers.


    However...


    Lin Xu let out a sinister laugh and violently swung his dragon-headed cane.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The swarms of God Devouring Ants surged out, rushing toward the small village.


    The countless ants moved in unison like a black tide, their movement catching the attention of the children at the village entrance, who looked up at the approaching dark wave of ants.


    "Wow, so many ants!"


    "These ants are so big, are they moving house too?"


    The children watched innocently, not frightened but instead, they moved closer to the swarm of God Devouring Ants.


    "Get away... get away from them��" Xiao Yi''s eyes were split with fury as he tried to move forward but was blocked by the ants; he could only watch in powerlessness as the children drew closer to the swarm, unable to help.


    Powerlessness and despair filled his heart.


    Xiao Yi could only scream hysterically, to no avail.


    One of the children''s fingers made contact with the first God Devouring Ant.


    The seemingly stupid little creatures instantly turned into bloodthirsty demons, biting the child''s finger.


    "Ah��"


    The small boy with braided pigtails cried out in shock, and though he tried to pull his hand back it was too late �C countless ants fell upon them. In just the blink of an eye, the children were devoured until nothing remained of them, not even a bone fragment.


    Boom boom boom!


    The swarms of God Devouring Ants poured crazily into the village.


    At that moment,


    Desperate screams echoed throughout the village, "Help..."


    "What kind of monsters are these? Don''t eat my child, come at me��"


    "You beasts, my wife is five months pregnant, let her go��"


    "No��"


    Heart-wrenching screams continuously emanated from the village.


    Xiao Yi felt as if a huge stone was lodged in his chest, completely unable to breathe.


    His eyes were bloodshot.


    Through his blood-red vision...


    The entire village was reduced to silence in an instant under the attack of the God Devouring Ants.


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, this is what happens when you oppose me!"


    Lin Xu threw back his head and howled with laughter, pointing his dragon-headed cane ahead, and blue energy gathered towards the cane from the God Devouring Ants that had devoured the villagers. The whole cane was shrouded in blue light, and the head of the dragon on the cane suddenly opened its mouth.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    One after another, God Devouring Ants appeared around Lin Xu.


    Five hundred.


    One thousand.


    Five thousand...


    In a moment, more than fifty thousand new-born God Devouring Ants appeared around Lin Xu.


    Devouring a single life, they could reproduce ten God Devouring Ants.


    In just that instant...


    This swarm of God Devouring Ants had devoured more than five thousand innocent souls!


    Lin Xu said with immense satisfaction, "Xiao Yi, you can''t possibly catch up to me, nor can you possibly eradicate my God Devouring Ant army. Didn''t you say that for every person I kill from the Great Qian Dynasty, you would destroy one of my cities? Hahaha, I have already killed more than five thousand people now, what can you do to me?"


    "Lin Xu, fuck your ancestors..." Xiao Yi''s neck veins bulged violently, his fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning deathly white.


    Lin Xu leaned forward slightly, carelessly cleaning his ear, and said with a grim smile, "If you can, keep chasing me! Hahaha, whether or not you continue to pursue me, as punishment for offending me, my God Devouring Ant army will completely devour everything in their path, showing no mercy..."


    "You dare?"


    Xiao Yi shuddered all over.


    If he let Lin Xu do as he pleased, the citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty across the entire glacier would surely be almost completely wiped out!


    "What wouldn''t I dare?"


    Lin Xu''s face twisted viciously, and the centipede-like scars across his face quivered as a gold-colored God Devouring Ant, roughly the size of a watermelon, slowly crawled out from within the dragon-headed cane.


    It went straight for the top of Lin Xu''s head.


    As soon as this God Devouring Ant appeared, all the surrounding ants bowed their heads in deference.


    This was the God Devouring Ant Queen!


    Lin Xu pointed at the queen, proudly saying, "With it around, my God Devouring Ant legion is invincible. You want to stop me from destroying the Great Qian Dynasty? Open your eyes wide and watch as countless innocent lives will be sacrificed along my path because of you, hahaha..."


    As soon as his voice fell.


    Lin Xu abruptly slapped the golden God Devouring Ant Queen on his head.


    The Ant Queen immediately let out a sharp squeal.


    Lin Xu leapt into the air and fled, while Xiao Yi, grinding his teeth in rage, had no choice but to stiffen his resolve and continue the pursuit.


    The chase went on.


    Lin Xu kept using the God Devouring Ants to block Xiao Yi''s pursuit, and as he went through villages on the way, he would immediately unleash his God Devouring Ant legion to devour all life within. Xiao Yi chased for thousands of miles, and along Lin Xu''s path of slaughter, fifteen villages had been destroyed...


    The number of innocent villagers involved had nearly reached thirty thousand.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes had long turned blood red with killing intent.


    He had slashed his way through over a million God Devouring Ants, and as he watched Lin Xu enter a canyon ahead with his ants, he followed without hesitation.


    However...


    As soon as he stepped into the canyon, Lin Xu turned around slowly, his face twisted into a menacing smile as he looked towards him, "Xiao Yi, welcome to my stronghold..."


    Lin Xu gradually spread his arms wide.


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!


    All around the dark and deep canyon, on the rock walls, and from all directions came the sound of objects cutting through the air. From the dust, within the rock walls, and inside the boulders...


    Countless black God Devouring Ants stealthily emerged.


    The numbers were countless, amounting to millions!


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi gasped in a cold breath, his scalp tingling.


    He had only thought of killing Lin Xu to avenge those innocent people, but had been lured by Lin Xu into his lair where he stockpiled his vast God Devouring Ant army. His heart chilled; these were millions of God Devouring Ants!


    And they were all mature, fully-formed God Devouring Ants!


    Let alone him...


    Even a peak master of the Nirvana Realm would have no chance of survival here!


    Lin Xu sneered, "Xiao Yi, this is where you meet your end!"

 Chapter 445 - 445 Queen of the God-Eating Ants

    "Today, this place shall be your grave!"


    Lin Xu said with a ferocious face.


    On his outstretched arms, black God Devouring Ants gradually became visible.


    All of these ants were in their fully developed form.


    He had been hiding them in this canyon all along, waiting for the ancestral worship ceremony of the Great Qian Dynasty, and then he planned to control this army of God Devouring Ants with the Queen, leading them in a mighty procession into the Great Qian Dynasty.


    At that time...


    Wherever the army of God Devouring Ants passed, not a blade of grass would grow, not a tile would remain.


    They could even march directly to the imperial capital!


    Atop Imperial Dragon Mountain, in front of Emperor Qian and the others, he would destroy the most valued ancestral worship ceremony of the Great Qian Dynasty''s royal family!


    Everything had been proceeding according to plan.


    Until Xiao Yi''s arrival completely disrupted it.


    Before that,


    Even experts of the Nirvana Realm facing hundreds of thousands of God Devouring Ants could only choose to retreat, without any means to fight back.


    But Xiao Yi ignored the poison of the God Devouring Ants, and he even had a way to easily destroy the tough defense of their shells, which meant that both the strongest spear and shield of the God Devouring Ants were broken by Xiao Yi. S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The attack couldn''t break through Xiao Yi''s defense.


    The defense couldn''t stop Xiao Yi''s attack!


    What''s the point of playing then?


    For this reason,


    Lin Xu, even at the risk of exposing his base, had to lure Xiao Yi to this canyon, all to ensure Xiao Yi remained here forever.


    The number of God Devouring Ants in the entire canyon amounted to over a hundred million!


    Those dense swarms of God Devouring Ants, piling up like mountains, with pairs of glowing eyes staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, like a pack of hungry wolves eyeing a lamb to be slaughtered. Their green eyes were so terrifying that they could scare people to death!


    Lin Xu cackled with a sinister laugh, raised his sword-like brows slightly, and said with complacency, "Xiao Yi, if you surrender to me now and beg for mercy on your knees before me, maybe I will consider leaving your body intact!"


    A whole body?


    Xiao Yi was startled, laughed, and pointed at the swarming God Devouring Ants around him, "You think these things can scare me? You''re seriously underestimating me!"


    "What?"


    Lin Xu was taken aback, the centipede-like scars on his face quivering; his smile was even more terrifying than a cry, "Ignorant fool, just because you could deal with those newly born God Devouring Ant larvae, you think I have no way to handle you? These are all mature God Devouring Ants, ten thousand of them together can kill a Dharma Manifestation Realm master, the Great Qian Dynasty absolutely cannot withstand my army of God Devouring Ants!"


    The army of God Devouring Ants was indeed dreadful!


    The sheer sight of millions of ant-sized God Devouring Ants would inevitably cause massive panic.


    Moreover, with the speed of the God Devouring Ants being extremely fast and having no natural predators, it was not impossible for them to move south from Northern Bing City towards the imperial capital in just one day.


    "Xiao Yi, you cannot stop me. Once I lead the army of God Devouring Ants into the Great Qian Dynasty, I will massacre the entire Great Qian Dynasty until not a blade of grass remains. At that time, I will exterminate all your clan members one by one..." Lin Xu''s head scars trembled slightly, like dozens of centipedes writhing their bodies.


    In an instant,


    He swung his dragon-headed cane violently, and suddenly, a chilling rustling sound filled the canyon.


    Countless God Devouring Ants surged from all directions.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly; two sword-like brows on his forehead crossed each other, forming a deep chasm, and a longsword materialized out of thin air, falling into his palm. Grasping the longsword in one hand, Xiao Yi leaped into the air.


    Surrounding him, Sword Qi, rushing like a storm, swept out in all directions.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The terrifying sound of the sword''s cry, accompanied by the noise of thunder and wind.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body was instantly pushed to its extreme, light of wind and thunder rose and fell, transforming into a set of wind and thunder battle armor.


    The purplish-green wind and thunder battle armor clung to his body.


    It enhanced Xiao Yi''s strength and speed to their limits, allowing him to weave through the vast number of God Devouring Ants without a trace, as though he was a leaf that never touches the flowers among the multitude. Even the strong shells of the God Devouring Ants could not withstand his longsword powered by the force of wind and thunder��they were easily shattered!


    "A Stroke That Splits the Water to Find the Egret Isle!"


    With one sword strike, a massive gap was slashed through the dense swarm of God Devouring Ants ahead.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    The sword light poured down like a torrential downpour, like thousands of swords piercing hearts and plummeting down.


    ```


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The ruthless sword tip pierced through one God Devouring Ant after another, even splitting them in two, their bright red blood filling the entire canyon.


    Watching Xiao Yi move effortlessly through the vast army of God Devouring Ants, as if entering a land with no one else in sight, Lin Xu showed no concern at all. A slight smile played on his lips, his hands pressed together in front of his chest in a show of devotion, "Come out now, Queen of the God-Eating Ants!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The spacious canyon suddenly shook violently, and the dragon-headed cane in his hand shot out abruptly.


    Whoosh!


    The dragon-headed cane landed directly in the deepest part of the canyon.


    The dragon head at the top of the cane slowly opened its gaping mouth, and crawling out from within was a fist-sized, golden God Devouring Ant, the Queen herself, shimmering with a golden luster.


    She gently flapped her wings, rising slowly, flying toward the endless darkness deep within the canyon.


    Hum!


    As the golden Queen penetrated the darkness, abruptly, from the silence and darkness of the depths of the canyon, emerged six cold eyes. These six eyes each exhibited different colors: white, black, red, green, blue, yellow...


    Six eyes, six colors.


    A humming sound faintly emanated from the void.


    Suddenly, a golden God Devouring Ant with dazzling golden light, double wings on its back, roughly the size of a calf, flew out.


    This was the true Queen of the God-Eating Ants!


    As for the one in the cane, it was nothing more than one of her avatars!


    The moment Xiao Yi caught sight of the Queen of the God-Eating Ants, his head buzzed, and for some reason, everything about her was engraved deep into his mind.


    Every detail, every expression.


    All so clear!


    But before Xiao Yi could think further, Lin Xu had already leaped in front of the Queen, a look of triumph on his face, laughing, "Congratulations, you became the third person to witness the true form of the Queen with your own eyes. To die at the hands of the Queen, even in death you should feel proud!"


    The Queen of the God-Eating Ants.


    As long as she devours living beings, she can create an endless number of God Devouring Ants.


    If placed upon a battlefield, a single Queen could match the might of a million, or even ten million soldiers, an invincible being indeed.


    "Go, kill this annoying fly!" Lin Xu spread his hands wide and then fiercely waved in the direction of Xiao Yi.


    The Queen raised her golden head high, her wings buzzing behind her.


    She was like a sovereign ruling from on high.


    Waving her scepter of power!


    Countless God Devouring Ants, like soldiers blessed by their king''s favor, charged towards Xiao Yi with red eyes, not chaotically as when Lin Xu directed them, but well-organized and orderly.


    Positioned in the front were the most numerous of the newly spawned God Devouring Ants, with the complete ones making up the middle and rear.


    Under the tactic of the sea of insects.


    These God Devouring Ants, not fearing death, with the new ones serving as cannon fodder, merely exhausted Xiao Yi''s energy and entangled his attacks. The complete ones, with the aid of the new ants in the front, avoided the sharpest attacks and steadily closed in on Xiao Yi.


    When Lin Xu initially controlled the God Devouring Ants, Xiao Yi could ensure that no living ant was within a hundred yards of him.


    Now, under the Queen''s command, the circle of ants around Xiao Yi had shrunk to a mere ten yards.


    As the sharp fangs of the God Devouring Ants drew ever closer, a serious expression climbed onto Xiao Yi''s face, the scent of death seemed to be getting closer as well.


    Even though his Wind Thunder Holy Body could ignore the toxins of the God Devouring Ants, the sheer number of them was overwhelming, and even a single bite would be a fatal predicament!


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, I told you, you are destined to die today!"


    Lin Xu roared with a triumphant face, full of ferocity.


    But he was oblivious to what was happening behind him.


    At the same time as he reveled in his pride, behind him, the golden eyes of the very Queen of the God-Eating Ants flashed a hint of contempt and indifference that was almost human.


    Meanwhile...


    The circle of God Devouring Ants around Xiao Yi had already closed within five yards, and in this perilous moment, a fierce light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes, "These little bugs think they can take my life? You are dreaming!"


    ```

 Chapter 446 - 446: Why Use a Sword to Kill You?

    "You think these little bugs are going to take my life? You''re dreaming like a fool!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze pierced through the layers of God Devouring Ants and landed on Lin Xu, who stood behind the golden swarm, and with a cold laugh, he said, "Lin Xu, I will behead you and give justice to those innocent people who died in vain!"


    "Hahaha, you can''t even protect yourself, yet you still think about avenging those lowly people? You really are an idiot. What are those lowly people worth? It''s their honor to become food for the queen ant, to become my aid in conquering the Great Qian Dynasty. For them to die at my hands is a fortune they''ve cultivated over eight lifetimes, and you still think about avenging them?"


    Lin Xu shook his head mockingly.


    In his eyes...


    The sacrificed people on the ice plains were nothing more than ants, easily crushed with a flick of the hand.


    Even.


    The fact that these people were chosen by him, Lin Xu, to become sacrifices to create the God Devouring Ant army and to destroy the Great Qian Dynasty was their honor.


    "Bullshit..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes turned blood red, and he felt a surge of frustration so intense it made it hard for him to breathe.


    Lin Xu''s arrogance and indifference deeply wounded his heart.


    What does it mean to be an ant?


    What does it mean to feel honored in death?


    In his mind emerged the scenes he had witnessed in Northern Bing City, where many of the corpses were children��some even pregnant women whose bellies were torn open by the God Devouring Ants, their babies half-eaten.


    That pregnant woman, even in death, even though half her head and body had been consumed, still maintained a protective pose over her unborn child.


    And those pitiful elders.


    Those innocent children.


    Young people full of life and vitality...


    What were their crimes?


    But Lin Xu, for his own selfish desires, used them as sacrifices, as food to cultivate his God Devouring Ant army. And not only did Lin Xu not feel the slightest bit of guilt, he was actually proud and aloof.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes turned even redder.


    He had gone mad!


    Xiao Yi''s facial features were completely distorted with ferocity like a god of slaughter, his veins bulging as he let out a heaven-shaking roar, "The one who should die is you..."


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    Vital energy within him ran wild, creating thunderous booms like rolling thunder as if an Azure Dragon within his body was roaring skyward.


    Whoosh!


    A glint of cold light burst out from between his brows.


    His longsword vibrated intensely in an instant, a golden light clinging to the blade.


    The Sword Intent unleashed by Xiao Yi was climbing continuously.


    "What is a sword?"


    "Indomitable is the sword!"


    "A sword that slays gods and beheads immortals is the sword!"


    "Everything under heaven can be a sword..."


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank violently, his speed becoming faster and faster.


    The Sword Skill also became more proficient and powerful.


    Azure Lotus Sword Chant!


    Subduing Tiger Sword Skill!


    Life-Seizing Scholar Sword!


    Xiao Yi used all the Sword Skills he had mastered throughout his life, one after another, with increasing speed and sharpness of the sword''s edge.


    Under the pressing threat of imminent death.


    Xiao Yi had entered a state of sudden enlightenment!


    Right now...


    Xiao Yi''s consciousness was gradually blurring; as he continued to execute sword moves, he had forgotten the techniques, everything became instinct.


    Draw the sword!


    Strike with the sword!


    Stab! S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thrust!


    Slash!


    Kill...


    All were acts of instinct!


    What was once an encirclement of only five zhang was steadily expanding.


    Six zhang.


    Seven zhang...


    Gradually it returned to ten zhang!


    Within ten zhang, no creature could approach; even those God Devouring Ants with incredibly hard shells and fearsome defenses couldn''t come close. As soon as they entered the ten zhang range, they were cut in half by the sharp Sword Qi.


    Consigned to oblivion!


    "What, what exactly is happening?"


    Lin Xu''s face changed drastically.


    He watched as Xiao Yi, who looked like he was about to be exhausted and unable to hold off the onslaught of the God Devouring Ants, suddenly increased the power of his sword moves, slaughtering the ant swarm like an Asura Demon God. The terrifying Sword Skill was fearsome to behold.


    Lin Xu''s face twisted with ferocity as he stared at the golden queen ant behind him, his teeth clenched, he said, "What are you good for? Why haven''t you killed him yet?"


    Roar!


    The queen ant''s six cold eyes stared at Lin Xu with a hint of sinister viciousness, but the enraged Lin Xu didn''t notice this unusual gaze. He continued bellowing, "Kill him for me!"


    The queen ant''s six eyes simultaneously shot out blinding cold light.


    The golden wings at her back buzzed, emitting a series of ear-piercing noises.


    Rustle, rustle!


    Under the control of the Ant Queen, the God Devouring Ants'' eyes turned red, and they became increasingly frenzied and bloodthirsty. Like a black iron torrent, they surged toward Xiao Yi in waves, collapsing and reducing the encirclement to fifteen feet.


    Lin Xu clenched his fists so tightly that he bit his teeth until they bled. "Bite him to death, bite him alive for me..."


    Twelve feet.


    Nine feet.


    Six feet...


    The putrid breath of the God Devouring Ants was already suffocatingly close, yet Xiao Yi still kept his eyes tightly closed. His sword, now engaging in close combat with the ants, had begun to show cracks.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, a God Devouring Ant appeared right in front of Xiao Yi, at a distance no more than a finger''s breadth away.


    Thud!


    The longsword stood right in the path of the ant''s sharp fangs.


    With a crisp crackling sound,


    the longsword shattered explosively, and the broken blade swept past the ant''s abdomen, slicing it in two, and flew by Xiao Yi''s sides.


    Lin Xu nearly jumped in excitement as he watched this scene, his face filled with ecstatic glee. "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, you''ve lost your sword. How will you fight me now? Today, this will be the place where you''re buried, as I said..."


    "Sword?"


    A voice full of playfulness and scorn suddenly came from Xiao Yi as he slowly opened his eyes, which were clear as amber and brimming with thick ridicule and laughter. He looked past the numerous obstacles at Lin Xu, "To kill you, why would I need a sword?"


    "Eh?"


    Lin Xu was stunned.


    Xiao Yi suddenly raised both hands, and in a trance, a sword shadow appeared around him!


    The colossal sword shadow enveloped Xiao Yi within.


    "What is a sword?"


    "To charge forward without retreat, that is a sword!"


    "To slay gods and exterminate immortals, that is a sword!"


    "All things under heaven can serve as a sword..."


    The solemn and forceful voice thundered resonantly, and a torrential Sword Intent surged from Xiao Yi.


    This had already surpassed the previous four realms of Sword Intent.


    It had reached the fifth realm��Myriad Swords as One!


    Everything under heaven could become a sword!


    Legend says...


    Only those who reached the Longevity Secret Realm could comprehend this supreme Sword Intent.


    "Slash!"


    Xiao Yi''s figure spun abruptly, and as the Sword Intent swept across, the dust and gravel on the ground were lifted into the air. These stones and sand transformed into streams of silver sword shadows, which, following the guidance of Xiao Yi''s fingertips, cut through everything!


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    A maelstrom of Sword Qi swept through the entire ravine, with deafening roars echoing, countless God Devouring Ants were lifted into the sky,


    and were shredded to pieces within the storm of Sword Qi.


    And these fragments...


    Under the guidance of Xiao Yi''s Myriad Swords as One Sword Intent, also turned into even more sword shadows, sweeping in all directions.


    More and more sword shadows appeared.


    Thousands.


    Tens of thousands!


    And suddenly...


    Xiao Yi stamped his foot vigorously and brought his hands together sharply, a glint flickered in his eyes like the edge of a sword, and with a thunderous roar from his lips, "Myriad Swords as One!"


    Hum!


    The sky filled with thousands upon thousands of sword shadows that converged above his head into an overwhelming sword shadow.


    "Sword that Splits the Heavens!"


    Xiao Yi swung both arms simultaneously.


    Whoosh!


    The supreme sword shadow descended from the sky, cleaving downward.


    Where it passed...


    The ravine shook violently, cracks spread across the rock walls, and the earth trembled as if a dragon were turning over. The terrifying destructive power did not stop there, slicing through countless God Devouring Ants in its unstoppable path, cleaving a clear and unobstructed pathway.


    The icy edge of the blade fell straight down.


    Lin Xu was so terrified that his soul almost left his body, his whole figure drenched in a cold sweat. Under the lock of the Sword Intent, he had no place to escape.


    Trembling all over, Lin Xu roared repeatedly, "Save me, save me..."


    But...


    The Ant Queen behind him showed no emotion, merely controlling the surrounding God Devouring Ants to wrap around its own body. Its six cold, indifferent eyes devoid of any emotion, were slowly enveloped by the layers of ants, disappearing into the depths of the ravine.


    "No..."


    Lin Xu let out a desperate yell as the sword edge fell before his eyes.


    Thud!


    To his vision, the world was cleaved in two.


    Indeed, it was his body that Xiao Yi had sundered with that single slash.


    The two halves of the body lay in a pool of blood.


    His eyes were filled with despair and unwillingness.


    He couldn''t understand why the God Devouring Ants he had painstakingly raised, had abandoned him. At the same time, he felt aggrieved over his death at the hands of a youth from the Tao Tribulation Realm whom he''d never heard of before, as insignificant as an ant.


    Drip-drop!


    Drip-drop!


    The ravine seemed to return to tranquility, but the Sword Qi around Xiao Yi showed no sign of diminishing. He peered into the gradually settling dust of the ravine, speaking solemnly, "How much longer do you intend to hide?"


    Within the tranquil ravine, a sudden voice came out, neither male nor female, indistinguishable in tone, "Hehe, since when did you notice my presence?"

 Chapter 447 - 447: The Mysterious Person

    "Heh heh, when did you notice my presence?"


    A chilly voice came from the darkness.


    The countless God Devouring Ants that had enveloped the golden empress ant quietly withdrew, revealing the fully golden God Devouring empress ant whose six eyes of varied colors were fixed tightly on Xiao Yi, flashing with greed and a bloodthirsty gleam.


    Behind the empress ant, in the darkness, a mass of dark liquid was slowly writhing.


    It settled upon the head of the empress ant.


    The dark liquid moved stealthily, continuously elongating its form until it finally transformed into a gaunt figure enshrouded in a black cloak.


    He stretched out his palm towards the void and a black dragon-head cane shot forth, landing in his palm. It was the same dragon-head cane that Lin Xu had used before, but this cane, in the hands of this mysterious person, seemed to match his temperament even more.


    Unlike in Lin Xu''s hands, which gave off an extremely discordant and strange sensation.


    It seemed...


    That the dragon-head cane was originally meant for this person in black.


    And the God Devouring empress ant as well. Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Previously, when Lin Xu simply stood before it, its six eyes showed disgust and a cold hue, but now with this mysterious person standing atop its head, it showed not the slightest reaction.


    Utterly docile and obedient.


    "Previously, I found it strange. Although the God Devouring empress ant indeed possesses the ability to create avatars, in general, it definitely would not allow its avatars to stray too far from the original. Lin Xu took an empress ant avatar to Ice Valley but left the empress and many complete God Devouring Ants in such a distant place, which led to my suspicion," said Xiao Yi.


    His eyebrows, sharp as sword blades, lifted slightly and his eyes, bright as stars, narrowed into slits as he spoke in a deep voice, "It wasn''t until I entered the gorge that I noticed the empress ant was not so obedient to Lin Xu''s commands, and I confirmed my guess that the master of the empress ant was someone else!"


    "Hmm?"


    The mysterious figure was taken aback, then burst into loud laughter, "Good, good, good, you indeed have some skill. It seems that Xiao Tianjiao, that idiot, has really made a colossal mistake this time. To treat such a genius brother as trash, ha ha ha, I really look forward to seeing what kind of expression Xiao Tianjiao will have when he finds out your true abilities!"


    "He will most likely just sneer," Xiao Yi said.


    He was all too familiar with Xiao Tianjiao''s personality.


    It was a being of arrogance to his very bones.


    It wasn''t to say that Xiao Yi''s current achievements were enough to close the gap with the legendary Xiao Tianjiao. Even if Xiao Yi climbed higher, it was unlikely he would be looked upon directly by Xiao Tianjiao. After all, in Xiao Tianjiao''s eyes, there were only two kinds of geniuses in the world.


    One kind is Xiao Tianjiao.


    The other is everyone else but Xiao Tianjiao��


    "It seems you know him quite well!"


    The mysterious person snapped his fingers, and amidst the rustling sounds, black God Devouring Ants climbed behind him, forming a black throne.


    He sat on the throne majestically.


    Buzz, buzz, buzz!


    The God Devouring empress ant vibrated its wings, slowly flying towards Xiao Yi, while the hoarse voice of the mysterious person emerged, "Logically speaking, since you''ve discovered my secret, I should just kill you outright. However, I suddenly want to play a game with you. So, I''ve decided to give you a chance..."


    The mysterious person''s voice shifted between male and female, making it impossible to discern their gender.


    Even their emotions were elusive.


    Xiao Yi unconsciously clenched his fists and lowered his voice, "What exactly are you trying to say?"


    The mysterious person''s hands gripped the armrests, and the black throne slowly rose, moving away from the head of the God Devouring empress ant.


    His fingers tapped lightly on the armrests made of God Devouring Ants, the touch against their hard carapace producing a clear tapping sound as he spoke indifferently, "If you can fight my empress ant for a quarter hour without defeat, I will spare your life!"


    The God Devouring empress ant, a peak six-rank beast.


    Its combat power was comparable to a master of the Nirvana Fifth Nirvana.


    At the moment, Xiao Yi was merely at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, how could he be an opponent for the empress ant that had undergone five Nirvanas?


    "Do you dare?" The mysterious person leaned forward slightly.


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, meeting the mysterious person''s gaze without humility or arrogance, and said, "Aren''t you afraid that I''ll slay it?"


    "Ha ha ha, then let''s see if you have the ability!" the figure in the black robe snapped his fingers.


    "Die!"


    The ant queen was golden all over, as though she had been forged from pure gold.


    Its six eyes of various colors whirled around like dazzling gems, which under the cover of its golden glow, imparted an aura of divine nobility. As the ant queen opened its mouth, a black energy sphere condensed within.


    Whoosh!


    The black energy sphere shot towards Xiao Yi like an arrow leaving its bowstring in an instant.


    "Slash!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless as he pointed his finger, like a sword, straight ahead.


    A concentrated point of Sword Light transformed into a silver star, and within that star, a sword entirely formed from elemental energy emerged out of nowhere. With a whoosh, the black energy sphere in front of him exploded thunderously.


    Whoosh!


    As soon as one attack ended, the whistling sound of piercing air approached from beside his ear.


    Out of the corner of his eye, Xiao Yi caught a glimpse of the storm caused by the exploding black energy sphere, within which the ant queen was already hurtling through the air towards him. Its speed could only be described as terrifying, and a streak of golden light brushed past it.


    Within that life-and-death crisis��


    Xiao Yi could clearly see the ant queen''s fangs, which were just a finger''s breadth from his neck.


    It was too close for comfort!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi heaved a sigh of relief.


    The toxin from ordinary God Devouring Ants could affect a Dao Tribulation Realm warrior, let alone the majestic ant queen herself?


    If bitten, an ordinary Dharma Manifestation Realm practitioner would likely faint from the excruciating pain.


    In the nick of time...


    Xiao Yi, wielding his elemental energy longsword, spun around and slashed at the ant queen.


    Roar!


    The ant queen quickly rotated its six eyes and without looking back, simply fanned its golden wings.


    Boom!


    Those golden wings stirred ripples in the air, shattering Xiao Yi''s energy longsword. Simultaneously, the ant queen turned around and its claw reached violently towards Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi retreated explosively, his hands rapidly forming Sword Seals before his chest: "All swords return to one!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    As Xiao Yi passed, a tempest raged, lifting sand and God Devouring Ant corpses into the air to form a river of flying swords.


    Under Xiao Yi''s control, it chased after the ant queen.


    In the Sword River, there were innumerable sword shadows.


    Under Xiao Yi''s manipulation, these sword shadows seemed to gain sentience, constantly pursuing the ant queen.


    The ant queen''s six eyes on its head spun rapidly.


    Each eye functioned independently, enabling it to observe every nook and cranny around it, so much so that even though Xiao Yi''s Sword Intent had reached the stage of "All swords return to one," allowing him to control so many sword shadows at once, he still couldn''t get close to it.


    The ant queen evaded them perfectly, one by one.


    To move unscathed through a forest of flowers without a single leaf sticking to the body!


    Keep in mind...


    Xiao Yi''s sword was powerful enough to cleave through the army of God Devouring Ants and had even achieved the fifth stage of Sword Intent, "All swords return to one!"


    Still, he couldn''t get near it.


    One could only imagine...


    Just how strong this ant queen was!


    "Xiao Yi, you don''t have much time left!" The mysterious figure sitting on the throne spoke with a smirk.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sharpened as he focused on the ant queen: "Damn it, those six eyes of the ant queen seem to be able to see through everything around it, leaving no blind spots at all�� It looks like I''ll have to risk it all in one move!"

 Chapter 448 - 448: Returning Kindness with Enmity

    Eyes squinting with determination, a vicious look flashed through them!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi launched himself into the air, no longer evading but actively closing the distance between himself and the Queen Ant.


    "Huh? Is he preparing for close combat?"


    The mysterious person was taken aback for a moment, a thick disdain and mockery swirling in the gaze beneath the cloak, "The Queen Ant possesses the Six Tao Heavenly Eyes, capable of dodging any attack. How could mere close combat possibly succeed?"


    As the saying goes, easy to say but hard to act.


    Xiao Yi had already closed the distance with the Queen Ant, his fists swinging in rapid succession while the power of Wind Thunder compressed relentlessly within him.


    The Queen Ant, with a humanized scorn on its face, neutralized Xiao Yi''s attacks one by one.


    "Half an incense stick''s time is up... How boring. Queen Ant, kill him!" the mysterious person suddenly spoke with a loss of interest.


    "Kill!"


    All six eyes of the Queen Ant focused intently at once, six beams of light with different colors flashing through its eyes.


    Its wings trembled fiercely.


    Its body, ablaze with golden light, turned around to face Xiao Yi, its sharp fangs tearing ferociously towards him. At this critical juncture, Xiao Yi revealed an ecstatic and fierce grimace, "Die!"


    Boom, rumble!


    The green winds, the purple-golden lightning.


    The power of Wind Thunder, primed to the utmost, burst forth in an instant.


    Merging into Xiao Yi''s fist.


    Buzz!


    The force of Wind Thunder struck the Queen Ant''s body, a crackling sound erupting as its body trembled, paralyzed by the power of Wind Thunder and coming to a momentary halt. Meanwhile, Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed with a crazed look, ignoring the Queen Ant''s potent venom as he reached out with both hands.


    He grasped the two fangs on either side and violently wrenched them apart!


    Roar!


    The Queen Ant let out an earth-shattering scream, fresh red blood spurting from its mouth as its venomous fangs were forcibly snapped off by Xiao Yi!


    Roar! Roar! Roar!


    The Queen Ant, in agonizing screams, collided frantically in all directions, the canyon thundering, boulders tumbling down. Xiao Yi held a shiny golden fang in each hand, his eyes bloodshot, staring intently at the mysterious person atop the throne, "Sorry to disappoint you!"


    "You..."


    The mysterious person sat up abruptly, blood-red eyes under the cloak fixated on Xiao Yi.


    Never had they anticipated...


    ...that Xiao Yi, even when at an absolute disadvantage, would be able to make such a desperate counterattack.


    They hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to resort to such life-risking tactics either. If there had been any slightest mistake during the melee, the Queen Ant would have torn him to shreds. The mysterious person looked at the pale-faced Xiao Yi and shook their head slightly, "Xiao Tianjiao is a madman, and to think, you''re a madman too. But, I must say, I like you the madman even more..."


    Whoosh!


    The mysterious person leaped high, a jade bottle falling in front of Xiao Yi.


    "This bottle contains the antidote to cure the poison of the Queen Ant. Xiao Yi, you''re quite impressive, but..."


    The God Devouring Ants converged into a Black Cloud, lifting the mysterious person into the sky as they left, a voice resounding through the canyon that was neither male nor female, "As of now, you''re worlds apart from Xiao Tianjiao. You still have a long way to go. However, I have high hopes for you, and I''m looking forward to see you trampling him underfoot, hahaha..."


    Xiao Yi looked up at the receding figure, his body swaying before collapsing to the ground.


    Clang!


    The two fangs fell to the ground.


    Within Xiao Yi''s palms, there was a gash, evidently poisoned by the Queen Ant.


    He struggled to open the jade bottle, swallowing the pill inside, which brought some relief.


    But his eyelids were still growing heavier, his breathing became increasingly labored, and with the mysterious person''s last words echoing in his mind, Xiao Yi clenched his feeble fists, his already unconscious eyes still firm and determined, "Next time we meet, I must defeat you..."


    ......


    The unconscious Xiao Yi knew nothing of what was happening elsewhere.


    At the same time as his battle with the mysterious person, outside the Gu Family Fort.


    A blue radiance soared into the sky, transforming into a long blue dragon, fiercely knocking Little Lin away.


    Little Lin had already transformed into his true form, his body covered in golden yellow scale armor along with long wings at his back, exceedingly majestic and ferocious.


    His combat power was not the slightest bit weaker than a Nirvana Realm expert who had undergone Second Nirvana.


    But now...


    Little Lin''s body was pierced by a longsword, slumped in a pool of blood.


    Dazzling blood covered his body, he was gasping for air, his amber eyes fixed on Yang Kun in front of him, "Yang Kun, you son of a bitch, we worked so hard to hold back the God Devouring Ants, yet you fled in the midst of battle, and even ambushed us here..."


    "Hmph!"


    Yang Kun lightly pinched his wrist, sneering repeatedly, "I never asked you to help me block the God Devouring Ants, this was all your own wishful thinking."


    "You''re shameless..."


    Shen Mo''s mouth was clenched with blood, leaning against a large tree, a long blade pierced through his chest. Around him, the Four-armed Demon Ape, a winged snake, and other such three demonic beasts were also at their last breath.


    Yan Wei, his face covered with blood, was supporting Yang Ling, looking at Yang Kun with eyes filled with anger and coldness.


    Yang Ling''s face was also deathly pale, watching Yang Kun who stood proudly, his face expressing arrogance and indifference, his heart filled with remorse, "I... I shouldn''t have been soft-hearted at the time, to believe your deception..."


    Ever since their departure from Ice Valley.


    Yang Ling had taken Yang Kun and Gu Yun, along with the Ice Phoenix, on their way home.


    Only...


    What they didn''t expect was for Yang Kun, who had left earlier, to lead three hundred Blood Saber Guards in ambush along the way, catching them off guard with a direct sneak attack.


    First, he inflicted heavy damage on Yang Ling and Shen Mo.


    Then he struck, crippling the winged snake and three other beasts, the Ice Phoenix, and Yan Yinghao. And now, even Little Lin had met with disaster.


    "Come to me!"


    Yang Kun''s palm reached out into the air, a bundle of vital energy wrapped around Little Lin, pulling him into his palm.


    Strands of vital energy entwined around Little Lin, rendering the already severely injured Little Lin entirely incapable of breaking free. Yang Kun sneered, "Little thing, Xiao Yi cares a lot about you, doesn''t he? You call each other brothers, right? I''m going to take you back and use you as a sacrifice during the ancestral worship ceremony. I want to see what Xiao Yi can do to me then?"


    "Stop it..."


    Yang Ling''s eyes were about to split with fury as he watched Little Lin being held by the tail in Yang Kun''s hand, he roared, "You cannot do this..."


    "Cannot? Why can''t I?"


    Yang Kun looked at Yang Ling with feigned surprise, his face wearing a mocking smile, "My dear emperor brother, you''re really too naive. With such a precious demonic beast at your side, why did you even bother coming all this way to look for an Ice Phoenix? To be a sovereign is to be heartless, and you, you are not fit to be an emperor!"


    Yang Ling tried to muster his strength to rise, but Yang Kun''s surprise attack had left no room for mercy.


    He was too severely injured!


    Blagh!


    Unable to hold back, Yang Ling spit out a mouthful of fresh blood, his complexion growing even paler, making Teng Shan at his side hastily press down on him. Yang Ling was gasping heavily, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Yang Kun, "You cannot do this... If you dare to hurt Little Lin even a little, Xiao Yi will never let you go..."


    "Xiao Yi? He''s nothing. He''s been gone for so long, he''s probably already died to the God Devouring Ants!"


    His crimson tongue licked across his lips, Yang Kun sinisterly said, "Yang Ling, my dear brother, let your elder brother send you on your way! After I kill you, I''ll pin it all on Xiao Yi, saying he joined forces with the Sword Dynasty to sabotage the ancestral worship ceremony, but I discovered it and killed you all. That way, father will surely reward me handsomely, ha ha..."


    "You''re crazy, you''ve truly gone mad..."


    "You madman, stop it..."


    Yang Ling and the others'' eyes showed utter fury.


    At this critical moment...


    A thunderous sound approached rapidly, the entire ground shaking violently, Yang Kun was startled, looking in the direction of the noise, he saw a cavalry troop rushing forward at high speed. Leading them was none other than the lord of Northern Bing City, Yan Wei. Yang Kun''s face suddenly changed, "Damn it, how did they appear here?"


    Yan Wei also spotted Yang Kun and the others, pushing his speed to the extreme.


    "Damn it..."


    Yang Kun gritted his teeth, in such a situation he could not continue to kill, he could only glare at Yang Ling viciously, "Consider yourselves lucky..."


    Whoosh!


    Yang Kun, along with the three hundred Blood Saber Guards, soared into the sky, disappearing into the vast expanse. sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A moment later.


    Yan Wei had already arrived before them, seeing Yang Ling and the others critically injured, Yan Wei''s expression suddenly changed, "Your Highness, are you alright?"


    Yang Ling shook his head with effort, "I... I''m fine... General Yan, hurry and chase down Yang Kun, take back Little Lin... otherwise, Xiao Yi will go mad..."

 Chapter 449 - 449 Fury

    The sun and moon cycled twice, marking the passage of days.


    The morning sunlight spilled over the land...


    When Xiao Yi opened his eyes again, the morning sun had already moistened the earth.


    The entire valley was a mess, strewn with the corpses of God Devouring Ants, filling the air with a terrible stench of blood. The massive presence of the ants meant that there were no traces of other beasts nearby, which explained why Xiao Yi, despite being unconscious all night, had not suffered any harm.


    Hu!


    He exhaled a long breath of stale air.


    Supporting his body, Xiao Yi sat up, gently patted his groggy head, and said with a wry smile, "As expected of the God Devouring Ant queen, even with an antidote on hand, I was still knocked out by its toxins!"


    The toxin of the God Devouring Ants was incredibly terrifying.


    Especially that of the queen.


    If an ordinary master of the Dharma Manifestation Realm were bitten, they would die instantly.


    Although Xiao Yi had the Wind Thunder Holy Body, which granted him immunity to most toxins, and had an antidote, he could not avoid being knocked out for the night.


    "What is the identity of that mysterious person? Lin Xu was just a pawn pushed to the forefront by him. So, is their plan to attack the Great Qian Dynasty real or fake? Damn, it seems I still underestimate others..."


    The image of the mysterious person surfaced in his mind.


    Even though they had never confronted each other directly, Xiao Yi had a strong intuition.


    This mysterious person''s strength was far above his own!


    Even Yang Yuhuan, the peerless War King, would not be a match for this mysterious figure!


    And...


    The fact that this person could control the God Devouring Ant queen and secretly use Lin Xu as cannon fodder, sending him to do the vanguard work and cultivate the terrifying God Devouring Ant army, gave Xiao Yi a feeling as if he were as profound and unfathomable as the starry sky.


    "He seems to recognize Xiao Tianjiao and holds him in very high regard..."


    The words of the mysterious person echoed in Xiao Yi''s mind. He spoke of Xiao Tianjiao with a clear sense of respect and recognition, "For such an existence to admire you to this extent, Xiao Tianjiao, just how strong are you?"


    His fists clenched unconsciously.


    All along this journey...


    Xiao Yi had been relentlessly chasing after Xiao Tianjiao''s footsteps, breaking one record after another that Xiao Tianjiao had set. The presence of Xiao Tianjiao was a constant nightmare in his heart, his Heart Demon, his lifelong nemesis.


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, long and deep: "Xiao Tianjiao, no matter how strong you are, one day I will surpass you!"


    He sat cross-legged in the valley.


    With his eyes tightly closed, Xiao Yi maintained the Five Hearts to Heaven posture, circulating his profound energy to recover his own strength.


    The time until the ancestral worship ceremony was running short.


    He had to recover as quickly as possible and then rush back to the Great Qian Dynasty.


    .........


    In the Northern Bing City, within the city lord''s mansion,


    Yang Ling and the others had recovered somewhat from their injuries and were anxiously looking towards the door.


    All of a sudden...


    A figure flew in from the sky and landed in the main hall; the newcomer was Yan Wei.


    Shua!


    Yang Ling and the others rose to their feet in one swift motion, looking expectantly at Yan Wei. But seeing his grave expression and the absence of anyone following him, Yang Ling''s heart sank as he said in a heavy tone, "General Yan, Yang Kun he..."


    "The scout has returned to report that the crown prince and his men passed through Xingmen City yesterday on their way to the imperial capital. My men simply couldn''t catch up with them..." Yan Wei said with a bow and a wry smile.


    Plop!


    Yang Ling collapsed back into his seat, his face filled with bitterness: "It''s all over, with the relationship between Xiao and Little Lin, this is really going to be a disaster..."


    "A disaster? What disaster?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly came from outside the door.


    He glanced at the people in the hall with grave faces, feeling an unease in his heart, and said in a deep voice, "What exactly happened?"


    The others looked at each other, not daring to meet his gaze.


    Finally, it was Yang Ling who let out a sigh and said in a somber tone, "Xiao, I owe you an apology. I didn''t expect Yang Kun to be so cunning and deceitful, not only ungrateful for your life-saving grace but also repaying kindness with enmity..."


    "It''s not entirely Yang Ling''s fault. I was also careless for not keeping a close eye on Yang Kun, which allowed him to plot against us..." Shen Mo said self-critically, "Even Little Lin and the Ice Snow Phoenix have been captured by him."


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s face suddenly changed, and a fierce surge of Qi whipped up around him.


    Qi burst uncontrollably from his body.


    And sent all the tables and chairs in the hall flying.


    "Xiao, restrain your anger!"


    "Xiao, you must not act rashly..." Yan Wei hastily said.


    Whoosh!


    The gust came quickly and left just as fast.


    Xiao Yi reined in the Qi around him, his eyes narrowing into slits, and he said in a low voice, "Where has he taken Little Lin?"


    The others looked at each other, not daring to speak for a moment.


    "Speak!"


    Xiao Yi shouted angrily.


    His roar was like thunder, deafening.


    Inside the huge governor''s mansion, countless strong individuals trembled, their faces turning pale. In the stables behind the mansion, several precious horses with dragon horse bloodlines knelt on the ground, their legs giving out from fright, shivering uncontrollably.


    Yang Ling and the others looked at each other, not expecting Xiao Yi to have such a terrifying presence.


    Gulp!


    Yang Ling swallowed hard and said in a deep voice, "Yang Kun intends to take Little Lin back as an offering, to be sacrificed at the ancestral worship ceremony!"


    Boom!


    The entire governor''s mansion shook violently.


    Bang bang bang!


    The tables and chairs in the main hall shattered one after another, along with the flowers and plants in the front yard outside, also bursting apart.


    The horrendous booming sounds made Yan Wei and the other strong individuals present feel a buzzing in their ears, their minds going blank.


    Whoosh! S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi took a long breath, his expression becoming extremely cold, and he said ominously, "Well played, Yang Kun... Do you really think I would not dare to kill you just because you''re the crown prince? Dare to use my brother as an offering? I swear I will tear you to pieces!"


    "Xiao, please calm down!"


    Yang Ling rushed forward, grabbing Xiao Yi tightly, and said urgently, "Xiao, you must not act impulsively. After all, Yang Kun is the crown prince and represents the royal family''s dignity. Behind him stands the mighty Tianjian Sect. He must have anticipated your retaliation and will surely seek aid from Tianjian Sect. You must not act rashly..."


    Yan Wei also said, "Prince Yang Ling is right. This matter requires careful planning. If you act impulsively, not only will you fail to save Little Lin, but you might end up falling into a trap yourself!"


    Shen Mo looked fearfully at Xiao Yi''s bloodshot eyes, those eyes like those of a demon, awe-inspiring; "Xiao, Yang Kun took Little Lin to sacrifice at the ancestral worship ceremony, so Little Lin must be safe before then. We must come up with a long-term plan..."


    Xiao Yi trembled slightly.


    The red glow in his eyes gradually faded, regaining some clarity.


    Just as Shen Mo had said...


    Since Yang Kun planned to use Little Lin as an offering at the ancestral worship ceremony, Little Lin must be safe until then.


    If Xiao Yi were to return to the imperial capital and confront Yang Kun directly,


    He might inadvertently give Yang Kun a reason to kill Little Lin.


    With that thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath, suppressing the chilling intent to kill in his heart, and gritted his teeth, "There are five days until the ancestral worship ceremony, we shall set off for the imperial capital immediately!"


    Seeing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.


    An hour later.


    The group stood outside Northern Bing City, with the winged serpent reappearing in front of them.


    Xiao Yi turned to Yan Wei and said, "General Yan, this tragedy on the ice plains was orchestrated by the Sword Dynasty''s use of the God Devouring Ants. They may well take advantage of the ancestral worship ceremony to launch an attack, please prepare accordingly!"


    "Rest assured, Xiao, I have already ordered people to strengthen our defenses!" Yan Wei replied in a deep voice.


    Xiao Yi nodded his head.


    The group boarded the back of the winged serpent, tore through the sky, and disappeared into the vast horizon.


    As General Yan gazed up at Xiao Yi''s departing figure, he heaved a sigh, his eyes heavy with determination as he looked northward, "You bastards of the Sword Dynasty, I won''t let you take a single step into Northern Bing City!"


    The winged serpent soared into the sky, heading toward the imperial capital.


    In that moment...


    No one knew that with Xiao Yi''s return, a storm of blood and violence was quietly gathering over the imperial capital...

 Chapter 450 - 450: Whoever harms my brother, must be killed!

    ```


    In the void.


    The winged snake flew with its wings spread, the mountains and rivers below incessantly reversing with astonishing speed.


    Xiao Yi opened his eyes and uttered gravely, "Yang Ling, in your view, what kind of strong character would the Tianjian Sect send over?"


    After the journey to the Northern Ice Plains, Yang Kun had gained a deeper understanding of Xiao Yi''s strength and would naturally not dare to take him lightly.


    Inviting a master from the Tianjian Sect to assist was the most prudent method!


    Yang Ling pondered for a moment and said, "Yang Kun seems arrogant and flamboyant but is in fact extremely cautious. I fear this time, the Tianjian Sect might send an elder-level powerhouse. It might even be that person..."


    Elders were in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, while patriarchs were in the Nirvana Realm.


    As for the person he was referring to, it was naturally the Great Qian Dynasty''s number one genius��Xiao Tianjiao!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes. With his current cultivation at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, even if he had mastered the fifth realm of Sword Intent, which was ''All Swords Return to One,'' he could at best only compete against those in the Second Nirvana of the Nirvana Realm.


    If he wanted to be completely sure of success, he had only one option left��to advance further.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and muttered to himself, "In that case, I must step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm as soon as possible!"


    "With your current cultivation, you are only a step away from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, lacking only the meditation to condense your Dharma. Have you chosen your target yet?" Yang Ling asked.


    The strength of the object of Dharma Likeness Meditation not only decides the strength of one''s power after breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm but also determines how far one can go in the future. Many strong characters at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, even if they had the realm to break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, would delay for a long time in search of a suitable object for Dharma Likeness Meditation.


    Xiao Yi had tried the Dragon and Tiger Seal but it didn''t suit him.


    He had also tried meditating on the mountains and rivers of the world, the stars, and the sea��still, none were suitable.


    As for the Iron Winged Serpent Dragon...


    It was ruined by Yang Kun before he could even attempt it.


    "President Xiao, within my Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, there are indeed many formidable demon beasts. Considering your relationship with my master, perhaps he would agree to let you meditate on our sect''s sacred beast. Though it''s not as good as the Iron Winged Serpent Dragon, it is a truly genuine seventh-order demon beast..." Shen Mo said in a deep voice.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "If there is really a need, I will visit the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect!"


    The journey was uneventful.


    The speed of the winged snake''s flight was extremely fast, and by nightfall of that day, Xiao Yi and his companions had returned to the imperial capital.


    However, upon their arrival at the imperial capital, they were faced with the immediate approach of a familiar figure.


    The person was none other than Qi, the old eunuch at Emperor Qian''s side.


    "Eunuch Qi, what brings you here?"


    Yang Ling, having just dismounted from the winged snake, asked with a puzzled face.


    "I pay my respects to Your Highness! This servant is here by His Majesty''s command to seek President Xiao..."


    Eunuch Qi bowed to Yang Ling, his expression complex as he looked at Xiao Yi and spoke solemnly, "President Xiao, His Majesty invites you!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, already having some guesses in his mind, and spoke indifferently, "Lead the way!"


    "Please!"


    Eunuch Qi then promptly led Xiao Yi away.


    ......


    Inside the magnificent palace.


    Under Eunuch Qi''s guidance, Xiao Yi met Emperor Qian who was reviewing memorials. He saluted, "Xiao Yi pays his respects to Your Majesty!"


    "Hmm!"


    Emperor Qian set down the memorial in his hand, walked around from behind the desk, approached Xiao Yi, and said gravely, "I have learned of what happened in the Northern Ice Plains. You have made significant contributions to the Great Qian Dynasty, and I will reward you handsomely!"


    Emperor Qian patted Xiao Yi''s shoulder, a look of gratification on his face.


    "Thank you, Your Majesty!"


    ```


    Xiao Yi nodded, but his expression lacked any joy; instead, it was somewhat heavy.


    Given the intelligence in the hands of Emperor Qian,


    he must be aware of the news about Little Lin being taken away by Yang Kun. Yet, Emperor Qian had not uttered a word about it, indicating he might also intend to protect Yang Kun. However, Xiao Yi did not expose this thought and simply watched Emperor Qian quietly.


    The two of them locked eyes,


    nobody spoke.


    The atmosphere inside the room was oppressively tense to the point of being suffocating.


    Hu!


    A breath of stale air was exhaled from Emperor Qian''s mouth, he had intended to wait for Xiao Yi to speak first, but, to his surprise, even His Majesty Emperor Qian found himself at a disadvantage in this silent standoff.


    Emperor Qian let out a wry smile and said, "Xiao Yi, you should know what I intend to say!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, his eyes revealing a resolute determination, and he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty should also know my answer!"


    Emperor Qian was taken aback as he had wanted to persuade Xiao Yi not to quarrel with Yang Kun over a beast.


    But Xiao Yi''s unwavering attitude forced Emperor Qian to swallow back his words, his expression shifting uncertainly as he said in a grave voice, "Xiao Yi, I can compensate you... Didn''t your previous trip to Divine Beast Mountain get disrupted by Kun''er? I will personally persuade the Iron-Winged Chi Dragon to grant you ample meditation time..."


    The Iron-Winged Chi Dragon was the Great Qian Dynasty''s national beast, with combat power comparable to a challenger of the Nine Nirvana Realm.


    It was an exceedingly powerful subject for Dharma Likeness Meditation.


    It could be said...


    That in the vast Great Qian Dynasty, no other beast was stronger than it!


    In Emperor Qian''s opinion, he had already made such a significant concession that Xiao Yi had no reason to refuse.


    However...


    Xiao Yi looked deeply at Emperor Qian, a glint of icy resolve flickering in his eyes as he spoke deliberately, "Even if you were to hand over the entire Great Qian Dynasty to me, it would not compare to even one scale or claw of Little Lin!"


    Hiss!


    Emperor Qian''s face changed drastically.


    Qi, who was standing beside him, also showed a look of shock as he quickly made eye contact with Xiao Yi.


    This was tantamount to offending the emperor''s dignity, an act of treason!


    Xiao Yi seemed oblivious, paying no mind to Emperor Qian''s darkening mood and calmly said, "Your Majesty, please relay a message to Yang Kun for me. If he dares to harm Little Lin in the slightest, I will grind his bones to dust and scatter his ashes to the wind!"


    Grind!


    Bones!


    Scatter!


    Ashes!


    The last four words were like battle drums, thundering like lightning.


    Every word reverberated, every word a sentence of death!


    "Xiao Yi, you need to think this through carefully. The power of the subject of your Dharma Likeness Meditation not only affects the strength of your Dharma Manifestation Realm prowess but also relates to the future, whether you can achieve a realm beyond the Dharma Manifestation," said Emperor Qian with a murderous flash in his eyes. This was a challenge to the imperial authority, and his face turned exceedingly ugly as he continued with a somber tone, "Other than myself, you will not find a more powerful subject for meditation in the entire Great Qian Dynasty. Without my help, you can forget about catching up to Xiao Tianjiao; you will be stepped on by him for the rest of your life. Are you sure you want to destroy your bright future for the sake of that tiny beast?" S��ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qi bowed his head meekly, keeping his head low, as he urgently transmitted his thoughts in secret, "Xiao Yi, don''t act impulsively. Xiao Tianjiao''s meditation subject is not the slightest bit weaker than the Iron-Winged Chi Dragon and the Dragon and Tiger Seal. If you miss this chance, how can you ever hope to catch up with Xiao Tianjiao?"


    Emperor Qian said coldly, "Xiao Yi, you better think it over."


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi paused his footsteps, his clenched fists quietly unclenching as he took a long breath of stale air, and with a sharp, resolute gaze fixed on the two, he said in a deep voice, "Little Lin is my brother; anyone who dares to touch my brother, no matter what their status might be, I��Will��Kill��Them!"

 Chapter 451 - 451: Heaven Never Seals Off All Paths

    Om!


    As these words came out.


    Within the vast study, the temperature plummeted by dozens of degrees.


    The biting cold turned into a layer of white frost!


    It wasn''t until Xiao Yi''s figure disappeared from sight that Emperor Qian came back to his senses, his face ugly to the extreme.


    He had forgotten the last time someone had defied him to his face, his sharp eyes narrowing to slits, "Well done, Xiao Yi, do you really think you can challenge my authority with just a little ability?"


    "Your Majesty, please calm down! Calm down!"


    Qi hurriedly stepped forward, advising apprehensively, "Your Majesty, Xiao has rebuilt the Xiaoshanhe Institute and has made outstanding contributions to our imperial family. He was just momentarily misguided to have offended you, please suppress your anger!"


    "Shut up!"


    Emperor Qian gave Qi a cold glare, his narrowed eyes flashing with a knife-like sharpness, "Old dog, pass down my order, no person or power is permitted to help Xiao Yi find a Dharma Likeness Meditation target, those who disobey will be beheaded!"


    "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi has just made great achievements, this��"


    Qi had only spoken halfway when he was abruptly flung away by a slap from Emperor Qian. S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He staggered to the ground, blood spurting from every orifice, his internal organs severely injured by the blow. Emperor Qian looked at him coldly, speaking deliberately, "Old dog, remember that your master is me, not Xiao Yi. You are nothing but my dog; I tell you to bite whom you should bite, not be disloyal. Do you understand?"


    Enduring the intense pain, Qi struggled to get up and said respectfully, "This old servant acknowledges his mistake!"


    "Be gone!"


    Emperor Qian gestured dismissively, then turned and went back to his desk.


    With a deep look at Emperor Qian, Qi sighed lightly and also turned to leave.


    Only Emperor Qian remained in the study.


    His eyes fixed on the lifelike Dragon Soaring Over the Four Seas Chart on the screen, his icy gaze filled with intense mockery and disdain.


    "Daring to threaten me, truly overestimating yourself! Even the vast realm of the Great Qian Dynasty is at my fingertips; let alone a mere wet-behind-the-ears lad like you..."


    Emperor Qian''s fingers tapped lightly on the desk, lips curling into a sinister sneer, "If the dog I raise obeys, I will give you some bones to chew on. If not, I can easily find a replacement. There''s no need to keep you, is there?"


    His voice was still echoing in the study, but Emperor Qian''s figure had already vanished.


    After he left.


    Suddenly...


    The desk exploded with a bang, turning into a cloud of fine dust.


    Meanwhile.


    Xiao Yi stood outside the enormous palace gate.


    He looked back at the majestic and splendid palace, dazed and lost in thought.


    This palace, desired by countless, the supreme abode of the Great Qian Dynasty, appeared to him as a heartless beast, constantly devouring everything.


    Kinship, friendship, love...


    Within this vast palace, they were as insignificant as dust!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath, the Emperor Qian''s words echoing in his mind, his fists involuntarily clenching, "There''s always a way out. I refuse to believe that without Emperor Qian''s support, I, Xiao Yi, can''t even manifest a Martial Dao Fasxiang!"


    His clenched fists slowly relaxed.


    After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yi headed straight for the Dongfang Family, "The Yin Yang Five Elements Tower of the Dongfang Family is also an extraordinary Yuan weapon, let''s see if I can use it to manifest the Dharma."


    Inside the Dongfang Family.


    Upon seeing Xiao Yi''s arrival, Dongfang greeted him warmly, "Xiao Yi, what brings you here?"


    "Dongfang, I need to manifest the Dharma, and I would like to observe your Dongfang Family''s Yin Yang Five Elements Tower," Xiao Yi explained his purpose.


    "Hahaha, I thought it was something serious, but this is a minor issue. Follow me!"


    Dongfang laughed heartily as he said this.


    At the same time, his heart was also immensely shaken. The last time Xiao Yi had come to challenge the tower, he had not yet broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Several months had passed since then.


    Now, he was actually preparing to practice Martial Dharma Likeness Meditation to assault the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Such a speed of cultivation, even Xiao Tianjiao was far behind!


    Dongfang sighed emotionally, but right then, a voice that was indistinguishable between Yin and Yang called from outside, "A divine edict has arrived..."


    "Hmm?"


    Dongfang was startled, murmuring why a divine edict would come at this time, and immediately gave Xiao Yi an apologetic smile, "Please wait a moment, I will receive the divine edict!"


    A short time later.


    Dongfang returned with a bitter expression, looking at Xiao Yi with deep self-reproach and guilt, he said with a wry smile, "Xiao Yi, I am truly sorry. His Majesty has just sent a decree that forbids any family, power, or individual within the Great Qian Dynasty to lend you treasures for practicing Martial Dharma Likeness Meditation. Those who disobey the order are to have their families exterminated..."


    Xiao Yi''s face slightly changed, not expecting Emperor Qian to act so swiftly and ruthlessly.


    Exterminate the family!


    Just these four words were enough to cut off Xiao Yi from seeking assistance from various powers for practicing Martial Dharma Likeness Meditation.


    This was nothing but a drastic measure!


    Dongfang hesitated for a moment, then said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, since the Emperor has already given his decree, certainly no one will dare to defy his will. In my opinion, you might as well submit to the Emperor? With your status in his esteem, as long as you are willing to submit, he will definitely pour resources into you..."


    "There''s no need. I''ll look in other places..." Xiao Yi bid farewell to Dongfang and then went to the Treasure Pavilion and auction houses among other places.


    The result was as expected.


    Rejection.


    Not a single individual, power, or family dared to defy Emperor Qian''s will and extend a helping hand to Xiao Yi.


    Under the cover of night.


    The dejected Xiao Yi forgot how many places he had sought out, but without exception, he was met with relentless rejections. Because of Emperor Qian''s edict, all paths he could seek were cut off.


    He walked alone under the dark curtain of night.


    The stars were bright, the moonlight pure and clear.


    The light of stars and moon fell upon the ground, illuminating the path beneath his feet.


    Pitter-patter!


    Xiao Yi stopped in his tracks, looked up at the sky full of stars, and felt extremely lonely.


    Since Fang Qingzhu left, it had been only Little Lin who had kept him company!


    A man and a beast, as close as siblings, brothers in arms.


    But now...


    He was left utterly alone.


    "Qingzhu, are you doing well in Baiyu? Wait for me, I''ll come looking for you soon..."


    Xiao Yi murmured to himself, wandering aimlessly under the starlight.


    As he walked, he heard a childish voice by his ear, "Mommy, look, those stars joined together, don''t they look like a big scorpion? And those over there, don''t they look like a huge tiger..."


    "A big scorpion? A huge tiger?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned and subconsciously lifted his head to gaze at the starry sky.


    A stroke of inspiration suddenly raced through his mind, the look of worry on his face swept away, replaced by a wild joy, "Hahaha, heaven never seals off all exits. Old Emperor Qian, you''ve shut me off from all paths but opened up another world for me! At last, I have found my Dharma Likeness..."

 Chapter 452 - 452: Return to Xiaoshanhe Institute

    "I have finally found my Dharma Aspect!"


    Xiao Yi looked up at the vast starry sky; below the black curtain of night, countless stars were woven into a star map.


    Innumerable stars, either scattered or clustered, outlined various images.


    In Xiao Yi''s vision, those countless twinkling stars seemed interconnected by traces, stringing together to form a bright and massive silhouette.


    At this moment...


    If Lin Xu or that mysterious person they encountered in the gorge were here, they would undoubtedly be astonished to discover that the connected stars formed the outline of the Queen of the God-Eating Ants!


    The Queen of the God-Eating Ants'' own combat strength may not be very strong.


    However.


    It could continuously reproduce a powerful God Devouring Ant Legion, endless and inexhaustible, as long as the queen did not perish and the energy did not run out.


    Just imagine...


    In the midst of battle, with the same utilization of Dharma Aspect.


    Even someone like Emperor Qian, who possesses the strongest Iron Winged Chi Dragon Dharma Aspect in the Great Qian Dynasty, would eventually exhaust his strength. Whereas Xiao Yi''s God Devouring Ant Legion would surge forward by the thousands, even by the tens or hundreds of millions.


    Even a real Iron Winged Chi Dragon wouldn''t hold out, would it?


    "It seems that the biggest gain from this trip to the icy plains is the sighting of the Queen of the God-Eating Ants!" In the void, the stars outlining the queen burst into an even brighter light.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leapt up and dashed towards the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    He had just arrived at Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    At the mountain gate, two Beast Kings opened their eyes, first exchanging a wary glance, but upon recognizing Xiao Yi, they relaxed and said respectfully, "Welcome back, Institute Head!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at the two beasts. Now the entire Imperial Dragon Mountain, under the enhancement of the Spirit Gathering Array, had an extremely rich concentration of elemental energy.


    The two Beast Kings had made no small breakthroughs.


    They were extremely dedicated.


    Without a hint of rebellion.


    Whoosh, whoosh!


    Xiao Yi flicked his fingers, and two bottles of elixir fell before the beasts, saying, "In a few days, the Ancestor Worship Ceremony will take place. You two are the first impression of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, aim to make another breakthrough before the ceremony!"


    "Thank you, Institute Head, we will not let you down!" The two beasts said respectfully.


    In the gaze of the two Beast Kings looking at Xiao Yi, there was full of admiration and awe.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and then stepped into the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Though it was late at night...


    The entire Xiaoshanhe Institute was still brightly lit, and in the training field, one could occasionally hear growls and roars, as the disciples were practicing.


    Some were even engaged in intense battles with each other. Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They were honing their combat strength.


    At this moment...


    In the very center of the training field were Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan, this pair of brother and sister disciples, neither of whom would concede to the other��one with the Battle War Holy Body and the other with a natural talent for movement technique.


    Every now and then, the two would test each other.


    Whoosh!


    Jin Feiyan soared up, her figure flipping and darting like a swift swallow, remarkable in her speed as she maneuvered in the air.


    Ye Heng was surrounded by a golden light, with the Battle War Holy Body enhancing his combat power beyond that of his peers, making every battle boil his blood, a true battle enthusiast.


    "Who do you think will win between Brother Ye and Sister Fei Yan?"


    "It should be Brother Ye. He has the Battle War Holy Body, growing stronger as he fights. Sister Fei Yan probably isn''t his match!"


    "Cut! No matter how strong the power or how fierce the attack, what good is it if he can''t even land a hit on the opponent? I''d say, this fight will end in a draw again."


    Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan were like spear and shield.


    One''s attack dominating his peers.


    The other''s speed trampling the same rank!


    Neither could do anything to the other!


    Xiao Yi, however, shook his head and said, "This battle, Ye Heng will win!"


    "Hmm?"


    Several new disciples stood in front of him, and they were all startled upon hearing Xiao Yi''s words, showing expressions of astonishment.


    One of them, dressed in brocade robes with handsome features and a trace of sinister air between his brows, glared fiercely at Xiao Yi: "Shut up if you don''t understand, who doesn''t know that Feiyan and Brother Ye have fought many times and always ended in a draw? Get as far away from me as possible, or I''ll make sure you enter standing but leave lying down!"


    "Su is a loyal admirer of Sister Feiyan, and this guy dares to belittle her�� isn''t that asking for death?"


    "I remember the last time someone spoke ill of Sister Feiyan in front of Su, and Su ended up breaking his limbs. How many bones do you guess this guy will break today?"


    The crowd wore schadenfreude smiles, all turning their gazes toward Xiao Yi.


    For one, it was late at night, and two, these new disciples had not seen Xiao Yi before, so for a moment, no one recognized that this man was the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi felt somewhat helpless; he had merely spoken the truth, never expecting to be treated like this.


    However...


    He couldn''t be bothered to argue with these juniors. He touched his nose and chuckled: "What big talk, I''d like to see how you''re going to make me leave lying down!"


    "You''re looking for..."


    Su had just begun to speak when a cry of shock suddenly erupted from the crowd.


    In the arena.


    Jin Feiyan was incredulously fast. With the movement techniques taught by Xiao Yi, her speed was comparable to the ordinary Golden Elixir Realm Peak. If it were a contest of speed, ten Ye Hengs wouldn''t be her match.


    But...


    Ye Heng wasn''t simply chasing after her; he suddenly leaped high into the air.


    In high-level combat.


    Victory or defeat often hinges on a single thought.


    Especially when facing Jin Feiyan, whose speed far exceeded his own, Ye Heng''s sudden leap was full of openings, presenting Jin Feiyan with the opportunity for a decisive strike.


    Naturally, Jin Feiyan wouldn''t let this chance pass her by.


    Whoosh!


    She tapped the void mid-air, and a subtle sonic boom emanated through the air. Jin Feiyan''s figure twisted strangely in midair and returned in a flash. Her delicate palm held a longsword glowing with a green light, and she said with a smirk, "Brother, you''ve lost!"


    However.


    Ye Heng, seemingly wide open to attack in the air, raised the corner of his mouth and said with a smile, "Sister, you''ve been duped!"


    "What?"


    Jin Feiyan was shocked, her pretty face showing an expression of horror.


    Ye Heng spread his hands, and Qi-Blood surged from his fingertips, instantly conjuring an Eight-Sided Energy Battle Shield out of thin air, assembling a prism-shaped cage that resounded with a boom around Jin Feiyan.


    Bang bang bang!


    Jin Feiyan''s longsword struck the cage repeatedly but couldn''t break the Qi-Blood shield at all.


    Within this octagonal prison, her greatest advantage��her speed��was rendered useless.


    Ye Heng leaped in, with his Qi-Blood gushing forth, focusing on his heavy sword. His figure spun like a whirlwind, turning the sword blade into a tornado-like storm, whooshing loudly.


    It blocked every corner and space.


    Jin Feiyan looked dejected, seeing the sword edge already in front of her, she shouted, "Brother, I admit defeat!"


    Hum!


    The storm abruptly vanished.


    The heavy sword just barely touched Jin Feiyan''s shoulder, as Ye Heng smiled smugly and said, "Sister, I had quite a hard time figuring out how to forge this octagonal cage technique just to deal with you!"


    "Humph!"


    Jin Feiyan scrunched up her nose, looking dissatisfied as she spoke, "Always relying on the robust Qi-Blood of your Battle War Holy Body to bully others. When the master returns, I''ll ask him to teach me a martial arts skill that can counter you!"


    "Hahaha, you think I won''t also ask for master''s help?" Ye Heng winked and boasted.


    Jin Feiyan was so annoyed her teeth itched.


    At that moment...


    Su''s angry voice suddenly came from the crowd: "It''s all your fault�� If it weren''t for your wagging tongue here, how could Sister Feiyan ever lose? I''m going to kill you..."

 Chapter 453 - 453: Oblivious to Danger

    "..."


    Xiao Yi looked at Su with an expressionless face as the latter stood with his hands on his hips, arrogantly letting out all his anger on him.


    The surrounding crowd had all stepped aside, gloating, "This kid had it coming, who made him badmouth Feiyan? Su is Feiyan''s most dedicated admirer. Now that Feiyan has lost, Su must be furious!"


    "This guy is just asking to be a punching bag!"


    "He''s so pitiable!"


    Xiao Yi darkened his face and said, "Jin Feiyan was not skilled enough and was defeated by Ye Heng. How is that my fault?"


    "If not you, then who?"


    Su''s eyes burned with rage as he gritted his teeth, "If it weren''t for you cursing Feiyan and disrupting my cheers for her, how could she have possibly lost? I won''t stop until I''ve beaten you to death..."


    In the face of the domineering and aggressive Su, Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute places great importance on talent when taking disciples.


    Although young, Su had already reached the First Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, making him an extraordinary talent.


    However...


    His behavior today greatly dissatisfied Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi scoffed coldly, "Little guy, I''d advise you to leave before I lose my temper. If you provoke me, the consequences are not something you can handle!"


    "Hahaha!"


    Su shook his head laughing, his face full of contempt, "You dare threaten me? If you had begged for mercy, I would have let you off just by kneeling and apologizing to Feiyan, but you dared threaten me. Today, even if the Hall Master came, he couldn''t save you..."


    "That''s quite the tone you have there. Who exactly are you to not even fear the Hall Master?" Xiao Yi frowned at Su, his eyes flashing coldly. S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hall Master!


    This was a position second only to the head of the institute and, moreover, most of the hall masters of the Xiaoshanhe Institute were promoted by Xiao Yi himself. He was curious to see who was backing Su.


    Su snorted coldly, proudly saying, "I don''t mind telling you, I am Xiao Yi''s uncle by marriage."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    His face full of confusion, he looked Su up and down, unable to remember when he had acquired such an uncle-in-law. His only nominal uncle-in-law was killed by him in Nanhuang City!


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s dumbfounded expression, Su laughed triumphantly, "How about it? Scared now? I''ll tell you, even Xiao Yi in front of me has to respectfully call me ''uncle''��let alone breaking some of your bones, even if I killed you, no one would dare do anything to me!"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose with a puzzled face, "So, you are close with Xiao, the head of the institute?"


    "Of course!"


    Su raised his thumb, pointing at himself, and said proudly under the envious gaze of the crowd, "I''m not bragging, but back when Xiao Yi was in Nanhuang City, we were as close as brothers. Brothels, gambling dens, drinking, and debauchery��I was the one taking him around, and he followed me, calling out ''uncle''..."


    "No wonder Su dares to act so unbridled in the Xiaoshanhe Institute; he has such a status!"


    "Jeez, to be able to visit brothels with Xiao... I''m so envious!"


    "It looks like we really need to cling to Su''s coattails!"


    "Su, you must introduce us to them in the future..." The crowd chimed in one after another, their faces filled with envy, admiration, and flattery.


    "Sure, no problem!"


    Su laughed proudly, squinting his eyes, looking provocatively at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi was completely bewildered: "..."


    Visiting brothels? Drinking, gambling, and womanizing?


    Had he ever done such things?


    He had no recollection of it at all!


    Sigh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long sigh, laughing out of sheer irritation, "So to speak, you''re quite familiar with Xiao Yi?"


    "Of course!"


    Su held his chin high, not taking Xiao Yi into consideration at all, "I know even how many black moles he has on his butt as clear as day!"


    Xiao Yi''s eye twitched wildly, as he had already seen Jin Feiyan and Ye Heng approaching from the crowd.


    Xiao Yi squinted and pointed at himself, "Then do you know who I am?"


    "You?"


    Su was startled, looked Xiao Yi up and down, and said dismissively, "Do I care who you are? A nobody, this young master hasn''t the interest to know... Now that you know my status, you''d better kneel down quickly and apologize to Feiyan, otherwise..."


    Xiao Yi had yet to speak.


    From within the crowd, came Ye Heng''s icy rebuke, "Otherwise, what dare you do?"


    "Otherwise, I''ll kill you..."


    Su had not finished speaking when he suddenly let out a scream.


    Ye Heng had kicked him in the torso, flipping Su right onto the ground.


    Both knees hit the ground hard, shattering the tiled floor, pain turning Su''s face ashen, howling incessantly. His resentful gaze was fixed on Ye Heng, "Ye, why, why are you hitting me?"


    "Hitting you? I wish I could kill you!"


    Ye Heng gritted his teeth and glared fiercely at Su.


    Su was taken aback, then angrily said, "Ye Heng, do you really think just because I call you ''Brother'' you can look down on everyone? I am Xiao''s brother-in-law, when Xiao returns, I will make sure you suffer..."


    "Make me suffer? You don''t know whether you''re alive or dead..."


    Ye Heng''s mouth curled into an indifferent, cold sneer, then pointed at Xiao Yi, "Do you know who he is?"


    Su was stunned, frowning, "I was wondering why you''re so arrogant, so it turns out you know Brother Ye! Since that''s the case, it''s a misunderstanding, we''re all family here..."


    "Ptui! Who''s family with you?"


    Ye Heng sneered, grabbed Su''s hair, and forced his head up to look at Xiao Yi, enunciating each word, "Look closely, this is the master of both Feiyan and myself, the esteemed head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, the brother-in-law you mentioned, Xiao Yi, head of Xiao!"


    Buzz!


    Su''s face suddenly changed, his formerly arrogant and smug expression now replaced with confusion and dumbfoundedness.


    And a bit of unease and fear.


    Guluru!


    Su swallowed hard, trembling, and forced out a smile uglier than crying, "Ye, Brother Ye, you, you must be joking with me, right?"


    "Joking?"


    Ye Heng threw Su to the side.


    He exchanged a look with Jin Feiyan, and both promptly stepped forward, kneeling deeply before Xiao Yi, "Disciple Ye Heng (Jin Feiyan) pays respect to Master!"


    Buzz!


    The entire martial arts field fell silent.


    All those present stared, dumbfounded, at the two kneeling meticulously before Xiao Yi.


    These were the two hottest young talents of Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    Moreover, they were Xiao Yi''s direct disciples.


    Their futures limitless!


    Their public kneeling before Xiao Yi wasn''t for punishing Su, so it went without saying that they weren''t staging a scene, indicating Xiao Yi''s status. He was the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, the master to both Ye Heng and Feiyan.


    For a moment,


    All eyes were on Su...

 Chapter 454 - 454 Emergency Intelligence

    ```


    Whoosh!


    All eyes quickly turned to Su.


    Gurgle!


    Su''s body shivered, unable to stop the spit from swallowing back down, his face alternating between shades of green and white, a spectacle to behold.


    He felt as if everyone''s gazes were like sharp swords, constantly cutting into him, especially the disdain and ridicule in their eyes, making him feel as if there were thorns in his back.


    "Damn, this guy kept saying he was Xiao''s brother-in-law, and now it turns out he''s been lying?"


    "He''s been throwing his weight around as Xiao''s brother-in-law, doing all kinds of evil. I''ve always disliked him, but who would have thought he was a fraud?"


    "Isn''t that just shameless? How could he do such a thing?"


    A flurry of whispering voices kept coming.


    The look in everyone''s eyes, filled with contempt and ridicule, and an intense schadenfreude.


    Before this incident,


    Su, relying on his "identity," had indeed committed many misdeeds.


    Naturally, he had offended quite a few people.


    It was just that everyone was cautious on account of Xiao Yi''s face previously, not daring to seek revenge against him. But now, with his true identity exposed, everyone knew he was not actually Xiao Yi''s brother-in-law.


    Even...


    Xiao Yi was standing right in front of him, yet he failed to recognize him.


    Su''s face turned from green to white. This was something he had never imagined; trying to bluff Xiao Yi himself.


    The slap to the face was incredibly harsh and painful!


    Whew!


    Su took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi and Ye Heng with venom, his voice laced with malice as he said, "I admit defeat today. If this place won''t have me, another will. Don''t get too happy though, because I won''t let you off!"


    Whoosh!


    Su cursed angrily, turned, and stylishly sprinted towards the distance.


    "You think Xiaoshanhe Institute is a place where you can come and go as you please?" Ye Heng snorted coldly.


    His figure already in motion, blocking Su''s path.


    Su''s face changed, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "What do you want to do?"


    Ye Heng looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Cripple his cultivation and throw him out!"


    He had never imagined that someone would dare to impersonate his brother-in-law, deceiving others in Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    If that were all...


    He might not have been so ruthless.


    But from what people were saying, in the time that Xiao Yi was absent, this man had indeed committed many despicable acts. Just previously, because of a single word from Xiao Yi, he was ready to break someone''s bones��this arrogance and tyranny clearly showed through.


    "You dare..."


    Su was flabbergasted, watching Ye Heng approach with a cold smile. His face continuously changed colors, and with a ''thump,'' he knelt on the ground, wailing, "Please, have mercy, Headmaster Xiao... I won''t dare anymore, please spare me..."


    Ye Heng glanced at Xiao Yi and saw that his expression was unchanged.


    He immediately pointed a finger...


    Thud!


    Su''s body shuddered, blood gushing from his abdomen, as his dantian was brutally punctured.


    Ever since Su claimed to be Xiao Yi''s brother-in-law and entered Xiaoshanhe Institute, he had committed many outrages, and people like Ye Heng had long wanted to teach him a harsh lesson. But out of respect for Xiao Yi, no one had dared to take action.


    This had only emboldened Su''s arrogance and tyrannical behavior even more.


    Above all things. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ```


    He originally just intended to enter Xiaoshanhe Institute by assuming the identity of Xiao Yi''s brother-in-law, only to find that everyone, from the Hall Master down to the disciples and followers, believed he truly was Xiao Yi''s brother-in-law. Over time, he lost himself and forgot his real identity.


    His actions became increasingly arrogant and despotic.


    As the saying goes...


    Plant good seeds, reap good fruits.


    If Su hadn''t acted so overbearingly, Xiao Yi might not have minded him.


    What a pity.


    There is no medicine for regret in this world!


    Xiao Yi glanced at Ye Heng, "Throw him out of the sect!"


    "Yes!"


    Ye Heng grabbed Su by the neck and marched him out towards the gate.


    For a moment.


    The arena inside and out fell silent, and the disciples all turned their eyes to Xiao Yi, their gazes filled with fervor and admiration. Xiao Yi cleared his throat and spoke up, "All of you are disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute. Our institute can provide you with the best resources and cultivation environment. I only hope that you will focus your energies entirely on cultivating. In a few days, it will be the ancestral worship ceremony, and I hope you can distinguish yourselves then..."


    "Head of the institute, rest assured, we will not disgrace the name of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "We will definitely give it our all!"


    The crowd shouted one after another.


    Xiao Yi nodded, then turned his gaze to Jin Feiyan, who understood immediately and followed Xiao Yi as he left with long strides.


    A moment later.


    Within Xiao Yi''s private courtyard, he sat upright on a Taishi Chair, his fingers gently tapping on the armrest: "What exactly is the deal with that Su?"


    In theory, even if people like Ye Heng and Lord Shadow Demon couldn''t tell, Elder Yan and Lin Bingxin should have known that he didn''t have such a brother-in-law! How could they let him infiltrate Xiaoshanhe Institute and behave so tyrannically for so long?


    Jin Feiyan offered a wry smile, "Master, Elder Yan, Xue, and Lord Fu Yuan have been in seclusion, studying an ancient formula. Bingxin has been assisting them, and we couldn''t tell if that guy was really your brother-in-law, so we could only keep him around for the time being... we didn''t expect him to..."


    Jin Feiyan felt very helpless, too.


    Using the identity of "Xiao Yi''s brother-in-law," Su had not left her alone.


    However, because of Xiao Yi, Jin Feiyan had been tolerating him.


    Remembering the incidents of those days, Jin Feiyan said fiercely, "If I''d known he wasn''t your brother-in-law, I should have slapped him to death!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    He cast a glance at Jin Feiyan and was about to speak when Ye Heng walked in from outside, "Disciple pays respects to Master!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, and his gaze swept over the two of them. They had not disappointed him; their cultivation had made great progress. As for their martial arts training and combat experience, he had already gotten a glimpse of that in the arena.


    At least they hadn''t discredited the status of his Direct Disciples.


    But...


    Xiao Yi looked at Ye Heng, "Ye Heng, your greatest advantage is the Battle War Holy Body. With the ancestral worship ceremony only a few days away, spend this time refining your Battle War Holy Body. I expect an outstanding performance from you at the ceremony!"


    "Master, rest assured, I''ve already asked Lord Shadow Demon to guide me. Starting tomorrow, I will be cultivating under his direction!" Ye Heng said earnestly, his chest swelling with resolve.


    With Lord Shadow Demon''s guidance in refining the Battle War Holy Body.


    This would definitely bring Ye Heng immense benefits in a short amount of time.


    Xiao Yi nodded, then turned to Jin Feiyan, who seemed hesitant to speak, "Fei Yan, your strength lies in your speed. I have a scroll here that details a movement technique that is most suited for you to practice. If you train diligently, your speed should improve by more than double before the ceremony!"


    "Double the speed?"


    Jin Feiyan and Ye Heng exchanged glances. With her current speed, she could already outrun an average Golden Core Realm cultivator. If she were to double it...


    Then even a peak Golden Elixir Realm powerhouse, she would have the confidence to contend with.


    Jin Feiyan hastily took the scroll, expressing her gratitude, "Thank you, Master!"


    "You both may leave now. I am going to enter seclusion. Wake me when the ancestral worship ceremony begins!"


    Xiao Yi gestured with his hand, about to rise when suddenly an urgent voice came from outside, "Is the Head of the Institute here? I have urgent intelligence, regarding a matter of life and death for Xiaoshanhe Institute..."

 Chapter 455 - 455: A Thunderclap Reduces Ten Years of Life!

    Xiao Yi and the others were all taken aback.


    A matter concerning the life and death of Xiaoshanhe Institute?


    The three exchanged glances.


    It was at this moment...


    An urgent figure hurried in from outside the door, a person with white hair��it was Xiao Yun!


    Since the day he passed the examination and entered the Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yun had been following Fu Yuan and others in their cultivation. Noticing Xiao Yun''s travel-worn appearance, Ye Heng asked in puzzlement, "Ren, weren''t you researching ancient techniques with Fu Hall Master and the others?"


    "I''ve seen Ye and Sister Jin!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yun, although older in age, was of a lower generation than Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan. He bowed to the two and, without answering, moved past them to face Xiao Yi, "Institute Head, I have an urgent matter to report!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and sized up Xiao Yun.


    Ever since his first encounter with Xiao Yun, he had found the man extremely strange.


    Whether it was his behavior or the familiar feeling he emitted, Xiao Yi found it memorable.


    It was for this reason...


    That he had Fu Yuan personally guide Xiao Yun.


    Under the scrutiny of Xiao Yi''s sharp gaze that seemed to pierce into a person''s heart, Xiao Yun stayed neither servile nor overbearing, with not a trace of flickering or avoidance in his eyes. He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Institute Head, I guarantee with my life..."


    "No need!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand. For some inexplicable reason, he always intrinsically believed that Xiao Yun was a person to be trusted, and he spoke up, "Since I''ve allowed you into my Xiaoshanhe Institute, of course, I trust you. What exactly is the matter that has you so flustered? Speak the truth!"


    "Institute Head, this matter is of great importance..."


    Xiao Yun hesitated, glanced at Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan, and said apologetically, "Brother Ye, could you two please step outside for a moment?"


    Ye Heng was startled.


    Jin Feiyan, hands on her hips, was greatly displeased, "Xiao Yun, what do you mean by this? Surely you''re not suggesting that we two would leak any secrets?"


    Xiao Yun pressed his lips tightly together but didn''t reply.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said to an angry Jin Feiyan, "Please, leave us for now!"


    "Hmph!"


    Jin Feiyan stamped her foot hard and turned around to leave, huffing with annoyance.


    "Master, your disciple shall take his leave!" Ye Heng quickly followed out.


    In the room, only Xiao Yi and Xiao Yun remained. Xiao Yi said, "You can speak now, right?"


    Xiao Yun went to the door, looked around to make sure there was nobody, then closed the door securely. With a grave expression, he returned to Xiao Yi and said in a somber tone, "Institute Head, did you go to the ice plains? And, moreover, did you encounter a mysterious person controlling God Devouring Ants?"


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s face instantly changed.


    The mysterious person he encountered on the ice plain had never been mentioned to anyone else.


    Previously, when meeting Emperor Qian, Xiao Yi had intended to caution him.


    But Emperor Qian outright supported Yang Kun and even wanted Xiao Yi to give up on Little Lin, so Xiao Yi hadn''t disclosed the matter to him. Aside from himself, only that mysterious person in black robes knew about this.


    How could Xiao Yun be aware of this?


    Boom!


    A chilling aura locked onto Xiao Yun standing before him, the room''s temperature plummeted suddenly, a hint of coldness pervading the air, as Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and asked, "Who exactly are you?"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yun took a sharp breath. Under the oppressive aura of Xiao Yi''s strength, it was as if invisible hands were gripping his throat, making it difficult for him to breathe. After a short while, Xiao Yun forced himself to say, "Institute Head, it''s not important who I am. All you need to know is that I am a disciple of the Xiaoshanhe Institute and would never harm you, that''s all!"


    Xiao Yi leaned forward slightly, staring intently at him.


    Time ticked by second by second.


    After a dozen or so breaths.


    The surrounding coldness abruptly vanished, and Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes again, "Speak, what is it exactly?"


    Phew!


    Xiao Yun let out a sigh of relief and began, "Institute Head, do you intend to use the Queen of the God-Eating Ants as the core to condense your Dharma Manifestation?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sharpened.


    Xiao Yun''s words once again pierced through the thoughts deep within his heart.


    This sensation made him extremely uncomfortable.


    Xiao Yun continued, "I also ask that the Director heeds my advice, you can use the Queen of the God-Eating Ants as the core to condense your Dharma image, but never make the breakthrough before the ancestral worship ceremony. Wait until the time of the ceremony��that is the correct moment for you to break through."


    "Why?" Xiao Yi asked, puzzled.


    Xiao Yun hesitated, then said, "The Dharma image of the God-Eating Ants is extremely unique and must be fully attributed to successfully condense the Dharma image of the God-Eating Ants, but even with full attributes, you can only condense one God-Eating Ants Dharma image, and not create an army of God-Eating Ants. Only by receiving the divine light and spirit during the ancestral worship ceremony can you fully activate the spirit of the Dharma image allowing it to merge with the God Sealing Seed in your body and gain the ability to create an army of God-Eating Ants..."


    Boom!


    No sooner had his words fallen than the star-spangled night sky suddenly reverberated with the sound of thunder.


    Cutting off Xiao Yun''s speech abruptly.


    Wow!


    Xiao Yun spat out a mouthful of blood, his complexion instantly turned pale.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrunk suddenly, at the moment the thunder roared, he felt an invisible pressure falling on Xiao Yun''s body. He rushed forward, urging his vital energy into Xiao Yun''s body, only to find that Xiao Yun''s life force had significantly weakened.


    His life span had been reduced by ten years!


    "This..."


    When had Xiao Yi ever seen such a thing?


    A sudden reduction of ten years of lifespan?


    Even a strong practitioner in the Nirvana Realm couldn''t do it, right?


    "Thank you, Director!"


    Xiao Yun, bolstered by the vital energy from Xiao Yi, looked somewhat better and showed a forced smile to Xiao Yi. He said in a deep voice, "Director, you must wait until the ancestral worship ceremony to break through..."


    Rumble, rumble!


    Out of nowhere, a thunderbolt thick as a bucket descended from the heavens and with a loud bang crashed into the courtyard outside.


    The little courtyard explosively shattered, taking the whole annex with it and leveling it to the ground.


    Amidst the rising dust.


    A spherical aura of condensed vital energy surrounded Xiao Yi, shielding him from the raging wind and rampant energy, but the crackling sound of thunder could still be heard wandering through the ruins. The sound of thunder from the horizon was incessant.


    It was as if heaven itself was furious!


    Huff, huff!


    Huff, huff!


    Xiao Yun''s chest heaved violently, his complexion grew even paler. In that instant, his lifespan was reduced by another ten years!


    Xiao Yi''s expression was dark as water, "What in the world is going on here?"


    With each sound of thunder, ten years of life were taken away.


    The recent roar of thunder seemed like an angry bellow from the heavens itself.


    He had never witnessed such a strange scene before.


    Xiao Yun shook his head, revealing a pale smile, "Director, don''t worry about me; I am just a little weak. You must remember my words, you must remember... remember..."


    Xiao Yun''s eyes rolled back, and he fainted on the spot.


    "Xiao Yun..."


    Xiao Yi hurriedly checked his condition, finding Xiao Yun was simply too weak, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    At that moment...


    Ye Heng, Shadow Demon, and others landed one after another in the annex, now a ruin, looking at the completely desolate scene as if a divine punishment had obliterated everything, they all looked at each other in dismay, "What, what exactly happened here?"


    "Was that caused by the thunderbolt just now?"


    "No need to worry, it was just a result of a breakthrough in my cultivation, I lost control while trying out a new martial technique!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and smiled, easing the doubts in everyone''s minds. Then, after having Ye Heng take Xiao Yun to rest, Xiao Yi, who dismissed everyone else, stood among the ruins. Squinting his eyes, he muttered to himself, "Xiao Yun, who exactly are you? How do you know so many of my secrets?"


    Crickle, crackle!


    On the ground, bolts of lightning moved about as if responding to him.


    "Enough!"


    Xiao Yi clenched his fist quietly, "I''ll trust you this time, but even if I have to wait until the ancestral worship ceremony for the breakthrough into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, I can still condense the Dharma image before then. Yang Kun... no matter who''s backing you, if you dare to harm Little Lin, I will kill you!"

 Chapter 456 - 456: Undercurrents Surge

    Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Deep within a cave more than a thousand meters underground from Xiao Yi''s courtyard residence.


    This was a secret chamber specifically constructed by the Shadow Demon at Xiao Yi''s behest, used for his usual cultivation retreats.


    Here, Xiao Yi had set up a Spirit Gathering Array that amplified the gathering of spiritual essence by thirty times. The abundant and rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth condensed into dazzling and bright transparent crystals, emitting a faint blue glow that contained an incomparably pure energy.


    With every breath he took, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth flowed into his body.


    Even a person on the brink of death from prolonged illness could see an improvement in their condition and extend their lifespan by several years after staying here for ten days to half a month.


    At this moment.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged in the center of the chamber, maintaining a posture with his five hearts facing the sky.


    With his palms spread open facing upwards and the backs of his hands resting on his knees, streams of light of various colors circulated out from within his body.


    Golden, green, blue, red, yellow, black, and white��seven colors of spiritual energy mingled and converged into streams of different-colored torrents, intertwining to form a multicolored ball of light that hovered between his legs.


    Within that ball of light were two broken pincers.


    They belonged to the Queen of the God-Eating Ants.


    The golden pincers shone with a dazzling golden light.


    The ball of light enveloped the golden pincers, continuously weaving and entwining, even restoring the Queen of the God-Eating Ants'' fragmented body to completion.


    However��


    Xiao Yi frowned as he looked at the Queen of the God-Eating Ants in front of him, "Strange, I clearly drew out a complete replication of the Queen of the God-Eating Ants from memory, so how come I feel like something is missing��"


    It was an extremely mysterious and odd sensation.


    Although the object in front of him had no discrepancies from what he remembered, it still didn''t feel quite right.


    "Where exactly is the problem?"


    Xiao Yi frowned deeply, his expression increasingly troubled.


    All of a sudden.


    A streak of inspiration flashed across his mind. His eyes fixed on the body of the Queen of the God-Eating Ants, the shape, size, or any detail was identical to the real Queen of the God-Eating Ants. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The only difference was the eyes!


    The real Queen of the God-Eating Ants had eyes of six different colors.


    Yet the Queen of the God-Eating Ants formed by Xiao Yi only had hollow eye sockets.


    "The eyes of the Queen of the God-Eating Ants give off a very weird feeling�� It''s not just about the color, there must be some other reason��" Xiao Yi pondered with a frown.


    Why is it that even within the Dharma Manifestation Realm, when meditating upon the same Dharma image, there can still be strong and weak results?


    The most important reason lies in the details!


    Observing the sun, some see nothing but a ball of fire, while others can discern solar flares and other phenomena.


    Xiao Yi thought deeply with a frown, "Different colors��" Suddenly, his gaze fell on the multicolored ball of spiritual energy floating before him, and his eyes lit up, "I understand now, it''s not simply a difference in color, but in the elemental attributes they contain."


    The attributes of the God Devouring Ants were extremely unique; not even in Dao Yan''s heritage was it explained what the attributes of the God Devouring Ants actually were.


    Until this moment��


    Xiao Yi finally realized that, just like him, the God Devouring Ants were beings of all attributes.


    They were innately metal-attribute, while the six eyes represented six different attributes.


    Metal, wood, water, fire, earth, yin, and yang!


    All seven attributes converged within one body!


    "It seems that destiny has decreed I manifest the Dharma Likeness of the God-Eating Ant," Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of turbid air, feeling as though there was a predetermined course within the unknowable universe.


    He was a martial artist possessing all seven attributes of metal, wood, water, fire, earth, yin, and yang, just like the God Devouring Ants were embodiments of the seven attributes.


    This was the perfect core for Dharma Likeness Meditation!


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was unaware that many powerful beings before him had attempted to manifest the Dharma Likeness of the God Devouring Ants, yet after their manifestation, they could not create an army of God Devouring Ants.


    The strength of the God Devouring Ants did not lie in individuals, but in their terrifying numbers, the dreadful legion of God Devouring Ants surging forth!


    But all this was because those powerful beings lacked the singular possession of all seven attributes, as Xiao Yi did. They only managed to manifest the form of the God Devouring Ants without grasping its essence.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, it was destined by the heavens that he would use the God Devouring Ants as his Dharma Likeness!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes turned frosty as he flicked his fingers, and seven streams of elemental energy simultaneously plunged into the Queen of the God-Eating Ants he had envisioned before him.


    The metallic property fused into its body.


    The remaining six properties each converged within one of the eyes.


    Six-colored eyes, a golden body.


    Roar!


    Almost the instant the elemental energies of the seven properties merged with it, the Queen of the God-Eating Ants formed of condensed energy shuddered, releasing a powerful wave of energy as if coming to life.


    It began to rampage wildly in front of Xiao Yi, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, and amidst a surge of golden light, countless God Devouring Ants swarmed out.


    Every detail.


    Xiao Yi remembered it vividly, intently observing while simultaneously envisioning the rudimentary form of the God Devouring Ants Dharma Likeness in his mind.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    As Xiao Yi continued to observe and deduced,


    brilliant spots of energy began to emerge one after another within his body, like a vast array of dazzling stars converging behind him. The multiple starlights coalesced, taking the form of the rudimentary Dharma Likeness of a Queen of the God-Eating Ants.


    This Dharma Likeness was thirty feet tall and several dozen feet long.


    Its entire body glowed golden, with six eyes each a different color.


    It hovered behind Xiao Yi.


    Dharma Likeness rudimentary form!


    To truly become Xiao Yi''s Dharma Likeness, all that was left was for it to communicate with Xiao Yi''s Martial Dao Divine Fruit and become one with it.


    If Xiao Yi wished, he could complete this step immediately and step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    But...


    Just thinking about how Xiao Yun had lost twenty years of his lifespan, yet still insisted on passing on the message to him,


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply, suppressing the temptation to immediately break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, forcibly dispersing this rudimentary Dharma Likeness before reconjuring it. He continued to manifest the Dharma Likeness, disperse it, then reconjure it again and again, in an endless cycle.


    Immersed in deep cultivation within the secret chamber, Xiao Yi was unaware,


    that Emperor Qian''s decree forbidding other forces from providing the core Dharma Likeness Meditation materials to Xiao Yi had already spread throughout the upper echelons of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Within the Nangong Family.


    Nangong Shengtian sat in front of the ancestral hall, laughing heartily at the neatly arranged ancestral plaques, "Ancestors of the Nangong Family, if you have spirits in heaven, watch as I personally behead Xiao Yi and appease your spirits with his downfall!"


    In the Beitang Family.


    Beitang Feng had a face full of ecstatic joy, laughing loudly, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, even you have days like these? It seems that the ancestral sacrifice ceremony is a must-attend event!"


    At the Unparalleled War King''s Mansion.


    Yang Yuhuan, having heard the report from his subordinates, waved to dismiss them and squinted his eyes, which emanated a cold glint, "Xiao Yi? He is but a dog Emperor Qian has been raising to balance the power amongst the forces. He dares to defy his master? If he doesn''t die, who will?"


    At Yang Ling''s residence.


    Yang Ling''s face was filled with worry, "Father is really... Xiao Yi has made many contributions to our royal family, how can he treat him like this?"


    Next to Yang Ling, an elegant middle-aged man gently fanned himself with a fan, speaking lightly, "Your Highness, for His Majesty, the struggle between you and the Crown Prince is an internal game of the royal family, a family matter. If Xiao Yi were helping you against the Crown Prince, His Majesty would not say much, like that trip to the Ice Fields... But if he acts out of personal vendetta, His Majesty will definitely not approve!"


    Alas!


    Yang Ling sighed deeply and gave a bitter smile, "How could I not understand this principle? But... let''s just hope Xiao Yi takes care!"


    At the Xiao Family.


    Inside the vast Xiao Family''s separate manor, Xiao Zhengde burst into triumphant laughter upon hearing the report from his subordinates, "This rebellious son, does he really think that he can disregard me entirely because he''s involved with the royal family? Hmph, I wasn''t planning on attending the ancestral sacrifice ceremony, but now it seems I must go and see for myself. I want to see if that rebellious son can remain as arrogant when facing death!"


    "Family head, the young master has left a letter for you!" said a young man kneeling in front of Xiao Zhengde.


    "Oh? A letter from Tian''er? Bring it here quickly!"


    Xiao Zhengde laughed heartily as he took the letter, but upon unfolding it, his expression suddenly changed, "This, this..."

 Chapter 457 - 457: Who Do You Think You Are?

    "Excellent, excellent, excellent, truly my Tian''er!"


    Xiao Zhengde clutched the letter in his hands, his expression wildly alternating between ecstasy, trepidation, and tension, eventually all emotions turned into hysterical laughter, "That rebel Xiao Yi actually dreams of surpassing Tian''er? Sheer lunacy! Someone, hurry, send out invitations to all the dignitaries within the capital... No, no need to rush the invitations, I will save this news for the ancestral worship ceremony. I''ll announce it publicly when that rebel is at his proudest. I want him to live forever in torment, hahaha..."


    Xiao Zhengde gripped the letter tightly, his eyes filled with uncontrollable pride.


    Humming a tune, he looked at the young man before him, "Prepare the food and drink immediately, today the head of the family must have a good drink. Hahaha..."


    "Head of the Family, is there some good news?" the young man asked, startled.


    "Hehe, of course, it''s terrific news, Tian''er has already..."


    Pausing, Xiao Zhengde cleared his throat and said, "This matter is confidential, you will naturally find out at the ancestral worship ceremony. Now go prepare the food and drink for me!"


    "Yes!"


    Although the young man was full of curiosity, he did not ask any further and respectfully withdrew.


    A moment later.


    Xiao Zhengde sat alone in a small courtyard, savoring fine wines and dishes, admiring the beautiful starry sky.


    Not long after.


    Xiao Zhengde went to sleep with a radiant smile on his face, and only the faint sound of his talk in his dreams could be heard driftily, "Tian''er truly is my unicorn child... Xiao Yi... such disgrace..."


    ......


    Time flew by.


    The day of the Great Qian Dynasty''s ancestral worship ceremony approached, and this could be seen simply from the atmosphere within the capital.


    The entire capital was filled with a joyous mood.


    Lanterns were strung up, and the air was filled with festivity. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From high-ranking officials and nobles to the common peddlers and laborers.


    Everyone''s doors were adorned with red lanterns, and splendid fireworks lit up the sky, as all the citizens celebrated together.


    This ancestral worship ceremony was not just a royal ancestral sacrifice; it also marked the founding day of the Great Qian Dynasty. At this time every year, the entire Great Qian Dynasty was filled with songs and dances, an atmosphere of jubilation everywhere.


    It was a truly universal celebration!


    Wuuu wuuu wuuu!


    A dull sound of horns suddenly rose.


    The sound of the horns was like the rumble of thunder, spreading far and wide, and in an instant, it reached every corner of the capital.


    "Quick, bring the tribute to the palace!"


    "Xiao has already arrived outside the capital with the scepter of worship; he will soon reach the palace. Once the scepter is passed on, Emperor Qian will lead all the officials to Imperial Dragon Mountain. We must get ready!"


    "This year, I must be the first to offer tribute..."


    "Hahaha, don''t even think about it, the first tribute will definitely be mine..."


    Similar debates erupted all over the capital.


    Since the first Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, there had been a rule that whoever could offer the first tribute at the ancestral worship ceremony, whether an official, merchant, or commoner, would be greatly rewarded: officials would rise one rank, merchants would earn a fortune, and commoners would receive a thousand acres of fertile land!


    As a result, every ancestral worship ceremony would see countless mighty people vying with each other, competing for this esteemed position.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Salvos of thunderous ceremonial guns exploded in the sky.


    Glamorous, colorful, and diverse.


    They illuminated half of the sky with exceptional brilliance, and under the light of these fireworks, Shadow Demon, dressed in full regalia, walked confidently towards the palace, surrounded by stars as if by a moon.


    Along the way.


    Many recognized the identity of the Shadow Demon, and they couldn''t help but show a look of astonishment, "That''s not right, isn''t this the Hall Master of the Battle Hall, the Shadow Demon?"


    "How could it be Hall Master Ying? Wasn''t it supposed to be the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi, who escorted the ceremonial staff? How did the person change so suddenly?"


    "Could the rumors be true? Did Xiao Yi have a falling out with the royal family?"


    "This... Xiao Yi is really too presumptuous, isn''t he? This is the ancestral ceremony, and he''s arbitrarily changed the person designated to escort the ceremonial staff. Is he not afraid that Emperor Qian, in a fit of anger, might strip him of his position as head of the institute?"


    In the midst of all the discussions.


    The Shadow Demon, however, was expressionless, and under the protection of a ceremonial guard formed by disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, he arrived in front of the palace gate.


    At that moment, the palace gate was wide open.


    On both sides stood two teams of Imperial Guards in full regalia, each adorned in armor specifically crafted for the ancestral ceremony, both luxurious and precious, with the cost of each piece easily ten times that of a regular soldier''s armor.


    Wuu wuu wuu!


    Behind the two teams of Imperial Guards were the ceremonial soldiers, each carrying a horn.


    The somber sound of the horns echoed between heaven and earth.


    It was majestic and solemn.


    Upon hearing this sound, one would spontaneously treat the occasion with respect.


    Huff!


    The Shadow Demon took a deep breath, his hands holding the ceremonial staff, and he stepped up the solemn path leading into the palace, one step at a time.


    The ceremonial staff had always been in the custody of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    It would only be handed over to Emperor Qian by the chief celebrant at the ancestral ceremony once a year.


    The primary celebrant would be chosen from among the princes, and then Emperor Qian would hand the ceremonial staff over to that prince.


    This had always been so.


    This responsibility had always been fulfilled by the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Never delegated to another.


    The scene from within the Xiaoshanhe Institute flashed across the Shadow Demon''s mind��Xiao Yi tossing the ceremonial staff to him as if it were trash��causing him to take a deep breath to calm his restless thoughts and continue forward with a composed face.


    Meanwhile.


    Golden Throne Hall.


    Powerhouses from the Tianjian Sect, Vast Righteousness Pavilion, Three Seas Mountain, and the other top ten sects, as well as the four great families��Dongfang, Ximen, Nangong, and Beitang��and the Xiao Family and other powerful figures, along with the entire court of civil and military officials, were gathered here.


    The ancestral ceremony was an unprecedented grand occasion for the Great Qian Dynasty royal family.


    Even the ten great sects, which were notoriously independent on normal days, sent strong representatives to participate in this grand event.


    The Tianjian Sect, in particular, sent a Deputy Sect Master, the Huihai Sword Master, a proficient swordsman of the Nirvana Realm Seventh Layer, whose combat power was exceedingly formidable. He and Emperor Qian were chatting and laughing, "Your Majesty, that Xiao Yi from the Xiaoshanhe Institute has indeed persecuted our disciples from the Tianjian Sect..."


    Emperor Qian chuckled, "Oh, really?"


    Huihai remarked indifferently, "The head of our division stationed in the imperial capital was blatantly extorted of a huge sum by Xiao Yi. Does Your Majesty, residing in the imperial capital, not know about this?"


    "And our Three Seas Mountain, even a prominent elder was lured away by Xiao Yi!" a member of Three Seas Mountain said angrily.


    "Boundless longevity to Buddha!"


    A Taoist priest from Wendao Villa with a rosaceous nose and holding a horsetail whisk said sympathetically, "Xiao Yi is truly a disaster. Our Li Youruo from Wendao Villa was also deceived by him. I implore Your Majesty to stand up for Wendao Villa!"


    The surrounding people couldn''t help but look on with contempt.


    Li Youruo and the others were people they had sent to stir up trouble with Xiao Yi but ended up being won over by him and subsequently joined the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Yet in their mouths, it turned into cheating and swindling?


    Emperor Qian, still chuckling, was about to speak when he heard Yang Kun beside him say lightly, "Father Emperor, in my humble opinion, Xiao Yi truly does not have the qualifications to be the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    No sooner had the words left his mouth,


    Than a mocking laugh came from outside: "Who do you think you are? Even our institute head is something you can criticize and judge?"

 Chapter 458 - 458: Hes Not Available!

    "Who do you think you are? Dare to judge and comment on our institute head?"


    A sneering voice came from outside the door.


    Dressed up, the Shadow Demon held the sacrificial scepter in both hands, with a wicked smile on his face and a pair of eyes that glinted coldly, as if choosing someone to devour, fixed intently on Yang Kun. Those icy words had just come from his mouth.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    Following the Shadow Demon, Zhang Ling and the others also closed in step by step.


    Each step they took was in perfect unison.


    Although there were more than a dozen of them, they moved as if they were one person.


    The exact same movements and expressions.


    Such precision sent a chill through the officials in the Golden Throne Hall, as well as the leaders of various factions who had come.


    Even Yang Yuhuan, who had been keeping his eyelids lowered, couldn''t help but lift his head to look at them. Just the stern aura emanating from the Shadow Demon and his men was enough to match that of a battle-hardened general!


    And indeed, they were not to be outdone even by the strongest among his own Blood Saber Guard Ten Great Commanders.


    "Has the Xiaoshanhe Institute really grown such powerful experts?"


    "These people are truly fearsome, as if they had just returned from the battlefield, all of them exuding a chilling murderous aura..."


    "Like the kings coming out of a slaughter-field..."


    Murmurs rose within the Golden Throne Hall, but unbeknownst to them, the Shadow Demon and his men had indeed come from a slaughter-field.


    Each one of them had survived ordeal after ordeal in the most stringent and cruel dueling arenas of the Beast Emperor City, with lives hanging by a thread. To Xiao Yi, they felt overwhelming gratitude, as if looking up to a second set of parents.


    If it hadn''t been for Xiao Yi leading them out of the Beast Emperor City, they would still be slaves.


    If Xiao Yi hadn''t given them a place in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, could they possibly have the standing to step into the Golden Throne Hall with such legitimacy today? S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If it weren''t for Xiao Yi, how could they have become revered Hall Masters?


    In the eyes of the Shadow Demon and his men...


    Everything they had was given to them by Xiao Yi.


    And that was precisely why.


    They were utterly loyal to Xiao Yi, never allowing anyone to insult him; thus, upon hearing Yang Kun''s words, the Shadow Demon couldn''t restrain himself from speaking out.


    Facing those cold eyes, which seemed ready to swallow him whole,


    Yang Kun''s face turned alternately pale and flushed, as if he had been given several harsh slaps.


    It was not that the Shadow Demon and the others'' gaze contained any formidable force difficult to withstand, but rather, in the presence of the ministers and in the Golden Throne Hall, that the Shadow Demon dared to reprimand him so openly, which felt like a great insult to Yang Kun.


    His face changing shades, he glared at the Shadow Demon and the others, snorted coldly, and said, "What are you? How dare you speak to me like that?"


    "Me?"


    The Shadow Demon sneered, standing tall with his head held high, "I am the Hall Master of the Xiaoshanhe Institute battle hall, the Shadow Demon... You dare insult our institute head, not to mention merely scolding you, even twisting off the head on your neck is not impossible!"


    "Rubbish, you''re courting death!" Yang Kun suddenly stood up, furious.


    Yuan qi whirled within the palm of his hand, condensing into sharp edges.


    "You dare!"


    Zhang Ling and the others immediately stepped forward, their yuan qi bursting forth without any reservation.


    These people had managed to cultivate to the Dharma Manifestation Realm in the slave arenas without any resources.


    After arriving at the Xiaoshanhe Institute, not only did they have the support of the tenfold Spirit Gathering Array, but they also had massive amounts of healing pills provided by Fu Yuan and the guidance of Xiao Yi. Each one of them made swift progress, and now the strongest among them, the Shadow Demon, had reached the ninth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Zhang Ling and the others were all at the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm or above.


    A dozen pairs of eyes glared fiercely at Yang Kun.


    A great battle was about to erupt!


    The court officials turned pale and retreated one after another.


    The strong figures from the ten great sects and four big families such as Huihai, who were watching with interested expressions, seemed ready to enjoy the show.


    Yang Kun was instantly anxiety-stricken.


    He had not anticipated that the Shadow Demon and his comrades would be so bold as to show no fear of his Prince''s status in the Golden Throne Hall.


    At this point, Yang Kun, too, was in a difficult position.


    Just as the two sides seemed unable to hold back from starting a fight, Emperor Qian, who had remained silent till now, spoke out, "Enough!"


    Hum!


    The aura of the Nirvana Realm shattered the solemn atmosphere in the hall instantly.


    Everyone''s gaze turned toward Emperor Qian, their eyes filled with gravity.


    Emperor Qian squinted his eyes, a furious blaze burning in their depths. Xiao Yi''s failure to personally escort the sacrificial staff was tantamount to a slap in his face. It was also Xiao Yi''s protest against Emperor Qian''s previous request for Xiao Yi not to make things difficult for Yang Ling.


    But none of this was an excuse in Emperor Qian''s eyes.


    He was Emperor Qian, the ruler of a nation.


    Under the vast heavens, all the land belongs to the king; along its borders, all are his subjects.


    In Emperor Qian''s view...


    He could make Xiao Yi the esteemed head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, but he could also strip him of everything.


    He desired Xiao Yi''s death, and so Xiao Yi must die.


    Now that Xiao Yi dared to defy him openly, Emperor Qian was extremely displeased. But with the ancestral sacrifice ceremony imminent, it was not a good time to lash out. He merely said in an undercurrent voice, "Why didn''t Xiao Yi personally deliver the sacrificial staff?"


    Within the crowd.


    Qi, Yang Ling, and Dongfang were all urgently making eye signals to the Shadow Demon.


    As long as they found a suitable excuse, Emperor Qian would certainly not pursue this matter further.


    However...


    The Shadow Demon, with a stiff neck, mimicked Xiao Yi''s tone and said word for word, "My master said he''s busy!"


    Hum!


    Inside the Golden Throne Hall, the breath of everyone caught at the same time.


    Qi, Yang Ling, and Dongfang among others almost fainted, their eyes rolling back.


    For fuck''s sake!


    Do you have to be so unyielding?


    Do you have to be so tough?


    Any reasonable excuse would have sufficed to spare Emperor Qian the loss of face, and the issue would have passed.


    Why must you be so obstinate?


    The Shadow Demon and the others, however, stood their ground with an air of composure. In their eyes, there was only Xiao Yi. As for Emperor Qian?


    He was nothing!


    "Very well, very well, very well!"


    Three words came from Emperor Qian''s throat, each loaded with a cold intent to kill, pressing heavily upon the Shadow Demon and the others, their faces turning pale. But they showed not the slight sign of retreat, standing their ground, defiant and proud.


    This only fueled Emperor Qian''s wrath further, wishing he could smash them with a slap.


    Joy surged in Yang Kun''s heart, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, I let you be arrogant... now you''ve thoroughly offended my father, and even without my intervention, he will never let you off!"


    With a sigh, Yang Ling realized that if he did not intervene now, the situation would spiral out of control. He promptly spoke with respect, "Father Emperor, Xiao suffered severe injuries when he accompanied your son to the ice plains to capture the Frost Phoenix. Presumably, he is currently healing, which is why he couldn''t come. Please forgive him, Father Emperor!"


    Dongfang also said, "Your Majesty, Xiao had previously sought healing pills at my residence. He must indeed be in recovery!"


    Qi added, "Your Majesty, it seems Xiao indeed is injured and unable to attend."


    "Hmm!"


    The gloomy look on Emperor Qian''s face softened slightly as he said in a subdued voice, "Since Xiao Yi is injured, it is excusable. Shadow Demon, is it? Bring the sacrificial staff forth."


    "Oh!"


    The Shadow Demon nodded and approached Emperor Qian with deliberate steps.


    Emperor Qian gave him a cold glance and reached out, grasping the sacrificial staff in his hand, then raising the staff, he declared, "Set off, to Imperial Dragon Mountain!"


    "May our emperor live thousands of autumns, live as long as heaven!"


    "May the Great Qian Dynasty reign supreme forever..."


    The group of officials shouted loudly.


    Under Emperor Qian''s lead, the solemn and luxurious procession moved grandly beyond the palace gates.


    Within the crowd.


    Yang Kun glared angrily at the Shadow Demon, Yang Ling, and the others, while a cruel smile curled at the corners of his mouth as he caught a glimpse of Deputy Sect Master Huihai Sword Master beside him, "Xiao Yi, again and again you''ve opposed me. This ancestral sacrifice ceremony will be your end!"

 Chapter 459 - 459: Dare to Fight?

    ```


    The grand procession moved mightily, heading out of the imperial palace.


    The Ancestral Worship Ceremony was a reflection of a flourishing era, and the royal family had made ample preparations for the event.


    Just the vehicles carrying the offerings alone numbered up to nine hundred, followed by a retinue of ministers and powerful figures from all factions.


    A procession tens of thousands strong, resembling a luxurious golden dragon, exited from the palace. Once they had left the palace, the commoners who had already been waiting on both sides of Vermilion Bird Avenue also followed closely behind.


    The procession grew larger and larger, the majestic era more and more splendid.


    This was an event that directly involved millions of people.


    Yang Kun stood by Emperor Qian''s side, his face adorned with a brilliant smile, "Father Emperor, under your rule the Great Qian Dynasty has grown even stronger. The scale of this Ancestral Worship Ceremony is indeed unprecedentedly grand!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Emperor Qian laughed heartily.


    The Great Qian Dynasty had indeed become more powerful under his rule.


    There was peace and prosperity, and the people lived in happiness and contentment.


    Emperor Qian felt proud in his heart, but he still said, "All this is the solid foundation laid by the previous emperors. I am merely reaping the benefits of their efforts!"


    "Father Emperor, you are being too modest. Everyone knows that when you ascended the throne, the Great Qian Dynasty faced the covetous Sword Dynasty to the north and battled the Qinglong Dynasty across the sea to the east, with troubles both inside and out. It was only through your exhaustive efforts that the Great Qian Dynasty has achieved its present grandeur!" Yang Kun said with a beaming smile.


    The ministers also said one after another, "Your Majesty is wise and martial. Continuing the legacy, you have created this prosperous era, truly a rare enlightened monarch throughout history!"


    "His Majesty is wise!"


    The crowd shouted in unison.


    Emperor Qian laughed loudly, the smile on his face becoming even brighter.


    Seeing this, Yang Kun''s lips curled up slightly, feigning regret as he let out a light sigh.


    Emperor Qian looked at him, "Kun''er, why do you sigh?"


    "Father Emperor, I just feel that Xiao Yi is too arrogant and conceited. The Ancestral Worship Ceremony is a grand event for our royal family, and even if he is injured, escorting the ritual scepter is not like participating in a life-and-death battle, he..."


    Yang Kun feigned hesitation, bitterly smiled, and said, "Let it be, let it be. Father Emperor should just consider that I said nothing, so as to avoid others thinking I have an ulterior motive!"


    Emperor Qian did not speak.


    However, his gaze flicked across the ritual scepter in his hand, and a hint of gloom emerged in the depths of his eyes, he muttered to himself, "Hmph! He''s nothing but a dog raised by our royal family. Since he does not obey, then getting rid of him it is!"


    Standing beside him, Yang Kun heard everything loud and clear, and his heart bloomed with joy, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, this is the consequence of offending me!"


    The entourage moved on mightily, reaching a place a hundred miles away from Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Qi, the eunuch, said, "Your Majesty, we''ve arrived at the point of seizing the incense!"


    "Hmm?"


    Emperor Qian opened his eyes, glanced at the incense-seizing point in front of him, and replied indifferently, "Then let us begin!"


    This incense-seizing point was precisely one hundred miles away from the peak of Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Each Ancestral Worship Ceremony''s competition for the first incense offering began here. All those participating in the competition would wait at the incense-seizing point. Once Emperor Qian raised the ritual scepter and gave the order, they would rush to Imperial Dragon Mountain as fast as they could.


    Whoever reached the peak of Imperial Dragon Mountain first and lit the incense would receive the reward for the first offering!


    Of course.


    To provide ordinary commoners with a chance to seize the first incense, the competition did not allow participation from those who had surpassed the Golden Elixir Realm Cultivation.


    "Yes!"


    Qi the eunuch immediately stepped back, and moments later, hundreds of thousands vying for the first incense assembled before the incense-seizing point.


    Upon the luxurious carriage.


    ```


    Yang Kun''s eyes swiveled and with a smile that was not quite a smile, he looked at Yang Ling, his face brimming with provocation as he said, "Little Brother, I''ve heard that you''ve recruited quite a number of strong followers in recent years. Do you dare to compare with me and see who has more capable people under command?"


    To become the Crown Prince, a prince must not only be outstanding on his own but also possess a foundation of sufficiently powerful followers.


    Backed by the Tianjian Sect, Yang Kun naturally had countless strong allies.


    He intended to use his advantage to bully Yang Ling and suppress his spirit fiercely.


    Yang Kun clapped his hands, and immediately a long-haired young man stepped forward. His long hair floated gracefully, and he carried himself with poise. As he walked, his heels never touched the ground, a manifestation of his advanced mastery of movement technique.


    Yang Kun said with a full face of pride, "Little Brother, let me introduce you, this is Zhao Yu of the Tianjian Sect, extremely skilled in the Light Body Skill. Who are you planning to send from your side?"


    Zhao Yu said, "Your Highness, you should ask Yang Ling to send a few more people! Otherwise, they might accuse us of bullying through sheer power!"


    "Nonsense!"


    Yang Kun appeared to reprimand Zhao Yu, but there was a challenging look on his face as he spoke in a mocking tone, "Little Brother, don''t take Zhao Yu''s words to heart. If indeed no one can match him, we can just call off this competition to avoid the embarrassment of a loss. What do you think?"


    "You..."


    Yang Ling''s face turned shades of green and white, looking extremely unsightly.


    This was not consoling at all; it was a slap in the face!


    Yang Kun''s words carried no hint of concealment, and the surrounding ministers and various dignitaries all turned their attention to them.


    The looks they gave Yang Ling were filled with mockery and schadenfreude.


    Even though Emperor Qian favored Yang Ling more, in terms of personal strength or the power behind him, Yang Ling was at a clear disadvantage. Moreover, rumors had already spread that Emperor Qian would announce the candidate for Crown Prince at the upcoming ancestral worship ceremony.


    Yang Kun was using this opportunity to start a fierce attack on Yang Ling, intending to crush his prestige severely.


    Despite being aware of Yang Kun''s schemes, Yang Ling truly had no such talents among his followers, his expression fluctuating. His eyes showed strong unwillingness, but more than that, helplessness...


    Sigh!


    Yang Ling let out a soft exhale, about to give up, when a sprightly voice suddenly came from the crowd, "I''ll compete with you!"


    "Hmm?"


    All eyes followed the voice in unison.


    They saw Jin Feiyan, dressed in splendid attire, striding forward with her head held high, her delicate face sporting an easy smile as she said, "Yang Ling, my master has already instructed that if Your Highness needs someone to compete for the first offering, I am to fight on your behalf!"


    "You?"


    Yang Ling was startled.


    Jin Feiyan was only at the Third Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, whereas Zhao Yu was at the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. The gap in their cultivation was huge, and Zhao Yu was an expert in movement technique.


    To have Jin Feiyan compete with him in speed was surely a joke, wasn''t it?


    Uncertainty showed on Yang Ling''s face.


    Yang Kun, on the other hand, burst into a loud laugh and said, "Little Brother, everyone says that you and Xiao Yi are close friends, but now it seems otherwise! I''ve heard that he has Ye Heng, who possesses the Battle War Holy Body in his sect, yet he doesn''t send him to aid you but lets such a milk-nosed girl come to her death. Isn''t this insulting you? Hahaha..."


    With the corners of his mouth turned up, Zhao Yu waved a finger at Jin Feiyan, "Little girl, you want to compete with me in speed? I could give you a five-mile head start and you still wouldn''t be my match!"


    "Five miles enough? I can give you ten miles for all it matters. The result will still be your loss," Jin Feiyan scoffed, eyeing Zhao Yu with contempt as she spoke dismissively.


    "Give me ten miles? Little girl, that is an insult to me!" Zhao Yu''s face turned dark enough to drip with anger as he coldly spoke.


    "Your Highness, I was sent by my master!" Jin Feiyan winked at Yang Ling.


    Yang Ling blinked with a slight frown; then he clenched his fist decisively and said, "Alright, if Xiao has such confidence in you, what reason do I have to doubt? Fei Yan, the success of this competition is in your hands!"


    "Don''t worry, Your Highness, I will not disappoint you!"


    Jin Feiyan smiled faintly and signaled Zhao Yu with a hooked finger, "Do you dare to compete?"

 Chapter 460 - 460: You Lost!

    "Dare to compete?"


    Jin Feiyan looked at Zhao Yu with a smile that was not quite a smile.


    The confident light shone brightly in her lively eyes.


    Zhao Yu''s expression darkened slightly; as a disciple of the Tianjian Sect and someone who was extremely skilled at speed using movement techniques, he had earned the appreciation of Yang Kun, who had specially brought him to participate in the contest for the first incense offering. In his eyes, taking the competition lightly was out of the question.


    In his opinion, within the same realm, no one could surpass his speed.


    But now,


    this little girl Jin Feiyan dared to disregard him completely, which caused Zhao Yu''s face to look extremely ugly as he sneered, "Afraid? Not in the slightest."


    "You''ve got some guts, but don''t cry when you lose later," Jin Feiyan said with a twinkle in her eye, her tone mocking.


    "Ridiculous, me, cry?"


    Zhao Yu let out a cold snort and made a throat-slashing gesture.


    Yang Kun''s eyes shifted slightly as he said with a smile, "Brother, since both you and I have someone participating in the contest for the head incense, why don''t we make a bet ourselves?"


    His intention was to overshadow Yang Ling and crush his spirit.


    Naturally, he wouldn''t miss any opportunity.


    Yang Ling frowned, "What kind of bet do you have in mind, elder brother?"


    Yang Kun said with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Jin Feiyan is a top student of Dean Xiao. If she loses, how about Xiao Yi relinquishes his position as dean of the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


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    Yang Ling''s expression became stern, realizing that Yang Kun''s intentions were utterly condemnable!


    Everyone knew that Xiao Yi''s position as dean of the Xiaoshanhe Institute was endorsed by him. If Xiao Yi were to be removed from his deanship midway, it would be tantamount to declaring to the world that Yang Ling''s judgement of character was flawed. It would be a tremendous blow to his reputation.


    Just as Yang Ling was about to refuse, Yang Kun continued, "Of course, if Jin Feiyan happens to win, I''ll give the Ice Phoenix back to you, how about that?"


    "The Ice Phoenix?"


    Yang Ling was visibly shaken.


    The Ice Phoenix had been seized by Yang Kun, forcing him to buy a low-level sixth-rank magical beast from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect to use as an offering instead.


    With that thought,


    Yang Ling gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I''ll take you up on that bet!"


    "With the Emperor and all the nobles as witnesses here, you can''t back out once you''ve lost," Yang Kun said with a grin, flashing his white teeth with pride.


    Yang Ling nodded firmly.


    Their wager naturally attracted the attention of the crowd. Many important figures whispered to each other, "His Highness Yang Ling is too impulsive. This is clearly a trap set by His Highness Yang Kun, and yet he''s walked right into it..."


    "I''ve heard of this Zhao Yu before. It''s said that his ancestor was Godspeed Protector Zhao, who mastered the ''Thousand Miles March'' movement technique to perfection. Among those of the same realm, finding someone who could compete with his speed is rarer than phoenix feathers and Qilin horns!"


    "Jin Feiyan? She''s just a young girl, how could she possibly beat Zhao Yu?"


    "A disciple reflects the master. With the way this young girl is so pompous and conceited, one can imagine what kind of person Xiao Yi is!"


    At this moment...


    A dull sound of a horn suddenly erupted.


    Zhao Yu''s face broke into an ecstatic smile, and he made a throat-slashing gesture at Jin Feiyan, saying, "You better give it your all, little girl! Just make sure you can at least catch the dust I kick up, haha..."


    "Idiot!"


    Jin Feiyan rolled her eyes and, flicking her long black hair, strode forward.


    "You..."


    A vicious look flashed in Zhao Yu''s eyes, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "You will utterly despair under my speed, just you wait!"


    A procession of people converged in front of the seizing incense point.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The pounding of war drums echoed.


    A mass of contenders for the head incense surged forward like a dark, steel torrent, each bursting forth at their top speed toward the summit of Imperial Dragon Mountain. The contest for the head incense did not permit flying!


    They could only rely on the strength of their legs to run wildly.


    Whoosh!


    Amidst the crowd, a black shadow dashed forward swiftly, turning into a streak of black light rushing ahead.


    It was akin to flying close to the ground.


    That person was none other than Zhao Yu!


    He took the lead on his horse, instantly surpassing everyone.


    Yang Kun burst into laughter, his face glowing red, "Zhao Yu indeed hasn''t let me down..." He turned to Yang Ling and said with a smile, "Younger brother, where is your Jin Feiyan? Wasn''t she very arrogant just now? Why can''t I see her anywhere?"


    Yang Ling: "..."


    The crowd: "..."


    Above the point of contention, Jin Feiyan could be seen standing lazily, cracking melon seeds that she had pulled out from somewhere, with no intention of moving at all.


    "Is she giving up directly?"


    "This is Xiao Yi''s Direct Disciple? Surrendering before the battle, it seems that Xiao Yi isn''t so remarkable after all!"


    "How could such a person take on the heavy responsibility of being the director of Xiaomi Institute?"


    The crowd began to mockingly say.


    Emperor Qian also frowned slightly and glanced at the nearby Qi, "Go and ask her!"


    "Yes!"


    Qi left immediately, and after a short while, he returned with a strange expression, reporting, "Your Majesty, Jin Feiyan, she said..."


    "What did she say?" asked Emperor Qian with a frown.


    Yang Kun laughed and asked, "Has she given up?"


    Qi shook his head, his expression growing more peculiar, "Jin Feiyan said she promised to let Zhao Yu start ten miles ahead, and now it hasn''t reached ten miles yet!"


    Hiss!


    Those who had previously criticized Jin Feiyan all had faces filled with astonishment.


    Huihai Sword Master narrowed his eyes and shook his head, "This woman is indeed arrogant. Zhao Yu not only has cultivated his ancestral ''Thousand Miles March'' movement technique but also our Tianjian Sect''s ''Ascending Cloud Leap'', his speed is unmatched in his realm. How dare Jin Feiyan belittle him like this?"


    Xiao Zhengde cleaned his ears and said indifferently, "My rebellious son, Xiao Yi, has always been overbearing and ignorant of the world. It is not surprising that he taught such a disciple!"


    "She is truly too arrogant!"


    "She literally has no regard for anyone else!"


    The people said one after another.


    But Dongfang, with narrowed eyes, said, "Gentlemen, this contest for the chief fragrance spans a hundred miles, and it has just begun. You are already concluding that Jin Feiyan will lose, is that not too hasty?"


    "Ridiculous. With Zhao Yu''s speed, even if they started at the same time, Jin Feiyan might not be able to catch up to him, let alone with a ten-mile head start..."


    "If she wins, I''ll straight up swallow my shoe!"


    "I''ll swallow too..."


    Ten miles.


    For someone at the Golden Core Realm, it''s merely a stone''s throw away.


    Jin Feiyan suddenly put down the melon seeds in her hand, tapped her toes on the ground, looked back at Yang Kun and the others, and said with a grin, "Gentlemen, please open your eyes wide and see what real speed is!"


    "Arrogant..."


    As Yang Kun was just about to speak, a booming sound explosion suddenly erupted, and a cloud of dust rose up from the ground.


    Turned into a sky full of sand and dust, it obscured the sight of the crowd.


    When the dust finally settled on the ground.


    The crowd then realized that Jin Feiyan had already chased three or four miles away.


    "This, this speed..."


    "How can she be so fast?"


    "A Golden Core Realm being able to burst out with such speed? My heavens, if she can maintain such speed, catching up to Zhao Yu is indeed possible..."


    "She caught up after letting him go for ten miles? That, that''s impossible, right?"


    The crowd was dumbfounded.


    Yang Ling and Dongfang, among others, however, had faces filled with ecstasy, staring fixedly at the rapidly sprinting figure, all clenching their fists: "She must catch up!"


    A hundred miles'' distance is but fifty thousand meters!


    Zhao Yu looked at the increasingly closer Imperial Dragon Mountain, his face showing a rapturous expression, and without seeing Jin Feiyan behind him, a smug smile appeared on his face: "I have won for sure!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Zhao Yu climbed Imperial Dragon Mountain at high speed.


    Seeing that the summit was just in front, but at that moment, a whooshing sound of cutting through the air passed by his ear. Zhao Yu was startled, and when he came back to his senses, he saw Jin Feiyan leaning against the gate at the top of the mountain, looking at him with a smile that was not quite a smile: "You''ve lost!"

 Chapter 461 - 461: Turning Black into White

    "You''ve lost!"


    Jin Feiyan leaned against the peak''s summit, upon the pillar of the stone gate.


    A scornful and playful smirk curled at the edge of her lips, her gaze mocking as she watched an utterly confused Zhao Yu.


    "..."


    Zhao Yu unconsciously took a few steps forward, staring blankly at Jin Feiyan before him, his complexion alternating between ashen and flushed with indescribable brilliance, "Impossible, you must have cheated. I didn''t see you at all along the way, how could you possibly win?"


    Along the way.


    He had employed the ancestral movement technique "Thousand Miles March" and the Tianjian Sect''s imposing "Ascending Cloud Leap," his speed unquestionably fast, surpassing the third-place contender by several miles in a hundred-mile race.


    But now...


    Jin Feiyan, whom he hadn''t spotted even once during the race, had surprisingly overtaken him.


    How could he believe it?


    Jin Feiyan snorted coldly with a detached tone, "Is this the grace of a Tianjian Sect disciple? When you lose, you accuse me of cheating?"


    "It''s impossible, utterly impossible!"


    Zhao Yu''s face darkened.


    He had made a guarantee in front of Yang Kun, promising to win this competition for the privilege of offering the first incense.


    Now, however, he was defeated by Jin Feiyan, someone he hadn''t even taken seriously, and Yang Kun surely wouldn''t let him off easily!


    In an instant. Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Evil intentions rose to Zhao Yu''s heart, he scanned left and right and saw no one else, his eyes flickered with a spiteful venom, "As long as I kill you now, no one will know who reached the summit of Imperial Dragon Mountain first..."


    Whoosh!


    Zhao Yu''s figure shot up abruptly, turning the sudden whirlwind into sharp blades.


    Storm blades were even sharper than knives and swords.


    Transforming into two ferocious gusts of wind, he swept towards Jin Feiyan, the blade''s sharpness causing her complexion to shift slightly.


    Just as his attack was about to succeed.


    Zhao Yu''s face was full of smugness and ferocity, "History belongs to the victor, as long as I kill you, no one will know I lost..."


    However...


    Just as his attack was about to hit Jin Feiyan.


    At the gate of the mountain.


    Beast Kings, who had long been moved to the summit like statues, simultaneously opened their eyes, their cold gazes falling on Zhao Yu as they thunderously growled, "Audacious!"


    Hum!


    The waves of sound rumbled like a tide, furiously rolling in.


    Boom!


    Zhao Yu''s offensive was crushed to pieces, and the roaring sound waves hurled him flying, causing him to spurt out a mouthful of blood. He somersaulted dozens of meters before crashing to the ground with a thud.


    Blood gushed wildly from all seven orifices.


    The two Beast Kings glared furiously, their eyes emanating a cold gleam as they stared down Zhao Yu, "How dare you cause trouble at the Xiaoshanhe Institute, do you wish to die?"


    The Beast King on the left looked toward Jin Feiyan, "Feiyan, are you alright?"


    Jin Feiyan shook her head, also feeling a lingering fear, "Thank you both for your help!"


    "You are a disciple of the Institute Head, of course we must protect you completely!"


    "Feiyan, this scoundrel dared to ambush you and sought your life, shall I slay him for you?" Both Beast Kings'' cold gazes landed on Zhao Yu, turning his complexion even more deathly pale.


    Jin Feiyan opened her mouth to speak.


    But at that moment...


    Numerous figures arrived from not far away; all were strong contestants participating in the competition for the privilege of offering the first incense. They saw Zhao Yu lying on the ground, bleeding from all his orifices, while Jin Feiyan stood beyond the stone gate. The crowd exchanged glances, "What happened here?"


    "Could it be that Jin Feiyan won?"


    "Her speed is indeed terrifying; we were leading her by several miles, but she still caught up!"


    "But how could Zhao Yu be lying here severely wounded?"


    Amidst the conversation.


    Zhao Yu, lying on the ground, suddenly shifted his gaze and yelled, "Everyone, be careful! I had already arrived at the summit of Imperial Dragon Mountain first, but just as I was about to enter, I was ambushed by these two guardian beasts and severely injured. That allowed Jin Feiyan to step ahead of me and enter the summit of Imperial Dragon Mountain..."


    "What?"


    "Is that really what happened?"


    "I know these two guardian beasts; they are both sixth-tier Beast Kings, personally subdued by Institute Head Xiao to stand guard over Imperial Dragon Mountain!"


    ```


    "Dammit... they must have deliberately interfered with Zhao Yu to secure Jin Feiyan''s victory!"


    "Such tactics are too vicious, aren''t they?"


    The crowd cursed in unison.


    At that moment, emotions ran high with indignation.


    Zhao Yu''s face was full of pride, his pale face showing a deep color of pain and sorrow as he earnestly said, "Jin Feiyan, if you had won fair and square, I, Zhao Yu, would have no complaints. But your methods are just too malicious and cunning; such actions are a disgrace to the honor of Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    "Those Beast Kings obey only Headmaster Xiao, so it must have been an order from Xiao Yi!"


    "My God... all this time I heard that Xiao Tianjiao imprisoned Xiao Yi for eight years because Xiao Yi''s character was flawed, and now it seems to be true!"


    Listeining to the crowd''s whispering and accusations.


    Each word was like a fishbone stuck in her throat; her eyes were a wronged shade of red as she defended herself, "Don''t listen to his nonsense. I never asked the two Beast Kings to step in. I was the first to arrive here, and Zhao Yu attacked me by surprise; that''s when the Beast Kings injured him..."


    Zhao Yu, with a look of anguished desperation, said, "Jin Feiyan, you are utterly shameless. I have been ahead of you all along, how could you have possibly overtaken me? Fine, since you insist on confusing right and wrong, I will prove my innocence by severing my own arm!"


    Crack!


    Zhao Yu was decisive, breaking his own left arm on the spot.


    Pale bones pierced through flesh; blood cascaded down from his arm.


    Zhao Yu''s face turned pale as he endured the intense pain and roared, "Do you believe me now?"


    "Zhao Yu, we believe you!"


    "Jin Feiyan, you have no shame!"


    "Xiao Yi is disgraceful!"


    "Xiaoshanhe Institute, so faceless..." the crowd pointed at Jin Feiyan, shouting accusations.


    The two Beast Kings, hearing them insult Xiao Yi, let out simultaneous angry growls. At that moment, a dull horn sounded. Emperor Qian and others were seen approaching in a grand procession; they too witnessed the scene before them.


    Yang Kun immediately came forward to inquire and after a moment, with a gloomy expression, he looked at Jin Feiyan and said, "Jin Feiyan, I didn''t expect you to be so shameless!"


    "Brother Emperor, how can you take his word for it on this matter?" Yang Ling said.


    Yang Kun snorted coldly, "What? With ironclad evidence, do you think there''s any other possibility? Or do you think Brother Zhao is lying?"


    In the crowd, someone speculated, "It''s not impossible that he''s lying."


    "Without concrete evidence, indeed it''s not right to rashly believe one side''s words..."


    As the crowd discussed this,


    Huihai Sword Master simply stated, "Disciples of Tianjian Sect have virtuous conduct; they would never lie!"


    Hiss!


    Everyone was taken aback.


    This was indeed a super expert from the Nirvana Realm; under his icy gaze, those who had been skeptical changed their tune, "Huihai Deputy Sect Master is right, the disciples of Tianjian Sect have conduct that can withstand scrutiny; they shouldn''t lie!"


    "On the other hand, Xiaoshanhe Institute... Yes, I''ve heard that many of them are slaves from Beast Emperor City; using any dirty tactics wouldn''t be surprising!"


    Facing the crowd''s accusations and questioning,


    Jin Feiyan felt utterly indignant and unable to defend herself, and with a face full of shame she said, "I really didn''t cheat... What must I do for you all to believe me?"


    Yang Kun indifferently said, "Brother Zhao dared to prove his innocence by severing his arm. If you truly are innocent, do you dare to kill yourself to prove your purity?"


    "Kill myself?"


    Jin Feiyan trembled all over.


    This was asking her to commit suicide!


    Seeing Jin Feiyan hesitate, Yang Kun said with a sneer, "Look... you really are guilty, you dare not prove your innocence! It seems that Xiaoshanhe Institute really is hiding filth, even daring to cheat in such a solemn competition like Head Fragrance Contest. It appears Xiao Yi is indeed unfit to continue as the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Shut up!"


    Jin Feiyan, seeing Yang Kun directly insulting Xiao Yi, had her eyes turn red with rage, her chest heaving violently as she roared, "None of you believe me, so today I will prove my innocence with my life."


    Zing!


    Jin Feiyan suddenly pulled out a short sword and swung it towards her neck.


    The faces of most present bore an indifferent expression, some even subtly excited. Only Yang Ling, Qi, and Dongfang had a change in expression, ready to intervene, yet they were stopped by a sword stroke from Huihai Sword Master.


    Huihai Sword Master calmly said, "Since she wants to prove her innocence, it''s best you don''t interfere!"


    "You..."


    Yang Ling and the others'' faces changed rapidly.


    Just as Jin Feiyan''s life was about to end at her own short sword, a cold light burst forth in that instant.


    Clang!


    The sword flew from her hand, buzzing as it embedded itself in the ground. In the void, an indifferent voice arose, "Whether my disciple Xiao Yi is innocent or not, does not require your approval."


    ```

 Chapter 462 - 462: Am I Afraid of You?

    "Whether my disciple is innocent or not, who are you to acknowledge?"


    A calm voice came through.


    Xiao Yi''s figure also gradually appeared in everyone''s line of sight; he had been waiting with a group of Xiaoshanhe Institute''s disciples outside the sacrificial hall atop the peak. Sensing Jin Feiyan and others arriving at the top but not entering,


    he came out to see what was happening.


    Unexpectedly, he discovered Zhao Yu distorting facts, and the others, failing to distinguish right from wrong, were all accusing Jin Feiyan.


    That''s when Xiao Yi showed himself!


    "Xiao Yi?"


    "Humph, as the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute, he didn''t personally escort the sacrificial scepter during the ritual ceremony, and he even taught such a disciple. Yet he still dares to appear before us?"


    "This is called ''the shameless are invincible.'' His skin is really thick enough!"


    Facing the mockery of the crowd, Xiao Yi remained indifferent as if he hadn''t heard anything.


    He walked straight to Jin Feiyan.


    With red-rimmed eyes and a trace of injustice, Jin Feiyan bit her lower lip tightly and whispered, "Master!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, smiled and rubbed her head, saying, "You''ve done well. In just a few days, you have cultivated the movement technique I taught you to such a level. You haven''t disappointed me!"


    Indeed, Jin Feiyan''s talent in the art of movement techniques had truly shocked Xiao Yi.


    Even if he cultivated that movement technique himself, his progress would definitely not be much higher than Jin Feiyan''s.


    Receiving Xiao Yi''s praise brought a hint of joy to Jin Feiyan''s pretty face, but thinking of how others questioned Xiao Yi because of her, she suddenly felt aggrieved and ashamed, "Master, your disciple has brought you trouble... I have embarrassed you..."


    Ssh!


    Xiao Yi raised his index finger to his lips in a silencing gesture, smiling as he said, "What''s there to be ashamed of if you won fair and square? The real shame is on those who, having lost, refuse to admit it and instead distort the truth, and on those worthless creatures who, though unable to distinguish between right and wrong, parade around touting justice!"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s remarks were like a bolt from the blue, causing many in the crowd to gasp in shock.


    Several glared at him furiously.


    Zhao Yu laughed coldly with a sarcastic tone, "Like master, like disciple. Headmaster Xiao''s ability to twist the truth is indeed breathtaking! No wonder Jin Feiyan is so un..."


    Before he could finish speaking,


    Zhao Yu suddenly felt his throat being tightly seized, unable to make the slightest sound.


    Whoosh!


    Zhao Yu''s entire body floated up into the air.


    He desperately clutched at his neck, his face turning red with strain, eyes bloodshot with pain, despair, and fear.


    "Let him go!"


    "Xiao Yi, what do you intend to do?"


    "Zhao Yu is a disciple of the Tianjian Sect, are you trying to provoke a war between Tianjian Sect and Xiaoshanhe Institute?" The powerful figures shouted in rage and Yang Kun, his face steely, rebuked them with a low voice.


    Xiao Yi looked at them coldly and said with a faint smile, "War? If you want to fight, then let''s fight. What do I have to be afraid of?"


    With a crisp snap,


    Zhao Yu, who had been struggling violently, shook all over, his hands falling limply, as he lost all signs of life.


    Hiss!


    Inside and outside the gate, silence fell.


    Gulp!


    Someone swallowed hard, breaking the deadly quiet, followed by successive gasps of shock and shouts, "Fuck, did Xiao Yi really kill Zhao Yu?" S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Has he gone mad? Doesn''t he fear the Tianjian Sect''s revenge?"


    "Look at the face of the Huihai Sword Master, it''s as black as coal��"


    Amidst the shocked exclamations,


    The eyes of the Huihai Sword Master instantly narrowed into slits, emitting a cold and sharp light like a sword blade, sending out frosty piercing beams as if aiming to penetrate one''s soul.


    He was the Deputy Sect Master of the Tianjian Sect.


    Among those present...


    Apart from Emperor Qian, he held the highest strength and status.


    His appearance here was specifically to support Yang Kun and demonstrate the power of the Tianjian Sect!


    But now.


    It was under his very eyes that a disciple of the Tianjian Sect had been killed by Xiao Yi.


    This was tantamount to a direct slap in the face!


    "You, how dare you do this..."


    Yang Kun glared with wide eyes, his gaze filled with shock and fury, but even more so with wild joy, "Well done, Xiao Yi, you truly are heartless and mad. You dare to brazenly kill a disciple of my Tianjian Sect, this is a challenge to my Sect, you''re simply seeking death!"


    Bang!


    With a flick of his wrist.


    Xiao Yi tossed the corpse of Zhao Yu right in front of Yang Kun.


    His face carried an indifferent expression, not taking Yang Kun''s threats seriously at all, and he spoke calmly, "I merely killed a piece of trash who broke the rules of the Ancestral Worship Ceremony, how does that become a challenge to your Tianjian Sect? Could it be that the Tianjian Sect has now elevated itself above the royal family?"


    "You..."


    Yang Kun opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.


    Nod his head?


    That would be purely seeking death!


    Emperor Qian was already extremely wary of the Tianjian Sect, if he dared to nod, the position of Crown Prince would definitely be beyond his reach.


    As for shaking his head to deny?


    That would displease the Huihai Sword Master and cause years of his hard work to go down the drain.


    In the midst of Yang Kun''s dilemma.


    The Huihai Sword Master with an icy expression slowly spoke up, saving Yang Kun from his embarrassment, "Headmaster Xiao is indeed quick-witted and eloquent!"


    Xiao Yi met the Huihai Sword Master with neither servility nor overbearingness.


    This was a super expert in the Nirvana Realm.


    His combat power was even above that of Yang Yuhuan.


    Xiao Yi faced him without any trace of fear, instead remaining composed and spoke calmly, "Whether first-rate or second-rate, it doesn''t matter, as long as one isn''t too disgraceful in conduct. Huihai Deputy Sect Master, what do you think?"


    "Are you... are you speaking about me?" the Huihai Sword Master narrowed his eyes and said.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "What do you think?"


    Eyes locked, their gaze clashed like substance, emitting a sizzling sound.


    Invisibly.


    Around the two of them at the center, a vacuum seemed to form, where onlookers could only watch, unable to intervene.


    "Enough!"


    Just as the tension between the two was about to erupt into combat.


    Emperor Qian, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, his voice breaking the tense atmosphere before him. Seeing everyone looking towards himself, he said, "Today is the grand joyous day of the Ancestral Worship Ceremony, all of you settle down for me!"


    "What does Your Majesty imply? Are you saying that you would stand by and do nothing while watching a Tianjian Sect disciple be killed?" the Huihai Sword Master narrowed his eyes and said.


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly without saying a word.


    Emperor Qian let out a cold snort, his expression growing more displeased as he spoke indifferently, "Qi, you tell us, who arrived here first. And whether Jin Feiyan has cheated again."


    "Yes!"


    Qi stepped forward and blew a whistle towards the sky.


    Piercing shrieks descended from the heavens as a figure burst through the heavy clouds. This was a sixth-order high-level Beast King, the Iron Winged Golden Crowned Sculpture. After landing, it announced, "In the competition for the first incense offering, the victor is..."

 Chapter 463 - 463 Dominant and Overbearing

    "The winner of the head temple contest is Jin Feiyan!"


    The Iron Winged Golden Crowned Sculpture spoke without expression, its head held high and chest puffed out, now even more imposing, as it clearly declared.


    Jin Feiyan!


    As soon as these three words were uttered, the previously noisy crowd fell silent.


    Qi respectfully turned around to bow to Emperor Qian and then looked towards everyone else, calmly saying, "I have followed His Majesty''s orders from early on, having the Iron Winged Golden Crowned Sculpture oversee from high above, to monitor all participants of this head temple contest; since it says Jin Feiyan is the first, then the liar here is Zhao Yu!"


    Buzz!


    The gazes of the multitude of powerhouses unanimously turned to Huihai Sword Master and Yang Kun.


    Their complexions fluctuated with uncertainty.


    This turn of events...


    Not only had Zhao Yu died in vain, but now he was also tagged with the indelible stain of a villain who twisted truth and lies, adding such a blemish on the Tianjian Sect!


    Huihai Sword Master snorted coldly, his expression dark and unfathomable, "Qi, I cannot accept what you say. If the Iron Winged Golden Crowned Sculpture had truly been monitoring in secret all along, then why didn''t you reveal it at the start? Instead, you waited until after Xiao Yi killed a Tianjian Sect disciple before bringing it out. Doesn''t this seem like you''re deliberately confusing people?"


    Yang Kun also said in a deep voice, "The Deputy Sect Master is right; how come I wasn''t aware of the Iron Winged Golden Crowned Sculpture''s secret surveillance?"


    Emperor Qian, from start to finish, watched with narrowing eyes, leaning back on the dragon throne without uttering a word.


    He observed everything with detached interest.


    Whew!


    Qi exhales a long breath of turbid air, saying in a serious tone, "It seems Huihai Sword Master has misunderstood. The Iron Winged Golden Crowned Sculpture has indeed been secretly monitoring; this was His Majesty''s arrangement. As for why it wasn''t revealed earlier, you did not give us the chance to speak!"


    Qi spread his hands, his expression harmlessly benign.


    This caused Huihai Sword Master and Yang Kun, among others, to grind their teeth in frustration.


    But at this juncture...


    They were equally powerless to say anymore.


    Yang Ling was ecstatic within his heart and turned to Yang Kun, extending his palms saying, "Elder brother, a wager is a wager; it''s time to fulfill your promise!"


    "Hmph!"


    Yang Kun snorted coldly, extremely reluctant in his heart, but under the watchful eyes of the public, he could not cheat. Otherwise, his reputation as the crown prince would be utterly ruined. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Here, take it then!"


    Swish!


    With a flick of his hand, Yang Kun tossed a beast-holding bag into Yang Ling''s hands.


    The bag felt cool to the touch.


    Upon a brief examination, Yang Ling ascertained that indeed it was the Ice Snow Phoenix inside. Feeling overjoyed, he said sarcastically, "Many thanks to my royal brother for the treasure!"


    "We are brothers; what''s there to thank?"


    Yang Kun waved his hand nonchalantly, a sly smile on his face, "If not for my younger brother, how could I have found that mutated magical beast as an offering? Tsk tsk, that beast is extremely rare; even the Huihai Sword Master failed to recognize its species. Surely offering it to our ancestors will delight them greatly!"


    While speaking,


    Yang Kun stepped in front of Xiao Yi, his lips curving up slightly in a challenging tone, "Dean Xiao, you must also think our ancestors would be very pleased with that beast as an offering, right?"


    Whew!


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than a crisp slap resounded.


    A fair hand struck fiercely across his face, sending Yang Kun tumbling to the ground.


    Everyone: "..."


    Each person was utterly bewildered as they watched Xiao Yi.


    This was the esteemed crown prince!


    And you just slapped him across the face in public?


    Even Emperor Qian, seated upon the dragon throne, tensed suddenly, his eyes involuntarily narrowing to slits. With only a slight turn of his eyes, Emperor Qian leaned back on his throne, yet his gaze never once strayed from Xiao Yi.


    Whew!


    Yang Kun shook his head to clear it and soon came back to his senses, his lips smeared with fresh blood, especially vivid. His eyes instantly bloodshot, he roared hysterically, "You dare to hit me? Xiao Yi, I will slaughter..."


    ```


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi, with an expressionless face, simply backhanded Yang Kun, flipping him onto the ground. S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although Xiao Yi, who had visualized and condensed the embryo of Dharma Manifestation, had not truly set foot in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, his martial power was incomparably greater than before.


    In front of Xiao Yi, Yang Kun had no power to fight back.


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi stepped on Yang Kun''s face, rubbing it under his foot with a grating noise, under the stunned gaze of the onlookers, in full view of everyone.


    Yang Kun was in utter despair and his eyes were bloodshot.


    Full of hatred and venom.


    But when he opened his mouth, only mud came out, and he couldn''t make a sound.


    All of this seemed slow, but actually happened in an instant.


    The Huihai Sword Master finally came to his senses, his eyes instantly sharp. Yang Kun was a disciple of his Tianjian Sect, and this was tantamount to grinding the face of the Tianjian Sect into the dirt!


    Swish!


    In a snap of the fingers of the Huihai Sword Master, a blue cold Sword Qi sliced through the air toward them.


    This Sword Qi was incomparably cold.


    Wherever it passed...


    The air and ground were covered in frost.


    Just as the blue sword light was about to fall on Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi flicked his toe, sending Yang Kun flying into its path.


    Yang Kun, his face swollen and bruised, faced the icy blue sword light.


    "Not good!"


    The Huihai Sword Master''s face changed dramatically, and he rapidly flicked his fingers, shooting out several Sword Qis to shatter the blue sword light. But the shards of the shattered sword light still fell on Yang Kun, instantly slicing open countless wounds on his body.


    Scores of cuts crisscrossed, covered in blood, the wounds like countless bloodied centipedes crawling on his skin.


    The pain made Yang Kun grimace and howl incessantly.


    "Damn it... Xiao Yi, how dare you?" the Huihai Sword Master, shaking with rage, questioned furiously.


    Xiao Yi, holding Yang Kun with one hand, smiled even more brilliantly as the Huihai Sword Master grew angrier, "Yang Kun dared to use my brother as a sacrifice, what should I not dare to do?"


    "Bastard!"


    The Huihai Sword Master shouted angrily, "Everyone knows that the sacrifice can only be a beast. Are you willing to become an enemy of the Tianjian Sect over a mere animal?"


    "An animal? In your eyes, Little Lin is a beast, but in mine, isn''t Yang Kun just an ant? I''m making it clear today, either he releases Little Lin, or I''ll take his life!" Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    "Damn, Xiao Yi is going mad!"


    "Emperor Qian has been watching all along, how can he dare to do this? Doesn''t he fear angering the emperor?"


    "He''s just making threats, he wouldn''t really dare to act, right...?"


    Amid the doubts of the crowd, Xiao Yi''s hand gripping Yang Kun was exerting more force.


    Crack crack crack!


    A series of bone-crunching sounds came from Yang Kun''s neck, giving listeners the chills.


    Dominant!


    Tyrannical!


    Even the strongest of the strong looked at each other in dismay, deeply shocked by Xiao Yi''s actions.


    Who among those present, even someone as powerful as the Huihai Sword Master, would dare to beat a prince in front of Emperor Qian, even to threaten his life?


    Who would dare?


    Under the watchful eyes of shock, Yang Kun was the first to falter. He grabbed desperately at Xiao Yi, his eyes almost bulging out as he screamed in despair, "Spare... spare my life... I, I''ll return it to you..."


    However.


    Just as he finished his plea, a deep voice suddenly rang out, "If you''re going to kill him, do it quickly; if not, let him go, and don''t delay the auspicious time for the ancestral sacrifice..."


    ```

 Chapter 464 - 464: Beat the Hell Out of You!

    "If you want to kill, kill; if you dare not, then release him!"


    The calm voice carried a faint authority.


    It was the Emperor Qian who spoke from atop the dragon throne, lazily leaning on the side, his eyes slightly squinted into slits, indifference lurking deep within them.


    Everyone around bore sneering smiles, taking pleasure in Xiao Yi''s misfortune.


    "Xiao Yi is truly caught in a dilemma now!"


    "After all, that''s the Crown Prince, even if he has more favor towards the Tianjian Sect, causing dissatisfaction to His Majesty. But he''s still a prince, and Xiao Yi''s actions are equivalent to disregarding the royal family, he''s courting death!"


    "If he does not release the Crown Prince, Emperor Qian will not let him off; if he releases him, Xiao Yi will be utterly disgraced!"


    Among the crowd,


    Nangong Shengtian wore a thick sneer, his fists unconsciously clenched tight, revealing a fierce look as he thought, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, this is the consequence of your arrogance. Today, without me lifting a finger, you only have one path left��death!"


    Beside him, the Unparalleled War King, Yang Yuhuan, had his arms crossed, his face revealing mockery: "Under the vast sky, is there any land that isn''t the king''s? At the edge of the land, is there any man who isn''t the king''s subject? No matter how capable he is, he''s ultimately just a dog raised by our royal family. If he obeys, he will naturally enjoy riches and honor; if he disobeys, the royal family can replace him with another dog at any time!"


    Qi and Yang Ling both wore anxious expressions.


    Seeing Qi about to speak up, Yang Ling hastily shot him a look to stop him, gently shaking his head at Qi. Yang Ling''s gaze discreetly swept past Emperor Qian.


    His meaning was self-evident.


    What Emperor Qian loathed most was anyone going against his wishes.


    Since he had already spoken, he would not allow anyone to speak up for Xiao Yi.


    Yang Kun, who was being held in Xiao Yi''s grasp, saw this and a triumphant look spread across his fierce face. He spoke fearlessly, "Xiao Yi, aren''t you very arrogant? If you have the guts, kill me! If you kill me, not only will you die, everyone from the Xiaoshanhe Institute will have to be buried with me!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes at him: "..."


    Seeing this, Yang Kun became even more reckless, his sneer growing as he moved his face closer to Xiao Yi''s, "Hit me! If you have the nerve, hit me! Do you dare? Do you da��"


    Slap!


    Slap slap slap!


    Xiao Yi''s palm moved like a phantom.


    A direct slap.


    A backhand slap.


    A flurry of direct and backhand slaps!


    After a rapid beating, the Yang Kun in Xiao Yi''s hand was now hanging his head, looking like a wretched dead dog.


    "Xiao Yi!"


    Emperor Qian leaned forward slightly, his hands gripping the arms of his throne tightly, a tangible chill shooting from his narrowed eyes towards Xiao Yi. The intangible pressure seemed capable of crushing the void itself.


    The surrounding powerhouses looked at each other, their faces as pale as sheets of white paper.


    Despite being under the terrifying pressure of Emperor Qian, Xiao Yi appeared indifferent, completely unaffected.


    The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and he shrugged at Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty Emperor Qian, I will give you this face. I won''t kill him in front of you, but, can you protect him for a moment, or for a lifetime?" Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Audacious Xiao Yi, you dare to openly threaten His Majesty?"


    "You are seeking death!"


    A chorus of court officials roared in anger.


    "Shut up!"


    Emperor Qian barked coldly, causing the officials to shut their mouths. He glared darkly at Xiao Yi.


    It was just as Yang Yuhuan had said.


    In the eyes of Emperor Qian, Xiao Yi was nothing more than a dog raised by the royal family!


    The previous indulgence towards Xiao Yi, in the eyes of Emperor Qian, was only because Xiao Yi had managed the Xiaoshanhe Institute so well that it was flourishing, even showing signs of returning to the ranks of the top ten sects.


    But now��


    Xiao Yi was increasingly out of his control.


    For an emperor, a power that can''t be controlled naturally won''t be tolerated much.


    Emperor Qian said coldly, "Xiao Yi, what exactly do you want?"


    Xiao Yi inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled.


    He had long known the Tian family was heartless.


    But...


    Previously, whether it was Emperor Qian or Yang Ling, their interactions with him had been quite in sync, but now what Emperor Qian had done completely chilled his heart. Xiao Yi said with a heavy voice, "Return Little Lin, and I won''t make things difficult for him!"


    "Is that all?" Emperor Qian was taken aback.


    He had always felt that Xiao Yi was only using Little Lin as an excuse to ask for more benefits.


    He had never expected that Xiao Yi''s demands would be so simple.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "That''s all!"


    "Very well!"


    Emperor Qian hesitated for a moment, then nodded. However, the look he gave Xiao Yi became even colder, "I can have Yang Kun return Little Lin, but you must remember that after this ancestral worship ceremony, you will no longer be the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Rest assured!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "You don''t need to tell me; I would resign from the position myself!"


    "Hmph!"


    Emperor Qian snorted coldly and looked towards Yang Kun, "Return that beast to Xiao Yi!"


    Yang Kun''s face was bruised, and his eyes were teary.


    He was filled with reluctance.


    But at the thought of Xiao Yi''s terrifying slap, he couldn''t help trembling all over and quickly looked towards the Huihai Sword Master in the crowd, "Deputy, Deputy Sect Master, please, return the beast to him..."


    "Your Highness..." Huihai Sword Master looked hesitant.


    Little Lin was extremely unusual, and even he could not discern its kind.


    If used as a sacrificial offering, it would undoubtedly aid Yang Kun in securing first place in the cultural sacrifice.


    Especially since Yang Kun''s Ice Snow Phoenix had lost to Yang Ling, if they didn''t have Little Lin as an offering, they wouldn''t be able to present a beast capable of defeating the Ice Snow Phoenix!


    Yang Kun said with anger, "Return it to him!"


    "This... Alas..."


    Huihai Sword Master hesitated for a moment, then let out a long sigh and waved his hand, sending a beast-storing bag flying towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi grabbed it with one hand.


    He checked briefly.


    Little Lin was lying inside the beast-storing bag, quietly asleep, with its scales shattered and its body covered in ferocious wounds, clearly having been beaten and harshly punished.


    There were two black chains piercing through its body, binding it tightly.


    Blood had spread along the chains, already dried up and turned into dark scabs.


    It was particularly jarring.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes instantly turned red, and his malevolent gaze swept towards Yang Kun and the Huihai Sword Master. His bloodshot eyes seemed as if they would devour someone alive as he asked, word by word, "Who did this?"


    Yang Kun trembled all over and quickly said, "This, this was all done by the Deputy Sect Master of Huihai. He was worried about controlling it during the sacrifice, so he used the Demon Binding Chains to control it."


    "Yang Kun..."


    The Huihai Sword Master''s face darkened, not expecting Yang Kun to sell him out outright.


    The Huihai Sword Master glared at Yang Kun fiercely, but it was more annoyance than anything. In his view, even if Yang Kun told Xiao Yi that he was responsible, Xiao Yi couldn''t do anything to him with his strength.


    With an assured yet challenging look, the Huihai Sword Master faced Xiao Yi, "Even if I did it, what can you do?"


    "What can I do?"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, staring at the Huihai Sword Master, and cracked a smile, "Kick your ass!"

 Chapter 465 - 465: Beating Up Huihai Sword Master

    "Beat me up? What kind of dream are you having, I''m..."


    The Huihai Sword Master was as if he had heard the most ludicrous joke. He was a grand master of the Nirvana Realm within the Seven Nihilities Realm, while Xiao Yi was merely at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm. Xiao Yi was actually thinking about beating him up?


    However...


    Before the Huihai Sword Master could finish his sentence, Xiao Yi in front of him suddenly vanished.


    When he appeared again.


    He was already in front of him, and Xiao Yi raised his fist and smashed it towards his head...


    Bang!


    The Huihai Sword Master had never imagined that Xiao Yi would truly dare to strike. Caught completely off guard, a muffled thud sounded as Xiao Yi''s fist landed squarely on his face. With a vision full of stars and his head spinning, the Huihai Sword Master was slammed to the ground with a thud.


    Hiss!


    Around them rose a chorus of sharp intakes of breath.


    Everyone looked on in shock.


    Who would have thought that Xiao Yi, who was merely at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, would actually dare to strike against the Huihai Sword Master of the Seven Nihilities Realm?


    "You motherf..."


    The Huihai Sword Master got up furiously, his eyes filled with rage as he gathered icy Evil Qi in his palms. The aura of the Seven Nihilities Realm exploded instantly, mixing with his fury and turning into a deadly sharp edge.


    However...


    Xiao Yi, showing no fear at all, sneered, "I am the Chief Sacrifice, touching me is blaspheming the ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty, see what happens if you dare to lay a finger on me."


    "..."


    The face of the Huihai Sword Master twitched.


    The Chief Sacrifice was not to be insulted!


    This was the consensus among all the major powers.


    If he truly struck Xiao Yi at this time, even Emperor Qian would have an excuse to penalize him, possibly even implicating the Tianjian Sect.


    The face of the Huihai Sword Master froze, having realized why Xiao Yi dared to be so brazen. While he was distracted, Xiao Yi leaped high into the air, with his knees crashing down onto his chest.


    Boom!


    Caught off guard again, the Huihai Sword Master was slammed hard to the ground, and Xiao Yi rolled over to sit on top of his chest.


    With one hand clutching his throat and the other hand furiously hammering away.


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    Dozens upon hundreds of punches were thrown in an instant, all landing on the body of the Huihai Sword Master. He was left battered and bruised, his nose swollen and his face a mess. The people around trembled with awe as they watched Xiao Yi pummeling the Huihai Sword Master wildly.


    "Xiao Yi, enough!"


    Emperor Qian couldn''t stand to watch and let out a cold snort.


    "One more punch!"


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi''s punch hit the Huihai Sword Master right on the face, causing his vision to go dark and blood to spray from his nose. Only then did he get up, looking pleased, and bowed to Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi has lost his composure!"


    Emperor Qian: "..."


    You still realize you lost your composure? Look at what you did to the Huihai Sword Master?


    At this moment, the Huihai Sword Master felt like dying, wishing he could kill Xiao Yi with a single palm strike, but his status as the Chief Sacrifice held him back, preventing him from acting. His eyes, filled with hatred and resentment, glared at Xiao Yi, his teeth grinding, "You little bastard, just wait... the ceremony will eventually end!"


    "Do you want to be beaten up again?" Xiao Yi said with narrowed eyes.


    The Huihai Sword Master, trembling with anger, gritted his teeth, "Fine fine fine, just you wait!"


    The enraged Huihai Sword Master gloomily returned to the crowd, but that icy and venomous gaze never left Xiao Yi.


    "Is he asking for a shorter life?"


    "I think he has given up and is throwing caution to the wind. His Majesty Emperor Qian does not want to replace the Chief Sacrifice now to avoid affecting the Ancestral Worship Ceremony. He also has the protection of being the head of the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Perhaps, out of respect for His Majesty, the Huihai Sword Master may not kill him for the time being, but once the Ancestral Worship Ceremony ends, that will be his death anniversary..."


    "Are you all overthinking it? Don''t forget that Xiao Yi and I still have a battle agreement. Whether he can even make it to the end of the Ancestral Worship Ceremony is still in question," Nangong Shengji said with a smirk after glancing at the chattering crowd.


    Over the past few days...


    He reflected deeply on his pain and, with the help of Yang Yuhuan, ultimately took that step.


    From the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he had now stepped into the Nirvana Realm.


    Moreover, he possessed a treasure obtained in exchange for nearly half of the Nangong Family''s assets. Confident now more than ever, he was convinced that if Xiao Yi fought him, the outcome could only be death!


    Just then...


    A loud bell rang out from the mountain top.


    Dong!


    Thud!


    Thud, thud!


    Eighteen times in succession.


    Qi glanced towards the summit and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the eighteen continuous bells have sounded; it''s the auspicious time to offer the first incense in the Ancestral Worship Ceremony!"


    "Hmm!"


    Emperor Qian nodded and said, "Xiao Yi, begin!"


    "Alright!"


    Xiao Yi responded, looking towards Jin Feiyan: "Fei Yan, offer the first incense!"


    "Yes, Master!"


    Jin Feiyan quickly nodded, breaking free from the tense atmosphere that had just been as taut as a drawn bow, wiping the sweat from her forehead. With a leap, she took the long incense that was placed before the mountain gate and walked towards the large cauldron ahead.


    With each step, a bowing of the head.


    After bowing her head ninety-nine times, Jin Feiyan finally placed the first incense stick into the cauldron.


    The strong figures around looked at Jin Feiyan with eyes full of intense envy and jealousy, as the reward for offering the first incense was exceedingly generous.


    It was enough to change the destiny of a family!


    However.


    The battle for offering the first incense this time was full of twists and turns, with continuous reversals.


    Those strong figures who had not managed to secure the position for the first incense witnessed Xiao Yi''s strength and dominance, and thus, they dared not stir any trouble at this time.


    The first incense had been offered.


    The Ancestral Worship Ceremony was now to enter the official sacrificial segment, and as the dean of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi would traditionally take on the role of main officiating priest, responsible for presiding over the ceremony.


    Under the watchful eyes of the audience, Xiao Yi cleared his throat with a light cough, then stepped forward: "Ladies and gentlemen, today is a joyous day of the Great Qian Dynasty''s Ancestral Worship Ceremony, and it shall be I who act as the main officiating priest."


    This time, no one spoke further.


    After all��


    The Ancestral Worship Ceremony was a matter related to the royal face, and even if they were inclined to make things difficult for Xiao Yi, they would absolutely not dare to make a move at this time.


    Xiao Yi said aloud, "Emperor Qian, dismount your horse!"


    Whoosh!


    Emperor Qian rose to his full height, his dragon robe fluttering with noise, his face solemn and majestic without anger. His walk was as powerful as a tiger''s stride and as graceful as a dragon''s glide, his dignity such that all the ministers behind him were filled with willing submission, loudly proclaiming, "Long live our Emperor, may he live forever��"


    "May Emperor Qian enjoy a reign of ten thousand autumns and the Great Qian Dynasty flourish for all eternity��"


    Wuuu, wuuu, wuuu��


    A series of somber horn sounds suddenly arose.


    In the midst of these horn sounds,


    Emperor Qian approached Xiao Yi, his eyes carrying a hint of resistance and coldness, but constrained by the rules of the Ancestral Worship Ceremony, Emperor Qian had no choice but to respectfully hold the sacrificial fist and palm in front of Xiao Yi, bowing his head slightly and saying solemnly, "The thirteenth Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, together with his ministers, worships the ancestral lineage, please Main Priest, lead the way!"


    "Granted!"


    Xiao Yi responded loudly.


    With a wave of his hand,


    Xiao Yi took the sacrificial scepter from Emperor Qian''s hands and pointed behind him: "The Main Priest leads the way, for the worship of the ancestral lineage��"


    In that moment,


    The summit resounded with loud sacrificial hymns: "To virtue divine, who else do we reference? Diligence in southern tours, ceremony ascends to join. Hereby concluded, blessings bestowed upon the people. Shrine''s likeness remains, sincerity unswerving. Today the virtue errs on the side of time, the pouring rain mournful. Descending are the floods, muddying the blend��"


    Xiao Yi bellowed out: "Lost souls, return!"


    Emperor Qian and the others responded: "Return��"


    Xiao Yi held the sacrificial scepter in his hand, leading at the forefront, each step taken with such solemnity and gravity. Everyone else followed suit behind him, matching his pace in reverence, the black stream of people slowly moving toward the central altar at the mountain summit.


    From the mountain gate to the altar, there were precisely ninety-nine steps.


    Nine is the ultimate number.


    The Emperor is revered as the Sublime of Nine-Five!


    The significance of these ninety-nine steps is not only a hope for the longevity of the Great Qian Dynasty''s national fate but also signifies that the ancestral lineage of the Great Qian Dynasty is valued even more than the Emperor himself, above the Sublime of Nine-Five!


    Xiao Yi reached the center of the altar.


    This altar was octagonal, all made of white Han marble; it is said that to construct this altar, the Great Qian Dynasty had excavated several dozens of white marble mines.


    Nine Dragon Locking Columns stood around the altar.


    Xiao Yi, standing in the center of the altar, raised the sacrificial scepter and said aloud, "The first phase of sacrifice��offering!" sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 466 - 466 The Unfaithful, Unwise, and Unrighteous

    Sacrifice!


    It was the first part of the ancestral sacrifice ceremony, also known as the literary sacrifice.


    People brought forward their prepared offerings in turn, presenting them on the altar to the ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Whose offering was the most precious,


    could take over the position of the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s director as the main sacrificer, holding the scepter of sacrifice and preside over the following ceremony. This position was not merely a symbol of status, but also a matter of honor.


    Especially for the princes who were vying for the position of Crown Prince, it meant gaining the recognition of the ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Future succession of the throne would come with added benefits!


    For this very reason...


    whether it was Yang Kun or Yang Ling, both spared no expense in seeking powerful and precious mythical beasts as offerings, so as to secure the position of main sacrificer.


    The entire literary sacrifice process was very solemn.


    Anyone presenting an offering needed to kneel three times and kowtow nine times, holding the beast storage bag with both hands and delivering it to the altar.


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd,


    one after another, powerful figures approached the altar with their offerings. After all, this was the Great Qian Dynasty''s ancestral sacrifice ceremony, an event for the royal family to pay homage to their ancestors. Despite some forces and powerful individuals having little regard for Emperor Qian,


    however...


    at such a solemn moment, even the mighty Tianjian Sect or the proud Huihai Sword Master did not dare to make the slightest error.


    The Huihai Sword Master stepped forward first, holding a beast storage bag in both hands.


    He knelt three times and kowtowed nine times.


    Muttering prayers under his breath.


    "The Huihai Sword Master represents the Tianjian Sect, I wonder what sort of exceptional offering they will bring this time?"


    "Although the Tianjian Sect always presents offerings at each ancestral sacrifice ceremony, I''ve heard they tend to just offer some low-ranking mythical beasts each time, it''s probably no different this time!"


    "Regardless of what the Tianjian Sect does, what I''m curious about right now is what Prince Yang Kun has prepared. Having lost his beast offering, I wonder if he has a backup plan. If not, he''s in trouble!"


    The struggle for the Crown Prince''s position between Yang Kun and Yang Ling was a fierce battle where it was either his death or mine.


    The victor would ascend to the throne, the loser would be branded a rebel, with no life to speak of!


    Throughout the ages...


    those who fought for that position have never met with a good end if they failed!


    At that moment,


    the Huihai Sword Master had just placed the beast storage bag representing the Tianjian Sect on the altar, and as he rose, his energy tightly locked onto Xiao Yi. A chilly voice exploded in Xiao Yi''s ear as he passed by, "Xiao Yi, don''t think that our confrontation has ended so quickly. Just wait, after the ancestral sacrifice ceremony, Imperial Dragon Mountain will become your graveyard!"


    "Audacious!"


    Xiao Yi let out a thunderous roar, shaking the Huihai Sword Master so much that his face stiffened, unable to believe what he was seeing as he looked at Xiao Yi.


    The Huihai Sword Master had never expected,


    that Xiao Yi, as the main sacrificer during this solemn and grand literary sacrifice ceremony, would dare to openly rebuke him.


    The Huihai Sword Master looked at Xiao Yi in bewildered astonishment, about to speak when he heard Xiao Yi''s voice boom like thunder, righteous indignation fueling his roar, "Huihai Sword Master, I respect you as the Deputy Sect Master of Tianjian Sect and as a strong man of the Great Qian Dynasty, and have no desire to quarrel with you. But what about you? Daring to publicly threaten me on this sacred altar, you are challenging the ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty..."


    "I, I..."


    The Huihai Sword Master''s face turned from green to white, opening his mouth to speak but was again cut off by Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s voice rolled on powerfully, ceaselessly, "Huihai Sword Master, as Deputy Sect Master of the Tianjian Sect, you publicly threaten the main sacrificer during the ancestral sacrifice ceremony, this is a challenge to the royal family''s authority, it is disloyalty!"


    "Atop the altar, the chief celebrant commands respect,"


    "You brazenly challenge me, Xiao Yi, which is tantamount to insubordination and unwise!"


    "Your Highness Yang Kun is a disciple of the Tianjian Sect,


    "Yet, you disrupt his ancestral worship ceremony,


    "This is unrighteous..."


    With every word Xiao Yi uttered, the ritual scepter in his hand moved closer to the Huihai Sword Master,


    forcing him to retreat step by step. "You disloyal, unwise, and unrighteous scoundrel,


    "Instead of cultivating yourself in the Tianjian Sect and improving your virtue,


    "You commit all sorts of evil deeds here, unable to distinguish right from wrong, inverting black and white.


    "If I were you, I would have taken my own life with a knife by now. How can you still shamelessly linger here?"


    Thud, thud, thud!


    The face of the Huihai Sword Master paled as he took three steps back in quick succession.


    His chest heaved violently.


    His complexion shifted from ashen to deathly white.


    His eyes, wide open to their limits, glared furiously at Xiao Yi: "You, you, you..."


    This truly infuriated the Huihai Sword Master!


    "How dare you, Huihai, point your finger at me, the chief celebrant?"


    "You show no respect for Emperor Qian nor the revered ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    Xiao Yi''s thunderous scolding echoed as his eyes briefly flickered toward Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian''s face was as black as carbon.


    He had been sitting back, watching the fight, with no intention of intervening.


    But now, as Xiao Yi invoked him and the respected ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty,


    he could no longer pretend to be oblivious, so he cleared his throat and said in a clear voice,


    "Huihai Sword Master, for causing a disturbance during the ancestral worship ceremony,


    "you are to kneel and bow your head one hundred times before the altar as punishment!"


    Buzz!


    The face of the Huihai Sword Master twisted in ugliness.


    To kneel and bow one hundred times before so many onlookers at the altar?


    If it were simply to bow to the ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty, he might not have felt such a surge of emotion,


    but Xiao Yi remained on the altar throughout. Wouldn''t bowing to the altar also mean bowing to Xiao Yi?


    And a hundred times at that?


    This made the Huihai Sword Master''s eyes twitch with pent-up rage and malice.


    "Please, calm your anger, Sword Master..."


    The voice of Yang Kun suddenly resounded in his mind, "The greater good must prevail!"


    Sigh!


    The Huihai Sword Master exhaled a long breath of turbid air, gritting his teeth, "Huihai obeys the order!"


    Thump!


    The Huihai Sword Master kneeled directly before the altar.


    Intentionally choosing a spot where he didn''t have to face Xiao Yi directly,


    but as soon as he knelt down, Xiao Yi appeared before him. Standing tall on the altar,


    Xiao Yi looked down, peering at the Huihai Sword Master who was on his knees, head held high, staring blankly at him, S��arch* The ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi flashed a grin: "Knock your head properly!"


    The Huihai Sword Master felt a sweetness in his throat as a surge of boiling blood rushed upward.


    If it weren''t for his strong Qi suppressing it, that mouthful of old blood would have sprayed out long ago.


    Gurgle!


    The Huihai Sword Master forcefully swallowed the blood,


    teeth clenched tight, his head making dull thudding noises as it struck the ground.


    Seeing someone as formidable as the Huihai Sword Master kneeling before Xiao Yi,


    all the powerful onlookers exchanged glances, afraid to follow in the Huihai Sword Master''s footsteps; none dared provoke Xiao Yi any longer.


    Before long,


    with the exception of Yang Ling and Yang Kun,


    the offerings prepared by everyone else had all been presented on the altar.


    People''s gazes began to fall on the two of them...

 Chapter 467 - 467: The Shame of a Lifetime

    All eyes fell upon Yang Kun and Yang Ling.


    The real protagonists of this literary ritual were indeed the two of them.


    Yang Ling immediately stepped forward, knelt three times and kowtowed nine times before making his way to the altar, his eyes brimming with excitement. With great reverence, he placed the beast-controlling bag in his hand onto the altar, looking at the neatly arranged bags in front of him.


    Yang Ling carefully straightened the surface, dusted off any dust, and then stepped down.


    As soon as he left the altar.


    He couldn''t help but reveal a smile of excitement and pride on his face, his gaze towards Yang Kun heavy with provocation.


    In the past few days...


    He had worried himself gray over the matter of the ritual offering.


    After losing the Ice Snow Phoenix, he could find no other offering to replace it.


    Luckily, in the competition for the first offering, Jin Feiyan proved to be supportive enough to let him win back the Ice Snow Phoenix from Yang Kun.


    "Imperial brother, where is your offering? Don''t tell me you haven''t prepared one," said Yang Ling with a smirk as he looked at Yang Kun.


    Although he had taken healing pills, his face was still bruised and swollen, creating a fascinating collage of blues and purples.


    Facing Yang Ling''s provocation, Yang Kun couldn''t help but let out a cold laugh, "Little brother, you must be underestimating your elder brother too much."


    "Hmm?"


    Yang Ling''s whole body shook, and he stopped in his tracks as he brushed past Yang Kun.


    Cold sweat covered his body in an instant.


    Cold beads of sweat ticked down tautly.


    A terrible thought surfaced in his mind.


    Yang Ling''s body trembled like a sieve, and he turned stiffly, his eyes fixed intently on Yang Kun: "What on earth are you trying to say?"


    Yang Kun approached him, gently patted his shoulder, and whispered in his ear, "My dear brother, do you really think I''d give back the hard-earned Ice Snow Phoenix that easily? That was nothing more than trash I couldn''t use. Oh, you are still too young! Hahaha..."


    Hiss!


    Yang Ling''s entire face paled, and he looked lividly at Yang Kun, "Don''t be too pleased with yourself just yet, Xiao Yi took your offering too..."


    "My silly brother, do you really think I wouldn''t have any preparation?"


    Yang Kun smiled smugly, then turned to look towards Xiao Zhengde in the crowd, who from beginning to end had not uttered a word, and bowed respectfully, "Xiao, thank you for your efforts!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Zhengde smiled faintly, watching as everyone''s gaze converged on him. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly in a hint of pride.


    "Xiao Zhengde? What''s he doing here?"


    "There are rumors that Xiao Yi is Xiao Zhengde''s youngest son, who has never been favored, with conflicts between father and son too great to resolve. I thought it was just hearsay, but now it seems to be true!"


    "The Xiao Family must have their ancestral graves steaming with good fortune; first Xiao Tianjiao, and now Xiao Yi. If these two brothers join forces, how long will it be until the Great Qian Dynasty is under the Xiao''s thumb?"


    "Let''s see just why Xiao Zhengde is stepping forward!"


    Emperor Qian sat on his dragon throne like a recumbent dragon, his eyes as inscrutable as the night sky, observing Xiao Zhengde and Yang Kun.


    Xiao Zhengde''s gaze swept over everyone, quite pleased with being the focus of attention, and went straight to Yang Kun.


    Yang Kun greeted him with a cupped fist and said with a smile, "Xiao, I didn''t expect we would still need your intervention in the end!"


    "Not at all!"


    Xiao Zhengde waved his hand and laughed, "Tian''er has long been cautious of petty people''s sabotage and made thorough preparations. He won''t let those miscreants succeed!"


    As they mentioned the miscreants, Xiao Zhengde and Yang Kun''s gazes simultaneously shifted towards Xiao Yi.


    All eyes followed suit, turning towards him.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and narrowed his eyes to meet theirs, showing no sign of backing down.


    "Hmph!"


    Yang Kun snorted coldly and laughed proudly, "Xiao is indeed thorough in his consideration; some people just lack such self-awareness. Like insignificant ants deluding themselves into thinking they can shake a tree, it''s utterly overreaching!"


    Xiao Zhengde nodded in agreement, "You''re right, it''s important for people to know their place. Some are born noble, while others are destined to be lowly, and no matter how hard you try, you will never be able to catch up with the former!"


    As the two of them went back and forth with their remarks, the gazes people cast at Xiao Yi became increasingly strange and curious. S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Born noble?


    Of course, they were referring to Xiao Tianjao!


    At his birth, a fire dragon descended from the sky and acknowledged him as its master.


    Before he was three years old, he awoke the Supreme Overlord Holy Body, possessing the divine power to lift a thousand catties with a single arm.


    At five, he broke through to the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm, stepped into Qi Gathering with Ten Layers at seven, and at eight, he successfully assailed the Shentong Realm, becoming the youngest Divine Skills powerhouse in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty. By ten, he entered Tianjian Sect, ranked first among the ten great sects of the Great Qin Dynasty, becoming a Direct Disciple of the sect.


    Now, he had become the youngest fighter in the Dharma Manifestation Realm of the Great Qian Dynasty, with combat strength that left his peers unable to hold their heads high.


    And as for the lowly persons...


    It goes without saying that it was Xiao Yi!


    From a young age, he had been imprisoned within the Xiao Family by Xiao Tianjiao. After eight years of confinement, and because Xiao Tianjiao wanted a mate for his mount, Xiao Yi was sent to the remote Fang Family to become a son-in-law.


    This meant that, in the eyes of the Xiao family, Xiao Yi was valued no more than a magical beast.


    Could this not be considered lowly?


    Xiao Yi remained expressionless.


    Noble?


    Lowly?


    These are not for you to decide!


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s lack of reaction, Xiao Zhengde and Yang Kun frowned, also feeling extremely bored. Yang Kun looked at Xiao Zhengde and said, "Head of the Xiao Family, why not bring out the thing that Xiao had prepared?"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Zhengde nodded, and in a flick of his wrist, a beast-controlling bag appeared in his hand.


    This beast-controlling bag was embroidered with a golden dragon in gold thread. The dragon lay coiled among the auspicious clouds, fierce and majestic, vivid as if alive. Its teeth and claws suggested it could soar into the heavens at any moment.


    "This is what Tian''er asked me to pass on to you," Xiao Zhengde handed the beast-controlling bag to Yang Kun.


    Yang Kun received the beast-controlling bag with both hands, "Thank you, Xiao."


    Hum!


    The beast-controlling bag emitted a violent roar as soon as it was taken.


    There seemed to be faint sounds of a dragon''s chant coming from it.


    Yang Kun''s eyes shone as he looked at Xiao Yi with pride and laughed loudly, "Head of the Xiao, speaking of which, the magical beast inside this beast-controlling bag has a deep connection with you!


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "What connection does it have with me?"


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi''s face changed drastically, turning ashen in an instant.


    The only beast that could possibly have a connection with him from Xiao Tianjiao''s possession would be the Silver-Winged Sword Dragon, the one exchanged from the Fang Family to be a mate for Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, the Nine Heavens Profound Fire Bright Dragon King!


    The Silver-Winged Sword Dragon.


    This was once the beast that stood as the Fang Family''s symbol.


    And...


    This was also the disgrace of Xiao Yi becoming a son-in-law.


    "It seems the Head of the Xiao has guessed it already, correct, inside here is indeed the Silver-Winged Sword Dragon that you once exchanged from the Fang Family,"


    Under Xiao Yi''s icy stare, Yang Kun laughed proudly, "Under Xiao''s cultivation, it has already become a Beast King comparable to the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm. Ladies and gentlemen, let''s all witness what kind of magical beast the Head of the Xiao exchanged for. Hahaha..."

 Chapter 468 - 468 Kneel Down and Kowtow

    "This magical beast you''ve won back with your life, now used as a sacrificial beast, you should feel proud, right? Hahaha..."


    Yang Kun laughed proudly and arrogantly.


    Walking with the power and grace of a dragon or tiger.


    He carried the beast bag containing the Silver Winged Sword Dragon in both hands, kneeling step by step as he walked towards the altar.


    He solemnly placed the beast bag on the altar.


    Yang Kun stood up, took a long breath, and with a disdainful glance towards Xiao Yi, sneered, "President Xiao, don''t be in a hurry. In a moment, I''ll let you see with your own eyes, what this magical beast that you traded your life for has become!"


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi''s body shuddered, and the bricks beneath his feet instantly shattered.


    His eyes narrowed to slits, fixated on the beast bag on the altar.


    The corners of Huihai Sword Master''s mouth curved up in a smile, seeing Xiao Yi almost lose his composure was immensely satisfying. He said to Xiao Zhengde, "Patriarch Xiao, I''m quite curious why Tianjiao would use this magical beast as a sacrifice? After all, it cost him quite a lot of resources and sacrifices to develop this Silver Winged Sword Dragon into a sixth-order peak Beast King!"


    Even with the support of the Tianjian Sect, nurturing a fourth-order magical beast into a sixth-order peak was no small feat and used tremendous resources, enough to make Xiao Tianjiao''s heart ache!


    All eyes turned to Xiao Zhengde.


    Xiao Zhengde smiled faintly, his eyes full of contempt and loathing as he looked at Xiao Yi. Xiao Tianjiao was always the one in his heart; Xiao Yi had never even caught his attention.


    Even more so...


    In Xiao Zhengde''s heart, Xiao Yi was an embarrassment!


    Xiao Zhengde said indifferently, "Tian''er requested this Silver Winged Sword Dragon initially to breed with his mount. Two months ago, the Silver Winged Sword Dragon had laid its offspring and thus lost its use. Like trash, keeping it around was just a waste of food!"


    Gurgle!


    Everyone was startled.


    Glances towards Xiao Yi involuntarily carried a hint of sympathy and pity.


    "Xiao Yi is really pitiful! Initially, the Xiao Family, in order to obtain this Silver Winged Sword Dragon, did not hesitate to send him to the Fang Family as a matrimonial son-in-law, yet this magical beast he traded his life for was merely a breeding tool..."


    "What''s there to pity? In the eyes of Xiao Tianjiao, Xiao Yi has always been worthless, even a stain on his life. Trading his life for a Silver Winged Sword Dragon is already making the best out of waste!"


    "Indeed, Xiao Yi is outstanding, but he still falls far short when compared to Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "True! Xiao Tianjiao hasn''t even shown up yet and he has already caused Yi to lose face completely, dominating the situation..."


    A succession of unrestrained murmurings, like the most poisonous of curses, reached Xiao Yi''s ears.


    But curiously...


    Xiao Yi remained as calm as an ancient well.


    Without any ripples.


    That left Xiao Zhengde and the Huihai Sword Master feeling as though their powerful punches had hit cotton, totally ineffective. They exchanged a look and Huihai Sword Master said, "Now that His Highness Yang Kun has obtained the Silver Winged Sword Dragon bestowed by Tianjiao, it seems he holds a sure win for this literary sacrifice!"


    "Of course!"


    Xiao Zhengde said arrogantly, "The Ice Phoenix is indeed rare and precious, but the Silver Winged Sword Dragon is in no way weaker than it, especially since Tian''er personally nurtured it and it has birthed offspring for his mount. Comparing the Ice Phoenix to it is an insult!"


    Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, "Patriarch Xiao is right, there are countless magical beasts in the world, but not many could breed with Xiao Tianjiao''s mount!"


    "That''s the Great Qian Dynasty''s top genius, Xiao Tianjiao! Even if he merely touched this Silver Winged Sword Dragon, its value would have increased by hundreds of times!"


    Listening to the crowd''s praise and flattery, Xiao Zhengde''s smile grew even brighter.


    He looked provocatively at Xiao Yi and sent a sneering telepathic message, "You little bastard, now you understand the gap between you and Tian''er, don''t you? The Ice Phoenix you struggled and nearly died to catch can''t compare to the Silver Winged Sword Dragon that Tian''er discarded. That''s the difference. You, in this lifetime, no, even if you were granted several more lifetimes, you could never catch up to Tian''er..."


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi finally spoke up, responding for the first time since the appearance of the Silver Winged Sword Dragon, "It''s not over until the very end. Whose hands the prize falls into is still unknown, right?"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Zhengde was taken aback, then let out a cold laugh, "What? You don''t think there''s a beast more precious than the Silver Winged Sword Dragon in there, do you?"


    The Huihai Sword Master sneered, "Xiao, a person should know their own worth, pestering like this is beneath your status!"


    "Xiao, Deputy Sect Master, perhaps you should say less! I believe Xiao''s mood must be very heavy. After all, that beast was procured with his very life, yet in Xiao''s eyes, it seems no better than trash..."


    Yang Kun grinned, pretending to be contrite, "Ah, Xiao, my apologies! I''m someone who speaks his mind without reserve. I should''ve been more considerate of your feelings. I deserve to be punished..."


    While saying this.


    Yang Kun deliberately raised his hand, pretending to slap himself on the mouth.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "You''re right. You indeed deserve to be hit!"


    "Ah?"


    Yang Kun was taken aback, and then suddenly felt a sharp pain on his face.


    His legs left the ground in an instant.


    Whoosh!


    Yang Kun was sent flying dozens of meters and smashed onto the ground with a thud.


    "How audacious!"


    "Xiao Yi, how dare you resort to violence on the sacrificial altar?"


    "You''re seeking death!"


    The Huihai Sword Master and others were furiously enraged.


    No one had expected that Xiao Yi, standing atop the sacrificial altar, would actually dare to strike Yang Kun, to the extent that they all were too late to stop him, watching helplessly as Yang Kun was once again sent flying by Xiao Yi.


    "As the chief sacrificer, I am the supreme authority during the sacrifice. If you dare disturb the ceremony again, don''t blame me for expelling each of you!"


    Standing atop the sacrificial altar, Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the few individuals like a cold blade, rebuking them harshly.


    Hiss!


    Their faces changed slightly, they looked at each other and had no choice but to stop in their tracks.


    "Stop it!"


    Yang Kun''s hoarse voice came from behind them. Clutching his swollen face, he looked at Xiao Yi with a venomous expression and hissed through clen teeth, "Don''t give him an excuse to hit you. Let''s just wait... Once the ancestor worship ceremony is over, we will have plenty of chances to deal with him!"


    "You''re right!"


    "Xiao Yi, enjoy your moment of pride for a little longer!"


    The Huihai Sword Master and others all nodded in agreement.


    Yang Kun''s spiteful gaze fixated on Xiao Yi, sneering, "Xiao Yi, didn''t you say the victory isn''t certain yet? Let the honored ancestors choose the offering then. I can''t wait to see you kneeling in despair before me begging for mercy..."


    "Are you so confident your Silver Winged Sword Dragon will be chosen?" Xiao Yi asked playfully.


    "Of course!"


    Yang Kun haughtily said, "If my Silver Winged Sword Dragon isn''t chosen, do you think Yang Ling''s Ice Snow Phoenix will be?"


    "You''re right, the one that will be chosen is definitely the Ice Snow Phoenix!" Xiao Yi stated confidently.


    "Fool''s talk!"


    Yang Kun laughed derisively, "If the Ice Snow Phoenix is chosen, I will kneel down and apologize to you in front of everyone!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Are you serious with this statement?"


    "A word spoken is past recalling," Yang Kun said. S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi nodded, smiling, "Then keep your eyes wide open..."

 Chapter 469 - 469: Turning The Tide, A Resounding Slap in the Face!

    "The moment to witness a miracle is upon us!"


    Xiao Yi smiled with confidence.


    He walked straight up to the beast-taming pouch that contained the Ice-Phoenix.


    With a flick of his finger, he sent the beast-taming pouch flying into the air and grasped it in his hand.


    Everyone''s gaze converged on his hand, their eyes filled with puzzlement, "What exactly does he intend to do?"


    "Could it be that he can summon a mythical creature even stronger than the Silver-Winged Sword Dragon?"


    "Hmph, it''s nothing more than smoke and mirrors!"


    Yang Kun scoffed coldly, his face oozing with scorn. He simply didn''t believe that Xiao Yi had a way to make the Ice-Phoenix stronger than the Silver-Winged Sword Dragon, especially since it was a creature cultivated by Xiao Tianjiao himself.


    Just the name Xiao Tianjiao alone signified supreme superiority above all else.


    Yang Ling clenched his fists tightly, a tiny flame of weak hope flickering in the midst of his desperate eyes as he fixed his gaze on Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, our success or failure all depends on you now!"


    Even Emperor Qian on the dragon throne revealed an intrigued expression.


    He too couldn''t imagine how Xiao Yi could turn the tide.


    After all...


    Within the Great Qian Dynasty, the name Xiao Tianjiao represented the ultimate superiority, unsurpassed by anyone!


    Even he, the true ruler of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Was unable to rival Xiao Tianjiao in prestige.


    At this moment.


    Xiao Yi, to the astonishment of the onlookers, opened the seal of the beast-taming pouch.


    Whoosh!


    An icy blue figure surged out from the beast-taming pouch. Its shape grew larger and larger, in an instant transforming into a massive icy blue Ice-Phoenix with wings spanning dozens of yards.


    Its body covered in icy blue feathers, as if carved from frost.


    Reflecting the sunlight, its form was like blue jade, drawing people''s gaze to it unconsciously.


    Ice-Phoenix!


    The queen of all mythical creatures in the world of ice and snow!


    Magnificent and beautiful, an absolute splendor among mythical creatures.


    The aura of a sixth-order high-ranking Beast King instantly unleashed, flapping its wings and causing icy blue snowflakes to fall, turning the space above the altar into a realm of ice and snow.


    "Such a beautiful Ice-Phoenix..."


    "If it weren''t for the presence of Xiao Tianjiao''s Silver-Winged Sword Dragon, this could have definitely been the number one creature of the literary festival!"


    Tweet, tweet!


    The Ice-Phoenix flapped its wings and cried melodiously. Its eyes swiftly scanning around, it soared upwards, attempting to escape. Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh and reached out his hand towards the void, "Come down to me!"


    Buzz!


    Infinite vital energy surged from his fingertips, transforming into golden chains of vital energy.


    With a clang,


    The chains wrapped around the Ice-Phoenix, binding it tightly, leaving it unable to move. Xiao Yi faced his palm downward and pushed towards the ground. With a scream, the Ice-Phoenix was yanked from the sky and thudded onto the ground with a bang.


    "Open your mouth!" S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi stepped on the Ice-Phoenix''s neck and pried its mouth open.


    Yang Kun, standing below the altar, watched Xiao Yi act with such confidence that he himself felt nervous. Watching Xiao Yi pry open the mouth of the Ice-Phoenix, he couldn''t help but speak up, "Xiao Yi, you''re not thinking of killing it to make soup and bribe us, are you?"


    The Huihai Sword Master stood with his arms crossed, his face full of mockery, "Maybe he has a way to help the Ice-Phoenix reach the seventh-order Mythical Emperor class!"


    "It is said that Xiao Yi is skilled in alchemy, perhaps he really does have this ability!" Nangong Shengji said softly.


    Seventh-order Mythical Emperor.


    Equivalent to the Nirvana Realm in humans, but for a mythical creature to reach the seventh order is dozens of times more difficult than for a human martial artist to enter the Nirvana Realm.


    Even for the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, who were Beast Tamers by origin and had stood for thousands of years in the Great Qian Dynasty, they had only managed to cultivate two seventh-order mythical creatures.


    They naturally did not believe that Xiao Yi could create such a miracle.


    Watching Yang Kun and the Huihai Sword Master constantly mocking Xiao Yi, Jin Feiyan grew indignant, "Just because something is impossible for you, it doesn''t mean it is impossible for my master. When my master first took over the Xiaoshanhe Institute, everyone thought it was impossible for him to revitalize it, and yet, didn''t all of your faces get swollen from being proved wrong?"


    Ye Heng also sneered, "When my master resolved to flatten the Nangong Family, didn''t you, Nangong, also think it was impossible? Now, even as the Great Qian Dynasty respects you, hasn''t all of the Nangong Family''s properties been shut down? That too was done by my master, wasn''t it?"


    Nangong Shengji: "..."


    Huihai Sword Master: "..."


    Their complexions were extremely unsightly, and the words of Ye Heng and his companion were like invisible slaps, harshly striking their faces.


    They gritted their teeth.


    Nangong Shengji snorted coldly and said, "Words are useless; we''ll see!"


    Atop the altar.


    The Ice Phoenix was filled with terror in its eyes.


    It had witnessed the terrifying means of Xiao Yi and spoke in human tongue, "Great King, spare my life! I don''t want to die, please spare me��"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Don''t worry, I won''t kill you!"


    With a flick of his finger.


    From the tip of Xiao Yi''s finger, a condensed orb of pure water-attributed Qi formed into a blue sphere of vitality and entered the Ice Phoenix''s mouth. At the same time, Xiao Yi recited a secret incantation, "If the heart is as clear as ice, the sky may fall without alarm��"


    Buzz!


    The Ice Phoenix shuddered all over and abruptly stopped struggling.


    The shock and disbelief filled its eyes as it stared dumbfounded at Xiao Yi.


    The incantation he recited was in perfect harmony with the path it had been following!


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "Control the demonic Yuan within your body and follow my cultivation technique!"


    "Yes!"


    The Ice Phoenix nodded earnestly.


    Under the guidance of Xiao Yi''s Qi, the demonic Yuan within its body also began to circulate wildly.


    Nangong Shengji sneered, "I think Xiao Yi has really gone mad. Does he actually think he can teach cultivation techniques to a demon beast?"


    "Even the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect doesn''t have cultivation techniques for demon beasts, how could he possibly have any?"


    "Nothing but smoke and mirrors!"


    "If he succeeds, I''ll take off my head and use it as a night pot��" Yang Kun sneered repeatedly.


    Yet Xiao Yi was as if he heard nothing, meticulously guiding the Ice Phoenix in the circulation of its demonic Yuan.


    The path of this demonic Yuan quickly completed one cycle, followed by a second, a third��a total of thirty-six cycles. The most difficult part of a demon beast''s breakthrough into the Nirvana Realm was changing its own body structure.


    Cultivation techniques for demon beasts were extremely rare, with only a select few possessing ancestral memories and cultivation techniques passed down from their lineage.


    The Ice Phoenix, despite its strength, had no such inherited cultivation techniques.


    The secret technique Xiao Yi taught it came directly from the Dao Yan heritage, a secret technique specifically prepared for demon beasts.


    As it circulated.


    The Ice Phoenix broke through its own shackles, a blue light soaring to the sky, and strands of ice-blue light converged upon its body. This turned its blue feathers increasingly pure and flawless.


    Boom!


    The Ice Phoenix burst into the air majestically.


    On its body, strands of blue light gathered into mysterious runes that branded themselves onto its feathers.


    On its forehead.


    Three tufts of ice-blue feathers slowly shimmered with silver light, much like a silver crown!


    Seventh-Order Beast King!


    As everyone looked at the Ice Phoenix before them, their minds buzzed, and all went blank.


    This Ice Phoenix had actually, under the guidance of Xiao Yi, stepped into the seventh-order and became an existence of Beast King.


    Cheep cheep!


    The Ice Phoenix flapped its wings and soared into the clouds, leaving behind a trail of ice-blue light across the sky. After circling in the air a few times, the Ice Phoenix returned to Xiao Yi''s side, standing respectfully by.


    The aura of a Seventh-Order Beast King spread out, causing numerous powerful beings to exhibit expressions of reverence and terror.


    The one most overwhelmed was Yang Kun!


    Thump!


    He fell down on his backside, his face pale: "How... How could this happen��"

 Chapter 470 - 470: Kneel down and kowtow!

    "How, how could this happen?"


    Yang Kun sat on the ground with a butt drop, his face a mix of dejection and disbelief.


    He had prepared for this moment for far too long!


    And he had gone to extreme lengths.


    He had even begged Xiao Tianjiao for this Silver-Winged Sword Dragon, all so he could stand out during the ancestral ceremony and thus defeat Yang Ling to capture the position of Crown Prince.


    But now...


    From the initial struggle for the first offering to the current literary tribute.


    He had been at a disadvantage all along!


    The reason for all this was the man standing on the altar before him, with one hand behind his back and the other holding the sacrificial scepter, looking down on him with a commanding presence; it was Xiao Yi. This youth who had never been taken seriously by him had now become the biggest obstacle on his path to the Crown Prince''s position.


    The ice-blue glow emanated from the Ice Phoenix''s body, with three tufts of silver feathers between its brows, standing quietly beside Xiao Yi.


    The towering Ice Phoenix emitted the aura of a seventh-rank Beast King, which made one unable to resist the urge to admire and worship.


    Xiao Yi stood beside the Ice Phoenix, the corners of his mouth slightly raised as he looked toward Xiao Zhengde, whose face was equally pale, "Head of the Xiao Family, which do you think is more precious, a seventh-rank Beast King or that Silver-Winged Sword Dragon?"


    Although the Silver-Winged Sword Dragon was enhanced by the renown of Xiao Tianjiao, none of the beasts of its rank could compare.


    But...


    This is a seventh-rank Beast King!


    Since the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty, no one had ever been willing to use a seventh-rank Beast King as an offering. One must know that after participating in the sacrifice, these beasts would ultimately be taken away by the royal family.


    Who would willingly hand over a combat force on par with the Nirvana Realm to the royal family for nothing?


    "You..."


    Xiao Zhengde''s complexion turned from green to white as if he had just been viciously slapped dozens of times.


    Previously, in the Combat Pavilion, after being humiliated by Xiao Yi, Xiao Zhengde had been waiting for this opportunity to avenge his embarrassment.


    He had hoped to publicly crush this son, who he had never taken seriously, beneath his feet in front of everyone.


    But now...


    He had been humiliated by Xiao Yi once again.


    And.


    This time was different from the Combat Pavilion.


    In the Combat Pavilion, not many saw what happened, but this time, he was openly humiliated. His peripheral vision swept over the crowd, noting that everyone looked at him with mockery and schadenfreude.


    Those peculiar gazes gave him a feeling of being stabbed in the back.


    "Xiao Zhengde truly misjudged, to think he treated such a genius like trash?"


    "If I had a son like this, I would''ve worshiped him like an ancestor long ago..."


    "I bet Xiao Zhengde is full of regret now!"


    The jeering voices, mixed with those peculiar gazes, almost caused Xiao Zhengde to cough up a mouthful of blood in rage.


    His face turned from green to white as he gnashed his teeth and said, "This is impossible... even the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect doesn''t have a way for sixth-rank beasts to advance to the seventh rank. How could you possibly do it? You must have used some trickery..."


    "Exactly, it must be a trick!" Yang Kun shouted as if clutching at a life-saving straw, his eyes shining with rage.


    The Huihai Sword Master with his arms crossed, turned to face the expert from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, "Vice Sect Leader Shen, what''s your view on this?"


    The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect had also sent a Vice Sect Leader level expert, who happened to be Shen Mo''s master, Shen Yan. Shen Yan had witnessed Xiao Yi transform the Ice Phoenix into a seventh-rank Beast King with his own eyes and was still in shock, not having recovered from the surprise.


    Caught off guard by the Huihai Sword Master''s question, Shen Yan was startled and subconsciously said, "It''s simply not possible for humans to elevate a high-level sixth-rank Beast King to a seventh-rank Beast King..."


    "Xiao Yi, did you hear that? Even Vice Sect Leader Shen thinks it''s not something that can be done by human means, it must be some deception you''re using to fool us��"


    Yang Kun, as if he had latched on to a lifeline, stared intently at Xiao Yi, growling viciously, "How dare you, Xiao Yi, use trickery to deceive His Majesty and the ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty, you should be punished with death. Guards��"


    However.


    Before he could finish speaking.


    Shen Yan, trembling, stepped forward with hands raised in a respectful salute towards Xiao Yi, and asked anxiously, "Headmaster Xiao, my Ten Thousand Beasts Sect has spent a thousand years, and the efforts of more than a dozen generations, yet has never figured out how to turn all Beast Kings into Beast Kings. May I ask if Headmaster Xiao would be willing to visit our Ten Thousand Beasts Sect in the future to share some insights?"


    Thwap!


    The fierce look on Yang Kun''s face abruptly ceased.


    He stood as if frozen in place, utterly stupefied.


    His face seemed to be slapped by a series of slaps, each making a crisp sound, burning his cheeks with stinging pain.


    Gurgle!


    Yang Kun swallowed hard, his disbelief clear as he looked at Shen Yan, "Vice Sect Leader Shen, you�� you said it wasn''t possible for humans, didn''t you?"


    Shen Yan looked back at him, matter-of-factly stating, "Of course, it isn''t something that humans can do; it''s a miracle, l a miracle that only a divine being like Headmaster Xiao could create!"


    Yang Kun''s face twitched: "��"


    Huihai Sword Master: "��"


    Xiao Zhengde: "��"


    Several people looked at each other, wishing they could dig a hole and bury themselves inside.


    Damn it!


    Turns out they were actually praising Xiao Yi!


    And to think they had used just half of the sentence to ridicule Xiao Yi.


    For a moment,


    they felt as if their faces had been swollen from a forceful slap!


    At the same time, a sense of defeat and helplessness also eroded their spirits.


    If it weren''t for Shen Yan''s words, they could have insisted that Xiao Yi used a blinding spell, or that he used some special elixir to momentarily boost the Ice Phoenix to the rank of a seventh-stage Beast King.


    But now even the Vice Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect had confirmed that Xiao Yi truly elevated the Ice Phoenix to the rank of a seventh-stage Beast King.


    This was a firmly established fact.


    It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to call it a miracle.


    Any attempt to use this as a pretext to attack Xiao Yi had become futile.


    The three of them exchanged looks, filled with resentment and indignation, yet powerless to do anything about it. Yang Kun clenched his teeth, only to suddenly hear Jin Feiyan''s voice: "Senior brother, did someone just say that if our master could make the Ice Phoenix a seventh-stage Beast King, they''d twist their head off to serve as a night pot for our master?"


    Ye Heng called out loudly, "It seems there was such a matter, but it''s unclear if that person''s words were trustworthy!"


    All eyes fell on Yang Kun.


    "God damn..."


    Yang Kun''s face turned green, and he tried to look nonchalant.


    Jin Feiyan, seeing Yang Kun lose face, put on a brilliant smile and deliberately asked, "Your Highness Yang Kun, do you remember who said those words just now?"


    Yang Kun''s mouth twitched: "..."


    While he was in a state of extreme embarrassment, Emperor Qian let out a light cough and said indifferently, "Time is getting on. Let''s invite the ancestral spirits, so the ancestors can select the winner of this literary tribute!"


    Xiao Yi looked impassively at Emperor Qian.


    So this old fellow protects his own like this!


    But I won''t let you get your way!


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Yang Kun, since you dared to make a bet during the ancestral tribute ceremony, you must follow through to the end. We can forgo using a severed head as a night pot, but kneeling and kowtowing cannot be exempted. Kneel down!"


    "Xiao Yi!"


    Emperor Qian snorted coldly, staring daggers at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "As the chief officiant, my word is divine command during the ceremony. If Your Majesty feels I''m unsuitable to be the chief officiant, feel free to replace me now!"


    Hisss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp in shock.


    Xiao Yi dared to confront Emperor Qian head-on, displaying such a forceful stance that it was hard not to take notice.


    Emperor Qian''s eyes narrowed as he conveyed a dangerous glint, but to replace the chief officiant on the spot would go against the ancestral teachings, which was clearly impossible, so he could only close his eyes and remain silent.


    Xiao Yi sneered as he looked towards Yang Kun: "Kneel down, kowtow!"


    "Kneel down, kowtow!"


    "Kneel down!"


    "Kowtow..."


    Disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, such as Ye Heng, Jin Feiyan, and Ruan Yunyi, began to chant in unison.


    Their cries were thunderous.


    Yang Kun''s face turned alternately pale and flushed. He truly did not wish to kneel, but seeing that Emperor Qian had closed his eyes, apparently unwilling to intervene any further, clenched his teeth. Pretending not to hear, he saw Xiao Yi say indifferently, "What now? Are you continuing to stall? If you delay the auspicious time for the tribute, can you bear the responsibility?"


    "You..."


    Yang Kun''s face was as black as coal, on the verge of spewing a mouthful of old blood. Struggling for a moment, he could only close his eyes and with a thump knelt to the ground, giving three loud kowtows towards Xiao Yi and growled fiercely, "Happy now?"


    "A teachable lad indeed!"


    Xiao Yi responded lightly, no longer paying attention to Yang Kun''s murderous gaze, and slowly raised the ceremonial staff in his hand, announcing loudly, "I invite the heroic spirits of heaven to select the best offering!"


    Boom!


    The ceremonial staff in his hand suddenly burst with a burst of golden light, forming a golden orb in the air, then shot out, beams of golden light heading towards the pillars at the four corners of the altar.


    The golden light entered the pillars, mysterious runes wriggling and consolidating on them. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Finally, nine beams of light shot straight into the sky.


    Above the altar, they formed a huge golden orb, like two golden suns straddling the firmament.


    Whish!


    A beam of light fell from within the golden orb and hit the center of the altar.


    All eyes were fixed on the altar, and where this beam of light finally fell would be the best offering of the literary tribute��

 Chapter 471 - 471: What Use Are You?

    Boom!


    Golden pillars of light fell from the sky, covering the offerings of everyone atop the altar.


    The golden light continuously shrank, and within its range, the offerings lessened until, in the blink of an eye, only the Ice Phoenix and the Silver-Winged Sword Dragon remained enveloped within it.


    "Which will it be, the Silver-Winged Sword Dragon or the Ice Phoenix?"


    "Ancestors in heaven, you must open your eyes! That Silver-Winged Sword Dragon was personally raised by my son, Xiao Tianjiao..."


    "Please don''t choose it..."


    Murmurs continued to rise around the altar.


    Millions of the populace within and beyond the Imperial Dragon Mountain knelt on the ground and looked up at the golden column descending from the heavens, praying devoutly.


    Suddenly...


    The golden column trembled violently and then shrank by half, coming to rest on the Ice Phoenix.


    Boom!


    Countless rays of golden light entered the body of the Ice Phoenix, and between the flashes and flows of golden radiance around its body, a spot of golden feathering appeared among the three silver feathers on its brow.


    Three silver and one gold, this royal crown seemed even more majestic.


    Chirp chirp!


    The Ice Phoenix let out a long cry to the heavens, spreading its massive wings wide, casting a waterfall of blue that seemed to cover the sky and block the sun. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In its gaze towards Emperor Qian, there was now a touch of reverence.


    This was the result of the literary sacrifice.


    Once any offering had participated in the literary sacrifice and gained the recognition of the illustrious ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty, it would receive a brand, becoming a loyal beast of war to the royal house. Like that Golden Crowned Black Eagle, which was the best offering from the literary sacrifice a few years ago.


    "Excellent, very excellent!"


    Emperor Qian clapped his hands; a seventh-rank beast king was equivalent to the addition of a Nirvana Realm master to the royal house. He was naturally highly satisfied. Looking at Yang Ling, he said, "My son, this Ice Phoenix is outstanding. You will be richly rewarded by your father!"


    "Thank you, Father! However, capturing the Ice Phoenix, Xiao Yi also has undeniable merit..." After expressing his gratitude, Yang Ling hurriedly added.


    However...


    Before he could finish, his words were coldly interrupted by Yang Kun, "My dear brother speaks amiss. Xiao Yi is the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute appointed by our royal family. He is like a dog raised by our royal household. It''s not just capturing the Ice Phoenix��if we ask him to die, he cannot refuse to die!"


    "You..."


    Yang Ling''s face changed slightly.


    Yet, Emperor Qian''s tone was indifferent, "Enough, what are you brothers quarreling about at the ancestral sacrifice ceremony?" However, he did not correct the words spoken by Yang Kun but looked at Xiao Yi with a cold face, "The victor of the literary sacrifice has emerged, Xiao Yi, you may continue with the sacrificial rites."


    Yang Ling''s expression changed several times, but he was helpless and looked apologetically at Xiao Yi.


    Yang Kun, on the other hand, looked at him triumphantly, full of provocation.


    Xiao Yi was expressionless.


    But the hand holding the sacrificial scepter grew even tighter.


    Hu!


    He took a deep breath, exhaling a heavy sigh. The sacrificial ceremony was divided into three parts: the literary sacrifice, the martial sacrifice, and finally, the sacrifice to the heavens.


    In the literary sacrifice, the various powers contribute their prepared offerings. After selecting the best offering, the contributor becomes one of the chief officiants who will recite the sacrificial texts during the final heavenly sacrifice ceremony.


    One must not underestimate reciting sacrificial texts at the heavenly sacrifice ceremony.


    Ten years ago,


    Xiao Tianjiao represented the winners of the martial sacrifice and became one of the chief officiants, reciting sacrificial texts during the ceremony.


    Eventually, he was blessed by a nine-colored divine radiance and gained supreme benefits.


    "Next is the martial sacrifice... If I can win at the martial sacrifice, I''ll be able to become one of the chief officiants and bathe in the blessings of the divine light!"


    "If I could become the chief officiant, I wonder how many colors of divine light I would gain..."


    "You? At most, you could receive the three-colored divine light!"


    "Three colors? Surely I could at least expect five colors, right? Xiao Tianjiao got all nine!"


    "You do realize that is Xiao Tianjiao! In the thousands of years since the founding of our Great Qian Dynasty, the highest anyone besides Xiao Tianjiao ever received was the blessing of a seven-colored divine light..."


    The debate among the crowd grew increasingly intense.


    Within the crowd,


    many powerful figures itched to test their mettle, wishing they could rush to the altar immediately, sweep away all challengers, and claim ultimate victory.


    Of course...


    there were also those like Nangong Shengji, who squinted their eyes, watching Xiao Yi with a vicious gaze.


    "Everyone should understand the rules of the Martial Ceremony. In the first hour, each sect and power dispatches disciples below the Tao Tribulation Realm to fight, and the last person standing is the victor,"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept across the crowd, lifting the ceremonial scepter in his hand, only continuing to speak once complete silence had enveloped the surroundings of the altar: "In the second hour, steward elders and high-level experts from the major sects and families will clash. Again, the last one standing on the altar will be declared the victor. The final rankings will be combined from both rounds to determine the winner of the Martial Ceremony. If anyone disagrees, they may issue a challenge at the end!"


    The rules of the Martial Ceremony had always been so, and naturally, there were no objections from the crowd.


    But just as the words fell,


    Qi sidled up beside him. Xiao Yi, who was always quite amiable towards him, looked at him with inquiring eyes.


    Qi, in a lowered voice, said, "His Majesty has decreed that your Xiaoshanhe Institute must secure victory in the Martial Ceremony at all costs!"


    At all costs?


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    This meant that even if it required sacrificing all the manpower of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, they must still claim victory!


    His gaze shifted past Qi, looking to Emperor Qian on the dragon throne, his eyes squinting to narrow slits as he spoke coldly, "Please tell him I have my own sense of measure!"


    "This..."


    Qi''s expression changed slightly. He knew Emperor Qian''s temperament very well. Such a direct response would only intensify Emperor Qian''s lethal intentions towards Xiao Yi. He sighed and returned to Emperor Qian''s side, speaking softly, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi promises to give his all!"


    "Hmm!"


    Emperor Qian''s eyes remained closed, his fingers gently tapping on the armrest.


    Just then,


    a Shiyanhe Institute disciple had brought up the timekeeping instruments, placing them before the altar. Xiao Yi leaped down beside the altar and said indifferently, "The Martial Ceremony begins. Those wishing to participate, ascend the altar!"


    However...


    nobody took the initiative to step forward.


    To climb the altar now would be to make oneself a target of all.


    Seeing that no one ascended the altar, Yang Kun''s eyes shifted slightly, and with a sinister smile, he taunted, "Tsk tsk, I''ve always heard that the Xiaoshanhe Institute has greatly improved under Director Xiao''s leadership. But it seems that is not quite true, is it? The grand Martial Ceremony and not a single person from Xiaoshanhe Institute dares to participate?"


    "Director Xiao seems to have a reputation he doesn''t deserve!"


    "Without the courage to even participate in the Martial Ceremony, such an institute might as well be dismissed!"


    The crowd mocked in unison.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Yang Kun and said coolly, "Since the Crown Prince is so spirited, would he dare to ascend the altar and fight a duel to the death with me?"


    "..."


    Yang Kun''s face stiffened.


    He had witnessed Xiao Yi''s strength firsthand. To engage in combat with him? And a duel to the death at that? Wasn''t that seeking abuse?


    With a light cough,


    Yang Kun, putting on a brave face, said, "Am I afraid of you? But we can''t break the rules of the Martial Ceremony. Right now, it''s time for disciples to fight... You and me..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, interrupting Yang Kun mid-sentence, "Less nonsense, I''m just asking if you dare or not?"


    "I..."


    "Do you dare or not?"


    "Xiao Yi, you''re going too far..."


    "Trash, a duel to the death, do you dare or not? If not, then shut your mouth!"


    Xiao Yi sharply rebuked, watching as Yang Kun''s face turned beet-red with frustration, and scoffed, "A grand prince without even the courage to fight to the death? What use are you?"


    "You, you..."


    Enraged to the point of redness, Yang Kun''s chest heaved violently, and suddenly he spat out a mouthful of old blood and passed out completely rigid...

 Chapter 472 - 472: Those Who Insult My Master, Kill!

    "Yang Kun..."


    "Your Highness..."


    The faces of the Huihai Sword Master and the others changed simultaneously, as they hurriedly stepped forward to support the fainting Yang Kun.


    None of them had expected that Yang Kun would actually be angered to the point of vomiting blood by Xiao Yi. The Huihai Sword Master glared at Xiao Yi with furious eyes, grinding his teeth and saying, "Xiao Yi, you''ve gone too far!"


    Not only was Yang Kun a top disciple of the Tianjian Sect, but he was also the eldest prince.


    All along.


    With the support of the Tianjian Sect, the calls for Yang Kun to be named the Crown Prince had been getting louder, and they had hoped that taking advantage of this grand ancestral worship ceremony would allow Yang Kun to secure the position of the Crown Prince once and for all. But now, from the initial competition for the head incense, to the literary offering, and now...


    Yang Kun was utterly crushed by Xiao Yi, at a disadvantage.


    In the group of ministers now, many had become disappointed with Yang Kun''s performance.


    In contrast, Yang Ling...


    He didn''t even need to make a move, with Xiao Yi clearing the way, he won every battle.


    His momentum was climbing steadily!


    If this continued, the grand ancestral worship ceremony might just become a performance where Yang Ling harvested supporters.


    "Gone too far? Have I, Xiao Yi, ever actively provoked trouble from the beginning to the end? It has always been you, acting like jumping clowns, stirring up trouble and nitpicking." said Xiao Yi with a sneer, his contemptuous gaze sweeping over Yang Kun. "Moreover, I''m merely at the Tao Tribulation Realm, while he has entered Nirvana but lacks even the courage to fight me. Such trash, even if I do bully him, what can you do to me?"


    Xiao Yi''s words were a real indictment!


    The surrounding group of court officials and powerhouses from all quarters nodded secretly to themselves, "Xiao Yi is right, such a temperament really isn''t suitable for that position!"


    "As the esteemed eldest prince, he doesn''t even have this bit of responsibility. If he were to become the Crown Prince, I, the general, would be the first to dissent..."


    "Too poor!"


    Huihai Sword Master: "..."


    Yang Kun, who had just barely regained consciousness, spat out another mouthful of fresh blood: "..."


    "Enough!"


    Emperor Qian couldn''t stand it anymore; his look of disappointment laced with a hint of disgust swept over Yang Kun. He had many sons, but only called back Yang Kun and Yang Ling for this grand ancestral worship ceremony, to choose the Crown Prince.


    Before this, it was Yang Kun who had more support.


    Now, Yang Ling seemed to be overtaking him.


    Emperor Qian himself was also very conflicted. Backed by the Tianjian Sect and the peerless War God, it seemed logical for Yang Kun to inherit the position of the Crown Prince, which would make the Great Qian Dynasty''s rule more stable. However, Yang Ling was his most beloved son and also the one he saw fit as the Crown Prince.


    Phew!


    Emperor Qian took a long breath, deciding not to dwell on this any longer, he said indifferently, "Xiao Yi, I''ve heard that you have a disciple under your command who possesses the Battle War Holy Body. Let him take the stage first!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    That Ye Heng has the Battle War Holy Body is true, but his cultivation is only at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm.


    Should Ye Heng enter the battle first, he would inevitably be overpowered in a prolonged fight and end up defeated.


    Emperor Qian was taking a shot at the leading bird, implying that Xiao Yi should not be too high-profile!


    Xiao Yi looked towards Ye Heng within the crowd, saying indifferently, "Since the Emperor has commanded, Ye Heng, you take the stage."


    "Yes!"


    With a leap, Ye Heng sprang into the air and then landed on the altar.


    A robust body, agile figure.


    His muscles were like chunks of lead beneath his clothing, giving his entire body an extraordinarily burly appearance, like a steel-clad War God. Especially the black heavy sword on his back, which added a sense of heaviness and oppression.


    The Battle War Holy Body, born for war and victory!


    Fighting spirit aflame, burning fiercely.


    ```


    "Battle War Holy Body? I''ve been eager to challenge it, and I''ll be the first to meet you!"


    A figure leapt up, clad in military attire with a sword slung at his waist. His severe aura was chilling, and he clasped his fist towards Ye Heng, saying, "I am Xue Shiyi of the Blood Saber Guard under the unmatched War King. Please, enlighten me!"


    "Hmm!"


    Ye Heng merely nodded, his towering figure not moving an inch.


    Xue Shiyi''s brow furrowed as he sneered coldly, "Daring to belittle me like this? Die!"


    Whoosh!


    His figure moved like the wind, blood-colored afterimages flashing consecutively on the altar. His movement technique was so swift it left onlookers astonished, eliciting gasps, "Such speed in his movement technique, he''s indeed an elite of the Blood Saber Guard!"


    "Even a typical warrior at the Golden Elixir Peak would be inferior to such movement technique!"


    "Ye Heng is in danger now!"


    Amidst the gasps of shock, Jin Feiyan scoffed, her face full of disdain, "A bunch of idiots, my senior brother can settle this riffraff with just one punch; where''s the danger in that?"


    "One punch?"


    "Are you joking? That''s the Blood Saber Guard..."


    The words had barely left their lips.


    Thud! A muffled sound interrupted everyone''s thoughts, as gazes uniformly fixated upon the altar, where they saw Xue Shiyi''s figure flying backwards like a kite with a broken string, ejected straight from the center of the altar.


    Thud!


    Amidst the muffled impact, Xue Shiyi crashed hard into the ground, his face grotesquely caved in.


    He was already lifeless.


    Hiss!


    A collective intake of breath rose, faces awestruck as they gazed at Ye Heng on the platform slowly retracting his punch, baffled, "What, what just happened? How could Xue Shiyi, with such advanced movement technique, be defeated so easily?"


    "A bunch of idiots!"


    Jin Feiyan looked at the crowd with scorn, stating indifferently, "No matter how strong Xue Shiyi''s movement technique is, how does it compare to mine?"


    The crowd fell silent.


    How fast is Jin Feiyan?


    She is the victor of the battle for the incense, after all!


    Jin Feiyan spoke with pride, "My movement technique was taught by my master, and I''m merely his nominal disciple. My senior brother, however, is a direct disciple. If my movement technique is so powerful, do you think my senior brother''s would be inferior?"


    "..."


    The crowd exchanged glances, dumbfounded.


    Only then did they remember, whether it was Jin Feiyan or Ye Heng, both were disciples of Xiao Yi!


    If Xiao Yi could teach a disciple with such supreme movement technique like Jin Feiyan, how could Ye Heng, his direct disciple, lack methods to deal with advanced movement technique? In that moment, their gaze turned toward Xiao Yi with additional reverence and admiration.


    "Hmph, no matter how much he has inherited from Xiao Yi, I refuse to believe that a discarded failure nobody wanted can surpass the millennium heritage of True Martial Hall..."


    Whoosh! S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Amidst the sound of air being split, a nimble figure stepped onto the void and landed on the altar.


    This person was clad in True Martial Hall disciple''s garb, holding a longsword in hand, and stared at Ye Heng emotionlessly. He beckoned with a provocative look, "I am Guang Ang of True Martial Hall. Do you dare to fight?"


    "True Martial Hall''s Guang Ang? He is a sixth-layer Golden Elixir Realm expert, a real heir to True Martial Hall''s traditions, and his True Martial Sword Skill is more refined than that of many disciples in the Tao Tribulation Realm. He''s much stronger than Xue Shiyi!"


    "This time Ye Heng really has met his match!" the onlookers murmured amongst themselves.


    Ye Heng spoke, "You said my master is a discarded failure no one wanted?"


    "Isn''t that so? He''s nothing more than a piece of trash abandoned by the Xiao Family..."


    Guang Ang''s voice was suddenly cut off by a roar from Ye Heng, whose eyes blazed with divine light, his voice booming like war drums, "No matter who you are, daring to insult my master is a path to death!"


    ```

 Chapter 473 - 473: Who Dares to Fight?

    "Insult my master, die!"


    Ye Heng''s cold shout surged with an overwhelming intention to fight.


    Two streams of warfire ignited, hissing wildly, as the stones beneath his feet exploded with loud booms.


    Terrifying energy erupted in an instant.


    A series of resounding cracks joined together in rapid succession, like frying beans, as flames spread from his feet towards Guang Ang. As the cracks expanded, shards of stone flew up like darts and cold arrows, shooting out swiftly.


    Guang Ang''s face was expressionless, and he smiled coldly, "Trivial skills, witness my True Martial Sword Skill��Sweeping Sword Strike!"


    True Martial Hall.


    One of the top ten sects of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    This was also an extremely powerful sect, fond of collecting all sorts of strong martial arts techniques. In terms of the collection of martial arts, perhaps even the number one sect, the Tianjian Sect, could not outdo them.


    The moment the Sweeping Sword Strike was unleashed.


    Silver sword flowers blossomed with a whoosh from Guang Ang''s longsword, as the silver blade whistled through the air, slicing it with a series of ear-piercing sounds.


    The circular sword flowers expanded.


    Like a Sword Qi Flower Lotus blooming continuously, the petals of Sword Qi blossomed, shattering the incoming stone shards with a series of crisp clangs. At the same time, Guang Ang''s toes tapped the ground repeatedly, and he swiftly circled to Ye Heng''s back like a swift monkey.


    "Take this... Level Sword Strike!"


    Silver sword light formed a fan-shaped sweep, cutting horizontally close to the ground.


    Where the sword edge passed, it lifted a layer of dust.


    Without looking back, Ye Heng slammed his palms onto the ground, and his Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm cultivation erupting with a force comparable to the Fifth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm. With a loud boom, a series of earthen walls shot up from the ground behind him.


    One.


    Two.


    Three...


    A total of nine earthen walls blocked behind him, wearing down the fan-shaped sword edge, not even managing to destroy the last wall.


    At the same time.


    Ye Heng performed a backward somersault, soaring through the air like a star falling from outside the sky, descending towards Guang Ang.


    "Annihilation Sword Strike!"


    Guang Ang was equally poised in his response, showing no panic, calmly lifting his longsword from below upwards, thrusting towards Ye Heng''s heart. The speed of this thrust was incredibly fast, with a very tricky angle.


    Just as Ye Heng was about to collide with the blade.


    At that moment...


    Ye Heng twisted in the air, causing a brief stall in his movement, followed by a toe tap that landed on the sword edge.


    Ding!


    Amid the crisp sound.


    Ye Heng''s toe landed directly on the tip of the sword, his fighting will blazing like fire, and with a thunderous growl, he executed a thousand-pound drop out of thin air.


    The Thousand Pound Drop.


    This was a unique secret technique, which once unleashed, could make even a hundred-pound body instantly become as heavy as a thousand pounds.


    "Not good..."


    Caught off-guard, Guang Ang''s arm weakened, and his longsword dropped to the ground.


    Forcefully stamped into the earth by Ye Heng.


    All of this happened in the blink of an eye, leaving Guang Ang unable to react, his sudden descent unbalancing him, instinctively leaning forward. Almost simultaneously, Ye Heng, who had landed, lifted his heavy fist and smashed it towards Guang Ang''s face, "Heavenly Fist!"


    Boom!


    One punch to send you to heaven!


    Like a heavy punch falling on a sandbag, with a dull thunderous noise, Guang Ang didn''t even have a chance to scream before his head was smashed apart.


    The headless Guang Ang still held the sword hilt in his hand.


    But from that neck...


    Blood spurted out like a fountain.


    Hoo!


    Ye Heng let out a long breath of murky air, waving his hand to toss Guang Ang''s corpse off the altar, his face remained indifferent as he looked at the crowd, "Whoever dares to insult my master again, this will be their end!"


    Hisss...


    At this moment.


    Everyone couldn''t help but close their mouths.


    Having killed Xue Shiyi and then crushing Guang Ang''s head, Ye Heng had faced both battles with such ease.


    This level of strength had completely conquered them.


    "To burst forth with such terrifying power at just the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, isn''t Ye Heng too strong?"


    "Xiao Yi is really lucky to have accepted such a talented disciple!"


    "Lucky? Ye Heng has been at Xiaoshanhe Institute for several years, and people like Chen Shuiwen failed to discover him, even treating him as trash. Xiao Yi just arrived at Xiaoshanhe Institute, and he discovered his talent, and even helped him awaken the Battle War Holy Body. Do you think Xiao Yi''s achievements today are really just due to luck?"


    "So there are such hidden secrets? No wonder Xiaoshanhe Institute has undergone such earth-shattering changes under Xiao Yi''s leadership... Where is there any trash? This is an absolute genius!"


    "The Xiao Family is really blind, holding a gem but unaware of its worth..."


    Amidst the crowd.


    Xiao Zhengde''s face turned shades of green and purple, as Xiao Yi became more successful and powerful, it only made him appear more incompetent and foolish.


    Even without looking back...


    He could feel that many behind him were pointing fingers and casting strange glances. This infuriated Xiao Zhengde even more.


    "You damned bastard, wouldn''t it be good for you to remain as trash? Why must you create trouble... However, no matter how hard you try, it''s useless. As long as Tian''er is here, you will never have a day of success."


    Xiao Zhengde clenched his teeth, his resentful gaze fixated on Xiao Yi, "Humph, what does it matter if you teach an even stronger disciple? Now everyone is supporting you. When I reveal Tian''er''s news to the public at the height of your fame, the higher you climb, the harder you''ll fall!"


    Meanwhile.


    Atop the altar, Ye Heng''s fighting spirit became even more fierce, his eyes blazing with a hint of blood-red color, like a War God.


    Boom!


    He took down the longsword from his back and thrust it fiercely into the ground, challenging the crowd with his gaze, "Who else? Where are the people from the Tianjian Sect? Where are those from the Feixue Temple? Aren''t you all looking down on my Xiaoshanhe Institute? Why is it that nobody dares to come out now?"


    "Arrogance!"


    "Ding Wenzhong from Wendao Villa is here to have a go..."


    A green-faced, monkey-cheeked youth leaped onto the stage, "Ye Heng, I, Ding Wenzhong, will cut you down on this altar, so the world knows that Xiaoshanhe Institute is nothing but a joke..."


    Boom!


    The deafening sound of tearing air abruptly cut off Ding Wenzhong''s words, followed by a scream, as he was smashed to the ground by a punch from Ye Heng. With one stomp of his foot, his head was crushed with a bang.


    Ye Heng, drenched in blood, his fighting spirit continued to climb, "Who else? Come on!"


    "A lone cloud from Three Seas Mountain comes to seek..."


    "Seek your mother..."


    Bang!


    The Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm strongman had not even stepped onto the altar when he was already cleaved into two by a sword from Ye Heng.


    "With such a vicious nature, you''re simply a demon. Let me cleanse you with righteous energy from Vast Righteousness Pavilion..." A refined scholar from the pavilion, wielding a scroll and an ink brush, swept across the air.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Golden characters emerged, formed from the aggregation of righteous energy, each as sharp as the edge of swords.


    Golden characters rushed forward.


    As if a shower of golden rain was falling.


    Ye Heng, soaked with blood, having slain several powerful enemies, had fully unleashed his Battle War Holy Body.


    Invincible in battle, undefeated in war!


    "Among peers, I, Wudi, stand unrivaled!"


    Ye Heng faced the shower of golden letters without fear, the opponent''s cultivation reaching the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, surpassing him by seven minor realms. Yet Ye Heng showed no fear, his fighting spirit soaring, he swept the black longsword through the air.


    Hum!


    Wherever the black sword light passed, not a blade of grass grew, not a tile remained intact.


    The shower of golden characters was dissipated. S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In face of the horror-stricken Vast Righteousness Pavilion youth, the black longsword pounded him into a muddle of flesh and blood. Ye Heng stood amidst the blood rain, tilting his head to howl to the sky, "Who dares to fight me?"

 Chapter 474 - 474: Ye Heng Fights Yun Dian

    "Who dares to fight?"


    Ye Heng''s eyes turned a deep red as he howled up at the sky.


    His black hair moved without any wind behind him, dancing wildly as if possessed, while the heavy black sword in his hand whipped through the air, creating an imposing aura.


    The heavy sword had no edge.


    Great skill requires no effort!


    This heavy black sword weighed over a thousand pounds; when wielded, it resembled a rampaging beast, ensuring instant death to anyone not strong enough to withstand its power. Around his body, a circular storm of Sword Qi was unleashed.


    It made it impossible for anyone to approach.


    Around the altar.


    Some cultivators of weaker abilities, faced with such a terrifying storm of Sword Qi, all went pale and kept retreating, step by step.


    They didn''t dare to come close!


    "A Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm can be this terrifying?"


    "Just what kind of existence is Xiao Yi to be able to instruct such a fearsome disciple..."


    "Not only is Xiao Yi remarkable in guiding disciples, but it''s also said he''s proficient in alchemy and formations... Even the Pavilion Master of Treasure Pavilion is inferior to him in the art of alchemy. How can there be such a perfect person in the world?"


    The stronger Ye Heng got, the more formidable Xiao Yi became.


    After Ye Heng successively slew challenger after challenger, Xiao Yi''s reputation also soared.


    Yang Kun had already recovered, his expression changing unpredictably as he never imagined that Ye Heng, mere at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, could be so overpowering.


    He turned back to look at the one beside him, the Huihai Sword Master, his eyes flickering with a venomous light, "We can''t let him continue winning. Otherwise, even if we defeat him in the end, Xiao Yi''s reputation will have reached its peak!"


    "Right!"


    The Huihai Sword Master solemnly nodded and turned to a frail-looking young man behind him, saying, "Yun Dian, kill him!"


    "Hmm!"


    The frail young man nodded, his seemingly weak body emitting a bone-chilling coldness at that moment.


    Step by step!


    He moved toward the altar step by step, neither fast nor slow, yet the crowd around automatically parted to make way for him.


    With concern, Xiao Zhengde said, "Yang Kun, from my point of view, Yun Dian is merely at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak, just like that member from Vast Righteousness Pavilion who was scarcely weaker than him, yet he was still slain by Ye Heng. Are you sure it''s alright for him to take action?"


    The Huihai Sword Master confidently smiled, proudly replied, "Xiao, just put your heart at ease!"


    "The Sword Master is right, you just relax!"


    The corners of Yang Kun''s mouth curved slightly upward, forming a cold arc, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, I wonder what you''ll feel when your direct disciple dies before your very eyes, huh? Hahaha..."


    Tap tap tap!


    Yun Dian slowly made his way up to the altar, squeezing out a sickly smile on his pale face, "Yun Dian of Tianjian Sect!"


    "So the scum of Tianjian Sect is finally willing to make a move?"


    Ye Heng snorted coldly, his heavy sword sweeping across the air, but he didn''t underestimate Yun Dian, "Come on, let''s see what kind of skill people from your Tianjian Sect actually have!"


    "As you wish!"


    Yun Dian chuckled lightly.


    He slowly took out a silver brocade box from his chest, and with a flick of his finger, the box opened quietly. Flashes of silver light shot by and inside the box lay a row of small swords like needles, varying in size and utterly silent.


    The moment the brocade box opened, Yun Dian''s originally feeble gaze suddenly sharpened.


    It was as if his very eyes held razor-sharp longswords within them.


    "Sword, come!"


    With a flick of his finger, Yun Dian pointed forward.


    Swish!


    A silver needle-like sword shot out.


    A streak of silver light flashed through the air, and almost instinctively, Ye Heng drew back. At the same time, he felt a sting on his cheek, and a trail of blood spurted out.


    Ye Heng frowned slightly and raised his hand to wipe his face.


    Bright red blood dripped onto his palm.


    "What a fast sword!" Ye Heng narrowed his eyes.


    He had just barely managed to dodge instinctively; otherwise, his throat would have been the one slashed!


    Hum!


    The silver small sword returned to Yun Dian''s side, hovering to his left. Yun Dian smiled and said, "This is just the beginning, the faster swords are still to come! If you kneel and beg for mercy now, and admit Xiao Yi is trash, maybe I''ll consider sparing your life!"


    "Go to hell!"


    Ye Heng flew into a rage.


    To him, Xiao Yi was as important as his own life; how could he tolerate such insults and provocation?


    "Stubborn fool, then die!"


    A cold snort came from Yun Dian''s nostrils. With a flicker of his fingers, a series of crisp tinkles rang out. In the whooshing sound of the air being split, row after row of small silver swords flew out of the brocade box, aligning themselves in a row and charging towards the oncoming Ye Heng.


    Thud!


    Ye Heng''s figure came to an abrupt halt, he leaned back and twisted both hands to block with his black heavy sword in front of him.


    Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle! Sear?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The small silver swords flew through the air, continuously striking the blade.


    Every collision''s terrifying impact forcefully pushed Ye Heng back.


    Each step he retreated left behind a series of footprints half a foot deep in the ground.


    The sixteen small silver swords pushed Ye Heng back sixteen steps. When Ye Heng finally stopped, the webs of his hands had burst open, blood trailing down the sword hilt. In contrast, Yun Dian appeared relaxed with sixteen small silver swords hovering over his head. "I haven''t even exerted my full strength, and you''re already struggling to keep up?"


    "Cut your mother''s rancid crap, how can mere embroidery needles injure me?"


    Ye Heng sneered.


    "Embroidery needles?"


    Yun Dian''s face darkened. He detested when people likened his artistry to mere embroidery, considering his weaponry and effeminate appearance. Glaring at Ye Heng with a gloomy look, Yun Dian sneered, "I gave you a chance, but you didn''t cherish it. Now, die!"


    "Sword Rain!"


    At Yun Dian''s command, the sixteen small swords burst forth at once.


    They were like a silver sword rain.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    "Green Lotus Rebirth..."


    Ye Heng consecutively executed the "Green Lotus Sword Song," repelling each of the small swords one by one.


    Yun Dian''s face remained expressionless as his hands suddenly came together, "One Sword Divides the Heavens and Earth!"


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The small silver swords merged into the form of a gigantic sword. Strands of silver essence inhaled and exhaled among each other, linking together. Eventually, they formed a giant silver sword and slashed towards Ye Heng, who raised his sword to block.


    Boom!


    Amidst a loud crash, the altar beneath Ye Heng''s feet exploded into pieces, sending dust flying and creating a sandstorm ten meters high.


    For a moment, it was impossible to see the figures of Ye Heng and his opponent.


    "What''s happened?"


    "Who has won?"


    All spectators were captivated, their eyes fixed upon the dust-filled altar.


    Xiao Zhengde clenched his fists, his gaze never leaving the altar, "Huihai Sword Master, are you sure Yun Dian can win?"


    "Don''t worry!"


    The Huihai Sword Master said confidently, "Yun Dian is a disciple of the Tianjian Sect''s Inner Sect, adept in the Sword Control Skill, and furthermore... his cultivation level is not..."


    Before he could finish,


    a thunderous boom was heard.


    Two sword shadows collided, creating a chaotic storm that swept away the dust obscuring the view. Amid the dust, a figure was sent flying out in a very wretched state, instantly drawing everyone''s attention, "Is the match decided? Who won?"

 Chapter 475 - 475: As your master is here, why do you need to risk your life?

    ```


    "Who won?"


    "It seems that person is Yun Dian?"


    Under the watchful eyes of everyone, that figure flying backward gradually revealed his true appearance.


    It was indeed Yun Dian!


    Yun Dian, like a kite with its string cut, slammed onto the ground with a bang, rolling over several times. Those sixteen silver mini-swords returned through the air and formed a wall of swords to steadily catch him, and only then did he come to a stop.


    Wow!


    Yun Dian knelt on one knee, spitting out a mouthful of congealed blood.


    His gloomy face turned even paler.


    Bowing his head, he raised his gaze, showing the whites of his eyes, making his dark pupils appear even more fierce and ruthless. Raising his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, Yun Dian cracked a sinister smile, "Interesting, very interesting... For someone at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm to unleash such power, it''s no wonder he has a Battle War Holy Body..."


    Battle War Holy Body.


    One of the ten great Sacred Bodies.


    Invincible in every battle, unbeatable in war!


    This body was born for battle, with each fight resulting in tremendous enhancement.


    Don''t be fooled by Ye Heng''s cultivation at the Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm; over the past few months, he had sparred nightly with Shadow Demons and others. With each bruising defeat, his combat strength soared rapidly.


    Even those at the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm were no match for him!


    The fresh blood from Ye Heng''s tiger''s mouth dripped down the hilt of his sword, falling into the dust like bright-red plum blossoms. His lips curved upward slightly, his fighting spirit undiminished. "Among those of the same level, with me present, Wudi is here, and you are no match for me!"


    "Among those of the same level, I admit I''m no match for you, but who said I''m still within the Golden Core Realm?"


    Yun Dian suddenly broke into a cold, sly smile.


    "Huh?"


    Ye Heng was startled.


    Disciples from all the major powers who joined the Martial God''s ceremony had to be below the Tao Tribulation Realm; no one could break this rule.


    Could it be that Yun Dian was concealing a higher level of cultivation within the Tao Tribulation Realm?


    Ye Heng frowned, "Are you hiding your cultivation level? Aren''t you afraid of violating the rules of the ancestor worship ceremony?"


    "Hahaha, we understand the rules of the ancestor worship ceremony better than you, of course we won''t break them. However, the ceremony didn''t say you can''t have a breakthrough during the battle..." Yun Dian''s lips curled into a mad smile, making his pale face appear even more hideous.


    Boom!


    Yun Dian''s body shook violently, and a Golden Core flew out from within him.


    Hovering above his head.


    Patterns began to appear on the Golden Core.


    This was the sign of an impending breakthrough to the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    "Not good!"


    Beneath the altar, people like Xiao Yi''s faces changed dramatically, and they became furious. "Yang Kun, you have some nerve sending disciples above the Golden Core Realm to participate in the Martial God''s ceremony..."


    "Xiao Yi, don''t slander us! Before Yun Dian set foot on the altar, he was genuinely at the Golden Core Realm. His breakthrough to the Tao Tribulation Realm during the battle doesn''t break any of the Martial God''s ceremony rules..." The Huihai Sword Master spoke with a sense of righteous articulation.


    Yang Kun lamented with an exaggerated expression, "I didn''t expect Yun Dian to have such a chance, to gain enlightenment during the Martial God''s ceremony and break through to the Tao Tribulation Realm... It seems that Lady Luck is still on our side!"


    Everyone: "..."


    "''Lady Luck'', my ass!"


    Xiao Yi cursed loudly. Indeed, there''s only a thin line between the peak of the Golden Elixir Realm and the Tao Tribulation Realm, but which Golden Core Realm Peak cultivator wouldn''t have some premonition before making such a breakthrough?


    Yang Kun and others clearly knew beforehand that Yun Dian was about to step into the Tao Tribulation Realm; they had him purposely suppress his cultivation level until he climbed onto the altar to participate in the Martial God''s ceremony before breaking through.


    ```


    What a malicious intent!


    Yang Ling''s face showed signs of anxiousness. He had put all his bets on Xiao Yi and the Xiaoshanhe Institute, naturally reluctant to see Ye Heng defeated. He looked towards Emperor Qian, "Father Emperor, this does not abide by the rules..."


    "Hmm?"


    Emperor Qian opened his eyes and glanced at him, speaking lightly, "Yun Dian reached the altar while still in the Golden Elixir Realm Cultivation, it''s not a violation of the rules!"


    "This..."


    Yang Ling still wanted to argue with reason but was stopped by a look from Qi at his side.


    He could only resignedly close his mouth.


    Xiao Yi angrily said, "Your Majesty, do you really intend to indulge them so? If everyone behaves like this, what is the purpose of having laws and rules?"


    "Xiao Yi, who gave you the right to talk to me in such a manner?"


    Emperor Qian leaned forward slightly, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized Xiao Yi, and said coolly, "This is my world, my word is the law, the rule. If Ye Heng dies in this battle, it is because he''s inferior in skills, and no one else is to blame!"


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, it seems you can only watch as your direct disciple dies in battle!"


    Yang Kun laughed triumphantly. From the start of the ancestral worship ceremony, he had been suppressed by Xiao Yi, and now he finally got to vent his frustrations, "Xiao Yi, if you do not wish to see your direct disciple die in battle, you can beg me! If you kneel and beg, maybe I will consider sparing him!"


    "..."


    Looking at Yang Kun''s smug appearance, Xiao Yi felt as if there was a heavy stone piled in his heart, unable to breathe.


    He had never expected the mighty Tianjian Sect to stoop so low and be so shameless.


    Moreover, Emperor Qian''s indulgence in the sinister actions of Yang Kun and the Huihai Sword Master had completely enraged Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath of stale air, his eyes flashing with a chilly gleam as he said indifferently, "Since you all want to play, then I will play with you to the end!"


    "Hmm?"


    Yang Kun''s expression turned cold, and he asked with a frown, "What? You''re thinking of taking action yourself? It''s the martial sacrifice now, and no power greater than the Golden Elixir Realm is allowed on the altar. If you dare to make a move, I can make you regret it on the spot!"


    Emperor Qian also said indifferently, "Xiao Yi, if you make a move, I will surely kill you!"


    Atop the altar.


    Ye Heng looked at Yun Dian, who had completely entered the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm, a serious expression also appearing on his face. Hearing Emperor Qian''s words, Ye Heng immediately said, "Master, rest assured, even if I have to risk my life, I will not shame you!"


    If not for Xiao Yi''s arrival, he would still be considered a waste.


    A man dies for those who appreciate him!


    Even in death, Ye Heng did not want to bring disgrace to Xiao Yi.


    "Silence!"


    But Xiao Yi let out a cold huff, speaking indifferently, "As your master is here, why do you need to risk your life? For the upcoming battle, just follow my commands!"


    "Ah?"


    Ye Heng was taken aback but without any hesitation, he nodded and said, "Disciple understands!"


    Yang Kun and the others were left dumbfounded, mocking, "Xiao Yi, you don''t really think that with your on-the-spot guidance, Ye Heng can defeat Yun Dian in the First Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm with his Second Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm Cultivation, do you?"


    "It''s simply a fool''s dream, utterly delusional!"


    "He doesn''t really think he''s the Martial God, does he?"


    "He must not have woken up yet!"


    "Hahahaha..."


    Above the dragon couch, even Emperor Qian couldn''t help but shake his head.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, unfazed, focusing intently on Ye Heng on the altar, and said calmly, "If you do not believe, then open your eyes wide and watch how I turn the tide..." sea??h th�� n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 476 - 476: Beaten to Death

    "You must have lost your mind," Yang Kun shook his head and sneered. "Even if a master from the Longevity Secret Realm were here, it wouldn''t be possible to, through on-the-spot guidance, have a Second Layer of the Golden Core Realm martial artist defeat an expert of the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm!"


    From the Second Layer of the Golden Core Realm to the First Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Between them lies the gap of a major realm.


    Xiao Zhengde spoke with cold ridicule, "Even Tian''er, at the Second Layer of the Golden Core Realm, couldn''t possibly defeat a warrior of the Tao Tribulation Realm. You actually dare to entertain the thought that with on-the-spot guidance, Ye Heng could defeat Yun Dian? That''s simply a fool''s dream!"


    The Tao Tribulation Realm.


    It''s the realm where one has mastered the primordial force of the martial dao and condensed the Martial Dao Divine Fruit.


    In terms of martial skills or the use of the power of heaven and earth, they far surpass those in the Golden Core Realm.


    The difference between them is like heaven and earth.


    Even an existence as powerful as Xiao Tianjiao wouldn''t dare claim he could certainly defeat a warrior of the Tao Tribulation Realm when he was at the Second Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Yang Ling''s face showed grave concern as he walked up to Xiao Yi and spoke in a low voice, "Xiao Yi, perhaps we should call off this round! It''s just one round, later we can strive to win the next one!"


    Clearly even Yang Ling didn''t believe Xiao Yi could truly pull off such a miracle.


    Xiao Yi simply smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd that mocked him, and he spoke firmly and deliberately, "When Xiao Yi makes a promise, he sticks to it like spit to a nail. If I say Ye Heng will win, then he will!"


    "This..."


    Yang Ling appeared hesitant.


    Atop the altar.


    Yun Dian had already started without giving them a chance to call a halt. The vital energy flowing in his hands far surpassed that of before, with his palms up to his arms now covered in a layer of silver patterns.


    These silver patterns appeared like profound runes.


    Criss-crossing and extending, every inch of silver light made his arms seem as though they were forged from silver.


    "Come, sword!"


    With a flick of his finger.


    The sixteen small silver swords hovering behind Yun Dian shot out simultaneously, this time at a speed several times faster than before.


    Not even the slightest sound of air friction could be heard in the sky.


    This was the most noticeable change after breaking through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, the more precise and skillful mastery over the power of heaven and earth, allowing him to manipulate these silver swords to avoid the resistance of wind and air.


    Beneath the altar.


    Xiao Yi, with his arms crossed and an indifferent expression, spoke out, "Take three steps back to the left..."


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Without the slightest hesitation, Ye Heng, as if a puppet on Xiao Yi''s strings, took three consecutive steps to the left.


    "Naive... You''ve changed from the past!" Yun Dian sneered.


    He was completely confident in his Sword Control Technique.


    Had it been before he broke through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, Ye Heng might have had a chance to avoid his attacks.


    But now...


    Yun Dian said confidently, "There''s no way you can avoid it!"


    However.


    As Xiao Yi commanded Ye Heng to retreat three steps to the left, his next instruction also followed, "Two waters parting around Bailu Island!"


    Roar!


    Ye Heng''s arm muscles bulged in an instant, gripping the sword hilt with both hands, his forehead veins throbbing as he furiously swung his arms. With a piercing sound of slicing the air, the edgeless heavy sword, from below upward, cleaved through wave after wave of qi.


    The qi stuck to the blade''s edge, traveling sideways.


    Precisely and evenly.


    It struck the first of the small silver swords.


    The two swords met, like a needle''s tip against a stalk of wheat.


    Ding, ding, ding!


    In a cacophony of ear-piercing clangs and sparks flying, the black edgeless heavy sword actually knocked the small silver sword flying.


    The aligned small silver swords split like a river parting, centered around the edgeless heavy sword, shooting rapidly to both sides.


    "What?"


    "Truly blocked? That... That must be a coincidence, right?"


    "Whether it''s coincidence or Xiao Yi''s guidance��the result will soon become clear!"


    The eyes of the crowd were glued to the scene atop the altar.


    Yang Kun, Xiao Zhengde, and the Huihai Sword Master were among the most nervous.


    Yun Dian also seemed surprised but didn''t take it too seriously, flicking his fingers to manipulate the small silver swords to hover above Ye Heng''s head, their tips pointing inward to form a circular sword formation, spinning round and round.


    No matter how Ye Heng dodged, the sword formation remained fixed right above his head.


    "That was just luck, now let''s see how you defend against this move!" Yun Dian shouted, his right index and middle fingers coming together, standing upright.


    At the same time.


    The sixteen spinning silver swords also changed direction, their tips turning.


    Like venomous fangs flickering with cold light, the small silver swords, pointed collectively at Ye Heng below, issued Yun Dian''s low command, "Sword Rain!"


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Together, the sixteen sword shadows plummeted downward.


    As they fell, they twisted around each other, spinning so fast it was impossible to make out the paths of the small silver swords.


    Inescapable and indefensible.


    In that critical moment.


    Xiao Yi''s voice once again reached Ye Heng''s ears, and Ye Heng''s trust in Xiao Yi was blind, without a shred of doubt.


    Facing Xiao Yi''s command, Ye Heng executed without hesitation, "Qinglian Rebirth, endless cycle of life!"


    "Qinglian Rebirth!"


    Wielding the edgeless heavy sword, Ye Heng condensed a black Sword Qi Flower Lotus. Without any pause, he executed, "Endless cycle of life!"


    Swoosh!


    Swoosh!


    Swoosh!


    ```


    The Sword Qi Flower Lotus continued to spin, surging up against the heavens following the direction of Ye Heng''s longsword.


    Clang clang clang!


    The Sword Qi Flower Lotus forcefully repelled the falling sword beams one by one, and simultaneously, Xiao Yi''s voice came once again, "A world beyond the sky, not within human realms!"


    Splendor flashed in Ye Heng''s eyes.


    Whoosh!


    His footsteps were illusory, as if he were a phantom.


    The place where his body had stood was now completely replaced by a vortex of Sword Qi, continuously pulling the silver small swords, preventing them from pursuing. As for Ye Heng, with a flash, he had broken through the surrounding of the Sword Rain Formation.


    Huihai Sword Master stared in disbelief, "He, he actually broke the Sword Rain Formation?"


    The Sword Rain Formation was an extremely strong offensive measure.


    Ye Heng, being below the Sword Rain Formation, was restricted everywhere, but now he had finally escaped the trap.


    Just like a runaway wild horse!


    Xiao Yi''s voice came once again, "Green Lotus Reincarnation, trap those small swords!"


    "Yes!"


    As Ye Heng turned around, he swung his sword.


    The Sword Qi Flower Lotus hovered above the Sword Qi vortex, petals made of condensed Sword Qi blooming to seal the vortex.


    The sixteen silver small swords were trapped within it, and Xiao Yi roared, "Strike him while he is down, take his life!"


    Roar!


    Ye Heng let out a resounding howl, with golden light circulating around his body, Battle War Holy Body fully unleashed!


    The golden Qi-Blood in his body, breathing in and out, made him look like a god or a demon, his hand wielding a black staff that swept up a storm of golden wind, charging towards Yun Dian.


    "This is bad ..."


    Yun Dian''s face suddenly changed; his cultivation might have stepped into the Tao Tribulation Realm, but he had only just made a breakthrough, and moreover, his physical body was weak and his forte was the Sword Control Technique. Now that the small swords were trapped, facing Ye Heng who was using the Battle War Holy Body, he feared that it would only be a few exchanges before he would be defeated.


    Yun Dian dodged while trying to control the small swords, but the Sword Qi from the Green Lotus was too terrible. For the moment, he couldn''t break free, which had him sweating profusely from his forehead, "Damn it, break free, come out ..."


    "Die!"


    Ye Heng''s bellow suddenly shattered his thoughts.


    Whoosh!


    A single sword strike fell.


    Yun Dian instinctively raised his hand to block but was met with a resounding clang as his right arm was brutally smashed and broken off by Ye Heng.


    The intense pain made Yun Dian''s face contort horribly, screaming miserably, "Roar ... my hand ..."


    "Tie him up, don''t let him pull away from you!" Xiao Yi''s guidance, like a beacon in the night, allowed Ye Heng to unleash the most powerful movement technique of his life, staying close on Yun Dian''s heels.


    He had the Battle War Holy Body!


    As hard as refined iron in the flesh, and as simultaneously powerful as a humanoid behemoth.


    "Strike him while he is down, take his life!"


    Ye Heng pressed on step by step, sticking to Yun Dian, each punch landing on his body.


    Wow!


    Bang!


    Boom ...


    Punches to the face, kicks to the groin, and occasionally, an edgeless heavy sword slashing across his waist.


    After a moment.


    Yun Dian was already covered in blood, his face swollen like that of a pig''s head, utterly incapable of continuing the fight. His pale face was already devoid of color, looking at Ye Heng, who was like a mad demon within the golden light; fear and terror were the only things in his eyes, "No, don''t come over ... save me, Your Highness, save me ..."


    Yun Dian no longer had the flamboyance and confidence of before, now like a dog that lost its home.


    Pitiful.


    Tragic!


    "Damn it!"


    Huihai Sword Master watched, his face alternating between flushing and paleness, as Yun Dian was beaten mercilessly by Ye Heng; his eyes bloodshot with anger he shouted, "Stop, stop it!"


    Whoosh!


    Just as Huihai Sword Master was about to take action, he saw a streak of cold light burst forth.


    It was a golden sword energy, pointed directly before his toes.


    Hiss!


    Huihai Sword Master took a sharp breath, his expression instantly darkening, "Xiao Yi, what do you mean by this?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, speaking indifferently, "Didn''t you all say it before? During the martial ceremony, same-generation fighters can engage in a life-or-death battle without interference from anyone!"


    "You ..."


    Huihai Sword Master and Yang Kun and others were indignant but helpless. sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Moments earlier.


    They had used this very reason to prevent Xiao Yi from helping Ye Heng, not expecting that in just a short while, the roles would be completely reversed. Seeing Yun Dian, now being ruthlessly beaten on the ground by Ye Heng, Huihai Sword Master and the others realized the situation was irretrievable.


    Despair and resignation filled their eyes.


    Almost at the same time ...


    Bang!


    Ye Heng''s fist smashed onto Yun Dian''s head, and his entire head exploded instantaneously, killed on the spot by Ye Heng.


    Whoosh!


    As Ye Heng rose to his feet, his body covered in blood, he gave a salute to Xiao Yi, "Master, your disciple has not disgraced you!"


    "Good job!"


    Xiao Yi smiled slightly, turning towards Huihai Sword Master and the others, "My unworthy disciple has won again. Does anyone else wish to challenge?"


    Everyone exchanged glances, reluctantly lowering their heads, "..."


    Challenge?


    Even Yun Dian of the Tao Tribulation Realm had been beaten to death; who would dare to challenge?


    While everyone was shocked by Ye Heng''s terrifying combat strength, they were even more subjugated by Xiao Yi''s miraculous guidance...


    ```

 Chapter 477 - 477: If you want to fight, then lets fight!

    At this moment...


    Above the summit of Imperial Dragon Mountain, all was silent.


    Everyone was quietly gaping, staring at Ye Heng, who, bloodied like a War God, stood proudly amidst the raging winds atop the altar.


    This youth, merely at the Second Layer of the Golden Core Realm, had achieved victory after victory during the martial sacrifice.


    Especially when facing the Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse Yun Dian, he still managed to rely on Xiao Yi''s guidance to forcefully beat a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse to death. This deepened everyone''s understanding of the Battle War Holy Body.


    This truly was a Sacred Body born for battling.


    The more he fought, the braver he became.


    He fought every battle and won them all!


    Of course.


    Beyond their shock and admiration for Ye Heng''s Battle War Holy Body, people were even more astounded by Xiao Yi.


    "It''s just too terrifying. If it weren''t for the fact that we''ve already investigated everything about him, I would even suspect that there is an old monster who has lived for tens of thousands of years lurking inside that body."


    "From the very first move that seemed the simplest, having Ye Heng dodge Yun Dian''s attack, to every subsequent response, Xiao Yi handled each with ease. Even when employing unorthodox swordplay, just a slight error would have cost Ye Heng his life at Yun Dian''s hands. But Xiao Yi truly managed it..."


    "The Sword Control Technique is extremely tricky. To deploy a series of such strategies by oneself would only be described as brilliant and stunning. But for Xiao Yi to be able to command Ye Heng to defeat the strong despite being weaker, and to execute each move and stance just at the right moment, hitting Yun Dian''s imperceptible flaws, I can no longer find the words to praise him..."


    "Even Xiao Tianjiao hasn''t killed a Tao Tribulation Realm powerhouse at the Second Layer of the Golden Core Realm, right? By this account, hasn''t Ye Heng broken Xiao Tianjiao''s record?"


    "Are you joking? Although Ye Heng is strong, it would''ve been absolutely impossible for him to defeat Yun Dian on his own. All of this is Xiao Yi''s doing. If we say that a record was broken, it should be attributed to Xiao Yi, right?"


    "Xiao Yi breaking Xiao Tianjiao''s record isn''t a first or second time occurrence!"


    Dongfang stroked his long beard, wearing a smile that was profound and unfathomable. When the crowd turned their eyes to him, he said softly, "As far as I know, Xiao Yi completed a hundred consecutive victories in the Combat Pavilion. This was his first time breaking Xiao Tianjiao''s record since coming to the imperial capital. Before that, he broke Xiao Tianjiao''s record by advancing from the Physical Body Realm into the Golden Core Realm in just two short years. Records like these are too numerous to count!"


    At this moment, both Ancestor Dongfang and Ancestor Ximen wore expressions of relief.


    Thank goodness they chose to stand on Xiao Yi''s side.


    Such a powerful being...


    As long as he does not fall, he will surely become a giant in the future!


    "So it turns out Xiao Yi is truly even more talented than Xiao Tianjiao! Tsk tsk, Xiao Zhengde has really been blind!"


    "If I had such a son, I would have worshipped him like an ancestor. Not only did Xiao Zhengde imprison him for eight years, but he also handed him over to someone else as their son-in-law. He is truly pushing an exceptional talent to the opposition..."


    The bubbling discussion sounded like invisible slaps, like the most venomous of curses, falling upon Xiao Zhengde.


    It turned his face from green to purple, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.


    "Dammit... Xiao Yi, you unfilial son! Couldn''t you just have stayed your mediocre self without causing so much trouble? Are you intentionally trying to embarrass me, right? Damn it, you should be dead... If I had known this would happen, I would have disregarded your mother''s interference and beaten you to death to feed the dogs..."


    Xiao Zhengde clenched his fists tightly, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably as he ground his teeth, "This rebellious son is really going to drive me to death! How despicable, if it wasn''t for Tian''er giving instructions to announce certain matters only at the end of the ancestral sacrifice ceremony, I would now be eager to make it public, to severely crush your arrogance..."


    Above the Dragon Throne.


    Emperor Qian narrowed his eyes, looking at Xiao Yi with a very complex expression.


    He had never expected that Xiao Yi, not only had incredible talent himself, but was also so extraordinary in combat and directing others.


    Astonishing as a celestial being!


    Whew!


    Emperor Qian let out a long breath, his gaze fleeting over the excited Yang Ling and the malevolent Yang Kun, and with a slight frown, he said, "With Xiao Yi by his side, Yang Ling may not necessarily fail. It''s just... so unfortunate that Xiao Tianjiao has already... alas..." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His sigh, however, went unheard by all.


    Before the altar.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up, his domineering gaze sweeping over everyone as he said indifferently, "There''s still half an incense stick''s worth of time left. Does anyone else wish to challenge on stage? If not, I might as well announce the results!"


    The crowd exchanged looks: "..."


    With a mocking smile, Xiao Yi looked at Yang Kun, whose face was full of resentment, and said, "Your Highness Yang Kun, isn''t Tianjian Sect supposed to have many experts? Why don''t you send up another at the Golden Elixir Peak or another half-step into the Tribulation Path Realm? It''s acceptable for them to break through to the Tao Tribulation Realm once they''re on the altar!"


    Yang Kun: "..."


    Huihai Sword Master: "..."


    The two of them wished they could dig a hole and bury their heads in it!


    Dammit!


    Those were words that pierced the heart!


    One Yun Dian had already made them the object of ridicule and contempt.


    If another were sent up.


    Wouldn''t that just make them the target of scorn from thousands?


    More importantly...


    With Xiao Yi, this game-changing existence there to offer guidance, what use would sending another half-step into the Tribulation Path Realm be?


    Wouldn''t that just be offering up free kills?


    "Xiao Yi, don''t go too far. The martial ceremony isn''t over yet, and my Tianjian Sect is abundant with experts, especially those in the Tao Tribulation Realm and Dharma Manifestation Realm, which is something your little Xiaoshanhe Institute cannot compare to. Are you sure you want to be so aggressively confrontational?" Yang Kun said with a darkened expression, grinding his teeth, each word emerging as if squeezed through his clenched teeth.


    With a cold expression, Huihai Sword Master said, "Xiao Yi, don''t forget that Dharma Manifestation Realm experts can also take the stage next. If you continue to pressure us, don''t blame us if your Xiaoshanhe Institute has no experts above the Calamity Realm after today!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, as Yang Kun''s words were an explicit threat.


    However...


    He did not speak.


    In the midst of the crowd.


    Shadow Demon, Zhang Ling, Chen Ziyi, Li Youruo, Fu Yuan, and others stepped forward in unison. Standing by Xiao Yi''s side, their eyes as sharp as a hawk''s, fixed intently on them, they spoke in unison, "Kill us all? You think you''re qualified?"


    "You dare threaten our Dean? If you''re so capable, send your Tianjian Sect warriors up to fight. Even if I cannot win, I''d take one down with me in a self-destruct, and let''s see how many experts Tianjian Sect really has!"


    "If it''s death we''re risking, what''s a scar on a warrior''s head? What''s there to fear?"


    "Those afraid to die don''t join Shanhe Court..."


    Roars like thunder erupted, stirring the blood of all Shanhe Court''s masters, and tens of thousands of disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute bellowed in unison, "Those afraid to die don''t join Shanhe Court!"


    "We''ll just die together if it comes to that!"


    In this moment...


    Xiaoshanhe Institute was of one heart and one mind.


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth curved upward as he stared at Huihai Sword Master and Yang Kun''s increasingly pale faces, and he said slowly but clearly, "If you want battle, then battle we shall!"

 Chapter 478 - 478: I Can Fight a Hundred by Myself!

    "If you want to fight, then we will fight!"


    Xiao Yi looked impassively at Huihai Sword Master and Yang Kun. The fire of battle in his eyes blazed like the fierce sun.


    By his side...


    Shadow Demon and others followed closely, never leaving or abandoning him, each one of them also carrying towering battle will.


    Especially Shadow Demon and Zhang Ling a few, who were originally slaves in Beast Emperor City, held captive in the dungeons where daylight never reached, living lives that were less than human.


    It was Xiao Yi''s arrival that had rescued them from the darkness.


    They owed him their very lives.


    Zhang Ling, who had the most explosive temper, took a step forward, his sword-like eyebrows fierce, his deadly gaze locked on Yang Kun: "You filthy mongrel, my master is so generous, and yet you oppose him at every turn. If you''re brave enough, come at me! Even if I can''t beat you, I''ll take you down with me in a suicide attack. Do you dare?"


    "Hahaha, Zhang Ling, if there''s going to be an explosion, it won''t be your turn! If anyone explodes, it should be me first!" said Shadow Demon with a grin.


    In their words,


    resounded a clanging determination, as steadfast as metal.


    Yang Kun''s face fluctuated between shades of green and white; his eyes seethed with a venomous and cold light: "Since you all seem eager to court death, then I will oblige. Liu Chun, kill him for me. I want his heart to accompany my wine..."


    "Yes!"


    Behind the Huihai Sword Master, a bald man touched his shiny head and, with a twisted smile, walked forward, his sanguine tongue licking his lips, his gaze fixed intently on Zhang Ling, "So you''re the one seeking death, right?"


    Boom!


    Beneath Liu Chun''s feet, a green halo emerged, undulating and flickering with a dazzling green light.


    It radiated outwards in waves, dispersing in all directions.


    Zhang Ling''s pupils shrank slightly, betraying a deep sense of solemnity and wariness: "This person''s cultivation is at least the fifth level of Dharma Manifestation Realm. It seems we really must prepare for a mutual destruction!"


    Although Zhang Ling had greatly improved both his resources and martial skills during his time at Xiaoshanhe Institute,


    he was only at the peak of the second level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Compared to Liu Chun, he indeed fell short. To achieve victory, the only way was to stake his life. Zhang Ling turned to look at Xiao Yi, with a grin saying, "Master, I''ll go ahead..."


    Whoosh!


    Zhang Ling leaped up, intending to ascend the sacrificial altar.


    But just then...


    A fair hand landed on his ankle, and Zhang Ling''s figure stalled, then crashed face-first onto the ground with a thud. He fell embarrassingly into the dirt, his face covered in dust, and he looked up at Xiao Yi in a daze: "Master, what are you doing?"


    Zhang Ling felt deeply wronged!


    He was about to ascend the altar; how could he be dragged down just like that?


    Yang Kun squinted at Xiao Yi: "What''s the matter? Is the mighty Headmaster Xiao willing to surrender without a fight?"


    "If you don''t speak, nobody will take you for a mute!"


    Xiao Yi spared him a glance, then walked over to Zhang Ling and lightly patted his shoulder with a smile, "As long as I''m here, there''s no need for any of you to risk your lives."


    "Master, you mean..." Zhang Ling was startled.


    Shadow Demon quickly stepped forward, grabbing Xiao Yi and said in a grave voice: "Master, you are our pillar. As long as you''re in Xiaoshanhe Institute, it won''t fall. You must not risk yourself; leave this to us!"


    "Master, if it weren''t for you, none of us would have today. Now that someone dares to target you, it''s only natural that we lead the charge!"


    "Please, let Zhang Ling go!"


    The people pleaded one after another.


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "Since you all call me ''Master'', naturally, I have a duty to protect you. Just stand here and watch." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Master, you mustn''t!"


    "Master, they''re dying for you to make a move, you can''t fall for it!" Jin Feiyan''s eyes brimmed with pleading, tugging at Xiao Yi''s sleeve, begging desperately.


    Xiao Yi rubbed her head, smiling and said, "It''s okay, they''re just a bunch of chickens and dogs, why should I be afraid?"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leaped up and landed on the altar.


    He beckoned Liu Chun with a curl of his finger, a sneer on his face, "Come up here and meet your death!"


    "Arrogant!"


    Liu Chun snorted coldly, rubbed his head, and said with a sinister smile, "People say how powerful you, Xiao Yi, are. I want to see if you''re as formidable as the rumors claim..."


    Whoosh!


    Liu Chun''s feet bloomed with lotuses as he ascended step by step, landing firmly on the altar, and proudly said, "Xiao Yi, I saw how you guided Ye Heng in battle earlier; it seems you have ample combat experience. Just don''t know if you can react as quickly when you''re fighting yourself!"


    "Babble!"


    Xiao Yi, impatient, flicked his hand and the sword moved through the air, "Star Breaker!"


    Hum!


    A point of cold light gathered at the tip of his finger, as brilliant as a star, turning into a hexagram that shot out. Everywhere it passed, stars arrayed across the sky, dragging a bright and luminous comet trail.


    The hexagram spun faster as it flew, growing larger by the moment.


    Whirlwinds churned across the surface of the star light, cutting through everything in front of it with extreme sharpness.


    "Just a minor trick..."


    Liu Chun''s face was full of disdain.


    With a tap of his foot, energy dissipated outward.


    The ground in front of him roared, and it suddenly burst open, a green tree rising from the earth, its roots like black serpents entwining around chunks of rock, blocking his front.


    Below the altar, Yang Kun said proudly, "Liu Chun is a rare possessor of the Wooden Spirit physique, cultivates the ''Jianmu Divine Skill,'' and can manipulate the power of trees and plants. This tree is the Iron Dragon Wood, extremely durable, and even someone at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak would struggle to break through its defense, Xiao Yi cannot possibly..."


    Before he could finish speaking.


    Suddenly, the sound of air breaking through filled their ears, and the Huihai Sword Master grabbed Yang Kun and retreated explosively. Where Yang Kun had been standing, a broken tree branch had penetrated Liu Chun''s chest and slammed to the ground with a thud.


    Drip-drop, drip-drop!


    Blood slid down the tree and dropped to the ground, splattering into clusters of plum-like red stains.


    Gulp!


    Yang Kun swallowed hard with a stunned look on his face, staring towards the altar, where the Iron Dragon Wood that he claimed was impossible for Xiao Yi to break had been cleaved apart at the waist by him.


    Jin Feiyan''s high-hanging heart relaxed as a radiant smile spread across her pretty face, challenging Yang Kun, "Dear Prince Yang Kun, didn''t you say the Iron Dragon Wood was indestructible? How come my master sliced it in half with just a flick of his finger?"


    "You..."


    Yang Kun''s face turned shades of red and white, too angry to speak.


    "Fei Yan, how can you speak to Prince Yang Kun like that? Apologize to the prince right now!" Xiao Yi said sternly.


    "Huh?"


    Jin Feiyan was taken aback, puzzled by why Xiao Yi suddenly asked her to apologize to Yang Kun, her eyes reddening with a touch of grievance. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Xiao Yi loudly say, "Prince Yang Kun, Fei Yan has been spoiled by me, speaks her mind without hiding anything, I hope your highness can forgive her."


    "Uh..."


    Yang Kun blinked, completely confused.


    As he gazed at Xiao Yi, his eyes grew stranger��was this guy about to back down?


    But he soon realized he had thought too much...


    Xiao Yi looked at the experts from the various major powers behind Yang Kun, waving his hand and said, "Are there any more fighters like Liu Chun? I can take on a hundred of such fighters! Or perhaps, would you like those few behind you to come at me together?"

 Chapter 479 - 479: Battle Nangong Again

    "I could beat a hundred of his kind, let them all come at me together!"


    Xiao Yi pointed at the group of powerhouses from various forces behind Yang Kun, his face filled with a playful expression.


    In the ten great sects,


    the Tianjian Sect was the strongest, with many other sects looking up to it as the leader.


    Those who followed Yang Kun, each and every one of them supported him as the Crown Prince.


    From this, one could see just how terrifying the power Yang Kun possessed was; aside from the Feixue Temple and the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, there were powerhouses from the other eight great sects behind him.


    Xiao Yi was pointing at these people behind him, but included among them were powerhouses from the eight great sects, as well as giants like the Nangong Family, the Beitang, and the Xiao Family.


    Among them, there were not a few at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Xiao Yi wanted to face a hundred alone, which to Yang Kun and the rest was undoubtedly a naked provocation.


    "This is too much!"


    "Xiao Yi, do you really think you are Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "If all of us attacked you together, we could drown you in spit, what do you think you are?"


    "Hahaha..."


    A hysterical cold laugh suddenly echoed from the crowd, making everyone look in the direction of the sound. They saw Nangong Shengji observing Xiao Yi with an indifferent face, sneering wickedly, "You can''t even get past me, yet you think of facing a hundred alone? That must be the funniest joke I''ve heard in my life!"


    Boom boom boom!


    Nangong Shengji moved with the speed of a dragon and the force of a tiger. As he rushed forward like the wind, his voice was as deep as a muffled thunder, "Xiao Yi, we once had a promise of battle, and now it''s time to fulfill that promise!"


    Whoosh!


    His figure lightly descended onto the altar like a dandelion seed, making a welcoming gesture towards Xiao Yi, "You caused the Nangong Family to fall apart. Today, it''s time for us to settle things!"


    The Nangong Family was once the first among the four great aristocratic families.


    Just in the Great Qian Dynasty alone, their medicinal shops numbered over ten thousand, with income like pouring gold, rich enough to rival nations.


    Nangong Shengji, as the patriarch of the Nangong Family, wielded immense power.


    Even the great powers competed to court them.


    Emperor Qian, the Unparalleled War King, and so on...


    All of them had to consider their reaction.


    But now...


    Ever since Xiao Yi joined forces with the Treasure Pavilion to act against the Nangong Family, the entire Nangong Family''s enterprises had been devastated. Now, their ten thousand shops had all closed, and the Nangong Family was heavily in debt.


    When the walls fell, everyone pushed them down.


    The Nangong Family fell to pieces and had no choice but to cling to the Unparalleled War King, Yang Yuhuan, merely to survive.


    This feeling was like plunging from the high clouds straight to the bottom of the valley.


    And the chief culprit for all this was the young man standing before him now, exuding an air of elegance as if he were a celestial being - Xiao Yi.


    Giggle giggle giggle!


    Nangong Shengji clenched his fists tightly; his shoulders trembled ever so slightly, and his eyes were narrowed into slits, emitting a cold light sharp as blades, "Xiao Yi, if not for you, would my Nangong Family be in such a plight? I swore before our ancestors that I would tear you to pieces. If I don''t kill you today, I''ll have no face to meet our ancestors..."


    Xiao Yi raised his hand to wipe his nose and chuckled, "Don''t worry, I''ll be sending you off to meet our ancestors!"


    "Audacious!"


    Nangong Shengji gave a cold laugh.


    Crackle and pop!


    Infinite energy burst forth from his body, agitated energy waves wrapping around him, twisting and turning, emitting piercingly sharp sounds like throngs of thunder snakes.


    With each collision of energy, sparks flew like firecrackers.


    It was so intense it caused pain in the eardrums and made the scalp tingle.


    An overwhelming pressure.


    In an instant, it enveloped the surroundings, making the powerhouses who were not at the Dharma Manifestation Realm around the altar feel as though they were under the weight of a huge peak, instinctively retreating and not daring to get close.


    "Nangong Shengji''s cultivation has shot up by a large margin!" Fu Yuan''s pupils slightly narrowed.


    The Shadow Demon had a solemn expression, his gaze as focused as ever, "I''m afraid Nangong Shengji has already surpassed the scope of the Dharma Manifestation Realm..."


    "Hmm?"


    Jin Feiyan and the others all showed a change in their expressions.


    Surpassing the scope of the Dharma Manifestation Realm?


    Could that not mean the Nirvana Realm?


    The gazes of the crowd uniformly shifted toward the altar above, and even the air itself seemed to carry an extra weight of solemnity.


    Atop the dragon couch.


    Emperor Qian''s fingers lightly tapped the armrest, his expression as still as ancient well water, betraying no hint of his emotions. Had it not been for his slightly squinted eyes, which occasionally flickered with a chilling gleam that alarmed the heart, one might have thought he had fallen asleep.


    Yang Ling turned back to look at Emperor Qian, and seeing no expression on his face, could only seek help with his eyes from the eunuch Qi beside him.


    Eunuch Qi gave him a slight shake of his head in response.


    Yang Ling opened his mouth a few times as if to speak, but ultimately, it all turned into a sigh. Looking at Xiao Yi on the altar, he quietly clenched his fists: "Xiao Yi, you must not have any troubles!"


    ......


    Whooosh!


    A fierce wind blew from around Nangong Shengji, forming a tempestuous wave that covered the entire altar.


    Located at the center of the altar, Xiao Yi was directly facing the gale.


    His robes flapped with a snapping sound, and his black hair whipped wildly in the wind. Pieces of gravel, caught by the storm, struck toward him like arrows, yet exploded into bits mere inches from his body.


    Reducing to a sky full of dust.


    Not even close to touching him.


    Suddenly... S��arch* The ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nangong Shengji''s body shuddered, and with a booming noise, the sweeping winds abruptly ceased.


    The numerous particles of dust and debris caught midair froze for a moment, then, like a heavy rain, cascaded toward the ground. But at that moment, Nangong Shengji''s figure bolted, piercing through the layers of dust and debris.


    With a reach of his palm in midair, countless particles of dirt and stone gathered in front of him.


    Turning into rows of sharp, stone swords.


    As Nangong Shengji rushed forward, he directed the stone swords to explode toward Xiao Yi.


    By the hundreds!


    Thousands...


    The densely packed stone swords spun continuously, emitting a buzzing, ear-piercing noise. Just as they were about to reach Xiao Yi, the numerous swords suddenly converged into one, forming a twenty-meter-long colossal sword aimed directly at Xiao Yi''s body.


    Boom!


    The colossal sword triggered the automatic release of Qi from within Xiao Yi, which concentrated into a net of Qi in front of him.


    Crackling!


    The colossal sword collided with the net of Qi, creating a violent burst of sparks like flint against steel, shattering the swords upon impact.


    The twenty-meter sword also continuously shrank.


    Fifteen meters.


    Ten meters.


    Five meters...


    Until, with a loud bang, the Qi net on the surface of Xiao Yi''s body exploded. Simultaneously, amidst a cloud of dust, Nangong Shengji reached out with his palm and thrust it into the remaining three-meter stone sword, his arm shaking.


    The stone sword burst apart, and a flash of silver light streaked by.


    A longsword enveloped in silver light emerged from the broken stone sword, evidently hiding a Yuan weapon inside!


    With the lethal Yuan weapon longsword propelled by Nangong Shengji, it thrusted directly at Xiao Yi''s glabella.


    Hiss!


    This perilous moment elicited a wave of gasps.


    Countless powerhouses widened their eyes as if an invisible hand was gripping their hearts tightly.


    Staring intently at the altar above.


    At the longsword that was about to cleave Xiao Yi''s head in two...

 Chapter 480 - 480 Youre too weak!

    The sword was thrusting straight towards Xiao Yi''s brow.


    It looked as if it was about to split his head in two, but just when the sharp tip of the sword was a finger''s distance from Xiao Yi''s brow,


    the ferocious longsword suddenly paused.


    "Huh?"


    "What''s going on? Could it be that Nangong Shengji has suddenly grown a conscience?"


    "That''s not right, look closely..."


    A cry of alarm suddenly rose.


    All eyes swiftly turned towards the longsword, and they saw that at some unknown time, Xiao Yi''s right hand was already in front of him, with two fingers firmly pinching the blade. It was because of his two fingers that the sword was forcefully halted, unable to advance even a fraction more.


    Hiss!


    Everyone strong was utterly astonished.


    Nangong Shengji was at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, and even had the strength of the Nirvana Realm!


    He wielded the longsword with the force of a killing blow.


    The speed and power of that longsword were enough to seriously injure or even slay ordinary warriors at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak.


    Xiao Yi had actually stopped it using only two fingers?


    "Could it be that Nangong Shengji is going easy?"


    "Absolutely impossible... Nangong Shengji wishes nothing more than to tear Xiao Yi to shreds, how could he go easy at this moment?"


    The crowd once again turned their gaze towards Nangong Shengji.


    They saw the sinister smile on his face gradually disappearing, replaced by a look of profound shock and disbelief.


    He knew the power of that sword best.


    Even a warrior at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak would find it extremely difficult to dodge, but Xiao Yi had resolved it so effortlessly.


    Such strength caused Nangong Shengji''s pupils to contract violently, with intense shock; his eyes also sharpened as he asked, "How did you do that?"


    "What?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    Nangong Shengji''s arm continued to exert force, but the sword remained immovable. He gritted his teeth and said, "My sword attack, named Hidden Edge, is a sixth-order high-grade primordial weapon. The move just now, ''Shattered Mirror'', is an indefensible killer move. How could you possibly block it so easily?"


    "Oh, you''re talking about this?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and slightly released his fingers, letting Nangong Shengji''s sword thrust forward once more with a clang.


    But it only advanced half a finger''s distance before Xiao Yi pinched it again.


    Nangong Shengji''s pupils contracted violently, and his face displayed deep horror and shock.


    If the initial attack could be attributed to chance that Xiao Yi blocked it,


    then at this moment, there was no chance involved!


    You should know...


    With the sword tip only a finger''s distance from Xiao Yi, if he had released the sword again, it would have taken virtually the blink of an eye to take his head. Yet Xiao Yi still managed to trap the sword, his reaction speed and strength far beyond Nangong Shengji''s understanding.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly, and he said with a smile, "Now you understand why, right?"


    Nangong Shengji''s face was dark, and he said nothing.


    Xiao Yi enunciated each word clearly, "You are too weak!"


    "..."


    Nangong Shengji''s face was as black as charcoal, his features twisted as if wrung into a knot, filled with profound humiliation.


    You are too weak!


    For someone who once stood among the top echelon of warriors in the Great Qian Dynasty, there was no phrase more humiliating than these words.


    ```


    Huff!


    Huff...


    Nangong Shengji''s chest rose and fell violently, suddenly sneering, "Interesting, very interesting. Truly worthy of being the man who could push the Nangong Family into a corner. Even Xiao Tianjiaao did not possess such confidence and strength at your cultivation level. If I hadn''t made any breakthroughs these days, perhaps I really wouldn''t be your match. But unfortunately..."


    Boom!


    A tremor ran through Nangong Shengji''s body.


    An overwhelming aura burst forth from within him, like surging waves.


    Behind him...


    The Dharma Manifestation gradually solidified.


    His body also emitted bursts of blinding golden light.


    "A Nirvana Body?"


    "He really has stepped into the Nirvana Realm..."


    "Weren''t people beyond the Dharma Manifestation Realm forbidden to participate in the martial ceremony?" S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hehe... Weren''t those possessing strength beyond the Tao Tribulation Realm also not allowed to join before? No wonder Nangong Shengji switched his support to Yang Kun. It turns out they are all the same kind of shameless people..."


    The crowd whispered among themselves.


    Previously, Yang Kun had sent Yun Dian, who was at the Half-step Tribulation Path Realm, to deal with Ye Heng and to break through to the Tao Tribulation Realm on the altar.


    It was already despicable.


    And now...


    Nangong Shengji, the esteemed head of the Nangong Family, had also suppressed his cultivation, only to break through to the Nirvana Realm on the altar. Using identical tactics, many were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Yang Kun.


    Listening to the whispers of the crowd, Yang Kun remained expressionless, yet inwardly he sneered, "Idiots. Since ancient times, the victor is king and the loser the bandit. What do a few tricks matter as long as one attains the final victory? Xiao Yi ah Xiao Yi, with your cultivation at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm facing Nangong Shengji in the First Nirvana Realm, you''re surely on a path to certain death!"


    At the side of the Dragon Couch.


    Upon confirming that Nangong Shengji was indeed in the Nirvana Realm, Yang Ling''s face paled. He turned to Emperor Qian urgently, "Father Emperor, Imperial Brother has broken the rules of the martial ceremony twice in a row, are you really not going to do anything about it?"


    Emperor Qian glanced at him with a trace of faint disappointment in his eyes, saying, "You, you have disappointed me greatly! As the emperor, one must stop at nothing to achieve one''s goals. Furthermore... what are rules? My word is the rule... If you can ascend to the throne, who will say you have not followed the rules?"


    "But..."


    However, Yang Ling could not agree with this. In his view, while it was acceptable to use means to achieve goals, one should at least keep up appearances!


    He was about to argue his point.


    Seeing that glances were no longer effective, Qi hurriedly interjected, "Your Highness, quickly look, Xiao Yi is making his move!"


    "Hm?"


    Yang Ling stared blankly, then subconsciously turned to look at the altar.


    Facing Nangong Shengji, who had revealed the aura of the Nirvana Realm, Xiao Yi showed no fear. Instead, he shook his head slightly and said with a smile, "I forgot to tell you, you''re not the first Nirvana Realm cultivator to die at my hands!"


    "Hm?"


    Nangong Shengji was taken aback, then scoffed, "Hahaha, you''re beyond help, still spouting nonsense when death is at your doorstep. A Nirvana Realm cultivator dying at your hands? With your cultivation not even at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, how could you possibly kill someone in the Nirvana Realm..."


    Beneath the altar.


    The unparalleled War King Yang Yuhuan shook his head with a wry smile, lightly saying, "A peak Tao Tribulation Realm cultivator slaying someone in the Nirvana Realm? Such outrageous words, how can you even speak them?"


    Xiao Zhengde laughed heartily, "Even Tian''er, after breaking through the Dharma Manifestation Realm, managed to slay a Nirvana Realm expert. This rebellious one''s claims are as grand as the heavens!"


    "Forget killing a Nirvana Realm, if you can even defeat a Nirvana Realm opponent, this lord would kneel before you, acknowledging you as the number one genius of the Great Qian Dynasty!" Huihai Sword Master said with crossed arms, gently shaking his head, full of confidence.


    Nangong Shengji spread his arms, smiling as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Heard everyone''s words? Now you should realize how ridiculous you are, right? Dreaming of slaying a Nirvana Realm at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm? Why don''t you claim you''re from the Longevity Secret Realm while you''re at it?"


    "Longevity Secret Realm? Sooner or later, that will be the case. But for now..."


    Xiao Yi grinned, casually lifting his right hand, pointing at Nangong Shengtian, "I''ll take your head first!"


    ```

 Chapter 481 - 481: I Want to Kill Him, Who Can Stop Me?

    "I''ll take your head first!"


    Xiao Yi''s outstretched palm gradually clenched, and as the corners of his mouth lifted, a cold and confident arc curled upward.


    "Take my head? You''d have to see if you''ve got the ability!"


    Nangong Shengji''s face grew even more hideous.


    There had always been a life-or-death rivalry between him and Xiao Yi.


    Now, having broken through to the Nirvana Realm, his confidence was at an all-time high, yet Xiao Yi still looked down on him, bestowing upon Nangong Shengji an insufferable humiliation. The illustrious leader of the Nangong Family who had reached the Nirvana Realm.


    How could he tolerate it?


    Boom!


    A golden radiance swirled around Nangong Shengji, with his Nirvana body making him even more skilled in manipulating his celestial powers and the forces of the world.


    With every move he made,


    he unconsciously emitted a suffocating and harrowing aura.


    Whoosh!


    The sixth-tier elemental weapon, the Hidden Edge Sword, brandished a sweep of sword Qi. This sword energy burst forth like a torrent of silver rain, each droplet shimmering like a resplendent explosion of fireworks.


    Waves of sword light inundated the sky.


    Across the altar...


    boomed and burst apart, leaving savage crisscrossed gashes as though a tremendous net was gradually unfurling. It rushed towards Xiao Yi, threatening to completely engulf him.


    Xiao Yi tapped the ground with the tip of his foot, channeling surging power into the earth beneath him.


    In an instant.


    The entire altar shook like a dragon turning over, as waves of earth rose one after another, endlessly undulating.


    Layer upon layer of earthen waves rolled,


    blocking successive waves of Sword Qi.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The sword edges exploded; the earth waves shattered.


    Amidst the flying dust in the air,


    Xiao Yi suddenly dashed forward with a whoosh. A flick of his hands brought a sixth-tier superior elemental weapon longsword into his grasp. It was a radiant longsword named the Falling Dust Sword.


    The Falling Dust Sword!


    This weapon, acquired from the Treasure Pavilion, was forged from stellar iron that had fallen from beyond the heavens, unmatched in sharpness and inherently chilly.


    Whoosh!


    He swept his sword through the air.


    A radiant arc speckled with snowflakes and ice crystals spanned the altar: "Ice Seal Thousands of Miles!"


    Where the sword edge passed, the ground turned to ice.


    The bone-chilling cold encapsulated the entire altar.


    "Child''s play!"


    Nangong Shengji chuckled coldly, pointing the Hidden Edge Sword towards the ground, the sword tip quickly sinking beneath the altar.


    At the same time, his expression darkened...


    Veins on his forehead stood out prominently, and his sleeves, which were covering his arms, burst open with a bang, unleashing ferocious strength from within him into the Hidden Edge Sword. The ground beneath his feet bulged, and with a flick of the Hidden Edge Sword,


    Boom!


    The huge bulge exploded violently, and two soil dragons, mixed with sharp Sword Qi, burst forth from the earth.


    Roar!


    Roar!


    These two earth dragons were incredibly ferocious, each around sixty feet long, with earthy yellow scales covering their bodies. Their undersides sported claws formed from condensed Sword Qi, while two horn-like protrusions made of silver Sword Qi crowned their heads.


    Lifelike, they danced menacingly.


    Their awe-inspiring presence dominated the scene.


    The earth dragons, one from the left and one from the right, swept in with a storm of earthen-colored Sword Qi.


    Nangong Shengji, standing upon a dragon''s head, commanded an imposing aura like a War God descending upon the world, his thunderous voice echoing like shocking thunder across the sky: "Twin Dragons Snatch the Pearl!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The dragon heads, tough beyond measure, bore horns that were incomparably sharp.


    As they traveled...


    the waves of earth Xiao Yi stirred were forcefully shattered into pieces.


    Boom!


    The earth dragons leapt high into the air and plunged down ferociously, their crown horns blazing with Sword Qi as they lunged violently at him.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi instinctively dodged to the side.


    The earth dragon smashed into the ground with a bang, burrowing into it, while the second one followed in hot pursuit. Xiao Yi, following suit, dodged again. Just as this earth dragon submerged, the ground where Xiao Yi landed burst apart with a loud bang.


    Previously submerged, the earth dragon opened its gaping maw and, with a majestic roar, leaped violently from beneath the ground.


    Its enormous jaws wielded lance-like fangs, aimed precisely at Xiao Yi.


    "Not good!"


    Xiao Yi''s face slightly darkened, and he braced himself with both arms.


    Boom, boom!


    His hands stretched out to hold the dragon''s jaws, one above and one below, trapping him within.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The earth dragon, carrying Xiao Yi, continuously slammed into the ground, burrowing beneath it before bursting out again, making Xiao Yi look quite disheveled.


    Nangong Shengji floated in mid-air.


    His hands swiftly formed seals, and he fiercely struck out with several hand signs.


    "Dragon Devours Heaven and Earth!"


    Roar! Roar!


    Two dragon roars shook the heavens.


    Two earthy-yellow dragons soared into the sky; in the air, they seemed to face each other, one of them with Xiao Yi in its mouth. At that moment, Xiao Yi braced against the jaws of the dragon, knowing the slightest relaxation would cause the jaws, lined with ferocious Sword Qi, to close as one.


    The terrifying Sword Qi could likely grind him into mincemeat!


    The two dragons faced off.


    Nangong Shengji stood aloft, corners of his mouth slightly turned up, his face twisting with viciousness as he sneered, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, take your last look at Xiaoshanhe Institute! After today, this will be your burial site!"


    As his words fell,


    Nangong Shengji brought his hands together.


    Roar!


    Roar!


    The two dragons roared wildly as they charged fiercely toward the Fang Family.


    The bloody maws of the two earth dragons faced each other.


    "Not good!"


    "Xiao Yi is in danger!"


    "Dean..."


    Dongfang Kuang, Fu Yuan, and others looked horrified, ready to intervene. S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But they saw Yang Yuhuan, Huihai Sword Master, and others step in front of them first.


    "Out of the way!" Dongfang Kuang shouted angrily.


    Huihai Sword Master said sinisterly, "Just stand here obediently. Today Xiao Yi must die, no one can interfere!"


    Fu Yuan and Shadow Demon, their eyes red with rage, radiated overwhelming killing intent: "Get out of my way... If you dare block me, even at the cost of my life, I''ll drag you down with me..."


    "Drag us down? Are you capable of that?"


    Yang Yuhuan sneered coldly.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    In the midst of clanging metal, Blood Saber Guard and the powerhouses of various factions all appeared, surrounding them tightly. For a moment, the powerhouses from Xiaoshanhe Institute and the Dongfang Family seemed to be immobilized.


    If they dared to make a move, they would be met with a destructive assault.


    Everyone looked as if they had lost their loved ones.


    Despairingly, they gazed up at the sky.


    At the same time...


    Watching the two earth dragons collide, their Sword Qi, after all, was forged by a Nirvana Realm powerhouse wielding a sixth-order advanced elemental weapon. If he were really struck by the impact, he would either be critically injured or killed.


    In this moment of life and death,


    Xiao Yi''s eyes gleamed with madness as he suddenly released a hand. The dragon''s mouth snapped shut with a thud, forcing his body to bend and nearly close on him. With bloodshot eyes, Xiao Yi gripped the Falling Dust Sword and howled, "Blue Lotus Reincarnation!"


    Hum!


    The sword''s edge surged, transforming into a Sword Qi Blue Lotus.


    "Endlessly regenerating!"


    Xiao Yi struck out with another sword, scattering the Blue Lotus throughout the inside of the dragon''s mouth.


    Almost simultaneously...


    The other earth dragon had already arrived in front of him, and in this critical moment, Xiao Yi swiftly tucked in his limbs. Using the explosive force of the Sword Qi Blue Lotus, he shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, targeting the belly of the earth dragon.


    The Falling Dust Sword led the way.


    Wherever it passed...


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The dragon''s body burst apart, cracks spreading everywhere, and in the blink of an eye, the heads of the two earth dragons collided and shattered. Xiao Yi, however, burst through the dragon''s body with a bang and emerged into the air, while Nangong Shengji had yet to react.


    With a single sword strike, he felled Nangong Shengji to the ground.


    Roar...


    Nangong Shengji let out a wretched scream as the sword neatly severed his right arm at the shoulder.


    "Awoo..."


    Lying in a pool of blood, Nangong Shengji saw Xiao Yi''s foot on his shoulder, as he looked up coldly, "You lost!"


    "No... don''t kill me..."


    Nangong Shengji watched as Xiao Yi slowly raised his longsword, his face filled with terror.


    Below the altar,


    The crowd was stunned by the turn of events at the eleventh hour, gaping in shock, while Yang Yuhuan''s expression shifted. Nangong Shengji was the key to his control of the Nangong Family. He shouted, "Stop!"


    "Stop?"


    Xiao Yi turned to glance at him and said coldly, "I am going to kill him. Who can stop me?"


    As his words ended,


    Swish!


    With a sweep of the longsword, Nangong Shengji''s head fell to the ground...

 Chapter 482 - 482: Battle Demon Xue Xiong

    Xiao Yi stood proudly upon the altar.


    In his hand, the Falling Dust Sword was sloped against the ground, its entirety flickering with a silvery blue cold light, and yet, the longsword, forged from the meteoric iron of a fallen star, did not have even a speck of blood on it.


    Nangong Shengji''s body was separated from his head, which was staring in rage, filled with unwillingness and regret.


    If only he had known, why would he have provoked Xiao Yi?


    Now that he has died, the Nangong Family has lost its final support, inevitably becoming the target for many powers to fight over and consume.


    Once one of the four great noble houses at their zenith.


    From this moment on, they have completely entered the Dark Abyss, with no chance of rising again!


    Below the altar.


    War God Yang Yuhuan''s face fluctuated between shades of blue and purple, and the angry flames in his eyes were like two dazzling and blinding suns. His breathing became heavier and more rapid, and the rage had turned into a gale, enveloping him.


    Within a hundred paces, not a soul dared to come close.


    "This king ordered you to stop, yet you dared to strike with lethal force?" Yang Yuhuan gritted his teeth tightly, word by word questioning sharply.


    Xiao Yi, from his higher position, looked down upon this existence whose power was second only to Emperor Qian in the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Known as the one below only one, yet above millions.


    The unparalleled War God, Yang Yuhuan!


    Yet, there wasn''t the slightest trace of fear in him, and with a light tap and lift of his foot, Nangong Shengji *swooshed* through the air towards Yang Yuhuan. With a *bang*, he fell before him, and Xiao Yi, neither servile nor overbearing, smiled and said, "I have returned the person to you; now, are you satisfied?"


    Yang Yuhuan: "..."


    His pupils gradually filled with a layer of blood vessels, densely packed, making his eyes resemble red lanterns.


    Swallowing a bone-chilling cold light that seemed to pick its victims.


    The mighty unparalleled War God. S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a status equal to the sect leaders of the top ten sects, second only to one and above millions.


    No one had ever dared to speak to him like this.


    Clickety-clack!


    The fists that Yang Yuhuan clenched emitted a succession of crispy sounds like fried beans, his knuckles turning pale, and he said in a sinister tone, "You little bastard, do you really think that because Emperor Qian protects you, this king would not dare to kill you?"


    Boom boom boom!


    At this moment...


    Thick clouds enshrouded the sky above Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Within the clouds, thunder roared, and purple-gold lightning suddenly struck down, turning the vast Imperial Dragon Mountain into a world of purple and gold. The lightning, with its intermittently bright and dark light, shone on Yang Yuhuan''s face, making him appear even more ferocious and imposing.


    At this moment, Yang Yuhuan''s thoughts were in utter chaos.


    He had gone to great lengths to bring the Nangong Family under his command; their medicinal pills were a crucial part of his ambitious plan. But now, with Nangong Shengji dead at the hands of Xiao Yi, the Nangong Family would inevitably fall apart.


    This had a tremendous impact on his scheme.


    This was the great undertaking he had planned for his entire life, and now it was ruined in an instant��how could he not be furious?


    He simply hated that he couldn''t tear Xiao Yi to pieces and devour him alive!


    Facing Yang Yuhuan''s murderous gaze, Xiao Yi was completely fearless, his body leaning slightly forward as he said with a light laugh, "Your Excellency is the unparalleled War God, what is there for you not to dare? However, if you wish to take my life, you''ll have to see if I agree to it!"


    "Arrogant!"


    Yang Yuhuan''s eternally cold visage twisted into a savage sneer, like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey, and he said in a grim tone, "Under the heavens, there''s no one whom this prince wishes to kill that requires the consent of the victim. If I want you dead, you shall die. If I command you to live, even if you are dead, you must rise for me!"


    The peerless War King.


    A figure akin to the War God in the Great Qian Dynasty, currently wielding control over more than half of the military might of the empire, his martial achievements are awe-inspiringly vast, so much that they overshadow even the Emperor.


    Apart from Emperor Qian, he was the most powerful existence.


    Indeed, as he said...


    Whoever he wanted dead, had to die!


    Xiao Yi shook his head and laughed, "What grandiose words. Those unaware might even think you''re not the War King, but King Yama who reigns over the netherworld! I''m standing right here; do try to kill me?"


    "How dare you challenge the prince, you''re seeking death!"


    Before Yang Yuhuan could speak, a middle-aged man clad in blood-colored armor, wielding a three-meter-long Wolf Fang Club like a humanoid beast, stepped forward from behind him.


    His voice roared like thunder, deafening everyone as his mouth opened wide.


    Boom!


    He smashed the Wolf Fang Club into the ground, burying it three inches deep. He kneeled on one knee before Yang Yuhuan and said, "My lord, your body is worth its weight in gold. Lowering yourself to deal with such a dead man blights your standing. Your subordinate begs for the honor to fight!"


    "Granted!"


    Yang Yuhuan nodded, his chilling face turning toward the altar, "Life or death regardless, should anything happen, I shall bear the consequences."


    "Rest assured, my lord!"


    The middle-aged man instantly rose to his feet, kicked the Wolf Fang Club into his hand, and then leaped from the ground, diving from high above like a falcon onto the altar with a thunderous crash. The aura emanating from him was immense and profound, his eyes sharp as a falcon, and the Wolf Fang Club in his hands sliced through the air ferociously.


    "The Deputy Commander of the Blood Saber Guard, Xue Xiong, has come for your head!" Xue Xiong, holding his Wolf Fang Club, fixed his gaze on Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows slightly raised.


    This Xue Xiong''s cultivation was merely at the ninth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm and had not yet reached its peak.


    However...


    The Qi-Blood in his body, as well as the terrifying Evil Qi that could only be accumulated through numerous battles, made it clear that his combat power was definitely not as simple as his cultivation level indicated.


    This was an opponent even more troublesome than Nangong Shengji.


    As if to confirm Xiao Yi''s speculation, the crowd below the altar gasped in shock upon hearing the name Xue Xiong, "Is this truly one of the three great butchers of the Blood Saber Guard, the War Demon Xue Xiong? It''s said that at birth, due to his immense size, he caused his mother a dystocia. While everyone thought he was doomed, he, still an infant, tore open his mother''s abdomen and crawled out. Deemed inauspicious by his family, they abandoned him in the deep mountains, where he was rescued and raised by twin bear demons."


    "That''s not all... It''s rumored he''s always had an enormous appetite. After he grew up, taking advantage of the injuries of the twin bear demons that raised him, he attacked and devoured them."


    "He''s an absolute ruthless man. A friend of mine once saw him stewing and devouring babies."


    "Not just any baby? Xue Xiong needs to eat three to five babies and two adults daily, and if not for the protection of the War King, he would have long been placed on the Demon Hunting List!"


    Tore open his mother''s womb, devoured the kindly bear that raised him.


    Daily feasting on infants, gnawing on adults?


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed involuntarily, as he scanned Xue Xiong, a cold light flashed in his gaze, "Is what they say true?"


    Xue Xiong''s blood-red tongue licked his lips and he picked a piece of meat from between his teeth.


    With the flick of a finger, he flicked the piece of flesh toward Xiao Yi, his icy voice trailing the violent whist of the Wolf Fang Club, "Ask them yourself in the underworld!"


    PS: I sincerely apologize. Due to personal matters over the past month, updates have been scarce. Starting today, I will revert to a full-throttle mode with updates planned for the morning, afternoon, and evening. Could you suggest in the comment section at what times you prefer these updates?

 Chapter 483 - 483: Like a God! Also Like a Demon!

    "Ask them in the netherworld!"


    Xue Xiong''s arm swung upward, and with a clanging sound, the Wolf Fang Club shot out from the altar, bringing up a spray of rubble.


    With each step upon the altar, resounding booms caused the entire structure to shake and roar.


    Massive rocks were flipped into the air.


    Swinging the Wolf Fang Club in his hands, each blow slammed against the rocks, sending them hurtling like fiery meteors with a whistling sound as they cleaved through the air.


    Xiao Yi nimbly navigated among the massive rocks.


    At times, he dodged with his movement technique, sometimes flicking his fingers to deflect the rocks, or leaping high to tread upon them.


    The rocks he evaded continued their course unabated, crashing into the crowd below.


    Gasps of shock rose from the spectators.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Caught off guard, the rocks rolled amidst the crowd.


    Many powerful figures were crushed by the rolling boulders, screaming in agony, wailing incessantly: "Get out of the way... Ahhh..."


    "Shit, my leg is broken..."


    "Who the hell stepped on my manhood? I''m the ninth generation to inherit it, dammit..."


    Above on the Dragon Couch, Emperor Qian slightly furrowed his brow.


    Qi, quick to catch the hint, waved his hand understandingly: "Imperial Guards, protect the civilians!"


    Amidst the clanging of armor,


    the Imperial Guards, clad in gleaming battle armor, moved swiftly. Each of them held a war shield, and with their Qi activated, they conjured Qi shields that rose in front of the people. Behind the shields, stood Imperial Guards wielding long spears, which they thrusted horizontally, shattering the incoming rocks and sheltering the civilians.


    Emperor Qian''s finger tapping on the armrest paused briefly, and he turned to Yang Yuhuan with a light chuckle, "War King, who do you think will win?"


    Yang Yuhuan gave him a sidelong glance.


    These two most powerful men of the Great Qian Dynasty engaged in another silent confrontation.


    Gazes tangible as substance clashed in the void.


    Around their central area, a vacuum zone formed.


    This caused the surrounding strong ones to be silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to utter even the slightest sound.


    Yang Yuhuan''s presence suddenly withdrew, his gaze slowly shifting back to rest upon the altar. He spoke unhurriedly, "Xiao Yi is indeed a remarkable young genius. Among the younger generation of the Great Qian Dynasty, aside from Xiao Tianjiao, only the chief disciples of the top ten sects can hope to match him in battle."


    "So you believe Xiao Yi can win?" inquired Emperor Qian, an indiscernible smile playing on his lips.


    The Blood Saber Guards represented Yang Yuhuan''s most elite force.


    Even Emperor Qian had exerted innumerable strategies and yet failed to infiltrate their ranks.


    The corners of Yang Yuhuan''s mouth lifted. Having full confidence in the Blood Saber Guards, he spoke indifferently, "Xiao Yi is indeed not bad, but after all, he is too young! Youth always comes with a price to pay..."


    Emperor Qian''s pupils narrowed slightly.


    Back then...


    When the position of Emperor Qian was being decided, more people supported Yang Yuhuan.


    However,


    at the critical moment, the former emperor dispatched Yang Yuhuan to the border to suppress a rebellion. By the time Yang Yuhuan triumphed and returned, the throne had already fallen into Emperor Qian''s hands.


    In Yang Yuhuan''s view, the throne should have been his,


    It was Emperor Qian who had swindled it from his grasp.


    For this reason...


    Over the years, Yang Yuhuan had always harbored resentment towards Emperor Qian, and the two had always been at loggerheads, both overtly and covertly.


    Emperor Qian replied with a smile that was not quite a smile, "I, however, believe you might suffer the loss of a major general!"


    "Hmm?"


    Yang Yuhuan paused, puzzled.


    Emperor Qian did not elaborate further, but the inscrutable smile lingering on his lips became increasingly enigmatic.


    "Xue Xiong would lose to him?"


    Yang Yuhuan frowned slightly, his eyes intently focused on the fierce battle atop the altar. Xue Xiong, wielding the Wolf Fang Club, had transformed into a humanoid beast. His striking was grandiose and utterly terrifying. Each swing he made was imbued with earth-shattering force, an overwhelming power that seemed insurmountable.


    Xiao Yi was being driven back, clearly at a disadvantage.


    Yang Yuhuan felt more assured and sneered, "Xue Xiong is the third strongest amongst my Blood Saber Guards, battle-hardened. He has smashed a Nirvana Realm expert to death with his Wolf Fang Club. How could he possibly lose to this youngster?"


    Boom!


    Xue Xiong leaped high into the sky.


    Descending like a tiger pouncing on its prey, he lifted the Wolf Fang Club up high and ruthlessly brought it crashing down.


    Xiao Yi was cornered at the edge of the altar with no room left to retreat; he had no choice but to defend overhead with his Falling Dust Sword.


    Clang!


    A sound as loud as a bell striking rang out.


    The Wolf Fang Club hit directly upon the Falling Dust Sword.


    Instantly, a blinding spark erupted, like fireworks, dazzlingly bright.


    The savage force shattered the altar beneath Xiao Yi''s feet, causing his knees to bend, nearly bringing him to his knees. The hands clutching his Falling Dust Sword were covered in gruesome bloodstains. The impact was so severe it had even split the skin of his palms, and fresh red blood dripped down the blade.


    Xue Xiong''s face was ferocious as he let out a proud laugh, "Wolf-style..."


    Once again, Xue Xiong raised the Wolf Fang Club and smashed it down fiercely.


    This existence, truly, was the third-ranked expert among the Blood Saber Guard, not only possessing boundless strength but also extraordinarily swift in reaction and speed.


    Between the rise and fall of the Wolf Fang Club, it all happened in a blink of an eye.


    Clang clang clang!


    With each impact, a ten-meter radius around the two of them completely collapsed and sank.


    The two of them now stood in a pit several meters deep.


    Xiao Yi''s lower half was buried in the ground.


    Jin Feiyan''s face was full of worry, her hands clutching Ye Heng''s arm tightly, her nails even embedded in Ye Heng''s flesh, blood trickling down through her fingers. Jin Feiyan anxiously said, "Senior brother, Master won''t lose, right?"


    Ye Heng bore the intense pain in his arm, nodded, and said with an unwavering gaze, "Master will absolutely not lose, Master is invincible!"


    "Invincible?"


    Yang Kun scoffed, schadenfreude in his voice, "Xue Xiong is the Deputy Commander of the Blood Saber Guard, his combat power can match high-level experts in the Nirvana Realm, far from being comparable to trash like Nangong Shengji. Xiao Yi is now completely suppressed by him, he has no chance of turning the tables anymore, you might as well wait to collect his corpse!"


    "Shut your mouth!"


    Ye Heng glared at him fiercely, grinding his teeth, "Master will not lose!"


    "Kid, you..."


    Yang Kun''s face darkened.


    He didn''t even regard Xiao Yi with importance, let alone paying attention to Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan.


    Being scolded by Ye Heng all of a sudden, his face turned from green to white, as the chilling light continuously flashed through his narrowed eyes.


    Just as he was about to speak...


    From atop the altar, suddenly came Xue Xiong''s angry roar, "Mad Wolf-style..."


    Boom boom boom!


    Xue Xiong held the Wolf Fang Club with both hands, positioning the three-meter long, pitch-black club horizontally at his waist, spinning like a top gone mad.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh...


    The Wolf Fang Club whipped up a fierce wind, everything it passed was flattened to the ground.


    As dust and rocks flew about,


    Xue Xiong, like a Wolf King leading a pack of mad wolves, swung the viciously spiked Wolf Fang Club, aiming a sweeping blow at Xiao Yi''s waist.


    As Xue Xiong drew near like a whirlwind, Xiao Yi slapped the ground with one hand, pulling his body out of the earth like a sprung sprout. With Xue Xiong already before him, Xiao Yi twisted his right wrist, and the Falling Dust Sword stood erect by his side, the sounds of clanging resounding as the Wolf Fang Club struck the sword repeatedly, sending out blinding sparks.


    However...


    Xiao Yi remained unmoved, his eyebrows tightening, and from within him sounded a tone of Wind Thunder. His voice burst forth like thunderous battlefield drums, "The wind rises!"


    Whoosh!


    A cyan light burst forth from within him.


    It transformed into a howling gale, furiously rolling in the opposite direction.


    As the two fierce winds collided, the Falling Dust Sword and the Wolf Fang Club continuously striking each other, actually managed to force Xue Xiong to a standstill. Xue Xiong''s face was full of confusion when, almost simultaneously, Xiao Yi''s voice rang out again, "Thunder falls!"


    Boom!


    The Falling Dust Sword was raised above his head.


    Surges of purple-gold lightning emerged within him as the Wind Thunder Sacred Body fully erupted in that moment.


    Thunderbolts unexpectedly fell from the clear skies above!


    Loud and majestic, thunder rolled heavily.


    As if heaven itself was angered!


    "Wind Thunder, Dominate the Nine Heavens!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, the Falling Dust Sword swept across, guiding the whirlwinds and thunder, lighting up half the sky, and struck a sword blow towards Xue Xiong''s head.


    "No..."


    Xue Xiong''s eyes were wide with fury, he raised the Wolf Fang Club, attempting to block the terrifying celestial might. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But...


    How could human strength rival the forces of nature?


    Thunderous rumbles!


    Where the Wind Thunder sword light passed, the Wolf Fang Club crumbled bit by bit, shattering to pieces. The fearsome light came crashing down onto Xue Xiong''s body, a column of light that enveloped him completely turned him into powder, dissipating like smoke into the air.


    Atop the vast altar...


    There was scorched earth, as if it were in ruins.


    No trace of Xue Xiong could be found, only Xiao Yifeng, clad in Wind Thunder, stood with a sword in hand.


    Like a god!


    And like a demon!

 Chapter 484 - 484: Wait a moment!

    ```


    Whoo!


    Whoo!


    Whoo!


    The cold wind howled as lightning flashed and thunder roared.


    At this moment, the summit of Imperial Dragon Mountain seemed as if a giant demon was undergoing its tribulation, the terrifying might of the heavens filling the space between earth and sky.


    Yang Yuhuan''s eyebrows knotted tightly, having not anticipated that Xue Xiong, who had consistently held the upper hand, would actually be defeated.


    And defeated so quickly at that.


    "Uncle Emperor, it seems that my judgment of people is more accurate after all! While the young do have their disadvantages, youth also means being full of possibilities. Sometimes, when one gets old, one must accept it and give young people more opportunities!" Emperor Qian said with a smile, his eyes narrowed.


    Hmph!


    Yang Yuhuan let out a cold snort, his face turning extremely ugly.


    Emperor Qian''s words were a clear innuendo: he was not only referring to Xiao Yi''s victory over Xue Xiong but also hinting that Yang Yuhuan should accept his old age and consider retiring.


    Now it was the time for the young, and he shouldn''t interfere anymore!


    These words only served to fuel the fire of anger in Yang Yuhuan''s heart. Seeing Emperor Qian''s smug look only added to his irritation, and he coldly retorted, "It was merely luck!"


    "Luck?"


    Emperor Qian was momentarily taken aback before he chuckled, "Do you know why he is able to command the power of wind and thunder? That''s because he possesses the Wind Thunder Holy Body, which can rival the top ten Sacred Bodies in legends!"


    Weng!


    Yang Yuhuan''s face changed drastically, "Wind Thunder Holy Body? Impossible, the Wind Thunder Holy Body can only be found in that place. He is nothing but a discarded child of the Xiao Family, how could he possibly be the Wind Thunder Holy Body? It must be that he had dog''s luck and stumbled upon the cultivation method for the Wind Thunder Holy Body, it must be the case..."


    Wind Thunder Holy Body.


    The only special physique that can be cultivated through acquired practice and can rival the Battle War Holy Body and others.


    Its cultivation method is exclusive to a mysterious race and is never passed on to outsiders. In Yang Yuhuan''s opinion, the only possibility was that Xiao Yi had dog''s luck and happened upon the cultivation method by chance.


    It was all just good luck!


    Emperor Qian shook his head, "Just good luck? Uncle, if acquiring the Wind Thunder Holy Body''s cultivation method was luck, then what about his ability to traverse roads in three short years that others couldn''t cross in their entire lifetime, breaking through from mere flesh to a state capable of contending with nirvana��is that also just luck?"


    "What does it matter if his cultivation progress is fast? There have been similar existences in history. Take Xue Dingpeng from the Nantian Dynasty, for example��he received inheritance from a super powerhouse, and achieved the Dharma Manifestation Realm before the age of twenty."


    Yang Yuhuan rebutted nonchalantly.


    Emperor Qian continued, "If surpassing Xiao Tianjiao, the recognized number one genius of the Great Qian Dynasty, in terms of cultivation speed is also luck, then how about his ability to bring the decrepit Xiaoshanhe Institute, within less than a year, to a level where it could rival the top ten sects��is that luck too?"


    Yang Yuhuan''s face changed again, as if he''d been slapped several times in quick succession, but it was impossible for him to concede at that moment, so he stubbornly said, "Xiaoshanhe Institute''s status today is due to his acquaintance with Huang Baitao from Beast Emperor City... "


    Emperor Qian watched all of this, his face showing no mockery but rather said seriously, "Alright, the rise of Xiaoshanhe Institute indeed has something to do with Beast Emperor City. Then what about his casual effort that allowed the Ice Snow Phoenix to break through six ranks and advance to the Seventh Rank Beast Emperor''s realm��is that luck too?"


    "This..."


    Yang Yuhuan''s face stiffened, and he was at a loss for words.


    Even the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, known for its beast taming, had struggled for years to achieve such a feat, and if he continued to attribute it to luck, it would be shameless.


    Emperor Qian, however, had no plans to let him off, continuing, "Even if all of this was luck, do you know that he passed all the tests of the Yin Yang Five Elements Tower in the Dongfang Family''s forbidden land?"


    Boom!


    If what Emperor Qian had said before still left Yang Yuhuan with some doubts about Xiao Yi,


    Then at this moment...


    He was utterly shocked.


    The Yin Yang Five Elements Tower of the Dongfang Family signified seven completely different paths.


    Even the former Tianjiao of the Xiao Family, hailed as the Great Qian Dynasty''s top talent, had managed to pass only five of them.


    Xiao Yi had actually passed all seven towers of the Yin Yang Five Elements.


    "How, how is that possible? Passing all the towers of the Yin Yang Five Elements, doesn''t that mean a legendary all-attribute physique?" Yang Yuhuan swallowed hard, his face a mask of shock and disbelief.


    Emperor Qian nodded but did not ridicule Yang Yuhuan''s discomposure.


    When he first learned of all this, he was even more shocked than Yang Yuhuan.


    He had even decided that once Xiao Yi returned from the glacier, he would announce his decision to appoint him as a national pillar.


    But...


    Before Xiao Yi could return, Yang Kun came back first.


    Yang Kun told Emperor Qian about everything that had happened on the glacier, especially when he heard that Xiao Yi had nearly killed Yang Kun for the sake of a group of commoners on the ice field. This made Emperor Qian hesitate, and even foster suspicions and wariness towards Xiao Yi.


    Any emperor would not allow the existence of anyone or any force that disrespects royal authority under his rule.


    That was what led to the subsequent scene where Emperor Qian shielded Yang Kun and suppressed Xiao Yi.


    Yang Yuhuan remained silent.


    The information revealed to him by Emperor Qian was too much, too shocking, leaving him unable to accept it all at once.


    ```


    This is like the richest man in a village who has always looked down upon his neighbor, thinking the neighbor is just a hired hand.


    Until one day...


    The richest man in town tells him that the neighbor is actually much wealthier than he is.


    The disparity was simply too vast!


    The once scorned ant had transformed into an Azure Dragon overnight, how could one remain calm?


    The conversation between the two was not overheard by others; it was a secret communication through their consciousness and happened in just a moment.


    Standing on the altar, Xiao Yi, like a god or a demon, stood with his sword, his face expressionless as he watched the crowd.


    He particularly paused over figures such as Yang Kun, Xiao Zhengde, and the Huihai Sword Master, his lips curling slightly upwards as he slowly spoke, "Who dares to fight me?"


    Above and below the altar, there was dead silence.


    A host of powerful individuals looked at each other in dismay.


    Yang Kun''s face was gloomy as he coldly said, "Xu Yao, you get up there!"


    True Martial Hall''s Xu Yao clutched his stomach, a pained expression on his face: "Your Highness, I''m so sorry, I have a stomachache and can''t fight!" S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You..."


    Yang Kun''s face was a ghastly palette of green and white; he could see Xu Yao was faking, but as Xu Yao was only there to represent True Martial Hall''s support of him, Yang Kun could not command him.


    Amidst changing expressions...


    Yang Kun coldly shouted, "Zhang Guo, do not forget what you promised me, that you would support me with all your strength..."


    "Of course, my Three Seas Mountain will definitely support Your Highness! Let me take care of Xiao Yi!"


    Zhang Guo''s cultivation level was on par with that of Xue Xiong, being an elder of the Three Seas Mountain with unparalleled combat power. He strode toward the altar with his head held high.


    Yang Kun breathed a sigh of relief, his cold sneer unrelenting, "Xiao Yi, did you think my followers truly had no one who could deal with you? Zhang Guo is..."


    He did not finish speaking.


    All of a sudden, Zhang Guo let out a yelp of pain, and with a thud, he fell flat on his face right in front of the altar. Clutching his leg, he cried out, "Someone help, I''ve broken my leg, quickly help me down..."


    Yang Kun: "..."


    Huihai Sword Master: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Dammit!


    This is the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, for heaven''s sake!


    How could one possibly fall and break a leg on flat ground? Who are you trying to fool?


    But Yang Kun had no choice!


    He couldn''t just expose the charade and destroy the hard-earned relationship with Three Seas Mountain, could he?


    Soon, Zhang Guo was carried in front of him, and with a mournful face, he said, "Your Highness, I''m truly sorry! My unlucky leg, why did it have to break at this time, otherwise, I definitely could have fought for you, crushing Xiao Yi underfoot, and shown him how foolish it is to offend you..."


    While speaking, Zhang Guo wiped away a tear.


    "..."


    Yang Kun shook with fury, wishing he could really break Zhang Guo''s leg, suppressing the urge to commit murder as he nodded and said, "I appreciate your willingness, go and recuperate!"


    "Alas, that''s the only option!" Zhang Guo secretly sighed with relief, his face portraying pain and disappointment.


    Yang Kun''s gaze swept over the others.


    Each of them avoided eye contact, with heads bowed or gazes darting around, but steadfastly not looking at him.


    The Huihai Sword Master let out a long sigh, saying, "Give up! They are already scared witless by Xiao Yi..."


    From Xiao Yi''s entrance until now, all who had faced him in combat had fallen, none spared.


    Under such circumstances, who would dare to make a move?


    "This is unacceptable��"


    Yang Kun looked utterly hopeless.


    He had made thorough preparations, how much effort had he put in for this day!


    But now...


    Everything was over.


    Atop the altar...


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly, but he did not look at Yang Kun and the others, whose faces seemed to have been slapped dozens of times; instead, he turned to Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, it seems no one dares to step forward!"


    Emperor Qian hummed in response, speaking indifferently, "I declare, the victor of this Martial Sacrifice Hall is..."


    But just at this moment...


    An untimely voice suddenly rang out, "Wait a minute..."

 Chapter 485 - 485: Xiao Yi, What Do You Think?

    "Wait a moment!"


    Xiao Zhengde''s voice rang out inappropriately once again.


    Everyone''s gaze turned towards him at once, just to see Xiao Zhengde''s face brimming with a brilliant smile, his scornful gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi.


    In those eyes, there was a cold and contemptuous gleam.


    This hardly resembled the look of a father seeing his own son.


    It was more like the gaze reserved for a life-and-death enemy.


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly and, simply crossing his arms, watched to see what sort of trick Xiao Zhengde was about to pull.


    Yang Kun''s pupils shrank slightly and his eyes sparkled as he murmured, "Could it be that Xiao Zhengde is planning to personally clean his own house? If he takes action, Xiao Yi surely wouldn''t dare to counter, right? After all, that''s his father!"


    In any world,


    filial piety was an unavoidable matter.


    Even within the unfeeling royal families, those malicious princes would commit patricide in the struggle for the throne and find themselves exhaustingly beautifying their deeds afterwards.


    A person''s reputation is like a tree''s shadow.


    The higher one climbs, the more exalted their status, the more they will cherish their own "feathers."


    In Yang Kun''s eyes, with Xiao Yi''s current position and strength, he absolutely couldn''t afford to wear the hat of unfilial conduct, which would greatly impact his reputation.


    Emperor Qian also frowned slightly, puzzled by Xiao Zhengde''s timing, "Minister Xiao, what are you doing?"


    Ever since the rise of Xiao Tianjiao, the entire Xiao Family had ascended to the heavens along with him, reaping enormous benefits.


    Xiao Zhengde alone was bestowed the title of a first-class duke.


    Xiao Zhengde bowed towards Emperor Qian, yet did not perform the full monarch-to-subject ritual, causing Emperor Qian and Yang Yuhuan and others to narrow their eyes with a somewhat gloomy expression.


    Even if Xiao Tianjiao was formidable, he was still a subject of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    As a first-class duke, Xiao Zhengde naturally needed to perform the full monarch-to-subject ritual!


    Otherwise, it would be a grave disrespect!


    Emperor Qian''s eyes narrowed, though the smile on his face did not change, the slit of his eyes betrayed a flash of cold light.


    Xiao Zhengde dropped the bowing posture and stood silently before Emperor Qian, loudly proclaiming, "Your Majesty, there is something Xiao has to announce!"


    "Oh? What matter could be so important that it prompts Minister Xiao to interrupt the Warrior Sacrifice?" Emperor Qian leaned slightly forward and asked.


    Xiao Zhengde''s mouth curved upward in pride, as if afraid others wouldn''t know, and he belted out, "On this auspicious day of our Ancestor Worship Ceremony, Xiao has an important announcement to make�� My son, Xiao Tianjiao��"


    He was proudly ready to deliver the news about Xiao Tianjiao.


    The audience also pricked up their ears, listening intently.


    This, after all, related to Xiao Tianjiao, the Great Qian Dynasty''s number one talent; even Emperor Qian and others were very eager to know.


    "What exactly happened to Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "Xiao Zhengde insisted on announcing this just when His Majesty was about to declare Xiao Yi the victor of the Warrior Sacrifice. It must be a very important piece of news!"


    "Could it be that Xiao Tianjiao has stepped into the Nirvana Realm? If that''s truly the case, it indeed has the potential to severely dent Xiao Yi''s pride!"


    As everyone looked on with immense anticipation and curiosity, Xiao Zhengde''s face glowed with even brighter pride.


    He deliberately cleared his throat.


    Just as everyone was about to lose patience, he slowly began to declare, "My son Tianjiao, he has already..."


    Before he could finish,


    A series of rapid whooshing sounds suddenly came from the sky, startlingly from an Iron-winged Black Eagle, a Tier 6 junior Iron-winged Black Eagle capable of traveling tens of thousands of miles a day.


    With a wingspan of twenty zhang, when the Iron-winged Black Eagle flapped its wings and flew, the violent sound of cutting through the air was deafening.


    Drowning out Xiao Zhengde''s voice completely.


    Yang Kun suddenly raised his head to look at the Iron-winged Black Eagle, "How audacious, Imperial Dragon Mountain is restricted airspace during the Ancestor Worship Ceremony, how did an Iron-winged Black Eagle appear here?"


    "Imperial Guards, shoot it down!"


    "This is a blasphemy against the ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty..." S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Zhengde also had a ferocious expression. He had waited an entire day, and just as he was about to reach the climax, where he could show off magnificently, the shattering sound of the Iron-winged Black Eagle in flight interrupted him. How could he not be furious?


    Xiao Zhengde bellowed, "Kill it, kill this beast..."


    Buzz buzz buzz!


    Thousands of Imperial Guards notched their arrows, ready to shoot, but they were stopped by Xiao Yi, "Hold your fire..."


    "Huh?"


    Everyone turned their attention to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Zhengde, irate and close to hysteria, yelled, "Xiao Yi, what on earth are you trying to do? I know you''re jealous of Tian''er, but must you interrupt me at this moment?"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi shouted coldly, startling Xiao Zhengde so much that his face paled, and he nearly fell on his backside. Xiao Yi then said in a grave tone, "There''s someone on the Iron-winged Black Eagle!"


    "Someone?"


    "Really? There''s someone... That, that looks like a soldier from the Great Qian Dynasty! How did he get injured and why is he still bleeding?"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi soared into the sky.


    The Iron-winged Black Eagle, seeing Xiao Yi approaching, had eyes full of weakness mixed with a trace of excitement and ecstasy. It spoke in a human tongue, "Sir, please, quickly save the young general..."


    Xiao Yi landed on the back of the Iron-winged Black Eagle, patted its head to make it descend to the ground, while checking the blood-stained young man for injuries.


    The man was severely injured, his body covered in blood, his internal organs almost shattered to pieces.


    He was hanging by a thread.


    Xiao Yi took out some medicinal pills and fed them to the young man, then circulated his own energy through the man''s body to temporarily preserve his life. He asked in a serious tone, "What happened? You referred to him as the young general. Which territory''s general is he?"


    The Iron-winged Black Eagle had already landed on the ground with a thud, lying there, struggling several times to stand up, but ultimately failing each time.


    As it opened its mouth, fresh blood gushed out, showing its utter exhaustion.


    Xiao Zhengde cleared his throat and said, "Since it has fainted, listen to my news first! Tian''er has already..."


    Cough cough cough!


    The Iron-winged Black Eagle gasped a few times and came to, weakly but urgently. Seeing Emperor Qian and the others in front of it, it managed to say, "The, the border is in critical condition, Northern Bing City has fallen, the Sword Dynasty''s army is advancing rapidly... I, I am the steed of General Yan Wei of Northern Bing City, under the orders of General Yan, bringing the young general back for reinforcements..."


    Sss...


    Upon hearing this, countless powerhouses on Imperial Dragon Mountain were rendered speechless.


    After a few moments of silence.


    Boom!


    The silence was shattered as the powerful experts exchanged startled looks, aghast.


    "Northern Bing City has been breached? How is that possible?"


    "It''s absolutely impossible. General Yan Wei is a renowned marshal of the Great Qian Dynasty. With him guarding Northern Bing City, how could it fall?"


    "But... this young man is indeed General Yan Wei''s grandson, Yan Yinghao, a junior general of the Yan Family..."


    "Damn it, if Northern Bing City has fallen, the northern part of the kingdom is completely exposed to the Sword Dynasty''s army. The Great Qian Dynasty is in grave danger..."


    "Your Majesty, what should we do now?"


    Everyone turned their eyes to Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian stood with his hands behind his back, his face as still as water, betraying no thoughts.


    "His Majesty will surely ask for the War God''s opinion."


    "Of course. The War God is the guardian deity of the Great Qian Dynasty, seasoned and undefeated in countless battles. Who else would he ask if not him?"


    Yang Yuhuan also slightly straightened his chest, awaiting Emperor Qian''s words.


    However...


    Emperor Qian''s gaze swept over everyone and eventually settled on Xiao Yi, adding a note of solemnity to his words, "Xiao Yi, what do you think?"

 Chapter 487 - 487: Divine Light Blessing

    ```


    "With so many Beast Tamers in the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, they can completely subjugate them. Just a mere demonic beast, what''s there to be afraid of?" Yang Kun said dismissively.


    "This��"


    Shen Yan''s expression changed drastically.


    The God Devouring Ants had no record in the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect''s Myriad Beasts Manual; he had come across them by chance in an ancient text.


    He was acutely aware of how terrifying the God Devouring Ants were!


    If they really sent Beast Tamers to tame them, it would be a surefire massacre!


    Shen Yan took a deep breath and began to explain the situation to Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, the God Devouring Ants are extremely special. Unless we can find the queen ant and directly subjugate it, only then can we deal with the God Devouring Ants. If we cannot find the queen, the God Devouring Ants are invincible. Even if all the Beast Tamers of my Ten Thousand Beasts Sect took action, it would be in vain��"


    "Nonsense! Who says the God Devouring Ants are invincible?"


    Yang Kun pointed at Shen Yan angrily, saying with a furious face, "Back on the icy plains, Xiao Yi dealt with the God Devouring Ants all by himself and slew the expert controlling them. If he could do it, how could the numerous Beast Tamers of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect not achieve that?"


    "Hmm? Xiao Yi has faced the God Devouring Ants before?"


    Emperor Qian''s pupils suddenly shrank, as Yang Kun had not informed him of this news before!


    Yang Kun''s face changed, knowing he had misspoken, he quickly said, "Father, Your Majesty��"


    Emperor Qian''s face darkened, "Explain yourself! How much more have you been hiding from me about what happened on the icy plains?"


    "Your Majesty, your son has not concealed anything, he just�� he just��"


    Yang Kun''s eyes flickered as he tried to change the subject, "Father, I have witnessed Xiao Yi suppress the God Devouring Ants. If he takes action, he can certainly cope with them��"


    "Silence!"


    Emperor Qian glared at him fiercely, knowing his son well, he was now certain Yang Kun was hiding much more. Suppressing the urge to strangle him on the spot, Emperor Qian looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, these God Devouring Ants�� Do you have a strategy to counter them?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, speaking indifferently, "Naturally, there is a way, but��"


    He looked at Yang Kun with a playful glance.


    When he returned, he had planned to tell Emperor Qian how to deal with the God Devouring Ants, but because of Yang Kun''s slander, not only did Emperor Qian disregard his advice, but he also forcefully suppressed him.


    That grievance was not easily swallowed!


    Huh!


    Emperor Qian took a deep breath, but he was a formidable sovereign and did not hesitate to scold, "Unfilial son, kneel before Master Xiao right now!"


    "Your Majesty, you want me to kneel to him?" Yang Kun said in shock.


    He is the esteemed Crown Prince!


    Above all else.


    How esteemed he is?


    Now, in front of everyone, he was being asked to kneel to Xiao Yi, someone he had never taken seriously. If he knelt, how could he have any face left in the future?


    "Kneel down!"


    Emperor Qian slapped his face fiercely, leaving Yang Kun dazed.


    Thud!


    With a kick to Yang Kun''s leg, Emperor Qian knocked him down to his knees before Xiao Yi, saying sternly, "Xiao Yi, I will have this wretched animal offer you an apology��"


    With a slap to Yang Kun''s head, Emperor Qian angrily said, "Scoundrel, won''t you apologize to Master Xiao?"


    Emperor Qian was left with no choice.


    In just one night, the God Devouring Ants had breached Northern Bing City, and even Shen Yan had openly stated he had no way to deal with them.


    Xiao Yi had become his only hope.


    "I, I��"


    Yang Kun''s face turned pale, his eyes filled with humiliation, but with Emperor Qian watching him fiercely, he dared not say much, and with several loud kowtows to Xiao Yi, he said, "Master Xiao, it was all my ignorance that provoked you before; please, for the sake of the countless civilians of the Great Qian Dynasty, take action to aid us!" S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All eyes turned towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly, looking at Yang Kun''s humiliated and resentful face, he spoke calmly, "Kneel ten times with a loud kowtow, and I will take action!"


    "You��"


    Yang Kun glared angrily.


    ```


    Smack!


    Emperor Qian slapped his head again, "Aren''t you going to kneel?"


    "I, I will kneel..."


    Yang Kun''s steel teeth were almost crushed, he forcibly endured the humiliation, and his head banged against the ground again and again. After ten loud knocks, Yang Kun held his neck stiffly, his face filled with humiliation; he wished he could dig a hole to bury his head in, "Xiao, I have knelt as asked, please make your move!"


    Xiao Yi gave a faint smile but paid no attention to Yang Kun.


    He walked straight up to Emperor Qian and said, "Your Majesty, there''s no need to worry. The ceremonial worship of our ancestors will continue as planned. After the ceremony, I have my ways to deal with the God Devouring Ants!"


    "This..."


    Emperor Qian''s gaze flickered slightly. He looked at Xiao Yi and then nodded, "Very well, then let us complete the ceremonial worship of our ancestors first!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and turned towards Yang Ling, "Your Excellency Yang Ling, as the victors of the civil and martial tributes, we will serve as the main officiants for this ceremony and recite the ancestral eulogy!"


    "Hmm!"


    Yang Ling responded, his emotions were extremely complex at the moment.


    Excitement, disbelief, and a touch of anxiety.


    To serve as the main officiant.


    It meant he had the chance to receive the blessings descended from the ancestors, especially since Yang Kun had completely lost face today, which brought him even closer to the position of Crown Prince.


    Whoosh!


    Yang Ling stood side by side with Xiao Yi, the two exchanged glances and walked towards the altar together.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The war drums thundered, and the horns filled the sky with their echoes.


    Terrifying waves of sound came forth, and atop the nine stone pillars, dazzling lights burst forth. Golden light gathered above the altar, coalescing into two golden stairways to heaven.


    Xiao Yi and Yang Ling ascended side by side, making their way to the end of the stairway.


    Xiao Yi inserted the staff of the main officiant at the end of the stairway, above which was a cauldron interwoven with golden hues; a humming sound resonated mightily.


    A beam of light shot up into the sky.


    Yang Ling, holding the eulogy, spoke in a clear voice: "Ancestors above, your descendant Yang Ling is here to offer sacrifices... May our Great Qian Dynasty exist forever, an everlasting golden age..."


    Roar!


    From the staff of the main officiant, a golden light shot towards the heavens.


    In the void, it condensed into a golden dragon with five claws under its belly and scales that seemed almost alive. Its cold eyes were filled with majesty and nobility.


    Boom!


    The golden dragon coiled up Yang Ling and lifted his form into midair.


    At the same time...


    A golden dragon shadow also appeared in front of Xiao Yi.


    Carrying Xiao Yi, it soared into the sky.


    The two stood suspended in the air, with dragon shadows floating beside them, pulling at everyone''s hearts: "What do you think... How many colors of divine light will the two of them receive?"


    "His Excellency Yang Ling should not receive more than five colors of divine light, as for Xiao Yi, it''s hard to say..."


    "In the past, Xiao Tianjiao received the blessing of nine colors of divine light. Even if Xiao Yi can''t compare with Xiao Tianjiao, getting seven colors of divine light shouldn''t be difficult..."


    "Seven colors of divine light? That would be impressive indeed!"


    Amid the crowd''s discussions.


    The giant dragon beside Yang Ling suddenly exhaled several beams of divine light; the colors were distinct, with red, orange, yellow, green, and blue illuminating Yang Ling.


    Yang Ling spread his arms, bathed in the five-colored divine light, looking dignified and splendid.


    It gradually condensed into a cocoon of light.


    At the same time...


    The giant dragon beside Xiao Yi also opened its huge mouth, spewing out beams of light in diverse colors...

 Chapter 488 - 488: Divine Light Shocks the World, Law of Heaven and Earth!

    ```


    Different colors of light beams simultaneously appeared on Xiao Yi''s body.


    Around his body, the dazzling light beams rose and fell, emitting a mesmerizing brilliance. The golden dragon circling around him looked lifelike, majestic, and extraordinary.


    As he opened his mouth.


    One beam of light after another burst forth.


    Crimson!


    Red!


    Green...


    In the blink of an eye, there were five colored light beams, each containing the pure power of heaven and earth.


    "Five-colored divine light?"


    "It''s coming together faster than the one Yang Ling had, Xiao Yi''s talent seems to be far superior to Yang Ling''s. It''s just uncertain how many divine light blessings he can ultimately receive..."


    Under the gaze of many eyes.


    The huge dragon in front of Xiao Yi once again opened its gaping maw.


    Swish swish!


    Two more divine lights spouted from the mouth of the dragon, descending from the sky like pillars of the gods.


    Adding to the previous five-colored divine light, a total of seven colored divine lights appeared on Xiao Yi.


    Any one of these light beams, should they fall upon mortals.


    Although not necessarily ascending to immortality in daylight!


    But they could prolong life and transform their constitution.


    Under the endless cover of the power of heaven and earth, seven-colored beams of light penetrated into Xiao Yi''s body, then burst out suddenly, coalescing on the surface of his body into a cocoon of seven-colored light.


    "Seven-colored divine light?"


    "It seems that indeed Xiao Yi cannot compare to Xiao Tianjiao, who back then received the support of nine colored divine lights, an unprecedented feat in history..."


    Within the crowd.


    Xiao Zhengde''s tightly clenched fists gradually relaxed, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly with pride and self-satisfaction as he proclaimed boastfully, "How could the record set by my son Tianjiao be surpassed? The nine-colored divine light is the strongest, with no one preceding or to follow!"


    Jin Feiyan said coldly, "That may not be the case!"


    "Silly girl, what do you know?" Xiao Zhengde looked at her with disdain.


    Jin Feiyan snorted and said, "I may not know much, but I do know that the records created by Xiao Tianjiao, which had been broken by my master, are not just one or two!"


    "You..."


    Xiao Zhengde''s face stiffened as he was at a loss for words.


    Indeed, as Jin Feiyan said, the numerous records set by Xiao Tianjiao, viewed by the world as miracles unattainable to others.


    Had been shattered by Xiao Yi within the short span of a year since his arrival in the capital.


    And that was without Xiao Yi having focused on breaking Xiao Tianjiao''s records; otherwise, it''s likely that all the records set by Xiao Tianjiao would have already been broken.


    But Xiao Zhengde would never admit to this.


    "What''s so great about those records? They are nothing but Tian''er not wishing to raise the bar too high. If he seriously set out to create records, no one could ever catch up."


    Xiao Zhengde sneered, tilting his chin up disdainfully, "As for this divine light blessing test, it''s a testament to talent, and Xiao Yi isn''t even fit to carry Tian''er''s shoes. Even if I gave him a hundred years, a thousand years, he would never catch up with Tian''er..."


    No sooner had he spoken.


    Suddenly, a cry of astonishment arose from the crowd: "Damn, look over there!"


    "My God, is that nine divine lights? Xiao Yi has now matched Xiao Tianjiao''s record..."


    "That means Xiao Yi is definitely not weaker than Xiao Tianjiao!"


    In the void.


    Xiao Yi stood suspended in the air, with nine-colored divine lights rising and falling around him.


    These nine rays of light shifted, transforming into nine differently colored dragons that circled and hovered around Xiao Yi, their dragon might vast and boundless!


    The series of exclamations caused Xiao Zhengde''s face to stiffen, his complexion alternating between flushes of red and pale as if he had been severely slapped dozens of times.


    He had just emphatically claimed that Xiao Tianjiao''s records could not be broken. S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And yet...


    ```


    Xiao Yi caught up!


    That slap to the face resounded with a smack!


    "This, this, this is impossible..." Xiao Zhengde''s neck stiffened as he looked up into the sky above the altar, his eyes full of astonishment and panic.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s most glorious moments in his life were exactly like this one before his eyes.


    Receiving an unprecedented nine-colored divine light enhancement during the ancestral ritual.


    This was far more precious than any record at the Combat Pavilion!


    Every time Xiao Zhengde mentioned Xiao Tianjiao, he would proudly recite this record, immediately inducing envy and flattery from others.


    But now...


    This record had been tied by Xiao Yi.


    Who was Xiao Tianjiao?


    He was the son of whom Xiao Zhengde was most proud and took the greatest pride in.


    And Xiao Yi?


    He was the existence that Xiao Zhengde considered the greatest shame of his life.


    But now...


    This son, whom he had never deemed worthy of a second glance, had actually caught up to the most honored record of his genius son.


    Xiao Zhengde found it truly hard to accept!


    "Hahaha, didn''t some people say that this record was unattainable? My master has already tied his record, and maybe my master can even manifest ten-colored divine light!" Jin Feiyan crowed triumphantly, holding her head high.


    Xiao Zhengde''s face turned as black as coal, and he gritted his teeth, "Ten-colored divine light? That''s a fool''s dream. I see this nine-colored divine light is full of flaws, far inferior to the nine-colored divine light that Tian''er manifested back then. Even if they are both nine-colored divine lights, there are levels of quality��"


    "There are levels within nine-colored divine lights?" Jin Feiyan clenched her fists tightly, her body trembling slightly as she asked.


    Xiao Zhengde did not notice this detail and nodded naturally, "Of course, even if it''s the same nine-colored divine light, Xiao Yi is nowhere near Tian''er. The gap between them is like heaven and earth..."


    Jin Feiyan''s breathing became rapid, her chest heaving violently, and her face flushed, "If there are levels to the nine-colored divine light, then how does the ten-colored divine light compare? Who is stronger, and who is weaker?"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Zhengde''s expression stalled as a terrible suspicion arose in his mind.


    Gululu!


    Xiao Zhengde swallowed instinctively, "Impossible, absolutely impossible..."


    However...


    He found that everyone was staring at the sky in shock, so stunned that they couldn''t speak.


    Streams of colorful light cascaded down from the firmament, reflecting on their faces.


    One!


    Two!


    Three...


    Xiao Zhengde counted slowly, his heart racing with each number he counted. By the time he reached nine, his face had turned white.


    When he reached ten, Xiao Zhengde was drenched in cold sweat.


    Gululu!


    Xiao Zhengde swallowed hard, his eyes bulging in disbelief as he looked up at the sky, at Xiao Yi, now enveloped in a ten-colored light cocoon.


    It was indeed ten-colored divine light!


    Unprecedented.


    The first in history!


    "How can this be... ten, ten, ten-colored divine light? Could it be that his talent is truly greater than Tian''er''s? Could it be... that all these years, I have been wrong?"


    Xiao Zhengde''s face filled with confusion, his eyes gradually losing focus.


    For the first time, he doubted his past decisions.


    Of course...


    All this was unknown to Xiao Yi, who at this moment was enclosed within the ten-colored light cocoon, his eyes slowly opening to release two beams of dragon-shaped brilliance. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he let out a low roar, "Law of Heaven and Earth, Manifestation of Dharma..."

 Chapter 489 - 489: Are You Worthy?

    "Manifestation of Dharma!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice boomed like thunder, shaking the sky.


    His body was enveloped in a cocoon of ten-colored light, dazzling beams constantly merged into his form, tempering his body like a thousand hammers and a hundred refinings, making him increasingly powerful.


    Breaking through from the Tao Tribulation Realm to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    It was a transformation from quantitative change to qualitative metamorphosis.


    The Martial Dao Divine Fruit of the Tao Tribulation Realm would shatter completely upon breakthrough into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, using the shattered Martial Dao Divine Fruit as the core to re-condense one''s own Martial Tao Dharma.


    This Dharma was the perfect fusion of the forces of heaven and earth with the martial will!


    Mastering the Dharma.


    One could better harness the power of heaven and earth and even achieve the feat of summoning the forces of heaven and earth with mere words or gestures. At the same time, it also meant clearer and deeper control over one''s martial path. Since everyone''s path in the martial arts was different, the process of observing and manifesting the Dharma also differed, hence there were four categories: Animal System, Plant System, Natural System, and Spiritual Object System.


    Observing animals, like Emperor Qian''s Iron Winged Chi Dragon Dharma Aspect.


    Observing plants, like one of the three great ancestors of the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty, Yang Zun''s Separation Wood Dharma Aspect.


    In addition to the Natural System Dharma Aspects and the Spiritual Object System Dharma Aspects, all were encompassed within, each with their own Qianqiu.


    Apart from the inherent strength and weaknesses of the Dharma Aspects themselves.


    The choice of Dharma Aspect also related to the choice of Nirvana in the future.


    Generally speaking, those who choose Physical Nirvana often have Animal System or Natural System Dharma Aspects, and those who choose Spiritual Nirvana often have Plant System, Spiritual Object System, and Natural System Dharma Aspects. Of course, some people choose to condense a Spiritual Object System Dharma Aspect and directly embark on the path of Dharma Nirvana!


    Hum!


    The Martial Dao Divine Fruit burst forth from Xiao Yi''s body, levitating above his head.


    This Martial Dao Divine Fruit was the size of a fist, covered in stripes of Dao pattern. Generally, a typical Tao Tribulation Realm Peak''s Martial Dao Divine Fruit would only have ten Dao patterns. However, Xiao Yi''s Martial Dao Divine Fruit had a full one hundred Dao patterns, which was why he could easily crush the Dharma Manifestation Realm with the cultivation of the Tao Tribulation Realm and even resist the ordinary Nirvana Realm.


    "Did you see Xiao Yi''s Martial Dao Divine Fruit? It actually has a hundred Dao patterns?"


    "I remember Xiao Tianjiao only had fifty Dao patterns, right? Isn''t Xiao Yi twice as many as him?"


    "My God... Xiao Tianjiao with his ten Dao patterns was already so powerful, Xiao Yi has a full hundred Dao patterns, doesn''t that make him invincible?"


    In the crowd.


    Xiao Zhengde''s face had already turned ashen, watching the Martial Dao Divine Fruit suspended in the air in disbelief.


    Looking at Xiao Yi, enveloped in bright light with ten colors of brilliance swirling around him.


    Xiao Zhengde felt dizzy and disoriented.


    He never thought...


    That Xiao Yi, whom he never took seriously, always regarded as a disgrace and treated like trash, would have a talent far surpassing that of his pride, Xiao Tianjiao.


    To think that he, over the past decade or two, had treated such a jade as Xiao Yi like a useless stone, discarding him without a second thought.


    Even to the point of personally driving out such a genius for the sake of exchanging breeding partners for Xiao Tianjiao''s mount.


    Xiao Zhengde felt a surge of blood rush forth as if to spurt out of his body.


    "No..."


    Xiao Zhengde bit down hard on his teeth, grinding them as he said, "I couldn''t possibly be wrong, Tian''er is the true scion of heaven. Without Tian''er, the Xiao Family wouldn''t have its current status. Moreover, Tian''er has already been admitted to the Nantian Holy Institute, which is the highest martial sanctuary of the Nantian Dynasty. What is Xiao Yi compared to Tian''er? I''m not wrong. The wrong one is Xiao Yi, this little beast who doesn''t know satisfaction or gratitude, always opposing me..."


    The more Xiao Zhengde thought, the more convinced he became that he was not to blame. Looking at Xiao Yi, his gaze became filled with increasing loathing and envy, "It''s all Xiao Yi''s fault. He''s too greedy, unsatisfied with his lot, scheming to oppose me and Tian''er. It''s all his fault... If I had known, I should have listened to Tian''er and buried him when he was young, so as not to be opposed by him everywhere like now..."


    His voice carried no attempt at concealment.


    It allowed the powerful figures around to hear every word they said, loud and clear.


    One after another, they showed expressions of astonishment, looking at Xiao Zhengde in disbelief.


    Jin Feiyan stared at him furiously, her pretty face filled with incredulity, "Xiao Zhengde, are those words fitting for a father? He is your son too, and even if you''ve been grossly unfair to him from childhood for the sake of Xiao Tianjiao, you now turn things around and accuse him instead? Are you even human?"


    "Even a tiger wouldn''t eat its offspring, Xiao Zhengde, how can you be so cruel?"


    "No wonder Xiao Yi refuses to deal with him; if I had such a shameless father, I would have taken care of him long ago��"


    Suddenly, Xiao Zhengde became the target of everyone''s arrows.


    Facing the accusations of the crowd, he showed no embarrassment or guilt; instead, he bared his teeth and roared, "What do you know? I am his father; if I order him to die, he must die. If I want him to live, then even if he is dead, he must come back to life for me��"


    In the midst of the crowd,


    Yang Kun, despite his battered face, suddenly turned his eyeballs craftily, revealing a sinister smile as he transmitted his voice in a weirdly sing-song tone, "You say he must die if you want him to? That''s not necessarily the case! Who doesn''t know that Xiao Yi doesn''t even acknowledge your existence as his father? Xiao Zhengde, aren''t you taking yourself too seriously?"


    "Bullshit!"


    Xiao Zhengde''s face turned crimson with rage, and he snapped, furious and embarrassed, "Who the hell is babbling? If I say he has to die, then he has to die, I said��"


    "Woah, such rage, but don''t take it out on us! And you don''t need to order Xiao Yi to go die; isn''t he currently in the process of manifesting his Dharma? If you''ve got the guts, you tell him to stop that, to halt his breakthrough into the Dharma Manifestation Realm!" Yang Kun, with an effort, restrained his schadenfreude and transmitted his voice loaded with mockery.


    This only served to fan the flames of Xiao Zhengde''s anger.


    The Xiao Family had once been insignificant.


    Only after producing Xiao Tianjiao did they shoot up in status and transform into a phoenix perched high among the branches.


    Even though the Xiao Family was now the hottest family in the Great Qian Dynasty, in the eyes of some deeply rooted powerhouses, they were nothing but upstarts!


    Xiao Zhengde was an upstart who rode on his son''s coattails.


    Xiao Zhengde was well aware of this in his heart, and so, the thing he hated most was being looked down upon by others.


    Confronted with Yang Kun''s provocation,


    Xiao Zhengde''s eyes turned a deep crimson in an instant, his face seething with rage as he rushed onto the altar, and pointed at Xiao Yi with one hand, his voice ringing out, "Xiao Yi, you ungrateful and unworthy son, aren''t you going to get down here, kneel before me, and kowtow in apology?"


    Below the altar,


    Emperor Qian was completely dumbfounded, "..." S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yang Yuhuan was utterly astonished, "..."


    Everyone was stunned speechless, "..."


    Damn!


    How could there be such a person, so utterly shameless?


    From a young age, Xiao Yi was confined and more so for the sake of exchanging him for a mount for Xiao Tianjiao, sending him to the Fang Family as a son-in-law.


    Afterward, there were constant confrontations with him.


    Now, it was a critical moment for Xiao Yi''s breakthrough into the Dharma Manifestation Realm �� a moment''s carelessness could result in a shattered Dharma, causing his cultivation to plummet. At this critical juncture, instead of considering his children''s well-being, you as a father stand out to make Xiao Yi kneel before you to apologize?


    High above in the sky...


    Xiao Yi, in the midst of a crucial moment, shuddered. His eyes slowly opened, with colors of divine light flickering unsettled within. His gaze held the loftiness of a supreme devil emperor looking down upon everything, coldly he spoke, "You want me to kneel and apologize? Are you worthy?"


    PS: This chapter was especially hard to write; Xiao Tian revised it several times. Finally got it done, and I''ll release the last two chapters all at once afterwards!

 Chapter 490 - 490: Heaven Strikes with Five Thunders

    "You want me to kneel and apologize? Are you worthy?"


    Xiao Yi, from his superior position, surrounded by ten colors of divine light, cast a lofty gaze upon Xiao Zhengde.


    There was not the slightest trace of emotion.


    Only coldness and indifference.


    Since he could remember...


    Xiao Zhengde had become increasingly blurry in his memory.


    Even during the eight years of his imprisonment, Xiao Yi had thought more than once that he could try his hardest to prove himself, to make Xiao Zhengde acknowledge him.


    Despite his efforts during those eight years, no matter how hard he toiled, Xiao Zhengde never once appeared before him. Even though his painstaking cultivation was constantly met with ruthless mockery and suppression, Xiao Yi never gave up on proving to his father that he was not worthless.


    Until that day.


    Xiao Zhengde, in order to find a mate for Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, had unhesitatingly sent Xiao Yi to the Fang Family as a live-in son-in-law.


    At that moment, Xiao Yi completely despaired.


    The conviction that he had held in his heart for more than a decade was utterly shattered.


    It wasn''t until then that he realized...


    No matter how hard he tried, in Xiao Zhengde''s eyes, he was even less significant than Xiao Tianjiao''s mount.


    As for the Xiao Family...


    Xiao Yi''s only remaining attachment was his mother.


    This was also why he practiced his cultivation so desperately, repeatedly flirting with death, walking on the edge, growing stronger and stronger.


    No longer to earn the recognition from Xiao Zhengde, but to be able to pay homage to his mother at the Xiao Family with dignity.


    What Xiao Yi hadn''t expected was that just now, as he was crushing the Martial Dao Divine Fruit to manifest the Dharma, a critical moment where any carelessness could cause the Dharma to collapse and his cultivation to regress,


    Or, worse, to attract the retaliation of the Heart Demon, leading to death under the power of heaven.


    At such a time, Xiao Zhengde would actually come out to accuse him, disrupting his state of mind during this breakthrough, essentially putting him in mortal peril!


    Below the altar.


    Jin Feiyan was furiously enraged: "Xiao Zhengde, get down from there!"


    Ye Heng''s muscles were as firm as gold and iron, glaring with anger: "Get down!"


    Fu Yuan, Shadow Demon, and others exchanged glances.


    They were itching to throw Xiao Zhengde out, but he was, after all, Xiao Yi''s father. They found themselves in a dilemma.


    Qi whispered, "Your Majesty, shall I send someone to take him away?"


    "No need!"


    Emperor Qian shook his head, his squinted eyes twinkling with wise light, "This is a matter between father and son, let Xiao Yi handle it himself!"


    Qi hesitated for a moment but said nothing more.


    Emperor Qian squinted, assessing Xiao Yi, and thought to himself: "Who would have thought that Xiao Tianjiao actually got accepted into the Nantian Holy Institute? It seems this news is unknown even to the Huihai Sword Master and others. This child is truly the greatest talent of the Great Qian Dynasty... Xiao Yi''s talent might indeed surpass Xiao Tianjiao''s, but talent is just talent, and for now, you are not yet worthy for me to abandon Xiao Tianjiao and completely stand by your side."


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Zhengde had also recovered from his initial shock.


    He believed that as long as he came forward, Xiao Yi would surely be grateful and kneel to apologize, begging to return to the Xiao Family.


    What he hadn''t expected was that Xiao Yi would directly tell him he was not worthy?


    "You wretch... do you truly think you''re unmatched in the world, invincible? I''m not afraid to tell you, Tian''er has been accepted into the Nantian Holy Institute... Do you know what the Nantian Holy Institute is? It''s the highest holy place of the martial way in the Nantian Dynasty. Any ordinary servant disciple from there is more outstanding than you, yet Tian''er is now a formal disciple of the Nantian Holy Institute..." Xiao Zhengde''s voice boomed, spreading all over the summit of Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    "Xiao Tianjiao got into the Nantian Holy Institute?"


    "The Nantian Holy Institute is very exclusive. There are hundreds of subordinate states in the Nantian Dynasty, but very few pass the assessment of the Nantian Holy Institute. I didn''t expect Xiao Tianjiao actually made it..."


    Xiao Zhengde held his chin high, his face full of smug pride: "Now you realize you are nothing compared to Tian''er, right? But, considering we are related by blood after all, if you kneel and apologize right now, I might consider letting you return to the Xiao Family, you..."


    Before he could finish,


    A sudden bolt of lightning struck down in his face.


    Boom!


    As the lightning flashed by, it struck the ground in front of Xiao Zhengde.


    A thunderous boom ripped the ground apart, creating a half-meter-deep pit and shocking Xiao Zhengde so much that he staggered back two steps before falling seated onto the ground with a thud.


    Xiao Zhengde''s face showed pure panic, "This, this, this..."


    Xiao Yi watched him with an icy gaze. Above his head, the Martial Dao Divine Fruit had cracked open with more than fifty pattern lines, and the ten-colored divine light not only merged into it but also made him radiate with brilliant light, his noble aura solemn. Imposing and majestic, like a god or a demon, Xiao Yi coldly stared at Xiao Zhengde, "If you don''t shut up now, I won''t be polite to you anymore!"


    "You little bastard, I am your father..."


    Boom!


    Before Xiao Zhengde could finish speaking, another bolt of heavenly lightning struck down.


    Boom boom boom!


    Chain after chain of heavenly lightning swatted down from Xiao Yi''s hand, relentlessly forcing Xiao Zhengde back.


    This left Xiao Zhengde in an extremely awkward predicament.


    Enraged and humiliated, Xiao Zhengde bellowed, "You dog''s offspring, you..."


    Boom!


    Another thunderous crash completely drowned out his voice as a purple-gold thunderbolt transformed into a column of purple-gold light, suddenly striking his body. Amidst the crackling, electric arcs roamed all over his body, even blasting a dozen-meter-wide hole in the ground.


    Hum!


    Xiao Zhengde''s body shook violently, his hair standing on end, as a plume of black smoke rose from the top of his head.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Zhengde exhaled a puff of black air from his mouth, roaring with a mix of shock and fury, "Xiao Yi, are you trying to patricide? You unfilial son..."


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Several more bolts of lightning followed, each striking him with precision.


    Xiao Zhengde was charred black all over, billowing with smoke as if on fire, blood spurting wildly from his mouth. He was already on all fours on the ground, struck by the lightning at the top, nearly costing him his old life!


    Cough cough cough...


    Propping himself up on hands and knees, Xiao Zhengde gasped for air, his gaze towards Xiao Yi filled with resentment and jealousy, yet now also tainted with wariness and fear.


    Struck by the lightning from above!


    This was not something any ordinary person could endure!


    Hiss...


    Everyone felt suffocated.


    "Xiao Yi is so fierce?"


    "Even if Xiao Zhengde was wrong, he is still his father. Did he actually use lightning to attack his own father?"


    "That''s not right, that last bolt of lightning wasn''t done by Xiao Yi..."


    "Indeed, it wasn''t Xiao Yi. All his Dao patterns are broken, and he''s now manifesting the Dharma. Those heavenly lightnings seemed to be..."


    People gave Xiao Zhengde strange looks and murmured, "It seems like even the heavens couldn''t stand by any longer and directly descended the punishing lightning upon Xiao Zhengde!"


    "It''s one thing for the heavens to commit evil, but for one to commit evil oneself is quite another!"


    "Xiao Zhengde has done too many evil things; even the heavens couldn''t stand it anymore. He totally deserves it!" S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Why didn''t it strike him dead?"


    "..."


    Completely charred black, Xiao Zhengde''s eyes rolled back as he fainted.


    But...


    At this moment, Xiao Yi had no intention to pay attention to Xiao Zhengde. Above his head, the Martial Dao Divine Fruit had completely shattered, and the fragments were recombining, gradually forming the semblance of a Manifestation of Dharma...

 Chapter 491 - 491: Let the Heavenly Tribulation Come More Fiercely!

    In the midst of the sky.


    Surrounding Xiao Yi was a ten-colored divine radiance, dazzling and majestic, adding an air of authority and sanctity.


    This divine light was formed entirely from the pure essences of the heavens and earth, even containing the power of the Great Qian Dynasty''s national fortune, greatly enhancing spirit, flesh, and cultivation.


    There was even a saying that a single shine could equate to ten years of arduous practice!


    Because of this...


    Major powers would do everything possible at each Grand Ancestral Ceremony to have their strongest Tianjiao compete for the position of main officiant.


    However,


    this year was because of Xiao Yi''s arrival, which left Yang Kun and other sects'' powerhouses with no choice but to sigh in resignation and give up.


    In the end, it fell upon Xiao Yi and Yang Ling.


    Yang Ling was enveloped in a five-colored divine light; his cultivation level was also stuck in the Tao Tribulation Realm, and now, with the blessing of the five-colored light, he began to break through towards the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    His Martial Dao Divine Fruit also had thirty Dao patterns, his talent could be considered genius level.


    With the five-colored divine light''s blessing, the shards of Yang Ling''s broken Martial Dao Divine Fruit began to coalesce into the shape of an Iron Winged Chi Dragon. He was following the path of Emperor Qian, an animal-type Martial Dao Fasxiang, specifically the National Guardian Beast Ironwing Chi Dragon of the Great Qian Dynasty. Yang Ling had frequently observed the Ironwing Chi Dragon and grew obsessed with it, having followed Emperor Qian from a young age and becoming deeply influenced by the creature.


    Roar!


    In the convergence of light, a colossally sized Iron Winged Chi Dragon Dharma Aspect inchoate form emerged behind him.


    At this moment, the Iron Winged Chi Dragon appeared quite stiff, devoid of any spiritual essence.


    But as long as it endured the baptism of the Heavenly Tribulation, it would absorb the forces of heaven and earth, become spirited, and manifest its Dharma divine skills!


    However...


    At that moment, Yang Ling was completely baffled.


    He had already condensed the rudimentary form of his Dharma Aspect, but he had not sensed the arrival of the Heavenly Tribulation. As he puzzled over this, he suddenly felt an ice-cold aura nearby that made his heart palpitate. Yang Ling was taken aback, then looked over only to contract his pupils, "This, this, this is God Devouring Ants?"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s Martial Dao Divine Fruit also shattered.


    Piece after piece of the fragments, wrapped in ten-colored divine light, floated and sank, gradually congregating under Xiao Yi''s control, eventually forming the likeness of a Queen of the God-Eating Ants.


    It resembled an ant with wings on its back, its body as large as a young farm calf.


    Its entire body glittered with gold, as if cast from gold itself.


    White, black, red, green, blue, yellow.


    Six eyes, six colors.


    This was the Queen of the God-Eating Ants!


    Suspended in the air, particularly those six differently colored eyes, it was as if one was facing the six cycles of reincarnation; it was so formidable that words failed to come forth for a moment. These God Devouring Ants didn''t possess the massive size or majestic grace of the Iron Winged Chi Dragon, but their presence induced a palpable sense of dread.


    Yang Ling''s pupils contracted slightly, and though he had never seen a Queen Ant before, he could see that the Dharma Aspect in front of him was undoubtedly connected to the God Devouring Ants, "Who would have thought Xiao Yi''s Dharma Aspect would actually be God Devouring Ants?"


    Yang Kun was also stunned.


    In his mind''s eye, he recalled the terrifying scene when faced with Lin Xu, as a massive swarm of God Devouring Ants descended from the sky, engulfing everything in their path, making his face turn pale.


    But when he thought of Xiao Yi''s Dharma Aspect being God Devouring Ants, Yang Kun couldn''t help but snicker and shake his head, "This idiot, did he choose the God Devouring Ants as his Dharma Aspect after seeing the army''s formidable nature? Does he not realize that what makes the God Devouring Ants terrifying is their sheer number? Without numerical superiority, the God Devouring Ants are merely ordinary demon beasts..."


    The Huihai Sword Master also shook his head, considering Xiao Yi''s action a destruction of his own prospects, "Xiao Yi has doomed himself!"


    "God Devouring Ants as a Dharma Aspect?"


    Emperor Qian was also frowning, a touch of disappointment in his eyes, "Is this what you rely on? Xiao Yi, if this is the case, you have greatly disappointed me. I allowed you to Visualize the Iron Winged Chi Dragon, I allowed you to Visualize the national Divine Artifact... yet you were unmoved, in the end choosing such a worthless Dharma Aspect?"


    The strength of a Dharma Aspect determines a martial artist''s limit!


    Two individuals with identical talent.


    One visualizes mere foxtail grass, the other visualizes the Spirit Ginseng of the heavens and earth.


    The difference is clear at a glance.


    The army of God Devouring Ants is indeed terrifying, chilling to the bone.


    But...


    A single God Devouring Ant is at best a slightly more troublesome demon beast.


    Meanwhile,


    Xiao Yi had completed the consolidation of his God Devouring Ants Dharma Aspect rudimentary form, and looking at the lifelike Queen Ant before him, his lips curled slightly upward. He naturally heard the discussions of everyone, especially the ridicules from people like Yang Kun, which were clearly heard by his ears, but he didn''t take any of these words to heart.


    He wasn''t condensing ordinary God Devouring Ants!


    It was the Queen of the God-Eating Ants!


    As long as there was one Queen of the God-Eating Ants, an invincible army of God Devouring Ants could be created.


    If ten thousand weren''t enough, then a hundred thousand! S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If a hundred thousand weren''t enough, then a million!


    If a million weren''t enough, then ten million...


    Even if the army were billions of God Devouring Ants launching out together, let alone something like the Ironwing Chi Dragon, Li Mu, Dragon Tiger Talisman...


    Even if they were to use the Nine Heavens Divine Dragon, the Bathing Fire Phoenix, and the Wind Fire Qilin as Dharma Aspects, they would all be crushed into nothing but dust!


    Was it weak?


    Individually, indeed, it wasn''t strong!


    But possessing the Queen of the God-Eating Ants was equivalent to having countless armies of God Devouring Ants!


    "Laugh! The happier you laugh now, the more you''ll realize who the idiot is after you see my army of God Devouring Ants..." Xiao Yi sneered inwardly. Suddenly, he felt a premonition and looked up at the sky, only to see a surge of blood-light above Imperial Dragon Mountain, as if half of the sky were ablaze.


    Above the crimson sky,


    not a single cloud could be seen!


    Not a cloud in sight!


    Yet, the sky was a sheet of crimson, as red as a burnt-out pot bottom, terrifying in its intensity.


    Sizzle, sizzle!


    Boom, boom!


    The dull sound of thunder rolled over from the far skies, the air faintly filled with the sound of colliding lightning, intermittent yet continuous.


    It sent shivers down one''s spine.


    Invisibly...


    An oppressive atmosphere enveloped everyone''s hearts.


    "Why did it suddenly become so hot?"


    "More than hot, I''m soaked in cold sweat... do you all feel the oppression? Can''t breathe?"


    "What in the world is happening?"


    Above Imperial Dragon Mountain,


    the powerhouses looked at each other in dismay, continually tugging at their collars or wiping the sweat from their foreheads, faces full of bewilderment and confusion.


    It had been a clear and sunny day; how had it suddenly turned so oppressive and gloomy?


    Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!


    Peep, peep...


    Throughout the vast Imperial Dragon Mountain, the low growls and anxious cries of beasts and animals could be heard, restless and uneasy. Flocks of birds took to the sky en masse, darting off into the distance. Hundreds of miles away from Imperial Dragon Mountain, within the depths of Great Liang Mountain, numerous beasts were panicked; some coiled up in their dens, others clumsily fled towards the deeper mountains...


    An apocalyptic vista!


    "What''s happening?"


    "This... why does this feel so familiar..."


    Amidst everyone''s confusion,


    Dongfang, with a bitter smile, swallowed hard and said, "Do, do you all remember the heavenly tribulation that destroyed half of Great Liang Mountain a few months ago?"


    "Dongfang, what are you suggesting?"


    "Wasn''t that tribulation said to be Xiao Yi''s beast undergoing tribulation?"


    "Wait a moment... you''re not suggesting that Xiao Yi attracted that tribulation, are you? He has just broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, so are you saying that last time he was breaking through the Tao Tribulation Realm? My God, can the Tao Tribulation Realm even trigger heavenly tribulation? And one that can destroy half of Great Liang Mountain? Are you freaking kidding me?"


    "Damn... If the heavenly tribulation for the Tao Tribulation Realm destroyed half of Great Liang Mountain, wouldn''t his breakthrough to the Dharma Manifestation Realm turn Imperial Dragon Mountain into flat ground?"


    A myriad of horrified gazes simultaneously turned towards Xiao Yi above in the crimson sky.


    Meanwhile...


    Above in the sky, the Blood Pool Thunder Sea had already covered thousands of miles.


    Xiao Yi looked up proudly at that boundless Thunder Sea, his lips curling slightly, eyes glowing with fervent battle spirit: "Let the heavenly tribulations come even more fiercely!"

 Chapter 492 - 492: This Heavenly Tribulation is Poisonous!

    "Let the heavenly tribulation come even more fiercely!"


    Shrouded in ten-colored divine light, Xiao Yi''s body was bathed from head to toe, with the Queen of the God-Eating Ants'' Dharma Manifestation coiled above his head, mimicking his movements as they both looked up at the sky.


    One with eyes like burning divine torches, their gaze pure and flawless.


    The other with six eyes, each of a different color, seemingly like the six paths of reincarnation, annihilating all beings.


    Together, they fixed their eyes on the blood-red clouds of tribulation that were furiously gathering in the sky, already spreading over thousands of miles and still expanding.


    Energy from heaven and earth rushed in from all directions, surging, vast, and violent.


    Gales swept past, leaving behind a path of ruin over thousands of miles.


    Lightning streaked across, burning mountains and plains, leaving behind desolation and scorched earth.


    Heavenly fire raged, bursting forth and turning half the sky red with its inferno...


    What a vision of the apocalypse!


    In the depths of the royal palace, hundreds of miles away within that forbidden ground, an old iron-winged chi dragon suddenly opened its eyes, looking around in confusion and finally fixing its gaze in the direction of Imperial Dragon Mountain, with a hint of horror in its eyes: "A destructive calamity? Is that... is someone at the peak of the Beast Emperor undergoing tribulation?"


    Within the forbidden area.


    Three other figures also opened their eyes simultaneously, the terrifying pressure emanating from the natural phenomenon causing their hearts to race, and they felt a profound sense of the threat of death.


    "Damn it, how could such a powerful destructive calamity exist?"


    "Is someone attempting to break into the Life and Death Secret Realm? But that doesn''t make sense, either. Within the Great Qian Dynasty, only the three of us are in the Nine Nirvana Realm, and even without the spirit of longevity, we wouldn''t be able to trigger such a destructive tribulation..."


    Yang Zun and the others exchanged troubled looks.


    Yang Zun forced a bitter smile: "It''s over, it''s over. No matter who triggered this destruction, the people from that place will soon sense it and send someone to investigate. If they find out that the three of us have not left the Great Qian Dynasty, we may be in trouble!"


    "Let''s go see who is undergoing tribulation!"


    "Hmph, we absolutely must not let this implicate us, just send them straight to that place!"


    The three exchanged glances, their minds made up.


    In the blink of an eye, they moved, hiding in the void and quietly heading towards Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    However...


    As they left the royal palace, they were already shaken by the terrifying scene unfolding in the horizon.


    All the spiritual energy within thousands of miles was being drained, converging towards Imperial Dragon Mountain. It was not just a storm of thunder and wind, but also a tempest of heavenly fire and rain.


    The blood-red clouds of tribulation had formed a massive, swirling vortex, suspended above the peak of Imperial Dragon Mountain, slowly rotating. Inside the blood clouds, thunder roared and wild winds howled.


    A scene of divine punishment as if the end of days had arrived!


    Rumble!


    Inside the imperial capital, countless citizens were alarmed.


    One by one, they looked up at the reddened sky, all dumbfounded, with some unable to restrain their complaints, "Which bastard has caused the sky to turn like this? I just set up my stall to sell stinky tofu. If anyone knows who the culprit is..."


    Boom!


    Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck from the horizon, hitting the man and obliterating the stall completely clean.


    Pieces of charred stinky tofu stuck to his face.


    Not far away.


    A man and a woman who had taken the chance to sneak away for a tryst while their spouses vied for temple blessings were disturbed by the thunder, cursing grumpily, "Damn it, who the hell ruins my good time?"


    Boom!


    Another bolt struck down, reducing both the man and the woman to charred figures.


    Scenes like this occurred repeatedly, though Yang Zun and the others paid them no mind.


    Faced with such a terrifying calamity, they looked at each other and said, "Is this the destructive calamity? Such terrifying pressure, even a hundred miles away I can feel the power of death..."


    "We must hurry to see who is undergoing tribulation..."


    Soon, the three of them arrived at Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    At this moment, countless civilians and powerful beings on Imperial Dragon Mountain were frantically fleeing toward the distance, and along the way, one could even see birds and beasts, all fleeing from Imperial Dragon Mountain as if escaping a natural disaster.


    Watching the crowd constantly brushing past them, with occasional swearing and cries of alarm, the trio felt completely baffled, "This heavenly tribulation is poisonous! Whoever curses Xiao Yi gets struck..."


    "Damn it all, why did that bastard Xiao Yi have to summon such a terrifying tribulation..."


    No sooner had one person finished speaking.


    Boom!


    A bolt of thunder suddenly struck him, leaving him charred by lightning.


    Hiss!


    "Run, don''t you dare curse Xiao Yi!"


    "Curse him and you die!"


    Yang Zun and the other two looked at each other, was there such a divine move?


    Cursing the person undergoing tribulation would result in being struck by lightning?


    Yang Zun subconsciously said, "Xiao Yi is a dumbass..."


    Boom!


    A bolt of lightning struck him dead center.


    Shh...


    Yang Zun spewed out a mouthful of black aura, his hair standing on end and smoke coming from all seven orifices, with only his eyes clear black and white.


    "F*ck... This tribulation really is poisonous!" Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing Yang Zun''s sorry state, Yang Bingtian''s eyes twitched fiercely, "I did not expect that it would be a heavenly tribulation invoked by Xiao Yi? Wasn''t he just at Tao Tribulation Realm? At most he would be breaking through to Dharma Manifestation Realm, how could there be such a terrifying commotion?"


    Electricity was still dancing on Yang Zun''s charred face, but his expression was one of excitement, "Have you all forgotten? It''s said that when someone breaks through the Longevity Secret Realm, they are breaking the laws of Heaven and Earth, and receiving recognition from the heavens, becoming as revered as a celestial. At this time, if anyone dares to insult a celestial, they will be subject to the punishment of the heavens!"


    "Hiss... you mean Xiao Yi is about to break through the Longevity Secret Realm? Impossible, right? Last time we met, he was only at Tao Tribulation Realm..."


    "If it''s not a breakthrough in the Longevity Secret Realm, the only possibility is that Xiao Yi''s talent is too terrifying, having fully comprehended a complete Heavenly Dao. Even if it''s just a breakthrough in Dharma Manifestation Realm, he''s already akin to a celestial!" Yang Zun shivered uncontrollably as he spoke.


    Hiss!


    All three took in a sharp breath of cold air.


    Akin to a celestial?


    What is a celestial?


    In legend, one who completely commands one Heavenly Dao and undergoes nine nirvanas, absorbing the spirit of longevity to step into the Longevity Secret Realm, that''s a celestial!


    A person of the heavens!


    Below a celestial, all are but ants.


    "Who would have thought that our Great Qian Dynasty could give birth to such a genius?"


    Yang Zun gazed at the blood clouds above the sky, as if he had made an important decision, and exhaled a long breath, "If indeed Xiao Yi is undergoing this tribulation, then if people come from that side, let me go with them!"


    Yang Bingtian and Yang Zheng stared at Yang Zun in disbelief.


    That place...


    Once gone, never to return!


    So many geniuses and experts from the Great Qian Dynasty had gone there throughout history, and none had returned, their life and death unknown.


    Yang Zun''s eyes shimmered as he stared in the direction of the peak of Imperial Dragon Mountain, "With talent like ours appearing once every hundred years, how often would a genius like Xiao Yi come around, once in a thousand, ten thousand years? That place is fraught with danger, once gone, life and death is uncertain. For the prosperous foundation of the Great Qian Dynasty, I am willing to go in his stead!"


    The other two looked at each other with hesitation, and after a moment, Yang Bingtian said, "Let''s not discuss this for now, the tribulation this time is so terrifying, we don''t even know if Xiao Yi can successfully transcend it!"


    All three were stunned.


    Together, they looked up at the summit, toward the heart-palpitating and terrible tribulation clouds above...

 Chapter 493 - 493 Lets Go Up Together!

    The blood-red tribulation clouds had formed a vortex, completely covering the entirety of Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    The range affected by this heavenly tribulation was ten times larger than the area impacted when Xiao Yi broke through to the Tao Tribulation Realm. Within a thousand miles, all were affected.


    However, the farther one was from Imperial Dragon Mountain, the less they were affected.


    At this moment.


    Yang Ling, who had been by Xiao Yi''s side, had already run far away, his body covered in soot, hair standing on end.


    Among the many strong individuals still on Imperial Dragon Mountain, many had suffered lightning strikes just like him. These were the people who had cursed Xiao Yi and then suffered the wrath of the thunder.


    They didn''t want to leave, not because they weren''t afraid of the heavenly tribulation, but because the opportunity to witness such an event was extremely rare.


    Nobody wanted to leave.


    Yang Yuhuan''s eyes shone fiercely as he stared at the terrifying blood-colored vortex, "This heavenly tribulation''s condensation is even more terrifying than the one the Eight Nirvana had to cross. What kind of freak is this kid? It''s just a breakthrough into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and yet it caused such a commotion?"


    "Apart from the terrifying power of the heavenly tribulation, the force between heaven and earth that''s gathering is also incredibly vast and pure. Observing the force here yields twice the result with half the effort!"


    "Such a tribulation might be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Even if I die, I must stay to watch!"


    "To witness such a tribulation without regret!"


    Amid the sounds of exclamation.


    Emperor Qian and Yang Yuhuan spotted the arrival of Yang Zun and his two companions drifting through the void. The two exchanged looks, puzzled as to why these three ancestors had suddenly appeared. Just as they were about to approach, they were stopped by a shake of Yang Zun''s head.


    They could only settle down.


    And quietly wait for Xiao Yi to pass the tribulation...


    At this moment.


    Xiao Yi and the Queen of the God Devouring Ants behind him had already established a strange connection, as if sharing the same origin, both staring at the tribulation clouds in the void, which were faintly condensed to the ultimate degree.


    The rumble of thunder within the clouds grew heavier, like thunder dragons lurking within, darting through the clouds, poised to strike.


    It was as if angry dragons were roaring within the clouds, the deep and mighty sounds echoing continuously within.


    Suddenly...


    A streak of golden light fell from the sky above, the dreadful heavenly lightning condensed into a purple-golden thunder dragon, diving towards Xiao Yi with a rumbling roar.


    In an instant...


    The awful heavenly might covered the entire sky and earth.


    Boom!


    Purple-golden lightning illuminated the entire sky and earth in its color, dazzling everyone''s sight.


    "Little Lin, go down!"


    Xiao Yi roared lowly, as a golden figure burst from his chest and fell towards the ground.


    The terrifying heavenly thunder made everyone on Imperial Dragon Mountain change color as they thought, "Such a fearsome heavenly might; how will Xiao Yi deal with it?"


    "He''s already sent Little Lin down; even Xiao Yi himself probably doesn''t believe he can make it through the tribulation!"


    "This kind of tribulation is unprecedented!"


    "I wager he''ll only be able to withstand three hits at most..."


    "It has finally come!"


    Xiao Yi stared intently at the thunder dragon falling from the sky, licked his lips with a crimson tongue, and revealed a look of excitement and anticipation. His eyes, especially, were filled with purple-golden light, like a pair of golden pupils.


    Xiao Yi suddenly spread his arms, the green winds and golden thunders wrapped around him, forming a pair of Wind Thunder wings, and he charged head-on towards the thunder dragon.


    Heavenly tribulation might be a disaster for others, but for Xiao Yi, it was a great supplement!


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body draws power from the Wind Thunder.


    And what are the strongest Wind Thunder forces in this world if not the heavenly tribulations?


    Roar!


    Xiao Yi opened his mouth and let out a thunderous roar, his Wind Thunder wings vibrating the void with a sound even more terrifying than the purple-golden thunder in the sky.


    Under the Wind Thunder Holy Body''s power, Xiao Yi transformed into a cyan-golden spear, and with a resounding boom, he dispersed the tribulation thunder.


    "..."


    Below Imperial Dragon Mountain, a host of mighty beings stood agape, disbelievingly watching the spectacle before them, "Holy shit, such a terrifying heavenly tribulation, and Xiao Yi just directly shattered it?"


    "When did crossing a tribulation become like this?"


    Xiao Zhengde, his body charred black, his eyes filled with resentment and poison, cursed, "Why doesn''t this damned heavenly thunder strike this little beast dead!"


    Boom!


    His words had just fallen.


    Another bolt of lightning struck him.


    Wow...


    Xiao Zhengde''s body stiffened, his eyes rolled back, and he stood up straight before collapsing onto the ground.


    In his gradually blurring vision, a second tribulation thunder fell once more.


    Xiao Yi remained suspended in the air.


    A pair of Wind Thunder Wings trembled in the void, emitting a buzzing sound, as wind and thunder collided around him and luminous energy circulated, covering Xiao Yi''s figure with a green silhouette and the brilliance of lightning.


    He was like the wind.


    In an instant...


    As the thunder fell, Xiao Yi threw a punch at it, within the shadow of the fist was a divine kingdom of heaven.


    Inside the divine kingdom was peace and tranquility, the country prosperous and the people secure, countless creatures living and working in contentment.


    Boom!


    The terrifying thunder exploded violently, and at the same time, Xiao Yi opened his mouth wide and swallowed the lightning whole.


    A surge of purple-golden thunderlight was entirely devoured by Xiao Yi, with electric arcs jumping out of his body, spurting from every pore, roaming over the surface of his body, and sizzling crisply.


    As the thunder roamed, streaks of blood seeped out from his body, covering his entire figure, transforming him into a blood-drenched figure.


    "Refreshing!"


    Xiao Yi let out a long howl to the heavens, refusing to retreat but instead charging forward into the blood-red whirlpool of the heavenly tribulation.


    Boom!


    Rumbling!


    Pulses of blood-red lightning and thunder echoed within the tribulation clouds, reverberating through the sky, as one after another, blood-red beams of light flashed within the clouds.


    Lighting up everything between heaven and earth.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Amidst the terrifying booms, every bolt of lightning that fell was smashed to pieces by Xiao Yi without even touching him.


    Then swallowed into his belly, the terrifying power of Wind Thunder fiercely forged his body, like artifact refining, repeatedly hammering and honing his physique.


    Within the gushing bloodlight on his body, there was faintly more of a purple-golden Wind Thunder glow.


    This was already the sixth wave of heavenly lightning.


    Xiao Yi''s body had broken through to the fourth transformation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, with the strength of his flesh alone, he was more than capable of crushing the vast majority of Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses.


    "Not enough, far from enough..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shone with a cold glint, his gaze sharp as a knife''s edge, even carrying a sense of outrageous insanity, "Such heavenly tribulation is a rare gift that cannot be squandered, I must leverage this tribulation to enter the fifth transformation."


    But by now, six waves of heavenly tribulation had passed, and only three layers of tribulation remained, nowhere near enough to support his entry into the sixth transformation.


    He looked up at the firmament, where the blood-colored whirlpool was getting smaller and smaller, the energy concentrated in this destructive disaster growing weaker and weaker. S��arch* The N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes revealed a hysterical madness. His gaze shifted, looking towards the countless mighty ones on Imperial Dragon Mountain. His mouth curled with a hint of insanity as he flashed forward, drawing the seventh wave of tribulation down in a mad dive toward Imperial Dragon Mountain, while letting out a thunderous roar, "This once-in-a-millennium heavenly tribulation, gentlemen, let us face it together!"


    On Imperial Dragon Mountain...


    A group of powerhouses exchanged glances...

 Chapter 494 - 494: Ten Thousand People Transcending Tribulation

    In the skies above Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Within the scarlet vortex, bolts of lightning plummeted down, marking the seventh wave of Heavenly Tribulation.


    The might of the Heavenly Tribulation was overwhelming.


    No fewer than eighty-one purple-golden bolts of lightning transformed into terrifying thunderous dragons, tangling with each other, becoming an ever-thicker, ever-larger divine dragon of thunder.


    What were once hundred-zhang-long thunder dragons turned in an instant into nine thousand-zhang-long thunder dragons.


    They appeared lifelike, hideously frightening.


    Enveloping their bodies was the force of the heavenly catastrophe, with thunderous power shaking the skies and fierce winds wreaking havoc as they clawed their way towards Xiao Yi.


    They illuminated the whole world.


    Xiao Yi himself was like a knight commanding the dragon, leading the terrifying divine dragon of thunder as he dashed towards the myriad of powerhouses on Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    "What are you hesitating for at this once in a millenium thunder tribulation? Hurry and act, join me in transcending the tribulation!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice drowned out the roaring of the thunder.


    A terrifying energy enshrouded the whole region in an instant.


    Atop Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Emperor Qian sprang up from his dragon bed with a whoosh, "..."


    Yang Yuhuan, the unparalleled War King, had twitching features. Under the illumination of purple-golden thunder, his expression of shock on his face became even more exaggerated, "I, I fuck... Xiao Yi, have you gone mad?"


    Xiao Zhengde had just woken up, only to see Xiao Yi carrying the nine heavenly thunder dragons rushing toward him.


    Watching as the nine lifelike thunder dragons, wrapped in destructive and wild power, drew closer, one could clearly see the dragon scales on their bodies, which resembled shields.


    "This, this unfilial child... is this attempting to kill his father?" S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His eyes rolled back, and he fainted once again.


    Countless powerhouses were dumbstruck by the scene before their eyes.


    "Run for it!"


    "Dammit, Xiao Yi you madman, are you planning to take us all down with you?"


    "He''s lost it, Xiao Yi you lunatic! Why did I stay to watch this unfold..."


    Powerhouse after powerhouse turned pale, scattering like birds and beasts, running madly in all directions.


    However...


    Xiao Yi had no intention of letting them go.


    His only method to break through to the sixth rotation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body was to amplify the power of the Heavenly Tribulation. But now, with only three waves left, the only way was to bring more people into the range of the tribulation.


    Only then would the strength of the tribulation multiply by many times, possibly even tens of times.


    This was an unorthodox move!


    Gambling with one''s life!


    But it was also a rare opportunity!


    Yang Ling was the first to suffer. He was at the cusp of a breakthrough, but the commotion caused by Xiao Yi earlier had prevented his own tribulation from descending. It wasn''t until now, with Xiao Yi bringing the tribulation to his side.


    The opportunity of his breakthrough immediately caught the attention of the heavenly tribulation.


    Suddenly...


    The blood-colored vortex in the heavens spun even more madly.


    "I, I, I just wanted to smoothly transcend the tribulation; I didn''t expect it to be this thrilling..." Yang Ling was so panicked that he was nearly crying. A thunder dragon had already taken notice of him, rushing directly in his direction.


    Atop Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Many powerhouses were already fleeing into the distance, but how could their speed compare to Xiao Yi, who had the wings of Wind Thunder, and the thunder dragons?


    One after another, the powerhouses were forced to stop running.


    They could sense that the heavenly tribulation had noticed them, and even if they fled, they couldn''t escape the terrifying tribulation.


    The only choice was to stay and join Xiao Yi in facing the tribulation head-on.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    At that moment...


    Xiao Yi had already charged into Imperial Dragon Mountain, and with a series of earth-shattering noises, six thunder dragons caught up to his figure and with a loud bang, Xiao Yi was struck down to the ground.


    Half the mountain peak was forcefully shaved off.


    Flying sand and rolling stones, rocks hurtling through the sky, countless destructive energies transformed into a storm, sweeping in all directions.


    The vast Xiaoshanhe Institute was half destroyed.


    Emperor Qian''s heart bled, but at that moment, he also had no choice but to operate his profound skills, releasing his Iron-winged Chi Dragon, soaring into the sky to resist the terrifying heavenly tribulation.


    Yang Yuhuan, Huihai Sword Master, Yang Kun, and so on...


    As many as tens of thousands of powerful beings, under Xiao Yi''s coercion, were forced to grit their teeth and attempt to survive the tribulation together!


    One by one, they cursed Xiao Yi''s ancestors for generations in their hearts.


    But they also had no other solution��


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The last three thunderous divine dragons also fell upon Imperial Dragon Mountain one after another, blasting rocks into the sky, shattering the mountain, and killing and wounding many strong beings.


    Mid-mountain location.


    Within a huge pit ravaged by lightning, Xiao Yichong soared into the sky. Just now, having been struck by six thunderous divine dragons, he too was seriously injured. Blood traces spilled from his seven orifices, yet he simply raised a hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth.


    Xiao Yi eagerly looked up at the sky, the roiling blood-colored whirlpool had already ceased its downward barrage of tribulation.


    Energy from all around was still being devoured by it continuously.


    Heavenly might vast and powerful, it was still brewing an even more terrifying heavenly tribulation.


    After all...


    There are as many as tens of thousands of people attempting to survive the tribulation right now!


    Rumbling thunder!


    The blood-colored whirlpool seemed enraged by this ten-thousand-strong tribulation, emitting a thunderous roar.


    The frenzied spinning whirlpool had already drained the spiritual energy of the heavens and the earth within thousands of miles, continuously condensing into an even more terrifying tribulation. A burst of red light, like a radiant sun, extended from the whirlpool.


    Within that fiery red thunderball resembling the blazing sun, one could vaguely see a dignified and majestic deity, powerful without anger. Standing atop a fire phoenix, holding a true dragon of thunder, his cold gaze watched over the insignificant mortals below.


    Space was completely twisted at this moment.


    Yang Zun was dumbstruck, "Crazy, truly crazy... to actually summon the Pure Yang Divine Thunder?"


    "Damn it, it''s do or die!"


    "If hit by this Pure Yang Divine Thunder, even those in the Dharma Manifestation Realm might be severely wounded��"


    "Xiao Yi... if I can live through this tribulation, I swear I will stay hundreds, thousands of miles away from you, this madman, never to provoke you again��" Yang Kun was already trembling with fear under the mighty heavenly power of the tribulation, his face pale and completely bloodless, he yelled in despair.


    Boom!


    Rumbling thunder��


    Inside the Pure Yang Divine Thunder, that deity figure suddenly moved.


    Thunderbolts transformed into fireballs, falling from the sky like shooting stars, plunging down from the firmament above.


    "Block it!"


    "Don''t take it lightly��"


    Tens of thousands acted in unison, colorful Yuan energy covered the space between heaven and earth, and various forms of Martial Dao Fasxiang were deployed in succession. Everyone exerted their full strength, resisting the terrifying apocalyptic divine thunder.


    "How spectacular is it for tens of thousands to undergo tribulation? Hahaha��"


    Xiao Yi looked up to the sky and let out a long howl. The battered Wind Thunder wings on his back suddenly fluttered, allowing him to leap miles in a single bound, heading straight for the sky to fight the tribulation thunder. At this moment, facing the tribulation of ten thousand, Xiao Yi still showed no hint of retreat.


    He still chose to stand his ground!


    When everyone was avoiding the tribulation, doing all they could to weaken the energy of the tribulation, and dodging out of the way,


    Xiao Yi was like the only one going against the world''s natural order.


    He rode the wind.


    His feet trod on the void.


    Wielding the Falling Dust Sword, he charged at the clouds of tribulation above. Wherever he passed, the astonished onlookers watched him brush past, and in the void, apart from the terrifying sound of colliding energies, only Xiao Yi''s earth-shattering voice echoed ceaselessly, "Wind Thunder tempers the body, refine me��"

 Chapter 495 - 495: Flesh Regeneration, Wind Thunder Six Rotations!

    ```


    Roar!


    Xiao Yi let out a long howl toward the heavens, his Wind Thunder wings flapping incessantly behind him, trailing beams of cyan and gold light.


    In his defiant flight,


    everywhere he passed��


    Xiao Yi offered no resistance, withstanding the Heavenly Tribulation with the strength of his flesh alone.


    The Pure Yang Divine Thunder capable of grievously wounding those in the Dharma Manifestation Realm struck Xiao Yi''s body with excruciating pain, as if it could tear him apart at any moment. Yet Xiao Yi clenched his teeth and persevered, repeatedly struck down by divine thunder, rising against the odds again and again.


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    In the heavens above...


    a bizarre scene emerged. S��arch* The N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tens of thousands hid within Imperial Dragon Mountain, shielding themselves from the stray Pure Yang Divine Thunder.


    Xiao Yi, his body clad in the wings of Wind Thunder, shone with a divine glow, like a War God slaying the heavens as he charged time and again into the vortex storm at the heart of the Thunder Tribulation. He was like a storm petrel soaring against a tempest, or a hero fearlessly darting through a sea of flames.


    Again and again, thunderbolts struck him down, and each time he rose and rushed back toward the thunder.


    Such was his repeated life-risking method of braving the Tribulation.


    Xiao Yi''s body was covered in wounds, scars everywhere, and blood spread across his entire body.


    But his Wind Thunder Holy Body grew increasingly stronger. Even though his flesh was mangled and many wounds were bone-deep, Xiao Yi remained unafraid.


    The resolve in his eyes could not be extinguished.


    Xiao Yi had lost count of how many Thunder Tribulations he had endured; he was only aware of his extreme weakness, with lightning flickering over every surface of his body and serpentine currents coursing through each strand of his hair.


    "Not enough, still not enough!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were blood-red as he gazed upward at the Pure Yang Divine Thunder and soared on his wings.


    The Falling Dust Sword merged with his body.


    The God Devouring Ant''s Dharma Manifestation, with wings outstretched, adhered to him.


    The wings of Wind Thunder, combined with the God Devouring Ant''s wings of God Devouring, unfolded together, pushing his speed to the utmost limit.


    Sword strike after sword strike, he aimed at the descending thunder, trying to bar his way, and cleaved it aside.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    "Two waters parting at White Egret Sand..."


    "Life-Snatching Thirteen Swords..."


    Xiao Yi fought against the heavens, the earth, and himself in the void!


    He drew steadily closer to the Pure Yang Divine Thunder.


    Within the Pure Yang Divine Thunder, the deity of Capture Dragon and Step on Phoenix, seemingly fully enraged by Xiao Yi, shifted from a dignified treasure-like appearance to a Wrathful Vajra, emitting bursts of low growls. The dragon and phoenix merged into one, transforming into a ferocious blood-colored dragon-phoenix, brutally descending upon Xiao Yi.


    "Fight! Fight! Fight!"


    Xiao Yi''s Falling Dust Sword hit the dragon-phoenix one strike after another.


    Terrifying power spread along the Falling Dust Sword, extending over his body.


    He faced the thunder of ten thousand with the strength of one!


    The thunderous dragon-phoenix burst apart under Xiao Yi''s assault. With a swish of the Falling Dust Sword, he tore through the dragon-phoenix, burrowing into its body.


    He charged relentlessly, shattering the thunderous dragon-phoenix from the inside out with raw force.


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi had already appeared within the Pure Yang Divine Thunder, stuffing a pre-prepared Sixth Turn Wind Thunder Elixir into his mouth.


    Upon consuming the Wind Thunder Elixir,


    Xiao Yi simultaneously opened his mouth wide, lunging at the deity within the Pure Yang Divine Thunder with a bite.


    "..."


    At this moment, time itself seemed to stand still.


    Atop Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Countless powerhouses watched, dumbfounded.


    Gulp!


    Someone swallowed their saliva unconsciously, their face filled with shock: "This, this, this is swallowing the Thunder Tribulation alive?"


    "I''ve only heard of Thunder Tribulation devouring people, never of anyone devouring the Thunder Tribulation with their mouth..."


    "This madman..."


    "This is a true hardliner!"


    Swallowing the Thunder Tribulation alive!


    They had never seen, let alone heard of such a thing before this!


    ```


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The energy of the Pure Yang Divine Thunder''s divine figure was incredibly overwhelming, as streams of power crazily flooded into Xiao Yi''s body, with countless energies being transformed by Xiao Yi into his own power to enhance the Wind Thunder Sacred Body.


    But even more was destroying his body.


    Xiao Yi was resolute and refused to let go of the divine phantom condensed by the Wind Thunder Heavenly Tribulation.


    He swallowed mouthful after mouthful, ingesting it wildly into his body.


    At the same time, his mystical skills were in operation.


    The "Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill" activated the God Sealing Seed within his body, which, already numbered at a hundred million, began to plunder the power of the Wind Thunder Heavenly Tribulation.


    One after another, the God Sealing Seeds were activated.


    Gurgle, gurgle!


    Xiao Yi''s swallowing speed increased more and more.


    Previously, he only used these energies to enhance the Wind Thunder Sacred Body, and his body was somewhat overwhelmed, but now, with the addition of the God Sealing Seed, the vast majority of the powers of the Wind Thunder Heavenly Tribulation were shared.


    He immediately felt much more relaxed.


    The swallowing speed also increased more and more, causing the thunder vortex soaring above the sky to be continuously compressed.


    Boom!


    The divine phantom within the Pure Yang Divine Thunder could no longer withstand and a hint of blood-red appeared on its expressionless face. Following that, it stretched out its arms and hugged Xiao Yi tightly.


    Behind it...


    A gigantic rift appeared out of nowhere, and the boundless blood-colored vortex was transformed into a funnel, constantly infusing its frenzied power into its body.


    The divine figure became more and more substantial.


    The Ninth Layer Thunder Tribulation.


    The most terrifying Thunder Slash, targeting thousands, completely erupted at this moment!


    Rumble...


    The blood-colored divine figure exploded violently, with Xiao Yi right in the heart of the explosion.


    Buzz!


    This explosion made the entire world seem to pause, the wind stopped, the thunder ceased, and even the sky dimmed. After a brief moment, a blinding orb of energy, even more dazzling than the sun, burst into existence above the firmament.


    The sky was graced with two suns competing in brilliance at that moment!


    Xiao Yi...


    Was right in the middle of that terrible destructive explosion.


    The blinding orb, bearing the force to destroy heaven and earth, enveloped Xiao Yi and crashed down, falling from the sky like a plummeting star, surrounded by Wind Thunder Heavenly Fire, and slammed onto Imperial Dragon Mountain with a thunderous crash.


    Rumble!


    The entire Imperial Dragon Mountain shook violently, bursting open from the middle.


    The vast Imperial Dragon Mountain was actually pierced through.


    Wind Thunder, Heavenly Fire.


    In an instant, it covered the entire Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Fortunately, Emperor Qian and the others had already retreated. Even so, many strong beings still suffered backlash from the heavenly thunder and were severely injured. Amidst the countless flames and wild Wind Thunder, Xiao Yi''s figure suddenly shot out from Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    He looked up to the sky, inhaling sharply, and swallowed the last bolt of thunder into his stomach.


    Almost at the same time...


    An incomparably overpowering pressure, indescribable with words, enveloped the heavens and the earth.


    Ten colors of divine light loomed over Xiao Yi.


    Above his head...


    The Dharma Manifestation of the God Devouring Ants hovered, its six eyes shining with a spirited and exotic light.


    Lastly, Xiao Yi''s body...


    The torn flesh regenerated anew.


    Even the shattered bones were rapidly healing.


    His cultivation was also burgeoning like bamboo after rain, madly increasing...


    Dharma Manifestation Realm, first layer.


    Dharma Manifestation Realm, second layer.


    Dharma Manifestation Realm, third layer...


    He ascended all the way to the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm before the energy in Xiao Yi''s body gradually stabilized. Simultaneously, his Wind Thunder Sacred Body reached the Sixth Transformation. And at the moment he stepped into the Sixth Transformation Wind and Thunder Sacred Body.


    A sudden buzzing sound exploded inside Xiao Yi''s head, shocking him to his core: "This, this, this is..."


    PS: There will be more updates tonight, but it''s probably going to be very late, so everyone should check it out in the morning! Hehe

 Chapter 496 - 496: Return to the Heavenly Tomb

    ```


    Hum!


    His mind reverberated with a huge tremor.


    Xiao Yi''s vision instantly appeared in an immense expanse of darkness. Within this dark space lay an incredibly vast ancient tomb.


    It was none other than the Eternal Celestial Tomb!


    In the silent darkness, the Eternal Celestial Tomb became the only place that emitted light.


    Black dragon chains wove through the void, binding the sun, allowing this Eternal Celestial Tomb to suspend in the darkness. His figure was unconsciously drawn to the tomb, rapidly falling toward it.


    His form arrived at the entrance of the Eternal Celestial Tomb.


    Clang!


    A tremendous sound of metal clashing came from the chains inside the Eternal Celestial Tomb, and amidst the horrific collisions, the sonorous toll of a bell suddenly rang out. Suddenly, a whirlwind appeared in the void.


    The whirlwind swept up Xiao Yi, flying him toward the outermost layer of the tomb.


    Swish!


    His figure landed before the grave that was closest to the second layer.


    Before this...


    Xiao Yi had never come so close to this grave. sea??h th�� N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Because.


    The one resting here was the first powerhouse of Ancient Times, hailed as the number one being beneath the starry skies of the Qingtian Realm��a Martial God��Zhao Wuji!


    The tombstone bore the life achievements of Zhao Wuji.


    The Martial God, Zhao Wuji!


    An Innate War God Physique.


    He entered the Dharma Manifestation Realm at fifteen, wielded the Infinite Profound Technique, battled in all directions, and faced eighteen thousand six hundred thirty-one battles without a single defeat.


    At twenty, he found immortality and on the day of his tribulation, he slew eighteen cultivators from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    He then vanished for a hundred years.


    At one hundred twenty, he reappeared, undefeated across the Qingtian Realm.


    He vanished again for a thousand years.


    At one hundred and twenty years old, he emerged once more, with one man and one sword, he slaughtered ninety percent of the realm''s immortals. He single-handedly attacked the sacred grounds of Qingtian, splitting the realm into five parts, fragmented and disintegrated.


    He even cast the Hall of Longevity into the depths of the void, where it remains unseen to this day.


    He shattered the nine cauldrons, scattering them throughout the Qingtian Realm.


    He then stepped through Qingtian, approaching the gates of ascension...


    However, the subsequent text seemed to have been forcefully erased, as if the news following his ascension to the gates of immortality was not meant for the world to know. Xiao Yi had been too far away before and had not observed it up close��this was his first time seeing Zhao Wuji''s life achievements so clearly.


    About this man...


    In a word��invincible!


    In his lifetime, he never suffered a single defeat!


    Alone, he shattered the Qingtian Realm, turning it into its current state, forming five continents. Such feats could be considered divine, yet even someone of his stature had perished.


    And he was buried in this Eternal Celestial Tomb.


    Moreover, he was only at the outermost periphery!


    Sigh!


    Xiao Yi looked up ahead; the Eternal Celestial Tomb had nine layers, and yet this was merely the first.


    "Previously, the Wind Thunder Holy Being warned me not to touch Zhao Wuji''s grave without sufficient strength. I am now at the third level of Dharma Manifestation Realm, with the Wind Thunder Holy Body at the sixth turn. I wonder if I am capable of suppressing Zhao Wuji?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes became fiery with anticipation.


    This was the strongest person in the history of the Qingtian Realm.


    Whether it be the cultivation techniques he practiced or his other legacies, those were treasures Xiao Yi longed for in his dreams.)


    Especially that Infinite Profound Technique, Infinite Sword Canon, and so forth.


    ```


    These are, whether now or in Ancient Times, considered to be top-level cultivation techniques and martial skills.


    "Thinking that with the cultivation of the third tier of Dharma Manifestation Realm, having grasped one hundred and eighty million God Sealing Seeds, should it be enough to deal with Zhao Wuji?" Xiao Yi examined his condition internally, finding that the breakthrough in his cultivation had also rapidly awakened the God Sealing Seeds.


    Not only had he surpassed the threshold of one hundred million.


    But he had reached one hundred and eighty million!


    "Fortune favors the bold, here goes nothing!"


    Gazing at the gravesite of Zhao Wuji in front of him, Xiao Yi took a long breath, his eyes becoming increasingly determined. Suddenly, Xiao Yi''s palm struck forward and mysterious energies surged out between his fingers.


    Since awakening the one hundred and eighty million God Sealing Seeds, Xiao Yi felt a subtle change in them.


    It seemed that in some ineffable way, the God Sealing Seeds had become even more powerful!


    From their initial black color, they had now turned into a pure white.


    The white God Sealing Force, saintly and powerful, merged in the void to form a giant white hand that reached out and grabbed Zhao Wuji''s grave. With a muffled boom, the entire grave was shattered forcefully by Xiao Yi''s grasp.


    But this time it was different from before, as no figure suddenly burst out.


    The entire gravesite appeared very calm.


    Just as Xiao Yi wondered if he had struck an empty grave, a crisp snap sounded and a piece of black coffin plank suddenly flew out, spinning several times in the air before thudding into the ground right in front of Xiao Yi.


    The coffin plank emitted dense black streams of air that were particularly sinister, filled with endless resentment.


    It seemed as if the coffin plank, measuring only about two meters in height and one meter in width, was covered with tens of thousands of wronged souls.


    A chilling and evil breath enveloped Xiao Yi in an instant.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed, this was the first time since he took control of the eternal cemetery that he encountered someone with their own coffin. Before this, even beings like the Wind Thunder Venerable and the Twin Stars Daoist had not possessed their own coffins.


    It goes to show...


    How different Zhao Wuji was!


    "Hehe!"


    "Hehehe..."


    A series of sinister laughs came intermittently from the grave, chilling to the bone and hair-raising.


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "Stop playing tricks, come out!"


    Whoosh!


    A finger jabbed out.


    The now sanctified white God Sealing Force burst from the fingertip, turning into a white beam of light that shot into the grave. In an instant, it transformed into chains that rattled as they wrapped around the Zhao Wuji within the grave and slowly pulled him out.


    However...


    As the sound of clanking echoed, the white chains suddenly jerked taut.


    In the next moment, with a deafening roar that sent terrible ripples spreading, the white chains whipped the ground like long whips. Following that, black flames began to spread from within the grave.


    Clutching the white chains, they crept rapidly towards Xiao Yi.


    Their speed increasing more and more.


    These black flames carried an evil power, scorching everything they touched on the eternal cemetery ground, burning out a trail of foul stench.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly; he had a strong premonition that he absolutely must not let these black flames touch his body, or else he would face catastrophe. Without hesitation, he snapped the chains before him and retreated explosively.


    At the same time, the Falling Dust Sword landed in his palm, and he slashed forward, "Part the White Heron Island in the Two Waters!"


    Whoosh!


    A silver sword light burst into existence, slashing a vast trench into the ground.


    He lifted into the air at the same time, drawing a circular arc with his sword.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Where the sword arc passed, the ground burst open explosively.


    Encircling Zhao Wuji''s grave, a circular trench was carved, and boundless Sword Qi erupted from the trench, forming a Sword Qi barrier that effectively blocked the black flames within.


    Just as Xiao Yi was about to catch his breath, a dark shadow suddenly burst from within the grave, soaring into the sky...

 Chapter 497 - 497: The Tomb Keeper, the Guardian Soul!

    ```


    Whoosh!


    Zhao Wuji stood suspended in the air, his body encircled by black flames, with only his bloodthirsty eyes gleaming like gall.


    He was clad in a suit of black battle armor, ancient and weathered, covered with the marks of combat. There were scars from swords and claws, each one testament to the armor''s glorious past achievements.


    In his hand, he gripped a black broken sword, which seemed to have been bitten off by some creature.


    The black flames emanated from within him.


    Blazing fiercely, burning the very sky.


    "Who would have thought that the Martial God Zhao Wuji would end up looking like this?" Xiao Yi''s brows were tightly knit as he stared at Zhao Wuji before him.


    In his mind, he had imagined countless appearances for Zhao Wuji.


    But he never expected the Zhao Wuji he would meet to look so inhuman and ghastly.


    As if a demon had come straight from the Hell Netherworld.


    Zhao Wuji''s eyes were fixed on Xiao Yi, void of any emotion, responding in a sharp, piercing voice, "I did not expect that a million years later, the Eternal Tomb would end up in your hands!"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ever since he acquired the Eternal Tomb, this was the first time he encountered someone who could outright identify it.


    It should be known...


    Even before this, neither the Twin Star Taoist nor the Wind Thunder Venerable had recognized the Eternal Tomb.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "You actually know this is the Eternal Tomb?"


    "Why wouldn''t I?"


    Zhao Wuji snorted coldly, his voice ringing metallic and strident, as a cold harsh light flickered in his eyes, "I was once the owner of the Eternal Tomb, or rather, I was your predecessor Guardian Spirit of Heaven!"


    As he spoke,


    Zhao Wuji''s lips curled into a slight, cruel smile.


    His smile seemed laced with a touch of mockery and ridicule.


    This caused an inexplicable panic in Xiao Yi''s heart. The Martial God Zhao Wuji was the previous Guardian Spirit of Heaven of the Eternal Tomb?


    Then why was he buried here?


    As if seeing through Xiao Yi''s thoughts, Zhao Wuji laughed harshly, "The keeper of the tomb is the soul that guards it. From the day you took control of the Eternal Tomb, your life became inseparable from it. Alive, you are the keeper; dead, you become the guardian spirit."


    The keeper of the tomb implied the custodian of the tomb ground, also known as the Guardian Spirit of Heaven.


    And the guardian spirit?


    Xiao Yi stared intently at Zhao Wuji, whose body radiated black flames that swallowed the air, resembling a soul from the Hell Netherworld come to guard the entrance to the second layer of the Eternal Tomb.


    Zhao Wuji''s expression was indifferent, his voice lingering in the air, "Young one, the Eternal Tomb is not so easily acquired. Every Guardian Spirit of Heaven bears a great destiny, but even one as powerful as I ended up becoming a guardian spirit. Do you think you can hold sway over the Eternal Tomb?"


    Xiao Yi fell into deep thought.


    From a young age, Martial God Zhao Wuji had been one of his idols.


    Despite the swift passage of time, the legends that had been passed down about Zhao Wuji were scarce, yet the title of Martial God alone drew countless strong aspirants.


    Even such a legendary figure had eventually gone from being the keeper to becoming the guardian spirit.


    Could he really do it?


    But this doubt was fleeting; Xiao Yi cast it out of his mind and said coldly, "From a young age, everyone thought I was a waste, but I refused to give in and never gave up until I finally awakened the Eternal Tomb. When I first took charge of Xiaoshanhe Institute, no one believed I could revive this decaying Martial Arts Institute, yet I breathed new life into it. No one thought I could compare to Xiao Tianjiao, but now, the distance between him and me is getting shorter..."


    Sigh!


    ```


    Xiao Yi''s gaze grew increasingly resolute, and he said in a deep voice, "Whether I can achieve it depends on the firmness of my will. My heart is like iron, indestructible; my heart is like a sword, pressing forward with indomitable will!"


    Boom!


    In that moment, Xiao Yi''s mind underwent a monumental transformation.


    His spiritual power surged, increasing by more than a hundredfold in just an instant.


    "Hmm?"


    Martial God Zhao Wuji stared at Xiao Yi, his expression filled with indescribable mystery. He repeated Xiao Yi''s words over and over, and then, his face broke into a splendid, enigmatic smile, "Good, good, good, such a heart of iron unbreakable, and a heart like a sword, unmatched and diverging never! Good..."


    When he looked at Xiao Yi again, his gaze no longer held the same resentment and indifference, but rather, it carried a hint of admiration.


    However...


    Zhao Wuji raised his hand, and the black flames continued to writhe around the broken sword. He said coldly, "I admire you greatly, but the rules cannot be changed. I was once the keeper of the grave, and now even more so the guardian spirit. If you wish to continue to wield the authority of the Eternal Heavenly Tomb, you must pass through me!"


    Boom!


    With a wave of Martial God Zhao Wuji''s hand, a swath of black flames turned into a vast sea of fire.


    His face bore coldness and indifference as he said slowly, "Every Guardian General of Heaven who dies in battle will become a guardian spirit of the tomb. I am the ninth Guardian General of Heaven, thus became the ninth layer''s guardian spirit. Xiao Yi, remember, the guardian spirit of each layer will do their utmost to slay the keeper of the tomb. As long as we kill you, we can be liberated and return to the world of the living."


    Hisss!


    Xiao Yi''s expression shifted slightly, never having imagined such an underlying connection.


    If that was the case...


    Then his relationship with each of the tomb''s guardian spirits would also be a fight to the death!


    "Either you defeat me, and suppress me within the God Sealing Seed, or you are slain by me, becoming the new guardian spirit of the tomb, while I may achieve transcendence and rebirth..."


    Zhao Wuji raised his right hand, gestured as if to invite Xiao Yi, and the sweeping black flames came rolling in.


    Within the sea of fire created by the ebbing black flames, waves of black flame soared high. Zhao Wuji, standing atop the black inferno, wearing black battle armor, and enveloped in black flames, appeared like a peerless War God.


    Xiao Yi let out a cold snort, and the God Sealing Seed within him erupted entirely, transmitting tremendous divine power from each of the eighteen million seeds.


    Crack! Crack!


    The divine power turned into a set of pure white battle armor.


    The armor, engraved with dragons and phoenixes, was more exquisite than the finest handmade artistry of the mortal world. On the shoulders sat a dragon on the left and a phoenix on the right, while an Azure Dragon coiled around the chest, amidst clusters of auspicious clouds.


    He held the Falling Dust Sword, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, looking gallant and extraordinary.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi walked on air, stepping down with force, as eighteen million God Sealing Seeds simultaneously burst forth with dazzling brilliance.


    Shhh shhh...


    Wherever the divine power reached, it met the black flames as if they were natural enemies.


    Each was constantly burning and purifying the other.


    The very moment they came into contact, Xiao Yi''s expression rendered extremely grave as a glimpse could reveal a great deal. In clashes between masters, a mere brush past could reveal the depth of one''s skill.


    This was undoubtedly the most formidable opponent Xiao Yi had encountered since he took charge of the Eternal Heavenly Tomb.


    And likewise...


    This was a fight to the death with a mortal enemy!


    Zhao Wuji called out coldly, "Show me all your strength!"


    Xiao Yi''s expression turned severe as he brandished the Falling Dust Sword across the sky, "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

 Chapter 498 - 498: Godslayers Seven Absolute Swords!

    Fight!


    Fight! sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fight!


    Xiao Yi''s entire being blazed with a warlike eagerness that had never been as intense as in this moment.


    What was Xiao Tianjiao?


    What was Emperor Qian?


    Before him stood the strongest genius in the history of Qingtian Realm, the esteemed super existence known as Martial God Zhao Wuji, who had been the unparalleled figure in this starry sky since ancient times.


    "Youngster, take my sword!"


    Dark light swirled around Zhao Wuji, and the broken sword in his hand became like a storm incarnate, its surface flickering with black flames that surged uncertainly, like the fiery breath of a dragon.


    Streams of Sword Qi made from tongues of fire extended a hundred yards across, as if bridging the void itself.


    "Split the waters to find White Heron Island!"


    With one swing of his sword, Xiao Yi''s blade shone like a boat, sailing through the wind and waves, forcibly cleaving the black Sword Qi before him.


    Their first head-on exchange was merely a probe.


    Seeing the black and white Sword Qi dissipate at the same time.


    The two warriors exchanged a glance, with the flames of battle in their eyes burning even more fiercely. Zhao Wuji said coldly, "Not bad at all, youngster, you are qualified to make me use the Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi took a sharp intake of breath, his face showing an unprecedented level of solemnity.


    What was the Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords?


    It was the strongest swordsmanship of Martial God Zhao Wuji, meant to slay gods!


    As for the Seven Absolutes...


    It meant to extinguish the seven emotions, the lives of all creatures in the six realms, plus one additional god!


    "The first sword��Absolute Joy!"


    Absolute Joy aimed to sever joy itself.


    This sword sought to cut through the foremost of the seven emotions, joy.


    And also because...


    When this sword was unleashed, it was sure to claim the life of its target, leaving virtually no joy.


    The dark sword glow vanished into the void as if it had never existed, and then, as if bursting forth from the depths of the void, it approached silently and swiftly, aiming straight for Xiao Yi''s heart.


    Xiao Yi''s face tightened.


    With a tip of his toe on the void, he whooshed backward in a sudden retreat.


    At the same time, he held the Falling Dust Sword vertical in front of his chest.


    Clang!


    A dazzling burst of spark shot upwards as the black sword glow struck the blade directly. Despite being blocked by the Falling Dust Sword, Xiao Yi still felt a tremendous shock to his organs, a hint of pain flashing across his brow.


    Dropping his gaze for a quick sweep, Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly contracted.


    On the blade of the Falling Dust Sword appeared a dent and several fine cracks.


    This was a sixth-order Yuan weapon!


    Had it actually been cracked by Zhao Wuji''s seemingly effortless stroke?


    "Worthy of being the Martial God, a seemingly ordinary sword containing such terrifying power!" Xiao Yi''s thoughts flew swiftly as his figure rose in a sudden motion, lifting his sword to charge once again at Zhao Wuji.


    "Heaven''s Fist!"


    A casual punch was thrown out.


    This was a martial technique from Dao Yan''s lineage, comparable to a high-level sixth-order, with extraordinary might.


    Boom!


    Fist shadows multiplied, as if a country lay within each punch.


    "The second sword, Heavenly Fury!"


    With an expressionless face, Zhao Wuji advanced relentlessly, unleashing a sword strike.


    Swish!


    This sword contained the roaring thunder of the heavens; its Sword Qi cutting through the air, sounding a mighty roar like the wrath of the skies.


    Boom!


    The burgeoning Heaven''s Fist was cleaved in two.


    Xiao Yi anticipated the Heaven''s Fist being sliced, and he suddenly rose up, closing the distance between him and Zhao Wuji along the edge of the Sword Qi. At the same time, he swung the Falling Dust Sword with a buzzing sound, sending a silver streak of sword light at Zhao Wuji''s face, "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Sword shadows like dazzling meteors, swathes of silver sword light covered the sky and earth, coming suddenly like a thunderstorm.


    This sword strike was fierce, and caught Zhao Wuji by surprise.


    However...


    Zhao Wuji showed no fear, didn''t dodge or avoid, and with an emotionless face, he swung his broken sword. The black flames on the sword formed a Sword Qi Black Lotus as his cold voice simultaneously came, "The third sword, Wuyou!"


    Wuyou!


    The strongest defense sword technique; with this move in hand, all would be without worry.


    Hum!


    The Sword Qi Black Lotus, like an insatiable black hole, actually began to devour those silver sword energies, the immense sword Qi disappearing without a trace as if it were a clay ox entering the sea.


    Zhao Wuji didn''t give Xiao Yi any chance to breathe and struck with another sword, "The fourth sword��Severed Thoughts!"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    When the Severed Thoughts sword was unsheathed, the heavens and netherworld were shocked.


    Images of Zhao Wuji appeared from all directions in space, each one lifelike, with the broken swords in their hands belching black flames, possessing the might to burn the heavens and devour the earth.


    "Damn it..."


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed repeatedly as he activated the Falling Dust Sword defense time and time again, but he simply couldn''t block the omnipresent, penetrating sword Qi.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The Falling Dust Sword was covered with fierce cracks, spread all over as if it were about to rip the sword apart at any moment.


    His body was also slashed with vicious wounds.


    Zhao Wuji''s cold voice, devoid of any emotion, came through, "Idiot, you have a treasure mountain but do not know it. The strongest power in you is the power of the God Sealing Seed, why not use it?"


    "God Sealing Seed?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, eyes sparking with revelation, "That''s right, the power of the God Sealing Seed is the strongest force I have!"


    With that thought...


    Xiao Yi roared lowly, white light on his body surged explosively.


    It covered his entire body.


    The wings of Wind Thunder simultaneously unfolded.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Continuously flapping the Wind Thunder wings, he unleashed strikes of God Sealing power, like a downpour of white light.


    The light rain collided with the black sword Qi and actually penetrated the sword Qi, riddled with holes, shattered one by one.


    "Youngster, next I will unleash the last three swords of the Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords. If you can block them, I will acknowledge you to continue as the gravedigger of the eternal tomb. If you cannot, then you will become a guardian spirit of this place!"


    Zhao Wuji''s face remained indifferent, a being as proud as him would not stoop to use any trickery.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted, his expression more serious than ever before.


    This was Martial God Zhao Wuji''s strongest three swords!


    "So what if it''s Martial God? I will surely block it!" Xiao Yi gripped the Falling Dust Sword tightly, staring at Zhao Wuji before him.


    "The fifth sword��No Sadness!"


    Zhao Wuji, with a majestic bearing, as his sword was unsheathed, everything mourned!


    "The sixth sword��Forbidden Fear!"


    This sword transformed into a boundless horde of vile ghosts and demons, with green faces and fangs, claws bared, becoming the personification of the deepest fears of the human heart. Whatever one feared, it would turned into precisely that!


    It was terrifying!


    "The seventh sword��"


    Zhao Wuji''s voice paused, then slowly exhaled, "Death''s Shock!"


    Death''s Shock!


    Even shock has died.


    In this world, what could he not kill?


    Three consecutive swords.


    Not one was simple; each blow was deadly, every sword soul-snatching.


    Facing such terrifying three swords, Xiao Yi was on the brink of life and death. If he could withstand them, then he would win the ultimate victory in this battle. If he failed, then he would pay with his life.


    After unleashing these three swords, Zhao Wuji stood in silence, the corners of his mouth slightly curling up in a cold smile, "Unless a miracle occurs, today will be the day I return to the earth..."

 Chapter 499 - 499: Swallowing the Martial God

    Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords.


    Cut off Seven Emotions!


    Slay All Gods!


    Even in the Ancient Era, Zhao Wuji rarely used all seven swords to their full extent, and although he was now suppressed in the Eternal Sky Tomb, he possessed tremendous strength but could only unleash a tiny fraction of his power.


    Yet even this fraction of his strength was enough to crush the vast majority of the powerhouses in the Qingtian Realm.


    Especially since Xiao Yi was merely at the third layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    In Zhao Wuji''s view, with these seven swords, he could easily slay Xiao Yi.


    Thereby freeing himself from the role of a guardian spirit.


    And be reborn anew!


    Just as he had expected��


    Facing the strongest and last three swords of the Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords, Xiao Yi, despite being guarded by the mighty power of god sealing, was somewhat overwhelmed.


    Without Grief!


    Prohibit Fear!


    Sword Qi of Deathly Shock!


    Each of these three swords has its distinct way, impossible to guard against and unavoidable.


    Without Grief, yet grief comes from within.


    Facing this sword, Xiao Yi remembered his tragic experiences, unable to extricate himself, and even forgot to defend for a moment. As a result, a moment of distraction led to a sword strike on his shoulder, spurting blood wildly.


    Prohibit Fear, its name suggesting prohibition and fear, is actually designed to evoke the deepest fears within the target''s heart.


    Especially the Sword Qi of Deathly Shock...


    True to its name.


    Silent and breathless, like the stillness of death, yet it could stun and bewilder the target with a surprise attack, silently claiming their life.


    Spurt spurt spurt!


    After three consecutive swords, Xiao Yi was covered with wounds.


    Zhao Wuji crossed his arms over his chest, with a trace of emotion finally surfacing on his indifferent face, gazing up at the giant chains of the Eternal Sky Tomb as if they were the ones binding him.


    Zhao Wuji let out a thunderous roar to vent the resentment that had been sealed in his heart for many years, "Eternal Sky Tomb, do you see? This is the new Tian Guardian God you chose. He is not my match, not even close..."


    Rustle rustle!


    The vast Eternal Sky Tomb trembled thunderously.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    He was shrouded with endless sorrow and fear, as if the whole world was plunged into darkness with no glint of light to be seen.


    Hum!


    The silent and breathless Sword Qi of Deathly Shock was already imperceptibly positioned at his heart.


    With just one stab, it could take his life!


    "Sorrow? Fear?"


    A flash of light suddenly shot through Xiao Yi''s mind, "My heart is ironclad, indestructible; my heart is like a sword, sharp and peerless. With sorrow, a sword to cut it down. With fear, a sword to cut it down. With foes, a sword to cut them down..."


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi abruptly opened his eyes, and at that critical moment, white light emanated from his hands as he brought them together in front of him with a clap.


    Sssss!


    Plumes of black smoke rose up.


    Xiao Yi''s clasped hands held the very Sword Qi of Deathly Shock that Zhao Wuji had unleashed for his last strike.


    "What?"


    Zhao Wuji''s pupils suddenly contracted, and his arms uncrossed in front of him unconsciously, staring in disbelief at the scene before him, "You actually broke through the last three swords of mine in such a short time?"


    Sorrow!


    Fear!


    Shock!


    These are the most uncontrollable among the seven emotions.


    And also the strongest moves within the Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords.


    In the past, Zhao Wuji, with this sword technique, swept through the Ancient Era''s invincible opponents, claiming countless powerful enemies!


    But now...


    Xiao Yi, whom he had never taken seriously, managed to break through it and even blocked the fatal Sword Qi of Deathly Shock. Such an unbelievable turnaround shocked Zhao Wuji and left him incredulous.


    Whew! S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi also exhaled a deep breath, realizing that the Sword Qi of Deathly Shock was just a hair''s breadth away from claiming his life!


    Thankfully, he managed in time!


    "Heh heh..."


    Xiao Yi raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes flickering with a cold and fiery fighting spirit, "Zhao Wuji, until now it has always been you attacking, but now it''s my turn!"


    "Hmph, junior, show whatever tricks you have!" Zhao Wuji said indifferently.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Senior fails to recognize that in the river of heaven, the new waves push the old, and the former perish on the sandbank. Having taken over the Wanzu Tombs and become the new Heaven-Suppressing Martial Lord, how could I possibly be defeated by someone who was eliminated by the Wanzu Tombs and has become nothing but a tomb-guarding spirit?"


    "Arrogant!"


    For the first time, Zhao Wuji''s face showed a violent surge of fury. He was the Martial God, supreme and invincible, never once defeated in the Qingtian Realm.


    To him, Xiao Yi was nothing but a brash young upstart.


    How dare he speak so insolently to him?


    And claim that he would defeat him?


    "Youngster, bring forth whatever skill you have! I''ll let you know why the world calls me Martial God!" Zhao Wuji struck his chest armor with the edge of his sword, producing a series of thunderous clangs.


    "What does it matter if you''re the Martial God?"


    Xiao Yi sneered, his eyes narrowing into slits like a fierce beast locking on its prey, and he let out a low roar, "Much less that you aren''t a true god, even if you were a deity in the heavens, today, I shall��Slay a God!"


    Boom!


    Behind Xiao Yi suddenly appeared a golden Dharma Manifestation.


    It was the God Devouring Ant Dharma Manifestation!


    The God Devouring Ant Dharma Manifestation, the size of a calf, stood suspended in the air, its six differently colored eyes slowly rotating as if they were spiraling vortices, resembling six cycles of reincarnation.


    It vibrated its wings, staying above Xiao Yi''s head.


    Zhao Wuji was taken aback, scrutinizing the God Devouring Ant, then suddenly laughed out loud, "Is this what you''re depending on? A mere animal-shaped Dharma Manifestation, and just a single ant at that?"


    "An ant?"


    Xiao Yi bared a smile, revealing an innocuous grin, and said softly, "My Dharma Manifestation is named God Devouring Ant, while you claim yourself to be the Martial God. It seems today you are fated to die at my hands!"


    "God Devouring Ant? Hmph, it''s nothing but an ant after all. If you had spoken of an army of God Devouring Ants, perhaps I might have harbored some doubts. As for a mere ant, I can annihilate it with a flick of my fingers!" Zhao Wuji said confidently.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Since it''s a God Devouring Ant, it naturally wouldn''t be fighting alone!"


    "Hmm?"


    Zhao Wuji paused, a look of bewilderment crossing his brow, "What do you mean?"


    "Literally! Senior, behold my God Devouring Ant army!"


    Xiao Yi''s body shook.


    Infinite spiritual energy and divine essence from his God-Sealing power surged crazily into the Dharma Manifestation behind him.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The six eyes of the God Devouring Ant Dharma Manifestation whirled, devouring energy while opening their massive maws.


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh!


    God Devouring Ants, one size smaller, flew out rapidly from its mouth.


    One.


    Two.


    Three...


    In the blink of an eye, hundreds of thousands of God Devouring Ants crazily appeared between heaven and earth, overwhelming and dense like the onset of an apocalypse. Amidst the rustling noise filling the sky, the army of hundreds of thousands of God Devouring Ants swarmed forward.


    "No..."


    Zhao Wuji''s eyes nearly burst with fury.


    At this moment.


    He finally felt despair.


    Titled as the Martial God!


    The Martial God Zhao Wuji, who proclaimed he would ascend to the ninth heaven and slaughter all deities, was at this moment utterly submerged in a sea of insects...


    Countless God Devouring Ants voraciously nibbled away at his body, tearing him limb from limb.


    Finally, with a loud bang,


    Zhao Wuji''s black flame and battle armor exploded simultaneously.


    "I did not expect that having pursued the slaying of deities all my life, I would end up as the deity who was slain? How pitiable, how lamentable, how ridiculous, how absurd..."


    Zhao Wuji transformed into a transparent Spiritual Body, floating in the air, looking at Xiao Yi with a complex expression: "Youngster, you''ve won!"


    Xiao Yi bowed toward Zhao Wuji, "Thank you, Senior, for your generosity!"


    Zhao Wuji nodded, spreading his arms wide, "Seal me away!"


    "Senior, my apologies!"


    As Xiao Yi waved his hand, streams of God-Sealing power burst forth, enveloping Zhao Wuji in a bright white light. Zhao Wuji''s form continuously shrank, flying towards Xiao Yi, his voice echoing in the space, "Youngster, be extremely cautious with the tomb-guarding spirits... Do not step onto the second layer unless you''ve achieved immortality, remember, remember..."


    Swish!


    Zhao Wuji suddenly disappeared into his body.


    At the same time...


    In Xiao Yi''s mind emerged all of Zhao Wuji''s lifelong legacy...

 Chapter 500 - 500: The War King bestows the Marshal Seal!

    Zhao Wuji''s inheritance was vast.


    It filled Xiao Yi''s mind in an instant, among which the most dazzling were his three signature techniques: the "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords", the "Infinite Profound Technique", and the "Invincible King Fist"!


    One swordsmanship, one cultivation technique, and one fist technique.


    Of course...


    As a Martial God, it was natural that Zhao Wuji had more than these few methods at his disposal.


    However.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation was merely at the third level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. With his current cultivation level, even if it was Zhao Wuji''s moves and secret techniques from above the Longevity Secret Realm, they were beyond his reach to cultivate.


    Not to mention using them!


    Only these three ultimate techniques could enable Xiao Yi''s combat power to explosively increase several fold in a short period of time.


    "Emperor Qian said that Xiao Tianjiao, right after his breakthrough to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, had slain an assassin from the Sword Dynasty who was in the Third Nirvana Realm."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sparkled with sharp light, especially with a burning desire to fight, "With my current strength, even facing a master who has undergone six Nirvanas wouldn''t be my match in a single bout! Xiao Tianjiao, the distance between us is getting smaller and smaller!"


    With Xiao Yi''s current cultivation at the third level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, coupled with the Sixth Transformation Wind and Thunder Holy Body, as well as mastering Zhao Wuji''s lifetime inheritance.


    His combat power was definitely at the very top!


    Looking back three years ago...


    Xiao Tianjiao stood high above, hailed as the number one genius of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Back then, Xiao Yi was merely at the Physical Body Realm, lowly like an ant.


    Now, merely in a rush of three years.


    Xiao Yi had grown by leaps and bounds, from the feeble Physical Body Realm to the third level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and even capable of slaying a Sixth Nirvana Realm powerhouse. The gap between the two was constantly closing.


    "It''s time to pay respects to Mother." Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    The anniversary of his mother''s death was still over a month away.


    Once the matter of the Sword Dynasty''s God Devouring Ants army was dealt with, it would almost be time to go back.


    He stood up.


    With a wave of his hand, Xiao Yi built a new grave at the original site of Zhao Wuji''s tomb, placing the tombstone back in its proper place. He bowed respectfully towards Zhao Wuji''s tombstone: "Senior, rest in peace!"


    Whoosh!


    The God Sealing Seed inside him that was suppressing Zhao Wuji seemed to let go of his last bit of obsession.


    Looking up toward the tombstone after.


    That was the passage to the second level of the eternal burial ground. However, the reminders from Zhao Wuji in his mind were still fresh, not to set foot on the second level until reaching the Longevity Secret Realm. Xiao Yi let out a long breath, then slowly inhaled it into his body: "The Longevity Secret Realm? It won''t be too long now!"


    With that thought.


    Xiao Yi turned and left the eternal burial ground.


    Although it seemed a long time had passed within the eternal burial ground, at Imperial Dragon Mountain it was just a brief moment; the clouds of calamity in the sky were quietly dispersing. Yet, the destructive storm that resulted from the heavenly tribulation continued.


    The vast Imperial Dragon Mountain had already turned into ruins, with thick smoke billowing everywhere, a complete mess.


    The entire Spirit Gathering Array had crumbled, and within a thousand miles the spirit energy of heaven and earth was entirely depleted by the heavenly tribulation, unlikely to recover for at least a year and a half.


    Among the ruins, countless powerful beings were either injured all over or had enlightenment during the heavenly tribulation and were making breakthroughs on the spot; some even went through life-and-death trials, fully stimulating their potential and solidifying their states of mind.


    Yang Ling had already fully stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm and, by a stroke of luck through calamity, was directly advanced to the second level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Even Yang Yuhuan was on the verge of a breakthrough, about to step into the Nine Nirvana Realm.


    At this moment...


    Yang Yuhuan looked at Xiao Yi, who suddenly appeared before him, with extremely complicated eyes.


    He was the incomparable War King, the Martial God of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Xiao Yi had repeatedly opposed him, and Yang Yuhuan considered him a thorn in his side, but now, due to Xiao Yi, he had survived even this round of heavenly tribulation and had a realization, on the verge of stepping into the Nine Nirvana Realm.


    You should know.


    If he had cultivated normally, he would have needed at least another hundred years to complete his ninth Nirvana.


    This favor was beyond repaying!


    "Enough!"


    Yang Yuhuan suddenly heaved a long sigh and proactively walked toward Xiao Yi.


    This scene made many powerful beings anxious: "Could it be that War King is going to trouble Xiao Yi?"


    "Very likely indeed!"


    "Xiao Yi really went too far, dragging tens of thousands of people to transcend the tribulation with him, this madman..."


    Yang Ling hurriedly stepped forward, shielding Xiao Yi: "Great-Uncle Emperor, I ask you to spare Xiao Yi on my account..."


    "Step aside!"


    Yang Yuhuan spoke indifferently, his icy gaze stunning Yang Ling for a moment as he brushed past him to stand before Xiao Yi.


    Their eyes met.


    An intangible aura clashed, creating a vacuum between them.


    A moment of silence passed.


    Yang Yuhuan finally said, "You are a madman!"


    "Is there not but a fine line between a madman and a genius? Moreover, without me, would you have reached the opportunity of the Ninth Nirvana so swiftly?" Xiao Yi shrugged and replied with a smile.


    Having reached the third level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, the Nirvana Realm was no longer as elusive to him as before.


    He could faintly sense an aura emanating from Yang Yuhuan, similar to that of Yang Zun and the others.


    This was a sign of the Nine Nirvanas.


    "Indeed!"


    A sudden smile broke across Yang Yuhuan''s eternally unchanging face as he heaved a light sigh. In this tribulation, he had faced life and death, which also allowed him to let go of his grudges with Emperor Qian.


    Previously, when a bolt of heavenly tribulation had struck, had it not been for Emperor Qian''s intervention, he would have been severely injured.


    In this moment...


    Yang Yuhuan was completely at ease, smiling as he turned to address Emperor Qian: "Your Majesty, your servant has a matter to report!"


    "Hmm?"


    Emperor Qian, seated on the dragon throne and receiving treatment from Eunuch Qi, looked up in surprise at Yang Yuhuan. The act of saving Yang Yuhuan had been an instinctive reaction under critical circumstances, without much thought.


    Yang Yuhuan stated plainly, "Our Great Qian Dynasty grows stronger with each generation, and it is now the era of the young. I wish to relinquish my military seal and nominate Xiao Yi as the Supreme Commander of the Great Qian Dynasty''s armies!"


    Hiss!


    Emperor Qian was startled.


    Yang Ling, Yang Kun, and the others all looked up, bewildered at Yang Yuhuan.


    For years, Emperor Qian had used countless schemes to retrieve the military seal, but Yang Yuhuan had always held on to it. Now, he was volunteering to hand it over?


    And to nominate Xiao Yi as the Supreme Commander?


    Yang Kun''s expression suddenly changed; how critical was the position of Supreme Commander? He had just managed to gain Yang Yuhuan''s support, and if the seal were to pass to Xiao Yi now, all his efforts would be in vain.


    With this thought...


    Yang Kun swiftly stepped forward, the first to object: "Father Emperor, Great-Uncle Emperor, this must not be done!"


    "Your Highness, please reconsider!"


    "Your Highness, you are the best candidate for Supreme Commander of our Great Qian Dynasty''s armies, the Calm Sea Divine Needle of our military. You cannot step down!"


    "Xiao Yi, what Soul-Ensnaring Skill have you used to make His Highness relinquish his position?" S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This must not be done..."


    The officers and officials belonging to the War God faction all stepped forward, shouting out.


    With the War God present,


    they could rest easy without worries.


    If the War God were to step down!


    They would lose their mainstay and have to face Emperor Qian directly��how could they contend with Emperor Qian?


    Yang Yuhuan, however, simply swept a glance over the crowd and, without another word, tossed the military seal to Xiao Yi: "Xiao Yi, the seal is now yours. Whether you can control these people is up to you to prove!"


    Holding the military seal with dragons and tigers at odds in his hands, Xiao Yi glanced at the barely perceptible smugness on Yang Yuhuan''s lips and said incredulously, "Your Highness, are you intentionally setting me up?"


    "Hahaha, one who aspires to wear the crown must bear its weight! I have high hopes for you!" Yang Yuhuan laughed heartily as he suddenly soared into the sky, vanishing from everyone''s sight in an instant.


    For a moment,


    all eyes fell on Xiao Yi. Yang Kun, with a gloomy face, coldly shouted, "Xiao Yi, hand over the military seal!"

 Chapter 501 - 501 Military Orders

    "Xiao Yi, hand over the commander''s seal!"


    Yang Kun stepped forward, his face grim as he looked at Xiao Yi.


    Immediately, more than a dozen civil and military officials followed suit, their gazes fixed intently on Xiao Yi.


    The position of Commander-in-chief of the armed forces.


    This was about their future prospects and even their lives; naturally, they could not just let it go.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and assessed Yang Kun, saying indifferently, "The Emperor isn''t in a hurry, yet the eunuch is frantic. His Majesty hasn''t even spoken yet, and you are just merely a prince. When did it become your turn to call the shots here regarding the position of Commander-in-chief?"


    Yang Kun''s face turned red with shame and anger.


    He was the distinguished Crown Prince, the one most likely to inherit the throne.


    In the vast Great Qian Dynasty, how many would dare to speak to him in this manner?


    However...


    Thinking of Xiao Yi''s frightening combat power, Yang Kun subconsciously shrank his neck, and his momentum also weakened a bit. Hesitating, he looked toward several military generals by his side.


    One of them, clad in tiger armor, stepped forward. This man had a surging Qi-Blood, the Evil Qi on his body as sharp as a blade, and he said coldly, "The position of Commander-in-chief is of utmost importance. You, with neither experience in leading troops into battle, nor any matchless military achievements, what qualifications do you have to sit in this seat?"


    Yang Ling whispered, "This man is Left General Yuchi Feng, a rare fierce general in the army!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and looked at Yuchi Feng, saying indifferently, "According to what the General suggests, who then is fit to take over the position?"


    Yuchi Feng''s voice was low like thunder as he responded indifferently, "It must at least be a Great General who is highly respected and able to command the loyalty of the thousands upon thousands in the Great Qian Dynasty army, such as General Yan Wei, General Fuhai, and so on..."


    Yan Wei and Liu Fuhai were among the top ten generals of the Great Qian Dynasty, each with their own immortalized military exploits.


    Each one holding undying achievements.


    Dressed in green dragon armor, General Baisheng Zhang Dekai stepped forward. He was a rare scholar-general in the military, with a flowing beard, a face as fine as jade, eyes sharp as swords, and his profound voice resonating, "With the War King''s resignation, the military commander should naturally be recommended by the ministers and generals together. To just decide on you as the commander like this, I''m afraid there will be objections throughout the military ranks!" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Objections? Then I''ll fight until their objections are no more!"


    Xiao Yi said with a faint smile, his icy gaze sweeping over the place. The generals and ministers who were just clamoring all closed their mouths and bowed their heads.


    Fearing Xiao Yi would remember their faces.


    One might get their head cut off in the dead of night without knowing.


    "A bunch of useless things..."


    Xiao Yi scoffed and then said, "To you all, this position of Commander-in-chief seems invaluable, worth fighting over till you crack your skulls. But to me, it''s no better than dog crap. However, since you don''t want me to sit in this position, then I just want to sit on it all the more!"


    "You..."


    "Xiao Yi, you''re too arrogant!"


    "Do you really think there''s no one in the army who can deal with you?"


    The crowd roared angrily.


    Yuchi Feng snorted coldly, stomped the ground, and roared, "If you become the commander, I will be the first to refuse." clang! He threw his armored helmet on the ground and said coldly, "If you are to be the commander, then I do not care to be the Left General anymore!"


    "Then have it as you wish!"


    The response was a cold punch.


    Wow!


    The mighty Yuchi Feng, of the Eightfold Dharma Manifestation Realm, couldn''t even see how Xiao Yi had struck before he was viciously sent flying, his face caved in, blood spraying from his mouth.


    Like a kite with its string cut, he crashed to the ground far away, his eyes rolling up as he completely passed out.


    Hiss!


    The onlookers exchanged looks.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was as cold as ice as he looked around, "Who else has objections?"


    "Xiao Yi, how dare you lay hands on a meritorious official, you''re seeking death!"


    "You''re too disdainful of everyone!"


    "Your Majesty, we beg you to decree a severe punishment for Xiao Yi..."


    Yang Kun led the crowd, all looking to Emperor Qian.


    Emperor Qian was expressionless.


    Utterly silent.


    He had not expected Yang Yuhuan to be so decisive as to hand the command seal directly to Xiao Yi.


    This disrupted his plans.


    But...


    Given the current need for Xiao Yi to deal with the God Devouring Ants'' army, Emperor Qian found it inappropriate to act against Xiao Yi at this moment and strip him of the command seal. After a moment of hesitation, Emperor Qian looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, what''s your opinion?"


    Shrugging his shoulders, Xiao Yi said with an indifferent look, "I said before, I have no interest in the position. But, since I see so many people who don''t want me to sit in this seat, I insist on sitting here all the more!"


    "Nonsense! What do you think the position of commander is? A toy for playing house?"


    Zhang Dekai breathed a sigh of relief upon confirming that Yuchi Feng had no threat to his life, and then turned to Xiao Yi, rebuking coldly, "Commanding the three armies is not only a power but also a responsibility. To sit in this position, you must possess the strength to deter the three armies..."


    "Strength?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Zhang Dekai with interest and touched his chin, "Do you think my strength is insufficient?"


    "Uh..."


    Zhang Dekai''s face stiffened.


    How was Xiao Yi''s strength?


    That was something everyone had witnessed!


    With his strength, serving as the commander of the three armies was utterly unproblematic.


    Zhang Dekai''s eyes darted around, then he continued, "Your strength is certainly not an issue, but having strength alone is not enough for a commander. You also need sufficient prestige, which means having enough military merits. Do you have them?"


    "Military merits?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "You make a good point!"


    Zhang Dekai felt a surge of joy in his heart.


    He was about to speak.


    Xiao Yi continued, "Give me ten days. I will head to the Northern Territory, annihilate the God Devouring Ants army and return. That should suffice for military merits, right?"


    "What?"


    Zhang Dekai was astounded.


    The crowd was also stunned, "Ten days? To annihilate the God Devouring Ants army?"


    "You must be dreaming!"


    "Didn''t you hear the news brought back by General Yan Yinghao? How terrifying is that God Devouring Ants army? They devour mountains when they encounter them, and people when they encounter them, and they are constantly growing. How will you exterminate them?"


    Emperor Qian also frowned slightly, looking at Xiao Yi with bewilderment, "Xiao Yi, are you aware that there is no room for jest in military matters?"


    Xiao Yi calmly replied, "Of course I''m aware!"


    Emperor Qian showed a pensive expression.


    On the side, Yang Kun''s eyes shifted cunningly, and a vicious plan sprung into his mind, "Xiao Yi, are you saying that you alone will annihilate the God Devouring Ants army within ten days?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Yang Kun.


    This man was indeed malicious!


    For anyone else to face the God Devouring Ants army alone would surely mean certain death.


    However...


    Xiao Yi simply said, "Indeed!"


    "Do you dare to swear a military oath?" Yang Kun''s eyes flashed red as he questioned.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Why wouldn''t I dare? If I can''t eradicate the God Devouring Ants army within ten days, I will relinquish my command..."


    "Agreed!"


    Yang Kun, afraid that Xiao Yi would back out, quickly spoke up and turned to Emperor Qian, bowing, "Please bear witness, Your Majesty. Xiao Yi has sworn a military oath. He will slay the God Devouring Ants army alone within ten days. If he fails, he will hand over his command!"


    "Hold on!"


    Xiao Yi casually said, "Since we''re making a military oath, the crown prince can''t expect to benefit without any risk, right? If I fail, I will relinquish my command. But if I succeed, are you willing to withdraw from the succession battle henceforth?"


    Hiss!


    Yang Kun''s face changed drastically.


    To withdraw from the imperial succession? That was out of the question!


    Yang Kun said through clenched teeth, "You want me to withdraw from the succession? Wishful thinking!"


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "A useless coward, aspiring to become Emperor yet lacking even this bit of courage? If the Great Qian Dynasty falls into your hands, won''t it just become a lamb led to slaughter?"


    "You..."


    Yang Kun''s face turned from pale to flushed, but he really didn''t dare to swear such a military oath!


    Better safe than sorry!


    If Xiao Yi truly had a way to deal with the God Devouring Ants army, then wouldn''t Yang Kun be in a tight spot?


    Xiao Yi said, "If the crown prince isn''t brave enough, I have another proposal. If I destroy the God Devouring Ants army, you will kneel before me and kowtow ten times. How about that?"


    "This..."


    After hesitating for a moment, Yang Kun bit the bullet and said, "Agreed, it''s a deal!"


    "It''s a deal!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, then looked towards Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, please grant me ten days. Once I have annihilated the God Devouring Ants army, I will then take over the position of the commander of the three armies!"


    Emperor Qian remained silent for a moment, then nodded, "Granted!"

 Chapter 502 - 502: Eradicate Completely

    "Granted!"


    Emperor Qian''s eyes sparkled with astute radiance. After pondering for a moment, he calmly consented.


    Yang Kun and the others showed expressions of wild joy.


    In their eyes, it was impossible for Xiao Yi to eliminate the fearsome God Devouring Ant army by his strength alone. Furthermore, with the possession of the military command token and the marshal''s seal, the challenges Xiao Yi would face on this journey were not limited to the God Devouring Ants alone.


    Yang Kun, the Huihai Sword Master, Zhang Dekai, and the others exchanged glances, each discerning a meaningful, cold smirk in the others'' eyes.


    Emperor Qian, of course, was aware of everyone''s thoughts, yet he took no action.


    He did not try to stop them either. sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An emperor is inherently solitary and lonely.


    It''s lonely at the top.


    An emperor is destined to be impassive and not driven by emotions, never showing joy or anger.


    He manipulates his ministers and all forces with a clap of his hands. As long as they do not betray the Great Qian Dynasty, even if they cause a huge mess under his rule, he would support them as long as it benefits his sovereign control, even going so far as to intensify the situation.


    Yang Yuhuan relinquished the command.


    This was far beyond Emperor Qian''s expectations, catching him somewhat off guard.


    But at the same time...


    A weight that had been on the emperor''s mind was finally lifted.


    As long as the command was not in Yang Yuhuan''s hands, no matter who the successor commanding the three armies was, Emperor Qian was confident he could keep them under total control. Xiao Yi, however, was an exception, given his audacity to tread an unorthodox path and lead thousands in a tribulation.


    This very fact greatly displeased Emperor Qian.


    Even to the point of dread!


    Yet, with the current need for Xiao Yi''s strength to deal with the God Devouring Ant army, Emperor Qian did not show anger on the spot. Instead, he subtly steered the situation, pitting Xiao Yi against Yang Kun. he was mediating the situation, exploiting all forces to their fullest.


    This is the Emperor''s Mind Art!


    If Xiao Yi could indeed eliminate the God Devouring Ant army and win the military command token, appointing him as the commander of the three armies would not be unacceptable.


    When the time comes, he only needs to weigh the options, send a confidant to take over key positions in the military, and he could completely marginalize Xiao Yi. Making it so that Xiao Yi has the marshal''s seal but no one to command.


    If Xiao Yi cannot complete the task,


    then the emperor could naturally bring up past issues to severely punish Xiao Yi.


    Killing several birds with one stone.


    Why not do it?


    Was Xiao Yi truly unaware of Emperor Qian''s plan?


    Obviously not!


    Xiao Yi was very clear about the dirty dealings of the imperial family, but currently, his power was still insufficient to protect the Xiaoshanhe Institute. He needed to seek protection for the people of the institute, and clearly, Emperor Qian was the best option.


    As long as he stayed out of trouble, Emperor Qian would surely protect them completely.


    It was for this reason...


    Knowing full well that Emperor Qian intended to sit back and watch the tigers fight, Xiao Yi still chose to accept the military command token.


    Of course.


    More importantly, Xiao Yi had absolute confidence that he could deal with the God Devouring Ant army.


    Tap tap tap!


    Emperor Qian tapped lightly on the armrest, asking, "Xiao Yi, when will you depart?"


    Gazing at the ruins of Imperial Dragon Mountain, a golden figure stealthily slipped into his sleeve. Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "I will depart at sunset!"


    "I leave the matter of the God Devouring Ant army to you!"


    Emperor Qian nodded, "When you''re about to leave, have someone inform me!"


    "Rest assured, Your Majesty!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, watching as Emperor Qian''s dragon throne ascended and gradually receded into the distance. Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits. "Emperor? Imperial power? Laughable..."


    His gaze turned to Yang Kun and Zhang Dekai and the others.


    Yang Kun made a throat-slitting gesture towards him and said darkly, "Xiao Yi, just don''t die at the hands of the God Devouring Ants. I''m still waiting for you to return!"


    "Don''t worry, I won''t disappoint you!" Xiao Yi responded calmly.


    ""Hmph!"


    Yang Kun snorted coldly and strode away with Zhang Dekai and the others.


    For a moment,


    in the vast ruins of Imperial Dragon Mountain, only Xiao Yi, Yang Ling, and a group of Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples remained.


    Shadow Demon said in a deep voice, "Director, now that Xiaoshanhe Institute is destroyed and many disciples have fled amidst the heavenly tribulation, there are only about five thousand left. What should we do?"


    Ye Heng clenched his fists, his eyes burning with rage, "Those ingrates, they actually ran away at the critical moment of the master''s tribulation..."


    "It''s fine!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, not taking to heart the departure of those individuals.


    Those who leave me cannot be kept, even from yesterday''s date.


    If they are not united in heart, forcefully keeping them with oneself will ultimately not be beautiful.


    Fu Yuan asked, "Director, where should we go from here?"


    Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment, then said solemnly, "I will leave shortly to deal with the army of God Devouring Ants. Fu Yuan, Shadow Demon, you two take inventory of the remaining disciples. Those who wish to follow me, let them stay; those who wish to leave, do not force them to stay. When I return, we will go to Beast Emperor City!"


    "Beast Emperor City?"


    "Are we really going there?"


    Shadow Demon and the others were puzzled.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said with a smile, "If this place does not keep me, there will be another place that does. Beast Emperor City is a good choice!"


    The disciples were wholeheartedly following Xiao Yi and naturally had no other thoughts, "Wherever the Director says to go, we will go!"


    "We swear to follow to the death!"


    The crowd voiced in unison.


    Looking at the remaining five thousand or so people in front of him, each had gained quite a bit from the recent heavenly tribulation. Given time, they would become the backbone of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    While Xiao Yi was making arrangements for everyone,


    Yang Kun, Zhang Dekai, and their party were also gathering together.


    Apart from them, strong individuals from the Three Seas Mountain, Wendao Villa, True Martial Hall, and Kuangdao Sect were also among them. They gathered in silence, quietly looking towards Yang Kun.


    After a while,


    Yang Kun spoke up, "My friends, I assume none of you would like to see Xiao Yi attain the position of commander, right?"


    Zhang Dekai and a host of civil and military officers remained silently.


    A Seventh Layer Dharma Manifestation Realm warrior from Wendao Villa said solemnly, "Your Highness Yang Kun, whether Xiao Yi becomes the commander of the armies doesn''t really affect our ten major sects, does it?"


    "Yeah, that''s a matter for your royal family, perhaps we should not get involved, right?" A strong figure from Three Seas Mountain also spoke up.


    "Idiots!"


    Yang Kun sneered coldly, his face stern as he slowly said, "You''ve seen Xiao Yi''s strength, as well as his Xiaoshanhe Institute, undergoing such earth-shattering changes within a mere year. If given a few more years, especially if he becomes the commander of the armies with great authority in hand, how long do you think it will take for Xiaoshanhe Institute to surpass you?"


    "..."


    This point struck a soft spot in everyone''s heart.


    Just as Yang Kun had said,


    this ancestor worship ceremony had brought too many shocks from Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Jin Feiyan with her unparalleled movement technique.


    Ye Heng with the Battle War Holy Body.


    Fu Yuan, a Seventh Layer Alchemist, Sixth-Layer Formation Master Li Youruo, Chen Ziyi, and others...


    All of these individuals had emerged like bamboo shoots after rain, within the span of a year since Xiao Yi took over Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    If Xiao Yi had a few more years,


    leaving aside a few top sects like Tianjian Sect and Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, the other sects would inevitably be trampled underfoot by Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Upon this thought,


    everyone turned their eyes toward Yang Kun, "Your Highness Yang Kun, do you already have a strategy to deal with that lad?"


    Yang Kun nodded, his eyes swirling with a cold light as he emphatically said, "Cut! The! Weeds! Remove! The! Roots!"

 Chapter 503 - 503: Xingmen City, Liu Fuhai!

    Northern Bing City.


    This place was once the northern gate of the Great Qian Dynasty, guarding the northern border.


    It was guarded by one of the ten Great Generals, the old General Yan Wei.


    Like a wall of copper and a rampart of iron, no one could breach it.


    Since the birth of Northern Bing City, throughout a thousand years of history, it had never been conquered. Until now, it had finally been pierced through, and thoroughly destroyed.


    The towering walls of the vast Northern Bing City had been gnawed away by half.


    Ruins were everywhere.


    In the center of the city wall, the position of the main gate had been gnawed clean, turning into a broad avenue.


    The great army of the Northern Sword Dynasty poured in through this main gate, flooding into the territory of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The immense Northern Bing City had become a foothold for the Sword Dynasty to camp and resolutely plant their blade deep within the northern part of the Great Qian Dynasty. With the God Devouring Ants leading the way, their massive army started from here and continuously eroded the vast land of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    With millions of God Devouring Ants leading the way, wherever they passed, nothing grew, and not a single tile remained.


    They swept through everything in their path.


    Invincible in the world!


    From Northern Bing City all the way south, they passed through Fanmen Pass, Huyun City, Jiujian City, and other seven cities in total.


    None were spared wherever they went; all were ravaged by the vast army of God Devouring Ants. Those towering city walls were as good as nonexistent, and the formidable soldiers ended up as nourishment for the God Devouring Ants.


    They were utterly defenseless.


    Without exception, the residents of the captured cities were either ruthlessly consumed by the God Devouring Ants or slaughtered by the Sword Dynasty''s soldiers.


    Along the way, their march left corpses scattered everywhere, resembling a hell on earth.


    Xingmen City.


    This is the second line of defense from the northern part of the Great Qian Dynasty, following Northern Bing City. The entire city was even more vast, sprawling on the ground like a crouching Azure Dragon.


    The vast city walls stretched for hundreds of miles, with no end in sight.


    Like a dragon, they lay across the horizon.


    The commander of Xingmen City was none other than General Fuhai, Liu Fuhai, one of the ten Great Generals. His head was as big as a bucket, clad in a pale blue suit of armor. Atop his head, he wore a helmet with two ox horns, exuding an extraordinary valiance.


    A long blade hung sideways at his waist, his hands clasped behind his back, as he stood proudly on top of the city wall.


    Standing tall against the wind, he looked most imposing.


    His eyes swept over the area outside the city, capturing every detail within dozens of miles, a hint of worry flickering in his gaze, "Have you clarified it? Where exactly are those damned God Devouring Ants now?"


    "Reporting to General, our men just sent back word. They broke through Weirong City half an hour ago... I''m afraid they are still two hours away from us��" A junior officer stepped forward, speaking respectfully.


    "Two hours?"


    General Liu''s eyes narrowed into a slit. Just as he was speaking, he suddenly saw a group of dark shadows appearing on the horizon. His face abruptly changed, "What are those?" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The junior officer stepped forward to observe. He had cultivated a Pupil Skill, allowing him to see vast distances, and he could watch for a hundred miles.


    Suddenly��


    The junior officer''s face changed dramatically as he exclaimed, "Gen... General, refugees, they are all refugees... They must have fled from ahead, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. General, should we open the gates to let them in?"


    "Refugees? Open..."


    General Liu had barely begun to speak.


    But a cold snort came from behind him, "Open what? What if there are enemy spies among them?"


    Liu Fuhai''s face changed as he looked somberly toward the newcomer.


    Clad in a golden robe, with a face like jade, the man was flanked by a young woman on each side who, from time to time, peeled grapes and fed them to his mouth.


    Liu Fuhai gave a bow, "Your Highness, the Fifth Prince!"


    "Hm."


    This person was none other than the Fifth Prince, Yang Guang, who had long been out of the running for the throne and had been given his own fief early on. Xingmen City was his domain.


    Liu Fuhai said sternly, "Your Highness, those people are citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty, currently in grave danger, and in need of protection!"


    Yang Guang glanced at Liu Fuhai and said indifferently, "General Liu, my father sent you to Xingmen City to protect me, not these lowly refugees."


    "Your Highness, but they are the royal family''s subjects! If we forsake them and the God Devouring Ants arrive, they are doomed..." Liu Fuhai''s eyes turned a bloodshot red as he suppressed his rage and roared softly.


    Yang Guang said dismissively, "If they die, so be it. The Great Qian Dynasty is not short of anything but people are in plenty. Here there are only a mere hundred thousand or so; even if they all die, they wouldn''t equal a single hair on my body. Your duty is to defend Xingmen City. If the city falls, your primary task is to take me and escape back to the capital! As for the rest, that''s not your concern..."


    "You..."


    Despair filled Liu Fuhai''s eyes.


    He stared hard at Yang Guang.


    The latter, however, showed no reaction and said with a look of helplessness, "Damn it, if it weren''t for the fear of my father''s severe punishment for leaving my fief without permission, I would have fled this damned place long ago..."


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, Liu Fuhai took a long exhalation, his eyes showing a hint of determination. With a clang, he turned around resolutely, his icy gaze landing on the soldiers behind him.


    Clang!


    Liu Fuhai drew the sword from his waist, his eyes blazing like thunder, and he raised his arm to shout, "Brothers, who will join me in leaving the city?"


    Swish!


    Swish!


    Swish!


    One figure after another stood up, their eyes fervently fixed on Liu Fuhai: "Great General, we wish to follow!"


    "We swear to follow the Great General to the death!"


    A host of soldiers roared in chorus, their voices shaking the heavens.


    Yang Guang''s face darkened as he stared fixedly at Liu Fuhai, "Liu Fuhai, are you attempting rebellion?"


    Liu Fuhai looked at him coldly, "Your Highness, we serve in the military to protect our country and safeguard the wellbeing of the people, not just to protect one individual. You may be too cowardly to save them, but I am not!"


    Yang Guang threatened, "How daring, Liu Fuhai! If you dare leave, it will be treason. I will report it to my father, and your days as Great General will be over!"


    Liu Fuhai was the Calm Sea Divine Needle of Xingmen City, and if Liu Fuhai left, when the Sword Dynasty''s army attacked, he wouldn''t even be able to flee!


    "Great General? If I can''t even protect my own people, then I do not desire the title of Great General!"


    Liu Fuhai tossed the Commander''s Seal in front of Yang Guang and said coldly, "Brothers, follow me into battle!"


    "Let''s see who dares? Whoever follows him commits the crime of treason..." Yang Guang glared with a ferocious face at the crowd, causing many of the soldiers who had stirred to bow their heads.


    A deputy general with a bitter face said, "General, I am sorry..."


    "General, we..."


    Liu Fuhai, facing the hesitating soldiers, bore no grudge, as each man had his own path and could not be compelled. With a call to arms, he led ten thousand of his trusted cavaliers out of the city.


    Yang Guang stood atop the city walls, his expression changing unpredictably, watching as the tens of thousands intended to protect him in the city were now led away by Liu Fuhai to save these contemptible refugees, stirring resentment in his heart.


    Yang Guang clenched his teeth, his face stone-cold: "Damn Liu Fuhai, forsaking this prince for a bunch of lowly citizens, I will never forgive you..."

 Chapter 504 - 504: Repelling the Enemy

    General Liu Fuhai led over ten thousand troops as they charged out of Xingmen City.


    They turned into a black, steely tide, swiftly heading towards the direction of over a hundred thousand refugees. As they galloped, Liu Fuhai commanded in a deep voice, "Brothers, once we reach those civilians, we shall bring them back to the city at full speed!"


    "General, rest assured, we know what to do!"


    "General, what if those refugees are indeed bait deliberately sent by the Sword Dynasty to lure us out of the city?"


    Deputy General Ye Yu''s face was etched with deep worry, his eyes as sharp as a hawk''s, vigilantly sweeping the surroundings, filled with caution and solemnity.


    The Great Qian Dynasty and the Sword Dynasty were sworn enemies.


    The two nations had battled more than just once or twice.


    A grave look appeared on everyone''s faces.


    General Liu Fuhai looked at his men; he was not without the same worries, but he found it impossible to turn a blind eye to the civilians fleeing before them and not help.


    If he were to choose so, he would never live in peace. sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even if for that he had to pay a terribly heavy price.


    So be it.


    Whoosh!


    "If that is the case, do your best to lead them into the city, and I will cover the rear!" declared General Liu Fuhai with a resolute gaze and deliberate emphasis on each word.


    Dozens of miles.


    In front of these cavalrymen, it was hardly the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn before they met with the group of refugees, facing a bleak and desolate silence of despair. Each refugee was dressed in incredibly tattered clothes, ragged and worn.


    Many of them were also injured, with blood already crusted on their bodies, turning into dark scabs.


    In everyone''s eyes, there was no glimpse of hope.


    Only endless despair.


    Along this journey...


    They were driven like wild beasts, running aimlessly forward.


    Whenever they reached a city and thought they were about to be rescued, about to find hope, the city would turn into a hell in only a moment, no longer of this world.


    Countless city dwellers were buried under those demons, and many more people would join their ranks, just like them.


    And once again, they were driven towards the next city, fleeing in a wretched state.


    The first time was hope.


    The second time still hope.


    But after the third and fourth times...


    It had become total despair.


    "Gen, General..."


    "That''s the Great Qian Dynasty''s cavalry..."


    Some newly joined refugees shouted.


    But many more just looked at them numbly, with hollow eyes, devoid of any luster.


    "Fellow villagers, I am General Liu Fuhai of the Great Qian Dynasty; I have come to take you home!" General Liu Fuhai, riding on the back of a sixth-rank mystical beast, the Camel Mountain Tiger, locked his eyes on the people and shouted loudly.


    "Fellow villagers, General Liu has brought us to rescue you!"


    "Quickly follow us to Xingmen City..."


    Ye Yu and other soldiers also shouted one after another.


    The name of General Liu Fuhai carried great awe within the Great Qian Dynasty, known as one of the top ten generals alongside Yan Wei. His prestige kindled a faint hope in the desperate eyes of the people.


    "General Liu has come to rescue us personally?"


    "We are finally saved..."


    "Fellow villagers, we are saved..."


    The crowd cried with joy.


    General Liu Fuhai loudly commanded, "Fellow villagers, quickly follow me to Xingmen City... All brothers, take the women and children, and lead them away first. The rest, keep close to me..."


    "Everyone, quickly follow General Liu!"


    "Take my child first..."


    "We should hurry..."


    Ten thousand cavalry with a hundred thousand refugees, marched mightily toward Xingmen City.


    The refugees, already too exhausted from fleeing, stumbled along the way; the speed of the march was extremely slow. Liu Fuhai looked at the exceedingly long procession and felt a strong unease in his heart.


    "Hm?"


    Liu Fuhai was startled, his eyebrows raised as he turned his gaze to the ground.


    Rustle!


    Rustle, rustle!


    Some pebbles on the ground were lightly bouncing, like fleas, their speed of movement increasing. Along with the entire ground shaking, pebbles bounced crazily like popping beans, as if a dragon were turning beneath the earth.


    Behind them, suddenly there was a thunderous roar. Looking back, they saw three pillars of flying dust rising high into the air.


    That was unmistakably the cavalry of the Sword Dynasty, charging toward them from the left, center, and right.


    "Not good!"


    Liu Fuhai''s face changed drastically, a bitter expression on his face, truly as he had feared before. These refugees were indeed the bait to lure them out!


    "General, it''s the Sword Dynasty''s army. What should we do?"


    Ye Yu''s face showed a grave expression, his mount pacing back and forth, letting out uneasy neighs. Ye Yu said in a deep voice, "General, shall we retreat first? With the green hills still there, we won''t worry about firewood; Xingmen City can''t be without you..."


    Liu Fuhai looked at the refugees beside him, shook his head firmly, and said, "Tell the brothers to speed up, we must break through before the enemy''s encirclement forms and hurry back to Xingmen City!"


    Ye Yu hesitated to speak.


    But under Liu Fuhai''s firm gaze, he could only nod his head forcefully and said, "I understand!"


    "Brothers, speed up and escort our fellow townsfolk back to Xingmen City!"


    Ye Yu''s voice echoed nonstop among the crowd.


    The people mustered all their strength and dashed toward Xingmen City.


    Liu Fuhai''s face showed a grave expression, his eyes filled with worry and unease, "I hope we make it in time!"


    Boom, boom, boom!


    They had already pushed their speed to the utmost, but the Sword Dynasty''s army was well prepared and even faster. They were about to form an encirclement, and at that moment, Xingmen City was still five miles away.


    On the tower, the two deputy generals who had previously stepped down looked at each other, stepped forward, and said, "Your Highness, it is only five miles now, and the enemies number no more than fifty thousand. We request Your Highness to send us with fifty thousand men to support General Liu!"


    "Your Highness, with two hundred thousand troops in the city, diverting just fifty thousand will definitely not impact the city''s defenses!" another deputy general urged.


    Yang Guang glanced at the two of them and said indifferently, "You just do what you need to do!"


    "Your Highness..."


    As soon as the two men began to speak, they were interrupted by a wave of Yang Guang''s hand, and he said coldly, "I told you to stand down. Are you defying orders?"


    The two exchanged glances but could only retreat helplessly.


    Right at that moment...


    An exclamation suddenly rang out from the crowd, "It''s bad, the Great General has been caught up with..."


    "What?"


    The crowd turned to look outside the city.


    They saw the fifty thousand cavalry of the Sword Dynasty, split into three divisions, had completed their pursuit and encircled Liu Fuhai and his men. Tens of thousands of cavalry surrounded them, circling in rounds while emitting a whining sound.


    "Prepare to fight!"


    Liu Fuhai personally led ten thousand soldiers, protecting a hundred thousand civilians in the center, with a vigilant eye on the rapidly moving cavalry around them.


    Suddenly...


    Amidst the troops of the Sword Dynasty''s cavalry, a cold laugh resounded, "Isn''t this General Liu? It''s been years since we met, hope you''ve been well!"


    Within the Sword Dynasty''s cavalry.


    Suddenly, a robust Sky Wolf appeared with a master of the Eightfold Dharma Manifestation Realm on its back. This person was Wanyan Lang, a high-ranking general of the Sword Dynasty. Wanyan Lang had only one eye, which emitted a fierce and cold light. He sneered, "I''ve long heard that the shield wall defense of the Great Qian Dynasty is astounding. Brothers, let us play a game today! Fire arrows at those refugees and let''s see how many rounds they can withstand, hahaha..."


    Swish, swish, swish!


    As soon as his voice fell, the sharp sound of arrows cutting through the air resounded one after another.


    Arrows rained down in waves.


    "Form shield wall!"


    Liu Fuhai, wearing a battle helmet and holding a long knife that shone with silver light, roared, "Defend against the enemy..."

 Chapter 505 - 505: Tragic

    Clang Clang Clang!


    In the cacophony of clashing gold and iron, Liu Fuhai led ten thousand warriors to pull out their shields from behind.


    Shield after shield stood erect in front of them.


    Layer upon layer, they protected the masses within.


    But their numbers were far too few; how could ten thousand protect the safety of one hundred thousand?


    Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh!


    Amidst the whistling of the air, countless arrows fell like rain.


    Screams of agony suddenly rose from the refugee crowd, "Help... I''ve been hit by an arrow..."


    "My son... my son is dead..."


    "No, please..."


    The hysterical screams, the heart-piercing tragedy, only added to the sense of overwhelming despair.


    Liu Fuhai''s eyes were bloodshot as he roared repeatedly, "Block them, block them ah..."


    But no matter how hard he and his soldiers tried, they couldn''t fully defend against the arrow rain that poured down like a torrential downpour. The ground was dyed red with blood, and as more and more of both soldiers and civilians died, the ferocity of the Sword Dynasty''s cavalry was further provoked.


    One by one, they howled mournfully, releasing round after round of cold arrows.


    The number of dead soldiers and civilians kept rising.


    A hundred people.


    A thousand people.


    Two thousand people...


    In an instant, corpses lay everywhere, blood formed rivers.


    The civilians under the protection of Liu Fuhai and the others were in complete despair, watching young faces raising shields high in front of them. Despite being gravely injured, even pierced by several arrows, they still grimaced and stood their ground.


    The civilians'' hearts were torn, tears streaming down uncontrollably.


    An old woman, advanced in years with white hair and beard, trembled as she shouted, "General, leave, please go..."


    "General, break through, leave us behind. As long as you survive, there will be a chance for revenge. Please go��"


    "General..."


    The desperate cries of the refugees rang out.


    Had it not been for them, Liu Fuhai and his men would have never left the city, nor would they have fallen into such dire straits.


    On the faces filled with despair, there was now a look of determination.


    Hoping that Liu Fuhai and his men could break through and escape.


    Liu Fuhai''s eyes were a bloody red, more than three thousand of his ten thousand personal soldiers had died, and his heart was bleeding. But he couldn''t retreat, gritting his teeth he said, "You are all subjects of the Great Qian Dynasty, and it''s our sacred duty to protect you. Even if we have to fight to the last man, spill our last drop of blood, we will never abandon you!"


    "General..."


    "Folks, we can''t just watch them die. Women, elderly, and children, get to the middle, young men pick up the shields..."


    "Charge!"


    Among the refugees, someone waved their arm and shouted, picking up the shields from the ground and joining the fight.


    Liu Fuhai''s eyes reddened, he roared, "Brothers, break through towards Xingmen City!"


    Boom Boom Boom!


    Thousands holding shields, in front of tens of thousands of civilians, steadily moved towards the direction of Xingmen City.


    Wanyan Lang frowned and said, "The soldiers of the Great Qian Dynasty sure are tough..."


    Suddenly.


    A glint of cunning flickered in his eyes, and his lips curled up slightly; he drew his bow and nocked an arrow. A silver arrow with an attached chain whistled through the air, heading straight for Liu Fuhai. Ye Yu, who was next to him, saw this and his expression drastically changed, "General, be careful!"


    "Hmm?"


    As Liu Fuhai turned his head, he saw Ye Yu leaping to shield him, and with a ''puff,'' the silver arrow pierced Ye Yu''s shoulder.


    Wow!


    Ye Yu screamed in pain.


    Wanyan Lang, seeing this, was visibly annoyed, "Damn it, just a little more and I could have taken down that commander. But since you insist on spoiling my plan, I''ll have some fun with you!"


    Swish!


    Wanyan Lang grabbed the chain and with a swift pull, dragged Ye Yu, along with the arrow, back towards him.


    "Ye Yu..."


    Liu Fuhai''s eyes widened in rage.


    He watched helplessly as Ye Yu was dragged to the ground by Wanyan Lang, who then let out a long, mournful howl as he ran wildly around Liu Fuhai and the others, riding the Sky Wolf. The chain clanged loudly, with Ye Yu brutally dragged behind him.


    As the Sky Wolf ran wildly, Ye Yu''s body swung left and right, up and down, violently hitting the ground and at times being trampled by the cavalrymen''s hooves.


    In just a brief moment...


    Ye Yu was covered in wounds, his body a blur of blood and flesh.


    Spurt!


    Ye Yu''s hands and feet were crushed.


    Crack!


    A rock brutally shattered his face.


    Boom!


    Wanyan Lang violently swung the chain, sending Ye Yu soaring through the air before smashing him hard onto the ground.


    Blood, torn flesh, stark white bones, a body beyond recognition.


    "Ye Yu��"


    "No��"


    "These beasts��"


    Liu Fuhai and the others were completely mad, watching helplessly as Ye Yu was tortured in an inhuman way, their eyes filled with despair and rage. Wanyan Lang let out a hearty laugh, grabbed Ye Yu''s corpse, and twisted his head right off, holding it aloft while sprinting on the ground: "Brothers, this is the head of the Vice General of the Great Qian Dynasty. Let''s use it as a ball and kick it around!"


    Swish!


    He suddenly threw Ye Yu''s head into the crowd, and a group of cavalrymen started to kick his head around as if it were a ball.


    Liu Fuhai''s eyes were about to split with fury, nearly losing his sanity multiple times, desperately wishing to rush forward and fight to the death with them.


    But behind him were a hundred thousand civilians!


    Liu Fuhai clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging fiercely into his palms, blood rolling down through his fingers as he roared, "Brothers, protect everyone, break through!"


    "Grab my sword for battle, protect our nation!"


    "Shed my blood, defend my kin!"


    "What''s there to fear in death?"


    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"


    Six thousand soldiers and a multitude of refugees roared together, their shouts shaking heaven and earth.


    Sorrowful!


    Heroic!


    Bloody��


    One warrior after another fell, and immediately a civilian would pick up a shield and a blade to take their place. But how could they match the trained soldiers of the Sword Dynasty? The cavalry of the Sword Dynasty treated Liu Fuhai and his men as mere prey.


    Continuously toying with them, relentlessly ravaging and slaughtering. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wave after wave of civilians fell in battle.


    Yet they kept pressing on��


    On the battlefield, how could mere words convey the horror?


    At the top of the city walls��


    The generals watched with their own eyes as Ye Yu was tortured to death, and they saw countless civilians and soldiers die under the arrows of the Sword Dynasty''s cavalry. Every one of them felt as though a massive stone was lodged in their chest, unable to breathe.


    Two Vice Generals exchanged glances.


    The two of them approached Yang Guang once more, "Your Highness, your subordinates request permission to join the battle!"


    "Your Highness, the enemy numbers only over fifty thousand. With just fifty thousand of our troops, we can repel them and rescue the Great General. It definitely won''t affect the defense of Xingmen City. We beg Your Highness''s permission!"


    However...


    Yang Guang just gave them a cold look and said, "Fifty thousand? There are only two hundred thousand people in total protecting me in Xingmen City. If I let you take fifty thousand and something happens to harm me, who will take responsibility? Everyone stand down!"


    "Your Highness��"


    One of the Vice Generals, his eyes red with fury, roared, "Even those powerless civilians have taken up shields to resist the enemy. Are we, the iron-blooded soldiers, supposed to just watch the Great General die before our eyes?"


    Yang Guang sneered, "That old fool wasn''t sent out of the city by me. If he dies, who''s to blame? As for those lowly commoners, hmph, they''re merely resisting to save their own lives, not because I forced them��"


    "You��"


    The two Vice Generals looked at each other, seeing the despair in each other''s eyes.


    This was the third time Yang Guang had denied their request to join the battle, including the first time they had asked.


    Keep in mind��


    The defending troops of Xingmen City were all elite soldiers. Even if there were a hundred thousand enemies surrounding Liu Fuhai and his men instead of just fifty thousand, they could definitely repel them with just fifty thousand troops.


    But now...


    Yang Guang wasn''t willing to send even a single soldier to aid them.


    Watching as the number of warriors around Liu Fuhai dwindled, one of the Vice Generals lost his temper completely: "Damn it, I can''t stand this anymore. Brothers, those willing to join me in leaving the city to rescue the Great General, step forward!"


    "How dare you! Are you planning a rebellion?" Yang Guang glared with anger.


    The Vice General replied coldly, "So what if I am?"


    "You''re seeking death!"


    A cold glint flashed in Yang Guang''s eyes, and he suddenly raised his hand, catching the Vice General off-guard and thrusting his sword through his heart.


    Argh!


    The Vice General cried out in agony, unable to believe as he watched Yang Guang slowly withdraw the blood-dripping Longsword. He had never imagined that he would die not on the battlefield but by Yang Guang''s hand.


    Yang Guang held the Longsword, looking coldly at the crowd: "Whoever dares to defy my orders, this will be their fate!"

 Chapter 506 - 506: Great Qian, Xiao Yi!

    "Who dares to disobey, this is the consequence!"


    Yang Guang held a blood-dripping longsword, and at his feet lay the deputy general who had fought bloody battles time and time again for the Great Qian Dynasty.


    "Your Highness is so handsome!"


    "This is the demeanor that befits Your Highness! These people are too ignorant, actually daring to defy Your Highness''s orders..."


    Two enchanting women by his side spoke chilling words in a coquettish voice, peeling grapes and feeding them into Yang Guang''s mouth, alluring and captivating. As he chewed on the grapes exuding a faint fragrance, Yang Guang said confidently, "These trash, if you don''t show them some color, they really think they can bully me?"


    Above the city walls, all was silent.


    A silence as of death.


    Yang Guang''s every word and action, surrounded by charming women.


    The body of the deputy general on the ground hadn''t grown cold yet.


    Outside the city, Liu Fuhai led a host of soldiers and civilians in a bloody battle.


    The contrast was stark.


    The contrast was so strong that it made them forget their anger; all that was left was sorrow and unwillingness.


    Suddenly...


    Another deputy general let out a long breath, and with a clanging sound, he dropped his battle helmet.


    The clear sound drew everyone''s attention.


    Yang Guang squinted and asked, "What are you trying to do?"


    The deputy general responded coldly, "From now on, I am no longer a soldier, and I don''t have to listen to your orders!"


    "Hm? You want to revolt?" Yang Guang leaned slightly forward, blood droplets fell from the blade, reflecting a ferocious scarlet.


    The deputy general sneered, "I damn well am revolting, what can you do to me?"


    "You''re seeking death..."


    Yang Guang flew into a rage, and with a swing of his longsword, he aimed for the deputy general''s head.


    Clang!


    With an easy strike, the deputy general swatted away the longsword and hammered Yang Guang with a heavy punch. Startled, Yang Guang fell to the ground with a thud, looking at the deputy general with a face filled with terror, his crotch reeking with the smell of urine.


    "Ha, hahaha... Did I actually protect trash like you before, leaving the Great General in danger without being able to lend a hand? Two hundred thousand against fifty thousand, and you dare not face the battle, motherfucker..."


    The deputy general spat viciously at Yang Guang, picked up the body of the dead deputy general, and walked towards the gate below.


    Yang Guang was furious with shame.


    He noticed that atop the city walls, countless soldiers were looking at him with contempt. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yang Guang roared, "You''re defying the heavens, someone... Seize him for me, whoever can chop off his head, I''ll promote them to deputy general..."


    However...


    Faced with Yang Guang''s roar, not a single soldier made a move.


    The deputy general looked back at him, spat on the ground, and said with disdain, "Useless trash..."


    "Dammit, dammit... I am a noble prince, how dare you humiliate me like this?"


    Yang Guang''s eyes were filled with blood, hysterically roaring, "Are you all going to revolt? Didn''t you see he dared to lay hands on me? If you don''t take him down now, I''ll exterminate your nine clans..."


    "Exterminate your ass!"


    A sudden curse came from the crowd, as a soldier stepped forward, gave him a cold look, and with a clanging sound dropped his helmet, "I quit!"


    "What are you to order us around?"


    "Revolt, then let''s revolt, I quit..."


    "Keep protecting you, and my ancestors'' graves will explode..."


    One by one the soldiers stepped forward, and one helmet after another was thrown in front of Yang Guang.


    Clang!


    Clang!


    The helmets kept hitting the ground, the crisp sound like mockery, leaving Yang Guang completely bewildered.


    Ten.


    One hundred.


    One thousand...


    In a blink of an eye.


    More than a hundred thousand soldiers had thrown down their helmets and left him behind.


    Yang Guang sat dumbfounded on the ground, surrounded by helmets, his face alternating between pale and flushed, looking extremely ugly, his eyes filled with malice, he gritted his teeth and said, "Damn it... How dare they do this? I am a noble prince, how can they treat me like this?"


    But his angry roar was met with silence all around.


    A hundred thousand soldiers formed a tide of steel, picked up their weapons, and burst through the city gates.


    The foremost was the deputy general named Liu Yi.


    "Great General, your subordinate has arrived!"


    Liu Yi rode his steed, waving the military flag as he galloped forward.


    The flag fluttered in the wind, making a rustling sound.


    Following him...


    a massive army, a hundred thousand strong, converged into a mighty steel tide: "Great General, we have arrived too late..."


    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"


    Great General Liu Fuhai''s face changed as he desperately defended against the onslaught, and a look of ecstasy spread across his face upon seeing the mighty arrival of the hundred thousand-strong army. Covered in blood and the shredded innards of his foes, Liu Fuhai did not even notice the gore as he laughed heartily, "Good, good, good! Brothers, folks, our reinforcements have arrived, follow me to counterattack..."


    "Counterattack!"


    "Slaughter all these bastards..."


    The hundred thousand troops led by Liu Yi came like a shot of adrenaline, reigniting intense fighting spirit among the people as they launched a counterattack.


    However, Wanyan Lang remained completely unruffled, sneering, "A bunch of weaklings, hiding behind closed doors earlier, and now you think you can defeat the iron-blooded voyage of the Sword Dynasty? Men, kill them all!"


    More than fifty thousand cavalry, each one a fierce warrior.


    They instantly changed formation.


    Outside Xingmen City, the two armies engaged in a ferocious slaughter.


    Blood, flesh, the flash of blades, the shadow of swords...


    The cavalry of the Sword Dynasty were exceedingly mobile and incredibly cunning; whenever they found themselves outmatched by the army under Liu Fuhai''s command, they would use their mobility to charge into the midst of the hundred thousand refugees.


    Their assault caused heavy casualties among the refugees.


    Liu Fuhai and his men, however, were hamstrung, unable to mount an effective counterattack.


    At that moment...


    An eerie rustling sound suddenly arose, and countless shadows were seen rapidly approaching from the horizon; it was an army of tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants. Swarming from all directions, Wanyan Lang laughed heartily, "Liu Fuhai, my reinforcements have arrived, you''re as good as dead!"


    The offense by the Sword Dynasty against the Great Qian Dynasty was primarily with the God Devouring Ants.


    Every separate Sword Dynasty military unit was accompanied by a group of God Devouring Ants, so that they could devour living beings at the fastest speed and relay the energy back to the Queen of the God-Eating Ants. This group of ants had been devouring a village, which is why they arrived only now.


    "An army of God Devouring Ants?"


    Liu Fuhai''s face went pale with shock.


    He had already received news and knew the formidable strength of the God Devouring Ant army.


    If they were within Xingmen City, he had tens of thousands of tons of oil prepared and could hold them off for a bit. But now, out in the open plains, how could they possibly resist the army of God Devouring Ants?


    Liu Fuhai gave the order: "Retreat, fall back to Xingmen City!"


    However...


    When they got to the city, they discovered the gates were tightly shut.


    Behind them was an army of tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants and fifty thousand Sword Dynasty cavalry.


    The only escape was blocked off by the city gates.


    Liu Fuhai''s eyes were wide with rage as he looked up at the city wall to see Yang Guang sneering down at them, "Prince Fifth, open the gates quickly..."


    "Great General, you actually need my help? Hahaha, weren''t you very capable? Then deal with these God Devouring Ants yourself! Hahahaha..." Yang Guang''s face, filled with bitterness, revealed a gratified smile as he said hysterically.


    "You madman, you''re a madman..."


    "Quick, open the gates..."


    A group of soldiers roared angrily.


    Yang Guang''s eyes turned icy, "How dare you insult a prince? In that case, all of you can go to hell, someone, pour the oil..."


    Whoosh! Buckets of oil poured down from atop the city wall.


    This was oil that could easily be ignited!


    If it landed on someone, even masters in the Golden Core Realm would be burnt alive.


    Liu Fuhai''s expression transformed dramatically as he was forced to lead his troops away from Xingmen City.


    But directly ahead was the oppressive dark mass of several hundred thousand God Devouring Ants and fifty thousand Sword Dynasty cavalry, both sides facing each other like needle and strand. Between the two armies, the howling wind rustled the flags noisily.


    Wanyan Lang''s face was ferocious as he slowly raised his hand and then swung it down savagely, "Kill them all!"


    Rustle rustle.


    The emotionless killing machines, the God Devouring Ants, moved in unison, their actions producing a spine-chilling sound.


    Liu Yi''s face was devoid of color as he asked, "General, what do we do?"


    "What do we do?"


    Liu Fuhai forced a smile. Their way forward had been completely cut off by Yang Guang, and behind them were the God Devouring Ants and the cavalry giving chase; they were utterly trapped. Liu Fuhai took a deep breath, his eyes becoming sharp again, "Brothers, follow me into a fight to the death!"


    "Fight to the death! Fight to the death!"


    "Great General, we will fight by your side..."


    It wasn''t just the soldiers, but also civilians who picked up weapons, even hoes, sickles, and stones to stand behind him.


    A fierce battle broke out in an instant.


    But under the onslaught of the God Devouring Ants, Liu Fuhai and his men couldn''t defend themselves, suffering heavy casualties. Within moments of engagement, thousands of soldiers and civilians had died at the mouths of the ants.


    Camel Mountain Tiger, the mount of Liu Fuhai, was devoured by the God Devouring Ants as it tried to save him, leaving behind only a cold skeleton.


    "No..."


    Liu Fuhai had just hit the ground when he saw Wanyan Lang shoot a cold arrow at him, its sharp whistle signaling its trajectory straight toward Liu Fuhai''s chest, nearly penetrating his heart with a single shot.


    At that moment, Liu Fuhai had just managed to steady himself and was unable to dodge, only able to watch the arrow fly toward him.


    His face was filled with despair.


    But just in the nick of time...


    A dark figure suddenly appeared and grabbed the arrow, yanking Liu Fuhai back from the brink of death.


    Wanyan Lang, who had thought he could kill Liu Fuhai, paused in surprise, his eyes narrowing as he bellowed, "Who are you? How dare you ruin my plans?"


    The figure in black slowly turned around, his icy gaze fixed on Wanyan Lang as he clearly stated, "Great Qian, Xiao Yi!"

 Chapter 507 - 507 I offer you a big-headed ghost!

    "Great Qian, Xiao Yi!"


    Dressed in black, Xiao Yi held the silver arrow in his hand and spoke without expression.


    His gaze swept over the scene before him��


    The ground was littered with bodies and blood; one could imagine just how tragic the battle had been.


    The bodies of a hundred thousand soldiers were covered with numerous bloodstains.


    Tens of thousands of refugees each wore a face of despair, as silent as death itself.


    What should have been their sanctuary, Xingmen City, was now ablaze, cutting off their path of return.


    Behind them were the cavalry of the Sword Dynasty, as well as the terrifying and ruthless army of God Devouring Ants.


    Even without having witnessed the scene himself, Xiao Yi could imagine how desperate Liu Fuhai and the others must have felt. At the same time, a furious flame was burning within his heart, like a volcano long suppressed, ready to erupt at any moment.


    Fury!


    Extreme fury!


    Uncontainable fury!


    The Xingmen City, guarded by a mighty force of two hundred thousand, was brought to this state by just fifty thousand men, with over fifty thousand dead or injured. Those fresh, living souls, some even infants still in swaddling clothes.


    They should have been living happily, enjoying the joy of family.


    But now��


    Everything was ruined!


    "Xiao Yi? Are you the head of the Great Qian Dynasty''s Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Wanyan Lang was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi''s name was already well-known throughout the Great Qian Dynasty, and naturally, the powerhouses of the Sword Dynasty knew of him as well. A look of rightful confidence appeared on his face, "It is said that the Great Qian Dynasty has produced a genius comparable to Xiao Tianjiao. Now it seems that he is nothing special, merely at the third level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Today, it won''t be just you; even if Xiao Tianjiao himself were here, there would only be one path left: death."


    "Xiao Yi, you must go��"


    The voice of Liu Fuhai came from behind him, his face solemn, "The God Devouring Ant army is impossible to resist. I will hold them off for you. You must go��"


    "Go?"


    Xiao Yi turned to look at him, speaking indifferently, "Facing enemies far outnumbering yourself, you did not flee; facing betrayal from your own people, you did not flee; facing one hundred thousand civilians, you did not flee. Why should I flee? Besides..."


    He pointed at Wanyan Lang and the others in front of him and scoffed, "They''re not strong enough to make me leave!"


    "But��"


    Liu Fuhai''s head buzzed, wanting to warn Xiao Yi of the terror of the God Devouring Ants.


    However, Xiao Yi said, "Leave the God Devouring Ants to me. The rest are yours to handle! Together, you and I will obliterate them, how about that?"


    Liu Fuhai didn''t know how to respond.


    Wanyan Lang on the side burst into laughter, "Are you dreaming? You think you alone can..."


    "Annoying!"


    Xiao Yi showed a look of impatience and with a wave of his hand, a sword Qi shot out.


    Whoosh!


    The silver sword light, condensed to the extreme in his hands, erupted forth.


    With a whoosh, a streak of silver light flashed across the air.


    "Insignificant crea..."


    Wanyan Lang wore an expression of disdain, convinced that Xiao Yi, a mere third-level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, was no match for him. He reached out to grab the sword Qi casually. However, the sword Qi pierced through his palm and entered his throat with a puff.


    His final word was stuck in his throat.


    His pupils slowly dilated.


    With a hint of disbelief and confusion.


    Thump!


    Wanyan Lang fell off the back of the Sky Wolf, blood spurting from his throat, drenching his entire body.


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze fell upon Liu Fuhai and the soldiers and civilians behind him as he raised his arm and shouted, "Follow me to slay the enemy!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    The enemy''s commanding officer was beheaded by a single flick of Xiao Yi''s finger, greatly boosting the morale of his troops.


    The suppressed desire to kill erupted completely in this moment!


    Liu Fuhai led his people, charging toward the fifty-thousand-strong cavalry army.


    Xiao Yi, alone and armed with the Falling Dust Sword, instantly plunged into the midst of the God Devouring Ants'' army.


    Rustle rustle rustle!


    These God Devouring Ants, merely half-formed creatures freshly hatched, were as good as non-existent before Xiao Yi; as his sword swept through them, it was like a gust of autumn wind scattering leaves, continuously slaying the ants.


    To Xiao Yi, who possessed the Sixth Transformation Wind and Thunder Holy Body, the poison of the God Devouring Ants was ineffectual.


    Wherever he went,


    The God Devouring Ants were cleaved in half by his Sword Qi, dying on the spot.


    The fifty-thousand cavalry was also in constant retreat under Liu Fuhai and others'' assault, suffering heavy casualties. From Xiao Yi''s arrival to their complete suppression, it all happened in the span of a few dozen breaths.


    Yang Guang stood atop the city walls, dumbfounded, "How, how, how is this possible? How can there be such a terrifying being in this world?"


    Amidst his shock,


    Yang Guang suddenly showed an expression of wild joy, clenching his fists and laughing heartily, "Fantastic! Today at Xingmen City we repulsed the fifty-thousand-strong cavalry army of the Sword Dynasty, and even drove back tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants. This is a tremendous merit. After the battle ends, I will have that Xiao Yi present Wanyan Lang''s corpse to me, and then the credit will be mine. Perhaps, I might even gain my father emperor''s favor and return to the capital..."


    Yang Guang''s eyes suddenly blazed with eagerness.


    Of course...


    Xiao Yi was completely unaware of all this.


    With every slash of his sword,


    sprawling Sword Qi spread a hundred meters and wherever it passed, God Devouring Ants perished en masse.


    The man transformed into a veritable God Devouring Ant reaper.


    Tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants were like mere paper before him, utterly incapable of mustering any fighting force. With the cavalry lacking a leader and Liu Fuhai and his forces counterattacking, of the fifty-thousand, only a scarce few dozen fled in panic.


    In just a short while,


    not a single warrior of the Sword Dynasty remained outside Xingmen City, nor was there a single living God Devouring Ant.


    At this moment...


    The way everyone looked at Xiao Yi was filled with admiration and fervor, as if they were gazing upon a god high above. S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Thank you, Xiao, for saving our lives!" Liu Fuhai stepped forward, about to kneel.


    Xiao Yi raised his hand to stop him, his voice grave, "General Liu guards Xingmen City, sworn to protect the people. How could you offer such a grand gesture to me?" He paused and asked with a frown, "General Liu, with two hundred thousand troops in Xingmen City, you should not have been pushed to this by a mere fifty thousand. What exactly happened?"


    Liu Fuhai''s face changed slightly, and though his mouth opened, he did not know where to begin.


    Liu Yi, standing beside him, was filled with indignant fury and without hesitation said, "All this is thanks to Yang Guang..."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi, taken aback, frowned at Liu Yi.


    With red eyes, Liu Yi went on to tell Xiao Yi everything that had occurred. Clenching his fists, he said fiercely, "...If it weren''t for that idiot constantly interfering, we would have crushed those fifty thousand long ago and not waited for those God Devouring Ants to come attacking..."


    "How dare you, Liu Yi! You dare chew your tongue behind my back and fabricate such lies about this prince. Do you wish for death?"


    With a darkened face, Yang Guang emerged from within the city, flanked by enchanting women on both sides, glaring at Liu Yi. Then rubbing his hands and smiling at Xiao Yi, he said, "So you are Xiao Yi? I''ve heard about you long ago, and seeing you today, your reputation is well deserved! Hahaha, this prince admires you and I''ll offer you a chance, just present me the head of Wanyan Lang, and I can assure you a future of wealth and splendor..."


    While speaking,


    Yang Guang looked expectantly at Xiao Yi.


    However...


    Xiao Yi simply gave him a cold look and said, "Present to you my ass!"

 Chapter 508 - 508 Unforgivable Crimes

    "Fuck off offering me bullshit!"


    Xiao Yi shouted angrily.


    His roar echoed like thunder, causing Yang Guang''s face to pale as he instinctively staggered back several steps.


    A look of utter confusion spread across Yang Guang''s face as he looked at Xiao Yi: "You, you, you dare to curse at me?"


    He was a prince, no less.


    With a revered status.


    Not only did Xiao Yi refuse to flatter him, but he even dared to curse at him?


    "Curse you? I''ll fucking kill you��"


    Xiao Yi had never felt such rage, his eyes already a fiery red as he raised his hand and forcefully slapped Yang Guang across the face. The crisp smack sound left Yang Guang utterly stunned.


    A bright red handprint emerged on his face.


    The crowd around them was equally stunned.


    Xiao Yi''s face was grave, an involuntarily chill emitting from his body with a menacing gleam in his eyes, as if looking to devour someone.


    Within ten meters of him, the ground was covered with frost.


    The very air seemed to freeze.


    Murderous intent was boiling!


    "Xiao Yi, I am a prince! You dare to hit me, are you not afraid to die?" Yang Guang, touching his swollen face, roared in fury.


    Smack!


    Xiao Yi backhanded him, sending Yang Guang tumbling to the ground, each word punctuated with force, "Prince? Even if you were the Crown Prince today, I''d still hit you��",


    "You, you, you want to revolt? Liu Fuhai, are you just going to watch him humiliate me like this?"


    Yang Guang looked angrily at Liu Fuhai.


    Liu Fuhai was momentarily taken aback.


    Before he could speak.


    Smack!


    Xiao Yi slapped Yang Guang again, knocking his teeth out as blood mixed with broken bits spewed forth. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s voice was cold and resolute, each word a conviction, but all came straight from the heart: "A prince in his glory, seeing his people displaced and refusing to dispatch troops to rescue them, that is inhumane."


    Smack!


    Not waiting for Yang Guang to get up, Xiao Yi flipped him over with another slap.


    "Two hundred thousand troops defending Xingmen City, yet you were scared witless by a mere fifty thousand cavalry and didn''t dare to leave the city; that is cowardice!"


    Smack! Smack!


    This time, two slaps flew, one after the other, sending Yang Guang into a dizzying state.


    "General Liu, as the Great General of the kingdom, has fought in countless battles and made great contributions. You let him return alone and refused to send reinforcements, repeatedly rejecting even the vice-general''s requests to engage in battle and cruelly executing that vice-general; that is injustice!"


    Xiao Yi simply grabbed Yang Guang by the neck, lifting him to face level.


    His palms moved like phantoms.


    Back and forth.


    Smack! Smack! Smack!


    After dozens of slaps, Yang Guang''s head was swollen like a pig''s, before Xiao Yi finally punched him in the abdomen. Like a kite with a broken string, Yang Guang collapsed to the ground.


    He rolled over several times before finally coming to a stop.


    Panting heavily!


    Yang Guang, his face bruised and bleeding from the nose, took deep breaths and looked up in terror at the approaching Xiao Yi.


    He scrambled to flee, desperately crawling and rolling.


    Xiao Yi extended a finger and released a burst of silver Sword Qi from his fingertip, the whooshing sound landing two strikes that drilled directly through Yang Guang''s legs, brutally severing his tendons. Fresh blood gushed from his ankles, soaking both pant legs red. Xiao Yi seemed oblivious to the terror on Yang Guang''s face: "When your soldiers and civilians broke through to return, you had the road cut off with burning oil, not letting them into the city. You completely dashed the spirits of your soldiers and civilians, further tarnishing the royal family''s reputation; that is disloyalty!"


    "Among the people, the elderly, women, and children, even octogenarians fighting to protect their families while you watched indifferently from atop the city walls; that is unfilial!"


    With each statement, Xiao Yi mercilessly slapped Yang Guang.


    Ensuring Yang Guang was covered in blood.


    "As the battle ended, you rushed to take credit first; that is untrustworthy!"


    "In the midst of war, you indulged in luxuries; that is impolite!"


    Xiao Yi''s tirade of unforgiving curse words and relentless beating left those such as Liu Fuhai around him dumbstruck.


    At the same time, each of their faces was plastered with the utmost pleasure.


    For so long,


    because of Yang Guang''s actions, they had felt unbearably suffocated.


    Each person felt as if there was a huge boulder pressing on their chest, unable to breathe, but due to Yang Guang''s dignified status as a prince, whether it was Liu Fuhai or the multitude of citizens, they all dared not speak their anger.


    Not until Xiao Yi had cursed out all the words they wanted to say.


    Not until he had thrown all the punches they wanted to give.


    Each person''s face was alight with satisfaction and excitement, but as they looked at the pitiable Yang Guang, there was not a trace of sympathy or compassion.


    Had Xiao Yi not appeared in time, they all would have been doomed!


    All of this was a gift from Yang Guang.


    Now, seeing Yang Guang receiving the punishment he deserved, how could they not feel thrilled?


    How could they not be happy?


    Huff! Huff!


    Huff! Huff!


    Gasping deeply, Yang Guang, with eyes swollen to mere slits full of venomous and ferocious hatred, glared fixedly at Xiao Yi, grinding his teeth as he said, "Xiao, Xiao Yi, you''re dead, no one can insult a royal family member like this, Father will never let you go..."


    "Save your ass!"


    Xiao Yi grabbed his head and with a bang, slammed it brutally against the ground.


    Blood mingled with sand and stones.


    Yang Guang howled in agonizing pain.


    Xiao Yi, grasping Yang Guang''s hair, lifted him up and said coldly, "Even now, you show no remorse and still dare to threaten me using His Majesty? You''re besmirching His Majesty''s name, you are not only disloyal but also shameless!"


    Bang!


    Pressing down on Yang Guang''s head, he smashed it against the ground once more.


    Xiao Yi hoisted him up, his expression as cold as ice: "You who are unkind, unjust, disloyal, unfilial, unwise, unbrave, discourteous, untrustworthy, corrupt, and shameless, are guilty of unforgivable crimes. Today, I shall enact justice on behalf of Heaven, and kill you, an unforgivable sinner, as a solace to those innocent soldiers and civilians who have died..."


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi raised his hand, and through the air, he psychokinetically pulled down a military flag from atop the city wall.


    Thud!


    The military flag was planted in front of the city gate.


    In front of all eyes watching...


    Xiao Yi lifted Yang Guang high and hung him on the military flag.


    "You, you, what are you going to do?" Yang Guang, sensing Xiao Yi''s killing intent once again, was completely panicked and asked with a face full of terror.


    Xiao Yi said coldly, "An unforgivable sinner deserves to be punished with a lingering death!"


    Lingering death?


    Yang Guang shivered all over, frightened out of his wits, and the foulness from beneath him poured down.


    His eyes were filled with despair and horror as he shrieked hysterically, "Spare my life... Xiao Yi, Xiao, Lord Xiao... please spare my life... I won''t dare again, I will never dare again, please have mercy on me..."


    "If I were to spare you, they, would rest with eyes wide open!"


    Xiao Yi pointed to the battlefield littered with corpses.


    "No..."


    Utter despair washed over Yang Guang as he pleaded pitifully, "I don''t want to die, I don''t want to die..."


    "You don''t want to die? Did they want to die? Would their loved ones not grieve? All of this was caused by you, so go to the netherworld and lay with them!"


    With a wave of Xiao Yi''s hand,


    Silver Sword Qi flowed from his fingertips, each strand grazing Yang Guang''s skin, slicing off chunks of flesh as it passed.


    One cut.


    Two cuts.


    Three cuts...


    After exactly nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine cuts,


    Xiao Yi slowly withdrew his hand, and on the pole above, Yang Guang finally breathed his last breath with regret and despair...


    PS: Xiao Tian felt that yesterday''s update was not thrilling enough, so he has been revising and rewriting chapters 503-507 today; please forgive the late update. Also, those chapters have been revised, and everyone can refresh to read them again!

 Chapter 509 - 509: Nine Flames Heavenly Array

    Outside Xingmen City, there was silence.


    Even when Xiao Yi hung Yang Guang on the flagpole, everyone still thought Xiao Yi was just trying to scare Yang Guang.


    After all...


    This was the fifth prince!


    Even though Yang Guang was not favored, his identity as a prince was bona fide��in their eyes, Xiao Yi would never truly kill Yang Guang, especially not with a punishment as cruel as death by dismemberment.


    It was not until now...


    Seeing only a lonely head hanging on the flagpole, Yang Guang, who had already passed away, did people confirm that Xiao Yi was serious.


    Gurgle!


    Amid the crowd, Liu Yi swallowed hard, his face filled with horror as he incredulously stared at Xiao Yi. Despite the brutality of the dismemberment, he felt not the slightest fear of Xiao Yi, only deep respect and admiration.


    Liu Yi looked around subconsciously and realized that everyone else felt the same.


    They looked at Xiao Yi with nothing but fervent admiration and awe.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said... S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If Yang Guang did not die, those fallen soldiers and civilians would not rest in peace!


    However...


    Liu Yi glanced towards Liu Fuhai and spoke in a low voice, "General, Dean Xiao has killed the fifth prince, this..."


    "Shut up!"


    Liu Fuhai glared at him coldly and coughed lightly. Seeing that everyone was looking at him, he then said loudly, "The fifth prince personally led the troops to confront the strong enemy of the Sword Dynasty, only to be ambushed by the God Devouring Ants and perished, devoured to the extent that only his head was left intact. Let us respectfully bid farewell to Prince Yang Guang!"


    "..."


    Everyone was stunned.


    Then, one by one, their faces showed sudden realization as they loudly said, "The fifth prince was wise and valiant, personally leading the troops against the enemy, and tragically died under the God Devouring Ants, how sad and lamentable!"


    "Farewell to the fifth prince on your journey!"


    "Dean Xiao has already avenged you!"


    A crowd of soldiers and civilians shouted loudly.


    The two maidservants, who had long been scared out of their wits, seeing Liu Yi and the others looking towards them, hurriedly followed, shouting, "The prince died under the God Devouring Ants, and Dean Xiao has avenged him by slaughtering tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants!"


    "The prince can rest in peace now!"


    The two maidservants, soaked in a cold sweat, shouted loudly.


    Liu Fuhai, however, seemed far from reassured. He glanced at Liu Yi and made a throat-slitting gesture.


    Scared even paler, the two women knelt on the ground with a thump, wailing and begging for mercy, "Dean Xiao, General Liu... spare our lives! We sisters will never divulge what happened today. Please, we beg you to spare us..."


    Liu Fuhai said sternly, "Dean Xiao, these two cannot be spared..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, chuckling, "They''re just two women, no need for such measures. Besides, if I were worried about the imperial family''s retribution, I would not have taken action against Yang Guang. Let them go."


    "This..."


    Liu Fuhai showed hesitation on his face.


    But the two women were like reprieved prisoners, scrambling to run away.


    Liu Fuhai sighed and gazed at the youth beside him, who was much younger than his own grandson, and bitterly smiled, saying, "True heroes are indeed found among the young. In terms of courage and composure, I am far inferior to you!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand.


    His gaze turned to the brutal battlefield, and he said solemnly, "General Liu, we should first arrange for people to clean up the battlefield. Those fleeing cavalry will likely relay the news soon. A great battle is imminent!"


    "Hmm!"


    Upon hearing about the impending great battle, Liu Fuhai no longer spoke further, his expression gaining a touch of solemnity, "Dean Xiao..."


    "Just call me Xiao Yi," Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    Liu Fuhai hesitated for a moment, then nodded, saying, "Xiao Yi, if the enemy launches another large-scale attack, it''s likely to be led by an army of tens or even hundreds of millions of God Devouring Ants. How should we respond?"


    God Devouring Ants, which would devour mountains when encountering them and people when encountering them, were difficult for ordinary soldiers to defend against.


    If they attacked in swarms, just ten could devour a person in an instant.


    Quite a handful!


    As for how to deal with the God Devouring Ants, Xiao Yi had been prepared for a long time, and with a mysterious smile, he said, "I''ve had a strategy for the God Devouring Ants for a while now. You just arrange for people to clean up the battlefield, and at the same time select a thousand elite soldiers, I will have a great use for them shortly!"


    "A thousand elite soldiers?"


    Even though Liu Fuhai had a myriad of questions, he could not voice them and simply nodded, saying, "Liu Yi will lead the clean-up of the battlefield, and I will personally select the thousand for you!"


    But the civilians shouted, "Dean Xiao, General Liu... The soldiers have all worked hard, leave the cleanup of the battlefield to us! You should rest well, as there are tough battles ahead!"


    "Exactly, it''s just cleaning up the battlefield, let us handle this rough work!"


    "General Liu, you just focus on selecting elite soldiers for Dean Xiao!"


    In no time at all.


    The tens of thousands of civilians, together with hundreds of thousands more from inside the city, began to clean up the battlefield.


    After this battle.


    The vast Xingmen City, its military and civilians, had become united as one.


    Xiao Yi was extremely gratified by this.


    Xiao Yi then moved back and forth outside Xingmen City, continuously burying one Formation stone after another into the ground.


    It took him half an hour to finish setting up the previously prepared Formation stones. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and he couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief, "Fortunately, I got quite a few Formation stones from Three Seas Mountain; they really came in handy here. This Nine Flames Heavenly Array should at least be able to block the army of God Devouring Ants for three days and nights, buying us enough time!"


    "Dean Xiao, General Liu asks for you!" a soldier approached, eyes glowing with heat, and said admiringly.


    Xiao Yi nodded to show he understood.


    With the help of hundreds of thousands of civilians, the battlefield had been completely cleaned up.


    Liu Fuhai had also selected a thousand elite soldiers.


    A neatly arranged thousand men stood before Xiao Yi.


    Each was a veteran of many battles, with Deputy General Liu Yi among them.


    Liu Fuhai''s eyes shone with pride: "Xiao Yi, take a look at these thousand men, are you satisfied?"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over them.


    A thousand men.


    Uniform.


    Each of their cultivation levels was no weaker than the Golden Core Realm, with five in the Tao Tribulation Realm even stronger, their Qi-Blood robust and eyes sharp as lightning. The look in their eyes as they stared at Xiao Yi was filled with genuine respect and admiration.


    At just a command from Xiao Yi, even if it meant death, none of these thousand would hesitate.


    Xiao Yi said with satisfaction, "Very good, you thousand men will accompany me to a place soon!"


    "Yes!"


    Led by Liu Yi, all thousand men responded in unison.


    Not even asking where they were going.


    Another hour passed.


    A golden figure suddenly flew in from afar and landed on Xiao Yi''s shoulder.


    Little Lin stood tall, eyes shining, and spoke solemnly, "Boss, everything is just as you predicted!"


    "Good!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sparkled, and he asked, "What about the things you were preparing?"


    Little Lin patted its chest with its tail, "They''ve been ready for a while now!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi then looked at Liu Fuhai and instructed, "General Liu, before I return, no matter what happens, you just need to hold your ground and not go out. With the Formation I''ve set up outside the city, even if millions of God Devouring Ants come, it can protect Xingmen City for three days and nights..."


    "Xiao Yi, where are you going?" Liu Fuhai asked, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved up slightly, rolling into a cold arc, and he slowly said, "I am going to ensure a permanent resolution and eliminate this crisis once and for all."


    PS: There will be three more updates tonight, Xiao Tian continues to write! If you can''t wait, check back in the morning! I''m really sorry for the delay, I was revising those chapters!

 Chapter 510 - 510: Not a Single One Left!

    "We''re going to resolve this crisis once and for all!"


    Xiao Yi said solemnly.


    The Sword Dynasty had been plotting this attack for a long time.


    On the surface, they had Lin Xu cultivate the God Devouring Ants, but secretly a mysterious powerhouse was controlling everything, launching an attack during the Great Qian Dynasty''s ancestral worship ceremony, catching the Great Qian Dynasty completely off-guard.


    The lightning-fast speed of the attack swept through dozens of cities in the north within just a single day.


    Had Xiao Yi not appeared, even Xingmen City, the last barrier in the north, might not have escaped the fate of being overrun and its people massacred.


    Xiao Yi had made a military promise in front of Emperor Qian to resolve the crisis within ten days, so every second counted. On his way to Xingmen City, he had Little Lin set off in advance to gather intelligence.


    Now he had finally received the information he wanted from Little Lin.


    Of course, there could be no further delays.


    "Once and for all?"


    Liu Fuhai was stunned. The feud between the Sword Dynasty and the Great Qian Dynasty had lasted thousands of years and was never resolved. Could it be that Xiao Yi had a way to settle the generational enmity between these two opposing dynasties?


    Of course, Xiao Yi had no way to resolve the feud between the two nations; after all, there were minor battles every year, a major war every decade, and a war of annihilation every century.


    From the emperors to the common people, both nations had long become irreconcilable, beyond any hope of mediation.


    After all.


    The thousands of years of grievances and resentments had left nearly every household in both nations with relatives who had died under the other''s iron hoofs.


    This enmity was incredibly hard to eliminate.


    Liu Fuhai racked his brains but couldn''t figure it out and could only shake his head and wryly smile, "I really can''t figure it out. What exactly is your plan?"


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, "The hermit has a clever plan; you just need to act according to my instructions!"


    "Alright!"


    Liu Fuhai also had full confidence in Xiao Yi''s strength. After admonishing him to be careful, he said, "Then I''ll await your triumphant return here!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and then soared into the sky with Liu Yi and his men.


    They disappeared into the horizon.


    ...��


    With Xiao Yi leading a thousand people, they flew through the air at top speed.


    They rushed towards the direction of Northern Bing City.


    Along the way��


    From high up, they could see village after village engulfed in flames below, but there was no longer any sign of life within these towns.


    They were like ghost towns.


    "I remember that village... There was a kind old grandmother in the village, her son was killed by a tiger, and she would sit at the entrance of the village every day waiting for her son��"


    "There was a newlywed couple in that town, the bride was mute, and the groom was deaf. They worked from dawn to dusk and loved each other dearly��"


    "It''s all gone now�� all of it��"


    Liu Yi and the others had been guarding Xingmen City for many years, regularly patrolling nearby. They were very familiar with the surrounding villages.


    But now��


    All these villages had turned into seas of fire. The simple and kind villagers had vanished without a trace, weighing on everyone''s hearts like a heavy stone, creating an oppressive feeling that made it hard to breathe.


    "I will never forgive those bastards from the Sword Dynasty..." Liu Yi said through clenched teeth.


    Once, while on a mission, he was seriously injured and was rescued by a blind old woman in one of the villages below. But now, the village where the old woman lived had also turned into scorched earth.


    Suddenly.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly, "Everyone change course, head that way!"


    "What''s wrong?"


    "I don''t know, but Xiao''s expression seems to indicate something serious has happened..."


    The group showed surprise on their faces.


    They quickly followed Xiao Yi toward the east. After traveling several tens of miles, they came across a mountain village. This village was built against the mountain, surrounded on three sides by peaks, and the villagers made a living by hunting and trading furs.


    Men hunted, women wove, and they lived together in harmony.


    But now.


    All the villagers had been gathered at the entrance of the village, while a group of more than two thousand Sword Dynasty soldiers looked at them menacingly. There were still many soldiers carrying spears and other weapons, driving the villagers out from within the village.


    Leading the charge were two middle-aged military officers, both mounted on their steeds, and looking down at the villagers before them, whose faces were etched with fear. S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sharp-featured officer on the right spotted a pregnant woman among the crowd, his eyes gleaming craftily as he turned and said with a smile, "Lin, how about we make a bet?"


    "Hmm?"


    Officer Lin was taken aback, frowning he asked, "Bet on what?"


    The sharp-featured Officer Ma pointed at the pregnant woman and proposed, "Let''s bet on whether the child in her womb is a boy or a girl. If you win, you can choose any ten beauties from those I''ve captured. If I win, I get to pick ten from your lot!"


    Officer Lin immediately felt intrigued, his crimson tongue licking his lips, he replied, "No problem!"


    The two officers ordered the soldiers to drag the pregnant woman forward.


    Clutching her belly with both hands, the woman''s simple face was full of terror and confusion.


    Looking down from his horse, Officer Ma, resting one hand on the back of his steed, sneered, "Bring her forward. I''m going to cut her open to see if it''s a boy or a girl..."


    Two soldiers promptly stepped forward to seize the pregnant woman.


    With a look of horror, the woman pleaded, "No, don''t... don''t hurt my child..."


    The villagers collectively erupted in rage, "Beasts, you bunch of animals..."


    "Let her go..."


    Facing the furious villagers, Officer Ma laughed coldly, "A bunch of ignorant ants. It''s an honor for her to be used for my bet. Aren''t you satisfied? Whoever dares to cause trouble will be killed on the spot!"


    "Yes!"


    The soldiers, faces ferocious, began punching and kicking the crowd, weapons drawn.


    Officer Ma dismounted his horse and, pulling out a horse-chopping saber, walked towards the pregnant woman.


    The woman, with one hand on her stomach and the other pressing against the ground, kept retreating, her eyes filled with terror, "My husband has already been killed by you, this is our only bloodline, I beg you, don''t harm him..."


    "Hehe, scream, the louder you scream, the more excited I get! Hahahaha..."


    Officer Ma laughed maliciously.


    He swung his saber toward the pregnant woman.


    But just as the bladed weapon was about to strike the pregnant woman, his motion suddenly stiffened, the gleaming saber abruptly halted mid-air. Liu Yi''s cold face was visible, holding onto the blade with one hand.


    Xiao Yi crouched on the ground, helping the pregnant woman up, observing the terror on her face, and glanced at Liu Yi, "Not a single one left!"


    "Yes!"


    With a wicked grin, Liu Yi snapped the saber in half.


    He then drove the broken blade tip into Officer Ma''s shoulder and, with a vicious pull, sliced it off with a gory tear, causing Officer Ma to convulse all over and wail for mercy, "Spare me, my lord, spare me..."


    "Scream, the louder you scream, the more excited I get!" Liu Yi laughed hideously as he used the broken saber to hack off his other arm.


    The same words, the same expression.


    Only before, it was he who had raised his hand against the pregnant woman, and now it was Liu Yi''s turn to strike him.


    Officer Ma''s face was a mask of despair.


    Under Liu Yi''s icy gaze, he was methodically dismembered, his body covered in cuts, unable to live or find death. Meanwhile, the thousand elite troops Xiao Yi had brought were also executing a one-sided slaughter of the two thousand soldiers from the Sword Dynasty.


    A moment later...


    Only Officer Ma remained, barely alive with half a body, his face covered in blood, his eyes filled with terror as if staring at a demon, "Please, grant me a quick death, stop tormenting us..."


    Xiao Yi watched him coldly, "Where is the queen of the God Devouring Ants?"


    "I, I don''t know..."


    Before Officer Ma could finish, Xiao Yi stomped on his wound, causing him to scream in agony, and he quickly blurted out, "In Northern Bing City, the Ninth Prince is there with the queen, in Northern Bing City. I''ve told you everything I know, please give me a quick death..."


    "A quick death?"


    Xiao Yi sneered, his gaze turning to the villagers whose eyes were blood-red with vengeance, he said indifferently, "Folks, this is the scum that destroyed your homes. Now, I leave him to you!"


    "Grind him to dust with the millstone..."


    "He killed so many of our villagers, we should tear him into pieces..."


    One by one, the villagers, faces twisted with rage, dragged Officer Ma away like an animal to his fate, under his desperate gaze.


    Liu Yi asked solemnly, "Xiao, are we heading to Northern Bing City?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, the plight of the civilians along the way and the brutality of the Sword Dynasty''s soldiers weighed heavily on his heart. Even without the military order, Xiao Yi was determined to eliminate the scum of the Sword Dynasty.


    Xiao Yi patted the shoulder of Little Lin. "Once we''re near Northern Bing City, we''ll keep watch outside the city. Little Lin, I''m afraid it''ll be tough on you to make a run for it then..."

 Chapter 511 - 511: Purgatory on Earth

    Northern Bing City.


    In the past, this was the most prosperous city on the northern edge of the Great Qian Dynasty, guarded by Yan Wei, one of the top ten Great Generals, and home to the most valiant Tiger Might Army, which turned the city into an iron fortress.


    Bordering the ice plains, it was bustling with countless merchants coming and going.


    Prosperous and wealthy, the city''s riches were overwhelming.


    But now...


    The former beacon of the north had become a veritable inferno on earth.


    Atop the city walls, banners should flutter against the clear sky, yet it wasn''t the flags of the Great Qian Dynasty that billowed, but ten thousand human-skin banners stripped from corpses. In the very center, the head of the old Great General Yan Wei hung from a flagpole.


    His hollow head dangled from the pole.


    Bloody from every orifice, he died with his eyes open.


    His gaze fixed on Northern Bing City in front of him, filled with strong resentment and despair.


    Not a single living soul could be found inside the vast Northern Bing City, and even the Sword Dynasty''s army was stationed outside the city, with neatly arranged camps that were distinctly separated. From time to time, patrols of soldiers would circle the city''s exterior, and teams would occasionally escort prisoners into the city.


    The soldiers did not notice


    a golden figure who, taking advantage of their entry, had also slipped in surreptitiously.


    Little Lin had shrunk to the smallest size possible, hiding on one of the soldiers.


    All the way here.


    What met the eye was a scene of desolation; the streets were completely void of life, to the extent that not even insects or birds could be found.


    "It''s like a ghost city..." Little Lin murmured to himself.


    A moment later.


    He arrived at the former residence of the city lord, but upon seeing it, Little Lin was astonished. The once grand mansion had now become a huge ant nest.


    Many God Devouring Ants could be seen coming and going inside and outside the ant nest, and sensing the approach of the soldiers, these ants turned their cold gazes in unison.


    Those eyes, with eerie green lights flickering within, were spine-chilling.


    The entire ant nest was like an inferno on earth, daunting to anyone who laid eyes on it, let alone dared to venture within.


    "We are here to deliver prisoners!" a soldier in front announced.


    Squeak, squeak, squeak!


    Only then did the God Devouring Ants withdraw their gaze and continue roaming in and out of the city lord''s mansion.


    The group of soldiers quietly breathed a sigh of relief: "Every time we come here, it feels like walking in hell!"


    "Keep your voice down, if we disturb these God Devouring Ants, we will be the unlucky ones!"


    "What''s there to fear? We have the divine water bestowed by His Highness the Ninth; these ants won''t attack us!"


    As they spoke,


    the soldiers escorted the prisoners deeper into the ant nest, which was like a labyrinth with twists and turns, until they finally reached the middle. In an exceptionally spacious area sat a figure in a black robe, His Highness the Ninth, perched on the central stone platform.


    "Your Highness, this batch of prisoners has been brought over!" the leading soldier said.


    Under his cloak, His Highness the Ninth''s eyes emitted a faint cold light as he nodded, "Leave them here, you may go!"


    "Yes!"


    The people left the more than two thousand prisoners there and turned to leave.


    Little Lin was unable to keep hiding and had to follow the soldiers out, but as they left the area, suddenly from the darkness came an unnerving rustling noise,


    Countless God-Eating Ants surged out of the darkness, and in an instant, more than two thousand people were left without even their bones.


    The bone-chilling screams sent shivers down the spines of the soldiers, making them sweat profusely in terror.


    It wasn''t until they had left the ant nest that one, with a face filled with fright, said, "Thank goodness it''s our Ninth Prince who controls the God-Eating Ants. If these ghastly creatures were in the hands of the Great Qian Dynasty, and we had to face these monsters that eat people without spitting out their bones, it''d be unimaginable!"


    "Stop complaining and continue to search for the captives to bring back! I''ve heard that General Wanyan Lang has been slain in battle, the Ninth Prince is furious, and has issued a death command that we must collect a million captives within three days, to launch the final total attack on the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "A million captives? Oh my god, is the Ninth Prince planning to cultivate an army of hundreds of millions of God-Eating Ants? If there really was an army of hundreds of millions, then wouldn''t my Sword Dynasty be able to even..."


    "Shut up! Dare you speak such words carelessly?"


    The captain covered his mouth in one move, glowering fiercely. The Nantian Dynasty was the undisputed overlord, a presence countless times more powerful than both the Sword Dynasty and the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The imperial power of the Nantian Dynasty was not to be challenged by anyone!


    The soldiers hurriedly fell silent and left in a panic.


    What they didn''t notice was a golden figure that had quietly disappeared from their midst.


    A moment later.


    In a small valley outside of Northern Bing City.


    The sky was ominously overcast, as if a primeval behemoth had opened its huge maw, as the dark figure seemed to want to swallow the sky and earth alike.


    It pressed oppressively on one''s heart.


    Swish!


    Little Lin quietly flew back, landing on Xiao Yi''s shoulder.


    All present were visibly startled.


    They looked towards him in unison.


    Xiao Yi asked, "How''s the situation?"


    Little Lin replied gravely, "The entire Northern Bing City has become a lair for the God-Eating Ants. A nest has been built in the city lord''s mansion, and it is home to millions of God-Eating Ants. Troops of the Sword Dynasty are capturing people everywhere and delivering them to the nest to be devoured by the ants; the entire nest is patrolled by God-Eating Ants, making it very difficult to enter!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, and based on Little Lin''s description, a model of Northern Bing City formed in his mind.


    If anyone could see the model in his mind, they would be incredibly shocked.


    It was almost an exact replica of the Northern Bing City that Little Lin had seen.


    "You''re saying that the captives are escorted into the ant nest by the troops? Don''t the God-Eating Ants attack them on the way?" Xiao Yi asked.


    To eliminate the God-Eating Ants, a frontal assault was impossible!


    The only way was to kill the mysterious person controlling the Queen of the God-Eating Ants but, according to Little Lin''s account, infiltrating that nest was as hard as scaling the heavens.


    Blending into Northern Bing City was not difficult, but to sneak into a nest with tens of millions of God-Eating Ants and to kill the Queen and that mysterious person. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That was even more difficult than reaching the heavens!


    Little Lin shook his head, "Those soldiers escorting the captives carry divine water on them, which is said to prevent the God-Eating Ants from attacking them. Although I followed them, I didn''t find out what this divine water actually is..."


    "Boss, what should we do?" asked Little Lin with a look of concern.


    Xiao Yi gently shook his head, his sword-like brows tightly knit, pondering a strategy to defeat the enemy.


    Liu Yi and the others by his side were also extremely anxious but felt helpless.


    Among the crowd.


    A soldier lamented, "The God-Eating Ants'' sense of smell is just too keen, even if we hid in a latrine they would probably find us..."


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi blinked in surprise, a wild joy flashing in his eyes, "I''ve got it, we can definitely break through Northern Bing City in one fell swoop!"

 Chapter 512 - 512 Ive been waiting for you for a long time!

    "What can we do?" S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Boss, do you have a way to deal with those God-eating ants?"


    Everyone looked at Xiao Yi with burning eyes.


    The terror of the God-eating ant army lay in their numbers, although earlier outside Xingmen City, Xiao Yi, by his own power, using his formidable Wind Thunder Holy Body and fifth-order Sword Intent, had slain tens of thousands of God-eating ants.


    But that was just tens of thousands!


    In Northern Ice City, there were tens of millions of God-eating ants, and if those ants swarmed, let alone Xiao Yi, even a Nine Nirvana Calamity Realm expert would likely die on the spot.


    They really couldn''t think of any method Xiao Yi might have to deal with these God-eating ants.


    Xiao Yi smiled, took a stick, and drew two circles on the ground, pointing to them, "This big circle is Northern Bing City, and the small circle is the city lord''s mansion where the ant nest is located. To enter Northern Bing City, the first barrier we must break through is the outer guard of the Sword Dynasty. Only then can we figure out a way to get into the ant nest!"


    Everyone nodded in agreement.


    If they wanted to enter Northern Ice City, there were indeed many methods.


    The simplest was to blend in with the crowd of captives.


    What was truly difficult was, after entering the ant nest, how to deal with the tens of millions of God-eating ants.


    That was really a deep dive into the tiger''s den!


    One careless move and you could be eaten, leaving no bones behind.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upward, a cold sneer curling up, "There are far too many God-eating ants inside the ant nest, not even a Nirvana Realm Peak powerhouse would dare to go in directly. Since that is the case, why don''t we ''lure the snake out of its hole''?"


    "Lure the snake out of its hole?"


    "You mean to draw out the God-eating ants?"


    Everyone''s eyes shone bright as well.


    Seeing that everyone understood his intention, Xiao Yi nodded with satisfaction, "Exactly, to draw them out. Although we only have a thousand men, each one of us is an elite. My idea is for you all to create chaos outside the city, even blow up their barracks directly. At that time, draw away the God-eating ants and the guards, and then I will enter the ant nest alone to find a way to slay the Queen of the God-Eating Ants!"


    From Xiao Yi''s understanding of that mysterious expert controlling the Queen of the God-Eating Ants, he knew they were extremely cautious and careful.


    No matter how much commotion they caused, he would not let all the God-eating ants and the queen leave the nest, so Xiao Yi going alone was the most suitable option.


    "Of course, before we carry out this plan, there is one more thing we need to address!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Little Lin and spoke solemnly, "Little Lin, I will be setting up some devastating one-time arrays next, and in the meantime, I need you to help me obtain that so-called sacred water!"


    Avoiding the sentries with his movement technique would be a piece of cake.


    But the God-eating ants were extremely sensitive!


    Only by obtaining the sacred water could he mask his presence from the ants'' detection, allowing him to move freely.


    Little Lin uttered a sound of acknowledgment, transformed into a streak of light, and vanished into the night.


    Xiao Yi then warned Liu Yi and the others, "This plan of mine is very dangerous, and you could very well lose your lives��"


    "Headmaster Xiao is joking. If it weren''t for you, we would have been dead in Xingmen City long ago!"


    "To die is but to die. Didn''t we join the army with our heads on our belts?"


    Liu Yi and the others laughed freely, "As long as we can defend the territory of the Great Qian Dynasty, what''s death to us?"


    Gazing deeply at them,


    Xiao solemnly nodded, "The Great Qian Dynasty is fortunate to have you!"


    In this world, what peace and quiet exist?


    It''s only because someone is shouldering the burden for you!


    In any world, any dynasty, it is because of these fearless soldiers, who defend their homes and country, that peace and prosperity can prevail!


    Xiao Yi sat in the valley, beginning to craft several one-time offensive arrays.


    He inscribed these arrays onto numerous array stones.


    Each one is the most explosive "Explosive Flame Formation"; once activated, it will drain the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a thousand feet, triggering a terrifying explosion. A talisman the size of He Tao''s would, once detonated, be powerful enough to rival the full-force strike of someone at the Peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The next day, evening.


    The silver moon had just risen.


    Little Lin had just hurried back, with a smug, almost human expression on his face: "Boss, mission accomplished, I''ve found the Divine Water." He paused, then spat out a jade flask from his mouth, "I followed the army''s officers and found that each of them had a small vial. To avoid raising suspicion, it took me all night to extract a small portion from over thirty officers!"


    Xiao Yi rubbed Little Lin''s head and said with a smile, "Well done!"


    Ever since being captured by Yang Kun, Little Lin too had learned from the experience and became more careful and cautious.


    Little Lin chuckled.


    Xiao Yi opened the jade flask; the Divine Water was colorless and odorless, it was unclear what it was made of. Placing the bottle into his chest, Xiao Yi handed over the thousands of prepared Explosive Flame Formation talismans to Liu Yi and the others, and said, "At midnight, you''ll create chaos outside Northern Bing City. Be very careful!"


    "Xiao, rest assured, we will complete the mission successfully!"


    "It''s you who should be careful, Xiao, since you''re going alone to the ant''s nest!"


    Everyone took turns expressing their concern.


    The night was deep and silent.


    In the blink of an eye, it was midnight.


    Suddenly...


    A series of thunderous booms spread inside and outside of Northern Bing City; over a thousand Explosive Flame Formation talismans were detonated, turning the vast Sword Dynasty camp into a sea of fire. Countless soldiers were still in their dreams, only to be blasted into mincemeat.


    More than thirty thousand Sword Dynasty soldiers perished in this bombing wave.


    "Enemy attack!"


    "Quickly, to arms..."


    Wuu wuu wuu...


    A dull trumpet call spread throughout the entire camp; amidst the flames, countless Sword Dynasty soldiers rushed out from their barracks. At the same time, within Northern Bing City, there was also a tide of black steel formed by groups of God Devouring Ants.


    In the nerve-racking crunching and scrabbling sounds,


    Countless God Devouring Ants swarmed out from inside Northern Bing City.


    Little Lin had been closely watching the movements in Northern Bing City and upon seeing the God Devouring Ants'' army charging, his figure flickered and transformed into his massive true form. With a flick of his body, he tossed thousands of Explosive Flame Formation talismans into the midst of the God Devouring Ant horde.


    Boom boom boom!


    Over a hundred thousand God Devouring Ants were blown to bits.


    "They''re over here!"


    "Chase after them, capture them..."


    Finally, the whereabouts of Liu Yi and the others were exposed. Seeing the Sword Dynasty''s army and God Devouring Ants'' army pursuing them at the same time, Liu Yi and Little Lin quickly fled towards the distance.


    Amidst the chaos,


    Xiao Yi, by virtue of the Divine Water, infiltrated the city silently and arrived at the gigantic ant''s nest.


    Rustle rustle!


    Inside and outside the ant''s nest, there were also countless God Devouring Ants patrolling, even more than when Little Lin had visited before, with groups of ten thousand visible to the naked eye.


    With tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants patrolling outside, one could only imagine the terrifying number of ants inside the nest.


    Xiao Yi moved as light as a swallow, utilizing his exquisite movement technique and with the Divine Water masking his presence, he silently entered the ant''s nest. Following the route that Little Lin had recorded, he ran through the maze-like nest.


    Xiao Yi arrived in the vast open space.


    However...


    The moment he stepped in, he abruptly halted his steps.


    From within that space came a chilling voice, "You''ve finally come after all, but you made me wait quite a while!"

 Chapter 513 - 513: Open Your Eyes Wide and Look Clearly!

    "I''ve been waiting for you for a long time!"


    A playful yet chilling voice suddenly rang out, filling the open space with a bone-piercing eeriness.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils slightly constricted as he looked in the direction of the sound.


    Amidst a flurry of disordered footsteps, a mysterious figure shrouded in a black cloak appeared before him; beneath him was the golden Queen of the God-Eating Ants.


    Six eyes of different colors stared intently at Xiao Yi, radiating a chilling glow.


    This person was the true master behind the Queen of the God-Eating Ants.


    The ninth prince of the Sword Dynasty.


    Moreover...


    It was also because of his existence that the Sword Dynasty had invaded, that their armies had plundered villages everywhere, captured prisoners, and caused so many refugees and orphans who had lost their parents.


    One could say...


    That the calamity this time was entirely caused by the ninth prince before him.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and stared intently at the ninth prince, "You knew I would come?"


    "Ever since Wanyan Lang died, I knew you would definitely come!"


    The ninth prince grinned, a raspy voice sounding somewhat grating, "I just didn''t expect that you''d dare to enter my ant nest alone..."


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "To deal with you, I alone am enough!"


    "Oh?"


    The ninth prince raised an eyebrow and said with a light laugh, "Alone is sufficient? You sure are confident. Maybe you think I''m like that idiot Lin Xu? The God Devouring Ants under his control and those under my control are not the same!"


    The true art of controlling the God Devouring Ants was in the hands of the ninth prince.


    As for Lin Xu... S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was merely a puppet that the ninth prince had put forward, using him to consume living beings and expand the God Devouring Ants.


    The ninth prince naturally didn''t want Xiao Yi to confuse them.


    "Regardless of the difference in control over the God Devouring Ants between you two, in my eyes, they are the same."


    With a crisp ring, the Falling Dust Sword was already in his palm; Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as he sized up the ninth prince, speaking coldly, "Whether it''s Lin Xu or you... daring to use innocent civilians as nourishment to cultivate the God Devouring Ants, you leave me no choice but to give you a death sentence!"


    Xiao Yi was no guardian of the way.


    But he would never harm innocent lives for the sake of cultivation.


    This was his bottom line.


    Clang...


    The Falling Dust Sword in his hand trembled violently, emitting a dazzling cold light.


    The icy Sword Qi made the calm space in front of him seem as if it was boiling.


    The corners of the ninth prince''s mouth turned upward, his face under the cloak unclear, yet those eyes filled with mockery and provocation could be seen, "Want to kill me? Well, let''s see if you have the capability!"


    "Save the nonsense; let''s see the truth in action!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly as his body shook.


    A cyan-golden light instantly covered his body.


    The cyan wind and the golden lightning bolts.


    The Sixth Transformation Wind and Thunder Holy Body was pushed to its limit, like a War God cast in gold.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The Wind Thunder wings emerged behind him and with a slight tremble, the sound of winds howling and thunder roaring could be vaguely heard.


    With a shake of the Wind Thunder wings, the Falling Dust Sword made a slashing motion in the air, "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Silver sword lights, like a torrential downpour, shot continuously towards the ninth prince, hugging the ground. The sharp edge of the sword, filled with an icy killing intent, stirred the ninth prince''s robe into a frantic fluttering before even coming close.


    "Child''s play!"


    The ninth prince''s thin cloak swelled to the extreme, a skeletal hand emerged from beneath the sleeves, and a white palm adorned with five emerald rings burst forth with a dazzling green light, "Invincible King Fist!"


    Boom!


    A jade-green fist shadow, like emerald, was suddenly released, continuously expanding into the size of a mountain.


    Boom!


    The sword''s edge collided with the fist shadow in the void.


    The terrifying circular energy shockwave spread out in all directions, the roaring sound incessant to the ear.


    Xiao Yi and the Ninth Prince both paused at the same moment, then charged toward each other again; the Ninth Prince''s fist wind was like a dragon: "Eight Part Dragon King Fist!"


    Ao ao ao!


    The sound of dragon chants was deafening.


    Eight fist shadows transformed into real dragons, twisting their enormous bodies, coiling towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s longsword swept through the air, slicing open two of the dragon-shaped fist shadows. At the same time, as he turned, his body spun like a whirlwind, with the sound of vigorous wind, earth-shattering; the cold sword light condensed into a thread in an instant: "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Swish!


    Lines of Sword Qi erupted, solidifying into a ribbon of Sword Qi that stretched across the sky and earth.


    Swish!


    The sword''s edge whistled past.


    In front of him, the remaining six dragon-shaped fist shadows were cleanly bisected at the waist.


    The Wind Thunder wings on Xiao Yi''s back trembled fiercely, his figure vanished as if into the void, and when he reappeared, he was already in front of the Ninth Prince, reaching out with one hand in the air: "Invincible King Fist��Unbeatable in Battle!"


    Invincible King Fist.


    Unbeatable in Battle!


    He seemed to transform into a peerless War God, his fist wind like a true dragon emerging from the sea, stirring up whirlpools of spiritual energy. The spiritual energy around was utterly drained, causing the Ninth Prince''s movement to stall.


    His pupils erupted with intense thunder-shocking light.


    That terrifying punch was about to land on him when, at this critical moment, the Queen of the God-Eating Ants beneath him let out a low growl. It emitted a bright gold light, raising its two large pincers to form a golden light shield that enveloped the Ninth Prince.


    Thud!


    Under the heavy impact of the fist shadow, the Ninth Prince and the Queen of the God-Eating Ants were smashed backward, flying outward.


    The golden light shield burst apart with a bang.


    The Ninth Prince''s face was full of shock: "How is this possible? Just half a month apart, how could you become so strong?"


    Half a month ago.


    Xiao Yi had clashed with the Ninth Prince, but only at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, albeit with the strength to fight against those with Sacred Bodies, he was far from being his match. Yet now, he was actually defeated in the confrontation with Xiao Yi.


    Had it not been for the timely assistance of the Queen of the God-Eating Ants, he would have already been severely wounded by Xiao Yi''s punch.


    Xiao Yi sneered and said, "Don''t you understand that one should regard a man with respect if he has been absent for three days? Show me all you''ve got. If that''s all you can manage, this time next year will be the day of your death anniversary!"


    "Hmph, Xiao Yi, do not be presumptuous. You are still not qualified to kill me..."


    The Ninth Prince sneered coldly but did not dare to clash with Xiao Yi again.


    He sat cross-legged on the back of the Queen of the God-Eating Ants, lightly snapped his fingers, and a crisp sound echoed in the empty space.


    Rustle, rustle!


    A hair-raising sound of chaotic footsteps suddenly came forth.


    From the darkness in all directions, more and more God Devouring Ants surged out, converging towards Xiao Yi.


    In an instant.


    The entire space was filled with countless God Devouring Ants; at least hundreds of thousands were in sight. This was only because the space was too small, and Xiao Yi was certain that countless more God Devouring Ants were eyeing him hungrily in the tunnels within the darkness.


    Swish!


    Swish!


    Swish!


    The Ninth Prince pointed, and his vital energy in front of him condensed without scattering, then exploded with a bang.


    Almost simultaneously...


    The hundreds of thousands of God Devouring Ants instantly became frenzied, like wolves that had caught the scent of blood, madly rushing towards Xiao Yi. The mass of them, like a black tsunami, surged forward.


    The Ninth Prince sat with his arms folded across his chest, atop the back of the Queen of the God-Eating Ants, arrogantly saying, "You want to kill me? I''ll just sit right here and see how you try to kill me!"


    Gazing at the swarm of God Devouring Ants coming from all sides, Xiao Yi''s expression remained calm, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly in a faint sneer of mockery, and he spoke, "Open your eyes wide and see clearly, it''s not just you who can control the God Devouring Ants!"

 Chapter 514 - 514: Once the Dharma Form Appears, It Suppresses Everything!

    "It''s not just you who possesses the God-Eating Ants!"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh.


    A brilliant golden glow surged from his body, his aura majestic and solemn beyond compare.


    Within the boundless golden light, a figure sprang out from within his body. It was a stream of golden light, like the melting of millions of gold pieces transforming into a river of gold, twisting and winding through the void.


    Soon after, it coalesced into a Martial Dao Fasxiang!


    With a body seemingly cast from gold, it had six eyes of different colors, each eye seemingly representing a cycle of reincarnation, like six paths atop its head.


    A cold, ghostly light flickered within those eyes.


    This was none other than the God Devouring Ants Fasxiang that Xiao Yi had manifested��an existence even more awe-inspiring than the Queen of the God-Eating Ants under the Ninth Prince''s command!


    Hiss!


    The Ninth Prince''s face filled with bafflement, his eyes glared furiously, his pupils violently contracting.


    His gaze was filled with incredulity.


    He was at a loss for how to react.


    The Queen of the God-Eating Ants under his command stared with its six eyes, full of doubt and measuring Xiao Yi''s Martial Dao Fasxiang, its expression human-like in its astonishment and confusion.


    "You... you actually chose the God-Eating Ants as your Martial Dao Fasxiang?"


    The Ninth Prince''s head seemed to be covered in question marks. He rubbed his eyes, confirmed he was seeing correctly, and then burst into loud laughter, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, are you dumb? Choosing God-Eating Ants for your Martial Dao Fasxiang? What were you thinking?"


    Clap, clap, clap!


    The Ninth Prince kept smacking the God-Eating Ants beneath him.


    "Could it be that after witnessing the terror of the God-Eating Ants on the ice plains, you decided to model your Martial Dao Fasxiang after them too? Do you think you''re the only smart person in this world? Countless have attempted to use the God-Eating Ants as their Martial Dao Fasxiang, but in the end, they could only dissolve their Fasxiang; do you know why not?"


    His smile was full of mockery. "That''s because the God-Eating Ants'' main strength lies not in themselves, but in their ability to infinitely spawn a powerful army of God-Eating Ants. But a Fasxiang can''t reproduce, and you don''t even know that... I really don''t understand how you cultivated to this realm. Hahaha, it''s killing me..."


    "Have you had your laugh?"


    Xiao Yi said coldly.


    "Hm?"


    The Ninth Prince was taken aback, frowning at Xiao Yi, "What? You make such a foolish decision and I''m not allowed to laugh?"


    Xiao Yi casually cleaned his ears, speaking indifferently, "Just as you said, there''s more than one clever person in the world. Of course, I''m well aware of the flaw in the God-Eating Ants Fasxiang... but what makes you so sure that my God-Eating Ants Fasxiang can''t reproduce?"


    "Hm?"


    The Ninth Prince''s smile froze, a serious expression crossing his face.


    However, he shook his head and said, "Impossible... To my knowledge, at least ten people have tried to manifest the God-Eating Ants as their Martial Dao Fasxiang, and in the end, they all had to dissolve it. It''s simply impossible to spawn an army of God-Eating Ants..."


    "That''s because they''re too worthless!"


    Xiao Yi lifted his hands, spread them on either side, his Wind Thunder wings flapping loudly behind him, the God-Eating Ants Fasxiang settling beneath his feet. His eyes gleamed with a distant chill, "The things you can''t do don''t mean I, Xiao Yi, can''t achieve them. What you think is impossible will become possible with me. Watch closely, and behold, my army of God-Eating Ants!"


    Hum!


    The God Sealing Seed within Xiao Yi''s body buzzed and trembled.


    Cascades of the power of God Sealing flooded into the Martial Dao Fasxiang.


    As the power of God Sealing poured in, radiant golden light burst forth from the God-Eating Ants Fasxiang, and then, under the horrified gaze of the Ninth Prince.


    His seated God-Eating Ants let out a series of deep roars, covered in the golden light, their bodies began to split apart continuously.


    One became two.


    Two turned into four. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Four doubled to eight...


    Countless God Devouring Ants appeared around Xiao Yi, the number exceeding one hundred thousand. Most importantly, these were not ordinary God Devouring Ants, but all were Queen of the God-Eating Ants!


    One hundred thousand Queens of the God-Eating Ants uniformly floated around Xiao Yi.


    Six hundred thousand pairs of eyes, each a different color and icy cold, stared fixedly at the God Devouring Ants surrounding them, their gazes seemingly filled with chill and bloodthirst.


    Gurgle!


    The Ninth Prince''s body trembled, his face a mask of terror and disbelief, his voice quivering as he stammered, "How, how, how is this possible? God Devouring Ants manifesting Dharma can''t reproduce, how could you have managed this? This must be fake, definitely an illusion..."


    One hundred thousand Queens of the God-Eating Ants?


    This is simply a nightmare!


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Whether it''s an illusion or not, try and you''ll know!"


    Tap!


    Xiao Yi, perched atop the God Devouring Ants'' Dharma manifestation, imitated the Ninth Prince''s earlier action and snapped his fingers lightly.


    In an instant.


    One hundred thousand Queens of the God-Eating Ants launched their attack simultaneously.


    Even the fully manifested God Devouring Ants were as fragile as ants before the Queens.


    Boom!


    The golden Queens of the God-Eating Ants coalesced into a river of gold, their bodies surging and undulating as they plunged down like roiling waves of gold. Wherever the river of gold flowed, it devoured all in its path.


    The army of God Devouring Ants in front of them seemed no more than food.


    One bite after another.


    One bite after another...


    Even as the God Devouring Ants fought fearlessly, dying one after another in succession, they could not stop Xiao Yi''s advance.


    In just a short half an incense stick''s time.


    The relentlessly advancing God Devouring Ants, now numbering five million, all perished under Xiao Yi''s swarm of God Devouring Ants.


    For a moment...


    In the vast space, only one hundred thousand Queens of the God-Eating Ants remained, along with the Ninth Prince''s subordinated lone Queen of the God-Eating Ants standing forlornly. At this moment, even this Queen''s face showed a human-like fear.


    It trembled all over in its body of gold.


    It had never imagined...


    It had always been in control, using the God Devouring Ants to consume humans, but now, it faced the day it, too, would be surrounded.


    Gurgle!


    The Ninth Prince swallowed hard, finally coming to his senses from the shock. His heart was bleeding! To build the God Devouring Ant army, he had spared no effort.


    He had even constructed a massive ant nest, devouring millions of captives, and had sacked cities, six in total. He had thought to sweep across the Great Qian Dynasty with his army of a hundred million God Devouring Ants and establish unprecedented achievements.


    But all his plans had been ruined by this young man he had never taken seriously.


    The Ninth Prince looked up at Xiao Yi, his eyes filled with resentment and hatred, but also with an indescribable fear and awe.


    Countless powerhouses from the Sword Dynasty had tried to manifest the God Devouring Ants'' Dharma and all ultimately failed.


    Yet Xiao Yi had succeeded!


    When the Dharma appeared, it suppressed everything!


    Under the pressure of one hundred thousand Dharma incarnations of the God Devouring Ants, the ant queen under the Ninth Prince curled up into a ball, shivering uncontrollably, devoid of any more fighting spirit. Seeing this scene, the corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly as he slowly said, "Surrender, or die!"


    PS: That''s all for today, will make up for it on the weekend!

 Chapter 515 - 515 Subduing the Queen Ant

    "Submit, or die!"


    The sharp tip of the Falling Dust Sword, radiating a devouring cold light, pressed against the throat of the Ninth Prince. Xiao Yi towered over him, looking down emotionlessly.


    The chill emanating from the sword''s edge seemed to penetrate to the bone.


    Gulp!


    The Ninth Prince swallowed hard, his gaze toward Xiao Yi still filled with shock and uncertainty, as if he were looking at a monstrous being, "How did you manage to do it? There''s no one in the world capable of evolving the Martial Dao Fasxiang of God Devouring Ants into an army of God Devouring Ants. How did you do it?"


    Ever since obtaining the God Devouring Ants.


    The Ninth Prince and the power behind him hadn''t spared any effort to toy with the idea of an army of God Devouring Ants. Dozens of supremely talented geniuses had tried to ponder the core of God Devouring Ants to condense their Martial Tao Skill.


    The results were invariably the disintegration of their Fasxiang.


    In the eyes of the Ninth Prince, and even the strong ones of the Sword Dynasty, condensing the Fasxiang of God Devouring Ants was merely a chicken rib.


    It was utterly useless!


    But Xiao Yi had shattered that notion.


    To the Ninth Prince, it was as if his world and his beliefs had been utterly overturned.


    You must understand...


    His master was from the Nantian Dynasty, even his father, the Emperor of the Sword Dynasty, revered him like a god. In the Ninth Prince''s heart, his master could do no wrong!


    Until he faced Xiao Yi...


    The conclusions laid by his master were completely overthrown.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, not too surprised. The God Devouring Ants Fasxiang was considered a chicken rib to almost all strong beings. The God Devouring Ants themselves were not strong, what was terrifying was their fearsome army.


    But how many people in the world are all-attribute geniuses like him?


    If he hadn''t mastered the all-attribute power of heaven and earth, Xiao Yi wouldn''t have been able to successfully condense the Martial Dao Fasxiang of God Devouring Ants.


    The corners of his mouth curved slightly up, taking on a faint sneer, "I''ll ask one last time, submit, or die!"


    "You..."


    Anger flitted across the Ninth Prince''s face, stunned that Xiao Yi was ignoring his question, his eyes turning cold and ferocious, "I am the Ninth Prince of the Sword Dynasty, how can I submit to you?"


    "Oh!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, and the Falling Dust Sword had already cut the Ninth Prince''s skin, "Then go die!"


    The Ninth Prince: "..."


    He never expected Xiao Yi to act so unpredictably!


    Resorting to murder without a word of disagreement?


    He was, after all, the noble Ninth Prince!


    The Ninth Prince, utterly dumbfounded, quickly said, "Stop..."


    "Hmm? Regretting?" Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, teasingly said.


    That playful look and tone made the Ninth Prince''s face alternate between shades of pale and flushed.


    His gloomy gaze was fixed on the Falling Dust Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand, fearing that it would chop down uncontrollably, he said through gritted teeth, "Xiao Yi, I respect you as a genius. In the Great Qian Dynasty, you are just the head of a small Xiaoshanhe Institute, truly below your talents. As long as you let me go and accompany me to the Sword Dynasty, I can promise to make you a first-class duke..."


    A first-class duke.


    That is a position second only to the Emperor and Princes.


    In the Sword Dynasty and the Great Qian Dynasty, where there are no non-royal kings, a first-class duke is the highest noble rank.


    The benefits promised by the Ninth Prince were immense!


    Seeing Xiao Yi silent.


    The Ninth Prince continued, "I have all your information in my hands; I know you''ve been ostracized and abandoned by the Xiao Family since you were a child, even deprived of the right to worship your mother. And that Xiao Zhengde is but a first-class duke himself. As long as you release me and ally with the Sword Dynasty, you could have a status equal to his. Together, we can swallow the Great Qian Dynasty, and it''s not impossible to declare you a king of different surname in the future..."


    The voice of the Ninth Prince carried a strange allure, as if it were a siren''s song, capable of making people unconsciously follow his lead.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, a hint of movement showing in his expression.


    His Highness of the Ninth Palace rejoiced inwardly and was about to speak when he suddenly felt an intense pain in his abdomen.


    "Hmm?"


    Startled, he looked down instinctively.


    On seeing what had happened...


    His Highness of the Ninth Palace almost fainted.


    The Falling Dust Sword had pierced through his abdomen, brutally penetrating his dantian, and blood instantly soaked his clothes. He looked up at Xiao Yi with a bewildered expression, "Why, why..."


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, "The moment you started devouring the common people to increase the numbers of the God Devouring Ants, our feud was sealed, with no rest until death!"


    He could never forget those perished civilians on the icy plains.


    Nor could he forget the burning infernos, and the beings brutally devoured by the God Devouring Ants.


    Among them were innocent children and kind elderly...


    Their lives could not be lost in vain!


    "You, you, you actually abandoned wealth and glory for those wretched ants? You..."


    His Highness of the Ninth Palace''s face was pale as he roared, blood spurting endlessly from his mouth, his eyes filled with ice and venom as he stared at Xiao Yi, "By killing me, my imperial father and my master will never let you off. When the time comes... you, along with the entire Great Qian Dynasty, will all be buried with me, buried for me..." sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Pfft!


    A silver sword light flashed before his eyes, cutting off his last word in his throat.


    Xiao Yi was holding the head of His Highness of the Ninth Palace in his hand.


    His gaze fell on the nearby God Devouring Ant queen. As she sensed Xiao Yi''s icy stare, she shivered in fright, speaking human tongues, "Spare me, my lord, spare me! I am willing to serve you, just please don''t kill me..."


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow; this creature was quite interesting, indeed.


    He had intended to kill the ant queen with a single sword strike.


    But on second thought.


    Beasts have no sense of right or wrong, only human hearts do.


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a breath of turbid air, his voice grave, "Serve me as a master, and I shall spare your life!"


    "My lord above, please accept my most humble obeisance!"


    The God Devouring Ant queen, imitating human manners, kowtowed thrice and knocked her head on the ground nine times in front of Xiao Yi, letting him implant a slave''s soul seed within her. From that moment on, Xiao Yi could control her life and death with a single thought.


    "Master!"


    The ant queen lay respectfully by Xiao Yi''s side.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "How many God Devouring Ants remain under your command?"


    "There are more than twelve million in the ant nest, and almost eighteen million God Devouring Ants out on missions," the ant queen reported respectfully. Now that her life was at Xiao Yi''s mercy, she dared not hide the slightest truth.


    "Eighteen million?"


    Xiao Yi took in a cold breath; how many civilians had been devoured to breed such a number!


    His icy gaze fixed on the ant queen, he commanded sternly, "From now on, without my order, you must not harm any innocent persons!"


    "Yes!"


    The ant queen promised earnestly when suddenly her expression changed slightly, "Master, do you have companions outside? They have now been surrounded by the Sword Dynasty''s army, and they''re in imminent danger!"


    "What? Take me out immediately!"


    Xiao Yi leapt onto the back of the God Devouring Ant queen, his face showing a trace of icy determination, "You''d better not harm Little Lin and the others, or I swear I will make you wish for death without granting it!"


    PS: I''m correcting the manuscript today, please excuse the break! A minimum of ten chapters guaranteed for tomorrow!

 Chapter 516 - 516 My Territory, My Rules

    Outside Northern Bing City.


    Liu Yi and the others had returned after their departure.


    They had originally delayed the pursuit of the Sword Dynasty''s great army with the Explosive Flame Formation, fleeing far away, but with Xiao Yi''s prolonged absence, they worried that an accident had befallen him and circled back.


    To their surprise, they had fallen into the encirclement of the Sword Dynasty''s vast army.


    No matter how elite they were, they numbered only a thousand.


    Facing the siege of more than two hundred thousand soldiers of the Sword Dynasty, they suffered heavy casualties; over a hundred had paid with their lives.


    More than three hundred were injured.


    The group, backs against each other, remained vigilant as they watched the surroundings, facing the ferocious soldiers of the Sword Dynasty like a pack of hungry wolves encircling a stray lamb. In the eyes of every soldier were the colors of cold brutality.


    Within the military formation.


    Three figures clad in the armor of high-ranking generals stepped out.


    These three were existences whose reputations paralleled that of Wanyan Lang, each a battle-hardened and valorous general.


    The man in silver armor on the left was named Tie Ying.


    With cultivation at the Eighth Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he commanded the Iron Eagle Army, ranked second among the Sword Dynasty''s archery forces.


    The middle-aged woman in red armor on the right was the Sword Dynasty''s only female general, Mu Yan. She joined the military in place of her father, later establishing extraordinary military achievements and ascending to the position of high-ranking general.


    At the pinnacle of the Seventh Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, her Heroine Army was equally ferocious in battle.


    The person in the middle, clad in green armor with a dragon-shaped helmet and two fierce scars crossed into an ''X'' on his face, appeared particularly savage. He was the fourth-ranked existence among the Sword Dynasty''s generals, at the Ninth Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, known as Slaughter Thousand Blades!


    Slaughter Thousand Blades looked at Liu Yi and the others with icy eyes, and said coldly, "Just a mere thousand dare to trespass into our military camp; is it because the people of the Great Qian Dynasty are recklessly audacious, or do you simply not take the Sword Dynasty seriously?"


    Liu Yi scoffed coldly, saying, "What are you worth? Even if we had only ten people, or even just one, we would still dare to fight to the death against you!"


    The Sword Dynasty, located in the north, boasted a fierce culture and was even more brutal.


    In similar battles of conquest.


    The Great Qian Dynasty had never slaughtered a city, but in the Sword Dynasty, looting a conquered city was trivial, often delighting in the slaughter.


    These were existence as ruthless as starving wolves.


    "What a man you are, general. I can give you a chance to live. A one-on-one duel��if you win, you can go; if you lose, you stay!",


    Slaughter Thousand Blades''s eyes were ghostly as he lightly lifted his finger, a faint cold gleam flickering, staring at Liu Yi, "Do you dare?"


    "I''ll go first!"


    A Golden Core Realm Seventh Layer soldier from the Great Qian Dynasty stepped forward; his name was Xu Yi, with a fair complexion, originally intending to go into business before joining the army. His parents had perished in a war of Sword Dynasty invasion, and since then, he had abandoned commerce for military service.


    "Be careful!" S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Xu Yi, don''t be careless!" the others warned.


    Xu Yi nodded, took a step forward, and said, "Who wishes to battle?"


    "I''ll meet you!"


    Boom!


    With a thunderous roar, an Eighth Layer of the Golden Core Realm powerhouse holding a three-meter long saber landed in front of Xu Yi, sneering, "I am Ying Yi of the Sword Dynasty''s Iron Eagle Army; don''t forget to state my name in the underworld!"


    "You talk too much!"


    With a cold snort, Xu Yi stepped forward with his saber.


    The opponent''s cultivation was a minor realm higher than his own, yet Xu Yi showed no trace of fear, though he became much more cautious in combat.


    After a brief exchange,


    Xu Yi, relying on his nimble movement technique and an almost divine mastery of the saber, seized an opportunity to sever Ying Yi''s arm. Stepping on Ying Yi''s chest, Xu Yi looked towards Slaughter Thousand Blades and declared, "I''ve won!"


    "Hmph!"


    Slaughter Thousand Blades snorted coldly, and the finger he had raised sharply fell.


    Swish!


    Hundreds of arrows whistled through the air, hurtling towards them.


    Xu Yi and Ying Yi were both riddled with holes, shot through simultaneously.


    Hiss!


    Everyone had a dumbfounded look on their faces.


    The excited smiles on Liu Yi and the others'' faces suddenly froze, and their eyes turned bloodshot in an instant, "Slaughter Thousand Blades, didn''t you say you would let him go if he won the duel?"


    Slaughter Thousand Blades shrugged his shoulders and sneered, "What if I did? This is my territory, my word is the law. If I want him dead, he must die..."


    No sooner had Slaughter Thousand Blades finished speaking than a cold voice drifted over from inside the Northern Bing City, "Who said this is your territory?"


    "Hm?"


    People looked towards the direction of the voice.


    In the midst of a hair-raising rustling sound, a swarm of black shadows, like a tidal wave of darkness, surged forth from within the Northern Bing City. Leading them was the golden-bodied God Devouring Ants queen.


    "Ninth Prince?"


    "No, that''s not the Ninth Prince..."


    Someone in the Sword Dynasty''s army noticed it wasn''t the Ninth Prince seated on the back of the God Devouring Ants queen, but rather a figure dressed in black��Xiao Yi.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    The army of more than ten million God Devouring Ants, like a black ocean, enveloped the two hundred thousand Sword Dynasty army in an instant. For a moment, the soldiers of the Sword Dynasty were dumbfounded, staring at the dark mass of God Devouring Ants, with terror in their eyes.


    Slaughter Thousand Blades''s face changed dramatically, and he rose to his full height, hovering in the air, glowering at Xiao Yi, "Who are you? How did you get your hands on the God Devouring Ants queen? Where is the Ninth Prince?"


    "The Ninth Prince you''re talking about, is it him?"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, pulled out the Ninth Prince''s head from behind his back, and with a whoosh, threw it in front of Slaughter Thousand Blades.


    Hiss!


    With both hands, Slaughter Thousand Blades clutched the Ninth Prince''s bloody head as his pupils contracted violently and his breathing became incredibly rapid; his face showed sheer astonishment, "You, you, you actually killed the Ninth Prince?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and said indifferently, "I''ve killed him, could it be fake?"


    "You''re dead!"


    "The Ninth Prince was the emperor''s most beloved prince, with strong backers from the Nantian Dynasty behind him, and you dared to kill him... You and the Great Qian Dynasty are both doomed," Slaughter Thousand Blades''s eyes were a deep red as his figure trembled violently.


    The death of the Ninth Prince was something for which he could not shirk responsibility.


    Only by executing the murderer could he make up for his failing.


    At that thought.


    Slaughter Thousand Blades roared, "All men on my command, at all costs, kill them!"


    However...


    As his words fell, the typically obedient Sword Dynasty army didn''t move an inch.


    Slaughter Thousand Blades had a dumbstruck face, looking around, he suddenly felt his scalp tingle, his body as if plunging into a cold abyss of despair. He saw that the two hundred thousand-strong army had already been surrounded by the God Devouring Ants.


    Over ten million God Devouring Ants looked on with cold eyes, eyeing them with predatory intensity.


    These God Devouring Ants had each been captured and given to the God Devouring Ants queen to devour, after which they had reproduced. Now, those ten million plus God Devouring Ants staring at them made them feel as if they were seeing the spirits of those dead captives, grinning at them with bared teeth.


    How could they dare to move?


    Just as Slaughter Thousand Blades was in despair, Xiao Yi''s voice languidly came, "I can give you a chance to live. Just kill one of your comrades, and I will let you leave. How about it?"


    "Kill a comrade to leave?"


    "If these ten millions of God Devouring Ants were to attack, none of us could leave alive, but if it''s just killing a comrade..."


    One after another, the Sword Dynasty soldiers couldn''t help but look at the person next to them.


    Slaughter Thousand Blades''s face was pale, never having imagined that the very method he had just used to toy with Liu Yi and the others was now being used by Xiao Yi against him.


    Seeing those soldiers looking at their comrades with cold eyes, beads of sweat the size of soybeans trickled down Slaughter Thousand Blades''s forehead as he roared hysterically, "Don''t listen to him, he''s deceiving you..."


    Swish!


    Everyone''s gaze turned swiftly to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, with an indifferent face, said, "My territory, my rules. Whether you believe it or not, that''s up to you..."

 Chapter 517 - 517: Just Do It!

    "My word is the rule, whether you believe it or not is up to you!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, his face indifferent.


    His mocking gaze swept over the crowd, without the slightest hint of pity.


    In war between two nations, killing the enemy on the battlefield is unobjectionable.


    But the Sword Dynasty had struck innocent civilians, and even now, every time Xiao Yi closed his eyes, he could see the burned villages and cities, the countless innocents who had died, and those desperate and helpless eyes...


    The barbaric acts of the Sword Dynasty were simply hair-raising!


    Moreover, having just witnessed Slaughter Thousand Blades playing with Liu Yi and the others with such despicable tricks, how could Xiao Yi swallow this grievance?


    Slaughter Thousand Blades, Tie Ying, and Mu Yan looked at each other, each seeing a hint of panic deep in the others'' eyes.


    After years of commanding armies,


    they had never felt as helpless as they did now.


    The army of over ten million God Devouring Ants had already caused all soldiers to lose the courage to fight again.


    They had reveled in their unstoppable conquests with the God Devouring Ants, but now faced with these same ants, they felt nothing but terror and helplessness.


    They were very clear about how terrifying the power of the God Devouring Ant army could be once it reached the tens of millions in number.


    To say the least,


    these 200,000 of them were not even enough to fill the gaps between the ants'' teeth.


    At this time,


    Liu Yi and the others had already returned to Xiao Yi''s side, each face twisted with a frantic and hysterical ferocity. Their cold gazes fixed on the people of the Sword Dynasty ahead, Liu Yi gritted his teeth and said, "If any of you can kill Slaughter Thousand Blades, I will let all of you go!"


    Whoosh!


    Gazes shot toward Slaughter Thousand Blades in unison.


    Even Tie Ying and Mu Yan turned their attention to him.


    Slaughter Thousand Blades shuddered with rage, "This is rebellion, I am Slaughter Thousand Blades of the higher echelons, are you all trying to revolt against me?"


    These were his soldiers!


    And now, to save their own lives, they were actually thinking of killing him?


    "Damn it, killing one can save 200,000 of us!"


    "Why should he be the first to reap the benefits, while we are always the first to rush into danger?"


    "If we kill him, we will be free..."


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    In the face of death, human nature is infinitely amplified.


    Between life and death,


    all will choose life!


    For a moment,


    Slaughter Thousand Blades found that the number of Sword Dynasty soldiers who harbored the intent to kill him had already surpassed thirty percent, and more and more were swaying. A fierce grimace appeared on his face, "Whoever dares to rebel, this will be your fate!"


    Whoosh!


    Slaughter Thousand Blades struck with his palm.


    Vital energy coagulated into a mountainous palm, crashing down with a thunderous impact, making the ground tremble violently. With that palm strike, he mercilessly smashed hundreds of people into a pulp.


    Such a ruthless move indeed weakened the calls to kill him significantly.


    Slaughter Thousand Blades'' face turned pale as well, executing his own soldiers in public was a grave taboo, but to save his own life, he had no choice but to do so. His face darkened, his vigilant gaze fixed on Tie Ying and Mu Yan, "You two wouldn''t also be thinking of killing me, would you?"


    "General Tu, what are you talking about? No matter what, we stand on the same front!" said Mu Yan, shaking his head.


    Tie Ying said indifferently, "We serve the same dynasty as generals, how could we turn on each other..."


    He didn''t finish the word "kill."


    Poof!


    Tie Ying''s claws had already reached for Slaughter Thousand Blades'' back, but Slaughter Thousand Blades was prepared and dodged in time. Even so, several vicious claw marks appeared on his back, the pain piercing to the bone.


    "You..."


    Just as Slaughter Thousand Blades began to speak, a whizzing sound approached from behind his head.


    This time he had no way to dodge and could only barely turn his head to the side.


    Whoosh!


    An ear flew high into the air, and from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Mu Yan chopping off one of his ears. Slaughter Thousand Blades'' face contorted with ferocity like a malevolent ghoul as he stared with venomous eyes at Tie Ying and Mu Yan, "Damn it, I should have guessed that you two bastards would turn against me..."


    "Sorry, it''s all to stay alive!" said Tie Ying.


    Mu Yan snorted coldly, "Why waste words? Kill him and then talk!"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The two of them, one to the left and one to the right, attacked Slaughter Thousand Blades at the same time.


    Slaughter Thousand Blades''s eyes were filled with hysterical madness, and with a devilish sneer, he laughed, "Hahaha, you two think you can kill me? That''s the talk of fools. Die for me!"


    Boom! Boom!


    A thunderous rumble suddenly came from his body, like the beating of war drums, and his Fasxiang towered into the air��it was an Iron Pagoda.


    The Iron Pagoda was pitch-black all over, with a green face and fanged teeth, hovering like a ghostly deity.


    "You think you''re the only one with a Fasxiang?"


    "Rise for me!"


    Behind Tie Ying appeared an iron-feathered hawk soaring into the sky, and behind Mu Yan was an extremely peculiar ancient tree��his Martial Dao Fasxiang, the Dragon Subduing Wood��equally as precious and powerful.


    "Die!"


    "Kill!"


    The three of them fought fiercely together.


    Tie Ying and Mu Yan were indeed strong, but they ultimately couldn''t defeat Slaughter Thousand Blades.


    His Iron Pagoda had unmatched defense among his peers, and he also possessed countless tricky and malicious attack methods. After sacrificing an arm, he managed to cut down both Tie Ying and Mu Yan with his sword.


    Huff, huff!


    Breathing heavily, Slaughter Thousand Blades was drenched in blood, clenched his teeth and looked up at Xiao Yi, "I''ve killed them both. According to your rules, I can leave, right?"


    Xiao Yi pointed to Liu Yi beside him and said indifferently, "You should ask him!"


    Slaughter Thousand Blades''s face stiffened, staring at Liu Yi.


    Liu Yi''s eyes were cold. He couldn''t forget the moment when Xu Yi, still with the joy of victory on his face after defeating his opponent, was pierced through the heart and died. He took a deep breath and slowly said, "The rules have changed. Now, all of you must die!"


    "You''re not keeping your word..." Slaughter Thousand Blades felt the world spinning around him.


    He had personally killed Tie Ying and Mu Yan!


    Just to save his own life.


    Now...


    The other side had changed the rules at the last minute.


    Hadn''t he killed them for nothing?


    Liu Yi said coldly, "What you said... I make the rules on my turf. Here, my word is the rule! If I say you die, then you must die!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand casually.


    The queen of the God Devouring Ants'' six jewel-like eyes emitted a pure brilliance, and then, one after another, a hair-raising rustling sound arose. Over ten million God Devouring Ants formed a black, iron flood, rushing towards the twenty thousand strong army of the Sword Dynasty.


    Screams of agony and despairing howls immediately filled the air, "I don''t want to die..."


    "So... this is the pain suffered by the prisoners devoured by the God Devouring Ants before their death..."


    Amidst the horrific screams...


    Slaughter Thousand Blades tried to escape but was immobilized by Xiao Yi, who destroyed his dantian with a single sword stroke. He lay on the ground like a cripple, watching the God Devouring Ants begin to gnaw at his own flesh.


    Despair filled Slaughter Thousand Blades''s eyes, "The Sword Dynasty... is finished..."


    Watching the God Devouring Ant army consume the Sword Dynasty''s forces like a voracious beast...


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows were tightly knitted, but he felt no joy from the victory. The more tragically the Sword Dynasty''s forces died, the more pitiable the citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty were when the Sword Dynasty''s army had ravaged their homes. sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The anger in his heart was not quenched; instead, it grew even more intense.


    Cold Evil Qi slowly condensed into a chilling wind.


    Sensing it, Liu Yi looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, what do you plan to do next?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "I plan to counterattack the Sword Dynasty!"


    "Counterattack?"


    "With just us?"


    "No, there''s also the over ten million-strong God Devouring Ant army..." the others chimed in one after another.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were icy as he pronounced each word distinctly, "Would you dare follow me deep into the Sword Dynasty to avenge those who have died?"


    Liu Yi and the others looked at each other and said in unison, "Scared of what? Let''s just do it!"


    "I can''t wait to see the faces of those Sword Dynasty scum when they see the God Devouring Ant army!"


    "They''ll probably piss themselves!"


    "Screw them..."


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, and with narrowed eyes, he looked towards the north, "Sword Dynasty, I, Xiao Yi, am coming for you!"

 Chapter 518 - 518 Xiao Yi Must Die!

    Northern Bing City.


    Within a separate courtyard in the city.


    The current mansion of the city lord had already turned into an ant nest, completely unfit for habitation.


    After dealing with Slaughter Thousand Blades and the others, they moved into this courtyard.


    Although they had set the grand plan to counterattack the Sword Dynasty, many among them were injured and needed a place to heal. At the same time, they also needed to send news back about Northern Bing City.


    Xiao Yi slowly opened his eyes and saw Liu Yi walking in from outside.


    After these successive battles, Liu Yi''s cultivation was faintly showing signs of breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm. He approached Xiao Yi with a respectful expression and said, "Chief Xiao, I have already sent someone to rush to Xingmen City. Upon receiving the message, the general will immediately dispatch troops to take over Northern Bing City!"


    Xingmen City was not close to Northern Bing City.


    Even for a strong practitioner in the Tao Tribulation Realm at full speed, it was only a matter of a couple of hours'' time.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "By now, General Liu must have received the letter�� Have the brothers tidy up, and we will set off immediately after nightfall!"


    "Understood!"


    Liu Yi nodded excitedly.


    Counterattacking the Sword Dynasty!


    This was something that generations of the Great Qian Dynasty had always wanted to do, but for various reasons, they had never been able to achieve this goal. If they could truly capture a few cities of the Sword Dynasty, that would be an unprecedented feat.


    They would go down in history.


    And have their names eternally engraved on the monument of the Great Qian Dynasty''s meritorious deeds.


    Meanwhile, within Xingmen City of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Liu Fuhai was receiving a group of unwelcome guests!


    In the main hall.


    Liu Fuhai''s face was dark as he looked at the several people in front of him.


    The leader was the newly-promoted first-rank official, Minister of War Xu Wengang. By his side were the strong practitioners from the Tianjian Sect, Three Seas Mountain, Wendao Villa, and other sects, with more than ten alone at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak.


    There were even five practitioners from the Nirvana Realm.


    The strongest among them, a practitioner of the Tianjian Sect, was the Huihai Sword Master, a master of the Nirvana Realm at the Seven Nihilities Realm.


    Xu Wengang''s gaze was chilly as he said indifferently, "General Liu, you should be aware of the grave crime of killing a prince without authorization. Now, I order you to dispatch the troops and accompany me to Northern Bing City to capture the traitor Xiao Yi. Will you go or not?" S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoo!


    Liu Fuhai took a deep breath and said coldly, "Minister Xu, as I''ve clearly stated in my report, the situation was critical at the time, and Xiao Yi did not intentionally kill the prince��"


    "Shut your mouth!"


    Xu Wengang scoffed coldly, interrupting him, "I have already investigated the matter thoroughly. Xiao Yi deliberately killed the fifth prince in a fit of rage. Do you still wish to cover up his crime? Today, I come on orders to capture the felon Xiao Yi. Liu Fuhai, you''d best cooperate��"


    Liu Fuhai''s eyes were bloodshot as he argued forcefully, "Even if Xiao Yi killed the fifth prince, it was for the people of the Great Qian Dynasty. He is now leading the elite troops into Northern Bing City, plunging into enemy territory, fighting bloody battles. Yet here you are, racking your brains to deal with him. Isn''t this utterly disheartening?"


    "Hahaha, ludicrous, truly ludicrous. You say Xiao Yi is going deep into enemy territory, fighting bloody battles? As far as I know, he left with only a thousand men. My hundreds of thousands of troops have been turned to ash. What can Xiao Yi do with merely a thousand men?" Xu Wengang scoffed repeatedly, his words full of mockery.


    The Nirvana Realm master from Three Seas Mountain also shook his head and mocked, "With his mere triple Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivation, does he think he can venture amidst tens of thousands of troops and take the head of a general?"


    "General Liu, just cooperate with us obediently and capture Xiao Yi!"


    They were still speaking.


    Suddenly...


    A loud voice came from outside the door, "General, a victorious report, a victorious report indeed... Chief Xiao leading a thousand elite troops has broken through Northern Bing City, slain the Sword Dynasty''s ninth prince, the top general Slaughter Thousand Blades, Mu Yan as well as Tie Ying, and at the same time annihilated the enemy''s two hundred thousand strong! It''s a great victory..."


    Boom!


    Within the hall, there was utter silence.


    Everyone''s face burned with pain as if they had been slapped dozens of times.


    They had just been confidently declaring that Xiao Yi, leading a thousand men, couldn''t possibly make any difference.


    And yet...


    The man not only won but achieved a complete victory!


    He annihilated the Sword Dynasty''s several hundred thousand troops.


    He killed the Ninth Prince and three high-ranking generals.


    This was equivalent to him single-handedly averting the Great Qian Dynasty''s peril of annihilation!


    Gurgle!


    Xu Wengang and others swallowed hard, their faces dumbfounded.


    Liu Fuhai also lost his composure for a moment, then tremblingly took the battle report, and as he looked at Liu Yi''s personal signature and seal on it, his aged face reddened with excitement, tears in his eyes, and he laughed heartily, "Good, good, good! How excellent! I never expected that Xiao Yi, with his own strength, really resolved the crisis of our Great Qian Dynasty being wiped out. It''s just too wonderful!"


    Liu Fuhai, with a mocking gaze, looked towards Xu Wengang and the others, his words thick with scorn: "Gentlemen, this is the battle report Liu Yi has just sent back. Take a look for yourselves!"


    "This is impossible..."


    "Xiao Yi must be falsely reporting military affairs!"


    Xu Wengang''s face darkened as he took the battle report, each word stabbing at his heart like steel needles, causing his complexion to turn from white to ashen. Especially upon seeing Liu Yi''s seal and signature, Xu Wengang''s knees weakened, and the battle report dropped from his hands.


    If this battle report were to reach the imperial capital,


    Xiao Yi''s name would surpass that of the Matchless War King to become the new Guardian God of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    This was an unparalleled achievement!


    By then...


    If the Crown Prince dared to move against Xiao Yi, that would mean making enemies of the entire nation!


    "We absolutely cannot let this battle report reach His Majesty..." Xu Wengang''s eyes flashed with a malicious resentment as he looked at the people before him, making a throat-slashing gesture.


    The Huihai Sword Master nodded slightly.


    His figure flickered.


    Thrust!


    An icy longsword pierced straight through Liu Fuhai''s chest, and with a ''whoosh,'' the longsword was withdrawn.


    Thump!


    Liu Fuhai fell to the ground, his face filled with bewilderment as he looked at Xu Wengang and the others: "You, you, you..."


    Xu Wengang coldly said, "Blame yourself for not recognizing the situation, for foolishly trying to report this battle to His Majesty."


    "You... framing a loyal official, will not end well..."


    Liu Fuhai closed his eyes in despair.


    "Framing a loyal official? Humph, it''s up to us to decide who is loyal and who is a traitor." Xu Wengang looked at the others, "Gentlemen, now that we are all in support of the Crown Prince, we must do everything in our power to clear the path for him. I must trouble you all to accompany me to Northern Bing City to eliminate Xiao Yi, to remove him root and stem!"


    "Of course!"


    "Xiao Yi must die!"


    Xu Wengang and the others soared into the sky, heading straight for Northern Bing City.


    But they didn''t notice...


    After they left, the lifeless Liu Fuhai suddenly opened his eyes, a vicious and resolute look crossing them: "I can''t die, I must notify Xiao Yi as soon as possible..."

 Chapter 519 - 519: Xiao Yi, Run!

    Upon the icy plains.


    A group of over seven hundred people were moving at great speed through the wind and snow.


    This icy plain was year-round snowy, and the climate extremely harsh.


    "Just how did this cursed place form? Among the north and south, only this ice field is extremely cold. Once we truly enter the Sword Dynasty, things will get better!"


    "I heard that this place was once the seclusion spot of a supreme being. After his breakthrough, he turned this land into a vast glacier. And this wind and snow are the energy that leaked out during that mysterious being''s breakthrough..."


    "Stop blowing smoke; how can there be such powerful beings in this world? Even the Longevity Secret Realm couldn''t have such, could it?"


    The crowd discussed amongst themselves.


    In this world of ice and snow, conversation made things a bit less boring.


    Liu Yi came to Xiao Yi''s side and said in a deep voice, "Xiao, there''s an hour''s journey left until we reach the Southern Ice City of the Sword Dynasty. We have wiped out the Sword Dynasty''s army, and the news likely hasn''t spread back yet. We could don the clothes of the Sword Dynasty''s army and deceive our way through the city gates!"


    "No need!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and spoke indifferently, "When the time comes, I will personally take action and blast open their city gates!"


    Liu Yi was stunned, "..."


    He looked at Xiao Yi with a peculiar expression.


    Xu Long, who was beside them, asked incomprehensibly, "Xiao, you have already taken control of the God Devouring Ants. Why not directly use them to sweep through the Sword Dynasty? They were able to harm our innocent citizens, can''t we just treat them with their own medicine?"


    Everyone turned their gaze to Xiao Yi.


    This was also the question in their hearts.


    If they let the God Devouring Ants lead the way, breaking through a few cities would be minor; they could even sweep through all the way to the capital of the Sword Dynasty!


    Xiao Yi glanced at them and said indifferently, "If we did that, how would we be any different from Slaughter Thousand Blades and the others? War is a gambit between the powerful, and the greatest victims are always the innocent common folk."


    He had killed many.


    But Xiao Yi always only killed those who deserved it.


    He never laid a hand on the innocent.


    Even if those were citizens of the Sword Dynasty, as long as they did not provoke him, Xiao Yi would never act against them. Moreover, to let the God Devouring Ants commit such acts of extermination?


    The crowd was taken aback.


    They couldn''t help but recall the sights they had passed, where war was rampant, people were displaced, and the civilians suffered.


    War is a gambit between the powerful, and the greatest victims are always the innocent common folk.


    Xiao Yi''s words deeply imprinted themselves in their hearts.


    The group proceeded in silence.


    They quickened their pace towards the Southern Ice City.


    ......


    Southern Ice City.


    This massive city, located across an icy plain from the Northern Bing City of the Great Qian Dynasty, was a grand fortress at the southern border of the Sword Dynasty.


    The scale of the entire Southern Ice City was not the slightest bit inferior to the Northern Bing City, only that it was even colder.


    Even now, in the height of summer, snow could often be seen.


    On this day...


    The garrison of the Southern Ice City was on patrol. As the defending general, Hong Tao was sitting atop the city wall, leisurely sipping wine, full of pride: "With the assistance of the God Devouring Ants from His Ninth Highness, our forces have been invincible, overwhelming the Great Qian Dynasty without giving them a chance to fight back. After the war ends, I will likely be promoted, and the position of the defending general... will be selected from among you..."


    In front of him sat three lieutenants.


    These three were subordinates of Hong Tao and had followed him for many years.


    Upon hearing this, they immediately grasped Hong Tao''s implication and began to speak one after another: "General Hong, if you can secure me the position of the defending general, I am willing to offer fifty million silver taels!"


    "A mere fifty million taels? Are you trying to beggar me? I''ll offer one hundred million!"


    "I am willing to offer two hundred million..."


    The three competed fiercely.


    Ultimately, the lieutenant in the center secured the position of the defending general with a bid of eight hundred and ten million silver taels. Hong Tao patted his shoulder with a radiant smile, "Very good, very good! When you gather the money and give it to me, after my promotion, this position..."


    Before he could finish,


    A loud boom was heard, and the entire city wall shook violently as if hit by an earthquake.


    The roar akin to a mountain''s call and the ocean''s tide spread throughout the entire Southern Ice City, shaking the very air, as a massive crack spread from the city gate, quickly covering most of the wall. Consequently, the watchtower they were in also collapsed with a thunderous crash.


    Boom! Boom!


    Hong Tao and his three companions burst out of the rubble into the sky, disheveled and covered in dust, uttering in confusion, "What, what happened?"


    "Who dares cause trouble in my Sword Dynasty?"


    "General, General, look over there..." one of the lieutenans said in a terrified tone.


    Following his gaze, Hong Tao looked over, and at that sight, the drunkenness in his body dissipated instantly.


    A bone-chilling cold swept over him.


    Gurgle! S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hong Tao swallowed hard, disbelieving as he looked towards the city gate, at the figure that had suddenly appeared. Leading them was Xiao Yi, who at that moment, stood in midair holding the Falling Dust Sword.


    The Sword Qi that exuded from the Falling Dust Sword was quietly receding into the blade.


    The air both inside and outside the shattered city gate was still filled with the extreme sharpness of the Sword Qi.


    With the Sword Qi fully released, its sharpness was fully revealed.


    It meant that it was Xiao Yi who had just destroyed much of the wall with a single strike.


    One must know...


    This was the Sword Dynasty''s southern border''s first fortress; the city walls alone were made from Qingming Stone and were incomparably sturdy. Even for an ordinary Dharma Manifestation Realm warrior, shattering such a massive wall would take considerable effort.


    Yet Xiao Yi did so with a single blow, destroying over ten kilometers of the city wall.


    The power this strike displayed was undoubtedly at the level of the Nirvana Realm.


    Hong Tao, just a defensive general with a cultivation at the mere fifth tier of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, faced with a powerhouse like Xiao Yi, could not summon any will to fight.


    Drip, drop!


    Large beads of cold sweat rolled down from his forehead.


    Hong Tao felt an unbearable dryness in his throat and with a hoarse voice, he asked, "Who exactly are you, Sir? Why would you destroy our Southern Ice City?"


    Xiao Yi looked at him expressionlessly, "Are you the Lord of Southern Ice City?"


    Standing before Xiao Yi made Hong Tao feel as though he had a mountain pressing down on him, barely able to breathe.


    He took a deep breath and said, "Hong is but a defensive general. The Lord of the city is General Zhuge Yin of my Sword Dynasty. Lord Zhuge is not currently in the city. If you seek him, Hong can pass on the message..."


    "Not in the city? That''s quite a pity!" Xiao Yi said with a slight shake of his head.


    Hong Tao looked bewildered, "A pity?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "To miss killing a General, that would have been a great achievement!"


    Hiss!


    Hong Tao''s face stiffened, and he let out a dry laugh, "Sir, you really have a sense of humor..."


    "I''m not in the mood for jokes with you!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him indifferently before turning to Liu Yi and the others, "I''ll leave it to you!"


    "Rest assured!"


    "Hahaha, we''re finally going to attack the Sword Dynasty. The Great Qian Dynasty has never breached this Southern Ice City since it was established!"


    "Kill!"


    Leading the charge, Little Lin and Liu Yi spearheaded the group into Southern Ice City.


    Xiao Yi crossed his arms and watched from a distance, his eyes cold.


    Unless one of the top three generals, Zhuge Yin, at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm Peak came forth, it would be entirely possible for Little Lin''s strength to suppress all resistance within Southern Ice City.


    The battle unfolded just as Xiao Yi had anticipated.


    Little Lin took the lead, sweeping away all of the enemy''s Dharma Manifestation Realm and above experts.


    Liu Yi and the others wielded the Explosive Flame Formation stones, bombarding relentlessly. Even though the city''s defenders kept coming in waves, they could not withstand their ferocious assault. In no time, the vicinity of the city gate of Southern Ice City had turned into a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.


    Seeing that they were about to break through Southern Ice City and tear open the Sword Dynasty''s southern border defense...


    But at that moment...


    A figure rushed over from a distance, a weak voice filled with urgency and concern, "Xiao Yi... run..."

 Chapter 520 - 520: Exchange with Your Head!

    "Xiao Yi, run!"


    A deafening roar tore through the howl of the wind and snow, coming from the darkness.


    While calmly observing from the sidelines.


    Xiao Yi, who had been watching Little Lin and Liu Yi and others break into the city, was startled, and as he turned around, he saw Liu Fuhai, covered in blood, speeding towards him, his velocity pushed to the extreme.


    In the midst of the wind and snow.


    It was visible that there was a fierce wound in his chest, half of a shattered lung hung outside, already frozen by the wind and snow.


    If it weren''t for the fact that Liu Fuhai was naturally different from ordinary people, with his heart on the right side.


    The damage caused by that hole would have been enough to crush his heart.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi''s figure flashed, catching Liu Fuhai in mid-air.


    At that moment, Liu Fuhai''s body was ice cold, as if he had just come out of an ice cellar, breathing more in than out, already at the end of his strength.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly, a gentle stream of Qi infused into his body, keeping the wind and snow at bay. At the same time, he took out Healing Pills from the storage ring and fed them to him. Seeing Liu Fuhai''s pale face regain some Qi-Blood, Xiao Yi then asked, "What on earth is going on? Could it be that there are still people from the Sword Dynasty hidden within the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    "No, it''s not the Sword Dynasty..."


    Gasping for air, Liu Fuhai''s pale face was filled with intense self-reproach and anger. "This is all my fault, I transmitted the news of Yang Guang''s death and the battle report back. But somehow, the Crown Prince found out that Yang Guang was killed by you and sent the newly appointed Minister of War, Xu Wengang, with the Huihai Sword Master and others to capture you..."


    Xiao Yi''s face showed a faint change.


    A cold glint swept through his eyes.


    He had long suspected that Yang Kun would not allow him to easily complete the military order and would certainly create obstacles.


    But what Xiao Yi never expected was that Yang Kun would go to such insane lengths to stop him.


    Completely disregarding the outcome of the battle, he was only thinking of putting him to death!


    Xiao Yi said with a grim face, "Don''t they know that I''ve already crushed the Sword Dynasty''s army?"


    "They know... It is precisely because they know you have defeated the Sword Dynasty''s army that they were worried I would convey the good news to His Majesty, so they attempted to kill me to silence me. If it weren''t for the fact that I was born differently from others, with my heart on the right side, I would have been killed by them... cough cough cough..."


    Liu Fuhai coughed violently, and fresh blood spurted from his mouth.


    Gasping for breath.


    He regained some vitality.


    Liu Fuhai continued, "I feigned death to fool them and rushed here to warn you. Go, quickly... The farther the better. Don''t think of going back to the Imperial Capital to clear your name, and don''t think of revenge. The Crown Prince must have laid a net for you, waiting for your return. If you go back, it will be a dead end. Leave here quickly, whether to live under a false name or to go somewhere else to wait until you are stronger before coming back, just hurry, or it will be too late!"


    Whoosh!


    Seeing Liu Fuhai''s face filled with urgency and concern, Xiao Yi was moved in a way he couldn''t explain.


    He could have stayed out of it.


    With his status and merits, no matter who ended up in power, he could have lived a life of wealth and glory.


    But...


    Liu Fuhai had put himself in opposition to the Crown Prince for his sake.


    Whoosh!


    Moved, Xiao Yi let out a long sigh of turbid air, his eyes half-closed, flickering with depth and coldness, as he looked at the drifting wind and snow ahead: "It''s too late; they''ve arrived!"


    "What?"


    Liu Fuhai''s face suddenly changed.


    In the midst of the wind and snow.


    One by one, figures slowly emerged.


    Leading them was the Huihai Sword Master, followed by the Deputy Sect Master of Three Seas Mountain, Yun Ruowang, the Deputy Master of Wendao Villa, Sword Inquiry Taoist, the newly appointed Minister of War, Xu Wengang, and so on... sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Five Nirvana, thirteen venerable Law Identities.


    A total of eighteen people!


    Among them, the Huihai Sword Master had the strongest cultivation, a formidable figure in the Seven Nihilities Realm of the Nirvana Realm.


    And...


    That day, during the ancestral worship ceremony at Imperial Dragon Mountain, as Xiao Yi journeyed through the tribulation with ten thousand people, the Huihai Sword Master also benefited greatly, finding himself only a step away from the Eight Nirvanic Stages.


    His combat strength, compared to Yang Yuhuan from the Nangong Family who exchanged blows with Xiao Yi at that time, was not the slightest bit weaker.


    "Heh heh, Xiao Yi, we meet again!" the Huihai Sword Master said, his face twisted ferociously as he looked at Xiao Yi.


    That day, at the ancestral worship ceremony.


    Xiao Yi had given him a thorough beating in public.


    Making him lose all his face.


    Today...


    It was finally time for revenge.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Huihai Sword Master, does your face not hurt anymore?"


    "You..."


    The Huihai Sword Master''s face stiffened, and his eyes instantly turned ice-cold, a ferocious expression appearing on his face.


    When Xiao Yi beat him that day, his punches were aimed right at the face!


    Every time he thought of that day''s events, he felt pain in his face.


    Now Xiao Yi dared to bring up the past, it was like rubbing salt into his wounds.


    Shua shua shua!


    Infinite Sword Intent erupted from the Huihai Sword Master''s body, revealing a sharp edge, forcefully shattering the surrounding snow and wind. That face, extremely cold, with a gaze filled with venomous hate and chilling murderous intent, stared fixedly at Xiao Yi, "Little bastard, if I don''t kill you, I swear I am no human!"


    "Hold, Sword Master!"


    Xu Wengang suddenly spoke out.


    The Huihai Sword Master squinted, glaring at Xu Wengang, "What? You want to stop me?"


    "Not at all, not at all, I would love to have this child killed right away, but, there are some things on him that we need to take first!"


    Xu Wengang smiled, then took a step forward, the corners of his mouth raised with a smug look.


    Back when he was just the Minister of War''s assistant, Xiao Yi had had some conflicts with him.


    That was a time when his face was thoroughly dragged through the mud.


    Xu Wengang had vowed then that he would take back what was owed, with interest.


    This person was capable of crushing the Sword Dynasty''s army and even subduing the God Devouring Ants Legion; if he could master the secret technique to control the God Devouring Ants army, even the Great Prince would have to look up to him.


    Upon this thought.


    Xu Wengang''s face bore a false smile as he said somberly, "Xiao Yi, killing the Fifth Prince is a capital offense. However, I can offer you a chance to atone for your crimes. Just hand over the method to control the God Devouring Ants and surrender, and I can plead with His Majesty and his Highness on your behalf, to spare your life! How about it?"


    The Huihai Sword Master''s pupils contracted slightly.


    The secret technique to control the God Devouring Ants.


    It was a technique even they, the Tianjian Sect, did not possess and also desperately desired.


    He said no more.


    Yun Ruowang, the Sword Inquiry Taoist, and the others also exchanged glances, their expressions nervous but with a hint of hope as they looked at Xiao Yi.


    "You cannot give it to them..."


    Liu Fuhai''s pale face showed a trace of anger as he roared, "These people have ulterior motives; even if you give them the method to control the God Devouring Ants, they will absolutely not let you go..."


    "It''s okay, I know what I''m doing!"


    Xiao Yi smiled slightly, raised his head to look at the Huihai Sword Master and others, and said with a grin, "You all really want the method to control the God Devouring Ants, right?"


    Everyone nodded.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "It''s not that I can''t give it to you, but, you''ll need to trade something for it!"


    "What is it?"


    "Just give me the method to control the God Devouring Ants, and I promise I''ll spare your life!" the Huihai Sword Master said.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said deliberately, "Trade it for your head!"

 Chapter 521 - 521: Cannot Withstand a Single Blow

    ```


    "I''ll exchange it for your head!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled into a smile, his eyes and words brimming with mockery.


    He and Yang Kun, along with the Huihai Sword Master and others, had grievances that could not be reconciled. No matter who seized the opportunity, they were sure to eradicate the other thoroughly.


    Under such circumstances...


    How could he possibly hand over the method to control the God Devouring Ants?


    The look of anticipation on the faces of Huihai Sword Master and the others suddenly froze, slowly turning into ferocity and fury.


    They had thought that under the threat of death, Xiao Yi would choose to compromise.


    Unexpectedly...


    Xiao Yi was actually toying with them!


    "You bastard, you dare to play me at the brink of death? I will tear you to pieces!" The Huihai Sword Master flew into a rage, with Sword Qi reaching up to the heavens, endless sword light tearing through the void, shooting straight into the sky.


    In the Sword Qi storm that swept around him, everything within a radius of ten miles, including the wind and snow, was swept clean.


    Even the constantly gloomy sky was torn open by him.


    The thick clouds quietly dispersed.


    A ray of golden sunlight, rare for the icy plains, fell down, landing on the longsword behind the Huihai Sword Master, the gems inlaid in the hilt reflecting a golden glow.


    Almost at the same time.


    Huihai Sword Master gave an order, "Kill him for me!"


    Swish! Swish!


    Yun Ruowang and Sword Inquiry Taoist were the first to make a move. Both were at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm, leading ten Dharma Phase Realm experts as they took the initiative.


    "Stop..."


    Liu Fuhai desperately roared, "The capture of Southern Ice City is imminent, why are you still slaughtering each other?"


    Xu Wengang laughed coldly, "After we kill him, we will break through the Southern Ice City ourselves. The credit will be ours. As for you annoying flies, you all must die!"


    Breaking through Southern Ice City.


    That was an enormous feat, and Xu Wengang wouldn''t allow it to fall into anyone else''s hands.


    Little Lin and the others, who were fighting with the strong men of Southern Ice City, noticed the battle behind them and were all enraged, "Damn it, these scumbags like Xu Wengang. We''re just about to take down Southern Ice City, and they''re coming to reap the benefits now?"


    "With the enemy before us, they still plot to put Xiao to death, this bunch of beasts..."


    Regardless of how angry Liu Yi and the others were, it was to no avail, as they couldn''t extricate themselves.


    Their battle with the guards of Southern Ice City grew fiercer and fiercer. If they disengaged now, they might be counterattacked.


    They had no choice but to continue their offensive.


    But with Xiao Yi caught in the siege of eleven Dharma Phase Realm masters, their minds were preoccupied, and for the moment, the guards of Southern Ice City managed to recover and started to push them back towards the outside of the city.


    At the same time.


    General Hong Tao also took out a transmission stone, urgently sending the message, "Lord of the City, it''s bad news. The Great Qian Dynasty''s army is about to break through the city gates..."


    A red light flashed within the transmission stone.


    A majestic voice came from within the stone, "Hold the line and return immediately!"


    Hu!


    Hong Tao took a long, turbid breath, feeling fortunate as if he had survived a great calamity. His venomous gaze turned toward Xiao Yi and the others as he sneered, "Just you wait! The City Lord will be back soon, and then it will be your time to die!"


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi was fighting fiercely with Yun Ruowang and the others. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They were clearly well-prepared, not engaging Xiao Yi at close range. The eleven of them formed a battle formation, trapping Xiao Yi and focusing on ranged attacks.


    And whenever Xiao Yi tried to break out of their encirclement, they immediately closed the circle.


    They clung to Xiao Yi like a stubborn plaster.


    Yun Ruowang sneered, "Xiao Yi, we know you''re strong. Even an ordinary warrior of the Nirvana Realm wouldn''t be your match in a one-on-one fight. Today we came prepared, and though we are but at the third layer of the Dharma Phase Realm, we managed to set up the Heavenly Rotation Battle Formation against you with eleven people. Even in death, you should be proud!"


    Sword Inquiry Taoist squinted his eyes, laughing coldly, "Xiao Yi, when you tempted Li Youruo to betray our Wendao Villa and extorted our formation stones, you should''ve expected today''s fate!"


    Li Youruo was a highly-regarded Array Master at Wendao Villa.


    They had hoped that Li Youruo would become a master of formations.


    But...


    Li Youruo had defected directly to the Xiaoshanhe Institute, turning Wendao Villa into a laughingstock among the top ten sects. Everyone at Wendao Villa hated Xiao Yi so much they wanted to tear him to pieces.


    Surrounded by eleven Dharma Phase Realm experts, who kept shifting their positions, Xiao Yi''s lips curled upward with a sinister cold smile, "Do you really think I can''t break this crappy formation?"


    "Hm?"


    Yun Ruowang was taken aback but then sneered, "If you''re capable, then go ahead and break it!"


    "The Heavenly Rotation Battle Formation is the result of the collaboration of dozens of Array Masters from our Wendao Villa. How could it be so easily broken?" Sword Inquiry Taoist said confidently, as indeed the Array Masters of Wendao Villa were the most numerous among the top ten sects.


    ```


    However...


    They had overlooked one thing.


    With the sword in hand, Xiao Yi stood with a slight smile, "What of the arrays conjured by dozens of array masters? Before me, they are as fragile as child''s play!"


    When it comes to formations...


    Even the formation grandmaster of the Tianjian Sect would be but a junior in front of Xiao Yi.


    As for the master arrayists from Wendao Villa, they couldn''t even outdo the one from the Tianjian Sect, let alone face Xiao Yi.


    "Ridiculous!"


    "You dare to say that my Heavenly Rotation Battle Formation is easily breakable?"


    The Sword Inquiry Taoist shouted angrily.


    This Heavenly Rotation Battle Formation was the result of decades of research by dozens of array masters, capable of unleashing power comparable to the Four Nirvanas Realm when eleven Dharma Manifestation Realm experts joined forces.


    Even the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty longed for such a formation, but they couldn''t obtain it. And now, Xiao Yi was saying that it was easily breakable?


    "If you don''t believe it, then let your own eyes witness whether it truly is easily breakable or not!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows furrowed slightly.


    The aura about him underwent a drastic change, as if he merged into one with the Falling Dust Sword.


    Man and sword as one!


    Where the Sword Intent directed, the blade edge followed.


    "Sword Qi Lotus Rebirth!"


    Swish swish swish!


    A cluster of Sword Qi Lotuses formed, floating around Xiao Yi, rising and falling, turning ceaselessly.


    This forced Yun Ruowang and the others to retreat, unable to get close.


    Yun Ruowang''s expression was as dark as water, "Push forward!"


    "He''s trying to force us back to escape, we can''t let him succeed!" shouted the Sword Inquiry Taoist.


    The eleven Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses made their moves simultaneously to suppress him.


    Under the aid of the battle formation, the surrounding circle grew smaller and smaller, pushing back the Sword Qi Flower Lotuses around Xiao Yi.


    To the side, Xu Wengang, who was watching the battle, nodded, "Indeed, it''s Wendao Villa''s Heavenly Rotation Battle Formation, capable of trapping, defending, and attacking, nearly flawless!"


    "Exactly!"


    The Huihai Sword Master too nodded gently, "Such a formation is truly exquisite. It seems that after returning, I must negotiate with Wendao Villa to acquire this formation!"


    Xu Wengang rolled his eyes: Negotiate? Isn''t that more like coercion?


    "No, something''s not right..."


    The observing Huihai Sword Master suddenly changed his expression and shouted, "Yun Ruowang, get out of the way!"


    "Huh?"


    Yun Ruowang and the others were startled, but saw a mocking smile form on the corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth, "It''s too late!"


    Endlessly continuing!


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi''s figure, like a sword, suddenly spun, transforming the Sword Qi Flower Lotuses into a storm of Sword Qi. The vortex roared angrily, and with a formidable suction force,


    it bound Yun Ruowang and the other eleven where they stood, leaving them unable to break free for a moment.


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi''s fingers spread out, tips shimmering with silver light like condensed stars. With a low roar, he shot out, "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    Swish swish swish!


    Streams of Sword Qi burst forth through the air.


    Singularly sharp.


    Where they passed, not a blade of grass was left uncut, not a tile remained intact.


    Pfft pfft pfft...


    With sounds of flesh being pierced, Yun Ruowang and the other eleven were soon covered with ferocious wounds. With a loud boom, the battle formation collapsed. All eleven fell to the ground, barely alive and severely injured.


    Xiao Yi stood suspended in the air, looking down from on high at Yun Ruowang and the Sword Inquiry Taoist.


    Just as he had said, this formation truly couldn''t withstand a single blow!


    Clap clap clap!


    Crisp applause suddenly arose.


    The Huihai Sword Master walked on air, with Sword Qi forming beneath each step. Finally, boundless Sword Qi converged before him, the sharp tip aimed directly at Xiao Yi, he said coldly, "I wonder if I, in your eyes, am also easily breakable?"


    PS: The sixth update is presented; Xiao Tian continues to write!

 Chapter 522 - 522: Despair Sword Prison

    "Do you also consider me someone who can be easily defeated in your eyes?"


    The Huihai Sword Master stood suspended in the air, his feet stepping on a longsword formed by the condensation of vital energy.


    In front of him...


    A stream of vital energy gathered, solidifying into a cyan longsword that also pointed directly at Xiao Yi.


    The Huihai Sword Master.


    A master who has undergone Nirvana seven times.


    Xiao Yi did not know which path to Nirvana he had taken, but his combat power was definitely not weak. Especially after experiencing the ancestral ceremony''s heavenly tribulation, he had already touched the threshold of the eighth Nirvana.


    His fighting prowess had risen to a new level.


    Even stronger than Yang Yuhuan, who had crossed swords with Xiao Yi back at the Nangong Family, by quite a bit.


    Confronted with the Huihai Sword Master, Xiao Yi also reined in all his emotions and focused intently on his opponent. With his current strength, he was confident of victory even against a master who had undergone Nirvana six times.


    But...


    Facing the Huihai Sword Master, who was about to step into the eighth Nirvana, even Xiao Yi felt tremendous pressure.


    "How would I know without trying?"


    Xiao Yi licked his lips, revealing a bloodthirsty intent, yet his aura was in no way weaker, "Perhaps, you''re just a paper tiger and also easily defeated?"


    The Huihai Sword Master was taken aback, then laughed heartily, "Interesting, then let my sword tell you who indeed is easily defeated!"


    Whoosh!


    The Huihai Sword Master pointed forward with one finger.


    He didn''t draw his sword physically, but condensed vital energy into a sword.


    Hum!


    A silvery sword gleam turned into a silver rainbow across the sky, like a silver bridge spanning the heavens and the earth. In an instant, the Sword Qi''s sharp edge had reached in front of Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, his face expressionless, gave a cold smile and simply retreated backward.


    At the same time...


    The Falling Dust Sword in front of him described a circular arc.


    Turning into a sword shield.


    Thud!


    The silver longsword struck heavily on the sword shield.


    The entire shield exploded with a bang, sending Sword Qi fragments scattering in all directions, but the Huihai Sword Master''s silvery Sword Qi didn''t disperse and, unabated, chopped straight down at Xiao Yi''s head.


    Xiao Yi raised his sword overhead.


    Clang!


    Amidst a series of clear and piercing metal-clashing sounds, Xiao Yi''s figure was fiercely slashed downward.


    With a thunderous crash...


    Xiao Yi''s entire body slammed into the wall of Southern Ice City, creating a human-shaped dent. Subsequently, the whole wall echoed with a continuous rumbling, as if an earth dragon turned over.


    The massive wall roared and rang, covered with terrifying cracks.


    Boom!


    In the blink of an eye...


    Walls within a ten-mile radius collapsed, turning into a field of rubble.


    "All Swords Return to One..."


    The Huihai Sword Master stood suspended in the air, Sword Qi swirling around him, his ten fingers spread out, targeting the pile of rubble below. In his eyes flitted a trace of cold chill and a violent killing intent.


    Hum...


    Above his fingertips.


    Bit by bit, silvery light solidified into beads, like water droplets, the silver radiance held its shape.


    Suddenly...


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Amid hair-raising sounds of tearing through the air.


    Thousands.


    Tens of thousands.


    An endless number of silvery droplets of Sword Qi shot out, like a sky full of shooting stars gone wild, crashing madly into the ruins where Xiao Yi was located. Each drop of silvery Sword Qi that fell triggered an explosion of terrifying energy.


    The continuous booming of explosions.


    Deafening to the ears.


    A moment later...


    When a gust of wind blew past, the sword light from the Huihai Sword Master''s ten fingers quietly dissipated, and a wisp of white smoke rose. The corner of his mouth curled into a ferocious, cold smirk, "Under my ''Boundless Sword Return'', even an ordinary Nirvana Realm would only have one thought... death. This, this is impossible..."


    The proud Huihai Sword Master''s expression suddenly changed.


    He looked with uncertainty at the ruins, where Xiao Yi stood with his upper garment torn and a faint trace of blood at the corner of his mouth.


    At that moment, Xiao Yi''s upper garment was exploded, revealing his strong and handsome physique. Clearly defined lines outlined his muscles, and behind him were wings of Wind Thunder, a fusion of blue and gold.


    The breeze around him dissipated, and lightning wildly flickered across the surface of his body.


    It was at that critical moment, with the power of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, that he blocked the relentless sword rain attack.


    Even with the sixth transformation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, his body was marked with red spots by the Sword Qi. If it had been anyone else but Xiao Yi, even another from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, they would have already turned to mush at this point.


    Xiao Yi stood tall amidst the ruins, looking up at the Huihai Sword Master, "You are indeed a being on the verge of undergoing the eighth Nirvana, if my Wind Thunder Holy Body hadn''t reached its sixth transformation, I might not have been able to withstand your sword!"


    "Wind Thunder Holy Body? You do possess this legendary Body Refining Secret Skill!"


    A glint of fiery greed passed through the eyes of the Huihai Sword Master.


    Back on Imperial Dragon Mountain, when he saw Xiao Yi displaying the Wind Thunder Holy Body, he had been extremely covetous of this method that could devour heavenly tribulations.


    Afterward, he even checked the ancient texts of the Tianjian Sect and found that this method was the legendary Wind Thunder Venerable''s "Wind Thunder Holy Body".


    Among the ten Holy Bodies, it was the only one that could be cultivated through acquired means.


    Since then...


    The Huihai Sword Master had been unable to put this Body Refining Secret Skill out of his mind.


    If he were to master such a technique, would he then fear the heavenly tribulation when crossing the Nirvana again?


    The Huihai Sword Master''s bloodshot tongue licked his lips, and he said sinisterly, "Xiao Yi, if you offer up the ''Wind Thunder Holy Body'' to me, I can persuade Yang Kun to spare your life, and even introduce you to our Tianjian Sect, how about it?"


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "Shut up with your nonsense. Defeat me first before you speak!"


    Boom!


    The Wings of Wind Thunder on his back shook violently.


    In an instant, a fierce wind rose, and thunder and lightning flashed in the sky.


    The whirlwind lifted the rubble from the collapsed city walls into the air, and with a fierce flap of the Wings of Wind Thunder, crisp snaps rang out as boulders sliced through the void, shooting towards the Huihai Sword Master.


    "Shatter!"


    The Huihai Sword Master flicked his sword finger, creating a sword screen in the air that crushed the flying boulders to dust.


    And with a single palm strike, he cast.


    "Boundless Sword Prison!"


    Hum!


    His palm transformed into an immense hand that covered the skies, with Sword Qi falling from it, forming chains of Sword Qi. The chains rained down like they had a life of their own, shooting towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils constricted.


    The chains of Sword Qi were extremely condensed, so much so that even his Falling Dust Sword had difficulty cleaving through them. Dodging and weaving, he tried to evade them, but the chains refused to let him go, closely following his every move.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    Amid the clash of metal, the chains connected to the earth and suddenly tensed.


    One chain.


    Two chains.


    Three chains...


    Hundreds of Sword Qi chains encircled to form a barrier, sealing off the area where Xiao Yi stood, confining him within the circle of chains.


    "Break for me!"


    Xiao Yi repeatedly urged the Falling Dust Sword to strike at the chains, but only with loud clangs, he failed to break through. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Huihai Sword Master laughed triumphantly, "This Boundless Sword Prison is also known as the Despair Sword Prison, which has endured seven Nirvana tribulations. Even a powerhouse of the Nine Nirvana Realm would find it hard to break free once enclosed within. Xiao Yi, hand over the ''Wind Thunder Holy Body'' and surrender quietly! Otherwise, don''t blame me for taking your life!"


    Trapped inside the Boundless Sword Prison, Xiao Yi continuously attacked the enclosure but remained unable to break free.


    His sword-like eyebrows furrowed.


    Looking up at the Huihai Sword Master, he replied with a cold smile, "Give it to your mom! If you have the guts, just kill me!"


    "You''re courting death!"


    The Huihai Sword Master''s pupils narrowed, his gaze sharp as a blade. He snorted coldly and pressed down with his palm.


    Hum!


    The giant Sword Qi palm plummeted from the sky.


    Heading straight to crush him.


    Inside the Boundless Sword Prison, Xiao Yi had no way to dodge and could only brace himself. As the massive hand was about to land, his lips curled into an icy, mocking smile, "Come out, God Devouring Ants!"

 Chapter 523 - 523: Desperate Counterattack, Astonishing Turnaround!

    "Come out, God-devouring Ants!"


    Just as the giant hand that obscured the sky was about to fall, Xiao Yi suddenly let out a cold shout.


    A dark shadow flew from his waist.


    It was a beast-controlling bag!


    The beast-controlling bag soared into the sky in an instant and burst open mid-air with a loud bang. Simultaneously, a golden figure appeared abruptly. It was none other than the ant queen of the God-devouring Ants he had subdued, which belonged to the ninth prince.


    The God-devouring Ant queen hovered in the air, flapping her wings and crying out loud. In an instant, multiple dark shadows flew out of her mouth.


    It was a vast army of God-devouring Ants!


    One hundred thousand.


    Ten thousand.


    One million...


    As soon as the millions of God-devouring Ants appeared, they packed the entire Boundless Sword Prison to the brim. Under Xiao Yi''s control, the ants latched onto each other''s pincers, forming cage-like enclosures.


    Protecting Xiao Yi within.


    The other God-devouring Ants transformed into massive pillars supporting heaven and earth.


    Blocking the enormous palm descending from Tian''er.


    The remaining God-devouring Ants started frantically gnawing at the surrounding Sword Qi chains. The collision of pincers and chains let out a series of clanging sounds that made one''s scalp tingle with ceaseless noise.


    The vast Boundless Sword Prison flickered between light and darkness.


    Hiss!


    Huihai Sword Master''s eyes bulged in astonishment, watching everything unfold before him in disbelief, and he couldn''t help but curse aloud, "Fuck..."


    Xu Wengang''s face was a picture of confusion: "This, this can work?"


    All present: "..."


    Little Lin had just shattered Hong Tao''s head with a single palm. Turning back, he saw Xiao Yi in the midst of the Boundless Sword Prison, protected by God-devouring Ants, which had left Huihai Sword Master in an extremely awkward position.


    If he were to retreat, the God-devouring Ants would surely break free from the enclosure, and even he would have no choice but to flee desperately.


    If he were to continue...


    With as many as ten million God-devouring Ants, he could be completely drained of his Yuan Qi.


    Once his Yuan Qi was exhausted, he would be helpless as a fish on a chopping board, to be slaughtered at Xiao Yi''s whim.


    "Damn it, this son of a bitch has planned this from the start..." Huihai Sword Master''s face was ominously dark, looking at Xiao Yi protected by countless God-devouring Ants, the rage and murderous intent in his eyes were intense to the extreme.


    On the side, Xu Wengang''s gaze upon Xiao Yi became extremely grave: "In such a fierce battle, he can still remain so calm, luring Huihai Sword Master step by step into the trap. This guy is not only extraordinarily talented but also as cunning as a demon; he must not be allowed to leave here alive, or he will become a major problem!" S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Cunning as a demon.


    Genius talent defying the heavens.


    Brutally effective and swift in action.


    Any of these traits would qualify someone as a prodigy, yet Xiao Yi embodied all these traits in one, making him a terrifying opponent.


    With this thought in mind.


    Xu Wengang shouted to Huihai Sword Master: "Master, capture the king to defeat the enemy."


    "Capture the king to defeat the enemy?"


    Huihai Sword Master paused, his gaze sweeping across the Boundless Sword Prison.


    Xiao Yi was protected beneath countless God-devouring Ants, while the ant queen, in order to quickly consume and summon more ants crushed by the sky-obscuring hand, was dangerously close to the palm.


    A cold gleam flashed through Huihai Sword Master''s eyes: "Once the queen is taken care of, these God-devouring Ants will fall apart on their own, and Xiao Yi will have no way out but death!"


    With this realization.


    Huihai Sword Master''s body was surrounded by rising and falling sword lights. Behind him, countless star-like yellow dots gathered, eventually condensing into a simple earthy-yellow longsword. This Dharma Phase Longsword was the result of Huihai Sword Master''s contemplation of a seventh-order Yuan weapon, the Earth Sword.


    In legends.


    This sword mimicked the Mother Earth.


    Its power was boundless!


    The Dharma Phase Longsword hovered above his head, while Huihai Sword Master drove the Sword Qi chains and the sky-obscuring palm to further compress the space within the Boundless Sword Prison, forcing the queen ant''s position to keep moving forward.


    He also formed a sword technique with his fingers, activating the Dharma Phase Longsword.


    Exhaling a halo of earth-yellow Sword Qi.


    Suddenly...


    A sharp glint shot through Huihai Sword Master''s eyes. He had caught that one in a thousand chance, seeing there wasn''t a single God-devouring Ant in front of the ant queen as she opened her mouth to summon more ants.


    "Now..."


    With a flick of his sword finger, the Dharma Phase Longsword suddenly changed direction, shooting straight towards the God-devouring Ant queen with a whoosh.


    Roar��


    Feeling the threat of death, the God Devouring Ant queen tried to dodge.


    But within the Boundless Sword Prison, countless chains of Sword Qi were clanging and bursting forth, tightly entangling her. Almost at the same moment, with a "pfft," the Dharma Phase Longsword cleaved through the shielding palm and heavily struck the queen, slicing her in half.


    Roar!


    With a desperate, agonized cry, the queen was split in two.


    The Sword Qi did not pause, still charging relentlessly forward.


    Wherever it passed...


    All the God Devouring Ants were eliminated!


    Turned into dust scattered across the sky.


    The Dharma Phase Longsword continued its descent, also causing the chains of Sword Qi to snap with popping noises. With a booming sound, the Dharma Phase Longsword plunged into the ground, causing the earth to swell up as if a small hill had formed.


    Afterwards...


    Boom!


    The entire mound exploded, turning into ash that scattered in all directions.


    The terrifying tremors covered the entire Southern Ice City, causing buildings to collapse and streets to crack open as if it were the end of days. Numerous citizens of the Southern Ice City fled in panic, as a rolling mushroom cloud rose a thousand feet into the air, presenting a scene of apocalypse.


    "Xiao Yi... is dead?"


    "Such a terrifying sword strike, that is a dead end. Unless a miracle happens, Xiao Yi couldn''t possibly survive..."


    "We didn''t even see a corpse; he''s probably really dead..."


    Xu Wengang and the others stared intently in the direction of the mushroom cloud. The thousand-foot mushroom cloud dissipated neither quickly nor slowly, after all, the violent Sword Qi was rampant, sweeping away the dust that filled the sky.


    On the ground, there was a crater ten miles in diameter, embedded in the earth like a funnel.


    However...


    There was no sign of Xiao Yi within the crater.


    Huihai Sword Master landed in the deep pit, frowning slightly: "Strange�� with his physical strength, even if he were dead, he shouldn''t be blown to smithereens, right?"


    Crack!


    Huihai Sword Master''s foot suddenly stopped, a look of shock and anger appearing on his face; without turning back, he flew toward the sky. However, just as he was about to leave the ground, a hand burst forth from the earth below.


    Bang!


    A single hand broke through the soil, reached out into the open air, and violently grabbed Huihai Sword Master''s ankle.


    "Not good!"


    Huihai Sword Master was so frightened his soul nearly left his body, and he instinctively slashed towards the ground with his sword.


    However...


    A wild burst of power suddenly erupted from that hand, forcefully flinging him into the air. Losing his balance, Huihai Sword Master let out a cry of surprise as the direction of his blade changed, slashing toward the sky.


    Xu Wengang, who was observing from above the crater, was caught off guard, and with a "pfft," he was cleaved in two by the sword light.


    His face still bore an expression of bewilderment.


    He never imagined dying by Huihai Sword Master''s sword.


    As blood rained down, Huihai Sword Master tumbled to the ground, while the Falling Dust Sword burst from the soil beneath and headed for his head. In a life-or-death moment, Huihai Sword Master released an unparalleled burst of Sword Qi, with a "bang" shaking off the hand that had grabbed his ankle.


    Just as he tried to rise into the air, the blade had already passed across his shoulder.


    Spurt!


    As the blood sprayed, Huihai Sword Master''s entire right arm was severed at the shoulder, blood gushing like a fountain.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi burst from the ground, in hot pursuit: "Heaven''s Wrath!"


    Whoosh!


    It was like the fury of the heavens.


    The crimson sword light turned the heavens a shade of red, and with a "swish," it struck Huihai Sword Master''s back.


    Howl...


    Huihai Sword Master screamed repeatedly, blood spilling onto the ground. He did not dare linger, "whoosh," tearing through the air into the sky and vanishing between heaven and earth, leaving behind only his angry roars echoing throughout: "Xiao Yi, I will avenge today''s grievances in the future!"


    A being who had undergone seven nirvanas and was determined to flee, Xiao Yi was unable to stop him.


    Standing with his sword in the emptiness.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, saying coldly, "When we meet again, it will be time to behead you!"

 Chapter 524 - 524 Youre Running Too Slow!

    The Huihai Sword Master was intent on leaving, and even with all his effort, Xiao Yi couldn''t catch up.


    Moreover...


    If really pushed to the brink, the Huihai Sword Master might fight to the death, and the outcome would still be uncertain.


    To be able to sever the Huihai Sword Master''s arm and seriously wound him was already an unexpected boon.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze shifted toward the remaining four Nirvana Realm experts, who hailed from Three Seas Mountain, Vast Righteousness Pavilion, Wendao Villa, and True Martial Hall respectively. The strongest among them had only undergone Nirvana three times.


    They stared as Xiao Yi chopped off the Huihai Sword Master''s arm, leaving him no option but to flee in embarrassment.


    They were dumbfounded.


    Xiao Yi flashed them a grin, "Now it''s your turn!"


    An expert from the Vast Righteousness Pavilion, dressed in scholarly robes and holding a folding fan, said with a voice as cold as still water, "Xiao Yi, your strength is indeed formidable, but you must understand that there will always be someone stronger..."


    Splat!


    The words were not yet finished.


    A sword swept by.


    This Nirvana Realm expert, having undergone Nirvana twice, couldn''t even dodge a single sword strike from Xiao Yi.


    His head was cleanly severed.


    Decapitated.


    Hiss!


    The crowd inhaled sharply. Several strong figures who were about to speak shut their mouths in unison, each adopting an "it''s none of my concern" attitude, eyes on their noses, noses on their mouths, and mouths on their hearts.


    A cold sneer arose in Xiao Yi''s heart.


    No matter their cultivation level or status, most people reacted the same when faced with death.


    Tap tap tap!


    Xiao Yi''s sword tip lightly tapped the ground as he coldly surveyed the three, "Do you three have anything to say?"


    "I admit defeat!"


    The Nirvana Realm expert from Wendao Villa said with a bitter smile.


    His cultivation was not much different from that of the expert from Vast Righteousness Pavilion; if even the latter had his head chopped off by Xiao Yi with a single strike, the only question was whether Xiao Yi would need one sword stroke or two!


    The other two exchanged glances. Despite their reluctance, they didn''t dare to take action and said, "Xiao Yi, as long as you let us go, we will ensure we will not be your enemies again!"


    "You''ve already made too many enemies, having more friends means having more paths!"


    The three spoke earnestly.


    As if everything they did was for Xiao Yi''s own good.


    Such an attitude made Xiao Yi feel disgusted. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi curled his lips in amusement, "Not be my enemies again? More friends? Are you worthy of being friends with me?"


    "What?"


    "Truly think I''m afraid of you? Even if I''m not your match, it won''t be a problem for the three of us to escape together..."


    The three immediately became angry out of embarrassment, facing Xiao Yi with darkened expressions.


    In their view...


    They had already bowed their heads to Xiao Yi, indicating they would no longer oppose him.


    Xiao Yi should be grateful and in tears!


    But Xiao Yi''s attitude was so tough that it felt like an insult to them.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were like torches, as if he could see through people''s hearts.


    He naturally knew what the three were thinking.


    His lips slightly curled, and a trace of ice-cold ripples crossed his calm eyes as he said indifferently, "Don''t say that I''m bullying the weak. I''ll give you a chance to live. You run for ten breaths first, and after ten breaths, I''ll start chasing. If I catch up to one, I kill one. How about that?"


    "Are you trying to humiliate us?"


    "Arrogant, do you think this will make us grateful to you? We absolutely cannot accept such humiliating terms..."


    The three roared indignantly.


    Xiao Yi toyed with the Falling Dust Sword in his hand, "Nine breaths left..."


    The three, "Wait, are you starting now?"


    Xiao Yi, "Eight breaths!"


    The three, "..."


    They exchanged a glance.


    All three simultaneously soared into the sky, exerting all their strength to fly towards the distant heavens.


    In the blink of an eye, ten breaths had passed.


    Xiao Yi''s Wind Thunder wings on his back suddenly flapped forcefully, shooting into the sky with a whoosh, as violent winds and thunder covered his whole body, transforming him into a blur of Wind Thunder, and in the blink of an eye, he had vanished into the horizon.


    The Nirvana Realm expert from True Martial Hall was a bit slower, but still much faster than those at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm. Not seeing Xiao Yi''s figure in the corner of his eye, he breathed a sigh of relief, "He didn''t catch up? That''s great!"


    However...


    Before he could finish speaking,


    a chilling voice came from behind him that made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, making his entire body cold, "The first one!"


    "Ah?"


    He turned around abruptly, only to be met with a silver sword light striking his forehead. Blood spurted wildly as Xiao Yi casually waved his hand, gathering the corpse into his Storage Ring. His gaze then shifted forward, "The next one..."


    A few breaths later.


    Xiao Yi caught up with the Nirvana Realm powerhouse from Three Seas Mountain, ending his life with a single sword strike as well.


    After collecting the body,


    Xiao Yi continued his pursuit, only to find no sign of his quarry, "Running so fast?"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi kept up the chase.


    Not long after his departure, right where he had killed the second Nirvana Realm being, a figure suddenly emerged from within a mountain. This person was the Nirvana Realm expert from True Martial Hall, watching the direction of Xiao Yi''s departure, he let out a long breath.


    "Still too young! I merely used a small trick, and you were deceived!"


    Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, his face wore a ferocious sneer, "This child, being at the third tier of the Dharma Phase Realm, already possesses such terrifying combat power, hardly inferior to Xiao Tianjiao. We must convey the news here to Yang Kun and the others as soon as possible, to have them prepare and do everything in their power to kill this child as quickly as they can!"


    Just as he was about to take to the skies, his body suddenly stiffened.


    In front of him, Xiao Yi, carrying the Falling Dust Sword with an amused look on his face, slowly walked over, speaking in a voice that was both sarcastic and mocking, "I''m afraid you won''t have the chance to see Yang Kun again!"


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi? How, how did you know I was here?" The man was dripping with cold sweat, looking absolutely horror-stricken, staring at Xiao Yi in disbelief.


    Xiao Yi curled his lip, "You ran too slow, I watched you hide in this mountain with my own eyes."


    "..."


    Thump!


    The formidable Nirvana Realm master knelt on the ground, his face filled with a plea, "Xiao Yi, Headmaster Xiao... spare me this time! I swear I will never be your enemy again; I can persuade our Hall Master to support His Highness Yang Ling instead, just don''t kill me..."


    "Begging for mercy now, it''s already too late!"


    Xiao Yi advanced emotionlessly toward him.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    His head hit the ground repeatedly as he begged for mercy. Crawling towards Xiao Yi while kowtowing, and when only two meters away from Xiao Yi, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with a venomous look, "Go to hell!"


    As he opened his mouth.


    Whoosh!


    A black gleam shot through the air.


    It was a black poisoned needle, aiming straight for Xiao Yi''s face. With a crisp ping sound, Xiao Yi''s head snapped back sharply, his body froze motionless. A look of wild joy flashed across the man''s face, "Haha, at such a short distance, not even those in the Nine Nirvana Realm could possibly dodge. You are dead for certain!"


    "Dodge? Why would I dodge?"


    Xiao Yi slowly lowered his head, the poisoned needle landing right between his eyebrows.


    His brows furrowed into the character for "river."


    It was the furrowed brow that clenched the poisoned needle firmly, preventing it from advancing any further!


    Hiss!


    The True Martial Hall expert''s eyes bulged, stunned as if he had been struck by lightning.


    His deadly secret weapon was caught by a mere furrow of the brow?


    "Back to you!"


    Xiao Yi flicked his head, the black poisoned needle piercing the man''s head. His face instantly turned pitch black.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi casually tossed the bodies of the other two aside, scouring over them. Aside from finding several billions in Silver Tael, there were many treasures and Spiritual Medicines and more.


    "If I could refine all these Spiritual Medicines, I should be able to break through to the fourth tier of the Dharma Phase Realm... The Huihai Sword Master will certainly relay my information to Yang Kun and the others upon his return, they will be vigilant, likely setting up a trap to ensnare me, or even sending experts to hunt me down."


    After tallying his spoils, Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits, "Returning to the imperial capital now is out of the question. It seems I have no choice but to head north, gathering as many medicinal herbs and treasures as possible to elevate my cultivation. If I can reach the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm, then even if a Nine Nirvana Realm powerhouse comes after me, I can ensure they don''t return alive!"

 Chapter 525 - 525 Borrowing a Knife to Kill

    When Xiao Yi returned to the Southern Ice City,


    he could see from afar that Little Lin had transformed into its true form, a giant golden serpent with wings on its back, fiercely battling a middle-aged man in the void.


    Thunder surged whenever Little Lin opened its mouth, striking as fast as lightning.


    Within its vicinity...


    the weather changed rapidly, as if it were the end of days.


    The man in golden armor across from it was none other than Zhuge Yin, the lord of the Southern Ice City.


    Zhuge Yin had really drawn the short straw; he had thought the Ninth Prince and Slaughter Thousand Blades and their group would be completely victorious, and that he could rest easy in the Southern Ice City. He had slipped away from the city to rendezvous with his mistress.


    He never expected...


    that not long after he had been intimate with his mistress, he received an urgent message from Hong Tao and hurried back.


    When he returned to the Southern Ice City, what he saw was its walls reduced to ruins, and the citizens fleeing in every direction.


    Enraged, Zhuge Yin immediately encountered Little Lin and others cleaning up the spoils of war in the city lord''s manor, sparking a conflict, and Little Lin had transformed into its true form to fight him.


    Under Little Lin''s relentless bombardment, Zhuge Yin was forced to retreat step by step.


    "Dragon Tail Swing!"


    With a fierce swish of its tail, Little Lin struck Zhuge Yin in the waist.


    Sending Zhuge Yin flying with a voracious smack.


    At the same time, Little Lin''s body shone with dazzling golden light, soaring through the void and, with a loud roar, opened its gigantic mouth to bite at Zhuge Yin with fangs as sharp as swords.


    Pfft!


    The sharp teeth easily pierced through him.


    Then, with a fierce shake of the head...


    Rip!


    Zhuge Yin was thrown to the ground, and a ball of thunder gathered in Little Lin''s mouth, roaring down onto Zhuge Yin with a boom.


    Hisss...


    A charred smell spread through the air.


    The distinguished general of the Sword Dynasty, Zhuge Yin, fell at the jaws of Little Lin.


    "Little Lin, your true form''s combat power is way too strong, isn''t it?"


    "Damn, I used to think you were cute; now you seem downright terrifying!"


    "It''s a good thing you don''t eat people..."


    Liu Yi and the others had grown accustomed to Little Lin and jest with each other in a friendly, harmless manner.


    Little Lin showed its teeth to them, saying irritably, "Eat people? Is beast meat not fragrant? Or is beast bone soup not nourishing? Why would I eat people..."


    Everyone laughed heartily.


    It was then that they noticed Xiao Yi''s return, and everyone straightened up, exclaiming respectfully, "Director Xiao!"


    "Mm!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over everyone, and looking at Liu Yi, he asked, "Is everyone alright?"


    Liu Yi shook his head, his eyes slightly red, and said gravely, "This time in taking the Southern Ice City, seventy-three of our brothers perished, twenty-nine were gravely wounded and lost their ability to fight, and several others sustained minor injuries..."


    Xiao Yi sighed softly.


    Although due to his presence, the taking of the Southern Ice City had cost the lives of only around a hundred people, it was still considered a great victory.


    But these were living, breathing lives.


    Xiao Yi patted Liu Yi on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Erect a monument outside the Southern Ice City and engrave the names of our brothers on it. For the Great Qian Dynasty''s army''s first breach of the Southern Ice City, they are all heroes!"


    "Yes!"


    Liu Yi''s eyes showed gratitude.


    Xiao Yi paused, then continued, "Compile a list of the fallen and injured brothers. The families of the deceased should be well taken care of when we return. And for those brothers who were wounded, we must also see to their proper settlement!"


    "On behalf of the brothers, thank you, Director Xiao!" said Liu Yi, moved.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively, then inquired, "Did we find any treasures inside the city lord''s manor?"


    "Yes, here is the inventory!" Liu Yi immediately produced a scroll.


    The scroll was unfurled.


    It listed all the treasures and Spiritual Medicines they had seized from the city lord''s manor. Xiao Yi was surprised to find that in Zhuge Yin''s secret chamber alone, there was over five billion silver, not to mention numerous other valuable items and Spiritual Medicines.


    The total value was close to ten billion!


    "Three years as an official, a hundred thousand flakes of silver. I now understand why so many people are eager to climb the ranks..." Xiao Yi said with a light chuckle, shaking his head.


    The path of martial cultivation is indeed one that burns through money.


    Pills require money.


    Money was needed for military supplies.


    Cultivation Techniques and martial arts skills all required money...


    Without earning money, where would one obtain profound cultivation levels?


    Where would the overpowering strength come from?


    This also led to the rich getting richer, and the strong becoming stronger!


    Xiao Yi complained in his heart, took some elixirs and Spiritual Medicines suitable for his own cultivation, and then said, "I need to go into closed-door cultivation to train, have the brothers rest well too. We have to set off early tomorrow morning!"


    Liu Yi asked, "To where?"


    Xiao Yi, squinting his eyes, said, "To rob the rich to aid the poor!"


    Liu Yi: "..."


    Xiao Yi then took the elixirs and Spiritual Medicines and directly found an empty courtyard within the city lord''s mansion to live in, summoning the Xuanzi Longevity Cauldron. This cauldron could enhance the speed of refining elixirs and Spiritual Medicines, the stronger one''s power, the greater the enhancement.


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, a thousand-fold increase wasn''t a problem.


    Xiao Yi continued to immerse himself in cultivation.


    ...


    Great Qian Dynasty, the imperial capital.


    It was still that courtyard specially found by Yang Kun.


    Yang Kun was squinting his eyes, his fingers gently tapping on the tabletop, and he looked somewhat anxious.


    Suddenly...


    Bang!


    Yang Kun crushed the armrest with one hand, his chilly gaze fixed on the young man standing with his head bowed before him: "Are you saying... Huihai Sword Master had an arm chopped off by Xiao Yi and is currently healing from his injuries? So, are you trying to tell me that you guys haven''t dealt with Xiao Yi?" S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The young man gave a bitter smile and said, "Your Highness, I''m merely conveying a message from the Deputy Sect Master. Here is a scroll he prepared for you, containing detailed intelligence!"


    "Hand it over!"


    Yang Kun''s face darkened.


    When he saw everything that was on the scroll, a fierce flame burst forth from his body, and with a bang, he burned the scroll to ashes.


    Bang!


    Yang Kun slammed his palm on the table, shattering it into pieces, his eyes fierce, his gaze predatory as he glared at everyone present and roared hysterically, "Do you know what''s written on this? Xiao Yi routed the great army of the Sword Dynasty, destroyed the God Devouring Ants Legion, led a few hundred people to conquer the Southern Ice City, and killed the ninth prince of the Sword Dynasty... "


    Hiss...


    The crowd exchanged glances, all showing a look of horror.


    Every single point Yang Kun mentioned could independently earn one a marquisate or a position as a high official.


    Moreover, all these deeds were Xiao Yi''s doing!


    Such merits were nothing less than warranting a kingship!


    Compared with these feats, what significance did Xiao Yi''s killing of a fifth prince, already abandoned by the royal family, hold?


    "Besides, among those sent to kill him this time, only Huihai Sword Master returned severely wounded. The rest were all killed. This kid''s strength has increased again since the Ancestral Worship Ceremony..."


    Yang Kun''s face was grim as he roared, "What do you say... what should we do now?"


    One of them said in a deep voice, "Given Xiao Yi''s current achievements, if we send someone to kill him again and it gets exposed, we''ll be doomed beyond redemption."


    "I do have a foolproof strategy!"


    From a dark corner...


    A young man with a shadowy face exhaled green light from his eyes.


    Yang Kun frowned and asked, "So it''s Yun Haiyang from Three Seas Mountain, what''s your strategy?"


    Yun Haiyang, the grandson of Yun Ruowang, and a genius disciple of Three Seas Mountain, his eyes glinting coldly, slowly said, "Worried about sending someone to kill him and getting exposed, right? Then let''s openly send people to protect him!"


    "Protect him? Have you gone mad?"


    "Yun Haiyang, Xiao Yi killed your grandfather, and you still want to send people to protect him? Did a donkey kick your head?" the crowd ridiculed him.


    "Just release the news that His Highness worries about Xiao Yi''s safety and will dispatch experts to protect him."


    Yun Haiyang, however, gave a cold smile and said, "I believe that, given Xiao Yi''s caution, he definitely won''t return rashly; instead, he will choose to venture deeper into the Sword Dynasty. Our men can use protection as pretense to continue pursuing Xiao Yi, and in the meantime, His Highness can secretly make contact with people from the Sword Dynasty..."


    "Given the war between the two countries, you expect His Highness to contact the Sword Dynasty''s people? That''s asking for death!"


    "Yun Haiyang, you really are insane..."


    "Insane? Xiao Yi dared to face the Sword Dynasty''s great army alone and even succeeded; that''s the true insanity. To deal with such a madman, one can only use even more insane methods..."


    Yun Haiyang, his gaze firmly fixed on Yang Kun, said solemnly, "Just make contact with the Sword Dynasty''s people, and with our inside-outside collaboration, if we keep Xiao Yi in the Sword Dynasty forever, who would know all this was our doing? Your Highness must think it through, with the grudge between you and Xiao Yi, once he returns with undying achievements, then that position..."


    "No need to say more!"


    Yang Kun''s eyes showed a trace of determination, and he said coldly, "It''s nothing more than using others to kill for me. I''ll borrow the knife to kill Xiao Yi!"


    PS: The tenth update! I''m truly sorry, I was too tired and fell asleep, and have only just finished writing this! Xiao Tian did his best!

 Chapter 526 - 526: Sky-High Bounty

    Sword Dynasty, Imperial Capital.


    This Sword Dynasty, positioned north to south against the Great Qian Dynasty, was also situated along the eastern coast of the Beast Emperor Sea.


    In terms of overall national strength, it was somewhat inferior to the Great Qian Dynasty, but the Sword Dynasty had a martial culture, where survival of the fittest and the rule of the strong dominated, resulting in a greater number of powerful individuals than in the Great Qian Dynasty.


    At this moment...


    Within the resplendent imperial palace.


    A bird descended from the sky, landing atop the battlements of the palace.


    "Hmm?" S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A guard glanced at the color of the metal ring around the bird''s ankle, his face suddenly changing color �� it was a striking red, "This is terrible!"


    He hurriedly carried the bird towards the Golden Throne Hall.


    Inside the Golden Throne Hall.


    The Sword Emperor, draped in a robe adorned with a five-clawed golden dragon, sat upright on the dragon throne, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, his dignified presence serene as he spoke softly, "Xiao Yi mentioned before that he wished to wipe out the Great Qian Dynasty in one fell swoop and planned to breed twenty million more God Devouring Ants, but I wonder how that endeavor is progressing!"


    "Your Majesty can rest assured, with the God Devouring Ants under the ninth prince''s command, as long as the Great Qian Dynasty doesn''t bring out a Nirvana Realm expert, surely no one will be able to stop them!"


    "We can just wait for the ninth prince to reach the Imperial Capital of the Great Qian Dynasty before we take action, it won''t be too late then!"


    The courtiers all said in unison.


    Relaxation and comfort were evident on each minister''s face.


    If it were another time...


    The Sword Dynasty sending a large army to invade the Great Qian Dynasty would have these people scurrying around in a frantic mess, not leisurely chatting here.


    All this was thanks to the achievements of the ninth prince.


    With control over the God Devouring Ant army, the Sword Dynasty had dared to launch an assault on the Great Qian Dynasty with merely over three hundred thousand soldiers. Otherwise, such a war would have required at least a million-strong army.


    With a million troops, the daily consumption of food and forage would be a colossal issue.


    "Xiao Yi indeed did well, it''s only that he''s too young, I just hope nothing goes wrong!" As the Sword Emperor listened to the courtiers praise the ninth prince, a proud smile appeared on his face, yet he maintained a basic humility in his words.


    Just then.


    "Report! Urgent news from the south, a crimson express missive..." A piercing voice rang through the Golden Throne Hall.


    The comfortable atmosphere abruptly ceased.


    The Sword Emperor narrowed his eyes, "Enter!"


    Bang!


    Bang!


    The guard rushed in with urgency, tumbling and scrambling, both hands carrying the bird, his entire body drenched in cold sweat, "Your... Your... Your Majesty, an urgent crimson missive has arrived from the south..."


    "A crimson express missive? That''s a security level only used in the event of a great disaster..."


    "What exactly happened? Since the founding of our Sword Dynasty, this is only the third time a crimson express missive has been issued, isn''t it?"


    The ministers wore puzzled expressions.


    The old eunuch standing beside the Sword Emperor tremblingly stepped forward, taking the secret report from the bird''s leg and slowly unfolded it. As he read the contents, his stooped body suddenly tensed, his eyes bulged, and his pupils contracted violently.


    The eunuch looked towards the Sword Emperor with a face full of panic, his voice dry and grating, "Your... Your Majesty... something has happened to the ninth prince!"


    A buzz!


    A single explosive sound rang in the heads of everyone in the Golden Throne Hall, turning their minds blank.


    Gurgle!


    Nervous gazes were fixed on the old eunuch.


    The Sword Emperor gripped the armrest tightly, leaning slightly forward, his voice lowered, "Read it!"


    With clenched teeth, the old eunuch, in a shrill voice indistinguishable between male and female, read, "The God Devouring Ant army has been annihilated, no one from the attacking army on the Great Qian Dynasty survived, the Southern Ice City has been breached by Xiao Yi leading a few hundred elites, city lord Zhuge Yin fell in battle. The ninth prince..."


    "What''s wrong with the Ninth Prince?"


    "Eunuch Wangyan, speak up!"


    The crowd looked at Eunuch Wangyan with tense anticipation.


    His lips trembling, he clenched his teeth and said, "The Ninth Prince fell on the battlefield... The killer... Great Qian Dynasty, Xiao Yi!"


    Boom!


    The throne under the Sword Emperor exploded into pieces, as a terrifying pressure enveloped the entire imperial palace.


    Bang bang bang!


    Several maids and eunuchs of weaker cultivation were crushed by the terrifying pressure, kneeling on the ground. Inside the Golden Throne Hall, the officials knelt in fear and trepidation.


    The Assistant Minister of Rites stepped forward, his voice firm, "Your Majesty, please accept our condolences..."


    "Condolences? My little Ninth is dead, and you ask me to accept condolences?"


    The Sword Emperor looked at him coldly, then swept his gaze to Eunuch Wangyan and ordered icily, "Guards, take the Assistant Minister of Rites away, execute his entire family, and bury them with my little Ninth!"


    "Your Majesty, spare my life, please spare my life..." The Assistant Minister of Rites begged desperately, his face filled with despair.


    The Sword Emperor didn''t even give him a glance, and with a fierce wave of his hand, the generals of the hall took him away.


    All the court officials kept their heads down, silent, fearing to provoke the Sword Emperor''s wrath.


    The Sword Emperor''s face was gloomy as a furious dragon, and he bellowed, "Why are you all mute? My little Ninth is dead, my General is slain, my borders breached... And now the murderer roams free on my land, what should be done?"


    "Your Majesty, I volunteer to lead an expedition to hunt down Xiao Yi!" General Wang Yanzhao with long tresses across his chest stepped forward to volunteer.


    Beside Wang Yanzhao, Hong Ye, the foremost General, said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead ten thousand of my personal troops to hunt down the villain Xiao Yi!"


    "I volunteer for battle!"


    One after another, the warriors stepped forward.


    The Sword Emperor''s face eased slightly, and with narrowed eyes, he said, "In that case... General Hong, General Wang, you two are tasked with leading thirty thousand men each from the Flying Wolf Army and the Flying Tiger Army. Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, find Xiao Yi for me. I want him alive, or bring me his corpse; I will have his body torn into ten thousand pieces to avenge my little Ninth!"


    "Rest assured, Your Majesty!"


    "We will not disappoint Your Majesty!"


    Wang Yanzhao and Hong Ye stood side by side, bowing to the Sword Emperor.


    The Sword Emperor nodded, but still feeling uneasy, he ordered coldly, "Issue a command to all cities, if any strangers are found, they must be reported immediately. Anyone hiding or sheltering them will be charged with treason."


    Fang Xuankong, the leading civil servant and current Chancellor, stepped forward, saying gravely, "Your Majesty, our Sword Dynasty spans vast territories, and Xiao Yi has merely a few hundred people. They have already passed the Southern Ice City; if they were to scatter and hide, it might be difficult for our generals to locate them!"


    "The Chancellor''s words hold truth!"


    "Searching for a mere few hundred people in a vast empire is like searching for a needle in a haystack!"


    The Sword Emperor nodded slightly; he greatly relied on Fang Xuankong, an old minister, and asked gravely, "Chancellor Fang, you must already have a strategy in mind, don''t you?"


    "Indeed, I have a plan!" Fang Xuankong said.


    The Sword Emperor urged, "Speak quickly!"


    Fang Xuankong said gravely, "Your Majesty may issue a bounty. Anyone able to provide information on the whereabouts of Xiao Yi will be handsomely rewarded upon verification. Should someone manage to slay or even capture Xiao Yi alive, they will be granted a high-ranking official position and other rewards..."


    "What an excellent idea!"


    "With this, everyone will join in the search for Xiao Yi''s trail..."


    "He will have nowhere to hide..."


    "Good, let''s proceed as Chancellor Fang suggests!"


    Finding the plan to be excellent, the Sword Emperor clapped the armrest and declared loudly, "Whoever provides information on Xiao Yi''s whereabouts, once verified, will be rewarded one hundred thousand silver taels. Should anyone slay or even capture Xiao Yi alive, they will become a first-class duke of our Sword Dynasty, rewarded with one hundred billion silver taels, a seventh-grade martial technique manual, and a seventh-grade divine weapon..."


    Boom!


    Inside the Golden Throne Hall, all the officials were shocked.


    They could already foresee that with the issuing of this bounty, the entire Sword Dynasty, and perhaps even the neighboring nations, would be plunged into complete madness...

 Chapter 527 - 527: Undercurrents Surge

    ````


    As soon as the Sword Dynasty''s astronomical bounty was announced,


    it swept across the entire Sword Dynasty at the fastest speed, even reaching the neighboring Great Qian Dynasty, Great Sui Dynasty, and Dongfang Dynasty. The news spread like a plague through the four great dynasties.


    Instantly,


    countless powerful figures grew restless and converged on the Sword Dynasty.


    Among them, the most outstanding were the high and mighty experts from sects within the Sword Dynasty.


    Compared to the ten major sects standing side by side in the Great Qian Dynasty, the Sword Dynasty only had four major sects: Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple, Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect, the Sect of the Five Pecks of Rice, and Guiyuan Sect.


    These four major sects were the most powerful in the Sword Dynasty and were also loyal supporters of the royal family.


    In the Sword Dynasty, the imperial power held supreme authority!


    Within Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple,


    a group of monks who typically focused on their vegetarian meals and Buddhist scriptures were now sharpening their knives eagerly, their eyes shining brightly, "We never expected that apart from Xiao Tianjiao, the Great Qian Dynasty has produced another Xiao Yi. This man is a true devil. As we monks seek to enlighten all beings, how can we allow such a devil to wreak havoc in the world?"


    "If I don''t enter hell, who will? As such a devil, he must be eradicated by our Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple!"


    A bald, expressionless senior monk, looking at eighteen young experts with majestic Buddha-like appearances and profound understanding of Buddhist Law, said solemnly, "Xiao Yi is the demon among demons. Your main mission there is to vanquish evil and protect the path, to promote our profound Buddhist teachings. As for the bounties... Forget them, wealth is the root of all evil. After the demon is dealt with, take those rewards back with you and use Buddhist Law for their salvation..."


    "Master, rest assured, we vowed to defend the glory of the Buddhist faith unto death!"


    The eighteen spirited monks chanted scriptures and took off, tearing through the sky.


    Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect.


    This sect is best at excavating others'' graves to steal lost secret manuals and various accompanying treasures. It has allowed the Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect to possess profound foundations, including many ancient weapons from Ancient Times, which were incredibly powerful.


    The two strongest individuals of each generation within the Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect would be honored with the names ''Heaven Southern'' and ''Big Dipper''.


    Ye Tiannan. Chen Beidou.


    These two were the strongest geniuses of this generation in the Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect.


    Ye Tiannan was alone, carrying a purple-gold coffin on his back, brimming with an aura of death.


    Chen Beidou was followed by hundreds of strong warriors, with a dark long staff on his back, his face wax-yellow, as if chronically ill.


    Before the two of them,


    a venerable old man with white hair and a saintly aura said faintly, "You two have always been competing without clear superiority. This time, we shall see who can slay Xiao Yi and bring back those bounties. Whoever succeeds shall take charge of the Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect!"


    "Sect Leader, rest assured, that position of Sect Leader will undoubtedly be mine!" Ye Tiannan stated coldly.


    Chen Beidou laughed sinisterly, "It remains to be seen who the deer will fall to!"


    Meanwhile,


    powerful figures from the Sect of the Five Pecks of Rice and the Guiyuan Sect had also begun their movements.


    All under heaven go where profits lie.


    Under the stimulus of the astronomical bounty, not only were the warriors of the Sword Dynasty, Great Sui Dynasty, and Great Qin Dynasty agitated, but even many strong individuals from the Great Qian Dynasty were filled with Greed, wishing to proceed to the Sword Dynasty to track down and kill Xiao Yi.


    Atop the Golden Throne Hall,


    Yang Ling was filled with anxiety and spoke urgently, "Father Emperor, Xiao Yi has made significant contributions to our Great Qian Dynasty, yet now he is desperately hunted in the Sword Dynasty with a tremendous bounty on his head. Surrounded by dangers, facing an attack from all sides, I implore Father Emperor to grant me permission to lead an army to the Sword Dynasty and rescue Xiao Yi..."


    "What use would your going be?"


    Yang Kun stepped forward immediately, saluting toward Emperor Qian, "Father Emperor, chaos is brewing in the Sword Dynasty, and the warriors from the surrounding four great dynasties are all rushing there. Your son believes we should first send an army to take control of the Southern Ice City to prevent any Sword Dynasty counterattack. At the same time, I have already proposed to our Sect Leader that the Tianjian Sect lead the ten major sects'' experts to the Sword Dynasty to meet with Xiao Yi, ensuring that we bring this immortal hero back to our dynasty!"


    Yang Ling: "..."


    Qi: "..."


    Everyone was looking at Yang Kun with a bewildered expression.


    Was this the same vindictive Crown Prince they knew?


    Didn''t Xiao Yi have a feud with him?


    You''d expect him to kick a man when he''s down, and yet now he''s actively proposing to rescue him?


    "Approved!"


    Emperor Qian, too, looked at Yang Kun in surprise and after contemplating for a moment, he instructed, "My son, Xiao Yi is a pillar of our Great Qian Dynasty. We must not err in this mission to rescue him from the Sword Dynasty!"


    Yang Kun bowed respectfully, "Father Emperor, rest assured, I will bring Xiao Yi back in one piece!"


    Emperor Qian nodded and asked, "Do you have any other requests, my son?"


    ````


    Yang Kun said, "Father Emperor, searching for someone within the Sword Dynasty is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Child hopes Father Emperor can temporarily entrust Blood Shadow Tower to this child, to facilitate the search for Xiao Yi''s whereabouts!"


    "Blood Shadow Tower?"


    Emperor Qian furrowed his brow. Blood Shadow Tower had been established by Yang Yuhuan himself. Now that Yang Yuhuan had entered seclusion to break through to the Nine Nirvana realm, having buried his past feuds with Emperor Qian, he had transferred control of the Blood Shadow Tower to him.


    Emperor Qian hesitated for a moment, then said, "I understand. Later on, I will have someone send the token for Blood Shadow Tower to you!"


    "Thank you, Father Emperor!"


    Yang Kun''s mouth curled up, rippling with a resplendent smile.


    "Mmm!"


    Emperor Qian yawned, his expression slightly weary, and waved his hand at Qi.


    Qi immediately called out in a loud voice, "Court is dismissed!"


    No one noticed.


    As Emperor Qian yawned, Yang Kun''s drooping mouth corners lifted ever so slightly, revealing a trace of a chill, subtle curve.


    Outside the Golden Throne Hall.


    Yang Ling stopped Yang Kun and asked in a deep voice, "Imperial Brother, are you truly going to rescue Xiao Yi?"


    "Little Imperial Brother, what are you talking about? Xiao Yi is a great hero of the Great Qian Dynasty. Could I, your brother, possibly frame a loyal and good servant?"


    Yang Kun looked at Yang Ling playfully, patted his shoulder, and said leisurely, "Little Imperial Brother, just stay at home and wait. I will go to the Tianjian Sect and request the assistance of our senior brothers. I believe they will surely bring Xiao Yi back safe and sound!"


    As he spoke the words "safe and sound," Yang Kun almost gritted his teeth as he enunciated each word deliberately.


    The hint of murderous intent in his words caused Yang Ling''s complexion to change slightly. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Staring at the departing figure of Yang Kun, Yang Ling clenched his teeth, and a look of resolution flashed in his eyes: "Yang Kun definitely does not have good intentions��there must be deceit. The mission to rescue Xiao Yi cannot rely on him... "


    Upon this thought.


    Yang Ling left the palace and sprinted towards the former Shanhe Martial Arts Academy, now known as Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    ��


    As the four great dynasties were plunged into uproar and turmoil caused by the sky-high bounty.


    Xiao Yi and his companions were already heading north.


    Their destination was Fengyue City.


    This city was the southernmost city of the Sword Dynasty, excluding the Southern Ice City. The population numbered more than three million, and the city lord was a seventh-level Dharma Manifestation Realm master commanding an army of fifty thousand soldiers to guard this city.


    Outside the city.


    Xiao Yi, now in black robes and with his aura thicker than before, had already got wind of the sky-high bounty.


    After his cultivation period in the Southern Ice City, and with the help of the enhancement from the Mysterious Lifespan Cauldron, his cultivation level had risen to the fourth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and the count of God Sealing Seeds inside him had reached twenty-one million.


    "Chairman, there is a bounty on you everywhere, and Fengyue City is also flooded with many strong masters. What do you think..." Liu Yi returned from gathering intelligence in the city and asked in a grave voice.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes.


    He was well aware of the bounty on his head and knew that it was worth its weight in gold.


    The corners of his mouth curved slightly.


    A cold gleam passed through Xiao Yi''s eyes: "It''s not enough, still not enough!"


    "Not enough?"


    "What''s not enough?"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, and said coldly, "We haven''t caused enough trouble... What do you think, if I were to appear in the Imperial City myself, would the Sword Emperor personally hand the bounty to us?"


    Liu Yi: "..."


    Everyone else: "..."


    Gulp!


    Liu Yi swallowed hard and chuckled dryly, "Chairman, you... you''re joking, right?"


    "Joking?"


    Xiao Yi just smiled noncommittally and looked towards the north, the direction of the Sword Dynasty''s Imperial City, and said somberly, "Sword Dynasty... Xiao Yi is coming!"


    Little did the Sword Emperor know, this sky-high bounty he offered would bring an unimaginable catastrophe upon the Sword Dynasty...

 Chapter 528 - 528: The Killer, Great Qian Xiao Yi!

    In Fengyue City,


    Xiao Yi and his group quietly blended in after breaking up into individuals.


    Although the inspections at the city gates had become more strict and careful, for Xiao Yi and the others, disguising themselves and slipping in was a piece of cake. The only difficulty was that hundreds of people had to enter in batches, which took up most of the day.


    Liu Yi had already scouted the situation inside the city; the city lord''s mansion was located in the north of the city.


    City Lord Bo Pu was a seventh-layer expert of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    He positioned the vast majority of his military forces to the south, guarding against the armies of the Great Qian Dynasty attacking from the direction of the Southern Ice City.


    Under the cover of night.


    Xiao Yi and the others regrouped outside the city lord''s mansion and said in a low voice, "Out of fifty thousand guards, thirty thousand are in the south, eight thousand each in the east and west, and only four thousand in the north. Once we break into the city lord''s mansion, we''ll have only half an incense stick of time to loot the spoils before we must break through to the north.


    "Liu Yi, take four hundred brothers and lie in ambush to the north to assist us; Little Lin, go to the south and block the southern guards from reinforcing, try your best to buy us time," Xiao Yi instructed as he drew routes and several ambush points on the ground.


    All nodded their heads, indicating their understanding.


    They were the elite of the military.


    Such simple tactics were naturally no challenge for them.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the time and said, "Action at the stroke of midnight!"


    "Yes!"


    The people dispersed to their respective tasks.


    Xiao Yi led over a hundred people lying in ambush outside the city lord''s mansion.


    As the night deepened and peace prevailed. S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A black cloud loomed over the sky, concealing Ming Yue and rendering the night exceptionally quiet and dark, where one couldn''t see their own hand in front of them��a perfect moment for murdering and plundering, for robbing the rich to aid the poor.


    Under the darkness.


    Xiao Yi led the charge with his men, storming into the city lord''s mansion.


    Moments later...


    They encountered the mansion''s guards and fierce fighting broke out.


    With the strength of Xiao Yi and his team, these guards didn''t stand a chance, falling to a single blow each. However, their numbers were great, and as a signal arrow whistled through the air, a fiery red orb hovered above the city lord''s mansion.


    Instantly.


    The entire garrison of Fengyue City was alerted, converging towards the city lord''s mansion.


    Along the way.


    Little Lin and Liu Yi had already lain in ambush, and fierce fighting erupted in an instant.


    Little Lin, on its own, reverted to its true form, a gigantic body rampaging through, facing twenty thousand of the reinforcing southern guards. Yet with invincible might, it swept aside everything in its path. Liu Yi in the north too led his men sniping at the reinforcing troops.


    Meanwhile.


    Xiao Yi had already emptied the city lord''s mansion treasury, and looking at the long-dead Bo Pu kneeling on the ground, Xiao Yi''s face was devoid of emotion. With a sweep of his hand, he lifted a huge stone from the front courtyard.


    Using his finger as a brush, he began inscribing on the stone.


    After they left...


    At the front of the city lord''s mansion.


    City Lord Bo Pu knelt lifelessly on the ground, and beside him lay a blood-stained stele with seven bold characters wildly inscribed on it��"Murderer, Great Qian Xiao Yi!"


    "Withdraw!"


    With a shout from Xiao Yi, he led his men in a mad dash towards the distance.


    Little Lin received the signal, opening its mouth to spit out two thunderous orbs of lightning, blowing away hundreds of people amid thunderous roars. A flap of its wings turned it into a golden streak of light, heading towards the north.


    A moment later.


    Little Lin joined up with Xiao Yi and the others, as they mounted its back and sped away into the sky.


    The Fengyue City guards tried to pursue but quickly lost track of Little Lin, retreating begrudgingly. And other strong figures in the city failed to react in time, the fray already over.


    When they learned that the stele outside the city lord''s mansion bore the words "Murderer, Great Qian Xiao Yi," they beat their chests and stamped their feet, having missed out on the trillion bounty by a hair''s breadth.


    Meanwhile��


    In a valley located two hundred li north of Fengyue City.


    Xiao Yi and his companions were dividing the spoils: "This time, we''ve looted a total of five hundred million Silver Taels worth of silver, not to mention various Spiritual Medicines, finished elixirs, and Yuan weapons, all totaling more than one billion Silver Taels. These medicinal ingredients are mine, and the silver and Yuan weapons are for the brothers to share!"


    Xiao Yi selected some Spiritual Medicines and elixirs for his cultivation, and distributed the rest among his companions.


    With the help of the Elixir Cauldron, he once again refined the elixirs.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation was now a step closer to the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Looking up at Liu Yi and the others, he found them staring at him with eager eyes and couldn''t help but laugh and cry: "What are you all doing?"


    Liu Yi rubbed his hands together and smiled: "The brothers are all wondering, which city are we going to hit next?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes.


    Indeed, this pillaging was addictive!


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth subtly curved upward, and pointing northwards, he said, "Our next target is that..."


    In the following days.


    The southern parts of the Sword Dynasty were plunged into misery. In just three days, Xiao Yi and his group had plundered eight cities. Each city was left with the city lord''s mansion looted clean, and after each pillaging, Xiao Yi would leave a stele next to the corpse of the city lord.


    The stele still bore those seven words��Murderer, Great Qian Xiao Yi!


    Suddenly.


    All the city lords in the Sword Dynasty were living in fear, hiding in secret rooms even during the night, or having heavy guards stationed outside their bedrooms. Some city lords even abandoned their city defenses, redeploying all soldiers to protect their personal safety in the city lord''s mansion.


    Once this news spread, it shocked all directions.


    The Sword Emperor was so furious that he beat several high-ranking officials who pleaded for those city lords to death right in the Golden Throne Hall.


    Suddenly.


    The name Xiao Yi became known across four nations.


    "Dean, up ahead is Beifeng City. This city is the wealthiest in the southern part of the Sword Dynasty. Shall we make it our next target?" Liu Yi''s face was full of excitement, bolstered by the elixirs and treasures looted in these past few days.


    His cultivation had become more stable, and had it not been for the fear of precipitating a heavenly tribulation and causing calamity during the breakthrough, he would have already stepped into the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    The cultivation of the others had also improved significantly.


    As for Xiao Yi��


    After each city was cleaned out, he would take the Spiritual Medicines and elixirs suitable for himself. Now, his cultivation had risen to the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, with the number of God Sealing Seeds increased to two hundred and forty million.


    His combat power had increased by more than several times!


    Xiao Yi glanced at the city looming ahead, and said indifferently, "Turn around, on to the next city!"


    "Ah?"


    "Dean, why is that? Even if we rob five more ordinary cities, they might not be as profitable as a single Beifeng City��" Everyone looked at him in bewilderment.


    Xiao Yi said coldly, "It''s an order!"


    Everyone opened their mouths but didn''t dare to speak further.


    Xiao Yi immediately led his people in a change of direction, bypassing Beifeng City and darting towards the next city. As news of their plundering the next city spread, Wang Yanzhao, who had been lying in wait within Beifeng City, suddenly sighed, "Great Qian Xiao Yi, you''re truly terrifying!"


    "General, what should we do?"


    "Should we pursue them?"


    The others asked.


    Wang Yanzhao narrowed his eyes and said solemnly, "Pursue to the north, we must capture Xiao Yi and his group!"


    However��


    Wang Yanzhao, leading an imposing army out of Beifeng City, was unaware that their every move had been observed by Xiao Yi and his companions, who were lying in ambush.


    His lips curling up slightly, he revealed a sly, cold smile: "Beifeng City, I''ve got you in the bag!"

 Chapter 529 - 529: The Assassin Arrives

    "I''ve got Beifeng City in the bag!"


    After bypassing Beifeng City and raiding the next city, Xiao Yi did not continue deeper but instead circled back to Beifeng City.


    He was making a surprise counterattack!


    Everything was just as he had expected...


    Upon learning that Xiao Yi and his group had bypassed Beifeng City, Wang Yanzhao immediately led his army to pursue them.


    Moreover.


    Wang Yanzhao not only took his Flying Wolf Army but also took half of the garrison of Beifeng City with him.


    In Wang Yanzhao''s view, Xiao Yi and his group must have known they were lying in wait at Beifeng City and would most certainly not turn back.


    But he underestimated Xiao Yi''s boldness and resolve.


    Atop the city tower.


    The lord of Beifeng City, Lu Zhan, at the Eighth Layer Peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, looked at the prosperous city behind him and then thought about his overflowing treasure vault, he couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief: "Thank goodness I, the city lord, was wise to have General Wang Yanzhao stay in Beifeng City ahead of time. Otherwise, my Beifeng City might have been looted clean, just like Fengyue City��"


    In terms of wealth and prosperity, ten Fengyue Cities were not worth one Beifeng City.


    But when it comes to the personal fortunes of the city lords, even a hundred Fengyue City lords could not compare to Lu Zhan alone.


    The Lu Family had been in control of Beifeng City for hundreds of years, deeply entrenched, with their influence in every line of business.


    The Lu Family was said to be so rich they could rival a nation.


    Night had already fallen.


    From Lu Zhan, the city lord, down to peddlers and couriers, everyone believed that Xiao Yi and his group had continued north and would not reappear in Beifeng City.


    Thus...


    For Xiao Yi and his people, infiltrating Beifeng City was effortless.


    "Director, according to the information we gathered earlier, the city lord of Beifeng City, Lu Zhan, is a huge corrupt official. His family''s wealth is more than that of a hundred Fengyue City lords combined..." Liu Yi, having shed any semblance of being a Great General, was now thoroughly led astray by Xiao Yi, a transformation so complete that had he donned a coat of tiger skin, he would have been the spitting image of a bandit chief.


    Looking at him with shining eyes.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Beifeng City is different from the other cities. Besides the city lord''s mansion, the largest moneyhouse, elixir shop, and weaponry store all belong to the Lu Family. Later, we''ll split into four groups. Liu Yi, you take people to the elixir shop, Little Lin to the moneyhouse, Xu Long to the weaponry store. After you have swept through your targets, immediately head to the city lord''s mansion to meet up with me!"


    "Understood!"


    The group immediately dispersed.


    Xiao Yi arrived alone at the city lord''s mansion. The mansion was brightly lit with joyful singing and dancing, and Lu Zhan was actually holding a grand celebration banquet.


    Carriages were coming and going.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a slight smile, and he walked boldly toward the main entrance.


    The guards at the gate saw Xiao Yi''s swift approach but didn''t think much of it, welcoming him in with a smile.


    Sitting alone in a corner of the hall, sipping on wine and squinting to survey his surroundings, Xiao Yi suddenly spotted a drunken Lu Zhan pulling a young girl toward the back courtyard. Dropping the seeds he held, Xiao Yi followed. Moments later, he was holding Lu Zhan, who was now as pitiful as a bereft dog, and said indifferently, "Great Lord Lu, you surely remember where the Lu Family''s treasury is without me needing to jog your memory, right?"


    Lu Zhan, with a swollen nose and a bruised face, looked at Xiao Yi with a pitiful expression: "Xiao... Director Xiao, hadn''t you already left? Why have you come to Beifeng City again..."


    "That''s none of your concern."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Take me to the treasury within three breaths, or I''ll kill you and ask someone else!"


    Lu Zhan trembled all over and could only plead with a mournful face: "I��I''ll take you there..." S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Lu Family''s treasury was built beneath the city lord''s mansion. As Lu Zhan led the way, he said, "Director Xiao, even if you find our Lu Family''s treasury, it''s useless. Our treasury is protected by over a hundred Formations. Unless I and the four elders are present, it''s impossible to open it. How about this, you let me go and I''ll give you ten billion Silver Taels, how about that?"


    "Less nonsense, hurry up and lead the way!"


    Xiao Yi kicked Lu Zhan in the backside, almost toppling him over, and spoke impatiently.


    Formation protections?


    Is there really a Formation in this world he can''t open?


    After passing through a labyrinth-like passage, they arrived at the entrance of the treasure vault, which was protected by numerous Arrays, impossible to breach through the main door.


    Lu Zhan, feeling proud inside, said helplessly, "You see? These Formations are simply unsolvable��"


    He had barely finished speaking.


    When Xiao Yi casually clapped his hands, strolled through the Formation defenses set up by several generations of the Lu Family at great cost, as if walking in a courtyard.


    Lu Zhan blinked, utterly dumbfounded: "��"


    F*ck me!


    These Formations were supposed to block Nirvana Realm experts from forcefully breaking in��how was Xiao Yi walking through them as if entering a land with no one guarding it?


    Under Lu Zhan''s stunned gaze, Xiao Yi effortlessly entered the treasure vault.


    This Lu Family is truly wealthy.


    Just the chests containing silver notes amounted to more than a hundred, each filled with no less than ten billion silver notes, amounting to a total of a hundred billion Silver Tael. And that''s not even considering other items like Spiritual Medicine, elixirs, primary weapons, Artifact Refining materials, secret manuals for Cultivation Techniques, and so forth��


    The total value of the treasures in this vault was definitely above a trillion Silver Tael!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, and the storage ring collected all the treasures in front of him, causing Lu Zhan''s eyes to almost pop out in rage, nearly vomiting blood, as he knelt on the ground with a thud, frantically clutching two chests: "No, no�� These are mine, you can''t take them away, please, I beg you��"


    "Let go!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to knock Lu Zhan out cold, and then he also took away the two chests.


    The vast treasure vault was now thoroughly emptied, without a single trace left.


    But Xiao Yi did not leave; instead, he meticulously inspected every corner of the vault, not missing any clue.


    "Hmm? What is this?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows raised slightly and with a probing palm, he shattered the wall to reveal a hidden compartment, "How could this be so well concealed? What exactly is this thing?"


    Inside the hidden compartment.


    A square jade box, with nine black dragons coiling around it, lay quietly.


    There was a small hole on the jade box, but no key around the edge.


    "This jade box hidden in such a secretive place must be no ordinary item!"


    Xiao Yi, holding the jade box, came to where Lu Zhan lay and woke him up, and seeing his face filled with despair, Xiao Yi asked, "What''s inside this box? Where is the key?"


    "Wh-where did you find this box?"


    Lu Zhan looked at the black jade box in Xiao Yi''s hands with disbelief, his pupils shrinking violently, a look of horror crossing his face.


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "What exactly is this?"


    "This, this is��"


    The horror on Lu Zhan''s face grew stronger, his lips turning a shade paler.


    However��


    Just as he was about to reveal the secret of the jade box, a faint whooshing sound suddenly came from behind Xiao Yi, a silent arrow shot straight towards Xiao Yi''s back at breakneck speed. His face slightly changed, Xiao Yi instinctively dodged to the side, leaving Lu Zhan exposed to the incoming cold arrow, which pierced his forehead with a thud.


    Lu Zhan fell to the ground face up; from the position of the arrow in his forehead, he rapidly dissolved into a pool of blood with a hissing sound, visible to the naked eye.


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank sharply, the poison was so lethal that had he not evaded in time, he would have been the one lying dead.


    Xiao Yi squinted and looked back to see four figures in bloodied garments slowly approaching from the passage, his eyes narrowing into slits: "Blood Shadow Tower?"

 Chapter 530 - 530: Counterkill

    "Blood Shadow Tower?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes into slits, a bone-chilling coldness rising within his gaze.


    As far as he knew,


    behind Blood Shadow Tower stood Yang Yuhuan of the Great Qian Dynasty, the unparalleled War God, but his conflict with Yang Yuhuan had already been resolved long ago.


    Moreover...


    Yang Yuhuan was the War God of the Great Qian Dynasty. Though he was known to act domineeringly, it was all out of his loyalty to the Great Qian Dynasty. Otherwise, Emperor Qian would not have tolerated him for so long. Now that Xiao Yi was a hero of the Great Qian Dynasty, Yang Yuhuan would definitely not send assassins to kill him at such a time.


    The image of a person flashed through Xiao Yi''s mind as he sized up the three men with squinted eyes, "Did Yang Kun send you?"


    The three were also startled.


    They hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to guess right away that they had been sent by Yang Kun.


    The leading figure clad in blood-red robes sighed and said in a deep voice, "Director Xiao, I am Xue Asura, the second Tower Master of Blood Shadow Tower. This is the third Tower Master, Xue Futu; the fourth, Xue Yinkuang; the fifth, Xue Arhat... We four brothers have always followed our lord, managing Blood Shadow Tower on his behalf. We truly admire your achievement in conquering Southern Ice City, but..."


    Xue Futu, with an expressionless face, said coldly, "Big brother, why are you beating around the bush?"


    "Xiao Yi..."


    The burly Xue Luo suddenly threw a jar of alcohol towards him, his voice rumbling like thunder, "I, Xue Luo, respect you as a true man and don''t wish to deceive you. The overall Tower Master is in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Nine Nirvana Realm and has handed over the control of Blood Shadow Tower. We four brothers are here on the Great Prince Yang Kun''s orders to kill you. In today''s battle, we four brothers will not hold back; life and death will be left to fate!"


    On one hand, there was respect for what Xiao Yi had done.


    On the other hand, they could not defy the rules of the Blood Shadow Tower.


    Yet Xiao Yi also felt a trace of respect for these four men, he slapped the seal on the jar of alcohol thrown by Xue Luo, gulped down a few mouthfuls, and burst out laughing, "Then let''s fight!"


    Boom!


    He pushed the jar forcefully, launching it explosively towards the four men.


    As the jar spun, swirling rapidly, it suddenly emitted a huge roar in mid-air and exploded with a bang.


    Within the jar, sharp Sword Qi mixed with alcohol and shards shot out like fiery meteors.


    "Well done!"


    Xue Futu''s eyes focused, and his white bone whip seemed to fuse with his arm, flicking it lightly.


    Crack!


    The white bone whip seemed to have eyes, striking each and every piece of shattered fragments accurately.


    At the same time...


    Xue Asura swiftly repositioned himself in retreat, as light as a swallow, sticking close to the ground as he moved.


    Swish swish swish!


    His arms seemed to multiply into thousands, like a Thousand-Armed Guanyin, each movement trailing cold, sharp projectiles slicing through the air.


    Whether throwing knives, poisoned needles, or crossbows...


    Xue Asura''s hidden weapon technique was unparalleled.


    Xiao Yi relied on his exquisite movement technique, repeatedly dodging the sudden assaults of hidden weapons.


    At the same time, he had to deal with assaults from the other three, finding himself constrained at every turn.


    All three men were masters of the Nirvana Realm.


    Especially Xue Asura, who was in the Fifth Layer of Nirvana Realm, and given his regular dealings in life-and-death trades, his attacks were crisp and efficient, almost always hitting their mark.


    Besides him...


    The strength of the other three was relatively even, as they were all just entering the Nirvana Realm.


    He was simultaneously facing the encirclement of four assailants, all seasoned in battle, adept at killing��the kings of assassins.


    Even with his impressive fighting strength, Xiao Yi repeatedly faced danger.


    Boom!


    Amidst the loud noise,


    Xue Luo was seen gripping the central pillar within the treasury with both hands, exerting a force to uproot mountains, yanking the entire pillar out of the ground. His hands encircling a huge stone pillar over two meters in diameter and several meters long, Xue Luo stepped forward with a resonating stomp and swung the pillar brutally towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi pointed his finger, and with a loud boom, shattered the stone pillar to pieces.


    At the same time, his sword''s tip flicked upward.


    Thump!


    Xue Arhat let out a muffled grunt as his throat was severed by Xiao Yi''s sword. He clutched at his throat with both hands, blood spurting uncontrollably from between his fingers.


    "The first one!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze then shifted to Xue Futu, his eyes instantly turning ice cold as he leaped into the air.


    Xue Asura smiled coldly, "As expected, too young, in such a confined space, the last thing you should do is take to the air �� Arhat Peacock!"


    Behind Xue Asura, a blood-colored peacock dharma form appeared in midair, gazing coldly at Xiao Yi. With a shake of its tail, the peacock spread its feathers. The dazzling Peacock Screen shimmered entrancingly, adorned with what looked like precious jewels. Amidst drifting red lights, a continuous whizzing noise could be heard.


    Suddenly, countless hidden weapons burst forth from the Peacock Screen.


    Tens of thousands of hidden weapons.


    In an instant, they covered the entire treasury.


    Xue Futu gave a cold shout, his bone whip splitting into nine strands, each winding around Xiao Yi''s waist like bone pythons.


    Thud, thud!


    Xue Futu''s legs slammed into the ground like steel picks drilling into the earth, and at the same time, he pulled tightly on the chains. With a fierce tug, he hurled Xiao Yi into the sky full of hidden weapons.


    Xue Yinkuang was not idle either, his hands tightly gripping the ice-blue war saber in his hands.


    "Xue Yinkuang Saber!"


    The ice-blue war saber shot out a thirty-meter long saber light, forming a wall of saber beams, cutting off all of Xiao Yi''s escape routes.


    Xiao Yi had no retreat, no avoidance.


    It seemed he was about to die under the hidden weapons.


    But at that moment...


    A slight upward curve appeared on Xiao Yi''s lips, as he suddenly shook his body, forcefully breaking free from the binding of the bone whip. With a flick of both hands, he grabbed the long whip and violently flung Xue Futu, who was rooted to the spot, into the sky filled with hidden weapons.


    "No..."


    Xue Futu''s face was filled with despair.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Numerous poisoned hidden weapons hit his body, clearing a path for Xiao Yi.


    "The second one!"


    Xiao Yi dashed forward with a Swallow Skimming Water movement, easily dodging countless hidden weapons, and appeared in front of the stunned Xue Yinkuang. The Falling Dust Sword, as if becoming one with his arm, slashed across. Xue Yinkuang''s complexion changed rapidly as he raised his long saber to block above his head. However, Xiao Yi''s sword was unstoppable.


    Clang!


    With one swing of the sword.


    The saber broke, the man died!


    "The third one..."


    Xiao Yi swiftly turned his head and looked towards Xue Asura.


    Hiss!


    Xue Asura''s pupils constricted violently, his eyes reflecting uncertainty. He never expected that under their joint attack, Xiao Yi would remain so overwhelming.


    Easily killing three men.


    So calm!


    So decisive!


    What kind of youth was this?


    He was clearly an old hand on the battlefield, more fearsome than the King of Assassins himself!


    "Damn it... I shouldn''t have listened to that fool Yang Kun and been lured into killing him..."


    Regret filled Xue Asura''s heart, but there was nothing he could do. He glared at Xiao Yi, no longer having the will to fight.


    His figure disappeared in a flash.


    Rushing towards the exit of the treasury.


    "Since you''ve come, don''t even think about leaving!" Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, chasing after him immediately.


    However...


    Just as he reached the entrance of the treasury tunnel, he heard Xue Asura''s scream from outside. Then, a commanding voice also came from outside the cave, "Xiao Yi, I am Wang Yanzhao, the General of the Sword Dynasty, and you are now surrounded by my Flying Wolf Army. Surrender quietly!"

 Chapter 531 - 531 Borrowing Your Head for a Moment!

    "I am Wang Yanchao, a general of the Sword Dynasty. You are surrounded; surrender now!"


    Wang Yanzhao''s roar, filled with towering rage, echoed from outside the passage.


    He was a distinguished general, battle-hardened, never tasting defeat.


    But now...


    He had been outplayed by a brat like Xiao Yi.


    As he led his troops north in pursuit of Xiao Yi, with no discoveries for a long time, Wang Yanzhao realized he had been tricked.


    He immediately led his army back.


    Upon entering the city and finding Lu Zhan missing, followed by the commotion of Xiao Yi fighting with the four Xue Asuras, he was drawn over and had the treasure vault entrance securely blockaded. Now, near the entrance of the cave, thirty thousand soldiers of the Flying Wolf Army were in strict formation, twenty thousand of whom were armed with crossbows, each arrow poisoned with potent toxins.


    Even a master of the Nirvana Realm would be instantly turned into a sieve if they ventured out at this time.


    Just like the Xue Asura.


    Just stepping out of the cave, he became a hedgehog and died miserably under the arrow rain.


    Inside the passage.


    Xiao Yi''s face was dark. Peering through to the outside, he naturally saw the grim bows and crossbows aimed right at the cave entrance.


    Without a doubt.


    If he dared show himself at this time, he would surely be walking to his death.


    As for Wang Yanzhao''s talk of surrendering?


    Xiao Yi snorted in disdain.


    The Sword Emperor''s bounty didn''t care if one was dead or alive!


    Xiao Yi remained silent, but Wang Yanzhao was in no hurry, saying coldly, "Xiao Yi, if you don''t come out now, I will have my men pour poison fire oil in there!"


    With Xiao Yi''s cultivation, even being engulfed in flames or submerged in magma wouldn''t pose a problem to him.


    But...


    This poison fire oil was extremely vicious, burning with a toxin that could assault the soul.


    If one hadn''t achieved Spiritual Nirvana, resulting in an incredibly strong soul, being exposed to this toxin for an extended period could lead to unconsciousness.


    Once he fell unconscious, he would be at the mercy of others.


    "I wonder how Little Lin and the others are doing. I hope they haven''t been discovered..." Xiao Yi thought to himself.


    Since there was no sound of Little Lin and the others fighting outside, Wang Yanzhao likely hadn''t discovered their whereabouts.


    At that moment...


    Suddenly, a gurgling sound came from outside��barrels of poison fire oil were being poured in, and the tawny liquid surged toward the passage.


    Boom!


    Flames surged skyward, spreading through the cave.


    "Fuck..."


    Xiao Yi''s complexion changed; he sprinted towards the vault, with the fire oil quickly gaining on him. A hint of madness flashed in his eyes as he was about to charge out of the passage to fight to the death. It was then that rustling sounds came from the walls of the vault, and a cascade of dust fell as Little Lin burrowed through.


    Whoosh!


    Little Lin spotted Xiao Yi at a glance, leapt onto his shoulder, and said, "Boss, it''s good that you''re here, follow me quickly!"


    Xiao Yi laughed loudly, stuffed Little Lin into his arms, and followed the hole dug by Little Lin to flee outward.


    A moment later.


    Xiao Yi had reached outside the city, where Little Lin had dug straight in from. Liu Yi and the others had been waiting outside the tunnel for a long time. Upon seeing Xiao Yi and Little Lin return, they too breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank goodness Little Lin knows how to dig. Otherwise, we were about to charge in and fight Wang Yanzhao to the death!"


    "Headmaster, Wang Yanzhao will soon discover you have escaped; we should leave quickly!"


    "Not in a hurry!"


    Xiao Yi, however, shook his head and looked to the side, saying indifferently, "Friend, since you have come, why not show yourself?"


    "Huh?"


    "Is there someone nearby?"


    The expressions of Liu Yi and the others changed, and they looked around warily.


    They had been waiting here for a long time, but had not noticed any traces.


    Clap clap clap!


    The crisp sound of clapping came through the air.


    Two figures suddenly emerged from the darkness, and not far from them, a rock burst open with a bang, revealing another figure.


    The ground rose up as if a dragon were turning over beneath it, the soil layer cracking, and a bald figure emerged from within.


    The four people stood side by side.


    The first to come out, a man and a woman, looked remarkably alike �� they were a pair of dragon and phoenix twins.


    The bald man had a string of fist-sized Buddha beads around his neck, his hands clasped in prayer, presenting a compassionate demeanor, yet his eyes were as sharp and venomous as an eagle or a wolf.


    The last one to emerge from the ground, a young man not over one meter twenty with legs only about thirty centimeters long and a small mustache under his nose, swayed from side to side as he walked, smiling at Xiao Yi as if a starving beggar were gazing upon a pile of delicious food.


    "Who are you?" Liu Yi asked in a deep voice. S��arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sister from the dragon and phoenix twins, with an innocent and lively appearance, smiled warmly, "My name is Yan Que''er, and this is my brother Yan Nanfei..." She pointed at the bald man and the short youth, "This big monk is Fa Yuan, a renegade from Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple, and that little dwarf is the itinerant thief Earthwalker Zun. We''ve all admired the name of Xiao Yi of the Great Qian Dynasty and have come especially to see your true face, and also to borrow something from you!"


    Liu Yi''s face subtly changed.


    He had been stationed in Xingmen City year-round, not far from the Sword Dynasty, and was quite familiar with the renowned powerhouses of the Sword Dynasty.


    Each of these four individuals was extremely tough to deal with.


    Not to mention the others...


    Just Earthwalker Zun alone was the person who had dared to break into the imperial palace alone and steal the Jade Seal.


    And Fa Yuan was a ruthless character too.


    Desiring one of the three top secret techniques of Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple, "Mahavairocana Palm," he had poisoned his own Dharma Phase Realm Peak master with his Dharma Manifestation Realm third-layer cultivation, seizing the "Mahavairocana Palm" and hence becoming an outcast of Shaoyuan Temple.


    As for the dragon and phoenix twins, Yan Que''er and Yan Nantian.


    The two claimed to be orphans, but there were rumors that the Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect was behind them.


    Both individuals were of the ninth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and together they could execute the "Yin Yang Divine Sword Skill," having slain several Nirvana Realm experts.


    The four of them had an aggressive aura, and their arrival spelled trouble!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as he sized up the four, saying solemnly, "You want to borrow something from me?"


    "Yes!"


    Yan Que''er''s eyes crinkled like crescent moons, peering at Xiao Yi teasingly, "Xiao Yi, Little Brother, are you willing to lend it to me?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and asked, "What would you like to borrow?"


    Still with a cheery smile, Yan Que''er placed her hands behind her back, bouncing and hopping towards Xiao Yi. Pointing her slender finger at Xiao Yi''s head, she tilted her head and said with a playful smile, "Little Brother Xiao Yi, I want your head. Will you lend it to me please?"


    "How audacious!"


    Liu Yi''s expression darkened. Indeed, their intent was malevolent.


    The brothers around him also glared fiercely.


    But Yan Que''er paid no mind to Liu Yi and the others, still smilingly fixing her gaze on Xiao Yi.


    Narrowing his eyes, Xiao Yi said, "You want my head, huh? That''s easy, trade it for your life. Will you, trade it?"


    "Oh dear, Xiao Yi, Little Brother, you''re such a bad boy! If I lose my life, what use would I have for your head? Boo-hoo, Brother, Xiao Yi, Little Brother won''t lend me his head, what should we do?" Yan Que''er turned to look at Yan Nantian, asking with a look of aggrieved innocence.


    Slowly lifting his gaze, Yan Nantian''s eyes sharp as knife edges, focused on Xiao Yi as he said deliberately, "If he won''t lend it, then we''ll just chop it off and take it with us!"


    PS: There''s another update coming tonight; Xiao Tian continues typing!

 Chapter 532 - 532 Block Me and Die!

    "Since you won''t lend it, then I''ll just chop it off and take it with me!"


    Yan Nanfei said expressionlessly.


    Dressed in black, he carried a black longsword on his back and moved like the wind, his silence a stark contrast to the lively Yan Que''er.


    Yan Que''er nodded obediently, seemingly oblivious to the impropriety of asking Xiao Yi for a head; instead, she looked reproachfully at Xiao Yi, "Big brother Xiao Yi, look how you''ve angered my brother. It''s just borrowing a head, yet you think of taking his life in exchange��you''re really too stingy!"


    "Fuck off with that nonsense, who would give you their head if you asked? You..."


    Xu Long said impatiently.


    Watching Yan Que''er act innocently harmless while nonchalantly asking for someone else''s head, he felt a surge of disgust.


    "Are you cursing at me?"


    Yan Que''er asked timidly with her big watery eyes fixed on Xu Long.


    Xu Long snorted coldly, "Damn right I''m cursing you, and don''t put on that pitiful act. Despite your young age, you''re asking for people''s heads; born with such a venomous heart, you truly fit the saying: ''Greener than bamboo leaves is a viper''s mouth; sharper than a wasp''s sting is its tail; both are less venomous than a woman''s heart!''"


    "You��you dare curse me�� I want your life��"


    Yan Que''er suddenly changed.


    Black Evil Qi emerged on her face, which was like that of a porcelain doll.


    Whoosh!


    With a flick of her finger.


    Dozens of poison needles shot explosively at Xu Long.


    "Not good!"


    "My life is over��"


    Just as Xu Long despaired, a wave of chilling Sword Qi flashed before him with a boom, slicing all the poison needles to the ground.


    "Headmaster��"


    Xu Long''s back was drenched in cold sweat; he had been thoroughly frightened.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said lightly, "You step back first!"


    Liu Yi immediately pushed Xu Long back, and Xiao Yi, with narrowed eyes, sized up Yan Que''er and said lightly, "So young, yet you strike so viciously. It seems that you and your brother haven''t killed sparingly!"


    "Hmph, what''s it to you?"


    Yan Que''er snorted coldly, then turned to Yan Nanfei, demanding crisply, "Brother, he''s lecturing me! Help me kill him!"


    "Hm! Leave it to me!"


    Yan Nanfei nodded, reached out into the air, and with a clang, the longsword left the sheath on his back and landed in his palm.


    He grasped the hilt with one hand, and the sword tip touched the ground; as he moved, the tip cut through the earth, emitting a series of harsh screeching sounds and sparks flying everywhere.


    Yan Que''er stuck her tongue out at Xiao Yi, "With my brother stepping in, you''re definitely dead!"


    No sooner had she finished speaking.


    She flipped her long hair and turned to leave, but from within the fluttering hair, hundreds of poison needles suddenly shot out. Xiao Yi, however, was prepared; a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and as his hand reached out, he punched forward: "Unbeatable in battle!"


    Boom!


    The punch formed a wall, deflecting all the fine needles. S��arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Clang clang clang, sparks scattered.


    At the same time��


    Xiao Yi reached out and grabbed Yan Que''er''s long hair, yanked her backward with a thud; she slammed into the ground, tears streaming down her face from the pain, but Xiao Yi showed no mercy and slammed his fist toward her face.


    Such a heart, cold as a viper''s.


    If he hadn''t intervened in time, Xu Long would be dead.


    If he hadn''t been on guard, those poison needles would be in his body.


    Between life and death.


    A flash of silver Sword Qi whooshed by, striking Xiao Yi''s fist.


    The fist veered off course, thudding down next to Yan Que''er''s ear. Although Yan Nanfei had managed to drag Yan Que''er away in time, the punch still disfigured half of her face, turning it into a bloody, mangled mess.


    In agony, Yan Que''er screamed hysterically, her gaze towards Xiao Yi filled with venomous hatred. With eyes as cold as ice, ready to devour their prey, she wished she could swallow Xiao Yi whole. She roared hysterically, "Brother, kill him for me! I want his body ground into ten thousand pieces, chopped up and fed to dogs... Ah... My face, my face..."


    Yan Nanfei''s face twisted with malice as his longsword flickered dangerously.


    In his eyes, a cold and chilling light danced like lightning.


    Clenching his teeth fiercely, Yan Nanfei growled like a wild beast, "Dare to harm my sister, I will have you dead!"


    Whoosh!


    Yan Nanfei moved swiftly along the ground, kicking up dust as he went.


    His sword tip pointed forward.


    Whoosh!


    Crossing swords created a radiant burst of light.


    Xiao Yi extended the Falling Dust Sword before him, and with a clang, a violent storm of Sword Qi erupted from the ground.


    With thunderous booms, the noise spread throughout Beifeng City.


    Whoosh!


    Yan Nanfei was forced back dozens of meters by that sword strike.


    Xiao Yi remained motionless, but his complexion was extremely grim. The commotion here was bound to attract Wang Yanzhao''s attention. If they pursued at this moment, he would be caught between two fires. Realizing this, Xiao Yi looked toward Liu Yi and the others, and said in a low voice, "Liu Yi, take the brothers and leave here immediately, run towards the Great Qian Dynasty. Quick, before it''s too late!"


    "What?"


    "Headmaster, how can we leave at this time?"


    "If we die, we die together; if we go, we go together..." the crowd said one after another.


    Xiao Yi shouted angrily, "Die? Not even the King of Heaven can take my life... I have my ways to handle this. You''ll only slow me down here. Get out now... I brought you out here, and I will see to it that you all return in one piece!"


    The expressions on Liu Yi and the others'' faces changed rapidly.


    Even if Xiao Yi had called them a burden, they didn''t have any complaints.


    What they felt was only anger and unwillingness.


    Angry that their own strength wasn''t strong enough.


    Unwilling to leave Xiao Yi behind alone.


    Just then��


    There came a thunderous noise from within the city. It was none other than Wang Yanzhao who had noticed the commotion outside, finding that Xiao Yi was not in the treasury, and was now leading the thirty thousand Flying Wolf Army in a mad dash towards them.


    If they were surrounded by the thirty thousand Flying Wolf Army, Liu Yi and the others would surely have no chance of survival.


    With reddened eyes, Xiao Yi glared at them, bellowing, "I''ll hold them back. Run!"


    Exchanging glances, Liu Yi and the others knew that staying would only impede Xiao Yi. With clenched teeth and tears held back, they roared, "Brothers, let''s go!"


    "Follow me!"


    Holding his sword, Xiao Yi charged towards Yan Nanfei.


    But Yan Nanfei had gotten a taste of Xiao Yi''s power in their recent clash. Blood gushed from his hand, and his internal organs were also damaged. With a sullen face, he looked to Fa Yuan and Tu Xing Zun, and roared, "What are you waiting for? Stop them! Once the Flying Wolf Army arrives, slaying them will be our merit too!"


    Whoosh, whoosh!


    Fa Yuan and Tu Xing Zun stepped forward at the same time, blocking the path of Xiao Yi and his comrades.


    The Flying Wolf Army was closing in from behind.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were bloodshot as he shouted, "Whoever blocks my way shall die!"

 Chapter 533 - 533: Slay Gods if Gods Block, Kill Buddhas if Buddhas Block!

    "Block my path and die!"


    Xiao Yi shouted emotionlessly.


    The Falling Dust Sword seemed to merge with his arm, and under the union of man and sword, a sword light that shocked the heavens erupted: "A heron splits the water in two at White Egret Isle!"


    Whoosh!


    The silver Sword Qi swept across the ground like a belt of silk.


    Wherever the sword edge passed, a wild wind arose, and the Sword Qi was earth-shattering.


    Fa Yuan''s countenance was dignified, with his hands joined in prayer in front of his chest. Those Buddha Beads, each as large as a fist, started spinning in his grasp, shooting towards the sword light that Xiao Yi had just unleashed.


    "Om Mani Padme Hum!"


    Golden light coursed around Fa Yuan''s body as runes entered the Buddha Beads.


    Whoosh!


    The string of Buddha Beads abruptly expanded, forming a circle like a golden dragon, engulfing the sword light.


    "Capture!"


    The moment the Buddha Beads ensnared the rainbow-like sword light, Fa Yuan clenched his fist forcefully.


    Whoosh!


    The beads suddenly tightened, imprisoning the sword light within. Golden Buddhist scripts glided across each bead, and with a loud "crack," they shattered Xiao Yi''s sword light. Surrounded by golden light, Fa Yuan looked at Xiao Yi with no expression and said coldly, "Amitabha, benefactor, the sea of suffering is boundless; turn back to the shore!"


    The sea of suffering is boundless; turn back to the shore!


    The sea of suffering is boundless!


    Turn back to the shore...


    Fa Yuan''s voice seemed to possess a magical power.


    In the eyes of the audience, his figure appeared now large, now small, now distant, now close, constantly changing.


    Those with weaker wills felt as if the heavens and the earth were spinning, their minds and spirits filled only with the mantra of the endless sea of suffering.


    If they continued to listen, they would surely become his disciples, subject to his every whim.


    "Universal Salvation Heavenly Sound?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted sharply. The Universal Salvation Heavenly Sound was a profound Buddhist secret technique. It was said that an enlightened high monk could use it to save all beings, whereas a demonic monk could use it to control the fate of empires and the life and death of the people. Even with Xiao Yi''s steadfast mind, under the Universal Salvation Heavenly Sound, he felt dizzy and nauseous, his vision shifting rapidly, conjuring a series of illusions.


    "Get lost!"


    Xiao Yi roared, and with a violent tremor of his body, the illusions before his eyes shattered.


    At this moment, Liu Yi and the others were already in a daze, like walking dead, moving towards Fa Yuan.


    "Come back to me!"


    Xiao Yi stomped on the ground, and with a "hum," the earth shook violently like a dragon tossing and turning, raising walls of earth in front of Liu Yi and his group. Xiao Yi recited with a voice that was as deafening as it was solemn, "If the heart is as clear as ice, not even the falling sky can startle..."


    Hum!


    The faces of Liu Yi and the others changed, and subconsciously, they started to recite the Ice Heart Skill along with Xiao Yi.


    A moment later.


    Liu Yi and the others regained their clarity.


    One by one, they showed fear on their faces, as they just felt that they had arrived at the Great Qian Dynasty and wanted to flee into it as quickly as possible.


    If it wasn''t for Xiao Yi''s timely intervention...


    Tu Xing Zun and Yan Nanfei in front of them were already making their move to slay them.


    Pfft!


    When the Universal Salvation Heavenly Sound was broken, Fa Yuan spewed a mouthful of fresh blood.


    His face was pale as gold paper, looking at Xiao Yi with a grave expression: "I did not expect the benefactor to break my Universal Salvation Heavenly Sound. It seems I must truly employ the Buddhist Law to convert you!"


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The gates of Beifeng City opened, and the Flying Wolf Army poured out.


    Wang Yanzhao was already upon them.


    If they didn''t manage to tear through the blockade of these few people and make their escape, once the Flying Wolf Army caught up, even if Xiao Yi and Little Lin could get away, Liu Yi and the rest would face certain death.


    With this thought.


    Xiao Yi looked towards Liu Yi and the others and said in a deep voice, "I''ll hold off these three, you break through from the right side..."


    "Yes!"


    Liu Yi and the others nodded urgently.


    Knowing they couldn''t delay any longer, with a grave countenance, they followed closely behind Xiao Yi as they charged forward.


    Wang Yanzhao naturally saw Xiao Yi and his group attempting to break through, and realizing he had been fooled by Xiao Yi again, he was livid: "Flying Wolf Army, at all costs, slay Xiao Yi!"


    "Yes!"


    "Kill!"


    The beasts ridden by the Flying Wolf Army were third-order ferocious beasts, Flying Heaven Jackal Wolves, extremely fierce. A hundred of these beasts could even dare to battle against a Fourth Order Peak Beast. If this group of the Flying Wolf Army caught up, it would be difficult for Liu Yi and the others to escape. With this in mind, Xiao Yi held nothing back: "Heaven''s Wrath!"


    "God Devouring Seven Extremes Sword," the second form: Wrath of the Heavens. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once Wrath of the Heavens was unleashed,


    the Sword Intent, powerful enough to influence the seven emotions and six desires, suddenly brought an expression of rage to the faces of Fa Yuan, Yan Nanfei, and Tu Xing Zun.


    Their eyes turned blood-red in an instant.


    They attacked the people around them like mad beasts.


    The three fought in a tangled mess.


    At the same time...


    The sword light split into three paths, carving across the ground, raising clouds of dust, and landing directly on the trio''s bodies.


    Boom!


    All three were sent flying backward, the terrifying sword force leaving ghastly wounds on their bodies.


    Amidst the bloodshed,


    the three snapped back to reality, their faces filled with confusion: "What just happened?"


    "Why did I feel like I couldn''t control myself in the face of that sword strike...?"


    "Not good..."


    Tu Xing Zun''s face drastically changed, as Xiao Yi had already appeared beside him.


    Tu Xing Zun instinctively turned and began to burrow into the ground.


    However...


    No sooner had his head entered the earth than Xiao Yi reached out through thin air, grabbed his ankle with a Qi-filled palm, and yanked him out. He threw Tu Xing Zun into the air and with a single sword strike, the words "It''s over" flashed across Tu Xing Zun''s mind before he was bisected mid-blade, his blood and viscera raining down.


    "Not good!"


    "Retreat quickly..."


    Yan Nanfei and Fa Yuan exchanged a glance.


    Xiao Yi, however, pursued the closer Fa Yuan. As the sword light rapidly approached from behind, Fa Yuan steeled his heart, flung his Buddha Beads forward,


    and ensnared Yan Que''er, yanking her back to take his place.


    "Fa Yuan, you motherf..."


    Yan Que''er, totally bewildered, had just begun to speak when a streak of sword light swept past her face.


    Pfft!


    She remained with her mouth open in mid-insult, but her head was already severed from her body.


    "No..."


    Yan Nanfei''s eyes were bloodshot with despair as he let out a hysterical roar and launched an attack on Xiao Yi.


    Fa Yuan hesitated slightly.


    Wang Yanzhao, running from behind them, shouted furiously, "Young heroes, if only you hold off Xiao Yi and his people, the credit will be evenly shared!"


    Hiss!


    A glimpse of greed flashed through Fa Yuan''s eyes.


    To share the credit!


    Three people; each would receive several hundred billion silvers.


    With this thought,


    Fa Yuan stopped delaying, strung the Buddha Beads around his right wrist, and leaped into the air.


    Hum!


    Buddhist radiance emanated around Fa Yuan, his hands forming a sacred gesture.


    Suddenly...


    He plummeted from the sky, lifting his right hand slowly, and pushed it forward.


    Gurgle!


    Liu Yi swallowed nervously, "Little Lin, did you ever speak of a palm technique that descends from the skies?"


    Little Lin narrowed his eyes, murmuring, "Could it be the legendary��Great Sun Tathagata Palm?"


    Hiss!


    Everyone drew a sharp breath.


    Great Sun Tathagata Palm!


    This was a seventh-order advanced top-tier palm technique, unparalleled in its fierce power.


    As Fa Yuan descended from the sky, a colossal Buddha silhouette emerged behind him, and a tremendous oppressive force swept over them.


    As if Buddha himself had come to the world, this palm could extinguish the heavens!


    In the face of this terrifying palm strike, Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits, his fighting spirit flaring like an uncontrollable blaze: "Be you god or Buddha, if you dare obstruct my path... If god bars my way, I will slay the god; if Buddha blocks me, I will execute the Buddha..."

 Chapter 534 - 534: How Can I Leave If You Haven’t Died?

    ```


    "When spirits block, slay the spirits; when Buddhas block, exterminate the Buddhas!"


    Xiao Yi roared into the sky with fury.


    What did it matter if that which he faced was a Buddha?


    Even if it were a god, so what?


    With my sword in hand, I dare to slay the Buddhas in the heavens!


    "Miscreant, meet your death!"


    Fa Yuan''s visage was solemn, and the phantom of a Buddha behind him merged with his figure, as if he were standing within the Buddha''s heart.


    Every move he made was indistinguishable from that of the Buddha.


    Om!


    The enormous palm was covered in countless Buddhist symbols, radiating golden light as if crafted from pure gold, crushing down from the sky. For a moment, fierce winds raged on the ground, and the oppressive force was overwhelming. Several beasts from the Flying Wolf Army, charging quickly within the range of the Buddha''s palm, thudded to the ground with a couple of heavy noises.


    Terror filled their eyes as they struggled frantically to get up.


    But under that horrific pressure, they were utterly unable to rise, and with booming sounds, they were crushed into mincemeat.


    The other flying beasts trailing behind stopped dead in their tracks, their eyes filled with horror, as they turned and fled frantically in the other direction.


    And then there was Xiao Yi...


    He stood against the wind, with his Falling Dust Sword planted firmly on the ground.


    Boom!


    Rumbling thunder!


    Around him, the ground cracked open everywhere, the surface being crushed and collapsing into a depression.


    A crater with a diameter of a hundred meters appeared on the ground, with Xiao Yi at the very center, as the gigantic palm was about to descend.


    Xiao Yi''s Falling Dust Sword suddenly thrust upwards, breaking through the soil with a clanging sound.


    At the same time, a sword beam burst forth, reaching more than forty meters in length.


    Xiao Yi grasped the astonishing sword beam with both hands, and with a powerful push against the tremendous pressure, he leapt from the ground like a released spring, soaring into the sky.


    The sword in his hands cleaved through the fierce wind.


    Unimpeded.


    Neither the violent wind nor the immense pressure could affect his speed in the slightest.


    Whoosh!


    A streak of silver light flashed across the palm, and for a moment, everything seemed to stand still; then came a thunderous bang.


    The golden Buddha palm exploded on the spot.


    Even the Buddha itself let out a roar of despair and reluctance before bursting apart, turning into a shower of golden dust.


    Simultaneously...


    Xiao Yi flashed forward, appearing before Fa Yuan, his body twisting in mid-air to deliver a whip kick to Fa Yuan''s head like a dragon whipping its tail.


    Bang!


    Fa Yuan''s head exploded on impact, and his headless body fell to the ground with a whoosh.


    In an instant.


    Only Yan Nanfei remained of the four great masters.


    His eyes were filled with terror, disbelievingly staring at Xiao Yi, his expression one of panic: "No, don''t kill me..."


    "Neither joy nor sorrow!"


    Xiao Yi struck out with two swords.


    Swoosh, swoosh!


    The sword beams streaked through the air.


    They penetrated Yan Nanfei''s body.


    Pfft!


    Yan Nanfei''s body trembled, his eyes filled with confusion, his face taking on a color of serenity.


    In a silent moment, he lost his life.


    Whoosh!


    No sooner had Xiao Yi landed than his expression changed. He saw Wang Yanzhao walking slowly out from the ranks of the Flying Wolf Army. By his side were over a hundred companions who had come to the Sword Dynasty with him, each one bound tightly. These were the strong men who had been captured by the Flying Wolf Army after being chased down due to intervention from Yan Nanfei and Fa Yuan.


    Liu Yi, Little Lin, and others stood beside Xiao Yi, their eyes a deep red as they watched over a hundred bound comrades kneeling on the ground.


    Xu Long was among them.


    At this moment...


    With his knees broken, he knelt on the ground, his neck stretched out as he let out a hysterical roar: "Director, run... don''t mind us, just go..."


    Bang!


    The Flying Wolf Army soldier guarding Xu Long stomped on his face, crushing his teeth to pieces and looked up at Xiao Yi with a cold laugh. He then pulled out a hook and yanked Xu Long''s tongue out, tearing it off with a spurt.


    In agony, Xu Long howled miserably.


    "Xu Long..."


    "Damn you, may you never die a good death..."


    ```


    Liu Yi and the others instantly saw red.


    Xiao Yi''s face was gloomy as he stared at Wang Yanzhao.


    Wang Yanzhao took the hook with a tongue dangling from it, sneered coldly, and threw it to the ground. Four or five flying creatures resembling a mix of wolves and jackals rushed out and tore the tongue into pieces, swallowing them whole.


    Wang Yanzhao sneered sinisterly, "Xiao Yi, aren''t you quite the runner? Let''s see you run now! If you dare to take a step, I will kill one person. There are about a hundred people here... enough for you to take a hundred steps if you run. Well, run then... "


    Liu Yi clenched his fists tightly, his face blood-red with uncontrollable anger, "Wang Yanzhao, it''s excessive to kill prisoners when two countries are at war; you''ve gone too far!"


    "Too far?"


    Wang Yanzhao scoffed, "I haven''t killed him. I''ve just left him wanting to live but unable to die, that''s all!"


    Liu Yi bit down hard on his teeth.


    The crowd was equally enraged.


    But they were helpless...


    With over a hundred people in Wang Yanzhao''s clutches, they dared not act rashly!


    Whoosh! S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi let out a long sigh, staring at Wang Yanzhao, "Wang Yanzhao, you''re after me! Let them go, and I won''t run!"


    "No way!"


    "Dean, you must go. It doesn''t matter if we die, but you are the future hope of the Great Qian Dynasty. You must escape... "


    "Even if we all die here, we can''t let them capture you..."


    Not one among those who had never contradicted Xiao Yi was willing to leave at this moment.


    Wang Yanzhao laughed heartily, "What deep brotherly love... Xiao Yi, it seems your brothers are unwilling to leave! How about this, if you surrender, I will let them go. How does that sound?"


    The reward from the Sword Emperor was aimed at Xiao Yi alone.


    If Wang Yanzhao could capture Xiao Yi, it would be a feat of unparalleled merit.


    As for Liu Yi and the others...


    He only needed Xiao Yi to surrender, then he could continue the pursuit and kill the rest!


    "Absolutely not..."


    "Dean, we''d rather die than burden you..."


    "Dean, if there is an afterlife, I vow to go to Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    "Hahaha, Dean, I''m going ahead. If you return, tell my parents their son hasn''t disgraced them..."


    Boom!


    Spurt!


    Hisss...


    The hundred-plus fighters captured by the Flying Wolf Army actually chose to kill themselves at the same time.


    Each one detonated their own dantian.


    Boom boom boom!


    The self-destruction of over a hundred fighters scattered the formation of the Flying Wolf Army, as fragments of their bodies flew everywhere.


    Not one of the hundred-plus people survived!


    "..."


    Xiao Yi''s mouth hung open, unable to speak.


    Liu Yi''s eyes were blood-red, and all he could emit were hoarse grunts.


    Little Lin remained silent.


    Absolute silence fell upon the battlefield...


    Liu Yi was the first to snap back to reality, grabbing Xiao Yi and starting to run towards the rear, "What are you waiting for? Let''s go!"


    However...


    Xiao Yi, however, was staring intently at the corpses of his fallen comrades. He then struck Liu Yi on the back of the neck with a blow, knocking him unconscious and handing him over to Little Lin before speaking in a heavy voice, "Little Lin, take him and leave the Sword Dynasty..."


    "Big brother, what about you?" Little Lin asked.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said deliberately, "I shall stay... to avenge our brothers!"


    "But..."


    Before Little Lin could say more, Xiao Yi cut him off coldly, "Leave, right now!"


    Little Lin clenched his teeth, let out an angry roar, and transformed into his magnificent true form.


    With a sweep of his body.


    He swept up Liu Yi and the others onto his back and soared into the sky with a thunderous blast.


    For a moment.


    Only Xiao Yi stood in confrontation with the Flying Wolf Army...


    Some time later.


    Wang Yanzhao reorganized the chaotic Flying Wolf Army and looked at the blasted bodies with an irate and icy gaze, "Have the soldiers of the Great Qian Dynasty all gone mad? How could more than a hundred people just self-destruct like that?" His venomous gaze turned to Xiao Yi, and upon seeing Little Lin already breaking the sky, leaving only Xiao Yi behind, he raised an eyebrow in surprise, "You didn''t escape together?"


    Xiao Yi raised a finger towards Wang Yanzhao, flicked it slightly, and said coolly, "How could I leave before you are dead?"

 Chapter 535 - 535: Kill One of Me, Destroy Your City!

    "How can I leave if you''re not dead?" sea??h th�� N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi stared intently at Wang Yanzhao, as if trying to brand him into his soul.


    Had it not been for Wang Yanzhao''s relentless coercion, those hundred brothers would not have self-detonated in death, trading their lives for his departure.


    Before this...


    Xiao Yi had been ready to raid Beifeng City and then leave, but now, first, he encountered assassins from Blood Shadow Tower sent by Yang Kun, and then Wang Yanzhao forced the death of those hundred brothers.


    Now, he was not allowed to leave.


    Not only was he not going to leave, but Xiao Yi also planned to cause a great disturbance.


    He was going to turn the Sword Dynasty upside down!


    Wang Yanzhao felt a chill run down his spine as Xiao Yi watched him, narrowed his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "You want me dead? I''m afraid you won''t live to see that day!"


    "Where is the Flying Wolf Army!"


    Wang Yanzhao gave the order.


    "Here!"


    "Here!"


    "Here..."


    Thirty thousand Flying Wolf Army soldiers roared in unison.


    Their shouts were earth-shattering.


    The aura of murder was pervasive.


    This was an elite army, a force of tigers and wolves.


    Clang!


    Wang Yanzhao''s longsword was drawn from its scabbard, emitting a silver cold light, and his voice thundered like rolling thunder, echoing through heaven and earth, "All of the Flying Wolf Army, move out and capture Xiao Yi for me!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    Aooo...


    Thirty thousand Flying Wolf Army soldiers charged forth. The flying beasts they rode, the sky-wolves, could not fly, but their speed was incredibly fast, as if flying close to the ground.


    Wherever they passed, dust and sand were stirred up.


    The howl of the wolves was incessant.


    "Good, come on!"


    With a low roar, Xiao Yi stepped forward, and the ground rolled like giant waves. His Falling Dust Sword stabbed into the ground, and overwhelming Sword Qi surged out, flooding into the earth below.


    Amid the booming sounds,


    Soil spikes burst out from the ground, these spikes crazily protruding upwards.


    Each spike was wrapped with a bundle of Sword Qi, and given the might of Xiao Yi''s Sword Qi, even those wearing heavy armor would be pierced through. Moreover, these soil spikes sprang from the ground, targeting the most vulnerable bellies of the sky-wolves?


    In an instant...


    Screams of agony rose and fell in succession.


    One after another, the sky-wolves were gutted, lying amidst pools of blood.


    The Flying Wolf Army soldiers riding them were caught off guard, falling onto the spikes, pierced like being struck by a thousand arrows, dying a most miserable death.


    In a flash,


    The ground was awash with blood, littered with corpses, filled everywhere with the screams and moans of the Flying Wolf Army.


    This surprise attack caught the Flying Wolf Army off guard,


    resulting in more than a thousand casualties.


    Of course...


    This was also because Xiao Yi''s move was unexpected, yielding excellent results.


    If he were to use the same method again, the enemy would be prepared, and it certainly wouldn''t have the same miraculous effect.


    Wang Yanzhao''s heart was bleeding.


    The Flying Wolf Army was his trusted force, into which he had poured all his lifelong efforts to build, and just like that, he had lost more than a thousand men?


    Wang Yanzhao swung his longsword, bellowing, "Split into three groups, attack from the left, center, and right..."


    Boom rumble!


    In an instant, the massive wave of the Flying Wolf Army split into three, converging and coordinating seamlessly. Like three ferocious poison wolves, they charged at Xiao Yi from three different directions, with their serrated, fanged mouths wide open, ready to tear him apart. Xiao Yi, wielding the Falling Dust Sword, executed his exquisite movement technique.


    Gliding amidst a pack of wolves, wherever the sword''s edge went, grief followed.


    However��


    Even a brave man can''t stand against an overwhelming number!


    Several flying jackal wolves clung fiercely to the Falling Dust Sword, causing Xiao Yi''s movements to falter; at the same time, the remaining flying jackal wolves opened their bloody maws wide and pounced to attack.


    The soldiers of the Flying Wolf Army on their backs attacked just as fiercely.


    For a moment��


    Xiao Yi found himself surrounded by over a thousand from the Flying Wolf Legion, piled around him like a mountain of bodies.


    Suddenly��


    A beam of golden light burst forth from within the crowd.


    Immediately followed by a second, a third��


    More and more golden lights flickered, accompanied by the thunderous roaring of thunder; the rampant lightning made the Flying Wolf Army howl in agony. A violent wind whipped up, sweeping thousands, along with the flying jackal wolves, high into the air. Xiao Yi sprouted wings on his back, the Wind Thunder wings flapped powerfully as he surged into the sky, while his sword swiftly executed: "Green Lotus Reincarnation!"


    "Endless cycle of life!"


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain��"


    Xiao Yi''s sword technique was terrifying, the dreadful Sword Qi shot up to the sky.


    Spreading a hundred yards around him.


    When the Sword Qi dissipated, most of the Flying Wolf Army that had been swept into the air fell to the sword''s edge.


    Two rounds of attacks had already inflicted nearly two thousand casualties on the Flying Wolf Army.


    But Xiao Yi himself was also covered in wounds, his consecutive battles had caused immense exhaustion, being able to slay close to two thousand was his limit.


    Glancing at the more than twenty thousand voracious Flying Wolf Army soldiers remaining, Xiao Yi knew he couldn''t overpower them all.


    Even if he were to use the God Devouring Ants form and summon an army of God Devouring Ants,


    he could probably slaughter these Flying Wolf soldiers, but once word of his ability to evolve the God Devouring Ants army from his form got out, those seeking to kill him wouldn''t just be doing so for the bounty.


    After all,


    the Ninth Prince had the backing of powerful figures from the Nantian Dynasty.


    If a being beyond the Nirvana Realm were to come, wouldn''t Xiao Yi be doomed?


    It was precisely because of this��


    that Xiao Yi would absolutely not use the God Devouring Ants army unless it was absolutely necessary.


    "Brothers, hold on, just keep him busy�� I''ve already notified General Hong Ye, the Flying Tiger Army is on their way here. Once the brothers from the Flying Tiger Army arrive, even if Xiao Yi had wings, he won''t escape!" Wang Yanzhao''s voice suddenly rang out, not only spurring the Flying Wolf Army to show wild joy but also making Xiao Yi grow wary.


    Just thirty thousand from the Flying Wolf Army had already been difficult for him to handle.


    If the Flying Tiger Army were to join.


    How could he possibly stand against their united might?


    With this thought��


    Xiao Yi''s Wind Thunder wings behind him flared fiercely, and he shot up into the sky, looking down with a cold laugh at Wang Yanzhao: "Wang Yanzhao, you kill one of me, I will destroy one of your cities. Starting now, I will obliterate a hundred cities of your Sword Dynasty. Let''s see how you stop me��"


    "Destroy my hundred cities?"


    Wang Yanzhao''s face darkened, his eyes filled with a chilling coldness.


    If Xiao Yi truly went all out, he really could destroy a hundred cities of the Sword Dynasty.


    Once a hundred cities fell,


    not only would the Sword Dynasty be gravely wounded, but what would be left of their dignity?


    With that thought��


    Wang Yanzhao roared, "Stop him for me!"


    However��


    Xiao Yi had already soared into the sky at an alarming speed, his cold laughter echoing through the heavens and earth: "Wang Yanzhao, wash your neck clean. After I destroy your hundred cities, I''ll come for your head!"


    Boom!


    In the sound of wind and thunder intertwining, Xiao Yi disappeared into the horizon.


    Wang Yanzhao''s eyes were blood-red, his aura surged wildly, and the sounds of thunderous roaring came from all around him, like an enraged lion: "Flying Wolf Army, heed my command, chase him down no matter if it''s a thousand miles or ten thousand, even to the Ends of the Heaven. I want to stain my battle flag with his blood, and use his head to demonstrate our military might�� I will have Xiao Yi''s body torn into ten thousand pieces!"


    "Chase!"


    "Don''t let him get away��"


    The thirty thousand Flying Wolf Army charged in the direction of Xiao Yi''s departure��

 Chapter 536 - 536: A Thousand-Mile Pursuit

    Tianyang Ridge.


    This hill was located over two hundred kilometers north of Beifeng City.


    At noon,


    the sun would be right above Tianyang Ridge, thus giving it this name.


    The entirety of Tianyang Ridge was subject to the scorching sun all year round. Coupled with the Sword Dynasty''s huge temperature differences between day and night, the alternating heat and cold made the rocks incredibly hard. Those that were not hard enough had long since weathered away, disappearing from sight and resulting in the unique landscape with its forest of peculiar rocks.


    Whoosh!


    A shadow flashed across the sky, diving into Tianyang Ridge.


    Xiao Yi''s body was covered with blood, and he was gasping for breath.


    There was a faint pallor on his face.


    "I seem to have temporarily shaken them off. Those flying beasts are just too difficult to deal with. I took the water route, and they were still able to find me��" Xiao Yi leaned against the rocks in the forest, rather helpless.


    This escape of more than five hundred kilometers had been relentlessly pursued by the Flying Wolf Army.


    No matter how he hid,


    In the end, he was always found by the Flying Wolf Army.


    "Tianyang Ridge is extremely hot during the day and filled with strange rocks. Hopefully, those flying beasts won''t find me so quickly. I must seize the time to make a breakthrough. If I can elevate my cultivation to the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, or even the Nirvana Realm... I could then head straight for the capital of the Sword Dynasty��" Xiao Yi''s narrowed eyes blazed with a fierce fire of battle.


    Now, he was the target of many arrows.


    Enemies surrounded him.


    Not only did the military forces of the Sword Dynasty want to capture him, but strong warriors from the four surrounding dynasties had also entered the Sword Dynasty, all for the sake of catching him to claim the substantial bounty.


    Just as Yan Nanfei and Fa Yuan were just the beginning.


    There would surely be even more powerful adversaries to come.


    Xiao Yi deeply felt that his current strength was insufficient.


    With this thought in mind,


    he sat down cross-legged on the ground and took out the treasures he had obtained from Beifeng City before refining them with the Elixir of Longevity.


    This was the Lu Family''s treasury that had been passed down for several hundred years. Apart from the massive amount of silver taels, there were many pills and spiritual medicines, all capable of quickly improving one''s cultivation level.


    With the help of the Elixir of Longevity, Xiao Yi''s speed of refining the pills and spiritual medicines was astonishing.


    After a whole day and night of refining,


    Xiao Yi''s body was permeated with a thick medicinal fragrance. Treasures glimmered and ebbed, like adorable light spirits dancing and singing around his body.


    Hum!


    A tremor passed,


    Xiao Yi''s body suddenly burst forth with a wildly violent surge of power. With a loud boom, a circular shockwave blasted out in all directions from within him.


    Boom!


    The circular shockwave reduced the odd stones to rubble wherever it passed.


    Within a hundred feet,


    it turned into flat land.


    As the dust slowly settled, Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of turbid air, his eyes flashing a piercingly sharp light: "Dharma Phase Realm level five, still not enough energy. It looks like I''ll have to continue looting. As I said, for Wang Yanzhao''s killing of one of mine, I will destroy one of his cities... We''ll start with Mountain Town City, which is closest!"


    When Xiao Yi mentioned destroying a city, he naturally didn''t mean massacring cities like the Sword Dynasty''s army did.


    But rather, looting��


    He urgently needed massive resources to increase his own cultivation, and robbing was naturally the shortcut to amassing wealth.


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi had just stood up when his expression suddenly darkened, and he looked behind him.


    Through the swirling dust,


    eighteen figures slowly emerged, each with a bald head, wearing monk''s robes, and their skin shining as if cast from gold.


    The weakest among them had the cultivation level of the Dharma Phase Realm third stage.


    The strongest was two monks at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, just one step away from achieving the great Nirvana Realm.


    "Amit��bha!"


    "The Eighteen Jingang of Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple have seen the donor!"


    Eighteen monks clasped their hands in prayer, their faces full of compassion, yet their movements showed no hesitation, spreading in all directions and sealing Xiao Yi in tightly.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at the newcomers, "It''s you hypocritical baldies again, but this time the show of force is quite impressive��"


    The Eighteen Jingang.


    They were the eighteen strongest disciples among the younger generation of Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple, second only to the Buddha''s son.


    The Eighteen Jingang''s aspects were dignified, their faces full of compassion and calm.


    The leading First Jingang recited "Amit��bha" with a gentle laugh looking towards Xiao Yi, "Donor, to ''lay down the butcher''s knife and become a Buddha on the spot''! You have incurred too much killing karma, and after death, you will certainly descend into the eighteen layers of hell to suffer... Wouldn''t it be better for you, donor, to lay down the butcher''s knife and surrender without a fight, to follow us back to Demon Subduing Cliff at Shaoyuan Temple, to cleanse the sins from your body day and night with Buddhist Law?"


    "Such a load of nonsense. Don''t you just want to capture me and exchange me for the Sword Emperor''s bounty? Do you have to dress it up with all these grand-sounding reasons, don''t you feel any shame in your hypocrisy?" Xiao Yi snorted coldly.


    There indeed exist high monks within Buddhism.


    But certainly not these individuals before him.


    If they truly wished to universally enlighten sentient beings, to vanquish demons and eliminate evil, why did they not act sooner or later, but only after a bounty was placed on him did they decide to make their move?


    The First Jingang frowned slightly.


    The Third Jingang let out a snort, his voice like thunder, booming thunderously, "Brazen fiend, to dare defame Buddha, you shall go straight to the eighteen layers of hell!"


    "The Eighteen Jingang of Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple, today, shall vanquish demons and eliminate evil here!"


    "Apart from you, a bloodthirsty demon��"


    The Eighteen Jingang acted simultaneously.


    Brilliant golden light burst forth from their bodies, like eighteen golden warriors cast in gold, charging at Xiao Yi.


    The weapons in their hands were all Subdue-Demon Staffs, the long staffs pitch-black, uniformly sixth-grade Yuan weapons.


    "Eighteen sixth-grade Yuan weapons? Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple is really so extravagantly wealthy?" sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes widened.


    He suddenly had the thought of plundering Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple.


    However��


    Right now, he had to deal with these Eighteen Jingang first.


    "Subduing Demon Staff Skill!"


    The Ninth Jingang, who met Xiao Yi head-on, rushed forward first, using the Subduing Demon Staff Skill with fluid grace. Countless staff shadows layered upon one another, the staff''s power terrifying and unparalleled. Before even getting close, it whipped up fierce winds and sent sand flying, sweeping across the fallen leaves. In the moment when those numerous staff shadows merged into one,


    The black Subdue-Demon Staff had already reached above Xiao Yi''s head.


    "Undefeated in battle!"


    Xiao Yi pulled his fist back to his waist, his feet planted into the ground as if they were iron spikes, the veins on his right hand bulging like an angry dragon ready to burst forth.


    Suddenly, he threw out a punch.


    Invincible King Fist.


    Intended for battle!


    Boom!


    The collision of the fist and the staff made both figures shake.


    Immediately following, the Ninth Jingang let out a pained scream, his palm ripped apart, and the black Subdue-Demon Staff rebounded back, thudding on top of the Ninth Jingang''s head. With a muffled thump, the Ninth Jingang''s head exploded like a watermelon struck by a sledgehammer, blood spurting wildly.


    The Ninth Jingang lay on the ground, breathless.


    "Ninth Junior Brother��"


    "Xiao Yi, you heartless executioner, to dare to kill a disciple of Buddhism, today I am determined to slay the demon and eliminate the evil!"


    A group of Jingang glared furiously at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upwards, a chill in his eyes sharper than the light on the Falling Dust Sword, he coldly said, "Slay the demon and eliminate the evil? We shall see whether the Subduing Demon Staff in your hands is stronger, or whether my sword is sharper!"

 Chapter 537 - 537: Slay Jingang with a Sword, Dont Leave a Single One Alive!

    "Then we''ll see whether your Subduing Demon Staff or the sword in my hand is sharper!"


    As soon as the words were out.


    Xiao Yi stepped forward with his sword drawn, and as he sprinted, the Wind Thunder wings unfurled behind him.


    Boom!


    In the vibration of wings.


    A frenzy of wind and thunder stirred up swirling dust.


    Xiao Yi ascended in one step, appearing in front of the third Jingang Monk in the blink of an eye.


    "So fast..."


    The third Jingang Monk''s face changed, his arms shook, and his muscles tensed instantly, "Jingang is indestructible!"


    Clang!


    A sword fell.


    The collision between the sword''s edge and skin burst forth dazzling sparks.


    This third Jingang Monk''s body was incomparably hard, as indestructible as Jingang, having cultivated the Horizontal Training Skill "Golden Bell Shield."


    Pride filled his face as he sneered, "My Golden Bell Shield has been cultivated to the highest realm of indestructibility. It''s impervious to blades and spears, immune to water and fire. You''ll never break through my invincible defense..."


    "Invincible defense?"


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "No one dares to call themselves invincible in front of me!"


    "Battle unbeaten!"


    "Attack invincible!"


    "Nothing indestructible!"


    "Invincible in the world..."


    Xiao Yi then unleashed a series of the "Invincible King Fist" against the third Jingang Monk, without holding back a single punch, each one landing solidly on his body.


    One punch.


    Two punches.


    Three punches...


    The overpowering fist technique fell upon him repeatedly, mashing the third Jingang Monk''s body into an uneven mess, adorned with deep pits shaped like fists. When the final punch struck heavily against the third Jingang Monk''s chest, that golden patch of skin burst open, and the destroyed heart visibly ceased its beating.


    "How... how... how is this possible..."


    Despair and unwillingness filled the eyes of the third Jingang Monk.


    How could he be smashed to death by Xiao Yi''s heavy fists when his Golden Bell Shield was cultivated to the ultimate realm, impervious to blades and spears, immune to water and fire?


    Splurt!


    Blood spewed from his mouth.


    The third Jingang Monk fell backwards to the ground.


    "Third senior brother..."


    "Damn you, demon, continuously slaughtering my Buddhist disciples, die!"


    "Demon-Subduing Staff Formation!"


    Sixteen Jingang Monks struck out simultaneously, their staffs blotted out the sky and land.


    "Green Lotus Reincarnation!"


    The Falling Dust Sword formed a Sword Qi Flower Lotus above his head.


    The Sword Qi Flower Lotus slowly spun, its petals blooming one after another, catching the staff shadows raining down like a torrential downpour. The Sword Qi Flower Lotus trembled violently, then exploded with a bang. But Xiao Yi took advantage of this moment to flash toward one of them, yet the Demon-Subduing Staff Formation had its unique aspects.


    As Xiao Yi attacked, the companion to the left and right of that person struck out simultaneously.


    The Subduing Demon Staffs crossed into an ''X'', blocking Xiao Yi''s Falling Dust Sword.


    With a turn.


    They sent Xiao Yi tumbling through the air, followed by a thunderous bang as he was smashed to the ground.


    The moment Xiao Yi landed, he slapped the ground with one hand and retreated to one side.


    Almost at the same time he moved...


    ```


    Countless staff shadows fell furiously, causing loud roars like a mountain flood bursting forth, shaking the ground, even more intensely than a dragon turning over. As the dust cleared, Xiao Yi once again found himself surrounded by the sixteen monks.


    Xiao Yi licked his lips, his eyes brimming with fervor as he let out a satisfied growl, "What a Demon-Subduing Staff Formation, impressive in both offense and defense. However, if this is the extent of your abilities, then don''t even think about leaving here alive today..."


    The Falling Dust Sword swooshed into the ground.


    In a split second.


    Sword Qi surged.


    Boom, boom, boom...


    Amid the earth-shaking roars, spikes burst suddenly from the ground, the Sword Qi was concentrated and caught the Jingang Monks off-guard, striking them down.


    Screams echoed all around.


    Six lives were lost in an instant, and the remaining ten were gravely injured.


    Seeing eight fellow monks perish in the blink of an eye, the ten great Jingang Monks exchanged fearful glances and said, "Run!"


    "This madman... we are no match for him..."


    "May Buddha manifest his compassionate spirit quickly..."


    The ten Jingang Monks turned and fled.


    "Since you''ve come, then you shall stay forever!" With his sword poised, Xiao Yi unleashed a succession of the God Devouring Seven Extremes Sword techniques.


    Sword light slashed across the sky, the Sword Intent defied the heavens. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before the increasingly ferocious Xiao Yi, these monks who had lost their will to fight turned exceedingly fragile.


    Where the sword''s edge passed, heads were reaped.


    Moments later...


    All eighteen Jingang Monks from the Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple perished under Xiao Yi''s Falling Dust Sword.


    Xiao Yi immediately began to clear the battlefield.


    On the bodies of the eighteen Jingang Monks, he discovered many Buddhist pills, and especially inside the storage ring of the leading Jingang Monk, he found a Buddhist Relic. A relic like this was only produced by high-ranking monks in the Nirvana Realm, containing the essence of one''s entire cultivation. Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upwards, "Beautiful! With this Buddhist Relic, once it''s refined, I should be able to reach the sixth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm and congeal two hundred and eighty million God Sealing Seeds. By then, even facing a seventh Nirvana Realm expert, I could easily cut them down!"


    Anyone who could reach the Nirvana Realm was undoubtedly a formidable and talented fighter.


    With Xiao Yi''s current state, once reaching the sixth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he would be capable of slaying a seventh Nirvana Realm expert.


    Even when facing a superpower from the eighth Nirvana, he would have a fair chance of survival.


    "The commotion of the battle here will likely be discovered by the Flying Wolf Army soon. I''d better leave quickly and head to Mountain Town City..." Xiao Yi glanced around, his Wind Thunder Wings vibrated, and he turned into a streak of golden light across the sky.


    Shortly after Xiao Yi left.


    A swarm of winged wolves quickly filled Tianyang Ridge, confronting the chaos before them.


    Wang Yanzhao smashed his fist against the rock wall in fury. Amid the resounding roars, the rock wall shattered, and debris cascaded down as his gaze turned exceedingly icy, "Damn it, he got away again."


    "General, these are the eighteen Jingang Monks from Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple..." The deputy inspected the aftermath and reported.


    "Eighteen Jingang Monks? Together, they could stand against an expert who had undergone five Nirvanas. Yet Xiao Yi slaughtered them so effortlessly..."


    Wang Yanzhao''s face grew uglier. He knew Xiao Yi''s cultivation had broken through again, and his killing intent intensified, "Such a monster must be eradicated. Once he reaches his full potential, who in the vast Sword Dynasty can be his match? Send word back to the capital immediately, and ask His Majesty to send someone from the Black Water Platform!"


    "Black Water Platform?"


    The deputy''s face changed drastically.


    The Black Water Platform was the Sword Dynasty''s most elite force.


    Few in number.


    But each a high-ranking expert in the Nirvana Realm.


    Gulp!


    The deputy swallowed hard and said with a wry smile, "General, the Nantian Dynasty has regulations that forbid the direct intervention of those above Nirvana Realm in wartime. If we dispatch the Black Water Platform and the Nantian Dynasty decides to hold us accountable..."


    "Don''t worry!"


    Wang Yanzhao gestured dismissively, his face twisted into a cold sneer, "This isn''t a war between nations, it''s simply a manhunt for a criminal who has plundered our cities!"


    The deputy''s eyes lit up, and he nodded, "I understand!"


    "Go!"


    After sending the deputy away, Wang Yanzhao narrowed his eyes into slits, a fierce look crossing his features, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, keep showing off for a few more days. Once the Black Water Platform makes their move, your end will come!"


    ```

 Chapter 538 - 538: Conquering Ten Cities, Huihai Offers a Strategy!

    Mountain Town City.


    The City Lord''s mansion had already turned into a sea of fire.


    At the gate of the City Lord''s mansion, the lord of Mountain Town City was kneeling on the ground, already devoid of life.


    Beside him, lay a massive stele, inscribed with the words �� The killer, Great Qian Xiao Yi!


    Half a day later.


    Linjiang City.


    The City Lord''s mansion was also reduced to ashes.


    The death of the City Lord was no different from that of Mountain Town City''s.


    Two days later.


    Green Phoenix City...


    Three days later.


    Moonview City...


    The solitary Xiao Yi moved even more agilely, his choices became more plentiful.


    Each time, he would head straight for the City Lord''s mansion upon entering a city, ransacking everything before setting the mansion ablaze and then swiftly leaving.


    In many cities, the guards did not even have time to react before Xiao Yi had already vanished into the sky.


    Not to mention the Flying Wolf Army and Flying Tiger Army.


    Moreover, Xiao Yi''s whereabouts were unpredictable, and his choice of cities seemed entirely random, repeatedly causing the Sword Dynasty''s ambushes to fail.


    In the coming and going.


    ��Five days had passed.


    Since Beifeng City, Xiao Yi had plundered a total of ten cities in the past five days.


    In contrast, Wang Yanzhao and Hong Ye, despite being battle-hardened generals, had failed time and again. They couldn''t even manage to capture Xiao Yi, let alone see a hair on his head.


    At the same time.


    In the imperial capital of the Sword Dynasty.


    Inside the Golden Throne Hall.


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    The irate Sword Emperor overturned the table in front of him, kicked over the throne behind him, and erupted with an incomparable terrifying aura, continuously roaring, "Useless, all useless�� My vast Sword Dynasty with millions of troops and hundreds of generals, and yet not one of you can find a mere Dharma Manifestation Realm brat? What use are you?"


    "Your Majesty, please forgive us!"


    "Please, Your Majesty, calm your anger!"


    "We deserve death a thousand times over..."


    The court officials knelt tremblingly.


    "Deserve death?"


    The Sword Emperor''s chilling gaze swept over everyone as he scoffed repeatedly, "Deserve death, so what if I let you die a hundred thousand or a million times? What good would that do? Now my Sword Dynasty has become the laughing stock of all. Such a vast nation, and yet it cannot deal with a mere boy. Where shall I put this old face of mine in the future? How can I face my ancestors with any dignity?"


    The court officials were speechless, heads bowed low.


    Who would dare to speak up at such a time?


    One false move could anger the Sword Emperor, and it wouldn''t just be a simple death sentence.


    The Sword Emperor glowered, looking at the silent court officials, his anger was all the more inflamed.


    Initially, when they proposed attacking the Great Qian Dynasty and discussed how to divide the spoils of victory once they conquered it, these officers were eloquent, and each seemed to have days and nights worth of strategies.


    But now...


    Facing the continuous news from the frontlines, city after city falling, they were completely at a loss.


    The Sword Emperor wished he could execute them all.


    "Your Majesty, General Wang requests an audience!" a voice from outside the hall announced.


    The Sword Emperor was startled, frowning he said, "Wang Yanzhao? Isn''t he out capturing Xiao Yi on the front lines? What''s he doing back here?" After a pause, the Sword Emperor said coldly, "Let him in!"


    Clang clang clang!


    Amidst the sound of armor plates clashing, the fully armored Wang Yanzhao marched in and knelt with a clang, bowing and saying, "Your humble servant Wang Yanzhao greets Your Majesty!"


    "Rise!"


    The Sword Emperor''s gaze was icy, his face expressionless as he said, "General Wang, you return at this hour; could it be that you''ve captured Xiao Yi?"


    Wang Yanzhao''s face stiffened.


    He had fought in countless battles, undefeated.


    But...


    Upon encountering Xiao Yi, he faced defeat after defeat, every encounter a setback.


    This was also a lifelong humiliation.


    Sigh!


    Wang Yanzhao took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, regaining his composure, before saying, "Your Majesty, I have not captured Xiao Yi... This time I return because I have devised an excellent plan to put Xiao Yi to death!"


    "Oh?"


    The Sword Emperor narrowed his eyes, staring at Wang Yanzhao intently, "What good strategy does my minister have?"


    Xiao Yi had become a lingering shadow in the Sword Emperor''s heart.


    A thorn in his eye, a sting in his flesh.


    He longed to rid himself of this annoyance once and for all!


    Wang Yanzhao said, "I ask Your Majesty''s permission for the envoy to enter the hall!"


    "An envoy?"


    The Sword Emperor was stunned, frowned, and said, "Let him come in!"


    "Announcing the envoy to enter the hall!"


    The doorkeeper shouted loudly.


    A moment later.


    A figure shrouded by a black cloak and completely wrapped up entered from outside the door. This person, with only one arm, did not kneel upon seeing Emperor Qian, but simply bowed slightly and said, "I have seen Your Majesty, the Sword Emperor!"


    "How dare you!"


    "You see the Emperor and don''t remove your cloak to kneel and bow in salute?"


    The ministers shouted.


    Sword Qi raised his hand to stop everyone��this figure in the black robe was a formidable expert who had undergone Nirvana eight times and was not at all weaker than the Sword Emperor. He squinted his eyes and said, "Who exactly are you?"


    Whoosh!


    The figure in the black robe pulled down the hood over their head.


    Hiss!


    The Sword Emperor took a sharp breath, unconsciously squinting his eyes, "Huihai Sword Master of the Tianjian Sect?"


    "What? Huihai Sword Master of the Tianjian Sect?"


    "The Deputy Sect Master of the first sect of the Great Qian Dynasty? What is he doing here?"


    "Didn''t you hear what General Wang said? This person has come to help us deal with Xiao Yi..."


    "Deal with Xiao Yi? Aren''t they all from the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    "That''s what you don''t know, the Tianjian Sect supports Crown Prince Yang Kun; they are at odds with Xiao Yi like fire and water..."


    Sword Qi raised his hand to stop the discussion of the crowd and said in a deep voice, "Huihai Sword Master, General Wang said you have a way to deal with Xiao Yi?"


    "Indeed!"


    The Huihai Sword Master nodded, his injuries had healed, and moreover, he had broken through to the Nirvana Realm.


    But even after breaking through his restraints, the Huihai Sword Master still could not forget the grudge of his severed arm. Every time he thought of Xiao Yi, his eyes flared with resentment and bloodlust.


    The Sword Emperor asked, "What exactly is the good plan you mentioned?"


    The Huihai Sword Master sneered coldly and said, "Xiao Yi is extremely cunning, and sending large armies to surround and intercept him is ineffective. The only way is to make him walk into a trap of his own accord, setting up an ambush for us to catch him unaware!"


    "I thought it was some great plan; haven''t we set up ambushes before?"


    "Xiao Yi never fell for it anyway!"


    The crowd mocked.


    The Huihai Sword Master smirked sinisterly, "I have my own methods��let him know it''s a trap, yet he will have no choice but to show himself!"


    "What method?"


    The Sword Emperor arched an eyebrow, gazing intently at the Huihai Sword Master.


    Wang Yanzhao spoke up solemnly, "Your Majesty, the Huihai Sword Master has brought along Xiao Yi''s companions as well. As long as we spread the message that Xiao Yi''s companions will be executed in three days, even if Xiao Yi knows it''s a trap, he will surely appear to rescue his brothers!"


    "Hmm?"


    A gleam sparked in the Sword Emperor''s eyes, locking his gaze on the Huihai Sword Master as he said word by word, "Indeed a cunning plan, but I want to know, why would you help me?"


    The Sword Dynasty and the Great Qian Dynasty are currently waging a great war. S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Is the Huihai Sword Master really helping them because of personal vendettas? If Emperor Qian finds out, could his Tianjian Sect escape Emperor Qian''s wrath?


    The Huihai Sword Master smiled coldly and spoke indifferently, "The Crown Prince asked me to tell the Sword Emperor that this is a win-win situation!"


    Win-win?


    The Sword Emperor was taken aback, then understood everything.


    To kill Xiao Yi.


    Yang Ling, without the support of Xiao Yi, would be like losing an arm and a leg.


    The Sword Dynasty could also preserve its dignity.


    And at the same time...


    The Sword Dynasty would owe Yang Kun a favor!


    Indeed a win-win!


    The Sword Emperor took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "Indeed, like father like son... we will follow your plan. Proclaim it to the world that in three days we will execute Xiao Yi''s accomplices. At the same time, gather the strongest from the Black Water Platform, Chongshan Shaoyuan Temple, Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect, Five Pecks of Rice Sect, and Guiyuan Sect to the capital. I want Xiao Yi to be buried here!"

 Chapter 539 - 539: Bad News Comes, Completely Furious!

    Dongyuan City.


    This is a vital place one must pass through to reach the Sword Dynasty''s imperial capital.


    Disguised, Xiao Yi entered the city and, imperceptibly, sensed many powerful auras lying in ambush throughout the city.


    The Sword Dynasty''s people must also understand that this is the necessary route to the imperial capital.


    Xiao Yi would inevitably pass through this place.


    Therefore, they set up an ambush here.


    Fortunately, Xiao Yi concealed his own aura, so he was not discovered by the hidden powerhouses and made his way straight to Dongyuan City''s Treasure Pavilion.


    "Good day, sir, how may I assist you?" A graceful maidservant approached with a sweet and sugary voice, smiling charmingly.


    Xiao Yi took out the guest token given to him by Nalan Qianqiu.


    The black and gold guest token surprised the maidservant, and her demeanor grew even more respectful, "Please wait a moment, VIP, I will notify the Pavilion Master immediately!"


    The black and gold guest token allowed one to enjoy the highest level of treatment in the Treasure Pavilion.


    Whenever someone bearing a black and gold guest token appeared, they must be served by someone at the Pavilion Master''s level.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    It was only a matter of seconds.


    A middle-aged man with a kind face and always a bright smile hurried over. He clasped his hands towards Xiao Yi and said, "My apologies for making you wait, VIP. I am the Pavilion Master of Dongyuan City''s Treasure Pavilion, Li Jiangwang. What may I do for you?"


    Xiao Yi glanced around, and Li Jiangwang''s appearance made many take notice of him.


    With a slight frown,


    Xiao Yi lowered his voice, "This is not the place to talk!"


    "Right, right, right, it''s all my fault..."


    Li Jiangwang slapped his forehead and made a gesture of invitation with utmost respect, "VIP, please follow me to the back hall for a discussion!"


    The two went to the back hall.


    Xiao Yi removed his cloak, his facial features shifted slightly, and he returned to his original appearance.


    Li Jiangwang also saw Xiao Yi''s face clearly and couldn''t help but gasp in shock, a dumbfounded expression on his face, "You... You''re Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi hummed a response, not feeling surprised at all.


    After all,


    The Bounty Orders regarding him had already spread throughout the Sword Dynasty; who wouldn''t know who he was?


    Cold sweat rolled down Li Jiangwang''s forehead as he thought helplessly: How did this scourge come to my place? If the Sword Dynasty people find out, wouldn''t they overturn my Treasure Pavilion?


    The Treasure Pavilion was widespread throughout the Nantian Dynasty.


    Their intelligence network was also extremely well-developed, and naturally, Li Jiangwang knew what Xiao Yi had been up to these days.


    The number of city lords he had killed alone amounted to several dozens.


    The Sword Dynasty had not only issued a bounty of a huge sum but also dispatched the elite Flying Tiger Army and Flying Wolf Army to encircle and suppress him, yet they still couldn''t handle him in the end.


    Such a figure had become a thorn in the Sword Dynasty''s side.


    Xiao Yi looked at Li Jiangwang, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest with a playful expression, "What? Is Pavilion Master Li thinking of capturing me to exchange for the bounty from the Sword Emperor?"


    "Ah?"


    Li Jiangwang was stunned, his face holding a forced smile of misery, and said helplessly, "What are you saying, Headmaster Xiao? You are the black gold VIP of my Treasure Pavilion; how could I betray you? Besides, my Treasure Pavilion only deals with business, not politics!"


    This was one of the reasons why the Treasure Pavilion could spread across the Nantian Dynasty.


    No matter how vast the influence of the Treasure Pavilion was, they never got involved in the affairs between the great powers.


    Xiao Yi nodded, obviously aware of the regulations of the Treasure Pavilion, or else he would not have come here. He said, "Pavilion Master Li, I have come to inquire about some information!"


    Li Jiangwang secretly breathed a sigh of relief; as long as Xiao Yi wasn''t using the Treasure Pavilion''s channels to flee the Sword Dynasty, everything else was negotiable. His face regained a bit of a smile and he said, "Speak!"


    Xiao Yi said, "How is the current situation between the Sword Dynasty and the Great Qian Dynasty? Has the Sword Dynasty continued to launch attacks?"


    Li Jiangwang shook his head, "Since Yang Kun, the crown prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, returned Southern Ice City to the Sword Dynasty, there hasn''t been a major conflict between the two nations!"


    "What?"


    Xiao Yi suddenly straightened up, his eyes narrowing into slits as he demanded, "You''re saying Yang Kun returned Southern Ice City?"


    Southern Ice City was personally conquered by him.


    It was the first time the Great Qian Dynasty had breached into the territory of the Sword Dynasty, and it was of great significance.


    What''s more important was...


    After the Sword Dynasty broke through Northern Bing City, they slaughtered countless commoners, devastating over ten cities and hundreds of villages and towns within the Great Qian Dynasty.


    In such circumstances, Yang Kun actually returned Southern Ice City to them?


    Did those commoners die in vain?


    Did the brothers who perished in the taking of Southern Ice City sacrifice their lives for nothing?


    Had his, Liu Yi''s, and the others'' life-and-death efforts deep within the Sword Dynasty been in vain?


    "Yang Kun... always Yang Kun..."


    The fists that Xiao Yi was clenching so tightly produced crackling sounds loud enough to deafen.


    A chilling murderous aura quickly formed a layer of white frost on the ground and the furniture, visible to the naked eye.


    Hiss! S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Jiangwang shuddered, his legs weakening under the terrifying pressure, almost bringing him to his knees, as he forcibly swallowed saliva and said with a trembling voice, "Xiao... Master Xiao, calm your anger, please��"


    Whoo!


    Xiao Yi let out a deep breath, but the bloodshot in his eyes didn''t fade in the slightest as he stared at Li Jiangwang and asked, "Apart from returning Southern Ice City, are there any other news?"


    "Yes!"


    Li Jiangwang thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "We received news that the Hall Masters, Stewards, and disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute intended to head to the Sword Dynasty to rescue you, but were arrested and imprisoned in the Sky Prison on charges of rebellion by Yang Kun. Yang Ling, in an attempt to rescue the people of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, was also thrown into the Sky Prison..."


    "What did you say?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes widened in disbelief. How could it be that while he was shedding blood and risking his life at the front, the Xiaoshanhe Institute fell into a trap and everyone got thrown into the Sky Prison?


    Even Yang Ling was imprisoned?


    Xiao Yi felt a tremendous conspiracy brewing and said with a deep voice, "Even Yang Ling has been imprisoned? What about Emperor Qian? Hasn''t he stepped in to stop this?"


    "No!"


    Li Jiangwang shook his head, smiling bitterly, "According to the information we''ve received, Emperor Qian seems to have gone into seclusion seven days ago, and now the Great Qian Dynasty is under the regency of the crown prince, Yang Kun!"


    Xiao Yi remained silent, his brows slightly furrowed.


    Unusual!


    Everything was too unusual!


    Emperor Qian mysteriously disappeared, handing over power to Yang Kun.


    Yang Ling and the entire Xiaoshanhe Institute faction were arrested and imprisoned.


    And at this time, Yang Kun chose to give back Southern Ice City to the Sword Dynasty...


    He felt there must be a huge conspiracy at play, but trapped within the Sword Dynasty, he was too far away to reach into the Great Qian Dynasty and uncover the truth behind all these events.


    Just as Xiao Yi was deep in thought...


    A young man came to the door, respectfully saluting Li Jiangwang and said, "Pavilion Master, there''s news from the imperial capital!"


    "Hmm?"


    Li Jiangwang was taken aback, received the envelope, gestured for the young man to leave, and then opened it to read.


    Hiss!


    Li Jiangwang''s face suddenly changed.


    Pale and shocked.


    He looked towards Xiao Yi involuntarily, hesitating to speak.


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "What is it?"


    Li Jiangwang gave a wry smile, "You better see it for yourself!"


    Taking the letter with a puzzled expression, Xiao Yi''s hands began trembling uncontrollably upon reading it, his body shaking like a sieve, his eyes erupting with a red glow, seething with murderous intent.


    The letter revealed that Wang Yanzhao had successfully captured over four hundred criminals who caused chaos in the Sword Dynasty, and they were to be beheaded in the imperial capital three days later before the public.


    A list of names followed.


    Liu Yi and others were clearly among them.


    Boom!


    The letter in his hand burst into flames, but Xiao Yi held on tight, unwilling to let go, his eyes radiating a cold light of extreme intensity, "A public beheading? Very well, Sword Emperor, you''ve forced my hand..."


    At this moment, unbeknownst to the Sword Emperor, comfortably seated in the Sword Dynasty palace, waiting for Xiao Yi to fall into his trap three days later...


    He never considered that his action would bring a devastating storm of destruction upon the Sword Dynasty...

 Chapter 540 - 540: Full of Money and Arrogance

    Li Jiangwang felt as if he were in an ice cellar.


    The bone-chilling cold swept through his entire body.


    The icy killing intent unconsciously radiating from Xiao Yi coated the entire reception hall with a layer of frost.


    The white frost exuded waves of chilliness.


    Gululu!


    Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, Li Jiangwang stiffened his resolve and said, "Xiao, Director Xiao, please calm your anger��"


    Whoosh!


    Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yi dispersed the surrounding coldness in an instant. His eyes fixed on Li Jiangwang, he spoke deliberately, "Pavilion Master Li, do you wish to advance further?"


    "Hmm?"


    Li Jiangwang was startled.


    He was already a Pavilion Master of a main city branch. If he were to advance further, he would become the Pavilion Master of the capital''s main pavilion. sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But��


    His qualifications were far from sufficient to become the Pavilion Master of a nations''s main pavilion.


    Unless��


    In disbelief, Li Jiangwang gazed at Xiao Yi, drawing a deep breath as his throat bobbed, "Director Xiao, do you mean��"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I remember the Treasure Pavilion assesses the Pavilion Masters annually based on the total profits of their respective branches, promoting the excellent and eliminating the inferior. If the profits of a main city Pavilion Master''s branch exceed that of the main pavilion''s by five times, they can replace them. Am I wrong?"


    Elder Yan had told him some of the rules of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Xiao Yi had always kept them in mind.


    After a moment''s hesitation, a flash of eager desire crossed Li Jiangwang''s eyes, but thinking about Xiao Yi''s current situation, he couldn''t help feeling hesitant.


    "Pavilion Master Li, fortune favors the bold!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice seemed to carry an enchanting power, tempting, "If you follow the normal process, aspiring to become the main pavilion''s Master would take at least a hundred years, right? If you could become the main Pavilion Master, both the treatment and resources you''d receive would far exceed your current status by ten or even dozens of times. By then��"


    Hiss!


    Li Jiangwang''s last line of defense crumbled completely.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said��


    Following the normal process, he would have to wait at least a hundred years to reach the position of the main Pavilion Master through seniority.


    By that time, he would have missed the prime time for cultivation.


    His potential achievements were firmly capped.


    But if he could become the main Pavilion Master now, just the improvement in treatment and resources would be enough to take his cultivation to the next level.


    A hundred years later.


    He might be able to reach the Seven Nirvana, or even the Eight Nirvana Realm, and thereby return to the Nantian Dynasty.


    With this thought in mind.


    Li Jiangwang clenched his teeth, "Director Xiao, just tell me what I need to do?"


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth rose slightly.


    Having persuaded Li Jiangwang, the next steps would be more straightforward.


    Swish!


    He casually waved his hand, and several Storage Rings fell onto the table.


    His fingers tapped lightly on the table''s surface.


    Li Jiangwang''s eyes also fell on the Storage Rings, his face showing a trace of confusion, "What is this��"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Pavilion Master Li should have heard that I''ve killed quite a few lords and experts of the Sword Dynasty recently. These are treasures collected from them. Just the Silver Tael alone exceeds three hundred billion, and there are also some exotic treasures, the total value should be around one trillion Silver Tael��"


    Hiss!


    Li Jiangwang shuddered.


    His face showed an expression of incredulity as he gazed at the storage rings, his eyes burning with intense eagerness.


    Ten trillion Silver Taels'' worth of treasures!


    The total pavilion of the Sword Dynasty only made about a trillion Silver Taels in profit a year; the ten trillion here was almost ten times the total pavilion''s profit!


    With such a substantial income, he would be more than capable of replacing the current Pavilion Master.


    Watching Xiao Yi casually toss out so many treasures made him involuntarily take a sharp intake of breath.


    Truly a display of wealth and power!


    Money was clearly no object to him!


    Gurgle!


    Li Jiangwang swallowed hard, steeled his heart, and through clenched teeth said, "Director Xiao, I, Li Jiangwang, will go all in with you!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly as he said in a deep voice, "Pavilion Master Li, rest assured, you will realize how wise today''s decision was." He paused and then continued solemnly, "Now that we''re in the same boat, I hope Pavilion Master Li can help me gather these items as quickly as possible!"


    He took out a writing brush and wrote down a list.


    The list included hundreds of kinds of Spiritual Medicines and various types of formation stones and so on.


    If he were to purchase them through his own channels, it would cost at least five or six trillion Silver Taels; even the purchasing price for the Treasure Pavilion would be two trillion.


    Li Jiangwang glanced at the list and calculated the cost; he would still earn a net profit of eight trillion Silver Taels. Xiao Yi wasn''t trying to swindle him financially as he said solemnly, "The items on the list are all available at Treasure Pavilion, though many need to be transferred from the main pavilion!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, "I need to see all the items on the list before today ends!"


    He had tempted Li Jiangwang with a huge profit because he needed to get these items as quickly as possible.


    Little Lin and Liu Yi were to be executed in only three days; if he couldn''t get these items as fast as possible, all the money he held onto would be useless.


    After pondering for a moment, Li Jiangwang said, "I will go to the capital myself!"


    "You may go to the capital, but first, take this pill before you leave!"


    Xiao Yi took out a black pill the size of a grape from the storage ring, his face calm as he said, "This is a poison pill I''ve concocted myself; no one but me has the antidote. If you don''t take the antidote within three days, you will die with your intestines perforated. This is a matter of great importance, so I ask for Pavilion Master Li''s understanding!"


    Li Jiangwang''s mouth twitched violently.


    After a slight hesitation, he swallowed the pill.


    If the roles were reversed and he was Xiao Yi, he would also be extra cautious.


    After taking the pill, Li Jiangwang said somberly, "I will be back before nightfall!"


    "I''ll be waiting right here!" Xiao Yi nodded his head.


    Li Jiangwang immediately left the Treasure Pavilion.


    In the blink of an eye, the sun set in the west.


    Li Jiangwang returned successfully with all the medicinal herbs, handing them over to Xiao Yi one by one.


    Immediately after...


    Xiao Yi proceeded to the Treasure Pavilion''s secret chamber, used the formation stones to set up a Spirit Gathering Array, and then inside the array, he started processing these medicines with the help of the Xuanzi Longevity Cauldron.


    In the past few days, Xiao Yi''s cultivation had risen to a new level, reaching the peak of the Six-fold of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, only one step away from the Seventh-fold. With these medicines he had purchased for two trillion Silver Taels, as long as he fully refined them, he would definitely be able to reach the Eightfold of the Dharma Manifestation Realm or even the Ninth-fold.


    By then,


    Even facing a super powerhouse who had undergone eight or even nine Nirvanic Rebirths, Xiao Yi would have the strength to kill them.


    The capital of the Sword Dynasty had become a massive vortex.


    Within that vortex were countless masters and powerhouses, as well as the vast Sword Dynasty''s full effort in setting traps.


    Crisis layered upon crisis.


    It was a dire situation!


    Only with sufficient strength could Xiao Yi break out of this dire situation and save people like Little Lin and Liu Yi from the multitude of dangers unharmed.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of turbid air, tossing the Spiritual Medicines into the Longevity Cauldron before him, his eyes narrowed into slits, battle fire in his eyes coalescing like two blazing suns, "Little Lin, wait for me..."

 Chapter 541 - 541: The Mountain Rain is Coming, the Wind Fills the Tower

    Great Qian Dynasty, the imperial capital, within the palace.


    Yang Kun, with hands clasped behind his back, stood atop the Golden Throne Hall, facing the revered seat that countless people looked up to, and took step by step towards it. S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    Yang Kun seated himself upon the throne.


    Gently caressing the dragon-head armrests, a dazzling gleam flashed across his eyes as a faint smile curved at his lips. He murmured to himself, "This is what it feels like to reign supreme, to wield the power of nations�� This place, at last, belongs to me!"


    Leaning against the throne, Yang Kun''s thoughts returned to ten days prior��


    He had sent the assassins of Blood Shadow Tower to kill Xiao Yi, wishing to use the power of the Sword Dynasty to eliminate Xiao Yi, but ultimately, his plan was exposed and came to Emperor Qian''s knowledge.


    Emperor Qian rebuked Yang Kun harshly and even intended to establish Yang Ling as Crown Prince.


    Yang Kun broke completely with Emperor Qian.


    Afterward��


    With the support of the Tianjian Sect, he poisoned Emperor Qian, draining him of all his cultivation, and imprisoned him in the cold palace.


    He then moved against Xiaoshanhe Institute and Yang Ling.


    Meanwhile, he returned the Southern Ice City to the Sword Dynasty and captured Liu Yi and Little Lin, who had returned from the Sword Dynasty, allowing the Huihai Sword Master to take them to the Sword Dynasty''s capital and set a trap to kill Xiao Yi.


    Had he not been unable to find the Imperial Jade Seal, Yang Kun would have been enthroned as emperor already!


    "Your Highness!"


    A sudden voice called out, belonging to a figure dressed in a blood-red robe.


    This person was the chief of the first tier of Blood Shadow Tower, Xue Feng.


    At the same time��


    His position within Blood Shadow Tower was second only to the overall leader, Yang Yuhuan.


    Now with Yang Yuhuan in seclusion, aiming for the Nine Nirvana Realm, Xue Feng naturally assumed control of Blood Shadow Tower and, after Yang Kun obtained the Token of Blood Shadow Tower, pledged his allegiance without hesitation.


    Yang Kun looked at Xue Feng and spoke indifferently, "That old man still refuses to reveal where the Imperial Jade Seal is?"


    Xue Feng shook his head, then said, "Your Highness, rumors have started spreading outside that you surrendered the Southern Ice City as an act of treason�� There are also some officials secretly conspiring, trying to locate His Majesty. What do you think we should do��"


    Yang Kun snorted coldly, his eyes brimming with murderous intent, "Xue Feng, immediately have the Blood Shadow Tower assassins monitor the ministers and the people for me. If anyone harbors thoughts of rebellion and dares to talk behind my back, exterminate their entire family. In addition, press that old man harder to disclose the location of the Imperial Jade Seal, and do not delay my coronation ceremony��"


    "I shall hasten the interrogation immediately upon my return," Xue Feng nodded, respectfully responding.


    Yang Kun nodded in satisfaction, rose from his seat, and descended the steps to stand before Xue Feng, saying flatly, "And keep a close watch on those from Xiaoshanhe Institute and Yang Ling. Once I ascend the throne, I''ll sacrifice them to the heavens to celebrate my coronation day!"


    "Yes!"


    Xue Feng respectfully accepted the order.


    Yang Kun returned to his Dragon Chair, leaning against the backrest and slightly tilting up his head, "Has there been any news from the Sword Dynasty?"


    "The Huihai Sword Master has already sent a message; in three days they will publicly execute Liu Yi and others, and the Sword Dynasty has laid a trap in their capital, just waiting for Xiao Yi''s arrival, ensuring he won''t leave alive!" Xue Feng''s expression turned ice-cold as he spoke. The deaths of Xue Asura and his followers at the hands of Xiao Yi had significantly weakened Blood Shadow Tower, and Xue Feng harbored deep hatred towards Xiao Yi.


    "Very good!"


    Yang Kun nodded his head, his gaze fixed on the large plaque above, and he said coldly, "Send a message to Huihai, tell him, after he kills Xiao Yi, to bring back his head for me. When I ascend the throne, I''ll use his head to strike fear across the land. I want everyone to know, there is only one fate for those who oppose me�� death��"


    ......


    Sword Dynasty, the capital.


    An extravagant carriage slowly made its way down the road to the capital.


    Ye Tiannan''s lips curled into a slight smile as he peered through the carriage curtain at the vast city, and said coldly, "This place has good feng shui; dying here would be considered lucky for Xiao Yi!"


    Chen Beidou glanced at him and said flatly, "Why are you so excited? It will be I, Chen Beidou, who kills Xiao Yi. The position of sect leader for this generation''s Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect will surely be mine!"


    "Idiot!"


    Ye Tiannan scoffed, raising a middle finger at Chen Beidou, "You can''t possibly compete with me. Xiao Yi''s life is mine!"


    As the two argued.


    A whooshing sound came from above the sky; it was eight sallow-faced figures carrying a luxurious sedan chair, on which sat a young man in a Taoist robe holding a horsetail whisk. His lips slightly raised, obviously hearing the two''s argument, he glanced over with a hint of contempt in his eyes and said, "Ye Tiannan, Chen Beidou, do you two really think you can kill Xiao Yi?"


    Ye Tiannan and Chen Beidou both looked at the young man in the blue robe at the same time.


    Respect flashed through their eyes.


    This person was a disciple of the Five Dou Rice Sect, one of the four major sects of the Sword Dynasty, known as Little Celestial Master Zhang Yun.


    Chen Beidou scoffed, "If we two can''t kill him, do you really think you can?"


    Zhang Yun, however, did not pay them any mind but instead turned his head towards the void and chuckled, "Liu Zongyuan, since you''ve come, why not show yourself?"


    Swoosh!


    From within the clouds, a young man, standing atop a wheel of vital energy, slowly descended.


    Clad in a pristine white robe and standing with his hands behind his back, his bright eyes pulsated with icy sharpness as he said indifferently, "There''s no need for you all to fight. With me, Liu Zongyuan here, no one can take Xiao Yi''s life from my hands. I will let the world know that it is the Guiyuan Sect that is the strongest sect in the Sword Dynasty, and that I, Liu Zongyuan, am the strongest among the young generation of the Sword Dynasty!"


    "Liu Zongyuan, aren''t you a bit too confident?"


    "We are in no way inferior to you. What makes you think you''re the strongest?"


    Ye Tiannan and Chen Beidou said with unconvinced expressions.


    Zhang Yun gently swung his horsetail whisk, speaking lightly, "Gentlemen, perhaps you''ve forgotten something. It''s not just the powerhouses of the Sword Dynasty gathered here; many strong contenders from both the Great Sui Dynasty and the Dongfang Dynasty have also come... Especially that one from the Cheng Family of the Great Sui Dynasty, a formidable rival indeed!"


    Everyone was taken aback.


    The Cheng Family of the Great Sui Dynasty?


    Ye Tiannan frowned and said, "I didn''t expect even that monster to come..."


    "With so many here to kill Xiao Yi, it seems we''ll have to strike first when the time comes!"


    Meanwhile.


    In the imperial capital, within the Sky Prison.


    In the deepest depths of the gloomy Sky Prison...


    Little Lin, Liu Yi, and others were all impaled through their clavicle bones, wearing clavicle locks, curled up in the darkness.


    Their bodies were covered with ferocious scars, and their blood had dried and caked on their clothes, the pungent scent of blood and mildew mingling together, making the atmosphere unbearable.


    "Wang Yong, Wang Yong, wake up..."


    "General, Wang Yong is dead..."


    Suppressed to the extreme, painful roars echoed in the dark; their voices were hoarse, their eyes hollow, devoid of any spark of life.


    "Damn it, Yang Kun that bastard... We fought hard for the Great Qian Dynasty only for him to return Southern Ice City to the Sword Dynasty, and furthermore, he captured us and delivered us to the Sword Emperor, using us as bait to lure Xiao..."


    "I''d rather end my own life than involve Xiao..."


    One by one, the soldiers'' eyes reddened, filled with resentment and despair.


    Their cultivation was crippled with their clavicle bones pierced.


    Now, they didn''t even have the strength to end their own lives.


    They could only watch helplessly as more and more powerhouses congregated within the Sword Dynasty, as the Sword Emperor continued to deploy troops, setting up a grand trap awaiting Xiao Yi''s entry into the snare.


    Their hearts, filled with bitterness and despair, could see not a sliver of hope.


    Little Lin was also extremely weak, his golden scales viciously ripped off in large patches, his flesh mangled and raw, lying feebly in Liu Yi''s arms.


    These scales were peeled off one by one by the Huihai Sword Master himself, and the reason he left half was just so he could torment Little Lin slowly in Xiao Yi''s presence, watching Xiao Yi''s pain and despair as he helplessly witnessed his close brother being tortured.


    Hiss!


    At that moment, Little Lin, struggling to prop up his body, gazed at everyone and said, "Brothers, we must hold on. The boss, he will definitely save us!"


    "Save us?"


    "Little Lin, now the Sword Dynasty''s imperial capital is a deadly trap, a place of certain death. Unless Xiao is a Nine Nirvana''s Nirvana Realm master, it''s impossible for him to save us..."


    "Let alone save us, if Xiao shows up, he''ll likely die here himself..."


    The faces of all were filled with despair.


    Little Lin clenched his teeth, yet his determination remained unwavering as he muttered to himself, "I believe in the boss, he will definitely save us! Definitely..."

 Chapter 542 - 542: On the Line of Life and Death

    Sword Dynasty, the Imperial Capital.


    The solemn and somber Wumen.


    Three days had passed in the blink of an eye...


    The sun was near its zenith, the scorching rays casting down upon the earth, searing all things.


    Usually, there were not many who lingered at Wumen, after all, this was a place of execution, heavy with Yin energy.


    The common people subconsciously regarded it as an ill-omened place.


    But today...


    Inside and outside Wumen, it was a sea of people, packed with heads.


    Even the tall buildings near Wumen were occupied by individuals, each moving swiftly along the edges of roofs, perching at the very top, gazing towards Wumen.


    The number of powerful figures gathered today at Wumen was terrifyingly large.


    It exceeded any usual time.


    "Isn''t that Ye Tiannan and Chen Beidou from the Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect? They''ve actually come too?"


    "It''s not just them; did you see that proud figure being carried by the yellow paper effigies? That''s Zhang Yun, the contemporary young Taoist master from the Wu Dou Mi Sect. It''s said that he has perfected the secret techniques of the Wu Dou Mi Sect, and his skill of turning beans into soldiers is astonishing to all!"


    "The one standing with Zhang Yun and his group seems to be Liu Zongyuan from the Guiyuan Sect, another supremely skilled young martial artist who has made a name for himself!"


    "It''s not only the young prodigies from our Sword Dynasty who are gathering; I also saw strong figures from the Dongfang Dynasty..."


    "I heard that the freak from the Cheng family of the Great Sui Dynasty has come��"


    Hiss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp. Any one of these powerful figures was enough to dominate the martial artists of an entire nation.


    And to think all these renowned talents had gathered for the same person?


    For a moment,


    People couldn''t help but sweat for Xiao Yi, "If I were Xiao Yi, knowing that so many strong figures were waiting here, I would probably be too afraid to show my face!"


    "I bet he definitely won''t show up!"


    "It shouldn''t come to that..."


    As discussions ebbed and flowed,


    The noisy crowd suddenly fell silent as a luxurious convoy approached, escorted by the Black Water Platform troops clad in black battle armor, riding Dragon Blood steeds covered in black armor as they advanced towards Wumen.


    The banner, a mix of black and red, bore the large characters "Black Water Platform" written with a flourish, reeking of a dreadful and fierce aura.


    The banners whipped against the clear sky, rustling loudly.


    In that instant...


    Wumen seemed to echo with the wails of ghosts and howls of wolves, a chilling air spreading over everyone.


    Black Water Platform.


    The most elite troops of the Sword Dynasty and also the strongest force wielded by the Sword Emperor himself.


    Once you join the Black Water Platform, you are Black Water Platform for life!


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The ear-splitting sound of metal clashing sent chills down one''s spine, as if facing a group of Grim Reapers.


    "His Majesty has arrived!"


    Atop the massive dragon-themed carriage, a eunuch with a fair and clean appearance, exuding a gentle aura, announced loudly.


    At once,


    The court officials and the public prostrated themselves, "We welcome Your Majesty!"


    "Your Majesty, may you reign for ten thousand ages, timeless as heaven and earth..."


    The Sword Emperor''s voice came from within the carriage, calm yet carrying throughout Wumen, "You may all rise!"


    "Thank Your Majesty!"


    The officials and the public thanked the emperor and rose to their feet.


    "Your Majesty, please proceed to the execution platform!" said the fair and clean eunuch.


    The Sword Emperor hummed in acknowledgement, walked with his hands behind his back, and floated out from the carriage.


    He stepped across the void and landed on the execution platform.


    To his left and right stood two princes, specifically the third, fifth, sixth, and eighth princes of the Sword Dynasty.


    Everyone stood at the left and right of the Sword Emperor.


    The Sword Emperor tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop as hundreds of executioners with broad shoulders and bear-like waists stood side by side on the execution ground, each holding a beheading knife. All bore solemn expressions, their eyes sharp and spirited. Just one glance from their ferocious eyes was enough to terrify ordinary families.


    "Your Majesty, it''s almost time!" The gentle eunuch checked the sky and reminded.


    The Sword Emperor nodded.


    The eunuch stepped forward with a shrill voice, "Bring up the criminals!"


    There was silence for a moment.


    Then...


    The entire imperial city suddenly shook with resounding booms, the violent and rapid sound of horse hooves thundering through the skies above the city.


    A dense group from the Flying Tiger Army was seen galloping swiftly towards the site.


    Trailing behind each member of the Flying Tiger Army were three soldiers of the Great Qian Dynasty, led by chains fastened to the pipa locks on their shoulders.


    Each tug caused them excruciating pain.


    Moreover...


    If they failed to keep up with the pace of the Flying Tiger Army, they would fall and be dragged along the way.


    For individuals like Liu Yi who had already endured brutal punishment, this was adding insult to injury. Many simply could not keep up with the speed of the Flying Tiger Army and were dragged along. All were like bloodied people, bruised and battered, their wounds layering one on top of another.


    Even Liu Yi at this moment was as pale as paper, his body covered with wounds, the blood staining his prison uniform bright red.


    But...


    The most miserable among them was not them, it was Little Lin!


    Half of his scales had been ripped out alive by the Huihai Sword Master, and without the protection of the scales, Little Lin''s defense had greatly diminished.


    This dragging along the way had cost him half his life!


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The Flying Tiger Army, known for their strict obedience, stopped abruptly on the execution platform.


    Hong Ye and Wang Yanzhao dismounted from their horses.


    The ones dragging Little Lin and Liu Yi were none other than themselves.


    "Reporting to Your Majesty, the prisoners have been brought!" Hong Ye and Wang Yanzhao both bowed and said in unison.


    "The two generals have worked hard!"


    The Sword Emperor nodded slightly, looking at each Great Qian Dynasty soldier who was in a pitiable state. The corners of his mouth slightly raised, he nodded with satisfaction and said, "Bestow seats to the two generals, so they may watch the execution with Us!"


    "Thank you, Your Majesty!"


    The two men showed joy on their faces and sat to the left of the Sword Emperor.


    "Bring the prisoners up to the execution platform!"


    The eunuch beside the Sword Emperor shouted loudly.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    One after another, the executioners escorted Little Lin and Liu Yi among others onto the execution platform.


    Puff puff puff!


    Executioners sprayed strong liquor onto the execution blade, and the smell of the alcohol reflected sunlight in the air, creating a dazzling rainbow.


    Like the Naihe Bridge connecting Yin and Yang.


    At the very front...


    Liu Yi and Little Lin were tightly bound to the stakes. The executioners standing before them inserted the execution blade into the ground and simultaneously produced a sharp dagger in their hands.


    Bound to the stakes, Little Lin and Liu Yi''s blood dripped steadily down.


    Pale-faced, completely devoid of color.


    Barely clinging to life.


    Seeing this, the Sword Emperor instructed, "Administer the elixirs to preserve their lives; it''s not yet their turn!"


    "Yes, Your Majesty!"


    The executioners respectfully took the order, retrieved some life-saving elixirs and administered them, preserving their lives.


    Liu Yi and the others gradually caught their breath.


    They glared furiously but lacked the strength to hurl insults.


    As time ticked closer to noon.


    Xiao Yi still hadn''t appeared.


    The murmurings among the crowd grew louder: "See, Xiao Yi really doesn''t dare to show up!"


    "It''s clear this is a trap. How could he possibly come back to die?"


    "Hasn''t shown up yet, huh?"


    The Sword Emperor glanced at the white eunuch. As the latter shook his head, the Sword Emperor squinted and said, "It seems he won''t show up without a real threat. Proceed with the plan!"


    "Yes!"


    The eunuch took the command and said loudly, "Xiao Yi of the Great Qian Dynasty led a thousand villains to cause trouble within our Sword Dynasty''s territory, slaughtering countless innocents, looting incalculable wealth, and killing numerous mighty warriors of our Sword Dynasty. Such a heartless and deranged man should be executed by everyone." He paused, then continued, "Executioners heed the order. You two will oversee the death by a thousand cuts. You may begin by making a cut on Liu Yi and that beast every time a breath is taken, and every ten cuts, execute another warrior. Do you understand?"


    "Understood!"


    The executioners responded loudly one by one.


    The two leading executioners, each holding a dagger, silently counted in their hearts, making a cut on Little Lin and Liu Yi''s bodies with every breath.


    With wide eyes, they watched as slivers of their flesh were carved away, layer by layer. The pain was excruciating and unbearable!


    Yet Little Lin and Liu Yi still clenched their teeth and stood firm, not uttering a word.


    In a blink of an eye, ten cuts had passed.


    The eunuch said coldly, "Choose someone to kill!"


    For a moment...


    Where once there was silence, everyone spoke up simultaneously: "Principal, please don''t come out... We don''t mind dying, as long as you live, you can take revenge for us one day!"


    "Principal, I won''t be able to fight by your side in this lifetime. In the next life, I will surely follow you to gallop across the world..."


    "Hahaha, I''ve followed the Principal in breaching cities and slaying enemies. Even city lords were like ants to us. It''s been enough!"


    "No regrets in death!"


    One mighty warrior after another closed their eyes, held their heads high, and stuck out their necks, looking at the executioners beside them and laughing ferociously, "Buddy, chop at my neck!"


    "Kill me, kill me first!"


    "What? Aren''t you an executioner? Don''t you even have the guts to kill? Use your blade, chop at my neck, fast..."


    Warrior after warrior eagerly vied for the executioners to kill them first.


    This left the executioners dumbfounded.


    It also made the observing ministers, commoners, and various warriors curse, stay silent, or secretly admire them: "They are using their lives to buy time for their comrades!"


    "No wonder a mere thousand men could turn the Sword Dynasty upside down. A force this elite is truly a national weapon!"


    "It''s strange... weren''t these people said to have run back to the Great Qian Dynasty? How did they get captured by the Sword Dynasty?"


    "I heard it was Yang Kun, the Great Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, who captured them and gave them to the Sword Emperor, seeking peace on the border!"


    "Hiss..."


    Everyone gasped in shock, faces full of astonishment and confusion.


    Such elite forces.


    Any one of them capable of being a leader in their own right. Once nurtured, they would create countless invincible armies in the future.


    Yang Kun actually sold such elites?


    As the discussion among the commoners began to veer in an undesired direction, the Sword Emperor''s eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, and he huffed, bringing silence inside and outside of the Noon Gate before saying coldly, "Gag their mouths for me, and kill them in order from front to back, left to right!"


    "Yes!"


    The executioners immediately tore off strips of cloth and gagged the mouths of the warriors.


    Meanwhile...


    The executioner in the second row on the left raised his blade high. Sunlight glinted on the edge of the blade, casting a silver flash. A chilling and deadly aura instantly enveloped the execution platform as the executioner roared, "Kill!"


    Whoosh!


    A silver-flash war blade chopped towards the soldier''s head.


    Just at this critical moment of life and death.


    An icy voice came from outside the imperial capital''s sky, "I''ll see who dares!" S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 543 - 543: Lifting the Imperial Tomb, Breaking the Capital City!

    "I''d like to see who dares!"


    A terrifying roar echoed like thunder.


    Accompanying the roar, a fearsome energy wave shot down from the sky above.


    Whoosh!


    The terrifying energy wave was, in fact, a flag. This flag was golden, streaking through the void at such speed, like a meteor piercing the sky. It breezed past the many strong warriors present without giving them time to react and shot straight into the noon gate.


    Pfft!


    The flagpole hit the executioner square in the chest, piercing through his torso.


    The horrifying force did not dissipate but carried the flagpole and the executioner outwards, flying hundreds of meters before nailing into the wall of the noon gate with a thud.


    The corpse swayed from side to side like a lump of mud.


    Hiss!


    Within the noon gate.


    The ministers and civilians all inhaled sharply, their faces filled with shock.


    "Xiao Yi has come!"


    Ye Tiannan squinted his eyes, a hint of eagerness for battle flashing across them.


    Chen Beidou also appeared eager to take action.


    As soon as everyone saw the flagpole appear and pierce the executioner, they knew the trap set by the Sword Emperor had worked.


    They had finally drawn Xiao Yi out.


    However...


    As the keen strongmen turned their gaze toward the void, ready to confront Xiao Yi in battle, they all halted their footsteps in astonishment.


    Shock and astonishment were written all over their faces.


    Many stood as if bound by a Binding Spell, frozen in place like statues.


    In the sky above.


    They did not see a person, but a pitch-black mountain.


    The mountain wasn''t particularly tall, just about a thousand feet, but it covered an extensive area.


    It was as large as a regular main city.


    Furthermore, on this mountain were numerous luxurious classical buildings, each with flags planted atop them.


    The flagpole that had pierced the executioner had been pulled from this peak.


    Suddenly...


    Everyone''s eyes were drawn to the base of this massive mountain and they saw that figure holding up the mountain, stepping on air as he approached. That figure, like a god descending into the devil, held a lofty mountain over his head, suspended in the void without a hint of strain,"That, that can''t be Xiao Yi, could it?"


    "My God, where did he get such a mountain? Could it be, does he intend to smash the imperial capital with this mountain?"


    "That''s not right, no matter how big the mountain is, it can''t possibly destroy the imperial capital, can it?"


    Confusion was clear on everyone''s faces.


    The corners of the Sword Emperor''s mouth curved slightly upward, and a cold murderous intent flickered in his eyes.


    Although Xiao Yi''s entrance was somewhat unexpected, it was just a mountain peak; not to mention Xiao Yi''s strength was comparable to the Nirvana Realm, even someone from the Tao Tribulation Realm could manage this feat.


    "Father, allow your son to fight and avenge the ninth brother!" the fifth son of the Emperor said.


    The third son of the Emperor stepped forward, expressionless, "Father, let your son take action instead!"


    Faced with several princes vying to take action, the Sword Emperor had a satisfied smile on his face and said lightly, "Fifth son, you go first and test what Xiao Yi is truly capable of!"


    "Rest assured, Father. Within ten breaths, this boy''s head will be taken!" declared the fifth prince with confidence.


    Clang! S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He patted the weapon at his waist, and a black Coiling Dragon Spear fell into his hands.


    The fifth prince had also reached the Dharma Phase Realm Peak. Believing in his own talent, he dared to contend even with a master who had been through one or two Nirvana Realms.


    In his view...


    Xiao Yi was a few years younger than him, and no matter how strong his talent, his combat prowess certainly could not be stronger than his.


    With this thought...


    The fifth prince''s lips curved into a slight smile of triumph, "As long as I slay Xiao Yi to avenge the ninth brother, Father will surely favor me more, and then the position of the Crown Prince..."


    The very thought of ascending to the Crown Prince''s position excited the fifth prince.


    With fiery eyes, he stared at Xiao Yi and coldly declared, "Audacious scoundrel, to cause chaos in my Sword Dynasty, murder my ninth brother, today shall be the day you die!"


    "Babble!"


    Xiao Yi, single-handedly holding up the mountain, looked at the fifth prince expressionlessly. In the past few days, with the help of materials and resources collected by Li Jiangwang, he had smoothly entered the Dharma Phase Realm Peak.


    He did not take a mere Eighth Layer Peak of the Dharma Phase Realm seriously at all.


    With a casual gesture.


    Whoosh!


    A flag surged from the peak of the mountain, landing in Xiao Yi''s palm.


    Xiao Yi grasped the flagpole with one hand and hurled it fiercely at the fifth prince.


    Whoosh!


    The flagpole tore through the air, heading straight for the fifth prince.


    The fifth prince sneered repeatedly, wearing a disdainful expression, "I am a proud practitioner of the Eighth Layer Peak of the Dharma Phase Realm, wielding a High-Grade Sixth-Layer Prime Dragon Spear, and you dare confront me with a mere flagpole? Watch as I split your pathetic flagpole..."


    Whoosh!


    The fifth prince raised the Coiling Dragon Spear high and thrust it fiercely towards the assaulting flagpole.


    Like a needle against wheat awn, the flagpole,


    The collision of the flagpole and spear with a loud bang was like needle against wheat awn.


    However...


    To the fifth prince''s horror, the ordinary flagpole seemed to become an invincible Divine Weapon, with a pfft, it vibrated his Coiling Dragon Spear right out of his grip. The undeterred flagpole punctured the fifth prince''s chest with a pfft, carrying his body like a falling star, whoosh, plummeting from the sky and crash-landing on the execution platform.


    Boom!


    Most of the execution platform exploded with a thunderous roar.


    Silence reigned between heaven and earth.


    "The fifth one..."


    "Quick, check if the fifth prince can still be saved..."


    Hong Ye and Wang Yanzhao hurried forward.


    In that dirt pit, the fifth prince''s internal organs were completely shattered, his thoracic cavity torn to countless pieces, lifeless.


    The flagpole was still firmly embedded in him, vibrating persistently. The force was so great that even when Wang Yanzhao touched it for the first time, the base of his thumb split open from the vibration.

 Chapter 544 - 543: Lifting the Imperial Tomb, Breaking the Capital City!_2

    ```


    "Such terrifying power, to use an ordinary flagpole comparably to a yuan weapon..." Wang Yanzhao, looking at his burst tiger''s mouth, was filled with shock in his eyes.


    However...


    Even more shocked was Hong Ye, who stood beside him.


    Hong Ye, unable to believe his eyes, stared at that flagpole and swallowed hard with a gulp, "Thi-this-this flagpole, why does it look somewhat familiar?"


    "Familiar?"


    Wang Yanzhao was taken aback.


    The Sword Emperor also frowned and looked over, and when he saw the blood-stained flag, he trembled all over, and an incomparable and terrifying evil Qi instantly filled the area inside and outside the Wumen, frightening countless experts to shake uncontrollably, all kneeling on the ground. The Sword Emperor stood erect, his hands behind his back, looking up and fixating on the mountain raised above Xiao Yi''s head.


    "Father, doesn''t the building on top of that mountain look a bit like our family''s imperial mausoleum?" The third prince rubbed his eyes, speaking with uncertainty and surprise.


    Buzz!


    The moment the words ''imperial mausoleum'' were spoken.


    Everyone could feel the temperature in the void drop sharply by several degrees, and a layer of white frost condensed on the ground, the bone-chilling cold emanating from the Sword Emperor.


    Thump!


    Thump...


    All the princes, ministers, and populace felt their hearts pound in fear and accelerated beat.


    The imperial mausoleum?


    The third prince actually said that what Xiao Yi held above his head was the imperial mausoleum of the Sword Dynasty''s royal family? S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The imperial mausoleum where the ancestors of the Sword Dynasty''s royal family were buried?


    The imperial mausoleum is the last dignity of a royal family, and at the same time, it is their bottom line.


    Unless the dynasty perishes.


    Otherwise...


    The imperial mausoleum is of ultimate importance, never allowing anyone to cause the slightest destruction.


    But now.


    The imperial mausoleum of the Sword Dynasty, no less, had been uprooted by Xiao Yi and held aloft with one hand, directly brought above the imperial capital of the Sword Dynasty?


    Gulp!


    The moment everyone came back to their senses, they subconsciously swallowed to alleviate the shock in their heats: "This, this guy has gone mad, right?"


    "He actually excavated the imperial mausoleum? He''s truly seeking a life-and-death feud with the Sword Dynasty!"


    "Given the relationship between Xiao Yi and the Sword Dynasty, do you think there''s any possibility other than a life-and-death struggle?"


    For a time.


    All eyes couldn''t help but turn towards the Sword Emperor.


    Having one''s family imperial mausoleum uprooted and brought to the capital in one hand is the most vicious and poisonous slap to any emperor!


    High above the void.


    Xiao Yi had already brought the imperial mausoleum above Wumen, a massive dark cloud overbearing like the gloom of thunder, obscuring sunlight from Wumen. Elevated and looking down upon the Sword Emperor, their eyes met in the void and clashed with fierce sparks, creating a vacuum where their gazes touched, a ferocious pressure sweeping across in an instant.


    Rumble!


    Above Wumen, the banners fluttered loudly.


    Atop the imperial mausoleum, buildings revealed their true forms in the raging wind.


    Those were the tombs of the royal family!


    Xiao Yi, looking down at the Sword Emperor, coldly said, "I''ve heard that His Majesty the Sword Emperor has gone to great lengths to reunite me and my brothers. I felt it rude to come empty-handed, so I''ve prepared a humble gift for His Majesty the Sword Emperor. I wonder if His Majesty finds it to his liking?"


    The Sword Emperor''s face twitched violently.


    To his liking?


    You motherfucker dug up my family''s ancestral grave, and you have the gall to ask if I like it?


    Suppressing the urge to vomit blood, the Sword Emperor, with a gloomy expression, coldly said, "Xiao Yi, calamity should not extend to one''s wife and children, let alone the graves of one''s ancestors. By uprooting the Sword Dynasty''s imperial mausoleum like this, are you not afraid I might, in a rage, execute all your brothers?"


    "No, no, no!"


    Xiao Yi grinned and said, "With me here, not a single one of them will be missing!"


    "So, you''re that confident?" the Sword Emperor said with narrowed eyes.


    Xiao Yi casually remarked, "If one of them is harmed, I will destroy one of your tombs. I''m sure everyone is eager to know, given the wealth and strength of the Sword Dynasty, just how much was buried with the departed ancestors. Once I dig up these graves and scatter them across the lands, it might be alright for commoners and beggars to swarm the tombs in search of funeral goods. But if, by some accident, the bones of your ancestors are dug up and cast aside, to be fed to stray dogs and cats, that''s not something you''d want to see, is it?"


    Boom!


    The execution platform beneath the Sword Emperor instantly shattered.


    His gaze was sharper than ever.


    At that moment, the Sword Emperor wished nothing more than to immediately strike and tear Xiao Yi to a thousand pieces.


    But...


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, he really was afraid!


    Even now, with Xiao Yi having captured him and threatening his life, the Sword Emperor didn''t feel as troubled as he did at this moment.


    This was the grave of his ancestors!


    If Xiao Yi really were to dig it up, allowing ruffians and every Tom, Dick, and Harry to desecrate it, how could he face his deceased ancestors with any dignity?


    Hu!


    The Sword Emperor let out a deep breath and said coldly, "What exactly do you want in order to spare my ancestors'' graves?"


    Xiao Yi responded indifferently, "Release my brothers!"


    The Sword Emperor''s face showed hesitation and after a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and commanded, "Bring them in, release them all!"


    "Your Majesty..."


    Wang Yanzhao and Hong Ye looked at the Sword Emperor in unison. They had gone to great lengths to lure Xiao Yi here, was it all to end so anticlimactically?


    The Sword Emperor glared fiercely at the two of them and bellowed, "Would you rather watch our royal mausoleums being unearthed one by one?"


    Everyone was at a loss for words.


    The executioners immediately began unlocking the pipa locks binding Little Lin and the others.


    Little Lin tore off the rag from his mouth and looking up at Xiao Yi, laughed heartily, "Boss, I knew you would come back for us!"


    Liu Yi said, "Headmaster, let''s hurry and go!"


    However...


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "You all go first!"


    He was well aware that he could not leave first and had therefore arranged with Li Jiangwang to plan ahead.


    Chiu chiu!


    Thousands of black Cangyun Eagles fell from the sky. Xiao Yi spoke in a deep voice, "You go ahead, the Cangyun Eagles will take you to a safe place. Wait for my return!"


    "Boss, I''m not leaving!"


    "Headmaster, if there''s a battle, we''ll fight it together, we''re not leaving..." shouted the crowd, one after another.


    Xiao Yi shouted angrily, "When I say go, you go..."


    He knew that he could not possibly leave.


    Even if the Sword Emperor allowed him to depart, those strongmen lured by hefty bounties in the shadows wouldn''t allow it.


    It was different for Little Lin, Liu Yi, and the others.


    Their purpose was to draw him here, and as long as he remained, they would be safe.


    "Boss..."


    Little Lin''s face was filled with grief and indignation.


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile and said, "Go on, get somewhere safe to heal your wounds and wait for me to return. I will bring you back to the Great Qian Dynasty and seek justice for you!"


    Little Lin, Liu Yi, and the others exchanged glances, but they understood the hard truth in Xiao Yi''s decision.


    "Headmaster, we will wait for your return!"


    With tears in their eyes, they shouted with all their strength.


    Liu Yi flung up his arm, "We''re leaving!"


    Swish swish swish!


    The Cangyun Eagles soared into the sky and disappeared into the horizon.


    Just as Xiao Yi had expected, the Sword Emperor and the others didn''t care about the lives of Liu Yi and the rest. Their gazes were concentrated solely on Xiao Yi.


    The Sword Emperor, with a gloomy expression, said, "Xiao Yi, I have kept my promise, now it''s your turn!"


    "No problem!"


    Xiao Yi''s grin sent a sudden shock to the Sword Emperor''s heart; an inner voice told him something was amiss.


    Following that...


    Xiao Yi''s arm swept out suddenly and with a whoosh, the massive royal tomb slammed towards the grand and luxurious imperial palace not far away.


    Boom boom boom!


    The entire imperial city trembled wildly, like a massive earthquake.


    The ground split and the mountains crumbled, as if it were the end of days.


    The colossal tomb completely covered the palace, crushing the luxurious edifice into rubble, while Xiao Yi, under the gaze of astounded spectators, lightly dusted off his hands and revealed an ice-cold smirk, "Finally tossed it away, now I can free up my hands to properly settle scores with you!"

 Chapter 545 - 544: One Step, One Kill

    ```


    Boom!


    The entire imperial capital was shaking wildly, as if there was a massive earthquake.


    The ground cracked, buildings collapsed, and the unfathomable fractures spread like spider webs across most of the imperial capital.


    This city, symbolizing the core of the Sword Dynasty''s rule, was experiencing such a terrifying destructive blow for the first time since its foundation.


    Surveying the scene...


    Apart from the entire imperial palace turning into ruins, crushed beneath the imperial mausoleums.


    More than one hundred thousand dwellings had collapsed due to the shockwaves, leaving a ten-mile radius around the imperial palace in complete disarray.


    Inside and outside the noon gate, there was an eerie silence.


    The rolling dust clouds had spread from the imperial palace, like a sandstorm, the towering walls of yellow dust like tsunamis, imposing an incredible sense of oppression on those who saw it.


    Gurgle!


    Someone swallowed their saliva, and like a plague, the sentiment spread amongst those nearby: "I��I''m fucked, he�� he actually used the imperial mausoleum to destroy the imperial palace?"


    "I think I just saw the mausoleum of the previous empress explode, her body fell out of the coffin and was ground into a bloody pulp..."


    "That''s the Sword Emperor''s mother! Is the Sword Emperor going to go mad?"


    All eyes shifted in unison to the Sword Emperor.


    They were right...


    The Sword Emperor was indeed close to madness.


    He had watched the previous empress''s corpse fall out of its coffin, then get crushed into dust, and also saw his empress and concubines being flattened by the imperial mausoleums, dying beneath them.


    Xiao Yi''s strike was not only a heavy loss for the Sword Dynasty.


    It also...


    was a hard slap in the face of the Sword Dynasty.


    The mighty Sword Dynasty, claimed to be on par with the Great Qian Dynasty, could now not even protect the royal family''s mausoleums and palace.


    The Sword Emperor could foresee that he would become the laughing stock of the world in the days to come.


    Puh!


    The Sword Emperor grunted, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His eyes filled with blood in an instant, as he stared daggers at Xiao Yi, suspended in midair, his murderous gaze sharp as a blade, wishing he could tear Xiao Yi to a thousand pieces: "Guards!"


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The Black Water Platform elites stepped forward, their cold eyes gleaming from beneath the dark armors.


    The Sword Emperor pointed at Xiao Yi, his teeth gritted with rage: "Kill him!"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    A series of whooshing sounds tore through the air.


    The Black Water Platform remained as ever, without a word, yet obeying the Sword Emperor''s command without question. Even if the Sword Emperor ordered them to commit suicide at that moment, they would make no sound.


    Hundreds of Black Water Platform elites, the weakest among them, were of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Each one was handpicked from birth, subjected to the Black Water Platform''s cruel training akin to rearing poisonous insects, and only those who survived could officially join the Black Water Platform.


    Every Black Water Platform elite was a cold killing machine.


    "His Majesty is truly enraged, sending out the Black Water Platform right from the get-go!"


    "Every Black Water Platform member is an elite, an emotionless killing machine; they will definitely defeat Xiao Yi and uphold the dignity of our Sword Dynasty!"


    Inside the noon gate, everyone looked up at the swarm of Black Water Platform elites rushing up like bees, all filled with confidence.


    Hovering in midair, Xiao Yi looked down at the swarm of Black Water Platform elites rushing towards him, his mouth curving up slightly with a hint of frenzy.


    The blood in his body boiled as if on fire, causing a faint red glow to hover around him.


    "Bring it on!"


    With his crimson tongue licking his lips, Xiao Yi''s body was ablaze with the forces of Wind Thunder. Gales and thunderbolts rose and fell around him, emitting ear-piercing roars as he bellowed: "Invincible!"


    "Invincible King Fist," to fight without equal, invincible in battle.


    With every punch Xiao Yi threw, beyond the astonishing intent of "Invincible King Fist," there was also the power of the Wind Thunder Holy Body enhancing it.


    ```


    The azure-golden fist shadow transformed into a column of light that descended from the sky, extending a hundred zhang.


    In its path...


    The mighty warriors of the Black Water Platform, failing to evade in time, were imbued with the power of Wind Thunder; the terrifying lightning paralyzed their entire bodies instantly, and a furious gust raged around them.


    One by one, the warriors of the Black Water Platform were swept up into the column of light from the fist shadow.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Whoever was hit by the Invincible King Fist had their limbs and bones, their organs and entrails, all reduced to dust, plummeting from the sky like downed geese.


    With each step, a life was taken; across a thousand miles, no trace was left behind!


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was like the invincible War God himself, sweeping across everything, unmatched!


    "Unbeatable in battle!"


    "Invincible in assault!"


    "Nothing can resist..."


    Xiao Yi''s onslaught became increasingly ferocious and intense.


    With the powerful physique granted by the Wind Thunder Sacred Body, he feared no common attack. Facing the encirclement of the Black Water Platform, Xiao Yi opened his chest to meet their strikes.


    Clink! Clink! Clink!


    Five longswords struck his chest simultaneously, but only sparked a shower of sparks.


    Even the strong warriors of the Black Water Platform, equipped with powerful elemental weapons, still could not breach Xiao Yi''s defense, and his mouth curved into a smirk.


    He spread his hands wide, then slammed them together with force.


    On each hand, a swirl of azure storm vortexes appeared, sucking in the heads of the five men before him and smashing them together with brute force.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The heads of the five Black Water Platform warriors collided against each other, crushed by the savage force, and grotesquely deformed.


    Transformed into five headless corpses, blood spraying wildly, they dropped from the sky like kites with broken strings.


    "Die!"


    A commander of the Black Water Platform at the Peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, expressionless, lunged forward with a pitch-black spear aimed straight at Xiao Yi''s heart.


    Facing the incoming spear, Xiao Yi, fearless, accelerated his charge, colliding chest-first with the spear.


    The shaft of the spear bent to its limit in an instant, snapping with a crisp crack.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi smashed his fist forward. His opponent tried to dodge with a sidestep, but Xiao Yi followed through with a swinging arm, smacking the back of the man with a snap.


    Howl!


    The spine of the Black Water Platform commander at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak was brutally broken. Xiao Yi grabbed the man''s clothes, lifted him high, then slammed him down with full force.


    His knee shot upward at the same moment!


    Crack!


    The commander from the Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak of the Black Water Platform was literally broken in two by Xiao Yi. With blood pouring from all seven orifices, he collapsed to the ground as Xiao Yi let go, landing with a heavy thud and stirring up a cloud of dust and sand.


    The battle lasted little more than the time it takes an incense stick to burn halfway.


    The most elite force of the Sword Dynasty, the Black Water Platform, had been utterly decimated in the face of Xiao Yi, with none spared.


    "Black Water Platform? Sword Dynasty''s strongest elites?"


    Xiao Yi slowly descended from the sky, stepping on the body of the Black Water Platform commander, looking playfully at the Sword Emperor, "I find them quite underwhelming!"


    "You..."


    "Insolent fool, who gave you the courage to speak to His Majesty like this?"


    A group of court officials ceaselessly berated him, but their bodies kept retreating, widening the distance from Xiao Yi. S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fearing that any misstep could lead to being slapped to death by Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath out, his right index finger pointing towards the Sword Emperor. With a slight smirk, he spoke disdainfully, "Didn''t you really want my head? Now here I am standing, come and take it if you can!"

 Chapter 546 - 545 Annihilate Them All!

    "Come and take it, then!"


    Xiao Yi pointed to his own head with a face full of scorn.


    "..."


    All around, silence reigned.


    Today was supposed to be the day when the Sword Emperor cast a net wide, waiting for Xiao Yi to waltz into the trap before striking him down with the severity of a thunderclap to demonstrate the supreme majesty of the Sword Dynasty.


    But what was the reality?


    Xiao Yi held aloft the imperial mausoleum, furiously smashed the imperial palace, and even slaughtered hundreds of experts on the Black Water Platform.


    And now he stood before the Sword Emperor himself.


    The Sword Emperor''s dignity was in shambles.


    Would the Sword Emperor make a move in the face of Xiao Yi''s provocation?


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The Sword Emperor clenched his fists, his golden dragon robe whistling, his hair dancing wildly, and the fierce Sword Qi surrounding him.


    Just when everyone thought the Sword Emperor would strike,


    the Sword Qi around him suddenly dissipated, and he returned to his eternally indifferent and calm demeanor, speaking lightly, "With countless geniuses and a multitude of powerful warriors, why would I, Hexu, personally take action to kill you?"


    No sooner had he finished speaking,


    than a light laugh emerged from the crowd, "Your Majesty is right, our Sword Dynasty is home to powerful warriors like the stars in the sky, any of whom are capable of taking you down!"


    "Your Majesty, just watch from the sidelines!"


    "No need to dirty your hands!"


    One figure after another stepped out from the crowd.


    Some alone, others in groups...


    A quick scan revealed that,


    the number of formidable fighters surrounding Xiao Yi had surpassed ten thousand.


    Ye Tiannan, Chen Beidou, Zhang Yun, and Liu Zongyuan were also among the crowd; however, they weren''t in a rush to attack, but rather exchanged amused glances: "How long do you think Xiao Yi can last?"


    "About the time it takes an incense stick to burn!" declared Chen Beidou.


    Zhang Yun spoke indifferently, "If we don''t make a move, he should be able to last about the time it takes an incense stick to burn. However, if any one of us four attacks, within ten moves, he will surely fall by the sword!"


    Liu Zongyuan''s face was expressionless as he held up a finger, "One move is enough!"


    The shrill voice of the effeminate eunuch by the Sword Emperor''s side rang out, "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and take action, capture this traitor and bring him to His Majesty for judgment!"


    His voice served as a kind of command.


    In that moment,


    thousands of people launched their attack at once.


    The dark mass that formed exerted a pressure far surpassing the few hundred on Black Water Platform. These were the warriors drawn by the astronomical bounties, coming from the four great dynasties.


    Among them were even two experts who had reached the One Nirvana.


    This couple was from the Dongfang Dynasty, known as the Black and White Shuangsha, Bai Wushuang and Hei Wuqing.


    The two of them led the charge.


    Their black and white energies rose and fell as they struck from left and right, and together with a host of strong followers behind them, they were like two great dragons, one black and one white, opening their giant maws as they charged furiously towards Xiao Yi.


    Ye Tiannan nodded slightly, "They''re not so foolish, knowing to strike alongside Black and White Shuangsha!"


    "Hei Wuqing and Bai Wushuang do indeed have some skill. One-on-one, I could easily defeat them, but when they join forces, they can be quite troublesome, even for me," commented Liu Zongyuan with confidence, as a gleam flickered in his half-closed eyes.


    Chen Beidou inquired, "It''s said that their master is the national advisor of the Dongfang Dynasty. I wonder if that''s true!"


    Zhang Yun nodded, "Indeed it is! However, I''ve heard that because Black and White Shuangsha committed too many killings in their attempt to refine the Yin Yang Absolute God Sword, they have been expelled from their sect..."


    At this moment...


    Both Bai Wushuang and Hei Wuqing manifested a black and white glow in their hands, with each revealing a Longsword bathing in a terrifying aura of intense Evil Qi that made all things between heaven and earth tremble.


    This was the Yin Yang Absolute God Sword!


    The white represented the Yang Sword, requiring the blood of a hundred thousand boys for its refinement.


    The black represented the Yin Sword, requiring the blood of a hundred thousand girls for its refinement.


    The Yin Yang Absolute God Sword, with both swords refined together, required the sacrifice of two hundred thousand children��a deed so evil that it could shatter families beyond repair.


    Yet, the power of the Yin Yang Absolute God Sword refined through such a malevolent method was unparalleled. Each sword was a peak of the sixth-order elemental weapons, and when combined, they were comparable to a seventh-order weapon!


    This was tantamount to a national Divine Artifact!


    However...


    In the eyes of Black and White Shuangsha, Xiao Yi was clearly not worthwhile for them to use both swords in unison. The couple fought separately, with thousands following closely behind, launching a furious assault toward Xiao Yi.


    Crackle and pop!


    Xiao Yi leapt up, his Wind Thunder wings spreading out as he shot close to the ground like a great roc extending its wings. As he passed, the force of the wind and thunder from the wings flung one expert after another into the air.


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi''s wings fluttered, and he transformed into a stream of azure and gold light, shooting straight into the firmament.


    With the Wings of Wind Thunder, the sky was his domain; his Falling Dust Sword became one with his body, achieving unity of man and sword.


    His will directed, the sword edge followed.


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    "The Everlasting Azure Lotus, endless in rebirth!"


    "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords..."


    Xiao Yi''s relentless onslaught, like a landslide or tsunami, formed a zone of destruction.


    Within this zone.


    Xiao Yi was the master of everything!


    One by one, mighty warriors perished under the sharp edge of his Falling Dust Sword. Heads rolled and bodies fell from the sky like shooting stars, thudding heavily as they crashed down.


    In the face of these warriors'' deaths, Black and White Shuangsha showed no concern, merely observing from the sidelines. Half an hour later, after Xiao Yi had slain thousands, only the two of them remained.


    Finally, Black and White Shuangsha stood together to face Xiao Yi.


    Wielding the white Yang sword, Bai Wushuang said icily, "The pesky flies are finally cleared. Xiao Yi, you must be tired by now? Hehe, don''t worry, we will soon give you release!"


    They had not gone all out before, but had been using Xiao Yi to eliminate their competition!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and swept them over the two, "You think you''re worthy?"


    "You''ll soon find out if we are," Bai Wushuang sneered, pointing forward with his entire snow-white body.


    Clang!


    Hei Wuqing, with his Yin sword, also pointed forward. As the swords crossed, they emitted a volley of black and white radiance, accompanied by a series of shrill sword cries.


    Together, they declared, "When the twin swords unite, Yin Yang Demon Prison is formed!"


    Whoosh!


    The Yin Yang Absolute God Sword erupted with terrifying Evil Qi. The Qi swirled around and turned an area of a thousand yards into a veritable Asura Purgatory.


    Between heaven and earth, all was darkness and deathly stillness.


    Black and white Shuangsha were enveloped by swirling Evil Qi, transforming into a Bloodthirsty Asura.


    The Yin and Yang swords also merged into one, turning into a black and white, Evil Qi-wreathed demon sword.


    The Bloodthirsty Asura, wielding the demon sword, let out a hair-raising, gender-ambiguous, piercing laugh, "Hehehe, go to your death!"


    Boom!


    The demon sword pierced the sky, Evil Qi gathering around it, sending a sword shadow charged with destructive power racing towards Xiao Yi.


    In a flash, amid surging Evil Qi, it was as if all was lost.


    The onlookers'' eyes widened in shock; with Black and White Shuangsha''s movement, lethal techniques were unleashed, and the power of the Yin Yang Absolute God Sword, rivaling a seventh-grade prime weapon, was too formidable to gaze upon directly. "Xiao Yi is done for!"


    "Under such a terrifying attack, even if Xiao Yi has the strength of the Nirvana Realm, he can''t possibly defend against it!"


    "It seems the hefty bounty will fall into the hands of Black and White Shuangsha..."


    But soon, those who had confidently declared Xiao Yi''s certain demise had all shut their mouths, eyes filled with shock and faces aflame.


    It was as if they had been slapped hard across the face.


    The terrifying domain of Evil Qi was shattered in a single encounter by the thunderous power released by Xiao Yi, and even the Bloodthirsty Asura that Black and White Shuangsha had become crumbled to dust with a loud blast.


    The once unbeatable Yin Yang Absolute God Sword crumbled to pieces in that moment.


    Both were dumbfounded.


    Disbelievingly, they watched Xiao Yi, surrounded by flickering thunderous radiance, divine and majestic.


    "Open your eyes and see clearly; this is the true sword!" Xiao Yi''s eyes were cold as ice, his disgust for the malicious craft of the Yin Yang Absolute God Sword leaving him with no shred of mercy for Black and White Shuangsha.


    The Falling Dust Sword in his hands thrummed with sword Qi.


    With a noble air, like a War God incomparable, Xiao Yi raised the Falling Dust Sword and brought it down in a slash. This sword seemed to tear the heavens asunder, capable of severing Yin and Yang.


    Swift as lightning, the force of the sword surpassed that of thunder.


    Clang!


    A crystal-clear ring sounded as the sword light swept across the bodies of Black and White Shuangsha.


    They trembled.


    Under the gaze of all... S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A trail of blood ran down from their hair, spreading to their faces, chests, and abdomens, abruptly splitting open down the middle.


    Their bodies, along with the Yin Yang swords they held, were cleaved in two by Xiao Yi''s sword.


    Corpses and broken swords fell to the ground with several loud thuds.


    Among tens of thousands...


    There was dead silence!

 Chapter 547 - 546: Its really you!

    From the moment Xiao Yi appeared to now,


    it''s been merely an hour or so��


    Yet, everyone felt as if they had experienced years within a day, as if their entire lives had never been as prolonged, nor had they ever witnessed battles as splendid.


    Right from the start, he held the imperial mausoleum high, furiously beheading princes, and with the imperial mausoleum, he shattered the imperial city!


    The second time he took action, not a single strong person from the hundreds at the Black Water Platform escaped.


    And then, when he struck again��


    Nearly ten thousand strong, as well as the Black and White Shuangsha wielding the Yin Yang Absolute God Sword, all perished by his hand.


    However��


    At this moment, as the crowd looked toward Xiao Yi, they discovered that despite having just slaughtered over ten thousand people, he remained untainted by dust, his expression as calm as usual, seemingly unaffected by the madness of the carnage.


    "What kind of monster is this Xiao Yi, exactly?"


    "What kind of monster have we provoked?"


    "It seems that if a strong person from the Nirvana Realm doesn''t step forward, no one will be able to handle him anymore��"


    Among the crowd,


    Ye Tiannan, Chen Beidou looked at each other.


    Xiao Yi''s strength was beyond expectations.


    Ye Tiannan''s face took on a serious tint, "It seems we have all underestimated Xiao Yi''s strength!"


    Chen Beidou nodded, no longer belittling Xiao Yi as he did before, "If it''s one on one, at best, I could only fight him to a draw, and that''s assuming he wasn''t holding back in his fight with the Black and White Shuangsha!"


    Zhang Yun squinted his eyes, looking to Liu Zongyuan beside him, "Liu Zongyuan, didn''t you say that it would take only one move to kill him? Now, what do you think?"


    Liu Zongyuan maintained an expressionless face, still cold and aloof, and said indifferently, "Hard to say!"


    Even the arrogant Liu Zongyuan, after witnessing Xiao Yi''s strength, had shifted from his initial confidence of ''a single move is sufficient'' to a hesitant ''hard to say.''


    This caused all four individuals to undergo a subtle change in expression.


    Whew!


    Zhang Yun let out a long sigh, speaking lightly, "Since none of us have any certainty, it seems this hefty bounty will have to be shared among us four!"


    Sharing meant joining forces.


    If it were before this...


    Considering their pride, especially the relationship between Ye Tiannan and Chen Beidou, it would have been absolutely impossible!


    But now��


    Ye Tiannan said in a deep voice, "I have no objections!"


    Chen Beidou shrugged, "Then let''s share it!"


    Everyone looked toward Liu Zongyuan.


    He paused for a moment, then said, "I want forty percent!"


    Among the four of them, his strength was recognized as the strongest. The upcoming battle would surely revolve around him. Thus, his demand for forty percent was not too excessive.


    The four came to an agreement with a quick slap of their hands.


    Side by side, they walked towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi had been observing them all along, among which Liu Zongyuan, with his Fivefold Nirvana Realm, was the strongest. Among the remaining three, Zhang Yun was at the Fourfold Nirvana Realm, while both Ye Tiannan and Chen Beidou were at the peak of the Threefold Nirvana.


    For these four to attain such cultivations at their ages, their talents were certainly not weak.


    Xiao Yi squinted at them and said lightly, "You should all back down. Cultivation is difficult; don''t throw your lives away in vain!"


    "Hm?"


    The four, Zhang Yun, were taken aback, exchanging glances, each seeing the anger and humiliation in the others'' eyes.


    The four of them were the strongest of the younger generation in the Sword Dynasty.


    They represented the ultimate combat power of the younger generation of the Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect, Guiyuan Sect, and the Five Dou Mi Sect. Even compared to many of the older generation of strong people, they were not the slightest bit weak.


    In a situation of one against four, Xiao Yi was actually looking down on them so much?


    "I really don''t know whether to call you confident or overestimating your own abilities!"


    Ye Tiannan let out a cold snort, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light, and said, "Together, the four of us possess the strength of a sixfold Nirvana Realm expert. Yet, you dare to belittle us so?"


    Chen Beidou carried a case of dark ink and gently tugged at the black thread, "Why waste words? Let''s just start fighting and let him see for himself the strength of our Sword Dynasty''s talents!"


    Zhang Yun held a horsetail whisk, with a handful of soybeans in his hand, and said faintly, "This is a land blessed with feng shui, fitting to bury a talent such as yourself!"


    "Kill!"


    Liu Zongyuan was even more direct, his cold voice uttering a single word.


    Whoosh!


    Silver light swirled around his body, and behind him emerged a massive Xuanwu Dharma Aspect, a tortoise-serpent entity that shone with a yellow glow, transforming into an amour that settled upon his body.


    In the previous battle, Xiao Yi found Xiao Yi''s attacks to be extremely fierce, so he summoned his Martial Dao Fasxiang and transformed into a defense-oriented Xuanwu armor as soon as he made his move.


    With the Xuanwu armor, Liu Zongyuan''s defense was invincible amongst his peers.


    Without any reservations, Liu Zongyuan fought fiercely, attacking with the momentum of a crazed wolf, continuously driving his ferocious offensive, "Human King War Fist!"


    "Guiyuan Finger!"


    "Immovable King Seal..."


    Liu Zongyuan''s offensive was relentless, like a tempestuous wave, one after another.


    Zhang Yun scattered a handful of soybeans, and under the enveloping yellow mist exhaled by the Elixir Furnace Dharma Aspect behind him, the soybeans transformed into a legion of warriors.


    The warriors surged like a tide, fearless in the face of death.


    Ye Tiannan held his longsword, his sword moves extraordinarily swift, pouring down like rain.


    Chen Beidou opened and closed the ink box in his hand; the black ink line scattered faint glimmers of black light. These glimmers were hidden weapons and would burrow into the body upon touching the skin.


    From inside out, they would bring the target to their demise!


    Despite simultaneously facing the attacks of four people, Xiao Yi remained unfazed, wielding the Falling Dust Sword and entangling with the four in battle.


    The battle grew fiercer and fiercer.


    The Sword Emperor looked on expressionlessly, squinting at the battlefield.


    The effeminate eunuch consoled from the side, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, Ye Tiannan and the others will surely be able to slay this wretch..."


    "By Heaven''s grace, our Sword Dynasty will be protected. Ye Tiannan and the others will surely be able to slay Xiao Yi and bolster our dynasty''s majesty!"


    "Xiao Yi is undoubtedly doomed to die!"


    The ministers spoke one after another.


    The Sword Emperor remained silent, no one knew what he was thinking, but everyone was too preoccupied to speculate on the Sword Emperor''s thoughts.


    A scream interrupted everyone''s thoughts.


    They saw Chen Beidou spurt blood from all orifices, his body flying backward, entwined in the ink line from his ink box, wrapped as tightly as a dumpling.


    Countless hidden weapons poured into his body, brutally tormenting his flesh.


    Xiao Yi, having dealt with Chen Beidou without any pause, turned and grabbed Ye Tiannan''s head with a claw-like hand, and with a thud, plucked that head right off.


    He then hurled Ye Tiannan''s head towards Zhang Yun, as countless yellow bean soldiers hastily defended and chopped Ye Tiannan''s head into minced meat.


    Before Zhang Yun could even breathe a sigh of relief, a cold growl exploded in his ear. Xiao Yi had seized Ye Tiannan''s sword and slashed at Zhang Yun with it.


    "Heaven''s Fury!"


    Upon the release of Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords, even ghosts and gods of heaven and earth were startled.


    Boom!


    The bean soldiers burst one after another, and Zhang Yun, unable to dodge in time, was pierced through the chest by the sword and his body was flung a hundred yards, nailed to the city wall.


    For a moment,


    Only Liu Zongyuan remained of the four prodigies.


    A deep sense of wariness appeared on Liu Zongyuan''s face, which was always proud and unyielding, as he coldly said, "You are strong! I can''t kill you, and you can''t breach my defense. How about we stop here?"


    "Can''t breach your defense?"


    Xiao Yi smiled coldly. S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Facing four opponents at the same time had dispersed his attacks, which is why he hadn''t broken through Liu Zongyuan''s defense. The corners of his mouth curled up as he said, "Do you know why I saved you for last?"


    "Hm?"


    Liu Zongyuan was startled.


    Xiao Yi punched out, "Because I despise that turtle shell of yours!"


    Boom!


    The strongest form of the Invincible King Fist��Undying and Unbeatable!


    Rumble!


    Black shadows of the fist turned into a black light column, enveloped in spiraling black qi. It slammed into Liu Zongyuan with a thunderous crash.


    Crack!


    The supposedly impregnable Xuanwu armor shattered.


    Liu Zongyuan''s body swelled and then exploded with a bang, his flesh scattering like petals, falling to the ground with plopping sounds.


    With four in quick succession slain,


    The war in Xiao Yi''s eyes blazed fiercely, and, turning his gaze to the void, he coldly said, "Hiding in the darkness for so long, isn''t it time you showed yourself?"


    "Hehe, to think that in just a few days, your cultivation has become so powerful. I''m afraid even Xiao Tianjiao would not match you at the same stage!" A chilling voice slowly rose as a shadow stepped out of the void.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and stared at the figure, coldly saying, "Huihai Sword Master, it''s really you..."

 Chapter 548 - 547: Take My Three Moves, and I’ll Leave Your Body Intact!

    "Huihai Sword Master, it is indeed you..."


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was icy as he stared at the figure shrouded within the cloak.


    Although the person had always been wrapped in a cloak, making it impossible to see their face clearly, Xiao Yi confirmed their identity the moment they appeared, recognizing him as the Deputy Sect Master of the Tianjian Sect, Huihai Sword Master.


    Huihai Sword Master was startled, then tore off his cloak.


    His face bore a ferocious cold smile as he stared intently at Xiao Yi and said deliberately, "Heh heh, I thought that with the Sword Emperor''s hefty bounty on you, I wouldn''t get a chance to move. Unexpectedly, you''ve managed to hold on until now. Your strength has indeed improved from before!"


    In Huihai Sword Master''s eyes, there was nothing but ferocity and chill.


    Xiao Yi was indifferent, and a touch of icy coldness flashed in his eyes, "It appears that Liu Yi and Little Lin have indeed been betrayed by Yang Kun!"


    Huihai Sword Master let out a cold laugh, completely disregarding Xiao Yi''s words, and said indifferently, "When a sovereign orders a subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die. Yang Kun''s actions were also for considering the countless people of the Great Qian Dynasty."


    "Truly laughable. The Grand Prince himself, delivering meritorious officials to the enemy nation, is this also considered for the people''s benefit?" Xiao Yi said, laughing angrily.


    The Great Qian Dynasty and the Sword Dynasty were sworn enemies.


    They had been at war for many years.


    The Sword Dynasty had always been in the dominant position. Now, under Xiao Yi''s leadership, they had not only crushed the Sword Dynasty''s God Devouring Ants army, but also breached the Southern Ice City of the Sword Dynasty for the first time and even stormed into the Sword Dynasty''s residences, destroying dozens of cities.


    For the Great Qian Dynasty, Xiao Yi and people like Liu Yi were undeniably national heroes.


    Being granted a title and a military command was well deserved!


    Yet...


    Yang Kun captured them and then delivered them to the Sword Emperor.


    How could Xiao Yi not be furious?


    The surrounding people had not expected that Liu Yi and the others were actually sent over by Yang Kun, the Grand Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty. They were all discussing amongst themselves, "Emperor Qian is truly a tyrant. Who would have thought that he would have such a worthless son?"


    "Although we are enemy nations, I also think that Liu Yi and the others should become heroes of the Great Qian Dynasty. I didn''t expect them to be treated like this..."


    "Yang Kun''s shenanigans are really ridiculous!"


    Huihai Sword Master huffed coldly and looked at Xiao Yi expressionlessly, "Xiao Yi, since I am here, you should know that today only one of us will leave this place alive."


    "The only one leaving alive will be me!" Xiao Yi said.


    Huihai Sword Master sneered, "You really are confident. But a fight to the death is not just about confidence. Just like your combat pet, it too was confident at first, but in the end, wasn''t it easily captured by me..."


    As he spoke.


    Huihai Sword Master raised his right hand, flipping his palm toward the ground.


    Suddenly he spread his fingers.


    Following that...


    Clang clang clang!


    Amidst a series of crisp sounds, a shower of golden scales flew out from his storage ring, scattering across the ground.


    These golden scales were stained with glaring blood marks.


    On many of the scales, there was even flesh attached.


    Obviously, they had been brutally torn from someone''s body.


    Seeing the scales strewn on the ground, Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly. A cold glint of extreme chill swept across his deep eyes, as vast as the starry sky.


    Huihai Sword Master grinned, "I''m sure you''ve guessed that these scales were all plucked one by one from your combat pet by me personally. The feeling of tearing each scale away, along with flesh, listening to its agonized screams, it''s involuntarily exhilarating!"


    In Xiao Yi''s mind, the image of Little Lin being bound.


    The scene where Huihai Sword Master repeatedly ripped the scales off his body.


    To have scales torn off continuously.


    That''s akin to having one''s nails pulled out, piece by piece.


    How painful that must be!


    Xiao Yi could imagine just how agonizing it was for Little Lin at the time. A fierce killing intent erupted from his eyes as he said each word deliberately, "You, deserve to die!"


    No sooner had the words fallen.


    Xiao Yi''s form had already vanished from sight.


    The speed was so fast that it left onlookers speechless.


    Whoosh!


    A cold gust of wind ripped through the air, but Huihai Sword Master simply smiled coldly, pointing into the void with his lone arm.


    A black longsword burst forth from within his sleeve.


    Clang! Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The blade unsheathed, its black Sword Qi like a meteor under the moonlit night, slashing across the sky in an instant and cutting towards a desolate gap to the side. Just as everyone was confused, not understanding why Huihai Sword Master would strike at thin air,


    Xiao Yi''s figure suddenly appeared where the Sword Qi struck.


    Seeing that Huihai Sword Master was able to pinpoint his location, Xiao Yi also showed a hint of surprise but did not panic. He pointed with his sword, and a buzzing sound accompanied the emergence of a circular Qi barrier in front of him.


    Dang!


    The black Sword Qi touched the Qi barrier, and both exploded simultaneously.


    Fragments of Qi scattered in all directions.


    They flew into the crowd...


    In an instant, the roars were deafening, and numerous spectators who were strong in their own right suffered collateral damage. Some were pierced through by Sword Qi, others had limbs severed by fragments of Qi, and the scene was amidst utter chaos.


    "Heavenly Sword Style��Clear Wind Purifying Rain!"


    Huihai Sword Master stood at a distance, forming sword fingers with his hand and controlling the sword through the air.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The black longsword was like an extension of his arm, changing techniques fluidly and precisely.


    With each swing of the longsword.


    Streams of green Sword Qi coupled with a biting sword windstorm converged into droplets of green Sword Rain, pouring down with a whoosh. Covering the heavens and enveloping the earth, countless blade lights shot towards Xiao Yi.


    Each streak of Sword Qi was powerful enough to severely injure an average Dharma Phase Realm Peak practitioner.


    The might of this sword technique was immensely powerful.


    Wind Thunder forces roamed around Xiao Yi, forming into wind dragons and thunder tigers encircling him.


    He unleashed the Invincible King Fist repeatedly.


    Smashing apart the torrential sword rain bearing down on him like a tempest.


    The more they fought, the braver they got, and their figures became too fast to see. As the battle raged on, the residual waves spread far and wide, and the great Wumen was already riddled with holes, a scene of total devastation. The watching crowd had long since retreated to a safe distance, fearful of becoming unintended victims once more.


    For about half an incense stick''s worth of time, the clash between the two showed no signs of abating.


    The fierce collision of power, the exquisite skill in their duel, was enough to make one applaud and exclaim, "What terrifying swordsmanship from Huihai Sword Master. But Xiao Yi is indeed powerful too, managing to hold on for so long at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm without losing!"


    "The Great Qian Dynasty has indeed produced geniuses in recent years. First, there was Xiao Tianjiao who suppressed the prodigies of the four nations, and now there''s Xiao Yi..."


    "What''s Xiao Yi? Can he even compare with Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "Huihai Sword Master is obviously holding back, deliberately playing a cat and mouse game with Xiao Yi, toying with him. Once he decides he''s done playing and goes all out, I reckon he could slash Xiao Yi down within ten moves!"


    The crowd was in the midst of conversation when


    a booming explosion erupted within Wumen, accompanied by raging winds and an overflow of Sword Qi.


    Xiao Yi and Huihai Sword Master each retreated to their sides


    and looked at each other from a distance.


    Huihai Sword Master sneered, "It seems you''ve indeed become much stronger in this period, but you''re not the only one who has." With a thunderous roar, a terrifying aura burst forth from Huihai Sword Master''s body.


    It was distinctly the Eight Nirvana Realm!


    Gulp!


    Everyone gasped in shock, staring in awe at the godlike and demonic presence of Huihai Sword Master: "The Eight Nirvana Realm? Has Huihai Sword Master been hiding his true strength all this time?"


    "What a terrifying Huihai Sword Master. To pass through eight rebirths, if he strikes with his full power, I''m afraid Xiao Yi could be finished in a single move!"


    Even the Sword Emperor, upon sensing the Eight Nirvanic Rebirths aura from Huihai Sword Master, couldn''t help but squint his eyes and murmur, "What a deep concealment from Huihai Sword Master... There''s absolutely no chance for a Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak to triumph over the Eight Nirvana Realm. Xiao Yi is as good as dead!"


    Huihai Sword Master''s aura gradually subdued, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a ferocious and cold sneer, "Speaking of which, my breakthrough to the Eight Nirvanic Stages so quickly is related to your heavenly tribulation. To express my gratitude, I''ll offer you a chance..."


    "If you can withstand three moves from me without dying, I''ll leave your corpse intact!"

 Chapter 549 - 548: Xiao Yi, Crisis!

    "If you can withstand three of my moves without dying, I will leave your corpse intact!" sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Huihai Sword Master''s demeanor was icy, and his words carried a resounding confidence as he spoke.


    His voice had barely faded.


    His figure had already shattered the void and appeared before Xiao Yi in an instant, sweeping forward with the momentum of moving mountains and overturning seas. With every movement, the power of the Eight Nirvanic Rebirths unleashed incomparably explosive force.


    Amidst the terrifying surges of energy, the black longsword once again fell into his palm.


    Whoosh!


    What seemed like a simple sword strike was imbued with destructive might, and with a loud bang, it slashed down upon Xiao Yi.


    However...


    The sword''s edge did not break through Xiao Yi''s defense, as the violent Wind Thunder forces within him automatically formed a protective shield, turning into Wind Thunder battle armor that blocked the formidable strike.


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder, the Wind Thunder battle armor receding into his body, and he smiled slightly, "What of the Eight Nirvanic Rebirths? Your strength hasn''t increased much since before, has it!"


    "Hmph!"


    Huihai Sword Master''s face showed a tinge of venomous resentment.


    The last battle.


    That was his life''s greatest humiliation.


    Although a large part of that battle was due to his carelessness and underestimation, the shame of having his arm severed became an indelible nightmare. Today, Huihai Sword Master sought to exact his revenge and wash away that humiliation!


    "That move just now contained less than half of my strength. Now, let me show you my true power!" Huihai Sword Master revealed a fierce expression, his teeth gritted with bloodlust spilling from his eyes.


    In an instant...


    Huihai Sword Master flicked his sword finger, and a sword canopy spread across the sky.


    At the same time, he pressed down with his palm.


    This Skycloak Sword Canopy suddenly fell...


    "Boundless Sword Prison!"


    Hum!


    His palm turned into a giant hand that could cover the sky, with Sword Qi raining down from it, solidifying into Sword Qi chains. These chains plunged from the heavens with a life of their own, shooting towards their target.


    These Sword Qi chains were incredibly concentrated, closely linked, and determined to capture Xiao Yi without cease.


    Boundless Sword Prison.


    Huihai Sword Master had used this move in their previous encounter. Xiao Yi''s eyebrows raised, and he said with a cold smile, "The same technique again? You''re too naive!"


    "This is completely different from before!"


    Huihai Sword Master sneered, and suddenly clenched his right hand into the void, causing another layer of sword canopies to rise from the ground below.


    The sound of a torrent!


    From both ends of the heavens and earth, hundreds of Sword Qi chains whipped into action, twining around Xiao Yi.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    Amidst the sounds of metal clashing, the chains bound Xiao Yi''s limbs. The Sword Qi chains stretched from the sky deep into the earth, suddenly pulled taut, suspending Xiao Yi in mid-air.


    One.


    Two.


    Three...


    Precisely hundreds of Sword Qi chains formed a circle, sealing off the area around Xiao Yi, trapping him within the enclosure of the chains.


    Huihai Sword Master laughed triumphantly, "Last time, you managed to escape to heaven thanks to your Wind Thunder Holy Body. For that, I''ve specially improved this sword technique. Today, you will be buried within this desolate Sword Prison of mine!"


    Such a terrifying technique caused the surrounding spectators to exclaim incessantly, "What a fearsome technique, have you seen how Huihai Sword Master managed to do it?"


    "Xiao Yi has been bound and can''t possibly break free. It looks like this battle is already over!"


    "Xiao Yi, I said I''d kill you within three moves, and definitely won''t stretch to a fourth. Now, you can go to your death quietly!" Huihai Sword Master appeared almost insane, with the hatred of his severed arm about to be avenged, his eyes rimmed red with excitement.


    However...


    Xiao Yi, trapped within the Boundless Sword Prison, simply curled the corners of his mouth and said indifferently, "I''ve told you, the same technique is useless against me!"


    "Hmm?"


    Huihai Sword Master was stunned, and suddenly, his face changed drastically.


    Xiao Yi''s body suddenly radiated a golden light, the thunderous power within him exploding fully, turning into streaks of lightning and electric snakes that crazily coursed along the chains.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Thunder pierced the sky, making the vault of heaven lose its color.


    Thunder struck the earth, overturning the ground itself.


    For a moment...


    The entire imperial capital, centered around Noon Gate, trembled as thunderbolts plummeted down, shaking the land as if a dragon beneath were turning over.


    An apocalyptic scene.


    Under the bombardment of the thunderous power, the chains of Sword Qi made loud banging noises and actually burst apart. As Xiao Yi freed himself, he surged forward and slapped Huihai Sword Master twice across the face.


    After the slaps...


    Xiao Yi swept to the side and landed steadily on the summit of Noon Gate, raising a finger towards Huihai Sword Master, "And now for the final move!"


    "Damn you, Xiao Yi, I swear I''m not human if I don''t kill you!"


    Huihai Sword Master''s eyes filled with blood-red rage in an instant, the fiery imprints of slaps on his face nearly driving him mad. He thought that after breaking through to the Eight Nirvana Realm, he would be able to deal with Xiao Yi effortlessly, and wash away the shame of the past!


    He even confidently declared that he would take down Xiao Yi in three moves!


    Now two moves have passed...


    Xiao Yi is not only unscathed but has also given him two slaps across the ears.


    This nearly shattered Huihai Sword Master''s mental state!


    "I will have you dead, I will shred you to pieces..."


    Around Huihai Sword Master, vital energy surged, with strands of black energy appearing amidst his wildly tossing hair, as he screamed hysterically like a madman, "Heavenly Sword Style��Sun and Moon Shine Together!"


    Swish! Swish!


    Huihai Sword Master''s form seemed to multiply into thousands, floating in the air with his sword, urging powerful sword techniques from left and right.


    Blinding streaks of sword light covered the sky, resembling the stars scattered across the night sky. As the thousands of images of Huihai Sword Master converged again, countless sword lights instantly coalesced into two immensely focused beams of sword light on his left and right.


    The left beam of sword light was a fiery red, resembling a circular sword light that flickered on and off, blazing with intense heat.


    Under the scorching heat, Sword Qi filled the air, seemingly intent on burning the heavens.


    To the right, the sword light was a cold silver, like a crescent moon spinning in the sky, resembling the World-Grinding Disk, seemingly wanting to flatten the vast earth.


    One red, one white, like the sun and moon high in the sky.


    The terrifying Sword Qi storm hadn''t even reached him yet, but it had already pushed Xiao Yi back by hundreds of meters, leaving two huge trenches on the ground where he had passed. The sturdy dust roiled, raising clouds of drifting sand.


    The surrounding houses shook violently, and then were uprooted.


    Amid the thunderous noise...


    Even the colossal and sturdy city walls were scraped with cracks that spread like spiderwebs across the walls.


    Destructive Sword Qi left many powerhouses pale with fright, "How... how terrifying a sword move..."


    "Is this really the power of someone in the Nirvana Realm?"


    Even the Sword Emperor narrowed his eyes at this moment, a hint of horror in his gaze: "What a Huihai Sword Master, this one move alone is as powerful as my strongest strike!"


    Standing beside the Sword Emperor, Wang Yanzhao and Hong Ye heard the Sword Emperor''s murmur. They exchanged glances, and Hong Ye said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi''s talent is indeed rare in this world, and he commands many techniques, particularly his Body Refinement which comes from the Wind Thunder Holy Body. If we could acquire it, our strength could increase several times over!"


    "Please, Your Majesty, rescue him first and then press him for information..." Wang Yanzhao said.


    The Sword Emperor nodded with narrowed eyes, "Your words make sense. Then I shall intervene to unravel this fatal crisis for Xiao Yi!"


    However...


    Just as the Sword Emperor was about to make his move, the battle took another turn.


    This caused the Sword Emperor to stop in his tracks, his eyes revealing a look of shock: "This is impossible..."


    PS: It''s 4:04, and Xiao Tian is already feeling dizzy and had fallen asleep twice, each time woken by the keyboard. Xiao Tian is going to sleep now; I''ll continue updating after waking up. I apologize for the delay today and thank you for your patience!

 Chapter 550 - 549: Though There Are Thousands, I Shall Go!

    "This is impossible..."


    The Sword Emperor''s figure paused, his eyes wide in disbelief as he looked ahead.


    The Day and Night Sword Light enveloped Xiao Yi, as if day and night appeared simultaneously, both the cold and the scorching heat were burning and freezing Xiao Yi''s body.


    Just as the two sword lights were about to strip Xiao Yi of his life.


    In this critical moment...


    A golden light suddenly emerged from Xiao Yi''s body, becoming purer and brighter, like a golden river forged from gold. It gathered above Xiao Yi''s head, manifesting into the God-devouring Ant Totem.


    "The God-devouring Ant Totem? What Xiao Yi has manifested is actually the God-devouring Ant Totem?"


    The Sword Emperor''s face was full of astonishment, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock.


    Ever since the Ninth Prince obtained the God-devouring Ants, they had also allowed many powerful talents to attempt condensing the Martial Dao Fasxiang with the God-devouring Ants at the core of their visualization.


    But all of them had ended in failure.


    Ultimately, they had to dissolve their Martial Dao Fasxiang and manifest it anew.


    With Xiao Yi''s talents and strength, he had absolutely no need to manifest such a pointless totem like the God-devouring Ants!


    "Xiao Yi must have gone mad, right?"


    "This is simply destroying his own future!"


    "The true horror of the God-devouring Ants lies not in individuals, but in the vast armies of God-devouring Ants,"


    All the strong ones present sighed in frustration.


    The Sword Emperor shook his head gently, his face showing deep regret: "He was an uncut gem, but he has sent himself to an early grave. Once the Divine Seal power is dissolved, even the strongest talent will be ruined. Such a waste is useless to keep..."


    The Sword Emperor, who had been planning to intervene and stop the Huihai Sword Master from saving Xiao Yi, now abandoned the thought.


    Manifestation of Dharma dissolved.


    This wasn''t just starting over, but destroying one''s own prospects and squeezing out potential.


    This was something that the Sword Dynasty''s warriors were all too clear about.


    The talents they had cultivated previously, who had tried to manifest the God-devouring Ant Totem, were all originally geniuses with no small talent, but in the end, they dissolved their totems, becoming mediocre.


    The faces of the crowd were filled with mockery and contempt.


    But very soon...


    The smiles on their faces completely vanished, each feeling as if their cheeks were burning with pain, as if they had been harshly slapped several times.


    Behind Xiao Yi...


    The God-devouring Ant Totem suddenly burst forth with dazzling light, six different colored eyes spitting out a rainbow of brilliant sharp edges. Xiao Yi''s mouth curved upward slightly, and the God Sealing Seed within his body simultaneously erupted with pure Divine Seal power.


    He was now at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, with three hundred and sixty million God Sealing Seeds within him.


    An enormous amount of Divine Seal power surged into the totem.


    The God-devouring Ant Totem began to split.


    One transformed into two.


    Two became four.


    Four divided into eight...


    For a moment,


    Thousands upon thousands of God-devouring Ants appeared, covering the sky. At Xiao Yi''s command, the army of God-devouring Ants spread their wings and took off, beginning to frantically devour the incoming sword light.


    The sword light was continually consumed, the sword radiance unable to stop the army of God-devouring Ants.


    In an instant...


    The fatal strike from the Huihai Sword Master was completely broken by Xiao Yi.


    Inside and outside the noon gate, everything was silent.


    The Sword Emperor and all the strong ones who had previously deemed Xiao Yi as having destroyed his own future, and certain to fail, were now stunned to silence: "This is impossible, condensing a totem of God-devouring Ants isn''t supposed to be able to create an army of God-devouring Ants. Our Sword Dynasty has lost hundreds of geniuses and countless resources, and not a single one has succeeded. How could he achieve this?"


    "I must be seeing things; this can''t be possible..."


    "I now understand why Xiao Yi was able to break through the Ninth Prince''s army of God-devouring Ants. It turns out that he himself controls an army of God-devouring Ants which, unlike others, can expand without the need to devour living beings..."


    "We''ve all misjudged him. Where is this self-destruction of his future? Where is this waste? This is clearly a peerless genius with limitless potential!"


    The Sword Emperor, Wang Yanzhao, and others looked at Xiao Yi with faces full of horror.


    All of this seemed slow, but in reality, it happened in an instant.


    Xiao Yi, in the same moment he shattered the "Sun and Moon Shine Together", darted forward, instantly appearing before the Huihai Sword Master.


    "Not good!"


    The Huihai Sword Master''s face changed rapidly as he tried to slash with his black sword in hand.


    But Xiao Yi was even quicker.


    Whoosh!


    The Falling Dust Sword stirred up a sound of slicing through air, and in an instant, a curtain of swords unfolded across the sky. In the blink of an eye, a whooshing sound as the Huihai Sword Master''s remaining arm was severed at the shoulder.


    The Huihai Sword Master grunted, the ferocity and murderous intent in his eyes replaced by shock and fear of death.


    He dared not linger.


    With a sudden turn, the Huihai Sword Master fled towards the distant sky, his bitter voice echoing in the void, "Xiao Yi, don''t be so smug, I will avenge this day''s hatred in the future��"


    "You escaped last time, but can you still get away this time?" Xiao Yi replied with a nonchalant and cold sneer.


    Suddenly, he raised his hand.


    His palm opened toward the Huihai Sword Master and clenched violently, accompanied by a low roar, "Explode!"


    Hum!


    On the Huihai Sword Master''s back there was incredibly a God Devouring Ant clone clinging on. Following Xiao Yi''s order, it erupted into intense light, swelling to the extreme, before finally bursting apart.


    Boom!


    The void above seemed to manifest a second scorching sun.


    As the crimson sphere of light pulsed,


    it created a massive vacuum vortex, and amidst thunderous roars, the Huihai Sword Master, now missing half of his body, plummeted from the sky. His corpse scattered across the ground with loud plops.


    And the head, eyes bulging in anger and a face of unwillingness, thudded right before the Sword Emperor.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leapt, landing before the execution platform.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    In the midst of clashing metal, tens of thousands from the Flying Wolf Army and the Flying Tiger Army surged up, led by Hong Ye and Wang Yanzhao, standing between Xiao Yi and the Sword Emperor.


    Hong Ye, wearing a cold metal mask, his gaze beneath it as cold as ice, said, "Brothers, swear to defend His Majesty to the death!"


    Roar!


    Roar!


    Roar!


    The Flying Wolf Army and Flying Tiger Army were the elite forces of the Sword Dynasty, each one erupting with intense murderous intent, their cold gaze fixated on Xiao Yi. Their weapons struck against their shields, producing a resounding boom.


    Tens of thousands yelled in unison, beating their shields.


    The immense momentum of this scene was indescribable unless one was in the midst of it.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward, his gaze passing over the soldiers to the Sword Emperor, "You think these chickens and dogs can stop me from killing you?"


    Chickens and dogs?


    Hong Ye and Wang Yanzhao and others were furious. They were the strongest forces of the Sword Dynasty; how could they tolerate such an insult?


    Clang!


    Hong Ye pulled out his war blade and bellowed, "Kill this arrogant fool!"


    Wang Yanzhao''s voice boomed like thunder, "Whoever slays Xiao Yi will be promoted three ranks!"


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    Instantly��


    Tens of thousands of soldiers from the Flying Wolf and the Flying Tiger Army, brimming with killing intent, charged towards Xiao Yi.


    Watching the black, iron-like tide of soldiers, Xiao Yi''s lips turned up slightly, a fiery red light flashing in his eyes.


    So what if there are tens of thousands of elite soldiers before him?


    So what if there is a sovereign ahead?


    To be my enemy is to be slain!


    Though I face a million men, I shall go forth!


    PS: There will be more to update, Xiao Tian keep working! Also, recruiting for the first Widow Village Committee, everyone please join the group eagerly, group number: 979661908

 Chapter 551 - 550: Sweeping Everything

    Thirty thousand Flying Tiger troops, twenty thousand Flying Wolf troops.


    A combined army of fifty thousand transformed into a steel torrent as they charged forward in unison.


    Their momentum was immense.


    The earth trembled, and all who witnessed it lost their color.


    Xiao Yi, alone with the Falling Dust Sword in hand, faced the fifty thousand strong army without a trace of fear. Above his head, the God Devouring Ants'' Law Image radiated golden light, flowing with the surge of Divine Power instilled within it.


    It continuously molted into one avatar after another.


    Ten thousand.


    Twenty thousand.


    Thirty thousand ��


    A full hundred thousand God Devouring Ant troops appeared by Xiao Yi''s side, and at his command, they rustled forward in waves, charging towards the oncoming Flying Wolf and Flying Tiger armies.


    Strictly speaking,


    If Xiao Yi''s internal energy were abundant enough, he could create countless God Devouring Ants.


    But ��


    Controlling these God Devouring Ants wasn''t just a matter of expending energy; it mainly drained his spiritual power.


    With Xiao Yi''s current spiritual power, he could at best calmly command a hundred thousand God Devouring Ant troops. If this number were to increase further, the burden on Xiao Yi would be immense.


    It could potentially deplete his spiritual power.


    Spiritual power isn''t like internal energy; once overused, it injures the soul.


    Such damage is irreversible.


    The lighter consequence would be the soul becoming damaged and reduced to idiocy, while at its worst, it could lead to the soul scattering and death.


    However ��


    To deal with the fifty thousand troops before him, a hundred thousand strong God Devouring Ant army was more than sufficient.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The God Devouring Ant army had their first head-on clash with the Flying Wolf and Flying Tiger troops. The ant army, fearless in the face of death, swarmed over them. In the most ferocious and primal manner, they began gnawing at the soldiers and their mounts before them.


    For a moment ��


    Screams of agony and cries of pain filled the ranks.


    As for Xiao Yi ��


    With the God Devouring Ants clearing the path ahead, the unstoppable momentum formed by the two armies'' charge was utterly shattered. Wielding the Falling Dust Sword, he charged at Wang Yanzhao and Hong Ye. Now, with Xiao Yi''s current strength, facing them was like slicing through melons and vegetables.


    Only two strokes.


    Both Wang Yanzhao and Hong Ye were beheaded by him, their heads severed from their bodies.


    After just half an hour ��


    Inside and outside the Noon Gate, devastation reigned, with ruins everywhere. Corpses and blood covered the ground, turning it into a mountain of bodies and a sea of blood.


    The pungent scent of blood had merged with the air, blanketing much of the imperial city.


    The Flying Wolf and Flying Tiger armies, over fifty thousand strong.


    All had fallen!


    The God Devouring Ant army had fought in two waves but remained at a hundred thousand strong due to Xiao Yi''s replenishment.


    For a moment ��


    Inside the Noon Gate.


    In front of the execution platform.


    Xiao Yi stood atop the God Devouring Ants, holding the Falling Dust Sword, his expression impassive as he looked at the Sword Emperor.


    It was this very person before him, the ruler of the Sword Dynasty, who had issued a tremendous bounty, forcing him to suffer hundreds of elite casualties. Furthermore, it was this person who had cast a net of heaven and earth within the imperial city, eager to eliminate him.


    Xiao Yi''s chill gaze locked onto the Sword Emperor, and he declared word by word, "It''s your turn now!"


    "Outrageous!" Sear?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "And what are you supposed to be? Fit to challenge His Majesty?"


    "Father Emperor, your son requests to go into battle!"


    The several princes and that effeminate eunuch all spoke up, standing in front of the Sword Emperor.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over them, the strongest prince being merely in the Three Nirvana Realm, but that effeminate eunuch was not to be underestimated, with a cultivation reaching the Six Nirvanas and indeed a formidable expert.


    Xiao Yi coldly stated, "Noisy!"


    Whoosh!


    A sword slashed out.


    The sword was like a startling swan!


    Several heads flew high into the air.


    For a moment...


    Inside and outside the Noon Gate, only Xiao Yi and the Sword Emperor remained.


    Huff!


    The Sword Emperor let out a long breath, even as his prince died before him, he still did not let this being furrow his brow.


    His gaze remained calm, but his voice carried a hoarse and icy edge, "Many years, I have forgotten how many years it has been since the last time someone pointed a sword at me. Xiao Yi, that you could do this, among the younger generation of the vassal states under the Nantian Dynasty, I am willing to acknowledge you as the strongest! However..."


    The Sword Emperor took a step forward.


    From the moment Xiao Yi appeared until now, this was the first time he moved from his position.


    Even earlier when Xiao Yi''s earth-shattering battle with the Huihai Sword Master had caused the Noon Gate to lose all its onlookers, even when Xiao Yi led a hundred-thousand-strong army of God Devouring Ants to sweep through the Flying Wolf and Flying Tiger Armies.


    The Sword Emperor had not moved an inch.


    But now...


    He suddenly moved!


    This move immediately became as devastating as a mountain collapsing and a tsunami.


    Terrifying Sword Qi burst forth from his body, instantly filling the area a hundred zhang around him.


    The oppressive blade aura forced Xiao Yi to retreat.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh...


    The hundred thousand God Devouring Ants by his side were torn apart by this surge of Sword Qi, with more than sixty thousand of the ants reduced to a falling dust that sprinkled from the sky.


    Frightening Sword Intent, astonishing Sword Qi.


    At this moment...


    The Sword Emperor became the master of this domain.


    Countless Sword Qi condensed into a shadow of a sword beneath his feet. The Sword Emperor stepped upon the shadow, rising into the sky towards Xiao Yi, his indifferent voice echoing over the Noon Gate, "For killing my royal son, destroying my grand army, razing my cities... Today, I shall before the Noon Gate, chop off your head, Xiao Yi, to comfort the souls of the dead!"


    Whoosh!


    A spear of Sword Qi burst forth from the Sword Emperor''s fingertip the instant his words fell.


    Although both were at the Eight Nirvana Realm, the Sword Emperor was much more powerful than the Huihai Sword Master. With just one fingertip motion, a storm of Sword Qi swept forth.


    The overwhelming Sword Qi storm scraped away the earth wherever it passed, shattering the clouds within a thousand li, revealing a stretch of clear blue sky.


    Boom!


    The Sword Qi storm crushed everything in its path. The solid city walls and buildings were silently destroyed in an instant, turning into rubble.


    These shattered fragments were also uprooted, swept up in the storm of Sword Qi.


    Xiao Yi was like a leaf in the storm.


    His eyes deep as the starry sky blazed with the fires of war, his blood boiling, and his boundless fighting spirit made the Falling Dust Sword in his hand vibrate. "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords!"


    Facing such a formidable opponent, Xiao Yi did not hold anything back.


    His first move was Zhao Wuji''s "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords."


    The first sword, Absolute Joy!


    The second sword, Heavenly Fury!


    The third sword, Wuyou...


    Three swords came out in full force, tearing the Sword Qi storm apart.


    The Sword Emperor''s brows shot up, he sneered coldly, "You managed to break through my Sword Storm? Then try this move of mine��Sword Purgatory!"


    Sword Dynasty.


    Renowned for their swords.


    Every member of the royal family practiced swordsmanship, with a sword heritage that resonates through the ages.


    With the emergence of Sword Purgatory.


    The world around instantly turned to darkness, the sound of sword cries louder than the wailing of ghosts and howling of wolves, sending shivers down the spine and cold sweat rolling down. With this sword out, heaven and earth trembled, and even ghosts and deities were startled.


    The Sword Emperor''s face was expressionless, commanding the Sword Purgatory, aimed directly at Xiao Yi, "With this sword, I shall chop off your head!"

 Chapter 552 - 551: The Seven Swords Defeat the Emperor

    "With this sword, I shall take your head!"


    The Sword Emperor''s body, clad in a robe adorned with dancing golden dragons, rustled in the wind, his hair flew about wildly, and the sword light around him ebbed and flowed like a sovereign of swords.


    Within the pitch-black Sword Purgatory.


    Even more terrifying were the countless Sword Qi rampaging with peerless strength, omnipresent and all-conquering, indestructible to all.


    With the strength of the Sword Emperor at the Eight Nirvana Realm, a mere gesture of his hand held the power to destroy the heavens and the earth.


    This Sword Purgatory was indeed the pinnacle of the Sword Dao beneath eternal life.


    Xiao Yi found himself within the purgatory.


    From all directions, at every moment, sharp Sword Qi crisscrossed, capable of tearing him into pieces if not for the exceptional defensive prowess of his Wind Thunder Holy Body.


    "Qinglian reincarnation!"


    "Lifeforce unceasing!"


    "Unmatched in attack��"


    Xiao Yi''s offensive was relentless, shattering the wild Sword Qi that approached him one after another.


    But even the strongest defense inevitably had its flaws.


    A moment of negligence.


    Several strands of Sword Qi broke through the power of Wind Thunder, and struck him.


    Spurt!


    Spurt, spurt!


    In just an instant...


    Xiao Yi''s body was covered in dozens of wounds, and his robes were soaked with a layer of blood red amidst the streaming blood.


    The Sword Emperor stood within the Sword Purgatory, his gaze cold as he said indifferently, "Within the Sword Purgatory, I am Heaven, I am the supreme ruler. Within ten breaths, I will kill you!"


    "Wind, come!"


    The Sword Emperor summoned with a wave of his hand.


    Rustle rustle!


    Inside the Sword Purgatory, countless Sword Qi merged into one after another crazily spinning Sword Qi Tornado Storm.


    Hundreds of Sword Qi Tornado Storms connected the heavens and the earth, twisting forward.


    Xiao Yi''s back sprouted Wind Thunder wings, and he flew up, turning into a streak of light trying to avoid the storm.


    How could the Sword Emperor let him have his way?


    With just a point of his sword, countless storms converged towards him.


    The storms merged into each other, rapidly shrinking the encirclement around Xiao Yi.


    Facing the increasingly aggressive Sword Qi Tornado Storm, Xiao Yi decided not to dodge anymore, a glint flashing in his eyes, "I seem to have forgotten, the strongest defense is offense. If I can''t avoid it, then I shall just break through it!"


    With that thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, disregarding the increasingly close Sword Qi Tornado Storm.


    He gripped the Falling Dust Sword with both hands, his eyes shut then snapped open again, two blood-red lights bursting forth. Xiao Yi let out a low roar, moving with his sword, "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords��"


    The first sword, Extreme Joy!


    The colorless sword light thrust forward.


    But faced with the chaotic Sword Qi tornado, this strike only managed to crush the surface storm, which was then engulfed by the core of the storm.


    Xiao Yi, expressionless, swiftly urged the second sword��Heavenly Wrath!


    With one strike, heaven and earth raged!


    The edge of the sword was incomparably sharp, cleaving through the storm, piercing it.


    With a thunderous boom, the storm erupted and dispersed. Xiao Yi, without any hesitation, activated the third sword, Wuyou.


    This strike allowed Xiao Yi to tear open the encirclement of the Sword Qi Tornado Storm.


    Whoosh!


    His body turned into a golden streak of light, rushing out from the midst of the Sword Qi Tornado Storm.


    "What?"


    The Sword Emperor''s expression changed, not expecting Xiao Yi to be able to free himself. A fierce light flashed in his eyes as he snorted coldly, "No matter how demonic you are, today you are destined to die. Rain, come��"


    Rustle rustle!


    Within the Sword Purgatory, a torrential rain suddenly began to fall.


    Each raindrop was condensed from a thread of Sword Qi, falling from the sky like a curtain of beads, continuously dropping down.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    When the Sword Qi hit the ground, it was as if thunder struck from the heavens, exploding deep pits into the earth. S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi didn''t dodge or avoid, charging into the densest area of the sword rain, he let out a low roar, "Fourth Sword, Severing Thoughts!"


    Swish!


    This sword made the Falling Dust Sword seem to transform into a ruthless sword capable of cutting through affection and attachment. With one strike, it actually severed the pelting rain.


    Without any hesitation, Xiao Yi made his move again.


    "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords," the fifth sword��Emotionless!


    The sword was like the Buddha, supporting the heavens with a single hand!


    The torrential rain formed by the condensing sword rain was actually rolled back under this sword, no longer falling to the ground, but instead shooting towards the sky in reverse. For a moment, it was as if meteors streaked across the night sky.


    Only...


    These meteors were shooting from the ground up into the high heavens!


    The Sword Emperor''s face had turned a sickly white, utterly astonished that Xiao Yi could be so formidable.


    Being only at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, he had managed to push him, who was at the Eight Nirvana Realm, to such a state. The Sword Emperor furrowed his brows, his eyes flashing with a chilling ruthlessness and ferocity, "If I am defeated today, my Sword Dynasty will be swept away. Even in death, I must defend the dignity of my Sword Dynasty!"


    With this thought in mind.


    The Sword Emperor suddenly spread his arms, palms facing the sky, as all the sword light around him retracted into his body.


    When he opened his eyes again.


    The Sword Emperor seemed to transform into a god-slaying sword; "The Rage of Thunder!"


    Overwhelming majesty enveloped all directions.


    The black canopy formed by the swords of the inferno around him surged into his body. His sword qi body, like a blade, slashed down towards the area where Xiao Yi was. The huge sword shadow, a hundred feet in length, fell from the high skies, with the thunder of purgatory stirring within the sword''s shadow.


    Using his body as a sword, the fearsome sword light connected heaven and earth, and thunder became the body of the sword.


    In an instant...


    It became a column of thunderous light, already in front of Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The violent sword pressure shook Xiao Yi''s body. Faced with such ferocious power, he was somewhat overwhelmed,


    Boom!


    A column of light fell down.


    At that moment, Xiao Yi activated the sixth sword, Forbidden Fear.


    Swish!


    As the two sword lights collided like a pinpoint against a wheat awn, even the thunder was shattered by the horrific shockwave. Amidst a series of crackling noises, cracks appeared on the thunderous sword light, spreading across it like a spider web.


    Suddenly...


    Boom!


    The sword blade explosively burst apart, causing a massive crack to appear in the entire Sword Inferno.


    Xiao Yi escaped through that crack, and at the same time, pushed his speed to the limit. He suddenly thrust out with his Falling Dust Sword.


    This sword was as swift as a startled swan!


    It was the "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords," the seventh sword��Death''s Alarm!


    A silence akin to death itself!


    Without a sound,


    The sword''s edge had already appeared before the Sword Emperor. Seeing the sword light suddenly before him, the Sword Emperor''s whole body shuddered, showing a trace of fear in his eyes. His vital energy churned, the sword edge enveloping him.


    However...


    He was still a step too slow!


    With a loud crash, Xiao Yi''s sword struck upon the Sword Emperor''s chest, carving from his left shoulder to his right side. A ghastly wound gushed blood.


    The Sword Emperor''s face turned deathly pale, and an attempt to counterattack only aggravated his injury, causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood.


    "Invincible King Fist!"


    Taking advantage of the situation, Xiao Yi''s fist smashed down heavily on the Sword Emperor''s face.


    Wow!


    The Sword Emperor cried out miserably, plummeting from the sky.


    With a thunderous crash, the formidable Sword Emperor fell to the ground.


    Xiao Yi followed and landed beside the Sword Emperor, looking down on him from a height, his gaze ice-cold, "It seems I''ve won this battle! As your punishment, I''ll be the one to send you on your way!"


    Swish!


    A streak of light flashed over the Falling Dust Sword, emitting a bright silver gleam that dazzled the eyes.


    This sword went straight for the Sword Emperor''s neck.


    Just as it looked like the sword would decapitate the ruler of the Sword Dynasty in one strike, a cold voice suddenly rang out, "Spare him under your sword!"

 Chapter 553 - 552: Sorry to disappoint you!

    "Spare his life under your sword!"


    The icy voice carried a bone-chilling murderous intent, arriving in an instant accompanied by the urgent sound of whooshing through the air.


    The newcomers were none other than a pair of elderly figures.


    The man had white hair and beard, with a black mole between his eyebrows, resembling a black eye embedded there. The woman still possessed a charming demeanor, her pale skin belying her age, only the silver cane in her hand raised doubts about her true years.


    Upon seeing the two, a gleam of wild joy flashed in the Sword Emperor''s eyes, "Elders, please save me quickly..."


    "Useless trash!"


    The elder glared at him fiercely and then lifted his gaze to Xiao Yi, speaking indifferently, "Young fellow, no matter what he has done wrong, today you''ve dug up my Sword Dynasty''s imperial tomb, caused chaos in the palace, and killed countless sons of my Sword Dynasty. It should be enough. Let him go, and I will let bygones be bygones. How about that?"


    "Father, aren''t you letting him off too easily? He not only destroyed our Sword Dynasty''s imperial tomb, but letting him go just like that would be too lenient."


    With a cold laugh, the woman''s voice was as hoarse and grating as an old lady''s, her gaze coldly fixed on Xiao Yi, "Young man, release the Sword Emperor and then cripple your own cultivation. I will then spare you your dog''s life. Otherwise, this day next year will be the anniversary of your death!"


    The elder paused, his brows slightly furrowed, but he said no more.


    Both were hidden masters of the Sword Dynasty.


    Just like Yang Zun and his cohorts.


    All along...


    They had been concealed within the forbidden lands of the Sword Dynasty, never to take action lightly unless the Dynasty faced the threat of extinction.


    Only when the Sword Emperor was on the brink of death did they step forward.


    The elder was the Sword Emperor''s great-grandfather, the Sword Martial Emperor.


    The old woman was the Sword Martial Emperor''s daughter-in-law and also the current Sword Emperor''s grandmother, known as the Heavenly Saint Empress!


    She was a ruthless individual.


    Legend has it...


    The Heavenly Saint Empress, dissatisfied with the former Sword Emperor''s intended transfer of the throne to a concubine''s son, harshly took action, killing her husband, and even compelled all three thousand beauties of the harem to be buried with him. Then she established her own son as the new emperor, while she governed from behind the curtains for a full century.


    Until she outlasted her son to death, passing the throne to the current Sword Emperor and only then retreating behind the scenes.


    Watching the Heavenly Saint Empress speak out, the Sword Emperor struggled violently, looking at Xiao Yi with a triumphant expression, "Boy, didn''t you hear what my imperial grandmother said? Release me at once!"


    The response he received, however, was a dull thud as Xiao Yi''s foot stamped on the Sword Emperor''s face.


    Pressing his head cruelly against the ground.


    Xiao Yi lifted his head to look at the Heavenly Saint Empress, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and said lightly, "Who do you think you are, to point fingers and order me around?"


    "You''re courting death, boy!"


    The Heavenly Saint Empress exploded in rage, a sinister smile appearing on her still-charming face.


    Her eyes emitted a cold light sharp enough to slice through people.


    Fixating on Xiao Yi.


    Clang!


    "Old witch, if you beg, do it like you mean it. If you don''t want your imperial grandson to die, then cripple your cultivation and kneel before me this instant, and maybe I''ll be in a good enough mood to spare him a dog''s life!"


    The Falling Dust Sword trembled slightly, sending out a series of sword cries. Its sharp edge was now resting on the Sword Emperor''s neck. A trickle of fresh red blood rolled down the blade as Xiao Yi spoke with complete confidence, "Also, I''m quite faint-hearted. You''d better not threaten me; I can''t guarantee I won''t get scared and accidentally tremble my hand, killing him..."


    Hiss!


    Both the Sword Emperor and the Sword Martial Emperor gasped in shock.


    The Heavenly Saint Empress''s face turned ashen.


    Just moments ago...


    She had been threatening Xiao Yi with the same tone and words, never expecting that in the blink of an eye, Xiao Yi would throw her own threats back at her, with interest.


    The Heavenly Saint Empress''s face was gloomy. She had always been domineering in her actions.


    She had managed to kill both husband and son. S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    How could she kneel and beg Xiao Yi for mercy to save the Sword Emperor?


    What''s more, Xiao Yi had actually dared to threaten her?


    The Heavenly Saint Empress''s rage was like a volcano about to erupt, her face cold and indifferent, "You little bastard, I don''t believe you have the guts to kill him! The Sword Emperor is the emperor of our Sword Dynasty. If he dies at your hands, the entirety of the Sword Dynasty will fight you to the death, and then��"


    Splurt!


    A column of blood sprayed forth.


    Along with it, the Sword Emperor''s head rolled on the ground, stopping right in front of the Heavenly Saint Empress.


    The Sword Emperor had a bewildered expression, his eyes wide with fury, staring straight at the Heavenly Saint Empress.


    He had been decapitated.


    The Heavenly Saint Empress: "..."


    The Sword Martial Emperor: "..."


    Xiao Yi looked up at the two stunned figures, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "I did warn you, I am timid. But you insisted on threatening me, and look, now there''s been a loss of life, right?"


    The Sword Martial Emperor trembled with rage.


    The Heavenly Saint Empress was even on the verge of spitting blood, her angry gaze almost wanting to swallow Xiao Yi whole.


    The Heavenly Saint Empress, teeth clenched like a furious lion, her hoarse voice so sharp it could almost pierce one''s eardrums, hissed, "You little bastard, I will kill you!"


    Boom!


    Behind her, a terrifying form of a Holy Woman condensed; the figure was modeled after her own image.


    She wore a crown on her head and donned a phoenix robe.


    A dive stirring up a hundred miles of fierce wind, the hurricane blasted down from high above, unleashing the formidable pressure of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm in an instant. This person followed the path of Spiritual Nirvana, and with every movement, the overwhelming spiritual pressure astonished all beings.


    Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!


    Between heaven and earth, the raging wind engulfed the entire Wu Men.


    "Thousand-Handed Holy Woman!"


    The Heavenly Saint Empress''s surging spiritual power circulated within her, causing the Holy Woman figure behind her to shine brilliantly, countless arms sprang forth with vigor.


    A figure with thousands of arms, over a hundred zhang tall.


    Thousands of arms struck down, each one unrestrainedly extending like ferocious, raging beasts. Amid the thunderous noises, the arms landed all around Xiao Yi.


    The ground burst apart wherever the arms passed, leveling everything in their wake.


    Xiao Yi kept dodging; suddenly, he leapt onto one of the arms and transformed into a shooting star, racing towards the Heavenly Saint Empress atop the figure of the Holy Woman.


    "Seeking death!"


    The Heavenly Saint Empress''s eyes glinted with venomous light, manipulating the Thousand-Handed Holy Woman figure to furiously slap towards Xiao Yi.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s speed was incredible, racing across the arms, dodging, causing the huge arms to miss one after another. Some even collided with one another, exploding violently.


    Broken arms fell from the sky in succession.


    Seeing Xiao Yi getting closer, the Heavenly Saint Empress''s eyes sparkled as she violently brought her hands together, "Spiritual Storm!"


    This voice roared like thunder.


    Hum!


    An invisible spiritual shockwave swept toward Xiao Yi.


    Instantly enveloping him.


    Hundreds of arms struck at Xiao Yi, who was in mid-air, and amidst the deafening noise, a terrifying spiritual storm burst open between the hands.


    The corners of the Heavenly Saint Empress''s mouth curved slightly, her face twisted with malice, "With this blow, can you still survive?"


    No sooner had she finished speaking,


    than a ghostly voice suddenly appeared behind her, sending a chill down the Heavenly Saint Empress''s spine, "Sorry to disappoint you!"

 Chapter 554 - 553: Slaying the Celestial Saint, The Martial Emperor Bows Down!

    "I''m sorry to disappoint you!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice, ghostlike, suddenly came from behind the Heavenly Saint Empress.


    The Heavenly Saint Empress shivered, cold sweat covering her body in an instant. She did not turn her head, but instead immediately gathered her spiritual power, and the two arms of the Dharma likeness of the Saint manifested on her body in an instant.


    Whoosh!


    The arms wrapped around the Heavenly Saint Empress.


    Then suddenly flew to the side.


    But just as the hand grasped her...


    The Heavenly Saint Empress suddenly felt a chill to the bone, as the Falling Dust Sword had already sliced through the armor on her back, leaving a savage slash mark three inches long.


    The flesh rolled back, blood pouring out.


    Even two of her bones had shattered.


    The force of this sword strike was terrifying!


    This was still with the protection of the Dharma likeness of the Saint. If she had been any slower, a single slash could have cleaved her whole body in two.


    Panting!


    Panting!


    The Heavenly Saint Empress gasped for breath, her face pale with a hint of lingering fear, staring intently at Xiao Yi, who, with the wings of Wind Thunder attached, floated in midair. In her eyes, a fierce light shone: "You''re actually unaffected by my psychic storm?"


    Just now, she had stimulated a psychic storm; even the typical warriors of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm would be influenced, momentarily losing focus at the least, or suffering a mental breakdown at worst. With the hundreds of arms of the Dharma likeness of the Saint all striking at once, encompassing everything like a net from heaven, all of Xiao Yi''s escape routes had been sealed.


    It should have been a nearly foolproof move that would have blasted Xiao Yi to death.


    Yet Xiao Yi was completely unaffected, not to mention how he appeared behind her without notice, which truly puzzled the Heavenly Saint Empress.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up, saying, "Your spiritual power is indeed strong, but unfortunately, my will is stronger!"


    Spiritual power is actually a fusion of willpower and the soul.


    The stronger the willpower, the more stable the soul, and the stronger the spiritual power.


    As for Xiao Yi...


    His soul was protected by the Eternal Tomb, unshakeable, and eight years of imprisonment had made his willpower exceptionally tenacious. The psychic attacks from the Heavenly Saint Empress couldn''t shake him in the slightest.


    The Heavenly Saint Empress''s face turned ashen.


    She had never imagined her invincible attack would be ineffective against Xiao Yi?


    Xiao Yi held the Falling Dust Sword, his crimson tongue licking his lips, revealing an excited grin: "Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm... It''s said to be the strongest force beneath the Nantian Dynasty, dubbed as the quasi-immortals. Today, let me be the first to shatter this path to immortality with my sword!"


    Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    Once reaching this state, the next step is to seek the spirit of immortality and thus enter the Longevity Secret Realm.


    But...


    The Nantian Dynasty does not allow its vassal states to produce experts of the Longevity Secret Realm. Once a warrior''s cultivation reaches the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, they are forcibly recruited by the Nantian Dynasty.


    That''s precisely why...


    Whether it''s the Sword Dynasty or the Great Qian Dynasty, once they reach the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, they must hide in forbidden lands and dare not show themselves easily.


    The existence of this realm is only a step away from the Longevity Secret Realm, and since they must not make a move easily, to date, there has been no record of such powerful beings falling. Thus, they are also known as quasi-immortals!


    To kill a quasi-immortal!


    This is a battle record not even Xiao Tianjiao has ever achieved.


    "Shatter immortality? You want to kill me?"


    The Heavenly Saint Empress was stunned for a moment, then burst into a mocking laugh, "Little bastard, I admit your strength is formidable for battling me to this point at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. But you think you can cut off my path to immortality? That''s sheer delusion!"


    "Less talk, let''s see the truth under our hands!"


    Xiao Yi gave a cold snort, and the Wind Thunder Wings shook violently, with a thunderous roar, he charged at the Heavenly Saint Empress.


    The Heavenly Saint Empress''s face twisted ferociously as she raised both hands in the air, crossing them in front of her.


    Crack! Crack! Crack!


    The Dharma likeness of the Saint behind her instantly scattered, then landed upon her.


    Transforming into a set of earth-yellow armor.


    Standing on a circle of earth-yellow light, the Heavenly Saint Empress, expressionless, held a long spear transformed from the Dharma likeness and bravely charged towards Xiao Yi: "Heavenly Saint Disassemble..."


    Hum!


    The spear in the hands of the Heavenly Saint Empress continually transformed, at times extremely rigid, at others soft as noodles.


    Wave after wave of attacks rolled in, overwhelming as a tsunami, pressing down in an instant.


    The heavens and earth changed color, the sun and moon darkened, and the mountains and rivers collapsed.


    Every attack from the Heavenly Saint Empress encompassed a drawing of mountains and rivers, its might alarmingly formidable.


    Xiao Yi''s fighting spirit was high.


    Standing amidst the howling winds, his robes flapping with a rustling sound, his longsword cleaved through the air, unleashing an astonishing thunderous boom. This sword seemed as though it intended to shatter the void itself as it clashed with a bang against that long spear.


    Sword and spear met, like the tip of the needle against the awn of wheat.


    Horrendous waves of energy ripple outward in concentric circles like the spreading ripples on a pond.


    Wherever the ripples passed, rolling thunderous noises erupted continuously.


    With each of their collisions, the violent waves of energy they created pressed down on the ground, causing it to collapse.


    Boom!


    The ground sank ten inches.


    With a resounding crash!


    The ground sank a full meter!


    Rolling thunder...


    Most of the capital''s ground and buildings were thoroughly destroyed, the ground itself deeply concaved by several meters, especially at the center of their confrontation where it was a full hundred meters deep.


    Like a gigantic funnel embedded within the imperial city.


    At the very bottom of the crater.


    The battle between Xiao Yi and the Heavenly Saint Empress continued unabated, every exchange causing the ground around them to explode, with huge rocks tumbling down.


    Suddenly...


    As Xiao Yi evaded the Heavenly Saint Empress''s fatal spear thrust, he did not attempt to dodge but rather braced himself with his flesh and blood body against her spear. Watching the long spear bend continuously, yet unable to penetrate the Wind Thunder swirling at Xiao Yi''s chest.


    The Heavenly Saint Empress''s face changed abruptly...


    With a slight upward curve of his lips, Xiao Yi sneered, "Heaven''s Wrath!"


    Whoosh!


    Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords��Heaven''s Wrath!


    One strike summoned, the wrath of the blue sky, startling all beings.


    This one strike with a pfft sound pierced through the multiple spiritual power shield walls in its way, shattered the Heavenly Saint Empress''s armor, and with a booming noise, went straight through the Heavenly Saint Empress''s chest.


    Ah...


    The Heavenly Saint Empress suddenly spewed a mouthful of blood, screaming miserably as her vital energy erupted unrestrained in an instant.


    Rumbling thunder!


    The immense surge of her aura sent Xiao Yi flying.


    And yet, the energy dissipated as quickly as it had arrived...


    In the blink of an eye.


    Energy overflowed around the Heavenly Saint Empress, her body lying in a pool of blood, her eyes filled with intense unwillingness and disbelief. In the end, she drew her last breath!


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi hovered midair, looking at the now lifeless Heavenly Saint Empress, feeling his blood hot as magma within him.


    He truly accomplished it��slicing through destined longevity!


    From this moment on...


    Xiao Yi truly stood at the absolute pinnacle among the subordinate countries of the Nantian Dynasty!


    Whoosh!


    A sound of tearing through the air swept in, Xiao Yi''s gaze sharpened as he lifted his sword to look at the descending Sword Martial Emperor, narrowing his eyes and saying, "What now? You wish to fight as well?"


    "Hold on!"


    The Sword Martial Emperor hastily gestured with his hand, his expression filled with profound awe and shock.


    Even though he had lived for over a thousand years, this was still the first time he had seen a prodigious genius at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak slay someone in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm. Such a genius, prior to this, he had only heard of through the Dragon Tiger List of the Nantian Dynasty.


    Even in the Nantian Dynasty, renowned for its countless geniuses and formidable powerhouses, such a formidable individual was extremely rare!


    Such an existence... S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If he didn''t die, his future achievements would be limitless!


    To join the Nantian Holy Institute would be well within reach!


    The Sword Martial Emperor took a deep breath, looking intently at Xiao Yi, this once ruler of the Sword Dynasty, now the Guardian who presided over the forbidden lands to protect the Sword Dynasty, he lowered his proud head, "Xiao Yi, on behalf of the Sword Dynasty, I concede defeat..."

 Chapter 555 - 554: Exorbitant Compensation, Supreme Sword King!

    "The Sword Dynasty has admitted defeat!"


    The Sword Martial Emperor lowered his proud head.


    Under his sleeves, his hands were clenched into fists, gripping so tightly that his nails had already dug into his palms, blood flowing down from between his fingers, yet he seemed oblivious to the pain.


    His shoulders shook uncontrollably, clearly indicating how distraught the Sword Martial Emperor felt at the moment.


    The mighty Sword Dynasty.


    In terms of national power, even stronger than the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Among the many vassal states of the Nantian Dynasty, it was also a powerful kingdom that ranked high.


    With a legacy of thousands of years!


    But now...


    They had bowed their heads to Xiao Yi, a youth not yet twenty years old!


    One sword technique to almost attain immortality!


    One man overpowering an entire nation!


    Unless they could summon back those elder powerhouses of the Sword Dynasty who had been conscripted by the Nantian Dynasty, there was simply no way to contend with him. The Sword Martial Emperor''s strength was not much stronger than that of the Heavenly Saint Empress.


    Facing such a Tianjiao, the Sword Martial Emperor felt utterly hopeless in his heart.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    He hadn''t expected the Sword Martial Emperor to submit so readily.


    Looking at the desolate imperial capital, the conflict had now quieted, and from among the ruins more and more civilians emerged.


    Looking up at the two figures floating in the sky.


    Especially when looking at Xiao Yi, those eyes filled with shock and awe.


    As if they were looking at a deity.


    Among the crowd.


    There were children, elders, and women and children...


    Those pleading gazes made Xiao Yi frown slightly.


    The Sword Martial Emperor sighed and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, the Sword Dynasty is willing to offer compensation, only hoping you will stop out of consideration for these innocent people!"


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath and said, "All the territories to the south of Beifeng City will be delineated to me... Didn''t the Sword Emperor spend a trillion silver to put a bounty on me? Then compensate me with ten trillion silver!"


    Hiss!


    The Sword Martial Emperor drew in a breath of cold air.


    He had not imagined the compensation Xiao Yi demanded would be so astonishing!


    Ten trillion silver.


    Even for the powerful Sword Dynasty, it was almost enough to empty their coffers!


    As for the territory south of Beifeng City, that was almost one-fifth of the Sword Dynasty''s territory to be ceded.


    A loss of sovereignty and national humiliation!


    But...


    The Sword Martial Emperor was very clear that he could not refuse, nor was he in a position to refuse.


    Otherwise.


    The whole Sword Dynasty might be at stake!


    Upon this thought.


    The Sword Martial Emperor took a deep breath, clenched his jaw, and said in a deep voice, "Fine, I agree to your terms!" He paused for a moment, then added in a serious tone, "But I hope you will grant me one request..."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, his brow furrowed as he looked at the Sword Martial Emperor.


    The Sword Martial Emperor took a deep breath to compose himself and said firmly, "The territory south of Beifeng City can be delineated to you, and the Sword Dynasty will not interfere with the governance of that area. However, I hope you will agree to let me publicly declare you the Supreme Sword King of the Sword Dynasty, and that area will be your fief."


    With those words.


    The Sword Martial Emperor watched Xiao Yi nervously, his expression filled with anxiety.


    This was the Sword Dynasty''s way of preserving its last shred of dignity.


    Direct land compensation versus granting a fief to Xiao Yi. Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although in essence they were the same, in name they were different.


    Appointing Xiao Yi as the Supreme Sword King and granting him a fief was somewhat justifiable, but if the land were directly ceded as compensation, it would be a disgraceful loss of power and honor. Should the imperial family wish to continue ruling the Sword Dynasty, even the citizens and ministers might start to harbor other intentions.


    Upon this reflection.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Agreed!"


    It was merely the acquisition of a title.


    As long as that territory landed in his own hands, it didn''t hold too much impact on him.


    As for the question of the ownership of these fiefs?


    Naturally, they belonged to him.


    As for surrendering them to the Great Qian Dynasty?


    That was absolutely impossible!


    The territories fought for by myself, why should I hand them over to you?


    What''s more...


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, looking towards the south, "Yang Kun, wash your neck clean, and wait for my return!"


    ......


    To the south, the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Yang Kun sat on the dragon throne, looking down condescendingly at the mass of kneeling officials before him, his face showing a cold indifference as he faintly said, "I hear that you all have quite the opinion concerning my ascension to this throne in secret?"


    "You, a patricidal usurper, what right do you have to sit upon the throne?"


    "If Yang Kun becomes the emperor, I shall not rest even in death!"


    These were the loyalists to Emperor Qian, as well as some supporters of Yang Ling.


    After the sudden disappearance of Emperor Qian and the capture and imprisonment of Yang Ling.


    They began seeking Emperor Qian''s whereabouts, trying to rescue Yang Ling, but all their efforts were noticed by Yang Kun, who captured them all in one fell swoop.


    They were brought to the Golden Throne Hall.


    "Unwilling to rest even in death? Rest assured, I won''t let you die so easily. In two more days, the date of my enthronement ceremony will arrive. At that time, I will make you witness me ascending the throne with your own eyes, and then use your blood to consecrate the banners! But before that..."


    Yang Kun sneered, his fingers lightly tapping on the tabletop, "Before that, please enjoy a little spectacle first!"


    Slap, slap!


    Amid a series of crisp slaps.


    Xue Feng marched in thousands of people outside the Golden Throne Hall.


    Suddenly.


    An uproar erupted within the Golden Throne Hall, "Isn''t that official Wang''s family?"


    "That''s official Lin''s mother, isn''t she paralyzed? How did she get captured and brought here?"


    "That''s official Xu''s son..."


    Exclamations echoed among the courtiers.


    The multitude of kneeling officials dramatically changed expressions, looking towards the exterior of the Golden Throne Hall, only to see their families bound and lying on the ground.


    Their fathers, wives, children, kin...


    Everyone was here!


    "Father, save me..."


    "Master, I don''t want to die..."


    "Son, as an official, you are without reproach in the eyes of heaven and earth, Mother is not afraid to die, just make sure you do not tarnish your conscience..."


    "Never bow to such a patricidal fiend..."


    The kinspeople of these officials were all screaming loudly.


    The detained loyal officials looked desperate; a few were streaked with tears, "Mother, I''ve wronged you..."


    "My wife, in the afterlife, I will make my apologies to you!"


    "My daughter, your father has doomed you..."


    Clatter, clatter, clatter!


    Yang Kun walked down from the throne, hands clasped behind his back, observing the agony and despair of the courtiers, his face revealing a smug satisfaction. His lips curved slightly upward as he gazed at the expressionless Xue Feng, "Kill!"


    "Yes!"


    Xue Feng''s eyes gleamed coldly as he looked towards the Blood Saber Guard.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    With each swing of a blade, heads rolled.


    Thousands turned into ice-cold corpses.


    Blooddyed the area outside the Golden Throne Hall red, slowly trickling down the long, narrow path.


    Yang Kun''s lips curved slightly upward, squinting at the giant palace ahead, his feet stepping over countless bodies and blood, yet his expression remained unchanged. He clenched his fists, muttering to himself, "In two more days, I will ascend to the throne. Xiao Yi, it''s a pity you won''t be able to witness me becoming the emperor with your own eyes..."

 Chapter 556 - 555: Darkness Without Sunlight, Someone from Nantian Arrives!

    Great Qian Dynasty, Imperial Capital.


    Within the vast Imperial Capital, everyone from the royal palace and nobles to the common peddlers and laborers could clearly sense that the atmosphere had grown exceedingly strange.


    Joy for the new emperor''s ascension filled the air, yet behind this layer of joy, a profoundly oppressive mood enveloped everything. The court officials were shutting their doors and declining visitors, while the powerful members of the major families were consolidating their forces.


    Even the usually bustling Combat Pavilion was now as quiet as a graveyard, desolate and in decline.


    The city''s defenses and patrols had also become more frequent.


    The scrutiny for those entering and leaving the city had grown increasingly rigorous.


    Meanwhile...


    The Heavenly Prison.


    Li Xiaoye''s family had been in charge of the Heavenly Prison for three generations, and now the responsibility had passed to him, firmly under his control.


    Life had always been good.


    Until recently...


    After Yang Kun had all the people from Xiaoshanhe Institute, along with Yang Ling and eunuch Qi, locked up in the Heavenly Prison, his life suddenly became difficult. At this moment, Li Xiaoye was carrying food and drinks into the most secluded and gloomy cell.


    This cell, bereft of sunshine, was the filthiest and most chaotic place in the entire prison.


    It typically housed the most vicious and wicked convicts.


    Creak!


    Li Xiaoye opened the door of the dank and dark cell, carrying in the food and drinks.


    After placing the food and drinks down, Li Xiaoye knelt on one knee on the ground, bowing toward the shadowy figure in the corner of the cell, "Your Highness, it''s time to eat!"


    Cough, cough cough...


    From the dark corner came a fit of severe coughing. Yang Ling, bound by the chains of the pipa lock and wearing heavy metal chains on his hands and feet, staggered out.


    Where was the vigor that Yang Ling used to possess?


    He looked disheveled and wretched, with black blood scabs on the pipa lock, along with several horrifying wounds, which were extremely gruesome. His aura was also exceedingly weak, as if each step cost him all his strength.


    Yang Ling glanced at the food on the ground and sneered in self-mockery, "Why is today''s food so extravagant? Is this to be my last meal?"


    Li Xiaoye''s body shook, and he lowered his head, not daring to look up, as he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, in two days, the grand enthronement ceremony for the eldest prince will take place. He specifically ordered that I take good care of you all these next few days, to absolutely prevent you from..."


    He found himself unable to continue.


    A deep sadness and mockery flashed through Yang Ling''s dim gaze, as he sneered, "To prevent us from dying, right?"


    "Yes, yes..." Li Xiaoye felt his heart and liver tremble.


    The man before him was the most likely candidate to become the Crown Prince.


    But now...


    He was a prisoner at the bottom of the hierarchy!


    "It''s indeed his usual style! He is afraid we might die without seeing him claim that position for himself, unable to strut about triumphantly..."


    Yang Ling let out a sneer, which caused pain to shoot through his wounds, making him suck in a breath. As the pain in his wounds subsided a bit, he clenched his teeth and said with an ominous tone, "Go back and tell Yang Kun not to worry. I won''t commit suicide. I will stay alive and wait to see if he can sit on that throne smoothly..."


    Gulp!


    Li Xiaoye swallowed hard, wishing he was deaf in that moment.


    Then he wouldn''t have to hear these words.


    Seeing that Li Xiaoye remained silent, Yang Ling huffed coldly, with a mocking tone, "What? You dare not relay the message? Afraid of angering the new emperor?"


    "Your Highness, I''m just a humble jailer who wishes to do his job quietly and without trouble..." Li Xiaoye said, gathering his courage.


    Yang Ling fixed his gaze on Li Xiaoye.


    His heart was filled with desolation. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had never imagined...


    that just as news of Xiao Yi''s resounding victory over the armies of the Sword Dynasty reached them, and Emperor Qian was about to announce him as the Crown Prince, Yang Kun would insanely poison Emperor Qian. He even used the charge of rebellion to capture the powerhouses from the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and even he and Qi were thrown into the sky prison.


    Yang Ling took a deep breath and did not make it harder for Li Xiaoye, saying indifferently, "You may leave."


    "Yes!"


    Li Xiaoye, feeling as if he had been granted amnesty, let out a silent sigh of relief, then turned and left the cell.


    Clang!


    Yang Ling sat in front of the food and wine, the chains on his body clanking heavily against the floor as he looked at his disheveled reflection in the bowl of wine. Glancing at the dark, sunless prison around him, Yang Ling narrowed his eyes, a figure emerging in his mind: "Xiao Yi, this time... can you still create a miracle?"


    ......


    Thousands of miles away from the border of the Great Qian Dynasty, in the void of space.


    A Flying Boat, ancient in design and pitch-black in color, sailed steadily through the void.


    This Flying Boat itself was a sixth-order Yuan weapon, its flying speed was comparable to a Dharma Manifestation Realm practitioner flying at full speed, extremely steady. On the boat, there was a large totem.


    It was an image formed by two intertwining purple-gold divine dragons, with the characters for "Nantian" written flamboyantly between the two dragons.


    This Flying Boat hailed from the Nantian Dynasty.


    At this moment...


    Inside the boat.


    Several figures sat cross-legged, five men and one woman.


    The man sitting in the center was shrouded in a mysterious aura, as if surrounded by endless stars. The fluctuations of his aura were even more profound than those of the Sword Martial Emperor and Yang Zun.


    He was a master of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, but from his aura, he appeared to be even more powerful than Yang Zun and the others.


    The other four men and the woman were much younger.


    Each was clad in black armor, with a blood-colored blade on the chest of the armor. Wrapped around the blade was a blood dragon, and in the middle was the character for "monitor."


    This was the Nantian Dynasty''s Monitor Force.


    Whenever a powerhouse reached the Nine Nirvana Reincarnations in any of the vassal states under the Nantian Dynasty, the Monitor Force would arrive promptly to bring them back to the Nantian Dynasty.


    If anyone dared to resist, the Monitor Force would show no mercy and execute them on the spot!


    The middle-aged man in the center was Wu Qi, the leader of a small team in the Monitor Force and a formidable super-expert at the peak of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    Wu Qi opened his eyes and asked faintly, "How much longer until we reach the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    The woman, as aloof as an iceberg, replied, "Half a day more and we''ll arrive."


    "Hmm!"


    Wu Qi nodded, his gaze filled with a hint of disdain, "Such an inferior nation without even a Teleportation Array, every visit is torture. Let''s complete this mission quickly and return to the Nantian Dynasty!"


    "Captain, before we set off, the Chief Monitor instructed us to visit the Xiao Family once we reach the Great Qian Dynasty, to properly woo and reward this family," said the woman.


    "The Xiao Family? Are you talking about the family of Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "This Xiao Tianjiao just entered the Nantian Holy Institute and defeated the number one expert on the Earth Tiger Ranking. He is expected to challenge the Heavenly Dragon Ranking within a year, he''s definitely worth befriending!"


    The others around nodded in agreement.


    The Nantian Holy Institute is the highest sanctuary of martial arts in the Nantian Dynasty.


    Full of formidable practitioners and cloud-like geniuses.


    Xiao Tianjiao had just entered the Nantian Holy Institute and had already defeated the number one expert on the Earth Tiger Ranking, showing incredible potential.


    Wu Qi nodded, an indifferent expression on his face, "Once we arrive, head directly to the Xiao Family. Wake me when we get to the Xiao Family! I want to see for myself what kind of family can nurture an unparalleled genius like Xiao Tianjiao��"

 Chapter 557 - 556: The Coronation Ceremony, Xiao Yi Returns!

    The Xiao Family.


    Xiao Zhengde''s days had been filled with dramatic ups and downs.


    Initially, Xiao Tianjiao smoothly entered the Nantian Holy Institute, which brought immense pride and honor to his family, as if their ancestors were gleaming with pride from their graves. However, before Xiao Zhengde could savor his happiness for long, Xiao Yi stole the spotlight during the ancestral worship ceremony by dazzling the crowd, effectively dousing Xiao Zhengde''s joy with a bucket of cold water. S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then, shortly thereafter��


    Xiao Yi decisively defeated the Sword Dynasty''s army, advancing triumphantly and even capturing the Southern Ice City.


    Another glorious achievement!


    All over the Great Qian Dynasty, people were sneering at Xiao Zhengde for being so blind as to cast out a talented descendant like Xiao Yi from the family.


    Now.


    Yang Kun''s poisoning of Emperor Qian and capture of Yang Ling and those from the Xiaoshanhe Institute had once again led to a surge in Xiao Zhengde''s battered pride.


    "Given the relationship between Yang Kun and Tian''er, once he ascends the throne, my Xiao Family will undoubtedly rise to new heights and become one of the four major powerhouses... No, we should surpass the four major powerhouses and become a superpower second only to the royal family!"


    Lying comfortably in the backyard, Xiao Zhengde was savoring the fruit in his hand, thinking to himself, "Perhaps... I might also persuade him to promote my title of First-Rank Prince of the affiliated nation to that of a prince with a different surname?"


    "Family Head, there are several people outside claiming to be from the Nantian Dynasty seeking an audience!" The steward, Xiao Fu, hurried over.


    "The Nantian Dynasty?"


    Xiao Zhengde was startled and hurriedly got up, saying, "Let them in at once�� No, I shall personally greet them!"


    A moment later.


    Xiao Zhengde then met Wu Qi and others. The instant their gazes met, Xiao Zhengde felt as if Wu Qi''s gaze had seen right through him, causing his heart to skip a beat and a layer of cold sweat to break out on his back. He promptly said with great respect, "First-Rank Prince Xiao Zhengde of the vassal nation, at your service, esteemed emissary from our sovereign nation!"


    "No need for such formalities, Xiao Family Head. I am Wu Qi, Captain of the Ninth Squad of the Imperial Censorate of the Nantian Dynasty. I hope I am not intruding too much with this visit!"


    Wu Qi kept a brilliant smile on his face, a stark contrast to the proud, cold as ice demeanor he had shown before.


    Xiao Zhengde took a sharp intake of breath.


    The Imperial Censorate!


    This was an agency with real power, overseeing all the dynasties under the Nantian Dynasty.


    Xiao Zhengde promptly said, "So it''s Captain Wu. May I ask what brings you on such a long journey?"


    "Your son, Xiao Tianjiao, is now a distinguished disciple of the Nantian Holy Institute and even ranks first on the Earth Tiger Ranking as an unparalleled genius. My visit here serves two purposes: one is to convey the regards of the Nantian Dynasty to you, the Xiao Family Head, and the other is to deliver a gift on behalf of the Imperial Censorate!" Wu Qi glanced at the woman behind him.


    The woman stepped forward with a jade box in her hands.


    Wu Qi continued, "Inside this box is a seventh-tier peak fiend beast core. As long as you refine it, reaching the Nirvana Realm in the future will be within your grasp. Please accept this gift with a smile, Xiao Family Head!"


    Hissss!


    Xiao Zhengde''s expression changed, his eyes burning with intense desire as they landed on the jade box. A seventh-tier peak fiend beast was on the same level as the Great Qian Dynasty''s National Guardian Beast, the Ironwing Chi Dragon.


    Such an astoundingly precious beast core, given away just like that?


    For a moment.


    Excited bloodshot lines filled Xiao Zhengde''s eyes as he promptly took the jade box, his face full of pride as he thought, "Worthy of my Tian''er, even the Nantian Dynasty''s Imperial Censorate wants to curry favor with me. Compared to Tian''er, what is that waste Xiao Yi?"


    This is the effect of power!


    The Nantian Dynasty boasted the Earth Tiger Ranking and the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, with any name appearing on both being a genuine, unparalleled genius. Even the royal family of the Nantian Dynasty would spare no effort to court them, as their futures were limitless.


    Xiao Tianjiao had just joined the Nantian Holy Institute and immediately climbed to the first place on the Earth Tiger Ranking.


    Securing a spot on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking was surely a done deal.


    Naturally, Wu Qi would not miss such an opportunity to make connections.


    Xiao Zhengde, gazing at the envoy from the Nantian Dynasty who treated him with such respect, couldn''t help but feel a bit elated and made an inviting gesture, "Captain Wu is really too polite. Come, come, come, please follow me to the mansion for a gathering!"


    Wu Qi said, "Thank you for the kind offer, Patriarch Xiao, but I am here on official business..."


    "What official business can''t be put off for a day or two? It just so happens that tomorrow is the Great Qian Dynasty''s coronation ceremony for the new Emperor Qian. Xiao will take you all there. With one word to Emperor Qian, what can''t be done?" Xiao Zhengde said, laughing heartily.


    "The new Emperor Qian?"


    Wu Qi was startled, then after thinking it over and deciding it wouldn''t hurt to delay for a day or two, he nodded and said, "If that''s the case, then I shall humbly comply!"


    "Let''s go, let''s go, let''s have a good drink..."


    Xiao Zhengde laughed heartily as he led the guests towards the inside of the mansion...


    ...


    Northern Ice City.


    Little Lin stood atop the city wall, his gaze fixed on the north.


    Now that Liu Fuhai had control of Northern Ice City, they were able to enter it smoothly. Otherwise, they would have been captured and sent back to the capital, handed over to Yang Ling.


    "Little Lin, your injuries have not fully healed. You should rest..." said Liu Yi in a deep voice.


    Little Lin shook his head, his brows furrowed with a human-like worry and guilt, "How can I rest at a time like this? If it weren''t for us being captured, our leader wouldn''t have taken such a risk alone..."


    Liu Yi forced a smile, his fists clenched tight as he gritted his teeth and said, "It''s our fault for being too weak. Not only could we not help Xiao, but we also only held him back..."


    "Little Lin, Liu Yi, why are you here instead of resting in the city?" Liu Fuhai''s deep voice suddenly came.


    "We pay our respects to the General!"


    After saluting, Little Lin said with a wry smile, "I''m worried about the boss..."


    "Rest assured, Xiao Yi will be fine!"


    Liu Fuhai''s eyes held an unprecedented determination, never once had that miracle-working youth let them down. However, upon remembering another piece of news, his expression darkened as he said gravely, "I''ve just received word that Yang Kun will hold his coronation ceremony tomorrow. It seems the Emperor really met with misfortune..."


    "What?"


    "The coronation ceremony is tomorrow? How could it be so sudden?" everyone exclaimed in shock, "Doesn''t anyone in the imperial court have an issue with the Emperor''s mysterious disappearance and Yang Ling''s sudden ascension to the throne?"


    Liu Fuhai gave a bitter smile, "How could there not be objections? I heard that a group of ministers led by the Imperial Censor Wang Zheng quietly joined forces to find the Emperor''s whereabouts. But their plan was exposed, and they were all caught by Yang Kun; the families of the ministers involved were all executed, and those ministers will be beheaded at the coronation ceremony tomorrow to serve as an example..."


    Hiss!


    Little Lin and Liu Yi, along with others, couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath.


    Liu Yi clenched his fists, "Yang Kun...is truly ruthless and vicious!"


    Liu Fuhai sighed, "It''s exactly because of his ruthlessness that now, even if there are those in the court who wish to rebel, they wouldn''t dare to act rashly. Given the current state of the Great Qian Dynasty, unless Xiao Yi returns and calls to arms, perhaps he could rally a group of powerful allies; otherwise..."


    Currently, Xiao Yi''s reputation within the Great Qian Dynasty was incredibly formidable!


    He had been the first to break through Southern Ice City.


    He had crushed the army of the Sword Dynasty.


    He had invaded deep into the territory of the Sword Dynasty, among other battle achievements, turning Xiao Yi into an invincible War God in the hearts of the people.


    "If Xiao Yi were to return and call to arms, he would surely be able to raise a Royal Guard Army..."


    "However, Xiao Yi is now deep within the Sword Dynasty, his fate unknown..."


    They were in the midst of talking.


    Suddenly...


    Little Lin''s eyes widened as he looked at the figure in the northern sky drawing closer and closer, joy erupting on his face, "The boss is back!"

 Chapter 558 - 557 Get out and die!

    ```


    In the midst of wind and snow.


    Xiao Yi''s figure broke through the sky, dragging a trail of wind and snow behind him.


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze sharpened as he saw a figure flying towards him from Northern Ice City. It was Little Lin, wrapped in healing herbs.


    Whoosh!


    Little Lin dived into Xiao Yi''s arms and then circled around his body, seemingly checking for any injuries. After confirming Xiao Yi was unharmed, Little Lin finally relaxed, perching on his shoulder: "Boss, I''ve missed you so much. You''re finally back..."


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, ruffling Little Lin''s head: "What''s there to worry about? Don''t you trust my strength?"


    "Hehe!"


    With a wide grin, Little Lin shifted his gaze to the Sword Martial Emperor standing behind Xiao Yi.


    Sssss!


    Little Lin''s eyes widened, watching him with a face full of wariness: "Who are you?"


    His face was etched with vigilance.


    The presence the Sword Martial Emperor gave off was extremely terrifying, and on him, Little Lin sensed an aura similar to that of the Sword Emperor.


    The Sword Martial Emperor looked embarrassed: "Don''t misunderstand, I mean no harm!" S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi laughed and rubbed Little Lin''s head again: "Don''t worry, this is the Sword Martial Emperor from the Sword Dynasty. He is accompanying me to the imperial capital to deliver a peace envoy letter!"


    "A peace envoy letter?"


    Before Little Lin could speak, Liu Fuhai''s voice, full of shock, came from behind.


    The war between the Sword Dynasty and the Great Qian Dynasty had not yet ended, with continuous battles raging over the ice plains.


    Moreover, with internal chaos in the Great Qian Dynasty, the Sword Dynasty had once gained the upper hand.


    Why would they seek peace at this time?


    Xiao Yi smiled lightly, noticing the confusion in Liu Fuhai''s heart and said: "It''s nothing much, I just killed the Sword Emperor and the Heavenly Saint Empress..."


    Hiss!


    Little Lin: "..."


    Liu Fuhai: "..."


    Liu Yi: "..."


    They stared at Xiao Yi with dumbfounded expressions.


    Just killed the Sword Emperor and the Heavenly Saint Empress?


    Who was the Sword Emperor?


    Of course, they knew. He was the reigning emperor of the Sword Dynasty.


    The Heavenly Saint Empress was a legendary woman, the Sword Dynasty''s sole empress!


    Xiao Yi had killed them both?


    And he spoke of it so casually?


    If it were anyone else, they would think the person was lying or boasting.


    But these words came from the mouth of Xiao Yi.


    They had to believe it.


    For a moment.


    Their gaze towards Xiao Yi became even more awe-filled. Alone, he shattered the Sword Dynasty''s army of several hundreds of thousands and destroyed the dreadful God Devouring Ants army. He also led a mere thousand men to overwhelmingly capture the Southern Ice City of the Sword Dynasty, penetrating the residence, overturning dozens of cities, and slaying numerous city lords...


    But that was not all!


    Xiao Yi even killed the Sword Emperor and the Heavenly Saint Empress!


    With the power of one man, he pressured the Sword Dynasty to bow down and personally brought a peace envoy letter.


    One man overpowering an entire nation!


    This youth was full of miracles!


    Gurgle!


    Liu Fuhai swallowed hard, his face brimming with ecstasy: "Hahaha, worthy of being Xiao Yi, worthy of being the Chosen Son of the Great Qian Dynasty. Xiao Yi, you are incredible, absolutely incredible!"


    Little Lin said proudly: "Just like my boss!"


    ```


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to stop the others, and with narrowed eyes, he said coldly, "General Liu, now that the crisis of the Sword Dynasty is over, it is time for us to settle our own scores!"


    "Hm?"


    Liu Fuhai was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Who betrayed Little Lin and Liu Yi?"


    "This..."


    Liu Fuhai''s expression changed slightly, and after hesitating for a moment, he chuckled bitterly, "Xiao Yi, they were also acting on orders. Why not just let it go?"


    "Let it go?"


    Xiao Yi said with a sneer, "If it weren''t for my intervention, Little Lin and Liu Yi would have already been executed. They are heroes of the Great Qian Dynasty, shedding their blood and returning in triumph only to be betrayed by their own. Being tied up and delivered to the enemy, are you saying we should just let that slide?"


    Liu Fuhai''s face turned somewhat unsightly.


    Xiao Yi continued, "If I let them go, how could I face these brothers who fought alongside me in blood?"


    Liu Yi''s eyes were red with emotion.


    He had just been about to persuade Xiao Yi not to make things too difficult for Liu Fuhai.


    But now...


    Upon hearing Xiao Yi''s words, he immediately shut his mouth.


    "Enough, enough, previously the Northern Ice City was taken over by General Qin Kang''s son, Qin Feng, and it was Qin Feng who captured them and handed them over to the Huihai Sword Master..."


    "Xiao Yi, Yang Kun is going to ascend the throne and become Emperor tomorrow, and I still think we should put personal grudges aside for the time being..."


    Qin Kang was on par with Liu Fuhai, both known as one of the top ten generals.


    It was because of their many years of friendship that he had hesitated at first.


    "Qin Feng? Where is he now?" Xiao Yi asked.


    Liu Fuhai sighed, "Ever since Liu Yi and the others were captured, I took over the Northern Ice City, while Qin Feng has been stationed in Xingmen City with General Qin Kang."


    Xiao Yi looked at Little Lin and Liu Yi, "Gather the brothers, and follow me to Xingmen City!"


    "Yes!"


    "I''m on it!"


    Liu Yi and Little Lin left with excitement written all over their faces.


    Liu Fuhai was silent for a moment, then chuckled bitterly, "Xiao Yi, with Yang Kun ascending to the throne as Emperor tomorrow and Qin Kang being loyal to him, I think personal grudges should be put aside for now. It''s more important to go to the capital and support the new emperor first..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "No matter, let the brothers follow me to support the new emperor in the capital. As we pass by Xingmen City, we can take care of Qin Feng along the way..."


    A moment later.


    Several hundred elite soldiers appeared before Xiao Yi, along with the tens of thousands of the defending army that had been stationed at the Northern Ice City. Every pair of eyes that looked towards Xiao Yi was filled with burning fervor.


    At Xiao Yi''s command, the army marched towards Xingmen City.


    ......


    Inside Xingmen City.


    Qin Kang had already received the news that Xiao Yi was coming, leading an army towards Xingmen City.


    His study room was a mess, just having been smashed by him in anger, as he glared at Qin Feng before him, "Rebellious son, you rebellious son! I repeatedly warned you not to get involved in Yang Kun''s matters, yet you insisted on listening to him and captured Liu Yi and the others. Now, Xiao Yi has returned, coming for you..."


    "Father, that Xiao Yi is just a green youth, and you are a mighty Great General, what is there to fear?"


    Qin Feng said disdainfully, "Moreover, the Crown Prince is about to take the supreme position. Once he sits on that throne, he will be the most exalted being in the Great Qian Dynasty. Could Xiao Yi possibly become an enemy of a kingdom''s monarch? In my opinion, this is the opportune moment for father to take down Xiao Yi and present him to the Crown Prince..."


    Qin Kang frowned slightly, his face showing uncertainty.


    "Father, with the Tianjian Sect and other sects supporting the Crown Prince, the whereabouts of Emperor Qian are unknown, and none of the other princes are able to compete with him. With Wang and others'' rebellion having failed, there is no one who dares to defy the Crown Prince''s will. What are you still hesitating for?"


    Seeing this, Qin Feng added fuel to the fire, "If Xiao Yi dares to come, let''s join forces and take him down. Presenting him to the Crown Prince would be a great deed. At that time, you, as the Great General, could step up even further. Maybe you could even become the Grand Marshal!"


    A hint of temptation appeared on Qin Kang''s face.


    Considering the current situation of the Great Qian Dynasty, Yang Kun held an absolute advantage and there was no force that could stop him from ascending the throne.


    Upon this thought.


    A trace of ruthlessness flashed in Qin Kang''s eyes, and he nodded, "Alright,"


    Just then...


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly came from outside the city, "Qin Feng, come out and meet your end!"

 Chapter 559 - 558: Whats the Use of Apologizing When You Can Practice Martial Arts?

    "Qin Feng, come out and face your death!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice boomed like thunder, exploding across the entire sky above Xingmen City.


    Inside the vast Xingmen City.


    Countless citizens came out of their rooms, looking at each other in confusion: "Was that Xiao''s voice just now?"


    "No mistake, it was definitely Xiao!"


    "Isn''t Qin Feng the son of Great General Qin Kang? Why would Xiao ask him to come out and face death? Could there be some conflict between them?"


    "I heard before that while Xiao Yi, together with General Liu Yi, was greatly defeating the Sword Dynasty''s army and triumphantly returning, it was Qin Feng who betrayed them. He captured them and delivered them to the Sword Dynasty. Xiao Yi has probably returned to settle accounts!"


    "Damn, is that true? Son of a bitch, what''s Qin Feng worth? How dare he treat our heroes like that?" S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Fuck, let''s hurry up and go open the city gates to welcome Xiao in..."


    Many of these citizens were refugees who had gathered in Xingmen City from all over and eventually settled down there. If it hadn''t been for Xiao Yi''s timely appearance, these people would have been slaughtered by the Sword Dynasty''s army long ago.


    Plus, the citizens of the city also remembered the incident when Xiao Yi repelled the Sword Dynasty''s army.


    In no time.


    All the citizens went back to their houses, picked up kitchen knives, hoes, and axes, and headed toward the city gate.


    When Qin Feng and his son left the lord''s mansion, they saw countless citizens with weapons rushing towards the city gate. Qin Feng, with a smug look on his face, said to Qin Kang beside him, "Father, do you see? Even the citizens know to go with the flow. They''re taking up arms on their own to help us resist Xiao Yi!"


    "Not bad, not bad!"


    At first, Qin Kang was somewhat puzzled, for usually the citizens would hide when there was a battle taking place, but today they were so enthusiastic. Hearing Qin Feng''s words, he nodded inwardly, "It seems the crown prince still has great prestige in the hearts of the common people!"


    Upon this thought.


    He could almost see the scene of himself capturing Xiao Yi to present to Yang Ling, and then being promoted to Marshal.


    In no time.


    Qin Kang was filled with fervor, and father and son took to the sky and landed on top of the city wall. Gazing at Xiao Yi and his group outside the city, Qin Kang snorted coldly and said, "How audacious, Liu Fuhai! You do not command your troops to defend Northern Bing City but accompany Xiao Yi, this traitorous scoundrel, to the gates of our Xingmen City. Are you seeking to rebel?"


    Liu Fuhai rolled his eyes and thought to himself: Qin Kang, oh Qin Kang, I was even planning to put in a good word for you, but you''ve cut off your own escape.


    Seeing that Liu Fuhai wasn''t speaking.


    Qin Feng, brimming with pride, sneered relentlessly, "Liu Fuhai, Xiao Yi, you band of traitorous scoundrels. Today, our Xingmen City''s military and civilians are of one heart and soul. Hearing the arrival of you traitors, even the city''s citizens are spontaneously resisting you. You''ve been abandoned by everyone. Why not surrender and come with my father and me to the imperial capital, to beg for the crown prince''s forgiveness?"


    However...


    No sooner had Qin Feng finished speaking...


    When down at the city gates there came a clamor; the citizens were shouting: "Open the gates, welcome Xiao''s triumphant return!"


    "Are you going to aid tyranny? Hurry and open the gates!"


    "Xiao and General Liu are our heroes. Will you really point your blades at our heroes? Open the gates now!"


    Atop the city wall.


    Qin Feng: "..."


    Qin Kang: "..."


    Gulp!


    Qin Kang swallowed hard, looking totally stunned: "Feng... Feng, your father seems to be hearing things. Listen, what are they shouting?"


    Qin Feng was also completely bewildered: "Th... They seem to be wanting to open the gates for the treacherous scoundrels to enter..."


    "..."


    In that moment, Qin Kang felt like giving up on life.


    Dammit!


    Didn''t you say these citizens were here to support us?


    Why are they now trying to open the gates to let Xiao Yi and his people in?


    Qin Feng broke out in cold sweat but knew that he absolutely could not open the gates. He roared, "All soldiers heed my command, whoever dares to come near the gates will be killed without mercy!"


    The soldiers exchanged looks.


    As military men, their duty was to follow orders.


    But...


    Confronted with a crowd of red-eyed citizens who were yelling furiously, and knowing very well the great deeds of Xiao Yi and his companions, who had utterly outplayed the Sword Dynasty and were the true heroes of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Bang!


    A deputy commander angrily threw down his helmet and bellowed, "Damn it all, those are the Great Qian Dynasty''s citizens outside, our heroes from the Great Qian Dynasty! You want me to attack them? I can''t do that!"


    "That good-for-nothing Qin Feng, the first to run when the Sword Dynasty attacked, and the first to rush out and claim credit after Xiao defeated the Sword Dynasty. And now he even wants us to attack our heroes? To hell with that..."


    "I refuse too!"


    Another deputy commander also shouted, "Brothers, open the gates for me, welcome the return of our heroes!"


    In no time.


    Inside the gates, atop the walls, within the city...


    Countless soldiers turned their weapons on one another, just as Qin Feng had said, and the people and the military joined hearts to open the city gates.


    Xiao Yi and his entourage entered the city in an overwhelming tide.


    As Xiao Yi and his group gathered atop the city wall, Qin Kang and his son Qin Feng were already surrounded by soldiers, both of them pale-faced. Seeing Xiao Yi and his group approaching, Qin Kang hastily cried out, "Brother Fuhai, save me..."


    Liu Fuhai glanced at him and sighed, "Had you known this day would come, why did you behave so at the start?"


    Qin Kang''s face turned paler, and a look of utter despair flashed through his eyes.


    Qin Feng, however, glared furiously and growled, "Father, don''t beg them. These traitorous scoundrels��soon the crown prince will ascend the throne and become emperor, and I am his loyal minister. If you dare to touch me, you will be enemies of the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty. Think carefully about the consequences..."


    Xiao Yi squinted, sizing up Qin Feng, "Are you so confident that Yang Kun will easily take that seat?"


    "Hmph!"


    Qin Feng snorted disdainfully, "The crown prince has the support of the Tianjian Sect and other sects, and now he even controls elite forces like Blood Shadow Tower and Blood Saber Guard. He has the right time, place, and people on his side. If he can''t become emperor, could it possibly be your turn? Xiao Yi, it''s surprising you managed to survive your return from the Sword Dynasty, but no matter how strong you are, can you really fight against a whole country? I advise you to surrender peacefully. If I plead on your behalf to the crown prince, maybe you can keep your dog''s life..."


    Xiao Yi glanced at Qin Feng, his eyes brimming with scorn, then turned to ask Little Lin, "Little Lin, how do you want to deal with them?"


    A chill glimmered in Little Lin''s eyes.


    If it hadn''t been for Qin Feng poisoning them, they would not have been captured so easily by the Huihai Sword Master.


    Nor would they have endured the agony of having half their scales brutally stripped from their body.


    Little Lin''s indifferent gaze settled on Qin Feng and he said, "Kill them."


    "Then they shall be killed!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, and with a flick of his finger, an icy gleam of cold light condensed at his fingertip.


    Sss!


    Seeing this, Qin Kang''s face suddenly changed, that gleam of cold light filling him with the despair of death. He kicked Qin Feng to the ground with a thud and hysterically shouted, "Ungrateful son, won''t you apologize to Xiao?"


    "Why should I?"


    Qin Feng retorted angrily with his neck stiff.


    "Why? Die if you don''t apologize!"


    Qin Kang, furious and bulging eyes, slapped his son repeatedly, roaring, "Quickly apologize to Xiao..."


    Qin Feng was disbelieving, "He dares kill me?"


    Before he could finish speaking.


    Whoosh!


    A flash of cold light struck, and Qin Feng''s arms flew off simultaneously; he lost both arms instantly and lay on the ground howling in pain. Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Because of you, Little Lin endured the pain of losing half his scales alive. I''ll slowly sever your limbs, letting you experience that agony!"


    "No, no, don''t��"


    Under the threat of death, Qin Feng quickly knelt on the ground, frantically pounding on it, "Xiao, Head Xiao, spare my life. I was wrong before; I''m not human, I shouldn''t have betrayed General Liu Yi and the others, I dare not anymore, I won''t dare anymore..."


    Qin Kang hurriedly looked to Xiao Yi, begging, "Head Xiao, considering my son has apologized to you, please spare his life!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Qin Kang with an unmoved gaze and said lightly, "If apologies were useful, what would be the point of learning martial arts?"


    Flash!


    The silvery glint of a finger passed in a flash.


    Thud, thud!


    Qin Feng''s legs were cleanly severed, and he screamed, unable to live or die.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was icy as he struck with his palm.


    Bang!


    Qin Feng''s head exploded in an instant, leaving no intact corpse.


    "Feng''er..."


    With despair on his face, Qin Kang was overwhelmed with grief.


    Xiao Yi spared him a glance and said indifferently, "Qin Kang, in consideration of the many years you have protected the people of the Great Qian Dynasty, I spare you today. However, you must relinquish your position as the Great General!"


    Dejected, yet understanding that this was all due to Qin Feng''s own doing, Xiao Yi''s leniency toward him was on account of his past merits and Liu Fuhai''s sake. Qin Kang nodded, "Many... many thanks, Head Xiao, for the mercy of sparing my life..."


    Xiao Yi nodded, his calm gaze sweeping over the people and soldiers of Xingmen City, and he announced loudly, "My fellow soldiers and citizens, you must have heard that the crown prince Yang Kun will soon ascend the throne. But this man is cruel and ruthless, poisoning Emperor Qian, capturing Prince Yang Ling, eliminating dissenters, taking lives without a second thought. Do you wish for such a fratricide and usurper to ascend the throne?"


    "We do not wish for it!"


    "What right does such a person have to be our sovereign?"


    The crowd roared with anger.


    Xiao Yi said coldly, "Since that is the case, are you all willing to follow me to the capital to support the rightful ruler and eliminate the traitor?"


    "Support the rightful ruler and eliminate the traitor!"


    "Support the rightful ruler..."


    "Eliminate the traitor!"


    The shouts reverberated, stirring passionate fury.


    With a powerful gesture, Xiao Yi led the army in the direction he pointed, marching mightily towards the capital. Narrowing his eyes towards the capital, Xiao Yi murmured to himself, "Yang Kun, I''m coming for you..."

 Chapter 560 - 559: Those Who Follow Me Shall Prosper; Those Who Oppose Me Shall Perish!

    ```


    Fengyun City.


    This is the city closest to Xingmen City.


    The city''s defending commander was Pang Tun, formerly a deputy to Liu Fuhai, a powerful three-tiered expert of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    While grilling meat in the backyard, Pang Tun suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from outside the courtyard. Looking up, he saw a messenger soldier running frantically toward him, shouting, "General, General, terrible news..."


    "What''s the matter?"


    Pang Tun''s face expressed waning interest.


    He once had a heart full of patriotic fervor, but not long ago, Yang Kun had astonishingly returned the hard-won Southern Ice City to the Sword Dynasty. There were even rumors that they had captured heroes like Liu Yi, who aided in defeating the Sword Dynasty, and delivered them as a peace offering.


    Furthermore, Yang Kun''s coronation was approaching.


    With his spirits dampened and feeling disheartened, he no longer possessed his former passion.


    The messenger soldier, panting heavily, said, "General, scouts from the front report... Xiao Yi is back, and, and he has turned General Liu, just took Xingmen City, beheaded General Qin Feng, and is now heading towards our Fengyun City..."


    "What?"


    Pang Tun stood up abruptly, the meat in his hand dropping to the ground with a clatter, sending sparks flying onto him, which he seemed not to notice.


    The messenger soldier looked anxious and uneasy, asking, "General, what should we do? Should we alert our brothers to prepare defenses?"


    "Defend? I defend your mother..."


    Pang Tun slapped the messenger on the head and burst into laughter, saying, "Ha, to think that Xiao actually survived and returned from the Sword Dynasty! Hurry, order the brothers to open the gates and go out to welcome Xiao!"


    "Ah?"


    The messenger soldier looked utterly baffled.


    Pang Tun, however, couldn''t wait a moment longer and ran out barefoot.


    A moment later...


    The barefoot Pang Tun led the fifty thousand troops of Fengyun City in flinging open the gates and moved in an impressive array to a location ten miles outside the city to wait.


    Just as Xiao Yi and his party arrived, Liu Fuhai spoke gravely, "Xiao Yi, the commander defending Fengyun City ahead is my former deputy, Pang Tun. He''s a rare valiant soldier, resolutely courageous, and also utterly loyal to the emperor. Allow me to speak with him first..."


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and was about to speak when a rush of galloping hoofs was heard from ahead.


    "Not good! Enemy attack!"


    "Defend..."


    Millions of soldiers and civilians simultaneously gripped their weapons tighter.


    Liu Fuhai closed his eyes, "Indeed... this uncouth man would never surrender easily. I only hope that Xiao Yi won''t embark on a massacre..."


    However...


    What Liu Fuhai didn''t expect was that, no sooner than he had finished speaking,


    Pang Tun from the front shouted, "Xiao, don''t fight, I am Pang Tun, and I come to surrender..."


    Xiao Yi: "..." sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Liu Fuhai: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Damn it!


    Wasn''t he said to be unwaveringly brave?


    How come we hadn''t even reached Fengyun City, and he already ran out for ten miles to surrender?


    Thump!


    The barefoot Pang Tun ran up to Xiao Yi and the others, and from dozens of meters away, thumped down on his knees, sliding several meters on momentum to Xiao Yi, sincerely saying, "Xiao, General Liu, I, Pang Tun, renounce the darkness to seek the light and wish to follow the general into the imperial capital to support the rightful king!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Liu Fuhai.


    Liu Fuhai, with an embarrassed face, coughed lightly and said, "Pang Tun, why... why have you left the city to surrender?"


    Pang Tun blinked, looking confused, and asked, "General Liu, now that the crown prince has committed heinous acts, killing his father to usurp the throne, shouldn''t I oppose him?"


    Uh...


    ```


    Liu Fuhai was momentarily left speechless.


    But Xiao Yi just laughed heartily, dismounted his horse to help Pang Tun up, and patted the dust off his clothes. Looking down at his bare feet, he immediately flung out a pair of boots from his storage ring, saying, "General Pang, I am very grateful that you could join our Royal Guard Army. However, you should put the shoes on first!"


    "Ah?"


    Pang Tun looked at the boots in his hands, his eyes full of gratitude, "Thank you, Director Xiao, I''ve long heard that you are the chosen one; following you, I''m sure to be right!"


    And so...


    Xiao Yi''s team grew even larger.


    As they made their way, whenever they approached a city, the gates would be flung open or the inhabitants would come out to welcome them.


    And if there were any city defenders who dared to resist.


    The soldiers under their command would revolt along with the citizens, capturing the defenders, and swinging the city gates wide open.


    On this journey...


    Xiao Yi and his party encountered almost no obstacles, with a clear path ahead, getting ever closer to the imperial capital.


    Meanwhile...


    In the Great Qian Dynasty''s capital, it was already adorned with festive lanterns, brimming with excitement and celebration.


    At Yang Kun''s behest, every household left their homes to gather at Xuanwu Square outside the Imperial Palace. This was to witness the coronation of this new ruler of the Great Qian Dynasty. If anyone dared to hide at home, the masters of Blood Shadow Tower and the Blood Saber Guard would appear at their doorstep in no time.


    Especially the court officials, who, along with their families, flocked to Xuanwu Square.


    At this moment...


    Down Vermilion Bird Avenue, the main thoroughfare of the capital, a procession of prison carts was slowly making its way.


    Inside these carts were the people from Xiaoshanhe Institute, as well as Wang and other senior officials who had joined forces to resist Yang Kun. Bringing up the rear were Yang Ling and Qi. They were all dressed in cangues, with massive Black Profound Iron Chains binding their hands and feet.


    Even with all their cultivation, it was utterly useless at this moment.


    They were caged like wild beasts in the prison carts.


    Paraded through the streets, they were put on public display.


    "Is that Prince Yang Ling? How pitiful..."


    "What did the people of Xiaoshanhe Institute do to deserve this? Director Xiao leads a fight outside, spilling blood in battles, making the Sword Dynasty''s scum dare not fight back, yet this is how his Shanhe Court is treated at home..."


    "Shh! Keep your voice down; the Blood Saber Guard and Blood Shadow Tower operatives are nearby. If they hear you, you''re done for!"


    "Damn it, I''m not afraid. If Yang Kun dares to do it, he shouldn''t be afraid of people talking..." A young man filled with righteous indignation just finished speaking when suddenly a cold blade rested on his neck.


    Thud!


    Blood gushed forth, and the young man collapsed into a pool of his own blood.


    Cries of shock burst from the crowd.


    An assassin from Blood Shadow Tower slowly retracted his dagger, looking indifferently at the people, "Those who slander His Majesty shall die!"


    Hisss!


    The surrounding citizens immediately fell silent as if struck by frost, not daring to utter another word.


    The procession of prison carts continued to slowly advance.


    Directly towards Xuanwu Square.


    The multitude of court officials and citizens watching from the square felt their scalps tingle at the sight of Yang Ling, Qi, and Ye Heng, as well as others on the carts who had suffered brutal torture and looked utterly wretched. All of them tortured to the point of inhumanity, gaunt in appearance, and despondent.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    Amid the clashing of metal, operatives from the Blood Saber Guard and those from Blood Shadow Tower, now incorporated into the Blood Shadow Guard, violently yanked Yang Ling and the others from the carts, forcing them all to kneel in the very center of Xuanwu Square.


    Just from Xiaoshanhe Institute alone, there were tens of thousands of strong individuals, plus several hundred court officials and people like Yang Ling.


    They nearly filled half of the vast Xuanwu Square.


    At this moment...


    A piercing and unpleasant voice spread throughout Xuanwu Square, "His Majesty decrees that on the joyous day of His Majesty''s ascension to the throne, three thousand rebel officials and traitors'' heads shall pave the way, and their blood shall lay down a red carpet, proclaiming to the world: those who follow me will prosper, those who oppose me shall perish!"


    PS: The fifth update is here; there are still five more today. Xiao Tian plans to release them all at once, which might be late! If you can''t wait, you can read it tomorrow, and by the way, let me promote our Q group: 979661908

 Chapter 561 - 560: The New Emperor Ascends to the Throne

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The Blood Saber Guard and Blood Shadow Guard struck simultaneously.


    With a flash of a blade, a head would fall.


    One.


    Two.


    Three...


    One by one, heads tumbled to the ground.


    Ye Heng and Shadow Demon, among others, closed their eyes in despair; these were all disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    But now,


    they could only watch helplessly as their fellow disciples were beheaded, powerless to intervene, while the murdered Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples did not beg for mercy even once. They roared with fury before their deaths: "Yang Kun, you will not die a good death!"


    "Your perverse actions and patricide will incur divine punishment, Yang Kun!"


    "The head of our institute will surely avenge us!"


    "To have been part of Shanhe Court is to live without regrets, even in a hundred deaths..."


    Their raging shouts were abruptly cut off by the cold blade.


    A total of three thousand Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples perished under the war blades, with heads rolling and blood flowing freely.


    The blood spread gradually across Xuanwu Square.


    The pungent stench of blood filled the entire air.


    With heads in their clutches and blood along their trail, the Blood Shadow Guard and Blood Saber Guard laid out a path of heads and blood right on Xuanwu Square.


    Heads leading the way, blood as the carpet.


    A sharp, piercing voice rang out: "Your Majesty, please enter!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Amidst three loud sounds, Yang Kun, adorned in a golden robe embroidered with a five-clawed dragon, emerged at a measured pace, followed by a host of his subjects. The faces of the vast majority of subjects were ashen. Even those who had previously supported Yang Kun were now significantly repulsed by him.


    Patricide and usurpation!


    This was an act of monstrous defiance.


    But then they remembered the families of the officials Yang Kun had previously killed, and they suppressed their thoughts.


    Yang Kun walked with a swagger to Xuanwu Square.


    On his way there,


    the Blood Saber Guard and Blood Shadow Guard guarding his flanks disregarded everything in their path, trampling over the heads of the Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples as they went, popping the heads beneath their feet with loud cracks.


    Ah, ah, ah...


    Kneeling on Xuanwu Square, Ye Heng, Shadow Demon, Yang Ling, and the others glared furiously, faces reddened by rage, eyes filled with roaring flames. Anger, exhaustion, and weakness blended together, and they couldn''t even let out a shout.


    Only hysterical wails of agony escaped them.


    "Stop, stop..."


    "Beasts, stop..."


    Yang Ling and the others bellowed with their last ounce of strength.


    Yet Yang Kun and his dual guards paid them no heed; instead, they grew more exhilarated, trampling the heads with even more force. Yang Kun remarked indifferently, "It seems that the members of the Xiaoshanhe Institute do share a profound bond. However, they appear somewhat frail now! Is Xue Feng present?"


    "Your servant is here!"


    Xue Feng stepped forward, respectfully saying, "Your Majesty!"


    Yang Kun pointed at the ground, littered with trampled remains, his eyes revealing a hint of coldness as he said lightly, "Nourish our friends from the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Yes!"


    With a ferocious grin, Xue Feng gestured, and the Blood Shadow Guard immediately acted.


    Gathering the mangled remains from the ground, they walked toward Yang Ling and the others with savage expressions.


    "No, no..."


    "Get away..."


    "Ah, ah, ah..."


    Despair and fury clouded the eyes of Yang Ling and the others, but their screams were to no avail.


    Splat! Splat! Splat!


    Following Xue Feng''s lead, the Blood Shadow Guards began stuffing the chunks of flesh into their mouths.


    Ye Heng and Shadow Demon clenched their teeth tight, refusing to open their mouths.


    Yang Kun snorted coldly and said indifferently, "If you don''t drink the toast, you must drink the forfeit. Take their jaws off if you must, and force it down!"


    Crack! Crack! Crack!


    Xue Feng and the others acted immediately, effortlessly dislocating everyone''s jaws.


    Powerless to resist, the victims could only close their eyes tight, shedding tears of despair and humiliation.


    The Blood Shadow Guard stuffed the flesh into their mouths, propping up their jaws to chew time and again until they swallowed it down alive. The stench of blood and carnage was nearly suffocating, pushing them to the brink of madness.


    "Hahaha, seems like the taste isn''t bad! Don''t worry, there are still so many of you, you''ll get to try it slowly..." Yang Kun laughed triumphantly, his cold gaze sweeping across the crowd.


    The ministers fell silent as if they were cicadas in winter.


    The common people looked on as if they were facing a demon, filled with awe.


    From time to time, retching sounds emerged from the crowd.


    Yang Kun was extremely satisfied with this.


    This was exactly the effect he wanted.


    Clang! Clang!


    The Blood Shadow Guard and Blood Saber Guard took their places to the left and right. The coronation ceremony would take place at the Xuanwu Platform in the center of Xuanwu Square. There, Yang Kun would be crowned and pray to the heavens.


    The ceremony was presided over by Li Ying, the newly appointed steward of the imperial household.


    Li Ying stepped forward, took out a golden imperial edict, and in a shrill, drake-like voice, he declared, "By the Mandate of Heaven, thus decrees the Emperor... My martial practice has broken through, and from this day forth, I shall abdicate and enter seclusion, passing the throne to the Crown Prince, Yang Kun. Let it be known to all ministers of the Great Qian Dynasty, aid the new emperor with all your might. Let this be known!"


    "The new emperor! The new emperor!"


    "Prince Yang Kun inheriting the great mandate, truly is the will of Heaven..."


    "Long live the emperor for ten thousand years, eternal as heaven and earth..."


    The ministers shouted loudly.


    One after another, powerful figures appeared, each holding exquisite brocade boxes and gift lists: "Deputy Sect Master Ju Hai of the Tianjian Sect, on Sect Master''s orders, comes to congratulate the new emperor on his accession!"


    "Deputy Sect Master Yun Chen of Three Seas Mountain, under Sect Master''s decree, congratulates the new emperor on the coronation!"


    "True Martial Hall..."


    "Wendao Villa..."


    Successively, the eight major sects and three great families made their appearances.


    Yang Kun''s face bore a smug look, pleased to accept all the gifts. His lips curled into a slight smile, very satisfied with the reactions of the major powers. Only when he saw that the Xiao Family was represented by the steward Xiao Fu did Yang Kun''s expression subtly change.


    But remembering that Xiao Tianjiao was now a disciple of the Nantian Holy Institute, he clenched his teeth and swallowed his dissatisfaction.


    His gaze shifted to Li Ying.


    Li Ying, understanding, nodded and said, "The new emperor is invited to ascend the Xuanwu Platform, to pray to the heavens and inherit the great mandate!"


    Wooh! Wooh! Wooh!


    The loud sound of the horn spread in all directions.


    Yang Kun took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with intense light.


    Step by step, with the stride of a dragon and the stance of a tiger, he walked towards the Xuanwu Platform.


    This Xuanwu Platform...


    Ever since he was a child, he had yearned to ascend this place, and today, he had finally fulfilled his wish. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dah! Dah! Dah!


    The vast Xuanwu Square was silent, filled only by the crisp sound of Yang Kun''s footsteps. After precisely ninety-five steps, Yang Kun stood atop the Xuanwu Platform.


    Burning incense, praying, paying homage to heaven!


    The series of actions flowed smoothly. Then, Yang Kun removed the princely crown from his head at the altar atop the Xuanwu Platform and took the prepared imperial crown, gently placing it on his head.


    With a swift and decisive turn, he raised his right hand high and proclaimed in a loud voice, "From this day forth, I am the new emperor, titled Qiankun the Great!"


    "Long live the Great Emperor!"


    "The Great Emperor! The Great Emperor..."


    The Blood Saber Guard and Blood Shadow Guard shouted in succession.


    Yang Kun, basking in pride, scanned the prostrate Yang Ling and the members of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, smiling coldly and arrogantly declared, "As Qiankun the Great, ruler of the Great Qian Dynasty, today I will sacrifice the heads of you treacherous officials to the heavens, to secure for my Great Qian Dynasty eternal peace and prosperity."


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The Blood Saber and Blood Shadow Guards both drew their blades, their expressions icy as they stared at Yang Ling and the others.


    Watching them close in, it was clear that they were about to butcher Yang Ling and his companions on the spot.


    Yang Ling, filled with rage, used his last bit of strength, "Yang Kun, you patricide and usurper, plague to your brothers, you will not die a good death..."


    "Yang Kun, don''t be so smug, our dean will surely avenge us!"


    "My master will avenge us..."


    Ye Heng and the others also roared angrily.


    Yang Kun sneered repeatedly, "Xiao Yi? He''s already buried in the Sword Dynasty; you might as well reunite with him under the Nine Springs!"


    But just then...


    With a thunderous roar that shook the imperial capital, followed by earth-shattering howls and shouts, the just-triumphant Yang Kun''s expression instantly turned exceedingly ugly: "Yang Kun, you little brat, your Xiao grandpa is here too!"

 Chapter 562 - 561: Deserted by All

    "What?"


    "Xiao Yi is back?"


    "They, they are going to overthrow the new emperor..."


    Sudden waves of shock and awe surged through the crowd.


    Especially among the ministers, many clenched their fists, their faces lighting up with excitement.


    In the hearts of the citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty, Xiao Yi''s prestige nearly rivals that of Emperor Qian, and he is considered a national hero of the Great Qian Dynasty. With his own strength, he had crushed the God Devouring Ants army and defeated the grand army of the Sword Dynasty.


    He breached Southern Ice City and penetrated deep into the territory of the Sword Dynasty.


    A series of battle achievements.


    So splendid!


    And he created countless miracles!


    But...


    There had been no news of Xiao Yi before, and under Yang Kun''s malicious slander, everyone thought that Xiao Yi had died in battle at the Sword Dynasty and could never return.


    Until now.


    Naturally, they were extremely excited upon hearing the news of Xiao Yi''s return.


    Yang Ling and others, who had been in utter despair, suddenly looked up, their eyes sparkling with hope as they laughed loudly, "Yang Kun, oh Yang Kun, Xiao Yi is back, let''s see how much longer you can be proud!"


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi indeed did not let us down!"


    "Dean, you''re finally back!"


    "Master is back, brothers, Master is back, we are saved..."


    Ye Heng and other strong members of the Xiaoshanhe Institute had bloodshot eyes, overwhelmed by emotion.


    Xiao Yi was indeed the cornerstone of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    With him around!


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute will absolutely not fall!


    Yang Kun''s face was incomparably grim, even showing a hint of fear. The shadow Xiao Yi had left him with at the ancestral ceremony on Imperial Dragon Mountain had already turned into a never-ending nightmare.


    However...


    The moment he thought of himself having ascended the throne, holding great power, with the support of several major sects.


    At that moment.


    Yang Kun forcibly stabilized himself, squinting his eyes at Xiao Yi who was bursting out of the void, his eyes shooting a cold light: "Xiao Yi? Hmph, now that I have ascended to the throne and hold the ultimate power, what can you do by coming back? Since those wastes from the Sword Dynasty couldn''t kill you, then I will personally slay you!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi descended from the sky and with a loud bang, landed on Xuanwu Square.


    The violent shockwave he caused upon landing flipped the Blood Shadow Guard and Blood Saber Guard warriors in front of him, sending them tumbling out, vomiting blood, their eyes filled with horror.


    Just the shock of his landing had severely injured hundreds of people.


    Such strength was truly astonishing.


    "Xiao Yi..."


    "Dean..."


    "Master..."


    "You''re finally back..."


    The populace, amidst despair, saw hope and called out with choked voices.


    Xiao Yi frowned as he looked at the terrible state of Yang Ling, Qi, Ye Heng, Shadow Demon, and others. His gaze was icy cold, and Little Lin leaped out from his sleeve, landing on them. With a shake of its body, it shattered the shackling instruments binding them.


    No sooner had Little Lin rescued Jin Feiyan than the girl began to retch violently.


    Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "What''s going on?"


    Ye Heng supported Jin Feiyan and looked up with bloodshot eyes, glaring at Xiao Yi: "Master, all of this is Yang Kun''s doing... he, he slaughtered three thousand brothers from our Xiaoshanhe Institute, crushed their skulls, and forcefully fed their flesh to us... Wah..."


    As he spoke.


    Ye Heng could not hold back either and began to vomit uncontrollably.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes instantly became incredibly sharp, as he looked at the carpet of flesh and blood laid out on Xuanwu Square, a cold evil Qi instantly spread over the entire square.


    Crack, crack, crack!


    On the ground, frost formed.


    Xiao Yi''s chilling gaze fell on Yang Kun, their eyes meeting, the cold murderous intent colliding in the void.


    The invisible gazes sparked blinding flashes as they clashed.


    Xiao Yi said, pausing between each word, "Yang Kun, you deserve to die!"


    "How dare you!"


    Before Yang Kun could speak, Li Ying sharply rebuked, saying coldly, "Who do you think you are? How dare you confront His Majesty, kneel down and confess your guilt to His Majesty..."


    "When did it become your place to interrupt while I''m talking to your master, you hermaphrodite?"


    Xiao Yi glared at him with icy eyes and, raising his hand, sent a tsunami-like fierce palm wind howling toward him.


    Li Ying had no time to react.


    He was slapped to the ground by the huge palm, and with a bang, was directly squashed into a meat patty.


    Hiss!


    Shocked gasps of breath were heard all around, "Fuck, what just happened?"


    "That was Dharma Phase Realm Peak Manager Li, he, he, he was actually slapped to death by a single palm?"


    "Is this the power of Xiao Yi?"


    Amidst the cries of astonishment,


    Yang Kun''s eyes twitched slightly as he stared at Xiao Yi with added shock and envy, "This guy... has gotten stronger. But..." He smirked, his lips curling up in a cold laugh, "I have changed completely from before as well!"


    With that thought,


    Yang Kun looked at Xiao Yi with a sneer, saying indifferently, "I didn''t expect you to come back alive from the Sword Dynasty. You really are like a cockroach!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, "You must be very disappointed that I''m alive!"


    "Indeed, somewhat disappointed��that neither the Huihai Sword Master nor the Sword Dynasty could keep you..." Yang Kun leaned forward slightly, sneering, "But what of it? The last laugh will still be mine. I have become the Emperor of Heaven and Earth, holding sway over the Great Qian Dynasty. Time, place, and people, all are on my side, and even with your return, it won''t make any difference!"


    "Make no difference? That''s not necessarily the case!"


    Xiao Yi said coldly, "The virtuous get help while the wicked get none. Someone like you who murders his father to usurp the throne and plots against his own brothers, an animal like that is certainly subject to heaven''s punishment!"


    "Heaven''s punishment? Hahaha, I''ve only seen kind-hearted poor people starve to death, but never seen a heartless rich merchant go hungry... If that''s heaven''s punishment, then aren''t all those starving poor people suffering from it?"


    Yang Kun''s continuous sneers went on, "Now that I am the Emperor of Heaven and Earth, with great power in my hands, what waves can you raise all by yourself?"


    "All by myself? You are about to be disappointed..."


    Xiao Yi cracked a small smile and lifted his right hand high, calling out with resonance, "Where is the Royal Guard Army?"


    Rumbling thunder!


    His high call spread in all directions, echoing over the imperial capital.


    For a moment...


    The imperial capital shook tremendously as the city guard soldiers opened the gates, and the dark tide of soldiers streamed in. They became torrents of steel flooding into the capital from all sides.


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    Roars of anger spread throughout the capital: "Great General Liu Fuhai vows to follow Xiao to the bitter end in entering the imperial capital for the king''s cause!"


    "Great General Zhao Zi Yi vows to follow Xiao to the bitter end in entering the imperial capital for the king''s cause!"


    "The Left General vows to follow Xiao to the bitter end in entering the imperial capital for the king''s cause..."


    "Vows to follow Xiao..."


    "For the king!"


    Hiss!


    Yang Kun inhaled sharply as he watched the Royal Guard Army pour in from all directions, his face alternating between shades. Grinding his teeth as he gazed at the mighty figures appearing in Xuanwu Square, "Liu Fuhai? Zhao Zi Yi... you, you band of treacherous officials and rebels, you..."


    Seven out of ten Great Generals had come?


    Besides them...


    There were also many city lords and high-ranking officials, and they had all taken a stand against him?


    Pant!


    Pant!


    Yang Kun''s chest heaved violently, his eyes turning blood red, unable to accept the scene before him.


    He thought that once he ascended the throne, he would hold ultimate power.


    But now...


    All these subjects had utterly abandoned him.


    Yang Kun glared at his ministers: "You..."


    Before he could finish,


    Two-thirds of those ministers had already abandoned him, moving to Xiao Yi''s side.


    Even more so...


    Groups like the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, the Dongfang Family, and the Ximen Family had also forsaken him, directly aligning with Xiao Yi. The civilians around also began moving towards Xiao Yi''s side.


    At this moment, Yang Kun felt the world spinning, stars bursting in his eyes.


    Today was supposed to be the joyous day he was crowned Emperor and became the lord of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    But now...


    He had become a pariah, deserted by all!


    Watching Yang Kun, who was at a loss, Xiao Yi''s mouth curled slightly upward, and he said coldly, "You''ve lost!"

 Chapter 563 - 562: Let him go? You must be dreaming!

    "You have lost!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Yang Kun with an indifferent face.


    He had anticipated this scene long ago.


    Yang Kun was too ruthless in his actions, betraying Xiao Yi and Liu Yi, furthermore returning Southern Ice City to the Sword Dynasty to please the Sword Emperor, poisoning his own father, plotting against his siblings, brutally killing loyal officials and their families, and so on...


    Everything he did had long since alienated the court officials and the common people.


    But due to his strength, everyone was angry but dared not speak.


    Even the court officials, people, and soldiers felt the same.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi had returned.


    With his current prestige, a mere call to arms would naturally draw countless powerful followers.


    That is how this scene came to be!


    Yang Kun, who had used underhanded tactics and schemes to ascend to the emperor''s throne, now found himself abandoned by everyone in the face of Xiao Yi.


    A complete and utter defeat!


    "You, you treacherous officials... I am the great emperor of heaven and earth, wielding supreme authority over the Great Qian Dynasty. How dare you betray me?" Yang Kun''s eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Liu Fuhai and the others, letting out a hysterical roar.


    Liu Fuhai snorted coldly, his face expressionless, "Yang Kun, you''ve gone against the natural order, committed patricide to seize the throne, plotted against your siblings, slaughtered the loyal and good, and disregarded human lives. What right do you have to hold sway over the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    "The real treacherous official is you!"


    "How could a disloyal, unfilial, unrighteous, and unjust person like you be fit to sit on the imperial throne?"


    Faced with the accusations and curses of the court officials.


    Yang Kun''s complexion grew uglier, he gritted his teeth and his eyes filled with savagery, "You... all of you traitors, should die!" Yang Kun shouted in rage, "Blood Shadow Guard, Blood Saber Guard, where are you?"


    Clang Clang!


    A resounding echo of bladed weapons filled the air.


    Xue Feng spoke respectfully, "Your Majesty, your servant Xue Feng is here!"


    Yang Kun gritted his teeth fiercely, his gaze filled with toxic resentment, "Kill all these traitors for me, kill them!"


    "Yes!"


    Xue Feng, with a cold and indifferent face, drew out a blood-colored longsword and shouted, "Wipe out the traitors!"


    Swish Swish Swish!


    A host of powerful figures sprang into action.


    The Blood Saber Guard and Blood Shadow Guard only took orders from Yang Yuhuan, but now that Yang Yuhuan''s token was in Yang Kun''s hands, they naturally obeyed Yang Kun without question, fearlessly charging at Xiao Yi and the others.


    Especially Xue Feng, his target was explicitly Xiao Yi.


    Xue Asura and others had died at the hands of Xiao Yi.


    As the head of the Blood Shadow Tower, Xue Feng naturally regarded Xiao Yi as a thorn in his side.


    Hum!


    Blood-colored light fluctuated around Xue Feng, as if he were a blood-soaked Asura.


    Peak of the Sixth Nirvana Realm!


    Having studied the art of killing since a young age, his combat power was enough to match that of an ordinary peak strength fighter in the Seventh Nirvana Realm. To date, over one hundred thousand had died at his hands, making the name Xue Feng send tremors across the world!


    Swish!


    The blood-colored light merged into his palm, transforming into a blood-colored blade, thrusting straight for Xiao Yi''s heart.


    However...


    Facing Xue Feng''s attack, Xiao Yi remained unmoved.


    His hands behind his back, he stood silently.


    "Seeking death!"


    Xue Feng instantly felt insulted; he had never encountered someone who so blatantly disrespected him. Even when Yang Yuhuan, the unmatched War King of the past, fought against him, he never dared to be negligent.


    Ding!


    A crisp sound caused Xue Feng''s face to reveal a look of astonishment, "How is this possible?"


    No matter how much force he applied, he could not advance any further?


    In his hand was a sixth-grade Yuan weapon, and his cultivation was at the peak of the Sixth Nirvana Realm. He executed a high-grade sixth-order assassination sword technique aimed at vital points. Xiao Yi didn''t dodge or avoid; he couldn''t possibly remain unharmed?


    "You''re too weak,"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and casually slapped towards Xue Feng''s face.


    "Arrogant!"


    A cold light flashed in Xue Feng''s eyes as he leaped back, attempting to dodge.


    But he soon discovered in horror that he no longer had control over his body and stood there foolishly. Then he heard a loud swoosh by his ear, as Xiao Yi''s seemingly ordinary slap landed directly on his face.


    Swoosh!


    Xue Feng''s head spun around on his neck like a top, completing ten full revolutions before coming to a stop.


    Thud!


    The formidable first master of Blood Shadow Tower, second only to the unparalleled War King, was directly slapped to death.


    Hiss!


    Yang Kun gasped in shock, unable to believe what he saw as Xue Feng''s head turned ten full circles on his neck, with his face now firmly staring at his own back. His gaze then shifted to Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master and the others, shouting angrily, "Deputy Sect Masters of Huihai, Yun Chen... why aren''t you attacking?"


    Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master was merely at the Seventh Nirvana Realm, and Yun Chen of Three Seas Mountain was even less, being only at the Sixth Nirvana Realm. S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The remaining powers like Wendao Villa, True Martial Hall, and Feixue Temple were similar in strength to Yun Chen.


    Among them, Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master was the strongest, and his combat power was roughly equal to Xue Feng''s. Now that Xue Feng had been killed by a single slap from Xiao Yi, how could they dare to provoke Xiao Yi?


    Nevertheless, out of respect for Yang Kun as a disciple of Tianjian Sect, Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master found it difficult to remain indifferent, saying sternly, "Xiao Yi, Yang Kun is a disciple of our Tianjian Sect. If you dare to lay a hand on him, you must consider whether you can withstand the wrath of the Tianjian Sect!"


    "The wrath of Tianjian Sect?"


    Xiao Yi grinned and looked up at Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master, "You didn''t remind me, and I had almost forgotten! Your Tianjian Sect still owes me a debt!"


    "Huh?"


    Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master was taken aback, frowning, "Nonsensical, how could my Tianjian Sect owe you?"


    Xiao Yi''s expression gradually turned cold: "Your Huihai Sword Master pursued me time and again, plucking the scales off my brother one by one, subjecting him to excruciating torture. Do you think the debt can be settled by killing just him?"


    "What are you saying? Huihai is dead?" Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master looked utterly confused.


    Yang Kun was also full of astonishment.


    He had thought that Xiao Yi had only escaped from the trap set by Huihai Sword Master and the Sword Dynasty, not that he had actually killed Huihai Sword Master.


    That was a super master of the Eight Nirvana Realm!


    The experts from Three Seas Mountain, Wendao Villa, True Martial Hall, Feixue Temple, and others were struck silent with fear. They instinctively distanced themselves from Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master, drawing a clear line to avoid being implicated by Xiao Yi.


    Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master''s complexion changed uncertainly, shaking his head, "It''s impossible. Huihai Sword Master had already broken through to the Eight Nirvana Realm. How could you possibly have killed him? You must be bluffing..."


    Xiao Yi sneered with a look of disdain, "The Eight Nirvana Realm? In my eyes, they are mere chickens and dogs!"


    "Audacious!"


    Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master shouted coldly, his expression icy as he threw a fierce punch.


    Boom!


    The punch was powerful and carried infinite destructive force.


    Yang Kun clenched his fists tightly: "Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master''s Quaking Fist! This punch may seem ordinary, but it contains the power of vibration. Even if your defense is strong, it is impossible to protect your internal organs. Under the Quaking Fist, the internal organs will shatter, and Xiao Yi is doomed!"


    "Quaking Fist?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed to a slit, instantly seeing through the sophistication of the punch.


    He reached out with his right hand, pointing a single finger.


    As the fist and finger collided.


    Thump...


    A muffled sound erupted.


    The face of Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master turned pale with drastic color change, and with a wretched scream, a streak of silver light pierced through his fist and burst forth from the shoulder, along with his entire arm exploding into pieces.


    "Damn it..."


    Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master turned deathly pale, casting a resentful glance at Xiao Yi before turning around and fleeing towards the distant sky without looking back, leaving a curse echoing, "Xiao Yi, just you wait. The Tianjian Sect will not let you off!"


    "Did I say you could leave?"


    Xiao Yi chuckled coldly.


    Swoosh!


    With a powerful flap of the Wind Thunder Wings, he instantly caught up with Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master, a sword ray sweeping across the sky, and with a stab, he cut Huihai''s Deputy Sect Master in half. Amid the spray of blood, Xiao Yi landed in front of him.


    The Falling Dust Sword rested at an angle, pointed at Yang Kun''s neck: "Your turn now!"


    Thud!


    Yang Kun, scared witless, collapsed to his knees.


    During the Ancestral Worship Ceremony, Xiao Yi had already become the demon in his heart. Now, as he watched Xiao Yi kill Xue Feng and then behead Huihai, with the blood-stained Falling Dust Sword right before him, how could he dare to make the slightest move?


    Where was his earlier vigor upon ascending to the imperial throne?


    "Spare me... Xiao Yi, I beg you, don''t kill me, I can offer you wealth and glory, I can make you a king of separate lineage, just please don''t kill me..." Yang Kun begged piteously.


    Xiao Yi''s face remained expressionless, about to speak, but then a distant, indifferent voice came from the void: "Xiao Yi, if you don''t want to die, you should kindly let go of His Majesty Yang Kun."


    "Let him go?"


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly, turning back to face the newcomer, and said indifferently, "Are you dreaming?"

 Chapter 564 - 563: Xiao Zhengde Is Flush with Success

    "You must be out of your mind?"


    As Xiao Yi turned around, he said that.


    When he saw the person appearing before him, Xiao Yi couldn''t help but frown slightly.


    It was none other than Xiao Zhengde!


    At this moment...


    Xiao Zhengde was hovering mid-air, his face bearing an arrogant look, as he looked down on Xiao Yi with a superior attitude. Even in front of these hundreds of thousands of Royal Guard Army troops, he did not hold them in his regard.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Zhengde slowly landed on the ground and looked at Yang Kun, "Your Majesty Yang Kun, I apologize for my late arrival!"


    "Xiao... Lord Xiao..."


    Yang Kun''s face showed ecstatic joy, as no one else dared to come to his aid at this point, and Xiao Zhengde''s appearance was like the last straw that could save his life. He shouted loudly, "Lord Xiao, save me, and as long as you do, it will be a great merit. I am willing to confer upon you the title of a king of different surname..."


    Yang Kun was truly desperate.


    He had already promised the title of a king of different surname to Xiao Zhengde.


    Xiao Zhengde, however, let out a sneering laugh, revealing a playful and cold smirk.


    If it had been earlier...


    Hearing the title of a king of different surname would have made him overjoyed.


    But now.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s reputation in the Nantian Dynasty was well-established, having made it onto the Earth Tiger Ranking, becoming an unparalleled Tianjiao with limitless prospects. This even made his sworn brother Wu Qi of the Inspectorate, also rise in status.


    That was a presence at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    And also the captain of the Inspectorate.


    In Xiao Zhengde''s view, the title of a king of different surname in the Great Qian Dynasty was no longer fitting for his status.


    Xiao Zhengde pretended to be troubled as he looked at Yang Kun and spoke languidly, "Your Majesty Yang Kun, you know well the deep conflict between this unfilial son and myself, and my words may not necessarily have an effect! Of course, if Your Majesty is willing to confer upon me the title of Comrade King, and share the world with me, then I might still be willing to give it a try..."


    Hiss!


    Yang Kun sucked in a breath of cold air, looking at Xiao Zhengde in disbelief.


    Even Xiao Yi had a strange expression on his face.


    He really couldn''t understand where Xiao Zhengde got the courage and confidence to think that he would obey him?


    Yang Kun''s face turned extremely ugly.


    The Great Qian Dynasty had never had a king of different surname, let alone a Comrade King!


    He had promised the title of a king of different surname out of sheer desperation, but Xiao Zhengde actually asked for the title of Comrade King? To share the world with him? S��arch* The N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wasn''t that akin to an uncrowned emperor?


    He wanted to refuse.


    But looking at the falling dust sword in Xiao Yi''s hand, with its cold silver edge, Yang Kun swallowed hard and gnashed his teeth, "Fine, as long as you can save me, I will grant you the title of Comrade King of Great Qian, to share the world with me!"


    He spoke almost word for word, grinding his teeth as he uttered the last four words.


    Xiao Zhengde was overflowing with pride, his face filled with a radiant smile as he turned his gaze towards Xiao Yi, arrogantly saying, "You little bastard, didn''t you hear what I agreed with His Majesty? Let go of His Majesty now!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, remaining silent.


    Xiao Zhengde immediately felt he could not save face and angrily said, "You rebellious son, do I have to take action myself? Release His Majesty now; considering some of your current achievements, I can allow you to return to the Xiao Family genealogy. You..."


    Xiao Yi calmly said, "Get lost!"


    "..."


    Xiao Zhengde narrowed his eyes, his expression gradually turning cold. "You really want to oppose me? This is your last chance, miss this, and you''ll never think of returning to the Xiao Family ever again!"


    "From the moment you sent me to the Fang Family and expelled me from the family, I''ve had nothing to do with you or the Xiao Family!" Xiao Yi said lightly.


    "You, you..."


    Xiao Zhengde was so angry that he puffed out his beard and glared, grinding his teeth, "If that''s the case, then don''t blame me for disregarding the love between father and son. Wu, take care of this disobedient son for me..."


    As his words fell, Xiao Zhengde took a step back with a smug laugh.


    Almost at the same time...


    A whooshing sound burst through the air from the void.


    Xiao Yi''s complexion subtly changed, his instinct driving him to dodge to one side. At the same time, his palm released a stream of Qi that entwined around Yang Kun, pulling him along to evade as well.


    Boom!


    The spot where Xiao Yi had stood was pierced by an ice-cold long spear, embedding into the ground below.


    The tail of the spear protruded from the earth, trembling with a buzzing sound.


    Had Xiao Yi not dodged in time, that spear thrust could have severely wounded him.


    Swoosh!


    Wu Qi descended from the sky and stood atop the end of the spear, with several young members of the Inspectorate landing beside him.


    Wu Qi turned to look at Xiao Zhengde with a teasing smile, "Second brother, is this the defiant son you mentioned? Xiao Tianjiao''s brother, Xiao Yi?"


    "No, no, no!"


    Xiao Zhengde hastily waved his hands, gesturing for silence, "Big Brother Wu, you mustn''t say that again. Tian''er despises nothing more than others calling Xiao Yi his brother!"


    "Eh?"


    Wu Qi was momentarily stunned.


    He had heard about Xiao Yi from Xiao Zhengde while they were drinking together but hadn''t been told the specifics.


    Xiao Zhengde spoke seriously, "In Tian''er''s eyes, this boy is the disgrace of his life, unworthy of being his brother."


    "..."


    Wu Qi was thoroughly confused.


    A Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak youth not yet twenty years old, and he''s not worthy of being his brother? A lifetime''s disgrace?


    Had the Great Qian Dynasty''s standards for geniuses become so high?


    Wu Qi shook his head, not dwelling on it further.


    He hadn''t seen Xiao Yi slay Xue Feng and the Deputy Sect Master of the He Ju Sea, but he felt Xiao Yi''s cultivation at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm at such a young age indicated respectable talent.


    But that was it!


    After all.


    In the Nantian Dynasty, where prodigies abounded, even ten-year-olds existed in the Nirvana Realm��those were the true peerless Tianjiaos!


    Clearly, in Wu Qi''s view, not to mention comparing to such peerless Tianjiaos, Xiao Yi was far inferior to the Earth Tiger-Ranked Xiao Tianjiao. His eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, "Kid, didn''t you hear what your father said? Release Yang Kun, don''t force me to act!"


    Xiao Yi frowned as he looked at him, "Who are you?"


    He sensed an extremely powerful aura emanating from Wu Qi, even more formidable than both the Sword Martial Emperor and Yang Zun.


    This was a presence from the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    Wu Qi had yet to speak.


    Xiao Zhengde, basking in smug satisfaction, arrogantly proclaimed, "Disobedient child, before you stands the ninth Captain of the Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate, Wu Qi. He''s my sworn brother..."


    Hiss!


    The surrounding powerhouses who heard this couldn''t help but widen their eyes in shock, "The Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate?"


    "Good heavens, the Inspectorate is the authority of the Nantian Dynasty that governs subordinate nations, holding the power of life and death. Even the emperors of vassal states, once they violate the Dynasty''s laws, are subject to their right to execute first and report later!"


    "He''s an imperial envoy; how did he become sworn brothers with Xiao Zhengde?"


    "It''s over, it''s over. Now that the enforcer of the Inspectorate is here, Xiao Yi is doomed..."


    "He''s as good as dead..."


    The crowd''s gaze towards Xiao Yi was filled with concern and unease.


    Yang Kun was briefly dazed, then his face filled with manic glee as he shouted, "Lord Xiao, let the envoy kill Xiao Yi quickly. As long as you save me, I promise you the title of Comrade King, to share the Great Qian Dynasty with me. Even, even I can acknowledge you as my adoptive father, from then on you shall be the Supreme Emperor of my Great Qian Dynasty!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Zhengde''s breath caught.


    The Supreme Emperor?!


    That was an even higher honor than Comrade King!


    With that thought.


    Xiao Zhengde''s face glowed red with triumph as he eagerly looked towards Wu Qi, "Big Brother Wu, please act swiftly, take down this defiant son..."

 Chapter 565 - 564 All Garbage!

    "Wu, act quickly, kill this unfilial son!"


    Xiao Zhengde exclaimed excitedly.


    He had never regarded Xiao Yi as his son.


    The idea that killing Xiao Yi would make him the Grand Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty thrilled him.


    Watching the eager face of Xiao Zhengde urging Wu Qi to execute his own son, even the thoroughly disillusioned Xiao Yi couldn''t help but feel a wave of despondency.


    It was as if there was a huge stone pressing on his chest, leaving him unable to breathe.


    "Master Xiao, there''s no need for the captain to take action against someone who is merely at the Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak," said a young member of the Oversight Council stepping forward with a sycophantic smile, he then approached Xiao Yi.


    The youth''s name was Geng Zheng, and he too was at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak.


    But...


    In Geng Zheng''s view, warriors from a subordinate country could never compare with them, even if they were at the same realm!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes at Geng Zheng, "I''d advise you not to make a move against me!"


    "Hmm?"


    Geng Zheng was taken aback, then he laughed scornfully, "What? Are you trying to tell me that you''re stronger than I am? If those are your last words, you might as well shut your mouth forever!"


    Boom!


    As they spoke, a violent surge of energy burst forth from Geng Zheng.


    The force of this energy caused the ground to tremble violently, sinking into a deep crater, his cold eyes flickering with tangible sharpness. Raising three fingers slowly, he said coldly, "Within three moves, I shall take your life!"


    Whoosh!


    Geng Zheng''s fist lashed out suddenly.


    It was incredibly fast.


    As fast as lightning!


    But in Xiao Yi''s eyes, it seemed as slow as a snail��easily dodged with a simple sidestep. Geng Zheng, missing with his punch, showed a look of astonishment and then laughed in disbelief, "No wonder you have the nerve to challenge me, you do have some skill. To have dodged my punch... But that was less than half of my strength. Next, I''ll use seventy percent!"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Geng Zheng''s figure, with a whoosh, vanished from where he stood, with a swift shift to the left and right.


    Xiao Zhengde asked with concern, "Wu, is Geng Zheng really up to this task?"


    "Don''t worry. You might see Geng Zheng as only being at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, but his combat strength far exceeds his realm. Against warriors from these lesser states, even those two or three realms higher are easily crushed..." Wu Qi said confidently.


    The woman named Ye Fanghua also nodded and said, "Geng Zheng was just careless with the first punch. Now that he''s using seventy percent of his power, there''s no need for a third move��Xiao Yi will be defeated!"


    The others seemed relaxed as well, as if victory was already in their grasp.


    However, their expressions soon underwent a dramatic transformation, as the sound of their faces being metaphorically slapped echoed one after another.


    Geng Zheng''s seemingly mysterious movement technique, but as his figure was just materializing, Xiao Yi was already prepared, leisurely extending his right fist and keeping it suspended in the air. Geng Zheng appeared directly in front of the fist, moving too fast to stop.


    Bang!


    Geng Zheng''s head slammed straight into Xiao Yi''s fist.


    A cracking sound was heard, as Geng Zheng''s head was grotesquely deformed, he staggered back several steps and then fell to the ground with a thud. On his face, an imprint of a fist was deeply embedded.


    Xiao Zhengde: "..."


    Wu Qi: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    "Is this the genius of the Nantian Dynasty? My heavens, he must have been born a fool, right? He purposely smashed his head into Director Xiao''s fist and got himself killed. Is this what they call a genius?"


    "I''m dying of laughter. Are they sure they''re real members of the Oversight Council and not comedians?"


    Suddenly, whispers of discussion and schadenfreude-filled laughter arose from the crowd.


    The corner of Wu Qi''s eye twitched; he wasn''t as ignorant as the onlooking commoners.


    He knew very well that it wasn''t Geng Zheng who deliberately crashed into the punch; rather, it was Xiao Yi who precisely captured Geng Zheng''s imminent position and speed, extending his fist at just the right moment.


    It all seemed like coincidence.


    All of this was within Xiao Yi''s calculations.


    "This young man can actually see through Geng Zheng''s movement technique?" Wu Qi squinted his eyes, looking towards Ye Fanghua, "You, go kill him!"


    "Yes!"


    Ye Fanghua''s expression was incomparably gloomy.


    If any member of the Inspectorate team died, it would affect their entire team''s rating.


    Xiao Yi killing Geng Zheng meant that their team''s rating would drop by at least one grade this year.


    The impact of this was enormous. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The cultivation resources they were to receive this year would be reduced by at least a third!


    With this thought in mind.


    Ye Fanghua''s expression was as still as water, her gaze cold and venomous as a snake as she stared at Xiao Yi: "You shouldn''t have killed him!"


    "He wanted to kill me, should I have just waited to die without acting?" Xiao Yi retorted.


    Ye Fanghua nodded her head and said, "We are envoys of the imperial court, and you are nothing but lowly vassals, lowlife subjects. When we want to kill you, you should just wait for death obediently, not resist. Because no matter how you resist, the end result is your death!"


    "Imperial court envoys? Vassal lowlifes? Heh heh..."


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, revealing a playful smile, "No offense, but in my eyes, all of you so-called imperial court envoys are trash! And don''t come at me one by one. All of you, get together and come at me; it saves people from saying I''m bullying the weak!"


    "..."


    Ye Fanghua''s face changed color.


    The three other young men behind her also showed furious expressions, all of them looking towards Wu Qi simultaneously: "Captain, please let us take action, to dismember this brat into five pieces!"


    "I want to tear him to shreds!"


    "To make him beg for life but not be given death..."


    They were all imperial court envoys, dignified members of the Inspectorate.


    In the past...


    No matter which vassal state they went to, even emperors had to treat them with the utmost reverence. If they fancied any consort or princess, the emperor had no choice but to send them to their beds willingly.


    But what about Xiao Yi?


    Far from showing any reverence, he killed Geng Zheng and even boldly challenged the rest of them.


    How could Ye Fanghua and the others, long accustomed to looking down on others, tolerate this?


    "Boy, remember my name, don''t forget the one who killed you is an envoy of the Nantian Imperial Inspectorate..." The young man with the highest cultivation, from the Fivefold Nirvana Realm, said with a cold grimace and arrogance.


    But before he could finish speaking, he saw Xiao Yi wave his hand to interrupt him: "Don''t waste your breath, no one''s going to remember the name of a dead person!"


    "You..."


    "Arrogant!"


    "Guys, his dog life is mine!"


    Although Ye Fanghua was a woman, her killing intent was heavier than any man''s. With a cold laugh, she suddenly attacked Xiao Yi.


    The other three were not to be outdone.


    All of them thought of slaying Xiao Yi to quench their anger.


    However...


    Facing the siege of four Inspectorate powerhouses, Xiao Yi remained calm and collected, wielding just a fist and a sword.


    The fist was the Invincible King Fist!


    The sword was the Dust Settling Sword!


    The terrifying shadow of the fist directly knocked the four to the ground, and the sharp blade of the sword, under the bewildered gaze of the four, slit their throats. In just a moment, four great Inspectorate experts fell to Xiao Yi''s sword.


    Whoosh!


    He lifted his longsword, its tip pointing directly at Wu Qi: "Your turn now!"


    PS: Sorry, I fell asleep last night... This update is from yesterday, and there''s more coming today!

 Chapter 566 - 565: Nothing More Than That!

    "It''s your turn!"


    Xiao Yi''s sword tip picked up, pointing directly at Wu Qi.


    A touch of icy coldness appeared on his face, as he, too, was a master of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, but Wu Qi gave him the feeling of being even more powerful than Yang Zun and the Sword Martial Emperor.


    This should be the strongest opponent he had encountered so far.


    Xiao Yi also wanted to try and see how much of a gap there was between his current strength and that of a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm master from the Nantian Dynasty.


    After all...


    With his current power, he was already an unbeatable match in the vassal states under the Nantian Dynasty!


    Whoosh!


    Wu Qi let out a long breath, and even though the five members of his squad had all died at the hands of Xiao Yi, he showed no anger but an excited face instead, "Not bad, not bad at all. I didn''t expect that in addition to Xiao Tianjiao, the Great Qian Dynasty would have another talent like you."


    Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhengde''s complexion changed slightly.


    As he looked at Wu Qi''s gaze locked on Xiao Yi, it was filled with a gratified expression.


    Xiao Zhengde''s heart skipped, and he thought with alarm, "This is bad, Wu Qi can''t possibly be interested in this defiant son''s talent, right? That absolutely cannot happen!"


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Zhengde coughed lightly and said in a heavy voice, "Brother Wu, this defiant son of mine and Tian''er have always been at odds, nearly to the point of a life-and-death feud..."


    "Hmm?"


    Wu Qi''s smile suddenly stiffened.


    He had indeed been impressed by Xiao Yi''s talent and strength. A young man at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm might not mean much in the Nantian Dynasty, but one of such a young age with a Dharma Phase Realm Peak cultivation and such combat might was definitely an uncut gem. If he brought him back and recommended him to the royal family or the Nantian Holy Institute, it would be a significant merit for himself.


    But...


    The words of Xiao Zhengde made him abruptly abandon this thought.


    No matter how strong Xiao Yi''s talent was, could he compare with Xiao Tianjiao?


    To offend Xiao Tianjiao on account of Xiao Yi was clearly unwise!


    Rather than that,


    It would be better to kill Xiao Yi and thereby curry favor in the relationship between himself and Xiao Tianjiao.


    Whoosh!


    Wu Qi exhaled deeply, and the slight worry between his brows dissipated, his eyes flashing with a cold light, "I''m sorry, Xiao Yi. It looks like you''re going to have to die!"


    Xiao Zhengde breathed a sigh of relief, looking smugly at Xiao Yi.


    Among the crowd,


    Jin Feiyan couldn''t restrain her anger, "Xiao Zhengde, you bastard..."


    "Xiao, even if you''re no longer favored, he''s still your child. How can you treat him this way?"


    "For someone like you to dare call yourself a father��"


    Many voices were raised in anger.


    Xiao Zhengde, however, didn''t care at all, saying as if it were most natural, "I, Xiao Zhengde, have only Xiao Tianjiao as a son. As for him... he''s nothing but trash. What qualifies him to be Xiao Zhengde''s son? You people had better scram and apologize if you know what''s good for you, otherwise, when Tian''er returns, you will all have to die!"


    Yang Kun, who had been helped to his feet by Xiao Zhengde, echoed on the side, "Didn''t you hear what my adoptive father said? All of you kneel down and kowtow to apologize to my adoptive father, or else you all will have to die!"


    Everyone: "..."


    Looking at Yang Kun''s obsequious manner, it truly made one''s stomach turn.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, the sound of a howling wind arose out of thin air.


    Wu Qi, now unarmed, rushed towards Xiao Yi. His speed was astoundingly fast, several times quicker than the Sword Martial Emperor and Yang Zun, vanishing in the blink of an eye from Xiao Yi''s sight.


    No one among the surrounding crowd could track his whereabouts.


    Even the Sword Martial Emperor, a fellow master of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, widened his eyes in shock and amazement, "Worthy of being the captain of the Nantian Dynasty''s Inspection Division. Although we share the same realm, his strength is far above my own. With Wu Qi''s strength, there''s indeed a possibility that he might be able to slay Xiao Yi. If Xiao Yi is killed, then I..."


    Excitement flickered through the depths of the Sword Martial Emperor''s eyes.


    Once Xiao Yi was killed.


    So then...


    The humiliation and loss of power his agreement entailed would naturally not need to be fulfilled!


    But the smile on Sword Martial Emperor''s face vanished completely in no time.


    Boom!


    Wu Qi suddenly appeared beside Xiao Yi, a Dragon Tail Swing aiming ferociously at his head, impossible to react to at such proximity.


    Yet Xiao Yi was one step ahead. sea??h th�� n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The moment Wu Qi appeared, Xiao Yi had already raised his right hand, conjuring an energy shield on his arm that blocked this sudden killer move.


    Bang!


    The energy shield exploded with a roar.


    The wild force sent Xiao Yi flying, moving sideways over thirty meters before stabilizing, as Wu Qi burst forth with another attack.


    Boom boom��two loud explosions were the sound of his feet pushing off the ground.


    Amidst the dust and sand.


    Wu Qi''s figure arrived in a flash, like a hungry tiger lunging at its prey to kill Xiao Yi.


    Just as Xiao Yi steadied himself, he heard the sharp sound of the air being torn apart, Wu Qi''s hands like claws, seeming to have the power to rend the very space. Air blades, compressed to the extreme and suddenly released, continuously struck Xiao Yi, the clothes on his body ripped apart with a puffing sound.


    Those sharp claws also tore several gashes across his body.


    Amidst the spurting blood.


    Having brushed past Xiao Yi, Wu Qi pushed off the ground with both hands, the wild qi creating a massive propulsive force, whooshing as Wu Qi returned by the same route.


    A killing move on the return strike!


    Almost simultaneously.


    His sharp claws once again landed on Xiao Yi''s body.


    So fast that even Xiao Yi couldn''t react in time, dodging continuously, crossing, sneak attacking, employing all sorts of extremes in his onslaught.


    For a time, Xiao Yi became exhausted from dealing with the attacks.


    Facing such a rascal''s attacks��a fight, then run, if not pursued, harass��Xiao Yi felt a wave of anger yet was powerless to counter.


    His upper clothes had been completely shredded.


    His entire body was covered in ferocious wounds, blood flowing freely, a horrifying sight to behold.


    Xiao Zhengde watched, extremely excited: "As expected of Brother Wu, with just a few moves, this traitor has no power to resist at all!"


    Yang Kun, with a flattering face, said, "Godfather is truly prescient! You predicted long ago that Xiao Yi was doomed to defeat!"


    "Naturally!"


    Xiao Zhengde looked at Yang Kun beside him, the newly enthroned emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, who was extremely respectful to him, even calling him godfather. This made Xiao Zhengde exceedingly proud��after all, the mighty emperor acknowledged him as a godfather!


    Thinking of the moment after killing Xiao Yi.


    With Yang Kun''s official ascension to the throne, he would confer the title of Emperor Emeritus upon him!


    Wouldn''t the days that followed be the envy of even the gods?


    While Xiao Zhengde was fantasizing about all this coming to pass, lost in his dreams,


    In the fiercely contested battlefield.


    Xiao Yi, covered in blood and multitude of wounds, was suddenly struck in the face by a punch from Wu Qi and sent flying backwards.


    Boom, booming loudly!


    His body, like a kite with a broken string, rolled and crashed on the ground, flying hundreds of meters before slamming into a city wall with a thunderous crash. Half of the city wall collapsed, burying Xiao Yi beneath the ruins. Wu Qi took a long breath, his face showing a satisfied grin: "It''s over!"


    Xiao Zhengde laughed heartily: "Brother Wu is truly amazing, just a few moves and that��"


    However...


    He didn''t finish his sentence.


    Just at that moment,


    From within the ruins came a rumbling sound, as countless stones whizzed into the sky, and Xiao Yi stood suspended in the air, shrouded in an azure-purple Wind Thunder battle armor. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Xiao Yi stared at Wu Qi: "A Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm expert from the Nantian Dynasty, ninth squad leader of the Overseers, Wu Qi? That''s all you''ve got?"

 Chapter 567 - 566: Sword Beheading Wu Qi

    "Inspector Wu Qi? Not that impressive!"


    Xiao Yi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his face twisted into a fierce, cold sneer as he looked down on Wu Qi with contempt.


    Wu Qi''s face suddenly darkened.


    The smile on his face gradually crumbled, replaced by a ferocity, as he coldly stared at Xiao Yi and said deliberately, "Very well, very well, I didn''t expect you, boy, to take a punch from me to the head and still not die. I wonder if you can still stand up after I twist your head off!"


    "That will depend on whether you have the ability to twist my head off!"


    Xiao Yi grinned.


    "Hmph!"


    Wu Qi snorted coldly, his body surrounded by black gleaming edges.


    The black battle robe he wore rustled loudly, swelling up as if it were a balloon being inflated.


    And then...


    With a hissing sound, like the leak of breath, Wu Qi''s overinflated battle robe deflated back down to its shriveled state, but his body had grown bulkier than before.


    Despite various layers of battle robe, the segments of his steel-like muscles were still clearly visible on his body.


    Filled with explosive power.


    Behind him, a fist-shaped Spiritual Aspect slowly emerged.


    Spiritual Aspect System!


    What Wu Qi had condensed was indeed a Spiritual Aspect from the Spiritual Aspect System, specifically a pair of seventh-grade high-level elemental gauntlets, which were also his life-bound elemental weapons.


    Swish!


    Streams of black mucus shot out from within his body, writhing and twining along his arms, ultimately condensing into a pair of pitch-black gauntlets on his palms. The gauntlets were lusterless black, with a tiger on the left and a dragon on the right, both creatures vividly lifelike as though alive, crawling slowly on the surface of the gauntlets and emitting a blinding black gleam.


    Bang!


    Wu Qi clenched his fists fiercely, black light swirling on top of the gauntlets.


    He had actually burst the air with his grasp alone. S��ar?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Creating a burst of dazzling firelight.


    Wu Qi looked at Xiao Yi with a sinister smile and said coldly, "You little bastard, time to die!"


    Swish!


    Wu Qi''s speed surged once again.


    Like an arrow released from its bow, he shot towards Xiao Yi in an instant.


    Xiao Yi refused to show weakness, snorting coldly as the Wind Thunder battle armor adhered to his body.


    With a violent shake of the Wind Thunder wings on his back, he soared into the sky, slicing through the horizon.


    Boom!


    The two collided fiercely.


    This part of the world seemed to fall into silence in an instant, then a terrible surge of energy exploded outwards. With a popping sound, concentric rings of shockwaves rushed outwards from the two combatants, obliterating vegetation, splitting the earth, and reducing the city walls to powder as they passed.


    It was apocalyptic.


    An understatement for the terrifying scene created by their battle.


    Rumble!


    The more they fought, the braver and more ruthless they became.


    Now dueling in the high skies, each collision shattered the clouds within a hundred miles.


    A cloudless sky stretched out, a deep blue expanse.


    Within the Imperial City.


    Countless powerhouses held their breath, not daring to take a gulp of air, their eyes filled with profound shock and dismay. Looking around, a tenth of the imperial city had turned to ruins, each one of them swallowing hard: "Is this really the kind of destructive power that humans can achieve?"


    "It''s terrifying, whether it''s Xiao Yi or Wu Qi, they''re both too frightening. It''s a good thing they took to the skies to fight. If they had been within the imperial city, I fear we would all be dead here..."


    The Sword Martial Emperor''s face paled, secretly relieved: "This guy was still hiding his strength? Good thing I wasn''t as impulsive as that old hag from Heaven''s Saint back in the imperial city, or else I would have likely followed in her footsteps!" Just as he thought this, the Sword Martial Emperor suddenly raised an eyebrow, looking towards the direction of the palace, "Have these old guys lost their patience too?"


    Within the palace.


    Yang Zun, Yang Zheng and the others, along with Yang Yuhuan who had stepped into the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, all left the forbidden area.


    They were certainly aware of Yang Kun''s actions.


    But...


    Besides not being able to show themselves casually, what was more important was that, in their view, no matter how the throne changed hands, as long as it was still under the control of the Yang Family, it was all inconsequential.


    But now...


    The impact of the battle between Wu Qi and Xiao Yi had become too great, forcing them to reveal themselves.


    Yang Yuhuan incredulously looked at the large swath of the imperial city that had been destroyed, then at the two people fighting in the sky, mumbling to himself: "I never expected Xiao Yi to have grown to this stage. With his current strength, I''m afraid I wouldn''t last ten moves against him!"


    Yang Zun and the others exchanged wry smiles: "Not just you, huh? Even this old ancestor of ours would probably only be able to exchange a hundred moves with him..."


    Yang Zheng felt a bitter taste in his mouth as if he was chewing on bitter herbs, struggling to express his difficulty: "Had I known this would happen... when Yang Kun poisoned Hua Long, we should have intervened, rather than being as passive as we are now!"


    "Alright, what''s done is done, regretting now is useless!"


    Yang Zun spoke calmly, squinting his eyes into slits, and said in a deep voice, "The priority now should be to consider how to manage the aftermath. If Xiao Yi loses, he will surely be slain by Wu Qi. If Xiao Yi wins and he wants to kill Wu Qi, should we intervene? After all, Wu Qi represents the Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate. If anything happens to him, the Nantian Dynasty will surely investigate..."


    As the few were talking.


    Suddenly, a deep growl from Xiao Yi echoed in the sky: "God Devouring Seven Extremes Sword��Wrath of Heaven!"


    Boom boom boom!


    In the crystalline blue sky, thunders roared as if out of nowhere.


    Following that...


    Clusters of Black Cloud furiously gathered, and terrifying bolts of lightning struck down madly, transforming this part of the world into a sea of thunder.


    Under the relentless barrage of lightning,


    Wu Qi was greatly constrained.


    Even though he practiced Physical Nirvana and possessed an extremely powerful body, facing the continuous onslaught of lightning, no matter how strong his body was, it had its limits.


    The paralyzing sensation of thunder surging through his body


    greatly restricted Wu Qi''s movements.


    Suddenly...


    A shocking sword radiance mixed with purple-gold lightning streaked across the sky like golden dragons, winding and coiling around in the air, eventually forming a huge Thundering Azure Dragon. With a earth-shattering roar, the countless bolts of lightning formed an astonishing sword glow, connecting the heavens above with Xiao Yi''s Falling Dust Sword in hand.


    "Slash!"


    Xiao Yi gripped the Falling Dust Sword tightly and raised it high above his head, then fiercely chopped it down towards the front.


    Whoosh!


    The purple-gold lightning brought forth a curtain of the same hue, seemingly cleaving the world in two.


    Boom boom boom!


    A terrifying pressure swept in all directions.


    It formed an incredibly fearsome storm; even century-old towering trees were uprooted, the earth cracked open like the turning of dragon, mountains crumbled, rivers flowed in reverse. At this moment, the range affected by Xiao Yi''s sword already far exceeded a hundred miles, a thousand miles...


    Boom!


    With one strike,


    Wu Qi''s crossed fists in front of him burst open, his gloves shattered to pieces, he spat out blood, and with a swish, he plummeted from the high altitude...

 Chapter 568 - 567: What Do You Think You Are?

    Boom!


    Fang Hao''s body plummeted from the sky like a falling star, and with a thunderous crash, he slammed harshly onto the ground.


    The terrifying force caused his body to create a deep crater upon impact.


    With a hum.


    A circular shock wave billowed out in all directions.


    Wherever it passed...


    The ground caved in and sunk, buildings shook and shattered.


    Some of the stronger ones nearby suffered the brunt of it, spewing blood and turning deathly pale.


    The vast imperial capital fell silent.


    Everyone''s eyes were wide with disbelief as they watched the dust gradually clear to reveal the pit; Fang Hao lay in it like a dead dog. He tried to get up, but found that all his limbs and bones were broken and he couldn''t move at all.


    He could only prop himself up to turn around, leaning against the slanted edge of the crater, his face filled with terror as he watched Xiao Yi slowly descend from the void.


    Fang Hao''s complexion was deathly pale.


    At this moment...


    His heart was filled with regret.


    Had he known that Xiao Yi possessed such fearsome combat strength, that being just at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak he could defeat a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm powerhouse, would he have ever lifted a hand against him just to curry favor with Xiao Tianjiao?


    Such a genius could undoubtedly rank on the Earth Tiger Ranking, and once stepping into the Nirvana Realm, he could even challenge the top three.


    He might even achieve accomplishments like Xiao Tianjiao! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aspiring for the Heavenly Dragon Ranking in the future was not out of reach.


    Too bad.


    There is no medicine for regret in this world.


    Xiao Zhengde, Yang Kun, Yang Zun, and other powerhouses were just as stunned.


    Yang Zheng looked at Yang Zun and bitterly laughed, "Just as you predicted, Xiao Yi really won!"


    "Incredible!"


    Yang Zun took a deep breath of cold air, genuinely shocked, "I remember not long ago when we first met this young chap, he was only at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, and now... he can defeat a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm supreme expert. This rate of growth is even beyond Xiao Tianjiao!"


    "What do we do now? Shall we stop him from killing Fang Hao?" asked Yang Bingtian.


    Yang Zun looked at the murderous Xiao Yi descending from the sky and hesitated, then turned to Yang Yuhuan, "Yuhuan, what do you think?"


    Yang Yuhuan was startled and spoke indifferently, "Why stop him?"


    "Huh?"


    Everyone was taken aback.


    Yang Bingtian said gravely, "Fang Hao is from the Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate. If we kill him, how will we face the blame from the Nantian Dynasty?"


    Yang Yuhuan laughed coldly, for he was the War God of the Great Qian Dynasty, known for his toughness, "If it comes to it, then we fight. The Nantian Dynasty has been controlling us at every turn, taking away anyone who breaks through to the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm. Haven''t you had enough these years?"


    The group fell into silence.


    Hiding in forbidden lands for years, out of the sunlight, not daring to show their faces.


    They indeed had had their fill of such a life.


    Yang Zun fixated on Yang Yuhuan, "So your suggestion is not to intervene?"


    "Not only do we not intervene, but we must also firmly stand by Xiao Yi!" said Yang Yuhuan, his eyes gleaming with resolution, "Xiao Yi has fought for the Great Qian Dynasty against the Sword Dynasty and earned great merit. As a royal family, we naturally should stand by him. Besides, he is now just at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak and has slain a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm expert. What if he enters the Nirvana Realm? Or when he reaches the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, who will then be able to contend with him if not the immortals from the Longevity Secret Realm?"


    Hiss!


    Everyone gasped together.


    Who could contend if not the immortals?


    Just as Yang Yuhuan said, once Xiao Yi reached the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, unless an expert from the Longevity Secret Realm made a move, who would be his match?


    Fear gripped them all; perhaps only a legendary expert from the Heavenly Dragon Ranking could match this?


    The group exchanged glances, a decisive resolution forming among them.


    Elsewhere...


    Xiao Zhengde''s face fluctuated between shades of pale and flushed, as large beads of sweat trailed down his forehead, his hands trembling involuntarily. His eyes, fixed on Xiao Yi, kept contracting in disbelief.


    Yang Kun was faring even worse.


    At this moment, he was so terrified that he wet himself, his trousers damp, clutching Xiao Zhengde''s arm desperately and gulping down saliva, "Ri-Righteous Father, what... what should we do now?"


    "How the hell would I know what to do?" Xiao Zhengde was on the verge of tears.


    Yang Kun ventured, "Righteous Father, after all, Xiao Yi is your son. Perhaps..."


    "Yes, you''re right!"


    It was as if Xiao Zhengde had found a life-saving straw amidst drowning; he took a deep breath, his eyes shimmering with excitement, "No matter what, I am his father. Hasn''t he done all this to catch my attention, to win my recognition? As long as I agree to let him come back to the Xiao Family, he will surely be overwhelmed with gratitude, kneeling down to thank me..."


    With that thought in mind.


    The tension and anxiety on Xiao Zhengde''s face suddenly vanished.


    Instead, he had an air of composure and confidence.


    He made his way towards the ditch...


    At this very moment.


    Wu Qi was retreating backwards desperately as he faced Xiao Yi''s relentless advance, dragging several bloody trails behind him, "No, don''t kill me... I am from the Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate; if you kill me, it will be tantamount to declaring war on the Nantian Dynasty. Not only will you die, but the whole Great Qian Dynasty will be doomed..."


    The Inspectorate''s responsibility is to oversee vassal states under the Nantian Dynasty.


    There had never been an incident where an enforcer from the Inspectorate was slain by a vassal state.


    If such an event were to happen.


    It would be seen as defying the Nantian Dynasty and would provoke a thunderous retaliation.


    If it had been another powerful individual, they might have hesitated, not daring to harm him in the slightest.


    Unfortunately...


    The one Wu Qi encountered today was Xiao Yi!


    Pfft!


    A sword light suddenly split into four, severing Wu Qi''s limbs on the spot.


    Awooo...


    Wu Qi screamed in agony, while Xiao Yi remained expressionless, "Were you threatening me just now?"


    Gulp!


    Wu Qi swallowed hard, his gaze filled with terror as he looked at Xiao Yi, "No, no, no... I wasn''t threatening you; I was wrong, how could I possibly threaten you..."


    The once imposing captain of the Inspectorate was now as pathetic as an ant.


    No matter the strength of their cultivation or the height of their status.


    In the face of death, all are weaklings.


    Xiao Yi sneered and shook his head, his tone mocking, "I thought you had a spine. Seems like when facing death, there''s no difference between you and the common rabble!"


    "Xiao, Director Xiao, I beg you, spare me. I don''t want to die..."


    Wu Qi was pleading when he suddenly saw Xiao Zhengde striding over with a look of anticipation, shouting, "Xiao, Brother Xiao, please plead for me, save me..."


    "Fear not, Brother Wu; as long as I''m here, this unfilial son wouldn''t dare to hurt you!"


    Xiao Zhengde confidently declared. He then turned to Xiao Yi, speaking arrogantly, "Who would have thought that you''d grow to such extent, truly worthy of being Xiao Zhengde''s son. Xiao Yi, you''ve finally earned your father''s recognition. I, your father, am feeling merciful and will allow you to return to the Xiao Family. Now, I command you to immediately release Wu Qi, kneel down, apologize to him, and beg for his forgiveness..."


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Xiao Zhengde held his head high, confidently awaiting Xiao Yi''s tearful gratitude and his following them back to the Xiao Family.


    However...


    What Xiao Zhengde encountered instead was a spray of hot blood bursting forth from Wu Qi''s neck, splattering over his face. Xiao Zhengde, disbelieving, looked at the head of Wu Qi rolling in front of him, as Xiao Yi''s cold voice echoed, "Who do you think you are? To command me?"

 Chapter 569 - 568: Tianjian Sect, Xu Changsheng!

    "What are you to order me around?"


    Xiao Yi''s face was thick with scorn as he looked at the incredulous Xiao Zhengde.


    His eyes brimmed with icy mockery.


    Huff! Huff!


    Huff! Huff!


    Xiao Zhengde gasped for breath, wiped the blood off his face, and glared furiously, "Scoundrel, you unfilial son. I am your father, if I say you live, you live, if I want you dead, you die. How dare you defy my orders? To kill Wu Qi in front of me?"


    In Xiao Zhengde''s opinion...


    Xiao Yi would be moved to tears as soon as he allowed him to return to the Xiao Family.


    He would immediately kneel on the ground, thankful for his forgiveness and recognition.


    But...


    He never imagined that Xiao Yi would not give him any face at all!


    Xiao Zhengde felt as though his face burned, as if someone had viciously slapped him dozens of times, pointing his finger at Xiao Yi, he bellowed, "Kneel down and apologize to me right now, or you will never have my forgiveness in this lifetime, never think about returning to the Xiao Family!"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi roared in anger, stepping forward abruptly.


    Boom!


    With each step, the earth trembled.


    The terrifying energy blast toppled Xiao Zhengde to the ground.


    He looked at Xiao Yi with a face filled with terror, his complexion pale under the impact of that overwhelming murderous aura.


    With eyes bloodshot as if stained with blood, Xiao Yi said emphatically, "Xiao Zhengde, how do you have the face to ask me to kneel to you? Since I became sensible, have you ever fulfilled a father''s responsibilities even for one day?"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi moved forward, and Xiao Zhengde, just managing to rise, stumbled back to the ground.


    Xiao Yi said coldly, "When I was five, Xiao Tianjiao despised me for fearing my lack of talent would tarnish his reputation as a genius, and deliberately pushed me into the pond in the back garden. You stood by his side watching me struggle in the cold water, calling out ''father,'' begging you to save me. Did you feel an ounce of pity? Did you ever consider me as your son then?"


    The murderous aura intensified even more.


    Xiao Zhengde was covered in a cold sweat.


    Xiao Yi continued, "When I was eight, to prevent me from humiliating Xiao Tianjiao, you locked me in a courtyard, forbidding me from leaving or being visited. I knelt in the yard for three days and nights, pleading for you to let me out, to give me a chance to prove myself. Did you ever think then that you were my father?"


    The murderous aura had now reached its zenith, with frost forming within a hundred yards around Xiao Yi.


    The numerous strong individuals listening to his hysterical roar were all silent.


    No one looked at Xiao Zhengde with any sympathy anymore.


    "Three years ago, you finally let me go. I thought you were willing to give me a chance. But what happened? For the sake of breeding a mount for Xiao Tianjiao, you actually sent me to Nanhuang to be a son-in-law for the Fang Family. I only had one request, that I be allowed to pay tribute to my mother before I left; yet, you even stripped me of my right to honor her. Did you think then that you were my father?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice trembled with each step he took, pushing Xiao Zhengde''s face paler, "All these years, I harbored hope time after time, and you crushed it time after time. You offered me no kinship, no affection, not even a shred of pity. Yet you dare to stand before me, brazenly demanding that I kneel and beg your forgiveness? And still, here you are, commanding me in the name of a father��what are you? Take a good look at yourself in the mirror, do you even deserve it?"


    Thump! Thump! Thump!


    Xiao Zhengde staggered backward three steps, his complexion shifting from pallid to green and back to pale before suddenly spewing a mouthful of fresh blood.


    His eyes bore into Xiao Yi.


    There was no regret, no shame, no guilt.


    Only indifference and resentment remained.


    "You unfilial son, you... you unfilial son..."


    Xiao Zhengde''s face became exceedingly grim as he glared, "The thing I regret most in my life is not following Tian''er''s advice�� I should have ignored your mother''s objections and had you killed right from the start!"


    "Don''t you dare mention my mother in front of me; you''re not worthy!"


    Two beams of bloodlust burst forth from Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    The words "mother."


    In his eyes, they had an extraordinary significance.


    Always...


    Within the entire Xiao Family, only his mother treated him as a human being, always caring for him, protecting him.


    If it were not for his mother''s desperate protection, Xiao Yi would have died at the hands of Xiao Tianjiao long ago.


    In his heart...


    His mother was supremely sacred, not to be desecrated!


    When Xiao Zhengde uttered the words "mother," it was an insult in itself.


    Xiao Yi, almost losing control, swung a slap towards Xiao Zhengde. With a boom, Xiao Zhengde was forcefully sent flying hundreds of meters. His body bounced off the ground like a ball, continuously striking and rebounding.


    In the end, with a thunderous crash, he brutally smashed into the city wall.


    Wow...


    Xiao Zhengde spewed fresh blood, that slap having shattered half of his facial bones.


    A look of horror surfaced on his swollen face.


    At that moment...


    He truly felt Xiao Yi''s power and his unreserved killing intent towards him.


    "Madman, you madman... do you really want to commit patricide?" Xiao Zhengde glared furiously, roaring with anger.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were blood-red, and without a word, he pursued Xiao Zhengde with the Falling Dust Sword in hand.


    "Fuck..."


    Xiao Zhengde, his face full of terror, turned to run.


    But how could his speed compare to Xiao Yi''s?


    Bang!


    A kick landed fiercely on his back, flipping Xiao Zhengde face first to the ground, skidding for tens of meters.


    Xiao Yi immediately appeared in front of him again.


    "Don''t..."


    Just as Xiao Zhengde began to speak, Xiao Yi kicked fiercely again, flipping Xiao Zhengde over with a loud bang. This time it broke several of his ribs, causing Xiao Zhengde to howl in agony.


    Clang clang clang!


    Xiao Yi''s Falling Dust Sword touched the ground as he walked forward, the sword''s edge dragging across the surface, sparks flying everywhere.


    Xiao Zhengde was trembling with fear.


    But just as he was in despair...


    Whoosh!


    A cold glint suddenly burst from the horizon, and Xiao Yi''s eyebrows knit together as he raised his sword to strike.


    Clang!


    The two sword edges collided.


    The Falling Dust Sword in Xiao Yi''s hand actually stretched taut, cracks spreading along the blade.


    The violent force stopped Xiao Yi''s advance abruptly.


    And that longsword merely touched before retreating, whirling through the air to land in front of Xiao Zhengde, with a figure descending from the sky, standing atop the suspended longsword. The man was dressed in green, his face as handsome as jade, with his long hair flowing.


    His body radiated Sword Qi, like a sovereign amongst swords, commanding respect with an overwhelming presence.


    The newcomer looked at Xiao Yi expressionlessly, "With me here, you won''t lay a finger on him!"


    Xiao Yi squinted, staring at the other, "Who are you?"


    The middle-aged man''s mouth curved slightly, and he spoke slowly, "Tianjian Sect, Xu Changsheng!"


    S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 570 - 569: If the Immortal Does Not Appear, Who Can Contend?

    "Tianjian Sect, Xu Changsheng!"


    Xu Changsheng''s demeanor was ethereal, akin to an exiled immortal.


    His black hair danced wildly, his long robe fluttered, and the sword wind was like a sea.


    The moment he appeared, he naturally became the focal point of the world, the center of this realm.


    Gurgle!


    Throughout the vast imperial capital, from the high-born officials and nobles to the common peddlers and porters, all showed expressions of shock. One by one, they looked up at the sky, towards the Xu Changsheng who stood suspended in the air.


    Many even knelt on the ground, worshipping reverently.


    Xu Changsheng!


    The Sect Leader of Tianjian Sect!


    The number one expert of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    Once Changsheng makes a move, who dares to contend!


    That referred to him!


    Although he wasn''t a master from the Longevity Secret Realm, Xu Changsheng''s name was also highly renowned even within the Nantian Dynasty. It was said that in his youth, he was ranked among the top fifty on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking there.


    Do not underestimate this ranking.


    The Earth Tiger Ranking has two hundred eighty spots, the Heavenly Dragon Ranking has one hundred eight.


    These numbers are fixed!


    When Xiao Zhengde saw Xu Changsheng, the despair on his face completely vanished, replaced by ecstatic and hysterical madness, he shouted, "Sect Leader Xu, you finally came! If you were even a step later, I would have been killed by this unfilial son..."


    Xu Changsheng glanced at him, slightly frowning.


    He did not like Xiao Zhengde.


    He was even too lazy to give him a proper look.


    But what could he do...


    Xiao Zhengde was his most proud disciple, and the father of Xiao Tianjiao.


    When Xiao Tianjiao went to the Nantian Dynasty, he repeatedly urged Xu Changsheng to take care of Xiao Zhengde.


    Now that Xiao Zhengde faced a life-and-death crisis, he naturally had to take action.


    Xu Changsheng looked at Xiao Yi expressionlessly and said indifferently, "Even if he is all sorts of wrong, he is after all your father. How can you bring yourself to strike him down?"


    Xiao Yi replied coldly, "Without knowing another''s woes, don''t preach benevolence."


    "Hmm?"


    Xu Changsheng was startled.


    Without knowing another''s woes, don''t preach benevolence!


    This phrase was quite intriguing, and even he couldn''t help repeating it a few times, nodding slightly. Xu Changsheng said, "You''re right, I don''t know much about the grievances between you two, and shouldn''t arbitrarily advise you. However, I made a promise to Xiao Tianjiao; I will not let anyone harm him, not even in the slightest, you included!"


    "Are you that confident?" asked Xiao Yi.


    Both were at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    Wu Qi''s presence felt overbearing, but Xu Changsheng''s was like a tranquil autumn pond, undisturbed and traceless.


    Yet, it was this ordinary feeling.


    That made Xiao Yi take him especially seriously, knowing that only someone who had truly entered that state could conceal their presence so effortlessly.


    Before Xu Changsheng could speak, Xiao Zhengde glared furiously, his eyes bulging as he spat out his words with gritted teeth, "Sect Leader Xu, why waste words with him? Tian''er sent you to protect me, and I was nearly killed by this unfilial son. I want you to cripple his cultivation, break his limbs, and hand him over to me for punishment!"


    Xu Changsheng frowned slightly and sighed, "Xiao Family Head, after all, he is your son. Why must you be so extreme?"


    "Son? Does he even deserve to be considered my son?"


    Xiao Zhengde snorted with a laugh, full of arrogance, "In my entire life, Xiao Zhengde has only one son, and that is Xiao Tianjiao. As for this bastard, I should have beaten him to death years ago, and then there wouldn''t be such a defiant act today!"


    Xu Changsheng fell silent for a moment.


    He sighed deeply and stared at Xiao Yi, "You''ve heard it yourself; this is your father''s demand. He wants me to cripple your cultivation and break your limbs. As the saying goes, ''The body and hair given by the parents should not be damaged,'' so for him to take away your limbs and cultivation is also a common sentiment!"


    Xiao Yi laughed out of exasperation.


    So, damaging the body and hair given by the parents, and taking away limbs and cultivation is a common sentiment?


    Is this some kind of favor?


    Xiao Yi chuckled coldly, curled his finger towards Xu Changsheng, and then pointed at his own body, "My limbs and cultivation are all here, come and take them if you can!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xu Changsheng narrowed his eyes, like a tiger that had smelled blood, and said, "Interesting young man, don''t think that I will bully you. If you can withstand my three swords, I will leave immediately. Otherwise, I will take your head today!"


    No sooner had his voice trailed off.


    Than Xu Changsheng flicked his finger.


    Clang!


    The black longsword sprang from its sheath, a bright, silver blade of light speeding towards him.


    This strike was like a proud sun falling from the sky.


    It carved a silver streak through the void, stretching across the heavens like a rainbow. sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    The sword light had already reached Xiao Yi''s face.


    In the midst of raising his sword, Xiao Yi swung out a circular arc of Sword Qi, swirling dozens of times into a round shield of Sword Qi, erected in front of him. Almost simultaneously, the silver light slammed onto the shield with a thud.


    Crash!


    The radiance of the sword shield dimmed, its facade shook violently, and cracks appeared, but it did not shatter.


    Not until the second and third sword strikes descended.


    Only then did the sword shield burst into pieces with a loud bang.


    The longsword forcefully knocked aside the Falling Dust Sword, snapping its blade into two with a clang. The black longsword continued to thrust forward unabated. Xiao Yi''s pupils sharply contracted as he tapped his tiptoes on the void and, with a muffled thump, was sent flying backward, face up.


    "Go!"


    Xu Changsheng tapped with his sword finger.


    As the sword light exploded, the black longsword unrelentingly pursued him.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi arched back, his head nearly grazing the ground, as the sword edge barely missed his chest. The terrifying edge cleanly sliced through the front of his shirt, yet Xiao Yi raised his hand and, with a swift motion, grasped the hilt of the sword.


    Whoosh!


    The black longsword shot forward.


    Clutching the hilt, Xiao Yi was dragged hundreds of meters forward by the longsword, shattering boulders and splitting mountains on his path, with continuous thunderous booms.


    Not until he neared the city wall.


    Xiao Yi let out a low shout, his legs stabbing into the ground with two thumps, and he growled, a loud sound of Wind Thunder emerging.


    The wings of Wind Thunder appeared behind him.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Xiao Yi flapped the wings of Wind Thunder, managing to gradually slow the black longsword''s speed. Among the roaring sounds, the ground dragged out two gullies half a meter deep and over ten meters long. Only then did he manage to stop the blade''s forward momentum.


    "Hm?"


    Xu Changsheng''s brow furrowed.


    His sword strike, not even others of Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm could block.


    Xiao Yi actually managed to stop it?


    Hum hum hum!


    The black longsword trembled incessantly, but Xiao Yi gripped its hilt tightly, letting blood roll down his fingers, yet he never let go. Looking up at Xu Changsheng, he grinned and said, "Three moves have passed, I win!"


    All around there was silence.


    It wasn''t until someone forcefully swallowed, breaking the deadly stillness, "Damn it, Xiao Yi really blocked it?"


    "That was Xu Changsheng''s sword, right?"


    "Xu Changsheng has been a master of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm for hundreds of years, while Xiao Yi isn''t even twenty years old, and he''s just at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak!"


    "From today onwards, our Great Qian Dynasty has another formidable presence!"


    "Xu Changsheng is known as ''Unrivaled upon coming to life,'' but I think it should be ''Unrivaled unless he comes to life'' for Xiao Yi!"


    "Terrifying! Xiao Yi''s talent, has he already surpassed Xiao Tianjiao?"


    The crowd buzzed with discussion.


    Xu Changsheng narrowed his eyes at Xiao Yi and, after a moment, suddenly smiled, "Good, good, good, ''Unrivaled unless he comes to life''! Xiao Yi, you have truly opened my eyes!"


    "You flatter me!"


    Xiao Yi casually flicked his wrist, sending the black longsword flying back to Xu Changsheng.


    Quivering.


    It seemed somewhat aggrieved!


    Xu Changsheng gently caressed the black longsword and, with a whoosh, absorbed it into his body, saying with narrowed eyes, "A bet is a bet, three moves have passed, and I will take Xiao Zhengde away. From now on, Xiao Zhengde shall not set foot in the capital again!"


    "No, Xu, you cannot..." Xiao Zhengde began angrily.


    But Xu Changsheng did not give him the chance to speak further. With a wave of his hand, he swept up Xiao Zhengde and they flew off into the distance.


    For a moment,


    Xiao Yi became the center of everyone''s attention, but his gaze slowly retracted, landing on Yang Kun, whose face was filled with disbelief...

 Chapter 571 - 570: The Shortest-Reigned Emperor in History!

    "It''s your turn!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze fell upon Yang Kun.


    Thud!


    Yang Kun stumbled and fell to the ground. Facing the relentlessly advancing Xiao Yi, his mind was filled with countless voices roaring at him to get up and run, run now before it was too late!


    But...


    His arms and legs wouldn''t obey him.


    Weak and numb, his body was drenched in cold sweat.


    He simply couldn''t get up!


    Gurgle!


    Yang Kun swallowed hard, looking at Xiao Yi with a face full of despair, "Xiao... Xiao Yi, don''t kill me. I''m now the emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, I can grant you wealth and honor, I can make you the Comrade King, I can even acknowledge you as my adoptive father, please don''t kill me, I don''t want to die! I''ve just become the emperor..."


    Tap tap tap!


    Xiao Yi remained silent, still slowly walking towards him.


    Each step resonated with a crisp sound.


    That sound, as if imbued with magic power, struck his heart with each step, driving his heartbeat to pound along.


    Gurgle!


    Yang Kun''s body was drenched in cold sweat, as urine and feces flowed out.


    At this moment...


    He felt surrounded by darkness and cold, and the gazes of the crowd seemed to mock him with the most vicious ridicule.


    It almost drove him mad!


    "Don''t... don''t come any closer..."


    In his despair, Yang Kun suddenly saw Yang Zun and the other three suspended in mid-air, and like a drowning man grasping at straws, he shouted, "Save me, old ancestor, save me!"


    Yang Zheng felt a pang of pity.


    This was his grandson after all.


    But when he saw Xiao Yi''s cold gaze, he shuddered and the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.


    Despair.


    Helplessness.


    Darkness.


    Fear...


    All these negative emotions merged together, completely engulfing Yang Kun in body and mind at this moment, leaving him unable to catch his breath. He could only strain to push his body backward, his face ashen as he looked at Xiao Yi with a crying voice, "Please, spare me, I... I don''t want to die..."


    Crack!


    Xiao Yi halted his steps, standing firmly in front of Yang Kun.


    Looking down from above, he gazed at him.


    Yang Kun felt like he was looking up at an untouchable giant, his eyes somewhat vacant, Xiao Yi''s voice faintly echoing in his ears, "How do you wish to die?"


    Gurgle!


    Yang Kun swallowed hard, on the verge of tears.


    How do I wish to die?


    I don''t want to die!


    Despair written all over his face, he said, "I... I don''t want to die... Just let me go, and I can agree to all your demands, really, I will not go back on my word..."


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile and said, "Agree to all my demands? Are you sure?"


    "Hmm?"


    Yang Kun was startled, suddenly feeling hope, and quickly nodded, "Sure, of course sure..."


    Pretending to ponder, Xiao Yi said, "Well then, I''ll give you a knife, you cut yourself nine thousand times, and if you can survive, I''ll let you go! However, there''s one condition, each cut must draw blood to count!"


    "..."


    The flicker of hope that had ignited in Yang Kun was extinguished in an instant.


    Nine thousand cuts?


    Each must draw blood?


    Even if not a single one was fatal, he''d bleed to death from the cuts alone!


    Yang Kun sheepishly said, "Can we... can we change the demand...?"


    "Didn''t you just say you could agree to any demand I make? You''re already backing out on the first one?"


    Xiao Yi said with an almost smile, "Never mind, it seems you''re not sincere, I might as well do it myself!"


    "No... I... I agree, isn''t that enough?" Yang Kun hastily shouted.


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, his palm reaching out into the void.


    Swoosh!


    A Blood Saber Guard''s battle knife flew into his hand; he tossed the knife to Yang Kun, and said indifferently, "Start cutting!"


    "I, I chop..."


    Yang Kun clenched his steel teeth, closed his eyes, and swung his war saber.


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Thud...


    Slash after slash he chopped into his own flesh, each cut drawing blood, hunks of flesh were brutally shaved off.


    Yang Kun was clever, targeting his arms, thighs, and the like for chopping.


    But these were a full nine thousand cuts!


    After a thousand cuts, his left hand was already left without an intact spot.


    After three thousand cuts, both his legs were nearly gone.


    After five thousand cuts, Yang Kun could no longer wield the saber. He lay in a pool of blood, his body convulsing. His ears, left hand, both feet, nose... anything that could be shaved off was already gone.


    He looked blankly at Xiao Yi...


    Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "It seems you can''t endure nine thousand cuts. Since that''s the case... I''ll take care of the remaining four thousand cuts for you!"


    "Whimper..."


    Yang Kun looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of terror, his eyes wide open, but he was utterly unable to speak.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand. S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And there appeared several God Devouring Ants that landed on Yang Kun''s body.


    These ants bit into Yang Kun''s flesh, eating slowly, allowing Yang Kun to watch his body being consumed bit by bit.


    His legs were gone.


    His hands were gone.


    They started to nibble on his torso...


    Yang Kun wished only for a swift death.


    But Xiao Yi wouldn''t let him die so soon. Life-saving medicinal pills were continuously forced down his throat, and he watched coldly as the God Devouring Ants steadily consumed his body: "Back on the Ice Plains, if it wasn''t for me, you would have already died by the jaws of the God Devouring Ants. I saved your life, yet you repaid kindness with enmity, opposed me at every turn, seeking to put me to death. What goes around comes around, retribution is certain, and today let the God Devouring Ants end the grudge between us!"


    Crunch crunch!


    The God Devouring Ants continued to feed, chewing away.


    The relentless sound was jarring, causing one''s scalp to tingle.


    Until the very last piece of flesh was eaten, Yang Kun, the shortest-reigning emperor in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty, finally took his last breath.


    A few hours earlier.


    He had just ascended the throne, reached the pinnacle of his life, the moment of his greatest glory.


    A few hours later.


    He died without a whole corpse, having become food in the belly of the God Devouring Ants.


    And thus became the shortest-reigning emperor in the annals of the Great Qian Dynasty, his reign lasting but a few hours, ensuring his name would be forever recorded in the history books of the Great Qian Dynasty, as the most shameful entry!


    In life, great rises and falls come to all. Such is its nature!


    Xiao Yi took a long breath.


    At this moment...


    Qi and Yang Ling had managed to rescue Emperor Qian, who had been poisoned and unconscious, from the former residence of the Crown Prince with the help of Liu Fuhai and others.


    They carried Emperor Qian to where Xiao Yi was.


    Yang Ling wore an anxious look and pleaded, "Xiao Yi, save my emperor father... please, only you can save him now..."


    Xiao Yi squinted at the unconscious Emperor Qian.


    From the beginning...


    His relationship with Emperor Qian was harmonious, until later when they had a falling out over Yang Kun.


    Feeling that Xiao Yi was gradually slipping out of his control, Emperor Qian began to restrict him at every turn.


    Eventually, they came to be at loggerheads with each other.


    Nobody could have imagined.


    In the end, it still had to be Xiao Yi''s hand to save him...


    Seeing the pleading on Yang Ling''s face, Xiao Yi sighed and placed a finger on Emperor Qian''s forehead. Vital energy circulated through Emperor Qian for a full thirty-six heavenly cycles, after which Xiao Yi abruptly raised his hand.


    A clump of black blood spurted from Emperor Qian''s mouth.


    The pallor on Emperor Qian''s face gradually faded away, and he slowly regained consciousness, groggily asking, "Where is this place? How did I get here?"


    "Father Emperor, you''re finally awake..."


    Yang Ling was visibly excited, quickly helping Emperor Qian to his feet and recounted all that had transpired.


    Emperor Qian''s expression changed repeatedly, complexly looking at Xiao Yi.


    After a moment...


    Emperor Qian gave a wry smile, sighed softly, and lowered his head, saying, "Xiao Yi, I, I was wrong!"

 Chapter 572 - 571: Recasting Imperial Dragon Mountain

    "I, have erred!"


    The once haughty Emperor Qian lowered his proud head.


    In these recent days,


    although he had been poisoned and imprisoned within the crown prince''s residence, his consciousness was still clear.


    He was very aware of what had happened during this time.


    He knew everything about Yang Kun''s actions.


    If not for Xiao Yi...


    Once Yang Kun ascended the throne, the first person he would eliminate would surely be him.


    Xiao Yi looked at the emperor, his face filled with sorrow and no longer as overbearing and spirited as before, and said lightly, "Let bygones be bygones."


    "Mhm!"


    Emperor Qian nodded heavily, his expression full of unspeakable sentimentality. He looked around but did not find Yang Kun, which made him frown and say, "Where is that treacherous Yang Kun? Could it be that he has escaped?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and pointed to the pool of blood on the ground.


    All that remained of the body...


    had already been devoured by the God Devouring Ants.


    "Ah..."


    Emperor Qian was stunned, then understood Yang Kun''s fate and sighed deeply, wryly saying, "All the schemes have led to naught. What was the point?"


    Xiao Yi remained silent.


    In the silence,


    Yang Yuhuan, Yang Zun, and others arrived beside the group.


    Apart from them, there was also the Sword Martial Emperor, and a group of people surrounded Xiao Yi.


    The Sword Martial Emperor said gravely, "Xiao Yi, although the crisis of the Great Qian Dynasty has been resolved this time, you are about to face an even greater trouble."


    Yang Zun nodded slightly, his face showing a bitter smile, "Wu Qi was an inspector, and the news of his death in the Great Qian Dynasty will likely soon reach the Nantian Dynasty, and when that time comes, the Nantian Dynasty will surely send experts to investigate..."


    "We must find a way to deal with them!" declared Yang Bingtian.


    Xiao Yi glanced at them.


    He had thought that they would choose to turn him in, but to his surprise, they were actually planning to help him cover up the fact that he had killed Wu Qi?


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "What are your thoughts?"


    Yang Yuhuan, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up, "I will go to the Nantian Dynasty and turn myself in." sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmm?"


    All eyes turned to Yang Yuhuan.


    But he was calm and slowly said, "Why do you all look at me like this? With our strength, we are nowhere near capable of contending with the Nantian Dynasty. The only way is to turn myself in before they send someone to investigate. In doing so, if the Nantian Dynasty wishes to give a harsh punishment, it would only be punishing me..."


    Yang Yuhuan had once cultivated in the Nantian Dynasty and even made it onto the Earth Tiger Ranking.


    Furthermore, having broken through to the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, his identity would surely not be questioned by the Nantian Dynasty if he turned himself in.


    However...


    Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "I killed the man. Why should you turn yourself in?"


    Xiao Yi and Yang Yuhuan had a considerable conflict, but since the ancestral sacrifice ceremony, Yang Yuhuan had overcome the obstacles with Xiao Yi''s help during the heavenly tribulation and had successfully stepped into the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    He had resolved his inner conflict.


    He no longer resented Emperor Qian and was no longer hostile to Xiao Yi.


    He considered only the welfare of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Yang Yuhuan looked at Xiao Yi with shining eyes and said firmly, "The Great Qian Dynasty can be without me, a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm warrior, but it cannot be without you, Director Xiao, who is invincible in battle and has the potential for eternal life!"


    Xiao Yi''s brows furrowed tightly.


    Yang Zun let out a sigh, "Let''s not argue, let this old bones go! I''ve been stuck at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm for years and have no hope of progressing further. Let me be the one to go!"


    "Elder, it''s useless if you go!"


    Yang Yuhuan, however, wryly said, "With your strength, it''s impossible for you to have been Wu Qi''s opponent. Only I am the most suitable to go!"


    Yang Zun: "..."


    He wanted to argue, but he knew he lacked the ability to do so.


    Indeed, as Yang Yuhuan had said, his strength was not sufficient to kill Wu Qi.


    Only Yang Yuhuan, who had once been on the Earth Tiger Ranking and was considered the War God of the Great Qian Dynasty, could have enough persuasive power to convince the people of the Nantian Dynasty that it was he who had killed Wu Qi.


    Everyone was silent, no longer trying to persuade him.


    Just as Yang Yuhuan had said, only by him surrendering himself to the Nantian Dynasty would it be possible to apologize to Xiao Yi to the greatest extent.


    However...


    Xiao Yi just smiled and said, "You don''t have to be so pessimistic. It will take at least half a month to send the message to the Nantian Dynasty from here. We still have plenty of time to think of a solution. For now, the most important thing is handling the aftermath..."


    He indicated the area around him.


    Most of the imperial capital had been destroyed in the recent series of battles, causing heavy losses to the people.


    Moreover, on Xiao Yi''s way to the imperial capital, he had brought a considerable number of guards, leaving many cities in a state of vulnerability.


    All these needed immediate attention!


    But these matters were no longer related to Xiao Yi.


    He looked at Emperor Qian and said, "Your Majesty, now that matters here have concluded, I shall take my leave."


    The successive battles had left him quite exhausted, but he had also reaped many rewards.


    Especially in his exchange with Xu Changsheng, he felt the difference between Nirvana Realm warriors, acknowledging that the combat power of different strong individuals varied immensely. With Xu Changsheng''s strength, he would probably rank among the top tiers even within the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    As for the ordinary Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, it would be people like Heavenly Saint Empress and Yang Zun.


    "I wonder how strong the geniuses on the Nantian Dynasty''s Earth Tiger Ranking and Heavenly Dragon Ranking are? Xiao Tianjiao is ranked first on the Earth Tiger Ranking. I wonder, if I were to go to the Nantian Dynasty, which place could I obtain?" Xiao Yi yearned for the wider world of the Nantian Dynasty in his heart.


    However...


    Right now, the Great Qian Dynasty had many issues that needed resolving.


    Hearing this, everyone spoke up, "You go first, we''ll handle things here!"


    "If there is a need, just have someone notify Us directly!" Emperor Qian said.


    Xiao Yi nodded, then soared into the sky, shouting to the disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, "All of Xiaoshanhe Institute, carry the bodies of our deceased brothers and follow me back to Imperial Dragon Mountain!"


    "Huh?"


    "Imperial Dragon Mountain? Wasn''t it leveled by the heavenly tribulation? What are we returning there for?"


    The disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, although full of doubt, did not ask further questions. They each carried the bodies of their slain brothers, forming a formidable procession towards the direction of Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Many of them were severely injured, naturally moving far slower than when they were healthy.


    It took them half a day.


    Finally, they arrived at the former location of Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    But now...


    Imperial Dragon Mountain was a desolate ruin; the once majestic peak had been shattered by thunder, now only half of its base stood erect on the ground. Xiao Yi descended from the sky, landing in front of everyone.


    Jin Feiyan asked in confusion, "Master, why have you brought us back here?"


    Xiao Yi turned to look at them and spoke in a deep voice, "Imperial Dragon Mountain is the foundation of our Xiaoshanhe Institute. Today, I will take you home!"


    "Huh?"


    "But Imperial Dragon Mountain is gone..."


    "If Imperial Dragon Mountain is gone, then I will rebuild Imperial Dragon Mountain!"


    Xiao Yi rose into the sky, then violently plummeted from the heights, landing forcefully on the ground with a thunderous boom. The earth-colored qi around him surged wildly.


    Meanwhile...


    The ground trembled mightily, as if a dragon were turning beneath it.


    The remaining half of Imperial Dragon Mountain visibly grew taller amid the loud booming sounds.


    Ten zhang.


    A hundred zhang.


    A thousand zhang...


    After half an hour, before everyone''s eyes, the devastated Imperial Dragon Mountain rose from the ground anew.


    "Damn, the headmaster actually created an Imperial Dragon Mountain out of thin air?"


    "Incredible, it''s a miracle!"


    The crowd was shocked.


    With just a wave of his hand, to construct a peak thousands of zhang high seemed nothing short of divine power.


    And at this moment...


    Xiao Yi, who was immersed in the joy of Imperial Dragon Mountain''s resurgence, was unaware that a terrifying storm targeting him was silently gathering...

 Chapter 573 - 572: Side by Side with Xiao Zhenguo!

    Within the Tianjian Sect.


    Xu Changsheng''s figure landed, looking at Xiao Zhengde in front of him, he said indifferently, "Starting from this moment, you will stay in the Tianjian Sect until someone from the Xiao Tianjiao sends for you!"


    "On what grounds?"


    Xiao Zhengde glared at Xu Changsheng and roared, "With your strength, you could have easily killed that rebel Xiao Yi. Why didn''t you go all out and kill him?"


    In the past, Xiao Zhengde would not have dared to speak to Xu Changsheng in such a manner.


    But now��


    Now that Xiao Tianjiao had started to make a name for himself in the Nantian Dynasty and had even risen to the Earth Tiger Ranking, gaining recognition from the Nantian Holy Institute.


    Even the head of the Oversight Council, a figure once unattainably high, had taken the initiative to flatter him and become sworn brothers.


    In Xiao Zhengde''s view, Xu Changsheng naturally no longer seemed so unapproachable.


    Xu Changsheng frowned, disgust flitting across his eyes, and said coldly, "I am not a hired thug for the Xiao Family. Had it not been Xiao Tianjiao asking me to ensure your safety, I wouldn''t have even shown my face today!"


    "You..."


    Xiao Zhengde stared angrily.


    Xu Changsheng, however, did not even glance at him, flicking his sleeve dismissively and said coldly, "If you don''t want to die, then just stay here obediently. If you leave the Tianjian Sect, I cannot guarantee your safety!"


    "Hmph!"


    Watching Xu Changsheng''s departing figure, Xiao Zhengde cursed under his breath, his eyes filled with deep resentment, "That rebel Xiao Yi, daring to make me suffer such humiliation, to lose face publicly, I cannot rest until I have my revenge. Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, you killed Wu Qi; as long as I report this to the Nantian Dynasty, they will surely send powerful experts to execute this rebel��"


    Upon this thought,


    Xiao Zhengde let out a sinister smile, as a spirit bird appeared in his hand.


    This was a token left to him by Xiao Tianjiao.


    After writing a secret letter, Xiao Zhengde released the spirit bird into the air.


    Watching the spirit bird vanish into the void, Xiao Zhengde''s face was full of malice: "The spirit bird will need some time to inform Tian''er. Before that happens, I must find a way to return to the Xiao Family. Xiao Yi wishes to honor his mother''s memory, eh? I will not let you have your wish, hahaha..."


    At the same time.


    Within the separate courtyard where Xu Changsheng resided.


    He opened his palm, and a black longsword materialized above it, a grave expression in his eyes: "A peak Dharma Manifestation Realm was actually able to block my sword, even Xiao Tianjiao back then couldn''t accomplish this! This Xiao Yi, his talent is probably even higher than Xiao Tianjiao''s. Xiao Zhengde actually buried such a genius, utterly a fool..."


    ......


    Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Xiao Yi reshaped Imperial Dragon Mountain out of thin air, making this peak a thousand zhang taller than before, yet the summit was no longer flat but ravaged by heavenly thunder.


    From now on, Imperial Dragon Mountain will belong only to Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    It will no longer be used for royal ceremonies.


    Xiao Yi began to set up arrays with Chen Ziyi, now flush with wealth, making the scale of the arrays ten times larger than before. The density of spiritual energy alone reached an astonishing fifty times higher.


    At the same time��


    Xiao Yi also laid out many trapping arrays, killing arrays, defensive arrays, and so on.


    Even a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm expert would struggle to break through the array defenses here in a short time.


    The Shadow Demon and others began constructing houses and establishing the sect''s gates, leading their people.


    The entire Imperial Dragon Mountain quickly rejuvenated, bursting with fresh vitality.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute was reborn!


    Of course.


    After setting up the arrays, Xiao Yi returned to his temporary quarters to reflect on the gains from the battle: "The Falling Dust Sword is destroyed, but with my current strength, I can wield that Slashing Moon now!"


    The demon sword Slashing Moon, a seventh-tier pinnacle Yuan weapon.


    Some ordinary Longevity Secret Realm experts would only use weapons of this caliber.


    "Aside from changing my weapon, I need to improve my combat style as well, I''ll need to find suitable martial arts and sword techniques from the legacy��"


    Xiao Yi propped his chin with one hand, falling into deep thought.


    He began scouring for martial skills, sword techniques, and movement technique manuals within the legacies of Dao Yan and Martial God Zhao Wuji.


    Although he now had the wings of Wind Thunder with his movement technique, relying solely on the speed of the Wind Thunder wings was not enough when facing Xu Changsheng, let alone high-ranking experts from the Nantian Dynasty.


    Mastery of movement techniques was indispensable.


    In his mind, he had the inheritance of the powerful Martial God Zhao Wuji, as well as encyclopedic memories like those from Dao Yan''s legacy.


    After some searching,


    Xiao Yi selected a finger technique called "Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger," a sword technique from Zhao Wuji called "Boundless Sword Skill," and a movement technique called "Green Bat Skill." The sword technique was of the seventh-tier peak, while the others were of high seventh-tier, which he found sufficient for his current needs.


    Xiao Yi immediately began cultivating.


    The "Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger" was the simplest for him to cultivate, as this set of finger techniques demanded extremely stringent requirements of the physical body.


    Xiao Yi''s Wind Thunder Holy Body had already reached the sixth transformation, easily meeting the demands for performing this set of finger techniques.


    The "Boundless Sword Skill" was an upgraded version of the "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords," encompassing forms Jian Yi, Jian San...all the way to Jian Twenty-Two, with each form increasing in power.


    It was said...


    There was a twenty-third form to this sword technique.


    Once one demonstrated the twenty-third form,


    Even immortals would retreat before its sword edge!


    This was a sword technique that could slay immortals!


    However...


    Even Zhao Wuji himself had not been able to master the twenty-third form.


    Beyond these two techniques,


    The movement technique "Green Bat Skill" was specially chosen by Xiao Yi; with this technique, coupled with the wings of Wind Thunder, his speed could increase by more than fivefold. Once he mastered this technique, he would not be completely suppressed by Xu Changsheng''s Sword Control Technique.


    Exhale!


    Xiao Yi took a long breath, immersing himself in frenzied cultivation.


    Half a month passed in this state of cultivation.


    In that half month...


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation bases improved significantly, and he began to grasp the clues to his first Nirvana.


    Aside from his cultivation bases, his combat power also improved.


    The "Green Bat Skill," "Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger," and "Boundless Sword Skill" advanced side by side, and along with the demonic sword that could slay the moon, if he encountered Xu Changsheng again, Xiao Yi would have a fifty percent certainty of defeating him.


    "Master, Master, come out quickly!" Jin Feiyan''s voice came from outside the door.


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly and walked out of the side courtyard.


    He saw Jin Feiyan, Ye Heng, Ruan Yunyi, Shadow Demon, and others standing at the entrance, their faces filled with ecstatic joy as they looked at him.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Why are you all here?"


    Jin Feiyan, the liveliest of them all, hopped over to Xiao Yi, holding his arm and said with a beaming smile, "Master, Qi has brought a royal decree!"


    "A royal decree?"


    Xiao Yi was surprised.


    He scanned the crowd and noticed Qi looking at him with a smiling face.


    Xiao Yi said with a wry smile, "I''m sorry to have kept you waiting, Qi!"


    "Mr. Xiao... ah, I should call you Xiao Zhenguo now!"


    Qi grinned, opened the royal decree in his hands, and began to read, "By the mandate of heaven, thus commands the emperor��Xiao Yi has performed unparalleled merits for the Great Qian Dynasty and is hereby ennobled as a King of Equal Rank. He will share the world with the emperors of past dynasties of the Great Qian Dynasty..."


    Boom!


    The entire Xiaoshanhe Institute erupted into fervor, "Damn, our Master is truly incredible! A King of Equal Rank!"


    "This is an unprecedented noble rank, it''s like being an uncrowned emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty..."


    "From now on, the Institute Director will be known as Xiao Zhenguo!"


    As Xiao Yi held the royal decree, a touch of excitement sparked in his eyes, and he murmured to himself, "Mother, your son has become a King of Equal Rank. Mother, wait for me, I will come to pay my respects to you soon..."


    Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 574 - 573: Return to Xiao Residence

    The Xiao Residence.


    There hadn''t been many changes to the residence since Xiao Yi left.


    It had only become more luxurious, after all, once Xiao Tianjiao broke through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, Emperor Qian had appointed Xiao Zhengde as a first-class duke.


    As such, Xiao Zhengde had the Xiao Residence renovated and also expanded its grounds.


    In the entire imperial capital.


    Apart from the imperial palace, the Xiao Residence was the largest and most luxurious.


    This time, Xiao Yi returned without any attendants, only bringing Little Lin with him.


    He still wore his usual plain clothes.


    Standing in front of the grand gates of the Xiao Residence, Xiao Yi gazed at the home that felt both familiar and foreign, and for a moment he was lost in thought.


    He had lived there for more than a decade, so it was naturally familiar to him.


    But...


    In those years, he had also been imprisoned for half a year, never once stepping out.


    So the residence felt foreign to him!


    It was somewhat ironic that one could feel so estranged from the very home where they grew up.


    "Boss, are you alright?" Little Lin asked in a low voice from Xiao Yi''s shoulder.


    Having a life-link contract with Xiao Yi, he could distinctly sense the fluctuations in Xiao Yi''s emotions.


    He had never sensed such complex emotions from Xiao Yi before.


    Sigh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, his lips curling slightly upwards as he ruffled Little Lin''s head, smiling, "Don''t worry, I was just thinking about some things!"


    "Oh!"


    Little Lin obediently nodded its head. Its scales had begun to recover somewhat, but the difference between the old and new scales was still quite stark, giving it a somewhat odd appearance. Its cool head nuzzled against Xiao Yi''s cheek as Little Lin said, "Boss, no matter what, I''ll always be by your side!"


    "Mm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, took a deep breath, and walked towards the Xiao Residence.


    Before he could enter, the guards at the gate stopped him, both of whom had reached the Golden Core Realm.


    Even for the four great families, deploying Golden Core Realm experts as gatekeepers was an extravagance.


    Xiao Zhengde, however, believed that the Xiao Family''s reputation must not be inferior to that of the four great families.


    Even the gatekeepers were of the Golden Core Realm.


    "Stop right there!"


    A Golden Core Realm expert at the Third Layer on the left looked at Xiao Yi without an expression. As the saying goes, even minor officials are mighty at the door of the prime minister, and although these two Golden Core Realm experts were only gatekeepers, they took pride in guarding the gates of the Xiao Family.


    The Xiao Family had produced an unparalleled genius like Xiao Tianjiao, and the family head, Xiao Zhengde, was a first-class duke.


    They naturally felt superior to others.


    With arrogance, they said, "Don''t you know what kind of place this is? Open your eyes and see clearly. Do you really think you belong here? Beat it!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and couldn''t help but feel sentimental.


    After all, he was also the second young master of the Xiao Family, yet now he couldn''t even enter through the front gate?


    The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he said indifferently, "Of course I know this is the Xiao Family..."


    But before he could finish.


    The Golden Core Realm expert coldly interrupted him with a snort, "Since you know this is the Xiao Family, how dare you attempt to barge in? Our master is not at home right now, and we''re not receiving any visitors. Get lost!"


    As he spoke.


    The Golden Core Realm expert pushed forward with his palm and a fierce gale surged toward Xiao Yi.


    Hum!


    An intense energy storm swept over in an instant.


    If it had been an ordinary Divine Skills practitioner, they would have been seriously injured by this sudden palm strike.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly, but he stood unmoving and took the brunt of the blow.


    "Hm?"


    The two guards were taken aback, then sneered, "So, you''re just a braggart. We already told you that no visitors are being received, but you still insist on barging in. Since you refuse to drink a toast, you''ll have to drink a forfeit. Don''t blame me for not being polite then!"


    As the words fell.


    With the crisp sound of drawing swords, they brandished gleaming blades and hacked towards Xiao Yi.


    Watching the merciless swords chop down.


    A cold killing intent flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes, "Scram!"


    Boom!


    An explosive surge of power burst from his mouth, and amidst the clanging sounds, the weapons in their hands broke. Their bodies were also flung backward, crashing into the large gate and shattering them upon impact.


    The two of them spat blood and looked at Xiao Yi with shock, yelling, "Somebody, we have a troublemaker at the door!"


    "Quick, someone come..."


    The two yelled towards the inside of the residence.


    Suddenly.


    Powerful presences emerged from the Xiao Residence, and hundreds of fighters leapt out to the gate.


    Each person gripped a weapon in their hand.


    Their eyes were fixed on Xiao Yi with a predatory gaze.


    The elderly man leading them possessed the strength of the Seventh Layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm; he was Xiao Fu, the steward of the Xiao Family.


    Xiao Fu narrowed his eyes, the wrinkles on his face resembling tree bark made him look especially grim, and with a cold gaze, he addressed Xiao Yi, "Who are you? How dare you forcibly enter the Xiao Family? Do you not fear death?"


    Xiao Yi looked at the steward before him, Xiao Fu, not expecting that he wouldn''t recognize him either.


    Upon further reflection.


    Xiao Yi let go of his tension, after all, the last time Xiao Fu saw him was more than a decade ago, the same Xiao Fu who had personally sent him to solitary confinement in the separate courtyard.


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and expelled a turbid sigh, then he spoke, "Mr. Fu, it''s been over a decade, don''t you even recognize me anymore?"


    "Hmm?" S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Fu was startled, his gaze filled with shock and doubt, "Who are you? Have we met?"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Have you forgotten? It was you who sent me to the solitary confinement in that separate courtyard!"


    Boom!


    Xiao Fu''s face suddenly changed.


    "You, you, you, you..."


    Xiao Fu pointed at Xiao Yi, trembling, with his lips quivering, and he kept backing away, making a "thud, thud, thud" with his footsteps. His face, weathered by the years, was filled with terror, "Are you Xiao Yi?"


    In the past half-month.


    The news that Xiao Yi successfully supported Emperor Qian, killed Yang Kun, and rescued Emperor Qian.


    Had already spread throughout the entire Great Qian Dynasty.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Fu had also received a message from Xiao Zhengde, that Xiao Zhengde was being imprisoned by the Tianjian Sect.


    For the past ten days or so, Xiao Fu had been extremely anxious.


    He was terrified that Xiao Yi would come seeking revenge.


    After all...


    Back in the day, there was not a single person in the Xiao Family who had stood up for Xiao Yi.


    Having waited for half a month without any sign of Xiao Yi, Xiao Fu thought Xiao Yi wouldn''t return and relaxed his vigilance. What he didn''t expect was for Xiao Yi to really show up.


    Right in front of him.


    After more than a decade without seeing Xiao Yi, Xiao Fu couldn''t recognize him at all.


    Gulp!


    Xiao Fu swallowed hard; thinking back to the time he had locked Xiao Yi up in the solitary confinement, recalling his own brutality and cruelty when Xiao Yi had tried to break free, and how he had fiercely slapped Xiao Yi away.


    Knocking Xiao Yi unconscious for an entire day and night.


    He remembered how he had withheld food from Xiao Yi, how cruel he had been to let Xiao Yi dig up grass roots in the courtyard for half a month.


    Xiao Fu''s body trembled slightly, his voice trembling as well, "Xiao, Xiao, Xiao Yi young master..."


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Xiao Yi young master? Mr. Fu, the last time you called me young master was over a decade ago, wasn''t it?"


    Thump!


    Xiao Fu collapsed onto the ground, sweat pouring from his forehead.


    He was scared to the point of losing control of his bowels!


    The rumors about Xiao Yi these days grew more and more outrageous, painting him as an invincible War God, a world-dominating demon. A man whose might alone subdued the Sword Dynasty, forcing them to sign many treaties.


    At the same time...


    He led a million-strong army into the imperial city to support the Emperor, and executed Yang Kun by dismemberment.


    Rescued Emperor Qian.


    And fought Xu Changsheng, the leader of Tianjian Sect, for three moves without defeat, among other things...


    Every single one of these pieces of news was enough to make Xiao Fu crumble!


    Thump!


    Xiao Fu immediately knelt on the ground, crawling on his knees towards Xiao Yi, incessantly slapping himself across the face. Amidst the crisp slapping sounds, Xiao Fu wailed, "Spare my life, please, Young Master Xiao Yi... It was a moment of folly back then, please forgive me..."


    Back then, upon seeing Xiao Yi''s downfall, to curry favor with Xiao Tianjiao, he had been utterly ruthless.


    He withheld food from Xiao Yi.


    Allowed the guards to beat Xiao Yi severely.


    Even after starving Xiao Yi for half a month, he placed laxatives in his food and more...


    To please Xiao Tianjiao, he had been utterly unscrupulous.


    Xiao Yi looked at Xiao Fu''s face, now swollen from slapping, with complete indifference, without a trace of sympathy or pity, "Mr. Fu, what are you doing?"


    Xiao Fu''s face was streaming with tears, he sobbed loudly, "Young Master Xiao Yi, I was wrong, I''m not human, I am an animal... Please spare me for my old age, I dare not, I will never dare again..."


    "Father..."


    A middle-aged man suddenly rushed out from the back yard, this person was Xiao Fu''s son, Xiao Zhong.


    He once served as Xiao Yi''s page boy.


    But ever since Xiao Yi was thrown into solitary confinement, he immediately switched loyalties to Xiao Tianjiao. For the sake of pleasing Xiao Tianjiao, he, like Xiao Fu, unscrupulously humiliated Xiao Yi.


    The laxatives had been administered by his own hand!


    Xiao Zhong quickly went forward, helping Xiao Fu to his feet, his face showing a ferocious expression. His fierce gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, he gritted his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi, you dare to show up at the Xiao Family? Have you forgotten that Tianjiao Young Master has expelled you from the family, forbidding you to set foot in the Xiao Family ever again?"


    Xiao Fu, drenched in cold sweat, cried out, "Xiao Zhong, apologize to Young Master Xiao Yi this instant..."


    "Apologize? He deserves one?"


    Xiao Zhong remained defiant, sneering repeatedly, "Father, have you gone senile? Our Xiao Family only recognizes Tianjiao Young Master, where did this other young master come from? This person dares to defy Tianjiao Young Master''s orders, stepping into the Xiao Family; just for that he deserves to die. Once Tianjiao Young Master returns, he will surely have him slaughtered..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Xiao Zhong, you truly are Tianjiao''s loyal dog! But, do you really think the name Xiao Tianjiao can protect you?"


    "Hmph!"


    Xiao Zhong snorted, arrogantly saying, "Tianjiao Young Master is the chosen one of heaven, the wonder of the world. Anyone who dares to defy him is defying heaven itself and has only one path: death. I advise you to scram, otherwise..."


    "Otherwise what?" Xiao Yi asked with a smile.


    Xiao Zhong leaned forward slightly, enunciating each word, "Only a path to death!"

 Chapter 575 - 574: An Empty Grave, Rage Sky-high!

    "A dead end!"


    Xiao Zhong''s body leaned slightly forward, his face twisted into a hideous smile, utterly disregarding Xiao Yi''s identity.


    In his opinion...


    With Xiao Tianjiao''s support behind him, he could fear nothing.


    Even though Xiao Yi''s name had reached his ears over and again these days, in his eyes, Xiao Yi was still not comparable to Xiao Tianjiao. S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all...


    In the past decade or so.


    Xiao Tianjiao was the true dragon among men, the chosen son of heaven.


    And Xiao Yi?


    He was the most lowly ant.


    Even he could trample on him at will.


    This notion had become firmly entrenched in Xiao Zhong''s mind.


    What he never anticipated was...


    that the current Xiao Yi had changed beyond recognition, no longer the youth who could be bullied by them, like ten years ago.


    Slap!


    A crisp slap suddenly echoed throughout the Xiao Residence, leaving all the members of the Xiao Family dumbfounded.


    Xiao Zhong clasped his cheek, his face full of shock, staring at Xiao Yi incredulously. If not for the burning pain on his face, he still couldn''t believe that Xiao Yi had actually slapped him.


    And...


    the slap was so loud.


    So painful.


    "Motherf**ker..."


    Xiao Zhong''s eyes turned blood red as he roared like a rampaging lion, "Xiao Yi, you dare hit me? You''re f**king seeking death! I am Young Master Tianjiao''s pageboy; hitting me is like slapping Young Master Tianjiao''s face. When he returns, he will flay you and dismember you, he will kill you, kill..."


    Slap!


    Before his words finished, Xiao Zhong''s voice was interrupted again.


    "You son of a bi..."


    Slap!


    Slap slap slap!


    The sound of slaps, like rain on rooftiles, was incessant.


    The phantom-like slaps dazzled the onlookers.


    After dozens of slaps, Xiao Zhong''s face was as swollen as a pig''s head, blood dripping from his nose. His body swayed, but the ferocity and hatred in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi punched heavily into Xiao Zhong''s abdomen, sending him flying back, and just as he was about to leave his reach, Xiao Yi grabbed his hair in the split second before.


    And yanked Xiao Zhong back.


    Xiao Yi''s voice was unnervingly cold, "This punch, because of your betrayal."


    Bang!


    Another punch.


    "This punch is for your treachery seeking glory!"


    "This punch, for poisoning my food..."


    "This punch..."


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    One punch after another.


    With each punch, Xiao Yi''s voice grew lower and his killing intent sharper.


    Xiao Yi had forgotten how many punches he had thrown; Xiao Zhong was gasping for breath. When Xiao Yi released his grip, Xiao Zhong collapsed to his knees in front of him. His body shook violently, and with a thud, he fell to the ground.


    Without any breath left.


    "Zhong, my child..."


    Xiao Fu''s face drastically changed, a look of terror flickering across his features as he scrambled over to Xiao Zhong.


    Clinging desperately to Xiao Zhong and confirming he had no life left, Xiao Fu''s resentful gaze fixed on Xiao Yi as he bellowed, "Xiao Yi, you dare kill Zhong! I, I''ll fight you to the death..."


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Fu actually embraced Xiao Yi''s leg. Knowing he was no match for Xiao Yi.


    He chose to self-destruct!


    Hum!


    Energy surged, gathering at the dantian.


    The destructive power of a self-explosion from a seventh-layer Dharma Manifestation Realm expert could severely injure, or even kill, an ordinary Nirvana Realm master.


    However...


    Xiao Yi merely let out a cold laugh and pointed a finger.


    Spurt!


    His energy directly pierced through Xiao Fu''s dantian, shattering it thoroughly, dispersing the rampaging energy within. Xiao Fu''s breath suddenly faltered, deflating like a punctured ball, slumping to the ground.


    His dantian, completely destroyed!


    All cultivation, gone.


    Not to mention self-destruction!


    "You, you, you..." Xiao Fu was dumbfounded, staring blankly at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi squatted in front of Xiao Fu, his lips curving slightly as he said indifferently, "Xiao Fu, remember what you told my mother deliberately after not bringing me food for half a month, making me pass out from hunger?"


    Xiao Fu''s pale face suddenly changed, growing even paler.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sharpened, recalling his mother''s despair and helplessness, his voice deepening, "You told my mother I was trash with no right to live in this world, that my birth was a mistake, and that she would suffer less if she pretended she never had a son like me. Today, I return those words to you. Pretend you never had a son like Xiao Zhong, and naturally, you won''t feel as bad!"


    "You, you... I, I..."


    Xiao Fu''s face alternated between ashen and white.


    Suddenly...


    He violently opened his mouth and vomited a mouthful of fresh blood, his body stiffly arching backward as he fell to the ground.


    There were no more sounds.


    Xiao Yi looked coldly at the corpses of Xiao Fu and his son, took a deep breath, and felt a surge of exhilaration.


    Over these years,


    during his years of captivity, aside from Xiao Zhengde and Xiao Tianjiao, the ones he hated the most were Xiao Fu and his son, Xiao Zhong. This father and son had kicked him when he was down, using despicable means to humiliate and torment Xiao Yi, which had caused his mother to die of heartbreak��they were indirectly the murderers of his mother.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the remaining members of the Xiao Family.


    The Xiao Family had originally been just a small local clan. It was because of Xiao Tianjiao that within a short span of a dozen years, it became the Great Qian Dynasty''s most sought-after powerhouse.


    The clan did not have many members to start with.


    The majority of these powerhouses had been recruited later, among whom there were many strangers Xiao Yi had never seen before.


    At this moment...


    As they faced Xiao Yi''s scanning gaze, each one of them lowered their heads, fearing to provoke Xiao Yi''s displeasure and be killed along with the others.


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "With Xiao Fu dead, who can manage affairs in the house?"


    "Xiao... Young Master Xiao Yi, I am the commander of the Xiao Family''s guards, I was bestowed the Xiao surname by the head of the house, my name is Xiao Tong..." A middle-aged man in the fifth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm said as he shakily rose to his feet, his face bearing a hint of flattery.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and nodded, saying, "Xiao Tong, is it? Do you know where my mother is buried?"


    "I know..."


    Xiao Tong quickly nodded, speaking respectfully, "Please follow me, Young Master Xiao Yi; I will take you to the lady''s grave..."


    Under the lead of Xiao Tong,


    Xiao Yi left the Xiao residence. Both of them flew through the sky and left the imperial capital, with Xiao Tong carefully saying, "The lady is buried in Imperial View Mountain to the west of the city. That place is usually reserved for royal family members to be buried. The head of the house once said that having the lady buried there would make our Xiao Family even more powerful..."


    "Imperial View Mountain?"


    Xiao Yi squinted, a cold light flashing in his eyes.


    He remembered that his mother once said that she hoped to be buried at her old home on Jing Mountain after her death.


    That was where she grew up.


    Yet, Xiao Zhengde, for the so-called benefits of feng shui and the might of the Xiao Family, went against her last wish and buried her in Imperial View Mountain.


    Huh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath, his eyes growing colder and more piercing: "Over these years, did Xiao Zhengde and Xiao Tianjiao ever go to worship my mother?"


    "This... This..." Xiao Tong broke out in a cold sweat.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "What ''this'' and ''that''? Just tell me, did they or did they not?"


    Xiao Tong was startled, his face turned gloomy as he said, "The head of the house went once the first year after the lady passed away, but Young Master Tianjiao said the gravesite was too inauspicious and stopped the worshipping. Over the years, it''s only occasionally that some servants are sent there to clean up..."


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s entire body shook, his terrifying aura almost causing Xiao Tong to fall from the high sky.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes turned blood red, and with teeth clenched in fury, he said, "Very well, very well, Xiao Zhengde, Xiao Tianjiao... If there is a single weed on my mother''s grave, next time I see you, I will kill you..."


    Imperial View Mountain was not far away.


    It was a burial site reserved for the royal family and clan, known for its excellent feng shui.


    But...


    Xiao Zhengde and the others had buried their own here solely for the prosperity of their family, completely disregarding the last wishes of a wife and mother��this was where Xiao Yi''s anger stemmed from.


    Furthermore,


    they hadn''t worshipped here for years, deeming it inauspicious.


    This made Xiao Yi eager to kill his way up to Tianjian Sect and slaughter Xiao Zhengde.


    "Young Master Xiao Yi, the lady''s gravesite is just ahead... It was me who came to offer worship and clean the tomb the year before last... So, so..." While Xiao Tong was speaking, his face suddenly turned pale.


    Cold sweat covered his body in an instant,


    soaking his back.


    He trembled all over, nearly collapsing onto the ground.


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly and looked in the direction Xiao Tong pointed.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s body shook as if struck by lightning.


    He was unable to move his feet anymore.


    His face turned ghostly pale in an instant, but his eyes were crazily swirling with bloodlust.


    "No..."


    With a roar of grief and fury, Xiao Yi rushed towards the gravesite.


    What gravesite was there in front of him?


    It was just a yellow dirt pit; the gravesite had long been violently dug up, and the broken coffin was scattered all over the place. The tombstone was smashed, and one could barely make out the disjointed characters of "Xiao Family... Lady..."


    The grave had been desecrated, leaving only an empty mound.


    Xiao Yi picked up pieces of the tombstone from the ground, trying to piece them together, but the tombstone was so terribly shattered that it was impossible to reassemble it completely.


    "What in the world happened here?" Xiao Yi, holding the fragmented tombstone, glared furiously at Xiao Tong, his voice roaring with rage.


    Xiao Tong was drenched in cold sweat: "I, I, I don''t know, everything was still intact when I came two years ago, this, this..."


    "Boss, there''s a letter here!"


    Little Lin suddenly leaped out and found a letter at the ravaged gravesite.


    "A letter?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, opened the envelope, and as he read the contents, his body trembled violently.


    Murderous intent erupted from within him.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    A terrifying wave of energy centered around Xiao Yi flattened everything within a hundred yards to the ground.


    The letter read��Xiao Yi, you unfilial son, wish to worship your mother? A fool''s dream! I have moved your mother''s bones to a place you will never find. If you wish to worship her, come beg me! Hahaha...


    And the signature was��Xiao Zhengde!


    Boom!


    The letter in Xiao Yi''s hand exploded into flames, as the sky-high killing intent mixed with towering rage. Xiao Yi slowly rose to his feet, his gaze icy as he stared in the direction of Tianjian Sect: "Xiao Zhengde, I will tear you to pieces..."

 Chapter 576 - 575: The Sky-Cleaving Sword, Slaying Xiao Zhengde!

    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Imperial View Mountain suddenly erupted into a terrifying landslide.


    Centered around Xiao Yi''s mother''s grave, everything within a thousand zhang was leveled to the ground.


    He collected each piece of the shattered tombstone into his storage ring, standing suspended in mid-air, his gaze coldly overlooking the desolate graveyard below, "Mother, please be at ease, I will make sure you return to your hometown. Following your last wish, I will bury you next to Grandfather and Grandmother''s graves..."


    As for that hometown, Xiao Yi''s memory was also very vague.


    He only knew that his maternal grandfather was the head of a small mountain village, and that both his grandfather and grandmother were very kind elderly people.


    Before Xiao Yi was imprisoned, his grandparents would visit the Xiao Family every year to see them.


    But then...


    Since he had been imprisoned, he had never again seen those two kind elders.


    It was not until he was twelve years old that he learned from his mother''s words that his grandparents had come several times. However, Xiao Zhengde and Xiao Tianjiaao did not allow them to meet with Xiao Yi, even telling the elders that Xiao Yi had died of a serious illness.


    Because of this, his grandmother had even cried until she became blind.


    His grandfather also fell seriously ill because of this.


    When Xiao Yi turned fourteen, his grandparents passed away, and his mother followed half a year later.


    "Xiao... Xiao Yi Young Master..." Xiao Tong''s face was pale as he looked at Xiao Yi with trepidation.


    Standing beside Xiao Yi, the cold killing intent made him feel despair and fear.


    He didn''t even dare to take a deep breath.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said indifferently, "You go back."


    "Ah?"


    Xiao Tong was stunned, unbelievingly staring at Xiao Yi.


    He couldn''t believe that Xiao Yi actually wanted him to return.


    Xiao Yi, however, paid him no more attention and disappeared, flying toward the void.


    This time...


    He was heading to the Tianjian Sect!


    Xiao Zhengde was in the Tianjian Sect, and Xiao Yi had to find him to force out the location of his mother and wife''s remains.


    Beyond that...


    He also had to...


    Slaughter Xiao Zhengde!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi dashed through the sky, Little Lin on his shoulder looking up worriedly, "Boss, are you alright?"


    "I''m fine!"


    Xiao Yi stated calmly, "I just want to kill someone, that''s all."


    Uh...


    Little Lin was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi was not a bloodthirsty man, unless someone touched his reverse scale.


    To Little Lin''s knowledge, besides Fang Qingzhu, only his mother was Xiao Yi''s reverse scale.


    Xiao Zhengde had dug up the graves of his mother and wife and taken away their bones; this was the cruelest desecration of the dead.


    The dragon''s reverse scale, touch and one shall die!


    Xiao Yi''s reverse scale was also not to be violated!


    Little Lin took a deep breath, and a cold murderous intent burst from his amber eyes as he said gravely, "Boss, I''m with you!"


    "Hmm."


    Xiao Yi nodded his head.


    It was half a day''s journey from Imperial View Mountain to the Tianjian Sect, but several figures had suddenly caught up with Xiao Yi. The arrivals were Yang Zun, Yang Zheng, and Yang Bingtian, who barred Xiao Yi''s path, "Xiao Zhenguo, are you going to the Tianjian Sect?"


    They had heard about the flood on Imperial View Mountain and sent Yang Yuhuan to investigate.


    Yang Yuhuan ran into Xiao Tong.


    After questioning him and learning that Xiao Yi was on his way to the Tianjian Sect to seek revenge on Xiao Zhengde, they immediately notified the three in the imperial city to pursue and stop Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes at them, "You want to stop me?"


    Hiss!


    The three trembled all over.


    Under Xiao Yi''s cold gaze, they felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, chilled to the bone.


    The three exchanged looks; this guy was even stronger than during the enthronement ceremony!


    With that thought in mind...


    Yang Zun said gravely, "Xiao Yi, the Tianjian Sect is not as simple as it appears. Moreover, Xiao Zhengde deliberately took your mother''s remains away; he may have already laid a trap like a heaven''s net."


    "What we mean is, you should come back with us first. Let''s plan for the long term, discussing how to deal with the Tianjian Sect!"


    "What can you do alone if you go by yourself?"


    The three of them entreated earnestly.


    Indeed, they were also considering Xiao Yi''s best interests.


    For that very reason...


    Xiao Yi, blocked by them, did not make a move, but with an expressionless face he said, "Sky-Cleaving Sword, kill Xiao Zhengde!"


    "Reckless! Even just Xu Changsheng alone is not someone you can handle!"


    "We have received information that Xiao Zhengde has secretly contacted people from the Nantian Dynasty in the past half month. It is very likely that there are powerful figures from the Nantian Dynasty lurking in the Tianjian Sect, all to lure you there..."


    "You have an unlimited future, as long as you continue to cultivate in peace for another decade or even years, then even Xu Changsheng will not be your match. Why risk it now..."


    Yang Zun said with a worried face, "If Xu Changsheng intervenes to stop you, how will you be able to kill Xiao Zhengde?"


    "If the gods block me, I shall slay the gods; if Buddha blocks, I shall slay Buddha!"


    "Slay your ass''s gods and Buddha, just one Xu Changsheng could ensure you never return!"


    Xiao Yi''s calm gaze rested on the three men, his face more solemn than ever, and he said, word by word, "Then I shall not return!"


    "You..."


    The three men looked at each other, all shaken by Xiao Yi''s determination.


    They exchanged glances: "We will never allow you to take this risk!"


    "Offended!"


    Shush, shush, shush!


    The three charged at him from three different directions. All three of them were at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, and their tacit understanding from training together for hundreds of years meant their combined strength was exponentially increased.


    Yang Zheng''s body roared like turbulent waves, unleashing the Rivers and Lakes Dharma Manifestation.


    The earthy yellow river waters surged endlessly, vast and boundless, never ceasing.


    They formed chains of the same color, binding towards Xiao Yi.


    Behind Yang Bingtian, the Dragon and Tiger Seal Dharma Manifestation rose and fell, the dragons and tigers spiraling round, the ancient bronze seal bursting forth with blinding light.


    The dragons and tigers on it rushed out, both heading towards Xiao Yi to engulf him.


    Yang Zun hovered in midair.


    The Separation Wood Dharma Aspect was so large it blotted out the sun, the heavenly crown huge with rustling, and countless vines shot out from it. These vines, as if conscious, entwined with each other, snaking towards Yi like giant pythons.


    Facing the siege of three Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm masters, Xiao Yi still had an expressionless face.


    If it had been half a month ago,


    he would have had some difficulty facing all three of them at once, but now, he had made substantial progress in both his movement technique and martial skills.


    Facing the three of them was now quite easy.


    Whoosh!


    The Wings of Wind Thunder materialized behind him, and with the speed amplification from the Green Bat Skill, he easily avoided the combined assault of the three. At the same time, he stood suspended in air and reached out towards the void, firmly capturing Yang Zheng''s Rivers and Lakes Dharma Manifestation in his hand.


    "What?"


    Yang Zheng''s eyes widened, a blank incredulity on his face.


    Xiao Yi could actually capture his Martial Dao Dharma Manifestation?


    With a tremor of his arm, the Rivers and Lakes Dharma Manifestation actually condensed into a massive earthy-yellow sword made of river water, and with an icy face, Xiao Yi bellowed, "Jian Yi!"


    Boundless Sword Skill''s first move��Jian Yi.


    This pinnacle sword technique swept across and actually shattered the dragons and tigers. Then he stepped forward, his gaze icy as he looked at the towering tree blocking his path, "Jian Er!"


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    The river in his hand shattered, turning into a sky full of sword shadows.


    Filling the sky.


    Shush, shush, shush!


    The sword shadows turned into a whirlwind, sweeping down, and even the towering tree was cleaved open with a gash. This was considering that Xiao Yi knew the three meant well and did not intend to kill; otherwise, that single move would have been enough to seriously injure all three.


    Hiss!


    The three sucked in a breath of cold air, staring at Xiao Yi in stunned disbelief, eyes filled with shock.


    After just a short half-month of not seeing him,


    Xiao Yi''s strength had already completely surpassed theirs.


    Xiao Yi looked calmly at the three men and said indifferently, "Offended!"


    Whoosh!


    He soared into the sky, alone, heading for the Tianjian Sect, where powerful figures abounded.


    Yang Zun and the others exchanged bewildered looks, staring at the disappearing figure, all showing intense shock and inexplicable emotion, "Xiao Zhengde, oh Xiao Zhengde, why did you have to provoke him?"


    "What should we do now?"


    "Stand by and watch? Or..."


    The three exchanged a glance.


    Yang Zun took a deep breath, the image of the astonishingly brilliant young man emerging in his mind, and he gritted his teeth, "Xiao Yi is the Great Qian Dynasty''s Single-Rank King. If he wishes to fight, we shall join him in battle!"


    Hiss!


    Yang Zheng and Yang Bingtian looked at each other, eyes filled with astonishment.


    This was about betting the future and fate of the entire Great Qian Dynasty, standing shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Yi, staking all on a single battle of life and death...

 Chapter 577 - 576: Venturing into Tianshan Alone!

    Tianjian Sect, located at the summit of Tianshan.


    The entire Tianshan mountain range was under the influence of Tianjian Sect. At the foot of the mountain lay a vast cluster of villages; these were the peasants kept by Tianjian Sect.


    They were responsible for growing medicinal herbs, grains, and breeding spiritual poultry, among other things, to provide for the Tianjian Sect disciples.


    The entire Tianjian Sect was teeming with powerhouses.


    It was divided into the Outer and Inner Sects.


    There were more than ten thousand Inner Sect Disciples alone, and nearly two hundred thousand in the Outer Sect, making it the foremost sect of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    Even though Xiaoshanhe Institute had regained the strength equivalent to that of the top ten sects under Xiao Yi''s management,


    in front of Tianjian Sect, it was still as fragile as ants.


    The sky was clear and bright, with a gentle and warm Hexu breeze.


    Beneath Tianshan,


    the peasants were toiling in the fields when suddenly, they noticed the sky darkening.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Is there going to be a rainstorm today?"


    All of them looked up in confusion.


    Above the firmament, a hundred-li wide expanse of Black Clouds drifted in from afar, tainting all the white clouds in its path with its dark hue.


    It was a heavy and pressing mass of black.


    Clouds covered the sky.


    The oppressive gloom made it hard for people to breathe.


    "That''s not right, that''s not a rainstorm. Look, there are people in the Black Clouds!"


    "True, there really are people! What''s happening?"


    A terrifying aura bore down heavily, as if a massive mountain was pressing on everyone''s hearts, leaving them gasping for air. The peasants had no choice but to abandon their farming tools and flee to their homes.


    At the gates of Tianshan,


    two sixth-order Beast Kings stood guard at the left and the right, both yawning and utterly bored.


    As the leading sect of the Great Qian Dynasty, Tianjian Sect had always seen no one daring to cause trouble here, and their duty had been very relaxed.


    Suddenly...


    The two Beast Kings trembled, with large beads of cold sweat rolling down their bodies, they looked up at the firmament in shock. Instinctively, they shivered, "What, what is that thing?"


    Amidst those dark clouds, a sense of despair washed over them, completely extinguishing any will to resist.


    The mere presence of that frightening aura quelled the fighting spirit of the two sixth-order Beast Kings.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Rumbling thunder!


    Suddenly lightning flashed within the Black Clouds, with purple-golden thunderbolts shuttling through the sea of black, appearing and vanishing, the brilliance of the purple gold becoming the sole color of this domain.


    All the powerhouses of Tianjian Sect were alerted.


    "Who dares to be so bold, causing trouble at our Tianjian Sect?"


    "Ignorant fools daring to cause a disturbance at Tianjian Sect, just kill them!"


    Angry roars erupted from within Tianjian Sect.


    Tianjian Sect, the leading sect of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    It also boasted the number one powerhouse of the Great Qian Dynasty, Xu Changsheng.


    Once Changsheng took action, who could rival him?


    With Xu Changsheng presiding over it, who would dare to make trouble at Tianjian Sect?


    The vast Tianjian Sect was full of absolute confidence, with nobody able to shake their standing.


    A whooshing sound!


    A number of mighty figures soared into the sky.


    The two Beast Kings at the gate were the first ones to react. Even though the sky-filled thunderbolts invoked fear in them, the thought of having the Tianjian Sect at their backs filled the two Beast Kings with confidence.


    Boom, boom!


    Amidst the sounds of Wind Thunder, the two Beast Kings transformed into their massive true forms.


    Rising across the sky.


    The Beast Kings looked coldly at Xiao Yi, speaking in human tongue, "Audacious scum, how dare you trespass into Tianjian Sect, do you have a death wish?"


    "Surrender now, and wait for your punishment?"


    Facing the threats from the two beasts, Xiao Yi''s eyes were cold as he spoke indifferently, "Bring Xiao Zhengde to me!"


    "Hm?"


    The two Beast Kings were startled, roaring in unison, "How dare you, Xiao Zhengde is the father of Tianjiaao, the prized son of heaven, Xiao Tianjiao. Who are you to call him out by his name?"


    "Enough!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand impatiently.


    A cold light danced on his five fingers.


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    Five beams of light shot out, transforming into five silver streaks, moving at an extreme speed. Before the two Beast Kings could react, they were pierced through by the sounds of flesh being torn.


    The two Beast Kings still wore expressions of haughty arrogance on their faces, but the light in their eyes had completely dissipated.


    Swish! Swish!


    The two Beast Kings plummeted towards the ground, while Little Lin on Xiao Yi''s shoulder opened its mouth to inhale them. The Beast Kings shrank rapidly before being sucked into Little Lin''s mouth. After a couple of crunching sounds of reluctance, it swallowed them whole. Little Lin licked its lips and said, "Boss, next time don''t crush all the bones; it ruins the flavor!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, standing amidst the black clouds, his cold gaze fixed on the Tianjian Sect experts ascending below him.


    Among these experts, the strongest was merely at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Clearly...


    The true masters of the Tianjian Sect had not yet shown themselves.


    "Since you refuse to show yourself, then I''ll force you to do just that!" Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his hands slowly opening, and the Wind Thunder wings on his back immediately spread out.


    On the gigantic Wind Thunder wings stretching out for hundreds of meters, each feather was formed from the essence of wind and thunder, with lightning serpents crawling over them.


    Crackle! Fizzle!


    The lightning serpents, carrying destructive power, were enough to make one''s heart tremble.


    As the Wind Thunder wings unfurled, the thunder within the black clouds became increasingly agitated.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Thump! Thump! Thump!


    The sound of thunder and the explosive collision of lightning were like real thunder dragons roaring within the black clouds. The entire world was engulfed in a purple-golden glow, and Xiao Yi seemed to be the core of this world.


    High above the ground.


    Xiao Yi''s expression was icy as he suddenly clenched his fists.


    Whoosh!


    A lightning bolt over ten meters in diameter thundered down fiercely.


    It twisted and wriggled in the sky like a purple-golden Lei Long, crashing down onto the Tianshan mountains with a loud boom.


    Rumbling!


    The speed of the lightning was just too fast. Before the experts could react, it struck hard in front of the Tianjian Sect''s gate. Amidst the deafening explosion, the entire gate was blasted apart, followed by raging flames.


    "Damn it..."


    "Quick, notify the elders, someone is causing trouble!"


    "This person can control the lightning; we must slay him before he causes widespread destruction. All Outer Sect disciples above the Golden Core Realm, follow me to the sky to slay this child!" shouted a self-assured expert at the first level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Swish! Swish! Swish!


    The crowd rose into the air.


    Almost ten thousand people, dense as a swarm of locusts, flew towards Xiao Yi.


    This made the few Dharma Manifestation Realm elders who had just come out from the Inner Sect completely dumbfounded as they roared, "Motherfucker, who let you go up there? That''s Xiao Yi, get the hell back down..."


    "A bunch of idiots, don''t go get yourselves killed..."


    These Dharma Manifestation Realm elders had all seen Xiao Yi before and knew how terrifying he was.


    This was a fearsome existence who could engage in several moves with Xu Changsheng without defeat.


    And yet...


    The Dharma Manifestation Realm elder in charge of the Outer Sect, completely oblivious to danger, had taken almost ten thousand people into the sky to kill Xiao Yi. Wasn''t that just seeking death?


    Unfortunately...


    They were too late.


    With an expressionless face, Xiao Yi pointed his right hand forward: "Die!"


    Hum!


    The dark clouds covering the sky vibrated violently as fearsome thunder gathered to its utmost, then burst forth like a flash flood. Countless bolts of lightning descended from the sky, the thinnest with a diameter of three or four meters and the thickest over fifty meters.


    Under Xiao Yi''s control, the form of these lightning bolts underwent earth-shaking transformations.


    Some were like dragons roaring in the sky, some like a mighty army on the march, others like malevolent spirits...


    A terrifying army of thunderbolts.


    This caused the tens of thousands of Tianjian Sect Outer Sect disciples to turn pale with horror: "Fuck, run..."


    "Damn it, are you stupid, elder? With such an opponent, you told us to go kill him?"


    "Run for it..."


    The tens of thousands of fervent and aggressive Tianjian Sect disciples were thrown into complete disarray.


    They scattered like birds and beasts.


    Frantically fleeing for their lives.


    But...


    No matter how fast they were, how could they possibly outrun the lightning?


    Rumbling!


    The lightning swept across, and strong experts fell from the sky like birds with broken wings.


    Boom! Boom! Boom...


    One after another, the charred corpses plummeted to the ground.


    Tens of thousands of people...


    Not a single one survived!

 Chapter 578 - 577 Are You Threatening Me?

    ```


    The vast Tianshan was enveloped in silence.


    Over a hundred thousand Outer Sect disciples and tens of thousands of Inner Sect disciples were all stunned, their eyes wide and mouths agape as they watched bodies fall from the sky like a torrential downpour.


    These bodies crashed onto Tianshan, exploding upon impact.


    This filled the entire Tianshan with a pungent scent of blood.


    "I, I fuck..."


    "Is this the power of Xiao Yi? With just one strike, ten thousand have perished?"


    "Could such a method even surpass the Nirvana Realm? With such terrifying strength, it''s said that he has cultivated for merely three to four years, could even Xiao Tianjiao, Brother, be this formidable?"


    "With such a terrifying talent, why did Brother Xiao Tianjiao call him trash and even imprison him?"


    "There are rumors that Brother Xiao Tianjiao was jealous of his talent, worried Xiao Yi would overshadow him, which is why..."


    "Shut your mouth!"


    Murmurs of discussion filled all of Tianshan.


    But could the whispers of tens of thousands of disciples possibly be stopped by the elders?


    Their faces turned pale and then flushed.


    Wang Peng was the top elder among the Inner Sect, at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm, and his combat strength was by no means weak. With a mole between his eyebrows, akin to the Heavenly Eye, he levitated, his expression cold as he watched Xiao Yi: "Xiao Yi, you dare trespass in Tianjian Sect, slaughtering our disciples, do you admit to your crimes?"


    "Bring out Xiao Zhengde!" Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    "Hm?"


    Wang Peng''s face suddenly changed.


    Xiao Yi''s indifference and disregard deeply wounded his pride.


    He let out a long sigh of foul air.


    With a dark expression, Wang Peng gritted his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi, do you realize what you have done today..."


    "I said, bring out Xiao Zhengde!" Xiao Yi looked at him calmly, "You, are not qualified to talk to me!"


    Hiss!


    Wang Peng took a sharp breath.


    A flush of shame surged through his heart, his eyes turned blood red, and his features twisted into a ferocious sneer.


    His eyes fixed on Xiao Yi as he growled in a suppressed voice, "Xiao Yi, I am the top elder of Tianjian Sect''s Inner Sect, and you say I''m not qualified to converse with you? Do you really think you are... Ah...!"


    Wang Peng''s voice fell silent abruptly.


    His head flew up high, blood spurting out like a fountain.


    The headless corpse fell from the sky.


    Xiao Yi looked at the headless corpse without expression and said coldly, "What a lot of nonsense!"


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Xiao Yi walked on air, landing on the waist of Tianshan.


    All around him were Tianjian Sect disciples and elders, but as they looked at Xiao Yi, their eyes were filled with terror, and not a single person dared to approach. Even the top elder of the Inner Sect, Wang Peng, at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm, had been slain by his sword.


    Who else would dare to make a move?


    Step by step


    With every step Xiao Yi took, the staircase beneath him shattered.


    Wherever he passed...


    The path leading to the summit of Tianshan, known as the Heavenly Ladder, the Dragon Gate Stairs, was utterly obliterated from this world.


    The surrounding powerhouses of Tianjian Sect were furious.


    This Heavenly Ladder was a symbol of Tianjian Sect; every disciple had to climb this ladder step by step upon joining. But now, these stairs, with thousands of years of history, were wholly destroyed.


    However...


    Upon making eye contact with Xiao Yi''s icy gaze, all of them lowered their heads, with none daring to step forward and stop him.


    One man with a single sword, slowly ascending the Heavenly Ladder.


    The tens of thousands of Tianjian Sect powerhouses around him did not dare to approach, all retreating as Xiao Yi advanced.


    The group of elders looked at each other.


    "Notify the seniors to take action immediately..."


    "Let the seniors inform the Sect Master, only the Sect Master has a chance to subdue this lad..."


    Everyone shouted.


    Xiao Yi made his way unobstructed, directly reaching the summit of Tianshan.


    Here...


    Stood the main hall of Tianjian Sect.


    All the elders above the Nirvana Realm, as well as various seniors, Deputy Sect Masters, and the disciples of the Sect Master, were living here.


    ```


    The two Deputy Sect Masters of Tianjian Sect had both perished.


    Only Xu Changsheng, the Sect Master, remained,


    along with a few dozen elders of the Nirvana Realm.


    Within one of the courtyards...


    Xiao Zhengde was looking at Xu Changsheng in front of him, his complexion somewhat pale, with large beads of cold sweat rolling down.


    Xu Changsheng gazed at him coldly, "Look at the mess you''ve made! You have already made contact with the people of the Nantian Dynasty. As long as they arrive, we can naturally make a move against Xiao Yi. And you? You had to dig up his mother''s grave, and now he has come knocking at our door. What do you propose we do?"


    Xu Changsheng had no desire to strike down Xiao Yi himself.


    After all, Tianjian Sect was nominally a sect of the Great Qian Dynasty, and now Xiao Yi''s relationship with the royal family was extremely stable.


    He was even the life-saver of Emperor Qian.


    A peer of the realm endowed by the Emperor to stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation.


    In such circumstances...


    If he were to act against Xiao Yi, it would certainly arouse the displeasure of the royal family.


    Yet...


    Now that Xiao Zhengde had made such a fuss, forcing Xiao Yi to come to Tianjian Sect alone, it had made Xu Changsheng extremely passive, and he was very dissatisfied with Xiao Zhengde, who was supposed to be good at making decisions.


    Xiao Zhengde snorted coldly, "What is there to fear? Tian''er is now well-established at the Nantian Holy Institute. Even Emperor Qian wouldn''t dare to touch us. As for this bastard, he wants to pay respects to his mother? I certainly won''t let him have his way..."


    Xu Changsheng watched him with an icy expression.


    At this moment,


    a voice of an elder from the Fivefold Nirvana Realm came from outside the door, "Sect Master, Xiao Yi has arrived outside the main hall, we need you to come forward!"


    "I''ll be there right away!"


    Xu Changsheng replied, his cold gaze fiercely glaring at Xiao Zhengde, "You listen to me, stay here and don''t show your face. If Xiao Yi finds you, and should he fly into a rage and decide to kill you, even I might not be able to ensure your safety!"


    The weak fear the strong, the strong fear the mad, and the mad fear those who have nothing to lose!


    Xiao Yi now...


    In Xu Changsheng''s eyes, was exactly that type of madman!


    The desecration of his mother''s grave had made the young man utterly furious.


    Xiao Zhengde nodded, but his expression still carried a trace of disdain.


    Xu Changsheng sighed deeply, "How did this fool manage to bring forth talents like Xiao Yi and Xiao Tianjiao?"


    ......


    Outside the main hall,


    Xiao Yi found himself surrounded by strong cultivators of Tianjian Sect, encircled layer within layer. S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However...


    It was not so much that Xiao Yi was surrounded; rather, it was the tens of thousands of cultivators that seemed to be blocked by him alone.


    Each one wore a grave expression, their palms sweating as they gripped their weapons.


    They watched Xiao Yi warily.


    Clic


    Xiao Yi stopped in his tracks, gazing at the lavish hall in front of him, his face expressionless.


    Dozens of Nirvana Realm elders stood in front of the main hall, watching Xiao Yi with serious expressions.


    One of the elders from the Third Nirvana Realm spoke in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, I advise you to leave quickly! If you wait for the Sect Master to arrive, you''ll have no way out."


    "If you don''t leave now, you won''t be able to leave at all!"


    Xiao Yi glanced over them and smiled lightly, "If I wanted to leave, how could you stop me with your motley crew?"


    "You..."


    "Arrogant!"


    "Clueless about life and death..."


    The crowd erupted in rage, hurling insults at him.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed, a chilling murderous aura enveloping everyone, and with a sneer, he asked, "Are you threatening me?"


    Crackle and flash!


    Out of nowhere in the void, the sound of thunder and lightning clashed loudly.


    The sudden outburst startled everyone.


    The elder who had just uttered threats turned deathly pale, and in the black pupils of his eyes, Xiao Yi''s figure suddenly vanished. When he reappeared, a hand was magnified before his eyes, covering his entire face in an instant.


    Xiao Yi clenched his fingers, and with a loud pop, he crushed the elder''s head.


    Xiao Yi looked emotionlessly into the void, "Xu Changsheng, aren''t you going to show yourself?"

 Chapter 579 - 578: Battle Against Xu Changsheng Again!

    "Xu Changsheng, aren''t you going to show yourself?"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept across the area, looking towards the main hall.


    Everyone was momentarily stunned, following his gaze.


    Within the main hall.


    A figure strode across the air.


    Robes fluttering, hair flying wildly.


    The person arriving was none other than the Sect Master of Tianjian Sect, famed as Xu Changsheng, who contends with anyone once he enters the fray!


    "Sect Master!"


    "Greetings, Sect Master!"


    Tens of thousands of powerhouses knelt down in unison, their eyes filled with fervent reverence as they looked at Xu Changsheng.


    "Hmm!"


    Xu Changsheng nodded indifferently, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi''s shoulder.


    The staircase that represented the image of Tianjian Sect was completely destroyed, and traces of thunder strikes were scattered all over Tianshan, as well as the corpses of the ten thousand strong who had perished.


    Xu Changsheng''s eyes narrowed slightly, his brows like two crossed longswords, sparking dazzling firelight.


    A trace of cold Evil Qi gathered in his eyes.


    Whoosh!


    Xu Changsheng exhaled a long breath and stared at Xiao Yi, saying coldly, "You shouldn''t have come here to cause trouble!"


    Xiao Yi spoke calmly, "Hand over Xiao Zhengde!"


    Xu Changsheng frowned and said, "I have promised Xiao Tianjiao I would protect Xiao Zhengde completely; I cannot simply hand him over to you."


    "If that is the case, then there is nothing more to say. Let''s go to war! I will find him after killing you!" Xiao Yi said expressionlessly, his fighting spirit rising like boiling water bubbling up.


    "Are you sure you want to fight me?"


    Xu Changsheng''s frown deepened, his face showing a hint of indifference, "From our last fight, you should know just how great the gap between us is. It''s only been half a month; you don''t think that''s enough time to bridge the gap between us, do you?"


    "Whether or not I am a match, only a fight will tell!"


    Xiao Yi spoke without expression, surrounded now by rising thunderous light, the wind howling fiercely.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The storm mingled with lightning rose from his feet, whipping up dust and debris for hundreds of yards, uprooting grass and trees, sending them flying into the air, colliding and bursting into deafening roars.


    The terrifying momentum caused the surrounding powerhouses to change their expressions repeatedly, some of them showing shock, "How terrifyingly powerful, can this truly be the strength of one at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm?"


    "What kind of monstrous talent is this? Such a genius and yet Xiao Tianjiao regarded him as waste?"


    "Had this youth joined our Tianjian Sect, we would have had Xiao Tianjiao and then Xiao Yi... how could our sect not flourish? Such a pity..."


    Sighs echoed through the crowd for a moment.


    Even some of the venerable elders showed a look of regret.


    They themselves hadn''t realized...


    In the past, when everyone thought Xiao Tianjiao was right, his word that Xiao Yi was waste went unquestioned by anyone.


    But now...


    Their hearts were beginning to waver.


    Xiao Yi, creating miracles time and again, revealing terrifying strength and talent, made them start to doubt Xiao Tianjiao.


    Of course.


    All this had nothing to do with the current Xiao Yi.


    He had already escalated his momentum to the extreme, his icy gaze fixed on Xu Changsheng: "Xu Changsheng, dare you fight me?"


    "If you want to fight, then let''s fight!"


    Xu Changsheng yelled coldly, and with a thunderous boom, a shadow of a sword materialized beneath his feet, shooting straight into the sky, "Come and fight!"


    Roar!


    Xiao Yi let out a long cry to the heavens, his Wind Thunder wings beating as he soared into the sky.


    Swipe!


    A thousand-meter-long river of wind and thunder trailed behind him, and at the spot where he previously stood, a hundred-meter-deep crater suddenly appeared. It shattered a large swath of mountainous rock, which tumbled downwards, creating a torrential landslide.


    However, Xiao Yi paid no attention to all that; he had already charged toward the heavens, heading straight for Xu Changsheng.


    "What do you think? How many moves will it take our Sect Leader to defeat him?"


    "It''s said that during the last battle in the imperial capital, our Sect Leader only needed three moves to render Xiao Yi powerless. If he really wanted to kill him, it should take about ten moves, right?"


    "That''s hard to say. Xiao Yi is so confident. He must have made progress in his cultivation during this past half month. I think the victor will be decided within thirty moves!"


    The powerhouses of Tianjian Sect watched the two figures in the void, whispering to each other.


    Clearly, everyone was more optimistic about Xu Changsheng''s chances.


    No one believed that Xiao Yi could create a miracle!


    "Sword, come!"


    Xu Changsheng pointed his finger.


    Still with that air of calm and nonchalance.


    Whoosh!


    The black longsword flew through the air, its speed as fast as the last time he had struck in the imperial capital.


    Xiao Yi sneered coldly, reaching out with his right hand.


    Wind Thunder suddenly converged within his palm, and purple-gold lightning covered his hand like the claw of a Thunder Dragon, grabbing toward the black longsword. With a buzz, it tightly clamped the blade.


    Crackle and pop!


    In an instant, lightning covered the sword, and despite the sword Qi attacking, Xiao Yi showed no fear.


    With both hands, he gripped the blade tightly.


    The muscles on both arms instantly bulged, and veins popped like crazed dragons, throbbing wildly. With a booming force, he snapped the black longsword in half.


    Crack!


    The black longsword broke with a snap.


    The violent sword Qi attached to it also dissipated into nothingness in an instant. S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "..."


    All was silent between heaven and earth.


    Everyone stared dumbfounded at the black longsword Xiao Yi had snapped, completely bewildered: "What the f*ck, that black shadow is the Sect Leader''s personal sword, a seventh-tier Yuan weapon, and it''s just, just been broken like that?"


    "Holy sh*t, is Xiao Yi a demon?"


    The Tianjian Sect powerhouses who were certain of Xiao Yi''s defeat were now slapped hard across the face, utterly speechless.


    To snap a seventh-tier Yuan weapon with bare hands!


    This could only be described as terrifying!


    "I didn''t expect that in just a half month''s time, your speed and strength would have such tremendous improvement. Seems like I''ve underestimated you. But..."


    Xu Changsheng narrowed his eyes; his face showing emotion for the first time: "If this is the extent of your skill, you are still no match for me. If you concede now, I can still spare your life. But if you keep being delusional, then don''t blame me for being ruthless!"


    "I will stop only if you hand over Xiao Zhengde!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    Xu Changsheng sighed, "You are still delusional... then don''t blame me!"


    Hum!


    There was a tremor around Xu Changsheng, and slowly, a light shadow emerged behind him.


    This was a green longsword.


    The scabbard was encircled by nine coiling dragons, and with a light shout from Xu Changsheng, the sword unsheathed with a ringing sound.


    Whoosh!


    The green longsword soared into the sky, and on its dazzling blade, innumerable sword shadows lashed out in all directions, spreading like a peacock''s tail.


    Only when Xu Changsheng reached out to hold the hilt did all those myriad sword shadows finally return to the blade.


    With the green longsword in hand...


    Xu Changsheng underwent a drastic change in aura, standing in the air like a peerless Sword Immortal.


    The power of Sword Intent was beyond the fifth tier!


    "This sword is named Qingying, a peak seventh-tier!"


    Xu Changsheng''s gaze was steady, the sharp tip of his sword pointing at Xiao Yi, he said deliberately, "Once the Clear Shadow Sword is drawn, it never returns until blood is shed. Xiao Yi, to die by the Clear Shadow Sword, you, should feel proud!"

 Chapter 580 - 579: Number One in Great Qian!!!

    Clear Shadow Sword!


    This is the Tianjian Sect''s sect master''s heirloom.


    At the peak of the seventh stage, it is in no way inferior to the Great Qian Dynasty''s royal Dragon and Tiger Seal.


    For a long time...


    No one within the Great Qian Dynasty has ever managed to force Xu Changsheng to use the Clear Shadow Sword, yet today, Xiao Yi has broken Xu Changsheng''s Dark Shadow Sword, compelling him to draw the divine Clear Shadow Sword.


    Watching the Clear Shadow Sword in Xu Changsheng''s hands, ingesting and expelling green sharpness, all the strong members of the Tianjian Sect couldn''t help but show a look of shock on their faces, "I never thought, never did I imagine... I believed I''d never see the sect master wield the Clear Shadow Sword in this lifetime, yet Xiao Yi has forced the sect master to bring it out!"


    "With the Clear Shadow Sword in hand, the sect master''s combat power will increase by fifty percent, Xiao Yi is bound to be defeated!"


    "Xiao Yi''s defeat is certain, the only suspense is, how many moves will the sect master need to defeat him!"


    "I remember even Xiao Tianjiao didn''t force the sect master to use the Clear Shadow Sword, right? Does this mean, can we say that Xiao Yi has already surpassed Xiao Tianjiao?"


    "That can''t be said, after all, Xiao Tianjiao and the sect master are master and disciple, they have never fought to the death. In my opinion, although Xiao Yi is strong, he is still not as good as Xiao Tianjiao. However, his ability to push the sect master to this extent means his strength is surely among the top three in the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    The person speaking was none other than the senior elder of the Tianjian Sect, a seventh stage formation master.


    Even he thought so.


    Everyone''s face showed a look of shock.


    In just three to four years of cultivation, Xiao Yi transformed from the Physical Body Realm into the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, also ranking among the top three in the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Such talent can indeed be called world-shocking.


    In the void.


    Xiao Yi stared at the Clear Shadow Sword, feeling the demon sword Zhan Yue in his body trembling with excitement.


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi flipped his hand, and a crescent-shaped light sprang from his palm, hovering above it.


    Gradually growing larger.


    It turned into a longsword emitting silver brilliance, and on its hilt was a crescent moon shape.


    It was the very demon sword Zhan Yue that he had obtained from the Cave of Desire in Beast Emperor City!


    Zhan Yue vibrated excitedly.


    Extremely thrilled.


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows as he sensed some of Zhan Yue''s intentions, "You mean... you can devour other elemental weapons to enhance yourself? If you swallow this Clear Shadow Sword, you can advance to the seventh stage limit?"


    Hum hum!


    Zhan Yue trembled violently, its sword light ingesting and expelling, carrying a hint of greed.


    Xiao Yi licked his lips and nodded, "Rest assured, I will defeat Xu Changsheng and snatch that Clear Shadow Sword for you!


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi raised his head to look at Xu Changsheng, and said lightly, "The sword''s name is Zhan Yue. Using it to kill you wouldn''t disgrace the name of the Tianjian Sect''s sect master!"


    "Kill me? Hahaha..."


    Xu Changsheng shook his head in amusement, then his smile was replaced by a cold expression, "If you can really kill me, you will be the number one person in the Great Qian Dynasty. But can you?"


    "Whether I can beat you or not, we''ll find out!"


    Xiao Yi was neither humble nor arrogant, full of fighting spirit.


    The braver one prevails on a narrow path!


    Even in the face of the number one person in the Great Qian Dynasty, he showed no fear!


    "Chaotic Breeze Dance!"


    Xu Changsheng''s Clean Shadow Sword executed a simple thrust, with the blade vibrating slightly, the Profound Sword Intent caused a violent wind within a thousand zhang radius. Each wind blade was condensed from sword Qi.


    The piercing howl was enough to make one''s scalp tingle.


    "The wind comes!"


    The wings of Wind Thunder behind Xiao Yi shook, causing a strong wind that dispersed the stormy sword shadows.


    As the stormy figures dissipated.


    Xiao Yi suddenly discovered that Xu Changsheng had vanished from in front of him; his pupils contracted slightly as he slashed the sword to his side, "Jian Yi!"


    Shua shua shua!


    Layers of sword shadows piled upon each other, and hundreds of sword shadows merged into one.


    Almost simultaneously...


    From within the scattered sword shadows, Xu Changsheng''s figure sprang forth.


    He had managed to hide his body within the sword aura.


    As if he had become invisible.


    This move was unpredictable and extremely difficult to defend against; Xu Changsheng, relying on this move, was almost always invincible. But today, it was seen through by Xiao Yi, and two rays of sword light collided like the tip of a needle meeting a wheat stalk, with a clang of the sword tips striking each other.


    Two shockwaves transmitted from the tips of their swords, sweeping past behind both of them.


    Boom boom boom!


    Wherever the shockwaves touched, the clouds within ten li dispersed.


    The two of them, however, did not stop at all.


    "Wind Shadow!"


    "Jian San!"


    "Wind Escape..."


    "Jian Si..."


    Xiao Yi and Xu Changsheng''s figures reached the extreme speed, and although their figures could not be seen clearly, the glaring light above the sky obscured the blazing sun.


    Within a hundred li, the clouds were shattered.


    The roars of intersecting swords surpassed even the thunder.


    The two of them sometimes soared into the sky, sometimes descended to the ground.


    Everywhere they passed...


    In the sky, thousands of miles without clouds.


    On the ground, the earth cracked and mountains collapsed.


    In the water, rivers ran in reverse.


    The scope of their battle grew wider, and their speed reached the ultimate limit, leaving all the strong members of the Tianjian Sect dumbfounded as they were unable to keep up with the speed of Xiao Yi and Xu Changsheng.


    And in the distant sky...


    More and more strong figures gathered.


    Shen Yan from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, accompanied by Shen Mo and others, was riding on a blue flying wolf, staring shocked at the distant battle, "Terrifying, these two people are too terrifying!"


    Gulp!


    Shen Mo swallowed hard and said, "Xiao... Xiao Yi has grown stronger again..."


    Shen Yan nodded heavily, beside him an old woman holding a six-tailed white fox in her arms, narrowed her eyes, and this person was the sect leader of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.


    Her eyes gleamed as she muttered, "This battle will determine who becomes the number one person in the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    Not far away.


    A middle-aged man dressed in a Yin-Yang Dao robe, holding a horsetail whisk, waved it gently, and nodded, "That''s right, whoever wins will be the number one person in the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    He is the master of Wendao Villa, Liaochen Taoist.


    Besides him.


    Strong representatives from places like Three Seas Mountain, Feixue Temple, and True Martial Hall and so on had all appeared here.


    This battle.


    Was not only about the grudge between Xiao Yi and Tianjian Sect, but it was also about deciding the situation in the Great Qian Dynasty from here on out.


    If Xu Changsheng won, then the top ten sects would still consider Tianjian Sect as their leader, opposing the imperial rule. But if Xiao Yi were victorious, with his title as a king of equal standing, the top ten sects would be completely controlled by the royal family. sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Great Qian Dynasty would truly be united under one!


    All eyes were fixedly staring into the void...


    This battle had lasted for a full two hours.


    In the void.


    Xiao Yi had already summoned Sword Twenty-One, and in front of him, Xu Changsheng''s face had turned a shade paler, his expression more solemn than ever before. He had never expected that, even after releasing the Clear Shadow Sword, he still couldn''t do anything to Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh!


    Xu Changsheng took a long breath and coldly said, "Xiao Yi, I admit you are strong, and given a few more years, perhaps even I wouldn''t be your match. But now you''re still a bit too green. This final sword of mine has remained unused since I perfected it, and you will have the honor of becoming the first person to die beneath it!"


    Xiao Yi''s blood-red tongue licked his lips, as his hand-held Zhan Yue vibrated with a buzzing sound.


    This battle was utterly breathtaking.


    And incredibly exhilarating!


    His eyes were bursting with an urge to fight, and cracking a smile he said, "The next sword move I am about to make has also never been used. Let''s see whether your sword is stronger or mine is sharper!"


    "Good!"


    Xu Changsheng took a deep breath, his majestic bearing apparent as he tossed the Clear Shadow Sword into the air.


    Swoosh!


    The Clear Shadow Sword spun in the air before aligning itself above his head.


    The sword''s tip pointed directly at Xiao Yi.


    Xu Changsheng''s hands rapidly flipped through different sword techniques, and with earth-shaking, unparalleled hand signs, two solid bloody beams shot out from his eyes, "A Sword to Seal the Gods!"


    Hum!


    The Clear Shadow Sword emitted strands of blue light, as if his entire body fused together with it.


    Man as sword, sword as man.


    A Sword to Seal the Gods!


    Seal the Gods with one sword!


    The dreadful sword intent spread across the heavens, making the world lose its color and the sun and moon darken. Within a hundred miles, all those who wielded swords found they could not control the swords in their hands.


    Hum, hum, hum!


    Countless swords unsheathed themselves and one by one stabbed into the ground.


    As if paying homage to the son of heaven.


    "Kill!"


    With a light cry from Xu Changsheng, he leaped across the sky, and in an instant, his sword slashed through the air. Wherever the Clear Shadow Sword went, the void was torn open, and terrifying sword qi filled the heavens.


    Where the blade passed, space itself split open.


    The power of this sword was truly shocking and awe-inspiring.


    Liaochen Taoist''s pupils constricted, and he almost dropped his horsetail whisk, exclaiming, "Good, what a terrifying sword, worthy of Xu Changsheng, the unrivaled. He had such a fearful sword hidden away, Xiao Yi, you''ve lost!"


    "There''s no hope left!"


    "With such a fearful sword, it''s feared that unless a master from the Longevity Secret Realm descends, no one would be able to stop it..."


    Everyone was exclaiming in amazement and looked toward Xiao Yi with a hint of regret and pity.


    However...


    They then saw Xiao Yi looking calm, standing in the air, and facing that terrible sword intent, he seemed to be completely unaffected.


    He gently flicked Zhan Yue.


    Ding!


    The sword trembled lightly.


    Xiao Yi, expressionless, simply said, "Sword��Twenty-Two!"


    The Boundless Sword Skill, the twenty-second move��Sword Twenty-Two!


    When this sword was released.


    Everything between heaven and earth went quiet.


    As if time and space themselves had come to a standstill.


    Making everything seem extremely slow.


    In reality...


    It was actually a display of extreme speed.


    The swords in their hands, like needles to wheat awns, collided in the void. In everyone''s view, it was as if they collided against the fiery red sun.


    The sun itself became their backdrop!


    Drone...


    A tremor-inducing sound suddenly rang out, and within a hundred miles, all creatures felt their faces turn white and dropped to their knees. The swords stuck in the ground as if in submission all buried themselves underground.


    Immediately after...


    Xiao Yi and Xu Changsheng crossed paths in the void.


    Swish, swish!


    Both landed from the high sky, back to back, standing miles apart.


    The air was suddenly still.


    Everyone held their breath.


    And stared fixedly at the two.


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his figure wavered, and he stabilized himself on the handle of Zhan Yue thrust into the ground.


    Hiss!


    That movement broke the dreadful silence, and a strong representative from Tianjian Sect rejoiced, "Hahaha, our Sect Master has won!"


    "The number one in Great Qian is still our Tianjian Sect!"


    But very soon...


    Their laughter seized!


    As they heard Xu Changsheng''s somewhat weak voice, "You, you''ve won..."


    As soon as the words were spoken.


    Xu Changsheng fell straight down, face upward with a thud, lying on the ground.


    In the center of his forehead, a crescent-shaped sword mark was oozing bright blood...

 Chapter 581 - 580: An Unexpected Incident

    Thud!


    Xu Changsheng lay stiffly on the ground, with fresh blood gushing out like a fountain from the crescent-shaped sword wound in his glabella.


    This supreme expert, who had held the position of the number one person in the Great Qian Dynasty for many years, closed his eyes at this moment.


    The Clear Shadow Sword in his hand vibrated with a humming sound, as if it were wailing.


    Between heaven and earth, there was silence.


    The numerous powerhouses of the Tianjian Sect were completely silent, staring dumbfounded at Xu Changsheng lying motionless on the ground, devoid of any signs of life, still unable to believe what they were seeing.


    In the void.


    Figures like Liaochen Taoist and Shen Yan, powerful beings from various major sects, were also pursing their lips, at a loss for words.


    Every person felt as if there was a heavy rock firmly lodged in their heart.


    Terrifying oppression that made it hard to breathe.


    The complexity of emotions reached an extreme.


    Generations come and go, each leading the way for hundreds of years.


    But...


    When the old generation that once stood unrivaled falls, it still brings about a desolate and helpless sorrow akin to the despair of a rabbit mourning the death of a fox.


    Even the once unrivaled Xu Changsheng has died.


    What about them?


    Do they still dare to be enemies with Xiao Yi?


    Whoosh!


    Shen Yan exhaled a deep breath with rage, his eyes bloodshot as he clenched his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi, what a Xiao Yi..."


    "This young man... has boundless prospects!"


    "Now, I actually feel some sympathy for Xiao Zhengde��"


    "Such a prodigy, and yet he was treated as trash and given away as a son-in-law, even expelled from his own family, I really don''t understand what he was thinking..."


    A murmur of private conversations broke the silence of this part of the world.


    While a host of strong figures from the sects were overwhelmed with emotions.


    Within the Tianjian Sect, there was a sound of mourning, "The, the Sect Leader is dead?"


    "Our invincible Sect Leader is dead? Killed by Xiao Yi?"


    "This... No, I don''t believe it, I don''t��"


    One after another, Tianjian Sect disciples shed tears of despair, and the elder-level powerhouses trembled, many spitting out blood.


    The blow was just too great!


    Just too brutal!


    "Avenge the Sect Leader!"


    "The Sect Leader cannot die in vain, avenge him!"


    "Avenge him!"


    Angry roars spread throughout the Tianjian Sect, and one by one the strong would dive down even if they could not defeat Xiao Yi. They swarmed towards Xiao Yi, just to kill him and defend the last of their convictions.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply, squinting at the strong figures of the Tianjian Sect rushing towards him like a steel tide, and sighed lightly, "Why bother?"


    Hum!


    The sword named Chopping Moon vibrated with a hum.


    It was a demonic blade, extremely bloodthirsty and murderous.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, ready to strike.


    But just then...


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    A series of earth-shattering rumbling approached from afar, and dust and smoke billowed on the horizon.


    A dense mass of cavalry galloped forward.


    At the forefront was Yang Yuhuan!


    Yang Yuhuan held a battle flag with a giant "Xiao" character on it, and with a heaven-piercing roar, yelled, "Xiao Zhenguo, Yang Yuhuan is here!"


    "Xiao Zhenguo, here comes someone Liu!"


    "Whoever dares to touch Xiao Zhenguo, I will annihilate your whole clan��"


    Yang Zun, Yang Zheng, Yang Bingtian, Yang Ling... and even Emperor Qian Yang Hualong, were all surprisingly visible on the horizon. They personally led an army of three million, a vast and overwhelming force that surged forth like a black tide of iron.


    The cavalry moved with incredible speed.


    They had already surged past Xiao Yi, charging towards the strong members of the Tianjian Sect.


    Yang Yuhuan, the War God of the Great Qian Dynasty, led the charge. As he brushed past Xiao Yi, he shouted, "Xiao Zhenguo, take a breather, we''ll handle this!"


    "The Great Qian Dynasty, sworn to fight shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Zhenguo to the death!"


    "Fight! Fight! Fight!"


    Millions of warriors roared in unison, their voices shaking heaven and earth.


    For a moment.


    The sky darkened, and the sun and moon lost their luster.


    Yang Zun landed beside Xiao Yi. He, along with Yang Bingtian and another, immediately positioned themselves to Xiao Yi''s left and right, vigilantly surveying their surroundings.


    Yang Hualong dismounted, his face etched with urgency as he produced a bottle of medicine: "Xiao Zhenguo, we''ve arrived too late. Quick, this is the Purple Ginseng Jade Dew Elixir, it can restore life to dead flesh and mend bones. Take it now!"


    The now Crown Prince Yang Ling was also extremely anxious: "Xiao Zhenguo, are you alright?"


    Xiao Yi grunted in acknowledgment, taking and swallowing the Purple Ginseng Jade Dew Elixir.


    Once the elixir entered his body, it transformed into a soothing stream that flowed through his limbs and body, bringing back a touch of color to Xiao Yi''s pale face. His battle with Xu Changsheng had also been a tremendous pressure on him.


    In the end, it was the mysteriousness of the Sword Twenty-Two that had enabled him to cut down his foe.


    But the fight had left his internal organs severely shaken.


    With the Purple Ginseng Jade Dew Elixir''s healing powers, the tearing pain in his organs was substantially relieved.


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly to Emperor Qian and Yang Ling to indicate he was fine, and looking out at the millions-strong army clashing with the Tianjian Sect''s powerhouses, he couldn''t help frowning and asking, "Why have you all come?"


    In the eyes of the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty, now was not the time for a decisive battle with the Tianjian Sect.


    Even if they eradicated the Tianjian Sect, it could lead to the ultimate breakdown of their truce with the other nine great sects.


    If those nine sects united against the royal family, it could pose a tremendous crisis.


    In Xiao Yi''s memory... sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Emperor Qian and his lot were not the kind to act rashly.


    Emperor Qian cracked a smile, understanding Xiao Yi''s concerns, and laughingly said, "You are our ranked general, tasked with the defense of our nation. Of course, our royal family must stand with you on the same frontline!"


    Yang Zun and others also nodded their heads in agreement.


    Xiao Yi was at a loss for what to say.


    Although Emperor Qian had once been intent on suppressing him, the current change was indeed a great comfort to him.


    Xiao Yi nodded his head.


    He didn''t say much in thanks but got up to walk over to Xu Changsheng''s side.


    He picked up the Clear Shadow Sword.


    Hum hum!


    The Clear Shadow Sword vibrated with excitement as Xiao Yi tossed it up into the air, and the Clear Shadow Sword flew up with a whoosh. A silver light shone, covering the Clear Shadow Sword, and a layer of rust could be seen forming visibly on the sword.


    Eventually, it turned into a pile of scrap iron and fell to the ground.


    The Clear Shadow Sword continued to tremble with hums.


    Silver rays burst forth from the Clear Shadow Sword, and with a thunderous boom, countless silvery lights formed a sea of stars in the sky.


    Standing amidst the ocean of stars.


    The Clear Shadow Sword spun continuously as the stars fell upon it one by one.


    Ding ding ding!


    These stars seemed like hammers, tirelessly forging the Clear Shadow Sword. After a full ten breaths, all the starlight merged into the Clear Shadow Sword, forming a silver dragon shadow along its blade.


    Whoosh!


    The stars in the sky vanished.


    The Clear Shadow Sword cut through the air with a swift slash.


    Whoosh!


    A sword beam thousands of feet long plummeted to the ground, and amidst thunderous rumblings, the ground cracked open violently.


    A scar thousands of feet long, like a scar across the earth, was left in its wake.


    The Clear Shadow Sword had officially reached the peak of the seventh-layer.


    And it was just a step away from the eighth-layer!


    "Congratulations to Xiao Zhenguo on acquiring such a divine weapon!"


    "Only such a divine sword is fit for a hero like Xiao Zhenguo!" the crowd remarked enviously, congratulating Xiao Yi one after another.


    Xiao Yi smirked and beckoned to the Clear Shadow Sword.


    But just as the Clear Shadow Sword was about to return to his hand, an unexpected twist occurred.


    A massive hand made of vital energy suddenly appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the hilt of the Clear Shadow Sword. At the same time, a haughty voice echoed between heaven and earth: "Such a divine weapon should not fall into the hands of such lowly being. It would be better off with this young master!"

 Chapter 582 - 581: Inspector Ye Beixuan!

    "Such a divine weapon can only be worthy of this young master!"


    The proud voice caused everyone present to change their expressions.


    They all looked up together, following the sound.


    They saw the qi-filled hand grasping the sword, flying towards the void. In the midst of that void, more than a dozen figures slowly appeared, led by a cold and handsome young man who was as immaculate as fresh snow.


    The dozen or so powerful figures following the young man all had incredibly powerful auras.


    The weakest among them were at the Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    Especially an elder standing beside the young man, who had reached the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    Moreover...


    The fluctuations of his aura were hardly any weaker than Xu Changsheng''s.


    As for the young man... S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His cultivation was not considered too strong, just a master of the Fivefold Nirvana Realm, but even the elder showed a respectful demeanor towards him. The elder''s arrogance, being a master of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, would never stem from the young man''s identity alone.


    Clearly, this young man was also a formidable fighter capable of surpassing his level.


    Yang Ling''s face changed, "Not good, Xiao Zhenguo''s elemental weapon has been snatched away!"


    Xiao Yi, however, chuckled and said indifferently, "Don''t rush... Snatching my sword won''t be so easy!"


    He narrowed his eyes, looking at the young man with a hint of a teasing cold smile.


    The sword was truly a demonic blade!


    Even he had only completely subdued it at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and now that it had devoured the Clear Shadow Sword and advanced to the seventh rank limit, it was even harder to tame.


    Just as Xiao Yi had imagined...


    As the young man reached confidently for the sword, the sword suddenly erupted with a silver sword light. The sword light was incredibly sharp, its speed astonishingly fast, having gained some of the Clear Shadow Sword''s characteristics after swallowing it!


    "Not good!"


    The elder beside the young man''s expression changed.


    The young man snorted coldly, with vital energy swirling around his palm, he forcefully reached for the sword.


    Bang!


    The sword light exploded violently.


    It forced the young man''s palm away, and as the sword hummed and trembled, it flew back in front of Xiao Yi. It hovered beside Xiao Yi like an obedient child, gently nudging his cheek.


    As if to claim credit for its actions.


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, patted the sword, and said, "Well done!"


    Then he looked up.


    His mocking gaze fixed on the young man in the void, who now had a gloomy expression.


    The young man looked down at his palm, where the flesh of his tiger''s mouth was torn and blood was flowing through his fingers. His face alternated between shades of gloom and humiliation, having thought the elemental weapon would be easily taken.


    Instead, not only had he failed to seize the weapon, but the tiger''s mouth on his palm had also been shattered by the sword.


    This was a downright slap in the face!


    "Young master..."


    The elder looked at the young man with a defeated expression.


    "It''s fine!"


    The young man circulated vital energy in his palm, evaporating the blood, and stared at Xiao Yi with narrowed eyes.


    His eyes, filled with a predatory glare, seemed to want to devour Xiao Yi whole as he said, "I never expected to find such a young talent in such an inferior nation. Boy, offer your sword to this young master, and I''ll leave your corpse intact!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and cracked a smile.


    With a casual wave of his hand...


    The sword settled in the void.


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "If you can, take it yourself!"


    "You..."


    The young man''s face darkened and cold killing intent flickered in his eyes.


    But the elder reminded him, "Young master, the mission is what matters!"


    "I know..."


    The young man took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi and the others before it landed on the prone figure of Xu Changsheng, causing him to frown slightly, then he spoke, "Among you, who is Xiao Zhengde, the head of the Xiao Family?"


    "Xiao Zhengde?"


    "Are they here for Xiao Zhengde?"


    "This is bad, I''m afraid they are people from the Nantian Dynasty..." Emperor Qian''s face suddenly changed, signaling to Yang Ling with his eyes, "Quick, have someone capture Xiao Zhengde, he absolutely must not be found by these people..."


    However...


    As soon as the words fell,


    Xiao Zhengde''s figure flew from the summit''s main hall on Tianshan, toward the youth and shouted, "I am Xiao Zhengde, I''m right here..."


    "Oh?"


    The youth glanced at Xiao Zhengde, then turned to look at the elder beside him, "Elder Hu, bring him here!"


    "Yes!"


    In one step, Elder Hu covered thousands of feet, grabbing Xiao Zhengde and bringing him before the youth.


    The youth looked at Xiao Zhengde, "Are you Xiao Zhengde?"


    "Yes, yes, yes, I am Xiao Zhengde. May I know how this young master is addressed?" Xiao Zhengde, with a flattering smile, asked.


    "This young master is Ye Beixuan, the son of the Vice Director of the Inspectorate of the Nantian Dynasty. Since you are Xiao''s father, this young master will call you ''Uncle Xiao''!" The youth nodded, his attitude toward Xiao Zhengde much warmer.


    Hisss!


    Xiao Zhengde''s face drastically changed, then suddenly became brilliantly gleeful, "So it is the young master of the Ye Family, I hadn''t expected the Inspectorate to send you."


    "Uncle Xiao needn''t be so polite, Tianjiaao and I are both disciples of the Nantian Holy Institute, it''s like meeting old friends!"


    Ye Beixuan smiled, then stared at Xiao Zhengde, asking, "Uncle Xiao, you mentioned in your letter that a rebel named Xiao Yi murdered our inspectorate''s Ninth Captain Wu Qi? Where is this rebel, Xiao Yi?"


    Hisss!


    Emperor Qian and the others took a cold breath, their faces changing slightly, "That damned Xiao Zhengde, he actually secretly informed the Inspectorate of the Nantian Dynasty?"


    "That bastard, he is sending Xiao Yi to his death!"


    "They say even a tiger won''t eat its cub, how could there be such a ruthless father in this world?"


    The crowd looked at Xiao Zhengde with eyes filled with resentment and hatred.


    Yet Xiao Zhengde seemed as if he didn''t see their gazes at all, smiling smugly, now that Xu Changsheng had died in combat and he was previously scared out of his wits for fear that Xiao Yi would catch him. But now with the arrival of Ye Beixuan and the others, he was suddenly full of confidence again.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Zhengde, with a malevolent gaze, pointed at Xiao Yi and said, "It''s that kid there!"


    "Oh?"


    Ye Beixuan narrowed his eyes and sneered, "So you are Xiao Yi? Fate really does bring enemies together! Daring to kill a member of my inspectorate, you wouldn''t have enough lives even if you had nine!


    Xiao Zhengde proudly said, "This is Ye Beixuan, son of the Vice Director of the Inspectorate and like my son Xiao Tianjiaao, a genius cultivated at the Nantian Holy Institute. He can crush you as easily as killing an ant. With Young Master Ye here, I would like to see how much longer you can remain arrogant?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes but didn''t speak.


    Yang Ling stepped forward, cupping his fist, "Young Master Ye, please hear me out..."


    "What are you?"


    Ye Beixuan looked down on Yang Ling from on high, his expression filled with disdain and contempt, "You also dare to speak to this young master?"


    Yang Ling''s breath hitched.


    He was, after all, the Crown Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    Yang Ling took a deep breath, his voice firm as he spoke, "My name is Yang Ling, the Crown Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Oh, so you''re the Crown Prince, huh! But..."


    Ye Beixuan coldly said, "In my eyes, the Crown Prince of a lowly kingdom is no different from an ant. You, such an inferior person, dare to speak to me, that''s an insult to me. Hu San, cut out his tongue for me!"


    "Yes!"


    Hu San, of the Dharma Manifestation Realm seventh level, approached Yang Ling with a sinister smile.


    Yang Ling''s face turned pale.


    Xiao Yi pulled him behind his own body, narrowing his eyes at Ye Beixuan, "Yang Ling merely spoke a few words to you, yet you want to cut out his tongue. Aren''t you being a bit too tyrannical?"


    "Hmph!"


    Ye Beixuan let out a cold laugh, full of arrogance, "When have I, Ye Beixuan, ever been subject to your pointing and gesturing? Hu San, do it..."

 Chapter 583 - 582: The Four Symbols Break the Mysterious Formation

    "When have my actions ever been subject to your finger-pointing and criticism? Hu San, do it..."


    Ye Beixuan spoke with a face full of arrogance, his tone cold and dismissive.


    Hu San pulled out a dagger, his sinister grin widening as he said, "Step aside obediently and let me cut out his tongue; perhaps the young master will be pleased enough to spare your life. Otherwise..."


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi inhaled deeply and asked indifferently, "Otherwise, what?"


    Taken aback, Hu San sneered, "Otherwise, you''ll be slaughtered along with him!"


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi replied calmly, "Aren''t you afraid that it will be you who dies?"


    Hu San laughed heartily, confident as he proclaimed, "Kill me? Do you dare?"


    Ye Beixuan stood suspended in mid-air, looking down at Xiao Yi with a face full of scorn.


    Elder Hu shook his head slightly, "Young man, you have no idea what you''re about to face. I advise you to step aside. If you anger the young master, it won''t be as simple as just dying..."


    Ye Beixuan said impatiently, "Do it now!"


    "Yes!"


    With his blood-red tongue licking the dagger, Hu San sneered, "Boy, since you refuse to move aside, don''t blame me for slaughtering you too!"


    Swish!


    Hu San''s figure suddenly split into three, charging toward Yang Ling from behind Xiao Yi in three different directions.


    "What a clever movement technique!"


    "Three duplicates, it''s impossible to tell which is real and which is fake..."


    "Wrong, all three are real..."


    "It seems like all three are fake..."


    The crowd exclaimed in surprise at Hu San''s exquisite movement technique, making Ye Beixuan even more disdainful, his mockery tinged with a cold laugh, "A bunch of lowlifes who have never seen the world, not even recognizing the ''Shadow Divide Skill.'' Elder Hu, make sure to finish the mission quickly. I don''t want to breathe the air of this inferior kingdom for a moment longer..."


    "Yes!"


    Elder Hu nodded respectfully.


    However...


    No sooner had he finished speaking...


    ...than Hu San let out a wretched scream, the three duplicates merged back into one and flew backward through the air.


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    Hu San''s figure crashed heavily to the ground.


    His chest was deeply caved in, and the dagger he had wielded was now thrust into his mouth, with only the hilt sticking out.


    Hiss!


    The crowd all inhaled sharply; no one had seen how Xiao Yi had made his move.


    "Hu San is dead?" Elder Hu was visibly confused.


    Ye Beixuan''s expression also stiffened; he hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to dare kill Hu San right in front of him.


    With a face dark as thunder, Ye Beixuan''s eyes narrowed to slits, and a chilling light burst forth as he gritted his teeth and said, "What a bold move, Xiao Yi. No wonder you had the gall to kill Wu Qi. You really have some nerve. Hu Er, Hu Da, kill him for me!"


    "Yes!"


    "Don''t worry, young master. When my brothers and I act, we''ll make sure he dies without a complete corpse..."


    Hu Da and Hu Er, along with six other powerhouses, advanced toward Xiao Yi. Both of them had the strongest cultivation, each being in the Fourfold Nirvana Realm. Of the six others, even the weakest was at the ninth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    In total, there were eight men.


    As they moved, they seemed to function as a single entity.


    Xiao Zhengde looked on with concern, "Young Master Ye, this rebel Xiao Yi possesses formidable strength; he even killed a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm master like Wu Qi. These men are at best in the Fourfold Nirvana Realm, are you sure that will not be a problem?"


    Ye Beixuan frowned slightly, initially wanting to chastise him, but then he remembered that Xiao Zhengde was Tianjiaao''s father.


    Suppressing his distaste, he said, "Rest assured, Uncle Xiao. That Wu Qi was simply the weakest team leader in my inspection division. Once Hu Da and his group of eight join forces to execute the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation, not even Wu Qi would be their match in a hundred moves!"


    Elder Hu confidently added, "Lord Xiao, remember that we are from the Nantian Dynasty, not the lowly and vile citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Zhengde looked embarrassed.


    He was also from the Great Qian Dynasty, wasn''t he?


    Could it be that he was also considered a lowly commoner?


    Elder Hu was startled, saw the embarrassment on Xiao Zhengde''s face, and said with a smile, "Patriarch Xiao need not worry. Young Master Xiao has already instructed my young master to bring you back to the Nantian Dynasty once the matter here is settled. Young Master Xiao has already arranged a luxurious residence for you in the Imperial City of the Nantian Dynasty. When the time comes, you will be a high-ranking noble of the Nantian Dynasty, not to be mentioned in the same breath as these lowly commoners!"


    "So that''s how it is..." Xiao Zhengde''s eyes gleamed.


    A high-ranking noble of the Nantian Dynasty!


    That was a presence even more distinguished than the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The thought alone...


    Made Xiao Zhengde''s smile even brighter, and he looked at Xiao Yi with self-satisfied pride, "You unfilial son, no matter how hard you try, you will never compare to Tian''er. Only Tian''er is the true favored child of the heavens, worthy of being the son of me, Xiao Zhengde!"


    At the same time,


    Hu Da and the other seven deployed the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation, trapping Xiao Yi squarely in the middle.


    The eight men complemented each other within the formation.


    If any of them were attacked, the damage would be distributed among the other seven.


    Furthermore, their bodies were extremely strong; they could withstand a full-force strike from an ordinary Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm expert without being harmed.


    Hu Da said confidently, "Xiao Yi, our Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation is unbeatable in defense, and unbeatable in trapping the enemy. From the moment you were enclosed in the formation, your fate was sealed��you were on a path to certain death!"


    "Nonsense!"


    Xiao Yi sneered coldly. He had seen the flaw in the formation at a glance, "Making such a fuss over a broken formation, watch me break it with one move!"


    "Hahaha, you actually delude yourself into thinking you can break my Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation?"


    "Truly a low-born commoner from an inferior kingdom, inexperienced and ignorant, you probably have no idea how terrifying this formation really is..."


    Ye Beixuan shook his head with a light laugh, "If you can break this formation, I''ll call you grandfather!"


    "Good grandchild, that title of ''grandfather'' is destined for you to bestow!"


    Xiao Yi smiled coldly.


    He didn''t even deign to use the Luminous Moon, but simply pointed a finger: "Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger!"


    Hum!


    A dazzling radiance emitted from his fingertip.


    In the void, four grand mythical beasts suddenly appeared.


    Azure Dragon!


    White Tiger!


    Vermilion Bird!


    Black Tortoise!


    The Four Symbols Divine Beasts emerged simultaneously, spiraling around the mammoth finger of vital energy. With a humming sound, they descended upon Hu Da.


    Hu Da sneered, his body shook, "If you had used that divine sword, perhaps you might have managed to scratch me, but do you think you can break my formation with this petty finger technique? You must be dreaming..."


    Before he could finish,


    Hu Da suddenly found himself unable to speak. He felt a sweetness in his throat and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.


    Meanwhile...


    The other seven also trembled violently.


    The phantoms of the Four Symbols Divine Beasts appeared on each of them, and with every revolution around their bodies, thunderous booms were heard.


    Blood blisters erupted all over their bodies.


    In a blink of an eye,


    All eight men lay on the ground.


    The Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation, which Ye Beixuan and others claimed was impregnable, was utterly destroyed by just one finger from Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a slight smirk as he raised his head to look at the stunned Ye Beixuan and others, "Grandchild, aren''t you going to kowtow and pay respects to your grandfather?"

 Chapter 584 - 583 Its Your Turn!

    "Good grandson, haven''t you come to pay your respects to Grandpa?"


    Xiao Yi, with a playful smile on his face, stared straight at Ye Beixuan as he chuckled lightly.


    Ye Beixuan''s complexion abruptly stiffened.


    His eyes stared intently at the eight individuals lying motionless on the ground, his face alternately turning green and white. Looking at Xiao Yi, for the first time ever, a sense of seriousness emerged in his gaze.


    He had a profound understanding of the strength of the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation.


    In bygone days, he would often spar and exchange blows with Hu Da and others, but even when he made a move, breaking this Formation was not an easy feat.


    Xiao Yi, from beginning to end, had shattered the Formation with just a single finger.


    He couldn''t help but be shocked by such a technique.


    Elder Hu''s complexion was also unsightly. Hu Da and the others were disciples he had nurtured from a young age, yet now, all nine of his disciples had perished at the hands of Xiao Yi.


    He had nearly wiped out all the disciples in his sect!


    Whoosh!


    Taking a deep breath, Elder Hu slowly exhaled and said in a serious tone, "Young Master, please allow your servant to make a move!"


    Ye Beixuan nodded and said, "This lad is somewhat peculiar, we can''t take him lightly!"


    "Hmm!"


    Elder Hu sneered viciously and walked toward Xiao Yi.


    Trembling and showing his age, Elder Hu slowly straightened up as he walked, his hunched body gradually becoming upright.


    The extremely bent spine was also stretching out at this moment.


    Especially the wrinkles on his face, which inflated like a balloon, continuously filling out the creases.


    Regaining the look of a man of about forty, even his height increased, growing by roughly two heads amidst the crackling sound, taller than before. The walking stick in his hand tapped lightly on the ground, and amidst another series of crackles, the bark and trunk of the stick shattered.


    Transforming into a three-foot-long Cross Sword.


    This Cross Sword had a cross-shaped blade, adorned with strange runes, which were arranged at a peculiar angle along with the blood grooves on the blade. sea??h th�� nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This three-foot Cross Sword was also a seventh-tier elemental weapon.


    "Although these fools are unworthy, they were still disciples of this old man, and you dared to kill them in front of me. Hehe, as their master, I have no choice but to personally send you to hell to accompany them!" Elder Hu cackled with a ghastly smile.


    The silver Cross Sword trembled and buzzed, gathering bits of cold light.


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, his eyes slightly focused, "Then we''ll see if you''ve got what it takes!"


    "Hehe, my strength is ordinary, but it is more than enough to kill you!"


    Elder Hu''s face was cold as he casually flicked his wrist.


    A thick layer of elemental energy instantly enveloped the silver Cross Sword, making the silver patterns on the blade burst forth with brilliant light, as if mercury poured on the ground.


    In an instant.


    Bits of silver starlight condensed and spread throughout the void.


    Before Elder Hu, a sea of stars formed, and his figure, hidden by the silver starlight, became momentarily invisible.


    "What''s going on? Where did that old man go?"


    "Seems like he''s merged with those star-like lights?"


    Even Yang Zun and others failed to spot Elder Hu''s location, looking at one another in astonishment, faces filled with shock.


    Ye Beixuan, seeing the crowd stunned, scoffed disdainfully, "A bunch of inexperienced fools, this is nothing but the Starlight Cross Sword''s activation of the Star Curtain. Indeed, you lowly people are clueless, so easily flustered..."


    Yang Zun and the others'' faces flushed with embarrassment.


    Ye Beixuan''s words had truly hit a nerve!


    Meanwhile...


    The starlight had already covered Xiao Yi''s surroundings, a cluster of glittering stars enveloping him.


    Bits of silver starlight drifted slowly.


    Like fireflies, they swirled around Xiao Yi.


    Suddenly...


    The starlight next to Xiao Yi paused abruptly, then, with whooshing sounds, the specks of starlight shot towards Xiao Yi like arrows leaving the bowstring. The speed of these starlights was extremely fast.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Caught off guard, Xiao Yi''s body was marked with several wounds.


    Blood rolled down his skin.


    Xiao Yi raised his hand to touch his cheek, and a smear of bright red stained his fingertips.


    In the starlight.


    Elder Hu''s voice, its origin unclear, came through: "Xiao Yi, have we just begun and you''re already injured? That strike just now didn''t even utilize one-tenth of my strength. Next, I''m going to use half my power."


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, his eyes squinting as he stared at the fluctuating starlight all around.


    Suddenly...


    The starlight, without any warning, burst forth again, and Xiao Yi, executing the "Green Bat Skill," continuously dodged.


    But there were too many starlights, too fast!


    Even faster and more numerous than before.


    Pu pu pu!


    Numerous wounds still appeared on his body, blood flowing freely, but fortunately, after executing the "Green Bat Skill," Xiao Yi''s speed was multiple times faster than that of a cultivator in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    This was what allowed him to avoid life-threatening injuries.


    "Heh heh, I didn''t expect you to withstand even half of my strength. Now, I will have to go all out!" Elder Hu cackled.


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    The surrounding starlight abruptly stopped, then the silver light surged and shot toward Xiao Yi once more.


    But this time...


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a smirk, and instead of sitting idly by, he sneered: "Here I come!"


    "Hmm?"


    A surprised voice echoed from the void.


    Xiao Yi''s form had already shot toward the area where the starlight was thickest, his striking speed shockingly fast: "Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger!"


    Hum!


    With one finger, vital energy condensed into a giant finger tens of meters long.


    Around the finger, the Azure Dragon and White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise specters appeared frequently, revolving around the giant finger and with a booming sound, striking at the dense cluster of stars.


    The cluster of starlight paused violently, followed by a thunderous explosion.


    Pieces of starlight shattered.


    Immediately after...


    The phantom images of the Four Symbols Divine Beasts coiled around Elder Hu, who had appeared in sight, and furiously swept up his body high into the air. Xiao Yi took advantage of the momentum to rise and instantly caught up with Elder Hu.


    "This isn''t good..."


    Elder Hu''s face suddenly changed, filled with shock as he raised the Starlight Cross Sword high, "Meteor Cross Kill!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The Starlight Cross Sword drew a cross in front of him, successfully slicing through the phantoms of the Four Symbols, and then the starlight condensed into a crisscrossing sword mark that enveloped Xiao Yi.


    Facing the oncoming sword light.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, blood-red light flickering in his eyes.


    Elder Hu was indeed strong, even more troublesome than Xu Changsheng, but at this moment, Xiao Yi had gained more insights into combat during his confrontation with Xu Changsheng.


    As Xiao Yi rose against the heavens, he merged with his entire demonic sword, Zhan Yue: "Sword Twenty-Two!"


    Swish!


    A sword intent, mysterious and profound, appeared in the void in an instant.


    This streak of sword light was exceedingly sharp, as if it could split the void in two, and when the two sword glows collided in the void, it was like a clash of titans, sending blinding light soaring into the sky.


    Amidst the snapping and cracking sounds.


    The cross sword light shattered, and Xiao Yi''s Sword Twenty-Two was relentless.


    Under Elder Hu''s stunned and horrified gaze, a sword stroke split him in two.


    Xiao Yi casually reached out.


    He drew in Elder Hu''s storage ring and the Starlight Cross Sword, pocketing the storage ring and handing the Starlight Cross Sword over to Zhan Yue. After a round of devouring, Zhan Yue became even sharper.


    However...


    To ascend to the rank of an eighth-grade Yuan weapon was still far from enough.


    Slaying Elder Hu and devouring the Starlight Cross Sword.


    All of this was done in an instant, accomplished in one go. Only then did Xiao Yi turn his attention to Ye Beixuan, who wore a cold expression: "Your turn!"

 Chapter 585 - 584: Crushing! Still Crushing!

    "It''s your turn!"


    Xiao Yi hooked his finger at Ye Beixuan, his face bearing an icy sneer and provocation.


    The powerhouses brought by Ye Beixuan had almost dwindled to him alone.


    His face had turned unsightly to the extreme.


    In Ye Beixuan''s eyes, the Great Qian Dynasty was just a low-level nation, its mightiest warriors merely ordinary Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm. When he received the message from Xiao Zhengde, Ye Beixuan took it as the simplest of tasks.


    All it took was just going through the motions...


    With his identity as the son of the Deputy Chief of the Inspectorate in the Nantian Dynasty, the warriors of the Great Qian Dynasty would all submit to him.


    But what Ye Beixuan had never anticipated was...


    From the moment he arrived in the Great Qian Dynasty, he had been thwarted at every turn.


    His subordinates were slaughtered to near extinction.


    Especially since even Elder Hu had been killed by Xiao Yi, it was as if Ye Beixuan''s arms had been chopped off, and he faced a resounding slap in the face! He recalled his own arrogant disdain when he first arrived, never taking Xiao Yi seriously.


    Now, observing the current state of battle, it was this same Xiao Yi, whom they never took seriously, who had successively slain his right-hand men.


    To Ye Beixuan, this was an unthinkable humiliation!


    But...


    Beyond his rage, Ye Beixuan also knew that even with all his power, it wouldn''t be easy to kill Elder Hu.


    Xiao Yi''s strength was so formidable that even Ye Beixuan now lacked absolute confidence.


    Ye Beixuan''s hesitation and worry were all noticed by Xiao Zhengde.


    Xiao Zhengde was growing anxious.


    He was well aware that his actions had thoroughly enraged Xiao Yi.


    Unless he could use Ye Beixuan''s hand to completely eradicate Xiao Yi, with Xiao Yi''s current strength, a hundred Xiao Zhengdes would not be enough for him to kill unless Xiao Tianjiao returned. Yet, Xiao Tianjiao was far off in the Nantian Dynasty, even cultivating in the Nantian Holy Institute.


    He wouldn''t be back any time soon.


    With this thought...


    Xiao Zhengde cleared his throat slightly, pretending to sigh, "Young Master Ye, I never expected this rebel to be so powerful. Even Elder Hu was no match for him. With your esteemed identity, it''s better not to take risks. If by chance you''re injured by this rebel, the loss would outweigh the gain!"


    "What did you say? You think he can hurt me?"


    Ye Beixuan instantly bristled.


    Who was he?


    He was the son of the Deputy Chief of the Inspectorate, and a disciple of the Nantian Holy Institute.


    Did Xiao Zhengde actually believe he would lose to Xiao Yi?


    These words utterly dispelled the slight notion of retreat that had just begun to emerge in Ye Beixuan''s heart. He snorted coldly, his expression emotionless as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, I admit I underestimated you. But you relied on that divine sword to defeat Elder Hu. If you dare, don''t use that divine sword, and let''s fight with fists and feet to determine who is stronger!"


    Xiao Yi arched an eyebrow.


    He had naturally heard what Xiao Zhengde had just said; the old guy was truly sickening. But since Ye Beixuan insisted on a fight, Xiao Yi naturally wouldn''t back down. Turning over his hand, he planted the Zhan Yue sword into the ground and said indifferently, "Since you seek a battle, I shall duly oblige!"


    "Good!"


    Ye Beixuan''s eyes lit up.


    In his view, once Xiao Yi was without the Zhan Yue, his combat power would decrease by at least thirty percent.


    With this...


    His chances of winning were even greater!


    "Xuanming Divine Palm!"


    Ye Beixuan moved, and snow flurried around him, his palm thrusting towards Xiao Yi with the force of a battering ram.


    In the howling palm wind...


    The surrounding snow coalesced continuously, forming a massive icy hand.


    Xiao Yi remained expressionless, still pointing with one finger, "Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger!"


    Hum!


    The Four Symbols emerged, a colossal finger spanning the sky.


    One palm, one finger.


    In the void, it was as if the tip of a needle met the point of wheat, colliding with each other.


    Boom!


    A thunderous roar rang out, deafening.


    Watching the two engage in battle, Xiao Zhengde secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "Ye Beixuan, oh Ye Beixuan, you must not let me down. You have to kill this rebel!"


    But his heart, which had just eased, was soon lifted with worry again.


    He saw Xiao Yi''s single finger strike shatter the ice and snow palm, with half of the massive finger still outstretched in the air, it struck Ye Beixuan with a bang and sent him flying backwards.


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    Ye Beixuan was sent flying backward, and even after landing, he retreated over a dozen steps, his face shifting uncertainly as he looked at Xiao Yi.


    Powerful onlookers were stunned, then erupted in praise, "Worthy of being the Great Qian Dynasty''s Xiao Zhenguo, with just one finger, he broke through such a terrifying attack."


    "It seems that Ye Beixuan is not that great after all!"


    "Could it be that this is the strength of Nantian Dynasty''s genius?"


    The hushed whispers among the crowd made Ye Beixuan''s face turn incredibly ugly.


    Whoosh!


    Ye Beixuan exhaled a deep breath, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, and he said through gritted teeth, "You''re just good with your hands. If you dare, let''s compare our leg skills!"


    "Leg skills?"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    His eyes moved to Ye Beixuan''s legs, which were solidly grounded and stable, revealing that he had extremely high mastery in leg techniques.


    Yang Zun continuously advised, "Xiao Yi, do not agree to him, this man must be a master of leg techniques!"


    "Don''t be fooled..." Yang Ling clenched his fists tightly, his face full of concern.


    Xiao Zhengde added fuel to the fire from the side, "Rebel, you wouldn''t be chickening out, would you?"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath, smiling as he looked at Ye Beixuan, "Fine, let''s compare legs then!"


    "Hahaha, you fell for it!"


    Ye Beixuan''s eyes sharpened, the excited bloodlust in his eyes surged as he revealed a fierce and cold sneer, "I have been practicing leg techniques since childhood, and the strength in my legs far surpasses that of my peers. Seventy percent of my strength lies in my legs..."


    As soon as his words fell,


    Ye Beixuan had already leapt high, bellowing along with the raging wind, "Wind God Leg!"


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Where Ye Beixuan passed, a violent wind arose, forming a tornado that enveloped his body and rolled towards Xiao Yi. This move was incredibly powerful; even someone at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm like Xu Changsheng would likely be seriously injured if hit.


    But just as this fierce move was about to hit Xiao Yi, he suddenly made his move.


    Xiao Yi kept his hands behind his back and simply swept out a leg.


    There was no special technique, just an ordinary sweeping leg!


    Yet this leg was imbued with the violent power of Wind Thunder, and as the two legs collided in the void, Ye Beixuan was jolted.


    The whirlwind enveloping Ye Beixuan abruptly ceased, his body frozen in mid-air.


    He was effectively blocked by that single kick from Xiao Yi!


    Hiss!


    Ye Beixuan winced in pain, flying backward and landing with a thud; he desperately rubbed his leg bones. His face was full of shock as he looked at Xiao Yi, his expression darkening.


    He had never expected that his most skilled leg technique would also lose to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled into a teasing smile, "Ye Beixuan, do you have any other requests? Speak freely! Don''t let others think I am bullying you!"


    "You, you..."


    Ye Beixuan''s face turned from green to white, utterly humiliated.


    Humiliation, indeed!


    This was an unprecedented disgrace!


    His weapon skills crushed; his hand-to-hand skills crushed; his best leg techniques also crushed.


    It was like rubbing his pride into the dirt!


    Xiao Yi''s lips tilted slightly upward, "Ye Beixuan, do you dare to fight?"

 Chapter 586 - 585: A Roar that Shatters Courage!!

    "Ye Beixuan, do you dare to fight?"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward as he provocatively looked at Ye Beixuan.


    Having been continuously crushed by Xiao Yi, Ye Beixuan''s confidence had suffered a severe blow.


    He was beginning to hesitate whether to continue the fight or to find an excuse to leave this place.


    Just as Ye Beixuan was in a dilemma, Xiao Zhengde suddenly spoke up, "Young Master Ye, this rebel is only formidable because of his weapons and limbs. Let him not use either, and see if he still dares... "


    The people around, upon hearing this, couldn''t help but jump up and curse, "Xiao Zhengde, are you still human?"


    "Can''t you have some shame? I''m begging you to be kind..."


    Even Ye Beixuan''s expression became stiff; wasn''t this just too shameless?


    Xiao Zhengde, however, seemed completely unconcerned as he transmitted his voice, "Young Master Ye, in the end, it''s about whether you win or lose. As long as you win, no one will care about the means you used. But if you lose, in the future, people will only remember Xiao Yi completely overpowering you, not knowing of your strength..."


    Hum!


    Ye Beixuan''s body trembled, suddenly feeling that there was great sense in those words.


    With this in mind.


    Ye Beixuan gritted his teeth and, with a stiff upper lip, said, "Xiao Yi, do you dare?"


    "Don''t agree to it!"


    "Xiao Zhengguo, they are simply being unreasonable; don''t be fooled..." the people around him said anxiously.


    "Silence!"


    Xiao Zhengde glared fiercely at the crowd and said with an offensive tone, "Xiao Yi, it was you who said that Young Master Ye could make any request. You wouldn''t go back on your word, would you?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and swept him a glance.


    That icy gaze made Xiao Zhengde shiver all over, cold sweat rolling down, as he turned to look at Ye Beixuan.


    Whoosh!


    Ye Beixuan let out a long breath, his face iron-hard as he looked towards Xiao Yi, "No weapons, no fists or feet, do you dare?"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, "Why shouldn''t I?"


    "Good!"


    Ye Beixuan laughed heartily, his eyes filled with fierceness, "You''re courting your own death. With neither fists nor weapons at your disposal, I''d like to see how you''ll block me!"


    Whoosh!


    Ye Beixuan''s entire body shook.


    A Purple-Gold Longdan Spear suddenly appeared in his hands, its cold spear light flicking like a serpent''s tongue, whooshing towards Xiao Yi. The spear, as if a dragon were coiling around it, bristled with a dark sharp light at its tip, turning into the shadow of a black dragon.


    It opened its huge maw and charged at Xiao Yi.


    Wherever it passed...


    The dragon''s body swallowed everything whole, the ground thunderously cracked open, and a trench several meters deep and tens of meters wide was forcibly dragged out. The violent energy fluctuations, mixed with the sharpness of the Longdan Spear, thrust directly at Xiao Yi''s heart.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, motionless, until the dragon shadow''s gaping maw threatened to devour him.


    Around Xiao Yi, a storm of azure wind furiously swirled, with purple-golden lightning emerging and sinking.


    The Wind Thunder armor attached to his body.


    Clang!


    With a loud crash, the assault of the Longdan Spear on the Wind Thunder armor caused a sudden explosion on the chest piece, but the spear could not advance an inch further. Ye Beixuan''s forehead was covered in cold sweat as the Longdan Spear was completely bent.


    Yet, he could not advance any further.


    "Damn it!"


    Ye Beixuan''s countenance went through several changes, revealing a sinister shade.


    With both hands gripping the spear, he swung it around, presenting a sweep that could cut through an army, aiming straight for Xiao Yi''s waist. The speed and strength of this spear were not to be underestimated.


    If this sweep hit, Xiao Yi would surely be seriously injured.


    At this moment, with Xiao Yi unable to use his hands or weapons, apart from enduring the hit, he had no way to defend.


    Ye Beixuan was counting on this, which was why he changed his combat strategy.


    If it were another opponent, this move might have been effective. Unfortunately, his opponent today was Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi''s body shook, and his legs, as firm as steel drills, dug fiercely into the ground beneath him.


    At the same time.


    Behind Xiao Yi, the wings of Wind Thunder fiercely flapped, enveloping his entire body within.


    Thud!


    A muffled boom erupted.


    Pieces of Wind Thunder wings, formed from energy, scattered and fluttered in the void, and Xiao Yi''s body flew laterally for tens of meters, but that was all. With his great strength, Xiao Yi managed to stabilize himself.


    Whoosh!


    Ye Beixuan was coming at him again.


    Strike at the sick, and take his life!


    His eyes were filled with madness.


    A genius like him had been continuously crushed and humiliated by Xiao Yi, driving him to the brink of insanity. His blood-red eyes were filled with towering hatred as he let out a sinister laugh, and with a low growl, he gathered all his strength into the spear.


    "Dragon Battle Star Fields!"


    Roar!


    As the spear thrust forward, it was like an Azure Dragon emerging from the sea.


    The ground rumbled and rolled like the great waves of the sea, and in the midst of the churning earth, a black shadow of the spear pierced through like a ferocious Black Dragon.


    With a thunderous blast,


    the Black Dragon spear shadow charged straight at Xiao Yi, opening its gaping maw and swallowed Xiao Yi whole.


    Boom boom boom!


    The Wind Thunder battle armor on Xiao Yi''s body shattered into pieces.


    In the nick of time...


    Xiao Yi flipped backward, his toes lightly touching the ground!


    As the black dragon shadow dissipated into nothingness, Ye Beixuan''s Black Longdan Spear broke through the defenses and appeared at Xiao Yi''s chest.


    "Die!" Ye Beixuan''s face was filled with triumphant laughter.


    But very soon...


    He could no longer smile.


    With a muffled ''plop,'' the spear that had landed on Xiao Yi''s chest was, astonishingly, missing its spearhead!


    "Where''s my spearhead?" Ye Beixuan was utterly baffled, as the image of Xiao Yi''s last-moment backflip flashed through his mind.


    It was that stroke of genius that had kicked the spearhead away at the critical moment!


    "No..."


    Ye Beixuan''s eyes were filled with fury and despair. As he looked up, he saw Xiao Yi''s lips curl into a faint smile, a radiant grin that sent a chill through Ye Beixuan, filling him with a deep sense of unease.


    Almost at the same time.


    Xiao Yi suddenly opened his mouth and unleashed a mighty gust of wind with a roar, "Scram!"


    Scram, scram, scram!


    Scam!


    The sound waves boomed like echoing voices.


    Boom!


    Under the terrifying impact of the sound waves, Ye Beixuan screamed in agony, frightened out of his wits!


    Wow!


    Blood mixed with dark yellow bile sprayed out as Ye Beixuan''s figure shook violently, his complexion turning deathly pale in an instant.


    Having been crushed by Xiao Yi three times in a row, his confidence had completely collapsed.


    This time, convinced he held the winning hand, he had let down his guard entirely.


    Who would have thought...


    Xiao Yi''s roar would be so terrifying!


    It not only shattered his eardrums but even his gall bladder.


    Puh!


    Ye Beixuan spewed out fresh blood, the bitterness of bile in his mouth, but he dared not linger any longer. With a resentful glare at Xiao Yi, he bellowed, "Xiao Yi, you just wait, I''ll have my revenge..."


    Whoosh!


    Ye Beixuan waved his hand, summoning the Flying Boat, and dove in.


    Xiao Zhengde also moved quickly, "Take me with you..."


    He sprinted towards the Flying Boat.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed, and with a reach of his hand, the Chopping Moon returned to his palm, and he slashed out with his sword.


    Whoosh!


    The sword light spanned the sky and caught up with Xiao Zhengde at the moment the Flying Boat''s hatch slammed shut with a thunderous blast. The Flying Boat jerked violently as it crashed several dozen times against the ground before finally tumbling through the air and away...


    "Did they actually escape?"


    Xiao Yi''s face darkened with displeasure, not expecting Ye Beixuan to have had a Flying Boat on hand, allowing them to escape at the last moment.


    He turned his gaze.


    On the ground, there was a bloody leg, twitching in a pool of blood...


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes towards the direction of the departing Flying Boat, his gaze cold as frost: "Nantian Dynasty, huh? I''ll be coming over soon!"


    PS: Third update! There were eight updates yesterday, and definitely more today. Xiao Tian continues to write! S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 587 - 586: The Cowardly Ye Beixuan, Leg-Broken Xiao Zhengde!

    "Just now, Xiao Zhenguo''s roar was too terrifying, wasn''t it?"


    "Even the demon beasts under me were so frightened that they knelt on the ground, and they''re still trembling, having not gotten up yet!"


    "Luckily I''m not Ye Beixuan... his courage was truly shattered by that scare..."


    Inside and outside the Tianjian Sect.


    Everyone who looked at Xiao Yi did so with genuine awe in their eyes.


    Yang Zun, Yang Ling, and others came over to his side in succession.


    Yang Ling picked up a severed leg from the ground and grunted, saying, "This leg seems to belong to Xiao Zhengde..."


    Everyone looked at Xiao Yi simultaneously.


    Xiao Yi nodded, saying, "Indeed, it is his. Unfortunately, he got away, and I didn''t manage to force him to reveal where he hid my mother''s remains..."


    "Xiao Zhenguo need not worry, I believe Xiao Zhengde wouldn''t dare to damage your mother''s remains!" Yang Zheng offered comfortingly.


    Yang Bingtian said solemnly, "Xiao Zhenguo, we will try to find clues and look around, perhaps we will be able to find them!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, although today he had slain many, creating a formidable reputation for himself.


    But...


    The inability to find his mother''s remains still weighed heavily on his mood.


    In the void.


    Shen Yan, Liaochen Taoist, and other powerhouses from the nine great sects exchanged glances, still shaken by the battles, especially the last one. They almost thought Xiao Yi would pay with his life for his arrogance.


    However...


    Xiao Yi managed to strike back from a desperate situation, and with a fearsome roar, he sent the previously unstoppable Ye Beixuan fleeing.


    That was a genius powerhouse from the Nantian Dynasty.


    Even he was defeated by Xiao Yi.


    Add to that the deaths of Xu Changsheng and Elder Hu, and they were made acutely aware that this young man, once overlooked by them, had completely surpassed them all.


    Tower above all strong figures of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    "Fellows, it''s time for us to make a decision!" the sect master of Three Seas Mountain, Yun Haishan, said.


    Liaochen Taoist, with a horsetail whisk in hand, waved it gently, looking the picture of an immortal, said indifferently, "My Wendao Villa stays out of worldly affairs, we could just close our doors and decline guests after returning, keeping out of the secular world. To live under someone else''s roof and obey Emperor Qian''s commands is something I cannot do!"


    Zhang Yunfei of the True Martial Hall, with an expressionless face, said, "At worst, I will consider the past grudges with Xiao Yi settled. I don''t believe he would go so far as to annihilate my True Martial Hall over this..."


    "Right, we absolutely must not submit!"


    "Once we submit, we will never have the chance to turn the tables!" S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Hao of the Vast Righteousness Pavilion said calmly, "If he really dares to press us, then we of the nine great sects can join forces and secede from the Great Qian Dynasty. The Sword Dynasty has been turned upside down by Xiao Yi''s actions, if we were willing to enter the Sword Dynasty and establish our own sects, they would likely welcome us with open arms!"


    The crowd discussed animatedly.


    Apart from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect''s sect master, the old crone Ji Ying who cradled a six-tailed white fox and remained silent, the others all expressed their unwillingness to submit. After all, they were sects with a history of thousands of years, naturally possessing their own heritage and pride.


    In their view...


    Xiao Yi was strong, but he couldn''t possibly contend with all nine great sects by himself.


    "I remember... it''s been less than four years since Xiao Yi ascended from the Physical Body Realm, hasn''t it?" Shen Yan suddenly said.


    "Uh..."


    The ones who had been boasting moments ago, looking calm and relaxed, now closed their mouths.


    There was silence for a moment.


    Zhao Hao then spoke up, "Actually, aligning with the royal family isn''t so bad. The royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty has always been generous, I believe they won''t mistreat us!"


    Yun Haishan nodded in agreement, adding, "Now with Xiao Zhenguo rooted in the royal family, and considering he will step into the Nirvana Realm in a few years, unless the masters from the Longevity Secret Realm intervene, no one will be his match. Our Great Qian Dynasty might even expand its borders, which will be all to our benefit!"


    "Infinite life to the Buddha!"


    Liaochen Taoist, who had just been full of confidence, swung his horsetail whisk solemnly and said, "I''ve just received guidance from the ancestor of the Tao, Xiao Zhenguo is the Chosen One. Befriending him is the right path. I have decided��I will submit to the royal family!"


    Before he could even finish.


    Liaochen Taoist had already flown towards Xiao Yi, calling out from a distance, "Xiao Zhenguo, congratulations, congratulations..."


    Ji Ying: "..."


    Shen Yan: "..."


    The crowd: "..."


    Soon after, the crowd followed closely behind and swarmed up.


    Emperor Qian and others slightly frowned as they watched the throng approaching. They had long since noticed that Shen Yan and others had been spying in secret, but since they hadn''t shown themselves, Emperor Qian refrained from speaking out.


    After all.


    Today, they had annihilated Tianjian Sect.


    If these nine sects were to join forces against the royal family, it would be a great trouble.


    Unexpectedly...


    The Liaochen Taoist and his group actually took the initiative to come forward?


    By their looks, it seemed that they had come to show goodwill?


    Yun Haishan approached Xiao Yi, respectfully saying, "Xiao Zhenguo, there were some unpleasant matters between my Three Seas Mountain and you before, I hope you can be magnanimous and not hold them against us!"


    The Hall Master of True Martial Hall also said, "Xiao Zhenguo, please consider that we are all subjects of the Great Qian Dynasty, and kindly spare us..."


    "Xiao Zhenguo..."


    The crowd said in succession.


    Xiao Yi understood in his heart that these people, upon seeing his strength, were worried about following in Tianjian Sect''s footsteps and had come to show goodwill and ally themselves with the royal family. With this thought, Xiao Yi said indifferently, "The grievances between you and me are trivial matters, and I also know what you are thinking, but those are not within my control. Let''s see what His Majesty has to say!"


    "Hmm?"


    Emperor Qian was taken aback, then quickly realized that Xiao Yi was passing the favor on to him!


    With that thought.


    Emperor Qian looked at Xiao Yi with gratitude, then addressed the crowd, "Everyone, rest assured, let bygones be bygones! As long as everyone remembers that you are subjects of the Great Qian Dynasty, there will naturally be no trouble!"


    "Rest assured, Your Majesty!"


    "We shall follow Your Majesty''s lead!"


    The crowd declared one after another.


    Emperor Qian showed a smile, the days when the ten major sects stood in opposition to the royal family were finally passed!


    And all this...


    Was thanks to Xiao Yi''s merits!


    Emperor Qian looked at Xiao Yi, his eyes filled with deep gratitude...


    ......


    Above the firmament.


    A flying boat was shuttling through the skies at an extremely fast pace. The speed of the flying boat was faster than that of a Nirvana Realm powerhouse flying at full speed, and moreover, as long as it had enough energy to maintain its propulsion, it could always maintain its maximum speed without any fatigue.


    This was something humans could never match!


    At this moment...


    Inside the flying boat, Ye Beixuan and Xiao Zhengde both had deathly white complexions. Xiao Zhengde was even more woefully howling, "My leg, my leg is broken..."


    "Shut up!"


    Ye Beixuan cursed viciously, having just ingested a medicinal pill, mending his shattered gall. His complexion had recovered some Qi-Blood, and looking at Xiao Zhengde''s left leg that had been severed from the thigh, Ye Beixuan''s eyelids twitched faintly.


    Casually throwing out a Healing Pill, Ye Beixuan said sternly, "Stop the bleeding first!"


    Xiao Zhengde swallowed a pill, and the blood on his wound stopped, but the burning pain was still a torment to the core.


    With a ferocious face, Xiao Zhengde grit his teeth and said, "Young Master Ye, once we return to the Nantian Dynasty, please take me to see Tian''er immediately. I want Tian''er to avenge me, I want to see Xiao Yi torn to pieces..."


    "Don''t worry, even without you saying it, I know what to do!"


    Ye Beixuan nodded, his face revealing an hysterical ferocity, "Xiao Yi, I won''t rest until my hatred is avenged!"

 Chapter 588 - 587: Are you okay?

    The Far North.


    It is not the northern part of the Nantian Dynasty but lies far beyond the reach of the Nantian forces, at the very northern end of the world.


    A world blanketed in endless white snow.


    Here, there are only two cities, Daylight City and Night Light City!


    Each city houses a Pure Light Tower!


    Legend has it...


    In ancient times, these two cities were personally created by a fearsome being known as Feng Wuji Guang, whose divine skills were vast and who held supreme power over the ancients. After he constructed the two cities, he also forged two Pure Light Towers.


    And with supreme divine power, he crafted two Treasure Beads of the polar lights.


    Each was placed atop one of the Pure Light Towers.


    Since then.


    For twenty-four hours each day, the first half of the day, light would be emitted by the Pure Light Tower within Daylight City, illuminating the Far North.


    The second half of the day, light would burst forth from the Pure Light Tower of Night Light City, plunging the Far North into night.


    But as Feng Wuji Guang disappeared, and the ancient era''s Martial God Zhao Wuji fought the Qingtian Realm, shattering the entire Azure Heaven Continent, the once mighty Qingtian Realm crumbled and the Azure Heaven Continent evolved into the four major continents of east, south, west, north, as well as countless islands.


    And in that battle.


    The Treasure Bead of Daylight City vanished without a trace.


    Ever since then...


    The two cities shared one Treasure Bead, and for the three hundred and sixty-five days of the year, the first half was spent with Daylight City employing the Treasure Bead, thus the Far North experienced half a year of daylight. The second half of the year, Night Light City used the Treasure Bead, and the Far North was immersed in half a year of night.


    Jade Void Peak.


    It is located between Daylight City and Night Light City, and is said to be the place where Feng Wuji Guang attained enlightenment, the sacred ground of the entire Far North.


    The entire Jade Void Peak is shrouded in snow all year round.


    Only on the day when Daylight City and Night Light City exchange the Treasure Bead does the snowstorm here cease.


    And today...


    Is the day when the two cities exchange the Treasure Bead.


    Atop Jade Void Peak.


    The swirling snowflakes suddenly vanished, disappearing so abruptly as if they were halted on command.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    All of a sudden.


    A massive Flying Boat emerged slowly from the summit of Jade Void Peak. The grandeur of this Flying Boat was unparalleled, its entire body a pristine white, hovering as it sailed through the air, leaving a trail of feather-like snowflakes fluttering down in its wake.


    Atop the Flying Boat, a white flag billowed in the wind.


    On the huge deck of the Flying Boat, a woman in a white, holy gown of impeccable beauty like a figure from a painting, stepped lightly, walking along the deck.


    The wind and snow swirled around the Flying Boat but seemed unable to penetrate the vessel.


    She did not feel cold.


    Her gaze fixed on the horizon ahead, the girl leaned on the railing with both hands and murmured to herself, "How have you been? I''m back..."


    ...


    Imperial Dragon Mountain, Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    One month has passed since Xiao Yi killed Xu Changsheng and destroyed the Tianjian Sect.


    In this past month...


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute has already revived and is thriving, especially since Xiao Yi has laid out a new Spirit Gathering Array, turning the place back into a sacred ground for cultivation. A day of training here is equivalent to ten days in the outside world.


    As a result...


    Various major forces would send disciples every now and then to communicate and exchange knowledge.


    ```


    Frankly, they were just freeloading on our meals, drinks, and spiritual energy.


    The disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute despised them to no end. S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But now, with the Great Qian Dynasty unified, and everyone working together with a single heart, Xiaoshanhe Institute has even surpassed the Tianjian Sect to become the top sect. With the top ten sects and the royal family on the same side, Xiaoshanhe Institute couldn''t just send them away.


    And so.


    More and more people came seeking our fame.


    At this moment...


    Jin Feiyan was complaining to Xiao Yi, "Master, those guys are simply unbearable, coming here to mooch food was bad enough, but now they''re even bringing their entire families! Some people have even brought pregnant women over, saying it''s to bask in the spiritual energy of our Xiaoshanhe Institute for a healthy pregnancy..."


    "Especially those female disciples from Feixue Temple, now they come every two or three days to hover around the waterfall at the back mountain. How am I to cultivate?" Ye Heng also expressed his dissatisfaction.


    Ruan Yunyi said enviously, "Brother, the next time you cultivate, can you call upon me to join you?"


    It''s because of my Body of Misfortune.


    The female disciples of Feixue Temple dared not get too close to him, so he was very envious of the treatment Ye Heng received.


    Ye Heng: "..."


    Jin Feiyan: "..."


    Xiao Yi helplessly massaged his forehead. Ever since he had slain Xu Changsheng and Emperor Qian had wiped out the Tianjian Sect, the other nine major sects had all submitted. As a result, Xiaoshanhe Institute was declared the top sect, leading to the current situation.


    Especially since Ye Heng himself possessed a combat body and was Xiao Yi''s number one direct disciple.


    Feixue Temple, known for strengthening itself through marriage alliances with powerful individuals, naturally wouldn''t let such a golden catch slip through their fingers!


    However...


    This couldn''t go on indefinitely.


    After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "Alright then, Ye Heng, have Shadow Demon pick five hundred disciples, and follow me to Beast Emperor Sea. It just so happens that a few days ago, I discussed with Lord Huang and the Beast Emperor City has already planned a cultivation journey for you all!"


    "Go to Beast Emperor City?"


    "That''s fantastic, we won''t have to deal with those women pointing fingers at us anymore..."


    Both Jin Feiyan and Ye Heng and the others were visibly excited.


    Watching them leave, Xiao Yi chuckled and shook his head, pulling out a long whip from his bosom��the Primal Soldier Purple Dragon Whip, which once belonged to Fang Qingzhu. As his gaze drifted towards the vast sky, a trace of wistfulness appeared in Xiao Yi''s eyes, "Qingzhu, how are you doing?"


    Just then...


    A voice came from outside the door: "Xiao Zhenguo, Yang Ling seeks an audience!"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi showed a hint of resignation and said with a wry smile, "Do we really need to stand on such ceremony? Come on in!"


    "Heh heh!"


    Yang Ling pushed the door open and entered with a beaming smile, making a face and saying, "Even my father has to address you as Xiao Zhenguo when he sees you. If I were to address you casually and someone overheard and reported back to my father, wouldn''t it be said that I lack respect?"


    "Cut the crap!"


    Xiao Yi shot Yang Ling a glance and said indifferently, "The Emperor is now secluded with the ancients in the forbidden land, striving for the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm. As the Crown Prince, you are monitoring the nation. Instead of reviewing government documents in the palace, you come to me��news from the Nantian Dynasty must have come, right?"


    Yang Ling''s smile slowly faded as he nodded and said, "Indeed, news has come from the Nantian Dynasty. Ye Beixuan''s father, the Deputy Director of the Supervisory Office, Ye Xiaofeng, was leading troops here. But Xiao Zhengde insisted on waiting for Xiao Tianjiao to finish his seclusion. Our people sent back word that Xiao Tianjiao will be out in half a month..."


    "The fastest flying boat from the Nantian Dynasty to here takes ten to fifteen days. Xiao Tianjiao will be out in half a month, meaning they will arrive at the soonest in one month, right?" Xiao Yi said solemnly.


    Yang Ling nodded and responded, "Yes, we only have one month left. Before my father secluded himself, he told me to discuss everything with you and follow your advice. What do you think I should do?"


    One month later.


    The Supervisory Office of the Nantian Dynasty will come in full force, and Xiao Tianjiao may also come.


    Such an imposing arrival!


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long sigh and spoke firmly, "Keep everything as usual; there''s no need to cause a big panic. Leave the rest to me! One month should be enough..."


    ```

 Chapter 589 - 588: Arena of Hope

    The next day, early in the morning.


    Xiao Yi and his group arrived at the port.


    This time they boarded a battleship prepared by the royal family, which could accommodate fifty thousand people.


    On the battleship, besides the twenty thousand escort warriors prepared by Yang Ling and people like Xiao Yi, there were also many merchants.


    Previously, the Beast Emperor City was sealed off by the Huihai Sword Master for half a year, but ever since the Tianjian Sect fell, the sealing order naturally dissipated. Huang Baitao contacted Xiao Yi as soon as possible to arrange for the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute to undergo training in the Beast Emperor City.


    Because of Xiao Yi, the connection between the Great Qian Dynasty and the Beast Emperor City became more frequent.


    Just a few days ago, they had just signed a new commercial contract.


    Behind the battleship alone, there were as many as a hundred merchant ships following.


    They set off toward the Beast Emperor City in an impressive fleet.


    Along the way...


    They also encountered some pirates.


    When the pirates saw the leading giant battleship, these sneaky, unscrupulous pirates fled promptly, only to become whetstones for Xiao Yi to train the Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples on.


    Ye Heng and others, leading the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, gave the pirates they encountered along the way a thorough cleansing.


    So much so that all along the way...


    The pirates who were questioned quickly packed up and fled in disarray, heading deeper into the sea.


    Fearing they would be wiped out by the people from the Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    In the latter part of the journey, everyone hardly encountered any pirates, much to the complaint of Ye Heng and others, who found it boring.


    Fortunately, with the leadership of the battleship, their voyage this time was incredibly smooth.


    Two days later, they arrived at the Beast Emperor City.


    Huang Baitao had already received the news and opened the city gates wide. All the powerhouses and citizens of the Beast Emperor City were lined up at the port to welcome them. After all, once the Beast Emperor City reached a trade alliance with the Great Qian Dynasty...


    Their exchanges became more frequent, and business was booming.


    This made the citizens of the Beast Emperor City more prosperous.


    After all...


    The fish commonly seen by these citizens and the various seafood from the Beast Emperor Sea are rare delicacies for the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The ordinary people of the Beast Emperor City could participate in the trade. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Reaping huge benefits.


    They harbored even greater support for Huang Baitao, and as for Xiao Yi, the Vice City Lord who changed everything, he also became the object of their gratitude. Consequently, when Xiao Yi disembarked from the battleship, he heard the tumultuous shouts and calls as if mountains were crumbling and seas were roaring: "Long live Lord Xiao! Long live! Long live forever!"


    "Lord Xiao Yi, I want to marry you..."


    "Pah! You ugly freak... Lord Xiao Yi, this old man has eighteen daughters, you can choose whichever you want..."


    The cries of the people were earth-shattering, resounding across the entire port.


    Ye Heng and the others exchanged looks: "Does our master really have such high popularity in Beast Emperor City?"


    "See that old man pushing a cart? He actually has eighteen daughters? And he''s offering them all to the Institute Head?"


    "My wife was a result of eighty-nine failed matchmaking attempts before I found her, and yet here are people offering their daughters to the Institute Head, ugh, comparisons can really kill a person..."


    The disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute were full of emotions.


    Xiao Yi also felt somewhat overwhelmed as he walked over under the teasing gaze of Huang Baitao and helplessly said, "City Lord, why make such a big fuss?"


    "Hahaha, I didn''t arrange this. I just posted a notice saying you were coming today, and they all came on their own!"


    Huang Baitao laughed heartily, showing no displeasure at Xiao Yi stealing his limelight, "Xiao Yi, you have no idea how hard these past few months have been for us! That bastard Huihai Sword Master directly sealed the city, causing my brothers and the citizens to be cooped up at home, almost sick from the confinement..."


    The people of the Beast Emperor City naturally love freedom.


    So when they were suddenly subjected to a city seal...


    Don''t take half a step.


    This is simply more unbearable than killing them.


    Yet, Xiao Yi eradicated the Tianjian Sect, enabling the lockdown to end ahead of schedule, and even broadened the commercial trade cooperation between Beast Emperor City and the Great Qian Dynasty, earning both the commoners and many powerful figures a fortune.


    Naturally...


    They then venerated Xiao Yi!


    Xiao Yi nodded, his voice grave, "Lord, you handle the commercial trade cooperation; I won''t intervene. How about the things I asked you to prepare?"


    "Don''t worry, I''ll have Yuwei take care of the commercial trade cooperation!"


    Pausing for a moment, Huang Baitao glanced at the disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute behind Xiao Yi, looking around with curiosity��in complete ignorance of what they were about to face��and said, "Are you sure you want to send these students of yours to that place? Aren''t you afraid some might fall there?"


    "Great trees can never grow in a greenhouse; they will never mature under my wing!" Xiao Yi said with deep conviction.


    Huang Baitao shrugged his shoulders, "If that''s the case, then follow me!"


    Xiao Yi looked back at Ye Heng, "Ye Heng, lead the people and follow me!"


    "Yes, Master!"


    Ye Heng answered, then yelled at the top of his lungs, "All units, march at a run!"


    Clang, clang, clang, clang!


    Their steps were unified and the formation orderly.


    These five hundred people looked no different from soldiers marching out of the army.


    This sight made Huang Baitao nod to himself in approval, "The discipline of the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s disciples surpasses by far that of the ones from the Tianjian Sect and Ten Thousand Beasts Sect I''ve seen before. No wonder your Xiaoshanhe Institute has been able to develop so rapidly..."


    Xiao Yi led everyone straight to the slave market.


    However...


    Beast Emperor City no longer sold slaves; the entire slave market had been converted into the Hope Combat Arena!


    This name did elicit a harsh critique from Xiao Yi.


    Inside, every moment was filled with death and despair, yet Huang Baitao had named it the Hope Combat Arena. However, according to Huang Baitao, anyone could earn high rewards and freedom if they won ten successive battles in the arena.


    Of course.


    Winning ten battles was just the beginning, with further objectives like fifty or a hundred consecutive victories...


    The more successive wins, the higher the reward.


    These rewards were enough to tempt any powerful martial artist.


    If one had to rely on their own efforts to accumulate resources, even just aiming for the lowest reward of ten consecutive victories would take a Golden Core Realm martial artist a decade to gather.


    But here, just ten successive victories were needed to obtain it.


    For those martial artists without support or background, this place represented a beacon of hope!


    "Hope Combat Arena?"


    "There''s such a place? Is the head of the institute taking us to watch the fights?"


    The crowd was puzzled.


    Huang Baitao cast a sympathetic gaze upon them, thinking, poor children, you have no idea what you''re about to face, and then cleared his throat before saying, "The Hope Combat Arena is one of the most famous places in Beast Emperor City. Go in and watch some fights first!"


    "Thank you, Lord Huang!"


    "I''ve never seen this kind of competition before!"


    Full of curiosity, everyone entered the Hope Combat Arena.


    Xiao Yi watched their excited faces, pondering, "Hopefully, you will still be able to smile after this."


    PS: Six updates delivered, Xiao Tian continues to write!

 Chapter 590 - 589: Metamorphosis

    Within the duel arena.


    A sea of people. sea??h th�� N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All this was personally arranged by Huang Baitao, the spectators were regulars who watched battles at the Hope Duel Arena year-round. Huang Baitao had specially gathered them here to teach the people from Xiaoshanhe Institute a lesson.


    At this moment...


    The inside of the duel arena was incredibly noisy.


    A new fight was about to begin down below.


    The host stood atop the platform of the Hope Duel Arena and announced to everyone in a loud voice, "The two participants battling today are Liang Qing from the North District and Liang Yi from the South District. These two are brothers, each having secured nine consecutive victories. If they win one more match, they will receive the reward for ten consecutive victories!"


    Roar!


    Waves of astonished shouts came from the audience, "Brothers? Hahaha, it has been a long time since we''ve seen brothers on the duel arena!"


    "Interesting, today''s battle is interesting..."


    "I bet on Liang Qing!"


    "I think Liang Yi will win..."


    The sudden clamor caught everyone from Xiaoshanhe Institute off guard.


    Ruan Yunyi murmured, "It seems this is a place just like the Combat Pavilion!"


    "Mm, indeed it''s similar to the Combat Pavilion!"


    Ye Heng nodded. They were seated in the first row, just a step away from the arena. He subconsciously turned to look at Xiao Yi standing behind him and frowned slightly, "Master has just arrived in Beast Emperor City and brought us here; could he be intending for us to fight here and gain experience?"


    Jin Feiyan, upon hearing his speculation, laughed and said, "Senior brother, you''re not being silly, are you? If it were for us to gain experience, why bother coming here? We could just do that directly at the Combat Pavilion, couldn''t we?"


    But the next moment...


    Jin Feiyan found it difficult to maintain her smile as she heard the referee declare loudly, "Everyone is clear about the rules of my Hope Duel Arena: those who enter the stage can leave alive only by achieving victory. There is no surrender, no conceding, no draws!"


    Hum!


    Jin Feiyan and Ye Heng exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other''s eyes.


    No draws, no conceding.


    The only way to survive was to emerge victorious!


    Gulp!


    Jin Feiyan''s face stiffened, "Tea... teacher brother, surely master wouldn''t be so cruel, right?"


    Whoosh!


    Ye Heng took a long breath and shook his head silently.


    At the same time...


    The host on the platform had finished the introduction, then leapt up and landed at the referee''s seat. Simultaneously, the iron gates on opposing sides of the arena swung open with a bang.


    Two figures emerged from within the gates.


    Liang Qing stepped out from the north, the younger brother, and Liang Yi came out from the south, the elder brother.


    The two bore a striking resemblance to each other.


    Both stood atop the arena, their eyes locking; Liang Qing said, "Big brother, you know why I''m here. Once I win ten straight battles, I''ll get the reward. Then, I can bring Xiaoqian home, you must let me have this!"


    Liang Yi''s face was devoid of expression, his voice hoarse as he replied, "Second brother, how can you be so selfish? You want to marry Xiaoqian and bring her home, but I need the rewards to treat your sister-in-law''s illness. Without these rewards, she will die..."


    "If she dies, she dies; what does that have to do with me? You''ve been married for so many years without giving our Liang Family an heir, it was already the greatest stupidity for you to come to the Hope Duel Arena for such a woman."


    Liang Qing, his eyes red with rage, shouted, "But I''m different; as soon as Xiaoqian and I are together, we will soon have a baby, and our Liang Family''s lineage won''t end. Big brother, don''t you wish to face our parents after death with dignity?"


    Hearing Liang Qing insult his wife so, Liang Yi''s eyes, red with blood, revealed a fierce light as he roared, "Since you are so heartless, from now on our brotherly bond is severed. Let fate decide our lives and deaths!"


    ```


    "Scared you won''t make it?"


    Liang Qing roared angrily.


    The cultivation levels of the two were not high, just at the peak of the Shentong Realm.


    In the eyes of people like Ye Heng, they were nothing more than issues that could be resolved with a simple slap.


    Similarly...


    Those problems they were facing, to Ye Heng and the others, seemed like trivial matters that could be easily solved.


    But...


    For these minor concerns, which seemed trivial to Ye Heng and his companions, could it be that the brothers were actually turning on each other?


    "Why won''t Liang Qing help his brother to cure his sister-in-law?"


    "You''re wrong to say that. Why doesn''t his brother help Liang Qing find a wife first?"


    "I think you''re all wrong..."


    Ye Heng found that the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute had started arguing about it.


    Listening to their discussion, Ye Heng also tried to find a reason in his heart to convince himself, but he always felt like there was a layer of paper that couldn''t be pierced, preventing him from finding that critical link.


    At that moment...


    The fight on the stage had become intensely fierce.


    The brothers had grown up together since they were young and were very familiar with each other''s strengths and moves.


    At once.


    They ended up covered in wounds, the younger brother''s left hand was chopped off, and the older brother was stabbed in the abdomen three times, his intestines hanging out. These blood brothers, like sworn enemies in a life-and-death struggle, were desperately fighting, each trying to put the other to death.


    Liang Yi suddenly grabbed Liang Qing, using his exposed intestines to tightly strangle Liang Qing''s neck. His eyes were a furious red, and with tears streaming down his face, he roared, "I''m sorry, I''m sorry, little brother, I''m sorry... Your sister-in-law is my only hope to keep living, I can''t let her die, I''m sorry..."


    Liang Qing''s face was pale, frantically slapping Liang Yi, trying to make his brother go easy on him, just like when they were playing games as children.


    But all he got was despair.


    Watching the brothers self-destruct, Ye Heng and his group fell silent, while the seasoned spectators in the stands were thrilled: "Strangle him, Liang Yi, harder, strangle him!"


    "We''re about to win! Hahaha..."


    "Useless, Liang Qing you waste, how much money have I spent on you..."


    Life is full of all sorts, and all sorts of people are in life.


    At that moment...


    Every disciple of the Shanhe Court fell silent.


    Suddenly, they realized that people could be so indifferent; they realized that, for hope, brothers could turn on each other. They realized that despair truly renders one helpless; even if it''s your own brother standing behind you, that intestine can plunge you into despair and darkness.


    At that moment.


    Some achieved enlightenment, some contemplated deeply.


    Even though the cultivation levels of the warriors in this battle were just at the Shentong Realm, even though the progress of the fight had nothing for them to learn from, Ye Heng and the others still had an epiphany. Their mental states underwent a dramatic transformation.


    Standing behind the crowd, Huang Baitao nodded slightly, smiling as he turned to Xiao Yi: "These little fellows are quite good!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, smiling as he said, "Being able to comprehend so quickly has indeed exceeded my expectations. Now, I can finally leave them in your care with peace of mind. Take good care of them for me!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Huang Baitao nodded, his expression slightly solemn, "Are you really going to that place?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, his gaze deep yet resolute: "That place... is where my hope lies as well! I don''t have much time left, just one month..."


    ```

 Chapter 591 - 590: Riotous Sea Area

    At the harbor.


    Standing in front of Xiao Yi were Huang Baitao and Huang Yuwei.


    He had left Ye Heng and the others at the Hope Fighting Arena and would hand them over to Huang Baitao to manage, arranging opponents for them. Each person had to achieve a hundred victories in order to be considered to have completed their training.


    As for himself...


    He had his own objective for this trip.


    A month''s time until the arrival of the inspectors from the supervisory office.


    The fact that Ye Xiaofeng could take the position of deputy director of the supervisory office meant he was a genuine master from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Beyond that.


    Xiao Tianjiao was also very likely to come along with Ye Xiaofeng, and if Xiao Yi had to face Xiao Tianjiao and Ye Xiaofeng with his current strength, it would be certain death with no chance of survival. He had to push his strength to the limit within the coming month.


    But he was already at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, and the next step was to embark on the path of Nirvana.


    If he were to cultivate in the usual manner.


    Let alone a month...


    It might take at least a year or two to step into the Nirvana Realm.


    That was exactly why.


    Xiao Yi planned to come to the Beast Emperor Sea to go to the deepest part of the Beast Emperor Sea, an area known as the Devil''s Forbidden Area, the Turbulent Sea. It was a lawless zone, a sacred place filled with both constant danger and opportunities at every turn.


    In the Turbulent Sea, there were those too vicious to survive in the Nantian Dynasty, as well as powerful figures from other major regions.


    Only in such a place could one compress their potential and fully unleash it.


    Of course.


    The reason Xiao Yi chose the Turbulent Sea, besides the reasons mentioned above, was because of Little Lin!


    Little Lin had recently broken through to the seventh rank of Beast King.


    In his inherited memories, a map had surfaced.


    According to Little Lin''s memory, this was the location of an Ancient Era sect''s ruins, and the site marked on the map was precisely the Turbulent Sea.


    "Brother Xiao Yi, you really don''t have to go to the Turbulent Sea; it''s too dangerous there��" Huang Yuwei said anxiously.


    Why could Huang Baitao, with his strength at the seventh level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, occupy Beast Emperor City without being wiped out by the ten major sects and the various dynasties?


    Wasn''t it because he had the Turbulent Sea as his backing?


    Not to mention the Great Qian Dynasty, even the Nantian Dynasty didn''t wish to offend the Turbulent Sea lightly.


    Huang Baitao said gravely, "Xiao Yi, you should think it over! The news of you killing Sha Kun has already reached the Sha Family in the Turbulent Sea. If they find out you''re entering the Turbulent Sea, you''ll definitely face the Sha Family''s pursuit, and you..."


    Huang Yuwei''s face showed worry as she added, "The Sha Family''s influence in the Turbulent Sea is no weaker than that of our Huang Family, especially in the last two years since they''ve had the genius Sha Shuowei, who even compares himself to Xiao Tianjiao..."


    "Compares himself to Xiao Tianjiao?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and said, "I didn''t expect Xiao Tianjiao''s name to have spread to the Turbulent Sea."


    Huang Baitao nodded his head, "Although I don''t like Xiao Tianjiao much, I have to admire his talent. He has created numerous myths and records, and to date, few have been broken!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "His so-called myths and records are not so miraculous. It''s getting late; I should be on my way!"


    "Wait!"


    Huang Baitao called out to Xiao Yi, taking out a token with the character ''Huang'' on it, "If you encounter problems in the Turbulent Sea that you can''t solve, you can take this token to the Huang Family. They will lend you a helping hand for my sake!"


    "I appreciate it very much!"


    Xiao Yi accepted the token, cupped his hands towards the two, and said, "Lord Mayor, Yuwei, please take care of my disciples. I''m off now!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi soared into the sky alone, disappearing over the vast Azure Sea.


    Huang Yuwei stared blankly in the direction he had left, silent for a long time.


    Huang Baitao sighed softly, fully aware of his daughter''s feelings, yet he could tell that it was a case of unrequited love. He consoled her, "Don''t worry, I believe he will be fine!"


    "Yes!"


    Huang Yuwei nodded, but the worry on her face did not diminish in the slightest.


    ...


    Even though he had set out from Beast Emperor City, Xiao Yi sped along at full speed.


    By the time he reached the turbulent sea region, it was already the morning of the second day.


    His speed was a hundred times faster than that of a warship, yet it still took him the entire night, which goes to show just how far away this treacherous sea was from Beast Emperor City. Considering Xiao Yi''s current speed, traveling a hundred thousand miles in a day was no difficult feat for him.


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    Just as he arrived at the edge of the turbulent sea region, the sea surface ahead was covered by an immeasurable layer of thick black clouds.


    Amidst these clouds, lightning raged, with bolts as thick as water barrels falling from the black clouds and smashing into the sea. Amidst booming sounds, the sea water was blasted upwards, forming thousands of feet high spouts and a hundred feet high waves.


    The entire sea was as chaotic as its name suggested, taken to an extreme.


    "Whoosh!"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and patted his chest.


    Little Lin poked its head out, "Boss, have we arrived at the turbulent sea region?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said in a deep voice, "Little Lin, are you sure that the map from your inheritance memory shows the turbulent sea region?"


    "Yes!"


    Little Lin spoke earnestly, "The map displays that an ancient sect called Star Pavilion from the Ancient Era is located right within the turbulent sea region, on a place known as Greenfish Island. During the Ancient Era, the Star Pavilion was also a powerful force that dominated its own territory!"


    "Greenfish Island, is it? It seems that once we enter the turbulent sea region, we''ll need to find an inhabited island first to inquire about the location of Greenfish Island..." Xiao Yi muttered to himself, and with a flap of his Wind Thunder Wings, he rushed into the turbulent sea.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Bolt after bolt of lightning crazily struck towards him.


    But for Xiao Yi, who had undergone the sixth transformation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, these lightning bolts were as trivial as tickling, not worth mentioning.


    After crossing a lightning storm region of a good eight hundred miles, the scene before Xiao Yi suddenly cleared up.


    The sea ahead was relatively calm.


    The sky was clear and bright, and the blue expanse above stretched for miles. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Boss, Greenfish Island is in the west of the turbulent sea region!" Little Lin said.


    Xiao Yi responded affirmatively, and after discerning the direction, he headed west.


    Half a day later.


    Xiao Yi had flown thousands of kilometers, and a fleet of ships appeared on the sea surface ahead of him. Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, "I didn''t expect to encounter a fleet here. Let''s go and scout the way first!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi retracted his Wind Thunder Wings and flew towards the fleet.


    His approach also attracted the attention of the strong figures on the ships, and amid the wailing of horns, countless strong figures rushed out of the cabins, vigilantly watching Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi stood in mid-air, not boarding any ship, and said, "Don''t misunderstand, gentlemen. I just want to ask, how do I get to Greenfish Island?"


    "Greenfish Island?"


    A muffled voice suddenly came through, and a burly figure emerged from the cabin, "What are you going to Greenfish Island for?"


    Looking at the figure, Xiao Yi was slightly surprised and said, "I didn''t expect to encounter you here?"

 Chapter 592 - 591 Gallbladder Snakeheart Grass

    Xiao Yi looked at the towering figure before him in astonishment, "I never expected to meet you here?"


    The towering figure was startled. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The robust man pointed at himself, his thick eyebrows and large eyes widening with both curiosity and confusion, "You know me?"


    Xiao Yi nodded with a bright smile, "To be precise, I have seen you, but you have not seen me." He paused, then continued, "Do you remember, on one day last year, you were practicing your knife skills in the middle of the Beast Emperor Sea..."


    "Beast Emperor Sea? Practicing with a knife?"


    The towering figure froze, furrowing his brows slightly, his expression filled with some puzzlement.


    He did recall that he had spent some time in the Beast Emperor Sea last year and had gained some insights after a skirmish with a pirate, which led him to hone his knife skills on the surface of the sea.


    But he did not remember seeing Xiao Yi at that time.


    Xiao Yi continued, "That day, while you were practicing, you deeply moved me, allowing my Martial Tao Realm to advance significantly. At that time, I thought you were from the Beast Emperor City, so I wanted to find you and thank you in person, but I never saw you again..."


    This man was the mysterious strong knife-wielder Xiao Yi had seen on his first journey to Beast Emperor City on the way there.


    At that time, the man was holding a war knife, standing between the void of heaven and earth.


    With his feet on the vast sea and the boundless void above his head,


    Wind and thunder interlaced, and thunder roared.


    He stood alone with his knife, like a War God battling the heavens.


    His knife cleaved through the lightning, his feet stepping on the Azure Sea.


    What a spirited and bold sight!


    It was also while observing his practice that Xiao Yi gained insights, elevating his Sword Intent, allowing him to wreak havoc in Beast Emperor City.


    However, Xiao Yi had never been able to find any news of him.


    To think that upon arriving in the chaotic seas, he would encounter him, Xiao Yi bore a radiant smile, stepped back, and cupped his hands, "Xiao Yi of the Great Qian Dynasty has met your excellency. It''s a fateful day to meet again, and I would like to present a meeting gift to express my gratitude for the guidance you provided that day!"


    As he spoke,


    He took out a brocade box.


    "..."


    The burly man raised his eyebrows, chuckling with a muffled voice, "You are an interesting fellow. I was not aware of you on that day when I practiced with my knife. Moreover, many could see me practicing on the sea. But it was only you who gained insight, which is due to your own fortune and talent, nothing to do with me. There''s no need for any thank-you gift!"


    "Yeah, our boss doesn''t care about that little thing of yours!"


    "You should take it back!"


    The people around them also let down their guard and spoke up one after another.


    Xiao Yi uttered a sound of frustration, helplessly saying, "Please accept this gift, your excellency. It should be as important as life itself to you!"


    "As important as life?"


    "What item is so precious?"


    "A seventh-grade elemental weapon?"


    "Or a seventh-grade elixir?"


    The warriors on the ship all showed mocking smiles as they spoke.


    The burly man frowned, but seeing that Xiao Yi was just steadily watching him, he finally said, "Fine, I want to see what this thing is that is equivalent to my own life!"


    Click!


    The burly man immediately took the brocade box, and before anyone could get a clear look, he snapped it shut.


    "Boss, what exactly is inside this?"


    "Let us have a look..." the people around him clamored.


    "Shut up!"


    The burly man glared fiercely at the crowd, took a deep breath, and fixed his gaze on Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, right? I''ll accept this gift, and you don''t need to dwell on what happened before. From now on, you are a brother to me, Yue Shanchuan. Just say the word, and I won''t hesitate to go through fire and water for you!"


    "Then I owe you one, Brother Yue!" Xiao Yi said with a smile, then continued, "Brother Yue, you should go use my gift now! There''s no time to delay!"


    "Right, right, right..."


    Yue Shanchuan nodded repeatedly, then turned to a one-eyed man in the crowd, "Du Long, take good care of my brother Xiao while I''m away. I''ll be right back!"


    "Don''t worry, Boss!"


    With a beaming smile, Du Long responded, and only after Yue Shanchuan had left did he drop the smile from his face, sizing up Xiao Yi with his single eye, "Xiao Yi, right? You''re from the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, his expression a mix of a smile and a non-smile, "What advice do you have?"


    Licking his lips with a blood-red tongue, Du Long sinisterly said, "I''ve heard that the Great Qian Dynasty is very wealthy, and with your abilities, your status there must not be low, right? You''ve given our boss such a valuable gift without even letting us take a look. Don''t you think our hands feel a little empty?"


    "Haven''t you prepared some gifts for us?"


    "Prepared what? With so much wealth and generosity, surely you''d hand over your storage ring and let us choose for ourselves!"


    "Brothers, shouldn''t we thank Lord Xiao for his magnanimity in giving us gifts?"


    "Thank you, Lord Xiao, for the gifts��"


    The crowd shouted in unison.


    They were a group of pirates who had come across Yue Shanchuan by chance; their former leader had been slain by Yue Shanchuan with a single stroke. Under the leadership of their second-in-command, Du Long, they had since pledged allegiance to Yue Shanchuan.


    However...


    Yue Shanchuan was not at all willing to engage in looting and plundering, and instead was a warrior fanatic, leading them to challenge island after island.


    Du Long and his men only pretended to submit.


    Furthermore, they were accustomed to unrestrained behavior with no bindings.


    How could they endure under Yue Shanchuan''s constraints? Hence, from a month ago, they had begun poisoning Yue Shanchuan in secret, expecting the poison to take effect within a few days, but Xiao Yi had unexpectedly appeared.


    This forced them to be on guard, fearing that Xiao Yi would disrupt their plans.


    In addition,


    they were aware that Yue Shanchuan''s time was running out, so they no longer felt as constrained. Not wanting to miss the chance with Xiao Yi, who came from the wealthy Great Qian Dynasty, how could they let this fat sheep slip away?


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes at Du Long and the others, grinning, "Aren''t you curious what gift I gave to Brother Yue?"


    "Heh, what''s there to be curious about? Since you so casually gave it away, you must have even more valuable things on you. Kid, stop the nonsense. If you hand over the storage ring willingly, we might spare your life out of respect for the boss; otherwise..." Du Long sneered, producing a silver hook in his hand that lightly caught the railing, scraping it and producing a grating sound.


    The others looked fierce, rubbing their hands together in anticipation.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "What I gave him wasn''t some treasure, but simply an antidote for the Gallbladder Snakeheart Grass poison. Why? Have you been poisoned too?"


    Gallbladder Snakeheart Grass?


    Faces of Du Long and the others changed, looking incredulously at Xiao Yi, "You, you, how could you know about Gallbladder Snakeheart Grass?"


    "Not good, it must be that our secret''s been discovered!"


    "This damned curse must be help that Yue Shanchuan brought in!"


    "Brothers, attack, kill him..."


    With a ferocious snarl on his face, Du Long roared, and thousands of pirates from several boats swarmed together. Like piranhas smelling blood, they moved towards Xiao Yi in an aggressive throng...

 Chapter 593 - 592: The Billion Dollar Bounty

    ```


    "Brothers, kill him for me!"


    "This kid is just at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, as long as we kill him, then take the opportunity to eliminate Yue Shanchuan before he detoxifies, we can regain our freedom!"


    It must be said that Du Long, the former second-in-command, still has quite the means.


    In this period...


    Indeed, there were also some people who grew fond of following Yue Shanchuan to challenge the strong ones on various islands, leaving behind the peaceful life of looting and home raiding, but these people often mysteriously disappeared, or were bizarrely killed in conflict with the island residents in the next island.


    It was all Du Long manipulating behind the scenes.


    Right now, these people are all determined to follow him, becoming pirates who are extremely fierce and vicious.


    Xiao Yi sighed lightly, "As expected of the Chaotic Seas, there''s no reasoning here at all��it''s all about killing at the slightest disagreement! But..." Xiao Yi''s blood-red tongue licked his lips, revealing a barely noticeable cold smirk, "I like it!"


    Boom!


    Sword light burst forth from his body.


    The battle with Xu Changsheng made him realize that beyond the fifth stage, Sword Intent had an even higher realm.


    He had been searching for that realm.


    During this time...


    Xiao Yi had also touched upon a vague threshold; to truly step into this realm, he needed to fight, fight continually!


    Punch a hundred times and its meaning will reveal itself. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Slaughter thousands with a sword, and Sword Intent will form on its own!


    The sword is the supreme among weapons.


    It is the weapon of slaughter.


    To reach the peak in the path of the sword, there is only one word��kill!


    Swish, swish, swish!


    The sword light was incredibly dazzling, like a peacock spreading its feathers, with countless sword lights sweeping across. One after another, strong men were beheaded or sliced in half, lying in pools of their own blood.


    His current combat strength, even against an ordinary Nine Nirvanas Rebirth Realm powerhouse, was nothing to take seriously.


    The strongest among these pirates was only Du Long of the Third Nirvana Realm; how could he be a match?


    Just moments later...


    The deck was drenched in fresh blood, leaving only Du Long facing Xiao Yi in utter despair, "No, no, no... Don''t kill me, Lord Xiao, I beg you to spare my life..."


    "Begging for mercy now is too late!"


    Xiao Yi flicked his finger, and a sword light pierced through Du Long''s head.


    Six ships, nearly two thousand men, all killed.


    Not one left alive.


    Xiao Yi felt he was one step closer to that threshold. He cleared a spot on the deck to sit cross-legged, silently reciting, "If the heart is as Ice Heart, it will not be perturbed even if the sky falls..."


    The Ice Heart Skill circulated thirty-six heavenly cycles, calming the killing intent in his heart.


    This was something Xiao Yi had to do after every killing.


    He didn''t want to become a heartless killer who only knew slaughter.


    That was his bottom line...


    Never to kill the innocent!


    Creak!


    The cabin door opened slowly, and at the same time Xiao Yi opened his eyes, only to see Yue Shanchuan walking out from the cabin.


    He glanced at the bodies scattered all around, his eyebrows slightly raised, but he didn''t say much, bowing to Xiao Yi, "Xiao, thank you for your help. If it hadn''t been for you, I probably wouldn''t have known how I died..."


    Gallbladder Snakeheart Grass is colorless and tasteless, and it must be administered continuously for forty-nine days to bring a person to the brink of death.


    The poisoned person only realizes they''ve been poisoned at the moment of death.


    ```


    Had it not been for the brocade box Xiao Yi gave him, containing an antidote and a note, he would have had no idea that he had been poisoned.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Yue, you''re being too polite. You helped me increase my Sword Intent Realm, and I helped you remove the poison from your body. We''re even now. No need to keep thanking each other in the future..."


    "Hahaha, you''re right!"


    Yue Shanchuan nodded in agreement, finding Xiao Yi quite to his liking, and then forcefully kicked the corpse of Du Long that lay beside them.


    Into the sea it went.


    At this moment...


    The scent of blood had already attracted many Sea Beasts, yet they hadn''t attacked due to the formidable presence of Xiao Yi and his companion. Now, as the bodies of Du Long and the others fell into the sea, it was like feeding time in a pond full of fish.


    The beasts swarmed up, devouring the corpses of Du Long and the others.


    Yue Shanchuan said, "Xiao, this ship stinks. Let''s change to a cleaner one."


    The two immediately switched to a clean vessel.


    While navigating the new ship, Yue Shanchuan asked, "Xiao, what brings you to the Chaotic Sea Zone?"


    "I want to go to Greenfish Island, but I don''t know the way!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, showing a hint of helplessness.


    Yue Shanchuan whooped and said, "So you''re headed to Greenfish Island. That island is certainly not close! Moreover, that place is located at the border of the territories of Three Blade Mountain and Luan Yue Valley, two of the four major Pirate groups of the Chaotic Sea Zone. If you enter rashly and get caught by them, at best you''ll be sent to mine, and at worst, it''s a one-way ticket to death!"


    "The four major Pirate groups?"


    Xiao Yi was surprised.


    His knowledge of the Chaotic Sea Zone was limited.


    "The four major Pirate groups are the Shark Pirate Group under the command of the Sha Family, the Bai Fa Pirate Group led by the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, and the recently encountered Luan Yue Valley and Three Blade Mountain. Among them, the Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s Bai Fa Pirate Group is the most powerful. However, with the Sha Family backing the Shark Pirate Group, even the Bai Fa Sword Emperor does not wish to provoke them..."


    When mentioning the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Yue Shanchuan''s face showed a hint of fervor, "But the most troublesome are Three Blade Mountain and Luan Yue Valley; unlike the Sha Family or Bai Fa, who still select their targets, these two attack indiscriminately, even robbing lone children..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Isn''t that too shameless?


    To think that the Pirate groups, one of the four major powers in the Chaotic Sea Zone, would even stoop to robbing children?


    Yue Shanchuan sighed, and then added, "Out of all these people, the one I admire the most is the Bai Fa Sword Emperor. Like me, he is a solitary figure, constantly challenging strong individuals on various islands. Along the way, he encountered those who were oppressed and took them under his wing one by one, eventually forming the powerful Bai Fa Pirate Group. He''s even ranked third on the most wanted list of the Chaotic Sea Zone, with a bounty of fifty-six billion Maritime Crystals!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but take a sharp breath.


    He had heard of Maritime Crystals and the bounty list of the Chaotic Sea Zone.


    This currency used throughout the Chaotic Sea Zone was backed by the four major clans - Sha, Huang, Li, Hai - ensuring its value.


    The worth of a single Maritime Crystal was roughly equivalent to a thousand taels of Silver.


    Meaning...


    This Bai Fa Sword Emperor, his bounty was a whopping fifty-six trillion taels of Silver!


    Curious, Xiao Yi asked, "Then who are the second and first on the bounty list? And how much are their bounties worth?"


    He was very curious.


    If someone as revered by Yue Shanchuan as the Sword Emperor was only ranked third, who then occupied the first and second places?


    Yue Shanchuan chuckled and said, "The second on the bounty list is not a person, but a place called Star Pavilion, the ruins of an ancient sect. Anyone who provides the location of Star Pavilion and proves its authenticity will be rewarded eighty-seven billion Maritime Crystals by the four clans."


    Eighty-seven billion, that''s eighty-seven trillion taels of Silver.


    Xiao Yi didn''t expect the clue to Star Pavilion''s whereabouts to be so valuable.


    Even he had a fleeting thought of trading the map of Star Pavilion for money. Of course, it was just a fleeting thought. He then focused on Yue Shanchuan, wondering what could be ranked first even above the whereabouts of Star Pavilion.


    What or who could it be?


    Yue Shanchuan took a deep breath, his face showing a mix of excitement and awe as he said, "The first on the bounty list is someone whose exact identity no one knows. They have been missing for nearly a thousand years. Known in Jianghu as the Evil God Su Wuxie, the bounty value is �C a hundred billion Maritime Crystals!"

 Chapter 594 - 593: Gold Field Island, War God Temple!

    "Evil God Su Wuxie? A bounty of one hundred billion sea crystals?"


    Xiao Yi gasped in shock.


    A bounty of one hundred billion sea crystals.


    If converted into silver taels, that would amount to one hundred trillion silver taels!


    Keep in mind...


    Initially, the compensation of ten trillion silver taels that he demanded from the Sword Dynasty had already emptied their national treasury, and there were still over forty trillion silver taels to be paid over ten years.


    This Su Wuxie alone is valued at one hundred trillion silver taels?


    That is equivalent to the treasuries of dozens of Sword Dynasties!


    Moreover,


    the bounty on this Su Wuxie is actually tenfold higher than that of the Star Pavilion ruins.


    Yue Shanchuan nodded and, with a hint of emotion, said, "That''s because Su Wuxie has been missing for nearly a thousand years. If he were to reappear, I''m afraid the price on his head would have to be increased."


    "What exactly did Su Wuxie do to incur such wrath and resentment to warrant such a high bounty?" Xiao Yi asked, puzzled.


    Yue Shanchuan let out an ''uh'' sound and said, "You should know about the origins of the Chaotic Sea Area, right?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    The strong in the Chaotic Sea Area are mostly vicious and extremely dangerous people who can''t make it in the large dynasties; of course, when it comes to the huge family forces within the Chaotic Sea Area, aside from a few who indeed consist of fugitive powerhouses, the rest can trace their backgrounds to other dynasties or even imperial dynasties.


    Yue Shanchuan continued, "A thousand years ago, the Chaotic Sea Area consisted of eight major families and seven pirate groups. But it was because of Su Wuxie that seven of those families and six pirate groups were annihilated... The current four major families and four pirate groups, aside from the Sha Family which has carried on from a thousand years ago, the rest have risen in the past thousand years��"


    Hisss!


    Xiao Yi took a sharp breath, instantly understanding why Su Wuxie''s bounty was so outrageously high!


    By the power of one man.


    He destroyed seven major families and six pirate groups.


    Truly deserving of the name ''Evil God''!


    "If I get the chance, I''d really like to meet this senior Su Wuxie!" Xiao Yi murmured.


    Yue Shanchuan chuckled, "Who in the Chaotic Sea Area wouldn''t want to see him? However, having disappeared for nearly a thousand years, even if he is still alive, he probably wouldn''t dare show his face. Once he does, not only would people from the Chaotic Sea Area want to kill him, but powerhouses from top forces like the Nantian Dynasty, Western Bull Dynasty and others would also come after him..."


    Xiao Yi also smiled.


    After all, a bounty of one hundred trillion silver taels!


    Even the powerhouses of the Longevity Secret Realm would find such a temptation hard to resist!


    Just as he was thinking...


    Yue Shanchuan spoke, "Xiao Yi, the fastest way to Greenfish Island is to head to Huanglong Island first and then enter the territory of Three Blade Mountain through the Teleportation Array there. We''ll be passing by Gold Field Island, where there is a War God Temple. I plan to go there for a challenge first. Once the challenge is over, I''ll accompany you to Huanglong Island!"


    Xiao Yi had already learned from Du Long and the others that Yue Shanchuan in the Chaotic Sea Area was constantly challenging masters on various islands.


    This man was a martial fanatic!


    Although he was eager to rush to Greenfish Island, Xiao Yi was unfamiliar with the place and didn''t mind traveling together with Yue.


    Two hours later.


    They arrived at Gold Field Island.


    Gold Field Island, already at the edge of the Chaotic Sea Area, possesses a War God Temple.


    Anyone able to defeat the War God within the temple could gain control of Gold Field Island.


    However...


    Over the years, very few have succeeded in challenging the War God inside.


    "We''ve arrived at Gold Field Island, let''s hurry up!" Yue Shanchuan said excitedly. He had always wanted to challenge the War God of the temple, and enthusiastically said, "I tried half a year ago, but I didn''t even pass the outer War General region and didn''t get to see the War God. This time, I''m certain I can make it to the end..."


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Well then, I shall congratulate you in advance!"


    The War God Temple is split into the outer War General zone and the inner War God zone.


    The War Generals'' District has ten top masters, and one must consecutively defeat ten people in order to move on to challenge the War God!


    "Haha, once I succeed in the challenge, I''ll treat you to a drink!" Yue Shanchuan laughed heartily.


    ......


    War God Temple.


    This is Gold Field Island''s most renowned location.


    Almost everyone who comes to Gold Field Island spends a hefty sum to buy a ticket to enter the War God Temple and watch the fights. However, only the War Generals'' District of the War God Temple is open to the public, while the final challenge against the War God takes place in the deepest part of the temple.


    No one has ever seen the face of the War God.


    "There are quite a number of strong individuals here!" Xiao Yi glanced around and noticed that there were seven or eight strong individuals in the Nirvana Realm within the crowd, and there were more than a hundred in the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    This is just the outermost area of the Chaotic Sea Region!


    If this is the case for the outermost area, how many powerhouses must there be in the core region of the Chaotic Sea?


    "Xiao Yi, it''s my turn, I''m going in first!" Yue Shanchuan''s voice boomed like thunder, and his towering frame, akin to a humanoid beast, strode through the crowd, standing out like a crane among chickens.


    "Good luck!"


    Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    "Mhm!"


    Without delay, Yue Shanchuan stepped into the War God Temple.


    His first opponent was the tenth War General, a powerful entity from the triple-tier of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Yue Shanchuan himself possessed the Fivefold Nirvana Realm cultivation, and with his exceptional innate talent, he was more than capable of fighting across levels.


    He swept through his opponents like a tidal wave.


    In just three hours, he had reached the final challenge, standing before the number one War General!


    The cultivation of the number one War General was of the Eight Nirvana Realm. Previously, Yue Shanchuan had been defeated by him. Licking his lips and showing an excited expression, he said, "A few months ago, I was only at the Fourfold Nirvana Realm and I lost to you by a single move. Today, I''ve come to redeem myself!"


    The first War General remained expressionless, as if he didn''t recognize Yue Shanchuan at all, his gaze was ice-cold as he uttered, "Kill!"


    Boom!


    The two immediately engaged in a fierce battle.


    After a stick of incense had burned down, Yue Shanchuan overcame his opponent with his overpowering saber technique, finally defeating the first War General. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Roar!


    Yue Shanchuan roared in excitement, looking towards Xiao Yi in the crowd, "Xiao, brother, I made it!"


    This was Yue Shanchuan''s second time arriving at the War God Temple, and he was finally about to battle the legendary War God!


    Xiao Yi waved towards Yue Shanchuan, "Yue, give it your all!"


    "Don''t worry, you go to the War God Tower on the east side and rest for a bit. I''ll come to find you after I challenge the War God!" After leaving these instructions, Yue Shanchuan followed the first War General towards the deeper parts of the War God Temple.


    With nothing else to do, Xiao Yi headed towards the War God Tower with Little Lin.


    However...


    After waiting for three to four hours, which turned into midnight, Xiao Yi still had not seen Yue Shanchuan return.


    It was deep into the night now.


    Unwilling to disturb the War God Temple at such a late hour, Xiao Yi rested for the night at the War God Tower and still had not heard from Yue Shanchuan by the next morning. It was then he decided to go to the War God Temple to inquire alone.


    However...


    When he revealed his purpose, they told him, "Yue Shanchuan completed his challenge yesterday evening, was defeated by the War God, and left Gold Field Island overnight!"


    "He left Gold Field Island overnight?"


    Xiao Yi''s brows furrowed as he hurried to the harbor, only to see that the ships were still docked there, a clear sign that Yue Shanchuan had not actually departed.


    "Where has he gone then?"


    After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes in the direction of the War God Temple and said, "It seems in order to uncover the truth, I''ll have to make a personal visit to the War God Temple!"

 Chapter 595 - 594: Sweeping Everything Before One

    War God Temple.


    Xiao Yi, wearing a silver metal mask on his face, was queuing for his life.


    This challenge required a registration fee of ten thousand sea crystals to the War God.


    Equivalent to ten million taels of silver.


    While he was waiting, all of a sudden, a burly figure cut in front of Xiao Yi.


    Just as it was about to be his turn, someone abruptly cut in line. Xiao Yi, already anxious about Yue Shanchuan''s safety, grew even more irritated.


    Snap snap!


    He patted the shoulder of the person in front of him.


    The man turned around.


    This was a Second Nirvana Realm expert who glanced at Xiao Yi with a slant eye and said coldly, "What do you want?"


    Xiao Yi, trying to contain his anger, asked, "Do I know you?"


    "What are you? You think you''re worthy of knowing me?" the burly middle-aged man looked at Xiao Yi with disdain and ridiculed him.


    Xiao Yi let out an "Oh," and said indifferently, "Since you don''t know me, how dare you cut in my line? Get to the back!"


    "Hmm?"


    "Damn, this kid is quite brash! A mere Dharma Phase Realm Peak, and he dares to speak to Sha Wu like this. Is he tired of living?"


    The onlookers around them were discussing among themselves, looking at Xiao Yi with eyes full of ridicule and schadenfreude.


    Sha Wu was also stunned by Xiao Yi''s swearing and then he snapped back to reality, his mouth curling into a cold sneer: "Kid, do you know who you are talking to? Believe it or not, I... Ah... F*ck..."


    Sha Wu hadn''t finished speaking when Xiao Yi grabbed his neck and flung him backward. sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Amidst screams,


    Sha Wu tumbled dozens of times, and with a thud, his head plunged into the ground, his body stiff and protruding from the surface, struggling a few times before he managed to pull his head out of the earth.


    Sha Wu looked at Xiao Yi, who had already completed registration and was walking into the War God Temple, with a face full of resentment. Hate filling his eyes, he gritted his teeth and said, "Bastard, just you wait."


    However, at this moment, Xiao Yi had no mind to pay attention to these things, as he was led by an attendant of the War God Temple to the hall of war generals.


    The first to make a move was the tenth war general, whose gaze was as cold as that of a feelingless killing machine: "Begin!"


    "Get lost!"


    With a wave of his hand from Xiao Yi, the tenth war general went flying out with a scream, slamming into the wall and losing his combat ability, as Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Next!"


    Hiss!


    The onlookers outside the hall of war generals looked at each other, baffled: "F*ck, how can this guy be so fierce?"


    "Sha Wu, looks like it''s going to be difficult for you to take revenge!"


    A few gave Sha Wu an odd look, causing his face to alternate between shades of green and white. He understood that seeking revenge with just himself was not enough; he took a deep breath and looked at Xiao Yi with a chilling gaze: "Damned mutt, nobody has offended the Sha Family in the Chaotic Sea and gotten away with it unscathed!"


    But speaking of Xiao Yi,


    His winning streak was soaring, no matter which war general made a move, be it Dharma Manifestation or Nirvana.


    In front of him, they were as easy to sweep aside as chickens and dogs, one punch per opponent, unstoppable!


    In just half an incense stick''s time, where others were only able to defeat one war general, he had already consecutively beaten ten, earning the opportunity to challenge the War God.


    The attendant in front of him said respectfully, "Congratulations on qualifying to challenge the War God!"


    "Lead the way!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently.


    The attendant smiled and led the way, as Xiao Yi casually inquired, "Yesterday I saw someone named Yue Shanchuan defeated the ten war generals and earned the chance to challenge the War God. I wonder how he fared?"


    The attendant paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "He was not successful and has left overnight!"


    It was still the same excuse.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and made an "Oh" sound, no longer speaking.


    A moment later,


    They arrived deep underground, and by Xiao Yi''s step count, this should be ten thousand meters under Gold Field Island. In front of them was a pitch-black underground palace. When Xiao Yi arrived at this palace, a flurry of huffing sounds could be heard, and bunches of fire lit up on the surrounding rock walls.


    The dim yellow firelight made the underground palace look extremely eerie.


    "A Dharma Phase Realm Peak, yet able to defeat my ten war generals. Young man, you have some talent. You''re worthy of becoming my servant!" an icy and authoritative voice suddenly came from the darkness.


    Only to see in the center of that underground palace, a figure three meters tall slowly stood up.


    The person was clad in black armor, and his face was hidden beneath the helmet.


    A pitch-black battleaxe stood erect beside him,


    emitting a chilling, oppressive cold light.


    Xiao Yi squinted and said, "Are you the War God?"


    "Correct!"


    The War God nodded, his voice thunderous as it boomed like thunder shaking the heavens, echoing within the subterranean palace, "I am the War God of the War God Temple. Little fellow, you are no match for me. Surrender now and become my servant! With your talent, you are qualified to be a key target for cultivation in my puppet army!"


    "What, does everyone who enters here become your servant?" Xiao Yi asked.


    His purpose for being here was to find Yue Shanchuan.


    As for defeating the War God and taking his place?


    He had no such interest!


    The War God said coldly, "Of course not, not everyone is qualified to be my servant." Pausing, the War God said impatiently, "Little fellow, you can give your answer now. Submit, or die!"


    "Submit my ass!"


    Xiao Yi snorted. This so-called War God''s cultivation was not even on par with Xu Changsheng''s, yet he expected him to submit?


    Utterly delusional!


    The War God flew into a violent rage, his eyes erupting with blood-red cold light, "You spurn my kindly offer of wine in preference for penalty wine. Since you seek death, don''t blame me!"


    Boom!


    The War God rose to his feet abruptly.


    With a stomp of his left foot, the ground let out a dull roar, and the huge axe flew high into the air.


    Holding the giant axe, he swung it like a whirlwind, creating a fierce wind, as fluid as moving clouds and flowing water.


    In a flash...


    The War God had already charged in front of Xiao Yi, his axe descending with great force and weight, "One Axe to Split the Heavens!"


    Xiao Yi raised his right hand.


    Using his finger as a sword, he pointed forward, "Sword Seven!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Lines of Sword Qi arranged themselves like the seven stars of the Big Dipper, and then with a piercing sound slicing through the air, they shot towards the battleaxe.


    Clang clang clang!


    Every line of Sword Qi that collided with the battleaxe caused a series of ear-piercing loud noises.


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi reached forward with his palm and grabbed the blade of the axe.


    Regardless of the War God exerting all his strength, he still couldn''t advance the battleaxe an inch further.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said, "Yesterday, a man named Yue Shanchuan came here. Where is he now?"


    "What Yue Shanchuan, I don''t know him!"


    The War God had veins throbbing on his forehead, his eyes filled with a cold sharpness bursting forth, "Kid, I admit I underestimated you. However, I am the dignified War God, how can I be defeated by a brat like you? Die!"


    Hum!


    The War God''s body trembled, and the helmet on his face cracked open, revealing a very strange face.


    That was a human face, but with an additional eye growing above the forehead.


    "Submit, you ant!"


    The War God growled, and the third eye suddenly snapped open, a ray of spiritual light entering Xiao Yi''s body.


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi''s body shook, and a hint of confusion flitted across his eyes.


    "Hahaha..."


    The helmet of the War God''s face began to close slowly, as he laughed complacently, "If I did not have some skills, how could I possibly have been in charge of Gold Field Island for so many years? Boy, willingly become my servant!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The War God raised his palm, streams of vital energy converged on his fingertips, forming a "slave" character talisman, ready to imprint the Soul Seal of servitude upon Xiao Yi��

 Chapter 596 - 595: Spiritual Blood Pool!

    Hum!


    The War God pressed the Slavery Soul Seal towards Xiao Yi''s glabella.


    In the fluctuation of black light, the Slavery Soul Seal transformed into specks of spiritual light that surged into his glabella, heading straight for the soul. As long as the Slavery Soul Seal could be branded on the soul, even if he one day broke through to the Longevity Secret Realm, he would still have to obey the War God''s commands.


    Life and death would be decided by a single word from the War God.


    A look of smug satisfaction emerged on the face beneath the War God''s mask, "Even at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he possesses such combat strength. This boy''s talent is definitely extraordinary, and there must be a tremendous opportunity on him. Once I enslave him, I won''t only gain a powerful servant but also seize his opportunity��"


    "Enslave my boss? You''re dreaming!" Little Lin''s disdainful voice suddenly came from Xiao Yi''s embrace.


    "Who?"


    The War God''s face changed.


    Little Lin wriggled out of Xiao Yi''s embrace and stood up on his shoulder, scoffing continuously, "A piece of crap War God, you think you can enslave my boss with such ability? I really don''t know what you were thinking!"


    "You��"


    The War God''s face changed abruptly, never expecting to be looked down upon by a little beast.


    With a darkened face, the War God shouted coldly, "You little beast, you''re looking for death!"


    Whoosh!


    The War God swung his battle-axe fiercely, but to his shock, the axe didn''t move an inch. As the War God hesitated, he saw an iron fist already appearing before his face and with a thud, it struck him squarely on the face.


    Boom!


    The helmet-mask over his face shattered explosively, and his entire face concaved in.


    His body flew backward from the impact of the violent force, and his head smashed against the wall with a bang. The whole underground palace trembled, echoing the enormous collision sound.


    Spurt!


    As the War God rose to his feet, he felt a buzzing, intense pain in his head and vomited a mouthful of fresh blood, his body staggering to the ground once more.


    He looked at Xiao Yi in utter bewilderment, "You��you��you haven''t been controlled by my Slavery Soul Seal?"


    "The Slavery Soul Seal? Are you talking about this thing?"


    With a mocking smile, Xiao Yi lifted his hand, and a black Slavery Soul Seal appeared on his palm. It was the same seal that the War God had previously injected into Xiao Yi''s body, but now, it was forced out of his body?


    "This is impossible, how could my Slavery Soul Seal fail��" The War God was completely dumbfounded.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "Just a mere enslavement secret technique, and you think it can shake my soul? Ridiculous!"


    "Dammit��"


    The War God''s complexion alternated between shades of green and white.


    This was his greatest reliance, yet it was unable to enslave Xiao Yi.


    His gaze shifted quickly, and a flattering smile appeared on his face, "Little guy, I admit defeat. About today''s incident... "


    Boom!


    He suddenly smacked his palm.


    Hisss!


    Black streams of air immediately spurted out within the underground palace, instantly covering the entire area, his smug laughter echoing throughout, "Boy, do you know why I have been able to securely hold the title of War God? Because even if I can''t kill you, I have a hundred ways to put you to death! Hahaha..."


    Suddenly��


    The War God''s laughter stopped abruptly, replaced by screams of agony and incredulous outcries, "Impossible, how could you possibly find this secret passage? Without my secret technique, it''s impossible to open it, you..."


    Inside the secret passage.


    Xiao Yi held the War God by the neck with one hand, his expression emotionless as he looked at him and sneered, "Using poison to kill us and then hiding in the secret passage is indeed a good move. But you seem to have forgotten, if I''m fast enough, I can catch you before the passage closes!"


    Hiss!


    The War God''s face turned utterly resigned.


    He knew he had hit a snag today.


    Whoosh!


    The War God exhaled a long breath of foul air and said in a deep voice, "Alright, I concede defeat. State whatever conditions you have!"


    Having controlled Gold Field Island for so many years, this was the first time someone had gone this far against him!


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as Little Lin climbed along his arm to the War God''s shoulder.


    Opening its mouth, it revealed two sharp and fierce fangs.


    Hiss!


    War God gasped sharply and quickly shouted, "Wait, wait... Let''s talk, don''t do this..."


    Little Lin''s crimson letters pulsed.


    Pulsing with a faint cold light, his eyes fixed firmly on War God.


    Xiao Yi said in a heavy voice, "Where is my friend Yue Shanchuan?"


    "He, he''s right below the underground palace, I, I will take you there right now. Just don''t kill me, and I promise to set him free..." War God hurriedly said, knowing that as long as he stayed alive, he could rebuild another War God Temple.


    Xiao Yi let Little Lin wrap around his neck and said indifferently, "Lead the way, you''d better not try any tricks, or with just one bite from Little Lin, not even a deity could save you!"


    "I, I know..."


    War God dared not play any more tricks, obediently leading Xiao Yi and Little Lin through the secret passageway.


    Thirty thousand meters beneath the underground palace.


    This place was a world of its own, a more magnificent underground palace than the one above, built around a blood-colored Spiritual Spring in the center. Around the spring, figures sat cross-legged.


    From the Blood Spring flowed streams of blood-colored water, weaving a web-like network.


    These powerhouses were seated in the midst of the network, wherever the blood-colored water flowed.


    "Spiritual Blood Pool?"


    The moment Xiao Yi saw the Blood Spring, he recognized it.


    It was mentioned in the inheritance of the Wind Thunder master.


    That Spiritual Blood Pool was a naturally occurring, extremely rare cultivation paradise.


    There are three paths to Nirvana.


    Physical Nirvana, Spiritual Nirvana, and Dharma Phase Nirvana.


    Relatively speaking, Spiritual Nirvana takes the longest time, Physical Nirvana produces results the fastest, while Dharma Phase Nirvana carries the lowest risk.


    And in the world...


    There are many treasures that can enhance the success rate of Nirvana and compress the accumulation time required for Nirvana.


    Like this Spiritual Blood Pool in front of him, which is the most precious paradise for those strong in Spiritual Nirvana. Ordinary Spiritual Nirvana powerhouses need to spend years, even decades, enhancing their spiritual power to withstand the next Nirvana Heavenly Tribulation.


    This process could last several hundred or even thousands of years.


    But with the help of the Spiritual Blood Pool, this time could be reduced to a tiny fraction of that!


    War God''s face turned slightly pale, and he had not expected that Xiao Yi would recognize the Spiritual Blood Pool, suddenly feeling a strong unease. The Spiritual Blood Pool was the foundation for his establishment, and it was because of it


    That War God was able to raise his cultivation to the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm so quickly.


    It was due to his strong spiritual power and innate third eye that allowed him to activate Spiritual Secret Skills and condense the Slavery Soul Seal that led to the glory of the War God Temple today.


    "Young hero, your friend is over there..." War God quickly changed the topic.


    Xiao Yi gave a grunt and soon found Yue Shanchuan.


    "Please wait a moment, young hero, I will release his Slavery Soul Seal!" War God said obsequiously, proceeding to release Yue Shanchuan''s Slavery Soul Seal.


    Hum!


    As the Slavery Soul Seal was released, the confusion vanished from Yue Shanchuan''s eyes, restoring clarity.


    He immediately saw Xiao Yi and asked incredulously, "Eh? Xiao, how come you''re here?" S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi then recounted the events to Yue Shanchuan.


    Yue Shanchuan suddenly understood, and recalling his previous encounter in the underground palace, he glared at War God and said angrily, "Son of a bitch, such a bastard like you also dares to call yourself War God?"


    War God gave an awkward smile, "It''s just a title others gifted me!"


    "Get lost!"


    Yue Shanchuan glared at him viciously, and said helplessly, "I can''t believe I lost to a bastard like you..."


    Xiao Yi chuckled, "Don''t dwell on it!"


    "Hmm!"


    Yue Shanchuan frowned deeply.


    But War God turned to Xiao Yi, tentatively saying, "Young hero, I have already removed his Slavery Soul Seal, what do you think..."


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upwards, his teasing gaze fixed on War God, seeing right through his thoughts, and he said leisurely, "What''s the rush? I just happen to want to try the way of Spiritual Nirvana, and the Spiritual Blood Pool is not something you can find just anywhere. How can I leave without giving it a try?"


    War God''s face fell, "..."

 Chapter 597 - 596: The Surge of Spiritual Power, No Sight of Nirvana Path!

    "..."


    War God wore a defeated expression on his face.


    What he feared most was Xiao Yi coveting his Spiritual Blood Pool.


    This was the very foundation on which he had established himself and the root of his current achievements!


    Looking at Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan, then at the thousands of experts within the entire underground palace, War God wondered if he should awaken these slaves and command them to attack in unison.


    To keep Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan here forever.


    But just as...


    Just as this thought surfaced, Little Lin coiled around his neck hissed sharply.


    Staring at him with cold, eerie eyes that seemed to see right through his intentions.


    Gulp!


    War God swallowed repeatedly, forcing out a smile uglier than a cry, and said, "If the young hero is interested, naturally, I welcome it. However, the Spiritual Blood Pool contains an incredibly pure and powerful energy. If one''s will is not strong enough, it could damage the soul, you see..."


    "It doesn''t matter!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively, saying, "If even you can use the Spiritual Blood Pool to advance to the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, why would I be afraid of it?"


    War God: "..."


    If it were anyone else saying this, he could have unleashed his spiritual power to make them realize his strength, but the speaker was indeed Xiao Yi, the one who had broken his Slavery Soul Seal.


    He was at a loss for words!


    He laughed awkwardly.


    Quickly making way, the War God said, "Please, go ahead!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and leaped into the Spiritual Blood Pool.


    Watching Xiao Yi immerse himself in the Spiritual Blood Pool, War God consoled himself, "Don''t be afraid, he''s just at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, how much can he absorb? My Spiritual Blood Pool is enough for two or three people at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak to step into the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, don''t worry..."


    But soon, War God wanted to give himself a few resounding slaps.


    As Xiao Yi settled into the Spiritual Blood Pool, allowing the pool''s strange energy to surge into his body uncontested, his soul grew increasingly strong!


    So strong it was off the charts!


    Even though he hadn''t experienced the Nirvana Heavenly Tribulation, according to Xiao Yi''s own assessment, his spiritual power was no weaker than those who had undergone three or four Spiritual Nirvanas.


    "Logically, with the current strength of my spiritual power, if I were to undergo Spiritual Nirvana, I should be able to sense the Nirvanic Celestial Gate by now. Why isn''t there any reaction..." Xiao Yi, immersed in the Spiritual Blood Pool and feeling his spiritual power growing, showed a look of confusion.


    To journey from the Dharma Manifestation Realm to the Nirvana Realm, one must open the Nirvanic Celestial Gate.


    This Nirvanic Celestial Gate is not an actual portal.


    It is more like an opportunity for sense.


    Just like a carp leaping through the dragon''s gate, as soon as one crosses this Nirvanic Celestial Gate, the Nirvana Heavenly Tribulation can be drawn forth. There are nine Nirvanic Celestial Gates in total, opening one layer after another, all the way to the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    And beyond that...


    One needs to obtain the essence of longevity to step into the legendary Longevity Secret Realm.


    But,


    Xiao Yi had yet to sense his Nirvanic Celestial Gate.


    "Perhaps my spiritual power is still not strong enough. Continue to absorb the energy within the Spiritual Blood Pool. I don''t believe that when my spiritual power is comparable to that of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, I still won''t be able to open the Nirvanic Celestial Gate..." Xiao Yi thought to himself, no longer restraining his soul.


    His fully open soul became like a runaway wild horse.


    It began to devour the energy in the Spiritual Blood Pool furiously.


    One hour.


    Two hours.


    Three hours...


    As time passed, War God''s expression grew increasingly unsightly; but after ten hours, the blood-colored liquid in the Spiritual Blood Pool had already decreased by one-third, and War God''s face turned an ashen blue.


    24 hours later.


    The amount of bloody liquid in the Spiritual Blood Pool had decreased by two-thirds, and the War God''s face turned pale as he bit his lips lightly, swaying as if about to fall.


    After two days and two nights.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s body shook violently, and a tremendously terrifying wave of spiritual power burst out from his body, coalescing into a spiritual phantom in the void, which bore a striking resemblance to Xiao Yi.


    It flashed by and disappeared.


    And then returned back into Xiao Yi''s body.


    Xiao Yi also opened his eyes and, with a swoosh, lept out of the Spiritual Blood Pool.


    His spiritual power was now no weaker than that of someone in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, but he still did not sense the presence of the Nirvanic Celestial Gate. This plunged Xiao Yi into utter despair as he shook his head and gave a bitter smile, "It seems I''m not suited for the path of Spiritual Nirvana..." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thump!


    Suddenly, the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground drew Xiao Yi''s attention.


    A glance over.


    The War God was lying on the ground, face pale as paper, froth at the mouth, body convulsing.


    Xiao Yi uttered in surprise, looking at Little Lin, "Little Lin, did you bite him?"


    Little Lin rolled his eyes, saying exasperatedly, "I didn''t have the time to bite him; he fainted because of your aura, boss!"


    "Ah?"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    When he turned around, he saw that behind him, the Spiritual Blood Pool was reduced to a thin layer, not even deep enough to wet his fingers.


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi gasped in shock, realizing that he had almost completely drained the Spiritual Blood Pool without realizing it. It was well known that such a pool was extremely rare and could potentially lead to the breakthrough of three to four Dharma Phase Realm Peak experts to the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    And he had consumed it all in one go!


    What was more important...


    Even after consuming the whole Spiritual Blood Pool, Xiao Yi still hadn''t sensed the Nirvanic Celestial Gate.


    Xiao Yi sighed helplessly, casting a sympathetic glance at the War God and said softly, "Let''s consider this a small lesson for him. Little Lin, Yue, we should also leave now!"


    "What about these people..." Yue Shanchuan gestured at the thousands of people around them and asked.


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly, "Yue, saving these people might not be a good thing, you..."


    He had experienced plenty of ingratitude for good deeds done.


    These people were strangers to him, and he did not possess the Bodhisattva''s merciful heart to meddle in others'' affairs.


    But Yue Shanchuan straightforwardly said, "No worries, if I do not save them, they will constantly be controlled by others, and their families will worry. I still think we should wake them up!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and said, "Since you feel we should save them, then go ahead!"


    The few of them took action immediately.


    With Xiao Yi''s current spiritual power, lifting the Slavery Soul Seal was a simple matter, and soon, he had freed these two thousand or so individuals from their own consciousness.


    Everyone looked confused.


    Yue Shanchuan spoke in a deep voice, "Everyone, you have all been deceived by the War God. After enslaving you, he confined you here. Now, he has been subdued by my brother, and we are the ones who lifted the Slavery Soul Seals from you. From now on, you are free!"


    His face was beaming with a bright smile.


    But the smile quickly faded.


    In the crowd, someone scoffed and said, "Save us? Are you that kind-hearted? Our Storage Rings are gone, could it be you who stole them?"


    "The War God is unconscious, and the only possible ones who could have taken our treasures are you few."


    "Just confess and return our treasures!"


    "As long as you return the items, we will not dwell on the past!"


    For a moment.


    The crowd ignored the unconscious War God and uniformly turned their hostility towards Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan...

 Chapter 598 - 597: Biting the Hand that Feeds, Kill!

    "Just come clean and return the valuables to us!"


    "As long as you give the items back, we can forget this ever happened!"


    A group of powerful individuals united in pointing their spearheads at Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan.


    Their barrage of filthy language made Yue Shanchuan''s face turn exceedingly ugly.


    He never imagined that his good deed of saving others would lead to this outcome.


    Xiao Yi let out a deep sigh, having already guessed that it might come to this. He saw that many in the crowd actually understood that all of this was the doing of the War God, but they simply didn''t care.


    After all...


    In their eyes, if Xiao Yi could even subdue the War God, he surely must have taken some benefits from the War God.


    They couldn''t possibly reclaim their possessions from the War God, so they conveniently directed their grievances at Xiao Yi, perhaps even hoping to extort something from him.


    Such is human nature!


    Without distinguishing right from wrong, good from evil, or truth from falsehood.


    Fixated only on self-interest.


    Only following the crowd...


    The reason Xiao Yi didn''t continue to stop Yue Shanchuan was his hope that Yue would come to recognize the reality of their situation.


    After all...


    When facing Du Long and his band of pirates earlier, Yue Shanchuan had made the same mistake. As a martial fanatic with a comparatively simple mind, that''s why he was nearly killed by Du Long and the others.


    Moreover, since Xiao Yi had dealt with Du Long and his men himself, their ugliest side was not exposed to Yue Shanchuan.


    The lesson wasn''t profound enough!


    But now.


    Looking at Yue Shanchuan''s tightly clenched fists, blood seeping down between his fingers, and his shaking shoulders, it was clear he had learned his lesson.


    And it was an exceedingly harsh lesson!


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of foul air, smiled, and patted his shoulder, saying, "Brother Yue, do you now see their true faces?"


    "Hmm!"


    Yue Shanchuan showed a bitter smile mixed with reluctance and anger, but mostly helplessness, "I just couldn''t believe that human hearts could be so vile, but now I know... Xiao, leave this place to me!"


    Seeing the resolute look in his eyes, Xiao Yi nodded with a smile, "Okay, I''ll leave it to you!"


    These people had to be slain by Yue Shanchuan himself!


    Only by killing them could he rid himself of his Heart Demon.


    Moreover...


    Since none of these people had expressed gratitude for their lives being saved, Xiao Yi naturally felt no inclination to stop Yue from taking action.


    Boom!


    Yue Shanchuan''s body shook, and with a low roar, a pure and flawless white warblade burst forth from his body.


    Above the warblade, a white dragon coiled, exuding an aura of righteousness. Yue Shanchuan said coldly, "I have always held on to my principles, believing there are more good people in the world, but I understand now that I was indeed too naive. From now on, I won''t be so naive..."


    Hum!


    The white dragon on his warblade seemed to come to life.


    Two beams of light shot from his eyes.


    Boom!


    The white dragon soared into the sky, emerging from the blade and encircling Yue Shanchuan. After circling Yue, the white scales began to shed, transforming into a pitch-black dragon. The dark Black Dragon attached to the blade, turning it a sinister black color.


    The blade emitted an evil aura of Evil Qi.


    "A high-ranking seventh-grade spirit weapon?" Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    He hadn''t expected Yue Shanchuan''s warblade to be a seventh-grade spirit weapon.


    And he certainly hadn''t expected...


    As Yue Shanchuan''s temperament changed, his warblade transformed from a weapon exuding righteousness to one now teeming with evil intent.


    Without giving everyone time to react, Yue Shanchuan, gripping the warblade, charged into the crowd.


    "Tyrant Blade''s First Form!"


    "Tyrant Blade''s Second Form..."


    Yue Shanchuan, like a demon god swinging his warblade, unleashed terrifying power with each slash, claiming life after life. But he showed no mercy, his conviction solidified by the crowd''s recent hostility, revealing the vile nature of human hearts to him.


    He would destroy such vile hearts with his warblade!


    "Run..."


    "I''m sorry, I was wrong..."


    "We shouldn''t have wronged you..."


    Screaming hysterically, the mighty warriors laid on the ground, but Yue Shanchuan''s blade showed no mercy.


    In an instant.


    The underground palace was littered with hundreds of bodies. Having transformed his mentality and broken through his Heart Demon, Yue Shanchuan''s cultivation had advanced further. All he needed to do was stabilize his realm, and he could then make a push for the Sixth Nirvana Realm.


    The crowd fled towards the outside of the underground palace.


    Yue Shanchuan, holding a black saber, was hot on their trail. sea??h th�� n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little Lin swallowed hard, "Boss, hasn''t Yue Shanchuan changed a bit too drastically?"


    Xiao Yi rubbed his head and smiled, "He''s always been a swordsmanship prodigy, and especially one suited for the path of slaughter. He was just on the wrong path before. Now that he has broken through his Heart Demon and is on the right path, it''s only natural that his strength has surged!"


    "I see!"


    Little Lin nodded, his memory of his inheritance meaning he just needed to cultivate step by step without the trouble of choosing a path. Curious, he looked at Xiao Yi, "Boss, which path are you on?"


    "Me?"


    Xiao Yi paused before smiling, "I walk my own path, and leave others, no path to follow!"


    Little Lin: "..."


    Xiao Yi glanced at the War God, who was feigning death on the ground, and said indifferently, "If you don''t get up, you can''t blame me!"


    "No, no, no..."


    The War God scrambled to his feet, looking at Xiao Yi with a mournful face, "Young hero, you''ve used up my Spiritual Blood Pool, and my War God Temple has been destroyed. Please, spare me!"


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "Come with me. As long as you satisfy me with your behavior, I won''t make things difficult for you!"


    Now with Yue Shanchuan chasing after those people and leaving the War God Temple, misunderstandings were bound to arise. Only by having the War God himself come forward could things be clearly explained.


    The War God, head drooping, had no choice but to follow Xiao Yi out of the War God Temple.


    ......


    Outside the War God Temple.


    Boom!


    The massive doors of the War God Temple burst open with a bang and several bodies were sent flying out, shocking the strong warriors around. They stared in disbelief at the group of warriors running out of the temple, "Isn''t that Ye Weijun who failed to challenge the War God last year and mysteriously disappeared?"


    "That''s Zhao Yunwei who challenged the War God three years ago..."


    "That one is..."


    One by one, the warriors were recognized, but when they saw Yue Shanchuan chasing people out of the temple, their faces changed again, "Who is this man? How, how is he chasing those people all the way out of the War God Temple?"


    Ye Weijun and the others, seeing Yue Shanchuan getting closer, shouted for help, "Save us! The demon Yue Shanchuan is plotting against the War God and wants to silence us by killing. Someone, stop him!"


    "Yue Shanchuan is a devil, he''s killed hundreds..."


    The crowd shouted one after another.


    For a moment...


    The area was filled with alarmed cries.


    "What? He plotted against the War God?"


    "This Yue Shanchuan is really a demon; look at how ruthless he is!"


    "Act quickly and capture him..."


    The crowd surged to attack.


    Yue Shanchuan''s eyes had already turned bloodshot with rage, as Xiao Yi had said, he excelled in the path of slaughter. This had been suppressed all along, and now his killing desire was unleashed, somewhat out of control.


    His eyes a sea of crimson, only thinking of kill, kill, kill!


    "I saved you, and not only did you repay kindness with malice, but now you''re also spreading lies and slandering me..."


    "Those who repay kindness with malice, kill!"


    Yue Shanchuan raised his saber high, ready to cleave Ye Weijun in front of him in two.


    Just at that moment...


    A white ribbon with a silver ring attached flew out of nowhere, ringing as it struck Yue Shanchuan''s saber. The force knocked the blade out of his hand, followed by a wave of fragrance on the wind and an aloof voice, "You devil, dare to harm the innocent before this saintess? Don''t you put down your weapon and end your life?"


    In the void.


    A woman, dressed in a holy white gown, stood elevated in the air, otherworldly. The white ribbon had come from her hand.


    "Is that Sha Bolian, one of the seven saintesses of the Sha Family?"


    "Who would have thought that the saintess herself would come? Haha, this demon is done for!"


    Ye Weijun and the others looked at Yue Shanchuan with eyes filled with mockery and provocation.


    Yue Shanchuan''s face was gloomier than ever.


    Before he could speak...


    Xiao Yi''s voice came from the void, "Who do you think you are? How dare you ask my brother to end his own life?"

 Chapter 599 - 598: Bullshit Saintess, Just Kill Her

    "What do you think you are? Daring to demand my brother to take his own life?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice emerged from inside the War God Temple.


    Clad in black, his hair fluttering in the wind, his tall and straight figure was like a sword piercing the sky. On his handsome face, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, drawing a sinister smile.


    The moment he appeared, he drew the attention of everyone present.


    Sha Bolian''s expression changed slightly, her eyebrows furrowed as she stared at Xiao Yi. Her cool voice was unusually pleasant to the ear, "Who are you? Do you know my identity as the Sha? Daring to speak to me in this manner, are you not afraid of death?"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh, their eyes met and he showed no sign of avoidance, "The Sha? With such lack of discernment between right and wrong, inability to differentiate the good from the bad, and extending your so-called justice based solely on your personal desires, you can''t even count as a person. Do you still have the face to call yourself the Sha? Are you an unmarriageable leftover woman?"


    Pfft!


    A burst of laughter sounded among the crowd, but they quickly suppressed it.


    Sha Bolian turned pale and then red with anger, her eyes turning bloodshot.


    She was one of the seven Shas from the Sha Family, one of the four major families in the Chaotic Sea Region. She was a goddess whom countless people adored and revered wherever she went. When had she ever been rebuked publicly like this?


    Moreover...


    The words of Xiao Yi were a real slap in the face!


    The Sha, the Sha, an unmarriageable leftover woman...


    This made Sha Bolian''s face turn so unsightly it could not be more so, but she also knew that since Xiao Yi had said such things, if she did not give them a chance to explain themselves and simply attacked them, she might very well solidify the notorious reputation of being unjust.


    At this thought.


    Sha Bolian, suppressing the murderous intent in her heart, said coldly, "Fine, since you claim there''s more to this matter, explain it to me. If it''s indeed not your fault, I will ensure justice is upheld for you. But if it turns out to be your fault, don''t blame me for being ruthless!"


    Xiao Yi scoffed, not deigning to explain anything to such a senselessly obstinate woman.


    "The Sha, is it? This matter has nothing to do with my brother; it''s all a conspiracy by the War God of the War God Temple. He lured people to challenge him. As long as someone''s talent was strong enough to catch his interest, that person would be controlled by his Slavery Soul Seal."


    Yue Shanchuan, unwilling for Xiao Yi to conflict with Sha Bolian, hurried to explain, "These people have all been controlled by the Slavery Soul Seal. My brother and I kindly saved them, but they repaid kindness with ingratitude, claiming we stole their treasures. Do you think they deserve to be killed?"


    "What? They were all controlled by the War God?"


    "If that''s truly the case, then we have wronged Yue Shanchuan and his friends..."


    "Those who repay kindness with ingratitude should be killed!"


    The crowd discussed among themselves.


    This made Ye Weijun, Zhao Yunwei, and others look extremely awkward as they felt the pointing fingers like thorns in their backs.


    With a shift of his eyes.


    Ye Weijun knelt down with a thud, cried out with a wronged face, "Your Highness the Sha, it''s a misunderstanding! Yue Shanchuan and his friends, they weren''t trying to save us at all. They just wanted to steal the treasures from us and then offer them to the War God. But by mistake, they ended up awakening us, so they turned on us in a bid to silence us by murder..."


    "That''s right, I can swear on my life on this!" Zhao Yunwei asserted vehemently.


    Sha Bolian slightly frowned.


    For a moment, she did not know whom to believe.


    But at that moment...


    Sha Wu caught up from behind, "Your Highness the Sha!"


    "Sha Wu? You''ve finally arrived!"


    Sha Bolian nodded and with a shift of her eyes, asked, "Sha Wu, now both sides are adamant on their stance. Whom do you think we should believe?"


    Sha Wu was taken aback, his gaze sweeping over Ye Weijun and Xiao Yi among others.


    Particularly when he looked at Xiao Yi, the corners of his mouth curled up in a smug, cold smirk as he began to speak in a clear voice, "Your Highness, Saintess, I have had dealings with Ye Weijun and Zhao Yunwei before. I know their characters; they would never betray kindness with enmity. It was only those two, Yue Shanchuan, who... When I was queuing outside the War God Temple, Xiao Yi, relying on his own formidable strength, threw me out of the queue to take my place..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Little Lin: "..."


    Both of them bore confused expressions as they listened to Sha Wu, who was blatantly lying through his teeth.


    Little Lin cursed angrily, "Sha Wu, do you dare swear to the heavens? Who was actually cutting in line between you and my boss?"


    But Sha Wu acted as if he hadn''t heard, turning to Sha Bolian, "Your Highness, Saintess, the War God himself is here as well. Why don''t we ask the War God himself what really happened?"


    Everyone turned to look at the War God.


    The War God hesitated, a trace of indecisiveness on his face as everyone looked at him.


    If he testified for Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan, then his War God Temple would be completely ruined.


    His gaze flickered across Sha Bolian, thinking to himself: Sha Bolian is one of the Sha Family''s seven saintesses, and also a six Nirvana genius powerhouse who, it''s said, has even killed several Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm beings.


    With this thought...


    The War God spoke mournfully, "Your Highness, Saintess, you must stand up for me! This Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan are framing me. They took my treasure and sought to take the treasures from Ye Weijun and the others. When I discovered and tried to stop them, they inflicted serious injuries on me. Left with no choice, I could only remove their Slavery Soul Seals..."


    Boom!


    Before the War God could finish, he was struck by a slap from Xiao Yi, sending him flying.


    Upon landing...


    His head had been twisted around on his neck more than twenty times by Xiao Yi''s strike, held together by only a strip of skin, devoid of any life. Xiao Yi looked coldly at the dead War God, "I already gave you a chance, but you didn''t cherish it. An ignorant fool..."


    If the War God had told the truth, he definitely would not have struck him dead.


    But now...


    With the War God spewing nothing but lies, trying to pull hatred onto them, how could Xiao Yi let it pass?


    Sha Wu, however, was excitedly pointing at Xiao Yi, shouting, "How dare you! You had the audacity to kill an important witness in front of the Saintess herself? Your Highness, Saintess, I am now certain that it must be Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan who are lying. I urge you, Saintess, to kill them, to set the record straight!"


    "Please, Saintess, be our judge!"


    "Saintess, decide for us..."


    Ye Weijun and the others called out loudly.


    Whoosh!


    Sha Bolian exhaled a turbid breath, her white robe fluttering, and her cold gaze fixed on Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan, "The facts prove that this entire matter is your conspiracy; you are the despicable ones behind the scenes. To think you still try to incriminate others, utterly detestable. Today, as a representative of the Sha Family, I grant you the death sentence!"


    Sha Wu looked on triumphantly and provocatively at Xiao Yi, venomously thinking to himself: Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, this is what happens when you offend someone from the Sha Family!


    Within the crowd... Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One powerful figure after another stepped forward, their cold gazes zeroing in on Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan, "They even took so many treasures; once we kill them, dividing the spoils will make us rich!"


    "Kill them!"


    Faced with the staring eyes of the crowd...


    Yue Shanchuan said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, what do we do?"


    Xiao Yi let out a light sigh, looking up at Sha Bolian and spoke indifferently, "A saintess my ass. If you want to kill, then try..."

 Chapter 600 - 599: Slaying the Holy Woman, Identity Exposed!

    "Bullshit Saintess, just kill her!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Sha Bolian with an indifferent face.


    This person didn''t distinguish right from wrong, blind to justice and injustice, clearly seeing the conflict between Sha Wu and himself, yet she still believed Sha Wu''s words. Now she even acted arbitrarily, judging them from her high seat, sentencing them to death.


    Killing such a bullshit Saintess, rather than leaving her to come and kill him, wouldn''t he be inviting trouble?


    Yue Shanchuan nodded, a fierce light flashed in his eyes, "Then let''s kill!"


    Having overcome the obstacle of the Heart Demon, he stepped onto the path of slaughter that belonged to him.


    This change in Yue Shanchuan''s personality was exactly what Xiao Yi was pleased to see.


    Boom! S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s body burst forth with dazzling light, leaping all around him. He turned to Yue Shanchuan and said, "Leave Sha Wu and that bullshit Saintess to me, you and Little Lin handle the rest!"


    "No problem!"


    "Boss, can I eat them?"


    Little Lin licked his lips, excitedly asking.


    Xiao Yi was stunned, then said, "Eat them!"


    Within the Chaotic Sea, there were few innocents.


    These utterly evil criminals, each and every one of them, had more or less taken several innocent lives.


    Xiao Yi never considered himself a saint, but he had never killed indiscriminately. Even when he had slaughtered his way into the Sword Dynasty, furiously condemning the dynasty''s disregard for human life just for the sake of breeding the God Devouring Ants.


    But Xiao Yi had never laid a hand on civilians.


    That was his bottom line!


    Boom!


    Little Lin received Xiao Yi''s approval, his body shook, transforming into a huge hundred-zhang tall figure. His body glinted with golden scale armor which was blindingly bright, with wings on his back that flapped and flew, faster than a common Tao Tribulation Realm being.


    As he opened his mouth.


    A ball of black light spat out, like a bottomless pit, voraciously swallowing the strong ones in front of him while shouting, "Yue, throw the bodies over after you kill them!"


    "Okay!"


    Yue Shanchuan answered with a voice like thunder, his battle saber cutting through the air, as if ripping the void apart.


    One man and one beast, like chopping melons and cutting vegetables, slaughtered the strong ones in front of them.


    Xiao Yi then arrived in front of Sha Wu and Sha Bolian, who stood side by side. Sha Wu, looking serious, warned Xiao Yi, "Your Highness, the Saintess, this kid''s methods are extremely vicious, and very strange. You should be careful!"


    "Rest assured!"


    Sha Bolian replied indifferently with a look of disdain on her face, "A mere Dharma Phase Realm Peak, even with extraordinary talent, could he be my opponent?"


    As soon as the words fell.


    Sha Bolian made her move.


    Her pure and flawless white sleeves were suddenly flung, and from the sleeves flew out white silk with a metal ring attached. Both the white silk and metal ring were elemental weapons, and their power was not small.


    The white silk, winding and entangling, bound Xiao Yi''s hands.


    Sha Bolian grabbed the white silk with both hands, violently coiling it, creating a crisp clicking noise as she tightly wrapped around Xiao Yi''s body, binding him as tightly as a rice dumpling, all the while shouting, "Sha Wu, here''s your chance for personal revenge!"


    Sha Wu''s eyes lit up.


    Seeing Xiao Yi tightly bound, his face was full of smugness, "Hahaha, thanks to Your Highness, the Saintess!" He dashed forward, a long knife appeared in his hand, chopping towards Xiao Yi''s head, "You damn mongrel, this is what happens when you offend me, die!"


    Buzz!


    The battle knife was exceedingly sharp, its chilling edge oscillating as it headed straight for Xiao Yi''s head.


    In the moment of life and death.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up, then he bit towards the battle knife.


    "Has this kid gone mad?"


    "Does he actually think his teeth can compare to an elemental weapon?"


    Everyone was dumbfounded.


    Sha Wu laughed even harder, his face full of ridicule, "I always thought you were crazy�� Fuck..."


    Sha Wu suddenly exclaimed.


    There was a crack, Xiao Yi actually bit the battle knife to pieces, and while holding a section of the broken blade in his mouth, he shook his head and the broken blade whooshed towards Sha Wu.


    Thud!


    The broken blade unimpededly pierced through Sha Wu''s chest, exploding with a bang.


    Sha Wu''s upper body was blown to smithereens.


    He plummeted from the sky.


    Hisss!


    All around was silence.


    Sha Bolian was entirely dumbfounded, watching Xiao Yi in disbelief, "How... how is this possible?"


    Sha Wu was at the end of the day a master of the First Nirvana Realm.


    Yet Xiao Yi hadn''t even lifted a finger and had killed him?


    Bang bang bang!


    Xiao Yi''s arms trembled, and the violent power of the Wind Thunder Holy Body erupted in an instant. Amidst the deafening sounds, he forcibly snapped the white silk Primordial Weapon that Sha Bolian had bound him with.


    "Not good!"


    Sha Bolian''s complexion changed, and she flung her arms, trying to retract the white silk.


    "Where do you think you''re going!"


    Xiao Yi reacted swiftly, grabbing the white silk and violently pulling, instantly dragged Sha Bolian towards him. Amidst her shocked cries, Sha Bolian, like a broken kite, flew straight at Xiao Yi.


    She was already in a state of panic, her eyes filled with terror.


    The way Xiao Yi had slain Sha Wu was simply too shocking, and with the destruction of her Primordial Weapon white silk, it left her completely disoriented, frantically unleashing deadly moves in her panic, "White Phoenix Screams to the Heavens!"


    "Raging Shark Emerges from the Ocean..."


    Continuous attacks came down like a blanket from the heavens.


    They were immense in scale, as if capable of destroying heaven and earth.


    Xiao Yi sneered, the Wind Thunder Wings appeared behind his back, and he soared into flight, instantly dodging Sha Bolian''s assault. Meanwhile, Sha Bolian was pulled by Xiao Yi tethered to the white silk, landing right back where he had started.


    "No..."


    Sha Bolian watched in despair as the widespread assault hit her, letting out a terrified scream.


    But quickly, her screams were completely drowned out by the terrifying energy explosion.


    Boom boom boom!


    The world shook, sun and moon darkened.


    It was as if a proud sun emerged across the sky.


    When everything dispersed...


    There was no longer a Sha Bolian between heaven and earth, only a piece of white silk remained in Xiao Yi''s hands.


    Hisss!


    All around, the strong turned pale, "The Holy Maiden is dead?"


    "It''s over, it''s over, now that the Holy Maiden has died, the Sha Family will certainly not let us off... "


    "Everyone on Gold Field Island won''t escape, we''ll all be wanted by the Sha Family..."


    "We''re as good as dead..."


    In that moment.


    Strongs on Gold Field Island wailed in utter despair.


    The Sha Family was the only overlord of the Chaotic Sea who had survived from the hands of Evil God Su Wuxie and continued to the present. They were known for their domineering actions. If any direct member of the Sha Family was killed, the island they died on would face the Sha Family''s island massacre retaliation.


    No creature would be spared!


    And moreover.


    The Sha Family''s power spread throughout the entire Chaotic Sea��there was nowhere to flee!


    Nobody had the mind to continue fighting, and they all fled in embarrassment from all directions, "Run for it!"


    "Escape before the Sha Family''s people arrive, get out of this Chaotic Sea area..."


    Watching people scatter in all directions.


    Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan, along with their companion, did not give chase, Xiao Yi spoke in a solemn voice, "Now is not the time to face the Sha Family. Yue, let''s leave this place first!"


    "Yes!"


    The two men and the beast all headed towards the port, took a boat, and set sail further into the depths of the Chaotic Sea.


    Two hours later.


    A swath of sand fell from the sky onto Gold Field Island. The sand transformed into human-shaped shadows. Leading them was a middle-aged man wearing a yellow robe, holding a crystal ball in his hands, squinting as he examined it for a moment.


    In front of the man in the yellow robe, the sand swished and gathered, forming three figures.


    It was unmistakably the likenesses of Xiao Yi, Yue Shanchuan, and Little Lin.


    The man in the yellow robe squinted his eyes, his gaze fixed on the statue of Xiao Yi, revealing a ferocious cold smile, "So it was the same rascal who killed Sha Kun who dares to kill my people of the Sha Family! Fate is indeed funny... Men, issue a manhunt, and pursue these three..."

 Chapter 601 - 600: Wanted Across the Entire Region, Devil Sea!

    ```


    The Sha Family''s power was indeed formidable.


    With the traditional overlords, the Sha Family, presenting a frontal threat, and the Shark Pirate Group prowling the seas in secrecy.


    They dominated both the righteous and the underworld.


    The Sha Family''s wanted orders quickly spread throughout the entire troubled maritime region, with statues of Xiao Yi and his two comrades appearing in every location with Sha Family interests.


    While the Shark Pirate Group was plundering all around, they also continuously had people identify the statues of Xiao Yi and his comrades, intent on ensuring that everyone would remember their faces. Furthermore, anyone who could provide information on the trio''s whereabouts would be guaranteed immunity from the Shark Pirate Group''s plundering for ten years.


    Just this alone was enough to excite countless merchant fleets, all vying to track down Xiao Yi and his companions.


    This was the most terrifying secret technique of the Sha Family.


    For anyone who had killed a member of the Sha Family, they could use their secret technique to conjure a statue identical to that person''s figure.


    Above the vast Azure Sea.


    Xiao Yi, holding a statue in his hands, revealed a bitter smile, "I never expected the Sha Family to have such a trick up their sleeve; now the three of us are truly infamous!"


    They had just been sailing normally at sea.


    But they encountered a merchant ship, initially just hoping to purchase some supplies, only to be recognized by the crew who secretly notified the Sha Family. At the same time, the merchant fleet''s owner deliberately set up a banquet with poisoned drinks in an attempt to capture Xiao Yi and his friends.


    Such despicable tactics naturally could not fool Xiao Yi.


    After being found out.


    The merchant fleet''s owner immediately summoned strong fighters, attempting to forcibly detain the three of them.


    In the end...


    Only the three of them were left on the merchant ship.


    Yue Shanchuan also spoke with a worried frown, "I was planning to continue challenging masters along the way, but now it seems best we avoid showing our faces anywhere. Xiao, it''s all because I dragged you down..."


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder, smiling, "What are you talking about, Yue? If anything, you''ve been dragged into this by me, haven''t you? There''s no need for such formalities between brothers. It''s just the Sha Family''s pursuit, if they dare to come, we kill them, that''s all!"


    "You''re right, if they dare to come we''ll kill them!"


    Yue Shanchuan nodded firmly.


    "However..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, "We can''t just keep running away forever, we need to come up with a plan that permanently solves this, to hurt the Sha Family so they won''t dare to pursue us so brazenly anymore!"


    "What''s the plan?" Yue Shanchuan asked.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, pulling out the sea chart that he had taken from the hands of the merchant fleet''s owner earlier, and pointed to a specific area, saying, "Here... We''ll lead all the people the Sha Family sends after us to this place, and then we''ll catch them all in one go!"


    Hiss!


    Yue Shanchuan''s eyes filled with shock, "This, this place?"


    His pupils contracted violently.


    On that sea chart...


    The area Xiao Yi was pointing to had three characters �� Devil Sea!


    ......


    In the following few days...


    Information about Xiao Yi and his group kept appearing in the hands of the Sha Family.


    Sha Yun, as the person responsible for the pursuit of Xiao Yi and his two friends, had reached the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, his combat strength was comparable to that of Xu Changsheng. In the entire Sha Family, he was a powerhouse that ranked within the top ten.


    Besides him...


    The Sha Family also deployed the second in command of the Shark Pirate Group, Sha Bao.


    Sha Bao led a hundred thousand members of the Shark Pirate Group, coordinating with Sha Yun to pursue Xiao Yi and his two friends.


    ```


    At this moment.


    Sha Bao and Sha Yun were gathered together, both of them with extremely unsightly expressions on their faces.


    Bang!


    Sha Bao slammed his wine cup fiercely onto the ground, glaring furiously, "That kid named Xiao Yi had better not let me catch him; otherwise, I swear I''ll eat his flesh raw and drink his blood alive, making him wish he was dead!"


    For three consecutive days.


    Xiao Yi and his two companions had been continuously ambushing the Shark Pirate Group, with losses exceeding fifty warships and nearly twenty thousand pirates dead.


    Sha Yun''s expression was also quite unpleasant.


    This time the Sha Family had given him two hundred thousand men, and now there were already more than thirty thousand casualties.


    And yet their target was only three people! S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sha Yun spoke in a heavy voice, "Now we have driven them into the Devil Sea territory, and we have formed a siege. Starting from now, at all costs, we will force them into this place..."


    Sha Yun pointed to the very center of the Devil Sea territory, to that island that made countless people lose their courage at the mere mention.


    This island was known as Skeleton Island!


    It was said...


    ...that a giant beast that survived from Ancient Times lived there, and no powerful being had ever emerged alive from there.


    Sha Bao frowned, his face showing hesitation, "We are already very close to Skeleton Island; our brothers are all in a panic, worrying about what might happen if we anger that big fellow on Skeleton Island..."


    "No need to worry!"


    Sha Yun said with a smile, "Those outsiders don''t know that a hundred years ago, the heads of the four big families had already made a pact with that being. As long as we don''t set foot on the island, it will not lay a hand on our people."


    "Oh?"


    Sha Bao''s eyes lit up, "No wonder this fellow has been so quiet over the last hundred years. If that''s the case, then maybe we don''t even need to lift a finger, and those three bastards will get themselves killed!"


    "Just to be safe, let''s still have our brothers push a bit harder and drive those three to Skeleton Island!" Sha Yun slammed his hand heavily on the tabletop, pressing down on Skeleton Island.


    Sha Bao''s face was twisted with ferocity as he nodded, "You''re right, drive those three bastards to Skeleton Island... It''s just that it''s a pity, not being able to personally skin them and eat their flesh..."


    In the following two days.


    The pursuit by the Shark Pirate Group and the Sha Family people reached an unprecedented intensity.


    Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan could feel this enormous pressure as they got closer and closer to the Skeleton Island marked on the sea chart. Just by nearing the core of this sea region, a gloomy and oppressive aura was almost driving them mad.


    This feeling was like a timid person being in a silent haunted house.


    "Xiao Yi, are we really going to land on Skeleton Island? That place has a terrifying ancient beast..." Yue Shanchuan looked at Skeleton Island, which was already appearing on the sea surface, shrouded in thick dark clouds and thunder.


    Xiao Yi nodded, his eyes filled with bloodshot.


    These past several days, facing the pursuit of the Sha Family while counterattacking, they led them into the Devil Sea.


    The toll on them was also enormous.


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "Only here can we catch them all in one swoop. The Sha Family has deployed hundreds of thousands of strong warriors, with over a hundred in the Nirvana Realm. If we manage to annihilate them all, it will surely make the Sha Family hurt for a while."


    "More than just hurt, they''re probably wishing they were dead..." Yue Shanchuan said with a wry smile.


    A hundred beings in the Nirvana Realm! Even with the Sha Family''s thousands of years of accumulation, such losses would be enough to cripple them!


    "Boss, the Sha Family''s men are speeding up the chase..." Little Lin, from the top of the mast, flew down and spoke in a grave voice.


    "They are in a rush!"


    Xiao Yi grinned, a bone-chilling coldness flickering in his eyes, "Get ready to land on the island; after that, let''s welcome the slaughter feast we have meticulously prepared for them!"

 Chapter 602 - 601: Taking the Initiative

    Skeleton Island.


    Xiao Yi, Yue Shanchuan, and Little Lin steered their ship to the shore, and the three of them disembarked directly onto the land.


    From a distance, Skeleton Island did not seem too large, but upon actually setting foot on it, one would find the island to be surprisingly vast.


    Especially the enormous volcano in the middle, which continuously belched black smoke outward, occupied more than half of Skeleton Island. The thick smoke billowed, covering hundreds of miles of the sky.


    It gave off an extremely gloomy feeling.


    Yue Shanchuan said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, now that we have reached Skeleton Island, what are the methods you mentioned for dealing with them? Exactly what are they?"


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth slightly curved upward in a cold and cruel smirk, and he said solemnly, "Formation!"


    "Formation?"


    Yue Shanchuan was startled, his eyes widening as he looked at Xiao Yi in shock, "You understand formations as well?"


    In his eyes, given Xiao Yi''s tender age and such cultivation level, it was apparent that he was entirely engrossed in training; how could he possibly have the mood to study formations?


    One must know...


    The Martial Dao path''s most taboo is to bite off more than one can chew.


    Better to have too little than too much.


    A person''s energy is always limited. To focus on cultivation while simultaneously studying formations was simply unimaginable. Yue Shanchuan himself was also considered a genius, and even more so, obsessed with martial arts.


    But even just bringing his knife practice to the current realm had already exhausted all his energy.


    Xiao Yi laughed and said, "It''s just an interest, I know a little!"


    "Know a little?"


    Little Lin rolled his eyes, looking at Xiao Yi with some disdain.


    If it came to formations,


    Probably within the entire turbulent sea area, no more than three people could match Xiao Yi.


    If this was still considered knowing ''a little,'' then hardly anyone dared to claim they were proficient.


    Of course...


    Yue Shanchuan was unaware of this and thought if Xiao Yi only had a slight understanding of formations, it would be plausible. He then said, "The Sha Family has sent quite a number of strong fighters this time, especially Sha Yun and Sha Bao, both of these men are experts in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm. Are you sure this won''t be a problem?"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to indicate they need not be concerned and then said, "I''ll start setting up the formation right now, you two keep an eye on their movements!"


    "Okay!"


    Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin promptly began patrolling the area.


    Xiao Yi, on the other hand, sat cross-legged and took out one formation stone after another, "Fortunately, the Double Star Daoist had set up this formation in the past; otherwise, I really wouldn''t have any way to deal with these people from the Sha Family..."


    The Double Star Daoist, the number one formation master of Ancient Times.


    He had once set up a formation known as the "Heaven-Overturning Sea-Covering Formation," which had once flooded an entire kingdom with this formation.


    What Xiao Yi intended to utilize now was this formation.


    The waters of the Devil Sea were already prone to violent winds and huge waves, and with the additional power of the Heaven-Overturning Sea-Covering Formation, it could effortlessly stir up towering waves. Just one giant wave crashing down,


    not to mention tens of thousands, even millions would be swallowed.


    Xiao Yi set up the formation with incredible speed, using Skeleton Island as the center of the formation, just waiting for Sha Yun and the others to approach. Once they did, he would activate the formation.


    By then...


    Towering waves, chaotic underwater currents, violent winds, and torrential rains would all converge,


    rushing crazily towards the outside of Skeleton Island.


    It would be a miracle if even a tenth of those tens of thousands from the Sha Family survived!


    Of course...


    This was also because Xiao Yi had found the Devil Sea and Skeleton Island, and determined that the people of the Sha Family would not easily land on Skeleton Island, which led to the current strategy. Otherwise, if he just chose any location to set up the formation, no matter how astounding the effects of the Heaven-Overturning Sea-Covering Formation, it would not be possible to swallow an army of the Sha Family with nearly a hundred Nirvana Realm powerhouses.


    Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin ran over: "Xiao Yi, the Sha Family''s people are surrounding Skeleton Island, and they have no intention of landing!"


    "Just as I expected!"


    Xiao Yi''s face lit up with pleasure, cold light flickered in his slightly squinted eyes, "But right now they are still too far from Skeleton Island, we must take the initiative to strike, to draw them closer."


    If the distance is too great, even if a giant wave was formed, they could escape at the first opportunity.


    Even if ordinary powerhouses couldn''t escape in time, those experts in the Dharma Manifestation Realm and Nirvana Realm could leave with ease.


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, handed the core of the Formation over to Little Lin, and said solemnly, "You two stay here, I''ll go lure them over!"


    "Isn''t that too dangerous?"


    "If Sha Bao and Sha Yun attack at the same time, how could you possibly escape?"


    The two expressed their concerns.


    Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "I have my own means of getting away. Remember, as soon as I lead their fleet within ten miles of Skeleton Island, immediately activate the Formation. Don''t worry about me, I can protect myself!"


    The two looked at each other, nodded, and agreed.


    With a whoosh, Xiao Yi dashed out from Skeleton Island, and in a short while, he arrived in front of the Sha Family fleet, which was over three hundred miles away.


    This fleet was incredibly large.


    On board each of the hundreds of warships, there were several experts above the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and nearly a hundred Nirvana Realm masters were hidden inside, all to prevent Xiao Yi from launching a surprise attack and defeating them one by one.


    "They''re really cautious!"


    Xiao Yi hovered in mid-air, sneering at the Sha Family fleet in front of him, "Are all the Sha Family''s people cowards? Don''t you want to kill me? I, Xiao Yi, am right here, who dares to fight me?"


    Aboard the main ship. Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sha Bao''s eyes were filled with bloodthirsty sharpness as he sneered, "This kid is really arrogant. Sha Yan, go test his limits!"


    "Yes!"


    Fourfold Nirvana Realm''s Sha Yan rose into the air, came near Xiao Yi, and said with arrogance, "How dare you, Xiao Yi, slaughter our Sha Family''s holy maiden, today is the day you die!"


    "You''re not my match. Better send Sha Bao or Sha Yun instead!" Xiao Yi replied disdainfully.


    "Seeking death!"


    Enraged, Sha Yan burst into action, transforming into a sandstorm around him, knowing full well Xiao Yi had the strength to kill the holy maiden Sha Bolian, he didn''t dare to be careless. His move was to activate his Martial Dao Fasxiang, and a sky full of sand rushed towards Xiao Yi.


    Unperturbed, Xiao Yi''s demon sword, Slashing Moon, landed in his palm, and with a slash he executed: "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords��Heaven''s Wrath!"


    Hum!


    A terrifying sword''s hum resounded like thunder.


    Then...


    A slash swept across.


    The pervasive sand trembled violently, and amidst it, Sha Yan screamed as he was cleaved in two.


    Hiss!


    Aboard the warships, the Sha Family''s powerhouses all inhaled sharply. Sha Yan was a master of the Fourfold Nirvana Realm, yet he was cut down by Xiao Yi in one stroke? They exchanged glances, "Is this kid really just at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm?"


    "That''s too strong, isn''t it?"


    "No wonder he was able to kill the holy maiden..."


    Aboard the main ship.


    Sha Bao looked over at Sha Yun with an unprecedented seriousness on his face, "If this child is not eliminated, he will become a great threat in the future."


    "If we allow him to grow further, he will indeed become a threat to the heart of our Sha Family, this child must be eliminated..." Sha Yun took a deep breath, turned to Sha Bao, and said, "You go and meet him!"


    "Leave it to me!"


    Full of confidence, Sha Bao said, then with a swift movement, he rushed toward the sky and loudly shouted from afar, "Xiao Yi, your grandpa Sha Bao is here, come meet your death swiftly!"

 Chapter 603 - 602: Overwhelming Destruction, Heavy Losses!

    "Xiao Yi, your grandpa Sha Bao is here, come and meet your death quickly!" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sha Bao''s roar was like thunder.


    As his figure soared through the sky, each step he took unleashed violent power, causing the sea below to boom explosively, with columns of water shooting up like towering pillars.


    Sha Bao''s physique was burly like a humanoid bear, and his muscles seemed as heavy as lead blocks.


    Explosive power filled his entire body.


    With a single leap, he covered hundreds of feet to arrive in front of Xiao Yi, and without a word, he raised his hand to strike: "Wild Shark Emerge!"


    Boom!


    Upon his iron fist, a mass of earthy yellow light swirled.


    The fine sand, mingled with iron filings, coalesced to form a gigantic shark tens of feet long. The shark opened its gaping mouth and lunged straight for Xiao Yi''s head to bite down, its might reflecting the Sha Family''s ability to control sand.


    When Sha Bao controlled the sandstorm, he even mixed in sharp hidden weapons and iron filings.


    Sometimes as soft as cotton, once condensed, they were comparable to fine iron.


    "Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger!"


    Xiao Yi pointed his finger.


    Hum!


    Under the circulation of the Four Symbols phantom, a massive Yuan-energy finger shot into the shark''s biting mouth summoned by the sand churning punch. Amidst roaring explosions, the shark erupted into pieces, and Xiao Yi took the opportunity to move forward.


    Before Sha Bao could recover his senses, Xiao Yi slapped him across the face.


    Slap!


    The crisp sound of the slap left all the strong members of the Sha Family dumbfounded: "Motherf*cker! Am I seeing things?"


    "Did Xiao Yi actually slap Sha Bao?"


    "Sha Bao is going to freak out��"


    On the main ship, Sha Yun''s face changed dramatically; he knew very well Sha Bao''s temperament. Once enraged, he would completely lose consciousness, driven only by the madness of revenge and fight.


    Indeed...


    Under that slap from Xiao Yi, Sha Bao instantly went berserk.


    "Bastard, how dare you slap my face? Smack my ear? I will tear you to a million pieces..."


    Sha Bao''s eyes reddened like a crazed dragon, charging wildly, undiscriminating friend from foe. His fists rained down towards Xiao Yi''s back, while Xiao Yi, using his agile movement technique, dodged time after time.


    "Sha Bao, stop chasing, ahead lies Skeleton Island..." Sha Yun shouted loudly.


    Sha Bao''s whole body shuddered.


    Skeleton Island?


    The fear of Skeleton Island momentarily restored some of his sanity.


    Seeing this, Xiao Yi inwardly cursed his luck, as he had finally managed to lead his pursuer here, and if Sha Bao turned back now, it would all have been for naught.


    With this thought...


    Xiao Yi turned back and mocked with a sneer, "Sha Bao? I''ve heard that your Shark Pirate Group is teeming with strong warriors, each one valiant and fearless in the face of death. Today''s encounter is truly disappointing. You keep saying you''ll kill me, well I''m right here, come and do it if you can!"


    "Wahhh, Xiao Yi, you''ve gone too far, I''m going to fight you!"


    Sha Bao bellowed in rage, his eyes a bloody red.


    He could no longer care about the dangers of Skeleton Island.


    Sha Bao, as the Shark Pirate Group''s second-in-command, and also the son of the Sha Family''s Supreme Elder, would be a tremendous loss to the Sha Family if anything were to happen to him.


    Sha Yun growled lowly, "Get the ships moving, catch up to him, we absolutely cannot let anything happen to Sha Bao!"


    Rumbling!


    One after another, the warships madly pursued Sha Bao.


    Sha Yun yelled amidst the breaking waves, "Sha Bao, come back, it''s a trap!"


    A hint of hesitation flashed through Sha Bao''s eyes.


    Xiao Yi turned, scoffed coldly, and taunted, "Good boy Sha Bao, didn''t you hear your daddy calling you back? Go on back and have your milk, don''t make your daddy worry! Hahaha..."


    Sha Bao''s face turned green, blood red filling his eyes.


    Xiao Yi was asking him to go back and drink milk?


    Wasn''t that like saying he was still a nursing baby?


    For Sha Bao, who had spent years among the pirates who revered strength, this was an enormous humiliation. Sha Bao roared incessantly, "You little bastard, you better pray I don''t catch you. Otherwise, I''ll skin you alive and gnaw on your bones..."


    "You''ll have to see if you''ve got the skill!" Xiao Yi''s sword slashed out.


    Sword twenty-two.


    The sword cleaved through the air, its radiance like a rainbow piercing the heavens, spanning across the sky.


    An icy breath enveloped Sha Bao''s surroundings in a flash, and the Yuan Qi of heaven and earth exploded with a tremendous roar, shockingly shredding Sha Bao''s pants to pieces. There, little Sha Bao was left stark naked to the air.


    Xiao Yi burst out laughing, "You call yourself Sha Bao, but you''re more like a sandbag! Hahaha, that''s way too small..."


    "F*ck..."


    Sha Bao''s face went green.


    This was the pain of his lifetime!


    "Xiao Yi, no matter where you run, even to the Ends of the Heaven, I will kill you!" Sha Bao roared furiously, the yellow sand swirling around him, with a sandstorm emerging behind him��it was his Martial Dao Fasxiang.


    Rustle rustle!


    Along with a sweep of Sha Bao''s arm, the sky-darkening sandstorm surged forward.


    Sky-darkening.


    As if the apocalypse had descended.


    This sky-full of sand also obscured the vision of Sha Yun and the others, preventing them from seeing the specifics ahead, leaving them no choice but to blindly rush forward.


    As the distance drew nearer...


    A hundred miles.


    Fifty miles.


    Ten miles...


    Xiao Yi let out a mighty roar, "Activate the Formation!"


    On the shore, Yue Shanchuan crushed the Formation''s core in his hand.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    In an instant, columns of water burst forth from the sea, the smallest reaching a thousand feet in height, while the tallest soared tens of thousands of feet. Waves rolled, winds howled, lightning flashed, and thunder roared, turning the entire range of Skeleton Island into the color of doomsday.


    Rumble rumble!


    Rustle rustle!


    The sea roared, waves upon waves sweeping across the sky, and frightening whirlpools formed on top of the sea.


    "Damn it!"


    "We''ve been tricked!"


    "Fuck, Xiao Yi you bastard, such a vicious scheme..."


    The faces of Sha Yun and the others turned ashen. Under those terrifying waves, their warships were like specks in the Azure Sea. With a deafening crash, a colossal wave smashed down, shattering their warships and sending their warriors tumbling into the sea, where they were quickly swallowed by the terrifying whirlpools.


    Gone without a trace.


    One.


    Ten.


    A hundred...


    One after another, the warships were destroyed, and one after another, the powerful warriors of the Sha Family were buried at the sea''s bottom.


    Xiao Yi had plunged into the sea as soon as the Formation was activated, swimming determinedly toward the deep sea. Even so, the terrifying whirlpools caused Xiao Yi to feel dizzy, as he was repeatedly slammed against the seabed by the force of the water.


    Fortunately, his physical body was strong enough. Enduring with his Wind Thunder physique, he managed to swim from the seabed to the shores of Skeleton Island.


    "Boss!"


    "Xiao Yi, are you alright?"


    Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan hurried over.


    Xiao Yi shook his head and spat out a big mouthful of bloody seawater. Raising his hand, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and cracked a grin, "I''m alright, hurry and see how they''re doing..."


    Everyone looked ahead.


    Waves churned the sky, tsunamis ended the world, and the whirlpools in the sea were like man-eating beasts.


    With irresistible force, they crazily destroyed the Sha Family''s fleet,


    The whole process lasted a full three hours.


    When the energy of the Formation stones was depleted, and the sea gradually returned to calm,


    Not a single whole ship could be seen on the sea anymore, only broken planks and metal floating on the surface, along with countless bodies. From this onslaught, it was miraculous that even a tenth of the Sha Family''s several hundred thousand strong had survived!


    "Hahaha, we did it!"


    Yue Shanchuan was ecstatic, "Xiao Yi, you''re too amazing! With just the three of us, we''ve wiped out tens of thousands of the Sha Family''s warriors!"


    "It''s not over yet!"


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, his eyebrows lightly raised as he looked toward the calm sea ahead, "If you don''t show yourselves now, we''ll take our leave first!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking,


    Than a ball made of sand shot up from the water with a bang, about twenty meters in diameter, floating above the sea. With a swishing sound, the sand on the sphere gradually fell off, revealing several ragged figures.


    Sha Bao, Sha Yun, and another eleven warriors of the Nirvana Realm, along with thirty-six Dharma Manifestation Realm warriors.


    Their eyes were all blood-red, filled with boundless hatred, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi and the other two.


    Sha Bao was grinding his teeth, roaring again and again, "Xiao Yi, I will crush you into dust and scatter your ashes to commemorate the dead warriors!"

 Chapter 604 - 603: Accident

    "Grind my bones and scatter my ashes?"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled slightly upward, his icy gaze fixed on Sha Bao and the others as he said, "You lot aren''t nearly qualified enough to grind my bones and scatter my ashes!"


    The strongest among them, Sha Bao and Sha Yun, were merely on the same level as Xu Changsheng.


    Xiao Yi had previously managed to slay Xu Changsheng, and what''s more, now he had devoured the entire Spiritual Blood Pool, his spiritual power was on par with a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm expert who had attained Spiritual Nirvana.


    The enhancement of his spiritual power had also significantly boosted Xiao Yi''s combat strength.


    There was absolutely no problem in killing Sha Bao and the rest!


    "Arrogant!"


    "Ignorant fool, if we don''t kill you, where will the Sha Family''s face be?"


    "Attack!"


    With a furious roar from Sha Yun, all the strong members of the Sha Family moved to strike at once.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Yue, those in the Nirvana Realm are yours to handle, and the Dharma Manifestation Realm is for Little Lin. I''ll take care of Sha Bao and Sha Yun!"


    "No problem!"


    Yue Shanchuan patted his chest, the black war blade in his palm sent a slight tremor, buzzing as if it was about to tear the void apart.


    "Hold on for a bit, Yue. Once I''ve wiped out those Dharma Manifestation Realm fighters, I''ll come help you!" Little Lin chuckled.


    "Alright!"


    Yue Shanchuan nodded heartily.


    Then...


    The two charged towards the strongmen from the Sha Family.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Sha Bao and Sha Yun with a provocative hook of his finger before soaring into the sky, "Sha Yun, Sha Bao, if you''re brave enough, take the fight to the heavens with me!" S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Afraid? Not a chance!"


    "Die!"


    Sha Bao and the other followed closely behind.


    Their speed was incredibly fast, appearing in the void in an instant.


    Beneath their feet was a volcano spewing flames, the scorching heat causing the sky to take on a blood-red hue.


    Xiao Yi, with the Zhan Yue in hand, said with a cold face, "Are you planning to come at me one by one, or all at once?"


    "Hmph, to kill you, we don''t need to join forces!" Sha Bao snorted coldly, turning to Sha Yun, "You just watch from the side. Make sure this kid doesn''t escape. Watch me take his head!"


    "Don''t worry, he won''t escape with me here!" said Sha Yun, full of confidence.


    As they spoke, Sha Yun raised his arm, his hand sweeping across the void before him.


    Out of his palm spewed a torrent of sand, as swishing sounds filled the air and countless grains of sand transformed into high walls with serrated edges, standing on all sides and trapping Xiao Yi and Sha Bao within the cage.


    Sha Bao sneered, "Boy, Sha Yun''s Quicksand Prison is unbreakable. Unless you kill me today, don''t even think about leaving here alive!"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Then I''ll just have to kill you before I leave!"


    "Kill me? Heh heh, you are quite the arrogant one!"


    Sha Bao''s laughter was piercing and grating, his eyes filled with venomous ferocity, "With your vile schemes, you''ve killed hundreds of thousands of my brothers. I will take your head to appease the spirits of those fallen brothers in heaven!"


    Boom!


    A thunderous explosion resounded.


    A whirlwind of sand billowed, turning into a ferocious sandstorm.


    Sha Bao''s Martial Dao Fasxiang was the sandstorm; he had observed real sandstorms in the inland deserts and condensed this Fasxiang. He had even reached the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm through Fasxiang Nirvana. Once the Fasxiang was deployed, the swirling sands were terrifying.


    "Sandstorm covers the heavens!"


    Sha Bao pointed with both hands and the sand condensed into a yellow dome, swooping down to envelop Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi slashed the Zhan Yue in the empty space.


    Whoosh!


    Silver sword beams spread out like a peacock''s tail, slicing through the air, aiming to hit the sandstorm. But they were swallowed up by the swirling dust, like clay oxen disappearing into the sea, unable to disturb even an inch.


    Sha Bao, shrouded in dust, revealed a hideous smirk, "I forgot to tell you, my Fasxiang sandstorm is immune to ninety-nine percent of attacks. You couldn''t possibly hurt me!"


    "So that''s how it is!"


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows slightly, immediately figuring out the peculiar aspects of the sandstorm Fasxiang.


    Physical attacks falling upon the sandstorm would dissipate through the movement of the grains of sand, directly neutralizing the force of the physical attacks.


    Xiao Yi''s sword technique posed a severe threat to any Nirvana Realm expert, but once the force was distributed across billions of sand grains, it naturally reduced the damage to a minimum.


    With that thought,


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved up in a smile as he said, "Since ordinary attacks don''t work, I have no choice but to use this move!"


    "Hmm?"


    Sha Bao raised an eyebrow with a sneer, "Do you still have some hidden trick up your sleeve?"


    Xiao Yi grinned,


    and snapped his fingers.


    Whoosh!


    Behind him, the God Devouring Ants demi-god converged.


    The body shone golden, with six eyes signifying the six great elemental attributes, dignified and extraordinary.


    Sha Bao blinked, frowning, "So it''s an animal-type demi-god... What do you intend to do? Unleashing your cute little thing to bite me? Hahaha..."


    However, Sha Yun felt something was amiss and hastily urged, "Sha Bao, don''t delay any longer. Kill him now..."


    "Rest assured, taking his life will be but a moment''s effort!"


    Sha Bao spread his hands, his bodily qi as vast as the ocean, and bellowed, "Great Sand Explosion!"


    Boom!


    Countless grains of sand converged into a yellow deluge, a frenzied torrent rushing towards Xiao Yi.


    This was no ordinary sand but had undergone Nine Nirvana Reincarnations, each grain was extremely heavy. Once covered by these sands, even Xiao Yi, with his Wind Thunder Holy Body, might struggle to escape.


    However...


    Facing the oncoming sandstorm, Xiao Yi simply smiled lightly.


    His bodily qi roared, and the God Sealing Seed glowed brilliantly.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The God Devouring Ant demi-god split continuously,


    One became two.


    Two became four.


    Four turned into eight...


    In a blink, tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants appeared between heaven and earth.


    Facing the massed ranks of the God Devouring Ants, Sha Bao and Sha Yun wore dumbfounded expressions: "What kind of technique is this?"


    "One can utilize a demi-god like this?"


    With surprise on their faces, Sha Yun felt a strong unease from the momentum of the God Devouring Ant army and bellowed, "Sha Bao, take action quickly..."


    "I know..."


    Sha Bao, being eyed by several hundred thousand God Devouring Ants, felt a tingling on his scalp and spurred on the sandstorm even more frantically.


    "Kill them!"


    Xiao Yi pointed forward.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Amid the rustling and screeching, the vast army of God Devouring Ants surged forward ferociously. Everything they passed was devastated; even the yellow sand was consumed one grain at a time.


    "No, no..."


    Sha Bao watched in horror as his Martial Tao Skill turned sandstorm was devoured bit by bit, his eyes nearly splitting, his face flushed with rage.


    He tried to retract his demi-god but found it to no avail.


    The God Devouring Ants, in their mad consumption, seemed to possess a profound power, preventing him from reclaiming his demi-god.


    He could only watch helplessly as his Martial Tao Skill was rapidly consumed, leaving nothing in the blink of an eye. With the destruction of his demi-god, Sha Bao suffered a severe spiritual backlash, vomiting a mouthful of fresh blood.


    His figure wavered dangerously, almost falling from high above.


    Following the path of demi-god Nirvana, now that his demi-god was destroyed, he lost eighty percent of his life''s cultivation.


    Sha Yun''s complexion changed drastically. Sand converged into a claw that grabbed Sha Bao, shooting a fierce glance at the swarming God Devouring Ants, his heart trembling. Saying viciously "You just wait," Sha Yun fled into the distant sky with Sha Bao in tow.


    It was just...


    As he was about to leave the bounds of Skeleton Island, a sudden crisis arose...

 Chapter 605 - 604: Mutual Destruction

    Xiao Yi''s countless God Devouring Ants swarmed towards him, capable of even consuming a Martial Dao Fasxiang.


    How could Sha Yun dare to linger any longer?


    He grabbed Sha Bao and rushed towards the outside of Skeleton Island.


    However...


    Just as he was about to leave the vicinity of Skeleton Island, the entire island suddenly erupted with a thunderous roar, followed by colossal columns of water shooting into the sky, blocking his way.


    As the water pillars fell, a massive figure appeared before everyone.


    It was a Sea Demon shaped like an octopus.


    Its body was a hundred zhang tall, but its eight tentacles were a thousand zhang each.


    Baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, it seemed as if it could blot out the sky.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Huge tentacles began to flail in the void, and on its blood-red head, a pair of mountainous eyes stared intently at Sha Yun and the others, filled with icy anger, "How dare you disturb my slumber, all of you shall die!"


    "No, this is bad..."


    Sha Yun''s complexion changed dramatically as a look of terror appeared in his eyes, "How, how did we awaken this creature?"


    This Sea Demon was none other than the king of Devil Sea, the ancient behemoth Bo Ci.


    Sha Yun quickly said, "Lord Bo Ci, we two are from the Sha Family, our family''s head once made a pact with you, please spare our lives!"


    Bo Ci, however, coldly snorted, his icy gaze fixed on him, "I don''t care who you are, disturbing my slumber is a path to death!"


    Swish, swish, swish!


    The tentacles crazily lashed out towards Sha Yun and the others including Xiao Yi.


    The gigantic tentacles wielded the power to destroy heaven and earth, belonging to a seventh-rank peak demonic beast, equivalent to a human in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm. Yet, its strength was simply too formidable, especially in the ocean.


    Bo Ci''s combat prowess was feared to be on par with the favored sons and daughters of the heavens on the Flying Dragon List.


    Boom!


    The huge tentacles, with their suction cups, exerted terrifying suction the moment they approached. Even a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse at full speed couldn''t break free, only to be firmly gripped by the suction cups and then rolled into Bo Ci''s mouth.


    One powerhouse after another met a gruesome death in the mouth of Bo Ci.


    For a moment.


    Only Xiao Yi, Yue Shanchuan, Little Lin, and the two from the Sha Family remained on Skeleton Island.


    "Xiao Yi, this demonic beast is too terrifying, what should we do?" Yue Shanchuan said as he fended off the massive tentacles'' attack while moving closer to Xiao Yi.


    Little Lin had regained its normal size.


    Dodging Bo Ci''s attacks with agility, it returned to Xiao Yi''s shoulder.


    "Sword Twenty-Two!"


    Xiao Yi unleashed a sword slash but only managed to leave a small gash on the gigantic tentacle. Unimpeded, the tentacle ''swooshed'' and struck Xiao Yi. Spraying out a mouthful of blood, Xiao Yi fell onto Skeleton Island.


    Boom!


    The mountain where he crashed exploded, dust billowing up. Xiao Yi ''swooshed'' out from the ruins.


    Raising his hand to wipe the blood from his mouth.


    Xiao Yi, seeing the two from the Sha Family being captured by Bo Ci and stuffed into its mouth, had a look of desperation in his eyes as he shouted to Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin, "You two go first, I''ll hold him back!"


    "What?"


    "That''s not possible, if we stay and fight side by side, we might have a chance. I can''t leave you here alone..." Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin shook their heads resolutely.


    Xiao Yi said, "Hurry up, I have my own way to escape. After you leave, head to Huanglongn Island and wait for me, we''ll regroup there!"


    "No way..."


    Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan''s eyes reddened, unwilling to leave.


    Xiao Yi roared, "Get lost!"


    Boom!


    With a tremor of his arms, the wings of Wind Thunder unfolded on his back. As they flapped fiercely, they created a gale that blew the two away for several miles. Xiao Yi shouted, "Wait for me on Huanglongn Island!"


    His roar still echoed in the air.


    Xiao Yi then shook his Wind Thunder wings and, holding the Zhan Yue sword, charged at Bo Ci.


    "No... Boss..." Little Lin''s eyes were blood-red as he struggled madly, attempting to rush forward.


    But Yue Shanchuan grabbed him, roaring, "Go, we must believe in Xiao Yi, we go now..."


    "No, let me go, you..."


    Little Lin struggled frantically, but Yue Shanchuan knocked him out with a palm strike.


    Yue Shanchuan tucked Little Lin into his arms, looked in the direction of Skeleton Island, and bit down hard, "Xiao Yi, you must stay alive... if you die, I will train in desperation, and one day I will kill this beast and slaughter the entire Sha Family for revenge on your behalf..."


    Whoosh!


    Yue Shanchuan shot through the sky and left.


    ......


    On Skeleton Island.


    Xiao Yi''s body was coursing with the power of Wind Thunder, his wings of Wind Thunder vibrating as he brandished his sword, standing like a War God.


    He fearlessly faced Bo Ci.


    Bo Ci had swallowed dozens of people, but it seemed to feel nothing, locking its cold gaze on Xiao Yi, "Lowly human, that formation just now was set by you, wasn''t it? You disturbed my slumber, you, deserve to die!"


    "Even mere beasts want to kill me?"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, his qi surging all around him as the God Sealing Seed burst forth at its peak.


    Buzz Buzz Buzz!


    The number of God Devouring Ants continued to increase, already reaching his limit of one million.


    This was after Xiao Yi had absorbed energy from the Spiritual Blood Pool, and his spiritual power had exploded to the extent comparable to Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm; otherwise, his limit would have been only one hundred thousand God Devouring Ants. One million God Devouring Ants hovered in the air, their golden bodies and six differently colored eyes making one''s scalp tingle.


    Bo Ci, clearly not recognizing the God Devouring Ants, snorted coldly and mocked, "You dare to contend with me with mere ants? Die!"


    Boom Boom Boom!


    Two huge tentacles lashed out towards Xiao Yi simultaneously.


    Xiao Yi swung his hand.


    An army of one million God Devouring Ants swarmed up, many crushed by the tremendous force of the tentacles, but their sheer numbers were overwhelming!


    The million God Devouring Ants began to gnaw away madly.


    In just the blink of an eye...


    The thousand-zhang-long tentacles had been gnawed down to half their size.


    This completely dumbfounded Bo Ci -- it had always been the one consuming others; when had it ever become food for something else?


    "Get off, get off me..." Bo Ci roared angrily.


    It waved its tentacles frantically, trying to shake off the God Devouring Ants.


    But once the ants bit down, they would not let go, causing Bo Ci to tremble in pain.


    The remaining six tentacles struck out.


    They whipped at the God Devouring Ants even more fiercely, but to little effect.


    As the seventh tentacle was gnawed away, Bo Ci completely lost its temper, its venomous gaze dead fixed on Xiao Yi, "Lowly human, you have caused such severe damage to my body, even if I perish, I will drag you down with me!"


    Hum!


    Bo Ci''s body suddenly started to swell.


    It grew larger and larger.


    From its original size of a hundred zhang, it became nearly a thousand zhang, almost covering the entire Skeleton Island. With its malicious eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, there was a thunderous blast. S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This ancient behemoth that ruled over the Devil Sea made its choice: self-destruct!


    Boom Boom Boom!


    A massive explosion instantaneously engulfed thousands of miles; Skeleton Island evaporated on the spot, and a huge sea hole with a diameter of a thousand miles appeared on the sea surface.


    Countless waters rushed crazily into the hole.


    Yet it could not be filled in time.


    Only...


    In this expanse of sea, there was no longer any trace of Xiao Yi...

 Chapter 606 - 605: Evil God Temple, Su Wuxie!

    In the midst of the chaotic Devil Sea.


    The immense whirlpool continued to consume the surrounding waters voraciously, with the thundering sound of the currents echoing for miles without end.


    Countless amounts of seawater surged crazily into the whirlpool.


    Bottomless.


    Fierce energy storms filled the whirlpool, making it impossible for anyone to get even slightly close.


    In the void.


    Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan returned to this place, only to see that Skeleton Island had vanished without a trace, and Xiao Yi, Bo Ci, and the others were nowhere to be found. Little Lin''s eyes were blood red as he dove into the tempestuous water with a loud crash.


    Then, he burst forth with force.


    And dove in again.


    He even went directly into the massive whirlpool.


    The horrific energy storm left countless ferocious gashes on his body; the crisscross scars made Little Lin bleed profusely, like a blood-soaked snake.


    Yue Shanchuan did not stop him, knowing well that even if he tried, it would be futile to restrain Little Lin at this moment.


    He also searched the area for Xiao Yi''s whereabouts.


    But...


    After an entire day and night of searching, both were utterly exhausted yet had come up empty-handed.


    "Boss... boss, where are you..." Little Lin weakly called out to the whirlpool, having attempted hundreds of times to dive into its depths. Each attempt ended in failure, only earning him a battered body covered in wounds.


    Standing beside Little Lin, Yue Shanchuan said solemnly, "Little Lin, don''t get too agitated. Don''t you have a lifebound contract with Xiao Yi? As long as you''re alive, it means that Xiao Yi is at least not in life-threatening danger!"


    "Right, you''re right, I have a lifebound contract with the boss..." Little Lin, like a drowning man clutching at straws, found some clarity return to his dull and desperate eyes.


    Yue Shanchuan inwardly sighed with relief and continued, "It''s no use for us to keep searching here. Besides, the people of the Sha Family will surely come looking. We need to leave this place quickly and head to Huanglongn Island to wait for Xiao Yi..."


    "Okay, let''s go to Huanglongn Island; the boss will definitely come to find us there!"


    Little Lin nodded, his gaze burning with deep-seated hate, "But before that, I must take revenge on the Sha Family. If it weren''t for them, the boss wouldn''t have gone missing..."


    Yue Shanchuan grunted in agreement, "Don''t worry, we will take our revenge on the Sha Family!"


    Immediately, the two dragged their weary bodies and flew towards the distance.


    Just as Yue Shanchuan had said...


    Half a day later, the fleet of the Sha Family arrived at the Devil Sea.


    Upon seeing the vanished Skeleton Island and the loss of hundreds of thousands of their strong men, the entire Sha Family erupted in fury.


    Half a day later.


    A bounty notice spread throughout the entire turbulent maritime region, and the targets were none other than Xiao Yi and his two companions.


    Only now...


    The price for the bounty had been raised to the billion level.


    On the tumultuous bounty list...


    The eighteenth place, Xiao Yi, with a bounty of one billion sea crystals.


    The twenty-ninth place, Yue Shanchuan, with a bounty of eight hundred million sea crystals.


    The thirtieth place, Little Lin, with a bounty of seven hundred and fifty million sea crystals!


    The tumultuous bounty list had not been updated in nearly a century, and now, with one refresh, three names appeared, with Xiao Yi''s being the highest at one billion sea crystals. This was certainly enough to mobilize the vast majority of the Nirvana Realm masters.


    Of course...


    Xiao Yi was oblivious to all this.


    At this moment.


    Xiao Yi stared blankly at his surroundings; he was in a room filled with blue, lying inside a gigantic hollowed-out seashell. Before him stood a mermaid with the head of a person and the body of a fish.


    The mermaid looked at Xiao Yi in surprise, flashing a brilliant smile and said, "You''re awake?"


    Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "What place is this?"


    The mermaid grinned, revealing the pink gills behind blue hair, "This is the Evil God Temple, my name is Asuo... It was the Evil God who ordered us to go to the Devil Sea to rescue you."


    "Evil God?"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    Just as the mermaid was about to speak, a deep voice came from outside the door, "Asuo, the Evil God invites the distinguished guest to the Evil God Palace!"


    "Okay!"


    Asuo nodded his head and looked at Xiao Yi with a smile, his eyes filled with a touch of envy, "Your luck is really good. Right after I brought you back, the Evil God sent someone over, and after you''ve woken up, you''re to visit the Evil God Palace. That''s the most supreme ancestor of our Evil God Temple, even the clan leader finds it extremely difficult to meet him!" S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly. In his memory, when Bo Ci self-destructed, Xiao Yi escaped at his fastest speed towards the depths of the sea. Still, he was knocked unconscious by the huge blast wave, and when he woke up, he was in the Evil God Temple.


    "Hurry, follow me. We mustn''t keep the Evil God waiting!" Asuo said.


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, for he hadn''t suffered any injuries.


    Following Asuo out the door, two powerful members of the Mermaid Clan were waiting outside, both at the level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    The several individuals looked at Xiao Yi with great respect, "My lord, please!"


    "Thanks!"


    Xiao Yi nodded to them.


    Subsequently...


    Xiao Yi followed them towards the Evil God Palace, which was situated in an underwater canyon, shielded by a formation, preventing the seawater from flooding in.


    Along the way, he could see quite a few merfolk.


    Their gazes at Xiao Yi were extremely friendly.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but frown.


    He had heard the tales of mermaids and sea demons before but had never seen a living mermaid, so he had treated it as just a legend. Yet, here he was, mermaids actually existed.


    As for the Evil God they spoke of, what sort of being was that?


    In the midst of his confusion, Xiao Yi eventually arrived at the deepest part of the underwater canyon, where there was a giant ancient turtle. The turtle had clearly been dead for a long time. Its mouth gaped open like a portal.


    Its massive body was akin to a great hall.


    "Ahead is the Evil God Palace, the Evil God awaits you inside!" the leading mermaid said with a face full of reverence.


    Xiao Yi was somewhat dazed.


    He bowed to the two mermaids and walked straight through the mouth of the ancient turtle.


    Thud thud thud!


    The empty and cold interior of the turtle was vast, and the echo of Xiao Yi''s footsteps was chilling, adding an even more eerie atmosphere to the whole Evil God Palace.


    He made his way to the deepest part of the Evil God Palace.


    Xiao Yi saw the so-called Evil God!


    That was a serene old man sitting on a cushion, with a kind face.


    Next to the old man was a crystal coffin, and inside the coffin lay a beautiful and enchanting mermaid woman. Her golden hair was spread out inside the crystal coffin, lying there quietly, motionless.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over her and then rested on the old man before him.


    His eyes slightly focused.


    Xiao Yi bowed to him and said, "Junior Xiao Yi pays respect to the senior!"


    "Hmm!"


    The old man nodded with a smile and said softly, "Little fellow, since you come from the Chaotic Sea, do you know who I am?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Who was this old man?


    What was his connection to the Chaotic Sea?


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shone, staring intently at him, "Senior, could it be that you are the Evil God��Su Wuxie?"

 Chapter 607 - 606: Does the Evil God Also Have an Eternal Heavenly Tomb?

    "Are you the senior, Su Wuxie?"


    Xiao Yi''s face showed a look of shock, unable to believe what he saw before him. It was difficult to associate this kind and elderly man with the Evil God who nearly annihilated the entire Sea Realm of Chaos a thousand years ago and still occupies the top bounty on the Chaos Bounty List with an offer of a hundred billion sea crystals.


    Su Wuxie cracked a smile, infused with self-deprecation, "You must be wondering how someone like me could possibly be the universally condemned Evil God, right?"


    Xiao Yi remained silent.


    Yet amidst Su Wuxie''s grinning, a violent coughing fit interrupted him. After a moment''s respite, he continued, "If it weren''t for having no other choice, who would willingly become a person of unforgivable evil?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, and from the implications of Su Wuxie''s words, could it be that there was a hidden story behind his mass slaughter in the Sea Realm of Chaos years ago?


    Su Wuxie struggled to his feet, his body trembling.


    Only then did Xiao Yi notice that he was missing half of his body, and one could even see the gently pulsating heart.


    Su Wuxie paid no heed to Xiao Yi''s gaze and calmly stated, "In this life, no one can escape greed, anger, ignorance, resentment, and hatred. And greed is the leader of all evils. Back then, I was just an ordinary martial artist. But then by accident, I met her..."


    His gaze fell upon the crystal coffin. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Perhaps Su Wuxie was indeed a remorseless killer, but his eyes, as they rested on the person in the crystal coffin, were so pure.


    "She was a princess of the Mermaid Clan. We met, got to know each other, and eventually fell in love. Look, she''s truly beautiful, isn''t she?" Su Wuxie''s doting gaze settled on the woman inside the crystal coffin as he asked with a smile.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Su Wuxie carried on, "We thought we could live a peaceful life, farming and weaving, and maybe even raising a few children... But fate wouldn''t allow it..."


    Boom!


    A terrifyingly cold aura suddenly burst forth from Su Wuxie''s body, causing the temperature around them to drop dramatically.


    That frightening intent to kill was so intense that even Xiao Yi felt a chilling terror coursing through his heart.


    "Sorry, I lost control for a moment!" Su Wuxie apologized.


    Xiao Yi nodded, showing his understanding.


    Su Wuxie continued, "It was a stormy night, with thunder and lightning. She was scared of thunder, and every time it thundered, she would curl up in my arms. That night, as usual, she hid in my embrace and told me she was pregnant. I was overjoyed, dreaming with her of our future life after the child was born... But then..."


    Xiao Yi noticed a terrifying darkness of vengeance and hatred brewing in Su Wuxie''s eyes, like a ferocious storm about to erupt.


    "But then they appeared!"


    His voice turned sharp, his breath quickening as if he had just fought a fierce battle.


    "They?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Su Wuxie nodded, gritting his teeth, "The domineering powers of the Sea Realm of Chaos back then, their people appeared. They took her away right in front of me, demanding to know where the treasure was. She refused to tell them, so they tortured her brutally, even cutting her open to take our unborn daughter from her womb. Hehe, did you know? It was a girl, barely formed, and they took her out..."


    Su Wuxie''s laughter was bizarre and grating.


    It carried with it a horrifying psychic tremor.


    Enough to give Xiao Yi an excruciating headache.


    To think...


    ```


    His spiritual power was comparable to that of a strong warrior who had undergone Spiritual Nirvana nine times. Just the mental fluctuations from Su Wuxie were enough to make his head feel like it was splitting, soul suffering a massive impact.


    At least among the strong foes he had encountered, Su Wuxie''s spiritual power should be considered the strongest!


    Su Wuxie did not notice the change in Xiao Yi''s expression, his gaze turning icy and ferocious as he gnashed his teeth and said, "In the end, they left��they didn''t kill me. Do you know why they didn''t kill me? Because I was too weak, they disdained to kill me, disdained, hahahaha..."


    His voice was filled with desolation and helplessness.


    But Xiao Yi could deeply relate, just like when Fang Qingzhu was taken away by the people of Baiyu.


    He was just as powerless to stop it.


    All he could do was watch helplessly.


    That kind of heart-wrenching helplessness could almost drive a person to madness.


    The hatred in Su Wuxie''s eyes gradually calmed down, but a sinister light ebbed and flowed, "I told myself at that time that I would seek revenge, even if it took my whole life. She once said that if she died, she hoped to be buried on Oblivion Island. I took her body there, and in the end, I found that thing...that treasure which caused countless great powers in the Chaotic Seabed to fight over, sparing no effort even if it meant pursuing the entire Mermaid Clan for it..."


    "In order to obtain such a treasure, they killed countless of the Mermaid Clan, even my wife and unborn child were not spared."


    Su Wuxie''s face twisted with malice, "They never imagined that the treasure would end up in my hands, and with it, my cultivation level soared. Then I began my revenge. Kill, kill, kill..."


    "They killed my wife and child, so I exterminated their entire clans."


    "They disdained to kill me, so I killed them with the most vicious methods..."


    Su Wuxie''s voice grew sharper, the surrounding spiritual energy became chaotic, the entire trench trembled with a hum, arrays dimmed in luminescence, causing a commotion of shock. Fortunately, Su Wuxie regained his composure quickly; otherwise, the boundless sea water might have poured in.


    "It''s just a pity...I killed nearly all my enemies, but I could not completely exterminate the Sha Family..."


    Su Wuxie''s eyes were filled with grievance, "The people of the Sha Family were too cunning; guessing that I had obtained that treasure, they secretly contacted the strong warriors from the Longevity Secret Realm of the Nantian Dynasty. When I went to take revenge on the Sha Family, I was attacked by that warrior from the Longevity Secret Realm. Only by relying on that treasure was I able to escape. Since then, I have been living in seclusion here, guarding her and her kin..."


    Xiao Yi''s face showed a solemn expression.


    He could imagine the hardship and twists of Su Wuxie''s life.


    He could have had a peaceful life with the one he loved, but unexpectedly, he encountered a massacre.


    His family was destroyed, and his loved ones lost.


    How could he not seek such vengeance?


    Su Wuxie slowly approached the crystal coffin, stroking it, finally regaining his calm. He snapped back to reality, locking eyes with Xiao Yi: "Xiao Yi, do you know why I had people save you?"


    Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment, "Because of the Sha Family?"


    "You got half of it right!"


    Su Wuxie nodded, then shook his head, continuing, "There are too many people with a grudge against the Sha Family, I couldn''t possibly save you just because you have a feud with them. Besides that reason, more importantly, it''s because I sensed on you the exact same aura as that treasure!"


    "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, his heart skipping a beat.


    Could it be that he too possessed a relic like the Ancient Tomb of the Ages?


    Xiao Yi''s face subtly changed, the Ancient Tomb of the Ages was his biggest trump card, and he would not allow anyone to covet it. His gaze became heavy and wary, firmly fixed on Su Wuxie...


    ```

 Chapter 608 - 607 Heaven-reaching Divine Record

    Looking at the seriousness and caution on Xiao Yi''s face.


    Su Wuxie was startled, smiling, she said, "What? Are you worried that I''ll steal your treasure?"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and said nothing.


    With an unhurried smile, Su Wuxie opened her clothes, revealing the half-remaining body: "Look at me, barely clinging to life. What right do I have to covet your possessions? Now I just want to live quietly, protecting her and her people, and then... destroy the Sha Family to avenge her!"


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "You saved me and brought me back, are you hoping I would help you get your revenge?"


    This was his well-considered conjecture.


    The only possibility.


    Otherwise...


    There was no need for Su Wuxie to save him and bring him back, much less to tell him so much.


    Yet...


    Xiao Yi was still puzzled, wondering what exactly the treasure Su Wuxie spoke of was? Could there really be another Eternal Tomb?


    But soon the doubts in Xiao Yi''s mind disappeared, as he saw Su Wuxie produce a black jade box in her palm. Upon seeing this jade box, Xiao Yi''s mind buzzed.


    He had one just like it!


    It was the very jade box he found in the Lu Family''s treasury within the Sword Dynasty.


    Xiao Yi had tried several times but couldn''t open the jade box, so he stored it away, never expecting that Su Wuxie would have an identical one. Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes at Su Wuxie: "Senior, is this the ''treasure'' you spoke of?"


    "That''s right!"


    Su Wuxie nodded, saying, "You have one too, don''t you?"


    Xiao Yi felt a sense of relief.


    As long as the other party didn''t also possess an Eternal Tomb, the threat to him was much reduced.


    Xiao Yi nodded, too, taking out his own jade box, saying, "Indeed, I have one, but my box doesn''t have a key. I''ve never been able to open it since I got it!"


    "Hm?"


    Su Wuxie was taken aback, looking at Xiao Yi incredulously, "You''re saying you''ve never opened this jade box? Then your strength..."


    With Xiao Yi being under twenty, he possessed such terrifying strength.


    Whether it was ambushing and killing hundreds of thousands of the Sha Family''s army, or clashing with Sha Yun and others, or even forcing the ancient behemoth Bo Ci to self-destruct, all of these were within Su Wuxie''s awareness.


    She had always believed Xiao Yi had managed to open the jade box and acquired its treasures, which explained his cultivation.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi was telling her that he hadn''t opened the box.


    For a moment.


    Su Wuxie looked at Xiao Yi with eyes filled with shock, eventually letting out a long sigh: "I thought your achievements were because of the jade box; I didn''t expect you hadn''t opened it. Without the help of the jade box and yet possessing such terrifying strength, your talent... surely is the strongest I''ve ever seen!"


    "You flatter me, senior!"


    Xiao Yi, however, was preoccupied with the jade box, hearing that Su Wuxie had gone from an ordinary martial artist to the fearsome Evil God because of this box, immediately asked, "May I ask, senior, how should this jade box be opened?"


    When he first found the jade box, he simply thought it was somewhat mystical.


    He hadn''t taken it too seriously.


    Now, listening to Su Wuxie, it seemed that the jade box harbored a vast secret.


    Su Wuxie said solemnly, "This jade box is not a treasure; the real treasure is what''s inside it. According to what I''ve learned from the Mermaid Clan, there are three parts to the jade box, and if one can gather all three, they can cultivate a supreme path."


    As she spoke,


    a golden key appeared in Su Wuxie''s hand, which she inserted into the box.


    Click!


    The jade box in her hand opened, unremarkable and only countless times more durable than an ordinary jade box.


    Within the jade box, there was a metal plate.


    The plate was a silvery grey, covered in countless tiny nine-faced diagrams. On the edge of the metal plate, the ancient characters for "Tongtian Shenlu" were inscribed. Su Wuxie spoke lightly, "This section of the Tongtian Shenlu is a cultivation secret technique for the path of Spiritual Nirvana. Each diagram represents a minor realm. Back in the day, it was with this that I cultivated to the fifth diagram and possessed the strength to nearly obliterate the Chaotic Sea Region!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi took a sharp intake of breath.


    Nine diagrams, nine realms, and he had only cultivated to the fifth diagram to dominate the Chaotic Sea Region?


    What if he cultivated to all nine diagrams?


    Reached the highest realm?


    Wouldn''t that be enough to contend with the mightiest in the Longevity Secret Realm?


    Su Wuxie said in a deep voice, "I have been studying the ancient texts of the Mermaid Clan over the years and have deduced some secrets about these four jade boxes. They are all treasures that came out of the Hall of Longevity. According to my speculation, three of these jade boxes probably represent the three paths to Nirvana."


    The one in his hands was the cultivation secret technique for the path of Spiritual Nirvana.


    It was precisely with this secret technique that Su Wuxie reached a powerful strength equivalent to nine times of Spiritual Nirvana just by cultivating to the fifth diagram.


    Xiao Yi pondered, "If what the senior says is true, the one I have might possibly be a secret technique of Physical Nirvana or that of Embodiment Nirvana��"


    "Exactly!"


    Su Wuxie nodded and continued, "I''ve been searching for the other jade boxes for many years to no avail. However, I did find a key. You can try it, see if it''s for your jade box��"


    Whoosh!


    A silver key appeared in Su Wuxie''s hand, which he handed over to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and inserted the key into the jade box.


    Click!


    Amid a crisp sound.


    The jade box opened forthwith, inside lay another metal plate, also with nine diagrams, and the edge was inscribed with the ancient characters for "Tongtian Tiroku."


    "..."


    Su Wuxie looked at Xiao Yi with an odd expression, unable to hold back a mix of laughter and tears, "You really are a child of destiny; all these years of toilsome searching for this key, and it turns out to be prepared for you!"


    Xiao Yi scratched his head, also looking incredulous.


    Such coincidences truly existed in the world.


    Looking at the "Tongtian Tiroku" in his hand, Xiao Yi murmured, "It seems that the senior''s guess is correct. The four jade boxes represent three paths to Nirvana. But then, what does the fourth jade box represent?"


    There are only three paths to Nirvana.


    Embodiment Nirvana, Physical Nirvana, and Spiritual Nirvana.


    Yet there are four jade boxes!


    What could the fourth one possibly represent? S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Su Wuxie and Xiao Yi exchanged a look, and their eyes lit up simultaneously as they said in unison, "Could it be a fourth path to Nirvana?"


    Su Wuxie nodded and said, "It is very likely, but you will have to discover that on your own. I am old now, and have sustained myself for nearly a thousand years on sheer will, just to protect her and her clansmen and to see whether I could witness the Sha Family''s downfall one day��"


    Xiao Yi remained silent.


    Suddenly, Su Wuxie threw his jade box to Xiao Yi and said indifferently, "Take this ''Tongtian Shenlu'' as well! I only hope that you can promise me one condition��"


    "Senior, please speak!"


    Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment before accepting the jade box and said solemnly.


    Su Wuxie narrowed his eyes and said, "I hope that in my lifetime, you will annihilate the Sha Family!"


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath and narrowed his eyes, "Senior, rest assured, even without your request, I will flatten the Sha Family!"

 Chapter 609 - 608: Rapid Progress!

    "Senior, rest assured, even without your request, I would certainly flatten the Sha Family!"


    Xiao Yi said with icy eyes.


    His feud with the Sha Family was an irreconcilable one of life and death, especially with the deaths of people like Sha Yun and Sha Bao, and the fall of hundreds of thousands of powerful warriors, which had dealt an extremely heavy blow to the Sha Family.


    The Sha Family would certainly not let Xiao Yi go easily.


    Su Wuxie smiled in relief but then began to cough violently, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.


    His breath became instantly weak and listless.


    For a long time, the Sha Family had been his obsession, but now, with Xiao Yi''s arrival, he had someone to entrust his obsession to; the nerves that had been tense now relaxed.


    Already at the end of his strength, his body could barely hold up at this moment.


    "Senior..."


    Xiao Yi''s face changed, and he stepped forward to support Su Wuxie.


    Su Wuxie gently waved his hand, squeezing out an ugly smile, "Don''t worry, my body has already reached its limit. Over these years, guarding her and her people, I''ve grown tired. Xiao Yi, meeting you before I die is already a favor from heaven!"


    Years ago, with his strength alone, he had almost obliterated several dominators in the tumultuous seas.


    But in the end, it was because the Sha Family had called upon the Longevity Secret Realm experts from the Nantian Dynasty that he was gravely injured and forced to retreat into seclusion until now.


    He thought he would never be able to take his revenge in this lifetime!


    Now that he had met Xiao Yi, he finally saw a glimmer of hope, a resolute look flashed in his eyes, and Su Wuxie spoke in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, I must continue to guard her and her people with this broken body of mine and cannot pass on my cultivation to you. However, over the years, I''ve gained some insights into the ''Tongtian Shenlu,'' especially in the use of spiritual power, which are unique to me. I''ll pass them all on to you!"


    "This..."


    Xiao Yi''s face changed.


    This was the Evil God Su Wuxie''s trump card, the very techniques that allowed Su Wuxie to nearly destroy the tumultuous seas.


    Su Wuxie smiled, pointing a finger at Xiao Yi''s brow.


    A divine thought entered his soul.


    The voice of Su Wuxie echoed in his ears, "My mental attack technique is called ''Evil God Transformation.'' I''ve only created six styles, each corresponding to the first six pictures of the ''Tongtian Shenlu.'' This is my understanding of the ''Tongtian Shenlu'' and ''Evil God Transformation'' over the years..."


    Su Wuxie held back nothing in his legacy.


    It was not just the cultivation techniques, but also all the problems he had encountered during his cultivation, along with their solutions, were included.


    The vast amount of information nearly burst Xiao Yi''s head.


    Thankfully, his spiritual power was strong.


    He quickly sorted through the information, showing a grave expression. He took two steps back and deeply bowed to Su Wuxie, "Xiao Yi thanks Senior for passing on the knowledge. Please rest assured, Senior, Xiao Yi will personally annihilate the Sha Family!"


    "Go! When you get outside, Along will give you Bo Ci''s monster core, which I believe will aid you in your cultivation of the ''Tongtian Shenlu''!"


    Su Wuxie waved his hand, his tired expression mixing with a slight smile, gently leaning against the crystal coffin, looking at the charming person inside, "My lady, I, we finally have hope for our vengeance..."


    Watching Su Wuxie falling into a deep sleep.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and quietly left.


    Outside, Along was waiting. Seeing Xiao Yi come out, he stepped forward with a box in hand, "This is what the Evil God asked me to give you! Inside is Bo Ci''s monster core; although it was mostly damaged in the self-destruction, the energy contained within it is still immense!"


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, taking Bo Ci''s monster core.


    This was a monster core from a peak-level seventh-stage ancient giant beast, the energy within it was vast.


    Along shook his head, laughing, "You are a guest of the Evil God, and thus a distinguished guest of our Mermaid Clan. You can choose any place within our clan to meditate and cultivate in seclusion; when you wish to leave, I will take you!"


    "Thank you for your trouble!"


    Xiao Yi nodded his head, then chose a secluded spot.


    "''Tongtian Shenlu,'' ''Tongtian Tiroku,'' ''Evil God Transformation,'' and the ancient giant beast''s monster core, I never expected such fortune from catastrophe..." Xiao Yi looked at the three scrolls in front of him, as well as Bo Ci''s monster core, revealing a strange expression.


    When Bo Ci self-destructed, he thought he was surely going to die.


    Unexpectedly, there was such a gain.


    "Let''s start with ''Tongtian Tiroku''!" Xiao Yi observed the metallic slate.


    Recorded on it were strange body postures and the trajectories of vital energy movement; Xiao Yi tried the first one.


    Hiss!


    He felt as if an electric current had passed through his body.


    A sense of numbness spread throughout his body.


    Immediately after...


    After that tingling sensation, there was an extremely refreshing feeling, as if every muscle in the body had been pushed to its limits.


    Under the influence of his Wind Thunder Holy Body, Xiao Yi made rapid progress in his practice of the "Tongtian Tiroku", advancing at a breakneck pace��it was truly a case of twice the result with half the effort.


    It was akin to smelting fine iron: one takes either a raw iron ore as the starting material or a bar of pure iron.


    The efficiency and quality of the end products would naturally be worlds apart.


    Having reached the Sixth Transformation of the Wind and Thunder Holy Body, Xiao Yi''s cultivation of the "Tongtian Tiroku" was as if he were a piece of refined steel, exceptionally pure and only growing purer and stronger.


    One day.


    Two days.


    Three days.


    On the fourth day, Xiao Yi had cultivated the "Tongtian Tiroku" to the sixth image, increasing the strength of his body sixfold, and his physical power had also increased by a factor of six. With his current bodily strength, if he were to dash forward with the wings of Wind Thunder, he could likely smash an ordinary practitioner at the Nirvana Realm to pieces.


    His body was comparable to a seventh-grade high-level elemental weapon!


    Even letting someone attack him with the "Crescent Moon Slash", they might not be able to penetrate his defenses.


    "This feeling..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shone brightly; although his cultivation realm had not increased significantly, the "Tongtian Tiroku" had multiplied his combat prowess many times over.


    "This is just the ''Tongtian Tiroku''... If I can gather all the jade boxes and practice the cultivation techniques inside, I wonder how strong I will become... And that fourth jade box, what exactly is hidden inside?" Xiao Yi murmured to himself.


    His gaze shifted to the metal slices of the "Tongtian Shenlu" and the "Evil God Transformation".


    The "Tongtian Shenlu" is for refining spiritual power, while the "Evil God Transformation" is a secret technique for transforming mental force into attack��a form of mental assault.


    Generally speaking.


    Even those who achieved Spiritual Nirvana were incapable of refining their spiritual power actively; they had to rely on the accumulation of years or go through various trials in life. This is why Spiritual Nirvana is the most time-consuming.


    To Xiao Yi''s knowledge, the "Tongtian Shenlu" was the only secret technique that allowed one to actively refine spiritual power.


    There were many other secret techniques for mental attacks similar to the "Evil God Transformation", but none were as domineering and powerful.


    Based on Xiao Yi''s estimation...


    Once he could cultivate the "Tongtian Shenlu" to the sixth image and combine it with the "Evil God Transformation", if he ever encountered individuals like Ye Beixuan or Xu Changsheng, who walked the path of Physical or Law Manifestation Nirvana, he would be able to annihilate them with just a thought!


    Following that, Xiao Yi began to cultivate both the "Tongtian Shenlu" and the "Evil God Transformation".


    Time flew by.


    Another ten days passed in the blink of an eye.


    Since Bo Ci self-destructed, half a month had gone by.


    On this day.


    The entire trench trembled violently, and an unparalleled pressure swept through, causing all members of the Mermaid Clan to leave their homes in horror, staring towards the direction of Xiao Yi''s seclusion with shocked expressions.


    Inside the Evil God Temple.


    Su Wuxie opened his eyes, staring in Xiao Yi''s direction, and revealed a bitter smile, "Indeed a chosen one! He has already mastered the sixth style of the ''Evil God Transformation'' so quickly. With the intensity of his spiritual power now, he should be at the fifth image of the ''Tongtian Shenlu'', right? Terrifying, truly terrifying..."


    To think that it had taken him ten years to cultivate to the fifth image back in his day!


    And Xiao Yi had only used ten days.


    Truly, comparisons between people can be utterly disheartening!


    If Xiao Yi were to hear Su Wuxie''s words at that moment, he would surely respond with a slightly embarrassed, "Senior, I have actually mastered the sixth image already!"


    Of course...


    Su Wuxie did not know this.


    Xiao Yi reined in his terrifying aura, his lips curved into a slight smile as he rose and departed from his place of secluded cultivation. On his way to the Evil God Temple, he was stopped by Along, who said, "The Evil God has ordered that you need not bid him farewell. As long as you do not forget the vow made between you, that''s sufficient!"


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, looking towards the Evil God Temple and bowing deeply, "Senior, rest assured, Xiao Yi will not disappoint you!" He turned to Along, "Please see me off." S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Okay!"


    Along nodded and blew a whistle.


    In the boundless ocean waters outside, a blue whale a hundred zhang long slowly emerged. Along took Xiao Yi into the whale''s mouth, and together they broke through the waves, heading towards the surface. Moments later, they surfaced.


    Along spoke gravely, "I can only take you this far. If you travel west from here for about three thousand miles, you''ll reach Huanglong Island..."


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi bowed his hands in gratitude towards Along, then watched as the whale turned over and dived back into the sea. Narrowing his eyes towards the direction of Huanglong Island, Xiao Yi declared, "Little Lin, Brother Yue, and the Sha Family... Xiao Yi is back!"

 Chapter 610 - 609: Arrows Never Miss, Li Shenjian

    Huanglong Island.


    This is the territory of the Li Family, one of the four major families.


    The Li Family had risen to prominence in the last few hundred years, and its patriarch was a man of great resourcefulness. Through marital alliances, the Li Family had formed extremely close connections with the other three major families, and even with the four great pirate groups.


    Their businesses spread throughout the entire Chaotic Sea region.


    Huanglong Inn was the largest inn on Huanglong Island. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was backed by the Li Family.


    The consumption at the entire Huanglong Inn was exceedingly expensive, with just a single night''s lodging fee costing upwards of a hundred sea crystals, equivalent to one hundred thousand pieces of silver. Ordinary people really couldn''t afford to stay there.


    At this moment...


    Huanglong Inn, third floor.


    Little Lin was carefully applying medicine to Yue Shanchuan, to a ferocious wound that ran from the left shoulder all the way to the right waist, with the skin peeled back, so deep the bone was visible. Yue Shanchuan clenched his teeth, his hands tightly grasping his trousers, his eyes filled with fierce, blood-red colors.


    Hiss, hiss!


    As the medicinal powder fell upon the wound, billows of white smoke instantly rose.


    Hiss!


    Yue Shanchuan''s whole body convulsed, his muscles tensing, as beads of cold sweat instantly covered his entire body.


    After Little Lin had finished applying the medicine with great care, he finally let out a sigh of relief, his eyes filled with deep self-blame, "I''m sorry, Yue, it''s all my fault for being too impulsive and dragging you down..."


    Two days before.


    On their way to Huanglong Island, they encountered a merchant ship belonging to the Sha Family.


    Ignoring Yue Shanchuan''s advice, Little Lin transformed into his true form and attacked the merchant ship, only to discover that it harbored a hidden powerhouse from the Sha Family. She was known as one of the Seven Holy Maidens of the Sha Family, on par with Sha Bolian, the holy maiden Sha Yinrou.


    Sha Yinrou was significantly stronger than Sha Bolian, at the Seventh Nirvana Realm, and additionally a prodigy in her own right.


    She effortlessly defeated Little Lin.


    Just as Little Lin was about to be slain by her, Yue Shanchuan took the blow for him, sustaining severe injuries, and brought Little Lin to Huanglong Island in a ragged escape.


    Yue Shanchuan rubbed his head, smiling and said, "We are brothers, why say such formalities?" He paused, then put on his clothes and said gravely, "Little Lin, after yesterday''s battle, our whereabouts are likely exposed. Let''s stay safe in Huanglong Inn and wait for Xiao Yi, we must not let anything else happen..."


    "Got it!"


    Little Lin hung his head low, his eyes full of worry, "Boss, where are you? It''s been half a month, and we still haven''t heard from you..."


    Just then...


    An icy laugh rang out from outside the door: "You''ve run out of chances!"


    "Huh?"


    Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan exchanged glances, and simultaneously roared, "Run!"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The two of them rushed straight out of the window, but once outside, they found they were already caught in a tight encirclement.


    The leader was none other than Sha Yinrou, who had previously injured Yue Shanchuan.


    Standing next to Sha Yinrou was a brocade-clothed young man, none other than Li Shenjian, the third-ranked genius of his generation from the Li Family, known as the infallible archer!


    Li Shenjian glanced at Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin, then looked sideways at Sha Yinrou: "Yin Rou, are these the two culprits?"


    "That''s right!"


    Sha Yinrou squinted, her gaze fixed on Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin, her dark brows slightly furrowed, "So it''s really just the two of you? I was hoping to fish for a big catch by biding my time, to lure out Xiao Yi as well. Now it seems Xiao Yi must truly be dead, leaving just you two..."


    Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin stood side by side, their expressions solemn as they surveyed their surroundings.


    All around, in the streets and alleys, a net had been tightly cast.


    Countless Li Family powerhouses were vigilantly watching them, and above in the sky, there were even ten Nirvana Realm strongmen on guard to prevent their escape.


    Little Lin''s eyes held a trace of despair as he looked toward Yue Shanchuan, "Yue, it''s all because of me that I''ve dragged you down..."


    They were powerless against Sha Yinrou alone, let alone Li Shenjian, who was by no means weaker than Sha Yinrou, surrounded by so many strong members of the Sha and Li Families.


    How could the two of them have any way out?


    Yue Shanchuan laughed heartily, "Drag me down my ass, since when do brothers have so much nonsense between them?" His gaze shifted toward Sha Yinrou and Li Shenjian as he laughed loudly, "Sha Yinrou, that sword strike of yours nearly cost your grandpa Yue his life before, I must take back what I''m owed, with interest!"


    "You think you''re worthy of making Yin Rou take action?" Li Shenjian sneered coldly, "Take them down for me!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The fighters from the Li and Sha Families took action in unison.


    Little Lin instantly transformed into his original form, a hundred zhang long, galloping across the battlefield.


    Yue Shanchuan held his war saber aloft, slashing across the sky as if to tear the heavens apart!


    The two of them did not falter, even under the siege of the two families'' strong members.


    Sha Yinrou narrowed her eyes, her slender fingers trembling slightly, almost ready to make a move. Li Shenjian''s expression was dark; he had an impending marriage with Sha Yinrou and was in his own territory, how could he allow Sha Yinrou to intervene?


    Upon this thought.


    Li Shenjian raised his hand, and a silver light swept past.


    A silver horned great bow landed in his hand, a seventh-tier divine bow, strung with Sea Dragon Tendon and constructed from Sea Dragon Horn. Drawing the bow and nocking the arrow, a silver gleaming sharp arrow shot forth with a twang from the bowstring.


    Whoosh!


    The arrow flew like thunder, a startling string vibrating.


    One arrow pierced the air, and with a thud, it punctured Little Lin''s body, carrying him hundreds of meters away before slamming into the city wall with a bang.


    Meanwhile...


    Li Shenjian released several more arrows.


    Bang bang bang!


    The arrows produced a tremendous noise, and Yue Shanchuan''s face changed as he raised his war saber to block in front of his chest. However, the arrow was too powerful, and with a loud dull thud and sparks flying, Yue Shanchuan was sent flying backward.


    Li Shenjian''s arrows never missed.


    Several more arrows streaked across the sky, and with successive dull thuds, they struck against the saber.


    The third arrow caused Yue Shanchuan to drop his war saber.


    The fourth arrow pierced through his shoulder.


    The fifth arrow penetrated his thigh.


    The sixth arrow nailed him onto the city wall...


    "Li Shenjian whose arrows never miss, our young master is formidable!"


    "Young master, your archery skills are growing stronger..."


    Everyone flattered him in turn.


    Li Shenjian smiled slightly, looking toward Sha Yinrou beside him with undisguised ardor in his eyes, "Yin Rou, consider this a wedding gift for you and me, do you like it?"


    Sha Yinrou said indifferently, "Only two of them; the other murderer who killed my sister has not been found yet..."


    "No matter, I will make them reveal the whereabouts of that Xiao what''s-his-name Yi!"


    Li Shenjian laughed heartily, standing in midair, staring at Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan, "If you two don''t want to die, you better hurry up and divulge where Xiao Yi is. Otherwise, don''t blame this young master for being ruthless!"


    "Fuck you..." Little Lin spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, turning into a rain of blood as it drifted toward Li Shenjian.


    A few droplets landed on him.


    Staining his white robe red.


    Li Shenjian''s expression changed, becoming extremely fierce, as he sneered, "Very well, very well, since you insist on seeking death, don''t blame me for being merciless..."

 Chapter 611 - 610: Those who hurt my brother shall die!

    ```


    "Since you''re determined to seek death, don''t blame me for being merciless!"


    Li Shenjian looked down at several spots of fresh blood staining the white hem of his garment, his features contorting suddenly, his gaze becoming extremely fierce.


    Within his eyes,


    a cold light flickered uncertainly.


    Li Shenjian levitated, and with a flourish of his hand, a long whip fell into his grasp.


    The whip was covered with barbs.


    With a fierce crack through the air, it made a snapping sound as it whipped.


    Li Shenjian sneered, "This whip of mine is also known as the Soul Hook Whip. Once it hits you, the barbs will cling to your flesh and skin, and then with a violent yank, it will tear them away. That sensation is definitely going to let you experience what true agony is!"


    Whoosh!


    The Soul Hook Whip struck across the air, landing on Little Lin with a smack.


    Just as he''d said...


    The barbs of the Soul Hook Whip pierced straight into Little Lin''s scales, and as Li Shenjian violently yanked back, a swath of scales and flesh was ripped off with a whoosh, causing Little Lin to stiffen and let out a howling scream.


    "Little Lin..."


    Yue Shanchuan''s expression changed drastically, intending to save Little Lin.


    But his limbs were penetrated by silver arrows, and the piercing poison on his shoulder left him immobile.


    He could only watch helplessly as Little Lin suffered.


    Yue Shanchuan''s eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Li Shenjian, roaring furiously, "If you have the guts, come at me!"


    "Don''t worry, your turn will come!"


    Li Shenjian''s face showed hysterical madness as he watched the Soul Hook Whip tear flesh from Little Lin''s body, watching Little Lin''s unbearable pain, his face full of triumph and savagery, "This is just the beginning!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The Soul Hook Whip struck Little Lin time and time again.


    By now, his body was covered in wounds, blood splattered extensively on the walls, rolling down the walls.


    On the ground,


    there were widespread sprays of blood, like rain.


    The pungent smell of blood spread all around.


    Little Lin howled in agony, but his gaze remained unwavering, "Come on, if you have the ability, kill me... if you can''t kill me, you''re nothing but a coward!"


    "Motherfucker!"


    Li Shenjian''s face grew even darker, he snorted coldly, smiling sinisterly, "It seems I''ve still been too gentle. Someone, pour chili water on them!"


    Hiss!


    Chili water?


    The onlooking civilians couldn''t help but gasp in shock, their faces showing terror, "Isn''t that a bit too cruel?"


    "Keep it down. If Li Gongzi hears you, you might end up being considered an accomplice!"


    Even a small cut stung painfully when it came into contact with chili water, let alone Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan, who were covered in wounds with no part of their bodies unharmed.


    To pour chili water on them in such a state was like flaying their skin and pulling out their tendons!


    Howl...


    Howl, howl...


    Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan couldn''t hold back any longer, screaming wildly in pain.


    Little Lin''s body twisted frantically, his tail lashing out, thuds resounding from the walls, causing the towering walls to tremble violently as if they might collapse at any moment.


    With his frenzied twisting, most of the chili water on his body was flung off, easing some of the pain.


    Li Shenjian squinted his eyes, "Quite smart..."


    He slowly raised his bow and arrow.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    Arrows flew, ten in total, each landing on Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan.


    Each shoulder was pierced through their bodies.


    From head to toe, they were pinned to the walls, completely unable to move.


    Yue Shanchuan''s hands and feet, his body was firmly nailed down.


    Equally immobile. sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ```


    Yet, Li Shenjian''s archery was astonishing. Each arrow precisely avoided vital points, ensuring not to take their lives, yet causing extreme pain. Satisfied, he said, "Continue, serve our esteemed guests their dishes!"


    Whoosh!


    Buckets of chili water were once again dumped from the top of the city wall.


    This time...


    Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan were utterly unable to move and could only helplessly endure as the chili water spread from their heads to their entire bodies. Wherever the chili water touched, intense stabbing pains shot through their bodies, causing the muscles in their wounds to spasmodically twitch.


    Pain!


    Pain to the extreme.


    Both trembled all over, writhing in agony worse than death itself!


    Li Shenjian flew up in front of the two and said coldly, "Now, can you honestly tell me where Xiao Yi is?"


    "Say, say your m-"


    Little Lin''s eyes were blood-red as he clenched his teeth and retorted.


    "I, I''ll say..."


    Yue Shanchuan, enduring the severe pain, began to speak, and Li Shenjian smiled smugly: "That''s more like it. You wouldn''t have to suffer so much if you had confessed earlier!"


    All the while speaking.


    As he approached Yue Shanchuan, Shanchuan spat a mouthful of blood-flecked saliva in Li Shenjian''s face, which slowly slid down.


    "Hahaha..."


    "Well done..."


    Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan burst into a hearty laugh.


    Li Shenjian remained motionless, as if a Binding Spell had been cast upon him.


    A full ten breaths passed.


    Li Shenjian calmly wiped the saliva from his face, but his eyes were colder than ever, filled with unspeakable malice. With a snap of his fingers, two Dharma Manifestation Realm experts stepped forward, and Li Shenjian said indifferently, "Skin them!"


    "Yes!"


    The two Dharma Manifestation Realm experts immediately approached.


    "What are you doing?"


    "Get away..."


    Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan''s faces changed drastically, powerless to stop the two men before them.


    They watched helplessly as the skinners, holding knives specifically for skinning, effortlessly tore into their flesh. Starting from the head, they peeled away the skin inch by inch, causing Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan to shudder in agony.


    Blood reddened their eyes.


    The pain was so intense they couldn''t even scream.


    Bright red flesh.


    The moment the skin was peeled off, it was exposed to the air.


    These two were clearly experienced.


    While skinning, they avoided harming vital points, forcing them to watch themselves being skinned. This terror and psychological torment far exceeded the physical pain.


    Hiss, hiss, hiss...


    Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan were in utter agony.


    They were being skinned alive!


    A scene too horrific to bear witness to.


    Li Shenjian, with an expressionless face, said, "Talk, or not?"


    "Say... say... say your m-" With his skin peeled off, Little Lin''s body was covered in blood, even the slightest breeze causing excruciating pain.


    Yue Shanchuan clenched his teeth hard, articulating each word: "You... you will get your retribution..."


    "Retribution? Heh, it seems the pain isn''t enough yet!"


    Li Shenjian snapped his fingers and said indifferently, "Continue to pour the chili water!" He cackled wickedly, "Now that you don''t have an inch of skin on your bodies, once the chili water is sprinkled on, it will seep into every piece of your flesh. I believe you''ll never forget this feeling even in death..."


    While saying this.


    Li Shenjian looked up to the top of the city walls, where two strong men were holding up the buckets of chili water.


    Just as they were about to pour it down.


    But at that moment...


    An icy sword light tore through the sky, and with two puffs, the heads of the two men were cleanly sliced off. Accompanied by that, came a voice as cold as frost: "Whoever harms my brothers, dies!"

 Chapter 612 - 611: The Return of the King

    "Those who harm my brothers, die!"


    This voice, cold as ice, carried with it an overwhelming killing intent.


    Xiao Yi had never imagined that upon his arrival to Huanglong Island, he would witness Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan nailed to the city wall, their skin flayed and hot pepper oil poured over them.


    Looking at Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan, who no longer resembled humans.


    His heart was bleeding!


    Rage.


    Killing intent!


    It had filled his body and mind, almost driving him to lose his reason.


    His eyes were a bloody red as he whooshed to the front of Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan.


    "B-boss? I, I just knew you weren''t dead, boss..." Little Lin, with his eyes staring vacantly, looked at Xiao Yi and cracked a human-like smile, except he had no skin left on his face!


    The smile was all the more sinister and pitiful.


    It was chilling to the bone.


    Yue Shanchuan, too, clenched his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi, you, you''re back... that''s good..."


    Seeing their miserable state, Xiao Yi took a deep breath and channeled his vital energy into their bodies. He gave each of them a life-prolonging medicinal pill, but he could not immediately rescue them from the city wall.


    After all.


    Now that their skin had been completely peeled off, rescuing them might unavoidably touch other areas, so it was better to let them hang on the city wall.


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "You guys just hang in there for now. After I have avenged you, then I will rescue you. Don''t worry, it''s just the skin that''s been peeled off, I have a way to regenerate your skin later..."


    "He''s, he''s very strong, be, be careful..." Yue Shanchuan said.


    Little Lin added, "Watch out for his arrows!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively and said indifferently, "They''re nothing but chickens and dogs, not to worry!"


    Li Shenjian, poised to speak: "..."


    Chickens and dogs?


    Was he referring to him?


    While Li Shenjian was momentarily distracted, Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and looked towards him, saying lightly, "The Li Family''s Li Shenjian, isn''t it? To torment my brothers into such a state, it seems your family is ready to get erased from the Turbulent Sea Area..."


    "Hm?"


    Li Shenjian was taken aback and then burst into loud laughter, "You must be out of your mind, thinking you are Su Wuxie? Even dreaming of erasing my Li Family? Hahaha..."


    The laughter suddenly stopped.


    Li Shenjian''s face twisted with malice as he ordered, "Kill him for me!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Ten Nirvana Realm experts, leading hundreds of powerful fighters, rushed to attack.


    Li Shenjian watched with a smile, speaking to Sha Yinrou at his side, "See! I told you I had a way to force him out, and now this kid has shown up of his own accord, saving us the trouble of searching for him everywhere!"


    Sha Yinrou nodded and said with a grave tone, "Xiao Yi has indeed been forced out, but his strength is not weak; we must not take him lightly!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Li Shenjian assured confidently, "I have made all the necessary arrangements. Once the battle becomes chaotic, I''ll take action!"


    His gaze flickered over the silver longbow in his hands.


    This was where his confidence lay.


    In his view...


    No matter how strong Xiao Yi was, it was impossible for him to defeat over a dozen Nirvana Realm opponents in an instant. At that moment, he would take advantage of the chaos to strike, just as he had subdued Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin, and with one arrow, he would penetrate Xiao Yi, taking him down.


    The Li Family''s fighters around were all too aware of Xiao Yi.


    After all, this was the man who had annihilated tens of thousands of the Sha Family''s troops and even slain Sha Bao and Sha Yun. They naturally could not afford to be careless, and when they made their moves, there was no room for mercy.


    But...


    They showed no mercy, and Xiao Yi was even less hesitant when he took action.


    "Evil God Transformation - Dream Demon Transformation!"


    Two purple glints flashed through Xiao Yi''s eyes, as his spiritual power instantly enveloped a hundred yards around him.


    The fierce fighters shuddered, a flash of panic appearing in their eyes.


    They stood still like petrified chickens, not moving an inch.


    Dream Demon Transformation.


    Using spiritual power to create a dream, causing those affected to be completely submerged in the illusion, unless their mental or willpower is strong enough to break free from the dream''s shackles. Otherwise, even if they were to be slain by someone from the outside, they would not react at all.


    "Hmm?"


    General Li was taken aback as he saw his subordinates standing still like blocks of wood, and he frowned, saying, "What are you doing? Don''t you attack and kill him?"


    However...


    These men remained unmoved.


    Xiao Yi walked leisurely among them, and with every step he took, a stream of Sword Qi burst forth from his body, forming a sword storm that enveloped the nearby fighters.


    One after another, the fighters were lifted into the air and then cut into pieces by the crisscrossing Sword Qi.


    They turned into chunks of flesh, mixed with blood, raining down.


    He walked on.


    Unimpeded.


    Bodies were strewn everywhere!


    The surroundings were now deathly silent, everyone was quiet as a grave, staring at Xiao Yi with their eyes wide with terror.


    This scene was too eerie.


    Hundreds of strong fighters stood like wooden figures, allowing Xiao Yi to slaughter them, each with a brilliant smile on their face until the moment of death without any change.


    Gurgle!


    Sha Yinrou swallowed hard, her face, usually as unchanging as eternal ice, for the first time showed a look of terror: "How, how can there be such a terrifying existence, what, what kind of technique has he used..."


    Li Shenjian''s eyelids twitched incessantly.


    The sight before him was too eerie.


    Hundreds of fighters, including more than a dozen experts from the Nirvana Realm, were being cut down mercilessly like leeks.


    As Xiao Yi drew nearer and nearer, relentlessly advancing, Li Shenjian''s face changed dramatically, a look of fear flickering in his eyes. Drawing his bow, he aimed an arrow at Xiao Yi, "You, you, don''t come any closer, or I won''t be polite!"


    The unknown is always the most terrifying!


    Xiao Yi used the Evil God Transformation, trapping hundreds of strong fighters in a nightmare, a technique unheard of.


    Xiao Yi looked at him expressionlessly, pointing to his own chest: "Come on, shoot here, don''t hold back!"


    "Madman, you''re a madman..."


    Li Shenjian roared, his eyes almost splitting with rage, "Do you think I don''t dare to kill you?"


    As soon as his voice fell.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Nine Star Consecutive Arrows.


    One after another, nine arrows crazily shot towards Xiao Yi''s chest, but he didn''t dodge or evade. Having cultivated the Tongtian Tiroku to the sixth diagram, his physical body was comparable to a seventh-grade Yuan Weapon.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The previously unstoppable arrows struck Xiao Yi''s chest and sparked, then the arrows broke and the tips shattered.


    Xiao Yi...


    Was unscathed!


    Hiss!


    Li Shenjian gasped in shock, staring dumbfounded at Xiao Yi, unable to believe what he was seeing: "This is impossible... My arrows, even the body of a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm strong being can be pierced through, how can you be completely fine?"


    "There''s nothing impossible!"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, the corners of his mouth curving upward slightly to form a cold sneer, "I already gave you a chance, but unfortunately you didn''t cherish it. Now, it''s my turn..."


    As his voice faded.


    Xiao Yi took a step forward, and at that moment, Huanglong Island thundered resoundingly.


    A terrifying surge of energy rippled across the entire island, the wind was wild, the aura fierce. At this moment, Xiao Yi was like a returning king, stepping on the path of revenge...


    sea??h th�� n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 613 - 612: Fight Fire with Fire!

    ```


    The fierce wind howled.


    His ink-black hair cascaded like a waterfall in the wind, resembling myriad swords sweeping across the void.


    His eyes flickered like lightning, even more so with two icy sharp glints shooting out from within. Captivating and terrifying, he trod over hundreds of corpses, as if he were a king of slaughter emerging from the bones.


    That was Xiao Yi!


    A body radiating chilling murderous aura, wherever he passed, the ground would freeze over with layers of white frost.


    Chilling to the bone.


    Gulp!


    Li Shenjian swallowed hard. He hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to be so formidable, resisting his Nine-Star Chain Shooting with his physical body alone. Even his prized archery had not so much as scratched Xiao Yi.


    "Impossible, you''re just at the Peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, how can you be so strong? You must be wearing protective armor; it must be so... I refuse to believe I can''t break through your defense!" Li Shenjian''s eyes were fierce, his roars continuous.


    Boom!


    Around him, cold light surged, gathering qi on his arms.


    Drawing the silver bow to its limit, the cold arrow landed on the string, and with a dull twang, the arrow shot out at once: "Celestial Maiden Scatter!"


    The arrow was razor-sharp, tearing through the air.


    Spinning continuously in the void, just as it neared Xiao Yi, the arrow explosively burst from the tip.


    It transformed into dozens of arrow shadows, blasting towards him from different directions all at once.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils constricted slightly. He extended a palm forward, spreading his fingers as streams of Wind Thunder energy flowed. Amidst thunderous blasts, the Wind Thunder forcefully shattered the incoming arrows.


    At the same time... sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi lifted the corners of his mouth looking at Li Shenjian: "You like using bows so much, let me show you what true archery is!"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Xiao Yi reached out his hand towards one side.


    All at once...


    The fierce wind rose sharply, pulling objects through the air.


    The trees lining the street were uprooted, their towering forms hovering around Xiao Yi''s body. Hundreds of massive trees, each wrapped in powerful qi and radiating icy sharpness, floated around him.


    Xiao Yi uttered a command: "Go!"


    Besides the powerful force of qi encasing these trees, a terrifying Sword Intent imbued them as well.


    Though they were but trees, their power was in no way inferior to that of yuan weapon attacks.


    Li Shenjian laughed coldly. Even when it came to archery, he was still so confident: "Compete in archery with me? You''re dreaming. I''ve been practicing archery since I was three, who can outshoot me?"


    "Indeed, no one can be cheaper than you..." Xiao Yi said with a smirk.


    Li Shenjian uttered a noise, then realized what had been said and became furiously embarrassed. But it was too late for words; those hundreds of large trees were already hurtling towards him. His face twisted savagely as he moved swiftly to notch his bow.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Arrows shot out at breakneck speed.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom! Booming...


    Arrows struck the trees, which in Li Shenjian''s eyes should have been fragile and should have shattered on impact, allowing his arrows to continue unabated.


    But to his surprise...


    In the midst of terrifying explosions, both the trees and his arrows burst apart.


    Both perishing together!


    But the trees propelled by Xiao Yi were massive, and when they exploded, they turned into countless splinters shooting towards him. Amidst the whistling sound of piercing air, they filled the sky, sealing off all his escape routes.


    "No..."


    Li Shenjian''s eyes were wide with fury as a root-covered, soil-laden massive tree struck him squarely in the chest with a thunderous crash.


    At that moment...


    Li Shenjian felt as if his body did not belong to him anymore.


    His organs seemed to burst, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood, his body sent flying hundreds of meters by the impact of the tree. Along the way, dust billowed, houses collapsed one after another.


    Turning into a vast ruin.


    Hundreds of meters away.


    ```


    Li Shenjian finally managed to stabilize his figure, and with a roar tore apart the trees as he soared into the sky, his eyes filled with poisonous resentment as he stared deathly at Xiao Yi.


    But...


    Before he could speak.


    Sha Yinrou, who was beside him, had already screamed out, "Run!"


    "Hm?"


    Li Shenjian was startled and suddenly felt darkness overhead.


    In his confusion.


    He instinctively looked up.


    His pupils contracted suddenly, his eyes gazing upwards at the sky becoming utterly dull.


    Above his head...


    Endless trees were hanging downwards, and amidst the whooshing sound, they fell like a torrential downpour.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Tree after tree smashed Li Shenjian to the ground fiercely, and just as he landed in the midst of the ruins, struggling to get up, another several hundred massive trees followed suit, crashing down on him. The thunderous noises were incessant, deafening.


    When all the dust and smoke had cleared.


    Xiao Yi flew above the ruins, and with a lifting gesture, he levitated an object through the air.


    He directly lifted the barely alive Li Shenjian from the rubble.


    Li Shenjian''s mouth was full of fresh blood, his bones mostly broken, rendering him extremely weak. As he opened his mouth, blood spewed out violently, his poisonous gaze fixated on Xiao Yi, "You, you, you dare treat me like this, the Li Family will never let you go..."


    "Oh really, your Li Family is so powerful, what should I do?"


    Xiao Yi watched him, smiling cheerily.


    Li Shenjian took in a sharp breath and gritted his teeth, "Immediately cripple your cultivation and sever your limbs, maybe then I can leave your corpse intact..."


    "Cripple my cultivation? Like this?"


    The corner of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted.


    He pointed his finger.


    Pfft!


    His finger struck right into Li Shenjian''s lower abdomen, his vital energy surged inside, and in an instant, shattered his dantian. With the dantian shattered, the Martial Dao Fasxiang lost its support and disintegrated.


    Li Shenjian felt his vital energy rapidly draining away, and as his Dharma Phase disintegrated, his face drained of all color, "You, you, you..."


    "What? Is this not right? Well then, let me try severing the limbs..." Xiao Yi said innocently, his fingers flicked and with the whistling of the sword light, pfft, pfft, four streams of blood sprayed out.


    Li Shenjian''s limbs, one by one, were cleanly severed.


    Owww...


    In agony, Li Shenjian screamed continuously, watching as Xiao Yi smiled, "It seems I''m still wrong, let''s try to leave the body intact then!"


    This directly scared the soul out of Li Shenjian.


    He shook his head frantically, his pale face full of despair, "No, no, no, don''t, don''t kill me... I was wrong, Xiao, Grandpa Xiao, I was really wrong... please don''t kill me. It''s, it''s, it''s not my fault, it was that bitch Sha Yinrou who instigated me to do it, it really wasn''t my fault..."


    Not far away, as Sha Yinrou was getting ready to flee, her body trembled, "..."


    Her eyes filled with resentful poison as she looked at Li Shenjian.


    She never expected...


    That Li Shenjian would sell her out.


    Without any further hesitation, Sha Yinrou soared into the sky, flying straight towards the outside of Huanglong Island. Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, his expression cold, "Did you think you could leave without my permission?"


    As the words fell.


    He casually beckoned, grabbed Li Shenjian''s bow and arrows, and with one arm, drew the bow and fiercely shot.


    Whizz!


    The arrow tore through the air.


    With a thud, it pierced through Sha Yinrou''s body, and amid a scream, she fell from the sky, nailing her firmly against the wall with a thud.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless as he dragged Li Shenjian towards the wall.


    Li Shenjian''s face showed a look of horror, he felt a strong unease, "You, you, what are you going to do..."


    Xiao Yi glanced at him calmly and said deliberately, "What you do unto others, will be done unto you!"

 Chapter 614 - 613: Astonishing Archery Skills, The Thirty-Six Heavens!

    ```


    "Return unto others as they have done unto you!"


    Xiao Yi said calmly.


    Li Shenjian, however, was scared out of his wits.


    His gaze fell upon the city wall, where Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan were nailed to the wall by arrows, with their skin completely peeled off, and their bodies in a state of abject misery. His pupils contracted violently, his eyes full of terror and dread.


    "No, no, no... Xiao Yi, Xiao... listen to me, this is a misunderstanding, please don''t, please..."


    Li Shenjian screamed in despair.


    At this moment, he had none of the arrogance and indifference he had shown earlier.


    In the face of death.


    Even the mightiest beings would crumble in spirit.


    This truth is eternal!


    At least...


    Out of ten people, nine and a half cannot face death with equanimity.


    Clearly Li Shenjian was not one of those enlightened souls who had seen through it all.


    Xiao Yi remained unmoved, expressionless as he threw Li Shenjian toward the city wall, and with a flick of his finger, arrows burst forth, the sound of flesh being pierced echoing.


    A full hundred and more arrows, each one hitting Li Shenjian.


    But avoiding all vital points meticulously.


    They pinned him firmly to the wall.


    Simultaneously...


    Another hundred arrows hit Sha Yinrou. This once unapproachable and aloof frosty saintess was now pale, her body drenched in blood. She couldn''t believe what fate might befall her if she were to be skinned as well.


    Gulug!


    Sha Yinrou swallowed hard, forcibly enduring the severe pain that racked her body, and screamed, "Xiao... Xiao Yi, if you let me go, I can ask my family to cancel the bounty on you. Please, let me go..."


    Li Shenjian also said, "Yes, yes, that''s right, just don''t kill us, I''ll agree to any demand you make!"


    "Sorry, I don''t need it,"


    Xiao Yi said expressionlessly, and then, with a raise of his hand, dozens of God Devouring Ants appeared.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Peel off their skin!" S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sizzles and rustles!


    The God Devouring Ants immediately crawled onto the two of them, and amid their horrific screams, the ants slowly gnawed at their skin. It must be said that the God Devouring Ants were indeed formidable, for they simply gnawed away just the skin layer, without harming anything underneath.


    In just a dozen or so breaths.


    But for Li Shenjian and Sha Yinrou, it felt like an eternity, as if decades were passing by.


    Li Shenjian and Sha Yinrou awoke dazed and confused.


    The two looked at each other, pupils suddenly contracting. The once handsome man and beautiful woman had turned into two blood-drenched figures.


    "Ahh..."


    Sha Yinrou let out a scream and died outright from the shock.


    Li Shenjian wasn''t faring any better; gasping for air, his hateful gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, he roared angrily, "Xiao Yi, you will not die a good death... I won''t let you go even if I become a ghost..."


    "I was not afraid of you while you lived, why would I fear you in death?"


    Xiao Yi chuckled coldly.


    The Demon Sword Zhuo Yue glinted with an icy edge in his hand, ready to strike, but just then an angry roar came from the sky: "Audacious villain, how dare you run amok on Huanglong Island, die!"


    Shua!


    A streak of cold light broke through the air.


    Initially, this ray of arrow light appeared like a cold star, but it grew larger as it approached, turning into a bright full moon.


    The silver radiance was stunning, rushing toward Xiao Yi to encompass him.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils rapidly shrank, and with a change in direction, Zhuo Yue slashed through the void with one strike.


    Boom!


    ```


    Sword light and arrow light clashed in the void.


    Above the sky, a piercing brilliance outshone the proud sun, as if two suns hung in the sky. Terrible shockwaves swept in all directions, dispersing the clouds within a hundred miles. The newcomer was none other than a superpower warrior from the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    Boom!


    This was a middle-aged man, travel-worn, holding a gold greatbow, his expression grave as water, with a quiver on his back.


    As he was drawing his bow.


    Three golden arrows aimed at Xiao Yi, his eyes briefly flickering to Li Shenjian, who had been flayed, the middle-aged man''s eyes slit with fury, "Xiao Yi, how dare you torment Shenjian to such a state, if I, Li Guang, do not kill you, I fail as a father!"


    Li Shenjian wept loudly, "Father, save me, save me..."


    "Shenjian my son, fear not, your father is here, I shall decapitate this Xiao Yi to avenge you!"


    Li Guang''s venomous gaze was fixed on Xiao Yi. He had hurried back as soon as he received Li Shenjian''s message, but he arrived a step too late. Seeing Li Shenjian''s miserable state, his eyes filled with nothing but cold intent to kill, "Nine-Star Chain..."


    The three arrows on Li Guang''s bowstring suddenly transformed, multiplying into nine that whistled through the air as they shot forth.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shocked, he raised his sword in rapid succession.


    Clang clang clang!


    The arrows were strikingly split apart and repelled, Xiao Yi''s face expressionless, "Your son tortured my brother to such a state; I was just giving him a taste of his own medicine!"


    "Scram!"


    Li Guang shouted coldly, his face ferocious, "Even if my son had skinned them alive, it wouldn''t give you any right to retaliate. For people of the Li Family to kill you... that is an honor for you..."


    "Hahaha, truly like father, like son, both utterly unreasonable. As you say, if I, Xiao Yi, wish to kill him, then it is his honor. You, however, cannot stop me!" Xiao Yi retorted with a cold and scornful laugh.


    "You dare?"


    Li Guang threatened with narrowed eyes.


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi, without a word, made one swift strike, cutting Li Shenjian in half. He looked at Li Guang with a smile, "Do you think I dare not?"


    Hiss!


    Li Guang took in a sharp breath.


    His eyes split with rage, looking at Li Shenjian severed in two. He breathed rapidly, roaring continuously, "You little bastard, I will annihilate you!"


    "Nine-Star Chain!"


    "Eighteen Arhats..."


    "Twenty-Eight Constellations..."


    Li Guang, turning into the Arrow Demon, invoked profound and unfathomable archery skills.


    Like dazzling stars, they fell from the high sky.


    Each arrow left behind a long tail, like the sweeping tail of a comet.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes suddenly focused, executing a "Sword Twenty" in mid-air.


    "Sword Twenty-One!"


    "Sword Twenty-Two..."


    Xiao Yi''s actions roared like thunder. Amidst the clashing sounds, he continuously unleashed sword lights that split the void. Where the sword light passed, the vacuum shattered, and the arrows could not withstand his brilliance, falling to pieces.


    Li Guang roared, "Thirty-Six Heavens!"


    A fearsome figure appeared beside him.


    This person, bare-chested, holding a curved bow, aimed to shoot at the heavens.


    It was indeed Li Guang''s observed manifestation, that of the Ancient God Yi, who according to legend had once slain the fierce sun crows with divine arrows!


    Swish swish swish!


    He actually fired thirty-six arrows at the same time in the blink of an eye, each enveloped with vital energy as if they were a world of their own. The Thirty-Six Heavens represented thirty-six different worlds.


    Each arrow contained supreme archery intent.


    This move was certainly a lethal killing technique.


    With extraordinary power, the thirty-six worlds aligned, and the terrifying pressure made even Xiao Yi feel a twinge of palpitation.


    Li Guang''s face showed a ferocious look, with a trickle of fresh blood at the corner of his mouth. This move was beyond his complete control even with his current strength and was a forbidden technique. But seeing the thirty-six arrows completely aimed at Xiao Yi, Li Guang''s bloodied mouth curled upwards slightly, "Shenjian my son, I''m about to send Xiao Yi to hell to keep you company!"

 Chapter 615 - 614: A Flower, A Whole World! A Sword, A Universe!

    "Li Shenjian, my son, I shall now send Xiao Yi to hell to keep you company!"


    Li Guang stood suspended in mid-air, staring viciously at the arrows that crushed down towards Xiao Yi like thirty-six worlds.


    This earth-shattering arrow technique was his trump card!


    With this one arrow...


    Li Guang firmly ranked among the top three experts of the Li Family.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The thirty-six worlds descended like thirty-six meteors from the heavens, bringing with them a terrifying oppressive force that caused the houses below to collapse incessantly and the ground to crack and cave in with a snapping sound.


    All the powerhouses of Huanglong Island revealed terrified expressions and hurriedly fled towards the outskirts of the city.


    The arrows had not yet touched the ground.


    But their imposing presence had already swept in; flora bowed, buildings collapsed, turning into rubble. The destructive power of a single arrow could destroy a fifth of Huanglong Island.


    Sea water flowed backwards into the city center, forming a tsunami under the fierce winds.


    But Li Guang remained unmoved.


    In his eyes...


    As long as Xiao Yi could be killed, even if Huanglong Island were shattered to pieces, it would be worth it!


    "It''s over, it''s over, Li Guang has gone mad... To actually use the Forbidden Thirty-Six Heavens, Huanglong Island is bound to suffer devastating losses!"


    "Huanglong Island is after all the Li Family''s territory. With Li Guang''s strength and status, even if he destroys the whole island, the Li Family is unlikely to punish him. On the contrary, it''s Xiao Yi, who managed to push Li Guang to use the Forbidden Arrow Art, no wonder there''s a bounty of a billion sea crystals on his head!"


    "What a pity that after this battle Xiao Yi is sure to die. If he could survive, the bounty would probably continue to rise..."


    The strong who had escaped Huanglong City floated above in the sky, looking from afar at the increasingly intense battle in Huanglong City, and they discussed amongst themselves.


    ......


    Xiao Yi gazed intently at the thirty-six falling worlds.


    The immense pressure caused him to tremble slightly.


    Where he stood, the ground had already sunk several dozen meters, yet the area under his feet was undamaged, leaving him standing on a pillar of earth amidst the pit.


    In this life-and-death moment.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were lifeless, motionless.


    His eyes saw only the continuous descent of the arrow-worlds.


    Suddenly, a flash of inspiration burst forth in Xiao Yi''s mind, like a fireball exploding in the darkness, and his eyes once again shone with brilliance: "I understand now, what Xu Changsheng has always sought to achieve... Beyond the Fifth Order Sword Intent is the realm. The condensation of Sword Intent into a realm, proclaiming one''s world, a world of the sword..."


    In the midst of battle, Xiao Yi had an epiphany.


    His lips curled into a bright smile as he looked up at the thirty-six arrow worlds: "These thirty-six heavens are the realm on its own tied to the arrows, forming the world of arrows. If your arrows can do it, there''s no reason why my sword can''t!"


    With that thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi didn''t dodge or evade but instead charged towards the world of arrows.


    Li Guang was stunned and then burst into laughter: "Has he gone mad with fright? To run into the trap himself?"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi unleashed a sword strike.


    Hum!


    Sword Intent was concentrated to its extreme, yet it still could not shake the world of arrows.


    Boom!


    The Sword Intent shattered, and the wild force flung Xiao Yi out.


    With a loud crash, he fell to the ground.


    Xiao Yi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes flashing with fighting spirit: "Almost... Continue!"


    Boom!


    "Continue!"


    Boom!


    "Continue!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Watching Xiao Yi rise again and again, only to be knocked back each time, yet the thirty-six heavens were unable to descend due to his continuous assaults. Li Guang''s expression shifted from initial mockery to solemnity, and finally to fear: "This, this kid is using my Thirty-Six Heavens to temper his swordsmanship? Is he insane?"


    Seeing Xiao Yi covered in blood, Li Guang suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.


    To dare to do such a mad thing in a life-and-death battle.


    He finally understood why Xiao Yi was capable of annihilating the Sha Bao and others. A flash of urgency crossed his eyes: "No, I must not let him continue to temper. I must distract him and kill him in one fell swoop!"


    With that thought in mind.


    Li Guang''s gaze swept over, falling on Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan, as he sneered and bellowed: "Xiao Yi, watch the arrows!"


    "Hmm?"


    The pupil of Xiao Yi, who was flung away again, suddenly contracted.


    He saw that Li Guang had actually drawn his bow and aimed several arrows towards Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan.


    At that moment, the two were pinned to the wall and had no chance to dodge.


    If they were hit.


    They would undoubtedly die.


    "No..."


    In that moment, Xiao Yi felt as though he heard a crisp snapping sound within his mind. The Fifth Order Sword Intent broke through once more, and a transparent small sword seemed to condense within his mind.


    The Sword Soul!


    This was the power that transcended Fifth Order Sword Intent �C the Sword Soul!


    "It worked!"


    Xiao Yi shuddered, a trace of ecstasy flashing across his eyes as he cleaved the air with his sword. S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Sword Soul trembled.


    A power surpassing the fifth order of Sword Intent formed a domain of the sword.


    A thought blossomed, a sword unfurled!


    A beam of sword light burst forth, landing in front of Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin, and as the sword light ebbed and flowed, the Sword Qi Flower Lotus bloomed. The radiant Sword Lotus shattered the two arrows.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi, holding his sword, soared into the sky, slashing across the thirty-six heavens.


    Whoosh!


    A Sword Qi Flower Lotus appeared suspended in the air, positioned below the thirty-six heavens.


    One flower, one world!


    One sword, one universe!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sparkled with radiance, and almost simultaneously, the Sword Lotus bloomed. Brilliant Sword Qi covered the sky and earth, forming a sword world where everything perished where the edge passed!


    Boom!


    The thirty-six heavens were shattered.


    Wow!


    Li Guang spurted a mouthful of fresh blood, his Martial Dao Fasxiang behind him trembling as if it would shatter.


    "Impossible, this is impossible..."


    Li Guang watched Xiao Yi with a grimace, his greatest trump card, the thirty-six heavens, now broken. He no longer had any means to slay Xiao Yi and avenge Li Shenjian.


    In the midst of despair.


    Li Guang''s eyes glinted fiercely, "If we don''t get rid of this child, he will become a future threat to the Li Family. Even in death, I''ll take you with me!"


    Boom!


    Li Guang''s body swelled as he turned himself into an arrow, shooting towards Xiao Yi.


    His vital energy ran in reverse, his Martial Dao Fasxiang shining with intense light.


    He was preparing to self-detonate!


    He intended to die with Xiao Yi...


    "Not good!"


    "Xiao Yi, run for it..."


    "Boss..."


    Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan were enraged, roaring continuously.


    Xiao Yi curled the corners of his mouth up, smiling coldly, "Self-destruct? Without my permission, do you think you can?"


    Xiao Yi stood suspended in the air.


    Purple light flashed in his eyes, the first form of the Evil God Transformation, Nightmare Transformation!


    Hum!


    Li Guang''s body trembled, his eyes glazed over with confusion, losing their luster.


    At the same time, Xiao Yi gripped his sword with both hands, raised it above his head, and slashed down, "Die!"


    Hum!


    The Sword Soul inside him vibrated intensely, and boundless Sword Intent condensed into a sword world, slashing towards Li Guang. Within the domain of the sword, Li Guang, still with a vacant face, motionlessly watched as Xiao Yi activated the sword domain.


    Hammering him mercilessly into the ground.


    Just as he was about to crash, Li Guang suddenly came to his senses, a look of terror emerging in his eyes as he roared, "Evil God Transformation? Xiao Yi, are you actually the disciple of Evil God Su Wuxie?"


    "What? Xiao Yi is the disciple of Su Wuxie?"


    "Damn it, the man with a bounty of a hundred billion sea crystals, Su Wuxie?"


    "Quick, spread this news..."


    The onlookers in the distance all showed ecstatic faces, and in no time, the news of Xiao Yi being the disciple of Evil God Su Wuxie spread like a plague across the entire tumultuous sea


    Xiao Yi''s face turned ashen, not expecting Li Guang''s willpower to be so strong that he revealed his Evil God Transformation in the end.


    This was trouble!


    Leaving aside the bounty of a hundred billion sea crystals on Su Wuxie, just the Heaven-reaching Divine Record he carried was enough to drive powers like the Sha Family mad!


    Xiao Yi could already foresee that in the following chaotic sea, he would likely have enemies everywhere!


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, your killing me is pointless. To think you''re the disciple of Su Wuxie, you''re doomed, hahaha, you''re doomed..." Li Guang roared boastfully.


    The sword light, with a bang, struck him down onto Huanglong Island.


    Boom boom boom!


    Countless sword lights crisscrossed, tearing Li Guang into pieces scattered across the sky, a terrifying energy storm swept through all directions. When everything dissipated, a large part of Huanglong Island was reduced to ruins.


    Xiao Yi, wrapping Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin with his vital energy, looked coldly around at all the eyes eagerly fixed on him, and said indifferently, "Anyone who wants to make a move, feel free to come at me!"


    The terrible intent to kill made those eager powerhouses bow their heads.


    "Useless cowards!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and said, "Send a message to the Sha Family, the Li Family... If you want my life, be ready for your clans to be annihilated!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leapt up and entered the Teleportation Array inside the lord''s mansion of Huanglong Island and disappeared from sight.


    However...


    The storm stirred up by Xiao Yi had only just begun...

 Chapter 616 - 615: Alarm in All Directions, Five Billion Bounty!

    Huanglong Island.


    Surrounding seas erupted like crazed wolves, lightning flashed and thunder roared, and amidst the entire island laid ruins, battered by the waves.


    It was as if a calamity had descended upon it.


    Almost half of Huanglong Island had been utterly destroyed by Xiao Yi''s recent sword strike; the land still trembled ominously, with a great portion of the island sinking into the sea, forever claimed by the ocean depths.


    Countless powerful beings hesitated to return to the island.


    However, the news about Xiao Yi spread across the entire chaotic maritime region in no time.


    The Sha Family, Huang Family, Li Family, Hai Family.


    The Bai Fa Pirate Group, Three Blade Mountain, Luan Yue Valley, and the Shark Pirate Group��all received the message immediately.


    The successor of Su Wuxie had reappeared.


    This news was enough to stir the hearts of countless strong individuals.


    Especially for the Sha Family...


    They were overwhelmed with excitement.


    They were the only dominant force that had survived from a thousand years ago, with a clearer understanding of the past events. On Su Wuxie''s person was not only a bounty of a hundred billion sea crystals but also that mysterious jade box from the Hall of Longevity.


    The Sha Family''s main base, Kuangsha Island.


    Kuangsha Island didn''t originally exist in the chaotic maritime region; it was an island created by the tremendous power of the Sha Family''s ancestors.


    The entire island was extremely large, ranking among the top three largest islands within the countless islands of the vast chaotic maritime region. The core members of the Sha Family primarily resided on Kuangsha Island.


    At this moment...


    In the very center of Kuangsha Island, in front of the Sha Family ancestral hall.


    The current Sha Family head, Shayuntian, solemnly offered incense and prayed to the forefathers, his face alight with fervor: "Our forefathers above, the Sha Family has finally received news of Su Wuxie. Please bless us from the heavens, allow the Sha Family to obtain that treasure of Su Wuxie''s..."


    "Family head, Xiao Yi has already left Huanglong Island and entered the territories of Luan Yue Valley and Three Blade Mountain. Both Three Blade Mountain and Luan Yue Valley have announced they will not allow other forces to enter. What should we do?" the supreme elder Shayunlong asked.


    Shayunlong was the father of Sha Bao.


    Every time he thought of his son''s tragic death, Shayunlong''s eyes flickered with a vengeful light.


    "First, send word to increase the bounty on Xiao Yi to fifty billion sea crystals. Furthermore..."


    Shayuntian said coldly, "Notify Shayunfeng to have all the people from the Shark Pirate Group return. Gather all of the Sha Family''s forces and pursue Xiao Yi to Three Blade Mountain and Luan Yue Valley. Whoever dares to obstruct the Sha Family''s path��kill them!"


    "Yes!"


    A chorus of Sha Family strongmen responded.


    Shayuntian looked towards the leading young man, who had a yellow gourd filled with runes on his back. This person was Shawuchen, the strongest among the younger generation of the Sha Family. Shayuntian spoke coldly: "Wuchen, take ten thousand men and lead them into Three Blade Mountain and Luan Yue Valley to pursue Xiao Yi. I will wait for the Shark Pirate Group''s army to regroup before setting out together!"


    "Yes!"


    Shawuchen nodded respectfully.


    "Stay behind for a moment, Wuchen..."


    Shayuntian spoke indifferently: "The rest of you, prepare yourselves! This time, our Sha Family must not let Xiao Yi escape!"


    "Yes!"


    The crowd of Sha Family strongmen roared angrily as they dispersed.


    Shayuntian squinted his eyes at Shawuchen and asked, "Wuchen, do you know why I kept you behind?"


    Shawuchen shook his head.


    Shayuntian flipped his hand, and a jade box appeared in his palm. He spoke gravely, "Do you know why our Sha Family''s Martial Tao Skill far surpasses other strongmen?"


    Shawuchen said, "Because of the mystery of our Sha Family''s ancestral Cultivation Technique!"


    "No, it is not our Sha Family''s ancestral Cultivation Technique..."


    Shayuntian shook his head, narrowing his eyes, and said solemnly, "The technique for condensing the Martial Dao Fasxiang is but a crude fraction of what our Sha Family''s ancestors learned from this. Today, I will pass it on to you. You are the most gifted in our family history, coming closest to matching our ancestor. I hope you won''t disappoint my expectations!"


    "This... this is the Secret Technique that our ancestor once cultivated?" A look of astonishment surfaced on Shawuchen''s typically stoic face.


    The Sha Family''s ancestor was a fearsome behemoth who had stepped into the realm of immortality and left the chaotic maritime region.


    And he was also Shawuchen''s idol.


    Shayuntian nodded and said, "The technique you all have been practicing is merely a small part of this Secret Technique. Now that you have perfected it, you are qualified to cultivate the true Secret Technique. With your talent and foundation, by the time you reach Three Blade Mountain, you should be able to enhance your strength even further and complete the eighth Nirvana of your Fasxiang. By then, dealing with Xiao Yi, victory will surely be within our grasp!"


    "Many thanks to the family head for this opportunity!"


    With utmost respect, Shawuchen spoke, "I will not disappoint the family head''s expectations!"


    "Go!"


    Shayuntian handed the jade box to Shawuchen, his squinting eyes flickered with cold light, "Su Wuxie, Xiao Yi... Hmph, the Sha Family will definitely not miss this opportunity again!"


    ......


    At the same time.


    On Tianlai Island, the home of the Li Family.


    Li Zhenghao, the patriarch of the Li Family, his gaze piercing, coldly looked at his subordinates and said, "Xiao Yi destroyed our Huanglong Island, killed our kinsmen Li Guang, Li Shenjian; this is a grievance of the deepest dye. All forces, attack, capture Xiao Yi!"


    "Yes!"


    The Li Family, united, their fighting spirit soaring.


    At the same time...


    The Huang Family and the Hai Family also mobilized their full forces, searching for Xiao Yi.


    Out on the open sea.


    Boom boom boom!


    The sea quaked, the sky turned dark, and the Azure Sea was torn open by a thousand-mile trench amidst the clash of two figures. Within the trench, the two exchanged blows, causing a tremendous disturbance that shook heaven and earth.


    Suddenly...


    A pale sword light swept across the heavens, and with a bang, it cleaved through the huge shark made of condensed yellow sand.


    Boom!


    The shark exploded.


    Shayunfeng revealed his form, his expressionless face looking at the white-haired middle-aged man and said coldly, "Bai Fa, three years have passed, and your swordsmanship has become even more exquisite."


    "You''re not too shabby yourself!" S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor smiled and narrowed his eyes, "Shayunfeng, I hear your Sha Family has been repeatedly frustrated by that young fellow named Xiao Yi lately!"


    "Hmph!"


    Shayunfeng snorted coldly.


    The deaths of Sha Bao and Sha Yun, with hundreds of thousands of the Sha Family warriors buried at sea.


    This had become a shame to the Sha Family and his Shark Pirate Group. His face was as cold as that of a bloodthirsty shark as he said coldly, "He''s just a lucky kid who managed to inherit Su Wuxie''s legacy... Bai Fa, you''re not saying you''re going to get involved in this, are you?"


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor shrugged his shoulders and spoke indifferently, "There is a bounty of a hundred billion sea crystals, I can''t help but be tempted! Perhaps, I might capture him before your Sha Family does!"


    "Hmph, we''ll see about that," Shayunfeng said.


    Shayunfeng''s figure vanished, retreating to his warship above, breaking through the waves, heading toward Kuangsha Island.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor squinted his eyes, looking toward the directions of Three Blade Mountain and Luan Yue Valley, "Xiao Yi? An interesting little fellow. Since I''m bored anyway, it wouldn''t hurt to have a look!"


    At the same time...


    Three Blade Mountain, Luan Yue Valley.


    These two groups, ranking at the bottom of the four major pirate bands, had always been plagued by internal strife while acting in unison against external threats. This time, the three leaders of the Three Blade Mountain Pirate Group, the Tiandao Emperor, the Earth Dao King, Rendao Kuang, as well as the Valley Master Ji Luanyue, had gathered.


    Ji Luanyue scanned the three men and said in a deep voice, "I suggest that from this moment on, we cease our internal conflicts and work together to chase Xiao Yi!"


    Rendao Kuang had a stout figure, resembling a pig''s build, sitting there like a lump of fat. He spoke indifferently, "I''ve no problem with cooperating, but if we catch Xiao Yi, how do we divide the spoils?"


    "My brother has a point, we need to clarify how to distribute the loot!" the Tiandao Emperor said indifferently.


    Ji Luanyue narrowed her eyes and said, "We split it evenly, half for us, half for you."


    "Half for one person? Don''t flatter yourself. We three brothers want seventy percent!" declared the Earth Dao King.


    Ji Luanyue snorted coldly, "Your appetite is too big, isn''t it?"


    "What if it is?"


    The Earth Dao King said domineeringly, "If you won''t cooperate with us, we might as well cooperate with Bai Fa instead!"


    Ji Luanyue''s face turned alternately red and white, and finally, she gritted her teeth and said, "Seventy percent is absolutely impossible, at most I will give you sixty percent, and I shall keep forty percent!"


    The Tiandao Emperor and his brothers exchanged glances and said, "It''s a deal!"


    Their eyes met, and all revealed excitement and Greed, "Just a Xiao Yi, once we catch him and force out the whereabouts of Su Wuxie, that''s a hundred billion sea crystals, hahaha..."


    At that moment...


    The excited group was unaware that their decision that day was sowing the seeds of a terrifying storm to come...

 Chapter 617 - 616: Human Lives Are As Insignificant As Mustard Seeds [Ninth Update]

    Three Blade Mountain and Luan Yue Valley.


    These two pirate groups occupied a vast territory, nearly three times the size of the area controlled by the Bai Fa Pirate Group.


    However...


    Their strength could not compare to that of the Bai Fa Pirate Group.


    After all,


    the Bai Fa Sword Emperor of the Bai Fa Pirate Group is universally acknowledged as the number one master throughout the entire Chaotic Seas!


    As for the Shark Pirate Group, they even have the backing of the Sha Family.


    And so,


    Three Blade Mountain and Luan Yue Valley have formed the current bizarre situation where the two pirate groups constantly clash and feud on ordinary days. But when faced with an external enemy, they cooperate wholeheartedly to resist the invasion.


    It is precisely because of this mode of cooperation that these two weaker forces have managed to hold the most ground.


    Snow Peak Island.


    In the middle of this island lies a towering peak over thirty thousand feet tall, perennially capped with snow��a rarity above the ocean, hence it is known as the sacred land of ice and snow of the Chaotic Seas.


    At the foot of Snow Peak Mountain, inside a tavern known as Snow Peak Inn,


    Xiao Yi booked a top-grade private room, laid Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan on the bed, but did not let them directly touch the bedding. Instead, he propped up their bodies with vital energy.


    They were enveloped all over by Xiao Yi''s vital energy to prevent their bodies from rot and insect contamination.


    Xiao Yi gave them some foundation-strengthening and vital-energy-nurturing elixirs, and said in a deep voice, "You two rest here for a while. I''ll go out and buy some medicine. When I return, I''ll figure out a way to regenerate your skin!"


    Their skin had been peeled off completely.


    Without external aid, it was impossible for new skin to regenerate.


    Yue Shanchuan''s voice was hoarse as he said, "Be careful!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, set up an Array Formation in the room to prevent anyone from coming in and seeing their current state. Then, cloaked in his cape, he left the inn alone.


    At the entrance of the inn.


    As the innkeeper was soliciting guests, Xiao Yi asked, "Innkeeper, where can I buy medicinal herbs and elixirs nearby?"


    While speaking,


    Xiao Yi passed ten sea crystals into his hand.


    The innkeeper''s eyes lit up, and he answered with utmost respect, "Young master, there isn''t an elixir store on Snow Peak Island. However, if you follow this road straight to the end, you will see the black market. Many pirates fence their loot there, and there are also some merchants. You should be able to find what you need!"


    "The black market? Good!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and thanked him.


    The innkeeper hesitated, then looking at the sea crystals in his hand, he said gravely, "Young master, when you get to the black market, don''t openly display wealth. It''s a place full of mixed characters..."


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi gave a formal bow to the innkeeper, then headed straight for the black market.


    ......


    The black market.


    It''s indispensable in every place, after all, transactions too shady for daylight are not uncommon.


    When Xiao Yi arrived at the black market, he noticed many others wearing cloaks like himself. Clearly, these people also did not wish to reveal their identities. Xiao Yi walked around the market, as hawker calls continually resounded, "Recently plundered treasures, take a look, see for yourselves!"


    "Just off the boat, still hot!"


    Xiao Yi glanced over,


    and saw at several stalls, human hands, heads, and so on were displayed... These hands were adorned with various rings, while the heads had gold teeth embedded...


    Truly everything under the sun could be found.


    Xiao Yi soon found a vendor selling medicinal herbs. All the herbs necessary for concocting the skin-regeneration elixir were available here. Xiao Yi asked, "How much for all these herbs?"


    "You want them all?" the vendor inquired.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    The vendor replied, "One hundred thousand sea crystals."


    "One hundred thousand?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback�� that was a billion Silver, decidedly expensive. However, to regenerate the skin of Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan, he could not consider other issues. "I''ll take them all!" he declared.


    "All of them?"


    The vendor was surprised but confirmed as Xiao Yi nodded. He then oh''d, packed up the goods and handed them over. Xiao Yi also handed over the sea crystals to pay for the medicines. Just as he was about to leave, suddenly someone sprang out from the side.


    She grabbed Xiao Yi''s hem and hid behind him, looking ahead with panic.


    This was a young girl with a weed tied atop her head. sea??h th�� n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The girl''s appearance was quite pretty, but her complexion was extremely pale, clearly a result of chronic malnutrition.


    Full of terror, the girl looked up at Xiao Yi with her eyes carrying a pitiful plea, "Brother, save me... please, save me..."


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi frowned.


    A drunken man came stumbling over, his eyes venomously fixed on the girl: "Ying, aren''t you coming over to your daddy?"


    "No, don''t..."


    Ying clutched tightly to Xiao Yi''s hem, her face brimming with fear.


    Xiao Yi frowned and looked at the drunkard: "Who are you?"


    The drunkard frowned back at him and said, "I''m her old man..."


    "You''re her father?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, turning back to Ying, "Ying, is he really your father?"


    "Yes, yes..."


    Ying nodded her head then frantically shook it, saying, "No, no, he''s not. He, he wants to sell me for liquor... Big brother, can you save me? My mother and sister were already sold by him, I don''t want to be sold to a brothel, I don''t want to..."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, looking at the drunkard: "She is your daughter, and you want to sell her just for some liquor?"


    The drunkard snorted coldly, as if it were the most natural thing to do, said, "What about my daughter? She''s mine, and if I want to sell her, I''ll sell her. Who the hell are you to tell me what to do? Step aside or I''ll start screaming for help..."


    "Big brother, please save me..." Ying tugged at Xiao Yi''s sleeve, her eyes pleading tragically.


    Xiao Yi sighed.


    Ying''s plight reminded him of his own past, which stirred a sense of compassion.


    Xiao Yi turned to the drunkard. "How much do you want?"


    The drunkard was taken aback and frowned, "What? You want to buy her?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    The drunkard''s eyes rolled greedily, glancing over Xiao Yi''s attire and the herbs in his hand, and he held up a finger, declaring, "Fifty... no, one hundred sea crystals, not a crystal less!"


    The surrounding crowd, however, looked at the scene with disdain: "Damn, to actually ask for one hundred sea crystals for such a girl?"


    "A normal price would be around five sea crystals..."


    "This guy probably saw the young man had money, so he''s shooting for the moon with his price!"


    Hearing the crowd''s comments, the drunkard''s face turned from pale to flushed, obviously worried that his outrageous demand had angered Xiao Yi. He hastily called out, "No no no, let''s make it fifty sea crystals..."


    Yet Xiao Yi suddenly felt a sense of sadness.


    A biological father, willing to sell his own daughter for liquor.


    Indeed, in these lawless seas, human life was as cheap as dirt.


    The life of Ying was worth less than a rich man''s meal.


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi tossed fifty sea crystals to the drunkard and said coldly, "From now on, she has nothing to do with you!"


    "Hahaha, of course, she''s all yours now!" the drunkard laughed heartily, clutching the sea crystals with excitement, muttering, "Now I can drink well, and later find another wife to bear more children. Keep the sons to have them join the Three Blade Mountain; sell my daughters..."


    However...


    Just as he stepped into the tavern, the sea crystals in his hand suddenly erupted into a dazzling light.


    Boom!


    The drunkard was blown to pieces.


    Of course...


    All of this was unknown to Ying, who had left with Xiao Yi. She followed him all the way to the inn. Xiao Yi brought Ying to his room, ordered some food, and then instructed her, "Ying, eat something here and rest if you''re tired. I still have things to do, but I''ll think of how to arrange for you after I''m done..."


    "Okay, big brother, you go ahead!" Ying obediently nodded, her clear eyes gazing up at him.


    Xiao Yi ruffled her hair and went into the bedroom.


    Ying ate some food, and seeing some dirty clothes in the room, she cautiously took them downstairs to wash.


    All of her actions were perceived by Xiao Yi, who smiled and shook his head: "Such a sensible little girl!"


    Since Ying had gone to wash the clothes, Xiao Yi didn''t pay any more attention to her.


    His gaze turned to the bed where Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan were lying, he said solemnly, "Soon, you will both be healed..."

 Chapter 618 - 617 Spending Time Together, Sudden Changes Arise! [10th Update]

    Xiao Yi took out the medicinal ingredients.


    The quality of these ingredients was quite good, and Xiao Yi sat cross-legged to begin concocting the elixir that would regenerate skin.


    Besides needing to concoct the elixir to be taken orally, there was also a need to create a topical ointment.


    The concocting process was very troublesome and complex.


    Even if it were to be successful, for Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan''s skin to return to its original state, it would take at least two or three days. Of course, this was because Xiao Yi had mastered countless ancient recipes. If it were an ordinary alchemist, they might not even be able to regenerate their skin.


    Xiao Yi was fully focused on his alchemy.


    Ying washed the clothes and then returned to the room, tidied it up, and then quietly squatted in a corner.


    With her hands hugging her legs, her little head was buried between her knees.


    Her gaze was fixed on Xiao Yi''s room, she had never felt such warmth and security. After a while, Ying fell into a deep sleep, right after Xiao Yi finished concocting the elixir and had applied the first treatment on Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin.


    It was already dark.


    Xiao Yi noticed Ying curled up in the corner and frowned slightly, stepping forward to pat her head, "Ying, isn''t there a bed here? Why are you hiding in this corner?"


    Revealing a brilliant smile, Ying''s two dark eyes sparkled like black gems. Yet, with a strong effort, she said, "At home, Dad wouldn''t let me sit on a stool or lie in a bed. My sister and I always squatted on the ground! Big brother, the floor here is much warmer than at home, I''m fine!"


    Ying tried to stand up but found that her legs were numb, and with a cry of distress, she fell down.


    Accidentally, she knocked over a cup at the side, shattering it.


    Xiao Yi was about to help her up.


    Ying, however, was terror-stricken and knelt on the ground, her head banging against the floor with a sob in her voice. Yet she still managed a stubborn smile, "Big brother, Ying was wrong. Ying shouldn''t have fallen down in front of you. Big brother, I won''t dare to do so again. Please don''t drive me away, I beg you, I''ll be good..."


    Xiao Yi''s hand, which was trying to help her, paused mid-air, or rather, froze in place.


    He couldn''t imagine what kind of environment could have made Ying like this.


    She hadn''t done anything wrong at all!


    It was just that her legs had gone numb from squatting for so long.


    Why then did she have to apologize so humbly? And while apologizing, she still had a smile on her face, forcibly holding back the tears in her eyes from falling.


    Xiao Yi felt as if there was a heavy stone pressing on his chest, making it difficult to breathe. He carefully helped Ying up, looking at her eyes brimming with unshed tears, and the smile that was forcibly squeezed out��it was as if someone had a firm grip on his heart.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath and said softly, "Ying, you haven''t done anything wrong..."


    "Mhm mhm, brother is right, Ying didn''t do anything wrong, Ying won''t cry. Big brother, please don''t be angry, Ying will listen..." Ying didn''t dare to look at Xiao Yi, her voice trembling, but the smile on her face was heart-wrenchingly painful to witness.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath.


    He knew this was a deep-seated fear, a conditioned reflex she had developed.


    It was not a frost of a single day that resulted in the ice three feet deep.


    It wasn''t possible to change her just by his few words. He could only rub her head and said with a smile, "Alright, brother knows Ying is the best behaved. Ying, are you hungry? Brother will take you to eat something delicious, then buy you a set of new clothes!"


    Gurgle!


    Ying''s stomach grumbled, but she still shook her head, "I''m not hungry. Ying isn''t hungry. Just give me a bit of what''s leftover from what brother eats. Hee hee, brother, don''t worry about Ying..."


    Whew! sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi didn''t say anything more and took Ying by the hand, walking toward the door.


    He ordered a lavish meal.


    Xiao Yi looked at Ying, who was visibly uncomfortable, and said, "Ying, you should eat up, this is an order from brother. If you don''t, brother will be angry!"


    "No, no, don''t be angry, brother. Ying will eat obediently..."


    Ying hurriedly picked up the chopsticks and began to eat, as if afraid that eating too slowly would result in punishment from Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi watched in silence.


    After she had finished eating,


    Xiao Yi took Ying to a nearby shop and bought her two sets of replacement clothing before they returned to their room.


    In the next two days,


    Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin''s injuries healed very quickly, and their skin had mostly regrown. They just needed another day or two for their bodies to fully adapt to the new skin, and they would be completely healed.


    During these two days,


    Ying tidied up the place every day, did the laundry, and took care of Xiao Yi and the others'' meals obediently.


    She was incredibly well-behaved.


    Xiao Yi noticed that Ying would always change into her tattered clothes whenever she did chores and would only wear the pretty new clothes when she was with Xiao Yi.


    And every time...


    she would carefully fold her new clothes and place them neatly.


    This was the prettiest clothing she had ever worn in her life!


    Xiao Yi had completely taken a liking to this sensible little sister and treated her as if she was his own.


    Ying also got to know Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin, of course after their skin had fully regrown. Knowing that they were injured, she would carefully feed them every day, and then sing to them like a big sister cooing to a baby.


    Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin also genuinely grew fond of the little girl.


    "Big brother, will Yue and Little Lin be fully healed this afternoon?" Ying blinked her dark and bright eyes, looking at Xiao Yi as she asked.


    Xiao Yi smiled and nodded, "Yeah, they''ll be all better this afternoon, then Ying will have three brothers to keep her company!"


    "Wow!"


    Ying''s eyes curved into crescents with delight, and her interaction over the last few days made her less reserved and fearful, and much more lively. She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Big brother, can you give me a sea crystal later?"


    "Of course!"


    Xiao Yi handed her a sea crystal and said with a smile, "Why? Is there something you want to buy, Ying?"


    "Not really!"


    Ying smiled sweetly and said, "Yue and Little Lin will be healed this afternoon, and I want to buy two bunches of flowers for them to celebrate their recovery!"


    Xiao Yi was moved and ruffled Ying''s head, smiling, "Good, then make sure you''re careful when you go out alone!"


    "Mhm mhm!"


    Ying obediently nodded her head.


    After lunch,


    Ying went out alone to buy flowers, while Xiao Yi was in the room, making the final preparations for Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin''s recovery.


    Vital energy circulated over their bodies,


    promoting the dissolution of the ointment on their skin, making the skin return to its normal state.


    After half an hour,


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath. This was a very meticulous task and had taken quite a bit out of him. He looked at Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan on the bed, both of whom were now restored to their original state, although it would take some time for Little Lin''s scales to regrow.


    The bare Little Lin looked rather comical.


    Seeing the two standing up in front of him, Xiao Yi smiled and tossed Yue Shanchuan the clean clothes Ying had washed: "Hurry and change into these clothes; Ying washed them for you!"


    "Haha, clothes washed by Ying smell really good!" Yue Shanchuan said happily.


    Little Lin drooped his head, "It''s a pity that I haven''t transformed yet and can''t wear clothes..."


    Xiao Yi threw a specially tailored garment over, "This was made for you by Ying, tailored to you. Try it on!"


    "Eh? You got one for me too?"


    Little Lin was surprised but then dressed up, and the clothes fitted nicely. He boasted proudly, "Hahaha, that''s my Ying, I knew my care for her wasn''t misplaced! By the way, boss, where is Ying?"


    "Ying has gone to buy flowers for you guys, celebrating your recovery. But, by all accounts, she should have been back by now..." Xiao Yi furrowed his brows.


    But at that moment...


    The voice of the inn''s server came hurriedly from outside the door, "Young master, young master, something bad has happened, Ying has run into trouble..."

 Chapter 619 - 618: Touch her and I’ll annihilate your entire family! [Eleventh Update]

    "Bad news, Ying''s in trouble!"


    The waiter''s voice was filled with urgency.


    In their recent interactions, Ying had always been responsible for serving dishes to Xiao Yi''s group, and she was quite familiar with the waiter.


    The waiter genuinely liked the poor, sensible, and adorable young girl. Additionally, Xiao Yi''s generous tips had made the waiter pay extra attention to them.


    Just now, he heard a commotion outside. When he went to check, he discovered Ying was in trouble and rushed back to report.


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi yanked open the door and looked at the waiter: "What happened to Ying?"


    Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin behind him also glared menacingly, staring at him with eyes filled with a cold intent to kill.


    The waiter inhaled sharply and quickly said, "Yi-, Ying seems to have had a conflict with someone while buying flowers outside. Now they''re giving her trouble. You should go take a look��"


    Bang!


    The three of them flashed out and ran towards the outside.


    Hisss!


    The waiter inhaled sharply, his eyes showing a trace of shock: "Damn, such fast speed..."


    On the street outside the tavern.


    Ying clenched the hem of her clothes, holding back tears, and forced a stiff smile on her face as she weakly looked at the glamorous woman in front of her: "Big, big sister��"


    Slap!


    The glamorous woman slapped her across the face. Seeing Ying''s swollen cheek, it was clear this wasn''t the first slap. Ying didn''t dare make a sound, just bowed her head even lower.


    The glamorous woman snorted coldly, her thick makeup unable to hide the signs of age on her face: "Little wretch, so young and yet up to no good, stealing from others. Who knows which shameless parent birthed you, a wild girl raised without a mother''s guidance..."


    "I''m sorry, it''s all Ying''s fault, all my fault��" Ying kept apologizing and begging for forgiveness.


    In truth.


    She didn''t even know what she did wrong.


    She had just bought flowers on the street and was hurrying back to the inn, eager to give them to Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan as soon as they woke up.


    But then��


    She accidentally bumped into the middle-aged man with a fat face beside the glamorous woman.


    Ying was wearing the new clothes Xiao Yi had bought her to celebrate Little Lin''s recovery, looking quite pretty. This caught the middle-aged man''s eye, who immediately grabbed her and started groping her.


    The glamorous woman caught them in the act.


    The middle-aged man turned the tables, claiming Ying seduced him.


    The glamorous woman started hitting Ying, trampled her flowers, and slapped her dozens of times.


    "Humph, do you think simply knowing your mistake is enough? Crawl under my legs right now and bark like a dog, then I''ll let you go. Otherwise, I''ll have someone sell you to a brothel today!" The woman''s malicious face perfectly illustrated the ancient saying, "The viper''s tongue and the wasp''s sting mean little; the most poisonous is a wicked woman''s heart."


    Ying trembled all over.


    She had nearly been sold to a brothel by her father before, and hearing those words made her tremble with fear.


    Fear flickered in her eyes.


    Meanwhile, the middle-aged man''s eyes glittered; such a lovely girl sold to a brothel meant he could frequent it often. With this thought, the middle-aged man egged on: "That''s right, she must be sold to a brothel. Such a young age and already seducing men on the streets. If not for my wife''s beauty, my unwavering devotion to her, your little act just now might''ve seduced my soul away..."


    The glamorous woman glared at him fiercely.


    The surrounding crowd also chimed in, "Flirting with men in the street, this is the fate of being born in a brothel!"


    "Better send her to the brothel, so she won''t flirt with other people''s men outside..."


    "Such a woman should be drowned in a pig cage, she can''t get off so easily..."


    The onlookers were eager for a spectacle and began to speak one after another.


    Little Ying was already scared pale, forcing back tears in her eyes and a strained smile on her face, "Big sister, please don''t sell Little Ying to the brothel. Little Ying is wrong, Little Ying will do whatever you say now, just don''t sell me to the brothel..."


    As she spoke,


    Little Ying, with a thud, knelt on the ground and began to crawl towards the glamorous woman''s crotch.


    Little Ying had barely crawled halfway through,


    when the glamorous woman suddenly sat down with a thump, crushing Little Ying''s petite body to the ground. The pain caused Little Ying to grimace, but the glamorous woman revealed a ferocious smile, "Everyone''s right, how can we let you off so easily? Now, carry me around this street twice, and while you crawl, shout that you are a whore, and I''ll let you go!"


    Little Ying''s face contorted with pain.


    The glamorous woman was nearly as big as a pig and pressed down on her with her full weight, leaving Little Ying struggling to breathe.


    But Ying dared not cry.


    Every time she cried at home, her father would beat her even more viciously.


    Even when beaten, she could only smile through it.


    Little Ying, trembling in her hands and feet, managed to lift her body slightly and took a few deep breaths, before continuing to crawl forward. However, the weight of the glamorous woman on her back was too great, repeatedly pressing Little Ying to the ground.


    Hiss!


    Hiss...


    Little Ying gasped for breath.


    She struggled to drag the glamorous woman forward, her pitiable state becoming the subject of jokes among the onlookers, "You definitely don''t want to give birth to a daughter like this��she''d lose all her reputation for life!"


    "So young and yet so indiscreet!"


    "Hey, didn''t you tell her to crawl and shout that she''s a whore? She hasn''t shouted that yet..."


    Someone instigated from the sidelines, further encouraging the glamorous woman who, filled with zest, slapped Little Ying hard on the bottom and gritted her teeth, "Shout it out, say your whole family are whores..."


    The fat-eared middle-aged man gazed at Little Ying''s propped-up bottom.


    He couldn''t help but rub his hands together and with a gaping smile said, "Madam, your hands are far too precious to strike this wild girl. How about this: let your husband do the hitting for you, just like the times I drove the carriage for you, would that be alright?"


    "You old lecher, don''t think I don''t know what you''re up to." S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The glamorous woman gave the man a fierce stare. She understood her husband''s mind all too well, but recalling the praise he had given her just before, she said grumpily, "Fine, since you''ve been quite sensible today, I''ll let you do the hitting!"


    "Alright!"


    The middle-aged man chuckled, rubbing his hands together in anticipation of the feeling he might enjoy after he had finished smacking her.


    His gaze fixed on Little Ying''s bottom, his crimson tongue licked his lips, revealing a look of greed and eagerness, "This young girl has quite a firm bottom; I wonder what it feels like to touch it��heh heh..."


    However...


    Just as his palm was about to land on Little Ying''s body, a roar like thunder blasting through the sky resounded throughout the entire street, "Touch her, and I''ll annihilate your entire family!"


    PS: The eleventh update, Xiao Tian is on a writing spree today! Are you enjoying it? If so, drop some comments, show some support, haha! Let Xiao Tian feel your enthusiasm, and let our explosion continue��charge...

 Chapter 620 - 619: Isnt It Good to Be Alive? [12th Update]

    "Touch her, and I''ll exterminate your entire family!"


    The icy voice contained a towering rage.


    Within the crowd.


    Xiao Yi, Little Lin, and Yue Shanchuan trio broke through the air and landed on the ground with a bang. Little Lin went straight to lashing out his tail, smacking the middle-aged man and sending him flying with a loud thump, colliding into the gaudy woman.


    Together, the husband and wife weighed over 600 pounds, directly thrown over ten meters by Little Lin''s strike.


    Bang!


    The couple tumbled and scrambled along the ground, rolling out a considerable distance.


    Xiao Yi hurried forward, helping Ying up and looking her over, "Ying, are you alright?"


    Ying, with her head down and lips pursed, weakly said, "Brother, Ying was naughty, Ying caused trouble, scold me, brother..."


    The trio''s eyes instantly reddened.


    Little Lin showed his teeth at the couple, the sharp fangs flashing with a cold light.


    Yue Shanchuan clenched his fists, his gaze turning to the utmost cold.


    They knew all too well how well-behaved Ying was; she would never stir up trouble on her own. Seeing her swollen face and the dust covering her body, he gently patted off the dirt from her.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and spoke in the gentlest tone, "Ying, don''t be afraid, with brother here no one can bully you. Tell brother what happened, I will make it right for you!"


    "Brother, I..." Ying opened her mouth, but in the end, she just shook her head and remained silent.


    Xiao Yi was about to continue his questioning.


    The couple had managed to get up, looking incredibly disheveled from their fall. As they came to their senses, the gaudy woman couldn''t restrain herself and cursed, "Motherfucker, which son of a bitch dared to sneak attack me? I''ll skin you alive..."


    Little Lin instantly got furious.


    Damn it!


    I''ve just gotten my skin ripped off and regrown, and you dare mention this in front of me?


    "Little Lin!"


    Xiao Yi shouted, stopping Little Lin, and holding onto Ying''s hand, his icy gaze intensely fixed on the gaudy woman, "You, explain yourself clearly, what''s the meaning of this? Why did you hit my sister?"


    The gaudy woman was startled by Xiao Yi''s icy look.


    Gulp!


    She swallowed hard and then, remembering that this was Snow Peak Island and her brother was the head of Three Blade Mountain Sect on Snow Peak Island, she sneered, "What sister? I think she''s your little lover, isn''t she? No wonder she''s flirting with men at such a young age. Oh, it turns out she''s been serving two men at the same time, oh, and a demon serpent as well. Geez, you guys have quite the taste!"


    Boom!


    A furious fire blazed in Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    Rage!


    Rage to the extreme.


    He hadn''t expected the gaudy woman to spew such venomous words. Looking down at the palm print on Ying''s face, Xiao Yi took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "It seems you don''t intend to have a civil conversation, so if that''s the case..."


    Xiao Yi looked towards Little Lin.


    Little Lin nodded. The unspoken understanding between the brothers needed only a gaze.


    Whoosh!


    Little Lin instantly appeared in front of the gaudy woman, his tail wrapping around her neck and with a violent fling, his tail smashed the woman''s face into the ground.


    Thud thud thud!


    The gaudy woman''s face repeatedly slammed into the ground, blood flowing freely and her screams completely muffled by the thudding impacts.


    Once.


    Twice.


    Three times...


    After dozens of brutal strikes, the gaudy woman''s face was unrecognizable, swollen like a pig''s head.


    The portly middle-aged man beside her had long since been scared witless, with his legs trembling and shivering, his eyes wide with terror as he looked at Xiao Yi and the others.


    Seeing Xiao Yi looking at him, the middle-aged man knelt on the ground with a thud, while slapping himself in the face and wailing, "Don''t, don''t, don''t hit me, I''m not human, it''s all my fault. I lusted after her beauty and coveted her, but for fear of my wife scolding me, I could only say she seduced me first��it''s all my fault, don''t hit me..."


    Boom!


    A gasp of astonishment arose from the crowd, "So that young girl was wronged? We''ve been scolding the wrong person then!"


    "Who asked her not to explain? How can we be blamed?"


    "Young man, you''ve hit them, and they''ve admitted their wrongs, just let them go!"


    "Right, after all, your sister wasn''t really hurt..." S��arch* The ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The crowd was full of righteous moral persuasions.


    Xiao Yi suddenly laughed.


    He laughed unrestrainedly.


    He laughed wildly.


    The mockery on his face, however, grew stronger and fiercer, as he stared at those who were advising him to be magnanimous, urging him to know when to stop. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, and upon sweeping over them, everyone shut their mouths.


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up with a trace of icy scorn, "When my sister was being wronged just now, why didn''t you urge them to know when to stop? Why didn''t you urge them to be magnanimous? Now you turn around and advise me?"


    The crowd frowned, disapprovingly saying, "Young man, this is where you are wrong! We are just bystanders, why direct your anger at us?"


    "Right, this has nothing to do with us..."


    The crowd quickly tried to absolve themselves of any connection.


    "Nothing to do with you? I call bullshit..."


    Xiao Yi was furious. If it weren''t for their instigations on the side, the flamboyant woman and her husband wouldn''t have felt encouraged to be more aggressive and excessive.


    These people had the habit of crowding around a spectacle, adding fuel to the fire now and then.


    Yet, when something really happened, they would pretend to be unrelated.


    Acting as if it was none of their concern.


    In a certain sense, these people were even more disgusting than the flamboyant couple.


    Faced with Xiao Yi''s scolding, the crowd fell silent, not daring to speak out. Xiao Yi turned to Ying, "Ying, does it still hurt?"


    Ying shook her head, "No pain, big brother, I... I don''t feel pain!"


    Xiao Yi gently rubbed her head, then looked at the flamboyant couple, "Ying, how do you want to deal with them? Just say the word, and your brother will surely satisfy your wish!"


    Yue Shanchuan also said in a gloomy voice, "Ying, just tell us!"


    Little Lin bared his teeth and said, "Ying, they dared to bully you like that, do you want Brother Little Lin to kill them for you?"


    "No, no need, big sister didn''t do it on purpose and, and it doesn''t hurt, really, it doesn''t hurt..."


    Ying quickly waved her hands, guessing from bits and pieces of conversations over the past few days that the three of them��herself and Xiao Yi��shouldn''t reveal their identities.


    Not wanting to cause trouble for the three brothers she had grown to love, she hesitated for a moment, then proactively approached the flamboyant woman, "Big sister, Ying really didn''t hit on your husband... I apologize here..."


    However...


    Unexpectedly, the flamboyant woman suddenly grabbed Ying''s neck, her sharp nails instantly piercing the skin on Ying''s neck, with blood sliding down her fingers.


    Ying let out a cry of alarm but, worried about causing concern for the three brothers, she quickly shut her mouth and said nothing.


    With a venomous look, the flamboyant woman stood up and glared angrily at the three men, grinding her teeth, "Dare to hit me? Nobody has ever hit me so hard in my life, if I don''t kill the three of you today, then my name isn''t worth a damn!"


    "Let her go!" Little Lin roared.


    "You''re looking for death!" Yue Shanchuan said, glaring furiously.


    The flamboyant woman sneered contemptuously, "Let her go? You''re dreaming... Not afraid to tell you, my brother is the head of Three Blade Mountain Sect on Snow Peak Island, and by now someone must have informed him. You dared to hit me, I''ll make sure you learn what it means to neither live nor die..."


    Alas!


    A sigh suddenly came from the crowd, and it was Xiao Yi, his gaze calm as he looked at the flamboyant woman, indifferently saying, "Isn''t it good to be alive? Why insist on courting death!"

 Chapter 621 - 620 Exposure of Whereabouts [The Thirteenth Update]

    "Isn''t it good to live well? Why court death!"


    Xiao Yi heaved a sigh.


    The enchanting woman was taken aback, her grip on Ying''s hand growing even stronger, her nails digging deep into her neck, making Ying nearly unable to breathe, "I know you''re strong, but this little girl is in my hands now. If you dare to mess around, I''ll crush her first!"


    Ying, not wanting Xiao Yi to worry, pursed her lips tightly and endured the severe pain, "Brother, don''t worry about me, I, I''m not hurting..."


    Seeing this, the middle-aged man also got up from the ground and stood beside the enchanting woman, looking at Xiao Yi and the others with an air of confidence, "Damn it, you actually forced me to kneel before you. Listen up, all three of you, kneel before me this instant and slap yourselves!"


    "Bro, brother, don''t, don''t kneel..."


    Ying''s face was filled with defiance, "Ying is very, very happy to have known brother. Brother, don''t be sad for me, you, you should leave quickly..."


    "Shut up!"


    The enchanting woman roared furiously, applying more force with her fingers, clutching Ying''s throat tightly as she bellowed, "Didn''t you few hear me? Kneel down quickly, or else I''ll strangle her!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply, a bright smile appearing on his face as he gently said to Ying, "Ying, close your eyes!"


    Ying was startled.


    She obediently closed her eyes.


    Then...


    A scalding liquid splattered onto her back; she didn''t know what it was, but she knew that the grip on her had been released.


    After that, she heard the middle-aged man''s hysterical roar, "Murder! Help, murder..."


    The voice abruptly stopped.


    A thud sound came from behind her.


    "It''s alright now!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice rang in her ear, gently pulling her into his embrace, patting the back of her head as he smiled, "It''s all over now, with brother here, no one will hurt you!"


    Ying looked up at Xiao Yi, "Brother, what about them?"


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Brother sent them to a place without pain!"


    "Oh!"


    Ying instinctively thought to look back but was stopped by Xiao Yi, who smiled and said, "Don''t look back, let bygones be bygones!"


    "Okay!"


    Ying obediently nodded and indeed did not look back.


    Behind her, the enchanting woman and the middle-aged man had become two headless corpses, lying in a pool of blood.


    Xiao Yi, holding Ying''s hand, was about to leave when he paused slightly, smiled, and entrusted Ying to Yue Shanchuan, "Ying, stay with Brother Yue for a while, brother has a little matter to take care of!"


    "Brother, be careful!" Ying said.


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi ruffled her hair and looked towards Yue Shanchuan.


    Yue Shanchuan grunted in acknowledgment, keeping Ying by his side.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    The sound of iron hooves thundering on the ground approached.


    A dust cloud swirled at the end of the street, a fierce group of warriors riding demonic beasts rushed over from afar. The leader, resembling the enchanting woman, was her brother, Shu Cheng, the overseer of Snow Peak Island sent by the Three Blade Mountain Sect.


    Shu Cheng''s expression changed abruptly upon seeing the bodies of his sister and brother-in-law, "Sister, brother-in-law?"


    He had been raised by his sister since he was a child and later joined the Three Blade Mountain Sect, eventually becoming the lord of Snow Peak Island, where he had brought his sister to live.


    With Shu Cheng as her backing,


    the enchanting woman acted without restraint on the vast Snow Peak Island.


    Shu Cheng was well aware of this.


    But since the enchanting woman was his sister, who had raised him like a mother, naturally there would be no punishment. Furthermore, ever since then, if anyone dared to accuse the enchanting woman, they would mysteriously disappear the next day.


    This also fostered the coquettish woman''s arrogance and her unyielding character when she was right.


    But now...


    Shu Cheng discovered that both his sister and brother-in-law were dead?


    "Who did it?"


    Shu Cheng''s deep voice roared angrily, rumbling like thunder,


    and everyone around unanimously pointed at Xiao Yi.


    Without any hesitation.


    Why not, when Xiao Yi hadn''t shown them any kindness before?


    Shu Cheng''s icy gaze fixated on Xiao Yi, his eyes flashing with cold sharpness as he gritted his teeth and said, "Very well, very well, you dared to kill my sister on my turf, kid, state your name. I, Shu Cheng, do not slay the nameless under my blade!"


    Xiao Yi glanced sideways at him and said indifferently, "You, you are not worthy of knowing my name!"


    "Hahaha, I''m not worthy of knowing your name? I am a man of Three Blade Mountain. In this territory of Three Blade Mountain, we are the land, we are the sky. And you say I''m not worthy of knowing your name?" Shu Cheng laughed as if he had heard the funniest joke.


    He sneered thrice, his venomous gaze still fixed on Xiao Yi and his companions, and said, "Well then, since you are too scared to even reveal your name, let''s just kill you outright. Men, chop him down for me!"


    "Yes!"


    "Hehe, kid, you can only blame yourself for offending someone you shouldn''t have��"


    Several strong members of the Three Blade Mountain advanced, each wearing a ferocious, cold smile.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    Blades clashed, emitting a series of jarring sounds.


    Just as the cold blades were about to slash across their necks, Xiao Yi snorted coldly and took a step forward. With a series of booms, four men were sent flying hundreds of meters away, never to get up again.


    Hiss!


    Everyone drew in a sharp breath.


    Earlier, when Xiao Yi had slain the enchanting woman and her companion, their cultivation was weaker, so the crowd didn''t have a direct impression.


    But just now, these four were blood-licking pirates.


    And they couldn''t even get close?


    Shu Cheng was equally dumbfounded, staring at Xiao Yi in bewilderment, a trace of astonishment flashing in his eyes: "No wonder you dared to make trouble on my Snow Peak Island, so you''re a master after all. Brothers, grab your weapons!"


    The words had barely fallen.


    A sharp-faced, crafty-looking pirate stepped forward and whispered urgently, "Boss, these�� these three people seem to be Xiao Yi whom the boss has been asking us to look for��"


    "What did you say? Xiao Yi? Are you sure?"


    Shu Cheng was taken aback, disbelievingly looking at the crafty pirate beside him.


    The pirate nodded, his forehead covered in cold sweat: "Look at him, and the human and the beast beside him, aren''t they Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin, the twenty-ninth and thirtieth on the bounty list?"


    Hiss!


    Shu Cheng drew in a sharp breath and then displayed an ecstatic expression: "Hahaha, it''s like finding a needle in a haystack without any effort. Right now, everyone in the Chaotic Sea Region is looking for you, and yet here you were hiding on my Snow Peak Island. Someone, inform the boss right away. As long as we keep these three on Snow Peak Island and prevent them from leaving, it''ll be a great achievement!"


    "Yes!"


    Immediately, a pirate took out a communication token and transmitted the news of Xiao Yi''s appearance on Snow Peak Island.


    Meanwhile... Sear?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Among the crowd.


    Many other forces and spies planted by pirate groups also took out their communication tokens.


    For a moment.


    The news of Xiao Yi on Snow Peak Island spread throughout the entire Chaotic Sea Region.


    Shu Cheng kept his eyes locked on Xiao Yi, sneering, "Xiao Yi, now I''d like to see how you''ll fly with wings attached!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, looked at Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin beside him: "Get ready, it''s time for a massacre!"

 Chapter 622 - 621 Massacre [Fourteenth Update]

    "Time for a massacre!"


    Xiao Yi said with an icy expression.


    He had intended to wait until Little Lin and the other were fully healed before heading to Greenfish Island.


    But unexpectedly...


    They had been exposed on Snow Peak Island.


    To avoid unnecessary trouble, they could only resort to a massacre, slaughtering all potential threats on Snow Peak Island. Only by eliminating them before other powerhouses arrived could they proceed to Greenfish Island.


    "Don''t worry, boss. I''ve been itching for a fight!"


    Little Lin sneered, then turned to Yue Shanchuan and said solemnly, "Yue, take good care of Ying."


    Yue Shanchuan nodded.


    These people were simply not enough for Xiao Yi and Little Lin to bother with; he didn''t need to lift a finger.


    On the other hand, Ying...


    The little girl needed his protection.


    Roar!


    Little Lin instantly transformed into his true form, a hundred zhang in stature, golden light flickering, his wings causing sonic booms as they flapped. He swooped down from the sky, and the sonic barriers he created burst forth with deafening booms.


    Literally shattering the eardrums of several dozen strong men before him.


    At the same time, his wings swept up a fierce windstorm that lifted them into the air.


    Little Lin opened his mouth and spewed out a ball of fire that burned fiercely, turning them to ashes.


    Roar!


    Little Lin hovered in the sky, body aloft, emitting a series of deep, thunderous roars.


    The roaring shook heaven and earth.


    In an instant.


    Little Lin dove down once again.


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi also did not pause; his eyes shone with a purple light, killing people invisibly with the Evil God Transformation. Wherever he went, powerhouses fell victim to mental assaults, standing still like wooden figures.


    Sword Qi emanated from his body, effortlessly reaping these vicious pirates.


    The two coordinated perfectly.


    Watching his men die one after another, Shu Cheng was already scared out of his wits. Seeing Xiao Yi approaching him, his face was full of terror, "No, no, don''t come over..."


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless: "Weren''t you going to capture me? Here I am in front of you, why can''t you do it now?"


    While speaking.


    Xiao Yi raised his right hand.


    "No..."


    Shu Cheng was so terrified that he lost control of his bodily functions and scrambled to run away into the distance.


    Xiao Yi chuckled and shook his head: "Think you can escape?"


    Purple light surfaced.


    Evil God Transformation''s second form, Nightmare.


    This was a mental attack even stronger than Demonic Dream; while Demonic Dream simply trapped one''s consciousness in a dream, harmless unless disturbed by external forces, Nightmare was different. It was akin to an illusionary realm.


    Caught in the Nightmare, all he dreamed would be believed as reality.


    "No. Don''t come over..."


    "Get away... It wasn''t me who burned your village; I was just following orders..."


    "No, it wasn''t me who ate your daughter; I just had some soup. It was Rendao Kuang, the third in command, who cooked your daughter..."


    "Don''t come near me..."


    Shu Cheng howled hysterically, roaring as he swung his long knife wildly. In the chaos, he actually killed dozens of his own trusted men until only corpses surrounded him.


    Bathed in blood.


    Shu Cheng let out a desperate roar: "Don''t push me; I''d rather die to atone..."


    Thud!


    Shu Cheng''s long knife swept across.


    Blood gushed forth.


    The lord of Snow Peak Island, a minor pirate boss of Three Blade Mountain, put a full stop to his life.


    Little Lin''s slaughter also came to an end.


    Looking around...


    There was no longer a single living person.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Yue Shanchuan and said in a deep voice, "Yue, it''s time for us to leave!"


    "Good!"


    Yue Shanchuan nodded and together they flew onto Little Lin''s back.


    Whoosh!


    Little Lin flapped its wings and soared into the sky, heading in the direction of Greenfish Island.


    From their starting point to Greenfish Island was just a thousand miles away, and with Little Lin''s current speed, it would take about half an hour to reach.


    However, they had not been airborne for long and had not yet flown out of the range of Snow Peak Island when they were met by a surge of over a thousand strong fighters. Leading them was a fighter at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm from Three Blade Mountain. Excited at the sight of Xiao Yi and the others, he shouted, "They are here, hold them down, just wait for the boss to arrive and it''ll be a great accomplishment!"


    "The boss has said that as long as we capture them, we''ll divide one hundred million Sea Crystals..."


    "Brothers, attack!"


    Where there were great rewards, there would be brave men. The crowd charged forward, attempting to stop Xiao Yi and the two others.


    Little Lin looked back at Xiao Yi, "Boss, what should we do?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Just charge through!"


    "Yes!"


    Little Lin vibrated its wings and sped towards the front.


    Xiao Yi stood on Little Lin''s head, facing the wind, his hair flying chaotically, as a flash of purple light passed through his eyes. Where the light traveled, the thousand strong fighters in front all fell into a dreamland. Under Little Lin''s fierce dive, the wind blade formed by its wings sliced them neatly in two. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Piece by piece, the bodies fell from the sky.


    "Damn, Boss, your Evil God Transformation is way too freakish, isn''t it?" Little Lin exclaimed with wild joy, shouting aloud.


    Yue Shanchuan nodded solemnly, "It''s indeed terrifying, unless someone has attained Spiritual Nirvana, who else could withstand your psychic blast!"


    Xiao Yi calmly responded, "Although the Evil God Transformation is strong, it consumes a great deal of spiritual power. It can be employed over a wide range against those below the Nirvana Realm, but it''s not as easy when dealing with masters above the Nirvana Realm!"


    Hearing Xiao Yi''s humble words, Little Lin asked curiously, "Boss, if faced with the Nirvana Realm, how many can you control at once?"


    Xiao Yi calmly replied, "Not many, within twenty!"


    Hisss!


    Uh...


    Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan suddenly felt an urge to swear.


    Fuck!


    Controlling twenty Nirvana Realm strong fighters at once wasn''t enough?


    That was already defying the heavens, okay?


    "Boss, more people are coming ahead..." Little Lin called out.


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "Charge through!"


    This time, a Nirvana Realm master led the team, but under the assault of Xiao Yi''s Evil God Transformation, they remained powerless. They stood frozen like statues, suspended in midair.


    Subsequently...


    Little Lin charged through, directly smashing these strong fighters to death in midair.


    Along the way, as waves of strong fighters assaulted them, Xiao Yi and Little Lin swept through together.


    Completely unaffected.


    Everywhere they passed, dead bodies were strewn and blood rained down.


    Little Lin declared proudly, "Boss, it looks like these pirates aren''t much after all! On our journey here, not a single one has made us stop!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and said evenly, "Previously they didn''t know our whereabouts, so they had all their strong fighters spread out. Now they''ve received the news from Shu Cheng and are converging toward Snow Peak Island, naturally they''re unorganized. But I estimate they''ll soon figure out our destination is Greenfish Island. It''s at Greenfish Island where the real battle will take place!"


    "So what do we do? Should we change our direction?" Little Lin asked worriedly.


    It was well aware that Greenfish Island was the entrance to Star Pavilion.


    If these pirates were to discover the existence of Star Pavilion, wouldn''t that cause an uproar?


    Xiao Yi said evenly, "Don''t worry, I intend to lead them all to Greenfish Island. After all, the Star Pavilion is an ancient sect''s relic from the Ancient Times. Having remained undiscovered for so many years, I always felt that it wasn''t simple. Relying on the few of us, it might be difficult to explore it deeply. In due time, I will have my ways to use the Star Pavilion to capture all those who are enemies to us in one fell swoop!"


    As they were talking.


    Little Lin suddenly stopped and looked ahead with a grave gaze, "Boss, there''s someone there!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes towards the newcomer, a glint flashing through his gaze, and he slowly said, "Bai Fa Sword Emperor?!"

 Chapter 624 - 623: Shawuchen on Greenfish Island! [16th Update]

    Xiao Yi and the others rode on Little Lin''s back, hastening their journey to Greenfish Island.


    Since the Bai Fa Sword Emperor encounter, they had not met any other powerful entities.


    However, this only made Xiao Yi feel more somber; an impending storm was the most unnerving during the quiet that precedes it.


    Indeed, it was just as Xiao Yi had surmised.


    The factions from Three Blade Mountain, Luan Yue Valley, the Sha Family, the Li Family, the Huang Family, and the Hai Family had already gathered at Three Blade Mountain.


    Shayuntian, Shayunfeng, Li Zhenghao, Huang Feihu, Sea King, the three heads of Three Blade Mountain, and Ji Luanyue were all assembled. It could be said that the big shots were gathered, the strong were like a forest, nearly all the apex existences of the entire chaotic sea area had convened here.


    Shayuntian frowned and said, "Why haven''t we seen Bai Fa?"


    Shayunfeng spoke indifferently, "We just received a message from Bai Fa; he has already disbanded the Bai Fa Pirate Group and will no longer participate in the strife of the chaotic sea area!"


    "What?"


    "How could this be so sudden?"


    Everyone was baffled.


    The Bai Fa Pirate Group was a powerful force comparable to the alliance of the Sha Family and the Shark Pirate Group. The Bai Fa Sword Emperor alone was enough to suppress countless strong entities in the chaotic sea area, leaving them unable to lift their heads.


    Ji Luanyue twirled her slender fingers and said with indifference, "Isn''t it better that he has withdrawn? There''s one less person to share the spoils, isn''t that good?"


    "That''s true indeed!"


    "Bai Fa is a madman; if he had come, he might have just caused more trouble!"


    The crowd echoed this sentiment.


    "With that being said, let''s get on with the main topic for today!"


    Shayuntian scanned the crowd, and seeing no opposition, continued, "I believe everyone has guessed that Xiao Yi and his group''s destination is Greenfish Island, a place I assume none of you are unfamiliar with!"


    "That accursed place, I''ve heard from early on that the Star Pavilion''s relics were there. How many times have we explored that area?"


    "Legends are, after all, just legends. Greenfish Island is but the size of a palm, and we have searched so many times to no avail, finding no trace of any relics. It must be that Xiao Yi has also been misled there!" Rendao Kuang said lightly.


    Shayuntian nodded and said, "What you''ve all said makes sense, the news of Star Pavilion''s relics on Greenfish Island has long been confirmed to be false. But whether it''s true or not, Xiao Yi''s intent to go to Greenfish Island is for real!"


    "Does Sha mean to have our people surround and besiege him on Greenfish Island?"


    "We have no objections to besieging him, but if we capture or kill Xiao Yi, how shall the reward be divided?"


    "Those five billion were offered by your Sha Family, and for Su Wuxie''s ten billion bounty, your Sha Family also took the larger share. If, after the deed is done, you go back on your word, we will have no recourse against you!" Huang Feihu spoke solemnly.


    The hostility of the crowd was directed squarely at the Sha Family.


    With the departure of the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, there was not a single power that could stand alone against the Sha Family.


    Naturally, the people wanted to band together for warmth.


    Shayuntian certainly understood this and was even more anxious when he had heard the Bai Fa Sword Emperor was stepping back. His gaze swept over the people, and Shayuntian coldly said, "Rest assured, the Sha Family does not want any part of Xiao Yi''s bounty, and we can also pay the full amount for Su Wuxie''s bounty. But I have just one condition..."


    The crowd all turned to look at Shayuntian.


    This single family, that had lasted a millennium up to the present day, held too many secrets unknown to others.


    Shayuntian said emphatically, "Su Wuxie must be captured alive and handed over to the Sha Family for disposal!"


    "Why?"


    "Why capture such a dangerous person alive instead of killing him directly?"


    Huang Feihu squinted at Shayuntian and said darkly, "Sha, you''re not keeping anything from us, are you?"


    Shayuntian''s heart skipped a beat, wishing he could smack Huang Feihu to death right there and then.


    But his face remained calm and serene, yet harbored a look of deep resentment as he clenched his teeth and said, "You all should be aware that a thousand years ago, during the chaos in the Sea Domain, many powers were slaughtered by Su Wuxie, leaving only our Sha Family to survive. Yet countless of our forebears also perished at the hands of Su Wuxie. I intend to capture him alive, bring him back, and execute him by dismemberment before the spirits of our ancestors to vent the hatred in my heart!"


    "So that''s how it is!"


    "If it''s for revenge, then that does make sense!"


    "As long as the bounty is right, we don''t care how Su Wuxie dies..." everyone said in turn.


    Only Huang Feihu squinted his eyes, scrutinizing Shayuntian with a hint of skepticism in his gaze.


    Seeing that he had persuaded the crowd, Shayuntian also felt a sense of relief in his heart.


    The news of the Tongtian Shenlu must not be leaked.


    He naturally wouldn''t say more.


    Shayuntian said in a deep voice, "With that being the case, we can set off for Greenfish Island now!" S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Let''s go!"


    "Don''t let that kid slip away again..."


    Various forces, each with their own agendas, set out en masse toward Greenfish Island.


    ......


    Meanwhile.


    Greenfish Island.


    Xiao Yi and his party had just arrived at Greenfish Island, only to find ten thousand strong warriors already waiting there.


    Leading them was a person with a large earthy-yellow gourd on his back.


    With sleepy eyes, the young man looked as if he had not yet fully woken up.


    Noticing the arrival of Xiao Yi and his group, the young man opened his eyes, and from the gourd on his back, streams of sand gushed out, coiling at his feet and transforming into a lotus of yellow sand. It carried him forward, floating midair, as he gazed intently at Xiao Yi and others: "Among you, who is Xiao Yi?"


    "People from the Sha Family?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said.


    In the vast chaos of the Sea Domain, only those of the Sha Family could control the power of sand and dust.


    This youth, in the Eight Nirvana Realm, was the Sha Family''s Shawuchen!


    "Hmph!"


    Shawuchen let out a cold snort, "I am from the Sha Family, Shawuchen."


    "How did you know I would come to Greenfish Island?" Xiao Yi asked, narrowing his eyes.


    "I was puzzled before, why you would choose to convene on Huanglongn Island when the Teleportation Array there could send you to over a dozen places."


    Shawuchen clasped his hands behind his back, the lotus of yellow sand beneath him slowly revolving, carrying him back and forth confidently and astutely, "But you chose to head toward the domains of Three Blade Mountain and Luan Yue Valley, and in this area, the only place of interest is the legendary Greenfish Island that is rumored to have remnants of Star Pavilion! Am I right?"


    Clap, clap, clap!


    Xiao Yi lightly applauded, a playful smile appearing on his face: "Your analysis is spot on!"


    Shawuchen smiled proudly.


    "However, unfortunately, out of ten people who visited the Greenfish Island within the chaos of the Sea Domain, nine have searched it upside down, finding not a trace of Star Pavilion. I''m afraid your journey here is in vain."


    The sand hissed, the lotus of yellow sand gently touching down as he narrowed his eyes, leaning his body slightly forward and staring intently at Xiao Yi, saying word for word, "Come on, tell me where Su Wuxie is, and perhaps if I am pleased, I might leave you with an intact corpse!"


    PS: Sixteen updates, that''s the accomplishment for today! I can''t push any further, everyone should rest early, good night!

 Chapter 625 - 624 You Are Too Weak! [First Update]

    ```


    "I can leave you with an intact corpse!"


    Shawuchen leaned forward slightly, his face wearing a cold smile.


    The glint in his narrowed eyes flickered like the blade of a knife.


    Xiao Yi''s expression remained unchanged, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he said with a smile, "Are you so certain that you can defeat me?"


    Eight times through Nirvana.


    Follower of the Dharma Phase Rebirth path.


    It must be said that Shawuchen was indeed a rare, exceptional talent.


    If it had been before Xiao Yi had obtained the Tongtian Shenlu and the Tongtian Tiroku, he might not have been Shawuchen''s match, but now, having studied both Secret Techniques, Xiao Yi was fully confident he could defeat this supremely confident, haughty scion of the Sha Family.


    Whoosh!


    Shawuchen took a deep breath, carefully sizing up Xiao Yi, and after a moment, his lips curled upwards slightly.


    Tat-tat-tat!


    He stepped back slowly a few paces.


    Shawuchen raised a finger, and behind him, ten thousand Sha Family warriors rose to their feet in unison.


    They stared intently at Xiao Yi, like a pack of tigers and wolves.


    Shawuchen placed a finger to his lips and said, "If you want to fight me, you have to defeat them first. Otherwise, you''re not even qualified to make me lift a finger!"


    As his words faded.


    Shawuchen pointed forward.


    Swoosh!


    Ten thousand warriors charged towards Xiao Yi, each one moving extremely fast.


    And...


    As they swept past Shawuchen, a stream of yellow sand erupted from the gourd behind him, forming a wall of flowing sand in front of him. As these warriors passed through the wall of sand, the yellow sand began to cling to their bodies.


    It formed sets of earthy yellow sand armor.


    The sand armor enveloped each person completely, akin to being armed to the teeth.


    The fierce helmets resembled the head of a grim tiger, the shoulder guards took the form of ferocious dragon claws, and over the chest was the majestic head of a dragon. Whiskers wrapped around from the chest to the back, eventually twining around the waist.


    Transforming them into an army of sand warriors.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were like lightning as he stepped forward alone, continuously unleashing the Invincible King Fist.


    Among the roaring booms, fist lights flashed like thunderbolts.


    In the resounding thunder, dazzling lightning filled the sky, and each boom was deafening.


    "Invincible in battle!" S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Unstoppable in attack..."


    Each blow was powerful enough to split mountains, shatter rocks, catch stars, and pluck the moon.


    But when striking these sand-armored Sha Family warriors, the armor on their surface undulated like water, a buzzing noise following as circles radiated out in all directions.


    The wild force was dispelled by seventy percent in an instant.


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi''s fist smashed one warrior''s head, but it was made of yellow sand.


    In a critical moment, it melded into the ground beneath.


    Throughout his advance, Xiao Yi was unable to take down a single person.


    Behind the crowd...


    Shawuchen wore a thick sneer, taunting, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, if that''s all you''ve got, then today shall be your burial site!"


    "Dream on!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled coldly, his figure flashed backward, eyes sharp as electricity, he opened his mouth with a cold laugh, "Numbers don''t scare me, Fang Hao!"


    Swoosh!


    Above his head appeared the Dharma Manifestation of the God Devouring Ants.


    The golden God Devouring Ant stood suspended in midair, wings vibrating, its six differently colored eyes fixated sternly ahead.


    Shawuchen was taken aback and then burst into loud laughter, "You don''t really think your pathetic ant can chew through my sand, do you? Hahaha, I must admit you truly are gifted, thinking an ant could swallow an elephant �C aren''t you afraid of bursting..."


    ```


    "Why can''t an ant swallow an elephant?"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled upward slightly, and he pointed forward.


    Hum!


    The God Devouring Ants'' Dharma Manifestation flapped its wings and flew forward.


    "Hahaha, does he really think this ant can take us on?"


    "This guy couldn''t possibly think he''s going to lose anyway and is just trying to make us laugh, hoping to literally laugh us to death, could he?"


    A host of the Sha Family''s strongmen mocked in succession.


    But soon, they couldn''t laugh anymore.


    Under Xiao Yi''s command, the God Devouring Ants continued to rush forward, and their number kept increasing during flight.


    One turned into two.


    Two turned into four.


    Four turned into eight...


    In an instant.


    This was already an army of hundreds of thousands of God Devouring Ants, a dense mass like dark clouds, and the huge buzzing sound was hair-raising.


    At this moment, not only could these ten thousand members of the Sha Family not laugh,


    but they were almost crying.


    "I, I fucking..."


    "How can his Dharma Manifestation become so many? Quick, let''s go..." One by one, the strongman looked at the overwhelming army of God Devouring Ants, their scalps tingling, only wanting to turn around and leave immediately.


    But where were they as fast as the God Devouring Ants?


    Boom boom boom!


    Dozens of God Devouring Ants attacked a person at the same time.


    Even the flowing sands on their bodies were devoured along with them.


    In an instant...


    The Sha Family''s once overwhelmingly superior army of ten thousand was disarmed and scattering in all directions, leaving behind thousands of mutilated corpses and bloodstained ground.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward as he looked at Shawuchen, "It looks like I''ve won!"


    "Hmph, don''t get cocky, this just proves you''re worthy of making me take action, that''s all!"


    Shawuchen gently twisted his neck, and suddenly a patch of quicksand surged under his feet, carrying his body as it dashed forward.


    The whooshing of the air was unbearably sharp.


    Terrifying soundwaves.


    Made one''s eardrums burst.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, and the army of God Devouring Ants surged towards Shawuchen, who showed no fear. Quicksand slowly covered his body, turning into a suit of quicksand battle armor.


    At the same time...


    Streams of quicksand transformed into swords, charging towards the God Devouring Ants.


    Boom boom boom!


    Quicksand enveloped the God Devouring Ants and then exploded with a roar.


    One by one, the God Devouring Ants and the quicksand were annihilated together.


    Shawuchen''s grim laughter was continuous, "My Martial Dao Fasxiang has gone through eight Nirvana Temperings. You are merely at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, with such a feeble Martial Dao Fasxiang, how could you possibly stop me? Xiao Yi, just accept your fate and die!"


    Swish!


    Shawuchen reached out in the air with his palm, grabbing towards Xiao Yi, "Sands Funeral!"


    Rustle rustle!


    From all sides of the ground, clusters of yellow sand shot into the sky at the same time, turning into walls of quicksand to envelop Xiao Yi within. As Shawuchen clenched his fist violently.


    Boom!


    The walls of quicksand collapsed with a thunderous crash, transforming into a vast Yellow Sand Pyramid.


    The pyramid had nine layers.


    On each layer were chains formed from profound and mysterious runes, which locked Xiao Yi within them.


    Suspended mid-air against the backdrop of yellow sand, Shawuchen''s lips curled upwards with a cruel arc as he coldly said, "Trapped in my Sands Funeral, even warriors of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm cannot escape. I had thought it would be a battle of equals, but what a pity, Xiao Yi, you are too weak!"

 Chapter 626 - 625 Heaven-reaching Skill Record [Second Update]

    "Xiao Yi, you''re too weak!"


    Shawuchen''s slightly upturned corners of his mouth curled into a cruel smile.


    Standing above the flowing sands, suspended in air.


    His enchanting gaze turned to Little Lin and the other two, smiling, he said slowly, "So you two are Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan, right? Tsk tsk, that''s a bounty of several hundred million sea crystals, can''t let that go to waste!"


    Little Lin looked at Shawuchen with an odd expression: "You shouldn''t worry about dealing with us just yet, take a look behind you first!"


    "Behind me?"


    Shawuchen let out a cold laugh, full of disdain, "Are you trying to tell me that Xiao Yi is behind me? Hahaha, don''t think such foolish tricks can deceive this young master. With my ''Great Sand Funeral'' seal in place, Xiao Yi wouldn''t dare show his face here..."


    "That may not be so sure!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly came from behind him.


    "Huh?"


    Shawuchen''s face abruptly changed, without turning back, but the gourd behind him suddenly spewed out a surge of yellow sand.


    Forming a sand shield behind him.


    Thud!


    A terrifying shockwave came from behind, hitting the sand shield squarely, the brutal force puncturing through. But Shawuchen had already taken the opportunity to slip away.


    He looked at Xiao Yi with disbelief: "Impossible, you were clearly sealed by my ''Great Sand Funeral,'' how could you break free?"


    Xiao Yi pointed at the back of the giant Yellow Sand Pyramid.


    Shawuchen was taken aback, his brows tightly knit, flying to the back of the pyramid to take a look. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That look...


    Shawuchen gasped in shock: "How could this be?"


    On the back of the pyramid.


    A huge sword mark split it right through the middle, the raging Sword Qi between its breaths prevented the surrounding flowing sands from healing.


    Hiss!


    Shawuchen''s eyes showed a horrified expression, the residual Sword Qi in the void still sending chills down his spine: "Such terrifying Sword Intent, I have only seen it once when the Bai Fa Sword Emperor clashed with Uncle Shayunfeng, could it be that this young man''s swordsmanship has reached the level of the Bai Fa Sword Emperor?"


    At that thought.


    Shawuchen felt a chill all over.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor was his idol, with hair white as snow stretching for three thousand feet, his sword cutting through Jiujiang River!


    He who overpowered generations of strong figures in the turbulent seas, firmly holding the third rank on the bounty list of the turbulent sea domain.


    And now...


    A young man, not even twenty years old, has nearly reached the Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s proficiency in swordsmanship.


    How could he believe this?


    "Impossible, this absolutely cannot be..."


    Shawuchen''s eyes turned blood-red as he gritted his teeth and growled, "No matter how heavenly your swordsmanship is, you cannot be my match. Yellow sand fills the sky, ''Great Sand Explosion''!"


    Amidst the growling.


    Shawuchen stirred up a sandstorm behind him that rushed swiftly towards Xiao Yi, as he raised and dropped his arm, the yellow sand turned into spears piercing through the air towards him.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The spears fille>d the sky, pouring down like a torrential downpour.


    Xiao Yi summoned his sword into his palm with a flip of his hand, expressionless, and surrounded by a sword aura that overshadowed the sun: "Jian Yi!"


    "Jian Er!"


    "Jian San..."


    The ''Boundless Sword Skill'' flowed smoothly like clouds and water.


    Countless sword beams filled the sky, shattering everything before them.


    "Wild Sand Fist!"


    A fist covered in yellow sand shot straight for Xiao Yi''s face, but he snorted coldly and met it with a ''Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger''.


    Boom!


    The two collided in the void.


    Like a needlepoint against wheat fluff.


    A terrifying wave of energy instantly rolled outwards to both sides.


    Gale winds instantly swept behind them, carrying sand and dust that blotted the sky, uprooting grass and trees along the way. The vast Greenfish Island shook violently as if excavated three feet deep.


    The entire storm persisted for dozens of breaths before suddenly vanishing.


    As if it had never occurred.


    Following closely...


    The figures of Xiao Yi and another appeared in the void, one still elegant and poised, standing sword in hand, black hair dancing in the wind, and long clothes fluttering vigorously!


    The other was disheveled, with blood at the corner of his mouth, and a ferocious look in his eyes.


    Their gazes met.


    Suddenly...


    Shawuchen''s body shuddered, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. The flowing sand armor covering him suddenly cracked from the middle with a snap. A ferocious Sword Qi scar extended from his left shoulder to his right waist.


    The chaotic Sword Qi still clung to the wound.


    Pain caused Shawuchen''s form to shake violently.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said, "You''ve lost!"


    "Damn it..."


    Shawuchen had only started to speak two words when he couldn''t help but cough up another mouthful of blood; his eyes were filled with resentment, "I thought after completing the eighth nirvana with the ''Heaven-reaching Skill Record,'' I would have no rivals among my peers in the Chaotic Sea Area. I didn''t expect to encounter a freak like you..."


    "Heaven-reaching Skill Record?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and stared intently at Shawuchen, "You said... you''ve cultivated the Heaven-reaching Skill Record?"


    Shawuchen was startled and frowned, "So what if I have?"


    "Hahaha, how unexpectedly easy to find what has cost me so much to seek! Shawuchen, hand over the Heaven-reaching Skill Record to me now, and I may consider sparing your life. Otherwise, don''t blame me for being impolite!" As soon as Xiao Yi''s laughter ceased, he coldly spoke.


    Shawuchen''s face turned green: "..."


    Weren''t these the exact words he initially said to Xiao Yi?


    The words and demeanor were identical.


    Only...


    Previously, it was he who was arrogant and overbearing, but now it was Xiao Yi''s turn.


    Shawuchen angrily said, "Xiao Yi, do you really think you''ve got me cornered? You''re dreaming! If I want to leave, you can''t stop me!"


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up slightly, and with a sway to the left and right, he vanished from sight.


    "Not good!"


    Shawuchen''s expression changed drastically, sand pouring forth from the gourd on his back, transforming into shield after shield. But as soon as these sand shields took shape, they were forcefully shattered by Xiao Yi''s relentlessly fierce punches.


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Thump...


    Xiao Yi''s attacks were like a tempestuous storm, relentlessly breaking the sand shields apart.


    In his frantic escape, Shawuchen bellowed, "You''ll never break through my Absolute Defense..."


    "Absolute Defense?"


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "There is no absolute defense in this world. If there were, it would be the pinnacle of attack!"


    Boom!


    A slash cleaved through the air.


    Sputter!


    This sword directly shattered the gourd on Shawuchen''s back.


    Wow!


    Shawuchen''s body shook, and blood spurted out.


    It turned out...


    Those sands were not his true Martial Dao Fasxiang; this gourd that could infinitely release sand was his true Martial Dao Fasxiang!


    With his Martial Dao Fasxiang shattered by Xiao Yi''s sword, the severely injured Shawuchen collapsed on the ground like a dead dog. Xiao Yi''s sword edge swept to Shawuchen''s neck, and he coldly demanded, "Hand over the Heaven-reaching Skill Record, or die!"


    Shawuchen shuddered all over, his pale face showing a hint of terror: "I, I, I will give it..."


    His hands trembled as he presented the jade box to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi casually swept his hand, collecting the jade box and the key, about to speak, when he heard a cold roar from afar: "Thief Xiao Yi, let''s see where you can run!"

 Chapter 627 - 626: Tearing Apart the Nirvana Realm [Third Release]

    "Thief Xiao Yi, I shall see where you can run to!"


    A cold roar came from afar.


    The voice was loud as rolling thunder shaking the sky, full of vigor, momentum like a rainbow!


    The roar instantly caused huge waves to tumble above the sea foam, and then, figures one after another surged from the warships emerging at the sea level and flew toward Greenfish Island.


    In an instant.


    Several figures landed on Greenfish Island.


    The leaders were none other than the three magnates of the Sha Family: Shayuntian, Shayunfeng, and Shayunlong, as well as Huang Feihu, Li Yunhao, the Sea King, the celestial, terrestrial, and human blades of Three Blade Mountain, Ji Luanyue of Luan Yue Valley, and so on.


    Every one of them was a genuine practitioner of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm!


    A pair of fiery eyes stared fixedly at Xiao Yi.


    Just him alone was worth a bounty of five billion sea crystals!


    This was already very close to the fifty-six billion sea crystals of the Bai Fa Sword Emperor.


    What''s more��


    Behind Xiao Yi, there was also the information of Evil God Su Wuxie with a bounty of a hundred billion sea crystals, that was the real big shot!


    Don''t look at the few major families and the power of the Pirates being so vast; in reality, even if Three Blade Mountain and Luan Yue Valley combined, they couldn''t take out a hundred billion sea crystals, let alone a thousand billion!


    Facing a sea of fervent stares.


    Xiao Yi touched his nose and revealed a brilliant smile, "I never thought I, Xiao Yi, would have such an honor to have esteemed predecessors come all the way here to find me!"


    Rendao Kuang snorted coldly, stepped forward while holding a half-cooked skewer of meat, tore off a big chunk with a bite, and mumbled unclearly, "Kid, stop babbling and just spill the whereabouts of Su Wuxie."


    "I don''t know!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders.


    "Don''t know?"


    Shayunfeng snorted coldly, his face full of coldness, "If you don''t know where Su Wuxie is, how could you possibly learn his Evil God Transformation? I advise you to confess honestly, otherwise��"


    "Otherwise, what?"


    Xiao Yi looked up at Shayunfeng and casually dragged the limp Shawuchen from behind him, speaking indifferently, "Otherwise, he''ll end up like him?"


    Thump!


    Shawuchen was tossed harshly in front of several people by Xiao Yi.


    Hiss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp.


    This was Shawuchen!


    The strongest genius of the younger generation of the Sha Family, now his Martial Tao Skill was destroyed, his path in martial arts brought to an end!


    Boom!


    The group of Sha Family powerhouses was completely baffled.


    Especially Shayuntian��


    He originally intended to use this opportunity to hone Shawuchen, but now, it seemed he had been honed too much.


    Directly honed into waste!


    "Clan leader, supreme elder��"


    Shawuchen''s eyes were blood-red, and he roared bitterly, "You must kill him to avenge me��"


    Shayunlong''s face was gloomy as he stared dead at Xiao Yi, "You mongrel, how dare you destroy Wuchen''s Martial Tao Skill?"


    The sight of Shawuchen, whose Martial Tao Skill was ruined, reminded him of Sha Bao, who died in the Devil Sea.


    Old and new hatred erupted at the same time.


    "Mongrel?"


    The smile on Xiao Yi''s face gradually faded, replaced by an unprecedented coldness as he squinted at Shayunlong, pausing between each word, "Old man, have you ever heard that disaster comes from the mouth?"


    "Hmm?"


    Shayunlong was taken aback, feeling quite confident, "What? You want to kill me as well? Mongrel, don''t think that just because you''ve killed a few people, you''re invincible. This world is vast; there are people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens, many can deal with you��"


    Xiao Yi nodded, replying, "You''re right, there are people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens, there are many stronger than me. However, you are not one of them!"


    "Arrogant!"


    Shayunlong''s eyebrows knitted together.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    His headful of black hair shot out like arrows.


    The piercing sound of arrows ripping through the air was deafening.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Those hair-fine arrows were streaking straight towards Xiao Yi.


    Shayuntian''s face revealed a cold expression, "The supreme elder''s strength has become stronger than before!"


    Shayunfeng nodded and added, "His Needle in the Hair technique has become ever more impeccable. Had we not known about this move in advance, it''s likely we would have fallen prey to his ploy. Xiao Yi is bound to either die or be gravely injured this time!"


    "I doubt that!"


    Huang Feihu muttered to himself, and upon seeing Shayuntian and others looking towards him, he pointed at Shawuchen, "Take a look at your family''s Shawuchen, his strength won''t be much inferior to Shayunlong''s!"


    "This..."


    The expression on Shayuntian and the others'' faces altered slightly.


    Meanwhile.


    Facing the sky-filled attack, as fine as strands of hair, Xiao Yi rose his fists to meet the challenge, "Invincible in battle!"


    "Unstoppable in offense!"


    Boom boom boom!


    Punch after punch came thundering like a storm, successively smashing down, shattering all the fine needles to pieces. Although Shayunlong was a high-ranking elder of the Sha Family, the Heaven-reaching Skill Record he practiced was far less profound than Shawuchen''s.


    What he practiced was only a simplified version.


    In terms of Martial Dao Fasxiang strength, he was even inferior to the eight-times Nirvana Shawuchen.


    It was precisely for this reason...


    His Martial Dao Fasxiang was fragile like paper mache in front of Xiao Yi.


    "You bastard, I didn''t expect you to be so strong, but this old man is not limited to just this, you..." Shayunlong started arrogantly, sneering as he spoke.


    However...


    Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Xiao Yi''s furious roar, "Shut your mouth!"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s speed increased tenfold in an instant, avoiding all of Shayunlong''s techniques, and in a flash appeared before him. Crouching down, he threw a heavy punch that landed on Shayunlong''s lower abdomen.


    Wow!


    Shayunlong''s body shook violently, blood spurted wildly, his body curled up like a shrimp.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi grabbed Shayunlong''s upper and lower jaws with both hands, hoisted him high, and with a low roar, viciously yanked them apart.


    Rip!


    Shayunlong was torn in half starting from his mouth.


    The crack spread from the corner of his mouth to the back of his skull.


    Half of his head tilted backwards, hanging by a layer of skin, swayed left and right a few times, then thudded to the ground with a bang.


    Hiss...


    All of Greenfish Island fell silent.


    Everyone was dumbstruck, staring at Shayunlong, who had been torn apart by Xiao Yi''s hands.


    This was the Sha Family''s high-ranking elder.


    A mighty expert of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm!


    And he was just torn apart by Xiao Yi with his bare hands?


    Xiao Yi shook off the fresh blood from his hands, glanced sideways at the stunned crowd, and said calmly, "Now, can we have a proper talk?"


    Gulp!


    Everyone swallowed hard.


    The group of strong individuals exchanged glances.


    They had seen many killings, and had killed plenty themselves.


    But...


    They had never seen a killing method as violent and raw as Xiao Yi''s, tearing apart a Nine Nirvana Reincarnations expert with his bare hands!


    That scene...


    Was indeed violent, indeed shocking.


    At the same time...


    It was incredibly impactful!


    It caused the group of fierce and diabolical pirates, as well as the big shots from all sides, to be utterly stunned into silence, like cicadas in winter.


    Gulp!


    Shayuntian swallowed hard, his eye corner twitching wildly. He was eager to slaughter Xiao Yi right then and there, but a glance at Shayunlong''s corpse on the ground made his killing intent cool by half.


    Whew!


    Huang Feihu let out a long sigh, his eyes heavily fixed on Xiao Yi, and said, "I really didn''t expect that someone of your young age would possess such terrifying strength. Xiao Yi, my Huang Family does not wish to be your enemy, from this moment on, we withdraw, and will no longer oppose you!"


    Hiss!


    Everyone gasped, looking at Huang Feihu with disbelief.


    The Huang Family, one of the four great families.


    Had actually backed down just like that?


    Huang Feihu gave Xiao Yi a cupped fist salute, "I take my leave!"


    With those words.


    Huang Feihu called to the Huang Family members, about to turn and leave, when Xiao Yi''s voice leisurely came, "Wait a moment..."


    S��arch* The n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 628 - 627: Revealing the Truth, The Sha Family in Dire Straits!【Fourth Release】

    "Wait a moment!"


    Xiao Yi spoke up, causing Huang Feihu to halt in his steps.


    Confusion surfaced on Huang Feihu''s face, as a host of Huang Family''s powerhouses watched Xiao Yi warily.


    Shayuntian laughed heartily, his words dripping with scorn, "Mr. Huang, it seems someone prefers picking on the weak! He believes your Huang Family is soft and is preparing to make a move against you!"


    "The Huang Family, alas..."


    Sneers thickened on everyone''s faces.


    The members of the Huang Family glared angrily.


    Huang Feihu''s expression darkened as he said, "Xiao Yi, my Huang Family does not wish to be your enemy, and we were already preparing to leave. What else do you want?"


    Facing everyone''s mockery made his complexion particularly unsightly.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Mr. Huang misunderstands. My request for you not to rush off is merely out of concern that your Huang Family might miss an important opportunity."


    "Opportunity?"


    Huang Feihu was taken aback, his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at Xiao Yi, his gaze filled with inquiry.


    Xiao Yi smiled slightly, flicking his finger.


    A token flew toward Huang Feihu.


    Huang Feihu was startled, looking at the token in his hand, he raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Yi: "This is Huang Baitao''s token? He actually gave you his token?"


    Each member of the Huang Family had a personal token.


    Once a token was given to someone else, it signified to the family that this person should be treated as if they were the member themselves.


    This symbolizes a completely trustworthy ally.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "I am the Deputy City Lord of Beast Emperor City, and I have a life-and-death friendship with Huang Baitao!"


    "I see!"


    Huang Feihu laughed loudly, his mocking gaze turning to Shayuntian and others as he smiled and said, "Sha, it seems you will be disappointed again this time!"


    "Hmph!"


    Shayuntian snorted coldly, glancing over at Shayunfeng beside him.


    Shayunfeng nodded, a cold light swirling in the palm of his hand, already prepared to take action.


    But just at that moment...


    Xiao Yi spoke up with a clear voice, "Gentlemen, I presume you''re here primarily for the whereabouts of Senior Su Wuxie. Unfortunately, Senior Su Wuxie has also passed away, I fear your hopes will be unfulfilled!" Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    A wave of gasps of shock rose from the crowd: "Su Wuxie is dead? It''s not impossible. If he weren''t dead, how could he pass down such a heaven-defying method like the Evil God Transformation?"


    "Does that mean the billion bounty is gone?"


    "The billion might be gone, but the fifty million..."


    The crowd''s eyes turned towards Xiao Yi, who smiled and said, "As for my head, I''m afraid you won''t be able to take it. Besides, even a mere fifty million split among so many of you won''t amount to much in the end!"


    "Xiao Yi, what are you trying to say?" the Tiandao Emperor asked.


    Ji Luanyue''s delicate eyebrows furrowed, being the only female powerhouse present, she spoke sparingly, "Xiao Yi, don''t waste everyone''s time. If you have something to say, just say it!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Aren''t you curious why the Sha Family has been doggedly pursuing a powerhouse who''s been missing for nearly a thousand years?"


    "Shut up!"


    "Xiao Yi, you''re courting death!"


    Shayuntian and Shayunfeng''s complexions changed abruptly as they roared in unison.


    This was the Sha Family''s greatest secret!


    If Xiao Yi were to disclose the truth, then the Sha Family would find themselves standing against everyone.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, a thick sneer on his face as he watched the Sha Family members.


    From within the crowd.


    Huang Feihu''s eyes brightened, and he approached Xiao Yi with a smile, saying, "Xiao Yi, speak your mind without fear. My Huang Family will surely stand by your side!"


    "Huang Feihu, have you made up your mind to be enemies with my Sha Family?" Shayuntian''s face was fierce.


    Huang Feihu shrugged his shoulders, "What of it if I''m your enemy? Besides, do you think you can leave today without letting Xiao Yi reveal the truth?"


    "I''m quite curious myself why..." Ji Luanyue said indifferently.


    Tiandao Emperor squinted his eyes and said, "The notorious number one on the Chaos Bounty List, a bounty of a hundred billion sea crystals��it sure is intriguing!"


    "Xiao Yi, just tell us already!"


    The crowd chimed in one after another.


    For a time.


    Shayuntian and Shayunfeng had faces as black as coal, their eyes seeking out someone to devour as they stared fixedly at Xiao Yi.


    They couldn''t wait to strangle Xiao Yi to death.


    But now, apart from Li Jiashang standing with them, everyone else had already moved to Xiao Yi''s side, eyeing them like tigers watching their prey.


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xiao Yi slowly began, "Since everyone wants to know the truth, then I will tell you. The reason why Su Wuxie once wiped out several major families was because they had killed Su Wuxie''s wife. And the reason they killed Su Wuxie''s wife is precisely the Sha Family''s unwillingness to let go of Su Wuxie for a thousand years!"


    Shayuntian clenched his fists, his teeth grinding loudly.


    He was certain Xiao Yi knew the truth.


    Under his murderous gaze, Xiao Yi continued slowly, "This is because Su Wuxie''s wife held a treasure from the Hall of Longevity in her hands, and it was with that treasure that Su Wuxie rose to become the strongest in the Chaotic Seas, and thus annihilated the major families'' forces. The Sha Family has been relentlessly pursuing him for the sake of obtaining that treasure!"


    Boom!


    The expressions of all present changed at once.


    Shayuntian felt as if the world was spinning.


    The secret they of the Sha Family had coveted to keep to themselves for so many years had just been exposed by Xiao Yi.


    "So that''s it, it''s because of the treasure from the Hall of Longevity. No wonder you Sha Family has not given up after a thousand years, even willing to use a hundred billion sea crystals as a reward!"


    "Tsk tsk, Shayuntian, you''ve been playing us all for fools!"


    "No wonder you previously demanded that we hand Su Wuxie over to you for disposal, even talking about comforting the spirits of the ancestors? To hell with that, you just wanted to monopolize the treasure all to yourself!"


    For a time.


    The Sha Family became the target of public criticism.


    Everyone was spitting on and cursing the Sha Family.


    The faces of Shayuntian and his companions turned shades of green and white. They had had the upper hand, but because of Xiao Yi exposing the truth, they had become adversaries to everyone else. Considering it involved a treasure from the Hall of Longevity, who could let it go?


    Not to mention that the Sha Family were not truly powerful enough to cover the skies with one hand.


    Even if the Sha Family was stronger, faced with the allure of the Hall of Longevity, the Longevity Secret Realm, they could easily have everyone stand against them.


    With that thought in mind.


    Shayuntian took a deep breath, his gaze filled with bitter resentment as he looked at Xiao Yi and enunciated each word, "Since you all know now, I, Sha, will no longer hide it. He''s right. For nearly a thousand years, our pursuit of Su Wuxie was indeed for the treasure he possessed."


    "However, even if the Sha Family indeed has other motives, we never thought of making enemies with everyone, right?"


    Shayunfeng followed, having led the Shark Pirate Group for years and was known for being ruthless, "Now that only Xiao Yi knows where the treasure Su Wuxie possessed is, instead of becoming enemies because of a mere lie of the Sha Family, why not join forces with us to take down Xiao Yi, compel him to reveal the whereabouts of the treasure? Then we can all share it��why not delight in such a deal?"


    For a time.


    The gaze of the crowd once again fell on Xiao Yi.


    Shayuntian''s mouth curved up with a thick sneer, "Xiao Yi, do you think you can doom my Sha Family with just a few words? You''re too na?ve!"


    Faced with the scrutinizing stare of the crowd.


    Seeing the mockery on Shayuntian''s face.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth quirked slightly as a jade box appeared in his hand. He spoke deliberately, his words turning Shayuntian''s face to ash, "The treasure Shayuntian speaks of is this object. Whoever kills the most of the Sha Family, the treasure shall belong to them!"


    Buzz!


    Shayuntian and Shayunfeng''s faces turned deathly pale.


    In that moment...


    Facing the eagerly watchful powerhouses, their hearts grew cold...

 Chapter 629 - 628: A United Assault, the Sha Familys Doomsday! [Fifth Release]

    Whoosh!


    Sha''s face turned deathly pale.


    He had not expected Xiao Yi to be so decisive, even willing to part with a treasure from the Hall of Longevity.


    However...


    Sha did not know.


    The only thing Xiao Yi took out was an empty jade box, which contained not a cultivation Secret Technique, but just a piece of paper with a turtle drawn on it. Unfortunately, everyone else was unaware of this.


    When Xiao Yi produced the jade box, the change in Sha''s expression made it clear to them that the box was indeed real!


    For a moment.


    Everyone''s eyes turned to the heads on the necks of the Sha Family''s members, filled with burning desire.


    A head in exchange for a treasure.


    This was surely a foolproof bargain!


    "Xiao Yi, are your words true?" the Tiandao Emperor asked, squinting his eyes.


    Xiao Yi swore to the heavens, "I, Xiao Yi, swear that whoever kills the most of the Sha Family will be bestowed with this treasure of a jade box. I will not go back on my word. If I do, may I be struck by celestial thunder and blasted by quintuple lightning!"


    Hiss!


    Such an oath could not have been more malicious!


    Everyone''s breathing grew hurried.


    They had heard clearly that it was because of the treasure within this jade box that Su Wuxie became the formidable entity who almost annihilated several dominions in the tumultuous sea areas.


    With such a treasure, who wouldn''t want to obtain it?


    "Sha, sorry about this!"


    "Hehe, sorry Sha, I''ve got to do what I must!"


    "You Sha Family scum, I''ve been annoyed with you for a long time, kill them!"


    Even the strong ones from the Li Family who had previously stood by the Sha Family now had blood-red eyes, knowing whoever obtained the treasure could become an existence that oppressed several eras like Su Wuxie.


    In comparison.


    The vengeance for Xiao Yi killing Li Shenjian and Li Guang seemed much less important now.


    From when the Sha Family led everyone to Greenfish Island to besiege Xiao Yi, to now when the situation had reversed, and the Sha Family had become the target of public criticism.


    All these reversals took place in less than half an incense stick''s time.


    This left Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin standing by completely dumbfounded. They had thought they were about to face a bloody battle, but the outcome turned out to be the Sha Family directly becoming the lambs to be slaughtered.


    The two exchanged glances, then looked towards Xiao Yi, who stood among the crowd looking completely at ease, their eyes filled with an even greater sense of awe.


    Turning hands into clouds and overturning hands into rain. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These idioms are not enough to describe the wonder of Xiao Yi!


    In fact...


    The whole process seemed simple, but it was actually intricately linked, and any misstep would have prevented the current outcome.


    First.


    Xiao Yi''s strong action of ripping Shayunlong apart let everyone know his strength was formidable, not to be taken lightly.


    This laid the foundation for later discussions and led to them targeting the Sha Family as a possibility.


    Otherwise.


    If everyone had attacked Xiao Yi as soon as they appeared, even a hundred mouths wouldn''t be able to persuade them!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The chaos of battle was imminent.


    The Sha Family and the Shark Pirate Group had many strong members, but facing the combined oppression from the Huang, Li, Sea, Three Blade Mountain, and Luan Yue Valley forces, the powerhouses from the Sha Family were forced to retreat step by step, suffering heavy casualties and deaths.


    Especially Sha and Shayunfeng, who faced the siege of Huang Feihu, Li Zhenghao, Sea King, Tiandao Emperor, Earth Sword King, Rendao Kuang, and Ji Luanyue. They were continuously pushed back, and in the blink of an eye, they were already covered with wounds.


    "Leader... you must escape..."


    Shayunfeng suddenly roared, his body covered in yellow sand, turning into a sea of sand.


    Within the sea of sand, ferocious yellow sand sharks burst forth, tearing at Huang Feihu and the others.


    "Seeking death!"


    Huang Feihu and the others, hindered by Shayunfeng, had an icy look in their eyes and showed no mercy in their attacks.


    The offensive grew even more ferocious.


    Under the siege of many, Shayunfeng kept being driven back, and it seemed he could not hold on much longer.


    Sha''s eyes were blood-red as he watched the strong of his own Sha Family being slaughtered mercilessly, and he fell into despair. With venomous eyes, he turned to Xiao Yi, who looked calm and collected, and Sha gritted his teeth with hatred, roaring, "All of this is because of you... Xiao Yi, I''ll fight you to the death!"


    Boom!


    Behind Sha, the sky filled with drifting sands, gathering into an endless desert.


    His Martial Dao Fasxiang was actually a desert!


    One could easily deduce that this person''s martial arts talent was absolutely not weak. By contemplating the desert and consolidating his martial Dao Fasxiang, and with the enhancement of the "Heaven-reaching Skill Record," Shayuntian possessed combat power comparable to the prodigies listed on the Nantian Dynasty''s Heavenly Dragon Ranking.


    Boom!


    Shayuntian, with a single hand raised into the air, swept up countless grains of sand, which condensed into a massive Yellow Sand Pyramid and violently smashed down towards Xiao Yi, "Golden Mountain Domination!"


    A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes as he gripped the moon-slashing sword with one hand.


    He drew a magnificent circular arc before him with his sword and then, merging sword with body, a buzzing tremor resonated, and a sword pierced the heavens, "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords!"


    He unleashed seven consecutive swords in full force.


    Seven dazzling sword lights converged into a rainbow-colored pillar of light, and with a loud rumble, the Yellow Sand Pyramid was cleaved apart. At the same time, a flash of purple light swept through his eyes, transforming into a mental blade that struck directly at Shayuntian.


    Buzz!


    Shayuntian''s expression changed, his eyes filling with confusion for a moment as he lost focus.


    Even with Shayuntian''s remarkable willpower, he quickly snapped back to reality.


    But his speed was still no match for Xiao Yi''s. The wings of Wind Thunder appeared, flapping high into the air as his powerful body violently collided with Shayuntian.


    Wow!


    Shayuntian let out a cry of alarm, flying backward uncontrollably like a kite with a broken string.


    Xiao Yi instantly pursued him.


    He grabbed his ankle, spun dozens of circles in the void, then with a whoosh, fiercely slammed Shayuntian back towards the ground.


    Xiao Yi aggressively followed.


    Shayuntian had fully regained his senses; he spun around in midair and pushed hard with both hands towards Xiao Yi. A rustling noise filled the air as a wall of sand formed in the sky, blocking Xiao Yi''s path.


    Yet Xiao Yi was expressionless, slicing the moon to clear a path, with the wings of Wind Thunder boosting his speed to the maximum.


    Swoosh!


    He cut through the wall of sand ahead of him.


    The piercing sword tip took advantage of the opening and pierced through Shayuntian''s arm, and with a forceful lift of the longsword, he severed Shayuntian''s right arm with a gush. Simultaneously, the wings of Wind Thunder struck fiercely, hitting Shayuntian''s body square on.


    Crack!


    Shayuntian screamed in agony as Xiao Yi sent him flying, crashing to the ground like a fallen meteor.


    The entire Greenfish Island trembled with thunderous roars, and fissures spread across the island.


    "Master..."


    Shayunfeng, covered in blood, saw this and his eyes split with fury. He withstood a hit from Rendao Kuang and the Tiandao Emperor, spouting blood as he rushed to Shayuntian''s side.


    "I''m, I''m fine..."


    Shayuntian, ashen-faced, shook his head at him, watching as Sha Family warriors fell around him; his heart was bleeding, "We''ve lost, Yunfeng. We''re defeated..."


    "No, we haven''t lost, as long as you''re alive, our Sha Family hasn''t lost..."


    Shayunfeng roared angrily.


    Shayuntian''s expression changed, sensing an unsettling premonition, "What are you planning to do?"


    "Master, I leave the Sha Family in your hands..."


    Shayunfeng''s eyes turned blood red, and suddenly he soared into the sky, bellowing with a thunderous roar, "Xiao Yi. And you all... I''m going all out with you!"


    His body swelled, radiating intense light, as a vast desert of sand enveloped all around.


    He had actually managed to encircle Huang Feihu, Xiao Yi, and the others.


    "Not good!"


    "He''s going to self-destruct!"


    "Damn it, this bastard wants to take us all down with him..."


    Huang Feihu and the others drastically changed their expressions, but with the barrier of the sand sea, they couldn''t escape at once and could only activate their strongest defenses. And at that moment, an earth-shattering explosion echoed between heaven and earth.


    A blinding sphere of light formed from the terrifying explosion energy.


    Rivaling even the sun''s intensity.


    Rumble!


    The aftershock of the explosion covered a radius of five hundred miles, evaporating seas and dissipating clouds across thousands of miles. Greenfish Island crumbled into pieces, the waves churned, and a vast whirlpool emerged on the sea surface, continuously consuming the surrounding waters.


    Shayunfeng''s self-destruction was horrifyingly powerful.


    It claimed the lives of tens of thousands of strong warriors.


    Rendao Kuang, Li Zhenghao... dead.


    Huang Feihu and the others were seriously injured, yet Xiao Yi was only slightly wounded.


    But at this moment...


    No one cared about any casualties because their attention was captivated by the destroyed Green Cloud Island. Where Greenfish Island once stood, now a massive whirlpool sucked away the seas around it.


    And within the depths of the whirlpool, a faint glowing aura could be seen shimmering in and out of sight...


    PS: Here come five chapters as a pre-dinner appetizer, with at least fifteen more today! By God, Xiao Tian has finally risen imposingly, now with the confidence to ask for comments and rewards!

 Chapter 630 - 629 Instant Kill Two Nirvanas [Sixth Update]

    The boundless sea surface churned with waves.


    The self-destruction of a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm powerhouse, although not as earth-shattering as Bo Ci''s last time, was still not to be underestimated, claiming the lives of both Rendao Kuang and Li Zhenghao in its wake.


    Huang Feihu and the others also sustained serious injuries.


    The entirety of Greenfish Island was leveled to the ground.


    But now...


    At this moment, everyone was ignoring their own injuries and the terrible losses they had suffered.


    All eyes were fixed on the deep vortex, where a door of light emitting an inexplicable glow stood.


    "A teleportation gate?"


    "How could there be a teleportation gate here?"


    "The rumored entrance to the Star Pavilion is said to be on Greenfish Island, could the legend be true?"


    "No wonder no one has been able to find the Star Pavilion for so many years, to find its entrance one must first destroy Greenfish Island. Hahaha, heaven is truly aiding us, we''ve actually discovered the Star Pavilion..."


    A wave of ecstatic voices spread throughout the heavens.


    Suddenly...


    Before everyone''s eyes, a figure burst out from beneath the sea and flew directly towards the depths of the vortex.


    This person was none other than Shayuntian.


    When Shayunfeng had prepared to self-destruct, he had hidden in the depths of the sea.


    Taking advantage of the others'' distraction...


    He flew towards the teleportation gate at the very center of the vortex at top speed, and in an instant, everyone else came to their senses and roared in anger, "Damn it, Shayuntian, stop right there!"


    "Quick, chase him, we absolutely cannot let him enter the Star Pavilion before us..."


    Everyone hurried to pursue him.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Several figures rushed towards the teleportation gate.


    Only Xiao Yi stayed hovering in mid-air, as he looked around for Little Lin and his two companions.


    Boom!


    A water column erupted from the sea''s surface.


    Little Lin, whose body gleamed with golden light, carrying Yue Shanchuan and Ying, flew up to mid-air. He opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of seawater, saying with a speechless expression, "Dammit, are all the people in these chaotic sea regions crazy? They resort to self-destruction at the drop of a hat..."


    First, the ancient behemoth, Bo Ci, had self-destructed.


    And now Shayunfeng had followed in self-destructing.


    They were truly a bunch of self-destruction maniacs!


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, smoothed Ying''s hair, which was wet with droplets of water, and tenderly rubbed her head as he smiled and asked, "Ying, are you scared?"


    Ying''s face was pale, her lips tinged with purple.


    But she still shook her head and obediently replied, "Not scared!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, then turned to Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan, "The entrance to the Star Pavilion is right below us. You two go on ahead, I''ll take Ying to a safe place!"


    "Boss, you go in first, I''ll take Ying!" Little Lin said.


    Yue Shanchuan revealed a toothy grin and said, "Xiao Yi, let Little Lin take her! The Star Pavilion has just opened; it''s the perfect time to compete for treasures. Amongst the three of us, you''re the strongest. You go in first and grab more treasures. When we arrive, you can share some with us!"


    Xiao Yi paused, then feeling Yue Shanchuan''s words made sense, he nodded and said, "Alright, then I''ll go in first. Make sure to follow quickly!"


    "Uh-huh!"


    The three of them immediately split up.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi plunged downwards dramatically and dashed through the light door.


    In an instant.


    Xiao Yi passed through the teleportation gate and the scene before him suddenly opened up to reveal another world. It was a paradise realm, its exact location unknown, with mountains and rivers all around.


    The environment within the secret realm was quite pleasant.


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly.


    Along the way, he saw plenty of traces of combat and signs of excavation in many places.


    "Hm? Is that Nine Revolutions Soul Resurrection Grass? What a pity, it''s already been harvested. Such a waste of resources��Nine Revolutions Soul Resurrection Grass needs to be uprooted entirely, yet they only took the leaves?"


    "Seven-leaf Ganoderma? Damn, which bastard took a big bite out of it and left?"


    "Starflowers, Dragon Blood Qinglian... These are rare Spiritual Medicines that are sought but seldom found, no wonder everyone is looking for the Star Pavilion. This place is truly a treasure trove!" Xiao Yi, walking along the way, discovered many rare Spiritual Medicines that had long since vanished from the outside world.


    A look of ecstasy spread across his face.


    His gains were substantial!


    Boom!


    A loud noise suddenly caught Xiao Yi''s attention, accompanied by Huang Feihu''s angry roar, "Earth Blade King, Sea King, how dare you ambush me?"


    "Hahaha, Huang Feihu, you didn''t expect this, did you? Three Blade Mountain has actually been in league with the Hai Family all along!" Earth Blade King''s voice was unusually loud and teasing as he looked at the seriously injured Huang Feihu.


    Sea King, discarding his usual nice guy demeanor, said expressionlessly, "Why waste words with him? This guy has just collected quite a few Spiritual Medicines, including an eighth-grade one, the Netherworld Verdant Falling Flower. Just kill him and take the medicines."


    "You... you''ll not die a good death..." Huang Feihu roared in despair.


    Previously when the nice guy Sea King proposed they travel together, Huang Feihu didn''t think much of it.


    Who would''ve thought it was a trap set by the Sea King and Earth Blade King?


    Now, severely injured, he was utterly incapable of resisting.


    Earth Blade King''s fingertips surged with energy, forming a long blade that he brought slashing down towards Huang Feihu''s neck, "Your Huang Family has made enough profit controlling Beast Emperor City all these years. Rest assured, when you''re gone, we''ll take good care of the Huang Family for you!"


    Swoosh!


    Just as the energy blade was about to slay Huang Feihu, a sharp piercing sound suddenly rang out.


    Ding!


    A pebble shattered the energy blade.


    Sea King and Earth Blade King''s expressions changed as they turned to look towards Xiao Yi, who was walking on air towards them.


    Sea King squinted and sized up Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, do you really have to meddle?"


    Xiao Yi casually cleaned out his ears and said nonchalantly, "I''ve decided to meddle in this affair. If you don''t want to die, get lost now, and stop your whining, or I''ll shut you up forever!"


    "You..."


    Earth Blade King''s face darkened, his eyes seething with rage as he gritted his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi, aren''t you overestimating yourself? We''re not the same trash as Shayunlong, you��"


    Slap!


    He was met with a slap in response.


    The crisp slap left Earth Blade King stunned.


    He looked at Xiao Yi in bewilderment, "You... you dare to hit..."


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi delivered another slap, already helping Huang Feihu to his feet, his cold gaze sweeping over the two men, "Talk more nonsense, and I''ll shut you up forever!"


    "Fuck..."


    Earth Blade King, unable to contain his rage, with vital energy surging around him, roared, "Sea King, let''s kill him together!"


    "Good!"


    Sea King also showed a grim expression.


    The two charged at Xiao Yi, one from the left and one from the right. Xiao Yi remained expressionless; the cultivation of these two was much weaker than Shayuntian''s. His body pulsed with the power of Wind and Thunder, allowing their war blades to land on him without effect.


    There were only the sounds of clangs and a bright spark of fire.


    Xiao Yi resisted both their blades without a scratch.


    "What?"


    "This is impossible..."


    The two men were dumbfounded.


    In that moment of shock,


    Xiao Yi had already stepped forward, each hand grabbing their throats, and with a twist, he broke their necks. From beginning to end, the movements were fluid as a stream. Xiao Yi removed their Storage Rings, dusted off his hands, and turning to Huang Feihu, he flashed a grin, "Mr. Huang, are you alright?" S��arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gulp!


    Huang Feihu swallowed hard, sweat rolling down his forehead, "No, no problem..."


    Xiao Yi nodded and tossed him a bottle of pills, "Since you''re fine, I''ll take my leave first. This medicine will help you recover quickly!"


    "Thank you!"


    Huang Feihu caught the medicine. When he looked up, he only saw Xiao Yi''s retreating figure, and casting a sympathetic glance at the bodies of Sea King and Earth Blade King on the ground, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and secretly rejoiced, "Good thing I didn''t make an enemy of this guy..."

 Chapter 631 - 630: Star Pavilion [Seventh Update]

    Xiao Yi advanced on his way.


    The deeper he walked, the more corpses he encountered, and the traces of battle grew increasingly horrific.


    At the same time��


    The path ahead became even more dangerous.


    As he made his way, S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi saw man-eating flowers with half-eaten legs dangling from their petals.


    He saw people with mushrooms growing from their eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouths, bursting them from the inside.


    He even saw vines dragging corpses into the ground.


    "What in the world is this place? What kind of existence was the Star Pavilion back then��" Xiao Yi was extremely curious.


    According to the memories inherited from Little Lin, the Star Pavilion was an entity from the same era as the Hall of Longevity, only the Star Pavilion had always been located within the tumultuous sea area. The Star Pavilion of old was teeming with powerful beings, dominating its realm.


    As for how it fell��


    These were the lost ancient secrets.


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi found a statue in the bushes ahead. The statue was shaped like a tortoise, but it was entwined with a serpent. Currently, the serpent''s head was broken off, lying aside��it was unmistakably a statue of the Black Tortoise.


    This statue seemed like it had been thrown over from a distance.


    "What''s this?"


    Xiao Yi noticed that on the tortoise shell of the Black Tortoise statue, there was a series of fine text.


    The text was very ancient, so much so that even Xiao Yi was unable to recognize it.


    But he vaguely felt something strange about the text.


    He casually collected the Black Tortoise statue, and as he continued on his way, he encountered statues of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird, each one gathered by Xiao Yi. After another half hour, the landscape ahead was no longer mountains and wilderness but a collection of ancient buildings.


    This architectural complex had a long history. Its ancientness and the traces of long passage of time only added to its solemn majesty, without any sign of decay or senility.


    At this moment.


    Shayuntian was the only one absent; everyone else stood at the entrance.


    Upon detecting Xiao Yi''s arrival, everyone showed a hint of wariness in their expressions.


    Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "Why aren''t you all going in?"


    The Tiandao Emperor and the others just gave him a cold look, completely ignoring his question.


    Only Ji Luanyue spoke up, "We can''t get in!"


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and moved forward to look.


    In front of him stood two gates.


    There was a stele before the gates.


    On the stele was written: Gate of Life and Death!


    The gate on the left is the Gate of Death; those who enter have a slim chance of survival.


    The gate on the right is the Gate of Life; those who enter have a slim chance of death!


    At the same time��


    The Gate of Death was always open; one could simply walk in. The Gate of Life on the right, however, was sealed shut, requiring a key to open.


    And the record of the key''s location had been destroyed by someone.


    Seeing Xiao Yi frown, Ji Luanyue sighed, "Shayuntian destroyed it. He himself ran into the Gate of Death. Now we are struggling whether to follow him into the Gate of Death or look around to see if we can find the key��"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow.


    Shayuntian truly was ruthless.


    To avoid being pursued by everyone, he directly entered the Gate of Death.


    Furthermore, he destroyed the method to enter the Gate of Life, leaving everyone unable to get in.


    "Wait a minute��"


    Xiao Yi suddenly thought of something, went in front of the Gate of Life to investigate, and found four distinct areas on the ground in front of the gate, which looked newer compared to the surrounding grounds, as if something that used to rest above was moved.


    "Xiao Yi, what are you doing?"


    "He can''t possibly be thinking of finding the key from here, can he? If it were that simple, how could we have missed it?"


    "Let him go ahead, it''s all in vain anyway..."


    The crowd mocked.


    Yet, Xiao Yi''s eyes shone. He had found that these few areas matched perfectly with the size of the Four Symbols Divine Beasts statues he had picked up earlier. Thinking back on the journey, it seemed like the statues were thrown from a distance.


    Xiao Yi immediately understood, "What a cunning Shayuntian, indeed meticulous in his thinking. Not only did he destroy the most crucial part of the stele, but he also threw away the key right under our noses. It''s just unfortunate for you that you encountered me..."


    A slight smile curled at the corner of Xiao Yi''s mouth.


    He stood up, looked at the crowd, cleared his throat, and said, "Would any of you like to enter the Gate of Life?"


    "Huh?"


    "You''re not going to tell us that you''ve found the key, are you?"


    The crowd was skeptical.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and said with a light smile, "As you have said, I indeed found the key, and the key is on me. However, if you want to go through, you''ll need to pay some toll money."


    The Tiandao Emperor snorted coldly.


    Rendao Kuang had died from Shayunfeng''s self-explosion, and Didaowang had not appeared to this day, making him already quite agitated. Now, hearing Xiao Yi speak like this, the Tiandao Emperor''s face darkened as he said, "The key is on you? I advise you to hand over the key now. If I have to take action, I''ll be taking more than just the key!"


    Xiao Yi squinted, appraising the Tiandao Emperor.


    This man''s cultivation was not much different from Shayunfeng''s, slightly weaker than Shayuntian''s.


    Xiao Yi flashed a grin, "Tiandao Emperor, I''m not afraid of Shayuntian, so what makes you think I would be afraid of you?"


    "You..."


    The Tiandao Emperor''s face grew darker, and through gritted teeth, he said, "Maybe I''m not your match alone, but with so many powerful people here, if we attack you together, you won''t benefit either."


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Are you threatening me?"


    The Tiandao Emperor proudly responded, "You can take it that way!"


    "Oh!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, then turned to Ji Luanyue and the others, "Valley Master Ji, if any of you can kill the Tiandao Emperor, I''ll let you in for free!"


    Hiss!


    The Tiandao Emperor''s face stiffened, gone was his previous arrogance and pomposity.


    He vividly remembered that Xiao Yi had used this same tactic to doom the Sha Family previously.


    Gurgle!


    The Tiandao Emperor, seeing the many strong onlookers casting inauspicious glances at him, his face alternating between shades of green and white, had no choice but to swallow his pride, cleared his throat, and said, "Fine, Xiao Yi. It was not easy for you to get the key, you name your price for the toll."


    Ji Luanyue: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Xiao Yi snorted derisively, chickened out? But that wasn''t enough!


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Is that how you ask for a favor?"


    "You..."


    The Tiandao Emperor''s face stiffened, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, "What do you want?"


    Xiao Yi replied coolly, "Kneel down and beg me!"


    The Tiandao Emperor: "..."


    Xiao Yi looked around at the crowd, "You all see, it''s not that I refuse to open the Gate of Life, but that the Tiandao Emperor won''t kneel and beg me. Oh dear, Shayuntian has been inside for quite a while now. If they haven''t died in the Gate of Death by now, I''m afraid they might be hauling treasures from the Star Pavilion already?"


    Upon hearing this,


    Everyone cast cold glances at the Tiandao Emperor as if to say: just kneel down and beg him already!


    The Tiandao Emperor''s chest heaved violently.


    Having lived for so long, this was his most humiliating day.


    And yet, he was powerless to do anything about it.


    Whoosh!


    The Tiandao Emperor took a deep breath, and with a thump, he knelt in front of Xiao Yi, his face grim as he shouted, "Lord Xiao Yi, please let us through!"


    "That''s more like it!"


    Xiao Yi grinned, then turned to the crowd, "The toll is ten million Hai Crystals per person..." Xiao Yi pointed at the Tiandao Emperor, who had just stood up, "except you!"


    The Tiandao Emperor, about to take out Hai Crystals, stiffened, nearly spewing out a mouthful of blood: "..."

 Chapter 632 - 631: Gate of Life and Death [Eighth Update]

    "Besides you!"


    Xiao Yi''s face wore a playful smile, his gaze fixed intently on Tiandao Emperor, who was digging out sea crystals.


    Of the three top experts of Three Blade Mountain, only he remained. S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The deaths of the other two were both related to him.


    Moreover, Tiandao Emperor was filled with hostility towards Xiao Yi. If he were to obtain treasures or significantly increase his strength within the Star Pavilion, Xiao Yi couldn''t guarantee he wouldn''t seek revenge.


    Xiao Yi himself naturally wasn''t afraid.


    But Tiandao Emperor commanded the strong warriors of Three Blade Mountain, and once he led them to the Great Qian Dynasty,


    That would be a huge problem.


    That was the very reason.


    Xiao Yi chose to pick a fight proactively, to eliminate this hidden threat.


    Tiandao Emperor nearly spat out a mouthful of blood in rage, glaring furiously, his eyes fixed deadly on Xiao Yi as if they could devour him: "Xiao Yi, don''t push me too far!"


    He had already apologized.


    He had knelt down.


    Yet Xiao Yi wouldn''t let him into the Star Pavilion, which made Tiandao Emperor unable to endure any longer, and he finally erupted.


    Xiao Yi''s face revealed a playful look, and he said indifferently, "So I''m bullying you, what can you do about it?"


    "I, I..."


    Tiandao Emperor''s face alternated between pale and flushed, a hint of madness flickering in his eyes as he bellowed, "You''re forcing my hand! I originally planned to wait until I left Star Pavilion to seek revenge, but since you''re courting death, don''t blame me!"


    Boom!


    Within Tiandao Emperor, a surge of vital energy was swallowed and exhaled.


    A blood-red battle saber fell into his palm��the blade was about ten feet long, drenched in crimson as if it had just been pulled from a pool of blood. The chilling Evil Qi made the temperature of the area drop abruptly.


    Hum!


    With a slight tremble of the blade,


    The Evil Qi dissipated visibly at speed, driving the surrounding powerhouses to keep their distance, watching the two warily: "Such a Tiandao Emperor, just the intent of his blade alone is enough to drive most warriors of the same rank away."


    "Xiao Yi is strong, but against him, Tiandao Emperor may not be without a chance of victory!"


    "That''s not certain... Xiao Yi is after all too young, I still think Tiandao Emperor has a greater chance of winning!"


    Everyone was discussing this.


    Their gaze fell on Ji Luanyue, who squinted slightly and shook her head: "It''s hard to tell..."


    This statement only made everyone more expectant.


    At this moment...


    Tiandao Emperor suddenly lunged forward, dragging the blood-red battle saber behind him, its edge slicing the ground and emitting a clanging noise, sparks flying: "Force Split Tianshan!"


    Whoosh!


    Tiandao Emperor harshly swung the hilt of his saber.


    Amid the booming sounds,


    The blade emitted a blood-red glow, carving a gigantic trench on the ground and, with a ferocious heave from beneath, it burst upwards. There was a thunderous explosion as the ground blasted open, dirt and rocks erupted outward, paired with the blood-red edge aiming directly for Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi leaped up, stepping on air, and stomped down hard.


    Boom!


    His toe tapped the edge of the blade, and a surge of violent strength instantly exploded outwards, like the terrifying impact of a comet hitting the earth. Tiandao Emperor''s battle saber in his hand buzzed uncontrollably as it plunged from the sky, crashing to the ground with a boom.


    Rumble!


    The ground shook violently as cracks spread in all directions like a spider''s web.


    By then, Xiao Yi had already appeared in front of Tiandao Emperor, a flash of cold light passing in his eyes: "Tiandao Emperor, I had no intention of killing you, but since you''re seeking death yourself, you can''t blame me!"


    Boom!


    He stomped down fiercely with his foot.


    Tiandao Emperor''s face changed repeatedly, his long saber thrust into the ground but unable to be pulled out in time, instinctively using his arm to shield above his head.


    Thump!


    Xiao Yi''s kick landed squarely on an arm.


    With a grating crack, the Tiandao Emperor''s entire arm exploded into pieces, blood and shattered bones spraying in all directions. At the same time, Xiao Yi exerted a forceful step, crushing the Tiandao Emperor''s head into his chest cavity.


    Bang!


    The esteemed leader of Three Blade Mountain lay heavily on the ground, devoid of any breath of life.


    Xiao Yi landed beside the Tiandao Emperor, curled his lip in disdain, and casually collected the battle sabre and storage ring, his indifferent gaze then swept over the others, lips curling into a faint cold smile, "Who else thinks the toll is too expensive?"


    People looked at each other, all forcing a smile and saying, "Ten million sea crystals, how can that be expensive compared to entering the Star Pavilion?"


    "Lord Xiao has generously allowed us to enter the Star Pavilion together, this is already a great favor!"


    "Thank you, Lord Xiao!"


    Even those who were initially reluctant to pay now obediently presented their sea crystals with both hands.


    Xiao Yi collected the toll from everyone.


    He then placed the four divine beasts statues on the ground. The four statues began to move at the same time, rotating towards the direction of the Gate of Life and Death amidst clicking sounds. They simultaneously fired beams of light, and at the same time, the characters on the Gate of Life and Death started to subtly change.


    The Gate of Life became the Gate of Death.


    The Gate of Death became the Gate of Life!


    Everyone''s faces changed: "Damn, so the true Gate of Life was actually the Gate of Death?"


    "Does this mean Shayuntian has already entered the Star Palace?"


    People were left bewildered.


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly, he had been wondering why Shayuntian, despite seeing the key was the four divine beasts statues, still chose to discard the key and enter through the Gate of Death.


    It turned out that the Gate of Death was the real Gate of Life.


    And the Gate of Life was the Gate of Death.


    Everyone felt a surge of fear, thankful that they hadn''t tried to force their way through.


    One by one, they rushed towards the Gate of Death.


    Xiao Yi followed closely behind and charged in.


    The path was very long, and there were no dangers along the way. After walking for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, an exit finally appeared at the front. Bright light spilled from the cave entrance, and Xiao Yi dashed out ahead of the others.


    Whoosh!


    The area in front of them opened up suddenly.


    Under everyone''s feet was a vast square, and suspended in mid-air was a grand hall with the words "Star Palace" inscribed above it.


    A celestial staircase made of floating steps connected the square to the Star Palace.


    The celestial staircase had a total of nine hundred and ninety-nine steps.


    At the moment...


    Shayuntian was sitting cross-legged on the stairs above the five hundredth step, recuperating. Suddenly sensing the forceful approach of Xiao Yi, Shayuntian''s face turned pale, he clenched his teeth tightly, and continued to climb forward with difficulty.


    Nine hundred and ninety-nine celestial steps.


    With each ascent, the pressure on everyone increased steadily.


    Every hundred steps, the pressure would double.


    Nine hundred and ninety-nine steps.


    Meaning that at the last ninety-nine steps, the pressure would be two hundred and fifty-six times that of the first hundred steps!


    "Damn it... how did these guys learn the secret of the Gate of Life and Death?" Shayuntian, who was recovering and preparing to climb the celestial stairs, suddenly changed his expression and, no longer caring about resting, stood up and rushed forward.


    Ji Luanyue and the others'' expressions changed: "Hurry, we can''t let Shayuntian be the first to enter the Star Palace!"


    "Catch up to him!"


    "Charge!"


    A host of powerhouses began to scale the celestial staircase.


    Xiao Yi, however, stood at the entrance of the staircase, looking at the struggling crowd on the steps and sighed lightly, "What era is it now, yet they''re still so foolishly climbing the so-called celestial stairs?"


    As his words trailed off.


    Xiao Yi, drew out Zhan Yue...

 Chapter 633 - 632: The Sword Breaks the Heavenly Ladder, Dominant to the End! [9th Update]

    "What era are we in that you''d still foolishly climb the Sky-reaching Ladder?"


    Xiao Yi sighed softly.


    Then he drew out the Demon Sword Zhan Yue��


    The assembly of powerhouses felt the earth-shattering Sword Intent, each one dumbfounded as they watched Xiao Yi, roaring angrily, "Xiao Yi, what are you doing?"


    "Have you gone mad? Do you really want to destroy the Sky-reaching Ladder?"


    "You''re cutting off our hope of ascending the Star Palace, stop it now��"


    "You idiot, stop it right now��"


    The crowd erupted in collective anger.


    Xiao Yi remained unmoved, the Sword Soul within his body buzzing and trembling, with the earth-shattering Sword Intent enveloping Zhan Yue. With a humming resonance, the sword''s radiance continuously surged, growing larger and larger.


    Thirty feet.


    Fifty feet.


    One hundred feet��


    The sword radiance that Xiao Yi''s Zhan Yue expelled grew longer and larger, swiftly exceeding three hundred feet.


    The three-hundred-foot sword radiance resembled a pillar holding up heaven and earth.


    Xiao Yi slowly ascended, his figure appearing exceptionally tiny beneath the thousand-foot sword radiance, yet no one dared to underestimate the energy contained within that slight frame.


    "Cut through the Sky-reaching Ladder!"


    Xiao Yi swung his sword down.


    Hum!


    The immense sword radiance fell from the sky, buzzing loudly as it ferociously struck towards heaven and earth.


    The fearsome domain of the sword caused the complexions of the powerhouses on the Sky-reaching Ladder to change drastically, revealing terror and anger. But they dared not stay on the Sky-reaching Ladder any longer and could only sprint down from it in succession.


    And landed in the plaza.


    Every gaze directed at Xiao Yi was as if looking at a mortal enemy. "I climbed two hundred steps, and this bastard forced me down, just like that. He doesn''t want to climb the Sky-reaching Ladder himself, but why doesn''t he let us climb either!"


    "This man is too selfish..."


    The most infuriated was none other than Shayuntian.


    He had struggled to climb more than five hundred steps, halfway to success.


    Yet he was still forcibly brought down by Xiao Yi.


    A pair of eyes filled with resentment stared deathly at Xiao Yi, wishing they could devour him alive.


    Boom, rumble, rumble!


    The terrifying sword radiance, like slicing through vegetables, cleaved the nine hundred and ninety-nine steps of the Sky-reaching Ladder cleanly in two. Amidst the thunderous noise, sections of the ladder plummeted, crashing down with a bang.


    Without the Sky-reaching Ladder,


    the Star Palace still floated in mid-air, Xiao Yi strode on void, but found that an invisible layer of energy in the void was blocking him from flying up from the high-altitude.


    Shayuntian sneered and mocked, "Idiot, if we could fly up directly, why would I bother painfully climbing the Sky-reaching Ladder? Now look what you''ve done, with the ladder destroyed, no one can enter��"


    Ji Luanyue''s expression was somber, having finally made it into the Star Pavilion.


    Just as the Star Palace appeared within reach, it was snatched away by Xiao Yi''s single slash.


    Her face was extremely unsightly as well.


    Other powerhouses also opened up, "Xiao Yi, you menace, what do we do now? We can''t ascend anymore; are you happy now?"


    "You maniac, you''ve caused harm to both yourself and others��"


    Everyone unabashedly cursed and blamed Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi paid no attention to the crowd''s blame. Staring at the suspended Star Palace, the corners of his mouth edged up slightly as he said indifferently, "Since it can''t be flown up to, let it come down then!"


    "Let it come down?"


    "I think you''re not only mad, you''re downright an idiot��"


    "This is the Star Palace, existing since Ancient Times, how could it possibly come down just because you say so��"


    But very soon��


    These people were left speechless.


    They saw Xiao Yi standing in the air, Zhan Yue once again materialized in front of him, his eyes focusing with the intensity of lightning. He had already pushed his power to the ultimate limit, the buzzing sword radiance expanding steadily from three hundred feet to a thousand!


    A thousand-foot sword radiance stood across the sky, like a rainbow bridging Yin and Yang.


    Xiao Yi held a majestic presence.


    Like an unrivaled Sword God!


    "Slash!"


    A deep roar filled the space.


    Xiao Yi''s hands simultaneously gripped the sword hilt, slashing towards the Star Palace with one strike.


    Hum!


    Booming!


    The spatial storm produced by the falling sword light seemed to tear the very void apart. The tumultuous Sword Qi storm raged, lifting many off the plaza and sending them flying.


    Even Shayuntian and Ji Luanyue, powerful as they were, turned pale under this terrifying sword light.


    Winds howled wildly, sand and rocks flew, the sun and the moon lost their light, as if doomsday had arrived.


    Duang!


    A sound as huge as the evening drums and morning bells echoed instantly across the sky above Star Pavilion.


    It reached outside the Star Pavilion.


    Causing Little Lin, Yue Shanchuan, and Huang Feihu, who had just arrived at the entrance of Star Pavilion, to stumble with a thud, collapsing to the ground in unison, their faces filled with bewilderment.


    Gurgle!


    Huang Feihu swallowed his saliva, "What''s going on?"


    "Don''t know�� Could it be a fight inside?"


    "But this commotion is way too loud, isn''t it?"


    Little Lin and the others had shock written all over their faces.


    Huang Feihu hesitated for a moment, then said, "No matter what, let''s go in first!"


    When the three passed through the Life Gate and entered the plaza, they were completely stunned by the scene before them.


    They saw Xiao Yi suspended in the air.


    Wielding the Moon-Slaying Sword.


    The blade trembled slightly, its edge sharp and exposed.


    Xiao Yi''s hair was in disarray, and he radiated an imposing aura like a towering inferno.


    Below him on the plaza, all the strong onlookers were gaping, their eyes wide and mouths agape, as if witnessing a miracle.


    Following the gaze of the crowd��


    The enormous Star Palace was slowly falling from the sky with a series of thunderous roars. With a crash, it hit the ground, making the entire plaza quake and tremble, as if a torrential flood or an earthquake had struck.


    Massive cracks spread from the point where the Star Palace fell, sprawling outwards in all directions.


    Covering the ground like a spider web.


    Gurgle!


    Hiss!


    The only sound on the plaza was the collective gasp for air and swallowing of saliva.


    Shayuntian had the most exaggerated reaction; his body was soaked in cold sweat.


    Trembling slightly.


    "I, I, I must be seeing things, right? Did Xiao Yi really bring down the Star Palace from the sky?"


    "Did we just call him a madman? Say he was overestimating himself?"


    "It''s not our fault though! Who would have thought that a grand ancient sect''s suspended palace could be brought down like this��"


    "Sword to break the ladder to heaven, fury to smash the Star Palace."


    "I''m convinced..." S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Within the crowd.


    Ji Luanyue''s mouth twitched, feeling a dryness in her throat, and it wasn''t until this moment that she finally resigned herself, "Forget it, competing with such a person is purely seeking death. Whatever he wants later, I absolutely won''t take a second glance��"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi descended from the sky, his gaze sweeping across, and landed on Shayuntian.


    Gurgle!


    Shayuntian''s body trembled; Xiao Yi''s series of strong moves had truly eradicated any fighting spirit he might have had.


    While everyone was thinking of obediently climbing the Heavenly Ladder according to the rules, Xiao Yi directly slashed it with his sword!


    While everyone was complaining there were no ladders to ascend the Star Palace,


    Xiao Yi brought the Star Palace down from the high void with a single sword strike.


    Facing such a domineering and powerful enemy, where could he find even a shred of spirit to oppose him? Where was there any hope of revenge? Shayuntian took a deep breath, closed his eyes in despair, his throat dry, and stammered, "You won!"

 Chapter 634 - 633: Obtaining a Precious Treasure Again! [10th Update]

    "You''ve won,"


    Shayuntian seemed to exhaust all his strength uttering these words.


    Each word was filled with reluctance and helplessness; at the same time, these three words signified that the Sha Family, which had dominated the Chaotic Sea Region for a thousand years, had completely fallen into the dust of history.


    The mighty figures surrounding the scene all watched in silence.


    Ji Luanyue let out a light sigh.


    Huang Feihu''s expression was especially complex.


    The Sha Family once shone so brilliantly and was so powerful that it suffocated other forces.


    But now...


    The Sha Family, the uncrowned kings of the Chaotic Sea Region, had finally left the throne.


    All of this...


    Was due to the young man before them, not even twenty years old.


    Xiao Yi calmly looked at Shayuntian, yet he had not expected that by simply refusing to abide by the rules set by a sect that had declined for thousands of years, and by fiercely climbing the heavenly ladder, slashing it and blasting the Star Palace from the sky, it would result in Shayuntian completely losing his will to fight.


    "Xiao Yi..."


    Shayuntian looked up at Xiao Yi with a gaze filled with the last sliver of hope, "Before I die, could you grant me one final request?"


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "Speak!"


    Whoosh!


    Shayuntian let out a long exhalation of turbid breath and said with a heavy voice, "Do not completely annihilate my Sha Family, if possible?"


    Xiao Yi was silent for a moment; he always believed in cutting the weeds and digging up the roots.


    However...


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "As long as they don''t provoke me, I won''t go looking for trouble with them!"


    Shayuntian let out a bitter smile.


    He understood the nature of the Sha Family''s descendants well; they would certainly not rest in peace. Even if they couldn''t deal with Xiao Yi, they''d probably plot against Xiao Yi''s family and friends.


    In that case...


    They would inevitably be wiped out by Xiao Yi.


    At the thought of this.


    Shayuntian let out a sigh, "It''s over, my Sha Family... it''s over..."


    Thump!


    He slapped his palm on his crown, blood spewing from his seven orifices, and died completely.


    Xiao Yi flicked his finger, and a flame incinerated his corpse into ashes.


    Little Lin, Yue Shanchuan, and Huang Feihu came to his side.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Let''s go. Let''s see what treasures this Star Palace holds!"


    Xiao Yi led a few of them toward the interior of the Star Palace.


    On the way.


    Everyone naturally moved to the sides, not daring to follow them inside.


    These people had made up their minds to wait until Xiao Yi left before entering; they were afraid that if they saw the same treasure as Xiao Yi, they might end up killed.


    Inside the Star Palace.


    It was divided into the Skill Transmission Hall, Scripture Pavilion, and Treasure Pavilion.


    In the Skill Transmission Hall.


    Xiao Yi immediately took a liking to the six cushions, one red and five yellow, and directly collected them.


    These cushions had the effect of concentrating the mind.


    Sitting on them to comprehend the martial arts improved performance tremendously.


    Afterward, he went to the Scripture Pavilion...


    Many of the Star Pavilion''s cultivation techniques and secret texts were stored there, but Xiao Yi had little interest, so he let Little Lin, Yue Shanchuan, and Huang Feihu plunder the place. He, on the other hand, went alone into the Treasure Pavilion.


    The Treasure Pavilion was a nine-story tower.


    The tower was pitch-black in color.


    Xiao Yi pushed the door open and went in, the first floor, the second floor, the third floor...


    He plundered each level. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Mostly consisting of various elixirs, elemental weapons, and so on...


    Invaluable in worth.


    Just the gains from the first eight levels alone were worth nearly a trillion sea crystals, which made Xiao Yi marvel at the wealth of the ancient sect. He walked straight into the ninth level, where there were only three stone platforms.


    On each platform, there was a chess puzzle.


    "Is this using chess puzzles as a formation? Quite interesting..." Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows.


    He had once received the legacy of the life-taking scholar, Jin Wuheng, and had dabbled in the art of chess, quickly revealing the first chess puzzle.


    Crack crack crack!


    A dazzling light shimmered above the stone platform, revealing a scroll.


    On the scroll.


    Were written four ancient characters: "Dragon and Snake Nine Transformations." Upon opening it, to his surprise, it was a secret technique for serpentine monsters to cultivate into dragons, with methods recorded all the way from the Physical Body Realm to the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows with a smile, "This could actually be used for Little Lin''s cultivation!"


    He then began to solve the second chess puzzle.


    This time, obviously much more difficult than the first, it took Xiao Yi a full half an hour to barely unlock it. Inside this stone platform, shockingly, was a jade box.


    A purple-golden key rested beside the jade box.


    A look of ecstasy appeared on Xiao Yi''s face: "Damn, I''m truly a child of fortune!"


    Four jade boxes.


    Su Wuxie defended one his entire life.


    The Sha Family spent thousands of years and several generations only to find one, which in the end, readily fell into Xiao Yi''s hands, even resulting in the extinction of the Sha Family.


    By contrast, Xiao Yi...


    Just from a trip to the turbulent sea territory, had managed to collect all four jade boxes.


    Click!


    The jade box opened.


    Inside was similarly a metal card without any markings, no cultivation techniques inscribed, nor pictorial diagrams like the other three cards. The empty metal card made Xiao Yi frown with confusion.


    He took out the other three metal cards, and at that moment, the newly acquired metal card suddenly began to hum.


    Beams of light flickered and swirled.


    Turning into a spherical orb of light, the other three metal cards shot forth and fused with it.


    The four metal cards perfectly merged into one.


    It transformed into a square metal card, with diagrams pulsating and text constantly changing. On the metal card, tiny figures slowly emerged, some cultivating their spiritual power, others practicing their aura, and still others tempering their bodies.


    Each step of cultivation, each flow of vital energy, every ripple of mental strength was extremely clear.


    After a moment...


    All of it retracted back into the metal card.


    And the text on the metal card underwent earth-shattering changes.


    The Heaven-reaching Divine Record, Heaven-reaching Physical Record, and Heaven-reaching Skill Record all disappeared completely.


    In their place were the four characters: "All Paths as One!"


    "All Paths as One?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes brightened, his heartbeat skyrocketing, he swallowed hard, "Could it really be what I''m thinking?"


    He took a deep breath and carefully observed the metal card.


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi inhaled sharply, his eyes gleaming: "As I suspected! ''All Paths as One'' is indeed the method to walk the three paths of nirvana simultaneously. This is it, this time I''ve truly struck it rich!"


    The three paths of nirvana: the aura, the body, and Spiritual Nirvana.


    Xiao Yi had once asked people like Yang Zun if it was possible to walk the three paths of nirvana at the same time, and the answer he received was negative.


    Even the inheritances from Dao Yan, Zhao Wuji, or the Wind Thunder Reverend didn''t have records of methods to cultivate all three paths of nirvana simultaneously. But Xiao Yi always insisted that these three paths could be taken together.


    This was also the reason he had not yet embarked on his nirvana journey.


    He had not imagined...


    That now he would achieve his heart''s desire, obtaining the "All Paths as One" secret technique, which allowed him to walk the three paths of nirvana at the same time.


    Xiao Yi gripped the metal card tightly, finally ready to step onto his own path of nirvana!


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, calming his excited emotions, and turned his gaze to the third stone platform.


    Just from the first two platforms, he had obtained treasures like "Dragon and Snake Nine Transformations" and "All Paths as One." So, what treasures could be inside the third and most difficult chess puzzle-sealed platform?


    With a prayerful face, Xiao Yi began to decipher the third chess puzzle...


    PS: Everyone, guess what treasure is inside this third platform? Hahaha...


    Oh right, need to thank brother 1053422439 for the 550K reward! Brother, have you joined the group? Come in and let''s chat away, play a cameo! The group number is: 979661908

 Chapter 635 - 634: Netherworld Blood Python【Eleventh Update】

    "What treasure could be hidden inside this third stone platform?"


    Xiao Yi suppressed the curiosity in his heart, forcing himself to calm down, and began to try and unravel the third chess puzzle.


    This puzzle was hundreds of times more difficult than the previous two.


    Even with the chess inheritance he received from Jin Wuheng, Xiao was clueless. After all, Jin Wuheng''s forte among the Four Talents was literature, not chess.


    Given the dead end in the chess approach,


    Xiao chose to decipher the chess formation on the stone platform from the perspective of formations. After two full hours of deduction, Xiao finally solved the third chess puzzle.


    Boom!


    The stone platform suddenly shook violently and sank into the ground.


    Beams of light burst forth from below the ground.


    They illuminated the entire Treasure Pavilion.


    The light was brilliant, blindingly so.


    This drew envious gazes from Ji Luanyue and others who were waiting in the plaza, "With such a commotion, it must be an extraordinary treasure that has been unearthed. Alas, such treasures are beyond our reach now!"


    "If the treasure is gone, then it''s gone. The most important thing is to save our own lives!"


    "Right, that Xiao''s Doomed Kingdom is too terrifying!"


    "Xiao''s Doomed Kingdom?"


    "Isn''t that right? Whoever provokes him gets their family exterminated�� look, the Sha Family provoked him and got exterminated, the Li Family did too, and then Three Blade Mountain... exterminated."


    "Now that you mention it, it really does seem logical!"


    Yet, these people were unaware.


    Before that, some had called Xiao Yi the harbinger of Xiao''s Doomed Kingdom!


    ......


    Inside the Treasure Pavilion.


    In the midst of the dazzling column of light, a small cauldron slowly emerged.


    "Is this the Longevity Cauldron?"


    Xiao Yi looked astonishedly at the small cauldron in front of him.


    It was identical to the Longevity Cauldron he had obtained on Beast Emperor Island, except this one bore the character ''Heaven,'' clearly one of the nine Longevity Cauldrons, the Heaven Character Cauldron!


    At that moment,


    around the Heaven Character Longevity Cauldron, a small blood-red snake was coiled in slumber.


    The blood-red snake remained deep in sleep.


    Until the light faded, it slowly awoke, its puzzled gaze sweeping the surroundings. It sniffed around Xiao Yi, then expressed delight, flicking its tongue eagerly as it crawled onto Xiao Yi''s arm.


    The Longevity Cauldron, too, fell into his hands.


    Xiao Yi looked at the blood-red snake on his palm and curiously asked, "Little fellow, are you the Heaven Character Longevity Beast?"


    Hiss!


    The snake stood up its upper body and nodded at Xiao Yi, its form flickering between ethereal and tangible, not a true body, but a spirit entity. Xiao Yi frowned and said, "Where is your physical body?"


    The snake tilted its head, a look of loss in its eyes.


    Right at that moment...


    Little Lin''s voice came through, "Boss, what treasure did you find that caused such a big commotion?"


    Xiao Yi startled and realized he was the only one who had entered, expressing his confusion, "Where are the others?"


    Little Lin replied, "Yue and Mr. Huang said that it is not appropriate for them to know about the treasures you found, so they are waiting outside." After pausing for a moment, he noticed the blood-red snake on Xiao Yi''s arm, and his pupils suddenly shrank, "Boss, where, where did you find this thing?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, "You recognize it?"


    Gurgle!


    Little Lin''s eyes were filled with fervent passion as he nodded, "This is the legendary Netherworld Blood Python. It''s said that it has the ability to traverse the Yin and Yang realms... Huh? That''s not right, this is just a spirit entity? Where is its real body?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged, "It seems its body is gone�� Little Lin, can you communicate with it?"


    Little Lin nodded, "Of course I can!"


    Little Lin approached the Netherworld Blood Python, and the two snakes hissed at each other, engaging in conversation.


    As he communicated with the Netherworld Blood Python, shock appeared on Little Lin''s face. He looked strangely at Xiao Yi, "Boss, you really are a chosen one, to encounter such good fortune!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Little Lin with puzzlement.


    Little Lin pointed to the Longevity Cauldron in his hand, saying, "The Netherworld Blood Python says this is one of the nine cauldrons of the Hall of Longevity, the Heaven Character Longevity Cauldron. After Zhao Wuji scattered the Hall of Longevity during the Ancient Times, the hall vanished into the void, and its pieces fell to the world."


    "I know that part!"


    Xiao Yi said, "The Longevity Cauldron is indeed mystical. The ''Mysterious'' Character Longevity Cauldron can speed up the refinement of various elixirs and treasures, and it has helped me a lot!"


    Little Lin took a deep breath and spoke gravely, "Boss, do you know the true function of the Longevity Cauldrons?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head.


    Little Lin inhaled deeply once more, his expression complex, "Then do you know how one enters the Longevity Secret Realm from the Nirvana Realm?"


    "Isn''t it by obtaining the spirit of longevity? You mean��" Xiao Yi looked astonishedly at the Longevity Cauldron in his hand.


    Little Lin nodded and stated deliberately, "The greatest function of the Longevity Nine Cauldrons is to nurture the spirit of longevity."


    Hisss!


    Xiao Yi sharply inhaled a breath of cold air.


    Nurture the spirit of longevity? sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Why was the Nantian Dynasty able to control so many subordinate dynasties?


    The main reason was that they held the lifeline of those dynasties, ensuring that their strongest warriors were only at the Nine Nirvana Reincarnation Realm and that none possessed masters from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    To Xiao Yi''s knowledge...


    The Nantian Holy Land, behind the Nantian Dynasty, kept control over the spirit of longevity, and any strong practitioner of the Nine Nirvana Reincarnation Realm taken by the Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate would be sent to the Nantian Holy Land.


    Only by performing exceptionally well in the Nantian Holy Land could one receive the endowment of the spirit of longevity.


    And now he had actually obtained a Longevity Cauldron that could nurture the spirit of longevity?


    Then what was the damn point of the Nantian Holy Land to him?


    Couldn''t he manufacture the masters from the Longevity Secret Realm in batches from now on?


    Little Lin seemed to see through Xiao Yi''s thoughts and said with a wry smile, "Boss, nurturing the spirit of longevity isn''t that easy. According to the Netherworld Blood Python, there are three conditions for nurturing the spirit of longevity: The first is to have at least one Longevity Cauldron; the second requires the assistance of a Longevity Beast; and the third is to invest a sufficient amount of treasures and spirit veins into the Longevity Cauldron!"


    Xiao Yi''s excitement gradually calmed down within him.


    Three conditions.


    For the first condition, he completely qualified; he had two Longevity Cauldrons on hand!


    The second condition seemed to be a bit of a pitfall.


    The Longevity Beast of the Heaven Character Longevity Cauldron had already been refined into Beast Emperor Island, and its soul had been extinguished by Xiao Yi. Moreover, this Netherworld Blood Python was merely a spiritual body and couldn''t help him nurture the spirit of longevity.


    As for the third condition, that was to find resources and treasures!


    That could eventually be satisfied with some effort and time.


    It meant that to nurture the spirit of longevity, he must find a Longevity Beast.


    While Xiao Yi was troubled...


    The Netherworld Blood Python hissed a few times, and Little Lin frowned at it, "Are you sure you want to do this? Alright, I''ll ask the Boss for you..."


    Little Lin turned to Xiao Yi, "Boss, the Netherworld Blood Python says it can possess my body, letting me have the power of a Longevity Beast. But in return, you must promise to help it reconstruct its body if the opportunity arises in the future!"


    "Reconstruct its body?"


    Xiao Yi was startled. Reconstructing the body of a Longevity Beast would not be easy, and so he asked, "Ask him what needs to be done to reconstruct his body?"


    After asking, Little Lin said, "First, we need a complete corpse of at least a ninth-rank mythical beast; second, we need to refine the tenth-grade elixir, Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Elixir. With both in hand, it will be possible to help him reconstruct his body!"


    A tenth-grade Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Elixir?


    A complete corpse of at least a ninth-rank mythical beast.


    Xiao Yi furrowed his brow in thought. As long as he could step into the Longevity Secret Realm, these things wouldn''t be a big problem. With this in mind, Xiao Yi said, "Tell him, I agree to this deal!"


    Little Lin conveyed the message to the Netherworld Blood Python, which spat out a blood bead.


    Little Lin said, "Boss, this is a Blood Oath Bead, which serves as a contract for the deal between you two. Just merge it with your blood, and it''s done!"


    "Alright!"


    Xiao Yi, having no intentions of reneging, squeezed out a drop of fresh blood and the blood bead merged back into the Netherworld Blood Python''s body. It nodded, transformed into a red light, and burrowed into Little Lin''s body, causing Little Lin to tremble all over.


    Roar!


    Little Lin let out a series of pained roars as scales with gold color mixed with dots of red lines grew on his body, and a small horn slowly protruded from his forehead. His cultivation also advanced further, stepping directly into the high tier of the seventh rank.


    With his current strength, even if he faced experts on the Earth Tiger Ranking, he would be able to put up a fight!


    Xiao Yi handed over the ''Dragon and Snake Nine Transformations'' Cultivation Technique to Little Lin, "See if you can cultivate this technique?"


    "Dragon and Snake Nine Transformations? Boss, this is practically tailor-made for me, hahaha��" Little Lin laughed excitedly.


    Xiao Yi gave him a look and said, "List all the materials needed to nurture the spirit of longevity for me later. It just so happens I''ve earned a good amount of sea crystals recently, so I can start collecting some at the Riotous Sea domain!"


    "Okay!"


    Little Lin nodded.


    And then...


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin left the Treasure Pavilion.


    Huang Feihu approached with a smile, "Xiao Yi, congratulations!"


    "Hahaha, Mr. Huang, you flatter me!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and then said, "Mr. Huang, since this place is almost emptied, we should also head back. May I borrow your esteemed place for some time to go into seclusion? Also, I need to find some things; rest assured, I won''t have you exert effort for nothing, and I''ll pay every penny that''s due!"


    "No problem!"


    Huang Feihu, who was thinking of getting closer to Xiao Yi, naturally couldn''t ask for more, "Then let''s head back right away!"


    The group promptly left the Star Pavilion.


    Along the way, they picked up Ying and headed towards the Huang Family''s residence.


    However...


    Xiao Yi could never have imagined that this trip to the Huang Family would cause him to encounter an incredibly troublesome person...


    PS: Haha, I saw that many brothers were guessing what the third stone platform''s treasure was, with some guessing it was the spirit of longevity. I guess that''s half right! Xiao Yi laughs boldly: Getting the spirit of longevity counts for what? I can break the monopoly of the holy lands and create my own spirit of longevity...

 Chapter 636 - 635: Xiao Yi, Youre Mine Now!【Twelfth Update】

    The Huang Family.


    The island they lived on was also exceedingly vast, merely a bit smaller than the island of the Sha Family.


    The entire island was like a city, with a large population and thriving commerce.


    The Huang Family, too, was a prosperous clan.


    Especially now...


    With top warriors and elites of the Sha Family, the Li Family, and the Hai Family all wiped out, the Huang Family became the most intact in strength. All that was needed was for Huang Feihu to proceed cautiously and steadily, and he could become the most powerful overlord in the tumultuous sea region.


    The arrival of Xiao Yi and his party also busied the Huang Family up and down.


    This was a ruthless man who had the power to annihilate the Sha Family, the Li Family, the Hai Family, Three Blade Mountain, and the Shark Pirate Group all on his own.


    As long as they could forge a relationship with Xiao Yi,


    No one would dare to provoke the Huang Family in the future.


    That night.


    Huang Feihu specially set up a banquet to welcome and refresh Xiao Yi and his two companions.


    After all, as their guest, and considering Xiao Yi''s desire to cultivate the spirit of longevity, he needed to purchase a vast amount of Spirit Veins, treasures, and more. All these had to be procured through the Huang Family, so naturally, they could not afford to snub his face.


    This was why he agreed to attend the banquet.


    At the dinner.


    Many distinguished guests filled the room, and the atmosphere was jubilant.


    Round about Xiao Yi there were always women vying for attention. Whether it was the Huang Family, or the leading forces, families, and firms from within the city, they all brought their daughters to the dinner, coquetting and dancing, all in hopes of catching Xiao Yi''s eye.


    Even if just for a night of pleasure.


    Afterward, they could claim the allegiance to Xiao Yi.


    However...


    Xiao Yi had absolutely no interest in these women.


    He could only excuse himself and retreat to a quiet spot in the courtyard for a while.


    "Xiao Yi!"


    A gentle voice came to his ears, and walking towards him was a handsome and extraordinary young man, more beautiful than Pan An. This was Huang Feihu''s youngest son, Huang Tianfang, whose talent for cultivation was by no means weak; at 26 or 27, he was close to Nirvana.


    Huang Tianfang approached Xiao Yi, and pointing to a spot beside him, asked, "May I sit here?"


    Xiao Yi smiled and nodded, "Of course!"


    He did not dislike this handsome and graceful young master of the Huang Family.


    The reason he had managed to escape earlier was thanks to Huang Tianfang''s help.


    Otherwise...


    He would still be in the midst of those women!


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Why have you come out too?"


    "I don''t like staying with them. I prefer the company of strong, masculine men!" While speaking, Huang Tianfang''s watery eyes were fixed on Xiao Yi, and his face turned unconsciously red.


    "..."


    Under Huang Tianfang''s intense gaze, Xiao Yi couldn''t help but shiver all over.


    Damn!


    Why does it feel so chilly in the middle of summer?


    Xiao Yi touched his nose and instinctively moved a little further from Huang Tianfang, but Huang Tianfang followed suit, closing the distance between them once more. Only then did Xiao Yi notice the faint fragrance on him, a scent usually found on women.


    It was rather disconcerting to find it on a man, and it made Xiao Yi uncomfortable. Clearing his throat, he said, "Well... it seems Mr. Huang is calling for me!"


    Whoosh!


    Huang Tianfang swiftly moved to block Xiao Yi, spreading his arms wide, his gaze burning as he looked at him. His crimson tongue flicked out, lightly licking the corner of his mouth. With a longing expression, he said, "Why are you avoiding me? Xiao Yi, I... I''ve liked you since the moment I saw you. Can we... be together?"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi was utterly discomposed and responded, "Please, you''re a man..."


    "Don''t mind those details. Whatever those women have, I can also provide, and what they lack, I can provide too. Really, if you just agree to be with me, I am willing to give up the whole world for you, willing to change... to become the one you like the most!" Huang Tianfang persisted, closing in step by step.


    Even when facing super-powerful beings from the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, Xiao Yi never cowered.


    But today...


    Faced with the fiery gaze of Huang Tianfang, who looked as though he was about to devour him, he chickened out.


    Xiao Yi said with a wry smile, "Huang Tianfang, what on earth do you like about me? Isn''t it enough that I changed?"


    Huang Tianfang threw a coquettish glance at Xiao Yi, "I like that you''re alive!"


    Xiao Yi, "..."


    "Xiao Yi, just say yes to me, please!" Huang Tianfang, feigning a delicate air, sent a flirtatious blink Xiao Yi''s way.


    Ball his fists, Xiao Yi struggled to restrain the urge to punch him flying and took a deep breath, "Huang Tianfang, please keep your distance from me in the future. If this continues, I can''t guarantee I won''t kill you!"


    "No, even if it means death, I want to be with you. Xiao Yi..." Huang Tianfang opened his arms, and went in for a hug.


    "Fuck!"


    Xiao Yi couldn''t hold back anymore, and with a slap, he sent Huang Tianfang flying. S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a face as dark as coal, he headed towards the hall.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s somber visage, Huang Feihu wondered who had the misfortune of provoking this devil and quickly approached him, "Xiao Yi, what''s wrong?"


    Taking a deep breath, although disgusted by Huang Tianfang, Xiao Yi knew Huang Feihu had always treated him well, he replied, "Mr. Huang, is the cultivation chamber you promised me ready?"


    "It''s been prepared. Are you wanting to go there now?" Huang Feihu asked with confusion.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Have someone take me there, please!"


    "Alright!"


    Huang Feihu nodded and summoned the butler to lead Xiao Yi away.


    Just as...


    As he was about to leave the banquet hall, a shrill voice cried out from behind him, "Xiao Yi, you''re mine! No one can take you away from me..."


    "..."


    Xiao Yi stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.


    His face darkened, he urged the butler to hurry and take him away.


    Inside the banquet hall.


    All eyes were wide with surprise.


    The whole city knew of the little princess of the Huang Family''s penchant for men.


    But they never expected Huang Tianfang to be so brazen.


    To confess to Xiao Yi in public?


    A mouthful of strong liquor sprayed from Huang Feihu''s mouth, his face as red as his ears, he glared at Huang Tianfang, sorrowfully and furiously bellowing, "Rebellious child, rebellious child..."


    ...��


    Inside the cultivation chamber.


    Xiao Yi sat crossed-legged, taking out the golden plate of "All Paths as One."


    "According to ''All Paths as One,'' one must cultivate all nine diagrams of the Heaven-reaching Divine Record, Heaven-reaching Physical Record, and Heaven-reaching Skill Record to their utmost limits before one can truly advance to the Nirvana Realm," he mused.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes gleamed, "Although I can''t immediately step into the Nirvana Realm in terms of cultivation level, each diagram I cultivate is like experiencing a Nirvana. Once I cultivate all of them to their limits, then my state will be that of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, and once I enter Nirvana, it will be at the Nirvana Peak!"


    Ordinary Spiritual Nirvana requires vast amounts of time and effort to accumulate and enhance spiritual power.


    Thus, undergoing Nirvana slowly, time after time.


    That means one must endure nine Nirvana Heart Tribulations.


    Yet, the "All Paths as One" that Xiao Yi was practicing only required one to perfect all three records at once, and then surpass the strongest Nirvana Heavenly Tribulation in one go!


    Although he had fewer tribulations, this did not lessen the enhancement of his strength!


    Others could only undergo Nirvana up to nine times.


    He, by following three paths, would experience the equivalent of twenty-seven Nirvanas, plus the empowerment of the strongest Nirvana Heavenly Tribulation was akin to twenty-eight Nirvanas. That is the heaven-defying nature of "All Paths as One"!


    It not only allows one to walk three paths simultaneously!


    But also to far exceed those of the same realm.


    Having already cultivated the sixth diagram of both the Heaven-reaching Divine Record and the Heaven-reaching Physical Record, which equates to experiencing six rounds of Spiritual Nirvana and six rounds of Physical Nirvana, Xiao Yi could slaughter any common practitioner of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm as easily as slaughtering pigs and dogs. "There are ten days left before the one-month deadline, Xiao Tianjiao. Ten days from now, it will be our decisive battle!"

 Chapter 637 - 636 Sword Dynasty - Annihilation! 【Thirteenth Update】

    Southern State, northern part.


    In the void, a massive qionglou flying boat sped through, cutting the wind.


    This entirely snow-white qionglou flying boat, wherever it passed, day or night, spring or autumn, it always snowed. The pure white snow fluttered down, not melting upon contact with water, not thickening with the wind or dissolving in fire��quite mystical.


    On the deck.


    A beautiful young woman dressed in a white gown, with hair like a waterfall and delicate features like those of a painted lady, stared blankly ahead: "Southern State, I have returned! Xiao Yi, how have you been?"


    This young lady was none other than Fang Qingzhu, who had been taken to Baiyu.


    "Your Highness, you left the holy land to journey millions of miles to come to this Southern State, what is it for exactly?" Next to her, a charming maid asked curiously.


    Fang Qingzhu smiled faintly, her eyes forming crescents: "You''ll naturally understand once we arrive!"


    The maid acknowledged with an "Oh," and from her pocket, she took out a large piece of meat and threw it directly into her mouth.


    With a gulping sound, she swallowed it down.


    Fang Qingzhu felt a sense of helplessness, her slender jade finger tapping on the maid''s prominent qiong nose as she said helplessly, "You glutton, if you keep eating like this, what will you do if you get fat and no one wants you?"


    "If no one wants me, I''ll just stay with Your Highness forever!" the maid said with a grin.


    "You, oh you!"


    Fang Qingzhu helplessly shook her head, then said, "Once we arrive, I''ll introduce a little friend to you, he''s from your clan too!"


    "From our clan? Humph, I am the noble Snow Spirit Serpent Emperor, and not just anyone qualifies to be my friend!" The maid huffed, her head tilted up slightly with a haughty expression.


    "You, oh you��"


    Fang Qingzhu wore a helpless expression as she gazed ahead, where the clouds in the sky seemed to meld into the silhouette of that youth, her lips curling into a serene smile.


    At this moment, what Fang Qingzhu didn''t realize was...


    Within the qionglou flying boat, a pair of turbid eyes was fixated on them, overhearing their conversation clearly.


    Once that person left,


    An icy "murder" character was faintly visible on the railing!


    ...


    The capital of the Sword Dynasty.


    A new emperor had yet to be selected, so the Sword Dynasty''s affairs were personally overseen by the Sword Martial Emperor these days.


    "Your Majesty, someone has spread the news of the land in the south being ceded to Xiao Yi, and now there is a high level of resistance among the people, difficult to suppress..."


    "Over ten cities have reported that the defenders are openly rebelling..."


    "Your Majesty..."


    Listening to his ministers reporting recent disturbances within the Sword Dynasty, the Sword Martial Emperor had a grim expression.


    He had not anticipated someone would leak the secret of the land concession, causing such chaos within the Sword Dynasty, nor had he imagined that the once loyal city lords would be the first to rebel.


    With eyes as sharp as lightning, the Sword Martial Emperor coldly ordered, "Send out the decree, show no mercy to the rebels! Also, notify the whole country that I, the Sword Martial Emperor, am still alive, and it''s not up to those petty clowns to play tricks. If, after three days, there are still those who do not heed the royal decree, I will personally visit and exterminate their entire clan!"


    "Yes!"


    "Your Majesty is wise..."


    The court officials bowed respectfully en masse.


    Jian Wu was stoic, about to dismiss the assembly with a wave of his hand, when a flustered guard rushed in from outside, "Your Majesty, terrible news, something terrible has happened..."


    "What form is this, yelling and screaming in the Golden Throne Hall? What exactly has happened? Speak slowly!" The Sword Martial Emperor huffed, calming the guard a bit before inquiring further.


    The guard''s face was filled with panic, his voice trembling as he said, "Em�CEmperor, suddenly ten flying boats appeared in the sky above the capital, and when the city defense forces went to negotiate, they were all bombed to death. They''re demanding Your Majesty to go meet them personally..."


    "What?"


    "Flying boats? Could it be people from the Nantian Dynasty?"


    The court officials were visibly astonished.


    The Sword Martial Emperor''s expression shifted slightly; if it were people from the Nantian Dynasty, they would assuredly be from the Supervisory Office.


    Being of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, he was already a conscript of the Nantian Dynasty.


    He had once fooled the Supervisory Office with a feigned death, and now, having revealed himself several times, the Sword Martial Emperor took a deep breath and said gravely, "Good fortune if it''s not misfortune, but if it is, there''s no avoiding it. You all stay here, I will meet them..."


    None of the officials dissuaded him.


    After all, that was the Nantian Dynasty, the most potent overlord of Southern State.


    Who would dare defy them? S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Sword Martial Emperor took to the skies and arrived above the outskirts of the imperial city, looking at the ten immense flying boats from a distance, his heart chilling. At the same time, he felt a sense of inevitability and indignation. While they still used magical beasts as mounts, the Nantian Dynasty traveled in flying boats crafted from primeval weaponry.


    The disparity was as vast as that between heaven and earth!


    At this moment...


    Within the Imperial Capital, countless civilians gathered, looking up at the ten massive Flying Boats.


    These were indeed rare colossal sights.


    "Look, isn''t that His Majesty, the Sword Martial Emperor?"


    "Could these be the allies His Majesty has invited? Are they going to help us attack the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    The masses observed the ten Flying Boats with curiosity and excitement.


    The Sword Martial Emperor approached the Flying Boats and said respectfully, "Sword Martial Emperor of the Sword Dynasty, at your service. May I know which envoy has graced us with their presence this time?"


    "Sword Martial Emperor, do you recognize me?" came a cold voice.


    A red carpet unfurled and stretched out from within the Flying Boat.


    A middle-aged man dressed in armor stepped onto the carpet and approached the Sword Martial Emperor. This man bore a resemblance to Ye Beixuan; he was indeed Ye Beixuan''s father, Ye Xiaofeng, the Surveillance Deputy Director of the Nantian Dynasty!


    "Ye, Deputy Director Ye?"


    The Sword Martial Emperor''s face suddenly changed.


    If there were people whom the rulers of the kingdoms under the Nantian Dynasty feared the most, the man before them would surely be on the list!


    The iron-faced Yama, Surveillance Deputy Director Ye Xiaofeng!


    "It seems your memory isn''t that bad..."


    Ye Xiaofeng, with a smile, walked on air. As he moved, the red carpet beneath his feet shifted and circled around the Sword Martial Emperor. While walking, he spoke, "Then how come you can''t remember that those in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm should stay within the dynasty? How come you can''t remember that you, as a pledged servant of our dynasty, were supposed to protect my son to the death when he was cruelly mistreated by Xiao Yi of the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    Ye Xiaofeng now stood in front of the Sword Martial Emperor.


    They locked eyes.


    The Sword Martial Emperor was already drenched in cold sweat; within moments his clothes were completely soaked.


    Both being of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, the gap between the two was as vast as the difference between heaven and earth.


    The Sword Martial Emperor trembled slightly and said, "Deputy Director Ye, please see the truth, that Xiao Yi was simply too strong. Even I was no match for him and truly unable to intervene. As for my failure to return to the dynasty, that was really because..."


    "Enough! Enough!"


    Ye Xiaofeng, still smiling, interrupted him and took out a white handkerchief to gently wipe the sweat from his forehead, saying, "No need to be so nervous, we''re just old friends having a chat!"


    "Th-thank you, Deputy Director Ye..." The Sword Martial Emperor, anxious, took the handkerchief and wiped his forehead.


    However...


    At that moment.


    A cold light flickered in Ye Xiaofeng''s eyes, and with a flick of his finger, the red carpet suddenly tightened around the Sword Martial Emperor.


    Whoosh!


    The red carpet wrapped tightly around the Sword Martial Emperor.


    "Please... mercy, Deputy Director Ye, have mercy..." The Sword Martial Emperor, with a face filled with fear and despair, yelled out for mercy.


    Ye Xiaofeng squinted and said, "How can I spare you when you have violated the laws of the dynasty?"


    Whoosh!


    Ye Xiaofeng soared into the air, his expression cold as he looked down at the imperial capital of the Sword Dynasty, his voice reaching everyone''s ears: "Let all those of the Sword Dynasty hear this, the Sword Martial Emperor has disrespected the laws of the dynasty, and I, the Deputy Director, am ordered to eradicate the Sword Dynasty..."


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    Hum!


    Ye Xiaofeng flicked his finger, and a spark of cold light, like a spark, drifted down into the imperial capital.


    What followed...


    That single spark-like flame erupted with a loud boom.


    The entire imperial capital was instantly engulfed in a sea of fire.


    "Save me..."


    "I don''t want to die..."


    Cries of agony, despairing howls instantly swallowed by the inferno, the Sword Martial Emperor''s eyes bulged with fury, as Ye Xiaofeng, expressionless, watched him: "You, go join them!"


    Spurt!


    A point of cold light decapitated the Sword Martial Emperor.


    The vast imperial capital of the Sword Dynasty, the powerful ruler in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, the Sword Martial Emperor, did not withstand a single move against Ye Xiaofeng.


    Ye Xiaofeng''s gaze swept across, landing on one of the Flying Boats, his mouth twisted into a smile: "I hear your brother is quite strong!"


    The Flying Boat remained silent for a moment.


    A detached voice slowly responded: "My brother? Is he even worthy?"


    PS: Xiao Yi and Xiao Tianjiao are about to meet! Are you all looking forward to it? If you are, hit 1111 in the comment section.

 Chapter 638 - 637: Nations Gather to Destroy Great Qian!

    "My brother? He too has it?" sea??h th�� N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The cold and indifferent voice carried not a hint of emotion, stating flatly, "Ye, I hope you won''t make such jokes in the future; otherwise, I wouldn''t mind killing you!"


    "You..."


    Ye Xiaofeng''s pupils shrank slightly, a trace of chilliness passing through the depths of his eyes.


    He was, after all, the esteemed Vice Director of the Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate.


    He was also an existence of the Half-step Longevity Secret Realm.


    Just one step away from fusing with the spirit of longevity, he could step into the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Within the Nantian Dynasty.


    Even the emperor would grant him a measure of courtesy, yet Tianjiao aboard the flying boat did not give him the slightest face. Had it been someone else daring to speak to him in such a manner, Ye Xiaofeng would have made a move to kill them long ago.


    At the very least, he would have beaten them severely and sent them to the Inspectorate''s prison to be punished to the fullest extent.


    However...


    In the face of Tianjiao, he dared not do so.


    The youngest True Disciple of the Nantian Holy Institute, a favored son of heaven who climbed the Heavenly Dragon Ranking faster than anyone in Nantian Dynasty''s history.


    Such an individual, even he did not dare to offend.


    Ye Xiaofeng took a deep breath to calm the rage in his heart and said in a deep voice, "Tianjiao, in half a day we will arrive in the Great Qian Dynasty. This is your motherland, do you have any suggestions?"


    Tianjiao''s detached voice came through, "Do you think a golden dragon, once transformed, cares whether the puddle of its past has dried up?"


    "I understand. In that case, I will not hold back!"


    Ye Xiaofeng cracked a smile, an extremely cold look flickering in his eyes.


    He had high hopes for Ye Beixuan.


    He hoped that Ye Beixuan would climb the Heavenly Dragon Ranking and become a True Disciple of the Nantian Holy Institute.


    However...


    Ye Beixuan suffered a crushing defeat in the Great Qian Dynasty at the hands of Xiao Yi, sustaining serious injuries that affected his core. All this had completely ruined Ye Beixuan''s life, with no hope left of becoming a True Disciple of the Holy Institute.


    Xiao Yi had almost singlehandedly destroyed Ye Xiaofeng''s lifelong hope.


    Ye Xiaofeng was one to hold a grudge, which was why he personally destroyed the Sword Dynasty''s capital and killed the Sword Martial Emperor.


    Therefore, he naturally would not let the Great Qian Dynasty off the hook.


    He had hesitations before, worried that Tianjiao might harbor some sentiment for his homeland, making it difficult to act too excessively. Now, having received Tianjiao''s reply, Ye Xiaofeng breathed a sigh of relief and finally could act with impunity.


    With this thought.


    Ye Xiaofeng snapped his fingers, and immediately, over a hundred strong Inspectorate enforcers appeared before him, saying respectfully, "Vice Director!"


    Ye Xiaofeng nodded and spoke with a stern face, "Issue my Inspectorate''s command to all nations: the Great Qian Dynasty has gone rogue, seeking to rebel against the dynasty''s rule. Command all nations under the Nantian Dynasty, regardless of dynasty or kingdom, to exert their full national strength and eradicate the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Yes!"


    Over a hundred strong enforcers dispersed immediately.


    Ye Xiaofeng looked up toward the south, the corners of his mouth slightly curved upward in a sinister cold smile, "All nations gathered to destroy Great Qian, what a grand spectacle. Since it''s a grand spectacle, it should be played out slowly, savored slowly..."


    ...��


    Tianqing Kingdom.


    Within the palace.


    A black-clothed enforcer of the Inspectorate said coldly, "Inspectorate''s command: the Great Qian Dynasty has acted perversely, committing treason against the empire. It is decreed that all nations subordinate to the dynasty levy their armies and encircle Great Qian!"


    "Jiang Tai accepts the command!"


    The increasingly mature Jiang Tai accepted the order respectfully. After the man left, he overturned the table in front of him with a bang.


    The august Jiang Tai had eyes filled with extreme coldness as he roared, "Nantian Dynasty, you''ve gone too far!" After a pause, Jiang Tai issued an order, "Someone, gather the troops for me, we''re going to the Great Qian Dynasty to protect the emperor!"


    At the same time.


    ```


    The numerous kingdoms and dynasties surrounding the Great Qian Dynasty had all received orders from the Office of Imperial Oversight.


    Some were gloating over the misfortune, some planned to loot amidst the chaos, while others simply wanted to get it over with...


    Overall,


    the entire Southern State began to stir, especially the countries around the Great Qian Dynasty, which were mobilizing troops and heading towards the borders of the Great Qian Dynasty. Suddenly, the Great Qian Dynasty found itself surrounded by enemies on all sides, facing betrayal everywhere.


    Great Qian Dynasty, the Imperial Capital.


    Regent Crown Prince Yang Ling sat in his study, looking at urgent reports from the border with an increasingly troubled expression, his eyes bloodshot.


    He hadn''t slept for two whole days and nights.


    "Your Highness, you really should rest for a bit," said Qi, the Eunuch, with concern.


    "Rest? How can I rest now? The moment I close my eyes, I see the people of my Great Qian Dynasty suffering, smoke from battlefields everywhere, and the people struggling to survive..." said Yang Ling as he roughly rubbed his face, speaking in agony.


    Qi sighed, "Has there been any word from His Majesty?"


    "Father is attempting the Nine Nirvana Reincarnations, with three of our ancestors protecting him. I''ve already sent word to Uncle Emperor, but I don''t know when he''ll arrive..."


    Yang Ling shook his head helplessly, then asked, "Is there any news from Xiao Zhenguo?"


    Qi gave a bitter smile, "Xiao Zhenguo has gone to the turbulent sea areas, and Beast Emperor City just sent back word that he hasn''t returned..."


    "Ah... It''s probably for the best that he hasn''t come back!"


    Yang Ling gave a wry smile, "If he returns and falls into Ye Xiaofeng''s hands, then our Great Qian Dynasty would truly be finished. Qi, I have a letter written in my own hand here. You must take it to Beast Emperor City, and hand it over to Xiao Zhenguo the moment you see him!"


    "Your Highness, this is..." Qi expressed his worry.


    Yang Ling waved his hand dismissively, "The king dies for his state, the emperor guards the gates. As the Regent Crown Prince, I share my destiny with the state and the people, how could I flee the battle? Go quickly, Xiao Zhenguo is the only hope for the Great Qian Dynasty, you must deliver the letter to him!"


    "Yes!"


    With clenched teeth, Qi broke through the air and departed.


    A little while later,


    a figure walked in from outside the door, it was Yang Yuhuan, clad in military armor.


    The military deity of the Great Qian Dynasty!


    The Unparalleled War King!


    "Uncle Emperor?"


    Yang Ling was startled, and he hastily went forward, "Has Father emerged from seclusion?"


    "No, His Majesty is still in retreat attempting the Nine Nirvana Reincarnations, with all three ancestors protecting him, unable to leave." Yang Yuhuan shook his head, his gaze towards Yang Ling filled with a hint of gratification, "Yang Ling, Uncle Emperor once made a mistake in supporting your older brother. Now it seems your father had a more discerning eye after all; you are indeed the best candidate to be Emperor! Your strategies in these recent days, even I could not find a single flaw."


    "I''m just making the best of a bad situation," said Yang Ling with a bitter smile.


    Yang Yuhuan chuckled, saying, "Remember Yang Ling, even in death, the men of the Yang Family will never abandon their people."


    "Yes, Yang Ling has taken note!" Yang Ling nodded vehemently, then realized that these words sounded like final instructions, and said with a frown, "Uncle Emperor, are you planning to..."


    Yang Yuhuan took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, "This time, the Nantian Dynasty has mobilized a great force, and someone must step forward to quell their anger. Xiao Zhenguo is the hope of the Great Qian Dynasty; he cannot come to any harm. Let me go and appease the anger of the Nantian Dynasty!"


    "What? Uncle Emperor, you can''t! Xiao Zhenguo has warned against you going to your death in vain!" Yang Ling''s face changed dramatically, and he quickly tried to dissuade him.


    But Yang Yuhuan had already made up his mind, "No need to persuade me further, going to my death as the Unparalleled War King should be enough to quell their anger. Yang Ling, be a good emperor!"


    "Uncle Emperor, no..."


    Yang Ling bellowed in desperation.


    But being new to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, how could he stop Yang Yuhuan?


    Whoosh!


    Yang Yuhuan, alone, hurried towards the border...


    ```

 Chapter 639 - 638 Great Qian Crisis [15th Update]

    ```


    Northern Bing City.


    As the northern border of the Great Qian Dynasty, this place had now become the encampment for people like Ye Xiaofeng.


    They had arrived with just ten Flying Boats.


    A total of a few thousand men.


    But now...


    With just one surveillance decree, solely the Northern Bing City at the northern border had already gathered an army exceeding five million. Moreover, other dynasties and kingdoms were attacking from the west, south, and east of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    These armies hadn''t gathered in Northern Bing City.


    Inside the City Lord''s Mansion.


    Ye Xiaofeng sat on the main seat, expressionless, with two enchanting women on each side massaging his shoulders and beating his legs.


    All four of these women were princesses sent by various countries, each one as beautiful as a flower.


    Beneath him, on both his left and right, stood a lineup of kings and emperors with fawning faces.


    These emperors, who once towered above all, controlling the life and death of billions of subjects, were now like groveling old servants before Ye Xiaofeng; bowing and scraping with faces full of flattery.


    "Lift your heads!"


    Ye Xiaofeng looked at the woman on his left massaging his leg. Her figure was lithe, exquisitely beautiful, but somewhat demure. She timidly recoiled her neck from Ye Xiaofeng''s approaching hand.


    That mere shrinking of the neck caused the corners of Ye Xiaofeng''s mouth to turn up slightly, with a trace of a cruel smile.


    Thump!


    A palm shot out.


    Directly crushing the princess''s neck and tossing the body aside.


    "My daughter..."


    The king of the Four Clouds Kingdom''s pupils contracted��this was his most beloved daughter! S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Xiaofeng coldly glanced at him, "Deputy Chief Ye killed your daughter, does that pain you?"


    "No, no, definitely not!"


    The king of Four Clouds Kingdom''s heart bled, but he shook his head saying, "My daughter was out of line and offended the Deputy Chief. This was her deserved end!"


    "Not daring? So you''re saying you actually still feel a lot of pain and really hate me now, eh?" Ye Xiaofeng narrowed his eyes.


    The king of Four Clouds Kingdom trembled all over and fell to his knees with a thud, "Deputy Chief, spare my life, I harbor no such thoughts..."


    "Since you don''t mean it, then I''ll spare you. You may leave!" Ye Xiaofeng waved his hand dismissively.


    "Thank you, Deputy Chief, thank you..."


    The king of Four Clouds Kingdom, with trembling hands, picked up his daughter''s corpse and walked outside.


    Ye Xiaofeng plucked a single hair from another woman''s head beside him, the corners of his mouth turning up as he flicked his finger. Whoosh! The hair became as sharp as a sword and directly pierced through the king of Four Clouds Kingdom''s head.


    Thud!


    The corpses of the king of Four Clouds Kingdom and his daughter fell to the ground.


    Ye Xiaofeng clapped his hands, and the surrounding kings rushed forward, vying with each other, "Deputy Chief, I will remove these unsightly things right away..."


    "Don''t fight with me over this!"


    "Damn it, let me carry it..."


    Several kings, in an attempt to please Ye Xiaofeng, had actually started to fight over the task.


    Ye Xiaofeng laughed heartily.


    A powerful official from the surveillance office walked in from outside, speaking respectfully, "Deputy Chief, the unparalleled War God of the Great Qian Dynasty, Yang Yuhuan, requests an audience!"


    "Hmm?"


    Ye Xiaofeng narrowed his eyes.


    One of the kings immediately said, "Deputy Chief, this Yang Yuhuan is known as the War God of the Great Qian Dynasty. His visit this time is likely with ill intent; you must be cautious!"


    "What are you implying? Do you think a mere Yang Yuhuan can harm the Deputy Chief?" another king questioned.


    "I... I didn''t mean that... Deputy Chief..."


    "Enough!"


    Ye Xiaofeng waved his hand dismissively and stared expressionlessly at the surveillance official, "Let him in!"


    ```


    A moment later.


    Yang Yuhuan, dressed in military attire, strode in with meticulous grace, his gaze fixed on Ye Xiaofeng seated at the head of the room. He clasped his hands towards him and said in a clear voice, "Yang Yuhuan, pays his respects to Deputy Director Ye!"


    "Hm?"


    The smile at the corner of Ye Xiaofeng''s mouth faded in an apologetic manner.


    What he disliked most was the addition of the word "deputy" before his title.


    Several emperors nearby, astute in observing the situation, hastily berated, "How dare you, Yang Yuhuan, not kneel before Director Ye!"


    "It looks like you really want to rebel!"


    Facing the rebuke of several people.


    Yang Yuhuan''s face was expressionless, and he remained silent.


    Ye Xiaofeng waved his hand and leaned slightly forward, squinting as he sized up Yang Yuhuan: "Yang Yuhuan, what brings you to this director?"


    Yang Yuhuan said in a grave voice, "Today, Yang comes here to request punishment for his trespasses. The dangers faced by Deputy Director Ye''s son in the Great Qian Dynasty were all my fault. Yang is willing to appease the wrath of the Nantian Dynasty with his head!"


    Thump!


    Yang Yuhuan took off his helmet and walked generously to his death.


    Ye Xiaofeng raised his eyebrows, a thick sneer on his lips, "The life of a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm expert is indeed valuable. However, just killing you would hardly quench the hatred in my heart!"


    Yang Yuhuan felt a surge of hope, thinking there might still be a chance. He immediately said with a grave voice, "Please speak candidly, Deputy Director Ye. Even if it means climbing a mountain of swords or plunging into a sea of flames, I would not even frown."


    "If that''s the case, then strip naked and run ten laps outside the city at the military camp, and maybe this director might feel appeased!" Ye Xiaofeng said somberly.


    One of the kings said, "Director, I think merely running won''t do; he should carry a sign. Otherwise, no one will know who he is!"


    "Very well, that''s an excellent suggestion!"


    Ye Xiaofeng clapped his hands in approval, smiling as he looked at Yang Yuhuan, "Yang Yuhuan, what do you think?"


    Whoosh!


    Yang Yuhuan let out a long breath, his teeth clenched as he said, "Good!"


    A moment later.


    Yang Yuhuan, stripped bare, carried a large flag inscribed with "War God Yang Yuhuan of the Great Qian Dynasty was here" and sprinted around the military camp outside the city, surrounded by an army of five million soldiers. All at once, the five million soldiers rushed out to catch a glimpse of the spectacle: "Hahaha, this is the War God of the Great Qian Dynasty? I''m dying of laughter..."


    "The Great Qian Dynasty''s luck has run out; even their royal prince is streaking here..."


    Jeers after jeers reached Yang Yuhuan''s ears, filling him with grief and indignation.


    But he had no other choice.


    For the sake of the Great Qian Dynasty, for the sake of billions of commoners, he had to bear it and carry on.


    One lap.


    Two laps.


    Three laps��


    After a full ten laps, Yang Yuhuan returned to the city lord''s mansion: "Deputy Director Ye, Yang Yuhuan has completed the ten laps as you directed. I beseech you to retract your order!"


    However...


    It was not Ye Xiaofeng he waited for.


    Instead, it was the king who had suggested he carry the flag and streak, stepping out with a smirk of smug satisfaction, looking at Yang Yuhuan with a gleeful smile, "Director Ye has already gone to rest. He asked me to tell you that the Great Qian Dynasty, who dares to rebel and disrespect the sovereign state, must be destroyed!"


    "What?"


    Yang Yuhuan''s body trembled, and he stumbled back three steps, his face turning pale as he spit out a mouthful of blood in utter grief, "Ye Xiaofeng, you goddamn tricked me..."


    "Audacious!"


    The King snorted coldly, "To insult Director Ye? Guards, take him and hang him in front of the army. Let this War God of the Great Qian Dynasty watch with his own eyes how our iron hooves will trample his Great Qian Dynasty to dust..."


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Several kings and emperors, along with the inspectors from the Supervision Office, took action simultaneously.


    Yang Yuhuan was captured in an instant, his acupoints sealed and his cultivation bound, and then nakedly hung in front of the army formation.


    Yang Yuhuan was filled with despair, "I have failed my ancestors..."


    PS: Fifteenth update completed. Tomorrow Xiao Yi will come out of seclusion. The content tomorrow will be even more exciting, so stay tuned! Haha, good night, everyone!

 Chapter 640 - 639: War Everywhere, Xiao Yi Returns!【The 16th Update】

    The next morning dawned clear.


    The day had just begun to brighten.


    In the Northern Bing City, an army of one million stood ready to depart. Ye Xiaofeng stood on the Flying Boat, looking at Yang Yuhuan, hung naked before the troops, a small smile on his lips as he waved his hand, "Depart!"


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The drums thundered, the bugles resounded continuously.


    The five million strong army marched magnificently toward the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Among these five million troops, there were over a thousand Nirvana Realm experts alone, and more than fifty thousand from the Dharma Manifestation Realm. They moved like an iron torrent. According to the Nantian Dynasty''s rules, Nirvana Realm experts were not allowed to participate in the wars.


    But now...


    They were following the call of the Nantian Dynasty. Not to mention Nirvana Realm experts, even kings and emperors who had undergone seven or eight reincarnations in the Nirvana Realm had collectively taken action.


    Even more so...


    They directly brought out the ancestors of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm from within their countries.


    Where the army passed, nothing grew, smoke from burning towns filled the land, corpses littered the fields, and rivers of blood flowed.


    This time the attack lacked any tactic or strategy��where they encountered mountains, they leveled them; where they encountered rivers, they cut through them. The Nirvana Realm experts acted without any restraint, shattering city walls with direct strikes, and the troops poured in like a flood.


    Kill them all.


    Burn everything.


    Plunder everything!


    For this five-million-strong army, it was a feast of gluttony.


    Without the bounds of rules, they acted without inhibition.


    Yang Yuhuan was forcibly placed at the very front of the formation, watching helplessly as the land he had defended with his life was trampled on, witnessing the civilians he had vowed to protect being brutalized and massacred. His eyes were about to split with rage, filled with heartbreaking agony.


    But he was powerless.


    He couldn''t even take his own life.


    All along the way...


    The army swept through everything, unstoppable!


    One urgent battle report after another was sent back to the capital.


    Inside the Golden Throne Hall, a hushed silence prevailed; all the ministers were afraid to even breathe heavily.


    The atmosphere was oppressively tense.


    "Report! Xingmen City has fallen, General Liu Fuhai died in battle!"


    "Report! Zuo Yao Pass has fallen, General Qin was torn apart by five horses��"


    "Report..."


    Bad news came one after another.


    This only made the atmosphere in the Golden Throne Hall even more somber and tense.


    Drip, drip!


    Drip, drip!


    The sound of cold sweat droplets hitting the floor echoed crisply.


    Suddenly...


    Yang Ling stood up.


    The assembly of ministers looked to him.


    During this time, as Regent Crown Prince, Yang Ling had managed the state affairs in an orderly manner, earning the trust of the ministers. He took a deep breath, his face slightly pale, "Issue the order, open the city gates, cease resistance..."


    "What?"


    "Your Highness, you must not..."


    The ministers encouraged in unison.


    Yang Ling, however, smiled bitterly and addressed the crowd, "You must not? Tell me, if we do not cease resistance, what other way is there to save those soldiers? To save those civilians?"


    "This..."


    "Your Highness..."


    The ministers were at a loss for words.


    Yang Ling shook his head, "Let those soldiers not die in vain, let the civilians remain unharmed, cease resistance!" He paused, then continued, "Furthermore, spread the order throughout the capital, those who wish to share the fate of the Great Qian Dynasty, take up arms and defend the capital to the death. Those unwilling, leave the capital within today, the farther the better!"


    The other cities were to give up resistance, to reduce unnecessary casualties.


    This was for the innocent civilians and the soldiers.


    To defend the capital.


    That was the duty and responsibility of the Regent Crown Prince, "The emperor''s duty is to guard the state''s gates; a king dies for his nation''s spirit." That was his final act of defiance.


    However...


    What Yang Ling didn''t expect was that, even after he ordered the cessation of resistance,


    The enemy still carried out the cruel "kill all, burn all, loot all" strategy, and the entire Great Qian Dynasty was engulfed in warfires.


    Looking at the capital...


    It was already evening.


    The final deadline had passed, but Yang Ling discovered that only about one-tenth of the vast capital had evacuated. The rest had chosen to stay. The soldiers donned their armor, civil officials picked up long-unused swords, and the civilians wielded poles, kitchen knives, and axes.


    All were gathered in the center of the city.


    Dressed in military attire, Yang Ling''s eyes were red with emotion. At his side were Ye Heng, Shadow Demon, and other strong fighters from the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Yang Ling looked at the countless civilians and troops in the city, his eyes ablaze with passion, "My friends, I, Yang Ling, on behalf of the Great Qian Dynasty, thank you!"


    "Your Highness, we share life and death with the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "At worst, we die once!"


    "A decapitated head leaves but a bowl-sized scar, if I leave now, even in the underworld my father would beat me to death..."


    "Let''s fight them!"


    "We still have Xiao Zhenguo..."


    "That''s right, Xiao Zhenguo will definitely come back!"


    Listening to the shouts of the civilians and soldiers, Yang Ling felt a fierce flame of battle burning within him. He thrust his longsword into the sky and let out a heroic howl, "Long live the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Long live the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Long live..."


    The entire imperial capital was roaring with sounds that shook the heavens.


    As time passed, armies from all directions were getting closer and closer to the imperial capital...


    At the same time... S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Outside Beast Emperor City.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Series of thunderous explosions spread between heaven and earth, causing chaotic storms and waves.


    Qi, severely wounded and bloodied, was desperately fleeing for his life ahead. Behind him, more than a hundred powerful individuals were in hot pursuit: "Stop!"


    "I cannot die, I must deliver the Prince''s letter to Xiao Yi, I cannot die..." Qi pushed himself to the limit, flying towards Beast Emperor City, but his injuries were too severe, and his consciousness began to blur.


    "He''s almost done for, catch him!" those hundred-strong pursuers laughed uproariously.


    However...


    Just as they were about to catch up with Qi, several figures suddenly appeared in the sky.


    The leader was none other than Huang Baitao.


    He recognized Qi immediately and ordered for him to be brought down while coldly addressing the hundred or so people in front of him, "This is Beast Emperor City territory. Trespassers will be killed without mercy!"


    "How dare you, Huang Baitao! We are on a mission from the Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate to hunt down the remnants of the Great Qian Dynasty, and you dare obstruct us?" one of the Dharma Manifestation Realm experts roared in anger.


    "Inspectorate?"


    Huang Baitao snorted coldly, "Tell the Nantian Dynasty''s royal family to convey that to me if they dare, and if you take one more step forward, there will be no mercy!"


    "I don''t believe you''ve got the nerve to kill us!"


    "Brothers, charge!"


    With an expressionless face, Huang Baitao icily commanded, "Kill them all!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The two sides immediately clashed into battle.


    Huang Baitao approached Qi and quickly applied his vital energy to stabilize his critical condition, "Qi, are you alright?"


    "Huang... Lord Huang, hurry... inform Xiao Zhenguo, the Nantian Dynasty is launching a major attack... the Great Qian Dynasty is in imminent peril... quick..." Qi coughed up blood violently and shakily produced a letter, "Give... give... give this letter to Xiao... Xiao... Xiao Zhenguo..."


    Qi''s body shook, and his hand weakly fell.


    "Lord, he''s dead..." a warrior from Beast Emperor City said.


    Huang Baitao took a deep breath, looking at the blood-stained letter in his hand with a gravity, "Immediately return to the city!"


    Back in Beast Emperor City.


    Huang Baitao immediately retrieved the communication token connected to the Huang Family, "Inform Xiao Yi, the Nantian Dynasty has launched a major invasion, the Great Qian Dynasty is in imminent peril, return quickly!"


    Meanwhile.


    In the Chaotic Sea, Huang Family.


    Inside a secret chamber.


    Xiao Yi was sitting cross-legged, with the Dharma Phantasm Devouring God Ant floating behind him, its spiritual light ebbing and flowing. Runes flowed around his body, and when he opened his eyes, countless runes retracted back into him.


    Whooosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of foul air that caused the void to tremble faintly.


    "Mastered the sixth depiction of the Tongtian God Body Technique Record, realm comparable to Six Nirvana Reincarnations. With my current strength, if I encounter someone as powerful as Ye Beixuan again, I could kill him with just a single hand."


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward, with all three major Nirvana Secret Techniques fully mastered, his combat power had increased by multiple folds.


    "It''s about time; time to go back!"


    Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yi rose to his full height, but as he stepped out of the secret room, he saw Huang Feihu looking at him with a worried expression.


    Xiao Yi frowned, "What has happened?"


    Huang Feihu spoke gravely, "Huang Baitao sent a message��the Nantian Dynasty has mounted a major attack on the Great Qian Dynasty, and the Great Qian Dynasty is in imminent peril!"


    "What? How did they come so quickly?"


    Xiao Yi''s expression turned grave as he stared at Huang Feihu, "Mr. Huang, I need a favor from you..."


    "You just say the word!"


    Huang Feihu said promptly.


    Cold light flickered in Xiao Yi''s eyes as a chill edge passed through, "Help me contact Ji Luanyue and Bai Fa Sword Emperor, and also help me issue a bounty. I am willing to offer a trillion sea crystals to gather a great army and head to the Great Qian Dynasty as quickly as possible..."


    "No problem!"


    Huang Feihu nodded firmly and immediately departed.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his fists clenched tightly, his gaze colder than ever, "Yang Ling, you must hold on! I''m coming back right away!"


    PS: Can''t sleep; my mind is full of the plot... so I wrote another chapter, the 16th update!

 Chapter 641 - 640 The Great Qian, Xiao Yi! [Seventeenth Update]

    In the past ten or so days, sea??h th�� nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the Huang Family took advantage of the moment when various major powers were damaged to engulf the territories of those forces with a sweeping momentum.


    Now only the Huang Family and Luan Yue Valley, two top forces, remain.


    Naturally, no one could stop the Huang Family.


    As for the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, after announcing his withdrawal from the Chaotic Seas, he had been recuperating in his own lair; after all, his attempt to show off that day by letting Xiao Yi strike him had cost him dearly.


    Reclining on a bed made of sea dragon hide,


    the Bai Fa Sword Emperor leisurely savored fine wine while browsing the rebellion bounty list, "The once number one, Su Wuxie, is dead, the Star Pavilion has been found, and I''ve been surpassed... Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, you truly are a monster!"


    "Boss, Boss..."


    A voice as loud as thunder suddenly came from outside the door.


    Followed by a series of pounding thuds.


    The door was directly kicked over.


    A figure that resembled a humanoid beast charged in swiftly and forcibly.


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor frowned and said, "Lei Long, when will you ever change this rash temperament of yours? I just replaced this door, and in a month you''ve knocked down three or four of them..."


    "Hehe, I''ll be careful next time, ha!"


    Lei Long laughed naively, scratching his head, then said, "Boss, didn''t you ask me to keep an eye on Xiao Yi? I just got word, Xiao Yi is offering a hundred billion sea crystals, calling for strong fighters to battle at Great Qian Dynasty. Aren''t you planning to wash your hands of this life of ours? The brothers are discussing, why not hit him one last time before we retire?"


    "A hundred billion sea crystals? Can he, Xiao Yi, really take it out?" Bai Fa Sword Emperor was startled.


    Lei Long nodded and said, "The people from the Huang Family said, Xiao Yi obtained countless treasures at Star Pavilion, worth up to a trillion sea crystals!"


    "Interesting!"


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor stroked his chin, smiling, "Tell the brothers to get ready. We''ll accompany him for a spin at the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Alright!"


    Lei Long left excitedly.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor squinted his eyes, drained the cup in one gulp, and murmured, "Xiao Yi... this is the perfect opportunity to see just how strong you really are!"


    Meanwhile,


    Ji Luanyue of Luan Yue Valley had also received the news. Now that he had absorbed the remains of the Three Blade Mountain and Shark Pirate Group forces, he was also formidable. As soon as he saw the reward of a hundred billion sea crystals, Ji Luanyue squinted his eyes and ordered, "Send the command, everyone to rush to Beast Emperor Island at top speed!"


    Besides these giants,


    countless Loose Cultivators and strong individuals were also converging towards Beast Emperor Island.


    All over the Chaotic Seas, countless ships appeared, breaking the waves at top speed. The ships in the Chaotic Seas were specially crafted, and their sailing speed was almost comparable to Flying Boats.


    Looking down from the sky...


    An endless expanse of sea could be seen, with a myriad of ships majestically making their way towards Beast Emperor City.


    Xiao Yi left Little Lin at the Huang Family.


    Under the tearful and reluctant gaze of Huang Tianfang, he steeled his heart and boarded the ship. On the dock, Huang Tianfang''s eyes were blurred with tears; waving the handkerchief in her hand, she shouted loudly, "Xiao Yi, be sure to stay safe. I will definitely come find you. In life, I am yours, in death, I will still be your ghost... Wuuu...


    Xiao Yi shuddered and went straight into the cabin.


    Half a day later,


    Xiao Yi and his comrades were the first to arrive at Beast Emperor City, where he saw Qi, who had already passed away.


    Huang Yuwei''s eyes were red with grief as she whispered, "He was hit by thirty-six arrows, suffered eighteen cuts, and twenty-seven sword wounds... When my father found him, he was already dead..."


    Huang Baitao patted Xiao Yi on the shoulder and handed him a letter, "He fought to the death to protect this, to give it to you!"


    Xiao Yi spread open the envelope.


    Inside was a handwritten letter from Yang Ling...


    In his mind''s eye, he saw Yang Ling, with a complex expression, writing under the dim candlelight, "Xiao Yi, I don''t know whether by the time you read this letter, I and the Great Qian Dynasty will still exist... I''m glad to have known you... Thank you for everything you''ve done for the Great Qian Dynasty... You are the hope of the Great Qian Dynasty, do not come back... do not come back..."


    Boom!


    The envelope in Xiao Yi''s hand suddenly burst into flames.


    He let the envelope burn in his palm, unmoved, his eyes a deep red, his teeth tightly clenched, "Fool, do you think this will stop me from returning? You can die as a king for your country, an emperor defends the gates. As a king appointed to stand shoulder to shoulder in defending the Great Qian Dynasty, can I simply stand by and watch? You idiot, you must hold on..."


    "Boss, Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Ji Luanyue, and Mr. Huang have sent messages separately. They will arrive at Beast Emperor City within the time it takes an incense stick to burn!" Little Lin suddenly spoke.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Tell them, no need to go through Beast Emperor City, head directly to the Great Qian Dynasty. Land at Linhai..."


    "Yes!"


    Little Lin immediately relayed the message.


    Xiao Yi then turned to Huang Baitao, "City Lord, I will go ahead first!"


    "Go ahead. I will meet up with the family head and the others here and come over together," Huang Baitao, knowing how much Xiao Yi cared about the safety of the Great Qian Dynasty, nodded in understanding.


    Xiao Yi, along with Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin, immediately tore through the sky and left.


    Not long after.


    They arrived outside Linhai.


    The sea at Linhai was engulfed by the heavens, the port closed off, already conquered and occupied by the Great Qin Dynasty''s forces. Great Qin Dynasty soldiers stationed above the port suddenly saw Xiao Yi and the others arriving through the sky and immediately sounded the war drums.


    Dong, dong, dong!


    Instantly.


    Hundreds of thousands of Great Qin Dynasty''s soldiers in Linhai charged out, glaring fiercely at Xiao Yi and the others.


    Whoosh!


    Three Nirvana Realm masters flew up into the sky, gazing at Xiao Yi and his companions.


    The general in the middle at the Fivefold Nirvana Realm narrowed his eyes, sizing up Xiao Yi and said coldly, "This place has been taken over by the Great Qin Dynasty. Where do you three come from and where are you headed? What are your surnames and names?"


    Xiao Yi ignored them.


    His gaze swept across Linhai.


    On the docks, inside the city walls.


    There were bodies and blood everywhere, with only the screams of women from the soldiers of the Great Qin Dynasty, not a single elderly or weak man was seen. And on the sea by the docks floated corpse after corpse, as if telling Xiao Yi that a brutal massacre had just taken place here not long ago.


    The Great Qin Dynasty general saw that Xiao Yi and the others were not speaking, his expression darkening by many shades, he said coldly, "If you don''t clarify your situation, don''t blame us for being inhospitable!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and looked at them, "You want to know my identity?"


    "That''s right!"


    "We are here on Nantian Dynasty''s orders to take command of this city, and henceforth, everyone passing through must make clear their identity, otherwise we have the right to execute them on the spot!"


    Facing the questioning of the three.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, and as he did, a violent wind surged through heaven and earth. The flag of the Great Qin Dynasty flying atop the city, fluttering loudly, was rooted out from the ground and burst open in the air.


    The faces of the soldiers of the Great Qin Dynasty turned pale as they stared fixedly at Xiao Yi.


    They saw Xiao Yi speak deliberately and emphatically, "I, Great Qian, Xiao Yi!"


    PS: The seventeenth update, okay, okay, really the last one now. My hands hurt, I want to sleep, good night!

 Chapter 642 - 641: Kill! [First Release]

    "I, Great Qian, Xiao Yi!"


    Xiao Yi looked at the Great Qin Dynasty soldiers before him with an icy expression.


    The bursting banners in the void shattered like colorful flower petals fluttering down, yet, at this moment, these falling banner fragments seemed to the eyes of the Great Qin Dynasty powerhouses more like falling joss paper.


    Gulp!


    The Nirvana Realm general swallowed hard.


    His eyes betrayed his shock.


    The name Xiao''s Doomed Kingdom, after the battle with the Sword Dynasty, had long since spread to the surrounding kingdoms.


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi, so what?"


    "We are acting on the orders of the Nantian Dynasty Inspection Division. If you dare to lay a hand on us, you will be making an enemy of the Inspection Division. Think carefully about it��"


    The three generals threatened, steeling themselves.


    "Inspection Division?"


    Xiao Yi stared at the three of them, his piercing gaze as if he saw right through them, and he chuckled coldly, "What about the Inspection Division? Do you think I''d fear them? But you did remind me of something, giving you a moment to tell the people from the Inspection Division!"


    "You, what the hell do you want to do?" the Great Qin Dynasty general stammered.


    Sensing the worry and unease in his heart, Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a slight smile, and the few words he uttered sent chills to their souls: "Tell them to wash their necks clean, I, Xiao Yi, have returned!"


    "You��"


    The men exchanged glances.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Seven breaths left!"


    "Six!"


    "Five��"


    With each number Xiao Yi counted, the complexions of the Great Qin Dynasty''s powerhouses turned one shade paler.


    These numbers were like a nightmare to them.


    Continuously pounding on their hearts.


    As the numbers dwindled, it was as if an invisible hand was gradually tightening its grip on their throats.


    Tighter and tighter.


    Making it harder for them to breathe.


    "You, don''t mess around, we have a full three hundred thousand troops stationed in Linhai city, you three alone cannot possibly shake us��" the Great Qin Dynasty general stated, resorting to his last bit of confidence.


    "Three hundred thousand men?"


    Xiao Yi smiled. He could sense the huge ships cleaving through the waves behind him, knowing that Huang Feihu and the Bai Fa Sword Emperor had arrived. His lips curved upwards, "What about three hundred thousand? Even if it were three million, I would still not hesitate to kill!"


    As his words fell.


    Boom!


    A thunderous sound of war drums came rolling over from the sea.


    One after another, massive objects appeared on the sea.


    Those were huge warships, a hundred times larger than even the largest battleship of the Great Qian Dynasty. These were the warships from the turbulent seas, where both the demons and speed far exceeded any ordinary battleships.


    After all��


    In those turbulent seas where storms and giant waves were a hundred times more terrifying than the Beast Emperor Sea.


    One.


    Ten.


    A hundred...


    Seeing nearly a thousand warships sailing forth, and with the formidable aura coming from those warships, the Great Qin Dynasty generals had already been scared out of their wits, collapsing to the ground: "That, that, those are warships from the turbulent seas��"


    "How could they appear here?"


    Their gazes uniformly turned towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, suspended in the void, his gaze calm yet icy. Behind him on the warships, one powerful figure after another stepped into the air, led by the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, who laughed heartily: "Xiao Yi, I''ve arrived!"


    "Xiao Yi, don''t forget the benefits you promised me!" Ji Luanyue said.


    Huang Feihu, the door god, added: "Xiao Yi, I, Huang Feihu, am here too!"


    A dark mass spread out.


    The entire sky was covered with countless powerhouses, like a cloud that blotted out the sun.


    These were all beings that had survived the survival of the fittest, blood-soaked environment of the turbulent seas, each one extremely fierce, their cold gazes fixed intently on the Great Qin Dynasty powerhouses before them.


    "Thank you all for coming to assist me. I will not go back on the benefits I promised you once this is done," Xiao Yi said calmly to everyone.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor nodded and replied, "We naturally trust you!"


    Huang Feihu, looking earnestly at Xiao Yi, said, "You have done a great favor for the Huang Family, how can I not repay it?"


    Ji Luanyue shrugged her shoulders. She was quite grateful to Xiao Yi as well, for if it were not for Xiao Yi''s direct or indirect annihilation of other forces, she would not have been able to turn Luan Yue Valley into the number one power in the turbulent seas.


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s subordinate, Lei Long, with a voice like thunder and his crimson tongue licking his lips, smiled and asked, "Boss Xiao Yi, these guys behind you are the enemies, right? How should we deal with them?"


    "..."


    The Great Qin Dynasty soldiers felt their hearts rise to their throats.


    Xiao Yi turned around to look at them, his eyes slowly narrowing into slits.


    It was from this place that Qi had broken through and been chased and killed by the Great Qin Dynasty powerhouses, ultimately meeting his death.


    Always.


    Qi had always taken great care of Xiao Yi. With a frosty gaze, Xiao Yi looked in the direction of Linhai and uttered a single word with a sonorous and icy voice, "Kill!"


    "No problem!"


    "Leave it to us!"


    "Boys, follow me for a joyful slaughter!"


    "Oooooh..."


    Nearly a million rebels from the Beast Emperor Sea surged forward, covering the sky and earth like a pack of wolves descending upon a flock of sheep.


    A one-sided massacre!


    The entire Linhai suffered heavy casualties. The soldiers of the Great Qin Dynasty simply couldn''t resist the fierce and evil spirits from the Beast Emperor Sea. The pain they had once inflicted upon the citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty now returned to them a hundred, a thousandfold.


    "Save us..."


    "We were wrong, Xiao Zhenguo, please spare us..."


    "Why did the Great Qin Dynasty have to get involved..."


    The strong ones of the Great Qin Dynasty screamed in misery, filled with despair.


    In the midst of the battlefield, Lei Long became the most dazzling presence.


    His methods were the most ferocious; he liked collecting human bones.


    Especially the skulls of strong warriors.


    With his massive hands, he grabbed the heads of two Dharma Phase Realm Peak experts and twisted, snapping their heads off with a raw twist, while at the same time spitting out a white fluid onto the skulls.


    With hissing sounds, white smoke rose.


    The heads instantly turned into skulls, lifeforce condensed into silk, threading the skulls together and hanging them at his waist.


    Mowing down all in his path.


    Slaying all along the way!


    In just the time of one incense stick, every soldier of the Great Qin Dynasty within Linhai had fallen, none spared.


    "Boss Xiao Yi, this bunch of scum has been taken care of. Do you have any other orders?"


    Lei Long returned with his men, his face alight with excitement and fervor, grinning, "The brothers still aren''t satisfied, yet they''ve already been wiped out."


    Xiao Yi eyed Lei Long up and down.


    He flicked his finger.


    Lei Long''s expression changed, ready to dodge, but the Bai Fa Sword Emperor let out a low shout, "Don''t move!" S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Uh..."


    Lei Long dared not move.


    The lifeforce shot by Xiao Yi entered between Lei Long''s brows, and almost simultaneously, Lei Long''s body shook. The aura of his flesh advancing into the Seventh Nirvana Realm surged out amidst a series of crackling sounds.


    Lei Long''s body swelled threefold and then with a loud bang, a brilliant light burst forth from him.


    At the same time.


    In the heavens above.


    The sky changed dramatically, a cluster of tribulation clouds swiftly formed.


    "What?"


    "My, my, my Eighth Nirvana Heavenly Tribulation? How could it come so quickly?"


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor gazed at Xiao Yi, "Impressive, Lei Long has been stuck at this level for over ten years. I never expected you to spot his weakness in an instant and make up for it!"


    "However, each Nirvana Heavenly Tribulation requires meticulous preparation. For you to rashly push Lei Long through his breakthrough now seems a bit..." Ji Luanyue frowned, a hint of worry in her brows.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly as he said indifferently, "It''s just a heavenly tribulation, no matter!"


    Under the astonished gazes of everyone.


    Xiao Yi soared into the sky, pointing out: "Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger!"


    Boom!


    Surrounded by the virtual images of the Four Symbols Divine Beasts, the giant finger pierced into the clouds.


    Boom...


    The tribulation clouds blew apart.


    The heavenly tribulation ended casually, and Lei Long officially stepped into the Eight Nirvana Realm!


    Hiss...


    At this moment.


    Everyone''s gaze toward Xiao Yi was filled with reverence as if they were looking at a deity.


    Seeing that the deterrent effect had reached his expectations, Xiao Yi spoke loudly, "Gentlemen, I will remember the favor of helping me protect my nation. The benefits I promised you will not be shortchanged. However, I don''t want any innocent citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty to suffer, understand?"


    After all, these men were from the Beast Emperor Sea, long accustomed to slaughter as the rule.


    If they weren''t deterred.


    It might be that driving out the Nantian Dynasty''s tiger would invite in a pack of wolves.


    Everyone, already intimidated by Xiao Yi''s frightening methods, nodded in agreement, "Don''t worry, Boss Xiao Yi, we know what to do!"


    "We will not harm a single grass or tree of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    They all declared their position.


    Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction and pointed forward toward the vast mainland, "Follow me in the slaughter..."

 Chapter 643 - 642: By the Order of Xiao Zhenguo! [Second Release]

    Xiao Yi led the mob of fierce and evil spirits from the rebellious seas, steamrolling all in their path.


    Wherever they went...


    The ground was littered with corpses, and the rivers ran red with blood.


    No army from any kingdom was capable of stopping Xiao Yi and his men''s advance.


    Especially after witnessing Xiao Yi instantly breaking through the shackles that had trapped Lei Long for over a decade, and demonstrating the capability to shatter the Heavenly Tribulation with a single finger. These strong warriors became even more eager.


    They all hoped to gain Xiao Yi''s favor so that they too could achieve a breakthrough on the spot.


    Thus,


    Along their journey...


    There arose situations where strong individuals from the rebellious seas fought over their prey, vying to kill the enemy leaders.


    Some unfortunate commanders even faced the siege of over a dozen rebellious sea warriors at once, ultimately being dismembered into dozens of pieces. Some carried severed arms, others held decapitated heads, and there were those who used their life force to weave the commander''s genitals into a string and hung it around their waist, billowing in the wind.


    The scene was indeed too beautiful for words.


    Xiao Yi did not stop any of this. The armies sent by these kingdoms invaded Great Qian Dynasty territory and committed every conceivable atrocity.


    Kill all, burn all, loot all.


    This caused the people of the Great Qian Dynasty to suffer greatly, with countless citizens displaced, homes destroyed, and lives lost.


    As Xiao Yi conquered city after city, the people within those cities picked up the weapons of fallen soldiers, donned their armor, and followed Xiao Yi and his entourage in a mighty procession toward the imperial capital.


    The voice of the nation rose up in resistance against the Nantian Dynasty, reaching an unparalleled climax.


    Xiao Yi''s prestige reached unprecedented heights.


    As Xiao Yi and his forces landed from the east and pushed forward, drawing ever closer to the imperial capital,


    Armies from the north, west, and south also swept through the Great Qian Dynasty like a bamboo splitter, capturing its city-states. Particularly, the five million strong army led personally by Ye Xiaofeng from the north was unstoppable and without rival.


    In the south, however, Jiang Tai of the Tianqing Kingdom personally led his nation''s troops to support the Great Qian Dynasty, coordinating from within and without, which significantly relieved the pressure on the defending forces of Great Qian.


    They resisted tenaciously.


    Yet even so...


    They suffered devastating losses.


    The battle was exceedingly fierce.


    Nanjun.


    Jiang Tai, clothed in battle armor and covered in the blood of his enemies, stood beside Wang Hui, one of the Great Generals of the Great Qian Dynasty. Side by side, they gazed out at the densely packed enemy forces outside the city.


    They had been holding out for two days and two nights.


    Two hours ago.


    They had just repelled the enemy''s seventh siege in these past two days; now, the enemy had reorganized their forces and launched the eighth attack on the city.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The enemy''s Nirvana Realm warriors charged directly to the top of the city walls, and Wang Hui, covered in blood, stepped forward to meet them.


    Fighting at the Peak of Dharma Phase Realm against a twice Nirvana Realm expert, he exerted every ounce of his strength to hold them off.


    Jiang Tai, wielding a longsword, charged into the fray.


    But there were simply too many enemies, a joint force from over a dozen kingdoms led by the Great Qi Dynasty. They could not hold them off.


    The city was on the brink of falling.


    The Nirvana Realm warrior from the Great Qi Dynasty laughed heartily, "Stop your futile resistance, you have no chance against us, hahaha..."


    "It''s over..."


    "We''ve done all we could..."


    The heavily wounded Jiang Tai and Wang Hui exchanged a bitter smile as they looked at the enemy.


    Just as the massed enemy forces were about to breach the city gates, at that moment, several figures came flying from the distant sky. Leading them was Lei Long, with a fierce aura and a string of human skulls dangling at his waist.


    Crash!


    With the heavy hammers in his hands, he smashed the Nirvana Realm warrior of the Great Qi Dynasty into a pulp, standing proudly on the battlefield, his roar echoing like the cry of an Azure Dragon, "On Xiao Zhenguo''s order, I''ve come to aid Nanjun. Brothers of the Great Qian Dynasty, follow me and kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Long live Xiao Zhenguo!"


    "Kill, kill, kill..."


    The soldiers of the Great Qian Dynasty, already in desperation, had their eyes turn blood-red in an instant. Their Xiao Zhenguo had not forgotten them.


    Reinforcements were on their way.


    Wang Hui, using all his strength, roared, "Open the city gates, counter-attack!"


    Boom!


    The battered city gates burst open, and all the defending soldiers followed Lei Long and others, charging towards the enemy forces...


    Atop the city walls.


    Jiang Tai was already exhausted, trembling all over, his vision darkening as he fell backwards. Yet, as his consciousness blurred, a radiant smile spread across his face, "I knew it, you wouldn''t let me down..."


    To the west, Xiyang City.


    Luo Wangbing, one of the top ten generals, beheaded an enemy general amidst a mountain of corpses. His back was pierced with more than a dozen arrows, his body drenched in blood, his hair flying wildly, like a demon among the living.


    But he was truly exhausted now.


    Looking around at the warriors being slaughtered, those familiar faces now cold and lifeless.


    Enemies encircled him menacingly from all sides. S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Their cold longspears aimed at him.


    Having fought to the last man, Luo Wangbing took a deep breath, fiercely pulled out the arrows from his body, took several big gulps from the flask at his waist, grabbed the blood-soaked battle flag beside him, and laughed heartily, "The Great Qi Dynasty is indestructible... Come on, grandsons, if you''ve got the guts, kill me..."


    Roar!


    Luo Wangbing''s sword had already broken.


    With blood-stained hands, he tightly grasped the battle flag, repeatedly slaying the charging enemy soldiers, the mountain of corpses beneath him growing ever higher.


    For one to ascend to glory, thousands must perish!


    Drenched in blood, Luo Wangbing stood upon the mountain of corpses, holding the crimson battle flag, struggling to lift it after numerous battles. He then tied the flag around his waist with a bang and howled at the sky, "Even in death, the flag shall not fall, the Great Qian Dynasty shall never perish!"


    "Hahaha, Luo Wangbing, you''re at the end of your rope!"


    "Stop struggling in vain. The fall of your Great Qian Dynasty is inevitable... Isn''t your Xiao Zhenguo very strong? Isn''t he hiding like a coward now? Just surrender quietly, and in recognition of your manhood, I can grant you an honorable death!"


    The enemy generals laughed heartily, faces full of mockery.


    But soon they could no longer laugh.


    Suddenly, in the void...


    A gigantic beast with a body glowing golden, wings on its back, spanning thousands of miles, and hundreds of zhangs long, stretched across the void.


    With a fierce flap of its enormous wings.


    Violent winds erupted, instantly overturning tens of thousands of men.


    At the same time...


    One after another, powerful warriors dropped from the back of the beast, with long swords and battle sabers, effortlessly slaughtering everyone in their path. Meanwhile, Yue Shanchuan, wielding a black battle sabre, thundered, "By Xiao Zhenguo''s command, to the aid of General Luo! Brothers, follow me to kill..."


    Kill!


    Kill!


    Kill!


    Reinforcements arranged by Xiao Yi sprung up from all directions around the Great Qian Dynasty . These ferocious fiends of the turbulent seas, once they joined the battle, it was as if they were invincible.


    Ruthlessly reaping the lives of the enemy.


    At that moment...


    Cries of "Long live Xiao Zhenguo!" rang out across the battlefield and from within the city, uniting soldiers and civilians alike.


    "With Xiao Zhenguo present, our Great Qian shall never fall!"


    Cries of rage thundered through the earth and sky.


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi was leading his troops closer to the imperial capital. His face wore an expression of cold fury and madness, "Yang Ling, you must hold on... I''m almost there..."

 Chapter 644 - 643: To Wear the Crown, One Must Bear Its Weight! [Third Update]

    The imperial capital.


    The gloomy weather left people sticky, unable to distinguish whether it was sweat or moisture clinging to their bodies.


    The atmosphere was also incredibly oppressive.


    In the vast imperial capital.


    The common people held hoes, kitchen knives, and axes, their chests bound with black pots, heads adorned with iron pans. The hands clutching their "weapons" were slightly pale, some people''s nervous sweat pouring down, but not a single one retreated.


    Atop the city walls.


    The defending soldiers were ready for battle, eyeing the surroundings with vigilance.


    There was no wind in the air, the heaviness and dampness causing the battle flags to hang listlessly.


    Yang Ling stood on the city tower above the Vermilion Bird Gate, with the Shadow Demon, Fu Yuan, Ye Heng, and others standing to his left and right, staring intently at the mighty army approaching from the horizon.


    Five million allied troops!


    With the number of Nirvana Realm experts exceeding three digits, one could only imagine how terrifying the strength of this allied army was.


    In front of the five million allied troops, over a million refugees were being herded like sheep.


    In front of the military formation.


    Yang Yuhuan, stripped naked and bloodied, wore a face of despair and self-blame as he was tied atop a war chariot. He still wore the sign that bore the humiliating words: "Great Qian Dynasty War God Yang Yuhuan."


    "Great Uncle��"


    Yang Ling spotted Yang Yuhuan at a glance, his eyes nearly splitting with rage, his heart bleeding.


    His hands clenched the bricks of the city walls to death.


    Crunch, crunch, crunch! The sound of bricks being crushed to powder by his grip continued incessantly.


    Wuuu wuuu wuuu!


    A dull sound of horns signaled that the five million-strong army stopped thirty li outside the city, the million refugees being forced to kneel before the military formation by the army''s control.


    Whoosh!


    A million refugees knelt down in unison.


    Among them were old and weak women, orphans, and widows, huddled together in terror, weeping inconsolably.


    "What in the world are they planning to do?"


    "His Highness has already commanded the cities to put up no resistance, why must they still proceed this way?"


    "These beasts��"


    The soldiers looked on with furious eyes, filled with hatred.


    The power of the allied forces was entirely capable of overwhelming the Great Qian Dynasty, and Yang Ling had ordered the cities along the way not to resist, yet they had still captured a million refugees to bring over, enraging everyone in the Great Qian Dynasty to the extreme.


    Swoosh!


    From within that military formation, a figure flew through the air.


    It was the King of the Yunjiang Kingdom who had previously proposed that Yang Yuhuan surrender himself.


    The King of the Yunjiang Kingdom stood suspended in the air, full of vigor.


    His Yunjiang Kingdom was just a small country, but several times his suggestions had greatly pleased Ye Xiaofeng to the point there seemed a trend of him becoming the number one favored person by Ye''s side, even promising to hand over the control of the Sword Dynasty to his Yunjiang Kingdom.


    "People of the Great Qian Dynasty, listen to me, I am the King of the Yunjiang Kingdom. By the command of the Nantian Dynasty''s Minister Ye, I give you your final ultimatum��"


    The King of the Yunjiang Kingdom was radiantly smug, his ruddy face slightly lifted at the corners with a smug cold smile as he declared loudly, "Surrender all members of the Great Qian Dynasty''s royal family and Xiao Yi. Starting from this moment, every ten breaths that pass without you handing them over, ten thousand people will be killed, until there is none left. If you persist in your delusions and resist to the end, my allied forces will trample your Great Qian Dynasty to dust, without sparing a single soul��"


    Boom!


    Within the imperial capital, both the military and civilians were enraged.


    "Damn it, these common folk are innocent, how can they bring themselves to do this?"


    "Your Highness, we absolutely must not submit to them!"


    "Even if we actually do as they say, they will surely not spare us��"


    Seeing Yang Ling show a hint of hesitation, the ministers persuaded him one after another.


    This became clear from the fact that Yang Ling had already ordered those cities to surrender without resistance, yet they still insisted on slaughtering them, indicating that Ye Xiaofeng had no intention of sparing them.


    He was planning to completely annihilate the Great Qian Dynasty.


    After ten breaths.


    The King of the Yunjiang Kingdom snorted coldly, raised his hand, and with a fierce wave,


    Clang clang clang!


    Suddenly, within the allied forces, a hundred thousand warriors stepped forward, each one carrying a refugee and walked forth. With swift moves of their hands, blades fell, and heads rolled��blood pooled into rivers.


    The King of Yunjiang Country indifferently said, "Tsk tsk, isn''t the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty known for loving their people as their own children? How can they just watch them being killed, showing no concern whatsoever?"


    Boom!


    Above the city walls, the brick in Yang Ling''s hand was crushed to pieces.


    He took a deep breath of turbid air, his eyes filled with resolve. He took off his helmet, intending to fly down the watchtower but was immediately held back by Shadow Demon beside him. Ye Heng and others also stepped forward to stop him, "Your Highness, you can''t go!" S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Even if you went, it would just be a senseless death. Look at the War God; isn''t he the perfect example?"


    "They won''t let us off..."


    The crowd urged him earnestly.


    Yang Ling''s eyes were blood-red as he pointed to the dead hundred thousand refugees and roared, "If I don''t go, their death is certain. If I go, perhaps they still have a slim chance of survival..."


    "Your Highness, this is their poisonous scheme, you must not fall for it!"


    "We still have a chance... as long as we hold on, wait for Xiao Zhenguo to return, we still have a chance..."


    "Yes, just wait for Xiao Zhenguo to come back..."


    The group of officials said one after another.


    Ye Heng said solemnly, "Your Highness, please believe in my master!"


    "But..."


    Yang Ling had just begun to speak.


    The King of Yunjiang Country indifferently said, "Another ten breaths have passed by. Ah, it seems that the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty''s love for their people is nothing more than lip service after all, they still don''t take the lives of these civilians seriously!"


    Another hundred thousand refugees were dragged out.


    "No..."


    "Stop..."


    Yang Ling''s hysterical roar echoed.


    Clang clang clang!


    The cold war blades fell once again, and a hundred thousand heads tumbled into the bloodstained soil.


    The King of Yunjiang Country said with a smile, "Don''t rush; you can take your time to think, there are still seven hundred thousand people left!"


    "Let me go, I have to get out..." Yang Ling, with bloodshot eyes, roared furiously.


    Shadow Demon and others held onto him tightly, refusing to let go.


    At that moment...


    Suddenly, a voice emerged within the imperial city, "I am the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty; if anyone should go, it should be me. Since when is it your turn?"


    "Hm?"


    Everyone was stunned.


    They saw Emperor Qian, dressed in a purple-gold dragon robe, stepping into the void, closely followed by Yang Zun and two others.


    All four had very grave expressions on their faces.


    Emperor Qian landed next to Yang Ling, and Shadow Demon and the others immediately let go of Yang Ling.


    Yang Ling kneeled in front of Emperor Qian with a thud, "Father Emperor, your son is incompetent..."


    "Hahaha, you are my most outstanding son, how could you be incompetent? Even if it had been me handling everything, I might not have done as well as you!"


    Emperor Qian clearly knew of the strategies and responses Yang Ling had employed over the past few days and was extremely satisfied. He gently rubbed Yang Ling''s head and calmly said, "Ling''er, the Great Qian Dynasty is in your hands; I and the three old ancestors are all very reassured!"


    Yang Zun and the others nodded with smiles.


    Yang Ling''s heart skipped a beat, a bad premonition arising, "Father Emperor, you..."


    Emperor Qian smiled while straightening Yang Ling''s disheveled hair and the crown on his head, patting his shoulder firmly, "At least for now, I am the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty. Some matters naturally require my attention!"


    "Father Emperor, you can''t go..." Yang Ling''s face changed, trying to stop him.


    Emperor Qian shook his head with a smile, "To wear the crown, one must bear its weight. This is my duty. However, this burden will fall on your shoulders from now on..." He cast a thoughtful glance at Yang Zun and the others behind him, "Old ancestors, shall we leave the city with me?"


    "Your Majesty, please!"


    Yang Zun and the three others gave a carefree smile, following right behind.


    Four beings of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm soared into the sky, flying out of the city...

 Chapter 645 - 644 Im Back! [Fourth Update]

    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Emperor Qian, accompanied by Yang Zun and two others, trod through the air.


    Above the silent firmament, a gust of wind abruptly arose.


    The war flags hanging from the city''s turrets suddenly fluttered with the wind, rustling loudly.


    The Yunjiang Country''s King''s face twitched slightly, and facing the might of the four Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm experts, he involuntarily stepped back a few paces, his forehead dripping with cold sweat.


    Emperor Qian gave him a glance.


    As if looking at a clown performing antics, he said indifferently, "I remember, you are the ruler of Yunjiang, aren''t you? I also recall, three years ago when you came to pay tribute, Ling''er accidentally stepped in a pile of dog excrement, and it was you who took the initiative to clean his shoes with your own clothes, right?"


    The color drained from the face of the Yunjiang Country''s King, fluctuating between pale and flushed, a mix of shame and anger.


    He had originally wanted to please Emperor Qian, but Emperor Qian had hardly acknowledged him.


    Upon learning that Emperor Qian cherished Yang Ling the most, he began to curry favor with Yang Ling. Few people knew of this, and now that Emperor Qian had spoken of it publicly, the Yunjiang Country''s King felt immensely humiliated.


    With a dark expression, the Yunjiang Country''s King scoffed coldly, "Your Majesty Emperor Qian, some words are better thought through before spoken. I am now under Ye''s command, and once your Great Qin Dynasty is annihilated, I will take over the Sword Dynasty and become Emperor of the Yunjiang Dynasty..."


    "Oh! That''s quite unfortunate..."


    Emperor Qian said unhurriedly.


    "Eh? Unfortunate?"


    The Yunjiang Country''s King was taken aback.


    Emperor Qian nodded and said, "Yes, quite unfortunate. The name ''Yunjiang Dynasty'' is not bad, it''s just a pity that you won''t be able to become the Emperor!"


    "Uh..."


    The Yunjiang Country''s King furrowed his brow slightly. Just as he was about to speak, a figure suddenly appeared before him.


    A thought flashed through his mind: This silhouette seems so familiar!


    And then...


    He lost consciousness.


    His head fell to the ground, smashed to pieces.


    Emperor Qian did not even spare him a glance, but flew directly towards the army.


    Yang Yuhuan wore a look of grief and self-reproach, painfully saying, "Your Majesty, the three great ancestors..."


    "Say no more, we already know!"


    Emperor Qian sighed softly, flicked his finger to break the lute lock on Yang''s body, took off his dragon robe, and put it on Yang Yuhuan. Emperor Qian then raised his head to look towards the Flying Boat hovering high above the camp and called out loud, "Deputy Chief Ye, why not come out for a meeting?"


    Hum!


    The Flying Boat trembled lightly, and a red carpet flew out.


    Ye Xiaofeng stepped onto the red carpet, hands behind his back, expressionlessly looking at the four from Emperor Qian''s group.


    As for the death of the Yunjiang Country''s King, it seemed as if he did not care in the slightest.


    Ye Xiaofeng smiled and said, "Yang Hualong, long time no see. It seems you too have entered the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm." His gaze swept over Yang Zun and the other two, and he clicked his tongue in amusement, "Including you and Yang Yuhuan, your Great Qin Dynasty actually has five Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm figures!"


    Once someone''s cultivation reached the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, they had to go to the Nantian Dynasty and were not allowed to return.


    But like the Great Qin Dynasty, which boasted five such figures, this was also the first time Ye Xiaofeng had seen such a thing.


    Emperor Qian calmly said, "Even if my Great Qin Dynasty has its faults, it doesn''t deserve annihilation! Deputy Chief Ye, the five of us can go back with you, could you spare my Great Qin Dynasty?"


    "That won''t do!"


    Ye Xiaofeng smiled and shook his head, "I said, every member of your Great Qin Dynasty''s royal family, as well as the traitor named Xiao Yi, must all die. Only when all of you are dead will this matter be considered complete!"


    Emperor Qian saw the cold intent to kill in Ye Xiaofeng''s eyes and knew that there was no room for reversal in this matter.


    Whoosh!


    Emperor Qian let out a long breath and made one last effort, "Really, there''s no room for negotiation?"


    "None!"


    Ye Xiaofeng smiled as he moved beside him, leaning forward slightly. Eye to eye, he declared deliberately, "To tell you the truth... I came here to annihilate your Great Qin Dynasty, leaving not a single soul."


    Before his words ended.


    Ye Xiaofeng stepped back, the red carpet beneath his feet slowly retracting.


    His voice, however, echoed leisurely above the firmament, "The Great Qin Dynasty has acted against the natural order, committed treachery, and is now an enemy of Nantian. After today, the Southern State will no longer have a place for the Great Qin Dynasty to stand..."


    Boom boom boom!


    A series of war drums thundered.


    Among the crowd.


    Suddenly, ten figures ascended into the void.


    Each one of them was of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    "Great Qin Dynasty''s ancestor Qin Yi?"


    "Great Qi Dynasty''s ancestor Lu Yitong?"


    "And you..."


    Yang Zun and the others had bloodshot eyes as they watched the ten great Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm masters ascend into the sky. These were the hidden masters of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm from the various dynasties, but now they were brazenly appearing here.


    For a moment.


    Emperor Qian and the others finally understood that the so-called Nantian Dynasty''s ban was complete bullshit.


    Ye Xiaofeng knew that other dynasties also had hidden Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm experts, but he pretended to be ignorant of it and even brazenly let these experts strike, targeting the Great Qian Dynasty.


    "How unjust the Nantian Dynasty is!"


    "Bullshit ban..."


    Yang Zun and the others gritted their teeth in anger.


    Ye Xiaofeng had used the excuse of the Great Qian Dynasty hoarding Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm experts to violate the ban to summon the nations to attack the Great Qian Dynasty. But as long as they followed his orders, he turned a blind eye to the hidden masters in other kingdoms.


    Qin Yi laughed scornfully, "This is what happens when you oppose the Nantian Dynasty!"


    "The Nantian Dynasty is a supreme nation under heaven, how can it tolerate your challenges to its majesty?"


    "Today will be the day the Great Qian Dynasty falls..."


    Emperor Qian looked at Yang Zun and the other two, revealing a cold smile, "Three ancestors, shall we kill the enemy together?"


    "Kill!"


    "It''s just death after all!"


    "Kill!"


    Emperor Qian smiled faintly, his gaze returning to Qin Yi and the others; his palms were already brimming with spears, his eyes flashing blood-red as he unleashed a thunderous roar, "Kill..."


    Boom!


    The great battle was about to erupt.


    Four great Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm experts, facing off against ten great Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm experts.


    The outcome of this battle was actually predetermined before it even began.


    In a brutal fight.


    Under the onslaught of three powerful foes, Yang Bingtian had an arm and a leg savagely severed. With blood-red eyes, he let out a low roar and hugged one of the attackers. He roared to the sky, "Long live the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    Boom!


    Yang Bingtian exploded himself.


    Taking one with him, gravely injuring two others.


    Yang Zheng was also severely wounded, and after Lu Yitong''s sword pierced through his heart, he lunged forward intentionally. The Longsword pierced straight through his chest, and with Yang Zheng clutching Lu Yitong tightly, he roared, "Let''s die together!"


    Boom!


    Yang Zheng detonated himself.


    Taking Lu Yitong''s life with him.


    Out of the four great experts, two were gone, and on the other side, two were dead and four injured.


    For a moment.


    Only Emperor Qian and Yang Zun were left. With the two men in front of them self-destructing so crazily, it also made them wary, not daring to get too close. They each pulled some distance, thus denying Emperor Qian and his comrade the chance to self-destruct.


    Inside the Flying Boat, Ye Xiaofeng''s impatient voice came through, "Useless things, having such difficulty dealing with four pieces of trash."


    Swish swish!


    Two cold sword lights burst forth.


    "Not good!"


    Emperor Qian and Yang Zun''s expressions changed drastically, they both summoned their defenses, but with a loud bang, their qi shields were shattered. The sword''s brilliance pierced their bodies, inflicting heavy injuries.


    Boom boom!


    The two of them fell to the ground. S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qin Yi and others laughed heartily as they swooped down, their Longswords slashing toward the two men''s necks.


    "My life is over..."


    Yang Zun and the other closed their eyes.


    But just then...


    Whoosh whoosh!


    Two sharp sounds of tearing through the air suddenly rang out, and the cold sword lights sent Qin Yi and the others flying back. A figure in black robes, with wild hair flying, stood before the two, a familiar voice ringing in their ears, "Don''t worry... I''m back!"


    PS: The power was out this morning, so the update is a bit late! Here are four chapters to warm up, more updates to follow, haha!

 Chapter 646 - 645: You Dont Deserve It! [Fifth Release]

    "Don''t worry... I''m back!"


    The familiar voice reached the ears of Emperor Qian and Yang Zun, causing the two men, who were already closing their eyes to await death, to suddenly open their eyes wide.


    Two sparks of light flashed in their eyes as they looked at each other, overjoyed to see the familiar figure in front of them, "Xiao Yi?"


    Atop the city wall.


    Yang Ling and the others, who had been prepared to rush out of the city to fight to the death, suddenly paused, faces filled with wild joy, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi is back!"


    "The Dean is back, we''re saved!"


    "Xiao Zhenguo is back..."


    "I knew Xiao Zhenguo wouldn''t abandon us..."


    Within the vast imperial capital.


    The ministers and warriors were overcome with excitement, and the people were brimming with tears, some even sobbing with their heads in their hands.


    By now, Xiao Yi had become the hope of everyone in the Great Qian Dynasty, the pillar that supported them.


    "So you''re Xiao Yi?"


    "I don''t see you with three heads and six arms. You''re just a mere peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. How did you become the Great Qian Dynasty''s Xiao Zhenguo?"


    "It seems the Great Qian Dynasty truly has no one left, to think they regard you as their savior!"


    Qin Yi and others laughed heartily.


    Before seeing Xiao Yi, he had thought Xiao Yi would be like Xiao Tianjiao, a favored son of heaven, a young master who had experienced the Nirvana Heavenly Tribulation several times. But now, seeing Xiao Yi was merely at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    How strong could a Dharma Manifestation Realm, no matter how exceptional, be?


    Qin Yi sneered and shook his head, "Gentlemen, allow this old man to deal with this youngster! You all go slaughter Emperor Qian and that Yang Zun..."


    "Hahaha, then we''ll leave it to Qin!"


    "You''re lucky..."


    A few Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm masters said with an air of ease.


    Emperor Qian warned, "Xiao Yi, this Qin Yi is even stronger than our ancestor Yang Zun, you should be careful..."


    Before he could finish.


    A black shadow suddenly swept in front of Emperor Qian and with a bang landed on the ground, his head already smashed to pieces, blood flowing everywhere. It was the boastful Qin Yi.


    Gurgle!


    Emperor Qian was stunned, the words on the tip of his tongue swallowed back.


    Xiao Yi looked back at Emperor Qian, having not clearly heard what he said, and asked in confusion, "What did you say?"


    Emperor Qian: "..."


    Yang Zun: "..."


    The group of Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm powerhouses who had just been mocking Xiao Yi: "..."


    Xiao Yi thought Emperor Qian was speechless because he didn''t clearly hear what he said, so he said, "Wait a moment, I''ll get rid of these annoying flies!"


    Upon hearing Xiao Yi''s words, the faces of those people instantly changed.


    If even the strongest Qin Yi had his head smashed by a slap from Xiao Yi, how could they possibly be Xiao Yi''s opponents?


    They exchanged glances.


    "Run!"


    They all dashed towards the military camp behind them.


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze followed the few who were fleeing in a sorry state, a mocking chill flashing in his eyes as the corners of his mouth curled up with a cold smile, "Do you think you can leave without my permission?"


    He reached forward with his right hand.


    His fingers spread open, then suddenly clenched tight.


    Hum!


    Splendid light surged around his palm, condensing into a colorful, dazzling orb of light.


    Like a peacock spreading its feathers.


    Then...


    Sharp sword beams, like a rain of arrows, shot out in unison.


    Piercing sounds filled the air as the sword beams ripped through the void.


    Swords crossed the sky, and in the blink of an eye, they caught up with those people.


    Blood spurted wildly.


    Heads rolled.


    They all turned into headless corpses, plummeting from the sky.


    In a single strike.


    Several Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm masters all died by his hand.


    These were merely the most ordinary Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm masters, their combat strength not even as good as Shayunlong and others, how could they be Xiao Yi''s opponent?


    After slaying several people in succession.


    Xiao Yi hovered in midair, his gaze shifting towards the ten Flying Boats floating in the sky, his brows slightly furrowed.


    Under the detection of his spiritual power.


    Within those Flying Boats, he could sense several extremely strong presences, especially within the one at the very corner, where there was a rather concealed and intermittent dreadful fluctuation of aura.


    Even with Xiao Yi''s spiritual power equivalent to six Nirvana Reincarnations, he could not accurately discern the opponent''s Cultivation Realm.


    Xiao Yi exhaled a turbid breath and called out loudly, "Ye Xiaofeng, all your henchmen have been killed. Aren''t you going to show yourself?"


    Inside the central Flying Boat.


    Ye Xiaofeng sat on the enormous Taishi Chair, his cold gaze piercing through the Flying Boat to look at Xiao Yi, his eyes narrowed into slits and flashing with a chilly light, his mouth curling with a disdainful sneer, "He does have some skills, no wonder Xuan''er was defeated by him. It''s just a pity that Qin Yi and those other losers failed to test his true depth..."


    "Master, do you want your servant to try him out?" asked a young man standing beside Ye Xiaofeng, his eyes blinded and cradling a silver longsword.


    Ye Xiaofeng nodded, his chilling gaze turning towards the Flying Boat that Xiao Tianjiao was on, and said indifferently, "Go easy on him. Don''t kill him too quickly!"


    "Master, rest assured!"


    The blind young man cradled the silver longsword as he stepped out of the Flying Boat.


    Whoosh!


    The young man flew out from the Flying Boat, hovered in place, and stared blankly ahead. From within those hollow sockets, two longswords seemed to flicker with sharpness, as though they were his eyes.


    Sword Eyes!


    With swords as eyes, seeing through everything!


    Xiao Yi assessed the newcomer. Though this person''s Cultivation Realm was only the Seventh Nirvana Realm, he was more fearsome than Ye Beixuan.


    The blind young man''s expression was icy as he slightly tilted his chin up, arrogantly declaring, "Your slayer, seventy-eighth on the Earth Tiger Ranking, Chen Xia!"


    As his voice fell.


    Whoosh!


    Chen Xia stepped forward, his broad foot stomping the air, and the void echoed with thunderous roars, as dreadful energy instantly swept all around, with the space shaking as if it were about to collapse.


    A beam of sword light burst forth from his eyes.


    His eyes condensed into a sword.


    Chen Xia, also at the fifth stage of Sword Intent, became one with the sword and in an instant appeared before Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi remained expressionless as his hands shot out. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Each hand grabbed a beam of sword light and, with a tight squeeze, both beams were crushed. Xiao Yi then punched out, "Unbeatable in battle!"


    Hum!


    The massive punch fell like a mountain.


    Chen Xia''s face changed drastically, crossing his arms in front of his chest, and as the sword lights interwove, a bright sword shield materialized in front of him. With a loud thud, Xiao Yi''s world-shattering punch shattered the sword shield completely.


    The fist continued its relentless assault.


    Boom!


    The heavy punch struck Chen Xia squarely in the chest, hurling him through the air like a falling meteor, plummeting towards the ground.


    With a loud crash.


    The ground shook as if an earthquake had struck.


    Crevices spread out in all directions, covering the ground like a spiderweb.


    "Did he win?"


    "It can''t be that easy, can it?"


    The crowd held their breath, watching the large crater where Chen Xia had fallen.


    Amid the rising dust.


    Chen Xia leapt up, hovering in midair, his hollow Sword Eyes flashing with a cold glint, preparing to strike again. From within one of the Flying Boats, a cold voice rang out, "All forces, move out. Destroy the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    Hearing this voice, Xiao Yi''s body trembled.


    How familiar this voice was!


    For over a decade...


    This voice, like a nightmare, had appeared time and again in his dreams.


    His eyes flashed coldly as he looked towards the Flying Boat that Xiao Tianjiao was on, saying word by word, "Xiao Tianjiao, I know it''s you! Come out and fight me!"


    "Fight you?"


    Xiao Tianjiao''s voice was as cold and mocking as ever, "You''re not worthy!"


    You''re not worthy!


    Worthy!


    Still so arrogant, still so cold, still not giving him the slightest bit of recognition.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi deeply inhaled a cool breath, his icy gaze fixed on the Flying Boat where Xiao Tianjiao was, slowly saying, "Then I shall keep killing until you decide to come out and fight..."

 Chapter 647 - 466: Not one left! [Sixth Update]

    "Then I''ll keep killing until you take action..."


    Xiao Yi roared at the flying boat.


    The flying boat was silent.


    Xiao Tianjiao, with his haughty demeanor, didn''t even deign to speak another word to him.


    Whoosh!


    Huff...


    Xiao Yi''s chest heaved violently, his eyes blood red.


    For how many years now!


    Xiao Tianjiao had always been this arrogant, indifferent, not deeming him worthy of even a glance.


    When he was eight years old in the Physical Body Realm.


    Xiao Tianjiao proposed to imprison him, never speaking a word to Xiao Yi from beginning to end.


    Eight years later.


    Xiao Tianjiao wanted to send him to the Fang Family as a son-in-law to trade for a magical beast to mate with his mount, treating Xiao Yi with the same cold and haughty manner.


    Now.


    Xiao Yi was no longer what he used to be, already capable of killing a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm master in a second.


    Yet Xiao Tianjiao still looked down on him from on high, as if in his eyes, no matter how hard Xiao Yi tried or how strong he became, it was all futile. He was still that worthless being who wasn''t fit to talk to him, unworthy of being his brother.


    In another flying boat.


    Ye Xiaofeng laughed loudly, his mocking voice carrying, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, I have a full five million troops here, how could you possibly kill them all? Such grandiose words are as ridiculous as your delusional challenge to Xiao Tianjiao��pure fantasy!"


    "Who said he''s alone?"


    Suddenly, a cold laugh echoed from the void, interrupting Ye Xiaofeng''s voice.


    Between heaven and earth, a furious aura swept through.


    Even though Xiao Yi had dispatched some warriors to support other places, the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Huang Feihu, Ji Luanyue, and others were still present. Behind them stood a multitude of Loose Cultivators and warriors from various major powers.


    A legion of powerful individuals descended from the sky.


    A dark mass.


    Fifty thousand warriors fell from the sky, lining up uniformly behind Xiao Yi.


    Hiss!


    Even Ye Xiaofeng couldn''t help but stand up abruptly from his seat.


    He felt a threat from the Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s presence that was in no way inferior to his own, apart from that, Huang Feihu and Ji Luanyue were not your ordinary Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm warriors.


    What''s more...


    What about those fifty thousand elite warriors from the Riotous Sea Domain behind them?


    "Where did all these masters come from?"


    "The aura on them is so terrifying..."


    "I don''t even dare to meet their eyes..."


    Whispers of discussion resonated from among the crowd.


    Swish!


    Ye Xiaofeng stepped out from the flying boat, his expression grave as he looked at the Bai Fa Sword Emperor and the others, his cold gaze carrying a weight of seriousness, "Who might you be? Do you realize where you are? The Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate will not tolerate interference. If you dare to intervene, do you understand the consequences?"


    In Ye Xiaofeng''s view, these powerful individuals would surely not dare to oppose the Nantian Dynasty.


    Mentioning the Nantian Dynasty would surely make them reconsider and retreat.


    Unfortunately...


    He guessed wrong this time.


    Fifty thousand warriors placed their right hands over their left chests and shouted in unison, "Xiao Zhenguo, we request to engage in battle!"


    "We request to engage in battle!"


    "To battle!"


    The roar of fifty thousand people was thunderous.


    Their wild momentum still caused Ye Xiaofeng and the others'' faces to turn pale in an instant.


    "These, these, all these strong individuals were brought by Xiao Yi?"


    "They are actually so respectful towards Xiao Yi? What on earth does Xiao Yi do for so many powerful individuals to follow his command?" Everyone was utterly stunned, none of them had expected Xiao Yi to be able to bring back so many powerful figures.


    Emperor Qian''s face revealed a look of wild joy as he turned to Yang Zun next to him, clenching his fists tightly, "We''re saved, we are finally saved..."


    "It''s terrifying. Even though they are at the same Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm as I am, the aura emanating from those few people makes my heart tremble. How did Xiao Yi manage to earn such respect from them?" Yang Zun swallowed hard.


    Facing the gaze of the crowd, Xiao Yi''s eyes were as cold as frost as he pointed at Ye Xiaofeng, "Leave this one to me; everyone else, kill them all!"


    "Yes!"


    "Not a single one spared!" sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Kill!"


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor and the others struck at the same time.


    Five hundred thousand versus five million!


    But everyone present knew that unless Ye Xiaofeng could kill Xiao Yi, this army of five million was destined to have but one way out��death.


    Whoosh!


    Ye Xiaofeng let out a long breath, his icy gaze falling on Xiao Yi as he sneered, "I didn''t expect you to be capable of gathering so many experts. However, as long as I kill you, their alliance will collapse on its own!"


    "That is if you have the ability to kill me!" replied Xiao Yi lightly.


    "Quite confident, I like that!"


    Ye Xiaofeng slowly advanced towards Xiao Yi, "I enjoy killing confident geniuses like you! But first, you need to get past him, then you''ll be worthy of my effort!"


    Whoosh!


    Chen Xia had already moved to Xiao Yi''s side, his sword aimed directly at Xiao Yi''s throat in an attempted strike.


    The sharp sword light tore through the void.


    This sword, bearing the glow of floating suns, was as fast as a shooting star and disappeared in a flash.


    But the edge of the sword was exceedingly sharp.


    "Get lost!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed as he reached out barehanded towards the longsword.


    Ye Xiaofeng''s face revealed a cold smile, "Overconfident, eh? Catching Chen Xia''s sword with bare hands, even I can''t... it''s impossible..."


    Ye Xiaofeng was dumbstruck.


    In Xiao Yi''s palm, purple-gold light flickered ominously as his physical body remained unscathed, grabbing the sharp blade and crushing it with a loud crack, all while stepping forward with his other hand clutching the broken sword tip.


    His step seemed modest, yet it spanned a hundred meters.


    After passing by Chen Xia.


    The broken sword in Xiao Yi''s hand had disappeared.


    Turning to Chen Xia...


    He clutched at his throat with both hands, blood gushing out, as a broken sword was embedded in his neck.


    After a few spasms, Chen Xia lay motionless in a pool of blood.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Xiao Yi stepped over the blood pool and looked towards Ye Xiaofeng, "Don''t waste my time, give it your all! Once you''re slaughtered, Bai Fa and the others should be able to take care of those pesky flies, and I will be able to challenge him!"


    His gaze set upon the battleship where Xiao Tianjiao was.


    Within his eyes, the will to fight transformed into a blazing tempest.


    Ye Xiaofeng''s face turned green with anger.


    He never imagined that he, the esteemed Vice-Inspector, would be so belittled by a junior at the Peak of the Dharma Phase Realm.


    Whoosh!


    Ye Xiaofeng took a deep breath, his cold gaze fixated on Xiao Yi, "You brothers do have something in common; both of you are so arrogant..."


    No sooner had he spoken these words.


    Than the voice of Xiao Tianjiao came through, "Ye Xiaofeng, if you don''t want to die, then don''t associate me with that trash!"


    Ye Xiaofeng''s eyebrows twitched, but he dared not vent his anger on Xiao Tianjiao, redirecting his rage towards Xiao Yi instead, "You mangy cur, I promised Xuan''er I would return all the humiliation he suffered a hundredfold upon you. I will butcher your limbs, ruin your cultivation, flay you, and dice you up to feed the dogs!"


    "Feed your fucking mother!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes emitted a chilling light, his sword Moon Slaying unsheathed as it cleaved towards Ye Xiaofeng''s head...

 Chapter 648 - 647: Xiao Tianjiao, Come Out and Face Your Death! [Seventh Release]

    The silver Sword Qi slashed across the sky.


    Brilliant silver light, like a galaxy spraying down from the ninth heaven, vast and sprawling, made the proud sun above change color and caused the rolling clouds that spanned ten thousand miles to retreat.


    An endless killing intent condensed atop the Sword Qi, a terrifying sword energy storm swept towards Ye Xiaofeng.


    Ye Xiaofeng stood in the void, surrounded by roaring storms, yet he stood unmoved.


    His black hair whipped about.


    His shining eyes were radiant as stars.


    With supreme confidence.


    Even though Xiao Yi had just forcefully slain Chen Xia, Ye Xiaofeng was still confident that Xiao Yi was far from being his match; he merely raised his hand casually.


    An endless, hundreds of meters thick pillar of elemental energy enveloped them in an instant. Murderous intent surged like the torrential flow of heaven and earth, thunder roared for hundreds of thousands of miles, completely overshadowing the stormy uproar caused by Xiao Yi''s terrifying strike.


    Boom!


    The pillar of elemental energy heavily struck the Sword Qi.


    Heaven and earth shook, the sun and moon were insignificant, the yin and yang and all of Great Qian were in complete chaos at this moment.


    Thump!


    Between heaven-shattering rumbles, the pillar of elemental energy shattered Xiao Yi''s Sword Qi. Continuing its descent as if it was going to collapse the boundless void, it viciously slammed towards Xiao Yi.


    Before the elemental energy pillar even approached, the violent power it brought with it was already making the ground feel like it was collapsing.


    Within the Imperial City.


    Countless soldiers and civilians felt the earth shake, and some buildings could not withstand the terrifying pressure and collapsed loudly.


    Seeing such a terrifying strike about to hit Xiao Yi, everyone''s faces changed dramatically, calling out anxiously, "Be careful!"


    "Xiao Zhenguo, don''t take it head-on, dodge quickly!"


    However...


    Xiao Yi behaved as if he hadn''t heard the crowd''s calls, bathing in the oncoming terror of the elemental energy storm, his wild hair dancing wildly within the storm, each strand flying about.


    Just one step...


    The space around Xiao Yi seemed to have countless layers added, and with just that one step, he crossed a distance of thousands of meters, bypassing Ye Xiaofeng and appearing behind him. With the Green Bat Skill, Wind Thunder Holy Body, and the boost from the Tongtian Tiroku, his speed had reached the pinnacle of the Nirvana Realm.


    The cold Moon-Slaying Sword Qi emitted silver brilliance, instantly locking onto Ye Xiaofeng.


    Ye Xiaofeng''s face changed dramatically, but it was too late to dodge or defend. He could only watch helplessly as the sharp Sword Qi flashed before his eyes. With a loud boom, Ye Xiaofeng spurted blood, his body falling like a shooting star to crash upon the ground.


    He smashed into the military formation, and where he passed, a straight blood path thousands of meters long and about five meters wide appeared within the ranks.


    It was precisely the Divine Body of Ye Xiaofeng that had crushed the soldiers into a bloody pulp.


    Boom!


    Elemental energy surged out from Ye Xiaofeng''s hands, transforming into two rainbow streamers that each coiled around over a hundred thousand people and with a fierce twist. Over two hundred thousand were constricted tightly by the elemental energy rainbow, and with popping sounds, figure after figure was cut in half at the waist.


    Two hundred thousand people.


    Almost 160,000 to 170,000 died before that violent force was offset, finally allowing Ye Xiaofeng to halt his momentum.


    On the battlefield.


    Two vast areas were emptied out, littered with fresh blood and corpses.


    Ye Xiaofeng, looking at the blood-red stain on his hands, could imagine the frightful power of that sword strike from Xiao Yi. If not for the lives of these hundreds of thousands of people offsetting the impact, even he might have been sent flying tens of kilometers.


    A grave expression appeared on Ye Xiaofeng''s face. He had never imagined that Xiao Yi could wield such terrifying power, "No wonder even Chen Xia was so easily slain by him. Although this child is at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, his combat power is probably enough to rank in the top twenty of the Earth Tiger Ranking!"


    The Dharma Phase Realm Peak entering the top twenty of the Earth Tiger Ranking.


    Such an achievement was rare even in the talented-filled Nantian Dynasty.


    Whew!


    As he was distracted.


    A sudden whooshing sound swept by his ear, and Xiao Yi''s ghostlike sneer also sounded close by, "You dare to be distracted while fighting me?"


    "Not good!"


    Ye Xiaofeng''s expression changed dramatically, and as he moved his hands and feet, a square halberd shot out from his sleeve, clanging loudly as he immediately used it to block beside him. Almost at the same time, a resounding clang nearly shattered his eardrums.


    A mouthful of fresh blood spewed out.


    Ye Xiaofeng''s head buzzed, and his vision blurred momentarily.


    So much so that Xiao Yi appeared to have three or four phantoms swaying left and right in his eyes, Ye Xiaofeng roared with fury, "Go to die!"


    Swish!


    The Fangtian Huaji spun into motion, instantly creating a world-upending, sky-supporting, and sea-grasping force that swept in all directions.


    Terrible energy fluctuations turned into a series of shocking hurricanes surrounding the area, causing nobody within a thousand zhang to dare approach, yet Xiao Yi stood unmoved amidst the wild winds.


    Like a god descending to the world.


    A hint of cold light flashed through his eyes, having found a slight flaw amidst the grandiose attack.


    Seize the moment of weakness, aim for the kill!


    In a battle between experts, victory often rested upon the slightest of flaws.


    A rainbow of Sword Qi tore through the sky.


    Whoosh!


    Avoiding the endless gales, with a loud bang, it struck right onto the palm of Ye Xiaofeng''s hand that was holding the Fangtian Huaji.


    A wretched scream echoed.


    Ye Xiaofeng''s right palm was sliced off completely.


    The raging winds enveloping his body stopped abruptly as the Fangtian Huaji flew out of his hand. Almost simultaneously, Xiao Yi activated his Green Bat Skill, dodged the flying Fangtian Huaji with a swift move, and in the blink of an eye, he was before Ye Xiaofeng.


    Expressionless, Xiao Yi pointed forward with his longsword.


    Hum!


    Ripples spread out like water waves, with only the sword''s radiance across the sky, hitting right between Ye Xiaofeng''s eyebrows.


    Hiss...


    Ye Xiaofeng shuddered violently, standing rooted to the spot.


    Ripples spread across his entire body.


    His body, like a shattered reflection on the water, began to crack from the brow, spreading throughout his body. In an instant, countless cracks, like a glowing spider web, enshrouded him.


    And then...


    With a loud boom. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Xiaofeng''s body violently shook and exploded into pieces.


    He completely vanished from this world.


    "..."


    All the surrounding powerhouses stood as if under a Binding Spell, motionless. Shock and fear were visible on every face as they dumbfoundedly stared at the flesh scattered on the ground.


    Even the strong figures fighting each other stopped at that moment.


    Looking at each other, their faces filled with horror.


    Gulp!


    Someone swallowed with an audible sound, breaking the silence.


    Boom!


    The crowd burst into turmoil: "Ye, Ye has been killed?"


    "Since the establishment of the Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate, has there ever been an Inspector killed before?"


    "This has blown up now, Xiao Yi has really stirred up trouble!"


    Almost at the same time.


    Far within the royal capital of the Nantian Dynasty, inside the Inspectorate located next to the imperial palace.


    An old man abruptly opened his eyes, a hint of coldness and shock passing through them. He rose to his feet and with a single step, he crossed thousands of miles, yet his cold voice echoed within the Inspectorate: "Ye Xiaofeng has died in battle, I shall visit Great Qian!"


    In an instant.


    The news of Ye Xiaofeng''s death was reported up the hierarchy of the Inspectorate, stirring the vast Nantian Dynasty.


    But all this was unknown to Xiao Yi...


    At this moment.


    After killing Ye Xiaofeng, he soared into the sky, stood in mid-air, and with ice-cold eyes, as if piercing through the Flying Boat, he looked at Xiao Tianjiao inside and let out a thunderous roar: "Xiao Tianjiao, come out and meet your death!"


    PS: Thank you to the brother starting with 18465 for the 1.8M reward, and thanks to brother 10534 for the huge rewards again today, thank you! Xiao Tian will continue to write and update! (Sorry about that, I can''t see the full account numbers on the leaderboard...)

 Chapter 649 - 648: A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire [Eighth Update]

    "Xiao Tianjiao, come out and meet your death!"


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze fixated on the Flying Boat before him as he let out a skyward howl.


    The roar shook the heavens.


    Battle intent shook the world!


    In the void, fierce winds howled as Xiao Yi''s jet-black hair flew wildly, his black robe fluttering loudly. It was as though he had gathered the stars and moon in his eyes; his shining eyes pulsed with light, much like a peerless War God.


    "..."


    Inside the Flying Boat, all was silent.


    "Why hasn''t Xiao Tianjiao taken action?"


    "Could it be that he''s scared?"


    "That can''t be possible, can it? After all, he was once our Great Qian Dynasty''s number one talent..."


    "A number one talent, my foot! The only number one talent of the Great Qian Dynasty is Xiao Zhenguo! What kind of talent is Xiao Tianjiao, who just watches from the sidelines with the enemy when his own country is in crisis?"


    Everyone was whispering among themselves.


    Clearly, the fact that Xiao Tianjiao was aboard the Flying Boat and had not once acted to help the Great Qian Dynasty, nor had he said a word in its favor, had thoroughly broken the hearts of the kingdom''s people.


    Moreover, contrasted with Xiao Yi''s bloody battles for the Great Qian Dynasty and his combat with formidable enemies, Xiao Tianjiao''s inaction stood out starkly.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The Flying Boat suddenly shook, and the hatch slowly opened.


    A tall figure walked out unhurriedly.


    Silver light surged within the Flying Boat, casting divine, saint-like halos upon his figure.


    The man''s tall frame was not burly but exceedingly contained, simply standing there, he gave off the impression of a divine sword standing between heaven and earth. Man like sword, sword like man, sharp edges all over, unyieldingly proud and wild.


    Atop his handsome features, his brows were sharp as swords, his nose hooked like an eagle''s beak, and his eyes contained the convergence of stars and moons, deep and bright. It seemed that at a glance one could see through the heart, penetrating through the ages.


    This was Xiao Tianjiao!


    The once greatest talent of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    His legend was widely spread throughout the Great Qian Dynasty, known by everyone from toothless old women to toddlers in open-crotch trousers, each able to recite one or two of his records and tales. Countless people once saw him as an idol, a lifetime pursuit.


    But now...


    This role had been taken over by Xiao Yi.


    The two men locked eyes.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s gaze was as cold as ever, devoid of any emotion.


    Xiao Yi''s expression was complex.


    After many years.


    The two brothers met again.


    This day...


    Xiao Yi had waited for well over a decade!


    This moment.


    Xiao Tianjiao had never imagined!


    After a long stare, Xiao Tianjiao was the first to speak, his tone as arrogant and indifferent as always, "I never thought that the Deputy Head of the Supervisory Department would be such trash, to die by your hand!"


    Was Ye Xiaofeng really trash?


    No!


    He was a genuine talent!


    His combat power was almost on par with the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, who dominated the Chaotic Seas.


    But...


    In Xiao Tianjiao''s eyes, since Ye Xiaofeng was slain by Xiao Yi, he was trash.


    Because.


    In his eyes, Xiao Yi was the biggest piece of trash.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but chuckle, "What? Is admitting that I''m strong really that hard for you?"


    "You? Your growth has indeed exceeded my expectations, but even now, in my eyes, you are still far from strong," Xiao Tianjiao said as he glanced sideways at Xiao Yi, shook his head lightly, and continued in his lofty manner, "Nevermind the Heavenly Dragon Ranking and the Earth Tiger Ranking, even within the Nantian Holy Institute there are countless stronger than you. You are just the dimmest star among the myriad heavens!"


    How familiar these words were!


    How familiar this demeanor was!


    When Xiao Tianjiao had proposed to completely erase Xiao Yi back then, this was exactly the attitude and tone he had used.


    It was finally his mother kneeling and begging that led to a step back, and Xiao Yi was imprisoned for eight long years!


    To think that after so many years, Xiao Tianjiao remained the same.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and, squinting his eyes, asked, "And you? What are you then?"


    The corners of Xiao Tianjiao''s mouth turned up slightly.


    Slowly, he spread his hands apart.


    A violent surge of energy rolled around him, gathering between his eyes, and suddenly he threw back his head and opened his eyes.


    Whoosh, whoosh!


    Two brilliant beams of light shot up into the sky.


    Crash!


    Centered on those beams of light, the dark clouds above scattered within ten miles, and the sunlight streamed down through the gaps in the clouds. The golden sunshine fell upon Xiao Tianjiao, encasing him in a golden glow, his aura majestic, as if he were a god or an immortal.


    Bathed in the golden sunlight, Xiao Tianjiao''s mouth curved up slightly as he said deliberately, "Do you see?"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi frowned.


    With a casual yet confident tone, Xiao Tianjiao said, "I am the proud sun above the firmament, the Ming Yue amidst the starry night. And you, you are but the light of a grain of rice, a faint glow of a firefly. How can you even compare to me?"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Atop the city wall.


    The Shadow Demon murmured under his breath, "I''ve never seen such a narcissist."


    Jin Feiyan snorted coldly, full of disdain, "I can''t believe I once idolized such a person."


    Ye Heng clenched his fists tightly, his face full of disgust and dissatisfaction as he said, "He compares himself to the sun and the moon, yet considers the master a mere grain of rice, a faint firefly light... I don''t know where he gets his courage from..."


    A minister smiled wryly but spoke up, "I know you all dislike him, but we have to admit that Xiao Tianjiao is right. He truly shines as bright as the sun and the moon, dazzling to behold. Even in the Nantian Dynasty, he could be the most brilliant presence..."


    "However, his assessment of Xiao Zhenguo is far too low!"


    "Not just too low, it''s outright suppression!" S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The crowd buzzed with discussion.


    A person''s reputation is like a tree''s shadow.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s name had long been linked with genius and invincibility, ingrained in people''s hearts.


    Rome wasn''t built in a day.


    Ever since his birth, he has been the strongest and most dazzling one.


    That was something no one could deny!


    As for Xiao Yi...


    His progress was indeed miraculous, but to truly shake Xiao Tianjiao''s status as the number one genius of the Great Qian Dynasty, he would need to defeat Xiao Tianjiao. Otherwise, the majority would still regard Xiao Tianjiao as the foremost of Great Qian.


    Everyone''s eyes turned to Xiao Yi, curious as to how he would respond to Xiao Tianjiao.


    Looking at Xiao Yi, who remained silent, Xiao Tianjiao spoke indifferently, "You must be resentful in your heart, right? But this is fate, a destiny you cannot fight against!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of foul air, not the least bit affected by Xiao Tianjiao''s words, and smiled faintly, quickly gathering back his smile. His words were forceful and resolute, "Even if I am but the light of a grain of rice, a faint glow of a firefly, so what? Don''t you know that man is the master of his fate, that a single spark can start a prairie fire, that the light of a grain can swallow the sun and moon?"


    Hum!


    A single spark can start a prairie fire!


    The light of a grain can swallow the sun and moon!


    Xiao Yi''s words were neither impassioned nor accompanied by golden light.


    But they were forceful and sharp, resonant and striking.


    They were just a few words, yet they set one''s blood ablaze.


    Who says the weak cannot grow strong?


    Who says talent decides everything?


    I don''t believe in fate.


    I don''t believe in destiny!


    I only believe in myself!


    And in seizing the day!


    PS: The eighth update, there are two more. Xiao Tian has finished writing but is not satisfied, he is currently revising them, and will post after making adjustments. Lastly, thank you to Brother Xian Ci for his 180,000 reward, Brother Li Mingxuan for his 70,000, 138**9858, Shi Jiu Chen Shao Nian and other brothers for their rewards. In order not to take up word count I will not list everyone, but thank you very much! Xiao Tian has no way to repay you but to update more frequently!

 Chapter 650 - 649: Xiao Yi Battles Tianjiao

    I don''t believe in fate.


    I don''t accept my destiny.


    I only believe in myself!


    I strive for every moment!


    Xiao Yi''s voice wasn''t loud, yet it echoed like thunder over the entire imperial capital.


    For a moment.


    Countless powerful individuals looked up at him, their gazes lost in wonder.


    In their minds surfaced an image of a youth with mediocre talent, humiliated and despised by his father and brothers. From a young age, he faced all kinds of injustices, even lacking the most basic freedoms.


    Even living had taken all his effort.


    Yet, it was this very youth...


    The unfairness of his fate, the oppression of his family, the setbacks and blows he suffered never defeated him.


    He didn''t believe in fate, he didn''t accept his destiny.


    He always fought back, always tried harder!


    Until one day...


    He was finally able to stand before his genius brother who had once disregarded him, with the same demeanor, on equal footing, telling him all this with a resounding self-confidence.


    The path the young man had walked was full of bumps and hardships.


    But he never spoke of giving up!


    He never gave up!


    "No one''s success comes easily!"


    "Behind every splendid person, there''s always an unknown sacrifice..."


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was unaware that his words, without his knowing, were influencing countless people.


    There were youths from impoverished families who stopped complaining about their powerless parents, talented individuals who felt unnoticed no longer lamented their twisted fates, and those who had suffered setbacks and considered suicide were now reinvigorated...


    Of course.


    Xiao Yi knew nothing of this.


    At this moment.


    He had only one thought in his mind.


    To fulfill his long-held obsession, to have a fair and just battle with Xiao Tianjiao!


    To defeat him!


    To defeat this brother who had never taken him seriously!


    To defeat this arrogant genius who even saw him as a disgrace!


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled it, looking solemnly at Xiao Tianjiao, he said word by word, "Xiao Tianjiao, fight me!"


    On Xiao Tianjiao''s proud face appeared for the first time a smile that felt strange to Xiao Yi.


    The cold indifference and arrogance on Xiao Tianjiao''s face began to fade slowly, replaced by a bright smile; he laughed with abandon, his laughter wild and unrestrained. Suddenly, Xiao Tianjiao''s laughter stopped.


    He raised his hand to wipe away the tear that had formed in the corner of his eye from laughing, and once again resumed his indifferent demeanor. He then slowly said, "Don''t believe in fate, don''t accept destiny? Hahaha, Xiao Yi, you''re really about to make me die from laughing. Only ants lament the injustice of the Heavenly Dao, only the weak cry out ''My life is mine, not dictated by fate.'' Today, I will show you that some are born to be above others, while no matter how hard some try, they''re destined to lead a mediocre life, trampled under the feet of the truly gifted!"


    "If we''re born ordinary, who dares to look down upon us?"


    Xiao Yi replied with neither humility nor arrogance.


    Xiao Tianjiao shook his head, chuckling in disbelief, "Enough, enough. Since good words of advice fall on deaf ears with you, I''ll have to use strength to show you just how laughable and pitiable all your efforts are!"


    While speaking.


    Xiao Tianjiao slowly raised one finger, saying indifferently, "One move, to defeat you!"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils slightly narrowed.


    Above the city walls.


    Ye Heng and the others cursed loudly, "Damn, Xiao Tianjiao is too arrogant, isn''t he? Defeat my master in one move? Does he think he is Martial God Zhao Wuji?"


    "This is pure arrogance..."


    Yet, Xiao Tianjiao remained unmoved, slowly raising his right hand, his fingers outstretched as he gently rotated his wrist. He then slowly clenched his fist, withdrawing it to his waist side, in a process that seemed utterly ordinary.


    Any beginner of martial arts would know this stance.


    Yet it made countless strong fighters hold their breath, "What just happened? How did it feel like he threw nine hundred to a thousand punches in an instant?"


    "That was the intent of the fist, and it has already surpassed the fifth tier."


    "As expected of Xiao Tianjiao, such profound mystery contained within a simple punch. Can Xiao Yi really catch it?" A look of alarm appeared on Yang Zun''s face. He simulated in his mind, and even if it was just a starting move from Xiao Tianjiao, it left him devoid of any confidence in catching the punch.


    Emperor Qian, standing next to him, also swallowed hard, his face turning a shade paler, "Xiao Tianjiao''s cultivation level has exceeded our imagination. His Qi-Blood is like a rainbow, his primordial energy vast as the ocean, unfathomable. To me, he seems like a bottomless abyss, with no telling how strong he actually is. I''m afraid Xiao Yi is in danger..."


    Just a starting move had already shaken the confidence of those who were originally full of information about Xiao Yi.


    One could imagine just how terrifying Xiao Tianjiao''s strength actually was!


    "Here it comes!"


    Xiao Tianjiao slowly spoke.


    He seemed not at all worried that Xiao Yi was on guard. From the starting move to the actual punch, the whole process constantly reminded Xiao Yi.


    And this...


    Was exactly where Xiao Tianjiao was so confident.


    In his view, even if he fully disclosed the intricacies of this punch to Xiao Yi, it would still be impossible for him to catch it.


    Humm!


    The iron fist stretched across the sky��a simple punch that didn''t even seem as vigorous as a beginner''s, lacking an imposing presence. But even a punch as unremarkable as this starting move had Yang Zun and Emperor Qian''s hair standing on end.


    Each of them drew a sharp breath.


    The subtleties of this punch were beyond verbal description!


    It appeared slow, but in reality, it was exceedingly fast.


    It seemed ordinary, but it was actually fist within fist. It looked like one punch, yet in the blink of an eye, it struck hundreds to thousands of times.


    If one looked closely, they could see ripples of emptiness surrounding the fist, creating layers upon layers, forming a terrifying spatial suppression.


    Any martial artist facing this punch had no way to dodge.


    As for defense?


    That was even more laughable.


    Even if Ye Xiaofeng were reborn, when faced with this punch, the only option would be to take it head-on. And the consequence of doing so was a ninety percent chance of dying on the spot, with the remaining ten percent resulting in critical injuries.


    The moment Xiao Tianjiao initiated the starting move, Xiao Yi already understood the unusual nature of the punch.


    No wonder Xiao Tianjiao was so confident that one punch could defeat him.


    Let alone facing an opponent at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, even a formidable fighter at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm would only have one outcome under this punch��death.


    But...


    Today was destined to be a miscalculation for Xiao Tianjiao.


    Because his opponent was Xiao Yi!


    With the sixth transformation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, complete mastery of the sixth diagram of the Tongtian Tiroku, and reinforced several times over, Xiao Yi would at most suffer light injuries from such a punch, let alone withstand it.


    What''s more...


    "Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger!"


    This finger strike from Xiao Yi was actually being charged up from the moment Xiao Tianjiao began his starting move.


    Now it was unleashed!


    One finger.


    One punch.


    Like needle against wheat awn, they collided in midair. Sear?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    The ground beneath their feet shook at the same time, the ground between them intact, but the ground behind each of them was collapsing amidst loud rumbles. Dust and stones tumbled around, and when everything settled down, two gigantic fan-shaped craters appeared behind them.


    Each crater was dozens of meters deep.


    Only the ground beneath their feet was left intact, turning into a lone pillar, standing in the middle of the craters.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s pupils slightly contracted.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled upward slightly, "One move has passed, and I''m still alive!"

 Chapter 651 - 650: Battle of Destiny

    "One move has passed, and I am still alive!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward, bearing a brilliant smile.


    Mother!


    Do you see?


    You have always believed that one day, I would catch up to Xiao Tianjiao, and even surpass him.


    Now...


    I am no longer the worthless creature that anyone could bully!


    Mother!


    Wait for me!


    I will certainly find you and bring you home!


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s fingertips surged with vital energy like a cocooning bee, transforming into a long rainbow, enveloping the arm of a distracted Xiao Tianjiao. Following closely was a fierce spin, with a whoosh, he flung Xiao Tianjiao violently behind him.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Tianjiao had not expected Xiao Yi to actually block his punch, and while he was caught off guard, he was fiercely thrown away by Xiao Yi.


    His complexion changed abruptly, revealing a surge of towering rage.


    His feet stomped on the void.


    With two booming sounds beneath his feet, a highly compressed ball of air burst open. Xiao Tianjiao then leaped high, propelled by the rebound, like an arrow released from the string shooting toward Xiao Yi: "Just now, it was my carelessness that let you fortunately block a punch. Now, I will show no mercy!"


    Hum!


    Xiao Tianjiao''s figure streaked across the sky like a meteor.


    At this moment...


    His cultivation was finally exposed.


    It was the Sixth Nirvana Realm.


    Hiss!


    The onlookers couldn''t help but draw a cold breath: "He, he stepped into the Nirvana Realm just three months ago, and now he''s already in the Sixth Nirvana Realm? My heavens, just how did Xiao Tianjiao cultivate?"


    "This is terrifying, such talent is simply inhuman!"


    Ji Luanyue, hearing the crowd''s astonishment, was also stunned, her gaze toward Xiao Tianjiao filled with gravity: "Three months ago he was newly in Nirvana, now already in the Sixth Nirvana Realm? How on earth did this guy cultivate?"


    "These two brothers are both freaks..." Bai Fa Sword Emperor was also shocked.


    Huang Feihu wore a serious expression, and asked, "Bai Fa, who do you think will win in the end?"


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "This is their fated battle, there is only life and death, no victory or defeat!"


    Everyone fell silent.


    They watched the two intently...


    Xiao Tianjiao soared across the sky, his body surrounded by golden light, with the vague shadow of a five-clawed golden dragon flickering beneath his skin, revealing his identity as the possessor of one of the top ten Sacred Bodies, the Supreme Overlord Holy Body.


    The Supreme among Sacred Bodies!


    The Overlord among those of the same rank!


    "Flame Burning Sky Fist!"


    The golden dragon shadow inside Xiao Tianjiao bellowed toward the heavens, a ferocious dragon head manifesting on his fist, resembling an Azure Dragon with its gaping maw open wide. Flames surged from the dragon''s mouth, attaching to his fists.


    In that instant.


    Boundless flames seemed to boil the heavens.


    The crimson Hongxia illuminated all under the sky.


    Before the punch even arrived, the scorching heat wave caused the stone pillar beneath Xiao Yi''s feet to melt, turning into rolling magma, as Xiao Yi stood suspended in the air. His eyes gleaming sharply, he smiled coldly: "Invincible King Fist, with my invincibility!"


    Boom!


    Fist met fist.


    One carried the sweeping flames, burning the sky, the other boasted an astonishing will, unmatched and invincible!


    The clash of their fists created a violent energy that made the earth tremble thunderously, like a dragon turning over, and the terrifying waves of energy tore the earth apart. Cracks sprawled across the land.


    Xiao Yi and his opponent fought with increasing ferocity.


    From the ground to the high skies.


    And from the high skies back to the ground.


    Their onslaught grew even more violent and swift.


    Battling in the void, the thousand li of dark clouds were shattered.


    Fighting over the Shanchuan, with booming sounds, a hundred li of mountain ranges collapsed to the ground, flattened.


    Within the vast expanse of Great Liang Mountain, countless beasts ran desperately; each confrontation between Xiao Yi and his opponent covered tens of li.


    ```


    Boom! S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi sent Xiao Tianjiao flying with a kick, who then smashed into the side of a mountain, causing it to explode into pieces. Still unstoppable, he crashed into a waterfall, reversing the flow of a thousand-foot waterfall. Plummeting through mountains, the booming sound was ceaseless, splitting a hundred-mile mountain range in half.


    Eventually, with a bang, he hit a thousand-foot mountain peak, which burst apart in a rumble, sending rocks tumbling down, burying Xiao Yi amid the chaotic rubble.


    However, it was at this time that Xiao Tianjiao caught up.


    But he couldn''t find Xiao Yi.


    "Where is he?"


    As Xiao Tianjiao frowned, suddenly, his face changed, and he flew towards the void.


    But he was a step too late!


    A giant Qi hand reached out from the ground and grabbed Xiao Tianjiao by the ankle.


    At the same time��


    The pile of rocks exploded violently, and massive stones weighing tens of thousands of tons blasted out, flying everywhere and crashing down towards Xiao Tianjiao.


    Boom boom boom!


    The giant rocks kept hitting Xiao Tianjiao, melding together to form a huge stone sphere.


    The stone sphere was a hundred feet in diameter.


    Suspended in mid-air.


    Xiao Yi turned his fists into a series of afterimages, and with resonating booms, he struck the giant rocks one punch after another. Each punch was filled with surging Qi, as if forging a Yuan weapon.


    Continuously shaping and forging the giant rock in front of him.


    The hundred-foot diameter stone sphere was crafted by his endless hammering, reduced to an iron sphere three feet in diameter.


    With Xiao Yi''s repeated punches, the stone sphere had already been sent to the zenith of the tens of thousands of feet high sky.


    Xiao Yi leaped up high, clasping his hands together above his head.


    The blazing sun crossed the sky, casting its golden glow upon him, as if a god had descended��


    At the same time��


    Both fists slammed furiously onto the stone sphere.


    Thud!


    At the moment of collision, both the fist and stone trembled.


    Then��


    With a mighty roar and the sound of tearing through the air, the stone sphere plummeted from the high sky. Its surface ablaze with towering flames, it resembled a fiery meteorite from beyond the heavens, crashing towards the ground.


    Many of the Great Qian Dynasty''s powerhouses saw it.


    A fireball in the void swept across the sky, traveling hundreds of miles before crashing into a giant lake five hundred miles from the imperial capital with a bang.


    Boom!


    Rumble rumble rumble!


    The giant lake, covering three hundred thousand square kilometers, erupted with a column of water tens of thousands of feet high, the intense heat evaporating it instantly, steaming with a hissing sound as white vapor filled the sky.


    Underneath the dense mist, one couldn''t see further than three meters.


    It wasn''t until Xiao Yi descended from the sky and flapped his Wind Thunder wings that the fog dispersed.


    The giant lake, which spanned three hundred thousand square kilometers, had been utterly evaporated, cooking all the monsters within. Even Beast Kings of the sixth order were skewered in the terrifying heat in an instant.


    The deepest part of the lake was several hundred meters, but now it had sunk by more than a thousand meters.


    Within the vast crater.


    The iron sphere was a glowing red, surrounded by hovering flames.


    Xiao Yi floated mid-air, his lips slightly curving upward, gazing at the fireball, "Xiao Tianjiao, I know you''re not so easily defeated. How long do you plan to keep crashing?"


    "..."


    Silence.


    Xiao Yi squinted, smiling as he said, "Since you won''t come out, then I''ll just have to announce to the world that in this battle, the once invincible Xiao Tianjiao has lost!"


    Crack!


    A crack appeared on the fireball.


    Followed by��


    Crack crack crack!


    Snapping��


    Amid the brittle sound of breaking, the fireball exploded with a bang into fragments. An astonishing aura flew out from inside, revealing a glowering Xiao Tianjiao, his face no longer exuding the usual arrogance and indifference.


    His gaze toward Xiao Yi was also no longer contemptuous and indifferent as before.


    Replaced by anger, murderous intent, and seriousness, he said word by word, "You, deserve to die!"


    ```

 Chapter 652 - 651: You, Lost!

    "You, deserve to die!"


    Xiao Tianjiao''s eyes were filled with extreme coldness and spiteful chill to the utmost degree.


    How proud he was!


    Never had he tasted defeat from childhood!


    Among his peers...


    He had never encountered an opponent.


    Since his birth until now, in Xiao Tianjiao''s mind, he considered himself invincible. He never regarded Xiao Yi as his brother, nor did he ever take Xiao Yi seriously. In his eyes, there was only himself, only the martial path.


    As for Xiao Yi?


    To him, Xiao Yi was no different from an ant.


    But today...


    He had actually been beaten to such a state by Xiao Yi, whom he considered a worthless ant.


    If it wasn''t for the fact that his Supreme Overlord Holy Body endowed him with an extremely strong physical body, capable of withstanding the recent barrage of attacks, he would have already been buried within that stone sphere. For him, this was an unprecedented humiliation and affront.


    This humiliation and stain could only be washed away by slaying Xiao Yi!


    "I will tear your body into ten thousand pieces to satisfy the hatred in my heart!"


    As Xiao Tianjiao roared in anger, clusters of red flames suddenly appeared behind him. These flames, like spirits, danced and converged behind him, ultimately forming a vast dragon shadow.


    This was none other than Xiao Tianjiao''s mount, the Nine Heavens Profound Fire Bright Dragon King, which had voluntarily pledged itself to him upon his birth!


    Nine Heavens Profound Fire Bright Dragon King!


    When Xiao Tianjiao visualized the Manifestation of Dharma gathering, the dragon was already a seventh-layer peak magical beast, comparable to a super expert of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm. Moreover, this was a powerful magical beast which could grow continuously stronger with its master.


    Once Xiao Tianjiao entered the Longevity Secret Realm, as its accompanying magical beast, it would also step into the eighth-layer level.


    Become a Beast Sovereign!


    The Supreme Venerable of magical beasts!


    Roar!


    The Dharma manifestation of the Nine Heavens Profound Fire Bright Dragon King let out a heaven-piercing roar, its three-hundred-zhang-long dragon body coiling and hovering behind Xiao Tianjiao. Its cold eyes fixated on Xiao Yi, the chilling light in its gaze threatening to devour him.


    Xiao Tianjiao was expressionless, with the Martial Dao Fasxiang looming behind him, granting him an overwhelming presence.


    "This is the first time I''ve been forced by someone of my age to summon my Martial Dao Fasxiang, especially when... your cultivation is still far below mine!" Xiao Tianjiao stared at Xiao Yi, his eyes filled with a piercing cold murderous intent, as tangible as physical substance.


    He had never imagined that he would be pushed to this point by Xiao Yi. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the past...


    No matter what opponent he faced, he never actively summoned his Martial Dao Fasxiang.


    But today, he made an exception!


    Under the pressure of Xiao Yi''s formidable strength, he had no choice but to use his Martial Dao Fasxiang.


    Xiao Yi licked his lips. He had always been curious about the kind of Martial Dao Fasxiang Xiao Tianjiao had gathered and had speculated whether it was the Nine Heavens Profound Fire Bright Dragon King. Now, it was indeed so, and the length of this Fasxiang''s body was actually three hundred zhang.


    Clearly, Xiao Tianjiao chose the path of Dharma Nirvana.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s eyes were cold as he looked at Xiao Yi, speaking indifferently, "Don''t say I''m bullying you. Summon your Martial Dao Fasxiang as well!"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile: "No need!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Tianjiao was taken aback, his face full of scorn, "What now? Just by seeing my Martial Dao Fasxiang, you already know that you have no hope of victory and are ready to admit defeat? Then I''m afraid I will have to disappoint you. Our battle has no victory or defeat, only life and death! Even if you kneel and beg me, I will not spare you!"


    Seeing Xiao Tianjiao''s self-righteous pride, Xiao Yi couldn''t help but shake his head.


    This guy''s self-perception is still so high.


    In his heart, he probably still doesn''t see me as a contender of the same level, eh!


    Thinking this, the corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly as he raised a finger and gently waved it: "What I mean is... you''re not qualified enough to make me use my Martial Dao Fasxiang!"


    "What did you say?"


    Xiao Tianjiao, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, glared furiously, his eyebrows shooting up. His energies burst forth from his body, his eyes electric, fixated on Xiao Yi as he said through clenched teeth, "You dare say I''m not qualified to make you use your Martial Dao Fasxiang?"


    He felt like he was going to explode with rage.


    Who was he?


    He was Xiao Tianjiao!


    At his birth, a fire dragon descended from the sky to acknowledge him as its master.


    By the age of three, he had awakened the Supreme Overlord Holy Body, capable of lifting a thousand-pound cauldron with one arm.


    At five, he broke through the Tenth Layer of the Physical Body Realm; at seven, he stepped into the Qi Gathering with Ten Layers; at eight, he successfully challenged the Shentong Realm, becoming the youngest Shentong Realm powerhouse in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty; and at ten, he entered the Shentong Realm with Ten Layers, joining the Tianjian Sect, the number one sect of the Great Qin Dynasty, as a direct disciple.


    Afterward, he even joined the Nantian Holy Institute, becoming its youngest Inner Sect Disciple.


    The youngest prodigy on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking of the Nantian Dynasty.


    Countless honors, all were but a testament to his might and heaven-defying talent.


    Always, it was he who deemed others unworthy of his true effort, never had he been so belittled and humiliated.


    Kekeke!


    Xiao Tianjiao clenched his steel teeth so hard they were nearly crushed, his throat rolling with low, roaring growls, "You''re too arrogant, too wild!"


    "The bold and reckless are my kin, battling the heavens and shattering the universe."


    Xiao Yi burst out laughing, "So I''m mad, what can you do to me?"


    Seeing Xiao Tianjiao so infuriated and helpless was incredibly satisfying!


    You''ve always looked down on me, haven''t you?


    Today, it''s my turn to look down on you!


    You thought yourself too good to fight me, didn''t you?


    Now you''re serious, but I disdain to fight you!


    Because��


    You''re not worthy!


    Xiao Yi, mastering three paths concurrently, had reached a realm comparable to the Sixth Nirvana Realm, and Xiao Tianjiao, also of the Sixth Nirvana Realm, was no longer an opponent worth his full effort in his eyes.


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Tianjiao was furiously enraged, completely losing control.


    Boom!


    A three-hundred-zhang-tall manifestation of the Nine Heavens Profound Fire Bright Dragon King roared earthshakingly as wild energy erupted like a volcanic explosion, frenziedly surging from his body. The scorching flames formed a river of fire, enveloping Xiao Tianjiao''s body.


    Converging into an armor of flames.


    "Infinite Sea of Fire!"


    Xiao Tianjiao manipulated fireballs in his hands and smacked them towards the ground, igniting flames that spread rapidly. In an instant, it turned into a rolling sea of raging fire.


    The sea of flames enveloped Xiao Yi within.


    Blazing heat, scorching heaven and boiling sea.


    The ground melted into magma, rivers evaporated leaving only their beds, and forests burned to desolation.


    Xiao Tianjiao, his body covered in fiery armor, was unafraid of the torrential blaze. With a flick of his finger, the Martial Tao manifestation leaped into the sea of fire. A cold roar exploded simultaneously in the void, "Ten thousand fire dragons, scorching heaven and boiling sea!"


    Ao!


    Ao!


    Ao!


    Dragon cries echoed between heaven and earth.


    Countless fire dragons surged and darted through the sea of flames, the heat-intensified dragons relentlessly bombarding Xiao Yi.


    Ten thousand fire dragons spit flames, attempting to incinerate Xiao Yi alive.


    Through the crimson flames and looking at Xiao Tianjiao''s fierce face, Xiao Yi sighed lightly, "Xiao Tianjiao, I once said that one day I would trample you underfoot. Today is that day!"


    "Sword, come forth!"


    Xiao Yi reached into the air with his palm, and the moon-slicing sword flew from its sheath, shattering dozens of fire dragons and falling into his grasp.


    Xiao Tianjiao, however, appeared unconcerned, proudly sneering, "My ten thousand fire dragons are capable of burning anything under immortality to ashes. You and your weapon shall turn to ash..."


    Xiao Yi, expressionless, swept his sleeve, and with a mighty swing of his sword spirit, he slashed out, "Domain of the Sword!"


    Hum!


    An endless torrent of sword qi burst forth, the unmatchable sharpness of the sword qi capable of cleaving everything in heaven and earth.


    Under the dreadful slaughter of the sword qi, the fierce and scorching fire dragons were cut into tiny flecks of fire. The wild sword spirit within him, boundless sword intent coalescing into a several hundred-zhang-long sword, slashed through the boundless sea of fire with a whoosh, dividing it in two.


    Firewaves rolled, turning into two walls of flame.


    As if actively parting, they made way for the sword light.


    At the end of the path of fire stood Xiao Tianjiao, his face filled with shock, watching the indomitable, heaven-slaying sword light approaching, his expression suddenly changing. It was too late to defend; he could only hastily cross his arms above his head to block.


    Duang!


    An earth-shattering noise rang out.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s arms, covered in armored flames, burst apart, followed by the chestplate of the armor, which disintegrated into fragments, scattering and falling from the sky.


    And his body��


    Crashed to the ground like a fallen meteor with a thunderous boom.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi, with winds and thunder at his back, soared through the sky and landed before Xiao Tianjiao, sweeping his longsword to rest on his throat. Xiao Yi, his face devoid of emotion, looked down at the ashen-faced Xiao Tianjiao and said calmly, "You, have been defeated!"

 Chapter 653 - 652: Longevity Secret Realm!

    ```


    "You''ve been defeated!" Xiao Yi said calmly as he looked down at Xiao Tianjiao lying on the ground.


    His face was expressionless.


    Only a hint of relief flitted through his eyes, like a heavy burden had been lifted.


    He had waited for this moment for far too long!


    And today, it had finally come true.


    Emperor Qian, Bai Fa Sword Emperor, and other powerful figures also hurried over, suspended in the void, looking down at the entire giant lake that had been completely evaporated. They couldn''t help but exchange glances.


    Such destructive power was truly astonishing.


    Of course...


    What shocked them even more were the likes of Emperor Qian, watching the proud, solitary figure of the young man. Each and every strong person who knew the grudges between Xiao Yi and Xiao Tianjiao couldn''t help feeling an inexplicable shock, "I didn''t think he would actually do it!"


    "Don''t believe in fate, don''t accept destiny, believe only in oneself, and fight for every moment. Xiao Yi, he really did it!"


    "How much hardship must he have suffered, how many disdainful glances must he have endured along the way!"


    "Fortunately, heaven does not let down those who work hard with a sincere heart..."


    Everyone chimed in.


    They were all filled with deep emotions.


    If it had been any of them in Xiao Yi''s place, they might have already been beaten by life''s setbacks. But Xiao Yi had persevered, and he had even trampled the once invincible Xiao Tianjiao, who never took him seriously, underfoot.


    It was all because he never gave up!


    His original intention remained unchanged!


    In the pit...


    Xiao Tianjiao''s face was pale; he couldn''t believe that he had truly lost.


    His former arrogance, his erstwhile aloofness.


    All of it was completely destroyed at this moment.


    Trampled.


    He felt as if the worldview he had held for the past two decades had collapsed entirely. Xiao Yi, whom he regarded as no more than an ant, a source of lifelong shame, had actually caught up to him.


    And had even surpassed him, looking down upon him from above.


    "Did I... Did I lose?" Xiao Tianjiao suddenly asked himself.


    Only he could hear his own voice, which was then echoed by two distinct voices that suddenly resounded in his mind.


    One said: You''ve lost, utterly and completely defeated!


    Another said: You haven''t lost yet; you still have a chance to turn the tide...


    Xiao Yi, however, was unaware of Xiao Tianjiao''s inner struggle and changes. As he looked at the pale-faced Xiao Tianjiao, he felt as if a shackle in his heart had suddenly shattered. This was his obsession, his nightmare.


    And with the defeat of Xiao Tianjiao, the chains that had bound his heart had finally broken.


    Xiao Yi suddenly felt a wave of relaxation throughout his body.


    His state of mind advanced by leaps and bounds, undergoing earth-shattering changes.


    As his state of mind changed, what improved the most was Xiao Yi''s cultivation in the "Heaven-reaching Skill Record". The previously incomprehensible seventh diagram cleared up at that moment.


    As if he had an epiphany.


    It was as if he had undergone a seventh spiritual Nirvana.


    Now, as Xiao Yi looked at Xiao Tianjiao again, he bore no grudge or enmity; his heart had untied its knots, and he had torn apart his Heart Demon. The chain that had shackled him for over a decade had completely disappeared.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply; he had fantasized countless times about what he would do after defeating Xiao Tianjiao.


    Would it be a bout of mockery and humiliation, followed by killing him to vent his anger?


    Or, perhaps, would it be a laugh to dissolve all grudges?


    Up to this moment...


    Xiao Yi suddenly realized that after defeating Xiao Tianjiao, he had no urge for humiliation or mockery. He slowly withdrew his longsword, calmly saying, "You may go! Go back and tell Xiao Zhengde that I will personally come to reclaim my mother''s remains!"


    Xiao Tianjiao: "..."


    He looked at Xiao Yi, utterly dumbfounded.


    He had thought that after being defeated by Xiao Yi, he would face the most malicious humiliation and ridicule, and perhaps even die by Xiao Yi''s sword.


    But Xiao Yi had simply let him go?


    This puzzled Xiao Tianjiao greatly, though truthfully speaking, if Xiao Yi had been the one to lose today, he certainly would not have shown mercy. Hesitating, Xiao Tianjiao asked, "Why not kill me?"


    Xiao Yi paused.


    "I promised my mother, I would spare you once!"


    Xiao Yi still remembered the fifth year of his imprisonment when, during one of his mother''s secret visits to bring food, she had urged Xiao Yi not to harbor hatred toward Xiao Tianjiao. Eventually, at her earnest request, Xiao Yi agreed to spare him once.


    Boom!


    Xiao Tianjiao''s figure shook violently, his complexion abruptly changing to an extreme pallor.


    He had never expected...


    That his survival today was thanks to the opportunity to live his mother had begged for him��the mother he had always looked down upon, and was even too lazy to pay respects to.


    This realization oppressed Xiao Tianjiao to the utmost.


    Thud!


    Thud...


    Xiao Tianjiao''s heartbeat accelerated wildly, the thumping sound like war drums beating, making his breathing even more rapid. Deep-seated resentment surged into his eyes, turning into blood-red veins that spread across his eyeballs.


    Why?


    Why should you, Xiao Yi, humiliate me like this?


    I, Xiao Tianjiao, am the first prodigy, the reincarnation of the Martial God, born superior to all. How dare you humiliate me like this?


    Unwilling!


    Unsatisfied!


    Indignant!


    Xiao Tianjiao''s hair whipped wildly as a roar like thunder echoed between heaven and earth, causing the surrounding mountains to rumble and trigger landslides, with mud and rocks tumbling down.


    "I, Xiao Tianjiao, am peerless under the heavens. Why would I need a dead man to plead for me!"


    The roar of Xiao Tianjiao was like the thunder in the sky.


    Whoosh!


    Radiating red light and raging flames, Xiao Tianjiao conjured a white bone longspear in his palm. This spear emanated an incredibly eerie Evil Qi, as if thousands of resentful souls were howling, and he thrust it towards Xiao Yi''s back.


    "Not good!"


    "Xiao Yi, be careful!"


    "Dodge quickly..."


    Emperor Qian, Huang Feihu, Bai Fa Sword Emperor, and others suddenly changed their expressions, fury on their faces, "Xiao Tianjiao, stop this at once!"


    Everyone was stunned.


    No one expected the proud Xiao Tianjiao, the prodigious Xiao Tianjiao, the invincible Xiao Tianjiao, to resort to a sneak attack!


    "Stubborn fool!"


    Xiao Yi hadn''t expected it either.


    But having just understood the seventh diagram of the Heaven-reaching Skill Record, his spiritual power surged and his senses became even more keen. When Xiao Tianjiao made his move, Xiao Yi had already sensed it, and the Moon-Slaying Sword clanged into his hand.


    In an instant.


    As Xiao Yi turned, he held the Moon-Slaying Sword horizontal in front of his chest.


    Duang!


    Amidst the violent explosion, the sharp tip of the white bone longspear struck the body of the Moon-Slaying Sword, bending the spear into a crescent from the force.


    Xiao Yi remained completely unmoved.


    The spear hadn''t disturbed him in the slightest!


    "This is impossible..."


    Xiao Tianjiao''s eyes were about to split open, disbelieving as he stared at Xiao Yi.


    This was his full-powered strike.


    Even a sneak attack!


    And yet Xiao Yi hadn''t been shaken in the slightest? How could this be?


    "Xiao Tianjiao, you''ve lost even the last shred of your dignity!" Xiao Yi suddenly spoke, his words slow and deliberate.


    Every word was like a poisonous sting, piercing deeply into Xiao Tianjiao''s heart.


    He had lost.


    He had lost even the last shred of his dignity!


    The moment he raised the white bone longspear to sneak attack, Xiao Tianjiao had been utterly defeated and would no longer have the qualifications to remain as Xiao Yi''s fated adversary in this life.


    "No, no..."


    Xiao Tianjiao''s hair went wild, bloodlust reversed the heavens in his eyes, Evil Qi swirling around his body, and his bellowing shook the air, "I can''t lose, I am Xiao Tianjiao, the invincible Xiao Tianjiao. How could I possibly lose? If I kill you, as long as I kill you, I haven''t lost, kill..."


    Whoosh!


    The white bone longspear trembled fiercely, spinning rapidly as if trying to flit away.


    Its sweeping force crashed towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, and the cold light flowed around the demonic Moon-Slaying Sword, "Sword twenty-three!"


    Hum!


    Endless Sword Qi seemed to slice heaven and earth apart, the swishing Sword Qi cut through the void as if to rip apart the very sky. Countless strands of Sword Qi blasted towards Xiao Tianjiao, instantly shattering his white bone longspear to pieces, scattering it in all directions!


    Thwack, thwack, thwack!


    Blood spurted from numerous wounds on Xiao Tianjiao''s body.


    "Die!"


    Xiao Yi''s face showed no emotion.


    He had decided to show no mercy and with a flick of his sleeve, a sharp sword light aimed straight for Xiao Tianjiao''s throat.


    On the brink of life and death.


    In front of Xiao Tianjiao, space shattered abruptly, and from the dark crevice, an age-worn hand reached out fiercely, grabbed Xiao Tianjiao, and pulled him in, causing the sword strike to miss its mark.


    A deep yet majestic voice also resounded at this moment, "Would someone from my Nantian Dynasty be so easily killed just because you say so?"


    The sword in Xiao Yi''s hand slowly fell, his brows furrowing with a grave expression, as he uttered four words in a measured tone, "Eternal! Life! Secret! Realm!" sea??h th�� nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 654 - 653 Xiao Yi, Death Penalty!

    "Longevity Secret Realm?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes blazed as he watched the spatial rift slowly emerge before him.


    Shaking the very space itself.


    Only a master from the Longevity Secret Realm could possess such a technique.


    "Longevity Secret Realm?"


    "Was it a master from the Longevity Secret Realm who just took action?"


    "It''s over, the Great Qian Dynasty is doomed if a powerhouse from the Nantian Dynasty''s Longevity Secret Realm has intervened. Can we still be saved?"


    Emperor Qian''s entire body trembled, nearly collapsing to the ground.


    Even the likes of Huang Feihu and the Bai Fa Sword Emperor showed grave expressions, harboring thoughts of retreat.


    It wasn''t that they were cowards.


    The Longevity Secret Realm was simply too powerful!


    To move mountains and seas, translocate through the void, to annihilate a nation with the wave of a hand!


    Who wouldn''t fear such a being?


    Who wouldn''t be afraid?


    Especially those like the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, who had reached the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, were acutely aware of the terrifying chasm that lay between themselves and the Longevity Secret Realm.


    It was truly as vast as the difference between heaven and earth.


    Hum!


    A hundred meters in front of Xiao Yi, the void suddenly tore open.


    An elder with flowing white hair, clothed in the Black Dragon robe of the Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate, stepped out from the void. His eyes were as piercing as sword light, and his eyebrows and hair seemed to be forged from condensed Sword Qi, his cold gaze staring straight ahead.


    With just his gaze, he caused the space to vibrate, and even the light of the sun and the moon was overshadowed by him.


    At his side, Xiao Tianjiao looked bewildered and dispirited.


    It had been this man who had stepped in to save Xiao Tianjiao!


    This was the Nantian Dynasty Inspectorate''s Director, the Longevity Secret Realm power, Long Sihai!


    Gulp!


    Yang Zun swallowed hard, his face masking terror and shock, as he stared fixedly at Long Sihai, his voice trembling, "Long, Long, Long Sihai? The Director of the Nantian Dynasty Inspectorate, Long Sihai?"


    "What? The Director of the Inspectorate?"


    "My God, such a being has descended upon the Great Qian Dynasty, is this Heaven''s way of annihilating us?" Emperor Qian felt dizzy and the world seemed to spin around him.


    Yang Zun''s face was as pale as death, void of any color: "I couldn''t possibly mistake him, that''s Long Sihai. It was he who personally took my father away. To think that he would appear here, what, what can we do now..."


    The Longevity Secret Realm!


    Such an invincible existence.


    Why was the Nantian Dynasty able to govern over thousands of nations in the Southern State?


    Wasn''t it because they had powerhouses from the Longevity Secret Realm stationed there?


    Long Sihai''s icy gaze, however, did not even glance at Xiao Yi and the others, but rather swept over Xiao Tianjiao beside him and snorted coldly, "A useless thing, to think that your institute''s head had such high hopes for you, only for you to be utterly defeated by a mere setback?"


    His voice wasn''t loud, but it rang with a bell-like clarity that pierced straight to the soul.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s body shuddered.


    The vacancy in his eyes vanished completely, and he came back to his senses, looking towards Long Sihai.


    Gulp!


    Xiao Tianjiao instinctively swallowed, "Director Long, what are you doing here?"


    "Hmph!"


    Long Sihai''s expression was icy cold, "My deputy director was killed, if I don''t show up, wouldn''t people think that Nantian Dynasty''s Inspectorate has no one left? And you, you''re supposed to be the hope of the Nantian Holy Institute, and yet you''ve been defeated by such a small setback?"


    "I, I..."


    Xiao Tianjiao managed a bitter smile, saying, "Director Long, I''ve lost..."


    "This person''s cultivation technique is extremely strange. Although he''s only at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, he''s not the least bit weaker than a genius of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking who has undergone six or seven Nine Nirvana Reincarnations. Losing to him is not unjust. Besides, the path of martial arts is endless. Until you reach longevity, everyone is but an ant. You possess the Supreme Overlord Holy Body, which can only fully unleash its power upon entering the Longevity Secret Realm."


    Long Sihai''s gaze swept over Xiao Yi, revealing a hint of intrigue as if that look could see through people, penetrating all hidden secrets, and said coldly, "What''s so frightening about losing once or twice now? Focus on your cultivation, and when you step into the realm of longevity, you''ll look back only to find that those who were once formidable rivals are mere ants!"


    Xiao Tianjiao''s face changed dramatically, and his eyebrows furrowed as if deep in thought.


    This was something the head of the Nantian Holy Institute had also told him, that the potential of the Supreme Overlord Holy Body can only be fully unlocked after entering the Longevity Secret Realm.


    By then...


    His talent would truly burst forth in full force!


    This is the depth of a genius.


    Others can rely on cultivation techniques and fortunes to be unbeatable in the early stages, but as they advance further, their path narrows, their potential is depleted, and they have no more room for improvement.


    But a genius grows ever stronger, with boundless potential.


    "Director Long is right, Xiao Yi only managed to defeat me by relying on a special cultivation method and some fortuitous encounters, but ultimately, he is nothing but trash. Whether he can even step into the Longevity Secret Realm in this lifetime is a question, while I am one hundred percent certain to become immortal..."


    Xiao Tianjiao clenched his fists, regaining the aloof, self-confident demeanor of Xiao Tianjiao, "Once I set foot in longevity, as powerful as Director Long, by that time, Xiao Yi might not even have entered the Nirvana Realm, killing him would be like slaughtering pigs and dogs."


    With this thought.


    Xiao Tianjiao respectfully saluted Long Sihai, saying aloud, "Thank you for your guidance, Director Long!"


    "Mm!"


    Long Sihai nodded slightly. Xiao Tianjiao''s talent and perception were definitely top-notch. If he hadn''t already caught the eye of the head of the Nantian Holy Institute, Long Sihai would have been tempted to take him as a disciple.


    But now...


    His gaze swept over the crowd and fell on Xiao Yi, saying coldly, "Ye Xiaofeng was killed by you, right? The Great Qian Dynasty has quite the nerve, not only defying the ban by hiding someone of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm but also committing rebellion and killing many of my Inspection Division''s experts, even the deputy director died here. I see no need for the existence of the Great Qian Dynasty from now on!"


    "Lord Long, calm your anger, please hear me out..." Emperor Qian hurried forward, bowing respectfully, "Lord Long, this matter isn''t the fault of the Great Qian Dynasty, rather it is..."


    Before he could finish.


    Long Sihai swept him with a glance.


    With just a simple look, Emperor Qian spurted blood from his seven orifices and with a loud bang was sent flying back, kneeling dead on the ground.


    Long Sihai said expressionlessly, "Did I ask you?"


    Emperor Qian opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, but was no longer able to speak.


    All those present were shocked.


    A mere glance was enough to critically injure a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm powerhouse to the brink of death. Longevity Secret Realm, terrifying as such!


    This made Xiao Tianjiao''s eyes shine even brighter, as he clenched his fists even tighter, more determined than ever that once he entered the Longevity Secret Realm and fully unleashed the potential of the Supreme Overlord Sacred Body, he would be able to sweep across the world and be invincible. sea??h th�� nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Under Long Sihai''s intense gaze, Xiao Yi felt as if a giant boulder was pressing on his chest, making it hard to breathe.


    Long Sihai''s lips curled up, his cruel smile emerging, "Xiao Yi, right? Killing my Inspectorate''s deputy director, leading a resistance against the Nantian Dynasty''s inspection decree, I bestow upon you the death penalty! Do you have any objections?"

 Chapter 655 - 654: The Might of Immortality!

    "Do you have any objections?"


    Long Sihai narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Xiao Yi, uttering each word with deliberate pauses.


    Every word of his seemed like an unchallengeable decree, causing heaven and earth to tremble, the sun and moon to witness as if any word that came from his mouth was golden and could not be defied.


    An invisible magic power formed within.


    It was as if countless mouths were constantly whispering into Xiao Yi''s ear: "You are guilty, you are guilty..."


    Xiao Yi shook his head fiercely.


    With great effort, he maintained a flicker of consciousness, ferociously biting the tip of his tongue, filling his mouth with a sweetly metallic taste of blood.


    The pain from the tip of his tongue allowed Xiao Yi to stay alert.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and stared sharply at Long Sihai, a trickle of fresh red blood seeping from the corner of his lips, and said without humility or arrogance, "I don''t think I''ve done anything wrong!"


    "Hmm?"


    A flicker of surprise showed in Long Sihai''s narrowed eyes, accompanied by a glint of cold light.


    In those words just now, he had used a spiritual assault.


    Normally speaking,


    Even those who have undergone Spiritual Nirvana nine times cannot resist his spiritual assault.


    "No wonder he killed Ye Xiaofeng and even defeated Xiao Tianjiao, who possessed the Supreme Overlord Holy Body. It seems this kid is following the path of Spiritual Nirvana. If we were to recruit him into our Inspection Division and cultivate him a bit, he could become an excellent inspector. What a pity though��"


    Xiao Yi, being merely at the Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak, was still able to remain clear-headed through his spiritual assault, causing Long Sihai to be slightly surprised: "The dignity of Nantian cannot be violated; you are doomed to die!"


    Xiao Yi clenched his teeth, enunciating each word, "The Great Qian Dynasty has never actively sought trouble; we have always been resisting passively. I don''t believe that protecting our homeland and our people is a mistake. May I ask Lord Long, if a formidable enemy invaded the Nantian Dynasty, would you surrender quietly or resist to the end?"


    This series of questions was ear-piercing.


    It made Emperor Qian and Yang Zun, among others, feel their blood boiling.


    Just as Xiao Yi said...


    From the beginning, they were merely protecting their homeland, their people.


    Where was the error in that?


    Were they supposed to just accept the Nantian Dynasty''s declaration that the Great Qian Dynasty must perish and then give up resisting, meekly awaiting death? S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However...


    Faced with Xiao Yi''s questioning, Long Sihai merely let out a scornful cold laugh full of derision.


    "How ridiculous, truly ridiculous! Xiao Yi, do you really think that right and wrong matter so much in this world? Let me tell you, justice and truth are like dog farts. As long as you have enough strength, as long as your fists are big enough, when I say it''s right, it''s right, and when I say it''s wrong, it''s wrong."


    His face, filled with shadows and mockery, looked down on Xiao Yi as if he were viewing a buffoon, saying, "For example, right now, you''re still here arguing that the Great Qian Dynasty is not at fault, while I, on the other hand, can do as I please. If I decide to annihilate your Great Qian Dynasty, it would be as easy as lifting a finger, and if I wish to spare you, it''s merely a matter of saying the word. Do you understand now?"


    Long Sihai''s words were straightforward and domineering.


    But that was reality!


    The harsh reality!


    It was the same between people, and between nations.


    None could escape the logic of the strongest fist!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, saying coldly, "I don''t understand these principles you speak of, but I know that virtue will be aided while evil will be bereft. If your Nantian Dynasty continues to act so tyrannically, there will come a day when it meets its end!"


    "Hahaha, my Nantian Dynasty has seen ten thousand years of prosperity, without a hint of decline, only growing stronger. Over the millennia, how many extraordinary talents have sought to defy my Nantian Dynasty? Among them were top-notch masters from the Longevity Secret Realm, and even they ended up utterly defeated."


    Long Sihai leaned forward, his voice thundering through the void, deafening, "Compared with those people, what do you think you are? An ant trying to shake a tree, a mantis trying to stop a chariot..."


    Hum!


    At the tip of Long Sihai''s finger, a glint of cold light gathered.


    This energy sphere, the size of a grain of rice, made the Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s scalp tingle, his expression drastically changing. He grabbed Emperor Qian and the others and fled into the distance: "Run, get out of here..."


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Huang Feihu, Ji Luanyue, and Yang Zun, among others, followed closely behind, flying towards the distance.


    "Xiao Yi, you should feel honored to have your death sentence personally carried out by me!"


    Long Sihai let out a cold laugh, his finger gently tapping out.


    Swish!


    The grain-sized energy sphere slowly flew towards him.


    Xiao Yi felt as if countless invisible mountains were pressing down on him from all directions, rendering him immobile, forced to watch the energy sphere falling towards him.


    Long Sihai grabbed Xiao Tianjiao and stepped onto nothingness, flying up into the high void.


    Almost at the same time...


    The grain of energy suddenly expanded a million times, exploding with a loud bang, transforming into a blinding light sphere like the sun.


    The light sphere was incredibly dazzling, engulfing an area hundreds of miles in diameter. It continued to spread in all directions, instantly vaporizing mountains, rivers, land, birds, and cities upon contact.


    Its might covered much of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Thunderous booms like that of an earthquake resounded.


    The sky and sun lost their colors, retreating before the blast.


    Boom boom boom!


    The explosion''s aftermath lasted for half an incense stick time, a huge mushroom cloud piercing the high void. The resulting storm ravaged a thousand-mile area, leaving behind utter devastation wherever it passed, akin to a hurricane''s wake, life obliterated.


    Within hundreds of miles, everything was razed to the ground.


    The ground itself collapsed a hundred zhang, forming a massive crater.


    Xiao Tian was also witnessing the power of a being from the Longevity Secret Realm for the first time, and he couldn''t help but inhale sharply, shocked, "No wonder the sacred places forbid the Masters of the Longevity Secret Realm from acting recklessly. Just a normal strike is this terrifying. If two Masters from the Longevity Secret Realm were to fight, wouldn''t they destroy the sky and sink the whole Southern State?"


    With a calm gaze and hands behind his back, Long Sihai casually said, "Xiao Yi is dead. Next, we''ll exterminate the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty and find someone else to replace them!"


    Xiao Tian turned his gaze and said with a smile, "Lord Long, my father is exceptionally suitable to take control of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Oh?"


    Long Sihai gave a surprised look, his gaze towards Xiao Tian half-mocking, half-amused. Such a favor was trivial to him, and he smiled and said, "That can be arranged. I will recommend him to His Majesty once we return. But for now, let''s go eliminate Emperor Qian..."


    Long Sihai''s voice suddenly ceased.


    The step he had just taken halted abruptly; his eyes, deep as the starry night sky, suddenly swept across with a shade of uncertainty, and he looked down at the smoky, explosive area below.


    "Lord Long, what''s the..."


    Before Xiao Tian could finish, his expression suddenly changed. His gaze sharpened, filled with astonishment: "That is..."

 Chapter 656 - 655: Mad Blood Fury, Resist Immortality! [Fifth Update]

    ```


    "That is..."


    Xiao Tianjiao''s face changed dramatically.


    Amidst the rolling dust, a streak of silver light suddenly burst forth, tearing a huge crack through the blanket of dust and smoke.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi charged out from within the dust.


    His body flickered with Wind Thunder radiance, amethyst lightning snakes danced chaotically, a green storm cloaked his body, and behind him a pair of Wind Thunder wings vigorously flapped, shooting him straight up into the sky, soaring tens of thousands of feet high, heading straight for Long Sihai.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi donned the Wind Thunder battle armor.


    In his hand, he wielded the demon sword, Zhan Yue.


    His eyes sparkled like lightning, his sword eyebrows stood firm, and his killing intent reached the heavens.


    The energy sphere explosion had nearly killed him just now; if it weren''t for the overflow of Divine Power within Xiao Yi at the crucial moment that restored his ability to move.


    Had he not called upon millions of God Devouring Ants to cover his body, he would now be a cold corpse.


    "Sword Domain!"


    The sword soul within Xiao Yi vibrated and he thrust a cold sword toward Long Sihai.


    Long Sihai''s eyes narrowed and he sneered, "Ant''s light, daring to compete with the bright moon? Die!"


    He stretched his palm violently toward Xiao Yi.


    Mysterious energies began to converge within his palm, and in an instant, his hand swelled rapidly, falling from the sky like a mountain, its shadow obscuring the sun, as if to capture this whole world within his grasp.


    A palm that could suppress mountains and rivers, a hand that could seize the sun and the moon.


    Majestic divine might emanated from that palm.


    Even though they were separated by tens of thousands of feet in the sky, Bai Fa Sword Emperor and others felt their pupils contract and scalp tingle, "What a terrifying palm; its like mountainous divine peaks dominating the world. If this palm were directed at me, I''m afraid I wouldn''t even entertain the thought of resistance!"


    "Can Xiao Yi withstand this strike?"


    "Difficult..."


    Despair filled everyone''s eyes.


    Under the shadow of the colossal hand, Xiao Yi showed no sign of fear. He bit down hard on his teeth and activated the Secret Technique, Blood Explosion Skill, which he hadn''t used in quite some days.


    Before this...


    Xiao Yi had rarely encountered an opponent that necessitated the use of this technique, which incurred self-damage to decimate the enemy.


    But today...


    His adversary was the esteemed Longevity Secret Realm, and he could no longer afford to hold back.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Blood ignited around him, a crimson storm enveloped his body; he burnt up to fifty percent of his blood, increasing his strength fiftyfold. His opponent was, after all, a master of Longevity Secret Realm, leaving no room for carelessness.


    Boom!


    The terrifying blood energy caused Xiao Yi''s sword to exceed the power of any previous strike.


    With a thunderous roar, the sword beam struck the obscuring giant hand.


    Both shook.


    The smile on Long Sihai''s face disappeared suddenly, a look of astonishment appeared on his indifferent and proud face for the first time. A streak of silver-red sword beam, with a swish, cleft his sky-covering hand in twain.


    The silver-red sword glow pierced through the palm, charging directly at Long Sihai.


    "Not good!"


    Long Sihai''s face changed abruptly, and dragging Xiao Tianjiao with him, he retreated, yet it was still a step too slow. A sound of flesh rupturing was quickly covered by the howling wind, and Long Sihai retreated hundreds of feet away.


    Suspended in midair.


    He stared ahead into the void, where stood Xiao Yi, with hair wildly fluttering.


    Clad in Wind Thunder battle armor that glimmered with gold and green light, with a blood-colored edge that flickered uncertainly, he stood like a War God of legends.


    Long Sihai instinctively touched his cheek and a trail of fresh red stained his palm. Although Xiao Yi''s strike had only left a tiny wound on his face,


    to Long Sihai, it was a colossal shame and provocation.


    He was after all a being from the noble Longevity Secret Realm!


    To be wounded by a youth at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak��it was an insult to his reputation.


    "Lord Long..."


    Xiao Tianjiao looked at Long Sihai with concern.


    Long Sihai gestured to stop Xiao Tianjiao and then extended his crimson tongue to lick the blood from his fingers, a hint of blood inducing an eerie, devilish cold smile that crept onto his lips.


    His eyes devoid of any ripples, filled only with chilling intent, fixated on Xiao Yi as he said deliberately, "What an Xiao Yi, what a Dharma Phase Realm Peak... to think you could injure me, perhaps I have underestimated you. However, do you know the price you''ll pay for this one sword strike?"


    Xiao Yi stood suspended, his face expressionless.


    ```


    Long Sihai gently twisted his neck and strode through the air toward Xiao Yi''s direction, covering hundreds of feet with each step.


    His voice came slowly at first and then grew louder and louder.


    The oppression that came with it became increasingly terrifying.


    "A single drop of blood from Longevity, billions of common people!"


    While twisting his neck with cracking sounds, Long Sihai''s face revealed a ferocious expression, and his words carried a chilling and frightening murderous intent, "Since you made me bleed, I will turn the rivers of the Great Qian Dynasty red with blood. From the royal family''s offspring to the ants on the streets, after today, not a single living creature of the Great Qian Dynasty will survive!"


    "That depends on whether you can leave here alive!"


    Xiao Yi furiously slapped his chest, and amid the thumping sounds, ignited two more tenths of his blood.


    Seven tenths of his blood fully ignited.


    Strength increased by seventyfold.


    The Demon Sword Slash and his body merged into one, flapping its wings and flying. In an instant, he was in front of Long Sihai: "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords!"


    Seven streams of differently colored sword lights converged into a long rainbow.


    Long Sihai''s face showed mockery as he pointed a finger.


    With a light flick, he shattered the rainbow sword light, then waved his sleeve, and a vast storm of energy swept forth. Xiao Yi pointed his finger, the Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger stretched across the vault of heaven, only to be grasped and burst by Long Sihai.


    Long Sihai sneered, "Too weak!"


    "If seven tenths isn''t enough, then continue to burst..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were a solid blood-red as he ignited another tenth.


    Eight tenths of his blood!


    Strength increased eightyfold.


    "Sword Domain!"


    Xiao Yi''s sword turned into a sword domain, its vast sword might sweeping in all directions, enveloping Long Sihai before him. The terrifying sword might made it difficult for Long Sihai to break free for a moment. For the first time, his face showed shock: "What''s going on? How did this kid''s strength suddenly increase so much?"


    "Die, Long Sihai!"


    Xiao Yi let out a long howl to the sky.


    His eyes were filled with hysterical madness.


    All ten tenths of his blood completely ignited!


    Strength fully unleashed, a hundred times over!


    "Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger!"


    "Godslayer''s Seven Absolute Swords!"


    "Sword Twenty-Two..."


    All of Xiao Yi''s attacks exploded out, a relentless onslaught sweeping toward Long Sihai. In that moment, as Long Sihai had just exited the Sword Domain, he faced attacks like a tempest.


    Even his cultivation from the Longevity Secret Realm was caught off guard.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Numerous attacks landed on him, an earth-shattering energy storm engulfing everything.


    Crack!


    The energy defense on Long Sihai''s body surface burst apart. In that critical moment, two bloody sharp lights burst from Xiao Yi''s eyes: "Sword Domain!"


    Hum!


    A sword swept across the sky, slashing toward Long Sihai''s head. S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "As if I''d let you!"


    Long Sihai''s expression changed rapidly as he raised his hand and slapped toward the sword light, but just as he shattered the sword light, Xiao Yi''s Wind Thunder wings violently shook. With a swish, he appeared right in front of Long Sihai, and the Demon Sword Slash stabbed out!


    Thud!


    This sword stabbed right into Long Sihai''s left eye.


    "Aooo..."


    Enraged and hysterical, Long Sihai roared, his left hand covering his eye, roaring madly as terrible surges of energy started rolling out in all directions. Amidst the roaring sounds, Xiao Yi was unable to dodge.


    A palm struck Xiao Yi''s back, and he spurted a mouthful of blood, falling from the sky like a falling star toward the ground.


    Long Sihai''s left eye was dripping with fresh blood, his right eye filled with hysterical madness: "Xiao Yi, you mongrel, I want your life!"


    Whoosh!


    Long Sihai turned into a streak of light, charging directly at Xiao Yi.


    The massive palm transformed into a deadly claw, seemingly about to crush Xiao Yi alive.


    But just at this critical juncture...


    A voice, cold yet containing a sharp murderous intent and towering rage, suddenly came: "If he dies, then the Nantian Dynasty will no longer exist in this world..."

 Chapter 657 - 656: Baiyu, Fang Qingzhu! [The Sixth Update]

    "If he dies, then the Nantian Dynasty will be no more in this world!"


    A cold voice suddenly came through, and with it came a chill that dropped the temperature of the surroundings by tens of degrees.


    Between heaven and earth, snow fluttered about, and the down-like snowflakes did not dissolve in water nor did they melt in fire.


    Long Sihai''s complexion changed drastically. The white snow fluttering about gave him a sense of alarm, and his figure came to a sudden halt. The hand that was about to crush Xiao Yi''s head also stopped mid-air.


    Whoosh!


    A white bolt of snow spun from the high heavens, securely catching Xiao Yi.


    In a single roll.


    They rose to mid-air.


    Above the firmament.


    A massive flying boat made of fine jade floated in the air.


    The entirely white jade flying boat, like a pavilion in the skies, was carved with countless profound runes. Flags fluttered in the air, and on the railings stood cold-faced, strikingly beautiful men and women in rich attire. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Only on the deck.


    Fang Qingzhu, dressed in a white gown, manipulated the snow to bring Xiao Yi before her.


    "Brother Xiao Yi?"


    Fang Qingzhu hurriedly went to inspect him and found that Xiao Yi had merely lost too much blood and had fainted from weakness.


    Seeing that his Blood Explosion Skill was interrupted by Long Sihai and not all his blood had burned away, there was no danger to his life, she breathed a sigh of relief and turned to a yellow-dressed maid beside her, "Xiao Xue, give me the Snow Ginseng Jade Toad Elixir!"


    "Okay!"


    Xiao Xue revealed a pill in her tender white hand with a gesture.


    It was Baiyu''s top-notch healing pill, the Snow Ginseng Jade Toad Elixir.


    Refined from ten thousand-year snow ginseng and ten thousand-year jade toad, it could bring back the dying and mend bones, ranking as an eighth-rank spirit pill!


    "Wait!"


    The indifferent voice came from within the cabin as Ye Qingyu, dressed in white, approached, gazing at Fang Qingzhu and said indifferently, "Your Highness, the Snow Ginseng Jade Toad Elixir is Baiyu''s sacred medicine for healing wounds. It is also the life-saving Spirit Pill bestowed upon you by our sainted lord. How can it be administered to such a lowly person?"


    Ye Qingyu''s irritation surged as he watched Fang Qingzhu embrace Xiao Yi, and his eyes harbored a flickering cold light tainted with resentment and jealousy.


    Fang Qingzhu snorted coldly, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, "Since my master has bestowed the pill upon me, it is mine to use as I wish. Moreover..." Her gaze at Ye Qingyu took on a hint of disgust, "Brother Xiao Yi is my husband, and I do not want to hear anyone speaking ill of him. I can overlook this for now, but should there be a next time, I will not be lenient in my punishment!"


    She was very clear about Ye Qingyu''s feelings for her.


    But...


    Her heart only had room for Xiao Yi.


    And no other could fill it.


    Fang Qingzhu no longer paid any attention to Ye Qingyu''s disgruntled expression and carefully fed the Snow Ginseng Jade Toad Elixir into Xiao Yi''s mouth. As the pill entered his body, one could clearly see Xiao Yi''s complexion gradually become more radiant.


    Fang Qingzhu breathed a sigh of relief.


    She looked at the maid Xiao Xue, "Xiao Xue, take good care of Brother Xiao Yi!"


    "Mmm, leave it to me!" Xiao Xue patted her chest and promised with certainty.


    Whoosh!


    Fang Qingzhu exhaled a long breath of foul air, only then turning her gaze toward Long Sihai. A cold light flickered in her star-like bright eyes, "It was you who injured Brother Xiao Yi to this extent, wasn''t it?"


    Long Sihai''s expression carried a trace of solemnity.


    He had realized the status of Fang Qingzhu and the rest.


    Heavenly White Jade Capital.


    One of the sacred places among mortals!


    Even as the Inspector General of the Nantian Dynasty and a master of the Longevity Secret Realm, Long Sihai dared not offend the people of Baiyu.


    His gaze shifted slightly as he spoke in a deep voice, "I am the Inspector General of the Nantian Dynasty, and in the Great Qian Dynasty..."


    Smack!


    Before he could finish, Fang Qingzhu harshly interrupted him with a slap.


    Long Sihai was utterly dumbfounded, his face bearing a vivid red handprint covered in a layer of white frost. The burning pain accompanied by the bone-piercing cold of the frost made his complexion spectacularly colorful.


    Fang Qingzhu spoke coolly, "Did I ask you any of these questions?"


    "You��"


    Long Sihai''s face darkened.


    Ye Qingyu narrowed his eyes, his gaze cold as he surveyed the man: "What do you mean ''you''? This person is the esteemed Holy Maiden of my Heavenly White Jade Capital. Do you dare to show her disrespect? Could it be that you, the Nantian Dynasty, wish to make an enemy of the Heavenly White Jade Capital?"


    "��"


    Long Sihai''s face suddenly changed.


    The Holy Maiden of the White Jade Capital?


    She was the next heir to the White Jade Capital Saint Master, the inheritor of a holy site. He dared not harbor any dissatisfaction.


    At this moment, Long Sihai felt extremely aggrieved.


    But, as he previously said to Xiao Yi, in this world, having the bigger fist is the ultimate truth. The Nantian Dynasty could strike whoever they wanted in the Southern State, and the same went for the White Jade Capital.


    Whoever they wanted to strike, they could strike!


    With this thought,


    Long Sihai, although resentful in his heart, dared not show the slightest hint of it, and said in a deep voice, "So it is the Holy Maiden, Long Sihai has offended greatly. I ask for your forgiveness, Your Holiness!"


    Fang Qingzhu said indifferently, "Which hand did you use to hit Xiao Yi?"


    "Hm?"


    Long Sihai froze, subconsciously raising his right hand, "This one��"


    Fang Qingzhu uttered "Oh" and then said, "Chop it off!"


    Long Sihai''s eyes bulged, "��"


    Ye Qingyu, his eyes narrowed, said, "Didn''t you hear what the Holy Maiden said? Either you do it yourself, or I''ll help you!"


    "You are going too far!" Long Sihai gritted his teeth, "After all, I am from the Longevity Secret Realm��"


    Fang Qingzhu shook her head and called out, "Xiao Xue!"


    "Coming!"


    Xiao Xue, stuffing a piece of roast meat into her mouth and swallowing it whole, stepped forward and appeared beside Fang Qingzhu, "Miss, what are your orders?"


    Fang Qingzhu pointed at Long Sihai, "Chop off his right hand for me!"


    "Got it!"


    Xiao Xue grinned, her grease-stained palm reaching out towards Long Sihai.


    Long Sihai snorted coldly, thinking to himself that sending such a wild girl, they expected to chop off his hand? It was utterly ludicrous!


    But he quickly stopped laughing.


    He didn''t even see how Xiao Xue made her move, but his right hand was already numb and without sensation. Looking down, his right hand had turned into an ice sculpture, which, with a slight flick from Xiao Xue,


    His entire right arm scattered into ice crystals amidst a series of crackling sounds, sprinkling down from the sky.


    Hiss!


    Only then did Long Sihai come to his senses, the pain of losing his arm contorting his face hideously: "My, my hand��"


    Amidst the pain,


    Long Sihai felt even more shocked and fearful, staring intently at the young lady beside Fang Qingzhu, who was munching on a chicken leg. She appeared to be but a naive girl in her teens, yet she was an existence from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    And moreover��


    Her strength was far superior to his own.


    Fang Qingzhu''s calm gaze fell upon Long Sihai: "You''ve injured my man. As his wife, it is natural for me to confront you. However, you can rest assured, whether you live or die, I will not intervene��"


    Realizing the terrifying strength of Xiao Xue, Long Sihai dared not harbor any other thoughts, nodding and saying, "Thank you for your mercy, Your Holiness!"


    "Don''t be too quick to thank me!"


    Fang Qingzhu said coolly, "You now stand here and wait. When my man wakes up, whether you live or die, as well as whether your Nantian Dynasty lives or dies, will be up to him!"


    Hiss!


    Long Sihai took a sharp breath, his face showing a look of fright.


    Fang Qingzhu, however, paid him no mind, her icy gaze turning to Xiao Tianjiao not far away, with a cold smile, "You, come over here!"

 Chapter 658 - 657: He is my man! [Seventh Update]

    "You, come over here!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s icy gaze settled on Xiao Tianjiao.


    Xiao Tianjiao shivered all over. He had seen the formidable Long Sihai slapped by Fang Qingzhu without daring to resist, and even had his right arm broken directly by her maid, Xiao Xue.


    Xiao Tianjiao bowed towards Fang Qingzhu and said, "Xiao Tianjiao, has met Her Holiness, the Saintess!"


    He surreptitiously sized up Fang Qingzhu, jealousy surging in his heart: How the hell did that bastard Xiao Yi get so lucky? To win the favor of the Saintess of Baiyu? If only I could establish a connection with Baiyu and earn their support, how great that would be...


    Fang Qingzhu''s lips curled slightly upwards, adorned with a dazzling smile.


    A smile that could charm all creation.


    And with another smile, all flowers would pale in comparison!


    That smile from Fang Qingzhu made Xiao Tianjiao''s heart flutter, and he thought: Could it be that Her Holiness has taken a fancy to me?


    However, Fang Qingzhu had no idea about Xiao Tianjiao''s thoughts and asked indifferently, "Do you know who I am?"


    "I do!"


    Xiao Tianjiao nodded, his heart pounding with excitement. It seemed the Saintess really had taken notice of him. He said, "You are the Saintess of Baiyu!"


    "No, no, no, no!"


    Fang Qingzhu held up a slender finger and gently waved it, saying, "What I''m asking is, do you know my name?"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Tianjiao was taken aback, shook his head, and said, "I don''t."


    "So, you don''t even know my name... Yet, I''ve known about your existence for quite a while. The first talent of the Great Qian Dynasty, the bearer of the Supreme Overlord Sacred Body �� Xiao Tianjiao!"


    Fang Qingzhu listed his details so meticulously.


    Almost making Xiao Tianjiao jump with excitement.


    His face beamed with a radiant smile, his posture grew more upright, and he said cheerfully, "I had no idea Her Holiness knew about me. It is an immense honor. May I ask, since when have you known about me?"


    Fang Qingzhu squinted and said with a smile, "Since you showed interest in the Silver-Winged Sword Dragon of the Fang Family and discussed a marriage alliance, I''ve been aware of you!"


    "Oh, I see, I never thought it was..."


    Xiao Tianjiao felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His smiling face suddenly froze, and he stared at Fang Qingzhu with a dumbfounded expression as if he had seen a ghost, "You, you, you are Fang Qingzhu of the Fang Family?" S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He felt as if the world was spinning.


    The Saintess of Baiyu in front of him was actually the very Fang Qingzhu the Fang Family had intended to marry off to him?


    That was the Saintess of Baiyu!


    One of the sacred places on earth.


    She should have been his wife!


    But...


    In the end, he had personally given her away to Xiao Yi.


    Gulp!


    Xiao Tianjiao swallowed hard, forcing a smile, "Saint, Saintess, are you, are you kidding me? That Fang Qingzhu is just an ordinary woman from the Fang Family of Nanhuang City, how could she possibly be you?"


    At that moment, Xiao Tianjiao wished he could slap himself dozens of times!


    All of this should have been his!


    The husband of Baiyu''s heir.


    If he could have had the support of the countless resources of Baiyu, by now he would probably have already broken through to the Longevity Secret Realm!


    But.


    All of this was ruined by his own hands.


    He personally handed it all over, offering it to his brother Xiao Yi, whom he had always looked down upon!


    "You''re right! I am indeed just an ordinary woman from the Fang Family of Nanhuang City, an ordinary woman that the distinguished Xiao Tianjiao would never take notice of!"


    Fang Qingzhu''s face was full of mockery and irony as she said leisurely, "However, I must especially thank you for not fancying me, which allowed me to meet Brother Xiao Yi. Moreover, Xiao Yi benefited greatly from your care, so to thank you for your ''kindness'' towards my husband and me, I''ve specially prepared a gift for you!"


    "Huh?"


    Xiao Tianjiao was startled.


    He saw Fang Qingzhu glance at Xiao Xue.


    Xiao Xue revealed a smile.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s face suddenly changed, a bone-chilling cold sweeping over his entire body, only to see Xiao Xue''s figure flicker and then vanish. When she reappeared, she was already in front of him, her oil-streaked little face beaming with a radiant smile, baring a row of pearly white teeth.


    He chuckled.


    Then...


    Xiao Tianjiao felt a severe pain in his abdomen as Xiao Xue''s fist pierced through his dantian.


    Wah...


    Xiao Tianjiao''s body trembled, his face instantly turning pale as death.


    Blood spewed wildly from his mouth.


    His eyes wide with rage, veins on his forehead throbbing wildly, he looked at Fang Qingzhu with a face full of despair, "You, you, you..."


    His dantian had been shattered by Xiao Xue''s punch. Without the nourishment of vital energy, his Martial Dao Fasxiang began to wane and would soon disintegrate, his cultivation scattering to the winds.


    Once the Martial Dao Fasxiang disintegrated, his cultivation would scatter.


    Then, he would be truly finished!


    Fang Qingzhu looked at him with icy cold eyes and said indifferently, "Haven''t you always thought Xiao Yi was trash? That''s my man. And even if he isn''t trash, even if he were, he would be trash only I could call out. Whoever else dare say it, I will kill! The reason I only destroyed your cultivation today is that I want to keep you for Xiao Yi to decide your fate!"


    Xiao Tianjiao''s body went limp.


    On his face, all that remained was fear beyond despair.


    At the same time...


    There was even more regret.


    What if he hadn''t treated Xiao Yi that way in the past?


    What if he hadn''t sent Xiao Yi to the Fang Family to be a live-in son-in-law?


    What if he had stopped him from marrying Fang Qingzhu himself?


    Maybe everything would have been different.


    However...


    There is no medicine for regret in this world!


    "You, help him, don''t let him die!" Fang Qingzhu glanced at Long Sihai.


    Long Sihai hurriedly nodded, supporting Xiao Tianjiao with an incredibly complicated expression. He looked at Xiao Tianjiao, at his own severed arm, and then at Fang Qingzhu, who had returned to Xiao Yi''s side and was taking care of him with great caution.


    Long Sihai''s face showed a smile full of bitterness, "Damn it, what a wife to choose, indeed it can save one a lifetime of struggle. Xiao Tianjiao, oh, Xiao Tianjiao, why bother? After all your schemes, you''ve handed over the saintess of Baiyu to Xiao Yi..."


    Xiao Tianjiao cast a resentful glance at Long Sihai.


    He spurted a mouthful of fresh blood.


    His eyes rolled back.


    And he fainted!


    Long Sihai sighed softly but did not dare to pour any vital energy into him to sustain his injuries, fearing that he would anger Fang Qingzhu and provoke that terrifying girl, Xiao Xue, to strike again and kill him outright.


    On the deck.


    Watching as Fang Qingzhu carefully held Xiao Yi in her arms, that peaceful and happy smile on the face he had been yearning for in his dreams, Ye Qingyu clenched his fists tight within his sleeves.


    Flames of venomous resentment and jealousy flickered in his eyes.


    Ever since Fang Qingzhu returned to Baiyu and received the inheritance of the Saint Lord, her entire demeanor and everything about her underwent earth-shaking change.


    She became the perfect goddess in the eyes of the young talents of Baiyu, and even many other holy lands of the human realm.


    However...


    Fang Qingzhu was indifferent to any of the young talents.


    And all of this was for the man lying in her arms.


    "Why? What''s so good about him? In what way am I inferior to him? Why do you not even bother to glance at me, yet you care for him so deeply? I won''t accept this, I can''t accept it..." Ye Qingyu roared silently in his heart.


    Just then.


    Xiao Yi slowly recovered consciousness.


    Fang Qingzhu, Ye Qingyu''s goddess, wept with joy, hugging Xiao Yi tightly. The thought of death even crossed Ye Qingyu''s mind...

 Chapter 659 - 658: To the South of the Sword Dynasty, Surrender to Me! [8th Update]

    ```


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi slowly awoke, the first thing he saw was Fang Qingzhu carefully attending to him.


    Xiao Yi was startled and murmured, "Is this heaven? How come I''m seeing Qingzhu? Or am I not dead? Just hallucinating?"


    He only remembered that he was exchanging blows with Long Sihai at the time.


    He had no choice but to burn his lifeblood and use the Blood Explosion Skill to its limit; even with a hundredfold power boost, he was still no match for Long Sihai and lost consciousness when faced with Long Sihai''s fatal strike.


    "Doesn''t matter... Even if it''s a hallucination, at least I can see Qingzhu!"


    Xiao Yi muttered to himself, lifting his hand to gently caress Fang Qingzhu''s cheek, which felt somewhat cool. He nudged his head into Fang Qingzhu''s embrace, "The skin seems even smoother than before!"


    Fang Qingzhu: "..."


    The surrounding powerhouses of Baiyu were flabbergasted.


    Xiao Xue''s chicken drumstick fell to the ground with a clatter, its bone shooting up and landing with a pop on Xiao Yi''s head.


    Xiao Yi instinctively reached for the chicken drumstick, his movement stiffened, and then he widened his eyes in astonishment at the drumstick in his hand: "This, this is not a hallucination?"


    He sat up straight away.


    His eyes were full of amazement and anxiety, fearing that this might just be an illusion that would vanish with his actions.


    Get lost!


    Looking back anxiety-ridden, he met Fang Qingzhu''s smiling eyes.


    Their gazes locked.


    "Qingzhu?"


    "Brother Xiao Yi, I''m back!"


    Both of them froze in place.


    They remained rigid for a good ten breaths, then almost simultaneously lunged at each other, holding on tightly, arms squeezing as if afraid that letting go would cause the other to disappear.


    "Ahem..."


    Ye Qingyu couldn''t bear to watch any longer, jealousy blazing in his eyes, he gave a soft cough.


    Xiao Yi and his company still clung to one another tightly: "Brother Xiao Yi, I''ve missed you so much..."


    "I''ve missed you too!"


    "Brother Xiao Yi, kiss me!"


    "Well... there are people around..."


    "Wu..."


    Xiao Xue was dumbfounded, the half-bitten chicken drumstick fell from her mouth. She gaped, then hurriedly covered her eyes with her hands. But the wide gaps between her fingers betrayed her curious, lively gaze that was intently fixed on the pair.


    The surrounding powerhouses of Baiyu discreetly turned their heads away, seemingly absorbed in meditation, feigning ignorance to what was happening.


    This was the Holy Maiden!


    The daughter of the Holy Master!


    She could do whatever she wanted!


    Who would dare to complain to her father?


    But Ye Qingyu was not having it!


    I exhaust myself, try every means to court her and couldn''t get her to glance my way once. How is it that you two can hug and kiss upon meeting?


    "Mm-hmm!"


    Ye Qingyu cleared his throat loudly, gritting his teeth he said, "Your Highness, there''s a whole crowd watching you!"


    "Ah?"


    Fang Qingzhu suddenly came back to her senses, noticing everyone had turned away, her lovely face flushed with redness. She pounded Xiao Yi''s chest with her small fists, "It''s all your fault... couldn''t you have waited until tonight?"


    Xiao Yi rubbed his nose awkwardly.


    Ye Qingyu''s face turned green.


    He was starting to regret interrupting them now. If this is how they act in broad daylight, what would happen at night?


    ```


    While he was secretly regretting...


    Xiao Yi nodded toward the man, saying, "Brother, thank you for the warning!" He turned his head to look at Fang Qingzhu, "This brother is a good person, huh!"


    Fang Qingzhu rolled her eyes.


    Ye Qingyu''s face twitched, "Good person my ass!"


    You''re the good person, your whole family are good people!


    Ye Qingyu silently cursed to high heavens, yet he could only force a smile and nod in response to Xiao Yi. However, the resentment and jealousy in the depths of his eyes grew stronger.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu stood shoulder to shoulder, moving through the air to stop outside the Flying Boat.


    Suspended in mid-air.


    His calm gaze fixed on the now-conscious Xiao Tianjiao, as well as Long Sihai, who''s lost an arm and an eye.


    Xiao Yi was startled, looking at Fang Qingzhu with confusion, "What happened here?"


    "They dared to hurt you, and you are my man, of course I couldn''t tolerate it..."


    Fang Qingzhu recounted the events, her teary puppy dog eyes asking, "Xiao Yi, you won''t blame me for taking the initiative, will you?"


    Xiao Yi suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for Long Sihai and Xiao Tianjiao.


    A mighty power from the Longevity Secret Realm, slapped across the face and then had an arm severed.


    A celebrated prodigy favored by the heavens, with his cultivation completely crippled. S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But...


    Beyond the sympathy,


    Xiao Yi felt a greater sense of thrill.


    Long Sihai''s heart skipped a beat when Xiao Yi looked his way.


    He didn''t doubt that if Xiao Yi wanted their lives, Fang Qingzhu would without a second word end them.


    As for resistance?


    Long Sihai glanced at Xiao Xue, who followed Fang Qingzhu and was now pulling out a snack to munch on. Imagining the moment when Xiao Xue silently disabled one of his arms, he immediately lost all inclination to rebel.


    Long Sihai took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, I had not anticipated your connection with Baiyu. I concede. Name your terms, and as long as they are reasonable, I can agree on behalf of my position!"


    The Long Family in the Nantian Dynasty was second only to the royal family.


    Given his position within the Long Family, he believed Emperor Nantian would not disregard his life or death.


    As long as Xiao Yi''s conditions were not too outrageous, combined with the deterrent presence of Baiyu, Emperor Nantian would likely agree.


    Xiao Yi gazed at Long Sihai.


    Killing Long Sihai held little benefit for him.


    On the contrary, it would only lead to an outright feud with the Nantian Dynasty. Although they would have reservations due to Fang Qingzhu''s presence, one should not forget that the Nantian Dynasty was backed by the Nantian Holy Land.


    Xiao Yi didn''t believe Baiyu would wage war with the Nantian Holy Land for him and Fang Qingzhu.


    Better to take advantage of this situation and gain some benefits.


    To secure more time for himself and the Great Qian Dynasty to grow stronger, Xiao Yi spoke up, "Everything south of the Sword Dynasty, belongs to me!"


    Hiss!


    Long Sihai gasped.


    Everything south of the Sword Dynasty, with territories roughly equivalent to six dynasties and several hundred kingdoms both large and small, amounted to one-third of the Nantian Dynasty''s land.


    Cede these lands to the Great Qian Dynasty?


    Wouldn''t that make Southern State a standoff between the Nantian and Daqian Dynasties in the future?


    Instead of eliminating the Great Qian Dynasty, they would have inadvertently strengthened it even more?


    Long Sihai''s expression turned gloomy as he said solemnly, "I cannot decide on this matter alone; I need to contact and discuss it with His Majesty!"


    "You may contact him immediately. If the discussion doesn''t go well, feel free to stay here! I''m not in a hurry, really!" Xiao Yi said with a playful smirk, causing Long Sihai to grit his teeth inwardly.


    But he had no other choice, so he took out the communication token to contact Emperor Nantian.


    Only then did Xiao Yi turn his gaze to Xiao Tianjiao...

 Chapter 660 - 659: The Mysterious Person [Ninth Update]

    Xiao Yi''s gaze shifted to Xiao Tianjiao at his side.


    In those eyes, there was now a complexity of emotions.


    The once unrivaled genius had now been crippled and reduced to waste.


    The worthless younger brother he had once looked down upon had become a prodigy in the eyes of thousands.


    The woman he had once deemed unworthy was now a Holy Maiden, out of his league.


    A series of blows.


    Xiao Tianjiao hadn''t gone mad��his willpower was considered extremely strong!


    Xiao Yi fell silent for a moment, and it couldn''t be denied that he simply didn''t have the same ruthless heart as Xiao Tianjiao. Every time he resolved to kill Xiao Tianjiao, he would see his mother''s pitiful plea not to let her sons kill each other.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and said, "Tell me where our mother''s remains are, and I will let you leave!"


    Xiao Tianjiao was stunned.


    His sword-like brows furrowed as he sized up Xiao Yi.


    As if to ascertain whether Xiao Yi was lying.


    Xiao Yi said impatiently, "You never paid homage to our mother, not even fulfilling her dying wish to be buried back home. Can''t you just hand her over to me? Trading her remains for your life, I think that''s quite generous of me��"


    However��


    Xiao Tianjiao remained silent.


    But Xiao Yi could see his complexion turning somewhat unsightly.


    Xiao Yi furrowed his brows and said, "What now? Don''t tell me that even you don''t know where mother''s remains are?"


    "��"


    Xiao Tianjiao slowly closed his eyes.


    Xiao Yi sensed something was amiss and abruptly stepped forward, seizing Xiao Tianjiao by the collar, his eyes blazing with anger as he glared at him, "Tell me, where are mother''s remains? Where exactly are they?"


    "Haha, hahaha, hahahaha..."


    Xiao Tianjiao suddenly burst into hysterical laughter; his face twisted with utmost madness, his eyes filled with a stark bloodlust, as if he had gone insane, "Mother''s remains? Heh, haven''t you already seen them?"


    "Huh?"


    Xiao Yi''s brows were tightly locked together, seen them? When had he��


    Suddenly��


    Xiao Yi''s eyes focused sharply on Xiao Tianjiao, enunciating each word, "Did you refine mother''s remains into that white bone spear?"


    Boom!


    As soon as these words came out.


    The people around were all struck with shocked expressions.


    Even Long Sihai was standing with his mouth agape, unable to believe what he was hearing about Xiao Tianjiao.


    Using the remains of one''s own mother to forge a weapon?


    How twisted must one be to do such a thing?


    Xiao Tianjiao sneered, "Why not? Since she gave birth to me, everything of hers belongs to me, including her remains. The Netherworld Demon Spear I crafted required melting a close kin''s remains, and she was unwilling to let me kill you�� I forgot to tell you, her illness was treatable. It was I who stopped her medicine. It couldn''t be helped! If she was cured, I would have to wait many more years to craft the Netherworld Demon Spear��"


    Xiao Yi trembled all over.


    He finally understood why Xiao Zhengde hadn''t returned their mother''s corpse to her hometown��it had been refined into a weapon long ago.


    What was on Imperial View Mountain was merely a Robe and Crown Tomb.


    Xiao Zhengde had been worried that Xiao Yi would discover this secret, so he had had the Robe and Crown Tomb destroyed��otherwise, the revelation would have greatly tarnished Xiao Tianjiao''s reputation.


    "I curse your ancestors��"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi erupted in rage, as if a volcano within his chest had erupted.


    He landed a heavy punch on Xiao Tianjiao''s face.


    The face instantly distorted.


    "I curse your damned grandfather��"


    Boom!


    In rapid succession, Xiao Yi broke Xiao Tianjiao''s limbs, seemingly possessed with rage, "You damn well go to hell��"


    Boom, boom, boom...


    Xiao Yi was consumed by extreme fury, descending into madness.


    Every curse was accompanied by a savage punch.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Xiao Tianjiao was beaten to the brink of death, his bones and internal organs completely shattered. He no longer resembled a human being. Xiao Yi grabbed his face and, with a loud thud, forcibly slammed him into the ground.


    His body skimmed along the earth.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Xiao Tianjiao''s head continuously smashed against the ground, creating deafening crashes that echoed as he was flung over a hundred li away. If it weren''t for Xiao Tianjiao''s possession of the Supreme Overlord Holy Body, this assault alone would have ground his body to mincemeat.


    Heh...


    Heh heh heh...


    With every breath Xiao Tianjiao took, blood spurted from his mouth. His face, bloodied and indistinguishable, conveyed a sinister tone, "Xiao Yi, you are very angry, aren''t you? Haha, yes, that''s right... You are furious yet powerless. That Netherworld Demon Spear was broken by your very own hands, ke ke, you broke your dear mother''s bones... Hahaha..."


    "Xiao Tianjiao, I want your life!" Xiao Yi roared furiously.


    "Come on then, kill me! Do it..."


    Xiao Tianjiao had a derisive cold smile, fearlessly taunting, "Kill me, and when I get to the underworld, I can tell our mother... that I was slain by her beloved younger son. Come on, kill me, take your revenge for your mother... If you don''t kill me, you are a coward. Come on, kill me..."


    Witnessing Xiao Tianjiao''s hysterical state, his curses piercing the air.


    Xiao Yi''s body trembled.


    His fists clenched tightly.


    Thunders-like muffled sounds traveled up from between his fingers.


    Boom!


    Amidst a great sonic boom, Xiao Yi''s punch came crashing down ferociously.


    But it did not land on Xiao Tianjiao.


    It struck the ground beside him...


    The terrifying force spread through the earth, reaching tens of kilometers away, causing a mountain thousands of zhang high to tremble violently. Then, with a loud bang, fissures spread across the mountain.


    The entire mountain crumbled into dust.


    Xiao Yi looked coldly at Xiao Tianjiao and said emotionlessly, "I will not kill you. I want you to die here in agony. Xiao Tianjiao, just stay here and meet your end on your own!"


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi turned and walked away.


    Behind him, Xiao Tianjiao''s enraged roars resounded, "Come back, come back here... Xiao Yi, kill me, come back and kill me... What do you mean by leaving me here? I turned your mother''s remains into a treasure, come back..."


    A-woo!


    In the woods, the faint roars of ferocious beasts echoed.


    Xiao Tianjiao was in complete despair, "No... I am a peerless Tianjiao, how can I perish in the mouths of beasts? Xiao Yi, come back and kill me, I beg you..."


    However,


    Xiao Yi was already long gone.


    Moments later...


    Several hungry low-level beasts, lured by the scent of blood, converged on the spot.


    Crunch! Crunch!


    Xiao Tianjiao could clearly sense the low-level beasts gnawing on his body. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Tianjiao''s howls of despair echoed with accumulating resentment, "Beasts, get away from me... You have no right to devour my flesh... Get lost... Xiao Yi, I will never share the sky with you, even as a ghost I won''t let you off..."


    The resentment piled up,


    Materializing into a black mist that seeped into his bones and invaded his soul.


    Just as Xiao Tianjiao was about to be devoured by several beasts, suddenly, a shadow flashed by. With explosive sounds, the low-level beasts burst apart �C this was a figure shrouded in a black cloak.


    A shadowy figure wreathed in black qi.


    Beneath the cloak, a pair of eyes glowed with a cold light as it stared at the battered body effusing boundless hatred. He laughed eerily, "Such terrifying resentment, benefactor, do you desire revenge?"


    "Benefactor? Who are you? What monk dares to come here?" Xiao Tianjiao''s voice was venomous and piercing.


    The figure beneath the cloak responded indifferently, "You need not know who I am. I just want to know... do you want revenge? Do you wish to kill Xiao Yi?"


    "I wish to eat his flesh, drink his blood..." Xiao Tianjiao bellowed.


    The mysterious person grinned, bringing his hands together in front of him.


    His entire being oozed malevolence.


    Yet, he chanted Buddhist scriptures with a semblance of compassion, "Then follow me, I shall give you the chance for revenge." His gaze turned towards the direction where Xiao Yi had departed, and he sinisterly chuckled, "Xiao Yi, we shall meet again, ke ke..."

 Chapter 661 - 660: Rejecting the Throne 【Tenth Update】

    Xiao Yi, however, was unaware that Xiao Tianjiao had already been taken away by a mysterious person.


    He had just returned to the place where he had previously clashed with Xiao Tianjiao, searching all around until he finally found some shattered fragments of a white bone long spear.


    He held the fragments in his hands with great care.


    Xiao Yi had never imagined that Xiao Tianjiao could be so heartless and mad as to use the bones of his own mother to refine into a yuan weapon, let alone the fact that their mother, who had always been reluctant to see her sons fight each other,


    had her remains turned into a weapon for her sons to kill each other with!


    Whoo!


    Looking at the now reassembled white bone long spear, Xiao Yi took a long breath of murky air.


    Guiding his vital energy over it, he attached it to the surface of the long spear.


    This prevented the bones from scattering again.


    Wrapping it carefully with a white cloth, Xiao Yi kowtowed deeply three times to it and said in a solemn voice, "Mother, your son will soon bring you back home and follow your last wish to bury you next to grandfather and grandmother!"


    Thump, thump, thump!


    After kowtowing three more times, he carefully stored it inside the storage ring.


    Looking at the devastation around him, Xiao Yi''s expression was complex.


    This was the fate of those not powerful enough.


    Whether it''s an individual or a nation, if one''s own strength is not strong enough, then one can only be passive and take a beating.


    If Fang Qingzhu hadn''t returned in time,


    I''m afraid both Xiao Yi and the entire Great Qian Dynasty''s fate would not have been a good one.


    "Dean, the dean''s wife asks you to hurry back, there''s a reply from Nantian Dynasty!" Shadow Demon flew over quickly from afar, shouting as he approached.


    When Xiao Yi dealt with Xiao Tianjiao earlier, everyone else had the tact not to follow.


    This was a matter between brothers.


    Even Fang Qingzhu, who was worried about Xiao Yi in her heart, did not follow him.


    Xiao Yi nodded and followed Shadow Demon back to the skies above the imperial city.


    Long Sihai''s expression was quite ugly, and upon seeing Xiao Yi arrive, he let out a cold snort from his nostrils. Clearly, he had not received favorable treatment during the earlier negotiations with Emperor Nantian.


    "Director Long, I hear Emperor Nantian has replied?" Xiao Yi looked at Long Sihai with a smile.


    Whoo!


    Long Sihai exhaled a long breath of murky air and struggled a little. They had paid a great price this time and tentatively asked, "Xiao Yi, can''t the conditions you mentioned be lowered?"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "It seems Director Long does not have much sincerity!"


    Fang Qingzhu glanced at Xiao Xue beside her.


    Xiao Xue had just torn off a piece of barbecued meat and was about to chew it when she suddenly saw Fang Qingzhu gazing at her. Startled, she spat out the meat in her mouth and caught it with her hand, glaring fiercely at Long Sihai. S��arch* The N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her eyes were truly fierce this time!


    Interrupting my meal.


    I''ll swallow you whole!


    Thinking this, Xiao Xue unconsciously bared her two sharp tiger teeth.


    "..."


    Long Sihai''s heart trembled, he lamented and dared not haggle any longer, and said solemnly, "His Majesty has agreed. Six big dynasties to the south of the Sword Dynasty, totaling one thousand one hundred thirty-four small kingdoms, will be divided and given to you. From now on, our two countries will take the Tian River at the northern border of the Sword Dynasty as the boundary and will not violate each other''s territory, coexisting in the north and the south!"


    Xiao Yi, however, outright ignored the last two sentences.


    What nonsense about not violating each other''s territory.


    There''s never any talk of coexistence between nations.


    As long as there''s enough interest or if the benefits far outweigh the risks, they will definitely take action regardless of the cost.


    However...


    With the support of one of the human sanctuaries, Holy Land Baiyu Capital, behind Xiao Yi and his people, even if Nantian Dynasty wanted to move against them, it would need to weigh the consequences.


    Long Sihai said in a deep voice, "I will take my leave now. Within a month, an envoy will come to sign the treaty between our countries!"


    "Safe travels, no need to see you out!"


    Xiao Yi made a gesture of farewell.


    As for signing the treaty, it was merely a formality after all.


    If there really was a war, even if you went there carrying a chariot-load of treaties, they would be of no use.


    Long Sihai nodded towards Fang Qingzhu and then soared into the sky.


    He left, breaking through the air.


    With the departure of Long Sihai, the catastrophe that the Great Qian Dynasty had been facing had finally come to an end. Among those most excited and mobilized were Yang Zun, Emperor Qian Yang Hualong, and Crown Prince Yang Ling.


    Not only had they resolved a catastrophe, but they had also allowed the Great Qian Dynasty to rise.


    The Sword Dynasty to the south, ah!


    This was equivalent to one-third of the Nantian Dynasty.


    From now on...


    The Great Qian Dynasty could also be called the Daqian Dynasty!


    However...


    In their joy,


    Emperor Qian and the others fell silent as they watched Xiao Yi affectionately chatting and laughing with Fang Qingzhu. They exchanged glances, and it seemed Emperor Qian had made a certain decision; he nodded at them and then approached Xiao Yi.


    "Xiao Yi!"


    Emperor Qian came before Xiao Yi and said in a deep voice.


    "Your Majesty? Did you need me for something?" Xiao Yi was startled.


    Emperor Qian took a deep breath. He, along with Yang Zun and Yang Ling, simultaneously fell to one knee with a thud and said gravely, "On behalf of the billions of citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty, I thank Xiao Zhenguo for his life-saving grace!"


    "Please, get up quickly!"


    Xiao Yi raised his palm, lifting them to their feet, his face revealing a bitter smile. "Since I am a king with equal ranking as the sovereign, it is only natural for me to protect the citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty."


    The three men were helped up by Xiao Yi.


    Emperor Qian said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, after our discussion, we have decided... it would be best for the throne of the Daqian Dynasty to be yours in the future!"


    "That''s right, Xiao Yi. If it weren''t for you, the Great Qian Dynasty might have already perished. You are the most suitable person to sit on this throne!" Yang Ling also said with a smile, his eyes clear, showing not a trace of hypocrisy.


    Xiao Yi looked at the three men, yet he started to laugh, shaking his head as he said, "The emperor''s seat should still be yours! My ambition is not there; in the future, I shall simply fulfill my role as Xiao Zhenguo with honesty."


    "But..."


    Emperor Qian and the others still wanted to persuade him.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, feigning displeasure, "Enough, don''t disturb our reunion. You all go deal with the aftermath. Though the Nantian Dynasty has compromised, fully integrating these thousands of realms to the south will not be so easy. You have much work ahead!"


    The three men looked at each other, confused.


    Next to them, Fang Qingzhu said with a smile, "You should listen to Xiao Yi."


    Seeing Fang Qingzhu also speaking out,


    Emperor Qian and the others dared not persuade further and could only retreat.


    From a distance, Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Ji Luanyue, and Huang Feihu did not dare approach either, as Xiao Yi''s terrifying strength alone had deeply deterred them, not to mention the support he had from the Holy Land Baiyu Capital behind him!


    The three exchanged glances.


    Huang Feihu suggested, "Fellow companions, now that the Daqian Dynasty has been newly established, I think joining them is a fine choice!"


    Ji Luanyue hesitated for a moment before saying, "I have wandered for many years as well; it is time to settle down!"


    "In that case, I shall stay as well!"


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor pondered for a moment, then nodded, indicating he too wished to join the Daqian Dynasty.


    The three immediately went to find Emperor Qian.


    When they learned that they were willing to join the Daqian Dynasty and henceforth the Chaotic Sea Domain would be brought into the territory of the Daqian Dynasty, Emperor Qian naturally would not refuse. He promised many benefits and preferential policies, which greatly satisfied Bai Fa Sword Emperor and the others.


    Only among the crowd,


    Standing together with Huang Baitao, Huang Yuwei stared blankly at Xiao Yi, who was holding hands with Fang Qingzhu as they departed. A tinge of melancholy flashed in her eyes.


    "Girl, let it go!" sighed Huang Baitao, advising her.


    That''s the Holy Maiden of the Holy Land Baiyu Capital!


    How can you compete with her?


    Huang Yuwei gave a bitter smile and said, "Father, let your daughter bury this affection in her heart then!"


    "But this will cause you great pain..." Huang Baitao said with concern.


    Huang Yuwei gently shook her head: "As long as I can often see him and know he is happy, that is enough for me!"


    Just as Huang Yuwei was gazing tenderly at Xiao Yi,


    Ye Qingyu, who stood out among the crowd, also was staring intensely at Xiao Yi''s departing figure. A venomous look flashed in his eyes, and he clenched his fists, grinding his teeth: "Qingzhu is mine; the Holy Land Baiyu Capital is mine too. Xiao Yi, you will not take all this away from me!"


    Meanwhile,


    In the southernmost skies of the Qingtian Realm, a pillar of fire roared down from the heavens.


    It struck the ground fiercely.


    In an instant, it turned into a sea of flames, the pillar rolling out thousands of miles, with the flames spreading over an enormous distance. And when the flames on the surface of the fireball had completely vanished, a black Stele stood erect at the edge of the sea of fire.


    On the Stele, several mysterious and ancient characters pulsed with a faint glow...


    PS: Ten chapters complete! Goodnight, everyone. Xiao Tian will continue to explode with releases tomorrow!

 Chapter 662 - 661: You Actually Believe What That Blockhead Says?【First Release】

    A desolate and silent land at the extreme south.


    Here, seldom do humans tread, and even ascetics choose not to cultivate their practices in such a place.


    After all...


    Compared to the alternation of day and night in the extreme north, the extreme south is enveloped in perpetual night; even the starlight above the sky is extremely rare.


    The extreme south has always been a forbidden area for the humans of the Qingtian Realm.


    That''s why...


    The landing of this stele caused such a huge commotion, yet it still failed to attract anyone''s attention.


    Hum!


    Hum!


    Hum!


    The ancient and vicissitudinous characters on the stele spewed dazzling light, sending out circular shockwaves that dissipated in all directions, the affected area spreading wider and wider.


    Ten li.


    A hundred li.


    A thousand li...


    In the blink of an eye, nearly the entire extreme south was enveloped within it.


    After that.


    The shockwaves folded back.


    Wave after wave returned to the stele, continually shrinking the scope of the shockwave until it retracted entirely back into the stele. At the same time, the primitive and ancient characters on the stele finally revealed themselves��Immortality!


    These two characters breathed a bewitching red light, giving off an extremely eerie feeling.


    Only...


    In this vast and boundless extreme south, who knows how long it would be before someone discovers it!


    ......


    The Daqian Dynasty, the Imperial Capital.


    In recent days, the entire Daqian Dynasty has been plunged into a frenzy, from the royal nobles down to the common people busy in the streets.


    Especially Emperor Qian and Yang Ling, even Yang Zun personally entered the arena.


    They were reorganizing the neighboring states, incorporating their forces into their own territory.


    Fortunately, this time the Nantian Dynasty had summoned all nations to attack Great Qian, drawing out all the elites and powerhouses from these countries, leaving their interiors extremely vulnerable.


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor was appointed Grand Marshal Tianbao.


    With his strength as the unrivaled number one powerhouse of the chaotic seas, he easily swept through those nations, unmatched by any.


    Besides...


    Ji Luanyue and Huang Feihu were similarly rewarded.


    Ji Luanyue became the supreme commander of the Daqian Dynasty''s navy, integrating the forces of Luan Yue Valley, the Huang Family and the Bai Fa Pirate Group to establish the navy of the Daqian Dynasty.


    As for Huang Feihu, he was granted the title of King Zhenhai!


    The Beast Emperor Sea and the chaotic maritime regions all fell under his jurisdiction.


    It was a cause for celebration for all.


    A group of pirates accustomed to a nomadic life of bloodshed in the chaotic maritime regions, now settled down with an officially recognized status, could be described as bringing honor to their ancestors. Moreover, Xiao Yi had thoroughly subdued them, so naturally they would not dare have any other thoughts. As a result, although the Daqian Dynasty had not yet been officially established,


    the strength of the entire nation had increased by tens or even hundreds of times!


    Given time,


    it might become possible to confront the Nantian Dynasty on true equal terms, rather than continuing as now, solely relying on the relationship with Baiyu and Fang Qingzhu to tread cautiously around the Nantian Dynasty.


    Imperial Dragon Mountain, Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Within a separate courtyard.


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu were enjoying tea, the two of them having been inseparable in recent days. However, they had still not crossed the final threshold.


    After all.


    Xiao Xue, the blindingly bright and fiery lightbulb, was always by Fang Qingzhu''s side.


    Xiao Yi had considered separating Xiao Xue, but even Fang Qingzhu could not order Xiao Xue to leave her side. According to Xiao Xue, "The Saint Lord instructed that I must absolutely, absolutely not leave the miss''s side, especially when the miss is with you!"


    Under Xiao Xue''s vigilant gaze, akin to that of a thief-guarding watchman, Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu could only entertain a craving without satisfaction.


    Of course...


    This sort of thing isn''t great to describe in too much detail. Let''s just say that what had to be done was done, only the last step remained.


    Yep!


    That''s all I''ll say on the matter!


    I''d better stop before I summon the harmonious beast...


    "Boss, I heard Qingzhu is back? Where is she? Where is she?" An excited voice suddenly came from outside as Little Lin flew in hastily.


    Just as Xiao Yi was enjoying the gentle touch of Fang Qingzhu''s delicate jade-like hands, his eyes rolled back in annoyance. By then, Little Lin had already landed in the courtyard. As soon as he saw Fang Qingzhu, he let out a ''wow'' and pounced on her, climbing onto her shoulder and standing upright as he said, "Qingzhu, I''ve missed you so much!"


    "Little Lin, I missed you too!"


    Fang Qingzhu smiled and let Little Lin perch on her palm, saying with a smile, "Little Lin, let me introduce a new friend to you! This is my good sister Xiao Xue, and Xiao Xue, this is the Little Lin I often mention to you..."


    "Hm?" sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little Lin blinked in surprise, then turned to look at Xiao Xue.


    The moment he saw her, Little Lin''s eyes nearly popped out. He felt a strong attraction in their blood, as if there was something on Xiao Xue''s person that he found utterly captivating.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Little Lin, wriggling his body, landed on Xiao Xue''s shoulder, standing upright, his golden-red scales shimmering. His eyes glowing, he stared at Xiao Xue and hissed, "Sister Xiao Xue, has anyone ever told you that you''re a bit weird?"


    Xiao Xue was taken aback.


    Fiddling for snacks in her pocket with her slender hands, she asked in confusion, "Weird? What''s weird?"


    Little Lin grinned and said, "Weirdly likable!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Fang Qingzhu: "..."


    Proud of himself, Little Lin raised an eyebrow at them and then turned his head back to the befuddled Xiao Xue and continued, "Sister Xiao Xue, do you know which year I like the most?"


    Xiao Xue, already pulling a chicken leg out of her pocket, shook her head involuntarily.


    Little Lin chuckled and said, "The Year I Love You Ten Thousand!"


    Xiao Yi''s face twitched.


    Fang Qingzhu covered her mouth and giggled, nearly crying with laughter, whispering, "Xiao Yi, where did Little Lin learn all this from?"


    Xiao Yi touched his nose: "Certainly not from me!"


    Seeing everyone''s reaction, Little Lin became even more smug inside. These were all tricks Lei Long, that iron fool, had taught him; he didn''t expect it to actually work. With an air of self-satisfaction, he looked at Xiao Xue, ready to speak again, but was met with a chicken leg Xiao Xue was shoving at his face, stuffing it straight into his mouth, followed by a cold chill emanating from her.


    Hiss...


    A bone-chilling cold instantly froze Little Lin stiff, and with a thud, he fell to the ground.


    Little Lin, rigid as an ice pop, bounced ''duangduang'' twice on the ground, only his eyes rolling around helplessly.


    Xiao Xue glared fiercely at Little Lin, stamped her foot, and turned to Fang Qingzhu to say, "Miss, this jerk is harassing me! And you said he was a good person? I''m not talking to you anymore..."


    Fang Qingzhu rolled her eyes and looked helplessly at Xiao Yi before placating, "Alright, I''ll take you for some tasty food to make it up to you, okay?"


    At the mention of tasty food, Xiao Xue''s eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously, "Tasty food, I want to go now!"


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Let Fei Yan take you! She''s more familiar with the imperial city!"


    "Okay!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded and led Xiao Xue away.


    Xiao Yi watched Little Lin with resignation and, flicking his fingers, sent a burst of energy to melt the ice on his body, saying helplessly, "Where did you learn all this nonsense from?"


    Little Lin hung his head: "Lei Long taught me. He also said that with this trick, he''s found seventeen or eighteen wives in the Chaotic Sea!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes: "You believe that iron fool? Bai Fa already said, Lei Long''s wives... all of them were ''acquired'' by force..."


    Little Lin: "..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and was about to speak again when his expression subtly tightened, and he said without a trace, "Why don''t you follow Qingzhu and the others around for a bit and buy Xiao Xue some nice treats? That works much better than any sweet nothings you could say!"


    "Really?"


    Little Lin''s eyes widened, and seeing Xiao Yi nod, he chuckled and dashed off eagerly.


    "Remember to pay, okay?"


    After reminding him, when Little Lin was gone, Xiao Yi turned to the corner of the courtyard and spoke lightly, "Since you''re here, why not come out and meet me?"


    PS: Uploading one chapter first! Today, as usual, there''ll be no less than ten updates! But this afternoon, Xiao Tian has something urgent to attend to, so I''ll only be able to continue writing when I get back later. Please forgive me, everyone!

 Chapter 663 - 662: Letter of Divorce! [Second Update]

    "Since you''re here, why not show yourself?"


    Xiao Yi''s face bore a calm smile as he looked toward the dark corner.


    Within the dark corner,


    a figure slightly trembled and then emerged from the darkness, bathed gradually in sunlight, revealing his visage��it was Ye Qingyu.


    Seeing the jealousy swimming in the eyes on that cold face, Xiao Yi couldn''t help but sneer inwardly. Back in the Qing Tian Kingdom, it was this very Ye Qingyu who, before his own eyes, had taken Fang Qingzhu away without mercy.


    At that time...


    Xiao Yi didn''t even have the cultivation of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    How could he have possibly been a match for Ye Qingyu?


    No!


    In the eyes of Ye Qingyu at that time, Xiao Yi didn''t even qualify to be his opponent. In Ye Qingyu''s view, if it hadn''t been for Fang Qingzhu, he would never have had any dealings with someone from a lowly kingdom like Xiao Yi in his entire life.


    But now...


    In these past few years, he had witnessed Xiao Yi''s various intimate interactions with Fang Qingzhu on a daily basis.


    The ice goddess whom he admired without pretense was docile like a good girl in front of Xiao Yi.


    How could he possibly tolerate this?


    Ye Qingyu strode directly in front of Xiao Yi, taking a seat with grandiose authority, his eyes flashing a faint chill.


    Just by sitting there...


    Ye Qingyu exuded a cold murderous aura.


    If it weren''t for the fear of Xiao Xue by Fang Qingzhu''s side, Ye Qingyu would have been unable to resist striking with his hand, killing Xiao Yi on the spot.


    Crack, crack, crack!


    His palm resting on the table, the cold frost had already frozen the surface solid.


    The frost spread toward Xiao Yi.


    Just that...


    Upon reaching Xiao Yi''s body, the ice could no longer advance a single moment further.


    "Hmm?"


    Ye Qingyu''s expression changed slightly.


    He was a super expert of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    For someone of his age to have reached such a realm, even in Baiyu he would be considered notable.


    Although he wasn''t like those supreme talents who had early access to the spirit of immortality, he nonetheless qualified to vie for it. S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In his view, someone like Xiao Yi who possessed the peak of Dharma Manifestation Realm was no more than an ant, easily suppressed with just a raised hand. But now, it seemed he had underestimated Xiao Yi''s strength. While Ye Qingyu was pondering, Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward and he spoke in a calm voice, "Brother Ye came looking for me so early in the morning, what for?"


    Whoosh!


    The momentum Ye Qingyu had built up crumbled in an instant.


    His expression changed slightly.


    Gazing intently at Xiao Yi, his eyes shifted back to normal as he spoke calmly, "Xiao Yi, this young master will not beat around the bush with you. Do you know why my people from Baiyu cannot leave the far north at will? Why do you think the Holy Master agreed to let Her Highness the Saintess travel billions of miles to come here?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at him, "For me?"


    "This young master is here under the Holy Master''s orders to deliver this divorce letter to you. And to convey to you that you and Her Highness are from two different worlds. Her Highness stands aloof, the Saintess of Heaven. And you, no matter how talented or excellent, are nothing more than an ant struggling in the mortal realm," said Ye Qingyu, nodding his head and curling his lips into a confident, cold smirk as if regaining the initiative, speaking arrogantly, "The Holy Master has promised that if you agree to sign the divorce letter, forever severing your ties with Her Highness the Saintess, Baiyu will become the backbone behind your Daqian Dynasty. You should know, without the support of Baiyu, the Nantian Dynasty will have no reservations about obliterating the Daqian Dynasty in the blink of an eye."


    Swish!


    Ye Qingyu tossed his sleeves, and the divorce letter fluttered down.


    Ye Qingyu''s haughty voice echoed in Xiao Yi''s ears, "Of course, Her Highness is unaware of this matter, and I also hope that you will never let her find out, lest it affects their father-daughter relationship!"


    Xiao Yi merely glanced at it without reaching out to receive it, instead with a wave of his hand, the divorce letter burst into flames with a bang.


    Turned into countless scraps of paper, falling from midair.


    "You..."


    Ye Qingyu''s face changed dramatically. He had anticipated many reactions from Xiao Yi upon seeing the divorce letter, but never expected such a direct and violent response.


    To think...


    This was a divorce letter personally penned by the Holy Master of Baiyu.


    Sacred Master''s Treasure!


    Any earthly emperor who obtained the Sacred Master''s Treasure would consider it a heritage treasure, one that they would only dare to gaze upon after burning incense and bathing.


    Xiao Yi actually destroyed it?


    "Bastard!"


    Ye Qingyu''s eyes were bloodshot red as he roared, "Xiao Yi, do you realize what you are doing? This is personally inscribed by the Sacred Master, and you dare to destroy it? You are challenging the Sacred Master''s authority, do you know the consequences of this?"


    "Are you done?"


    Xiao Yi simply raised his eyes and looked at him.


    Just this one look.


    Ye Qingyu felt a chilling coldness sweep over his entire body in an instant,


    causing frost to form on him.


    Hisss!


    Ye Qingyu couldn''t help but gasp for air, staggering backwards three steps, his face turning shades of green and white as he looked at Xiao Yi, unable to utter a word.


    "Since you''re done, now it''s my turn!"


    Xiao Yi stood up, walked around the table towards Ye Qingyu.


    With each step, it felt as if a divine mountain peak was crashing into Ye Qingyu, brutally pushing him back step by step.


    Xiao Yi''s voice grew deeper and more muffled with each word, the pressure increasingly terrifying, as if an invisible hand was gripping Ye Qingyu''s throat tightly, suffocating him: "Please relay a message to the Sacred Master, your father-in-law, that I have no intention of breaking off my marriage with Qingzhu unless she initiates it herself. Otherwise, don''t expect me to sign anything!"


    "Xiao Yi, I advise you not to be a toad lusting after a swan''s flesh. Her Highness, the Holy Maiden, is beyond your reach. Your stubborn infatuation will not only ruin yourself but will also implicate Her Highness and the Great Qian Dynasty��" Ye Qingyu blustered red-faced and angrily.


    He had thought that by invoking the Baiyu Sacred Master, Xiao Yi would surely have no choice but to submit.


    Unexpectedly, Xiao Yi remained so defiant!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi suddenly stepped forward, his hand gripping Ye Qingyu''s neck and fiercely pinning him against the wall.


    What about the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm?


    Ye Qingyu''s strength was only on the level of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking''s geniuses.


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, killing him would be as easy as turning his hand.


    Gurgle!


    Ye Qingyu, feeling the icy killing intent from Xiao Yi, swallowed hard, a look of terror in his eyes as he looked at Xiao Yi: "You, you, you... "


    Xiao Yi, expressionless, enunciated each word clearly, "What I hate the most is being threatened. If you utter one more useless word, I will take your dog life!"


    Ye Qingyu wanted to fight back.


    But to his sadness, he found that under Xiao Yi''s restraint, the vital energy within his body seemed to solidify, unable to circulate at all.


    The icy breath of death had locked onto him in an instant,


    as if a ferocious evil spirit with green face and fangs was forming behind Xiao Yi, revealing a scythe of death, ready to tear his soul apart and drag him through the gates of hell.


    Luckily, Xiao Yi did not intend to kill him this time...


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi released his hand, and Ye Qingyu thudded to the ground with a thump. Xiao Yi patted his face and said, "You''d better stay away from Qingzhu and me from now on. I''m the jealous type, and I don''t like other men getting too close to my woman. If I catch you within five meters of Qingzhu again, I''ll beat you up. Do you understand?"


    "Understood, understood..." Ye Qingyu responded subconsciously.


    Smack! Smack!


    Xiao Yi patted his face, nodded, and said, "Seeing that you''re so obedient, I won''t hit you this time!"


    Xiao Yi walked away with his hands behind his back, leaving the courtyard.


    Hisss! Huff!


    Hisss!


    Huff!


    Ye Qingyu suddenly relaxed all over, slumped on the ground, gasping for air, truly feeling as if the gates of hell had been opened for him just then.


    Watching Xiao Yi disappear into the distance, and thinking back on his experience of the day, Ye Qingyu suddenly felt his face burning hot, his heart filled with immense humiliation. A genius of the sacred Baiyu, threatened by a peer from a lowly kingdom, without even the courage to resist?


    "Xiao Yi... I will kill you, I want you to die a horrible death..."


    Ye Qingyu''s face twisted savagely, his hands clenched tightly, his eyes brimming with venom, as he took out a communication token, "Brother Zhang, haven''t you always wanted to know where Her Highness'' husband is? He''s in the Southern State..."

 Chapter 664 - 663: The Four Sons of Nantian [Third Update]

    Southern State, Nantian Dynasty.


    Ever since Long Sihai returned, the news that all territories south of the Tianhe had been apportioned to the Daqian Dynasty spread through the Nantian Dynasty like a plague.


    For a moment...


    Top and bottom of the Nantian Dynasty were filled with fury.


    Always...


    The Nantian Dynasty had been the undeniable hegemon of the Southern State, with no one capable of shaking its ruling status.


    But now...


    The mere Great Qian Dynasty had actually managed to extract teeth from the tiger''s mouth, carving away one-third of the territory to establish the Daqian Dynasty, opposing the Nantian Dynasty from the south, on equal footing. This made the citizens of the Nantian Dynasty, who had always looked down upon the other nations of the Southern State, extremely angry.


    Especially the powerful warriors of the Nantian Dynasty, they were beyond furious.


    Sikong Tu, ranked twenty-fifth on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, a mighty one in the Seventh Nirvana Realm.


    Chen Youtu, ranked eighteenth on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, of the Eight Nirvana Realm.


    Li Chenggong, thirteenth on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, also of the Eight Nirvana Realm.


    Zhao Xing, ranked tenth on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, of the Nine Nirvana Realm.


    These four were born in the cold gates of the Nantian Dynasty, as close as brothers, advancing and retreating together, calling themselves the Four Sons of Nantian.


    Among the many geniuses of the Nantian Dynasty, they were also a force to be reckoned with.


    This time...


    The four of them were gathered together.


    Sikong Tu''s face was ice-cold as he said indifferently, "You all must have heard about the Daqian Dynasty''s affair, haven''t you?"


    The others nodded.


    Chen Youtu said indifferently, "As far as I know, Director Long himself took action this time and originally could have easily wiped out the traitorous group of the Great Qian Dynasty. However, there is a prodigy from the Great Qian Dynasty named Xiao Yi who apparently has ties to the Holy Land Baiyu Capital. It was precisely because of Baiyu Capital''s intervention that His Majesty had no choice but to compromise and agree to cede territory and pay indemnities."


    Bang!


    Li Chenggong slammed his palm hard on the table.


    And shattered it.


    His eyes gleamed with a cold light as he gritted his teeth and said, "I heard that Xiao Yi is merely at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. How on earth did that trash manage to hook up with Baiyu Capital? He must have had a stroke of damn luck!"


    "Gentlemen!"


    Zhao Xing narrowed his eyes, the corner of his mouth curling into a faint cold smile, his eyes carrying a touch of indifference, "I have heard that Xiao Yi is none other than the brother of Xiao Tianjiao, who was recently in the limelight. Currently, he serves as a top-ranked king side-by-side in the Great Qian Dynasty, indeed the strongest in the Daqian Dynasty!"


    "What?"


    Sikong Tu''s face changed slightly.


    Among them...


    If anyone was most familiar with Xiao Tianjiao, it would be he without a doubt.


    He was originally ranked twenty-fourth on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking; it was only after being defeated by Xiao Tianjiao''s challenge that he fell to the twenty-fifth position.


    Zhao Xing continued, "Xiao Tianjiao''s cultivation is only roughly equivalent to our youngest brother here; how much stronger could his brother possibly be?"


    "Big brother, what are you suggesting?" The others were very familiar with one another and immediately understood that Zhao Xing was preparing to stir up trouble!


    Zhao Xing flashed a grin, his cold eyes gleaming with a hint of ominous intent: "The Daqian Dynasty has Baiyu Capital backing it, so it wouldn''t be suitable for His Majesty to send troops to attack. But even Baiyu Capital cannot forbid interactions between warriors of different countries, right? What I''m suggesting is, why don''t we brothers take a trip to the Great Qian Dynasty and challenge Xiao Yi? Should we manage to slay him, it would be considered a great contribution to the Nantian Dynasty."


    It''s not easy for a noble child to emerge from a humble family!


    This was especially true in an ancient nation like the Nantian Dynasty, rife with factions and long-standing legacies.


    One ancient family after another had already taken control of everything.


    These disciples from humble backgrounds, without the fortune of catching the eye of someone powerful, could never enter the true upper echelons of society prior to becoming part of the Longevity Secret Realm, no matter how talented they were.


    "Big brother is right, His Majesty and Director Long must be extremely resentful toward the Great Qian Dynasty now. If we can kill the strongest figures of the Daqian Dynasty, His Majesty might even lavish us with rewards!"


    "Even if we don''t catch His Majesty''s eye, if Director Long takes notice, we''ll have a bright future ahead of us!"


    "Let''s do it!"


    Zhao Xing cracked a smile, "Don''t rush, my three younger brothers. Before we head to the Daqian Dynasty, let''s first make a trip to the Xiao Family and take Xiao Tianjiao''s father with us!"


    "Big brother really is thorough!"


    "Let''s go, let''s go..."


    The four of them were in perfect harmony and left at once.


    Half a day later.


    A flying boat, traveling at great speed, navigated the skies above the Nantian Dynasty, heading toward the Great Qian Dynasty...


    What they didn''t know was that as they left, Long Sihai had already received the news. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Long Sihai, with one arm and one eye, sat cross-legged in the inspection office.


    Looking at the intelligence brought by his subordinates, a slight smile curled his lips: "The Four Sons of Nantian? These young fellows do have some smarts, letting them test the waters isn''t such a bad idea. Even if things go awry, if Baiyu Capital assigns blame, it''ll be their personal actions that are at fault, not related to our Nantian Dynasty. If Baiyu Capital has no intention of being the Daqian Dynasty''s support, then they have no reason to exist..."


    Bang!


    The intelligence in his hand exploded into pieces.


    ......


    Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Almost a month had passed since the battle at the imperial capital.


    In this time, Xiao Yi spent his days accompanying Fang Qingzhu and his nights secluded in a secret chamber, diligently cultivating. Although it''s only been a short month, with the hundredfold spirit qi of Imperial Dragon Mountain and the continuous gathering of resources from the chaotic seas, Xiao Yi had made significant progress in the practice of the Heaven-reaching Skill Record.


    He had completed the training of the seventh diagram of both the Heaven-reaching Physical Record and the Heaven-reaching Skill Record and had begun to comprehend the eighth diagram.


    The progress in the Heaven-reaching Divine Record was the fastest.


    After all, he had refined a Spiritual Blood Pool, and his spiritual power was already immensely strong. Now he had fully understood the eighth diagram of the Heaven-reaching Divine Record and had started to comprehend the ninth diagram.


    Furthermore...


    With the enhancement from the Heaven-reaching Physical Record, Xiao Yi had triggered heavenly thunder ten days ago and officially advanced his Wind Thunder Sacred Body to the seventh transformation.


    With his current physical strength, he had reached the limit of a level seven elemental weapon.


    Tearing apart a level seven elemental weapon with his bare hands was entirely effortless for him.


    But today...


    Xiao Yi''s focus wasn''t on improving his training in the Heaven-reaching Records; his eyes were fixed intently on the Longevity Cauldron before him.


    Circulating around the Longevity Cauldron, Little Lin emitted golden-red radiance, undulating and intertwining. Streams of red light infused the cauldron. The Longevity Cauldron vibrated and hummed, swallowing and releasing a luminous glow. Within it lay treasures painstakingly gathered by him, including a thousand spirit veins and countless spirit medicines and treasures, each over a thousand years old.


    Hum, hum, hum!


    The Longevity Cauldron trembled with a roar, and one could faintly feel a terrifying pressure emanating from it.


    Xiao Yi''s face shone with a reddish glow: "In three more days, this spirit of longevity will take shape. Then, I''ll give it to Qingzhu first!"


    As he thought this...


    The voice of the Shadow Demon came from outside the door: "Headmaster, there are four strong men outside the mountain gate who claim to be the Four Sons of Nantian, and they''ve declared their intent to challenge you..."

 Chapter 665 - 664: Take Peoples Money, Do Peoples Work! [Fourth Update]

    "The Four Young Masters of Nantian?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback as he looked at the Elixir of Immortality in front of him and spoke indifferently, "Tell them, I''m not free!"


    "..."


    The Shadow Demon looked helpless and said with a wry smile, "Principal, would you please go out and take a look? Outside, outside..."


    He found it difficult to articulate.


    Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "What''s happening outside?"


    The Shadow Demon opened his mouth but didn''t know how to break the news; he feared that once he told Xiao Yi what was happening outside, Xiao Yi would be so angry that he might spit blood. He could only muster his courage and say, "You''d better see for yourself! The principal''s wife is already out there, but she doesn''t know how to handle it either, she asked for you to go over..."


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi pushed open the door of the secret chamber, his face dark as soot.


    The creation of the Spirit of Longevity was crucial, and it was on the verge of success.


    He did not wish to leave just like that at this moment.


    But...


    Since the Shadow Demon had said that it was Fang Qingzhu who had sent for him, and even she couldn''t resolve the situation, he had no choice but to step in. Looking at the Shadow Demon, he instructed, "Guard the door well, don''t allow anyone to enter!"


    "Yes!"


    The Shadow Demon patted his chest and nodded confidently. He had reached the First Nirvana Realm and proclaimed, "I''ll guard it with my life; I''ll absolutely not let anyone near the secret chamber!"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and headed toward the gate.


    Still some distance from the gate, Xiao Yi heard a series of ear-piercing curses, "Xiao Yi, you ungrateful rebel, what sins did I, Xiao Zhengde, commit in my last life to have sired such a disgraceful offspring?"


    "The Nantian Dynasty has been good to the Xiao Family, even serving as our clothing and food; how dare you lead a rebellion? You, who should have been a wasted seed on the wall, my biggest regret in life is that I didn''t do just that... And I regret even more that I didn''t listen to that cheap woman''s words and kill you right away..."


    "Hey, you little bastard, you even killed your brother, your own brother! How could you bear to lay your hands on him?"


    "A tiger does not eat its cubs, and brothers do not fight each other. Tian''er was generous and pure-hearted, doing good deeds daily, and everyone who knew him had only praise for him. But as his brother, you were jealous of your brother''s achievements and reputation, continuously fabricated lies to slander and tarnish him, and even brutally murdered him... I wish I could eat your flesh and drink your blood, you unfilial son..."


    The cursing was unbearable to the ear.


    Xiao Yi finally understood why the Shadow Demon had behaved that way; Xiao Zhengde''s cursing was indeed too unpleasant!


    Xiao Yi''s face was black as coal.


    He had never expected Xiao Zhengde to show up here.


    Let alone...


    That he could do something so shameless?


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a heavy breath of foul air and leapt out, arriving in front of the gate.


    At this moment...


    People had already crowded around the gate, and they all watched Xiao Zhengde lying on the ground wailing and cursing, pounding the earth with his fists, each wearing an expression of speechlessness.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face was the color of iron.


    Yet she was unable to do anything.


    Regardless of what Xiao Zhengde was like, he was her father-in-law in name, Xiao Yi''s father.


    She didn''t know how Xiao Yi would deal with Xiao Zhengde, but after all, it was not appropriate for her to intervene; she could only listen to Xiao Zhengde''s despicable cursing as she involuntarily clenched her slender hands, "Brother Xiao Yi is definitely not like that..."


    Xiao Xue looked at Fang Qingzhu, grinned to reveal two small tiger teeth, and asked, "Miss, shall I eat him up?"


    "Don''t be impulsive!"


    Fang Qingzhu hurriedly stopped her, "After all, he is Brother Xiao Yi''s father; let''s wait for Brother Xiao Yi to come back and decide!"


    At that moment...


    Xiao Zhengde also noticed Fang Qingzhu and, with a turn of his eyes, suddenly pounced toward her, bellowing, "You must have bewitched that rebellious son. He never had any issues in the Xiao Family for over a decade. But ever since he went to Nanhuang and married you, he''s changed completely. It must be your witchcraft at work. Let me tear off the mask of your deception and see what kind of demon you truly are..."


    Fang Qingzhu''s expression changed slightly.


    She quickly grabbed hold of Xiao Xue beside her, fearing that in her anger, Xiao Xue would obliterate Xiao Zhengde.


    But at that moment,


    A warm hand grasped her delicate wrist, and a gentle voice sounded beside her ear, "Don''t worry, leave it to me to handle!"


    Bang!


    A dark shadow flashed by.


    Xiao Yi kicked Xiao Zhengde without any courtesy, landing a powerful blow to his chest. Xiao Zhengde''s forward charge abruptly halted. His face contorted in agony, he let out a wail, and like an arrow released from its bow, his body whistled through the air, flying backward a full hundred meters before crashing to the ground with a thud.


    Hiss!


    A collective gasp of shock rose from the crowd.


    Everyone''s eyes turned to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s face was dark as coal, his eyes like lightning, staring coldly at Xiao Zhengde, who was staggering to his feet from the ground, "Let me hear one more insult toward Qingzhu coming from your mouth, and your fate will be like this stone!"


    Swoosh!


    He pointed a finger.


    The stone the size of a human head at Xiao Zhengde''s feet exploded with a bang, turning into a shower of dust.


    Xiao Zhengde trembled all over, collapsing to the ground in fright.


    His bowels and bladder emptied simultaneously.


    In his terror, Xiao Zhengde quickly looked towards Zhao Xing and the others, shouting, "Young Master Zhao, this, this, this is Xiao Yi, that little beast. Please, take him down and avenge my Tian''er..."


    After learning of Xiao Tianjiao''s death,


    Xiao Zhengde hadn''t dared to set foot outside until Zhao Xing found him, telling him to accompany him to the Daqian Dynasty to seek revenge against Xiao Yi.


    In his eyes...


    Zhao Xing and the others were top fighters from the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, willing to avenge Xiao Tianjiao; they surely wouldn''t harm him. Immediately hitting it off with them, he followed them to the Daqian Dynasty, even taking the initiative to curse Xiao Yi angrily. Now that Xiao Yi had appeared, he naturally hoped that Zhao Xing and the others would take action to kill him.


    Then take him back to the Nantian Dynasty to continue enjoying his life of wealth and honor.


    However...


    The corners of Zhao Xing''s mouth curved up slightly, but he merely looked on with a mocking expression, unmoved.


    They hadn''t brought Xiao Zhengde along solely to provoke Xiao Yi.


    More importantly, Xiao Tianjiao had possessed quite a few treasures. Now that Xiao Tianjiao was dead, many of those treasures were in Xiao Zhengde''s hands.


    Their goal was to eliminate Xiao Yi.


    And, by the way, extort those treasures from Xiao Zhengde.


    Now that Xiao Zhengde hadn''t coughed up those treasures, how could Zhao Xing possibly make a move?


    Zhao Xing feigned regret with a sigh, speaking solemnly, "Family Head Xiao, after all, this is a family matter between you and Xiao Yi, and it''s inappropriate for us to interfere!" S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Zhengde froze for a moment, then immediately understood Zhao Xing''s implication.


    Hesitating for a moment,


    Xiao Zhengde took a deep breath and said firmly, "I beg you four to take action, help me kill this unfilial son, and avenge my Tian''er! As thanks, I am willing to offer four seventh-grade peak beast cores and four pieces of seventh-grade prime weaponry..."


    Buzz!


    These words instantly lit up the eyes of Zhao Xing and his companions.


    Xiao Tianjiao was indeed wealthy!


    The treasures he left for Xiao Zhengde were substantial.


    These treasures held an enormous temptation for the four men born in humble circumstances.


    Zhao Xing laughed heartily and nodded, "Family Head Xiao is too courteous. Xiao Tianjiao was a good friend of ours; avenging him is both an honor and a duty." As his voice dropped, Zhao Xing and his men turned to look at Xiao Yi and coldly said, "Xiao Yi, we''re just taking the money to solve problems for others. When you meet King Yama, don''t blame us!"

 Chapter 666 - 665: Utterly Shameless [Fifth Update]

    "When you reach King Yama, don''t blame us!"


    Zhao Xing scoffed coldly, looking at Sikong Tu and Chen Youtu, "Third brother, fourth brother, both of you attack together!"


    After all, Xiao Yi had defeated Xiao Tianjiao.


    Sikong Tu''s strength was certainly not as good as Xiao Tianjiao''s, so naturally, they could not let him act alone.


    Plus, there was Chen Youtu.


    With the two of them joining forces, even the top twenty experts on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking could be slain, and Zhao Xing was completely confident that the two of them could kill Xiao Yi.


    "No problem!"


    "Leave it to us!"


    Sikong Tu and Chen Youtu exchanged a glance, then advanced towards Xiao Yi with the aggressive strides of a dragon and a tiger, one on the left and one on the right.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and said, "I have no enmity or grievance with you two, and I do not wish to add to the killing. If you turn back now, I can let bygones be bygones. But if you remain deluded, then don''t blame me for not being polite!"


    In the face of Xiao Yi''s goodwill.


    The two of them took it as a sign that he was already showing fear. Sikong Tu burst out laughing, "Everyone says that the Xiao Zhenguo from the Daqian Dynasty, the ''Comrade King'' with a dragon''s courage and tiger''s spirit, dares to challenge the heavens and fight the earth... It seems all of that is nothing but empty fame and rumors. My brother and I haven''t even made a move, yet you are already frightened, afraid to even engage?"


    "You can''t blame him, fourth brother!"


    Chen Youtu sneered sinisterly, "Who made the name of the Nantian Four so formidable? The mere mention of our names has already scared him out of the will to fight!"


    Seeing the two men''s self-satisfied expressions.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but roll his eyes; the self-perception of these Nantian Four was so ridiculously high.


    Chen Youtu tilted his chin up slightly, the cold sword in his hand gleaming with a biting edge, and with arrogant eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, he declared, "Xiao Yi, if you kneel before us now and beg for mercy, maybe we will consider sparing your life!"


    "Why waste words with him? Just kill him and we''ll return as great heroes!"


    Sikong Tu was filled with a murderous intent.


    He leaped forth.


    Although his attitude was haughty, when he actually made a move, he was cautious and careful, not holding back as he immediately summoned his Martial Tao Skill.


    Sikong Tu''s Dharma manifestation was a divine general in the form of the Fuhu Scroll.


    It had been his idol since childhood, a record of a divine general of the Nantian Dynasty subduing a Tiger Demon. He had contemplated this image since he was young, and when he manifested his Dharma, he had based it on this image. The divine general looked majestic on his Dharma, while the subdued Tiger Demon underneath had a particularly sinister gaze. As Sikong Tu struck with his palm, the divine general surged out from the image.


    Merging with his palm.


    In a split second.


    It transformed into a Subduing Tiger Arhat, which bore down on Xiao Yi from above.


    Chen Youtu''s attack was equally swift and ruthless, aiming to leave no room for mercy and to put his opponent to death. As he leaped into the air, an imposing pressure spread across the heavens, and the terrifying energy exploded in an instant.


    Unlike Sikong Tu''s Dharma.


    Chen Youtu''s Dharma was a censer.


    Above the censer, dust and smoke swirled, turning into a host of serene Buddha figures, pressing down with the might of ten thousand Buddhas flocking to worship.


    The vast offensive covered the entire heavens and the earth.


    Standing amidst the violent storm, Xiao Yi''s black hair fluttered, his clothes billowed, yet he stood firm and unmoved. Only when the two''s assault was nearly upon him did Xiao Yi wave his sleeve, and in an instant, everything in the world seemed as if subjected to a Binding Spell, frozen solid in place.


    The wind stopped, and even the floating clouds came to a standstill.


    Suddenly.


    Xiao Yi flicked his fingers.


    Two streaks of light flashed by.


    Pfft! Pfft!


    After two muffled sounds echoed, everything in the world vanished out of sight.


    Only the bodies of Chen Youtu and Sikong Tu, driven by their underconsciousness, took two steps forward, and then they collapsed to the ground motionless with two thuds. Blood flowed from between their brows, quickly staining the ground red. Two more experts from the Heavenly Dragon Ranking had died at Xiao Yi''s hands this simply.


    Hiss!


    Zhao Xing and Li Chenggong stared in shock.


    They had assumed Xiao Yi was around the top twenty in the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, hence their confidence in having Chen Youtu and the other act.


    They had not expected...


    That Xiao Yi was this strong?


    With a wave of his hand, he had vanquished two men?


    Gulp!


    Li Chenggong slowly lowered his arms wrapped around his chest, his fingers trembling slightly as he said in a deep voice, "With his strength, he''s at least in the top fifteen of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, it seems this time we''ve really kicked an iron plate!"


    "Iron plate? Even if it''s a steel plate, I''ll pierce it through!"


    Zhao Xing narrowed his eyes, his pupils radiating a chilling cold light. The four of them were as close as brothers, and now that his comrades had been killed, how could he not avenge them? Glancing at Li Chenggong beside him, he said, "You and I join forces, kill him, and avenge our third and fourth brothers!"


    "Alright!"


    Li Chenggong took a deep breath and nodded gravely.


    Instantly.


    The two of them charged at Xiao Yi together.


    Zhao Xing was a presence within the top ten of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, and with Li Chenggong, ranked fifteenth by his side, they were confident of dealing with anyone, as long as they didn''t encounter one of the top five freaks of the ranking. Even if they were no match, they could still retreat with their lives, and not lose them there. It was precisely because of this that they were so decisive. sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Heavenly Thunder Flash!"


    "Star Sword��"


    Both of their attacks were fierce and swift.


    Lightning flashed, the stars shone brightly in the sky.


    In the face of their combined attack, Xiao Yi''s gaze swept past with a glint, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. With a flick of his finger, he cast, "Four Symbols Divine Seal!"


    Ang ang��


    The deafening sounds of beast roars and dragon chants reverberated in the air.


    A gigantic Qi finger formed, immensely condensed, with the Four Symbols Divine Beasts circling around, rolling towards the two in a storm. Amidst the roaring, Li Chenggong was directly swept into the storm of the giant finger. With loud explosions, Li Chenggong''s body burst open, dying without a complete corpse. Seeing this, Zhao Xing''s pupils contracted violently, his face showing a look of terror, "Fuck, this isn''t the strength of someone in the top fifteen, he''s probably on par with those five freaks."


    With that thought.


    Zhao Xing no longer dared to advance and, with a loud bang, turned and fled into the distant sky.


    Xiao Yi remained expressionless, his sword-finger pointing ahead.


    Where the Sword Intent directed, the sword''s edge followed.


    Shua!


    The Longsword tore through the air, creating a hundred-mile-long rainbow that cleaved Zhao Xing in two above the void, his blood mist drifting down.


    Only then did his gaze slowly retract, falling on the stunned Xiao Zhengde.


    Plop!


    Xiao Zhengde sat down on the ground, his face turning a ghostly pale, having been through a harrowing time with one setback after another.


    Several attempts against Xiao Yi ended with a harsh slap in the face.


    He even lost his position as the head of the Xiao Family, caused the annihilation of the Tianjian Sect, and had his leg severed before fleeing to the Nantian Dynasty. He thought he would enjoy wealth and honor, but after Xiao Tianjiao died in battle, he had to be a tail-tucking figure. Then he saw Zhao Xing and the others coming to take him to the Daqian Dynasty to avenge Xiao Tianjiao.


    Xiao Zhengde started to scheme again, coming along with them.


    He thought he could kill Xiao Yi and take back everything he had lost.


    But now��


    Looking at Xiao Yi effortlessly slaying the geniuses of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, Xiao Zhengde suddenly realized he might have really been wrong all these years.


    He really made the wrong choice.


    Xiao Tianjiao was indeed dazzling, but could he be as strong as Xiao Yi now?


    If he had been nicer to Xiao Yi from the beginning, maybe he wouldn''t have ended up like this.


    At this moment��


    Xiao Zhengde suddenly had an epiphany.


    In the past, no matter how outstanding Xiao Yi was, Xiao Zhengde always saw him as inferior to Xiao Tianjiao. But now that Xiao Tianjiao had died by Xiao Yi''s hand, he had no other choice.


    It was not until now that he realized Xiao Yi was indeed his most outstanding child. With this thought, a rosy flush returned to Xiao Zhengde''s pale face. He put on a smile and said, "As expected of my finest son, Xiao Zhengde. I knew you could defeat them! That''s why when they came to me, I started plotting. I couldn''t let these people use their cunning to harm you, but rather have them meet you face-to-face. Now everything has gone according to my plans, and you haven''t disappointed me. Xiao Yi, my son, help your father up��"


    "��"


    Upon hearing this, everyone present exchanged glances, dumbfounded.


    Could there really be such a shameless person in this world?


    Xiao Yi''s lips twitched fiercely. He knew Xiao Zhengde was shameless, but he never expected him to be to this extent.


    Huff!


    Xiao Yi exhaled and, with a flick of his finger, Qi transformed into chains that tightly bound Xiao Zhengde. Hanging him up like a fish, Xiao Yi, holding Fang Qingzhu''s hand, said, "I''m taking you to a place!"


    PS: Everyone, guess where Xiao Yi is taking them. And how will he deal with Xiao Zhengde?

 Chapter 667 - 666: Sealed to Death, Formidable Enemy Arrives

    In the void.


    Xiao Yi, with Fang Qingzhu by his side, walked on air, while Xiao Zhengde, like a dead dog being led, hung midair, swaying with the wind.


    He let out a series of miserable screams, "Xiao Yi, my son... I was wrong, please spare me, I was wrong..."


    His body spun continuously in the wind like a kite, and whenever he faced forward, the gales would rush into his open mouth, emitting a series of woeful sounds.


    Fang Qingzhu stood shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Yi, not asking about the purpose of their journey.


    She had even left Xiao Xue back at the Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Watching Xiao Yi''s expressionless profile, Fang Qingzhu carefully grasped his hand tighter.


    However...


    At this moment, unbeknownst to Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu, who were speeding through the void, a figure quietly followed behind them.


    ......


    This trip took them to a place within the former Great Qian Dynasty, to a town named Green Valley Town.


    It was very secluded.


    The mountains were scenic, and the waters clear.


    The entire town nestled among the mountains, with birds singing and fragrant flowers, presenting a pleasant scenery. The town''s population was not large, just two to three thousand residents. The townsfolk earned a living by gathering herbs from the mountains or hunting low-level beasts, selling the medicinal materials and pelts. They were not wealthy, but they lived a warm and peaceful life.


    This was the hometown of Xiao Yi''s mother.


    His maternal grandparents lived here, and when he was young, Xiao Yi had also spent some time living here.


    However...


    When Xiao Yi returned to Green Valley Town, he found that it had long since been deserted, with no signs of life. The desolate town had dilapidated houses that looked as though they could collapse at any moment, and the grass and trees on both sides were completely withered and yellow.


    Occasionally, one could see a few birds and rodents scurrying through the buildings.


    "What has happened here?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, not expecting that after more than a decade, the place would have turned into this. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He suddenly noticed Xiao Zhengde''s eyes avoiding his gaze.


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "Don''t tell me this has something to do with you?"


    "This..."


    Xiao Zhengde''s complexion changed slightly, and seeing the cold gaze of Xiao Yi upon him, he couldn''t help but give a bitter smile and said, "Seven or eight years ago, after the people in the town heard I was appointed as a top-rank duke, they came to the capital to find me, hoping I could look out for them. But, but Tian''er didn''t like to associate with these poor relatives, so I drove them all away, and it seems they have never returned to the town since; I don''t know where they have gone..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Fang Qingzhu: "..."


    This town was where his mother was born and raised; most of the people here were somehow related to him.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s displeased expression,


    Xiao Zhengde hurriedly defended himself, "You can''t blame us for this. Right when I had just established a foothold in the capital, they came knocking on our door. It is always said, ''aid in emergencies, not in poverty,'' just how poor had they become? What good would it do me to help them?"


    Huh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long sigh of turbid breath.


    It was difficult to say who was right or wrong in this matter.


    They turned to Xiao Zhengde for help, and if he assisted, it was out of kindness; if he didn''t, it was his prerogative.


    Similarly...


    They considered Xiao Zhengde family and hoped he would lend them a hand.


    However...


    All of that was in the past now.


    Xiao Yi was too weary to bother about it and led the two to the back mountain, where the ancestral graves of Green Valley Town''s forebears were located.


    They quickly found the graves of his maternal grandparents.


    Thud!


    Xiao Yi, with Fang Qingzhu beside him, knelt down and kowtowed earnestly, "Maternal grandparents, this is your grandniece-in-law, her name is Fang Qingzhu, and I have brought her to see you..."


    Fang Qingzhu performed the worship rites and kowtowed meticulously, softly saying, "Maternal grandparents, I am Qingzhu. I will take good care of Xiao Yi."


    Subsequently...


    Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu personally dug a new grave next to the elders'' and carefully placed his mother''s orphan, Xiao Xue, in it. After sealing the grave and erecting a tombstone, they once again bowed in respect to his mother''s grave. Xiao Yi flicked his fingers and a series of Array stones protected the three graves within their formation.


    With the protection of this Array,


    even a powerhouse of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm would not be able to break through the Array and disturb the ancestors in their graves.


    Only then did Xiao Yi''s gaze turn towards Xiao Zhengde.


    Gulp!


    Xiao Zhengde swallowed nervously, struggling to rise from the ground, and looked at Xiao Yi with trepidation, "Xiao Yi, you��you want me to apologize to your mother, right? I will kowtow to her right now, and after that, you''ll forgive me, won''t you?"


    Xiao Yi laughed coldly and said, "Apologize to my mother with a kowtow? Do you deserve to?"


    "Ah?"


    Xiao Zhengde was startled.


    Not letting him kowtow?


    His complexion turned pale, his heart quivering, "You��you��you''re going to kill me?"


    "Kill you? I''m afraid of dirtying my hands!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless as he flicked his fingers, and numerous Array stones fell around, enveloping the entire burial mountain within their boundary.


    From the Array stones, faint light beams radiated, forming an oval shield of light above the burial mountain. Xiao Yi said indifferently, "From now on, you won''t be able to leave the vicinity of this burial mountain without my permission. But don''t worry, I''ll soon subdue a demon beast to bring you food regularly. However, from this day forward, you better not leave this place, and accompany my mother forever!"


    Hiss!


    Xiao Zhengde''s face drastically changed.


    As someone who had already enjoyed wealth and honor, the thought of being confined to a burial mountain for eternity, forever in the company of graves?


    This was even more painful than death!


    "No, you can''t do this, I am your father, you can''t treat me like this..." Xiao Zhengde, gazing at Xiao Yi holding Fang Qingzhu''s hand as they slowly ascended, roared in desperation.


    Xiao Yi sneered and shook his head, "Father? You don''t qualify!"


    Whoosh!


    He, holding Fang Qingzhu''s hand, left the burial mountain.


    Leaving only Xiao Zhengde in the burial mountain, his wails of misery echoing, a picture of despair. He even thought about destroying the graves, but Xiao Yi''s Array protected them, and he could not break through. He contemplated suicide, but a bad life seemed better to him than a good death; the thoughts of ending his life kept getting extinguished, over and over, until he finally collapsed, sitting in the burial mountain.


    Looking up at the sky��so close yet so far away.


    Looking at the grave of his wife beside him.


    Xiao Zhengde experienced regret like never before, tears of remorse and despair falling from his eyes as he said, "Back then... if I had listened to some of your words, treated Xiao Yi a bit better... maybe, it wouldn''t have come to this..."


    This time, Xiao Zhengde truly regretted.


    Unfortunately...


    There is no medicine for regret in this world.


    Of course.


    These matters were no longer of concern to Xiao Yi; perhaps this was the best punishment for Xiao Zhengde.


    Fang Qingzhu could sense that Xiao Yi''s mood was somewhat heavy, and she obediently held his arm, quietly following by his side.


    Xiao Yi gently patted Fang Qingzhu''s hand, withdrew his arm from her embrace, and pulled her to his side. His face''s smile gradually faded, transforming into a sharp cold glint as he looked ahead: "The little rat that hides its head while exposing its tail, aren''t you ready to come out yet?"

 Chapter 668 - 667: Tit for Tat

    "A sneaky little mouse, hiding your head and tail, since you''ve come, why not show yourself?"


    Xiao Yi calmly looked ahead at the silent void.


    Fang Qingzhu''s expression changed slightly.


    She had not sensed the presence of any powerful being.


    At that moment...


    An icy laugh suddenly pierced the silence, and with it came a bone-chilling wind that swept over, instantly covering Green Valley Town with a thick layer of snow, "Interesting, a mere Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak can detect my presence, no wonder Ye Qingyu couldn''t handle you!"


    In the calm void before him,


    a sudden burst of light came forth as if the void was being torn apart.


    Snowflakes fluttered out from the crack in the void.


    These snowflakes were pure and unblemished, as clear as crystal, floating in the air, accentuating a proud young man as he slowly emerged.


    With hair as white as snow draping over his shoulders, he had an elegant and extraordinary demeanor.


    His features were handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and eyes that shone like stars.


    His figure, tall and straight as a longsword piercing the sky, stood between heaven and earth, exuding an unparalleled sharpness.


    Especially the aura emanating from him, it was like the vast, endless ocean, invisible to the eye and profound as the starry sky, unfathomable. Just standing there, the space around him buzzed and trembled lightly, like ripples spreading on a calm lake surface.


    "Zhang?"


    Fang Qingzhu''s face changed slightly, a mix of anger and shock appearing on her face as she instinctively stepped in front of Xiao Yi, "How, how are you here?"


    Zhang Sixiang!


    Foremost among the four Saint Heirs of Baiyu!


    His cultivation had already reached the Longevity Secret Realm.


    And...


    He was not like Ru Long Sihai, who had only just entered the Longevity Secret Realm. Even compared to some of the older generation within the same realm, Zhang Sixiang was a force to be reckoned with.


    Before Fang Qingzhu was found and brought back,


    Zhang Sixiang had always been the adopted son of the Saint Ruler of Baiyu, being raised as a successor. That changed when Fang Qingzhu returned to Baiyu. She took over the position of the heir, and the Saint Ruler arranged for Zhang Sixiang to mentor Fang Qingzhu in her cultivation. Over the days they spent together, Zhang Sixiang gradually developed feelings for Fang Qingzhu.


    Of course...


    More often than not, like Ye Qingyu, it was merely for the position of the heir.


    This time, when Fang Qingzhu left Baiyu, Zhang Sixiang knew that she was seeking Xiao Yi.


    He had been intent on getting rid of Xiao Yi quickly.


    However much he asked, Fang Qingzhu refused to disclose his whereabouts until Ye Qingyu passed the information to him.


    So, he hurried along the way, full of urgency.


    Seeing Fang Qingzhu protecting Xiao Yi behind her, Zhang Sixiang showed no jealousy, only indifference, and he coldly reprimanded, "Qingzhu, as the Saintly Lady of Baiyu, you should keep yourself pure. Except for a chosen one like me, no man is allowed within a hundred meters of you. Associating with this ordinary man, not only do you not fear losing your status, but you should also consider the dignity of our Baiyu..."


    Fang Qingzhu clenched her teeth tightly and said, "Zhang, Xiao Yi is my husband. No one can stop me from being with him."


    "Husband?"


    Zhang Sixiang''s eyes flashed with a cold light as he said icily, "How could such a commoner be worthy of being your husband?"


    Hum, hum, hum!


    The void around them trembled violently.


    The bitter cold wind howled, carrying a sharp killing intent that made one''s soul shudder.


    Fang Qingzhu''s complexion changed repeatedly as she angrily rebuked, "Zhang Sixiang, if you dare touch a single hair on Xiao Yi, I won''t let you off even if it costs me my life!"


    "Hmm?"


    Zhang Sixiang''s expression shifted slightly, and the icy killing intent that permeated the surroundings surged tenfold in an instant.


    Before this.


    He thought Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu were childhood friends who had known each other for a long time, which was why he could occupy a place in her heart. Now it seemed, Fang Qingzhu truly had fallen in love with Xiao Yi. This realization cut him like a knife, and a storm of jealousy brewed, terrorizing his heart.


    The cold light in his eyes grew even more biting.


    "Boy, you should know Qingzhu''s identity. She is worlds apart from you. Insisting on keeping her by your side is harming her. Do you have any idea that she even tried to sneak out the Longevity Spirit prepared for her by the Saint Heir, only to be discovered and confined for six months?"


    Zhang Sixiang suddenly exhaled a turbid breath, looking past Fang Qingzhu at Xiao Yi, "She sneaked out to see you as soon as she was released. The Saint Mother had to intervene, or even the Saint Heir himself would have come to capture her and take her back. By being with her, you''re only dragging her down..."


    "Zhang Sixiang, shut your mouth!" Fang Qingzhu snapped, her face flushed with rage. sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She quickly turned her head towards Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, don''t listen to his nonsense, I, I..."


    Tears welled up in Fang Qingzhu''s eyes in her urgency.


    Knowing Fang Qingzhu as well as he did, Xiao Yi instantly knew that Zhang Sixiang spoke the truth.


    She truly had considered sneaking out the Longevity Spirit for him.


    Xiao Yi gently caressed her face, a bitter smile on his lips, "You silly girl, that''s the Longevity Spirit..."


    Though Xiao Yi possessed the Longevity Cauldron and had no need for the Longevity Spirit.


    To any mighty being, that was a treasure indeed!


    Even within the Holy Lands...


    Not everyone could obtain the Longevity Spirit.


    Fang Qingzhu had actually thought of bringing it to him; her feelings were stronger and more sincere than any words or vows could convey.


    Seeing that Xiao Yi wasn''t angry, Fang Qingzhu finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    Watching the intimate interaction between the two.


    A flash of fury sparked in Zhang Sixiang''s eyes. He had been present for so long, and yet Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu continued their affectionate behavior, oblivious to his presence, which he found extremely insulting. Taking a deep breath, Zhang Sixiang coldly said, "Qingzhu, the Saint Heir is aware of your location. If you don''t want to provoke him and implicate the whole Southern State, come back with me immediately! From now on, cut off all ties with this man!"


    "Impossible, I am Xiao Yi''s wife. Once husband and wife, we will be together for life; I can''t leave him!" Fang Qingzhu firmly stated.


    "If you don''t leave him, not only will he die, but all the people of the Southern State will pay with their lives! And you, Xiao Yi, I know you won''t let go of Qingzhu after learning she is the Saintess of Baiyu. You think just by staying with her, you''ll soar from being a nobody to riding the coattails of the mighty Baiyu. Don''t be in a rush to deny it..."


    Zhang Sixiang''s voice was icy, as if he were a divine being devoid of life, looking down upon the masses as insignificant as ants, his cold gaze fixing upon Xiao Yi, "Just like now, do you think the Daqian Dynasty would be able to establish itself without invoking the name of Baiyu? How about this, if you''re willing to leave Qingzhu, not hinder her anymore, I will go to the Nantian Dynasty and ensure they won''t make things difficult for the Daqian Dynasty, how about that?"


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, fixing his gaze on Zhang Sixiang, and said deliberately, "The Daqian Dynasty has me for protection; it doesn''t need to rely on anyone else. As for what lies between Qingzhu and me, it requires no interference from others. Understand?"


    Leaning slightly forward, their eyes locked, they faced off needle against needle.


    Their gazes collided in the void, sparking a blinding display of fiery light.


    Zhang Sixiang''s lips curled up slightly, a chilling intent of murder unfurling, "Refuse a polite drink, and you''ll have to drink a penalty one, don''t blame me then��"

 Chapter 669 - 668: I Understand the Skies Better Than You!

    ```


    "Since you refuse the toast only to drink a forfeit, don''t blame me!"


    Zhang Sixiang''s eyes narrowed into slits, the cold light within them flickering like the sharp edge of swords.


    The cold wind howled fiercely around them, mingling with the falling snow.


    It turned the entirety of Green Valley Town into a snow-covered domain, where the lush vegetation became sculptures of ice, and all living things were frozen, as if part of a wintry landscape painting.


    The terrifying aura of the Longevity Secret Realm made every creature within a hundred miles shiver apprehensively.


    As if they had plummeted into the Netherworld.


    Giggle, giggle, giggle!


    The sheer oppressive force of this aura alone caused Xiao Yi''s entire skeleton to emit a trembling crackle, and amid the snapping sounds, he bit down hard on his steel teeth. Clenching his fists, the blood inside his body heated up, ready to use the Blood Explosion Skill to fight to the death.


    This was a master of the Longevity Secret Realm, even more powerful than Long Sihai.


    Xiao Yi could not afford even the slightest lapse in attention.


    Just as a fierce battle seemed inevitable, at this moment of extreme tension,


    "Stop!"


    Fang Qingzhu stepped forward with determination, spreading her arms to shield Xiao Yi, her eyebrows furrowed and eyes wide with fury glaring fiercely at Zhang Sixiang.


    Zhang Sixiang''s face was expressionless. "This boy dared to provoke me, how could I not kill him and maintain my face? Move aside��"


    "Qingzhu, move away!"


    Xiao Yi gritted his teeth, his vigilant eyes fixed on Zhang Sixiang, lest Fang Qingzhu be accidentally harmed.


    Fang Qingzhu''s face was a picture of despair, her pearly teeth tightly biting her red lips, a resolute light flashing through her bright eyes. With a metallic clink, she drew an ice-blue dagger and placed it against her own throat, glaring at Zhang Sixiang: "If you dare to strike at Xiao Yi, I''ll die right before you. If I die, you won''t be able to escape my father''s wrath��"


    "Qingzhu, don''t do anything foolish!" Xiao Yi''s body was drained of its fundamental energy, and he watched Fang Qingzhu anxiously.


    Fearing that she might, in her carelessness, sever her own throat.


    Fang Qingzhu shook her head stubbornly, her gaze fixed on Zhang Sixiang, and said sternly, "Zhang Sixiang, I will agree to return with you, but you must swear never to lay a hand on Xiao Yi."


    Zhang Sixiang''s expression wavered.


    He hadn''t expected Fang Qingzhu''s love for Xiao Yi to be so deep that she would be willing to die for him.


    This drove Zhang Sixiang to the peak of unwillingness. Why? By talent and birth, I far exceed Xiao Yi, so why do you show him such devotion, yet remain indifferent to me?


    Hu!


    Zhang Sixiang slowly closed his eyes, then let out a long breath, and said in a deep voice, "Fine, as long as you return with me, I will promise not to harm him."


    Between heaven and earth,


    the pervasive frigid aura also dissipated in an instant.


    Fang Qingzhu breathed a sigh of relief to herself, turned to Xiao Yi, and smiled slightly, "Xiao Yi, I''m sorry, but I have to go back first!"


    "Qingzhu��"


    Xiao Yi grabbed her hand, his eyes filled with reluctance.


    Fang Qingzhu stuck out her tongue playfully, her eyes brimming with tears as she tried to hold back, and reassured, "Xiao Yi, don''t worry! Our separation is only temporary, I will definitely try to persuade my father and mother..." She lowered her voice, whispering in Xiao Yi''s ear, "Xiao Yi, next time we meet, can Qingzhu give herself to you?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, seeing the resolve in Fang Qingzhu''s eyes.


    She was showing him just how committed she was to their relationship!


    Xiao Yi nodded earnestly, "Okay! Qingzhu, wait for me in Baiyu. I will come for you as quickly as I can and proudly take you home!"


    "Mm, I believe you!"


    Fang Qingzhu nodded, leaning into Xiao Yi''s embrace.


    The two embraced for a long while.


    Until Zhang Sixiang, unable to bear it any longer, coldly urged them to part.


    Shrip!


    With a flick of Zhang Sixiang''s fingers, he tore the void before them, his expression cold as he addressed Fang Qingzhu, "Let''s go!"


    "You don''t need to rush me!"


    ```


    Fang Qingzhu coldly uttered a sentence, walked up to the space rift, and turned back to look at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, I''ll wait for you in Baiyu..."


    Xiao Yi nodded resolutely.


    Fang Qingzhu kept looking back as she took each step, finally stepping into the Void Rift.


    Hum!


    The Void Rift in front of them suddenly closed, but Zhang Sixiang didn''t leave. The corners of his mouth curled up with a trace of coldness, his playful gaze lingering on Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank slightly, his gaze fixed on Zhang Sixiang.


    Zhang Sixiang chuckled and said, "Don''t be nervous, since I promised Qingzhu, I won''t go back on my word. But some words between men are more convenient when she''s not around..." He paused, the smile on Zhang Sixiang''s face gradually fading as he narrowed his eyes and said, "A full-grown man can''t even protect his own wife, don''t you feel completely useless?"


    "What exactly do you want to say?" Xiao Yi gritted his teeth.


    Just as Zhang Sixiang said, his wife had been forcibly taken away from him. How could he not be furious? He wished he could immediately ascend to Baiyu and bring Fang Qingzhu back, but Xiao Yi knew that he must not do so. Even with towering rage, he had to hold it in. Otherwise, there would be no possibility of reunion with Fang Qingzhu.


    Zhang Sixiang waved his sleeve.


    Xiao Yi found that his body was moving uncontrollably, carried by Zhang Sixiang, flying into the distance.


    A moment later.


    They arrived above a city.


    This city belonging to the Great Qian Dynasty was picturesque with simple customs. From afar, one could see people living peacefully in the streets and lanes, enjoying a harmonious atmosphere. Neighbors supported each other, and children chased each other in the streets��the very image of tranquility.


    "Xiao Yi, a man who can''t protect his own woman faces the greatest sorrow. And you, as one of the King-level protectors of the Daqian Dynasty, if you can''t even protect your subjects, this is yet another sorrow. You can''t even protect yourself, that''s the third sorrow... You alone bear the most tragic things in life!"


    Zhang Sixiang''s face was thick with mockery, "Don''t think my words harsh; I''m just stating the facts. In my eyes, you''re no different from the hundreds of thousands of people in this city, mere ants. If I want to kill you, it''s as effortless as crushing an ant."


    "What in the world do you want to do?" Xiao Yi had an uneasy premonition.


    Zhang Sixiang smiled, "Nothing much, just want to show you a glimpse of my strength! Let you understand the vast gap between you and me, so you know to give up and not waste effort in futile resistance. Mortals, no matter how hard they try, can never be a match for gods! Just like this..."


    Whoosh!


    Zhang Sixiang simply pointed a finger, drawing a line in the air towards Chuzhou.


    Almost simultaneously...


    A Void Rift stretching for tens of miles suddenly appeared directly above the center of Chuzhou, manifesting abruptly like an apocalyptic trench.


    "What''s that?"


    "Is the sky splitting?"


    "Is it the end of days? Quick, get inside..."


    The city''s citizens were all in a panic as the massive rift spewed out storms of void, spreading towards the heart of the city.


    Everywhere it passed...


    The heavens crumbled, buildings shattered, and countless innocent beings burst apart like paper, turning into a sky full of dust.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were about to split as he shouted, "Stop..."


    He tried to rush towards the city.


    But he discovered that his body couldn''t move; it was as if countless hands in the void were firmly holding him down.


    He could only watch helplessly as countless citizens died in the city below.


    He was powerless to do anything.


    Just as powerless as he was to prevent Fang Qingzhu from being taken away.


    Two little girls playing hopscotch, their faces beaming with pure joy, were completely obliterated under the storm''s onslaught.


    A seventy-year-old man helping his elderly mother walk after a meal vanished in an instant as the storm fell upon them.


    An old couple embraced each other in their final moments before departing together to the afterlife...


    Xiao Yi could only watch all this happen without the power to stop it, the massive Chuzhou with its hundreds of thousands of people disappearing in the blink of an eye. The entire city and its citizens were leveled to the ground, reduced to ash. Xiao Yi clenched his teeth until they bled, his forehead throbbing with bulging veins, his eyes crimson with rage as he glared at Zhang Sixiang and roared hysterically, "Zhang Sixiang, they have no grievances with you, come at me if you dare... Aren''t you afraid of divine retribution for doing this?"


    "Divine retribution? Hahaha, Xiao Yi, this world has its own rules; survival of the fittest is the law. The weak are just meant to be eliminated. It''s not just tens of thousands I''ve slaughtered; even if I were to kill every single being in the Southern State, as long as I am powerful enough, heaven won''t hold me accountable. Because..." S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhang Sixiang''s lips curved upward, a rift opened before him, and he stepped into it, vanishing from sight, leaving behind only his proud and cold voice echoing in the void, "I understand heaven better than you!"


    PS: Apologies for being late. This is the eighth update of yesterday, and I still have two more to post! Xiao Tian won''t default on this; just wait for me to finish up yesterday''s, then I''ll continue with today''s updates, haha!

 Chapter 670 - 669: Do you want to live forever?

    "I understand the heavens better than you do!"


    The indifferent and proud voice echoed between heaven and earth.


    Yet the figure of Zhang Sixiang had already vanished without a trace.


    The powerful beings of the Longevity Secret Realm could tear through the void, traveling tens of thousands of miles in a day without any issue.


    Although Zhang Sixiang''s strength wasn''t enough to traverse from the Southern State to the far north in one void transition, crossing over half of the Southern State posed no problem for him.


    Gazing at the slowly healing void in front of him.


    Xiao Yi''s tightly clenched fists quietly relaxed, revealing shocking nail marks on his bloody palms, his fingernails stained red with fresh blood.


    The dried blood turned a dark shade of red.


    Especially ferocious.


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi took a long breath out, his eyes showing a hint of confusion.


    The law of the jungle.


    Survival of the fittest!


    I understand the heavens better than you do...


    Zhang Sixiang''s words kept echoing in his ears, penetrating deep into his mind, shaking the depths of his soul.


    After defeating Xiao Tianjiaao, Xiao Yi once felt that his strength had become powerful enough to protect everything he cherished. However, it wasn''t until Zhang Sixiang''s appearance that Xiao Yi suddenly realized there was no end to the martial path.


    It was like rowing against the current; if you didn''t advance, you''d fall back!


    To avoid being oppressed, to protect everything he cherished, he had to become stronger, much stronger.


    "If I were stronger than Zhang Sixiang, how could the innocent citizens of Chuzhou have died in vain..."


    The confusion in Xiao Yi''s eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by clarity and determination, "If I had the strength of a Saint Master, how would Zhang Sixiang dare to pressure Qingzhu? If my strength was comparable to that of a Saint Master, how would the Baiyu Saint Master dare to force me to sign the annulment? Strength, it all comes down to strength; I must become stronger, much stronger!"


    Hum!


    Inside the Eternal Tomb of Heaven.


    Within the deepest ninth layer, one of the pyramids hummed and trembled, its golden light fluctuating uncertainly.


    It was as if something suppressed beneath this pyramid was letting out a thunderous roar.


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath, his eyes now fully covered with resolute determination.


    In his eyes, a sharp edge flickered.


    At this moment...


    Xiao Yi even had a greater desire to become stronger than when he had been expelled from the Xiao Family and sent to the Fang Family as a door-to-door son-in-law.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi broke through the air, swiftly flying toward the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Half a day later.


    Xiao Yi returned to the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Xiao Xue and others had also taken the Flying Boat away, and Xiao Yi went straight back into the secret chamber.


    Little Lin was still circling the Longevity Cauldron, refining the spirit of longevity inside it. This spirit of longevity was originally meant as a gift for Fang Qingzhu, but as Fang Qingzhu had already returned to Baiyu, she naturally had no need for it.


    "This spirit of longevity shall be given to the old ancestor Yang Zun, allowing him to step into the Longevity Secret Realm first. Afterwards, we''ll find a way to collect materials for refinement. We''ll strive to have the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Ji Luanyue, Huang Feihu, and Emperor Qian step into the Longevity Secret Realm..."


    What Xiao Yi worried about the most was that once the Daqian Dynasty''s lack of support from Baiyu became known to the Nantian Dynasty, the Nantian Dynasty, without any scruples, would not let them off easily.


    For the Daqian Dynasty to face the Nantian Dynasty with its current strength would be like an egg striking a rock.


    However, if several more Longevity Secret Realm powerhouses could be created, the Nantian Dynasty would certainly be more cautious.


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi let Little Lin continue refining, while he himself sat cross-legged on the tongue-shaped stone bed, his attention not on the heavens. In front of him, the metallic pieces of the Visualization Record called Tongtian floated out, bobbing up and down before him.


    The surface was alight with one ray of brilliance after another, dazzling and blinding.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged among them, studying the Visualization Record, contemplating and cultivating.


    This contemplation lasted a full ten days and nights.


    When Xiao Yi opened his eyes again, it was Little Lin who had woken him.


    Little Lin lay somewhat weakly on his shoulder, but his expression was extremely excited, "Boss, it succeeded!"


    "Succeeded?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, then opened the Longevity Cauldron.


    Swish!


    A translucent crystal, resembling a droplet, floated in the center of the Longevity Cauldron, from which a surging and mysterious aura diffused, as if one were in a blessed land of cavern heavens.


    "Is this the Longevity Spirit? The treasure that can allow those in the Nirvana Realm to enter the Longevity Secret Realm?" Xiao Yi looked over at Little Lin.


    Little Lin nodded.


    The Longevity Beast within him had fallen asleep, but it had shared its memories with Little Lin; Little Lin also stared in amazement at the Longevity Spirit in Xiao Yi''s hand, saying, "Boss, this is indeed the Longevity Spirit. However, because the Spirit Vein used for this refinement was of the Wood Attribute, only practitioners of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm who follow the Path of Wood can use it!"


    "Wood Attribute Spirit Vein?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, quickly drawing an inference and asked, "Do you mean that the Longevity Spirit refined from different attributes of Spirit Veins can only be used by powerful beings with compatible attributes?"


    "Yes!"


    Little Lin nodded again before adding, "Moreover, the higher the grade of the Spirit Vein, the better the quality of the Longevity Spirit, and the stronger the strength after breakthroughs post-refinement. The quality of the Spirit Vein we found this time is pretty good, reaching the level of a fourth-grade Spirit Vein, so the Longevity Spirit refined is also fourth-grade!"


    Spirit Veins are categorized into ten grades.


    A fourth-grade Spirit Vein is generally on the level of a national dragon vein!


    And this time, Xiao Yi had used up a thousand Spirit Veins to refine this single Longevity Spirit, which says a lot about how precious and rare a Longevity Spirit is.


    "Yang Zun''s Martial Dao Fasxiang is Li Mu; this Wood Attribute Longevity Spirit is perfect for him!" Xiao Yi stored the Longevity Spirit, "It seems that when I myself need a Longevity Spirit, I''ll have to find a way to get high-grade Spirit Veins."


    Xiao Yi had a premonition that it would not be so easy for him to breakthrough to the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Not to mention that he practices all-attributed Martial Dao.


    Just the simultaneous pursuit of spiritual, physical, and Fasxiang in the three great Nirvana paths alone would require three Longevity Spirits.


    Just the refinement of a single-attributed Longevity Spirit nearly emptied all the earnings he had from the Star Pavilion, not to mention the refining of an all-attributed Longevity Spirit, and he needed three...


    Thinking of the terrifying consumption required to refine the Longevity Spirit made Xiao Yi''s head ache.


    "Get some good rest, I''m going to find Yang Zun!"


    Xiao Yi laid Little Lin down on the stone bed, watched him fall deeply asleep, and then left the secret chamber to head straight for the palace.


    During this time, Yang Zun, Emperor Qian, and Yang Ling had all been extremely busy.


    Under the sweeping forces of the Bai Fa Sword Emperor and Ji Luanyue, the kingdoms within the territory of the Daqian Dynasty had been subdued, with only a few stubborn elements hiding in the shadows, causing no significant disturbance.


    They were preparing to hold the founding ceremony of the Daqian Dynasty.


    When Xiao Yi arrived at the palace,


    Yang Zun and the others were discussing the matters of the founding ceremony. Others naturally needed to be announced, but Xiao Yi could move unimpeded in the palace. When he appeared in the hall, the three of them promptly set aside their tasks, "Greetings to Xiao Zhenguo!"


    Xiao Yi was now the deserved Xiao Zhenguo!


    The suppressor of an entire nation!


    Even Emperor Qian treated him with the utmost respect. S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was the effect of power.


    To this, Xiao Yi could only be helpless.


    "You''ve worked hard!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, then looked directly at Yang Zun and said in a deep voice, "Yang Zun, do you desire longevity?"


    PS: The ninth update from yesterday, still owe one, plus today''s updates. Xiao Tian is working overtime to write, and once finished, will update all together!

 Chapter 671 - 670: Half a Year Flies By, Yang Zun Achieves Immortality!

    "Yang Zun, do you desire immortality?"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled into a smile as he gazed at Yang Zun before him and asked with a chuckle.


    Yang Zun was stunned, then suddenly raised his head, looking at Xiao Yi with disbelief.


    His breathing became rapid all at once.


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Thump...


    Yang Zun gasped for air, his aged face flushed with a rosy color.


    Immortality!


    Who wouldn''t want it?


    But...


    Yang Zun showed a bitter smile and said, "Xiao Zhenguo, don''t tease this old man. To enter the Longevity Secret Realm, one must possess the Spirit of Immortality, which has always been in the hands of the five great sacred lands..."


    Yet, Yang Ling spoke up, "Ancestor, behind Xiao Zhenguo is Baiyu, remember?"


    "This..."


    Yang Zun trembled all over, looking at Xiao Yi with disbelief.


    Baiyu was also one of the five great sacred lands.


    They certainly possessed the Spirit of Immortality!


    Could it be...


    The three members of the Yang Family exchanged glances, their eyes filled with an intense flame as they looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Yang Ling. This fellow had indeed done him a favor, saving him the trouble of explaining the origin of the Spirit of Immortality. After all, the Spirit of Immortality was the foundational footing of the five great sacred lands, and no one outside of them could refine it.


    If the news that Xiao Yi could refine the Spirit of Immortality got out, it would definitely shake the foundations of the five great sacred lands.


    They might even rise together to attack.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t withstand the assault of the five great sacred lands!


    Xiao Yi nodded and took out the Spirit of Immortality, saying in a deep voice, "This Spirit of Immortality is of the Wood Attribute, and it can let you enter the Longevity Secret Realm!"


    "This, this..."


    Yang Zun trembled with excitement, unable to speak clearly.


    Emperor Qian and Yang Ling also had faces full of eagerness.


    Thump!


    All three members of the Yang Family knelt before Xiao Yi in unison, their heads banging against the ground as they said in a deep voice, "Thank you, Xiao Zhenguo, for bestowing the Spirit of Immortality. The Yang Family, for generations to come, shall hold the Xiao Family in the highest esteem!"


    "Get up now,"


    Xiao Yi helped the three to their feet, the appearance of Zhang Sixiang making him realize the importance of having a powerful force behind him. This also gave rise to the idea in his heart to use the Daqian Dynasty as a foundation to build his own power base, "Of course I can give you this Spirit of Immortality, but in return, I need you to mobilize all your resources to collect high-quality Spirit Veins of various attributes for me!"


    If he wanted to build his own team, the powerhouses from the Longevity Secret Realm were indispensable.


    Only, refining the Spirit of Immortality required the consumption of many Spirit Veins.


    According to the Refining Secret Technique Xiao Yi possessed.


    A first-grade Spirit of Immortality required two hundred fifty first-grade Spirit Veins.


    A second-grade Spirit of Immortality needed five hundred second-grade Spirit Veins.


    And so on...


    A tenth-grade Spirit of Immortality required two thousand five hundred tenth-grade Spirit Veins!


    If he were to search alone, he feared it would take an eternity to gather them. But if supported by an entire nation, the search would go much faster. Of course, this was under the condition that the nation was powerful enough.


    At the very least...


    Just Yang Zun alone was far from enough!


    "Pavilion Master Xiao Zhenguo, rest assured, after the national ceremony, I shall mobilize the nation''s resources to search for the Spirit Vein!" Emperor Qian spoke solemnly, yet couldn''t hide the excitement in his heart��the Xiao Family was finally about to have a strong presence from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "No rush. Rome wasn''t built in a day. This matter cannot be hastened." After pausing, he turned to Yang Zun, "Let them handle the matters here! You must focus on refining the essence of longevity and strive to step into the Longevity Secret Realm before the national ceremony."


    Although the Daqian Dynasty currently has Xiao Yi''s presence, he is not from the Longevity Secret Realm after all; his deterrence is still not strong enough.


    If Yang Zun could step into the Longevity Secret Realm��


    Just making a brief appearance at the national ceremony would let the world know that the Daqian Dynasty is guarded by a strong person from the Longevity Secret Realm, and even the Nantian Dynasty would have to weigh the consequences of taking action against them.


    After all...


    Even a newly ascended strong person from the Longevity Secret Realm, if they went on a rampage, would cause the Nantian Dynasty substantial pain!


    Yang Zun, with utmost care, held the essence of longevity and nodded gravely, "Please be at ease, Pavilion Master Xiao, I will refine this essence of longevity as quickly as possible and step into the Longevity Secret Realm!"


    "I''ll be waiting for your good news!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, then inquired about some details of the national ceremony before departing.


    The emergence of Zhang Sixiang made Xiao Yi realize his own strength was far from enough.


    He prepared for secluded cultivation.


    At the fastest speed, he intended to fully understand the ninth supplementary chart of the Heaven-reaching Skill Record, then reach immortality by merging myriad paths. Walking through the void, Xiao Yi''s eyes shimmered with sharpness and determination, "Qingzhu, wait for me; I will soon go to Baiyu and bring you back home in glory!"


    ......


    Time flies swiftly.


    It has been a full half a year since Xiao Yi handed over the essence of longevity to Yang Zun and then returned to the Xiaoshanhe Institute for secluded cultivation.


    Running such a massive country entails numerous trivialities, let alone the sudden integration of a thousand kingdoms into the Daqian Dynasty, where intertwined complexities need meticulous unraveling.


    In half a year''s time.


    All opposition within the Daqian Dynasty was completely annihilated, and Yang Zun officially stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm half a month ago, although the news was kept under wraps for a dramatic reveal at the national ceremony.


    Therefore...


    The national ceremony was set for half a month later.


    That day is also Xiao Yi''s birthday!


    Using Xiao Yi''s birthday as the date for the national ceremony was Yang Ling''s suggestion, which received unanimous approval from everyone.


    Inside the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Metal plates revolved endlessly around Xiao Yi, with the image of the God Devouring Ants floating behind him. The God Devouring Ants had grown from the size of a calf to a thousand zhang in size.


    If the wings were extended, they would cover an area of nearly two thousand zhang.


    Xiao Yi had completely grasped the ninth supplementary chart of the Heaven-reaching Skill Record; the God Devouring Ants were as if they had undergone nine Nirvana Heavenly Tribulations, and both their size and strength had undergone profound transformations.


    Besides the Heaven-reaching Skill Record, Xiao Yi had also completed the ninth supplementary chart of the Tongtian Shenlu (Heaven-reaching Divine Record).


    This was closely related to his consumption of the Spiritual Blood Pool.


    Had he not devoured the Spiritual Blood Pool on Gold Field Island, it would have been impossible for him to comprehend the ninth supplementary chart so quickly.


    The only deficiency was the Tongtian Tiroku (Heaven-reaching Physical Record).


    He was just a hair''s breadth away from fully mastering the ninth supplementary chart.


    Fortunately, half a year of seclusion had given Xiao Yi an epiphany. His Wind Thunder Holy Body was limiting his physical body. His Wind Thunder Holy Body was still only at the seventh transformation, and it was proving ineffective to enhance his physical body with just the Tongtian Tiroku.


    He had to advance his Wind Thunder Holy Body to the eighth transformation in order to break through this limitation and complete the cultivation of the ninth supplementary chart.


    In fact, advancing to the eighth transformation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body wasn''t difficult, but finding the materials for the Eighth-transformation Wind Thunder Elixir was the challenge.


    They were not ordinary ingredients.


    There were well over ten kinds of eighth-grade Spiritual Medicines alone.


    Even with Xiao Yi mobilizing the full strength of the Treasure Pavilion and the royal family to search, three types of eighth-grade Spiritual Medicine remained unaccounted for to this day. Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a deep breath. This breath was long and robust, its presence meandering around the area before quietly dissipating. Just then, Shadow Demon''s voice came from outside the door: "Director, Pavilion Master Nalan Qianqiu requests an audience, saying that there''s news concerning the items you were looking for..."

 Chapter 672 - 671 Arriving at Medicine Capital for the First Time

    "Master Nalan Qianqiu says he has a lead on the few items you were looking for!"


    The voice of Shadow Demon came from outside the door.


    Xiao Yi opened his eyes, revealing a trace of wild joy, "Finally, there''s some news!"


    He had always been asking Treasure Pavilion for help in searching for the medicinal herbs to refine the Eighth-transformation Wind Thunder Elixir, but three eighth-grade Spiritual Medicines had remained elusive. After nearly half a year of searching, news had finally arrived, and he couldn''t contain his excitement!


    "Quick, take me to see Master Nalan!" Xiao Yi said.


    The two of them soon arrived in the hall.


    Nalan Qianqiu was chatting and laughing with Fu Yuan. Ever since Lin Bingxin had come to the imperial capital, she had been constantly learning the art of alchemy by Nalan Qianqiu''s side. Xiao Yi had found this puzzling �C why she didn''t stay at Xiaoshanhe Institute to learn from Fu Yuan.


    He had also asked Lin Bingxin, but she had never given him an answer.


    "Hahaha, Master Nalan, have you found those three items?" Xiao Yi hurried in, a brilliant smile on his face.


    "Teacher!"


    "Greetings to Xiao Zhenguo!"


    Fu Yuan and Nalan Qianqiu quickly got up to salute, and Lin Bingxin also saluted calmly.


    Xiao Yi glanced at her, his brow slightly furrowed, but he didn''t say anything more and turned to Nalan Qianqiu, "No need for formalities now, Master Nalan. Have you got your hands on those three items?"


    He was now only one step away from advancing his Wind Thunder Holy Body to the eighth transformation and fully mastering the ninth subsidiary diagram of the Tongtian Body.


    Only then could he achieve unity of all paths.


    And make a breakthrough to the realm of Longevity!


    Since Fang Qingzhu was taken away, Xiao Yi had become increasingly anxious to break through the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Nalan Qianqiu grinned, saying, "The eighth-grade Spiritual Medicines, Wind Spirit Grass and Thunder Ginseng have been found. They are right here in this jade box. It''s just that Seven Leaves One Branch Flower is somewhat troublesome; the other party is unwilling to part with it..."


    Seven Leaves One Branch Flower.


    Legend has it that it grows in a place where Yin and Yang intersect, requiring one hundred years to grow a single leaf, and seven hundred years to grow seven leaves. Another hundred years will see the bud, a hundred more until the petals bloom, and it will only reach maturity after a full thousand years!


    It must be harvested within the mature hour. S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And placed in a Yu box made of Yin Yang warm jade to preserve its medicinal properties without loss.


    Spiritual Medicines a hundred years old are elder, a thousand years a king, ten thousand years they become spirits!


    This Seven Leaves One Branch Flower can certainly be considered among the ranks of Medicine Kings!


    Xiao Yi pressed for an answer, "Whose hands is the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower in?"


    Nalan Qianqiu forced a smile, "It''s with an elder of Medicine King Valley, who himself is an eighth-grade Alchemist with a very peculiar temperament. Besides, Xiao Zhenguo, you previously annihilated the Nangong Family and the Beitang Family, thoroughly offending the people of Medicine King Valley..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    When he had destroyed the Nangong and Beitang Families, no one from Medicine King Valley had come to him.


    He had thought that matter was in the past.


    He hadn''t expected such an oversight to emerge.


    After hesitating for a moment.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "What is the surname and name of that elder from Medicine King Valley, and where is he now?"


    "Uh..."


    Nalan Qianqiu''s eyes twitched as he looked at Xiao Yi warily, "Xiao Zhenguo, that is an elder from Medicine King Valley, an eighth-grade Alchemist. If something happens to him, Medicine King Valley will have to fight you to the death, you can''t act rashly!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    What does that mean?


    Do they see me as a murderous devil?


    But on second thought...


    He indeed had killed many people and could only smile wryly, "Rest assured, I know what I am doing and will not act rashly!"


    Only then did Nalan Qianqiu give Xiao Yi the information about the two medicinal ingredients and the elder''s identity: "The person''s name is Liu Rufeng, and he''s permanently based in the Jishi Hall of Chu County within the Nantian Dynasty. In three days, it will be Liu Rufeng''s yearly sermon, and you will definitely meet him if you go to Jishi Hall then!"


    "Chu County''s Jishi Hall? I got it!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Fu Yuan then stood up and said, "Teacher, your disciple has another prescription to discuss with Master Nalan..."


    "You all go."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and, looking at Lin Bingxin who was also turning to leave, furrowed his brow and said, "Lin Bingxin, stay a moment!"


    Lin Bingxin halted in her steps and looked towards Nalan Qianqiu.


    Nalan Qianqiu winked at her and said, "Disciple, since Xiao Zhenguo wants you to stay, he must have something to discuss with you. You stay here for now. Your teacher and Hall Master Fu will go ahead. You can head back on your own later!"


    "Alright!"


    Lin Bingxin sighed and kept her head lowered, avoiding looking at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi walked around to her front, with his hands clasped behind his back, tilting his head as he scrutinized Lin Bingxin without a word.


    A flicker of irritation crossed Lin Bingxin''s eyes as she rolled them exasperatedly, "Why are you staring at me like that? Is there a flower on my face?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and smiled, "No flower, but I can see a deep resentment, the kind that comes from a woman scorned!"


    "You''re the woman scorned..."


    Lin Bingxin glared at him fiercely and asked, "Why did you ask me to stay? If it''s just to mock me, then you''ve succeeded. Can I leave now?"


    Xiao Yi sighed and said, "Bingxin, what''s wrong with you? I''ve never wronged you, so why did you leave without saying goodbye..."


    Lin Bingxin looked up and stared fixedly at Xiao Yi.


    His face had become her nightmare, haunting her almost every night.


    But...


    She couldn''t say it.


    This man was her enigmatic husband.


    Lin Bingxin took a deep breath, pushing down the words that had almost left her throat, and shook her head, "It''s nothing. I just don''t really like the atmosphere at Xiaoshanhe Institute and feel more at ease in Treasure Pavilion. Besides, I am originally from Treasure Pavilion..."


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Seeing the firm expression on Lin Bingxin''s face, he couldn''t help but sigh, "Well, if you prefer to be in Treasure Pavilion, then I won''t force you to stay. But Bingxin, if anyone bullies you, remember to tell me at any time. I''ll definitely teach them a lesson for you!"


    "Really?"


    Lin Bingxin asked subconsciously.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow: "So, someone really has bullied you?"


    Lin Bingxin looked at the young man before her and silently sighed in her heart. You excel in everything, so why can''t you understand a woman''s heart? With an inward sigh, Lin Bingxin forced a smile and said, "Don''t worry! Who doesn''t know that the renowned Xiao Zhenguo is my best friend''s husband? No one dares to bully me!"


    "That''s good then!"


    Xiao Yi smiled broadly and offered, "Shall I walk you back?"


    "No need! I''ll just walk back slowly by myself!"


    Lin Bingxin gestured with her hand and briskly walked towards the door. Pausing at the entrance, she did not look back, not wanting the person inside to see her tear-stained face, "Remember to bring Qingzhu back to me!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, promising.


    Watching Lin Bingxin''s retreating figure getting farther away, Xiao Yi sighed deeply, "Bingxin, it''s not that I don''t understand a woman''s heart, it''s just... my heart is too small, only big enough for one Qingzhu."


    He sighed softly.


    After briefly collecting himself, Xiao Yi, with Little Lin in tow, streaked away into the sky.


    His destination was the famed Medicine King Valley of Chu County.


    On this day.


    At the city gates of Chu County, a young man wearing a bamboo hat lifted his head to gaze at the towering city walls and smiled lightly, "Medicine King Valley of Chu County, at last I''ve arrived!"


    PS: That''s all for tonight, expect a storm of updates tomorrow!!

 Chapter 673 - 672: Smashing the Centennial Signboard as Soon as They Arrive

    The business of Medicine King Valley spread throughout the Southern State.


    However, the real Medicine King Valley did not allow outsiders to enter and exit at will, after all, precious herbs were planted everywhere within Medicine King Valley.


    It was not only to prevent theft but also out of concern that too many passersby would damage the environment necessary for the herbs to grow.


    Therefore...


    Medicine King Valley made Chu County into the medicinal capital.


    Any place wishing to purchase herbs from Medicine King Valley would need to go to Chu County to buy them wholesale.


    Among them, Jishi Hall was a medicinal hall founded by Liu Rufeng, one of the three great eighth-rank alchemists of Medicine King Valley, and when Xiao Yi and his party arrived at Jishi Hall, he was attracted by the couplet at the entrance.


    The first line of the couplet: "May there be no illness in the world!"


    The second line of the couplet: "I''d rather let the dust settle on these medicines!"


    Xiao Yi murmured the couplet to himself and nodded slightly, saying, "If Jishi Hall truly lives up to this couplet, then Liu Rufeng is indeed a man worth befriending!"


    In this world... S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    How many who run the business of medicinal materials and elixirs do not wish for everyone to be sick or injured?


    Yet Liu Rufeng''s Jishi Hall possessed such a grand wish, at least on the surface, Liu Rufeng appeared to be a physician with a compassionate heart.


    "Ouch..."


    Lost in thought, a muffled groan came from nearby, as an old man with white hair collapsed to the ground.


    He lay there convulsing all over, spewing white foam from his mouth like a madman.


    For a moment.


    The passersby around him quickly steered clear, for fear of touching this man foaming at the mouth.


    Xiao Yi was startled and was about to step forward.


    Just then, a thin figure rushed out from Jishi Hall. The newcomer was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth with an anxious face looking at the old man: "This is bad, he has a blockage in his heart veins, and he must have refined Yuan energy poured into his body to clear the blockage in his blood vessels, otherwise, his life will be in danger!"


    The youth''s anxious look showed he was ready to take action.


    Another youth, carrying an air of pride between his eyebrows, also stepped out, his eyes showed a hint of disgust: "Xu Hanling, I advise you not to meddle in other people''s business. Our master has instructed that we mustn''t treat or cure anyone without authorization before we become qualified, if you break the master''s rule, you will be expelled from Jishi Hall!"


    "But, but if we don''t save him now, it might be too late..." Xu Hanling struggled with himself.


    He was an orphan.


    He had come to Chu County from a remote mountain area and, after years of hard work, became a named disciple under a fifth-rank alchemist at Jishi Hall.


    If he really made a mistake, he might indeed be immediately expelled.


    Some onlookers were also advising, "Young man, better not to get involved. Even if you cure him, he might not have the money to pay you, and don''t forget the incident not long ago at Xuangu Building where someone with good intentions helped but ended up being extorted by the patient''s family, leading to the place being shut down, right?"


    "Exactly, better to mind your own business."


    The onlookers kept advising.


    Xu Hanling felt torn, looking at the old man who was barely breathing on the ground, his heart ached, but if he truly intervened, he feared being expelled from Jishi Hall and was also worried about being extorted.


    The proud youth, Chen Duo, crossed his arms and maintained a indifferent attitude, slowly saying, "Consider it carefully for yourself, the master will be back soon, and you haven''t finished the medicinal powder he asked you to grind!"


    After hesitating again and again, Xu Hanling was about to stand up.


    But suddenly, the old man convulsed violently, as if struck by electricity. Xu Hanling gritted his teeth and immediately helped the old man to sit up. His hands glowed with a faint Yuan energy, which he channeled into the old man''s body.


    His methods were extremely delicate and meticulous but also very taxing. Even with his Shentong Realm cultivation, it was very difficult to perform such actions.


    Half an incense stick of time later.


    The old man spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his pale face regaining a bit of rosiness as he slowly came to his senses.


    Thud!


    Upon seeing this, Xu Hanling collapsed to the ground, gasping for air and covered in cold sweat. Yet, he wore a relieved smile on his face, helping the old man up as he laughed, "Elder, your illness has been cured by me. Just remember to rest up after you return home..."


    However, before he could finish speaking,


    The old man suddenly hugged his leg tightly, shouting loudly, "Someone come quick, help... This kid knocked me over and is trying to run away, come and dispense justice for me!"


    Xu Hanling: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Xu Hanling immediately became frantic, "Elder, how can you falsely accuse me like this? I only tried to help you with good intentions..."


    "That''s right, we all saw that he saved you..."


    "You can''t do this..."


    Facing the crowd''s condemnation, the old man responded with a cold sneer, "Saved me out of kindness? If it wasn''t for him knocking me over, why would he need to save me? Why didn''t any of you come to save me?"


    At that moment, everyone was left speechless.


    Trying to reason with someone so unreasonable and obstinate was completely futile.


    Just then...


    A man dressed in green robes approached from within the crowd. He was Xu Hanling''s teacher, a fifth-grade alchemist from Jishi Hall, Ge Ling. Frowning, Ge Ling asked, "What exactly is going on here?"


    "Teacher, the thing is..." Xu Hanling began anxiously.


    From the side, Chen Ze said, "Teacher, I have already advised him not to meddle in others'' business, yet he did not listen..."


    Ge Ling gave Xu Hanling a cold look. He wasn''t particularly fond of this nominal disciple and waved his hand dismissively, "Disobeying the master''s orders, practicing medicine of your own accord, and now you''ve caused such a ruckus, Xu Hanling, handle this mess yourself. From tomorrow on, you need not come to Jishi Hall anymore. I, Ge Ling, don''t need a disciple without common sense like you..."


    With a flick of his sleeve, Ge Ling walked toward Jishi Hall.


    "Teacher..."


    Xu Hanling wanted to follow, but he was tightly clung to by the old man who was wailing, "Somebody help, someone knocked me over and won''t pay compensation..."


    The surrounding crowd looked at Xu Hanling with sympathy but no one stepped forward to offer help.


    After all...


    It''s best to watch from the sidelines when it''s someone else''s problem!


    Getting involved might only lead to unnecessary trouble.


    Chen Ze looked on at Xu Hanling with a mocking smile. As Ge Ling''s direct disciple, he felt threatened by Xu Hanling''s talent in alchemy. Now that Xu Hanling was being expelled from the sect, he couldn''t be happier.


    Xu Hanling''s eyes were red, his face full of grievance and despair.


    As he stood there, at a loss for what to do...


    A mocking laugh came from within the crowd, "Xuangu Building proclaims itself a healer of the world, yet can''t even discern right from wrong. What face do they have bearing such a sign? In my opinion, it''s high time to smash this ''Jishi Hall'' sign!"


    No sooner had the voice faded,


    Than a surge of vital energy shot out, sweeping through the air. Under the astonished gaze of the crowd, it struck the signboard inscribed with "Jishi Hall," cleanly severing it.


    Boom!


    The century-old signboard crashed to the ground, shattering to pieces.


    For a moment...


    Everyone was taken aback, staring in disbelief at Xiao Yi...

 Chapter 674 - 673: Failed to Seize by Force?

    "..."


    Everyone''s gaze was filled with shock and disbelief as they looked at Xiao Yi.


    This was Jishi Hall!


    Created by Liu Rufeng, one of the three great eighth-tier alchemists of Medicine King Valley, Jishi Hall had a history spanning hundreds of years and had long since become a symbol of the Medicine Capital. Even some of the strong figures from the Longevity Secret Realm would come here to purchase pills and the like.


    Xiao Yi actually destroyed the century-old signboard just like that?


    Having returned inside Jishi Hall, Ge Ling rushed out with a face full of rage. Looking at the shattered signboard, Ge Ling''s eyes were shooting fire as he glared at Xiao Yi, with a fierce look that seemed ready to devour someone alive, "You scoundrel, who gave you the gall to cause trouble at my Jishi Hall?"


    Xiao Yi casually cleaned his ear, his face indifferent as he looked back at him, "It''s just a signboard. If I want to smash it, I smash it. What can you do to me?"


    "..."


    Ge Ling was furious.


    He had never expected Xiao Yi to be so arrogant even after smashing their signboard.


    With a grim face, he gave Chen Ze a look, and Chen Ze immediately ran back inside Jishi Hall to call for people, while Ge Ling continued to stare at Xiao Yi with a darkened face, "Kid, no matter who you are, for daring to cause trouble in my Jishi Hall, even if the king of heaven came today, he couldn''t save you. In a bit, I''m going to make you swallow this signboard piece by piece..."


    At that moment.


    Dozens of strong practitioners rushed out of Jishi Hall, the weakest of which were at the Tao Tribulation Realm, and there was even one at the Seventh Nirvana Realm.


    They surrounded Xiao Yi with predatory looks.


    The onlookers sighed, "What was this young man thinking? To actually smash the signboard of Jishi Hall, isn''t this slapping their faces?"


    "I think this young man is at least going to end up with broken limbs��"


    Ge Ling said with a dark face, "Kid, if you don''t give us a satisfactory explanation today, don''t blame me for not being polite!"


    Swish! Swish!


    The dozens of strong figures stepped forward in unison, encircling him tightly.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled with a touch of faint sarcasm. Surrounded by dozens of strong figures, he showed no fear at all, "Before you ask me, please turn around and look at the couplet in front of Jishi Hall..."


    "Hmm?"


    Ge Ling was startled, and the surrounding crowd also subconsciously looked towards the couplet:


    Wishing for a world free from disease!


    Rather have dust settle on medicines on the shelf!


    Ge Ling frowned slightly, but soon his face turned pale as he understood the implication of Xiao Yi''s words.


    The crowd around was somewhat confused, "What does this mean?"


    "Isn''t it obvious? Jishi Hall hangs the sign of healing the world; the couplet implies the same. But just now, an old man was about to die from a fall, yet the people of Jishi Hall refused to lend a hand. Only that honest young man offered help, and after saving the life, he got wrongly accused. Master Ge of Jishi Hall not only didn''t help him but also expelled the man from the sect..."


    "So that''s the case. With that said, I find the young man did nothing wrong."


    "Since they carry the name of healing the world, they should live up to it. If they can''t do it, it''s better not to hang such a sign and avoid embarrassment!"


    The murmurs in the crowd reached Ge Ling''s ears, his face turning from cloudy to clear and back again.


    The reason he had expelled Xu Hanling from the sect was first, he preferred Chen Ze, his much slicker disciple, and disliked Xu Hanling''s straightforwardness.


    Secondly...


    He found it troublesome.


    Rather than protecting Xu Hanling and thereby attracting the trouble of the blackmailing old man, he opted to expel him directly from the sect.


    Under normal circumstances, such an action would have caused him no problems at all.


    But today...


    He had encountered Xiao Yi.


    As Ge Ling''s face flickered, Chen Ze beside him quickly saw the difficulty his master faced and took the initiative to speak up, "Every year, Jishi Hall treats millions, if not tens of millions of people, and I had already seen that the old man was faking it to extort people. This was all brought upon himself by Xu Hanling. My master expelled him from the sect to let us learn a lesson. None of these are reasons for you to smash our Jishi Hall''s signboard!"


    Ge Ling''s eyes brightened, and he gave an approving look at Chen Ze, speaking coldly, "Regardless, you have smashed the signboard of my Jishi Hall. If you do not provide a satisfactory answer today, don''t even think about leaving this place!"


    "Hahaha..."


    Xiao Yi laughed loudly, "I''ve always heard about Master Liu Rufeng''s compassionate heart as a healer, which is why he established Jishi Hall to treat the people of this world. I came here out of admiration. Now it seems to me that your Jishi Hall is nothing special after all. Just smashing a plaque is far from enough. I think it''s also time that we smash this couplet!"


    "You dare!"


    Ge Ling glared in anger.


    At that moment...


    A hoarse voice emerged from the crowd, "This young man has not spoken incorrectly. If a place named Jishi Hall cannot fulfill its duty to heal the world, what''s the point of keeping the sign? Might as well smash it!"


    "How dare you! Which coward is spreading such nonsense here, I..."


    Ge Ling instinctively began to scold, but when he saw the old man with youthful features who stepped out from the crowd, Ge Ling''s body trembled, his angry face instantly drained to be replaced with reverence and humility, "Elder, Elder, Elder Liu, you, you''ve come?"


    Liu Rufeng looked at Ge Ling coldly, his eyes filled with disappointment, "If I didn''t come now, what would be smashed wouldn''t just be Jishi Hall''s signboard, but the reputation that I''ve painstakingly built over hundreds of years too!"


    Ge Ling, drenched in sweat, tried to explain, "Elder Liu, please let me explain..."


    "No need to explain. I can see that you''re not suitable to continue staying in Jishi Hall. From now on, go back to Medicine King Valley and diligently study alchemy!" With a cold snort from Liu Rufeng, Ge Ling''s face turned deathly pale.


    Staying in Jishi Hall not only allowed frequent guidance from Liu Rufeng but also offered substantial benefits.


    This was a cushy job indeed.


    Now being sent back to the Medicine King Valley, how could he possibly feel happy?


    However, Ge Ling didn''t dare go against Liu Rufeng''s wishes, yet his eyes swept venomously over Xiao Yi, and he swore bitterly in his heart.


    Xiao Yi, however, didn''t notice Ge Ling''s gaze because Liu Rufeng had already approached him, smiling at Xiao Yi, "Young man, I''m truly sorry that you had to witness such a farce!"


    "Elder Liu is too polite!"


    Xiao Yi smiled, waving his hand, then glanced at Xu Hanling who stood behind Liu Rufeng.


    Liu Rufeng naturally understood his gesture and looked back at the old man, speaking indifferently, "Aren''t you going to scram?"


    The old man trembled all over.


    This was Liu Rufeng, the King of Medicine!


    He dared not continue his charade and scurried away in a mix of rolling and crawling.


    Xu Hanling secretly breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Liu Rufeng say, "Xu Hanling, right? You''ve done well. From now on, follow me and start as a medicine boy!"


    "Ah?"


    Xu Hanling trembled, unable to believe he was looking at Liu Rufeng.


    This was an eighth-rank alchemist!


    Although he would be only a medicine boy beside him, as long as he performed well and Liu Rufeng was pleased, he would undoubtedly provide guidance, a much more promising prospect than staying with Ge Ling.


    At this thought,


    Xu Hanling quickly bowed in respect to Liu Rufeng, "Thank you, Elder Liu..."


    Liu Rufeng waved his hand, "If you wish to thank someone, thank this young man!"


    Xu Hanling nodded and respectfully thanked Xiao Yi with a bow.


    This made both Ge Ling and Chen Ze beside him red with envy.


    Especially Chen Ze...


    He was filled with regret, turning green inside for not having stepped forward to treat the old man earlier. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Unfortunately...


    There''s no medicine for regret in this world!


    Liu Rufeng, smiling at Xiao Yi, said, "Young man, do you have time to come in for a meeting?"


    "I would be honored!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and nodded, following Liu Rufeng to the backyard of Jishi Hall.


    Sitting authoritatively at the head seat, Liu Rufeng had Xu Hanling brew some Spiritual Tea for both of them. Squinting at Xiao Yi, he said half-jokingly, "What brings Xiao Zhenguo of the Great Qian Dynasty to my Jishi Hall?"


    Xiao Yi was startled at being recognized by Liu Rufeng but wasn''t surprised. He smiled and said, "I presume Elder Liu has already guessed my purpose for coming here. I hope Elder Liu can part with the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower and let me have it!"


    Liu Rufeng''s lips curved upwards, seemingly expecting such a remark and shook his head with a laugh, releasing two words, "Not selling!"


    "I never said I wanted to buy it!" Xiao Yi laughed.


    "Hmm?"


    Liu Rufeng was taken aback.


    What does he mean?


    He isn''t planning to buy?


    Could he possibly intend to forcibly take it?

 Chapter 675 - 674: Pine Crane Longevity Elixir!

    "What? If I refuse to sell, do you intend to resort to robbery?"


    Liu Rufeng narrowed his eyes, a playful cold smirk on his face.


    He was a master from the Longevity Secret Realm, and even though Xiao Yi''s reputation was indeed substantial, and there had even been rumors about his battle with Long Sihai where he blinded Long Sihai''s eyes, Liu Rufeng showed no trace of fear.


    Xiao Yi''s lips lifted slightly as he said indifferently, "Elder Liu jokes. Let''s not even mention the backing of Medicine King Valley behind you, just based on Elder Liu''s character alone, I would never do such a thing!"


    Liu Rufeng was known to be upright and strictly honorable.


    Though somewhat stubborn, he was full of integrity.


    This could be seen clearly from how he handled Xu Hanling''s matter earlier.


    Furthermore, along the way, Xiao Yi had come to understand that over the years, Liu Rufeng''s Jishi Hall had indeed helped many people. Not only had various powerhouses sought help from him, but he had also lent a hand to ordinary people in need of saving. sea??h th�� novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Every year, he would hold a seminar to disseminate the arts of healing and alchemy for the benefit of the common folk.


    Liu Rufeng was taken aback, then raised an eyebrow and laughed, "Then, how does Xiao Zhenguo intend to take the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower from my hands? I have made it clear to the people from Treasure Pavilion that I won''t sell!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and smiled, "I plan to exchange with Elder Liu."


    "Exchange?"


    Liu Rufeng burst into laughter, "Is Xiao Zhenguo joking? As far as I know, almost all eighth-grade spiritual medicines that could compare to the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower are extinct, and ninth-grade spiritual medicines could be exchanged, but surely nobody would be foolish enough to exchange a ninth-grade for an eighth-grade, right?"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Of course not, I propose to exchange with an elixir recipe!"


    "Elixir recipe?"


    Liu Rufeng sized up Xiao Yi. If it were not for Xiao Yi''s identity and his admirable actions outside Jishi Hall, Liu Rufeng might have suspected Xiao Yi was trying to freeload off of him. Squinting his eyes, he said, "I believe in the vast Southern State, apart from the sacred grounds, no place''s elixir recipes could compare with Medicine King Valley''s, right?"


    Medicine King Valley was not only the premier cultivator of medicinal herbs in Southern State.


    But their alchemy skills were also second to none in Southern State, with the only possible exception being the Nantian sacred grounds.


    They possessed a countless number of elixir recipes.


    Liu Rufeng did not believe that Xiao Yi could produce any elixir recipe he had not seen before.


    Facing Liu Rufeng''s probing, Xiao Yi merely smiled slightly and confidently said, "The elixir recipe I hold has been lost for tens of thousands of years, and I obtained it by a fortunate coincidence!"


    "Oh?"


    Liu Rufeng had to admit his curiosity was piqued by Xiao Yi.


    He looked at Xiao Yi with burning interest.


    Xiao Yi enunciated clearly, "The Pine Crane Longevity Elixir!"


    Hiss!


    Liu Rufeng suddenly sat bolt upright, his eyes glaring fiercely, and he stared at Xiao Yi in disbelief.


    His breathing became rapid.


    His hands tightly clutched the armrests as he gazed at Xiao Yi and demanded, "You, you, you, how do you know that I have been researching the Pine Crane Longevity Elixir?"


    Medicine King Valley likewise had the power of the Nantian Dynasty behind it, and this time, one of Medicine King Valley''s powerful backers from the Nantian Dynasty was approaching the end of his lifespan, and he had given them an incomplete Pine Crane Longevity Elixir recipe.


    The hope was that Medicine King Valley could complete the recipe for the Pine Crane Longevity Elixir.


    ```


    The energy of that person in the Nantian Dynasty is by no means weaker than the Emperor''s.


    The Medicine King Valley also attaches great importance to it.


    The three Eighth Grade Alchemists exhausted their efforts in researching the herb formula, yet they achieved no results. Liu Rufeng previously spent half a year studying the formula to no avail, and with the sermon approaching, he returned to the medicinal capital.


    This news was a closely guarded secret of the Medicine King Valley, but Xiao Yi was able to directly mention the Pine Crane Longevity Elixir, which made his heart skip a beat.


    He feared someone had leaked the news.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to signal Liu Rufeng not to worry, and said with a smile, "Elder Liu need not be concerned. It''s not that someone in your Medicine King Valley has leaked secrets, but rather, I smelled the scent of the Thousand-year-old Pine Crane Blood and the Life-extending Ointment on you, which are essential ingredients for the Pine Crane Longevity Elixir. However, judging by the scent on you, there seems to be a problem with the ratio of ingredients and the combination of herbs!"


    Hum!


    Liu Rufeng''s face changed dramatically.


    Indeed, the biggest difficulty in researching the Pine Crane Longevity Elixir was the proportion and combination of herbs.


    After all, with the same herbs, different proportions and combinations would produce different effects.


    For a peak Eighth Grade spiritual medicine like the Pine Crane Longevity Elixir, just the herbs involved numbered in the thousands; even with the same proportions, the different combinations reach into millions, not to mention the different ratios of herbs.


    If they were to research on their own, even thousands or tens of thousands of years might not be enough.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a faint smile as he leisurely sized up Liu Rufeng.


    Under Xiao Yi''s calm gaze, Liu Rufeng let out a wry smile and admitted defeat, "Indeed worthy of Xiao Zhenguo, no wonder you can support the vast Daqian Dynasty on your own. I can give you the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower, in exchange for the herb formula. However, before we confirm the correctness of the formula, you must stay in Chu County and not leave!"


    He was taking precautions.


    If the formula was fake and Xiao Yi left with the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower, he would have nowhere to cry.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "That''s fine, but you need to prepare an alchemy room for me, as I need to refine some elixirs! Besides, I can only wait for you for seven days, and there are just over ten days until the Daqian Dynasty''s founding ceremony begins, and I must return!"


    "That''s no problem, seven days is enough time for us to verify the authenticity of the formula, and you can use my own alchemy room!" Liu Rufeng said gravely.


    "Pleasure doing business with you!"


    Xiao Yi''s smile widened as he tossed the formula to Liu Rufeng.


    Liu Rufeng did not delay and handed over the jade box containing the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower to Xiao Yi.


    Craddling the jade box in his hands.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, with the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower he could refine the Eighth-transformation Wind Thunder Elixir. As soon as he entered the eighth level of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, he would fully master the ninth chart of the Tongtian Tiroku.


    Once his body, spells, and spirit records all reached the ninth chart, he could begin cultivating the unity of all paths and prepare to break into the Longevity Secret Realm!


    "You can do your alchemy here, no one will disturb you. As for food, I will have Xu Hanling bring it to you!" Liu Rufeng, having obtained the formula and merely glanced over it, sensed that it might be real and promptly said.


    He was in a hurry to go back to the Medicine King Valley to verify the authenticity of the formula.


    Xiao Yi nodded with a smile, "Please, as you will!"


    This was the private alchemy room of a prestigious Eighth Grade Alchemist, where both the Alchemy Furnace and the Formations were top-notch, the perfect place for him to refine the Eighth-transformation Wind Thunder Elixir. He then sat cross-legged in front of the Alchemy Furnace, lit the fire for preheating, and began refining after tossing in the ingredients.


    Immersed in refining the Eighth-transformation Wind Thunder Elixir, Xiao Yi was unaware.


    Not long after Liu Rufeng returned to the Medicine King Valley, a significant conflict erupted within it.


    There were even powerhouses from the Medicine King Valley who had already set their sights on this fat fish��


    ```

 Chapter 676 - 676: Battle #675: Wind Thunder Elixir Completed, Five Realms of Longevity!

    Within Medicine King Valley.


    The three great eighth-grade alchemists, Liu Rufeng, Master Chen Yi, and the Valley Master Yaochen Zi.


    These three were jointly configuring the ingredients according to the ratio on the pill recipe. After half a day passed, they all simultaneously exhaled a sigh of relief, their faces revealing ecstatic joy. Yaochen Zi laughed and said, "We''ve finally succeeded. Elder Liu, you''ve truly made a great contribution this time!"


    A hint of jealousy flickered deep within Master Chen Yi''s eyes, but he did not show it. Instead, he said in a mocking tone, "The three of us worked together and couldn''t figure it out, but I didn''t expect Elder Liu to come back from one trip and research the pill recipe. That''s really impressive!"


    "Master Chen Yi, don''t take that sarcastic tone with me. I didn''t research this pill recipe; instead, I traded it for the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower!"


    Liu Rufeng said coldly as he looked at Master Chen Yi.


    "Hmm?"


    Master Chen Yi and Yaochen Zi exchanged glances. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Both knew that Liu Rufeng had an eighth-grade spiritual medicine, the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower, which he valued as his life, not allowing anyone else to touch it. They never imagined Liu Rufeng would actually be willing to trade it for a pill recipe?


    "Why are you looking at me like that? As precious as the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower is, what does it amount to compared to the future of our Medicine King Valley?" Liu Rufeng, feeling somewhat annoyed by their stares, said irritably.


    Yaochen Zi felt a little embarrassed.


    In sacrificing his own possession for the sake of Medicine King Valley''s future to acquire the Pine Crane Longevity Elixir''s recipe, Liu Rufeng had indeed made a significant contribution.


    How could he have doubted Liu Rufeng?


    As Yaochen Zi was feeling guilty and self-reproachful, Master Chen Yi''s expression turned playful. "I didn''t expect Elder Liu to have such connections. May I know which expert actually possesses such a historically ancient pill recipe that had vanished for thousands of years?"


    "Xiao Yi of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    Liu Rufeng did not hide anything, as he saw no need for secrecy and spoke openly, "For the sake of obtaining the Seven Leaves One Branch Flower, he exchanged this pill recipe with me. Valley Master, now that the Pine Crane Longevity Elixir recipe has been proven true, I will head to Chu County to release Xiao Yi. Once I have imparted my teachings and returned, we can start refining the Pine Crane Longevity Elixir!"


    "Wait, you''re talking about Xiao Yi of the Daqian Dynasty? The Xiao Yi who alone upholds a nation?" Master Chen Yi narrowed his eyes.


    Liu Rufeng, not suspecting anything amiss, nodded and said, "Yes, that Xiao Yi. He truly is an extraordinary fellow. Valley Master, I think we can have more interactions with him in the future."


    Gently stroking his chin, Yaochen Zi said, "Elder Liu, you will be in charge of contacting him. If he is willing to hand over the pill medicine market of the Daqian Dynasty to us, we can also offer him certain benefits!"


    "Wait a moment��"


    Master Chen Yi interrupted, "Valley Master, have you forgotten that it was Xiao Yi who brought down the Beitang family, the previous agent of the Great Qian Dynasty? Moreover, he also imports goods from Beast Emperor City, so he might not be willing to work with us!"


    Beast Emperor City, backed by the Chaotic Seas, was also a region abundant in medicinal herbs.


    Yaochen Zi was taken aback for a moment, then frowned, "Is that so?"


    As the Beitang family''s issue in the subordinate Great Qian Dynasty unfolded, Yaochen Zi naturally didn''t intervene.


    But now, it involved the Daqian Dynasty, which controlled one-third of the Southern State.


    He had no choice but to take it seriously.


    Master Chen Yi nodded. He had been the one dealing with the Beitang family issue, but after the incident, he was tasked with researching the Pine Crane Longevity Elixir and had thus put aside the matter.


    Narrowing his eyes, Master Chen Yi said, "Valley Master, Xiao Yi is currently a thorn in the side of the Nantian Dynasty. Furthermore, the way he could so easily offer such a pill recipe suggests to me that perhaps we should keep him here."


    "What do you mean, Elder Chen��" Yaochen Zi''s eyes lit up as he asked.


    "I''ve heard that even the emperor of the Daqian Dynasty has to listen to him. If we can control him, we could turn the Daqian Dynasty into Medicine King Valley''s backyard."


    Master Chen Yi spoke gravely, "Besides, since he could produce the Pine Crane Longevity Elixir recipe and has previously provided many pill recipes more advanced than comparable ones on the market, I suspect that he may have other pill recipes on him. If we can get our hands on these, the power of Medicine King Valley will surely rise to the next level��"


    He was very clear on how Xiao Yi brought down both the Beitang and Nangong families.


    He also acquired some medicinal pills that Xiao Yi had improved upon.


    Whether in effect or cost, they were far below the similar products on the market.


    One could even say they were far superior to the same kind of medicinal pills from Medicine King Valley.


    If he could get hold of these pill formulas, it would indeed be greatly beneficial to Medicine King Valley.


    Liu Rufeng''s expression changed slightly, as he said in a deep voice, "Valley Master, we absolutely must not do this. Xiao Yi sincerely cooperated with me, trusting me enough to let me bring back the pill formulas. If we act against him now, wouldn''t that put me in a position of untrustworthiness and dishonor?"


    Master Chen Yi scoffed, "Elder Liu, what''s more important, your reputation or the future of Medicine King Valley?"


    "I will not allow it!" Liu Rufeng said angrily.


    "Enough!"


    Yaochen Zi waved his hand and said indifferently, "Elder Liu is right, we cannot do such a deceitful and treacherous thing. Elder Liu, since you have a lecture to deliver, you may return first. Come back here as soon as the lecture is over!"


    "Valley Master, regarding Xiao Yi..." Liu Rufeng said.


    "All right, I have my own measures!"


    Yaochen Zi waved his hand.


    Seeing this, Liu Rufeng frowned slightly, sighed softly, and had no choice but to leave.


    Master Chen Yi said indignantly, "Valley Master, this Liu Rufeng is truly too stubborn, he..."


    "Enough!"


    Yaochen Zi waved his hand and narrowed his eyes, "Elder Chen, I will leave this matter to you to handle. Make it clean."


    "Valley Master is wise! I shall not disappoint you!"


    Master Chen Yi''s face showed ecstatic joy, his lips curled up slightly, and a cold gleam flickered in his eyes, "Liu Rufeng? Xiao Yi? Hmph, none can escape the palm of my hand!"


    ......


    Jishi Hall.


    In the Alchemy room.


    Xiao Yi abruptly opened his eyes, and with a swish, he pushed open the Alchemy Furnace. A medicinal pill, circulating with azure-golden runes, flew out.


    A burst of Wind Thunder power leaked out.


    Fortunately, Xiao Yi sealed the medicinal pill with his vital energy the instant it emerged, preventing any significant disturbance, and carefully placed it into a specially made jade box. The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth turned up slightly: "The Eighth-transformation Wind Thunder Elixir is complete. After I return, I''ll consume it to break through the Wind Thunder Sacred Body to the eighth transformation. With that, I can fully master the ninth supplemental diagram of the Tongtian Tiroku. Even if I encounter a being from the first realm of the Longevity Secret Realm, I''ll be able to fight!"


    The Longevity Secret Realm has five realms, namely the Human Venerate Realm, Earth Venerate Realm, Heaven Venerate Realm, Supreme Venerate Realm, and Sacred Venerate Realm!


    Each realm is subdivided into ten stages.


    Like Long Sihai, who is a powerhouse in the first realm of the Human Venerate Realm of the Longevity Secret Realm!


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi''s brows moved slightly, sensing someone approaching, and immediately put the medicinal pill away. As he stood up, he saw Liu Rufeng coming with a grim expression. Xiao Yi was startled, "Elder Liu, what''s happened?"


    Liu Rufeng said in a heavy tone, "Someone is going to make a move against you, you need to leave quickly!"


    PS: Update completed! The next chapter starts today''s updates!

 Chapter 677 - 676: Wind Thunder Eight Revolutions, A Formidable Enemy Arrives! [First Update]

    "Someone is going to harm you, you must leave quickly!"


    Liu Rufeng''s face was as black as coal as he spoke with a solemn expression.


    He was no fool.


    When Yaochen Zi had sent him away ahead of time, he understood that Yaochen Zi was also tempted by Master Chen Yi''s proposal and decided to take action against Xiao Yi.


    After all...


    Once they controlled Xiao Yi, they would effectively control one third of the Southern State.


    This was not the same as in the Nantian Dynasty.


    Though Medicine King Valley was powerful, it was not the top force within the Nantian Dynasty, and even they relied on their own backers, living at others'' mercy. But in the Daqian Dynasty, it was different; by controlling Xiao Yi, they would have control over the entire kingdom.


    As Master Chen Yi said, the Daqian Dynasty could be treated as the backyard of Medicine King Valley.


    No one could resist such temptation.


    Moreover...


    Yaochen Zi himself was a valley master with great ambitions.


    Xiao Yi was stunned and looked at Liu Rufeng in confusion, "My whereabouts have been leaked? Are the people from the Nantian Dynasty going to make a move against me?"


    Now, he was a thorn in the side of the royal family of the Nantian Dynasty; they would not rest until he was removed.


    If his whereabouts had indeed been leaked, it was very possible the Nantian Dynasty would send experts to surround and kill him.


    Liu Rufeng shook his head and replied with a bitter smile, "It''s not the Nantian Dynasty, but our own Medicine King Valley... This is also my fault. If I hadn''t insisted on keeping you here to verify the authenticity of the elixir formula, you would have already returned to the Daqian Dynasty by now and wouldn''t be facing this trouble. Xiao Yi, I''ve arranged for a team to secretly escort you out of the city. The moment you leave the city, you must hurry to the Daqian Dynasty. If I''m not mistaken, I fear Master Chen Yi himself will take action..."


    Master Chen Yi, one of the three great eighth-grade alchemists in the Medicine King Valley.


    Simultaneously...


    He was also an eternal realm expert, a first-layer Human Venerable.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "Elder Liu, you are also an elder of the Medicine King Valley, don''t you want to deal with me as well?"


    Liu Rufeng harrumphed with cold disdain, having his own pride and not stooping to such actions.


    He didn''t even deign to explain.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved in a slight smile.


    This somewhat stubborn old man also had his endearing side.


    With that thought...


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "In that case, I''ll have to trouble Elder Liu to send me on my way!"


    "Hmm!"


    Liu Rufeng immediately summoned Xu Hanling.


    A moment later...


    "Xiao Yi" took a carriage and left Chu County.


    All of this was observed by people hiding in the shadows, who quickly relayed the information onwards.


    However...


    What they did not know was that this was all part of Liu Rufeng''s deceptive strategy, and the real Xiao Yi had already left in a different direction alone.


    Half a day later...


    A crack opened in the void in front of Xu Hanling''s carriage, and Master Chen Yi stepped out, flanked by Ge Ling and Chen Ze. Chen Ze looked at Xu Hanling with a sinister smile, "Xu Hanling, how dare you collude with Xiao Yi, the enemy of Medicine King Valley, and facilitate his escape? Hand him over now!"


    Xu Hanling replied with an innocent face, "Brother Chen, how can you falsely accuse me? Xiao Yi is not in the carriage, it is Elder Liu!"


    "Elder Liu? Who are you trying to fool?" Chen Ze laughed coldly, "I saw with my own eyes Xiao Yi getting into your carriage!"


    Ge Ling said with a cold face, "Why bother talking nonsense? Have the person inside come out!"


    Creak!


    The carriage curtain was slowly lifted.


    Liu Rufeng walked out with an amused look on his face, fixing his gaze on the shocked Ge Ling and Chen Ze, "What? Did you think just because you follow Elder Chen, you could arbitrarily stop my carriage?"


    Thump!


    The expressions on Ge Ling and Chen Ze''s faces changed drastically.


    Master Chen Yi''s face was as dark as water, realizing he had been tricked.


    Chen Ze said with a crestfallen look, "Elder Chen, I saw with my own eyes that Xiao Yi was on this carriage..."


    "Enough! You''ve all been deceived..."


    Master Chen Yi said with a dark face, turning his gaze to the triumphantly smiling Liu Rufeng, "Liu Rufeng, you dare sabotage my and the valley master''s plan, you just wait... When we return to Medicine King Valley, I will surely report this matter to the valley master!"


    Liu Rufeng sneered, "What is Elder Chen talking about? Could it be that I need your permission to ride in my own carriage and leave the city for some leisure?"


    "Hmph!"


    With a cold huff, Master Chen Yi grabbed Ge Ling and Chen Ze and soared into the sky.


    He did not know Xiao Yi.


    He had to bring the two men along to find him.


    Watching the three disappear, Xu Hanling''s face was filled with deep concern, "Elder, Xiao won''t be in trouble, will he?"


    Gently rubbing his head, Liu Rufeng smiled bitterly and shook his head, "We''ve done all we could, the rest is up to his own destiny."


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi left in another direction and arrived in a mountain range.


    This range was rampant with demonic beasts and seldomly visited by humans.


    There, Xiao Yi declared, "I shall break through to the Eighth Transformation of the Wind-Thunder Holy Body here!"


    Boom!


    His body shook, lightning flickered all over him, and fierce winds howled into existence.


    The storm and thunder merged.


    Turning into a terrifying thunderstorm.


    A cyan-golden thunderstorm soared into the sky like a long dragon, twisting its immense body as it thrust towards the vault of heaven. The terrible energy fluctuations instantly aroused the rolling tribulation thunder above the heavens.


    An endless expanse of Black Cloud loomed overhead, thunderbolts like divine dragons booming as they fell.


    Xiao Yichong rose to the sky.


    Standing amidst the terrifying thunder tribulation.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Allowing the successive bolts to bolster his body, Xiao Yi did not dodge in the slightest, letting the thunder purify his body.


    With each strike, it was like undergoing a thousand refinements.


    Making his body increasingly powerful.


    All over his body,


    Between the skin and muscles, faint golden arcs undulated, like lightning serpents roaming the surface. Filled with an explosive force, the Wind-Thunder Wings unfolded.


    They continuously absorbed the power of the wind and thunder.


    Originally only two pairs, the Wind-Thunder Wings gradually transformed.


    Turning into four pairs of Wind-Thunder Wings.


    The feathers of the Wind-Thunder Wings, formed entirely from thunder and storm, shimmered with a dazzling cyan-golden light, as if the Milky Way descended with each flap, casting blinding rays of light.


    Crackle and snap!


    Xiao Yi swallowed the Eighth-transformation Wind Thunder Elixir and plunged into the heart of the tribulation clouds.


    Bathing in the ocean of thunder.


    After a full incense stick''s length of time,


    The tribulation clouds above the firmament dispersed, and Xiao Yi, with four pairs of Wind-Thunder Wings on his back, descended slowly from the heavens.


    Lightning flickered around him, on and off unpredictably.


    Breaking through to the Eighth-transformation Wind Thunder Holy Body not only gave him four pairs of Wind-Thunder Wings and a tenfold increase in speed but also endowed Xiao Yi with two Secret Techniques��the Thunder God Spear and the Hurricane Divine Shield!


    One for offense, one for defense. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His combat prowess surged dramatically!


    Of course...


    What delighted Xiao Yi even more was that the ninth diagram of the Tongtian Tiroku, which had been elusive, was finally fully comprehended!


    All three records of the Tongtian Tiroku were elevated to the level of the ninth diagram.


    All three paths of Nirvana had reached the state of Nine Nirvana Reincarnations.


    "With my current strength, I should be able to battle a First-layer Human Venerable warrior, right?" Xiao Yi retracted his Wind-Thunder Wings, his eyes slightly lifting, looking forward to the slowly tearing open void ahead. His lips curled into a slight smile, "Have you finally arrived? Just in time to be my whetstone, to let me see how mighty my combat prowess truly is..."

 Chapter 678 - 677: Slaughtering Them Like Pigs and Dogs [Second Update]

    Whoosh!


    Within the calmness of the void in front of them, a rift in the fabric of space suddenly appeared.


    Three figures walked out from it.


    Leading them was the real Master Chen Yi, followed by Chen Ze and Ge Ling.


    Ge Ling''s eyes quickly found the smiling Xiao Yi, he was first startled, then a ferocious grin spread across his face as he laughed, "Hahaha, it''s true that good luck comes when least expected. Elder Chen, this is Xiao Yi!"


    "Oh?"


    Master Chen Yi eyed Xiao Yi with a squint.


    His gaze swept across the surrounding mountains, and a touch of confusion flickered in his eyes.


    Just now, as Xiao Yi was transcending tribulation to advance his Wind Thunder Holy Body, he had absorbed all the power of wind and thunder available between heaven and earth into his body. Apart from a trace of berserk thunderous energy lingering in the void, not even a single bolt of lightning had struck the mountain streams.


    Master Chen Yi sensed the intermittent thunderous energy in the void but did not find any scenes of lightning strikes.


    However, this only gave him a slight moment of doubt.


    Master Chen Yi''s icy gaze fell upon Xiao Yi as he spoke indifferently, "You are Xiao Yi?"


    "Mhm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, his smile unwavering as he looked at Master Chen Yi, "I assume the gentleman before me is Elder Chen Yi from Medicine King Valley, right? I wonder, what brings Elder Chen with such great fanfare to seek out this humble one?"


    Master Chen Yi snorted coldly, his face filled with mockery, "Don''t pretend like you don''t know; Liu Rufeng must have already told you what I''m here for. You have two choices now, either come back with me obediently, or I will cripple your cultivation and then take you back!"


    Both options seem to lead to a dire end!


    Chen Ze and Ge Ling wore expressions filled with schadenfreude.


    The two disciples had enjoyed a rich share of the profits within Jishi Hall, but because of Xiao Yi, they lost their positions there, their hatred for him even surpassing that for Xu Hanling.


    After all.


    If Xiao Yi hadn''t smashed the plaque, there would never have been intervention from Liu Rufeng.


    Ge Ling sneered, "Xiao Yi, I advise you to surrender without a fight! Elder Chen is a powerhouse from the Longevity Secret Realm; he can suppress you with a flick of his wrist. If you don''t cooperate nicely, you''re going to suffer later!"


    "Master, it''s futile to persuade him. This is Xiao Zhenguo of the Daqian Dynasty, who''s brimming with confidence! How could he possibly fear Elder Chen?" Chen Ze said mockingly.


    This was his way of using provocative tactics to incite Master Chen Yi.


    After all.


    Both master and disciple were eager for Master Chen Yi to kill Xiao Yi to settle their vendetta.


    Master Chen Yi glanced at the two, naturally discerning their ulterior motives, but he did not mind. After all, Xiao Yi was already his target for this trip, and if their threats could make Xiao Yi surrender...


    He wouldn''t need to take action himself.


    It would spare him from future accusations of bullying.


    Xiao Yi gave them a sidelong glance, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned as he looked at Master Chen Yi, "Elder Chen, I don''t mind going with you to Medicine King Valley, but you''ll have to agree to a condition of mine first!"


    "What condition?" Master Chen Yi asked. S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If he could win without a fight, he naturally had no desire to strike.


    Xiao Yi flashed a grin, his gaze heavy with mockery as he pointed at Chen Ze and his apprentice, "I really dislike these two. If Elder Chen could kill them, then I will accompany you to Medicine King Valley!"


    Hiss!


    Ge Ling and Chen Ze took a sharp intake of breath as their complexions changed abruptly.


    They stared at Xiao Yi with venomous eyes and roared angrily, "Xiao Yi, your heart is truly malicious..."


    Both turned their eyes to Master Chen Yi at once.


    Ge Ling continued, "Elder Chen, we are all your people, utterly loyal to you!"


    Over the years, the benefits they embezzled from Jishi Hall had largely ended up in Master Chen Yi''s pockets.


    "Don''t worry, this old man is not so easily fooled!"


    Master Chen Yi snorted coldly, his icy gaze landing on Xiao Yi as he said with a chilling smile, "Xiao Yi, you''re trying to sow discord here. These two are my confidants; how could I possibly lay a hand on them?"


    "Ah, what a pity. If Elder Chen had killed them, I wouldn''t have needed to lift a finger!" Xiao Yi said with a face full of regret.


    Ge Ling: "..."


    Chen Ze: "..."


    Master Chen Yi rolled his eyes and shook his head with a cold sneer, "You think you can kill in front of me?"


    Ge Ling laughed heartily, "Xiao Yi, aren''t you overestimating yourself? Elder Chen is a formidable master of the Longevity Secret Realm, while you are merely at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak. Even if you had the ability to defy the heavens, it would still be impossible for you to be his match."


    "You actually think you could kill us, master and disciple? It''s nothing but a delusion!"


    Chen Ze stepped forward two paces, thrust his head forward, and pointed to his neck, "Come on, I''m right here for you. If you have the guts, kill me! I''d like to see how you''re going to kill me in front of Elder Chen..."


    Master Chen Yi also wore a face full of mockery.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, maintaining his standing posture without moving an inch, his calm voice echoing through the empty space, "Kill them? It''s like slaughtering pigs and dogs!"


    Suddenly...


    Master Chen Yi''s complexion changed, "Something''s not right!"


    Almost simultaneously.


    Two streaks of silver light flashed before his eyes, followed by two jets of blood spurting out.


    It was indeed the heads of Ge Ling and his disciple that flew high into the air, and with a thud, smashed to the ground amidst the splattering blood. The two still maintained their arrogant postures, but they were now headless corpses.


    Almost at the same time.


    The "Xiao Yi" who had been standing in front of them just now began to sway slowly, becoming gradually blurry.


    What stood there was just an afterimage!


    "An afterimage?"


    Master Chen Yi''s pupils shrank slightly as he looked at the cold corpses on the ground. He felt as if his face was burning with pain as though he had been slapped hundreds of times and then doused with chili oil.


    He had just finished saying that Xiao Yi couldn''t possibly kill the two in front of him, and the next moment, the two standing beside him turned into headless corpses.


    Such a fierce slap to his face!


    Master Chen Yi''s face turned icy, his eyes brimming with murderous intent as he stared straight at Xiao Yi, "What a character you are, Xiao Yi, and you, Xiao Zhenguo. No wonder even Long Sihai suffered a loss at your hands; you indeed have some skill."


    "I may not have much skill, but killing a few stray cats and dogs is still within my abilities!" Xiao Yi replied with an easy smile.


    Stray cats and dogs?


    Master Chen Yi''s expression grew even uglier; Chen Ze and his disciple were his people.


    Xiao Yi actually called them stray cats and dogs?


    Then what does that make him?


    A Dog King?


    A Cat King?


    The cold light in Master Chen Yi''s eyes flickered uncertainly, converging into a sharp killing intent as he stared at Xiao Yi and pronounced each word slowly, "I value talent and initially did not want to harm your life. But it seems now, if I don''t take severe action, you''re unlikely to submit!"


    "Submit? That word seems to be absent from my dictionary..." Xiao Yi replied, neither servile nor overbearing.


    "Hmph!"


    Master Chen Yi huffed coldly, expressionless, and spoke chillingly, "Since it''s missing, then let this old man teach you how to write these two words!"

 Chapter 679 - 678: The Battle of Dharma and Longevity [Third Update]

    "Then let me teach you how to ''write'' these two words!"


    Master Chen Yi sneered coldly.


    His body actually inflated at a speed visible to the naked eye, his bulging muscles forcefully stretching his robe with each motion of his fists and feet, accompanied by the whooshing sounds of tearing through the air.


    But even though the sound of air being broken was deafening.


    Master Chen Yi''s every movement was perfectly avoiding the resistance of the wind, achieving the pinnacle of both speed and strength.


    Swish!


    Master Chen Yi flicked out a finger.


    And in an instant...


    A streak of silver sharpness shot forth at an alarming pace.


    It turned out to be a speck of silver chi from Master Chen Yi''s hand, which transformed into a comet-like bolt hurtling straight towards Xiao Yi. It was moving so fast that Xiao Yi couldn''t fully evade it.


    With a loud bang...


    Xiao Yi was violently blasted away, and amidst the thunderous noise, he smashed dozens of mountain peaks behind him into dust.


    Boom!


    Out of the sky filled with dust and rubble, Xiao Yi soared up into the heavens.


    He spat out mouthfuls of dirt and sand to the side, and as he shook his head, a plume of white dust scattered into the air.


    Xiao Yi gently twisted his neck and hands, emitting crisp cracking sounds. Amidst the soft noise, electric currents hissed around him, followed by the whooshing of wind.


    The electric currents and wind merged together.


    Suddenly, they formed azure-gold dragon shadows��exactly eighty-one of them, all fiercely landing around Xiao Yi''s body and swiftly alighting behind his back.


    Transforming into four sets of Wind Thunder wings!


    In the blur...


    On his back, the four pairs of wings were adorned with sacred dragon shadows.


    The four Wind Thunder wings abruptly unfolded, spanning a full twenty zhang across, a size Xiao Yi could control. If these Wind Thunder wings were to fully extend, they could reach a terrifying several hundred zhang span.


    However, in battle, a span of several hundred zhang wasn''t very practical; it would actually hinder speed instead.


    Maintaining a span of twenty zhang was already quite magnificent.


    Especially as the Wind Thunder wings opened, the dragon shadows on them began to flow vigorously, adding an even greater sense of majesty.


    Xiao Yi stood suspended in mid-air, his body surrounded by fluctuating lightning and resonating with the sound of a roaring storm.


    With a reach of his right hand and an expansion of his left,


    the Thunder God Spear and Hurricane Divine Shield appeared simultaneously in his hands.


    The Thunder God Spear was entirely golden, with dragon shadows winding around the spear shaft; its subtle golden light was like a weapon of the War God.


    The Hurricane Divine Shield, on the other hand, was a deep cyan, with countless wind dragons coiling around the shield, connecting head to tail to form a relief of a swirling vortex at the very center.


    A long spear in one hand and a divine shield in the other.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved up slightly, his eyes shining with a star-like brilliance that was eternally immortal, his fighting spirit soaring high, "Kill!"


    Boom!


    The Wind Thunder wings violently shook.


    All four pairs of wings thrummed the empty air at once, and with a thunderous sound, the very void around them trembled with what seemed like the possibility of shattering. This signified that Xiao Yi''s combat power had now reached the level of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    He possessed the power to shake the void itself!


    "Du Long Emerges from the Sea!"


    As Xiao Yi merged the Thunder God Spear with his arm into one, he thrust it forward, concentrating countless bolts of lightning at its tip, lunging directly at Master Chen Yi.


    Master Chen Yi''s face remained expressionless.


    In his eyes, there was a trace of undisguised contempt and disdain.


    He believed... S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That even at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm, no matter how strong the talent, it was absolutely impossible to shake the Longevity.


    And that was why.


    Master Chen Yi merely lifted his right hand, and between his palm, a silver light pulsated uncertainly, condensing into a large silver hand that ferociously grabbed towards the spear thrusting forward. Almost simultaneously, his palm collided with the spear, emitting a series of thunderous roars.


    The dazzling firelight was incomparably blinding.


    It swept through the four directions!


    "This is just..."


    A smirk appeared at the corner of Chen Yi''s lips as he disdainfully began to speak, yet before he could finish, he couldn''t muster another smile.


    Asudden, a violent thunderstorm erupted from the spear.


    With a loud boom.


    A globular thunderclap exploded, and a terrifying tempest of thunder instantly covered Chen Yi''s arm. With a deafening roar, his hand was blasted apart.


    Oh...


    Master Chen Yi screamed miserably, his figure retreating explosively.


    He stood suspended in the air.


    With a grim expression, he looked at his severed palm; the flesh along his wrist was a blur of gore, with lightning snakes still hissing about, causing the area to emit a charred and rank stench. Chen Yi''s complexion turned exceedingly ugly, his fierce gaze glaring death at Xiao Yi, "Scoundrel, how dare you injure me?"


    The fire of battle in Xiao Yi''s eyes blazed like two proud suns, bursting into fierce flames.


    He, too, had not expected his Thunderous Spear to possess such terrifying destructive power.


    Previously, he had only estimated that his strength, after the breakthrough, would be able to contend with a Longevity Secret Realm expert. Now, it seemed quite possible to slay a first-layer Human Venerable Realm powerhouse like Chen Yi.


    Dharma cuts down Longevity!


    Throughout the entirety of Southern State, such a feat had never been achieved!


    With a sanguine tongue licking his lips, Xiao Yi smirked ferociously, "Is it only permissible for you to kill me, but not for me to slaughter you? Where in the world does such a reason exist?"


    "Detestable!"


    Chen Yi''s face showed a furious anger, having thought he''d easily capture his foe but instead losing a hand.


    He was a formidable presence from the Longevity Secret Realm after all.


    Longevity versus Dharma, and he''d lost a hand in the process.


    If this incident were to spread, he would certainly become a laughingstock.


    "I will grind your bones to dust..."


    With an angry roar from Chen Yi, a bewitchingly red flower blossomed behind him. The flower was immensely large, towering a thousand meters high and shaped like a lantern, with blood-red petals clustered together.


    In the vague light, one could see the bewitching red light pulsing, setting one''s eyes alight with dizziness.


    The Confusion Flower!


    Upon seeing this flower, one''s thoughts become muddled, irresistibly entranced!


    This was a rare creature that grew in Ruthless Valley, somewhere between plant and beast, capable of bewitching the heart and confusing the soul, turning them into its devotee, obeying its command, aiding it in its cruelty, hunting other creatures to feed it.


    Once its captivated prey loses value, the Confusion Flower will consume them, turning them into nourishment.


    Originally, Chen Yi had also exhausted all his means to successfully visualize and condense this Martial Tao Skill.


    Chen Yi had an expressionless face as his path was that of Spiritual Nirvana. Combined with the Confusion Flower, even if it were a first-layer Human Venerable from the Longevity Secret Realm, one could fall under his control if not careful, becoming an accomplice and manipulated at will.


    "Xiao Yi, obediently submit to me!"


    Chen Yi''s voice became strangely ambiguous, neither male nor female, devoid of warmth or coldness.


    The Confusion Flower behind him flickered with bewitching red light, as if it dyed the heavens red, turning everything before one''s eyes into a weird shade of red.


    Xiao Yi''s head buzzed, and his vision seemed to be covered by a thin film. Chen Yi and the Confusion Flower behind him, along with everything around them, all contorted crazily within his sight.


    Combined with the bewitching red light, it was even more confounding to the heart.


    "Xiao Yi, come over..."


    "Submit to me..."


    "Submit..."


    Chen Yi''s voice, like a demonic chant, kept echoing in his mind. Xiao Yi stood still as if struck by a Binding Spell, standing there dully. Like a walking corpse, he began to approach the ferocious and fiercely murderous Chen Yi...


    PS: There will be two more chapters tonight, Xiao Tian continues!

 Chapter 680 - 679: Whats the Point of Being Immortal?

    ```


    Xiao Yi walked towards Master Chen Yi like a zombie.


    Master Chen Yi''s mouth curved slightly upwards, the red Enthralling Blossom behind him emitting a red glow and gently swaying as if a graceful woman was twisting in the wind with her tempting dance moves.


    Xiao Yi drew closer and closer.


    Master Chen Yi''s smile grew more and more smug, and while squinting, a longsword materialized in hand, "Come here, come here, odd creature..."


    He manipulated Xiao Yi to charge toward the longsword himself.


    Watching Xiao Yi attack without any protection, his heart racing towards the sharp tip of the sword.


    Just one more step.


    This sword could directly pierce through his chest and take his life.


    But when Xiao Yi''s body truly crashed onto the tip of the sword, Master Chen Yi was dumbfounded.


    Only the sound of a crisp clang was heard, as Xiao Yi''s chest struck the sword tip as if his chest were made of metal.


    Only sparks flew.


    Xiao Yi was not harmed in the slightest.


    Hiss!


    Chen Yisi sucked in a breath of cold air; this was a seventh-rank peak elemental weapon, unmatched in sharpness, even hundred-refined steel would be as frail as tofu before it. Yet now, it couldn''t pierce through the unprotected Xiao Yi?


    While Master Chen Yi was in shock, Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly rang in his ear, "Feeling your head buzzing?"


    "Huh?"


    Master Chen Yi suddenly looked up.


    Only to see Xiao Yi looking at him with a mocking gaze, taunting him with relish.


    Only then did Master Chen Yi realize, from beginning to end, it had all been Xiao Yi playing him, he had never been confused by the Enthralling Blossom at all.


    "You, you weren''t controlled by the Enthralling Blossom?" Master Chen Yi asked incredulously.


    His Enthralling Blossom was incredibly powerful, and even formidable peers in the First-layer Human Venerable Realm, unless they were those who achieved Spiritual Nirvana in the Longevity Secret Realm, could not resist its charm.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi was completely unaffected.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved up slightly, a faint sneer curling.


    His willpower was so strong that even the Heart Demon Tribulation had no effect on him, let alone being deceived by a mere Enthralling Blossom. Just now, he had simply taken the opportunity to close the distance between them.


    Master Chen Yi obviously realized this point, his face suddenly changing, and he tried to escape.


    Xiao Yi, however, let out a cold laugh.


    Having finally closed the distance between them, how could he let him escape so easily?


    Clang!


    He viciously reached out to grab the longsword, shouting, "Let go!"


    Whoosh!


    The longsword was forcibly wrested away, and then, a storm of Sword Qi erupted from beside him, a Cross Sword blade cutting across Master Chen Yi''s chest.


    Master Chen Yi had walked the path of Spiritual Nirvana.


    His physical body was relatively weaker.


    Unable to dodge in time under this sword attack, two columns of blood shot forth.


    A cross-shaped sword mark appeared across Master Chen Yi''s chest, the sharp blade cutting open the flesh to reveal the chilling white bones within. The intense pain turned Master Chen Yi''s face an ashen shade.


    But he did not retreat, and instead immediately struck out a palm towards Xiao Yi.


    A cold light circulated over his palm.


    The Enthralling Blossom behind him sent out trails of pollen that condensed on his palm, turning into a pink energy sphere that he shot directly at Xiao Yi''s head.


    Xiao Yi raised the Hurricane Divine Shield in response.


    Thud!


    The energy sphere struck the Hurricane Divine Shield and immediately exploded on impact.


    ```


    The sky was filled with pollen, attempting to envelop Xiao Yi within.


    However, the Hurricane Divine Shield in Xiao Yi''s hand trembled violently, the hurricane vortex in its center spiraling crazily, transforming into a giant black hole that instantly devoured all the pollen in the air and spewed it back out.


    Splash!


    The pollen turned into a pink beam of light, shooting straight at Master Chen Yi''s face.


    "Not good!"


    Master Chen Yi''s complexion changed drastically.


    This Enthralling Flower''s pollen contained countless seeds, which, once touching the body, would take root and sprout immediately, growing swiftly. Within this pollen were at least tens of thousands of Enthralling Flower seeds.


    If all were to take root and sprout, the resulting Enthralling Flowers could suck dry the life force of a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm powerhouse in an instant.


    Whoosh!


    Master Chen Yi tore open the space around him and dived in, reappearing miles away.


    Hovering in the air, he twitched the corner of his eye furiously, looking at Xiao Yi with unprecedented seriousness, mixed with a hint of regret, "How can this boy, with only a Dharma Phase Realm Peak cultivation level, have such terrifying strength? Such might is probably comparable to the one who tops the Heavenly Dragon Ranking..."


    The Heavenly Dragon Ranking was something only the strongest talents of the Nantian Dynasty could be listed on.


    It can be said.


    Without the saints of the Nantian Holy Land emerging, the one at the top of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking represented the strongest of the younger generation in the Nantian Dynasty!


    Master Chen Yi never expected Xiao Yi''s strength to reach such a level.


    If he had known earlier, he wouldn''t have volunteered to confront Xiao Yi alone.


    Lost in thought.


    Xiao Yi had already caught up with him, vibrating his Wind Thunder Wings, with four pairs of Wind Thunder Wings flapping in the air, a Thunder Divine Spear in one hand, and the Hurricane Divine Shield in the other, his body aglow with golden light, like an invincible War God, "Longevity Secret Realm? It''s just so-so!"


    "You..."


    Master Chen Yi''s face stiffened.


    He wanted to retort, but seeing his severed palm, he swallowed back the words that had reached his lips.


    His expression fluctuated between gloom and uncertainty. Taking a deep breath, Master Chen Yi spoke in a deep voice, "It seems everyone has underestimated you!"


    "I never underestimate any enemy," Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said.


    No matter who the opponent was, Xiao Yi was accustomed to giving his all.


    Even when hunting a rabbit, the lion gives its all!


    He had no desire to be careless and lose his life because of underestimating the enemy.


    That was why...


    In the process of confronting Master Chen Yi, Xiao Yi had been unleashing his full strength from the very beginning, catching Master Chen Yi off-guard and inflicting heavy injuries on him. At the same time, Xiao Yi gained a clearer understanding of his own strength.


    Body, Dharma, and Spirit thrived at the Nine Nirvanas level, giving him combat prowess comparable to that of a Second-layer Human Venerable.


    Facing someone like Master Chen Yi, a First-layer Human Venerable.


    Xiao Yi was very confident he could defeat the other party, after all, the existence of reaching the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm in all three aspects of cultivation was probably unique to Xiao Yi alone in the entirety of the Qingtian Realm.


    "Hmph!"


    Master Chen Yi snorted coldly, already intending to withdraw.


    He no longer had the confidence to capture or kill Xiao Yi. If the fight dragged on, it might end up with both sides getting hurt. Moreover, deep within Master Chen Yi lay a faint premonition that it might be he who would die at Xiao Yi''s hands!


    Whew!


    Master Chen Yi took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, consider yourself lucky today, but our conflict is not over. Medicine King Valley will not let you go that easily!"


    In Master Chen Yi''s view.


    He had the illustrious Medicine King Valley at his back, and he was an eminent alchemist of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Once he revealed his intention to leave, Xiao Yi would surely not dare to block him. S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However...


    Facing Master Chen Yi''s threat, Xiao Yi simply grinned, squinting as he said, "From the moment you struck at me, whether you live or die is for me to decide!"


    PS: I sincerely apologize, as I''ve been sitting for over a dozen hours a day typing recently, and now my left buttock and thigh are in severe pain. I had to stand while writing this chapter. Today, I''ll let Xiao Tian take a break to rest, and I''ll make up for it tomorrow!

 Chapter 681 - 680: Sword Slays the Eternal

    ```


    "Whether you live or die is for me to decide!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, his eyes gleaming with a sharpness like that of a blade''s edge.


    His gaze was fixed intently on Master Chen Yi.


    Master Chen Yi''s complexion turned pale abruptly, as he saw in Xiao Yi''s eyes a cold killing intent. This was not a bluff, but a truly chilling murderous aura at its most extreme.


    Before this...


    If someone had told him that the strong from the Longevity Secret Realm would cower before someone from the Dharma Manifestation Realm,


    He would have scoffed at the notion.


    In everyone''s mind, the Longevity Secret Realm could crush a peak Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse with a mere wave of the hand. Yet now, deep inside, he felt a tremor of fear.


    From the recent battle,


    He hadn''t gained the upper hand at all.


    On the contrary, he had lost a hand and had been severely injured.


    If the struggle were to continue,


    He wasn''t sure what the outcome would be.


    With that thought in mind,


    Master Chen Yi lost his earlier arrogance and assertiveness, speaking in a grave voice, "Xiao Yi, I admit your strength is immense, comparable to the number one person on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking. But don''t forget, my Medicine King Valley has three Great Longevities and owes many favors to the powerhouses of the Longevity Secret Realm. If you really want to fight to the death, it won''t just be you facing retaliation from Medicine King Valley��the Daqian Dynasty won''t be able to escape it either!"


    "Are you threatening me?"


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, leaning forward slightly with narrowed eyes.


    A sense of alarm rose in Master Chen Yi''s heart.


    Just as he was about to speak,


    Xiao Yi''s figure vanished from sight once more. While he couldn''t tear through the void to change position like the strong from the Longevity Secret Realm, his speed had nevertheless reached the ultimate level possible beneath the Longevity stage.


    "Not good!"


    Master Chen Yi''s face changed drastically, as he instantly tore through the void, trying to escape.


    However��


    The moment the void rift appeared in front of him, countless Sword Qi surged down before it.


    Transforming into a whistling Sword Array.


    Completely cutting off his escape route.


    "I''ve said it, you can''t leave without my permission!" Xiao Yi''s voice came from all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint his location. Almost simultaneously with his voice, a series of thunderous roars resounded.


    Above Master Chen Yi''s head,


    Xiao Yi emerged with spreading wings, with feathers from his Wind Thunder wings falling all around.


    Like a peacock fanning its tail,


    He unleashed countless feathers as arrows,


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    The Sword Qi howled through the air like a torrential downpour, and in an instant, all of Master Chen Yi''s retreats were sealed off.


    "Medicine King Protection!"


    In a rush, Master Chen Yi could only defend passively. His hands thrust out abruptly as the Martial Dao Fasxiang materialized behind him, forming into a bright red flower, with numerous petals surrounding him.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The Sword Rain fell relentlessly, shattering the protective flower guarding Master Chen Yi.


    Boom!


    The flower burst apart suddenly, but in the moment of explosion, Master Chen Yi shifted his position. Almost as soon as he left, thousands upon thousands of Sword Qi rained down thunderously.


    Amid the booming echoes,


    The heavens changed color, and the cloudless sky, as well as the shaking ground, seemed to collapse.


    Entire mountain ranges, as if facing the apocalypse, were shattered by the terrifying force, reducing them to dust that filled the sky.


    "Damn it..."


    Master Chen Yi''s face shifted colors continuously, a trickle of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. He had pursued the path of Spiritual Nirvana and entered the Longevity Secret Realm. However, his mightiest spiritual attack was utterly ineffective against Xiao Yi.


    Now, as he watched Xiao Yi approach with relentless ferocity, his complexion changed continuously. "I can''t keep tangling with him any longer; I must shake him off and leave this place swiftly!"


    At this moment, Master Chen Yi was filled with endless regret.


    Had he known Xiao Yi''s combat capabilities were so fearsome, why would he have ever dared to make a move against Xiao Yi by himself?


    But...


    No matter how much Master Chen Yi accelerated, Xiao Yi was always able to catch up to him in an instant.


    Disregarding the ability to tear through the void, his speed couldn''t hold a candle to Xiao Yi''s.


    Let alone to shake him off.


    "Master Chen Yi, prepare to die!"


    Xiao Yi watched as he grew closer and closer to Chu County, a flash of cold killing intent streaked across his eyes, and with a cold snort, he declared, "Sword Twenty-Three!"


    Sword Twenty-Three.


    ```


    This was the ultimate sword formed by Xiao Yi merging his Sword Soul with the Sword Domain.


    Whoosh!


    In the midst of the cold Sword Qi, the slicing moon burst forth from the body.


    With a swoosh.


    Like an arrow shot from a bow, it headed straight for Master Chen Yi. The slicing moon''s speed was even faster and more agile than Xiao Yi''s movement technique. In an instant, the chilling sword tip had caught up with Master Chen Yi, and amidst the ringing sounds, the slicing moon suddenly scattered.


    Turning into nine hundred and ninety-nine sword shadows, their tips pointing downward, they formed a circular Sword Array.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The Sword Array exhaled a sky-covering brilliance, this light was so dazzling that it seemed even the billions of miles of sunlight above the firmament were overshadowed. It was as if not even the Ancient Stars could compare to the splendor of this sword.


    Hum!


    Sword Soul vast and mighty.


    A massive Sword Domain appeared instantly beneath Master Chen Yi''s feet.


    A circular Sword Array overhead, a Sword Domain glowing ten thousand zhang beneath his feet.


    Master Chen Yi''s whole body trembled, trapped within the Sword Domain, incapable of struggling free. Watching as the myriad sword shadows descended from the sky, each one of them could easily tear through the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    Even those in the Human Venerate Realm would be like lambs to the slaughter within such a terrifying Sword Domain.


    "No..."


    Master Chen Yi''s complexion changed drastically, revealing a look of despair.


    Under the onslaught of the vast sword rain, the Sword Domain beneath his feet too shone with immense light.


    "Die!"


    Xiao Yi gave the command.


    Between heaven and earth.


    All was silent.


    Only Master Chen Yi''s cry of despair echoed, quickly drowned out by the destructive storm and massive roar caused by the complete outburst of the Sword Domain. Everything seemed to come to a standstill.


    In the midst of heaven and earth, only the light gathered by the Sword Array remained the sole focus.


    The storm, the thunder, the sword light...


    Rampaging and wild.


    Within a radius of five hundred li, everything turned to nothingness.


    The vast sky was left without a single cloud, and within a radius of five hundred li, the land was a total wreck, leveled to the ground.


    When everything dissipated.


    The Wind Thunder wings enveloping Xiao Yi quietly unfolded, and Xiao Yi, with golden light flowing around him, stood suspended in the air.


    In front of him...


    Within the void.


    Master Chen Yi, disheveled and covered in sword wounds, blood dripping everywhere. Spewing out a mouthful of blood, he fainted, falling like a kite with its string cut from the sky.


    Xiao Yi waved his sleeve.


    A sword shadow flew out, piercing through Master Chen Yi''s shoulder, the pain jolting him awake with a scream.


    The sword shadow carried Master Chen Yi to face Xiao Yi.


    Master Chen Yi''s face was twisted with resentment, fear prevailing over his spite as he stared at Xiao Yi, "Xiao... Xiao Yi... I concede, as long as you spare me, my Medicine King Valley will definitely support your Daqian Dynasty with all its might..."


    The once-proud Longevity Secret Realm was now forced to capitulate. S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However...


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh, "Do you think, my Daqian Dynasty needs the support of your Medicine King Valley?"


    Master Chen Yi was startled, a look of helplessness painted across his face.


    With the Chaotic Seas as its backing, the Daqian Dynasty indeed did not need the support of Medicine King Valley.


    After hesitating for a moment, Chen said, "The Daqian Dynasty is indeed strong and has the abundant resources from the Chaotic Seas, but your dynasty''s foundation is too weak, with too few powerful individuals. I... I can join the Daqian Dynasty, as long as you don''t kill me, I can become a patron for the Daqian Dynasty. With my protection, even the Nantian Dynasty would not act rashly..."


    "A patron?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Even in the Nantian Dynasty, some Longevity Secret Realm experts existed as patrons.


    Such a patron from the Longevity Secret Realm held a status akin to that of an emperor.


    Seeing Xiao Yi hesitate, Master Chen Yi secretly sighed with relief, thinking: Just placate him for now, and when I get back, I will have the Valley Master summon the Longevity Secret Realm experts to retaliate. The humiliation of today will be paid back a hundred, a thousandfold...


    Master Chen Yi had already made up a perfect plan in his mind.


    But soon he discovered that his plan was in vain!


    A trace of a smile lifted the corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth as he said indifferently, "Who are you to protect my Daqian Dynasty?"


    As soon as the words were spoken.


    A sword light flashed in front of Master Chen Yi, its silvery glow drawing a spray of fresh blood.


    Master Chen Yi''s head hit the ground!

 Chapter 682 - 681: Earthly Sovereign Elixir

    Thud!


    Master Chen Yi''s head fell to the ground, instantly drenching the earth in red.


    On the blood-soaked ground, lush and verdant vegetation began to grow at a speed visible to the naked eye. In just half an hour, the scorched earth within a hundred miles no longer existed, replaced by a dense jungle.


    Within the jungle, the spiritual energy surged to the sky, and there were many precious medicinal herbs.


    The powerhouses of the Longevity Secret Realm had already transcended the ordinary.


    They were treasures personified!


    The flesh and blood of the Longevity Secret Realm''s strong could be used as rare Spiritual Medicine, and a single hair of theirs contained infinite energy.


    Take Chen Yisi, for example, if one of his hairs were given to a Qi Gathering Realm powerhouse for refinement, once the energy within was fully assimilated, at the very least they could advance to the Shentong Realm.


    It''s akin to the legends where...


    Any puddle where a true dragon had lingered could become a Dragon Transformation Pool, bathing in it could toughen muscles and bones.


    Any tree where a phoenix had perched would be unburned by fire and untouched by lightning.


    Snapping off a single branch, one could directly use it as a primary weapon!


    Although the strong of the Longevity Secret Realm were not akin to such divine beasts nurtured by the heavens and earth, they were still extraordinary beings. Master Chen Yi''s blood had nourished a hundred miles of land, causing such a luxuriant forest to grow.


    And this hadn''t surprised Xiao Yi in the slightest.


    Whoosh!


    The void suddenly tore open.


    A face filled with urgency, Liu Rufeng emerged from within. He had sensed the terrible fluctuations of energy before, but he was still a step too late. Seeing Master Chen Yi lying in a pool of blood, Liu Rufeng felt his scalp tingle.


    He subconsciously thought that Xiao Yi had arranged for a powerhouse from the Longevity Secret Realm to ambush and thus kill Master Chen Yi.


    But looking around��


    Apart from Chen Yisi and Xiao Yi, there were no third parties.


    Gulp!


    Swallowing hard, Liu Rufeng asked, "Xiao, Xiao Yi, did you kill Master Chen Yi?"


    Xiao Yi had already retracted the Wind Thunder wings behind him and with a wave of his sleeve, he collected Master Chen Yi''s body, which was from the Longevity Secret Realm. Although he was only a First-layer Human Venerable and had lost a massive amount of blood, his corpse was still a treasure trove.


    Even if it were just brought back and buried underground at the Xiaoshanhe Institute or transformed into a Blood Qi Tower, it could lead to a significant leap in cultivation for the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The body of a powerhouse from the Longevity Secret Realm could grant the Xiaoshanhe Institute several more reaching the Tao Tribulation Realm or even a few at the Dharma Manifestation Realm without a problem.


    Seeing Xiao Yi skillfully collect Master Chen Yi''s body, the corner of Liu Rufeng''s eye twitched and he offered a wry smile, "Xiao Yi, you''ve stirred up a huge disaster. Master Chen Yi was one of the three great Eighth Grade Alchemists of the Medicine King Valley. By killing him directly, the Valley Master will definitely not let you off!"


    The Medicine King Valley itself has three great Longevity Secret Realms.


    But their truly terrifying power lies in their connections!


    After all.


    Even the powerhouses of the Longevity Secret Realm need auxiliary resources, and how many experts of the Longevity Secret Realm knowledgeable in Alchemy are there?


    The connections that Medicine King Valley has cultivated over a thousand years are not a force to be underestimated.


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "What is the strength of the Medicine King Valley''s Valley Master?"


    Liu Rufeng was taken aback, his brow furrowing, "The Valley Master is a Tenth-layer Human Venerable, just a step away from the Earth Venerate Realm, why do you ask?"


    "Oh, then I can''t beat him for now!"


    Xiao Yi touched his chin and ignoring Liu Rufeng who almost fainted with eyes rolled back, he continued, "I have an elixir recipe here which you can take back and give to the Valley Master of the Medicine King Valley. Tell him, I killed Chen Yi by accident, this could serve as compensation, it should be able to delay things for a while..."


    Tenth-layer Human Venerable!


    Even if the entire Daqian Dynasty was staked, it would not be an opponent for such a strong being.


    What Xiao Yi urgently needed now was time!


    He must find enough Spirit Veins as fast as possible to refine the Nine Grade Longevity Spiritual Elixir. As long as he himself steps into the Longevity Secret Realm, Xiao Yi would have enough confidence to face any threat.


    But for now...


    A proper retreat to gain time for oneself was quite essential!


    "What?"


    Liu Rufeng stared with wide eyes, completely dumbfounded.


    You''ve just killed an Eighth Grade Alchemist of the Medicine King Valley!


    Thinking a mere pill recipe would resolve this grudge?


    Elder Liu almost burst out cursing, thinking Xiao Yi had lost his mind. However, when he glanced at the pill recipe, the words that had reached the tip of his tongue were abruptly swallowed back.


    Gulp!


    "Earth, Earth, Earthly Sovereign Elixir?" Elder Liu''s face was a picture of shock.


    Earthly Sovereign Elixir!


    True to its name, it was the medicinal pill taken to aid in the breakthrough from the Human Venerate Realm to the Earth Venerate Realm.


    This pill could increase the chances of a breakthrough by thirty percent.


    Huff!


    Elder Liu took a deep breath. If this pill recipe were real, then the Medicine King Valley Master would certainly study the recipe the moment he got it. At least until the pill was successfully refined and a breakthrough to the Earth Venerate Realm achieved, he would definitely not trouble Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi grinned and said, "This pill recipe should be fine, right?"


    This Earthly Sovereign Elixir recipe had been modified by Xiao Yi himself.


    The actual recipe for the genuine Earthly Sovereign Elixir in his hands could let a Tenth-layer Human Venerable break through to the Earth Venerate Realm with a hundred percent certainty. After his modifications, the efficacy was reduced to one-third, but it was still enough to drive the Medicine King Valley Master mad!


    Elder Liu stared at Xiao Yi as if looking at a monster and said with a wry smile, "You''ve been preparing this pill recipe all along, haven''t you?"


    Xiao Yi only gave a sly smile in response.


    He had initially thought that if the Medicine King Valley Master''s strength was only at the first or second layer of the Human Venerate, then he''d simply take him down!


    If he was too strong, then he''d stall for time with the Earthly Sovereign Elixir.


    With the standards of Medicine King Valley, researching the pill recipe and refining the pill would take at least two to three years.


    Two to three years!


    For Xiao Yi and the Daqian Dynasty, that was enough time!


    Not to mention whether Xiao Yi himself could successfully break through the Longevity Secret Realm, just forcibly elevating the likes of Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Ji Luanyue, Huang Feihu, Emperor Qian, and Yang Yuhuan to the Longevity Secret Realm was more than sufficient!


    It was precisely because of this��


    That he dared to recklessly slay Master Chen Yi!


    Elder Liu gazed deeply at Xiao Yi, about to speak, when Xiao Yi handed another pill recipe to him, laughing, "Elder Liu, this matter still requires your mediation. Consider this a token of my gratitude!"


    "Hmm?"


    Elder Liu was taken aback, and upon casting his eyes down at the pill recipe, his face underwent a sudden transformation.


    It was also the Earthly Sovereign Elixir.


    But...


    This recipe was several times more ingenious than the one given to the Medicine King Valley Master, with all the details several times more precise, even capable of increasing the breakthrough chances by fifty percent. Such a recipe''s value was a hundred, even a thousand times higher than the previous one. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elder Liu began to breathe rapidly, these recipes were something they could only long for but never reach, yet Xiao Yi nonchalantly threw out several, making Elder Liu''s view of him become incredibly grave, "Xiao Yi, tell me the truth. Do you have an even more complete pill recipe than this one?"


    Xiao Yi just gave a crooked smile, seeing from Elder Liu''s expression that he had been thoroughly persuaded. His own tweaked garbage was being treasured by a mighty person from the Longevity Secret Realm; Xiao Yi was inwardly triumphant and said, "What do you think?"


    "..."


    Elder Liu rolled his eyes, I guess your freaking head!


    Watching the enigmatic smile on Xiao Yi''s face, Elder Liu was utterly swayed.


    Not to mention how precious this pill recipe was.


    Just the thought that Xiao Yi might have even higher-level pill recipes in his possession, like the Heavenly Sovereign Elixir? Or the Supreme Elixir?


    He dared not ponder further��


    But couldn''t suppress the anticipation and greed welling up inside him. Taking a deep breath, Elder Liu glared fiercely at Xiao Yi and said, "Three years, I can assure you that Medicine King Valley won''t lay a hand on the Daqian Dynasty for up to three years."


    Xiao Yi gave a broad smile and said, "Three years will be enough! After three years, the younger generation will have another gift for the elder!"


    "..."


    Elder Liu sighed, realizing he had completely boarded Xiao Yi''s bandwagon. He sighed deeply, "You better leave quickly. The news of Master Chen Yi''s death will likely spread through the Southern State soon, and your Daqian Dynasty is now tentatively on stable ground!"


    "Then I''ll have to trouble Elder Liu!"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily and took off into the sky.


    Watching the departing figure, Elder Liu rubbed his eyebrows and murmured, "What a terrifying young man�� Luckily, he is an ally, not an enemy, to me!"

 Chapter 683 - 682: The Number One Person Under Immortality!

    "Thank goodness I am his friend, not his foe!"


    With a long sigh of relief, Liu Rufeng looked around with a complex expression.


    This place wasn''t too far from Chu County.


    He believed that soon poweful figures would come rushing over, and the news of Master Chen Yi''s death couldn''t be concealed for long.


    With this thought.


    Liu Rufeng waved his sleeve and entered the Void Rift.


    Shortly after...


    Medicine King Valley.


    Liu Rufeng met with Valley Master Yaochen Zi.


    Yaochen Zi sensed the fluctuations in space, expecting that it was Master Chen Yi returning with Xiao Yi captured, but it was Liu Rufeng who appeared. He frowned slightly and said, "Elder Liu, why have you come back?"


    Liu Rufeng let out a sigh, "Elder Chen is dead!"


    "Hmm?"


    Yaochen Zi was stunned, then laughed, "Elder Liu, that''s not a very funny joke."


    "I am not joking with you!"


    Liu Rufeng bitterly smiled and said, "You sent Master Chen Yi to kill Xiao Yi, but instead, he was killed by Xiao Yi!"


    "..."


    The smile on Yaochen Zi''s face became even more radiant as he laughed heartily, "Elder Liu, you really are joking. If you had said Elder Chen had fallen, it might be possible, but you''re saying Xiao Yi killed him? As far as I know, that Xiao Yi is merely at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, how could he possibly kill Elder Chen!"


    Yaochen Zi shook his head with a dismissive chuckle, refusing to believe that Xiao Yi, a mere Dharma Phase Realm Peak, could truly slay Chen Yi, a First-layer Human Venerable.


    But soon he could laugh no longer.


    Seeing Liu Rufeng silent and offering no defense, Yaochen Zi''s heart skipped a beat, and he asked gravely, "Elder Liu, is everything you said true? Elder Chen, was he really killed by Xiao Yi?"


    Alas!


    Liu Rufeng sighed and nodded, "I witnessed it with my own eyes."


    Hiss!


    Yaochen Zi inhaled sharply, his face turning a shade paler.


    The Medicine King Valley''s three Longevity Secret Realms, three eighth-ranked alchemists, these were the foundation of their standing.


    And now Master Chen Yi was dead? S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was shaking the foundation of Medicine King Valley!


    "Did Xiao Yi get any help?" Yaochen Zi asked.


    Liu Rufeng said, "I don''t know that!"


    Whew!


    Yaochen Zi took a deep breath, his eyes flickering with a piercing chill, his predatory gaze filled with a fierce killing intent, "What a Xiao Yi, what a Xiao Zhenguo. No matter what trick you used to kill Elder Chen, Medicine King Valley will never let you go. Elder Liu, immediately have our people distribute the Medicine King''s Invitation, this Valley Master wants to annihilate his Daqian Dynasty..."


    "Valley Master, please wait!"


    Liu Rufeng spoke up to stop him, and noticing the displeased look from Yaochen Zi landing on him, Liu Rufeng said, "Valley Master, Xiao Yi left me with something before he departed. He hoped to settle the grudge with this item!"


    "Humph, what could be worth more than an eighth-ranked alchemist of Medicine King Valley?" Yaochen Zi said with disdain.


    Liu Rufeng said, "It''s an elixir recipe!"


    "Elixir recipe? Hahaha, Elder Liu, you''re confused. What elixir recipe in this world does Medicine King Valley not possess..."


    Yaochen Zi scoffed and took the elixir recipe from Liu Rufeng''s hands, but after only a glance, his expression drastically changed, and his breathing quickened, "This, this elixir recipe..."


    Liu Rufeng shrugged his shoulders, "Xiao Yi asked me to hand it to you!"


    Yaochen Zi frowned and said, "What does he mean by this? With this elixir recipe, he wants to trade for Elder Chen''s life? Elder Liu, don''t tell me you''ve already agreed to him!"


    This elixir recipe indeed enticed him.


    But...


    If it''s merely a formula like this one you wish to exchange for the life of a powerful individual from the Longevity Secret Realm, it''s obviously insufficient!


    Liu Rufeng shook his head and said, "I naturally couldn''t agree to it, however, we can postpone the time for our revenge." He paused for a moment, and under the watchful eyes of Yaochen Zi, he continued, "Valley Master, both you and I are Tenth-layer Human Venerables, only a step away from the Earth Venerate Realm. If we can develop the Earthly Sovereign Elixir, our ascent to the Earth Venerate Realm is imminent!"


    "What does that have to do with delaying our vengeance?" Yaochen Zi frowned.


    Liu Rufeng replied gravely, "May I ask the Valley Master, if we kill Xiao Yi now and annihilate the Daqian Dynasty, who stands to gain the most?"


    Yaochen Zi was momentarily stunned, then hesitantly replied, "The Nantian Dynasty!"


    Even if they were to annihilate the Daqian Dynasty now, with the strength of Medicine King Valley, they wouldn''t be able to claim it for themselves.


    In the end, it would fall into the hands of the Nantian Dynasty.


    "Doesn''t the Nantian Dynasty have the power to overthrow the Daqian Dynasty? Based on the information we obtained earlier, Xiao Yi has ties with Baiyu, and the Nantian Dynasty has been tolerating the Daqian Dynasty because they fear provoking Baiyu."


    Liu Rufeng nodded and went on, "If Xiao Yi indeed has Baiyu''s backing, and we destroy the Daqian Dynasty, it is Medicine King Valley that would face the wrath of Baiyu. If Xiao Yi has no backing from the Daqian Dynasty, and we destroy him, the Nantian Dynasty can reclaim the territory of the Daqian Dynasty, and we would not be able to resist!"


    Yaochen Zi''s eyes lit up with understanding, his ambition evident as he caught on to Liu Rufeng''s implication, "But if both you and I step into the Earth Venerate Realm, even the Nantian Dynasty would not easily shake us, and then the Daqian Dynasty would belong to Medicine King Valley!"


    "Exactly!"


    Liu Rufeng nodded, "And during this time, we can also continue to investigate whether Xiao Yi really has any connection with Baiyu."


    "Elder Liu''s considerations are indeed thorough!" Yaochen Zi nodded, his eyes narrowing as he said, "Then let Xiao Yi enjoy his freedom for a while longer, while you and I join forces first to create the Earthly Sovereign Elixir. Once we step into the Earth Venerate Realm, Medicine King Valley will command the Daqian Dynasty in the future..."


    Yaochen Zi''s eyes twinkled with excited light.


    With the influence of Medicine King Valley, and by controlling a kingdom, there was a real chance to stand toe to toe with the Nantian Dynasty, becoming one of the two titans of the Southern State!


    Watching the excitement on Yaochen Zi''s face, Liu Rufeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "Xiao Yi, I''ve done all I could..."


    ...


    Medicine King Valley might temporarily abandon its pursuit of vengeance, but this did not delay the news of Master Chen Yi''s death from spreading.


    Just as Liu Rufeng had predicted.


    The death of Master Chen Yi quickly spread throughout the entire Nantian Dynasty.


    After all, the fall of a high-ranking expert from the Longevity Secret Realm was a major event, even in the Nantian Dynasty.


    Various powers, through careful investigation, soon learned that the one who had died in battle was one of the three great Rank-8 Alchemists from Medicine King Valley, Master Chen Yi. When this news spread, the entire Southern State was shaken.


    Various forces continued to probe Medicine King Valley, hoping to learn the identity of the killer.


    When they learned from Medicine King Valley that the murderer was Xiao Yi of the Daqian Dynasty, the entire Southern State was utterly astounded.


    Who is Xiao Yi?


    In the past half-year...


    These two characters had almost become legendary!


    A youth who had reached the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm and single-handedly created an empire that could rival the Nantian Dynasty.


    Not even twenty years old!


    Yet he was already full of miraculous achievements!


    But even before this...


    The miracles created by Xiao Yi paled in comparison to this piece of news.


    A finisher of the Dharma Phase Realm Peak, slaying an expert from the Longevity Secret Realm!


    This was beyond what the word ''miracle'' could describe.


    The name Xiao Yi sent shockwaves through the Southern State.


    Some even placed him at the top of the current Heavenly Dragon Ranking, calling him the number one person under the realm of immortality!


    Long Sihai, upon hearing the news, went immediately to the Nantian Imperial Palace to see the Emperor.


    And on this day.


    There were still five days left until the founding ceremony of the Daqian Dynasty...

 Chapter 684 - 683: Blood Qi Tower!

    Nantian Dynasty, within the imperial palace.


    The one-eyed, one-armed Long Sihai stood expressionless to one side while the current most powerful being in the Nantian Dynasty sat on the dragon throne before him.


    The Emperor of the Nantian Dynasty��Nantian Wen.


    Nantian Wen squinted as he reviewed the memorials, but without lifting his head, he said indifferently, "So, this means... Xiao Yi has slain Master Chen Yi with the peak power of the Dharma Phase Realm, and his strength has increased several times more than when he fought you, has it not?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty!"


    Long Sihai responded in a deep voice.


    His own cultivation had reached the Fifth Layer Human Venerable, and in his previous fight with Xiao Yi, he had judged him to be comparable to the top five of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi had slain Master Chen Yi, and naturally, his combat prowess needed to be reassessed.


    Nantian Wen slowly lifted his gaze, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes, "The peak of the Dharma Phase Realm, yet capable of slaying the First-layer Human Venerable. Such talent not belonging to our Nantian Dynasty is truly a pity."


    Long Sihai didn''t speak.


    The man before him was not only the ruler of the Nantian Dynasty but also the most domineering and powerful emperor in the history of the dynasty.


    This was also the only existence that dared to confront the Nantian Holy Land.


    Before Nantian Wen, all the geniuses of the Nantian Dynasty were recruited by the Nantian Holy Land, but now there was also the Nantian Holy Institute.


    This Nantian Holy Institute was personally established by Nantian Wen.


    He even assumed the position of the dean.


    No one knew the true extent of Nantian Wen''s strength, but Long Sihai had witnessed Nantian Wen single-handedly suppress a venerable Human Venerable-class expert of the Nantian Holy Land. It was precisely because of this that the Nantian Holy Land turned a blind eye, allowing the existence of the Nantian Holy Institute. Otherwise, with the domineering nature of the Nantian Holy Land, it would be impossible for the Nantian Dynasty to establish the Nantian Holy Institute.


    It was because of this.


    Long Sihai, the Chief Inspector, was exceedingly respectful when facing Nantian Wen.


    And also exceedingly loyal.


    Nantian Wen put down the memorial in his hand, his eyes squinting as if a slumbering dragon was quietly opening its eyes. He didn''t continue to inquire about Xiao Yi but instead asked, "I remember that the so-called Daqian Dynasty will hold its founding ceremony in five days, won''t it?"


    "Yes!"


    Long Sihai nodded.


    Nantian Wen leaned back, his profound eyes reflecting the dragon and auspicious cloud patterns on the ceiling, and said faintly, "Let Shen Qianyi take a trip."


    "Your Majesty means..." Long Sihai tentatively asked.


    Shen Qianyi.


    He was the first person on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking!


    Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, but with the terrifying track record of grievously wounding a First-layer Human Venerable super-genius.


    Nantian Wen said, "Let him take an Eighth-layer demon beast over there, consider it a founding congratulatory gift for the Daqian Dynasty..."


    Long Sihai''s gaze shifted, and he did not immediately question further. Knowing Nantian Wen well, he was certain there was a follow-up.


    Sure enough...


    Nantian Wen fell silent momentarily, then said in a low voice, "Isn''t everyone now saying that Xiao Yi is the number one person under Longevity? Surely our young friend Shen Qianyi must be feeling very complicated, right? Young people are impulsive... don''t you agree?"


    Long Sihai''s eyes lit up.


    He immediately understood Nantian Wen''s intention.


    Currently, they were unclear about Xiao Yi''s relationship with Baiyu. Moreover, considering the strained relationship between Nantian Wen and the Nantian Holy Land, the Holy Land would not assist them in inquiring about Baiyu''s intentions. They were also unsure of Baiyu''s stance. If the Nantian Dynasty made a move, the risk would be too great!


    But if Shen Qianyi took action, it would be a fight among peers.


    Even if Baiyu intervened afterward...


    They could simply respond with the excuse that the youth were impulsive, and Shen Qianyi could not bear losing, thus challenging Xiao Yi.


    However, if Shen Qianyi were to kill or grievously wound Xiao Yi and Baiyu remained indifferent...


    It would certainly clarify Baiyu''s attitude.


    They could then proceed with the next step.


    A thought struck him.


    Long Sihai spoke in a deep voice, "Your subordinate understands!"


    "Go!"


    As Nantian Wen waved his hand and waited for Long Sihai to leave, he straightened up in his seat and raised his hand to rub his eyebrows. The brush in his hand gently traced the characters for ''sacred land,'' and staring at them for a moment, he muttered, "Baiyu? Nantian Sacred Land? You lofty sacred lands..."


    Following Nantian Wen as he stood up to leave,


    the characters for ''sacred land'' on the desk, like withering flowers, fell apart.


    ...


    Great Qian Dynasty.


    Outside the Imperial City, on Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    The moment Xiao Yi returned to Xiaoshanhe Institute, he retrieved Master Chen Yi''s corpse and removed his storage ring.


    After searching through it,


    he found many precious Spiritual Medicines inside; just the Eighth-grade Spiritual Medicines alone were more than thirty in number, plus a good amount of valuable elixirs, and more than a hundred billion pieces of silver, causing Xiao Yi to sigh in admiration, "As expected of one of the three great Eightfold Alchemists from Medicine King Valley, just the wealth within this storage ring exceeds five hundred billion pieces of silver..."


    He collected all of these items.


    Touching his chin while looking at the corpse of Master Chen Yi, Xiao Yi mused, "It would be a waste to let such powerful energy go unused. I''ll transform it into a Blood Qi Tower, so that Ye Heng and the rest can cultivate inside it. Once the energy within this corpse is fully depleted, Ye Heng should be able to reach the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, or even break through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm..."


    The energy contained within a Longevity Secret Realm expert was simply too terrifying!


    Ye Heng''s cultivation had reached the Eighth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, while Jin Feiyan was at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm. Contrarily, Ruan Yunyi, coming from behind, now had a cultivation at the Sixth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.


    Besides them,


    there were many disciples within Xiaoshanhe Institute who had also reached the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Xiao Yi selected two hundred Golden Core Realm practitioners, fifty Tao Tribulation Realm practitioners, and ten Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouses. He then instructed the Shadow Demon to gather all these people together.


    He himself took on the task of constructing the Blood Qi Tower.


    After all, he was using the corpse of a Longevity Secret Realm expert to create the Blood Qi Tower, and he didn''t want to leak this news. It was more convenient to handle these matters himself. With his abilities, in just an hour, he constructed the Blood Qi Tower and buried Master Chen Yi''s corpse beneath it, setting up multiple layers of Formations.


    He even buried the Xuan Character Longevity Cauldron within it.


    With its aid...


    the speed at which Master Chen Yi''s internal energy could be refined was significantly increased.


    Then, one by one, Ye Heng and the others entered the Blood Qi Tower and began what could only be described as a terrifyingly intense cultivation frenzy...


    Of course,


    even with the Array and the Longevity Cauldron''s assistance, refining all the energy inside Master Chen Yi would take at least a year and a half. Clearly, they would miss the Great Qian Dynasty''s founding ceremony. Xiao Yi sealed the Blood Qi Tower and, just as he returned to his residence, the Shadow Demon informed him that Yang Ling was already waiting outside to see him.


    Xiao Yi certainly knew the purpose of Yang Ling''s visit.


    It was nothing other than for the founding ceremony.


    He summoned Yang Ling in.


    Upon meeting,


    Yang Ling immediately smiled and said, "Congratulations to Xiao Zhenguo, for becoming the foremost person under the Immortals in Southern State!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes.


    He naturally had heard the news from the Nantian Dynasty; helplessly, he asked, "Apart from this, is there anything else?"


    Yang Ling chuckled and took out a Storage Ring, grinning as he said, "The old ancestor personally traveled through the Daqian Dynasty and found a thousand Fire Attribute Spirit Veins, asking me to hand them over to you!"


    "A thousand Fire Attribute Spirit Veins?" S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes lit up; with a thousand Fire Attribute Spirit Veins in hand, he could completely refine another drop of Longevity Spirit. Coupled with the fact that Bai Fa Sword Emperor was a Fire Attribute powerhouse, with his strength progressing to the Longevity Secret Realm, his combat prowess would certainly be above Yang Zun''s. Xiao Yi''s lips curled upwards as he said, "Yang Ling, hand over the items to me, and you should hurry and call for Bai Fa Sword Emperor!"


    "Yes!"


    Yang Ling respectfully withdrew.


    "In five days, the founding ceremony will take place..."


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and toyed with the Storage Ring in his hand, murmuring to himself, "It seems that when the Great Qian Dynasty is founded, there will be two Longevity Secret Realm powerhouses in place. I wonder, what will the mood be like for those people from the Nantian Dynasty when they hear this news?"

 Chapter 685 - 684 Shen Qianyi

    ```


    An hour later. S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor appeared at Xiaoshanhe Institute, unaware of the reason Xiao Yi had summoned him.


    Upon entering Xiao Yi''s separate courtyard, the Bai Fa Sword Emperor smiled and said, "Xiao Zhenguo, for what important matter have you called me here?"


    He had now been appointed as the Grand Marshal Tianbao.


    Although he did not possess the defiance-of-heaven ability to fight across levels like Xiao Yi, his strength still ranked in the top five of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking. Once he enters the Longevity Secret Realm, his combat power would undoubtedly be many times that of Yang Zun''s.


    Even with his superb swordsmanship, he could match a second-level Human Venerate!


    Xiao Yi had already had Little Lin refining the Spirit of Longevity in the secret chamber.


    He glanced at the Bai Fa Sword Emperor.


    During this time, the Bai Fa Sword Emperor had led armies in battles to the south and north, earning great merit through his arduous efforts. Moreover, the Evil Qi on him had grown increasingly intense. Standing there, he gave off an impression like a mighty army of thousands, especially with his Sword Qi now even more condensed than before. Xiao Yi said, "It seems your path in swordsmanship has made no small breakthrough!"


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor chuckled and replied, "After witnessing your battle with Long Sihai, I had some insights!"


    Xiao Yi''s Sword Soul Path is the supreme sword path.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor pursues the Sword Path of Slaughter, which is below the supreme sword path. Thus, when he observed Xiao Yi exhibiting the Sword Soul Path, he also had some realizations.


    Add to that the battles fought during his campaigns in the north and south.


    He gradually carved his path and condensed a domain of slaughter.


    His combat strength had improved significantly as well!


    From the top five in the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, he had reached the realm of the top three.


    Xiao Yi squinted as he assessed the Bai Fa Sword Emperor. Among the strong ones he had encountered in the Chaotic Sea Domain, the Bai Fa Sword Emperor was the one Xiao Yi held in highest esteem. He said in a deep voice, "Bai Fa, do you desire immortality?"


    "Hmm?"


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor was startled, his eyes gleaming sharply as he stared fixedly at Xiao Yi.


    His breathing involuntarily grew heavy.


    Immortality!


    Who wouldn''t want it?


    If he hadn''t been seeking Su Wuxie, he would have left the Chaotic Sea Domain long ago to search for the Spirit of Longevity.


    But...


    The Spirit of Longevity has always been controlled by the major holy lands.


    With the Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s background as a pirate, the holy lands never paid him any attention, as they are high and mighty. How would they consider a former pirate leader?


    It is precisely because of this...


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor chose to stay in the Daqian Dynasty.


    Sigh!


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor took a deep breath to calm his emotions and asked, "Xiao Zhenguo, do you mean..."


    He was aware of the relationship between Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu.


    That''s the saintess of Baiyu!


    If Xiao Yi really could give him one or two Spirits of Longevity, it would not be an incomprehensible affair.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward as he nodded and said, "You guessed correctly. I have a Spirit of Longevity in my possession."


    Thump!


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor knelt heavily on the ground, his eyes red as he swore an oath, "I, Bai Fa, hereby swear under heaven that if Xiao Zhenguo is willing to bestow the Spirit of Longevity upon me, I will devote my life, willing to give my all in repayment to Xiao Zhenguo! Should I break this oath, may I be struck by the five thunders, body and soul utterly destroyed!"


    Rumble!


    Soft thunder rumbled from beyond the skies.


    Lightning blazed across the heavens.


    Xiao Yi''s lips wore a slight smile, appreciating the Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s cleverness in grasping his intentions.


    A blood oath.


    This is unbreakable.


    Once betrayed, it will create a Heart Demon, just like the oath, annihilating both body and form.


    Xiao Yi waved his sleeve to have the Bai Fa Sword Emperor stand up and spoke indifferently, "You should go into the secret chamber to quietly cultivate and adjust your condition. Tonight, I will send the Spirit of Longevity to you. At the upcoming national founding ceremony, many powerful figures from all directions will come. I hope you can enter the Longevity Secret Realm before the ceremony begins!"


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor is different from Yang Zun.


    Whether in talent, comprehension, or his own power.


    Yang Zun is far from being a match for the Bai Fa Sword Emperor.


    ```


    Despite this...


    Yang Zun refines the spirit of longevity, and it only consumed half a month''s time.


    Now, there were still five days left until the founding ceremony, by then, with the help of the Longevity Cauldron, it would be completely sufficient to let Bai Fa Sword Emperor refine the spirit of longevity and step into the Longevity Secret Realm.


    "Xiao Zhenguo, rest assured, I will do my utmost!" Bai Fa Sword Emperor nodded vehemently.


    That very night.


    Xiao Yi delivered the freshly refined spirit of longevity to the secret chamber where Bai Fa Sword Emperor was located. This time, the spirit of longevity that had been refined was one grade higher than what Yang Zun had refined, a fifth-grade spirit of longevity, which was even more conducive to stimulating the strength of Bai Fa Sword Emperor.


    He placed the Longevity Cauldron in the secret chamber.


    Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "I will protect you here!"


    "Mm!"


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor took a deep breath, his eyes filled with a fervent glow, and with one finger, he sliced open his palm. The crimson spirit of longevity shot into his palm with a whoosh. It instantly merged into his blood and began to circulate throughout his body. Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s whole body shuddered, his entire body flushed red in an instant, like a cooked shrimp.


    Huge beads of sweat kept seeping out.


    Within those sweat beads, there were even glaring streaks of blood.


    The blood-red sweat rolled down, drip-dropping to the ground.


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor endured the intense pain, circulating his vital energy to refine the spirit of longevity. The blood sweat on his body gradually ignited, turning into strands of crimson flames, enveloping his entire body. Like a man of fire, Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s white hair, as concentrated as sword threads, fluttered wildly, his terrifying aura sweeping in all directions...


    Fortunately, Xiao Yi was protecting the law at his side. He instantly set up dozens of layers of Formations, which then prevented the terrible aura from leaking out.


    While Xiao Yi protected Bai Fa Sword Emperor and helped him break through to the Longevity Secret Realm.


    By the banks of the Heavenly River at the border of the Nantian Dynasty...


    A figure was walking on water.


    The tumultuous waves of the Heavenly River didn''t wet him at all; every step he took covered hundreds of feet, as if shrinking the ground into an inch with Divine Skills under his feet.


    In an instant.


    This person had traversed the hundred-mile stretch of the Heavenly River.


    And entered the territory of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    The young man was handsome and elegant in his white robes, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, his light smile as breezy as the wind. With his hands clasped behind his back, he glanced around for directions, but then slightly frowned, "In which direction is the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    Clip-clop-clip-clop!


    A caravan approached on the road ahead.


    The young man raised an eyebrow and stepped forward, stopping in front of the caravan.


    Whoa...


    The caravan immediately halted.


    A bulky strongman with the build of a bear jumped down from his horse, gazing at the young man, and asked, "Who are you? What do you want by blocking our way?"


    The youth spoke lightly, "How do I get to the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    "So you''re just asking for directions!"


    The strongman let out a sigh of relief, then laughed, "It seems you''re also going to the capital for the founding ceremony. We''re heading there too; how about we give you a lift?"


    However...


    The youth slightly furrowed his brows, glancing at the strongman with a glimpse of disdain and mockery in his eyes, "What sort of thing are you, to think you''re fit to travel with me, Shen Qianyi?"


    "Huh?"


    The strongman was taken aback, Shen Qianyi''s attitude left him somewhat displeased.


    His companions said from behind, "Boss, don''t waste words with him. Let''s go on our own!"


    "This kid doesn''t know any better. We kindly invited him, and he even mocks us like this, why bother with him?"


    The strongman sighed, mounted his horse, and pointed southeast, "Just keep heading southeast, and you''ll arrive at the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Thank you for the directions, and to show my gratitude, I will let you have the honor of becoming souls under my blade," said Shen Qianyi with a crooked smile, as an endless sword intent erupted from him without a move.


    Rumble!


    The caravan in front of him fell apart instantly, no one spared.


    "What an honor it is to die under my blade!"


    Looking at the corpses scattered on the ground, Shen Qianyi smiled faintly. Glancing towards the southeast, he walked through the air, his muttering reverberating through the heavens and the earth, "Xiao Yi, is it? I''d like to see who among us truly stands as the foremost under the heavens!"


    PS: I recommend "I Have Three Thousand Worlds," an interesting book!

 Chapter 686 - 685: Tell Him to Come Out and Die!

    Great Daqian Dynasty, the imperial capital.


    In the past half year, the size of the imperial capital had expanded threefold, and the imperial palace was directly built on top of the massive pit that had been created during the battle between Xiao Yi and Xiao Tianjiao.


    Of course...


    This colossal pit had already been filled in.


    The newly constructed imperial palace was even more majestic and imposing, and just a hundred meters from the main entrance of the palace was the Pride of Heaven Square that covered over a hundred thousand square meters.


    Right in the middle of Pride of Heaven Square stood a statue of Xiao Yi. S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dressed in black, with flowing ink-black hair, a face as fine as jade, and eyes like bright stars. Holding a sharp sword and stepping on the constellations, he stood proudly between heaven and earth, as if he were a sword himself. Contained within it was a trace of Xiao Yi''s Sword Intent, and all the ministers passing by must kneel three times and kowtow nine times as a sign of respect.


    Even the princes, the empresses, and the reigning emperor.


    When passing through Pride of Heaven Square, one must not fly through the air or ride on mounts and carriages.


    They could only walk!


    This was a rule set by Emperor Qian, and no one could break it!


    No matter how much Xiao Yi opposed this, Emperor Qian and the ministers insisted on it, leaving him quite helpless.


    On this occasion of the national founding ceremony.


    It was extremely rare for the imperial palace to be open to the public, especially the Pride of Heaven Square, which for the first time was exposed to everyone''s sight. People who saw the statue, comparable to a War God, could not help but look at it with reverence and longing: "This is our Daqian Dynasty''s Xiao Zhenguo, and it is said that from now on, the succession of the Daqian Dynasty''s throne will be completed in front of the statue of Xiao Zhenguo at Pride of Heaven Square!"


    "If it weren''t for Xiao Zhenguo, where would our Great Daqian Dynasty be?"


    "It is said that Emperor Qian personally stated that the Great Daqian Dynasty could be without an emperor, could do without anyone, but it must never be without Xiao Zhenguo!"


    "This is the true son of heaven. With great strength, he should guard our nation''s gates and defend our homeland. Not like that Xiao Tianjiao before, who ran to cozy up to the Nantian Dynasty for a bit of power, and disregarded the life and death of his own country..."


    The city walls all around were crowded with people.


    On both sides of the streets inside and outside the palace, there were also figures of the common people.


    The elevation of the Great Qian Dynasty to the Great Daqian Dynasty was a joyous occasion celebrated by all.


    Especially after the Nantian Dynasty''s army pressed close to the border, and the entire Great Qian Dynasty united as one to resist the Nantian invasion, the whole dynasty became much more united than ever before.


    The soldiers hardly needed to maintain order.


    The citizens were orderly on their own.


    On the wide streets.


    Wide enough to accommodate eighteen carriages side by side, powerhouses from all different forces were continuously converging here.


    The erstwhile ten great sects had now all become part of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Then there were the kings and nobles from over a thousand kingdoms, as well as the strong sects from all the states, who all appeared on the streets, marching towards the palace.


    Gazing upon such an imposing palace, and the well-ordered and united common people around, all the strong ones were inexplicably shocked.


    At the very front of the formation...


    Jiang Tai, the former lord of Tianqing Kingdom and the current King of Tianqing, led the way. During the invasion by the Nantian Dynasty, only the Tianqing Kingdom had given full support to the Great Qian Dynasty with all its might. Emperor Qian had also etched this into his heart; even though the emperors of the great kingdoms were nominally made kings, they held no real power.


    Only under Jiang Tai''s command did the military structure of Tianqing Kingdom remain intact.


    This was not only because of the assistance the Tianqing Kingdom provided but also because of the deep relationship between Jiang Tai and Xiao Yi.


    "Is that King Jiang Tai of Tianqing?"


    "Yes, it is indeed Jiang Tai! I heard that during the attack by the Nantian Dynasty, only King of Tianqing led his entire nation''s forces to help us, and Tianqing Kingdom also suffered heavy losses!"


    "You don''t know the whole story. King Jiang Tai and Xiao Zhenguo are life-and-death brothers..."


    The discussions among the crowd reached Jiang Tai''s ears.


    The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and he straightened his chest.


    The mighty Xiao Zhenguo was his brother in life and death!


    Just this sentence alone was enough to allow Jiang Tai to walk with his head held high in the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Behind Jiang Tai, a host of powerhouses from former countries and major forces couldn''t help revealing their envy.


    Once upon a time...


    They didn''t even give Jiang Tai a second glance, but now, he had become a figure they could only look up to but never reach.


    A group of people entered the imperial palace and on Pride of Heaven Square, a viewing platform had already been prepared for everyone. Jiang Tai''s place was right beside Yang Ling. Yang Ling was the crown prince of the dynasty, but when he faced Jiang Tai, he still adopted an amiable attitude and said with a smile, "Brother Jiang, you''re late!"


    Jiang Tai responded helplessly, "It''s really too far from Tianqing Province to here!"


    Yang Ling burst into hearty laughter, "The Tianqing Royal Mansion is almost built. The next time you come, you can stay for a longer period. Xiao Zhenguo misses you a lot as well!"


    "Hmm!"


    Jiang Tai smiled broadly, recalling the moments he shared with Xiao Yi in Tianqing Kingdom and said, "It''s been some days since I''ve seen him."


    "You''ll see him in a bit. Please take a seat and wait for a moment!"


    Yang Ling personally showed Jiang Tai to his seat, which was in the front row, apart from Jiang Tai and Xiao Yi, the rest were all royal family members.


    This caused the group of strong ones looking at Jiang Tai to burn with envious desire.


    Jiang Tai surveyed the mighty figures who had come for the founding ceremony, it truly was a gathering of heroes, a cloud of the strong, and he felt a wave of emotion, "Who would have thought that, in just a few short years, Xiao Yi would have come this far..."


    Back in the Tianqing Kingdom of yesteryears.


    Who could have imagined Xiao Yi''s achievements today?


    Although Tianqing Kingdom no longer existed, having become a province of the Great Qian Dynasty, the territory of Tianqing Province was five times larger than the former Tianqing Kingdom.


    Moreover, the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty had granted Tianqing Province a high degree of autonomy; in essence, Tianqing Kingdom had simply changed its name.


    His Jiang clan, still the ruler of Tianqing Province.


    All this was thanks to Xiao Yi!


    Just think...


    Royalty and nobility from other kingdoms and dynasties were now acting timid, while he, could stand tall and converse with the Crown Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty as brothers.


    Wasn''t it all because of Xiao Yi?


    It was only at this moment...


    That Jiang Tai truly understood the old saying, "When one man attains the Dao, his poultry and dogs ascend to heaven."


    The ancients indeed never lied!


    Jiang Tai thought to himself, but he also heard someone whispering, "The Great Qian Dynasty ultimately lacks deep foundations, with no true Longevity Secret Realm experts to stand guard, even though it''s said that the Holy Land Baiyu Capital stands behind it, not a single person from Baiyu Capital has come for the founding ceremony. I suspect there''s something fishy about this!"


    "Baiyu Capital is, after all, immeasurably far from the Southern State. If the Great Qian Dynasty doesn''t have its own Longevity Secret Realm experts, I''m afraid that there are still many who will covet it."


    "What''s there to fear? Doesn''t the Great Qian Dynasty have Xiao Zhenguo?"


    "Xiao Zhenguo? Hmph, merely at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Unless he steps into the Longevity Secret Realm, his weight is still insufficient..."


    As people were discussing among themselves.


    Suddenly...


    An ice-cold voice suddenly originated from afar, reverberating over the entire imperial capital, "Where is Xiao Yi? Let him come out and face his death!"

 Chapter 687 - 686: The Battle for Number One!

    "Where is Xiao Yi? Why hasn''t he shown himself to die?"


    An icy and arrogant voice suddenly came.


    Within the entire imperial capital, the originally bustling and noisy citizens all closed their mouths.


    One by one, they looked up in astonishment at the figure suspended in the sky.


    The newcomer was Shen Qianyi!


    Under his feet stood a huge magical beast, a hundred zhang long and dozens of zhang tall.


    This magical beast resembled an elephant, but its pair of ears was immensely huge, creating terrifying storms with each flutter. Its trunk, over a dozen zhang in length, could whip up and suck in the air, causing a huge and mighty force that vibrated the void.


    The beast was known as the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant!


    The Fierce Earth Demon Elephant was an extremely rare beast, equivalent to a human Second-layer Human Venerate, an Eighth-layer magical beast.


    The Fierce Earth Demon Elephant possessed astonishing strength; it was said that a stomp of its feet could trigger flash floods and shake a thousand miles of the earth. A single inhale from its trunk could dry up an entire river, and the quiver of its ears could unleash destructive hurricanes capable of easily wiping out a kingdom.


    When the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant appeared suspended over the imperial capital,


    all the powerhouses of the imperial capital were dumbstruck.


    Jiang Tai''s face changed abruptly, "Is this an Eighth-layer magical beast? Comparable to the beings of the Longevity Secret Realm?"


    "This is terrible, someone has come to cause trouble during the founding ceremony... We must inform Xiao Zhenguo immediately!"


    "Only Xiao Zhenguo can suppress this demon..."


    The former nobility of the great kingdoms were filled with joy, clenching their fists, all secretly praying, "I hope heaven opens its eyes and lets this terrifying Longevity beast directly annihilate the Daqian Dynasty! That way, we could regain our former glory and noble status..."


    "Xiao Yi? Hmph, no matter how strong he is, can he really stand against a Longevity Secret Realm powerhouse?"


    "Look, there''s a young man on the back of that beast. He has an aura incredibly terrifying. I think just this young man alone could defeat Xiao Yi!"


    Under the watchful eyes of all,


    Shen Qianyi, yet to see Xiao Yi, frowned slightly and then patted the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant''s head.


    Roar!


    The Elephant''s dozen zhang long trunk violently whipped up, rolling up a storm in the void, and suddenly, a fierce wind blew towards the ground.


    This gust of wind was extremely violent.


    If it fell upon the imperial capital, at the very least thousands of houses would collapse, and over a hundred thousand people would die or be injured...


    "Stop!"


    "How dare you make trouble in the Daqian Dynasty''s capital? Do you have a death wish?"


    Amidst the cold roar of fury,


    a series of figures soared into the sky.


    At the forefront was none other than the unparalleled War King, Yang Yuhuan, along with Ji Luanyue and Huang Feihu.


    Knowing full well the terror of the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant, but in order to defend the dignity of the Daqian Dynasty, they had no choice but to steel themselves and charge forward.


    Their courage was commendable!


    But their strength was insufficient!


    Boom!


    Facing the terrifying storm, they were violently blown away.


    Yang Yuhuan vomited blood, his aura weakened significantly, and he suddenly fell from the void.


    "A bunch of overconfident trash, daring to obstruct the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant?"


    A slight smile curled on Shen Qianyi''s lips, his voice booming and echoing across the sky above the capital, "Xiao Yi, aren''t you proclaimed as the foremost person below Longevity? Why the hesitation to show up? This Fierce Earth Demon Elephant is a founding gift from the Nantian Dynasty''s royal family to you, the Daqian Dynasty. Could it be that there''s no one in your Daqian Dynasty who can subdue it?"


    The cold and haughty voice came suddenly, resounding across the sky above the imperial capital, entering the ears of everyone. S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sarcasm and provocation in that voice made people''s teeth itch with hatred.


    Many powerhouses of the Daqian Dynasty wished they could fly up to the heavens to fight, but under the fearsome storm of the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant, even a Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm powerhouse like Yang Yuhuan was unable to withstand it.


    How could they dare make a move?


    Boom!


    The horrific storm engulfed the heavens, like a doomsday storm sweeping across.


    Just as the wild wind was about to destroy the imperial capital,


    At that moment...


    A crack suddenly tore open in the void, and a figure burst forth from it.


    Then the figure turned into a rainbow, the light piercing through space, stretching for thousands of miles, arriving in front of the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant in an instant.


    With every move, behind the figure, an enormous towering tree appeared.


    This was Li Mu!


    The huge Li Mu, verdant and lush, emanated boundless vitality. Its branches rustled loudly, standing between the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant and the imperial capital; the giant Li Mu formed a natural barrier that stopped the terrifying storm, causing all of it to crash against the Separation Wood Dharma Aspect, without letting a single trace scatter.


    Hum!


    Calm was restored between heaven and earth.


    This person who had suddenly appeared was Yang Zun!


    But now...


    Yang Zun had formally stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm, becoming a First-layer Human Venerable.


    The cultivation of the Longevity Secret Realm restored Yang Zun''s youthful appearance, he stood tall and straight, his eyebrows like swords, his eyes shining like the sun and moon, full of an unpredictable brilliance. Standing against the wind, the terrible energy fluctuations that he released made countless strong beings stare, looking at Yang Zun with shock in their eyes, "Is that not the royal ancestor Yang Zun? He can withstand a strike from the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant? Could it be that he has broken through to the Longevity Secret Realm?"


    "Indeed, the Longevity Secret Realm, he just tore through the void to appear!"


    "Unbelievable, my Daqian Dynasty actually has a Longevity Secret Realm powerhouse as its guardian?"


    The crowd was abuzz, all stunned by Yang Zun''s sudden breakthrough to the Longevity Secret Realm.

 Chapter 688 - 686: The Battle for Number One!_2

    All those who are powerful in the Nirvana Realm understand that to break through the Longevity Secret Realm, the most important thing is the manifestation of the spirit, and only the Nantian Sacred Land in the vast Southern State possesses the Spirit of Longevity.


    Before this.


    Everyone believed that the Daqian Dynasty lacked depth and did not have a Longevity Secret Realm expert in residence.


    But now Yang Zun had stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm, fiercely slapping the faces of those people, causing many of them to turn alternately pale and green, extremely embarrassed.


    Yang Zun, as if he had not heard the discussions of the people, stood proudly between heaven and earth, releasing an incomparable mighty power from his body.


    The terrifying pressure was like hundreds of divine mountains rolling towards the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant, causing its massive form to tremble slightly.


    A pair of eyes filled with bright red blood light and towering rage.


    Roar!


    The Fierce Earth Demon Elephant roared again and again.


    With a swish, its trunk flicked fiercely, sweeping towards him with the momentum of laying waste to a thousand armies. Yang Zun, expressionless, had a flash of thunder-like cold light in his eyes, and at the same time, he grasped the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant''s neck with both hands and performed an aerial shoulder throw.


    Swish!


    The huge Fierce Earth Demon Elephant was thrown out forcefully.


    Swish! Swish!


    The Fierce Earth Demon Elephant shook its ears fiercely, steadying itself once more, and its eyes flickered with a hint of coldness.


    Sitting on the back of the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant, Shen Qianyi couldn''t help but sneer, his face full of mockery and provocation, "Tsk tsk, is this how the Daqian Dynasty treats its guests?"


    Yang Zun squinted his eyes, scrutinizing Shen Qianyi closely.


    This youth had a feeling about him that made him extremely uncomfortable.


    As if... S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This youth contained a terribly frightening energy that seemed capable of threatening his life.


    Gulp!


    Yang Zun drew in a breath of cold air; he was now a First-layer Human Venerable.


    And a youth like Shen Qianyi could threaten his life?


    Before this.


    He had only ever felt this sensation from Xiao Yi.


    Yang Zun narrowed his eyes and said, "Who are you, really?"


    Shen Qianyi grinned broadly, his voice clear and sonorous, "Shen Qianyi is my name, first on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking of the Nantian Dynasty! I am here on behalf of His Majesty of the Nantian Dynasty to escort this Fierce Earth Demon Elephant as a congratulatory gift for the founding ceremony of the Daqian Dynasty..."


    "Shen Qianyi?"


    Yang Zun''s complexion changed slightly. This was the number one on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, recognized by the Nantian Dynasty as the foremost beneath the Longevity.


    He had personally come for this occasion?


    Yang Zun''s eyes flickered, guessing that Shen Qianyi''s purpose must be Xiao Yi. He secretly transmitted to Yang Ling, "Immediately notify Xiao Zhenguo, tell him to not show himself at any cost. The first on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, Shen Qianyi, is here with a fierce Fierce Earth Demon Elephant waiting for him. Tell him to play along and keep out of sight..."


    Yang Ling''s face was as somber as water, and he turned to leave immediately.


    Shen Qianyi saw Yang Ling leaving, his lips curving up slightly without any intention to stop him, and laughed towards Yang Zun, "I''ve long heard that Xiao Yi has been cozying up with Baiyu''s holy maiden. You must have made your breakthrough into the Longevity Secret Realm because the holy maiden of Baiyu gave you the Spirit of Longevity, right? Tsk tsk, I think Xiao Yi should stop being called Xiao Zhenguo and just go by Xiao Bailian..."


    "Shut up!"


    Yang Zun exploded in anger, "Don''t insult Xiao Zhenguo!"


    "Hahaha, I am deliberately insulting him, what can you do to me?"


    Sitting atop the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant, Shen Qianyi said with a mocking look, "Yang Zun, is it? You''d better hurry and have Xiao Yi come out to battle me! Otherwise, not only will you miss out on the opening gift prepared by the Nantian Dynasty for you, but today''s grand founding ceremony might not be able to go on!"


    "Too arrogant!"


    "Does this kid really think he''s the War God? Kill him!"


    The crowd felt a tremendous sense of humiliation at Shen Qianyi''s arrogance, roaring out in anger.


    Shen Qianyi, however, just snickered and said dismissively, "A bunch of idiots. It would be an honor for your Xiao Zhenguo to die at my hands, yet you dare to curse me. I have no choice but to send you all to meet your maker..."


    With a tap of his foot, he steadied the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant beneath him.


    Ah!


    The Fierce Earth Demon Elephant let out a heaven-shaking bellow as its massive body charged fiercely towards Yang Zun.


    "Damn it!"


    Yang Zun''s expression changed drastically, his hand reached into the void, and the towering Separation Wood Dharma Aspect behind him shot into the clouds. Countless vines and leaves rustled as they swarmed out, like a giant octopus waving its enormous tentacles, trying to block the fierce attack of the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant. However, the power of the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant was simply too strong.


    And how could it be a match for Yang Zun, who had only recently broken through the Longevity Secret Realm?


    Boom!


    His body was violently struck and sent flying by the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant.


    While still in midair,


    The trunk of the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant swiftly coiled around Yang Zun''s body, lifted him high, and then smashed him violently towards the ground.


    Boom!


    Yang Zun plummeted to the ground, shaking it thunderously.


    Before he could get up, he felt a terrifying pressure forcing him back down to the ground. The dreadful Fierce Earth Demon Elephant descended from the sky, plummeting towards him. Its huge hooves swept down like four pillars holding up heaven, and if struck by these four hooves, even the strong in the Longevity Secret Realm would barely escape death.


    But just at that moment,


    The void beneath Yang Zun was torn open with a swoosh.


    Then a hand reached out, grabbed Yang Zun, and pulled him into the Void Rift.


    Almost simultaneously...


    The Fierce Earth Demon Elephant crashed down with a boom at the spot where Yang Zun had just been.


    The ground shook as if dragons were turning over,


    A terrifying energy storm swept outwards in all directions. Fortunately, Xiao Yi''s Formation had been laid throughout the vast imperial palace. It trembled with a hum and a streak of golden light coursed along the ground, effectively dissipating the terrible shockwave.


    "Hmm?"


    Shen Qianyi''s pupils suddenly contracted, his glance instinctively swept towards the void.


    He saw Yang Zun emerge from the Void Rift. In that dire moment, it was the Bai Fa Sword Emperor who had saved him.


    Yang Zun looked at the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, a fierce light flashing in his eyes, and then he said, "Congratulations to Grand Marshal Tianbao for ascending to longevity!"


    "Thank you, Great Ancestor!"


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor grinned, also surprised that he had entered the Longevity Secret Realm so quickly. His gaze then turned to Xiao Yi. It was this youth who had created countless miracles and brought out the Ling of Longevity that everyone was crazy about, allowing him to smoothly step into the Longevity Secret Realm. At this moment, the Bai Fa Sword Emperor revered Xiao Yi like a deity.


    Yang Zun nodded solemnly and looked towards Xiao Yi with a grave expression, saying in a deep voice, "Xiao Zhenguo, this man is Shen Qianyi, the first under longevity of the Nantian Dynasty. You must be very careful with him."


    "No worries!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively, his eyes half-closed as he gazed at Shen Qianyi.


    Shen Qianyi was also sizing him up.


    One was ranked first on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, once recognized by the Nantian Dynasty as the foremost below longevity.


    The other was newly renowned, conquering everyone with one dazzling victory after another, slaying all enemies, and with the terrifying feat of killing Master Chen Yi in the First-layer Human Venerable Realm, becoming the new foremost below longevity.


    As their four eyes met,


    An invisible blaze erupted between them.


    Everyone around them clenched their fists tightly, their eyes filled with anticipation: "The meeting of the old and new champions below longevity, this is going to be a good show!"


    "The struggle for first place below longevity!"


    "Which of you can win?"


    Under the expectant gazes of the crowd,


    The void between Xiao Yi and Shen Qianyi exploded with a bang.


    The terrible energy storm pushed both of them back two steps.


    Shen Qianyi couldn''t help but lick his lips with his crimson tongue, his eyes burning with fervent battle intent, his lips curling into a slight smile as he said, "What a Xiao Yi, no wonder you are known as the first below longevity, you really have some skills. But unfortunately, you have met me. I, Shen Qianyi, am the mountain you can never cross!"

 Chapter 689 - 687: Turning Hand Suppression

    ```


    "Today, I will let you know that I, Shen Qianyi, am a mountain peak on your martial path that you will never be able to surpass!"


    Pride colored Shen Qianyi''s face.


    His crimson tongue licked his lips, his eyes flickering with fiery battle intent.


    Shen Qianyi''s temper was explosive, and he was known for holding grudges.


    He couldn''t tolerate even a speck of dust in his eye.


    He firmly held the number one position on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, proclaimed by the world as the foremost under the heavens in the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Then, out of nowhere, Xiao Yi appeared.


    He directly snatched away Shen Qianyi''s title.


    Many believed that Xiao Yi''s talent and combat prowess far surpassed his own, how could Shen Qianyi tolerate this?


    The moment he saw Xiao Yi, he put aside the task Long Sihai had entrusted to him and attacked immediately,


    attempting to slay Xiao Yi!


    To prove that he was the true number one under the heavens in the Southern State.


    "Who is this idiot?"


    Before Xiao Yi could even speak, the Bai Fa Sword Emperor at his side glared with wide eyes, a look of disdain on his face, "How dare you shamelessly challenge Xiao Zhenguo? Has your brain been kicked by a donkey?"


    Shen Qianyi: "..."


    He looked at the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, dumbfounded.


    Initially, he only had eyes for Xiao Yi, intent on their duel, and did not notice the Bai Fa Sword Emperor.


    Now, seeing the Bai Fa Sword Emperor suddenly in front of him, his complexion shifted subtly, and a hint of seriousness flashed through his eyes, "Who are you? When did the Daqian Dynasty gain such an expert from the Longevity Secret Realm?"


    Even he couldn''t see through the Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s strength.


    The man before him was definitely a master of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    However...


    Before coming here, he had made sure that there were no Longevity Secret Realm masters in the Daqian Dynasty. Shen Qianyi had been surprised when he saw Yang Zun, but Yang Zun was only of average talent amongst the many in the Longevity Secret Realm, and with only a fourth-rank Longevity Spirit refined, his combat prowess was still inferior to Shen Qianyi, who was at the top of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking.


    Therefore, Shen Qianyi had not taken him seriously.


    But the Bai Fa Sword Emperor was different; he was considered the strongest in the Anarchic Sea Territory. Although his talent and combat prowess might be slightly lesser than Shen Qianyi''s, the difference was not significant.


    Now that the Bai Fa Sword Emperor had refined a seventh-rank Longevity Spirit and stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm, his combat prowess was naturally superior to Shen Qianyi''s.


    With an expressionless face and indifferent eyes, the Bai Fa Sword Emperor slowly said, "I serve under Xiao Zhenguo, the Grand Marshal Tianbao of the Daqian Dynasty. If you wish to challenge Xiao Zhenguo, you must first get past me!"


    Boom!


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor took a step forward, positioning himself between Xiao Yi and Shen Qianyi.


    A terrifying Sword Intent emanated from his body; in an instant, infinite Sword Intent rolled towards Shen Qianyi, causing him to instinctively retreat two steps as a solemn look crossed his eyes, "I never imagined the Daqian Dynasty would have an expert like you... However, today Shen is here to challenge Xiao Yi, you..."


    Before Shen Qianyi could finish.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor scoffed coldly, his face indifferent, "Even I have reached today''s achievements under the guidance of Xiao Zhenguo. If you want to challenge him, you must first defeat me!"


    If it weren''t for Xiao Yi providing the Longevity Spirit, he would never have entered the Longevity Secret Realm.


    The respect the Bai Fa Sword Emperor held for Xiao Yi came from deep within, and it was not to be violated.


    This caused Shen Qianyi to involuntarily inhale sharply, his heart filled with astonishment: Just who exactly is Xiao Yi, to the extent that even a master from the Longevity Secret Realm requires his guidance?


    This is the Longevity Secret Realm!


    Impossible...


    I don''t believe it!


    A cold glint flickered in Shen Qianyi''s eyes as he bellowed, "Xiao Yi, are you only brave enough to hide behind a Longevity Secret Realm expert? If you have the courage, come out and battle me!"


    How could a mere Peak Dharma Phase Realm spectate on the Longevity Secret Realm?


    ```


    ```


    He wouldn''t believe it even if it killed him!


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward, stopping the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, who was about to take action, looking at Shen Qianyi with a smile that wasn''t quite a smile, "You want to challenge me?"


    "That''s right!"


    Shen Qianyi''s eyes were ice cold as he said, "Today, I will let the world know that the first under the immortal of Southern State is me, Shen Qianyi, not you!"


    "Do you think you''re worthy to challenge Xiao Zhenguo?"


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor stepped forward, his hair as sharp as sword threads, his eyes coldly fixated on him.


    "Bai Fa, subdue that Fierce Earth Demon Elephant for me, as a founding gift from the Nantian Dynasty to our Daqian Dynasty. Leave this number one of the Nantian Heavenly Dragon Ranking to me," Xiao Yi stopped the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, hands behind his back, walking on air, his face expressionless as he looked towards Shen Qianyi.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor said respectfully, "I shall heed the command of Xiao Zhenguo!"


    Under the scrutiny of all.


    The lofty Longevity Secret Realm was so respectful towards Xiao Yi.


    This made Shen Qianyi''s gaze flicker intensely, unable to believe what was happening before him.


    All below immortality are mere ants!


    How exalted was the Longevity Secret Realm. S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even being the first under the immortal, those strong within the Longevity Secret Realm would do little more than give him a second glance.


    But now...


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor showed such awe and respect toward Xiao Yi, which Shen Qianyi truly couldn''t comprehend, but Xiao Yi didn''t give him the chance to think longer. Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward, and with a flash, he was airborne. Stepping on clouds, he made a welcoming gesture towards Shen Qianyi.


    Whoosh!


    Shen Qianyi soared into the sky, leaving the battle between the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant and Bai Fa Sword Emperor behind.


    He turned into a towering war saber.


    Rustle rustle!


    The saber''s brilliance was dazzling, shining for ten thousand miles.


    Even the proud sun above was overshadowed by the light emanating from Shen Qianyi, as a heavenly saber slashed towards Xiao Yi''s head, "The saber divides two realms, the finger ends yin and yang!"


    Hum!


    The dazzling saber light shot straight into the clouds.


    The silvery blade was incredibly sharp, like a pillar holding up the sky, and in an instant, it completely sealed off the area around Xiao Yi. At the same time, his left hand pointed out, the cold tip flickering uncertainly, a sharp light flowing, instantly turning into five fingers of black and white intermixed, standing tall around Xiao Yi like pillars holding the sky, blocking his range of movement.


    The five fingers were like the Yin Yang Realm Prison, the saber edge cutting through the air, intending to split him in two.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward, a hint of disdain in his eyes, "The first under immortality? That title is mine now!"


    In the midst of speaking.


    Xiao Yi flipped his palm, condensing a finger, pointing towards the saber light streaking through the air, "Four Symbols Suppress the Heavens!"


    Roar!


    Four heaven-shaking beast roars echoed simultaneously.


    Surrounded by the Four Symbols Divine Beasts, a golden colossal finger descended from the sky.


    The golden giant finger collided with the silvery saber edge in the void like a needle against wheat stalk, instantly erupting with thunderous booms. Subsequently, the Four Symbols'' phantasms broke away from the finger, entangling the towering saber light. Amid the tumultuous roars, the towering saber light suddenly exploded.


    The horrific golden giant finger, unhindered by the saber light, fell from the sky and struck Shen Qianyi''s body with a thud.


    Gah!


    Shen Qianyi spewed blood, like a falling star plummeting from the sky.


    Inside the imperial city.


    Silence reigned.


    The illustrious first under immortality of Southern State was actually suppressed by Xiao Yi with a flip of his hand...


    ```

 Chapter 690 - 688: Wudi! Wudi! Wudi!

    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi dove down at a steep angle.


    Before Shen Qianyi had a chance to land, he grabbed his ankle, a chaotic storm brewing beneath his feet, lifting his body with a thunderous roar straight toward the heavens.


    The number one person under the Longevity in the Southern State.


    Just like that, was held by Xiao Yi by the ankle, shooting straight into the sky, the wild wind incessantly pouring into his mouth.


    His angry curses at the ready turned into woeful whimpers.


    Until they were above the clouds in the sky.


    Xiao Yi let go of Shen Qianyi, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, as he stared at Shen Qianyi, whose expression fluctuated between dark and light, and said, "Do you wish to continue?"


    When Shen Qianyi made his appearance, Xiao Yi had surmised that this man must have been a probe sent by the Nantian Dynasty.


    If the Nantian Dynasty dared to reach out and test,


    The best response, naturally, was to sever these claws.


    Shen Qianyi''s face turned from green to white. He too had not expected Xiao Yi to be so powerful; that single exchange made him realize that the young man before him, whose cultivation was only at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, might be stronger than himself. Shen Qianyi''s eyes flickered, yet he showed no sign of backing down, retorting coldly, "It seems you indeed have the qualifications to vie for the title of the number one person under the Longevity. But, that was just me being careless and underestimating you!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "If that was carelessness, then I invite you to take it seriously!"


    Hmph!


    Shen Qianyi huffed, his face ashen.


    His previous attack had gone all out; intending to defeat Xiao Yi in one move to establish his dominance.


    He never imagined Xiao Yi could be so overpoweringly strong, easily suppressing him with a flip of his hand.


    As his eyes darted around,


    Shen Qianyi drew a deep breath, seemingly making a significant decision, and with gritted teeth, he retrieved an elixir from his storage ring.


    The pill was entirely red,


    covered in raging thunderbolts��it was the Thunderclap Elixir. Once consumed, it could burn one''s potential for a short time and enhance the battle strength by tenfold. This elixir was given to him by Long Sihai before departure, as a just-in-case measure. At that time, Shen Qianyi had scoffed at it, believing he would never need it.


    But now...


    Faced with such a formidable Xiao Yi, he felt he had no choice but to use it.


    With that thought,


    Shen Qianyi swallowed the elixir in one gulp. In an instant, lightning danced around his body, and his hair stood on end. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a crackling of joints, his muscles began to swell, and his entire frame grew to a height of ninety feet. Hovering in mid-air, he was like a demonic deity, and even his voice became deeper and hoarser, "Hehe, as expected of the Thunderclap Elixir, I feel like I am now comparable to those in the Longevity Secret Realm. Xiao Yi, you''re still too green to take away the title of the number one person under the Longevity from me!"


    Boom!


    Shen Qianyi threw a punch.


    Space trembled, and a hundred-mile-wide cluster of clouds was drawn by the punch''s wind, crazily converging above his fist.


    Gathering into a fist-like mass of black clouds,


    Directly smashing toward Xiao Yi''s head.


    The terrifying roar, combined with that ninety-foot stature, made countless powerhouses within the imperial capital glance at each other in fear, their eyes filled with horror, "How did Shen Qianyi grow so massive?"


    "Such a terrifying punch that can draw in clouds from a hundred miles away, can Xiao Zhenguo withstand it?"


    "It''d be best if Shen Qianyi could kill him with one punch; then the Nantian Dynasty could subjugate the Daqian Dynasty, and we could regain our freedom..."


    Jiang Tai, who was watching the battle in the void with a taut gut, suddenly heard this remark and furiously turned to glare at the whispering few behind him. The one who had spoken was a royal descendant of the Four Clouds Kingdom, hoping that the fall of the Daqian Dynasty would allow them to reestablish their own nation. Jiang Tai glared angrily, "Shut your beak, Xiao Zhenguo couldn''t possibly lose to him!"


    "Tch, just because you say it can''t happen, it won''t?"


    "Who do you think you are? This is a battle for the title of the number one person under the Longevity, do you understand what you''re seeing?"


    The few spoke with derisive faces.


    Jiang Tai clenched his fists and said coldly, "I dare wager my life that Xiao Zhenguo can''t possibly lose, you bunch of morons. Are you brave enough to bet against me? If not, then just shut your damn mouths..."


    "I''m afraid of you? I''ll take that bet!"


    "I''ll bet with you too, and if he wins, you can do whatever you want with me..." said the princes of the Four Clouds Kingdom with furious faces.


    In their eyes...


    Xiao Yi was indeed strong, but after all, he was just at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak. In contrast, Shen Qianyi was already known as the number one under the Nantian from the past in Southern State, the top genius on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking. Now, with the help of the Thunderblast Elixir, his combat strength had increased tenfold. Xiao Yi could not possibly be his opponent. Moreover, it was Jiang Tai''s mockery that had triggered them to place this bet.


    Jiang Tai smiled coldly, "You''re all as good as dead!"


    The princes of the Four Clouds Kingdom smirked, "It''s too early to tell who will live and who will die!"


    Suddenly, Jiang Tai laughed, "It''s not too early anymore!"


    "Eh?"


    The group was startled and looked up instinctively.


    They saw the giant fist shadow hitting Xiao Yi directly, the terrifying energy blast so vivid even miles away that numerous powerful beings within the capital felt extreme fright and couldn''t stop trembling.


    Under that formidable energy blast...


    Xiao Yi shuddered all over but managed to unload the terrifying energy.


    At the same time, he pointed a finger.


    Condensing a sword with his fingertip.


    "Sword Twenty-three!"


    As Xiao Yi spoke softly, everything in heaven and earth seemed to transform into the sword in his hand.


    The blowing wind became the Sword of Wind.


    The rolling clouds became the Sword of Clouds.


    The chaotic spiritual energy became the Sword of Spirit...


    Sword shadows filled the skies.


    Inside Xiao Yi, the sword soul trembled, and a colossal sword domain appeared beneath his feet. As he pointed his finger, the sword domain shot towards Shen Qianyi, covering his head in an instant, while a ring of sword diagrams also emerged beneath his feet.


    From the glittering sword diagram, chains of golden light burst forth.


    Like fierce golden ancient dragons.


    In an instant...


    The golden ancient dragons bound Shen Qianyi''s body, making it impossible for his towering nine Zhang height to break free from the chains'' grasp. Terror filled his face as he looked up at the sword domain that loomed above but had not yet fallen: "Sword domain? Sword soul? This... this can''t be possible; aren''t these powers that only the strong from the Longevity Secret Realm can comprehend? No, no..."


    Shen Qianyi struggled to break free.


    But bound by the power of the sword soul, he couldn''t break free at all.


    He could only watch helplessly as the sword light fell like a torrential rain.


    The breath of death locked onto him in an instant.


    "No..."


    "I admit defeat, Xiao Yi, I surrender..."


    "Don''t kill me..."


    Shen Qianyi roared in despair.


    Yet, Xiao Yi was expressionless, completely unmoved. If the tables were turned, and he was disadvantaged, Shen Qianyi would certainly not show any mercy. Amidst the swishing sounds, the sword pierced through the body, and a rain of blood scattered down from the sky.


    Shen Qianyi, dead!


    At this moment...


    Within the imperial capital, there was silence, except for Jiang Tai''s loud laughter, as he turned to look at the Four Clouds Kingdom princes, whose faces had turned to ash: "You''ve lost!"

 Chapter 691 - 689 Gluttonous Feast

    "Hahaha, you lose!"


    Jiang Tai''s face was filled with wild joy, his gloating gaze sweeping over the faces of several princes from the Four Clouds Kingdom.


    Their faces were ashen.


    They had not expected that the once invincible Shen Qianyi would be so useless.


    Confronted with Jiang Tai''s mocking and provocative gaze.


    Their complexions alternating between green and white, they turned their heads away, thinking about reneging, but Jiang Tai just sneered, "What''s this? Planning to go back on your word?"


    "What do you want?"


    "Jiang Tai, don''t push people too far!"


    "Believe it or not, I will kill you?"


    Their eyes blazed with anger.


    Originally, the king of the Four Clouds Kingdom had employed extremely vicious tactics against Yang Yuhuan, to the extent that when the Bai Fa Sword Emperor led his army to sweep across the Four Clouds Kingdom, almost all members of the royal family were slaughtered, leaving only a few distant, collateral lines to support as puppets. However, in their eyes, it was the Daqian Dynasty that had stripped them of their royal status. sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Their hearts were set on seeing the Nantian Dynasty overthrow the Daqian Dynasty so they could reclaim their country and become the nobles they once were.


    Especially upon seeing Shen Qianyi make his move.


    Each of them had felt hope was within reach, that as long as Xiao Yi died, the Nantian Dynasty would inevitably launch a major attack, and their nation would be restored. But now, it was clear that Xiao Yi had not fulfilled their wishes, leaving their spirits in a particularly bad state. Now, faced with Jiang Tai''s mockery, their countenances were even uglier.


    Agitated in their hearts, they wished they could kill Jiang Tai.


    "I''d like to see who dares to touch my brother!" Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly rang out, causing the faces of those princes from the Four Clouds Kingdom to drastically change.


    The fierceness and malice that previously colored their faces vanished, replaced by reverence and flattery, "Xiao... Xiao Zhenguo, we... we were just joking with Brother Jiang Tai!"


    "Exactly, we were just joking..."


    The princes hastily agreed.


    Xiao Yi gave a cold laugh, looked at Jiang Tai next to him, wrapped an arm around his neck, and smiled, "How do you want to deal with them?"


    Their faces changed.


    They could never have imagined the relationship between Xiao Yi and Jiang Tai being so close.


    One must know...


    Xiao Yi now was none other than Xiao Zhenguo, whose status was akin to Emperor Qian''s, with nobody in the Daqian Dynasty able to shake his authority. And Jiang Tai could be so intimate with him? They dared not underestimate Jiang Tai any longer, their faces displaying flattery and ingratiating pleas, "My lord, it''s all our fault for being ignorant. Please, have mercy on us and let us off as if it was just a passing wind!"


    "My lord, we were wrong..."


    Seeing the color of supplication on their faces.


    Jiang Tai, however, sneered and said, "Do as you agreed, you know what to do!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and looked at them, "Didn''t you hear what the King of Tianqing said?"


    The princes looked at each other.


    In their eyes was only bitterness, yet they couldn''t muster the slightest thought of resistance.


    Bang!


    Bang!


    They each struck their own foreheads, blood flowing from their seven orifices, collapsing to the ground.


    Xiao Yi glanced at a guard standing by, "Clean this up!"


    "Yes!"


    The guard promptly stepped forward, carrying the bodies away.


    The surrounding powerhouses fell silent, their gazes towards Jiang Tai turning solemn and awe-filled.


    All sharp-minded, they understood that Xiao Yi was clearly giving Jiang Tai a show of support, a signal to the world that Jiang Tai''s status would be second only to one, and no one could touch him!


    Xiao Yi patted Jiang Tai on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Take a seat for a moment. After the founding ceremony is over, you and I will have a good drink!"


    "No problem!"


    Jiang Tai laughed heartily, "I lost to you last time, this time I must drink my share back!"


    "Haha, then you don''t stand a chance!" Xiao Yi grinned and waved his hand, then headed towards one of the two main seats in the center.


    In the Daqian Dynasty, he was a prestigious Xiao Zhenguo, his status on par with Emperor Qian himself, and no one could shake him in the slightest!


    "Xiao Zhenguo!"


    "Congratulations to Xiao Zhenguo for slaying Shen Qianyi, henceforth the position of the foremost under the Longevity is none other than yours!"


    "What kind of remark is that? As if without Shen Qianyi, Xiao Zhenguo wouldn''t already be the first under the Longevity!"


    The crowd discussed fervently.


    Emperor Qian''s face was beaming, his lips curving upward slightly, only sitting down once Xiao Yi took his seat beside him, and then he said with a smile, "Congratulations to Xiao Zhenguo, the top of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking is destined to be yours!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively, "The first place in the Heavenly Dragon Ranking is but an empty title!"


    In his heart, he was very clear that being first in the Heavenly Dragon Ranking was merely being the most recognized strongman in Southern State; the true exceptional freaks were hidden within the various sacred places.


    At that moment...


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor also returned, dragging a barely alive Fierce Earth Demon Elephant. Its massive body caused a thunderous rumble as it was dragged across the ground, its mountain-like frame indeed a sight for the imperial city''s populace: "Is this the Eighth-layer monster beast that rivals the Longevity Secret Realm? Just its presence is enough to keep one at bay!"


    "Thank goodness our Great Qian Dynasty has Xiao Zhenguo and Grand Marshal Tianbao, otherwise, just this monster alone could annihilate us all..."


    The people exclaimed.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor gave a fist and palm salute to Xiao Yi and Emperor Qian, "Your Majesty, Xiao Zhenguo, Bai Fa has honorably captured this beast as commanded!"


    "You have worked hard, Grand Marshal Tianbao!"


    Emperor Qian gave a toothy smile, then turned to Xiao Yi, "Xiao Zhenguo, how do you think we should deal with this monster?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Since it''s a gift from the Nantian Dynasty for our founding ceremony, naturally we can''t waste their good intentions."


    "You mean?" Emperor Qian asked, startled.


    To actually accept this monster?


    But upon reflection...


    Emperor Qian found the idea of accepting the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant a good choice, after all, it was an Eighth-layer monster, comparable to a Second-layer Human Venerate in terms of combat power!


    However...


    Xiao Yi cracked a sly smile, his eyes deep like the stars, glinting with the cold sharpness of a blade: "After the ceremony, isn''t there a banquet? Such a large beast, we could just slaughter it and cook it, then offer it for the officials and citizens in the city to enjoy together, wouldn''t that be even better?"


    Hiss!


    Emperor Qian and the others couldn''t help but inhale sharply.


    Damn!


    This is a beast of Longevity Secret Realm caliber!


    You''re just going to cook it into soup?


    Would that still be soup?


    That would be Spiritual Medicine!


    At that moment...


    The crowd looked at Xiao Yi with reverence, and the rest was fear!


    The corner of Emperor Qian''s eye twitched, he had thought of making the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant a national protector beast, but Xiao Yi actually planned to make it into soup?


    Emperor Qian hesitated for a moment before probing, "Xiao Zhenguo, this is after all a beast of Longevity Secret Realm caliber, if it were to be a national guardian beast..."


    "This Fierce Earth Demon Elephant, a discard of the Nantian Dynasty, for us the Daqian Dynasty to treat it as a national guardian beast would be too degrading," Xiao Yi waved his hand lightly and smiled, "As for a national guardian beast, Your Majesty need not worry, within a month our Great Qian Dynasty will have its own."


    A sharp glint flashed across his eyes.


    Emperor Qian was taken aback, but he didn''t say much more, immediately arranging people to start cooking the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant.


    After the series of complex rituals of the founding ceremony...


    The Fierce Earth Demon Elephant was finished cooking, apart from the most essence-filled part which was reserved for Emperor Qian, Xiao Yi, and the host of guests, the rest was boiled into soup and distributed among the people of the imperial city. This was meat soup of the Longevity Secret Realm level, no different from precious Spiritual Medicine, even just drinking the soup could prolong one''s life, adding a hundred years to one''s lifespan.


    And what about the Martial Artists?


    In a moment...


    Following this sumptuous feast, the overall strength of the imperial city''s populace elevated by a notch.


    Just as Xiao Yi and the others were tasting the soup made from the Longevity Secret Realm level beast, the news also reached the Nantian Dynasty...

 Chapter 692 - 690: Nantians Fury, Arrival of the Holy Land!

    Nantian Dynasty.


    Long Sihai watched cautiously as Nantian Wen, seated on the Dragon Throne, remained silent. Cold sweat rolled down his forehead, and the corners of his eyes twitched uncontrollably. In his heart, he cursed Xiao Yi''s ancestors for eighteen generations: "You beast, that''s the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant. Even if you look down on it, there''s no need to cook it..."


    Although Nantian Wen had sent Shen Qianyi with the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant to the Daqian Dynasty to humiliate them,


    even if the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant had died in battle,


    he wouldn''t have frowned.


    But the problem was...


    Xiao Yi''s move was too cunning!


    An eighth-layer mythical creature, comparable to those from the Longevity Secret Realm, had actually been cooked directly by Xiao Yi.


    Even when Nantian Wen had once occupied the entire Southern State, he had never been extravagant enough to consume creatures from the Longevity Secret Realm!


    You should know.


    Mythical creatures advancing to the Longevity Secret Realm also needed to consume the essence of longevity; every bit of it was incredibly precious, insufficient even for human martial artists, let alone mythical creatures.


    "Heh, hehe..."


    A piercing, cold laugh suddenly came from Nantian Wen''s mouth. The letter in his hand burst into flames with a bang.


    It turned to ash in an instant.


    Nantian Wen raised his head to look at Long Sihai. His cold pupils shone like knife edges, intimidating anyone from making eye contact. He spoke slowly and emphatically, "What a move, Xiao Yi. What a move, Daqian Dynasty. You dare eat My Fierce Earth Demon Elephant. Very well, such audacity... Even I, have never tasted the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant..."


    Gulp!


    Long Sihai swallowed hard and boldly said, "Your, Your Majesty, actually Xiao Yi did leave a portion for you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nantian Wen was taken aback and frowned at Long Sihai, "He left a portion for Me? Then why isn''t it presented?"


    Long Sihai wore an extremely awkward expression, hesitant to speak. Seeing Nantian Wen''s face turning dark, he could only say with a mournful face, "Your servant will present it to You immediately!"


    A moment later.


    A bronze cauldron was brought forth; the cauldron was not large, about the size of a human head.


    As soon as it was opened, a rich aroma of meat wafted out.


    It was enough to make one''s mouth water.


    This meaty fragrance contained a rich spiritual essence.


    Nantian Wen raised an eyebrow, revealing a look of surprise: "Soup boiled from the Fierce Earth Demon Elephant contains such rich spiritual essence? Come, serve Me a bowl to try!"


    "Your Majesty..."


    Long Sihai said with an embarrassed face, "Your Majesty, I suggest it would be better not to touch it!"


    "Why?"


    Nantian Wen asked with a frown.


    Long Sihai gave a bitter smile: "This, this soup is boiled with the Han Di Demon Elephant Whip..."


    Bang!


    The table in front of Nantian Wen suddenly shattered, turning into a cloud of dust. His eyes emitted a chilling light, sharp like blade edges. A cold aura filled the entire hall, creating an oppressive feeling that made it difficult to breathe. His eyes flickered with a chilling intention to kill: "What a move, Xiao Yi. Are you suggesting something about My virility? Too much bullying, far too presumptuous..."


    "Your Majesty, please calm down!"


    Long Sihai immediately kneeled, sincerely alarmed and fearful.


    Nantian Wen''s face was stormy as he said, "Long Sihai, I want to flatten the Daqian Dynasty..."


    "Your Majesty, please listen to a word from Your servant..." S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Long Sihai didn''t dare to raise his head to look at Nantian Wen. With a pale face showing signs of struggle, he clenched his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi killed Shen Qianyi, proving that he indeed possesses the strength of the strongest beneath the immortal realms. In addition, according to the intelligence our spies have sent back, apart from Xiao Yi, both Yang Zun and Bai Fa Sword Emperor have stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm..."


    "What did you say?"


    Nantian Wen''s expression suddenly changed, and with a swift movement, he appeared before Long Sihai, his eyes fixed intently on him as he asked, "You said that the Great Qian Dynasty has gained two more Martial Artists from the Longevity Secret Realm?"


    The Longevity Secret Realm.


    Even the weakest First-layer Human Venerable possessed the power to stabilize a nation.


    After all.


    If a strong person from the Longevity Secret Realm were to go on a rampage in the Nantian Dynasty, even if the dynasty wanted to kill them, it would have to pay a heavy price.


    And precisely because of this...


    For the past few thousand years, the Nantian Dynasty had always implemented restrictive policies.


    As soon as a vassal state produced a Martial Artist from the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, they would immediately bring them back to the Nantian Dynasty, leaving no opportunities for the vassal state.


    He had never imagined that in just over half a year, the Great Qian Dynasty would birth two Martial Artists from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    "Where did they get the Spirit of Longevity from?"


    Nantian Wen''s brows furrowed tightly, and a solemn look passed through his eyes, "Could it be that people from Baiyu gave it to them? If so, we might have to reassess the relationship between the Great Qian Dynasty and Baiyu..."


    Before this.


    They had always suspected that Baiyu was not the Great Qian Dynasty''s backer behind the scenes.


    But now...


    The consecutive appearances of two Martial Artists from the Longevity Secret Realm in the Great Qian Dynasty forced them to believe that the relationship between Baiyu and the Great Qian Dynasty was much closer than they had speculated.


    After all.


    Even in the holy lands, the Spirit of Longevity was an extremely precious commodity.


    If there were only one Martial Artist from the Longevity Secret Realm, it could still be considered a gift from Baiyu in light of the relationship between Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu, but the emergence of two such Martial Artists was definitely not so simple as a mere gift.


    The only possibility was that Baiyu was fully supporting the Great Qian Dynasty.


    "Your Majesty, if Baiyu really is fully supporting the Great Qian Dynasty, then it won''t be so easy for us to deal with them anymore..." Long Sihai said with a touch of helplessness in his expression. What he regretted most now was not going all out in his initial clash with Xiao Yi. Had he killed Xiao Yi then, there would not be this embarrassing situation now.


    Nantian Wen pondered for a moment and then said in a deep voice, "For now, do not confront the Great Qian Dynasty. I will make a trip to the Nantian Holy Land..."


    "Your Majesty, are you thinking of..." Long Sihai ventured, looking at Nantian Wen.


    The relationship between the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Land was not very good.


    After all.


    Nantian Wen was too domineering, while the Nantian Holy Land was too detached.


    Especially since the formation of the Nantian Holy Institute, the relationship between the two had reached a freezing point.


    A cold light flickered in Nantian Wen''s eyes as he said, "At worst, we will have to sacrifice some interests!"


    Long Sihai opened his mouth but knew that if Baiyu got involved, they could only rely on the power of the Nantian Holy Land, so he sighed softly.


    But just as Nantian Wen was preparing to set off for the Nantian Holy Land...


    A voice suddenly came from outside the palace, "Your Majesty, an envoy from the Nantian Holy Land has come to visit!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nantian Wen was startled and exchanged a glance with Long Sihai, "I was just about to depart for the Nantian Holy Land, and now they have sent someone here?"


    Long Sihai said solemnly, "Your Majesty, ever since the establishment of the Nantian Holy Institute, we have broken off communication with the Nantian Holy Land. Their sudden dispatching of an envoy, could it be a trick?"


    "It doesn''t matter!"


    With his eyes narrowed, Nantian Wen radiated arrogance and a domineering presence as he said coldly, "Let him in, I want to see exactly what kind of medicine the Nantian Holy Land is selling in their gourd!"


    But what Nantian Wen did not know was...


    Almost at the same time.


    An envoy from the Nantian Holy Land had also appeared outside the palace of the Great Qian Dynasty...

 Chapter 693 - 691: The Contrarian

    Daqian Dynasty, Imperial Palace.


    Xiao Yi was sparring with the Bai Fa Sword Emperor.


    After as many as a hundred moves.


    The two stopped at the same time.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor looked down at the corner of his robe and showed a bitter smile, "As expected of Xiao Zhenguo, I admit defeat!"


    At the corner of his robe was a hardly visible sword mark, where a single thread was still connecting two pieces of torn fabric.


    The chilling Sword Intent lingered, undispersed.


    If it had not been for Xiao Yi showing mercy just now, that strike could have slit his belly open.


    Huh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth. He said, "I only managed to have the upper hand by relying on the convenience of speed, plus your incomplete mastery of the powers from the Longevity Secret Realm. If I were to wait until you stabilized your realm, it wouldn''t be so easy for me to win against you!"


    Yang Zun bowed his head dejectedly and said, "Stop being modest, the weakest here is me..."


    Before Xiao Yi sparred with the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Yang Zun had also crossed hands with Xiao Yi.


    The result...


    Was merely three moves.


    Yang Zun was defeated!


    If Xiao Yi hadn''t refrained from killing, he could have slain Yang Zun with a single move!


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor, who entered the Longevity Secret Realm half a year later than he did, managed to exchange a hundred moves with Xiao Yi without showing obvious signs of defeat, obviously indicating he was the weakest among them.


    At that moment...


    Yang Ling rushed in from outside the door, bowed to the three men and said, "I''ve seen Xiao Zhenguo, the great ancestor, Grand Marshal Tianbao!"


    "Yang Ling, you''re in such a hurry to come here, has something happened?" Xiao Yi asked, puzzled.


    Now, Emperor Qian and Yang Yuhuan were both busy with closed-door cultivation, waiting for Xiao Yi to bestow upon them the Spirit of Longevity.


    The governing affairs had been handed over to Yang Ling to handle.


    The exceedingly busy Regent Crown Prince had suddenly appeared here, which had to mean that something significant had happened.


    Yang Zun and the Bai Fa Sword Emperor also looked puzzledly at him.


    Yang Ling''s face flushed slightly with excitement, and he said in a deep voice, "The special envoy from the Nantian Holy Land is waiting in the Golden Throne Hall, and he has specifically asked to see the three of you!"


    "Special envoy from the Nantian Holy Land?"


    The three men exchanged glances, their eyes finally settling on Xiao Yi.


    Yang Zun pondered and said, "Since Nantian Wen ascended the throne and established the Nantian Holy Institute, the relationship between the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Land has become very delicate. Could it be that the Nantian Holy Land is planning to support our Daqian Dynasty in opposition to the Nantian Dynasty?"


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor narrowed his eyes and nodded. "It''s quite possible!"


    Joy flashed across Yang Ling''s face.


    If they really could gain the support of the Nantian Holy Land, the Daqian Dynasty would definitely stand firm in the confrontation with the Nantian Dynasty.


    However...


    Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "I''m afraid it won''t be that simple. To the Nantian Holy Land, our Daqian Dynasty is not yet worthy enough for them to support." He paused, then waved his hand, "Don''t think too much about it, let''s just go there and see what''s going on!"


    A short while later.


    The group arrived at the Golden Throne Hall.


    A middle-aged man stood inside the Golden Throne Hall, flanked by two young men.


    The young men appeared to be around twenty years old, but their presence was no weaker than Shen Qianyi, the number one person on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking.


    However, it was clear that these two young men were merely followers!


    His face bore no hint of pride or arrogance.


    The cultivation level of the middle-aged man was unfathomable, his presence like a boundless ocean, impossible for one to see its end. Merely standing there, he emanated beams of starlight and moonlight, vast and towering, giving off the overwhelming sensation of a high mountain, insurmountable. S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s heart quivered, knowing this man''s cultivation level was at least at the peak of Human Venerate, perhaps even at the Earth Venerate Level!


    "It is indeed the Nantian Holy Institute; even the most casual dispatch is such a formidable presence..." Xiao Yi thought to himself in awe. He then turned to the middle-aged man, clasping his hands in a gesture that was neither servile nor overbearing, "Xiao Yi of the Great Qian Dynasty, at your service, Envoy! May I ask the purpose of your visit?"


    The corners of the middle-aged man''s mouth slightly curved upward, his eyes deep and bright like the starry sky, fixed upon Xiao Yi.


    The light swirling within those eyes seemed as though it could see through everything.


    The middle-aged man nodded and smiled, "Indeed, you are the one whom the saint of Baiyu has taken notice of. You do have some skill."


    "You flatter me, Envoy!" Xiao Yi responded humbly.


    The middle-aged man waved his hand and said, "My name is Yang Dingtian, once of the royal family of the Great Qian Dynasty. You need not be so formal with me!"


    Yang Dingtian?


    Of the Great Qian royal family?


    The crowd was taken aback, exchanging puzzled glances.


    Yang Zun looked shocked, barely believing what he heard, "You, you, you are our great ancestor, Emperor Yang Dingtian, the founder of the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    Hiss!


    Both Yang Ling and the Bai Fa Sword Emperor inhaled sharply.


    Yang Dingtian nodded but his expression revealed a hint of helplessness, "Though I am the founding emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, since the day I entered the Nantian Holy Institute, I have cut off all worldly relations and cannot meddle in any secular matters..." He paused, then continued, "However, fortunately for the Great Qian Dynasty, there arose a person like Xiao Yi. Not only did he preserve the royal lineage, but he also became the Great Qian Dynasty..."


    Yang Dingtian''s gaze upon Xiao Yi was filled with admiration and a trace of gratitude.


    Had it not been for Xiao Yi, the dynasty he founded would have long perished.


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "As a member of the Great Qian Dynasty, it is my duty to do so!"


    Upon learning of Yang Dingtian''s identity, Yang Zun felt emboldened, "Ancestors, may I ask the reason for your return?"


    Yang Ling''s fists tightened subtly, his eyes brimming with hope.


    If the Nantian Holy Institute showed its support for the Great Qian Dynasty, it would be tremendous news for them.


    However...


    Yang Dingtian''s words shattered Yang Ling''s hope, "We have received word that heretics have appeared in Southern State. I am here on decree to issue the Half-step to Heaven Manhunt Edict, and your Great Qian Dynasty must assist the Nantian Holy Institute in hunting down these heretics!"


    Heretics?


    Xiao Yi and the others were stunned.


    They had never heard of these heretics.


    Yang Dingtian''s eyes cold, he said sternly, "Heretics disrupt the balance of Yin and Yang, defying the Heavenly Dao, and must be eradicated by all. These heretics have always been like rats in the streets, not daring to show themselves in any state. But recently, we received news that a group of heretics entered the Southern State and are plotting a shocking plan. The Nantian Holy Institute fears these heretics could cause mass deaths and involve innocent lives, hence the issuance of the Heavenly Nantian Manhunt Edict, requesting the Great Qian Dynasty and the Nantian Dynasty to assist the sacred institute in tracking down the heretics!"


    "May I ask, senior, what characteristics do these heretics possess?" inquired Xiao Yi.


    Yang Dingtian glanced at Xiao Yi, and with a flip of his hand, he took out a crystal-like transparent stone and tossed it to Xiao Yi, "This is the Heretic Stone, jointly developed by several sacred institutes. It glows red whenever a heretic is within a hundred li. The closer the distance, the brighter the glow. I have ten thousand Heretic Stones here, and I hope��for the sake of the countless commoners and all living creatures in Southern State��you will assist in hunting down these heretics with all your might. Of course, the Nantian Holy Institute won''t let your efforts be in vain; ten heretics for one Lingzhi of Immortality!"


    Hiss!


    Everyone inhaled sharply again.


    Ten heretics for one Lingzhi of Immortality?


    That was a king''s ransom indeed!


    Xiao Yi accepted the Heretic Stone and nodded, "Rest assured, the Great Qian Dynasty will spare no effort!"


    Yang Dingtian nodded in satisfaction.


    Xiao Yi, who just stored the Heretic Stone into his storage ring, was unaware that this Heavenly Nantian Manhunt Edict would lead him down a radically different path...


    PS: Sorry, I was delayed in writing due to organizing the outline and adjusting the plot. Four more updates to be continued by Xiao Tian!

 Chapter 694 - 692: Ye Heng Disappeared! [Second Update]

    "Ancestor, who exactly is the heretical figure?"


    Yang Zun took the opportunity to ask softly while seeing off Yang Dingtian.


    Yang Dingtian glanced at him with a flicker of indescribable color in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "The heretical figure is a rebel who goes against the righteous path. They are the sinners spurned by this world, the source of all evil, attempting to overturn all things under the heavens. Every heretical figure deserves to die. The existence of the sacred lands is to root out these heretics and maintain the justice and balance of the world."


    Yang Zun nodded repeatedly, "So the heretical figures pose such a great danger. But Ancestor, with the sacred lands'' strength being so formidable, why must we take action to hunt and kill the heretical figures?"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, but his heart was also filled with great doubt.


    These were all questions he had instructed Yang Zun to ask.


    Regarding this Heavenly Southern Hunt and Kill Order, he had many questions as well.


    Yang Dingtian frowned slightly, a streak of cold light flashing in his deep, starry eyes as he spoke indifferently, "The sacred lands themselves have places they need to protect. Moreover, the strength of the heretical figures coming to Southern State won''t be too formidable, the strongest not surpassing the Human Venerate Realm. If my sacred land were to act, wouldn''t that be beneath our dignity? Why, are you unwilling to serve the Nantian Sacred Land?"


    There was a hint of coldness in his voice.


    It caused Yang Zun''s face to change slightly.


    He had thought that as the founding emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, Yang Dingtian would naturally speak his mind freely to his own ancestor.


    But seeing Yang Dingtian''s attitude, Yang Zun realized he had thought too much; the person before him might have once been the founding emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, but now he was simply Nantian Sacred Land''s Yang Dingtian. Yang Zun sighed inwardly and said solemnly, "Ancestor, rest assured; our Daqian Dynasty will spare no effort in hunting and killing the heretical figures!"


    "Hmm!"


    Yang Dingtian nodded, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi, and said, "The Nantian Dynasty has also received the Heavenly Southern Hunt and Kill Order. Until the order concludes, neither side is allowed to engage in any warfare. You may rest assured of this fact!"


    This was his way of telling Xiao Yi and the others that as long as the Heavenly Southern Hunt and Kill Order was in effect, the Nantian Dynasty wouldn''t be able to make a move against the Daqian Dynasty.


    It also served to put Xiao Yi and the others at ease, encouraging them to focus all their efforts on searching for the heretical figures.


    Xiao Yi said, "Thank you, senior!"


    "Hmm!"


    Yang Dingtian nodded in satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over Yang Zun and the Bai Fa Sword Emperor before finally settling on Xiao Yi, "It seems that Her Highness, the Saintess of Baiyu, is indeed very concerned about you, to the point that she is willing to give you two spirit essences of longevity, tsk tsk..."


    Xiao Yi cracked a smile, revealing an air of pride and sweetness.


    Yang Dingtian continued to observe him, and seeing Xiao Yi behave in such a manner, he slightly furrowed his brows, thinking, "Could it be that the spirit essence of longevity really is from that Saintess of Baiyu?"


    The Daqian Dynasty had consecutively seen the emergence of two Longevity Secret Realms.


    This fact had already aroused the suspicions of the Nantian Sacred Land. The Heavenly Southern Hunt and Kill Order was initially only issued to the Nantian Dynasty, but due to the news of the Longevity Secret Realms appearing in the Daqian Dynasty, the Nantian Sacred Land decided to also give a Heavenly Southern Hunt and Kill Order to the Daqian Dynasty. The intent was to probe for the truth; if the spirit essence of longevity did not come from Baiyu, then the Nantian Sacred Land would naturally take action against the Daqian Dynasty.


    But now, looking at it...


    The spirit essence of longevity seemed to indeed be related to the Saintess of Baiyu.


    "What a lucky young man..."


    Yang Dingtian''s gaze toward Xiao Yi couldn''t help but carry a hint of envy; he had paid a steep price in the Nantian Sacred Land to obtain the spirit essence of longevity, yet Xiao Yi simply had to find a good wife. Truly, comparisons between people can be infuriating! With this thought, Yang Dingtian said indifferently, "I hope you treat this Heavenly Southern Hunt and Kill Order seriously. I await your good news!" S��arch* The ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ancestor, have a safe journey!"


    "Senior, take care!"


    Xiao Yi and the others bowed and sent him off.


    Whoosh!


    Yang Dingtian tore through the space before him, leaving with two young men through the air.


    After he had gone...


    Xiao Yi''s smile faded, and seeing that everyone was looking at him, he said solemnly, "Let''s discuss this back at home!"


    A moment later.


    They had returned to the royal palace.


    The atmosphere seemed somewhat oppressive.


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor spoke in a heavy tone, "What should we do? Shall we pursue and kill those rebels?"


    Xiao Yi looked toward Yang Ling, "Yang Ling, what do you think?"


    "I think..."


    Yang Ling hadn''t expected Xiao Yi to ask for his opinion, hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "At least we currently do not have the capital to contend with the Nantian Holy Land, and moreover, we do not know what type of existence these so-called rebels are. My suggestion is to first distribute the rebel-detecting stones among our soldiers, letting them conduct investigations within the country..."


    "In addition to deploying our troops, distribute some rebel-detecting stones to the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute as well, so that they may join in the search!"


    Xiao Yi intended as much when he said, "Let''s do this for now! Once we discover the whereabouts of any rebels, do not act recklessly, and immediately inform us!"


    "Yes!"


    Yang Ling nodded.


    Half a day later.


    Both the Daqian Dynasty and the Nantian Dynasty had begun a carpet-style search.


    For these mysterious rebels,


    the Daqian Dynasty knew far too little.


    On the contrary...


    The Nantian Dynasty had endured not just once, they knew far more about the intricacies, but they would definitely not reveal any information about the rebels to the Daqian Dynasty.


    As a result, by the time the Nantian Dynasty had already captured several rebels, the Daqian Dynasty had yet to uncover any.


    It was not until seven days later.


    Ye Heng, leading a hundred-man team from the Xiaoshanhe Institute, wielding the rebel-detecting stones in the northern part of the Daqian Dynasty, the former territory of the Sword Dynasty, discovered the traces of a group of rebels.


    Ye Heng immediately had the news sent back, and he led his team to monitor the rebels'' movements.


    However...


    When the Shadow Demon arrived at the area after receiving the news, he found that Ye Heng and all the disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute had disappeared.


    Without leaving any trace.


    As if they had vanished into thin air.


    Amidst the dense mountains, Shadow Demon stood in the chaotic wind, a bewildered expression on his face as large cold beads of sweat rolled down, "This is bad, Ye Heng must have been captured by the rebels. How am I going to explain this to the Hall Master?"


    Zhang Ling squinted his eyes, his face revealing a grave expression.


    Ye Heng was Xiao Yi''s own top disciple, blessed with the Battle War Holy Body, and had even broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm with the help of Blood Qi Tower.


    His combat power was in no way inferior to that of a typical Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, and he could even escape from the clutches of a first-level power in the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    With such strength, coupled with a few dozen elite disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute, they had all disappeared without noise or trace.


    The strength of the opponent must not be underestimated!


    At this thought,


    Zhang Ling looked toward the Shadow Demon and said in a solemn voice, "Hall Master, the situation here is beyond our control, we should notify the Hall Master as soon as possible!"


    "That is the only way!"


    Shadow Demon let out a sigh, took out a spiritual bird and released it, watching the bird disappear into the distance, the Shadow Demon said in a low voice, "Those rebels had better pray that Ye Heng is unharmed, otherwise, the Hall Master will let them know what it means to wish they were dead..."

 Chapter 695 - 693: You Are Happy Too Early! [Third Update]

    ```


    Daqian Dynasty, Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Xiao Yi was cultivating when he suddenly opened his eyes, his brows knit together in unrest, "Could something have gone wrong?"


    Squeak, squeak!


    A spiritual bird suddenly flew in through the window.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed, "Is this the Shadow Demon''s spiritual bird?"


    With a wave of his hand.


    The spiritual bird flew into his hand, making squeaking noises at a specific frequency.


    As the spiritual bird chirped, Xiao Yi''s face turned extremely ugly, "Ye Heng''s team has gone missing entirely? Damn it, how did Lord Shadow Demon handle this?"


    He had allowed the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute to join the mission to capture the heretics.


    It was meant to train these disciples.


    But he also arranged for strong experts to follow each team secretly, like Ye Heng''s team was under the supervision of Lord Shadow Demon and Zhang Ling.


    Experts from the Nirvana Realm were accompanying the other teams as well.


    What he didn''t expect was that the first team to encounter trouble would be Ye Heng''s team, the strongest of them all.


    "It seems I need to make a trip to Sword King Province myself!" Xiao Yi took a deep breath, stood up tall, and with a leap, he dived into the void, heading towards the direction of the Sword King Province.


    With his current speed, although he couldn''t tear through the void directly like the experts from the Longevity Secret Realm, he was still much faster than ordinary experts at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm. Plus, since the Daqian Dynasty had just been founded, Bai Fa Sword Emperor and Yang Zun had to stay in the capital. Xiao Yi had no choice but to go alone.


    A half-day later.


    Xiao Yi had met up with Lord Shadow Demon and the others.


    Lord Shadow Demon and Zhang Ling wore expressions of bitterness and anxiety, "Hall Master, it is our fault for not providing adequate protection..."


    "There''s no need for that!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said sternly, "Tell me in detail what happened!"


    Lord Shadow Demon nodded, he called a young man named Fang Zheng to his side, with a cultivation at the Seventh Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, he was a member of Ye Heng''s team. Lord Shadow Demon said solemnly, "Fang Zheng, tell the Hall Master everything you know. Remember, don''t leave anything out!"


    Fang Zheng had been the one to notify Lord Shadow Demon and the others, which is why he wasn''t with Ye Heng and the rest.


    He was also the only member of Ye Heng''s team who hadn''t disappeared.


    Fang Zheng quickly said, "Hall Master, our team was in charge of the Sword King Province. At first, we patrolled the bustling cities, but found nothing. Brother Ye suggested we check outside the city, and as we were passing this mountain range, the heretic-finding stone reacted. We followed the direction of the stone and came here, finding three heretics within this mountain range. Brother Ye asked me to inform Lord Shadow Demon, but by the time we returned, they had vanished..."


    Fang Zheng''s eyes were red, his face filled with guilt and fear.


    If he had not gone to notify Lord Shadow Demon, he might also have disappeared without trace by now.


    Xiao Yi furrowed his brows, deep in thought, "What were those three heretics doing when you found them? Did they have any distinguishing features?"


    "When we found them, they seemed to be searching for something. We were worried about being discovered, so we didn''t follow too closely and didn''t see clearly what they were looking for. As for their features..." Fang Zheng paused, his eyes lit up, and he continued, "There was one who took off his clothes; I saw a strange pattern on his back..."


    "A strange pattern?"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    Fang Zheng nodded and said, "The man had just taken off his clothes when another reprimanded him, and he put them on again. But I remember the pattern very clearly, it was a towering tree entwined by an Azure Dragon, and a blood-red sword was slashing diagonally across the body of the Azure Dragon and the towering tree..."


    A towering tree entwined by an Azure Dragon, and a blood-red sword was slashing diagonally across the body of the Azure Dragon and the towering tree.


    Xiao Yi''s mind conjured an image similar to what Fang Zheng described, but no matter how he searched his memory, even in the legacy of Dao Yan and the revered Wind Thunder, there was no clue about this pattern.


    "What kind of existence are these heretics..."


    ```


    Xiao Yi''s sword brows were tightly furrowed as he looked to the Shadow Demon and Zhang Ling beside him and said, "You guys go back to the city first and see if there have been any strangers coming and going recently. I will continue the search here��"


    "Hall Master, we ��"


    Zhang Ling and the Shadow Demon hesitated.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "I allowed them to come out for tempering, and if something really happened, it can only be said that their skills were not up to par, and you should not blame yourselves. As for those who defy the natural order..." A fierce killing intent suddenly flitted across his eyes, "Defiers of the natural way? You had better not harm Ye Heng and the others, otherwise..."


    "Yes!"


    The Shadow Demon and Zhang Ling immediately left with Fang Zheng. S��ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi patted his chest, and Little Lin poked out his head.


    He had now reached the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, but Xiao Yi was thinking of crafting a Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit for Little Lin, which is why he had always suppressed his realm.


    Xiao Yi said, "Little Lin, gather the beast in the mountains, regardless of their strength, as many as you can summon. I want them to help me find the whereabouts of Ye Heng and the others!"


    "Yes!"


    Little Lin was now a peak-tier seventh rank Beast Emperor. The moment he released the Beast Emperor''s aura, countless beasts in the forest rapidly converged.


    When the Beast Emperor was enraged,


    Beasts would run for thousands of miles!


    Shortly��


    The number of beasts Little Lin summoned had exceeded a hundred thousand, and of course, the vast majority of them were lower-tier beasts. All the beasts prostrated on the ground, fearing they would provoke Little Lin and meet a death without a whole corpse. Little Lin said, "Listen to me, from now on, search fully for humans in the mountain range, and inform me the moment you find them!"


    "Yes!"


    "We will abide by the Beast Emperor''s command!"


    The multitude of beasts scattered in all directions.


    Little Lin said, "Boss, you can rest assured! As long as they are still within this mountain range, they absolutely cannot escape my beast army!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    They waited for three hours until darkness fell, when an eagle landed before Xiao Yi, respectfully calling out several times to Little Lin. Little Lin''s amber-like eyes lit up, looking to Xiao Yi, "Boss, we have found the whereabouts of the defiers and Ye Heng''s group!"


    "Very good!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes brightened, flicking a Martial Dao Divine Fruit to the Golden Core Realm eagle, "Lead the way!"


    Cheep cheep!


    The eagle was visibly excited, swiftly soaring into the sky.


    Xiao Yi followed closely behind...


    In a secluded gully in the mountains.


    Ye Heng and the others were closing their eyes tightly, sitting cross-legged on the ground like puppets, motionless, as if under a Binding Spell.


    Not far from them,


    Three figures were sitting cross-legged, gnawing at roasted meat, occasionally looking towards Ye Heng and the others. One of them laughed, "Who would have thought we''d be so lucky to encounter such promising seedlings. The Battle War Holy Body, tsk tsk, if we bring him back, the elders will surely reward us handsomely!"


    "Don''t celebrate too soon. We are still within the territory of the Daqian Dynasty. The time to celebrate is after we''ve successfully taken them back!"


    Another one spoke.


    The one who spoke first carelessly said, "What''s there to fear? This Daqian Dynasty only has two Longevity Secret Realms, what''s there to fear��"


    But as soon as the words left his mouth, a cold voice came through the void, "He''s right, you are celebrating too early!"

 Chapter 696 - 694: Lets Go Together! [Fourth Update]

    "He''s right, you celebrated too early!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly echoed through the mountain gorge.


    Causing the faces of the three men to change simultaneously.


    Whoosh!


    All three stood up at once and dispersed.


    Almost at the same time...


    A loud boom resounded from their previous location, as a terrifying sword ray cut three feet deep into the ground. Within the resulting crater, not a speck of dust remained, because the power of that sword strike was so fearsome that it turned the dirt into fine particles invisible to the naked eye.


    "Who dares to launch such a brazen sneak attack on me?"


    "Do you no longer wish to live?"


    The three men''s faces darkened as they looked in the direction from which the sword light had come.


    They saw Xiao Yi standing suspended in the air, his eyes sharp as blades, seemingly capable of cleaving souls.


    That sword ray was just a sword finger technique he unleashed.


    But its power was comparable to a full-blown strike from a martial artist of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    The three men were all dressed in ordinary clothes, but each of them possessed cultivation levels that were exceptionally strong and profound.


    Among the three, two were at the Seventh Nirvana Realm, and one at the Nine Nirvana Realm.


    However...


    Xiao Yi instinctively felt that these three men were stronger than the realms they displayed.


    Especially the young man in the Nine Nirvana Realm, who gave Xiao Yi the impression that he was by no means weaker than Yang Zun��after all, Yang Zun was a First-layer Human Venerable from the Longevity Secret Realm. Even Shen Qianyi, who once topped the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, was no more than this, which caused Xiao Yi to narrow his eyes, "Are you the Renegades?"


    The word ''Renegades'' seemed to deeply offend the three men.


    Their expressions turned even more sullen.


    The strong Martial Artist in the Seventh Nirvana Realm, with a face dark as charcoal, coldly said, "Renegade my ass, I''m from the Changsheng Sect!"


    "Changsheng Sect?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, memories from Wind Thunder come to mind.


    The Changsheng Sect!


    This was an incredibly ancient force. The original Hall of Longevity was crafted by them.


    But...


    Since the battle between Zhao Wuji and Wind Thunder that shattered the continent and plunged the Hall of Longevity into the depths of the void, the Changsheng Sect had disappeared without a trace.


    He hadn''t expected these three Renegades to claim they were from the Changsheng Sect.


    Watching Xiao Yi fall silent,


    The man coldly said, "What? Now that you know we''re from the Changsheng Sect, are you scared?"


    Xiao Yi''s face grew somber, and he frowned, "Am I supposed to be afraid of you?"


    "Hmph!"


    The man snorted coldly, apparently angered by Xiao Yi''s previous attack, and through gritted teeth said, "Since you''re not afraid, then let''s fight!"


    Boom!


    A blue pillar of light burst forth from his body.


    The pillar was round and solid,


    As if tangible.


    In an instant,


    Under a burst of blue light, he appeared right in front of Xiao Yi. His figure charged wildly towards Xiao Yi, his hands gripping the light pillar and smashing it down upon Xiao Yi''s head.


    This blue light pillar was his Martial Tao Skill manifestation.


    The entire artifact was as condensed and tangible as if it had undergone seven nirvanic transformations of the Martial Dao Fasxiang.


    And his body, too, was awash with brilliant light, as tough as iron bone.


    This was clearly a sign of Physical Nirvana!


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank suddenly, his eyes filled with a hint of amazement, "Both Physical and Fasxiang Dual Nirvana?"


    As everyone knows,


    The path of Nirvana is divided into three.


    Physical, Fasxiang, and spiritual power!


    But...


    In the Qingtian Realm, martial artists all chose one Path of Nirvana to walk. When Xiao Yi had once inquired about this to Emperor Qian and the others, the answer he received also pointed to a singular Path of Nirvana; it was absolutely impossible for one to walk more than one Path of Nirvana simultaneously.


    Even Xiao Yi himself had obtained the "Tongtian Sanlu" and "All Path Unity" by unexpected surprise.


    Only then could he simultaneously raise all three paths to the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    The person before him had actually walked both the Physical Nirvana and Law Incarnation Nirvana, and both had reached the Seventh Nirvana Realm.


    This couldn''t help but surprise Xiao Yi.


    It was during this moment of surprise that Xiao Yi was hit by a blue pillar of light, crashing into a mountainside like a falling meteor. The entire mountain trembled thunderously until it finally came to a rest, with a human-shaped crater formed on the mountainside. The youth who had just struck Xiao Yi sneered, "And here I thought you were some expert. Turns out you''re just a pretty face with no real skill..."


    "Be careful!"


    The cultivator from the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm who had taken the inverted path suddenly spoke up to warn.


    On the ground. sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    There was a sudden, violent undulation like a dragon turning over.


    The abrupt shaking caused the man to stagger, nearly losing his balance. Almost at the same time, a sky-shattering sword light burst forth from the ground, blasting directly onto the youth.


    Boom!


    The youth was sent flying backward, blood spraying violently from his mouth.


    He traced a beautiful arc in the air and then slammed to the ground with a thud, in a complete disarray.


    "Damn it!"


    The youth got up with a carp''s flip, his body shining with a bright light, yet it now bore a sword mark. With his face smeared with blood, he looked even more somber, "Son of a bitch, what a terrifying sword! How could it injure me in my Seventh Nirvana Realm of Physical Nirvana?"


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi burst forth from the ground.


    He still wore black, untainted by even a speck of dust, his ink-black hair disheveled, and the Zhanyue in his hand exuded a cold, sharp edge.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes swept over the man, confirming that he had indeed walked both the Physical and Law Incarnation Nirvanas. His gaze turned to the other two, thinking to himself: Could it be that these two have also walked two Paths of Nirvana? No, I need to test them...


    With that thought.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over the two men, coldly saying, "So this is all there is to the contrary path cultivators!"


    "You''re the one on the contrary path!"


    "We are the Changsheng Sect, in accordance with the Heavenly Dao..."


    All three faces changed color.


    It seemed to them that the term "contrary path cultivator" was a great insult.


    With a thought, Xiao Yi intended to probe the truth of the three, further provoking them, "Ridiculous, you three think you comply with the Heavenly Dao?"


    "Damn it, you keep insulting our Changsheng Sect over and over again. You''re forcing us to kill you!" the man who had previously fought with Xiao Yi shouted with a dark face.


    The powerhouse at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm was expressionless, but his fists were already tightly clenched.


    His eyes flickered with a fierce killing intent.


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upwards, he pointed at the three men and beckoned with his fingers, "Kill me? Unless the three of you attack together, maybe then you''ll have a sliver of hope!"


    "How infuriating!"


    "This guy is way too arrogant..."


    Whoo!


    The powerhouse at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "You''re not worthy of our joint effort to kill you; alone, I am enough!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved up, and he raised a finger towards him, "You, one move will be enough for me!"


    "Presumptuous!"


    The powerhouse at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm''s pupils contracted sharply as he glared with wide eyes. A needle-thin beam of spiritual power exploded from within his eyes, charging straight into Xiao Yi''s brow.


    Xiao Yi''s body shuddered.


    The three of them laughed loudly, "You dare to underestimate us? Now you''re dead, right?"


    "Truly worthy to be the leader, that spiritual attack is getting stronger and stronger..."


    However...


    The powerhouse at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm suddenly trembled all over, vomiting blood with a look of shock and anger on his face as he stared at Xiao Yi, "Such strong spiritual power, it actually managed to forcefully devour my spiritual attack..."


    "What?"


    "The leader''s spiritual attack was devoured?"


    The two were dumbfounded and turned to look at Xiao Yi in unison.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, his tone filled with provocation, "The three of you, it''s better if you come at me together!"

 Chapter 697 - 695: One Against Three, The Form of Wudi! (Fifth Update)

    ```


    "You might as well all come at me together!"


    Xiao Yi looked at the three of them indifferently and spoke coldly.


    When Xiao Yi realized that Ye Heng and the others were not in mortal danger, he had not intended to engage with the three opponents, but upon seeing that one of them was actually following the path of dual Nirvana Rebirth.


    It was then that Xiao Yi forced the three to make a move.


    To confirm the suspicions in his mind.


    The three looked at each other.


    It had always been...


    Changsheng Sect''s strong were unbeatable within the same realm.


    But now.


    Xiao Yi was merely at the Peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, yet his combat power could suppress a powerhouse who achieved Seventh Nirvana Realm in both spirit and body, and he could even devour attacks from the Ninth Nirvana of Spiritual Nirvana. Such a powerful being at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, they had only seen a handful in their lives; even within the Changsheng Sect, such a strong person was rare.


    Whoosh!


    The three exchanged glances, and the Nine Nirvana Realm expert said in a deep voice, "It seems you are the much-talked-about Xiao Yi from the Daqian Dynasty, the one who killed Shen Qianyi!"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Indeed, it is I, Xiao Yi."


    "Xiao Zhenguo''s strength is indeed formidable!"


    "However, it''s a pity that with such strength and talent, you willingly become the lackey of the Nantian Sacred Land..."


    The three sighed softly.


    Their eyes looking at Xiao Yi were filled with intense disdain and hatred, as if anyone associated with the Nantian Sacred Land was an enemy with whom they were completely incompatible.


    The powerhouse at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm said solemnly, "Since you are Xiao Zhenguo, you naturally deserve to know our names, so you won''t die without knowing who killed you." After a pause, he continued, "I am Wu Zhichao of Changsheng Sect, and these are my junior brothers, Liu Zuokang and Zhou Wei. We three brothers have come to experience the renowned skills of Xiao Zhenguo!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Wu Zhichao and his two companions simultaneously erupted with a terrifying wave of energy.


    Around Wu Zhichao, numerous discs floated up and down, encircling his body as they began to fly, and amidst the clanging sounds, sharp serrations appeared on the edges of the discs. Behind him, a towering tree grew, and vines stretched out, entwining around the rotating discs and producing a humming drone.


    A look of realization crossed Xiao Yi''s eyes: "Spiritual Nirvana, Dharma Manifestation Nirvana, both reached the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm. Indeed, they too are following the dual Nirvana Rebirth path..."


    His gaze shifted toward the remaining two.


    Both Liu Zuokang and Zhou Wei had achieved the Seventh Nirvana Realm in both body and Dharma Manifestation!


    "Indeed, they are all following the dual Nirvana Rebirth path... What exactly is the deal with these so-called followers of the Changsheng Sect? Why are they all following the dual Nirvana paths? Among them, could there be someone who is following three Nirvana paths?" Xiao Yi realized that these heretics might be more complex than what Yang Dingtian had described.


    It seems there are deeper secrets unknown to others.


    While contemplating,


    Wu Zhichao and his two companions had already launched an attack on Xiao Yi. The heretics and the sacred land were like fire and water, each encounter leading to relentless attempts to kill the other.


    In their view...


    Xiao Yi, who followed Nantian Sacred Land''s pursuit order from the south, seeking them out to kill, was undoubtedly the pawn of Nantian Sacred Land.


    So they showed no mercy in their attack.


    "Heaven-Obscuring Palm Imprint!"


    Liu Zuokang struck out with a palm, his body strengthened by Physical Nirvana, transforming his hand into a mountainous silhouette that blotted out the sky as it came crashing down upon Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi stood erect.


    With his left hand behind his back, he pointed out with his right hand: "Four Symbols Sky-Pinning Finger!"


    A giant finger enveloped in the phantom images of the four symbols struck out, hitting the center of the palm. With a loud bang, blood mist sprayed from within the palm, causing Liu Zuokang to howl in pain, his hand dripping with blood. Almost at the same time, Zhou Wei roared, "Don''t harm my brother. Take my Crippled Sky Leg!"


    Swish!


    ```


    Zhou Wei braced himself with both hands on the ground and swept over with a leg sweep, his right leg expanding continuously.


    Covered with a silver metallic luster.


    Like the legendary Crippled Sky Leg, it lashed towards Xiao Yi''s waist. S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and reached out towards a nearby mountain. With telekinesis, he uprooted the several hundred zhang tall mountain. Lifting it high above his head, he smashed it down with a thunderous crash, colliding with the Crippled Sky Leg.


    Boom!


    In the deafening roar,


    The mountain shattered, and the Crippled Sky Leg also exploded, reverting to its normal size.


    Xiao Yi advanced a step and stomped on Zhou Wei''s shin. With a crisp crack, he broke Zhou Wei''s leg bone.


    As he was about to capture him,


    Wu Zhichao''s roar, like thunder, rolled in: "Stop hurting my brother!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The tree canopy behind him shook, as if a world was swaying.


    Countless vines twisted wildly; the discs on them sped up to the extreme, with whooshing sounds that were deafening, as if they were about to pierce the eardrums.


    The serrated edges on the discs brought up gusts of wind sharp enough to slice through iron like mud.


    Hundreds of discs flew towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi withdrew quickly.


    Purple light flowed through Wu Zhichao''s eyes: "Illusory Maha Realm..."


    Hum!


    A spiritual fluctuation, vast as the ocean, covered the surroundings, and Xiao Yi blinked as the space around him began to twist eerily.


    When everything calmed down...


    Before him was not a mountain stream but an endless dark prison.


    His limbs and body were bound by dark chains, locking all his abilities to move, forcing him to foolishly stand in place.


    Seeing Xiao Yi motionless, the eyes of Zhou Wei and Liu Zuokang sparkled with excitement: "The captain''s Illusory Maha Realm was successful, Xiao Yi is trapped in the illusion and cannot struggle free. He''s now like a lamb to the slaughter, completely powerless. The strongest under the eternal? Pah, that''s only because our Changsheng Sect hasn''t stepped forward. Otherwise, it wouldn''t be your turn."


    The two were ecstatic, as if anticipating the scene of Xiao Yi being minced by Wu Zhichao''s hundreds of discs.


    But they soon stopped smiling.


    Xiao Yi, who had been standing still, suddenly lifted the corners of his mouth as the illusion before him cracked like shattered glass.


    Amidst the resounding snap,


    The entire illusion burst apart.


    At the same time...


    Surges of Sword Qi shot up into the sky. Amidst the swishing sounds, the hundreds of discs were blasted to pieces, scattering like dust to the ground.


    Wow!


    Wu Zhichao''s face suddenly went pale. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his body staggering backward. Fortunately, Zhou Wei and Liu Zuokang quickly supported him, preventing him from falling to the ground.


    "Go, run..."


    Looking pale, Wu Zhichao turned to the other two, using his last ounce of strength to hysterically shout.


    Liu Zuokang and Zhou Wei exchanged glances.


    Not daring to delay, they grabbed Wu Zhichao and flew off into the sky.


    Xiao Yi did not attempt to stop them.


    Gazing in the direction of the trio''s escape, Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his eyes revealing a profound depth: "Nantian Holy Land? Contrarians? Changsheng Sect? It seems this world still hides many secrets unknown to man..."


    PS: The fifth chapter ends! I didn''t break my promise, and I''m truly sorry to everyone! The plot outline has been adjusted, and soon Xiao Tian will rise! Good night everyone, see you tomorrow!

 Chapter 698 - 696 Sinister Tactics [First Update]

    After repelling Wu Zhichao and his two companions,


    Xiao Yi did not pursue them.


    All three of them exuded a mysterious aura, especially since all were martial artists of the dual Nirvana Rebirth Path, which made Xiao Yi even more curious about the Changsheng Sect and the Heretics.


    After all,


    before encountering these Heretics, Xiao Yi had never seen anyone other than himself who walked multiple paths of Nirvana Rebirth. S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet now he had encountered three at once��how could he not be curious?


    Moreover, since Wu Zhichao and his companions had not committed any evil acts, and Xiao Yi himself was not lacking in spiritual longevity, he naturally would not rashly kill them.


    His gaze turned toward Ye Heng and the others, who were sitting cross-legged by the stream.


    Even the intense battle just now had not awakened Ye Heng and the others. After checking on them, Xiao Yi helplessly confirmed that they had been hit by a spiritual attack and were immersed in an illusion.


    The strongest among them was only at the Tao Tribulation Realm, indeed not capable of withstanding Wu Zhichao''s spiritual illusion.


    "Wu Zhichao''s spiritual attack is indeed not weak. Had I not fully mastered the ninth diagram of Heaven-reaching Skill Record, I too might have plunged into his illusion!" Xiao Yi thought to himself, realizing that only those who have personally experienced a spiritual attack can understand its terrifying nature.


    Some beings with strong spiritual power


    can even cause their opponents to end themselves within the illusion.


    Sigh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, his spiritual power vast like the sea, instantly enveloping Ye Heng and the others.


    Under the terror of the spiritual shock,


    the faces of Ye Heng and the others changed simultaneously, and they all awakened from the illusion.


    As they woke up, they recalled what had happened before, and each was frightened after the fact.


    Ye Heng shook his head, feeling as if his head were as big as a fight.


    After recovering a bit,


    they turned their gaze to Xiao Yi, their faces full of shame and self-blame, "Thank you, Head of the Institute, for saving our lives��"


    Ye Heng scratched his head, a mournful look on his face, "Master, I have disgraced you��"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand. With the methods of Wu Zhichao and the other two, unless Ye Heng set foot in the Longevity Secret Realm and became a Human Venerate, he certainly couldn''t escape their joint efforts. Xiao Yi thus said, "Don''t worry about it. Those three are a bit sinister, and with your current level of cultivation, you couldn''t possibly be their match."


    "Master, what''s the story with those three? I don''t even know how I fell for their tricks," Ye Heng expressed his confusion.


    Xiao Yi said, "Spiritual attack!"


    Ye Heng suddenly realized and nodded, "Ah, that explains it... Although my Battle War Holy Body has unrivaled physical strength at my level, my Dharma form and spiritual power are indeed weak points... Alas, it''s a pity that I can only walk one path of Nirvana Rebirth. If I could cultivate multiple paths, that would be great!"


    That''s the helplessness of countless martial artists.


    Who doesn''t want to improve in all aspects, without any weaknesses?


    A Golden Core Realm Peak disciple from Xiaoshanhe Institute beside him shook his head and said, "All six great martial sanctuaries have stated that you can only walk one path of Nirvana Rebirth. If you walk multiple paths at the same time, not only will the cultivation be extremely difficult, but you also won''t be able to break through to the Longevity Secret Realm in your lifetime. Unless you''re content to only reach the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, it''s better not to try!"


    Ye Heng nodded, sighing with resignation, "That''s true..."


    Xiao Yi, however, remained silent.


    The conversation between Ye Heng and the disciple brought Wu Zhichao and the others to Xiao Yi''s mind.


    Could it be that the Heretics are those who defy the martial rules laid out by the six great sanctuaries?


    Do the members of the Changsheng Sect not wish to break through to the Longevity Secret Realm?


    That''s absolutely impossible!


    Not a single martial artist wished to break through that realm; after all, even the Nirvana Realm could at most provide a few thousand years of life, but the Longevity Secret Realm was the start of ten thousand years!


    "Master..."


    Ye Heng called out several times, Xiao Yi did not respond, so he raised his voice. Seeing Xiao Yi look towards him, he continued, "Master, what should we do next?"


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment and said, "Continue to search for the whereabouts of the heretics, but as long as they do not harm the common people, temporarily refrain from taking any action against them. Some things, after I have clarified them, then we can decide how to deal with them..."


    "Alright!"


    Ye Heng did not understand why Xiao Yi had suddenly changed his attitude towards the heretics, but he did not say much more.


    Immediately, Xiao Yi passed down the order.


    On the surface, the Daqian Dynasty was still vigorously pursuing the heretics, but it was all bark and no bite. For a full half-month, they captured none.


    In contrast was the Nantian Dynasty.


    In just half a month''s time.


    The number of heretics they had captured and killed had already exceeded fifty, far more than the Daqian Dynasty.


    These were five Longevity Spirits!


    One day...


    Inside the Nantian Dynasty''s imperial palace.


    Nantian Wen obtained five Longevity Spirits from the envoy of the holy lands. This could allow the Nantian Dynasty to create five more experts of the Longevity Secret Realm, but these were all the lowest level of Longevity Spirits, the highest among them not exceeding third grade. To Nantian Wen, these were certainly unimpressive.


    He casually tossed the five Longevity Spirits to Long Sihai: "Take them back, find five new faces, and send them to the Daqian Dynasty!"


    "Your Majesty, do you mean..." Long Sihai''s eyes flashed with a sharp light as he asked, puzzled.


    Nantian Wen tapped his fingers lightly on the table, speaking indifferently, "Half a month ago, didn''t you receive intelligence that Xiao Yi had a conflict with the Changsheng Sect? It would be reasonable for the heretics of the Changsheng Sect to plot half a month to retaliate against the Daqian Dynasty, wouldn''t it?"


    "Your servant obeys the decree!"


    Long Sihai''s eyes turned, understanding Nantian Wen''s intentions, and he respectfully complied.


    "Hmm!"


    Nantian Wen nodded, got up, and walked over to Long Sihai''s side. His hands folded behind him, he said expressionlessly, "How''s the interrogation of those heretics going?"


    In truth, they had captured fifty-three heretics, but the remaining three had always been held in the Supervisory Office, subjected to strict interrogation, in the hope of forcing out the reason why the holy lands were going to great lengths to hunt down the heretics. Long Sihai shook his head with a bitter smile, "They have still not spoken; these heretics are tough..."


    They had been dealing with the heretics not for one or two days.


    They were quite familiar with each other.


    Nantian Wen squinted and said, "The heretics, the Changsheng Sect... It''s just a pity that after so many years, we have never captured a heretic from the Longevity Secret Realm..."


    Long Sihai also sighed, "Indeed! The members of the Changsheng Sect follow multiple Nirvana paths, their combat power is far stronger than those of the same realm who only follow a singular Nirvana path. If we could know how they cultivate and how they break through to the Longevity Secret Realm, it would definitely be a leap in strength for our Nantian Dynasty. Alas, once it involves the Changsheng Sect, the Nantian holy lands become extremely tough, not giving us any chance..."


    Ever since they learned that the Changsheng Sect''s strong figures walked several Nirvana paths, they also had strong figures attempt to cultivate multiple Nirvana paths simultaneously.


    The results...


    The strongest only managed to advance to the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, and moreover, once they took more than two Nirvana paths, even with Longevity Spirits at hand, they could not break through to the Longevity Secret Realm.


    This left Nantian Wen extremely helpless.


    "We''ll take our time with the Changsheng Sect. First, arrange the matter I previously instructed��" Nantian Wen said indifferently.


    "Yes!"


    Long Sihai immediately withdrew.


    Nantian Wen narrowed his eyes, his lips curling into a cruel cold smile. He muttered to himself, "The Daqian Dynasty? Xiao Yi? Hmph, welcome the grand gift I have prepared for you..."

 Chapter 699 - 697: Destroying Thirteen Cities, Slaughtering a Billion People! [Second Update]

    Four Clouds Province.


    Four Corners City, once the capital of the Four Clouds Kingdom, had now become the main city of the Four Clouds Province.


    With a permanent population exceeding fifty million, it was an extremely large and prosperous city.


    Beneath the cover of night.


    A figure appeared out of thin air, hovering above Four Corners City.


    Looking down at the brightly lit Four Corners City, still bustling with traffic, his lips curled into a cruel cold smile, "Blame Xiao Yi if you must! If he hadn''t brought your Four Clouds Kingdom under the Daqian Dynasty''s flag, you wouldn''t have become our target for attack..."


    Hum!


    At the tip of his finger,


    a speck of cold light began to coalesce, growing larger and larger.


    In the end, it ballooned to the size of a full moon, suspended in mid-air.


    For a moment.


    The city of Four Corners lit up as if it were daylight, and one by one, the powerful beings in the city were shocked and looked up at the silver orb floating in the sky: "What is that?"


    "It looks like the sun, doesn''t it?"


    "Where would the sun come from at night? Wait... look below that orb, there seems to be someone..."


    "There really is someone, that is..."


    All of a sudden.


    The entire Four Corners City fell silent, the aura of death shrouded the great Four Corners City, sea??h th�� nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "No good, that, that is a powerhouse from the Longevity Secret Realm..."


    "He''s going to attack our Four Corners City, run for it!"


    At that moment, the entire Four Corners City descended into complete chaos as countless powerhouses fled towards the outskirts.


    In the void.


    The man in black, looking down at some of the powerhouses who had already fled Four Corners City, slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a cruel smile, and declared loudly, "People of Four Corners City, listen. I am an elder of the Changsheng Sect, and your Xiao Yi, the Grand Marshal of Daqian, dared to harm my Sect members. I will annihilate your Four Corners City as punishment!"


    Boom!


    The orb of light crashed down explosively, instantly expanding to the size of a mountain.


    It enveloped the entire Four Corners City.


    Rumbling!


    Under the crushing force of the orb, the entire Four Corners City trembled violently as the ground split and the heavens crumbled.


    Millions of innocent people within Four Corners City, caught in their sleep, were buried alive beneath the earth, and countless powerhouses perished in this terrible storm of energy.


    The entire explosion lasted for half an hour.


    When all had dissipated...


    The massive city with a permanent population of fifty million had been completely razed to the ground!


    Only a gigantic crater a hundred miles in diameter remained on the ground.


    Apart from a few powerhouses who had escaped the city, the grand Four Corners City had entirely turned to dust and disappeared.


    At the same time.


    Similar tragic events of the Longevity Secret Realm''s powerhouses slaughtering cities occurred in several other provinces of the Daqian Dynasty.


    Massacres, annihilation!


    Apart from an extremely small number of powerhouses who narrowly escaped, those destroyed cities did not even leave a single tile behind, and the news of the avengers punishing Xiao Yi by slaughtering and annihilating cities spread widely. With the helping hand of those with ulterior motives, a wave of anti-Xiao Yi sentiment surged throughout the Daqian Dynasty.


    Especially in places like Four Clouds Province and Sword King Province, where civilians and powerhouses alike formed rebel forces.


    For a time.


    The people of the Daqian Dynasty lived in fear.


    Inside the Imperial Palace.


    Yang Ling, looking at the mountainous piles of memorials and emergency documents before him, suddenly felt a headache as big as a fight, and said to Xiao Yi with a wry smile, "The current situation is like this. Just last night, within one night, the Changsheng Sect eliminated thirteen cities. The number of casualties among the common people exceeds a billion..."


    The destructive power of the experts from the Longevity Secret Realm is extremely terrifying!


    With a wave of their sleeves.


    A city of a million people could be turned to ashes.


    If they take action seriously, even a large city with tens of millions of people is just a matter of a snap of the fingers.


    Just like Four Corners City.


    The expert, with just a tap of his finger, flattened the entire city to the ground.


    Yang Zun held the emergency report in his hands and showed a contemplative look, speaking in a deep voice, "Strange, this incident is truly very strange. The massacre of cities that occurred last night, and today rebellion broke out everywhere, as if a black hand was pushing everything behind the scenes."


    "There''s nothing strange about it. It''s very likely that all this is the doing of the Nantian Dynasty!" Bai Fa Sword Emperor said with a sneer.


    Yang Ling shook his head, "The matter of the rebels might be related to the Nantian Dynasty, but those heretics from the Changsheng Sect... Surely the Nantian Dynasty doesn''t have the guts, do they? After all, the Nantian Holy Land has issued an order that during the period of the Nantian chase-to-kill order, no conflicts are allowed to break out between the two countries. Would Nantian Wen really dare to do such a thing? Isn''t he afraid of the punishment from the Nantian Holy Land?"


    Yang Zun nodded in agreement, "After all, it is an order from the Nantian Holy Land, so presumably Nantian Wen shouldn''t take this risk. The most likely possibility is that the ones who are slaughtering the cities are indeed the heretics, and the Nantian Dynasty is just covertly inciting the rebels to create disturbance..."


    "Even so, those heretics are too insane, destroying thirteen cities, massacring a billion people��" Bai Fa Sword Emperor clenched his fists tightly, and his eyes shone with ice-cold sharpness.


    He is now the Grand Marshal Tianbao of the Daqian Dynasty.


    Defending the nation''s gates, maintaining stability.


    And yet such a horrendous disaster happened, how could he not be furious?


    "Alright!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, and seeing everyone looking at him, continued to speak, "Bai Fa, haven''t we already located over a dozen gathering points for the heretics? Let the Shadow Demon and them take action, eliminate all these points for me... Whether it''s them or not, after we wipe out these points, they will surely be unable to resist showing themselves!"


    "No problem!"


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor rubbed his hands together eagerly, "I''ve been impatient for a while now!"


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, with a cold light flickering within, "I hope it wasn''t your doing. Otherwise... Xiao Yi and your Changsheng Sect will be at irreconcilable odds!"


    ...


    Late that night.


    Intense conflicts broke out all over the Daqian Dynasty.


    Grand Marshal Tianbao Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Supreme Elder Yang Zun, and King Xiao Yi all took action, eliminating eighteen gathering points of the Changsheng Sect in one night.


    Captured thirty-six heretics from the Changsheng Sect.


    Under Xiao Yi''s orders, the captured heretics of the Changsheng Sect were escorted to the capital overnight and proclaimed to the world that at noon tomorrow, outside of the Wumen Gate of the capital, they would be beheaded for all to see!


    This news made the heretics hiding in the shadows unable to bear it any longer, unable to watch their comrades from the Changsheng Sect die miserably, and invariably revealed their tracks, converging towards the capital of the Daqian Dynasty.


    The next day at noon.


    In the capital, outside the Wumen Gate...


    Dozens of bound heretics from the Changsheng Sect knelt in the execution ground as executioners sharpened their knives, ready to slay the group of heretics.


    Seeing that the appointed time had come.


    Xiao Yi, sitting on the execution platform, took out the command arrow and threw it forward, "Behead!"


    But just as the command arrow was about to hit the ground.


    An invisible palm appeared out of thin air, capturing the command arrow into the sky.


    "At last, you''ve come!"


    A slight smile curled the corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth as he looked upwards towards the sky above Wumen Gate, his pupils shrinking slightly, "Is it you?"


    In the sky above.


    The newcomer bore a bitter smile with a hint of helplessness, "Brother Xiao, long time no see, are you well?"

 Chapter 700 - 698: The Truth Revealed, What is a Contrarian? [Third Release]

    "Brother Xiao, are you well?"


    The newcomer hovered in midair, clutching the command arrow in his hand, his face bearing a bitter smile as he spoke in a deep voice.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly.


    The reason he had openly executed these rebels at the Wumen Gate today was to lure out the hidden followers of the Changsheng Sect in the shadows.


    But...


    What Xiao Yi hadn''t expected was that the person who would come would be him!


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath of turbid air and stared at the newcomer, saying, "I didn''t expect it would be you!"


    "I''m truly sorry!"


    The newcomer also wore a face full of regret, glanced around, and spoke in a solemn voice, "Brother Xiao, could we perhaps release them first, so you and I can talk in detail?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and snapped his fingers.


    One by one, the likes of Bai Fa Sword Emperor and Yang Zun retreated from the shadows.


    Yet, at the command of Xiao Yi, the thirty-six rebels were decapitated on the spot.


    In an instant, heads rolled and blood flowed freely.


    The man''s face remained expressionless, as if the deaths had nothing to do with him.


    Xiao Yi cast a indifferent glance at the executioners and ordered, "Clean up the scene, hang all the severed heads at the city gate for public display!"


    "Yes!"


    The executioners, all trained death warriors by Emperor Qian, obeyed Xiao Yi''s every command and promptly carried the heads away.


    Xiao Yi took a look at the man and then departed into the sky.


    The man hesitated for a moment, sighed softly, and followed.


    Moments later...


    The two arrived at Imperial Dragon Mountain one after another.


    Little Lin darted out from Xiao Yi''s embrace, his face holding an indecipherable expression as he looked at the man before him and said in a deep voice, "Old Yue, I never imagined you would be from the Changsheng Sect, you really deceived me and boss Xiao deeply!"


    Xiao Yi''s face remained expressionless, silently observing him.


    The newcomer was indeed Yue Shanchuan!


    Ever since Xiao Yi had repelled the assault from the Nantian Dynasty, Yue Shanchuan had left without saying goodbye.


    That parting had lasted for over half a year.


    What Xiao Yi and Little Lin had not expected was that they would reunite under such circumstances. S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Under the scrutiny of both men, Yue Shanchuan too wore a bitter smile, full of apologies as he said, "I''m truly sorry, I had no choice. I was originally carrying out a mission in the Chaotic Seas, and upon my return to Star Pavilion, I was commanded by the sect to return. It was then that the Great Qian Dynasty faced peril, and I returned with you. After resolving the Nantian Dynasty''s threat, I left without bidding farewell!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    After learning of Xiao Yi''s journey to Greenfish Island, Yue Shanchuan had plainly stated his desire to join him.


    Back then, Xiao Yi hadn''t thought much about it, but now, connecting it to what Yue Shanchuan had said, he understood that Yue''s mission in the Chaotic Seas was to find Star Pavilion.


    Xiao Yi said gravely, "Old Yue, your people from the Changsheng Sect have been rampant in killing throughout the Daqian Dynasty. Yet today, you appear before me, trying to save those rebels. Don''t you think you owe me an explanation?"


    "Actually... I think you''ve already guessed it, otherwise, you wouldn''t have used a group of prisoners to impersonate members of my Changsheng Sect!"


    Yue Shanchuan gazed at Xiao Yi, gratitude appearing in his eyes.


    The thirty-six men executed at Wumen were not real rebels; they were just a group of prisoners.


    Xiao Yi had them beheaded, their heads to be hung at the city gates for all to see.


    It served to intimidate the petty criminals and, at the same time, to shut the mouths of the Nantian Holy Land.


    Otherwise...


    Once the Nantian Dynasty demanded those thirty-six heretics from him, what would Xiao Yi have to exchange?


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, neither admitting nor denying, simply saying calmly, "I want to get the real answer!"


    "Forget it!"


    Yue Shanchuan sighed and said in a heavy tone, "You should have noticed that all followers of the Changsheng Sect share one characteristic: at the very least, each of them follows two paths of Nirvana."


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    "Those sacred lands in the human realm label us heretics of the Changsheng Sect precisely because we follow multiple paths of Nirvana!"


    Seeing Xiao Yi frown in contemplation, Yue Shanchuan continued, "In fact, within the sacred lands, any member with three stars or more follows at least two paths of Nirvana. The only difference between us and the sacred lands is that they do not allow the various Nirvana cultivation methods to spread, whereas our Changsheng Sect wishes for everyone to embark on this true path of martial arts."


    Buzz!


    A sudden tremor shook Xiao Yi''s mind.


    As if within a realm of darkness,


    a burst of insight suddenly streaked past,


    shattering the darkness completely, as endless light spilled forth and illuminated the entire world.


    After encountering Wu Zhichao and the others, Xiao Yi had been puzzled, these people had not committed crimes or unforgivable sins. Why then did the sacred lands view them as heretics, determined to put them to death?


    Until this moment, Xiao Yi finally understood!


    The so-called heretics!


    They did not oppose the glorious and righteous path, but rather the sacred lands'' domineering and authoritarian way.


    The path of martial arts promoted by the sacred lands is fundamentally flawed!


    For this reason...


    The sacred lands were able to keep the strongest martial force firmly within their grasp, while in the secular world, martial artists who followed the flawed path, no matter how talented, could never become a threat to the sacred lands'' existence.


    If comparing the Qingtian Realm to a country,


    then the sacred lands would be the supreme imperial authority, and the martial artists below the heavens would be the common people.


    They were employing the policy of keeping the populace ignorant!


    Keeping the true and complete martial arts cultivation method to themselves for royalty and those close to the royal family, while passing the incomplete path down to the commoners.


    How could the commoners, cultivating the flawed path, ever catch up to royalty following the complete martial path?


    "So that''s how it is... Heretics, the path they oppose is not the Heavenly Dao, nor the path where righteousness prevails. It''s just that the Changsheng Sect''s beliefs oppose the sacred land''s rule over the Qingtian Realm, becoming an obstacle to their policy of keeping the populace ignorant, thus becoming a thorn in the side of the sacred lands..." Xiao Yi finally sorted everything out.


    At the same time,


    he also understood what it meant to be a heretic.


    Little Lin''s face showed a human-like puzzlement, "If that''s really the case, wouldn''t it mean that the Changsheng Sect is for the people of the Qingtian Realm? Then, why did your people slaughter cities in the Great Qian Dynasty? Thirteen whole cities, over a billion living souls!"


    Yue Shanchuan opened his mouth, but Xiao Yi simply said, "Isn''t it clear? The ones who acted are not from the Changsheng Sect."


    "Hmm?"


    Little Lin was taken aback.


    Yue Shanchuan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Brother Xiao is right, our Changsheng Sect is not responsible for the massacre of cities and clans!"


    "Then who did it?"


    Little Lin said through gritted teeth, "Daring to slaughter the innocent within my Great Qian Dynasty, if I find out who did it, I''ll crush them to ashes!"


    Yue Shanchuan looked toward Xiao Yi, "Brother Xiao, you must have guessed it by now, right?"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, the cold light in his eyes swirling, he said deliberately, "Nantian Dynasty... I''ll make them pay the price!"


    PS: The third update is here; let''s warm up, Xiao Tian continues!

 Chapter 701 - 699: Catching Them All in One Sweep [Fourth Update]

    "The Nantian Dynasty? Big brother, you mean, this whole affair was the doing of the Nantian Dynasty?"


    Little Lin looked at Xiao Yi with a puzzled face.


    Xiao Yi glanced towards Yue Shanchuan.


    Yue Shanchuan nodded and forced a bitter smile, grinding his teeth as he said, "We didn''t expect that Nantian Wen would be so shameless. He sent five experts from the Longevity Secret Realm to infiltrate the Daqian Dynasty, massacring cities and exterminating clans in the name of the Changsheng Sect..."


    Boom!


    A chilling murderous intent suddenly burst forth from Little Lin.


    The cold killing aura was almost tangible.


    It caused the surrounding area within a hundred paces to feel as bone-chilling as the depth of winter.


    Beasts were naturally bloodthirsty.


    But...


    Even a being like Little Lin, who possessed Divine Skills of Devouring, had never laid a hand on an innocent person before.


    He never imagined that Nantian Wen could commit such cruel acts.


    "Big brother, we must avenge this wrong..." Little Lin said through gritted teeth.


    Xiao Yi nodded, his face expressionless as he replied, "Of course we will seek revenge, but we''ll do more than that. I intend to flay a heavy layer of flesh from the Nantian Dynasty."


    "Xiao, you must not be impulsive!"


    Yue Shanchuan hurriedly interjected, "The Nantian Dynasty has a legacy of ten thousand years, their foundation is too deep. Just that Nantian Wen alone, it is said that when the Nantian Holy Institute was founded, the Nantian holy land was furious and dispatched a Tianjiao powerhouse to eliminate Nantian Wen. However, with just a single palm strike, Nantian Wen suppressed that Tianjiao powerhouse..."


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, while Little Lin gasped in disbelief, "A single palm strike suppressed a Tianjiao powerhouse?"


    The five realms of Longevity!


    Human Venerate, Earthly Honor, Tianjiao, Supreme Venerable, and Saintly Honor!


    To suppress a Tianjiao powerhouse with one palm strike, one must at least be at the level of a Supreme Venerable.


    Yue Shanchuan replied with a wry smile, "That was hundreds of years ago�� Do you think Nantian Wen hasn''t progressed in the past few centuries?"


    Gulp!


    Little Lin tentatively looked towards Xiao Yi, "Big brother, that old dog Nantian Wen is too strong, isn''t he?"


    "No matter!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand nonchalantly, the corners of his mouth curving into a cold, cruel smile, "Let''s first figure out how to deal with those five who are impersonating Changsheng Sect warriors from the Longevity Secret Realm. As for the Nantian Dynasty, I have my own plans!"


    Yue Shanchuan said in a grave voice, "Xiao, for my sake, could you let those people go?"


    The Changsheng Sect had directly tasked him with contacting Xiao Yi precisely because of his acquaintance with Xiao Yi.


    If it was possible to resolve the situation without resorting to arms, then so be it.


    The Changsheng Sect didn''t wish to become enemies with Xiao Yi.


    After all��


    With the talent and strength Xiao Yi currently possessed, it wouldn''t be long before he could enter the Longevity Secret Realm.


    And then he would become another towering figure.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Don''t worry. Aside from already understanding the purpose of the Changsheng Sect''s existence, even just for your sake, I won''t trouble them. However, after we deal with those few people, I hope to meet the Longevity Secret Realm experts from your Changsheng Sect!"


    "Hmm?"


    Yue Shanchuan''s brow furrowed slightly.


    The Longevity Secret Realm experts from the Changsheng Sect were notoriously elusive.


    After all... Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Should a Longevity Secret Realm expert reveal themselves, they might attract the attention of the Nantian holy land''s experts.


    What''s more important is...


    Once one enters the Longevity Secret Realm, even the Stone of Inverse Path cannot detect whether they are Inverse Path beings. Therefore, in every continent there are Longevity Secret Realm experts from the Changsheng Sect living incognito, hidden among the populace.


    Exposing their identities because of this could set off a chain reaction.


    After all,


    both the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Institute see them as thorns in their sides and specks in their eyes.


    The Nantian Holy Institute can''t wait to slay the experts of the Changsheng Sect from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Whereas the Nantian Dynasty hopes to obtain their tri-elemental cultivation and step into the secrets of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled into a slight smile, he naturally guessed Yue Shanchuan''s concerns and slowly stood up, calmly saying, "Don''t be so quick to refuse..."


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Behind Xiao Yi appeared the visions of the God Devouring Ants, along with a spiritual shadow, and then the formidable power of his physical body. All three burst forth simultaneously, terrible energy fluctuations causing Yue Shanchuan''s figure to tremble and his face to turn pale.


    Yue Shanchuan''s eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Law, Body, and Spirit triple Nirvana? You, you, you are also following the path of our Changsheng Sect? No, that can''t be right, your cultivation is clearly only at the Peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, how is this possible..."


    Back when Xiao Yi was battling Xiao Tianjiao and Long Sihai,


    Yue Shanchuan had accompanied Little Lin to another battlefield and did not witness Xiao Yi unleashing his full strength.


    Now...


    He finally understood why Xiao Yi was so domineering.


    To be the top figure under the Southern State''s Longevity without being in the Dharma Phase Realm Peak!


    "Nothing is impossible!"


    Xiao Yi''s figure flickered, the wild energy surrounding him vanishing in an instant as he gazed at Yue Shanchuan, "Now you won''t refuse me anymore, will you?"


    Yue Shanchuan couldn''t help but smile bitterly.


    Was there anything left to hesitate about?


    Xiao Yi was walking the same path as they were, if his identity were exposed, he would either join the Nantian Holy Institute and lose his freedom or become a thorn in the side of the Nantian Holy Institute.


    Clearly, Xiao Yi was not willing to submit to anyone.


    With that thought,


    Yue Shanchuan nodded and said, "Alright, I''ll arrange for you to meet with the elder!"


    "Excellent!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and continued, "Before that, you can tell me the whereabouts of those five people!"


    "How did you know that I knew the whereabouts of those five people..." Yue Shanchuan started, then he smacked his forehead and said with a wry smile, "I must be foolish, how could you with your intelligence not realize��if we hadn''t grasped the whereabouts of those individuals, how could we possibly earn your trust?"


    Yue Shanchuan took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Those five individuals are now lurking in the Northern Ice Plains. According to the information we''ve received, they''re planning to launch another attack on the Daqian Dynasty soon, to deepen the hatred between you and the Changsheng Sect..."


    "The Northern Ice Plains, huh? They know how to pick a location!"


    Xiao Yi gave a cold laugh.


    The Northern Ice Plains are now considered the central position of the Daqian Dynasty.


    Lurking there,


    to the north, they could choose the Sword King Province; to the south, they could enter the heartland of the once Great Qian Dynasty. The eastern and western sides were also important provinces for Benlin.


    If Xiao Yi and the experts of the Changsheng Sect didn''t erupt into a large scale conflict, they could continue to choose locations to create tragedies, frame others, and intensify the conflict between the Daqian Dynasty and the Changsheng Sect.


    Even if their identities were exposed, they could disperse and go undercover everywhere.


    However...


    Xiao Yi was determined not to let them have their way.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply, his eyes flickering with a cold and sharp light as he turned to Little Lin, "Little Lin, go with Old Yue to the dungeon, and let him bring the people back. Old Yue, convey my intentions to your sect elder, I want to see him as soon as possible!"


    "Xiao, are you planning to..." Yue Shanchuan asked with narrowed eyes.


    Xiao Yi''s brows raised sharply, a trace of chilling murderous intent seeping out, "Since they dare to cause trouble in my Daqian Dynasty, they''d better be prepared to be caught in my net!"

 Chapter 702 - 700 A Single Tumble Ruins Everlasting Life! [Fifth Update]

    Northern Ice Plains.


    Here, as in the past, the winds howled fiercely, and the snow fluttered.


    Even in the scorching summer, this place remained a world of ice and snow, where thousands of troops and horses could hide and be extremely difficult to find. What more of five Longevity Secret Realm experts deliberately concealing their presence?


    After all,


    with the capabilities of the Longevity Secret Realm experts, even hiding in the ice and snow for months without food or drink would not pose any threat to their lives.


    At this moment...


    In the swirling wind and snow,


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, treading upon the wind and snow as he walked.


    Even though the freshly fallen snow was incredibly fragile, no trace was left where Xiao Yi passed over it.


    Like a feather,


    Light and drifting,


    Passing through the wind and snow.


    "According to Yue Shanchuan," Xiao Yi''s gaze pierced through the wind and snow, looking at the small mountain village nestled in the hollow ahead.


    The mountain village was small.


    Barely a hundred households or so.


    In the midst of the snowstorm, the dim candlelight flickered on the verge of extinguishing, wavering in the gusts, and combined with the snow filling the sky and the occasional howling of the cold wind, it gave a chilling sensation.


    Standing a few miles outside the village,


    Xiao Yi''s gaze seemed to see through everything, his faint voice thundering toward the direction of the mountain village, "What''s this? Five Longevity Secret Realm experts, are you really cowering like turtles, afraid to face even me, a mere Peak Dharma Manifestation Realm expert?"


    Humming noise!


    Despite the roaring wind and drifting snow around him, Xiao Yi''s voice remained the most resonant of all.


    Inside the village,


    There was silence for a moment.


    Then...


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The sounds of five people breaking through the air suddenly reverberated.


    Their speed was simply too fast; they appeared in front of Xiao Yi in the blink of an eye.


    A total of five people.


    All dressed in black, wearing dark cloaks.


    Their gaze uniformly fell upon Xiao Yi, their eyes revealing a cold and cutting glare. The blizzard seemed to avoid leaving any traces on them, as if even the wind and snow automatically steered clear of their presence.


    The white-haired elder in the center had eyes as sharp as blades, and his features bore a resemblance to Ye Xiaofeng. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ye Hua, you''ve been longing to avenge your son, haven''t you? It seems that fate has presented you with the opportunity for revenge, sending your enemy right to your doorstep!" The middle-aged woman on the left, with a black mole on her left face, sneered sinisterly, her voice grating and causing one''s flesh to crawl.


    "Hmph!"


    Ye Hua sneered, his gaze as sharp as a blade fixed upon Xiao Yi, "Indeed, no effort is needed to find something that comes of its own accord. My son Ye Xiaofeng is lonely down in the netherworld; today, I shall send you to accompany him!"


    Xiao Yi cast a glance at Ye Hua, who was indeed the father of Ye Xiaofeng.


    He had also been the former Deputy Director of the Oversight Bureau.


    However, he had never been fortunate enough to enter the Longevity Secret Realm, so he retired from the frontlines. This time, of the five spirits of longevity that Long Si received, one was allocated to his hands.


    The elder on the right, with a shining bald spot surrounded by a fringe of hair, said, "Ye Hua, do not underestimate the one in front of you. He is known as the number one man under Longevity in the Southern State; do not have your boat capsized in a gutter!"


    "I don''t need your reminders!"


    Ye Hua''s expression was icy cold, his eyes filled with bloodthirsty madness as he sneered, "Xiao Yi, our mission was originally to frame the Changsheng Sect. Yet, I hadn''t expected you to discover us, and even deliver yourself to our doorstep. Let me send you to hell to be buried with my son!"


    Boom!


    Ye Hua stepped forward, and space collapsed in front of him.


    The next moment,


    He appeared behind Xiao Yi, his fist heavy as a mountain, accompanied by a spatial storm, striking towards the back of Xiao Yi''s head.


    The elderly man from the Mediterranean, Peng Shan, sneered again and again, "The so-called number one person under immortality? That''s all there is to it!"


    The middle-aged woman laughed heartily, claiming confidently, "After all, those who have never stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm can''t know how powerful this realm really is. Just like you and me, we were also listed in the Heavenly Dragon Ranking back in the Nirvana Realm, but even at the peak of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, we would never be a match for a First-layer Human Venerable!"


    "Amei is right!"


    The second elder on the left, with skin as dark as coal, Ge Yin, said solemnly, "Though the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm is only a step away from the Longevity Secret Realm, that step is as vast as the heavens and earth, impossible to cross!"


    "So what do you think, how many moves will Ye Hua need to defeat Xiao Yi?" Bao Chen, the second on the right, asked.


    Amei squinted her eyes and smiled, "Within three moves, the battle will surely be resolved!"


    "Three moves? No, this Xiao Yi has killed Shen Qianyi after all, he must have some ability. I think about ten moves should be about right..." Ge Yin raised his hand and touched his bald head, saying with certainty.


    "Ten moves are too many, five moves!"


    "I still think one move is enough..."


    The group spoke casually, faces relaxed.


    After all, as soon as they stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm, they each destroyed two cities, slaughtering hundreds of millions of beings as if it was nothing.


    They already felt invincible.


    But soon, the group couldn''t laugh anymore.


    Facing the sudden attack from Ye Hua, Xiao Yi remained expressionless, just took a deep breath then swiftly turned around, while shouting out a roar like thunder, deafening to the ears, "Scram!"


    Scram!


    Scram!


    Scram...


    The word "scram" echoed throughout the heavens and earth.


    Mighty and thunderous, shaking the sky.


    The terrifying sonic boom produced by this roar also contained the spiritual shock of the Evil God Transformation.


    Ye Hua, his face fierce, just stepping out of the void, stiffened all over. The shadow of his fist, swirling with the storm of the void, shattered like a broken mirror, exploding one after another with a clanking sound.


    Bright red columns of blood spurted wildly from his seven orifices.


    Wow...


    Ye Hua screamed miserably, desperately covering his ears, his body falling to the ground like a shooting star.


    Hiss...


    For a moment.


    All things between heaven and earth seemed to pause.


    Amei and Ge Yin were stunned, watching the scene unfold in disbelief.


    Gulp!


    Amei swallowed hard, "Is this, this a joke?"


    "It must be, right?"


    The group exchanged looks.


    Cold sweat involuntarily rolled down their foreheads.


    Damn it!


    This is a super-powerful First-layer Human Venerable from the first realm of the Longevity Secret Realm!


    And he was gravely injured by a shout from Xiao Yi?


    A single word to defeat longevity?


    This was beyond belief!


    They had never even heard of such a thing, okay?


    But now...


    This scene was happening right before their eyes, the group inadvertently shifting their gaze to Ye Hua below in the snow, his hands over his ears, rolling around as blood spouted from all his orifices, a look of shock on their faces: "All of this... it''s real..."


    Under the astonished stares of the four.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward, his cold gaze turned toward them, and he said deliberately, "The four great Human Venerates? Nothing but chickens and dogs. Why don''t you all try together!"

 Chapter 703 - 701 Earthen Chickens and Clay Dogs

    "The four great immortals? Just a bunch of chickens and dogs, why don''t you all attack together!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was ice-cold as he watched Peng Shan and the others in front of him.


    These people were merely using the lowest level of longevity spirits to step into the Longevity Secret Realm, and their combat strength was several grades lower than Yang Zun''s, so why would Xiao Yi take them seriously?


    Peng Shan''s face was as still as water, and he said coldly, "Brat, you are truly boundlessly arrogant!"


    "To belittle us like this, you''re courting death!"


    "Let''s join forces and kill him!"


    Amei, Ge Yin, and Bao Chen all sneered simultaneously.


    Even Ye Hua, who had eased his injuries, soared into the sky, and the five immortals of the Longevity Secret Realm trapped Xiao Yi in their midst at the same time. In Ye Hua''s bloodshot eyes, ruthless killing intent swirled as he clenched his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi, today I will avenge my son!"


    Boom!


    Five stunning glows of dawn shot up into the sky at the same time.


    The glow pierced the clouds.


    Within a hundred miles,


    there were no more windswept snows.


    Clear skies prevailed.


    And the sun shone brightly.


    Although the five were merely using the lowest-level longevity spirits, they were still powerful beings of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    As the five released their formidable auras, it was like mountains pressing down from above, creating a tremendous pressure that made the ground buzz and tremble; not far away, the snowy peaks burst into terrifying avalanches.


    Five Martial Dao Fasxiang floated in the high sky at the same time.


    The giant Martial Dao Fasxiang, like mountains, brought with them destructive storms, rushing towards Xiao Yi.


    "Great Annihilation Hand!"


    "Dream of Ages Past!"


    "Reincarnation Wheel..."


    The attacks from the five were relentless and without mercy.


    The giant hand accompanied by the storm of destruction, imbued with the power of the Martial Dao Fasxiang, could topple massive peaks with a single palm.


    Dream of Ages Past was a powerful psychic attack that could create illusions, ensnaring even the most resolute Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm powerhouses if they were careless. In the illusion, one would repeatedly experience reincarnations; upon awakening, it felt like a thousand years had passed in a dream.


    Reincarnation Wheel evolved into a Heavenly Wheel of Destruction, dazzling with golden light, spinning unpredictably in the void, slashing at Xiao Yi''s waist.


    The offensive moves of the five were formidable and ruthlessly decisive.


    Even an ordinary First-layer Human Venerable from the Longevity Secret Realm, if not careful, could potentially die under the siege of these five.


    Watching the overwhelming attacks sweep over like a tide covering the heavens,


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his body, still as a maiden''s, suddenly moved, darting forward with the speed of a freed rabbit, lightning flaring in the void, turning into a sea of thunderous light, with purple-golden lightning bolts like Azure Dragons swimming and soaring through the sea of thunder.


    "Go!"


    Xiao Yi uttered a light shout, pointing his sword forward.


    The sea of thunder erupted suddenly, with earsplitting peals of thunder resounding, and purple-golden bolts roaring across the sky.


    Half the sky was stained with purple-gold.


    Countless bolts of lightning and fire surged forth, merging into a massive purple-golden lightning bolt, rolling towards Amei and Ge Yin before him.


    Boom, boom!


    Before the immense purple-golden finger, the attacks of the two were utterly ineffective, disintegrating into nothing, vanishing between heaven and earth. Xiao Yi then seized the opportunity to advance, and with a single flap of his Wind Thunder Wings behind him, he appeared behind the two. As the Wind Thunder Wings swept up, Amei and Ge Yin were caught into the sky.


    At the same time, Xiao Yi reached forward with both hands, and with two puffs, his fingers pierced into their heads.


    A twist of his hands.


    Two cracking sounds.


    Xiao Yi twisted their heads off, turning two Longevity Secret Realm powerhouses into cold corpses.


    He collected their bodies into his storage ring.


    These were the corpses of Longevity Secret Realm powerhouses, invaluable!


    Hiss!


    Watching Xiao Yi so easily kill the two, Ye Hua and the others looked at each other, all baffled, "Is this kid really just at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak?"


    "His strength must be at least at the level of a second or even third-layer Human Venerable, right?"


    "This is bad, run..."


    ```


    As Xiao Yi''s gaze turned towards him, Ye Hua trembled all over and quickly turned around to flee into the distant sky.


    What remained were Peng Shan and Bao Chen, who exchanged a glance.


    They too didn''t linger any longer and directly fled into the distance.


    Had any other strong practitioner witnessed this scene, they would likely doubt their own life.


    These were five powerhouses from the Longevity Secret Realm!


    Ganging up on a junior at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    And yet...


    After a single exchange, two were slaughtered, and the remaining three fled outright!


    Just as Xiao Yi had said.


    Those who relied on a first-rate Longevity Spirit to break through to the Longevity Secret Realm were nothing more than chickens and dogs!


    "Without my permission, did you think you could escape?" Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upwards, revealing a cold smirk.


    Whoosh!


    With a flick of Xiao Yi''s sword finger, the demonic sword Zhan Yue unsheathed itself from the void.


    The wings of Wind Thunder unfurled behind Xiao Yi.


    Carrying Zhan Yue. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He turned into a golden rainbow that ripped through the sky, instantly catching up to the three men. They had only recently broken through to the Longevity Secret Realm and were not proficient in tearing through the void; their sheer flying speed was simply no match for Xiao Yi. As they saw Xiao Yi closing in, a cold and venomous look flashed through Ye Hua''s eyes.


    He shouted to Peng Shan and Bao Chen, "If this continues, none of us three will escape; we can only fight him with all we''ve got."


    Peng Shan nodded, "Ye Hua''s right, this kid is too terrifying. We have to go all out against him."


    "Then let''s go all out!"


    Bao Chen''s eyes flashed as he nodded in agreement.


    Soon...


    The three of them hovered in the void, watching as Xiao Yi approached. Peng Shan roared, "I''ll go all out against you!"


    Whoosh!


    Peng Shan, wielding his battle saber, was the first to charge forward.


    However...


    He sadly found that although Bao Chen and Ye Hua had been shouting about fighting Xiao Yi to the death, at the very moment he had charged forth, the two had already turned to flee.


    "Fuck your grandfather..."


    Peng Shan was dumbfounded, cursing aloud.


    Only then...


    Did he realize he had been betrayed.


    By the time he turned back.


    Zhan Yue had already transformed into a silvery blade light, slicing through his throat with a puff and his body was collected into the storage ring. Xiao Yi chased after the other two once more. As Bao Chen and Ye Hua saw Xiao Yi approaching again, they had no choice but to split up and flee. But this was exactly what Xiao Yi hoped for, first chasing after Bao Chen.


    Under one sword''s strike.


    Bao Chen joined Ge Yin and the others on their journey to the afterlife.


    For a moment...


    Out of the five Longevity Secret Realm cultivators sent by the Nantian Dynasty, only Ye Hua remained.


    But now...


    Ye Hua too was suspended mid-air with an awkward expression, smiling sheepishly at Xiao Yi, "Xiao... Xiao Yi, I won''t seek revenge anymore, let me go, how about it?"


    "Let you go?"


    Xi Yi''s mouth slightly raised, a cold light flashing in his eyes, "Well, you''ll have to ask my sword whether it agrees or not!"


    Whoosh!


    Zhan Yue broke through the air.


    With a single sword strike, the snowstorm within a hundred miles was bisected, and under that boundless sword light, Ye Hua''s head flew high into the air.


    Afterward, he collected Ye Hua''s body.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, rummaged through Ye Hua''s body, and found a token of the Imperial Inspectors. Playing with the token in his hand, Xiao Yi muttered to himself, "It seems, it''s time to take a trip to the Nantian Dynasty��"


    PS: Sorry, got a bit too much to drink with the leaders, so just one update today! Will make it up with 10 more tomorrow!!!


    ```

 Chapter 704 - 702: Entering Nantian Alone! [First Update]

    Tianhe.


    Ever since the establishment of the Daqian Dynasty, the river Tianhe had demarcated the boundary between the two nations.


    To the south lay the Daqian Dynasty, while to the north resided the Nantian Dynasty.


    Stretching endlessly from east to west for countless miles, there once was a Tao Tribulation Realm expert, fond of adventure, who exhausted five hundred years without managing to travel from one end of Tianhe to the other.


    This alone attests to the vastness of Tianhe.


    At the moment.


    Upon the boundless Tianhe,


    Xiao Yi was walking on water, treating the torrential, wave-tossed Tianhe beneath his feet as if it were flat land, casually reaching the opposite bank. He chose not to land in the ports or cities.


    Given that the Nantian holy lands were strictly forbidding conflicts between the two countries, if he were to reveal his identity at this time,


    Xiao Yi was certain the Nantian Dynasty would mobilize the full might of the nation to hunt him down.


    This time, Xiao Yi came to the Nantian Dynasty in search of Spirit Veins.


    Initially, in order to forge the two Longevity Spirits for Yang Zun and the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, the Daqian Dynasty had almost completely excavated all the Spirit Veins within the nation, even those like the National Spirit Vein of the Four Clouds Kingdom''s royal capital had been dug out.


    Now, in the Daqian Dynasty, only the Imperial Dragon Vein and a few main Spirit Veins remained untouched.


    After all.


    If the Spirit Veins were depleted,


    it would greatly impact the spiritual energy of the Daqian Dynasty, likely leading to a scarcity and eventually rendering the Daqian Dynasty a barren wasteland.


    "The Nantian Dynasty is vast in territory and rich in resources, occupying an area thrice the size of the Daqian Dynasty, and moreover... the Nantian Dynasty occupies the most abundant region of Southern State in terms of spiritual energy and resources; its domestic Spirit Veins must be plentiful!"


    Xiao Yi walked down the smooth road, a contemplative look on his face.


    It must be known that...


    Originally, the Southern State had been the undisturbed domain of the Nantian Dynasty, rulers over thousands of vassal states, large and small. Even though one third of their territory had been annexed by the Daqian Dynasty, they still occupied the most fertile and formidable regions.


    "At least until the Tian South Hunt Decree expires, the Nantian Dynasty dares not send anyone to cause trouble in the Daqian Dynasty, and Nantian Wen surely won''t expect that I''d dare to infiltrate the Nantian Dynasty at this time. This period is critical for finding Spirit Veins..."


    Xiao Yi clenched his fists, his eyes flickering with radiance, "However, before taking action, it''s best to figure out how to obtain a map of the Nantian Dynasty''s mineral veins!"


    The Nantian Dynasty''s territory is incredibly vast.


    To search for Spirit Veins within the Nantian Dynasty without a map of the mineral veins would be like a headless fly.


    It simply wouldn''t yield anything.


    Luckily, Xiao Yi had never exposed himself in the Nantian Dynasty, and not many people knew of his appearance.


    As long as he didn''t encounter people like Long Sihai or Ye Beixuan, there should be no one who could recognize him.


    "Boss, there''s a merchant convoy about fifty miles behind us..." Little Lin poked its head out from Xiao Yi''s embrace, sticking out its tongue as it spoke.


    Little Lin''s perception was extraordinarily strong.


    Even Yang Zun and the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, who had broken through to the Longevity Secret Realm, were far inferior to him in this regard.


    Xiao Yi arched an eyebrow, asking, "What''s the strength of the opposite side?"


    "Not strong!"


    Little Lin flicked its tongue, saying, "The strongest are just two Dharma Manifestation Realm fivefold experts."


    "Excellent!"


    Xiao Yi grinned, pointing towards a nearby forest, saying, "You hide nearby later, and when they pass by, pretend to attack, then I''ll make a move..."


    "No need..."


    Little Lin looked at Xiao Yi with a peculiar expression, half laughing and half crying as it said, "Ten miles from them, there''s already a band of bandits, and they''ll soon encounter them..."


    "..."


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, surprised by his own good luck, and immediately said with a smile, "It seems like finding a pillow when one wants to sleep; it looks like our trip to the Nantian Dynasty will be quite smooth. Let''s submerge ourselves and move ahead for now, wait for the bandits to strike, and then we''ll make our move!"


    "Great!"


    Little Lin nodded.


    The two immediately flew in the direction Little Lin had sensed.


    ......


    Upon the wide road.


    A merchant convoy of several hundred people was moving forward, with the guards chatting and laughing amongst themselves.


    Suddenly...


    The chief guard abruptly raised his hand, and the entire convoy came to a neat stop. A cool voice emanated from within a carriage in the middle, "Wu Long, what has happened?"


    "Madam Boss, the road ahead is not peaceful," the Dharma Manifestation Realm fifth layer guard commander Zhou Wulong said in a deep voice.


    "Hahaha, worthy of being Zhou Wulong of the Titan Commerce Chamber, to actually detect our disguise..." A wild laugh suddenly rose from the bushes by the side of the road, followed by rustling sounds one after another.


    Figures leaped out from the bushes.


    All were clad in black.


    Each had a silver metal mask on their face, with ferocious and greedy gazes fixed on the convoy, and particularly, the cultivation level of the person in charge surpassed that of Zhou Wulong, having reached the Eighth Layer Realm of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Upon seeing the attire of these people, Zhou Wulong''s face changed, "Black clothes, silver masks... You''re men from the Black Hawk Stronghold?"


    "Hehe, Deputy Commander Zhou indeed has good eyesight!"


    The leader grinned, his voice chilling through the silver metal mask, "Since Deputy Commander Zhou knows we''re from the Black Hawk Stronghold, you should also be aware of our rules, right? Leave behind half your goods, and all the women must stay. The rest of you can leave. If you dare resist, not one of you will make it out alive!"


    Whoosh!


    Zhou Wulong took a deep breath, his gaze particularly solemn.


    If it was an ordinary cargo they were escorting,


    Under such circumstances, he would certainly choose to agree to the opponent''s terms, but this time they were escorting none other than the Madam Boss of the Titan Commerce Chamber!


    Ever since the boss died.


    The Titan Commerce Chamber has been supported by the Madam Boss alone. If something were to happen to her, the Titan Commerce Chamber would be finished.


    With this thought.


    Zhou Wulong said in a deep voice, "Heroes of the Black Hawk Stronghold, I also do not wish to clash with you forcefully. How about this... You can keep half of the goods, and let us leave, how about that?"


    "Hehe, that won''t do. Our Big Boss has heard that the Madam Boss of the Titan Commerce Chamber is here, so he specially ordered us to wait here. We want the goods, and we want the women as well..."


    The leader sneered, "I''ll give you the last three breaths to consider. Either leave the people and goods behind or all of you stay!"


    Boom!


    A bone-chilling aura erupted from his body as the oppressive force of the Eighth Layer Realm of the Dharma Manifestation Realm was instantly released. S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhou Wulong felt so pressured that he couldn''t catch his breath.


    Several guards around Zhou Wulong changed colors in succession, and Zhou, the deputy commander at the fifth layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, stepped forward and whispered, "Commander, agree to their demands! Otherwise, all of us brothers will end up dead here..."


    "But... Madam Boss..." Zhou Wulong hesitated.


    Zhou said, "Without the Madam Boss, the Titan Commerce Chamber still has the Deputy Chamber Head, does it not?"


    "You..."


    Zhou Wulong''s complexion changed slightly as he sized up Zhou.


    Zhou shrugged his shoulders, smiling, "You must have guessed it by now, it was indeed I who leaked our whereabouts to the Black Hawk Stronghold, all at the behest of the Deputy Chamber Head. Commander, there''s no need to risk our lives for this woman, right?"


    Zhou Wulong''s facial expression went through several rapid changes. He wanted to argue, but he had to admit that Zhou was right.


    If they continued to resist, it would most likely be a dead end.


    With this thought.


    Zhou Wulong took a deep breath, about to agree to the opponent''s terms.


    But at that moment...


    A calm voice suddenly broke the silence, "Daring to rob in broad daylight, aren''t you all a bit too bold?"

 Chapter 705 - 703: I Said This!

    "Hm?"


    Zhou Wulong, who was about to speak, immediately shut his mouth.


    Zhou Ku and the strong man from Black Hawk Stronghold turned their heads together, looking in the direction of the sound, and saw Xiao Yi, with an amused expression, slowly approaching from afar.


    His pace wasn''t fast.


    Neither hurried nor slow.


    But with each step he took, he covered dozens of yards, and in just a moment, he appeared in front of the merchant caravan.


    The third-in-command of Black Hawk Stronghold squinted at Xiao Yi, and from within his black eye sockets beneath a silver mask, he shot out two cold gleams and said coldly, "Who are you? How dare you meddle in Black Hawk Stronghold''s affairs?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders. "A bunch of thieving trash deserves to know my name?"


    "You..."


    The expressions of the strong men from Black Hawk Stronghold changed simultaneously.


    Even when glancing at Zhou Ku and the others, they now harbored an icy and fierce intent to kill.


    Zhou Ku''s face changed repeatedly as he shouted, "Third-in-command, this person has nothing to do with us at Titan Commerce Chamber!" While speaking, Zhou Ku glared at Xiao Yi and yelled, "Who are you, kid? Don''t you know these are men of Black Hawk Stronghold? If you want to die, nobody will stop you, but don''t drag us into it!"


    Zhou Wulong wore a sullen expression and remained silent.


    Xiao Yi let out a sound.


    Looking at Zhou Ku with a strange expression, he raised his eyebrows and said, "Are you in such a hurry to throw me out?"


    "I don''t know you at all, don''t drag us down..." Zhou Ku barked angrily.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and then looked towards the third-in-command, the cold light flickering in his eyes. The aura of the Dharma Phase Realm Peak locked onto the third-in-command, causing him and his men to shudder.


    Just the pressure of this aura made them feel as if they were in the despairing Dark Abyss, unable to see their fingers in front of their faces, with only fear and death to accompany them.


    While this sensation was fleeting,


    it had already allowed the stronghold''s strong men to deeply perceive Xiao Yi''s power and terror, and their gaze towards him was now filled with a sense of horror. Xiao Yi slowly withdrew the aura suppression and said indifferently, "Apart from him, everyone else here is under my protection, and I mean what I say!"


    "Uh..."


    "Hahaha, kid, who do you think you are? You really think you can make the brave men of Black Hawk Stronghold back off with just one sentence?"


    Zhou Ku laughed so hard on horseback that he was rocking back and forth, "I can''t anymore, where did this comedian come from? He''s cracking me up..."


    However...


    Before Zhou Ku could finish his speech,


    the third-in-command from Black Hawk Stronghold suddenly said, "Fine, Black Hawk Stronghold will grant this face to you." Pausing for a moment, his palm, covered in cold sweat, gripped the war saber at his waist as if holding onto the blade could provide him a sense of security, and pointed at the laughing Zhou Ku, "Leave this idiot behind, the rest of you can go!" sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "..."


    Zhou Ku, with a dumbfounded expression, looked incredulously at the third-in-command.


    Zhou Wulong and the others also had their faces change rapidly.


    No one had anticipated that the third-in-command would actually let them go just because of the young man''s single sentence, and even respected the young man''s will, leaving only Zhou Ku behind.


    Gulp!


    Zhou Ku trembled all over, glaring at the third-in-command, "What do you mean by this, Third?"


    "Shut up!"


    The third-in-command let out a cold snort, his eyes icy as he looked at Zhou Ku, "Who gave you the courage to provoke this sir? How can I appease this sir''s wrath if I don''t kill you today?"


    "I, I, I..." Zhou Ku looked towards Xiao Yi with a face full of despair.


    He finally understood that all of this was because of Xiao Yi!


    This young man whom he had not taken seriously.


    Actually, with just one sentence, had resolved the plan he and the vice president had conspired, and had almost cost him his life.


    "No, no..."


    Zhou Ku knew if he were left behind, there would be nothing but a dead end, whether it was Black Hawk Stronghold, the vice president, or the madam in the carriage, none would let him off. With this thought, Zhou Ku was suddenly overcome with a reckless courage and charged towards the carriage where the madam was.


    "Not good!"


    "Protect the madam!"


    Zhou Wulong''s expression changed drastically, just as he was about to make a move.


    A streak of cold light suddenly flashed by his side, as Xiao Yi stepped out and caught up with the galloping Zhou Ku. With a flick of his finger, a silver light grazed past Zhou Ku.


    Boom!


    Zhou Ku''s body shook violently, splitting in two and falling onto the ground.


    The gust of wind that picked up lifted the curtains of the carriage.


    And that allowed Xiao Yi to see the beautiful lady inside the carriage!


    "Hm?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly, this madam was indeed exceedingly beautiful, but what stunned him even more was that she bore an incredible resemblance to Huang Yuwei. Xiao Yi landed in front of the carriage, his gaze fixed on the madam.


    The proprietress was also visibly shocked, her vermilion lips slightly parted.


    She noticed Xiao Yi''s eyes fixed on her with intense focus.


    The color of the proprietress''s face turned bright red, and after a moment''s hesitation, her cool voice coughed lightly, "Thank you for saving my life, young master, but... staring at me like that, isn''t it a bit presumptuous?"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi gave an awkward smile and said, "May I ask if madam recognizes Huang Yuwei and Huang Baitao?"


    "Hmm?"


    The proprietress looked at Xiao Yi with a stunned expression full of doubt, "You know Yuwei and my brother-in-law?"


    Yuwei?


    Brother-in-law?


    Is this Huang Feihu''s sister-in-law?


    Xiao Yi was taken aback. He hadn''t expected such a coincidence and to encounter an acquaintance here; he shrugged and said, "I''m friends with Yuwei, and the Lord of Huang Baitao is my dear old friend..."


    "This..."


    The proprietress''s face lit up with joy, but then she frowned and said, "Does the young master have any proof?"


    Over the years, too many people had approached her under various pretenses.


    She had to be cautious!


    Xiao Yi pondered for a moment, took out the Token of Beast Emperor City''s lord, and said, "Madam, please look!"


    Hisss!


    The proprietress looked at the token in her hand. It indeed was the lord''s token, which she had seen in Huang Yuwei''s possession before. She returned the token to Xiao Yi and finally believed his identity, saying, "Please forgive me, young master. I, Chen Jing, owe you an apology!"


    "No matter!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and smiled, "I never imagined I''d meet Yuwei''s aunt here..."


    "Indeed! If it weren''t for the young master, Chen Jing might have fallen prey to their clutches today..."


    Chen Jing said softly with a wry smile.


    Suddenly.


    Her expression darkened slightly as she looked at Zhou Wulong approaching.


    Zhou Wulong, with his head down, murmured, "Madam, I''m truly sorry, it is all my subordinate''s..."


    "Enough! We''ll discuss your issue later..."


    Chen Jing replied coolly, and when looking towards Xiao Yi, her face bore a bright smile that made Zhou Wulong''s heart fill with jealousy. He said softly, "May I ask where the young master is headed?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged and replied, "I intend to find a city with a crowd, to ask if there are any vein maps available..."


    "Vein maps?"


    Chen Jing was taken aback, then chuckled, "What a coincidence, our Titan Commerce Chamber just so happens to have some dealings with the Chai Family from the Mining Association. If the young master doesn''t mind, you can come back to Titan Commerce Chamber with me, and I can help you contact the Chai Family!"


    The Nantian Dynasty''s industries were all more developed.


    The vein industry also had its own association.


    The Chai Family also wielded considerable power in the Vein Association.


    Zhou Wulong''s face changed slightly, and with a stern voice, he said, "Madam, the goods we are escorting this time are extremely important. It would be inappropriate to let an unfamiliar person follow the caravan rashly!"


    "Hmph, if not for the young master''s intervention, not only the goods but also I would have been taken away by the men of Black Hawk Stronghold. I have made up my mind, don''t say any more!" Chen Jing reprimanded coldly.


    This made Zhou Wulong''s face turn ugly.


    He glared at Xiao Yi fiercely.


    Zhou Wulong muttered, "Whatever the madam says!"


    "Then lead the way up front!"


    Chen Jing said coldly, and turned to Xiao Yi with a blush on her face, "If the young master doesn''t mind, please share the carriage with me, Chen Jing!"


    "Hahaha, that would be my honor!"


    Xiao Yi laughed and sat in the carriage, following the caravan as it set off.


    Zhou Wulong at the front of the caravan had an extremely gloomy face, his eyes flashing with savagery and madness. However, when he saw the people from Black Hawk Stronghold standing on both sides of the road, bowing at ninety degrees, sending them off respectfully, the madness and savagery in his heart dissipated instantly.


    Yet, as he glanced at the carriage, his eyes were still filled with resentment and jealousy.


    And as they moved on.


    The third leader of Black Hawk Stronghold slightly furrowed his brow, his eyes cold, "I didn''t expect to encounter such a tough nut... You, go back and tell the boss to carry out the second plan..."


    "Yes!"


    Immediately, one person left the team and headed towards Black Hawk Stronghold.


    The third leader narrowed his eyes, his cold laugh unending, "No matter who you are, if you offend Black Hawk Stronghold, you only have a path to death!"

 Chapter 706 - 704: Titan Commerce Chamber [Third Release]

    Giant Peak City.


    This was but an ordinary city within the Nantian Dynasty, yet it already rivaled a principal city of the Daqian Dynasty.


    The entire city''s population exceeded twenty million.


    Most famous among them were the Titan Commerce Chamber, Giant Peak Chamber of Commerce, and the Tianyi Chamber of Commerce. These three major chambers controlled ninety percent of Giant Peak City''s commercial transactions. The Titan Commerce Chamber, in particular, had an extremely close relationship with the Chai Family, which allowed them to oppress the other two chambers in the mining business heavily.


    Becoming the number one chamber of commerce in Giant Peak City.


    However...


    Ever since the former chamber president passed away, the Titan Commerce Chamber had been taken over by his widow, Chen Jing.


    And the vice president, Tai Shan, was his own younger brother.


    All along.


    On the surface, Tai Shan showed great respect to Chen Jing, but in secret, he had always been thinking about snatching the Titan Commerce Chamber from her hands. He just hadn''t found the right opportunity, until he got in touch with Black Hawk Stronghold.


    At this moment.


    He sat in the president''s office with his legs crossed, full of pride as he said, "From now on, this president''s seat is mine... However, it''s a pity about Chen Jing, that figure of hers... Tsk tsk... what a bargain for that old man from Black Hawk Stronghold!"


    Suddenly...


    The door was hurriedly opened,


    A figure rushed in, with a look of urgency on his face: "Vice President, something terrible has happened..."


    "Don''t panic, don''t panic!"


    Tai Shan waved his hand nonchalantly, laughing pompously, "Is it that my sister-in-law got captured by people from Black Hawk Stronghold? Oh dear, that''s really too bad. Tell me, if Black Hawk Stronghold makes too excessive demands, should I agree or not?"


    "No, no, no..."


    The man, named Tai Yun, was one of Tai Shan''s confidants. With an anxious face, he said, "The lady boss is fine, she... she''s almost at the chamber..."


    Thump!


    Tai Shan staggered and fell from his seat.


    Hurriedly getting up, he looked at Tai Yun with a dumbfounded expression, asking incredulously, "What did you say? She''s almost at the chamber? She wasn''t captured by the people from Black Hawk Stronghold? Dammit, what is wrong with those incompetents from Black Hawk Stronghold?"


    "Vice President, now''s not the time to worry about this. We''d better go out and welcome the lady boss..." Tai Yun said helplessly.


    "Right, right, right, we need to stabilize her first, then figure out what exactly happened��" Tai Shan quickly got up, and the two of them hurriedly ran out towards the entrance of the chamber.


    A moment later.


    The caravan was approaching, making its way from the other end of the street.


    Zhou Wulong was riding a tall horse at the very front of the caravan, with a grim expression. Tai Shan looked around and didn''t see Zhou Ku; he realized that the situation might have been exposed and had no choice but to brace himself for Chen Jing''s arrival.


    "Welcome sister-in-law..."


    Tai Shan approached the carriage, bowing and scraping as he lifted the curtain with a sycophantic smile on his face.


    However...


    The person who stepped down was a man of outstandingly handsome appearance.


    As Xiao Yi exited the carriage, he saw a man with a sycophantic expression standing in front of the carriage like a human stool, and instinctively stepped on Tai Shan''s back as he descended.


    Chen Jing: "..."


    Tai Shan: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    The air was deadly still.


    Tai Shan felt his head buzzing, all thoughts gone blank.


    Dammit!


    What does this mean?


    How come a man steps down from the boss lady''s carriage? And damn it, stepping on himself as if he were a footstool?


    Xiao Yi sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat off, raised his eyebrows, and turned to look at Chen Jing, who also wore a perplexed expression, and said, "What''s going on here?"


    Chen Jing desperately held back her laughter, shook her head, and said, "It''s nothing..."


    While saying this,


    She too imitated Xiao Yi, stepping down from the carriage using Tai Shan as a footstool.


    Tai Shan was on the verge of tears.


    Usually, he would do the same, but Chen Jing would never actually step on him to get down.


    This time, however, she followed Xiao Yi''s lead and used him as a footstool; it was clear Chen Jing knew the Black Hawk Stronghold incident was related to him, and she was deliberately shaming and berating him in public!


    With this thought,


    Tai Shan swallowed the hate in his heart and put on a forced smile, saying, "Sister-in-law, I heard that you encountered the bandits from Black Hawk Stronghold on the road? Thank goodness you are fine; otherwise, I wouldn''t know how to explain it to Big Brother!"


    Chen Jing looked at him with a smirk and said, "Second Brother, I wasn''t taken by the people from Black Hawk Stronghold. Aren''t you supposed to be very disappointed?"


    "Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? If it weren''t for you and Big Brother a few years back, I would''ve been beaten to death, where would I be today..."


    Tai Shan hastily put on a look of panic as he spoke.


    A few years ago, he had racked up a huge gambling debt, and it was Chen Jing who helped him through the crisis and saved his life.


    Tai Shan''s eyes darted around, then he turned towards Xiao Yi with a feigned look of confusion and asked, "Sister-in-law, may I ask who this young brother is?"


    Chen Jing indifferently said, "This is Yuwei''s friend, Xiao Chen! If he hadn''t stepped in when we encountered the people from Black Hawk Stronghold, I''m afraid I would''ve been in grave danger."


    Xiao Chen was the fake name Xiao Yi had come up with.


    With the reputation he currently had... sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If he were to call out in the Nantian Dynasty claiming to be Xiao Yi, top masters from the Nantian Dynasty would probably converge on him immediately.


    "So it''s Brother Xiao..."


    Tai Shan glanced at Xiao Yi with gratitude on his face, but deep in his eyes lurked poison and hatred as he said, "Thank you very much for saving my sister-in-law. With Big Brother gone, if something had happened to her, I would have been to blame..."


    Xiao Yi watched him with a smile that wasn''t quite a smile, having heard Zhou Ku''s words loud and clear, but he chose not to expose him.


    Xiao Yi casually said, "Yuwei and I are good friends. If Chairman Chen is in danger, naturally I can''t just stand by and watch!"


    "Regardless, I, Tai Shan, will remember this favor. If Brother Xiao needs any help, feel free to seek me out!" Tai Shan said, patting his chest vigorously with laughter. However, whether he was remembering the favor or the grudge, only he knew.


    Chen Jing indifferently said, "Alright, first go and do a tally of the goods with Zhou Wulong, then have them stored in the warehouse." Chen Jing looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, come inside and sit for a while with me, and I''ll contact the Chai Family right away..."


    "Thank you, Chairman Chen!" Xiao Yi nodded in acknowledgement.


    Watching the two walking shoulder to shoulder, chatting and laughing,


    Tai Shan narrowed his eyes to slits and suddenly heard the sound of teeth grinding nearby. He turned his gaze to Zhou Wulong, who watched the departing pair with jealousy. Tai Shan''s eyes flicked, and with a sly grin, he said, "Commander Zhou, shall we have a chat?"


    "Hmph, what could I possibly have to chat with you about?" Zhou Wulong said coldly.


    With a sinister smile, Tai Shan whispered, "I know you fancy my sister-in-law, and I have a way for you to have her..."


    Zhou Wulong''s expression changed slightly.


    Tai Shan continued, "What I want is the Titan Commerce Chamber, and what you want is the lady. Our interests aren''t conflicting!"


    Ah!


    Zhou Wulong took a deep breath and nodded, "Let''s go!"


    Tai Shan''s mouth curled faintly upwards, revealing a hint of poisonous resentment, "Xiao Chen? Dare to treat me like a footstool, I''ll make you pay the price!"


    Meanwhile, Xiao Yi, resting inside the Chamber of Commerce, was unaware that a plot against him was slowly unfolding...

 Chapter 707 - 705: Who Do You Think You Are? [Fourth Update]

    That night.


    Xiao Yi was resting in his room when Tai Yun''s voice came from outside, "Young Master Xiao, the landlady invites you to come over!"


    "Okay!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, glanced at Little Lin resting on the bed, covered it with the blanket, and then left the room, following Tai Yun.


    Shortly after Xiao Yi left...


    Zhou Wulong quietly opened the door and entered, carefully slipping a storage ring under Xiao Yi''s pillow. With a cold look at the pillow, Zhou Wulong''s face twisted sardonically, "Xiao Chen, oh Xiao Chen, do not blame me..." sea??h th�� n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then Zhou Wulong quietly departed.


    The entire room was silent, as if no one had ever come in.


    Only...


    Zhou Wulong didn''t realize that under that blanket, a pair of green eyes had seen everything he had done.


    Little Lin crawled out from under the covers, took the storage ring from under the pillow, and revealed an anthropomorphic playful expression, "Interesting�� seems like there will be a good show to watch later��"


    ...


    Inside Chen Jing''s office.


    Tai Shan was reporting the recent business operations of the commerce chamber when Xiao Yi came in, causing both Tai Shan and Chen Jing to stand up.


    Smiling, Tai Shan said, "Brother Xiao, you really are lucky. The Chai Family happens to have a banquet tomorrow night, hosting all the dignitaries of Giant Peak City. When I take my wife with me, getting a mining map should be no problem!"


    Xiao Yi was stunned.


    He didn''t expect things to go so smoothly, and after seeing Chen Jing nod, he smiled and said, "I didn''t expect things to be this convenient, thanks to you both!"


    "No need to thank us, you saved my wife, it''s the least we can do��" said Tai Shan quickly.


    Chen Jing also smiled and nodded.


    Just then...


    Zhou Wulong rushed in from outside, his face extremely ugly as he said in a deep voice, "Chairman, there''s big trouble!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chen Jing was startled.


    Acting displeased, Tai Shan scolded, "Leader Zhou, don''t you see we have a guest? With you being so flustered, what if you offend our guest, can you bear the responsibility?"


    Gulping for air, Zhou Wulong explained anxiously, "Vice Chairman, this concerns the life or death of our Titan Commerce Chamber. I cannot afford to neglect it!"


    "What? What exactly happened that it even relates to the survival of the commerce chamber?" Tai Shan feigned surprise as he asked.


    Chen Jing''s brows were tightly knit.


    Xiao Yi slightly furrowed his brows, feeling that something was off between Zhou Wulong and Tai Shan, as if they were performing a staged act.


    Zhou Wulong said solemnly, "I was just checking the goods when I found that the five hundred catties of ''Gengjin'' we were escorting for the Chai Family are missing!"


    Hiss!


    Chen Jing''s hands struck the table forcefully, her figure swayed, and her face turned a shade paler.


    Tai Shan also showed an anxious look, roaring, "What is going on? Those five hundred catties of ''Gengjin'' belong to the Chai Family. If we lose this shipment, and the Chai Family blames us, our Titan Commerce Chamber could be finished��"


    The reason the Titan Commerce Chamber could suppress the other two chambers was that they had the support of the Chai Family behind them, didn''t they?


    Making them unmatched in the mining industry?


    If they lost the Chai Family''s support, the Titan Commerce Chamber really would be done for.


    Chen Jing bit her lower lip, her face showing a serious look, "Have you figured out at which point the problem occurred? I remember the storage ring with the ''Gengjin'' was hidden inside the wheel of my carriage, how could it have been lost?"


    Tai Shan''s face was gloomy, and his gaze inadvertently glanced in Xiao Yi''s direction, saying, "During the transportation, has anyone approached my sister-in-law''s carriage?"


    "There is, but..."


    Zhou Wulong''s face showed hesitation.


    Tai Shan urged impatiently, "What time is it now? What else do you have to hide? Speak up quickly..."


    Chen Jing stared at him intently.


    Zhou Wulong put on a helpless expression and sighed, "During the whole transportation process, only two people approached that carriage. One was Zhou Ku, but Zhou Ku was killed by Xiao Chen as soon as he got close to the carriage, so it couldn''t have been him."


    "Then who was the other person?" Tai Shan asked eagerly.


    Chen Jing also calmed down and kept her eyes fixed on Zhou Wulong.


    Zhou Wulong took a deep breath and pointed his finger at Xiao Yi, "Apart from Zhou Ku, it was only Xiao Chen who approached the carriage, and he even rode in that carriage all the way back. With his strength, he could definitely take away the ''Geng Gold'' without making a sound!"


    "How could this be possible?"


    Tai Shan pretended to hesitate, "Xiao Chen helped save my sister-in-law; he is a great benefactor to the Titan Commerce Chamber. How could he do such a thing?"


    Chen Jing''s eyebrows slightly furrowed as she said, "Xiao Chen was meditating with his eyes closed the whole time, and I didn''t notice any abnormalities..."


    Zhou Wulong forced a smile and said, "Madam, you are only at the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak, while Young Master Xiao killed Zhou Ku with just a single move. If he really lusted after that ''Geng Gold,'' he could have easily taken it right under your nose without a sound..."


    Tai Shan nodded and said, "I had felt it strange earlier how coincidental it was. Just as Black Hawk Stronghold''s men made their move, you appeared there and without any hesitation killed Zhou Ku..."


    Zhou Wulong suddenly understood as if he had an epiphany, "The vice-chairman is right, this is all too coincidental. And Zhou Ku''s death, I even suspect some people killed him to silence him!"


    "But... Young Master Xiao shouldn''t be that kind of person..." Chen Jing said.


    Tai Shan received the communication and replied, "Sister-in-law, you''re too kind. You can know someone''s face but not their heart, and after all, that''s five hundred jins of ''Geng Gold''!"


    One jin of ''Geng Gold'' costs one hundred million silver.


    Five hundred jins!


    That''s fifty billion!


    Even for a Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse, fifty billion silver is a massive sum.


    The gazes of everyone present fell on Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows.


    With things having reached this point, it was clear to him that this was most likely Zhou Wulong and Tai Shan framing him. They were reversing the charges, not only accusing him of stealing the ''Geng Gold'' but also pinning the Black Hawk Stronghold''s ambush on him.


    Realizing all of this,


    Xiao Yi looked at Tai Shan and Zhou Wulong with interest, a faint mocking smile curling at his lips.


    He then turned his gaze to Chen Jing, "Chairman Chen also thinks I did it?"


    Chen Jing opened her mouth to speak. Influenced by Zhou Wulong and Tai Shan, she felt Xiao Yi''s arrival to be all too coincidental. After hesitating, Chen Jing spoke in a heavy tone, "Xiao Yi, I believe you are innocent... However, I need to give an accounting to the Chamber and the Chai Family. Hand over all the storage treasures on you for us to examine. To prove your innocence, how about that?"


    Zhou Wulong nodded, "That''s right. Just take out all the storage treasures you have on you for us to check. If we don''t find the ''Geng Gold,'' it will prove you''re innocent! Otherwise..."


    Tai Shan put on a well-meaning persuasion, "Brother Xiao, I believe you are innocent too. Hand over the storage ring and the like for us to check, so everyone can be at ease! What do you say?"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up slightly, and he said with a light tone, "What if I say no?"


    "Xiao Yi!"


    Chen Jing slammed her palm on the table, looking frustrated as if lamenting his obstinacy, and scolded, "Even if you won''t consider me, can''t you think of yourself? You''re the main suspect now. We just want to inspect your storage ring, if you''re innocent what''s there to fear? Your refusal to be inspected now can only prove you have something to hide, which has already disappointed me greatly. Please, don''t persist in your folly and make me despair even further, okay?"


    With that said,


    the office fell silent.


    Zhou Wulong and Tai Shan looked at Xiao Yi with mocking smiles, their schadenfreude tinged with heavy sarcasm.


    Under the scrutiny of several pairs of eyes,


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled upwards slightly, but his eyes gradually turned icy, making Chen Jing and the others feel a chill of unfamiliarity: "Who the hell do you think you are? Whether you''re disappointed or not, what the fuck does that have to do with me?"

 Chapter 708 - 706: Grabbed a Handful of Shit! [Fifth Update]

    "Who the hell do you think you are? What does it matter to me if you''re disappointed?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Chen Jing with an indifferent face.


    His icy rebuke made Chen Jing tremble all over, her eyes filled with despair.


    Her heart sank to the bottom of the abyss.


    In her view...


    Xiao Yi only caught her eye because of his connection to Huang Yuwei. She had decided to help Xiao Yi get introduced to the Chai Family out of consideration for Huang Yuwei, thinking he should be overflowing with gratitude towards her.


    But now...


    The loss of five hundred billion silvers worth of Geng metal was a matter of life and death for the Titan Commerce Chamber.


    Xiao Yi should have considered her.


    Whether or not he was the one who did it, he should present storage treasures like the storage ring to prove his innocence.


    Besides...


    With the cooperation of Zhou Wulong and Tai Shan, Chen Jing felt that it must have been Xiao Yi''s doing. She even thought that Xiao Yi approached her with ulterior motives.


    If Xiao Yi refused to let her inspect, that meant he had a guilty conscience.


    She never thought that searching a storage ring was in itself a provocation to the dignity of a martial artist.


    Any self-respecting martial artist would never allow anyone to pry into their storage ring, let alone outright inspect it.


    Chen Jing looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of despair, her eyes full of disgust and coldness, "I never thought you were this kind of person. I was blind to have been fooled by you. Xiao Chen, for Yuwei''s sake, I''m giving you one last chance. Return the items to us, and all will be forgiven. Otherwise, I will report this matter to the Chai Family..."


    Tai Shan feigned concern on the side, "Sister-in-law, there''s no need to make such a big fuss, is there? I''m sure Brother Xiao Chen didn''t do it on purpose!"


    Zhou Wulong also spoke sarcastically, "Maybe he took it by accident, not knowing what was inside, or perhaps we wronged him after all!"


    "Shut up, both of you!"


    Xiao Yi coldly looked at the two, having seen through their schemes long ago, and said icily, "Don''t think I don''t know what you''re up to. Dare to frame me again, and I''ll slaughter you both on the spot!"


    "You, how could you say that? We''re trying to help you!" Tai Shan said with a face full of grief and indignation.


    Zhou Wulong shook his head and sighed, "Feeling guilty for being a thief, huh!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi soared into the air and grabbed Zhou Wulong by the neck, lifting him up. His cold eyes were filled with a fearsome murderous intent.


    However...


    Chen Jing suddenly lunged toward Xiao Yi, swung her hand, and tried to slap his face.


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi smoothly caught Chen Jing''s wrist and shoved her away, sending her crashing to the ground with a bang.


    Zhou Wulong roared, "Xiao Chen, if you''ve got the guts, come at me..."


    Tai Shan, on the other hand, shrank back, hiding behind others, but the sinister smile at the corner of his mouth grew even more splendid.


    Xiao Yi squinted at Chen Jing with a look full of cold indifference, "Foolish woman, I spare your life because of Yuwei. If you dare to provoke me again, I''ll root out your Titan Commerce Chamber as well!"


    Chen Jing looked back coldly, as if he were a stranger, "Consider those five hundred kilograms of Geng metal as compensation for my debt to you for killing Zhou Ku and saving my life. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other... and don''t even think about using us to get in touch with the Chai Family. As long as the Titan Commerce Chamber exists, I will absolutely not allow the Chai Family to aid you..."


    "Arrogant fool!" S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh and turned to leave.


    Chen Jing''s ice-cold voice came from behind, "Wulong, keep an eye on him. Don''t let him take even a needle or thread from my Titan Commerce Chamber anymore. Tai Shan, contact the Giant Peak Chamber of Commerce and Tianyi Chamber of Commerce right away to purchase Geng metal. Bring it all to the Chai Family tomorrow. Also, issue a public notice throughout the city to warn the world against this deceitful scoundrel, so that no more innocent people are cheated by someone using our Titan Commerce Chamber''s name."


    "Yes!"


    Zhou Wulong followed Xiao Yi with a smug look.


    Tai Shan went to the warehouse.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Zhou Wulong following by his side, scornfully shook his head at the man''s smug yet fearful demeanor of not daring to come too close, and scoffed, "Spineless cowards..."


    "You, you dare to insult me?" Zhou Wulong''s face darkened.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes and said, "What? Do you want to have a practice fight with me?"


    Hiss!


    Zhou Wulong''s expression shifted slightly.


    Practice fight?


    Is he joking?


    Just when Xiao Yi made his move, Zhou Wulong didn''t even have the strength to resist. Hesitating for a moment, Zhou Wulong snorted coldly and just followed by his side.


    As soon as Xiao Yi pushed the door open, Little Lin quietly slipped into his arms, urging him to leave.


    Xiao Yi was startled, retracted the foot he had set into the room, looked at Zhou Wulong beside him, his lips slightly curled up, and gently patted his shoulder, smiling, "Thanks a lot!"


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    he left a stunned Zhou Wulong behind and strode away.


    Zhou Wulong frowned watching his departing figure, touched his nose and said, "Has he gone mad? Thanking me?"


    He subconsciously rubbed his hands together, his face wearing a brilliant smile, "Five hundred catties of gengjin, aside from sharing half with that old guy Tai Shan, I still have two hundred and fifty catties... And after this, the boss lady will surely understand who is the man truly worth relying on!"


    Humming a little tune,


    Zhou Wulong picked up the pillow and skillfully tore it open, reaching inside with his hand.


    However...


    Zhou Wulong was struck as if by lightning, his whole body stiffening.


    His face turned ghastly pale in an instant, his hand trembling as he pulled it out��where was the storage ring? There was nothing but a pile of foul-smelling, yellowish��dog shit...


    Thump!


    Zhou Wulong collapsed onto the ground, large beads of cold sweat continuously rolling down his forehead.


    Tai Shan quietly entered the room, looking at Zhou Wulong''s back, suppressing his excitement, and said, "Wulong, what are you dazing for? Hurry up and take out the gengjin, we''ll split it half and half..."


    Zhou Wulong turned around with a mournful face, full of despair, "The, the gengjin... it''s gone..."


    "What the hell?"


    Tai Shan was taken aback, looking at the dog shit in Zhou Wulong''s hand, he uttered a sound and furiously asked, "Are you planning to swallow it all by yourself?"


    Zhou Wulong said in despair, "Swallow it all my ass! I had hidden the storage ring with the gengjin in it here, but now the ring is gone, leaving only a pile of dog shit..."


    "Damn it..."


    Tai Shan''s face twitched violently. He had planned to use this opportunity to both drive away Xiao Yi and pocket two hundred and fifty catties of gengjin. Plus, by purchasing more gengjin from the Giant Peak Chamber of Commerce and Tianyi Chamber of Commerce, he could manipulate the situation to make a few billion silver. But now, with the five hundred catties of gengjin gone, it meant he couldn''t embezzle a single penny!


    All the hard scheming.


    In the end, all efforts had come to naught!


    "How could it be gone just like that..." Tai Shan clutched his hair.


    Zhou Wulong trembled all over, recalling the process of Xiao Yi patting his shoulder while saying thanks before he left, his face turning pale, "It''s definitely Xiao Yi... He must have discovered the storage ring and took it with him..."


    Tai Shan: "..."


    The two exchanged glances, both seeing the despair in each other''s eyes.


    This is not just a case of efforts wasted!


    It''s like losing the wife and the soldiers too!


    A huge loss indeed!


    Zhou Wulong''s throat was dry, his voice trembling as he said, "What, what should we do now?"


    Tai Shan''s face was as black as coal: "What else can we do? We can only buy gengjin from the Giant Peak Chamber of Commerce and Tianyi Chamber of Commerce to deal with the Chai Family for the time being... As for Xiao Yi..." a cold light flashed in his eyes, "We can only ask the leader of Black Hawk Stronghold to take action. That''s a whole five hundred catties of gengjin..."

 Chapter 709 - 707: The Hundred Billion Gamble [Sixth Update]

    Outside the Titan Commerce Chamber.


    Little Lin poked his head out, smiling gleefully at Xiao Yi, and spat out a storage ring, "Boss, that Zhou Wulong must be dumbfounded by now! Hahaha..."


    "You!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and pocketed the storage ring.


    Little Lin tilted his head and said, "Boss, aren''t you going to return this to Chen Jing? After all, she is Huang Yuwei''s aunt..."


    Xiao Yi glanced at Little Lin and said irritably, "Do you think it should be returned to her?"


    "..."


    Little Lin stuck out his tongue and grinned, "Return my ass! If it hadn''t been for the boss stepping in, she would have been snatched away to become some bandit''s wife, and she even suspected the boss of stealing stuff. That old lady is simply toxic..."


    Xiao Yi simply shrugged his shoulders noncommittally.


    Just as Little Lin said...


    Although Xiao Yi did indeed consider having Little Lin pretend to attack at first, so he could blend into the caravan, after discovering the bandits from Black Hawk Stronghold, Xiao Yi abandoned that idea, especially after learning Chen Jing''s identity. Xiao Yi merely wanted to protect Chen Jing and took the opportunity to head to Giant Peak City.


    From the very beginning, it was Xiao Yi who took the initiative to ask Chen Jing for help.


    But in the end, he got labeled as a thief.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Now that we know the Chai Family belongs to the Nantian Dynasty Mining Association, let''s go directly to them!"


    "Boss, have you thought of a way to get the mine distribution map from the Chai family?" Little Lin asked curiously.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "When the cart gets to the foot of the mountain, there will be a way. No need to rush!" Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Alright then!"


    Little Lin nodded and crawled back into Xiao Yi''s embrace.


    The headquarters of the Chai family was not in Giant Peak City; this was just one of their branches.


    Yet, the annual profits generated by the Chai family in Giant Peak City were extremely substantial. They controlled all mining transactions within a thirty-thousand-mile radius, and any power or individual within their domain wishing to start mining had to pay them a fifty percent commission, or they would not obtain the right to mine.


    As a result, the annual profits of the Chai family in Giant Peak City always exceeded a trillion.


    Xiao Yi went straight to the residence of the Chai family.


    Since Giant Peak City was the birthplace of the Chai family, after becoming one of the eight major families of the Nantian Dynasty, it naturally became their backyard.


    Upon arriving at the residence,


    Xiao Yi saw two young men being kicked out, and behind them, with a thud, a stone the size of a human head, already cut in half, was also thrown out.


    Inside the residence,


    a handsome young man looked at them expressionlessly. Standing at the gate, he looked down on them condescendingly, shaking his head and mocking, "What a piece of crap dares to be brought for appraisal to my Chai family? Such a worthless stone, you could find a pile of them just by digging a hole, get lost quickly..."


    The two young men looked completely disheartened.


    The older young man said with a woeful face, "Little brother, let''s just go back..."


    "There''s no other choice..."


    The younger man angrily kicked the stone on the ground and hissed, "Damn it, dad even broke his leg digging you out. To think you''re just a worthless rock..."


    Xiao Yi, witnessing all this, his eyes lit up and he thought of a plan. With a flick of his hand, he summoned the Elixir of Immortality into his sleeve, and at the same time absorbed the five hundred catties of geng metal into the Elixir of Immortality, melting it silently. Then, he stepped forward and said, "Gentlemen, I wonder if this rock is for sale?"


    "Hm?"


    The young man paused, frowning at Xiao Yi, "This stone has been cut open, proving there are no ores inside. It''s just a waste rock. What would you want to buy it for?"


    The brocade-clad youth at the entrance of the City Lord''s Mansion had already turned around when he suddenly heard Xiao Yi express his desire to buy that worthless stone. He couldn''t help but display a strange look: "Strange things happen every year, but this year they seem to be particularly abundant! After my Chai Family has appraised it as a useless stone, this kid actually wants to buy it in hopes of finding a hidden gem? Does he think our Chai Family''s treasure appraisal masters are blind?"


    The two brothers responded with a bitter smile upon hearing the comment, looking towards Xiao Yi: "You heard it too, this is just a useless stone..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and took out a gold card, saying, "There''s one million Silver Taels in here. The two stones are mine now; how about it?"


    "You, are you serious?" Both men were surprised and delighted.


    The brocade-clad youth frowned and said, "Kid, do you have too much money to spend?"


    But Xiao Yi ignored him, throwing the gold card to the two brothers, and with a sweep through midair, the slab of worthless stone flew into his hand. He flipped it in his hand, looking at the brocade-clad youth with a smile, "I''ve long heard that the Chai Family specializes in the stone mining business, raising many masters of stone appraisal among your ranks. Now it seems they''re nothing special after all!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chai Hu was taken aback, his smile suddenly vanishing as he said coldly, "Kid, do you know who you''re speaking to? My Chai Family is second to none in appraising stones, and nobody has dared to mock us like this!"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "Second to none? Then how could you let such a treasure slip by?"


    "Treasure? This stone in your hand?"


    Chai Hu frowned, "Are you perhaps blind? This stone is simply a useless rock, trash. Do you consider it a treasure?"


    Xiao Yi grinned and said, "Care to make a bet with me?"


    "Bet what?" asked Chai Hu.


    Pointing to the stone he had just split in half in his hand, Xiao Yi said, "If the stone inside is worth less than one hundred billion Silver Taels, I''m willing to pay your Chai Family one hundred billion Silver Taels out of my own pocket. However, if the treasure inside is worth more than one hundred billion Silver Taels, I don''t want much, just a Spirit Vein Map of the Nantian Dynasty from your Chai Family."


    Any Spirit Vein of a decent size is usually occupied by powerful forces or individuals. The higher the grade of the Spirit Vein, the stronger the experts and forces stationed there.


    For this reason.


    The Mining Association created Spirit Vein maps, which were made to prevent people from accidentally disturbing the Spirit Veins occupied by these strong forces and sects, causing unnecessary trouble.


    For the Chai Family, who wield significant influence within the Mining Association, obtaining a Spirit Vein map wouldn''t be difficult.


    Chai Hu stared intently at Xiao Yi, intrigued by the confidence on his face, and laughed, "Okay, I''ll take that bet! But are you sure you can come up with one hundred billion Silver Taels?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged and took out a stack of gold cards.


    These were all gold cards commonly used in the Southern State.


    Each with a face value of over ten billion, Xiao Yi had at least twenty in his hand!


    Shh!


    Chai Hu took a sharp breath. Although Giant Peak City''s Chai Family made profits of over a trillion a year, that was the family''s money after all. Just this branch of the Chai Family in Giant Peak City had tens of thousands of family members, with substantial annual expenses, so what they actually received was not much.


    Chai Hu, the foremost youth of his generation in the Chai Family, only carried five to six hundred billion Silver Taels on him.


    Seeing that Xiao Yi indeed had enough Silver to cover the bet, Chai Hu''s face beamed with an even brighter smile, saying, "I am Chai Hu, eldest young master of the Chai Family of Giant Peak City. May I inquire as to how you address yourself, sir?"


    "Xiao Chen!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and put away the gold cards.


    Chai Hu nodded and said, "Since Xiao is so keen on giving my Chai Family money, it would be rude of me to refuse!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "It''s not yet decided who will be giving money to whom!"


    "Hahaha, when it comes to stone appraisal, my Chai Family has never made a mistake!" Chai Hu confidently declared, "You''re bound to lose this bet!"


    Looking at Chai Hu''s confident smile.


    Xiao Yi gently flipped the stone in his hand and, while Chai Hu was not paying attention, a strand of golden light flew out of the Immortal Cauldron in his sleeve and quietly entered the stone. The corners of his mouth slightly lifted, revealing a playful arc, as he muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear, "Sorry about this, but you''re destined to lose this bet!"

 Chapter 710 - 708: It Seems Ive Won! [Seventh Update]

    The two made their way to the Lord''s Mansion.


    Inside the mansion, a Treasure Appraisal Tower had been specially constructed. Entry to the first floor was permitted for those worth over ten thousand in assets, the second for those worth over a hundred thousand, the third for over a million�� and so on, up to nine levels in total, meaning that entry to the ninth level required one to possess assets worth over a trillion. Up to now, only three people had ever entered the Chai Family''s ninth level in Giant Peak City! S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a look of pride, Chai Hu pointed at the Treasure Appraisal Tower and said, "Since your wager is in the hundred billions, you naturally qualify for entry to the eighth level of the Treasure Appraisal Tower. However, let me make it clear beforehand that once you enter the tower, there is no turning back!"


    The Chai Family had always conducted business fairly, without deceiving the young or old.


    That was why they continued to collaborate with Titan Commerce Chamber even after the old chairman''s death and didn''t suppress them in the slightest.


    Xiao Yi was well aware of this.


    He could trust the character of the Chai Family members, and with a smile, Xiao Yi said, "After you."


    The two ascended to the eighth floor of the Treasure Appraisal Tower.


    At that moment, three elders were sitting cross-legged inside the eighth floor.


    "I pay my respects to the three Masters!"


    Chai Hu greeted the three with great respect, then turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao, these are the Chai Family''s eight-star Treasure Appraisers. The total value of the treasures appraised by each of them is over a hundred billion. Especially that middle Master Xun��" He pointed to the bald elder and continued, "He has appraised treasures worth over nine hundred billion Silver, and it won''t be long before he ascends to a nine-star Treasure Appraiser!"


    Xiao Yi couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow.


    To appraise treasures worth over a hundred billion indeed wasn''t easy.


    After all.


    There were strict rules in the trade of Treasure Appraisers, and a failure in appraisal meant a deduction of twice the appraised amount in assets.


    For example, an eight-star Treasure Appraiser who successfully appraised treasures totaling a hundred billion.


    But, if they made a mistake while appraising a fifty billion treasure.


    Their accumulated assets from appraisals would be wiped clean, demoting them to a no-star Treasure Appraiser.


    The fact that these three could maintain their seats as eight-star Treasure Appraisers with over a hundred billion in value showed they indeed had some unique capabilities.


    Master Xun chuckled and said, "Young Chai Hu, who have you brought us this time?"


    "Master Xun, Master Liu, Master Cheng, here''s the deal��"


    Chai Hu promptly explained the situation to the three.


    The three shook their heads in amusement.


    Master Cheng, looking at Xiao Yi with a mocking glance, said tauntingly, "Young man, did you come here to deliberately donate money to my Chai Family? If this stone has been appraised as a worthless rock by my Chai Family, then it certainly can''t have any value!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "Elder Masters, don''t be in such a hurry to make a judgment. As the saying goes, ''Even immortals struggle to measure a mere inch of jade.'' Whether or not there are treasures in this stone, your word alone doesn''t settle it!"


    "Hmm?"


    The three elders were taken aback.


    Master Cheng''s eyes also brimmed with anger as he snorted coldly, "If what we say doesn''t count, are you suggesting that what you say does?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, considering all eight-star Treasure Appraisers as nothing but trifles, and then said with a smile, "You''re correct, what I say does count. I say it''s worth a hundred billion, and that means it will be worth more, not less!"


    "Ridiculous!"


    "Presumptuous!"


    "Ignorant junior..."


    All three were fuming with anger.


    Master Cheng, known for his fiery temper, slammed the table and said, "Come on then, let us see how this stone in your hand could possibly be worth more than a hundred billion. If it really is of that value, I''d willingly take you as my master, and from then on, you would be the most honored guest of my Chai Family. But if not, you won''t be leaving my Chai Family in one piece today..."


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and gestured invitingly, "Please, Elders, proceed."


    Swish!


    The stone immediately fell in front of the three men.


    The three people scrutinized and observed it closely, and in the end, they unanimously determined it was nothing more than a piece of scrap stone.


    Master Cheng mockingly said in a sing-song voice, "Kid, you should start thinking about how you''re going to get home after your limbs are broken when you lose the bet and this stone is opened!"


    Master Xun shook his head and sighed, "Xiao Chen, right? Apologize now and admit your mistake, and we will let you go. This stone is truly just scrap..."


    "Enough!"


    Xiao Yi sighed, "You are, after all, only mortals with normal eyesight; you indeed cannot discern the true value of this stone. Since that''s the case, allow me to reveal its mystery!"


    "Hmm?"


    "Could there really be some secret?"


    Master Xun and his companions looked at each other in dismay.


    Master Cheng frowned and snorted, "He is merely bluffing. If he could really produce a treasure of incomparable value from this broken stone, I would swallow this stone whole..."


    He did not finish speaking.


    Xiao Yi suddenly struck the stone with his palm, and with a crisp crack, cracks spread across the surface of the stone like a spiderweb. Bursts of dazzling golden light started shooting out from the cracks, the light growing more and more brilliant until it formed a ball of golden light.


    The outer layer of the stone began to peel off of its own accord.


    Finally...


    A dazzling golden sphere appeared in everyone''s view.


    On the sphere, golden runes like tadpoles meandered, now transforming into constellations, now into roaring dragons, and now into a symphony of the animal kingdom...


    Majestic and profound, its beauty was unmatched!


    This golden light bathed everyone''s bodies, casting them as if they were made of gold.


    Hiss!


    A series of sharp intakes of breath came from the mouths of Master Cheng and the others.


    Gurgle!


    Chai Hu swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the golden sphere, "What, what, what kind of treasure is this?"


    Master Xun''s hands trembled as he stared intently at the golden sphere, his face full of disbelief, "Could this be the legendary Mother of Gold?"


    "Mother of Gold?"


    Master Cheng and Chai Hu exclaimed in surprise.


    What is the Mother of Gold?


    Legend had it that only one pound of Mother of Gold could be refined from ten thousand pounds of gold, which was a rare material for forging an eighth-grade elemental weapon.


    Gurgle!


    Master Xun cautiously and reverently held the Mother of Gold, his expression filled with excitement, "Yes, this is indeed the Mother of Gold. The weight is at least a pound and a half, and moreover, it''s of the finest quality..."


    Hiss!


    Master Liu''s face was filled with shock, "A pound and a half... As far as I know, half a pound of Mother of Gold was auctioned off in the imperial capital three years ago, and the final price was 230 billion. Does this mean that the piece of Mother of Gold in front of us is worth at least 690 billion Silver?"


    "690 billion taels? No, no, no..."


    Master Xun shook his head, his hands carefully cradling the Mother of Gold as though he were handling a beloved woman in alchemy, his face full of tenderness and excitement as he spoke deliberately, "I''ve seen that half-pound of Mother of Gold, and its quality is inferior to this piece, and the weight is also lacking. If this piece were truly taken to the imperial capital for auction, its value would be at least at the trillion level!"


    Trillion?!


    Chai Hu and the three masters looked at one another.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a slight smile and said, "It seems I have won this wager!"

 Chapter 711 - 709: Its Time for You to Leave! [Eighth Update]

    "It seems I''ve won this bet!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward as he sized up Chai Hu and the others.


    Chai Hu gave a bitter smile and said, "You won, you''ve won! To be able to see such a large piece of the ''Mother of Gengjin'', I am willing to accept the loss. I will have someone prepare the Spirit Vein map as soon as possible..."


    "I''d also like to willingly accept the loss, but..."


    Master Cheng glanced at the one-and-a-half-pound ''Mother of Gengjin'' with a mournful face: "I... I just can''t swallow this stone..."


    Seeing Master Cheng''s face filled with bitterness and grievance, Xiao Yi felt amused but didn''t really have the mind to be petty with him.


    Strictly speaking, he had cheated in this bet, standing on invincible ground from the start. Besides, his intention for participating was solely for the Spirit Vein map. Now that he would get the map, he naturally would not drive them to their doom, and said, "Master Cheng, how could I truly make you swallow it? I just can''t bear to part with it!"


    Master Cheng was startled, and looked at Xiao Yi with profound gratitude: "Thank you for your generosity, young friend. My heart is truly warmed and convinced!"


    "Heroes emerge from the young!" sighed Master Liu.


    Master Xun spoke with sparkling eyes: "Young fellow, I have an audacious request. My Chai Family is hosting a banquet tomorrow night and many guests will be attending. Could we perhaps borrow this piece of the ''Mother of Gengjin'' to exhibit at the banquet? Of course, as a token of our gratitude, we are willing to pay a hundred billion Silver as remuneration!"


    Chai Hu and the rest also looked at Xiao Yi expectantly. After all, the ''Mother of Gengjin'' was worth trillions!


    If they could exhibit it at the banquet, it would undoubtedly earn the Chai Family of Giant Peak City an enormous reputation...


    A hundred billion Silver for just one night of exhibition!


    For Xiao Yi, this was a tremendously profitable deal!


    However...


    Xiao Yi shook his head.


    Seeing this, Master Xun and the others, though somewhat reluctant, also felt helpless. Master Xun let out a sigh: "Alas, it seems the Chai Family and this treasure are not fated..."


    But Xiao Yi laughed and said, "Master Xun, you misunderstand! What I mean is, there''s no need for any remuneration. I''ll give you this ''Mother of Gengjin''. However, I need the most detailed Spirit Vein map!"


    Hiss!


    The four onlookers exchanged glances, baffled.


    To give away a trillion-Silver treasure just like that?


    Only in exchange for a Spirit Vein map?


    Gulp!


    Master Xun couldn''t believe it and asked, "Y-young brother, are you... are you serious?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    After all, it was made from the five hundred pounds of Gengjin that he had borrowed from the Chai Family, and he had refined it with the aid of the Longevity Cauldron��there was no loss for him, as it was merely returning property to its original owner.


    Of course...


    The most important thing was that Xiao Yi greatly admired the character of the several people from the Chai Family.


    If the Chai Family had been like Chen Jing, he might as well have offered them a piece of hair...


    "This... this... this..."


    Chai Hu and the others were simply too shocked to speak.


    This was a trillion-Silver treasure, which even a master from the Longevity Secret Realm would not casually give away. Yet Xiao Yi was so generous.


    For a moment...


    The figure of Xiao Yi in their eyes had risen to an imposing stature.


    Phew!


    Master Xun let out a deep breath, bowed deeply to Xiao Yi, and said solemnly, "Lord Xiao, from now on you are the fourth Supreme Venerable guest of honor of our Chai Family! Whenever you ask, as long as it''s within our power, we will not refuse!"


    He had even changed the way he addressed him.


    "Master Xun, there''s no need for such formality!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and didn''t mind the change in address, and said, "Just don''t forget my Spirit Vein map!"


    "We will never forget!"


    Master Xun hastily waved his hand, saying, "Rest assured, Lord Xiao, the most detailed Spirit Vein map will be placed in your hands at the banquet tomorrow night." After pausing, he added, "Lord Xiao, would you be interested in attending tomorrow''s banquet?"


    "A banquet?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He remembered that Chen Jing had also mentioned she would take him to the banquet tomorrow to introduce him to the Chai Family. Xiao Yi stroked his chin, muttering to himself, "If they see me at the Chai Family banquet, their heads will probably be buzzing..."


    At that thought,


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a playful smile as he said, "Tomorrow, I must definitely prepare to attend the banquet!"


    "That''s fantastic!"


    "For Lord Xiao to agree to attend our banquet, this truly brings glory to our Chai Family!"


    Chai Hu said with a smile, "Then I must let my father know, and we''ll have to upgrade tomorrow night''s banquet to the highest standard!"


    "It must be the highest standard!"


    The others chimed in one after another.


    Xiao Yi did not refuse; on the contrary, he was somewhat looking forward to seeing what Chen Jing''s expression would be like when she saw him tomorrow...


    ...


    The next day, in the evening.


    The whole of Giant Peak City was bustling with excitement.


    Anyone who was someone had gathered at the lord''s mansion.


    Each person was followed by at least one carriage responsible for transporting gifts, the sound of bustling voices filled the air, creating a festive atmosphere.


    As the president of Titan Commerce Chamber, the most prominent commerce chamber in Giant Peak City, Chen Jing''s appearance caused quite a stir. Many eagerly approached her, trying to curry favor: "President Chen, our contract is about to expire. When might you have the time to discuss its renewal?"


    "President Chen, about that batch of goods..."


    Chen Jing smiled, but the arrogance in her eyes was not concealed in the slightest. "Today is just for the banquet; we won''t discuss business matters!"


    Zhou Wulong and Tai Shan followed closely by her side.


    Both had an air of indifference about them.


    "Damn it, if they didn''t have the support of the Chai Family, what would Titan Commerce Chamber count for?"


    "This woman is always so full of herself. With her stubbornness, she''s bound to suffer sooner or later!"


    "Cut the chatter. As long as their relationship with the Chai Family doesn''t break, we can do nothing but look up to them..."


    The crowd was teeth-grindingly annoyed, yet helpless.


    Upon entering the banquet hall,


    Zhou Wulong suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure in the corner.


    It was Xiao Yi.


    At the moment...


    he was sitting alone in the corner, holding a dish of meat, while Little Lin lay on the plate, slowly nibbling. Sensing Zhou Wulong''s gaze, Little Lin looked up at him, then continued nibbling away.


    Zhou Wulong nudged Tai Shan, "Isn''t that Xiao Chen over there?"


    "Hmm?"


    Tai Shan was taken aback, and indeed, it was Xiao Yi. His eyes spun slyly, thinking about how he had lost a considerable amount of silver because of Xiao Yi, so he deliberately said loudly, "Wulong, doesn''t that guy look like the thief who stole five hundred catties of our ''gengjin''?"


    Zhou Wulong feigned hesitation.


    Noticing the crowd''s attention was on them, he pointed at Xiao Yi, saying excitedly, "Yes, that''s him... even if he turned to ashes, I could recognize him!"


    Chen Jing also glanced at Xiao Yi in the corner, a hint of icy coldness flashing in her eyes, showing no intention of stopping the two men.


    Following the direction Zhou Wulong pointed in, the crowd began to murmur among themselves, "That young man looks quite handsome and sunny. Who would''ve thought he''d be a thief?"


    "This just goes to show you can''t judge a book by its cover!"


    "What''s the Chai Family''s security doing? Can just any Tom, Dick, or Harry enter this level of a banquet?"


    Listening to the surrounding chatter, Zhou Wulong''s heart blossomed with joy.


    He cleared his throat, strode directly over to him, and berated him righteously, "Xiao Chen, who gave you the gall to crash the Chai Family''s event? Are you planning to keep thieving here? This is not a place for you, scram!"


    Facing Zhou Wulong''s rebuke,


    the corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, and he said with a light chuckle, "In my opinion, the person who should scram is you!"

 Chapter 712 - 710: I steal your fucking paralysis!

    "It''s you who should be rolling out!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward, his eyes filled with a mocking gaze as he stared at Zhou Wulong.


    Zhou Wulong''s face darkened, his figure leaning slightly forward, a fierce look on his face, "Kid, I know you took away those Gengjin metals. If I''m not wrong, the Gengjin is on you right now, isn''t it? What if I tell the Chai Family now that you stole their Gengjin, would they believe you or me? Do you think they won''t search your body? Don''t forget, the Chai Family has masters of the Nirvana Realm..."


    "Tell the Chai Family?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a smile that was not quite a smile.


    Zhou Wulong threatened in a low voice, "Although I don''t know how you sneaked into the Chai Family''s banquet, if I tell them that you stole their Gengjin, they definitely won''t let you off. It will be light if they just cut off your hands and feet. Of course, if you want to live, you just have to obediently hand over the Gengjin to me, kowtow and apologize to me, then crawl out of here, and I might consider not reporting you to the Chai Family, you..."


    His voice had not faded.


    It stopped abruptly.


    Xiao Yi raised a hand, and with the force of his palm like a tornado, he whirled Zhou Wulong high up into the air with a bang.


    Then with a thud, Zhou Wulong crashed to the ground.


    The ground shook continuously, and the noise caused the surrounding people to turn their attention to them.


    Hiss!


    One after another, the strong onlookers were dumbfounded as they watched Zhou Wulong twitching on the ground, their eyes in shock as they looked at Xiao Yi, "Who is this person? How dare he cause trouble at the Chai Family''s place?"


    "This person looks unfamiliar, doesn''t seem like someone from our Giant Peak City..."


    "No matter who he is, daring to make a scene at the Chai Family''s banquet, he''s done for!"


    Facing the numerous discussions of the crowd.


    Chen Jing''s face was ashen, having Tai Shan support Zhou Wulong up, her otherwise beautiful face now dark enough to drip with water, coldly glaring at Xiao Yi, she scolded, "Xiao Chen, I order you to apologize to Zhou Wulong right now!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi blinked, sizing up Chen Jing with a playful look in his eyes.


    Is there something wrong with this woman''s mind?


    Who does she think she is?


    She dares to order me around?


    Xiao Yi''s gaze gradually turned ice-cold as he articulated word by word, "Who are you to order me? Are you worthy?"


    Whir!


    Chen Jing''s face drastically changed, her eyes flickering heavily with disappointment, she roared with the attitude of hating that iron cannot become steel, "Xiao Chen, you''ve disappointed me greatly. I thought I''d given you a chance to start anew by not pursuing the matter of you stealing the Gengjin, but not only do you show no remorse, you even escalated your behavior by using the name of the Titan Commerce Chamber to sneak into the Chai Family''s banquet. What exactly are you plotting?"


    Bang!


    Within the entire hall, countless guests were shocked.


    Incredulous looks fell upon Xiao Yi, their eyes filled with contempt, mockery, disgust, and schadenfreude, "I remember now... Titan Commerce Chamber did indeed come to us to buy Gengjin yesterday... They also issued a notice, warning us to beware of someone with the surname Xiao from cheating us, I didn''t expect it would be this kid."


    "He looks quite talented, how could he be such a person?"


    "I heard it was Chen Jing who kindly saved him, but he ended up biting the hand that fed him by stealing five hundred jin of Gengjin from the Titan Commerce Chamber. Chen Jing kindly let him go, hoping he would turn over a new leaf, but who knew he would end up mixing in here..."


    Tai Shan supported Zhou Wulong up beside Chen Jing, staring angrily at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Chen, our Titan Commerce Chamber has shown you nothing but kindness, yet you betrayed us and injured Wulong. Since you were heartless first, don''t blame us for being unjust..." Tai Shan shouted, "Someone come, there''s a thief who has snuck into the Chai Family..."


    "Where''s the thief?"


    "Audacious thief, how dare you cause trouble at the Chai Family''s place, do you not wish to live?"


    In a burst of furious roars.


    A dozen ferocious strong men surged into the hall from outside. These men were all Chai Family guards, and the one leading them was even a Dharma Phase Realm Peak existence, known as the butcher Chai Xuetu.


    "Xue Tu chief, come quickly!"


    "The thief is right here..."


    Tai Shan shouted loudly.


    Chai Xuetu''s face was grim as he approached with a predatory gaze, his cold eyes landing on Tai Shan''s figure, "Tai Shan? So, it''s you..." Titan Commerce Chamber has a deep connection with the Chai Family, and Chai Xuetu was old acquaintances with Tai Shan. He promptly asked, "You''re saying a thief has sneaked into my Chai Family''s event to cause trouble? Where is the thief?"


    Tai Shan''s face showed a smug expression as he pointed towards Xiao Yi, "It''s this kid. It was he who stole the five hundred catties of Gengjin Metal entrusted to us by the Chai Family. My sister-in-law is kind-hearted and didn''t want to put him to death, so she let him go to start anew. Unexpectedly, he did not repent and under the guise of Titan Commerce Chamber''s name, sneaked into the Chai Family banquet. I''m positive he must be up to no good!"


    "Oh?"


    Chai Xuetu narrowed his eyes at Xiao Yi.


    He had been out on a mission for the past few days and had only returned to Giant Peak City today to maintain order at the banquet, hence he did not recognize Xiao Yi.


    Chai Xuetu''s expression grew slightly heavy as he confirmed, "Tai Shan, you''re certain he''s the thief?"


    "I would stake my life on it!"


    Tai Shan slapped his chest with conviction, "If you don''t believe me, you can ask him if he has an invitation!"


    Chai Xuetu looked towards Xiao Yi, "Show me your invitation!"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don''t have an invitation."


    "Chief Xue Tu, you see? He doesn''t have an invitation at all, he must have impersonated someone from Titan Commerce Chamber to get in..." Tai Shan looked at Xiao Yi with a slight smile, thinking to himself that as long as he could find the Gengjin Metal on Xiao Yi, the money spent on buying the Gengjin Metal could return to his pocket!


    Narrowing his eyes which flickered with dangerous light, Chai Xuetu''s face was somber, "Guards, fetch me this audacious thief, gouge out his eyes, cut out his tongue, and break his limbs to serve as a warning to others!"


    "Yes!"


    Several guards behind Chai Xuetu advanced with a menacing look.


    The surrounding crowd watched with cold indifference.


    Zhou Wulong and Tai Shan were both grinning, filled with a sense of triumph.


    Chen Jing had a look of disgust and couldn''t be bothered to say another word to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes...


    As the Chai Family''s guards were closing in, and at the moment they were about to seize Xiao Yi, a furious cold shout suddenly echoed throughout the hall, "Stop right there!"


    Whoosh!


    Everyone looked towards the source of the voice.


    There stood Chai Jing with an enraged expression, his eyes blazing like a furious lion charging forward.


    Bang, bang!


    He lashed out with fists and feet at the guards surrounding Xiao Yi, and even Chai Xuetu received a barrage of punches to the face. Chai Hu quickly turned around, his expression anxious as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, those blind fools didn''t hurt you, did they?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head with a smile. S��arch* The N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Phew!


    Chai Hu let out a sigh of relief.


    At that moment...


    Chai Xuetu regained his senses and said, "Big, Young Master, that kid is a thief..."


    "Thief?"


    Chai Hu was taken aback and turned around to deliver a forceful slap to Chai Xuetu''s face, stunning him. His ears buzzed, the only sound the roaring echo of Chai Hu''s voice, "Thief my ass!"

 Chapter 713 - 711: Supreme Venerable Guest, Titans End!

    "I didn''t steal your damn thing!"


    Chai Hu lashed out at Chai Xuetu, beating him senseless without mercy.


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Every punch landed solidly on his body, causing Chai Xuetu to howl in agony��a sight that few bystanders could bear to watch.


    He was beaten for a good half hour.


    Only then did Chai Hu stop, looking apologetically at Xiao Yi: "Xiao, I''m terribly sorry, I had no idea something like this would happen."


    "It''s alright!"


    Xiao Yi waved it off and pointed at Chai Xuetu, "Actually, it''s not his fault. He was just doing his job!"


    Chai Xuetu, his face swollen and bruised, cast a grateful glance toward Xiao Yi and said unclearly, "Chai, Xiao is right, it really isn''t my fault... This was all Tai Shan and Chen Jing. They said that Xiao was a thief, using the Titan Commerce Chamber''s name to sneak into the banquet. Plus, since Xiao didn''t have an invitation, I misunderstood..."


    Seeing Chai Hu''s attitude toward Xiao Yi, how could he not realize that Xiao Yi''s status was no ordinary one!


    At this moment,


    Chai Xuetu hated Tai Shan to the core of his bones.


    Gurgle!


    Tai Shan shuddered all over.


    Beads of cold sweat instantly soaked through the back of his shirt.


    Zhou Wulong was no different, his legs shaking just as much.


    Both of them turned their pleading eyes toward Chen Jing.


    "Chai, we had no idea you knew Xiao Yi. But as for today''s incident, you can''t blame us either. As the saying goes, ''You can know someone''s face, but not their heart.''... You''ve probably been deceived by him too, not knowing his true colors. This man is cunning and sly, shameless to the core. He staged an ambush with Black Hawk Stronghold along the way, to play the hero saving the beauty in order to win my favor. Then, taking advantage of my trust, he stole the Kengold worth fifty billion..."


    Chen Jing took a deep breath, her expression growing more complicated as she glanced at Xiao Yi, then stepped forward to face Chai Hu: "What''s even more shameful is that after he was exposed and expelled from Titan Commerce Chamber, he dared to use our name to gain your trust and sneak into the Chai Family banquet with ill intentions. We acted out of concern for the Chai Family to expose his true face!"


    Chen Jing spoke eloquently and passionately.


    She was very confident in her oratory skills.


    Having said all this,


    Chen Jing looked up proudly at Xiao Yi, her face smug with triumph.


    She wanted to see Xiao Yi beaten and despairing.


    Accustomed to holding herself aloft, she longed even more to see Xiao Yi begging for mercy.


    But...


    She was disappointed once again.


    From beginning to end,


    Xiao Yi stood with his arms folded, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth, an air of detached ease about him. His amused look made Chen Jing feel like a jester, her actions mere jokes in Xiao Yi''s eyes!


    This made Chen Jing extremely annoyed, she thought bitterly, "I''ll see how smug you can be... Sooner or later, you''ll still have to beg me to get you out of this mess..."


    With that thought,


    Chen Jing turned her gaze toward Chai Hu.


    But she found Chai Hu looking back at her with a strange expression, his eyes filled with even more scorn and mockery than one would give a clown, as if looking at a fool; there was even a hint of pity in his eyes.


    Click!


    Chen Jing''s heart skipped a beat, a bad premonition forming.


    Before she could speak,


    Chai Hu asked, "You mean to say... Xiao collaborated with Black Hawk Stronghold to ambush you in order to get close to you?"


    "Exactly!"


    Chen Jing nodded earnestly, "I was deceived by him at first, until the Kengold went missing��that''s when I saw his true face!"


    Chai Hu made a noise of acknowledgment and continued, "You''re suggesting Xiao covets your Kengold worth fifty billion, and so he devised all these intricate schemes to get close to you and steal the Kengold."


    "Yes!"


    Chen Jing looked triumphantly at Xiao Yi, as if to say: Now your true face is about to be revealed to everyone!


    Chai Hu took a deep breath and spoke solemnly, "After Xiao was kicked out by you, he still dared to impersonate your Titan Commerce Chamber to win my trust and worm his way into my Chai Family banquet. Is that what you''re suggesting?"


    "Chai, you''re wise indeed!" said Tai Shan.


    Zhou Wulong nodded agreement: "It''s just as Chai said..."


    Chen Jing, exasperated, said, "I''ve already given him several chances, but he showed no signs of repentance..."


    The surrounding crowd looked at Xiao Yi with deep disgust and coldness: "This guy is really cunning. If it weren''t for Chen unveiling his true face, I wouldn''t dare to believe he could do all these things!"


    "People know faces but not hearts!"


    "Lucky that Chairman Chen exposed him, now the young master Chai must be furious..."


    However...


    Chai Hu suddenly burst into laughter.


    Ha!


    Haha!


    Hahaha...


    Chai Hu laughed so hard that he nearly cried, leaning forward and backward, unable to stand straight without holding onto Xiao Yi''s shoulder, and roared with laughter, "This is killing me... Hahaha, Chen Jing, you and the others are hilarious..."


    Chen Jing''s face faltered with confidence: "..."


    Tai Shan: "..."


    Zhou Wulong: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Only Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up slightly, with a playful and cold smirk.


    Chai Hu gasped for air and wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes, looking towards Chen Jing and the others: "I''ve never seen such shameless people... Chen Jing, do you even look at the honor you carry? You say that the Xiao brothers have their sights on you? Do you think Xiao has gone blind?"


    Chen Jing: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Chai Hu continued, "You claim Xiao collaborated with the bandits of Black Hawk Stronghold to play the hero in a staged rescue, all in order to steal those five hundred catties of gengjin? Are you sick in the head, or do you think I am? Just yesterday, Xiao gifted a gengjin mother stone to my Chai Family that weighed a catty and a half, worth over a trillion. He''s a nine-star Supreme Venerable guest of my family. You''re saying he went through all this trouble to get close to you for five hundred billion? Ask around, does anyone believe that?"


    Hiss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath.


    Worth a trillion?


    Nine-star Supreme Venerable guest?


    The looks people gave Xiao Yi were no longer ones of mockery and disdain, but shock and ardor instead.


    A treasure worth a trillion silver, given away just like that!


    Would such a person covet your five hundred billion?


    A nine-star Supreme Venerable guest, needing to disguise himself to attend your Titan Commerce Chamber''s banquet?


    The glances towards Chen Jing and the others were filled with disdain and mockery, as if there were sounds of slapping echoing in the air. Chen Jing''s group turned pale, from green to white, their faces filled with disbelief, their minds buzzing, utterly unable to accept the reality before them!


    A treasure worth a trillion, gifted away so casually!


    A nine-star Supreme Venerable guest of the Chai Family!


    All of this... S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For them, it was like a legend!


    Gulp!


    Chen Jing''s eyes twitched uncontrollably as she looked at Chai Hu in disbelief, "Cha... Chai, are you serious about what you just said?"


    Chai Hu looked at her with a mocking face, sneered coldly, "Do I need to lie to you?"


    Thump!


    Chen Jing collapsed onto the ground, bewildered.


    Zhou Wulong and Tai Shan were also ghastly pale.


    Chai Hu turned to Xiao Yi, probing, "Xiao, how do you plan to handle them?"


    Zhou Wulong and Tai Shan''s pale faces turned to Xiao Yi, and Chen Jing, too, was ghastly pale, hesitated for a moment before squeezing out a smile, "Xiao... Xiao Chen, I am Yuwei''s aunt, and I..."


    Xiao Yi did not even glance at her, instead, he picked up some roasted meat and slowly nibbled at it with Little Lin.


    He had already given that woman a chance.


    She just hadn''t cherished it!


    If Chen Jing had shown the slightest bit of trust from the start to the end, he wouldn''t have chased them down to the death.


    But...


    There''s no medicine for regret in this world!


    Chai Hu instantly understood, his cold gaze fell upon Chen Jing and the others, and he commanded icily, "Someone, throw these three out. Revoke all collaborations with the Titan Commerce Chamber, also, notify all our allies, anyone who dares to have any further dealings with the Titan Commerce Chamber is against the Chai Family!"


    Thump!


    Chen Jing and the others collapsed on the ground together, faces filled with utter despair.


    The crowd around hastily distanced themselves, aware that from now on, the once-dominant Titan Commerce Chamber of Giant Peak City was on the road to ruin, soon to become the sands of time. And all that was caused by that youth currently amusing himself with a little snake in his hands...

 Chapter 714 - 712: Isnt it good to be alive? Why seek death?

    "Xiao Chen, Xiao Chen, help me..."


    Chen Jing desperately yelled, "I was wrong, I know I was wrong... Please, for Yuwei''s sake, help me; forgive me this once..."


    Tai Shan and Zhou Wulong felt weak all over and were dragged away by men under the command of Chai Xuetu.


    Xiao Yi glanced at her coldly, "Not killing you is already a mercy on Yuwei''s behalf!"


    Chen Jing was shaken, her grip slipping away.


    As she was dragged away, Xiao Yi was expressionless.


    When Zhou Wulong and Tai Shan slandered him, Xiao Yi gave Chen Jing a chance, but unfortunately, she failed to seize that only opportunity.


    Otherwise,


    Not only could Titan Commerce Chamber have continued, but it would have been even more prosperous than before.


    After all...


    Xiao Yi was a Nine-star Honored Guest, bestowing trillions worth of treasures to the Chai Family!


    Those around them now looked at Xiao Yi not with mockery and disdain but with flattery and awe.


    Of course,


    Such things were trivial to Xiao Yi, as insignificant as ants.


    He couldn''t be bothered with them.


    If it weren''t for the fact that he hadn''t yet obtained the Spirit Vein map, Xiao Yi would have long since left this place.


    The banquet that followed seemed rather dull; the Chai Family took the opportunity to gain a great deal of reputation thanks to the Mother of Geng Metal.


    "Xiao, this is my father, Chai Lie!"


    Chai Hu brought Xiao Yi before Chai Lie, a brilliant smile on his face, "Father, this is Xiao!"


    "Xiao Chen, I''ve long heard of your reputation! I should have come to see you sooner, but I was delayed by some matters. I''m truly sorry!" Chai Lie approached with enthusiasm, the head of the Giant Peak City branch of the Chai Family, a man of some standing and means.


    A cultivator of the Fivefold Nirvana Realm.


    In Giant Peak City, that was not weak at all!


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Mr. Chai is too polite."


    "Xiao Chen, I heard from my son that you want a Spirit Vein map, right?"


    Seeing Xiao Yi nod, Chai Lie smiled and took out a roll of the Spirit Vein map from the Storage Ring, saying, "This is the latest Spirit Vein map that the Mining Association just completed last year. It does include some masterless Spirit Veins, but either the terrain is too dangerous and difficult to exploit, or there are powerful monsters or treacherous areas nearby. If you are really interested, Xiao Chen, I can contact some friends to see if they might offer a Spirit Vein..."


    Chai Lie thought Xiao Yi was preparing to find a Spirit Vein to establish a sect or claim it for cultivation purposes.


    In this world of the survival of the fittest, without absolute strength, one was on a path to death.


    As such, everyone was striving, hoping to achieve something in the martial world.


    But martial cultivation can''t be separated from resources, and many people choose to find a Spirit Vein, drawing energy from it for cultivation.


    This was a very common practice.


    Chai Lie didn''t think much of it.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes brightened. To wait for this roll of the Spirit Vein map, he had expended quite a bit of effort, and now it was finally in his hands. Taking the Spirit Vein map from Chai Lie, he tucked it into the Storage Ring and Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Thank you, Mr. Chai. Now that I have the Spirit Vein map, I shall take my leave!"


    "You''re leaving already?" Chai Lie was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi had just become their Nine-star Supreme Venerable Guest, and the banquet had just ended. Why was he leaving so soon?


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "There is no feast that doesn''t come to an end. If we are fated, we shall meet again. Farewell!"


    He gave a respectful bow to the few people there.


    And then he strode away.


    Leaving Chai Lie and the others looking at each other in bewilderment. Chai Lie glanced at Chai Hu beside him and said, "You handled the matter with Titan Commerce Chamber well. Let Giant Peak Chamber of Commerce and Tianyi Chamber of Commerce bid for the spot to replace Titan Commerce Chamber."


    "Father, rest assured, I know what to do," Chai Hu nodded.


    "Hmm!"


    Chai Lie nodded, satisfied, gazing in the direction in which Xiao Yi had departed, "I fear it won''t be long before our young friend Xiao Chen''s fame will spread throughout Nantian."


    .......


    After leaving the Chai residence, Xiao Yi headed straight towards the outskirts of the city.


    He took out the Spirit Vein map.


    It was detailed in its annotations, whether the Spirit Vein was located in which mountain range or the specific location, even the explored grades of the Spirit Veins, whether they were claimed, and the strength and identity of their owners, along with the dangers around some deserted mountain ranges, everything was recorded. It wasn''t an exaggeration to say that with this roll of the map, he could know about sixty percent of the Spirit Vein locations in the Nantian Dynasty.


    The only pity was...


    There were too few Ninth Grade Spirit Veins!


    He knew that finding enough Ninth Grade Spirit Veins to refine the Ninth Grade Elixir of Immortality was no small feat!


    "Boss, someone is following us!" Little Lin communicated telepathically. Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, "Do you know who it is?"


    "I''ve seen them before at the Titan Commerce Chamber!"


    Little Lin''s perception was extremely sharp, and he immediately noticed someone tailing them from behind.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Capture him, and let''s find out what he wants!"


    Little Lin transformed into a streak of golden light and vanished from sight.


    A moment later.


    In a small alley.


    Xiao Yi watched as Little Lin brought the man back, squinting his eyes to scrutinize the young man drenched in cold sweat before him, he said indifferently, "Chen sent you, didn''t she? Speak, what does she want?"


    Hiss hiss!


    Little Lin coiled around the young man''s neck, its cold tail gently brushing across his face.


    Hiss!


    The young man dared not hide anything: "Yes, the Chairman asked me to follow you�� I heard Chen saying that if it weren''t for you, the Titan Commerce Chamber would never have come to this point. Vice Chairman Tai Shan has already gone to Black Hawk Stronghold to contact experts to put you to death... "


    "Well, well, ''to put us to death''!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were icy cold as he said disdainfully, "It seems kindness is indeed taken for weakness!"


    "Boss, what should we do?" Little Lin asked.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, his gaze chilling, "He wants to put us to death, right? Then we''ll strike first to gain the upper hand!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The two soared into the sky immediately.


    A moment later...


    They had arrived at the Titan Commerce Chamber. Xiao Yi floated in mid-air, his voice thunderous as if booming through the skies, "Chen Jing, Zhou Wulong, come out... Today, I, Xiao Chen, will eradicate your Titan Commerce Chamber. All unrelated parties should quickly flee!"


    As soon as the words fell.


    Xiao Yi pressed down with a palm.


    A gigantic hand appeared out of nowhere, and with a bang, slammed heavily onto the grand and stretching building of the Titan Commerce Chamber. Amidst the rumbling echoes, Xiao Yi actually flipped the roof of the Commerce Chamber, while simultaneously, with a point of his finger, dust flew from the ground, condensing into a thin strand of incense. Placing the delicate scent in front of everyone, he flicked it alight with a snap of his fingers.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless as he looked down, his voice cold, "When the incense burns to ashes, the Titan ends!"


    Whoosh!


    The incense was stuck directly onto the signboard of the Titan Commerce Chamber.


    The burning speed was incredibly fast.


    At this rate, it would burn to ashes in half an hour.


    Inside the Titan Commerce Chamber.


    Zhou Wulong and Chen Jing had extremely ugly expressions, and they both rose into the air, fixing their gazes on Xiao Yi.


    Chen Jing glared furiously, "Xiao Chen, you''ve gone too far!"


    Zhou Wulong bellowed angrily, "Do you really think you can cover the sky with one hand?"


    "Cover the sky with one hand?"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward as he looked down at Zhou Wulong, his face full of disdain, "I will do just that. What can you do to me?"


    "You��"


    Zhou Wulong''s complexion turned from green to white.


    At that moment...


    The last bit of the incense had burned to ashes.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly and he said coldly, "From now on, the Titan no more!"


    As the words fell.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi pointed out, and with a puff, Chen Jing and Zhou Wulong''s hearts were pierced, causing them to plummet from high above and crash to the ground with a thud. Xiao Yi glanced at the Titan Commerce Chamber, finding it empty, and pointed out immediately. The Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger was enough to suppress all heavens, let alone simply a Commerce Chamber.


    Rumbling!


    As the earth shook and mountains quivered, the Titan Commerce Chamber was reduced to dust and smoke.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly, a cold glint flickering in his eyes as he turned to the distance, "There''s still one fish that slipped through the net! Ah, isn''t it good to live? But instead, you choose to seek death..."

 Chapter 715 - 713: The Destruction of Black Hawk Stronghold

    The Chai Family. Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chai Xuetu''s face was deathly pale as he rushed in from outside, a look of panic in his eyes as he looked at Chai Lie and his son, "Patriarch, something terrible has happened!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chai Lie was taken aback, frowning, "What happened?"


    Panting heavily!


    Chai Xuetu, the notorious executioner known as the Blood-Handed Butcher, gasped for air. Recalling the scene he had just witnessed at the Titan Commerce Chamber, he couldn''t help but feel a chill in his spine, "Xiao Yi, he flattened the Titan Commerce Chamber with a single slap!"


    Hisss!


    Father and son Chai Lie exchanged a glance.


    Both saw a flash of horror in the other''s eyes.


    After a long while,


    Chai Lie heaved a heavy sigh, and looking at Tai Shan, who was also just coming back to his senses, he said with a wry smile, "Son, we are lucky you warned us this time. We didn''t offend Xiao Yi. Otherwise, it might have been our Chai Family that was flattened!"


    When Chai Hu told him that Xiao Yi had gifted a trillion-worth chunk of Gengjin Mother Metal to the Chai Family, Chai Lie had considered making a move against Xiao Yi.


    To keep all the treasures he carried for themselves.


    After all,


    A man who could casually gift a treasure worth a trillion Silver surely had belongings far exceeding that amount.


    Ultimately, Chai Hu forcefully opposed this proposal.


    At that time, Chai Lie and the other Chai Family elders were somewhat dissatisfied, but now, they all felt relieved by Chai Hu''s decision. Judging by Xiao Yi''s strength, to obliterate the entire Titan Commerce Chamber with one slap, he was definitely a master above the Nirvana Realm. Although the Chai Family also possessed masters of the Nirvana Realm, the repercussions could be unthinkable if such a high-level expert sought revenge against them.


    Phew!


    Chai Hu took a deep breath and looked at Chai Xuetu, asking in a deep voice, "Xiao had already let them go before. Why did he suddenly strike the Titan Commerce Chamber?"


    Chai Xuetu replied, "I heard that the people from the Titan Commerce Chamber couldn''t accept their fate and secretly contacted the Black Hawk Stronghold, seeking to deal with Master Xiao..."


    Chai Lie: "..."


    Chai Hu sighed, "A bunch of morons!"


    Morons!


    After knowing the whole story, this was everyone''s unanimous assessment of the Titan Commerce Chamber.


    Xiao Yi had already spared them and decided not to pursue the previous conflict.


    But...


    They still wouldn''t let it go and wanted to kill him.


    Isn''t this the behavior of a moron?


    Of course,


    All this mattered not to Xiao Yi. By now, he had already left Giant Peak City for quite some time.


    Walking above the clouds.


    Xiao Yi''s vital energy surged around him, shielding him from the fierce winds as he opened the map of Spirit Vein distributions in his hand, "As expected of the Nantian Dynasty, which occupies the richest 80 percent of Southern State. The map shows more than thirteen thousand Spirit Veins above the Seventh Grade alone, with as many as two thousand of them being Ninth Grade..."


    These are Ninth Grade Spirit Veins!


    The entire Daqian Dynasty only had one Ninth Grade Spirit Vein, which Xiao Yi had forcibly extracted from the turmoil in the sea domain controlled by the Sha Family, after the Great Qian Dynasty was promoted to the Daqian Dynasty.


    It goes without saying how vast the difference is between the resources and strength of the Nantian Dynasty and the Daqian Dynasty, which stand opposed to each other from the south and north!


    This is also one of the reasons why the Nantian Dynasty did not completely annihilate the Daqian Dynasty!


    After all...


    The gap between them is too large!


    So vast that the Nantian Dynasty never saw the Daqian Dynasty as a competitor but merely as an annoying fly!


    "Boss, where are we going?" Xiao Ling asked.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "First we''ll make a trip to the Black Hawk Stronghold. Hasn''t Tai Shan gone there to ask for their help? If the Black Hawk Stronghold stays out of it, we''ll let them off the hook. But if they really plan to take action, then we''ll wipe them out too. Moreover, according to the map, there''s also a Fifth Grade Spirit Vein near the Black Hawk Stronghold!"


    A mosquito might be tiny, but it''s still meat!


    Besides, a Fifth Grade Spirit Vein is also valuable. Even if it''s just taken back and buried under a city, it could increase the density of spiritual energy in a city of tens of millions by five times.


    ......


    Black Hawk Stronghold.


    The head of the stronghold, Black Falcon, sported a bald head with a pair of hawk eyes tattooed on it. Even as mere tattoos, they exuded a chilling sharpness, making one feel as if a living hawk was staring intently right at them.


    Black Falcon rubbed his head, his face full of ferociousness as he said, "Tai Shan, do you mean that as long as I help you get rid of that guy named Xiao Yi, my Black Hawk Stronghold will hold a thirty percent share in the Titan Commerce Chamber from now on?"


    "Yes!"


    Tai Shan''s face was filled with ingratiating flattery, "As long as the boss agrees to help us this time, we''ll become the closest of partners in the future. With frequent interactions, won''t the boss have the opportunity to get involved with my sister-in-law... hehe..."


    "Hahaha, you''re willing to sell out your own sister-in-law, truly shameless!"


    Black Falcon''s narrowed eyes glinted with greed. He had seen Chen Jing once, and the memory had never left him. His smile suddenly retracted, replaced by a venomous look, "I can help you, but in return, I want a fifty percent share in the Titan Commerce Chamber. That is my condition. Whether or not you agree is up to you."


    "This..."


    Tai Shan''s face showed bitterness, "Fifty percent is simply too much!"


    The third boss said indifferently, "Too much? Don''t think we don''t know, the Chai Family has already cut ties with the Titan Commerce Chamber. Without the help of my Black Hawk Stronghold, your commerce chamber can only shut down. If the boss didn''t take a liking to your sister-in-law, he wouldn''t leave even a ten percent share for you, let alone fifty percent!"


    Tai Shan''s face turned pale in an instant.


    He hadn''t anticipated that the Black Hawk Stronghold''s intelligence would be so swift, aware even of the news that the Titan Commerce Chamber had lost the support of the Chai Family.


    After hesitating for a moment.


    Tai Shan could only give a bitter smile and nod,"Fine, fifty percent it is!"


    "Very well!"


    Black Falcon laughed heartily and then snapped his fingers, "Brothers, follow me to Giant Peak City, kill Xiao Yi, and take over the Titan Commerce Chamber!"


    "Kill Xiao Yi!"


    "Take over the Titan Commerce Chamber!"


    The multitude erupted into roaring.


    Just then.


    A calm voice suddenly came from outside the door, "No need to go to such trouble, I''ve come myself!"


    "Hm? Who is so bold as to dare barge into my Black Hawk Stronghold?" Black Falcon squinted his eyes, which shone with a cold, sharp light, and stared fixedly at the main entrance.


    Tai Shan, upon hearing the familiar voice, instantly recognized Xiao Yi and turned around to see that it was indeed Xiao Yi. Hastily pointing, he said, "Boss, that''s Xiao Yi!"


    "That''s right, boss, this man here is Xiao Yi!" The third boss also spoke up.


    Black Falcon squinted his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as he sized up Xiao Yi, "No wonder my third brother was no match for you, you''re at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Heh heh, kid, do you know who I am?"


    "You, calling yourself ''boss'' to me?" Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    Black Falcon was taken aback, straddled his legs proudly, and said, "That''s right, I am..."


    Bang!


    Before he could finish speaking.


    A frigid Sword Qi had already cut Black Falcon in two.


    The sword light had torn a huge gash in the main hall, cleaving the entire hall in two; a colossal trench on the ground was filled with raging Sword Qi, unpredictable and fierce.


    The warriors of the Black Hawk Stronghold on both sides were so frightened that they wet themselves and collapsed to the ground.


    Tai Shan''s face was a picture of terror, "How, how, how is this possible?"


    Killing the Third Nirvana Realm''s Black Shadow with a single sword strike?


    And to split the entire hall?


    What kind of strength was this?


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes as he looked toward Tai Shan, "That leaves only you from the Titan Commerce Chamber..."


    "What? You..."


    Tai Shan''s face drastically changed, just as he was about to speak, but a flicker of Sword Qi flashed by, severing his head from his body.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the third boss and others, then said to the Xiao Ling in his arms, "I''ll leave this place to you, I''m going after their Spirit Vein!"


    "Don''t worry, boss, leave it to me!" Xiao Ling grinned.


    The third boss came to his senses, shouting, "Xiao Yi, you can''t kill us... Our second boss is a member of the Nantian Imperial Guards and is now a master of the Longevity Secret Realm. If you dare annihilate my Black Hawk Stronghold, he won''t let you get away with it!"


    "The Longevity Secret Realm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, then smiled and said, "If he comes, then I''ll kill him too!"


    As his words fell.


    Xiao Ling transformed into his true form and in an instant swept across the Black Hawk Stronghold.


    Xiao Yi, on the other hand, made his way toward the treasury of the Black Hawk Stronghold, but what he didn''t expect was that inside the treasury, he stumbled upon an unexpected and delightful surprise��

 Chapter 716 - 714: Dao Heart Seed Demon, As if Blessed by the Gods!

    Black Hawk Stronghold sat directly above a fifth-grade Spirit Vein.


    In the middle of the Spirit Vein, they excavated a huge cave, encircled by a round wall made of fine iron.


    Array patterns were engraved upon the iron.


    Although the power of these arrays wasn''t strong, their purpose was to serve as a warning.


    Should anyone forcefully break in, entering the treasure vault, the protective array would be activated immediately, alerting Black Hawk''s attention.


    However...


    Now Black Hawk was dead.


    Xiao Yi forcibly broke the arrays without any trouble and entered the treasure vault smoothly.


    Upon entering the entire vault, what caught his eye was a dazzling treasure light and a large pile of spiritual medicines and treasures.


    Just in terms of volume, there were over a hundred billion, and the number of precious ores and spiritual treasures was also countless. The total value of this treasure vault was at least three hundred billion Silver and up.


    Only...


    Facing these treasures, Xiao Yi still frowned, "By rights, given Black Hawk Stronghold''s strength and methods, there shouldn''t be only this much..."


    Black Hawk Stronghold wasn''t far from Giant Peak City.


    Giant Peak City was the center of trade for all the mining caravans within ten thousand miles.


    Black Hawk Stronghold had occupied the area for hundreds of years and wasn''t supposed to have only a few hundred billion Silver in wealth.


    Just then...


    Little Lin burst in, having already dealt with everyone in Black Hawk Stronghold, he grinned and said, "Boss, everything''s been taken care of outside, how about in here?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "Around three hundred billion Silver! Look around and see if there''s anything I might have missed!"


    Even though Xiao Yi''s power now far surpassed Little Lin''s, when it came to treasure hunting, Little Lin was streets ahead of him.


    "Leave it to me!"


    Little Lin landed on the ground and began moving throughout the treasure vault.


    Suddenly...


    Little Lin took a fierce leap, and his body burst forth with interweaving golden-red lights. With a loud bang, he violently collided with the wall. Amidst a huge thud, the finely made iron wall was blasted open by him, revealing a dark crevice. His tail coiled, and he pulled out a large black chest from within.


    The chest could fit a large, fat pig!


    The entire chest was covered in black runes, which flickered with a dim light. Xiao Yi glanced at it and was speechless, "No wonder I didn''t find it just now, it turned out to have ten layers of Concealment Formations. What on earth is inside this chest that Black Hawk would inscribe ten layers of Concealment Formations on it..."


    A Concealment Formation hides the aura, shape, and can shield against the detection of the strong in Longevity Secret Realm.


    The cost of inscribing such an array was also incredibly high.


    And...


    The more layers of Concealment Formation that are overlaid, the more expensive they become.


    For instance, a single layer of Concealment Formation would only cost ten thousand Silver, two layers a hundred thousand, three layers a million, and so on... A ten-layered Concealment Formation is at a trillion-level!


    To spend a trillion Silver to inscribe a Concealment Formation just to hide this chest?


    "Boss, can this Concealment Formation be opened?" Little Lin asked.


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Be confident, drop the ''maybe''!"


    Little Lin: "..."


    Xiao Yi''s smile lifted at the corners of his mouth, and he squatted in front of the chest. In just a dozen breaths, there was a click, and the copper lock covered with chain runes fell off. Another click, and Xiao Yi lifted the chest open. Almost simultaneously, a burst of soaring spiritual energy shot out from within, filling the entire cave with a boom of seven-colored radiance.


    Almost at the same moment Xiao Yi opened the chest...


    Far away in the imperial capital of the Nantian Dynasty, within the Forbidden Army''s camp...


    A black figure abruptly opened his eyes, his hawk-like nose above a pair of black goat beards, his eyes shooting out a cold gleam: "Damn, my chest has been opened?"


    Whoosh!


    He immediately stood up, ready to tear through the void and leave.


    But at that moment...


    A voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Black Falcon Commander, the Supreme Commander requests your presence!"


    "Damn it, why must they seek me out right now?"


    Hei Yu''s face darkened, and he gritted his teeth, "Tell the Supreme Commander that he must wait a moment..."


    "Commander Hei Yu, the Supreme Commander has an extremely urgent matter, please don''t make things difficult for this subordinate!" The imperial guard outside insisted, urging him in a rush.


    Hei Yu''s face subtly changed, a look of conflict spreading across his face.


    A moment passed.


    Hei Yu took a deep breath and said, "I''ll be right there!"


    His eyes were as cold and sharp as those of an eagle, his fists clenched tightly, a chilling and intense murderous intent flickering in his eyes, "No matter who you are, daring to lay a finger on my possession, I will have you torn to pieces!"


    ......


    Black Hawk Stronghold, the underground treasure vault.


    The swirling seven-colored radiance slowly faded, and within the chest, a Crystal Ball pulsing with seven-colored light lay quietly, with a scroll of unidentified beast skin beneath it.


    The burst of light that reached the heavens had emanated from the Crystal Ball.


    Little Lin stood upright, resting its head on the edge of the chest, peering inside, and asked in confusion, "Boss, what exactly is this?"


    "I don''t know!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, then took out the beast skin scroll.


    Four characters were written on it��Dao Heart Seed Demon!


    "Dao Heart Seed Demon? What is this?" Little Lin asked, completely baffled.


    Xiao Yi also shook his head, indicating his own confusion, but as he continued to read, his expression went through a series of dramatic changes.


    First shock, then amazement, and finally, ecstasy...


    "Hahaha, heaven favors me, indeed heaven favors me..." Xiao Yi''s face was filled with ecstatic joy, a smile that even made Little Lin feel a shiver down its spine.


    Gurgle!


    Little Lin ventured to ask, "Boss, what on earth is this that makes you so excited?"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, "The Dao Heart Seed Demon Skill, it''s a supreme secret technique of the demonic path. According to the records on this beast skin, the Dao Heart Seed Demon Skill was once practiced by the master of the Seventh Hall, Gluttonous Hall, within the Hall of Longevity. This technique allows one to plant a demonic seed inside the body of a practitioner with lesser spiritual power, and once this seed enters the body of a strong being from the Longevity Secret Realm, it can be extracted to fully seize the essence of their longevity spirit."


    Back then...


    The Gluttonous Hall, the Seventh Hall of the Hall of Longevity, was responsible for punishment!


    If a strong being from the Longevity Secret Realm ever violated the Hall of Longevity, once caught, they would be sent to the Gluttonous Hall to have their essence of longevity forcibly removed.


    To have the lifetime of cultivation of a being from the Longevity Secret Realm reduced to nothing!


    Little Lin suddenly widened its eyes, its face also showing ecstatic joy.


    Xiao Yi happened to possess two Longevity Cauldrons, both capable of refining the essence of longevity.


    There were two methods to refine the essence of longevity.


    One was to seek out a Spirit Vein and, with specific materials, one could refine the essence of longevity.


    The other was to fuse essences of longevity.


    Two first-grade essences could be fused into a second-grade one, four second-grade into a third-grade, and eight third-grade into a fourth-grade... and so on, up to a ninth-grade essence of longevity, which would require two hundred and fifty-six eighth-grade essences. Although procuring two hundred and fifty-six eighth-grade essences is extremely difficult to find, isn''t it easier than searching for more than two thousand ninth-grade Spirit Veins?


    After all.


    One still has to dig for Spirit Veins!


    In the Nantian Dynasty, there were not a few strong beings from the Longevity Secret Realm with the essence of longevity!


    Upon this realization.


    Excitement also surged on Little Lin''s face, and it laughed heartily, "Boss, you''re really blessed by the gods!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, his gaze shifting toward the Crystal Ball, murmuring, "It''s you who is blessed by the gods!"


    "Ah?"


    Little Lin was puzzled...


    PS: Haha, everyone guess what''s inside the Crystal Ball...


    sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 717 - 715: Innate Empty Spirit, Striving for Longevity!

    "The one blessed by the gods is you, huh!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upwards, his face brimming with a radiant smile.


    Little Lin was startled and looked at Xiao Yi, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi pointed at the crystal ball in front of him and said with a smile, "Do you know what''s stored inside this crystal ball? Inside, it contains a Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit..."


    Hiss!


    Little Lin drew in a sharp breath.


    He looked at the crystal ball inside the box with disbelief.


    A Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit!


    This was the treasured goal that countless experts at Nirvana Peak longed for but could never reach.


    He never imagined that such a treasure would appear in a den of bandits.


    Xiao Yi was also somewhat emotional...


    If they hadn''t met Chen Jing, they wouldn''t have provoked Black Hawk Stronghold and wouldn''t have come to this place.


    Without the encounter with Black Hawk Stronghold, how could they have found the Dao Heart Seed Demon Skill and this crystal ball that held a Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit?


    What the two of them didn''t know was...


    Both the crystal ball and the Dao Heart Seed Demon Skill were accidental findings by Hei Yu, the deputy of Black Hawk Stronghold, while on a mission with the Imperial Guards, just that he had already entered the Longevity Secret Realm. He couldn''t refine the Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit unless he made a breakthrough to Earthly Honor, and he also worried that carrying it with him would lead to its discovery by the Imperial Guards; hence, it had been hidden within the Black Hawk Stronghold.


    He planned to return to retrieve and refine the Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit upon his breakthrough to the Earth Venerate Realm in the future.


    All along.


    Because of Hei Yu''s identity as head of the Imperial Guards, Black Hawk Stronghold never provoked experts above the Longevity Realm and thus lived in peace.


    But this time...


    They had provoked Xiao Yi.


    Gurgle!


    Little Lin swallowed hard, never expecting to encounter a Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit quite like this.


    Little Lin''s eyes shone brightly.


    Once he entered the Longevity Secret Realm, he could transform into human form.


    His strength would also improve further.


    But...


    Little Lin hesitated for a moment, shook his head, resisting the enormous temptation, and said solemnly, "Boss, I don''t want this Longevity Spirit. You should keep it!"


    He was very aware that Xiao Yi needed to gather Longevity Spirits of all attributes to enter the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Only then could he unite all the paths and step into the Longevity Secret Realm.


    It meant that Xiao Yi needed to gather seven Ninth Grade Longevity Spirits of metal, wood, water, fire, earth, and yin and yang!


    By keeping this metal-attributed Longevity Spirit, Xiao Yi would only need to collect six more Ninth Grade Longevity Spirits.


    How could Xiao Yi not know what Little Lin was thinking? His mouth curved upwards, and he ruffled his head, saying with a laugh, "Silly kid, if this was any other attribute of Longevity Spirit, I would definitely keep it for myself. But this happens to be a metal-attributed Longevity Spirit. As soon as you refine it, you will be able to enter the Longevity Secret Realm. Once you''re in the Longevity Secret Realm, your strength will greatly increase. Then, with your help, I''ll be able to find the Longevity Spirits of all attributes even faster, right?"


    Little Lin was taken aback, frowning, "But..."


    "There are no ''buts''!"


    Xiao Yi slapped Little Lin''s head lightly and said, "If you still consider me your boss, just listen to me!"


    Little Lin depended on him for survival, and they were brothers who had gone through life and death together.


    With benefits at hand, Xiao Yi was naturally not stingy.


    With this thought.


    Little Lin nodded vigorously, his amber-like eyes swimming with tears, and said in a deep voice, "Boss, I understand!"


    "Good!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, took out the Longevity Cauldron, and said, "I''ll use the Longevity Cauldron to help you refine this Longevity Spirit. It''s also a good chance to see what you will look like after your transformation. Will you also have blonde hair and blue eyes, haha..."


    "Hehe, boss, just you wait! When I transform, I''ll definitely give you a surprise!" Little Lin said with a wide grin.


    Immediately, he bit the crystal ball to pieces.


    Whoosh!


    A spirit of longevity surged towards the heavens.


    Little Lin roared and opened its gaping maw, swallowing it in one gulp.


    Boom!


    As soon as the spirit of longevity entered its body, it immediately erupted in an incomparably brilliant light.


    For a moment,


    Splendid, colorful rays spewed within its body, the unparalleled brilliance filling the entire treasury.


    Under the impact of the light, Little Lin''s body started to show fierce cracks.


    As if it was about to explode.


    Blood, along with the fractures, surfaced on its body.


    Thunderous roars, akin to thunder, deafened ears and echoed between heaven and earth.


    "Roar..."


    Little Lin''s body tensed, its eyes bulging with rage, blood vessels filled its eyes in an instant.


    Amidst the spread of blood vessels,


    Little Lin let out a series of earth-shattering roars; sharp fangs and a blood-red tongue constantly lashing out of its gaping maw, its body shaking violently. The spirit of longevity was purifying the impurities within its body, constantly tempering and strengthening its physique, as though undergoing a thousand refinements of steel, only through endless tribulations could it truly grow.


    And even transform! Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The spirit of longevity was meant to help beings self-purify and strengthen.


    Only by washing off the mundane could one reach the state of innate purity.


    This was a process of returning from the acquired to the innate...


    Legend has it...


    In ancient times, the first creatures born between heaven and earth were all innate beings, such beings didn''t need the spirit of longevity to break through to the Longevity Secret Realm.


    To share a lifespan with the heavens, to exist as long as the earth.


    Forever in the world, immortal and indestructible!


    However, with the continuous expansion of various races, generation by generation grew weaker, their bloodlines became increasingly impure.


    Over time,


    The bloodlines of most innate beings slowly degenerated to acquired beings.


    Only some rare and precious life forms, such as true dragon descendants and phoenix progeny... These beings could continue to maintain the posture of innate life forms, the rest of the numerous creatures, 99.999% were acquired beings, who, if they wished to transform into the Longevity Secret Realm, had to go through the purification of the spirit of longevity.


    It was through this process of returning from the acquired to the innate that one could grasp the power of heaven and earth and achieve the state of longevity!


    Boom!


    Little Lin was also of an exotic bloodline, and its bloodline rank was not low.


    Although it didn''t match innate beings, it was still an outstanding one among the acquired beings.


    Under the purification of the spirit of longevity, its body had completely shed its mortal shell, returning to the state of innate purity.


    At this moment��


    Little Lin felt an extremely intimate connection with the Dao between heaven and earth.


    What was once unclear now gradually became visible in its eyes.


    Within the Heavenly Dao river��


    Little Lin saw a shining golden river, which represented the Dao of gold. With a swish, it turned into a golden bridge and with a bang, plunged into Little Lin''s body. It shuddered, beginning to refine the Dao of gold, forming a golden cocoon of light that enshrouded its body.


    Seeing this, Xiao Yi put away the Longevity Tripod, his lips curving slightly: "Just waiting for it to break out of its cocoon, Little Lin will be in the Longevity Secret Realm. Just not sure what it will transform into..."


    He had been looking forward to Little Lin''s transformation into human form for a long time.


    But at this moment, Xiao Yi didn''t know��


    Far away in the Imperial capital, within the Imperial Guards'' camp, Hei Yu stepped out of the commander''s hall, exhaling a long breath of turbid air, his eyes flashing alternately with cold light: "I hope it''s not too late..."


    Swish!


    With one hand, he tore the void in front of him...


    PS: I''m truly sorry. Last night, my daughter fell out of bed while sleeping and wouldn''t stop crying; that''s why there was only one chapter updated. I''ll update another today, and from tomorrow, I''ll try to update during the day. Being a parent is not easy; I hope fellow brothers and sisters can understand!

 Chapter 718 - 716: Battle with the Immortal

    ```


    Black Hawk Stronghold.


    Xiao Yi looked at the radiant cocoon in front of him, and through the dazzling golden light, he could faintly see the figure of a human shape already quietly appearing within the cocoon. He couldn''t help but curl the corners of his mouth upward, "It seems that it won''t be long before Little Lin transforms into human form and steps into the Longevity Secret Realm!"


    Hum!


    Hum!


    Hum!


    The golden light on the cocoon was flickering in and out of existence.


    Now you see it, now you don''t.


    This made the entire cave fill with a splendid brilliance.


    Immersed in the splendid light, Xiao Yi''s face slightly changed, and the smile on his face suddenly vanished, "Not good!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi''s figure suddenly flashed, and he was already rushing out of the treasury to appear in mid-air.


    Above the Black Hawk Stronghold, the clouds were white and fluffy, the breeze gentle and mild.


    Suddenly,


    With a humming tremble in the void in front of him, a space crack appeared before Xiao Yi, and a figure stepped out from the crack.


    Clad in black armor, with a hooked nose and a fierce gaze reminiscent of an eagle, the whole person exuded a sinister air.


    It was none other than the second-in-command of Black Hawk Stronghold, now the head of the Nan Tian Imperial Guards, Hei Yu.


    Hei Yu hastily walked out of the crack, first laying eyes on the mess that was Black Hawk Stronghold, unable to sense a single trace of life, which caused his complexion to also change drastically. Just as he was about to hurry to the treasury, he saw Xiao Yi suddenly appearing in the void, blocking his path.


    Hei Yu''s pupils slightly contracted, his brows jumped like drawn swords, and he stared at Xiao Yi with narrowed eyes, "Was it you who destroyed Black Hawk Stronghold?"


    "Shouldn''t there be someone else here?" Xiao Yi said with a smile.


    His eyes were also tightly fixed on Hei Yu. As soon as this man appeared, he had caught Xiao Yi''s attention.


    Third-layer Heavenly Venerable!


    Such strength could not be said to be weak!


    Boom!


    Merely with a shift of his gaze, Hei Yu actually turned into a gust of wind, blowing apart the clouds for a hundred miles around him.


    Hei Yu clenched his fists suddenly, his eyes filled with an unimaginably cold edge, gritted his teeth and said, "You''ve got some nerve, destroying my Black Hawk Stronghold and taking my treasures only to dare show your face before me, I will grind you to dust!"


    In his eyes...


    The life and death of Black Hawk Stronghold didn''t matter.


    But the precious treasure in the treasury was his sore spot, untouchable by anyone.


    Feeling that biting murderous intent.


    Xiao Yi''s whole body shook, his primal energy circulated, and only then did the icy sensation brought upon by the intense killing intent dissipate somewhat. In just that instant, a layer of white frost had formed on his body from the fierce killing intent. As Xiao Yi''s body shook, the frost cracked and fell away with a crackling sound, scattering and dissipating into nothingness in the sunlight.


    The corner of his mouth slightly raised, forming a cold arc, Xiao Yi spoke, "Less nonsense, if it''s a fight you want, then fight!"


    "Arrogant!"


    Hei Yu looked Xiao Yi up and down, he himself was a formidable figure in the Third-layer Heavenly Venerate Realm, and Xiao Yi was merely at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak. How dare he challenge him?


    Just as Hei Yu was about to make his move.


    Suddenly, a roar came from inside the treasury, followed by the trembling of the ground.


    This caused Hei Yu''s form to stiffen, disbelief showing on his face, his angry gaze fixed on Xiao Yi as he roared, "Bastard, are you actually refining my precious treasure?"


    That Ninth Grade Spirit of Longevity was something he risked his life to obtain.


    It was supposed to help him switch his Spirit of Longevity during his attempt to ascend to the Earthly Honor Realm.


    But now... S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He sensed Little Lin inside the treasury, actually refining the Spirit of Longevity.


    Hei Yu''s face was hideously twisted with a terrifying distortion, he bellowed in fury, "No matter who you are, you''re all going to die!"


    Boom!


    Hei Yu suddenly dove down, like a falling meteor flying towards the direction of the treasury.


    At that moment...


    ```


    A streak of silver Sword Qi, like a river of stars, spanned in front of him, cutting off his path to the treasure vault.


    Shhh...


    The Sword Qi gradually dissipated, rippling through the void.


    As the space ripples spread out in all directions, like vast, undulating waves, and with the Sword Qi fading, Xiao Yi''s figure appeared before him. With a sword in one hand and the other behind his back, his black garb billowed in the wind, and his dark hair flowed wildly; a slight upward curl at the corner of his mouth, he stared at Black Falcon, "With me here, you can''t get through!"


    "Get out of the way!"


    Black Falcon''s eyes were a blood-red fury as he bellowed angrily.


    His gaze shifted toward the direction of the treasure vault from time to time, revealing an urgency.


    Xiao Yi shook his head and said with a faint smile, "If you want to pass, you''ll have to get by the sword in my hand first!"


    Humming!


    The longsword swept across the sky, sending several trails of silver light streaking across the heavens like shooting stars, the Sword Qi intense and blindingly bright.


    "Since you are hell-bent on seeking death, I shall oblige you!" Black Falcon roared in rage, and as his words fell, his figure flashed out.


    It seemed like just one step.


    And yet the mountains and rivers beneath his feet rolled backward as if he were a meteor crossing the endless void. In an instant, he moved past Xiao Yi, appearing behind him. His figure was like a ghost, silently approaching Xiao Yi''s back, and his hands stretched out like Ghost Claws of the Netherworld toward his throat.


    The icy claws aimed straight for Xiao Yi''s throat.


    Cold sharpness glinted in Black Falcon''s eyes.


    Just as he was about to crush Xiao Yi''s throat, and doom him to death, at the moment when Black Falcon''s fingers were about to close:


    The "Xiao Yi" in front of him dissipated with a bang, like a phantom.


    "An afterimage?"


    Black Falcon''s pupils shrank suddenly, and almost at the same time, he sensed danger and dodged to the side.


    Almost simultaneously...


    A circular Sword Qi burst forth at the spot where he had just been standing, pressing down the void with endless sword light, relentlessly plunging toward the collapsing space. This vortex completely devoured the light and energy in the space all around, dragging them into the infinite darkness.


    Hiss!


    Black Falcon raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked down at his battle armor.


    Under that sword technique, a piece of his battle armor had been utterly shredded.


    This was battle armor made from Black Nether Iron Stone, ranking at the Ninth Grade peak; even common First-layer Human Venerables would struggle to break through it. How could Xiao Yi, merely at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, destroy a piece with a single sword strike?


    Disbelief appeared on Black Falcon''s face as he stared at Xiao Yi, his expression grave, "Are you from the inner court of the Nantian Holy Institute? Or perhaps from the Holy Land of the Nantian Dynasty?"


    In Black Falcon''s view��


    Only a supreme genius from those two places could destroy a Ninth Grade Yuan weapon battle armor while at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    If Xiao Yi truly had the backing of either of those two places, it would not be easy for Black Falcon to make his move.


    After all.


    Neither the Nantian Holy Institute nor the Holy Land of the Nantian Dynasty were forces he could afford to provoke.


    Under Black Falcon''s intense gaze, Xiao Yi smiled slightly and said, "Guess!"


    "��"


    Black Falcon''s eyelid twitched.


    Guess?


    Guess your sister!*


    If I could guess, would I still need to ask you?


    His eyes flickered slightly.


    Narrowing his eyes, Black Falcon surveyed the surroundings and revealed a cold smile, "No matter where you come from, in this desolate wilderness, if I kill you and then destroy your body and erase the traces, surely no one would know I did it!"


    A chilling aura of death locked onto Xiao Yi in an instant.


    Feeling the piercing murderous intent.


    A fervent and intense mocking light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes, as his fighting spirit erupted without restraint in a moment, "Destroy the body and erase the traces? That suits me just fine��"


    PS: Here''s the second update for yesterday!


    *Translator note: "������" is a colloquial and somewhat rude way to express frustration or disbelief, akin to saying "Guess my [sister, ass, etc.]," implying that the suggestion to guess is ridiculous or unhelpful.

 Chapter 719 - 717: Just Leave This Loser to Me!

    "Destroy the corpse and erase the traces? That suits my intentions perfectly!"


    Xiao Yi flashed a grin and eyed Black Falcon with amusement.


    The Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit and the Dao Heart Seed Demon Skill were of utmost importance and absolutely could not be leaked.


    Otherwise...


    Both he and Little Lin would be in mortal danger.


    The only way to ensure that no information was leaked was to kill Black Falcon.


    Black Falcon was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter, "Ridiculous, do you really think you, at the mere peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, can kill me? It seems you have no clue just how powerful the experts of the Longevity Secret Realm are!"


    "You''re not the first from the Longevity Secret Realm to die by my hand!" Xiao Yi said, still grinning.


    Black Falcon''s brow furrowed.


    Suddenly...


    An image surfaced in his mind, and he looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, speaking solemnly, "Are you... Xiao Yi from the Daqian Dynasty?"


    Apart from the supreme geniuses of the Nantian Holy Land and the inner court of the Nantian Holy Institute, the only person Black Falcon knew of who could wield such combat power at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm was Xiao Yi, the Peerless King of Daqian Dynasty.


    Upon this realization...


    Black Falcon''s eyes lit up with wild joy, and he laughed heartily, "Excellent, excellent, excellent! It''s as if I''ve found what I searched so hard for without any effort at all. The entire Daqian Dynasty wishes for your death, but they''re restrained by the edict from the Nantian Holy Land and unable to act. Yet here you are, delivering yourself to me. Killing you would earn immense merit, enough for me to become a noble and an advisor��easily within reach!"


    The news of Ye Hua and the other four from the Longevity Secret Realm dying had already spread back to the Nantian Dynasty.


    The Nantian Dynasty was seething with anger.


    Even though those five individuals had merely refined the spirit from the weakest ranks of the Longevity Secret Realm, their collective power was formidable.


    Yet all five had died in the Daqian Dynasty.


    This caused a furor throughout the court and country.


    However, due to the decree from the Nantian Holy Land, no hostilities were allowed between the two nations within the time limit of the Nantian Assassination Order.


    That was the only reason the Nantian Dynasty had not made a move.


    Otherwise...


    Even if it did not lead to war between the two countries, they would have sent experts to the Daqian Dynasty to provoke a battle for longevity.


    The previous summons from the commander of the imperial guards was to discuss sending people to the Daqian Dynasty after the Nantian Assassination Order expired.


    They had not expected Xiao Yi to voluntarily come to them.


    If they could capture or kill Xiao Yi and then present him to Nantian Wen immediately after the Assassination Order ended, the resulting merit would be great enough to earn a promotion of three ranks without any issue.


    With this thought in mind...


    Black Falcon''s body swept up in a black light, forming a dark seal behind him. As it spun slowly, the dark light from all around converged into the seal. He held out his hand, causing the seal to hover above his palm. While it floated and sank, it emitted a humming sound and a palpable sense of death enveloped it.


    "Dark Seal that Dominates the Nine Nethers!"


    Black Falcon slapped his palm down, and the dark seal instantly burst forth with an intensified black light, rolling towards Xiao Yi to crush him.


    Boom!


    A thunderous noise erupted.


    The dark seal abruptly enlarged as if it were a towering mountain, smashing toward Xiao Yi''s head. The ferocious power was so overwhelming that it made the void in all directions tremble, with spatial rifts appearing everywhere. From those dark rifts devoid of light, storms of the void poured forth.


    The roaring sound reverberated throughout the entire Black Eagle Mountain Range.


    Boom boom boom!


    Under the storm of the void, mountains crumbled at a rate visible to the naked eye, becoming dust in the sky, sprinkling down softly.


    Rivers were sucked into the air, fish and other river creatures were lifted helplessly high into the sky and then plummeted to their deaths.


    Facing such a formidable attack from the Dark Seal...


    Xiao Yi showed a stern expression, with purple-gold light flowing around his body and the Wind Thunder Wings on his back fluttering.


    His muscles tensed in an instant, as hard as forged metal.


    Within his eyes...


    The brilliance resembled two tangible swords, shuttling through the void. S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As if tearing the heavens apart.


    Boom!


    The Demon Sword Chanyue unsheathed and merged with his body, transforming into the domain of the Skycloak Sword.


    Within the Sword domain.


    Blue Sword Qi converged into a circular Sword Array that enveloped the black Nether Seal, with countless sharp swords radiating out as Xiao Yi pointed.


    With his will, the sword moved.


    Amidst the whooshing sounds of tearing through the air.


    Countless sword shadows rose against the sky, like schools of fish surging in a river, the booming noises were continuous as they slammed into the Nether Seal, one after the other.


    Under the relentless onslaught of the endless Sword Qi.


    The entire Nether Seal, emitting black streams of qi, burst open amidst the thunderous noise.


    Finally, with a loud boom,


    It exploded into a cloud of dust,


    Dispersing between heaven and earth.


    "You could shatter my Nether Seal?"


    Hei Yu''s complexion shifted slightly, as he did not expect Xiao Yi to be so powerful. He was able to shatter a strike from a being of the Third-layer Heavenly Venerable Realm with his Dharma Phase Realm Peak cultivation. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "No wonder His Majesty holds you in such high regard, you indeed have some skill. Given more time, you might truly become a great threat to the Nantian Dynasty. Alas, it is a pity that you have met me today!"


    Boom!


    Suddenly, a black crow appeared behind Hei Yu.


    This crow was fifty zhang tall with a wingspan nearly a hundred zhang wide.


    Between its eyebrows,


    Three tufts of golden yellow feathers shone like a crown, resplendent and bright.


    Nether Raven!


    A legendary creature that dwells in the Yin and Yang realms, devouring the living by day and gnawing on the souls of the dead by night.


    With the appearance of the Nether Raven,


    A deathly aura enveloped Hei Yu''s body. As he spread his arms, black lines flew out from the body of the Nether Raven and landed on him. Shortly after, they pulled Hei Yu into the body of the Nether Raven''s Dharma Manifestation, fusing man and manifestation into one. This was one of the strongest techniques of the adepts of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Fusing man and manifestation into one.


    Allowed him to wield the forces of heaven and earth through the Dharma Manifestation!


    "Sword of Death!"


    A low roar emanated from the mouth of the Nether Raven as Hei Yu''s black wings suddenly flapped. Amidst the whooshing sounds, countless black feathered swords shot forth explosively.


    Like a torrential downpour, they fell from the sky.


    The whooshing sounds


    Were deafening.


    Each of these feathered swords was comparable to a Seventh Grade elemental weapon!


    Both the speed and the power reached the pinnacle of what a being of the Third-layer Heavenly Venerable Realm could exert.


    Facing such a terrifying attack, Xiao Yi''s eyes sharpened, revealing a somber expression. Purple-gold light flickered unstably around him as the Wind Thunder armor clung to his body, lightning coalesced into a mighty thunder spear, while gusts of wind formed the Hurricane Divine Shield. Spear and shield combined, he seemed like a Golden Armored War God about to rush headlong into the oncoming black rain of swords.


    But just at this moment...


    A booming noise echoed from the Black Hawk Fort Mountain Range; a golden light shattered the entire peak and shot up into the sky with a loud boom.


    Within that column of golden light, a figure broke through the air and rushed over.


    Hovering in the sky above,


    Within the pillar of golden light covering him, the figure spoke coldly, "Boss, how is this wretch worthy of your attention? Let me handle it!"


    [Yesterday''s third update!]

 Chapter 720 - 718: Swallowing Heaven and Earth

    "Let me handle this dickhead!"


    Little Lin''s voice came from within the golden pillar of light.


    A step taken out.


    The golden light, like liquid, cascaded slowly down his body, bringing with it a few strands of golden light.


    The first to emerge was a left foot.


    Barefoot.


    Then came the right foot, and the entire body walked out from the golden light pillar, standing in mid-air. And when his figure appeared before everyone, the golden light pillar exploded with a bang, transforming into a sky full of golden light that fluttered between heaven and earth like celestial maidens scattering flowers, before settling down as a set of dazzling golden clothes on his body.


    The golden upper garment was slightly tight, outlining his tall and straight physique.


    Around his waist was a white jade belt.


    The jade pendant with its cut edges smooth and gentle, inlaid on the belt, consisted of nine pieces, each with different patterns and inscriptions.


    On his feet were a pair of Phoenix Wing Purple Gold Boots, stepping in the void, vaguely visible were colorful clouds breathing in and out, as if he were standing amidst them.


    The glow of the dawn rose from beneath his feet, covering his entire body.


    A head of golden hair fell down his back.


    Reflecting the sunlight, it shone with brilliant golden light.


    His eyes were electric, his brows like sculpted blades, his nose high and straight, his lips red and teeth white.


    What a splendid and handsome young man!


    Seeing the golden-haired youth Little Lin before him, Xiao Yi was dumbfounded. He had imagined a million possible appearances for Little Lin, but never guessed he would be so strikingly handsome. He couldn''t help but exclaim, "This kid, how many young girls will he charm in the future?"


    Little Lin turned his head, and a head of golden hair flared up as though a resplendent sun shone right behind him.


    A slight curl of his lips.


    With a hint of roguish smirk, he said to Xiao Yi, "Boss, just watch from the side, and see how I''m going to take care of this dickhead!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and said speechlessly, "Be careful!"


    Whoosh!


    The light of Wind Thunder within him also retracted into his body, as he stood suspended in the air, silently watching Little Lin show off.


    Little Lin grinned, looking at Hei Yu, "Dickhead, you think you could take my boss''s life? That''s just daydreaming!"


    "You..."


    Hei Yu''s face darkened, how could he not realize that Little Lin had just made a breakthrough in the Longevity Secret Realm?


    Hei Yu immediately deduced that Little Lin must have refined his Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit.


    For a moment.


    Hei Yu''s face turned black as coal, his eyes red as blood beads, filled with fierce killing intent as he stared at Little Lin, his teeth gritted, "You bastard, so it was you who refined my Longevity Spirit? I will tear you to pieces, skin you and dismantle your bones, make you wish for death..."


    That Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit was specifically reserved for himself.


    It was meant to replace his own Sixth Grade Longevity Spirit upon entering the Earth Venerate Realm, in order to enhance his potential.


    This was his hope!


    And now it had been used by Little Lin?


    Faced with Hei Yu''s deadly cold glare, Little Lin shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and said, "Skinning and dismantling my bones? Well, let''s see if you''ve got what it takes!"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Tremendous golden light burst out around Little Lin, and suddenly, a gigantic golden-red serpent shadow emerged behind him.


    With a single leap.


    The serpent shadow behind Little Lin lunged forward, with a fierce shout that echoed through heaven and earth, "Cup and serpent shadows!" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, thousands upon thousands of golden-red serpent shadows appeared between heaven and earth.


    They covered the sky.


    With twisting bodies, they emitted low hissing sounds.


    Hei Yu''s expression changed, he brought his hands together and controlled the Nether Raven phantom to flap its wings, stirring up a wild storm filled with the scent of death, attempting to blow away all the serpent shadows before him. It was undeniable that Hei Yu''s strength was far beyond that of Ye Hua and others, the black storm swept across all directions in an instant, brutally shredding the omnipresent serpent shadows into oblivion.


    Hei Yu burst into laughter, his face mocking, "Just stepping into the Longevity Secret Realm and you dare to challenge me? You''re really overestimating your abilities, I..."


    However, his words cut off mid-sentence, abruptly halted.


    The snake shadow that had been torn apart and scattered by the black cyclone unexpectedly transformed into specks of golden light, adhering to the wings of the Nether Raven.


    Immediately afterward.


    Every golden figure turned into a malevolent serpent, clinging to the wings and continually gnawing at them, causing the Nether Raven''s aura to flicker wildly in pain.


    It flapped its wings desperately, emitting mournful cries.


    But those snake shadows, like persistent maggots, simply could not be shaken off.


    All it could do was watch helplessly as its wings became riddled with holes, sunlight shining through the punctures like stars, dotted here and there, gleaming with blinding brilliance.


    "No��"


    Hei Yu''s face twisted in a ferocious roar.


    With his avatar damaged, he too suffered great backlash.


    He vomited a mouthful of fresh blood.


    Behind him, the Nether Raven rapidly dispersed into a cloud of black mist, disappearing without a trace, leaving only a ghastly pale Hei Yu suspended in the air, blood around his mouth. His eyes firmly fixed on Little Lin, full of shock and surprise, "Impossible, you''ve just broken through to the Longevity Secret Realm, how can you be so strong?"


    Little Lin grinned broadly.


    Though he had just entered the Longevity Secret Realm and taken human form, he had the legacy memories, which allowed him to control the power of the Longevity Secret Realm with exceptional finesse and adeptness.


    Dealing with Hei Yu, a practitioner of the Third-layer Heavenly Venerable Realm, was nothing difficult!


    "It''s not that I''m too strong, but that you''re too weak!"


    Little Lin said indifferently, "If my master entered the Longevity Secret Realm, you wouldn''t even be able to withstand a single move from him!"


    Xiao Yi urged, "Little Lin, stop wasting time talking to him, just kill him!"


    The commotion from the battle of the Longevity Secret Realm''s experts was too great.


    He didn''t want to attract other strong individuals from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Little Lin acknowledged with a sound, his grin revealing a sharp little canine tooth, and chuckled, "Sorry, my master is getting impatient, let''s end this fight now!"


    "Arrogant, I..."


    Hei Yu''s face was a shade of dark iron, it was the first time since entering the Longevity Secret Realm that someone had belittled him to this extent.


    However...


    He hadn''t finished speaking.


    Suddenly, amidst the swirl of golden light around Little Lin, his body shook violently, and under a blinding golden glow, he transformed into an immense beast over three hundred zhang long, with a body of gold and red, a belly with five claws, two distinct horns on his head, and three pairs of golden wings on his back. It was a creature resembling neither snake nor dragon.


    "You, you, you''re a demon beast?" Hei Yu voiced his shock, disbelieving as he stared at Little Lin.


    A hint of terror flashed in his eyes.


    Under normal circumstances...


    Beast and human of the same level would generally find the beast to be more formidable.


    Facing Little Lin in his true form, Hei Yu felt a chill and didn''t dare to linger any longer. His figure flickered, attempting to flee into the distant sky.


    Little Lin floated in the air, his large eyes brimming with intense mockery. He coldly said, "Without my permission, do you think you can leave?"


    "Devour! Heaven! Annihilate! Earth!"


    Buzz!


    From Little Lin''s agape mouth, a sphere of black light surfaced and instantly shone upon Hei Yu.


    Countless black chains clanged, forcibly pulling Hei Yu, who was halfway through escaping into a Void Rift, back out. Hei Yu''s face was struck with horror, his form rapidly shrinking, finally reduced to a black speck flying towards Little Lin''s mouth.


    Hei Yu, his face filled with despair, roared bitterly, "Even as a ghost, I won''t let you off��"


    Gurgle!


    With the sound of swallowing, Little Lin ingested him whole.


    A formidable Third-layer Heavenly Venerable Realm practitioner, head of the Nantian Dynasty Imperial Guards, directly became the sacrifice for Little Lin''s breakthrough in the Longevity Secret Realm...

 Chapter 721 - 719: Crazy Plundering

    Hum!


    Little Lin circled in the void, his body radiating golden light, resembling a melting furnace.


    A moment later.


    The golden light on his body disappeared, but Little Lin''s cultivation had taken a step forward, reaching the realm of Second-layer Human Venerable.


    Whoosh!


    The golden light around him retracted, and Little Lin transformed back into human form.


    Belch...


    Little Lin burped contentedly, a smile cracking at the corner of his mouth as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Boss, I didn''t let you down, did I!"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi looked at Little Lin speechlessly, rubbing his forehead, and said, "Little Lin, what exactly is your race?"


    Even though he had inherited the legacy of the Wind Thunder Venerable, he had never heard of any race of beasts that could directly swallow the experts of the Longevity Secret Realm and then refine them to improve their own cultivation!


    Little Lin grinned, speaking in a hushed, secretive tone, "Boss, I just found out from my inherited memories that our race is called the Ancient Sky-Devouring Dragon. It seems that our race is cursed, unable to pass on from one generation to the next, only able to produce through a mutation of the bloodline. Our race''s strongest innate divine ability is to devour living beings and refine them into Dragon Origin to enhance our cultivation!"


    "Can it also help others improve their cultivation?"


    Xiao Yi arched his brows, waving his hand as the corpses of Ye Hua and the other four people landed in front of Little Lin, saying, "These few are all First-layer Human Venerable experts, by devouring them, you should be able to advance further, right?"


    All these individuals possessed a Ninth-grade Longevity Spirit.


    Xiao Yi couldn''t have cared less for such things.


    Little Lin nodded, and with a gulp of black light from his mouth, he swallowed the corpses of Ye Hua and the others.


    A burst of golden light erupted from him.


    It continued for a good half stick of incense.


    Boom!


    Little Lin''s aura climbed again, reaching the realm of the Third-layer Human Venerable �C advancing through three realms in a single day, a feat comparable to thousands of years of secluded cultivation by other strong beings of the Longevity Secret Realm. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, Xiao Yi didn''t notice...


    After swallowing these five people, a faint trace of black qi appeared between Little Lin''s brows.


    But it was quickly covered by golden light.


    "You truly are deserving of being an Ancient Sky-Devouring Dragon. As long as there are enough powerful beings for you to devour, who else can be your opponent?"


    As Xiao Yi marveled, a small orb of flickering golden light emerged in Little Lin''s palm, about the size of a walnut.


    He passed the orb of energy into Xiao Yi''s hand, "Boss, this is the Dragon Origin, heh heh..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    He could clearly feel the surging energy contained within the Dragon Origin in his hand.


    It could definitely allow a First-layer Human Venerable expert to directly ascend to the Second Layer Human Venerable Realm.


    One had to admit.


    Little Lin''s race was incredibly overpowered!


    With Little Lin around, who needed to refine pills?


    Just directly kill the experts of the Longevity Secret Realm and let him refine them into Dragon Origin, right?


    Of course...


    Xiao Yi would definitely not do such a thing.


    Although he had stained his hands with countless lives and blood, he had never taken the life of an innocent person.


    Naturally, he wouldn''t massacre the innocent just to improve his cultivation.


    Xiao Yi said gravely, "Little Lin, your innate divine ability is indeed against the heavens, but you must never use this divine ability on the innocent!"


    Little Lin nodded, smiling as he spoke, "Big brother, rest assured! Even if you didn''t tell me, I''d know. Although my innate Divine Skills are powerful, they have limitations... Every time I devour a powerful being, it creates a certain amount of negative energy. If the negative energy accumulates too much, it''s very likely to invade my soul and cause me to deviate from the path. I won''t act recklessly..."


    The wisp of black air at Little Lin''s brow earlier was that negative energy.


    Once the negative energy becomes too much,


    It''s very possible for him to deviate from the path and lose his true nature, necessitating the cleansing of his essence with innate power after each absorption.


    Xiao Yi suddenly understood.


    The Heavenly Dao is fair.


    Innate Divine Skills that defy the heavens like Little Lin''s naturally wouldn''t be without limitations.


    Otherwise...


    Who in this world could stand against an Ancient Sky-Devouring Dragon?


    Xiao Yi put away the Dragon Origin he held in his hand and reached out with one claw into the air. With a buzzing sound, an invisible claw formed in the void, ripping through the ground with a bang as it probed underground.


    The entire Black Eagle Mountain Range thundered with loud noises.


    Mountains crumbled, the earth split open, and moments later, a blue light shadow hundreds of zhang in length burst forth from underground.


    This was the Spirit Vein that laid buried underneath Black Hawk Stronghold!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi raised his hand in the air, the boundless Yuan Qi swirling as he captured and sealed the Spirit Vein, tossing it into the Storage Ring, and only then did he look at Little Lin, "We''ve delayed long enough here; it''s time to leave."


    "Big brother, where do we go next?" Little Lin asked.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved in a slight smile as he answered, "You are now a powerhouse of the Longevity Secret Realm. There were some Ninth Grade Spirit Veins we couldn''t conveniently visit before, but now we can make a move. The Nantian Dynasty has sent powerhouses disguised as members of the Changsheng Sect to slaughter the civilians of the Daqian Dynasty, right? Let''s play the role of defiers this time as well!"


    The two of them departed, ripping through the sky.


    About three hours after Xiao Yi and Little Lin had left,


    Above Black Hawk Stronghold.


    Suddenly, a rift appeared in the void, and a grim man clad in black armor emerged, hovering in the sky, surveying the ruins of Black Hawk Stronghold. He frowned slightly, "Hei Yu''s aura disappeared here, and at least the presence of two beings above the Longevity Secret Realm was once detected in this place... It seems Hei Yu is more likely dead than alive... No matter who you are, daring to kill the head of the Imperial Guards, even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I will find you!"


    Whoosh!


    The man only glanced at Black Hawk Stronghold before turning and stepping into the Void Rift.


    Almost simultaneously as he left...


    The vast Black Hawk Stronghold and the mountain ranges stretching for hundreds of kilometers, with a series of thunderous noises, turned into ruins.


    ......


    Purple Fir City.


    This was the capital of Purple Robe Kingdom, a subordinate kingdom of the Nantian Dynasty. The Purple Robe Kingdom''s princess, who was one of the Nantian Dynasty''s queens, had once been bestowed with a Ninth Grade Spirit Vein to bolster the nation''s fortune. This Ninth Grade Spirit Vein was located underneath Purple Fir City, and on this day, the city suddenly shook with tremors.


    Within the vast city, the ground continuously cracked, spewing flames like a dragon turning over, signaling an apocalypse.


    More than half of the city was destroyed in an instant.


    When everything subsided...


    All discovered that the royal family of Purple Robe Kingdom had not escaped; they had all perished in the disaster.


    And when the Purple Robe Kingdom''s powerhouses dug into the underground, they were horrified to find that the Ninth Grade Spirit Vein that had been stabilizing their nation''s fortune had vanished.


    In the days that followed...


    The same incident kept occurring within the Nantian Dynasty and its subordinate states, with city after city being destroyed and Spirit Veins stolen. All the missing Spirit Veins were of the Ninth Grade, and in the beginning, the Nantian Dynasty did not pay much attention, until Long Sihai received the news and ordered an investigation, by which time more than a hundred Ninth Grade Spirit Veins had already disappeared.


    This made Long Sihai instinctively alarmed.


    He dispatched the powerful members of the monitoring authorities to investigate the missing Spirit Veins and uncover the truth.


    Meanwhile, the culprits Xiao Yi and Little Lin were looking at a letter in their hands, their faces revealing a mischievous and excited smile, "A thousand Ninth Grade Spirit Veins, if we were to snatch these, even Nantian Wen would have to feel the pinch for a while, right?"

 Chapter 722 - 720: The Cruel Bet

    Inside Tianbao City.


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin had dug up the Ninth Grade Spirit Vein beneath Tianbao City and simultaneously slain the lord of Tianbao City, who was in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, obtaining a considerable amount of treasures from his vault.


    More importantly...


    They had obtained a secret letter from the hands of the lord of Tianbao City.


    This secret letter was sent by Long Sihai to the lord of Tianbao City, and under Long Sihai''s matchmaking, the young valley master of Galaxy Valley was to be engaged to Princess Qingping, Nantian Wen''s daughter, with Galaxy Valley scheduled to send the betrothal gifts to the imperial capital in three days. In addition to the exact time and the route taken by the engagement delegation, the letter also listed the betrothal presents to be offered in the engagement.


    Among them were a thousand Ninth Grade Spirit Veins!


    Galaxy Valley is one of the oldest powers in the Nantian Dynasty, with a history that is said to predate the Nantian Dynasty.


    All along.


    Galaxy Valley has relied on its strong power and has always disregarded the royal family of the Nantian Dynasty.


    Not until Nantian Wen took charge of the Nantian Dynasty did the royal power become highly centralized. S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He even built the Nantian Holy Institute and gathered countless talented individuals, causing Galaxy Valley to experience increasingly difficult times.


    That''s why they reached out to Long Sihai through the lord of Tianbao City.


    With Long Sihai mediating, they arranged this marriage.


    Little Lin said, "Boss, if we snatch the engagement delegation, Nantian Wen is probably going to explode!"


    "Not just Nantian Wen..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and shook his head. With a wave of his hand, the secret letter burst into flames, and his eyes glinted with a cold fierceness, "This marriage is personally arranged by Long Sihai himself. If we ruin this marriage, it will be enough to give Long Sihai a really hard time."


    He well remembered how overbearing and flamboyant Long Sihai had been in the Great Qian Dynasty.


    If it hadn''t been for Fang Qingzhu''s timely appearance, both he and Little Lin might have fallen into the hands of that old man.


    This was a vendetta of life and death!


    It was not to be forgotten!


    "Hahaha, I can''t wait to see that old guy''s face now..." Little Lin said excitedly.


    "Let''s go. We''ll set an ambush right now on the route that the engagement delegation must take!" Xiao Yi said in a firm voice.


    Little Lin nodded in agreement.


    The two immediately flew towards the location indicated in the secret letter.


    About half a day later,


    they arrived at the place mentioned in the secret letter��the Stone Dragon Mountain, where the Galaxy Valley''s engagement delegation must pass through.


    "Boss, according to what the letter says, the people from Galaxy Valley will be able to reach Tianbao City in three days, which means they should arrive here tomorrow. We can rest easy for a day!" Little Lin, leaning against the treetop with a weed in his mouth and his legs crossed, said lazily.


    The engagement delegation would certainly not travel at full speed.


    And they would not travel at night either.


    The two had come from Tianbao City to Stone Dragon Mountain, which had taken them half a day.


    Based on the estimated speed of the Galaxy Valley''s engagement delegation, they would indeed pass Stone Dragon Mountain around tomorrow afternoon. Xiao Yi nodded and said, "We have been running around a lot these days and are indeed quite tired, so let''s rest up well. In this period, the chaos we''ve caused has been intense; the number of cities you and I have destroyed exceeds a hundred, which is enough to give Nantian Wen a headache. Once this is over, we''ll head back!"


    What he wanted to refine was the all-attribute Elixir of Life.


    The number of Ninth Grade Spirit Veins required reached tens of thousands, and it clearly couldn''t be achieved in a short period.


    To take advantage of this trip to Nantian and seize all the Spirit Veins was obviously not feasible.


    It must be done slowly and deliberately.


    Little Lin nodded his head, and under the starry night, the two drifted into a deep sleep.


    The next day.


    Noon.


    Between the trees, the faint chirping of cicadas could be heard. Suddenly, Xiao Yi opened his eyes and gently nudged Little Lin beside him. The pair looked under the tree and saw a Human Race couple sitting in the shade, the woman heavily pregnant, a picture of serenity. The man, with an honest face, was carefully attending to his wife.


    With his large palms fanning her, he asked with concern, "My dear, would you like some water?"


    "I''m not thirsty right now, husband. You should drink more yourself!" the woman said softly, gazing tenderly at the man before her, gently rubbing her belly and laughing, "Baby, half a day more and we''ll be at your grandparents'' home. You have to hold on, don''t come out halfway!"


    The honest man chuckled, "That''s right, baby. If you come out early, daddy''s going to spank your bottom!"


    "Husband..."


    The woman glared, pretending to be angry.


    The honest man laughed sheepishly.


    At that moment...


    From ahead came the sound of horses'' hooves, clearly a procession for a marriage proposal, and sitting atop the grand horse was Su Yi, the young master of Galaxy Valley. He lounged lazily on his horse, with a sharp-faced and a potbellied attendant on either side, followed by a hundred carriages laden with gifts for the marriage proposal.


    Of course.


    The truly valuable gifts were concealed within the groom''s storage ring.


    The carriages were just for show to impress common folk.


    The couple under the tree watched the luxurious procession with wonder, and the honest man, holding his wife''s hand, said, "My dear, I will work hard to earn money and give you and our baby a better life!"


    "Silly husband, as long as our family is safe and sound, that''s all that matters," the woman said gently.


    Their conversation, however, reached Su Yi''s ears.


    The sharp-faced youth beside him chuckled and said, "Young master, look, on the way to propose, we''ve encountered such a loving couple. Doesn''t this bode well for your match with Princess Qingping?"


    "Hmm?"


    Su Yi''s eyes involuntarily narrowed, a flash of annoyance in his gaze.


    The others were unaware.


    But he knew all too well that Princess Qingping was the least favored among the Nantian Wen daughters and the most promiscuous princess.


    It was said that in the capital, there were no less than a hundred talented young men who had had affairs with her.


    Why would he marry such a woman, if not for Galaxy Valley?


    And now a subordinate was talking about marital bliss in front of him?


    Wasn''t this a slap in the face?


    This thought crossed his mind.


    A hint of coldness spread across Su Yi''s face, his look at the couple now filled with indifference and ferocity. His gaze suddenly fell on the woman''s bulging abdomen, and with narrowed eyes, he smiled and said, "This journey is quite dull. Dare you make a bet with this young master?"


    "Hmm?"


    "A bet? On what?"


    The sharp-faced and potbellied youths exchanged glances.


    Su Yi pointed at the pregnant woman and spoke somberly, "Let''s bet whether she''s carrying a boy or a girl. If I win, after reaching the capital, you two will have to pay out of your own pockets to make arrangements for me... If I lose, all expenses in the capital will be on me!"


    Hiss!


    The two looked at each other.


    They were very clear about Su Yi''s personality. This trip''s arrangements would cost at least tens to hundreds of millions of silver.


    They were not willing to spend such money.


    The sharp-faced youth hesitantly said, "Young master, the woman shows no sign of childbirth. How can we determine the gender inside her belly? We can''t possibly wait until she gives birth, can we?"


    The corners of Su Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, a hint of cold light in his eyes as he said slowly, "If we cut open her belly and take out the child, won''t we know whether it''s a boy or a girl?"

 Chapter 723 - 721: Scooping Out the Heart to Reveal Its True Colors—Red or Black?

    "As long as we cut open her belly and take out the child, won''t we know if it''s a boy or girl?"


    Su Yi''s face wore a sinister smile as he spoke darkly.


    The two men exchanged a glance.


    The sharp-faced youth hurriedly smiled and said, "As expected of the young master, truly wise. Big Head, aren''t you going to grab that woman over here?"


    "Why should I go? Skinny Monkey, you go..." the big-faced youth, Big Head, responded.


    Su Yi coldly ordered, "Go together!"


    Both men hung their heads immediately, wearing lascivious cruel smiles as they approached the unsuspecting couple resting in the shade of the trees.


    From the treetops.


    Little Lin''s face showed a frosty color, "Damn it, even we beasts wouldn''t do something as beastly as this..."


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his eyes also filled with icy coldness.


    People always say that beasts are unfeeling.


    But even tigers do not eat their young!


    Instead, the Human Race, which prides itself on courtesy, integrity, modesty, and fidelity to kinship and righteousness, often has cases of fathers and sons slaying one another and brothers turning against each other.


    Such brutal acts as those of Su Yi.


    In this world of the survival of the fittest, they were not uncommon!


    "Release my wife..."


    "Husband, save me..."


    "Don''t harm my child..."


    The simple and honest couple had already been dragged in front of Su Yi by Skinny Monkey and Big Head.


    The honest man was pinned to the ground by Skinny Monkey, stepping on his face.


    His eyes were blood red, full of despair and helplessness, his hands desperately clutching at the ground while blood stained his fingers: "Let go of my wife... If you must kill or flay, do it to me, don''t harm my wife..."


    "My lord, save our child..."


    The pregnant woman was being held up by Big Head with her hands behind her back, standing in front of Su Yi.


    She struggled desperately, but how could she break free from the hands of Big Head, a ninth layer of Dharma Manifestation Realm?


    Su Yi dismounted, his face wearing a ferocious smile, and a shining dagger appeared in his hand as he looked towards Big Head, "This young master here believes that there must be a boy inside. What do you two think?"


    "If the young master believes it''s a boy, we can only bet on a girl, right?"


    "Haha, maybe it''s twins?"


    Big Head and Skinny Monkey grinned and laughed.


    They did not at all consider that once the pregnant woman''s belly was cut open, it would likely result in two lives lost.


    To them...


    This was merely a tool for gambling!


    As for whether the pregnant woman and child lived or died, that was none of their concern!


    "No, don''t, please don''t harm my child..." When the pregnant woman heard Su Yi saying he would cut open her belly, her pale face filled with despair as she shouted loudly.


    Su Yi laughed grimly, "Don''t be afraid, my knife is very quick; a single cut should open it up. I guarantee you''ll see whether there''s a boy or a girl in your belly before you die..."


    "No..."


    The pregnant woman struggled desperately, her cheeks already covered in tears.


    The honest man, who had never spoken loudly in his life, now roared like a vengeful ghoul, "Let go of my wife... I won''t let you off even as a ghost..."


    "Hahaha, I am not afraid of you as a human, so why should I fear you as a ghost?"


    Su Yi sneered disdainfully as the dagger stabbed toward the pregnant woman''s belly.


    Just as he was about to cut through the belly and take out the baby, over nine months gestating.


    At this critical moment...


    A fair hand appeared out of nowhere, grasping Su Yi''s wrist tightly, stopping the dagger mere inches from advancing. An icy voice echoed in Su Yi''s ears, "I thought I had no grudge with you, and I felt guilty for having taken your things. Now it seems you deserve to die!"


    Su Yi''s face suddenly changed.


    His eyes followed the grasp to see a pair of icy-cold eyes staring back at him, Xiao Yi''s eyes: "Who the hell are you to meddle in my affairs? Big Head, Skinny Monkey, kill him!"


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Skinny Monkey and Big Head both moved at once, their violent attacks raining down on Xiao Yi.


    Both were at the Peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Their actions created no small disturbance.


    The booming sounds of air exploding were deafening, causing the ground to tremble and the air to compress to the extreme.


    At that moment...


    Little Lin descended from the sky, his knees landing simultaneously on the backs of both men.


    Bang! Bang!


    With those two muffled sounds.


    The men were stomped into the ground, their heads buried deep in the dirt, their arms stretched awkwardly behind them, twitching uncontrollably.


    As Little Lin stood up, blood spurted from their backs like twin fountains.


    Hiss!


    Su Yi''s pupils suddenly constricted. He had not expected Xiao Yi to have reinforcements, and even more so that they would kill his two henchmen as soon as they made a move.


    However...


    Su Yi exhibited neither fear nor panic.


    Being one of the oldest forces within the Nantian Dynasty, the marriage proposal convoy was naturally unlikely to lack experts.


    An icy aura burst forth from within the procession.


    That overwhelming pressure,


    As if a mighty peak had descended from the heavens, almost crushing an entire world under its weight.


    An icy voice echoed simultaneously, "Gentlemen, if you do not wish to die, release our young master!"


    Buzz!


    Two figures stepped out from within the convoy.


    Without any noticeable movement, they covered a hundred yards in a blink, appearing behind Su Yi in an instant.


    One faced Xiao Yi while the other eyed Little Lin fiercely.


    They bore a resemblance to each other. The older one, named Su Rong, was of the Second Layer Human Venerable Realm. The younger one was called Su Hua, Su Rong''s younger brother, whose prowess was at the First-layer Human Venerable Peak!


    With two powers from the Longevity Secret Realm present, Su Yi immediately felt confident, looking at Xiao Yi with a sneering laugh, "Kid, if you don''t want to die, let go quickly!"


    However...


    No matter how hard he tried, he could not break free from Xiao Yi''s grip.


    Instead, that grip grew tighter still,


    Making the bones in his wrist feel as if they were about to shatter.


    The bone-piercing pain caused Su Yi''s complexion to change drastically, and his ferocious gaze fixated on Xiao Yi. He roared angrily at Su Rong and Su Hua, "Uncle Rong, Uncle Hua, kill them for me..."


    Su Rong sighed, "Isn''t it good to live? Why seek death?"


    Su Hua''s expression was emotionless, his laugh cold, "Having strength is considered righteous intervention; lacking it means courting death! In your next life, remember to keep a sharper eye out. Some people are simply beyond your reach!" S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The history of Galaxy Valley even predates the Nantian Dynasty.


    They have always looked down on others.


    If Nantian Wen had not forced them so oppressively as to bow their heads, why would they have chosen to marry into the royal family?


    Let alone take Xiao Yi and Little Lin seriously.


    Swoosh!


    Swoosh!


    Su Rong and Su Hua advanced simultaneously.


    "Little Lin, keep an eye on him!"


    Xiao Yi''s expression was unfazed as he tossed Su Yi to Little Lin. His crimson tongue licked his lips, revealing a bloodthirsty battle intent, "Four Symbols Suppress the Heavens!"


    Buzz!


    A dazzling light condensed out of thin air, forming a finger that resembled a pillar supporting the sky, crushing towards the two men.


    Su Rong and Su Hua looked scornful, "Insignificant tricks!"


    "How can the light of a firefly compete with the glory of the moon?"


    With a cold smile and an icy expression, Su Hua scoffed, "A mere Dharma Phase Realm Peak dares to challenge me? Seeking death!"


    Swoosh!


    Su Hua casually struck out with a palm, smug and arrogant on his face.


    However...


    The smugness on Su Hua''s face did not last long. A streak of blood flashed before his eyes, and his entire right arm exploded into pieces.


    In a mix of blood and flesh,


    Su Hua''s screams echoed simultaneously with Xiao Yi closing in for the kill. His Splice Moon flew from his hand, piercing through Su Rong''s chest. In an instant, he severely wounded the two Longevity Secret Realm figures. Xiao Yi''s Yuan Qi burst forth, wrapping around the two like chains and yanking fiercely. With a bang, they collided face to face.


    Xiao Yi leaped high, his hands turned into claws, and brought them down on the heads of the two men, "Dao Heart Seed Demon!"


    Swoosh, swoosh!


    Black energy surged into the two men''s bodies. As Xiao Yi leaped backward, the crisp sound of snapping entwined as the Longevity Spirits within their bodies were forcibly drawn out and turned into demon seeds. The two men, now devoid of their Longevity Spirits, collapsed like deflated balls, slumping to the ground in an instant. The entire event flashed by like lightning, leaving onlookers unable to comprehend what had just occurred.


    After dealing with Su Rong and Su Hua, Xiao Yi''s icy gaze turned to Su Yi, "You like to gamble, right? Let''s make a bet. We''ll bet whether your heart is red or black."


    "How, how can you bet on that..."


    Su Yi''s face was deathly pale.


    Gone was his earlier arrogant demeanor.


    Su Rong and Su Hua were both experts from the Longevity Secret Realm!


    They hadn''t escaped a calamity at Xiao Yi''s hands. How could he dare to act cockily now?


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "You can bet on whether someone is carrying a boy or a girl, so why not bet if your heart is red or black? Here, I bet your heart is black. If I lose, I will let you go..."


    "No, no...," Su Yi broke out in a cold sweat.


    How could he gamble like that?


    Wouldn''t that mean opening up his heart to check its color?


    A moment''s carelessness would lead him straight to death!


    In the face of Su Yi''s desperate gaze, Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upward. With a flick of his finger, his sword raced by. With a sound, it sliced open his chest, and Xiao Yi''s hand pulled out a pulsating, fresh red heart. Xiao Yi looked regretful, "Who would''ve thought it''s actually red? It looks like I''ve lost. You''re free to go!"


    Su Yi: "..."


    He watched his heart beating in Xiao Yi''s hand as the world before him faded and blurred, until finally, with a thud, he fell face up to the ground, devoid of any sign of life...

 Chapter 724 - 722: A Ten Thousand-Mile Chase, Yunmeng Marsh!

    Thud!


    Su Yi lay heavily on the ground, his face pallid, his eyes wide with rage and despair.


    Xiao Yi watched Su Yi expressionlessly, and with a wave of his hand, he took his storage ring, and at the same time incinerated the bodies of Su Yi, Su Rong, and others to ashes.


    The marriage delegation from Galaxy Valley had already fallen apart.


    If even the formidable experts from Longevity Secret Realm were not Xiao Yi''s match, who would dare stay any longer?


    Everyone scattered and fled.


    All that was left behind was over a hundred carts of bridal gifts, treasures precious to the common folk, yet they were like trash in the eyes of Xiao Yi and his peers. Among the marriage delegation, the most valuable treasures were all contained within the storage ring he had just acquired, though Xiao Yi did not bother to check.


    His calm gaze then turned to the shivering couple huddled together.


    Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment before he sent a stream of vital energy into the pregnant woman to stabilize her fetus but offered no compensation. "You''d best leave quickly! Remember, from now on, if anyone asks you about this matter, pretend you know nothing. Otherwise, you''ll invite disaster upon yourselves!"


    "Thank you kind sir, for this life-saving grace!"


    "Rest assured, we as a couple will never betray you..."


    The honest couple quickly replied.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand for them to leave.


    Only then did he look at Little Lin and said in a deep voice, "We should leave too. I''m sure the news here will reach Galaxy Valley and Nantian Wen very soon, and we''re no longer fit to stay within the Nantian Dynasty!"


    "Mhm!"


    Little Lin nodded his head, and just as they were about to leave, a violent disturbance suddenly transmitted from the void.


    Above the tranquil firmament,


    An invisible giant hand seemed to tear open the void, and from within that void, a figure stepped out instantly.


    The comer was clad in a purple robe, adorned with patterns of stars embroidered with silver threads, as if the celestial bodies themselves blessed the robe. The stellar robe gave off a sense of divine nobility, especially when paired with the flowing white hair and bright eyes as luminous as the sun and moon, making it difficult for others to look directly at him.


    This person was Su Xinghe, Valley Master of Galaxy Valley.


    A strong man of the First-layer Earth Venerable Realm!


    The moment Su Rong and Su Hua perished, Su Xinghe, who had been in retreat, was jolted awake. But by the time he arrived at the scene, all he found were the ashes of Su Yi and others and the marriage delegation''s carriages consumed by fire.


    Su Xinghe''s face turned green.


    Su Rong and Su Hua were, after all, two powerful figures from Longevity Secret Realm.


    As for Su Yi...


    Although he was merely a young Valley Master whom Su Xinghe had specifically put forward for a royal marriage alliance and not the most outstanding heir of Galaxy Valley, he was nonetheless the nominal young Valley Master who was about to become the son-in-law of royalty, serving as an intermediary between Galaxy Valley and the royal family. Yet, they all perished here.


    How could Su Xinghe not be furious?


    A pair of cold eyes fixated on Xiao Yi and Little Lin.


    The icy stare was so tangible that the air itself seemed to solidify.


    The low voice sounded as if it came from the Netherworld.


    The voice was not loud,


    But it made Xiao Yi and Little Lin feel as though they had plunged into hell, with darkness and intense murderous intent suddenly enveloping them. "Did you... do this?"


    Gulp!


    Little Lin swallowed hard.


    He was just a novice in the Human Venerate Realm. Even with an extraordinary bloodline, he was no match for a great Earth Venerable.


    Without any hesitation, Xiao Yi grabbed Little Lin and fled into the distant skies.


    This was an Earth Venerable after all!


    A single finger could crush both of them; they couldn''t afford to stay a moment longer!


    Whoosh!


    They turned into two streaks of light, fleeing rapidly into the distance. Their speed broke all their previous records, even causing Su Xinghe to startle momentarily. Then murder flared in his eyes, and he sneered mockingly, "Escape? Where can you escape to in front of me?"


    Xiao Yi, carrying Little Lin, flew for three days and three nights, traversing tens of thousands of miles before they dove into a mountain.


    They concealed their forms.


    With a wave of his hand, Xiao Yi cast over a dozen concealment arrays to mask their aura.


    Collapse onto the ground, Xiao Yi sat down and breathed heavily.


    Little Lin grimaced and said, "Boss, we should have shaken off that old geezer by now, right?"


    "We should have..."


    Xiao Yi''s words were cut short as his complexion drastically changed.


    He grabbed Little Lin and dashed out of the mountain peak.


    At the same time.


    A gigantic hand that blotted out the sky descended from the heavens and, with a loud boom, pulverized the tens of thousands of feet high mountain peak into dust.


    Su Xinghe floated in the air with a look of thick sarcasm on his face, taunting like a cat playing with a mouse, "Run, go on and keep running. I want to see... how you two ants are going to escape from the palm of my hand!"


    Su Xinghe''s killing intent towards Xiao Yi and his companion was at its peak, wishing nothing more than to dismember them into pieces and scatter their ashes.


    But he didn''t want to let them die too easily.


    Thus, he pursued them intermittently.


    Each time Xiao Yi and his companion thought they were safe, he would force them to continue fleeing. In the past three days, this was already the tenth time he had caught up to them.


    "Damn your ancestors..." Little Lin cursed vehemently.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, "Galaxy Valley''s Su Xinghe, I will remember you!"


    "A lowly ant dares to utter my name?"


    Su Xinghe coldly snorted and flicked his finger.


    Whoosh!


    The void around Xiao Yi and his companion suddenly collapsed inward, and amidst the sweeping storms, two enormous palms reached out from the depths of the void and, with two thuds, sent them flying.


    Argh!


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin spat out blood. The slap had caused them immense pain, but they dared not stop for even a moment, instead forcing themselves to endure the pain and use the force of Su Xinghe''s strike to flee once more.


    "Ahead lies Yunmeng Marsh, which is a Life Forbidden Zone. Even strong practitioners from the Longevity Secret Realm might get lost and perish if they enter. Enough of this cat and mouse game, let it end here!" Su Xinghe squinted his eyes, looking in the direction where Xiao Yi and Little Lin were fleeing, and murmured to himself, "Yunmeng Marsh will serve as a fitting graveyard for you, not bad at all!"


    With that thought.


    Su Xinghe pursued them leisurely.


    Half a day later.


    Xiao Yi and his companion suddenly stopped, as in front of them appeared an expansive area of dense fog that stretched on for tens of thousands of miles. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This fog was incredibly thick.


    One could hardly see their own hand in front of their face.


    The air was filled with the scent of death...


    "This is bad, this is the legendary Yunmeng Marsh. It is said that in ancient times, it was the foundation of the Yunmeng Dynasty, created by a Heaven Venerate Realm Yunmeng Demon Emperor. After the ancient times, the Yunmeng Dynasty was destroyed by the Nantian Dynasty, and the Demon Emperor, upon his death, self-destructed to form this Yunmeng Marsh. Enshrouded in fog all year round, it is filled with dangers at every step. Even strong practitioners from the Longevity Secret Realm risk falling here..." Xiao Yi''s expression shifted rapidly, realizing he had been chased by Su Xinghe all the way to Yunmeng Marsh.


    Little Lin''s face turned grim, "Boss, what should we do?"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath and was about to speak when he saw Su Xinghe steadily advancing from behind them.


    His face was full of icy killing intent and heavy mockery, "Run, weren''t you good at running? If you have the guts, then keep running!"


    Little Lin''s face turned as dark as coal.


    Innate power surged around him, ready to fight to the death at Xiao Yi''s command.


    But just then...


    A cold hand landed on his shoulder, as Xiao Yi pulled him back behind himself.


    "Boss..." Little Lin was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi turned around, smiled faintly, "Wait here, I will hold him off. You go first!"


    "No way, boss, I..." Little Lin glared angrily.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "I''m the boss, you have to listen to me." As he spoke, a blood-red light flowed around him, the Blood Explosion Skill quietly activating. He walked towards Su Xinghe, his voice echoing in Little Lin''s ears, "You need to survive and find Qingzhu, apologize to her for me; I couldn''t keep my promise to find her at Baiyu!"


    "Boss..."


    Little Lin''s eyes were red with emotion.


    But Xiao Yi had already soared into the sky, rushing towards Su Xinghe with a blood aura that seemed to set the heavens ablaze, his fighting spirit reaching the skies, "Su Xinghe, dare you fight me!"

 Chapter 725 - 723: Brothers United Against Earthly Honor

    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s body erupted with a blood-red light that pierced the sky, his blood continuously burning within.


    Transforming into clusters of crimson flames that enveloped his body, he radiated an intense blood light so dazzling that it seemed as if he set half the sky ablaze with a deep red hue.


    His aura was also climbing relentlessly.


    Blood Explosion Skill!


    By directly burning seventy percent of his blood, his strength, speed, and other attributes surged by seventy times, even though there remained a huge gap between him and the strength of an Earth Venerate realm powerhouse.


    Yet, the terrifying energy fluctuations emanating from Xiao Yi still surprised Su Xinghe, "His cultivation clearly peaks at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, how can he unleash such a fearsome aura? With his current strength, he shouldn''t be weaker than a warrior of the Fourth Layer Human Venerate Realm. Unbelievable, who exactly is this kid?"


    Dharma Phase Realm Peak, yet he could unleash power comparable to the Fourth Layer Human Venerate Realm.


    Even though it was merely through the use of a Secret Technique, granting him temporary access to such power,


    it was enough to be astonishing.


    Boom!


    A strong gust of energy burst forth behind Xiao Yi, forming a colossal thrust that propelled him towards Su Xinghe.


    Su Xinghe stood tall in the void.


    With one hand lifting the heavens.


    A single finger extended.


    "Duel of the Shifting Stars!"


    Under this finger, it was as if the stars in the firmament were drawn by his command, bits of silvery light as brilliant as the stars themselves converging at his fingertip.


    Then...


    With a humming sound,


    The silver light formed by the myriad gathered stars turned into a long river of silver, shooting towards Xiao Yi.


    Faced with this formidable finger,


    Xiao Yi was not the slightest bit relaxed; blood light flowed around him as he clenched both fists. Then, with a punch smashing forward, a humming sound reverberated as the fist''s shadow suddenly enlarged to the size of a small hill.


    Boom!


    The fist collided with the finger and immediately unleashed a terrible roar.


    The energy shockwave dissipated in all directions.


    Rumble!


    The ground shook violently, cracks spreading across its surface.


    But the thick fog did not dissipate one bit.


    Even the ferocious winds that could uproot hundred-meter-tall trees did not move the mist at all!


    Crack, crack, crack!


    The bloody fist''s shadow exploded, and Xiao Yi''s body shook, blood gushing out like a fountain.


    The disparity...


    Was simply too great!


    "A mere ant dares to contend with a dragon? Kneel before me!" Su Xinghe coldly sneered, his palm shaking violently towards the ground, and the boundless energy fluctuations in between heaven and earth converged, forming a gigantic starlight hand that pressed down hard on Xiao Yi.


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi pushed upwards with both hands, colliding heavily with the starlight hand.


    The violent power nearly bent his waist completely.


    Click, click, click!


    Xiao Yi bit down hard, veins on his forehead throbbing wildly like writhing dragons, his teeth nearly snapping from the tension.


    At that moment...


    A figure suddenly appeared beside him.


    It was Little Lin!


    His hands were up against the gigantic starlight palm, giving Xiao Yi a brief respite to catch his breath.


    Xiao Yi glared furiously, "Why haven''t you left yet?"


    "Screw leaving!"


    Little Lin spat out, his demeanor seemingly relaxed, but the violently throbbing veins and tensed muscles on his body told Xiao Yi that he too was exerting his full strength, "Back in the Sword Dynasty, you stayed behind alone to save us. I swore then that I would never let you face danger alone in this lifetime. Boss, no matter how tough or difficult it is, let''s shoulder it together as brothers!"


    "Damn idiot..."


    Xiao Yi felt an indescribable surge of emotion in his heart, but he cursed out loud nonetheless.


    Little Lin said, "Thank you for the praise!"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi opened his mouth and eventually did not say more, but the sharpness and intent to fight in his eyes became even more fierce, "Since we''re not leaving, then let''s give Su Xinghe a good fight, just the two of us brothers!"


    "Okay!"


    Little Lin gritted his teeth in response.


    It wasn''t that he didn''t want to say more, but the constellations on the giant starlight hand were too powerful, suppressing him so he was unable to speak.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The two brothers moved forward in unison, and as their feet landed, the ground thundered, as if a dragon beneath the earth was turning over.


    Wherever they passed...


    Footprints formed in succession from deep to shallow.


    Fissures spread across the ground as the two gradually stepped into the air, as if walking on invisible stairs, ascending step by step. This weakened the descending momentum of the giant starlight hand until, finally, with a loud bang, it exploded, and amidst the storm, Xiao Yi and Little Lin stood side by side, appearing in front of Su Xinghe.


    One was surrounded by a golden radiance, resembling the Golden Armored War God.


    The other''s aura of blood-red flames was undulating, like a devil emerging from the netherworld.


    Their gazes fixed on Su Xinghe, their eyes burning with fighting spirit as intense as the sun in the sky, boiling the very void where their gazes lingered.


    Hu!


    Su Xinghe let out a long breath, his cold eyes fixed on the two, and he said with a sneer, "Interesting, a man and a beast actually share such loyalty, indeed interesting. If it were normal times, perhaps I might spare your lives, but you have destroyed the marital alliance between Galaxy Valley and the Nantian Dynasty, an unforgivable sin. Today, you must die!"


    "It''s too early to talk about who will live and who will die!" Xiao Yi said calmly.


    Little Lin''s scarlet tongue licked his lips, and he revealed a ferocious smile, "Old geezer, killing us brothers won''t be so easy!"


    "Ants will be ants; you have no idea what kind of existence you are facing!"


    Su Xinghe chuckled and shook his head, his calm eyes suddenly rippling, turning from a placid lake into a vast ocean, his sharp gaze solidifying into something more incisive than the edge of a blade or sword, "Today, I shall let you witness what is called power!"


    Boom!


    With a roar from Su Xinghe, swathes of the sky turned to night.


    In the night sky.


    Stars twinkled amidst the black curtain of night.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Streaks of starlight fell from above.


    Gathering behind Su Xinghe, they transformed into silhouettes made of converged starlight, forming an army of thousands.


    Su Xinghe pointed and commanded, "Exterminate them for me!"


    Rumbling!


    The vast army of the Galaxy charged toward Xiao Yi and Little Lin.


    Ao!


    Little Lin let out a heaven-piercing howl, shaking off his disguise and revealing his true form.


    Xiao Yi leapt onto his head, the God Devouring Ants'' Dharma Manifestation emerged behind him, and as he roared, the God Devouring Ants Dharma Manifestation continuously split apart. With his current spiritual power, he instantly conjured an army of a million God Devouring Ants, and Xiao Yi, standing atop the Ancient Sky-Devouring Dragon, pointed with his demon-slaying sword aloft.


    Hum!


    The army of a million God Devouring Ants, leading the charge, surged forth.


    Xiao Yi followed closely behind. S��arch* The n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The starlight army clashed violently with the God Devouring Ants army, and they fought and destroyed each other in a desolate battle.


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin fought as if divinely empowered, opening and closing their attacks with great might, cleaving through the starlight army wherever they went. The God Devouring Ants army was equally unstoppable, hundreds of ants jointly assaulting each starlight warrior, devouring and dismembering them...


    In an instant.


    They had actually gained the upper hand.


    "Huh? Aren''t these the God Devouring Ants that the freak from the Nantian Holy Institute cultivated back then? Wasn''t it said that when they form a Dharma Manifestation, they can''t spawn an army of God Devouring Ants and were abandoned? This kid��"


    When Su Xinghe saw the God Devouring Ants army, astonishment and surprise also flashed in his eyes.


    But soon...


    The surprise on his face was replaced by a cold murderous intent. Taking a deep breath, his eyes colder than a blade or sword''s edge, he said, "No matter who you are, daring to trouble Galaxy Valley is a path to certain death!"


    With that thought.


    An incomparable surge of energy, several times stronger than before, released from within him...

 Chapter 726 - 724: Fallen Stars

    Su Xinghe had no expression on his face.


    Around him, the starlight ebbed and flowed, and his robust aura reached its zenith.


    His breathing thundered, and his voice was like the sky falling apart.


    His gaze, solid as reality, transformed into two long rainbows that tore through the sky, shooting straight toward the distant void.


    Where his eyes landed,


    the void boiled, clouds burst, scattering in all directions.


    Boom!


    With clenching fists, dazzling starlight gushed from Su Xinghe''s palms, turning into swathes of falling meteors from the high sky.


    Amid thunderous booms,


    he shattered the God Devouring Ants one by one.


    In an instant,


    dazzling haloes of light filled the space between heaven and earth, condensing into a seven-colored lance that fiercely pummeled toward Xiao Yi and Little Lin, "Dragon Swings its Tail!"


    Whoosh!


    The lance split the air, sweeping through with the force of a thousand troops.


    Upon it, specks of silver-white starlight gathered, eventually forming into a giant silver dragon whose imposing dragon might swept through the area. It brought with it a tempest, as the sun, moon, and stars appeared in an instant on the dragon''s tail, like a colossal starry dragon falling from the ancient starry sky with an unstoppable sweeping momentum.


    Roar!


    Little Lin let out an angry roar, standing upright.


    He extended his dragon claw forward.


    Bang Bang!


    With two thunderous booms, Little Lin''s claws firmly grasped the starlight lance in front of him, while the wild force caused him to tremble violently.


    Six golden wings on his back flapped frantically.


    A tempest ensued.


    The whooshing sounds echoed between heaven and earth.


    Even so,


    Little Lin was still knocked back thousands of meters by the lance before he could block its sweeping force.


    Looking at Xiao Yi...


    The moment Little Lin blocked the lance, Xiao Yi had already stepped on the longsword, soaring through the skies, rapidly charging toward Su Xinghe. Amidst the surrounding bloody fog were golden blue lights flickering, and as the Thunderous Spear landed into his palm, he hurled it forward. With a thunderous roar in the air, the lance pierced through the sky.


    Like a golden meteor, it headed straight for Su Xinghe.


    At the same time, the Wind Thunder wings on his back shook wildly.


    His speed surged even more, closely following the Thunderous Spear, drawing nearer and nearer to Su Xinghe.


    "You think a firefly''s light can compete with the moon''s brilliance?"


    As Su Xinghe watched the Thunderous Spear, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a trace of disdain and mockery. He spread his fingers, pushing his right hand forward. Starlight coalesced into a round shield, and with a crisp clanging sound,


    the Thunderous Spear struck the shield with great force.


    Duang!


    In the midst of a giant booming sound that made one''s scalp tingle, the Thunderous Spear was actually blocked by the starlight shield.


    At the same time,


    purplish-golden thunder burst from the Thunderous Spear, resembling thunderous serpentine dragons coiling around the shield. Amid the tremendous roars, countless real thunder dragons exploded the starlight shield to pieces. Almost at the moment the shield shattered, Xiao Yi, wielding the Hurricane Divine Shield like a falling star, fiercely collided with it.


    Boom!


    The entire starlight shield disintegrated into pieces.


    Su Xinghe looked astonished.


    He had never imagined that his Starlight Shield would be broken by Xiao Yi.


    While he was still in shock,


    Xiao Yi''s Hurricane Divine Shield was already upon him, slamming hard against his chest with a crunching sound, and Su Xinghe spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Three of his ribs were broken, and his body plummeted to the ground like an arrow released from a bow.


    Just as he was about to hit the ground,


    Su Xinghe slapped the ground with one hand, and innate energy surged out, leveraging the recoil to rise once more into the air.


    Almost simultaneously...


    Xiao Yi had already caught up, as the Thunderous Spear explosively landed where Su Xinghe was about to touch down, the lance instantly burying itself in the ground.


    Following that,


    the earth heaved upward, and amid the resounding explosions, it cracked open, with streaks of golden thunderbolts shooting up ferociously from below.


    When all had dissipated and calmed,


    a crater hundreds of meters deep and spanning kilometers appeared on the ground before everyone.


    Su Xinghe drew a deep breath, cold sweat rolling down his forehead. Had he not dodged in time, if that spear had hit him,


    given the power of that strike, even with his Earth Venerate Realm cultivation, he would have been left seriously wounded.


    "This kid..."


    Su Xinghe had no time for shock as, with Xiao Yi''s strike missing, his eyes filled with even greater madness, "Not enough, still not enough! Strength, speed, it''s all not enough... I must become stronger, even stronger!"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s blood glowed even more fiercely.


    Sixty percent!


    Seventy percent!


    Eighty percent...


    He had burned the blood of nine cities, enhancing the Blood Explosion Skill to a ninety-fold increase.


    His entire being was now enveloped in a sea of blood, his blood burning like fierce flames, and as he shook the Wind Thunder wings behind him vigorously, he charged toward Su Xinghe at an insane speed, causing the void to tremble, and cracks spontaneously appeared in the void wherever he passed.


    Hiss!


    Su Xinghe''s pupils suddenly contracted, "Has this kid gone mad?"


    Such secret techniques that increase strength in such a short time often come with severe consequences.


    Seeing Xiao Yi throwing caution to the wind, he appeared determined to fight to the very end.


    A solemn look surfaced in his eyes.


    However, all these transpired in the blink of an eye��


    Su Xinghe crossed his hands before him, forming a cross, as countless stars converged into a shield in the shape of a cross, "Starlight Cross Shield!"


    Hum!


    Infinite starlight gathered, and as Su Xinghe pushed the dazzling, gem-like Starlight Cross Shield forward, it whooshed toward Xiao Yi with a swish.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless.


    The Hurricane Divine Shield collided, and the Thunder Spear thrust forward.


    With a loud boom, the shield shattered again.


    At the same time...


    Little Lin also followed closely.


    The brothers, one on the left and one on the right, launched a ferocious offensive against Su Xinghe simultaneously.


    Faced with their relentless and reckless onslaught, Su Xinghe was dumbstruck. The strong fear the brazen, the brazen fear the mad, and the mad fear those who don''t value their lives. At this moment, the Xiao brothers were exactly those who didn''t care about their lives, and under their insane attacks, Su Xinghe, who was constantly suppressed, appeared extremely gloomy.


    He was a dignified Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse!


    When had he ever felt so constrained?


    Boom boom!


    Two waves of starlight rose and fell, violently sending Xiao Yi and his brother flying.


    Su Xinghe''s expression was as dark as water, "You two have completely enraged me!"


    Boom!


    His body trembled wildly as the innate power within him surged, and above his head, a massive vortex eerily took shape.


    Su Xinghe''s eyes glinted electrically, his killing intent ice-cold, "Falling Stars!"


    Hum!


    Countless starlight converged in the void, forming a meteor of over ten miles in diameter that gradually emerged from the vortex. The terrifying pressure caused the ground to cave in deeply, and the oppressive atmosphere hung between heaven and earth, causing both Xiao Yi and Little Lin''s faces to drastically change.


    "Shit, has this old guy actually summoned a meteor?"


    "Run..."


    Xiao Yi and his brother exchanged a look.


    This was a meteor!


    If one were to fall, an entire kingdom could be destroyed.


    Su Xinghe raised his hands above his head and fiercely brought them down, "Die!"


    Boom!


    The massive meteor suddenly plummeted.


    It picked up more and more speed, its surface ablaze with flames.


    It tore through the sky!


    Whoosh!


    The meteor, over ten miles in diameter, hurtled madly toward Xiao Yi and his brother, leaving them with no escape. After exchanging a glance, they had no choice but to steel themselves and head for the fog-shrouded Yunmeng Marsh, which even strong practitioners from the Longevity Secret Realm might perish in.


    The moment their figures had just entered Yunmeng Marsh, Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The massive meteor crashed down as well.


    Rumble!


    The terrifying meteor dispersed the dense fog, and just as it was about to smash into Xiao Yi and his brother, potentially destroying Yunmeng Marsh in the process, the space inside Yunmeng Marsh violently fluctuated. Suddenly, a massive beast''s face appeared in the sky, its mouth opening wide.


    It swallowed the meteor with a single gulp!


    "��"


    Xiao Yi, Su Xinghe, and the others were all dumbstruck.


    Hum!


    As the massive beast''s face closed its mouth, two blasts of hot air shot from its nostrils, and the ten-mile diameter meteor didn''t seem to harm it in the slightest.


    The massive beast''s face yawned, its cold gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi, Su Xinghe, and the others...

 Chapter 727 - 725: Cloud Dream Temple

    A pair of eyes on the gargantuan beast''s face flickered with a cold and icy light.


    That icy light was almost tangible, firmly fixated on Xiao Yi and the others.


    Especially when it lingered for a moment on Su Xinghe��he was as if struck by lightning and suddenly let out a stifled groan, his complexion instantly turning pale. His body violently shook as he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face reflecting a look of horror as he stared incredulously at the enormous beast''s face.


    He was a mighty practitioner of the Earth Venerate Realm!


    And yet, the owner of this beast''s face had caused him to spit blood and sustain minor injuries with just a glance.


    This level of power was at least that of a Peak Earth Honor, or even a Heaven Venerate!


    Heaven Venerate!


    Such a being was an existence countless strong practitioners could only yearn for but never reach.


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin were also full of shock. They had exhausted their full strength and only managed to break a few of Su Xinghe''s ribs when he was caught off-guard.


    In front of this enormous beast''s face, its true form had yet to appear, and yet a mere glance had caused him serious injury.


    Such a terrifying existence.


    If it wished to take their lives, wouldn''t it be just a thought away?


    Xiao Yi''s body stopped radiating blood light, and even though his complexion remained somewhat pale, his life was not in danger.


    He hesitated for a moment before bowing to the beast''s face, "Junior Xiao Yi pays respects to the senior! Unaware of the senior''s secluded cultivation here, we have disturbed you, please forgive us!"


    "Please forgive us!"


    Little Lin also transformed into human form and hastily spoke as well.


    Not far away, Su Xinghe hesitated and then added, "I have met the senior, and I did not intend to disturb the senior earlier..."


    "Hmph!"


    The enormous beast''s face let out a cold snort but didn''t look at Su Xinghe. Without uttering a word, the voice echoed over the sky of Yunmeng Marsh, "If this seat had truly taken offence, would you three still have the opportunity to speak?"


    Prideful, indifferent.


    Utter contempt!


    The beast''s face yawned and glanced at Xiao Yi, "Little kid, what year is it now?"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi was startled, and subconsciously replied, "Year 45309 of the Azure Heaven Calendar!"


    "Azure Heaven Calendar year 45309? That means more than ten thousand years have passed..."


    The enormous beast face sighed deeply, muttering to itself, "Yunmeng, back then, this seat promised to guard the Cloud Dream Temple for ten thousand years, waiting for the descendants of your Yunmeng Dynasty to return. Now that ten thousand years have passed and your descendants have not appeared, this seat has fulfilled the promise to you. According to your last wish, it''s time to let the Cloud Dream Temple see the light of day again!"


    Boom!


    The enormous beast''s face vanished into thin air.


    Immediately following...


    The entire Yunmeng Marsh began to tremble thunderously, and the sky filled with fog madly converged toward the center of Yunmeng Marsh.


    Beneath Xiao Yi''s gaze,


    The fog that had enveloped the expanse of Yunmeng Marsh, wider than the Great Qian Dynasty and which had lasted for tens of thousands of years, was disappearing rapidly, all gathering in the mouth of a massive beast at the center of Yunmeng Marsh. It was a Red-gold Dragon Toad, a creature of legend said to be the offspring of the mythical Three-legged Golden Toad and a divine dragon, a beast that could rival the likes of Azure Dragon and White Tiger.


    Countless mists surged crazily into the mouth of the Red-gold Dragon Toad.


    It burped contently.


    The cold gaze swept over Xiao Yi and the others before leaping upward and disappearing into the sky.


    "..."


    Xiao Yi and the others looked at each other in surprise.


    Gurgle!


    Su Xinghe swallowed hard, "No wonder even the strong practitioners from the Longevity Secret Realm who enter Yunmeng Marsh would fall. It turns out there has been a Red-gold Dragon Toad hidden here all along. And just now, the fog was all emitted by that Red-gold Dragon Toad. Wait..." His heartbeat suddenly sped up, and a look of ecstasy appeared on his face, "With the fog above Yunmeng Marsh gone, doesn''t that mean the legendary Yunmeng Dynasty is about to reappear?"


    The Yunmeng Dynasty!


    That was a dynasty left from the Ancient Era, which, had it not been replaced by the Nantian Dynasty, would have been the strongest overlord of Southern State!


    The collapse of the Yunmeng Dynasty was extremely abrupt.


    And...


    After the Yunmeng Dynasty fell, it was enveloped by this fog, rendering it inaccessible to anyone. S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This means that the treasures left behind by the Yunmeng Dynasty must all be within!


    "Hahaha, now that I am the first to arrive at the Longevity Secret Realm in the Yunmeng Marsh, it will take some time for the news to spread. As long as I can enter and take those treasures for myself, my Galaxy Valley might even become a colossal force that rivals the Nantian Dynasty. Why would I, Su Xinghe, need to curry favor with Nantian Wen?"


    Su Xinghe''s eyes blazed with intense heat and greed, his venomous gaze swept over Xiao Yi and Little Lin, "But first, I need to eliminate these two little vermin!"


    With that thought in mind.


    Su Xinghe was about to make his move.


    But at that moment...


    From the depths of Yunmeng Marsh, suddenly a blinding light burst forth, shooting up into the sky.


    Brilliant beyond compare.


    Straight up to the clouds!


    In an instant.


    This pillar of light had linked heaven and earth, visible from thousands of miles away. The ground of Yunmeng Marsh trembled violently under the impact of the light column. The earth bulged upwards, bursting open, with cracks spreading across the surface. An imposing temple slowly emerged into everyone''s line of sight.


    It took an hour for the temple to completely rise from underground and appear on the surface.


    The entire temple was resplendent in gold.


    Even after the divine light dissipated, it still radiated a dazzling golden glow.


    It stood quietly in the middle of Yunmeng Marsh.


    And around it...


    Earth dragons burst out of the ground with thunderous roars, unceasing and deafening. Eighty-one earth dragons coiled around the temple, forming eighty-one towering mountain ranges. Layer upon layer, the eighty-one ranges enfolded the temple at the center, the scattered light forming eighty-one barriers, shielding the temple from the outside world.


    At the same time.


    A massive stele crashed down at the edge of Yunmeng Marsh with a thunderous sound.


    On the stele, ancient large characters were inscribed��Cloud Dream Temple!


    "Cloud Dream Temple?"


    "The legendary palace of the Demon Emperor from the Yunmeng Dynasty?"


    "Hahaha, truly, Heaven aids our Nantian Dynasty! The Cloud Dream Temple is now ours..."


    Several voices suddenly transmitted through the void.


    Void Rifts appeared between heaven and earth, attracting one after another the strong practitioners of the Longevity Secret Realm, drawn by the appearance of the Cloud Dream Temple, they all appeared in the now uninhabited Yunmeng Marsh. Xiao Yi glanced around, spotting no fewer than a hundred experts of the Longevity Secret Realm, among them an old acquaintance, Long Sihai.


    However, his gaze was fixed on the glaring Cloud Dream Temple, not yet noticing Xiao Yi.


    Long Sihai laughed as he looked at Su Xinghe: "Valley Master Su, congratulations, discovering the Cloud Dream Temple is a great achievement..."


    "Hmph!"


    Su Xinghe snorted coldly, not expecting Long Sihai to arrive so swiftly, his face darkened as he said, "The congratulations should go to Director Long and the royal family!"


    "Hahaha, that is natural!"


    Long Sihai grinned, then inquired, "Valley Master Su, what brings you here?"


    "It''s all because of those two little beasts. They dared to attack Su Yi and rob the marriage procession," Su Xinghe said coldly.


    "Hmm?"


    Long Sihai was taken aback, his gaze turning toward Xiao Yi. He was first surprised, then burst into laughter, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, I didn''t expect you to be here. It''s true what they say, you pass up the road to heaven and crash through the gates of hell. Today, I''d like to see who can save you..."


    An icy aura, in an instant, swept over like a stormy downpour.


    "Go f*** yourself..."


    Xiao Yi''s face changed, ready to fight back, but at that moment, a cold voice echoed between heaven and earth, "Long Sihai, if you dare touch my brother, I will annihilate your entire clan!"

 Chapter 728 - 726: Only Those Who Possess Longevity Can Enter!

    "Long Sihai, dare to touch my things, and I will exterminate your nine clans!"


    A chilling voice suddenly came.


    Only to see the void next to Xiao Yi abruptly tore open by a pair of large hands as Yue Shanchuan followed by an elder with white hair holding two brown walnuts, appeared beside Xiao Yi.


    "Elder Yue?"


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin both were startled.


    Yue Shanchuan winked at the two of them and made a reassuring gesture towards the white-haired elder beside him.


    Long Sihai''s pupils shrank slightly as he stared at the white-haired elder in front of him, a solemn look on his face. This white-haired elder was a master of the Earth Venerate Realm, a Fifth Layer Earth Revered at that, the one with the strongest cultivation present. In addition, he also had another identity �C he was one of the Changsheng Sect''s thirty-six Elder Tiangangs, Elder Tianku.


    As far as the world knew about the Changsheng Sect, there were a total of thirty-six Elder Tiangangs and seventy-two Earthshatter Elders.


    Elder Tianku was ranked thirty-fifth.


    He was also among the most frequently seen of the Changsheng Sect''s one hundred and eight elders in the world.


    Fifth Layer Earth Revered!


    His combat power was certainly top-tier.


    "Elder Tianku of the Changsheng Sect?" Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Long Sihai stared at Elder Tianku, his gaze slowly falling on Xiao Yi, "Who would have thought that Xiao Zhenguo of the Daqian Dynasty, of such noble stature, would have such close ties with a heretic. Truly unexpected!"


    The Nantian sacred land had just issued the Heaven-South Pursuit Order in Southern State.


    Both the Daqian Dynasty and the Nantian Dynasty were after the heretics of the Changsheng Sect.


    Up to now...


    The heretics that the Nantian Dynasty had executed or captured were already in the dozens, while the Daqian Dynasty had not caught a single one. This had greatly dissatisfied the Nantian sacred land, and if they were to find out that Xiao Yi fraternized with the heretics of the Changsheng Sect, the Nantian sacred land would surely mete out punishment.


    It was exactly what Long Sihai had guessed.


    Elder Tianku gave a cold laugh and said indifferently, "Xiao Zhenguo once saved my useless grandson. I, this old man, cannot fail to repay such a life-saving grace."


    With this statement, he clarified why he helped Xiao Yi, made his determination to protect Xiao Yi known, and distinguished Xiao Yi''s relationship with the Changsheng Sect from the heretics.


    Long Sihai''s face turned as black as coal.


    He had not expected that his carefully laid plans to entrap Xiao Yi would be so casually resolved by a single comment from Elder Tianku. After all, even the Nantian sacred land could not fault Xiao Yi for Elder Tianku repaying a favor, thus taking their ire out on the Daqian Dynasty.


    Xiao Yi also understood the crux of the matter, and he clasped his hands towards Elder Tianku, "Thank you, senior!"


    "Young friend, there''s no need for such formality!"


    Elder Tianku''s walnuts gently spun in his hand, his face wearing a faint smile, "If it were not for your timely assistance on Gold Field Island, Shanchuan, this blockhead, would have perished there!"


    Blockhead?


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and looked towards Yue Shanchuan.


    Yue Shanchuan''s face darkened, and he said in frustration, "Great-Grandfather, shall we take a look at the Cloud Dream Temple first?"


    Elder Tianku smiled and said, "There''s no rush, the real decision-makers have yet to show themselves! It''s not urgent now..."


    "Decision-makers?"


    Yue Shanchuan was startled.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes flickered as he stroked his chin, deep in thought.


    About half an incense stick of time later.


    Several fluctuations once again came through the void, and two figures appeared consecutively on the edge of Yunmeng Marsh.


    It was none other than the commander of the forbidden army, the formidable Fourth Layer Earth Revered, Nantian Lie.


    And the Nantian sacred land''s Yang Dingtian!


    Yang Dingtian''s gaze instantly fell on Elder Tianku, releasing an incredibly terrifying energy fluctuation all around him. His eyes, as bright as stars, and his fighting spirit were fully unleashed in an instant, "Tianku, I''ve looked so hard for you, I never expected to encounter you here. Luck really does favor the persistent!"


    "Yang Dingtian, do you think it''s appropriate to make a move now?" Elder Tianku said with neither servility nor overbearingness.


    Yang Dingtian''s brows knitted slightly.


    He scanned his surroundings.


    Indeed, as Elder Tianku said, with the convergence of powerful figures from various factions, there were no less than four Earth Venerate Realm powerhouses and over a hundred Human Venerate Realm powerhouses.


    The gathering was teeming with mixed forces.


    ```


    Acting now and if others took the opportunity to enter the Cloud Dream Temple, that would truly be a loss not worth the gain.


    With this thought in mind.


    Yang Dingtian took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and said with a heavy voice, "Hmph, consider yourself lucky. Once I make a round in that Cloud Dream Temple, I''ll settle the score with you later!"


    "Hold on a moment!"


    Nantian Lie stepped forward, blocking Yang Dingtian''s path.


    Yang Dingtian frowned and said, "Nantian Lie, you dare to stop me?"


    Nantian Lie shrugged his shoulders and spoke with an indifferent face, "Yang Dingtian, this Cloud Dream Temple emerged within the territories of the Nantian Dynasty. This place should belong to the Nantian Dynasty, isn''t it inappropriate for you to barge in like this?"


    "You..."


    Before Yang Dingtian could speak, Elder Tianku by his side nodded and added, "Nantian Lie is right. The Cloud Dream Temple isn''t just for the people of the Nantian holy land!"


    In this world, there are no permanent friends, nor are there permanent enemies.


    There is only interest!


    When interests align, any existence that shakes their grip on interests is an enemy!


    And the enemy of an enemy is a friend!


    Because of this...


    Elder Tianku of the Changsheng Sect and Nantian Lie of the Nantian Dynasty stood on the same front!


    Yang Dingtian''s expression changed unpredictably, his face cold, and he said, "What do you want?"


    Elder Tianku said coolly, "Join forces to explore the Cloud Dream Temple together!"


    "Join forces?"


    Yang Dingtian frowned slightly, looking towards Nantian Lie.


    Nantian Lie just nodded.


    Even though the Nantian Dynasty truly wished to claim the Cloud Dream Temple as their own, both he and Nantian Wen knew that was unrealistic.


    Neither the Changsheng Sect nor the Nantian holy land would allow them to do so.


    Yang Dingtian hesitated for a moment and then said, "I can agree to your terms. The three factions will join hands in exploring the Cloud Dream Temple. Now that we''ve agreed upon a plan, the three of us can go in now, right?"


    "Of course!"


    Nantian Lie said with a smile and a nod.


    Elder Tianku twirled a walnut in his hand and looked at Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan, "You just wait here..."


    Immediately after.


    The three Earthly Honor Realm powerhouses walked towards the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Long Sihai laughed heartily, looking at Xiao Yi with a mocking face, "Xiao Yi, you''ve gone through so much trouble to discover the Cloud Dream Temple, only to end up making wedding clothes for others. You can only watch helplessly as we take the treasures of the Cloud Dream Temple, powerless to do anything. Doesn''t that feel sad? Hahaha..."


    "Damn it..."


    Little Lin was so angry that he gritted his teeth.


    Xiao Yi''s expression wasn''t looking too good either.


    Of course...


    The one with the ugliest expression had to be Su Xinghe, who had been ignored by Nantian Lie and the others from the beginning to the end.


    This Cloud Dream Temple was his doing!


    Yet it had nothing to do with him.


    Long Sihai boasted triumphantly, "Just watch from here. Once I get the treasures from inside the Cloud Dream Temple, I''ll be sure to let you have a good look as well, haha..."


    While saying this.


    Long Sihai also followed the three towards the Cloud Dream Temple.


    However...


    Just as the trio of Nantian Lie arrived at the outermost layer of the skyscape surrounding the Cloud Dream Temple, they found themselves unable to move, as if a Paralysis Spell had been cast upon them. The three exchanged glances, and just as they were about to force their way through, several lines of text reappeared on the stele �� "Only those below longevity may enter!"


    Seeing those eight characters, Xiao Yi and Little Lin looked at each other and nearly burst out laughing...


    PS: Writer''s block, just one release for today! I''ll make it up tomorrow!


    ```

 Chapter 729 - 727: This Is Not for You to Decide!

    Only those below Longevity may enter.


    These simple eight characters had, however, brutally smacked Long Sihai across the face.


    He had just been smugly mocking Xiao Yi and others for their hard-earned discovery of the Cloud Dream Temple, only to find themselves barred from entering.


    And now...


    The occupants of the Cloud Dream Temple straight-up refused to let them in!


    Little Lin taunted, "Oh my, ''Only those below Longevity may enter''? Isn''t the Cloud Dream Temple a bit too harsh? How can they bully the masters from the Longevity Secret Realm like this?"


    "Some people were just arrogantly saying that we worked hard to discover the Cloud Dream Temple, only to miss out on entering. Now it seems that heaven is still quite fair, isn''t it?" Back during the chaos in the Riotous Sea Area, Yue Shanchuan and Little Lin had developed an excellent tacit understanding, and he immediately started mocking.


    Listening to their mockery.


    Long Sihai''s face turned green.


    If Elder Tian Ku hadn''t been standing nearby, he would have lost control and attacked long ago.


    As for now...


    He could only stand to the side with a darkened face.


    Su Xinghe watched coldly from the sidelines, listening to Xiao Yi and others taunting Long Sihai, he also felt extremely satisfied inside.


    After all.


    Earlier, Long Sihai and the others had outright excluded him without asking for his opinion, which infuriated him.


    Now that he saw Long Sihai and others could not enter the Cloud Dream Temple either, he felt like rejoicing in their misfortune, but managed to maintain a calm demeanor on the outside. At least for the time being, he still needed the Nantian Dynasty''s favor and could not afford to sever ties openly��so he had to endure, he couldn''t laugh!


    Nantian Lie''s face was grim. He also hadn''t expected the Cloud Dream Temple to have such restrictions, he spoke in a deep voice, "Shall we join forces and try to blast open the prohibition?" S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s useless!"


    Yang Dingtian''s eyes were fixated on the Cloud Dream Temple, protected by the eighty-one-layer Formation defense, he said solemnly, "These eighty-one Formations are linked together, with the Cloud Dream Temple itself as the Formation''s eye. Unless you can break the Formation from inside the Cloud Dream Temple, any attempt to break the Formation from the outside would be impossible, even for a Supreme Venerable!"


    Human Venerate, Imperial Venerable, Heavenly Venerate, Supreme Venerable!


    This Supreme Venerable was second only to the Holy Venerable, and most were top ancient beings who had survived from the Ancient Era.


    They were either in seclusion or in deep slumber.


    They rarely took action.


    "What should we do then!" Nantian Lie said.


    Elder Tian Ku squinted his eyes and said indifferently, "Since only those below Longevity may enter, then let the younger generation from our various sects, who are below the Longevity Secret Realm, go in..."


    "Does Elder Tian Ku suggest letting those juniors go in and fight for the treasures?" Nantian Lie''s face was sardonic as he chuckled coldly.


    This was the Cloud Dream Temple!


    The treasury of the former Yunmeng Dynasty, the palace of that unparalleled Demon Emperor��undoubtedly, there were countless treasures inside.


    Letting those juniors who hadn''t reached the Longevity Secret Realm enter would mean all the treasures would end up with them, wouldn''t it?


    Elder Tian Ku simply smiled without saying a word.


    Yang Dingtian, however, spun his eyes around and said with a smile, "I agree with Tian Ku''s suggestion. Let the young ones go in. Once they reach the Cloud Dream Temple, they can break the prohibition from the inside. After that, we can enter. I doubt those youngsters would dare to contest us for the treasures!"


    Nantian Lie grunted, his eyes turning as he said, "That could work!"


    All three powerhouses nodded in agreement.


    However, Su Xinghe couldn''t help but interject after observing the many Loose Cultivators and powerful figures from major families around him, he pressed on, "Gentlemen, the Cloud Dream Temple should be accessible to all the destined ones. You can''t possibly eat all the meat yourselves and not even leave us a drop of soup, right?"


    Others had been dissatisfied for a long time.


    However, they dared not come forward due to the formidable strength of the three.


    Now that Su Xinghe had spoken up, they also chimed in one after another, "Seniors, even though we are not as powerful as you are, Cloud Dream Temple does not belong to any one person after all. We should also have the opportunity to enter!"


    "Right, you can''t keep all the benefits to yourselves!"


    The crowd echoed in agreement.


    Nantian Lie and the other two frowned slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in their eyes.


    Yang Dingtian squinted his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a cruel smile, and made a throat-slashing gesture.


    The implication was clear, to kill all these people.


    Elder Tian Ku was expressionless; he had no objections to this proposal. After all, the Changsheng Sect was not welcomed by the various powers anyway, and killing these people would not significantly impact them.


    Yet, Nantian Lie seemed somewhat hesitant.


    Although the Nantian Dynasty did not fear Su Xinghe and the rest, there were already over a hundred powerhouses of the Longevity Secret Realm present. If the forces behind these strong men were to be gathered, it would be a force not to be underestimated. Considering this, Nantian Lie indifferently said, "Fine, since you all are subjects of the Nantian Dynasty, you naturally qualify to enter the Cloud Dream Temple. However, you only have one day to arrange for your powerhouses. By noon tomorrow, people will be allowed into Cloud Dream Temple en masse, and we won''t wait for latecomers!"


    "One day? That''s enough time for me to make arrangements!"


    "No problem!"


    "We''ve hit the jackpot; this is the Cloud Dream Temple after all... "


    A group of powerhouses hastily departed through the torn void.


    Nantian Lie glanced at Long Sihai, "Sihai, you go back and report to His Majesty, asking him to send over some experts!"


    "I''ve got this!"


    Long Sihai patted his chest, his venomous gaze flicking over Xiao Yi, he sneered, "Xiao Yi, you better cherish the last moments of your life. Tomorrow, the most elite experts from the Nantian Holy Institute will arrive in succession. Then, there will be no escape for you, whether to the heavens or into the earth... "


    "Let them come, my sword is already thirsting for action!" Xiao Yi grinned.


    "..."


    Long Sihai''s eyebrows knitted, a fierce light gleaming in his eyes, before he snorted coldly and disappeared into the torn void.


    On another side.


    Powerhouses from other family forces were also departing in succession.


    With only one day at their disposal, they had to seize the time to call upon their subordinates below the rank of the Longevity Secret Realm. This journey to Cloud Dream Temple, if well managed, could significantly elevate their family''s power!


    "Xiao Yi, you just wait... My Galaxy Valley''s people are not so easy to kill!" Su Xinghe glared malevolently at Xiao Yi and another, then tore through the void and vanished from sight.


    Nantian Lie and the other two instructed their subordinates to call for reinforcements.


    They then dispersed to guard the entrance of Cloud Dream Temple to prevent anyone from sneaking in.


    "Boss, I feel like these three guys definitely won''t let you in!" Little Lin''s eyes rolled around. He was already past the cultivation level of the Longevity Secret Realm and couldn''t enter the Cloud Dream Temple. He was now concerned that Xiao Yi would also be excluded, so he secretly transmitted his voice.


    Although Elder Tian Ku had intervened earlier, shielding them under Su Xinghe''s nose.


    But later on...


    When they themselves were preparing to head to Cloud Dream Temple, Elder Tian Ku did not spare Xiao Yi and the others a single glance.


    Xiao Yi nodded, he had naturally noticed this too and transmitted back, "Let''s not rush... If they really don''t let me in, I will find a way myself!"


    He narrowed his eyes.


    Surveying the Cloud Dream Temple before him, his eyes shone with a cold, edged light, "Whether you''ll let me in isn''t up to you! If you push me too far, then neither you nor anyone else will enter..."

 Chapter 730 - 728: Dead Men Have No Chance to Kill Me!

    As the powerhouses from various factions returned to their clans, they began recruiting the strong ones from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    The news from the Cloud Dream Temple spread instantly throughout the Nantian Dynasty.


    Countless powerhouses were shocked by this announcement.


    Cloud Dream Temple!


    It was a relic left by the powerful Yunmeng Dynasty from Ancient Times and was once the palace of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor. After the fall of the Demon Emperor in battle, the Yunmeng Dynasty turned into the Yunmeng Marsh. Even the strong ones from Longevity Secret Realm would risk nine deaths and one life to enter it, which kept the vast treasure trove of the Yunmeng Dynasty perfectly preserved to this day.


    That treasury is most likely located within the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Could the treasures of the superpower that once rivaled the Nantian Dynasty be anything but abundant?


    Once obtained, one could become wealthy enough to rival nations.


    In an instant.


    Countless powerhouses volunteered themselves, rushing to offer their services to the major factions.


    Just hoping to get a chance to enter the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Within Galaxy Valley.


    Su Xinghe looked at the thousand strongest disciples in front of him, especially the three standing at the very front, his face showed a trace of satisfaction as he nodded and said, "Su Can, Su Lan, Su Qi, you three are the leaders of Galaxy Valley''s younger generation and the future pillars of our sect. For this trip to the Cloud Dream Temple, I''m only giving you three two tasks!"


    "Valley Master, please tell us!" the three said in unison.


    The expression on Su Xinghe''s face turned cold as he spoke deliberately, "The first task, fight for as many treasures as possible in the Cloud Dream Temple. The second task, if you get the chance, kill Xiao Yi for me!"


    "Please rest assured, Valley Master, we will do our utmost to accomplish these tasks!" the three shouted in unison.


    The other powerful figures also spoke up, "Please rest assured, Valley Master, we swear to assist the three with our lives..."


    Su Xinghe nodded with satisfaction, squinting his eyes as a fierce cold light flickered within: "Xiao Yi? Hmph, offend Galaxy Valley, and you only have one path��death!"


    Meanwhile.


    Inside the Nantian Holy Institute.


    Long Sihai, holding the token given to him by Nantian Wen, made a beeline for the institute to proclaim the imperial edict, "By the mandate of the heavens, the Emperor hereby decrees... The Cloud Dream Temple is an asset within the grasp of our Nantian Dynasty, how can it be defiled by others? All disciples of the Nantian Holy Institute below the Longevity Secret Realm, set out for the Cloud Dream Temple immediately. Seize the secret treasures and slay Xiao Yi!"


    "We obey the edict!"


    Powerful auras soared into the sky one after another.


    Long Sihai, watching several figures among the crowd with auras not from the Longevity Secret Realm, yet so formidable that even he felt alarmed, revealed a cruel smile, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, this time there''s no one from Baiyu to save you..."


    The entire Nantian Dynasty was in an uproar.


    Even the revered Nantian Holy Land dispatched their experts.


    This was, after all, the wealth of a power that rivaled the Nantian Dynasty, the relic of the Yunmeng Dynasty, and the perfectly preserved Cloud Dream Temple!


    Even the Nantian Holy Land could not ignore the treasures within.


    In an instant.


    Countless powerhouses were heading towards the direction of the Yunmeng Marsh...


    Time flew by.


    Before you knew it, it was the next day.


    Since dawn, powerful figures appeared around the Yunmeng Marsh, many of them Loose Cultivators close to the Yunmeng Marsh, and the rest were backed by strong ones from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    In front of the entrance to the Cloud Dream Temple, there was a sea of people, a dark mass of heads.


    The number had long since surpassed a hundred thousand.


    "Look quickly, aren''t those the Galaxy Valley''s ''Star Children,'' Su Can, Su Lan, and Su Qi?"


    "These three are all super experts of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, and have been on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking for over a decade..."


    "What''s the Star Children compared to them? Haven''t you seen those few? Those are the experts from the Nantian Holy Institute!"


    "Nantian Holy Institute? I wonder if their inner institute experts have come..."


    "They probably have!"


    "Look quickly... The people from Nantian Holy Land are here too. Hiss, isn''t that Ye Ling, who once dominated the top ten of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking all by herself? She''s actually here? Moreover, by the looks of it, she seems to have great respect for that mysterious young man ahead of her..."


    One after another, the powerhouses couldn''t help but let out exclamations of shock.


    The strong ones gathered here today could truly be described as a mighty forest.


    All the major powers did everything they could to bring together the top experts under Longevity.


    Among them, there were quite a few who possessed the combat strength of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Yet within the crowd,


    there were no experts from the Changsheng Sect to be seen.


    Little Lin looked at Yue Shanchuan with confusion, "Old Yue, why aren''t there any people from the Changsheng Sect?"


    Yue Shanchuan gave a mysterious smile.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If I''m not mistaken, the people from the Changsheng Sect are all mixed in with the crowd, right?"


    Little Lin was startled.


    Yue Shanchuan cleared his throat and quietly gave Xiao Yi a thumbs-up, transmitting his voice, "Worthy of being Xiao, you''re right. The people from my Changsheng Sect are quite special and prefer not to show their faces. They have long since dispersed themselves amongst the crowd. Even I don''t know exactly who they are, but as far as I know, there are quite a few strong individuals from my Changsheng Sect in the Nantian Dynasty, and some of them are not the least bit weaker than you, Xiao!"


    Little Lin nodded silently, having had an early experience of the strength and mystery of the Changsheng Sect.


    Had it not been for Yue Shanchuan taking the initiative to reveal himself, they wouldn''t even have known that this brother, who was willing to live and die together with them, was a person from the Changsheng Sect.


    And furthermore��


    He was the grandson of the great Elder Tian Ku!


    Little Lin transmitted, "Old Yue, surely your grandfather won''t prevent the boss from entering, right?"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Yue Shanchuan smiled and replied, "Grandfather knows about our relationship, and besides, the Cloud Dream Temple was first discovered by you guys. How could he possibly not let Xiao enter?"


    Little Lin felt much more at ease.


    Xiao Yi smiled without saying a word, but in his heart, he wasn''t as optimistic as Yue Shanchuan.


    At this moment, S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    a cold voice suddenly came from beside them, "Are you Xiao Yi?"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and looked over, only to see a youth dressed in a purple starry robe squinting at him. He frowned and said, "I am Xiao Yi. May I ask who you are... "


    "I am Su Qi, Su Yi''s brother!"


    Su Qi pointed to himself, his expression utterly indifferent, "Although my little brother is good for nothing, he is still related to me by blood. You dared to attempt to take his life, so as his brother, I can only slaughter you in vengeance. I''ve come here to give you a heads-up so that you won''t die without knowing why!"


    "Killing him won''t be that easy for you!"


    A calm voice suddenly interrupted Su Qi. A red-haired youth walked out from the Nantian Holy Institute, his gaze like torches, staring intensely at Xiao Yi while pointing at himself with a thumb, "I am Yao Hong, and Tianjiao is my fellow disciple. I, Yao Hong, detest evil as one would an enemy and am determined to mete out justice on heaven''s behalf, to kill you, the vile creature who murdered his father and brother!"


    Su Qi angrily said, "Yao Hong, you are too bullying. His life is mine to take!"


    Yao Hong sneered, "If you''ve got the ability, kill him before I make a move!"


    "To kill is to kill!"


    "I''ll definitely be faster than you... "


    The two then began to argue over who would get to kill Xiao Yi first.


    Xiao Yi: "��"


    He looked at them speechlessly, dug out his ear, and said indifferently, "Excuse me, what I meant to say is... the two of you won''t have the chance!"


    "Hmm?"


    The two were taken aback and looked at Xiao Yi frowningly, "What do you mean?"


    "Because..."


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, a chilling intent suddenly flashing across his calm face, "Dead men don''t have the chance to kill me!"


    As his words fell,


    a silver light burst from his hand.


    Before Yao Hong and Su Qi could come to their senses, their heads were already severed by Xiao Yi, with blood spurting like a fountain from their necks.


    For a moment,


    the outside of Yunmeng Marsh was dead silent��

 Chapter 731 - 729: Beneath Immortality, I Am Invincible!

    "..."


    Before the Yunmeng Marsh, there was complete silence.


    A crowd of powerful warriors looked at each other, gazing at the two headless corpses lying on the ground. Their heads buzzed with disbelief.


    This was a gathering place for strong fighters.


    The experts in the Earth Venerate Realm alone numbered more than a handful.


    Especially behind Su Qi from the Galaxy Valley, there were over a thousand strong fighters just below the Longevity Secret Realm, not to mention the nearly ten thousand disciples of the Nantian Holy Institute staring covetously from the sidelines.


    Faced with so many powerful individuals, even a master from the Longevity Secret Realm would have to meekly submit! S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Who could have imagined...


    In front of so many people, Xiao Yi actually killed Su Qi and Yao Hong directly?


    Hiss!


    A series of sharp intakes of breath swept through the crowd.


    Su Xinghe flew into a rage, his eyes spitting out a cold light that seemed to devour, screaming hysterically, "Xiao Yi, you dare kill Su Qi right before my eyes?"


    Within the Nantian Holy Institute.


    Long Sihai''s face was exceptionally ugly.


    Each disciple of the Nantian Holy Institute was a trusted confidant of Nantian Wen, a future pillar of the Nantian Dynasty.


    An expert like Yao Hong was expected to at least become a Great General governing a region.


    If not for Cloud Dream Temple, Nantian Wen wouldn''t have permitted these talents to emerge in full force.


    And yet, before they''d even entered the Cloud Dream Temple, Xiao Yi had already beheaded him!


    How was he supposed to explain this to Nantian Wen?


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, faced the deadly stares of Su Xinghe and Long Sihai, and with a cold smile, said, "They threatened to kill me as soon as they arrived, should I perhaps just stretch out my neck for them to chop?"


    "You..."


    "Utter sophistry!"


    "Yao Hong is a noble disciple of the Nantian Holy Institute; it''s an honor for him to want to kill you..." roared Long Sihai.


    Xiao Yi curled his lips and said, "I''m a king of the Daqian Dynasty with a rank akin to national pillar! If I want to kill you now, that would also be your honor, Director Long. Please, stretch out your neck so I can have a couple of chops at it?"


    "..."


    Long Sihai''s face stiffened.


    If we were discussing status, Xiao Yi, as a king, indeed held a higher nobility than him, an inspection director.


    However...


    Stretching out his neck to be chopped was definitely not going to happen!


    Xiao Yi''s face was full of mockery as he taunted, "What''s wrong? Could it be that the mighty Director Long speaks only to let out wind, heedless of taking it back?"


    "You..."


    Long Sihai''s face turned ashen, feeling as if his face had been slapped dozens of times, he gritted his teeth and said, "I think you''re truly courting death!"


    "Long Sihai, Xiao Yi is someone this elder intends to protect. Do you dare lay a hand on him?" Elder Tianku spoke faintly.


    It was this faint voice, however, that dissipated all the killing intent from Long Sihai.


    This was Elder Tianku!


    A super strong expert at the Fifth Layer Earthly Venerable Realm, capable of crushing him as if he were an ant.


    Su Xinghe dared not speak further either.


    As they were caught in an awkward situation.


    Amidst the crowd, Su Can spoke indifferently, "Valley Master, Director Long, why bother getting angry over a man who''s about to die?"


    "Hmm?"


    Su Xinghe and Long Sihai were startled, both turning to look at Su Can.


    With an expressionless face, Su Can looked at Xiao Yi with cold contempt and said lightly, "Rest assured, I''ve seen through him. The moment I make a move, I can surely take his life. There''s no need for you two to stoop to his level and argue with him."


    "Hahaha, Can''er is right!"


    Su Xinghe''s eyes sparkled, and although he was also at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm like Su Can, Su Qi couldn''t compare to Su Can''s strength. He nodded confidently and said, "Since we''re all going to die anyway, let''s allow you to feel proud a little longer!"


    "I''ll be waiting!"


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up slightly, revealing a faint cold smile.


    Killing Su Qi and Yao Hong was by no means an impulsive act on his part.


    He had done it to force Elder Tianku to take a stand...


    Given Elder Tianku''s previous actions, one absolutely mustn''t be deceived by his amiable appearance.


    Xiao Yi even had a vague feeling that...


    Elder Tianku was now stepping in to save him, merely to give Yue Shanchuan an explanation. Once the trip to the Cloud Dream Temple was over and the various parties had divided the benefits of Cloud Dream Temple, Elder Tianku would simply take Yue Shanchuan away. By then, when Long Sihai and Su Xinghe wanted to act against Xiao Yi, they could not blame Elder Tianku for being ungrateful!


    In this aspect, Xiao Yi''s judgment was extremely accurate as always.


    After all.


    During his time in the Daqian Dynasty, although Xiao Yi didn''t capture any of the rebels from the Changsheng Sect, he had expelled quite a few.


    In the eyes of beings like Elder Tianku, there were no such things as friends.


    They only valued interests!


    Since Xiao Yi did not allow the Changsheng Sect to operate within the Daqian Dynasty, they naturally were not friends!


    And the truth was just as Xiao Yi had speculated.


    Elder Tianku never intended to let Xiao Yi enter the Cloud Dream Temple; however, now, because Xiao Yi had killed Yao Hong and Su Qi, if he did not intervene to save him, Xiao Yi would surely be attacked by the likes of Su Xinghe. And Elder Tianku of the Changsheng Sect would also be branded as someone who repaid kindness with ingratitude, damaging his reputation.


    He had no choice but to come forward to protect Xiao Yi.


    With Elder Tianku stepping forward again to protect him in front of everyone, when Xiao Yi proceeded to the Cloud Dream Temple, it would naturally be inappropriate for Elder Tianku and the others to stop him even a bit.


    His face still wore a look of kindness, as he fiddled with the two walnuts in his hand.


    The corners of Elder Tianku''s mouth lifted slightly, but he was secretly communicating to several hidden rebels within the crowd, "This boy, cannot be allowed to live!"


    Within the crowd.


    Several subtle gazes swept across Xiao Yi, carrying a sliver of chilling murderous intent...


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly.


    Little Lin looked worried and communicated secretly, "Boss, are you really going into the Cloud Dream Temple?"


    Nowadays, Galaxy Valley, Nantian Holy Institute, Changsheng Sect, and even the Nantian holy places wished nothing more than to see Xiao Yi dead.


    He was truly beset on all sides, the target of numerous arrows!


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I must go!"


    Entering the Cloud Dream Temple, he would face his peers, with the most powerful being at most at the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    But staying outside...


    That would mean facing a group from the Longevity Secret Realm, even several Earth Venerate powerhouses.


    There was still a glimmer of hope in the Cloud Dream Temple!


    Moreover.


    If he could find enough Spirit Vein resources inside the Cloud Dream Temple, or even the Spirit of Longevity, and thus step into the Longevity Secret Realm, it wouldn''t be so easy for even Earth Venerate powerhouses to kill him. That was his only way out.


    "But boss..." Little Lin opened his mouth, unsure of how to advise further.


    Among the crowd.


    He sensed several experts whose strength was not the slightest bit inferior to those of the Longevity Secret Realm. The presence of these strong figures even filled him with dread!


    "Just keep your heart in your stomach! They can''t do anything to me yet. As for you, staying outside the Cloud Dream Temple, you must be very careful in everything. If you sense that something is off, leave immediately. As for me..."


    Xiao Yi gently patted Little Lin''s head, his eyes flashing with sharp brilliance as he said with emphasis on each word, "Below immortality, I am invincible! If one comes, I''ll slay one. If a pair comes, I''ll slaughter both..."


    It was at this moment.


    Hovering in the void above, Nantian Lie and his two companions slowly spoke up, "Everyone, enter the Cloud Dream Temple!"

 Chapter 732 - 730: Godfall Demon Abyss, Heaven and Earths Profound Gate

    "Everyone, enter the Cloud Dream Temple!"


    An icy voice echoed in the void.


    Many powerful experts flew towards Yunmeng Marsh, where the Cloud Dream Temple was surrounded by eighty-one Formation layers, each one shining brilliantly and reaching high into the clouds.


    They formed eighty-one sky curtains, enveloping the Cloud Dream Temple within them.


    The experts from both Nantian Holy Land and Nantian Holy Institute rose and strode towards the Cloud Dream Temple, side by side.


    As they passed by Xiao Yi. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A youth from the Nantian Holy Institute, with sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, a high nose bridge, and a small black mole on his lip corner, cracked a cold smile, "Xiao Yi, right? You''d better hope you don''t run into me inside the Cloud Dream Temple! Otherwise, I won''t show any mercy!"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    He flicked his finger, and a small light, like a firefly, sparkled and zipped into the far distance with a whoosh.


    In just an instant...


    This tiny cold light landed ten miles away.


    And the five-hundred-zhang tall mountain peak began to erupt with dazzling light from the middle, with a ''toot'' sound.


    In the blink of an eye, the light swallowed the mountain whole.


    Reduced to a sky full of fine dust.


    Just this single strike was no weaker than the experts from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    This was definitely a formidable adversary.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes into a sliver, watching the people from Nantian Holy Institute head towards the Cloud Dream Temple; Yue Shanchuan spoke gravely next to him, "Xiao, be very careful of this person. He is Hu Junyi, the top external student of the Nantian Holy Institute. According to the information Changsheng Sect obtained, he''s extremely talented and possesses a powerful killing weapon, the Eighth-layer Yuan Weapon Hao Tian Sword. You must be very cautious!"


    "Hao Tian Sword? Eighth-layer Yuan Weapon?"


    Xiao Yi arched an eyebrow.


    He could faintly feel within his body, the Demon Sword Zhan Yue trembling with a buzzing sound, conveying emotions of bloodlust and excitement.


    The Zhan Yue was expressing its desire, it was coveting the Hao Tian Sword!


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth upturned slightly, as he communicated with Zhan Yue, "Don''t worry, once I''ve slaughtered Hu Junyi, his Hao Tian Sword will become your feast."


    Zhan Yue buzzed excitedly.


    This was a Demon Weapon capable of consuming other Yuan Weapons to elevate its rank. If it could devour the Hao Tian Sword, Zhan Yue might return to an Eighth-layer level.


    Although Zhan Yue was already a Seventh-layer Yuan Weapon, just one step away from the Eighth-layer.


    Yet the difference between the two was still like that between heaven and earth.


    While Xiao Yi was contemplating how to outwit Hu Junyi and seize the Hao Tian Sword, Su Can and Su Lan also passed by him. They made a throat-slitting gesture at Xiao Yi, their expressions venomous, "Clean your neck and wait for death!"


    As soon as they spoke.


    Su Can and the others did not wait for Xiao Yi''s response and dove into Yunmeng Marsh.


    For a moment.


    More than half of the powerful figures present had shown hostility towards Xiao Yi.


    Yue Shanchuan said with a wry smile, "Xiao, how many people have you offended exactly?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and replied, "I am so pure and righteous, yet they always come looking for trouble with me. What can I do about it?"


    Yue Shanchuan: "..."


    Little Lin: "..."


    High above in the void, Elder Tianku indifferently said, "Are you two not going in yet?"


    "We''re on our way!"


    Xiao Yi and his companion immediately flew towards Yunmeng Marsh and with a hum, entered into its midst.


    For a moment, the light was blinding.


    The formation inside and outside Yunmeng Marsh had been elevated by a notch, becoming even more formidable. Even a supreme being from heaven might not be able to forcibly break in. Elder Tianku and Su Xinghe and the rest had their pupils slightly constricted, "Could it be that someone is manipulating the Array in secret? Otherwise, how could the Formation become stronger just after they entered?"


    Nantian Lie narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Elder Tianku beside him and sneered, "Elder Tianku, the Changsheng Sect employs quite the tactics, planting spies within all factions. I just wonder if there are any of your Changsheng Sect''s people in my Nantian Holy Institute?"


    Su Xinghe and others all turned their gazes toward Elder Tianku.


    Elder Tianku''s lips slightly curled upward as he said indifferently, "What do you think?"


    "Humph!"


    Nantian Lie snorted coldly.


    Yang Dingtian, standing beside him, wore an amused expression and spoke with revulsion, "You heretics should not exist in this world. No matter how many spies you''ve placed, you''ll all end up dead!"


    "Really?"


    Elder Tianku chuckled disdainfully and stated, "Yang Dingtian, it is our Changsheng Sect that represents the true orthodox path of martial arts. You should know who the real heretics are."


    "The true path of martial arts? With you lot?"


    Yang Dingtian laughed scornfully, his eyes full of contempt and mockery, "If you were truly the orthodox path, why would you need to skulk about like rats?"


    Boom!


    Elder Tianku suddenly released a terrifying energy fluctuation, transforming into a sky of Evil Qi that swept in all directions, and he said coldly, "Yang Dingtian, are you seeking to fight against me?"


    "Are you thinking I''m afraid of you?" Yang Dingtian''s voice roared like thunder, resonating powerfully.


    Their momentum actually solidified into substance, like two peaks colliding in the void.


    Loud rumbling sounds.


    Reverberated between heaven and earth.


    A great battle was about to erupt...


    At this moment.


    Su Xinghe suddenly spoke out, "Look quickly..."


    Everyone was taken aback and looked towards the direction of Yunmeng Marsh...


    ��


    Inside Yunmeng Marsh.


    Xiao Yi and others had just passed through the Formation and entered, only to find that the Formation was constantly strengthening.


    The scenery in front of them also kept changing.


    In front of them appeared a bottomless gorge, dark and terrifying, its depth unknown. Nine iron chains spanned above the gorge, many of them hidden among the clouds and fog, occasionally emitting loud clanging sounds when gusts of wind blew past, which was hair-raising. On the other side of the iron chains was the opposite side of the gorge.


    A circular light gate floated in mid-air, swallowing and spitting piercing light.


    Luminous stripes in thousands, radiant paths in ten-thousands.


    Mystical and divine.


    A deep voice simultaneously echoed in everyone''s ears, "Before you lies the Godfall Demon Abyss. Above it, you cannot fly, and you must pass over the chasm by way of the chains to reach the mysterious gate on the opposite side. If anyone falls into the Godfall Demon Abyss below, even those with longevity will face certain death. Beware not to fall into the demon abyss, beware, beware..."


    "What Godfall Demon Abyss, what mysterious heavenly gate? This is nothing but trickery and deception, just an illusion. When we entered just now, there was merely a flat path. I am certain that this is an Illusion Array, and everything before us is but an illusion!" A peak expert from the Tao Tribulation Realm Peak analyzed confidently, and his point was acknowledged by quite a few others.


    Whether outside Yunmeng Marsh or upon first entering this place.


    It indeed had been a flat path.


    There was no Godfall Demon Abyss at all.


    "You make a good point!"


    "But I think we shouldn''t take risks. Should we find someone to test it?"


    "Test it? What if it''s real? Who is willing to take that risk first?"


    For a moment.


    All eyes turned unanimously to Xiao Yi...

 Chapter 733 - 731: Kneel Down and Beg Me!

    Everyone''s gaze shifted to Xiao Yi.


    Clearly, in their view, if someone really had to be the Inquiring Path Stone, it was Xiao Yi, the loner, who was the most suitable.


    Yue Shanchuan''s face turned green with rage as he glared at them and growled, "What are you trying to do?"


    "Yue Shanchuan, I advise you to mind your own business!"


    "Even though you have Elder Tian Ku behind you, this is Yunmeng Marsh. If we want to kill you, Elder Tian Ku can''t save you!"


    Su Can sneered repeatedly, his mocking gaze scrutinizing Xiao Yi as he said in a low voice, "Xiao Yi, are you going to explore the path yourself, or shall we throw you into the Godfall Demon Abyss?"


    "Don''t waste everyone''s time, just obediently go if you don''t want to die!"


    The crowd pressed him from all sides.


    For a moment.


    Xiao Yi had become the target of all.


    Yue Shanchuan''s face showed an anxious look as he stared angrily at the crowd and roared, "I know some of you belong to the Changsheng Sect, and I, Yue Shanchuan, am here to earnestly ask you to protect my brother Xiao Yi!"


    Members of the Changsheng Sect, with their battle power far exceeding those of the same level.


    Yue Shanchuan''s words made the crowd''s expression change; if a strong member from the Changsheng Sect actually took action to protect Xiao Yi, they really wouldn''t be able to continue forcing him to explore the path.


    However...


    "..."


    In the crowd, there was complete silence.


    Not a single person stepped forward.


    Su Lan laughed loudly, "Yue Shanchuan, do you think everyone is as naive as you? Even if there are people from the Changsheng Sect among us, they''ve finally managed to mingle and gain their current status. You expect them to expose their identities for Xiao Yi? Do you think that''s possible?"


    "So naive, so silly!"


    "I really wonder what kind of enchanting drug Xiao Yi has given you that you would protect him like this..."


    Facing the merciless mockery of the people and the indifference of the strong members of Changsheng Sect.


    Yue Shanchuan''s face turned alternately green and white.


    Just as he was about to speak.


    Xiao Yi''s hand landed on his shoulder, the corners of his mouth slightly raised. His playful gaze swept across the crowd as he said, "So, you really want me to explore the path?"


    "Of course!"


    "Would there be any doubt?"


    The crowd took it for granted.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I don''t mind exploring the path, I just hope you won''t regret it later!"


    "Huh?"


    "Regret? Hahaha, we''ll only regret if you don''t have the guts to go up!"


    "What have we got to regret!"


    Watching the cold sneers on everyone''s faces, Xiao Yi nodded lightly and gestured to Yue Shanchuan beside him, "Elder Yue, since they insist on giving us this opportunity, let''s take a trip!"


    "Alright!"


    Yue Shanchuan nodded firmly, "We brothers have come through fire and knife mountains; are we afraid of this damned Godfall Demon Abyss?"


    The two stood side by side, about to step onto the iron chains that spanned the Godfall Demon Abyss.


    But at that moment...


    Su Can''s eyes shifted, revealing a cold and sinister expression, "Wait a moment..."


    "Huh?"


    The crowd looked at Su Can, puzzled.


    With a venomous smile, Su Can said, "If they both go together and actually manage to pass through the Godfall Demon Abyss and enter the mystical gate first, won''t they get to the treasures behind the gate before us?" He paused, looked at Xiao Yi triumphantly, then pointed at Yue Shanchuan. "Let Yue Shanchuan stay behind. Xiao Yi, you explore alone. If you dare to enter the mystical gate on your own, we will kill Yue Shanchuan!"


    "Right, let Yue Shanchuan stay behind!"


    "You go explore by yourself..." the crowd echoed.


    Even the powerful figures from Nantian Holy Institute and Nantian Sacred Land were looking at Xiao Yi, their eyes filled with icy glints.


    It was as if they would attack directly if Xiao Yi and his friend dared to refuse.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, smiled at Yue Shanchuan, and said, "Elder Yue, wait here for a moment, and in a bit, I''ll make them send you off with respect!" S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Alright!"


    Yue Shanchuan exhibited neither hesitation nor doubt, and, like Little Lin, he held a blind trust in Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s mocking gaze swept over everyone''s faces, and as he looked at their smug expressions, the corners of his mouth tilted slightly upward. "Go ahead and gloat! Soon enough, you won''t be laughing anymore!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leaped and landed on the iron chains.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The pitch-black chains vibrated violently, their clamor deafening, as the biting cold wind howled past their ears, causing goosebumps.


    The iron chains swayed from side to side as if they were a swing.


    Fortunately, Xiao Yi''s movement technique was extraordinary. He alighted upon them as lightly as a wild goose, swiftly darting towards the opposite shore with astonishing speed.


    Su Can''s eyes shifted slightly, feigning emotion as he said, "That looks effortless, barely a challenge. Let''s increase the difficulty for him. Only then can we truly assess how perilous the Godfall Demon Abyss is!"


    Yue Shanchuan''s expression changed drastically as he spread his arms to block the path of the iron chains. "Su Can, you''re being way too despicable! Xiao Yi has agreed to scout ahead, and still, you want to harm him?"


    "Yue Shanchuan, I advise you to mind your own business!"


    "Get out of my way!"


    Su Can''s figure flashed. His cultivation was half a step above Yue Shanchuan''s. With a boom, their fists collided. Yue Shanchuan stumbled backward several dozen steps. As Su Can steadied himself, he kicked viciously at the chains, causing a thunderous sound as the entire structure began to sway wildly.


    Xiao Yi, perched upon the chains, nearly plummeted down as his footing vanished.


    His figure had just left the chains.


    Immediately, howls of rage came from below in the Godfall Demon Abyss, the cold winds slicing like knives, instantly cutting through his clothing.


    Luckily, Xiao Yi was nimble.


    He threw his belt from around his waist, entwining it around the chains and pulling himself back onto the tightrope.


    But in that split second...


    His garment was peppered with dozens of marks from the wind blades, and blood rolled down from his palms.


    As Xiao Yi regained his stance, he glared back furiously at Su Can.


    Su Can stood at the edge of the cliff, shrugging his shoulders with an innocent look. "Oh dear, you''re quite agile! You didn''t die from that? Well then, let''s see just how much better your movement technique really is!"


    As he spoke,


    He kicked viciously once more.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The iron chains shook even more violently, the clanging noise deafening.


    Kill intent surged in Xiao Yi''s heart, but he could not turn back now. He clenched his teeth and sped towards the opposite bank with everything he had.


    Watching Xiao Yi''s staggering form, Su Can gloated, "Xiao Yi, if you can''t hold on any longer, you can kneel down and beg me. I might kick a little softer!"


    "Ha-ha-ha, are you telling him to kneel on the chains?"


    "I''m afraid he''d be dead the moment he knelt down..."


    "Xiao Yi, you might as well just kneel down and beg us!"


    Xiao Yi ignored the jeers and provocations from the crowd.


    He rushed forward with the greatest speed.


    Moments later, Xiao Yi finally reached the opposite side, his body covered in numerous wounds. If not for the resiliency of his Wind Thunder Holy Body, the fierce winds within the Godfall Demon Abyss could have easily torn him to pieces.


    "Xiao Yi, not bad at all!"


    "We''ll note your great accomplishment -- we''ll even leave your entire corpse intact later!"


    Everyone laughed.


    But as Xiao Yi landed, there was no pause. A cruel smile played at the corners of his mouth. In a flash, his Demon Sword, Moon Cutter, was in his hand. As Su Can and others watched in astonishment, eight sword lights split the sky.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Beneath the onslaught of the sword lights,


    Of the nine chains, eight were severed!


    Only a solitary chain remained, stretched lonely across the Godfall Demon Abyss.


    Su Can: "..."


    Su Lan: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Xiao Yi, holding the Moon Cutter in one hand, stood proudly before the lone chain, and with a crooked grin, he gestured to Su Can and the others. "Want to come over? Kneel down and beg me!"

 Chapter 734 - 732: The Entire Army is Annihilated!

    "Want to come over? Kneel down and beg me!"


    Xiao Yi stood on the opposite side of the Godfall Demon Abyss, with only the last iron chain remaining in front of him, rattling in the cold wind.


    The corners of his mouth curled up slightly.


    The demon sword in his hand was swallowing blood-red sharpness.


    On the opposite bank, Su Can and the others all had incredibly ugly expressions. Previously, when they forced Xiao Yi to scout ahead, they had shaken the iron chains repeatedly in the same manner and tone, demanding Xiao Yi to kneel and beg them.


    But now...


    The roles were reversed.


    The one in control was Xiao Yi.


    At this moment...


    Su Can and the others were filled with immense regret.


    One by one, the strong figures glared furiously at Su Can, venting their rage with roars: "Look what you''ve done. If you hadn''t made Xiao Yi scout ahead, how could it have come to this?"


    "Su Can, you must take responsibility for this!"


    "Damn it, now there''s only one iron chain left, we must not let Xiao Yi cut it off!"


    "Su Can, this whole affair started because of you, you must handle it properly, otherwise don''t blame us for being rude!"


    The crowd glared angrily, roaring incessantly at Su Can.


    This caused Su Can''s face to fluctuate between pale and flush, looking extremely awkward. Intending to use this opportunity to eliminate Xiao Yi, he instead found himself completely at Xiao Yi''s mercy. Truly a case of stealing chickens without managing to lose the rice, besides making Su Can feel a burning pain on his face as if he had been fiercely slapped dozens of times. He took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with venomous light.


    A chilling murderous intent locked onto Yue Shanchuan.


    Xiao Yi, noticing Su Can''s malicious gaze, shouted loudly, "Listen to me, if anyone dares to hurt a single hair on Old Yue, I will immediately cut off this chain."


    "You..."


    "Don''t be impulsive!"


    "Xiao Yi, stay calm, we definitely won''t hurt him..." the crowd hastily shouted.


    Among the crowd.


    Ye Ling, with her eyes as bright as stars, stared intently at Su Can, saying in a clear, cold, and ethereal voice, "Su Can, you''d best not act recklessly. If you enrage Xiao Yi enough to cut the chains, none of us will be able to accomplish the task assigned from above."


    Su Can''s complexion changed unpredictably.


    He had not anticipated that after all his meticulous scheming, Xiao Yi could still turn the tables and seize the initiative.


    Whoosh!


    Su Can exhaled fiercely, fixing his gaze on Xiao Yi: "Xiao Yi, what exactly do you want?"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up slightly, saying, "You''re not worthy to talk to me, let the people from the holy land and the imperial families come out!"


    "You..."


    Su Can''s face was filled with humiliation, looking extremely unsightly.


    He was, after all, the first young talent of Galaxy Valley.


    Xiao Yi actually said he was not worthy to talk?


    "Shut your mouth!"


    From within the crowd, a red-haired young man from Nantian Holy Institute shouted coldly.


    A cold breath covered the ground around them with a layer of frost.


    This person stepped forward.


    His eyes glowed sharply, and his brows were as sharp as sword edges, each hair as defined as a sword filament �� this was a master of swordsmanship. His appearance immediately startled the crowd, and even Su Can did not dare to say more: "This is Hu Junyi, the top figure of Nantian Holy Institute''s outer court."


    "Hu Junyi, with a Natural Sword Body, is said to have pulled out his own spine to observe and learn during his Manifestation of Dharma. His spine is like a dragon, his form like a sword; he once slaughtered an Earth Venerate Realm expert with a single slash!"


    The crowd revealed expressions of shock.


    This was the Nantian Holy Institute''s top figure of the outer court, whose strength was formidable, even compared to Xiao Yi.


    Hu Junyi stared at Xiao Yi, saying, "Xiao Yi, you can state any conditions you have!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up slightly, saying, "First demand, let Old Yue come over first!"


    "No problem!"


    Hu Junyi agreed after a moment of silence. After all, Yue Shanchuan was backed by Elder Tianku��were they to harm Yue Shanchuan now, Elder Tianku would certainly not let them off once they left the Cloud Dream Temple. It was better to use him as a bargaining chip with Xiao Yi. Then he continued asking, "Any other conditions?"


    Xiao Yi nodded, revealing a cold sneer, and his icy gaze swept over Su Can and the others. sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Clang!


    Su Can''s face abruptly changed.


    He felt an intensely strong sense of unease.


    As if to confirm his suspicions, Xiao Yi said nonchalantly, "I find the people from Galaxy Valley particularly disagreeable. My second condition is the annihilation of everyone in Galaxy Valley!"


    Hiss!


    As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of sharp intakes of breath could be heard from the crowd.


    These sounds naturally came from Su Can and the other strong members of Galaxy Valley.


    Su Lan''s face turned deathly pale as she looked at the equally grave Su Can beside her, "Big brother, what should we do?"


    With a dark expression, Su Can clenched his teeth and said, "Don''t panic... The Valley Master is just outside, they surely wouldn''t risk offending him..."


    Before he could finish,


    Hu Junyi shattered his illusion, saying, "Galaxy Valley is nothing but a trifle. I can agree to your condition!"


    Ye Ling glanced at the mysterious young man in the crowd, then nodded and said, "No problem!"


    Su Can: "..."


    Su Lan: "..."


    The strong members of Galaxy Valley: "..."


    They stared, dumbfounded, like deer in headlights, at the people encircling them like hungry wolves, their faces displaying colors of utter despair.


    Gulp!


    Su Can swallowed hard, his teeth clenched, as he glared at Ye Ling and Hu Junyi, venom in his eyes, "Hu Junyi, Ye Ling... Galaxy Valley has no grudges against you. Do you truly intend to wipe us out entirely? Don''t forget, behind Galaxy Valley stands a power of the Earth Venerate Realm, and our Valley Master is right outside..."


    "Galaxy Valley? Counts for nothing!"


    "Killing you ensures our passage through the Godfall Demon Abyss, why wouldn''t we do it!"


    Ye Ling waved her delicate finger with a look of impatience, and emotionlessly commanded, "Start!"


    "Kill!"


    Everyone pounced on the members of Galaxy Valley at the same time.


    Amid the wails of agony,


    Over a thousand strong members of Galaxy Valley fell like wilting flowers, one after another, under the onslaught.


    In that moment,


    Only Su Can was left. He looked at Su Lan who lay dead before him, his eyes filled with despair. He glared at Xiao Yi, roaring, "Xiao Yi, I won''t let you off even as a ghost..."


    Boom!


    Hu Junyi threw a punch.


    With a bang,


    It landed squarely on Su Can''s forehead.


    Su Can''s body jerked, his head exploding like a watermelon, spattering blood and flesh all around. Till death, he could hardly believe that he, so full of self-confidence, who thought he could slay Xiao Yi and avenge Su Qi and Su Yi, had, in the end, orchestrated his own and the over a thousand elite members of Galaxy Valley''s downfall.


    Equally enraged was Su Xinghe, outside of Yunmeng Marsh.


    "No..."


    Su Xinghe, with a fierce expression, looked up and howled, his eyes bloodshot as if they would spurt blood.


    These were the elite of Galaxy Valley''s younger generation.


    The hope for the future.


    Yet, they had been completely annihilated upon entering Yunmeng Marsh.


    It was almost as if the future of Galaxy Valley had been severed!


    "Xiao Yi, you won''t die a good death..." Su Xinghe''s eyes, filled with resentment, were fixed on Xiao Yi. He was desperate to break through the Barrier Formation and slaughter Xiao Yi into a thousand pieces.


    "Valley Master Su, please calm down!"


    Long Sihai quickly stepped forward to speak, "Valley Master Su, as Xiao Yi is still within the barrier, we are unable to deal with him for now. Let him enjoy a little while longer. Once Yunmeng Marsh is broken through, it won''t be too late to deal with him then!"


    "Hmph!"


    Su Xinghe snorted coldly.


    Among those who had just taken action were also members of the royalty from Nantian Holy Institute, yet he was helpless against them.


    Neither Nantian Holy Institute nor Nantian itself was something Galaxy Valley could contend with.


    All his hatred had to be directed at Xiao Yi.


    "Xiao Yi, if I don''t kill you, I, Su Xinghe, swear I am not a human being!" Su Xinghe''s face was grim.


    Long Sihai''s lips slightly curled upwards as he looked towards Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, let''s see how long you can keep hopping around!"

 Chapter 735 - 733: Not listening to good advice leads to immediate loss!

    On the banks of Godfall Demon Abyss.


    Hu Junyi''s gaze remained calm, betraying no signs of just having killed a thousand people. He spoke placidly, "Xiao Yi, I have followed your request and slain everyone from Galaxy Valley. Can we cross over now?"


    Xiao Yi smiled, "Let Yue go first!"


    "Alright!"


    Hu Junyi nodded.


    Yue Shanchuan chuckled and leapt onto the iron chains.


    He sprinted at top speed to the other side of the Godfall Demon Abyss.


    The two joined up.


    Xiao Yi gave him a look and said, "Yue, you go into the Mysterious Heavenly Portal first!"


    "Huh?"


    Yue Shanchuan hesitated, then eagerly suggested, "Why not cut these chains directly to block their path into the Mysterious Heavenly Portal?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "Don''t ask too much, just go quickly!"


    "Alright then."


    After a moment''s hesitation, Yue Shanchuan didn''t insist any longer and dashed towards the Mysterious Heavenly Portal.


    Watching Yue Shanchuan enter the Mysterious Heavenly Portal.


    Hu Junyi and the others were not in a hurry, just calmly watching Xiao Yi, "Can we cross over now?"


    Xiao Yi smiled again, "Of course, you can!"


    Whoosh!


    His figure darted away, vanishing into the Mysterious Heavenly Portal in an instant.


    Everyone was eager to race across, but seeing that Ye Ling and Hu Junyi did not move, they dared not act rashly.


    Ye Ling''s eyebrows rose slightly as she questioned, "Don''t you think Xiao Yi''s demands were too simple? With the control he has now, he could have kept making demands. But instead, he just left?"


    Hu Junyi also frowned slightly.


    After hesitating for a moment.


    He glanced at a Tao Tribulation Realm expert beside him and, with a quick move of his hand, grabbed and, despite the other''s pleas, mercilessly flung him into the Godfall Demon Abyss.


    "No... help..."


    That expert screamed desperately as he fell into the Godfall Demon Abyss.


    He yelled and struggled madly.


    Surrounding him, countless wild storms transformed into demons capable of devouring everything, engulfing him in the blink of an eye.


    However...


    It was but a moment later.


    Bang!


    With a muffled sound,


    this Tao Tribulation Realm expert slammed hard onto the ground. He looked at his body, dumbfounded. There were no wounds, no deadly peril?


    "I... I''m not dead?"


    Overjoyed, the Tao Tribulation Realm expert flew back to the shore, laughing and calling out to Hu Junyi and the others with the relief of having survived a calamity, "I''m not dead, hahaha, this Godfall Demon Abyss is fake, it''s just an illusion. Look, there''s not a scratch on me��"


    Before he could finish.


    A cold hand landed on the top of his head.


    Fingers tightened.


    Bang!


    His head was crushed with a squeeze.


    Hu Junyi flicked the fresh blood off his hands, his expression turning exceedingly ugly.


    Ye Ling, too, had a pale face of iron.


    They had never imagined that this Godfall Demon Abyss was entirely fake!


    "But something''s not right... When Xiao Yi fell from the chains earlier, he was clearly covered in wounds..."


    "Could this Illusion Array only affect the first person?"


    Everyone looked confused.


    Ye Ling''s face darkened as she sneered, "We''ve all been played by Xiao Yi. This Godfall Demon Abyss is nothing but an illusion, Xiao Yi must have faked his injuries himself. No wonder he only asked us to kill the people from Galaxy Valley and didn''t press us too hard, fearing that if he pushed us too far, we''d all rush over and see through the illusion..."


    "What a scheme, Xiao Yi... he''s been toying with us all along..."


    "The saddest lot is Galaxy Valley, over a thousand people, none left..."


    The group looked at Su Can and the others'' corpses, their faces filled with pity.


    Outside Yunmeng Marsh.


    Su Xinghe''s face had turned green.


    Dammit!


    More than a thousand of the most elite young warriors from the Galaxy Valley, just like that, annihilated by an Illusion Array.


    His hatred for Xiao Yi pierced the heavens!


    Ye Ling''s lips curled into a slight, beautiful, and alluring smile. Her charming laugh, although tinged with a bone-chilling murderous intent, said, "Well played, Xiao Yi... No one has ever dared to toy with me like this. You''ve succeeded in angering me."


    Hu Junyi also sneered continuously, "What an interesting opponent! Ye Ling, don''t you dare fight me for him. I''ve got dibs on Xiao Yi''s head!"


    "That depends on whether you''ve got the skills to back it up!" Ye Ling replied with a smile.


    The host of strong warriors no longer hesitated, swiftly making their way across.


    One by one, they landed on the opposite shore.


    Rushing towards the mysterious gates of heaven and earth.


    Meanwhile.


    On the other end of the mysterious gates, Yue Shanchuan had just learned the truth from Xiao Yi. He looked at Xiao Yi, completely dumbfounded, "Holy shit, I suddenly feel that Su Can and the rest died so unjustly! Just an illusion, and over a thousand people from Galaxy Valley... all dead. Thank God I''m not your enemy; otherwise, I wouldn''t even know how I died!"


    "Cut the crap, watch your step very carefully. This is not an illusion!"


    Xiao Yi said somberly.


    The two of them were walking on a web of chains, resembling a spider''s web, with a dark vortex underneath them, slowly spinning.


    Within the vortex, one could faintly see sinister tentacles waving about.


    On the other side of the large web of chains was an ancient colosseum, known as the Death Colosseum.


    At this moment...


    Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan were cautiously heading for the Death Colosseum.


    The two had only made it halfway when a series of enraged roars erupted from behind them: "Xiao Yi is over here..."


    "Liar, don''t you run!"


    "Damn you, Xiao Yi, to think you dared to treat us like monkeys! I want your life..."


    One strong warrior after another rushed forward speedily.


    Xiao Yi immediately stopped in his tracks, wobbling from side to side a few times. The tentacles in the black vortex below began to stir violently, as if extremely excited. Xiao Yi shouted, "Wait... don''t be rash, this place isn''t like the Godfall Demon Abyss Illusion Array, this is really deadly..."


    Yue Shanchuan also added seriously, "It''s really deadly. Once you fall down, that''s it."


    The crowd frowned slightly. sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking down at the spider-web chain under their feet, and the dark, seemingly bottomless vortex below, with black tentacles squirming like the claws of demons, it was indeed hair-raising.


    "Could this be real?" Everyone began to feel something in their hearts.


    Hu Junyi snorted coldly, "Are you all idiots? Did you forget what just happened in the Godfall Demon Abyss? Don''t fall for this little bastard''s words..."


    "Exactly, we can''t be fooled again!"


    "Didn''t getting played by him once already feel like enough?"


    "You''re right, this must be another one of his schemes, don''t trust him..."


    No sooner had these words fallen...


    Than suddenly, hundreds of strong warriors took the lead, charging onto the spider-web chain bridge.


    Clang clang clang!


    The entire web shook violently, and the chains crashed against one another, sparking blinding firelight and a deafening roar.


    Xiao Yi''s face changed drastically; he turned to Yue Shanchuan, "Hold onto the chains tight, don''t fall off!"


    The two clung onto the chains with their hands and feet.


    But those hundreds of warriors, due to their high speed, many failed to adapt to the shaking chains and fell down, plummeting towards the vortex below. Hu Junyi was confident, shouting, "Don''t fear, it''s just an illusion. Just fly back up once you land..."


    His words were cut off abruptly.


    From the center of the black vortex, those pitch-black tentacles wildly reached out.


    Swish swish swish!


    One after another, the warriors were grasped by the tentacles and pulled into the vortex.


    In just the blink of an eye...


    They turned into skeletons, spewing out and hanging from the chains.


    Hiss!


    Everyone gasped in shock, their bodies rigid, as if they had been hit by a Binding Spell, standing rooted to the spot, not daring to move forward anymore.


    In that split second.


    Already, over a hundred people were dead!


    Xiao Yi sighed, looking at Hu Junyi with regret, "Disregarding good advice, suffering is right in front of you."


    Slap slap slap!


    Hu Junyi''s face turned from green to white, as if he had been slapped dozens of times, he opened his mouth but was unable to speak...

 Chapter 736 - 734: Just One Finger! [First Update]

    Hu Junyi''s face turned from green to white.


    It was as if someone had viciously slapped him dozens of times.


    The slaps to his face were indeed ferocious.


    The gazes of the gathered powerhouses landed on him, thick with doubt and reproach.


    If it weren''t for his loud shouts not to believe Xiao Yi''s words, they wouldn''t have swarmed up like a hive, resulting in the sacrifice of over a hundred people for nothing.


    Ye Ling looked coldly at Hu Junyi. Just now, three powerful fighters from the Nantian Holy Institute had also fallen into the vortex below, devoured by those terrifying tentacles, making her face look extremely ugly. "The number one person of the Nantian Holy Institute''s outer court? Hmph, that''s all there is to it. To be played by Xiao Yi over and over again..."


    Hu Junyi: "..."


    Ye Ling''s words were completely a post-mortem scolding!


    It made his face grow even uglier, but he didn''t dare to retort against Ye Ling.


    After all...


    Ye Ling represented the Nantian Holy Land.


    What''s more.


    The mysterious youth who had never shown his face behind Ye Ling was someone Hu Junyi was very wary of; he seemed to have an extremely terrifying energy fluctuating around him.


    Although the other party suppressed it very well.


    Hu Junyi could still sense it.


    He snorted coldly.


    Hu Junyi glared at Xiao Yi with venomous eyes and gritted his teeth, "Xiao Yi, have the guts not to run!"


    "Are you stupid?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, his face speaking volumes of incredulity, "Should I stand here waiting for you to catch me rather than run?"


    Hu Junyi''s face turned as black as coal.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, smiling, "I''ll be leaving first!"


    His figure darted away.


    Like a nimble swallow in flight, skimming the water like a dragonfly, his toes barely touching the iron chains before moving away, he weaved through the iron chain network like a wild goose. This iron chain net was much more stable than those above the Godfall Demon Abyss, allowing Xiao Yi to run at a surprising speed. Of course, this was also because he was burdened by the fool Yue Shanchuan.


    If not for that.


    With his speed, he could have doubled it at least!


    After a dozen breaths.


    Xiao Yi had already arrived on the other side of the iron chain net, but this time he did not cut the chains again.


    After all...


    There were hundreds, if not thousands, of iron chains.


    The thinnest was as thick as a baby''s arm, and the thickest was as wide as an adult''s thigh.


    They were all forged from black iron.


    Even if Xiao Yi used his Moon-Slaying Slash, he feared he would not be able to break through them quickly.


    Before him stood a huge and ancient colosseum. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was entirely circular.


    Ninety-nine stone pillars surrounded the arena. Directly in front of Xiao Yi and his company was the entrance to the colosseum, its door tightly shut with chains. Above the doorway, a large black plaque with blood-drenched writing sent shivers down one''s spine��Death Colosseum!


    The five characters were dripping with blood, vividly red.


    On either side of the gate stood an iron statue, each ten zhang tall with eyes closed.


    With arms crossed in front of their chests, they held a black iron sword.


    Majestic and imposing.


    "Xiao Yi, look!" Yue Shanchuan suddenly pointed ahead.


    There was a small stele in front of the door.


    Xiao Yi glanced at it, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and his figure flashed, positioning himself in front of the stele. At this moment, Hu Junyi and the others also arrived in front of the Death Colosseum''s gate. Tens of thousands of powerful figures eyeing them hungrily, their resentful and ferocious gazes fixed tightly on Xiao Yi.


    From the very beginning.


    Everyone looked down on Xiao Yi.


    But...


    As soon as they entered Yunmeng Marsh, they suffered successive losses at the hands of Xiao Yi.


    It was like a county''s richest man who scorned a pedestrian on the street, only to find out the next second that even the city''s wealthiest was inferior to this passerby.


    This feeling made them extremely irritated.


    As if they had been slapped across the face.


    "Heh, Xiao Yi, I''d like to see where you can run to now!" sneered Hu Junyi with a hideous look on his face.


    Ye Ling''s face was expressionless, but her eyes were cold as ice, staring at Xiao Yi with a predatory gaze.


    Not to mention other powerhouses.


    "Now you''ve got no way to heaven and no door into the earth, so you might as well surrender without a fight!"


    "The royal bounty for you isn''t low, Xiao Yi. If you don''t want to die, kneel down and kowtow in apology to us!"


    Powerhouses threatened him with confidence.


    In their eyes...


    Xiao Yi had no way out, and there was no possibility for him to fight back when faced with so many powerhouses, especially when he was only at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak.


    Hu Junyi suddenly spoke up, arms crossed over his chest, looking at Xiao Yi with a gloating expression: "His Majesty has decreed that whoever kills you will receive a seventh-grade longevity spirit!"


    True enough.


    Upon hearing that Xiao Yi''s life was worth a seventh-grade longevity spirit, most powerhouses'' expressions changed.


    Even the powerhouses from the Nantian Holy Institute narrowed their eyes.


    Although only the Nantian Holy Institute in the entire Southern State controlled the longevity spirits, not every powerhouse of the Nantian Holy Institute was eligible to receive a longevity spirit, let alone a seventh-grade one. Such high-level longevity spirits were reserved for the true disciples of the Nantian Holy Institute or those above.


    Like Ye Ling...


    She could easily crush the top ten of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, but when it came time for her to break through the Longevity Secret Realm, she would at most receive a fifth-grade or sixth-grade longevity spirit.


    Suddenly hearing that a seventh-grade longevity spirit was the reward,


    Even Ye Ling''s eyes lit up.


    Xiao Yi''s crimson tongue licked his lips, taking in everyone''s gaze. In their eyes, he was a living, breathing longevity spirit. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, with a mocking smile. He asked, "All of you want to kill me, but I only have one head��who should I give it to?"


    "Your life is mine!"


    A cold voice suddenly sounded as a figure burst out from the crowd.


    This person came from the Treasure Pavilion of the Nantian Dynasty.


    With cultivation reaching the Seventh Nirvana Realm, his eyes were glowing with heat and greed, carrying a pair of purple-gold Wind Thunder hammers. As he swung them, they sounded a thunderous toll, deafening to hear.


    "Don''t even think about competing with me!"


    "His life is mine!"


    "The longevity spirit is mine..."


    Powerhouses made their moves simultaneously.


    Ye Ling also seemed tempted but was stopped by a mysterious young man who shook his head at her, saying in a low voice from beneath his cloak: "Something''s not right!"


    "Huh?"


    Ye Ling was taken aback and looked towards Xiao Yi.


    Seeing that Xiao Yi, faced with the onslaught of hundreds of powerhouses, still appeared indifferent, and recalling the previous encounters, she also halted her steps.


    Faced with the attack of the crowd, Xiao Yi slowly raised his right hand, holding up one finger, and said indifferently, "You really don''t learn your lesson. Have you forgotten the lessons from the Godfall Demon Abyss and the iron chains? Still want to kill me? Believe it or not, with just one finger, all of you will have to account for your actions here?"


    "Arrogant!"


    "Ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!"


    "Among these hundreds of geniuses, who isn''t stronger than you? Even if you put forth all your effort, you couldn''t possibly defeat us, let alone think of killing all of us with one finger?"


    "Delusional..."


    The crowd rebuked him.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved upwards, holding up one finger towards the people and spoke slowly: "Kill!"

 Chapter 737 - 735 Death Colosseum [Second Update]

    "Kill!"


    Just one simple word.


    Accompanied by Xiao Yi standing proudly, he pointed a finger forward.


    However...


    The world was calm and still.


    The crowd burst into laughter, "Is this the deadly move you spoke of? Hahaha, you''re killing me with laughter!"


    "Idiot, it doesn''t matter if it''s one finger or hundreds, there''s no way you can..."


    Amidst their mockery.


    Suddenly...


    When they were about a hundred meters from the Death Colosseum, the two giant iron men standing on either side of the Colosseum''s gates simultaneously opened their eyes, which were as red as rubies, radiating cold sharpness. With a clang, the two iron giants stepped forward amidst the booming, heavy sounds.


    Both iron giants swung their black iron swords at the same time, moving towards the more than a hundred strong men.


    "What the hell is this?"


    "Damn it, what a terrifying power..."


    "Damn it, these are puppets comparable to the Human Venerate Realm... What''s going on? Why are they attacking us?"


    One after another, the strong men looked on in despair as the two iron giants cut into their ranks.


    Black iron swords.


    In the hands of the iron giants, they seemed as light as feathers. With every swing, there was a wooshing sound of tearing through the air. The sword''s edge ripped through the void, and amidst the deafening roars, the shining black sword light suddenly burst forth.


    Like a black iron torrent.


    Wherever it passed...


    The bodies of the strong men were shattered to pieces, massacred.


    These two entities were nothing but combat puppets.


    Killing machines!


    The several hundred men who had attacked Xiao Yi all fell within seconds, dropping dead under the slash of those black iron swords.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    After cutting down the several hundred men, the iron giants slowly returned to their places in front of the Death Colosseum.


    Thud!


    Thud!


    With their bloodstained iron swords planted in the ground, they rested their hands on them.


    And closed their glowing red eyes once more.


    Gulp!


    Everyone inhaled sharply, staring at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "What the hell is going on? Why did these two iron giants suddenly attack us?"


    "Could it be because we got too close to the Colosseum?"


    "Impossible, Xiao Yi is even closer to the Colosseum than we are..."


    For a moment.


    All eyes turned to Hu Junyi, "Hu Junyi, you owe us an explanation!"


    "You''re right, if you hadn''t prodded us to take action against Xiao Yi, we would not have ended up like this..."


    Facing everyone''s accusations, Hu Junyi turned ashen.


    His eyes bloodshot, it was indeed Hu Junyi who had incited the few hundred people to move against Xiao Yi. As it turned out, Xiao Yi remained unscathed while those who acted against him were slaughtered by the two iron giants. The normally unstoppable Hu Junyi was eating humble pie for the third time because of Xiao Yi.


    Phew!


    Hu Junyi could not help but exhale a long breath of foul air. His eyes darting, he recalled everything that had just happened and fixed a cold stare on Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, did you know beforehand that these two iron men would attack if anyone made a move outside the Death Colosseum?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and smiled, "I''ve warned you all along not to take action against me, otherwise you wouldn''t even know how you died. But you refused to believe my words and went to your deaths for nothing, what can I do about that?"


    While speaking.


    Xiao Yi stepped aside, exposing the stele to everyone''s sight.


    "..."


    Seeing the prohibition order on the stele, everyone''s faces turned pale.


    The stele clearly displayed the prohibition order.


    No private fighting was permitted inside or outside the Death Colosseum.


    Otherwise, the enforcers would deliver severe punishment! sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You..."


    Looking at Xiao Yi''s innocent expression and light smile.


    Hu Junyi was so angry he could barely contain himself, his face dark enough to drip with water, "Good, very good, a fine Xiao Yi... If I don''t kill you, I swear I''m not human!"


    Ye Ling and the others looked equally ugly.


    Who could have thought that Xiao Yi would actually block the Stele?


    If Xiao Yi hadn''t deliberately blocked the Stele, would they have taken action after seeing the prohibition order?


    From beginning to end...


    This was a trap dug by Xiao Yi!


    And yet they did not learn from the lessons of the previous two challenges, obediently jumping in themselves, falling for Xiao Yi''s scheme, and sending hundreds of lives to their deaths.


    "What a vicious Xiao Yi..."


    "This man is truly too cunning; his words must not be trusted..."


    The gaze everyone directed at Xiao Yi was filled not only with furious resentment but even more with deep wariness.


    Ever since entering Yunmeng Marsh.


    All along the way, Xiao Yi had not made a move, yet the result was that he effortlessly eliminated more than a thousand enemies from Galaxy Valley, followed by successive ambushes on almost a thousand strong fighters seeking his life. Among these were talents from the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm like Su Can and Su Lan, and gifted warriors from various powers.


    After all...


    The ones chosen to be sent to Yunmeng Marsh were indeed the elite of various forces.


    At the same time.


    Outside Yunmeng Marsh.


    Elder Tianku burst into hearty laughter, his mocking gaze sweeping over everyone as he said with a smile, "Interesting, truly interesting! So these are the elite of the Nantian Dynasty? That''s all there is to it? They''ve been played like a fiddle by just one person, Xiao Yi!"


    "Hmph!"


    Nantian Lie''s eyes twitched, his face terrible to behold.


    Yang Dingtian''s face was black as coal; his Nantian holy land had also lost a dozen lives to Xiao Yi''s scheme.


    Su Xinghe, however, breathed a sigh of relief.


    At least, it wasn''t just his Galaxy Valley suffering!


    Other forces'' elites from the Longevity Secret Realm also wore hateful expressions, wishing to tear Xiao Yi into a thousand pieces, "Xiao Yi... This little bastard, if the barriers of Yunmeng Marsh are lifted later, I''m definitely taking his life!"


    "Rest assured, he won''t live that long!"


    "If he comes out alive, even if it means offending Elder Tianku, I shall kill him myself!"


    One formidable figure after another spoke with venomous fury.


    This made Little Lin, who was standing nearby, tremble, looking nervously around and almost on the verge of tears, "Boss, boss, please be more careful! We already have enough enemies as it is. If this goes on, I''m afraid I''ll be swallowed alive before you return..."


    Despite saying this.


    But as Little Lin watched Xiao Yi pit everyone against each other, his eyes were filled with excitement and pride.


    Inside Yunmeng Marsh.


    Standing before the Death Colosseum.


    Everyone gazed at the Stele, which, in addition to the prohibition order, had rules regarding the Death Colosseum.


    Those who enter the Death Colosseum will be divided into different teams of a hundred people each.


    Each time, two teams will enter the central arena of the Death Colosseum, and the competition will be a capture-the-flag event. The team that seizes the opponent''s flag while protecting their own, and brings it back to their side, will be victorious and pass through this challenge of the Colosseum.


    If they fail, they will be eliminated.


    Looking at the rules on the Stele.


    Excitement and elation appeared on everyone''s faces, "Hahaha, a hundred people to a team? I like this kind of mode!"


    "Tsk tsk, some people are afraid they won''t even be able to form a team!"


    For a moment.


    The crowd''s mocking and sneering gaze fell on Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan.


    Hu Junyi laughed coldly, arms crossed over his chest, smug on his face, "Xiao Yi, you can kneel and beg me. Maybe I''ll take pity on you and let you join our team!"


    "Or beg me! As long as you crawl through my legs, I''ll let you join our team..."


    "Hahaha, clean my shoes, and we can squeeze out a spot for you!"


    The crowd chimed in.


    Yue Shanchuan''s face was grim as he turned to Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, what should we do?"


    There were only two of them, not nearly enough to form a team!


    Moreover...


    Given their relationship with everyone else, even if they managed to form a team, they would have to guard against the opposition and even their own teammates.


    Facing the mocking glares of the crowd and Yue Shanchuan''s anxious inquiry, Xiao Yi''s lips curved up slightly, confident as he smiled, "Don''t worry, I have a plan!"

 Chapter 738 - 736: Ruthless Betrayal [Third Update]

    "No rush, I have my ways!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a slight smile as he looked at the crowd and said, "Are you sure you don''t want me to join your team? Don''t regret it later!"


    "Regret? Are you kidding?"


    "No matter which team you join, a tragic defeat is certain. Who would dare to let you in?"


    "Let me tell you the truth! When I said I''d let you join my team if you crawled under my crotch, I was actually deceiving you. If someone like you, a jinx, really did that, I''d be worried I''d end up unlucky too!" As the crowd mocked him, they had already begun forming teams.


    One hundred people made a team.


    In the end, there were as many as two hundred and three teams.


    It just so happened that there was no place for Xiao Yi, Yue Shanchuan, and three youths from the Chai Family.


    The Chai Family controlled the mining resources.


    Their family was immensely wealthy.


    But...


    They had few strong warriors in their clan.


    Moreover, all those who were able to send people into Yunmeng Marsh were first-rate forces in the Nantian Dynasty, much more powerful than the Chai Family. They naturally looked down on the three Chai youths, who at best had only reached the Fivefold Nirvana Realm. The three looked at each other, and one of the youths, Chai Yi, who had a young-looking face, proposed, "Why don''t we team up with Xiao Yi?"


    "Don''t be ridiculous!"


    Another youth with a cold demeanor, Chai Sheng, scoffed, "Xiao Yi can''t even protect himself. Joining his team would be suicide, wouldn''t it?"


    "Even if I had to go alone, it would still be better than being in a team with him!" Chai Tong said, curling his lip.


    Chai Yi hesitated for a moment, then said, "I think we can give it a try!"


    "If you want to go, go!"


    "Don''t say we didn''t warn you when you end up dead without knowing how you died..." the two Chai Tong ridiculed.


    Chai Yi took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and approached Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, can I, can I join your team?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, curiously looking at Chai Yi, "Are you from the Chai Family? There is some history between your family and me, so there''s no problem with you joining my team, but... aren''t you afraid?"


    "There''s nothing to be afraid of, it''s just death either way!"


    Chai Yi gave a bitter smile. He knew from the moment he entered Yunmeng Marsh that this journey was very likely a deadly one, "Compared to them, I feel I can trust you more!"


    "Oh? And why is that?" Xiao Yi asked curiously.


    Chai Yi hesitated, then looked at Xiao Yi with earnest eyes and said, "Back in the Godfall Demon Abyss, after you crossed the iron chain bridge, you could have left on your own. But you still chose to let Yue Shanchuan come over and even let him go first. I think it''s much better to be your friend than your enemy!"


    Whether it was Ye Ling or Hu Junyi.


    When faced with the Godfall Demon Abyss and the chain net, they both thought of having others take the lead.


    Only Xiao Yi never abandoned his companions!


    Yue Shanchuan nodded and smiled, "You''re not wrong. Being with this guy, there''s always countless troubles, but he is someone you can entrust with your back!"


    To entrust one''s back to another.


    In this ruthless world, even real brothers might not be able to do so.


    Chai Yi felt even more assured that his choice was right.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Welcome to our team!"


    "Thank you!"


    Chai Yi said earnestly. Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yue Shanchuan pointed at Chai Tong and the other, "Aren''t those two also from your Chai Family? Are they not coming?"


    Chai Yi made an embarrassed sound and looked awkward.


    Chai Tong had just spent ten billion silver to secure two spots for himself and was looking smugly at Chai Yi, "Chai Yi, there''s still a chance for you to see the light if you want to!"


    Chai Sheng sneered, "Don''t mind him. His brain must have been squashed by a door to actually choose to be on a team with someone like Xiao Yi..."


    Chai Yi looked at Xiao Yi, feeling awkward.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and laughed, "To each their own!"


    Meanwhile.


    The two powerhouses who had been squeezed out of the team because Chai Sheng and the others had paid for slots came over with embarrassed expressions, tentatively asking, "Xiao, Xiao Yi, can we join your team?"


    Yue Shanchuan sneered, "Didn''t you just say you''d rather die than be on our team?"


    The black-haired youth, Wu Jian, hesitated for a moment, then, with an apologetic look, said, "I apologize for my actions earlier!"


    The other young powerhouse, Wu You, frowned, his eyes carrying a deep disdain, well concealed, as he also bowed his head and said, "I, too, apologize and hope you can take us in!"


    Yue Shanchuan looked at Xiao Yi and transmitted his voice, "I''m afraid they''ll cause trouble in secret, what do you think?"


    "No worries, in the face of absolute strength, any scheming is illusory!"


    Xiao Yi smiled confidently, nodded, and said, "Welcome to join us!"


    In an instant.


    Xiao Yi''s side formed a team of five.


    The other two hundred or so teams were all groups of a hundred.


    Hu Junyi watched Wu You enter Xiao Yi''s team, the corners of his mouth slightly raised with a cold smirk of triumph. Clearing his throat, he said with a half-smile, "I am now longing to be grouped with you guys!"


    "Hahaha, there should be no one who doesn''t wish to be grouped with them, right?"


    "Whoever encounters Xiao Yi''s team is sure to win without a fight!"


    The crowd all remarked.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled slightly upward, and he sneered, "You think you can win without a fight just by being in the same group as me? I think you''re daydreaming!"


    "You��"


    All of their faces darkened.


    Ye Ling said coldly, "Quit boasting with words, enter the arena!"


    Hu Junyi made a throat-slitting gesture towards Xiao Yi.


    Then, taking the lead with his team, he followed Ye Ling and others into the arena.


    The other powerhouses also surged into the arena one after another.


    Outside Yunmeng Marsh.


    Various powerhouses were watching everything happening inside, discussing among themselves. Long Sihai, with a smile, looked at the crowd, spotting the Chai Family patriarch who was a ninth-tier Human Venerate, "Chai Guang, it seems your Chai Family really lacks successors! You barely selected three elites, and yet one fool chose to be in a team with Xiao Yi!"


    Chai Guang''s face darkened, and he remained silent.


    Only beneath his sleeves, his hands were clenched tightly, creaking in anger.


    He wanted nothing more than to tear Chai Yi to shreds.


    Su Xinghe sneered, "I really don''t know what goes on in Xiao Yi''s head, being so arrogant... thinking that a five-person team can combat a hundred-man army!"


    "No matter which opponent he encounters, there''s only a dead end for him!"


    "As soon as Xiao Yi gets eliminated and leaves Yunmeng Marsh, it will be his time to die!"


    The people all said.


    Nantian Lie looked around with a half-smile, his gaze turning to Elder Tianku, "Tian Ku, do you dare to make a bet with me?"


    "Hmm?"


    Elder Tianku looked at Nantian Lie, his gaze filled with inquiry.


    Nantian Lie, with a smile, said, "Let''s bet on whether Xiao Yi can get through this round. If he makes it through, then I lose. The Nantian Dynasty will no longer pursue your Changsheng Sect followers... But if you lose, when Xiao Yi comes out later, you must hand him over to me, how about it?"


    Elder Tianku, with narrowed eyes playing with a walnut in his hand, nodded and said, "Good, I agree to your bet!"


    "Hahaha, Tian Ku, oh Tian Ku, you''re bound to lose!"


    Nantian Lie said with a triumphant laugh.


    Elder Tianku squinted and said, "If I win, my Changsheng Sect disciples will be able to act openly in the Nantian Dynasty. If I lose, the Changsheng Sect suffers no losses. Why not agree to it?"


    Nantian Lie was stunned, then shook his head with a light chuckle, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, I guess you thought Tian Ku would protect you? What a pity, you''ve already been ruthlessly betrayed..."


    Long Si excitedly clenched his fists, "Xiao Yi, this time I''ll see who can save you?"


    Su Xinghe''s eyes showed a cold light, "Even if it costs me dearly, I will personally slaughter you..."

 Chapter 739 - 737: Capture the Flag [Fourth Update]

    Inside the Death Colosseum.


    The central arena was immensely vast, its length and width both over ten kilometers, and that iron chain net that had just been outside the Colosseum was now spread over the arena.


    This meant the Capture the Flag match would take place atop this iron chain net.


    The dark vortex below continued to spin, with massive tentacles appearing and disappearing within it. Each tentacle bore sharp and deadly barbs, and once someone fell from the iron chain net and got entangled by these tentacles, there was no escaping��their fate would be death!


    At the east and west ends of the arena, there stood a sacrificial altar each.


    Atop each altar, a battle flag was posted.


    The battle flags fluttered in the wind, making a snapping sound.


    A grim aura filled the entire Colosseum.


    As Xiao Yi and others entered the Colosseum, they each landed on the spectator stands surrounding the arena, with each team occupying a distinct area.


    Only Xiao Yi''s team, consisting of just five people, was surrounded by an empty space.


    Whoosh!


    An iron man referee rose slowly from the vortex, standing on two tentacles, hovering above the iron chain net.


    Clang!


    The iron man''s eyes opened slowly, emitting a metallic sound, and its blood-red gaze swept forward as it said with an icy tone, "Based on your positions, each team has its own number. Next, two teams will be randomly selected for the Capture the Flag battle. The victorious team will pass through the Death Colosseum, while the losing team will be eliminated. If you fall from the iron chain net during the battle, this will be your end!"


    As it spoke.


    The iron man reached out and a small mountain flew over.


    With a casual wave of the iron man''s hand.


    Whoosh!


    The small mountain crashed down with a loud thud toward the vortex. Countless tentacles within the vortex, like wolves that had smelled blood, emitted a spine-chilling roar.


    Rustling.


    Numerous tentacles swarmed up, entwining the small mountain.


    The barbs on the tentacles turned into the sharpest of blades, slicing the small mountain into innumerable pieces, which were then devoured by the vortex.


    Not even a speck of dust was left behind!


    Hiss!


    Everyone inhaled sharply, astonished by the power of the vortex.


    "We mustn''t fall down there!"


    "Even if we lose, at worst we''ll be eliminated, but if we fall down there, it''s death..." people were saying to each other.


    Hu Junyi narrowed his eyes and lightly stroked his chin, revealing a playful smile, "If we toss Xiao Yi in there, do you think he could survive?"


    "Hahaha, that''s a brilliant idea!"


    "It''s just a matter of who will be lucky enough to face Xiao Yi''s team..."


    Just then.


    The iron man hovering in midair said indifferently, "The first match will be between Team One and Team Two Hundred and Four!"


    Whoosh, whoosh!


    A blue light rose from the spectator stand where Hu Junyi and his team were, while another light, representing the team from Treasure Pavilion, lit up on the opposite side. A red light and a blue light converged into two pathways, transporting the fighters from both teams to the central arena, standing opposite each other, east to west, ready to clash.


    As the iron man raised his hand, a yellow bronze gong appeared in the void beside him.


    Dong!


    The iron man hammered his fist onto the gong.


    The sound resonated through the sky!


    Waves of sound surged out in all directions.


    At the same time.


    Both sides on the arena launched their attacks simultaneously.


    Hu Junyi, daring and skilled, ordered ninety of Nantian Holy Institute''s strongest to defend their side''s altar and protect the battle flag. He led ten genius warriors from the Nirvana Realm, charging towards the opponent''s camp.


    On the opposite side, the Treasure Pavilion team split into fifty defenders and fifty attackers.


    The fifty attackers moved to the left and right edges.


    Hugging close to the rim of the iron chain net, they sprinted toward the altar where Hu Junyi and his team were stationed.


    The remaining fifty set up a defensive iron wall formation.


    They guarded against the assault from Hu Junyi and his team.


    Expressionless, Hu Junyi''s eyes brimmed with a murderous intent. A black halberd fell into his hands, and like a preeminent War God, he bellowed with a roar reminiscent of the dragon''s chant and the tiger''s howl: "Those who block me will die!"


    Boom!


    Clasping the halberd with both hands, he lifted it above his head, then smashed it down towards the front: "With the strength to pull up mountains...!"


    Hum!


    The void trembled violently.


    A surging crimson flame ignited on the Fangtian Huaji, and as it smashed down, the flame transformed into a fierce fire dragon.


    The colossal dragon looked lifelike, with flames spewing from its mouth, roaring mightily.


    Wherever it passed...


    All the chains were burned red-hot.


    In the midst of the crashing sounds,


    The fire dragon forcibly scattered the team of fifty, and within just this one strike, five warriors perished under the Fangtian Huaji. Another six fell from the web of chains, ensnared by the tentacles below and sucked into the vortex, turned to ash��no bodies left intact.


    Hiss!


    The Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm powerhouse of the Treasure Pavilion Team, Ma Xiao''s, expression darkened. Responsible for defense, his combat power was undoubtedly strong, but facing the Nantian Holy Institute''s top outer courtyard master Hu Junyi, he was still slightly inadequate.


    Ma Xiao shouted to the remaining thirty-something warriors, "Niu Sheng, follow me and hold down Hu Junyi, the rest of you, protect the war flag. Buy time for our brothers on the offense!"


    "Understood!"


    The crowd responded in unison.


    Niu Sheng was an Eight Nirvana Realm master with Innate Divine Strength, wielding a mountain-splitting great axe, he charged at Hu Junyi alongside Ma Xiao, one on the left and the other on the right.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    A towering minotaur shadow emerged behind Niu Sheng.


    And behind Ma Xiao appeared a figure with a horse''s head and a human''s body.


    They were the two men''s Martial Tao Skill.


    Ox-Head, Horse-Face!


    Side by side, they attacked Hu Junyi simultaneously, "A Stampede of Ten Thousand Horses!"


    "Ox''s Force Reaching the Skies!"


    Upon the thousands of warhorses covered with black iron stupas, legions of skeletal warriors emerged, swarming forward. With a swing of Niu Sheng''s great axe, slashes of axe light turned into raging bulls with blood-red eyes, their thunderous charge causing the web of chains to tremble violently.


    "Ox-Head, Horse-Face? Hmph, whatever demons or devils, none can stop my Tyrant Spear!"


    Hu Junyi''s face turned stern as he stamped forcefully on the chain.


    Rustling!


    The entire web of chains vibrated thunderously, exciting the tentacles below, which writhed violently and reached for the chains.


    A layer of blood-red armor covered Hu Junyi''s body.


    His cape fluttered noisily.


    Like a supreme overlord!


    Amidst the fluctuating red light underfoot, a blood-colored Qi-Blood dragon horse emerged. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hu Junyi pulled the reins, and the Qi-Blood dragon horse reared up, neighing towards the sky, charging straightforward like a supreme overlord. Facing the onrush of warhorses and the herd of bulls, he moved through them as if they were nothing. Wherever the Fangtian Huaji went, the warhorses and raging bulls were torn apart with ease, opening a breach instantly. He arrived in front of Niu Sheng in a flash: "Die!"


    Puff!


    The Fangtian Huaji thrust forward fiercely, puncturing Niu Sheng''s Qi shield in front of him, piercing straight through his chest.


    With a fierce heave,


    He flipped Niu Sheng over, who fell from the chain web, immediately entangled by countless tentacles into the vortex.


    Hu Junyi''s face twisted fiercely, holding his Fangtian Huaji as he looked toward Ma Xiao.


    Ma Xiao trembled all over.


    His face filled with terror, he bellowed, "I surrender, I surrender..."


    The strong warriors from the Treasure Pavilion Team gave up their resistance one after another.


    Astride the Qi-Blood dragon horse, Hu Junyi leaped onto the altar, snatched the war flag, and flew back. Landing on his side''s altar, Hu Junyi held the war flag high and let out a long howl, "Nantian Holy Institute��Invincible!"


    "Invincible!"


    "Unbeatable in battle!"


    Cries echoed throughout the Death Colosseum.


    Hu Junyi pointed with the Fangtian Huaji in his hand at Xiao Yi, making a throat-slitting gesture, "Xiao Yi, you better not die too soon!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, smiling without a word.


    Subsequently, Ye Ling and others took their turns...


    Time flew by.


    In the blink of an eye, two-thirds of the teams had been eliminated, until the Iron Man slowly said, "Next up, team number thirty-six against team number seventy-one!"


    All eyes turned simultaneously.


    On one side, Xiao Yi''s team, as well as Chai Tong and the others'' team, lit up with red and blue lights...

 Chapter 740 - 738: Sweeping Through Everything [Fifth Update]

    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Blue light surged from beneath Xiao Yi and his companions, rising upward, while a red light enveloped Chai Tong and his team as they ascended simultaneously.


    Soon after...


    Both parties were drawn by the red and blue light onto the competition platform.


    The Iron Man''s face was expressionless.


    He showed no special consideration for Xiao Yi''s side simply because they were five people short. Instead, he announced the rules in a cold, mechanical tone. S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the spectator stands...


    Everyone was watching the competition platform intently, their gazes toward Chai Tong''s team were filled with envy, "That team is so lucky, aren''t they? To be grouped with Xiao Yi and his squad, why can''t we have such good luck?"


    "A free victory in this group!"


    "This must be the group with the most disparity in strength. You don''t even have to fight to know who will win!"


    Ye Ling looked toward Hu Junyi and asked in a deep voice, "Hu Junyi, do you know anything about this team? They won''t capsize in the sewer, right?"


    "Absolutely not!"


    Hu Junyi smiled and waved his hand, signaling Ye Ling not to worry, and spoke lightly, "The leader of this team is Jia Sidao, the genius powerhouse from the Jia Family of the Mining Association. This man''s talent is extremely strong, surpassing that of the Heavenly Dragon Ranking. He once joined the Nantian Holy Institute, but due to offending the Crown Prince, had no choice but to drop out. Yet, he remains an exceptionally difficult opponent!"


    "That''s good then!"


    Ye Ling nodded, but a hint of regret flashed in his eyes as he looked at Xiao Yi, "It''s just a pity Xiao Yi will be eliminated so soon, without having killed him..."


    Once eliminated...


    There would be no further advancement, and with people like Long Sihai''s nature, they would definitely not let Xiao Yi leave alive.


    This meant that the Seven-Grade Longevity Spirit reward of the Nantian Wen might be out of their reach!


    A cold light appeared in Hu Junyi''s eyes as he smiled and said, "Not necessarily... After they are eliminated, they won''t leave immediately; they''ll have to wait until all teams have finished the competition. Then, you and I can simply pursue them out of the Death Colosseum, and kill him in the Yunmeng Marsh..."


    "Oh?"


    Ye Ling was startled, his eyes showing a moved expression.


    Meanwhile...


    On the competition platform, Jia Sidao squinted his eyes as he sized up Xiao Yi and his four companions, his eyes brimming with triumph and elation.


    He too had not anticipated such a stroke of luck, to draw Xiao Yi''s team for a face-off.


    His own group had a full hundred people, with more than thirty in the Nirvana Realm alone.


    Xiao Yi''s side was a mere five people strong!


    In Jia Sidao''s view...


    The moment he set foot on the competition platform, the match was destined to be a win for them!


    "If I can kill Xiao Yi, perhaps I could return to the Nantian Holy Institute... As long as I can regain my footing in the Nantian Holy Institute, it would be easy-play for my father to be re-elected as the president of the Mining Association," Jia Sidao thought to himself with a cold sneer, then said aloud, "Sorry, Xiao Yi! I''ve set my sights on your head!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, "Many want my head, who do you think you are?"


    "Hmph!"


    Jia Sidao snorted coldly, "Keep being complacent for a little while longer; soon, you won''t be able to laugh anymore!"


    Among the crowd...


    Chai Tong and Chai Sheng looked at Chai Yi, all wearing smug expressions, pleased with their previous choice, "Chai Yi, although we are all from the Chai Family, this is the Death Colosseum. There are no relationships on the competition platform, so if we injure you later, you can''t blame us!"


    Chai Yi and his two companions were the elite of the younger generation of the Chai Family.


    The successor to the family head would be decided among the three of them, and now they saw a chance to eliminate Chai Yi in broad daylight, which was something they had long desired.


    Chai Yi''s brows were tightly knit, and his lips pressed firmly together.


    He could feel the murderous intent from Chai Tong and the other, and couldn''t help but feel desolate. His own kinsmen were bent on killing him.


    Whoosh!


    Chai Yi let out a long breath and said proudly and calmly, "It''s still unknown to whom the deer will fall; you''re celebrating too early!"


    "Hahaha, you don''t actually think that just the five of you can stop us, do you?" laughed Chai Tong scornfully.


    Chai Sheng shook his head, "It seems arrogance really is contagious. You''ve just stood next to Xiao Yi, and already you''ve been infected by his arrogance..."


    Jia Sidao snorted coldly, saying coldly, "When the time comes, there''s no need to defend, everyone follow me and charge! We will roll over them directly!"


    "Yes!"


    "This battle is far too easy!"


    "They''ll probably have to admit defeat before we even reach them," said the crowd, laughing heartily.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a slight smile curling up at the corners of his mouth.


    Yue Shanchuan asked, "What strategy should we use?"


    Xiao Yi chuckled and replied, "Why need a strategy to deal with a bunch of ants? Just crush them directly!"


    "Crush?"


    Wu You, with a look of incredulity, scoffed, "Have you gone mad? Five against a hundred, and you still think about crushing them? In my view, you''re just itching to get us all killed along with you. I''m not playing this madman''s game anymore. I''m going to take down the battle flag and surrender to them right away!"


    "Stop!"


    "Wu You, you can''t do this!" everyone chimed in.


    Wu You snorted coldly, pushed Wu Jian aside, and headed toward the battle flag, saying disdainfully, "Have you all lost your minds? Fancying to go mad alongside this lunatic, I certainly don''t wish to die!"


    As he spoke,


    he walked straight toward the battle flag.


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows. "I advise you not to touch the battle flag!"


    "Too blind to see your own death coming, you still think to command me?"


    Wu You sneered, reaching for the battle flag, and scornfully said, "I''m not afraid to tell you if it weren''t for Young Master Jia Sidao asking me to infiltrate your side, do you think I would have chosen to be on your team? Xiao Yi, you''ve lost!"


    Wu You subconsciously pulled out the battle flag.


    However...


    he found that his hand wouldn''t obey him.


    Looking closely,


    Wu You''s body stiffened, his right hand was somehow severed without his knowing, and several golden God Devouring Ants were gnawing at his flesh. The venom of the God Devouring Ants comparable to Nine Nirvana reincarnations was enough to affect a practitioner in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, leaving him without any sensation of pain, his entire arm was already gnawed away to nothing.


    "This, this, this..." Wu You was dumbstruck.


    Watching the God Devouring Ants eat away at his body, his eyes filled with despair and terror, "What the hell are these things? No, don''t eat me, please don''t..."


    Xiao Yi''s voice echoed in his ears, "I''ve already warned you, why didn''t you listen?"


    "No..."


    Wu You struggled to turn his head, his scalp going numb.


    He saw swarms of God Devouring Ants flocking around Xiao Yi.


    A hundred.


    A thousand.


    Ten thousand...


    A full one hundred thousand God Devouring Ants swarmed like a golden tsunami, covering the chains and the net above, and at Xiao Yi''s command, they surged like a mighty wave towards Jia Sidao and his men. Thousands of God Devouring Ants attacking a single person at once, even Jia Sidao, who was in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, couldn''t withstand the terrible assault of the ants.


    They fell like dominos.


    Jia Sidao''s hundred-man squad was decimated in an instant, more than half turned to mere bones.


    Hiss!


    Inside and outside the Death Colosseum, a chill ran through the crowd as they gasped in unison.


    Everyone was dumbstruck and terrified, looking at the massive army of God Devouring Ants that nearly covered half the colosseum, all of them feeling their scalps prickle.


    Wu You was completely in despair, filled with regret, "Had I but known, why did I ever betray him..."


    Thump!


    With nothing left but his head, Wu You fell from the chains.


    Among Jia Sidao''s men,


    figures like Chai Tong and Chai Sheng despaired, unable to fight or kill off the endless army of God Devouring Ants. As they watched the hundred-man squad reduced to barely a dozen, struggling to hold back and retreating, their faces bore nothing but despair and regret, "Had we known, we should have listened to Chai Yi and joined Xiao Yi''s side!"


    Jia Sidao''s body was covered with tens of thousands of God Devouring Ants, listening to the crunching sound as they gnawed at his flesh, he roared in anger and sorrow, "Who the hell said that encountering Xiao Yi meant sure victory? I regret this..."


    Thump!


    Jia Sidao too, reduced to nothing but a skeleton, plunged into the vortex.


    In an instant,


    Jia Sidao''s hundred-man squad was wiped out, not a single one left!


    After the massacre,


    Xiao Yi looked at Yue Shanchuan, "Yue, go take their battle flag!"


    "Right away!"


    Yue Shanchuan rushed excitedly to the other side.


    Xiao Yi''s smile widened as he looked up at Hu Junyi and the others in the spectator stand, "Sorry, I''ve won again!"

 Chapter 741 - 739: The Loser Must Die! [Sixth Update]

    "Sorry, I won again!"


    Xiao Yi flashed a grin.


    That smile was so brilliant and pure!


    Yet to those on the viewing platform, like Hu Junyi and Ye Ling, it seemed the most venomous mockery.


    It pained them more than any words could!


    A slap in the face��echoing resoundingly!


    Hu Junyi and the others felt their cheeks burning with intense pain��


    With a gloomy face, Ye Ling said, "Didn''t you claim it was foolproof? Didn''t you swear that Xiao Yi was as good as dead?"


    Hu Junyi''s face was black with rage, "How the hell was I supposed to know where he got those damn things from?"


    "But they are not ''damn things''!"


    In the crowd, a young man in a cloak spoke in a cool voice, mixed with a touch of solemnity and irrepressible excitement, "Those are God Devouring Ants! I never imagined someone could maintain the ability to split into an army of God Devouring Ants after manifesting them as a Dharma form. We in the Nantian Holy Institute paid a heavy price and still failed to succeed..."


    Ye Ling''s entire body shook, a look of disbelief spreading across her face.


    She had heard rumors in the Nantian Holy Institute too, about a group of strong individuals who specialized in researching various special Dharma forms.


    Among them was the God Devouring Ant Dharma form. S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But...


    She had never seen any practitioner who had manifested the God Devouring Ant Dharma form in the Nantian Holy Institute, and only now she realized, from the young man''s words, that all those who tried had failed!


    "Even our Nantian Holy Institute hasn''t been able to work it out. How did he manage to master such a technique? How did he do it?" Ye Ling muttered to herself.


    Hu Junyi''s expression also changed slightly.


    The God Devouring Ants of the Ninth Prince of the Sword Dynasty were cultivated by the experts of the Nantian Holy Institute, and naturally, they had also attempted to manifest the God Devouring Ant Dharma form, including some geniuses whose talents were not inferior to his.


    But even those geniuses failed to master the technique of splitting into an army of God Devouring Ants after manifesting the Dharma form.


    Their only choice was to dissolve their Dharma form.


    And re-manifest a new one.


    "This guy... is truly a monster!" Hu Junyi had to admit that after being repeatedly embarrassed by Xiao Yi, his initial slight regard for him had vanished.


    Equally shocked were the experts of the Longevity Secret Realm from outside Yunmeng Marsh.


    Nantian Lie''s eyes glowed with fervor, "The God Devouring Ant Dharma form can actually split into an army? If I could master such a technique, and all the Dharma Manifestation Realm experts in the army could manifest the God Devouring Ant Dharma form, each capable of splitting into tens of thousands of ants, who could then rival the army of the Nantian Dynasty?"


    Just imagine.


    An army of ten thousand Dharma Manifestation Realm warriors with the God Devouring Ant Dharma form, each summoning a hundred thousand ants.


    That would be one billion God Devouring Ants!


    An army of one billion God Devouring Ants sweeping across would surely be unstoppable, even by the Nantian Holy Institute!


    With this thought,


    Nantian Lie''s gaze towards Xiao Yi grew even more fervent, and a hint of Greed glimmered in his eyes, "This boy must be captured alive!"


    Yang Dingtian''s expression was extremely grave.


    He had not anticipated Xiao Yi''s army of God Devouring Ants to be this formidable, able to consume even those in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, and his eyes flickered with cold light, "He must be compelled to join the Nantian Holy Institute, and then forced to reveal the method of manifesting the God Devouring Ant Dharma form. Such Secret Techniques must only be controlled by the Nantian Holy Institute, otherwise, they must be destroyed!"


    It''s either use them or destroy them.


    That has always been the way of the Nantian Holy Institute.


    Elder Tian Ku, who harbored the same thoughts, fiddled with the walnuts in his hand, the crisp sounds echoing as they collided, his eyes narrowing into slits, "The disciples of the Changsheng Sect are already more powerful than their peers. If they can master such Secret Techniques, how could our great undertaking fail? It seems that we must protect Xiao Yi, at least for now!"


    With this thought,


    Elder Tian Ku looked at Nantian Lie with a cheery smile, "Nantian Lie, it seems you''ve lost this wager. From now on, if my disciples of the Changsheng Sect act within your Nantian Dynasty, you must not target them again..."


    Nantian Lie snorted coldly and said with a dark face, "Don''t worry, I, Nantian Lie, am not one to renege on my word!"


    "Good," replied Tian Ku.


    Elder Tianku cracked a smile and leaned back slightly, speaking indifferently, "By the way, Xiao Yi and my grandson Yue Shanchuan are friends unto death and Xiao Yi even saved my grandson''s life. Whoever dares to touch him is as if they have touched my grandson. I hope everyone will take the words of this old one to heart!"


    "..."


    With these words,


    Nantian Lie and Elder Tianku''s expressions changed, inwardly cursing Elder Tianku for his shamelessness.


    A moment ago, they thought Xiao Yi was of no use and ruthlessly sold him out.


    Now, seeing the staggering effects of Xiao Yi''s ''Manifestation of Dharma'', they suddenly spoke up to protect him?


    Nantian Lie and Yang Dingtian exchanged glances, their expressions impassive, but they were secretly communicating through transmitted voice...


    Of course.


    All of this was unknown to Xiao Yi.


    At that moment,


    he had already returned to their viewing platform with Yue Shanchuan, Chai Yi, and Wu Jian. Unlike before when the crowd looked at them with mockery and Schadenfreude, the looks they received now were filled with intense wariness and envy. The fear was naturally directed at Xiao Yi''s strength and terror, while the envy was because people like Wu Jian and Chai Yi simply stood there and achieved victory.


    The Ironman stood suspended in the air and said indifferently, "The next group..."


    After Xiao Yi''s sweep with the army of God Devouring Ants, the subsequent battles became rather dull.


    More fighters chose to adopt a half-offensive, half-defensive strategy.


    Resulting in an extremely brutal fighting process.


    And dragging the time out for quite long.


    By the time all the two hundred and more teams in the Death Colosseum completed their clashes, it was already the afternoon of the next day.


    Boom!


    A dull thud resounded.


    The Ironman looked at the crowd with an expressionless face, "All the victorious teams may proceed to the next stage."


    Streams of golden light soared into the sky.


    Xiao Yi and the others stepped onto the golden light belonging to their team and left the Death Colosseum, heading towards the next destination.


    Inside the Death Colosseum.


    The eliminated strong ones showed shades of despair. Having lost in the Death Colosseum, they naturally didn''t qualify to proceed and had to leave. However, the Ironman didn''t signal them to depart right away, causing impatience among the crowd, "What''s going on? Aren''t we allowed to leave yet?"


    The crowd shouted in unison.


    The Ironman looked at them and said, "Losers must die, you are not qualified to live in this world!"


    "What?"


    "What do you mean by that?"


    "Wasn''t it agreed that failure meant elimination? What are you trying to do?"


    The faces of the people all changed.


    The Ironman, expressionless, struck the gong with a "boom," and immediately, the iron chains and netting at the arena''s center rose into the air, transforming into a net covering the skies above the arena. Simultaneously, the black vortex also visibly ascended at a swift pace, and countless black tentacles reached out towards the remaining individuals in the Death Colosseum.


    "No..."


    "Madman, you actually want to kill us?"


    "I don''t want to die..."


    Screams of terror emanated from the Death Colosseum.


    A short while later.


    All went silent.


    And in the arena, not a single person remained alive!


    The Ironman''s gaze swept over the now-peaceful Death Colosseum, its eyes glowing red, revealing an evil and strange light, "Losers, what face do they have to live in this world?" His gaze turned towards the depths of Yunmeng Marsh, in the direction where Xiao Yi and the others had departed, "The road ahead will become more and more fascinating, ah..."

 Chapter 742 - 740: A Deadly Crime! [Seventh Update]

    Let''s not talk about what''s inside the Death Colosseum.


    Those strong ones who lost in the flag capture battle, all of them died miserably in the dark vortex.


    Xiao Yi and his group were treading on golden light, making their way to a river as vast as the sky.


    This river was so wide that one couldn''t see the other side, extending endlessly, with surging waves and sparkling ripples. The turbulent tides slapped the shores, splashing up water into gigantic waves hundreds of meters tall, and the howling winds made it difficult to distinguish whether this place was reality or an illusion.


    Splash, splash, splash, splash!


    Suddenly, a series of huge bubbles rose on the surface of the river. As the bubbles burst out of the water, they exploded, sending splashes in all directions.


    A massive shadow emerged with its head poking out.


    It was a giant black python, its head as big as that of a water buffalo, only countless times larger.


    The long body was pitch black.


    Across its body, scales like shields shimmered with a cold metallic luster.


    Standing upright.


    Even though it rose dozens of meters above the water''s surface, it was only up to its neck.


    "Hea... Heavenly Blue Bull Python?"


    "It''s said that the Yunmeng Dynasty was a nation of ten thousand demons and under the Yunmeng Demon Emperor were ten Demon Marshals. The Heavenly Blue Bull Python is one of them."


    "With a head like a water buffalo and a black body, each breath it takes spans a spring and autumn, each opening and closing of its eyes spans a sixty-year cycle... This is indeed the Heavenly Blue Bull Python, a legendary being... But wasn''t it said that after the fall of the Yunmeng Dynasty, the Yunmeng Demon Emperor and the ten Demon Marshals all perished? How is this possible..."


    Cries of surprise came from the crowd.


    Everyone held their breath, staring at the enormous creature before them.


    This was a being of legend.


    Moo!


    The Heavenly Blue Bull Python let out a sky-shaking bellow, the eight-hundred-mile river boiled and surged with its roar.


    Waves after waves crashed into the sky.


    Xiao Yi stared at the Heavenly Blue Bull Python before him, his pupils slightly constricted. Everything before him was neither an illusion nor quite reality.


    Especially this Heavenly Blue Bull Python, which exuded a strange aura all over.


    Even Xiao Yi couldn''t tell whether it was real or fake.


    He glanced at Yue Shanchuan and transmitted a message secretly, "Be careful, I feel something weird about this place!"


    "Mhm!"


    Yue Shanchuan and the others nodded, staying alert.


    The Heavenly Blue Bull Python stretched lazily, then spat out human words, "It''s been a long time since humans have visited here. Welcome to my territory, Tianqing River. See that black bamboo forest behind you? What you need to do is to cut down the Black Jade Bamboo from there to build a raft, and then cross Tianqing River on the raft. Little ones, you have a total of six hours to cross the river. If you still remain on the shore after six hours, you will become my dinner. Likewise, if you haven''t reached the other side within six hours, I will start hunting, and once I catch you, you will become a feast in my belly!"


    Moo!


    The Heavenly Blue Bull Python fiercely opened its mouth, revealing two rows of sharp fangs like saw blades inside its gaping maw.


    A foul stench came gusting forth like a hurricane.


    Making one involuntarily furrow their brow and cover their nose.


    It was truly unbearable!


    At the same time, it made everyone understand that the Heavenly Blue Bull Python before them was not an easy adversary.


    Just think...


    If one were to be hunted by this colossal beast on the tumultuous Tianqing River, it would truly be a cry for heaven with no response, a plea on earth with no listening! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Begin!"


    At the command of the Heavenly Blue Bull Python,


    Hu Junyi glared fiercely at Xiao Yi, his eyes full of resentment, and coldly said, "Xiao Yi, you should be thankful that this challenge is time-pressured and I don''t have time to deal with you. Otherwise, letting you die on the banks of the Tianqing River and become fertilizer for the Black Jade Bamboo wouldn''t be a bad choice at all!"


    Xiao Yi just gave him a cold look and said nothing.


    He always felt there was something strange about this challenge.


    The Tianqing River was but a bit wider and the flow a bit fiercer �� there was no other difference.


    Not far away there stood pine trees that were thicker and larger, more suitable for shipbuilding; why then were they instructed to cut down the black jade bamboo here?


    Moreover...


    The placement of these black jade bamboos was extremely odd.


    There were nine patches of black jade bamboo forest in total.


    When Xiao Yi was flying from the Death Colosseum earlier, he vaguely remembered that these nine patches were arranged as the Nine Palaces.


    Could all this really just be a coincidence?


    Or could it be...


    That someone had intended it to be this way?


    If it was deliberately arranged, why would the Heavenly Blue Bull Python specify they cut down these black jade bamboos?


    "Xiao, we should also hurry up and start cutting the black jade bamboo!"


    "I''ve heard that the black jade bamboo is exceptionally tough and very difficult to cut. We can''t afford to waste any more time!"


    Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi looked at Xiao Yi with a hint of urgency in their eyes.


    Hu Junyi and Ye Ling, among others, had already started cutting the black jade bamboo. Even with their strength, cutting down a fully-grown black jade bamboo would take more than an hour.


    Under the watchful eyes of the group,


    Xiao Yi no longer hesitated; choosing to trust his own instincts, he said sternly, "We won''t cut the black jade bamboo. Follow me!"


    The others were startled, not understanding what Xiao Yi intended to do.


    However...


    The previous trials had instilled a sort of blind trust in Xiao Yi in them, and after a brief hesitation, they followed him as he ran towards the nearby woods.


    Hu Junyi and the rest, noticing Xiao Yi and his group heading towards the woods, couldn''t help but exchange confused looks: "What are they up to?"


    "They seem to be going to cut down trees!"


    "Are they fools? Didn''t they hear the Heavenly Blue Bull Python say that only black jade bamboo could be used to make boats? What use would chopping wood be..."


    All were utterly befuddled.


    Ye Ling hesitated for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "Hu Junyi, do you think we should send a few people to learn from what Xiao Yi is doing?"


    Hu Junyi waved dismissively, confidently saying, "No need to bother with him, as long as we do as the elder Heavenly Blue Bull Python said �� to make rafts only from black jade bamboo. What Xiao Yi is doing is nothing but showing off. How could a being such as the Heavenly Blue Bull Python guarding this gate make any mistakes?"


    A few strong individuals nearby nodded and said, "Brother Hu is right. With a powerful being like the Heavenly Blue Bull Python guarding it, there''s definitely no chance of any mistakes!"


    "He wants to take shortcuts; it''s simply a fool''s dream!"


    Ye Ling, still hesitant, couldn''t help but mutter, "You''ve said to ignore Xiao Yi in our previous encounters as well..."


    Smack smack smack!


    Hu Junyi''s face stiffened as he felt his wounds being ripped open once more, and to add insult to injury, as if someone had just slapped him hard across the face.


    Whew!


    Hu Junyi took a deep breath, swearing solemnly, "Don''t worry, this time I''m definitely not wrong. Let''s focus on cutting down the black jade bamboo..."


    Bang bang bang!


    Hu Junyi and the others were furiously chopping at the black jade bamboo, already halfway through.


    An hour had passed.


    Suddenly...


    With a series of thunderous roars, Xiao Yi appeared, carrying a hundred-meter-long, over ten-meter-wide hollowed-out log modified to serve as the hull of a boat, which slowly emerged on the Tianqing River.


    Hu Junyi sneered, "Just watch, the Heavenly Blue Bull Python definitely won''t let them get on the river!"


    All eyes turned to the scene.


    Amid the raging waves of the Tianqing River, the massive body of the Heavenly Blue Bull Python blocked the path of the wooden boat, its icy gaze fixed on Xiao Yi as it coldly stated, "I have decreed that only black jade bamboo rafts may pass through the Tianqing River. You openly defy my command; I sentence you all to death!"

 Chapter 743 - 741: Never Look Back! [Eighth Release]

    "You brazenly defy the order, a death sentence!"


    The Heavenly Blue Bull Python''s icy gaze fixated on Xiao Yi and the others, its bloodshot eyes emitting a vivid crimson glow, its voice booming like thunder, deafening to hear.


    A foul, raging wind swept through.


    It turned the complexions of the strong ones on the shore deathly pale.


    Hu Junyi burst into laughter, his eyes filled with triumph, as he looked towards Ye Ling and the others, "You see? I told you they were courting death by doing that. An ancient being like the Heavenly Blue Bull Python, which has survived since Ancient Times, values its dignity above all else. The authority of a divine beast must not be challenged. If it asked us to use black bamboo, then it absolutely doesn''t allow any other materials to deceive it!"


    "As expected of Brother Hu, everything is within your expectations!"


    "Luckily, we heeded Brother Hu''s advice. If we had tried to cut corners like Xiao Yi and the others, we would surely have offended the Heavenly Blue Bull Python too!"


    "Do you think the Heavenly Blue Bull Python will really kill Xiao Yi?"


    The crowd turned their gazes towards the shore.


    Yue Shanchuan and the others felt their hearts in their throats.


    Yet, Xiao Yi just smiled, looking straight at the massive Heavenly Blue Bull Python, their eyes meeting, the corners of his mouth slightly raised as he spoke, "Senior Heavenly Blue Bull Python, you just said that as long as we felled the black bamboo and made rafts, we could cross the Tianqing River. I''m not wrong, am I?"


    The Heavenly Blue Bull Python nodded its massive head, its voice rumbling like thunder, "You''re not wrong, indeed I did say that."


    Xiao Yi kept a close watch on every movement of the Heavenly Blue Bull Python, not missing even the subtlest change in its expression, growing more sure of his conjecture. Then he said, "In that case, I haven''t done anything wrong. You had them chop the black bamboo to make what is naturally called rafts. But I didn''t use a raft; I made a wooden boat. You didn''t forbid the use of wooden boats to cross the river. Why bother laboriously felling black bamboo if I can cross the river with a wooden boat? Unless you can give me a reason I must use black bamboo, there is nothing wrong with my actions. Do you agree with what I''m saying?"


    "Has Xiao Yi gone mad? He''s actually trying to fool the powerful Heavenly Blue Bull Python with such a flimsy excuse?"


    "Does he think the Heavenly Blue Bull Python is a fool?"


    Hu Junyi shook his head, his voice dripping with sarcasm and mockery, "If he can get past this with such subterfuge, I''ll swallow this piece of black bamboo myself!"


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd...


    The Heavenly Blue Bull Python''s large head gave a slight shake, a hint of puzzlement flashing in its eyes, and then, to the astonishment of all present, it said, "You''re correct; I didn''t forbid the use of other things. You may go."


    Splash!


    The Heavenly Blue Bull Python immediately stepped aside, Xiao Yi bowed his hands to it, and pushed the wooden boat into the river.


    Majestically, they sailed towards the opposite bank.


    Hu Junyi: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Ye Ling silently passed the section of black bamboo, which Hu Junyi had finally cut, to him, "Eat up!"


    "I..."


    Hu Junyi held that piece of black bamboo, his face a picture of dumbfounded confusion.


    At that moment, he felt the urge to die.


    An unrelenting face-slapping.


    Hu Junyi realized that since meeting Xiao Yi, the halo of fortune that had once cloaked him had vanished.


    Time and again, he was mercilessly humiliated.


    "Brother Hu, shall we also go chop down some trees?" a disciple from the Nantian Holy Institute suggested.


    Hu Junyi''s eyes lit up.


    Suddenly, a group of strong ones flew towards the forest and began to chop down trees.


    Above the Tianqing River.


    Chai Yi looked back at the increasingly distant Hu Junyi and the others, a puzzled expression on his face, asking, "Boss Xiao Yi, why did the Heavenly Blue Bull Python agree to let us leave on the wooden boat?"


    Doubt was written on everyone''s faces. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi smiled and shared his conjecture, "That wasn''t the real Heavenly Blue Bull Python, but rather a manifestation of its consciousness. It''s something the Heavenly Blue Bull Python left behind when it was still alive. Such manifestations of consciousness don''t possess much independent thought; they simply carry out fixed commands. As long as one doesn''t directly contravene these commands, they won''t be triggered!"


    That was the very strangeness Xiao Yi had initially sensed from the Heavenly Blue Bull Python.


    Although everything was real, the Heavenly Blue Bull Python gave Xiao Yi a sense of being too rigid.


    Logically speaking, such divine beasts that had existed for countless years should be extremely cunning, but the one by the Tianqing River seemed quite dull.


    Because of this...


    It was why Xiao Yi had chosen to cross the river by wooden boat, and the result was as he had expected.


    It was indeed just a conscious avatar.


    They had saved time by not cutting the black jade bamboo and had built a wooden boat, which allowed them to arrive on the other shore more safely.


    The eight hundred li of Tianqing River.


    Under the propulsion of their vital energy, Xiao Yi and his group broke through the waves with the wind, and soon arrived on the opposite shore. With Xiao Yi using a wooden boat to cross, Hu Junyi and the others followed suit, which meant that everyone managed to proceed without delay, sailing on the Tianqing River. The Heavenly Blue Bull Python remained still, standing quietly on the riverbank, making no move to pursue them.


    On the shore...


    Xiao Yi and his three companions took the lead, and before them lay an endless plain.


    On the plain, hundreds of flowers bloomed in competition.


    Only a narrow blue stone path lay in the midst.


    On either side of the path stood towering statues, eleven in total.


    Five on each side.


    And another one directly ahead.


    The statues on the left and right sides varied in shape, among them was the Heavenly Blue Bull Python, Xiao Yi muttered, "These should be the ten Demon Marshals of the Yunmeng Dynasty..."


    "So the statue at the very front is the Yunmeng Demon Emperor?"


    Everyone''s gaze simultaneously shifted forward.


    These statues were all immensely majestic, like mountains standing tall.


    The statue at the front depicted a giant demon with the body of a human and the tail of a snake, with a cascade of blue hair falling behind. Her graceful figure stood erect before them. Above her head, a purple and gold crown added to her noble air, and her eyes seemed alive, sparkling with bright light.


    This was the Yunmeng Demon Emperor!


    The former ruler of the Yunmeng Dynasty.


    "Who would have thought that the legendary Yunmeng Demon Emperor could be so beautiful?"


    "Beautiful? The real person is even more beautiful than this statue, but the more beautiful things are, the more venomous they tend to be. It''s said that the Yunmeng Demon Emperor has a miraculous ability, that anyone who looks at her with evil thoughts in his heart will be directly petrified, turned into a statue, and this includes even the strong ones from the Longevity Secret Realm..."


    "No way? That horrifying?"


    While they were discussing,


    Xiao Yi heard a rustling sound of footsteps coming from behind and also heard Hu Junyi''s frustrated voice shouting, "Xiao Yi, prepare to meet your end!"


    Whoosh!


    The sound of something cutting through the air was getting closer.


    The gale had already reached behind them, making a whistling sound that sent chills down their spines.


    "Not good!"


    "Be careful!"


    Yue Shanchuan and the others'' faces changed abruptly, ready to turn back and fight.


    But in that critical moment...


    Xiao Yi suddenly grabbed them, yanking them back and yelled with a grave expression, "Don''t turn back no matter what!"


    As the words fell...


    The slicing sound behind them, accompanied by the cold edge of a blade, had already struck Xiao Yi''s body...

 Chapter 744 - 742 Treasures as Abundant as a Mountain [First Update]

    "Don''t you dare look back!"


    Xiao Yi grabbed a few men and flung them forcefully forward.


    Yue Shanchuan and the others, like arrows released from bows, were thrown out. They crashed heavily onto the ground ahead, as a ''duang'' thudded deafeningly behind them.


    Almost at the same time...


    A gust of wind sent Xiao Yi crashing out as well.


    He landed heavily beside the others.


    However, Xiao Yi scrambled to his feet, not bothering to explain anything as he yelled, "What are you dawdling for? Run!"


    Yue Shanchuan and the others exchanged glances but didn''t dare to delay.


    They hurriedly sprinted after Xiao Yi.


    All the way up.


    Xiao Yi kept repeating, "Keep running, don''t you dare look back!"


    Doubt filled everyone''s hearts, but they had no choice but to follow closely behind.


    They sprinted madly.


    Not until they arrived in front of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor''s statue did Xiao Yi finally slow down, gasping for air, sweat dripping down from his forehead.


    Chai Yi wiped the sweat from his brow.


    In the midst of Yunmeng Marsh, even they, who were Nirvana Realm powerhouses unaffected by heat or cold, were panting like mortals after that full-speed dash; Chai Yi couldn''t help but voice his confusion, "Boss Xiao Yi, what on earth happened just now? Why did you tell us to run and not let us look back?"


    Yue Shanchuan and Wu Jian turned their gaze to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi gestured towards their back.


    All eyes followed his gesture immediately...


    The cobblestone path behind them showed nothing unusual. While they were puzzling over this, Hu Junyi and others appeared at the end of the path.


    They, too, were stunned by the dozen or so gigantic statues.


    Then they stepped onto the cobblestone path.


    As they passed by the statues, the statues appeared behind them, following closely. If Hu Junyi and the others sped up, the statues sped up; if they slowed down, the statues did likewise, but always kept close behind. Suddenly, someone in the group sensed the anomaly behind them.


    They whipped their heads around.


    But that one look...


    The moment their gaze met the statues, it was as if they had defiled a deity.


    Enraging the statues instantly!


    Roar!


    Roar!


    Roar!


    The ten statues roared in fury, charging at Hu Junyi and the others like maniacs.


    Ten Demon Marshals.


    Each had been a powerhouse of the Earth Venerate Realm in life, and even as mere statues, they were far superior to the ordinary Human Venerates.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    In the midst of earth-shattering noises,


    furious attacks rained down.


    Screams rose and fell in succession.


    Facing the towering Heavenly Blue Bull Python statue, a single dive was all it took to swallow over a dozen people.


    Other Demon Marshals like the Pixiu and Taotie had equally staggering attacks, terrifyingly deadly in power, especially the Divine Bird Bi Fang that soared overhead. With talons outstretched, it snatched up several people who looked back, flung them into the void, and chased after them, swallowing several people whole with crunching sounds ringing in everyone''s ears.


    "Run!"


    "Are these statues actually alive?"


    "Damn it, can anyone tell me why Xiao Yi and his group are unscathed? Yet we have to suffer attacks from these statues..."


    One after another, the powerhouses roared in despair.


    Hu Junyi, Ye Ling, and others were running towards the Yunmeng Demon Emperor statue at the fastest speed.


    Out of more than ten thousand people, only a little over six thousand had successfully made it through the cobblestone path to face the Yunmeng Demon Emperor statue. And by the time they reached it, the statues of the ten Demon Marshals had also returned to their respective spots, as if they were not the ones who had just tried to kill Hu Junyi and the rest.


    Huffing and puffing!


    Hu Junyi was breathing heavily, his eyes filled with resentment as he stared at Xiao Yi, wishing he could swallow him alive. He ground his teeth and said, "Xiao Yi, you knew there was something wrong with these statues all along. Why didn''t you warn us beforehand?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and replied indifferently, "Are we friends?"


    Hu Junyi''s face stiffened: "..."


    He wished he could kill Xiao Yi and claim the reward for the seventh-tier elixir of immortality.


    Not to mention not being friends...


    They were mortal enemies.


    If the roles were reversed, Hu Junyi would not have been so kind as to alert Xiao Yi either.


    Ye Ling, standing to the side, spoke with icy coldness in her voice. She had almost been crushed to death by the Heavenly Blue Bull Python statue earlier. Now facing Xiao Yi, she was certainly not going to show any pleasant demeanor, "Xiao Yi, you are truly selfish. All along the way, you have been deceiving us with lies. So many people have died because of your lies. Don''t you feel any remorse?"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes and looked at the furiously shaking Ye Ling: "Remorse? You all want to tear me to pieces. I''ll be happy if you die. Why should I feel remorse?" S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everyone: "..."


    But no one could refute what he said.


    Just as Xiao Yi had pointed out...


    Nine out of ten of them wished they could kill Xiao Yi right away. Had Xiao Yi been the one to cross the cobblestone path, none of them would have lifted a finger to help him.


    "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself!"


    Xiao Yi''s calm gaze swept over everyone as he enunciated each word, "I have no obligation to save you. Moreover, each of you wants my life. I haven''t targeted you on purpose. You should be grateful, rather than making all these accusations against me!"


    "You..."


    "This is simply sophistry..." Although the crowd was complaining, they also appeared to lack confidence in their objections.


    At that moment...


    An exclamation suddenly came from the crowd: "Look, what is that?"


    The crowd was momentarily stunned.


    All eyes turned to see the gigantic Yunmeng Demon Emperor statue, from which a dazzling beam of light suddenly burst forth from the splendid golden crown. The rainbow-like light transformed into a bridge of light, and various items��weapons, pills, precious Spiritual Medicines, armors, and more��began to fall from the bridge onto the black rock behind the statue.


    The crowd was dumbfounded.


    All turned their gaze towards the rock.


    The rock was over ten meters high and a hundred meters in both length and width, shaped like a pillow.


    In the center...


    A crown stood quietly, with a sword on one side and a knife on the other. Both emanated an Eighth-layer weapon''s aura. In addition, there were higher-grade pills between the seventh and Eighth-layer as well as precious herbs.


    Hiss!


    Everyone gasped in astonishment, their eyes blazing with fervor: "Is that an Eighth-layer Longsword? An Eighth-layer battle knife?"


    "And that set of Eighth-layer armor, have you seen it? That''s armor, which is equivalent to two or three warriors'' weapons of the same level..."


    "We''re rich, we''ve really struck it rich this time!"


    "Hahaha, we''ve only made it halfway so far, yet we''ve already found Eighth-layer weapons and pills. What kind of treasures would there be inside the Cloud Dream Temple?"


    At that moment.


    Everyone was eager to act...

 Chapter 745 - 743: Children Make Choices, I Want It All! [Second Update]

    Everyone was getting restless.


    But no one made a move immediately, after all, there were numerous powerhouses present.


    Everyone wanted to obtain more treasures, but if anyone dared to make the first move, they would inevitably become the target of the masses.


    The safest method was to wait until everyone acted together and then fish in troubled waters.


    Yue Shanchuan urgently transmitted a message: "Yi, which one shall we rush for first later?"


    "Don''t rush!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, revealing a hint of a playful, cold smirk as his mocking glance swept over Hu Junyi, Ye Ling, and others.


    In his view...


    The first ones who couldn''t hold back and would make a move, would certainly be those two.


    Sure enough.


    Hu Junyi and Ye Ling exchanged glances and spoke in unison, "Half for each household!"


    The two nodded simultaneously.


    Swish! Swish!


    Powerful figures from Nantian Holy Institute and Nantian Holy Land instantly split into two groups, dashing toward the rocks scattered with treasures.


    Among those present at the scene...


    The strengths of these two groups were undoubtedly the most formidable.


    Seeing Nantian Holy Institute and Nantian Holy Land attempting to swallow all the treasures for themselves, a host of strong cultivators revealed expressions of anger as they bellowed, "Your greed is unsightly!"


    "Brothers, we must unite first to snatch the treasures, then we can negotiate how to divide them!"


    "That''s right, if we don''t unite now, all the treasures will end up theirs..."


    Great rewards beckon brave men.


    At worst, the stones contained seventh-layer spirit weapons and medicinal pills, and among them were even eighth-layer spirit weapons and battlegear. Any of these treasures could significantly enhance their strength, or even be exchanged for a life-extending spirit in the right place. Faced with such treasures, who would willingly give up?


    In an instant.


    Apart from the strong ones from Nantian Holy Land and Nantian Holy Institute, other strong figures also formed two camps.


    They too joined the fray for the treasures.


    Yi, however, remained unhurried and did not participate, which left Yue Shanchuan and others feeling perplexed, "Are we really not going to make a move to fight for them? These are rare treasures..."


    Eighth-layer spirit weapons and medicinal pills.


    These were opportunities not to be missed!


    Perhaps higher-level treasures might exist within Cloud Dream Temple, but remember, the task of everyone present was to go to the Cloud Dream Temple and break the barrier.


    Once the constraint of the barrier was lost.


    Elder Tianku, Nantian Lie, Yang Dingtian, and Su Xinghe, these super-experts of the Longevity Secret Realm, if they got involved, what chance would the rest have?


    Xiao Yi chuckled, saying, "Don''t panic!"


    Just then...


    A Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak expert with an extremely quick movement technique arrived at the Treasure Rock before Hu Junyi and the others.


    He was not greedy.


    Fully aware that he absolutely could not touch the eighth-layer treasures lest he provoke the siege of Hu Junyi and others, he opted for a second-best choice and picked up a seventh-layer spirit weapon. With the weapon in hand, the man immediately fled into the distance, shouting, "I only want this one, I''ll take nothing else!"


    Seeing this, Hu Junyi and the others didn''t go after this man for the sake of a single seventh-layer spirit weapon.


    Wu Jian was anxious. He also favored using a spear, and the very seventh-layer spirit weapon that had just been grabbed was the treasure he had dreamt of obtaining. Now that it had fallen into someone else''s hands, his expression turned rather unsightly, "Are we really going to just watch the treasures slip away before our eyes?"


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, "If you want to make a move, I won''t stop you!"


    After hesitating for a moment.


    Wu Jian clenched his teeth hard, "Sorry then!"


    Swish!


    Wu Jian immediately dashed toward Treasure Rock.


    Xiao Yi watched Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi with a smile, "Aren''t you two going?"


    Yue Shanchuan rolled his eyes, "If you don''t go, I won''t either!" S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chai Yi hesitated for a moment, then said, "I trust you!"


    Xiao Yi burst into laughter, his smile gradually fading as he slightly cocked his mouth, "Don''t worry, these treasures won''t escape from the palm of my hand!"


    He crossed his arms over his chest, quietly watching the scramble for treasures on Treasure Rock.


    It was like watching a group of clowns slaughtering each other.


    "This treasure is mine��"


    "I saw it first��"


    "Whoever gets it owns it��"


    "Die��"


    In the face of the treasure, human nature was undoubtedly exposed.


    Everyone showed their ugliest side.


    Even faced with their sworn brothers of the past, in the presence of the ultimate treasure, they would turn into the most venomous of Asuras and cruelly kill the brothers they once considered as close as their own limbs.


    The law of the jungle.


    This is an everlasting principle!


    Hu Junyi, Ye Ling, and the mysterious youth from Nantian Holy Institute snatched treasures with the greatest speed, monopolizing as much as seventy percent of the eighth-layer elemental weapons and medicinal ingredients and pills. Anyone bold enough to contend with them was walking a path to death. For a time, any treasure they set their sights on was not dared to be contested by others.


    The mysterious youth struck like lightning, snatching the eighth-layer elemental weapon armor from Hu Junyi''s hands, which was the most precious treasure on Treasure Rock.


    Armor in hand.


    Ye Ling instantly arrived by his side.


    It was two against one.


    Hu Junyi''s face turned ugly, he gritted his teeth, about to speak, when he saw that Xiao Yi had been watching the whole time without making a move for the treasures and couldn''t help frowning, "Xiao Yi isn''t making a move for the treasures?"


    Ye Ling and the others felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.


    Recalling how they had been crushed by Xiao Yi along the way, it seemed that Xiao Yi had always been confident, holding the winning cards.


    "Could there be a trick here?"


    "You guys are scaring yourselves, could these treasures really be poisoned?" Hu Junyi suddenly said.


    However...


    No sooner had he finished speaking than his expression dramatically changed.


    Within the crowd.


    Some began to stiffen, their figures frozen in place. Lifting up their trouser legs, they looked in horror, "What�� what''s going on? Why have my legs turned to stone?"


    "My hands have turned to stone, too��"


    "No, my chest has turned to stone��"


    "What on earth is happening?"


    Everyone wore a face of terror.


    Hu Junyi, Ye Ling, and the others'' expressions changed abruptly as they incredulously looked over their own bodies and indeed, they too had succumbed silently. Any strong person who had touched the treasures of Treasure Rock had begun to petrify, their body surfaces covered with a layer of blue stone skin that was spreading to other areas.


    It was only a matter of time before their entire bodies turned into stone statues.


    "What on earth is going on?"


    "Could these treasures really be poisoned after all?"


    "Could it be just an illusion?"


    The crowd murmured among themselves.


    A glint of cold light flashed through Hu Junyi''s eyes as he sent out a palm strike, breaking off the arm of a strong person beside him, whose hands had petrified. The severed arm turned into powder just like stone, but the unpetrified shoulder spouted out scalding blood. His face twisted in extreme agony as he howled, "My hand��"


    "Shut up!"


    Annoyed, Hu Junyi roared and his palm thrummed, emitting a burst of blue light, and with a bang, he smashed the man''s head to pieces.


    His own legs had already numbed, turned into a piece of blue stone.


    In their moment of despair,


    The mysterious youth from the Nantian Holy Institute turned to Xiao Yi and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi, you didn''t compete for the treasures, could it be that you knew there was something wrong with them?"


    Xiao Yi nodded his head.


    The youth narrowed his eyes, underneath his cloak a pair of eyes gleamed with resolution, "If you knew all along, you must have a way to save us, right? If you save me, I''ll share half of what I got today with you��"


    "I''m willing to��"


    "I''ll give you half as well��"


    The crowd spoke up one after another.


    Even the proud Hu Junyi was now speaking with a darkened face, "I can also give you half, Xiao Yi, help me��"


    Faced with everyone''s eyes, Xiao Yi flashed a grin, but that smile in the eyes of the crowd was like a demon baring its fangs, chilling to the bone, "Children make choices, I want all the treasures in your hands!"

 Chapter 746 - 744: Repaying Kindness with Enmity [Third Update]

    "Kids make choices, I want it all!"


    Xiao Yi grinned, his cold gaze sweeping over Hu Junyi and the others.


    Ever since he entered Yunmeng Marsh.


    This journey...


    Xiao Yi had gradually become familiar with the many traps within Yunmeng Marsh, although each trap was a mix of reality and deception, one thing remained unchanged.


    That was viciousness and malice!


    Whether it was the Godfall Demon Abyss or the later Death Colosseum, every stage was set with extreme malevolence.


    It aimed to put people to death!


    There was never a victory that could be easily obtained.


    Because of this.


    Upon seeing the treasures flying out of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor''s statue, Xiao Yi instinctively felt there was a trick to them, he did not believe that there could be easily obtained treasures within Yunmeng Marsh.


    The result was indeed as he had expected...


    These treasures were all imbued with the Secret Technique of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor.


    It was said that the Innate Divine Ability of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor could, at a glance, turn those with evil thoughts into stone sculptures.


    There are many kinds of wicked thoughts: thoughts of killing, greed, lust, desire...


    As Hu Junyi and others were fighting over the treasures, they harbored the three thoughts of murder, greed, and lust, which naturally activated the prohibitions on the treasures. Their bodies began to petrify, of course, before this, Xiao Yi was merely speculating, but as seen from the changes in Hu Junyi and the others, his speculation was on point!


    "Xiao Yi, you''re too greedy!"


    "There are no less than a thousand pieces of treasure here, with at least ten of them being Eighth-layer weapons and elixirs, and you actually want to monopolize them?"


    "You''re delusional!"


    The crowd angrily chastised.


    Xiao Yi shrugged nonchalantly, a carefree smile on his face, "To accept or to refuse is, of course, up to you. However, given your situation, I''m afraid you will all turn into sculptures soon... By then, I can simply take these treasures from your hands, and they will still be mine."


    Hiss!


    Everyone drew in a sharp breath.


    As they exchanged glances, they saw in each other''s eyes anger, as well as a touch of helplessness and unwillingness.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said...


    The prohibitions on these treasures were truly terrifying, continuously petrifying their bodies.


    It wouldn''t be long before.


    They would all become stone sculptures.


    On one side were treasures; on the other, their lives.


    Under the threat of death, the crowd soon opted to compromise, "I, I am willing to hand over all the treasures..."


    "So am I, just save my life..."


    With one strong individual yielding, there would be a second and a third.


    One after another, the strong willingly handed over their treasures.


    Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction; all of this was within his control. As he passed by each person, a wave of his hand gathered all the treasures into his storage ring.


    While collecting the treasures, Xiao Yi maintained a calm heart with not a shred of evil thought. Under the resentful glances of the strong, he declared confidently, "I''m doing this for your own good! I''m doing this for your own good! I''m doing this for your..."


    Hu Junyi''s ears rang with Xiao Yi''s words as he watched helplessly as Xiao Yi removed the storage ring from his hand and rummaged through his waistband to take away all the hidden elixirs, darkening his face even more than charcoal.


    Ye Ling looked at Xiao Yi provocatively, puffing out her chest, "There''s a piece of Spiritual Medicine here too, are you not going to take it?"


    Xiao Yi hesitated, then smiled, "I''m doing this for your own good!"


    Whoosh!


    He reached into her chest very innocently and took the Spiritual Medicine. As Ye Ling looked on numbly, he glanced at his palm and said, "It''s a bit small��"


    Ye Ling was consumed with shame and anger, her eyes a deep red as she shouted, "What, what did you say?"


    Xiao Yi uttered an "oh" and said with a righteous air, "All I''ve done is for your own good!"


    ...


    Ye Ling''s teeth clenched with a grinding sound.


    Sweeping through, Xiao Yi had scavenged all the treasures, only then nodding in satisfaction.


    From beginning to end.


    As he took the treasures, he harbored no wicked thoughts and did not trigger any prohibitions placed upon them.


    Moreover...


    Just as he obtained these treasures, Xiao Yi had already learned how to lift the prohibitions and break the curses.


    "Hu Junyi, you''ve taken everything, so now you can help us remove the curses on us, right?" Hu Junyi said impatiently.


    Xiao Yi smiled and nodded, "I shall now lift the curses from you."


    He took out the crown.


    And placed it upon his head.


    Golden light flowed in streams, merging into his pupils, his eyes emitting a layer of goldenshine. With his gaze, the parts of people''s bodies turned to stone began to dissolve their blue stoniness. With just one glance, their bodies slowly regained the ability to move.


    Crack, crack, crack!


    With the curses removed from their bodies, everyone began excitedly moving their limbs.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes slightly narrowed, his gaze growing colder.


    Because...


    People like Hu Junyi and Ye Ling, as soon as their curses were lifted, had already surrounded him.


    Yue Shanchuan''s expression was as dark as still waters as he stared at everyone and demanded, "What are you doing? Xiao Yi just saved you, are you going to repay kindness with enmity?"


    "Repay kindness with enmity? Don''t make it sound so ugly. We are merely reclaiming what belongs to us!"


    "As for Xiao Yi... Humph, he must have guessed that contending for these precious treasures would sour, yet he didn''t inform us ahead of time. His intentions are condemnable..."


    "Xiao Yi, return the treasures to us, or we''ll kill you right here..." S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The crowd spoke one after another.


    Yue Shanchuan glared angrily, feeling it was unfair for Xiao Yi, "You''re going too far. Without Xiao Yi, you''d all be petrified by now..."


    "You''ve been targeting our big boss Xiao Yi from the start, always trying to put him in mortal danger. Why should he inform you about the issues with the treasures? Even if he did, would you have believed him?" Chai Yi was fully aware that even if Xiao Yi had warned them about the treasures beforehand, Hu Junyi and the others wouldn''t have believed him. Faced with their undermining behavior, he felt a surge of rage.


    With a cold huff, Hu Junyi spoke arrogantly, "Whether we''d believe him is our business, but the fact he knew about the treasures'' risk and didn''t warn us shows he had ill-intentions!"


    "This kind of treacherous and sly villain, why even waste words? Just kill him!"


    "Kill him, divide all the treasures, and we can even take his corpse to the royal family to exchange for the elixir of eternal life, why not enjoy this?"


    Pair after pair of eyes looked at Xiao Yi with a fierce intent to kill.


    "You..."


    Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi turned deathly pale.


    Even with Xiao Yi''s heaven-defying combat power, facing powerful adversaries like Hu Junyi, Ye Ling, and other mysterious young men, the three of them likely stood no chance.


    As tensions rose to breaking point, a battle seemed imminent.


    Xiao Yi pulled the two behind him, smiled showing a cold curvature, and spoke deliberately, "I anticipated you''d pull such a move... However, if you wish to take those things from my hands, you''ll have to ask my sword if it agrees!"


    With the final word spoken.


    Clang!


    The sound of a sword cry pierced the heavens.


    The Demon Sword Zhan Yue transformed into a surge of blood-red sword light, shooting straight into the skies...

 Chapter 747 - 745 You Lost!【Fourth Update】

    Clang!


    The Demon Sword Cleaving Moon brought up a swath of blood-red sword light, standing tall between heaven and earth.


    The cold sword brilliance scattered in all directions, forming a terrifying Sword Qi storm, the overwhelming sword might made all the strong ones present feel a wave of trepidation.


    Sword Soul!


    This was a level even higher than Sword Intent.


    Humming!


    The Cleaving Moon vibrated intensely, its sharp sword brilliance pointed directly towards Hu Junyi, its sword light fluctuating, Sword Qi vast, seemingly provoking the Eighth-layer Yuan Weapon Hao Tian Sword on Hu Junyi.


    Whoosh!


    The Hao Tian Sword burst forth from inside Hu Junyi.


    Hao Tian Sword!


    Eighth-layer Yuan Weapon!


    Its entire body gleamed with azure light, a dragon coiled around the blade, its edge incredibly sharp, shining with a cold glow. Merely by its appearance, the sound of the sword''s hum had already overshadowed the Cleaving Moon''s sharpness, making the red light of the Cleaving Moon in Xiao Yi''s hands even stronger, as if extremely excited and itching to try, as if the moment Xiao Yi loosened his grip, it would rush out like a runaway wild horse.


    "I didn''t expect you to be a master of the sword as well!"


    Hu Junyi looked at Xiao Yi expressionlessly, his eyes full of arrogant posturing. He was the number one expert of the Nantian Holy Institute''s outer sect, holding the Hao Tian Sword with unmatched sword skills in the Nantian Holy Institute. Not more than one or two Inner Sect prodigies could surpass him in the way of the sword. Precisely because of this, Nantian Wen had bestowed upon him the Hao Tian Sword.


    Nantian Wen also had high hopes for Hu Junyi!


    He hoped that he would become the number one Swordsman of the Nantian Dynasty!


    Hu Junyi looked towards Ye Ling and others beside him, signaling them not to make a move, and said indifferently, "You all just watch from the side. Today, let me teach him what a true master of the sword is!"


    Whoosh!


    Hu Junyi''s figure shot out like an arrow released from a bow.


    The Hao Tian Sword, which had been hovering in the air, followed closely with a swoosh, instantly catching up to Hu Junyi. With a single hand in the air, he firmly grasped the Hao Tian Sword. At the same time, with a leap, Hu Junyi merged with the Hao Tian Sword into one, like a peerless swordsman, his sword swept across the void, its brilliance shocking the sky, forming a golden long rainbow: "Unstoppable force!"


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The ground trembled, grass and trees soared, as the sword''s edge passed.


    Among the flying sand and stones.


    The momentum of this sword did not diminish.


    Xiao Yi reached out with his right hand into the air, and the Cleaving Moon spun several times in the air, landing in his hand with a swoosh.


    He held the sword with his hand, commanding the sword with his thoughts!


    Wherever his thoughts went, the sword edge followed!


    "Sword Twenty-two!"


    The Cleaving Moon traced a sword shadow in front of him, leaving behind a sword mark at each point it passed.


    Thousands of sword shadows converged into a circular sword ring.


    As Xiao Yi thrust the Cleaving Moon through the core of the sword ring, all the sword tips on the ring turned, pointing towards Hu Junyi, all shooting out at once with a whooshing sound.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Countless sword rains collided with that long rainbow of sword light in mid-air.


    Like needle points against wheat awns!


    The two distinct sword brilliance sparked a blindingly dazzling light.


    That light paused for just a moment.


    Then...


    Two violent hurricanes swept towards both directions.


    These hurricanes contained tremendous Sword Qi.


    Everyone hastily put up their defenses, retreating rapidly, not daring to get too close to the battle circle.


    The only sound that could be heard in the midst of that sphere of light was the deafening roar that continued to ring out.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Each thunderous boom was accompanied by the shaking of the earth.


    Everyone looked from a distance...


    They saw the ground continuously collapsing, the diameter of the pit expanding from the initial few hundred meters to tens of thousands of meters. It was like an abyss with no end, and the air was filled with terrifying Sword Qi, leaving everyone feeling a dryness in their throats: "The swordsmanship of these two is so terrifying?"


    "In the regular Longevity Secret Realm, there probably aren''t many who could surpass these two in the way of the sword!"


    Ye Ling stared closely at the battle, turning to the mysterious youth beside her: "Senior brother, who do you think will win this battle?"


    The mysterious young man pondered for a moment, his eyes beneath his cloak emitting a sharp brilliance, and spoke, "Hu Junyi''s attainment in the way of the sword is formidable enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the top swordsmanship talents of our Holy Land. Moreover, he possesses the Eighth-layer Yuan Weapon Hao Tian Sword... In this battle, his chances of victory are much greater!"


    "And what about Xiao Yi?"


    After posing the question, Ye Ling''s face suddenly stiffened.


    For some reason, the image of Xiao Yi flashed through her mind. She shook her head vigorously, and seeing the mysterious young man staring at her, she hastily said, "I am just curious. Xiao Yi''s swordsmanship has transcended the realm of Sword Intent, condensing a Sword Spirit. Could it be that even with the strength of the Sword Spirit, he is not a match for Hu Junyi?"


    Without overthinking, the mysterious young man replied, his eyes glinting with wise light, and he chuckled coldly, "Being able to condense a Sword Spirit indeed surpasses my expectations of his natural talent for swordsmanship. However, his Cultivation Realm has doomed him to not possibly defeat Hu Junyi!"


    Cultivation Realm?


    Ye Ling was taken aback and then recalled that Xiao Yi was only at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak. She swallowed hard and muttered to herself, "Dharma Phase Realm Peak, yet able to slay a warrior of the Human Venerate Realm; even in our Nantian Holy Land, no one can do that, can they?"


    The mysterious young man uttered an "eh": "..."


    At that moment...


    The sphere of condensed sword light violently trembled, and then, with a booming sound, the sphere burst apart.


    In the midst of fragmentation��


    Xiao Yi and Hu Junyi soared into the sky simultaneously, with sword lights flickering rapidly beneath their feet, striking at each other in mid-air.


    Clang!


    Clang!


    Clang!


    The Vast Heaven Sword and the cutting moon collided in mid-air, emitting a blinding, intense spark.


    The moment Hu Junyi landed, he leapt up, charging towards Xiao Yi once more.


    Xiao Yi, with a light tap of the ground with the tip of his foot, spun with the momentum, while his sword edge swept across horizontally.


    Duang!


    The two swords collided again.


    But it was just a touch and go.


    As they backed off from each other, Hu Junyi''s icy voice came through, "I didn''t expect your swordsmanship to be stronger than I anticipated. It seems you are worthy to take this strike from me!"


    Hum!


    Hu Junyi raised the Vast Heaven Sword high in his hand.


    Majestic and dignified.


    As he suddenly opened his eyes, a heavy dark cloud gathered above the firmament, and booming thunder descended from the sky, striking the Hao Tian Sword. The sword became engulfed in thunder light, streaking along the blade. This sword, capable of invoking the power of heaven and earth''s thunder, was already showing signs of might akin to the Longevity Secret Realm: "Celestial Thunder Strike!"


    Boom!


    With the strike of the sword, an immense sword shadow descended from the heavens.


    Endless torrents of thunder cascaded down from all directions, falling upon the sword light, a sword strike that shook the heavens, seeking to cleave the very sky!


    This golden thunderous sword light had already bathed the surrounding world in a brilliant layer of golden brilliance.


    Faced with Hu Junyi''s lethal strike.


    Xiao Yi''s brows lifted lightly like the edge of a sword, his eyes radiating an ultimate sharpness. Yet, he simply held the hilt with one hand, casually unleashing a sword strike, "Sword Twenty-Three!"


    Hum!


    Between heaven and earth��


    Sword light condensed into a circular Sword Array.


    A sword round each, in heaven and earth. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sword lights burst forth, linking the celestial and terrestrial sword discs, with a swish sound, firmly trapping Hu Junyi''s strike within the domain of the sword.


    At the same time��


    Xiao Yi brought his hands together.


    Hum!


    The Sword Array closed simultaneously.


    With a resounding boom, the thunderous sword light exploded apart.


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi''s figure sprinted close to the ground, the Sword Array undulating beneath his feet. In an instant, a vast domain of sword engulfed Hu Junyi. Sword light chains wrapped around Hu Junyi''s body, freezing his movement, rendering the Longsword in his hands immobile. The icy edge of the cutting moon was fully revealed.


    With a swish!


    The chilly blade had already touched Hu Junyi''s neck.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved up slightly, and he said, "You''ve lost!"

 Chapter 748 - 746: Dog-like Thing [First Update]

    "You lost!"


    Xiao Yi''s Zhan Yue rested on Hu Junyi''s neck, the cold blade''s radiance flickering with sharp, frosty light.


    That keen edge didn''t even need to move; it had already left a sword mark on his throat.


    Blood rolled down along the sword.


    Glug!


    Hu Junyi swallowed hard, his pupils contracted continually, his gaze shifting from the blade before him, then to Xiao Yi''s arm, and finally settling on Xiao Yi''s face.


    He simply couldn''t imagine...


    ...that his own swordsmanship, of which he was so proud, would be defeated by Xiao Yi''s hands.


    "I, I lost?"


    Hu Junyi muttered to himself.


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and said indifferently, "You lost!"


    "I, I..."


    Hu Junyi''s mouth trembled, and suddenly, his expression turned incredibly fierce. His eyes emitted a savage and resentful chill as he roared, "Impossible, I cannot possibly lose. I am the top external disciple of the Nantian Holy Institute, I am the future number one swordsman of the Nantian Dynasty. How could I possibly lose to you?"


    Boom!


    A black light circulated around Hu Junyi''s body as if black metal was enveloping him.


    A silver holy sword suspended in the air behind him.


    He grabbed the Vast Heaven Sword beside him and stabbed at Xiao Yi.


    A sneak attack!


    Everyone around them cried out in alarm.


    Losing was not the end of the world!


    But losing and not admitting it, then resorting to a sneak attack!


    Even if Hu Junyi killed Xiao Yi, his reputation would be completely destroyed, and this would also become his Heart Demon.


    Transforming into a chasm in his life that he could never cross!


    "Hu Junyi''s path of the sword has been completely destroyed!" a mysterious young man said with a complex expression.


    He had thought that Hu Junyi was certain to win.


    But the outcome...


    Hu Junyi was defeated by Xiao Yi''s hands, having lost the resilient heart of a swordsman, and had resorted to a sneak attack in a desperate bid to turn the tide.


    Ye Ling looked at Xiao Yi with a complex expression and shook her head lightly, "Even though his heart of the sword is destroyed, with this sneak attack, Xiao Yi will at least be severely injured. For Hu Junyi, his sword path is indeed ruined, but he will still receive Nantian Wen''s rewards and favor. Such is fate for each and every action!"


    "It''s just a pity that the Secret Technique that allows Xiao Yi to evolve the God Devouring Ants to form an army will now be lost forever..." the mysterious young man murmured.


    In their eyes.


    In the face of Hu Junyi''s sneak attack, Xiao Yi was surely beyond any chance of survival.


    All of this seemed slow, but in reality, it all happened in the blink of an eye.


    The cold sword radiance had already reached Xiao Yi''s chest.


    The Vast Heaven Sword was an eighth-layer Yuan weapon, incredibly sharp, and once someone was injured by it, the wound would be extremely difficult to heal. Furthermore, the raging Sword Qi would invade the body, such that even a personage of the Longevity Secret Realm would have to pay a tremendous price to completely clear the raging Sword Qi from within their body.


    "Go to hell!"


    Hu Junyi, his face distorted with savagery, sneered with gritted teeth, "Even if it ruins my path of the sword, as long as I kill you I''ll gain the seventh-grade Longevity Essence. Once I step into the Longevity Secret Realm, who would dare to slight me? The victor becomes king, the loser is the bandit. As long as the goal is achieved, what does it matter how it''s done? Hahaha..."


    However, Hu Junyi''s smile soon completely solidified on his face.


    The Vast Heaven Sword fell upon Xiao Yi''s chest but did not make the sound of piercing flesh. Instead, there was a clear ding.


    Looking up.


    A blinding burst of fire shot out from Xiao Yi''s chest where it met with the Vast Heaven Sword, sparks scattering onto Hu Junyi''s face, yet he didn''t even blink.


    He just stared dumbfounded at Xiao Yi, who was completely unharmed.


    Glug!


    Hu Junyi swallowed hard, his face a picture of bewilderment: "How, how, how is this possible..."


    This was the Vast Heaven Sword, after all!


    An eighth-layer Yuan weapon!


    And under the circumstances of a sneak attack, it hadn''t even been able to break through Xiao Yi''s defenses?


    Xiao Yi''s face darkened like coal, and he had not expected Hu Junyi to resort to a sneak attack. He shook his head in disappointment, I thought you were an opponent worth my attention, but it turns out you are just another piece of trash.


    You, you...


    Hu Junyi''s face turned pale as he saw the cold killing intent in Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    Crack!


    Xiao Yi slapped the Vast Heaven Sword out of his hand.


    An eighth-layer Yuan weapon can recognize its master.


    In the instant Hu Junyi launched his sneak attack on Xiao Yi, he had already lost the Vast Heaven Sword''s approval. The lackluster Vast Heaven Sword was knocked aside by Xiao Yi. His right hand reached out and grasped Hu Junyi''s neck, slowly lifting his body, while his eyes emanated unpredictable cold glints, You are not worthy to wield a sword!


    No, you can''t kill me, I am a talent favored by His Majesty, if you kill me His Majesty won''t let you go... Hu Junyi desperately clutched Xiao Yi''s arms, struggling violently.


    Xiao Yi said expressionlessly, Then let him come!


    Crack!


    With a squeeze of his five fingers, he crushed Hu Junyi''s throat.


    Hu Junyi''s head slumped to the side and blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth.


    His life was utterly extinguished!


    Bang!


    Xiao Yi flung Hu Junyi''s corpse aside with a wave of his hand. His icy gaze turned toward Ye Ling and the others, and for a moment, no one dared to meet his eyes.


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh.


    He collected the Vast Heaven Sword from the ground. The characteristic of Zhan Yue''s ability to devour Yuan weapons was not something that could be revealed in front of people, especially since advancing Zhan Yue to an eighth-layer Yuan weapon would not go unnoticed. Now was not the suitable time to elevate Zhan Yue to an eighth-layer Yuan weapon.


    Does anyone else wish to make a move against me? Xiao Yi swept his gaze over the crowd and said softly.


    Ye Ling: ...


    The Mysterious Youngster: ...


    The crowd: ...


    With Hu Junyi just having died before their eyes, who would dare to act?


    Even Ye Ling was merely on par with Hu Junyi, and though the mysterious young man''s strength was above Ye Ling''s, he had shown no intention of taking action from the beginning.


    It seemed his goal in entering the Cloud Dream Temple was not Xiao Yi.


    He naturally would not rashly take action.


    Slowly retracting his gaze, Xiao Yi stated casually, If no one will make a move, then I shall take my leave first!


    He then looked toward Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi.


    The two of them followed closely behind.


    Wu Jian also followed them closely, and Xiao Yi turned back to look at him.


    Wu Jian chuckled awkwardly, saying, Xiao... Xiao Yi boss, I''ve always looked up to you as the leader. You, the magnanimous one, surely won''t chase me away over such a trifle, right? If you really drive me away just because I didn''t listen to you just now, others will say you''re petty!


    In Wu Jian''s view, Xiao Yi, considering his reputation, had no choice but to allow him to continue to follow them.


    As long as he stayed with Xiao Yi, when it was time to divide the treasures, being part of the team, he would naturally get his share.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, observing all his expressions and seeing right through his thoughts.


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, If you follow any further, I''ll butcher you!


    You...


    Wu Jian''s expression changed, not expecting Xiao Yi to reject his manipulation. His eyes turned sullen, and realizing Xiao Yi truly wouldn''t allow him to continue following, he gnashed his teeth and said, Fine, I may not follow you, but remember I was part of your team. Back at the Death Colosseum, no one was willing to support you; only I stood by you. I also have a share in the treasures obtained at Treasure Rock. Just give me what belongs to me, and I won''t bother you anymore!


    Your share?


    Xiao Yi laughed out of sheer anger.


    How shameless can you be? Yue Shanchuan said darkly.


    Chai Yi spoke coldly, Wu Jian, everything we achieved was thanks to Xiao Yi boss''s efforts. Plus, Xiao Yi boss told you not to rush for the treasures, and you wouldn''t listen. He generously helped lift the curse from you afterward, and instead of being thankful, you now dare demand the treasures? Your skin is thicker than that of an eighth-layer Yuan weapon armor!


    Despite the ridicule from the others, Wu Jian remained unfazed and said coldly, Xiao Yi, just say whether you''ll give it or not!


    I will... Xiao Yi turned back and replied. S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Excitement flashed across Wu Jian''s face, but as a smile had just started to form, a sword glow slashed across his neck. Wu Jian''s face still bore a smile as his head rolled down, and Xiao Yi''s icy voice resonated in his ears, Take that, you son of a bitch... You dog-like creature, you dare threaten me?

 Chapter 749 - 747 Eat Your Uncle! [Second Update]

    Xiao Yi''s face bore a cold expression.


    Zhang''s body slowly settled on the ground, and his blood-soaked head rolled about, coming to a stop in front of Yue Shanchuan.


    Yue Shanchuan spat viciously at Zhang''s head, "Despicable and shameless wretch!"


    Bang!


    A foot stomped over.


    Crushing Zhang''s head to a pulp and beyond.


    Chai Yi also wore a look of disgust.


    If it hadn''t been for Xiao Yi, Zhang would have died many times over.


    Yet Zhang had the audacity to shamelessly blackmail Xiao Yi, trying to claim a share of the treasures.


    Now that he was killed by Xiao Yi, everyone felt a sense of satisfaction.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand at the two, not immediately distributing the treasures obtained from Treasure Rock. After all, there were too many eyes here. If others saw Chai Yi and Yue Shanchuan receiving treasures, they would also become targets. Xiao Yi, after all, was just one person, and two fists can''t beat four hands. Should a conflict arise, he wouldn''t be able to protect them both.


    Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi didn''t mention the treasure distribution either.


    In their view...


    From start to finish, neither of them had contributed much, especially on the slate path just now.


    If it weren''t for Xiao Yi''s rescue, they would have already perished under the sneak attacks of those statues.


    Watching Xiao Yi and the others leave, Ye Ling and the rest exchanged glances without a word.


    The mysterious youth sighed and said, "Let''s follow them!"


    With Hu Junyi''s example in mind, the remaining powerhouses had become much more subdued.


    No longer daring to rashly provoke Xiao Yi.


    According to Xiao Yi''s estimation, they had only traveled two-thirds of the journey, but the rest of the path was surprisingly quiet.


    They didn''t encounter even the slightest ripple all the way.


    They moved unhindered, now reaching the core region of the Yunmeng Marsh. What they could see with their own eyes in front of them was like an Ancient Giant Beast sprawling on the horizon, the Cloud Dream Temple.


    This was the former palace of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor.


    Majestic, imposing, ancient.


    The whole temple emitted an aura of ancientness inside and out.


    "Ahead is the Cloud Dream Temple!"


    "We''re finally going to reach the Cloud Dream Temple... There were so many treasures on Treasure Rock. The Cloud Dream Temple must be filled with even more treasures!"


    "We''re going to be rich..." sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lured by the Cloud Dream Temple, everyone unconsciously quickened their speed.


    Although the Cloud Dream Temple seemed close at hand, the journey proved longer than expected �� by the time they actually arrived at Yunmen Temple, five to six hours had passed.


    With flying forbidden in the entirety of the Yunmeng Marsh, those accustomed to flying could only rely on legwork.


    It was indeed a trial.


    Fortunately, their goal was right in front of them, and victory seemed within reach.


    Hum!


    The Cloud Dream Temple occupied an extremely vast area, at least from where they stood in front of the temple, the gateway alone exceeded a hundred meters.


    The entire wall soared into the clouds, reaching at least a kilometer high.


    The walls were like blood-red dragons, coiling around the entire city, and above the Cloud Dream Temple, there was also a spherical light shield enveloping it. This barrier seemed to separate and protect, serving as the former palace of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor. Its strength was so formidable that perhaps even a Nantian Venerate wouldn''t be able to rattle it in the slightest.


    After all.


    The Yunmeng Dynasty of those years had been an existence that contended with the Nantian Dynasty for many years, relying solely on the Demon Emperor.


    This, being her imperial palace.


    How could its defenses be anything but strong?


    This also prevented anyone from thinking of launching a direct assault or sneaking into the Cloud Dream Temple.


    The crowd stood on the plaza in front of the Cloud Dream Temple...


    The plaza was vast.


    Even the bricks on the ground were made of obsidian, a material capable of forging third-tier Yuan weapons. Obsidian had two characteristics: it was extremely hard and had the ability to self-repair.


    Yue Shanchuan said solemnly, "Back then, the Yunmeng Dynasty was the only dynasty in the history of the Southern State formed by beasts. Although the Yunmeng Dynasty also had human subjects, most of those who could come and go from the Yunmen Temple were strong creatures of the beast clan. Among them were some of a massive size, and had the roads and plazas not been built with obsidian, they would likely have been destroyed just after being laid!"


    Xiao Yi nodded in agreement.


    Not to mention anything else.


    Just the Heavenly Blue Bull Python alone, whose scales were comparable to a seventh-grade Yuan weapon, could leave a trench-like trail as it crawled over the ground.


    If it were an ordinary surface, this place would have become desolate long ago.


    ```


    Thump, thump, thump!


    A series of dull war drum sounds suddenly erupted from within the Cloud Dream Temple, echoing around the plaza as beams of light shot into the sky.


    The grand doors of the Cloud Dream Temple slowly opened.


    A colossal figure emerged.


    It was a Taotie.


    Taotie!


    With a mouth but no anus, it devours everything yet remains hungry!


    It means that the mythical creature, the Taotie, has a massive mouth but no anus. It only eats without excreting, and its appetite is terrifying��to the extent that, even after consuming everything, it remains in a state of hunger. Legend has it that during the war between the Yunmeng Dynasty and the Nantian Dynasty, the Taotie once swallowed a million soldiers in a single gulp, but in the end, it was slain by a powerful being from the sacred lands of the Nantian!


    This, of course, wasn''t the real Taotie, but rather a consciousness avatar similar to the Heavenly Blue Bull Python from before.


    The Taotie yawned, its blood-red eyes sweeping over the crowd, shaking its massive head with apparent regret as it muttered to itself, "It''s such a pity that all these delicacies can only be seen and not eaten..."


    The crowd couldn''t help but shiver: "..."


    This Taotie, in its lifetime, was a super-strong being comparable to the Earthly Honor, and even as a consciousness avatar, it was comparable to the Human Venerate.


    Though among those present, such as Xiao Yi, Ye Ling, and the mysterious young man, all had the capabilities to contend against it.


    But after all, the Taotie represented the Cloud Dream Temple.


    They dared not contend with it.


    The Taotie yawned again, stamped its front foot on the ground, and amid resounding booms, stone tables appeared in front of everyone, each sporting a large bowl. The bowls were empty, and judging by the number, there was one for each person. As everyone gazed in confusion, the Taotie spoke indifferently, "You see the bowls in front of you, right?"


    The crowd nodded.


    Clueless faces all around.


    Are we being invited for a meal?


    The Taotie grinned, revealing a human-like evil smile on its ferocious face as it said, "To enter the Cloud Dream Temple, you must first pass my test. My test is very simple, first, you must eat the ''delicacy'' I have prepared for you, then crawl under my crotch, and then you can enter the Cloud Dream Temple!"


    As it spoke,


    the Taotie opened its mouth and retched, spewing out a disgusting, yellow, sticky liquid.


    It was just like the Taotie''s excrement!


    The foul-smelling liquid dispersed and settled steadily into the bowls in front of everyone.


    "Ugh..."


    "Damn, is that shit? How can it be so foul-smelling?"


    One by one, the complexions of the strong turned green.


    This really was shit!


    The Taotie has no anus; it eats without shitting, but that doesn''t stop it from vomiting!


    The Taotie chuckled and said, "Eat up quickly, crawl under my crotch afterward, and you can enter the Cloud Dream Temple. Inside are many treasures waiting for you, along with the longevity spirit you''ve all dreamt of, hahaha..."


    It splayed its hooves and spanned the entrance to the temple.


    If the crowd wished to enter the Cloud Dream Temple, they could only crawl under its crotch.


    To crawl under the crotch is already an insult.


    To eat something akin to shit is even more humiliating!


    But...


    For the sake of treasures, one by one, the strong''s eyes reddened, they gritted their teeth, closed their eyes, "Damn it, I''ll eat!"


    "For the sake of the treasures!"


    "For the sake of the longevity spirit..."


    One by one, the strong gulped down the contents of the bowls, their faces turning ashen, as the taste was indeed too repulsive.


    Like shit that had been left to ferment for several years.


    "I''ll, I''ll go first..." With trembling steps, one strong being approached the Taotie, crawled under its crotch, and indeed entered the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Following hesitation, Ye Ling and the mysterious young man, along with others, could no longer stand firm and did as the Taotie had instructed.


    One by one, the strong entered the temple.


    For a time,


    only Xiao Yi, Yue Shanchuan, and Chai Yi were left on the plaza.


    The three looked at each other.


    The Taotie grew impatient, "Aren''t you three going to eat up and scramble in?"


    Yue Shanchuan and Chai Jing looked towards Xiao Yi, their eyes questioning: Shall we eat?


    Xiao Yi''s face was dark as coal, and with an angry kick, he flipped the table in front of him, drew his blade into his palm, and his icy gaze fixed on the Taotie: "I''ll eat your grandfather..."


    ```

 Chapter 750 - 748: No One Dares to Stop! [Third Update]

    "Go eat your grandfather!"


    Xiao Yi, holding the moon-cutting blade, leaped high into the air, his body emanating a piercing Evil Qi that seemed tangible, causing the temperature around him to plummet by more than ten degrees.


    Among the howling cold winds and evident killing intent, he charged towards Taotie.


    This beast actually expects me to eat shit?


    And dares suggest I crawl between its legs?


    Isn''t this asking for death?


    Watching Xiao Yi kick over the table and advance towards him with his sword, Taotie''s face revealed a human-like dumbfounded expression.


    His mind went blank.


    Who am I?


    Where am I?


    What am I supposed to do?


    The three existential questions suddenly flooded Taotie''s mind.


    He is one of the ten Demon Marshals of the Yunmeng Dynasty, the mythological beast Taotie that guards the Cloud Dream Temple!


    The Guardian of this trial!


    Unless he grants permission and one passes his test, it''s absolutely impossible to enter the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Didn''t you see the prodigy Ye Ling from the Holy Land or the mysterious youth, obediently eating that bowl of shit and crawling under his legs?


    Taotie never expected someone would dare to resist!


    Let alone wish to kill him!


    Ye Ling and others also didn''t expect this...


    Looking at each other with bewilderment, their faces sported the same confused look, "I, I must be hallucinating from eating shit, Xiao Yi actually wants to kill Taotie?"


    "Is it me who has gone crazy from eating shit or is it Xiao Yi who''s lost his mind?"


    "This is the Guardian of the Cloud Dream Temple, the former Demon Marshal, how, how, how could he dare..."


    Ye Ling''s pretty face turned pale, she bit her lower lip gently and looked towards the mysterious youth beside her, "Shi, Shixiong, has Xiao Yi really gone mad?"


    "Gone mad?"


    The mysterious youth rolled his eyes and then let out a wry smile, sighing softly, "When it comes to courage, I''m not his match."


    "Huh?"


    Ye Ling was startled and showed a puzzled expression.


    She knew very well the identity of this mysterious youth, even the elders from the Nantian Holy Land highly regarded him, he always carried himself with pride, disregarding everything. Not even his peers from the Nantian Holy Land could catch his eye, let alone those so-called geniuses from outside, who didn''t even qualify to catch his attention.


    But now...


    He was actually admitting that he was less courageous than Xiao Yi?


    The mysterious youth nodded forcefully, his expression complex as he said, "Even I, in the face of the temptation from the Cloud Dream Temple, had to submit to Taotie. The thought of resistance never crossed my mind, only focused on completing the mission. But Xiao Yi is different, his pride and martial spirit won''t allow him to be humiliated, eating shit and crawling under a beast are beyond what he can tolerate. Therefore, he chooses to kill Taotie..."


    Hiss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp in shock.


    If we are to be honest,


    Among those present...


    Indeed, not a single one had given any thought to killing Taotie to pass the trial directly.


    Just as the mysterious youth said, in terms of courage, none of them could compare to Xiao Yi.


    "What''s the use of having courage? Taotie is an ancient mythical beast, one of the former ten Demon Marshals, how could Xiao Yi possibly be his opponent?"


    "I fear he will anger Taotie, thereby implicating us all!"


    Many people, having eaten shit and crawled between its legs to enter the Cloud Dream Temple, naturally didn''t want to see Xiao Yi kill Taotie and enter unscathed, speaking in a sardonic and strange tone.


    But their faces were quickly slapped hard!


    Duang!


    Xiao Yi''s blade transformed into a hundred-yard-long sword light, descending from the sky with overwhelming momentum.


    Taotie was worthy of being a former Demon Marshal.


    Caught off guard.


    The moment he realized what was happening, two balls of icy cold light burst forth from his blood-red eyes, and with a cold snort, he exhaled two streams of chaotic air from his nostrils. His body shook and, opening his mouth, he spat out a black energy sphere that, with a buzzing sound, shot out toward the sword light like a mountain, both unleashing a violent surge of energy.


    They collided in the void.


    Boom!


    The entire Cloud Dream Temple violently trembled.


    The violent energy scattered in all directions.


    Xiao Yi''s figure was sent flying backward, spinning several times in the void before coming to a stop.


    Upon steadying himself, Xiao Yi tapped the ground with the tip of his foot, and with a bang, he shot forward again like an arrow released from its bow.


    The Glutton was also knocked back several steps, his body huge, covering dozens of meters in a single stride. His frame crashed against the city wall behind the Cloud Dream Temple with a rumble, causing his figure to shake violently. The killing intent in his blood-colored eyes was sky-shattering, and the sight of his saw-toothed fangs as he opened his mouth was enough to send chills down one''s spine.


    "You''re courting death!"


    The Glutton roared furiously as black light swirled around his body, gathering into dark spheres behind him.


    Then the whooshing sounds of cleaving air followed one after another.


    Columns of black light soared into the sky and then plummeted from the great heights.


    They were like black meteors.


    Wrapped in black flames, they burned fiercely as they hurtled down. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    As the spheres of black energy hit the ground, they immediately exploded, blasting large craters into the solid black gleaming stone below.


    Xiao Yi moved nimbly, dodging all attacks with the grace of a leaf that does not touch the flowers it passes, before suddenly diving forward to stand before the Glutton. The Glutton''s eyes flashed viciously, his gaze icy cold as he roared, "Darkness Devour!"


    Buzz!


    A black vortex emerged in his mouth.


    Countless streams of black energy from all around converged into a massive black vortex, as if intending to swallow everything before it whole.


    But just as the black vortex took shape,


    Xiao Yi reached out with his palm, his vital energy gushing forth, turning into a brilliant silver hand in the void. This hand reached forward and violently grasped the Glutton''s upper and lower lips, clamping his mouth shut. The Glutton''s eyes widened in shock, filled with terror.


    His mouth was so filled with violent energy that it bulged, his face displaying an expression of utter terror.


    Whimpering sounds!


    The Glutton let out a series of muffled groans as he struggled frantically.


    But Xiao Yi was unmoved, as the Slash Moon transformed into a hundred-zhang longsword. With a thrust, it pierced through the Glutton''s mouth, pinning him firmly to the ground. Then, Xiao Yi quickly retreated backward. The Glutton tried to pull the sword light out with his claws, but his arms were too short to reach the longsword, while the energy inside his mouth had already accrued to its peak.


    It had stretched his mouth to the limit.


    And then��


    Boom!


    The earth trembled, and all of Yunmeng Marsh shook like chaff in the wind.


    A burst of light shot into the heavens.


    The mushroom cloud rolled and billowed, rising thousands of feet high.


    As the ferocious energy storm dissipated,


    In front of Cloud Dream Temple, the guardian known as the Glutton was no longer there, leaving only a longsword flickering with icy cold light and half of a mutilated lip.


    "..."


    Inside and outside Cloud Dream Temple,


    Everyone stood dumbfounded, unable to utter a sound.


    Only Xiao Yi appeared casual, recalling the Slash Moon into his body with a wave of his hand, the corners of his mouth slightly raised. He looked at the stunned Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi, "Follow me into the hall!"


    "Okay, okay!"


    Yue Shanchuan and his companion exchanged a look and quickly followed behind him.


    On their way��


    Even Ye Ling and the mysterious young man unconsciously stepped aside. Although they had entered the Cloud Dream Temple first, no one dared to block their path in the face of Xiao Yi''s bright and radiant smile��

 Chapter 751 - 749: Sorry to Disappoint You【Fourth Update】

    Xiao Yi led Yue Shanchuan and another person without any obstruction.


    Along the way...


    The formidable warriors before them all voluntarily stepped aside, fearful that they might inadvertently offend Xiao Yi and thus bring disaster upon themselves.


    The three of them took the lead.


    A moment later.


    They passed through the outermost area of the Cloud Dream Temple and arrived before the first palace.


    The entire Cloud Dream Temple had three layers.


    The first layer contained palaces where the mythical beast war generals and powerhouses of the former Yunmeng Dynasty resided, the second layer was where the ten Demon Marshals lived, and the third and most central layer was the residence of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor.


    The vast array of palaces before them was the dwelling place of the former mythical beast war generals and ministers��known as the Wan Beast Palace!


    As Xiao Yi and the others reached Wan Beast Palace...


    Elder Tianku and others outside the Yunmeng Marsh suddenly sat up straight, their faces revealing excitement, "The barrier mechanism of Yunmeng Marsh is within the Wan Beast Palace. As long as they get through the Wan Beast Palace, they will find the switch. Once the barrier of Yunmeng Marsh is shut down, we can enter it!"


    Nantian Lie''s blood-red tongue licked his lips, his eyes ablaze with fervor, "Just on the Treasure Rock alone there are ten treasures of the eighth-layer level. The Cloud Dream Temple must be even richer within, especially the inheritance of the legendary Yunmeng Demon Emperor. We must obtain it!"


    "With Elder Tianku, Yang Dingtian, and Nantian Lie present, our chances of competing for the treasures within the Cloud Dream Palace of the Cloud Dream Temple''s third layer are slim. However, that Xiao Yi has ten treasures of the eighth-layer level on him. If we can capture him, we can not only present him to His Majesty in exchange for rewards but also obtain those treasures!" Su Xinghe''s eyes glinted with greed as he fixated on Xiao Yi.


    Sharing the same thoughts were Long Sihai and many other powerful warriors of the Human Venerate Realm.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was unaware that he had become the target of countless powerful individuals.


    Standing before Wan Beast Palace.


    Looking at the two stone beasts located at the entrance of the palace, these two stone beasts were shaped like tigers, one black and one white.


    The black and white tigers sat dominantly at the entrance of the palace.


    Magnificent and intimidating.


    Commanding respect and fear.


    When Xiao Yi and the others arrived before the doors of Wan Beast Palace, the two stone tigers opened their eyes simultaneously, their cold gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi and the others. The white tiger spoke, "To enter the Wan Beast Palace, you must pass our challenge!"


    "What exactly is this challenge?" Yue Shanchuan asked.


    Chai Yi said with an odd expression, "It can''t be that they want us to eat something again, right?"


    The two stone beasts instinctively glanced at Xiao Yi.


    They had seen everything that happened outside the Cloud Dream Temple and were aware of Xiao Yi''s ferocity and strength.


    Hearing Chai Yi''s question.


    The two beasts shook their heads in unison, as if afraid that Xiao Yi might slay them too, they hurriedly said, "Don''t worry, we''re not as twisted as Taotie." Pausing for a moment, the black tiger stone beast spoke, "Our challenge is simply for you to traverse a maze. At the heart of the maze lies the Beast Command Token; whoever obtains it will be granted the right to enter the Wan Beast Palace!"


    The crowd nodded in agreement.


    If it was just about traversing a maze, then that was acceptable.


    The two beasts kept a careful eye on Xiao Yi. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Then let us begin the trial!"


    The two beasts, seeing that Xiao Yi had no intention of attacking, breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Who will attempt the Formation first?"


    Xiao Yi said, "I''ll go first," he glanced at the others, "You don''t have any objections, do you?"


    "I object!"


    A proud-looking youth from the Seventh Nirvana Realm stepped forward.


    Everyone was taken aback.


    They hadn''t expected someone to dare provoke Xiao Yi, akin to stroking the whiskers of a tiger?


    "He is Lin Jiang, the Formation Dao prodigy from the Lin Family of the Formation Dao World!"


    "So it''s someone from the Lin Family. It''s said that their ancestors produced a Formation Dao Grandmaster who had once apprenticed under the Two Stars Daoist. Facing this challenge that tests Formation expertise, sheer strength is insufficient. Xiao Yi should let Lin Jiang attempt the maze first..." the crowd discussed among themselves.


    Lin Jiang, his face brimming with arrogance, looked directly at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, your power is indeed formidable, but Formation Dao mastery of my Lin Family is something you can only dream of. Let me be the first to attempt the maze. Maybe if I''m in good spirits afterward, I might even share with you the method to pass it!"


    Xiao Yi''s face showed a hint of amusement as he smiled, "All right, you go first!"


    "Glad you recognize the situation. I''ll tell you the method to traverse the maze afterward!" Lin Jiang nodded with satisfaction and then turned to the two beasts, "Please activate the Formation!"


    "Hm!"


    The two beasts responded curtly in contrast to their previous deference towards Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The two beasts simultaneously spat out a black and a white stream of light that fell to the ground, instantly forming two Array Plates.


    The Black and White Array Plates resembled a Yin Yang Taiji.


    They intertwined, merging into one entity,


    creating a Taiji Yin Yang Diagram.


    The black and white rays of light soared into the sky, where each solidified into a separate Black and White Array Disk, with light columns connecting the two disks.


    The Black Stone Beast glanced at Lin Jiang, "Go!"


    Lin Jiang approached the Formation, then turned around to wave at the crowd, smiling, "Gentlemen, I''ll lead the way. It won''t take long to conquer this minor Formation. Just wait for my triumphant return!"


    Whoosh!


    Lin Jiang stepped directly into the Formation.


    Yue Shanchuan watched the sparkling Formation with curiosity and turned to Xiao Yi, "Can he make it?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "How would I know?"


    Chai Yi said, "The Lin Family is a great Formation Dao lineage, and Lin Jiang is their current foremost Formation Dao talent. He shouldn''t have any problems, right?"


    Time slowly passed.


    Half an incense stick''s duration.


    A full incense stick''s duration.


    An hour...


    After an hour had passed,


    the Formation suddenly burst into intense light, and a figure shot out from within, faceplanting into the ground like a dog eating dirt. When he looked up, his face was bruised and swollen, his hair disheveled, a defeated expression painted across his face as he lamented, "The, the, the person who laid out this Formation must be on par with my family''s ancestor, or even comparable to the Daoist of the Twin Stars. Not to speak of me, even if the Daoist of the Twin Stars were reborn, he couldn''t breach this Formation!"


    "What? Is this Formation really that difficult?"


    "What are we to do? Are we all doomed to fail here?" Everyone''s faces showed intense concern.


    Xiao Yi said, "Let me give it a try!"


    Yet Lin Jiang blocked him with an outstretched hand, anger written on his face, "Xiao Yi, what do you mean by this? I, a distinguished heir of the Formation Dao lineage of the Lin Family, could not break through this maze. How dare you attempt to do so?"


    He was the heir of a Formation Dao lineage!


    Even he couldn''t contend with this Formation. Xiao Yi, oblivious to the challenge, still wanted to attempt it.


    Was this not another slap to his face?


    "Move aside or die!" Xiao Yi said coldly.


    Lin Jiang''s face stiffened; he wanted to stop him but didn''t dare to take action. Grinding his teeth bitterly, he stepped aside, "Fine, I''ll let you challenge it. Once you''re through, you''ll understand just how difficult this Formation is. Then, you''ll realize just how vast the gulf between us really is!"


    Xiao Yi''s expression was impassive as he approached the Formation.


    The White Stone Beast spoke, "Please proceed!"


    The Black Stone Beast carefully warned, "Watch your step, the ground is slippery!"


    Xiao Yi grunted.


    Lin Jiang, "..."


    His mentality was shattered!


    Why weren''t they this cordial towards him just now?


    You''re supposed to be the Guardians of the Wan Beast Palace. Can''t you at least preserve some dignity as Guardians instead of acting like sycophants?


    Noticing the thoughts on everyone''s faces, as Xiao Yi entered the Formation, the two beasts regained their icy and haughty demeanor, coldly stating, "While the challenge progresses, the rest must remain silent. Should anyone dare to break the rules, do not blame us for showing no mercy!"


    "..."


    The crowd silently thought: Shameless sycophants!


    Meanwhile...


    Xiao Yi had already entered the Formation. From the outside, it appeared to span only a few square meters, yet inside, it was a world unto itself.


    All around were paths formed by stone pillars, intertwined and complex. Furthermore, as one traversed each path, it would immediately shift. No path repeated itself; even if Xiao Yi left markers, he still traveled a considerable distance within the maze, completely engulfed in the labyrinth.


    About half an incense stick later,


    Xiao Yi''s eyes brightened as he slightly smirked, "So this is it. It''s a maze built on the constellations with the subtleties of Yin Yang Taiji. Indeed, it has some merit. No wonder Lin Jiang fell to it... but it''s still far from the level of the Daoist of the Twin Stars!"


    Having grasped the pattern of the maze, Xiao Yi no longer hesitated.


    After ten breaths,


    a Beast Command Token emerged before him.


    At the same time...


    Outside the Formation, Lin Jiang was emphatically declaring, "This maze is terrifying; not even the reborn Daoist of the Twin Stars could breach it. Even I have failed, and yet Xiao Yi delusionally thinks he can crack it? It''s a fool''s dream. I''d bet anything that he absolutely can''t..."


    Before he finished speaking,


    Lin Jiang suddenly noticed the crowd''s gaze upon him turn peculiar. As he wondered why, behind him came Xiao Yi''s mocking laughter, "Sorry to disappoint you..."

 Chapter 752 - 750 Sudden Incident!

    "I''m sorry to disappoint you!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice, carrying a hint of frivolous laughter, came from behind Lin Jiang.


    Lin Jiang stiffened all over.


    The words that had reached his lips were forcefully swallowed back down.


    Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi looked at him with mocking eyes before walking towards Xiao Yi, "Big Brother Xiao Yi, let me see what the Beast Command Token looks like?"


    The two did not for a moment doubt whether Xiao Yi had passed through the maze.


    They asked to see the Beast Command Token straight away.


    In their eyes...


    A mere maze could not possibly pose any obstacle to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi smiled and tossed the Beast Command Token to Yue Shanchuan. As Yue Shanchuan fiddled with the token in his hands, he ridiculed with a laugh, "Who was it just now that said Xiao Yi couldn''t get through the maze? Who also said that even the Twin Star Taoist couldn''t solve it while he was alive��"


    "Yue, you really have a short memory for the good stuff; those were the very words of the esteemed heir to the Formation Dao family, Lin Jiang!"


    Chai Yi''s face was alight with amusement as he looked scornfully at Lin Jiang, "But speaking of which, Big Brother Xiao Yi didn''t even take the time of one stick of incense to successfully break through the formation, so why did the esteemed heir to the Formation Dao family, Master Lin, get thrown out by the maze? Could it be that the more one understands about formation Dao, the more powerful the formation becomes when they enter?"


    The higher one''s accomplishments in formation Dao, the more powerful the formation becomes when they challenge it?


    Where in the world is there such a formation?


    Everyone could hear the sarcasm in Chai Yi''s words directed at Lin Jiang, and their faces showed bizarre expressions.


    Those mocking eyes made Lin Jiang feel as if thorns were on his back.


    He gasped!


    He gasped!


    Lin Jiang was breathing heavily, his face extremely gloomy, and the look he gave Xiao Yi was filled with resentment and a chilling intent to kill. With a quick shift of his eyes, Lin Jiang burst out laughing, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, you really didn''t let me down. When I was going through the maze, I purposely left some marks; you must have seen my marks and that''s how you got through the formation��"


    As soon as he said this.


    Everyone exclaimed in surprise, "No wonder Xiao Yi broke through the maze so easily; it turns out Lin Jiang had left some marks!"


    "No wonder Lin Jiang just happened to use up all his time; it turns out it was all for leaving marks to guide us!"


    "Truly worthy of the genius of a Formation Dao family, our understanding of the way of formations indeed pales in comparison��"


    Lin Jiang was extremely pleased with himself, and with a provocative glance at Xiao Yi, he suppressed his hand and said loudly, "Everyone, please quiet down! The reason I left those marks inside was precisely to help everyone pass the maze test smoothly. I, Lin Jiang, am not such a selfish person... However, my spirit has been greatly depleted from setting up those marks inside the formation, so let Xiao Yi tell everyone the correct path he found from my marks. I need to rest a bit!"


    As he spoke.


    Lin Jiang pretended to be weak and rubbed his head, then sat down to close his eyes and recuperate.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    His gaze intently fixed on Lin Jiang, his expression filled with bafflement; he had not expected to encounter such an outrageous individual.


    Within the formation, where were there any marks?


    Lin Jiang was purely spouting nonsense.


    However...


    The others actually believed Lin Jiang''s absurd story!


    A pair of eager eyes fell on Xiao Yi, the crowd righteously said, "Xiao Yi, please share the marks and route that Master Lin identified with us!"


    "You wouldn''t refuse to do so, would you?"


    "After all, these are the results of Master Lin''s arduous efforts, where he exhausted his own opportunity to go through the maze to obtain this route, and now he''s so selfless to want to share it with all of us, how could you be so selfish?"


    "Quickly hand over the route..."


    Among the crowd.


    Many were looking at Xiao Yi with cold and angry eyes.


    In their eyes.


    This maze route was already theirs by right to obtain.


    During the conversation, the tension escalated even further.


    Facing the crowd''s pressure, Xiao Yi''s lips slightly curled into a smile. He looked at Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi, then brazenly transmitted the method to navigate the maze to the two of them by using a secret sound transmission technique.


    Following his guidance...


    The two strolled confidently toward the maze.


    Under Xiao Yi''s direction, they each passed through the maze challenge and successfully obtained the Beast Command Token. S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This made the rest of the crowd view Xiao Yi with even greater desire and greed. The proof was clear that Xiao Yi indeed knew how to navigate the maze. They roared furiously, "Xiao Yi, hurry up and share the maze''s route with us... You can''t be so selfish, this method to break the formation was left for us by Master Lin Jiang. How dare you monopolize it?"


    "Quickly tell us the route!"


    "I have never seen such a shameless person, Xiao Yi, you''re utterly disgraceful..."


    The crowd shouted angrily, hurling intensely venomous insults at Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath of foul air, a cold light flashing in his eyes, "So, you all want that so-called map, huh? I can give you the map, but I won''t let you take advantage of me. You''ll have to trade something with me!"


    Exchange treasures.


    Or exchange information and so on.


    This was also quite common.


    Within the crowd,


    someone couldn''t wait to ask, "What do we have to trade to get the route map through the formation?"


    Xiao Yi raised his arm, pointing at Lin Jiang who was sitting cross-legged on the ground. He said with a faint smile, "His life! One life of Lin Jiang for one copy of the map!"


    Hiss!


    Lin Jiang, who had been sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes wide and realized that everyone was staring at him with eager eyes.


    Those eyes were like a pack of hungry wolves looking at a lone lamb.


    Swoosh!


    Lin Jiang abruptly stood up, glaring with rage and roared with a venomous face, "Xiao Yi, you''ve gone too far!"


    "Gone too far?"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and pointed at the two stone beasts, "Ask them if you ever left a mark inside the formation."


    The black and white beasts glanced coldly at Lin Jiang, their eyes filled with almost human contempt and mockery, "Leave a mark? This waste only went around in circles within the maze. We couldn''t bear to watch anymore and had to pull him out. An heir of the Formation Dao World? On par with the Twin Star Daoist? Pure delusion..."


    "You, you, you..."


    Lin Jiang''s complexion turned from green to white, unable to utter another word.


    The surrounding crowd also came to a realization, "So Lin Jiang was lying?"


    "He never had the ability to break the formation, every mark he claimed was false..."


    "Can anyone be more shameless than him?"


    "The heir of the Formation Dao World? Trash, more like it..."


    The crowd mocked Lin Jiang with their most poisonous words.


    How highly they had praised him before, they were now letting him fall so miserably.


    At this moment, Lin Jiang''s reputation was thoroughly shattered!


    Faced with all this.


    Lin Jiang''s eyes were blood-red, knowing that he no longer had a place in the Nantian Dynasty. With a face full of venom, he howled, "Remember this, I, Lin Jiang, as a ghost, will not let this go... Still want to enter the Wan Beast Palace? Keep dreaming..."


    As soon as these words fell,


    Lin Jiang''s body burst forth with light, charging towards the Wan Beast Palace.


    He was actually trying to self-destruct!


    To take the Wan Beast Palace down with him...

 Chapter 753 - 751: Those Who Block My Path Shall Die!

    Lin Jiang''s body swelled with unpredictable elemental energy, expanding instantly as if he were an inflated balloon.


    In the blink of an eye,


    he had swollen to several times his size, his body covered in cracks from which dazzling, blinding light erupted continuously.


    The light flowed around him, and the violent energy turned into a storm in an instant, filling the space between heaven and earth.


    It caused the surrounding powerhouses to stagger backward, avoiding him, not daring to come close.


    Let alone stop him from charging toward the Wan Beast Palace!


    The Black and White Beasts'' complexions changed dramatically, looking in horror at Lin Jiang, shining with boundless light and carrying tremendous killing intent as he charged. They bellowed, "Don''t come over here..."


    However...


    Xiao Yi, whose heart was set on revenge, did not listen to their pleas.


    "If I can''t have it, neither can you. Hahaha..." Lin Jiang roared hideously.


    Boom!


    His body swelled to the limit, and the rampant elemental energy within completely broke the balance.


    Amidst the earth-shattering noise,


    terrifying energy filled the area in an instant, with the two stone beasts being the first to suffer.


    They had existed in the Cloud Dream Temple since the Yunmeng Dynasty, merely two mechanical puppets that could live forever as long as their energy didn''t run out.


    Even when the Yunmeng Dynasty fell, they were still fine.


    They never imagined they would die at the hands of Lin Jiang.


    "No...."


    The two beasts howled in despair as they shattered under the impact of the violent energy, turning into dust that dissipated into the void.


    Rumble rumble!


    The dreadful energy storm continued to wreak havoc.


    The fierce winds it raised blew all the surrounding powerhouses away, and some with weaker cultivation were torn apart by the energy impact.


    On the ground, vegetation flew about, and large trees were uprooted and shredded to pieces in midair.


    After all, this was a powerhouse in the Seventh Nirvana Realm, and the power of his self-destruction was no less than the desperate final blow of a Human Venerate Realm powerhouse.


    Even Xiao Yi, Ye Ling, and the others felt intense pain throughout their bodies from the violent energy impact, as if all their organs were about to be displaced.


    The entire explosion lasted for dozens of breaths.


    That was only because Xiao Yi and the others took action to disperse the violent energy.


    Otherwise, it would have taken at least a few days for the violent energy here to calm down.


    "Damn it. He self-destructs without a word. Has Lin Jiang lost his mind?"


    "It''s said that the Lin family is extremely confident in their knowledge of formations, considering themselves the foremost Formation family in Southern State, not deigning to put anyone in their eyes. This time, however, he has made such a huge blunder on the Formation side... Naturally, he couldn''t bear it..."


    "Are you all alright?"


    Xiao Yi looked toward Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi. He had immediately erected an elemental energy barrier to protect them.


    That was what saved them from disaster.


    Otherwise, with their abilities, even if Lin Jiang''s self-destruction didn''t kill them, they would have been gravely injured.


    "We''re fine!"


    "Thank goodness for you!" the two said.


    Xiao Yi nodded, relieved to see they were alright, and was about to speak when he suddenly heard a series of cracking sounds, his face changing dramatically, "Not good!"


    Everyone heard the crisp sound.


    All the powerhouses looked up.


    In the sky above,


    the protective barrier sealing the Cloud Dream Temple had begun to show fierce cracks.


    These cracks, like a spider''s web,


    continued to appear on the barrier, spreading crazily with each crisp snap.


    At this rate, it wouldn''t be long before the barrier completely shattered.


    "This is bad. If we lose the barrier, Elder Tianku and Nantian Lie will surely be the first to come in, and then..." Xiao Yi''s expression fluctuated uncertainly.


    Whether it was Elder Tianku, Nantian Lie, or Yang Dingtian, these people would rather kill him if possible.


    Especially after witnessing his ability to transform the God Devouring Ants'' Formation into an army of God Devouring Ants, their resolve to obtain him intensified; even if they couldn''t have him, they were determined to utterly destroy him, to prevent him from falling into others'' hands.


    If they were to enter, Xiao Yi would be in serious trouble.


    With this thought,


    Xiao Yi looked up towards the outside of the barrier.


    Outside the barrier,


    Yang Dingtian, Elder Tianku, and Nantian Lie rose to their feet, staring at the cracks spreading across the barrier as their eyes turned bloodshot.


    Ever since the Cloud Dream Temple appeared,


    they had been impatient to enter, to vie for the treasures left behind by the Yunmeng Dynasty.


    But the barrier outside the Cloud Dream Temple had always hindered them.


    They couldn''t penetrate it.


    Until now��


    At last, they saw hope.


    "Hahaha, we''ve finally reached this moment!"


    "But this barrier is fracturing too slowly, let''s give it a push and make it collapse faster��"


    Nantian Lie and the others made their move.


    These were superpowerful beings of the Earth Venerate Realm, whose every action could split the heavens and reverse the rivers of stars.


    Boom!


    The entire barrier shook violently, and the rate at which the cracks spread increased.


    Long Sihai, Su Xinghe, and others were also furiously attacking the barrier.


    Long Sihai''s eyes, filled with greed and fervor, peered through the barrier at Xiao Yi, "The other treasures within the Cloud Dream Temple will definitely be contested by those few. My target is Xiao Yi... This kid alone has as many as ten Eighth-layer spiritual weapons and Spiritual Medicines on him. As long as I seize what''s on him, this trip won''t be in vain!"


    Others harbored similar intentions among the powerhouses of the Human Venerate Realm.


    With the supreme treasures of the Cloud Dream Temple as a lure, mere Eighth-layer treasures naturally wouldn''t catch the attention of Elder Tianku and the others.


    In their view��


    Compared to snatching from the ferocious maws of tigers like Elder Tianku, it would be more advantageous and easier to kill Xiao Yi and take the treasures he obtained from Treasure Rock.


    A myriad of greedy gazes focused on Xiao Yi.


    Only Su Xinghe,


    His eyes filled with nothing but killing intent, "Once the barrier is broken, I want nothing and will take nothing. All I want is to kill Xiao Yi. I want to tear him to pieces, to ensure he can never transcend after death��"


    Over a thousand of Galaxy Valley''s most talented young beings were ensnared and killed by Xiao Yi.


    This was tantamount to digging at the roots of Galaxy Valley, severing its future!


    The gaze Su Xinghe directed at Xiao Yi was full of hatred and chilling killing intent.


    Watching the barrier under siege by the several powerful beings nearing destruction, Xiao Yi felt an icy chill in his heart, knowing that once the barrier shattered, it would be the start of a bloodbath, especially for him, as he would face the wrath of several hundred experts from the Longevity Secret Realm, even several from the Earth Venerate Realm.


    "I can''t just sit here waiting for death!"


    Xiao Yi clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and charged towards the Wan Beast Palace.


    He planned to enter deeper into the Cloud Dream Temple first.


    As long as he could find and control the central hub of the Cloud Dream Temple, even Elder Tianku and the others would be powerless against him.


    However��


    No sooner had Xiao Yi acted than Nantian Lie and the others became aware of his intentions.


    Chilling voices came from outside the barrier, "Changsheng Sect disciples, block him!"


    "Holy Land disciples, block him!"


    Even Elder Tianku spoke up at this moment, "Changsheng Sect faithful, block him��"


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Figures appeared in front of Xiao Yi, blocking his path. S��arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking at the people blocking him, Xiao Yi took a deep breath. The Demon Sword Zhan Yue appeared in his palm amid a burst of bloodlight, and his eyes gradually turned frosty, "Those who block me will die!"


    PS: There''s another update, keep going, Xiao Tian!

 Chapter 754 - 752: If Gods Block, Kill the Gods; If Buddhas Obstruct, Slay the Buddhas!

    "Those who block my path shall die!"


    Xiao Yi looked expressionlessly at the powerful beings obstructing his way.


    Behind him stood only Chai Yi and Yue Shanchuan, both of whom wore faces of unwavering determination, closely following by his side.


    The three stood shoulder to shoulder.


    Confronting Ye Ling and the others ahead.


    Yue Shanchuan''s raspy voice was low and filled with intense self-reproach and guilt, "Brother, I''m sorry!"


    He had not anticipated that Elder Tian Ku would actually issue the command, ordering the Changsheng Sect''s disciples to stop Xiao Yi.


    Yue Shanchuan was certainly a straightforward man, but he was not foolish. It was just that before, Elder Tian Ku hadn''t directly hindered Xiao Yi''s path; Yue Shanchuan had merely clung to a sliver of hope. But now, the Elder had openly ordered the Changsheng Sect''s disciples to block Xiao Yi''s way, and the hope in Yue Shanchuan''s heart was utterly shattered.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "You and I are brothers; there''s no need for such words!"


    Even though Yue Shanchuan was Elder Tian Ku''s grandson, to these powerful individuals, as long as there was enough benefit, it did not matter whether the one they were opposing was Xiao Yi or even Yue Shanchuan himself, who could be sacrificed at any moment in the eyes of someone like Elder Tian Ku.


    Yue Shanchuan pursed his lips, conjuring a purple battle saber in his hand as his eyes sparkled with electric light, "You''re right, there''s no need for such words between brothers. No matter if it''s a mountain of blades or a sea of fire ahead, we will face it together!"


    Chai Yi also grinned and said, "My life was saved by boss Xiao Yi to begin with, if it comes to it, I''ll just be paying you back!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was piercing as he looked at the two men, the corners of his mouth slightly lifting.


    His cold gaze then shifted.


    With the icy edge of the demon sword Zhan Yue pointing straight at Ye Ling and the others, he declared, "Since that''s the case, let us brothers fight with all our might!"


    No sooner had he spoken than there was a sword.


    "Swordstorm!"


    Whoosh!


    A sword swept across.


    Infinite sword light burst forth in an instant, covering the sky and earth.


    In front of everyone, it turned into a storm of swords, and within a moment, it had sent dozens of people caught in its path flying into the air.


    Boom!


    The wild Sword Qi turned into a terrifying storm that appeared between heaven and earth in the blink of an eye.


    Nine frenzied, spinning storms of swords, like tornadoes connecting heaven and earth, swept up the fifty or sixty powerful beings into the air.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi''s left hand opened towards the void, his palm aimed at those dozens of individuals.


    In the void.


    Endless primal energy converged, turning into an invisible cage of palms that exploded as Xiao Yi''s eyes shone coldly and he roared, "Burst!"


    Boom!


    Throughout the heavens and earth, endless pressure gathered towards the center.


    Boom!


    The horrendous pressure crushed those dozens of individuals into pieces.


    Turning into a rain of blood and flesh that fell from the sky.


    Blood rained down from the heavens.


    Gently falling to the ground, Xiao Yi, bathed in blood, holding the demon sword, his wild hair flowing, let out a satisfied, long howl to the sky: "Exhilarating!"


    Boom crack!


    The heavens and earth seemed to be pulled by Xiao Yi''s immense Evil Qi, erupting with thunderous roars and blinding lightning streaking across the sky, illuminating the land completely. The terrifying surge of energy swept across the area in an instant, the overwhelming aura of death chilling the hearts of countless powerful beings.


    "This, this, this man is a devil..."


    "How can there be such terrifying Evil Qi in this world?"


    "How many people has he killed?"


    Everyone''s heart was trembling.


    They had never anticipated that Xiao Yi, always gentle and smiling, would be so formidable once he unleashed his fury.


    But what they didn''t know...


    The man standing before them had swallowed an army of hundreds of thousands with the God Devouring Ants!


    He was practically a living Yama!


    "Block him for me!"


    Under the cloak of the mysterious youth, his eyes were filled with blood, his presence like a rainbow, holding in one hand a black heavy sword, he stood proudly at the entrance of the Wan Beast Palace.


    An invincible sentinel at the gate!


    His blood-filled eyes stared intently at Xiao Yi, word by word he said, "Xiao Yi, just give up! With us here, it''s impossible for you to get past!"


    Ye Ling''s expression was complex, she let out a soft sigh, "Xiao Yi, just surrender!"


    "Stop, or die!"


    "Hmph, after you''ve been subdued, we will cripple your cultivation and break your limbs..."


    "Xiao Yi, submit or die..."


    In front of him, there were still thousands of people standing in his way.


    They were like tigers obstructing the road, preventing Xiao Yi''s progress.


    In the sky above.


    As Elder Tian Ku and others continued to attack the barrier, it was covered with cracks, with fragments falling and decaying. There wasn''t much time left for the elders from the Longevity Secret Realm to enter, with a tiger lurking behind and a wolf blocking the road ahead.


    In this moment...


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, the Hei Mang in his eyes sharp as a knife, "If that''s the case, then don''t blame me!"


    Boom!


    Crackling!


    Purple-gold light flowed around Xiao Yi''s body, and the chaotic power of Wind and Thunder turned into a Wind-Thunder battle armor, instantly covering his body.


    The battle armor was majestic, as if the War God himself had descended.


    Behind him, the wings of Wind and Thunder fluttered.


    Beneath him, an endless storm of Wind and Thunder turned into a purple-golden Thunder Dragon Horse with iron pagodas. With a fierce pull on the reins, the Dragon Horse leapt high, its roar turning into a purple-golden beam of light, cutting across the heavens and earth, charging towards the crowd of experts in front, with Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi following closely behind.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Crackling!


    Wherever the Dragon Horse passed, thunder flashed and fierce winds rose abruptly.


    Where it passed...


    No expert could stand in the way of the Dragon Horse.


    Like breaking dead branches, all were sent flying!


    Once sent flying, they couldn''t escape Xiao Yi''s slaughter. Golden light burst forth from within him. It was the army of God Devouring Ants swarming forth, leaving even the strongest in the Nirvana Realm as mere piles of bones in an instant. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One.


    Two.


    Three...


    The number of experts Xiao Yi was slaying kept increasing. In the blink of an eye, there was no one daring enough to block his path.


    In his wake...


    The ground was strewn with the remains of over a thousand lifeless skeletons.


    Death!


    Those in his path had only one fate: death!


    Devil or god, all shall be slain!


    For a moment...


    Everyone dared not obstruct him anymore, all hastily retreated, leaving only the mysterious youth guarding the great gate of Wan Beast Palace, who dominated the field like an invincible sentinel.


    Xiao Yi coldly said, "Get lost!"


    "Hehe, I didn''t expect you could really make it this far!"


    The mysterious youth suddenly laughed, his lips curling up slightly, as he slowly pulled off the cloak from his head, a battle intent that shook the heavens suddenly spreading in all directions. A presence no weaker than Xiao Yi''s filled the area in an instant, "I thought I wouldn''t need to reveal my existence, but you''ve pushed me this far, not bad, not bad. Xiao Yi, even in death, you can be proud. Remember my name, from Nantian Holy Land, Yu Zhongsheng..."


    Boom!


    An earth-shattering storm erupted from Yu Zhongsheng in an instant.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly, his eyes filled with a serious intensity, he muttered two words, "Longevity..."


    PS: Sorry sorry, it took me this long to finish writing...

 Chapter 755 - 753: The Barrier Breaks, Dao Heart Seed Demon!

    "Longevity?"


    Xiao Yi''s face suddenly changed.


    He looked at the mysterious youth in disbelief.


    The aura on his body was soaring wildly, already far surpassing what one in the Nirvana Realm could possess.


    This person''s cultivation was genuinely that of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Although it was merely at the First-layer Human Venerable Realm.


    But the fluctuations in his aura were not the slightest bit weaker than Long Sihai at the Fifth Layer Human Venerable Realm; the only explanation was that this person had refined a Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit, thus stepping into the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Hiss!


    The crowd also sucked in a breath of cold air.


    No one had anticipated that the Nantian Sacred Land possessed such a technique, allowing a super genius who had broken through to the Longevity Secret Realm with a Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit to seal his own cultivation and blend into Yunmeng Marsh.


    You must know...


    Such treasures, capable of concealing the aura of Longevity Secret Realm powerhouses, are far more precious than Eighth-layer Yuan weapons.


    "I, I didn''t expect him to be a powerhouse from the Longevity Secret Realm! No wonder even Ye Ling was so respectful towards him!"


    "The Nantian Sacred Land is truly terrifying, possessing such profound Secret Techniques..."


    "Xiao Yi is finished..."


    The gazes of the crowd looking at Xiao Yi were filled with schadenfreude. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was a super expert of the esteemed Longevity Secret Realm, and moreover, hailing from the Nantian Sacred Land, a super genius who had refined a Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit.


    Although he was just at the First-layer Human Venerable Realm, his combat power was absolutely comparable to those at the Fourth or even Fifth Layer Human Venerable.


    Now that the barrier was about to break, in the eyes of the crowd, Xiao Yi would definitely be unable to get past this person. If Xiao Yi couldn''t enter the Wan Beast Palace before Elder Tian Ku and Nantian Lie arrived, then he would undoubtedly be doomed.


    Yue Shanchuan''s face suddenly changed, "Xiao Yi, we''ll hold him off, you go first!"


    Chai Yi also had a grave expression.


    However...


    Ye Ling had already blocked the two men with her people; her expression somewhat complex as she stared at Xiao Yi, she said in a heavy voice, "Xiao Yi, you can''t possibly be a match for Brother Fang; it''s better if you surrender! With your talent, as long as you''re willing to join our Nantian Sacred Land, you will certainly be given special training..."


    Special training?


    Xiao Yi sneered inwardly.


    How could an existence like the Nantian Sacred Land ever allow a threat like himself to keep growing?


    Once falling into the hands of the Nantian Sacred Land.


    They would likely force him to reveal the secrets of evolving the God Devouring Ant Army with the Secret Technique of the Dharma Manifestation at the first opportunity, then find a way to completely control him. Once they ultimately found they couldn''t fully take control, for the Nantian Sacred Land, it would naturally be safest and most secure to completely eradicate such a threat.


    With that thought.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi, who were looking anxious, "You two just wait here! He alone can''t stop me!"


    Given the status of Yue Shanchuan and Chai Yi, even with the barrier broken, no one would take their lives.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath.


    Boom!


    His figure was like an arrow released from its bow as he burst out, and in a moment he had reached Fang Yiwen.


    Fang Yiwen had just unsealed his cultivation.


    He had fully unleashed his cultivation.


    This was his moment of triumph.


    Seeing Xiao Yi not showing any fear, and even attempting to fight, Fang Yiwen''s face darkened, and he scoffed, "What audacity, just because you killed a few pseudo Longevity Secret Realm beings from the mundane world, do you really think you can look down on everything? Let me tell you, in the eyes of the powerhouses of my Nantian Sacred Land, the Longevity Secret Realm beings from the mundane world are nothing but false realms!"


    In the vast Southern State, only the Nantian Sacred Land wielded the Longevity Spirit.


    Even the royal family of the Nantian Dynasty, if they wanted to obtain spirit of longevity, would need to pay a steep price to trade for it from the sacred Nantian lands.


    A ninth grade spirit of longevity, should the Nantian Dynasty''s royal family wish to exchange for one, would cost them decades of taxes.


    It was precisely because of this...


    Most of the strong practitioners from the mundane world who entered the Longevity Secret Realm did so with lower-tier spirits of longevity, and their strength was naturally far inferior to those of the same rank from the sacred Nantian lands.


    Xiao Yi let out a cold snort, knowing full well the reason behind this, and said emotionlessly, "I don''t care if you''re a true immortal or a false one, if you dare to obstruct me, I will ensure your path to immortality is utterly severed!"


    "Sever my path to immortality? Utterly ridiculous!"


    Fang Yiwen scoffed, and with a wave of his hand, endless innate powers converged, forming five black orbs of light at his fingertips. As the orbs rose and fell, they transformed into five light beams, shooting straight towards Xiao Yi with a boom, ripping through the void as they went.


    In the spaces between the light beams, severe spatial turbulence concentrated.


    In the midst of thunderous noises.


    It seemed to have sucked all the air out of the area.


    Creating a vacuum zone.


    This kind of ability was already affecting an entire region.


    Deprived of air, Xiao Yi felt it difficult to breathe, his face turning a shade of iron blue. Before the air could return, he had no choice but to hold his breath and proceed.


    His Moon Slaying Demon Sword hummed softly as it trembled.


    Xiao Yi struck with his sword, executing Sword Twenty-Two.


    Sword energies soared into the sky, and then danced wildly in the void, converging into an extremely terrifying hundred-yard sword radiance.


    With a swoosh, the sword energy ruthlessly collided with the five black light beams.


    Boom!


    The two were like needle points against wheat awns, facing each other head-on.


    The roaring sounds were deafening to the ears.


    Onlookers close to the battle, all strong practitioners in their own right, couldn''t help but cover their ears in pain as blood trickled from them; shock painted on their faces, "Too terrible! Fang Yiwen didn''t hold back with that strike, yet he still couldn''t do anything to Xiao Yi? How strong is Xiao Yi exactly?"


    "He''s still just at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and yet he already has such dreadful strength. If he were to enter the Longevity Secret Realm, who could match him?"


    "Such a genius must be used by us or completely destroyed..."


    In the void, Nantian Lie''s eyes were icy cold.


    Yang Dingtian''s face was also dark.


    Elder Tianku narrowed his eyes, feeling some regret. If he hadn''t revealed his intentions so soon and in doing so made an enemy of Xiao Yi, he could have rescued Xiao Yi and brought him into the Changsheng Sect. Alas, his recent actions had irreversibly severed ties with Xiao Yi. A fierce killing intent flashed through his murky eyes, "What a pity, I''ve misjudged. Xiao Yi, you must die!"


    Just then.


    Under the siege of a host of strong practitioners, suddenly, the barrier erupted with a loud boom, completely shattering apart.


    Fragments fell all around like rain.


    The fierce wind howled violently.


    The entire barrier of the Cloud Dream Temple was completely broken.


    "Hahaha, the barrier is broken!"


    "Cloud Dream Temple, we can finally enter!"


    "Hahaha..."


    The strong practitioners all laughed heartily as they charged towards the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Notably, Long Sihai and Su Xinghe targeted Xiao Yi first, heading straight for him.


    Xiao Yi sensed several great masters locking onto him, but still had Fang Yiwen blocking his way. A mad glint crossed his eyes as he spoke four words softly, "Dao! Heart! Seed! Demon!"

 Chapter 756 - 754: Wan Beast Palace [First Update]

    Dao Heart Seed Demon!


    Xiao Yi''s body was surrounded by black light, as if he were an unrivaled demon lord.


    A black demonic seed, formed by infinite black light, plunged into Fang Yiwen''s body as Xiao Yi struck with his palm.


    Fang Yiwen''s body shook violently.


    The Dao Heart Seed Demon Skill, a long-lost secret technique, was defenseless against surprise, and with one blow, it entered Fang Yiwen''s body. Fang Yiwen''s mind was shocked, and his face revealed a hint of confusion as the demonic seed took deep root inside him.


    Xiao Yi was about to extract the demonic seed.


    But just then...


    The voices of Nantian Lie and Yang Dingtian, among others, were already coming from behind, and Xiao Yi''s face suddenly changed.


    A look of regret swept over Fang Yiwen, "Let this demonic seed stay inside you a bit longer..."


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi threw Fang Yiwen out.


    Yang Dingtian, who was the first to arrive in front of Xiao Yi, had his face change.


    Fang Yiwen was his direct disciple and had received a Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit, enabling him to enter the Longevity Secret Realm.


    This was a future of unlimited potential.


    And the future of their lineage!


    Yang Dingtian turned around to chase after Fang Yiwen, and only after confirming he was not in mortal danger did he breathe a sigh of relief. But by the time he turned back, Xiao Yi had already fled through the gate, entering the Wan Beast Palace with the Beast Command Token in hand.


    The massive and ancient palace gates slammed shut with a loud bang.


    The dull impact was deafening.


    The tightly closed gates of the Wan Beast Palace stood like an insurmountable chasm that even the powerhouses of the Longevity Secret Realm couldn''t dream of forcing their way through.


    This was, after all, the former retreat of Yunmeng Demon Emperor.


    The defenses were as strong as the current Nantian Imperial Palace.


    Boom!


    The moment the palace gate closed, a titanic hand slammed against it with a loud bang, causing the Wan Beast Palace to tremble, only to disintegrate and scatter the enormous energy hand. Nantian Lie''s eyes flashed with frustration as he roared, "Useless, all useless, so many of you couldn''t stop Xiao Yi..."


    Everyone lowered their heads and dared not respond.


    Nantian Lie was not only the commander of Nantian Imperial Guards but also the younger brother of Nantian Wen, his confidant before ascending to power.


    The authority he wielded was certainly among the top ten in the Nantian Dynasty.


    Even the strong warriors from the Nantian Holy Institute present, all prodigies in their own right, dared not show any defiance in the face of his anger.


    "Now is not the time to be angry!"


    Yang Dingtian, having settled the revived Fang Yiwen aside, looked at Nantian Lie with narrowed eyes and said coldly, "What''s most important now is to quickly break through the Formation and find the Beast Command Token to enter the Wan Beast Palace. If we continue to delay, by the time we get in, Xiao Yi will have looted all the treasures inside!"


    "Break through what Formation?"


    Nantian Lie snorted coldly, his hand reached out into empty space, and with a grab, he sneered at Chai Yi, "Give me the Beast Command Token, you brat, and I can spare your life."


    "You might as well kill me! I would never betray Boss Xiao Yi..." Chai Yi gritted his teeth and said.


    Nantian Lie sneered, "You''re not afraid to die? What about the family behind you? It wasn''t easy for the Chai Family to get where they are today..."


    "You..."


    Chai Yi''s face suddenly changed dramatically.


    Amidst the crowd.


    The patriarch of the Chai Family was a Ninth-Stage Human Venerate, and his face showed deep concern as he shouted, "Chai Yi, hand over the Beast Command Token to the commander right away... Do you really want to jeopardize the entire Chai Family for your own sake? Think about your parents, think about your relatives..."


    Chai Yi''s face showed a mix of emotions.


    Eventually, he gave a bitter smile.


    Reluctantly, Chai Yi handed the Beast Command Token to Nantian Lie, took a deep breath, looked in the direction of the Wan Beast Palace, knelt on the ground with a heavy kowtow, and said solemnly, "Boss Xiao Yi, I''m sorry..."


    Swish!


    Chai Yi struck a palm towards his own crown.


    His eyes were filled with determination, for loyalty and filial piety could not be fulfilled at the same time.


    Chai Yi was unwilling to betray Xiao Yi and equally unwilling to involve his family because of himself.


    But just as he was about to die...


    A plump little hand appeared above his head, blocking the fatal strike. Little Lin grinned and said, "The boss wouldn''t want to see you commit suicide either. If you feel aggrieved and sorry for the boss, then live well. Cultivate diligently, make yourself stronger, and one day you''ll be able to help the boss!"


    "You are..."


    Chai Yi looked at Little Lin; he recognized Little Lin''s identity.


    A flood of emotions overwhelmed his heart.


    Especially after hearing Little Lin''s persuasion, Chai Yi clenched his teeth and nodded, "I understand!"


    The will to live reignited in his eyes.


    Nantian Lie, Yang Dingtian, and others eyed Little Lin, their gazes filled with malevolent intent.


    Little Lin sneered, "I know you want to attack me. Feel free to try. But don''t blame me for not warning you��if anything happens to me, I can''t guarantee the boss won''t go berserk. Considering my boss''s mastery of formations, it might be somewhat challenging to destroy the Cloud Dream Temple entirely, but ruining most of its treasures and heritage should be a piece of cake! What do you think?"


    Watching the confident Little Lin, Nantian Lie and the others'' expressions shifted slightly.


    Given Xiao Yi''s previous actions, if pushed too far, he might just fight to the bitter end. sea??h th�� nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With that thought...


    The group exchanged glances and collectively abandoned the plan to attack Little Lin for the time being.


    Little Lin quietly heaved a sigh of relief; he had only been bluffing after all.


    If Nantian Lie and the rest had genuinely decided to attack him forcefully, Little Lin would have been powerless. Fortunately, they did indeed have their reservations. Little Lin narrowed his eyes, "I must find a way to reunite with the boss as soon as possible. If these old fools enter the Wan Beast Palace, it will be too late."


    As his gaze shifted...


    Little Lin transmitted his voice to Yue Shanchuan, "Yue, give me the token!"


    "Okay!"


    While Yue Shanchuan was explaining the key to breaking through the formation to Elder Tian Ku and others, he quietly moved closer to the gates of the Wan Beast Palace. Since the formation was not far from the gate, the group did not suspect anything. Suddenly, Little Lin turned into a streak of golden light, flying towards the gate, and Yue Shanchuan fiercely flung the token in his hand, "Little Lin, run fast!"


    "Seeking death!"


    "Stop!"


    Nantian Lie, Yang Dingtian, Elder Tian Ku, and others had drastic changes in expression and acted simultaneously.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Three terrifying waves of energy shot towards Little Lin.


    The dreadful energy formed a massive wave, crushing everything in its path.


    Boom!


    Little Lin''s body shook, he spit out a stream of blood, but he used the impact of the attack to propel himself at the fastest speed into the Wan Beast Palace.


    "Damn it..."


    "He got away..."


    The faces of Nantian Lie and the others darkened.


    Nantian Lie, holding Chai Yi''s token, said, "I''ll go after him first!"


    "No!"


    "We''ll both break through the formation, then pursue together," said Elder Tian Ku and another in unison.


    They definitely would not allow Nantian Lie to enter the Wan Beast Palace ahead of them.


    Seeing this...


    Nantian Lie was left speechless and helpless, with no choice but to wait for the two to break through the formation so they could each enter the Wan Beast Palace holding a token...


    Long Sihai, Su Xinghe, and others were also fervently attempting to break through the formation.


    Chai Yi and Yue Shanchuan stood shoulder to shoulder, looking at the vast palace before them with a mix of unease and worry, "Xiao Yi, you must be alright!"


    PS: Xiao Tian continues to write! Also, someone has been impersonating me in the comment section, please make sure to look for the official author badge in my responses!

 Chapter 757 - 755: The Seven Treasures Ruyi, Severing an Arm!

    Wan Beast Palace.


    This place was once inhabited by the many ministers and demon generals of the Yunmeng Dynasty, featuring numerous palaces.


    Especially the one hundred and eight palaces in the very center, which were particularly magnificent and authoritative.


    These were the residences of the one hundred and eight demon generals of the Yunmeng Dynasty of yore, each of whom was powerful beyond the Human Venerate Realm; although they were not as strong as the ten great demon generals of the Earth Venerate Realm, the strength of these one hundred and eight demon generals was not to be underestimated. Every one of their combat abilities far exceeded the martial artists of the same level.


    Swoosh!


    Little Lin''s figure suddenly rushed in, but as soon as he landed, he reverted to his true form and crashed to the ground with a thud.


    Blood spurted wildly from his mouth.


    At this moment, Little Lin was extremely weak.


    Blood spilt from his mouth.


    His eyes were a pale white.


    As he entered the Wan Beast Palace, he was attacked by Nantian Lie. Though not fatal, the injury was severe.


    "Little Lin?"


    Xiao Yi''s surprised voice came, swooshing before Little Lin.


    Little Lin forced a weak smile and said, "Old, old boss..."


    "What on earth happened?" Xiao Yi asked in a deep voice.


    Hate flickered in Little Lin''s eyes as he recounted everything that had happened. "That old fart Nantian Lie, is he just relying on his Earth Venerate Realm power? If I were also an Earth Venerate, I could swallow him in one bite. This damn old..."


    Xiao Yi took out a pill and gave it to him.


    Little Lin''s injury stabilized.


    He transformed back to human form.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Don''t worry, I will definitely avenge you. But before taking revenge, we can''t let them off easy..."


    "Boss, what''s your plan?" Little Lin asked.


    An intense gleam twinkled in Xiao Yi''s eyes, "Given their speed, they will catch up soon. We can''t stay long in the Wan Beast Palace. We''ll head straight to the second layer of the Cloud Dream Temple. As for this place... let''s leave it to them!" S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little Lin was startled and glanced towards the Wan Beast Palace, bemused, "Damn, when they see this, they''ll probably go mad, won''t they?"


    "There''s something even worse coming up!"


    Xiao Yi smiled mysteriously and hurriedly urged, "Come on, let''s move to the next level!"


    Shortly after the two left...


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh!


    Three figures rushed in one after another.


    Nantian Lie, Elder Tianku, and Yang Dingtian were leading the way, but as soon as they had stabilized their stance, they were astonished by the scene before them.


    The main doors of the one hundred and eight central palaces were wide open.


    To the naked eye...


    The chaos inside was painfully obvious; all treasures had been plundered.


    Not a single table or chair was left.


    "This, this, this..."


    They exchanged looks of disbelief.


    It was as if someone was choking them, rendering them speechless.


    Boom!


    Nantian Lie stomped furiously, crushing the ground beneath him with his eyes bloodshot with rage, gritting his teeth, "Damn it, damn it... Cursed Xiao Yi, how dare he? Knowing that we had already broken through the barrier to descend upon the Cloud Dream Temple, he still had the audacity to take away all the treasures from here, it''s infuriating! Xiao Yi, you better not fall into my hands, or I''ll make you wish you were dead..."


    Elder Tianku squinted his eyes, with a similarly ominous light swirling within his turbid pupils.


    Yang Dingtian''s gaze shifted, and his figure suddenly flashed.


    Swoosh!


    Yang Dingtian flew toward the central palace, sensing a subtle energy fluctuation within it.


    "Not good!"


    "Stop right there!"


    Elder Tianku and Nantian Lie both looked alarmed and quickly followed suit.


    The three of them surged into the central palace together.


    Inside the palace.


    It was empty.


    Like autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves, the place was in disarray, but there were no traces of treasures.


    Suddenly...


    The three of them turned their gazes toward the throne in front of the palace, where a plaque reading "Beasts Dominate the World" was located. The faint aura of a treasure had indeed been emitting from behind that plaque.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    The three exchanged glances.


    Nantian Lie suddenly made his move, "The treasure is mine!"


    "Get down here!"


    Elder Tianku and Yang Dingtian acted at the same time, with terrifying energy fluctuations transforming into a tidal wave of heaven and earth, descending like a celestial curtain to block Nantian Lie''s way. They forcefully halted Nantian Lie''s advance, his face darkening as he swept an icy gaze towards the two, "You dare to obstruct me?"


    "Treasures to the first seeer, why should you alone enjoy it?" Yang Dingtian said coldly.


    Elder Tianku, with a smile on his face, said, "This treasure is fated for me!"


    "Shameless!"


    "Then, let''s see the truth under our hands!"


    All three took action at the same time.


    Boom!


    The terrifying commotion from the combat of three Earthly Honor powerhouses caused the palace to be penetrated. Nantian Lie released a terrifying energy fluctuation all over his body, like a blood-covered War God.


    Amidst a sky filled with a blood sea.


    Nantian Lie''s blood surged, transforming into two blood-red war sabers. With a booming slash, he forced the two back. But their attacks also successively landed on him. With two muffled bangs, Nantian Lie spat out blood, but with no hesitation, he dashed toward the plaque.


    Boom!


    Nantian Lie ripped the plaque apart, revealing a Jade Ruyi from within.


    This Jade Ruyi was bright red, as if filled with fresh blood.


    Around the Jade Ruyi, blood dragons and phoenixes were entwined, with auspicious clouds connecting them. It was an Eighth-layer elemental weapon, the Seven Treasures Jade Ruyi.


    "An Eighth-layer elemental weapon? Not bad indeed!"


    Nantian Lie revealed a look of joy.


    Elder Tianku''s face darkened, "You really got lucky!"


    "Nantian Lie, the treasure is to be shared by all who see it, aren''t you planning to give us a portion?" Yang Dingtian squinted his eyes and said.


    "Humph, the one with the ability gets the treasure... You all have the skill..." Nantian Lie, who had been full of pride, suddenly changed his expression drastically.


    He violently tossed it away.


    Swish!


    The Seven Treasures Jade Ruyi was ferociously thrown, and with a loud bang, the Ruyi radiated a brilliant light.


    The entire Seven Treasures Jade Ruyi exploded between the three of them, and the terrifying energy fluctuation surged wildly in all directions.


    The storm and energy blast completely overturned the palace.


    Amongst the ruins.


    The three were disheveled, covered in filth, their faces full of ferocity and resentment, grinding their teeth, "Damn it, Xiao Yi, I won''t rest until I''m avenged against you!"


    "Xiao Yi, you''d better pray you don''t fall into my hands, otherwise..."


    As they were speaking.


    Nantian Lie suddenly realized his left hand was devoid of any sensation. When he looked down, he saw his entire arm covered with a layer of bluish-gray stone skin.


    It was the very sign people exhibited after acquiring treasures from Treasure Rock!


    "Damn it, Xiao Yi set me up!"


    Nantian Lie''s expression underwent a drastic change, but he also knew this curse was extremely terrifying. Once afflicted by this curse, only by possessing the Yunmeng Demon Emperor''s crown could one break free from the curse.


    Otherwise, one could only amputate the affected limb to save their life!


    Now that the Yunmeng Demon Emperor''s crown was in Xiao Yi''s hands, it was obviously impossible for Xiao Yi to help remove the curse��the only way to save his life was to amputate his limb. Upon this thought, a ruthless look flashed through Nantian Lie''s eyes, and with a swift motion, he severed his left arm and roared with venomous hatred, "Xiao Yi, I won''t rest until I''m avenged against you..."


    At this moment, Xiao Yi had already arrived at the second level of the Cloud Dream Temple.


    In this place where the top ten Demon Marshals once resided, Xiao Yi had found an unexpected joy...


    PS: Sorry, I''ve been overwhelmed with work and exams recently, which has caused the updates to fall behind. I''ll go to bed early today and aim for 15 chapters minimum tomorrow!

 Chapter 758 - 756: If You Want to Fight, Then Fight!

    The palaces of the ten great demon marshals.


    Each palace was immensely luxurious and opulent, which was only fitting since each of the ten demon marshals was a colossal being.


    Creatures like the Heavenly Blue Bull Python and Taotie, once seated, were akin to small mountains.


    The palaces they occupied were naturally immense...


    As soon as Xiao Yi entered, he was awed by the sight of the ten towering palaces and turned to Little Lin beside him, "You take the left, I''ll take the right. Let''s scour these treasures at the fastest speed!"


    "Yes!"


    Little Lin nodded vigorously and with a whoosh turned into a streak of golden light, dashing towards the palace on the far left.


    The one on the far left was Taotie''s palace.


    Taotie was the most Greed-driven amongst the ten demon marshals, with a penchant for collecting treasures from all over and claiming them as his own.


    Once inside Taotie''s palace,


    Xiao Yi saw a mountainous pile of treasures. Indeed, this creature was the epitome of extravagance; even seventh-layer elemental weapons were merely used as decorations in his palace. And even eighth-layer elemental weapons were casually placed on the armrests of chairs, a dazzling sight. Xiao Yi showed no mercy and gathered these treasures one by one.


    In Taotie''s bedroom,


    Xiao Yi had just finished looting when his expression changed slightly; with a palm strike, he shattered Taotie''s pillow.


    Boom!


    As the pillow burst apart, a glimmer of spiritual light emerged.


    It was an actual Longevity Spirit! Sear?h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A Ninth Grade Water Attribute Longevity Spirit!


    Hiss!


    Xiao Yi''s eyes lit up. He had long suspected that there would be Longevity Spirits within the Cloud Dream Temple, and now at last, he had encountered the first Longevity Spirit.


    "I wonder if there''ll be Longevity Spirits in the palaces of the other demon marshals..." Xiao Yi muttered to himself.


    He then proceeded to the next palace.


    In the blink of an eye,


    Xiao Yi had already scoured four palaces, and Little Lin had also finished with the fourth; they met in front of the two middle palaces.


    A joyous expression covered Little Lin''s face: "Boss, I found two Longevity Spirits, one of Gold Attribute and the other of Yin Attribute��"


    While speaking,


    Little Lin handed over the two Longevity Spirits to Xiao Yi, and his face burst with ecstatic joy. In addition to the Water Attribute Longevity Spirit, he had now obtained two more Ninth Grade Longevity Spirits. With the two from Little Lin, they had already secured five Longevity Spirits, with only the Fire Attribute and Yang Attribute remaining.


    "We still have the palaces of the Heavenly Blue Bull Python and Bi Fang left. Let''s hope we can find something there!" Xiao Yi said.


    The two of them immediately pushed open the doors and entered.


    Xiao Yi found a Yang Attribute Longevity Spirit in Bi Fang''s palace, meaning he was only missing the last Fire Attribute Longevity Spirit to complete the collection of all attribute Longevity Spirits.


    "Fang Yiwen is of Fire Attribute... If Little Lin has found nothing, then we can only put our hopes on Fang Yiwen��" Xiao Yi glanced at the now empty palace, having stripped it clean of its treasures, and then left Bi Fang''s palace.


    But Little Lin was nowhere to be seen.


    As Xiao Yi was pondering, he saw Little Lin walking out with a bulging belly, an excited look plastered on his face: "Boss, guess what I encountered?"


    "Did you just eat the Heavenly Blue Bull Python?" Xiao Yi asked, eyeing his stomach.


    Little Lin chuckled and burped contentedly.


    As he exhaled, a series of lights flickered from his mouth, and he spat out clusters of dragon essence.


    A full hundred clusters of dragon essence fell into Xiao Yi''s hands.


    Little Lin''s face turned pale, and a layer of dark Qi ebbed and flowed in his eyes, but his smile remained as radiant as the sun: "Boss, you guessed right! The corpse of the Heavenly Blue Bull Python was inside the palace, I swallowed it whole and got a total of one hundred and fifty strands of dragon essence!"


    Dragon essence was the purest energy that Little Lin could refine with his Innate Divine Ability.


    This was the purest of energies.


    Xiao Yi frowned as he observed Little Lin; at this moment, Little Lin''s eyes were filled with an eerie black light, indicating that he had overused his Innate Divine Ability beyond his own limits.


    Though the Innate Divine Ability was powerful, it also had significant side effects.


    If used excessively.


    It could cause one''s mind to be affected.


    In severe cases, it might even lead to madness.


    Xiao Yi was well aware...


    that Little Lin did this all for the sake of condensing the dragon essence for him.


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and did not say much. Just then, a wave of spatial fluctuations came from the entrance to the second layer.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly as he grabbed Little Lin and sped towards the third layer, which was the main hall of the Cloud Dream Temple.


    "Xiao Yi?"


    "You little bastard, stop!"


    Nantian Lie and others had just entered the second layer when they saw Xiao Yi and Little Lin, their murderous intent soaring as they gave chase relentlessly.


    Nantian Lie, in particular, was chasing with a face full of resentment and vengeance.


    Elder Tian Ku glanced at the ten grand halls, which were already empty. Learning from the first layer''s lesson, they did not delay anymore searching the palaces and were also in hot pursuit of Xiao Yi and Little Lin.


    Yang Dingtian, Su Xinghe, Long Sihai, Fang Yiwen, and others also rushed towards the main Cloud Dream hall, "All the treasures have been taken by Xiao Yi; the only way to snatch them now is to kill him."


    "This guy is just like a glutton, not leaving a single hair for us..."


    "Even if he did leave something, would you dare to take it? Didn''t you see what happened to Nantian Lie?"


    "Hiss..."


    The others also followed closely behind.


    One by one, figures rushed into the main Cloud Dream hall.


    As soon as Nantian Lie entered the Cloud Dream Temple, he saw Xiao Yi and Little Lin standing not far away, watching him warily.


    Nantian Lie''s eyes displayed fierce hatred and resentment; baring his white teeth with a smirk, he said, "You little bastard, let''s see where you can run now?"


    Shua, shua, shua!


    Elder Tian Ku, Yang Dingtian, and others also entered one after another.


    Su Xinghe and the rest were right behind them.


    Su Xinghe''s crimson tongue licked his lips; his eyes shifted slightly as he pondered how to compete for the treasures Xiao Yi had acquired after Nantian Lie had killed him.


    After all...


    the treasures from the first and second layers of the Cloud Dream Temple had all fallen into Xiao Yi''s hands.


    Although the others had some gains, they were far less than Xiao Yi!


    Long Sihai sneered continuously, "Xiao Yi, now there''s nobody coming to save you!"


    "Today, this Cloud Dream Temple shall be your burial ground!" Fang Yiwen said with a cold laugh.


    Among all the strong figures present.


    Nearly everyone regarded Xiao Yi as prey.


    They couldn''t wait to kill him and seize the ultimate treasures on him.


    "This time, Xiao Yi is bound to die!"


    "He''s too greedy; thinking of monopolizing so many treasures, if he doesn''t die, who will?"


    "Let''s kill him first and then find a way to snatch the treasures..."


    Those pairs of eyes on him were filled with greed and coldness.


    Faced with the threatening demeanor of many strong figures closing in.


    Xiao Yi''s expression was uncertain.


    He had not expected that the main hall''s doors of the Cloud Dream were tightly closed, and he could not enter, which allowed Nantian Lie and the others to catch up to him.


    Looking at the fierce killing intent and greedy heat in the eyes of each strong figure facing him, Xiao Yi glanced at Little Lin beside him; the two brothers nodded to each other, their unafraid eyes staring intensely at everyone as they said firmly, "If you want to fight, then fight! Just remember if you want to kill me... you''d better be prepared to be killed as well..."


    As soon as the words fell.


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin''s bodies shook with a surge of killing intent, and they charged at the crowd...

 Chapter 759 - 757: Cloud Dream Blossoms, Forbidden Martial Realm!

    ```


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin, one on the left and one on the right, charged out simultaneously.


    Running side by side, a stream of purple-gold light circulated on Xiao Yi''s body, solidifying into a purple-gold Wind Thunder battle armor. Wind Thunder wings appeared on his back, a Thunder Spear in his right hand and the Hurricane Divine Shield in his left. Behind him, he dragged a long purple-gold light ribbon lain across the ground.


    It resembled a gigantic purple-gold serpent, winding its way forward, filled with killing intent.


    Little Lin''s body suddenly expanded.


    Growing to dozens of feet tall with a human torso and a serpentine tail.


    He whipped his tail along the ground, moving swiftly with the speed of lightning.


    Nantian Lie''s face twisted into a ferocious sneer, "Just two ants, daring to provoke a fierce tiger?"


    "Director Long, no need to rush. How could these two little mongrels dirty your hands? I''ll subdue them right now!" Long Sihai''s voice suddenly rang out. His figure moved, radiating light all around, and in a blink, he was charging toward Xiao Yi.


    "Director Long, please wait. Let the younger generation handle Xiao Yi!"


    The speaker was Fang Yiwen.


    Just before, at the Wan Beast Palace, he, the ninth-grade Changsheng spiritual being of the Longevity Secret Realm breakthrough genius, had failed to stop Xiao Yi.


    In fact, he had nearly died at Xiao Yi''s hand.


    This was an enormous disgrace for Fang Yiwen.


    His current move,


    aimed to kill Xiao Yi and avenge his previous disgrace.


    "I''ll go!"


    "Let me do it instead!"


    One mighty figure after another eagerly volunteered to strike.


    Wild energy fluctuations circulated in an instant within the Cloud Dream Main Hall.


    Seeing this situation, Nantian Lie, Elder Tianku, Yang Dingtian, and Su Xinghe, four Earth Venerate Realm powerhouses, did not rush to act but stood by with a calm, observant demeanor.


    Their cold gaze fixed on the battlefield.


    In their eyes...


    with so many strong fighters attacking at once, Xiao Yi and his partner were surely on a one-way path to death.


    Moreover...


    even if these fighters were defeated, they still had the four of them to sweep through the aftermath.


    Nantian Lie''s face showed a coldness as he sneered, "How could two ants turn the tide?"


    "This feeling of a cat catching a mouse, quite enjoyable indeed!" Yang Dingtian squinted his eyes, his face full of amusement.


    Su Xinghe''s gaze shifted, closely watching the circle of combat, ready to act at any moment.


    Elder Tianku remained as composed as ever.


    Among those present, he was the only disciple of the Changsheng Sect, always concealed in the shadows, never exposing his identity, confidently holding a winning hand.


    Under everyone''s attentive gaze...


    The two sides had already unleashed their first wave of conflict.


    Boom!


    With Long Sihai and Fang Yiwen leading, dozens of strong figures simultaneously attacked Xiao Yi. A myriad of innate powers transformed into a magnificent energy tsunami. Amidst the booming sounds, a barrage of radiant energy fell upon Xiao Yi.


    Yet Xiao Yi, holding the Hurricane Divine Shield in one hand, slammed into the violent energy with a bang.


    The two forces collided like the fiercest confrontation.


    The blast of terrifying energy was deafening.


    Thump!


    The Hurricane Divine Shield forcefully smashed forward, fending off the ferocious power, knocking back two mighty figures. At the same time, his Thunder Spear thrust forward with a bang, piercing through the bodies of two first-layer Human Venerable Realm fighters. With a flick of his wrist, the violent force tore the two asunder, their blood and flesh scattering.


    The Wind Thunder wings on Xiao Yi''s back flapped fiercely, whipping up a gale that howled as it swept up several fighters into the air.


    He then violently pushed off the ground,


    throwing the Thunder Spear into the sky with a whoosh. It exploded mid-air, creating a bursting sound,


    gravely injuring two Human Venerate Realm fighters.


    "Good lad!"


    "Is he truly at the Peak of the Dharma Phase Realm? Impossible, even I, a Saint Heir in the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm, could not have had such combat power..." Yang Dingtian''s pupils shrank, his eyes flickering with shock.


    Even Elder Tianku, who had been high and mighty, confident in his victory, was now...


    ```


    At this moment, he also narrowed his eyes, his body slightly leaning forward, his eyes brimming with a glimmer of fascination.


    Xiao Yi...


    Was truly too stunning!


    "With such talent, if he were to join our Changsheng Sect, he would surely become an unparalleled master. However, this man is unruly and untamed, difficult to subdue... What a pity, such a pity..." Elder Tianku gently shook his head, his eyes once filled with admiration, now replaced by a cold killing intent. He knew Xiao Yi would never submit to him.


    If he couldn''t be of use to me, then he must be destroyed!


    Nantian Lie snorted coldly, "Did none of you eat? You can''t even handle a mere Dharma Phase Realm Peak, what use are you?"


    Yang Dingtian''s face was as somber as water, his words measured, "Capture Xiao Yi alive, reward with a Ninth Grade Longevity Spirit; kill Xiao Yi, reward with an Eighth Grade Longevity Spirit..."


    As these words came out.


    Everyone was astounded.


    Even Nantian Lie and Elder Tianku couldn''t help but look towards Yang Dingtian, "Truly worthy of the Nantian Sacred Ground, your gestures are indeed generous!"


    If it were a competition of treasures and elixirs, they might still have had a fighting chance.


    But since it was a matter of the Longevity Spirit.


    They could only be utterly crushed!


    After all...


    In the vast Southern State, only the Nantian Sacred Ground possessed a large number of Longevity Spirits.


    Back to the battlefield...


    Where there''s a huge reward, there will be brave men!


    Under the incentive of the Longevity Spirits, each powerful warrior became more vigorous, showing no mercy in their attacks.


    Even though Xiao Yi and Little Lin had heaven-defying combat abilities.


    But facing opponents a hundred times stronger than themselves, they were still forced to retreat step by step. Little Lin''s body was covered with fierce wounds, blood streaming freely, and her snake tail was pierced by a longsword, firmly nailed to the ground.


    Little Lin howled in pain.


    Struggling desperately, the raw power caused terrifying wounds to appear all over his body.


    Blood gushed like a fountain.


    "Abomination, die!"


    A fifth Layer Human Venerable Realm powerhouse rushed toward Little Lin, the longsword slashing through the air, aimed directly at Little Lin''s head.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils suddenly narrowed, fury rising in his heart as the murderous intent condensed on his longsword, "Sword Twenty-Three!" S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    The realm of the sword enveloped the man in an instant.


    Countless sword lights arose from heaven and earth, and amid the torrential rain-like swishing sounds, the fifth Layer Human Venerable was heavily injured and blown away. However, at the last moment, his battle blade also left a dozen or so zhang long wound on Little Lin''s body, blood spraying out like a storm, the broken Scale Armor scattered like petals falling from the sky.


    "Little Lin..."


    Xiao Yi pulled the longsword that was nailing Little Lin down, his eyes splitting with rage.


    Little Lin, pale-faced, shook his head, determination in his eyes, "Boss, I''ll cover you. Run..."


    Facing the siege by hundreds of Longevity Secret Realm experts, especially with four Earth Venerate Realm powerhouses looming, they truly had no chance of victory.


    In this dire situation.


    Xiao Yi was unprecedentedly calm; shaking his head, he laid a palm on Little Lin''s neck. Little Lin''s body shook, unable to maintain his massive form, turning into a small golden snake the size of a palm with a whoosh.


    Xiao Yi put it into his embrace, took a deep breath, his icy gaze sweeping over the strong warriors already surrounding him.


    "Xiao Yi, surrender peacefully!"


    "Hand over the treasures, and you may yet live!"


    "Xiao Yi, you''re already on a path to death..."


    Leading figures such as Fang Yiwen and Long Sihai, along with a host of proud warriors, taunted.


    "You all..."


    Xiao Yi began to speak slowly.


    However...


    Before his words could fall, a brilliant light burst forth from within the Yunmeng Main Hall, and in the void above, a blood-colored flower appeared out of thin air. Amid the dazzling blood-colored light, the flower quietly bloomed, and as the blood-colored flower opened, a cold voice also echoed in everyone''s ears, "Yunmeng flower blooms, the War Ban Realm arises..."


    "War Ban Realm?"


    "What is that?"


    The crowd was baffled.


    Yet Xiao Yi, after a moment of stunned silence, suddenly let out a long laugh towards the sky, "Hahaha, indeed heaven is helping me... You all, are doomed!"

 Chapter 760 - 758: The Supreme Physique, Sweeping Everything Before It!

    "Has this kid gone mad?"


    "What in the world is the Forbidden Weapons Domain? Why is Xiao Yi so excited about it?"


    The faces of those around expressed their confusion.


    Only Elder Tianku and two others exchanged a look, remembering a certain legend, and their faces were suddenly filled with horror.


    Gurgle!


    Nantian Lie swallowed hard, "Could it be that Forbidden Weapons Domain?"


    "There shouldn''t be any mistake..." Yang Dingtian said with a grim face.


    Elder Tianku''s expression flickered uncertainly as he raised his sword-like eyebrows slightly, and cold flashes flickered in his eyes. With a cold snort, he said indifferently, "So what about the Forbidden Weapons Domain? Are you telling me that you have no confidence in dealing with these youngsters?"


    At that moment.


    The red light emitted by the Cloud Dream Flower already shrouded the entire Cloud Dream Temple.


    Within the range of the red light...


    Everyone felt an extremely heavy oppressive force upon them, as if out of nowhere, a mysterious energy had appeared, acting like an invisible seal that directly locked away the innate power surging within their bodies. One by one, the strong from the Longevity Secret Realm showed looks of horror on their faces: "I, I can''t feel my innate power anymore..."


    "My, my vital energy is gone?"


    "What in the world is going on?"


    All the strong looked at each other in consternation, their faces filled with shock.


    Xiao Yi, bathed in the red light, laughed heartily and said, "Within the Forbidden Weapons Domain, no other power can be used except for physical strength."


    Hiss!


    As these words were spoken, everyone looked utterly baffled.


    Unable to use any other power.


    This meant that even the strong of the Longevity Secret Realm could not use their innate power, nor could they harness the power of heaven and earth, and had to rely on their physical strength to fight.


    What is the key difference between the strong of the Longevity Secret Realm and those below it?


    Isn''t it that they reverted from the acquired to the innate, possessing innate power, communicating with heaven and earth, and utilizing some of the power of heaven and earth?


    Now...


    In this Forbidden Weapons Domain, they couldn''t use their innate power, equivalent to a Swordsman losing his sword.


    When only physical strength could be utilized.


    The function of cultivation was completely gone.


    Whoever had greater strength, whoever had more exquisite moves, was the stronger one!


    For this reason.


    It was after the Forbidden Weapons Domain was activated that Xiao Yi became so excited and agitated.


    Among those present.


    When it comes to physical strength, Xiao Yi feared no one!


    Cultivating the Tongtian Tiroku to the ninth sketch had made his physical body as strong as a warrior of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, and the seventh transformation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body had made his physique comparable to an eighth-layer spirit weapon. S��ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When both were added together.


    Xiao Yi''s mere physical defense was in no way inferior to ordinary eighth-layer spirit weapons.


    Within the Forbidden Weapons Domain.


    Xiao Yi''s physical body could be considered invincible!


    With a cold glance, Xiao Yi turned his eyes towards Nantian Lie, Elder Tianku, and the others, his mouth revealing all white teeth that glistened with a chilling cold light as he sneered, "Nantian Lie, haven''t all of you been thinking about taking my life? Come on, let''s see whether you kill me first, or I take your dog lives..."


    As soon as his words fell.


    Boom! A loud noise suddenly overshadowed all other sounds.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi''s body was even more agile and nimble than that of a Cheetah Spirit Monkey. In his swift movements, he charged towards Nantian Lie.


    Nantian Lie''s face changed dramatically, and he bellowed, "Kill him for me!"


    Whoosh, whoosh!


    Several people dashed out immediately.


    Long Sihai was among them, his face bearing coldness and scorn, "No matter the Forbidden Weapons Domain, I refuse to believe that your mere Dharma Phase Realm Peak physique can surpass mine!"


    "Whether it be Forbidden Weapons Domain or Forbidden Magic Domain, you must die!"


    "Kill!"


    Ten Human Venerate Realm experts acted simultaneously.


    Their gazes towards Xiao Yi were not only filled with an icy gleam but also brimming with fiery greed.


    Xiao Yi''s body held not only the numerous treasures from Treasure Rock, but he also plundered everything from the first and second layers of the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Every faction suffered heavy losses in this expedition to the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Yet they obtained nothing in the end.


    Only Xiao Yi made a killing.


    Naturally, everyone was green with envy.


    Each of them wished they could kill Xiao Yi right away and seize the treasures on him. That''s why the number of people who made a move this time reached thirteen.


    Long Sihai''s face showed a smug expression.


    Thirteen Human Venerate Realm experts attacked at the same time, especially since five of them were on the Physical Nirvana path. In his view, this wave was absolutely enough to crush Xiao Yi underfoot. Once Xiao Yi was taken down, and he got hold of Xiao Yi''s storage ring, even Nantian Lie would have to share a portion with him, considering his position as Director Long!


    At this thought,


    Long Sihai revealed a savage, cold smile. With a booming sound, he smashed his fists viciously towards Xiao Yi.


    But the next second...


    Long Sihai regretted it deeply.


    Xiao Yi''s claws reached out left and right, and with two puffs, he firmly grasped the necks of two Human Venerate Realm experts. At the same time, he swung his arms, smashing the heads of the two together violently.


    With a thud,


    The heads of these two Human Venerate experts burst open, brains splattering everywhere, and Xiao Yi fiercely used them as weapons, flinging them to the sides. With two thuds, he knocked down two other experts. Xiao Yi stepped through the fray like the wind, his speed like lightning, and with a stomp, he successively exploded the heads of four more.


    In the blink of an eye,


    Xiao Yi had already slain six Human Venerate Realm experts.


    Hiss!


    All the powerful figures around were dumbstruck.


    Gulp!


    Long Sihai swallowed hard, his face bewildered: "This, this, this can''t be real, right?"


    And at that moment...


    Xiao Yi turned his hand into a sword, pointing it out with a strike.


    Puff, puff!


    Two sword fingers pierced through the chests of two experts, exiting from their backs, the fresh hearts in their hands exploding with a pop.


    Scalding blood splattered on Long Sihai''s face.


    This finally snapped him back to reality. Looking at the eight corpses on the ground, and then at Xiao Yi, who was slowly withdrawing his arms from the chests of the two Human Venerate experts, soaked in dripping blood, Long Sihai felt his scalp tingle. Among those Xiao Yi had just killed, several were those who pursued the Physical Nirvana path.


    And the result...


    They couldn''t even withstand a single move from Xiao Yi and were killed by him.


    "Director Long, you dare to be distracted when fighting me?" Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly echoed in his ears, making Long Sihai''s entire body shudder.


    Xiao Yi was already standing in front of him.


    The corner of his mouth curved slightly upward.


    That handsome face now looked like that of a fearsome Asura, intimidating to behold.


    Gulp!


    Long Sihai''s body trembled, and he swallowed hard, his voice hoarse: "Xiao, Xiao Yi, there''s been some misunderstanding between us..."


    "Misunderstanding? No, no, no, there''s no misunderstanding between us..."


    Xiao Yi gently shook his head, the smile on his face slowly fading, replaced by an extreme chill of killing intent, "Between us, there''s only hatred! An unending hatred till death!"


    "You..."


    Long Sihai was trembling with fear.


    In the restricted martial arts domain, having seen Xiao Yi''s immense physical strength, how could he yet dare to show off in any way?


    He instinctively started to back away.


    Nantian Lie''s face was dark with anger: "Xiao Yi, if you dare hurt so much as a single hair on Long Sihai''s head, I..."


    Before he could finish,


    Xiao Yi had already snapped Long Sihai''s neck with a crack, slightly raising his head and looking at Nantian Lie with a fierce expression. He said with a faint smile, "Next, it''s your turn!"


    PS: Posting one chapter now, and there will be four more later. Xiao Tian starts to rise up today!

 Chapter 761 - 759: Who Do You Think You Are?

    "Next, it''s your turn!"


    Xiao Yi looked up at Nantian Lie, his eyes narrowing into slits as they flickered with a cold, piercing light.


    His enmity with Nantian Lie was the deepest.


    Not to mention that Xiao Yi had cost him an arm, the mere fact that Xiao Yi possessed the secret technique for evolving the army of God Devouring Ants made him a thorn in Nantian Lie''s side.


    If he could acquire such a secret technique,


    the strength of the Nantian Dynasty''s army would increase dozens or even hundreds of times over.


    By then, even when facing the holy land of Nantian, their odds of victory would be much improved.


    For precisely this reason,


    in Nantian Lie''s mind, there were only two options for Xiao Yi: either Xiao Yi would submit and hand over the secret technique for evolving the God Devouring Ant army before being slain to silence him, or Xiao Yi would be killed outright to ensure that the technique could never fall into any other power''s hands.


    No matter the choice...


    in Nantian Lie''s eyes, Xiao Yi had to die!


    Hu!


    Nantian Lie exhaled a heavy breath, his eyes gleaming with a sharpness akin to blades.


    He had not expected Xiao Yi to dare challenge him.


    It is known...


    that Nantian Lie had achieved Physical Nirvana and had even undergone Dragon Blood baptism after reaching the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    His physical prowess was far superior to that of his peers.


    "Kid, do you really think you can be fearless with the forbidden weapons domain at hand?"


    "Such a naive little fellow. The Nantian Commanding General himself has achieved Physical Nirvana and undergone Dragon Blood baptism. His physical strength is far greater than yours..." Elder Tianku and Yang Dingtian sneered, chiming in one after another.


    They naturally didn''t mean to assist Xiao Yi; their warnings were only because they didn''t wish to see Xiao Yi fall into Nantian Lie''s hands.


    Nantian Lie''s face darkened as he gave the trio a cold glance and snorted, "Xiao Yi, you think your physical body is strong? Today, I will let you understand that there are always people stronger than you, skies beyond skies!"


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    Nantian Lie''s figure shot out like an arrow released from a bow, bursting forth with a bang.


    His speed was so fast,


    that with sheer physical might, he tore through the air, creating a sound as loud and snapping as popping beans.


    "Demon Ape Fist!"


    The veins on Nantian Lie''s arms bulged wildly as his muscles tensed, unleashing a violent punch that formed a circular vortex on its surface. The incredible rotation enhanced the punch''s force��an explosive display of pure physical strength��rumbling towards Xiao Yi''s head.


    "What a terrifying punch, the resulting sonic boom almost burst my eardrums..."


    "He''s fearsome, such a person must not be provoked!"


    The crowd discussed among themselves,


    their faces full of shock and awe.


    Even Elder Tianku and Yang Dingtian narrowed their eyes, their faces taking on a serious expression: "If we''re talking about purely physical strength, both of us are inferior to Nantian Lie!"


    Yang Dingtian watched the battle closely, speaking gravely, "Let''s see how Xiao Yi deals with this. With his strength, to take this move seems hardly possible..."


    Before he could finish,


    Xiao Yi raised his right hand with a buzzing sound.


    Xiao Yi remained motionless.


    On his right hand, however, he was firmly gripping a huge fist.


    Nantian Lie''s pupils contracted violently.


    Even without the ability to use innate power or draw upon the power of heaven and earth, he had complete confidence in his physical strength.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi had caught his deadly punch with just one hand.


    Hu chi!


    Nantian Lie took a sharp breath, staring incredulously at Xiao Yi, "How is this possible? How can your strength be so great?"


    Xiao Yi grinned and slowly said, "I have Innate Divine Strength!"


    "Innate Divine Strength?"


    Nantian Lie''s complexion suddenly changed. Among his Imperial Guards, there were also a few who possessed Innate Divine Strength, but none of them could possibly have such terrifying physical power at the peak of the Dharma Phase Realm!


    He suddenly noticed the playful and mocking curve at the corner of Xiao Yi''s mouth.


    Nantian Lie instantly understood that Xiao Yi was toying with him!


    "Fuck your mother, you dare to play me..." Nantian Lie roared in a mix of embarrassment and rage.


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, "You''re the one I''m playing!"


    While speaking,


    Xiao Yi suddenly exerted force with his right hand, and between the opening and closing of his fingers, there was a crisp cracking sound from Nantian Lie''s palm. His left hand was brutally twisted out of shape by Xiao Yi, the fingers contorted towards the back of the hand. As the saying goes, injury to the fingers affects the heart, and waves of intense pain from his hand made Nantian Lie''s legs give way, and he thumped to his knees before Xiao Yi.


    Hiss!


    Silence fell inside and outside the Yunmeng Main Hall.


    This was the Commander of the Nantian Imperial Guards, brother to the reigning Emperor Nantian Wen��Nantian Lie!


    His status was so revered that only one stood above him, while tens of thousands stood below.


    Even in the presence of Nantian Wen, he had the privilege not to kneel.


    But today...


    The noble prince of the Nantian Dynasty, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, Nantian Lie, was actually kneeling before Xiao Yi?!


    "Xiao Yi, you dare..."


    Nantian Lie''s fierce howl had barely escaped his lips when it was abruptly cut off by a barrage of punches.


    Thump thump thump!


    Each punch was a direct hit to the face, flesh meeting fist, and with each strike, blood was drawn, leaving Nantian Lie howling miserably.


    His face was so badly smashed that most of the bones broke, and covered in blood, he looked even more hideous.


    Wuuu wuuu...


    Nantian Lie opened his mouth only to find that all his teeth were broken, and with the broken teeth and blood in his mouth, he couldn''t even speak. Burning with rage and hatred, his eyes fastened on Xiao Yi with a venomous glare, wishing nothing more than to tear him limb from limb, chew his muscles and gnaw his bones...


    "You still dare to glare at me?"


    Xiao Yi said coldly, grabbing Nantian Lie''s hair and delivering another flurry of punches.


    Thump thump thump!


    Every fist heavily landed on Nantian Lie, and the last one struck his jaw, sending him flying through the air.


    Whoosh!


    Nantian Lie soared like an arrow released from its bow.


    Xiao Yi''s legs powerfully kicked off the ground, whooshing as he gave chase through the air, catching up with Nantian Lie mid-flight.


    His hands clapped overhead.


    Veins on his arms bulged like dragons, muscles rippling, as fierce power erupted in an instant. With a boom, his heavy fist brutally struck Nantian Lie''s back, and amidst a pained scream, Nantian Lie spat blood, his body trembling violently as his spine was shattered by Xiao Yi, falling towards the ground like a meteor.


    But just before hitting the ground...


    Xiao Yi caught up again, delivering a fierce side kick, thudding as he sent Nantian Lie flying once more.


    Nantian Lie skidded across the ground, only after hundreds of meters did he heavily crash onto the surface with a bang.


    After tumbling over and over for several hundred rounds,


    Nantian Lie''s body finally came to a stop, but by then, it was a broken mess, unable to move. With each breath, blood gushed continuously, the mutilated body showing that life was rapidly ebbing away...


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved into a slight, cold smirk.


    His fists clenched tight.


    Just as he was about to smash Nantian Lie''s head with a punch,


    At that moment...


    Yang Dingtian''s voice suddenly rang out, "Stop!" sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elder Tianku too, with a cold face, ordered in a commanding tone, "Xiao Yi, I command you to release Nantian Lie!"


    "Release him?"


    Xiao Yi paused, then laughed heartily, "Who the hell do you think you are to order me around?"


    PS: It''s five o''clock and I''ve only written one chapter... still have three chapters to go, I''ll take a nap first, then continue later��Xiao Tian...

 Chapter 762 - 760: Those Who Block My Path Shall Die!

    "Who do you think you are, giving me orders?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed as he looked at Elder Tianku with a mocking expression.


    Elder Tianku''s face darkened.


    Even though the Changsheng Sect was considered as unwelcome as a rat crossing the street, universally despised, he was a revered elder of the mighty Changsheng Sect and a superpower of the Earthly Honor Realm.


    Not even the masters from the holy lands dared to provoke him lightly.


    Yet Xiao Yi dared to question him who he thinks he is?


    Elder Tianku''s face turned grim as he coldly laughed, "Boy, you really are an ungrateful white-eyed wolf! If it weren''t for me, you would have been slain by Su Xinghe outside Yunmeng Marsh. And now you dare to oppose me?"


    "You saved my life, and for that, I am endlessly grateful. Thus, as I entered Yunmeng Marsh, I have been consistently helping disciples of the Changsheng Sect. But..."


    Xiao Yi''s face was filled with heavy scorn as he sneered, "Along the way, you have repeatedly had your sect disciples attack me, using every dirty trick in the book. If we speak of cunning deceit, you are even worse than those from Nantian Lei, and now you have the gall to accuse me of repaying kindness with ingratitude?"


    Initially, Elder Tianku stepped in, simply because of Yue Shanchuan''s face.


    Furthermore...


    From beginning to end.


    Elder Tianku never intended to truly assist Xiao Yi but used him as a tool to attract firepower from the Nantian Holy Institute and the Nantian sacred grounds. Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Especially when Xiao Yi obtained treasures from Treasure Rock, and after he passed through the layers of tests in Cloud Dream Temple, seeming on the verge of obtaining the ultimate treasure.


    His true nature was fully exposed!


    He directly ordered the strong of the Changsheng Sect to strike at Xiao Yi, aiming to wipe him out completely.


    Now, Elder Tianku had the audacity to use this reasoning to coerce Xiao Yi to return good for evil, which was utterly absurd!


    "Hmph!"


    Elder Tianku coldly snorted with a face as still as water, his eyes emitting a cold and chilling light, "You ignorant brat, do you really think that if you have the forbidden weapons domain, we can''t do anything to you? I''m not afraid to tell you, the ordinary forbidden weapons domain indeed works on them, but it has no effect on me..."


    As his voice fell.


    Elder Tianku flicked his fingers.


    Whoosh!


    A ball of light flew out, hovering above his head.


    That ball of light emitted dazzling luminance.


    Brilliant light filled the sky.


    It transformed into a beam of light that enveloped Elder Tianku, and the radiant light, with its strange energy fluctuations, rendered the forbidden weapons domain ineffective over him.


    "Seal Breaking Pearl?"


    "The legendary treasure said to unlock all kinds of prohibitions and seals, an eighth-layer peak elemental artefact..."


    "It is rumored that each Seal Breaking Pearl is refined mainly from Dragon Balls and is incredibly valuable. I never expected Elder Tianku to possess such a divine item..."


    "With the Seal Breaking Pearl in hand, Elder Tianku will be unfettered by the forbidden weapons domain. Xiao Yi is doomed..."


    The gazes of the crowd towards Xiao Yi were filled with thick sarcasm and schadenfreude.


    Just moments ago, Xiao Yi had made use of the forbidden weapons domain to seal their cultivation.


    And then, relying on his powerful physical body, he swept away all in his path.


    This made those powerful figures of the Longevity Secret Realm feel the threat of death.


    For those who were accustomed to being high above others, it was simply intolerable.


    Now, seeing Elder Tianku holding the Seal Breaking Pearl, capable of breaking the shackles of the forbidden weapons domain, they all felt an immense thrill and excitement.


    Crack crack crack!


    Elder Tianku gently twisted his neck, making a series of grating noises, and laughed coldly, "Even though this Seal Breaking Pearl is slightly damaged, only negating fifty percent of the forbidden weapons domain''s sealing effect, having fifty percent of my strength is more than enough to completely crush you beneath my feet..."


    As his voice fell.


    Elder Tianku surged forward fiercely.


    Hum!


    His body was surrounded by a myriad of glorious lights.


    The surging innate force invoked the powers of heaven and earth, creating a terrifying whirlwind, which, while continuously rotating, turned into a turquoise storm dragon, raging towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s expression subtly changed as he grabbed Nantian Lie and exploded backward in a swift retreat.


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    The storm dragon, having missed its pounce, threw back its head and let out a thunderous roar, then twisted its huge body and chased after Xiao Yi with astonishing speed. The rapidity was such that one could barely catch more than a flash of cold light before the dragon, with jaws gaping, lunged to tear at Xiao Yi.


    In that moment of crisis,


    Xiao Yi hurled Nantian Lie away.


    "No..."


    Nantian Lie''s eyes were filled with desperate fury as he screamed in despair.


    Boom!


    The storm dragon bit down on him in one gulp, its winds like razor-sharp blades madly slicing through his body.


    All in but an instant,


    The storm dragon gruesomely tore Nantian Lie to pieces, his blood and flesh raining down from the sky.


    Hiss!


    Gasps of shock resounded all around.


    The revered commander of the Nantian Imperial Guards, the younger brother of the current emperor, Nantian Wen of the Nantian Dynasty, had died just like that!


    "Damn it..."


    Elder Tianku''s expression violently shifted.


    He had not expected Xiao Yi to dare to throw Nantian Lie at him, leaving him no time to withdraw his attack and accidentally killing Nantian Lie.


    With this,


    Nantian Wen would surely not spare his Changsheng Sect!


    "You wretched fool, you''ve brought great trouble upon me..." Elder Tianku''s eyes flashed with venomous color. To pacify Nantian Wen''s wrath, the only way was to capture Xiao Yi and deliver him to Nantian Wen, otherwise, his Changsheng Sect would face great difficulties in Southern State. With this thought, Elder Tianku''s eyes reddened with rage as he roared, "You damn brat, you''ve ruined my plans... Today, no one can save you!"


    Boom!


    Elder Tianku''s hands suddenly flung open.


    He coalesced two orbs of heavenly fire in his palms, shining with blazing brilliance.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Two fireballs surged out, like two ferocious fire dragons, crisscrossing and shooting straight towards Xiao Yi.


    The scorching wave of heat made it feel as if the whole world was melting.


    Faced with such a terrifying onslaught, Xiao Yi''s face grew somber, as he relied on his exquisite movement technique and robust physique to dodge the fire dragons'' attacks time and again.


    However, no matter how exquisite his movement technique was, it was no match for Elder Tianku, who possessed the Seal Breaking Pearl.


    As Xiao Yi grew weary from the onslaught,


    A sudden swoosh of an arrow breaking through air resounded from the void, a cold arrow shot by Fang Yiwen. The icy arrow pierced Xiao Yi''s calf with a thud, causing his movements to falter, and a fireball scored a direct hit on his back. With a booming explosion, the fireball burst, instantly forming a sea of flames.


    Xiao Yi, amidst the sea of flames and tormented by the intense fire, felt piercing scalding pain even with his sturdy physique.


    Boom!


    Pushing through the firewaves with sheer force, Xiao Yi charged out and saw Fang Yiwen, who was again readying his bow to shoot. A chilling light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes as he pulled out the cold arrow with a whoosh, looking at Fang Yiwen with a sinister smile, "You''re courting death!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi charged toward Fang Yiwen.


    Fang Yiwen''s face changed drastically, he turned to Yang Dingtian, "Elder Yang, save me..."


    Yang Dingtian thundered, "Xiao Yi, stop!"


    "Block him for me!"


    One after another, Human Venerate Realm powerhouses stepped in front of Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh!


    Grasping the icy Chopping Moon in his palm, Xiao Yi advanced with the blade as though possessed by a war deity: "Those who block me shall die..."

 Chapter 763 - 761: Frenzied Slaughter, Domain Shattered!

    "Those who block me will die!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were filled with a crazed fervor.


    In the days of old, the Great Qian Dynasty faced threats from all directions, surrounded and beset by enemies, yet he stood alone to confront them.


    Now, with the foundation of the Daqian Dynasty unstable, mighty foes lurked in every corner, employing relentless and devious tactics, and Xiao Yi still stood alone.


    Along this journey...


    Especially since the establishment of the Daqian Dynasty, Xiao Yi had always been forbearing.


    Had he not been pushed to his limits, he wouldn''t have readily killed anyone.


    Because Xiao Yi didn''t want his rash actions to entangle the Daqian Dynasty and lead to the death of countless innocent civilians.


    But...


    No matter how much Xiao Yi tolerated, he couldn''t escape targeting and complications.


    Since that was the case.


    Why keep holding back?


    Whoosh!


    In his palm, the Devil Sword Chops the Moon drew a brilliant array of sword flowers, with two clusters of radiant sword light coalescing into dazzling edges. Petals of Sword Qi slowly bloomed, and the sharp Sword Qi swept across both sides amidst a harsh sound of ripping through the air.


    This time, Xiao Yi showed no mercy.


    Even in a domain where martial arts were forbidden, his swordsmanship remained unmatched.


    This was the power of the Sword Soul!


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Wherever the sword light passed, blood spurted wildly, limbs were severed, and even heads soared into the air.


    Throughout Xiao Yi''s path...


    Behind him laid a trail of mangled corpses, a road paved with blood, flanked by the bodies of over thirty Human Venerate realm fighters. In the domain where martial arts were forbidden, only the fighters of the Physical Nirvana could barely withstand him.


    The other practitioners of the two Nirvana paths simply could not withstand Xiao Yi''s sword.


    In an instant.


    No one dared to step forward anymore.


    Fang Yiwen''s figure appeared in front of Xiao Yi. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fang Yiwen, witnessing Xiao Yi slaughtering dozens of Human Venerate realm fighters and realizing he didn''t practice Physical Nirvana, felt terror pulsate in his eyes as Xiao Yi rushed toward him, shouting, "Get out of my way!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Arrows pierced through the air one after another.


    His path was that of Spiritual Nirvana, and he had reached the fifth-layer of archery.


    Arrows flew across the sky, end to end.


    A total of thirty-six arrows shot forth, tearing through the heavens, forming a dazzling array of arrow light between earth and sky.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sparkled like lightning as he activated his Green Bat Skill, dodging in serpentine motions to evade.


    You couldn''t see how his sword moved!


    But everywhere it passed...


    All the arrows that came near were forcibly deflected, unable to get even close to him.


    Xiao Yi suddenly reached out to the side and grabbed an arrow as it whizzed by. Then with another twist of his body, he started to spin like a top. The arrow in his hand was released with a whoosh, shooting straight at the arrow Fang Yiwen was nocking on his bow.


    The tips of the arrows collided, like a needle meeting a stalk of wheat.


    Boom! A loud explosion.


    The two arrows shattered simultaneously, and the ensuing violent energy caused the longbow in Fang Yiwen''s hands to fly out of his grip, his tiger''s mouth split open, and blood gushed out. Fang Yiwen''s complexion drastically changed as he muttered, "It''s over..."


    A cold sensation had already made its presence known above his head.


    With a sweep of his gaze.


    Xiao Yi''s right hand, shaped like a claw, descended, and with a thud, it pierced into Fang Yiwen''s skull.


    "No, please don''t kill me..." Fang Yiwen''s face was filled with despair as he pleaded in agony.


    Xiao Yi''s expression slowly emerged before him.


    A cold voice emanated from those handsome features, "Begging for your life now is already too late!"


    Dao Heart Seed Demon Skill!


    Xiao Yi uttered a cold snort, and his palm shot forward.


    Plop!


    Fang Yiwen''s head was violently torn off, along with a demon seed the size of a walnut, which also brought with it the Elixir of Immortality within Fang Yiwen''s body into his hand.


    This Elixir of Immortality was a precious ninth-grade treasure, and it was exactly the Fire Attribute Elixir of Immortality that Xiao Yi was missing!


    "All attributes Elixir of Immortality in hand..."


    Xiao Yi suppressed the restlessness in his heart and stored the demon seed away.


    Just then...


    A furious roar exploded like thunder, "Xiao Yi... you bastard, how dare you kill Fang Yiwen?"


    The angry shout belonged to Yang Dingtian.


    This Fang Yiwen was a disciple he had carefully groomed, and the ninth-grade Elixir of Immortality in his body was personally sought by Yang Dingtian himself. This was the hope for their lineage''s rise, but now it had been butchered by Xiao Yi.


    Yang Dingtian''s eyes were a bloody red, spewing out blood-colored sharp edges, and his roar was as deafening as thunder, "I will kill you, kill you��"


    Boom boom boom!


    Yang Dingtian charged furiously towards Xiao Yi.


    With every step he took, the void would crack and explode, causing the entire Yunmeng Main Hall to rumble and shake.


    The sky shattered and the earth cracked, as if it were the end of days.


    An Earthly Honor Realm powerhouse in a rage!


    Even within the Forbidden Domain, a terrifying momentum could still erupt.


    But clearly Yang Dingtian was not satisfied with this. Under the interference of the Forbidden Domain, it was impossible for him to slay Xiao Yi. After all, with Xiao Yi''s movement technique and the strength of his physical body, relying solely on strength to capture or kill him was still far from sufficient.


    "Summon the treasure!"


    Yang Dingtian roared furiously.


    A surge of earthy yellow light soared into the sky from within his body, which turned out to be an earthy yellow treasure seal.


    The treasure seal spanned the sky.


    It was square in shape, and its earthy yellow color made it appear especially heavy and solemn.


    On its square base,


    the carvings of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Turtle �C the Four Symbols Divine Beasts �C were situated in four directions, surrounding the dazzlingly bright treasure bead at the center. The moment this Four Symbols Treasure Seal appeared, everyone felt as if a towering mountain range had been placed upon them.


    "Eighth-layer Peak Primordial Soldier, Four Symbols Treasure Seal?"


    "The legendary treasure that has melted a leyline and can suppress all prohibitions?"


    "It seems Yang Dingtian truly intends to kill, to actually employ such a precious treasure..."


    Su Xinghe''s pupils slightly contracted; inside the treasure seal was a melted leyline, immensely heavy, crushing even Earthly Honor Realm powerhouses into severe injuries with a single smash. More importantly, this seal could break the Forbidden Domain!


    Yang Dingtian''s use of this seal meant that he had decided to break the Forbidden Domain and kill Xiao Yi directly!


    Su Xinghe let out a helpless sigh, "It seems... my hope for revenge is dashed!"


    Elder Tian Ku was also startled.


    Even with Yang Dingtian''s strength, to activate the Four Symbols Treasure Seal to break the Forbidden Domain would cost him dearly.


    One could see how intense Yang Dingtian''s killing intent towards Xiao Yi was!


    Elder Tian Ku narrowed his eyes, pondering how to snatch the treasures from Xiao Yi''s possession from Yang Dingtian. As for the secret technique of the God Devouring Ants, he was not as eager as Nantian Lie.


    "Four Symbols command the heavens, Forbidden Domain, break for me!"


    With a roar from Yang Dingtian,


    radiant light burst forth from the treasure seal, as the Four Symbols Divine Beasts soared into the sky.


    They charged at the deepest part of the Forbidden Domain, the Yunmeng Flower!


    Boom!


    Under the impact of the Four Symbols Divine Beasts, the Yunmeng Flower shattered, and the Forbidden Domain broke apart violently.


    In that moment��


    The gazes of the remaining hundred Human Venerate Realm powerhouses and the three Earthly Honor Realm powerhouses all simultaneously fell upon Xiao Yi...

 Chapter 764 - 762 You No Longer Have a Chance

    A crowd of powerful figures all turned their attention to Xiao Yi.


    Their eyes were filled with icy coldness and ferocity, along with a sense of schadenfreude and chilling murderous intent.


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, weren''t you acting so arrogant? Now let''s see how arrogant you can be!"


    "The Forbidden Weapons Domain has been broken, you''re like a fish on a chopping block, ready for us to slaughter..."


    Yang Dingtian retracted the Four Symbols Treasure Seal.


    A trace of pallor crossed his face, and there was a hint of blood at the corner of his mouth, the backlash from forcibly using the Four Symbols Treasure Seal to break the Forbidden Weapons Domain. Fortunately, this Forbidden Weapons Domain had not been personally cast by the Yunmeng Demon Emperor of the past.


    Otherwise...


    Even if it cost him his old life, it would have been impossible to break through it.


    Yang Dingtian licked his lips with his crimson tongue, a ferocious cold smile on his face, "Xiao Yi, if you don''t want to die, kneel down now and knock your head against the ground ten times. Maybe, just maybe, this lord would soften his heart and leave you a way out..."


    Buzz, buzz, buzz!


    One after another, the powerhouses surrounded him.


    The terrifying aura fluctuations made Xiao Yi feel a chill throughout his body.


    The breath of death, like a dark canopy, enveloped him.


    More than a hundred strong figures from the Longevity Secret Realm!


    Especially with Su Xinghe, Elder Tianku, and Yang Dingtian, these three super experts of the Earth Venerate Realm, looking on eagerly, in everyone''s eyes, Xiao Yi seemed to have no chance of survival.


    Facing the pressing hostility of the crowd of powerhouses.


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath of foul air, his eyes shooting out two flames of passion and determination, and sneered, "Each of you wants my life, but I haven''t lived enough yet, and this life of mine cannot be given to you just yet!"


    "Hahaha, whether you give us your life or not, it''s not for you to decide!"


    "We want you dead, so you must die!"


    "Enough talk!"


    The crowd pressed in.


    On each of their faces was nothing but ferocity and malice.


    Whoosh!


    A sound of piercing the air suddenly came, as a seventh-grade Human Venerate Realm powerhouse made his move. Just moments ago, under the Forbidden Weapons Domain, he had been sent flying by one of Xiao Yi''s punches, his embarrassment reaching the extreme.


    Now that the Forbidden Weapons Domain was gone, he naturally intended to retrieve his lost face.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi turned and struck with his sword, slicing the energy ball, glowing with light, into two halves. But at that moment, several others also launched their attacks.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Bursts of terrifying energy exploded all around Xiao Yi.


    The shockwaves violently shook his internal organs, and he couldn''t stop fresh blood from spilling from the corners of his mouth.


    Two fists are no match for four hands.


    Furthermore...


    All around Xiao Yi were none other than the masters of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    The breath of death, like a dark canopy, had already obscured the heavens and the earth around him.


    Coldness.


    Loneliness.


    Death.


    Despair...


    Countless negative emotions were released from the ferocious powerhouses around him, continuously crushing down upon him, making Xiao Yi''s pallor grow even more pronounced.


    But the fire of battle in his eyes burned even hotter.


    No one noticed.


    Within Xiao Yi, a Nine-Grade All-Attribute Longevity Spirit was quietly being refined.


    "Yo, you seem quite unconvinced?"


    "Don''t tell me you think that so many of us still can''t handle you?"


    Again it was that Seventh Grade Human Venerate Realm powerhouse who sneered with viciousness, taunting Xiao Yi. At the same time, his figure suddenly paused, turned into a streak of light, and charged straight at Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh!


    His speed was incredibly fast. In just an instant, he appeared in front of Xiao Yi.


    "Slash!"


    Xiao Yi raised his sword for a horizontal sweep, like sweeping away autumn leaves.


    The silvery sword light, like a slanted crescent moon, slashed at his assailant''s waist.


    However...


    That person''s movement technique was extremely strange. With a light flicker and a whoosh, his entire being rippled like water, allowing the sword strike to pass by as he rippled. Xiao Yi then felt a pain in his shoulder.


    Spurt!


    A long spear had pierced through his shoulder.


    Blood gushed out, splattering everywhere.


    At the cold spear tip, droplets of blood dripped down incessantly.


    The person''s chilling voice rose from behind, mocking and thick with triumph, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, inside the no-fighting zone, you were so arrogant, so domineering. Now that you''ve lost the support of the no-fighting zone, I see you''re nothing but..."


    Before he could finish.


    Xiao Yi suddenly stepped backward.


    Allowing the long spear to penetrate his shoulder, his figure whizzed backward in a swift retreat.


    At the same time, his hands grasped the hilt of his sword and thrust fiercely backward.


    The Treasure Pavilion''s Human Venerate Realm expert holding the long spear hadn''t anticipated that Xiao Yi would be so ruthlessly decisive, piercing his own body with the spear just to close the distance between them.


    By the time he thought to defend, it was already too late.


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    Cutting Moon mercilessly pierced through his abdomen.


    At the same time.


    Xiao Yi''s hands twisted violently, and the blade of the sword whirred, spinning wildly like a top.


    Argh...


    A scream came from behind, accompanied by a spurt of warm blood on his lower back. This one sword viciously minced the man''s abdomen. With a slap on the hilt, the longsword split the man in two at his waist in a muffled sound.


    Xiao Yi forcefully yanked out the long spear, and as he turned around, he threw it forward.


    Pfft!


    The spear tip pierced through the man''s chest, carrying his upper body as it flew backwards for hundreds of meters before its tip struck and embedded itself in the ground.


    "Still not enough..."


    Xiao Yi felt the Spirit of Longevity within his body refining at breakneck speed, success was but a step away.


    He took a deep breath, pulled out a bottle of strong liquor, and took several large gulps before spraying the alcohol over the wound on his shoulder. The intense burning pain was so severe that his face contorted slightly.


    Huff!


    Huff!


    Xiao Yi gasped deeply several times, his sword-like eyebrows standing tall. His cold eyes swept over the stunned crowd as he said, "Come on, each one of you wants my life. I''m fucking standing right here; if you have the guts, come and kill me!"


    Whoosh!


    Cutting Moon, along with his swinging arm, pointed its cold blade tip at the crowd.


    His roar was hysterical.


    It left everyone feeling a chilling terror in their hearts.


    The murderous Qi that soared to the sky.


    Made all the onlookers, who were eyeing him covetously, exchange glances, and for a moment, none dared to step forward.


    "A bunch of useless cowards..."


    Xiao Yi sneered.


    Their faces turned green and white in alternating waves, consumed with shame and outrage.


    They were, after all, the lofty masters of the Longevity Secret Realm, who had ever been humiliated like this?


    Only...


    The thought of Xiao Yi''s crazed way of fighting, his life-risking slaughtering method, made everyone''s heart shrink in fear.


    At that moment.


    Su Xinghe''s voice came through suddenly, "Then let this valley master have a meeting with you!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi paused, his gaze shifting toward Su Xinghe.


    Su Xinghe, Galaxy Valley Master.


    An Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse!


    "Valley Master Su is personally taking action?"


    "Does he have a choice? All the promising youngsters of Galaxy Valley have been killed by Xiao Yi. If Su Xinghe wants to turn the tables, his only hope is to gain the emperor''s support. Clearly, capturing Xiao Yi for the emperor is the only chance for his Galaxy Valley to survive!"


    "This Su Xinghe is, after all, a formidable Earth Venerate Realm expert. If he makes a move, I''m afraid Xiao Yi is as good as dead!"


    A mix of wistful comments filled the air.


    Su Xinghe''s venomous gaze had already locked onto Xiao Yi, "Didn''t expect it, did you? In the end, you have to die by my hands!"


    But just then...


    Xiao Yi''s tight face suddenly broke into a brilliant smile, with the corners of his mouth curling up into a cruel and triumphant arc as he spoke softly, "Sorry, you''ve already lost your chance!"


    "Hmm?"


    Su Xinghe was taken aback.


    All at once, a boundless radiance erupted from Xiao Yi''s body, soaring into the sky...

 Chapter 765 - 763: Certain Death Beyond Doubt!

    Boom!


    Rays of rosy light shot up into the sky.


    The blinding radiance was so dazzling that it made Xiao Yi''s entire figure glow and shimmer, his aura majestic.


    His body slowly floated upwards.


    At this moment...


    The entire Cloud Dream Temple was overshadowed by his light, and between heaven and earth, there was only the brilliant radiance emanating from him.


    "This�� What is this��"


    People looked at Xiao Yi in confusion and disbelief.


    All of them were experts from the Longevity Secret Realm, and they were naturally familiar with this scene.


    This was clearly a sign of entering the Longevity Secret Realm!


    But��


    "Isn''t he at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak? How could he step directly into Longevity?"


    "Where did he get the spirit of Longevity from? Wait, look at him��" Suddenly, a gasp rose from the crowd.


    The crowd''s gaze focused on Xiao Yi.


    Countless rays of light were gathering above his head, forming a cluster of golden flowers.


    But this was not the reason for everyone''s shock.


    After all...


    Any strong being entering the Longevity Secret Realm would have flowers blooming atop their head, also known as the flowers of the other shore. It symbolized setting foot into Longevity, crossing the bitter sea, henceforward blessed with a lifespan of ten thousand years, having reached the "other shore."


    It represented the completion of transcendence.


    But��


    Normally speaking.


    A martial artist of the Nirvana Realm stepping into the Longevity Secret Realm could only condense a single flower of the other shore.


    But now...


    Above Xiao Yi''s head, besides the first golden flower of the other shore, there was now a second, a third, a fourth...


    A total of seven flowers!


    Flowers of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, earth.


    And four flowers of Yin and Yang: greater Yin, lesser Yin, greater Yang, lesser Yang!


    Nine flowers of the other shore in total!


    It signified mastery over all attributes!


    "Xiao Yi is actually a martial artist with mastery over all attributes?"


    "This can''t be possible�� Not even the most excellent Saint Heir of our Nantian Dynasty has been able to condense the flowers of all attributes of the other shore��"


    "This�� What kind of monster is this kid? I... I now regret, why did I choose to be his enemy��"


    People''s faces were filled with terror.


    Panic and disbelief filled every pair of eyes, fixated on the nine flowers of the other shore atop Xiao Yi''s head.


    Even Yang Dingtian and Elder Tianku, who were seasoned and well-informed, were exchanging glances of shock.


    Having reached the Earth Venerate Realm.


    Their mental fortitude was undoubtedly strong, and their will unwavering, yet Xiao Yi''s talent still took them by surprise and awe. Not to mention seeing, it was practically unheard of!


    "This child must not be allowed to transcend the Longevity Heavenly Tribulation, once he steps into the Longevity Secret Realm, he will become a great menace!" Yang Dingtian suddenly spoke up, his gaze towards Elder Tianku filled with deep wariness and a cold intent to kill.


    To them...


    Any power they couldn''t fully control was a threat.


    Xiao Yi''s talent, which was even more formidable than that of the Saint Heir, demanded their utmost attention!


    Whew!


    Elder Tianku exhaled deeply, his face betraying a moment of hesitation, but upon seeing the nine flowers of the other shore above Xiao Yi''s head, his eyes hardened with resolve to kill, and he nodded, "This child must be eliminated!"


    "Now that he is connecting with heaven and earth and is about to transcend, it is not appropriate for us to intervene!" said Elder Tianku.


    Yang Dingtian sneered, "Is not the Longevity Heavenly Tribulation the best weapon for killing?"


    "The Longevity Heavenly Tribulation?"


    Elder Tianku was taken aback and frowned slightly.


    Yang Dingtian looked at Xiao Yi, who was slowly ascending amidst the vast radiance, steeled his heart, and coldly said, "I know that there are quite a few people here who have secretly joined your Changsheng Sect. Have them make a move together, trigger the tribulation, and let the tribulation strike Xiao Yi!"


    Triggering the tribulation!


    Such an act was insane!


    Yang Dingtian glanced at the silent Elder Tianku, laughing coldly to himself, and spoke in a hushed tone, "A true man will do anything to achieve his goals. Tian Ku, when did you become so indecisive?" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Humph!"


    Provoked by Yang Dingtian, Elder Tianku snorted and commanded, "Followers of the Changsheng Sect, heed my order. Kill Xiao Yi!"


    "What?"


    "Act now? Won''t that cause a backlash from the heavenly tribulation?"


    "Are they planning to exchange our lives for Xiao Yi''s life?"


    A wave of commotion immediately rose among the crowd.


    It was no fewer than twenty disciples of Changsheng Sect.


    Elder Tianku snorted coldly, his face expressionless, "Don''t forget your identities. If you don''t carry out the command, the sect''s laws will deal with you!"


    Hiss!


    Everyone gasped in alarm.


    The sect''s law, failure to obey commands meant extermination of one''s family!


    With this thought in mind.


    These twenty-plus powerhouse members of Changsheng Sect, despite their reluctance, had no choice but to steel themselves and charge towards Xiao Yi for the sake of their family and kin.


    Off to the side, Yang Dingtian also spoke with a cold face, "Followers of Nantian Sacred Ground, attack!"


    Each and every powerful member of Nantian Sacred Ground had no choice but to make a move.


    Just the combined forces of both parties amounted to over fifty Longevity Secret Realm masters, all of whom had been hiding in the crowd until now. Their simultaneous action took Su Xinghe and the others completely by surprise.


    Meanwhile.


    Above Xiao Yi''s head had already gathered nine Blossoms of the Other Shore, surrounded by nine-colored light. Above the firmament, the tribulation clouds were also shining brilliantly.


    Spanning a hundred thousand li, the tribulation clouds.


    Utterly terrifying.


    The whole world seemed to fall into darkness, not a single ray of light shining through; the dreadful heavenly might cast fear into the hearts of even those at the Earth Venerate Realm. Surviving the Longevity Heavenly Tribulation was already a matter of nine deaths and one life.


    But now...


    Yang Dingtian and Elder Tianku had actually dispatched over fifty Longevity Secret Realm experts to interfere with his heavenly tribulation.


    This turned Xiao Yi''s face an ashen hue.


    The tribulation clouds had already sensed the Longevity energy released by these fifty-plus individuals, churning wildly; the terrifying heavenly might shrouded the celestial space, causing even the Ancient Stars far beyond, millions of li away, to tremble.


    Boom boom boom!


    The tribulation clouds expanded unceasingly, reaching a horrifying nine hundred thousand li.


    Half of the Nantian Dynasty was enveloped beneath the Black Cloud.


    Of course...


    This did not mean that half of the Nantian Dynasty would suffer the strikes of tribulation thunder.


    It only meant...


    That the heavenly tribulation had drawn the spiritual energy of heaven and earth from a range of nine hundred thousand li, condensing terrifying tribulation thunderbolts.


    The dreadful heavenly might increased a hundredfold.


    Above the firmament.


    Those fifty Longevity Secret Realm experts, faced with such a dreadful heavenly might, began to feel fear.


    With pale faces, they scattered like birds and beasts, "Dammit, this heavenly tribulation is too terrifying. I''m not doing this..."


    "If this heavenly tribulation strikes down, we are certain to die..."


    "Run!"


    In an instant.


    Seven Longevity Secret Realm masters attempted to flee...


    But...


    The heavenly tribulation had already locked onto them.


    It wasn''t going to let them leave so easily.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Terrifying thunderbolts suddenly descended, striking fiercely upon them. The seven Longevity Secret Realm masters were blasted to bits without the slightest chance to resist.


    Such a terrifying heavenly tribulation, even Yang Dingtian and Elder Tianku felt the threat of death, "The power of this heavenly tribulation is enough to compare with a Zun Realm powerhouse enduring a tribulation..."


    "Hahaha, under such a heavenly tribulation, Xiao Yi has no chance of survival!"


    "A deathtrap with ten deaths and no life!"


    "Daring to oppose us, this is the result..."


    The crowd wore faces of smugness and mockery.


    In their eyes...


    Facing such a terrifying heavenly tribulation, Xiao Yi was doomed beyond doubt...

 Chapter 766 - 764: Longevity Heavenly Tribulation, A Fine Line Between Life and Death!

    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, this place shall be your grave today!"


    "What a pity, even with your astounding talent, you still can''t escape the fate of dying under the Heavenly Tribulation..."


    "Go on, act tough now!"


    Yang Dingtian and his group all wore thick mockery on their faces, taking pleasure in Xiao Yi''s misfortune. Their eyes filled with a fierce cold laugh, they couldn''t wait to see Xiao Yi fall under the Heavenly Tribulation, to be reduced to ashes by the thunder.


    Hmph!


    Facing the ridicule and crowding around him, Xiao Yi just let out a cold snort.


    In his eyes,


    A dazzling light like the stars simmered, his sharp gaze swept over Yang Dingtian and the others as he spoke word by word, "Nantian Sacred Land, Nantian Holy Institute, Changsheng Sect, and all of you... I will remember this!"


    "Hm?"


    "What''s the use of remembering us when you''re about to die?"


    "Do you want to wait for us in hell? Then you''ll have a long wait, since most of us are Human Venerate Realm experts, free from sickness and death, with lifespans of ten thousand years..."


    Watching Xiao Yi with murderous intent, the crowd laughed even more wildly and arrogantly.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed to slits.


    A corner of his mouth twitched upward in a cold smile, but he said no more.


    He just looked up at the terrifying tribulation clouds. The oppressive clouds obscured the sun, seeming to entirely envelop the world. The dreadful majesty of heaven pressed down all things, making them bow down.


    The majesty of heaven was vast and terrifying.


    The thunder rolled, the tribulation clouds covered the sky.


    However...


    Facing such a horrifying heavenly tribulation, Xiao Yi merely raised an eyebrow slightly and then, with a swish, clenched the demonic sword Han Yue in his palm.


    With a booming sound,


    His figure broke through space, shooting straight towards the heavens. S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Crackling!


    A wave of fervent air erupted from Xiao Yi''s body, followed by a burst of fearsome thunderous serpents, which clung to his body. Amid the crackling, the Wind Thunder battle armor had already covered him.


    Wherever he passed...


    A Qing-gold lightning pillar streaked through heaven and earth.


    Boom!


    In the heavens above, the tribulation clouds that shrouded the skies trembled violently, and a bolt of lightning came crashing down.


    This lightning fluctuated with a diameter of a hundred meters.


    The terrifying lightning pillar fell from above. Xiao Yi charged into it voluntarily, allowing the formidable lightning to enhance his own body. Even though Xiao Yi''s Wind Thunder Holy Body had been tempered by the forces of heaven and earth''s lightning.


    But the heavenly might of this lightning was extremely terrifying.


    As it struck him,


    Xiao Yi''s body shook violently, and blood sprayed from his mouth, his face instantly turning pale.


    On the ground,


    The strong ones watching could not help but show their delight in the calamity: "Hahaha, just as we thought... with the enhanced power of the heavenly tribulation, Xiao Yi couldn''t possibly withstand it!"


    "Fifty Human Venerate Realm experts drawing the heavenly tribulation together, enhancing its power by more than a hundredfold? Xiao Yi, wanting to contend with the heavenly tribulation by himself, is simply a fool''s dream!"


    Some experts from the Nantian Sacred Land looked up at Yang Dingtian with worshipful eyes, "As expected of Elder Yang, truly brilliant and wise, his strategy is impeccable!"


    "With such a terrifying heavenly might, not even Earth Venerate Realm experts can bear it, let alone Xiao Yi who hasn''t even broken through to the Human Venerate Realm. What can he use to withstand it..." Yang Dingtian crossed his arms over his chest, a confident smile playing on his lips.


    But very quickly...


    The confidence and smile on Yang Dingtian''s face crumbled to dust.


    Boom!


    That terrifying thunderbolt struck Xiao Yi. Apart from making him spew a mouthful of fresh blood, it failed to shake him in the slightest.


    Instead, it was drawn by his Wind Thunder Holy Body. The boundless lightning followed Xiao Yi closely.


    The horrifying lightning moved as he did.


    Boom boom!


    Carrying a purple-gold thunder dragon, Xiao Yi dove down from the high sky, his body enveloped in lightning. Like a thunder god, he charged toward the group that had earlier acted, having strengthened the heavenly tribulation.


    "What, what, what is that?"


    "How is this possible? How did he do it?"


    "Run..."


    The terror of that heavenly might, even from hundreds of miles away, was palpable.


    One by one, the experts watched as Xiao Yi descended from the heavens with the purple-gold giant dragon.


    Fear appeared on their faces.


    "Run? Can you?"


    Amidst the lightning, Xiao Yi''s gaze was ice-cold.


    Whoosh!


    The Thundering Azure Dragon swept across with devastating power.


    Boom boom boom!


    One after another, the powerful beings exploded into existence, their bodies instantly charred to a crisp under the cover of the Heavenly Tribulation''s light.


    This was the Longevity Heavenly Tribulation!


    From the acquired returning to the innate.


    This act alone was an affront to the heavens and was sure to provoke divine retribution and punishment.


    Moreover...


    This Heavenly Tribulation, triggered by Xiao Yi, a supreme genius, along with over fifty Human Venerate Realm powerhouses, was amplified in its intensity. Its power far exceeded that of a normal Longevity Heavenly Tribulation by hundreds, if not thousands, of times.


    Even the proud Earth Venerate Realm powerhouses felt their hearts tremble and their courage falter in the face of such a terrifying tribulation.


    As for those Human Venerate Realm powerhouses...


    They had absolutely no power to resist.


    Under the ruthless sweep of the frenzied Lei Long, twenty Human Venerate Realm powerhouses met a tragic death.


    At this point, the second heavenly thunder descended once more.


    This heavenly thunder was ten times more fierce than the previous!


    The thunderous Heavenly Tribulation descended from the sky, and Xiao Yi''s body, struck violently by the lightning from high above, plummeted to the ground. With a massive boom, Xiao Yi was forcefully smashed into the earth.


    Wow!


    Xiao Yi coughed up fresh blood, and as he looked up, the thunder once again descended wildly from the firmament.


    Boom boom boom...


    As the second thunderbolt fell, Xiao Yi raised the Hurricane Divine Spear.


    Boom!


    The divine spear was instantly shattered by the lightning.


    The third thunderbolt fell.


    Xiao Yi conjured the Thunder God Shield, but in the face of the terrifying tribulation, the shield also exploded into pieces.


    Xiao Yi''s body shone with golden light, reinforced by the Wind Thunder armor.


    Behind him, the Wings of Wind Thunder followed suit, enclosing him entirely.


    Boom boom boom!


    The fearsome Heavenly Tribulation thunder, however, mercilessly tore through the Wings of Wind Thunder, chewed up the Wind Thunder armor, and once again blasted Xiao Yi''s body into the ground, creating a deep crater of a hundred meters.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Nine thunderbolts had already passed.


    Xiao Yi was covered in blood, his body charred and emitting a foul stench, but the fiery will to fight in his eyes was still as intense as the scorching sun. He roared towards the sky, "Come on, if you have the guts, keep bombarding me! If you don''t kill me today, tomorrow, I will overturn this Heavenly Dao..."


    Boom!


    Boom boom boom...


    One after another, the terrifying lightning bolts fell like a torrential storm, raining down incessantly.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s flesh burst apart.


    Boom!


    His skeleton was exposed, flesh hanging off of it.


    Yet, he continued to repair his body with his formidable life force.


    The body of the innate.


    Its greatest feature was regeneration of flesh and blood!


    Once one becomes a powerhouse in the Sacred Venerate Realm, legends say they can even regenerate from a drop of blood, achieving an undying state!


    "Only the last nine lightning bolts are left��"


    "Xiao Yi is already at the end of his tether; it''s impossible for him to withstand these last nine bolts��"


    "He''s sure to die here��"


    Everyone watched nervously, their gazes fixed on the deep pit that now spanned ten thousand miles. Deep within the pit, Xiao Yi was swallowed by countless bolts of lightning, and it was impossible to see the state of his body.


    Whoosh!


    Another bolt of lightning ferociously struck down.


    All eyes strained to look.


    They focused intently on the depths of the pit.


    But in that terrible moment when the lightning struck Xiao Yi, a skeletal hand emerged from within the lightning, seizing the fearsome bolt. A cold voice spread throughout the heavens and the earth, "I have entered the realm of eternal life, why should I fear heavenly lightning?"


    PS: I was driving all day and am quite tired, so I''m taking a break!

 Chapter 767 - 765: Sword Slashes the Heavenly Calamity, Massacre of the Immortals!

    ```


    "I have entered Longevity, why should I fear the heavenly thunder?"


    Xiao Yi looked up and howled at the sky.


    All that was left of him was a skeletal structure, yet within his hollow eye sockets were two blazing red lights flickering unstably.


    After losing his flesh and blood, his internal organs were undeniably exposed.


    One could even clearly see his pulsing heart.


    As well as the blood vessels through which his lifeblood flowed.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was like a bone demon king from the Netherworld, his body emitting an unparalleled aura. Under the stunned gaze of the crowd, a sequence of streamers fluctuated.


    His body''s surface unexpectedly revealed strands of blood-colored energy lines, weaving into a large net that covered his entire figure.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Where the blood-colored net covered, his flesh and blood were reborn.


    "Flesh rebirth?"


    "This, isn''t this a technique only Heaven Venerate experts possess?"


    "How did Xiao Yi accomplish this? Even though he has stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm, that is just the Human Venerate Realm. He, how does he possess the ability that only Heaven Venerate experts should have..."


    One after another, the powerful figures were dumbstruck.


    All were intimidated by Xiao Yi''s terrifying method.


    Yang Dingtian and Elder Tianku exchanged looks, both seeing shock in each other''s eyes.


    The higher the cultivation.


    The more one understands the difficulty of possessing the power of flesh regeneration.


    Even for a Heaven Venerate expert, not all can wield such a technique; only the top masters among Heaven Venerates, or even a Sacred Body, possess this ability.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi had only just entered the Human Venerate Realm and already owned the power of flesh regeneration.


    It was inevitable for them to feel fear.


    "Yang Dingtian, it seems we must make a move now!" Elder Tianku narrowed his eyes.


    Yang Dingtian nodded somberly, his crimson tongue licking his lips: "Logically, as such a genius has emerged from the Daqian Dynasty, I should protect him at all costs. Unfortunately, this lad is unteachable and refuses to submit to our Wind Thunder Holy Land and leaving him would simply lead to future troubles. We have to eradicate him before he fully matures!"


    The cold light in their eyes was like icy daggers, compelling others to avert their gaze.


    Why did Nantian Wen dare to contend openly against the Wind Thunder Holy Land?


    Wasn''t it because he had the power of flesh regeneration?


    Coupled with Nantian Wen''s formidable Heaven Venerate Realm cultivation, even the Sacred Body experts of the Wind Thunder Holy Land couldn''t guarantee they could kill him with absolute certainty. And if Nantian Wen managed to escape, with his power to retaliate without restraint, even the Wind Thunder Holy Land would not be able to withstand it.


    Because of this...


    Even though Nantian Wen openly challenged Wind Thunder Holy Land and established the Nantian Holy Institute to compete for talents, the Wind Thunder Holy Land could only swallow their pride, never sanctioning the Nantian Dynasty.


    Looking at Xiao Yi now...


    He is currently at the Human Venerate Realm yet possesses the power of flesh regeneration.


    If his cultivation rises to the Earthly Honor Realm, or even the Heaven Venerate Realm in the future, who would be able to challenge him?


    Meanwhile.


    Xiao Yi''s flesh had fully regenerated; not only had his original appearance been restored, but he also seemed even more valiant and strong than before.


    His body was bursting with explosive power.


    Xiao Yi looked down at his hands, his fists clenching tightly and emitting a crackling sound, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned: "I never expected that after reaching the eighth transformation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body, I could awaken the power of flesh regeneration ahead of time, quite an unexpected joy! If Yang Dingtian and the others knew that it was thanks to them that I could prematurely possess the power of flesh regeneration, I wonder what their expressions would be!"


    To reach the eighth transformation in the Wind Thunder Holy Land, the force of the natural elements of wind and thunder required is extremely fearsome.


    If it were just the Longevity Heavenly Tribulation he had faced, it would not have been possible for him to break through successfully.


    However...


    Yang Dingtian and Elder Tian Ku had dispatched fifty Longevity Secret Realm experts to trigger the heavenly tribulation, unleashing a power hundredfold, thousandfold more terrifying. This allowed Xiao Yi to successfully step into the eighth transformation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body and, while only at the Human Venerate Realm, possess the power of flesh regeneration that even Heaven Venerate experts yearn for.


    Xiao Yi raised his head to look at the tribulation clouds roiling with thunder and lightning, a soaring fighting spirit erupting from within: "Damn heavenly tribulation, you enjoyed blasting me just now, didn''t you? Watch how I break you..."


    His figure rose like a pillar challenging heaven, and with a bang, he shot straight into the sky. In an instant, he turned into a dazzling pillar of light, standing between heaven and earth. The brilliance of this pillar was such that all the spirits of heaven and earth squinted their eyes, daring not to stare directly at the bright divine light.


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s form directly charged into the midst of those thunderous and lighting-filled tribulation clouds.


    ```


    ```


    Boom!


    Above the firmament, the heavenly tribulation seemed deeply humiliated. Amidst the deafening roars, bolts of purple-gold lightning fluctuated and one after another thunderbolt furiously descended. Like raging thunder dragons showing their fangs and claws baring their gaping maws, they sought to devour Xiao Yi.


    This thunderous rage was ten times more powerful than the strongest bolt that had come before.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes blazed with brilliance, and with a roar, he launched a punch.


    Hum!


    His fist shadow loomed like an eclipsing mountain.


    It shattered the raging thunder dragon with a crash.


    At the same time, Xiao Yi''s figure soared into the sky.


    He moved with wide and powerful strokes.


    With his flesh and blood alone, he shattered the descending bolts of lightning one by one.


    After pulverizing more than thirty bolts, Xiao Yi, with a whoosh, charged into the heart of the tribulation clouds.


    Hum!


    The whole tribulation cloud trembled wildly, the light within shifting unpredictably.


    A few moments later...


    There came a pop.


    The entire world became incredibly peaceful.


    Then...


    A heaven-shaking beam of sword light split the tribulation cloud into two halves.


    The clouds parted to reveal the bright moon.


    In this moment...


    The vast Nantian Dynasty, countless beings inevitably lifted their heads to look toward the direction of Yunmeng Marsh, where the terrifying black tribulation cloud was cleaved into two. And the proud sun emerged from behind those clouds, slowly revealing its true self.


    Warm sunlight spilled across the land, nourishing all things.


    Xiao Yi stood proudly at the pinnacle of the sky.


    Gazing down at the dissipating tribulation cloud, Xiao Yi suddenly transformed into a streak of light and, with a whoosh, darted towards the crowd.


    "Not good!"


    "Run!"


    A muster of powerful beings changed color.


    Xiao Yi, having not yet set foot in the Longevity Secret Realm, had already fought them without them being able to retaliate. S��ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now that Xiao Yi had not only stepped into the Human Venerate Realm, he also possessed the power of fleshly body regeneration.


    How could they be his match?


    "A Stroke That Surprises the Wind and Rain!"


    "Sword Twenty-Three..."


    Xiao Yi acted in quick succession, swinging broadly, and brought his swordsmanship to the ultimate.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Everywhere his astonishing sword light passed, no one below the Earthly Honor could withstand even a single strike.


    Between heaven and earth, blood spurted violently, heads rolled.


    In an instant...


    Twenty-seven Human Venerate Realm stalwarts fell at Xiao Yi''s hand.


    Elder Tianku''s eyes were split with rage. Dozens of Human Venerate Realm followers of Changsheng Sect, which had not been easy to cultivate, were almost wiped out by Xiao Yi. His eyes bloodshot, he roared repeatedly, "Xiao Yi, stop!"


    Yang Dingtian also bore a ferocious visage, "Kill another person from my Holy Land, and I''ll eradicate your entire clan!"


    Looking at Elder Tianku and Yang Dingtian, the corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, "If I want to kill, you can''t stop me!"


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    he smashed the head of the Nantian Holy Land powerhouse in his hand with a slap...


    PS: Took the kid out for fun, drove the whole day, and only reached the hotel at eleven at night. I mentioned three updates for today, this is the first one; little Tian will continue with the remaining two...


    ```

 Chapter 768 - 766: Yunmeng Demon Emperor

    Boom!


    In a burst of colossal noise,


    Xiao Yi''s palm shattered the head of the Nantian Holy Land powerhouse, and amid the thunderous explosion, blood splattered everywhere, with brain matter streaking across. Some even splashed onto the faces of the surrounding powerhouses, with two chunks landing directly on Yang Dingtian''s body.


    Hiss!


    Around them, silence reigned.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was like a god, like a demon!


    Fearless!


    His cold gaze was like a blade, deterring anyone from meeting his eyes. Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted, emitting a sharp light as he looked straight at Yang Dingtian and Elder Tianku without a trace of fear.


    He had stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm with all his attributes.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body reached its eighth transformation, condensing the power to regenerate flesh and blood.


    Moreover, he was unprecedentedly cultivating three paths at once!


    This Xiao Yi...


    Though he had only just entered the Human Venerate Realm, his combat power was not the slightest bit inferior to that of an Earth Venerate!


    An Earth Venerate who was not yet twenty!


    Even the Nantian Holy Land did not possess such a talent.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward as he showed Yang Dingtian a brilliant smile and said, "I''ve already killed your man. What can you do to me?"


    "..."


    Yang Dingtian''s eyes twitched madly, cold light flashing within them, radiating an indistinct glow.


    His face turned from pale to green with rage,


    and was filled with a fierce Evil Qi.


    Yang Dingtian stared at Xiao Yi with a burning gaze, ignoring the others, but spoke in an ever colder tone, "Tianku, just watch from the side! I''ll take this brat''s life!"


    Nearly all the powerhouses from the Nantian Holy Land who came to Yunmeng Marsh died at Xiao Yi''s hands.


    Yang Dingtian could not shirk the blame!


    Elder Tianku narrowed his eyes and nodded, saying, "Fine!"


    His Changsheng Sect disciples had also been almost completely killed by Xiao Yi, these people whom the Changsheng Sect had spent countless years and efforts to recruit. Tens of masters from the Longevity Secret Realm!


    The result was that hundreds of years of scheming and accumulation were wiped out by Xiao Yi in an instant.


    He also wished he could tear Xiao Yi to pieces.


    Now that Yang Dingtian was willing to make a move, he naturally wouldn''t stop him. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he looked at Xiao Yi, his cold gaze already as if he was looking at a lifeless corpse.


    Whoo!


    Suddenly, a violent wind swept through the heavens and the earth.


    Yang Dingtian held out his palm, and a golden seal levitated above it, clearly not the Four Symbols Treasure Seal.


    This seal was none other than the Jade Seal that Yang Dingtian personally crafted when he was the founding emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty. Originally a symbol of imperial power, in the end, it was tempered by him into his own lifebound weapon. The Jade Seal was pure white and flawless, made from a piece of dragon jade the size of a human head.


    Carved with nine dragons striving for a pearl above, and inscribed with the desolation of eight wastelands and the harmony of six directions below, proclaiming ''I alone am honored!''


    "You little bastard, go to hell!"


    As Yang Dingtian waved his hand,


    the Jade Seal suddenly enlarged with a swoosh, and the nine dragons coiling around it seemed to come to life, letting out a sky-shaking roar. The dragons writhed continuously, eventually detaching from the seal. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They then hurled themselves at Xiao Yi in a frenzy.


    As each dragon left the Jade Seal, their bodies grew larger and larger.


    Eventually, they turned into nine gigantic dragons hundreds of feet long.


    Upon their massive bodies, every scale was like a shield, shimmering with a cold metallic luster. They seemed crafted from pure steel, and their five claws underneath were unmatched in power, lifelike enough to send shivers down the spine.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The nine gigantic dragons dove down simultaneously, and their sweeping ferocity made the surrounding onlookers'' hearts leap.


    Awe and shock flickered in their eyes, "What a terrifying aura, this must be the true strength of an Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse, right? No wonder masters above the Earth Venerate level always seclude themselves and rarely show themselves in public. Such terrifying power, if not controlled, could very well cause the destruction of all beings..."


    "I''ve heard that Yang Dingtian is ranked at the very bottom among the elders of the Nantian Holy Land..."


    "How strong is the Nantian Sanctuary?"


    The crowd couldn''t help but exclaim endlessly.


    They were deeply intimidated by Yang Dingtian''s demonstrated powerful strength.


    Though it seemed slow, it all happened fast...


    Facing the siege of nine fierce dragons, Xiao Yi''s body flashed with lightning, and his hands, covered with lightning, bloomed with a dazzling purple-golden radiance.


    Two thunder-condensed hands reached into the void at the same time.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Both hands simultaneously grabbed the necks of two dragons, and with a swing of his arms, Xiao Yi violently smashed the two dragons together. Muzzles against muzzles, and with a loud ''bang,'' the dragons violently exploded.


    A sky full of golden light cascaded down.


    Like a rain of gold.


    Without any pause, Xiao Yi declared, "Invincible King Fist!"


    Fist to flesh!


    With each punch he threw, there was a thunderous boom, smashing a dragon with ease. In just a moment, all nine dragons were vanquished, turning into a shower of light that fell like scattered stars.


    In the end, they returned to the Jade Seal.


    But at this moment, the Jade Seal''s light was dim, no longer as vibrant as before.


    Hiss!


    Around them, the sounds of people drawing sharp breaths filled the air.


    The fearsome might unleashed by Yang Dingtian when he activated the Jade Seal had filled them with terror and awe, yet such a formidable method was so easily countered by Xiao Yi, who had just broken through to the Human Venerate Realm?


    This was simply unbelievable.


    Gulp!


    One after another, the strong swallowed hard, "What kind of monster is this Xiao Yi?"


    "Can someone who just broke through to the Human Venerate Realm really possess such battle prowess?"


    "With Xiao Yi''s strength, calling him an Earthly Honor wouldn''t be an exaggeration, right?"


    The expressions of Yang Dingtian, Elder Tianku, and others were ever-changing. Just as everyone said, the combat power that Xiao Yi had shown indeed was very close to that of an Earth Venerate Realm expert.


    But they did not know...


    What hardships and efforts Xiao Yi had gone through along his journey.


    Not to mention the countless risks and life-and-death situations he faced while delving deep into the Nantian Sanctuary in search of the elemental longevity spirits.


    Just acquiring the Tongtian three records alone cost him innumerable efforts and led him through numerous crises.


    Especially during his tribulation.


    He had been set up by Yang Dingtian and others; had he not cultivated the Wind Thunder Holy Body and possessed willpower far beyond ordinary people, surviving, let alone advancing to his current realm, would have already been a miracle.


    "Earth Venerate of the Nantian Sanctuary? Not so formidable after all!"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily, growing more valiant as the battle raged on, his eyes sparkling with brilliance as he brandished his sword, releasing a radiant sword light. His gaze fixed on Yang Dingtian, he proclaimed, "Now, watch my performance!"


    "Hmph, you think the light of a firefly can compete with the brilliance of the bright moon? Since you''re so eager to court death, I''ll oblige you!"


    Yang Dingtian''s face was incredibly somber as he coldly spoke.


    He was, after all, a respected elder of the Nantian Sanctuary �C how could he tolerate such contempt and provocation?


    However...


    Just as Yang Dingtian was about to make his move.


    A beam of brilliance burst forth from the main hall of the Cloud Dream Temple, instantly enveloping Xiao Yi and the others.


    This beam of light was pure and incomparably domineering.


    Even Yang Dingtian, Elder Tianku, and the others were utterly powerless against it. In shock, they found themselves being dragged towards the main hall of the Cloud Dream Temple. Within moments, they had all entered.


    While everyone was still in a state of uncertainty.


    A figure emerged within the main hall.


    And when they saw the appearance of that figure, Xiao Yi and the others felt their scalps explode, took sharp breaths, and exclaimed, "Yun! Meng! Demon! Emperor!"

 Chapter 769 - 767: The Temple Obtained

    Yunmeng Demon Emperor?


    All were exclamations of shock, disbelieving as they stared at the figure before them.


    Even Xiao Yi felt his heartbeat quicken because the figure before him was just too familiar; wasn''t it exactly the same as the statue of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor he had seen before at the Treasure Rock?


    Could it really be the Yunmeng Demon Emperor?


    This sovereign from ten thousand years ago, the ruler of the Yunmeng Dynasty that once contended with the Nantian Dynasty?


    Hadn''t he already perished?


    How could he appear here...


    Elder Tianku suddenly spoke up, "This is not the true body of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor, but merely a Spiritual Consciousness Avatar!"


    "That''s right, it really is just a Spiritual Consciousness Avatar..."


    "Scared me to death; I thought it was real. Turns out it''s just an avatar..." a ninth-layer Human Venerable sighed in relief, smiling relaxedly without a trace of reverence in his eyes when looking at the Yunmeng Demon Emperor, his gaze now carried a teasing air instead.


    However...


    The next second, he could no longer smile.


    All there was to see was the Yunmeng Demon Emperor giving him a mere fleeting glance, his eyes emitting a cold sharpness, swept over him, and that ninth-layer Human Venerable turned rigid, his body swiftly covered in a thick layer of cyan stone skin.


    Encasing him completely within.


    Transformed directly into a stone sculpture!


    With a wave of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor''s hand...


    The stone sculpture exploded with a bang.


    The mighty ninth-layer Human Venerable couldn''t even react before his death. Such prowess tensed up the nerves of everyone who had just relaxed.


    When they looked at this Spiritual Consciousness Avatar of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor again, they no longer dared to show the slightest disrespect or irreverence.


    "Since you have entered my Cloud Dream Temple, you are people of destiny. I have left three inheritances of heaven, earth, and man in the main hall. They are the cultivation resources and Secret Techniques for the Celestial Honor, Earthly Honor, and Human Venerate realms, hidden within this main hall. Those who are fated may obtain them."


    After pausing momentarily, the Yunmeng Demon Emperor''s cold gaze swept over everyone, "Whoever obtains the Celestial Honor inheritance will henceforth control the Cloud Dream Temple and gain the authority over the treasure vault of the Yunmeng Dynasty."


    Boom!


    The crowd exchanged glances.


    All saw the fervor in each other''s eyes.


    This news was like a bolt from the blue!


    The resources needed for the realms of Celestial, Earthly, and Human Honor, these were already tremendously formidable inheritances!


    Not to even mention the cultivation resources for Celestial and Earthly Honor, just the cultivation resources for the Human Venerable Realm alone were enough to drive people insane!


    Moreover...


    To obtain the Celestial Honor inheritance, to further control the Cloud Dream Temple and acquire the treasures of the Yunmeng Dynasty!


    This meant that whoever found the Celestial Honor inheritance would from then on possess the foundation to build a power comparable to the Nantian Dynasty!


    "Getting hold of the inheritance is the most important. I shall spare you for now; the day I acquire the inheritance is the day you die!"


    Yang Dingtian gazed at Xiao Yi with malicious venom, snickering.


    But Elder Tianku started searching for the inheritance silently without uttering a word.


    Even though he was one of the one hundred and eight elders of the Tiangang and Earthly Disciplines of the Changsheng Sect.


    He also found it extremely difficult to obtain the Earthly Honor realm''s cultivation resources and Secret Techniques; otherwise, he would not have been stuck at the fifth layer of Earth Revered for hundreds of years without advancing an inch.


    Not to mention the Celestial Honor level cultivation resources and Secret Techniques!


    If he could gain these resources,


    His power would rise to another level.


    "If I can obtain the inheritances of both heaven and earth, and one day step into the Celestial Honor, I may well contend for the position of Sect Leader..." With this thought in mind, Elder Tianku began searching more meticulously for the treasure inheritances.


    Although Xiao Yi had not spoken, the inheritance was extremely important to him as well.


    The foundation of the Daqian Dynasty was too shallow.


    Let alone an Earthly Honor or a Heavenly Honor, even the resources needed for him to cultivate to the peak of the First-layer Human Venerable were something they probably couldn''t provide!


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to let Little Lin land on his shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Little Lin, let''s search together..."


    "Okay, Boss!"


    Little Lin nodded excitedly.


    The two brothers began their search in the vast main hall.


    Having just made a breakthrough to the First-layer Human Venerable Realm, coupled with the ferocious strength he had previously demonstrated, which commanded awe, there was no one who acted alongside him. The two brothers searched quietly, and after a short while, they arrived at a secluded courtyard in the southeast corner of the main hall.


    They pushed the door open and entered.


    Humm!


    Xiao Yi felt as though he had passed through a wall of water, and as he was puzzled, the voice of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor echoed in his mind: "You have arrived!"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi was stunned, looking bewilderedly ahead.


    Inside the courtyard...


    The Yunmeng Demon Emperor sat in front of a stone table, his expression solemn and imposing, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, with a slight smile at the corner of his mouth: "This Emperor has been waiting for you for a long time!"


    "This junior pays respects to the Demon Emperor senior!" Xiao Yi greeted with a bow.


    Little Lin also sincerely said, "Little Lin pays respects to the senior!"


    "Please, sit down!"


    The Yunmeng Demon Emperor chuckled and nodded in satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over the two of them as he said, "Congratulations to you for obtaining the treasure that the Yunmeng Dynasty has accumulated over millions of years!"


    Hiss!


    Even though they had expected it, hearing the Yunmeng Demon Emperor himself say these words, Xiao Yi and Little Lin couldn''t help but gasp in shock.


    Gulp!


    Xiao Yi swallowed hard and asked, "Senior Demon Emperor, didn''t you say that only those who received a Heavenly Venerable inheritance could take control of the Cloud Dream Temple?"


    The Yunmeng Demon Emperor rolled his eyes and sneered, "That was just a play for those people outside, who would get the treasure and the Cloud Dream Temple had already been decided!"


    With a wave of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor''s hand,


    The crown from Xiao Yi''s storage ring flew out, hovering in front of Xiao Yi. The Yunmeng Demon Emperor looked at the crown with a trace of nostalgia and sadness in his eyes, which he quickly concealed, smilingly saying, "This Yunmeng Crown is the key to control the Cloud Dream Temple, and you''ve already got it. The Cloud Dream Temple can only have you as its master. Young fellow, you''re very talented, and it''s not a disgrace for my Yunmeng Dynasty''s accumulated treasure to be handed to you. However, I hope you can promise me one condition..."


    Xiao Yi said, "Senior, please tell me. As long as it is within my power, I will not decline!"


    The Yunmeng Demon Emperor nodded and said, "If one day you have enough strength, obliterate the Nantian Dynasty for me!" sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "..."


    Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment. Given the grudge between him and the Nantian Dynasty, even without the Yunmeng Demon Emperor''s request, it was likely that only one of them would survive to the very end, so he nodded and said, "Senior, rest assured. If one day I truly possess such strength, I will obliterate the Nantian Dynasty!"


    "Very good!"


    The Yunmeng Demon Emperor laughed heartily, "This spiritual consciousness energy of mine is running low. Let me assist you in refining the Yunmeng Crown before I completely dissipate, so you can take charge of the temple!"


    Whoosh!


    The Yunmeng Demon Emperor turned into a sky filled with golden light, rushing into the Yunmeng Crown.


    The crown underwent continuous melting.


    Finally, it transformed into a walnut-sized golden bead and fell into Xiao Yi''s hand. Holding the golden bead, Xiao Yi found himself intimately familiar with the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Everything happening within the temple was as clear as day to him.


    Looking at Elder Tianku, Yang Dingtian, and others who were desperately searching for the inheritance, Xiao Yi plotted in his mind, his lips curving into a slight smile: "The real show is just beginning!"


    PS: Sorry, I fell asleep in front of the computer while writing... Just woke up and hurried to update. Xiao Tian is going to catch some sleep...

 Chapter 770 - 768: Playing with Applause!

    ```


    "A good show? Boss, what do you mean by that?"


    Little Lin looked at Xiao Yi with a puzzled face, his eyes carrying a strange color. With his understanding of Xiao Yi, once Xiao Yi showed such an expression, it meant someone was about to be unlucky.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits.


    Scenes from every corner of the main hall of the Cloud Dream Temple flashed through his mind; he could even clearly see every movement of each powerhouse within the main hall under his surveillance.


    At this moment...


    Inside the main hall.


    Elder Tianku and Yang Dingtian, among others, were frantically searching for the inheritance left by the Yunmeng Demon Emperor. The plain cultivation resources for Earth Venerate level practitioners were enough to make them fight unto death.


    Not to mention the Heaven Venerate level cultivation resources.


    Given Elder Tianku and Yang Dingtian''s talent and status, even if the forces behind them had these resources, they would not share them with them.


    To them, this was an encounter that could change their entire lives!


    For this reason...


    Elder Tianku and Yang Dingtian were both trying their hardest to find treasures.


    Sparing no effort!


    Stopping at nothing!


    Without any scruples.


    Inside the main hall...


    An Earthly Honor Realm warrior found a storage ring in a patch of grass, which turned out to contain Human Venerate level cultivation resources. This made the warrior glow with delight, laughing triumphantly, "Hahaha, the Human Venerate realm''s cultivation resources are mine..."


    As soon as these words were uttered.


    Boom!


    A cold palm instantly shattered his body.


    It was a Seventh Layer Human Venerable realm powerhouse, who directly took the storage ring into his hands.


    Looking at the storage ring in his hands, his eyes were filled with excitement and heat, "With these resources, my cultivation is enough to step into the Ninth Layer Human Venerable realm, and even use this opportunity to break through to the Earth Venerate realm. Truly, heaven is helping me..."


    Swish!


    A dazzling golden sword light suddenly burst from the sky.


    Only to see a golden meteor streaking across heaven and earth.


    A moment later. S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Seventh Layer Human Venerable realm powerhouse was already cleaved in two, his face still carrying the excitement and thrill he had felt when getting the storage ring as blood gushed out.


    In Yang Dingtian''s hand was a storage ring, his eyes full of a thick disdain, "An existence as lowly as an ant dares to snatch food under my eyes?"


    Even if it was just Human Venerate realm practitioner''s cultivation resources.


    But...


    The value contained within was incredibly significant.


    After all.


    A Human Venerate realm practitioner needs a considerable trove to cultivate to the Ninth Layer Human Venerable realm.


    As more and more powerhouses continued their search.


    The Human Venerate and Earth Venerate realm cultivation resources had already started to appear before everyone. Only the Heaven Venerate realm''s cultivation resources had yet to be found by anyone.


    "This progress is so slow, not interesting at all! Let me add some fuel to the fire," Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upward, and with a flick of his finger, within the main hall.


    A streak of brilliance flew past, and it turned out to be a storage ring.


    The treasures of the Human Venerate and Earth Venerate realms had already fallen into everyone''s hands.


    Only the Heaven Venerate realm''s cultivation resources had not yet fallen into their hands.


    "This is the cultivation treasure of the Heaven Venerate Realm!"


    "Quick, grab it!"


    A crowd of strong warriors began to make their moves.


    Su Xinghe, Yang Dingtian, and Elder Tianku, in particular, were desperately competing for it.


    The Heaven Venerate realm''s cultivation resources!


    This was an incredibly valuable treasure!


    A treasure they could not hope to assemble in their entire lives!


    ```


    Su Xinghe''s face was contorted with ferocity, "Both the Human Venerates and Earth Venerates'' treasures have fallen into your hands, and you still want to snatch this away?"


    "Put it down!"


    Yang Dingtian''s eyes showed a ruthless color as he bellowed venomously, "Su Xinghe, you dare to compete with me for this item, do you no longer wish to live?"


    Su Xinghe sneered, "Scared? Not a chance."


    Two life-bonded elemental weapons shot out from Elder Tianku''s hands, seeming like two walnuts, "You all shouldn''t even dream of competing with me..."


    After an intense battle.


    Su Xinghe was missing an arm, and both Yang Dingtian and Elder Tianku had sustained serious injuries, spitting blood from their mouths. Their energy was depleted, while the Heaven Venerate-level training resource ended up in Elder Tianku''s hands.


    Elder Tianku laughed heartily, "Heaven Venerate Realm training resources, ah, with this treasure, my ascent to Heaven Venerate is hopeful!"


    Everyone''s gaze was filled with envy and jealousy, staring fixedly at Elder Tianku.


    Meanwhile.


    Xiao Yi, who was secretly controlling everything within the Cloud Dream Temple, watched all that unfolded before him, merely a little trick of his causing them to fight to the point of bleeding profusely. It was truly laughable.


    In his eyes...


    Elder Tianku and the others were no more than ants, to be manipulated and toyed with at the clap of his hands. The corners of his mouth curved slightly upward, and Xiao Yi''s eyes shone with a mischievous glint, "The scene just now only had the three of them taking part, not thrilling enough. Let''s add some fuel to the fire!"


    With a flick of his finger, a spark of spiritual light disappeared into the void.


    Suddenly.


    In front of a rockery situated beside Yang Dingtian, a brilliant light suddenly shone forth, countless dazzling radiance filling the space between heaven and earth. Under this condensed light, a mysterious silver glow burst from within the rockery.


    The silver light soared into the sky.


    In an instant...


    It transformed into a stele.


    On the stele, the words "Hall Suppressive Divine Stele" were clearly written!


    The crowd looked at each other, baffled, "What the hell is this?"


    "I know... it''s said that some palaces have a control core, like the Hall Suppressive Divine Stele or Taishan Shi Gandang..."


    "You mean to say, if we obtain this Hall Suppressive Divine Stele, we can take control of the Cloud Dream Temple?"


    The crowd exchanged looks again, their faces revealing a look of incredulous shock.


    Boom!


    Just as everyone was in a state of shock, a black stele with a resounding crash landed on the ground.


    The inscription on the stele slowly turned golden.


    These golden inscriptions, indeed, spelled out the words "Hall Suppressive Divine Stele".


    What is a Hall Suppressive Divine Stele?


    Just as the strong warrior said before, this was the divine stone that suppresses the Cloud Dream Temple, the nexus of the temple. It was also the key to controlling the Cloud Dream Temple, and anyone who controlled the Hall Suppressive Divine Stele could become the master of the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Once one controlled the Cloud Dream Temple...


    By then...


    Even Su Xinghe, Elder Tianku, and Yang Dingtian would be no match for oneself.


    Wouldn''t they just be easily bent and molded at will?


    Wouldn''t all those treasures become one''s own?


    With this thought...


    Everyone''s gaze unanimously turned to the stele, filled with deep shock and ecstasy, "Hahaha, finally, I''ve found you!"


    "What''s the point in fighting over storage rings? What''s the point in snatching training resources? As long as I control the Cloud Dream Temple, what don''t I have?"


    "The Cloud Dream Temple is mine..."


    "Attack, just get your hands on the Hall Suppressive Divine Stele, take control of the Cloud Dream Temple, then neither heaven nor earth will be able to compete with us..."


    Within the surge of excited roars...


    All the powerhouses...


    With bloodshot eyes, attacked each other.


    Xiao Yi, watching all this from the shadows, had the corners of his mouth slightly turned up, "The exciting play, begins now!"


    PS: Taking a leave, will make up for it tomorrow!

 Chapter 771 - 769: A Journey of No Return!

    Within the Cloud Dream Temple, amidst the main hall.


    The appearance of the temple-enforcing divine stone instantly drew the attention of all the mighty experts present.


    Previously, they had already come to blows over the resources for cultivating in the realms of Human Venerate, Earth Venerate, and Heavenly Honor, practically wanting to bash each other''s brains out.


    Now...


    Laid before them was the entire Cloud Dream Temple.


    Who could resist such temptation?


    Boom rumble rumble!


    The terrifying energy collisions were like huge tidal waves crashing into one another, causing fearsome energy shocks to erupt.


    The dreadful energy shockwaves surged outwards in all directions.


    Wherever they passed.


    Many strong experts were consequently affected.


    Some who had not reached the Longevity Secret Realm were directly pulverized into a rain of blood and flesh by the fearsome shockwaves.


    "Nobody''s going to steal this from me!"


    "The temple-enforcing divine stone, it''s mine..."


    "Get out of my way!"


    The assault of each powerful expert was varied and colorful, with innate energies swirling wildly.


    Filling the entire main hall.


    No one noticed...


    In the fierce battlefield, from time to time, some figures would silently disappear. Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just like Zhao Hong, a Fifth Layer Human Venerable Realm expert from the Treasure Pavilion. Right as he was about to touch the temple-enforcing divine stone, he was struck in the back by Elder Tianku''s palm. With a buzzing sound and a burst of dazzling light emerging from his body, he revealed an armor-like tortoiseshell emerging on the surface of his body.


    It blocked that palm strike, sparing his life.


    But he was still slapped away by Elder Tianku.


    As blood splattered through the air.


    Zhao Hong crashed into a nearby rockery with a boom, and just as he was struggling to get up, he felt a terrifying devouring force around him.


    With a swoosh.


    Zhao Hong silently vanished from sight.


    To everyone else...


    All of this seemed like Elder Tianku had slapped Zhao Hong to his death against the rockery.


    Meanwhile.


    In the true main hall, Xiao Yi and Little Lin were ready to strike from left and right.


    Suddenly...


    Between them, a dark void cave appeared, and with a swish, Zhao Hong flew out from it. Zhao Hong was utterly baffled, "What place is this?"


    What greeted him was an extremely sharp sword light: "Sword Twenty-Three!"


    Swish!


    A domain of swords enveloped him.


    The sky full of sword energy poured down like torrential rain, loudly striking upon Zhao Hong amid the deafening sounds.


    Wow!


    Taken by surprise, Zhao Hong was gravely injured.


    "Damn it..."


    Zhao Hong, who had just taken a barrage of sword rain, suddenly widened his eyes. Just as he recognized Xiao Yi in front of him, the world around him turned dark. It was then Little Lin who made a move, unleashing his Innate Divine Ability to swallow Zhao Hong whole. Little Lin''s body fluctuated in size as the light dimmed and brightened in his eyes. After several dozen breaths, Little Lin buzzed out a puff of black mist.


    Streams of utterly pure dragon essence flew out from his mouth.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand casually.


    Sweeping up the dragon essence, he gathered it into a jade bottle.


    "Boss, we''ve already collected several hundred dragon origins..." Little Lin''s eyes were filled with excited light, his crimson tongue licking his lips as he eagerly said, "If we could devour Elder Tian Ku, Su Xinghe, and Yang Dingtian as well, I''m afraid we might reach the Ninth Layer Human Venerable Realm, or even break through to the Earth Venerate Realm!"


    This dragon essence was the essence of a martial artist''s lifelong cultivation in the Longevity Secret Realm.


    The effect on enhancing one''s cultivation was even better than the most precious elixirs.


    More importantly...


    The cultivation gained from devouring dragon essence came without any side effects.


    Just as Little Lin had said, if they could devour the three Earthly Honor powerhouses including Su Xinghe and refine them into dragon essence, they had a good chance of breaking through to the Earthly Honor Realm.


    However...


    Xiao Yi glanced at the flickering black light hiding within Little Lin''s eyes, which had become extremely condensed. This was the aftereffect of Little Lin using his Innate Divine Ability to refine these powerful beings into dragon essence. Xiao Yi then shook his head and said, "These dragon origins are enough for our cultivation in the short term, and besides, aren''t we now in control of the Cloud Dream Temple? Do we even need to worry about cultivation resources?"


    The Cloud Dream Temple.


    This was once the royal palace of the Yunmeng Dynasty, home to the Yunmeng Demon Emperor.


    Stored within were the entire dynasty''s treasured collections from the past.


    Why let Little Lin risk demonization to devour and refine these powerhouses?


    Little Lin naturally understood Xiao Yi''s thoughts. Touched, he hesitated for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "Boss, what should we do next then?"


    Although they were now in actual control of the Cloud Dream Temple.


    But...


    Not to mention outside the main hall there were three Earth Venerate Realm powerhouses and dozens of Human Venerate Realm fighters watching closely.


    Even without these powerhouses.


    Once the news of them obtaining the Cloud Dream Temple spreads out, not only the Nantian Dynasty, Nantian Holy Land, and even the Changsheng Sect, but also powerhouses from other provinces would not let them go.


    An innocent man will be punished for being in possession of a cherished gem.


    With their current strength, they were no match for the vast Cloud Dream Temple!


    Xiao Yi sensed the fierce battle erupting within the main hall, especially with Su Xinghe now leading a group of Human Venerable Realm mighty ones to contend against the two Tian Ku elders, forming a three-way stand-off. No one could best the other, and a winner was unlikely to be decided in the short term. What''s more, even if any one of them obtained the Hall-Protecting Divine Stone,


    Given Xiao Yi''s control over the Cloud Dream Temple, they would still take at least a month to refine it.


    This one month was the key period for Xiao Yi to secure absolute possession of the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Nobody knew yet that Xiao Yi had fully taken control of the Cloud Dream Temple.


    But once they start refining the Hall-Protecting Divine Stone and still fail to control the Cloud Dream Temple,


    By then...


    They would inevitably suspect that this was all a trap.


    No one could assure what the enraged ones would do in response.


    Moreover,


    Currently, every one of them believed they had a chance of refining the Hall-Protecting Divine Stone, thereby owning the Cloud Dream Temple, and had not spread the news. Yet once they realized there was no hope of seizing the Cloud Dream Temple, many among them might immediately disseminate the information, attracting more powerhouses.


    Upon this thought,


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and looked at Little Lin before him, "Little Lin, activate the Changsheng Cauldron to its limit, refine the dragon origin!"


    The energy contained within these dragon origins was extremely fearsome.


    Without the help of the Changsheng Cauldron, let alone a month, even ten years might not be enough to fully refine it.


    "Boss, you mean..." A terrifying thought emerged in Little Lin''s mind as he looked at Xiao Yi, his eyes shining.


    Xiao Yi tightly gripped the dragon origin in his hand, his eyes narrowed to slits as he looked toward the main hall, where Elder Tian Ku, Yang Dingtian, Su Xinghe, and others were still locked in a bloodbath, vying for the Hall-Protecting Divine Stone that Xiao Yi had casually condensed. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, unfolding into a cold smile laced with a chilling murderous intent, "I''m going to make sure they never return!"

 Chapter 772 - 770: Youve Celebrated Too Soon!

    Inside the Cloud Dream Temple.


    The great battle that lasted for three days and three nights finally concluded with Yang Dingtian emerging slightly victorious.


    He seized the temple''s divine stone.


    After this battle...


    All three parties suffered heavy losses.


    Especially Su Xinghe, his entangled host of experts were decimated to but one-tenth, leaving only a mere five people.


    Along with himself, a total of six people huddled together for warmth, curling up in a corner to heal their wounds.


    Elder Tianku had lost an arm and was seriously injured, temporarily giving up the fight for the temple''s divine stone to heal on the side.


    However...


    Whether it was Elder Tianku or Su Xinghe, their faces showed vicious coldness, and their eyes were filled with venomous hatred, clearly indicating they had not given up. Like vipers coiled on the side, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike with deadly force, the moment they found an appropriate chance they would launch a thunderous attack to kill Yang Dingtian and reclaim the temple''s divine stone.


    After all.


    Controlling the temple''s divine stone meant controlling the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Who would willingly give up such an opportunity?


    "Hahaha, the temple''s divine stone is mine now..." Yang Dingtian was ecstatic, holding the divine stone in both hands, sitting at the center of the formation fully focused on refining it.


    Elder Tianku and Su Xinghe watched him with icy stares.


    In secret, they were also constantly communicating. "Su Xinghe, your Galaxy Valley has been established in the Southern State for many years, yet you have always had to look up to others. Not only do you have to consider the Nantian Dynasty''s mood, but you must also constantly be wary of the Nantian Holy Institute''s holy might. Surely you wouldn''t want to live like this forever, would you?"


    Su Xinghe''s figure trembled slightly.


    It was just as Elder Tianku had said.


    The situation for Galaxy Valley was quite dire.


    To outsiders, he was the lofty Valley Master of Galaxy Valley, and a revered figure from the exalted Longevity Secret Realm.


    But who knew how heavy the burden on his shoulders was?


    How great the pressure was?


    If it wasn''t for the continuation of Galaxy Valley, why would he have agreed to let Su Yi marry Princess Qingping, knowing full well her notorious reputation?


    Su Xinghe''s eyes narrowed as he looked at Elder Tianku. "Elder Tianku, what do you mean by that?"


    Elder Tianku''s lips curled up slightly, his words carrying a bewitching magic power as he whispered, "As long as you cooperate with me and we take control of the Cloud Dream Temple. In the future, your Galaxy Valley will be an ally of our Changsheng Sect. I believe you are aware of the resources and strength of our Changsheng Sect. With our support, even Nantian Wen would have to think twice before dealing with Galaxy Valley!"


    Su Xinghe''s expression changed slightly.


    He hesitated in his heart.


    Galaxy Valley was an ancient power that existed in the Southern State before the Nantian Dynasty, but it was now being severely suppressed by the Nantian Dynasty. In the past, they could still rely on recruiting disciples from the populace to continue the legacy of Galaxy Valley, but after the establishment of the Nantian Holy Institute, Galaxy Valley''s living space became increasingly small.


    At that thought.


    Su Xinghe took a deep breath and whispered back, "I can cooperate with you, but I want forty percent of the treasures within the Cloud Dream Temple!"


    "Twenty percent!"


    Elder Tianku said indifferently, "I will give you no more than twenty percent!"


    "You..."


    Before he could speak.


    Elder Tianku continued, "To protect your Galaxy Valley, we not only have to face the pressure of the Nantian Dynasty but also withstand the Nantian Holy Land''s retaliation. We are taking eighty percent of the treasures, leaving you with twenty percent; we are already being more than fair!"


    Su Xinghe''s expression shifted back and forth.


    Though he felt unwilling, he understood that Elder Tianku''s words were not unfounded.


    Whew!


    Su Xinghe let out a long sigh, his voice firm. "All right, I will cooperate with you!"


    "You won''t regret it!"


    Elder Tianku grinned and tossed a few elixirs into his mouth, swallowing them as he began to tend to his injuries, his icy gaze sweeping over Yang Dingtian. "Yang Dingtian? Hmph, enjoy your moment of joy for now, the Cloud Dream Temple will ultimately be mine!" S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ......


    Time flew by.


    In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.


    The entire Cloud Dream Temple was under Xiao Yi''s control. Early on, during his closed-door cultivation, he had reactivated the protective formation.


    Outsiders couldn''t see what was happening inside.


    As a result, when the Nantian Dynasty, Nantian Holy Institute, and various other forces sent their powerful experts later on, none could enter the Cloud Dream Temple. They could only station themselves around the perimeter, keeping watch.


    Among them...


    There were strong practitioners from the Medicine King Valley.


    Liu Rufeng was among them, and as he looked at the figure next to him, radiating an evil aura, he couldn''t help but bitterly smile to himself, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, you''ve really put me in a tight spot."


    He never would have guessed that the Earthly Sovereign Elixir Xiao Yi had given him was fake.


    After the Valley Master consumed the fake elixir,


    he never made the breakthrough to the Earthly Venerate Realm.


    In the end, he descended into madness, greedily swallowing hundreds of fake Earthly Sovereign Elixirs, and while his cultivation had indeed reached the Earthly Venerate Realm, his mind had gone as wretchedly mad as one with lost sanity. Sometimes he was normal, sometimes crazed, turning the whole Medicine King Valley upside down. This time, upon learning that Xiao Yi was inside the Cloud Dream Temple, the entirety of Medicine King Valley emptied out to rush here.


    The sinister Valley Master of Medicine King Valley, with evil in his eyes and blood-red pupils, casually stuffed a pile of elixir pills into his mouth, swallowing them with a gulp, he said with an ominous tone, "Has that little bastard Xiao Yi not come out yet? I can hardly wait to tear him to pieces!"


    Liu Rufeng bitterly smiled and said, "Valley Master, please be patient. Once the formation barrier fades, we''ll be able to find Xiao Yi!"


    "Hmm!"


    The evil aura kept the surrounding strong practitioners from daring to approach.


    At the same time.


    Seated within his carriage, Nantian Bao, the newly appointed Commander-in-chief of the Imperial Guards, was polishing a tiger-head saber. His gaze, glancing from the corner of his eyes at the several leaders before him, said, "His Majesty ordered us to investigate the cause of Commander Nantian Lie''s death. Once the barrier disappears, follow me inside. Whether they are remnants of the Changsheng Sect or the powerful from the Nantian Holy Institute, anyone who dares to kill the Commander-in-chief of the Nan Tian Imperial Guards is on a path to death!"


    "Rest assured, Commander-in-chief!"


    "The might of our Imperial Guards cannot be desecrated!"


    The crowd shouted one after another.


    Nantian Bao nodded, his eyes narrowing into slits as sharp as the saber in his hand, "I have just ascended to the position of Commander-in-chief and have yet to secure a solid footing. Victory in this battle is a must to deter others! Whoever killed Nantian Lie can only become a lost soul under my saber..."


    Swish!


    The cold blade gleamed dazzlingly.


    Meanwhile, within the Cloud Dream Temple...


    Xiao Yi suddenly opened his eyes, exchanging a glance with Little Lin.


    Both of their cultivations had leaped forward tremendously.


    Little Lin had broken through from the Third-layer Heavenly Venerable Realm to the Ninth-layer Human Venerable Realm. With his talent and strength, facing an Earth Venerate Realm opponent was totally within his grasp.


    What was even more terrifying was Xiao Yi''s improvement!


    He was a case of accumulating steadily and emerging suddenly!


    Three nirvana rebirths.


    All paths unified!


    Finally entering the Longevity Secret Realm, his cultivation was now advancing with half the effort, and seven-tenths of the dragon essence that Little Lin had condensed earlier had been devoured by him. His current cultivation had reached the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm, and with Xiao Yi''s current strength, even facing a Third-layer Heavenly Venerable Realm opponent meant an instant kill!


    As for powerful beings like Elder Tianku and Yang Dingtian, should Xiao Yi fully unleash his power, they might not necessarily be his match!


    Xiao Yi''s gaze shifted towards the main hall...


    Almost at the same moment his gaze alighted on the main hall, Yang Dingtian inside also opened his eyes, a thrilled smile on his face, "Hahaha, the temple''s guardian stone has been completely refined by me, the Cloud Dream Temple is mine! Tian Ku, Su Xinghe... and that little bastard Xiao Yi, you all must die by my hand, hahaha..."


    However...


    No sooner had his words fallen than Xiao Yi''s playful voice came through the void, "You''re celebrating too early!"


    PS: There will be another update tonight, Xiao Tian continues!

 Chapter 773 - 771: Showdown, I am the Lord of the Temple!

    "You''re celebrating too early!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly rang out.


    Yang Dingtian, who had been gloating, froze, his face twisted with a ferocious and resentful expression as he turned his icy gaze to Xiao Yi, who was now slowly appearing before everyone.


    Yang Dingtian sneered, "Xiao Yi? I didn''t expect you, this little bastard, to dare show up before me?"


    The powerhouses he brought from Nantian Holy Land had all died at Xiao Yi''s hands.


    Especially Fang Yiwen.


    He was the one Yang Dingtian had carefully cultivated as his successor, and he too had fallen to Xiao Yi.


    Yang Dingtian had long seen Xiao Yi as a thorn in his side.


    He wished nothing more than to tear him to pieces!


    Su Xinghe and Elder Tianku were also utterly baffled.


    Ever since they entered the main hall.


    They had not seen any trace of Xiao Yi, and over the course of a month, even they had instinctively come to believe that Xiao Yi might have perished in the previous battles or perhaps had already fled. Unexpectedly, he had been hiding in the shadows all along, only to reappear before everyone now.


    However...


    Everyone looked at Xiao Yi with intense puzzlement and incomprehension, "If he had already escaped, why didn''t he just keep hiding? Why wait until Yang Dingtian had completely refined the Temple Anchoring Stone before coming out to face death?"


    Elder Tianku was equally perplexed, squinting as he said, "This kid has many strange secrets. Let''s wait and see!"


    He and Su Xinghe were also about to take action upon seeing Yang Dingtian finishing the refinement of the Temple Anchoring Stone.


    Ready to strike.


    But Xiao Yi beat them to the punch.


    Both were more than happy to watch the tiger fight on the mountain and see just how many tricks Yang Dingtian had up his sleeve after taking control of the Temple Anchoring Stone.


    Xiao Yi wore a relaxed smile on his face, his lips curled with a hint of playfulness and mockery, as he stared at the supremely confident Yang Dingtian from above and said, "What makes you think that I wouldn''t dare show up before you?"


    Yang Dingtian laughed coldly, spreading his hands to both sides.


    Above his head.


    The Temple Anchoring Stone slowly rose.


    Releasing a dazzlingly bright light.


    Under the blinding light, Yang Dingtian looked like a War God towering over the world, majestic and radiant. He was now gradually floating in mid-air, causing Elder Tianku and others to look on in shock and dismay. It was important to note that within this prohibited barrier, even they could not fly.


    And now...


    Yang Dingtian was able to traverse the void.


    The only explanation was that Yang Dingtian had indeed refined the Temple Anchoring Stone, controlling the Cloud Dream Temple.


    "Elder Tianku, what should we do now? With the Temple Anchoring Stone under Yang Dingtian''s control, the entire Cloud Dream Temple has fallen into his hands. We..." Su Xinghe looked anxiously at Elder Tianku.


    Elder Tianku''s lips twitched slightly, his expression growing extremely grim as he said in a deep voice, "Hold our forces for now..."


    He was already considering the possibility of retreat.


    After all.


    His strength was already on par with Yang Dingtian, and now that Yang Dingtian has obtained the Temple Anchoring Stone, Elder Tianku did not believe he could stand as Yang Dingtian''s opponent.


    Yang Dingtian hovered in mid-air, like a divine being high above, his loud voice echoed around, "Xiao Yi, open your damn eyes and see clearly, this entire Cloud Dream Temple is now mine, all under my control. If I want you dead, you''re dead. If I want you alive, you can''t die even if you wish to."


    Whoosh!


    With a wave of his hand and an excited shout, he proclaimed, "From today onwards, I, Yang Dingtian, am the master of the Cloud Dream Temple. Xiao Yi, Tian Ku, Su Xinghe... Today, I will let the world witness, with your heads, how I celebrate becoming the official master of the Cloud Dream Temple!"


    "Barrier��Open!"


    Yang Dingtian yelled loudly.


    Standing on the ground, Xiao Yi''s lips slightly curled up, the fingers within his sleeve moving quietly.


    Tap!


    It was merely a flick of the fingers.


    The restrictive barrier enveloping the entire Cloud Dream Temple shattered like broken glass.


    Crackle, crackle, crackle!


    Amidst the continuous snapping sounds.


    The barrier kept peeling off and falling away, the barrier that had enshrouded the Cloud Dream Temple completely disappeared.


    Outside the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Countless powerful beings that had been waiting for ages all revealed ecstatic expressions, "Hahaha, the barrier has finally vanished!"


    "There are innumerable treasures within the Cloud Dream Temple, and precious items litter everywhere, brothers, follow me and charge ahead..."


    A throng of strong individuals swarmed in.


    The powerful beings from Medicine King Valley closely followed suit.


    Countless powerful beings swarmed in.


    With the barrier gone, they quickly made it to the main hall and saw Yang Dingtian, suspended in the air and radiating a brilliant light all around him. Someone recognized Yang Dingtian, "Isn''t that Elder Yang Dingtian from the Nantian sacred land? How, how can he be here? And what''s with the glow around him..."


    "Wait, doesn''t he look like the legendary stone that guards the temple on him?"


    "Does this mean that he now possesses the Cloud Dream Temple?"


    "Impossible, right?"


    Upon hearing someone doubting his control over the Cloud Dream Temple,


    Yang Dingtian snorted coldly, raised his hand towards a nearby mountain, and with another cold huff, commanded, "Break!"


    He did not employ any innate powers, merely harnessing the prohibitive force of the Cloud Dream Temple.


    With a booming sound,


    The mountain was ground to dust.


    No one noticed that at the very moment Yang Dingtian made his move, Xiao Yi also targeted the mountain and flicked his finger lightly.


    "Truly worthy of being an elder of the Nantian sacred land, Yang Dingtian has actually managed to snatch the Cloud Dream Temple from the hands of so many powerful beings."


    "Now that he completely controls the Cloud Dream Temple, doesn''t that make him a god within it?"


    "Inside the Cloud Dream Temple, who could possibly harm him even slightly!"


    Faced with everyone''s discussion,


    A radiant smile spread across Yang Dingtian''s face, brighter than any Fan''s shine, reveling in the feeling of being chased and glorified. His lips curved slightly upward as he scanned the crowd and declared loudly, "Gentlemen, I am Yang Dingtian of the Nantian sacred land. From this moment on, the Cloud Dream Temple belongs to me. I''ve lifted the barrier so you all can bear witness..."


    "Congratulations to Elder Yang for seizing control over the Cloud Dream Temple, I am truly envious!"


    "Elder Yang, may I ask what you want us to witness?"


    The crowd looked on, puzzled.


    Yang Dingtian pointed at Xiao Yi, his lips curving into a slight, sinister smile, saying, "Xiao Yi, tremble before absolute power, and accept the judgment of a god!"


    Hum!


    Yang Dingtian opened his right hand.


    He directed his palm towards Xiao Yi and suddenly clenched it.


    All around, the crowd was anxious and tense, "With full control over the Cloud Dream Temple, what kind of terrifying method does Yang Dingtian possess?"


    "We''re going to see his methods soon." Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Seeing how confident Yang Dingtian is, his methods must be unimaginably fearsome..."


    The crowd whispered secretly amongst themselves.


    But then...


    After a brief moment had passed,


    Xiao Yi remained unscathed, standing in the same spot.


    No change had occurred whatsoever.


    "Uh..."


    "What''s going on here?"


    Yang Dingtian''s face stiffened as well, the smile vanishing from his face, utterly confused, "What''s going on? Why isn''t it working?"


    Refusing to believe, Yang Dingtian repeatedly waved his hands towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi still showed no sign of injury.


    "Impossible..."


    "I already refined the temple-guarding divine stone. The entire Cloud Dream Temple is mine; how could it possibly not work..."


    Yang Dingtian''s face twisted with ferocity as he roared again and again.


    In response to his roaring, Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and, under his incredulous gaze, slowly ascended, saying with a light chuckle, "I actually wanted to tease you a bit longer, but you''re so keen on seeing me dead... I''m laying my cards on the table, no more games, to tell you the truth! That temple-guarding divine stone was just something I tossed out carelessly, I am the true master of the temple!"


    PS: I''ve finally managed to write it out, haven''t fallen asleep and kept my word! Xiao Tian is constantly striving to improve, hoping everyone will continue to support Xiao Tian!

 Chapter 774 - 772: Is This Even Worthy of Being Called a Sword?

    Xiao Yi''s face was adorned with a splendid smile as he looked at Yang Dingtian and the others, "I am the true master of the temple!"


    Boom!


    This statement struck like a bolt from the blue.


    It caused the complexions of everyone present to turn slightly white, revealing expressions of disbelief.


    Especially Yang Dingtian, Su Xinghe, and Elder Tianku, they wore looks of utter disbelief.


    Gurgle!


    Su Xinghe swallowed hard, his face alternating between ashen and pale, he asked in disbelief, "Xiao Yi, you, you, you... what are you saying? You''re saying you''re the master of the temple?"


    All eyes were suddenly fixed on Xiao Yi.


    Waiting for his response.


    Particularly Yang Dingtian, he was extremely nervous and agitated, very much hoping that the answer from Xiao Yi''s mouth would be negative. After all, he had paid a heavy price and had become mortal enemies with Elder Tianku in order to seize the temple''s divine stone, spending an entire month refining it and therefore gaining control over the temple.


    He had been proudly announcing this news in front of everyone.


    If in the end...


    the master of the Cloud Dream Temple was Xiao Yi, then he really felt like coughing up blood impulsively!


    Xiao Yi scanned the crowd.


    He saw the expressions on their faces and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing a mocking cold smile as he spoke lightly, "I''m sorry, you did not hear wrong, nor did I speak wrongly... I am indeed the master of the Cloud Dream Temple!"


    "Impossible!"


    Yang Dingtian''s eyes were a blood-red, his anger caused his veins to wriggle like mad dragons, he glared at Xiao Yi with bloodshot eyes and roared, "This is absolutely impossible. You were nowhere to be seen from the moment the temple''s divine stone appeared until I obtained and refined it. How could you possibly be the master of the Cloud Dream Temple?"


    Su Xinghe nodded and said, "Elder Yang is right, the temple''s divine stone has been under our surveillance the entire time, there''s no way you could have tampered with it!"


    "Unless..."


    Elder Tianku, who had not spoken until now, suddenly turned extremely grim. His grey eyes were no longer calm but filled with a chilling killing intent, "Unless from the very beginning, there was something wrong with that temple''s divine stone!"


    Boom!


    Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.


    Those strong figures who had just entered the Cloud Dream Temple began to understand the cause and effect from the conversation between the few, and started whispering to each other, "This is getting interesting... Yang Dingtian from the Nantian Holy Land, Elder Tianku from the Changsheng Sect, and Su Xinghe from Galaxy Valley, these three powerful Earth Venerate Realm experts fought fiercely over the temple''s divine stone. And now it turns out to be fake?"


    "That makes me laugh, Yang Dingtian was just putting on an air as if he were the third most important figure after heaven and earth, and now he must be flustered, right?"


    "If what Elder Tianku said is true, and the temple''s divine stone was fake from the start, then how did Xiao Yi take control of the Cloud Dream Temple?"


    "Regardless of how he took control of the Cloud Dream Temple, Yang Dingtian and the other two have really lost face this time!"


    The whispers of the crowd turned the faces of Yang Dingtian and the others green.


    Their gaze toward Xiao Yi became even more frosty.


    And was also filled with ferocity and resentment.


    Xiao Yi had not only made them lose face, but he had also snatched away the Cloud Dream Temple.


    There was already a deadly enmity between them.


    Under the gaze of the crowd, Xiao Yi extended his hand into the air, palm up, as he lightly twitched his fingers. Countless rays of light swirled above his palm, weaving into a purple-gold crown of imperial dignity. This crown was unassuming in appearance, just a common seventh-tier Yuan weapon that was considered decent to Earth Venerate Realm experts.


    "Isn''t that the crown from earlier on Treasure Rock?"


    "Xiao Yi took out this crown, what does this mean?"


    In the midst of everyone''s confusion,


    Xiao Yi explained with a smile, "The real key to controlling the Cloud Dream Temple is not the temple''s divine stone, but this crown that no one paid attention to on Treasure Rock. As for that piece of temple''s divine stone, it was just some trash that I conjured up at will!"


    Boom!


    As soon as these words came out, the strong ones present were dumbfounded, speechless.


    Especially those strong figures who had entered the Cloud Dream Temple from the very beginning were so angry they felt like spitting blood. Previously, a few among them had passed by this very crown, but all their attention was on the Yuan weapon armors and powerful Yuan weapons��how could they have noticed a mere crown?


    "I, I''ve just brushed past this crown before!"


    "I''ve touched this crown, and I, I''ve actually just missed the position of the master of the Cloud Dream Temple?"


    "No..."


    One after another, the strong figures beat their chests and stamped their feet, filled with immense regret.


    Yang Dingtian and the other two''s eyes turned red.


    Previously, many strong individuals under their command had obtained this crown, but they didn''t take it seriously.


    The high and mighty powers of the Longevity Secret Realm bathed in bloodshed, all for the sake of fighting over that piece of temple-preserving god stone. Turns out, the god stone was nothing but a worthless rock; they treated it like a treasure, engaging in bloodshed here, fighting until they were battered and bleeding, even Elder Tian Ku had lost an arm.


    Their faces felt a series of sharp slaps.


    The pain on their faces was scorching hot!


    That slap was just too harsh!


    "I''m dying of laughter!"


    "The three great Earth Venerate Realm powerhouses were played like monkeys..."


    "Such a ruthless slap on the face..."


    The mocking laughter from the crowd left Su Xinghe and the two others''s faces alternating between green and white, as a raging fury seemed to pile up in their chests.


    Their eyes gleamed coldly like the edges of knives, their anger burning like two fiery orbs, fiercely alight. Su Xinghe''s eyes were blood-red, having lost all reason.


    Xiao Yi had trapped and killed the entire younger generation of Galaxy Valley.


    And now...


    Even he had been played by Xiao Yi, his face slapped repeatedly.


    The temple-preserving god stone was the last hope for Galaxy Valley''s rise, and now it had been completely crushed by Xiao Yi.


    With this thought,


    Su Xinghe let out a low roar, and around his figure, dazzling stars began to appear. Silver light shone brilliantly, tearing through space in an instant. In a flash, Su Xinghe''s form seemed to merge with the stars in the heavens, flickering and indistinct, as if he had become thousands. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That''s the Starlight Avatar?"


    "It is said that Su Xinghe''s Martial Tao Skill embodies the heavenly starlight, condensing a body of starlight, and with the Starlight Avatar, it becomes hard to distinguish the true from the false..."


    "Su Xinghe is now striking out in anger, Xiao Yi is probably no match for him!"


    In the midst of everyone''s discussions.


    Across the heavens...


    A myriad of starlights suddenly converged toward the center, countless starlights coalesced, and the flowing celestial light gathered into a river of stars. A resplendent galaxy formed into a terrifying sword, hurtling towards Xiao Yi and slashing down: "Starlight Slash!"


    Swish swish swish!


    A myriad of starlights converged, vast and majestic, like the Milky Way descending from the nine heavens.


    This sword...


    Seemed to cleave the heavens and the earth.


    The unparalleled Sword Intent seemed capable of creating the world itself.


    Everyone couldn''t help but marvel at the terror and might of this sword.


    In their eyes...


    Slaying Xiao Yi with this sword was just a matter of ease!


    Under the gathering of the boundless sword light.


    Xiao Yi slowly raised his right hand, reaching out, and in the next second, the shocking sword light seemed to freeze mid-air with a buzz. The expressions of Su Xinghe and others also froze, all with their eyes wide open and faces filled with disbelief, while Xiao Yi''s voice echoed through the heavens: "So this, it deigns to be called a sword?"


    PS: Xiao Tian continues to write!

 Chapter 775 - 773: Furious Slash at Earthly Honor, Fame Spreads Across Nantian!

    "Is this even worthy of being called a sword?"


    Xiao Yi, with one hand behind his back, reached out with the other and effortlessly grasped the resplendent starlight greatsword in mid-air.


    The eighth transformation of the Wind Thunder Holy Body had made his physical body as formidable as an eighth-layer elemental weapon.


    The mere starlight greatsword couldn''t breach his defense in the slightest.


    As the sword tip and his palm collided and scraped against each other, a succession of booming sounds erupted, sending sparks flying into the sky.


    In the void above.


    Su Xinghe, positioned at the end of the massive starlight longsword, had his black hair whipping wildly in the howling wind, as the cold light in his eyes pulsed fiercely, and he issued a thunderous roar, "Little bastard, do you dare to humiliate me like this? Die..."


    He had been immersed in the way of the sword for thousands of years.


    His achievements in swordsmanship had always been his pride.


    Especially his self-created Starlight Sword Path, which, even among Earthly Venerable Secret Skills, was extremely powerful.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi actually said his starlight greatsword was unworthy of the name sword?


    Insulted in the martial arts.


    How could he tolerate this?


    Boom!


    Starlight swirled around Su Xinghe, and the stars above shone brightly, twinkling incessantly.


    Despite being billions of miles apart from earth and heaven,


    at that moment they resonated with each other.


    As a ray of radiant starlight rose from around Su Xinghe and stars poured down from the heavens, sprinkling over him like silver sprites, behind him formed a river of stars. Amidst the blinding silver starlight, the fluctuations of Su Xinghe''s aura grew even stronger.


    An immensely vast presence swept across all directions in an instant.


    Rumble!


    The terrifying aura of pressure turned into a fierce wind that raged in all directions. Even the strong who were slightly weaker in cultivation couldn''t maintain their stance.


    They were blown away.


    Even Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm experts had to exert their full strength just to keep their footing amid such fierce winds.


    Faces showed expressions of horror, "Is this the Starlight Dharma Idol? To actually connect with the light of the stars, it''s truly terrifying!"


    "With such overwhelming power, he could indeed rival a Third-layer Earthly Venerable Realm expert. With such terrifying strength, Xiao Yi is in danger..."


    Among the crowd.


    Yang Dingtian also squinted his eyes solemnly and muttered, "I didn''t expect Su Xinghe to be this strong. It looks like the old man was holding back during our fight for the divine stone of the temple." Just thinking about the divine stone, Yang Dingtian felt as disgusted as if he had swallowed a fly.


    It was nothing but trash condensed by Xiao Yi''s casual effort.


    They treated it like a precious treasure, fighting to the death over it.


    In the end, several dozen Human Venerable Realm experts were killed, Elder Tianku''s arm was severed, and both he and Su Xinghe were seriously injured.


    It even cost them a wretched month of painful refinement.


    "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, you better not die so easily under Su Xinghe''s sword. I don''t want to see you die a swift death, I want to shatter your body into a thousand pieces and scatter your ashes to the wind..." Yang Dingtian clenched his fists tightly, his teeth grating, while a chilling light gleamed in his eyes, sharp as knives.


    In the blink of an eye!


    The convergence of starlight expanded the blade''s radiance from a hundred zhang to three hundred, imposingly gigantic.


    Su Xinghe took hold of the starlight longsword with both hands, his eyebrows turned upside down as he let out a deep roar, "Meteor Flame!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The blade''s light pulsed, transforming into countless fiery meteors streaking across the heavens and earth.


    Like a torrential downpour of starlight sword energy, it crazily crushed down towards Xiao Yi, slashing through the sky with its boundless might.


    It resembled a meteor shower slashing across the sky.


    Xiao Yi smiled coldly. Having absorbed enough Dragon Source, his cultivation had stepped into the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm. Added to that, with the Eighth-transformation Wind Thunder Holy Body, he possessed regenerative capabilities akin to that of a Heavenly Venerable, making his fighting prowess in no way inferior to an Earthly Venerable Realm warrior. He braced one hand against the tip of the sword.


    Sparks flew as he let the sword edge push him backward.


    At the same time, his other hand struck out from the air.


    His palm transformed into a blur of shadows.


    In the buzzing vibration of the void,


    brilliant energy formed a series of circular barriers, blocking the incoming meteor sword rain.


    In the booming noises,


    the rain of sword meteors burst into pieces.


    And not in the slightest could it shake Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi fought as he retreated, suddenly, his feet stomped down fiercely. His palm, withstanding the tip of the sword, thrust forward violently while his fingers abruptly clenched, and with a loud bang, crushed the tip of the Starlight Longsword. At the same time, lightning flickered around Xiao Yi''s body as the Wind Thunder armor adhered to his figure.


    The purple-gold lightning condensed into armor, bursting with power and majesty. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a whoosh behind him,


    the Wind Thunder Wings materialized out of thin air.


    Whoosh!


    With a fierce flap of the Wind Thunder Wings, Xiao Yi soared into the sky, where the longswords exploded upon impact, utterly failing to hinder him in the slightest.


    In the blink of an eye,


    the three-hundred-zhang long Starlight Greatsword was utterly shattered by Xiao Yi.


    At the same time, his left hand reached out into the air.


    Infinite Inherent Power condensed into a colossal Inherent Net, entangling the incoming meteor sword rain within. As he crushed the last sword hilt, Xiao Yi suddenly flung the Inherent Net, and a stunning silver light poured down like quicksilver, dragging the countless meteor sword rain towards Su Xinghe with a whoosh.


    "Not good!"


    Su Xinghe''s expression changed abruptly.


    Watching Xiao Yi crush his Starlight Longsword was already shockingly overwhelming.


    Now, he saw the sky full of meteor sword rain turn and fly towards himself.


    His countenance grew even more unsightly.


    "Eternal Star River!"


    Su Xinghe spread his arms wide, and behind him, the Starlight Dharma Idol shone with boundless radiance, forming an ancient star river as if from the primordial era.


    This silver star river descended from the heavens.


    Standing in front of him,


    it absorbed the impact of the meteor sword rain on the star river, consuming it endlessly like a clay ox disappearing into the sea, not causing even a ripple. Su Xinghe''s face showed a smug look, but just as he opened his mouth, the star river in front of him suddenly trembled.


    A pair of palms burst through the star river.


    Spreading violently to both sides, with a ripping sound, those hands tore the star river apart.


    Rustling sounds!


    Starlight scattered in all directions.


    From the torn-in-two star river, Xiao Yi stepped out and was already in front of Su Xinghe. That handsome face bore a trace of a cold smile, which, in Su Xinghe''s eyes, seemed as sinister and chilling as the smile of a soul-reaping demon from Netherworld Hell.


    "Su Xinghe..."


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, his cold voice echoing in Su Xinghe''s ears.


    Hum!


    Under the spiritual assault,


    Su Xinghe''s expression changed dramatically, a look of bewilderment appearing in his pupils.


    Though it was only for an instant,


    by the time Su Xinghe came back to his senses, Xiao Yi had already brushed past him, and a chill spread from his throat. Su Xinghe instinctively looked down and saw a fan of fresh blood spraying from his throat, with life rapidly ebbing away.


    Whoosh!


    Su Xinghe completely lost consciousness, and his figure fell from the high skies.


    In this moment��


    Between heaven and earth, silence reigned.


    All eyes turned to Xiao Yi, filled with deep fear and shock��

 Chapter 776 - 774 God Burning Heavenly Fire

    ```


    Inside the Cloud Dream Temple, there was utter silence.


    All the powerful beings maintained the same expression, staring at the levitating Xiao Yi with eyes wide and mouths agape, their gazes filled with shock as well as intense astonishment.


    Particularly for people like Yang Dingtian and Elder Tianku, their faces were an absolute mess of confusion, "This, this must be an illusion, right? When did Xiao Yi break through to the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm?"


    "This is impossible!"


    "Just a month ago, he had just stepped into the Human Venerate Realm, it''s only been a month..."


    In a month, one went from the First-layer Human Venerable Realm to successfully enter the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm.


    This was simply inconceivable.


    One must know...


    Whether it was Yang Dingtian or Elder Tianku, they were both prodigies blessed with exceptional talent.


    Yet even with their formidable talents, reaching their current realms had taken hundreds to thousands of years.


    Especially Elder Tianku, who spend more than two thousand years in cultivation to finally reach the Fifth Layer Earthly Venerable Realm.


    Xiao Yi was barely in his early twenties!


    He was already a Tenth-layer Human Venerate, just one step away from the Earthly Honor Realm.


    Under the incredulous stares of everyone, Xiao Yi boldly acknowledged, "You''re not seeing things, I have indeed reached the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm."


    Buzz!


    These words struck everyone like a bolt from the blue sky.


    "From the First-layer Human Venerable Realm to the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm in one month''s time? Just how did he cultivate?"


    "How did this guy manage to do it?"


    "I heard that Xiao Yi has a Martial Arts Institute in the Daqian Dynasty, I am considering whether to send some of our clan disciples to their institute to try..."


    "Let''s wait until he can leave this place alive before discussing this!"


    The crowd was taken aback.


    Then, they came to a realization...


    People like Elder Tianku and Yang Dingtian had always seen Xiao Yi as a thorn in their side. The fact that Xiao Yi possessed the cultivation of a Tenth-layer Human Venerate far exceeded everyone''s imagination.


    But leaving this place alive.


    Would not be a small difficulty!


    Among the crowd.


    Yang Dingtian stepped forward with a sullen face, his eyes emitting a chilling light as he glared daggers at Xiao Yi, clenching his teeth so tight that they seemed ready to shatter. His eyes were filled with deep resentment and jealousy, "This brat must have received the inheritance of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor; otherwise, it''s absolutely impossible for him to have broken through to the Tenth-layer Human Venerate in such a short period of time. Damn it, damn it all, that inheritance of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor should have been mine..."


    Even with Elder Tianku and Su Xinghe joining forces, they were defeated by him.


    If it wasn''t for Xiao Yi.


    This Cloud Dream Temple might have actually fallen into his hands.


    Alas...


    There are no ifs in this world!


    "He had only been in the Cloud Dream Temple for one month and managed to ascend from a First-layer Human Venerable to the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm... If I had the Cloud Dream Temple in my hands, within a year, I am confident that I would have broken through to the Heavenly Honor Realm..."


    As Yang Dingtian thought about it, his heartbeat raced faster, and the jealousy and resentment in his eyes grew intense as he gasped for breath, "All of this should have been mine, but it was this damned brat that destroyed everything for me..."


    With this thought in mind.


    The look Yang Dingtian gave Xiao Yi turned to one of seething hatred, akin to staring down the mortal enemy who had murdered his father and seized his wife, "Xiao Yi, I will make you die with no place to bury your body..."


    Boom!


    Yang Dingtian''s body suddenly released an incredibly terrifying surge of energy, spreading out like a hurricane in all directions.


    Wherever the energy passed.


    The clouds for thousands of miles were blown away, that shocking hurricane transformed into a black Azure Dragon coiling around Yang Dingtian''s figure, and with a thunderous roar, it shot across thousands of miles heading straight for Xiao Yi at an astonishing speed.


    That speed was swift as a startled swan.


    Swish!


    Black light spread across the expanse of heaven and earth, instantly appearing before Xiao Yi.


    "Well met!"


    ```


    Xiao Yi had been on guard against Yang Dingtian, and the moment Yang launched his attack, Xiao''s face revealed a cold expression, his body shuddered, and purple-golden lightning flickered around him.


    The Thunder God Shield and the Hurricane Divine Spear appeared together.


    Behind him...


    A pair of Wind Thunder Wings, each spanning several tens of feet, unfurled at the same time, and with a whoosh, the wings drew a booming sound that resembled thunder from the heavens.


    Among the loud booms...


    A whirlwind emerged from nowhere, forcibly scattering the black aura that enveloped Yang Dingtian.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi dove down with the swiftest speed.


    Like an arrow released from the bowstring, the whoosh of breaking through the air resonated as dazzling ripples appeared in the void. S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the ripples surged through the void...


    The Thunder God Shield crashed onto Yang Dingtian with a bang.


    The two were like a needle against wheat awn, clashing together in mid-air, neither willing to give ground.


    "Little bastard, return my Cloud Dream Temple to me and I''ll leave you with a full corpse!" Amidst the roaring winds, Yang Dingtian''s hair danced wildly, his face twisted into a menacing snarl as he let out an angry roar.


    Xiao Yi, also caught in the violent wind, still maintained his elegant poise, looking incredibly dashing.


    The corners of his mouth tilted slightly upward.


    Beyond his seemingly relaxed and carefree demeanor, he also wore a wickedly charming smile, "Return your fucking temple!"


    "Seeking death!"


    Yang Dingtian glared with furious eyes, and from his mouth shot a flash of silver light, "Fire Tree Silver Flower!"


    Swish, swish, swish!


    The silver light actually curved around Xiao Yi, coalescing into a silver tree behind him.


    Silver sparks showered down from the tree.


    The intense heat was so scorching it seemed to boil the void itself.


    This was celestial fire!


    The scorching celestial fire landed upon the Thunder Battle Armor, emitting a harsh sizzling sound. Amidst the billowing green smoke, the armor was actually being corroded.


    Even as the Thunder Battle Armor on Xiao Yi''s body burst forth with searing light, it couldn''t dispel the silver flames. Instead, the blistering heat began to scorch Xiao Yi''s flesh.


    "Little bastard, this Fire Tree Silver Flower of mine is forged with God Burning Heavenly Fire from Nine Flames Mountain. Even an Eighth-layer primal weapon can be melted by it, you''re definitely dead..."


    Yang Dingtian laughed triumphantly, "After I''ve killed you and taken back the Cloud Dream Temple, it will be mine once again! Hahaha..."


    Nine Flames Mountain.


    Located in the Western Province, it is recognized as the hottest place in the entire Tianqing Realm.


    The God Burning Heavenly Fire found there ranked third in the celestial fire rankings.


    Legend has it that it can burn even the gods!


    "Who would have thought that Yang Dingtian actually possessed the God Burning Heavenly Fire... Luckily, I did not engage in a life-or-death struggle with him previously, otherwise once he used the God Burning Heavenly Fire, even I might have struggled to escape," mused Elder Tianku, not far from the fray, as he breathed a sigh of relief while his brows involuntarily furrowed, "Who would have thought Yang Dingtian was so powerful. Should he kill Xiao Yi and take control of the Cloud Dream Temple and the Demon Emperor''s crown, it will be troublesome to regain control of the temple later on!"


    In the eyes of all the strong onlookers.


    With Yang Dingtian having used the God Burning Heavenly Fire, Xiao Yi was undoubtedly doomed.


    At that moment.


    Each of them considered how to take control of the Cloud Dream Temple the moment Xiao Yi met his death.


    But just when everyone''s gaze was fixed upon him...


    Xiao Yi, amidst the burning of the God Burning Heavenly Fire, lifted his head slightly, his mouth curling up into a cold sneer, "If this is all you''ve got, then this time next year will be the anniversary of your death!"


    As his voice fell.


    Rays of bright golden light surged upwards from Xiao Yi''s body, reaching the heavens. Witnessing the figure emerging within that golden light, the proud and wild look on Yang Dingtian''s face vanished completely.


    All that was left were terror and despair��

 Chapter 777 - 775: There is No One in This World Who I Cannot Kill!

    Yang Dingtian looked toward the golden light radiating from Xiao Yi''s body, where waves of blood-red energy ebbed and flowed.


    His pupils abruptly changed.


    He saw that within Xiao Yi''s body, hot blood surged wildly, burning fiercely.


    The Blood Explosion Skill!


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, dealing with a Third Layer Earth Venerable Realm powerhouse posed no issue, but facing the Fifth Layer Earth Venerable Realm''s Yang Dingtian was still somewhat strenuous. However, that was when Xiao Yi was in his normal state. Once he entered a frenzied mode,


    He completely unleashed all his combat power.


    Even a Fifth Layer Earth Venerable, Xiao Yi did not take lightly.


    Boom!


    He directly burned ninety percent of his fresh blood, and his speed, strength, reaction, and other aspects of power all surged ninetyfold.


    Under the ninetyfold surge in strength,


    Xiao Yi''s combat power had reached its peak, and moreover, he now possessed the power of flesh regeneration. As his blood burned, it was also reborn. The former Xiao Yi had some reservations when using the Blood Explosion Skill, fearing excessive burning would backfire.


    But now��


    Xiao Yi could use the Blood Explosion Skill without any hesitation!


    Boom!


    Under the ninetyfold increase in strength, all the golden light behind Xiao Yi retracted into his body, and his Wind Thunder battle armor glowed. A cold light shot from his eyes as he reached out with both hands.


    He pointed out his finger.


    The Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger.


    The illusory shadows of the four divine beasts, Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Turtle, erupted from his palms, instantly becoming exceedingly large, coiling around that pillar-like massive finger, under the crush of violent energy.


    It made Yang Dingtian''s internal organs feel as if they were under tremendous impact.


    A stream of fresh blood uncontrollably burst forth from his mouth.


    His complexion instantly turned pale.


    "Not good!"


    As Yang Dingtian''s pupils rapidly contracted, he crossed his hands in front of him, and two streaks of silver light erupted, condensing into a fire shield formed by the God Burning Heavenly Fire to block in front of him.


    Thud!


    The massive finger struck the fire shield, and its impact boomed like the thundering sound of war drums, deafening the ears.


    The violent energy lashed out in all directions.


    Boom��


    Wherever the energy shockwaves passed, plants were reduced to dust, and several strong beings who were too slow to dodge were also affected. The mere dissipation of energy was so powerful that even those in the Human Venerate Realm could not withstand it and spewed blood from their mouths.


    Some of the more unfortunate ones met a miserable fate!


    Their innate bodies brutally shattered.


    Blood spattered in all directions, raining down.


    Countless strong beings showed colors of shock, scattering in all directions: "What terrifying energy, is Xiao Yi really someone who has just broken through the Longevity Secret Realm a month ago? How do I feel like he''s an old monster that has lived for thousands of years, with endless cunning methods��"


    "I now suddenly feel that Yang Dingtian is in danger!"


    Before, everyone unanimously believed in Yang Dingtian.


    But now...


    As Xiao Yi fully erupted, he had deeply shocked everyone present.


    Even Elder Tianku showed a serious expression at this moment, looking at Xiao Yi with eyes filled with gravity and now added with a tinge of regret, "How exactly did this kid cultivate? At such a young age yet possessing such terrifying cultivation, and a plethora of secret techniques�� If I had known that this kid had so many secrets to him, I wouldn''t have moved against him so early��"


    If Elder Tianku had not made a move against Xiao Yi,


    Considering the relationship between Xiao Yi and Yue Shanchuan,


    They could have become great allies!


    As for now��


    They had thoroughly turned against each other, leaving no possibility for cooperation.


    This filled Elder Tianku with regret.


    It was a pity.


    ```


    There is no medicine for regret in this world!


    At that moment, a tragic scream interrupted Elder Tian Ku''s reverie. His gaze sharpened as the scream sounded familiar, lending a serious tint to his expression. He followed the sound and saw Yang Dingtian plummeting from the sky like a falling star.


    Xiao Yi''s body shimmered with a blood-red glow as he swiftly chased after him.


    His speed was even faster than before!


    In the blink of an eye, he caught up with Yang Dingtian, reaching out with both hands to release twin golden streams of energy from his palms. The energy streams, like sentient golden pythons, wrapped around Yang Dingtian''s ankles with a twist.


    Yang Dingtian''s face changed drastically, his hands gathering God Burning Heavenly Fire, ready to counterattack.


    But Xiao Yi yanked violently at the energy streams and, with a swoosh, flung Yang Dingtian by his ankles back into the high sky.


    Whoosh!


    Yang Dingtian spun wildly in the air like a top.


    The gusting wind rushed into his mouth with a whooshing sound.


    Xiao Yi manipulated the energy streams with his hands while his Wind Thunder Wings unfolded to span dozens of yards, shooting up into the sky like an arrow from a bow, quickly catching up to Yang Dingtian again.


    "Invincible King Fist!"


    "Victorious in every battle!"


    "Unassailable in every assault..."


    Xiao Yi''s attacks were as ferocious as a deluge, his fists pounding flesh with heavy, dense thudding echoing between heaven and earth.


    The once unbeatable Yang Dingtian was now like a punching bag.


    Endlessly enduring Xiao Yi''s violent onslaught.


    Yang Dingtian was spitting blood, his body covered in numerous wounds, his screams of agony continually escaping from his mouth. The surrounding powerhouses shuddered, their scalps tingling at the sight.


    This was a Fifth Layer Earthly Venerable Realm powerhouse!


    In front of Xiao Yi, he didn''t have the slightest ability to fight back.


    It was a completely one-sided crushing!


    Gurgle!


    Nantian Bao, newly appointed as the commander of the imperial guards, swallowed hard, "Is this... is this really the strength of someone in the Human Venerate Realm?"


    By the side,


    Liu Rufeng was also deeply shocked.


    The scene of his first meeting with Xiao Yi was still vivid in his mind. At that time, Xiao Yi had not yet entered the Longevity Secret Realm. But now, in just over half a year, Xiao Yi had not only entered the Longevity Secret Realm but had also far surpassed him.


    Even the Fifth Layer Earth Venerate Yang Dingtian was only destined to be utterly crushed by him.


    Such a rapid rise in strength was truly inconceivable.


    Liu Rufeng couldn''t help but look towards Yaochen Zi beside him, "Valley Master, do we still continue to trouble him?"


    Previously, Yaochen Zi had been loudly claiming he wanted Xiao Yi torn into a thousand pieces.


    As for now��


    "..."


    Yaochen Zi''s face stiffened, he hesitated for a moment, then cleared his throat and said, "Perhaps that pill formula wasn''t fake after all. It must have been an issue with our own pill concoction. Yes, that must be it..."


    Liu Rufeng wasn''t surprised, just sighed deeply with a meaningful expression, looking up at the youth in the sky: "His rise is unstoppable now!"


    Meanwhile,


    In the void, Xiao Yi suddenly stopped his relentless attacks. His figure came to an abrupt halt, reaching back with his right hand while retracting his left. With a whoosh, he pulled Yang Dingtian towards himself. Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the instant their eyes met,


    His right fist gathered a cold, fierce killing intent, coalescing a black light imbued with the aura of death.


    "No... you can''t kill me, I am an elder of Nantian Holy Land��" Yang Dingtian''s pupils shrank violently, his disfigured face showing a mix of shock and rage as he roared hysterically.


    But Xiao Yi was unmoved.


    One punch!


    Boom!


    Blood sprayed into the sky.


    Yang Dingtian''s head was blasted clean off, and Xiao Yi nonchalantly flung the headless body towards the ground, his expressionless voice stating, "In this world, there is no one I cannot kill!"


    ```

 Chapter 778 - 776: If You Want to Fight, Then Well Fight!

    "In this world, there''s nobody I cannot kill!"


    Xiao Yi looked emotionlessly at the cold corpse of Yang Dingtian on the ground.


    The icy glow flickering in his eyes swept across the bodies of the assembly of strong elites.


    Wherever his gaze fell,


    those strong elites without exception lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept around before finally landing on Elder Tianku. He said calmly, "Elder Tianku, it''s your turn!"


    "..."


    Elder Tianku''s face darkened, and the walnuts he had been fiddling with spun ever faster. With a gloomy face, he asked, "Xiao Yi, do you really wish to be so overbearing?"


    In his view, he was an elder of the Changsheng Sect, a lofty Fifth Layer Earthly Venerable Realm expert. Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He hadn''t continued to deal with Xiao Yi, which was already giving him a lot of face.


    Xiao Yi should be grateful.


    But now...


    After killing Yang Dingtian, Xiao Yi was actually turning his spearhead toward him, making him feel extremely embarrassed and his dignity severely provoked.


    "Overbearing?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Elder Tianku calmly, with the corners of his mouth tilting up slightly, and said with a slightly mocking tone, "I am pressuring you, what can you do to me?"


    Forceful, domineering.


    Utterly merciless!


    In this moment, Xiao Yi gave Elder Tianku a strong sense of oppression, not from strength but from an overwhelming aura. Elder Tianku''s face alternated between shades, never expecting that what he considered an insignificant ant, easily crushed by a flick, could make him feel this way.


    Whoosh!


    Elder Tianku exhaled a turbid breath deeply.


    Xiao Yi''s strength far exceeded his imagination and was beyond his control.


    Particularly as he possessed the power of fleshly body resurrection, which allowed him to cast the Blood Explosion Skill without limitation, greatly aiding the enhancement of Xiao Yi''s strength.


    He already had the power to slay the Fifth Layer Earthly Venerable Realm experts.


    And moreover...


    Xiao Yi was also an Earthly Venerable Realm expert who had mastered fleshly body resurrection!


    Just this point alone filled Elder Tianku with despair.


    Such an existence was fully capable of being the dominant force in a region; even the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Land would pay a heavy price to eradicate him. It''s no exaggeration to say that Xiao Yi had fully matured.


    In the past, the Nantian Dynasty was not in a hurry to deal with the Daqian Dynasty, aside from worrying about Baiyu behind Xiao Yi.


    More importantly, the Daqian Dynasty did not have the foundation to challenge the Nantian Dynasty.


    But now...


    With the monstrous presence of Xiao Yi, the Daqian Dynasty stood tall.


    Even the Nantian Dynasty could no longer look down upon the Daqian Dynasty.


    After all.


    A Xiao Yi who possesses the power of fleshly body resurrection, once he erupts without any concerns, the consequences are unimaginable.


    Elder Tianku knew this.


    And Xiao Yi was certainly clearer about it!


    Only when one''s own strength is displayed stronger will the forces of the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Ground be more wary, not daring to act rashly. Therefore, not only was today''s battle inevitable, it had to be fierce and painful...


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi''s body was surrounded by lightning, crackling with the sound of thunder, as his fighting spirit soared to the skies: "Tianku, let me witness the techniques of your Changsheng Sect!"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi transformed into a streak of light, like a meteor cutting through the night sky, and with a whoosh, he closed in front of Elder Tianku.


    Without getting close.


    Xiao Yi had already thrown a punch. His Invincible King Fist evolved into myriad fist shadows, dense and overwhelming, the fist light swathed the sky like a fierce storm. Elder Tianku''s heart was like a clear mirror, seeing through Xiao Yi''s thoughts.


    His face slightly colored with ugliness, "You cunning boy, dare to use this seat as a stepping stone to establish your might? Aren''t you afraid of stepping into the void and plunging into an abyss?"


    Amidst speaking.


    Elder Tianku swung his solitary arm, releasing two walnuts from his hand.


    These two walnuts spun and flew through the air, with air whistling through the holes in them, emitting a buzzing sound.


    Turning into airflows wrapped around the walnuts.


    Like two balls of brocade.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    The fist shadows fell onto the brocade balls, but were like mud into the sea. Other than creating circular shockwaves at the initial impact, they could not stir any ripples.


    "Twin Dragons Snatch Pearls!


    Elder Tianku flicked his fingers forward, points of innate power on his fingertips twinkling like the stars and the moon, brilliant and dazzling. Cohesive without dispersing, they became two light rainbows shooting into the walnuts. With a humming vibration, the walnuts trembled fiercely.


    The airflows coiling and swirling above them crazily writhed and expanded, turning into two white dragons, a hundred yards long each.


    The scales on the dragon''s body were terrifying, and its claws reached into the void beneath its belly, vividly lifelike, imposing and extraordinary. The two air dragons roared angrily, twisting their huge bodies and rushing straight towards Xiao Yi.


    "Invincible King Fist!"


    "Sword Twenty-One!"


    "Sword Twenty-Two..."


    Xiao Yi unleashed move after move, the dazzling sword light mixed with the fist shadows making it seem as if this patch of sky and earth were shattering amidst violent tremors. Heavenly light burst forth, torrential rain and gusty winds poured out, mixing with the force of destruction, rushing towards the two air dragons.


    The air dragons, as if sentient, twisted their bodies agilely in the air, navigating through the overwhelming assault.


    Changing between reality and illusion.


    The sword beams directly passed through their bodies, yet failed to harm them in the slightest.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The two air dragons, in the midst of their contortions, had already reached Xiao Yi, winding crazily around him. Once ensnared, even an Earth Venerate might struggle to break free.


    Elder Tianku''s face bore a cold smile, "My Twin Dragon and Phoenix Cores are infused with the will of the true dragon. Once ensnared, it''s difficult to break free. Xiao Yi, you''re still too green to fight against this seat..."


    "The will of the true dragon?"


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, "So what if a true dragon reappeared?"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Xiao Yi''s body shook, lightning flickering over his hands, covered in a terrifying tempest of thunder, and he suddenly grasped the two air dragons. Amidst crackling sounds, streaks of lightning snaked into the dragons'' bodies.


    And he actually crushed them to smithereens.


    The air dragons shattered, causing the two walnuts to explode open with ferocious cracks.


    "What?"


    Elder Tianku''s complexion changed drastically, spewing fresh blood from his mouth, his face turning pale instantly.


    These Twin Dragon and Phoenix Cores were his life-bound spirit weapons.


    Xiao Yi had obliterated the will of the true dragon, damaging the Twin Cores severely, causing them to fall from an Eighth-layer high-grade spirit weapon. Elder Tianku was hit by the backlash, his once pale face now showing a hint of spite, "You damned cur, dare destroy my life-bound spirit weapon, I''ll take your life!"


    "Power of the starry heavens, empower my body..."


    Black light flowed over his body, turning into black runes that adhered to his skin.


    Under the cover of black light.


    It exuded a strange power.


    Elder Tianku''s aura fluctuated wildly, runes on his face interconnecting as if surrounded by a constellation. His cold eyes fixated on Xiao Yi as he let out a growl, "Xiao Yi, let''s take it to the heavens for a battle!"


    Xiao Yi soared into the sky, his resounding voice echoing between heaven and earth, "If you want to fight, then let''s fight!"

 Chapter 779 - 777: Sword Beheads Tian Ku, Dominance Over Nantian!

    "If you want to fight, then we shall fight!"


    Within the thunderous sound that rumbled like lightning, Xiao Yi had already soared into the sky.


    Suspended in the void between heaven and earth.


    Above the firmament, the stars shone brightly, as if even the Ancient Stars in the furthest reaches were being shaken. Adorned in purple-golden battle armor, with the wings of Wind Thunder gently flapping behind him, the Longsword in his palm lay across the sky like a dragon''s bone, sweeping obliquely and scattering the cloud formations above the firmament.


    Whoosh!


    Elder Tianku surged into the sky, his body enveloped by starlight, making the Tianku Star Map on him appear even more enigmatic.


    The light fluctuated in the void.


    Elder Tianku''s eyes shone like lightning as he pointed forward.


    At the tip of his finger.


    A light burst forth, condensing into a sinister demon shadow with ferocious fangs, which opened its bloody maw wide and lunged to tear Xiao Yi apart. The demon shadow was enormous, its fangs as sharp as knife blades, like a black hole capable of devouring everything.


    Xiao Yi''s expression was cold and stern as he leaped forward, plunging into the gaping mouth of the demon shadow.


    Boom!


    The demon shadow snapped its jaws shut, the collision of its fangs ringing out like the clashing of metal.


    "Sword twenty-two!"


    A chilly voice suddenly emanated from within the demon shadow as a myriad of heavenly sword lights burst forth from inside out, tearing the demon shadow to shreds. Amidst the booming sounds, the demon shadow was completely cleaved into a sky full of fragments.


    No sooner had Xiao Yi escaped his confinement when he felt a breath of death locking onto him.


    With a glance from the corner of his eye.


    Elder Tianku had already appeared in front of him, his arms coated in a dark light that transformed them into two black blades. The sharp black blades slashed towards Xiao Yi, whooshing through the air and slicing the void open.


    Carrying a trail of black light, they came crashing down on Xiao Yi with a bang.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly as he pushed his arms across. At the same time, the Hurricane Divine Shield materialized in his palm, blocking the heavy strike of the black blade with a clang. Indeed, Elder Tianku was worthy of being a Fifth Layer Earth Revered; the power of this blade was terrifying to the extreme.


    On the entire Hurricane Divine Shield, several cracks exploded into existence after just one hit.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Elder Tianku''s body spun like a top, the black blades striking like a crazed demon. With three slashes, the Hurricane Divine Shield was utterly shattered.


    "Rampant Star Rain!"


    Elder Tianku suddenly brought his hands together and thrust them forward fiercely.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Countless black lights fell like shooting stars, crazily plummeting down. The power of Wind Thunder rapidly circulated over Xiao Yi''s body, transforming into enormous purple-golden hands that smashed forward. Amid the thunderous booms, the black luminance was crushed one after another.


    "Heavenly Burial..."


    Elder Tianku spread his hands to the sides, and in a motion of opening wide, countless black dots flew towards him.


    They gathered into a sphere of black light.


    Pulsating and flickering.


    A tremendous force of attraction emanated from the black sphere, and the ground began to boom loudly. The earth shattered, mountains collapsed, and chunks of rock and soil were drawn from the ground, soaring upwards towards the black sphere.


    Whoosh!


    The black sphere instantly fell before Xiao Yi. Sear?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, Xiao Yi, dragged down by the black star rain, found it difficult to escape, allowing the black sphere to overcome him. Almost simultaneously, chunks of stone began flying up from the ground, smashing into Xiao Yi amidst the booming sounds.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    With a series of earth-shattering noises, countless boulders and mountainsides converged in the air into an enormous stone sphere.


    Encasing Xiao Yi firmly within.


    Elder Tianku stood suspended in the air, his eyes flickering with a trace of cold disdain, "With your trifling skills, you dare to contend with me? Killing you is like crushing an ant..."


    On the ground below.


    The strong onlookers who were watching the numerous boulders continue to fly towards the firmament and crash into the giant stone sphere showed faces filled with shock. "I had heard that the Changsheng Sect was closely related to the former Hall of Longevity and that among their techniques was the Earth Blast Heavenly Burial. I never imagined that today I would witness it with my own eyes..."


    "The power of Earth Blast is directly related to the size of the stone sphere formed by Heavenly Burial, and with this stone sphere spanning a hundred miles, the power of Earth Blast is probably enough to obliterate an Earthly Honor!"


    Nantian Bao took a deep breath, his hanging heart quietly relaxing, "Fortunately, Xiao Yi, this kid who doesn''t know the immensity of heaven and earth, has completely enraged Elder Tianku. If we let him continue to grow, he will one day become a great threat to our Nantian Dynasty!"


    Nantian Bao had enormous power within the imperial guards.


    Naturally, he knew many details about Xiao Yi''s growth and how terrifying it was.


    Even Nantian Bao, who had just taken over the position of the Commander, lacked the confidence to keep Xiao Yi down, considering the strength Xiao Yi had shown in his fight with Yang Dingtian. After all, he desperately needed a decisive victory to establish his authority.


    Xiao Yi was naturally the best choice.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s formidable strength was enough to unsettle him!


    If he were to be defeated.


    Not only had he failed to establish his power, but he had also ended up with the disadvantage of a failed initial display of strength.


    This was an outcome he did not wish to see.


    Fortunately, Elder Tianku had now made a move, capturing Xiao Yi with the Earth Blast Heavenly Burial Skill. The life and death of Xiao Yi was just a thought away. As long as Xiao Yi died in battle, he would naturally no longer be in a difficult position and needn''t risk making a move himself.


    At this moment.


    As the final colossal boulder of a thousand zhang crashed down upon the stone sphere, the Earth Blast Heavenly Burial sphere was completely suspended in midair.


    Over a hundred li in diameter!


    Enormously huge!


    A vast dark shadow was cast downward, plunging half of the Cloud Dream Temple into darkness.


    Elder Tianku''s face was expressionless; as the runes and star map on his face slightly twitched, he raised his right hand. His palm faced the gigantic stone sphere, a cold glint flashing through his eyes, "Such talent, if willing to join our Changsheng Sect, would have boundless prospects. Unfortunately, you are obstinately ignorant. Should you continue to grow, you would surely become a grave threat to our sect. I have no choice but to eliminate you!"


    Humm!


    His palm ferociously clenched.


    In the void.


    The huge stone sphere trembled thunderously, compressing from a hundred li to a mere ten li in an instant.


    Five li.


    Three li.


    One li...


    The stone sphere continued to shrink.


    As it diminished to a mere tens of meters in size, Elder Tianku''s eyes were cold and fierce, and he laughed viciously, "Die!"


    His palm clenched with all his might.


    Just as the stone sphere was about to burst completely, at this crucial moment, a bright light burst forth from within the stone sphere. Two hands glowing with golden light forcibly prised apart a crack, exerting force violently to both sides, attempting to break open the stone sphere.


    "This is impossible..."


    Elder Tianku''s face suddenly changed. He could not clench his right hand; a tremendous force was trying to pry it open.


    This Earth Blast Heavenly Burial Skill was connected to his physical body.


    If the stone sphere were to be burst open by Xiao Yi, his hand would not be spared either!


    "No..."


    "Die..."


    Elder Tianku roared, veins on his right arm bulging wildly, using all his strength in an attempt to clench. As long as he could squeeze his palm, he could successfully execute the Earth Blast and slay Xiao Yi.


    Creak creak creak!


    Crisscrossing bones in his palm, snapping continuously.


    Cracks burst open on his palm.


    Blood surged wildly.


    Crack!


    Bone shattered through his palm.


    Crack...


    The bones in his palm turned to dust.


    "No..."


    Bang!


    His entire right hand exploded violently, blood spraying in all directions.


    The stone sphere was forcibly pried open by Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi flew out from the stone sphere, streaking across the sky, his magic sword conjuring a formidable Sword Intent. His icy voice boomed like thunder throughout heaven and earth, and as the glaring sword light reflected off the stars, it crashed down upon Elder Tianku with a loud boom.


    "No..."


    Elder Tianku cried out in inexplicable horror.


    The scream was instantly engulfed by the thunderous roar of the Sword Intent.


    Boom!


    Under the crushing pressure of the sword light, Elder Tianku''s body fragmented bit by bit, crumbling piece by piece, completely turning into a sky full of blood and flesh falling down.


    "..."


    For a moment, all was quiet between heaven and earth.


    All the spectators on the ground felt their scalp tingle as they looked up at Xiao Yi, who stood suspended in midair, radiating golden light. In their eyes, there was an added touch of reverence. At this moment, Xiao Yi appeared to them as godlike, as demonic...


    Unshakable!

 Chapter 780 - 778: Who Dares to Object?

    Over the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Xiao Yi stood suspended in the air, surrounded by a purple-gold radiance of lightning flashes that intermittently shimmered and gradually disappeared into his body.


    A pair of Wind Thunder wings on his back fluttered gently, also vanishing behind him.


    His eyes calmly looked forward.


    Slowly, he descended from the high altitude.


    His complexion was still somewhat pale; despite the regenerative power of his flesh and blood, the use of Blood Explosion Skill, which had burned nine-tenths of his blood, had also taken a significant toll on him.


    Most of the blood in his body had been burned and had yet to recover, naturally making him appear somewhat weak.


    This was something that Nantian Bao, Yaochen Zi, and the others could clearly see.


    A few people were itching to move.


    However��


    When they thought of Yang Dingtian''s and Elder Tianku''s deaths, they couldn''t help but suppress the urge to take action.


    As Xiao Yi landed,


    The powerhouses around him unconsciously stepped back.


    They maintained a certain distance from him.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved in a slight smile, his gaze sweeping over everyone, but not a single person dared to meet his eyes.


    Not until his gaze settled on Liu Rufeng, who stood in the crowd looking confused, did Xiao Yi pause slightly. Then, seeing Yaochen Zi next to Liu Rufeng, Xiao Yi''s mouth curved in a slight smile as he approached and said, "Elder Liu, it''s been a while!"


    Liu Rufeng uttered an ''eh'' sound, somewhat astonished.


    He had not expected Xiao Yi to initiate a conversation with him, especially since Xiao Yi''s combat power was far beyond his own.


    Moreover, when Xiao Yi had just slain Elder Tianku and Yang Dingtian, he hadn''t shown a pleasing face to anyone.


    To be suddenly so friendly toward him,


    It could easily lead to misunderstandings.


    From the corner of his eye, Liu Rufeng glanced around and saw that including Yaochen Zi, all the powerhouses'' gazes towards him had become extremely strange, especially Yaochen Zi, who looked at him with a hint of skepticism. This made Liu Rufeng somewhat helpless. He touched his nose and said with a bitter smile, "Liu pays his respects to Xiao Zhenguo!"


    He addressed Xiao Yi as Xiao Zhenguo.


    It was both a show of respect for Xiao Yi and a signal to Yaochen Zi and the others that he only knew Xiao Yi and had no other relationship with him.


    As expected.


    Hearing his address and salute towards Xiao Yi, Yaochen Zi''s expression also softened somewhat.


    Phew!


    Liu Rufeng silently breathed a sigh of relief.


    Xiao Yi cleared his throat and glanced at Yaochen Zi, who was standing next to Liu Rufeng, pretending to be puzzled as he asked, "Elder Liu, won''t you introduce me?"


    Liu Rufeng''s face stiffened, and he felt a headache coming on.


    Yaochen Zi was specifically there to trouble Xiao Yi.


    If the two of them were to clash��


    But soon, Liu Rufeng breathed a sigh of relief: Yaochen Zi had changed his ferocious demeanor from before, where he saw Xiao Yi as a thorn in his flesh, and smiled, saying, "So you are Xiao Zhenguo, the one-word-equivalent-to-a-king of the Great Qian Dynasty. It is indeed true that seeing is believing! I am Yaochen Zi, the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley!"


    Uh��


    Liu Rufeng was taken aback.


    He glanced at Yaochen Zi subconsciously, and it quickly became clear that Yaochen Zi, after witnessing Xiao Yi''s consecutive killings of Yang Dingtian and another, no longer dared to talk about revenge.


    As his heart settled, S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Liu Rufeng also couldn''t help but marvel inwardly, "This is the power of strength! If Xiao Yi didn''t have this kind of power, I''m afraid the Valley Master would have already made a move! No��" Liu Rufeng paused, his gaze sweeping over the group of powerhouses behind him, murmuring to himself, "If Xiao Yi''s power weren''t this strong, it wouldn''t even be the Valley Master''s turn to take action!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze played over Yaochen Zi.


    He also had not expected that Yaochen Zi could truly step into the Earth Venerate Realm successfully with that fake Earthly Sovereign Elixir recipe.


    It went without saying��


    The prowess of Medicine King Valley in concocting medicinal pills was indeed profoundly strong.


    Of course.


    Xiao Yi also saw the issue with Yaochen Zi; even though he had set foot in the Earth Venerate Realm, the pill recipe was, after all, a fake, and while it had helped Yaochen Zi reach the long-coveted realm, it also deeply poisoned him. He was one foot in the grave, not far from death.


    "Valley Master Yao, my Daqian Dynasty is in the process of rebuilding and is in need of the support of a powerful force like Medicine King Valley!"


    Xiao Yi spoke calmly, and Yaochen Zi''s gaze shifted, immediately understanding his thoughts.


    He was trying to recruit him!


    Yaochen Zi''s face showed hesitation...


    Xiao Yi patted his shoulder and laughed, "No need to rush your answer. Once you''ve made up your mind, just come to the Daqian Dynasty to find me!"


    These words made Yaochen Zi stiffen all over, staring blankly at Xiao Yi as he turned and left.


    He had never imagined that Xiao Yi was actually trying to recruit him.


    Gululu!


    Yaochen Zi swallowed hard and murmured, "Elder Liu, what do you think?"


    Liu Rufeng hesitated for a moment, then transmitted his voice, "Just over half a year ago, he was at the Dharma Phase Realm Peak!"


    Buzz!


    Yaochen Zi shuddered all over.


    That statement was more persuasive than any other entreaty.


    Half a year''s time.


    Even the top geniuses of the Nantian Holy Land and the Nantian Holy Institute hadn''t managed to advance from the Dharma Phase Realm Peak to the capability of slaying Earth Venerate Realm warriors in just half a year.


    If given another ten years.


    A hundred years.


    A thousand years...


    Wouldn''t the vast Southern State be at his command?


    Moreover...


    The poison within him still needed Xiao Yi''s help to cure!


    With this thought in mind.


    Yaochen Zi took a deep breath, and when he reopened his eyes, they were filled with a resolute and determined look as he said gravely, "Trees die when they are moved, but people thrive when they move. Perhaps it''s indeed time for Medicine King Valley to relocate... Elder Liu, what do you think?"


    Liu Rufeng made a sound of acknowledgment and nodded gently.


    Meanwhile.


    Xiao Yi approached Nantian Bao, prompting the elite imperial guards to stand at full alert, their wary gazes fixed on him.


    Cold blades were pointed at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi grinned, ignoring the poised crowd, and looked at Nantian Bao in the crowd, who was also watching him with a serious and vigilant expression. He laughed and said, "So you are Nantian Bao, the new commander-in-chief of the imperial guards? Think about it, you should thank me for killing Nantian Lie for your promotion!"


    Nantian Bao''s face stiffened, and for a moment, he didn''t know how to respond.


    Thank him?


    How could he continue to mingle with the imperial guards then?


    Make a move?


    The bodies of Yang Dingtian and the others hadn''t even cooled down yet!


    He certainly didn''t want to throw his life away for nothing.


    Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Nantian Bao took a deep breath and said gravely, "Xiao Yi, what exactly do you want to do?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders with an innocent look and said with a smile, "I just want to tell you that I''ve spent some time in the Nantian Dynasty and it''s time for me to return to the Daqian Dynasty. Now, I ask you to immediately leave my Cloud Dream Temple. I need to take the Cloud Dream Temple back to the Daqian Dynasty. I''m sure you have no objections, right?"


    Nantian Bao: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    Any objections?


    Who would dare object!


    Nantian Bao smiled wryly and shook his head, while the crowd also shook their heads to indicate no objections.


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly and said, "Well then, please leave this place." After a pause, he looked to the powerhouses from other forces and continued with a smile, "I believe you all have some understanding of my strength. Aside from being the King of Daqian Dynasty, I am also the head of Shanhe Martial Arts Academy. My academy welcomes geniuses from anywhere, and in three months'' time, we will recruit disciples from all over Southern State. Exceptionally gifted individuals may even become my direct disciples!"


    Buzz!


    With these words.


    The expressions of countless powerhouses changed...


    PS: Just returned from a business trip to Shanghai today, too tired for multiple updates, so just one for now. Ten updates coming tomorrow!

 Chapter 781 - 779: Fame Spreads Across Southern State, Re-entering the Heavenly Tomb!

    The faces of all the strong cultivators changed at once.


    The formidable strength and terrifying speed of cultivation of Xiao Yi had long spread throughout the entire Southern State.


    Despite the restrictions and obstructions of the Nantian Dynasty, which kept most ordinary people unaware of Xiao Yi''s strength, these powerful beings from various forces all had their own intelligence channels and were aware of the many miracles Xiao Yi had created in just a few short years.


    In just two years, he had broken through from the Physical Body Realm to the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    And then, in just another half a year...


    He stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm from the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    He was even capable of slaying Earth Venerate Realm powerhouses.


    Such domineering strength and speed of cultivation had long become a secret many cultivators dreamt of attaining.


    Now.


    The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy under Xiao Yi was actually going to recruit disciples from the entire Southern State.


    If one''s talent was strong enough, they could even directly become a Direct Disciple of Xiao Yi.


    This was an excellent opportunity to obtain Xiao Yi''s terrifying secrets of cultivation!


    Upon this thought.


    Quite a few strong cultivators had already started making their calculations.


    The emergence of the Cloud Dream Temple caused the strong cultivators from all factions of the Nantian Dynasty to suffer heavy losses, with over a hundred Longevity Secret Realm cultivators perishing, including four Earth Venerate Realm cultivators.


    Nearly one-fifth of the Longevity Secret Realm cultivators of the Nantian Dynasty had fallen.


    One must know...


    Longevity Secret Realm cultivators had always been rarely seen, and the most important reason was that the powers wielded by cultivators of this level were simply too terrifying.


    They could cause mountains to crumble and lands to fissure with the mere flick of a wrist; a single gesture could obliterate cities and annihilate nations.


    Look at the vast Yunmeng Marsh, which, in the wake of the battle between Xiao Yi, Yang Dingtian, and Elder Tianku, had already turned into ruins. Had it not been for the protection of the Cloud Dream Temple, the very mountain range beneath their feet would have been leveled to the ground.


    At this moment, the Nantian Dynasty was truly shaken to its core!


    This was the weakest time in their oversight and balancing among the major forces, and if members of their clans with talent were secretly sent to the Daqian Dynasty to join the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy now, their chances of success would certainly far exceed those of the past.


    Looking at the eagerness on everyone''s faces, Xiao Yi''s lips curled up ever so slightly.


    This was exactly the result he wanted.


    Although the Daqian Dynasty currently occupied one third of the Nantian Dynasty''s territory, the land was extremely barren.


    Not to mention...


    There were only a few Longevity Secret Realm cultivators to begin with.


    Even though Xiao Yi could refine the Spirit of Longevity himself, that still required someone to reach the ninth order of the Nirvana Realm!


    There were but a few in the vast Daqian Dynasty who reached the ninth order of the Nirvana Realm!


    Raising them from scratch was clearly impractical, as it would take too long; the best method was to attract the strong cultivators of the Nantian Dynasty to join the Daqian Dynasty. Xiao Yi was fully confident that as long as they were willing to join the Daqian Dynasty, he would have a hundred percent certainty to retain them and make them people of the Daqian Dynasty.


    That''s why.


    Xiao Yi had a stroke of inspiration and made a spur-of-the-moment decision to announce that he would be recruiting new disciples in three months.


    "Xiao Yi''s combat strength is so formidable that even His Majesty dares not to provoke him lightly. Indeed, we can arrange for talented disciples to go try their luck in the Daqian Dynasty!"


    "The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy is bound to rise, not to mention... Xiao Yi has now obtained the Cloud Dream Temple, meaning all the treasure inheritances of the Yunmeng Dynasty of yesteryears will fall into his hands. The Shanhe Martial Arts Academy of the Daqian Dynasty will surely never lack resources in the future!"


    "You''re right, we really can give it a try..."


    One strong cultivator after another secretly exchanged thoughts through voice transmission, yet on the surface, they all remained calm.


    Nantian Bao was feeling frustrated as he watched.


    Even though he couldn''t hear their voice transmissions, he understood from their eye contact that many strong cultivators were already tempted.


    However, he was intent on stopping them but also knew that doing so would be futile.


    He simply bowed his head slightly and kept silent.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze paused momentarily on him before withdrawing, squinting at the time, he then turned to look at everyone, "It''s getting late, esteemed guests, please!"


    Swish!


    With a wave of his hand,


    All of them had already been teleported away from the Cloud Dream Temple.


    The strong cultivators hung in the air outside Yunmeng Marsh, looking at each other with astonishment on their faces: "We''ve been teleported out by Xiao Yi? It seems he truly has complete control over the Cloud Dream Temple..."


    "Do you think if we become his Direct Disciples, Xiao Yi will impart everything he knows?"


    "Rest assured about that point, I have previously sent people to inquire. Xiao Yi currently has three Direct Disciples and two recorded disciples, and he imparts everything he can to them!"


    "It seems we really can send our disciples to visit the Daqian Dynasty..."


    As the strong cultivators discussed,


    The enormous Cloud Dream Temple suddenly let out a thunderous boom, and with a gentle shake, it stirred up an earth-shattering tremor.


    Boom!


    The entire Cloud Dream Temple suddenly uprooted and soared into the high skies.


    Hanging at the pinnacle of the heavens.


    Xiao Yi stood atop the main hall of the Cloud Dream Temple, with Little Lin and Yue Shanchuan standing by his side. The colossal Cloud Dream Temple towered among the clouds, resembling an enormous hand that covered the sun and sky.


    The massive shadow compelled countless mighty beings to instinctively look up, their eyes filled with horror.


    Whoosh!


    The space around the Cloud Dream Temple trembled violently for a moment before transforming into a rainbow light, disappearing between heaven and earth.


    Xiao Yi''s visit to the Nantian Dynasty had thus completely come to an end.


    But...


    The name Xiao Yi, along with the news of this battle, spread like a plague across the entire Southern State.


    Accompanying that was the announcement that the Shanhe Martial Arts Academy would open its doors to recruit disciples from the entire Southern State in three months.


    Each piece of news, as it spread, could stir up a storm.


    Let alone...


    All the pieces of news spreading at once.


    For a time.


    The name Xiao Yi became a household name in the Southern State, known to all.


    Of course.


    As for all of this, Xiao Yi didn''t care in the least. He sought a renowned reputation to make the powerful beings and factions eyeing the Great Qian Dynasty wary of him.


    At this very moment.


    Xiao Yi, travelling to the Daqian Dynasty aboard the Cloud Dream Temple, looked at Yue Shanchuan before him, the atmosphere slightly oppressive. Little Lin spoke helplessly, "Old Yue, are you really leaving?"


    "Yes!"


    Yue Shanchuan nodded without saying much.


    Even though he knew that from beginning to end, it was Elder Tian Ku who had wronged Xiao Yi first, that was, after all, his grandfather, who ultimately died by Xiao Yi''s hand.


    Yue Shanchuan hesitated for a moment, then said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, my grandfather was one of the Changsheng Sect''s Tiangang-Earthshatter Elders and held an exalted position. His death will definitely not be taken lightly by the Changsheng Sect. You should be careful too!"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded gravely.


    He had no regrets about slaying Elder Tian Ku.


    Elder Tian Ku had repeatedly sought to kill him.


    Sparing such a powerful enemy who was set on eliminating him would only spell trouble for himself once he had the chance to catch his breath.


    PS


    Xiao Yi was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Little Lin.


    Little Lin paused, reluctantly pulling out a jade box, which he had secretly swallowed earlier, containing the dragon essence that had condensed from Yang Dingtian''s corpse.


    Xiao Yi handed the jade box to Yue Shanchuan, who looked puzzled as he watched. Xiao Yi said calmly, "Open it when you break through to the Longevity Secret Realm!"


    "This..."


    Yue Shanchuan frowned slightly.


    Xiao Yi said, "If you still consider me your brother, then take it!"


    "..."


    With a helpless sigh, Yue Shanchuan accepted the jade box and said, "In that case, I''ll take my leave first! Xiao Yi, remember my words, be cautious of the Changsheng Sect''s retaliation!"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi watched Yue Shanchuan leave, sighing deeply. He turned to Little Lin, who was unwillingly poking the ground with the tip of his foot, and said helplessly, "Don''t be glum. When we arrive at the imperial capital, you can choose a few treasures from within this Cloud Dream Temple first!"


    "Really?"


    Little Lin looked up, his face lighting up with excitement.


    Xiao Yi patted his head, "I''ll be in seclusion. Call me when we arrive at the imperial capital!"


    Earlier in the Cloud Dream Temple, as soon as he had a breakthrough to the tenth stage of the Human Venerate Realm, he had immediately taken action. He now urgently needed to meditate in seclusion to fully stabilize his current realm.


    Beyond that...


    When Xiao Yi broke through to the Human Venerate Realm, the Eternal Tomb seemed to have undergone an incredible change. Xiao Yi returned to the main hall, sat cross-legged, and the Eternal Tomb was activated with a flicker of his thoughts.


    However...


    The moment his consciousness touched the Eternal Tomb, Xiao Yi abruptly opened his eyes, revealing a look of disbelief and shock, "How is this possible?"


    ps; First update, nine more to come! S��arch* The N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 782 - 780: The Divine Tree

    Xiao Yi''s face showed a look of astonishment.


    As he activated the Eternal Tomb of Heaven,


    a surge of ancient, vicissitudinous energy suddenly rushed into his body from within the tomb with a whoosh.


    Almost simultaneously,


    golden runes began to appear on Xiao Yi''s body. These runes, flickering in and out of view, were the God Sealing Seeds inside him.


    When he broke through to the Longevity Secret Realm, the number of God Sealing Seeds within Xiao Yi''s body had reached one billion eight hundred million.


    One billion eight hundred million God Sealing Seeds.


    At this moment, they transformed into dazzling golden light, all emerging on the surface of his body, a dense mass of golden specks. His body had become so transparent that he seemed to be standing in a golden starry sky, with speckled golden luminescence reflecting upon him.


    All the golden God Sealing Seeds covered every part of his body.


    Skin.


    Muscle.


    Bones...


    Even the veins and organs, along with the flowing blood, were all saturated with the dazzling God Sealing Seeds.


    Little Lin was staring with eyes wide open in complete dumbfoundedness, a puzzled look on his face: "Boss, what''s happening to you?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head in confusion, "I don''t know what''s happening either, Little Lin, you should back away for now."


    "Boss..."


    Little Lin bit his lip gently, his face filled with deep concern.


    He was simply too worried about Xiao Yi''s safety.


    He couldn''t bear to leave.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes showed a solemn look as he said in a deep voice, "Don''t be nervous, this should be due to the cultivation technique I''m practicing. There shouldn''t be any problems. Just stay calm and watch over me from the side..."


    "Okay, I''ll stay right here and keep watch!" Little Lin nodded gravely.


    Even with the memories of his inheritance, faced with such strange changes in Xiao Yi, he was equally at a loss.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath, his eyes sparkling with brilliant light like condensed stars, twinkling with a bright and sharp edge. He drew a turbid breath into his mouth, then slowly exhaled. Those golden lights had already rendered his entire body nearly transparent, even the bones and organs within could be clearly seen.


    Even every beat and contraction of his heart was distinctly visible.


    Xiao Yi could clearly feel his life force and spiritual power rapidly depleting. If he couldn''t find a solution soon, he feared he would be sucked dry and become a desiccated corpse.


    "The appearance of the God Sealing Seeds is all because of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill... It seems I have no choice but to take a risk..." Xiao Yi clenched his teeth.


    The essential mantras of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill flashed through his mind.


    One grain, one world; one grass, one universe. My body shall be the tomb, the tomb shall seal the gods, and with this strength I shall subdue the immortals...


    The profound mantra of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill emerged in his mind.


    Xiao Yi repeatedly went through the mantra, at the same time guiding the innate energy within his body to start moving along the pathways of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill. On his body, each of the bright and dazzling golden God Sealing Seeds seemed to tremble slightly. Then, as if a millstone had just been pushed, they silently began to move.


    Following this, more and more God Sealing Seeds began to follow suit.


    Those specks of golden light converged within his body into clear paths, whirling along these tracks at high speed.


    The first circuit was the most difficult.


    It was also rapidly depleting his innate energy.


    One circuit.


    Two circuits.


    Three circuits...


    As Xiao Yi gritted his teeth and completed the thirty-sixth circuit, his body suddenly shook with a boom, radiating a blaze of golden light. The endless golden God Sealing Seeds, like dazzling stars, began to tremble violently, struggling to break free from Xiao Yi''s body.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Streaks of golden light soared into the sky.


    One billion eight hundred million golden God Sealing Seeds, all floating around Xiao Yi.


    They surrounded him from all sides.


    Like stars encircling the moon.


    At the same time,


    within Xiao Yi''s body, in the deepest part of the Ancient Heavenly Tomb,


    nine golden pyramids, radiant with ancient and perpetual light as if they were older than this realm itself, quivered. The second pyramid suddenly trembled violently, and a beam of golden light burst forth, striking the second layer''s gate of the Ancient Heavenly Tomb with a thunderous crash, sending a resonant, deep boom throughout the heavens and earth. sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom-crack!


    The gate sealing the second layer of the Ancient Heavenly Tomb burst open at that moment.


    Almost at the same time...


    Countless runes spewed forth from above the gate, black runes coalescing into a black stele.


    It was the Godly Suppression Stele!


    This Godly Suppression Stele closely resembled the first one Xiao Yi had acquired; both originated from the same source. With a whooshing sound, it transformed into a streak of black light and merged into Xiao Yi''s body, quietly integrating into his heart. It resonated with the first stele in his lungs, and at the same time, the overview of the second tier of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill also emerged in Xiao Yi''s mind.


    His eyes widened in excitement, his heartbeat racing, "Form the Divine Sealing Tree with the innate body, and from the God Sealing Seed, cultivate the divine leaves..."


    "To form the Divine Sealing Tree with the innate body..."


    The method to form the Divine Sealing Tree surfaced in Xiao Yi''s mind, a process that required consuming his innate energy to form the tree''s trunk and branches.


    Then, guided by spiritual power, the God Sealing Seed would land upon the branches.


    The Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill had undergone a heavenly transformation from its first tier.


    The first tier felt more passive.


    It enhanced cultivation, awakening the God Sealing Seed.


    But from the second tier onward...


    Xiao Yi actively cultivated the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill, and with each ascension in realm, he could stimulate the evolution of the God Sealing Seed into divine leaves. Only when this Divine Sealing Tree was fully covered with leaves would the second stage be considered complete. However, the current priority was to form the Divine Sealing Tree.


    This would require the consumption of innate energy and spiritual power.


    Innate energy.


    It was the very foundation of a Longevity Secret Realm expert.


    It meant Xiao Yi needed to consume a substantial amount of innate energy. As his crimson tongue licked his lips, Xiao Yi murmured to himself, "Thankfully, with Little Lin''s help, I''ve reached the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm. I hope my innate energy is sufficient to support the formation of the Divine Sealing Tree!"


    With this thought,


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath of turbid air, then slowly exhaled, his body trembling with a tremor as a bright golden light flourished around him: "Using my body as the trunk, my soul as the branches... Divine Sealing Tree��form!"


    Hum!


    Almost instantly, a great portion of Xiao Yi''s innate energy was drained away.


    His complexion turned quite pale.


    His cultivation level plummeted from the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm straight down to the Fifth Layer Human Venerable Realm!


    Humming!


    The incessant consumption of innate energy continued, yet Xiao Yi could see before him a towering ancient tree faintly beginning to take shape.


    That was the Divine Sealing Tree!


    As the innate energy within Xiao Yi kept depleting, the tree continued to grow taller.


    One zhang.


    Ten zhang.


    A hundred zhang...


    Time passed unknowingly.


    When almost all innate energy within Xiao Yi had been exhausted, and his cultivation had fallen to the First-layer Human Venerable Realm,


    The Divine Sealing Tree before him


    had transformed into a sky-high tree, towering��nine thousand, nine hundred, and ninety-nine zhang tall!


    PS: Here''s the second update, with eight more to come, which may be a bit late. Everyone, check in the morning! Xiao Tian will certainly fulfill his promise, and won''t let everyone down!

 Chapter 783 - 781: One Hundred and Eight Thousand Sealing God Leaves

    The Divine Sealing Tree that stood 9999 zhang tall towered before him.


    This colossal tree reaching the skies was bathed in a luminescent white glow, pure as crystal.


    At a glance, one could see its straight trunk standing firmly between heaven and earth.


    Starting from around 5000 zhang up, that was where branches began to fork out, imposing their suppression.


    Yet those branches were still barren.


    The tree was so majestic.


    However, Little Lin by his side seemed oblivious to its existence, as if this towering tree could only be seen by Xiao Yi alone.


    The Divine Sealing Tree!


    The sign of entering the second layer of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill.


    Although condensing this Divine Sealing Tree exhausted countless amounts of Xiao Yi''s innate power and caused his cultivation to fall from the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm to the First-layer Human Venerable Realm, it didn''t greatly affect Xiao Yi''s strength.


    "According to the records of the second layer of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill, once the Divine Sealing Tree is condensed, the strength of one''s cultivation is determined by the number of Sealing God Leaves gathered on the tree..." Xiao Yi muttered to himself. Although he hadn''t been in possession of the second layer of the cultivation technique for long, these techniques were directly imprinted in his mind.


    He had already acquired a very clear understanding and mastery of the second layer of the cultivation technique.


    Before the condensation of the Divine Sealing Tree.


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation still relied on the world''s conventional cultivation system.


    Starting from the initial Physical Body Realm, progressing through Qi Gathering Realm and Shentong Realm.


    As his cultivation level increased...


    More and more God Sealing Seeds were activated.


    Aside from helping him suppress the ancient powerhouses within the everlasting tombs, the God Sealing Seeds didn''t assist his cultivation level or strength.


    But then...


    From the second layer of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill onwards, Xiao Yi''s cultivation had undergone earth-shattering changes.


    He was no longer focused on the traditional cultivation system.


    Other powerhouses from the Longevity Secret Realm still needed to follow the path of cultivation through Tenth-layer Human Venerable, Tenth-layer Earth Venerable, Heavenly Honor, Supreme Venerable, and Holy Venerable. However, Xiao Yi only needed to continuously transform the God Sealing Seeds hanging from the Divine Sealing Tree into Sealing God Leaves. As the number of Sealing God Leaves increased, so too would his cultivation level naturally rise.


    At the same time.


    The innate power within Xiao Yi''s body further evolved, fully integrating with the Divine Power!


    It''s no exaggeration to say...


    Though Xiao Yi''s cultivation level seemed to have fallen to the First-layer Human Venerable Realm, that was simply because the innate power within him had been completely consumed and transformed into Divine Power.


    Even if a Holy Venerable powerhouse were to descend, they would not be able to discern his actual cultivation level!


    Hum!


    A violent tremor emanated from the trunk of the tree.


    The Divine Sealing Tree abruptly shivered and grew another zhang, reaching a height of ten thousand zhang!


    At the same time...


    The last trace of innate power within Xiao Yi was completely depleted.


    "The ten thousand zhang Divine Sealing Tree!"


    Xiao Yi looked up at the no longer growing Divine Sealing Tree, his eyes flashing with feverish excitement. According to the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill, none of the previous Heaven Subduing Generals managed to condense a Divine Sealing Tree higher than nine thousand zhang. This was something for which Xiao Yi had to thank the fortunes from the Tongtian Three Records and the Cloud Dream Temple.


    They allowed him to follow three paths and bring both body and spirit to their utmost limits.


    At the same time...


    Only the surging innate power of the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm could sustain the Divine Sealing Tree''s growth to a height of ten thousand zhang.


    He had surpassed any of the former Heaven Subduing Generals!


    He had even created a miracle!


    Of course.


    Xiao Yi didn''t know at the moment that the ten thousand zhang Divine Sealing Tree he had condensed, thanks to his many fortunate encounters, would bring him immeasurably great benefits in the end.


    The immediate priority he faced was to attract the God Sealing Seeds that were scattered around his body to the Divine Sealing Tree.


    "Guided by the soul, God Sealing Seeds��return to your places!"


    Xiao Yi was enveloped in golden light that reached to the heavens, his black hair whipping wildly, as vast and surging waves of energy gathered like a storm. Then, one after another, the God Sealing Seeds transformed into golden streams of light, shooting towards the Divine Sealing Tree under the guidance of his spiritual power.


    Each God Sealing Seed was enveloped in a dazzling golden brilliance.


    Within this golden glow, the God Sealing Seeds looked much like golden beans.


    980 million God Sealing Seeds simultaneously flew toward the Divine Sealing Tree.


    They brought with them 980 million golden trails of light that filled the sky, interweaving into strands, connecting to one another, the dazzling light as if piercing through the years and space itself, carrying a vast and powerful momentum.


    It was spectacular beyond comparison!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The God Sealing Seeds one after another settled onto the branches of the Divine Sealing Tree.


    The seeds, like golden beans, seemed to have grown tentacles, embedding themselves securely into the branches of the Divine Sealing Tree, suspending upon the pure and flawless white trunk were 980 million sparkling God Sealing Seeds.


    "To take root on the Divine Sealing Tree, the seeds must evolve into Sealing God Leaves. According to the ''Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill,'' a Tenth-layer Human Venerable should be able to condense exactly 10,800 Sealing God Leaves. I wonder how many I will be able to form..."


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on each of the gleaming God Sealing Seeds, his hands opposite each other cupping into a circle, eyes shooting out two beams of sharp light, and he bellowed like booming thunder, "Fully concentrate on forming the Sealing God Leaves!"


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s body shuddered all over.


    The Divine Power within him surged crazily into the Divine Sealing Tree, guiding it to each of the God Sealing Seeds.


    Under the onslaught of the Divine Power.


    One by one, golden patterns emerged on the seeds.


    With a soft popping sound.


    The surface of a God Sealing Seed appeared filled with fine cracks, which gradually unfurled along the patterns, transforming into a golden, palm-sized leaf. The golden patterns that had just appeared became the leaf stalk and veins, each Sealing God Leaf as big as a palm, twinkling with golden light, adorned with strange runes.


    It was as if this single leaf had opened the gates of a dam.


    Pop!


    Pop, pop!


    Pop, pop, pop...


    One after another, the golden leaves spread open, appearing atop the Divine Sealing Tree.


    Though each leaf was only the size of a palm, and seemed minute compared to the towering Divine Sealing Tree, there were, after all, 980 million of them!


    When all the God Sealing Seeds had blossomed and transformed into Sealing God Leaves.


    The entire Divine Sealing Tree would be a sight to behold!


    The number of Sealing God Leaves continued to increase...


    Ten pieces.


    A hundred pieces.


    A thousand pieces...


    Until the 100,800th God Sealing Seed said its farewell, becoming a Sealing God Leaf, and the transformation ceased.


    Rustling!


    The whole Divine Sealing Tree trembled violently.


    The 100,800 golden Sealing God Leaves danced with the wind, twinkling and pulsating with dazzling golden light, their veins clear and distinct. The remaining billion-plus God Sealing Seeds also lightly swayed on the branches, like stars shining in the night sky, exceptionally radiant.


    "100,800 Sealing God Leaves..."


    Xiao Yi''s face showed ecstatic joy, "According to the ''Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill,'' 100,800 Sealing God Leaves are comparable to the cultivation level of a First-layer Earth Venerable."


    Comparable to the cultivation level of a First-layer Earth Venerable.


    It was precisely because of this...


    That Xiao Yi was able to so effortlessly slay Yang Dingtian and his two companions. S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However.


    Under the cover of the Divine Power, Xiao Yi had only allowed his cultivation level to stay at the Tenth-layer Human Venerable Realm, a fact not even a Supreme Venerable could discern if they were to personally investigate.


    "Retrieve!"


    With a wave of Xiao Yi''s hand, the towering Divine Sealing Tree trembled profusely as it shrank rapidly, eventually turning into a speck of golden light that entered between his eyebrows. Xiao Yi raised his hand to touch the spot between his eyebrows, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly into a self-assured smile, "Stepping into the second level of the ''Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill,'' with 100,800 Sealing God Leaves, I now wield a cultivation equivalent to a First-layer Earth Venerable Realm. Am I now qualified to enter the second level of the Ancient Heavenly Tomb? I wonder what beings rest within..."


    With that thought.


    Xiao Yi''s mind moved, and he appeared within the Ancient Heavenly Tomb...


    PS: The third update, and Little Tian continues!

 Chapter 784 - 782: Meeting Zhao Wuji Again

    The Eternal Celestial Tomb stood amidst the starry sky.


    Countless stars from ancient times embellished the boundless cosmos.


    The sun blazed across the sky, with a dragon wrapped around it, turning into pitch-black chains that bound the Eternal Celestial Tomb.


    Xiao Yi stood at the entrance to the second layer of the Eternal Celestial Tomb. S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The massive iron doors had silently swung open, and a breath of ancient age assaulted him from within.


    Roar!


    A heaven-shaking roar suddenly erupted from within.


    On the second layer''s ground, a tomb as big as a small hill exploded with a bang, and a white bone claw tore through the tomb and crashed onto the ground.


    Following that, a second white bone claw emerged, creating successive booming noises as they pushed outward.


    Boom!


    A colossal creature over thirty meters tall appeared before Xiao Yi.


    This was a giant beast, its body reduced to nothing but white bones.


    It had a form somewhat akin to a fierce tiger, with a purple-golden horn growing in the center of its skull, and a pair of bony wings that fluttered slightly, stirring up fierce winds.


    Let''s call it the White Bone Tiger King!


    This White Bone Tiger King was Xiao Yi''s first opponent in the second layer of the Eternal Celestial Tomb.


    Puff!


    Puff!


    Puff!


    The White Bone Tiger King shook its massive head and sneezed twice, fixing its cold eyes on Xiao Yi.


    Within its hollow eye sockets, two emerald-green flames flickered.


    Roar!


    With a furious roar, the White Bone Tiger King transformed into a streak of white light, rushing wildly towards Xiao Yi. In an instant, it was before him, its massive paw sweeping towards his head with terrifying white bone claws. Cracks appeared in the void wherever it went.


    This White Bone Tiger King must have been a powerful beast of the Longevity Secret Realm in life.


    "Get lost!"


    In Xiao Yi''s eyes, a divine light burst forth, and behind him, with a whoosh, the Divine Sealing Tree emerged.


    "..."


    The White Bone Tiger King saw the massive Divine Sealing Tree and its socketed green eyes flashed with shock and fear, letting out a mournful cry as it tried to flee.


    Xiao Yi, sensing the White Bone Tiger King''s fear of the Divine Sealing Tree, slightly curled his lips upward and snorted coldly, "Since you''re here, don''t think about leaving!"


    Rustle rustle!


    The Divine Sealing Tree behind him trembled.


    The Sealing God Leaves upon it shone with dazzling golden light, spilling over and falling onto Xiao Yi.


    His body was covered in a faint golden glow.


    Sacred and inviolable.


    In this moment, Xiao Yi was like a god in control of this piece of heaven and earth.


    He extended one hand forward, his fingers spread in the air.


    Unseen, strands of golden light formed into chains, and with a clattering noise, they bound the White Bone Tiger King tightly.


    With a dull thud, the once mighty White Bone Tiger King crashed to the ground. Xiao Yi''s hand clenched, and with a loud bang, the White Bone Tiger King was crushed to pieces.


    As the White Bone Tiger King shattered.


    A streak of light whizzed towards Xiao Yi and landed on the Divine Sealing Tree.


    Rustle rustle!


    The Divine Sealing Tree shone with golden light, quickly disappearing from sight.


    However...


    On the Divine Sealing Tree, where there were originally only 108,000 Sealing God Leaves, there were now an additional hundred leaves.


    Xiao Yi uttered a sound of surprise, his face showing a touch of strangeness, "Killing the being from the second layer can activate the Sealing God Leaf? However, a White Bone Tiger King comparable to the Longevity Secret Realm can only be based on a hundred Sealing God Leaves, doesn''t the energy required by the Sealing God Leaf seem too excessive?"


    He shook his head gently.


    Xiao Yi had no intention of slaughtering wantonly within the Eternal Celestial Tomb.


    For this Eternal Celestial Tomb was his foundation!


    The true treasure was not in slaying them, but in sealing the powerful beings inside to obtain their legacy.


    "The entrance to this second layer is the burial place for beings on the level of the Longevity Secret Realm, but what other existences might there be within the entire second layer?" Xiao Yi murmured to himself, feeling quite curious, and then he walked towards the interior of the second layer of the Eternal Celestial Tomb.


    The grave of the White Bone Tiger King had already been leveled to the ground.


    No trace was visible.


    The entire second layer was evidently more expansive than the first.


    But...


    The number of graves within the second layer of the Eternal Celestial Tomb was clearly not as numerous as those in the first layer.


    Keep in mind,


    The first layer of the Eternal Celestial Tomb contained millions of graves.


    The second layer had only several hundred thousand.


    Xiao Yi looked far and wide, taking in the scenery of the entire second layer at a glance.


    The second layer possessed more graves belonging to the demon beast clans.


    Like the White Bone Tiger King from before.


    Among them...


    Xiao Yi even spotted the grave of a renowned figure among the demon clans, the Yunmeng Demon Emperor.


    There were also the Heavenly Blue Bull Python, the Pixiu, and so on...


    These once-renowned powerhouses of the demon beast clans in the Qingtian Realm were also buried within the Eternal Celestial Tomb.


    However,


    Apart from the grave of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor, which was located on the very edge of the deepest part, the graves of demon marshals like the Heavenly Blue Bull Python and others were all on the extreme periphery.


    Xiao Yi passed by the grave of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor, there were six or seven other graves in the deepest part of the second layer.


    However...


    The few graves in the deepest part of the second layer were wrapped in a mysterious energy, and even with Xiao Yi''s current level of cultivation, he could not make out the inscriptions on the gravestones.


    Clearly, these few beings were even more powerful than the Yunmeng Demon Emperor!


    The Yunmeng Demon Emperor was a legendary existence from the Heaven Venerate Realm.


    Could it be that within the second layer there were graves of those even stronger than those in the Heaven Venerate Realm?


    Xiao Yi felt the Eternal Celestial Tomb was becoming more and more mysterious. Just the first layer alone had Martial God Zhao Wuji, and inside the second layer were so many powerful members of the demon beast clans. Even the creator of the Yunmeng Dynasty, claimed to be the strongest demon clan dynasty,


    A sweep past.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze suddenly focused on one of the graves, his face revealing a look of confusion, and he frowned and said, "Strange, why would his grave appear here?"


    That grave was indeed of the Martial God��Zhao Wuji!


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi dived down abruptly and landed in front of Zhao Wuji''s grave.


    He scrutinized the grave before him, ten times larger than the one on the first layer and constructed entirely out of blue bricks, his expression growing more solemn and laced with incomprehensible bewilderment. Zhao Wuji''s grave had already appeared once on the first layer, where Zhao Wuji was suppressed by Xiao Yi, who then obtained the Boundless Sword Skill and some of his legacy.


    How could Zhao Wuji''s grave appear here again?


    "Could it be..."


    Xiao Yi''s complexion suddenly changed, he thought of an inconceivable possibility, and even his heartbeat began to quicken. His eyes were fixed on Zhao Wuji''s grave before him, he gritted his teeth, "Whether it is true or not, I''ll only know by opening this grave and seeing Zhao Wuji inside with my own eyes. If it''s as I suspect, then this Eternal Celestial Tomb... it''s just too terrifying..."


    PS: Fourth update, still six more to catch up from the day before yesterday, Xiao Tian continues!

 Chapter 785 - 783: Martial God Himself, Just Like That!

    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and walked towards Zhao Wuji''s tomb.


    Hum!


    He reached out with one hand.


    In the void, a large hand materialized out of nowhere, grabbed Zhao Wuji''s tomb, and violently crushed it.


    Boom!


    The tomb exploded.


    A bronze sarcophagus flew out from the rubble of the tomb and hovered in mid-air.


    The entire sarcophagus radiated an ancient aura. Besides being wrapped in mysterious runes, it was also stained with some ancient blood.


    The bloodstains alone emitted powerful energy fluctuations,


    comparable to the aura of a Human Venerate Realm powerhouse.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils slightly contracted, and he became more certain of the guess in his heart, "It seems I''ve truly underestimated this Eternal Heavenly Tomb..."


    Swish!


    Four Symbols Heavenly Suppressing Finger.


    A single finger pointed out.


    Hum!


    The void trembled, four phantasmal images complemented and intertwined with each other, forming into a colossal finger that pierced the heaven.


    It slashed through the sky with a swish.


    And struck the bronze sarcophagus hard.


    Thud!


    The sarcophagus shook violently.


    Then it returned to calm.


    Xiao Yi held his breath and focused, as the sarcophagus hung in mid-air motionless. While he pondered, a loud thud echoed from within the sarcophagus. Immediately after, the tightly closed coffin lid was forcefully flung open, and a figure slowly stepped out from within.


    A black battle armor drenched in blood.


    Black hair moved without wind, as if dancing wildly.


    The eyebrows sharp like a sword, eyes shining like stars, a high nose bridge, a handsome and spirited face.


    From him emanated a domineering aura that shocked the heavens.


    This person...


    was none other than the Martial God of Qingtian Realm��Zhao Wuji!


    Swish!


    Zhao Wuji suddenly opened his eyes, his icy gaze fixated on Xiao Yi, his lips slightly curling into a chilling smile. His pupils, shining like stars and moons, also harbored a fiery greed and locked onto Xiao Yi''s eyes as though staring at prey. His voice, grating and piercing, said, "Hehe, I didn''t expect you to arrive here so quickly. All I need is to kill you, and I will regain my freedom, and I shall control this Eternal Heavenly Tomb!"


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Xiao Yi''s heartbeat suddenly accelerated several times, and his expression was especially solemn, "As expected, only part of Zhao Wuji was buried in the first layer. Or rather, that was just Zhao Wuji from under the Longevity Secret Realm, this is the real Martial God Zhao Wuji..."


    Seemingly sensing the doubt and shock in Xiao Yi''s eyes,


    "Heavenly Marshal, it seems you''ve already guessed it. You guessed correctly, what''s buried outside is merely a clone of mine, this is my true self. Hehe, all I need to do is kill you and take that clone. Once it merges with my true self, I will break free from the bonds of the Eternal Heavenly Tomb and be reborn. Moreover, I''ll be able to take control of this Eternal Heavenly Tomb..."


    Zhao Wuji''s eyes turned extremely cold, he raised a finger, and pointed at Xiao Yi, "Little guy, hand over that clone of mine if you don''t want to die. If you cooperatively give it up, once I''m reborn after obtaining the clone, I will bestow you with the supreme honor of becoming a war slave under my command."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    This is truly the demeanor a Martial God should have!


    Back on the first layer of the Eternal Heavenly Tomb, Xiao Yi always thought it was his "Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill" that restrained Zhao Wuji.


    Otherwise...


    With his cultivation at only the Nirvana Realm at that time, how could he possibly have been a match for Zhao Wuji?


    Now it seems,


    that the clone sealed in the first layer was not only Zhao Wuji''s clone but also extremely crucial to him. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From Zhao Wuji''s words, Xiao Yi inferred that once the clone merged with Zhao Wuji, he would be reborn.


    Once Zhao Wuji resurrected and broke free from the control of the ancient tomb.


    There was no way that Xiao Yi, with his current strength, could possibly be his opponent.


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi secretly felt fortunate that he now had mastered the second layer of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill and condensed more than one hundred thousand Sealing God Leaves, comparable to the cultivation of the First-layer Earth Venerable Realm.


    Though the man before him was once the Martial God Zhao Wuji of the Qingtian Realm, Xiao Yi felt not the slightest fear!


    "Zhao Wuji," sneered Xiao Yi, staring unflinchingly at Zhao Wuji, "the era that belonged to you has long passed, you old fossil who has been dead for who knows how many years. You think you can take the ancient tomb from me? If you''re capable, then come and get it yourself..."


    The smile on Zhao Wuji''s face gradually faded.


    Within the ancient tomb, he was suppressed at every turn.


    Although this body was his original self, his combat power was far from that of his peak state before death.


    Now, he was merely comparable to someone in the Earth Venerable Realm.


    But...


    In Zhao Wuji''s eyes, everyone beneath him was nothing more than ants, unworthy of attention, easily defeated with a flick of the wrist. Naturally, he did not see Xiao Yi as a threat. With a cold snort, he said, "Ignorant junior, you dare provoke me. Today, I shall let you witness just how terrifying the Martial God of the Qingtian Realm can be!"


    As soon as his voice fell.


    Zhao Wuji''s figure suddenly flickered, vanishing like a shattered reflection in water, leaving behind only an afterimage.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils narrowed, and his expression changed drastically. He raised his left hand above his head: "Hurricane Divine Shield!"


    Hum!


    The aquamarine Hurricane Divine Shield was raised above his head.


    Almost at the same time...


    An incredibly powerful force suddenly slammed onto the Hurricane Divine Shield, and with a thunderous boom, Zhao Wuji''s iron fist was firmly planted on top of it.


    Hum!


    The Hurricane Divine Shield trembled violently.


    And managed to block Zhao Wuji''s punch.


    But the terrifying force transmitted from the punch still caused Xiao Yi''s arm to swell painfully, as if it was about to burst.


    Xiao Yi''s face changed slightly, and he instinctively looked up, locking eyes with Zhao Wuji.


    Zhao Wuji''s lips curled into a hideous sneer: "You managed to block my punch? I''m curious to see how many more you can withstand!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Zhao Wuji threw his fists like a storm of pear blossoms, raining crazily down upon the Hurricane Divine Shield.


    Each punch possessed overwhelming force.


    Amid the thunderous sounds...


    Xiao Yi was repeatedly smashed into the ground, until suddenly there came a colossal boom, accompanied by fragments of the aquamarine Hurricane Divine Shield scattering all around. It was indeed Zhao Wuji who had smashed the Hurricane Divine Shield to pieces, his face showing a fierce delight: "You little vermin, go to hell!"


    Hum!


    The void trembled abruptly.


    Black spheres of light shot from Zhao Wuji''s fingertips.


    As they tore through the air...


    Hundreds of black spheres mercilessly struck Xiao Yi''s body.


    Boom! Boom! Boom...


    The entire ancient tomb seemed to shake violently, death lingering in the sky. The power unleashed by these black energy spheres could have destroyed the Daqian Dynasty''s imperial capital in the Qingtian Realm. But now, apart from the energy that struck Xiao Yi, the rest that hit the ground simply vanished without a trace.


    All was silent between heaven and earth.


    Xiao Yi was nowhere to be seen.


    Zhao Wuji let out a cold laugh: "Turned to ash just like that? It seems that the Heaven Suppressing Divine General of this generation is nothing special after all!"


    However...


    No sooner had he spoken than a relaxed and cold laugh came from the void: "The true form of the Martial God? Not so impressive, after all!"

 Chapter 786 - 784: Sudden Change

    "Martial God incarnate? Nothing more than that!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice carried a fervent fighting spirit.


    His words seemed relaxed, but his mind was actually stretched to its utmost tension.


    After all, this was the legendary Martial God Zhao Wuji!


    Though the restrictions of the ancient tomb had suppressed his cultivation to the First-layer Earth Venerable Realm, his combat power was definitely not to be underestimated. The mere fact that he had shattered the Hurricane Divine Shield with his flesh and blood fists was testament to his terrifying strength.


    After all...


    When he had previously fought with Yang Dingtian and others in the Cloud Dream Temple,


    none of them had managed to break through the Hurricane Divine Shield!


    Zhao Wuji''s face was expressionless, as the wild, innate power surged within him, forming a circular shockwave on his shoulder, like an invisible ring of energy encircling his arm.


    Hum!


    Hum!


    Hum!


    Ring after ring of energy shockwaves built upon each other,


    Gathering at the fist and palm.


    With a thunderous boom,


    This attack, formed by the layering of energy shockwaves, crashed down on Xiao Yi''s body with a roaring impact.


    "Within my Fierce Dragon Nine Transformations'' Shocking Character Decree, its power layers upon layers, enough to blast a Fifth Layer Earth Revered. You..."


    Zhao Wuji sneered with self-satisfaction, but before he could finish, the smug smile on his face completely crumbled, replaced by a mix of astonishment and confusion. "This is impossible..."


    Hum!


    The violent energy shockwave slammed fiercely into Xiao Yi.


    The frenzied energy, which could kill a Fifth Layer Earthly Venerable, dissipated upon him into circular ripples, spreading out in all directions through the void. Below the fragments of energy, Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a mocking sneer, slowly enunciating, "Zhao Wuji, you''ve aged! Now, it''s our era!"


    Thump, thump, thump!


    Zhao Wuji''s face suddenly changed, and he staggered back three steps.


    His face alternated between shock and uncertainty.


    The venom in his eyes flickered, and Xiao Yi''s words��you''ve aged��stabbed into his heart like thousands of poison-dipped needles.


    Pain!


    Piercing to the bone!


    Zhao Wuji roared with clenched teeth, "Nonsense! I am the Martial God of Qingtian Realm, invincible as I am, existing as long as the heavens, enduring as the earth. How could I possibly age? I will not��I cannot��grow old..."


    Xiao Yi''s smile gradually faded as he snorted coldly, "If I say you''re old, then you''re old!"


    Boom!


    A stream of light shot into the sky.


    The Divine Sealing Tree materialized behind Xiao Yi.


    The towering Divine Sealing Tree, magnificent and imposing, reached into the heavens,


    Standing within the ancient heavenly tomb.


    Rustle, rustle!


    The Sealing God Leaves on the tree quivered slightly, emitting a dazzling golden light, like starlight.


    Scattered randomly, they gave off an extremely bright and sacred sensation.


    "What is this..." Zhao Wuji''s face showed terror.


    The Divine Sealing Tree struck a deep fear into his heart.


    "Just submit obediently!"


    Xiao Yi extended his arms out to his sides, flat and wide.


    Golden light rose from beneath his feet, enveloping his figure as he slowly lifted into the air, his eyes gleaming with the sharpness of the sun, "Heaven-sent sealing of gods, supremacy only to me..."


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Leaves from the Divine Sealing Tree began to fall, drifting down from their branches.


    The Sealing God Leaves, twinkling with brilliant golden light, had distinctly clear golden veins. Under Xiao Yi''s control, these leaves danced in the air. Like a swarm of gold-lit fairies, they sometimes fell like rain, sometimes moved with the wind, and at times gathered in clusters.


    Over one hundred thousand Sealing God Leaves, under Xiao Yi''s finger, lost all their leisureliness.


    Amidst a piercing whizzing sound.


    Over one hundred thousand Sealing God Leaves whooshed together to form a giant gold sword, its blade shimmering with dazzling golden light.


    With a whoosh.


    The golden giant sword slashed down from the high sky. sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The entire void began to shake violently, the overwhelming energy sealed off all directions of heaven and earth, and with a booming sound, the sword gleaming sharply chopped fiercely towards Zhao Wuji.


    "No..."


    Zhao Wuji''s eyes split open, his eyeballs a bloody red.


    That golden giant sword filled him with despair.


    He pushed his innate powers to the extreme, and amidst thunderous roars, punch, palm, finger, sword...


    The Martial God of yore.


    The martial techniques he possessed were, naturally, unparalleled.


    But...


    No matter how formidable Zhao Wuji''s attacks were, they all turned to ash under Xiao Yi''s golden sword, annihilated between heaven and earth.


    He watched in wide-eyed desperation as the sword broke through all defenses.


    Zhao Wuji showed a hint of despair, his resentful gaze dead set on Xiao Yi: "Even as a ghost, I will not let you go..."


    "A ghost?"


    Xiao Yi scoffed and shook his head, "You''re no match for me as a human, as a ghost, how could I possibly fear you?"


    Boom!


    The gold sword slashed down.


    Zhao Wuji was split in half.


    At the same time...


    The blade of the sword buzzed and cracked open, reverting back into the Sealing God Leaves that filled the sky.


    Whizz whizz whizz!


    As the Sealing God Leaves spun and flew, they attached themselves to Zhao Wuji''s body one after another, and in the blink of an eye, they completely enveloped Zhao Wuji. With a buzz, these golden Sealing God Leaves swept up Zhao Wuji and flew towards the towering tree behind Xiao Yi!


    Hum!


    Zhao Wuji fused onto the Divine Sealing Tree, and those hundred thousand-plus Sealing God Leaves then dispersed, returning to their respective places.


    Only Zhao Wuji...


    He was wrapped in a faint layer of golden light.


    Visible to the naked eye, it condensed into a bud waiting to bloom.


    "A flower? Could it be that sealing the powerhouses of ancient tombs in the Divine Sealing Tree yields flowers?"


    Xiao Yi gazed at the cluster of buds, a sudden flash of insight coming to him as he murmured to himself, "I wonder if, once this flower blooms, it will yield some kind of fruit!"


    This was the Divine Sealing Tree, after all.


    The fruit that formed on the Divine Sealing Tree would undoubtedly be extraordinary.


    Hissss!


    The bud grew at an astonishing pace, blossoming in the blink of an eye. Soon, the petals withered away, but a fruit appeared on the branch. The fruit was entirely red, covered in silver patterns, quite mysterious, yet it contained a wondrous energy fluctuation. Immediately, he swallowed the fruit.


    The fruit melted in his mouth.


    As Xiao Yi digested the fruit, a tremendous amount of information suddenly emerged in his mind.


    It was everything Zhao Wuji learned in his life.


    This was the true inheritance of the Martial God!


    For a moment.


    Xiao Yi''s mind was filled with tens of thousands of memories of martial techniques, deeply ingrained in his soul. Except for a lack of proficiency, he had mastered them all. This was far more powerful than when he had suppressed the strong and gained a part of their inheritance at the first layer, virtually leaving no place to hide, transferring all abilities.


    "Just as I expected, this is how a Martial God''s inheritance should be!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled into a slight smile, just as he was about to try out several cultivation techniques, Little Lin''s anxious voice came from outside, "Boss, something''s happened..."


    PS: Go to sleep earlier tonight, adjust your state! Currently, 15 chapters are owed...

 Chapter 787 - 785: They Must All Die!

    "Boss, something has happened!"


    Little Lin''s voice arose next to my ear, embedded with a hint of icy murderous intent and suppressed rage.


    In Xiao Yi''s understanding of Little Lin,


    it must have been something that made him extremely angry; otherwise, there would have been no way his emotions would fluctuate so greatly.


    He glanced at the ancient tomb before him.


    The deepest part of the second layer, enveloped in mist, still remained indistinct.


    Clearly, Xiao Yi''s current power was insufficient to access those tombs.


    He exhaled a long breath of turbid air.


    With a thought, Xiao Yi''s divine sense returned to the Cloud Dream Temple, only to see Little Lin with a darkened face. Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows and asked, "What happened?"


    Little Lin said, "Boss, look over there..."


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, following the direction indicated by Little Lin, and his face suddenly changed.


    They were approximately in the former territory of the Sword Dynasty, which, since the establishment of the Daqian Dynasty, had been designated as the Sword King Province.


    Entrusted to the royal family of the former Sword Dynasty to manage.


    At this moment...


    On the broad official road below,


    a mighty convoy was proceeding, within it were dozens of carriages, covered with black cloth.


    But could such cloth hinder Xiao Yi''s perception?


    Inside the cloth,


    were unmistakably boys and girls not yet ten years old.


    Concealed beneath the black cloth,


    the boys and girls huddled together, their eyes filled with terror and despair.


    "Captain, these goods are quite good quality! With this trip, we should at least make this much, right?" A young man with a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks grinned, raising two fingers.


    The burly man with a bearded face in front of him nodded, saying with a satisfied smile, "I heard that this time, there are nobles from Four Clouds Province and some other provinces coming. Maybe we can fetch even higher prices. Tell the brothers to be careful, we can''t afford to make any mistakes, especially with those two little ones in the first carriage, they''re the prime goods!"


    "Captain, what''s so special about those two little ones?" the sharp-mouthed monkey-cheeked young man asked in confusion.


    The burly man squinted, smiling, "They''re from the hometown of that Daqian Dynasty''s National Protector King!"


    "Hiss!"


    The young man gasped, eyes shining bright as he excitedly said, "We''ve really struck it rich this time! Nowadays, who in the provinces doesn''t hate that guy? These few from his hometown could probably sell for sky-high prices!"


    "Isn''t it just so?"


    The burly captain sighed, seemingly with a great amount of regret, "It''s just too bad that Xiao Yi''s ancestral graves are guarded by prohibitions, and even the experts from Longevity Secret Realm cannot enter. Otherwise, we could''ve risked digging up the bones of his ancestors. I''ve heard that someone is now offering ten billion Gold Coins for the bones of Xiao Yi''s ancestors..."


    Above the Cloud Dream Temple,


    Little Lin looked at Xiao Yi, saying, "Boss, I''ve been monitoring them for a while, these are human traffickers. They gather boys and girls from various places to offer to those so-called dignitaries for abuse and entertainment, especially those two in the first carriage, they were taken from your hometown..."


    His speech trailed off there.


    Little Lin didn''t say more, but the implication of his words was already crystal clear.


    Most of the provinces used to each be ruled by different dynasties and kingdoms. Now, because of Xiao Yi, they have gone from the esteemed royalty to roles such as Provincial Governors, under the command of the Daqian Dynasty.


    Each one of them wished nothing more than to tear Xiao Yi to pieces.


    But due to Xiao Yi''s formidable power, they could not seek revenge.


    So...


    They set their sights on the people from Xiao Yi''s hometown, trying to find a sense of revenge through them.


    "Boss, shall we eliminate them?" Little Lin asked.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, a cold light flashing across them, and shook his head, "No need to rush, I want to see how many behind-the-scenes figures we can dig out this time!"


    Those former strongmen of nations had never accepted him, a fact Xiao Yi had always been aware of, but he didn''t care.


    After all,


    Xiao Yi felt that a bunch of defeated generals couldn''t stir up any trouble, so he had never taken action against them.


    Never had he expected...


    That these people would actually extend their hands into his hometown.


    They even thought about unearthing his ancestors'' graves.


    Following the merchant caravan into the current Provincial Capital of the Sword King Province, which was also the former capital of the Sword Dynasty, the capital had been destroyed for the most part in a battle led by Xiao Yi.


    After repairs, its former prosperity had been restored.


    The caravan made a beeline for the City Lord Mansion.


    Within the mansion.


    An elite gathering featuring many high-ranking officials from the Sword King Province had already convened, among whom were disciples of the noble families from the bygone Sword Dynasty.


    Although the royal family of the Sword Dynasty had become a thing of history, they still retained their networks and power.


    The Sword Rain King, once a prince of the Sword Dynasty and now the Provincial Governor of the Sword King Province.


    The gathering was organized by him.


    In the banquet hall.


    The burly man, accompanied by over a hundred child captives, boys and girls alike, entered the hall, each showing signs of innocence and terror on their faces.


    Uneasy glances were cast around the room.


    Particularly the two exquisitely beautiful child captives at the front, who clung tightly to each other.


    The pair hailed from Green Valley Town. Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The very hometown of Xiao Yi''s mother.


    "Brother, brother, I''m scared..." the little girl, Tong Yao, gazed with her dark eyes, her tender face filled with fear and trepidation, her small hand gripping her brother''s clothes tightly, shivering.


    "Don''t be afraid, sister, your brother is here!"


    Tong Zhan clenched his teeth and said.


    Fear filled his eyes, but he did his best to comfort his sister.


    "Governor, this is the new inventory brought for amusement... And these two are the ones you specifically requested, captured from Xiao Yi''s mother''s hometown..." the burly man said obsequiously with a smirking smile.


    As soon as Xiao Yi''s hometown was mentioned.


    Everyone''s gaze rested on Tong Yao and her brother, eyes filled with greed and fervor, and even a perverse joy.


    The Sword Rain King nodded in satisfaction and laughed heartily, "Well done, I''ll give you three hundred million silver for these. They should provide enough entertainment for ten days or half a month. Bring me another batch in half a month!"


    "Thank you, Governor!"


    The burly man''s face was flushed with excitement as he said eagerly.


    The Sword Rain King waved his hand.


    With a casual lift.


    Whoosh!


    A girl flew into his hand, and he held her by the neck with one hand while snapping her throat open with a flick of his finger.


    Whoosh!


    Blood sprayed out wildly, and the Sword Rain King bit into the wound, swallowing greedily.


    After several gulps.


    He tossed the child to his subordinates and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, laughing loudly, "Delicious! The taste of these young girls is more intoxicating than any fine wine or delicacy!"


    Gulp, gulp, gulp!


    The hall was filled with the sounds of swallowing.


    And the excited cries of the dignified officials, along with the frightened cries of the child captives.


    The Sword Rain King''s cold gaze settled on Tong Yao and her brother; his blood-red tongue licked his lips as he sneered, "Gentlemen, these two come from the same place as that bastard Xiao Yi. I''ll keep the girl for myself; who wants the boy?"


    "I''ll pay one hundred million; he''s mine!"


    "Five hundred million..."


    "One billion..."


    One by one, the powerbrokers bid competitively.


    In a flash.


    The price soared beyond one billion.


    Making the not-yet-departed burly man envious.


    The Sword Rain King laughed loudly, "Very good, very good, 1.3 billion... no wonder he''s the grandson of the God of Wealth, Zhao Qian Sun, this boy is yours..."


    "Thank you, Governor!"


    Zhao Qian Sun rubbed his hands together greedily and approached Tong Zhan, "Caught from the hometown that bred Xiao Yi, I wonder how this taste will be, haha, handsome boy, come to your brother..."


    The surrounding powerbrokers watched with mocking looks as Zhao Qian Sun''s icy hand reached for Tong Zhan.


    But just as his hand was about to touch Tong Zhan.


    A cold flash of sword light pierced the air, severing Tong Zhan''s arm, and amid the screams, Xiao Yi''s voice came from outside the door: "You''re all worse than beasts, you all deserve to die!"

 Chapter 788 - 786: I Want to Kill Someone

    "You all must die!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice came from outside the door, instantly plunging the temperature within the hall by dozens of degrees.


    One by one, the powerhouses rose to their feet.


    Especially the Sword Rain King, his eyes narrowed into slits, with a chilling cold light flickering within, staring intently at the entrance.


    Backlit by the sunlight.


    The crowd couldn''t make out the newcomer''s face at first glance.


    Tap tap tap!


    The crisp sound of footsteps approached slowly, and as Xiao Yi entered the hall, the footsteps seemed like a soul-hooking, life-stealing enchantment continuously knocking against their hearts. It was as if an invisible hand clutched their throats, stopping them from making any sound, their dilated pupils and trembling legs betraying their immense fear and dread to the world.


    Gulp!


    Zhao Qian Sun swallowed hard, his voice quivering, "Xiao, Xiao, Xiao Zhenguo..."


    During the founding ceremony of the Daqian Dynasty.


    Zhao Qian Sun had also accompanied his father, the head of the first merchant family of the Sword Dynasty, the Zhao Family''s Zhao Fugui, to the Daqian Dynasty and witnessed Xiao Yi''s mighty prowess in slaying Shen Qianyi.


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Upon hearing those three words, each and every powerhouse felt their legs weaken and stumbled to the ground.


    Their eyes filled with terror.


    Disbelieving, they gazed at Xiao Yi.


    The Sword Rain King''s expression darkened slightly, his hands gripping the armrest trembled, and the knuckles turned white. His eyes darted around in an attempt to maintain calm, as he forced a smile and said, "I, I didn''t expect Xiao Zhenguo to honor us with his presence; this is truly an oversight on our part. Where is the steward? Why hasn''t the order been given? Xiao Zhenguo has graced us with his visit, prepare the grandest feast for me at once!"


    Outside the hall.


    The head steward immediately responded, trembling and scrambling towards the exterior of the residence.


    At the head table.


    Watching the head steward leave in haste, the Sword Rain King felt somewhat relieved. Since taking control of the Sword King Province, he had summoned more than forty percent of the province''s military to the main city. Through clandestine means, he had taken complete control of those several hundred thousand troops, turning the main city into an impenetrable fortress.


    Impregnable.


    As long as his million-strong army arrived, with the tactic of sheer numbers, the Sword Rain King was fully confident he could capture Xiao Yi.


    Unless...


    The Sword Rain King sneered inwardly, "Unless you''ve already stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm, otherwise, with a million troops converging on you, your death is certain!"


    As for Xiao Yi already being a part of the Longevity Secret Realm?


    The Sword Rain King thought that was utterly impossible!


    After all...


    A few months ago at the founding ceremony.


    Xiao Yi hadn''t entered the Longevity Secret Realm yet!


    Zhao Qian Sun and the others were also visibly excited, exchanging glances and seeing the thrill in each other''s eyes, "It seems that Xiao Zhenguo is not as terrifying as rumors suggest if he can''t even see through the delaying tactics of the Sword Rain King."


    "The Sword Rain King has amassed a million-strong army in the main city, once the army arrives, and they strike in unison, Xiao Yi will surely die!"


    Everyone felt the tension easing in their hearts.


    Little Lin looked at Xiao Yi with confusion, a hint of inquiry in his eyes, "Boss..."


    He could tell that the Sword Rain King was sending the steward to get help!


    Why was Xiao Yi letting him go?


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved up slightly, a faint smile on his lips, as his mocking gaze swept over them. Calmly, he said, "The Sword Rain King has already sent for reinforcements. What about you? Aren''t you going to call for help?"


    "Uh..."


    The complexions of the crowd changed at once.


    The smug look on the Sword Rain King''s face instantly crumbled; he thought Xiao Yi hadn''t seen through his strategy, only to realize Xiao Yi was already holding the winning cards. With a conflicted look on his face, the Sword Rain King coughed lightly and said, "Xiao Zhenguo must be joking..."


    "What the Sword Rain King said is right; Xiao Zhenguo might have misunderstood!"


    The crowd quickly chimed in.


    "Misunderstood?"


    The smile on Xiao Yi''s face gradually faded as he pointed to Tong Yao and the others, quivering with fear, and to the boy who had been drained of all his blood and lay as a cold corpse on the floor by the actions of the Sword Rain King and his men. Xiao Yi had not expected them to be so ruthless, consuming a living human''s blood upon their first strike, and thus he was too late to save the boy.


    Looking at the cold corpse, the murderous intent in his heart blazed fiercely like wild flames.


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi casually struck towards the face of the young man who had just claimed that everything was a misunderstanding.


    Slap!


    In the crisp sound of a slap,


    the young man''s face still wore a smile of presumption, but his head had turned a full ten rotations on his neck, hanging by a mere flap of skin.


    Thump!


    The young man lay on the ground, lifeless.


    Hiss!


    People like Sword Rain King, Zhao Qian Sun, and others couldn''t help but gasp in shock.


    Boom!


    Sword Rain King slammed his hands on the armrests and glared angrily, "Xiao Zhenguo, this is Sword King Province, you kill a man before the Governor without a second word, don''t you think you are disrespecting me too much!"


    Zhao Qian Sun''s eyes were bloodshot as he shouted, "Xiao Zhenguo, we will report this matter to His Majesty. You take lives so lightly, even with your great merits, you must pay the price for this!"


    Facing their scolding and roars,


    Xiao Yi remained expressionless, simply stating, "I know that each of you has some communication artifacts more or less. I''ll give you ten breaths to call for help; after ten breaths, I will start killing all of you!"


    "What did you say?"


    "Xiao Yi, do you really think you can do as you please?"


    "The Daqian Dynasty is not for you alone to dictate..."


    The crowd roared in anger.


    Xiao Yi calmly counted, "Seven breaths left!"


    "Six!"


    "Five..."


    Xiao Yi''s voice seemed like a soul-harvesting curse, causing everyone''s complexion to turn pale. As the countdown drew shorter, a sense of impending death enveloped them. They exchanged glances, seeing the terror in each other''s eyes, and quickly took out their Tokens.


    To send messages to their respective families.


    Suddenly,


    the entire main city of Sword King Province was thrown into chaos.


    Within each of the grand family mansions, strong presences soared into the sky one after another, with continuous roars, "I want to see who dares to touch a member of the Zhao Family!"


    "No matter who it is, if they dare to harm my son, they have only one path: death!" S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Everyone, follow me..."


    Meanwhile, back at the Governor''s residence,


    Xiao Yi counted down to one, then looked up at Sword Rain King and the others, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "Time''s up, it seems everyone who should be notified has been notified. Then I won''t waste anymore time!"


    Swish!


    Sword lights suddenly burst forth from within him.


    Under the sweep of the terrifying sword lights,


    several dozen strong men were sent flying into the air, with the cold sword light sweeping across their necks.


    For a moment...


    Blood soared.


    Heads tumbled!


    In the hall, the remaining few, like Zhao Qian Sun and Sword Rain King, were cowering in a corner, looking at Xiao Yi with terrified faces, "Don''t, don''t, don''t come any closer..."


    Xiao Yi, expressionless, advanced with his sword.


    But just then...


    Someone suddenly tugged at the hem of his garment, and with a puzzled look, Xiao Yi saw the intelligent face of Tong Zhan looking up at him.


    Xiao Yi paused, puzzledly looking at him.


    Tong Zhan''s eyes held firm determination and resolve, as he gritted his teeth and said, "Big brother, I want to kill, can you teach me how?"

 Chapter 789 - 787: Kill!

    "Big brother, I want to learn how to kill, can you teach me?"


    Tong Zhan''s eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Xiao Yi, the childish timbre of his voice trembling slightly as he asked.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Locked in their gaze, he even became somewhat distracted.


    He had never seen such a look in a child''s eyes before.


    Determined, resolute, desperate, mad...


    These complex negative emotions, converging in his eyes, formed a chilling and scary complex gaze.


    Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment before speaking in a deep voice, "Why do you want to kill?"


    Tong Zhan turned his head to look at the brawny man curled up in the corner, along with the Sword Rain King, Zhao Qian Sun, and others.


    The madness in his eyes grew more intense.


    His teeth gritted with a metallic sound.


    His knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists tightly.


    His youthful voice carried an overwhelming tide of hatred and a piercing murderous intent as he gritted his teeth, "I must become stronger, I must seek revenge��" His breathing grew more and more rapid, like a wounded, starving wolf staring down its assailant, "My grandparents were killed by them, my parents were chopped to death while trying to save us. If you hadn''t appeared, even my sister and I would have suffered. I must become stronger, I must kill, I must seek revenge��"


    The young boy''s voice was youthful but exceedingly firm.


    Through those blood-red eyes.


    Xiao Yi could sense how angry and desperate he felt inside.


    His family met a tragic death.


    He was powerless to do anything.


    His enemies were insolent.


    Still, he was powerless.


    Facing repeated setbacks did not break him, but made this young boy''s heart become exceptionally determined.


    A transformation had occurred.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath, seeing his past self in Tong Zhan��the helplessness against a powerful enemy, the desire to resist yet the futility of the situation. Fortunately, he had the eternal tomb, which gave him the power to turn the tide. But what about Tong Zhan? He didn''t have an eternal tomb. If he hadn''t met Xiao Yi, he could only watch as he and his sister Tong Yao became playthings for the Sword Rain King and others.


    With a plop, Tong Zhan knelt before Xiao Yi and knocked his head on the ground repeatedly, saying word by word, "Xiao Zhenguo, please teach me!"


    Looking at the fervent gaze in Tong Zhan''s eyes.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved up slightly as he nodded, "Alright!"


    Tong Zhan suddenly looked up, his disbelief evident as he stared at Xiao Yi.


    Whoosh!


    A regretful light burst from Xiao Yi''s hand and fell in front of Tong Zhan with a swift motion.


    It was a silver three-foot longsword.


    The blade shone with silver light, excessively sharp, and the icy Sword Qi seemed to carry a bone-chilling cold breeze.


    Xiao Yi pointed at the Sword Rain King and the others, his face expressionless as he said, "Pick up the sword, kill them!"


    "This... "


    Tong Zhan''s face changed as he incredulously glanced at the sword, then at the Sword Rain King and the others.


    Among them, the weakest was in the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    He was merely at the Physical Body Realm.


    They could blow him away with just a breath!


    "What''s the matter? You don''t dare?" Xiao Yi asked with a mocking laugh.


    Tong Zhan gritted his teeth and suddenly grabbed the hilt with both hands, unsheathing the longsword with a clang. Holding the three-foot silver longsword, his blood-red eyes blazed with madness as he bit down on his teeth and roared, "Kill!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The three-foot silver longsword in his hands danced wildly.


    A formidable wind was generated.


    But in the eyes of Sword Rain King and the others, he seemed nothing more than a buffoon on stage.


    They looked at each other in disbelief, "What does Xiao Yi mean by this? To let an ant wield a sword to kill us?"


    A fierce glint streaked through Sword Rain King''s eyes, "Brothers, Xiao Yi''s strength is formidable, and we are no match for him. However, I see that he holds this boy in high esteem. Let''s capture him first. That way, Xiao Yi will hesitate to act, fearing harm to the boy. All we need is to buy time until our reinforcements arrive, then we can kill Xiao Yi in one fell swoop and pledge allegiance to the Nantian Dynasty..."


    "Let''s do that!"


    "Damn it, let''s go all out!"


    The men exchanged glances.


    Simultaneously, they turned to the brawny man and said, "You, go and grab that kid for me!"


    "Don''t worry, my lords, I''ll take care of this boy!"


    With a ferocious laugh, the brawny man''s cultivation was also at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, and he was fully confident in dealing with Tong Zhan from the mere Physical Body Realm.


    Amidst a face of a savage smile,


    The brawny man charged at Tong Zhan, his face twisted with cruelty, "You little bastard, forgot how your family died at my hands? You think with your pathetic ability you can seek revenge? It''s like a dream, come here!"


    Whoosh!


    The brawny man reached out with one hand.


    His elemental energy surged, condensing into a cold elemental hand that reached out to grab Tong Zhan.


    Tong Yao''s face went pale as she cried out desperately, "Brother, dodge quickly!"


    Tong Zhan''s heart skipped a beat. He instinctively thought about dodging, but then he remembered what Xiao Yi had said.


    Only by killing the men before him,


    Would Xiao Yi teach him the true art of killing, allowing him to protect his sister properly.


    With this thought,


    Tong Zhan gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and holding his longsword tightly, he let out a roar, slashing his silvery longsword forward. This strike was ordinary and unremarkable; to the brawny man and the others, it was full of flaws and seemingly powerless, prompting jeers and mockery, "Did Xiao Yi send this kid to make us laugh?"


    "With such an attack, even if I stood still, he couldn''t break through my defense!"


    "Hahaha, it''s too ridiculous!"


    Sword Rain King, Zhao Qian Sun, and the others showed thick scorn on their faces.


    But very soon...


    Their smirks disappeared completely.


    Under that ordinary silver sword light, the mighty Golden Elixir Realm Peak brawny man''s elemental hand was split in half with a buzzing sound by the strike. Simultaneously, as Tong Zhan followed through with his sword, the brawny man still wore a face of smugness and contempt, foolishly standing in place.


    Allowing the sword to fall on his body.


    Thump!


    As the sword passed through,


    The head rolled away.


    The brawny man''s body thudded onto the ground.


    Hiss... S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The mockery and pride of Sword Rain King and the others came to an abrupt end as they stood dumbfounded, disbelieving the scene before them, "How is this possible?"


    "What exactly happened just then?"


    "A sword with such power, hardly enough to break defense, yet it killed a man?"


    Tong Zhan looked in disbelief at the decapitated corpse before him and at the blood-dripping longsword in his hand, swallowing hard. The scalding blood splashed onto his face, trickled into his mouth along his cheek, and the faint taste of blood did not frighten him; instead, it exhilarated him.


    The bloody light in his eyes became purer and more focused.


    Clang!


    With a sweep of his longsword, Tong Zhan let out an earth-shattering roar from his throat, lifted his longsword like a madman, and charged toward Sword Rain King and the others.


    With a roar,


    Accompanied by the gleaming silver sword light that filled the sky, it sent chills down one''s spine, "Kill!"


    PS: With this segment, the transition in the storyline is finally complete. Tong Zhan and his sister will play a significant role in the upcoming chapters, which is why this took a bit more time. Please forgive the indulgence! More updates to come tonight, Xiao Tian continues!

 Chapter 790 - 788: Massacre

    "Kill!"


    Tong Zhan''s eyes were a blood-red, as he charged at Sword Rain King and the others, sword in hand.


    After he had slain the burly man,


    Tong Zhan was no longer trembling in fear as before, but instead, he was filled with confidence as he stepped forward with his sword.


    Sword Rain King and his companions exchanged glances, their eyes brimming with coldness and scorn, "Just now, it must have been Xiao Yi secretly lending a hand. This proves that Xiao Yi really cares about this kid. As long as we capture him and delay the time, we will definitely have the last laugh!"


    "Attack!"


    Several powerful figures made their move at once.


    However...


    These experts from the Tao Tribulation Realm, Dharma Manifestation Realm, and even the Nirvana Realm, as they prepared to strike, found their bodies seemingly crushed under the weight of countless mountains.


    There were Azure Dragons coiling tightly around their limbs,


    The seal of death locked all the energy within their bodies.


    They couldn''t unleash even one-billionth of their powerful strength.


    Tong Zhan, who could''ve been easily killed with a breath,


    At this moment...


    In their eyes, he had become like the angel of death.


    "Go to hell!"


    "If it weren''t for you, they wouldn''t be capturing us everywhere..." S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If it weren''t for you, my family wouldn''t have died, if it weren''t for you, I wouldn''t have become like this, you all deserve to die..." Tong Zhan kept roaring with heaven-shaking anger, his whole being like a crazy demon, wildly swinging his longsword.


    Swish swish swish!


    The longsword danced erratically, without any pattern.


    Silver sword lights, sharp and unmatched, slashed through the skies, the cold sword shadows kept falling on their bodies.


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Thud!


    The cold sword light penetrated into each lively body. Because Tong Zhan''s strength was not strong, his grasp of the sword was even more rudimentary.


    Each sword strike varied in force,


    Either beheading with a single strike, or only chopping off half a neck to the agonizing screams of the enemy, or piercing through a stomach without touching the organs, yet allowing the enemy to watch their intestines spill out amidst gushing blood.


    Gruesome!


    Terrible!


    Like a battlefield of Asuras!


    Bright red blood sprayed continuously, splattering over Tong Zhan''s body.


    It formed a coat of fresh blood, his body emanating a chilling murderous intent, and his eyes flickering with a brutal cold light.


    The longsword in his hand was stained with the bright red glow of blood.


    The intensity of his killing intent actually caused Sword Rain King and the others to feel a chill of terror in their hearts. A Physical Body Realm expert was merely like an ant to them, but now Tong Zhan appeared to them as if he had transformed into a death god incarnate.


    One by one, their faces changed drastically, "Don''t come any closer!"


    "Ahhhh, just kill me quickly..."


    Amid the wretched screams,


    Tong Zhan''s eyes regained some clarity, and as he looked at the strong men howling in front of him, his young face turned a shade of pale.


    After all, he was just a child.


    In his previous hatred and anger, he had wreaked vengeance and carnage like a mad demon.


    Now...


    The consecutive acts of killing had lessened the resentment in his heart.


    He suddenly came to his senses.


    Seeing his hands covered with fresh blood, he felt a mingling of alarm, bewilderment, and helplessness for a moment.


    Xiao Yi was watching indifferently from the side, not saying a word.


    "Tong, Tong Zhan, let me go, I beg you to spare me..." Sword Rain King''s voice was shrill as he shouted, his shoulder sliced by two swords which were extremely painful but not fatal, his face twisted with ferocity.


    Tong Zhan''s entire body trembled, his hand gripping the longsword shook.


    As Tong Zhan hesitated,


    Sword Rain King suddenly let out a hideous laugh, and as he abruptly raised his head, he struck back at Tong Zhan like a venomous snake. His right hand extended into a claw aiming for Tong Zhan''s neck. Just as the claw was about to hit Tong Zhan, a shadow suddenly appeared in front of him.


    Bang!


    In the midst of the heavy thud of sandbags being struck.


    The Sword Rain King was kicked away by Xiao Yi, and with a loud crash, he slammed into the wall, howling miserably as blood gushed wildly from his mouth.


    Tong Zhan''s face was filled with fear.


    Xiao Yi rubbed his head and was about to speak, when he saw continuous booming noises coming from outside the city lord''s mansion.


    Metallic clangs and clatters, the trampling of warhorses, the gathering of the powerful.


    A million-strong army!


    Along with the strong from all sides, all converging here.


    The Sword Rain King and Zhao Qian Sun burst into laughter, seeing a glimmer of hope for life, and roared with arrogance, "Hahaha, Xiao Yi, you''re as good as dead! My men have arrived, no matter how strong you are, you can never stand against a million-strong army, nobody can save you... just by killing you and taking your head to the Nantian Dynasty, that would be a tremendous feat. At that time, I will surely restore the Sword Dynasty!"


    Zhao Qian Sun had his belly slit open, cupping his intestines in his hands, his face full of spite: "Xiao Yi, aren''t you very arrogant? Weren''t you going to teach this little bastard how to kill? Once you fall into our hands, I''ll make sure you wish you were dead..."


    Tong Zhan''s face turned pale.


    He looked towards Xiao Yi with a face filled with despair.


    That was a million-strong army...


    That was the power of all parties from the entire Provincial Capital.


    Just the terrifying aura alone was enough to root him to the spot.


    An intense cold crept through his bones, sweeping over his whole body.


    But just as Tong Zhan was about to despair, Xiao Yi''s palm landed on his head and gently ruffled it. A faint warmth spread from the top of his head, with Xiao Yi''s voice echoing in his ears: "Tong Zhan, don''t you want to learn to kill, to protect your sister? Open your eyes wide and watch closely, today I''ll teach you your first lesson..."


    No sooner had his voice fallen.


    Xiao Yi''s figure suddenly flickered, instantly creating over a dozen afterimages.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Sword shadows filled the air.


    Under the horrified gazes of the Sword Rain King, Zhao Qian Sun, and the others, heads flew up into the air one after another.


    Xiao Yi''s voice lingered in Tong Zhan''s ears, but his figure was already striding towards the outside of the city lord''s mansion, Longsword in hand: "To show mercy to one''s enemy is cruelty to oneself. Either do not kill, but once you decide to, then remember these four words��cut the grass, remove the roots!"


    Cut! Grass! Remove! Roots!


    Tong Zhan''s lips moved slightly, repeating these four words.


    The bewilderment and fear in his eyes faded gradually, replaced by determination and resolve.


    Instinctively, he followed in Xiao Yi''s footsteps.


    Watching Xiao Yi rise into the air, facing the million-strong army outside the city lord''s mansion, standing amongst the thousands of mighty warriors without a hint of fear, Tong Zhan''s eyes blazed with fervor. To him, that figure seemed god-like and demonic, majestic to the extreme.


    This figure was destined to be imprinted in his soul like a god or demon for life.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Several figures soared into the air from within the million-strong army.


    Among them were five of the former Great Generals.


    Beyond that.


    The head of the Zhao Family, Zhao Fugui, and others, stood opposite Xiao Yi as well.


    Zhao Fugui''s face darkened as he said, "Xiao Zhenguo, where is my son Zhao Qian Sun?"


    One of the former ten Great Generals, Yin Liang, said, "Where is Lord Sword Rain King? Release him!"


    "They are already dead!"


    Xiao Yi confronted the million-strong army and the powerful figures from all sides, responding calmly from midair.


    Hiss!


    The faces of the strong turned ashen.


    Zhao Fugui roared, "Damn it... you dare to kill my child? All Zhao Family members, heed my command, kill him at all costs!"


    Yin Liang''s face twisted with ferocity, he had been loyal to the Sword Dynasty''s royal family all his life, and now that the Sword Rain King, one of the last royal bloodlines, was also killed by Xiao Yi, his eyes turned bloodshot: "Xiao Yi, you''re overstepping! All forces listen up, kill Xiao Yi at all costs!"


    Kill!


    Kill!


    Kill!


    Chants of killing shook the heavens.


    Sweeping towards them was a terrifying killing intent.


    Facing the million-strong army and the siege of many powerful fighters, Xiao Yi stood with his sword drawn, coldly saying, "Since you''re so eager to seek death, then I''ll oblige you, let the slaughter begin..."

 Chapter 791 - 789: Do Not Say That You Were Not Warned!

    "Tong Zhan, open your eyes wide and see clearly; one must never show mercy to the enemy!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly echoed above the lord''s mansion.


    Tong Zhan''s body shook violently.


    His fists clenched tightly, he stared with burning eyes at the figure hovering in midair.


    At that moment...


    The figure had become indelibly imprinted in the depths of his soul, deeply-rooted and unshakable.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s figure suddenly paused, tracing a graceful arc in the void, the light trailing behind him leaving a glittering golden arc, in an instant he appeared in front of Zhao Fugui and the others.


    "Kill him!"


    "Whoever takes Xiao Yi''s head, my Zhao Family is willing to give half of our fortune..."


    Great rewards bring forth brave men.


    A horde of powerful warriors, their eyes bloodshot, crazily charged toward Xiao Yi.


    Zhao Fugui''s face twisted with ferocity and resentment: "We have an army of a million here, with more than a thousand masters beyond the Nirvana Realm. Unless you are a powerhouse from the Longevity Secret Realm, this day next year will be your death anniversary, Xiao Yi."


    Yin Liang''s face was without expression, he sneered arrogantly: "The Longevity Secret Realm is not so easily reached. Even if the King of Heaven himself came today, he could not save this dog''s life!"


    Amid the various discussions...


    One saw groups of warriors swarming up like ants, surrounding Xiao Yi tightly.


    The earth-shattering cries of battle came to an abrupt halt.


    As they wondered...


    A humming sound.


    Suddenly, a heaven-shaking Sword Qi burst forth from the crowd, followed by the whooshing sounds of terrifying Sword Qi sweeping across. It pierced the bodies of numerous masters, severing hands and feet, even decapitating heads as they were flung high into the air amidst the storm of Sword Qi.


    Bodies were shattered, flesh and blood mingled together in the air.


    The pungent smell of blood filled the air.


    Xiao Yi hovered in midair, spotless, while around him, a series of corpses tumbled down.


    In just one encounter.


    The number of strong warriors dead by his hand was already over five thousand...


    Xiao Yi, with his back to Tong Zhan, spoke clearly into his ears, "Tong Zhan, remember each and every word I say next... A man in this world, should protect his family, his lover, his friends... We do not provoke trouble, but if someone comes to us, particularly if they dare to harm our loved ones, friends, or lover, then..."


    Xiao Yi turned his head.


    They faced each other at a close distance, their eyes locking.


    "You should have no reservations, just kill them!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled up slightly, he enunciated slowly, "To kill one is to be a thief, to slaughter thousands makes one a hero, to slaughter nine million, one stands a hero among heroes!"


    He spoke slowly.


    Each time he opened his mouth.


    With every word spoken.


    From Xiao Yi''s sword fell a swath of powerful warriors.


    With his current strength...


    Let alone these warriors whose strength was at most the Nirvana Realm, even the powerhouses of the Longevity Secret Realm would be slain without mistake.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Xiao Yi transformed into a devil god, leaving only the sound of a sharp longsword tearing through the void and the hysterical screams and desperate roars of warriors. As master after master fell from the sky, smashing heavily onto the ground, their bodies dismembered, becoming a field of broken corpses, Zhao Fugui, Yin Liang, and others were completely stunned.


    Zhao Fugui''s face paled, he looked bewildered: "How, how is this possible? How could he, how could he be so terrifying?"


    "This, this, this is the Longevity Secret Realm... When did he break through?"


    "We''re done, we''re all done..."


    Yin Liang and the others wore faces of despair.


    "Why the hell are we still fighting?"


    "I don''t want to play anymore, I''m running..."


    "I don''t want to die..."


    In the blink of an eye, the million-strong army had already lost more than a hundred thousand. The remaining warriors dared not stay any longer.


    Great rewards bring forth brave men, indeed.


    But...


    When they had lost all hope, facing a supreme and invincible devil god, no amount of reward was worth their lives!


    One after another, the strong scattered, fleeing desperately in all directions.


    Zhao Fugui and others exchanged looks, seeing the same desperation and panic in each other''s eyes, "Run, as long as we get to the Nantian Dynasty, we can still be saved..."


    "Run!"


    The myriad of strong scattered like birds and beasts.


    Exerting the fastest speeds of their lives, they sprinted wildly toward the direction of the Nantian Dynasty.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward, his face revealing a chilling intent to kill, "I haven''t agreed, can you really leave?"


    As soon as the words fell.


    Behind him, a golden figure emerged...


    It was the Martial Dao Fasxiang Devouring God Ant!


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Under the drive of innate power, the God Devouring Ants continuously divided.


    Before breaking through to the Longevity Secret Realm, he could at most summon a million God Devouring Ants, but now the God Devouring Ants had reached a level of tens of millions. The tens of millions of God Devouring Ants, their bodies flickering with dazzling golden light, were like a canopy forged of gold that spanned the heavens and earth.


    The brilliant golden light was accompanied by the buzzing of vibrating wings.


    It made one''s scalp tingle.


    "Kill them all!"


    Xiao Yi stood suspended in the air, his black hair flying wildly, his clothes spotless, as he pointed forward.


    Whoosh! S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    An army of tens of millions of the God Devouring Ants surged out.


    Wherever they went...


    Any strong being they caught up with was devoured fiercely before they could even cry out, completely turning into dry bones.


    Ten.


    A hundred.


    A thousand...


    The several hundred thousand strong here were nothing but fodder in the mouths of the tens of millions of God Devouring Ants within the short time of burning an incense stick.


    Buzz buzz buzz!


    Several hundred God Devouring Ants surrounded Zhao Fugui, Yin Liang, and several others, preventing them from making any rash moves.


    Xiao Yi appeared before them.


    Zhao Fugui''s face changed rapidly, shouting out, "Xiao, Xiao Zhenguo, this is all a misunderstanding... I am willing to offer you all my assets, please spare my life..."


    Yin Liang was sincerely frightened, "Venerable Zhenguo, spare my life... I, I dare not again, I, I can be your dog, as long as you don''t kill me..."


    In the face of death.


    Even the lofty commanders would choose to save themselves.


    Self-preservation is a natural instinct.


    After all.


    Those who retain their integrity until death are few and far between!


    Faced with their pleas for mercy.


    Xiao Yi merely smiled faintly and waved his hand, "Had you known this earlier, why did you ever begin?"


    As soon as the words fell.


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Two palm shadows fell upon the heads of the two men.


    Their heads exploded with a bang, blood mixed with brain matter flying out, splattering in all directions.


    Inside the entire Sword King Province Provincial Capital.


    All the remaining strong affiliated with the former Sword Dynasty royal family were slaughtered to the last!


    The fallen strong numbered over a million!


    After all.


    Just those swept away by the God Devouring Ants amounted to over eight hundred thousand. What remained of these strong beings was but piles of bones, not even flesh and blood were left, but the mountains of bones piled up were also filled with deterrence. All the millions of commoners within the main city stayed behind closed doors, not knowing that outside had become a field of Asura, a land of white bones.


    Xiao Yi stood expressionless atop White Bone Mountain, his indifferent voice spreading throughout the entire main city, "Sword Rain King, you dared to organize the trafficking of innocent citizens of the Daqian Dynasty, subjecting them to poison and torture until death. Today, I, Xiao Yi, will carry out justice on the spot for the Sword Rain King and his accomplices to rectify the public''s ear and eye. If anyone else dare harm a single hair on an innocent citizen of the Daqian Dynasty, their families will be eradicated without mercy... Let there be no doubt that this warning has been given!"

 Chapter 792 - 790: Courting Death?

    "Do not speak as though you weren''t forewarned!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice echoed across the entire main city''s skies, resoundingly penetrating into the depths of everyone''s soul.


    Outside the vast Lord''s Mansion, on the wide streets, there were heaps of corpses.


    Piled up into mountains.


    Among the mountainous piles of skeletons, a terrifying Evil Qi congealed, causing the temperature throughout the entire main city to drop significantly. A million-strong army, including over a thousand warriors from the Nirvana Realm, all perished under Xiao Yi''s sword, with not a single survivor.


    Such a scene...


    Had already been branded into the soul of every survivor.


    That figure standing aloft in the air, clutching a longsword with wild black hair dancing about, would be indelibly etched in the hearts of generations to come from the Sword King Province.


    As long as Xiao Yi was still around,


    There would definitely be no one in the Sword King Province with any heart of rebellion.


    Inside the Lord''s Mansion.


    Tong Zhan clenched his fists, the joints cracking; his eyes blazed with intensity, fixating on Xiao Yi''s silhouette.


    A man should commit murder.


    To kill one is to be a thief, to slaughter thousands is to be a hero!


    To slaughter nine million, that is the hero among heroes!


    Xiao Yi''s words echoed in his mind, deafening. Each word felt as though it were carved into their hearts with the sharpest chisel. After a long exhalation, Tong Zhan''s eyes shone brilliantly as he whispered to himself, "This is the path I must take. Only by possessing absolute strength can I protect everything I hold dear!"


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi''s figure flickered and landed beside him.


    Calmly watching the Tong Zhan in front of him.


    Xiao Yi was attracted by his unmistakably determined gaze, a faint smile on his lips, "Having witnessed this battle, do you have any thoughts?"


    "I do!"


    Tong Zhan nodded solemnly, a wave of excitement crossing his face, and he knelt before Xiao Yi with a plop, loudly saying, "Disciple Tong Zhan, hopes that Xiao Zhenguo would take me as his apprentice!"


    With that,


    Tong Zhan attempted to kowtow, but he was hindered by an invisible force.


    Making it impossible for him to complete the act of kowtowing.


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "Why do you want to take me as your master?"


    "I want to become strong!"


    Tong Zhan said earnestly, pausing after each word, "Only by becoming as powerful as you can I control my own destiny, can I protect the ones I cherish. Otherwise, I would merely be a plaything in others'' hands, to be toyed with... I want to become as strong as you!"


    Xiao Yi squinted and surveyed Tong Zhan up and down, still with a look of calm. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tong Zhan''s talent was only considered average.


    The only thing that Xiao Yi valued in him was his courage and determination.


    A mere Physical Body Realm...


    Faced with people like the Sword Rain King, he still had the courage to stand out and protect his little sister.


    This courage and sense of responsibility were what most people lacked.


    When he was slaughtering the burly man and his group,


    He didn''t hesitate or waver.


    His heart was resolute, and the sword in his hand was incomparably sharp!


    "It''s not so easy to take me as your master... Three months from now, I will openly recruit disciples at the Xiaoshanhe Institute. I will give you a sword, and a scroll of sword techniques. You must rely on your own abilities to hurry back to the imperial capital from here and attend the Xiaoshanhe Institute assessment in three months. As long as you pass the assessment, I will take you as my disciple."


    Xiao Yi looked at the eager Tong Zhan and continued, "However, I have to warn you, the journey from here to the imperial capital is not short, and you''ll have to cross the Northern Ice Plains on the way, which is fraught with peril. Of course, if you doubt your abilities, you can choose to travel back to the imperial capital with the others. Out of consideration that we come from the same homeland, I can arrange for you to join the Xiaoshanhe Institute. Which do you choose?"


    For a moment,


    Tong Zhan fell silent.


    He was just at the Physical Body Realm, and not to mention the numerous dangers along the way, it was questionable if he could even reach the imperial capital on foot in three months.


    Choosing the first option could very likely lead to death on the way.


    But choosing the second one...


    Although there would be no danger, and it also meant joining the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    But joining the Xiaoshanhe Institute and becoming Xiao Yi''s disciple were two different things!


    After hesitating for a moment.


    Tong Zhan looked up seriously at Xiao Yi and asked in a deep voice, "Lord Zhenguo, if I die on the way, could you take care of Tong Yao for me?"


    "Brother..."


    Tong Yao''s complexion changed, and she called out anxiously.


    Tong Zhan shook his head at her and stared earnestly at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his lips curling slightly upwards, and nodded, "Yes!"


    Whew!


    Tong Zhan let out a long breath of turbid air and spoke solemnly, "Lord Zhenguo, please bestow a sword upon me!"


    He had chosen the first path!


    A touch of gratification flashed deep in Xiao Yi''s eyes. In a flick of his wrist, he handed over the longsword he had given him earlier, along with a scroll of "Thirteen Sword Techniques that Seize Life," a Dragon Source, and some silver taels, "I hope to see you at the Xiaoshanhe Institute in three months!"


    "I will not disappoint you!"


    Tong Zhan gathered the items, slung the longsword on his back, took another deep breath of turbid air, and walked to Tong Yao. He ruffled her hair and smiled, "Tong Yao, from now on you must listen to Lord Zhenguo, obediently go back to the Xiaoshanhe Institute with them. Within three months, your brother will definitely come to the Institute to find you!"


    "Brother, I, I want to stay with you..." Tong Yao said in a crisp voice.


    Her eyes were red.


    She was well aware of the dangers of this journey.


    This parting might very well be forever!


    Tong Zhan shook his head, gently patted her head, his eyes resolute, "Be a good girl, wait for your brother at the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    As soon as he spoke.


    Tong Zhan gave Xiao Yi a fist salute to bid farewell, shouldered the longsword, and disappeared from sight.


    Xiao Yi watched his departing figure.


    With a wave of his hand.


    He picked up Tong Yao and the others, flew to the Cloud Dream Temple, and headed towards the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    No one noticed.


    In the instant the Cloud Dream Temple tore through the sky and left, a figure quietly departed from the Cloud Dream Temple, following behind Tong Zhan.


    Xiao Yi was completely unaware at this moment...


    That his actions today would, in the not too distant future, create a giant of swordsmanship that would shake the entire Qingtian Realm.


    Calm...


    Xiao Yi was unaware of all this.


    At this moment.


    He was aboard the Cloud Dream Temple, comprehending the numerous cultivation techniques and secret tomes he had acquired from Zhao Wuji.


    The inheritance from Zhao Wuji he gained on the second layer of the Eternal Tomb was several times more substantial than what he had obtained on the first layer. Just the martial skills alone had exceeded ten thousand types, among which were some world-renowned secret techniques that had been lost for many years. Xiao Yi''s overall combat strength had received an exponential increase.


    "Worthy of being the Martial God..."


    This was the exclamation Xiao Yi made after grasping the many inheritances of Zhao Wuji.


    And while he was comprehending.


    Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.


    Xiao Yi...


    Finally arrived back at the Daqian Dynasty''s imperial capital aboard the Cloud Dream Temple, landing within the Xiaoshanhe Institute. However, when Xiao Yi landed in the Xiaoshanhe Institute and his Spiritual Sense swept over the entire place, the view inside caused his expression to slightly change, and a hint of coldness appeared on his face, "Are these fellows seeking death?"

 Chapter 793 - 791: Jealous of the limelight?

    Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The scale of Xiaoshanhe Institute had expanded countless times compared to before, especially since Xiao Yi was reconstructing Imperial Dragon Peak with the power to move mountains and fill seas.


    It had nearly expanded the institute a hundredfold.


    Palaces and buildings stretched out in succession.


    Mountains and rivers were all nestled within, especially the gorges, which housed waterfalls and valleys, providing disciples with places to seclude themselves and rigorously cultivate their martial skills.


    At this moment...


    Within one of the valleys.


    Two groups of Xiaoshanhe Institute''s disciples were distinctly divided into factions, glaring at each other with anger in their eyes, swords drawn and bows taut. The oppressive atmosphere made even the surrounding wind turn heavy and somber. Xiao Yi had concealed Cloud Dream Temple within the void, his figure dropping silently, blending into the crowd unnoticed.


    Whispers of the disciples reached his ears incessantly: "Who do you think will win this time between Ye Heng and Gu Tao?"


    "It should be Brother Ye Heng! After all, he is the chief disciple personally taught by the head of the institute, and he possesses the Battle War Holy Body..."


    "That''s not necessarily true. Brother Gu Tao was previously a master of Three Seas Mountain. Now that he has become a disciple of Lord Shadow Demon, his strength is not to be underestimated either!"


    Xiao Yi frowned.


    He clearly knew Ye Heng, his chief personally taught disciple.


    As for Gu Tao, he had some impression of him. Originally a disciple from Three Seas Mountain, he was taken as a disciple by Shadow Demon after the top ten sects joined Xiaoshanhe Institute. His talent was strong, especially his mastery of the Emerald Sea Tide Sword Skill, which was refined and pure. Among the younger generation of disciples in Xiaoshanhe Institute, he was regarded as a prodigy.


    However...


    Xiao Yi couldn''t recall any deep hatred between the two.


    Why had they gathered their fellow sect brothers, creating a scene where it seemed neither could live while the other survived?


    Xiao Yi patted the shoulder of a young man standing in front of him. He was not even twenty, even younger than many of the disciples present. Assuming Xiao Yi to be an obscure Xiaoshanhe Institute disciple, the man asked indifferently, "What''s the matter?"


    Xiao Yi glanced in the direction of Ye Heng and Gu Tao and asked with confusion, "What''s going on here?"


    "You really lack manners, don''t you know to call someone brother? Never mind, seeing as you don''t even know the grudge between the two brothers, you must be a loner with no friends, so I won''t blame you..."


    The young man glared at Xiao Yi impatiently, muttering disdainfully, before continuing, "Brother Ye Heng and Brother Gu Tao both fell in love with Sister Bi Yun. A few days ago, when Brother Gu Tao confessed to Sister Bi Yun and was rejected, she said only the strongest among her peers would catch her eye. That''s why Brother Gu Tao challenged Brother Ye Heng..."


    Xiao Yi''s face turned green: "..."


    Damn it!


    He thought it was some deep-seated grudge.


    Turns out it was just jealousy and romantic competition?


    Xiao Yi looked towards Ye Heng amidst the crowd, dissatisfaction evident in his eyes. It was utterly unbecoming for the chief disciple personally taught by the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute to engage in a brawl with other brothers over a woman.


    Indeed, it was disgraceful.


    "No... With Ye Heng''s temperament, he shouldn''t be this impulsive. There must be something else behind this!" Xiao Yi, regaining his composure, thought with some doubt and asked in a deep voice, "And who exactly is Bi Yun?"


    The institute had become too big these days!


    He didn''t know many people anymore!


    The disciple looked at Xiao Yi with a puzzled expression and said speechlessly, "Have you been living in your own world this whole time? You don''t even know Sister Bi Yun? Sister Bi Yun was once one of the four divine maidens of Feixue Temple, and since joining our Xiaoshanhe Institute, she''s become one of the top ten goddesses. She''s an absolute beauty!" S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi uttered an "Oh," thinking to himself that it seemed so: "Since she''s from Feixue Temple... I hope I''m just overthinking this. But if you really are scheming behind the scenes, you can''t blame me then!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes flashed a glint of cold light.


    He had always had a negative impression of the Feixue Temple, particularly after his previous encounter with Bai Xue which made him detest the women of the Feixue Temple even more.


    At that moment...


    In the center of the crowd, Gu Tao spoke up, "Ye Heng, today I must defeat you and let Bi Yun know who is the strongest!"


    Ye Heng sighed, "You are no match for me, and besides, I have no intention of fighting you!"


    "Hmph!"


    Gu Tao let out a cold snort, his face full of anger, "Is it truly that you have no intention to fight, or is it that you are too cowardly to fight? Ye Heng, you are after all the head disciple taught by the Institute''s Director; could it be that you do not even have the courage to fight me? You''re really letting our Director down..."


    Ye Heng''s expression changed, and he said in a deep voice, "Gu Tao, you can provoke me, but I will not allow you to insult my master!"


    "How dare I insult the Director? It''s just that you don''t even have the courage to fight me, which I really look down upon!" Gu Tao said coldly, with an arrogant provocation.


    "You��"


    Ye Heng''s complexion alternated between pallor and flushing.


    But at that moment...


    A beautiful figure descended from the sky, looking like a woman from a painting, truly gorgeous and captivating.


    It was Bi Yun!


    "Bi Yun has come?"


    "Is she here to stop this fight?" The onlookers were curious as they watched Bi Yun.


    In Gu Tao''s eyes blazed an intense fondness as he said, "Bi Yun, you finally arrived! I''ll prove to you that Ye Heng is but mud beneath my feet compared to me..."


    Ye Heng frowned and said, "Bi Yun, make it clear to Gu Tao that I have no desire to fight him��"


    Bi Yun lightly bit her red lips, looking at Gu Tao with an expression of grievance, "Brother Gu, I beg you to stop provoking Brother Ye Heng. He must really hate me by now, feeling that I have brought him all sorts of trouble. Please, for my sake, stop provoking him��"


    For a moment.


    Bi Yun burst into tears, looking utterly pitiable.


    This caused Gu Tao''s eyes to turn completely red, his gaze on Ye Heng fierce like an angry lion as he roared, "Ye Heng, if you are still a man, then come at me. What kind of prowess do you have if you are harsh on Bi Yun?" He paused, then looked at Bi Yun gently and said, "Bi Yun, don''t be afraid. As long as I''m here, no one can hurt you!"


    "No, don''t..."


    Bi Yun spread out her hands in front of Ye Heng, a stubborn look on her face that made one can''t help but feel tender towards her, "Brother Gu, please don''t trouble Brother Ye. If you''re angry, take it out on me��"


    Gu Tao completely lost control, roaring hysterically, "Ye Heng, are you a fucking man or not? Fight me if you dare, what kind of skill is it to let Bi Yun stand before you?"


    The surrounding crowd couldn''t stand to watch, "What kind of man is Ye Heng?"


    "I can''t watch this anymore, is Ye Heng not shameless?"


    "He actually lets a woman shield him..."


    Nobody noticed the faint smile that crossed Bi Yun''s eyes...


    Facing the mockery of the crowd, Ye Heng''s face grew utterly solemn.


    His eyes slowly narrowed into slits.


    A cold glint flashed in Ye Heng''s eyes as he pulled Bi Yun aside, about to speak, when he heard an indifferent voice, "Who asked you to do this? Confess honestly and I might spare your life..."

 Chapter 794 - 792: Ruthless Destruction of Beauty

    "Who gave you the nerve to do this?"


    A cold voice emerged from the crowd, as Xiao Yi stepped out from among the people.


    Ye Heng''s expression changed slightly, and just as he was about to speak, he saw Xiao Yi shake his head at him and immediately shut his mouth.


    Gu Tao frowned slightly, feeling that Xiao Yi looked somewhat familiar. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Bi Yun beside him start to say, "Are you talking to me?"


    Xiao Yi''s piercing gaze was fixed steadily on her.


    Bi Yun, as one of the past goddesses of Feixue Temple, indeed had good looks.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze never left her, causing her to feel a chill down her spine as she calmly said, "You do seem to have some self-awareness!"


    "You..."


    Bi Yun''s face changed, never expecting Xiao Yi to be so brazen and without giving her the slightest bit of face.


    Her eyes quickly darted around.


    A look of grievance spread across Bi Yun''s face as she complained to Ye Heng, "Brother Ye Heng, look at how he is bullying me..."


    Ye Heng, with eyes fixed steadfastly ahead, remained silent: You must be joking? This is my master, the esteemed Xiao Zhenguo of the Great Qian Dynasty. Even if he tramples you underfoot, I couldn''t possibly help you!


    Watching Ye Heng''s indifference, Bi Yun''s face turned ugly as a venomous look crossed the depths of her eyes. Pretending to be pitiful, she said, "Brother Ye Heng, you don''t want to offend anyone for my sake, I can understand that..."


    Ye Heng frowned slightly.


    Gu Tao, unable to stand it any longer, his face darkening to the extreme, spoke to Bi Yun, "Sister Bi Yun, don''t be sad, your brother Gu will take care of this for you."


    "Brother, don''t trouble yourself for me, I can stand a bit of grievance!" Bi Yun''s face was pitiful as she looked up at Gu Tao, her voice trembling delicately.


    How could Gu Tao bear to see the woman he cherished suffer like this?


    His eyes instantly turned a blood red, his cold gaze fixating on Xiao Yi, his voice resonating bitterly, "You little bastard, how dare you insult Sister Bi Yun like this? I command you to kneel and apologize to her immediately. Otherwise, don''t blame me for not being polite!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Gu Tao and scoffed coldly, "Get lost!"


    "You..."


    Gu Tao''s face turned from pale to flush with alternating colors.


    He was a powerhouse at the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm, just a step away from ascending to the Dharma Manifestation Realm and becoming a core True Disciple of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Usually.


    Even some elders and Hall Masters were courteous to him.


    When had he ever been rebuked like this?


    Add to that Bi Yun''s plaintive words, "Brother Gu, please don''t trouble yourself for my sake..."


    How could he bear it?


    "Arrogant brat, how dare you speak to me like this? Who do you think you are? Think you can ask just anyone to ''get lost''?" Gu Tao''s eyes darkened, an icy chill emanating from them as he roared.


    Xiao Yi looked at Gu Tao with a peculiar expression and slowly said, "You''re right, within the Shanhe Court, I can tell whoever I want to ''get lost''!"


    "Huh?"


    Gu Tao was taken aback, sizing up Xiao Yi, and then burst into laughter full of sarcasm, "Do you really think you''re Xiao, the head of the institute? If you are Xiao, then I must be his father..."


    Before he could finish.


    Slap!


    A crisp slap echoed through the valley.


    A bright red handprint appeared on Gu Tao''s face, with blood streaming from the corner of his mouth, his eyes wide with shock, looking bewilderedly at Xiao Yi.


    His face was full of disbelief: "You, you, you dare to hit me?"


    Bi Yun was also bewildered: "Brother Gu is the once proud star of Three Seas Mountain, about to enter the Dharma Manifestation Realm and become a core True Disciple. You actually dare to strike him? You''re as good as dead..."


    "Indeed, someone is as good as dead, but the ones dying will be you guess..."


    Suddenly, Ye Heng''s voice came from the side. He walked straight towards Xiao Yi, his gaze mocking as he glanced over Bi Yun and Gu Tao. Then, in front of everyone''s stunned faces, he knelt down before Xiao Yi with a loud thud, saying loudly, "Disciple Ye Heng, greets Master!"


    Hiss!


    Suddenly, the valley was filled with sounds of sharp intakes of breath.


    Everyone was as if turned to stone.


    They looked at Xiao Yi, dumbfounded.


    "Is, is, is that Headmaster Xiao?"


    "You''re not joking with me, are you?" S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Now, Gu Tao and Bi Yun are done for..."


    Murmurs rippled through the crowd.


    No one noticed the glint in Xiao Yi''s eye; he glanced at the dark spot between the forests, his lips curving slightly into a cold, faint smile.


    Gu Tao and Bi Yun''s complexions were deathly pale, drained of all color.


    The name Xiao Yi.


    Throughout the entire Daqian Dynasty, it was taboo, a legend!


    Who would dare to provoke him?


    Gurgle!


    Gu Tao swallowed hard and said hoarsely: "Ye, Ye, Ye Heng... Is he really Headmaster Xiao?"


    Ye Heng glanced at him and, maintaining his kneeling posture, said proudly, "I think within the territories of the Daqian Dynasty, there should be no one bold enough to impersonate my master, right?"


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Gu Tao staggered backward several steps, his face as white as paper; only the burning sting on his face reminded him that all this was real.


    A look of disbelief also surfaced on Bi Yun''s pretty face.


    But it was swiftly concealed.


    Suddenly, she fell to her knees before Xiao Yi, her face full of grievance, pointing at Gu Tao she cried out: "Headmaster Xiao, please stand up for me! I have always admired Brother Ye Heng and have firmly rejected Brother Gu''s advances multiple times. Yet, Brother Gu has been unrelentingly harassing me, refusing to let me go. Today, he even came here to challenge Brother Ye. Please, Headmaster, stand up for me..."


    At that moment, Bi Yun was tearful and sobbing, truly a sight that would sadden the listener and draw tears from the onlooker.


    The helplessness and grievance in her words.


    Made one feel the urge to embrace her and offer comfort.


    In contrast to Gu Tao...


    Because of her few sentences, he was cast in the image of a shameless and persistent scoundrel. Instantly, the looks people gave Gu Tao were filled with more disgust and contempt.


    Spurt!


    Gu Tao looked up to the sky and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his eyes wide with disbelief as he looked at Bi Yun and hysterically roared: "Bi Yun, you whore, how dare you humiliate me like this? It was you who told me that Ye Heng was bullying you with his power, forcing you to be with him, and that''s why I fought for you..."


    "Shut your mouth, I can''t believe you''re still trying to slander me at this point?"


    With her tears falling, Bi Yun turned to Xiao Yi, "I implore Headmaster Xiao to stand up for me, please!"


    "Enough!"


    Xiao Yi spoke indifferently, and with a casual flick of his hand, an invisible energy wrapped around Bi Yun, plucking her into the air.


    Bi Yun was completely immobilized, unable to move, unable to speak, her face filled with confusion.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze turned towards the forest on the side: "If you don''t show yourself within three breaths, don''t blame me for being ruthless and destroying this pawn of yours!"


    "..."


    The forest was silent.


    Xiao Yi said coolly: "Two!"


    "..."


    Still no response.


    "Three! Time''s up!"


    As soon as Xiao Yi finished speaking, ready to act, a voice came from within the forest: "Headmaster Xiao, please hold your hand!"


    However...


    Xiao Yi was expressionless: "Three breaths have passed, you''re too late!"


    Pop!


    With a tightening of his fingers.


    Bi Yun exploded with a boom, turning into a cloud of blood mist...

 Chapter 795 - 793: The Town Sky Bell Rings, Mountains and Rivers Shake Violently

    Boom!


    Bi Yun''s body transformed into a sky filled with blood mist, dispersing into the air, the thick, pungent scent of blood assaulting the nostrils, causing immense discomfort.


    "No..."


    Gu Tao''s eyes were bloodshot, a face of despair.


    Ye Heng''s eyes twitched slightly.


    Everyone has a love for beauty.


    Ye Heng had a certain appreciation for Bi Yun, but his feelings hadn''t reached the point of adoration. Yet, watching Bi Yun die before his eyes, his thoughts couldn''t help but fluctuate.


    However...


    This pity and sympathy were fleeting.


    Ye Heng glanced toward the direction of the forest where a figure hurriedly approached, then abruptly stopped with a click, staring at Xiao Yi and the blood mist that was once Bi Yun with a face full of shock and confusion.


    "It''s actually her?" Ye Heng''s expression changed slightly.


    The others also saw the newcomer''s face, each showing a look of astonishment: "Isn''t that Bai Rushuang, the former Vice Hall Master of the Feixue Temple? What is she doing here?"


    "Bi Yun, Bai Rushuang... I seem to smell the scent of conspiracy!"


    The moment Gu Tao saw Bai Rushuang, his expression also changed: "Why is she here?"


    Xiao Yi looked calmly at Bai Rushuang, his lips curling up in a thick smirk of ridicule, "Vice Hall Master Bai, I thought you planned to hide indefinitely!"


    Bai Rushuang''s face slightly changed.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was sharp as a blade, making her feel as if stripped bare before him, with no secrets to hide.


    Gurgle!


    Bai Rushuang swallowed hard and said with a forced smile, "Head Xiao is joking. I just happened to pass by this place and didn''t mean to stay hidden."


    "Just happened to pass by?"


    The mockery on Xiao Yi''s face deepened as he leaned forward slightly, scoffing coldly, "Vice Hall Master Bai, do you think I''m a fool, or do you think you''re exceptionally clever? Do you think I''d believe such an excuse?"


    "..."


    Bai Rushuang''s complexion turned pale, inwardly lamenting that all of this was a conspiracy orchestrated by the Feixue Temple themselves.


    Its purpose was to incite conflict between Ye Heng and Gu Tao.


    As long as Ye Heng and Gu Tao fought, she would strike from the shadows to kill one of them, sparking conflict between Xiao Yi and Three Seas Mountain. At that time, the Feixue Temple would be able to profit from the chaos.


    Just as the plan was about to succeed, it was disrupted by Xiao Yi, who emerged unexpectedly.


    Bai Rushuang''s eyes shifted quickly, and she spoke up: "Head Xiao, there is a misunderstanding..."


    "Misunderstanding?"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh, stepping closer to Bai Rushuang with each word booming like thunder, "From the moment I arrived, you have been hiding in the shadows, and you speak of a misunderstanding to me?"


    "Head Xiao..."


    Boom!


    Before Bai Rushuang could finish speaking, her body trembled violently, as if she had been hit hard by Xiao Yi''s invisible fist.


    Five or six ribs were broken.


    "Earlier, when Gu Tao challenged Ye Heng, you were hiding and building up force, ready to launch a sneak attack. You say this is a misunderstanding?"


    Xiao Yi spoke again.


    The invisible fist was unavoidable and inescapable; with a heavy thud, it hit her squarely in the stomach. She spewed a mouthful of fresh blood, Bai Rushuang''s face ghastly pale, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth, but she no longer feigned respect, "Xiao Yi, if you knew I was hiding, you should understand this matter wasn''t decided by me alone. Do you really want to burn all bridges with us?"


    The Feixue Temple had always built its power by arranging marriages between their female disciples and powerful men, forging alliances to strengthen themselves.


    Without exaggeration...


    In the past, even the Tianjian Sect dared not underestimate the Feixue Temple.


    Because...


    Within the Tianjian Sect, there were also many powerful men whose partners came from the Feixue Temple.


    Nowadays, the Xiaoshanhe Institute dominated the Daqian Dynasty, having brought under its wing the forces of the ten major sects. Although not all elites from these sects were loyal, within the Three Seas Mountain, because of Yun Ruowang''s influence, they were unwilling to conspire with them.


    Exactly because of that.


    They had chosen Gu Tao as their breakthrough point, with the aim of sparking a conflict between Xiaoshanhe Institute and Three Seas Mountain.


    So as to find an opportunity to take control of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Unfortunately...


    All their plans were foiled by Xiao Yi.


    Facing Bai Rushuang''s threats, Xiao Yi scoffed, and with a single hand reaching into the air, Bai Rushuang felt his throat clutched tightly, an invisible force lifting him gradually off the ground.


    Bai Rushuang was suspended in midair.


    His hands desperately grasped at the unseen force, his legs flailing in an attempt to break free.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, his cold laughter continuous, "Do you think I would be afraid of the rabble you mentioned, who only dare to scheme in the shadows?"


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    Bai Rushuang, gasping for air, pupils dilating rapidly, howled hysterically, "You have no idea how much power we hold. With the power in our hands, we can replace you anytime, you..."


    "Replace me? Hahaha, truly laughable. Today, I want to see who among you can replace me!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless as he laughed coldly.


    As soon as his words ended.


    Crack!


    Bai Rushuang''s neck was abruptly snapped.


    Xiao Yi, still expressionless, turned to Ye Heng, "Take Bai Rushuang''s corpse to the martial arts arena, and command Yu Huaxian to ring the Zhentian Bell!"


    "Yes!"


    Ye Heng nodded emphatically, carrying Bai Rushuang''s corpse, and flew towards the martial arts arena.


    The surrounding disciples were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to utter a word.


    Gu Tao was even paler.


    Even now...


    He understood that he had fallen into a trap set by the Feixue Temple; had Xiao Yi not seen through the conspiracy and appeared in time, he would either have died at the hands of Bai Rushuang or with Ye Heng killed, he would have been blamed, and his fate would have been miserable.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Gu Tao with an indifferent look, and said, "You are all grown-ups now, bound to stand on your own in the future. I hope that in the face of future events, you will think carefully about what you should and shouldn''t do, and not be unwitting tools in someone else''s hands. Now, everyone head to the martial arts arena and wait for me..."


    "Yes!"


    "Instructor, rest assured, I understand!"


    The disciples replied loudly.


    Gratitude filled Gu Tao''s expression, and with his fists clenched tightly, he gazed at Xiao Yi, who had deeply imprinted himself in his soul.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leaped up and was already flying towards the direction of the martial arts arena.


    ......


    Baizong Hall.


    This department was set up specifically for the disciples of the former top ten sects and managed their integration into Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The former Hall Master of Feixue Temple, now the Vice Hall Master of Baizong Hall, Cai Hexin, was at this moment squinting his eyes, gazing at the several people before him, "You can rest assured, I''ve had Bai Rushuang follow in secret, ready to strike at any moment. With her following, failure is impossible. Once Ye Heng is dead, the Shadow Demon and their group will definitely not let Three Seas Mountain go. By then..."


    The few people in front of him nodded in agreement.


    But there were those who displayed hesitation; the leader of the Kuangdao Sect, Duan Kuangdao, furrowed his eyebrows and voiced his concern, "Actually, Xiao Yi has not been bad to us. If we do this and afterwards Xiao Yi retaliates, we..."


    "Don''t worry!"


    "I have information that Xiao Yi has appeared in the Nantian Dynasty, and the people of Nantian Dynasty won''t let him off..."


    "Whether he can even return alive is the question..."


    Smirks of triumph appeared on their faces.


    But just then, a sudden series of dull, thudding bell tolls came, shattering the smugness on their faces. They stood up in unison, faces filled with shock, "The Zhentian Bell? Has Xiao Yi returned?"

 Chapter 796 - 794: You guys too?

    "Xiao Yi is back?"


    Cai Hexin and Duan Kuangdao, among others, had their expressions change drastically.


    The Heaven Suppressing Bell.


    That sacred bell could only be rung by Xiao Yi himself, and once the Heaven Suppressing Bell sounded, it meant that there was a major event concerning the life and death of Xiaoshanhe Institute. At the same time, it also meant that Xiao Yi had appeared in the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    They looked at each other.


    One must know...


    Ever since Xiao Yi had single-handedly annihilated the Tianjian Sect and stood against envoys from the Nantian Dynasty, his fame in the Daqian Dynasty was at its peak.


    The people present had once been the powerful leaders of their own sects and factions.


    They only dared to pull off schemes behind his back.


    If they were to confront Xiao Yi head-on, they had no confidence at all!


    Duan Kuangdao''s face darkened as if it could drip water, and in the depths of his eyes, there was a hint of horror and fear. Pretending to be calm, he said, "The Heaven Suppressing Bell has rung, it''s likely that Xiao Yi has returned from the Nantian Dynasty. He rang the bell immediately upon his return; I''m afraid that the plans we''ve made may have been exposed. Does anyone have a strategy?"


    "Let''s not scare ourselves; our arrangements might not necessarily be seen through by him!" said the master of Wendao Villa.


    The Hall Master of the True Martial Hall tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, squinting his eyes and speaking, "As long as we unanimously deny it, what can he do to us? Don''t forget, if the Xiaoshanhe Institute were to lose the support of our major sects, its strength would shrink to less than a tenth..."


    People all looked towards Cai Hexin.


    This joint effort against the Xiaoshanhe Institute and Three Seas Mountain was aimed at weakening the Institute''s power.


    After all.


    Apart from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, only Three Seas Mountain had completely surrendered to Xiao Yi among the nine great sects. As for the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, hardly any damage was done due to Vice Sect Leader Shen, making it the most intact in terms of strength amongst the nine great sects.


    Moreover, the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect had a very close relationship with the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    They also dared not provoke them lightly.


    Therefore, everyone unanimously turned their spears towards Three Seas Mountain!


    After all.


    Three Seas Mountain had almost been crippled by Xiao Yi, with not many strong figures left in the sect; it was the perfect target for them.


    "Let''s not fall into disarray," Cai Hexin suddenly said, his bright eyes shining with an astute glow. "We should quietly observe and see what Xiao Yi is really up to."


    "Mr. Cai is right, let''s see what exactly he is planning!"


    "If he dares to move against us, we can simply defect from the Daqian Dynasty..."


    Everyone composed themselves and flew towards the martial arts field.


    ......


    The martial arts field.


    It was already packed with people, a sea of heads that stretched as far as the eye could see.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute of today was no longer what it once was.


    After absorbing the forces of various sects, just the number of disciples alone exceeded five hundred thousand.


    Since Xiao Yi took control of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    This was the first time the Heaven Suppressing Bell was rung; every disciple on Imperial Dragon Mountain rushed here as quickly as they could.


    Shadow Demon, Yu Huaxian, Yan Mingli, Xue Bufan, and others...


    Xiao Yi''s loyal supporters were among the first to arrive at the martial arts field. Their gazes towards Xiao Yi were filled with awe and worship, "Institute Head, you''re finally back!"


    "Head, we''ve missed you!"


    They all said.


    Xiao Yi nodded to them gently, then squinted his eyes and scanned the crowd, spotting Cai Hexin and others who had arrived late. Xiao Yi withdrew his gaze and spoke indifferently, "Finally, everyone''s here."


    "We pay respects to the Institute Head!"


    "I have seen Xiao Zhenguo..."


    The powerful figures all began to speak.


    Especially Cai Hexin, who spoke with great reverence, "Institute Head Xiao, when did you return? Why didn''t you inform us in advance? We would have prepared a welcome feast to cleanse the dust from your journey..."


    Duan Kuangdao said cheerfully, "Mr. Cai is right, Institute Head Xiao. After your tiring journey from the Nantian Dynasty, we should at least arrange a welcome ceremony for you!"


    Facing the adulation of the crowd,


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled into a slight, cold smirk as he said indifferently, "A welcoming ceremony? Haven''t you already specially prepared one for me?"


    "Uh..."


    Cai Hexin and the others'' faces changed slightly.


    Duan Kuangdao said with a forced smile, "What are you talking about, Xiao? When have we ever prepared a welcoming ceremony?"


    Thwack!


    Xiao Yi snapped his fingers.


    Ye Heng slowly emerged from the crowd, and in one effortless motion, the already lifeless body of Bai Rushuang fell into everyone''s sight. With a single hand raising her body, Ye Heng swept it aside, and a ten-meter wooden post landed at the edge of the platform.


    Ye Heng proceeded to tie Bai Rushuang''s body to the post.


    Hiss!


    Seeing Bai Rushuang''s body, everyone couldn''t help but gasp in shock, their eyes showing horror, "Isn''t this Vice Hall Master Bai Rushuang? How, how did she end up like this?"


    "Bai Rushuang was once the Vice Hall Master of Feixue Temple, and now she''s dead? And even tied up to this post..."


    "Big trouble is brewing!"


    All eyes turned toward Cai Hexin in unison.


    Each pair of eyes held more doubt.


    Yu Huaxian, Shadow Demon, and others also looked at Cai Hexin and his people with surprise, their eyes containing additional inquiry.


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "Mr. Cai, don''t you have a few words to say?"


    Click!


    Cai Hexin''s heart skipped a beat, and his back was already soaked with cold sweat; he looked up at Xiao Yi with a forced smile. This old woman had quite a strong mental fortitude, maintaining a calm smile in the face of Xiao Yi''s penetratingly sharp gaze, replying, "I don''t know what you mean, Xiao?"


    The moment they saw Bai Rushuang''s body, they knew their plan was exposed.


    Cai Hexin decisively chose to play dumb.


    I don''t know.


    I don''t know anything!


    It has nothing to do with me!


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "Is that so? Do you truly not know, Mr. Cai?"


    "I really don''t know!"


    Cai Hexin quickly nodded, affirming solemnly, then counter asked, "But I have something to ask you, Xiao: why has my Feixue Temple''s Vice Hall Master Bai Rushuang turned into such a state? We have pledged our loyalty to your Xiaoshanhe Institute. As the formidable Vice Hall Master of Feixue Temple, she can''t die without explanation, right?"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    He hadn''t expected Cai Hexin to be so cunning!


    Cai Hexin inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, having made up his mind to staunchly deny everything, refusing to admit any wrongdoing. Duan Kuangdao and the others also secretly exhaled, their gazes toward the silent Xiao Yi holding a bit more mockery and derision.


    What does it matter how unmatched your strength is?


    What does it matter that your merits overshadow your master?


    What does it matter that you know we plotted against you?


    You have no evidence!


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    With this thought,


    Duan Kuangdao and the others looked at Xiao Yi with taunting eyes, pressuring him, "We need a proper explanation from you, Xiao!"


    "They''re right, this matter demands an explanation!"


    "Otherwise we won''t accept it!"


    However...


    Confronted by the ridicule and provocation of the crowd, Xiao Yi simply smiled faintly and then slowly raised his right hand, pointing a finger.


    Hum!


    A blood sword burst forth, and Cai Hexin''s brow exploded, falling into a pool of blood. Facing the crowd''s astonished gaze, Xiao Yi said indifferently, "You want an explanation from me? Are you even worthy?"

 Chapter 797 - 795: Overwhelmingly Crushing, Bringing the Land Back to Ones Heart!

    "Do I need to explain myself to you? You''re not worthy!"


    Xiao Yi looked at Duan Kuangdao and the others with an expressionless face, his scorn and derision not at all concealed.


    Let alone now that he had the strength comparable to the Earth Venerate Realm, even before his breakthrough, these men were not his match and didn''t warrant his attention.


    If it hadn''t been for the establishment of the Daqian Dynasty and the need to maintain domestic stability, he would have eradicated the nine major sects long ago.


    Duan Kuangdao and the others exchanged glances, their faces turning from green to pale.


    They were furious beyond measure.


    Yet they could only forcibly contain their anger.


    After all.


    Xiao Yi had just effortlessly killed Cai Hexin of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, how could they dare to make a move against him?


    Unlike Duan Kuangdao and the others who were confused and frightened, the Shadow Demon and his entourage had a different reaction.


    Seeing Xiao Yi''s tyrannical and strong manner, after dealing with Cai Hexin, they all showed looks of satisfaction and excitement.


    During the period when Xiao Yi was absent...


    Cai Hexin made alliances far and wide, uniting several major sects, except for the fearful Three Seas Mountain and the loyal Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, while ignoring the commands from Shadow Demon and the other Hall Masters of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Moreover, he often went against the Shadow Demon and others, even sending people to disrupt the Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples'' training in the Beast Emperor Sea.


    Especially one month ago...


    When the news came that Xiao Yi was trapped in Yunmeng Marsh and many strong figures from Nantian Dynasty gathered, hoping to take Xiao Yi''s life, they acted even more brazenly, without any scruples.


    Everyone had been enduring for a long time.


    Now that Xiao Yi had returned...


    The first thing he did was to slay the main culprit, Cai Hexin, which truly delighted everyone.


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    Duan Kuangdao and the others exchanged looks, knowing that with Xiao Yi''s return, they absolutely could not confront him head-on. They then said solemnly, "Xiao, although you are the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute and a King of Daqian Dynasty, we are also meritorious servants who have made considerable contributions to Daqian Dynasty. To kill us just because we disagree with you is perhaps a bit too tyrannical?"


    "Xiao, ever since we joined Xiaoshanhe Institute, we have exhausted our efforts for its expansion. Doing this really disheartens us!"


    "Mr. Cai''s death must be explained to us!"


    The crowd spoke up one after another.


    There is safety in numbers.


    In their view...


    The strength of Xiaoshanhe Institute would be nowhere without them.


    Xiao Yi''s killing of Cai Hexin was just to set an example. As long as they were not cowed, they believed they could force Xiao Yi to back down and treat them with respect, just as at the beginning of Daqian Dynasty''s establishment when Xiao Yi did not dare to touch them.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze swept over Duan Kuangdao and the others, his lips curving into a cruel, cold smile as he said indifferently, "You truly don''t know whether you are dead or alive! I already gave you your last chance, and you still dare to threaten me?"


    "Hm?"


    "You, what do you want to do?" Their expressions changed, looking incredulously at Xiao Yi.


    Duan Kuangdao felt a chill all over his body, a bone-deep coldness overtaking him, causing a layer of frost to form on his face. He pointed at Xiao Yi, gritting his teeth and saying, "Xiao Yi, I admit your strength is strong. But don''t forget, the strength of Xiaoshanhe Institute is impossible without us. If we call upon our former disciples to leave, the strength of Xiaoshanhe Institute will be decimated, you��"


    As he spoke, Duan Kuangdao pointed a finger at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi simply shook his head lightly without letting him finish, "I don''t like people pointing their fingers at me!"


    "Hm?"


    Duan Kuangdao was startled.


    His face changed drastically, but before he could retract his finger, it was too late. He heard a crack, and Xiao Yi had broken off his entire finger. Blood sprayed from the severed finger as Duan Kuangdao screamed in agony.


    "Duan��"


    The powerful figures'' faces changed dramatically; they hadn''t seen how Xiao Yi had made his move, their eyes filled with fear, "Xiao, please spare us��"


    "Xiao, we were foolish��we were misled by Duan Kuangdao and Cai Hexin, please forgive us this time��"


    The once haughty figures were now trembling in fear, kneeling on the ground.


    Xiao Yi''s expression remained unchanging, his gaze sharp as a knife''s edge as he spoke plainly, "Xiaoshanhe Institute will be the cornerstone of Daqian Dynasty. You have attempted to undermine its foundation, and you all deserve to die!"


    "No, don''t kill us��"


    "We truly realize our mistake��"


    The looks on everyone''s faces mixed with desperation and coldness, as they banged their heads on the ground.


    Xiao Yi remained indifferent.


    His eyes narrowed into a slit, gazing at the disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute before him, he spoke coldly, "All disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute must be unified and loyal. If I find anyone attempting to undermine the foundation of Xiaoshanhe Institute again, this will be their fate!"


    As his words fell.


    An astonishing Sword Qi burst forth from Xiao Yi, with blue sword light forming a circular blue sword pattern on both the ground and the sky.


    Hum!


    Hum!


    The sword pattern vibrated, and Sword Qi poured out in every direction.


    The cold blue light shone over Duan Kuangdao and the others, giving their faces an especially eerie look.


    Amid a series of puffing sounds.


    Blood and severed heads flew together into the firmament.


    When everything calmed down,


    every strong practitioner involved in this matter had been completely slaughtered.


    For a moment,


    the martial arts field was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.


    The strong practitioners killed in this battle numbered over a thousand!


    Nearly a hundred of them were in the Nirvana Realm alone, a force that even the Daqian Dynasty couldn''t underestimate, but now, they had turned into ashes.


    Thoroughly erased from this world.


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi let out a long breath of foul air, his gaze sweeping over the silent crowd of strong practitioners, many of whom were disciples from various large sects.


    They too were worried Xiao Yi would turn his anger towards them.


    Xiao Yi spoke calmly, "I know some of you are reluctant to stay in the Xiaoshanhe Institute. I will give you a chance to choose. If you''re unwilling to stay, you may leave, and I won''t make things difficult for you. But if you choose to stay, once you harbor different intentions, don''t blame me, Xiao Yi, for being merciless!"


    Hum!


    An icy oppressive aura locked down the entire martial arts field.


    The strong practitioners looked at each other.


    "I, I withdraw..."


    "I am withdrawing too..."


    In a moment, more than fifty thousand people chose to leave.


    In the past,


    these people did whatever they pleased, protected by the strong practitioners of the large sects. Now without that protection, fearing retribution, they naturally didn''t want to stay.


    Xiao Yi did not try to retain them, looking at Yu Huaxian instead, "Huaxian, register their identities, and remove them from the list of disciples."


    "Yes!"


    Yu Huaxian immediately took people forward to register these fifty thousand plus people.


    Meanwhile, Xiao Yi turned to the remaining disciples, the corners of his mouth slightly turning up as he said, "Since you have chosen to stay, naturally, I cannot treat you unfairly."


    With a wave of Xiao Yi''s hand...


    Swoosh!


    A torrent of golden light burst forth.


    The Cloud Dream Temple, once as small as a grain of rice, gradually enlarged, transforming into a towering temple that obscured the sky.


    Hiss...


    "What is this?"


    "What a terrifying palace, how did it appear?"


    "This is simply the method of a god..."


    The crowd looked up at the great temple that blocked out the sky, their eyes filled with shock.


    Xiao Yi declared loudly, "This is the Cloud Dream Temple, once the royal palace of the Yunmeng Demon Emperor, the ruler of the Yunmeng Dynasty. It contains countless treasures and legacies accumulated by the Yunmeng Dynasty over countless years. All disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute may enter to seek their fortunes!"


    As soon as the voice faded,


    a series of treasure lights suddenly appeared above the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Sixth-layer Yuan weapons, seventh-layer Yuan weapons, eighth-layer Yuan weapons...


    Secret techniques, elixirs, supreme treasures...


    Countless priceless treasures, all suspended above the Cloud Dream Temple��these were the treasures amassed by the Yunmeng Dynasty over countless years. Many of these treasures were even enough to move the hearts of the strong practitioners of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    "So many treasures..."


    "Look, that looks like an eighth-layer Yuan weapon..."


    "Isn''t that the legendary Spirit of Longevity?"


    The strong practitioners were dumbstruck with shock.


    The Shadow Demon and others were ecstatic, "Can we all enter the Cloud Dream Temple to seek opportunities?"


    "Doesn''t that mean we have a chance to obtain these treasures?"


    "Hahaha, thank you, Xiao!"


    "Long live Xiao..."


    The crowd shouted loudly.


    Like that, the Xiaoshanhe Institute from top to bottom, completely devoted their allegiance to Xiao Yi!


    Among the crowd...


    The fifty thousand who had just chosen to leave were dumbfounded, their guts turning green with regret, heartrendingly beating their chests and stamping their feet, their mournful and remorseful gazes turning to Yu Huaxian and others, "Can, can we change our minds?"


    "I wish to continue staying in the Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    Faced with these fifty thousand practitioners whose attitudes had changed dramatically, Yu Huaxian''s lips slightly curled up, a cold smile on his face laced with thick mockery, "Are you perhaps thinking of eating farts?"

 Chapter 798 - 796 The Nightmare Descends

    "Are you all fantasizing about nonsense?"


    Yu Huaxian looked at the fifty thousand people in front of him with eyes that saw them as fools.


    Earlier, each of them had thought that without their backing, they wouldn''t be able to continue their reign of terror at Xiaoshanhe Institute. So, they chose to leave Xiaoshanhe Institute one after another. But now, seeing that Xiao Yi had actually obtained the legendary Cloud Dream Temple.


    The countless treasures within the Cloud Dream Temple would all become the welfare of the Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And they wanted to stay on?


    Where on earth were such good things handed out?


    The fifty thousand people wore expressions of despair and unwillingness. Yet, thinking of Xiao Yi''s formidable strength, they didn''t dare to act rashly. They could only forcefully suppress the unwillingness and greed in their hearts, leaving as dejectedly as stray dogs.


    For a moment.


    The remaining disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute cheered loudly. In recent days, led by people like Cai Hexin, many powerful figures had been acting high and mighty, causing them much suffering.


    Now, retribution had finally fallen upon him.


    Everyone was naturally exhilarated.


    Xiao Yi pressed down with his hand, and only then did the cheering of the people stop. He turned to look at the Shadow Demon and others.


    In the time he had been away from the Daqian Dynasty.


    Everyone''s cultivation had apparently not fallen behind, especially since the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within Imperial Dragon Mountain was converging at a rate a hundred times greater than the outside world. Coupled with the many cultivation techniques, secret tomes, and pill prescriptions left by Xiao Yi, the overall strength of the Xiaoshanhe Institute had risen another level.


    Just the increase of powerful figures in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm alone had grown by three.


    One must not underestimate these three individuals.


    You should know that...


    Even the former Emperor Qian, who controlled all the resources of the Great Qian Dynasty, had spent hundreds of years to achieve cultivation in the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    That the Shadow Demon and the other two could reach this realm so quickly was already a miracle.


    Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction and said in a deep voice, "Shadow Demon, you''ve worked hard in the time I was away!"


    "Master Dean, you''re flattering us too much!" replied the Shadow Demon hastily.


    By his side, Zhang Ling said cheerfully, "If it weren''t for the Dean, we might still be in the Beast Emperor City Slave Market!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "Let''s not dwell on the past... Now that I have obtained the Cloud Dream Temple, I have gained quite a lot of resources. I will hold a disciple evaluation open to the entire Southern State in three months. Relying solely on your current strength is not enough. Strive to give birth to a few more Longevity Secret Realm powerhouses within these three months for my Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    The Longevity Secret Realm?


    The complexions of the crowd changed dramatically.


    Especially for the Shadow Demon and the other two, even their breathing became rapid.


    Although they did not know that Bai Fa Sword Emperor and Yang Zun''s entry into the Longevity Secret Realm was facilitated by the spirit of longevity provided by Xiao Yi, they guessed to some extent that the breakthrough of Yang Zun and others must be closely related to Xiao Yi.


    Now it was finally their turn!


    This was the Longevity Secret Realm!


    Once one stepped into this realm, they would have a lifespan of ten thousand years, almost like living forever!


    Who wouldn''t look forward to it?


    Xiao Yi glanced at Yu Huaxian, Li Youruo, and others. Seeing the anticipation and fervor in their eyes, Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Don''t worry. When you also break through to the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, I will naturally help you step into the Longevity Secret Realm as well!"


    After all, he controlled two Longevity Cauldrons and naturally had no shortage of the spirit of longevity.


    ```


    If it weren''t for the fear of exposing his secret to concocting the spirit of longevity, he could have entirely relied on this to attract countless experts and create an army composed of warriors from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    After witnessing so many Longevity Secret Realm experts from the Nantian Dynasty.


    Xiao Yi understood...


    What the Longevity Beast with a ''Xuan'' character he''d encountered in Beast Emperor City had said, about Zhao Wuji shattering the Azure Heaven Continent, making it unable to sustain the experts from the Longevity Secret Realm, was mostly false.


    Creating an army from Longevity Secret Realm experts, though extremely difficult, is not entirely impossible.


    Of course.


    This refers only to creating the most basic Longevity Secret Realm, let alone concocting superior or even top-notch spirits of longevity��it''s far from easy!


    "Thank you, Dean!"


    "The Dean is insightful; we are willing to go through fire and water for you..."


    The crowd expressed their loyalty one after another.


    "In the coming time, I hope everyone can make the greatest effort to improve their cultivation. In three months, talents from all over the Southern State will join the Xiaoshanhe Institute. By then, contending for resources will not be so easy! Moreover..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, his eyes narrowing into slits, "This time, by fighting for the Cloud Dream Temple, I''ve offended many people. They will certainly not miss this opportunity to suppress us. In three months, not only will it be a chance for our Xiaoshanhe Institute to rise, but it will also be a crucial moment that decides our life and death!"


    This time, in the Yunmeng Marsh...


    Alone, the number of Earth Venerate Realm experts who had died at Xiao Yi''s hands was no less than three.


    Although with Xiao Yi''s displayed strength comparable to the Earth Venerate Realm, even the Nantian Dynasty would have to think thrice before dealing with him, this did not affect their willingness to move against the Daqian Dynasty and Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Galaxy Valley''s elite were almost wiped out, hardly a concern anymore.


    But...


    The Nantian Dynasty royalty, Nantian Holy Land, and other forces would absolutely not sit by and watch the Xiaoshanhe Institute grow strong!


    Shadow Demon and others all showed solemn expressions, they understood very well that Xiao Yi would not make groundless accusations. It seemed that they were about to face no small challenge, and each of them clenched their fists tightly.


    Their eyes were filled with surging flames of battle.


    Whoosh!


    With a wave of Xiao Yi''s hand, Tong Yao and others from the Cloud Dream Temple floated down to the ground.


    "Youruo, these children were all rescued by me along the way. Arrange for them. If they wish to stay, take them in; if they want to go home, send someone to take them back!"


    After settling Tong Yao and the others, Xiao Yi then looked at Zhang Ling, "Zhang Ling, in the following time, Shadow Demon and the others will be closing off to break through to the Longevity Secret Realm. The affairs of the Institute will have to be handled by you and Yu Huaxian. I will take care of the Cloud Dream Temple and as for the system of how to arrange for the disciples to enter, that''s up to you to decide!"


    "Rest assured, Dean, we''ll take care of it!" Zhang Ling and Li Youruo promised in unison.


    Xiao Yi nodded, then with a wave of his hand, he took Shadow Demon and the others to the Cloud Dream Temple, flying the immense Cloud Dream Temple toward the back mountain of Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    With a series of thunderous roars, the huge Cloud Dream Temple settled in the midst of the back mountain.


    This Cloud Dream Temple, coveted by countless strong beings, henceforth became the private property of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Inside the Cloud Dream Temple.


    Xiao Yi entered the treasury and took out three fifth-grade spirits of longevity for Shadow Demon and the others, reminding them of the precautions needed in cultivating the spirits of longevity, before letting them into the secret chamber.


    Watching the closed secret chamber, Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and murmured to himself, "Ye Heng and the others should also severely elevate their cultivation. Three months'' time, I hope it will be sufficient..."


    At this moment.


    Ye Heng, Jin Feiyan, and others in the Xiaoshanhe Institute had no idea that an unforgettable nightmare was quietly descending upon them...


    ```

 Chapter 799 - 797 Who Are You Really?

    Inside the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Ye Heng, Jin Feiyan, Xiao Yun, and Ruan Yunyi stood in front of Xiao Yi''s separate courtyard. Apart from Xiao Yun, who squinted slightly, looking calm and collected.


    The other three looked at each other with puzzled expressions on their faces.


    Jin Feiyan, the one who couldn''t stay still, slightly turned her shiny black eyes. With a playful spirit, her eyes were curved like crescent moons, she asked, "Eldest senior brother, do you know why our master has summoned us here?"


    Ye Heng shook his head gently, also filled with confusion, "Master didn''t specify, so I don''t know either!"


    "Could it be that master thinks we haven''t been diligent enough in our cultivation and wants to reprimand us?" Ruan Yunyi''s face was filled with intense worry.


    This child, who had been unfortunate since childhood, had slowly changed his unlucky constitution after coming to the Xiaoshanhe Institute and cultivating the Cultivation Technique prepared by Xiao Yi.


    Moreover...


    Because of his past experiences, he valued this opportunity more than anyone else.


    If you had to say who was the most diligent in cultivation within the Xiaoshanhe Institute, it was undoubtedly Ruan Yunyi.


    It had been just over a year since he joined the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and he had undergone earth-shattering changes, as his cultivation had broken through to the Peak of the Golden Core Realm.


    He was only a step away from the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Jin Feiyan rolled her eyes, looking speechless at Ruan Yunyi, "Little junior brother, if even you are called not diligent enough, where does that leave our faces?"


    Ruan Yunyi scratched his head awkwardly.


    What he feared most was this quirky second senior sister in front of him.


    Ye Heng rolled his eyes helplessly and then looked at Xiao Yun, the oldest among them, with white hair already showing, and asked, "Third junior brother, you seem to be in no hurry at all, could it be that you already guessed the reason our master summoned us?"


    Jin Feiyan and Ruan Yunyi both turned to look at Xiao Yun.


    Xiao Yun finally opened his eyes, which seemed murky but held a glimmer of astuteness flickering within. He smiled slightly and said, "Cannot say, cannot say!"


    "��"


    Ye Heng was at a loss for words.


    Ruan Yunyi scratched his head, not quite understanding.


    Jin Feiyan rolled her eyes, hopped forward like an elf, and with her delicate fingers, she gently twisted Xiao Yun''s beard, saying with a smile, "Third junior brother, won''t you tell your senior sister? If you don''t, I''ll be very sad. And when I''m sad, I can''t control my hands and feet and tend to like pulling on beards and hair..."


    As she spoke.


    Her fingers, curled around the beard, applied gentle pressure, causing Xiao Yun to grimace in pain.


    Xiao Yun, caught between laughter and tears, said, "Second senior sister, master will be out soon and will naturally tell us then. Why do you need to torment this old bone of a junior brother like this?"


    "Hmph!"


    Jin Feiyan eyed him, hands on hips, pretended to be huffy and said, "Third junior brother, are you threatening your senior sister?"


    "Second senior sister has misunderstood, how would I dare?" replied Xiao Yun with a wry smile.


    Just as Jin Feiyan was about to speak again, a creaking sound came from behind them.


    It was Xiao Yi, who had pushed open the door and walked out.


    Jin Feiyan quickly let go of the beard and turned to Xiao Yi, who had just walked out of the room. With a surprised shout, "Master, your disciple missed you!" she bounced over to Xiao Yi.


    "Stop!"


    With a raise of his hand, Xiao Yi created an invisible wall of energy, forming a transparent barrier. Jin Feiyan was unable to halt in time and thudded against the transparent wall.


    Jin Feiyan lay spread-eagle in midair, her features utterly distorted, then, amid a cacophony of giggles, slid down and landed on her backside.


    She looked at Xiao Yi with a mournful expression.


    Xiao Yi did not glance sideways; how could he not know what was on her mind? Among the four, only Xiao Yun was enveloped in a fog, mysterious even to Xiao Yi, who had broken through to the Longevity Secret Realm and could not see through him.


    The one with the least progress was Jin Feiyan; needless to say, during this time, she had hardly concentrated on her cultivation practice.


    This girl must be worried about being reprimanded by Xiao Yi, hence she took the initiative to make amends.


    How could Xiao Yi let her have her way?


    Under Jin Feiyan''s mournful gaze, Xiao Yi coughed lightly and looked at the four of them, "During my absence, you all did not neglect your cultivation. Especially Yunyi, breaking through to the Golden Elixir Realm Peak in about a year, you''ve done well!"


    "Thank you, Master. All this is thanks to the cultivation techniques you''ve taught..." Ruan Yunyi said with a mixture of sincerity and fear, his face filled with excitement.


    Since his childhood.


    This was the first time he had been valued and praised like this.


    "A master leads you to the door, but cultivation depends on the individual; this is the result of your own efforts!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and did not take credit, then frowned and turned to Jin Feiyan, "Fei Yan, I remember when I left, you were already at the Ninth Layer of the Golden Elixir Realm, and now you are only at the Golden Elixir Realm Peak. What have you been doing all this time?"


    Jin Feiyan''s expression showed a hint of grievance. She opened her mouth, but seeing Xiao Yi''s stern face, she swallowed the excuses she had ready and lowered her head, "Your disciple knows her mistake..."


    Xiao Yi frowned at Ye Heng, his foremost personal disciple, who had just broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm, and he was profoundly dissatisfied, "Ye Heng, you have greatly disappointed me!"


    As for Jin Feiyan, Xiao Yi only reprimanded her.


    But for Ye Heng...


    He was truly very dissatisfied!


    Ye Heng''s face changed slightly; indeed, he had become complacent during this period. The Battle War Holy Body became stronger the more he advanced. Although he had only just entered the Tao Tribulation Realm, his fighting power was no less than that of an ordinary practitioner at the fifth or sixth layer of the Calamity Realm.


    Moreover, due to the schemes of the Feixue Temple, numerous female disciples threw themselves at him willingly, coupled with flattery from several other disciples, he began to lose himself.


    His cultivation practice slackened.


    Thump!


    Ye Heng knelt heavily on the ground, his head bowed low, "I beg for the Master''s punishment."


    "Hmph! There''s no need to rush into confessing your faults; whether we can continue our master-apprentice relationship is another matter..."


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, causing Ye Heng to tremble all over. He abruptly raised his head, his face pale as he looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi remained expressionless. He had once had high hopes for Ye Heng, and now he was profoundly disappointed. He said coldly, "The reason I called you all here is to test you, giving you half a day to prepare. Meet me at the foot of the mountain at dusk, and if you fail the test, it will prove that we have no master-apprentice connection..."


    Buzz!


    Except for Xiao Yun, who remained indifferent as ever, everyone else''s face changed drastically.


    "Master..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to interrupt them, speaking indifferently, "At dusk, I will wait for you at the foot of the mountain. Now go back and get ready!"


    The disciples looked at each other and knew Xiao Yi was determined and would not change his mind; they could only retreat one after another.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard.


    He seemed to be waiting for something.


    About half an incense stick''s time later...


    Xiao Yi slowly opened his eyes and looked at the person who appeared in the courtyard. His eyes flickered with dangerous sharpness as he asked coldly, "You, who exactly are you?"


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 Chapter 800 - 798: Undercurrents Surge

    "Who are you, really?"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, intently staring at the figure that had reappeared before him.


    Dressed in black, his hair and beard were both white.


    His face, wrinkled like the bark of a withered tree, was capped by an exceptionally bright pair of eyes that radiated a starry brilliance, fixated on Xiao Yi.


    The man was none other than Xiao Yun!


    Xiao Yun slightly smiled and bowed respectfully to Xiao Yi, hands clasped in a formal gesture, his voice grave, "I am your third disciple, Xiao Yun!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.


    They were both intelligent people, and many things didn''t need to be spelled out.


    The implication of Xiao Yun''s words was clear: no matter what his identity was or where he came from, the fact that he was Xiao Yi''s direct third disciple would never change.


    It signified that he had secrets that he could not reveal.


    At the same time...


    It also demonstrated his stance to Xiao Yi.


    I am your third disciple; you don''t need to be wary of me!


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow; from the first time he met Xiao Yun, he had felt a sense of familiarity. But no matter how he investigated, Xiao Yun seemed to have appeared out of thin air.


    There was no trace of his past to be found.


    After a moment''s hesitation,


    Xiao Yi asked in a deep voice, "What matter brings you back to me?"


    When Xiao Yi was reprimanding Ye Heng and the others, he had noticed that Xiao Yun seemed to have something on his mind, which was why he had specially waited in the annex.


    Xiao Yun hesitated, first bowing respectfully to Xiao Yi and then said gravely, "Master, when you recruit disciples in Southern State three months from now, if you encounter a person named Zheng Cheng, I hope you can spare his life!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled and frowned, "Zheng Cheng? Who is he?"


    Xiao Yun replied, "His identity is inconvenient to disclose, but he comes from an extraordinary background. I beseech you, Master, to spare his life!"


    Seeing the earnestness in Xiao Yun''s demeanor.


    Xiao Yi''s brow furrowed slightly, and his thoughts raced as his eyes flickered. Who was Zheng Cheng? How could Xiao Yun be certain that Zheng Cheng would appear three months from now?


    And why would he think that Xiao Yi would kill Zheng Cheng?


    "Master, if Zheng Cheng dies, the entirety of Southern State will face great calamity..." Xiao Yun''s voice carried a tinge of urgency, as if it took all his strength to utter those words.


    As soon as he finished speaking,


    his body suddenly trembled, his face instantly turned pale, and he vomited a mouthful of fresh blood.


    His aura weakened drastically.


    Xiao Yun swayed, about to collapse, but was luckily caught by Xiao Yi''s timely intervention. Feeling Xiao Yun''s pulse, it was weak and powerless, an ominous sign of life drawing to an end.


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed and took out a bundle of dragon essence to place into Xiao Yun''s mouth. He then channeled the power of the divine seal into Xiao Yun''s body.


    This divine power was countless times stronger than the innate power of the great masters of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Under the augmentation of divine power,


    The energy of the dragon essence was gradually absorbed by Xiao Yun''s body.


    The pallor in his face restored some Qi-blood.


    The nearly depleted life force within also revived somewhat, but it was still evident that Xiao Yun had aged further, causing Xiao Yi an inexplicable heartache.


    It felt as if a close family member had been injured.


    "Thank, thank you, Master, for granting me dragon essence..." Xiao Yun, with a tremulous effort, got up, offering a weak smile and bowed his gratitude to Xiao Yi.


    "How do you know this is dragon essence?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows knitted slightly, for dragon essence was an innate divine ability that Little Lin had formed after breaking through the Longevity Secret Realm, and he had not divulged it to anyone in the Xiaoshanhe Institute; yet, Xiao Yun recognized it?


    Xiao Yun smiled without a word.


    Xiao Yi frowned, aware from their interactions over time that if Xiao Yun was unwilling to speak on a matter, even holding a knife to his throat would be futile. He thus refrained from pressing further on the dragon essence and instead inquired, "What exactly is wrong with your body?"


    This near-exhaustion of life force, he had only seen it in the elderly on their deathbeds.


    With Xiao Yun''s cultivation, such a condition should have been impossible!


    Xiao Yun gently shook his head; he was unwilling to delve further into the topic and earnestly said, "Master, you must remember my words, under no circumstances should you harm Zheng Cheng''s life!"


    Zheng Cheng?


    Again, Zheng Cheng?


    Just who is this Zheng Cheng?


    To make you care so deeply. You keep warning and reminding me as if you''re afraid I''d take his life.


    Sigh!


    Looking at the pale and weak expression on Xiao Yun''s sincere face, Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of turbid air and said in a deep voice, "I promise you, as long as this Zheng Cheng you speak of hasn''t done anything too outrageous, I will not make things difficult for him!"


    Xiao Yun opened his mouth but knew that Xiao Yi agreeing to this was already the limit.


    He sighed softly and said, "Thank you, Master."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, "Go back and rest for now, you don''t need to set off with us this evening!"


    Given Xiao Yun''s condition, if he were to leave with him for special training, he would likely die within three days.


    Xiao Yun respectfully said, "Thank you, Master!"


    With utmost respect, he maintained his posture of salute, slowly backing away until he reached the door, only then did Xiao Yun turn and leave.


    Staring at Xiao Yun''s retreating figure, Xiao Yi''s brows slightly furrowed, his eyes filled with confusion and doubt, "Who, exactly, are you?"


    ......


    The Nantian Dynasty.


    Nantian Wen sat indifferently on the dragon throne, gently tapping his fingers on the table surface, the thudding sound echoing in the spacious hall.


    Each sound seemed to carry magic power, synchronizing the heartbeats of everyone with its rhythm.


    In the hall.


    Nantian Bao knelt on the ground, head bowed, as large beads of cold sweat rolled down and dripped onto the floor, creating a crisp sound that reverberated within the hall.


    "Hehe..."


    Suddenly, Nantian Wen let out a light chuckle; his tapping fingers paused, and his leisurely voice came through, "Interesting, truly interesting�� The combined forces of my Nantian Imperial Guards, Nantian Holy Institute, the holy land of Nantian, and over a hundred prestigious family experts are unable to compete with a green, inexperienced youth?"


    His voice seemed calm, and there was not much fluctuation in his tone.


    But it was this calmness,


    that caused the hundreds of high-ranking officials and powerful ministers in the hall, who held sway over the land, to kneel trembling on the ground, filled with trepidation.


    "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"


    "We are incompetent, we humbly beg for Your Majesty''s punishment..."


    The officials cried out one after another.


    "Calm my anger? Calm what anger? With what shall you appease my anger?"


    Nantian Wen spoke teasingly, his cold gaze sweeping over the officials.


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    Nantian Bao hesitated momentarily before looking up at Nantian Wen and said, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi has announced that he will openly recruit disciples at the Xiaoshanhe Institute in three months. I believe we could send experts to..."


    "Oh? Is that so?"


    Nantian Wen raised an eyebrow, his eyes briefly closing before reopening, and he spoke calmly, "Deliver my imperial decree, instruct Jin Yuhui to take inner disciples of the Nantian Holy Institute, and in three months, make a trip to Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    After a pause,


    Nantian Wen had vanished from sight, but his voice still echoed in the hall, "In three months, I expect to hear no more about Xiao Yi or Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"


    The officials chanted in unison.


    At the same moment...


    A similar scene was also occurring in places like the holy land of Nantian, Changsheng Sect, and elsewhere.


    Nearly all eyes in Southern State were trained on the Daqian Dynasty, with countless powerhouses and forces looking forward to what would happen in three months.


    As the entire Southern State was shaken by the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s public disciple recruitment, in the boundless void, a Flying Boat broke through the sky, precisely entering the realm of Southern State.


    Aboard the Flying Boat.


    A youth stood with his hands behind his back, untouched by the raging winds around him, his eyes slightly narrowed as he muttered, "Southern State? I wonder if there''s anyone here worthy of the young master drawing his sword..."

 Chapter 801 - 799: Collective Disappearance?

    Beast Emperor Sea.


    Howling gales and monstrous waves surged wildly, as if the hand of a celestial deity reared up, casting a shadow over the sun. Towering waves, from great heights, crashed down fiercely.


    With a thunderous roar, they smashed into the vast ocean.


    Releasing bursts of deafening bellowing.


    The sound of the storm reached thousands of miles.


    At this moment...


    Amidst the tempest, a colossal flying boat cut through the wind and waves, its entire structure glinting with silver light. Its surface was coated in a layer of silver liquid that flowed like mercury.


    Within this fluctuating luster of silver, dazzling sparkles flickered, like a silver light beam tearing the heavens, traversing above the Azure Sea.


    Inside the flying boat.


    Ye Heng, Jin Feiyan, and Ruan Yunyi looked solemnly at the figure before them, Xiao Yi.


    Jin Feiyan tentatively asked, "Master, do you want us to undertake our training in the Beast Emperor Sea? But we completed the special training at the Beast Emperor Sea months ago!"


    Xiao Yi was the honorary vice-warden of the Beast Emperor Sea.


    He had signed an agreement with Huang Baitao to send disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute to the Beast Emperor Sea each month to complete various training tasks.


    Ye Heng and the others were the first batch to complete the tasks.


    In their eyes...


    Such training was child''s play!


    Xiao Yi swept a glance over the three, and aside from Ruan Yunyi''s simple-minded grin, both Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan seemed indifferent to the upcoming training, saying lightly, "Don''t be too full of yourselves. If you fail to complete the training task, I will not be lenient!"


    He had already warned them that should they fail the training task, they would be expelled from the sect.


    The three glanced at each other.


    Ruan Yunyi scratched his head, his face earnest, "Don''t worry, Master. I won''t disappoint you!"


    Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan exchanged looks, still not taking the matter too seriously.


    The flying boat was incredibly fast.


    In just half a day, they arrived at Beast Emperor City.


    Immense Beast Emperor City sprawled over the Azure Sea like a massive beast. Even the gigantic waves crashing against the towering city walls seemed puny in comparison.


    They sailed into the harbor.


    As soon as Xiao Yi and his companions disembarked the flying boat, they were greeted by two figures descending before them��the father-daughter duo of Huang Baitao and Huang Yuwei.


    "Ha ha ha, Xiao Yi, it''s been over a year since we last met. You finally remembered your old brother!" Huang Baitao laughed heartily as he stepped forward, giving Xiao Yi a big bear hug, his broad palm patting Xiao Yi''s back heavily.


    Xiao Yi grinned and replied, "What are you talking about, Huang? I''ve never forgotten about you! Look, I even brought several jars of fine wine just for you this time."


    As he spoke,


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, and more than a dozen wine jars, exuding a rich fragrance, landed before them.


    Huang Baitao''s eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily, "Good, good, good! I''ll have someone prepare a feast later, and we brothers can have a proper gathering!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, his attention drawn by a pair of eyes fixed on him.


    Instinctively glancing over,


    Huang Yuwei quickly averted her gaze.


    Xiao Yi, realizing this, smiled and said, "Yuwei, don''t tell me you don''t recognize me anymore?"


    Huang Yuwei gently bit her lip and lifted her eyes to Xiao Yi, "No, it''s not that. It''s just been a while since we''ve seen each other, and I wasn''t sure what to say!"


    The glistening sheen in the young girl''s eyes seemed to mask the longing hidden in her heart.


    Xiao Yi sighed inwardly. How could he not know of Huang Yuwei''s feelings for him? But Fang Qingzhu already occupied his heart, leaving no room for anyone else; thus, when Huang Yuwei had hinted at her feelings last time, he had chosen to play the fool.


    Seeing the atmosphere turn a bit subdued, Huang Baitao sighed in his heart for his daughter and then swiftly changed the subject, "Xiao, in your message, you only mentioned coming to Beast Emperor City. What exactly brings you here?"


    Huang Yuwei also blinked, looking up curiously at Xiao Yi.


    They too had received news of Xiao Yi''s solo trip to the Nantian Dynasty and his ordeal in Yunmeng Marsh. From what they could guess, Xiao Yi must have just returned from the Nantian Dynasty.


    "Why have we suddenly come to Beast Emperor City?"


    Xiao Yi pointed to the three people behind him and laughed, "These three youngsters are also at a critical moment in their cultivation. Hunching over in closed-door training is not the answer, so I thought I''d take them on a trip to the Chaotic Sea!"


    The Chaotic Sea had by now fallen completely within the sphere of influence of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    Many disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute were also sent directly to the Chaotic Sea for training.


    Huang Baitao nodded, just about to speak, when he saw a silver figure flying from the sky. It was a fifth-order magical beast, the Windbreaker Seagull.


    The Windbreaker Seagull was not strong in combat, but its speed was extremely fast.


    Especially its flying speed over the sea, it could even surpass the average Dharma Manifestation Realm experts.


    In both Beast Emperor Sea and Chaotic Sea.


    This Windbreaker Seagull was often used for delivering messages.


    "Is this a message from the Chaotic Sea?" Huang Yuwei watched the Windbreaker Seagull land before Huang Baitao, its throat puffing as it spat out a scroll into Huang Baitao''s hands and explained.


    Xiao Yi nodded, but did not take the initiative to look at the content of the scroll.


    However...


    He quickly noticed that Huang Baitao''s face turned deathly pale after reading the contents of the scroll, without the slightest hint of color.


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "What happened?"


    "Missing..."


    Huang Baitao gulped down a mouthful of saliva, his expression tinged with solemnity, "The message from the Chaotic Sea says that this month, all five hundred disciples who were sent from Xiaoshanhe Institute for training in the Chaotic Sea, have gone missing."


    Hiss!


    Everyone present couldn''t help but suck in a breath of cold air.


    Five hundred people had gone missing collectively?


    Every one of these candidates chosen for the training was a genius with exceptional talent and impressive combat skills.


    Even though the Chaotic Sea was extremely dangerous, the participation of over five hundred people in the training together, plus the fact that Xiaoshanhe Institute had arranged for experts to protect them in secret...


    Ordinarily.


    No matter how difficult the training task might be, five hundred people wouldn''t just go missing at the same time!


    Among the crowd.


    Jin Feiyan suddenly widened her eyes and covered her mouth, uttering an alarmed cry, "That''s not good!"


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    Everyone turned to look at Jin Feiyan.


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "Fei Yan, do you know something?"


    Jin Feiyan''s head shook like a tambourine.


    But her eyes were already brimming with tears.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and demanded, "What exactly do you know? Tell me quickly!"


    "I, I..."


    Jin Feiyan hesitated time and again, but under Xiao Yi''s piercing gaze that seemed capable of seeing through one''s heart, she could no longer hold back and spoke up, "Master, I don''t know how they disappeared. It''s just that... Bingxin was among those selected for this training session!"


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s face suddenly changed.


    He couldn''t help but recall the first time he met Lin Bingxin, as well as all the moments they had spent together afterwards.


    Not to mention that she was Elder Yan''s disciple.


    Back in Nanhuang City, she had also given him no small amount of help.


    Just her affections for him alone were enough reason to not allow anyone to harm her.


    With this thought.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his eyes narrowed to slits reflected a determined look, and he murmured to himself, "Bingxin, wait for me, I''m coming to find you..."

 Chapter 802 - 800 Madly in Love Huang Tianfang

    In Beast Emperor City.


    Huang Baitao''s face showed grave concern, and he said in a deep voice, "Xiao, I have already dispatched people to prepare the latest model of warship. When you travel through the undersea current channel, you will only need one day to reach the riotous sea region!"


    If they were to sail normally...


    Even if they took a Flying Boat, it would take at least three to five days to reach the riotous sea region.


    But Huang Baitao and his team had actually developed a warship capable of diving deep into the sea and using the undersea currents as channels, taking the fastest and smoothest route. Not only was it more secure and stable, but the speed was also several times faster than surface navigation.


    Xiao Yi nodded. His mind was completely preoccupied with the safety of the people with Lin Bingxin, and his complexion was rather poor: "I just hope we''re not too late!"


    "Everything will be all right!"


    Huang Baitao patted Xiao Yi''s shoulder, speaking earnestly, "Nowadays, who inside and outside Southern State does not know that the riotous sea region and the Beast Emperor Sea both belong to the Daqian Dynasty. What''s more, with the experts from Xiaoshanhe Institute, there will definitely not be any problems!"


    Xiao Yi made an acknowledging sound, but his heart remained heavy with worry.


    Although he did not harbor romantic feelings for Lin Bingxin, she had once shown kindness to him because of Elder Yan.


    As for the second reason...


    Xiao Yi understood Lin Bingxin''s feelings for him, but in his heart, he already had Fang Qingzhu, and had been deliberately ignoring Lin Bingxin''s affections.


    Every time he saw Lin Bingxin''s mournful eyes and her pretense of indifference, Xiao Yi couldn''t help but feel guilty. He would naturally not stand by and watch her fall into danger without lending a hand.


    Huang Yuwei, who was standing beside them, saw all this and couldn''t help feeling a touch of sorrow: He must also care a lot about the sister called Bing Xin, right? I wonder if he would worry about me this way if I went missing...


    "City Lord, the warship is ready!" the voice of a strong figure from Beast Emperor City interrupted Huang Yuwei''s thoughts.


    Huang Baitao nodded, then turned to look at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, be careful on your journey!"


    "Understood!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, gestured, and led Ye Heng and the other two towards the docks.


    Huang Baitao, seeing Huang Yuwei distracted, sighed softly and patted her head, "Silly girl, what are you daydreaming about? If you love him, then go for it with all your might, even if the outcome isn''t what you wish for, at least when you''re old you won''t regret not having tried..."


    "Daddy, I..."


    Huang Yuwei opened her mouth, looking incredulously at Huang Baitao.


    Before this,


    Huang Baitao had been sure that there was no future between her and Xiao Yi and did not support her pursuit of him.


    Why the sudden change of heart?


    Huang Baitao ruffled her hair, "Hurry up now, or you''ll miss your chance!"


    "Daddy..."


    Huang Yuwei''s eyes reddened, she hugged her father tight, burying herself in Huang Baitao''s embrace. After a moment, she let go, wiped her eyes, and said, "Take care, daddy. I have to go now!"


    Whoosh!


    Huang Yuwei turned into a streak of yellow light, heading straight for the docks.


    Watching her departing figure,


    Huang Baitao sighed deeply, "A girl grown cannot be kept at home..."


    ...


    Inside the warship.


    Huang Yuwei found herself facing a crowd of onlookers. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi, caught between amusement and helplessness, said, "Yuwei, you came too?"


    Jin Feiyan''s nose wrinkled slightly; she had been following closely behind Fang Qingzhu the whole time during her visit. Calling her ''mentor'' and ''ma''am'', she had received quite a few gifts from Fang Qingzhu.


    In her opinion...


    Every suitor trying to get close to Xiao Yi was seen as a challenge to Fang Qingzhu''s position.


    So naturally, Huang Yuwei wasn''t met with any friendly faces.


    Hmph!


    Jin Feiyan snorted through her nose, a displeased expression on her face as she looked at Huang Yuwei and taunted in a mocking tone, "Some people really do have thick faces, our master didn''t bring you along, yet here you are tagging along on your own!"


    Huang Yuwei glanced at her but didn''t say much. Instead, she looked at Xiao Yi and said, "Daddy said the Chaotic Sea Region is full of dangers. I was born with a natural closeness to the sea and can sense things you folks cannot. With my help, we''re bound to find them much faster!"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Indeed, Huang Yuwei wasn''t lying; she had a natural affinity for the water.


    Such an ability was almost akin to that of a Sea Demon!


    Xiao Yi had realized this the very first time they met. With her assistance, finding someone in the vast sea would indeed be a lot more convenient.


    Xiao Yi nodded and motioned for the Beast Emperor City warrior to pilot the warship out of the harbor.


    Out on the boundless ocean...


    The warship began to submerge, revealing the underwater world in its entirety. The deep sea, thousands and tens of thousands of meters down, soon became pitch dark as they dived deeper, to the point where they couldn''t see their own hands. Suddenly, the voice of the Beast Emperor City warrior came from the front, "We''re about to enter the undercurrent. Everybody hold tight!"


    Boom!


    The warship shook violently as it pierced through a fast-moving curtain of water and entered the undercurrent passage.


    Whoosh...


    The warship followed the undercurrent, swiftly heading towards the tumultuous sea region.


    A day went by in the blink of an eye.


    When they reemerged on the surface, they had already arrived at the Huang Family''s main base.


    The huge port was empty, not a single soul in sight.


    As Xiao Yi stepped out from the warship, a yellow figure sprinted towards the dock. Amidst the mad dash, his face revealed an ecstatic and excited expression, and his sharp voice shouted, "Xiao Yi, brother, I''ve finally seen you again..."


    Xiao Yi...


    Brother?


    Xiao Yi, standing on the warship, shuddered, feeling a chill down his spine.


    He turned around sharply.


    And saw a figure with a willowy waist and a coquettish demeanor, heavily made up ... a man running wildly towards him. His outstretched hands smeared with rouge and powder, his colorful face puckered up with a big mouth, ready for a kiss.


    "Fuck..."


    Xiao Yi''s muscles tensed, and he instinctively lashed out with a spinning kick, hitting the newcomer''s face with a loud bang, sending him flying.


    Huang Tianfang screamed in agony.


    Half of his face was completely twisted as he spun dozens of times in mid-air before slamming hard onto the ground, lying flat like the letter ''X,'' his legs twitching frantically.


    Looking utterly bewildered.


    Foam spewed from his mouth!


    On the warship, Ye Heng and the others just emerging from the hold stared dumbfounded: "Master, what''s going on?"


    Jin Feiyan was equally astonished, "Who is this ghastly fellow? Could his appearance be related to Bingxin and the others'' disappearance?"


    Huang Yuwei''s eye twitched, speaking with a weird look on her face, "That''s the Huang Family''s young master, Huang Tianfang, his father being Huang Feihu." She paused, casting a complicated glance at Xiao Yi, and continued slowly, "According to my father, ever since meeting Xiao last time, he''s been head-over-heels in love with him. Driven to madness by love, completely irrational and locked up in the family''s forbidden grounds. Now it seems likely that when the Huangs went looking for Bingxin and the others, he managed to escape..."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Ye Heng: "..."


    Everyone: "..."


    PS: Thinking about how to deal with Huang Tianfang, wuu wuu...

 Chapter 803 - 801: A Cataclysmic Disaster?

    ```


    "..."


    ```


    Everyone looked in bemused silence at Huang Tianfang, twitching on the ground, and then at Xiao Yi, whose face was dark as a storm cloud. Their expressions were indescribably odd.


    Gulp! S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Heng swallowed hard and muttered, "As expected of my master, he really doesn''t discriminate between the sexes!"


    "..."


    Xiao Yi''s face turned even darker as he gave Ye Heng a death glare.


    Ye Heng shivered and touched his nose, sheepishly saying, "Master, Master..."


    With a grim face, Xiao Yi commanded, "Go wake him up and find out what exactly happened."


    "Ah?"


    Ye Heng froze for a moment, glanced at Huang Tianfang with a mournful look on his face, and said, "Master, wouldn''t it be better for the junior sister to do it? After all, that guy prefers men..."


    "Scram!"


    Jin Feiyan kicked him away with one foot.


    Thump!


    Ye Heng stumbled forward, almost falling to the ground, and with a look of deep resentment, he helped Huang Tianfang up. Faced with that overly made-up, grotesque visage, Ye Heng wanted nothing more than to grind Huang Tianfang''s head against the floor. Suppressing the urge, Ye Heng shook Huang Tianfang, "Wake up..."


    "Woo..."


    Amidst soft whimpers, Huang Tianfang gradually opened his eyes.


    Blinking up at Ye Heng''s face, which was close to his own, Huang Tianfang let out a scream and frantically pushed Ye Heng away, crossing his hands over his chest and staring at Ye Heng warily, "Who are you? How dare you take liberties with me? Are you not afraid of death?"


    Ye Heng: "#��%...&"


    He really wanted to pound Huang Tianfang into the ground!


    Who in the hell took liberties with you?


    Huang Yuwei, unable to watch any longer, spoke up, "Cousin, this is Master Xiao Zhenguo''s disciple Ye Heng. Where have all the family''s strong members gone? Why are you the only one here..."


    The current upheaval in the sea area was entirely under the control of the Daqian Dynasty.


    The Huang Family, as the representative of the Daqian Dynasty in the chaotic sea, was at the height of its power.


    Once upon a time.


    On the Huang Family''s island, there were at the very least several hundreds of thousands of inhabitants.


    Even if people were dispatched to search for Lin Bingxin and the others, it wouldn''t make sense for the entire force to deploy!


    But now, there was only Huang Tianfang left...


    It was truly eerily strange!


    Huang Tianfang was stunned, finally returning to his senses after being dazed by Xiao Yi''s kick. He showed a look of horror on his face, "They, they, they all ran... A couple of days ago, my father suddenly issued an order, saying that a catastrophe was imminent and all the weak, women, and children in the clan were urgently moved away. The remaining martial artists left with my father..."


    His father was Huang Feihu.


    Huang Feihu was crowned the Great General who oversaw the chaotic sea region, his seat of power.


    Given Xiao Yi''s understanding of Huang Feihu, he was an extremely prudent and cautious man who would never normally contemplate moving his entire clan.


    Jin Feiyan frowned slightly and asked, "Then why did you stay here?"


    Huang Tianfang looked at Xiao Yi with a pitiful gaze and said in a sweet, coy voice, "I was waiting for Xiao Yi..."


    That sickly sweet, whimpering tone.


    Truly made Xiao Yi''s hair stand on end.


    He swallowed hard.


    Xiao Yi pressed on, asking, "Do you know where Huang Feihu and the others have gone?"


    "Of course I know!"


    Huang Tianfang nodded, his eyes rolling slyly as he leaned forward with his left cheek and pointed at it, "If you want me to tell you where my father and the rest have gone, then give me a kiss. Otherwise, I''d rather die than tell you!"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Ye Heng and others: "..."


    Jin Feiyan struggled to suppress her laughter, her face twisted in amusement, "Master, for Bingxin''s sake, please make a sacrifice!"


    Ye Heng nodded in glee, relishing the disaster, "Right, Master, this is a matter of life and death. You should make a sacrifice!"


    Huff!


    Under the gaze of several pairs of eyes, Xiao Yi let out a deep breath and fixed his stare at Huang Tianfang, "Close your eyes!"


    "Mm-hmm!"


    Huang Tianfang obediently nodded, his bright red tongue licking his lips, revealing a trace of devilish allure as he quietly awaited Xiao Yi''s kiss on his cheek. Ye Heng and the others watched excitedly, eagerly anticipating Xiao Yi''s kiss. Yet, as Xiao Yi stepped in front of Huang Tianfang, his hand suddenly reached out into the void.


    Swoosh!


    Before Ye Heng could even react, Xiao Yi had grabbed him.


    His entire body was sealed by divine power, unable to move a muscle.


    Xiao Yi forcefully pressed down on his head. Under Ye Heng''s gaze of despair and resentment, Xiao Yi planted his mouth firmly on Huang Tianfang''s cheek.


    Smack!


    A hearty kiss.


    Xiao Yi flung Ye Heng to the side and, ignoring him as he lay on the ground retching, Xiao Yi cleared his throat and looked at Huang Tianfang, who was savoring the moment, "The kiss is done. Can you tell me now where Huang Feihu and the rest have gone?"


    Huang Tianfang nodded, "The disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute who went on this training expedition disappeared in the Southern Sea Area. My father sent many people to investigate, but none returned. Just two days ago, Huang Feibao''s tribe came back. Immediately, my father ordered the family to evacuate and took our elite forces to hurry to the Southern Sea Area."


    "The Southern Sea Area?"


    The tumultuous waters were divided into five areas: East, South, West, North, and Central. Of these, the Southern Sea Area was the calmest and also the richest in resources.


    And also...


    Because the mystical creatures in the Southern Sea were the weakest among the five areas.


    That is why Huang Feihu chose the Southern Sea Area for the training ground for the Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples.


    There had never been an issue in the dozens of previous trainings.


    But this time...


    Not only did hundreds of elite disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute disappear collectively, but even the powerful individuals the Huang Family sent to investigate did not return. This forced the ever-cautious Huang Feihu to order the family''s evacuation and personally lead a team to the Southern Sea Area.


    One could imagine that the disappearance of Lin Bingxin and the others was no simple matter.


    With this thought,


    Xiao Yi turned to Huang Yuwei, "Set off for the Southern Sea Area immediately!"


    "Okay!"


    Huang Yuwei, also realizing the urgency of the situation, nodded and quickly boarded the warship to take control.


    Xiao Yi and the others followed suit into the warship.


    Inside the cabin.


    The group looked at Huang Tianfang, who followed them, and Ye Heng, struggling to suppress his nausea, gritted his teeth, "What are you following us for?"


    "How is that any way to speak to your Mistress?"


    Huang Tianfang glared fiercely at Ye Heng, and then with adoring eyes looked at Xiao Yi, his face bashful, "I''ve been kissed by Xiao Yi, so I belong to him. Wherever the husband goes, the wife follows. Of course, I should follow him!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him, saying indifferently, "It was Ye Heng who kissed you..."


    Ye Heng: "..."


    Huang Tianfang: "..."


    Inside the cabin, the atmosphere turned somewhat bizarre for a moment.


    Fortunately, Huang Yuwei promptly activated the warship, sailing above the Azure Sea and swiftly heading towards the Southern Sea Area.


    At this instant.


    Xiao Yi and the others, hurrying towards the Southern Sea Area, were unaware that in the midst of that region, Huang Feihu and his party had encountered tremendous trouble...

 Chapter 804 - 802: Sword Burst Shocks the Heavens, Like a God, Like a Demon!

    Above the vast and boundless ocean,


    Giant waves rolled incessantly, and even the most ordinary waves towered dozens of meters high, sometimes revealing the fleeting shadows of enormous sea beasts.


    Every time these giants appeared, they would set off waves hundreds, if not thousands, of meters high.


    The onslaught was overwhelming.


    Ordinary warships would stand no chance of navigating here.


    This was the Southern Sea Area.


    At this moment,


    a gigantic warship sailed across the sea. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This vessel, stretching a kilometer long, still seemed as insignificant as a grain of sand compared to the vast ocean.


    So tiny, so trivial.


    On the deck,


    Huang Feihu stood tall, already drenched by seawater, his hands gripping the rail tight, his eyes gleaming with the sharpness of a hawk, his expression extremely grave.


    Huang Feihu had dominated this rebellious territory for hundreds of years.


    He had never seen the Southern Sea Area so tumultuous and fraught with danger.


    All of this was exceedingly abnormal!


    "Elder, the scouting ships we dispatched have lost contact; I fear it''s more bad news," Huang Feibao said with a grave look, speaking solemnly.


    Along this journey,


    they continually sent out small vessels to scout ahead; hundreds of ships had been sent, all never to return.


    Huang Feihu''s face was grim as he said, "Keep sending more people out. The Southern Sea Area is too abnormal, teeming with creatures that don''t even belong here. If this continues, I fear a beast tide will eventually form. We must find Lin Bingxin and the others before that happens..."


    A beast tide.


    Especially in a lawless territory like this, once a beast tide formed, it would be a disaster for humanity.


    On land, beast tides could be somewhat countered by strong city walls against lower-level monsters.


    But...


    At sea, these monsters, often hundreds to thousands of meters in body length, could create kilometer-high waves with a mere flick of their tails. How could that possibly be countered?


    What concerned Huang Feihu even more as they sailed was...


    They had encountered many creatures not native to the Southern Sea Area, and they were appearing here frequently.


    Some of these were even creatures not from the rebellious territories.


    It was well known that monsters had a strong territorial instinct!


    They rarely invaded each other''s territories and seldom left their own.


    Yet now, the kinds of creatures they encountered that didn''t belong to the Southern Sea were more than ten different types, numbering over a thousand in total. Given the vastness of the Southern Sea Area, the actual number could be hundreds or thousands of times higher.


    "Elder, perhaps we should retreat!" Huang Feibao hesitated.


    Beside him, Huang Feixiang added gravely, "Our clansmen have already retreated to the Daqian Dynasty. We should leave too! Only by reaching the inland area can we avoid this disaster..."


    "It''s just some disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute, we have done our best; even Xiao Zhenguo can''t blame us!"


    The men agreed among themselves.


    Indeed, this journey had been fraught with too many dangers.


    They had set out with six kilometer-long warships and over a hundred hundred-meter-long warships.


    Now...


    Only one remained!


    "Shut up!"


    Huang Feihu fiercely slapped Huang Feibao across the face, his expression dark enough to drip water, chillingly adding, "Xiao Zhenguo has been gracious to us; how can we be ungrateful? I don''t want to hear such talk again, or I will deal with it severely!"


    Huang Feibao''s face alternated between shades of emotion.


    Beside him, Huang Feixiang slightly frowned, and they exchanged a look,


    then walked together toward Huang Feihu.


    Huang Feihu furrowed his brows, "What are you attempting to do? Are you thinking of rebelling?"


    With a red tongue licking his lips, Huang Feibao touched the stinging cheek that Huang Feihu had just slapped and sneered, "You are right; I aim to rebel. What can you do about it?"


    "Huang Feihu, since you willingly become Xiao Yi''s lackey, you no longer deserve to be the head of the Huang Family!"


    "We do not wish to die for Xiao Yi. From now on, you are no longer our leader..."


    The crowd spoke in unison.


    Watching their coordinated accusations, Huang Feihu''s face turned iron blue, and his breathing became rapid. It was clear to see that they had premeditated. He gloomily turned to Huang Feibao, "With your abilities, it''s impossible for them to rebel against you. Who gave you the courage..."


    Huang Feibao gave a sinister smile, gestured towards the cabin, and made an inviting gesture, "Elder Jin, it''s your turn to appear!"


    "Huh?"


    Huang Feihu''s face suddenly changed.


    Inside the cabin.


    A chilly voice slowly emerged: "Elder Huang, long time no see!"


    "You are..."


    Huang Feihu looked at the figure wearing a cloak. Suddenly, his pupils dilated as he recognized the person, "Elder Jin Ming from the Changsheng Sect? It''s you?"


    The Changsheng Sect''s influence was everywhere.


    They had always been secretly wooing various strong forces and powers.


    This Jin Ming was one of the 108 Elders of the Changsheng Sect, one of the seventy-two Earth-Killing Elders.


    A few years ago.


    He had once attempted to recruit Huang Feihu, who had rejected him. Little did he imagine that he would turn Huang Feibao against him.


    "Elder Huang... Ah, no, you are no longer the head of the Huang Family."


    Jin Ming''s face bore a cold smile, as he moved next to Huang Feibao with a brilliant grin, "Huang Feihu, when I gave you the chance to join our Changsheng Sect, you bluntly rejected my goodwill, missing a huge opportunity! Fortunately, Chief Huang Feibao knows how to read the times, and he will lead the Huang Family to glory..."


    "Bullshit!"


    Huang Feihu snorted coldly, his furious gaze fixed on Huang Feibao and he roared, "Huang Feibao, what benefits did Jin Ming give you to betray our family?"


    Huang Feibao indifferently said, "The Spirit of Immortality!"


    Hiss!


    Huang Feihu''s face violently changed.


    He didn''t expect the Changsheng Sect to offer the Spirit of Immortality.


    No wonder Huang Feibao betrayed him!


    For any strong person, the Spirit of Immortality is something they long for.


    Huff!


    Huang Feihu exhaled a heavy breath and coldly said, "Huang Feibao, do you think by joining the Changsheng Sect and betraying Xiao Zhenguo, you will have a chance to refine that Spirit of Immortality?"


    Jin Ming grinned slyly, "Why not? It''s not just Xiao Yi; even for the Nantian Dynasty, what does the Changsheng Sect have to fear?"


    Huang Feibao said, "Elder Jin, Huang Feihu is very cunning. It''s best to eliminate him quickly!"


    "Good!"


    Jin Ming nodded, his eyes flashing coldly, "Die!"


    Whizz!


    A golden light shot explosively towards Huang Feihu.


    Jin Ming was at the Peak of the Human Venerate Realm.


    His combat power was far superior to Huang Feihu''s.


    Under the onslaught of rampant energy.


    Huang Feihu''s expression turned cold, a hint of despair emerging on his face.


    Huang Feibao and others looked on smugly, "Once you are dead, both the Huang Family and the entire tumultuous sea area will fall into my control."


    Jin Ming scorned profoundly, "If you do not submit to our Changsheng Sect, death is your only path!"


    At this critical moment...


    From the sky, suddenly there came a stunning sword light.


    Swish!


    The terrifying sword light forcefully dispersed Jin Ming''s attack.


    Under the astonished gaze of everyone, a figure, like a god or a demon, descended slowly from the sky: "Dare to touch my people? Are you seeking death?"

 Chapter 805 - 803: Extinguishing Immortality with One Hand

    "Dare to touch my people, are you seeking death?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice was calm and soothing as it fell into Jin Ming''s ears, yet it was like thunder roaring, deafening to the point of being unbearable.


    As if thousands of thunderbolts were exploding beside his ear.


    Jin Ming''s head buzzed with a blankness, his eyes flashing with disbelief as he stared fixedly at Xiao Yi, "You, who are you?"


    That sword just now had easily shattered his attack.


    That roar had wavered his mind and soul, causing chaos, and from his ears, two streams of blood rolled down, a shocking sight to behold.


    Xiao Yi remained expressionless, his icy gaze fixed on Jin Ming like the blade of a knife, silent.


    It was this coldness and heaviness.


    It was like an invisible blade pressing against Jin Ming''s throat, making him so cautious that even breathing seemed perilous.


    Standing beside him, Huang Feibao felt a chill all over his body, his heart pounding, saliva swallowing wildly in his throat as he said with a trembling voice, "Elder Jin, Jin, this, this man is Xiao Yi..."


    Buzz!


    Jin Ming''s head went blank, a look of confusion plastered across his face.


    Staring straight at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi?


    The Xiao Yi who single-handedly established the Daqian Dynasty?


    Gulp!


    Jin Ming trembled all over. He had received news that Xiao Yi was trapped by Changsheng Sect''s Elder Tianku in Yunmeng Marsh and could not escape.


    Moreover...


    The royal family of Nantian Dynasty and the saints from all sides had sent experts to besiege him.


    They were convinced Xiao Yi was bound to die.


    Only then had he manipulated Huang Feibao into betraying the Huang Family.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi was standing right in front of him. Thinking about what he had done, he was essentially undermining the foundations Xiao Yi had laid in the Turbulent Sea Territory!


    His face showed a pained expression as he murmured, "Xiao Zhenguo, I''ve long admired your reputation, and seeing you today, your fame is indeed well-deserved..."


    Xiao Yi''s face remained expressionless, "I have long heard that Changsheng Sect stops at nothing to expand its influence, and seeing it today, it really lives up to its reputation!"


    Because of his relationship with Yue, he had a slight fondness for Changsheng Sect.


    But now...


    After the incident with Elder Tianku, his disgust for Changsheng Sect had reached its limit.


    Plus, with Jin Ming instigating Huang Feibao''s betrayal, it was akin to digging beneath Xiao Yi''s feet. How could Xiao Yi easily forgive him?


    Jin Ming''s face changed slightly, anger arising in his heart. He was one of the 108 elders of Changsheng Sect, with the cultivation at the Peak of Human Venerate Realm. Being looked down upon by Xiao Yi like this, how could he not be furious?


    Jin Ming''s face darkened, his voice cold as he said, "Xiao Yi, perhaps Elder Tianku didn''t properly teach you the consequences of offending Changsheng Sect?"


    "I truly do not know what the consequences of offending Changsheng Sect are, but I do know that offending me, even if it is your Elder Tianku, leads to only one path: death!"


    Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, his eyes narrowing into slits as he spoke word by word.


    Hiss!


    Jin Ming took in a sharp breath, his face showing a look of shock.


    Elder Tianku is dead?


    That was a formidable Earth Venerate Realm fifth-level power, unparalleled in combat. How could he possibly be dead?


    And it was even less likely that he was killed by Xiao Yi!


    In his view...


    The aura Xiao Yi exuded was that of someone who had just entered the Longevity Secret Realm, merely a novice in the Human Venerate Realm. How dare he boast about killing the Earth Venerate Realm''s Elder Tianku?


    Was he fooling ghosts?


    Upon this thought.


    Jin Ming couldn''t help but laugh in anger, shaking his head, "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, I actually respected you for standing up against the pressure of Nantian Dynasty alone, for founding the Daqian Dynasty like a true man. But it turns out you''re nothing but a glory hound. Elder Tianku is an Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse; you dare claim to have the ability to kill him? It''s simply a fool''s dream..."


    Huang Feibao urged, "Elder Jin, why waste words with him? Just kill him directly, and then not only Turbulent Sea Territory, but even the Daqian Dynasty will be ours!"


    "Huang Feibao, you''re courting death!" Huang Feihu''s face darkened like water.


    He hadn''t expected Huang Feibao''s ambition to be so grand, not only betraying the family but also plotting to kill Xiao Yi and seize the Daqian Dynasty.


    Jin Ming''s eyes lit up. The Changsheng Sect had many powerful individuals, but they were short on resources.


    After all...


    Whenever the Changsheng Sect appeared in any region, it would be regarded by the holy land of that region as a rebellion and heresy, thus subject to devastating attacks.


    Over the years, no matter which power they coveted, they mostly operated by covert control.


    They never dared to be too blatant, thereby exposing their whereabouts.


    Precisely because of this.


    When facing the various forces of the Uprising Sea Area, they did not choose to use high-end military power to forcefully suppress, but instead resorted to means such as secretly bribing.


    As everyone knows.


    The real support of the Daqian Dynasty was Xiao Yi, and if he were to die, the Daqian Dynasty would be like a dragon without a head.


    At that time, the Changsheng Sect only needed to casually dispatch an elder to subdue the Daqian royal family, thereby taking control of this emerging dynasty.


    With this thought...


    Jin Ming sneered coldly, his ferocious gaze fixated on Xiao Yi, "Kid, blame your bad luck for running into me. Go to hell!"


    Buzz!


    On Jin Ming''s five fingers, a surge of golden light swelled massively.


    Before his palm, the void trembled intensely, with surging innate power transforming into a golden, shining whip, like a giant golden python.


    It twisted madly in the air and then, with a whoosh, shot straight at Xiao Yi.


    The giant python, condensed from golden innate power, moved with astonishing speed. Carrying the sort of energy fluctuations that could shake the void, this was the disruptive force generated by the manipulation of energy.


    Once it landed on the body, it wouldn''t just cause damage from innate power, but the disruptive force would penetrate inside the body.


    Shattering internal organs, bursting limbs and bones!


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    In an instant, the golden python had entwined Xiao Yi completely.


    The massive python''s coils bound around Xiao Yi, rendering his body immobile, while waves of disruptive force penetrated his body, bringing a buzzing sound.


    Jin Ming laughed heartily, his face full of triumph, and looked towards Huang Feihu and the others with a smug expression, "Huang Feihu, you can give up for good. Your support, Xiao Yi, has been snared by my Shocking Character Decree, he''ll be incapacitated if not dead, and you all will have no chance to turn the tables..."


    Huang Feihu snorted coldly, his teeth clenched, "Xiao Zhenguo cannot be defeated so easily!"


    "Truly one does not give up until faced with crushing defeat. Xiao Yi is beyond saving!" Huang Feibao snorted coldly, "The facts have proven that my choice is the correct one!"


    Jin Ming nodded, "Xiao Yi only has a dead end, and when the time comes, not only will the Uprising Sea Area be ours, so will the Daqian Dynasty..."


    However...


    His words had just ended.


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi''s voice burst in the air, "Sorry to disappoint you!"


    "Uh?"


    Jin Ming startled.


    Xiao Yi''s body shook all over, and suddenly, incredible Sword Qi soared into the sky. Under the onslaught of the boundless Sword Qi, the golden python was loudly torn into innumerable pieces.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi flashed, appearing right in front of Jin Ming.


    Raised his hand.


    It fell.


    Bang!


    An unremarkable palm, yet it inflicted on Jin Ming, at the peak of the Human Venerate Realm, a sense of powerlessness and despair akin to facing a deity. That ordinary palm left him utterly unable to resist.


    As if powerful chains from all sides were binding him tightly, making him immobile.


    He watched powerlessly as the palm descended from the sky.


    "No..."


    Jin Ming issued a desperate roar, to no avail.


    Bang!


    With one palm.


    Jin Ming perished!


    Gurgle!


    Amidst the sounds of swallowing saliva, silence fell upon the world.


    Everyone looked in shock and disbelief at the young man standing with his hands behind his back, who single-handedly extinguished Changsheng, was this youth truly so formidable?


    PS: Another update coming soon, Xiao Tian continues! S��ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 806 - 804: What Is This Nonsense?

    The fierce wind howled and the Azure Sea surged wildly.


    The thousand-meter battleship felt like a mere speck in the Azure Sea, fluctuating and sinking amidst the storm and colossal waves, as if it could be swallowed by the waves at any moment, on that constantly drifting vessel.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, expressionless, involuntarily emitting a killing aura.


    It caused all the mighty warriors on the battleship to fall silent like scared cicadas.


    Especially for individuals like Huang Feibao, who currently trembled violently, with beads of cold sweat dripping down, their breathing becoming staggered.


    "To destroy Longevity with a single hand!"


    And it was also from the Changsheng Sect, a peak existence of the Human Venerate Realm.


    Such a strong person could not even block one palm strike from Xiao Yi?


    You should know��


    The last time they had seen Xiao Yi, although he had already displayed tremendous combat power, facing a Human Venerate still required him to unleash his full strength to contend.


    Moreover,


    That was merely a warrior who had just entered the Human Venerate Realm.


    Jin Ming was at the peak of the Human Venerate Realm!


    Yet,


    Even someone as strong as Jin Ming couldn''t withstand his single palm strike.


    How powerful had Xiao Yi become in reality?


    Gulp!


    As Huang Feibao saw Xiao Yi''s gaze turn toward him, he subconsciously swallowed his saliva, his legs involuntarily buckling as he knelt on the ground with a thud, trembling as he said, "Xiao Zhenguo, spare my life..."


    Other warriors who had followed Huang Feibao in betrayal also knelt down one after another.


    Their faces filled with despair and regret.


    Had Jin Ming not told them that Xiao Yi had been trapped in Yunmeng Marsh and couldn''t possibly have survived, how would they have dared to betray?


    Unfortunately...


    There''s no cure for regret in this world.


    Xiao Yi coldly swept his gaze over them, then turned to look at Huang Feihu, "Decide for yourself how to deal with them!"


    He was very satisfied with Huang Feihu.


    Even facing the betrayal of Huang Feibao and others, as well as the death threats from Jin Ming, he had not thought of betraying him. Xiao Yi never mistreated those who were loyal to him.


    Once the matters here were settled, Xiao Yi planned to grant Huang Feihu a Longevity Spirit.


    Huff!


    Huang Feihu exhaled deeply, looking at Huang Feibao and the others with extreme complexity; these were his clan and brothers, his right-hand men.


    However...


    They had already reached a dead end.


    If Xiao Yi hadn''t appeared in time today, he would have been killed by the likes of Jin Ming.


    Huang Feibao pleaded fearfully, "Spare me, Chieftain, please spare my life..."


    "Chieftain, we will never dare again, please give us another chance..."


    "Had we known this day would come, why did we do it in the first place?"


    Huang Feihu sighed lightly, as his long sword swept through the air, a silver blade''s arc flashed past. Heads flew up one by one, all of Huang Feibao and the others dying by his battle sword.


    On the deck, the stench of blood permeated the air.


    Huang Feihu sheathed his sword and bowed to Xiao Yi, "My Lord, Huang Feibao and other key rebels have been executed!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him.


    On the deck and actually in the cabins, there were still quite a few who had joined Huang Feibao in his betrayal, but Huang Feihu obviously intended to give them another chance, considering they were of the same clan.


    Xiao Yi did not delve further into this.


    "Use people without doubt, and don''t use people you doubt."


    He believed that Huang Feihu had the capability to resolve all these issues, so he nodded and did not pursue the matter further. Instead, he asked, "On your journey in search of Lin Bingxin and the others, have you discovered anything?"


    That was his most pressing concern at the moment.


    On his way here,


    Xiao Yi had also noticed many irregularities in the Southern Sea Area��some monsters that did not belong to the turbulent sea area, yet they were appearing here.


    It was for this reason...


    that he had left Huang Yuwei and the others behind, hastening alone, which led him to stumble upon Jin Ming forcing Huang Feihu''s hand just a moment ago.


    Huang Feihu''s face turned slightly pale, and mentioning the disappearance of Lin Bingxin and the others gave him a headache. In recent days, in the search for Lin Bingxin and the others, his Huang Family had nearly lost seventy percent of their forces!


    Taking a deep breath, Huang Feihu said gravely, "Based on our investigation over the past few days, we have some clues. They were in the Southern Sea Area on a mission to find Phoenix Blood Coral when they had an accident and lost contact with us. We dispatched people to investigate immediately, and we can now confirm that the area where they disappeared is within this storm..."


    He pointed forward.


    The interconnected sky and ocean were filled with furious storms and tornadoes, like numerous defiant dragons straddling the firmament.


    Terrifying, frightening, dark, and desperate.


    Countless destructive energies gathered together.


    It was like a natural disaster.


    Faintly visible were bolts of lightning, miles thick, striking from the sky, illuminating the entire storm area in golden yellow, and massive thunderbolts hit the sea, creating giant waves thousands of meters high.


    In such conditions, let alone the disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute like Lin Bingxin, even experts from the Longevity Secret Realm might not survive.


    "Zhenguo, we have sent countless experts to explore, but we were always unable to cross this storm area..." Huang Feihu said regretfully.


    Xiao Yi waved his hand. Given such a terrifying natural disaster, it was impossible for Huang Feihu and the others to get through. He said, "Wait here. Yuwei and the others should arrive soon. After you meet up with them, leave this place as soon as possible."


    "Zhenguo, are you planning..." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Huang Feihu''s expression changed drastically as he looked at the storm that obstructed heaven and earth, and said solemnly, "Zhenguo, you are the cornerstone of the foundation of the Daqian Dynasty, how can you take such a risk? Let me go instead..."


    "Alright!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand and smiled, "No offense, but if you went, you would be merely heading to your death. Just wait here. If the storm continues to expand, prioritize your safety above all else."


    As his voice fell,


    Xiao Yi leaped up, and the golden light emanating from his body breathed in and out as the Wind Thunder Wings unfolded.


    With a wingspan of a hundred meters, it spanned the sky.


    Like a majestic Wind Thunder War God.


    Swoosh!


    Xiao Yi soared across the limitless sky, like a purple-golden thunderbolt entering the boundless storm.


    The terrifying Wind Thunder, which could tear apart experts of the Longevity Secret Realm, couldn''t even come close to him.


    Any that touched within ten meters of his body were completely obliterated.


    His figure, like that of a god or demon, left Huang Feihu and the others in a daze...


    ...


    Boom boom boom!


    Xiao Yi stood amongst the storm, traversing the heavenly Wind Thunder. With his current cultivation, he was comparable to an Earthly Honor-level expert. The divine power circulated around his body, supplemented by the Eighth-transformation Wind Thunder Holy Body.


    These storms and thunderbolts couldn''t harm him in the slightest.


    He charged straight through.


    Yet, Xiao Yi''s expression gradually became grave. With such a terrifying storm, if Lin Bingxin and the others were indeed in the storm region, they would likely be in grave danger.


    Passing through layers of thick dark clouds.


    Enduring the assault of countless thunderbolts.


    Breaking through giant waves of a hundred meters, a thousand meters, and even ten thousand meters...


    Xiao Yi rode the wind and smashed the waves, finally arriving at the core of the storm region. However, when he saw the scene before him, he couldn''t help but exclaim, "What the fuck, what is this..."

 Chapter 807 - 805: Terrifying Beast Lair, Murderous Intent Arises!

    "Fuck, what the hell is this?"


    Xiao Yi looked dumbfounded at the center of the storm, at the colossal entity looming over the sea.


    A massive whirlpool lay on the surface of the sea.


    The whirlpool''s diameter was unfathomably wide, suspended above the vast Azure Sea, mercilessly swallowing rolling waves and the towering winds.


    The horrific devouring power was so strong that even Xiao Yi, hundreds of miles away, felt its influence.


    The whirlpool''s depth was immeasurable.


    Even with Xiao Yi''s eyesight, capable of seeing ants on trees a thousand miles away, he couldn''t discern what lay at the deepest part of the whirlpool.


    But the subtle sense of terror emanated from it, sending chills down his spine and making his heart tremble.


    "If Bing Xin and the others have indeed gone missing in the Southern Sea Area, this is the only place they could be��" Xiao Yi''s gaze fixed on the giant whirlpool that seemed to connect the sea''s surface with the infinite world below, he said solemnly.


    The vast Southern Sea Region has always been known for its stability and abundant resources.


    Yet now, a massive and terrifying whirlpool had suddenly appeared, and it could only be this that had mysteriously caused the disappearance of Lin Bingxin and the others.


    With this thought.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, the Wind-Thunder God Armor adhered to his body, and with the Wind Thunder wings vibrating, he flew towards the whirlpool.


    Despite the Winged Thunder''s powerful levitation force.


    Xiao Yi still felt his body being continuously dragged into the depths of the whirlpool, and as he descended, the surrounding light grew dimmer and dimmer.


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi''s hairs stood on end, his pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively dodged to the side.


    Almost at the same time.


    Boom!


    The walls of water around him exploded violently, and two blood-red tentacles, each a kilometer long like two winding blood dragons, viciously lashed at Xiao Yi.


    Swish! Swish!


    The terrifying tentacles made the void buzz, creating giant rifts as the Wind Thunder raged, tearing through the fabric of space.


    The savage force of destruction caused Xiao Yi''s expression to darken slightly.


    "Primordial Chaos Limitless!"


    With a wave of his hand, Xiao Yi threw a punch, executing a technique passed down from Zhao Wuji''s Limitless Battle Canon.


    Primordial Chaos Limitless!


    Within the Primordial, he sought the path of the Limitless.


    With the Primordial Chaos unleashed, the heavens and earth fell into a state of chaotic nothingness. Within that vast void, infinite destructive forces coalesced into numerous black iron fists.


    Humming vibrations!


    Fists flew, like a myriad of meteors piercing through the chaos.


    Boom!


    Punch after punch, the blood-colored tentacles were forcefully shattered, pounded into a spray of blood and flesh. Mournful screams echoed from within the water walls, as the remaining halves of the tentacles retracted in haste.


    "Where do you think you''re going!"


    Xiao Yi stood suspended in the air, his wings lightly trembling behind him, as he swiftly pursued.


    His hands, imbued with the power of the divine, transformed into two vast hands that covered the sky. With two loud grasps, he caught the halves of the tentacles. Xiao Yi''s forehead veins throbbed as he let out a deep, thunderous roar: "Come out!"


    The tentacle violently jolted.


    Then...


    With furious strength, he began to pull the tentacle outwards.


    With a thunderous boom, the wall of water shattered explosively.


    A figure as colossal as a mountain was forcibly pulled out by him, revealing an eight-tentacled sea monster, its body dripping blood-red. Its pair of large eyes glowed ominously, radiating a sinister light.


    As it opened its mouth, the round cavity lined with concentric circles of serrated teeth, sharp as blades, glinted with a ghastly cold light.


    Roar!


    The six remaining tentacles of the octopus monster flailed wildly like a dance of devils, furiously lashing towards Xiao Yi. The roaring sound of their movement shattered the clouds above the ninth heaven.


    A colossal tsunami stretched a hundred miles.


    "Screaming won''t help you, bastard!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes flared with killing intent, which crystallized into two streaks of light that shot forth.


    Around him, the light of wind and thunder surged.


    A wild and fierce power gathered in his fists.


    Swoosh!


    Xiao Yi fiercely pulled on a tentacle, causing the octopus monster to plunge towards him violently while his fists pummeled it like a pestle, smashing down like fiery meteors.


    Boom boom boom!


    Fistfuls of light whistled down, striking the massive body of the octopus monster.


    A burst of blinding light flew past as blood and flesh fell together.


    The enormous octopus monster was torn apart by Xiao Yi.


    As the blood poured down.


    Xiao Yi flew towards the depths of the vortex, where upon the walls of water, figures flashed in and out of sight �� large and small, strong and weak. The one thing they had in common was their blood-red eyes, filled with ferocious killing intent and madness.


    Unbeknownst to Xiao Yi, who was descending towards the heart of the vortex, he was gradually approaching an unimaginably terrifying beast''s nest.


    Meanwhile...


    In the midst of the chaotic seas.


    On an island that seemed ordinary and stood alone above the sea surface.


    A figure slowly materialized from the golden sands of the beach. If Xiao Yi were present, he would be shocked to find that this person was Elder Dikui Jin Ming, who had supposedly died at his hands.


    Rustle rustle!


    Grains of golden sand trickled down as Jin Ming''s pale face revealed a ferocious expression, looking at his own body, his eyes filled with a terrible blood light, "Damnable Xiao Yi, daring to destroy my sole incarnation, how truly hateful!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Jin Ming that had died at Xiao Yi''s hands was actually just an incarnation.


    This was one of Changsheng Sect''s secret techniques.


    By splitting one''s enlightenment into the main body and an incarnation.


    Each harboring its unique path!


    It was akin to having two lives; however, the sole flaw was that once split, further advancement was no longer possible.


    Few chose such a secret technique that cut short their martial path!


    And Jin Ming was a master of schemes.


    His priority was survival.


    After his breakthrough to the Longevity Secret Realm, he had chosen this path.


    His incarnation was always in the open while his original body lurked in the shadows.


    It was for this reason...


    That he was now able to keep his life.


    A cold and resentful glow flickered in his eyes, and as Jin Ming''s gaze swirled, it was filled with hate and a murderous intent, "Xiao Yi, this bastard, you destroyed my incarnation and ruined my plans �C I won''t let you off!"


    A sinister gleam pulsed in his eyes as treacherous and malevolent schemes surfaced in his mind one after another.


    "Send the message of Xiao Yi''s isolation in the Southern Sea Area back, surely the sect will dispatch experts to come. Besides the sect, the Nantian Dynasty should also receive word..."


    As Jin Ming thought of the Changsheng Sect and Nantian Dynasty''s experts appearing together in the chaotic sea to besiege Xiao Yi, he felt thrilled, his eyes gleaming, "No, no, no, that''s not enough. The Nantian Sanctuary might also be interested in Xiao Yi..."


    Changsheng Sect!


    Nantian Dynasty.


    Nantian Sanctuary!


    Any one of these three great powers was terrifying enough to shock the world; all three converging would be an utterly terrifying scene.


    "Hehehe..."


    Jin Ming laughed sinisterly, his fists clenched tightly, the light of vengeance flickering in and out of sight, "Xiao Yi, your death is certain!"

 Chapter 808 - 806: Sea Demon Emperors Grand Wedding

    In the midst of a massive vortex.


    Xiao Yi kept diving deeper, and as the devouring force within the vortex grew more terrifying, his descent speed increased as well.


    Roaring airstreams and water flows constantly echoed around him.


    He couldn''t see his fingers when he stretched out his hand.


    Pitch black everywhere.


    In the darkness, Xiao Yi felt countless fierce and grim eyes firmly fixed on him, sending chills down his spine.


    Buzz!


    Suddenly, a piercing roar came from below the vortex.


    The devouring force instantly increased tenfold. Caught off guard, Xiao Yi''s face drastically changed, and his body plummeted like a falling star directly to the bottom of the vortex.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi landed deep in the vortex.


    Here, however, there was a clear path��it was actually solid ground.


    After a hard fall, Xiao Yi propped himself up and looked forward. The deepest part of the vortex turned out to be a different world altogether. This place was a passage, and at the end of the passage, there was faint light visible.


    "What is this place? To think there is such a thing at the bottom of the vortex?" Xiao Yi patted his dizzy head, regaining some clarity, before continuing to walk forward.


    Tap tap tap!


    Crisp footsteps echoed through the dark path.


    The light ahead grew increasingly dazzling.


    Swoosh!


    The moment Xiao Yi stepped into the light, he was completely stunned by the sight before him.


    Before him was a magnificent underwater world, filled with precious luminous pearls and numerous valuable corals and other treasures.


    What people considered treasures, like the Luminous Pearls, were used here merely for lighting.


    What place could this be?


    As Xiao Yi pondered, suddenly two figures flew toward him from ahead.


    The newcomers were both dressed in red, with large shoulders and broad waists, and Xiao Yi noticed gills on each side of their cheeks, causing his pupils to shrink slightly: "Sea Demons?"


    According to the legend.


    There was a creature in the sea, hermaphroditic by nature, which changed its appearance based on the gender it encountered as it matured.


    These Sea Demons were hermaphrodites, initially appearing as males at birth, but upon adulthood, they would transform into beautiful women if they encountered a male they fancied.


    If they met a female, the Sea Demons would retain their male form.


    Although Xiao Yi had never seen a living Sea Demon, he recognized their identity instantly from many inheritances he had obtained.


    "Who goes there?" the Sea Demon on the left asked, eyeing Xiao Yi warily.


    Xiao Yi hadn''t yet spoken.


    The one on the right said naively, "Isn''t that obvious? He must be here to attend the Great King''s wedding!"


    "To attend a wedding? But he is a human..." the one on the left said.


    "So what if he is human? Isn''t the Great King marrying a human woman? Look how beautiful and charming that human woman is!"


    "That is true!"


    The two Sea Demons exchanged glances and simultaneously gestured invitingly: "Distinguished guest, please come inside!" sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    He had initially thought to silently eliminate the two Sea Demons.


    Never had he expected...


    These two naive Sea Demons would actually invite him in?


    Under the respectful welcome of the two Sea Demons, Xiao Yi walked along a lane over 800 meters long, completely paved with precious gems, and finally arrived in front of a crystal palace.


    The entire palace was protected by a massive bubble, with the palace itself translucent and entirely made of crystal.


    At this moment.


    The palace was bustling with people coming and going.


    Even powerful mythical beasts here chose to transform into human forms.


    However, some beasts with insufficient cultivation still retained parts of their animal forms: either fish-headed men with two bare legs, or octopus creatures with the upper body of a human and eight tentacles as the lower body...


    Everything imaginable was present.


    And in abundance.


    "Human?"


    "Indeed, the Sea Demon Emperor''s wedding day and there are powerful beings from the Longevity Secret Realm coming to present their gifts? Truly remarkable..."


    "I heard the Sea Demon Emperor''s bride is also a human..."


    "Handsome human men, looks like we''ll have a chance to head to the land and capture more humans..."


    "Don''t worry! The Sea Demon Emperor had a fortuitous encounter, his strength has skyrocketed, unifying the Southern Sea Area. I heard his next target is to unify the Chaotic Sea Area, and then to dominate the Southern State..."


    Whispers of mythical beasts filled the air.


    Their murmurs, all precious intelligence, kept reaching Xiao Yi''s ears.


    On this journey,


    Xiao Yi had vaguely understood the cause behind the turmoil in the Southern Sea Area; it turned out to be the Sea Demon Emperor''s breakthrough in power, initiating a war for dominion. Lin Bingxin and her group were just unlucky, getting caught in this strife!


    "I hope Bingxin and the others are safe!" Xiao Yi muttered to himself.


    Suddenly...


    The lead guide, a big simpleton, spoke, "Human guest, please have a seat here! The king''s wedding banquet will start soon..."


    "Um!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, feeling that observing quietly was the most prudent action for now.


    He took his seat immediately,


    while secretly observing the powerful figures present.


    Among them, there were over ten exuding the aura of the Longevity Secret Realm, all at the level of Human Venerate.


    As for the aura of Earth Venerate, there was only one.


    And it was faint and unstable, evidently a recent breakthrough.


    At the back of the hall...


    "This Earth Venerate aura must belong to the Sea Demon Emperor..."


    Xiao Yi''s gaze wandered deeper into the hall when suddenly, a series of gong and drum sounds rang out. The calm air suddenly turned chaotic, and soon, a lean and handsome figure slowly appeared before everyone''s eyes.


    This was a big handsome man about two and a half meters tall, well-built with a muscular physique and delicate facial features.


    A black and gold long robe.


    His eyebrows sharp like swords, his eyes as bright as stars, his high nose adding a proud air to his bearing.


    The purple and gold crown on his head.


    All served to underscore his identity �� the Sea Demon Emperor!


    "Greetings, Sea Demon Emperor!"


    "May the Sea Demon Emperor live as long as the Azure Sea..."


    "Congratulations to the Sea Demon Emperor on your joyous wedding!"


    A chorus of voices rose.


    The Sea Demon Emperor''s face broke into a radiant smile, he grinned and as his gaze swept over the crowd. He waved his hand and laughed, "Thank you all for attending my wedding, I am very pleased!"


    "How could we not attend the great wedding of the Sea Demon Emperor?"


    "Of course, we are here to wish you a lifelong happy union!"


    "Sea Demon Emperor, why not let your bride come out and give us all a thrill..."


    The crowd voiced their thoughts.


    The Sea Demon Emperor laughed heartily, clearly very pleased with his bride as well, and said proudly, "Since everyone wants to see my bride, then I shall indulge you!"


    Snap! Snap!


    Two crisp claps echoed.


    A beautiful, charming young lady in red attire, supported by two female Sea Demons, slowly walked out.


    Looking at the approaching figure, Xiao Yi suddenly straightened up: "Lin Bingxin?"

 Chapter 809 - 807: Kick Explodes

    "Lin Bingxin?"


    Xiao Yi had abruptly sat up straight, his pupils suddenly constricted.


    He had never imagined that the Sea Demon Emperor''s bride would be Lin Bingxin, the very person he had been searching for fruitlessly.


    At this moment...


    Lin Bingxin was being supported by two female Sea Demons, walking forward. From her eyes, one could see extreme reluctance and a trace of despairing helplessness.


    Clearly, becoming the bride of the Sea Demon Emperor was not her wish.


    But the Sea Demon Emperor didn''t care about that.


    He rudely grasped Lin Bingxin''s slender waist, ignoring her struggles, and with a proud laugh said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is my human bride. Isn''t she beautiful?"


    Gulping sounds ensued. S��arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A chorus of demons exclaimed, "Humans truly are the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, indeed she is stunning!"


    "If I could enjoy such a beauty for just one night, even if it cost me a hundred years of my life, I would be willing!"


    The crowd of demons voiced their opinions.


    Yet Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits, a cold light flashing in their depths.


    Every word they spoke was a desecration of Lin Bingxin in his ears.


    Listening to their words,


    The color drained from Lin Bingxin''s face, wishing she could just explode and die right then, but the chilling voice of the Sea Demon Emperor reached her ears, "You''d better not have any other ideas. If you dare to embarrass me, all your friends will die!"


    "You..."


    Lin Bingxin trembled all over, her struggling body gradually slackening.


    The Sea Demon Emperor, pleased with himself, smilingly said, "Ladies and gentlemen, today is the grand wedding day between myself and the bride Lin Bingxin. Eat and drink well... after the wedding ends and I have enjoyed the bride, we shall begin our dominion over the chaotic seas. By then, you all will be my meritorious officials. I will award Lin Bingxin to the one who earns the highest merit..."


    Boom!


    The group of demons stirred, boiling over with excitement!


    This was the Sea Demon Emperor''s woman. To possess her would be like sharing a woman with the Sea Demon Emperor himself��an honor of the highest degree for the demons!


    In an instant,


    Each demon beast''s eyes blazed with heat, their faces flushed with excitement.


    Lin Bingxin''s face was ashen, but the image of Xiao Yi surfaced in her mind, only to be shaken away the next moment, "Lin Bingxin, why are you still so foolish? How could he possibly be here?"


    At that moment...


    A cold voice suddenly cut through the hall, "Who said I agreed to let you marry her?"


    The noisy hall fell abruptly silent.


    Not a sound could be heard; one could hear a pin drop.


    The group of powerful figures were all dumbstruck, turning their heads to look in the direction of the voice.


    The smile on the Sea Demon Emperor''s face gradually stiffened.


    Several months prior.


    He had been just a normal member of the Sea Demon clan until an unexpected adventure in the far south propelled him rapidly forward.


    He didn''t just take out the former Sea Demon King, but also unified the Southern Sea Area, proclaiming himself the Sea Demon Emperor.


    Today was supposed to be his grand wedding!


    And yet someone dared to contradict him?


    How could the Sea Demon Emperor be pleased?


    On the contrary, there was Lin Bingxin��


    The despair and reluctance in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by extreme excitement and agitation. Struggling to hold back tears, she looked at Xiao Yi. When she saw the silhouette that had haunted her dreams for countless days and nights, Lin Bingxin could no longer hold back her tears.


    Tears streamed down her cheeks, like pear blossoms bathed in rain.


    Her voice choked with joy, "Xiao, Xiao Yi, how, how did you come?"


    Xiao Yi gazed at her, sighed and said, "If I hadn''t come, you would have ended up as the wife of that ugly monster!"


    "Annoying��"


    Lin Bingxin spat out, then thinking of the Sea Demon Emperor''s terrifying strength, her face suddenly changed, and she anxiously shouted, "Xiao Yi, you must leave, you are no match for him��"


    The Sea Demon Emperor''s face turned shades of green and white, not expecting Lin Bingxin to know this human who dared to cause trouble at his wedding.


    Seeing the worry and urgency on Lin Bingxin''s face.


    Remembering how he had threatened and tempted her just to have her.


    The Sea Demon Emperor''s face contorted, his gills flapped with each breath, and his mouth full of serrated teeth gleamed with a cold light as he sneered, "Wretched woman, daring to flirt with this little bastard right before my eyes, do you think I am air? You care about him? Then I will capture him and devour him bite by bite, right in front of you��"


    "No��"


    Despair covered Lin Bingxin''s face, she clung tightly to the Sea Demon Emperor, turning her head to look at Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, leave quickly, just go��"


    The Sea Demon Emperor lost all control and roared, "All demons, listen! Whoever captures this human, once I unite the Southern Sea Area, it will belong to them!"


    Hisss!


    The Southern Sea belonging to them!


    This Southern Sea Area was the richest region in terms of goods and resources within the tumultuous sea areas.


    The eyes of numerous demon beasts turned blood-red as they looked at Xiao Yi.


    Roar!


    A Sawtooth Mad Shark suddenly shook its body, transforming into its original form and with a flick of its gigantic tail, which was a hundred meters long, it stirred up a blue light wave, rushing towards Xiao Yi with a crashing sound.


    This was a demon beast comparable to the Third Layer of Human Venerate.


    Extremely powerful!


    The demon beasts around showed shock and regret, "Sawtooth Mad Shark, this despicable wretch, actually using his true form to attack? Damn, the reward will be his��"


    "Even a Human Venerate of the Fifth Layer could not withstand a strike from Sawtooth Mad Shark��"


    Sawtooth Mad Shark bared rows of serrated teeth, constantly sneering, as he swam lightly trying to harvest Xiao Yi''s corpse.


    However��


    Facing the surging blue light wave, Xiao Yi merely pointed a finger.


    Hiss!


    The terrifying light wave, feared by countless demon beasts, was torn apart by a single finger from Xiao Yi, splitting the wave as if it were fabric.


    And Xiao Yi took a step forward.


    In an instant, he was in front of Sawtooth Mad Shark. Against this mountain-like shark, Xiao Yi''s figure was tiny like a grain in the Azure Sea.


    However��


    Within this small body, there was a terrifying force that, with a sweep of a kick, exploded. Bang! It hit right on the head of the Sawtooth Mad Shark, causing his entire head to cave in deeply, and then with a swoosh, it flew backward.


    Amidst a rumbling noise.


    A large hall was flattened.


    The huge Sawtooth Mad Shark lay on the ground, motionless, its entire head completely penetrated, a massive bloody cavity exuding a nauseating fluid gushing out.


    Hisss!


    Inside the hall, a group of demon beast powerhouses stared dumbfounded, unable to believe that even the powerful Sawtooth Mad Shark couldn''t withstand a kick from Xiao Yi, "What, what kind of creature is this human?"


    "He''s just a Human Venerate, why is he so terrifying? Even Sawtooth Mad Shark was kicked to death by him?"


    Among the exclamations of the powerhouses.


    Xiao Yi slowly raised his head to look at the Sea Demon Emperor, his eyes narrowed into slits, and he said coldly, "Release Bing Xin, kneel and accept your death!"

 Chapter 810 - 808: Submit or Die!

    "Release Bing Xin and come take your death!" Xiao Yi stood upon the void, his body surrounded by flashing lightning, deterring the formidable demon beasts nearby from coming any closer.


    This was a being who could kick the Sawtooth Mad Shark to death with a single blow.


    Undoubtedly, his combat power was at the seventh or eighth level of the Human Venerate Realm.


    Among the gathered demons...


    Aside from the old turtle who held a cane and bore a heavy shell on his back, who had not spoken a single word, and the middle-aged man who had transformed from the Cloud-Devouring Whale,


    only the Sea Demon Emperor had the strength to fight him.


    However.


    The old turtle and the Cloud-Devouring Whale evidently had no interest in involving themselves, both adopting an indifferent attitude as if it was none of their business.


    Especially the Cloud-Devouring Whale, who lounged lazily in a large chair, leisurely savoring Spirit Fruits, his eyes half-closed with a smirk that seemed to mock the Sea Demon Emperor.


    He had been a sovereign ruler of the Southern Sea Area.


    Accustomed to freedom.


    As a result...


    As soon as the Sea Demon Emperor had returned, he had slain the former Sea Demon King and sought to unify the Southern Sea Area.


    This had greatly displeased him.


    Now seeing Xiao Yi step forward to trouble him, the Cloud-Devouring Whale couldn''t wait to sit back and watch the tigers fight.


    On the ferocious face of the Sea Demon Emperor, his expression flickered uncertainly. He glanced at the old turtle and the Cloud-Devouring Whale, seeing that neither were willing to make a move.


    Adding to that Xiao Yi''s kick killing the Great Stone Mad Shark, the other demons also hesitated to act rashly, wary of triggering a backlash.


    Now only he himself must act!


    To kill Xiao Yi with a thunderous force would be the only way to reconstruct his authority and intimidate the group of demons.


    With this thought...


    A ghastly gleam passed through the eyes of the Sea Demon Emperor as he yanked Lin Bingxin''s hair and lifted her up, his face twisted as he sneered at Xiao Yi, "Hehe, I didn''t expect such a little bastard to have some ability, sneaking an attack and killing the Sawtooth Mad Shark. However, that piece of trash would be killed by me in a mere thought, and you are nowhere near making me bow down..."


    Xiao Yi''s brows furrowed tightly, the smile on his face completely vanishing.


    Lin Bingxin''s cultivation was completely restrained, and now the Sea Demon Emperor was holding her by the hair.


    Each strand of hair was taut to the extreme.


    Pulling at her scalp, she felt a piercing pain that seemed to penetrate deep into her bones.


    But to avoid worrying Xiao Yi, she bit her silver teeth tightly and refused to utter even the slightest cry of pain, which only intensified Xiao Yi''s killing intent.


    Murderous intent swirled within his eyes as if tangible.


    He spoke with measured emphasis, his voice sonorous and ear-piercing, "Sea Demon Emperor, I''ll give you one more chance, release Bing Xin and come take your death. I can grant you a swift end, otherwise, I swear you will neither live comfortably nor die peacefully!"


    "Hahaha, you think you can threaten me? I''m going to kill her right before your eyes; I''d like to see how you''ll make me beg for life..."


    With a malevolent chuckle, the Sea Demon Emperor pulled Lin Bingxin in front of him.


    As he opened his mouth...


    Sharp, menacing teeth sprung out like switchblades, reflecting a silver cold light.


    The gills on both sides trembled violently, their blood-red color exceptionally ferocious.


    His sharp teeth aimed for Lin Bingxin''s throat, and if they hit, her entire neck could likely be severed.


    In the nick of time...


    Dang!


    A hand, not particularly wide, suddenly blocked in front of Lin Bingxin''s neck.


    Those fierce, pointed teeth clamped down on his arm. This arm was unmistakably Xiao Yi''s. The Sea Demon Emperor was momentarily stunned, then a look of madness appeared in his eyes, "This fool��my teeth can bite through a seventh-grade elemental weapon, and he dares to feed his hand to my mouth? He''s asking for death!"


    With that thought...


    The Sea Demon Emperor snapped shut his jaws.


    However...


    After a crisp cracking sound, the Sea Demon Emperor froze completely.


    Xiao Yi''s arm was unscathed.


    Instead, his teeth cracked with a series of clicking noises, spreading web-like fractures wherever they appeared, teeth bursting apart.


    "Impossible..."


    The color drained from the Sea Demon Emperor''s face, most of his teeth shattered.


    His eyes wide with rage, he realized this was not the time to linger in battle. The Sea Demon Emperor instinctively released Lin Bingxin and tried to dodge away. Alas, he was too slow, since Xiao Yi had anticipated every move.


    As the Sea Demon Emperor retreated, Xiao Yi''s palm flipped over, his fingers clutched the Sea Demon Emperor''s lips.


    Simultaneously...


    Xiao Yi lifted his arm and furiously swung it to the side!


    Whoosh!


    The Sea Demon Emperor let out a wail as his entire body soared high into the air, flying over Xiao Yi''s head before crashing down to the ground with a thunderous boom.


    "You little bastard, how dare you��"


    A dull thud abruptly interrupted the Sea Demon Emperor''s words.


    "You motherf..."


    Thud!


    "I..."


    Thud!


    Xiao Yi repeatedly slung the Sea Demon Emperor back and forth, striking the ground fiercely, causing it to tremble violently. As the seabed shook intensely, the hall adorned with all sorts of objects fell into complete disarray.


    The ground cracked open, mountains snapped, and Luminous Pearls rolled into the fissures.


    A surge of energy wrapped around Xiao Yi, his fists pounding furiously on the Sea Demon Emperor''s head. Each punch landed with brute force, showing no mercy, blood spattering with each thunderous impact.


    More than half of the head was smashed into an uneven mess, the body covered with broken bones and countless wounds.


    The mighty Sea Demon Emperor!


    A being comparable to the Earth Venerate Realm, was being dispatched with ease by Xiao Yi as if slaughtering pigs and dogs!


    Wow!


    The Sea Demon Emperor spewed out fresh blood, his eyes filled with despair and horror. The surrounding demons looked at each other in dismay. Even the old turtle and the Cloud-Devouring Whale were entirely taken aback at this moment.


    They knew Xiao Yi was tough and powerful, but they never imagined him to be this terrifying!


    Even the Sea Demon Emperor was no match for him!


    Xiao Yi looked emotionlessly at the Sea Demon Emperor. Crouching down, he teased the dying emperor, "Weren''t you planning to dominate the tumultuous sea areas and slaughter your way into the Southern State? I haven''t had my fun yet, so why have you fallen?"


    "You, you, what on earth are you?" The Sea Demon Emperor looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of terror.


    He could hardly imagine how this man, who seemed to have just entered the Human Venerate Realm, could possess such fearsome strength. Even with his prowess almost matching the Earth Venerate Realm, he was no match for Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi patted his face and said indifferently, "When you get down to the netherworld, remember my name, Xiao Yi, from the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    Hum!


    A speck of cold light gathered. sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The speck of cold light carried a chilling intent to kill. The Sea Demon Emperor trembled all over, his pupils shrinking violently. Although the speck seemed weak, it made him feel a strong scent of death.


    Gurgle!


    The Sea Demon Emperor''s eyes darted around. He quickly pleaded, "Spare my life, my lord�� I''ll tell you a big secret, as long as you don''t kill me, I��"


    "I''m not interested!" Xiao Yi said flatly.


    Under the threat of death, the Sea Demon Emperor could no longer care about anything else, and shouted, "Two months ago, I was but a Tier-6 beast, and I know of a place where one can rapidly increase their strength��"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi paused for a moment, and the descending speck of cold light also hesitated slightly.


    Two months ago, a mere Tier-6 entity?


    Now on par with the Earth Venerate?


    A hint of interest flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes, curious about the place the Sea Demon Emperor mentioned, "Where is this place you speak of?"


    Seeing that Xiao Yi had momentarily set aside his killing intent, the Sea Demon Emperor let out a sigh of relief. However, he also tried to be crafty, "I can take you there, but you have to swear that once we get there, you will let me go!"


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you threatening me?"


    Hum!


    The cold light gathered once again.


    The aura of death enveloped his body.


    "..."


    The Sea Demon Emperor trembled all over, close to tears. Where had the authority and bearing of a great Demon Emperor gone now? With a long face, he said, "How would I dare to threaten you? I just don''t want to die��"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of amusement, "Submit to me, take me to that place, and I may spare your life!"


    "Submit? Impossible. I would rather die than bow down to anyone. I am the Sea Demon Emperor, and I should have the pride of an emperor. How could I stoop to survive��"


    "Submit or die!"


    Xiao Yi held up a finger, the cold light flickering at his fingertip, death looming in the air.


    The words he was about to utter stopped abruptly, and then with a thud, he knelt down before Xiao Yi. Suddenly changing his tune, he spoke righteously, "Hai Chuan pays his respects to the master!"


    Xiao Yi: "��"


    Lin Bingxin: "��"


    The surrounding group of demons: "��"


    What happened to the declaration of never submitting?


    What about the emperor''s pride?


    At this very moment, Xiao Yi was unaware that as he entered the vortex, at the boundary between the Beast Emperor Sea and the turbulent sea area, several figures quietly emerged...

 Chapter 811 - 809: A Tripartite Conspiracy, Laying a Death Trap!

    These figures converged in the void.


    They were all masters from the Longevity Secret Realm, each possessing the realm''s cultivation.


    The newly appointed Commander of the Nantian Dynasty''s Imperial Guards, Nantian Bao, brought with him five warriors at the Peak of Human Venerate Realm and two high-ranking experts of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    From the Nantian Sacred Land, Elder Li Yaofeng, also came with five warriors at the Peak of Human Venerate Realm, as well as three superior experts of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    The representatives from the Changsheng Sect were shrouded in more mystery, cloaked in capes.


    One could not discern their true faces.


    Although the Changsheng Sect had the fewest people, sending merely two, the aura exuding from these two made Nantian Bao and Li Yaofeng treat them with utmost seriousness.


    They dared not show the slightest neglect.


    These two were on par with Elder Tianku, both part of the Thirty-Six Tiangang Elders.


    Each of them was a master above the fifth level of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    In particular, the two brothers, Elder Tiansha and Elder Tianbao, born of the same mother, had an impeccable understanding between them and would join forces seamlessly in battle.


    Against one opponent,


    even a seventh-level expert of the Earth Venerate Realm would stand a chance to fight them.


    Elder Tiansha''s eyes narrowed into slits as a blood-red light shone from his pupils, fixing his gaze on Nantian Bao and Li Yaofeng. His metallic voice carried into the void, "You may have the other spoils, but the riotous sea region and Xiao Yi''s head must belong to our Changsheng Sect!"


    Beyond Changsheng Sect''s secretive and unknown headquarters,


    they had no land to call their own.


    For this reason��


    The Changsheng Sect had to infiltrate the various major regions to discreetly recruit disciples.


    Furthermore, the Human Race''s sacred lands saw them as pests to be exterminated, creating a situation where the Changsheng Sect struggled to survive in the cracks.


    Thus, owning a piece of territory had become an obsession for the Changsheng Sect.


    Once Xiao Yi was slain,


    the Great Qian Dynasty would surely fall apart, but neither the Nantian Dynasty nor the Nantian Sacred Land would likely hand over the Great Qian Dynasty''s territory to them. This was why Tiansha proposed claiming the riotous sea region as their domain.


    Nantian Bao and Li Yaofeng exchanged glances,


    evidently considering this issue on the journey there. Nantian Bao spoke with a grave tone, "We can hand over the riotous sea region to you, but the boundary must be the Beast Emperor Sea. The influence of your Changsheng Sect must be limited to the riotous sea region alone��"


    Elder Tianbao, known for his fiery temper, snorted coldly, "Why? The Beast Emperor Sea is part of the riotous sea region. Why can''t we enter?"


    Li Yaofeng responded icily, "This is a decision made after our two sides discussed. Whether you accept it is up to you!"


    "Do you really think I wouldn''t dare kill you, Li Yaofeng?" Elder Tianbao''s hair stood on end, his eyes sharp as blades, and the innate power within him burst forth like a wild wind, the thundering sound causing people''s scalps to tingle.


    The cold murderous intent caused fish carcasses to float up amidst the roiling waves below.


    The sheer murderous aura alone was enough to kill all the fish within several tens of miles, indicating just how terrifying the killing intent possessed by Elder Tianbao was!


    "You think I''m afraid of you?" Li Yaofeng glared furiously, taking a step forward as he too unleashed an invisible energy fluctuation from his body.


    The two invisible energies collided in the void.


    With a loud boom,


    a vast energy shockwave formed a gale that instantly plunged into the sea, tearing apart the water below as if an invisible hand had forcefully split it open.


    Water walls on both sides, torrential waves crashing down relentlessly.


    The thunderous sound was deafening.


    "Both of you, hold on a moment!"


    Nantian Bao flashed into position between the two men, the fierce aura around them turning his face pale as if a mountain weighed upon him. His bones creaked as he gritted his teeth and said, "Both of you, hear me out. Our target is Xiao Yi. As for the territory dispute, it''s just a sea apart. We can negotiate later. What do you think?"


    Li Yaofeng stared coldly at Elder Tian Bao, silent.


    Elder Tian Bao squinted his eyes, unmoved.


    A look of urgency crossed Nantian Bao''s face as he turned to Elder Tiansha, who simply said, "Second brother!"


    "Hmph!"


    Elder Tian Bao let out a cold snort, his hair falling back into place.


    Nantian Bao inwardly sighed with relief and turned to Li Yaofeng. "Elder Li..."


    "Hmph! I''ll give you this face!" Li Yaofeng responded gruffly, dispersing the violent aura around him.


    Nantian Bao quietly let out a sigh of relief and then addressed Elder Tiansha. "Elder Tiansha, this alliance was proposed by your Changsheng Sect. We need detailed intelligence now!"


    "No problem!"


    Elder Tiansha nodded and then said, "Elder Dikui of our sect, Jin Ming, has passed on a message that Xiao Yi appeared in the Southern Sea Area of the Chaotic Sea yesterday. Reliable sources say that Xiao Yi''s visit is in search of disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute who went missing in the Southern Sea..."


    "He traveled all the way to the Southern Sea Area for a few missing disciples?"


    "This Xiao Yi is really interesting. Does he not know that the Nantian Dynasty and the Holy Lands both wish to tear him to shreds?"


    "This is a good opportunity. If he dies above the Chaotic Sea, not even Baiyu could hold us accountable..."


    Nantian Bao''s eyes gleamed.


    The reason they had not made a move against Xiao Yi was due to their fear of Baiyu.


    After all.


    Baiyu was no weaker than the Holy Lands of Nantian.


    Upon this thought.


    The group nodded in unison.


    Nantian Bao grinned and said, "Enough talk. My emperor only wants Xiao Yi''s life. As for his head and the Chaotic Sea, you may take it!"


    Li Yaofeng indifferently said, "Territory is of no use to our Holy Lands. Our only condition is that before killing him, he must be handed over for me to interrogate personally!"


    Nantian Bao and Elder Tiansha looked at him, their expressions inscrutable.


    This Li Yaofeng, besides being extraordinarily strong in battle, also possessed a Divine Secret Skill - Soul Search, capable of extracting all secrets buried deep within a soul.


    Presumably, the Holy Lands sent him in hopes of obtaining Xiao Yi''s Cultivation Techniques and inheritance.


    Tiansha shifted his gaze and spoke indifferently, "However, Xiao Yi is not that easy to deal with. He is someone who has killed Elder Tian Ku of our sect, Yang Dingtian, and Nantian Lie of the Holy Lands."


    "What are you suggesting?" Li Yaofeng asked, puzzled.


    Nantian Bao narrowed his eyes and gave a sinister smile, "As far as I know, Xiao Yi has quite a good relationship with Huang Baitao of the Beast Emperor City..."


    Elder Tian Bao spoke up, "Speaking of which, it reminds me that Jin Ming said many of the Huang Family members were moved out early by Huang Feihu, and they should now be on their way to Beast Emperor City!" S��ar?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The group exchanged glances.


    The corners of their mouths lifted simultaneously, wearing a smile of a successful plot: "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, I really want to see how you''ll break out of this one!"

 Chapter 812 - 810: The Fall of Beast Emperor City, Journey to the Far South!

    Beast Emperor Sea.


    The gigantic Beast Emperor City sprawled atop the vast ocean like an ancient beast, unfazed by the mighty waves that could not reach the summit of the massive city walls.


    The towering city walls stood like giants reaching for the sky, erected between the Azure Sea and the heavens.


    Nothing could disturb it in the slightest!


    Huang Baitao stood proudly atop the city walls, his gaze fixed on the turbulent sea before him, his expression laden with utter solemnity, "No idea how Xiao Yi and Yu Wei are doing, whether they''ve found Lin Bingxin and the others..."


    Lin Bingxin and Elder Yan were among the earliest to follow Xiao Yi.


    Given Huang Baitao''s understanding of Xiao Yi, he was well aware of how furious Xiao Yi would be should anything happen to Lin Bingxin and the others.


    Suddenly,


    Huang Baitao saw several gigantic battleships cutting through the waves, bearing the flags of the Huang Family from the war-torn Southern Sea Area.


    "Hm? The Huang Family''s ships? What''s going on here..." Huang Baitao''s face turned pale instantly.


    Ever since Xiao Yi had dominated the war-torn Southern Sea Area, the Huang Family had become his spokesperson there.


    The vast Southern Sea Area respected the Huang Family.


    The Huang Family had been loyal to their duty, steadfastly guarding the Southern Sea Area for Xiao Yi without overstepping, yet now several warships had crossed into the Beast Emperor Sea.


    There must be some big trouble!


    Just as Huang Baitao prepared to leave the city, suddenly, from the horizon a heaven-shattering blade light split the sky.


    This silver flash of light brightened the whole world in an instant.


    The blade swept away all in its path.


    Even the hundred-meter-high huge waves were pulverized by this fearsome blade, and with a thunderous boom, the blade light devoured one of the battleships.


    Boom!


    The warship snapped in two, and screams and figures were swiftly swallowed by the unforgiving sea.


    "No..."


    Huang Baitao saw clearly that the people on the battle ship were all old and weak, women and children; How could they resist the ruthless swallowing of the sea? In a moment, the ship''s stronger individuals reduced to almost none.


    Almost all were dead or injured.


    Huang Baitao''s eyes turned bloodshot as he followed the path of the blade light, only to see a few figures suspending in the air, among them a man with a pale face wearing black armor, withdrawing his long sword with a cold smirk.


    The assailant was none other than Nantian Bao!


    "Who are you people? Why would you commit such atrocities against the old and weak of the Huang Family..." Huang Baitao soared into the sky, his gaze full of rage, furiously confronting them.


    Nantian Bao glanced at him with a cold look, sneering with mockery, "You must be Huang Baitao? Blame your own Huang Family for betraying their loyalty and siding with a rebel like Xiao Yi..."


    "Are you from the Nantian Dynasty?" Huang Baitao''s face changed drastically.


    Nantian Bao flashed a toothy grin, "A dying man needs not know too much."


    Li Yaofeng, standing beside him, was expressionless. To the mighty beings of the Nantian Holy Land, any creatures beyond their holy grounds were no more than ants. Impatiently waving his hand, he said, "Why waste words on them? Take Huang Baitao and the people of the Huang Family away, and just obliterate this Beast Emperor City while we''re at it!"


    Once Xiao Yi was slain.


    The war-torn Southern Sea Area would belong to the Changsheng Sect. In the eyes of powerful figures like Li Yaofeng of the Nantian Holy Land, to prevent the Changsheng Sect from continuing to infiltrate the Southern State, S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Naturally, the most straightforward and effective way was to destroy the only passage of communication between the Southern Sea Area and the Southern State��Beast Emperor City.


    Huang Baitao''s face turned pale with shock, they actually intended to destroy the Beast Emperor City? There were millions of living beings inside! His figure flashed as he positioned himself above the Beast Emperor City, bellowing, "If you want to destroy Beast Emperor City, you''ll have to do it over my dead body!"


    "Silence!"


    Li Yaofeng snorted coldly and with the flick of a finger, streaks of innate power transformed into a massive net that enveloped Huang Baitao.


    "War God''s Hundred Battles Fist!"


    "Sky-shattering Sword Finger..."


    Huang Baitao attacked continuously.


    But he was merely in the Nirvana Realm, how could he be the match for Li Yaofeng of the Earth Venerate Realm?


    All of Huang Baitao''s attacks dissipated into nothingness when they met the massive net of innate power, and at the same time, the net tightly bound Huang Baitao, trapping him still as if he were a wrapped zongzi.


    Nantian Bao naturally understood Li Yaofeng''s intentions and sneered to himself. A battle saber cut through the air, slashing eight times: "Heaven and Earth without limit, the universe falls into silence..."


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Eight terrifying saber lights converged into a circular radiance that, with a buzz, landed within Beast Emperor City.


    Boom boom boom...


    The entire Beast Emperor City shook violently.


    The sky-piercing saber light, destructive storm, swept across the entire city.


    The formidable winds that roiled carried for over a hundred kilometers, and the waves they raised affected thousands of kilometers. When all returned to calm, the sea surface was devoid of Beast Emperor City.


    Only a vast whirlpool of unknown depth churned tumultuously, devouring the surrounding seawater.


    Li Yaofeng''s face was expressionless as he looked at Huang Baitao and the members of the Huang Family aboard those few warships, saying with a sinister tone, "The bait has been taken, we can now head to the chaotic sea area, waiting for Xiao Yi to walk into the trap!"


    "Hehe, this time, Xiao Yi is surely doomed!"


    ...


    Southern Sea Area.


    Deep beneath the endless sea.


    The massive whirlpool was still roaring. The Sea Demon Emperor had after all, gathered countless powerful demon beasts, making it a huge den.


    However...


    Under Xiao Yi''s formidable martial prowess, all Beast Kings within the Longevity Secret Realm gathered in the den were slaughtered without exception.


    Only the Sea Demon Emperor remained.


    Following behind Xiao Yi were Lin Bingxin and a group of Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples who had gone missing. They all looked at Xiao Yi with eyes filled with fervent admiration.


    Even the mighty Sea Demon Emperor was like an obedient baby in front of Xiao Yi!


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi, do you really believe his words? I''m afraid he..." Lin Bingxin glanced at the Sea Demon Emperor, who lowered his head in a defeated posture, showing hesitation, she voiced her concern.


    Xiao Yi smiled. He simply did not take the Sea Demon Emperor seriously.


    In the face of absolute power,


    all schemes and plots are paper tigers!


    He said indifferently, "Don''t worry, I doubt he can set any traps that can harm me. In a while, I''ll send you to join up with Huang Feihu. Just head to the Huang Family''s stronghold and wait for me..."


    "This..."


    Lin Bingxin bit her lip and finally sighed lightly, nodding, "Then take care of yourself..." She hesitated, then with a stubborn look in her eyes, she stared at Xiao Yi, "I''m doing this to look out for you on behalf of Qingzhu."


    "Got it!"


    Seeing the stubbornness on Lin Bingxin''s face, Xiao Yi let out a soft sigh in his heart but did not expose her clumsy excuse. The power of deification enveloped Lin Bingxin and the others, whisking them away from the whirlpool.


    Moments later.


    Xiao Yi delivered Lin Bingxin and the others to Huang Feihu''s ship.


    Once he instructed everyone to return to the Huang Family stronghold to wait, he took the Sea Demon Emperor with him and soared upward, flying toward the far south. At this moment, however, Xiao Yi was unaware that his journey to the extreme south would unleash a terrifying storm of blood and violence throughout the Qingtian Realm...

 Chapter 813 - 811: Heavenly Venerate???

    The extreme southern territory.


    This was a Life Forbidden Zone rarely tread by human feet, perennially covered by ice and snow, and it remained in darkness throughout the year.


    Even the strong from the Longevity Secret Realm couldn''t help but be affected by this desolation.


    When Xiao Yi, guided by the Sea Demon Emperor, spent a full seven days to arrive at the extreme southern territory, the sheer whiteness of the world stretching out before him elicited a look of astonishment on his face.


    Xiao Yi turned to the Sea Demon Emperor, frowning as he said, "You should know the consequences of deceiving me!"


    He had traveled countless miles to come here.


    If the Sea Demon Emperor dared to deceive him, death would be far too simple a punishment!


    The Sea Demon Emperor was, of course, clear about this and nodded hurriedly, saying earnestly, "Please rest assured, Lord of the State, I would never dare to deceive you. I indeed had a fortuitous encounter here a few months ago!"


    If it had been another Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse, they would rather die than exhibit such subservience.


    But...


    A few months prior, the Sea Demon Emperor had been nothing more than a lowly Sea Demon, despised and expelled by his own kind. Suddenly rising to a strength comparable to the Earth Venerate Realm, he naturally didn''t want to die just yet.


    So long as he could stay alive, he was willing to forsake everything!


    Xiao Yi nodded and commanded, "Lead the way ahead!"


    "Please follow me, Lord of the State!"


    The Sea Demon Emperor bowed and scraped, nodding obediently like an old, docile dog, and led the way.


    They traveled onward.


    Having left the seashore by three thousand miles, Xiao Yi and the Sea Demon Emperor abruptly stopped, both revealing expressions of astonishment as they looked at the strange scene before them.


    This white snow-covered extreme southern territory now had an oasis bursting with green vitality.


    Stretching as far as the eye could see...


    The area was dressed entirely in greenery, with lush vegetation and the fragrance of birds and flowers.


    It was nothing short of a terrestrial paradise!


    Where was the forbidden zone of life?


    "What''s going on here?" Xiao Yi turned to the Sea Demon Emperor.


    The Sea Demon Emperor also looked baffled, unconsciously shaking his head, "I, I don''t know... The last time I was here, there were only some sporadic patches of moss; nothing like this..."


    Roar!


    A beast''s roar suddenly rang out.


    The ground beneath them exploded with a boom, and a colossal creature burst forth, flinging up clouds of dust. Amidst the flurry, a pair of silver fangs aimed to tear at Xiao Yi''s waist.


    Those silver fangs glinted coldly, chillingly cold, the biting winds that accompanied them whistled through the air, sharp as knives, sharp as swords.


    "Court death!"


    Xiao Yi''s face darkened, and with a single hand, he threw a fierce punch at the silver fangs. Invincible King Fist, undefeated in battle, invincible in attack.


    With that punch,


    A loud boom resonated.


    The silver fangs shattered instantly, and amidst its screams, Xiao Yi unleashed a series of punches.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    As one after another punch faded, the creature that had broken through the earth ceased its struggle, turning out to be a polar centipede shimmering with silver light.


    But...


    Normal polar centipedes were at most five or six meters long, but this one was at least ten meters.


    Clearly, something was amiss!


    "Lord of the State, are you alright?" the Sea Demon Emperor asked tentatively.


    Xiao Yi gave him a cold look, the corners of his mouth curling up into a chilling sneer.


    When the polar centipede had launched its surprise attack, this fellow had hidden away faster than anyone else��it wouldn''t be a surprise if he had wished for Xiao Yi to be bitten to death!


    And now, seeing Xiao Yi unharmed, he came forward to inquire and express his concern.


    He truly was a deeply scheming character!


    However, Xiao Yi still needed him for now in this extreme southern territory, so instead of killing him on the spot, he simply pointed a finger at the Sea Demon Emperor''s forehead.


    A vast and pure force of divine sealing silently entered his body.


    "Lord Warden, what, what are you doing?" The Sea Demon Emperor was startled, as he had been completely powerless to resist that single stroke.


    Xiao Yi said lightly, "Nothing much, just left a prohibition inside your body. Your life or death is but a thought away for me!"


    Hiss!


    The Sea Demon Emperor''s face suddenly changed, a flash of fury swept through his eyes, but thinking of Xiao Yi''s overwhelming strength, and the prohibition within him, he could only hang his head.


    And continued to follow behind Xiao Yi.


    Having dealt with the Sea Demon Emperor, Xiao Yi squatted on the ground to examine the body of the giant centipede, which was clearly unusual.


    After cutting open the centipede''s corpse and searching, Xiao Yi discovered something strange. Within the centipede''s head was a mysterious green crystal.


    This green crystal was like a gem, completely transparent, emitting a faint green light.


    Grasping it in his hand,


    Xiao Yi discovered that the crystal contained an incomparable concentration of elemental energy; the density of the elemental energy in just this one crystal was comparable to a second-order Spirit Vein!


    "How could this be possible?" Xiao Yi couldn''t help but inhale sharply.


    Spirit Veins.


    They are the gathering of the earth''s spiritual energy and the essence of all things.


    Some small countries even use first-order Spirit Veins to suppress the nation''s fate and condense the dragon of fortune.


    How terrifying is the energy contained within!


    To think, within the body of a beast comparable to the Tao Tribulation Realm, there lay a crystal harboring elemental energy equal to that of a second-order Spirit Vein?


    What on earth could this mysterious crystal be?


    And how was it formed?


    "Other than this crystal in its head, this centipede has no differences from ordinary ones... It seems that the reason for this centipede''s strangeness lies right here!" Xiao Yi mused to himself, playing with the green crystal in his hand.


    You must know...


    The biggest difficulty he currently faces in refining the spirit of longevity is the urgent need for Spirit Veins. If the beasts in this extreme southern land all have such crystals in them, then why keep searching for Spirit Veins?


    One crystal is equivalent to one Spirit Vein!


    And this is only a beast comparable to the Tao Tribulation Realm. What if it''s a beast of the Dharma Manifestation Realm, or from the Longevity Secret Realm?


    If they all have these green crystals inside them,


    Won''t there be countless Spirit Veins right before him?


    Why go through all the trouble to look for Spirit Veins?


    Upon this thought,


    Xiao Yi, with the Sea Demon Emperor, began to search for beasts in the extreme southern land. sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One day.


    Two days.


    Three days...


    In the blink of an eye, ten days passed.


    On a flat grassland.


    The massive body of a beast lay on the ground, this beast''s body stretching up to two hundred meters long and possessing a cultivation level comparable to the Earth Venerate Realm.


    In addition, it could control wind and snow, and if encountered by ordinary Earthly Honor realm fighters, it''s uncertain who would perish.


    Unfortunately, today it met Xiao Yi!


    Pfft!


    Xiao Yi dug out a fist-sized green crystal from its head, the energy contained within comparable to a sixth-order Spirit Vein. He placed it into his storage ring, his face revealing a brilliant smile: "In just ten short days, I''ve collected over ten thousand mysterious crystals, and just among those comparable to a sixth-order Spirit Vein, there are thirteen. After I return, I can refine quite a number of lifespans of longevity. I''ll aim to breach ten in the Longevity Secret Realm of my Xiaoshanhe Institute before the day of disciple recruitment!"


    Although he had yet to uncover the secrets of the extreme south, this trip had already been immensely profitable!


    Not a bad journey at all!


    "This place is only about five thousand kilometers from the central region of the extreme southern land, I wonder if there will be higher-grade crystals further ahead..." Xiao Yi looked forward.


    Ready to continue on.


    But just at this moment...


    An earth-shattering roar came out of nowhere, causing Xiao Yi''s expression to drastically change, his pupils suddenly narrowing: "A Sky Sovereign???"

 Chapter 814 - 812: Defying Heavens Spirit Lake

    "Heaven Venerate?"


    Xiao Yi''s complexion changed drastically, an intensely grave expression flowing through his eyes.


    Deep in the southernmost region, a massive figure suddenly soared into the sky, the figure at least a kilometer long and entirely ice blue in color.


    It was unmistakably a ten-thousand-year ice python.


    The entirety of the ice python was covered in shield-like Scale Armor, the glimmering scales emitting a clanging, harsh sound as the body wriggled.


    In the midst of its roaring cries,


    a terrifying storm of destruction swept across heaven and earth.


    Where the storm passed, snowstorms raged.


    As the hurricane roared past, a heavy snowfall followed closely, covering everything in its path with a thick layer of ice amid crackling sounds.


    The face of the Sea Demon Emperor was filled with despair and terror as he ran towards Xiao Yi in an extremely disheveled manner, shouting, "Lord Protector, save me, save me��"


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Save your sister!


    Although the approach of this ten-thousand-year ice python revealed that this beast was not at the Heaven Venerate Realm but was at the Peak of Earth Venerate Realm.


    With his current strength, facing a ten-thousand-year ice python at the Peak of Earth Venerate, wouldn''t that mean trouble?


    With that thought,


    Xiao Yi turned and walked away without looking back.


    Sea Demon Emperor: "..."


    Roar!


    With a violent flick of its huge body, the ten-thousand-year ice python''s enormous tail whipped up a wind as sharp as blades and caught the Sea Demon Emperor mid-air, then with a booming sound,


    crushed the Sea Demon Emperor into a pulp of meat.


    Xiao Yi''s face changed drastically.


    The Sea Demon Emperor was comparable to the Earth Venerate Realm; was he really unable to withstand even a single tail swipe from it?


    Lost in thought...


    A cold, deathly chill swept up from behind in an instant.


    Xiao Yi felt all of his body hair stand on end and glanced backward from the corner of his eye, only to see the ten-thousand-year ice python was already catching up, the distance between them getting closer.


    Hearing the whooshing sounds approaching from behind,


    he could even smell the horrid stench from the other''s mouth.


    "Damn, it''s too fast��" Xiao Yi said with a grave look, realizing he was at a big disadvantage if he tried to outrun the ten-thousand-year ice python.


    With that thought,


    a fierce light flitted across his eyes.


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi abruptly turned around, simultaneously slapping his hands on the ground.


    Whoosh, whoosh!


    Two bursts of Divine Power converged into energy orbs that fell to the ground with booming sounds, exploding and creating a deafening noise. As the earth shook and dust flew, Xiao Yi used the explosive force to retreat rapidly.


    He skidded on the ground, leaving fierce trails behind.


    At the same time��


    His right hand reached forward, the void trembled, and the Demon Sword Slash Moon fell into his palm. Xiao Yi, holding the sword in one hand and lightning in his eyes, let out a light shout as the longsword swept across the sky: "Sword Twenty-three!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Sword lights soared from the Slash Moon.


    Sword beams danced across the sky, eventually converging into a hundred-foot giant sword, which ferociously crashed down on the ice python''s head.


    With a loud bang,


    the ten-thousand-year ice python''s massive body heavily slammed into the ground, headfirst creating a hundred-meter-deep pit, and its body staggered and toppled over.


    Xiao Yi then seized this opportunity to push his speed to the limit.


    Roar!


    Roar!


    The outraged roars of the ten-thousand-year ice python got increasingly distant until Xiao Yi could no longer hear them, and only then did he slow down. Looking into the deep, snowy southernmost region, Xiao Yi breathed a sigh of relief but also frowned slightly: "There''s definitely something wrong with this core area of the southernmost region��"


    In the far south, this place is known as the Life Forbidden Zone.


    Here, apart from some extremely cold-resistant monster beasts, there were no other living creatures.


    But even those beasts that lived in the far south couldn''t possibly grow so powerful, let alone a ten-thousand-year ice python which, even if it truly lived for ten thousand years, could at best match the Human Venerate Realm.


    That one just now was comparable to the Peak of Earth Venerate Realm!


    Plus, during these past ten days... sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They had hunted various monster beasts in the far south, and the mysterious crystals they obtained were each equivalent to a Spirit Vein.


    Xiao Yi was clearly unwilling to leave just like that.


    As this thought crossed his mind.


    Xiao Yi searched through many inheritances in his mind and found a unique movement technique "Five Elements Escapism Skill," along with a Concealment Skill named "Formless and Shadowless."


    The Five Elements Escapism Skill allowed one to escape through the elements.


    To escape into water, to walk within soil.


    "Formless and Shadowless" was also exceedingly strange. Unless the opponent''s strength was a whole realm higher, there was no hope of finding his whereabouts.


    With Xiao Yi''s strength now comparable to the Earth Venerate Realm, unless he encountered a true Heaven Venerate-level expert, it was basically impossible for him to be found.


    "My luck can''t be that bad to bump into a Heaven Venerate in this Life Forbidden Zone, right?" Xiao Yi muttered to himself as he deployed the Five Elements Escapism Skill and quietly submerged into the ground.


    Even amidst the layers of soil, Xiao Yi moved freely, the thick soil around him causing no hindrance whatsoever.


    He continued his clandestine approach towards the core area of the far south.


    Throughout this path, he encountered no obstacles and smoothly approached the core of the far south, with his spiritual power revolving, covering the surroundings.


    The landscape above ground appeared in his mind.


    There was a lush forest in an octagonal shape, and at every protruding corner, a massive beast was entrenched.


    The ten-thousand-year ice python that Xiao Yi had encountered was among them, its cold eyes still murderous, vigilantly scouting its surroundings.


    "What exactly is this place? There are eight Earth Venerate Peak level monster beasts guarding just the outskirts of the forest?" Xiao Yi was shocked by the scene he saw.


    Earth Venerate Realm!


    Even in Colossal entities like the Changsheng Sect, Nantian Sanctuary, and Nantian Dynasty, Earth Venerate experts were pillar-like existences.


    Rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns!


    This place was known as a Life Forbidden Zone, scarce in resources, such creatures shouldn''t exist here.


    "Eh?"


    Xiao Yi was shocked as he discovered a group of shrinking monster beasts, lined up in neat formations heading towards the forest.


    The eight Earth Venerate Realm beasts glanced at them and then dispersed, the group of about three thousand beasts walked into the forest in unison.


    Xiao Yi stealthily remained beneath the surface, relying on the Escape Technique and Concealment Skill, unnoticed by the monster beasts. He infiltrated the dense forest and saw the group of beasts reaching the center of the forest where there was a patch of azure amber, the lake water clear, resembling an ordinary piece of green jade embedded in the woods.


    These beasts all knelt in front of the lake.


    Blob-blob-blob!


    Bubbles rose from the bottom of the lake, and a huge water column lifted in the splashing sound of water. As the giant water curtain dispersed, a colossal willow tree emitting golden light appeared before everyone.


    All the creatures were respectfully prostrating, not daring to move a muscle.


    Splash-splash!


    As the willow tree swayed, streams of green lake water flew up, sprinkling on the foreheads of the beasts with a swoosh.


    The green lake water merged into their bodies.


    Each one of the beasts'' auras surged several times in an instant.


    Amidst a series of crackling sounds, these monster beasts'' bodies continuously swelled, and many of them instantly ascended a whole realm.


    Xiao Yi was dumbstruck: "What on earth is this? It''s practically akin to a divine medicine!"


    Some of these beasts had instantly advanced from third order to fifth order!


    If the disciples from the Xiaoshanhe Institute were to drink this water, how many strong individuals would emerge?


    For a moment.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes blazed fiercely, his figure darting towards the lake.


    Moments later.


    Xiao Yi reached the edge of the lake. With the Five Elements Escapism Skill, he easily merged with the water. The green lake water was teeming with overwhelming energy.


    Each drop was comparable to a Spirit Vein.


    Xiao Yi''s heart pounded wildly, he opened his mouth and began to devour the lake water, and as the water entered his body, a revolutionary change took place��

 Chapter 815 - 813: Rapid Progress

    Xiao Yi''s eyes suddenly widened in disbelief.


    He felt an unbelievably surging flood of water pouring into his body; under the gentle sweep of the willow, merely a few droplets were enough to grant beasts rampant leaps in strength.


    Yet, he was gulping it down massively.


    For a moment,


    he felt his body might burst from the sensation.


    His viscera, his meridians and channels,


    all seemed about to explode at any second.


    Gasping!


    Xiao Yi took in deep breaths, his mind telling him he must stop, but his body instinctively continued to swallow the water of the lake; with each gulp, more and more was consumed.


    Xiao Yi''s body turned a strange, blood-red color, his veins bulging as if his blood vessels would explode at any moment.


    His body had already swelled.


    On the verge of not being able to cope,


    in the space between life and death,


    the Divine Sealing Tree within Xiao Yi''s body suddenly trembled violently, and amid the roar of crashing noises, the Divine Sealing Tree began to shudder. Each leaf on the tree, a brilliant shade of emerald green, burst forth with dazzling, sacred light.


    Hum!


    The phantom image of the Divine Sealing Tree shot out from his body, hovering behind him.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    The tree''s branches and leaves shook as roots sprouted from its massive trunk, extending into the lake. These roots also began to greedily absorb the water.


    As the lake water flowed into the Divine Sealing Tree, it instantly transformed into the purest form of energy, invigorating the life force of the Divine Sealing Tree.


    One after one, new leaves appeared on the branches.


    Ten leaves.


    A hundred leaves.


    A thousand leaves...


    The number of Sealing God Leaves kept increasing, and Xiao Yi''s mind was completely immersed in the sensation of his rapidly increasing power. He tightly closed his eyes, continuously operating the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill.


    One day.


    Two days.


    Three days...


    Ten days passed in a blink.


    Behind Xiao Yi, the amount of Sealing God Leaves on the Divine Sealing Tree had increased from around 110,000 to 450,000 in the span of those ten days.


    A total of 108,000 Sealing God Leaves was comparable to the first tier of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    Now, with 450,000 leaves,


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation level had leapt from the first tier of the Earth Venerate Realm to the fourth tier.


    With his current combat abilities, even if he encountered a seventh-tier Earth Venerate Realm adversary, he could still blow them apart.


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply, his eyes flickering with riveting excitement. These ten days were equivalent to the harsh cultivation of common folk for hundreds, even thousands of years.


    One must know...


    When Elder Tian Ku broke through to the fifth tier of the Earth Venerate Realm, he was already over a thousand years old.


    Xiao Yi had only spent ten days.


    And he had advanced from the first tier straight into the fifth tier of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    It was an unimaginable leap!


    "With 450,000 Sealing God Leaves condensed, using up merely one percent of the lake''s water, if I were to devour all of this water, how high would my cultivation soar?" Xiao Yi''s face showed excitement.


    However...


    Just as he prepared to continue devouring the mysterious lake water,


    Xiao Yi''s vision suddenly brightened. He discovered that at the center of the lake, under the massive willow''s root entanglement, there was actually a black stele.


    The stele was tightly wrapped by the roots, with the characters for "eternal life" faintly visible.


    And the green lake water was flowing out from within this stele.


    "This is..."


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted sharply, a flash of insight crossing his mind.


    The appearance of this lake was all because of this stone stele!


    "This stone stele can actually generate this mysterious water endlessly. If I could obtain it, wouldn''t that mean possessing a treasure capable of endlessly creating Spirit Veins?" Xiao Yi''s eyes gleamed.


    The water created by the stele wasn''t simply comparable to a Spirit Vein in energy; more importantly, it could be directly absorbed for raising one''s cultivation level!


    Such a treasure was even more precious than the Cloud Dream Temple itself.


    I must get it!


    Xiao Yi''s mind echoed with this determination as, aided by the Five Elements Escape Technique, he stealthily approached. The power of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill coalesced into a palm, reaching towards the stele.


    At the same time��


    The monsters by the lakeside also stopped their cultivation, having finally refined the water gifted by the willow, each one''s cultivation boosted dramatically.


    Over three thousand monsters, the quickest to break through, leapt from the fourth to the eighth layer, entering a realm comparable to the Human Venerate Realm.


    Splash!


    The willow trembled lightly, seemingly quite pleased with this batch of monsters'' ascension.


    The crowd of monsters knelt one by one, uttering human speech, "Thank you, Mother Goddess, for your gifts!"


    Splash!


    The willow swayed gently again, its expansive canopy quietly retracting, ready to submerge back into the lake. Suddenly, the willow shook violently, and a wave of anger that everyone felt deeply swept across the entire southern extremity.


    Roar!


    Roar!


    Roar!


    A succession of earth-shattering beastly roars instantly came from all directions.


    The monsters by the lake glared furiously, their fur standing on end as they fixed their gaze on the lake.


    Outside the forest��


    Eight immense figures tore through the sky.


    These were the eight monsters at the peak of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    Roar!


    Amidst the angry roars, one of them, an Ice-breaking Demon Ape that was vaguely on the verge of stepping into the Heaven Venerate Realm, pounded its chest with massive arms, bellowing, "Insolent humans, how dare you defile the Mother Goddess, come out and meet your death!"


    Boom!


    The roar of the beasts was thunderous and earth-shattering.


    In the midst of the lake.


    The willow swayed wildly, its canopy covering hundreds of miles, blazing with brilliant verdant light that continued to cascade down. Willow branches, like serpents, whipped frantically into the water.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Each branch that shot into the water caused it to explode violently.


    One vortex after another appeared out of nowhere.


    Splash!


    A colossal whirlpool formed, leading straight to the lake''s bed.


    Xiao Yi''s form was exposed to the sight of all beasts, and as he was about to seize the stele, his expression suddenly changed. Looking up, he saw countless willow branches, filled with a destructive aura, lashing violently towards him.


    Around the whirlpool, numerous monsters stared him down with a predator''s intensity.


    Damn it!


    Xiao Yi''s face changed, but he also knew that he would likely not be able to take the stele with him today. Activating the demon sword Zhan Yue, he soared into the air. Terrifying sword lights burst forth in the void, streaking across the sky like starlight.


    Swish! Swish! Swish!


    The sword lights whistled past, slashing tirelessly at the willow branches. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But to Xiao Yi''s surprise��


    The sharpness of Zhan Yue was actually unable to sever the willow branches!


    At that moment.


    Roars of rage came thundering.


    The eight monsters, on par with the peak of the Earth Venerate Realm and led by the Ice-breaking Demon Ape, were already diving down towards him.


    "Damn it, looks like I can''t get that stele today!" Xiao Yi''s heart sank. Dealing with just the Millennium Ice Python was hard enough.


    Not to mention the Ice-breaking Demon Ape and seven other monsters stronger than him?


    And that mysterious willow.


    As well as the thousands of monsters by the lake, all watching hungrily��


    Xiao Yi took a hard look at the stele, gritted his teeth, and vowed, "Just you wait, next time I come, you will surely be mine. But for now, before I go, I must take something with me��"


    With a wave of his hand.


    Two-thirds of the lake''s water was directly absorbed into his storage ring.


    Roar!


    The host of monsters roared in fury.


    The willow shook violently, seething with unceasing rage.


    Xiao Yi gave a glance to the assembled beasts, grinned, and said, "Goodbye then!"


    Whoosh!


    Deploying the Five Elements Escape Technique, he melded into the soil, running wildly towards the outskirts of the southern lands, leaving the beasts to roar futilely at the now empty spirit lake��

 Chapter 816 - 814: Xiao Yi Returns, the God of Slaughter Descends!

    In the far south, by the shore.


    Splash!


    Huge waves churned, crashing against the shore, spraying white foam.


    Suddenly...


    A dark figure burst out from the sand and dust; Xiao Yi''s form appeared above the ocean. He looked back in the direction of the depths of Nantian and breathed a sigh of relief internally, "It''s a good thing the Five Elements Escapism Skill was fast enough, although it''s a pity I couldn''t get that stele."


    That stele could continuously produce mysterious green lake water.


    Each drop of which could rival the preciousness of a Spirit Vein.


    He glanced at his storage ring; he had stolen two-thirds of the lake water, and just the energy contained in this water alone could greatly enhance the strength of all the disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    It could even create no less than ten masters of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Roar!


    Roar!


    Even though it was thousands of miles away, faint roars could still be heard. Xiao Yi took a deep breath, reluctantly gazed in that deep direction, "Just you wait! Next time I come, I will definitely snatch that stele!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yi leapt up and raced away atop the waves.


    ...


    On the island where the Huang Family''s main base was located.


    The island was in shambles, littered with debris, smoke, and ruins everywhere.


    At the harbor, several warships were heavily damaged, at any moment they could be submerged by the giant waves.


    From the harbor to the core area of the main base, corpses were strewn every ten meters along the route. The corpses, dried by the sea breeze, were occasionally pecked at by seabirds feeding on the flesh.


    Bones piled upon bones, like a purgatory on earth.


    Inside the Huang Family''s mansion.


    In a cage formed by innate power, Lin Bingxin, Huang Feihu, and Huang Tianfang, among others, were imprisoned, each looking pale.


    Nantian Bao and others were in a separate courtyard.


    The group exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat displeased as Elder Tianbao glanced toward the direction of the cage.


    A gleam of fervor flashed in his eyes as he shouted to Jin Ming, "Jin Ming, pull that woman out for me!"


    He pointed at Lin Bingxin.


    Inside the cage.


    Lin Bingxin''s face turned abruptly pale, a flash of terror in her eyes.


    Over the past few days...


    Elder Tianbao had already tortured no less than thirty people. Every woman he toyed with ended up strangled to death, their corpses thrown outside the courtyard.


    Elder Tianbao had set his sights on Lin Bingxin on the very first day.


    However, he was initially stopped by Nantian Bao and others.


    But now, after more than twenty days, with Xiao Yi not appearing, they were somewhat less inclined to intervene, watching the spectacle unfold.


    Seeing no one stop him, Jin Ming nodded and headed toward the cage. As he walked, a fierce smile spread across his face, rubbing his hands back and forth, "Lin Bingxin? Hehe, I heard Xiao Yi came to the chaotic sea area for you; it seems you hold some status in his heart."


    As Jin Ming raised his hand, streams of golden dust burst forth, forming yellow chains. In the swishing sounds, the yellow chains immediately restrained Huang Feihu, Huang Tianfang, and others, rendering them immobilized.


    Everyone''s eyes bulged with rage.


    Jin Ming walked up to Lin Bingxin with a cold smirk and lifted her up in the wooden coffin under her terrified and desperate gaze, and approached Elder Tianbao.


    "Elder, should I bring her into the room?" Jin Ming asked obsequiously.


    Elder Tianbao squinted at Lin Bingxin, his crimson tongue licking his lips, and shook his head, "What room? Isn''t she Xiao Yi''s woman?"


    As he spoke, S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elder Tianbao''s clothes suddenly exploded off him, he rubbed his hands together and sinisterly smiled as he approached Lin Bingxin.


    "Don''t come closer... you, you dare touch me, Xiao Yi won''t let you off��" Lin Bingxin said in utter terror, despair flooding her eyes.


    Elder Tianbao grinned, his crimson tongue licking his lips as he sinisterly said, "Xiao Yi? The Xiao Yi you speak of doesn''t even know where he is now, even if he knew you were here, he''d probably not dare show his face! Haha, little girl, just accept your fate��"


    Elder Tianbao''s large hand gripped Lin Bingxin''s neck and pinned her against the wall.


    Despair filled Lin Bingxin''s face.


    Her body was sealed by innate power, leaving her powerless to resist.


    "Xiao Yi... would you, grieve for me?" Lin Bingxin asked in despair, slowly closing her eyes.


    But just as her eyes were about to shut,


    She saw a figure rushing towards her from a vast distance.


    The figure drew closer and closer.


    Familiar silhouette, familiar face, all matched the person in her mind.


    "It... must be a hallucination, right?" Lin Bingxin muttered to herself.


    All of a sudden...


    A thunderous roar echoed throughout Huang Family Island.


    Like thunder, louder than evening drums and morning bells.


    Deafening.


    "You motherfucker are courting death!" Xiao Yi''s voice thundered, instantly drawing everyone''s attention.


    Everyone looked up.


    Seeing Xiao Yi descending from the sky, radiating killing intent and coldness, Nantian Bao and others'' expressions changed, "Xiao Yi?"


    Inside the cage.


    Huang Tianfang''s eyes sparkled, his pale hand covering his mouth, tears streaming as he yelled, "Brother Xiao Yi is back, I knew he would never abandon me. Father, do you see? Brother Xiao Yi has come to save me..."


    Huang Feihu covered his eyes, "..."


    The Huang Family warriors were both excited and speechless.


    Which eye of yours saw that he came to save you?


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s arrival had indeed calmed the minds of the Huang Family members.


    Lin Bingxin suddenly opened her eyes wide, staring intently at Xiao Yi until she confirmed it was truly him, and then she couldn''t hold back her tears, "I thought I''d never see you again..."


    "I''m sorry, I''m late!"


    Xiao Yi said to Lin Bingxin, then, lifting his head, his face''s softness turned utterly cold, his eyes sharply fixed on Elder Tianbao and others, "Tell me, how do you want to die..."

 Chapter 817 - 815: One Sword Kill

    "How do you wish to die?"


    Xiao Yi''s icy gaze fell upon Elder Tianbao and the others, his sharp eyes like the edge of a blade, causing a slight change in everyone''s expressions.


    Elder Tianbao had the most fiery temper.


    He had been on the verge of capturing Lin Bingxin when Xiao Yi appeared out of nowhere, ruining what had been so close to success.


    How could Elder Tianbao tolerate such interference?


    A cold light flickered in his eyes as he slightly tightened his grip on the neck of Lin Bingxin, causing her face to contort in pain. Despite this, she was worried about affecting Xiao Yi and kept biting her silver teeth tightly, not making a sound.


    Elder Tianbao pulled Lin Bingxin to his side, leaning on her shoulder as he sniffed deeply with a greedy look on his face, "This scent is truly marvelous! Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, you surely would not want to watch this beauty die before your eyes, would you?" S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Release her, or you will have no grave to be buried in," Xiao Yi said.


    "Keke, the initiative is in my hands right now; what right do you have to order me around?"


    Elder Tianbao sneered coldly, his red tongue licking his lips. His grip grew stronger, causing Lin Bingxin''s face to turn dark purple, her breathing becoming rapid. Elder Tianbao spoke with a sinister tone, "If you don''t want to watch her die, kneel before me now!"


    "Seeking death!"


    A fierce cold light flashed in Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    Lin Bingxin was being choked to the point of gasping for air.


    "Seeking death? With you?"


    Elder Tianbao sneered sinisterly. As he was about to speak, he suddenly heard Elder Tiangang cry out in alarm, "Be careful!"


    "Eh?"


    Elder Tianbao was startled.


    That''s when...


    He suddenly noticed a black shadow flash before his eyes, which shocked Elder Tianbao into exclaiming at its speed. Instinctively, he tried to lift his hand to use Lin Bingxin as a shield, but as he raised his arm, he found it unresponsive.


    On a quick glance...


    The hand that had been clutching Lin Bingxin''s neck had been cleanly severed from the wrist.


    Blood spurted from the neat break at the wrist.


    The intense pain pierced Elder Tianbao''s heart, leaving him stunned for a moment before it erupted into a sharp scream, "Aow... my hand..."


    Xiao Yi, cradling Lin Bingxin''s slender waist, gently patted her back and removed the hand from the back of her neck. In a deep voice, he said, "Wait here for me, I am going to kill them..."


    "Wait, wait a moment..."


    Lin Bingxin''s lips parted slightly, and after hesitating for a moment, she mustered the courage to hug Xiao Yi, burying her head in his chest, "I... I am afraid..."


    "..."


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Looking down at the frail Lin Bingxin in his arms, he felt a stirring in his heart.


    Since the first time he had seen Lin Bingxin, she had struck him as a very strong-willed woman, never showing such a vulnerable side before.


    With a soft sigh in his heart,


    Xiao Yi gently patted her back, holding her with one hand and smiling, "Then close your eyes, so you don''t sully them!"


    "No!"


    Lin Bingxin looked up, biting her lips with determination and said defiantly, "I want to watch you kill!"


    "Eh..."


    Xiao Yi was momentarily speechless, but seeing the determination and admiration in Lin Bingxin''s eyes, he chuckled softly and nodded, "Alright! Then watch how I exterminate these annoying flies..."


    "Mhm!"


    Lin Bingxin''s slender hands clung tightly to Xiao Yi, her head buried in his embrace.


    Within the cage,


    Huang Tianfang covered his mouth with both hands, tears streaming down his face, "Why? Xiao Yi, why do you have to hold her? The one you should be holding is me, why... no..."


    Huang Feihu''s face turned ashen as he glanced left and right, "Gag his mouth!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes twitched, completely ignoring Huang Tianfang.


    He took a step forward.


    ```


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi made a soaring leap, and in an instant, he was charging aggressively towards Elder Tian Bao. Elder Tian Bao''s face darkened, the pain of his severed hand twisting his features into a grimace. Now, seeing Xiao Yi daring to embrace Lin Bing Xin with the intent to kill him,


    his expression turned exceedingly ugly.


    Elder Tian Bao roared, "Xiao Yi, you are far too arrogant!"


    Boom!


    Elder Tian Bao''s hands reached into the void, and a purple-golden Lei Drum Elder Golden Hammer landed in his palm. This hammer was an Eighth-layer yuan weapon, immensely heavy, weighing 36,000 catties, creating a fierce wind with every swing.


    The mere wind from the hammer was strong enough to cause mountains to crumble and the earth to collapse.


    Swoosh swoosh!


    Amid the sweeping of the heavy hammer, thunderous roars sounded, deafening, as thunder surged and a purple-golden Phantom Phoenix appeared out of thin air. With a flap of its wings, it sent two streams of purple-golden light arching through the sky, whooshing towards Xiao Yi.


    The phoenix soaring to the ninth heaven, its light extinguishing the world.


    Nantian Bao showed a shocked expression, "As expected of one of the thirty-six Elders of the Changsheng Sect, Tian Bao''s strength is indeed remarkable!"


    Li Yaofeng snorted coldly, his face full of disdain, but his eyes also revealed a trace of solemnity.


    Tian Bao''s strength truly exceeded expectations.


    Elder Tiangang''s face was expressionless, but his words carried an extra bit of confidence, "Although Xiao Yi is strong, he is no match for my second brother!"


    However...


    The words had hardly left his mouth


    when there was a loud bang.


    Xiao Yi grasped the demonic sword Zhanyue with one hand, and a silver sword light appeared in the air, as if it could split heaven and earth. With a thunderous noise, it split the purple-golden Phantom Phoenix in two.


    The sword light did not slow in the slightest.


    The silver sword light illuminated the entire courtyard, and with a muffled ''thump'', blood sprayed wildly.


    Elder Tian Bao''s body trembled.


    His figure subconsciously took a few steps forward, then split in two with a crash, falling into a pool of blood.


    Such a formidable figure from the Earth Venerate Realm, level five and above.


    One of the thirty-six Elders of the Changsheng Sect.


    Yet in Xiao Yi''s hands, he couldn''t even block a single sword strike!


    Hiss!


    A sequence of gasps sounded one after another.


    Nantian Bao, Elder Tiangang, Li Yaofeng, and Jin Ming all stared in disbelief, their faces revealing a look of astonishment. In their eyes, although Xiao Yi was strong, faced with Elder Tian Bao who wielded the Lei Drum Elder Golden Hammer, he was surely on a path to death!


    But the result...


    He couldn''t even withstand a single strike from Xiao Yi!


    "Are you scared?"


    Xiao Yi looked down at Lin Bing Xin.


    Lin Bing Xin was slightly pale, biting her red lips and shaking her head stubbornly. Deep in those watery eyes, there was even a hint of excitement; "Not scared!"


    "Hahaha..."


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily towards the sky.


    He could see the excitement in Lin Bing Xin''s eyes; he hadn''t expected the girl to have such a fondness for violence.


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Since you''re not scared, then keep your eyes wide open and watch!"


    "Mm!"


    Lin Bing Xin nodded vigorously.


    "Who do you want to see me kill first?"


    Xiao Yi asked, looking down.


    Lin Bing Xin was startled, then her gaze turned towards Jin Ming, passing a look of disgust and hatred. Among the dozens of women previously violated by Elder Tian Bao, a large number had been coerced by Jin Ming, she said, "Him!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Jin Ming, somewhat surprised that Jin Ming was still alive, then sneered with a cold smile. With a sweep of his sword, the demonic sword Zhanyue glinted with a cold light, directed towards figures like Nantian Bao and Jin Ming, a cold light swirling in his eyes, "Jin Ming, roll over here and meet your death!"


    ```

 Chapter 818 - 816 Lets Go Together!

    "Jin Ming, come here and face your death!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, his demon sword, Moon Slicer, extended like an arm. The cold blade gleamed with bone-chilling coldness, pointing straight at Jin Ming.


    The terrifying Sword Intent instantly locked onto Jin Ming.


    This caused Jin Ming''s face to turn deathly pale, devoid of any blood, his pupils sharply contracting. He couldn''t help but recall the previous encounter over the Southern Sea. Xiao Yi, with just a thought, had taken the life of his avatar.


    Leaving him completely powerless to fight back!


    Even though his true body was slightly stronger than his avatar, he was still far from being a match for Xiao Yi.


    Now facing Xiao Yi''s deadly gaze filled with intent to kill.


    Jin Ming instinctively shuddered. He did not wish to follow in his avatar''s footsteps, looking towards Elder Tiangang and others beside him: "Elder Tiangang, save me��"


    Elder Tiangang''s face was so grim it seemed it could drip water.


    Tian Bao was his own younger brother!


    Previously, Xiao Yi had acted too swiftly, executing a fatal blow in an instant. Elder Tiangang had been unable to intervene in time, and could only watch as Tian Bao was mercilessly slain by Xiao Yi. Now, hearing that there was a chance for revenge, how could Elder Tiangang let go of this perfect opportunity?


    Whoosh!


    Elder Tiangang took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, narrowing his eyes as he said, "Xiao Yi, you dare to kill my younger brother, and now you boldly declare in front of me that you will kill a master from the Changsheng Sect. If I don''t kill you today, won''t everyone start to disregard the Changsheng Sect in the future?"


    Elder Tiangang''s eyes squinted, glinting with a cold light.


    He was a formidable figure at the sixth level of the Peak of the Earth Revered Realm, a level higher than Tian Bao.


    What''s more��


    He practiced the Tiangang Secret Technique, which could harness the power of celestial bodies, transforming into the Tiangang Battle Body. His battle form shone brilliantly with starlight, and even peers in the same realm found it impossible to breach his defenses.


    He was considered invincible among those in the same realm!


    Precisely because of this��


    Elder Tiangang had always looked down on everything, and even though Xiao Yi had slain Elder Tianbao, he didn''t take him seriously.


    "Shut up!"


    Facing the arrogant Elder Tiangang, Xiao Yi merely waved his hand impatiently.


    A muffled boom echoed through the heavens and the earth as he waved his hand.


    Amidst the humming sound��


    A fierce wind erupted around, seemingly lifted into the air with a swipe of Xiao Yi''s palm.


    Slap!


    Within the howling wind, a crisp slap sounded exceptionally clear.


    "��"


    Everyone was dumbfounded, all turning their heads to look at Elder Tiangang''s face.


    On that fair complexion, a vivid red palm mark was exceptionally glaring. The searing pain caused Elder Tiangang''s mouth to twitch, his eyes filled with shock and murderous intent as he glared with blood-red eyes, roaring, "You little bastard, how dare you humiliate me like this? Die!"


    Boom!


    A sound like evening drums and morning bells erupted from within Elder Tiangang.


    Above the clouds in the sky.


    A beam of light suddenly descended, the brilliant light of the stars falling directly onto Elder Tiangang.


    Clang��


    Amidst a clash of metal sounds.


    A layer of silver light swept over Elder Tiangang''s body, the dazzling sheen extremely bright, his body flowing like quicksilver, resembling a silver War God. He thumped his chest with both arms, emitting a loud thumping sound, Elder Tiangang stood in front of Jin Ming, looking coldly at Xiao Yi: "Today, with me here, I''d like to see how you can kill Jin Ming!"


    "Go!"


    Xiao Yi pointed his sword finger.


    Inch by inch, a glint of cold light gathered at his fingertip, and with a whooshing sound, countless sword rays poured out.


    The numerous sword rays, dense and numerous, fell like stars from the sky.


    They covered everything intensely, causing one''s scalp to tingle.


    However...


    When these sword rays struck Elder Tiangang, they only brought about a series of crisp clangs; as layers of silver ripples oscillated on the surface of his skin, the sharp sword edges all vanished without a trace.


    Beside him, Nantian Bao and Li Yaofeng exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other''s eyes.


    Li Yaofeng murmured, "Although the Changsheng Sect is unorthodox, we must admit they possess some powerful secret techniques. Xiao Yi''s sword finger is remarkable, yet Tiangang could block it unscathed��that defense is something even you and I can''t breach!"


    Nantian Bao nodded gravely and then said, "With Tiangang''s strong defense, he could directly tie up Xiao Yi, allowing us to seize the opportunity and strike from the sides..." sea??h th�� N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The two exchanged looks, profoundly agreeing with this suggestion.


    They were about to contact Tiangang.


    But at that moment...


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, revealing a relaxed smile, "Tiangang Battle Body, can it guide the starlight and fortify the body? A decent secret skill indeed, but with just this ability, you think you can stop me from killing Jin Ming? You are far from enough!"


    "Big talk is cheap, if you have the ability, break through our defense first," Tiangang sneered coldly, obviously not taking Xiao Yi''s threat seriously.


    In his view.


    Even for a powerhouse at the peak of the Earth Revered Realm, breaking through his defense was extremely difficult.


    Let alone Xiao Yi?


    Nantian Bao shook his head slightly and also did not have high hopes for Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi''s attack is indeed strong, but to break through Tiangang''s defense, I think it''s still far too lacking!"


    "Even if I acted personally, I couldn''t be sure to break his defenses, so what is Xiao Yi?" Li Yaofeng snorted coldly. As the Earthly Honor of the Southern Sea Holy Land, he was much stronger than Yang Dingtian and certainly did not take Xiao Yi seriously.


    Jin Ming hid behind Tiangang, his pale face regaining some of its flushed Qi-Blood color.


    Previously, when facing Xiao Yi, he thought of his clone''s horrific death and hence was full of reverence and fear.


    And now...


    Seeing how Tiangang had blocked several rounds of Xiao Yi''s attacks.


    His courage also grew.


    With a face full of disdain and ridicule, Jin Ming sneered continuously and provocatively said, "Xiao Yi, aren''t you very arrogant? Still thinking about annihilating me? With Elder Tiangang here, can you even harm a single hair on me? Hehe, just you wait. Once Elder Tiangang and the others capture you, I''ll have a good time playing with that woman in your arms..."


    "You''re seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi''s smile disappeared instantly.


    Jin Ming scoffed, "Seeking death? Can you break Elder Tiangang''s defense? I''m standing right here, come if you can..."


    "As you wish!"


    Xiao Yi''s smile vanished completely.


    All of a sudden...


    Countless figures of Xiao Yi appeared between heaven and earth, causing Elder Tiangang''s expression to drastically change, and he hastily turned to shout, "Jin Ming, be careful!"


    "Ah?"


    Jin Ming was stunned.


    The next moment!


    A foot appeared above his head, and he instinctively crossed his arms to block above, but that foot stomped down, snapping his arms with a bang and brutally crushing his head.


    Jin Ming died without a place for his corpse!


    Xiao Yi, standing on Jin Ming''s corpse, expressionless, looked at Tiangang and the others, "Come on, all of you together!"

 Chapter 819 - 817: Slaughtering You, Like Pigs and Dogs!

    "You all come at me together!"


    Xiao Yi, with one arm around Lin Bingxin, wore a cold and disdainful expression as he stared down Nantian Bao and the others.


    Beneath his feet...


    Merely moments before, Jin Ming, who had been confidently swearing by the protection of Elder Tiangang and thus was fearless, had now turned into a cold corpse.


    Elder Tiangang and the others exchanged glances.


    All saw the shock and astonishment in each other''s eyes.


    Even though each of their cultivations was not weak, and they had been confident before that they would be able to slay Xiao Yi within the Chaotic Sea, they had now witnessed Xiao Yi kill Elder Tianbao and, even under the strict guard of Elder Tiangang, silently slay Jin Ming.


    Such movement techniques and power.


    Had completely intimidated them.


    They looked at each other in dismay.


    Their faces gradually becoming solemn.


    Whoosh!


    Elder Tiangang exhaled a heavy breath, his body shimmering with silver light, looking like a war god forged out of silver he spoke coldly, "It seems we have all underestimated you. It''s only been a month or so since the battle at Yunmeng Marsh, and yet your strength has improved so much."


    Nantian Bao forced a smile and sighed, "If I had known this earlier, I would not have heeded the Changsheng Sect''s instigation... But now that the die is cast, only one side between us can live. As the new commander of the Nan Tian Imperial Guards, I''m not planning to step down so soon, so it will have to be you who dies!"


    Li Yaofeng crossed his arms, his fingers lightly tapping on his elbow, his seemingly gentle voice tinged with extreme killing intent, "I am truly looking forward to the moment when I trample you underfoot, and use the Soul Searching Technique to excavate all the secrets in your mind."


    The Soul Searching Skill.


    This was one of the four great Spiritual Secret Skills most revered by those in the Spiritual Nirvana.


    Li Yaofeng had established monumental merits for the Nantian holy land with this Soul Searching Skill, gaining countless secrets.


    Judging by the strength Xiao Yi had shown.


    Li Yaofeng was confident in deducing that the secrets hidden within Xiao Yi were surely more astonishing and precious than any he had ever acquired before!


    Watching each one eying him like tigers stalking their prey, the corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth slightly curled upwards. He had inherited the Eternal Heaven Tomb and had become the new Heaven Suppressing God General.


    Heaven Suppressing God General!


    With the tomb as his body and the soul as the stele, he commanded heaven and earth; nothing was impossible!


    Within his Eternal Heaven Tomb...


    Even Martial God Zhao Wuji, who once dominated the Qingtian Realm and shattered the Azure Heaven Continent, was suppressed within his grave.


    These were just mere Earth Venerates!


    Thinking of killing him?


    Thinking of suppressing and sealing him?


    Thinking of seizing his secrets?


    Wasn''t this courting death?


    "Bing Xin, who do you want me to kill first?" Xiao Yi asked with a smirk, turning to the girl in his arms.


    Lin Bingxin, startled at first, then furrowed her brows and pointed at Nantian Bao, "Kill him first! The Huang Family has the largest death toll at his hands..."


    Xiao Yi responded with an ''oh'' and looked towards Nantian Bao, "So you''re the commander of the Nan Tian Imperial Guards, eh? The previous commander just died not long ago; who would''ve thought it was already time for a replacement..."


    "Hmm?"


    Nantian Bao paused, then realizing what had been implied, his face showed a trace of anger as he sneered, "Xiao Yi, do you think you''re King Yama, deciding who lives and dies? I, Nantian Bao, did not gain this position of commander as a mere figurehead..."


    Inside the cage.


    Huang Tianfang watched Xiao Yi confront Nantian Bao. Excitement lit up his face as he shouted to Huang Feihu and the others, "Look, Dad... Brother Xiao Yi is taking action for me against that bastard. He really does care about me..."


    Huang Feihu didn''t utter a word, just deftly took off his socks and tossed them to the two beside him with a dark face, "Stuff it in their mouths!"


    "Yes!"


    The two men, one on each side, restrained Huang Tianfang.


    Those socks, exuding a strong stench of salted fish, were forcefully stuffed into Huang Tianfang''s mouth.


    Watching Huang Tianfang''s muffled cries, Huang Feihu secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, "Good thing I acted quickly... Otherwise, if Lord Zhenguo had heard that, what would I have done if, in his rage, he didn''t avenge my Huang Family?"


    Up in the air.


    Facing the self-assured Nantian Bao, Xiao Yi urged impatiently, "Nantian Bao, you take the first move! If you can force me back even half a step within three moves, I''ll spare your life. But if you wait for me to make the first move, then you won''t have any chance at all..."


    "Arrogant!"


    "Xiao Yi, you''re too dismissive of others!"


    "We are all strong practitioners of the Earth Venerate Realm. With just your strength, do you really think you can challenge us? This is like a mayfly shaking a tree, way over your head..." Several of them rebuked with flushed faces and burning ears.


    Xiao Yi raised one finger, pointing it at each of them in turn, then casually shook the upheld finger, "Killing you is like slaughtering pigs and dogs! You people are not even qualified to call me a mayfly..."


    "Court of death!"


    "Kill him!" S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The three exchanged glances and then, several streaks of cold light shot towards the heavens.


    They attacked from three different directions simultaneously.


    Suddenly.


    On the left side was Elder Tiangang, his body swirling with starlight and dots of silver radiance, coalescing into a massive silver beast. The beast roared skywards as it galloped towards Xiao Yi, the thunderous sounds deafening.


    On the right was Li Yaofeng.


    Coming from the Sacred Land of Nantian, he was proficient in the path of Spiritual Nirvana.


    His spiritual power was as vast as the ocean.


    With the flow of his spiritual power, he manipulated countless sharp swords, each flying up into the sky, easily a thousand longswords floating and bobbing in the void. In an instant, these sharp swords exhaled gusts of wind as they passed, scattering the clouds for thousands of miles.


    Countless sword blades danced in the void, then converged in front of Xiao Yi, forming a sky-shocking giant sword.


    The edge of the sword carried the force capable of slashing the heavens and shattering the earth.


    It fell towards Xiao Yi''s head with a swoosh.


    Directly in front of him charging towards Xiao Yi was none other than Nantian Bao, behind whom spread a pair of blood-red wings, woven from countless threads of blood. Contained within them was an intense, scorching heat, with every beat of the wings, a rain of heavenly fire descended.


    Hiss hiss!


    Heavenly fire plummeted down like a meteor shower.


    Boom boom boom!


    As the heavenly fire hit the ground, the island shook violently, cracking open with fissures and countless pits still burning fiercely.


    The power of this heavenly fire was immense!


    Nantian Bao, wrapped in flames, stood like a god within fire, his hands exhaling dragons of fierce flame.


    Hum!


    Hum!


    Dozens of columns of fire burst towards the sky.


    Flame pillars surrounded Nantian Bao, as a fiery longsword cleaved down towards Xiao Yi''s head.


    Faced with the assault of three formidable opponents.


    Xiao Yi remained as calm as the breeze, one arm around Lin Bingxin''s waist, the other hand holding a sword, his cold laugh echoing as the longsword swept through everything...

 Chapter 820 - 818: The Stroke of a Sword

    Xiao Yi held his sword in one hand, standing resolute against the wind.


    The bone-chilling wind that fell upon his body was no match for the icy killing intent emanating from him; when they collided in the void, they burst forth with a thunderous roar, forming bright, frigid stars in the emptiness of space.


    Nantian Bao''s fiery pillars increased the surrounding temperature tenfold in an instant, the heat so intense as to almost melt the void itself.


    Xiao Yi''s face remained expressionless, sword in hand, as he pointed forward.


    Sword Twenty-Three!


    The greatest technique of the Infinite Sword Canon passed down by Zhao Wuji was Sword Twenty-Two, but Xiao Yi had perfected the as-yet incomplete Sword Twenty-Three. After gaining Zhao Wuji''s legacy from the Longevity Secret Realm, Xiao Yi had advanced Sword Twenty-Three even further.


    This sword seemed unremarkable at first glance.


    Yet it was unquestionably the ultimate sword of the path of killing.


    Hum!


    With one stroke, came life!


    It was as if an entire world of swords appeared before the towering column of flame, and with a muffled boom, the flames were devoured by this sword realm.


    Both forces vanished simultaneously.


    Nantian Bao''s complexion changed drastically, and he turned to Tiangang and Li Yaofeng who were following close behind, "What are you waiting for? If we don''t join forces and slay him now, should we wait for him to defeat us one by one?"


    Li Yaofeng and Tiangang exchanged a glance, each seeing a hint of reluctance and helplessness in the other''s eyes.


    They were both titans of their own domains.


    Already at odds with each other, the Changsheng Sect and the Southern Holy Grounds could never work together under normal circumstances. But now, they both sensed a fatal threat from Xiao Yi.


    They had no choice but to join forces.


    With this thought.


    Despite their reluctance, they had no choice but to set aside their differences and quicken their pace.


    Nantian Bao, Li Yaofeng, and Tiangang advanced side by side, aiming at Xiao Yi like an arrow.


    "Xiao Yi..."


    Lin Bingxin curled up in Xiao Yi''s arms, her eyes filled with deep concern as she unconsciously tightened her grip on him.


    These were three masters above the fifth level of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    In her eyes...


    Each could extinguish her existence with a mere breath, and now three grandmasters were teaming up against Xiao Yi. This filled her heart with worry and unease, as she tentatively said, "Xiao Yi, perhaps you should let me down!"


    She feared that she was a burden to Xiao Yi.


    And if she were not a burden...


    At least Xiao Yi could retreat more smoothly, even if he were not to prevail.


    Xiao Yi clearly understood her thoughts. With a sigh in his heart, he gently stroked her head and smiled, "Stay here in my arms, and watch me cut down those who bullied you!"


    Clang!


    His Demon Sword, Zhan Yue, trembled, resonating with Xiao Yi''s murderous aura, the malevolence upon its blade intensifying.


    As the blade quivered slightly.


    Boundless Sword Intent filled the heavens and earth in an instant.


    Huff!


    Xiao Yi exhaled deeply, his gaze fixed on the three approaching experts, a slight smile curling his lips, and a fiery will to battle shining in his eyes.


    If he were to face the siege of three Earth Venerate strongmen before, he would naturally not be their match.


    But this journey to the southern extremity of the land had been incredibly beneficial.


    His combat power was now no less than that of an ordinary Earth Venerate Realm seventh-level strongman.


    Facing Tiangang, who was at the peak of the Earth Venerate Realm''s sixth level at most, Xiao Yi harbored no fear, his arm wrapped around Lin Bingxin''s waist. As he stepped forward, a thunderous ripple resonated through the void, deafening to all who heard.


    Immediately, terrifying ripples of energy surged from all directions.


    Ripples followed one after another.


    Vast and mighty.


    Spreading in all directions.


    Nantian Bao charged at the forefront, and upon seeing the ripples surging toward him, a strong disdain shimmered in his eyes, "Merely spatial ripples, even a fighter at the Human Venerate Realm can display more skill than you. You think this can harm me? It''s simply the delusion of a lunatic..."


    He never got to finish the word "dream."


    Nantian Bao''s voice came to an abrupt halt.


    Everyone was startled,


    especially Li Yaofeng, who was walking shoulder to shoulder with him and had already brushed past. Casting a glance backward from the corner of his eye, he saw that the flames on Nantian Bao''s body had completely disappeared.


    The turmoil in his eyes also gradually settled. S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nantian Bao, with an incredulous look, raised his hand to his neck, and when he lifted his hand again, his palm was smeared with glaring fresh blood.


    A blood-red sword scar spread across his neck.


    "How... When did this happen..." Nantian Bao''s face was filled with disbelief as his head dropped to the ground.


    Hiss!


    A chorus of shocked gasps echoed around.


    Even the mighty Tiangang and Li Yaofeng were dumbfounded.


    The two exchanged glances.


    They hadn''t noticed how that sword strike had happened at all.


    "Such a fast sword��"


    "It''s not just that the sword is fast. What''s more critical is his ability to conceal the sword intent filled with killing desire in the spatial ripples. What kind of monster is this guy? His cultivation speed is already astounding enough, how can someone so young possess such a terrifying sword mastery?"


    Both of their faces turned pale.


    What they didn''t know was...


    Xiao Yi possessed the ancient tomb, and when he received Zhao Wuji''s legacy, he had also acquired Zhao Wuji''s achievements in the way of the sword.


    You should know...


    That was the formidable being who, during Ancient Times, had dominated the Qingtian Realm for countless ages and even shattered the Azure Heaven Continent, known as Martial God.


    Even though Zhao Wuji''s strongest suit wasn''t the sword, his swordsmanship was still among the very pinnacle!


    Xiao Yi, who had cut down Nantian Bao with a single sword, didn''t show any unusual fluctuations. On the contrary, he seemed ever more composed��perhaps a true reflection of how lonely it is to be a master. His face was as calm as always as he said lightly, "The two of you better be on your guard, otherwise, you''ll end up just like him!"


    "Arrogant!"


    "We reached the Earth Venerate Realm before you were even born��" the two roared furiously.


    Lin Bingxin, who had been curled up in Xiao Yi''s arms, gradually relaxed, a curious smile playing on her delicate face as she asked, "Nantian Bao was already at the Earth Venerate Realm before you were born. Then it seems that your talents weren''t that remarkable, huh? It''s been over a decade, and you two are still not as good as he is!"


    Li Yaofeng: "..."


    Tiangang: "..."


    Their faces turned alternating shades of green and white.


    Xiao Yi gave a feigned angry reprimand, "Bing Xin, how could you speak to two seniors like that?"


    Their expressions slightly softened.


    Xiao Yi continued, "Their talents are indeed strong, it''s just that their potential is lacking. However, there are many such mediocre people in the world, otherwise, how could the preciousness of geniuses be highlighted?"


    Both of Tiangang''s faces turned green: "..."


    So in Xiao Yi''s eyes, were they just stepping stones?


    "You little bastard, I must kill you!"


    "Xiao Yi, you have thoroughly enraged me��"


    The two exchanged a glance, and two murderous glows burst forth from their eyes. No longer holding back, they unleashed their most powerful fighting strength simultaneously...

 Chapter 821 - 819: Sweeping Everything, Wudis Stance!

    Elder Tiangang of the Changsheng Sect, at the pinnacle of the sixth layer in the Earth Venerate Realm.


    He also served as the head of the Changsheng Sect in Southern State, controlling all major and minor affairs of the sect in the region. This person represented the will of the Changsheng Sect in Southern State.


    Li Yaofeng of Nantian''s Holy Land, at the sixth layer of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    He was also one of the only two Erthly Honor experts in Yang Dingtian''s lineage.


    The death of Yang Dingtian was a tremendous blow to their lineage. As soon as the news of Yang Dingtian''s death reached them, Li Yaofeng planned to leave the Nantian Holy Land to personally slay Xiao Yi. However, since the relationship between Xiao Yi and Baiyu had not been clearly investigated, he had to forcefully restrain himself.


    It was only when he received an invitation from the Changsheng Sect that Xiao Yi came alone to the Chaotic Seas.


    Li Yaofeng then left the Nantian Holy Land, joining Nantian Bao and others in capturing Xiao Yi.


    After all...


    Killing Xiao Yi in the Chaotic Seas meant no outsiders would know about it.


    If Baiyu were to investigate, a simple "It has nothing to do with me" would suffice as a response.


    That''s why...


    Li Yaofeng had come to the Chaotic Seas.


    He thought that with Nantian Bao and others like Elder Tiangang and Tian Bao cooperating, capturing Xiao Yi would be effortless.


    He could also use his Soul Searching Secret Skill to uncover the secret of how Xiao Yi gained such tremendous power in a short time.


    What he had never anticipated was that Xiao Yi''s strength was so formidable!


    Now, with both Nantian Bao and Tian Bao dead, the situation had escalated to a fight to the death. sea??h th�� novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The two men exchanged a look and no longer held back.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Both men burst forth with two dazzling beams of light, one blue and one white, conjured from their innate powers soaring hundreds of feet high, as if linking them with the heavens and the earth.


    Hum!


    The surrounding void trembled violently.


    Between heaven and earth, innumerable violent energy fluctuations exploded from their bodies in an instant, turning into two terrifying energy storms that swept across the land. Where the storm passed, dust flew high into the air as sand and stones were swept up.


    "Shattered Star Finger!"


    Elder Tiangang, expressionless, pointed forward.


    Tiny specks of white starlight congregated at his fingertip, shining as bright as myriad diamonds.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    As Elder Tiangang pointed out his finger,


    sharp piercing sounds rang through the void, like torrents of arrows flooding the sky.


    Xiao Yi, with his left hand behind his back, sword in hand,


    merged as one with the sword in his grip.


    Sword and man as one!


    One sword shocking the heavens!


    Swoosh!


    With a raise of his arm, Xiao Yi''s Demonic Moon-Slaying Sword emitted a sharp silver light, forming a crescent moon before him called "Mercury Spills on the Earth."


    A silver crescent moon stood vertically before him.


    Whooshing sounds cut through the air.


    As the crescent moon spun wildly,


    at the same time...


    The sky full of arrows rained down, creating a crisp tinkling sound as countless energies fell from the sky onto the ground. These energies had strong corrosive properties, voraciously corroding the ground into a mess.


    At the same time,


    Li Yaofeng''s attack also landed on his body.


    As compared to Elder Tiangang, Li Yaofeng''s attack was more ferocious, his palm glowing blue with vines crawling up his arm, entwining his entire arm to emit a greenish-blue glow.


    Like it was clad in a thick vine armor.


    "Sky-reaching Hand!"


    Li Yaofeng slapped down out of thin air.


    Whoosh!


    As his palm fell, the vines wrapping around it also grew wildly, quickly covering his entire arm and palm. Moreover, the area it covered was immensely large.


    Like a green mountain smashing down from the sky,


    its expanse immense,


    casting a shadow overhead like a cloud.


    "Sword Technique Twenty-Three!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes emitted flashes of lightning as he gripped the hilt with both hands and thrust the demonic Moon-Slaying Sword forward.


    Clang clang clang!


    Amidst the harsh, jarring sounds of metal clashing,


    a silver light enveloped Moon-Slaying, thousands of sword shadows filled the sky, then under Xiao Yi''s guidance, they coalesced into a giant sword of a hundred feet. This massive sword phantom stood suspended in the air, slashing towards the towering hand.


    Buzz!


    The sword and the hand violently collided in the void.


    The hand paused abruptly.


    Green vines crept down from it, wrapping around the demonic Moon-Slaying Sword. The vines crazily extended, twining around Xiao Yi''s wrists, arms, and finally heading towards his body.


    Barbed vines tried to tear through Xiao Yi''s defenses to burrow into his body.


    Li Yaofeng sneered triumphantly, "Xiao Yi, I don''t believe your spiritual power is as terrifyingly powerful as your cultivation speed and combat strength... You''ve already been poisoned by my Bewitching Vine, not even an Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse can withstand it. Let''s see how you turn things around!"


    However...


    The smug look on Li Yaofeng''s face crumbled in the next second.


    That touch of the barbed vines on Xiao Yi''s skin caused a crackling sound.


    Vines that could easily tear through the skin of ordinary Immortal Emperor warriors could only leave shallow white marks on Xiao Yi. They couldn''t penetrate his defenses, let alone burrow into his body and drain his life force.


    "How is this possible? How can my Bewitching Vine not break through your defenses?" Li Yaofeng''s eyes widened, shock filling his dark-gleaming pupils.


    But in an instant,


    the shock on Li Yaofeng''s face turned into a chilling intent to kill, and with a cold shout, he maneuvered his hand signs, his spiritual power surging like an endless ocean. It rushed out ceaselessly, like raging tides along the Bewitching Vine, enveloping Xiao Yi.


    "Aren''t you dead yet?"


    Li Yaofeng wore a smug expression, his mastery in the path of Spiritual Nirvana being exceedingly profound.


    Especially with this move, which had always been infallible!


    Never had it failed!


    "Compete with me in spiritual strength? You are too naive!" Xiao Yi grinned.


    He was on the path where all ways merge into one.


    Not to mention his combat strength far exceeded those of the same level, his spiritual power was also immensely powerful.


    Facing the sea-like spiritual power attack, Xiao Yi just grinned without being affected at all. Meanwhile, golden light circulated around his body, and the power of Wind Thunder burst forth from within him. In a crackling frenzy like thousands of blades and swords, it shattered the Bewitching Vine.


    Xiao Yi stepped forward.


    The residual image he left behind gradually dissipated, and his figure appeared in front of Li Yaofeng.


    "Not good..."


    Li Yaofeng''s complexion changed drastically, but it was too late to escape.


    A flash of silver light descended in front of him.


    Spurt!


    Li Yaofeng trembled violently, cleaved in two by Xiao Yi.


    At the same time...


    The attack from Tiangang also landed in front of him. Xiao Yi, expressionless, turned around and extended one hand forward. With a buzzing sound, the pillar of energy bursting with violent power was firmly blocked by Xiao Yi''s fleshy palm.


    A wisp of blue smoke rose from his palm.


    Xiao Yi, expressionless, pushed against the light pillar, compressing it constantly into a white sphere of light.


    "You, you, you..."


    Tiangang''s pupils contracted violently, looking bewildered.


    He had never seen such a ferocious person before.


    Catching a full-blown strike from a mighty Earth Venerate Realm Sixth Stage powerhouse with one hand?


    Xiao Yi''s lips slightly curved upward, "Die!"


    Buzz!


    The light sphere violently pushed back, and amidst a sizzling sound, it enveloped Tiangang.


    Under Tiangang''s horrified gaze, Xiao Yi, holding Lin Bingxin, turned around stylishly. Behind him, accompanied by a thunderous boom and electric flashes, a massive mushroom cloud shot into the sky.


    The sweeping wind caused Xiao Yi''s robe to flutter loudly.


    Yet, he remained as if unaffected.


    Holding Lin Bing Xin with one arm.


    Walking amidst the roaring wind.


    Proudly standing between the heavens and the earth.


    An invincible figure.


    Under the light of the mushroom cloud, his shadow stretched longer and longer...

 Chapter 822 - 820: Whose Hand Will the Deer Die by, It Remains Uncertain

    Atop the island that served as the Huang Family''s main base,


    the aftermath of the clash between Xiao Yi, Li Yaofeng, and other powerful figures had left the island in ruins.


    Rubble was everywhere, with smoke of war billowing into the sky.


    Curling up in Xiao Yi''s embrace, Lin Bingxin looked at the sheer destruction of the surrounding island, her face showing genuine shock and excitement��this was the havoc wreaked by the man she adored.


    And throughout all this...


    Xiao Yi had never let her go!


    He had not allowed her to suffer even the slightest injury.


    The last shred of resistance in Lin Bingxin''s eyes crumbled. Until now, she had been concerned about affecting the relationship between Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu and had always suppressed her feelings for him.


    But now...


    After this battle,


    Lin Bingxin no longer wished to restrain her emotions.


    She clung to Xiao Yi, never letting go.


    Xiao Yi naturally felt the change in the woman in his arms, slightly furrowed his brow, and sighed lightly, "Bingxin, everything here has been resolved!"


    "Hmm!"


    Lin Bingxin nodded and then reluctantly let go.


    But her gaze remained fixed on Xiao Yi; faced with this, Xiao Yi could only pretend not to notice and walked straight over to the cages.


    "Lord Protector!"


    "Thank you, Lord Protector, for avenging the Huang Family!"


    "Xiao Yi, I always knew you did all of this for me..." Huang Tianfang''s eyes shone as he looked at Xiao Yi. Seeing Lin Bingxin standing next to Xiao Yi, Huang Tianfang angrily said, "You bad woman, why are you so close to Xiao Yi? Stay away from him..."


    Lin Bingxin: "..."


    She had long known Huang Tianfang was deeply infatuated with Xiao Yi.


    But she never expected him to be so bold and arrogant.


    "Drag this insolent child away..."


    Huang Feihu''s face was ashen, and in a low growl, black as anthracite, the guards immediately came forward, covered Huang Tianfang''s mouth, and dragged him away. Huang Feihu then breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Xiao Yi with a bitter expression, "Lord Protector, all this is due to my lack of discipline. Please forgive my shortcomings!"


    "It doesn''t matter!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, already accustomed to ignoring Huang Tianfang, and then said, "In this battle, Changsheng Sect''s three Great Tiangang Elders and an Earthshatter Elder have all met their demise in Southern State, as well as two Earth Venerate Realm experts from the Nantian Holy Institute. The Nantian Dynasty''s successive two commanding generals have also perished at my hand. Surely the forces behind these powerful figures won''t let things lie; it''s likely that the turbulent seas might become a route of retreat for Xiaoshanhe Institute. From now on, Mr. Huang will be tasked with even more arduous duties..."


    All of this was intelligence Xiao Yi pieced together after slaying Nantian Bao and others.


    Before this,


    Nantian Holy Land, Nantian Dynasty, and Changsheng Sect might still have been wary of Baiyu''s influence, and wouldn''t dare send powerful masters openly to deal with him and the Daqian Dynasty.


    But now...


    This time, all three powers had lost many masters.


    Specifically, the Changsheng Sect had three Earth Venerate Realm masters perish.


    The Nantian Holy Land and Nantian Dynasty also had two people die in battle.


    The Earth Venerate Realm!


    For any force, that was an extremely precious cornerstone.


    The death of such masters would absolutely not be taken lightly by their backing forces.


    Before this,


    Of the three powers, only the Nantian Dynasty had a direct conflict with Xiao Yi, and tracing Xiao Yi''s connection to Baiyu wouldn''t be so easy. sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But now...


    With the addition of Changsheng Sect and Nantian Holy Land, with the means at their disposal, the relationship between him and Baiyu could likely be exposed soon.


    Once they learned they had no support from Baiyu behind them, Xiao Yi anticipated that the next thing to greet him would be a storm-like retaliation, not to mention the mysterious Changsheng Sect and Nantian Holy Ground, just the power owned by the Nantian Dynasty alone was not something the current Daqian Dynasty and Xiao Yi could contend with.


    Huang Feihu was startled, then nodded emphatically, "Rest assured, Venerated National Guardian, I will immediately have someone build a new base on Greenfish Island..."


    He had also lingered in the Chaotic Sea Region for many years.


    He was naturally very clear about the forces controlled by several major powers, and once they were truly prepared to retaliate against the Daqian Dynasty and Xiao Yi, it was bound to be a thunderous strike.


    Xiao Yi glanced at Huang Feihu, extremely satisfied with his response.


    Greenfish Island, located in the extreme east of the Chaotic Sea Region, was very far from the Southern State.


    Even if the Nantian Holy Ground and the Nantian Dynasty wanted to retaliate against them, it would not be so easy, and more importantly, the Star Pavilion relic that Xiao Yi had discovered in the past was located there. Once the remnants of the Star Pavilion were excavated, it could be turned into a new base, becoming the stronghold of the Daqian Dynasty and Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    In the flick of a finger by Xiao Yi.


    A beam of spiritual light entered Huang Feihu''s brows, causing his body to tremble with disbelief while also wearing an expression of eagerness and excitement, "Venic, Venerated National Guardian, this, this is..."


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly, "Do good work for me, and I will not let you down!"


    Gulping down his saliva, Huang Feihu patted his chest firmly, "Rest assured, Venerated National Guardian, Huang Feihu will lay down his life and loyalty, never to betray!"


    "Your words are enough for me!"


    Xiao Yi nodded with a smile, then glanced at Lin Bingxin, "Bingxin, I wish to return to the Daqian Dynasty, you..."


    Lin Bingxin hesitated for a moment.


    She was inclined to follow Xiao Yi back, but she understood that her cultivation level could not assist Xiao Yi in any way, and after hesitation, Lin Bingxin bit her lip lightly and said, "I will assist Mr. Huang here, ensuring that the stronghold of the Daqian Dynasty and Xiaoshanhe Institute is impregnable..."


    Seeing this.


    Xiao Yi did not press her, but instead gave her several dozen mystical Crystal Stones, saying, "These trinkets can help you rapidly improve your cultivation level, strive to reach the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm early, and then I will give you a surprise!"


    On the side, Huang Feihu''s eyes showed envy.


    He naturally knew what that surprise was �� the soul of immortality that all powerhouses dream of!


    Just like he had just received!


    However...


    Huang Feihu''s thoughts, apart from envy, dared not include any other intentions, and he said solemnly, "Rest assured, Venerated National Guardian, even if Feihu dies, he will never let Miss Bingxin suffer any harm!"


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi nodded with satisfaction.


    After giving some instructions, he gathered Ye Heng and the others into the warship and set sail, embarking on his journey back to the Daqian Dynasty.


    This return...


    Was destined not to be peaceful.


    The Nantian Holy Ground.


    The Nantian Dynasty.


    The Changsheng Sect...


    Each one of them was a colossus in front of the Daqian Dynasty, whose mere movement could shake the foundation of Daqian.


    For the Daqian Dynasty to face these three major powers was akin to being in rough seas, with an uncertain future.


    However...


    That was just Xiao Yi''s nature.


    If others do not offend me, I do not offend them; if others offend me, I will retaliate!


    Regardless of how powerful and terrifying these three major powers were, if they dared to act against Xiaoshanhe Institute and the Daqian Dynasty, then they would be crossing Xiao Yi''s bottom line.


    Even at the cost of a hundred deaths, he would peel off a layer of their skin!


    Moreover...


    Xiao Yi now was not without any trump cards, just the two-thirds of the mysterious lake water and the more than ten thousand mystical crystals in his hands, each was a possible game-changer!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, his eyes blazing with a fighting spirit, "As for who will take the prize, that remains to be seen!"

 Chapter 823 - 821: All Three Parties Furious, Pointing Swords at Great Qian!

    Southern State.


    After dropping off Huang Yuwei and Huang Baitao at Beast Emperor City, Xiao Yi headed back to Southern State with Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan, aiming directly for Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The initial purpose of heading to the turbulent sea area was to train Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan.


    Although there were many unexpected events along the way.


    But...


    It was precisely because of people like Nantian Bao that Ye Heng and others truly experienced that there are skies beyond our skies, and people beyond our people. They gained a clearer understanding of their own strengths.


    In front of true masters, they were still like ants.


    Especially when imprisoned in a cage by Nantian Bao and others.


    The helplessness like that of a trapped beast.


    And the despair over the powerful strength of the enemy.


    All left them with a deep bone marrow unwillingness, which also reignited their fighting spirit and will to fight that had been gradually smoothed under the protection of Xiao Yi''s wings.


    Seeing this,


    Xiao Yi decided to bring them back together.


    After all.


    Even without the training in the turbulent sea, the mysterious crystals and mysterious lake water he held were enough to leap-frog their strength. Although it was difficult to break them into the Longevity Secret Realm, it was not a problem for them to step into the high-order Nirvana Realm in two months when Xiaoshanhe Institute would recruit disciples.


    Resources could always be found.


    But fighting spirit and the steadfast will to pursue powerful realms, those were things Xiao Yi could not give them.


    Fortunately, they did not disappoint Xiao Yi.


    Inside Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Xiao Yi had just returned and immediately summoned the likes of Shadow Demon, and Emperor Qian and others were also gathered subsequently.


    On Imperial Dragon Mountain, which occupied an area almost more grand than the entire imperial capital.


    A grand main hall stood within it.


    Above the clouds.


    You could see clouds of immortality surrounding it, with thousands of auspicious colors, everywhere there were sounds and sights of immortal cranes and spiritual beasts, just like a fairyland on earth.


    The crowd was already used to this scene.


    They were clearly aware that Xiao Yi, in order to set up Xiaoshanhe Institute, had created a powerful Spirit Gathering Array inside Imperial Dragon Mountain. Moreover, there was also a Blood Qi Tower based on the dead bodies of experts from Longevity Secret Realm!


    All these were enough to make the Imperial Dragon Mountain a blessed land for cultivation!


    "Lord Regent, after you left hurriedly last time, we did not visit you, please forgive us!" The former Emperor Qian, Yang Hualong, said sincerely with an apologetic look.


    Yang Zun and others also nodded their heads.


    Even though the royal family of Daqian Dynasty was the Yang Family, they were very clear that the real master of the fate of the Daqian Dynasty was this young man in front of them.


    Xiao Yi glanced at them.


    As his cultivation advanced, his position and aura also unconsciously became more formidable. Even if he never regarded Yang Zun and others as subordinates, just the aura emanating from him involuntarily made people unable to face him as casually as before.


    As the old saying goes, it is cold at the heights! S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Often, it''s not arrogance from the ones standing high, but a difference in realms, making those at lower levels unable to reach up!


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a turbid breath, looking at the current Emperor Qian, Yang Ling, "Your Majesty, in two months, my Xiaoshanhe Institute will recruit disciples from Southern State. As the Emperor of Daqian Dynasty, your current Nirvana Realm cultivation is still too weak..."


    "Lord Regent means..." Yang Ling''s heart stirred, vaguely excited.


    Yang Zun and others also looked at Xiao Yi with eager eyes.


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Yang Zun, and others were able to step into the Longevity Secret Realm thanks to Xiao Yi''s grace.


    Seeing their eager gazes, Xiao Yi understood their thoughts and no longer kept them guessing, he said in a deep voice, "Yes, I plan to let you step into the Longevity Secret Realm within two months."


    "Hahaha, worthy of Lord Regent, indeed you have never let us down..."


    "If Ling''er becomes a Longevity Secret Realm expert, this throne could indeed stabilize the factions..."


    Yang Hualong and the others nodded in agreement.


    The once peerless War King, Yang Yuhuan, couldn''t help but look at Yang Ling with envy.


    Xiao Yi chuckled lightly, "Don''t get too excited, I haven''t finished speaking yet!"


    "Hmm?"


    Everyone was stunned.


    They all turned their gaze toward Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi cleared his throat and then continued, "My goal is to have a hundred practitioners from the Longevity Secret Realm within two months in the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "..."


    Silence fell all around.


    The Shadow Demon, Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Yang Zun, and others...


    All were dumbstruck.


    They were like statues under a mind-stabilizing spell, unable to move, not even their eyes flickering.


    They just stood there in a daze.


    Until after a moment...


    Hiss!


    Several people sharply inhaled in disbelief, their incredulous eyes fixed on Xiao Yi.


    Gurgle!


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor asked with a nervous face, "Zhenguo, sir, did you just say a hundred Longevity Secret Realms?"


    "Gurgle!"


    Yang Zun swallowed saliva and tentatively asked, "Did I hear it wrong? Or did you misspeak?"


    "One?"


    "Ten?"


    Faced with their incredulous inquiries,


    Xiao Yi''s lips slightly curved up, confidently saying, "Be confident; you did not hear it wrong, nor did I misspeak. Just as I said, within two months, I will have a hundred practitioners from the Longevity Secret Realm in the Great Qian Dynasty!"


    "Two months... Is that even possible?"


    "Even the Nantian Holy Land couldn''t manage that, could they?"


    People still wore skeptical expressions.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, his face radiating unwavering confidence, "If Nantian Holy Land can''t do it, that doesn''t mean I, Xiao Yi, can''t. This time, I will let everyone in the Southern State know that the Great Qian Dynasty is not a soft persimmon to be kneaded!"


    Buzz!


    A formidable confidence, too intense to look at directly, transformed into a dazzling pillar of light soaring into the sky.


    All of this was because on his way back, he had thoroughly inventoried the mysterious crystals and lake waters he carried, which were enough to create a spirit of longevity. With those mysterious waters, practitioners in the Great Qian Dynasty could enter the Nine Nirvana Realm in the shortest time possible.


    Know this...


    Even the Sea Demon Emperor, who once had average talent, stepped directly into the Earth Venerate Realm with the help of those mysterious lake waters!


    While everyone was immersed in the grand future Xiao Yi depicted,


    Nantian Holy Land,


    Nantian Dynasty,


    Changsheng Sect...


    These three behemoths, whose stomps could shake the entire Qingtian Realm, had also received news of the deaths of Nantian Bao, Li Yaofeng, Elder Tiangang, Elder Tianbao, and others. These were all terrifying Earth Venerate Realm beings, any one of whom could be a giant in any territory.


    The fall of any Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse was a heavy blow to the powers behind them.


    Coupled with the deaths of Elder Tian Ku, Yang Dingtian, and Nantian Lie.


    It had thoroughly infuriated the three parties.


    All three forces simultaneously issued a command...


    Xiao Yi must die!

 Chapter 824 - 822: When One Man Attains the Tao, Even His Pets Ascend to Heaven

    Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Ever since Xiao Yi returned, the entire Xiaoshanhe Institute had entered a complete lockdown state, forbidding both entry and exit. From the foot of the mountain to the summit, there were sentries at every three steps and guards at every five, further fortified by hundreds of Defensive Arrays personally laid out by Xiao Yi. Not even a fly could sneak into the area undetected.


    At this very moment...


    Inside a towering structure at the very heart of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    This was the Blood Qi Tower that Xiao Yi had crafted in days past, using the corpses of the Longevity Secret Realm fighters as its foundation.


    A single Longevity Secret Realm powerhouse was comparable to a high-grade Spirit Vein, their overwhelming pressure and Qi-Blood enough to improve the cultivation efficiency of the ordinary disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute by several folds.


    The Blood Qi Tower was one of the most favored training grounds by the disciples of the institute.


    However, for nearly two months,


    The Blood Qi Tower had been closed off and no longer open to the public.


    Two massive demon beasts sat guarding the entrance to the Blood Qi Tower, to the left and right. These were the Beast Kings of old, but now they had ascended to the rank of Beast Emperors, their combat strength comparable to a Human Venerate, ensuring that ordinary strong beings would not dare to challenge their authority.


    Many disciples passed by the surroundings of the Blood Qi Tower, each pausing briefly, their eyes filled with a mix of envy and fervor.


    As far as they knew...


    The closure of the Blood Qi Tower was because Xiao Yi, the legendary figure of the Great Qian Dynasty, had gathered the strongest batch of individuals from the entire dynasty within the Blood Qi Tower to focus on enhancing their cultivation.


    Within the Great Qian Dynasty, the name Xiao Yi was akin to a deity!


    Everyone knew it, everyone spoke of it, and everyone believed in it!


    "I really envy those who were chosen..."


    "Instead of envying them, you''d be better off cultivating diligently. I''ve heard that our director doesn''t just value talent but also values whether one''s heart in cultivation is steadfast. Take Fang Yiming, for example. His talent is average, but he''s extremely hardworking in his cultivation. That caught Director Xiao''s attention, and now he''s also in the Blood Qi Tower!"


    "Director Xiao had said, talent is destined by the heavens, but what truly governs one''s fate is oneself!"


    The eyes of the group of disciples gradually became resolute.


    Meanwhile,


    Inside the Blood Qi Tower.


    With Xiao Yi at the center, Yang Zun, Yang Hualong, Yang Ling, Shadow Demon, Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Xue Bufan, Yu Huaxian, and other powerhouses were seated in circles around him. Xiao Yi was like the moon surrounded by the stars, basking in the orbit of luminaries.


    Above his head, a Storage Ring was suspended in mid-air.


    From within that Storage Ring, crystal-clear greenish-blue waters cascaded, flooding the entire cultivation space.


    As soon as this greenish-blue water touched their skin, it seeped into their bodies silently and smoothly like an imperceptible moisturizing mist.


    Each trickle of water carried a terrifying energy within it.


    This was the purest form of energy!


    It was enough to consistently enhance their cultivation levels, and if they encountered any substantial barriers between major realms, Xiao Yi was there to offer guidance. With his mastery over Martial God Zhao Wuji''s legacy, at least on the martial path prior to the Longevity Secret Realm, there were no troubles that could perplex him. sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Like a lighthouse in the dark night, his simple guidance could bring profound benefits to another, even enabling them to break through on the spot!


    Among the crowd,


    Ye Heng closed his eyes and mediated, with a glow revolving around him, as he delved into a mystical and marvelous state.


    Battle War Holy Body.


    Through battle, you cultivate; only with incessant fighting can you truly unlock the full potential of the Battle War Holy Body.


    For this reason, Xiao Yi had set up a tremendously powerful Illusion Array around Ye Heng. Within this Array, Ye Heng would repeatedly experience battles at the brink of death, for it is only through battles near death that one could fully tap into their latent potential.


    Coupled with the nurturing energy from the mysterious lake waters, this was enough to boost the efficiency of Ye Heng''s cultivation by several times.


    Yang Ling, too, had advanced into the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    Xiao Yi gifted him with a spirit of longevity, and now Yang Ling was seizing every moment to refine it.


    Shadow Demon.


    Yu Huaxian.


    Xue Bufan, and others...


    All of the powerhouses'' cultivation made leaps and bounds, especially that of Bai Fa Sword Emperor. Previously, he had only received a fourth-rank spirit of longevity. But now, Xiao Yi had given him another one, this time a seventh-rank spirit of longevity, and Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s cultivation level was now on the verge of approaching the Earth Venerate Realm.


    This was indeed astonishing to everyone.


    Even everyone believed that the Bai Fa Sword Emperor was already the foremost person in the Daqian Dynasty,


    But...


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor himself was very clear that the only person who could be the first in the Daqian Dynasty was the youth sitting in the central position.


    Even though Xiao Yi''s cultivation seemed to have just entered the Human Venerate Realm.


    But the Bai Fa Sword Emperor instinctively felt that he was no match for Xiao Yi.


    And indeed, that was the case.


    The path that Xiao Yi walked differed entirely from everyone else''s.


    Heaven Suppressing God General!


    To suppress everything in the world!


    In the usual Longevity Secret Realm, there were five levels: Human Venerate, Earth Venerate, Heaven Venerate, Supreme Venerable, and Saintly Venerable, but in Xiao Yi''s case, his strength depended solely on the number of Sealing God Leaves he possessed. And now, the Sealing God Tree within him bore precisely eight hundred and thirty thousand leaves.


    Comparable to the Eightfold Earth Venerate Realm!


    With his current combat power, even if faced with a Tenthfold Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse, he had the strength to fight.


    Heaven Venerate does not emerge.


    No one could be the enemy!


    This was the current combat power of Xiao Yi!


    It could only be described with the words "terrifying in the extreme"!


    Huff!


    Xiao Yi took a long breath out, then opened his eyes, and his icy gaze swept over everyone, taking in their conditions one by one. Among them, individuals like Shadow Demon and Yang Ling had all reached the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, currently refining the Essence of Longevity.


    Just one more Longevity Heavenly Tribulation, and they could step into the Longevity Secret Realm!


    "In total, five hundred and thirty-one people. After nearly two months, one hundred and eight have reached the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm, and one has reached the peak of the Human Venerate Realm..."


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved up slightly, extremely satisfied with the extent of everyone''s cultivation improvement.


    One hundred and eight Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realms who had all received the Essence of Longevity were only a Heavenly Tribulation away from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    There was also the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, who had broken through to the peak of the Human Venerate Realm.


    Just one step away from the Earth Venerate Realm!


    Such an assembly.


    Although not as deep-rooted as the Nantian Dynasty, the Nantian Sacred Ground, the Changsheng Sect, and other forces, it was enough to make them deeply apprehensive.


    Especially if Xiao Yi''s own combat power were to be exposed, comparable to the first person under the Heaven Venerate.


    It would be a huge deterrent!


    It''s no exaggeration to say...


    Even forces like the Nantian Dynasty would have to weigh their options carefully before taking action against the Daqian Dynasty with such an assembly!


    Everyone inside the Blood Qi Tower understood this, each feeling incredibly exhilarated, but at the same time, they were very clear that the Daqian Dynasty owed its present status to the youth before them.


    This was what the ancients often said, "When one man attains the Tao, his chicken and dogs ascend to heaven."


    It was under Xiao Yi''s leadership that the Daqian Dynasty had grown so much in just a few short years.


    Yang Ling spoke up, "Lord of the Nation, when will we break through our realms?"


    Everyone''s eyes turned to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi had been suppressing their realms, not allowing them to pass the tribulation and break through, even after they had fully refined the Essence of Longevity.


    This puzzled everyone.


    "Not in a hurry! In seven more days, Xiaoshanhe Institute will be recruiting disciples from Southern State. Not only will there be geniuses from every corner of Southern State, but there will also be experts from the Nantian Sacred Ground, the Nantian Dynasty, and the Changsheng Sect. They come with ill intentions, so let''s wait a bit longer! When they arrive, we''ll give them a spectacle of a hundred people breaking through to Longevity..."


    A crazy idea suddenly struck Xiao Yi''s mind, the strong coming from those three big forces were menacing, but what would happen if they witnessed the spectacular scene of a hundred people from the Daqian Dynasty passing the tribulation for Longevity? Surely that would completely extinguish their momentum!


    Everyone''s faces were filled with anticipation and excitement.


    Xiao Yi''s lips slightly lifted, murmuring to himself, "Now, I''m really looking forward to seeing the expressions on those people from the three big forces when they see this scene!"


    PS: The outbreak begins tomorrow!

 Chapter 825 - 823: Those Who Insult My Master, Die!

    Icefield County.


    This place was once the Northern Ice Plains. Ever since the Daqian Dynasty unified the southern region of the Southern State and incorporated the Sword Dynasty, it has been renamed Icefield County.


    However��


    Even though it had been incorporated into the territory of the Daqian Dynasty, this place still remained a borderland.


    After all.


    There were still some powerful individuals from the Sword Dynasty who refused to submit, hiding within the Ice Plains and occasionally causing disturbances along the borders of the Daqian Dynasty.


    At this moment.


    In that remote location amidst the swirling snow.


    The lights blazed bright in a small town, where townspeople sat inside a tavern at the center, listening to an old blind man speak confidently.


    Everyone was focused, listening intently.


    The blind old man, his hair a disheveled mix of white and gray, spoke with a weather-worn face. His cloudy eyes, as they rolled, held a strange hue, "Now, speaking of King Xiao Yi of Zhen, he was a rare genius, scarcely seen in the world. It is said that when he was born, his talent was extraordinary. He was suppressed and imprisoned by his own brother and father, who feared that his talents might threaten their power��"


    The blind old man narrated slowly, his raspy voice telling a captivating story.


    It was thought-provoking.


    A noble-born individual with exceptional talent, imprisoned for over a decade due to his brother''s jealousy.


    Yet he did not fall into despair.


    Instead, he struggled even harder and finally achieved greatness!


    "Old blind man, why have I heard that Xiao Yi was actually of average talent at birth and that his accomplishments are due to some fortuitous encounters?" someone interjected.


    "Yeah, I''ve never heard about Xiao Yi possessing any remarkable talent!" others chimed in.


    The crowd spoke in unison.


    Undisturbed, the old blind man huffed coldly and said, "Do you really think such fortuitous encounters are so miraculous? Without inherent talent, no encounter can transform rotten wood into jade!" Pausing for a moment, he slammed his more startled hand onto the table, his voice ringing out loudly in the tavern, "Speaking of King Xiao Yi, once he came to the Northern Ice Plains, he began to investigate the mystery of the locals'' disappearances. Following the clues, he finally found the culprit behind the disappearances��"


    Hiss!


    The crowd tensed up.


    Everyone looked eagerly at the old blind man, the climax of the story beckoning.


    Who indeed was the culprit behind the disappearances?


    However��


    The old blind man suddenly slammed his hand down and pronounced loudly, "To find out what happens next, please stay tuned for the next session!"


    "Uh��"


    For a moment.


    Groans filled the tavern: "Damn it, stopping there?"


    "Are you kidding? I''ve just ordered food and drink, and you''re telling me I have to wait until next time?" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Facing the crowd''s complaints and angry shouts, the old blind man, all smiles, said, "Ladies and gentlemen, wealth should not be distributed in one day, and a story should not be told in one sitting. Xiao Zhenguo is a legend, indeed a savior of the Daqian Dynasty. It''s worth waiting a little longer to hear his tale��"


    "Well, that does make sense!"


    "Alright, let''s wait a bit longer then."


    The crowd sighed resignedly.


    In a corner.


    A young man listened to the old blind man''s story, sipping his drink quietly, his downturned head concealing his face.


    He was about to stand up.


    But just then...


    A sneering voice emerged from the crowd, "What legend? It''s just that in the absence of tigers in the mountains, the monkey claims to be the king! The vast Southern State, apart from the Nantian Dynasty, has no real masters. Xiao Yi is merely lucky to be born in this remote corner. If he were in the Nantian Dynasty, he wouldn''t even amount to a fart!"


    Hiss!


    Everyone was taken aback.


    Someone dared to curse Xiao Yi in the Daqian Dynasty?


    A young man in the corner suddenly looked up with a cold gaze toward the speaker.


    This man was clad in black.


    On the cuffs, there was a Money Gang symbol, signifying he was Jin Chi, a considerable force from the Nantian Dynasty''s third-rate powers. His cultivation had reached the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm. In this border land, such cultivation was enough to walk unhindered, and he had specifically come from the Nantian Dynasty to expand his market into the Daqian Dynasty.


    Unexpectedly, on his way, he heard an old blind man recounting the story of Xiao Yi, and how people treated Xiao Yi like a deity.


    This annoyed him greatly!


    "Who are you to insult Xiao Zhenguo?"


    "Xiao Zhenguo is a deity of our Daqian Dynasty. Kneel and repent immediately, or don''t dream of leaving here..." the crowd glared in anger.


    At least in the past, in the hearts of the citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty, Xiao Yi was a supreme deity.


    No blasphemy was allowed.


    Jin Chi sneered at the crowd and with a tremor around him, an explosive wave of energy burst forth. With a booming sound, it overturned tables and chairs in the tavern, throwing the people inside into disarray. Some of the citizens close to him suffered heavy injuries, their blood spraying wildly, their faces pale.


    Jin Chi looked disdainfully at the crowd: "You trash think you can make me kneel? From your strength, I can see what the Daqian Dynasty is made of and how Xiao Yi is merely a man of empty fame..."


    Whack!


    Jin Chi''s words were suddenly interrupted by a crisp slap.


    He covered his face in confusion, "Who, who did this?"


    That slap was harsh!


    It had broken half his teeth.


    Whack!


    Another slap fell.


    This time, Jin Chi saw who had struck��it was the icy-eyed young man in the corner, holding his cup, sipping his drink. As his eyes blazed a bloody red, he hissed, "You little bastard, dare to sneak attack me again and again, I will kill you!"


    Whoosh!


    A streak of cold light blazed past.


    The young man in the corner seemed to shatter into an illusion, then like thousands of stars flickering, he merged back together. As his form faded and solidified, he had already brushed past Jin Chi. Holding a jug of wine, he staggered towards the door, his indifferent and icy voice mixed with the incoming snow from the broken door, chilling the tavern even further, "Those who insult my master��die!"


    The words fell.


    Thump!


    A streak of blood surfaced on Jin Chi''s neck, his body falling to the ground with a thud, dragging a jagged trail of blood behind.


    Hiss!


    The crowd gasped in shock.


    Jin Chi was a strong practitioner on the Seventh Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm; the young man had silently killed him?


    What a terrifying method!


    Recalling the young man''s words, the people couldn''t help but gasp in awe: "A disciple of Xiao Yi?"


    "If even his disciple is so powerful, it seems Xiao Yi really does have some skills!"


    The few powerful followers with Jin Chi exchanged glances; a glint of icy cold light flashed in one of their eyes: "No matter who it is, whoever dares to kill a member of Money Gang has only one path��death!"


    PS: Sorry, I had a fever yesterday and still haven''t recovered...

 Chapter 826 - 824: How is it You?

    Snow merged with the sky above the icy plains.


    The youth walked alone through the blizzard, the goose-feather-like snow emitting a dim white light in the darkness as he instinctively tightened his collar.


    His figure appeared somewhat barren against the dim yellow light of the tavern behind him.


    Huh!


    The youth exhaled a long white breath and, on his fingers, a black ring emitted a white light. A shadowy figure floated beside him, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Master, you shouldn''t have made a move just now!"


    "Heh heh��"


    The youth smiled faintly, revealing a slightly pale face. If Xiao Yi were here, he would recognize that this was Tong Zhan.


    Over the past nearly three months of trials, traveling alone all the way from the capital of the Sword Dynasty, Tong Zhan had undergone earth-shattering changes.


    His cultivation alone had ascended to the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Tong Zhan certainly had his own extraordinary encounters over these three months!


    This floating figure beside him was the National Destiny Spirit of the Sword Dynasty, which had fallen into Tong Zhan''s hands by chance and recognized him as master. It was with the help of the National Destiny Spirit that Tong Zhan could achieve what had taken others a lifetime to accomplish in just nearly three months.


    You should know��


    This National Destiny Spirit carried the fortunes of the former Sword Dynasty, revered by the dynasty for thousands of years!


    This energy bolstered Tong Zhan.


    Raising him to the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm in just a few months��an encounter so rare and difficult to replicate!


    Tong Zhan glanced at the National Destiny Spirit next to him, his eyes narrowing into slits, his words exceedingly firm, "One day as a mentor, a lifetime as a father. My life was saved by my master, and I won''t allow anyone to insult him��"


    "But��"


    The National Destiny Spirit showed a hesitant expression, "Now the Daqian Dynasty is beset by enemies on all sides. Master, if you conceal your identity until the Daqian Dynasty overcomes this calamity, then reveal yourself. If the Daqian Dynasty cannot survive this calamity, no one will know your identity. This is the way to maximize benefits... Now, by revealing your identity too soon, that''s not a good thing!"


    The National Destiny Spirit, enjoying a millennium of reverence from the Sword Dynasty,


    had long developed its own consciousness.


    For the country,


    interests come first!


    Crack!


    Tong Zhan paused slightly, his eyes narrowed to slits, and within his gaze, cold light flickered sharply as knives. With a flick of his hand, he grasped the National Destiny Spirit by the throat, the ring on his finger flickering with light, his demeanor becoming extraordinarily cold and brutal, "I don''t want to hear such words from you again. If there is a next time, I won''t mind destroying your spirit."


    "Master, please have mercy��" the National Destiny Spirit said, its face full of terror.


    Its existence was extremely special.


    Its life and death hung on Tong Zhan''s thoughts.


    As the National Destiny Spirit seemed about to dissipate, Tong Zhan finally loosened his grip, his voice icy and resonant, "This is the first time, and I hope it is also the last time!"


    "Understood, subordinate understands��" the National Destiny Spirit said earnestly and fearfully.


    Tong Zhan nodded, squinting towards the front. Through the blizzard, he seemed to see the towering figure within the grand imperial city, "Master, I will definitely not disappoint you!"


    He exhaled deeply.


    A fiery fighting spirit suddenly emerged in Tong Zhan''s eyes, seemingly causing the surrounding snow to quietly melt. His blood-red eyes scanned forward, and he spoke coldly, "Since you''ve come, why not show yourself?"


    "Keke, truly worthy of being Xiao Yi''s disciple!"


    "Your perception is keen, to have discovered our presence��"


    A series of chilling laughter rang out.


    Several figures slowly appeared in the snow, dressed similarly to Jin Chi, all apparently strong members from the Money Gang.


    "Members of the Money Gang?"


    Tong Zhan narrowed his eyes, recognizing their identity from their attire.


    The leader of the Money Gang was none other than Jin Yu, at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    Jin Yu''s phoenix eyes emitted a cold, sinister light, and a small red mole beside his mouth curled into a venomous, cold smile. As he spoke, a wisp of white breath emanated from his mouth, and with a flick of his slender finger, he brushed away the falling snow and said in a peculiar tone, "Since you know our identities, you should know why we are here. Tell me, are you planning to cripple your own cultivation and surrender, or do you want us to make a move..."


    "Cripple my own cultivation? You think you''re worthy?" Tong Zhan scoffed with a cold laugh.


    "Hahaha..."


    Jin Yu burst into laughter, wild and uncontrollable. Suddenly, his smile vanished, and he spoke icily, "You disrespect the wine offered in toast only to be forced to drink the wine of punishment; don''t blame me for being rude. Brothers, take him down, cripple his cultivation, sever his limbs, and later bring him to Xiaoshanhe Institute as a gift for Xiao Yi. I''d like to see what Xiao Yi can do about my Money Gang''s treatment!"


    "Yes!"


    Several experts from the Money Gang instantly charged forward.


    Two from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, seven from the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    Nine formidable beings attacked simultaneously.


    Although Tong Zhan was extremely powerful, he struggled to cope with the assault from the nine experts.


    But this made Jin Yu very dissatisfied, his crimson tongue licking his lips, and a sinister look flashed in his eyes: "What a little beast, possessing such formidable strength at merely the Tao Tribulation Realm? It seems you really cannot be left alive..." S~ea??h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Swoosh!


    Jin Yu seized the opportunity and made his move.


    In a critical moment,


    Just as Tong Zhan had narrowly dodged an attack by the two strong Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivators, an icy palm appeared behind him and��with a loud bang��struck him on the back. With a horrible cry, Tong Zhan was sent sprawling forward, blood spraying from his mouth and instantly turning into bloody ice under the cold wind.


    Bang!


    Tong Zhan rolled across the snowy ground.


    Jin Yu smirked coldly and glanced at his subordinates: "What are you waiting for? Tie him up!"


    "Yes!"


    They immediately approached with savage grins.


    But at this moment...


    A golden beam of light tore through the sky, transforming into nine bands of light that entangled the nine men, followed shortly by the sound of nine heads flying into the air.


    Blood spurted from the necks of the headless corpses like fountains.


    Hiss!


    Jin Yu''s pupils suddenly constricted, and his pores stood on end as he turned toward the slowly emerging golden figure: "You, who are you..."


    Giggle giggle!


    Little Lin twisted her neck slightly, glancing at Tong Zhan struggling to rise from the snow and letting out a sigh of relief upon seeing he was not fatally wounded. She then coldly turned to Jin Yu: "I''ve long heard that the Money Gang was a bunch of shameless scoundrels, and indeed the reputation is well-deserved! A mighty peak Dharma Manifestation Realm figure attacking a junior from the Tao Tribulation Realm, and even resorting to a sneak attack amidst a group assault. What an eye-opener!"


    "You..."


    Jin Yu''s face darkened, showing his embarrassment.


    This was not just mockery.


    It was outright humiliation!


    Yet the aura emanating from Little Lin made him hesitant to act rashly. He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Your strength is extraordinary, and I am no match for you. However, this youth dared to kill my Money Gang''s people; even if the Emperor himself came today, he would not be able to take him away. I advise you not to meddle, or you might even lose your life here..."


    "Hehe, even I will lose my life here? I find that hard to believe."


    Little Lin grinned.


    Just as her voice fell,


    Behind Jin Yu, a voice that made his face change drastically suddenly spoke: "He''s right, your life is indeed forfeit today!"


    Hiss!


    Little Lin''s smile faded, replaced by an expression of utmost solemnity: "Why is it you?"


    PS: More updates coming soon!

 Chapter 827 - 825: God-devouring Seven-inch Nail

    "Why is it you?"


    Little Lin''s face bore an incredulous expression as he stared at the figure that had suddenly appeared before him.


    The newcomer was dressed in a long white robe.


    His long hair floated gently, and his entire being exuded an otherworldly quality; his appearance had seemingly become the focal point and ruler of this world in an instant. This person was deeply imprinted in Little Lin''s memory; he was Ye Qingyu, the genius from Baiyu who had once come to the Daqian Dynasty with Fang Qingzhu.


    However��


    Ye Qingyu now had a robust and prolonged Qi-Blood, a daoist charm to his bones, clearly transcending the mortal flesh, reversing his innate nature, and achieving the Longevity Secret Realm!


    Moreover.


    His aura faintly made Little Lin feel suppressed, obviously his cultivation was higher than Little Lin''s.


    Initially, when Ye Qingyu had followed Fang Qingzhu to the Daqian Dynasty, his sole intent was to trample Xiao Yi underfoot in order to win over Fang Qingzhu''s heart.


    The result, however, was that he was ruthlessly trampled by Xiao Yi!


    He returned to Baiyu in utter disarray.


    Never had he imagined��


    That he would reappear here now and, judging by his demeanor, it seemed that Ye Qingyu had some connections with the Money Gang.


    Jin Yu respectfully saluted Ye Qingyu, saying, "Greetings, Master!"


    "Hmm!"


    Ye Qingyu casually waved his hand from above, his gaze condescending as he looked down upon Little Lin. Upon seeing that Little Lin had also stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm, a cold gleam flashed in his eyes, "I didn''t expect that Xiao Yi, that little bastard, and you would have such a fortune to step into the Longevity Secret Realm so quickly!"


    After returning from the Southern State, Fang Qingzhu had utterly despised Ye Qingyu.


    Knowing that pursuing Fang Qingzhu was hopeless, Ye Qingyu decisively sided with Zhang Sixiang.


    With Zhang Sixiang''s help, he had barely obtained the Spirit of Longevity and entered the Longevity Secret Realm. Moreover, since Fang Qingzhu continuously harbored thoughts about Xiao Yi, which greatly annoyed Zhang Sixiang, he dispatched Ye Qingyu back to the Southern State, intending to inform the Nantian Dynasty that Xiao Yi had no relations with Baiyu and to eliminate Xiao Yi using the hands of the Nantian Dynasty.


    However��


    When he arrived in the Southern State, he found out that Xiao Yi had entered the Longevity Secret Realm and had even slain a warrior of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    This realization not only shocked Ye Qingyu but also made him understand that with Xiao Yi''s strength, even if his connection with Baiyu were exposed, it would hardly be easy to eliminate him with the help of the Nantian Dynasty.


    Consequently, he covertly took control of the Money Gang.


    Waiting for an opportunity!


    Unexpectedly, he encountered Tong Zhan and Little Lin midway.


    Little Lin''s expression darkened to the extreme; this was a genius master from the holy land of Baiyu, and even with his current strength, he wasn''t absolutely confident he could emerge victorious.


    With this thought��


    Little Lin subtly positioned Tong Zhan behind him, secretly transmitting a message, "Tong Zhan, the moment I make a move, escape as fast as you can."


    "Uncle Lin��" Tong Zhan was stunned, responding anxiously.


    "Enough talk!"


    Little Lin harshly interrupted, continuing to transmit, "The opponent is prepared; if you remain here, we both might perish. Once you escape, go immediately to the Xiaoshanhe Institute and tell our leader that Ye Qingyu from Baiyu has arrived with bad intentions, and tell him to prepare!"


    "Hmm?"


    Ye Qingyu also noticed the covert exchange between the two, and with a cold laugh, flicked his finger forward while sneering, "Daring to pull these tricks in front of me, you''re really not taking me seriously, are you?"


    "No good!"


    Little Lin''s face suddenly changed, his body surrounded by a black radiance that formed into a circular halo.


    With a whooshing sound that thundered through the sky,


    The halo shot forth. S��arch* The ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It directly enveloped a burst of white light, the halo suddenly tightened, and with a loud bang, forcefully crushed the spontaneously formed ice pillar. The blizzard trembled, and Little Lin quickly turned his head, shouting at Tong Zhan, "Run now!"


    "I��"


    Tong Zhan''s expression kept changing, and finally, with a grimace, the National Destiny Spirit in his ring trembled violently, wrapping his body in white light.


    Swish!


    Tong Zhan sprinted rapidly toward the distance.


    "Where do you think you''re going!"


    Jin Yu snorted coldly, his body radiating golden light turning into a golden lightning bolt chasing after Tong Zhan.


    However...


    The moment his figure moved, it was blocked by a huge figure.


    Little Lin had transformed back into his original form.


    Clad in golden, brilliant Scale Armor that reflected a blinding light, as if carved from pure gold, he stood perpendicular to Jin Yu and Ye Qingyu. His amber-like transparent eyes emitted a cold and harsh light, staring intently at the two men in front of him, "If you want to chase him, you need to ask my permission first!"


    "Dammit!"


    Jin Yu watched helplessly as Tong Zhan ran further and further away and couldn''t help but curse angrily.


    Ye Qingyu smiled grimly and said, "No matter, letting the small one escape and keeping this big one isn''t bad." His blood-red tongue gently licked his lips, revealing a bloodthirsty expression, "I heard you consider Xiao Yi as your brother? I wonder what his expression will be when he sees you die in front of him? Hehehe..."


    "You want to kill me? Do you think you''re worthy?"


    Little Lin roared towards the sky, his wings behind him flapping violently.


    Swish swish swish!


    A gust of wild wind whistled in.


    This wind tousled the blowing snow around, changing its direction.


    "Swallow the Heavens!"


    As Little Lin opened his mouth, a black light suddenly tore through the void, and a terrifying devouring force appeared out of nowhere.


    Caught off guard, Ye Qingyu almost got swallowed by the black light.


    In that moment between life and death...


    Ye Qingyu quickly flung Jin Yu next to him, and with a swish, Jin Yu was completely swallowed. Frightened, Ye Qingyu broke out in a cold sweat, his pupils twitching, he suddenly clenched his teeth and slapped the void with one hand. Above his head, seven white bone nails emitting a sinister black Qi hovered.


    The dreadful white bone nails, enveloped in black Qi and ominous aura, were fearsome to behold.


    "Not good..."


    Little Lin instinctively felt the threat of death.


    His wings behind him fluttered, wanting to break through the air and leave.


    However, Ye Qingyu wouldn''t let him escape that easily.


    With a brutal smile and a venomous roar in his eyes, he said, "These God-devouring Seven-inch Nails, made from seven millennium-old Yin bones, once nailed will make the nailed suffer the torment of poisonous devouring where they can neither live nor die. This was originally a gift prepared for Xiao Yi, but unexpectedly it''s to be used first on you, you beast..."


    Swish swish swish!


    Ye Qingyu flicked his fingers.


    Seven white bone nails shot out, no matter how Little Lin tried to counter or block, they could not be shaken in the slightest.


    Phoop!


    Phoop!


    Phoop...


    One after another, the seven white bone nails impaled him.


    Howl...


    A series of heart-wrenching screams shook the heavens.


    Little Lin''s body twitched as the seven white bone nails pierced his body, with strands of black Qi enveloping him.


    The torment of sinister, poisonous Qi-devouring...


    This excruciating, heart-penetrating pain.


    It was like tearing the soul apart!


    Watching Little Lin scream in agony, Ye Qingyu''s face revealed a fierce cold smile, his eyes flickering coldly, "Struggle all you want, once nailed by the God-devouring Seven-inch Nails, there''s no more chance to live, you must endure 49 days of torment to death. But don''t worry, I won''t let you live that long. In a few days, it''ll be the grand day when Xiaoshanhe Institute is recruiting disciples, and I''ll slaughter you right in front of Xiao Yi there, hahaha��"

 Chapter 828 - 826 Drag Out and Chop!

    Great Qian Dynasty, the Imperial Capital.


    Located squarely in the center, the imperial city was extraordinarily magnificent and grand. The entire imperial city was laid out in a Nine Palaces pattern, with every palace, building, even each artificial hill and plant, all designed by Xiao Yi.


    The entire imperial palace had been transformed by him into a vast Nine Palaces Bagua Formation.


    It possessed the ability to gather spiritual energies from all directions.


    At the same time...


    This grand formation also boasted unparalleled defensive power.


    It was linked to a hidden Ninth Grade Spirit Vein underground, a vein that Xiao Yi had personally refined, elevating the Daqian Dynasty''s National Spirit Vein to Ninth Grade status, transforming it into the National Dragon Vein. With this Dragon Vein as the foundation, the imperial city complemented it, ensuring that even Earth Venerate Realm experts would struggle to disturb the palace in the slightest.


    The imperial city''s main gate faced south from its northern position and was aptly named Xuanwu Gate!


    Extending from the Xuanwu Gate to the central True Dragon Hall was a path through nine strict checkpoints, the layout solemn and austere.


    But now...


    The atmosphere in the entire True Dragon Hall was exceptionally oppressive.


    High upon his throne,


    Yang Ling narrowed his eyes, sitting upright and proper atop the Dragon Throne.


    To its level left, there was a massive Gold Throne, no less precious or lavish than his Dragon Throne.


    Clad in a black robe, Xiao Yi sat on this throne with a slight playful gaze, quietly observing.


    Inside the vast True Dragon Hall, amidst countless civil and military officials, not a single one objected to Xiao Yi''s positioning alongside Yang Ling.


    Everyone in the Great Qian Dynasty understood a principle: with Xiao Yi, the Daqian Dynasty stood; without Xiao Yi, it could crumble in an instant. The Peerless National King, suppressing a nation, the courtiers, and even a sovereign. Even if he wished to depose Yang Ling''s throne now, there would be none to rebuke him.


    Of course.


    Xiao Yi would not do such a thing. If he had any designs on the throne, it would have been a mere word away.


    Because of this...


    The entire Daqian Dynasty held Xiao Yi in both respect and fear!


    "Your Majesty! Esteemed National Authority!"


    The newly appointed Minister of War, Yan Wei, stepped forward, his resonant voice echoing throughout the hall, "Envoys from Nantian Dynasty and Changsheng Sect are waiting outside the hall, should they be received?" sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yang Ling glanced at the silent Xiao Yi, then nodded and said, "Let them in!"


    Inside the great hall.


    Many civil and military officials were whispering amongst themselves, "In a few days, Xiaoshanhe Institute will begin recruiting disciples, and recently, many powerful figures have gathered in the Imperial Capital. What could be the meaning behind the envoys from Nantian Dynasty and Changsheng Sect coming at this time?"


    "Perhaps they''ve seen the great potential of our Daqian Dynasty and are preparing to curry favor?"


    "You must be daydreaming. Nantian Dynasty harbors ambition and considers us a thorn in their side. I fear these guests do not come with good intentions!"


    The murmurs in the hall came to an abrupt halt.


    Two figures appeared at the entrance of the hall, walking side by side.


    The one on the left was one of the Ten Constant Servants of the Nantian Imperial Palace, Gao Dian. Despite his pale complexion and seemingly sickly appearance, he was a true Human Venerate Realm powerhouse.


    The person walking with Gao Dian was from Changsheng Sect.


    This man, also a powerhouse of the Eightfold Human Venerate Realm, wore a look of proud aloofness. Known throughout Jianghu, he was the notorious Lin Fengqiao, referred to as the Six-Fingered Blood Demon.


    "Gao Dian (Lin Fengqiao) pays respects to the Emperor of Great Qian!" The two stood in the middle of the hall, their voices calm and their expressions placid.


    Their serene voices echoed in the hall''s airspace.


    Yan Wei''s face slightly darkened, "How audacious, to see our Emperor and the National Authority and not kneel in tribute?"


    "How dare you show such disrespect to the Esteemed National Authority? Your audacity knows no bounds..."


    The ministers all scolded.


    Gao Dian gave a cold laugh, unbothered as he said, "Gao Dian comes from Nantian Dynasty, representing the majesty of the Nantian Emperor himself. How could I perform the act of kneeling before the ruler of a lesser dynasty? Furthermore..." He paused, sweeping a provocative glance toward Xiao Yi, and continued, "What so-called Esteemed National Authority? Could it be that in your Daqian Dynasty, there exists someone who can rival Emperor Qian?"


    This was a blatant instigation to undermine the relationship between Xiao Yi and Yang Ling!


    It caused a sea change of expressions among the ministers.


    Although the entire Daqian Dynasty understood that Xiao Yi was the Calm Sea Divine Needle of the Daqian Dynasty, this was not something they could openly declare!


    Who could guarantee that Yang Ling didn''t harbor other thoughts in his heart?


    Gao Dian''s lips curled slightly upward, and a mocking sneer spread across his face. His eyes, filled with sarcasm, turned toward Xiao Yi as he secretly gloated: Indeed, they''re just subordinates of a lower status nation. Despite their stroke of dumb luck in establishing a dynasty, so what? With just a following sentence, I can cause discord between monarch and ministers, leaving you unable to cope ...


    Just as Gao Dian was brimming with self-satisfaction,


    Xiao Yi''s voice echoed through the great hall, "Drag him out and behead him!"


    "..."


    Gao Dian''s smug look suddenly froze, as he stared dumbfounded at Xiao Yi, scarcely capable of belief he stammered, "You, you, what did you say?"


    Xiao Yi casually cleaned his ear and said indifferently, "Are there no more people in the Nantian Dynasty? Why did they send a disabled person like you as an envoy?" He glanced at the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, who was closing his eyes and recuperating among the crowd, and ordered, "Bai Fa, what are you waiting for?"


    Whoosh!


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s eyes snapped open.


    Bright glints surged from his pupils �C sharp and solid as the edge of a sword.


    Clang Clang!


    With each movement, his armor rang out with a piercing sound. The Bai Fa Sword Emperor clasped his fists and said resolutely, "At your command!"


    Whoosh!


    With one step, the Bai Fa Sword Emperor approached Gao Dian, and with a single hand shaped like a claw, he reached for Gao Dian''s shoulder.


    "Get lost!"


    Gao Dian''s complexion drastically changed, and he raised his hand in an attempt to counterattack.


    However...


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor was just one step away from stepping into the Earth Venerate Realm and had been holding back his cultivation. How could Gao Dian possibly withstand him? A splurt of bright red blood spewed out as the Bai Fa Sword Emperor shattered Gao Dian''s shoulder with his claw, pinning him to the ground on his knees.


    The excruciating pain from his shoulder turned Gao Dian''s face deathly pale.


    He violently raised his head to look at Yang Ling and roared, "Stop... Emperor Qian, I am the envoy of the Nantian Dynasty; if you dare treat me like this, aren''t you afraid that the Daqian Dynasty will face devastation beyond redemption?"


    Yang Ling looked at him with a bemused expression and said in a low voice, "Devastation beyond redemption? Where did you get that idea?"


    "Emperor Qian, Xiao Yi has wild ambitions; he has already undercut your imperial authority. Look around now, throughout the court, who dares defy him?"


    Gao Dian yelled loudly, "I am here by imperial command, intending to form an alliance with Emperor Qian. As long as Emperor Qian hands Xiao Yi over to the Nantian Dynasty for disposal, the Nantian Dynasty is willing to fully support the construction of the Daqian Dynasty and uphold your imperial position. This is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity, Emperor Qian, please don''t make a grave mistake..."


    For a moment.


    Within the True Dragon Hall, there was silence.


    Gao Dian believed he had persuaded Yang Ling, as after all, no emperor likes to be suppressed by his courtiers.


    Just by stirring up trouble between Xiao Yi and the Daqian Dynasty, he could effortlessly defeat each one individually.


    Gao Dian looked towards Xiao Yi with triumphant delight, laughing maliciously, "Xiao Yi, I admit your strength is formidable, but I have a thousand ways to kill you..."


    However...


    Gao Dian found that the ministers were all looking at him as if he were a fool.


    As Gao Dian was lost in bewildered thought, he heard Yang Ling, seated on the dragon throne, heave a sigh. Waving his hand towards the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, he said, "The State Guardian is right, how could the Nantian Dynasty send someone crippled like you as an envoy? It seems not only your ears have problems, but your head is also damaged. Bai Fa Marshal, please take him out and behead him quickly."


    Gao Dian, dumbstruck, said, "Wait... This is not how the script goes... Shouldn''t you be discordant, monarch and ministers? This, this..."


    Before Gao Dian could elaborate,


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor had already dragged him outside the hall, and with a swing of the blade, heads began to roll.


    Inside the great hall.


    Lin Fengqiao, still dazed with a look of utter disbelief, had yet to recover his senses when he heard Xiao Yi''s voice resounding beside him, "Lin Fengqiao? The Changsheng Sect sent you here, for what purpose..."

 Chapter 829 - 827: Blood Ultimatum

    "Lin Fengqiao, what business does the Changsheng Sect have in sending you here?"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was scattered and unfocused, seemingly indifferent, yet it caused Lin Fengqiao to tremble, with large beads of cold sweat rolling down.


    Just thinking about his purpose for coming.


    His expression turned ugly, hesitating to speak.


    At that moment...


    Outside the door, the Bai Fa Sword Emperor entered, carrying a bloody head in one hand, and threw the head on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, Elder Zhenguo, Gao Dian has been beheaded!"


    "Hmm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, waved his hand, and said, "Pack his head in a brocade box and send it back with the envoy team of the Nantian Dynasty!"


    "At once!"


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor bowed to take the order and walked outside with the head. As he passed Lin Fengqiao, he gave him a meaningful glance.


    It was this glance.


    That made Lin Fengqiao''s face look even uglier.


    "Lin Fengqiao, what exactly does the Changsheng Sect want by sending you here?" This time it was Yan Wei who spoke, his voice filled with intense impatience, while the surrounding civil and military officials looked at him with mocking gazes.


    What of the Changsheng Sect?


    What if their strength is comparable to sacred grounds?


    One hundred and eight Tiangang Earthshatter Elders, yet four great elders have already died at Xiao Yi''s hands.


    Now they send you, a messenger of the Human Venerate Realm.


    Do you really think we would be afraid of you?


    The looks from everyone felt like thorns in his back, and he was extremely annoyed. Although the Changsheng Sect has long been disliked by the major sacred lands, when had it ever been this embarrassed?


    Huff!


    Lin Fengqiao took a deep breath, calming his emotions somewhat, then spoke in a deep voice: "This time, I am here by the order of the Po Jun Elder of the Changsheng Sect to deliver an ultimatum!"


    "An ultimatum?"


    "Po Jun Elder? I''ve heard he''s the most ferocious among the one hundred and eight Tiangang Earthshatter Elders, with a cultivation level comparable to the Peak of Earth Revered Realm!"


    "What exactly is the Changsheng Sect trying to sell here?"


    Everyone appeared puzzled and also displayed more wariness and solemnity.


    After all, a person''s name is the shadow of a tree.


    The name of Po Jun.


    Is very well-known throughout the entire Qingtian Realm.


    Po Jun, Tiangang, Tamlang��


    The very reason why the major sacred lands deeply detest the Changsheng Sect yet have never fully mobilized to wage a life-and-death battle against them is inseparably linked to these three top masters.


    Xiao Yi also raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly forward with a curious expression: "Po Jun''s ultimatum? Present it!"


    Yan Wei immediately stepped forward.


    He approached Lin Fengqiao and said indifferently, "Hand over the ultimatum."


    Huff!


    Lin Fengqiao took a deep breath and carefully took out a blood-colored ultimatum from his bosom, handing it over to Yan Wei with both hands cautiously.


    Yan Wei casually took the ultimatum, stepped back a few steps, then unfolded it, and upon scanning the content, his face subtly changed, his gaze involuntarily lifting to look at Yang Ling and Xiao Yi, showing a difficult expression.


    Yang Ling and Xiao Yi exchanged a glance.


    Yang Ling said, "Yan, read it!"


    "Yes!"


    Yan Wei hesitated momentarily, his hands trembling slightly, with large beads of cold sweat rolling down his forehead, he spoke loudly, "By the decree of Po Jun, the Daqian Dynasty''s Xiao Yi has repeatedly killed the Changsheng Sect''s experts, a crime unpardonable. The emperor of the Daqian Dynasty is hereby ordered, on the day of accepting disciples at the Xiaoshanhe Institute, to publicly announce the removal of Xiao Yi''s position as Elder Zhenguo and order Xiao Yi to cripple his cultivation and surrender himself at the front of Imperial Dragon Mountain to await disposal! If defied, within seven days, will be the time of the extinction of the Daqian Dynasty!"


    Boom!


    The word "extinction" had just left his mouth.


    From beyond the Great Hall, in the skies above, there came a thunderous rumble.


    Suddenly, dark clouds covered the entire capital''s sky, with lightning and thunder rolling, causing the entire capital''s atmosphere to feel far more oppressive.


    Inside the True Dragon Hall.


    Every civil and military official was glaring furiously.


    Let Yang Ling remove Xiao Yi from his position as king of Xiao Zhenguo?


    And require Xiao Yi to cripple his own cultivation, surrender himself, and await disposal?


    Or else obliterate the Daqian Dynasty?


    "Damn!"


    "What does the Changsheng Sect think it is? The king of heaven?" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A bunch of secretive cowards, who have been hunted down by the sacred lands for years and didn''t dare to show their faces, now dare to act tough here? Do they really think my Daqian Dynasty is made of mud?"


    Amidst the ministers'' furious rebuke.


    It caused Lin Fengqiao''s face to turn slightly pale; he had not expected that faced with the bloody ultimatum from the Po Jun Elder, the ministers of the Daqian Dynasty would not consider handing over Xiao Yi to appease the situation but would, instead, unanimously see the Changsheng Sect as a mortal enemy.


    Above the dragon throne.


    Yang Ling''s face was terrifyingly somber, his hands gripping the armrests tightly, emitting a series of suppressed, furious laughs, "Very well, very well, Changsheng Sect, very well, Po Jun Elder, very well, time of obliteration... How could my entire Daqian Dynasty be afraid of your mere Changsheng Sect? You want war, then I''ll give you war, but to think of having me plot against Xiao Zhenguo is simply delusional!"


    "Let it be a battle, then!"


    "With all the might of the nation, we''ll fight the Changsheng Sect!"


    At that moment��


    All the ministers were enraged.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth slightly curved upwards, pleased by everyone''s reaction, a warm current flowing through his heart.


    He gently raised his hand.


    Everyone immediately fell silent.


    Xiao Yi looked towards Yan Wei, who still looked distressed, and said, "Yan, is there anything else written in the ultimatum?"


    Yan Wei hesitated, then nodded, "Replying to your majesty, it also says that the Changsheng Sect has found the location of your mother''s grave. They�� they�� they have already dispatched powerful individuals to excavate your mother''s grave��"


    Yan Wei''s voice suddenly halted.


    In an instant, the temperature in the True Dragon Hall dropped drastically.


    A bone-chilling coldness made everyone''s face turn pale, as if they''d fallen into an ice pit.


    Giggle, giggle, giggle!


    The armrest in Xiao Yi''s palm was slightly trembling, covered with cracks, his face looking incredibly distressed: "Continue!"


    Yan Wei took a deep breath.


    The pressure he felt was truly terrifying, his hands shaking as he held the bloody ultimatum, speaking the last few words haltingly, "The ultimatum says, if he does not see Xiao Zhenguo cripple his own cultivation and surrender himself during the disciple recruitment at the Xiaoshanhe Institute in seven days. He will publicly burn your mother''s remains and then execute you and sink your corpse in the Heavenly River, ensuring that you and your mother will be incompatible like fire and water, never to meet again in this life. Signed��Changsheng Sect, Po Jun!"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Boom!


    The bloody ultimatum suddenly emitted a blood-red glow.


    With a loud bang.


    The bloody ultimatum unleashed a shocking Sword Intent, actually severing Yan Wei''s hands and forming a massive silhouette in the void; its cold gaze directed at Xiao Yi, and it sneered, "Xiao Yi, you must be very angry now, aren''t you? Don''t worry, this is just a little surprise I''ve prepared for you, enjoy your last few days of life, haha��"


    Boom!


    The bloody figure transformed into a rainbow light, enveloping Lin Fengqiao and attempting to break through the sky.


    Everyone''s faces changed.


    With Yan Wei''s arms severed, and Po Jun having descended in spirit projection upon the True Dragon Hall, if they allowed him to safely take Lin Fengqiao away, it would be a massive blow to the majesty of the Daqian Dynasty.


    Xiao Yi coldly chuckled, "Without my permission, did you really think you could leave?"


    Whoosh!


    His body was still seated on the throne.


    But a figure suddenly separated from his body and shot into the sky.


    It was clearly a Sword Intent Avatar formed of Sword Intent!


    In the domain of Sword Intent��Sword Intent Avatar!


    Whoosh!


    This Sword Intent Avatar swept across the void in a blink, seemingly folding the space, directly blocking the path of the blood-colored rainbow. Amidst a convergence of countless stars, a horrified scream accompanied by a gush of bright red spilled forth, revealing Lin Fengqiao''s body was cleaved into two halves and fell at the entrance of the True Dragon Hall, while the blood-colored rainbow light exploded with a bang.


    From the void came Po Jun''s furious roar, "Xiao Yi, how dare you execute my subordinate right before me? You''re doomed, and so is the Daqian Dynasty, they will all die with you!"


    "Die with me? Do you think you''re worthy?"


    Xiao Yi, still seated on the throne, the countless stars quietly revolved and merged into his body, his hands tightly grasping the armrests, his eyes emitting a cold light as he spoke word by word, "Everyone listen to my command... from this day forth, kill all members of the Changsheng Sect on sight! In my lifetime, I, Xiao Yi, will trample the Changsheng Sect beneath my feet, and if I fail in this oath, may I never be reincarnated��"

 Chapter 830 - 828: Shaking All Directions

    "Anyone from the Changsheng Sect will be killed without mercy!"


    A chilling voice emerged from Xiao Yi''s mouth, resonating within the True Dragon Hall.


    It boomed like thunder shaking the sky.


    The overwhelming voice was filled with an unmatched deadly aura, causing all the ministers to reveal their intent to kill. Yang Ling, seated on the Dragon Throne, suddenly stood up with a swish. The extreme aura of the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm was nearly uncontrollable, about to summon the power of heavenly tribulation.


    His eyes, too, were filled with iciness as he raised his arm and roared, "In the name of the Emperor of the Daqian Dynasty, I hereby swear with my soul that all subjects of our Daqian Dynasty, through generations, shall take the extermination of the Changsheng Sect as their duty. Should this oath be broken, may the heavens punish and the earth obliterate, never to reincarnate!"


    Boom!


    Outside the True Dragon Hall, lightning flashed and thunder roared, amidst the rolling dark clouds, a purple-gold dragon could faintly be seen.


    With a resounding dragon''s roar,


    The capital shook violently as a golden dragon burst forth from the ground below, roaring angrily as it shot into the dark clouds.


    The tremendous noise, accompanied by rolling thunder, echoed across the capital''s skies.


    For a moment,


    Inside and outside the capital, all the mighty figures were terribly shocked.


    "What��what''s happening?"


    "Has the Emperor of the Daqian Dynasty gone mad? To make such a vow��this, this is a complete break with Changsheng Sect!"


    "This is a fight to the death. What exactly is going on?"


    "The Daqian Dynasty is courting disaster! The Changsheng Sect has existed since the ancient era within the Qingtian Realm, shunned by all major sanctuaries but still active. Even the major sanctuaries couldn''t exterminate the Changsheng Sect, what is the Daqian Dynasty in comparison?"


    "Utterly overestimating themselves��"


    "If I were a subject of the Daqian Dynasty, I would probably choose to leave the Daqian Dynasty immediately��"


    Many powerful figures from the Southern State whispered among themselves.


    In their view,


    By declaring war on the Changsheng Sect with the power of a single nation, the subjects of the Daqian Dynasty would surely fear the Changsheng Sect, thus causing the dynasty to lose the support of the people.


    However,


    After Yang Ling''s voice spread throughout the capital,


    They saw the people of the Daqian Dynasty not only showing no sign of fear but instead were filled with righteous indignation, roaring continuously, "This damned Changsheng Sect must have committed outrageous deeds; otherwise, His Majesty and the Great Protector would never treat them like this. If anyone discovers the trace of a member of the Changsheng Sect, report it immediately so they can be completely eradicated!"


    "What nonsense Changsheng Sect, daring to act wildly within our Daqian Dynasty, simply courting death!"


    "Wipe them out!"


    The entire nation united as one, uniformly outward.


    The convergence of people''s hearts unexpectedly made the Dragon Vein of the Daqian Dynasty stronger, and the national fortunes more condensed.


    At the royal post station.


    The envoy team from the Nantian Dynasty was located there, having already received the body of Gao, they were furious, "Damn it, the Daqian Dynasty has some nerve, daring to kill Gao Gonggong! This is a provocation to our Nantian Dynasty, they must be punished!"


    "Send a message to His Majesty immediately, let him dispatch troops and annihilate the Daqian Dynasty!"


    However,


    Right then, they heard Yang Ling''s voice.


    For a moment,


    The just vehement clamors abruptly ceased.


    The envoys looked at each other with faces full of bewilderment and fear, "I��I heard that right? The Daqian Dynasty has openly declared war on the Changsheng Sect?"


    "Is this a war of annihilation?"


    Gulp!


    Everyone swallowed hard.


    Compared to the Nantian Dynasty, the power of the Changsheng Sect was only even more formidable.


    The Daqian Dynasty dared to wage a relentless war against the Changsheng Sect so would they be afraid of any pressure exerted by the Nantian Dynasty?


    The Vice Leader of the envoy group looked at everyone, "Should we still ask His Majesty to exert pressure and impose sanctions?"


    "..."


    Everyone was speechless. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sanction my ass!


    The Vice Leader gave a wry smile, looked at the head of Gao Dian lying quietly inside the brocade box, and sighed softly, "Let''s put this matter on hold for now and wait for the special envoy sent by His Majesty to arrive before we make any plans!"


    Meanwhile.


    In another opulent mansion where masters from the sacred lands of Nantian resided.


    They completely disdained sending envoys to deal with Yang Ling.


    But now...


    After the experts from the Nantian sacred lands exchanged glances, they all looked at the middle-aged man in the center. The middle-aged man tapped on the table lightly with his fingers. After a moment, he took a deep breath and said, "Send someone to deliver a letter of homage to Emperor Qian!"


    "Yes!"


    Someone immediately accepted the order and departed.


    The strong men from the sacred lands of Nantian remained silent.


    This proactive delivery of a letter of homage was an acknowledgment of the Daqian Dynasty by the sacred lands of Nantian.


    This relentless declaration of war enabled the Daqian Dynasty to gain the acknowledgment of this overlord of the Southern State!


    Of course...


    Facing the declaration of war from the Daqian Dynasty, the Changsheng Sect was the most affected!


    In a secluded valley hundreds of kilometers away from the imperial capital.


    There lay a hidden estate, which was the temporary stronghold of the Changsheng Sect in the Daqian Dynasty. The Earth Demon Star and the Earth Monster Star, two Earthshatter Elders, were stationed there. Ever since Li Yaofeng, the Changsheng Sect''s top warrior in the Southern State, had died, they had been coiled up in there like turtles retracting into their shells.


    The Earth Monster Star looked at the Earth Demon Star beside him, "We can finally catch our breath. With Elder Po Jun taking action, whatever Daqian Dynasty, whatever Xiao Yi, they all have to kneel before us!"


    "That''s right!"


    The Earth Demon Star nodded in agreement, "I''ve heard that our Holy Church, the Nantian Dynasty, and the sacred lands of Nantian have already decided through negotiation that once Xiao Yi and the Daqian Dynasty are eliminated, half of the Daqian Dynasty''s territory will be divided and given to our Southern State branch, making it the only subsect of the Holy Church to have its own territory!"


    "This is a great accomplishment. When we return to the Holy Church, we might even be granted an audience by the Patriarch..."


    Both of their faces were filled with excitement.


    At that moment...


    The blood-red statue in front of them burst with a heaven-piercing red light, emanating an incomparable majesty that instantly enveloped the entire estate.


    Numerous blood lights converged into a majestic figure.


    It was indeed Po Jun!


    This caused the complexions of the two to drastically change as they said with great fear and trepidation, "We greet Elder Po Jun!"


    Po Jun practiced both Spiritual Nirvana and Spiritual Objects Nirvana. His spiritual power was so strong that he could form a spiritual avatar from thousands of miles away. His cold eyes emitted a chilling gleam. Po Jun coldly said, "Xiao Yi dared to kill Lin Fengqiao and even destroy an avatar of mine. Emperor Yang Ling of the Daqian Dynasty has sworn a blood oath to fight to the death against our Holy Church. I have already reported to the Patriarch, and the Holy Church will send the Tiangang Holy Guards and the Earthshatter Blood Guards. You two are responsible for guiding them!"


    Hiss!


    Both of their faces changed again.


    The Tiangang Holy Guards and the Earthshatter Blood Guards were the two sharp blades of the Changsheng Sect.


    Their responsibility was conquest!


    Once the two guards were dispatched, it would definitely be a battle to the death.


    "We follow the order!"


    The two quickly responded.


    Po Jun stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes emitting a chilling gleam, "Xiao Yi? The Daqian Dynasty? Humph, before our Holy Church, they are all mere ants..."


    And while various parties were shaken by Xiao Yi and Yang Ling''s declaration of war against the Changsheng Sect, casting a layer of dark clouds over the entire Daqian Dynasty, and the atmosphere becoming exceptionally tense, time swiftly passed, and soon it was the day for the Xiaoshanhe Institute to recruit disciples...

 Chapter 831 - 829: Have you been kicked in the head by a donkey?

    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Three earth-shattering roars suddenly erupted from the direction of Imperial Dragon Mountain, rolling forth with majestic, heaven-quaking force.


    These three roars directly spread across a thousand miles, lingering by the ears of all living beings, refusing to dissipate for a long time.


    This was the sound of the Shanhe Bell.


    This bell was reforged by Xiao Yi using a Yuan weapon once held by Earthly Honor Li Yaofeng. A grand nine-tier Yuan weapon, transcending the mundane to reach the sacred, its sound could travel a thousand miles, whirling for three days and nights without fading.


    Upon hearing this bell, ordinary people could concentrate and calm their minds, achieving tranquility and peace.


    Those in the martial path frequently exposed to this sound could temper their will and thoughts, strengthening their spirits.


    It could be said to hold many benefits!


    And today��


    The resonating of the Shanhe Bell signified the commencement of Xiaoshanhe Institute''s grand ceremony for recruiting disciples across the entire Southern State.


    Before the bell even rang, the foothills of Imperial Dragon Mountain had already become a sea of people.


    Countless strong talents had gathered.


    In these months��


    The achievements of Xiaoshanhe Institute had long spread throughout the Southern State, attracting countless eager talents.


    As the Shanhe Bell tolled, the mist shrouding the skies above Imperial Dragon Mountain gradually dissipated. This sacred land of cultivation, yearned for by numerous talents and strong cultivators, finally lifted its veil of mystery, revealing itself before the world.


    Rustle!


    The vast mountain range stretched far and wide, appearing far greater than it had from afar. The coverage rivaling that of the imperial capital, the immensely broad area awed the countless strong cultivators present, "Is this the Xiaoshanhe Institute? It''s absolutely massive!"


    "I arrived here five or six days earlier, and at the time, it looked nothing more than an ordinary mountain. How can it be so huge?"


    "You bunch of country bumpkins who haven''t seen the world, this is just a cloaking Formation. In our Nantian Dynasty, even a third-rate power could erect such an Array!"


    "We naturally know about Formation concealment, but haven''t you noticed that when the Formation around Imperial Dragon Mountain vanished, the concentration of Yuan energy around us has greatly increased?" Someone greedily breathed in the energy-rich air, feeling thoroughly comfortable as if they had ingested an Immortal Pill or Spiritual Medicine.


    Hiss!


    Reminded by this person, they were all shocked.


    You must understand��


    Among the strong cultivators present, there were no fewer than a few million, many of whom possessed profound cultivation levels. The Yuan energy consumed in their breathing alone was terrifying, yet even so, the energy contained in the air here remained incredibly abundant.


    What if it was provided for several thousand or ten thousand people to cultivate?


    It would be a sacred land for cultivation indeed!


    "There must be an immensely powerful Spirit Gathering Array within Xiaoshanhe Institute. Otherwise, it would be impossible to have such rich Yuan energy."


    "As far as I know, even the Spirit Gathering Array at Nantian Holy Institute does not have such a large range and power. Xiaoshanhe Institute really seems to be full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with someone capable of setting up such a Formation!"


    "If Xiao Yi would be generous enough to make the method for setting up such a Spirit Gathering Array public, what a blessing it would be for so many strong practitioners!" a strong cultivator from Nantian Dynasty sarcastically remarked.


    Many around became eager with the idea, "Yeah, if there is such a Spirit Gathering Array, why even join Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "If I could master such a Formation, my family could become a sacred land of cultivation��"


    "It''s unlikely that Xiao Yi would be so stingy!" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As everyone pondered this.


    Two figures suddenly swooped down from the summit of Imperial Dragon Mountain. At first two mere specks, and as they landed before the crowd, they became two colossal figures.


    Boom! Boom!


    The comers were none other than the two Mountain Guarding Beast Kings.


    However��


    Now they had already set foot in the Longevity Secret Realm, becoming Beast Kings on par with the Human Venerate Realm.


    Even lying in front of the front gate, they were over thirty meters tall, majestic and fierce, with a cold light in their eyes, and they let out a low roar like thunder, "The front gate of Xiaoshanhe Institute is open, all may enter. However, visitors must follow the rules of Xiaoshanhe Institute. Those who violate them will be expelled at the least, and at the worst, end up like this stone..."


    Whoosh!


    A streak of silver cold light spat out from its mouth, and a ten-meter-tall boulder in front of it instantly turned into dust.


    Hiss!


    Everyone''s faces changed drastically as they stared intently at the two beasts. Some strong figures who had intended to fish in troubled waters and cause trouble in secret were involuntarily reigning in their thoughts: "Even the beasts guarding the mountain gate are at the Human Venerate Realm? The foundation of Xiaoshanhe Institute is beyond imagination; it seems the original plan is no longer feasible!"


    "Don''t act rashly, whatever happens!"


    There were quite a number of people here, precisely to take advantage of the Nantian Dynasty and other giants targeting Xiaoshanhe Institute, hoping to strike secretly in the chaos.


    Now, they had no choice but to contain their thoughts.


    Seeing this, the two beasts nodded in satisfaction. Xiao Yi had stationed them here to deter the crowd, and they immediately moved their bodies to the left and right, uttering in a muffled voice, "Those participating in the disciple assessment go to the left; all others, to the right!"


    Rumble!


    Amid the muffled sounds, a broad and grand avenue appeared before everyone''s eyes.


    A group of strong figures immediately split into two batches, orderly entering the mountain gate from the left and the right, heading towards the deeps of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute now covered the entire Imperial Dragon Mountain Range.


    It was large enough to accommodate millions of people.


    However, only about one-tenth could actually reach the main peak of Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Those who were there to watch the battles appeared relaxed.


    And the other figures aiming to participate in the assessment appeared equally unburdened, maintaining a calm demeanor as though they didn''t take it too seriously: "Xiao Yi would beg us to join Xiaoshanhe Institute, this assessment is probably just a formality!"


    "Mao is right, we are geniuses from the Nantian Dynasty, it''s their honor to look up to Xiaoshanhe Institute. The fact that Xiao Yi didn''t come to welcome us on his knees has already shown us a lot of face!"


    "Mao is a peerless genius who almost got recruited by the Nantian Holy Institute, probably Xiao Yi and the experts of Xiaoshanhe Institute will be scrambling over each other by then..."


    "Mao, we''ll have to trouble you to take care of us more in the future!"


    In the crowd, a tall and handsome young man, Mao Bufan, wore a proud smile and said contentedly, "Of course, of course, when Xiao Yi wants to take me as his disciple, I''ll make him meet everyone''s conditions first, or else I won''t agree to be apprenticed!"


    Everyone was talking.


    Suddenly, several screams were heard from up front. A few young strong figures who were walking at the forefront had violently collided with an invisible wall, leaving them with bruised noses and swollen faces, bleeding heads, and kneeling on the ground in a sorry state.


    "What''s going on?"


    "What happened?"


    Amid the confusion of the crowd,


    Two figures emerged from the passageway, Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan, standing side by side, looking at everyone with stern expressions.


    Mao Bufan frowned and asked, "Who are you? What exactly is going on here?"


    Ye Heng said indifferently, "To enter Xiaoshanhe Institute, you must pass three assessments; we two are the examiners for the first barrier!"


    Jin Feiyan added, "The content of this first barrier is a potential test. Those who cannot pass through this invisible wall are deemed to have failed the assessment and are immediately eliminated!"


    "What? There''s an assessment to join Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "And three barriers? Does Xiaoshanhe Institute really think it''s a sacred place for martial arts?"


    Mao Bufan raised a hand to indicate everyone to calm down and said coldly, "Don''t panic, everyone, let me discuss this matter with them. Surely, with my talent, they wouldn''t dare to make things difficult for us!"


    "Mao almost passed the assessment of the Nantian Holy Institute, a peerless genius; with him stepping forward, there should be no problem!"


    "Xiao Yi is begging him to become his disciple, these mere examiners definitely won''t dare to disrespect him..."


    Under everyone''s flattery, Mao Bufan walked towards Ye Heng with his head held high, saying arrogantly, "Listen up, you two. I am Mao Bufan, the top disciple under Xiao Yi. If you two wish to continue staying in Xiaoshanhe Institute, step aside immediately and let me and my brothers pass!"


    After saying this, Mao Bufan stood with his chest out, waiting for Ye Heng to show awe and flattery.


    Top disciple?


    Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan exchanged a look, both wearing a peculiar expression as they watched Mao Bufan and said in a low voice, "Have you been kicked in the head by a donkey?"

 Chapter 832 - 830: Trespasser — Die!

    "Has your head been kicked by a donkey?"


    Ye Heng wore a bizarre smile and mocked him.


    Jin Feiyan also stared at him with a look reserved for idiots.


    Xiao Yi''s top disciple?


    Wasn''t that Ye Heng?


    Since when was it Mao Bufan''s turn?


    Mao Bufan''s face, full of pride, suddenly stiffened and gradually turned ugly.


    In his view, with his talent, which had almost allowed him to pass the Nantian Holy Institute examination, he should undoubtedly be the top presence in Xiaoshanhe Institute. Everyone in Xiaoshanhe Institute should treat him as a treasure, and Xiao Yi along with all the strong warriors of Xiaoshanhe Institute would surely vie for his favor.


    That''s why he immediately considered himself the top disciple under Xiao Yi.


    But to his utter shock��


    The two people in front of him actually sneered at him?


    And unabashedly mocked him?


    Huff!


    Huff!


    Mao Bufan''s breathing became rapid, and he felt the gaze of the strong warriors behind him turning weird, as if they were mocking him, treating him as a jumping clown.


    This rendered him, conceited and prideful, indescribably humiliated upon thinking he would receive the highest treatment at Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    "Damn it!"


    Mao Bufan roared in anger. His eyebrows furrowed and his eyes emitted a cold light, he arrogantly pointed at Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan, gritting his teeth, "Do you know who you''re speaking to? I, Mao Bufan, am an exceptional genius who nearly got admitted to Nantian Holy Institute, missing it by only ten places. My coming down to Xiaoshanhe Institute is an honor for you. How dare you humiliate me like this? Aren''t you afraid of being punished by Principal Xiao Yi?"


    Ye Heng, with a playful look, smiled, "Missed by ten places and could''ve entered Nantian Holy Institute? That is indeed a terrifying talent!"


    Jin Feiyan nodded, echoing with a smile, "Brother Ye, I wonder, compared to your Battle War Holy Body, whose talent is stronger?"


    Huh?


    Mao Bufan stiffened.


    He stared at Ye Heng in disbelief.


    Gulp!


    Mao Bufan gulped hard, sweat beads rolling down his forehead, "Ba-Battle War Holy Body? You, you mean the Battle War Holy Body among the ten great Holy Bodies?"


    Ye Heng shrugged nonchalantly, "Genuine article!"


    "Impossible!"


    Mao Bufan shook his head vigorously, his eyes bloodshot as he clenched his teeth, "It''s impossible. Even Nantian Holy Institute doesn''t have the Battle War Holy Body. How could such a small place like Xiaoshanhe Institute have someone with such a powerful physique? I don''t believe it, you must be lying..."


    "I don''t need to lie��"


    Ye Heng''s words were cut off by a gust of wind that slammed into him.


    Whoom!


    The fierce wind brought along Mao Bufan''s fierce punch.


    The thunderous sound was deafening.


    Amidst the deafening roar, Mao Bufan''s forceful black punch, already in front of Ye Heng, hadn''t yet made contact, but its power had already distorted Ye Heng''s facial features.


    Caught off guard.


    This punch could seriously injure a Martial Artist in the Dharma Manifestation Realm.


    A gasp rose from the crowd, "What a swift punch, so fast there''s no time to dodge, you can only take it head-on!"


    "Unless he truly has the Battle War Holy Body, there''s no way he can withstand this punch!"


    Watching Ye Heng, whose features were completely distorted, Mao Bufan was filled with brutality and triumph.


    But soon��


    The triumph and smile on Mao Bufan''s face abruptly ceased.


    Because he realized that in response to this sudden punch, Jin Feiyan looked completely calm and even had a slight smirk at the corner of his mouth, filled with mockery and scorn.


    If it had been the earlier Ye Heng, he naturally couldn''t have resisted and would have been seriously injured by this punch. However, now, having undergone over two months of intensive training by Xiao Yi in the Illusion Array, fighting countless life-and-death battles day and night, Ye Heng had already unleashed the potential of his Battle War Holy Body.


    Almost in the instant the punch was thrown, Ye Heng reflexively reacted.


    Buzz!


    The overwhelming black iron fist trembled violently, as suddenly, an unknown pale hand appeared before him, firmly grasping the fist in its palm.


    "This��"


    Mao Bufan''s face drastically changed.


    The owner of that hand was none other than Ye Heng!


    He single-handedly caught Mao Bufan''s fist and, under Mao Bufan''s incredulous gaze, effortlessly neutralized his ferocious attack.


    With ease, he twisted his fist to the side.


    Ye Heng raised a finger and gently swayed it in front of him, calmly speaking, "Your strength isn''t bad, but unfortunately, it''s too slow. Mao Bufan, right? Maybe you''re just ten places away from entering the Nantian Holy Institute, but that doesn''t mean you qualify to enter Xiaoshanhe Institute."


    No sooner had his words fallen, S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Mao Bufan felt a shiver run through his body, followed by his eyes rolling back as he lost consciousness.


    His body, like a kite with its string cut, bizarrely rose and flew backward.


    Moments later,


    Mao Bufan crashed to the ground a hundred meters away, sinking into unconsciousness.


    Hiss...


    The surrounding strong individuals all gasped in shock.


    The young martial artists who had just been flattering Mao Bufan, thus looking down on and mocking Xiaoshanhe Institute, were now silent as cicadas in winter, fearing to incur Ye Heng''s displeasure.


    Before this,


    they had looked down on Xiaoshanhe Institute with an air of superiority.


    But now...


    They had lost all bravado!


    A mere first barrier guardian was able to easily defeat a strong individual like Mao Bufan; how could they underestimate Xiaoshanhe Institute any longer?


    Clap, clap!


    Ye Heng gently clapped his hands, his face showing not a trace of pride, as if it wasn''t him who had casually defeated Mao Bufan.


    Ye Heng scanned the crowd with a steady gaze and solemnly said, "A martial artist''s potential is not solely dependent on talent but also on will and the heart for martial arts. As long as your heart for martial arts is firm enough, even if your talent is mediocre, you can still achieve greatness. Xiaoshanhe Institute will indeed accept you!"


    In an instant.


    The crowd, which had just been severely demotivated, suddenly became lively again.


    "Even a genius with the Battle War Holy Body is willing to stay in Xiaoshanhe Institute, it seems we really underestimated this place!"


    "My martial heart is definitely not weaker than anyone else''s, I can do this!"


    "I''m all in!"


    Except for some faint-hearted individuals who had already given up on continuing the examination, more than seventy percent of the young martial artists, their eyes sparkling, rushed towards the direction where Ye Heng and his associates were.


    This challenge was said to be a test of potential.


    But more appropriately, it was a test of mindset!


    Weak in talent, Xiao Yi had countless ways to compensate.


    But if the heart for martial arts was not firm enough, even with Xiao Yi''s miraculous abilities, there would be no remedy!


    That''s why...


    These seventy percent of determined martial artists smoothly passed the first barrier of the examination.


    "Ye, Brother Ye Heng..."


    Mao Bufan weakly woke up, tremblingly got up, and looked at Ye Heng tentatively, no longer as arrogant and domineering as before, "I, I really want to join Xiaoshanhe Institute, please, Brother Ye..."


    Ye Heng stared at Mao Bufan.


    Their eyes met.


    Just when Mao Bufan thought Ye Heng was going to reject him, Ye Heng smiled and said, "It seems you''ve understood that talent is not everything. This challenge not only tests the potential of talent but more so the will and the heart for martial arts. Seeing that you are still thinking about the examination, your heart for martial arts is firm enough, congratulations, you''ve passed the first barrier of the examination!"


    "Really? Thank, thank you, Brother Ye Heng!" Mao Bufan''s pale face broke into a look of ecstasy.


    The thirty percent who had given up, hearing this, suddenly realized, shouting one after another, "We also want to join Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "I want to continue in the examination..."


    Ye Heng frowned and looked at the crowd: "You have already been eliminated!"


    "But Mao Bufan was also defeated by you, why can he continue? Why can''t we?"


    "I don''t accept this, I want to continue in the examination..."


    "Brothers, let''s break through the first barrier..."


    The crowd roared furiously.


    The remaining thirty percent tried to forcibly rush past Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan.


    In this critical moment...


    Ye Heng suddenly drew the heavy sword from his back, a fearsome and radiant sword light sweeping across as he slashed a huge sword mark across the ground before the crowd. Cold sword Qi surged to the sky as Ye Heng stood with his sword, his gaze icy as he stared at the tens of thousands of martial artists: "Those who cross the boundary �� die!"


    Hiss!


    In an instant.


    Tens of thousands of martial artists dared not cross the boundary...

 Chapter 833 - 831: The World as a Chessboard, All Beings as Chess Pieces

    Ye Heng''s face was ice-cold as he held his hefty sword, standing proudly before the scars of past sword fights.


    In the river of swords carved into the ground, the Sword Qi ebbed and flowed, so fearsome and sharp that all the powerful onlookers dared not come a step closer.


    The expressions on their faces were a mix of shock, anger, and unwillingness.


    Of course.


    Among their complicated expressions, regret was the most predominant.


    After all.


    It was clear from the conversation between Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan that if one simply marched forward resolutely, with unwavering determination, then one would pass the test with ease. That is to say, had it not been for the sight of Mao Bufan being defeated by Ye Heng, which filled them with fear and shook their resolve,


    All of them could have passed this test.


    However...


    Their will to pursue martial arts was not that unwavering.


    As a result, these thirty percent of strong candidates were all eliminated.


    Ye Heng cast a frosty glance at them, sheathed his hefty sword behind him, and sneered, "A bunch of useless fools! With such a half-hearted dedication to martial arts, you still dream of joining my Xiaoshanhe Institute? Ridiculous!"


    ...


    The crowd blushed and was left speechless, unable to retort.


    Jin Feiyan waved her hand and said, "Those who are eliminated may return the way they came or take the spectator passage on the right to Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Before she finished speaking,


    The two of them turned and left.


    Leaving behind the powerful, who looked at each other, at a loss. After a while, someone spoke up, "Damn, the selection for Xiaoshanhe Institute is just child''s play. What''s this talk about the will to pursue martial arts? Is that really more important than innate talent? According to the way they select disciples, in the end, they will only choose some talentless trash..."


    "You''re right. Fang Tong, that useless guy, is already eighteen and only has Spiritual Realm Cultivation, yet he passed the first test. I''m only seventeen and am at the Golden Elixir Realm Cultivation, yet I was stopped before the first test. I shall see what kind of ''geniuses'' Xiaoshanhe Institute ends up choosing..."


    "Geniuses? Hmph, I bet in the end they''ll only pick some rubbish..."


    "Let''s go, let''s all go and see!"


    These tens of thousands of disgruntled and unwilling strong candidates indignantly made their way to the viewing passage, heading toward Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    At the same time,


    Mao Bufan and the others arrived at the second test.


    Guarding this checkpoint was none other than Yu Huaxian, with his flowing white hair and ethereal demeanour akin to an immortal. His black eyes shimmered with a dazzling light, quietly floating in mid-air, looking down at Mao Bufan and the rest, whose arrogance was nowhere to be found.


    Blending in with the crowd, Mao Bufan put away his pride and gazed at Yu Huaxian with a hint more of awe in his eyes amidst his confusion, "It seems we''ve all underestimated Xiaoshanhe Institute. It''s nothing like the inferior academies of other dynasties I''ve seen before. No, it might even surpass the Nantian Holy Institute..."


    Having almost passed the Nantian Holy Institute''s assessment, Mao Bufan''s talent was naturally not lacking.


    However...


    Even the Nantian Holy Institute or the Nantian Holy Land placed more emphasis on a disciple''s innate talent.


    It was their first time encountering a Martial Arts Institute like Xiaoshanhe Institute that prioritized the will to pursue martial arts and the firmness of one''s resolve.


    Having Mao Bufan''s example as a lesson,


    When others looked at Yu Huaxian, they also put away the arrogance in their hearts. And those who passed the first test had much firmer resolve, so they simply watched Yu Huaxian quietly, no longer displaying the imperious and unrestrained demeanor they had before.


    "Congratulations on passing the first stage of the test. I am Yu Huaxian, the examiner for the second stage!"


    Yu Huaxian descended light as a feather, his serene gaze sweeping over the crowd. With a casual wave, he conjured a white light that swept across the air, revealing a chessboard: "The content of the second test is right in front of you. As soon as you enter the Chessboard Array, you will all become chess pieces on the board. If you manage to walk off the chessboard, you will be deemed to have passed!"


    People looked towards the chessboard covered in white light, which seemed to span only about ten square meters.


    Puzzlement became apparent on their faces, "How can such a small space accommodate all of us?"


    "Are we supposed to enter one by one to take the test? With tens of thousands of people here, how long would that take?"


    As soon as these words were spoken,


    Yu Huaxian stretched out his arms, and the chessboard immediately began emitting dazzling rays of light.


    Buzz!


    The chessboard grew larger and larger.


    One black, one white; one heaven, one earth.


    It expanded a thousandfold, ten thousandfold in the blink of an eye, enveloping the tens of thousands of people on the ground.


    In an instant,


    All of the tens of thousands of strong individuals were ensnared by the Array.


    Watching the chessboard cover the crowd, even Yu Huaxian, who had seen the mystery of the Chessboard Array before, couldn''t help but exclaim in admiration, "The heavens and earth as a chessboard, all beings as chess pieces... Xiao''s power is truly becoming more impenetrable!"


    The Array was mysterious, fitting a mustard seed into Mount Sumeru.


    This Chessboard Array was a creation of Xiao Yi''s, which appeared no bigger than the size of a palm yet could hold tens of thousands.


    Such a feat elicited amazed praise.


    At the same time,


    Mao Bufan and others, positioned within the Array, looked around in astonishment. They never imagined that a tiny Array could genuinely accommodate them all��what''s more, this was no ordinary Illusion Array; everything seemed to genuinely exist.


    "This level of skill in Array formation is unheard of!"


    "I''ve heard that the Nantian Holy Institute has a secret realm called the Mount Sumeru Battlefield. It is an Illusion Array that seems as real as life itself and is a source of pride for the Nantian Holy Institute. But even the Mount Sumeru Battlefield there can only accommodate a thousand people at a time. This Array might be even more terrifying than that!"


    "Xiaoshanhe Institute really has hidden dangers and talents. To think there was such a formidable master of Arrays; it seems I''ve indeed come to the right place this time!" S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Among the crowd,


    A young man exuding a scholarly aura gently waved his folding fan, a gentle breeze blowing. His eyes flickered with sharp wisdom: "Gentlemen, now is not the time for astonishment. Let us focus on how to break this Chessboard Array and leave this place to pass the test."


    "Is that the scholar Ling Sanxiao? I didn''t expect him to be here!"


    "Ling Sanxiao, you look calm and collected, confident as if you have a plan. Do you have an idea already?"


    The people asked.


    Ling Sanxiao smiled without speaking, waiting until the eager glances of the people turned towards him, becoming the focus of everyone''s attention, before he slowly said, "In my opinion, breaking this Formation is not difficult. Every Formation has its core, and although we are in the midst of the Formation, what changes most is only what our eyes can perceive��the actual topography and positions do not change. Agree to one condition of mine, and I guarantee I''ll lead you all out of this Array!"


    "What condition?"


    "Go ahead and say it!"


    The crowd asked in unison.


    Ling Sanxiao smiled slightly and enunciated each word carefully, "When Xiao Yi announces our successful completion of the test, I want everyone to join me in refusing to join Xiaoshanhe Institute! As long as you do as I say, I guarantee that once we return to the Nantian Dynasty, everyone will be able to enter the Nantian Holy Institute..."


    Upon these words, the atmosphere within the Array suddenly tensed.


    Mao Bufan''s expression shifted subtly as he looked towards the crowd, "What will they choose?"


    PS: More updates to come!

 Chapter 834 - 832: Thousands of Troops Crossing a Single-Log Bridge

    "They will choose how?"


    Mao Bufan stared blankly around him, especially when he looked at Ling Sanxiao, his gaze carried an inexplicable tint.


    These strong individuals all hailed from various parts of the Southern State.


    The vast majority came from the Nantian Dynasty.


    In the hearts of many of them, Xiaoshanhe Institute was strong, but it still paled in comparison to the Nantian Holy Institute.


    Before this...


    Mao Bufan had the same thought.


    Knowing the evaluation of the first challenge had fundamentally changed his view of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Because of this.


    Facing the conditions proposed by Ling Sanxiao, he did not respond immediately but watched quietly to see how the crowd reacted, waiting for their answer.


    After a moment of hesitation, someone in the crowd said, "Okay, I accept your condition!"


    "I accept too!"


    "Since we can join the Nantian Holy Institute, who would want to stay in this godforsaken place..."


    Watching one strong figure after another agreeing to Ling Sanxiao''s conditions.


    Mao Bufan''s face gradually darkened.


    He was astonished to find that among those present, everyone but him had agreed to Ling Sanxiao''s conditions. After his initial astonishment, Mao Bufan understood the key point: in their eyes, the Nantian Holy Institute was ultimately superior to Xiaoshanhe Institute, right?


    With this thought.


    Mao Bufan couldn''t help but sigh softly.


    None of the tens of thousands chose to stay at Xiaoshanhe Institute, which truly surprised him.


    "Mao Bufan, it''s your turn to choose now!" Ling Sanxiao watched him with a grin.


    So did everyone around.


    Those stares were like thorns in his back, making his breathing uncontrollably quicken. During his hesitation, past memories surfaced in Mao Bufan''s mind. There was a time when his family placed high hopes on him, providing him with countless resources and affection.


    All for him to join the Nantian Holy Institute and soar to great heights.


    However...


    In the end, he failed!


    On the day he failed, his family withdrew all the resources and special treatment they had given him and turned to support another emerging talented relative.


    Those relatives and elders who once flattered and took great care of him changed their attitudes completely. Without care, without special treatment, all that was left were disdain and blame, right up until a moment ago when he failed the first challenge and was severely injured by Ye Heng.


    When he stood up again, despite being a mocked failure, Ye Heng did not despise him.


    Instead, Ye Heng gave him the chance to reattempt the first challenge.


    Because of this...


    Mao Bufan was able to reach this step!


    With this thought.


    Mao Bufan took a deep breath, his eyes cleared of all confusion, and he looked seriously at the people before him and firmly said, "Sorry, I will not accept your condition."


    "Has your brain really been kicked by a donkey, Mao Bufan?"


    "After all you did to get into the Nantian Holy Institute, now the opportunity is before you, and you choose to give up?"


    "It''s just a simple gesture that could be worth all the effort you''ve put in over the past decade, why not do it?"


    Ling Sanxiao raised his hand to signal everyone to stop talking and smiled at Mao Bufan, asking, "Could you tell me why you are unwilling to accept my condition?"


    His smile was very odd.


    At least in Mao Bufan''s eyes, Ling Sanxiao''s smile made him feel quite uncomfortable. After hesitating, he spoke, "I do want to join the Nantian Holy Institute and pursue martial arts, but I''m not willing to do it this way. The path of my martial arts must be navigated by my own abilities..."


    With a swish!


    He took a step forward.


    In the front, a flash of light momentarily blinded Mao Bufan, leaving him seeing nothing but white.


    Mao Bufan instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes. As his vision slowly returned, he was stunned to find himself still standing in the same spot. Before him stood Yu Huaxian, wearing a faint smile, along with Ling Sanxiao and others, and more powerful figures continuously appeared beside him.


    "Ling Sanxiao?"


    Mao Bufan, looking astonished, stared at Ling Sanxiao. "Why do I see only a few of you? Didn''t you say you had a way to help us pass the assessment, to let us..."


    Ling Sanxiao looked utterly bewildered, pointed at himself, and with an innocent expression, said, "Mao Bufan, wasn''t it you who said you had a way for everyone to pass the assessment, but on the condition that they shouldn''t join Xiaoshanhe Institute? I refused to accept your terms and left on my own; why are you here..."


    "What? When did I say that..." Mao Bufan blinked, his eyes filled with confusion.


    Others also began speaking up, "That''s wrong. I remember Zhang Yang saying it..."


    "No, it was clearly Wang Pu..."


    "That''s not right..."


    The crowd was abuzz with comments.


    Ling Sanxiao and Mao Bufan looked at each other, and after a moment, they finally came to their senses.


    Snap!


    Ling Sanxiao snapped his folding fan shut, giving a bitter smile, "I understand now; this is the challenge of the Chessboard Array. As soon as we entered, we became pieces on the board, and all the people we met and everything that happened was just part of what the Chessboard Array created. We were merely pieces. If we had agreed to the terms, we probably wouldn''t have passed the assessment..."


    "It must be so, but wasn''t that scene just now too realistic? I can''t believe it was just an Illusion Array..."


    While they were talking.


    A white light emerged behind them, and as heaven and earth converged, black and white orbs of light gradually shrank until they disappeared.


    Of the tens of thousands of people, only about a tenth remained!


    Around fourteen thousand people.


    They quietly stood before Yu Huaxian, and the remaining powerful competitors were clearly eliminated. Yu Huaxian''s lips curved slightly upward as he looked at the over ten thousand people before him and showed a satisfied smile, "Congratulations, you''ve successfully passed the second round of the assessment. The challenge you will face next is the final one, and this round is very simple..." S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he spoke.


    Yu Huaxian shifted his body to the side, and in everyone''s view, nine paths emerged.


    These nine paths weren''t very wide, but they grew narrower the higher up they went.


    Until there was only a fifth of the distance left to the summit.


    The nine paths merged into one.


    Turning into a narrow passage that only allowed one person to pass through.


    Yu Huaxian calmly declared, "From here, begin your climb; the first thousand to reach the summit will directly earn their places in my Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Swish!


    Yu Huaxian flicked his finger, and a streak of white light shot out.


    The barrier blocking everyone''s path vanished.


    His lips slightly curled up, he watched them with a smile. The nine paths grew narrower as they ascended, and they converged near the summit, where regardless of which path they took, a fierce battle was inevitable.


    Yu Huaxian was very much looking forward to Xiao Yi choosing this as the third round.


    It was like the challenge of an army crossing a single-log bridge.


    How would they choose?


    Under Yu Huaxian''s watchful gaze, among these fourteen thousand, suddenly a voice erupted, "Everyone, please hear me out..."


    All eyes promptly focused on the person who had spoken.


    Yu Huaxian was taken aback, raised his eyebrows slightly, "It''s him?"

 Chapter 835 - 833: Pitiful Child

    "Is it really him? What does he plan to say?"


    Yu Huaxian squinted his eyes, looking towards the figure emerging from the crowd.


    The speaker was none other than Mao Bufan.


    He had quite an impression of Mao Bufan, who before passing the first assessment, was the most high-profile participant.


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Mao Bufan said in a deep voice, "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe after passing the first two assessments, everyone has seen that Xiaoshanhe Institute did not intend to make things difficult for us in the assessments. I personally think that we shouldn''t regard each other as competitors in this third assessment; we should work together!"


    "Work together? Mao Bufan, what do you mean by that?" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "They clearly said only the first thousand to arrive can enter Xiaoshanhe Institute. You don''t mean to ask us to make sacrifices and give up our places, do you?"


    Ling Sanxiao scoffed and stared at Mao Bufan, "Bufan, don''t bother with them. Let''s hear your thoughts!"


    His face bore a gentle smile.


    With Ling Sanxiao''s reputation being significant, people dared not offend him too much.


    Therefore...


    Everyone ceased speaking and just quietly looked towards Mao Bufan.


    Gratefully glancing at Ling Sanxiao, Mao Bufan continued, "I''ve observed that path, and it can barely accommodate two or three people walking side by side. We can absolutely walk shoulder to shoulder, and when we''re near the summit, we can use the ''Stacking Arhat'' method to enter the summit together!"


    The crowd exchanged looks.


    Although the Xiaoshanhe Institute had a ''ban on aerial movement'' Array that prevented them from flying.


    Yet, the ''Stacking Arhat'' method was feasible!


    "What do you think?"


    The crowd looked at each other.


    After a moment of contemplation, Ling Sanxiao spoke, "I agree!"


    "I also agree��"


    Suddenly.


    The vast majority of the strong expressed their agreement, though, of course, some had other ideas.


    The three Sheng brothers all came from the secondary Sheng Family in the Nantian Dynasty; the strongest one among them was also at the Human Venerate Realm Peak, serving as a regional governor and held some significant influence in the Nantian Dynasty.


    Sheng Shuixiang casually said, "Mao Bufan, Ling Sanxiao, how could you be so naive? Look at the assessments of Nantian Holy Institute, where all the assessors compete against each other. Work together and cooperate wholeheartedly? Please drop your naive thoughts!"


    "Big brother is right!"


    The second brother, Sheng Huoxiang, said sarcastically, "Since ancient times, it has been the victor who becomes king; where''s there room for cooperative success?"


    The youngest, Sheng Jinxiang, said impatiently, "Big brother, second brother, why waste words with them? Let''s just charge!"


    Suddenly.


    A full third of the strong followed the two and charged towards the nine pathways.


    Mao Bufan sighed softly.


    Ling Sanxiao patted his shoulder and smiled, "Let them go, I trust your judgment!"


    Mao Bufan nodded firmly, and then walked shoulder to shoulder towards the summit with the people beneath him.


    Watching their departing figures.


    Yu Huaxian''s lips slightly curled up, adding a mischievous smile, "This change in Mao Bufan is truly significant. Having just passed two assessments, he has already undergone such a drastic change in mentality. Dean Xiao''s methods are indeed marvelous!"


    With that thought.


    Yu Huaxian leaped towards the summit.


    ...


    Atop the summit.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute was situated right there.


    At that moment��


    Excluding Xiao Yi, Yang Ling, the Shadow Demon, and others, there was also the leader of the new delegation from the Nantian Dynasty, Nantian Ao. This man had taken over the command of the imperial guards from Nantian Bao; his cultivation was genuinely at the Peak of the Earth Revered Realm. According to the information Xiao Yi had, Nantian Ao had served as the supreme commander of the imperial guards a hundred years ago.


    Since stepping into the Peak of the Earth Revered Realm, he had always stayed behind the scenes.


    It was only now, following the successive deaths in battle of Nantian Lie and Nantian Bao,


    that he had no choice but to come out of retirement.


    And take control of the imperial guards once again!


    At the same time��


    Nantian Ao''s identity was also that of Nantian Bao''s grandfather. With him serving as the leader of the Nantian Dynasty''s delegation, the dynasty''s intentions were as clear as Sima Zhao''s heart, known to all.


    However,


    at least for now, Nantian Ao hadn''t made any moves.


    He continuously smiled as he looked forward, making it difficult for others to gauge his thoughts.


    Seemingly noticing Xiao Yi''s intense gaze, Nantian Ao looked toward him. His eyes, dark and deep as the night sky, curved slightly upwards, forming a faint smile. He nodded in acknowledgment. Xiao Yi was momentarily stunned, then also nodded and shifted his gaze toward another side where a strong practitioner from the Nantian Holy Institute was.


    This expert sent by the Nantian Holy Institute was also a top-tier fighter at the Peak of the Earth Revered Realm, Qiu Yiyun.


    Ever since Xiao Yi had executed Gao Dian, shattered Po Jun Elder''s avatar, and publicly declared war on the Changsheng Sect,


    Qiu Yiyun had submitted a formal visitation card to him, marking their second meeting.


    Noticing Xiao Yi''s focused gaze, Qiu Yiyun slightly nodded, then smilingly said, "Xiao, your first test examines the heart towards martial arts, and the second tests the will. What mysteries does the third hold?"


    Everyone also looked toward Xiao Yi.


    The three tests were all devised by Xiao Yi, but few could truly see the profound insights contained in them.


    Xiao Yi smiled slightly and said, "Elder Qiu, haven''t you already figured it out?"


    "Some clues, but��"


    Qiu Yiyun smiled, leaning back slightly, his eyes narrowing into slits, "Not quite sure if my guess matches the arrangement of Xiao!"


    Xiao Yi looked toward the silent Nantian Ao, saying, "Nantian Commander, surely you have figured it out, right?"


    "Humph!"


    Nantian Ao let out a soft, cold snort, with sharp glints flickering in his eyes, "If I''m not mistaken, this third test must be examining whether these individuals understand the importance of unity, right?"


    Unity?


    Everyone was taken aback.


    Qiu Yiyun slightly nodded, his expression reflecting a sense of heroic agreement.


    However, many found this difficult to comprehend: "The Xiaoshanhe Institute is only recruiting disciples, testing an individual''s intelligence and will can be understood, but what''s the point of testing for unity?"


    "If one''s talents are strong enough, doesn''t that make them the best choice as disciples?"


    "Whether it''s the Nantian Holy Institute or the Holy Land, don''t they test disciples the same way? Talent, cultivation level, combat power�� What''s the use of testing unity? This isn''t the army��"


    Nantian Ao, with a face full of derision, swept his gaze over the speaking crowd, scoffing coldly, continuing, "A bunch of fools, for a sect, what truly matters is not talent or cultivation level, but whether the members of the sect are united from top to bottom. As for combat power�� with Xiao presiding over, it''s completely sufficient��"


    "What Nantian Commander said is right!" Qiu Yiyun smiled and nodded.


    Everyone was startled, then slowly pondered the words of Nantian Ao, each revealing a moment of realization.


    As Nantian Ao had said��


    For a sect, as long as the high-end combat power is strong enough, it can indeed deter all sides.


    The disciples under it would then have ample time to grow!


    But what really allows a sect to endure isn''t the deterrence of high-end combat power, but whether the sect is united!


    With this thought.


    Everyone finally understood why Xiao Yi set up the three tests. At that moment, everyone looked sympathetically and pitifully at Sheng Shuixiang and others, who because they were proudly taking the lead in the corridor, "Poor kids��"

 Chapter 836 - 834: Who Do You Think You Are?

    "Poor child!"


    A group of strong individuals watched Sheng Shuixiang and his companions, who were proud of leading the charge, their faces showing a mix of sympathy and amusement.


    To secure their ranks, these three even attacked their own teammates along the way.


    Together, the trio.


    Eliminated hundreds of competitors.


    In contrast, Mao Bufan and Ling Sanxiao led others side by side without contention or fratricide, complementing each other. Although they were not as fast as Sheng Shuixiang''s group, they were by no means slow.


    The group of strong competitors helped each other and soon reached the peak of the mountain.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    Sheng Shuixiang and his group rushed out of the Sky-ladder and arrived at the martial arts field.


    The martial arts field, arranged by Xiao Yi, was solemn and sacred, with a Divine Beast Totem at each of the four corners. The presence of the four Divine Beasts formed a huge Array that, once activated, encased the martial arts field in an array barrier.


    Inside the array barrier, even the masters of the Longevity Secret Realm could keep the martial arts field intact.


    Such an Array stood at the very top echelon throughout the Southern State.


    "Hahaha, we made it!"


    "The top three positions are all ours. I bet the masters from Xiaoshanhe Institute must be scrambling for them!"


    Sheng Shuixiang and his group exchanged glances, seeing the excitement and pride in each other''s eyes, all looking up at Xiao Yi and the others on the high platform.


    However...


    The enthusiasm and warmth they expected did not manifest.


    The eyes of the group of strong individuals did not linger on them for even a moment.


    Instead, the focus of those on the high platform was entirely on those in the Sky-ladder who were sincerely cooperating, continuously making their way to the peak, like Mao Bufan and Ling Sanxiao.


    "What''s the situation here?"


    "We are the victors, why are they ignoring us and giving extra attention to those idiots?" The Sheng brothers exchanged puzzled looks, noting that the powerful competitors who rushed with them were also ignored. Everyone''s gaze was fixed on Mao Bufan and others.


    This made them feel exceptionally unjust!


    "Big brother, what should we do now?" Sheng Huoxiang asked.


    Sheng Shuixiang squinted his eyes, and after a moment of silence, he said deeply, "Don''t rush, let''s see what they are really planning!"


    Before long.


    Mao Bufan and others also appeared on the martial arts field.


    However...


    Compared to the frenzied scramble of Sheng Shuixiang and his party, Mao Bufan and his group entered the martial arts field like a human wall, forming an Arhat sequence. Throughout this process, there was no complaint from anyone.


    Even Mao Bufan and Ling Sanxiao, they too served as the foundation, allowing teammates to step on their shoulders.


    This genuinely relieved Xiao Yi and others.


    Especially Mao Bufan...


    At his arrival, he had been nothing but arrogant, treating everyone with disdain.


    But now...


    He had learned to unite!


    "Brothers, we made it!" S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "All thanks to Bufan and Sanxiao, without them, we might have slaughtered each other along the way!" everyone said.


    Among the crowd.


    Sheng Jinxiang scoffed, looking at Mao Bufan and others with a gaze full of strong mockery and ridicule: "A bunch of fools. You''ve been duped by Ling Sanxiao and Mao Bufan and you don''t even know it, treating them as saviors? Truly idiots who get sold and help count the money..."


    "Sheng Jinxiang, no one would mistake you for a mute if you didn''t speak!"


    "Only we know exactly what kind of people Ling Sanxiao and Mao Bufan really are!"


    "You three brothers have joined forces to suppress everyone else from surpassing you in the assessments. If trash like you gets admitted into Xiaoshanhe Institute, it''d truly be a loss for the institute!"


    "Shut up!"


    With a gloomy expression, Sheng Jinxiang let out a low growl filled with a chilling murderous aura and Evil Qi, which instantly enveloped everyone, silencing the noisy clamor. Sheng Jinxiang scoffed coldly and, with eyes sharp as knives, looked towards Mao Bufan and Ling Sanxiao, pointing at them as he spoke, "How my brothers and I choose to act does not need to be explained to the likes of you, but for you..."


    His gaze landed on Mao Bufan as he slowly and deliberately said, "Once I join Xiaoshanhe Institute, that will be your day of death!"


    Just then...


    Atop the platform, Xiao Yi slowly began to speak, "Ladies and gentlemen, first of all, thank you for traveling great distances to participate in the examinations at Xiaoshanhe Institute. Furthermore, I hereby announce that those who have successfully passed and been admitted into Xiaoshanhe Institute are..."


    He intentionally paused.


    Eager eyes locked onto him as Xiao Yi continued, "Those who have successfully passed the examination and have been admitted to Xiaoshanhe Institute are Mao Bufan, Ling Sanxiao, along with the warriors who accompanied you here to the martial arts arena. Congratulations to you!"


    Hiss!


    Upon hearing this, a sharp intake of breath resounded throughout the crowd.


    They exchanged looks of disbelief.


    Faces filled with incredulity.


    Gulp!


    Ling Sanxiao swallowed nervously and tightly gripped his folding fan, his eyes filled with disbelief as he turned to Mao Bufan, "N-No, Bufan brother, did I hear that right?"


    Only then did Mao Bufan come back to his senses, equally baffled as he nodded, "It seems... we heard right..."


    After a brief pause,


    those strong warriors who had followed Mao Bufan and Ling Sanxiao burst out jubilantly, "Hahaha, we actually passed the assessment? It seems Bufan and Sanxiao''s analysis was correct; Xiaoshanhe Institute isn''t merely testing our talents..."


    "This is getting interesting, some people were mocking us just moments ago!"


    "Why throw salt on their wounds, didn''t you see their faces turning green?"


    All eyes then turned toward the Sheng Shuixiang brothers and the thousands accompanying them, who had ruthlessly outdone each other, even going so far as to eliminate their own allies. Their faces revealed an extremely ugly and somber expression.


    Before, in their bid to secure a spot, there were even friends of decades betrayed among them.


    For them...


    If they could have successfully entered Xiaoshanhe Institute, even betraying their friends would have been worth it.


    But now...


    Not only had they lost their friends, but they had also failed to gain entry into Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    As the ancients said, they''d dropped the sesame seed but lost the watermelon.


    Yet, they had lost both sesame seed and watermelon!


    Gained nothing at all!


    "Sheng Shuixiang, you must explain this to us!"


    "We followed your advice only to end up in this dire situation; you must compensate us..."


    Faced with the crowd''s accusations and attacks,


    the Sheng Shuixiang brothers'' expressions darkened to their utmost, they looked at each other, and Sheng Shuixiang roared, "Everyone, get lost!"


    The formidable presence of the three brothers caused the surrounding crowd to back off slightly.


    With a gloomy face, Sheng Shuixiang looked up at Xiao Yi on the platform and said coldly, "Director Xiao, I am not satisfied! You must explain yourself!"


    "Explain to you?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback. He leaned slightly forward, smiling as he looked at him and asked deliberately, "Who do you think you are to demand an explanation from me?"

 Chapter 837 - 835: The Frog in the Well

    "Who do you think you are to demand explanations from me?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits, his body slightly leaning forward, his hand gripping the armrest tightly, causing it to creak. The cold light flickering in his eyes was sharp and intimidating, causing the expressions of Sheng Shuixiang and the others before him to change.


    All the strong ones looked with mockery at Sheng Shuixiang and his brothers.


    The expressions in their eyes, filled with thick sarcasm, were like watching clowns performing.


    This made Sheng Shuixiang and his brothers feel uneasy as if thorns were at their backs.


    Sheng Huoxiang gently pushed his eldest brother, speaking cautiously, "Big brother, let''s just let it go!"


    "Let it go?"


    Sheng Shuixiang''s face twisted, his teeth gritted with a crisp sound, he hissed, "Why should we let it go? What is Xiao Yi? It was generous enough of me to agree to join Xiaoshanhe Institute, and that''s already giving him face. It''s fine if he''s not grateful, but to eliminate us without reason and choose a bunch of losers instead. I won''t accept this..."


    "Big brother..."


    Sheng Jinxiang and Sheng Huoxiang''s faces suddenly changed.


    This was at the Xiaoshanhe Institute, and in front of Xiao Yi.


    Sheng Shuixiang had actually spoken these words.


    He was challenging the authority of Xiao Yi!


    Hearing his brothers'' voices, Sheng Shuixiang also came to his senses and realized that this was not the Sheng Family''s place. As Sheng Shuixiang raised his head, he felt a series of cold, murderous glares fixed on him.


    Gululu!


    Sheng Shuixiang swallowed hard, instinctively looking around, his face turning pale in an instant.


    He saw the surrounding disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, staring at them with a deathly cold gaze, their eyes sweeping over them repeatedly.


    Each gaze was chilled to the extreme.


    No sympathy or pity, only disgust and a chilling murderous intent.


    Hiss!


    The Sheng brothers gasped in unison, the terrifying gazes making them feel like they were amongst wolves, with large beads of cold sweat dripping down.


    Among the crowd.


    Ye Heng''s lips curved up slightly, forming a cold smile, "Merely a beginner in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and yet daring to be so reckless in my Xiaoshanhe Institute? I really wonder what goes on in your head��"


    Jin Feiyan shook her head and sighed, "Probably filled with nothing but bones!"


    "Do all people from the Nantian Dynasty hold themselves in such high regard?"


    The one who spoke was the typically reticent Ruan Yunyi. Xiao Yi was not only his master but also the idol he respected the most. Hearing Sheng Shuixiang repeatedly insult Xiao Yi naturally provoked him to speak out sarcastically, "Someone like you, we can find everywhere in our Xiaoshanhe Institute. Do you really think you''re some peerless genius?"


    "Cursed, no one has ever dared insult me like this..." S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sheng Shuixiang was already somewhat regretting what he had said, but hearing the mockery from Ye Heng and others, he was overwhelmed by rage, gritting his teeth and glaring at them, yelling hysterically, "You frogs in the well, you have no idea that there are people beyond you, heavens beyond skies."


    "Frogs in the well?"


    "Are you talking about yourself?"


    Ye Heng and the other disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute retorted.


    "Humph! Calling you frogs in the well is elevating you, what kind of geniuses can your Xiaoshanhe Institute have?"


    Sheng Shuixiang snorted, pointing at Sheng Jinxiang standing next to him, speaking proudly, "My brother Sheng Jinxiang not only reached the Tao Tribulation Realm before the age of twenty but also possesses Innate Divine Strength and practices the ''Vajra Battle Physique'', enormously strong. Not to mention his peers, even those a realm higher cannot easily surpass him in strength..."


    Strength!


    This was his specialty!


    "Innate Divine Strength?"


    Ye Heng smirked playfully, gently pinching his hands together and walking forward as crackling sounds emitted from his wrists. With a casual wave of his hand, a stone platform appeared between the two. Ye Heng gestured to Sheng Jinxiang with his fingers, "Come, let me witness just how terrifying this so-called Innate Divine Strength is!"


    "Are you sure you want to compete with me in strength?" Sheng Jinxiang asked with a puzzled face.


    In terms of strength,


    he had absolute confidence.


    Ye Heng waved his hand and said, "If we are going to compete, let''s do it. Enough talk!"


    "Damn it!"


    Sheng Jinxiang snorted coldly, stepping forward in a square stance, and slowly pointing his thumb towards the ground with a sneer, "It''s not too late to admit defeat now. If you wait until the competition starts, be careful that I might break your hand!"


    "Please!"


    Ye Heng stood by the side of the stone platform, his elbow propped on the table, smiling.


    "Little brother, don''t hold back, cripple him for me!" Sheng Shuixiang roared.


    Sheng Jinxiang nodded, rolled up his sleeves to reveal an arm as massive as one cast from iron: "Ye Heng, right? I hear you''re a Battle War Holy Body, you may indeed be strong in battle, but you are definitely no match for me in strength!"


    Ye Heng remained silent.


    The two clasped each other''s hands.


    The surrounding onlookers, all powerful figures themselves, showed curiosity, "Who do you think will win?"


    "Definitely Sheng Jinxiang. I''ve long heard of his reputation for Innate Divine Strength..."


    "This time Ye Heng is going to be at a big disadvantage..."


    Looking at Sheng Jinxiang''s body, his muscles as clearly defined as sculptures, and then at Ye Heng, whose arms were not nearly as bulky, everyone felt there was no suspense in the outcome of this battle.


    However...


    A moment later.


    A thud echoed from the stone platform.


    The entire platform completely turned into dust, and as the dust settled, Sheng Jinxiang was seen lying on the ground, howling in pain, holding his arm which had been forcefully broken.


    Ye Heng gently patted his hands, sighed softly, "It seems you are the frog in the well Sheng Shuixiang was talking about, otherwise, how could you dare to challenge me in strength?"


    Battle War Holy Body.


    Is he merely a mortal?


    "Big brother, his hand is completely broken..."


    After checking Sheng Jinxiang''s injury and confirming it was ''only'' a broken arm, Sheng Huoxiang couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief, his gaze once again falling on Ye Heng, "Hmph, I had long heard that the Battle War Holy Body possessed formidable physical strength and unparalleled combat ability. Seeing it today, it''s indeed well deserved! I am Sheng Huoxiang, and I''d like to test your movement techniques from the Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Movement technique?"


    Jin Feiyan looked at him oddly, a light smile on her face, "Since it''s about movement technique, let this little lady accompany you!"


    "Hmph, has your Xiaoshanhe Institute ran out of men to send a mere girl to compete with me...?" Before Sheng Huoxiang could finish his sentence, two crisp slaps rang out, abruptly interrupting him.


    The intense stinging on his face.


    Was accompanied by Jin Feiyan''s mocking cold laugh: "Idiot, you''re not even fast enough to carry my shoes..."

 Chapter 838 - 836 Fierce Battle

    ```


    Huff!


    Huff!


    Sheng Huoxiang gasped for breath, his cheeks swollen and his burning pain so intense he could hardly speak.


    Especially since the martial arts arena was filled with formidable experts.


    Countless masters looked at him with mocking eyes, as if staring at a jumping clown, making Sheng Huoxiang feel a thorn in his back, his face twisted to the utmost. His eyes narrowed to slits as his pupils contracted violently.


    His venomous gaze locked onto Jin Feiyan as he gritted his teeth and said, "You little bitch, I was just careless for a moment, you just wait..."


    Slap!


    Instead of a response, he received a harsh slap across his face.


    With that slap, his body spun like a top, leaving the ground.


    Simultaneously.


    Jin Feiyan lunged forward, raised a leg high and then, like a dragon swinging its tail, brought it down hard. With a thud, her leg connected squarely with Sheng Huoxiang''s chest. A series of cracking sounds followed, along with Sheng Huoxiang''s screams echoing above the martial arts field.


    Hiss!


    Everyone inhaled sharply.


    Sheng Huoxiang lay quietly on the ground, his chest caved in, blood spurting out of his mouth.


    Had his body not been twitching, everyone would have thought that kick had completely robbed him of his life.


    "Did anyone see what just happened?"


    "All I saw was Sheng Huoxiang being kicked away, I didn''t catch anything else, the speed was just too fast!"


    "Are all the disciples from Xiaoshanhe Institute this strong? Ye Heng''s Battle War Holy Body, Jin Feiyan''s movement technique, these are definitely top-notch..."


    "They are both Xiao Yi''s direct disciples, so it''s not surprising that they are strong. But I don''t believe that Xiao Yi, having been in charge of Xiaoshanhe Institute for only two years, could have turned all its disciples into phoenixes that soar onto high branches..."


    Whispers rippled through the crowd.


    Some were astonished.


    Some were skeptical.


    Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan''s actions did not win approval from everyone.


    From the high platform.


    Nantian Ao appeared calm and collected, but his gaze continually lingered on Xiao Yi, laughing and saying, "Xiao Zhenguo, these two disciples of yours also count as rare talents among the younger generation!"


    Elder Qiu smirked, "These two youngsters are indeed not bad. Although they fall a bit short compared to top-tier talents, they''re still first-class!"


    Nantian Holy Land, this is the place known as the martial arts sanctuary of Southern State. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A place where strong are as common as trees in a forest, and geniuses abound like clouds.


    At the very least, based on the strength that Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan had just shown, they were far from comparable to the top disciples of the Nantian Holy Land.


    "It''s not surprising that Elder Qiu would have such an opinion, considering that Nantian Holy Land gathers the top talents from Southern State!"


    Nantian Ao chuckled, nodding his head. His words seemed ordinary, but actually, he was taking a dig at Xiao Yi by flaunting the numerous talents of Nantian Holy Land. He glanced subtly at the unperturbed Xiao Yi and continued, "Xiao Zhenguo, within Xiaoshanhe Institute, what level would these two be considered?"


    Everyone turned their gazes toward Xiao Yi.


    Especially Elder Qiu, who couldn''t help but smile wryly, his lips curling into a cold, amused smirk.


    Ye Heng and Jin Feiyan.


    Both were Xiao Yi''s direct disciples, with Ye Heng being his first and foremost. Naturally, they stood out among the many disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    His remarks seemed to be in defense of Xiaoshanhe Institute, but they were actually a veiled attack!


    The finest two disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute amounted to this?


    Xiao Yi clearly caught the implication in Nantian Ao''s words, maintaining his serene demeanor. He picked a Spirit Fruit from the fruit plate aside, playing with it in his hand before taking a bite, then replied indifferently, "No rush, soon you will know what standard they represent in Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Hm?"


    ```


    Qiu Yiyun and another exchanged glances, both seeing the flicker of unease in each other''s eyes.


    At the same time...


    In the martial arts field, Sheng Shuixiang had already examined the injuries of his two younger brothers. Both were seriously hurt, especially Sheng Huoxiang, who had six ribs broken by Jin Feiyan, and his internal organs were also severely damaged.


    "Big, big brother, you must avenge us..." Sheng Huoxiang gritted his teeth.


    Sheng Jinxiang''s eyes filled with bitter resentment and hatred, "Big, big brother, kill them for me..."


    "Although these two brothers of mine are useless, you still have to look at the master before you beat the dog. To humiliate them like this in front of me, you''re seeking your own death!"


    Sheng Shuixiang snorted coldly, his icy gaze falling on Jin Feiyan and Ye Heng, he crooked his finger at them in a beckoning gesture: "To avoid others saying that Sheng Shuixiang bullies the weak, why don''t you two come at me together!"


    Hiss!


    As soon as these words were spoken, the entire martial arts field fell deathly silent.


    After a moment of silence, there erupted a roar like a mountain torrent bursting its banks: "What a move by Sheng Shuixiang, he''s actually challenging both of them at the same time?"


    "Worthy of being the strongest heir of the Sheng Family in this generation..."


    "In this battle, who will have the last laugh?"


    Ye Heng raised an eyebrow, ready to make a move.


    Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of them out of nowhere.


    The person was none other than the usually silent Ruan Yunyi.


    Ruan Yunyi glanced at Ye Heng and the others, speaking in a low voice, "Big, big brother, let me take care of this!"


    "Hmm?"


    Ye Heng was taken aback; since he returned from the riotous ocean regions, he had not seen Ruan Yunyi take action.


    While he was still hesitating,


    Jin Feiyan patted Ye Heng''s shoulder and pulled him back, while waving her hand and said, "Junior brother, don''t embarrass our master."


    "Don''t worry, senior sister!"


    The brilliant smile on Ruan Yunyi''s face disappeared in the moment he turned around, his eyes sharp as an eagle''s, fixating on Sheng Shuixiang, he spoke clearly and deliberately, "I am master''s disciple, Ruan Yunyi, and I wish to ask for some pointers!"


    Sheng Shuixiang was startled, his expression peculiar, eyeing Ruan Yunyi with a playful look.


    Ruan Yunyi''s cultivation level had just entered the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    As for him, Sheng Shuixiang...


    He was a genuine Dharma Manifestation Realm powerhouse.


    Sheng Shuixiang felt a profound humiliation, clenched his fists tightly, creating popping sounds, and said through gritted teeth, "You little bastard, with your tiny Tao Tribulation Realm daring to provoke me? Die!"


    Hum!


    Sheng Shuixiang reached out with one hand.


    Streaks of blue light converged into a water dragon, with a roar of anger, it charged straight for Ruan Yunyi.


    This water dragon contained an incomparable force.


    If struck by it...


    Even a thousand-foot high mountain would be shattered to pieces.


    Facing such a ferocious onslaught,


    Ruan Yunyi simply spoke calmly, and from his mouth, a black light appeared, forming a black vortex that hummed and swallowed Sheng Shuixiang''s attack. Following that, Ruan Yunyi''s belly swelled greatly as if it might burst at any moment.


    Sheng Shuixiang laughed wildly, "Idiot, daring to swallow my attack raw? You''re dead for sure!"


    However...


    At this moment,


    a cry of shock came from the high platform: "Not good, Sheng Shuixiang has lost!"

 Chapter 839 - 837: Snap Breakthrough, Astonishing the Crowd!

    "Sheng Shuixiang is going to lose!"


    An astonished cry spread throughout the entire martial arts arena.


    All the strong ones were taken aback and turned their gazes toward the arena above.


    Only to see Ruan Yunyi''s body, bloated like a balloon, with his swollen belly undulating for a moment before it suddenly deflated.


    Following that...


    A red light burst forth from his mouth!


    Whoosh!


    This red beam moved with incredible speed, as thick as a towering ancient tree, spanning across the void, distorting space wherever it passed, with spiral rays of light swirling around it.


    In the blink of an eye.


    The red light had already arrived in front of Sheng Shuixiang.


    "Not good!"


    Sheng Shuixiang''s face suddenly changed. The energy in the light beam was several times stronger than the attack he had previously launched. Especially the black rings encircling the light column, which carried a scent of death and evil.


    This was the power of misfortune.


    Ruan Yunyi, with the secret technique "Stellar Shift," had absorbed all incoming attacks into his body and then, with his own misfortune power, reflected the attack back as it was.


    He had not yet touched the light column, but the evil aura was already bearing down on him.


    Causing Sheng Shuixiang''s face to turn pale in an instant.


    Subconsciously running his profound arts, grey energy burst forth from within his body, covering his arms which crossed in front of him in an X to block.


    At the same time.


    The red light column struck him. Amidst spatial distortion, Sheng Shuixiang''s body was instantaneously coated in dazzling red,


    Blasting through Sheng Shuixiang''s body, flying out hundreds of meters away.


    Along the way, dust flew and rocks scattered.


    The ground burst open with cracking sounds one after another, leaving a several-hundred-meters-long trench that menacingly marked the earth.


    "Not good!"


    "Run..."


    The strong ones spectating saw the red light coming and their faces all turned pale with fear, hastily dodging to the side. However, just as they were about to leave, the array atop the martial arts arena was instantly activated.


    Buzz buzz buzz!


    Brilliant pillars of light burst forth from the Four Symbols Divine Beasts columns.


    Interconnecting with each other, S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They formed four walls of light, tightly sealing the martial arts arena within.


    Boom!


    The red light column fiercely slammed into the light wall, sending ripples across it, while the red light disappeared in an instant.


    Leaving only Sheng Shuixiang, spread-eagled and embedded in the light wall.


    "Fuck, Xiaoshanhe Institute''s Defensive Array is too strong, isn''t it?"


    "No one is controlling the formation and yet it was able to automatically discern the attack and block it..." While everyone was marveling at the power of Xiaoshanhe Institute''s Defensive Array.


    Suddenly, Sheng Shuixiang, positioned within the light wall of the array, trembled all over as streams of black misfortune power crazily surged into his body.


    Crackling!


    Amidst the play of black electric arcs,


    Black runes appeared on Sheng Shuixiang''s skin. They were all runes of misfortune. Once covered by these runes of misfortune, unless Ruan Yunyi intervened to dissolve them, Sheng Shuixiang would suffer the torment of persistent bad luck.


    "Damned bastard, I..." Sheng Shuixiang struggled to free himself from the light wall, his resentful gaze firmly fixed on Ruan Yunyi, his aura surging wildly, pushing his momentum to the limit.


    Hum hum!


    Two orbs of light appeared in his palms, within which one could faintly see two ferocious ancient beasts.


    "Beast King Orb!"


    Sheng Shuixiang roared, about to launch his attack.


    But just at that moment...


    The misfortune runes on his body flickered in the black light. Affected by the additional misfortune,


    Sheng Shuixiang''s energy orbs, raised above his head, accidentally touched the light wall, triggering the Array''s defense. With two loud hums, an unparalleled terrifying force came from the light wall.


    White whips of light lashed out, tightly entwining Sheng Shuixiang''s body.


    "What is this thing? The vital energy in my body is dissipating at a rapid pace? No, stop, stop..." Sheng Shuixiang screamed in despair.


    But no matter how he struggled, he could not escape the confines of the Defensive Array.


    Amidst a hair-raising sizzling noise,


    Sheng Shuixiang''s body visibly shriveled at a rapid pace until he turned into a mummified corpse that fell to the ground with a thud, devoid of any life.


    Hiss!


    The surrounding powerhouses felt chills run down their spines, taking in cold breaths.


    On the high platform.


    Nantian Ao''s face was grim. Sheng Shuixiang was a genius of their Nantian Dynasty, and his death right before their eyes did not make for a good look, he said coldly, "Xiao Zhenguo, why did you not stop it?"


    "Why would I stop it?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Nantian Ao with a playful gaze and said indifferently, "If someone provokes your Nantian Dynasty royal family, may I ask if your imperial guards will show mercy?"


    "You..."


    Nantian Ao was at a loss for words.


    Just as Xiao Yi had said, if anyone mocked or provoked the Nantian Dynasty''s royal family, not to mention falling into the hands of their imperial guards without any way out, even if it were any member of the royal family, they definitely would not allow the other party to live.


    Moreover...


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, his face innocently stating, "The disciples of my Xiaoshanhe Institute didn''t lay a hand on him. Instead, he himself violated the Defensive Array and sought his own death. No one else is to blame!"


    Nantian Ao''s face changed colors, unable to find a reason to refute.


    Xiao Yi then turned his gaze toward the direction of the martial arts stage. He was quite satisfied with the performance of Ye Heng and his two companions today. He cracked a slight smile and said, "The three of you, come over here!"


    Swish! Swish! Swish!


    The three landed in front of the stage one after another. After respectfully saluting Nantian Ao, Qiu Yiyun, and the others, they stood with bowed heads in front of Xiao Yi: "Greetings, Master!"


    Xiao Yi hummed in response and smiled, "The three of you did well and didn''t disgrace our Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "This is what we disciples should do!"


    "As disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, we naturally cannot allow anyone to insult our institute!" the three said in unison.


    Nantian Ao glanced at Ye Heng and the others.


    The one he favored most was Ye Heng. The Battle War Holy Body that grows stronger through combat was exactly the path he advocated. He then smiled and said, "Xiao Zhenguo, your disciple''s martial path aligns extraordinarily with mine. Would you consider parting with him?"


    Everyone was stunned.


    They looked at Nantian Ao with perplexed expressions.


    To poach right in front of Xiao Yi?


    Xiao Yi, too, looked at him in surprise before remembering that Nantian Ao also followed the path of combat. He shrugged, his smile tinged with mockery as he said, "If he wishes, then why not go with you?"


    "Hahaha, if that''s the case, then you can''t blame me for taking your beloved disciple!" Nantian Ao said with full confidence, his gaze fixed firmly on Ye Heng, "Ye Heng, I too follow the path of combat. In the vast Southern State, only I am most familiar with the Battle War Holy Body. If you choose to follow me, I guarantee that within five years, you''ll step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and within a hundred years, you''ll break through to the Longevity Secret Realm. Once you enter the Longevity Secret Realm, I can pass on the position of the Imperial Guard''s Commander-in-Chief to you. How about it?"


    However...


    Faced with Nantian Ao''s invitation, Ye Heng did not hesitate in the slightest, shaking his head and saying, "Thank you for the generous offer, senior, but I have no intention of changing masters."


    "Hm?"


    Nantian Ao was taken aback and frowned, "You ought to think this through..."


    Before he could finish.


    Jin Feiyan on the side curled her lip and said, "Reach the Dharma Manifestation Realm within five years? Break into the Longevity Secret Realm within a hundred years? With offers like these, you dare to recruit my senior brother? If my Master were willing, he could have my senior brother step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm in an instant!"


    "Step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm in an instant? What nonsense are you talking about?" Nantian Ao mocked.


    Currently, Ye Heng was only at the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm. Even with his guidance, reaching the Dharma Manifestation Realm within five years would be the limit.


    Qiu Yiyun on the side also shook her head and said, "To make someone at the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm reach the Dharma Manifestation Realm within five years, not even my mighty Sanctuary could guarantee that..."


    All eyes turned to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward, and with a light laugh, he said, "Ye Heng, come over here!"


    "Master!"


    Ye Heng stood respectfully in front of Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly and said, "You''ve done well this time. As a reward, your Master will lend you a helping hand!"


    "Thank you, Master!" Ye Heng was overjoyed.


    Xiao Yi''s methods were like those of a divine being, unfathomable and profound. Even though others like Nantian Ao did not believe Xiao Yi could do it, he himself had full confidence.


    Hum!


    Xiao Yi flicked his finger, and a streak of green light entered Ye Heng''s forehead. Under the astonished and frightened gazes of the crowd, Ye Heng''s aura erupted in an instant...


    Boom!


    An unmatched energy fluctuation steadily climbed.


    The Sixth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm.


    The Seventh Layer.


    The Eighth Layer...


    Under a multitude of shocked gazes, Ye Heng''s cultivation soared to the peak of the Tao Tribulation Realm.


    A terrifying ape totem suddenly burst forth from his body, soaring toward the heavens.


    The massive Ape Totem pounded its chest with its hands, sending out deafening booms, its terrifying aura causing all the strong individuals in the martial arts field to shudder with fear.


    His cultivation, in fact, had stepped into the first layer of the Dharma Manifestation Realm!


    For a moment.


    Silence fell inside and outside the martial arts field, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Xiao Yi had actually enabled a practitioner at the Fifth Layer of Tao Tribulation Realm to step into the Dharma Manifestation Realm instantaneously.


    Jin Feiyan looked at Nantian Ao with a gleeful smile, "Senior, do you still think you have the qualifications to instruct my senior brother?"


    Clap! Clap! Clap!


    Nantian Ao only felt burning shame upon his face...


    This was a slap to his face in which he could offer no resistance!


    While Nantian Ao was caught in a dilemma, suddenly, a figure tore through the void and came hurtling from the sky, "Xiao Yi, I have brought you a gift! Hahaha..."

 Chapter 840 - 838 Jin Buhuan

    "The Sovereign has arrived!"


    The figure within the void moved with such speed that his mere physical crossing through the void caused it to shake, releasing ripples upon ripples into the space around.


    A terrifying Evil Qi was so intense it made one''s heart skip a beat!


    In an instant, a silhouette appeared in the middle of the martial arts arena.


    The newcomer was dressed in a golden-yellow robe.


    With a proud look on his face, he held a golden abacus in his hand, the beads clashing against each other, emitting a succession of piercing clacks. Upon seeing the face of the newcomer, a murmur swept through the crowd, "Isn''t that Mr. Jin Buhuan from the Money Gang? What''s he doing here?"


    "I think Jin Buhuan''s aggressive approach suggests he''s got no good intentions!"


    "With Xiao Zhenguo''s strength, could he possibly be afraid of him?"


    Xiao Yi''s martial accomplishments had long been known throughout Southern State.


    The number of Earth Venerate Realm powerhouses who had died by his hand could be counted on one''s fingers, a fearsome record that was enough to deter anyone.


    Jin Buhuan was merely at the peak of the Human Venerate Realm, in everyone''s eyes, he certainly couldn''t pose any threat to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, with hands on the armrests, was squinting his eyes. He smelled a familiar scent on Jin Buhuan. That was clearly Little Lin''s scent, which caused Xiao Yi''s gaze to sharpen with alertness and caution as he spoke in a deep voice, "So it''s the leader of the Money Gang. I''ve heard much about you!"


    "Hahaha..."


    With hearty laughter, Jin Buhuan''s golden abacus clattered loudly. His mouth curled into a mocking smile as he said, "Xiao Yi, I have come today to bring you a gift!"


    "Oh? And what gift might that be?" asked Xiao Yi.


    Jin Buhuan grinned.


    Clap clap!


    With a slap of his hands.


    From his storage ring, there suddenly flew out a cold gleam, clanging onto the ground before everyone.


    It was a golden-yellow piece of Scale Armor.


    The armor shone with a chilly metallic luster, and at the end of this scale was a patch of blood. Clearly, it had just been brutally peeled off, with the bloodstains not even dried yet.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils constricted suddenly, his body instantly tensing, as an invisible surge of murderous intent enveloped the entire martial arts arena.


    This terrible Evil Qi.


    Even Nantian Ao and Qiu Yiyun changed complexion drastically, as if facing a formidable enemy.


    Glancing at each other, their eyes conveyed an utter seriousness: "Could this man''s killing intent be so terrifying?"


    "It seems that the piece of scale Jin Buhuan brought with him isn''t quite right..."


    Jin Buhuan could naturally feel Xiao Yi''s chilling murderous aura. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly as he thought to himself: The esteemed one was right; I never thought that merely a piece of scale armor could make Xiao Yi lose his composure like this!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, the murderous aura arriving swiftly and dissipating just as quickly.


    Naturally, he recognized the origin of this piece of scale armor!


    It was indeed from Little Lin''s chest!


    Since the other party had acquired Little Lin''s scale, it was clear that Little Lin had fallen into their hands. Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "I''ll accept this gift from Mr. Jin, but, I''m far more curious as to where you obtained it?"


    "Xiao Yi, you must recognize the origin of this Scale Armor, why pretend otherwise?"


    Jin Buhuan replied with a cold smile, and then proceeded to say, "My visit today serves two purposes: first, to congratulate you on so many talented fighters willing to join your Xiaoshanhe Institute, and second, I''d like to discuss a certain transaction with you!"


    "What business?"


    Now that Little Lin''s whereabouts were unknown, his life or death uncertain, Xiao Yi could only wait patiently.


    Jin Buhuan cleared his throat and spoke, "I''ve long heard that three years ago, you were nothing but trash confined and imprisoned by your father and brother, yet in just a short period of three years, you''ve become a colossus comparable to those in the Earth Venerate Realm. I''m not asking for much��just tell me the secret of how you achieved such success in just three years, and I will return the owner of this Scale Armor to you. Otherwise..."


    As he spoke.


    Jin Buhuan took out an incense stick from his storage ring, gently placed it on the ground, flicked a flame to light it, and then leisurely said, "If I haven''t gone back by the time this incense has burned out, someone else will deliver another part of the gift. Xiao Yi, you have plenty of time to think it over; I''m not in a hurry! Hahaha..." S��arch* The ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    Jin Buhuan leaned back, and the dust on the ground whirled up, guided by the innate power, transforming into a Taishi Chair.


    He then sat on it with his legs spread wide.


    Looking completely at ease, he watched Xiao Yi with self-satisfaction.


    Murmurs of quiet whispers rose from the crowd, "It seems that Scale Armor has an extraordinary origin for Jin Buhuan to dare use it to threaten Xiao Yi. But then again, I''m also very curious as to how Xiao Yi did it, achieving such heights in just three years!"


    "Not just you. Who here doesn''t want to get their hands on Xiao Yi''s secret?"


    "The Nantian Dynasty, the Nantian sacred lands, the Changsheng Sect... which major power wouldn''t want to know this secret? But Xiao Yi''s strength is just too formidable, and they don''t have the absolute confidence to obtain his secrets, so they dare not act rashly!"


    "Do you think Xiao Yi will spill his secrets?"


    "If it were me... definitely not!"


    On the high platform.


    Nantian Ao narrowed his eyes slightly, his heart stirring as well.


    He was very clear about Xiao Yi''s growth history.


    When he saw the information about Xiao Yi given to him by Nantian Wen, he learned that just three years ago, Xiao Yi had been imprisoned for eight years by his father and brother, and in the end, to breed with Tianjiao''s mount, he was used as a bargaining chip to become a son-in-law.


    Nantian Ao once thought it was a fake report!


    Three years!


    In just three short years, from having no cultivation at all, straight to the level where he could slay warriors of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    That could only be described as a miracle.


    Who wouldn''t want to know Xiao Yi''s secret?


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s battle record was just too terrifying. The number of Earth Venerate Realm experts who had died by his hand was more than can be counted on one hand. Such a fearsome record was enough to make any faction throw a rat to avoid the dishes, hesitant to provoke Xiao Yi carelessly.


    Now, with Jin Buhuan''s appearance, they saw hope.


    "If Jin Buhuan can really obtain the secret of Xiao Yi''s rise, obtaining it from him would be much easier than directly questioning Xiao Yi!" thought Nantian Ao as he leaned back in his chair, assuming the air of someone watching a battle from the hill.


    Next to him, Qiu Yiyun''s eyes were also rapidly turning, making the same decision as Nantian Ao, "The moment Xiao Yi reveals his secret to Jin Buhuan, I''ll immediately capture Jin Buhuan. Once we get the secret of Xiao Yi''s rise, it''ll only be a matter of time before our Nantian holy land becomes the chief among all sacred lands!"


    Under the eager and curious gazes of the crowd.


    The incense stick had almost completely burned out.


    Jin Buhuan brushed off his clothes and squinted, saying, "It seems you''re not going to tell me? In that case..."


    Before he could finish his sentence.


    Xiao Yi spoke up, "Wait a moment..."

 Chapter 841 - 839 Youre looking for death!

    "Wait a moment!"


    Xiao Yi slowly began to speak, interrupting Jin Buhuan''s action.


    Jin Buhuan paused slightly, a smug smile curling up at the corners of his mouth as he merrily looked at Xiao Yi and asked, "What? Have you thought it through?"


    He had already thoroughly investigated the relationship between Little Lin and Xiao Yi.


    Knowing the relationship between Xiao Yi and Little Lin well, he had boldly come to Xiaoshanhe Institute alone.


    Everyone also turned their gazes toward Xiao Yi.


    Nantian Ao couldn''t help but feel some anticipation. "It seems Xiao Yi is ready to compromise. As long as he hands over the secret to Jin Buhuan, I have at least a hundred ways to acquire it. However..."


    Beside him, Qiu Yiyun was also staring at Xiao Yi. After glancing at Nantian Ao''s expression, he understood what was on his mind and muttered to himself, "If Xiao Yi truly submits because of this, giving up his secret of rising to power just for a monster beast pet, then he no longer deserves to be a contender against my Nantian Holy Land..."


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd,


    Xiao Yi suddenly stepped forward, and to everyone''s surprise, even Qiu Yiyun and Nantian Ao, standing right by him, didn''t notice when he had gotten up. By the time they came to their senses, Xiao Yi was already in the middle of the arena.


    Standing alone in front of Jin Buhuan.


    Gulp!


    Jin Buhuan instinctively took a step back, just about to speak, but a sharp pain in his throat made him swallow back his words.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands clasped behind his back, quietly standing, yet instantly becoming the focal point of the entire world.


    His eyes narrowed into slits.


    A surging, invisible spiritual power transformed into an invisible giant hand, tightly gripping Jin Buhuan''s throat and slowly lifting his body off the ground. Regardless of how much Jin Buhuan struggled, he was unable to break free from his hold.


    Hiss!


    A series of gasps erupted from the crowd. This was a powerhouse of the Longevity Secret Realm!


    Xiao Yi had so easily subdued him.


    Qiu Yiyun glanced at Nantian Ao beside him, a deep wariness in his eyes, "Brother Nantian, you also cultivated the Spiritual Nirvana path. Can you do this?"


    "..."


    Nantian Ao''s face froze. He indeed cultivated the Spiritual Nirvana path and had made significant progress over the past few centuries by staying behind the scenes. But now, seeing Xiao Yi easily subduing a Peak of Human Venerate Realm powerhouse with spiritual power, even someone as proud as he could only shake his head and sigh, "Not to mention myself, even masters who specialize in the path of Spiritual Nirvana would scarcely manage this feat."


    Qiu Yiyun solemnly nodded, staring at the slim silhouette of the youth in the arena, a shock and solemnity in his eyes that he had never felt before: "No wonder even Yang Dingtian and Li Yaofeng met their deaths at his hands. His talent and strength are indeed terrifying... If we could get him to join us in Nantian Holy Land for that expedition, maybe... It''s just a pity..."


    Meanwhile...


    After struggling in vain in the arena, Jin Buhuan completely gave up his struggle, glaring at Xiao Yi with grinding teeth, and roared in a low voice, "Xiao Yi, do you know what you''re doing? By doing this you''re provoking my limits, and you''ll get your combat pet killed..."


    "Are you done?"


    Xiao Yi calmly spoke.


    "Ah?"


    Jin Buhuan was taken aback.


    Xiao Yi pinched his fingers in the air, and the burnt-out incense stick fell into his hand, the last sparks scattering with the wind, Xiao Yi''s face showing a mocking expression, "You like to use incense to measure time, right? Here''s your chance then. If you honestly tell me where Little Lin is before this stick of incense burns out, I might let you live. Otherwise, your fate will be more painful than death..."


    As he spoke,


    Xiao Yi waved his hand through the air, causing dust to rise, which then settled onto the burnt-out incense stick, forming a brand new mud-colored stick of incense.


    Flick!


    A flame blazed fiercely.


    The dust burned, the speed unbelievably fast.


    With this burning speed, the incense would be gone in about five breaths.


    "Xiao Yi, you''re courting death..." Jin Buhuan gnashed his teeth.


    Before he could finish speaking.


    Jin Buhuan suddenly found his left hand entwined with invisible chains, followed by a sharp, intense pain, and with a splat, his entire left arm was ripped off at the shoulder.


    As the arm broke off, dust flew up and sealed the wound.


    No blood flowed down.


    However, the severe pain in his shoulder still almost made Jin Buhuan faint from the agony...


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Four breaths left!" S��arch* The ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You''ll get your war pet killed doing this, you know..."


    Jin Buhuan gritted his teeth, veins on his forehead throbbing wildly, his eyes red with anger and hatred. Yet once again, he was unable to finish his sentence, as a fierce pain surged through his right arm, which visibly contorted and deformed under pressure.


    Amidst the crunching sounds of bones shattering,


    his right arm was twisted like a pretzel, with all five fingers intertwined.


    The fingers are connected to the heart!


    Let alone an entire arm...


    "Roar..."


    Jin Buhuan let out an agonizing scream, his heavy breathing unbearably rough, as huge cold sweats rolled down his pale face.


    "Not talking yet?"


    Left leg!


    "Time is almost up!"


    Left leg!


    When the last bit of concentrated dust also burned away, Jin Buhuan''s arms and legs were gone, his face devoid of the arrogance and smugness from moments before, showing only fear and awe.


    Xiao Yi waved a burned incense stick in front of Jin Buhuan, "Sorry, time''s up!"


    "I, I''ll talk, I''ll talk..."


    Jin Buhuan completely broke down, daring not to withhold any information anymore, clenched his teeth and said, "They, they''re hiding in the capital at Yuelai Pavilion, I, I can send a message to have him come here, just, please don''t kill me..."


    "Yuelai Pavilion?"


    Xiao Yi nodded his head, soared into the sky, and sped away.


    The moment Xiao Yi left, Jin Buhuan''s body, like a kite with a broken string, flew towards Ye Heng and others.


    "What, what, what are you going to do?"


    "Xiao, Xiao Yi promised not to kill me, you..."


    Jin Buhuan had barely caught his breath when he saw Ye Heng, Jin Feiyan, and others clenching their fists, with a cold murderous intent as they surrounded him.


    Ye Heng sneered repeatedly, "Our master promised not to kill you, we did not."


    Jin Feiyan, who usually had the best relationship with Little Lin��their group''s beloved pet��was even more enraged. Jin Buhuan had used Little Lin as leverage against Xiao Yi and even stripped the scales from its chest.


    Those were the heart scales!


    Along with the heart meridians, brutally stripped away, it was as if they had stabbed Little Lin''s heart.


    Jin Feiyan pulled out a dagger, her voice cold, "You dared to strip the scales of Uncle Little Lin, I''ll strip your skin..."


    "Let me do it!"


    Ruan Yunyi took the lead.


    Ye Heng and the other powerhouses rushed in unison.


    "No..."


    Jin Buhuan screamed in despair, and moments later, he was no more.


    Meanwhile...


    In the capital, at Yuelai Pavilion,


    Xiao Yi also appeared above the pavilion, sweeping it with his spiritual power. His eyes turned blood red, and through gritted teeth, he muttered, "Ye Qingyu, you''re fucking asking for death��"

 Chapter 842 - 840 A Punch is Enough!

    Yuelai Pavilion.


    This was an unremarkable little tavern in the Imperial City, frequented generally by penniless travelers seeking refuge.


    As a measure to conceal his presence, Ye Qingyu had secretly taken Little Lin to hide here.


    "Why has there been no word from that useless Jin Buhuan? Could it be that Xiao Yi has already compromised?" Ye Qingyu sat on the Taishi Chair, his legs crossed, an evil gleam in his eyes as he scanned the corner where Tong Zhan and Little Lin had been bound, their cultivation sealed.


    Little Lin was covered in blood, barely clinging to life.


    Tied to a rack.


    Beneath the rack was an iron bowl, the ticking sound resulting from the blood dripping from Little Lin''s chest where a scale had been gouged out. Given the bloodstains around the edges of the bowl, it was clearly not the first bowlful!


    "Oh, filled up again?"


    Ye Qingyu came forward with a smirk, picked up the bowl, and downed its contents in one gulp, immediately causing a red light to surge through his body.


    A series of cracking sounds came from his body.


    With his crimson tongue licking his lips, Ye Qingyu looked at Little Lin with a face full of greed and let out a sinister laugh, "Xiao Yi really is a waste, having such a treasure as you, a being full of valuables. Instead of using you as a mobile elixir, he treats you like a brother."


    Little Lin was an Ancient Sky-Devouring Dragon!


    Now merely in his juvenile phase, should he reach adulthood, he might even devour the heavens and the earth, swallow the sun, the moon, and the stars.


    Indeed, Little Lin''s whole body was a treasure!


    His blood was comparable to precious elixirs of immortality. Even the strong within the Longevity Secret Realm, upon consumption, could fortify their flesh and congeal innate divine power with significant benefits.


    Ye Qingyu had inadvertently discovered the effects of Little Lin''s blood during the extraction of the scales. This was already the eighth bowl of blood he had consumed today.


    "I now somewhat regret the idea of killing you! Merely eight bowls of your blood equate to a year of my arduous cultivation!" Ye Qingyu chuckled sinisterly, placing the bowl back under Little Lin. Seeing that the dripping blood was too slow, he reached out and grabbed Little Lin''s body.


    Roar!


    The nearly lifeless Little Lin stiffened and suddenly opened his half-closed eyes, which burst forth with despair and hatred, screaming hysterically, "Ye Qingyu, you will not die a good death, my boss will not let you go..."


    "Humph, Xiao Yi? You dare threaten me with him?"


    Ye Qingyu snorted coldly, his thumb ''plop'' into Little Lin''s wound, and savagely twisted, brutally tearing the wound open.


    Blood gushed out like a small spring. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Roar...


    Little Lin convulsed and let out a series of screams.


    Ye Qingyu withdrew his hand, his crimson tongue licking the blood stained on his palm, his face full of triumph, "Your revered Xiao Yi is already in no position to protect himself, yet you think he''ll avenge you? Hahaha, keep calling him out, let''s see if you can bring him here��"


    Right at this moment.


    Suddenly, a roar infused with boundless rage and murderous intent came from the void, "Ye Qingyu, you''re fucking seeking death!"


    Boom!


    The entire Yuelai Pavilion violently quaked, and its buildings collapsed thunderously.


    Countless figures, wrapped in spiritual power, flew out from the ruins and landed in the distance, their faces in dismay as they stared at the now-flattened Yuelai Pavilion, "What the fuck just happened? Who dares to cause such chaos in the Imperial City?"


    "That, that seems to be our Daqian Dynasty''s Xiao Yi!"


    "Xiao Zhenguo? He is our Daqian Dynasty''s guardian deity. Since he has appeared here, there must be some unforgivable villain��"


    Among the debris.


    Ye Qingyu, disheveled, also emerged, still clutching Little Lin, his eyes icy cold. He looked up at Xiao Yi, "I didn''t expect you could find this place. Jin Buhuan really is useless!"


    Xiao Yi''s blood-red eyes fixed intently on Little Lin, who was in Ye Qingyu''s grip.


    Little Lin was at his last gasp.


    Ye Qingyu''s fingers were still inside his wound, blood rolling down along his fingers.


    He didn''t even have the strength to speak!


    A vein throbbed on Xiao Yi''s forehead, his eyes a blazing red, like two red lanterns, "Release Little Lin immediately, and I''ll leave you a whole corpse!"


    "Hmm?"


    Ye Qingyu blinked then lifted Little Lin up, his face a mix of mockery and scorn, "You want me to release him? That''s easy. Kneel down and beg me, and I''ll let him go right away��"


    "Boss�� don''t�� don''t worry about me��" Little Lin roared with the last of his strength.


    With a whoosh!


    Expending his last bit of energy, Little Lin fiercely twisted his head. Just as Xiao Yi had collapsed the Yuelai Pavilion, Little Lin had regained a bit of mobility. Caught off guard, Little Lin''s sharp fangs pierced into Ye Qingyu''s hand with a pop.


    Ow!


    Ye Qingyu let out a harsh scream and instinctively flung his hand away.


    Whoosh!


    Little Lin was thrown out by the force of the swing.


    "Little Lin!"


    Xiao Yi leaped forward, crossing through the space and securely caught Little Lin. He scanned Little Lin with his spiritual power; his condition was terrible, but fortunately, his life was not in danger for the time being.


    "Boss��" Little Lin weakly muttered, feeling feeble throughout his body.


    Xiao Yi rubbed his head. "Get some good sleep!"


    "Okay!"


    Little Lin let Xiao Yi carefully hold him, and he deeply fell asleep.


    Xiao Yi then looked up at Ye Qingyu. "Ye Qingyu, I really didn''t want to make things difficult for you considering Qingzhu, but you shouldn''t have, under any circumstances, endangered my brother''s life��"


    "Hmph!"


    Ye Qingyu scoffed, obviously not taking Xiao Yi''s words to heart, "I am a prominent disciple of Baiyu. Why should I care about your opinions? Xiao Yi, this day next year will be your anniversary!"


    "Idiot!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled and shook his head. He could tell that Ye Qingyu had reached the Peak of Human Venerate Realm.


    Considering that Ye Qingyu was from such a revered martial arts sanctuary as Baiyu, his fast progress was impressive but not unexpected to Xiao Yi.


    Without sufficient power, Ye Qingyu wouldn''t dare to seek trouble with him in the Southern State.


    At that thought.


    Xiao Yi calmly spoke, "One move!"


    "Huh?"


    Ye Qingyu was taken aback and frowned. "What do you mean?"


    Xiao Yi rubbed his fists, creating crackling sounds. "Within one move, I''ll send you to meet the King of Hell!"


    "Ridiculous, who do you think you are? You��"


    Ye Qingyu burst into fury, feeling profoundly humiliated by Xiao Yi''s almost disdainful attitude. He roared, and an unmatched terrifying aura exploded from him. Innate power covered his body.


    Snow drifted across the heaven and earth.


    Ye Qingyu punched towards the sky, and instantly, the snowstorm intensified, condensing into several snow-capped mountains falling from the skies.


    The mountains, blanketing the sky, left the distant onlookers in awe and fear. "Such terrifying skills, to conjure mountains out of thin air �� can a human even achieve this?"


    "Can Xiao Zhenguo match him?"


    Amidst these exclamations.


    Dozens of huge mountains had already descended, and at that moment, Xiao Yi finally made his move. He merely stood still in midair, an ordinary punch launched from his waist.


    Boom!


    That ordinary punch burst forth with a brilliance as intense as the blazing sun.


    Invincible King Fist!


    Undefeatable in any battle!


    Boom!


    With just one punch, the dozens of mountains shattered explosively, a silver punch light whooshing forward, engulfing Ye Qingyu. When everything had cleared, there was no more snow in the vacuum of space, only Ye Qingyu falling like a kite with a broken string.


    Thud!


    Ye Qingyu crashed harshly onto the ground, with Xiao Yi floating above, looking down at him. "I said, one punch is all it takes to deal with you!"

 Chapter 843 - 841: Executed in Public

    "One punch is enough!"


    Xiao Yi''s words were calm yet sonorous, echoing in Ye Qingyu''s ears.


    The recently relieved Ye Qingyu felt an immense humiliation, and a mouthful of fresh blood spewed out. His face turned deathly pale in an instant. His eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, and as he spoke, glaring bloodstains smeared his white teeth, "What I regret the most now is not killing you on the spot when we first met��"


    Ye Qingyu still remembered the first time he met Xiao Yi.


    Back then, Xiao Yi had not yet broken through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm, and was far from a match for Ye Qingyu, who was in the Nirvana Realm.


    Ye Qingyu certainly had the power to kill Xiao Yi despite Fang Qingzhu''s intervention.


    If only��


    There is no such thing as a pill for regret in this world!


    Of course.


    This was also a result of Ye Qingyu''s own arrogance. He was after all a high and mighty genius from Baiyu, and Xiao Yi was just an individual from a remote small kingdom in Southern State. Ye Qingyu could never have dreamed that Xiao Yi''s growth would be so terrifying. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Puh!


    Amidst his violent coughing, Ye Qingyu again spit out a mouthful of fresh blood. His resentful gaze was fixed on Xiao Yi as he gnashed his teeth and threatened, "Xiao Yi, don''t be too pleased with yourself yet. I''m not afraid to tell you, Brother Chen Longxiang has reached the peak of Heavenly Venerate, just one step away from reaching the Supreme Venerable realm. I advise you to properly heal my wounds and kneel down to beg for mercy. Maybe if I''m in a good mood, I could still speak on your behalf. Otherwise��"


    Puh!


    Ye Qingyu''s voice came to an abrupt halt.


    Xiao Yi simply broke his arm and stuffed it into his mouth.


    All that was left was Ye Qingyu''s whimpering, his eyes filled with rage and disbelief.


    He thought that by mentioning Chen Longxiang, Xiao Yi would cower.


    But Xiao Yi was unmoved.


    With a detached look, Xiao Yi said to him, "Chen Longxiang? Even the old Heavenly King couldn''t save you today!"


    Swoosh!


    He soared into the sky.


    With the restraint of spiritual power, Ye Qingyu was like a lost dog being dragged behind him, tracing a bright path through the air, heading straight towards Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    In the imperial capital.


    Many mighty ones looked at the Yuelai Pavilion that was leveled to the ground, showing a shocked expression: "As expected of Xiao Zhenguo, even the powerful ones from the Longevity Secret Realm are just a one-punch enemy to him; it''s really terrifying!"


    "In the future, if I have children, I must send them to Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Xiao Zhenguo is truly our Daqian Dynasty''s Calm Sea Divine Needle!"


    As for the strong and fearsome image that Xiao Yi had built up among the citizens of the imperial capital with this move, he knew nothing of it.


    At this moment��


    He had already returned to Xiaoshanhe Institute with Ye Qingyu.


    Currently, at the martial training ground of Xiaoshanhe Institute��


    Ye Heng and others were standing upright, and in front of them lay someone who was flayed and motionless in a pool of blood.


    On the high platform.


    Nantian Ao squinted his eyes, surveying the void in the direction of the imperial capital, and couldn''t help asking, "Elder Qiu, do you think Xiao Yi can rescue his war pet?"


    "I heard that the person coming is from Baiyu��"


    Qiu Yiyun hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi has always used the name of Baiyu to stand his ground in Southern State. Facing a master from Baiyu, he shouldn''t make a move! At least�� If it were me, I definitely wouldn''t!"


    Nantian Ao nodded, deeply agreeing with what Qiu Yiyun had said.


    Although they had received information that Baiyu had no intention of sheltering Xiao Yi, if it were them, they would be even less likely to take a risk, more oftentimes opting for compromise in such situations.


    This is what people say: the one who has nothing to lose does not fear the one with something to lose!


    The more successful a person, the more cautious they become, because one wrong step could lead to a complete loss!


    On the other hand, those who have not achieved success are more willing to fight and take risks, as they have nothing left. With no way back, they can only charge forward!


    The discussion between Qiu Yiyun and his companion also reached the ears of the Bai Fa Sword Emperor.


    His gaze swept towards the two of them.


    Feeling the gaze of the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Nantian Ao frowned slightly and said, "What? Do you have a different opinion?"


    The current cultivation of the Bai Fa Sword Emperor was just at the peak of the Human Venerate Realm!


    There naturally wasn''t much for him to worry about.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor curled his lip, revealing a mocking cold smile, then said, "How could Xiao, the Head of the Institute, be conjectured by you mere mortals?"


    "What did you say?"


    "You scoundrel, do you know who I am?"


    Nantian Ao and his companion were instantly enraged, smashing the armrest to pieces with a slap, glaring furiously at the Bai Fa Sword Emperor.


    With Xiao Yi''s formidable record of battle, they dared not act rashly for the moment.


    But the Bai Fa Sword Emperor��


    At best, he was merely at the peak of the Human Venerate Realm. In their eyes, he was an existence they could squelch with ease. Such an existence daring to mock them to their face was something they could not swallow.


    The two high-level Earthly Honor powerhouses simultaneously released their imposing might without any reservation, pressing down towards the Bai Fa Sword Emperor.


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s body shook as his white hair moved without any wind, and the cold Sword Intent condensed in his eyes.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The cold wind had arrived, bringing with it a low woeful sound.


    With crossbows cocked and swords drawn, a great battle seemed on the verge of erupting.


    At this moment...


    A cry of surprise suddenly came from the crowd: "Head Xiao has returned!"


    Hm?


    Nantian Ao and the others were all taken aback, following the gaze and indeed saw a figure breaking through the sky. The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously retracted the cold killing intent and oppressive might from their bodies. Nantian Ao pointed at the Bai Fa Sword Emperor, "Kid, you''re lucky today. If it weren''t out of respect for Head Xiao, this day next year would be your memorial day!"


    "Hmph!"


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor also snorted coldly, replying in a tone neither servile nor overbearing, "I await anytime!"


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi''s figure broke through the sky and in an instant arrived in the middle of the martial arts field.


    He was seen floating in mid-air.


    He glanced at the corpse of Jin Buhuan in the pool of blood.


    Ye Heng stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Master, after you left, Jin Buhuan attempted to flee and has been executed by your disciple!"


    The surrounding crowd couldn''t help but roll their eyes.


    Attempt to flee?


    This Jin Buhuan was obviously someone Xiao Yi had thrown to them to deal with!


    However, no one would point this out at the moment.


    Xiao Yi hummed in response, waved his hand, and immediately the ground began to rumble. Countless flying sand and rocks in mid-air formed a cross. Meanwhile, Ye Qingyu, standing behind Xiao Yi, was bound by chains formed from dust, firmly secured and hung on the cross.


    "Who is this person?"


    "He must be the mastermind behind the kidnapping of Uncle Little Lin..."


    "I remember now, isn''t this Ye Qingyu who had come with Qingzhu? I heard he''s from Baiyu..."


    "A master from Baiyu? Wasn''t it said that Baiyu supports Xiao, the Head of the Institute? How dare he seriously injure a master from Baiyu and hang him up here? What is he trying to do?"


    The crowd was full of confusion, looking at each other.


    At this time...


    Xiao Yi spoke out loud and clear, "The criminal Ye Qingyu, plotting against my brother, shall be subjected to death by a thousand cuts!"

 Chapter 844 - 842 Po Jun Attacks

    Lingchi!


    When these two characters appeared in the sky above the martial arts arena, all the strong ones present were utterly baffled.


    "What? Xiao intends to execute him by lingchi? Isn''t this Baiyu''s genius? Is he planning to completely fall out with Baiyu?"


    "Has he gone mad?"


    Ye Qingyu, fixed on the cross, was also utterly baffled, his pale face showing an incredulous expression as he roared, "Xiao Yi, are you serious? I am a disciple of Baiyu. If you dare hurt a single hair on my head, Baiyu will not let you off. You��"


    Nantian Ao and Qiu Yiyun exchanged glances, both seeing a trace of solemnity in each other''s eyes, "It seems Xiao Yi is serious this time!"


    Nantian Ao nodded, "Now this will be a spectacle."


    Qiu Yiyun, delighting in the disaster, said, "Xiao Yi has always had it easy and now thinks he''s above everyone else. Not only has he offended us, but now he''s even falling out with Baiyu. I''d like to see how he handles this!"


    In the martial arts arena.


    Xiao Yi hovered in the air, unperturbed by the low whispers and discussions, his face expressionless as he watched Ye Qingyu bellow hysterically, "Hurting my brother was enough to condemn you to death. As for Baiyu�� even if the King of Heaven himself came today, he wouldn''t be able to save you!"


    A trace of fear flickered in Ye Qingyu''s reddened eyes, sensing Xiao Yi''s cold killing intent, he quickly shouted, "Xiao, Xiao Yi, if you let me go, I swear I won''t trouble you again. I, I��"


    "Sorry, it''s too late!"


    As the words fell,


    Xiao Yi flicked his finger, and a silver dagger, imbued with innate power, flew out like a butterfly, fluttering around Ye Qingyu.


    Puff!


    Puff!


    Puff...


    The dagger sliced Ye Qingyu''s body repeatedly, cutting off strips of bloody flesh.


    Pain!


    Despair!


    Death ...


    All transformed into heart-wrenching pain, tormenting Ye Qingyu.


    He let out bouts of screams and hysterical wails, "Xiao Yi, you won''t die a good death��"


    "You dare do this to me, Baiyu won''t let you off��"


    "Xiao Yi, spare my life��"


    "I won''t dare again��"


    As the dagger cut piece after piece of flesh from his body, the bone-deep excruciating pain made Ye Qingyu''s cries shift from initial threats to desperate pleas, until his voice grew faint, and the last stab pierced his heart, Ye Qingyu lost all signs of life.


    Looking at Ye Qingyu''s nearly stripped body, reduced to a bloody skeleton.


    Inside and outside the entire martial arts arena, silence reigned.


    Under the warm sun, a breeze blew.


    Raising a cloud of dust.


    Everyone seemed as if they were under a Paralysis Spell, standing in their spots, staring agape at the scene before them.


    Gulp!


    It was not until the sound of swallowing broke the silence, followed by a series of gasps and incredulous murmurs, "I didn''t think he would dare to do this��"


    "Better to offend King Yama than to provoke Director Xiao!"


    The people looking at Xiao Yi now had even more reverence in their eyes.


    Of course��


    The disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, their faces filled with excitement and fervor, stared at Xiao Yi as if they wanted to melt him with their intense gaze.


    Ye Heng clenched his fists tightly, his heart filled with surging passion, "This is our master, who will never let anyone hurt us even by a single hair!"


    "Our master is our greatest support!"


    This lingering execution not only completely intimidated everyone present, but also united the members of Xiaoshanhe Institute more than ever.


    Watching the Xiaoshanhe disciples whose eyes shone brightly, and Ling Sanxiao and other disciples who had passed the assessment, their eyes were more dazzling and spirited than before. Xiao Yi''s protectiveness made them even more grateful to be a part of Xiaoshanhe Institute!


    On the high platform.


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor, wearing a cold smile, looked at Qiu Yiyun beside him and taunted, "Some people earlier thought that the headmaster couldn''t save Little Lin, what do you have to say now?"


    "..."


    Qiu Yiyun''s face turned ashen.


    Just as Bai Fa Sword Emperor was about to speak, a cold voice suddenly came down from the sky, "Which one is Xiao Yi? Come out and greet me at once!"


    Boom!


    The voice thundered like thunder. S~ea??h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It sounded deafeningly between heaven and earth.


    Hiss!


    Numerous experts inside and outside the martial arts arena all looked up, only to see figures gradually appearing in the eastern sky, merging into a bloody cloud.


    A chilling murderous aura, carrying terrifying blood fluctuations, appeared within the blood cloud.


    "Who dares to be so bold and reckless in my Xiaoshanhe Institute? Come down here!" Suddenly, from within the crowd, Ye Heng''s roar echoed as he leapt up, his body shimmering with golden light.


    Roar!


    A massive golden ape Mara appeared behind him.


    The Mara stood proudly between heaven and earth.


    With a push of its legs, it shot upwards like an arrow.


    The huge iron fist was surrounded by circles of golden light, layer upon layer, transforming the entire arm into a golden blur. With a loud bang, the golden fist light fiercely smashed onto the blood cloud.


    Boom!


    Terrifying energy fluctuations instantly transformed into spatial ripples, spreading in all directions.


    For a moment, it stirred up gales of wind, flying sand and stones, and swaying trees, uprooting them.


    "Is this the Battle War Holy Body? To be able to unleash such terrifying combat power?"


    "Who knows what kind of person is inside that blood cloud, daring to provoke Xiaoshanhe Institute at this time?"


    Amid the murmuring of the crowd.


    A cold laugh suddenly emerged from the blood cloud, "Mere child''s play, showing such incompetence? Let your master, Xiao Yi, come and face me himself!"


    As the words fell.


    The blood cloud writhed madly, transforming into a gigantic hand.


    The bloody giant hand was like a palm that could cover the sky.


    On the massive palm were ferocious patterns, interweaving into a bloodthirsty demon. With a slap of the giant palm, accompanied by a loud bang, the golden ape Mara''s arms shattered.


    A muffled grunt came from Ye Heng.


    The Martial Dao Mara turned into golden light spots and dissipated into his body. Ye Heng screamed as he fell, while in the blood cloud, countless bloody lights crazily converged, forming a blood-colored spear. A cold voice also came from within the blood cloud, "Xiao Yi, watch as your disciple dies right before your eyes!"


    Swish!


    The blood-colored spear tore through the air, appearing in front of Ye Heng in an instant.


    Just as it was about to pierce his heart.


    At that moment...


    A figure appeared in front of Ye Heng, a pale palm reached out in the air, grasping the blood-colored spear, and a cold voice from Xiao Yi issued forth, "To strike a junior like this, Po Jun, don''t you find it shameful?"

 Chapter 845 - 843: Cannot Withstand a Single Blow

    "Po Jun Elder, aren''t you ashamed?"


    Xiao Yi stood before Ye Heng, and with a squeeze of his palm, the blood-colored long spear exploded with a bang, turning into a shower of blood-colored light spots that rained down.


    Lifting his head,


    an earth-shattering Sword Qi burst forth from his body, forming a massive silver sword light that shot straight into the blood-colored clouds above the nine heavens.


    Wherever the sword light touched,


    it pierced through the clouds, creating a gigantic vortex that spun wildly, shredding the blood-streaked clouds to pieces.


    The sky above was clear once more!


    Only then��


    did figures appear in the sky above, where a multitude of Changsheng Sect followers floated in the air, standing high above everyone else.


    A quick scan revealed


    that there were as many as fifty thousand followers of the Changsheng Sect.


    Densely packed, they all floated in the void above, looking down with cold eyes upon Xiao Yi and the others. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The weakest among them were all at the Tao Tribulation Realm!


    Among them, thirty were powerhouses on the level of the Longevity Secret Realm, and there were even five who had surpassed the Earth Venerate Realm. This put immense pressure on all the strong spectators in the martial arts tournament grounds.


    The thirty from the Longevity Secret Realm did not hold back at all,


    allowing their terrifying aura to be released.


    They stood like towering peaks, pressing down on everyone''s hearts and instilling terror and trepidation.


    Even Nantian Ao and Qiu Yiyun couldn''t help but inhale sharply at the sight of so many powerful figures from the Changsheng Sect.


    Qiu Yiyun''s pupils contracted sharply.


    The holy lands and the Changsheng Sect were sworn enemies, engaged in constant conflict, and he was quite clear about the extent of each other''s capabilities. He immediately spotted among those tens of thousands of fighters the two sharp blades of the Changsheng Sect.


    Forty thousand Earthshatter Guards and ten thousand Tian Gang Guards!


    Qiu Yiyun noticed sweat beads forming in the palm of his hand, making it unusually sticky, and his breathing also became involuntarily rapid: "Damn it, Po Jun Elder has brought both the Earthshatter Guards and the Tian Gang Guards. He is intent on starting a war of annihilation!"


    Nantian Ao''s face was not looking too good either.


    After all, Southern State was under his Nantian Dynasty''s jurisdiction.


    In his view��


    even though Xiao Yi had established the Great Qian Dynasty, that was still an internal matter of Southern State.


    If anyone was to destroy the Great Qian Dynasty, it should be them!


    Since when could outsiders interfere?


    However,


    Nantian Ao also knew the fearsomeness of the Changsheng Sect, especially after seeing Po Jun Elder arrive with the Earthshatter Guards and Tian Gang Guards, he could see Po Jun Elder''s determination to eradicate the Great Qian Dynasty.


    With this thought,


    Nantian Ao''s tense body silently relaxed, and he quietly sat back in his seat, his eyes filled with a playful expression as he looked at Xiao Yi in the martial arts tournament field: "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, how do you plan to deal with this?"


    In the martial arts tournament field,


    Xiao Yi slightly tilted his chin upward, squinting his eyes as he surveyed the densely packed powerhouses of the Changsheng Sect in the sky, his gaze passing over the crowd to rest on that figure seated on the throne, a middle-aged man in a blood-colored robe radiating cold murderous intent.


    This man was Po Jun Elder himself!


    A towering figure at the Peak of Earth Revered Realm, his strength far surpassed everyone present.


    Even with Xiao Yi''s current combat power, he still felt an invisible pressure on his heart when facing Po Jun Elder, making his breathing a bit more hurried.


    Whew!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a breath of turbid air and slowly lifted off the ground.


    Until he rose to the same height as Po Jun Elder.


    The two looked at each other eye-to-eye.


    As their four eyes met, a tangible fighting spirit erupted between them.


    Shh!


    Snap!


    Crackle and pop!


    As their tangible gazes collided, streaks of electricity flashed through the air, leveling everything in their path. Gales suddenly appeared out of nowhere, forming a vacuum between them.


    Whoosh!


    The fierce wind howled in all directions, and within a thousand miles above the sky, every cloud was blown away.


    On the ground below��


    The grass and trees were uprooted, and dust flew chaotically.


    Some of the weaker fighters were toppled to the ground, falling in a disheveled heap, with the powerful figures crashing down with heads bleeding and continuous wails of agony.


    "Suppress!"


    Xiao Yi turned around and waved his hand; streams of silver innate power sprayed out from his fingertips, weaving into fine silver threads that formed a silver light shield, enveloping Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    The terrible storm could no longer affect it in the slightest.


    "Hahaha..."


    Po Jun Elder suddenly let out a cold laugh, his lips curling slightly upward as he nodded to Xiao Yi, "No wonder you dared to destroy a spiritual clone of mine; you indeed have some abilities. With your talent, had you been willing to join our Changsheng Sect, your future achievements would have been boundless. However, what a pity, those who offend the Changsheng Sect only have one path��death!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    Thunderous roars erupted one after another from the mouths of the Earthshatter Guards and Tian Gang Guards behind Po Jun Elder.


    The shouts shook the heavens and the earth.


    Evil Qi surged to the sky!


    Even though the sky was clear for thousands of miles, the sunlight seemed to grow dim under the influence of their evil Qi, adding a layer of gloom.


    Xiao Yi spoke with an expressionless face, "Changsheng Sect? A bunch of rats hiding their heads and tails, nothing more than universally despised street rats. What future prospects could joining you possibly offer?"


    "You..."


    The smile on Po Jun''s face froze; Xiao Yi''s words had hit a soft spot.


    Just as Xiao Yi said...


    Due to the nature of the Changsheng Sect, they became the thorn in the side of every major holy land, which forced them to always remain hidden in the shadows. But wasn''t such a method of survival akin to hiding their heads and revealing their tails?


    It was a wound in the hearts of every Changsheng Sect powerhouse that could never fully heal.


    Xiao Yi''s comment was like tearing their wounds open and ruthlessly sprinkling salt on them!


    "You bastard, how dare you criticize our Holy Church like this?"


    A warrior enveloped in black armor stepped forward, creating ripples of black in the void beneath his feet, and bowed to Po Jun, "Elder Po Jun, your subordinate Yin Hong requests permission to fight!"


    Yin Hong!


    One of the seventy-two Earthshatter Elders, the Earth Might Star, whose cultivation at the peak of the Human Venerate Realm was not in the least bit weaker than an ordinary Earth Venerate Realm master.


    Po Jun frowned slightly, knowing that Xiao Yi was capable of slaying Earth Venerate Realm experts and fearing that Yin Hong might not be his opponent. Seeming to sense Po Jun''s hesitation, Yin Hong spoke with a deep voice, "I earnestly ask for the elder''s permission to fight!"


    Po Jun touched his chin thoughtfully and decided: Let Yin Hong try out his moves; even if he faced a Heavenly Venerate, with me here, it would be impossible for anyone to harm him right in front of me!


    With that thought in mind.


    Po Jun nodded expressionlessly, with utter confidence he said, "Then go and teach him a lesson. If you are not his match, then retreat. With me here, no one can hurt you."


    "Your subordinate obeys!"


    Yin Hong nodded solemnly. His black armor was shining with a metallic luster, his cold gaze fixed on Xiao Yi. With a clang, a black spear appeared in his hand, pointing directly at Xiao Yi, "You mongrel, dare to insult our Holy Church, I shall slay you with my Black Cloud Spear!"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Yin Hong suddenly made his move. His body was covered in dazzling starlight, the bright celestial light enshrouding him as he instantly appeared in front of Xiao Yi. The black armor on his body emitted streaks of black light that turned into nine black snakes winding around the Black Cloud Spear.


    The spear flashed and tore through the air.


    Turned into a black dragon, it charged straight for Xiao Yi.


    A hundred meters of dragon shadow crossed the sky.


    The majestic dragon might was unbearable to look at directly.


    All the strong warriors looked solemn; this terrifying strike was mighty. "How will Xiao Yi respond to such a fearsome attack?"


    "If it were me, I would choose to avoid its sharp edge!"


    However...


    The discussion among the crowd abruptly ceased.


    All they saw was Xiao Yi reaching forward with one hand, clenching his fingers in the air into a fist; a hum sounded as a black light shot straight into the sky, "Invincible King Fist!"


    Hum!


    In battles, it never failed; in attacks, it never faltered!


    With just one punch...


    The dragon shadow shattered.


    Spider-web like cracks appeared on the Black Cloud Spear.


    "Not good!"


    Po Jun''s face suddenly changed color, intending to take action, only to see a burst of blood light bloom before his eyes. It was Xiao Yi shattering the spear, breaking Yin Hong''s right arm, and with a puff, he twisted off Yin Hong''s head.


    "Pathetic!"


    Xiao Yi casually threw Yin Hong''s defiant corpse towards Po Jun, the corner of his mouth slightly raised as he spoke calmly, "It was you who said that with you present, no one could harm him, right?"


    With those words...


    Po Jun''s face instantly turned ashen.


    The air seemed to freeze at that moment...

 Chapter 846 - 844 Who Says Theres No One from Shanhe Court?

    Po Jun''s face had become hideously ugly.


    As if someone had violently slapped his face dozens of times, it was burning hot, causing his expression to change unpredictably, and there was even a bloodthirst flashing in his eyes.


    Yin Hong had been defeated too quickly!


    So quickly that Po Jun hadn''t even had time to make a move to save him.


    "What a Xiao Yi! Not only did he destroy my spiritual avatar, but he also killed an elder of my Holy Church right in front of me. He truly doesn''t consider my Holy Church as anything of importance!"


    Po Jun swung his arm, and his deep voice echoed above the training field, "Tian Gang Guards, Earthshatter Guards, listen to my command... annihilate Xiaoshanhe Institute to the last man, spare no one!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    "Kill!"


    Tens of thousands of Earthshatter Guards and Tian Gang Guards behind him let out deep roars.


    Murderous intent surged into the sky, forming a suffocating black cloud.


    Fifty thousand powerhouses scattered like locusts, dispersed across the sky, their gazes greedily fixed on everyone from Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Under the terrifying cloak of murderous aura,


    A chilling, bone-piercing wind rose up from nowhere within Xiaoshanhe Institute, and it seemed a great battle was about to break out at any moment.


    Inside the training field, countless powerhouses had already started to flee from Xiaoshanhe Institute: "We are not from Xiaoshanhe Institute, please don''t accidentally injure the innocent!"


    "Run!"


    "Xiaoshanhe Institute is doomed��"


    Within the crowd,


    People like Mao Bufan and Ling Sanxiao looked at each other, and the several thousands who had just passed the assessment had already run off, seven out of ten, leaving only several hundred, who were also looking at each other, hesitant and unsure.


    Mao Bufan looked towards Ling Sanxiao, "You''re not leaving?"


    "Not leaving!"


    Ling Sanxiao took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Having joined Xiaoshanhe Institute, we are a part of it, and we shall advance and retreat together!"


    "Spoken well!"


    Mao Bufan nodded in agreement, then led the remaining few hundred people with heads held high, walking towards Ye Heng and the others.


    Seeing Mao Bufan and the others choose to stay, Ye Heng, Jin Feiyan, and several others exchanged glances, feeling immensely gratified in their hearts and genuinely accepted them.


    Meanwhile��


    Po Jun naturally saw everything that was happening in the training field, and with a heavy dose of mockery on his face, he laughed heartily, "Xiao Yi, is this all the power your Xiaoshanhe Institute has? Nothing but a few small fishes. Without even a single Longevity Secret Realm, where do you get the courage to challenge my Holy Church?"


    "Who says my Xiaoshanhe Institute has no one?"


    Xiao Yi responded with a faint smile.


    His gaze remained calm, then he lightly clapped his hands twice.


    Clap, clap!


    Amid the crisp claps,


    Ye Heng, Jin Feiyan, and the others rose into the air, positioning themselves behind Xiao Yi.


    Po Jun looked puzzled as he pointed at everyone, his laughter growing more wanton, "One, two, three, four... a mere five hundred people? Is this all your grand Xiaoshanhe Institute can muster? Or do you think that with these five hundred people, you can actually contend against the Tian Gang and Earthshatter Guards of my Holy Church?"


    "Don''t be in a hurry!"


    Xiao Yi smiled.


    Po Jun''s brow furrowed slightly, about to speak when his pupils suddenly contracted.


    A figure soared into the sky��a Shadow Demon had entered the fray, his black robe adding a sharpness to his presence, like an awe-inspiring sword. sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Clang!


    The Shadow Demon drew his longsword and raised his arm to call, "All from the Punishment Hall, assemble!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    From Imperial Dragon Mountain, figures began to soar into the air.


    Five hundred.


    One thousand.


    Two thousand��


    A full twenty thousand people appeared behind the Shadow Demon, orderly and uniform in black robes, each robe emblazoned with the character for "battle," naturally intimidating.


    Following closely, another flew high.


    It was Chen Ziyi, the Hall Master of the Skill Transmission Hall!


    He too stood suspended in the air as one figure after another appeared behind him.


    Again, an army of twenty thousand people.


    ```


    The same black battle robes.


    The only difference was that the word on their chests was not "battle," but "skill transmission."


    Then...


    Fu Yuan, Li Youruo, Yu Huaxian, and others sequentially appeared in the sky, with twenty thousand people floating in midair behind each of them.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Under the lead of the Shadow Demon and others, a total of one hundred thousand people orderly flew to Xiao Yi''s rear.


    The Shadow Demon raised his arm and called out, "The Battle Hall is here, who dares bully the Shanhe Court and say we have no one?"


    Li Youruo''s eyes were ice-cold, "The Task Hall is here, who dares bully the Shanhe Court and say we have no one?"


    "The Punishment Hall is here, who dares bully the Shanhe Court and say we have no one?"


    "The All Things Hall is here..."


    "The Skill Transmission Hall is here..."


    "Who dares bully the Shanhe Court and say we have no one?"


    "Who dares?"


    One hundred thousand people roared in unison, shaking the heavens.


    That powerful and fearsome momentum actually caused Po Jun and others'' complexions to subtly change.


    On the high platform.


    Nantian Ao clenched his fists tightly, frowning slightly, "What a Xiao Yi, to actually be able to manage the declining Xiaoshanhe Institute to such an extent in just a few years?"


    They, however, did not know...


    After the founding of the Daqian Dynasty.


    The Xiaoshanhe Institute had absorbed most of the strong individuals from the previous ten major sects, and, with Xiao Yi''s previously strong purge of the unrest within those sects, had leapfrogged in overall strength. After all, each of those ten major sects had thousands of years of heritage!


    Qiu Yiyun shook his head, speaking indifferently, "There may be many of them, but the overall strength of Xiaoshanhe Institute is too weak, and their opponents are the killing machines of the Changsheng Sect, the Tian Gang and Earthshatter Guards. With Xiaoshanhe Institute''s current strength, they are far from being their match."


    Nantian Ao nodded, staring at Xiao Yi''s silhouette, "Xiao Yi, you must have more up your sleeve than just this, right?"


    Po Jun, too, after his initial surprise, came back to his senses and laughed heartily, "Xiao Yi, is this the foundation of your Xiaoshanhe Institute? I must admit, you''re quite impressive for being able to manage a fallen Xiaoshanhe Institute into this state within a few short years. But, you don''t really think that these few rotten fish and shrimp can block the blade of my Holy Church, do you?"


    "Elder, we don''t need the brothers of the Tian Gang Guards to deal with such trash, the Earthshatter Guards are more than enough!"


    "What Earthshatter Guards? If I had known, I would have just sent a few gatekeepers..."


    "Hahaha..."


    A group of Changsheng Sect powerhouses mocked one after another.


    Po Jun, with a smile still on his face, looked forward to seeing Xiao Yi''s ashamed and enraged expression, but Xiao Yi, standing in front of him, as well as the powerhouse members of the Xiaoshanhe Institute behind him, remained extraordinarily calm.


    Unmoved by their mockery.


    This was truly against all reason!


    Po Jun frowned slightly, "What''s this? Xiao Yi, you don''t truly believe that with them, you can withstand me, do you?"


    "With them, it''s enough!"


    Xiao Yi nodded seriously.


    "You are insulting my Holy Church..." Po Jun narrowed his eyes, angrily saying.


    Xiao Yi shook his head, "No, you should feel honored to witness this miracle!"


    "Miracle?"


    Po Jun was stunned, seeing the suppressed excitement and anticipation in the calm expressions of Xiao Yi and his people, and he felt a strong unease in his heart.


    Xiao Yi chuckled, turned around to look at the Shadow Demon and others, and spoke deliberately, "Brothers, let them witness the strength of our Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "Hahaha, Headmaster, we''ve been waiting for these words for a long time!"


    "I''ve been holding back for so long!"


    "Finally, we don''t have to restrain ourselves anymore..."


    The faces of the Shadow Demon and his peers were filled with excitement and anticipation, and even greater expectations.


    Yes!


    Expectations!


    For this moment...


    They had all suppressed their cultivation realms, and now, one hundred thousand people were about to break through their tribulations, with over a hundred poised to step into the Longevity Secret Realm. What a shocking event this was?


    Looking back on the history of the Qingtian Realm, there had never been such a grand occasion!


    After today.


    The name of the Xiaoshanhe Institute would surely spread throughout the Qingtian Realm!


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth slightly curled up as he spoke, "Unleash it then, the miracle light that belongs to you..."


    ```

 Chapter 847 - 845: Nonsense Heavenly Tribulation, Why Fear It?

    ```


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    One after another, muffled peals of thunder exploded out of nowhere. Above the firmament, streaks of purple-golden lightning rolled, flickering in brightness, immersing this part of the world in a dazzling light.


    A heavy oppressive force filled every breath of air.


    Each breath drawn was suffused with a heavy oppression, leaving one gasping for air.


    The clouds of calamity tumbled, and lightning flashed.


    Black clouds of tribulation extended across thousands of miles and then began to shift towards a blood-red hue, ultimately turning into a sinister dark red.


    "This, what kind of heavenly tribulation is this?"


    "I''ve never seen such a terrifying heavenly tribulation that''s dark red in color. It covers at least a hundred thousand miles, right?"


    "I once read in an ancient text that when Martial God Zhao Wuji unleashed great power and shattered the Azure Heaven Continent, a dark red cloud of calamity of a hundred thousand miles erupted..." Qiu Yiyun swallowed hard, fists clenched, eyes filled with shock.


    Hiss...


    Everyone present couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath.


    Matters of ancient times have always been taboo, even Nantian Ao, the commander of the Nan Tian Imperial Guards, knew very little.


    Especially information regarding Zhao Wuji which was the most forbidden of taboos.


    But Qiu Yiyun was different.


    He hailed from the Nantian holy land.


    To say that Zhao Wuji destroyed the Azure Heaven Continent and banished the Hall of Longevity into the depths of the void, the greatest beneficiaries were the martial arts holy lands. They held the most detailed knowledge of the secrets from ancient times. Thus, it was certain that Qiu Yiyun was not lying.


    This also meant...


    Gulp!


    Nantian Ao swallowed hard, lifting his head to gaze at the sky, where the dark red tribulation clouds reflected in his eyes, turning into a sea of red light: "A hundred thousand people transcending the heavenly tribulation together, summoning the apocalypse itself. If Xiaoshanhe Institute manages to overcome this tribulation successfully, henceforth, at least within Southern State, no power shall be able to shake them..."


    Qiu Yiyun narrowed his eyes, although reluctant to admit it.


    But looking at those from Xiaoshanhe Institute who stood suspended in midair, facing an apocalyptic-grade heavenly tribulation without a trace of fear, but rather faces full of excitement.


    He finally let out a light sigh, "Xiao Yi is quite fearsome. It has only been three years since he took over Xiaoshanhe Institute, right? If he had thirty years, three hundred years... what kind of scene would that be?"


    The speaker may have spoken casually, but the listener took it to heart.


    Upon hearing Qiu Yiyun''s words, Nantian Ao''s eyes flashed with deep wariness and gravity, and a shade of darkness not easily dispelled.


    Of course...


    As those who felt the deepest impact of the apocalyptic heavenly tribulation, were Po Jun and the other strong figures of the Changsheng Sect.


    The horrendous dark red clouds of tribulation were truly terrifying, pressing upon them with an unparalleled sense of oppression. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Earth Demon Star Elder''s forehead was beaded with cold sweat, trembling, "P-Po Jun Elder, perhaps, perhaps we should hide for now!"


    Po Jun frowned slightly.


    His sharp gaze turned towards Earth Demon Star, about to reprimand him, but when he saw that the Tian Gang Guards and the Earthshatter Guards and other powerhouses were also showing faces filled with terror in the face of such a terrifying heavenly tribulation, a shadow passed across his face.


    Even the mighty Tian Gang and Earthshatter Guards were showing fear in the face of such a terrifying heavenly tribulation.


    In contrast, the members of the Xiaoshanhe Institute were visibly excited.


    This made him feel deeply humiliated.


    He gritted his teeth.


    ```


    Po Jun Elder snorted coldly and said, "You are followers of the Holy Church, how could you fear a mere Heavenly Tribulation? Look at these people from Xiaoshanhe Institute, most of them are far inferior to you in cultivation, yet do they show fear in the face of such a terrifying tribulation? Could the disciples of our Holy Church be outdone by the insignificant Xiaoshanhe Institute? Stand firm, everyone. I want to see who can last till the end under the Heavenly Tribulation!"


    Seeing this, everyone knew that Po Jun Elder was truly angry.


    If they continued to retreat, they feared that they might lose their lives to Po Jun Elder before even facing the Heavenly Tribulation.


    With this thought in mind,


    the followers of the Earth Demon Star could only exchange glances and grit their teeth, saying, "Tell the brothers to prepare to fight with their lives at stake!"


    "In fact, there''s no need to be too pessimistic, our strength far surpasses those from Xiaoshanhe Institute. It''s very likely that after the tribulation, all these people from Xiaoshanhe Institute will have turned to ashes��"


    Seeing that everyone''s mindset had calmed down considerably, a hint of mild satisfaction appeared on Po Jun Elder''s face, his cold gaze turning towards Xiao Yi at the center of the thunder, "Xiao Yi, you''re really overconfident. To dare let a hundred thousand people face the tribulation together, you''re truly courting death!"


    "The Changsheng Sect may not be capable, but that doesn''t mean we aren''t capable!" Xiao Yi calmly responded, lightning flashed, and a purple-gold light illuminated his face, reflecting a dazzling brilliance.


    "Hmph!"


    Po Jun snorted confidently and said, "You will pay the price for your arrogance. After the tribulation, if half of your Xiaoshanhe Institute''s hundred thousand people survive, I will willingly kneel to you��"


    "Oh? Are you sure?" Xiao Yi said with a playful look.


    Po Jun arrogantly said, "Of course I''m sure, however�� if less than half survive, I want you to obediently disclose your cultivation method and the secret of how you''ve grown so much in just three years to me. And acknowledge me as your master, to be a slave to our Holy Church for all eternity. Xiao Yi, do you dare?"


    Po Jun looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of mockery.


    The faces of the surrounding crowd changed at once, and Shadow Demon said, "Principal, this person has a condemnable heart, you must not agree!"


    "Principal, don''t be fooled��"


    Faced with the persuasion of the people of Xiaoshanhe Institute, Xiao Yi simply smiled and said, "I have full confidence in you, that you can pass the Heavenly Tribulation unscathed. Why should I not agree? Could it be that you don''t have confidence in me?"


    "��"


    Shadow Demon and the others were stunned, then each of their faces turned red with emotion, fists clenched, their eyes burning with passion.


    "Po Jun, this insignificant end-of-the-world tribulation doesn''t scare a single person from Xiaoshanhe Institute; on the contrary, your Changsheng Sect, which claims to be the Holy Church, is the one showing fear. You''d better protect your own knees well, and save them to kneel for me later!"


    As Xiao Yi''s voice fell, he returned his gaze to the people of Xiaoshanhe Institute and called out loud, "Brothers, follow me to break through the tribulation!"


    "Battle!"


    "Battle!"


    "Battle!"


    Thunderous roaring echoed from the mouths of the hundred thousand people, resounding in the sky, reverberating in the heavens.


    Xiao Yi led the charge, under the stunned eyes of all, he directly rushed towards the terrifying dark red tribulation clouds.


    "Has Xiao Yi gone mad?"


    "He''s seeking his own death!"


    However��


    Following behind Xiao Yi, there were figures one after another, closely following him.


    Little Lin flew out from Xiao Yi''s embrace, instantly turning into its massive true form, weak as it still was, but now fearless.


    Allowing Xiao Yi to stand on top of its head, Little Lin roared towards the sky, "Damn Heavenly Tribulation, you dare to block me? Break!"


    Shadow Demon followed closely, "I was once a mere slave; it was the Principal who granted me rebirth. This life belongs to the Principal, and this damn tribulation cannot take my life!"


    Yu Huaxian laughed heartily and soared into the air, "I''ve followed the Principal in battles all around without a single defeat, even if the enemy is the heavens themselves, what is there to fear?"


    "Damn Heavenly Tribulation, why should we fear?"


    "Myriad beings, watch me break through the tribulation ..."


    "Kill!"


    The strong warriors of the Xiaoshanhe Institute roared in unison, their fighting spirit soaring to the skies, charging directly into the dark red tribulation clouds��

 Chapter 848 - 846: An Illusory Tribulation?

    Boom!


    Rumbling!


    As Xiao Yi and the others soared towards the sky, the dark red apocalyptic clouds above seemed to have been provoked by a deity and thus erupted into complete fury. Dark red specks rained down incessantly, joining to form swathes.


    Pitter-patter.


    Like a crimson blood rain.


    Whoosh!


    Each drop of this blood-red light, which coalesced into a rain, was as sharp as the edge of a blade.


    Puff, puff, puff!


    Xiao Yi, leading the charge, was the first to feel the terror of the light rain. His body shuddered, and he emitted a heaven-shaking low growl. Beneath him, Little Lin roared towards the sky, and amidst the floating and sinking golden light, a resounding dragon''s roar was unleashed. sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Roar!


    Beneath this terrible roar, Little Lin carried Xiao Yi as they continued to charge towards the firmament.


    A sharp sword.


    In Xiao Yi''s hand, silver sword light burst forth, and with a whooshing sound and a tremor of the void, the boundless Sword Qi tore open the fabric of space. This fearsome Sword Qi transformed into a colossal domain of the sword path, shielding the ten thousand disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, including the Shadow Demon.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Thunderous noises echoed between heaven and earth.


    It was the blood-red light rain falling upon the Sword Qi, where two dramatically different energies collided and exploded with earth-shattering force.


    A horrible energy storm swept through the firmament in an instant.


    Protected by Xiao Yi, not a single one of the ten thousand Xiaoshanhe Institute disciples was affected by the Heavenly Tribulation.


    This scene left countless strong individuals in the martial field dumbfounded, "Is this... really achievable by human means? To take a hundred thousand people with him to forcefully cross the tribulation... Even if the Martial God were to be reborn, I''m afraid he wouldn''t be capable of that, right?"


    "It''s too early to draw conclusions now. Heavenly Tribulations tend to grow stronger as they progress, and the first few are not all that powerful. The real test only starts from the fourth tribulation!"


    "He can''t possibly succeed, or rather... there''s no one in this world who could!"


    Amidst the murmurs of the crowd,


    The Sword Qi erupting from Xiao Yi''s hand resounded with a hum, relentlessly conquering the downpour of blood-red light rain, keeping it all outside the bounds of his sword domain.


    As these light rains fell, they could not breach the defense of Xiao Yi''s sword domain.


    Disbelieving eyes watched as Xiao Yi alone tore through the heavens woven by the blood-red light rain, leading the ten thousand elites of the Xiaoshanhe Institute to collectively break free from the light rain''s cover, heading straight for the dark red tribulation clouds.


    Meaning they had successfully passed the first Heavenly Tribulation!


    Hiss...


    The sound of sharp breaths being drawn rippled through the crowd.


    "Impossible..."


    "I must be hallucinating. How can someone alone achieve this..."


    The shock was still plastered on the faces of several individuals, unable to fade.


    Especially Po Jun.


    His expression was extremely unsightly; he had thought Xiao Yi''s actions were a sure path to death, yet not only did Xiao Yi meet no danger, he alone led a hundred thousand people through the first layer of the tribulation unscathed.


    Such a feeling made his face burn even more, as he had adamantly claimed Xiao Yi could never succeed.


    Earth Demon Star tore his gaze away reluctantly, saying seriously, "Could it be that the power of this Heavenly Tribulation is not as terrifying as we imagined?"


    Hearing this, a group of powerhouses revealed thoughtful expressions.


    In their eyes...


    A dark red apocalyptic Heavenly Tribulation caused by a hundred thousand people crossing together was something that could easily doom them all to death, but now this tribulation seemed far weaker than they had imagined!


    Otherwise...


    How could Xiao Yi easily break through the first Heavenly Tribulation with a hundred thousand men?


    Po Jun''s gaze flickered slightly, and he found himself agreeing with Earth Demon Star''s speculation. As he hesitated, Earth Demon Star continued, "Po Jun Elder, this world-ending Heavenly Tribulation is just Qiu Yiyun''s word. None of us know if that so-called ancient text is even real. I believe this Heavenly Tribulation is probably all bark and no bite!"


    "I think so too!"


    "Elder, this must be Xiao Yi bluffing, trying to scare us..."


    Faced with a chorus of speculation from his subordinates.


    And considering how effortlessly Xiao Yi had broken through the Heavenly Tribulation earlier, Po Jun nodded firmly after a moment''s hesitation, "You''re right, there must be deceit. However, we also can''t act recklessly. Here''s what we''ll do, Earth Demon Star, take a thousand Earthshatter Guards and test the waters! If the Heavenly Tribulation is indeed a paper tiger, I will lead the charge to expose Xiao Yi''s conspiracy. But if the Heavenly Tribulation is truly terrifying, your thousand men will muster their fighting spirit to enhance the power of the Tribulation. I want all a hundred thousand elites of Xiaoshanhe Institute to be buried under the thunder..."


    His eyes were filled with a vicious red glow.


    Earth Demon Star nodded vigorously, ready to lead a suicide mission, knowing that it could mean certain death.


    "For the Holy Church!"


    Earth Demon Star clenched his fist tightly and growled, "Earthshatter Guards, first squad, follow me!"


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Earth Demon Star immediately led a thousand Earthshatter Guards soaring into the sky.


    From atop the high platform.


    Qiu Yiyun and the others changed expressions, "Po Jun, that madman, is he planning to take advantage of the Heavenly Tribulation to launch a sneak attack on Xiao Yi and his men?"


    "A thousand-plus Earthshatter Guards along with Earth Demon Star could cause the Tribulation to backlash, further strengthening its power. What in the world are they trying to do?"


    "Xiao Yi and his group are in danger..."


    The Shadow Demons and others in the sky also noticed the actions of Po Jun and his group, their faces all changing as they looked towards Xiao Yi, "Leader, shall we go and stop them?"


    Xiao Yi first paused, then let out a cold chuckle, shaking his head, "No need. Since they''re seeking death, I''ll oblige them!"


    His mind was incredibly sharp, and in a flash, he understood Po Jun''s intentions.


    Xiao Yi gently patted Little Lin''s head and transmitted a message, "Little Lin, we''ll work together to weaken the power of the Heavenly Tribulation, let them taste this weakened Tribulation..."


    Little Lin''s eyes shone brightly, nodding strongly.


    The brothers understood each other with perfect synergy, grasping Xiao Yi''s plan with just a glance.


    At that moment...


    The second wave of the Heavenly Tribulation descended.


    This time, it was not a rain of blood-colored light but a series of blood-colored storms swarming down from the blood-colored clouds above, shaking the very void and seeming to tear the space asunder.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows formed a frown as he held the demon sword Zhan Yue and let out a deep roar, "Slash for me!"


    Little Lin howled at the sky.


    A black radiance surged out, adhering to the silver Sword Qi.


    Hiss, hiss!


    In its path...


    The storm was invisibly weakened by seventy percent.


    The weakened storm fell upon Earth Demon Star and the thousand Earthshatter Guards, who struggled to deal with the violent tempest containing unrivaled destructive power, but their power was not enough to threaten them.


    "Just as I expected!"


    Earth Demon Star''s eyes gleamed as he turned back toward Po Jun, transmitting, "Elder, just as you and I thought, this Heavenly Tribulation is nothing but a facade!"


    "Ha ha ha, indeed?"


    Po Jun''s face was alight with ecstatic joy, his chilling gaze turning toward Xiao Yi and his group, revealing a ferocious smile. He raised an arm pointing at Xiao Yi, "Holy Church warriors, follow this Elder and annihilate Xiaoshanhe Institute..."


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Po Jun led the charge, followed by the Tiangang and Earthshatter Guards, rushing straight toward Xiao Yi and his men.


    Watching the densely packed forces of the Changsheng Sect, the corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, "The fish has taken the bait!"

 Chapter 849 - 847: Death Tribulation

    "The fish has taken the bait!"


    Xiao Yi''s smile was fleeting; by the time Po Jun looked at him, it had already been replaced by shock and rage.


    Xiao Yi stood arrogantly atop Little Lin''s head.


    With one hand holding the Demon Sword Zhan Yue, his cold gaze angrily stared down Po Jun, and he roared furiously, "Po Jun, what is it you intend to do?" S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What to do?"


    Po Jun laughed heartily, "Naturally, to send all of you from the Xiaoshanhe Institute on your way!"


    Whoosh!


    A fierce wind raged, and evil Qi surged to the skies.


    Behind Po Jun, tens of thousands of the Heavenly Gang Earthly Evil Guard followed closely, each face twisted with a fierce desire to kill; they were the sharpest blades in Changsheng Sect''s grasp.


    Always.


    They had been eliminating enemies for Changsheng Sect.


    Put another way...


    They were the death warriors cultivated by Changsheng Sect.


    Their hearts held only the Changsheng Sect!


    For this, even knowing that charging into the World Destroying Heavenly Tribulation would increase the power of the tribulation and put their lives at risk, they were still determined to proceed without hesitation.


    After all.


    With the potential and strength displayed by the Xiaoshanhe Institute and Xiao Yi, should they be allowed to grow, they would undoubtedly become a grave concern for the Changsheng Sect in the future.


    Eliminating the Xiaoshanhe Institute now was a great honor for them!


    The Earth Demon Star sneered sinisterly, "Xiao Yi, your schemes have been seen through by us long ago. This World Destroying Heavenly Tribulation is but a bluff you''ve boasted of; its power is mediocre at best. As long as we augment the tribulation''s power, with our forces striking as one, your ten thousand elites of the Xiaoshanhe Institute will cease to exist!"


    "And thus, you too will narrowly escape death..." Yu Huaxian raged.


    The Earth Demon Star burst into laughter, "For the Holy Church, what is death to us?"


    "For the Holy Church!"


    A crowd of Changsheng Sect''s powerhouses roared furiously in unison.


    Their momentum was massive.


    It chilled the heart and turned faces pale.


    Upon the high platform...


    Nantian Ao looked towards Qiu Yiyun, frowning, "Is the World Destroying Heavenly Tribulation merely for show? Could it be that the information held by your Nantian Sacred Grounds is incorrect?"


    "Impossible!"


    Qiu Yiyun shook his head solemnly; the information possessed by the Nantian Sacred Grounds was absolutely correct. When Zhao Wuji shattered the Azure Heaven Continent, the terrifying World Destroying Heavenly Tribulation that was summoned was also recorded in the ancient texts of Nantian Sacred Grounds.


    Suddenly...


    Qiu Yiyun''s face changed drastically, as he fixed his gaze on Xiao Yi, who was riding atop Little Lin, whose body was transformed into its true golden form, and his breathing became rapid, "Madman, this guy is simply a madman..."


    "Hmm?"


    Nantian Ao was startled, mistaking Qiu Yiyun''s words as referring to Po Jun and the others. He said with a wry smile, "You''ve seen Changsheng Sect''s madness before; they''re nothing but a group of fanatics left over from ancient times..."


    "No, I''m not talking about them!"


    Qiu Yiyun swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yi. Even with his cultivation level and status, looking at Xiao Yi now, an air of gravity and reverence crept in, "I''m talking about Xiao Yi!"


    "What?"


    Nantian Ao was taken aback.


    Meanwhile...


    Po Jun, already on an equal footing with the powerhouses of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, that face twisted in savagery, now bore a cold smirk, "Xiao Yi, you dare to have a hundred thousand people undergo tribulation with you, such a madcap venture and boldness indeed almost bluffed me. Unfortunately, you''ve still come up short, and your conspiracy has been seen through by me. This World Destroying Heavenly Tribulation doesn''t have the terror the legends suggest; it''s merely superficial..."


    As he spoke.


    The third tribulation thunder had already brewed to completion and crashed down with a boom.


    Blood-red specks interweaved in the sky, coiling, eventually forming a hundred-mile-long bloody red tribulation dragon.


    Po Jun sneered, "Now, let me prove it to you all!"


    Swish!


    Po Jun pointed a finger.


    No one noticed...


    At the moment his finger grazed past Xiao Yi, it was infused with the power to seal the gods.


    Hiss!


    That very finger tore apart the blood-red thunderous tribulation dragon.


    "You see," Po Jun sneered. "The power of this apocalyptic tribulation is indeed stronger than that of an ordinary tribulation, but it is far from sufficient to threaten us. You are merely posturing to put immense psychological pressure on us by having these hundred thousand people transcend the tribulation together. And..."


    With a flick of his hands, Po Jun''s knuckles cracked audibly as he laughed coldly, "If you succeed in transcending the tribulation, the cultivation of these hundred thousand will soar dramatically. It will then be much harder for my Holy Church to eradicate your little Xiaoshanhe Institute. But what a pity, I saw through your plans early on. After today, there will be no Xiaoshanhe Institute in this world!"


    "Madman, Po Jun you madman, what you''re doing will lead those tens of thousands of Heavenly Gang Earthly Evil Guards to be buried with you..." Xiao Yi shook his head.


    "Humph, you still try to scare me at this point? Unfortunately, I won''t fall for it!"


    Before he even finished speaking, Po Jun swung his arm.


    His aura began to explode uncontrollably.


    Behind him...


    A host of Changsheng Sect Elders, along with the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Evil Guards, also unleashed their auras without restraint, causing the tribulation clouds that spread over a hundred thousand miles to swirl once more.


    The might of the heavenly tribulation became even more terrifying.


    Especially the pressure bearing down on each of the Changsheng Sect''s strong men increased manifold.


    This made the Earth Demon Star and others truly feel the terror of the apocalyptic heavenly tribulation for the first time, turning their faces pale and revealing shock in their eyes.


    At this moment...


    They suddenly realized that the apocalyptic heavenly tribulation was much more formidable than they had imagined.


    Some of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Evil Guards felt the pressure on them multiplied by tens of times, making it impossible for them to even maintain their basic stances.


    Pfft!


    Pfft!


    Many strong men vomited blood, their auras extremely wan.


    "What... what''s going on?"


    "No, there''s something wrong with this heavenly tribulation..."


    The expressions of the Earth Demon Star and the others changed simultaneously.


    Po Jun''s face also turned ashen, no longer carrying the boldness and confidence he had before, he looked at Xiao Yi gravely and voiced his question, "What exactly is happening?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders with a smirk, "I had warned you... The apocalyptic heavenly tribulation was descended upon by the Qingtian Realm''s Heavenly Dao during Martial God Zhao Wuji''s destruction of the Azure Heaven Continent. The heavier the slaughter, the stronger the apocalyptic tribulation. Your Heavenly Gang and Earthly Evil Guards have killed countless, whereas the slaughters by my Xiaoshanhe Institute''s disciples are nothing in comparison. Now that you''ve joined in, the main target of the apocalyptic tribulation has shifted from us to you..."


    Hiss!


    Once these words were spoken.


    The world plunged into dead silence.


    Po Jun felt a slap-like sting on his face.


    Incredulous, he roared, "Impossible, this is utterly impossible..."


    "Nothing is impossible!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled softly and then looked at the Shadow Demon and others, "Everyone, should you not thank the generosity of the Holy Church for their sacrifice in our stead?"


    "Thank you, mighty ones of the Holy Church!"


    "Po Jun Elder, many thanks!"


    "Hahahaha..."


    Faced with the mockery and ridicule from the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s strong men, Po Jun''s face turned from white to crimson, he vomited a mouthful of blood, and roared hatefully, "Xiao Yi, even as a ghost, I won''t let you go..."


    "Don''t be in such a hurry!"


    Xiao Yi laughed lightly, "Let''s wait until you''ve transcended the tribulation."


    At the same time...


    The fourth heavenly tribulation descended.


    Only this time...


    Its target was no longer primarily the people of Xiaoshanhe Institute, but rather it descended upon the members of the Holy Church...

 Chapter 850 - 848: A Sword that Shocks the Heavens

    Among the dark red clouds of tribulation.


    One Heavenly Thunder after another condensed and then fell from the sky. These Tribulation Thunders were incredibly thick and merged with one another during their descent.


    One hundred feet.


    One thousand feet.


    Ten thousand feet...


    They turned into dragons of annihilation, wrecking havoc wherever they passed, causing the void to tremble, and bringing with them destructive storms. Even the powerhouses of the Longevity Secret Realm felt fearful and pale-faced when confronted with such Tribulation Thunders.


    Earth Demon Star''s face turned deathly pale in an instant, feeling the threat of death from the Tribulation Thunder and he roared, "Run!"


    "We can''t stop it, we''ve been deceived..."


    Po Jun''s face was also extremely ugly.


    He thought everything was under his control, that he could easily obliterate Xiaoshanhe Institute, but in reality, it was Xiao Yi who controlled everything. They were merely pawns mercilessly manipulated on the chessboard of Xiao Yi!


    "Xiao Yi, I will absolutely not spare any of you..."


    Po Jun roared at the sky.


    But at that moment, he couldn''t afford to be distracted to strike at Xiao Yi, and the mystic light of profound arts flowed around his body.


    Po Jun''s cultivation came from the "Seven-Star Battle Skill."


    Drawing the power of the heavenly seven stars, his body was infused with the strength of the celestial bodies. At that moment, as he circulated his profound arts, seven dazzling stars shone brilliantly in the sky above. Then, with a series of swooshing noises, streaks of silver starlight descended from the sky.


    Around his body, he condensed a Seven-Star Realm.


    The Seven-Star Realm covered all the powerhouses of the Changsheng Sect.


    Meanwhile��


    The dark red Heavenly Tribulation suddenly descended.


    Boom!


    The ten-thousand-foot Thunder Tribulation Dragon collided with the Seven-Star Realm, and at that instant, time seemed to stop in that part of the heavens and earth.


    Following that��


    Dark red light, together with dazzling silver radiance, shot into the sky.


    Two drastically different energies collided violently between heaven and earth, creating loud booming sounds that spread throughout Imperial Dragon Mountain. The massive and powerful shockwaves spread in all directions, causing mountains to collapse, the ground to shatter, and rivers to reverse their flow.


    Such a scene of world destruction.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The two distinctive energies clashed fiercely, neither able to overcome the other. Under Po Jun''s resistance, he managed to withstand this wave of attack.


    Po Jun clenched his teeth, his eyes filled with madness, "Hahaha, even the annihilation Thunder Tribulation is just this..."


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    Right when Po Jun was reveling in triumph, a ghostly voice, like a soul-hooking sound from the nether, made his face turn incredibly pale instantly. Xiao Yi appeared hovering in the air, already in front of him.


    Gulp!


    Po Jun swallowed fiercely, looking at Xiao Yi nervously, "Xiao Yi, what... what are you going to do?"


    At this moment, the primary target of the annihilating Heavenly Tribulation were the Tiangang and Earth Demon Twin Guards, and Xiao Yi easily severed the remaining thunder to appear before them.


    Po Jun, completely focused on resisting the Heavenly Tribulation, could not afford any distractions.


    He certainly did not believe Xiao Yi''s appearance at this time was to help him!


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth slightly lifted upward and he pointed to the intersection of the red and silver energies, speaking with a playful smile, "Nothing much, just continuing what you couldn''t finish earlier!"


    Hiss!


    Po Jun''s face suddenly changed.


    The thing they couldn''t complete?


    They intended to take advantage of Xiao Yi''s group defending against the Heavenly Tribulation and suddenly attack, aiming to kill Xiao Yi and his group amidst the Thunder Tribulation!


    Upon this realization.


    Po Jun and Earth Demon Star and others all showed a look of terror in their eyes. With Po Jun''s current strength, he barely managed to block the attack of the Heavenly Tribulation. If Xiao Yi were added, it would definitely cause his defense to completely crumble, and by then, the Tiangang Earth Demon''s guards would have to directly face the terrifying Heavenly Tribulation.


    With the power of this Heavenly Tribulation...


    After this wave.


    I am afraid they would be taken away directly!


    "Xiao Yi, have you gone mad?"


    "Do this and you are declaring war against Holy Church, and no one in heaven or earth can save you!"


    "You can still stop now..."


    Faced with the threats of Po Jun and Earth Demon Star and others, Xiao Yi sneered and shook his head, "Stop? From the moment you made your move, there was no possibility of stopping..."


    Buzz!


    The Demon Sword Slicing Moon fell into his hands.


    The entirely black Demon Sword Slicing Moon, at this moment, reflected the dark red lightning of the Heavenly Tribulation above, adding a bit of chilling murderous intent. The sword light surged and floated, its sharp Sword Qi as though it could tear heaven and earth apart.


    "No..."


    Earth Demon Star''s face contorted with fear, he suddenly turned to look at Po Jun, "Elder, bring him out now, otherwise it''ll really be too late."


    Po Jun''s expression fluctuated uncertainly.


    Watching as Xiao Yi''s sword was about to fall.


    He clenched his teeth fiercely and roared, "Xiao Yi, look who this is!"


    Swoosh!


    With a wave of his hand, Po Jun brought someone out from the crowd. This person was crouching and had a metal mask on his face, making it impossible to see his features. And the moment Po Jun held him up in front, the mask clanked and fell off.


    This person was Xiao Zhengde!


    Xiao Zhengde, seeing the situation before him, became even more frightened, his legs weakening, and Po Jun''s voice came from behind, "Xiao Yi, this is your father. If you don''t stop now, you''ll have to kill him too."


    "Yi, you...you can''t kill me. I''m your father, you can''t..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes instantly turned blood-red.


    He had long known that the Changsheng Sect had destroyed his mother''s tomb, but it was only a Robe and Crown Tomb, and his mother''s remains weren''t inside. It was clear that the Changsheng Sect would take Xiao Zhengde away��clearly, Po Jun also understood the grudge between father and son, Xiao Yi and Xiao Zhengde.


    And didn''t release him at first.


    And now...


    Po Jun had no choice but to try using Xiao Zhengde to force Xiao Yi to back down.


    Seeing Xiao Yi have no intention of stopping at all.


    Xiao Zhengde became desperately sweaty and suddenly, a look of bitterness crossed his eyes, and he roared, "Xiao Yi, you ungrateful creature! How did I, Xiao Zhengde, give birth to such an ungrateful, treacherous brute? I am your father; I have the grace of giving you life and upbringing. You actually want to watch me die? Doing this, you will be struck by lightning..."


    "Our obligations ended the moment you used mother''s remains to create a spiritual weapon!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes held no emotion, only coldness and detachment, "In the underworld, make your apologies to mother."


    Xiao Zhengde''s face went pale.


    He was about to speak.


    But Xiao Yi''s sword had already slashed down, his deep voice echoing through heaven and earth, "One! Sword! Shakes! Heaven!"


    Buzz!


    A crescent moon-like, flawless sword light, suddenly burst forth from the blade.


    In an instant...


    Arriving from beyond the sky.


    Boom!


    The sword, like billions of starlights converging, ferociously slashed upon the Seven-Star area.


    Buzz...


    Heaven and earth seemed to stand still for a moment, followed by a series of heart-shivering crackling noises, and with a loud bang, the protective sphere shattered. Without the support of the Seven-Star area, the strong combatants of the Changsheng Sect were directly exposed to the terrifying apocalyptic Heavenly Tribulation...

 Chapter 851 - 849: Destroying the World Catastrophe, Casually Breaking It!

    Beneath the shattered Seven Stars domain,


    Po Jun''s complexion changed dramatically. A look of horror appeared between his eyes, but he simply couldn''t afford to protect the array of Changsheng Sect''s powerhouses behind him, channeling his profound energy to shield his own body.


    At the same time��


    The sixth Heavenly Tribulation thundered down.


    This bolt of divine lightning was like an enormous pillar holding up the sky, descending from above the nine heavens, crashing onto the boundless earth.


    Boom!


    Terrifying energy and rainbow light bore the momentum of heaven-shattering and earth-extinguishing power, wherever it passed, even mighty Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivators were instantly ground into dust, leaving not a trace behind.


    "No��"


    "Save me��"


    "I don''t want to die��"


    One after another, the Changsheng Sect''s powerhouses roared in despair.


    But that ruthless destructive force was unaffected by their cries.


    Around Po Jun, a white light bobbed up and down, encircled by the force of the Seven Stars, enabling him to barely withstand the terrible Heavenly Tribulation. He watched helplessly as powerhouse after powerhouse perished under the lightning, veins bulging on his forehead, and blood shining from his eyes as if it were a tangible substance.


    His clenched fists made a crackling noise of rage, his body trembling non-stop, emitting roars of furious outrage: "Xiao Yi, I am irreconcilably opposed to you��"


    Boom!


    All this continued for ten breaths of time.


    When the sixth Heavenly Tribulation dissipated.


    The fifty thousand Tiangang and Earth Demon Double Guards in the sky had been reduced to a mere few hundred lonely figures floating above, the rest of the powerhouses had all fallen to the lightning.


    Gurgle!


    Inside and out of Imperial Dragon Mountain, a terrifying silence had set in.


    Pair after pair of eyes, filled with shock and disbelief, all fell upon Po Jun and the others. Po Jun still managed to retain his composure, but even Earth Demon Star and the others now appeared disheveled and withered.


    The might of that one Heavenly Tribulation was sufficient to annihilate a Human Venerate Realm powerhouse. S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They had exerted all their strength, just to preserve this one life!


    Atop the high platform,


    Nantian Ao swallowed hard, his eyes full of shock: "Incredible, simply incredible��"


    "Xiao Yi�� truly must not be provoked lightly!"


    Qiu Yiyun''s face was also extremely unsightly.


    When Po Jun had appeared with the Tiangang and Earth Demon Double Guards, everyone unanimously believed that Xiao Yi and the Xiaoshanhe Institute were done for, with absolutely no chance of turning the tables.


    But now��


    Not a single injury had yet appeared on the side of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The fifty thousand-strong army brought by Po Jun, however, had almost entirely perished.


    This was nothing short of a miracle!


    And the creator of this miracle was none other than the young man standing in mid-air, fearlessly facing the seventh Heavenly Tribulation.


    In the void,


    Xiao Yi looked down emotionlessly at Po Jun and the others. The more than fifty thousand Changsheng Sect powerhouses were now reduced to a few hundred, enough to drive Po Jun and Earth Demon Star completely insane.


    But in Xiao Yi''s view��


    It wasn''t enough yet!


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, ignoring Po Jun''s hatred-filled gaze, he said with a relaxed smile, "Is this the strength of the Changsheng Sect? The Tiangang and Earth Demon Double Guards, they are nothing more than this!"


    ��


    The faces of Po Jun and the other survivors were ashen.


    A killing phrase that cut deep.


    Xiao Yi''s words were like pouring salt on their wounds!


    "Not convinced?"


    Xiao Yi''s face was filled with ridicule, he said indifferently, "I haven''t even made a move yet, and this mere Heavenly Tribulation has almost wiped out all of you. Po Jun, I really don''t know what gives the Changsheng Sect the confidence to think they can annihilate my Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "A mere Heavenly Tribulation? Xiao Yi, do you realize what you''re saying?"


    "This is an apocalyptic Heavenly Tribulation��" Earth Demon Star roared.


    "So what of the cataclysmic heavenly tribulation?"


    Xiao Yi proudly laughed aloud, and with a clear ringing sound, he drew the magic Moon-Slaying Sword. The Moon-Slaying Sword, vibrating gently in his hand while emitting a cold sword glow, resounded across the sky of the martial arts field, "Open your eyes wide and see clearly, the cataclysmic heavenly tribulation that you believe unshakable in your hearts, I can break it with ease!"


    The cataclysmic heavenly tribulation could be broken with ease!


    What supreme confidence!


    What incredible arrogance!


    Earth Demon Star was full of mockery; he simply didn''t believe Xiao Yi could break such a terrifying heavenly tribulation with his own strength, and he sneered, "If you truly can break this heavenly tribulation, I''ll twist off this head on my neck for you!"


    "Wash your neck clean, I''m waiting for you to twist it off!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upward, then he looked up towards the dark red punitive lights flickering in the heavens.


    Suddenly...


    His figure flashed, and he directly charged toward the tribulation clouds.


    "Has Xiao Yi gone mad?"


    "He already has the upper hand completely, why take such a risk?"


    "If they rely on the power of the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s people together to withstand this Heavenly Tribulation, there might be a chance of success. Why does he want to take such a risk? This... this is simply courting death..."


    "Hahaha, Xiao Yi oh Xiao Yi, do you really want to break the tribulation alone? It''s simply seeking your own death!"


    Amidst the mockery of the crowd.


    Xiao Yi had already charged towards the sky, within the dark red tribulation clouds thunderous and dull roaring sounds emerged, as if it were the angry roars of the heavenly tribulation, deafening to hear.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    One after another, thunderbolts fell crazily, attempting to stop Xiao Yi from continuing his ascent. Facing the terrifying tribulation lightning, Xiao Yi remained undisturbed, with the Moon-Slaying Sword in one hand and a fist in the other, he swam through the countless thunderbolts as a dragon swims in the sea, roaming at will.


    The terrifying thunderbolts that struck him were instantly absorbed into his body.


    The dreadful power of the Wind Thunder Holy Body.


    Was fully revealed at this moment!


    Crackle and pop!


    A series of purple-golden lightning played across the surface of his body, crackling and sparking, forming a pair of Wind Thunder wings behind him. Each flap of the Wind Thunder wings became more dazzling and bright, lifelike.


    A look of excitement gleamed even more intensely in Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    This was the cataclysmic heavenly tribulation!


    In order for his Wind Thunder Holy Body to ascend, it needed to continuously devour the force of wind and thunder.


    In the Qingtian Realm...


    The most powerful wind and thunder were none other than the cataclysmic heavenly tribulation!


    This lightning represented a lethal threat to others, but to him, it was merely a tonic to enhance the Wind Thunder Holy Body, and as he continued to devour, the terrifying thunder continuously tempered his body.


    With a loud boom.


    Xiao Yi had already broken through the numerous bolts of lightning, charging into the central core of the tribulation clouds.


    This was the heartland where the storm of thunder converged.


    Everywhere was a sea of thunderbolts, the ground a maelstrom of destruction.


    Xiao Yi let out a long howl to the heavens, surrounded by increasingly brilliant golden light, standing out in the tribulation clouds like a blazing sun. He allowed the wind and thunder, which could shatter heaven and earth, to continuously forge his body.


    The eighth path.


    The ninth path...


    One destructive thunderbolt after another struck his body and as each was refined, Xiao Yi trembled all over, and a thunderbolt rune condensed between his eyebrows.


    This rune contained the essence of the Heavenly Dao''s laws.


    It was the origin of the thunderbolt!


    Having received the recognition of the thunderbolt''s origin signified that Xiao Yi''s Wind Thunder Holy Body had officially stepped into the ninth realm!


    His mere physical form alone now could rival that of a Tiangang!


    With this thought in mind.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upward, his sharp gaze looked at the four directions of the dispersing Heavenly Tribulation and he spoke slowly, "Cataclysmic heavenly tribulation? Break!"


    He raised his right hand.


    Then clenched it!


    The origin of thunder erupted forth and with a series of crisp crackles, the cataclysmic heavenly tribulation that had made countless strong beings tremble with fear, was completely dissipated into nothingness.


    Looking at the increasingly clear sky and earth, Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly upward, his gaze growing sharper, "Po Jun, now it''s your turn!"

 Chapter 852 - 850: If You Want to Fight, Then Ill Fight!

    The entire Imperial Dragon Mountain fell into silence.


    The apocalyptic crimson sky calamity, which had shrouded a hundred thousand li, completely dissipated under Xiao Yi''s one sword strike��a man and his sword, breaking through the calamity that had left countless mighty figures terrified and helpless.


    Xiao Yi''s figure stood in midair, his black robe fluttering with the wind, rustling loudly.


    In his flowing long hair, each strand seemed like a sword capable of slaying gods and demons.


    The Nine Revolutions Realm Wind and Thunder Holy Body granted him the power of the thunder''s origin. Every word and action was filled with a majesty that was hard for others to look at directly.


    Gulping!


    Po Jun swallowed hard. Facing Xiao Yi at this moment, he suddenly felt a fear as if facing a Heavenly Venerate.


    "This can''t be possible, it must be an illusion..." Po Jun gritted his teeth, but as Xiao Yi descended from the sky, the distance between them narrowed, and the sensation of being invincible grew ever stronger.


    It wasn''t just Po Jun who felt this way.


    The Earth Demon Star and others, as well as Nantian Ao and Qiu Yiyun on the high platform, also felt the same at this moment.


    "Could it be�� Xiao Yi has already broken through to the Heavenly Venerate Realm?"


    "Impossible, he just broke through the Longevity Secret Realm; how could he advance so quickly��"


    The two looked at each other.


    They found it hard to believe that someone could step into the Heavenly Venerate Realm in such a short time, but faced with Xiao Yi, whose entire presence emitted a terrifying aura, they had to accept the fact that he had stepped into the Heavenly Venerate Realm.


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi landed in front of Po Jun, their eyes meeting, as tangible gazes collided in the air, bursting forth a frightening piercing cold light.


    "Po Jun, you dug up my mother''s tomb, destroyed my grandparents'' ancestral graves, this enmity, this hatred, shall be avenged with your head!" Xiao Yi spoke with an icy tone.


    Desecrating his mother''s grave and destroying his ancestral graves��


    Each was a vendetta warranting a death struggle.


    And Po Jun had committed them all!


    How could Xiao Yi allow him to continue living in this world?


    "Hmph!"


    Po Jun snorted coldly, his gaze sharp as a blade. Even though Xiao Yi''s aura was intimidating, it did not diminish his will to fight. He coldly said, "Since ancient times, winners reign while losers perish. As long as one can achieve ultimate victory, why not use any means necessary? Nor would it matter if I just dug up your mother''s tomb and destroyed your ancestral graves. After I kill you, I will also slaughter everyone from the Xiaoshanhe Institute and the entire Daqian Dynasty to console the souls of my lost fifty thousand Tiangang warriors��"


    "Elder, there''s no need for you to take action against a mere Xiao Yi."


    Suddenly, Earth Demon Star stepped forward, his face resolute as he looked at Xiao Yi, gritting his teeth, "Xiao Yi, let me see what you are really made of!"


    Whoosh!


    Earth Demon Star''s body began to expand, swelling continuously.


    In an instant��


    He had transformed into a ten-meter tall body, merging the Martial Tao Skill with his own, activating the Earth Demon Dharma Body.


    The ten-meter tall figure was ferocious, and a punch came, its surface blazing with intense flames. The fist, wrapped in flames, seemed to boil the air.


    Rolling heat waves rushed toward him.


    The might of this punch could match the attack of an ordinary Earth Venerate.


    However��


    Faced with such a powerful and destructive strike,


    Xiao Yi merely curled his lips and flicked a finger: "Shatter!"


    There was no earth-shattering energy fluctuation, just a simple flick of a finger.


    But oddly, this physical power caused ripples in the void, sending circles of ripples spreading outwards. In a flash, this flick landed on the fiery heavy fist.


    Buzz!


    The burning flame suddenly trembled, and then a violent wind blew, extinguishing the flame.


    Then��


    Ripple after ripple of circular shockwaves, accompanied by astonishingly destructive brute force, shattered the entire arm of Earth Demon Star.


    Blood and flesh flew everywhere, and broken bones cracked audibly.


    Earth Demon Star screamed in anguish, clutching his severed arm as he staggered backward.


    Xiao Yi sneered and shook his head, "Since you''ve come, why bother leaving?"


    Swoosh!


    Xiao Yi leaped forward, pursuing Earth Demon Star.


    Po Jun''s expression changed drastically. He had thought that even if Earth Demon Star could not match his opponent, he could at least engage in a fight to gauge Xiao Yi''s capabilities. He never expected Earth Demon Star to be killed instantly. As Xiao Yi chased after him, Po Jun bellowed, "Stop!"


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    The response was a deafening scream.


    Just as Po Jun was about to block Xiao Yi, Earth Demon Star''s head exploded violently, blood and brain matter mixing with a pungent smell of blood.


    Boom!


    The ten-meter-tall Earth Demon Star turned into a headless corpse, crashing heavily onto the ground.


    Hiss!


    Inside and outside the battlefield, a chill swept through the crowd.


    Everyone was dumbstruck.


    As powerful as Earth Demon Star was, a peak Human Venerate who matched an ordinary Earth Venerable, he couldn''t withstand even one move from Xiao Yi and was instantly killed. The strength Xiao Yi displayed completely intimidated everyone.


    Gulp!


    Qiu Yiyun swallowed hard, secretly relieved, "Thank goodness I didn''t follow those old fools'' orders to antagonize Xiao Yi directly. With his strength, killing me wouldn''t be difficult at all!"


    Nantian Ao''s forehead was drenched in cold sweat, and he also quietly sighed in relief, "Luckily, I acted cautiously, diplomacy before force. But Xiao Yi''s terrifying strength is truly unexpected. It seems that matters concerning the Daqian Dynasty in the future must be personally decided by His Majesty!"


    Slaying an Earth Venerable and instantly killing an Earth Venerable.


    These are two completely different concepts!


    Whether it was Nantian Ao or Qiu Yiyun, they both had the strength to kill Earth Demon Star.


    But they couldn''t do it as effortlessly as Xiao Yi!


    With the combat power Xiao Yi displayed, he was at least a match for the peak of Earth Venerable, and he might even be close to reaching the threshold of Heaven Venerable.


    Even the Nantian Dynasty and Nantian Sacred Grounds must be extremely cautious when facing such a powerful adversary.


    "However��"


    The two exchanged glances, their eyes simultaneously focusing on Po Jun. "As one of the top five in combat among the thirty-six Elders of Changsheng Sect, Po Jun''s combat power is not inferior to someone freshly entered into the Heavenly Venerate Realm. Perhaps he might have a chance to kill Xiao Yi!"


    One must never underestimate the power comparable to an early Heavenly Venerate!


    Five Realms of Changsheng.


    Human Venerate, Earth Venerate, Heaven Venerate, Supreme Venerable, Sacred Venerate!


    The difference between each realm is like that of heaven and earth.


    Po Jun''s strength, comparable to that of an early Heavenly Venerate Realm, already places him at the forefront of all Earth Venerable Peak powerhouses; not even one in a hundred could match his combat power.


    That''s why��


    Po Jun could be the strongest blade for Changsheng Sect''s external conquests!


    Whew!


    Po Jun exhaled a deep breath, his eyes cold and filled with towering battle fury, staring fixedly at Xiao Yi, he declared word by word, "Today, in this battle, I will kill you!"


    Xiao Yi, neither humble nor arrogant, met his gaze, equally filled with a fighting spirit, "If you wish to fight, then let''s fight!"

 Chapter 853 - 851: Decisive Kill

    "If you want to fight, then we''ll fight!"


    Xiao Yi sneered coldly, his war intent exploding around him in an instant without reservation.


    That terrifying war intent coalesced into tangible war flames.


    Bursting forth from his eyes.


    In Po Jun''s eyes, there was also substantial war intent, the clashing war flames in the void forcefully blasted open a true vacuum zone between the two of them.


    All of a sudden...


    Blinding silver starlight erupted from Po Jun.


    The Cultivation Technique that Po Jun practiced was one that drew from the power of the seven stars above the firmament to refine his own body, and he could already begin to manipulate the power of the stars. With every move, countless starlights converged within his palms.


    Turning into a long spear aglow with dazzling silver light.


    "The spear''s name is Po Jun Spear, the weapon destined to take your damned life!" Po Jun harrumphed coldly, his spear already following the sound of his words.


    Whiz whiz!


    The Po Jun Spear shot through the air, its tip dotted with starlight.


    It was as if a radiant stretch of the Xinghe appeared out of nowhere, with the speckled silver starlight dazzling the eyes as it formed a celestial canopy of stars. It was so disorienting that one could not discern the trajectory of the Po Jun Spear, making it impossible to dodge.


    Witnessing the spear''s radiance, which resembled a brilliant silver galaxy spanning the skies,


    Every expert''s complexion changed again and again.


    An expert''s skill is evident at the first move!


    Just this spear strike alone made everyone understand more clearly Po Jun''s battle strength.


    In the void.


    The Shadow Demon swallowed hard, his gaze flickering with a hint of awe, "As expected of Changsheng Sect''s strongest blade for external conquest, Po Jun''s strength is indeed terrifying. Such a strike, even Earthly Honor experts would have to avoid its sharp edge, right?"


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor had already reached the Earthly Honor Realm.


    Among the people of Xiaoshanhe Institute, only he felt the most profound sensation from this spear strike, nodding with a grave expression, "The power of this spear definitely exceeds the realm of the Earthly Honor. I wonder how the institute head will respond!"


    On the high platform.


    Qi Yiyun took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "This battle will determine the future pattern of the Southern State!"


    Nantian Ao nodded his head in solemn agreement.


    If Po Jun wins this battle, then both the Daqian Dynasty and Xiaoshanhe Institute are doomed to destruction, and at that point, Changsheng Sect might also take the opportunity to truly get involved in the Southern State. Then, the Southern State would form a tripartite standoff comprising the Nantian Dynasty, Changsheng Sect, and the Shanhe Court.


    If Xiao Yi wins...


    The rise of the Daqian Dynasty and Xiaoshanhe Institute would be unstoppable. At that time, the Southern State would be shared by the Nantian Dynasty, the Daqian Dynasty, and the Shanhe Court as the three major powers!


    Regardless,


    This battle would inevitably change the current state of the Southern State!


    Nantian Ao took a deep breath and turned to Qi Yiyun beside him, "Who do you think is more likely to win this battle?"


    "��"


    Qi Yiyun was silent for a moment before he spoke, "Po Jun!" His gaze fixed on the silver spear light spanning Changkong, he continued solemnly, "Xiao Yi is indeed strong, and one of the most terrifying geniuses I''ve ever seen. But he''s still too young. In this battle, it''s bound to be Po Jun who has the last laugh!"


    "I feel the same way..." Nantian Ao also expressed agreement.


    The two stared at Xiao Yi''s figure in the void, murmuring to themselves, "Xiao Yi''s chances of victory are slim indeed!"


    Meanwhile,


    Back in the void...


    Facing Po Jun''s formidable strike head-on, Xiao Yi''s eyebrows furrowed into a knot in an instant, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a relaxed smile, "This spear does have some tricks, if I hadn''t broken through before, I might truly have been unable to catch it. But now..."


    The corners of his mouth lifted, and that relaxed smile grew even brighter.


    The Wind Thunder Holy Body in its ninth turn!


    A physical body that could rival an Earthly Honor!


    He slowly raised his right hand and, with just his flesh and blood palm, reached out to grasp the silver spear made of starlight.


    This scene shocked everyone, leaving them agape, with the same thought flashing through everyone''s minds, "Has Xiao Yi gone mad?"


    To physically intercept such a fearsome strike with a mere body of flesh and blood?


    Po Jun was also taken aback, immediately following with an infuriated roar, "Bastard, how dare you humiliate me like this? Die!"


    Boom!


    Veins on Po Jun''s forehead throbbed wildly.


    In an instant, the surrounding air waves fully erupted, accompanied by a thunderous boom. A silver wave of Xinghe Qi burst forth from the tip of the spear, the power of this strike increasing threefold. S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the blink of an eye...


    The terrifying spearlight clang right into Xiao Yi!


    Endless starlight exploded, instantly spreading across the sky, resembling countless shooting stars streaking over the skies of Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    The world was bathed in silver light, as dazzling and splendid as quicksilver spilling onto the earth.


    It made everyone unable to open their eyes!


    "Who won?"


    "Is Xiao Yi killed by that spear?"


    "It wouldn''t be that easy for him to be killed, but he definitely lost this battle..."


    Amidst murmurs and whispers,


    Everyone''s sight finally returned.


    And when they saw the scene within the void, everyone was shocked again, even the likes of Qiu Yiyun and Nantian Ao were left agape, unable to utter a word.


    One by one, they could only stare at the void, mouths agape, exclaiming "Aaah."


    In that space...


    Po Jun and Xiao Yi stood facing each other.


    Po Jun was holding his spear with one hand, maintaining his attack stance, while Xiao Yi had one hand behind his back and the other reaching forward.


    Only...


    Right now, Xiao Yi''s right hand was tightly clutching the sharp tip of Po Jun''s spear.


    The entire spear was completely bent.


    Like a fully drawn bow.


    "No, impossible��"


    Po Jun''s eyes were about to split, disbelief filling his bloodshot eyes. He had full confidence in the power of his spear��enough to blast away someone at the Earthly Honor Peak, even to severely injure a newly ascended Tian Zun practitioner.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi had caught it with ease, with merely his flesh and blood body.


    This almost turned all of Po Jun''s understanding on its head.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved up slightly, smiling, "The power of this spear is indeed decent, but unfortunately, it''s not quite enough to kill me." He paused, then Xiao Yi said, "Your attack has ended; now, it''s my turn!"


    "Not good��"


    Po Jun''s body shuddered; an icy chill rushed up from his spine to the crown of his head.


    He instinctively tried to retract his spear and flee.


    But he found the Po Jun Spear immovable; looking up, he saw Xiao Yi suddenly tighten his grip. With a crisp snap, the noble Earthly Honor realm weapon was crushed into pieces by Xiao Yi.


    As Po Jun was lost in shock,


    Xiao Yi had already vanished from his sight, a sense of death instantly overwhelming Po Jun as if he had plummeted into hell.


    "Run!"


    This terrifying figure from the Changsheng Sect, now infamous for making people tremble with fear, only thought of fleeing for his life.


    But how could Xiao Yi let him escape?


    Just as he turned...


    Po Jun''s body was violently jolted; a severe pain erupted in his chest. He looked down instinctively and saw a hand enveloped in lightning pierce through his chest. It entered from behind, exiting from the front and in its grasp was his beating, bloody heart.


    "Don''t worry, it won''t be long before I send the rest of the Changsheng Sect to join you!"


    Xia Yi''s voice echoed by his ears, and with a fierce squeeze of his five fingers, there was a loud pop as the heart was crushed.


    Wuuu...


    Fresh blood gushed from Po Jun''s mouth as his consciousness slowly slipped away. In his fading awareness, he seemed to foresee the scene that awaited the Changsheng Sect: "The, the Holy Church is finished..."

 Chapter 854 - 852: Collective Breakthrough, Viciously Slapping Faces!

    "The Holy Church is finished..." S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Po Jun''s vitality gradually dissipated from his face until it was completely extinguished.


    Xiao Yi''s bloodstained palm let fall a shattered heart onto the ground, as he flew towards the people of Xiaoshanhe Institute with Po Jun''s body in one hand. Suspended in midair, he held Po Jun''s body with one hand, allowing the fresh blood to gush from the hole in the chest, and fall like a blood rain.


    Inside and outside the martial battlefield, there was complete silence.


    Not even the sound of breathing could be heard.


    Everyone held their breath and watched in stunned silence at Po Jun''s corpse in Xiao Yi''s hand.


    This was a strong man at the Peak of Earth Venerate Realm!


    In any state, he could be the pillar of a dominating force, ensuring the prosperity of his power for thousands of years, and yet, Po Jun, as powerful as he was, had died miserably at the hands of Xiao Yi, who was no more than in his early twenties.


    The battle that had just ended was over too quickly!


    So quickly that everyone had no time to react.


    Xiao Yi''s calm gaze swept over everyone, taking in the slightest expressions on their faces, seeing that even the formidable Nantian Ao and Qiu Yiyun had a few more degrees of seriousness and awe in their eyes as they looked at him.


    Obviously, Xiao Yi''s thunderous strike, which had killed Po Jun in seconds, had completely shocked them.


    Knowing he had achieved his goal of deterring everyone, Xiao Yi secretly let out a sigh of relief. His victory over Po Jun had seemed effortless, but in reality, he had given it his all. In that punch, he had used more than thirty percent of his Divine Enthronement Power.


    Additionally, the Wind Thunder Sacred Body had reached the ninth transformation.


    Only then could he kill Po Jun with a single strike!


    "The deterrence of peak martial might is enough, but for Xiaoshanhe Institute to truly establish itself in the Southern State and become a colossal force that can compete with the Nantian Holy Land and Nantian Dynasty, relying solely on myself is not enough!"


    Having this thought,


    Xiao Yi looked across the strong practitioners of Xiaoshanhe Institute and spoke out loud, "Today is an unprecedented grand occasion for Xiaoshanhe Institute. All disciples of our institute may receive a miracle bestowed by me, the institute head. Everyone, break through together!"


    As his voice fell,


    Xiao Yi threw Po Jun''s body high up into the air, with a flick of his finger, an endless surge of Divine Enthronement Power burst forth.


    Turning into a massive furnace in the void.


    Hum!


    The furnace enveloped Po Jun''s body, then, in front of everyone, Xiao Yi operated the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill to refine Po Jun''s body. Under the operation of Xiao Yi''s profound power, Po Jun''s body visibly withered at a rapid rate before drying up completely and turning into a mummified corpse.


    With a bang, it exploded into a cloud of fine dust.


    And within that furnace,


    Strands of innate life force filled the space.


    The formidable Earth Venerate Peak Po Jun, once refined, turned into these most original and pure innate life forces.


    Every strand of innate life force was invaluable to any Martial Artist.


    Seeing the furnace full of innate life force, even Qiu Yiyun and Nantian Ao couldn''t help their hearts racing and their breathing quicken. If it weren''t for Xiao Yi standing aside, reminding them of Po Jun''s fate, they would be desperate to snatch this innate life force right away.


    "Hearing that Xiao Yi was a grandmaster alchemist, I was skeptical. How could someone so young manage both martial arts and alchemy? Now it seems that Xiao Yi''s alchemy achievements are far more terrifying than the rumors suggest..." Qiu Yiyun muttered to himself, his expression becoming increasingly sorrowful.


    They had taken desperate risks to break through to the Earth Venerate Realm.


    Even so...


    It had taken them hundreds, if not thousands, of years.


    In comparison to Xiao Yi...


    He was not yet in his twenties, but he had already achieved accomplishments in martial arts and alchemy that forced them to admire him.


    With their cultivation, Nantian Ao and others naturally knew how formidable the corpse of an Earth Venerate Realm expert was, and to refine the body of an Earth Venerate into the purest innate life force was surely the means of a grandmaster alchemist. At such a young age, Xiao Yi was capable of decapitating Earth Revered Peak experts and was comparable to a grandmaster in alchemy.


    "Looking back over the history of the Qingtian Realm, to possess such achievements before twenty years of age, Xiao Yi might well be the only one!"


    Nantian Ao said with a bitter smile, "Before this, I was thinking of pressuring him to reveal his secrets and to reclaim the territory of the Daqian Dynasty. Now, it seems fortunate that Po Jun arrived in time; otherwise, not only would my life be lost, but the Nantian Dynasty would have incurred a troublesome predicament."


    "Indeed, we should be thankful to Po Jun!"


    Qiu Yiyun also relaxed significantly before narrowing his eyes, "Xiao Yi has fully risen. Unless we are willing to pay any price to assassinate him, no one can contain his growth. As for the Daqian Dynasty and Xiaoshanhe Institute, their foundations are, after all, a bit weak..."


    "To become a true giant, a strong foundation is indispensable," Nantian Ao nodded in agreement, "Xiaoshanhe Institute still falls a bit short..."


    However...


    While the two of them were conversing.


    Xiao Yi casually waved his hand, and the furnace shattered into pieces, with the force of the innate powers mixed with strange green liquids gushing forth like torrential rain, falling upon Shadow Demon, Yu Huaxian, and other strong individuals of the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    There were over a hundred thousand disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s five halls.


    All were immersed in the green-glowing rain.


    For a moment.


    Brilliant green light burst forth from the bodies of people like Shadow Demon, the raindrops not only containing innate powers but also the mysterious green lake water Xiao Yi had acquired from the extreme south.


    It is known...


    That the Sea Demon Emperor had relied on this mysterious lake water to break through to the Earth Venerate level in one fell swoop!


    Although the concentration of the lake water diluted by Xiao Yi was far less intense than what the Sea Demon Emperor absorbed at the time, the cultivation level of the hundred thousand disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute was generally at the Golden Core Realm and Tao Tribulation Realm, the green lake water, along with the innate forces, was enough to propel them to rapid progress.


    As for Shadow Demon, Yu Huaxian, and others, they had been cultivating within Xiao Yi''s formation for nearly three months.


    They were already on the verge of a breakthrough!


    This green energy rain was like the key to opening the floodgates, completely unlocking their gates of cultivation.


    Hum!


    Hum!


    Hum!


    One after another, strong individuals erupted in radiant green light, like jade figures carved from emerald.


    Their cultivation levels were also continuously climbing.


    A hundred thousand Golden Cores.


    A hundred thousand at the Tao Tribulation Realm...


    Their breakthroughs had not yet stopped.


    The frenzied breakthroughs brought about energy storms that formed terrifying pressure, making all the strong individuals in and outside of Imperial Dragon Mountain feel a tremendous sense of oppression.


    One by one, they watched in shock as the others made rapid progress.


    Especially for Mao Bufan, Ling Sanxiao, and the several thousand disciples who had just joined the Xiaoshanhe Institute, who were breaking through multiple realms continuously, eliciting envy from the strong individuals who had been eliminated earlier and who had proclaimed their disdain to join Xiaoshanhe Institute, wishing they could turn back time.


    The breakthroughs among the disciples could only be considered shocking.


    But the breakthroughs of individuals like Shadow Demon, Yu Huaxian, Li Youruo��those were truly terrifying!


    Nirvana.


    Human Venerate.


    Earth Venerate...


    When the terrifying wave of breakthroughs finally subsided.


    The weakest among the hundred thousand disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute had broken through to the peak of the Golden Core Realm, while the strongest, such as Ye Heng, stepped into the Nine Nirvana Rebirth Realm.


    More than a hundred individuals like Shadow Demon had stepped into the Longevity Secret Realm, with Bai Fa Sword Emperor, Shadow Demon, Chen Ziyi, Li Youruo, Xue Bufan, and Zhang Ling taking a leap into the realm of Earth Venerate.


    A hundred Human Venerates, six grand Earth Venerates!


    Plus Xiao Yi, a terrifying existence capable of instantly killing those at the Peak of Earth Revered Realm.


    The foundation of Xiaoshanhe Institute had reached an unprecedented state of power!


    Qiu Yiyun and Nantian Ao, who had just been lamenting the insufficient foundation of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, were now staring dumbfounded, their faces filled with utter confusion as they looked at each other. Their mouths wide open, they could only exhale hot breath, utterly unable to utter a word.


    They had just finished criticizing Xiaoshanhe Institute''s inadequate foundation, only to have their faces thoroughly slapped now!


    The slapping came too quickly...


    Too painfully...

 Chapter 855 - 853: Three Powers Stand Together

    Smack! Smack! Smack!


    Qiu Yiyun and Nantian Ao felt a burning pain on their faces as if they had just been slapped dozens of times.


    They had just finished mocking the Xiaoshanhe Institute for their lack of resources.


    Now...


    The entire institute had erupted in unison.


    Over a hundred members of the Longevity Secret Realm, six Earth Venerates, and Xiao Yi, a freakish existence capable of instantly killing anyone at the Peak of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    With such resources, even if they couldn''t rival the might of the Nantian Holy Institute and the Nantian Dynasty, they were certainly powerful enough to dominate one side and form a tripod of power with them.


    "I, I fuck..."


    Nantian Ao spat fiercely, while a sharp pain shot through his gums.


    Qiu Yiyun had a bitter smile on his face, "With this... the Xiaoshanhe Institute has finally fully risen!"


    Nantian Ao was speechless.


    Disciples above the Golden Core Realm numbered in the tens of thousands.


    With over a hundred Longevity Secret Realm masters and Xiao Yi''s combat power comparable to that of someone in the Early Heavenly Venerate Realm, if such strength wasn''t enough to support the rise of the Xiaoshanhe Institute and the Daqian Dynasty, what other power could claim to be on the rise?


    The momentum of the Xiaoshanhe Institute could no longer be contained.


    What''s more...


    If the news of today''s battle spread, the terrifying achievements of Xiao Yi, as well as the information about him casually creating over a hundred Longevity Secret Realm masters, it would certainly attract more geniuses and strong practitioners to join the Daqian Dynasty.


    With Xiao Yi''s means, the Daqian Dynasty would only grow stronger.


    Of course.


    If the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Institute spared no effort in striking at the Daqian Dynasty, they could suppress it, but Xiao Yi''s presence meant they did not dare to risk it.


    Keep in mind.


    An existence capable of slaying masters at the Earth Venerable Peak and possessing the combat power of someone in the Early Heavenly Venerate Realm, once it takes an all-out revenge, the consequences would be unbearable even for the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Institute.


    This is the deterrent power of a top-notch master.


    Like the time when the Nantian Holy Institute planned to strike at the Nantian Dynasty but had to stand by and watch as the Nantian Holy Institute was established because Nantian Wen, on his own, slew a Heaven Venerate, and the Nantian Dynasty gradually slipped from their control.


    "We bow before the Institute Director! May the Xiaoshanhe Institute remain eternal, unmatched throughout the world!"


    "The Director is wise and mighty, a martial crown for all ages..."


    The disciples of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, led by Yu Huaxian and others, shouted loudly.


    The roar shook the heavens.


    Startling the world as a wild storm began to stir.


    Tens of thousands of disciples, each at least at the Golden Core Realm and over a hundred Longevity Secret Realm masters kneeling in unison towards Xiao Yi, much like the most devout followers on a pilgrimage.


    Even Xiao Yi, with his state of mind, couldn''t help but feel a wave of pride.


    When he first arrived at the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    It was nothing more than a declining force on the brink of extinction, a place needing much rebuilding.


    After his efforts...


    In just three short years, he had turned the Xiaoshanhe Institute into a giant that even the Nantian Holy Institute and the Nantian Dynasty dreaded, a feat that could only be described as miraculous.


    Of course...


    Xiao Yi also understood that such a grand scene as today was unlikely to be witnessed again.


    This powerful boost to the cultivation of everyone at the Xiaoshanhe Institute had nearly exhausted the resources he had acquired in the far south.


    Moreover.


    Before today''s improvement, people didn''t know much about the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    They would think this was just the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s accumulation bursting forth.


    But if such miracles happened over and over again, it would inevitably arouse suspicion from other holy places and strong individuals.


    The current power of the Xiaoshanhe Institute was enough to make the Nantian Holy Institute wary, so they would not act rashly. However, if the secrets of the mystical lake water and the Eternal Tombs were exposed, greed could draw collective action from the major holy places, and even Xiao Yi''s strength would not be able to withstand it.


    As for the last reason...


    Of course, it concerned the future of everyone from the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    If they always relied on Xiao Yi''s help for every breakthrough, they would inevitably develop a strong dependence, losing their martial spirit, which would be a loss not worth the gain.


    The path of martial arts.


    Ultimately, one must forge it on their own.


    "Everyone, rise!"


    Xiao Yi raised his hand, and in an instant, an invisible force made a hundred thousand people rise to their feet simultaneously, their faces showing expressions of shock.


    This level of nuanced control over power was definitely at the apex of perfection!


    Watching the hundred thousand disciples in front of him, each looking at him with fiery, admiring eyes, Xiao Yi remained devoid of joy or sorrow. He simply stood with his hands behind his back, his calm gaze sweeping toward the stage direction, not specifically targeting anyone on the high platform, yet imposing an intangible pressure on them.


    Nantian Ao let out a wry laugh. Although his heart was filled with reluctance and unwillingness, he dared not oppose Xiao Yi at this moment, turning to look at Qiu Yiyun beside him, "Let''s go, he''s already waiting for us!"


    "Sigh..."


    Qiu Yiyun let out a deep sigh. What was this all about? He had thought that their arrival at the Daqian Dynasty was to seek justice for Li Yaofeng and others, but now they had been overawed and subdued by Xiao Yi without even making a move, "Talents emerge in every generation, stronger than the last, perhaps we truly are old!"


    The two stood side by side and flew towards Xiao Yi.


    Under the watchful eyes of all.


    They bowed with clasped fists, meticulously and without a hint of pretense or artifice.


    Qiu Yiyun said aloud, "Qiu Yiyun from Nantian Holy Institute congratulates Director Xiao!"


    Nantian Ao said in a deep voice, "Nantian Ao, commander of the Nan Tian Imperial Guards, congratulates Director Xiao! From now on, Xiaoshanhe Institute will be an undeniable force on the land of Southern State!"


    "How so? Weren''t you two coming to ask for my cultivation technique?" Xiao Yi said with a smile that was not quite a smile as he looked at them.


    He was well aware of their intentions.


    Faced with Xiao Yi''s teasing, both of them stiffened, Nantian Ao said with a forced smile, "Director Xiao is joking. Everyone has their own destiny with cultivation techniques, and they''re not necessarily suited for all."


    "Nantian brother is right!"


    Qiu Yiyun nodded, echoing, "Director Xiao, from now on, the affairs of Southern State should be collaboratively negotiated among our three powers!"


    This was an acknowledgment of Xiaoshanhe Institute''s status on par with the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Institute. S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the future, Southern State would be a tripartite balance of power!


    This was exactly what Xiao Yi wanted!


    Xiao Yi smiled and looked at the two, stepping forward to put his arms around their shoulders.


    This caused Nantian Ao and the other to stiffen all over, extremely uncomfortable.


    What were their statuses?


    On any normal day, who would dare to be so familiar with them?


    Xiao Yi said with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Since Southern State will be under our joint consultation, then our three powers should be allies, sharing fortunes and hardships together, right?"


    "Ah?"


    The two were startled, nodding subconsciously.


    Xiao Yi continued, "Since we are allies in times of both advancement and hardship, then... today I killed Po Jun and extinguished fifty thousand Earthshatter Heavenly Gang Guards, the Changsheng Sect will surely not let this pass. If one day the Changsheng Sect invades our Daqian Dynasty in force, surely you will not stand idly by, right?"


    While speaking.


    Xiao Yi''s hand tightly grasped their shoulders, rendering them unable to move.


    Their faces fell.


    They were quite sure that if they shook their heads, Xiao Yi would crush their shoulders.


    Thinking this.


    The two could only bitterly say, "Director Xiao, rest assured, we will certainly not stand by!"


    "Good, but verbal promises are no proof, so permit me to be distrustful before honorable," Xiao Yi said with a flick of his wrist, as three jade tokens appeared in front of them. Effortlessly, he engraved three oaths onto the jade tokens, signing his name grandly, "Gentlemen, please endorse the covenant!"


    The two exchanged a glance, wanting to refuse, yet the pressure on their shoulders grew greater.


    Xiao Yi spoke leisurely, "If we are to be allies, perhaps one day I will think of some methods to rapidly increase cultivation... Both of you have been at the Earth Venerable Peak for some time now, haven''t you? Maybe, I''ll have a way to help you advance even further..."


    Before he had finished speaking.


    The two had already signed their names on the jade tokens and left their innate seals.


    "Ha ha ha, congratulations to both of you, from now on we shall be the alliance of Southern State!"


    Xiao Yi laughed heartily as he handed the jade tokens to them, his eyes bursting with dazzling brilliance.


    With these three jade tokens in hand,


    Even the Changsheng Sect would not dare to easily set foot in Southern State or trouble Xiaoshanhe Institute anymore.


    Most importantly...


    The signing of this covenant also solidified the status of Xiaoshanhe Institute and the Daqian Dynasty on the same level as the Nantian Holy Institute and the Nantian Dynasty.


    In the days to come, Southern State would be a tripartite power.


    And the architect of all these wonders...


    Was Xiao Yi!

 Chapter 856 - 854: Raw Stone

    The three parties signed the alliance treaty.


    This formally ushered Xiaoshanhe Institute and the Daqian Dynasty into the ranks of the most prestigious forces of the Southern State.


    Of course��


    For the Daqian Dynasty to truly possess a deterrent power and reputation that rivals that of the Nantian Dynasty and the Holy Land of Nantian, it would require a considerable amount of time to accumulate, as well as the official disclosure of the treaty by the Holy Land of Nantian and the Nantian Dynasty.


    After all,


    Neither Qiu Yiyun nor Nantian Ao could fully represent those two behemoths.


    To get those two behemoths to disclose the treaty publicly would require the efforts of these two individuals.


    Xiao Yi, well-versed in the complexities of human nature, knew that people like them were driven by interests��they would pour all their energies into serving his cause when enticed by benefits. Therefore, after the initial threats, Xiao Yi also offered them some sweeteners.


    Xiao Yi took out two green crystal stones, the size of peanuts, and handed them over to the two men.


    These were the mysterious crystal stones he had obtained after hunting mutated monsters in the extreme south; the energy contained within the crystals was extremely abundant, and even for powerhouses at the Peak of the Earth Venerate Realm like Nantian Ao and Qiu Yiyun, they were rare treasures.


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "These are trinkets I came across by chance, and I am giving them to you both as gifts!"


    Nantian Ao glanced at the green crystal stones and didn''t think much before accepting them, his expression easing somewhat. As he toyed with it in his hand, feeling the abundant energy within the crystal, he couldn''t help but exclaim, "Truly, Headmaster Xiao acquires such powerful energy in mere trinkets..."


    However, Qiu Yiyun stood stunned, staring blankly at the green crystal stones in Xiao Yi''s hand, momentarily forgetting to take it.


    Seeing him lost in thought, Nantian Ao mistook it for disinterest in the green crystal stone.


    He quietly nudged Qiu Yiyun with his elbow, cleared his throat, and said, "Brother Qiu, aren''t you going to thank Headmaster Xiao?" Sear?h the ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This, this��"


    Qiu Yiyun swallowed hard and looked at Xiao Yi nervously, rubbing his hands together as he asked for confirmation, "Headmaster Xiao, are you truly giving this treasure to me?"


    "Hmm?"


    Nantian Ao started.


    Looking at Qiu Yiyun''s shocked and nervous demeanor, it didn''t seem faked.


    He then realized; this green crystal stone is indeed a real treasure!


    Xiao Yi said with a smile, "We are allies, after all. What''s mine is yours, whether in good times or in adversity. Since I brought them out, I truly intend them as gifts for you! What''s the matter? Does Elder Qiu find them unsatisfactory?"


    Whoosh!


    Qiu Yiyun quickly snatched the green crystal stone from Xiao Yi''s hand, shaking his head as if he feared Xiao Yi might change his mind.


    "How could I possibly look down on such a treasure?"


    He paused, then said solemnly, "Rest assured, Headmaster Xiao, once I return, I will explain to the Holy Master that it was all the fault of Li Yaofeng and Yang Dingtian from the start, and any misunderstanding between us and Headmaster Xiao was just that��a misunderstanding. I will persuade the Holy Master to publicly disclose the treaty at the earliest opportunity!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, noting that Qiu Yiyun might be aware of the origin of the green crystal stones. However, he was in no hurry to inquire and simply replied with a smile, "Then, Elder Qiu, I thank you!"


    "Not at all, not at all!"


    Qiu Yiyun said hastily, lovingly gazing at the green crystal stone in his hand and carefully placing it inside his storage ring.


    This left Nantian Ao beside him baffled and curious, asking, "Brother Qiu, what is this crystal stone exactly? Why did you react so strongly?"


    The two had signed the treaty with Xiao Yi more under duress than willingly.


    Nantian Ao even resolved that once he returned, he would go straight into seclusion.


    Qiu Yiyun quietly glanced at Xiao Yi, seeing the corners of his mouth slightly upturned in a smile that wasn''t quite a smile as he looked at himself, causing Qiu Yiyun''s heart to thump with a sense of alarm; it seemed that Xiao Yi also knew the origin of this treasure, and since he was willing to give this treasure to them, he must have more than this in his possession. They must build a good relationship with this man!


    At that thought,


    Qiu Yiyun said in a deep voice, "Nantian, you should be aware of the origins of our great holy places..."


    Nantian Ao nodded and said, "During the Ancient Times, the Hall of Longevity unified the Azure Heaven Continent, and under its command were six major vassal forces. After the Hall of Longevity was destroyed, you six vassal forces divided up the remains of the Hall of Longevity, becoming the six great holy places!"


    Xiao Yi was slightly startled; this was the first time he had heard the origins of the six great holy places.


    Who would have thought that the powerful six great holy places


    Were merely vassal forces under the Hall of Longevity during the Ancient Times?


    "You''re only half right. The main reason we six great holy places were subordinate to the Hall of Longevity was that they monopolized the only Crystal Stone mine in the Qingtian Realm! And Crystal Stone is an indispensable treasure for cultivation after entering the Longevity Secret Realm. We six great holy places were initially affiliated with the Hall of Longevity in order to obtain Crystal Stone from them, and had no choice but to submit!"


    Qiu Yiyun nodded; this was not exactly a major secret in the Qingtian Realm, it was just not typically mentioned out of respect for the dignity of the six great holy places. He continued, "The two stones that Xiao gave us are Crystal Stones. The reason I was able to successfully step into Earth Venerate Realm was also because I was once awarded a piece of Crystal Stone by the Lord, helping me break through the restraints of the Peak of Human Venerate, but that piece was only one-tenth the size of this one!"


    Hiss!


    Nantian Ao sharply inhaled a breath of cold air.


    A piece only one-tenth the size of this allowed a Peak of Human Venerate to successfully step into the Earth Venerate Realm?


    He looked down at the Crystal Stone in his hand; if he refined it, could he possibly reach the Heaven Venerate Realm?


    Qiu Yiyun looked at Xiao Yi with a complex expression: "Crystal Stone is a supreme treasure formed when a realm is first formed from the convergence of all its essence. Once the Crystal Stone mine disappeared along with the Hall of Longevity, the resources in the hands of our six great holy places were extremely limited. I never expected Xiao to have such luck, to have come across Crystal Stones..."


    Qiu Yiyun and Nantian Ao both looked enviously at Xiao Yi.


    They now finally understood why the Xiaoshanhe Institute had suddenly had so many strong members appear.


    Xiao Yi was of course aware of their thoughts and said with a light laugh, "It''s no wonder Nantian''s men are here; Elder Qiu is indeed very experienced and knowledgeable. I too came across this by a happy coincidence, from the burial place of a predecessor, where I found more than a dozen Crystal Stones. Unfortunately, I have used quite a few already and don''t have many left now!"


    His words were ambiguous.


    They not only made the two men understand that there weren''t many Crystal Stones left, but also let them know that he still had some.


    If they cooperated well, there would be a chance to get Crystal Stones in the future.


    If they did not cooperate...


    Their shoulders were still subtly sore.


    Nantian Ao and the other were both old and cunning, how could they not understand that this was Xiao Yi playing both the carrot and the stick?


    Both men bowed at the same time and said, "Xiao, please rest assured, we are allies, and we should advance and retreat together, and share life and death. Once we return, we both will do our utmost to expedite matters, striving to publicly announce our tripartite alliance as soon as possible!"


    "Then I thank you both!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and bowed to the two men.


    "Since that''s settled, we will not stay long, farewell!"


    "Farewell!"


    Both men immediately soared into the sky and disappeared into the horizon.


    Xiao Yi squinted his eyes as he watched the two men leave, the corners of his mouth slightly tilted upward while his consciousness entered the storage ring, looking at the tens of thousands of Crystal Stones, he muttered, "I didn''t expect you to be such precious treasures!"


    At this moment, Xiao Yi didn''t know...


    On the edges of the Qingtian Realm, inside a mysterious and ancient palace, a thunderous roar of fury suddenly exploded: "Po Jun is dead? All fifty thousand Tiangang and Earth Evil guards wiped out? Xiao Yi? What a Xiao Yi, If I do not kill you, I swear I am not a human..."


    PS: The surge of updates starts today! The hard-working Xiao Tian is back, and there will be more updates later! My friends, please give Xiao Tian another chance!

 Chapter 857 - 855: Fame Spreads in All Directions

    At the edge of the Qingtian Realm.


    This place was shrouded in darkness, rarely seeing sunlight.


    An ancient hall floated amidst the rolling waves, yet the roaring sea could not shake the hall in the slightest.


    This was the headquarters of the Changsheng Sect.


    The entire hall was modeled after the Hall of Longevity from Ancient Times, which once ruled over the entire Qingtian Realm, though it was countless times smaller than the actual Hall of Longevity. Yet, it was still towering and magnificent, comprising ninety-nine subsidiary halls.


    At this moment.


    In the central hall at the very center.


    There were nine massive thrones.


    Seated on each throne was a blurry figure whose face could not be discerned; these were the eight Vice Sect Hierarchs and the supreme leader of the sect in the middle. Each of them possessed the power to destroy heaven and earth, giants in the martial world.


    Especially the Sect Hierarch of the Changsheng Sect, who, according to legend, was an ancient being who had survived since Ancient Times.


    No one knew what he actually looked like.


    He even rarely took action.


    The only time he acted in front of others was when he executed a supreme powerhouse from one of the six great Holy Lands. At that time, the Sect Hierarch had simply pointed a finger and decimated that supreme-level powerhouse.


    From then on��


    The six great Holy Lands no longer purged the followers of the Changsheng Sect as they had before.


    Also from then on��


    The Changsheng Sect had not faced such large-scale losses in thousands of years.


    Thirty-six Elder Tiangangs and seventy-two Earthshatter Elders, more than ten of whom had died in battle.


    The elite Tiangang and Earthshatter guards, more than fifty thousand of whom had perished.


    Such tremendous losses were like adding frost to snow for the Changsheng Sect; though not crippling, they were enough to deeply shake the sect.


    Upon the ninth throne.


    That towering figure slowly opened his eyes, his icy gaze directed toward the direction of the Southern State, he coldly said, "Sect Hierarch, let me go to the Southern State."


    "Sect Hierarch, let Old Eight go! Let him annihilate Xiao Yi and the Daqian Dynasty, and defend our Changsheng Sect''s dignity!"


    "Agreed!"


    "Agreed��"


    Ambiguous voices of agreement echoed.


    The Sect Hierarch, seated at the chief position, responded indifferently, "Old Eight, you may go then."


    "Yes!"


    The eighth Vice Hierarch slowly stood up, bowed respectfully toward the direction of the Sect Hierarch, then said, "Please rest assured, Sect Hierarch, I will definitely return with Xiao Yi''s head!"


    "No��"


    The Sect Hierarch narrowed his eyes and said coolly, "Aside from Xiao Yi, I want no grass to grow in the Daqian Dynasty!"


    "This��"


    The color drained from the eighth Vice Hierarch''s face as he said solemnly, "Sect Hierarch, if that is the case, I''m afraid the Nantian Holy Lands might��"


    "There''s no need to worry!"


    The Changsheng Sect Hierarch smirked coldly; although his face was not visible, his voice conveyed a hint of ruthlessness and venom, "Recently, there has been some activity at that place, and the top experts of the six great Holy Lands, like me, are all tied down there; they won''t be able to spare hands to deal with you."


    "I understand!"


    The eighth Vice Hierarch''s figure flickered and vanished from above the throne.


    The Sect Hierarch''s voice slowly echoed in the hall as it was gradually enveloped by darkness: "Xiao Yi? In just a few years, he has grown from the Physical Body Realm to his current state, truly a rare genius. It''s a pity that he cannot be of use to our Holy Church. Therefore, he must be eliminated as soon as possible!"


    ��


    Nantian Dynasty.


    In the streets and alleys, people were beginning to talk about the battle at Imperial Dragon Mountain: "Did you hear? Xiao Yi of the Daqian Dynasty, the ''Comrade King,'' actually slew an Earth Venerable Peak!"


    "It''s not as simple as just an Earth Venerable Peak, you know?"


    Someone with more secrets to share responded in shock, "I heard that Xiao Zhenguo, with his sky-reaching abilities, even controls an astonishing treasure. With the help of his treasure, ten thousand people from the Xiaoshanhe Institute ascended together, advancing three realms in a single day��"


    "Ten thousand people ascending? Advancing three realms in a day? Are you joking?"


    "Who says I''m joking? My cousin went to the Daqian Dynasty not long ago to try for the Xiaoshanhe Institute, but unfortunately, he failed to make the cut. He told me himself!"


    "Hiss... Who exactly is this Xiao Yi?"


    "No matter who he is, we definitely can''t afford to provoke him!"


    No one noticed.


    In a dark corner of the street, two figures shrouded in black cloaks stood side by side. As they listened to the conversations of passersby, one of them, with his head hanging low, quietly clenched his fist, his teeth grinding together with a piercing sound, whispering, "Xiao Yi... damn mutt, I didn''t expect you to grow so quickly..."


    "Amitabha!"


    The figure beside him put his hands together in prayer, revealing a corner of his cloak, showing a compassionate-looking monk, "We should leave now!"


    "Are we really going to that place?" The man in black hesitated, a trace of doubt flickering through his downturned eyes.


    It was as if the place he mentioned was an extremely terrifying existence.


    The monk sighed and said, "If we continue to stay in Southern State, do you think we''ll still have a chance for revenge?"


    The man in black remained silent.


    Revenge?


    What a joke!


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, crushing him was as easy as crushing an ant; how could they possibly seek revenge while staying here?


    The man in black took a deep breath and said, "Are you sure that place is real? You know, even the six Holy..."


    "Shut up!"


    The monk glared at him coldly, looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then relaxed and said coldly, "Real or not, that place is our only hope for revenge. If we can get in there, every martial arts sanctuary, every Xiaoshanhe Institute, all are garbage!"


    The man in black hesitated for a moment, then nodded heavily, "You''re right, if that place is real, what is Qingtian Realm anyway?"


    The two men then left immediately.


    Meanwhile...


    Inside the ancient Nantian Holy Land, a fierce debate was underway, with Qiu Yiyun, who had just returned from the Daqian Dynasty, as the main character. His eyes gleaming and with fervent passion, he said, "Xiao Yi is undoubtedly the most monstrous genius I''ve ever seen in my life; this person must not be made an enemy!"


    "Nonsense, aren''t you just boosting his morale and diminishing your own?"


    "How could our Nantian Holy Land, which has continued since Ancient Times, fear a mere youngster?"


    "Let him hand over his Cultivation Methods and the secrets of how he enhanced the strength of the disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute, or else annihilate his entire clan. This elder doesn''t believe he would dare refuse!"


    Many elders spoke with indignation.


    Aside from Nantian Wen...


    When had Nantian Holy Land ever bowed to anyone?


    How could these elders, accustomed to superiority, tolerate bowing to a twenty-year-old Xiao Yi?


    Qiu Yiyun scanned the crowd and scoffed, "He''s a man who dares to kill even Po Jun; do you have the guts to interrogate him?"


    "You..."


    The Earth Venerable Rank Nine elder''s face stiffened, from pale to red and back, then coldly said, "Let the Tiangang fighters take action, and if that''s not enough, let the Supreme Elder intervene. I don''t believe our Nantian Holy Land can''t handle a mere Xiao Yi!"


    "Idiot, don''t you know the entrance to that place is loosening, and an anomaly might occur at any time? Now that all the high-level masters above Tiangang from the six Holy Lands have gathered there, who are you going to send to deal with him?" Qiu Yiyun, having received benefits from Xiao Yi, naturally spared no effort to speak on his behalf.


    For a while...


    The strong ones in Nantian Holy Land realized that unless they waited for the top experts of the Holy Land to return, there really was no way to take down Xiao Yi.


    Helplessly, everyone could only agree to a public alliance. S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qiu Yiyun, relieved, then said, "Since everyone has no objections, let''s set it for seven days from now to officially form the alliance over the Tianhe!"


    Inside the palace of the Nantian Dynasty...


    Nantian Wen, focused on writing a lengthy document, only looked up at Nantian Ao when the ink ran out, "Since the royal uncle has stated that Xiao Yi is qualified to form an alliance with us, let''s go ahead and form one!"


    "Thank you, Your Majesty!"


    Nantian Ao performed a meticulous salute, also feeling relieved.


    Not long after...


    News reached every power in Southern State that Nantian Holy Land, Nantian Dynasty, and Daqian Dynasty would officially form an alliance over the Tianhe in seven days.


    And just as various forces were shocked by this news...


    The name of Xiao Yi spread far and wide.


    A majestic figure was quietly stepping onto the land of Southern State.


    He had also learned from the mouths of the common people about the upcoming alliance between the three parties of Xiao Yi over the Tianhe in seven days, his eyes revealing a hint of cold ferocity, "Forming an alliance? Hah, it would be perfect to execute Xiao Yi right in front of you all and assert the sacred authority of my Holy Church!"

 Chapter 858 - 856: Determined to Execute without Mercy

    Imperial Dragon Mountain, Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Compared to the outside world''s praising and shock toward Xiao Yi and Xiaoshanhe Institute, inside the Institute was a picture of unparalleled calmness.


    Even Xiao Yi himself had quickly composed his feelings and was engaged in arduous cultivation within the secret chamber.


    Although his current combat power was more than enough to rival those in the Early Heavenly Venerate Realm, the path of martial arts never had an end. The further one traveled on this path, the longer it became, and Xiao Yi had only walked it for a mere handful of years.


    There were still many mighty beings that lay before him.


    At least��


    The Emperor of the Nantian Dynasty, Nantian Wen, was a formidable giant capable of slaying Heavenly Venerates.


    Inside the secret chamber.


    Little Lin was seated opposite Xiao Yi, and having been nourished for a few days, his injuries had completely healed.


    Roar!


    Little Lin trembled, shaking off the dim, broken scales from his body, which fell away. From beneath his flesh, new and dazzling scales emerged, as radiant as gold-carved pieces.


    "Boss, my injuries are all healed!" Little Lin took on a human form, his doll-like face bearing a radiant smile.


    Xiao Yi ruffled his head.


    He was about to speak.


    When Yu Huaxian''s voice came from outside the secret chamber, "Leader, we''ve found Tong Zhan."


    "Hm?"


    Little Lin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That''s great, we''ve finally found him."


    He had been following Xiao Yi''s orders to protect Tong Zhan in secret, but he ended up being captured by Ye Qingyu, resulting in a loss of contact with Tong Zhan. Several days had passed since the sacred scripture for recruiting disciples ended at Xiaoshanhe Institute, and they had not seen Tong Zhan. Now, at last, they had news of him.


    The boulder hanging in midair for him could now be let go!


    Clang!


    The door to the secret chamber swung open with a bang, and Xiao Yi looked at Yu Huaxian before him and asked, "Where is Tong Zhan? Why hasn''t he come to Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Yu Huaxian hesitated, then said with a wry smile, "Leader, after parting with Little Lin, Tong Zhan hurried to the imperial capital, intending to send us a message. But he met with an accident on the way. He fell from a cliff and lost his memory, and was rescued by villagers in the mountains. He, he��"


    "What about him?"


    Little Lin asked puzzledly, "Since we know where he is, why not just bring him back?"


    Yu Huaxian frowned, troubled.


    Xiao Yi pressed, "What exactly is the situation?"


    Yu Huaxian explained, "Although Tong Zhan lost his memory, his strength remains in him, and he''s excellent in hunting and farming in the village, winning the favor of many women. Today, he''s about to marry the daughter of the village chief. That''s why our men didn''t rashly bring him back!"


    "Uh��"


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin looked at each other, completely not expecting such an ordeal for Tong Zhan.


    After a moment of hesitation.


    Xiao Yi said, "No matter what, first call Tong Yao over. Since it''s her brother''s big day, she as his sister naturally shouldn''t miss it. As for whether Tong Zhan still wishes to join Xiaoshanhe Institute, we''ll see in due time!"


    Little Lin nodded and promptly went to summon Tong Yao.


    Several hours later.


    Xiao Yi and his group arrived at the mountain village mentioned by Yu Huaxian, with the moon hanging over the willow''s treetops, casting a pale silver glow.


    The whole village was festooned with lights and decorations, the scene tremendously lively.


    ```


    This village was called Moonlight Village. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The people were simple and warmhearted, and Tong Zhan, who had lost his memory, was like a blank slate, naturally winning the villagers'' affection.


    At the village entrance.


    Two youths dressed festively saw Xiao Yi, Little Lin, and Tong Yao approach and went up to greet them eagerly, asking, "May I know what brings the three of you to our Moonlight Village?"


    Xiao Yi pointed towards the village, "Here for the wedding feast!"


    "Oh, guests for the wedding feast, welcome, welcome! Please, come inside!" Led by the young men, the trio quickly entered the village. Because they had arrived quite late, their seats were a bit in the corner.


    But they didn''t mind.


    "Look, headmaster, brother is over there!" Tong Yao suddenly exclaimed with excitement.


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin followed her gaze.


    Tong Zhan, a bit awkwardly, held the bride''s hand and was partaking in the tedious ritual, their faces showing a smile.


    Xiao Yi muttered, "Actually... letting him stay here, continuing this idyllic life, might not be such a bad idea!"


    The ceremony continued.


    It was time for the bowing to heaven and earth, but just as they finished bowing to heaven and earth and were about to bow to each other as husband and wife, a group of uninvited guests appeared at the banquet.


    Bang!


    This was a group of over three hundred stocky, ferocious-looking bandits.


    As soon as they entered, they overturned several tables, some of them grabbed wine jars and guzzled down the contents, while others tore into the roasted meat. The one-eyed man leading them watched Tong Zhan with a cold sneer, "Tong Zhan, half a month ago you killed eighteen of our brothers, their bones haven''t even gone cold, and yet you dare to celebrate your wedding so ostentatiously. Do you not put Black Cloud Stronghold in your eyes?"


    "Isn''t that the one-eyed dragon, the leader of Black Cloud Stronghold?"


    "Half a month ago, the third-in-command of Black Cloud Stronghold led a group to raid our village, and in the end, Tong Zhan beat the eighteen men and repelled more than fifty. Half a month has passed, and no one from Black Cloud Stronghold has come; I thought they didn''t dare to seek revenge, but they were actually waiting for the day of Tong Zhan''s wedding to make a move..."


    "This is bad. I''ve heard that the one-eyed dragon is a powerhouse of the Golden Core Realm..."


    In the midst of everyone''s whispered conversations,


    the elder village chief with his head full of silver hair gently patted Tong Zhan, who wore an angry look and was about to take action. He then respectfully saluted the one-eyed dragon, "Leader, the events of that day can''t really be blamed on Tong Zhan. It was all because the third-in-command went too far, forcing Tong Zhan to act. I beseech you to consider the tribute and respect we from Moonlight Village have consistently offered year after year and to spare us..."


    "Old man, you want me to spare you? That''s not difficult!" the one-eyed dragon suddenly said.


    The village chief was startled, his face showing joy, "Thank you, leader..."


    "Don''t thank me so quickly. There are conditions if I to let you go!"


    The one-eyed dragon''s face revealed a greedy glint as he pointed toward the comely bride beside Tong Zhan. A burning desire flashed across his face as he spoke slowly and deliberately, "Let the bride warm my bed for ten days and a half-month, and I''ll let bygones be bygones. I''ll spare Tong Zhan, and I''ll spare your Moonlight Village. Otherwise, I will wash Moonlight Village in blood today!"


    Buzz!


    These words sent a shock through the crowd.


    Let the bride stay with you for ten days and a half-month?


    Even a gentleman would be ruthlessly rejected for making such a request, let alone a bandit chief?


    If the bride really went with him, could there be a good outcome?


    Being alive would be considered lucky!


    But if they refused...


    With the strength of Black Cloud Stronghold, they could completely obliterate Moonlight Village.


    What were they to do?


    While everyone was at a loss, Xiao Yi''s voice emerged from the crowd, "Black Cloud Stronghold? If you don''t want to die, roll off my disciple''s wedding now. If you''re still here in three breaths, I''ll show no mercy with my blade!"


    ```

 Chapter 859 - 857: Tong Zhans Decision

    "If you don''t get out within three breaths, I''ll definitely not spare your life!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice, cold as a blade''s edge, exploded amidst the crowd.


    For a moment,


    The once noisy and bustling village fell into eerie silence, everyone staring at Xiao Yi and his group with faces full of shock, especially the cyclops and other strongmen from Black Cloud Stronghold; their expressions darkened with cold and brutal hues.


    Black Cloud Stronghold was the overlord within eight hundred miles, and it was always they who threatened others��when had they ever been threatened?


    The cyclops'' chilling gaze swept toward the trio, pausing ever so slightly on Tong Yao, with a sneering smile, "What a pretty little beauty..."


    The cyclops sauntered towards Xiao Yi and his companions.


    Not far away, Tong Zhan also saw Xiao Yi and his group, pausing slightly when he saw Tong Yao, his head suddenly throbbing in pain, nearly stumbling to the ground.


    At the same time.


    The cyclops had already approached Xiao Yi, looking down at the trio from on high, with a "duang" he slammed his longsword on the table before him, laughing coldly, "Boy, are you going to kill yourself, or should I do it?"


    Xiao Yi didn''t even look up, just sighed, "Such a good day of celebration, and you''ve ruined it..."


    Little Lin chuckled, his porcelain-doll-like adorable face with a smile that seemed somewhat sinister, "Boss, three breaths have passed!"


    "Make it clean, don''t ruin their big day!" Xiao Yi instructed.


    "Understood!"


    Little Lin quickly nodded, his hands making snapping sounds as he clenched them, then stood up and walked towards the cyclops.


    The cyclops was also taken aback.


    Seeing Little Lin, who was barely as tall as his waist, getting ready to challenge him, he felt a mix of amusement and disbelief, reaching out a burly hand towards Little Lin''s head, "You little brat, aren''t you afraid..."


    Before he could finish.


    The cyclops'' eyes bulged, filled with fresh red blood vessels.


    He looked down with difficulty, only to see Little Lin a few yards away from him.


    In Little Lin''s palm, a blood-drenched heart was held, with blood dripping down between the fingers. The cyclops'' single eye''s pupil gradually dilated, his hand reaching out, making a ghastly gurgling sound.


    Little Lin smirked, "Goodbye!"


    Bang!


    The heart was suddenly crushed.


    The cyclops fell to the ground with a thud.


    Hiss!


    All the onlookers couldn''t help but gasp, staring at Little Lin with faces full of horror and disbelief. It was hard for them to imagine that such an innocent, doll-like youth could so easily kill the formidable and domineering cyclops.


    Little Lin''s gaze turned towards the Black Cloud Stronghold''s remaining fighters: "Your turn!"


    "Run!"


    "The big boss is dead, let''s run for it!"


    One by one, the Black Cloud Stronghold''s fighters frantically started running away, and just as Little Lin was about to give chase, Xiao Yi spoke up, "Wait a moment!"


    "Huh?"


    Little Lin was puzzled, looking at Xiao Yi, "Boss, you''re letting them go just like that?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head and instead looked over Little Lin''s shoulder. Tong Zhan had regained his senses and was looking at Xiao Yi and the others with a dazed face. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That puzzled look in his eyes clearly showed he hadn''t recovered his memory yet.


    Xiao Yi said to Tong Zhan, "These people are for you to deal with!"


    Tong Zhan was taken aback.


    Looking at the scattering Black Cloud Stronghold crowd, his face revealed a moment of hesitation.


    The graceful young woman by his side pulled on his sleeve, worried, "Brother Tong Zhan, Black Cloud Stronghold is not to be trifled with..."


    Little Lin returned to Xiao Yi''s side, asking with confusion, "Boss, what''s this..."


    "Let''s see what decision he makes!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze remained calm as he watched Tong Zhan. To become his apprentice, having talent and a firm heart towards martial arts were not enough. Black Cloud Stronghold had just set their sights on his woman.


    If Tong Zhan remained merciful and soft-hearted in this situation,


    Then he certainly didn''t qualify to be his apprentice.


    Little Lin''s eyes swiveled as he figured out Xiao Yi''s intention and smiled bitterly, "He has, after all, lost his memory, I''m afraid..."


    "I believe in my brother!" Tong Yao suddenly said.


    Just then...


    All trace of bewilderment disappeared from Tong Zhan''s face, which took on an earnest and solemn expression, "If one can''t even protect the person he loves most, what right does he have to pursue the pinnacle of martial arts? Ming Yue, just watch, your man will not allow anyone to hurt you!"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Tong Zhan broke free from Ming Yue''s restraints, his figure flashed, and he grabbed a stool from the side.


    He instantly caught up with several strong men from Black Cloud Stronghold.


    Those bandits, who also lived by the blade, saw that Tong Zhan was actually coming at them with a stool and their eyes instantly filled with murderous intent, "Damn it, if we can''t handle that freak, are we afraid of you?"


    "Kill him!"


    Several fierce bandits immediately charged at Tong Zhan.


    Bang!


    Tong Zhan dodged the oncoming blade, and with a vicious smash of the stool, its back hit the back of a bandit''s head, splattering brains and blood, the bandit died on the spot.


    Right after, Tong Zhan, holding the broken stool leg, thrust it forward, piercing straight through the chests of three bandits.


    Swoosh! Swoosh!


    Tong Zhan picked up two fallen swords, turned into a demon god, and wherever he went, heads rolled.


    The dazzling sword light, in an instant, stained him the color of fresh blood.


    Like an Asura bathed in blood.


    Wherever Tong Zhan passed, heads rolled, and not a single one of the hundred bandits survived, all falling to his Longsword. After slaying all the strong, Tong Zhan''s eyes became even colder.


    Suddenly...


    His head buzzed with a dull sound, his body trembled, relying on the Longsword to support himself.


    After a moment, he regained his senses.


    Tong Zhan''s eyes once again became clear, but he had recovered his memory, he turned back to look in Xiao Yi''s direction. Seeing Xiao Yi''s mouth slightly raised, a gratified smile on his face, Tong Zhan dashed to Xiao Yi in an instant.


    He knelt down with a thud.


    Tong Zhan proclaimed loudly, "Disciple Tong Zhan greets Master!"


    "Good, you have not disappointed me!"


    Xiao Yi nodded with satisfaction, patted Tong Zhan''s shoulder gently, and said, "First settle things here, then follow me."


    Tong Zhan nodded firmly, then turned and walked towards Ming Yue.


    This woman who had stayed with him during his amnesia, who had developed a bond with him, and who was to become his wife.


    However...


    The woman who had once loved him deeply, when she saw Tong Zhan again, her face showed a look of panic and fear, and she instinctively stepped back from Tong Zhan''s extended hand.


    Tong Zhan''s hand hung suspended in mid-air, a trace of sorrow flashed deep in his eyes.


    His gaze fixed on Ming Yue.


    After a moment.


    Tong Zhan sighed deeply, knowing that he and Ming Yue ultimately belonged to two different worlds. He needed to pursue the martial path to protect the ones he loved, while Ming Yue desired only a peaceful life.


    With this thought.


    Tong Zhan said solemnly, "I''m sorry!"


    As he spoke.


    Tong Zhan turned away and went back to Xiao Yi''s side.


    Xiao Yi looked at him, "Have you thought it through?"


    If he left with him, it meant that the romance between Tong Zhan and Ming Yue would have no outcome.


    Tong Zhan nodded, "I have thought it through!"


    "If that''s the case, then let''s leave!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, taking Tong Zhan and the others, soaring into the sky.


    Leaving behind the villagers of Moonlight Village looking at each other in dismay, and the heartbroken Ming Yue, with tears rolling down her cheeks. The village chief, pained by the sight of Ming Yue, said, "Why not hold him back? If you speak up, he would surely stay!"


    Ming Yue shook her head, "He has his pursuits, I love him, so I cannot hold him back..."

 Chapter 860 - 858: Possession?

    Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Kneeling before Xiao Yi was Tong Zhan, who had fully recovered his memory, his face bearing a respectful expression, "Disciple Tong Zhan pays respect to Master!"


    Although Tong Zhan had not managed to fulfill the original agreement,


    it was Ye Qingyu who had intervened, even someone as powerful as Little Lin had fallen into Ye Qingyu''s hands, so it was understandable that Tong Zhan could not make it back in time. Therefore, Xiao Yi still chose to accept him as a disciple under his tutelage.


    With the completion of the formal discipleship ceremony, Tong Zhan formally became Xiao Yi''s disciple.


    "Stand up," Xiao Yi nodded, and with a wave of his hand, an invisible force lifted Tong Zhan to his feet. Xiao Yi''s face held a serene expression, "When your senior brothers first joined my tutelage, I also gave them some gifts as discipleship presents. I see that your current cultivation technique is quite profound, so you do not need another Cultivation Technique. Instead, here is a volume of the ''Infinite Sword Path'' and a ''Longsword that Pierces the Wind'' of the sixth rank that I bestow upon you��may you cultivate diligently!"


    Tong Zhan walked the path of swordsmanship.


    Moreover, his swordsmanship achievement was not weak, and his talent was extremely rare. Xiao Yi simply handed over Zhao Wuji''s ''Infinite Sword Path'' to him as well.


    "Disciple thanks Master!" Tong Zhan''s face revealed an ecstatic and grateful expression, then he took out a storage ring from his bosom, holding it out respectfully with both hands to Xiao Yi, "Master, this storage ring was something I stumbled upon in the past but could not open. I wish to offer it to Master!"


    "Hmm? A storage ring that can''t be opened?" Xiao Yi was momentarily taken aback.


    A storage ring that couldn''t be opened could only be for two reasons: either its owner was still alive, or there were powerful restrictions placed on the ring.


    Xiao Yi then took the storage ring.


    There was no soul imprint mark upon it, but there were ninety-nine layers of restrictions, each of them extremely intricate, which piqued Xiao Yi''s interest, "Interesting, someone was willing to place so many restrictions on a storage ring. I would like to see exactly what is inside!"


    Xiao Yi accepted the storage ring and turned to Little Lin who was nearby, "Little Lin, you first take Tong Zhan to meet everyone else."


    "Alright!" Little Lin nodded cheerfully and led Tong Zhan away.


    Xiao Yi then began to break the restrictions on the storage ring. With his mastery of the Double Star Daoist''s legacy in formations, solving these restrictions was merely a matter of time.


    One layer.


    Two layers.


    Three layers��


    Ten hours later.


    Click!


    As the final restriction was broken, the last seal on the storage ring was completely unlocked.


    "Finally opened it, I wonder what''s inside?" Xiao Yi, curious, opened the storage ring. Just as the storage ring opened, a shocking aura suddenly burst forth from within.


    Whoosh!


    A stream of bright light flew out from the ring, heading straight for Xiao Yi''s forehead.


    Caught off guard.


    The light instantly entered his forehead. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A crazed laughter immediately echoed in his mind, "Hahaha, a thousand years, a full one thousand years! I, the Primordial Spirit, have sealed myself here for a full one thousand years, finally waiting for the chance to see the light of day again. Fortunate lad, surrender your body to me, and I shall make this body renowned across the world!"


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s mind trembled violently, and a chill ran through his entire body.


    This was a powerful Primordial Spirit that had lain hidden for a thousand years, now that the restrictions were broken and the seal released, it was attempting to possess Xiao Yi''s body.


    "Seeking death!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light. How could he, the majestic Godly General, be possessed by a mere Primordial Spirit?


    Sitting cross-legged on the ground.


    His eyes closed in prohibition.


    Xiao Yi''s consciousness was fully immersed in his mind where a mass of black energy��the Primordial Spirit��was attempting to invade his soul. Primordial Spirit, after reaching the Heaven Venerate Realm, this is what was achieved by the communion between man and heaven, materializing spiritual power.


    Once the Primordial Spirit was achieved, even if the physical body perished, the Primordial Spirit could still continue to exist.


    This is why experts of the Heaven Venerate level could truly deter others.


    The Primordial Spirit is immortal.


    The Heaven Venerate does not die!


    If any Earthly Honor expert other than him had unlocked this seal, they would probably have been possessed successfully. Unfortunately for it, today it met Xiao Yi, the Godly General, who possessed the existence of the eternal supernatural tomb.


    How could he be possessed by a mere Primordial Spirit?


    "Eternal supernatural tomb, suppress for me!"


    In Xiao Yi''s mind, the eternal supernatural tomb emerged thunderously, and amidst the crashing sounds, chains of black shot out from the tomb, coiling towards and binding the assailant.


    The Primordial Spirit that was eroding his soul revealed a look of horror the instant the eternal supernatural tomb appeared: "What, what is this? Damn it, who are you? Why do you have such a thing to protect your soul? No, I''ve just escaped my imprisonment, how can I be suppressed by you? Break!"


    However...


    No matter how the Primordial Spirit struggled, it simply could not escape the black chains emanating from the eternal supernatural tomb.


    "No..."


    The Primordial Spirit screamed miserably, but was dragged directly into the eternal supernatural tomb by the black chains.


    At the second level, dust flew about as the Primordial Spirit was firmly sealed within, with a heavy stele falling with a thud.


    Xiao Yi had forcefully suppressed this Primordial Spirit.


    Floating within the second layer of the eternal supernatural tomb, Xiao Yi contemplated the unnamed tomb before him, showing a hint of thought: "After the eternal supernatural tomb suppressed this Primordial Spirit, it actually transformed into one of the tombs inside? Are the other strong beings inside the tomb also suppressed by the previous owners of the tomb?"


    Looking up towards the deeper parts of the eternal supernatural tomb, shrouded in mist, it revealed a touch of mystery.


    "It seems my understanding of the eternal supernatural tomb is only the tip of the iceberg." Xiao Yi sighed lightly. To truly unearth the secrets of the eternal supernatural tomb, it seems only by continually growing stronger and unlocking deeper levels might there be a chance.


    "Since you''ve come to me willingly, I won''t be polite!" Xiao Yi''s mouth turned up slightly, and with a flick of his finger, the newly covered tomb exploded with a bang.


    Enveloped in countless Divine Power forces.


    In an instant, the Primordial Spirit was suppressed by Xiao Yi.


    If it were in the past...


    When he suppressed a strong being within the eternal supernatural tomb, he would receive their lifelong inheritance. But today, after suppressing this Primordial Spirit, the Divine Power ruthlessly tore apart the Primordial Spirit, turning into the purest energy, and directly pouring into his body.


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s body trembled.


    A look of astonishment crossed his face as the pure energy invaded his body and was directly absorbed by the Divine Sealing Tree.


    Rustling!


    Upon the Divine Sealing Tree, leaves of vibrant green kept sprouting and growing.


    Their number climbing at a frighteningly rapid pace!


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly. He had never imagined that the Primordial Spirit he had suppressed would undergo such a marvelous transformation once constrained by Divine Power. Feeling the increase in the Divine Sealing leaves and his own strength growing, Xiao Yi''s face showed anticipation: "Can a Heaven Venerate level Primordial Spirit allow me to step into the Heaven Venerate Realm as well?"

 Chapter 861 - 859: Not Even Worthy of Carrying Shoes!

    Above the Heavenly River, the waves churned tumultuously.


    This vast river that traversed from the east to the west of Southern State was endless at a glance, impossible to see its end, filled with very dangerous elements��numerous formidable creatures roamed the river.


    They frequently attacked passing ships.


    Hence,


    ships capable of navigating the Heavenly River were inevitably no smaller than sea ships.


    At this moment,


    there were two moderately sized flat boats traversing the Heavenly River; these were not large and could only accommodate around a hundred people each. Generally speaking, such small boats would not dare to navigate the Heavenly River, as they could hardly withstand even a single giant wave of the river.


    Aboard one of the boats sat Nantian Wen.


    Clad in a purple-gold dragon robe, the already majestic Nantian Wen exuded an unparalleled, terrifying aura, sitting on the boat like an Azure Dragon coiled up, terrifying and powerful.


    "Your Majesty, the people from Nantian Holy Ground have arrived!" Nantian Ao looked at the small boat not far away and spoke solemnly.


    Nantian Wen, without even opening his eyes, spoke indifferently, "Who leads them?"


    Nantian Ao replied, "It''s the red-robed supreme elder Zhou Chen!"


    "Oh? So it''s that old fellow, famous for his hardline stance in Nantian Holy Ground. It seems this alliance treaty signing will be quite a spectacle to watch!" Nantian Wen slowly opened his eyes; a playful curve appeared.


    His cold gaze drifted toward the small boat some tens of miles to the right.


    Amid the tumultuous waves of the Heavenly River,


    the small boat of Nantian Holy Ground rode the winds and broke the waves steadily.


    A group of powerhouses from Nantian Holy Ground stood at the bow of the other boat.


    Among them, a few bore traces of reluctance and curiosity in their gaze.


    Mighty Nantian Holy Ground, presiding over the Southern Continent for tens of thousands of years, aside from Nantian Wen, had ever bowed to anyone?


    Even for Nantian Wen...


    Initially, it was because of the backing of the Nantian Dynasty, combined with Nantian Wen''s truly terrifying strength, that Nantian Holy Ground had reluctantly acknowledged and conceded to the establishment of the Nantian Holy Institute.


    This had been regarded as a disgrace by Nantian Holy Ground, and now, another shameful mark was added with the name of Xiao Yi.


    How could the proud elites of Nantian Holy Ground be content?


    As for curiosity...


    It naturally concerned Xiao Yi, this meteorically rising genius who had created unreplicable miracles.


    They, too, were curious about what kind of person could perform such wonders!


    "Qiu Yiyun, is Xiao Yi really as miraculous as you''ve described?" asked a bald man with no trace of hair, his eagle-sharp eyes gleaming sharply.


    Qiu Yiyun''s expression unchanged, replied indifferently, "What I have told you is merely the tip of the iceberg!"


    This bald man, named Lei Li, like Qiu Yiyun, both were elders of the Nantian Holy Ground, and their cultivation was also at the Peak of the Earth Revered Realm; the two had been rivals since their youth.


    Now, they were like water and fire, Lei Li always making things difficult for him.


    Seeing Qiu Yiyun hold Xiao Yi in such high esteem, Lei Li sneered, speaking coldly, "The tip of the iceberg? That''s utterly ridiculous. With so many geniuses in our Nantian Holy Ground, not even the Saint Heir received such praise from Elder Qiu. What qualifications does Xiao Yi have? Did Elder Qiu receive some benefits from him by any chance?"


    "Shut your mouth!"


    Qiu Yiyun snorted coldly; indeed, he had received a primordial stone gifted by Xiao Yi, but this matter was clandestine, how could he admit it?


    Lei Li smirked ominously, about to speak again, when the man sitting before them, wrapped in a red robe, spoke coldly: "Both of you, shut up! If you want to argue, wait until you are back in the Holy Ground, don''t disgrace us out here!"


    The man in the red robe was Zhou Chen, emanating a glow as if blessed by the Heavenly Dao, surrounded by a halo of principles floating around him, his eyes opening and closing as if orchestrating the rotation of the sun and moon.


    His mysterious aura was formidable, making him seem godlike to mortals.


    This was a Heavenly Honor-level expert!


    Within the Nantian Holy Institute, he held the position of Supreme Elder, which was much higher than that of Qiu Yiyun and another.


    Qiu Yiyun remained silent.


    Lei Li chuckled and said, "Elder, don''t blame me. I just think some people overly idolize that Xiao Yi, boosting others'' spirits while diminishing their own presence!"


    Zhou Chen looked at him expressionlessly and said indifferently, "If you''re dissatisfied, wait for him to arrive and test him yourself!"


    "Elder, that must not be done. Now, forming an alliance is the key..." Qiu Yiyun''s face slightly changed.


    Lei Li waved his hand and said, "Exactly because we need to form an alliance, we must clearly assess the other party''s strength. Elder Qiu, rest assured, I will be measured and will not kill him!"


    "But..."


    Before Qiu Yiyun could finish, Zhou Chen had already waved his hand and said, "Enough! Lei Li is right. The matter of the alliance is of great importance. We cannot listen solely to one side. Let him assess whether Xiao Yi is qualified to form an alliance with us!"


    Seeing Zhou Chen speak, Qiu Yiyun sighed inwardly and said no more.


    Lei Li, on the other hand, was smug, winking and making faces at Qiu Yiyun, which was utterly infuriating.


    Splash!


    Amid the rolling waves of the Heavenly River, two small boats drew close to each other, maintaining a distance of ten meters and moving side by side without interfering.


    They quietly waited...


    For an hour.


    Two hours...


    Before they knew it, three hours had passed, and yet there was still no sign of Xiao Yi and his companions.


    Nantian Wen and Zhou Chen remained utterly calm, showing no indication of their thoughts.


    Lei Li, however, showed impatience and gritted his teeth, "What a Xiao Yi, acting as if he is the supreme lord. How dare he make us wait for so long..."


    At that moment.


    Suddenly, a huge wave overturned in the distance, followed by a thunderous roar, as twin water walls rose simultaneously. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A longsword emitting a silver gleam closely hugged the stream, splitting the water with a loud clang.


    On the longsword...


    Three figures stood one after the other, riding the sword and breaking through the waves!


    Leading them was Xiao Yi!


    "They''re here!" Qiu Yiyun and Nantian Ao said simultaneously.


    All eyes turned toward the direction from which the longsword came.


    Xiao Yi was in the lead, with Yang Ling, the current ruler of the Great Qian Dynasty, standing in the middle. Yang Ling had entered the Human Venerate Realm and had become a genuine Longevity Secret Realm powerhouse.


    Standing last was Little Lin, who, despite his doll-like appearance, contained an energy that emitted an aura no less potent than Lei Li''s or Qiu Yiyun''s.


    On the other hand, Xiao Yi, with his aura concealed and practicing the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill, appeared to the Heavenly Honor-level experts like Nantian Wen and Zhou Chen as merely a beginner in the Human Venerate Realm.


    However��


    Considering the numerous glorious achievements Xiao Yi had made before, no one would take his displayed power lightly.


    Of course.


    There are always exceptions!


    Seeing the appearance of Xiao Yi and others, Lei Li stepped forward to the bow of the boat, full of provocation as he said to Xiao Yi, "So you are Xiao Yi? I see nothing special. With your cultivation, you''re not even fit to carry shoes for me, let alone qualify to form an alliance with our Nantian Holy Institute!"

 Chapter 862 - 860: Playing with Lightning? Im Your Ancestor!

    "You aren''t even qualified to carry my shoes, let alone make an alliance with us,"


    Lei Li''s face bore a thick sneer.


    In his eyes, Xiao Yi, who had just entered the Human Venerate Realm, couldn''t possibly be as terrifying as Qiu Yiyun had claimed.


    At the time, Qiu Yiyun had extolled Xiao Yi''s strength extravagantly throughout the Southern State''s Holy Ground.


    If he could defeat, or even kill, Xiao Yi in public, that would be a severe blow to Qiu Yiyun, and Lei Li would spare no effort in any matter that could undermine Qiu Yiyun.


    Beside him, Zhou Chen remained expressionless, clearly consenting to Lei Li''s decision.


    On another boat,


    Nantian Ao''s face changed slightly, his eyebrows knitting together with deep concern, "What does the Southern State Holy Ground mean by this? Hadn''t they already agreed to the alliance? Why doesn''t Zhou Chen stop Lei Li from provoking Xiao Yi?"


    "Why stop him?"


    Nantian Wen glanced sideways, his eyes sweeping over Nantian Ao, a meaningful look flashing deep within them, "How proud is the Southern State Holy Ground? Zhou Chen is even a representative of the faction favoring war; if today''s alliance could be smoothly formed, that would be unexpected!"


    "But this way, if they provoke Xiao Yi��" Nantian Ao spoke in a deep voice.


    "Would the Southern State Holy Ground be afraid?" Nantian Wen retorted.


    Nantian Ao had no response.


    The Southern State Holy Ground has always considered itself the sole ruler of the Southern State, and each of its powerful figures saw themselves as superior, disdainful of martial artists outside the Holy Ground.


    If not for the overwhelming strength displayed by Xiao Yi, which would cost a great deal to suppress, the Southern State Holy Ground would never have agreed to this alliance. Fundamentally, they did not respect Xiao Yi; agreeing to the alliance was only to avoid expending too much effort on him.


    Nantian Wen squinted, scrutinizing Xiao Yi.


    In recent times��


    The name Xiao Yi had often reached his ears.


    However.


    This was his first time seeing Xiao Yi in person. He was curious about Xiao Yi, who had risen abruptly over just a few years to his current realm and status, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, how will you choose?"


    All eyes turned toward Xiao Yi and his companions.


    Xiao Yi had yet to speak when Little Lin''s eyebrows shot up, unable to stand anyone provoking Xiao Yi; his cold gaze fixed on Lei Li, "Whose dog is off its leash, barking all over the place and not afraid of being beaten to death?"


    "Scoundrel!"


    Lei Li''s face suddenly changed.


    An elder of the exalted Southern State Holy Ground, at the Peak of the Earth Revered Realm, being publicly called a dog?


    Lei Li spoke angrily, "No one has ever dared to insult me like this, you little beast, prepare to die!"


    Buzz!


    Lei Li struck with a palm from mid-air.


    Whiz, whiz, whiz!


    Endless gray energy gathered in front of his palm, the resulting palm wind being mighty, roaring forth. The turbulent palm wind caused the rolling river on the vast Heavenly River to surge wildly, the thunderous noise splitting the river waters in front of it in two.


    Numerous water vapors, imbued with innate power, formed a giant blue hand entirely made from river water, abruptly appearing above the heads of Little Lin and the other two.


    "Eight Trigrams Water Dividing Palm?"


    "This is a ninth-grade martial technique, the palms forming a trigram pattern, making it hard to defend against, with terrifying power��"


    "How will they resist?"


    "Will Xiao Yi make a move?"


    Everyone''s eyes turned toward Xiao Yi, expecting him to act against such a fearsome attack.


    However��


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xiao Yi maintained an indifferent demeanor, hands clasped behind his back, watching coldly. As the giant hand was about to strike, Little Lin let out a deep, thundering roar, his body aglow with golden light, executing a stunning move, "Azure Dragon Seizes the Day!"


    Buzz!


    The accumulated golden light transformed into a giant finger, wrapped in a golden dragon shadow, radiating blinding golden brilliance, soaring against the heavens.


    Boom!


    Giant palms and fingers collided in the void.


    Instantly��


    Infinite energy surged in all directions, the terrifying energy fluctuations causing even the void to tremble, and at the point where the two distinctly different energies collided, they burst forth in a blinding glow like the fierce sun.


    Hiss, hiss, hiss!


    Above the surface of the Heavenly River, wisps of steam rose slowly, enveloping an area of ten miles in mist.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    When the two energies extinguished at the same time.


    Only then did the mist gradually disperse under the onslaught of the fierce wind.


    Atop the river, a bottomless trench stretched for miles, with countless waters of the Heavenly River rushing in amidst the loud crashing sounds, and the nearby beasts had long fled with the wind, leaving not a single one within a hundred miles.


    Yet the three small boats carrying Xiao Yi, Lei Li, and Nantian Wen remained calmly floating on the surface of the river.


    In the midst of the crashing sounds


    Little Lin, with a smug look on his face, tilted his chin up at Lei Li, "Your strength is just so-so!"


    "You��"


    Lei Li''s eyes twitched slightly, also not expecting that Little Lin could block his Eight Trigrams Water Dividing Palm; combined with his previous arrogance and pride, now facing Little Lin''s provocation, he felt a burning sting on his face, his gloomy eyes glaring at Little Lin, "Little beast, don''t be proud, that was just my probe, now I am getting serious!"


    Crackle and pop!


    As he clenched his hand, streams of electricity traveled over his palms, condensing into a purple-gold radiance in the center of his palm.


    Beside him, Qiu Yiyun''s complexion changed slightly, "Uh oh, Lei Li has murderous intent."


    He anxiously looked towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi also slightly raised his eyebrows, reached out to stop the eager Little Lin, and said, "You are not his match yet, let me handle it."


    "Boss��"


    Little Lin was stunned for a moment, somewhat resentful but understanding that Xiao Yi would never deceive him; his pitying gaze turning towards Lei Li.


    Lei Li''s body flickered with lightning and danced with electric snakes.


    Seeing Xiao Yi willingly take the initiative shocked him; his face shifting from momentary astonishment to mockery and ecstasy, "Hahaha, didn''t expect you to have some insight, knowing well that my strength isn''t something that little beast can match."


    Xiao Yi calmly said, "Cut the nonsense, make your move! If you wait for me to attack, you''ll have no chance!"


    "You��"


    Lei Li''s face darkened, totally not expecting Xiao Yi to belittle him so, his gloomy eyes emitting a chilling killing intent, "Little bastard, you''re asking for death yourself, don''t blame me. Go to hell!"


    Hum!


    Lei Li''s body covered in purple-gold lightning, his figure vanished in a flash from where he stood, reappearing above the Heavenly River creating two huge walls of water, carrying a massive white wave rushing towards Xiao Yi.


    In a proud and triumphant voice from Lei Li, now covered in lightning, "Although my Lightning Body isn''t as good as the Sacred Body, it is among the top existences of all physiques. With lightning enhancing my body, I am unmatched at the same level, you little bastard will pay the price for your arrogance and underestimation!" sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Lightning Body?"


    Xiao Yi chuckled, shaking his head. He recognized the special physique Lei Li had as soon as he made a move, but so what? Xiao Yi slowly raised a finger and pointed forward, "When it comes to playing with lightning, I am your ancestor!"


    As his words fell.


    Xiao Yi pointed a finger, suddenly above the sky dark oppressive lightning clouds appeared, rumbling thunderclaps resounding, and a crack of purple-gold light illuminated half the sky. At the spot pointed by Xiao Yi''s finger, it had completely transformed into a sea of lightning.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Countless bolts of lightning fell, each bolt as if having its own consciousness, all targeting Lei Li, who was also covered in lightning.


    Although Lei Li had the Lightning Body, how could he withstand such a barrage of thunderous strikes?


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Amidst the terrifying sounds of explosions, screams echoed across the Heavenly River.


    Embodied in an endless sea of lightning, Lei Li was charred black, blood spurting wildly, a sight too ghastly to endure...


    Seeing the black clouds above growing denser, the number and power of the lightning rapidly escalating. If this continued, Lei Li would soon be buried in the sea of lightning.


    At this moment��


    Always silent Zhou Chen finally spoke slowly: "Enough, stop now!"

 Chapter 863 - 861: So What if Its a Heavenly Venerate?

    "Enough, stop!"


    Zhou Chen''s expression was flat, showing no particular emotion.


    But as his voice emerged, the chaotic energy in the surrounding void calmed down significantly.


    Heavenly Venerate powerhouse.


    By merging one''s spirit with the ways of heaven and earth to form a Primordial Spirit, one could begin to enact their will directly through their words. If one were to reach the level of Supreme Venerable, or even that of the Saintly Venerable, they could even turn stone into gold, commanding the sun and moon to complete their cycles just by speaking.


    However��


    Reaching the levels of Supreme Venerable and Saintly Venerable was far from easy.


    The vast expanse of Southern State.


    So far, the strongest known walking the earth was at the peak of Heavenly Venerate.


    As for Supreme Venerable and Saintly Venerable,


    These were but legends.


    "Heavenly Venerate?"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed slightly. The very moment Zhou Chen spoke, he felt a significant weakening in the power of the thunder. However, Xiao Yi''s surprise was fleeting, swiftly replaced by a cold sneer; he chose to completely ignore Zhou Chen''s words.


    Raising his palm, he aimed it at Lei Li and suddenly clenched his fist.


    The dissipating dark clouds above became denser, and the terrifying thunder didn''t diminish but instead multiplied in strength several times over.


    Boom!


    Lightning bolts, several dozen meters thick, crashed down.


    The sound deafening, the light blinding.


    Crackle!


    Arcs of lightning transformed into myriad piercing arrows, raining down on Lei Li, turning his body charred black, and making him scream in unbearable, penetrating pain: "Ah�� It hurts to death, Elder save me, save me��"


    A moment ago, he was high and mighty, looking down on everything.


    The next second, he was begging for mercy.


    Lei Li''s plight caused anger amongst the strong warriors of Nantian Sacred Ground, and at the same time, they felt a chilling fear.


    They knew very well the strength of Lei Li.


    Such a formidable being had no power to resist at all in front of Xiao Yi.


    The crowd could no longer dare to underestimate Xiao Yi.


    This brought great satisfaction to Qiu Yiyun, but there was also a hint of worry in his eyes; Xiao Yi had publicly ignored Zhou Chen, which was a challenge to the authority of a Heavenly Venerate.


    The reality was just as Qiu Yiyun had feared��


    Faced with Xiao Yi''s disregard, Zhou Chen''s expression turned ugly to the extreme, his icy gaze sweeping towards Xiao Yi; two substantial beams of cold light shot out like arrows, piercing the air and bearing down on Xiao Yi: "How dare you be so cruel at such a young age? Who gave you the gall to strike at an Elder of Nantian Sacred Ground?"


    Hum!


    Every word carried the weight and oppressive force of towering mountains, hitting head-on.


    The terrifying pressure was so great that it caused the water of the heavenly river to drop by several meters.


    Within a hundred li��


    Some distant beasts spying on the scene couldn''t withstand this overwhelming pressure and burst apart, leaving giant carcasses to appear on the river, while the water slowly turned red with blood.


    Xiao Yi looked up at Zhou Chen and scoffed coldly, "Scram!"


    Just one word.


    Visible ripples, like those of water, pulsed through the surrounding void.


    The oppressive space constructed by Zhou Chen shattered like a mirror amidst a series of crackling sounds. Fractures spread like a spiderweb, snapping continuously, breaking apart from the vibration.


    Hmph!


    The oppressive space cracked as Zhou Chen couldn''t help but let out a stifled grunt, suffering a setback in this confrontation. His eyes were as cold and venomous as a snake''s as he gritted his teeth and said, "Good lad, no wonder you dare to look down upon me. You indeed have some skills. However, if this is all you''re capable of, thinking you can provoke the mighty Heavenly Venerate, then you''re far too overconfident!"


    "Heavenly Venerate?"


    Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh, while others might respect the Heavenly Venerate as they would gods and demons, to try to show off in front of him, the Heavenly Venerate was simply not enough.


    Zhou Chen was oblivious to the teasing cold laugh in Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    Proudly believing that the words ''Heavenly Venerate'' were enough to deter all.


    He slowly rose to his feet, a picture of arrogant complacency, as he condescendingly pointed at Xiao Yi and commanded, "Anyone not wanting to die should release Lei Li immediately, kneel before me, and beg for mercy. I might spare you a way out. Otherwise, this date next year will be the anniversary of your death..."


    "Hahahaha..."


    Facing Zhou Chen''s threats, Xiao Yi burst into loud laughter, which turned Zhou Chen''s face an ashen blue. Finally, Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, enunciating each word, "So what if you''re the Heavenly Venerate? If I want to kill someone, even if the heavens'' ruler himself arrived, he couldn''t stop me!"


    The moment his voice fell,


    Xiao Yi raised his right hand, and his palm seemingly grasped at the air.


    Thunder roared and lightning flashed across the thundering sea, where endless thunder furiously entwined, instantly forming a ball of condensed lightning. Amidst the crackling sound, numerous electric serpents slithered.


    As Xiao Yi''s palm suddenly clenched,


    the glowing orb of lightning buzzed and abruptly expanded dozens of times in size, then with a whoosh, it shrank to its limit.


    Inside the ball of lightning.


    Lei Li screamed in despair, "Zhou Chen... you''ve doomed me..."


    BANG!


    Amidst the interwoven lightning, Lei Li was torn into thousands of pieces. In the terrible slaughter of lightning serpents, only a faint scent of charring lingered in the void, with no trace of Lei Li to be seen.


    HISS!


    At that moment, above the Heavenly River, aside from the shocked gasps of the crowd, there was no other sound.


    Time in this small universe seemed to stand still.


    GULP!


    It was not until Qiu Yiyun harshly swallowed his saliva that the silence was broken, "F*ck, what just happened? How did Xiao Yi do that?"


    "He was at the peak of Earth Venerable, and yet he couldn''t even resist?"


    "Is this youngster really under twenty? How... how did he cultivate..."


    "Terrifying fellow, no wonder he doesn''t give a damn about even the Heavenly Venerate''s face..."


    Aboard the small boat.


    Nantian Wen was momentarily stunned, then his eyebrows knitted together, forming a frown. He had thought himself to have given Xiao Yi enough attention, personally arriving above the Heavenly River to forge an alliance. But at this moment, Nantian Wen realized his attention towards Xiao Yi had not been sufficient.


    Nantian Wen secretly felt fortunate that his decision to come in person was the right choice, while also entertaining a thought he had long suppressed, "If Xiao Yi is willing to cooperate with me, perhaps that plan could really succeed. But for now, we''ll see how he deals with Zhou Chen..."


    After all, Zhou Chen was a mighty Heavenly Venerate.


    Xiao Yi''s method of crushing Lei Li was ruthlessly powerful, but to contend against a Heavenly Venerate with that alone was still insufficient!


    In the void.


    Zhou Chen too came back to his senses, staring at the space devoid of Lei Li''s presence, his face going green with fury and his shoulders trembling slightly. His dark gaze stirred up chilling gusts all around.


    "Very well, very well!"


    Zhou Chen''s face twisted with malice as he spat out through clenched teeth, "Very good, Xiao Yi. I commanded you to stop, and not only did you disobey me, but you also cruelly killed Lei Li. Today, if you don''t die, where shall I put my face?"


    CRACKLE!


    Around him, waves of innate power surged violently, clashing and exploding into dazzling combat fires.


    Xiao Yi stood unruffled in the wind, showing not a hint of fear, but rather a readiness for challenge.


    The two men stood off against each other like the tip of a needle against a wheat awn.


    In a confrontation that was sharp as needles,


    An earth-shattering battle was about to commence... Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 864 - 862: Just So-So!

    The battle was on the verge of breaking out.


    At this moment...


    A loud and bold laughter suddenly came from above the river, causing the tense atmosphere to briefly halt: "Hahaha, how timely my arrival is, to witness such a thrilling spectacle. Zhou Chen, you truly are regressing the older you get; even a junior dares to disrespect you!"


    Everyone looked toward the source of the voice.


    Zhou Chen''s face darkened instantly as he was already very annoyed that Xiao Yi had not shown him respect.


    Now, with someone mocking and ridiculing him on the side, it was like salt being rubbed into his wounds.


    His gloomy and malicious gaze turned toward the source of the voice, but this glance made Zhou Chen''s solemn face even graver: "Wang Chuantian?"


    "What? Wang Chuantian himself came?"


    Nantian Wen''s expression also suddenly changed as he solemnly looked at the newcomer.


    Beside him, Nantian Ao was stunned and asked, "Your Majesty, who is this Wang Chuantian?"


    "Changsheng Sect, the eighth Vice Sect Hierarch!"


    Nantian Wen slowly stated the identity of the man, shocking Nantian Ao and all the powerhouses from the Nantian Dynasty aboard the ship.


    The Changsheng Sect was no less powerful than the sacred sites of Nantian.


    Although due to the suppression by the six sacred sites, the Changsheng Sect had always operated in the shadows, no one dared to underestimate them. With thirty-six Elder Tiangangs, seventy-two Earthshatter Elders, and eight Vice Sect Hierarchs, each was a formidable force to be reckoned with.


    Especially the eight Vice Sect Hierarchs, the weakest among them was of the Tianzun level.


    Zhou Chen, with a frosty face, stared at the suddenly appearing Wang Chuantian: "Wang Chuantian, has your Changsheng Sect run out of people, to have to send you, the grand eighth Vice Sect Hierarch, to personally take action?"


    "Tsk!"


    Wang Chuantian sneered, obviously hearing the provocation and mockery in Zhou Chen''s words, he pointed towards Xiao Yi and indifferently said, "This young lad dares to slay many of our Holy Church''s powerhouses, as the Vice Hierarch of the Holy Church, it is naturally my duty to act."


    Zhou Chen''s eyes shifted.


    A sinister and bizarre gleam flitted across the depths of his eyes, and he sneered: "If your target is Xiao Yi, then I must regretfully inform you, his life belongs to my Nantian Holy Land. Your Changsheng Sect might have a long reach, but it''s not likely to extend to him under my watch��"


    Wang Chuantian was indistinctly displeased by that arrogant and haughty attitude.


    They were all Tianzun-level powerhouses!


    But all this time...


    The Changsheng Sect had been shunned by all the sacred sites, thus placing those from the sacred sites a step above the members of the Changsheng Sect.


    Wang Chuantian snorted coldly, his delicate and fair fingers tenderly brushed back a lock of hair and then stated word by word: "Zhou Chen, you are far too dismissive of others. Since I personally descended here, then the fate of this Xiao Yi can only be decided by me, how could it fall into your hands?"


    "So, you intend to compete with me for him?" Zhou Chen said sinisterly.


    "I will take him, what can you do about it?"


    Wang Chuantian slightly leaned forward.


    Both men locked eyes, neither willing to back down.


    In their counterpoints.


    A tangible glare burst from their eyes, colliding in the void and sparking fierce flames.


    At the center of their boundary line, a huge tornado spontaneously appeared, roaring as it swept up countless river waters into the sky. The turbulent surface of the river stirred up enormous waves.


    At that moment...


    Xiao Yi''s languid voice resounded: "Is everyone rushing to court death these days? Stop fighting over it, just come at me together!"


    What?


    Xiao Yi''s words, possessing a strange magic power, completely collapsed the hard-earned momentum between the two.


    Everyone looked at Xiao Yi in bafflement.


    Qiu Yiyun covered her face and exclaimed, "Fuck, Xiao Yi, what the hell are you trying to do?"


    "Has this guy gone mad?"


    That was everyone''s first thought.


    He was facing two Heavenly Venerable strong practitioners, one an Elder Supreme from the Nantian Holy Land, the other the Vice Sect Hierarch of the Changsheng Sect.


    Such beings��


    Any one of them could trample over ninety-nine percent of the strong in the Southern State, those who could contend against them alone were rare, let alone challenge two at once?


    Even Nantian Wen was dumbfounded, then he smiled bitterly shaking his head, his look at Xiao Yi tinged with disappointment: "He''s indeed too young, slightly accomplished and already ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth, disregarding everyone. He is arrogant without sufficient strength, this will bring him suffering!"


    Zhou Chen and Wang Chuantian exchanged glances.


    Both turned their gaze towards Xiao Yi.


    Their eyes were filled with intense mockery and ridicule.


    Fighting against the two of them simultaneously?


    Even as strong as Nantian Wen wouldn''t dare make such a decision lightly.


    Zhou Chen shook his head and sneered, "I''ve never seen such a reckless and ignorant person!"


    "Zhou Chen, stand aside and watch how I teach this insolent brat a lesson!" Wang Chuantian spoke.


    This time Zhou Chen did not stop him.


    On one hand, he was inclined to let Wang Chuantian make a move; on the other, Xiao Yi''s contempt had thoroughly enraged him.


    With a leap, Wang Chuantian''s figure seemed to blend into the void, becoming invisible, silently appearing behind Xiao Yi. With a ferocious sneer, Wang Chuantian raised his right hand.


    His palm seemed ordinary, but upon closer inspection, one would see a nearly transparent white vortex in the center of the palm.


    Life and Death Seal!


    Seeing the vortex above Wang Chuantian''s palm, Zhou Chen''s face slightly changed, a serious look flashing through his eyes: "It seems Wang Chuantian is truly intent on killing Xiao Yi, using the Life and Death Seal right from the start, this move will leave Xiao Yi either dead or severely wounded!"


    Buzz!


    The Life and Death Seal suddenly descended.


    The vortex seemed small, yet it held incomparable power. S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This power could even bind the movements of a Heavenly Venerable strong practitioner, leaving them like a target, standing still, awaiting capture.


    Seeing Xiao Yi immobilized by the Life and Death Seal, waiting for this palm that could injure a Heavenly Venerable to fall, Wang Chuantian''s face revealed a cold smile: "Boy, today I will let you know, the strength you take pride in is like a vast chasm compared to a Heavenly Venerable, insurmountable!"


    Buzz!


    Mixed with the aura of death, the cold palm fell like an ice blade, "Pfft", directly chopping down on the back of Xiao Yi''s neck.


    Xiao Yi''s body swayed, almost as if his corpse was about to be severed.


    "So weak!"


    Wang Chuantian spoke mockingly.


    However��


    His words had just finished, the mockery and contempt on his face suddenly froze, his eyes widening in disbelief as he looked at the "Xiao Yi" in front of him. This "Xiao Yi" split in half by his palm blade rippled like water, gradually dissipating into the void.


    This��


    Was just an afterimage!


    And at this moment��


    Behind Wang Chuantian, Xiao Yi''s lazy voice suddenly sounded, "Heavenly Venerable? Just so-so!"

 Chapter 865 - 863: Lets Go Together!

    "Heavenly Venerate? That''s all?"


    Xiao Yi''s lazy voice suddenly rang out from behind. His voice was so close that it sent a shudder through Wang Chuantian''s entire body and goosebumps exploded all over him in an instant.


    There was hardly any hesitation.


    As Wang Chuantian turned around, he threw a punch behind him.


    With the addition of a Primordial Spirit typical of a fighter from the Heaven Venerate Realm, who could interact with nature and utilize the forces of the earth and sky, his punch appeared amidst bluish flickers of light, like crazy little sprites converging towards his fist.


    This turned his entire fist into something resembling a blue crystal.


    Buzz!


    This heavy punch smashed toward Xiao Yi''s chest.


    Wang Chuantian''s face was contorted with ferocity as he gritted his teeth and said, "Qiankun Shock Fist!"


    Qiankun Shock Fist!


    A Heavenly Venerate-level technique, interwoven with the paths of icy coldness, made his already incredibly tough fist become even more indestructible. With one punch, he could shatter realms and break open the fabric of space; this punch''s power was certainly not weak.


    The mere sweeping force of the punch had already scattered the clouds within a few miles.


    "No one can block my punch!" Wang Chuantian thought with unparalleled confidence as he imagined Xiao Yi being gravely injured or even directly obliterated by the punch, a splendid smile curling the corners of his mouth.


    But that smile remained only for a fleeting moment.


    A few moments later.


    Wang Chuantian''s smiling expression crumbled, leaving only astonishment and disbelief.


    Bang!


    That powerful, unmatched punch only created a dull thud like a heavy punch on a sandbag, and then nothing else.


    Wang Chuantian''s smile slowly solidified.


    He disbelievingly watched the hand in front of him, radiating with golden brilliance and exuding purple-gold lightning, casually grabbing his destructive blue punch.


    His prized Qiankun Shock Fist had been caught barehanded with one hand by Xiao Yi!


    Crackle, crackle!


    Purple-gold electric arcs transmitted from Xiao Yi''s arm. The arcs collided with each other, emitting eerie, skin-crawling cracks.


    "This, this is impossible��" Wang Chuantian tried to pull his arm back.


    But the fist caught in Xiao Yi''s hand felt like it was sucked in by a bottomless vortex, making it impossible for him to break free no matter how desperately he struggled.


    Beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down his forehead.


    Wang Chuantian could not comprehend how Xiao Yi, seemingly just a beginner in the Human Venerate Realm, could possess such terrifying power. It must be known that he was a genuine and powerful Heavenly Venerate!


    Xiao Yi shook his head slightly, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt.


    After devouring that Heavenly Venerate Primordial Spirit.


    On Xiao Yi''s Sealing God Tree, there were now one million and eighty thousand Sealing God Leaves grown, implying that Xiao Yi had attained a cultivation level comparable to the first layer of the Heavenly Venerate Realm. His cultivation officially stepped into the Heavenly Venerate Realm, and coupled with his Nine Revolutions Realm Wind and Thunder Holy Body that could resist a Heavenly Venerate.


    This had increased Xiao Yi''s combat power tenfold.


    Though his cultivation seemed only to be at the Human Venerate Realm, he possessed the strength to rival a Heavenly Venerate!


    "Is this the insurmountable gulf you spoke of? It seems, this gulf is only so much after all!" Xiao Yi looked at Wang Chuantian with a cold laugh.


    Wang Chuantian''s cultivation was at the same level as Zhou Chen''s, both at the second layer of the Heavenly Venerate Realm. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With Xiao Yi''s current strength, facing the two of them put him under no pressure!


    His gaze turned to Zhou Chen, equally astonished, and Xiao Yi beckoned with his fingers, "Don''t waste any more time. You might as well attack together!"


    Gulp!


    Everyone present couldn''t help but sharply inhale, violently swallowing saliva to alleviate the shock in their hearts.


    Before this��


    Xiao Yi suggested fighting two opponents at once, yet everyone only considered him wildly arrogant, unaware of his capabilities.


    But now,


    the moment Xiao Yi effortlessly neutralized Wang Chuantian''s assault and displayed strength that could rival a Heaven Venerate, and again suggested fighting two opponents, there was no longer any disdain or mockery from the crowd, only deep shock and anticipation.


    Nantian Wen''s expression was grave. He articulated slowly, "Zhou Chen is left with no good choices. Whether he accepts the battle or not, he will no longer be able to hold his head up high in the Southern State. Xiao Yi will eventually become an unerasable demon in his martial path!"


    Nantian Ao nodded profoundly in agreement.


    Zhou Chen, with his Heaven Venerate cultivation, had never taken Xiao Yi seriously.


    If he were to decline this battle, he would end up labeled a coward, and his martial heart would inevitably suffer damage.


    If he were to fight?


    Two established Heaven Venerates joining forces, regardless of the outcome, victory or defeat, he would still lose the purity of his martial heart.


    In a dilemma.


    A tough choice!


    Nantian Wen gazed at Zhou Chen, suddenly relieved that he had previously heeded Nantian Ao''s advice and not attacked Xiao Yi himself. Otherwise, he might be the one trapped in a dilemma.


    With a slight upturn of his lips, Nantian Wen deeply intoned to Xiao Yi, "If you survive this battle, there will assuredly be a place for you at the summit of Southern State''s martial world!"


    Zhou Chen''s fists were clenched tightly, cracking audibly, his knuckles turning slightly pale.


    His shoulders trembled slightly.


    It was evident how intense his anger was.


    Fury beyond containment!


    He never thought he would be pushed to this extent, exactly as Nantian Wen had analyzed��caught in a tough dilemma.


    Xiao Yi, also aware of his predicament, was still holding Wang Chuantian with one hand, and spoke nonchalantly, "The esteemed Grand Elder of the Southern State Holy Land doesn''t even have the courage to fight me?"


    Buzz!


    These words completely triggered Zhou Chen.


    Boom!


    With a shake of his body, his clothes burst apart, revealing his muscular form. His black hair moved without wind, his eyes sparkling coldly with a venomous, blood-red gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, he bellowed furiously, "You little bastard, you forced this upon me!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Suddenly, six luminous rings appeared around Zhou Chen, each representing the Six Tao Reincarnations.


    It was Zhou Chen''s strongest move��Six Tao Reincarnation Fist!


    "Six Tao Execution!"


    Zhou Chen threw a punch, creating thousands of punch shadows in an instant. The six luminous rings whistled and spun, surrounding the punch shadows, crushing down like a mountain tsunami.


    The skies changed color, the sun and moon darkened.


    The galaxies shifted, cosmos turned chaotic.


    It was as if hell had descended, and the six paths appeared.


    The ancient, robust, and evil killing intent filled energy was all concentrated in this one punch, heading straight for Xiao Yi.


    The power of this punch was undeniably formidable.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly, instinctively feeling the threat of death. He rapidly retreated, abruptly flinging his arm. Wang Chuantian, caught off guard, was thrown directly into the punch shadows enveloped by the six luminous rings.


    "Not good!"


    Wang Chuantian''s expression drastically changed. He dodged in a flash, transforming into a streak of light that narrowly avoided the attack.


    He reappeared standing alongside Zhou Chen.


    The two exchanged glances.


    Their icy gazes filled with soaring killing intent simultaneously landed on Xiao Yi and they said in unison, "Together, we shall slay this fiend!"

 Chapter 866 - 864: Taking on Two Alone

    "Let''s join forces and slay this fiend!"


    Zhou Chen and Wang Chuantian exchanged a glance, each seeing a trace of venom and ruthlessness in the other''s eyes.


    With their strength and status, they would not have chosen to join forces if they were not driven into a corner.


    After all,


    once they united, no matter the outcome, it would have a huge impact on their reputation.


    If they were facing another old-generation Heaven Venerate strong enough, it would be another matter.


    But unfortunately, Xiao Yi was not only a younger generation compared to them, but in the eyes of the world, Xiao Yi was merely at the beginning of the Human Venerate Realm.


    The two veteran Heaven Venerates ganging up on Xiao Yi, who had just entered the Human Venerate Realm,


    regardless of victory or defeat,


    was not a glorious affair at all!


    Watching the two stand shoulder to shoulder with malevolent gazes focused on Xiao Yi, Wang Chuantian said coldly, "Xiao Yi, you should be proud, even in death, to have made both of us join hands!"


    Xiao Yi smirked and beckoned with his fingers, "Cut the crap and come at me together!"


    "Arrogant!"


    "Foolish!"


    Both were infuriated.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Behind them, two astounding energy beams erupted simultaneously, and bolstered by the beams, they attacked Xiao Yi from the left and the right with such speed, they resembled meteors streaking across the sky.


    In an instant,


    they had appeared on either side of Xiao Yi.


    Wang Chuantian clenched his fist in one hand, the surface shimmered with a chilling light, and a blue tortoise phantom took shape. Striking forward, the tortoise opened its mouth and let out an earth-shattering roar, unleashing a giant blue wave towards Xiao Yi.


    Within the waves surged immense innate power, the water roared tumultuously, deafening to those who heard it.


    Zhou Chen''s assault was equally fierce.


    Light wheels circulated around him as if combining sun and moon, Yin and Yang intertwining to form a Yin Yang Treasure Wheel. The treasure wheel spun wildly, and as the black and white lights flickered continuously, they dazzled the eyes.


    Both of their attacks were deadly moves,


    aimed at taking Xiao Yi''s life.


    Facing the siege of two Heaven Venerate powerhouses simultaneously, even Xiao Yi, with his formidable combat strength, dared not slacken in the slightest. He tapped the void with the tip of his foot, and from that spot, surge forth two streams of divine power, aiding his body to avoid the initial position.


    Swish!


    The Yin Yang Treasure Wheel grazed past him.


    Almost as he narrowly escaped the treasure wheel, Xiao Yi spun around, his palm already covered with a layer of purple-golden thunderous light, forming a gigantic hand.


    With the thunderous hand following the move, he reached out to grasp the Yin Yang Treasure Wheel.


    When the two completely different energies collided, they sparked blinding flames, hissing fiercely. Even with Xiao Yi''s formidable Nine-turn Wind Thunder Holy Body, his palm was sliced open by a deep cut.


    The pain made Xiao Yi''s brows furrow sharply.


    He also sighed with relief internally.


    This Yin Yang Treasure Wheel was exceedingly sharp; had he not avoided it, even with his resilient body, he likely would have suffered severe injuries.


    Without time to think further��


    Xiao Yi spun around, hurling the Yin Yang Treasure Wheel he had seized.


    Swish!


    Carrying a trail of thunder, the treasure wheel flew towards the blue tortoise phantom that was sweeping from another direction. As it spun wildly, the incredibly sharp Yin Yang Treasure Wheel, amidst the buzzing sound, cut through the blue tortoise phantom.


    Not losing momentum,


    it whizzed straight towards Wang Chuantian.


    "Not good, dodge..." Zhou Chen''s complexion changed drastically as he yelled a warning.


    Wang Chuantian was momentarily stunned; the moment the tortoise was breached and bright blue light flared, he squinted instinctively, missing the incoming treasure wheel.


    As the treasure wheel entered his sight, it was too late to dodge.


    "Damn it�� block it for me!"


    Wang Chuantian''s face changed drastically, and he crossed his palms in front of him, thrusting them forward with force.


    A stream of blue innate power burst forth from his palms, weaving and wrapping around in front of him, forming a huge blue ice shield.


    Almost at the same time...


    Mixed with flashes of lightning and thunder, the Yin Yang Treasure Wheel slammed fiercely against the blue ice shield with a thud, followed by a booming sound. The Yin Yang Treasure Wheel shook violently, and its forward momentum abruptly halted.


    But this was only for a moment.


    As the Yin Yang Treasure Wheel spun wildly, it brought up trails of icy blue light, seemingly ready to slice the ice shield apart. S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wang Chuantian''s face turned pale, as he continuously emitted waves of blue energy.


    Each energy wave quickly solidified into an ice shield.


    Layer upon layer.


    Stacked in front of him.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    The Yin Yang Treasure Wheel relentlessly broke through the ice shields, closing in on Wang Chuantian.


    Watching Wang Chuantian being forced back step by step, Zhou Chen wasn''t idle either.


    He was very clear...


    At this moment, the two of them were like grasshoppers on the same string.


    If one couldn''t escape, the other couldn''t leap away either.


    They would share both glory and loss.


    Clang!


    Amidst the harsh sound of metal clashing, a silver long spear materialized in his palm, mysterious totems winding around it as if merging with his arm.


    The man and spear became one!


    "Overlord Spear!"


    As Zhou Chen thrust the spear, it transformed into a dragon, its shockwave like thunder tearing through the sky. The piercing sound of air being compressed to its limits surrounded the spear, which bent like a bow, the surging power erupting in an instant.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi was directly knocked flying.


    "Are you alright?"


    Zhou Chen glanced at Wang Chuantian, whose face was sullen. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he coldly said, "It''s nothing!"


    Before the words finished.


    Wang Chuantian''s arms shuddered, and his robe violently expanded, a wild surge filling his entire body. His body crackled with crisp pops as arcs of lightning danced across his skin.


    His muscles swelled with ferocious power in an instant, the clear definition of his physique sketching the perfect form, his throbbing veins like coiling dragons.


    "Sword, come!"


    With a low growl from Wang Chuantian, a majestic bronze longsword appeared behind him, the Martial Dao Law Incarnation Emperor Sword. Wang Chuantian was a cultivator who walked the paths of both Physical Nirvana and Law Incarnation Nirvana, unleashing the absolute strength of his body while also embodying his Martial Dao Fasxiang into his life-bound weapon.


    "Emperor''s Rage!"


    Wang Chuantian brandished the Emperor Sword, sweeping across the sky. The sword radiated a bronze brilliance, its splendor outshining even the light of gold.


    Like an ancient emperor wielding a sword capable of beheading ministers and commoners alike.


    Zhou Chen''s offensive also didn''t stop.


    He pursued the paths of Physical Nirvana and Spiritual Nirvana, infusing each strike with a powerful spiritual shock.


    Unfortunately...


    Today, he faced Xiao Yi!


    This was a man who had taken Spiritual Nirvana, Physical Nirvana, and Law Incarnation Nirvana to their limits, especially after devouring a Heavenly Venerate''s Primordial Spirit. Xiao Yi''s spiritual power was already not inferior to that of a Heavenly Venerate, completely unaffected by Zhou Chen''s attacks.


    Whoosh!


    The Demon Sword, Slash Moon, landed in his palm, the blade trembling slightly. Xiao Yi''s eyes glared intently at the two men coming for him head-on.


    One against two!


    But he wasn''t facing just any adversaries��both were Heavenly Venerate powerhouses. Far from a trace of fear or dread, his fighting spirit soared to the heavens, fearless. His body shook, and the sword light swirled about. Countless Sword Qi oscillated wildly as Xiao Yi roared, "Kill!"

 Chapter 867 - 865: Sword Beheading the Heavenly Venerate

    "Kill!"


    A single word, "kill," sounded like a thunderclap on a clear day, surpassing the reverberation of the morning bell and the evening drum.


    The deafening cry of "kill" boomed in the heavens, rolling and echoing across the Milky Way, forcefully drowning out the raging waves of the celestial river.


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi took a step forward, and immediately beneath his feet, a vacuum was formed.


    Upon the turbulent celestial river, a massive and bottomless ravine appeared, with water from the tall riverbanks cascading down tumultuously, while Xiao Yi charged through the chasm at breakneck speed.


    The raging Sword Qi circling his body was even more dazzling than a meteor shower.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    Under the envelopment of circulating Sword Qi, the oncoming lance glows and Sword Qi were utterly shattered, defending away from his body.


    Zhou Chen and his companion''s fierce onslaught couldn''t even get close to him.


    The three of them fought fiercely together.


    Sword light, lance glow.


    Simultaneously, they collided above this section of the celestial river, unleashing an unparalleled destructive storm.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    After a series of roars comparable to the thundering of heaven, the celestial river burst into astonishing waves spanning hundreds to thousands of meters with numerous whirlpools converging and undercurrents surging incessantly, refusing to subside. The splashing spouts of water did not fall for a long time.


    "Heavenly King Covers the Earth!"


    Zhou Chen raised his long spear like a dragon swinging its tail, smashing down with the overpowering force of a tyrant.


    Xiao Yi raised his sword to block above his head.


    Clang!


    Amidst the deafening roar, the sword and spear crossed in the void, sparking blinding flashes of light.


    Almost simultaneously...


    Wang Chuantian''s assault also came from the side.


    On the Emperors Sword, a brassy Sword Qi fluctuated and ebbed, gathering mysterious runes and carrying a dim yellow ribbon of light, slashing directly toward Xiao Yi''s waist.


    Xiao Yi''s arm vibrated, covered in a flash of lightning.


    Golden radiance sheathed his entire body.


    The Wind Thunder armor adhered to his body, and with a thunderous clash, it managed to block the strike. But the force of this sword was extraordinary, cutting a rift into the seemingly invincible Wind Thunder armor, narrowly stopping short of splitting Xiao Yi open.


    Xiao Yi''s brows furrowed, and as he let out a cold huff, he reached forward with his left hand.


    Purple-gold lightning, like a dragon, crackled over his palm and then condensed into a purple-golden Thunder Spear between his hands. He thrust forward with the spear, this weapon being stronger with each additional inch of length.


    Upon impact with the Thunder Spear, golden rings condensed at its tip.


    Circled by the rings,


    The speed of the Thunder Spear increased manifold, appearing like a streak of lightning in the void, leaving only a trail of golden light before piercing through Wang Chuantian''s abdomen, the bloody spear tip emerging from his lower back.


    After the crackling roar,


    A scorch of burnt flesh wafted from the wound.


    Hiss!


    Wang Chuantian sucked in a breath of cold air in pain, swung the Emperors Sword to sever the Thunder Spear, and hastily retreated, glowering at Xiao Yi with a sinister expression, "You ruthless brat; I underestimated you. If my reaction were not swift enough, I might have fallen at your hand..."


    "You''re celebrating too early!"


    Xiao Yi watched Wang Chuantian with a mocking smile.


    That handsome face with a smile sent chills down Wang Chuantian''s spine while mentally cursing his luck, he saw Xiao Yi suddenly clench his fist.


    Almost simultaneously...


    Wang Chuantian''s complexion drastically changed, his face flushed with anger, replaced by shock and despair, "Damn it, ah..."


    He barely spoke before the excruciating pain from his waist made him gasp for air.


    Crack!


    Crack, crack, crack...


    The part of the Thunder Spear that had pierced his body and remained inside now reacted as Xiao Yi clenched his fist, triggering its energy.


    In an instant,


    From his wound, bursts of crackling sounds resounded, and countless arcs and flashes of lightning surged out. With a flash of golden light and a muffled boom, a large chunk of Wang Chuantian''s waist was blown away.


    ```


    "Roar..."


    Wang Chuantian let out a hysterical scream, retreating in a panic while clutching his waist.


    ```


    ```


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits, as a fierce light spat wildly, "Thinking of leaving now? It''s already too late!"


    ```


    ```


    On his arms, blue veins popped like fierce dragons.


    ```


    ```


    Strength surged to its peak.


    ```


    ```


    With a powerful push upward, he clashed with a clang against Zhou Chen''s assault, a glint of cold light flashing through Zhou Chen''s eyes. Knowing Xiao Yi intended to pursue Wang Chuantian, and having launched their attacks simultaneously, Zhou Chen certainly wouldn''t allow Xiao Yi to free his hands at this moment.


    ```


    ```


    "Fat chance!"


    ```


    ```


    Zhou Chen''s face twisted into a ferocious snarl, and behind him rose the sound of six arms appearing with a puff, puff.


    ```


    ```


    Eight arms in total, each brandishing a blade.


    ```


    ```


    Eight-Armed Demon Embodiment!


    ```


    ```


    This was Zhou Chen''s Martial Dao Fasxiang, his voice thundering furiously, "Stay right there!"


    ```


    ```


    "Martial Dao Fasxiang is indeed not bad, but... you think you can stop me?" sneered Xiao Yi with disdain, his sword soaring to the heavens, unleashing a resplendent Sword Intent, "Sword Twenty-Three!"


    ```


    ```


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    ```


    ```


    In the space between heaven and earth, a circular sword pattern emerged.


    ```


    ```


    Above and below, facing each other.


    ```


    ```


    In distant accord!


    ```


    ```


    Creating a realm of swords.


    ```


    ``` Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    ```


    ```


    From the edges of the two sword patterns, a series of formidable sword shadows descended in unison, connecting to form a line that trapped Zhou Chen squarely within the realm of swords.


    ```


    ```


    "This is bad..."


    ```


    ```


    Zhou Chen swung his eight arms wildly, frantically striking against the confines of the sword realm.


    ```


    ```


    Yet the sword light was so astonishing he couldn''t break free for the moment.


    ```


    ```


    "It''s over..."


    ```


    ```


    As Zhou Chen furiously attacked the sword realm, his eyes had turned blood-red, glaring in shock and anger towards Wang Chuantian''s direction.


    ```


    ```


    Wang Chuantian shuddered as he was healing.


    ```


    ```


    A chill of death locked onto him in this instant.


    ```


    ```


    This sensation of death made him break out in a deathly cold sweat.


    ```


    ```


    Gurgle!


    ```


    ```


    Wang Chuantian swallowed his saliva instinctively and, without any hesitation, dodged to the side. But as he moved, Xiao Yi''s actions were faster. With a motion of his longsword, he brought forth two sword lights, stirring the waters of the celestial river.


    ```


    ```


    Transforming into two vast, roaring water dragons, they charged toward Wang Chuantian amidst their thunderous roars.


    ```


    ```


    "Damn it..."


    ```


    ```


    With one hand pressed to his wound, Wang Chuantian struck out with his palm, his icy chi freezing both water dragons amidst a crackling noise.


    ```


    ```


    Wang Chuantian had just caught his breath when, at that moment, Xiao Yi''s figure instantly appeared before him. The blinding light of the near sword light made it impossible for him to open his eyes, and a terror rose from his spine to the very top of his head!


    ```


    ```


    "Wang Chuantian, surrender your life!"


    ```


    ```


    Xiao Yi''s voice erupted in a dragon-like roar.


    ```


    ```


    The longsword cleaved through the air.


    ```


    ```


    A blade flash, enduring as eternity, freezing all in its path!


    ```


    ```


    Whoosh!


    ```


    ```


    This sword seemed to tear through the dark brightness, much like the morning sun at dawn.


    ```


    ```


    Enveloped in a radiantly splendid light.


    ```


    ```


    This sword, gathering the countless energies of heaven and earth, carried an enshrouding divine force, slicing through Wang Chuantian with a splurch.


    ```


    ```


    "No..."


    ```


    ```


    Wang Chuantian screamed to the heavens.


    ```


    ```


    The merciless sword light sliced open his body, and the divine force upon it locked his Primordial Spirit with black chains. Amidst the chaos of a whirling storm, Wang Chuantian''s Primordial Spirit was ground into oblivion, disappearing into the skies above.


    ```


    ```


    Great Celestial, felled by the sword!


    ```


    ```


    In that moment...


    ```


    ```


    Heaven and earth fell silent; all the powerhouses present watched in dumbstruck awe...


    ```

 Chapter 868 - 866: Strong to the End

    Wang Chuantian fell in battle.


    His body split into two halves, the bloody cross-sections so clear one could see every structure inside, rendering it unbearable to stare directly.


    The two halves of the corpse were suspended beneath Xiao Yi''s feet.


    As for the most important Primordial Spirit of a Tianzun-level powerhouse, which is also known as the basis by which "so long as the Primordial Spirit is not destroyed, the Tianzun shall not die," that had completely dissipated into nothingness. After all, with the likes of Nantian Wen present, Xiao Yi could not freely seal this Primordial Spirit within the Wangu Heavenly Tomb.


    For him...


    The Wangu Heavenly Tomb was his ultimate trump card, absolutely not to be exposed lightly.


    Even though he now possessed the strength to slay a Tianzun, Xiao Yi was very clear about the principle that beyond the heavens, there are other heavens.


    Before stepping into this realm.


    He had always thought that the strongest entity in this world was the Longevity Secret Realm, how could he know that the Longevity Secret Realm was actually divided into five completely distinct levels?


    Even the Nantian Holy Land alone possesses the existence of a Saint-level powerhouse.


    Who could guarantee that there were no ancient beings from the Ancient Times still alive in this world?


    What kind of cultivation and strength would such people possess?


    It should be known...


    Back then, Martial God Zhao Wuji, he was capable of shattering the Azure Heaven Continent and plunging the once supreme Hall of Longevity deep into the void, never to be seen again. And Xiao Yi himself admits that his current strength is nowhere near that level.


    This trump card, the Wangu Heavenly Tomb, must absolutely not be exposed!


    As for letting Wang Chuantian''s Primordial Spirit go?


    That was even less likely!


    A tiger returning to the mountain is bound to become a menace.


    Moreover, this was a Tianzun-level formidable tiger. Once his Primordial Spirit escaped, all Wang Chuantian needed was to seize a powerful body, and he could quickly regain peak strength.


    Should a Tianzun-level powerhouse seek revenge, the consequences would be unbearable for Xiao Yi.


    Of course.


    There was another more important reason for killing Wang Chuantian.


    That was to deter all sides!


    Being a match for a Tianzun and slaying a Tianzun are two completely different concepts!


    Recall when Nantian Wen established the Nantian Holy Institute, the entire Nantian Holy Land almost wished for a change of dynasty in the Nantian Dynasty, yet it was precisely because Nantian Wen had slain a Tianzun-level powerhouse from the Nantian Holy Land.


    Displaying his overwhelming strength, which even the Nantian Holy Land dared not provoke, paved the way for the birth of the Nantian Holy Institute.


    Over the years, the Nantian Holy Institute had provided the Nantian Dynasty with countless powerhouses.


    This was the foundation of a strong nation, the basis of its establishment!


    Xiao Yi''s thoughts had returned in the blink of an eye, his eyes glinting with a hint of red light as he swept his gaze over Zhou Chen, Nantian Wen, and the others.


    Zhou Chen''s face suddenly changed.


    The previously overbearing expression on his face cycled through a complex range, filled with intricate thoughts.


    The powerhouses of the Nantian Holy Land had always held themselves in high regard, looking down on any genius or powerhouse outside of the Nantian Holy Land. In his eyes, Xiao Yi was completely insignificant, not even qualified to carry his shoes. But now, in front of him,


    Xiao Yi had slain Wang Chuantian while facing two opponents!


    Now, with Xiao Yi alone in front of him, should a life-and-death battle erupt again, even the overbearing Zhou Chen was filled with doubt about his own chances; he had to put aside his arrogance and admit he had no assurance of victory over Xiao Yi.


    Even more so...


    He was no longer confident that he could even preserve his own life against Xiao Yi!


    On the small boat.


    Nantian Ao swallowed hard, his gaze intensely fixed on Xiao Yi, "This guy is stronger than before, how does he cultivate? It''s simply monstrous..."


    "Indeed a monster!"


    Nantian Wen nodded in agreement.


    The ruler of the Nantian Dynasty got to his feet for the first time, lightly straightening his clothes and spoke indifferently, "Let''s go, it''s time for us to step in."


    "Ah?"


    Nantian Ao was stunned.


    He saw Nantian Wen, without saying a word, walking on air.


    His figure seemed to stand still in place, but when it began to blur, Nantian Wen had already appeared dozens of meters away. This level of skill in the movement technique was truly extraordinary.


    Even Xiao Yi couldn''t help but raise his eyebrows, staring at Nantian Wen who stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhou Chen, and secretly marveled in his heart, "No wonder he could single-handedly make the Nantian Holy Land not dare to block the establishment of the Nantian Holy Institute. Nantian Wen''s strength truly is extraordinary..."


    Xiao Yi''s perception was also extremely sharp.


    Upon Nantian Wen''s body, he felt a strong sense of danger.


    This was definitely an existence not to be provoked.


    His combat power was certainly far above Zhou Chen and Wang Chuantian, at least Xiao Yi did not currently have the confidence that he could defeat him.


    With this thought,


    Xiao Yi spoke out, "Nantian Wen, have you finally deigned to show yourself?"


    "Ha ha ha, you''ve been waiting for me to make a move, haven''t you?"


    Nantian Wen laughed heartily, his laughter booming like thunder resonating through the sky, making one''s ears ring. His laughter abruptly ceased as he pointed at Zhou Chen, who was still struggling with the Sword Domain, and said, "Give me some face, let him off the hook, will you?"


    "On what grounds?" Xiao Yi retorted.


    Nantian Wen raised his eyebrows.


    Over the years...


    This was still the first being who dared to refuse him to his face.


    This not only failed to produce any displeasure in Nantian Wen, but on the contrary, it brought out a trace of admiring smile on his face. He seemed to see a reflection of his younger self in Xiao Yi. A young prodigy with the same passionate spirit, the same uncompromising boldness.


    Wasn''t that how he was when he faced the Nantian Holy Land alone back in the day?


    But...


    Back then, he only had to withstand the pressure of the Nantian Holy Land, and behind him was the entire Daqian Dynasty.


    Xiao Yi, however, had to face the pressure from the Nantian Dynasty, the Nantian Holy Land, and even the Changsheng Sect.


    And behind Xiao Yi were only those people he sought to protect.


    They could scarcely offer him much help at all!


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    Nantian Wen looked at Xiao Yi with a gaze that was gentle yet filled with more admiration, the corner of his mouth twitching as he looked in the direction of Zhou Chen and lightly said, "Elder Zhou, I''m helping you out here, you should show some appreciation, right?"


    This was negotiating terms!


    Zhou Chen''s face subtly changed, his countenance shifting from sullen to ferocious.


    Before this encounter...


    He never thought he''d be subdued here.


    But recalling the fate of Wang Chuantian, Zhou Chen could only grit his teeth, suppressing the anger and unwillingness inside him, and with a look of suppressed humiliation, he roared, "My Nantian Holy Land is willing to provide three Longevity Spirits to the Daqian Dynasty annually, and offer ten spots for cultivation in the Nantian Holy Land!"


    Nantian Wen slightly frowned.


    Such terms were hardly appealing!


    His gaze turned to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved into a slight smile, and he chuckled, "It seems Elder Zhou treats the Daqian Dynasty as beggars to be dismissed!"


    "Xiao Yi, do not be too greedy. Longevity Spirits are incredibly difficult to obtain. Even the Nantian Dynasty only gets ten Longevity Spirits a year. For us to offer you three, along with ten spots for cultivation in the Nantian Holy Land, is already due to the face given for Nantian Wen..."


    Zhou Chen spat out his words through clenched teeth, "If you know what''s good for you, you''ll accept my conditions. For the offenses against me, I can forgive and forget. Otherwise..."


    Slap!


    The response was a fierce slap to the face.


    This slap left Zhou Chen stunned and even Nantian Wen looked on in astonishment.


    There''s the saying, "Don''t curse the short, don''t slap the face."


    Especially when it''s the face of a mighty Heavenly Venerate!


    And you just slapped him like that?


    Zhou Chen, bewildered, looked at Xiao Yi, "You, you, you dare to hit me?"


    Slap!


    Xiao Yi backhanded another slap. Without letting Zhou Chen speak, he followed it with a dozen more, striking Zhou Chen''s cheeks until they were covered with bright red palm prints, his head swelling up. Only then did Xiao Yi say in an exceedingly indifferent tone, "I''ll give you another chance. Think carefully before you speak. If you displease me again, this will be your fate..."


    Xiao Yi pointed toward the ground.


    Zhou Chen was taken aback and followed the direction of the finger.


    He saw the bisected corpse of Wang Chuantian, with its eyes wide open, bereft of consciousness, staring back at him...

 Chapter 869 - 867: Alliance Formed, The Third Giant!

    Wang Chuantian died with his eyes wide open, still gazing at him.


    Those gray eyes, void of any trace of emotion or vitality.


    Gurgle!


    Zhou Chen was within the realm of swords, and with his strength, he could have broken out of it long ago, but the death of Wang Chuantian made him forget to escape for a moment. Now, as he gazed back at the whizzing sword lights moving back and forth and Wang Chuantian''s eyes, he finally let out a bitter smile.


    Sigh!


    Zhou Chen exhaled a long breath, knowing he had no way to deal with the young man before him. He could only say reluctantly, "From the day the alliance is formed, every year, I, Nantian Holy Land, can offer your Daqian Dynasty ten spirits of longevity, and every year provide your Daqian Dynasty with one hundred qualifications to enter our Nantian Holy Land for cultivation..."


    Ten spirits of longevity.


    This was already a very generous offer.


    It matched the terms of the Nantian Dynasty!


    Nantian Wen spoke from the side, "Xiao Yi, this offer is indeed very sincere!"


    Xiao Yi feigned contemplation and did not make a decision immediately but looked towards Yang Ling, who had been kept at a distance under Little Lin''s protection.


    Little Lin understood.


    Immediately, she brought Yang Ling to the front of the group.


    Yang Ling was also extremely nervous; Nantian Wen had once been his most admired idol. His dream had been to make the Great Qian Dynasty strong enough to be honored with a summons from Nantian Wen.


    Who would have thought...


    The Great Qian Dynasty he now controlled could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Nantian Dynasty.


    And he...


    had become an emperor who could sit on equal terms with Nantian Wen.


    Xiao Yi gently pushed Yang Ling''s back, a warm innate force flowing into his body, shocking him out of his rigid nervousness.


    Yang Ling gave Xiao Yi a grateful look.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Your Majesty. This is Emperor Nantian Wen of the Nantian Dynasty, and this other gentleman is Elder Zhou Chen from the Nantian Holy Land. Now, Elder Zhou Chen, on behalf of the Nantian Holy Land, has offered us these terms..."


    Xiao Yi repeated the conditions Zhou Chen had just mentioned.


    Nantian Wen smiled and said, "Yang Ling, for Nantian Holy Land to offer such terms is indeed very sincere, they give the same terms to me in the Nantian Dynasty!"


    This was both an attempt to strengthen relations with Yang Ling and to provide Zhou Chen with an out.


    Zhou Chen nodded, now having set aside his pride, he said solemnly, "Nantian Wen is right, these are the highest terms we can offer. We in the Nantian Holy Land are truly sincere about this alliance..."


    Yang Ling instinctively looked towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi subtly asked, "May I ask what your Majesty thinks?"


    This was a reminder to Yang Ling that he was the emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty.


    An eagle ultimately must soar into the sky.


    He could not protect Yang Ling and the others forever; some things they have to face on their own, their choices needed to be made.


    Grateful, Yang Ling returned a look to Xiao Yi and after pondering for a moment, he looked up at Nantian Wen, "May I know, Emperor Nantian, what terms the Nantian Dynasty is willing to offer?"


    An alliance between the three parties required each to yield some benefits.


    Initially, Nantian Holy Land thought to just give something trivial to settle the matter. But now, they had paid a significant price by offering the priceless spirits of longevity.


    Nantian Wen, having been an emperor for many years, was a veteran at manipulating people''s hearts.


    Almost no one present could match him.


    Having anticipated Yang Ling''s question, he replied with a faint smile, "From the moment the alliance is formed, the Nantian Dynasty will no longer set up northern and southern borders. I am willing to open our borders, allowing free passage for strong individuals from both our nations, and encourage trade between the two countries. Furthermore, from today onwards, the Nantian Dynasty and the Daqian Dynasty are strategic allies, sharing both prosperity and loss, advancing and retreating together against common foes!"


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    His words were like a thunderclap on a clear day.


    Everyone''s gaze simultaneously fell on him, their expressions filled with awe.


    Even Xiao Yi had not expected Nantian Wen''s audacity to be so strong!


    A strategic alliance!


    This was truly a commitment to advance or retreat, to live or die together!


    One must understand...


    With the strength and status of the Nantian Dynasty, there weren''t many powers that could threaten them.


    But the Daqian Dynasty was different!


    Just the Changsheng Sect alone could cause enough trouble for the Daqian Dynasty to be a headache. However, now with the strategic alliance treaty from the Nantian Dynasty, even the Changsheng Sect wouldn''t dare to make another move!


    For the Daqian Dynasty, this was a true form of support and assistance, truly timely help.


    Its importance even surpassed the spiritual entities gifted by the Nantian Holy Land!


    Yang Ling started to breathe heavily, overwhelmed with excitement, but he quickly calmed himself down.


    Yang Ling was very clear that Nantian Wen''s decision was not based on the potential development of the Daqian Dynasty. His decision was entirely based on Xiao Yi''s strength and talent.


    Sigh!


    Yang Ling let out a long breath, nodding seriously, "Your Highness Nantian, you show such sincerity, Yang Ling naturally cannot squander your goodwill. I accept your conditions, and as for my Daqian Dynasty, apart from the strategic alliance, I am willing to share the tumultuous sea territories with your two houses!"


    Nantian Wen and Zhou Chen exchanged glances, both nodding in satisfaction.


    Xiao Yi remained resolute and domineering to the end.


    Yang Ling, however, softened his approach, facing the sincerity offered by both parties. He no longer acted aggressively and chose to accept their conditions.


    He even promised to share the tumultuous sea territories.


    Both the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Land were quite concerned about the tumultuous sea territories, which were the richest in resources among the sea areas belonging to the Southern State. Those places were blank spots for them.


    Sharing the tumultuous sea territories would also be a great boon for them!


    With this thought.


    This tripartite alliance turned out to be quite successful.


    Nantian Wen spoke indifferently, "Since none of us have any objections, shall we sign the alliance treaty?"


    "Agreed!"


    Zhou Chen had already been freed from the domain of the sword. Although he had no reservations about forming the alliance anymore, his mood was not great. After all, he had just been resoundingly slapped by Xiao Yi, losing all face!


    Yang Ling, suppressing the excitement in his heart, expressionless, "If that is the case, then let us sign the contract."


    All three parties took out their tokens.


    Nantian Wen declared loudly, "With the Nantian Seal as proof, my Nantian Dynasty..."


    Zhou Chen, "With the Nantian Order as proof, my Nantian Holy Land..."


    Yang Ling, "With the Great Qian Order as proof, my Daqian Dynasty..."


    "Agree to form an alliance, to not invade each other, to advance and retreat together, to live and die together, to protect the myriad beings of the Southern State. With heaven as witness, let the sun and the moon bear testament..."


    The three tokens simultaneously landed on the three scrolls of the treaty.


    Each person received a copy.


    From today...


    The Southern State was officially divided into three.


    The Nantian Dynasty, the Nantian Holy Land, the Daqian Dynasty...


    And Xiao Yi...


    became the undisputed third great power in the Southern State, leading the Daqian Dynasty...

 Chapter 870 - 868: Return to Nantian

    Since the alliance was formed among the three powers.


    The Daqian Dynasty officially became the third giant in the Southern State, and there was a great harmony among the three powers.


    They developed together, supporting each other.


    This allowed the Daqian Dynasty''s strength to soar, and the Xiaoshanhe Institute attracted numerous powerful figures to join them. This included over a hundred strong practitioners from the Longevity Secret Realm, who were originally from third-rate families at the bottom of the Nantian Dynasty.


    Those families had only one low-tier Human Venerate Realm expert as their pillar.


    Unable to enter the true elite circles of the Nantian Dynasty, they could, however, leap to become dominant forces in the Daqian Dynasty.


    So much so that even without counting the hundred-plus experts from the Longevity Secret Realm in the Xiaoshanhe Institute, the Daqian Dynasty already had a three-digit number of strong practitioners from the Longevity Secret Realm, which naturally made Yang Ling, the emperor of the Daqian Dynasty, extremely happy.


    However...


    He hadn''t forgotten that the Daqian Dynasty''s accomplishments today were all due to Xiao Yi''s existence.


    Therefore.


    While recruiting and wooing these strong practitioners, he also did not forget to support the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    The entire Xiaoshanhe Institute became the martial arts holy land of the Daqian Dynasty.


    Xiao Yi became the martial arts saint revered by everyone!


    Of course.


    This didn''t need Yang Ling to deliberately create such reverence, as Xiao Yi''s fabulous battle records alone had almost mythologized him!


    Among the three giants, apart from the collaboration above the Southern State, the development of the turbulent sea area was also going very smoothly.


    With the Daqian Dynasty, Nantian Holy Land, and Nantian Dynasty taking the lead, they constructed island after island on the turbulent sea area and even opened up dozens of fresh sea routes and passages, tightening the connection between the turbulent sea area and the Southern State.


    And time...


    Quietly passed by in the rapid development of the Daqian Dynasty.


    In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed since the three major powers formed their alliance...


    In these six months.


    Xiao Yi had been in the Xiaoshanhe Institute the entire time, guiding the cultivation of Ye Heng and others, while also comprehending the profound ways of a Supreme Venerable.


    Although his combat power had increased even more compared to six months ago, confident enough to assure victory even against a Supreme Venerable of the third tier, his progress had slowed somewhat compared to the past. Moreover, and more importantly, to this day Xiao Yi had still not condensed his Primordial Spirit.


    Not having condensed a Primordial Spirit meant he was unable to utilize the power of the heavens and the earth.


    Which had a huge impact on his combat power.


    One day.


    Xiao Yi, who was cultivating inside the Xiaoshanhe Institute, suddenly opened his eyes, two brilliant lights flashing through them as if piercing through everything. His lips curled slightly upward, and with a flicker of his body, he appeared outside the Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    In the void.


    Little Lin landed beside him. Half a year had passed, yet the little fellow showed no signs of growth.


    Still as cute as a porcelain doll.


    "Elder Nantian, what brings you here so free?" Little Lin blinked, looking at Nantian Ao who was breaking through the sky and appearing before her.


    Over the past six months, the Nantian Dynasty had been represented by Nantian Ao, maintaining the goodwill between the two nations.


    They had naturally become very familiar with each other.


    Nantian Ao reached out to pat Little Lin''s head, but the little one agilely dodged and even stuck her tongue out at him, causing Nantian Ao to be both amused and frustrated. He then raised his head to look at Xiao Yi and bowed respectfully, "I''ve seen Principal Xiao!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, smiling, "Is there an important matter that brings you here this time?"


    Nantian Ao hummed and took out an invitation from his bosom, handing it over respectfully to Xiao Yi, "This is something His Majesty asked me to pass on to you!"


    Xiao Yi was startled.


    He took the invitation, opened it, and after a glance, frowned and looked towards Nantian Ao, "Nantian Wen is inviting me to attend an auction at the Nantian Dynasty?"


    "Yes!"


    Nantian Ao smiled and whispered mysteriously, "Principal Xiao, there are quite a few rare items at this auction. I''ve heard there are even treasures related to the Hall of Longevity, His Majesty specifically asked me to extend this invitation to you!"


    Hall of Longevity?


    Xiao Yi''s pupils shrank slightly.


    In the past six months, Nantian Wen had also visited the Daqian Dynasty twice. They had sat down to exchange philosophies and discussed many matters. These interactions gave Xiao Yi a deeper understanding of the Qingtian Realm, especially the Hall of Longevity that dominated the Ancient Times, which was filled with secrets and wonders.


    Xiao Yi had long harbored a desire for the Hall of Longevity.


    Since there would be treasures related to the Hall of Longevity at the auction, it was natural for Xiao Yi to seize the opportunity to attend.


    Upon this thought.


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Wait for me to give some instructions, and then I will follow you to the Nantian Dynasty!"


    "Dean Xiao, take your time!" Nantian Ao chuckled.


    Beside them, Little Lin''s eyes spun, and he tentatively asked, "Old man, can I go with the boss?"


    "This..." Nantian Ao''s eyes spun as well, feigning hesitation before saying, "His Majesty only invited Dean Xiao. It wouldn''t be quite appropriate for you to go along!"


    "What''s so inappropriate about that?" As soon as Little Lin heard he couldn''t go, he became anxious, scratching his head and quickly said, "Old man, hear me out, what if you do this? I''m pretty familiar with your emperor, and he''s always said I''m cute. If you bring me along, he surely won''t blame you!"


    Watching Little Lin''s eager expression, Nantian Ao deliberately put on a stern face and thought for a moment, then slapped his thigh and said, "I could take you, but I''d risk getting scolded. Alright, if you let me pat your head, I''ll take you!"


    "Okay!" Little Lin agreed without suspicion.


    Nantian Ao rubbed his hands together, reached out to pat Little Lin''s head, but the next moment, Little Lin had vanished into thin air.


    Leaving his palm hitting nothing.


    Eh? Nantian Ao was startled.


    He saw Little Lin standing in the distance, pouting angrily, and said in frustration, "So you''re a crafty old man, very naughty indeed. Now I see, you just wanted to pat my head as an excuse..."


    Suddenly having his little scheme exposed by Little Lin, Nantian Ao''s face found it difficult to conceal his embarrassment.


    Raising his hand to touch his nose, he smiled awkwardly, "You''re overthinking it..."


    Little Lin huffed, "You just wait, crafty old man. Once we meet your emperor, I''m definitely going to snitch on you. Humph!"


    Nantian Ao: "..."


    While the elder and the younger were at an impasse, Xiao Yi had finished giving instructions for his absence and, upon noticing the two in their silent standoff, guessed the situation. He felt rather helpless about Nantian Ao''s persistent grudge over patting Little Lin''s head.


    It was all due to that time after forging their alliance when they were toasting each other, and Little Lin took advantage of Nantian Ao''s drunken stupor to shave his head bald. S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ever since then, Nantian Ao had been thinking of "revenge."


    Unfortunately, Little Lin was too clever, and Nantian Ao never got the chance to exact his "revenge."


    Xiao Yi broke the awkward silence, "Let''s head out!"


    "Yes, yes, yes, let''s get going!" Nantian Ao said sheepishly.


    Little Lin snorted and made a face at him,


    then coyly hid behind Xiao Yi.


    The trio took to the skies and set off.


    This was Xiao Yi''s first return to Nantian since his last solitary visit to the Nantian Dynasty.


    Only this time...


    Xiao Yi''s arrival was not done in secret.


    Several days later.


    Xiao Yi and his companions reached the Nantian Dynasty''s capital, but they encountered some trouble before entering the city...

 Chapter 871 - 869: Leaving You an Intact Corpse!

    Xiao Yi and his group had just arrived at the imperial city.


    This majestic and luxurious building in the Southern State, divided into eight city districts and one central imperial city district, covered vast territories, with each district''s population exceeding a hundred times that of Daqian Dynasty''s capital city.


    To enter the central imperial city, they still needed to pass through the outer city.


    This time, they were entering from the southern outer city.


    They had not yet landed.


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows and gazed down with a slight smile on his face, "I did not expect to meet them here!"


    "Hmm?"


    Nantian Ao was taken aback and asked, "Xiao, do you know people in the Nantian Dynasty?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Little Lin, standing nearby, also noticed Chai Hu and Master Xun below, recalling when they were hiding their identities in Giant Peak City, and how Xiao Yi had become the Chai Family''s nine-star Supreme Venerable guest!


    Little Lin smiled and said, "I didn''t expect Chai Hu and Master Xun to be here, boss, let''s go greet them!"


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Indeed, we should greet them."


    Setting aside the fact he still carried the title of the Chai Family''s nine-star Supreme Venerable guest, the ore distribution map they provided alone had given him much assistance.


    Moreover...


    He had been using a hidden identity.


    Up to now, the Chai Family had no idea that their nine-star Supreme Venerable guest was none other than Xiao Yi, the recently famous Daqian Dynasty''s General Xiao Yi!


    However...


    Just when Xiao Yi was preparing to descend, his smile suddenly froze and his eyes flashed with a hint of chill.


    This chill made Nantian Ao shudder, feeling a sense of despair as if the surrounding air had become extremely oppressive, dropping in temperature by dozens of degrees. As his heart trembled, he glanced toward the ground, nearly fainting from the sight.


    Before the imperial city,


    Chai Hu and Master Xun looked disheveled.


    When they had displayed the "Mother of Geng Metal" at the banquet, they claimed it was borrowed from Xiao Yi, but he had actually gifted it to the Chai family. Over the years, they had discreetly developed their power, and the Giant Peak City Chai Family had significantly strengthened their standing.


    The ancestor of the Giant Peak City Chai Family had even used this opportunity to advance into the Earth Venerate Realm.


    But...


    There are no walls that prevent all leaks.


    The news that a branch of the Giant Peak City Chai Family held an extraordinarily precious "Mother of Geng Metal" eventually reached the main Chai Household.


    Half a month ago,


    The main house, under the pretext of ancestral offerings, deceitfully called the Giant Peak City Chai Family ancestor back to the imperial city.


    But after an entire half-month, the Chai Family ancestor had not returned.


    With no options left, the Chai family could only send Chai Hu and Master Xun to investigate the situation in the imperial city, but before they could even enter, they encountered a formidable individual arranged by the main Chai Household.


    At this moment...


    Chai Hu and Master Xun were being aggressively pinned to the ground, their faces bruised and in pitiable states.


    Chai Hua was stepping fiercely on Chai Hu''s face, pressing his head hard against the ground and moving his heel back and forth, creating a grating noise as it rubbed against his face. Chai Hua coldly laughed, "The Third Young Master had already anticipated that you would send someone, and you indeed came!"


    Chai Hu looked desperate, "Chai Hua, we are all members of the Chai family, and we have done no wrong. What right do you have to treat us this way?"


    "What right? Because you people from the Chai family are ungrateful!"


    Chai Hua sneered, bending over so fiercely that it was like he was trying to bury Chai Hu''s head entirely into the ground, "No matter how much the Third Young Master pressed, that old man Chai Guang stubbornly refused to reveal the whereabouts of the Mother of Geng Metal. The Third Young Master, worried that making a big show would leak the information, had no choice but to wait here for you, and as expected, you came..."


    In the Chai main household, the younger generation consists of five extraordinarily talented inheritors.


    But his status as the heir had never been confirmed.


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    The news that Giant Peak City''s Chai Family controlled a massive mother lode of Geng Metal was also accidentally discovered by Chai Yao; he orchestrated everything himself. To monopolize the mother lode, Chai Yao kept it a secret. After imprisoning Chai Guang, he appointed Chai Hua to lie in wait at the city before the Imperial City, monitoring the Chai Family members in Giant Peak City.


    Chai Hu''s face suddenly changed, realizing that his family elder truly was in grave danger, and he roared angrily, "Chai Hua, what exactly have you done to our elder ancestor?"


    "The stubborn old man has always refused to confess and refused to pledge allegiance to the Third Young Master, so naturally, the Third Young Master would not let him off easily. Half a month ago, he destroyed his cultivation, and now he is locked in the dungeon, waiting to die!"


    Chai Hua, with a look of smug satisfaction, spoke in a low voice tinged with iciness, "Chai Hu, if you don''t want to end up like that old man, then obediently hand over the mother lode of Geng Metal! Otherwise, this will be your fate..."


    Chai Hua glanced at the two powerful men guarding Master Xun.


    The two nodded.


    One of them drew a long knife with a clang, the cold gleam flashing on the blade''s surface, carrying a hint of chill.


    "No..."


    Chai Hu yelled in despair.


    Master Xun was deathly pale but stubbornly spoke, "Young Master Chai Hu, you must not tell them... Once they get the mother lode of Geng Metal, they will definitely not spare us..."


    Just as Chai Hu was about to speak, his face suddenly stiffened.


    "Damned old man, daring to sabotage my important affairs at the brink of death? Kill him!" Chai Hua''s face changed dramatically as he bellowed hysterically.


    Swish!


    The long knife, emitting a cold gleam, drew a graceful arc, and was about to slash off Master Xun''s head.


    At this critical moment.


    Swish!


    A subtle whoosh sound suddenly came from the void, and the long knife, still spewing cold light, abruptly broke into two pieces, with one half remaining in the powerful man''s hand. The other half, however, broke off and embedded itself in the strong man''s chest, with blood dripping down the blade''s tip.


    Hiss...


    Chai Hua gasped sharply, cold sweat rolling down, and yelled angrily, "Who? Who dares to kill a member of my Chai Family?"


    "It''s me!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly resounded.


    As his figure appeared, the Chai Family powerful man holding Master Xun also screamed and flew back, exploding mid-air after flying a hundred meters, his body completely destroyed.


    Chai Hua shivered, "..."


    Master Xun and Chai Hu both were stunned for a moment and then looked up, only to see Xiao Yi appearing before them. Their faces couldn''t help but reveal immense joy, "Lord Xiao..."


    Little Lin stepped forward to help Master Xun up.


    Xiao Yi glanced towards Chai Hua and said indifferently, "Let him go!"


    Chai Hua came back to his senses, grabbed Chai Hu by the neck, using him as a shield, and watched Xiao Yi warily. Just Xiao Yi''s ability to silently kill two men proved he was not someone Chai Hua could contend with, "I don''t care who you are, this is a matter within my Chai Family, you best not interfere. Otherwise, the consequences will be beyond what you can bear..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Release him, and you can keep a whole corpse."


    Chai Hua, furious to the point of laughter, exclaimed, "Keep my whole corpse? If you dare to make a move, I''ll ensure we die together..."


    "With me here, you won''t be able to touch a single hair on him!"


    The moment his words fell.


    Xiao Yi''s figure suddenly flashed, and Chai Hua''s face dramatically changed. Just as he was about to react, he saw his own arm flying high. Before the intense pain could register, he saw his headless body slowly collapsing on the ground.


    And his head, soaring high, tumbled through the air and crashed to the ground with a thud...

 Chapter 872 - 870: The Nemesis of Evil

    Chai Hua''s head fell to the ground, a dismembered death!


    Among those present, except for Little Lin and Nantian Ao, none had seen how Xiao Yi made his move.


    Master Xun and Chai Hu looked completely bewildered.


    Then...


    They showed an ecstatic expression.


    Both knelt toward Xiao Yi and exclaimed, "Thank you, Xiao, for saving our lives..."


    Xiao Yi, with a flick of his palm, helped them up and, seeing the excitement on their faces, he shook his head slightly and said, "What exactly is going on here? Aren''t you all from the Chai Family? How did you end up in such a state?"


    Master Xun''s face changed slightly and, hesitating, chose not to elaborate.


    After all, he was just a Guest Elder of the Chai Family in Giant Peak City, and it was not appropriate for him to speak out about certain matters.


    Seeing this, Chai Hu could only smile bitterly and recounted the entire incident, glancing at the corpses of Chai Hua and the others on the ground, he said helplessly, "Now that Chai Hua and the others are dead, the third young master will definitely not let us off, not to mention our ancestor..."


    The patriarch of the Chai Family in Giant Peak City, Chai Guang, had provided Chai Hu the opportunity to receive the ore vein distribution map, which came about through the old man''s consent.


    He was an extremely amiable elder.


    Xiao Yi had not expected that the Mother of Pure Gold he left behind would turn out to be the chief culprit of all these problems. Although this matter did not have much to do with him, Xiao Yi did not intend to stand idly by.


    He patted Chai Hu on the shoulder lightly and said with a smile, "Don''t worry, I''ll help you!"


    "Xiao, you..."


    Chai Hu''s eyes lit up, knowing full well the strength of Xiao Yi was formidable, but then he thought of the terrifying foundation and strength of the Chai Family''s main household, which even included several formidable beings from the Earth Venerate Realm.


    Upon this thought.


    The joy on Chai Hu''s face faded, and biting his lip lightly, he shook his head and said, "Xiao, I am already immensely grateful that you intervened to save us today. You should not get involved in this matter!"


    Seeing the worry and determination in Chai Hu''s eyes.


    Xiao Yi understood that the man was concerned about the overwhelming power of the Chai Family''s main household, which might affect him.


    Xiao Yi patted Chai Hu on the shoulder again and said with a smile, "Since I''ve decided to intervene, I certainly won''t stand by idly."


    Nantian Ao whispered, "Mr. Xiao, I can��"


    If Nantian Ao intervened with his status, not to mention the third young master, even the patriarch of the Chai Family''s main household would have to give him face and smooth over the matter directly.


    Xiao Yi nodded, "Then I''ll trouble you with this."


    With his current status, he didn''t need to personally handle many issues for them to be resolved.


    For Master Xun and Chai Hu, this was a matter of great importance.


    But for Xiao Yi, it truly was just a trivial matter!


    "You''re really too polite, Mr. Xiao!" Nantian Ao grinned smilingly, aware of Xiao Yi''s strength and potential, as Nantian Wen had said that Xiao Yi would inevitably become one of the strongest overlords of the Qingtian Realm.


    It was precisely for this reason...


    That he was willing to act as an emissary mediating between the two nations, frequently traveling between the Daqian Dynasty and the Nantian Dynasty.


    He had even stayed in Xiaoshanhe Institute for almost half a month.


    All for the sake of building a good relationship with Xiao Yi.


    Of course.


    The benefits he reaped from this were immense.


    He was now on the cusp of reaching the threshold of the Heaven Venerate Realm, and if he could obtain another primeval stone from Xiao Yi''s hands, Nantian Ao was confident that he could step into the Heaven Venerate Realm within three years.


    The two of them effortlessly resolved the matter.


    This left Master Xun and Chai Hu exchanging glances, and while swallowing nervously, Chai Hu tentatively asked, "Xiao, if I may ask, who is this...?"


    Xiao Yi said nonchalantly, "His name is Nantian Ao, he will take care of this matter for you!"


    Master Xun and Chai Hu were bewildered once again, staring at Nantian Ao with faces full of disbelief. Chai Hu, with a look of unease, asked, "Nan, Nantian? Are you a member of the imperial family?"


    "Indeed!"


    Nantian Ao grinned and said, "Since Master Xiao entrusted me with this task, I assure you it will be handled perfectly. You two just put your minds at ease!" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Master... Master Xiao?"


    Master Xun repeated the title used by Nantian Ao for Xiao Yi, suddenly widening his eyes in shock as he stared at Xiao Yi, "You... you... you are Xiao Yi, Master Xiao?"


    Chai Hu was also agape: "Xiao, you... you..."


    They simply couldn''t imagine that their Xiao, who they casually referred to as ''Brother Xiao,'' was the super genius reigning high in the Qingtian Realm, Xiao Yi?


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Let''s go, follow me into the city!"


    ......


    Drunken Fairy Tower.


    This was the largest wine house in Nancheng.


    The third young master of the Chai Family, Chai Yao, was indulging with two similarly dressed, noble-looking youths, surrounded by chirping and giggling ladies, toasting and flirting, creating quite a lively scene.


    In the midst of their drunken revelry,


    a middle-aged man hurriedly walked in from outside, whispering in Chai Yao''s ear: "Third Young Master, Chai Hua is dead, and his men saw Chai Hu entering the city with Master Xun!"


    "Hmm?"


    Chai Yao''s half-closed eyes shot open, the drunkenness on his face dissipated a bit, and a chilling light flashed in his eyes.


    The Mother of Metal Geng was a secret he stumbled upon by chance.


    The affairs concerning the Giant Peak City branch of the Chai Family had always been handled in secret.


    If Chai Hu found his way to the head of the Chai Family and made a big fuss, allowing the other four brothers to catch wind of the Mother of Metal Geng, then all his efforts during this time would be in vain.


    With this thought,


    Chai Yao licked his lips with his crimson tongue, a cold look crossing his face.


    Next to him...


    A youth with a black mole between his eyebrows noticed the change in his expression, held up his wine cup, and burped, "Old Three, what happened? Just say the word if you need your brothers'' help, there''s no need for courtesy among us siblings!"


    Another youth said, "Yeah Old Three, since Big Brother has spoken, what''s there to feel embarrassed about?"


    The two youths, the elder named Jin Ze and the younger Jin Qi,


    were the sons of Jin Shuo, the commander of Nancheng''s city defense forces.


    Chai Yao''s eyes shifted slightly. He had befriended them because of the city defense forces backing them up; feigning helplessness, he said, "What the two of you don''t know is that a treasured heirloom of my family has been stolen by a thief, but this thief is from within the family, and such a disgrace should not be publicized. I intended to settle this privately, but unexpectedly, the thief is extremely cunning, not only did he kill the men I sent after him, but he also brazenly entered the city..."


    Bang!


    Jin Ze slammed his palm and shattered the table in front of him, furiously saying, "What? There''s such a brazen villain?"


    "Don''t worry, Third Brother, I will dispatch a few hundred city defense soldiers immediately to help you capture the criminal!" Jin Qi waved his hand grandiosely, speaking with a breath full of alcohol, and just after he finished talking, he let out a loud burp.


    Chai Yao''s heart leapt with joy, but he feigned hesitation on his face: "I am deeply grateful for both of your brothers'' help. It''s just that, mobilizing the city defense forces is no trivial matter..."


    "Afraid of what? We''re just catching a couple of villains, even if father finds out he would only commend us!"


    "Third Brother, where is the thief? Take us to him quickly, so we can catch him and return to our drinks..."


    Urged on by the two,


    Chai Yao suppressed the excitement in his heart and said solemnly, "Please follow me, you two. They just entered Nancheng not long ago; let''s intercept them now!"


    "Daring to steal from our Third Brother is a challenge to us!"


    "We three brothers are the bane of evil..."


    Amidst the alcohol-fueled bravado, a group of people strode out long and tall, heading straight for the location of Xiao Yi and his company: "No matter what kind of backing that villain has, this time they must beg for life and not find death..."

 Chapter 873 - 871: Beaten to Death with Sticks

    Xiao Yi and his group were walking on the road.


    The imperial capital of the Nantian Dynasty was indeed countless times more prosperous than the Daqian Dynasty, a fact accumulated over thousands of years. Even though Daqian had grown at an astonishing rate with Xiao Yi''s help, it was still difficult to catch up with the other in a short time.


    This was an undeniable reality!


    "The entire area of the imperial capital has a no-fly zone, unless there is an urgent military matter, even Tianzun powerhouses are not allowed to fly over the imperial capital. Otherwise, it will be regarded as a provocation to the royal authority and subject to attack by the city''s defense forces!" Nantian Ao said as he led the way and introduced the surroundings to Xiao Yi.


    They had entered from Nancheng and had been walking for almost half an hour.


    The central imperial city was already faintly visible. S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    He hadn''t had much contact with Nantian Wen, but even from those few brief encounters, he could clearly sense that Nantian Wen considered royal authority to be of utmost importance. This was his unshakeable principle and bottom line!


    Master Xun and Chai Hu were slightly constrained; after all, they were facing Xiao Yi, a figure as renowned as Nantian Wen and currently on the rise!


    This was the undisputed hegemon of the Southern State.


    How could they dare to be as casual as they had been before?


    Regarding this, Xiao Yi felt helpless but had no solution. It wasn''t just Chai Hu, even back in the Daqian Dynasty and at the Xiaoshanhe Institute, many former friends had become much more distant.


    Different circles of strength brought their own invisible barriers.


    When Xiao Yi was only at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, he could sit on equal footing with Emperor Qian and others.


    But now...


    Emperor Qian felt like he was sitting on pins and needles in front of Xiao Yi.


    After all, the gap between them was like that of heaven and earth.


    Nantian Ao was quite astute.


    Seeing that Chai Hu''s restraint caused Xiao Yi some difficulty, he took the initiative and said, "Xiao, ahead is the Drunken Fairy Tower, the largest tavern in Nancheng. Shall we sit there for a while, and I''ll take these two men to the Chai Family?"


    Chai Hu and the other looked up at Nantian Ao with gratitude in their eyes.


    "Mm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, just about to express his agreement when his sword-like eyebrows slightly raised, and a mocking smile slowly appeared on his lips, "No need for such trouble, they have already delivered themselves right to our doorstep!"


    "Ah?"


    "Delivered themselves?"


    Nantian Ao and the others were stunned, about to ask questions, but their expressions changed simultaneously.


    The ground beneath, tiny stones were bouncing lightly.


    The bouncing rhythm grew faster.


    Clang!


    Clang!


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The grating sound of metal ringing came from not far away.


    Several teams dressed in silver armor, holding cold spears, and well-trained, were converging from all sides with a murderous aura. In an instant, the residents and commoners on this road were closing doors and windows in haste, "The city defense forces have been deployed? Is there a heinous criminal here?"


    "It must be a major incident!"


    "These few people are in for it..."


    Amidst the whispering, the several hundred city defense forces had already surrounded Xiao Yi and his company tightly.


    The cold, gleaming spears were uniformly aimed at Xiao Yi and the others.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at Nantian Ao with a displeased face, teasingly, "Is this how your Nantian Dynasty treats its guests?"


    Though his words were teasing, to Nantian Ao it was a blatant slap in the face!


    Who was Xiao Yi?


    He was a distinguished guest personally invited by Nantian Wen to attend the auction.


    And upon just arriving in the imperial capital, he was surrounded by the city defense forces?


    If this got to Nantian Wen''s ears, wouldn''t he have Nantian Ao''s skin?


    Nantian Ao''s face darkened with anger as he shouted, "Who gave you the guts to attack me? Are you trying to revolt?"


    He was a member of the imperial family!


    Moreover, he was the commander who controlled the imperial family''s forbidden forces; even the leader of the city defense forces should pay him kneeling respect!


    However...


    As soon as Nantian Ao finished speaking, a haughty voice came from the city defense forces, "Revolt? What are you to speak of revolt? How dare you accuse this young master?"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The strict city defense forces parted neatly on both sides, making way.


    Jin Ze, Jin Qi, and Chai Yao walked shoulder to shoulder.


    They were still somewhat drunk, and it was Chai Yao who had just spoken, his eyes fixed dead on Xiao Yi, "You''re the kid who killed Chai Hua and saved Chai Hu, aren''t you? Who the fuck gave you the balls to meddle in my business?"


    Jin Ze, impatient, said, "Old third, why waste words with them? Men, arrest these people, and if they resist, kill them without mercy!"


    Clang! Clang!


    The several hundred city defense forces were ready for battle, their spears turned, forming a formation that pressed towards Xiao Yi and his party.


    Chai Hu turned pale.


    Anxious glances kept turning towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi stood with his hands clasped behind his back, an expression of supreme calm on his face.


    This was, after all, Nantian Wen''s territory, and it was not his place to start a fight here, especially since�� against these mere city defense troops, there was hardly a need for him to take action.


    "Stop!"


    Nantian Ao thundered angrily, fire practically spewing from his eyes. He had gone to great lengths to ingratiate himself with Xiao Yi, how could he allow these drunken fools to ruin everything? With a darkened expression, Nantian Ao gritted his teeth and said, "Open your eyes wide and see what this is!"


    Swish!


    A golden token landed in his hand.


    On the token, an Azure Dragon coiled, with auspicious clouds surrounding it, encircling a massive "��" character like stars around the moon!


    The Commander''s Token of the Forbidden Army!


    The city defense troops exchanged glances, none daring to move a muscle.


    "The Commander''s Token of the Forbidden Army?"


    Jin Ze was startled, and instinctively rubbed his eyes.


    However, Chai Yao next to him waved his hand dismissively and sneered, "Big brother, don''t let this old coot deceive you. That Chai Hu is just a distant relative of our Chai Family in Giant Peak City. How could he possibly know any noble figure from the Forbidden Army?"


    With this thought in mind,


    Jin Ze nodded as well: "You''re right. Those who hold the Commander''s Token are invariably members of the royal family. Even you and I, brothers, can''t touch that circle. This old man''s token must be a fake!"


    "How dare you impersonate the Commander of the Forbidden Army! You''ve got some nerve!"


    "These scoundrels dare to forge the Commander''s Token, which is a brazen crime against the state, indicative of a conspiracy to rebel. Guards, seize these traitors! And should they resist�� execute them on the spot!" Jin Ze barked coldly, before waving his hand decisively.


    The city defense soldiers, previously indecisive, hesitated no longer and, with murderous intent, surged forward.


    Just as Jin Ze was about to treat the Commander''s Token as counterfeit and had even ordered the city defense troops to execute the perpetrators, Nantian Ao could hold back no longer. His body shook and a burst of Qi-Blood exploded outward in a circular wave.


    Whoosh!


    The several hundred city defense soldiers were thrown to the ground, each of them staring dumbfounded at Nantian Ao and the Qi-Blood explosion swirling around him.


    At that moment, Nantian Ao''s Qi-Blood surged like a raging river.


    His eyes flashed like lightning, sharp and unmatched.


    He stared down Jin Ze and the others intensely.


    That icy gaze, along with the fearsome blast of energy, completely sobered Jin Ze and his men. They stared at each other, cold sweat rolling down their faces. Jin Qi gulped hard and said, "Such powerful strength... is this a master of the Longevity Secret Realm level?"


    "How could a Longevity Secret Realm master possibly be impersonating a member of the Forbidden Army? Could it be that he really is the Commander of the Forbidden Army?"


    "Fuck..."


    Jin Ze and his brother sobered up completely, both turning towards Chai Yao, who was just getting up, clutching his throbbing head, and they yelled, "Chai Yao, you fucking screwed us over!"


    "Ah?"


    Chai Yao shuddered too.


    Now, looking at Nantian Ao again, how could he not realize he had kicked an iron plate?


    Cold sweat began to stream down.


    Gulp!


    Chai Yao swallowed hard and tentatively looked at Nantian Ao: "May I ask... sir, you are..."


    Nantian Ao replied coldly, "The Commander of the Forbidden Army��Nantian Ao!"


    Thump!


    Chai Yao and the others fell to the ground, sitting hard.


    The Jin brothers reacted quicker, scrambling to Nantian Ao: "Commander, have mercy, sir. This was all instigated by Chai Yao, we beg for your forgiveness..."


    "We won''t dare again, it''s all Chai Yao''s fault..."


    Facing the duo''s blame-shifting, Chai Yao was at a loss for words.


    Nantian Ao, however, sneered and did not take direct action. Instead, he turned to Chai Hu: "Young man, how do you wish to deal with them?"


    For a moment,


    The pleading eyes of the Jin brothers fell on Chai Hu.


    Chai Yao felt a chill run through his body.


    He had never imagined that Chai Hu could be acquainted with such a powerful and connected person.


    If he had only known...


    Would he ever have dared to target the Chai Family of Giant Peak City?


    With a nervous expression, Chai Yao forced a bitter smile and said, "Chai Hu, we are both from the same Chai Family. Please, in consideration of our shared kinship, forgive this one mistake..."


    "Kinship?"


    Chai Hu''s face darkened, a hint of resentment surfacing. "Do you even remember that we are kin? When you deceived my great ancestor into coming to the capital and imprisoned and abused him, did you remember we were kin? When you got Chai Hua to kill me, did you remember we were kin?"


    The questioning turned Chai Yao''s face pale.


    Chai Hu bowed to Nantian Ao and said, "My lord, I plead with you to beat this animal, worse than a dog or pig, to death with sticks!"


    Sst!


    To beat to death with sticks.


    That phrase plunged Chai Yao into complete despair.


    The Jin brothers exchanged a glance, eager to make amends, and were the first to rush forward...

 Chapter 874 - 872: Know the Past, Understand the Future!

    Jin Ze and his brother rushed forward together.


    Under the assault of the two brothers, Chai Yao let out series of pitiful screams, his eyes filled with despair and helplessness.


    Never had he expected that the brothers with whom he shared both good times and bad, calling each other sworn siblings, would turn so decisively ruthless.


    In their frenzied assault,


    Chai Yao despairingly took his final breath.


    He was truly beaten to death!


    Watching Chai Yao beaten into a pulp, Jin Ze and his brother anxiously looked at Xiao Yi and his group, respectfully asking, "Honorable sirs, may I ask if this satisfies you?"


    Nantian Ao looked towards Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, expressionless, looked back at Chai Hu and indifferently said, "Chai Hu, are you satisfied with this outcome?"


    Jin Ze and the others were astonished.


    They had never imagined that the esteemed Nantian Ao would hold Xiao Yi in such high regard. If even a royal family member and chief commander of the imperial guard like Nantian Ao valued him so highly, Xiao Yi''s identity must be more than ordinary.


    The two realized they had truly kicked an iron plate!


    With a begging look mixed with anxiety, they turned towards Chai Hu, appearing pitiful.


    Where had Chai Hu seen such a scene before?


    In his eyes, the highly esteemed Chai Yao, who could easily have obliterated the Chai Family of Giant Peak City, was actually beaten to death by mere words from Xiao Yi.


    At that moment, seeing Jin Ze and his brother looking at him, Chai Hu slightly frowned, his face showing a hint of hesitation.


    Xiao Yi did not speak; he had aided Chai Hu merely out of bonds from bygone days, harboring no thoughts of stealing the limelight.


    Exhaling deeply to calm his nerves, Chai Hu then looked at Jin Ze and his brother, firmly saying, "Ignorance is no crime, they were also misled by Chai Yao, let''s forgive them."


    "Then we''ll do as you wish!"


    Nantian Ao shifted his gaze, his eyes as crafty as old age, his thoughts lively, and with a cold voice, he said to Jin Ze and his brother, "Today, you''re lucky. Since our young brother Chai Hu is magnanimous enough not to hold a grudge, I''ll spare your lives."


    Jin Ze and his brother, as if granted an amnesty, immediately sighed in relief and quickly bowed to Chai Hu, "Brother Chai Hu, although we targeted you under Chai Yao''s manipulation, my brother and I still hold inescapable responsibility. Rest assured, if there is anything in the capital that needs our assistance, just ask, and we will not hesitate to help!"


    While saying this, they stealthily glanced at Nantian Ao.


    Seeing Nantian Ao nodding in approval,


    They finally settled their anxious hearts.


    Chai Hu was filled with emotions.


    How had times changed��


    Even a minor steward of the Chai Family in the capital was once considered a significant figure in their eyes, and now these two notable young masters capable of commanding the city''s defense force were calling him brother?


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "Chai Hu, isn''t your ancestor still not rescued? Let Jin Ze and his brother take you to the Chai Family."


    "What? The Chai Family dared to imprison brother Chai Hu''s ancestor? They really have a death wish!" Jin Ze was righteously indignant.


    Jin Qi was furious, "Brother Chai Hu, come with us immediately. If the Chai Family doesn''t give you a satisfactory explanation, we''ll tear down their gates!"


    With the influence and position of the Jin Family in the capital, not to mention just going to the Chai Family to retrieve someone, even if they annihilated the Chai Family, no one would hold them accountable.


    With their help,


    Chai Hu might not only rescue Chai Guang but he might even be offered the position of heir by the head of the Chai Family in order to win him over!


    Chai Hu, his face glowing with excitement, bowed to Xiao Yi, "Thank you, Brother Xiao!"


    Master Xun opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing further.


    In his view��


    Rather than relying on Xiao Yi to rescue Chai Guang, thereby clearing a debt of gratitude toward the Chai Family of Giant Peak City, it would be better to keep this favor for future considerations. But at this point, saying more could easily offend Xiao Yi.


    Therefore.


    Master Xun ultimately did not speak.


    Everyone then split into two groups. The Jin Ze brothers took Chai Hu to the Chai Family to demand people. With the two of them there, the yet undecided heir to the Chai Family would likely be determined today. Meanwhile, Xiao Yi followed Nantian Ao to the central imperial city.


    The imperial city of the Nantian Dynasty was divided into nine districts, unlike the other eight districts, only the royal family could reside in the central district.


    Besides the royal family.


    Even the merchants who conducted business within had to leave the imperial city at curfew.


    A glimpse of the leopard through the tube.


    It''s evident how powerful the imperial authority of the Nantian Dynasty was!


    Led by Nantian Ao, the group arrived at the heart of the imperial city, the imperial palace of the Nantian Dynasty right in front of them.


    That entire crimson, imposing palace complex stretched endlessly. The vast group of palaces exuded an aura of nobility and solemnity, giving off a sense of majesty as if ancient mythical beasts dwelled within.


    Clank clank!


    As Xiao Yi and his group reached the front of the imperial palace, the guards positioned on both sides clenched their weapons tightly, causing a crisp clanking sound. Their sharp gazes fixed firmly on Nantian Ao and the others, their voices resolute and clear, "This is the imperial palace, a crucial area, idle persons are not allowed inside!"


    Nantian Ao''s face showed no expression as he presented a token, "By His Majesty''s command, I invite these distinguished guests into the palace!" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The guard troops naturally recognized Nantian Ao.


    But within the imperial palace, without a token or written command, everything was uncertain.


    Even the current Prime Minister, without Nantian Wen''s order, was unable to enter the imperial palace.


    "What a Nantian Dynasty, no wonder it has stood for thousands of years and still thrives..." Xiao Yi nodded inwardly. Just this point alone showed how strict the military discipline of the Nantian Dynasty was, and also how strong Nantian Wen''s control over the Nantian Dynasty was.


    "Please!"


    The guards immediately cleared the way, and the palace gates opened at the same time.


    Nantian Ao said with a smile, "Please!"


    The group followed closely behind, entering the imposing imperial palace.


    It wasn''t long before they walked on the imperial palace''s main road.


    An old eunuch, with white hair but a youthful face and vibrant Qi-Blood, came towards them.


    Nantian Ao whispered, "This man is named Dugu Li, an absolutely trusted confidant of His Majesty, and his cultivation is not to be underestimated. Although he hasn''t made a move for many years, this old man is very likely also a Celestial Master!"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Nantian Ao, really wanting to tell him to be more confident and to drop the word "likely!"


    Dugu Li was indeed a Celestial Master level powerhouse.


    However, the Cultivation Technique he practiced was somewhat mysterious, making it extremely difficult for even other Celestial Masters to discern his true cultivation level.


    "Eunuch Li..." Nantian Ao bowed.


    Xiao Yi also nodded toward Dugu Li.


    Dugu Li smiled, returned the gesture, and said, "His Majesty has already been informed of your arrival, and has specially sent this old servant to greet you." He paused, squinting at Xiao Yi and added with a laugh, "No wonder His Majesty holds you in such high regard. You truly are exceptional!"


    "You flatter me, Eunuch Li!" Xiao Yi responded with a modest smile.


    Nantian Ao asked, "Where is His Majesty?"


    Still with a friendly smile on his face, which made it hard for Xiao Yi to associate this man with the powerful Celestial Master if not for his keen perception, Dugu Li replied, "His Majesty is currently playing a game of chess with Master Fang. When you meet His Majesty later, remember not to disturb their game..."


    "Master Fang? Is that the same person who claims to know the past thousand years and predict the next five hundred years, Fang Tianmiao?" Nantian Ao asked with wide eyes.


    Dugu Li smiled slightly, "Exactly, Master Fang!"


    Hiss!


    Nantian Ao drew in a breath of cold air.


    Xiao Yi slightly furrowed his brows, flabbergasted that there existed such an arrogant person in the world, claiming to know the past thousand years and predict the next five hundred years?


    Wasn''t this akin to a deity?


    At that moment.


    Xiao Yi''s curiosity about Master Fang also increased...

 Chapter 875 - 873: Just a Little Understanding, Really Just a Little!

    Knowing the past.


    This point was not difficult, as long as one thoroughly read history, one could recount parts of the past to some extent.


    But predicting the future...


    That was almost an impossible task.


    At least.


    With the knowledge Xiao Yi currently possessed from the Wangu Tomb, even beings as powerful as Zhao Wuji could not calculate the future. If he had truly been able to predict the future, he wouldn''t have been sealed within the Wangu Tomb in the first place.


    Because of this...


    The moment Xiao Yi heard that Fang Tianmiao could actually predict the future for five hundred years,


    an intense curiosity about Fang Tianmiao arose in his heart.


    After all.


    Fang Tianmiao was treated with such seriousness by Nantian Wen, obviously he was not a person with an empty reputation; he must possess some real skills.


    The party followed Dugu Li to the Royal Garden.


    The vast Royal Garden included countless exotic and mystical plants, many of which were precious species that had grown for years, like the Spirit Ginseng beneath Xiao Yi''s feet that was sneakily moving a root across a flowerbed with two leaves.


    This was the Spirit Ginseng that had gained a sliver of sentience after living for over ten thousand years.


    Even just a bit of its root, if consumed by an ordinary person, could extend one''s life for a hundred years and prevent illness and disaster.


    "Your Majesty, you have waited quite long for this move..." Inside the Pavilion at the heart of the lake in the Royal Garden, Nantian Wen, with tightly knit brows and a focus on the chessboard before him, held a black piece in his hand. Opposite him, a young man holding a feather fan and wearing a silver metallic mask laughed as he spoke.


    Nantian Wen snorted coldly and said, "Act after planning; I merely do not wish to make any mistakes."


    As he spoke.


    A glimmer of sharpness flashed in Nantian Wen''s eyes, and he placed a black piece on the chessboard, forming an encircling maneuver. Nantian Wen began to collect the white pieces he had captured, his tense body gradually relaxing, and the corners of his mouth turning up slightly, "Do you see? After much consideration, with this move, I have sealed all your paths!"


    The man in the silver metallic mask was Fang Tianmiao.


    He gently waved his feather fan, listened to Nantian Wen''s retorts, and with a slight smile, said, "Your Majesty enjoys taking action after careful planning, but do you understand that man''s calculations are no match for fate? Sometimes, no matter how much you ponder, the move that is destined to be wrong will ultimately be wrong. Even what was originally right can become a mistake!"


    As his words ended.


    Fang Tianmiao''s white piece lightly touched down on the board.


    The white piece, which had initially seemed to be at a disadvantage, was suddenly brought back to life in an instant!


    "This..."


    Nantian Wen''s pupils dilated suddenly, disbelief flashing in his eyes. "How is this possible? I had clearly sealed off all your paths..."


    "Your Majesty has extraordinary skills in chess, and your considerations are thorough indeed. You had sealed off all my paths. However..." Fang Tianmiao pointed to a spot on the chessboard, precisely where Nantian Wen had just placed the black piece, "Its appearance has opened a path of life for me, granting me the chance to reverse the game."


    Buzz!


    On the chessboard, the black and white pieces silently burst forth into a magnificent and dazzling brilliance.


    Black and white lights rose up from the board together.


    The white dragon, which had been suppressed by Black Tiger and suffered numerous injuries, burst forth with vitality amidst the white light, rejuvenating the board in an instant like autumn leaves swept away by a gust of wind, reviving what had been a certain defeat! sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hiss...


    Nantian Wen took a sharp intake of breath, lifted the black piece in his hand, then set it down, eventually giving a bitter smile, "Master Fang is indeed worthy of his reputation. I couldn''t have imagined that with such a strategy, I would still lose to you!"


    "It is my luck to have won. But with this, the divination that Your Majesty wished for me to perform will no longer count," Fang Tianmiao replied with a light smile, bowing slightly towards Nantian Wen, his eyes beneath the silver mask sweeping in the direction of Xiao Yi and the others, "Your Majesty, your guests have arrived!"


    "Hm?"


    Nantian Wen, still immersed in the chess game, returned to his senses. It was then that he noticed Xiao Yi and the party, and he immediately burst into laughter, "Xiao Yi, you have finally arrived!"


    "Your Majesty!"


    Xiao Yi bowed to Nantian Wen and glanced at the direction of the chessboard, smiling. "Has Your Majesty lost the game?"


    "Don''t remind me!"


    Nantian Wen waved his hand in a carefree manner, showing no displeasure, and pulled Xiao Yi over to Fang Tianmiao, saying, "Master Fang, this is the remarkable young brother Xiao Yi I often mention to you. Xiao Yi, this is Fang Tianmiao, Master Fang..."


    "Master Fang, I''ve long admired your reputation!" Xiao Yi said.


    Fang Tianmiao smiled. "The feeling is mutual!"


    Nantian Wen''s eyes twinkled with a mischievous smile. "Xiao Yi, do you play chess?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback. "A little!"


    Nantian Wen''s eyes twinkled again, laughing. "Hahaha, since you know a bit of chess, let''s play a game and see!"


    "This..."


    Xiao Yi was about to decline, but Nantian Wen pushed him down into a seat and said with feigned generosity, "Black moves first, you go ahead!"


    The corners of Fang Tianmiao''s mouth held a smile.


    Nantian Ao rolled his eyes and whispered, "His Majesty feels losing to Master Fang and being seen in defeat by us all is embarrassing, so he''s deliberately pulling Director Xiao along in hopes of regaining face!"


    Little Lin was speechless. "Come on, that''s just shameless!"


    "Cough cough..."


    Nantian Wen coughed to hide his embarrassment. "Don''t worry, I will go easy on you!" He looked at Xiao Yi with a smile and continued, "Xiao Yi, you don''t need to feel any pressure. I''ve immersed myself in chess for many years; losing to me is no disgrace!"


    Xiao Yi said with a wry smile, "I shall give it a try!"


    A moment later.


    Nantian Wen, holding a white piece, had a face the color of earthen ash, looking at Xiao Yi with immense frustration. "What was that you said about ''a little''?"


    Xiao Yi gave an awkward smile. "Truly just a little! Honestly, this is my first time playing against someone!"


    He indeed hadn''t lied!


    This was the first time in his life that he had played chess against someone.


    However...


    He had previously received the legacy of the Double Star Taoist, which included knowledge of chess.


    The Double Star Taoist was not only unmatched in ancient times in the field of Formations, but his mastery in chess was also by no means weaker than his achievements in Formations!


    Nantian Wen''s eyelid twitched, and he was at a loss for words.


    On the chessboard.


    Xiao Yi had left Nantian Wen with not a single piece standing, an outcome even worse and more thorough than when he lost to Fang Tianmiao.


    Nantian Wen, who had planned to show off and have a blast by catching Xiao Yi, ended up falling flat on his face!


    Nantian Wen was utterly frustrated, looking at Little Lin, Nantian Ao, and others trying to hold back their laughter, and said very speechless, "Why hold back? If you want to laugh, just laugh. Could it be that I would blame you for this?"


    "Pfft..."


    "Hahaha..."


    The group could no longer contain their laughter.


    Nantian Ao laughed until tears streamed down his face, his voice intermittent, "Hahaha...Your Majesty...hahaha, it''s not on purpose..."


    "Hmph!"


    Nantian Wen snorted and sulkily turned his head away.


    At that moment...


    Suddenly, Fang Tianmiao, who was beside them, spoke up, "Xiao Yi, how about a game between us?"

 Chapter 876 - 874: The World as a Chessboard, All Beings as Chess Pieces!

    "Xiao Yi, how about a game of chess between us?"


    Master Fang Tianmiao closed his fan gently, a serene smile on his face, his gaze as still as ancient well water, without a hint of a ripple.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback.


    Though it was their first encounter, on his way here, Nantian Ao had mentioned that Master Fang wasn''t one to readily play chess with others. Even someone like Nantian Wen would need to depend on Master Fang''s mood to have a match.


    And one simply could not demand it!


    Nantian Wen himself was surprised, his doubtful gaze scanning back and forth across Xiao Yi.


    He had known Master Fang for centuries.


    But...


    In all those years, the number of times Master Fang had initiated a game of chess could be counted on one hand, as far as Nantian Wen knew. Among those as young as Xiao Yi, only the top prodigy of the Nantian Holy Institute and the premier Saint Heir from the Nantian holy lands had received such invitations!


    Those two were the undisputed future overlords of the Southern State!


    Was Xiao Yi also afforded such a privilege?


    Nantian Wen realized he might have still underestimated Xiao Yi, his expression shifting slightly before he said with a smile, "Xiao Yi, you mustn''t hold back. Do me a favor and viciously crush Master Fang''s spirit! All these years, I''ve never beaten him once..."


    While speaking,


    Nantian Wen stood up and offered his seat to Master Fang.


    Master Fang, smiling, took the seat and made a welcoming gesture to Xiao Yi, asking, "Your move first?"


    Xiao Yi replied, "I would be honored to comply!"


    Xiao Yi, holding the black pieces, made the first move.


    With the heritage of the Twin Star Sage in the game of chess, Xiao Yi was quite confident.


    His moves were exceedingly quick.


    Master Fang''s icy mask emitted a faint silver glow, and although it concealed any changes in his expression, his overall demeanor still emanated a calm and peacefulness as if bathed in a gentle spring breeze.


    The two exchanged moves at a staggering pace.


    This left the onlookers exchanging surprised glances. Dugu Li stood with his head bowed, his seemingly cloudy old eyes flashing with astuteness, betraying his astonishment. Clearly, he had not expected Xiao Yi to possess such skill in chess and to engage Master Fang in such an intense battle!


    Nantian Ao blinked, feeling his throat go dry, "I never expected Xiao Yi to not only have frightening accomplishments in martial arts but to also achieve such mastery in chess. This is what a true genius is, capable of anything, masterful in everything..."


    Nantian Wen nodded in agreement, his voice grave, "This young man''s future is limitless!"


    His gaze had not once strayed from the chessboard.


    If Nantian Wen''s style of play was strategic and deliberate, and Master Fang was one who left nothing to chance, then Xiao Yi''s game seemed to be one of total control.


    As if he possessed the Eyes of Heaven.


    No matter how intricate the configuration, no matter how nuanced the trap, they were transparent before him!


    It was as if he could see through everything.


    Because of this...


    Xiao Yi''s pace of play grew faster and faster; Master Fang, on the other hand, was starting to show signs of strain. Though he could barely keep up with Xiao Yi''s speed, it was obvious that each move he made was more hesitant than the last.


    Having known Master Fang for hundreds of years, this was the first time Nantian Wen saw a trace of Master Fang''s composure slip.


    Even if it was only by the slightest fraction.


    It was enough to be astounding!


    One must know...


    Even top players like the premier prodigy of the Nantian Holy Institute and the first Saint Heir of the Nantian sacred lands could only hold their own for a hundred moves in a game with Master Fang.


    But Xiao Yi...


    He had not only far surpassed a hundred moves, but he was also pressuring incessantly, gaining an overwhelming advantage, relentlessly dominating the prodigious strategist��Master Fang, famed for foreseeing the next thousand moves and planning the subsequent five hundred.


    Little Lin looked left and right.


    His understanding of chess was limited to knowing there were white and black pieces; the subtleties of the board were beyond him, but that did not affect his trust and admiration for Xiao Yi, shouting, "Boss, go for it, beat him in one fell swoop!"


    "..."


    Nantian Ao quickly covered his mouth and whispered, "Watch the game in silence, don''t disturb them!"


    Little Lin stuck out her tongue but said no more.


    Beside them, Nantian Wen, with his arms crossed, muttered to himself, "Who knows... Xiao Yi might really win this game!"


    While they were talking.


    Fang Tianmiao''s hand, holding a chess piece, suddenly paused in the air above the board, but he hesitated to make his move. Behind the silver-white metallic mask, those pitch-black eyes looked at Xiao Yi and he asked, "What is chess? What are pieces?"


    Xiao Yi was startled and looked at Fang Tianmiao, not understanding.


    Fang Tianmiao continued, "What is your Way of Chess?"


    Xiao Yi suddenly understood and hesitated for a moment before he said, "Holding the universe and the heavens and earth in the palm, the mysteries of the cosmos are but a mere breath in and out."


    Hiss!


    Nantian Wen and the others all took in a breath of cold air.


    The universe and the heavens and earth in the palm.


    The mysteries of the cosmos are a mere breath in and out!


    What kind of Way of Chess was this?


    Fang Tianmiao was also momentarily stunned. He had heard countless responses and witnessed many grandmasters of chess, but he had never heard of such a Way of Chess, let alone seen it. Upon this thought, Fang Tianmiao took a deep breath and asked the previous question again, "What is chess? What are pieces?"


    The same question. S��ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The first time, Xiao Yi did not answer.


    But this time...


    Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment, then, with emphasis on every word, he definitively answered, "The heavens and earth are the chessboard, all beings are the pieces!"


    ...


    Silence!


    Deadly silence...


    "The heavens and earth are the chessboard, all beings are the pieces!"


    These simple ten words seemed to cast a Paralysis Spell on the space around them, leaving everyone staring at Xiao Yi, dumbfounded.


    Even the wide-traveled Nantian Wen was baffled.


    Despite being the Emperor of the Nantian Dynasty, holding an incomparable noble status and wielding immense power, he too was deeply shocked by Xiao Yi''s answer.


    Clack!


    The chess piece in Fang Tianmiao''s hand silently dropped onto the board, rolling off the edge as everyone finally came back to their senses. Their eyes turned towards Xiao Yi, filled with amazement and uncertainty.


    These merely ten words seemed to possess a kind of Magic Power.


    "Hahaha..."


    Fang Tianmiao suddenly burst into a long laugh, shaking his head as he said, "Excellent, ''The heavens and earth are the chessboard, all beings are the pieces!'' No wonder you, with such a small Daqian Dynasty, have managed to develop to this extent in such a short time. Since I lost this game of chess, I will fulfill my promise and divine a reading for you!"


    Nantian Wen showed a look of envy, "Xiao Yi, aren''t you going to thank Master Fang? He rarely offers divinations!"


    "Yes!"


    Nantian Ao looked at Nantian Wen as if to say, "This person has asked many times before!"


    Xiao Yi smiled and looked at Fang Tianmiao, "In that case, I''ll trouble Master Fang to divine a reading for me!"


    "Past or future?" Fang Tianmiao asked.


    "The future!" replied Xiao Yi.


    "No problem!"


    Fang Tianmiao confidently smiled, held his breath, and chanted.


    Under the watchful eyes of all...


    Fang Tianmiao suddenly opened his eyes wide, those calm eyes like an ancient well suddenly bulging as he fixed his gaze on Xiao Yi, "You, you, your future is actually..."


    PS: Taking a day off, will make it up tomorrow!

 Chapter 877 - 875: Demons come to slay demons, gods come to punish gods!

    ```


    "Your future actually is..."


    Master Fang''s face suddenly changed, his expression one of utter disbelief as he looked at Xiao Yi.


    His eyes frantically contracted, as if he had witnessed an incredible, shocking scene.


    Xiao Yi was also taken aback.


    Spectators like Nantian Wen were equally baffled, their puzzled gaze turning towards Master Fang.


    Little Lin anxiously asked, "Master Fang�� Master Fang, what''s wrong with my boss''s future? It''s not something bad, is it?"


    "Master Fang��" Nantian Wen also began to speak but stopped.


    Without waiting for him to finish,


    Master Fang raised his hand to silence him; his expression still carried deep shock, with large beads of cold sweat rolling down his forehead. Looking intently at Xiao Yi, Master Fang was silent for a moment before speaking with his back to Nantian Wen, "Your Majesty, could you arrange a quiet room for me? I need to talk to Xiao Yi in private!"


    Nantian Wen uttered a sound of confusion, his face growing even more puzzled.


    He had known Master Fang for hundreds of years.


    It was the first time he had seen such intense emotional turbulence from Master Fang.


    After hesitating for a moment,


    Nantian Wen nodded and said, "Follow me!"


    Everyone followed Nantian Wen towards the quiet room, the atmosphere somewhat oppressive, with no one speaking.


    Only Little Lin looked worriedly at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi gently rubbed his head, smiled, shook his head, and signaled to Little Lin not to worry too much. S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Inside the quiet room,


    Xiao Yi and Master Fang sat facing each other. As their eyes met, neither took the initiative to speak. The quiet room was terrifyingly silent, echoing only their breaths, and it was unknown how much time had passed.


    Suddenly, Master Fang spoke up, "Aren''t you curious about what I saw?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders, "If you''re willing to tell me, there''s no need for me to ask!"


    Sigh!


    Master Fang exhaled a deep breath, his gaze towards Xiao Yi very complex, with faint silver arcs of light flickering at his fingertips. This light made a sizzling sound, like the collision of electric arcs, giving off a sharp aura that made Xiao Yi''s pupils shrink slightly.


    Even now...


    He still couldn''t ascertain Master Fang''s true level of cultivation.


    The man before him seemed to be an ordinary person, but everything he exhibited was far from ordinary.


    It was this vague feeling that put tremendous pressure on Xiao Yi.


    The pressure this man gave him


    Was even stronger than that of Nantian Wen!


    The silver arc at Master Fang''s fingertips quietly disappeared, some of the gravity fading from his face as he said solemnly, "What I saw just now was that in three years, you will bring a catastrophic disaster to the Qingtian Realm. This disaster is no less severe than the calamity brought upon the Azure Heaven Continent by Zhao Wuji in Ancient Times. At that time, billions upon billions of beings will die by your hand, the entire Qingtian Realm will become a human inferno, a mountain of corpses and sea of blood, a ground littered with bones, and all of it will be because of you..."


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s face changed dramatically, and he couldn''t help but tense up.


    Three years later,


    The Qingtian Realm destroyed by his hand?


    Countless lives lost, ground adorned with bones, a human inferno...


    Xiao Yi had never thought these things would relate to himself.


    Beyond the shock,


    Xiao Yi composed himself and looked seriously at Master Fang, "This joke isn''t funny!"


    "I also hope this is just a joke, but I am sorry, this is the future I saw!" said Master Fang, pausing with each word, speaking with absolute seriousness.


    Xiao Yi was silent for a moment.


    Considering that even Nantian Wen held Master Fang in the highest regard, it was obvious that he was no mere charlatan.


    If he truly could predict the future.


    ```


    Everything he spoke of was the truth!


    Then...


    Would he truly transform into a murderous fiend in three years, destroying a realm and slaughtering countless lives?


    Xiao Yi''s expression was more somber than ever before, "I don''t believe that I will turn into a murderous fiend without reason... Since you can foresee the future, can you tell me why I would become like that?"


    "This..."


    Fang Tianmiao showed a hesitant look, "It is indeed possible to foresee, but every time we predict the future we are challenging fate. The more detailed the result of the prediction, the stronger the backlash from fate. For instance, predicting that you will become a murderous fiend in three years is just the outcome, which does not greatly affect fate. However, if we were to calculate the reason, it could potentially affect the future, and the backlash from fate would be extremely severe..."


    Fate backlash.


    This was precisely why Fang Tianmiao was exceedingly cautious with every move he made.


    Xiao Yi took out a piece of raw stone with a flip of his hand.


    This raw stone was significantly larger than what he had given to Nantian Ao and others before. It contained an extremely powerful energy and was the very piece Xiao Yi had extracted from the Sea Demon Emperor after his death.


    "Raw stone?"


    Fang Tianmiao''s pupils sharply constricted.


    Even in the place he came from, raw stones were extremely valuable.


    Especially ones of this size and purity of energy were very rare indeed.


    Xiao Yi spoke in a heavy voice, "Would this raw stone suffice for you to make a move?"


    Fang Tianmiao displayed a struggling expression, finally let out a bitter smile, and said, "Forget it, the conditions you offered are truly impossible to refuse..."


    He accepted the raw stone.


    Fang Tianmiao slowly closed his eyes, his fingers alternately pinching and counting while he chanted resonantly.


    This time, the difficulty of his prediction was obviously even greater.


    A moment later.


    His complexion had turned deathly pale, large beads of cold sweat continuously rolled down, and his whole clothes were soaked through with sweat. Shivering, a tinge of purple appeared on the initially pale Fang Tianmiao; suddenly, he opened his eyes and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.


    Supporting himself on the ground with both hands, he gasped for air heavily.


    "Are you alright?"


    Xiao Yi swiftly lent a hand, channeling his innate power into Fang Tianmiao''s body, easing the color on his face slightly. He gently shook his head, wiped off the blood from his mouth, and then intensively gazed at Xiao Yi before speaking, "This time you really did me in. After this prediction, I will have to return to my clan and not make another move for a hundred years..."


    "I''m truly sorry..." Xiao Yi too felt some reluctance in his heart.


    "Since I have accepted your benefits, naturally I should give it my all. Besides, this time has granted me a deeper understanding of fate. Let''s just say that fortune and misfortune are interdependent!"


    Fang Tianmiao waved his hand and, after a few deep breaths to recover, continued, "The information you seek, I have found it... The reason you become a demonic figure, causing all living beings in the Qingtian Realm to suffer, is all due to a woman!"


    "A woman?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, instinctively thinking of Fang Qingzhu, and blurted out, "Fang Qingzhu?"


    Fang Tianmiao nodded and continued, "Exactly the person you mentioned... Three years from now, she will die before your eyes, with her unborn child, and her death along with that of the child in her womb will completely enrage you, leading you down the path of the demonic..."


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s mind went blank.


    Three years from now.


    Fang Qingzhu''s death?


    A life for two lives?


    Was she pregnant?


    Staring incredulously at Fang Tianmiao, Xiao Yi felt his throat run dry, his voice hoarse, "How does she die?"


    Fang Tianmiao shook his head, "I do not know; deducing this much is already the limit..." He paused, then Fang Tianmiao spoke gravely, "Xiao Yi, what do you plan to do?"


    Still unsettled from the shock, Xiao Yi answered Fang Tianmiao''s question almost subconsciously, "I will do everything in my power to protect her!"


    "And if, in the end, she still dies?" Fang Tianmiao asked.


    Xiao Yi was silent for a moment before slowly exhaling, "I will not allow anyone to harm her!"


    "What if the one who kills her is extremely powerful, and you cannot stop them?" Fang Tianmiao interrogated further.


    Word by word, Xiao Yi responded with iron-clad determination, "No matter who it is, they will not even dream of harming her... If a demon comes, I will slay the demon; if a god arrives, I will fell the god!"

 Chapter 878 - 876 Mysterious Realm

    ```


    "Demons arrive to slay demons, deities come to punish deities!"


    Xiao Yi''s gaze was unwavering, and his voice rang out with resounding clarity.


    That unparalleled firm belief caused a slight change in the expression of Fang Tianmiao standing before him. Staring at the determination on Xiao Yi''s face, his eyes shifted before he sighed, "Do you know that just a second ago, I thought about killing you to put an end to the disaster three years from now..."


    Xiao Yi remained silent.


    Although Fang Tianmiao''s words seemed somewhat arrogant, as if in his eyes, slaying Xiao Yi was but an easy task,


    Xiao Yi was very aware of the threat of death at this moment.


    It proved that Fang Tianmiao''s words were not empty talk.


    If he made a move,


    he truly had the power to slay Xiao Yi.


    Fang Tianmiao looked at Xiao Yi with complex eyes, eventually heaving a sigh, "What is this thing called love that compels one to pledge life and death to another... I don''t know what you and Fang Qingzhu have been through, but seeing that you would become enemies with the entire Qingtian Realm for her in the future, not hesitating to transform into a demon that slaughters an entire realm, I can imagine how profound your feelings for each other must be..."


    "Thank you!"


    Xiao Yi responded with a hoarse voice.


    Fang Tianmiao continued, "Our clan is naturally favored by fate, but every one of us spends a lifetime defying it. People always say that fate is irreversible, and over the years, I''ve seen many outstanding individuals trying to change their destiny. Yet no one has succeeded. Your appearance has given me a glimmer of hope, perhaps, you really can reverse fate and change the future..."


    As he spoke,


    Fang Tianmiao rose to his full height, hands clasped behind his back, his eyes shining with star-like luminance, he enunciated each word, "Xiao Yi, I hope you truly can change the future. Three years from now, if you have indeed turned into a demon, bringing misery to the living, even if no one in the Qingtian Realm can subdue you, I will certainly not spare you! I will personally, strike you down with my sword!"


    Boom!


    As if from nowhere, the small chamber was filled with thunderous roars.


    Xiao Yi''s complexion changed slightly.


    Just as he was about to speak...


    The figure of Fang Tianmiao in front of him slowly became translucent, and as his last words landed, he completely vanished in front of Xiao Yi. Only his last sentence echoed in Xiao Yi''s ears, "Remember, if you cannot reverse destiny in three years, I will be the one to end your life!"


    Xiao Yi''s expression was uncertain; he couldn''t fathom how Fang Tianmiao had departed.


    According to the legacies he had acquired,


    To do so required one to be at least a Supreme Venerable.


    Or perhaps an even more formidable existence...


    Huh!


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath, staring at the spot where Fang Tianmiao disappeared, "Regardless of whether what Fang Tianmiao said was true or false, within three years, I must find Qingzhu in Baiyu... Whoever wishes to harm Qingzhu can only do so by stepping over my dead body!"


    At this moment, Xiao Yi felt a tremendous pressure.


    An unprecedented longing for strength and an urgency to break through his limits surged in his heart!


    He must acquire the items related to the Hall of Longevity at the upcoming auction.


    That might provide a method to quickly solidify his Primordial Spirit!


    Besides...


    It was time to make a trip to the far south!


    The mysterious spiritual lake and the endless source stones were all urgently needed by Xiao Yi.


    Most importantly, the stele deep within the spiritual lake, Xiao Yi had a faint feeling that its value would far exceed that of the lake and source stones.


    "But for now, I will attend the auction first..." Xiao Yi took a deep breath and opened the door to the chamber.


    ```


    Waiting outside, Little Lin and the others immediately looked towards him as he appeared.


    Their eyes were filled with nervousness and concern.


    "Boss..."


    Little Lin was the first to rush over, his face full of worry as he asked, "Boss, that guy didn''t mess with you, did he?"


    While speaking,


    He sized up Xiao Yi from head to toe.


    Xiao Yi ruffled his hair and shook his head with a smile to indicate that nothing was wrong. The matter Fang Tianmiao had mentioned was of great importance, and he did not plan to tell anyone.


    Little Lin''s eyes flickered, and he stopped asking any further questions.


    However, Nantian Wen displayed a puzzled expression. Based on his understanding of Fang Tianmiao, there must have been an earth-shattering prediction for him to have taken such serious measures. But Nantian Wen was shrewd and could see that Xiao Yi did not want to discuss the matter further. Shifting the topic, Nantian Wen asked, "Where is Master Fang?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged and replied with a wry smile, "He''s already left!" After a pause, Xiao Yi inquired, "Your Majesty, who exactly is Master Fang?"


    He distinctly remembered Fang Tianmiao claiming that if no one in Qingtian Realm could check him,


    His clan would take action.


    Could it be that Fang Tianmiao was not from the Qingtian Realm? S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Uh..."


    Nantian Wen was startled, not expecting Xiao Yi to ask this question. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke in a low voice, "Actually, it''s no secret, Fang Tianmiao is from the Mysterious Realm..."


    Xiao Yi frowned: "The Mysterious Realm?"


    It seemed that Nantian Wen was reluctant to say more about the two words "Mysterious Realm," which carried a taboo power; even someone of Nantian Wen''s strength did not wish to talk about them too much. He gave a perfunctory explanation: "You just have to know that the Mysterious Realm is incredibly mysterious and powerful, and even if the six great holy lands joined forces, they would not dare to provoke the dignity of the Mysterious Realm!"


    Hiss!


    The crowd inhaled sharply.


    The six great holy lands together wouldn''t dare to challenge the Mysterious Realm?


    It was known that...


    The six great holy lands were rumored to host Supreme Venerables. With at least six Supreme Venerables, they still wouldn''t dare to challenge the Mysterious Realm? How powerful and terrifying must the Mysterious Realm be then?


    However, seeing that Nantian Wen was reluctant to speak more, the others did not press the issue.


    Dugu Li, a truly close confidant of Nantian Wen, was very clear about Nantian Wen''s thoughts. Seeing the mood grow somber, he took the initiative and said, "Your Majesty, we are half an hour away from the auction. We should head over there!"


    "Right, right, right, the auction is important!"


    Nantian Wen laughed heartily and then took the initiative to say, "Let''s go to the auction first! There are many great items at the auction today!"


    The group then headed towards the side hall where the auction was taking place.


    A short while later...


    They arrived at the side hall, which was already bustling with people, a lively scene indeed. Naturally, this was an auction presided over by Nantian Wen, with distinguished officials, notable figures, and elite guests all in attendance.


    Upon seeing Nantian Wen enter, everyone rushed forward, their faces full of eagerness, flattering and fawning: "Your Majesty, you''ve finally arrived; we''ve been waiting for a long time!"


    "Your Majesty, you seem to have significantly improved your cultivation since we last saw you!"


    "Your Majesty..."


    Nantian Wen waved his hand to dismiss those annoying ''flies'' and personally led Xiao Yi and the others to the VIP seats.


    Once seated,


    Nantian Wen snapped his fingers, and Dugu Li by his side cleared his throat, stepping onto the stage: "Thank you, everyone, for coming. This auction will now officially begin..."

 Chapter 879 - 877: Determined to Win

    "The auction officially begins!"


    With a calm announcement from the white-haired and youthful-looking Dugu Li, all the formidable figures in the hall promptly closed their mouths, watching quietly as treasures began to appear on the auction block.


    This was, after all, an auction organized under the royal auspices of Nantian Wen.


    Compared to those organized by other commercial companies, it seemed much more solemn.


    Only top leaders of various forces were able to attend the auction, each aware of Xiao Yi''s identity, and none dared to step forward and provoke him.


    The entire auction process went particularly smoothly.


    Each auction item fetched a decent price, making Nantian Wen''s smile increasingly radiant.


    Finding it strange, Little Lin asked, "Your Majesty, you control the existence of the Nantian Dynasty, why would you host an auction?"


    "..."


    Nantian Wen rolled his eyes and said with a speechless expression, "Little fellow, this is because you haven''t managed a household and don''t know the cost of necessities! It''s true that I wield power over the Nantian Dynasty, but precisely for that reason, I also have to spend countless wealth to build up the dynasty."


    Nearby, Nantian Ao nodded and added, "Not to mention anything else... just the city''s defense forces. Excluding weapons, armor, and cultivation resources, the mere yearly allowance of a regular soldier is ten thousand Silver, one hundred thousand for regular soldiers... fifty thousand for a captain, one hundred thousand for a major captain, five hundred thousand for a Deputy Commander, and one million for a Commander, not to mention deputy generals and main generals..."


    "Just the annual expenses of the city defense forces, plus the cultivation resources, amount to no less than a trillion..."


    Nantian Wen gave a wry smile and continued, "And the Nantian Dynasty altogether has over eighteen million troops. Aside from them, we also have the royal family members, and the annual budget for the Nantian Holy Institute is no less than one hundred trillion Silver..."


    Sharp intakes of breath echoed throughout the crowd.


    Little Lin was even counting on his fingers, looking at Nantian Wen with a face full of sympathy, "Your Majesty, being an emperor has left you quite poor!"


    Nantian Wen''s eyelid twitched: "��"


    Nantian Ao cornered his mouth and sneaked a look at Nantian Wen.


    Xiao Yi rubbed Little Lin''s head, "Little Lin, hold back a bit. Can''t you see his Majesty''s face is almost the color of a pig''s liver?" He looked towards Nantian Wen, "The little guy only speaks blunt truths, please don''t take offense!"


    Nantian Wen looked deeply at Xiao Yi, his mournful gaze as if to say: Are you really comforting me?


    It was then that Dugu Li''s voice sounded, "Coming up next is the last item of today''s auction, and I am sure everyone here is aware of the Hall of Longevity, the sole ruler of Qingtian Realm during the Ancient Times..."


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    "Our ancestor strictly ordered that we must obtain this treasure!"


    "Gentlemen, this treasure is destined for Tian Yun Temple, and we are determined to have it. I hope everyone will give this poor monk some consideration!", said a monk with a scar on his head as he stood up and gave a Buddhist salute to the crowd, all smiles.


    For a moment.


    The noisy hall became silent, and the intense gazes of many powerful individuals fixed on the monk grew more solemn.


    "Monk Xue of Tian Yun Temple? Unexpectedly, they are also determined to acquire this object. It seems we have to give up this time...", someone sighed with reluctance.


    Another person simply gave a bitter smile, "Tian Yun Temple? Can''t afford to provoke, can''t afford indeed..."


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and turned to Nantian Wen, asking, "Is Tian Yun Temple very strong?"


    "This Tian Yun Temple follows the path of demonic monks, and their abbot, Abbot Tian Yun, possesses the cultivation of the Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm, which is exceptional!"


    Nantian Wen nodded in response, a hint of disgust in his eyes as he frowned and questioned Nantian Ao, "How did the people from Tian Yun Temple even get here? Didn''t I say not to send them an invitation?"


    Nantian Ao replied with a bitter smile, "It was the Crown Prince who sent them an invitation��"


    "Lang''er?"


    Nantian Wen was stunned, and his expression turned somewhat ugly.


    It seemed that he was not too satisfied with the crown prince.


    Nantian Wen looked apologetically at Xiao Yi, "I didn''t expect the people from Tian Yun Temple to intervene, Xiao Yi. Maybe you shouldn''t compete this time. The monks'' ways are extremely cunning, and they are ruthless and vengeful..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "No worries. Let''s first see what this treasure is. If it''s useful to me, it isn''t just a group of pretend monks I''m willing to contend with��even if it were the Buddha himself, I would be determined to get it!"


    At that moment,


    the last treasure had been brought onto the stage, protected by a golden cover that obscured its true form.


    Dugu Li placed his palm on the golden cover, his calm gaze sweeping over the crowd, his words laced with a bewitching magic power, "This ultimate treasure happened to fall into the hands of our royal family by a serendipitous twist of fate. Our royals have researched it and believe that there should be eight metal pieces in total��this is only one of them. What we can confirm is that it has a close connection with the Hall of Longevity..."


    Swish!


    Dugu Li lifted his hand, and the golden cover flew off.


    Hum!


    A beam of treasure light shot into the sky.


    It was a metallic piece that shone with a golden light, with mysterious runes upon it.


    Dugu Li pointed to the metal piece in front of him, his words tinged with regret, "Unfortunately, despite our royals'' best efforts, we were only able to deduce its origins but couldn''t comprehend the mysterious runes on it. That''s why we''ve decided to auction this treasure. The starting bid is ten billion silver, with each increment not less than one billion��"


    Xiao Yi''s body tensed, his eyes fixated on the golden piece.


    The royals of the Nantian Dynasty didn''t recognize these runes.


    However, Xiao Yi could see them clearly��they were characters from Ancient Times, long lost. But for Xiao Yi, they presented no difficulty; the metal piece was marked with spatial coordinates.


    These spatial coordinates pointed exactly to the location of the Hall of Longevity in the depths of the void!


    That meant this was a map leading to the Hall of Longevity!


    Although it was only one-eighth, it was still priceless.


    Not to mention ten billion silver.


    Even if it was a trillion silver, it would be worth it!


    However,


    Xiao Yi didn''t immediately speak up to vie for it, instead, he observed quietly. But Monk Xue had already taken the lead, "Tian Yun Temple is willing to offer fifty billion silver to purchase it, the abbot insists on acquiring it. I hope everyone can offer us some courtesy!"


    "Monks renounce worldly possessions��why vie for such extraneous things? I bid one hundred billion!" Someone in the crowd spoke up.


    Monk Xue''s eyes narrowed, his cold gaze turning to the speaker.


    Nantian Ao whispered, "This man is Luo Feng from the esteemed Luo Family, at the peak of the Peak of Earth Revered Realm, also a very formidable master."


    Xiao Yi nodded slightly, watching the two opposing figures with a smile that wasn''t quite a smile.


    The price had already been pushed to five hundred billion.


    Luo Feng looked at Monk Xue triumphantly, "Monk, didn''t you say you were determined to get it? If you have the ability, keep bidding!"


    "Amitabha!"


    Monk Xue pressed his palms together, his expression serene and kind, "The benefactor jests. We of the Buddhist sect do not compete with the world, so we will let you have it! However... this item is ominous, obtaining it might not bode well for the benefactor. This poor monk wishes the benefactor''s family peace and everlasting grace from Buddha..."


    Monk Xue''s face was all smiles, but his words carried a thick threat.


    Luo Feng''s expression darkened as he scoffed, "Others may fear your Tian Yun Temple, but my Luo Family does not!" He stood up, looking towards Dugu Li, "Li, should this treasure be mine now?"


    Dugu Li hesitated, just about to speak.


    Xiao Yi slowly said, "One trillion silver, this item is mine!"

 Chapter 880 - 878: Slap to Death

    "This object is mine now!"


    Xiao Yi''s tone was very calm, as if the item before him was of no particular importance to him, yet everyone could hear the determination in his voice that he was bound to win it.


    With these words,


    both Monk Xue and Luo Feng''s expressions changed.


    Monk Xue looked at Luo Feng with schadenfreude. Because Luo Feng had bid a high price of five hundred billion Silver, he had no choice but to withdraw from the competition.


    Luo Feng had thought the metal piece was as good as in his pocket when Xiao Yi suddenly stepped in, which was akin to a vicious slap in Luo Feng''s face.


    An enemy''s embarrassment was cause for happiness.


    Monk Xue laughed heartily as he looked at Xiao Yi, brought his palms together in a prayer gesture, and said with a face full of compassion, "Amitabha, Benefactor, your action is truly virtuous!"


    Luo Feng looked at Xiao Yi with a sullen face. Though he was extremely annoyed by Xiao Yi''s interruption, he also knew that Xiao Yi was not someone to be trifled with. With a cold expression, he said, "Director Xiao, I don''t believe I have offended you, have I?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said, "We have never met before, how could there be any offense?"


    "Since I have not offended you, why must you side with this bald donkey to embarrass me?" Luo Feng''s face grew even darker.


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly and replied, "What''s the matter? Is it forbidden for others to make bids at this auction held by the royal family of the Nantian Dynasty? I also have a must-win determination for this item, so I joined the bidding. This is fair competition. Why do you feel that I am targeting you? Moreover�� not that I, Xiao Yi, am being arrogant, but what makes you, Luo Feng, worth my targeting?"


    "You��"


    Luo Feng''s face instantly turned an amalgamation of blue and red.


    He had never expected Xiao Yi to be so dismissive, causing a sinister gleam to flash in his eyes. He turned to Nantian Wen and said, "Your Majesty��"


    Before he could say more,


    Nantian Wen spoke indifferently, "Xiao Yi is right, an auction is naturally about fair competition. The highest bidder wins."


    That single sentence blocked all of Luo Feng''s retorts.


    You want this item?


    Then bid a higher price!


    Luo Feng''s face alternated between pale and flushed, looking extremely ugly. He could afford a price higher than one trillion Silver, and the Luo Family was determined to have this metal piece.


    Only��


    As soon as Xiao Yi started off with one trillion Silver, it was clear that his wealth was far more than that.


    With that thought,


    Luo Feng glared viciously at Xiao Yi and said ominously, "Since Director Xiao is so determined to have this item, I will painfully relinquish my claim. However, since the item is related to the Hall of Longevity, as the saying goes, ''An innocent man is guilty if he carries a precious jade.'' I hope Director Xiao will cherish it!"


    Without waiting for his words to finish,


    Luo Feng stood up, ready to leave.


    But the moment he stood up, an invisible oppressive force descended upon him, as if a towering mountain had suddenly crushed down on him.


    With two muffled bangs,


    Luo Feng''s knees shattered at the same time, and with a thud, he fell to his knees, cracking the ground beneath him.


    Hiss!


    All around, there was the sound of people sharply inhaling, as everyone looked at Xiao Yi with shock and astonishment: "He, how dare he make a move in front of His Majesty?"


    "Just with the pressure of his aura, he made Luo Feng kneel, unable to move. How strong must Xiao Yi be?"


    Among the crowd,


    Monk Xue''s eyes twitched violently, and the murderous bloodthirst in the depths of his eyes quietly receded.


    He had planned to ambush Xiao Yi on his way back, to attack and seize that mysterious metal piece.


    But now��


    Seeing how Xiao Yi had so effortlessly subdued Luo Feng, whose cultivation was on par with his own, Monk Xue had to abandon his earlier idea. His gaze shifted slightly, and he began to secretly concoct another plot.


    Luo Feng also regained his senses, his face ashen, and with a ferocious look directed toward the not-too-distant Xiao Yi, he hissed through clenched teeth: "Xiao Yi, you''ve gone too far! Do you really think this is the Daqian Dynasty, where you can do whatever you want?"


    Xiao Yi regarded him with a serene gaze.


    That tranquil look, as if he were viewing a dead man, a carcass.


    In his eyes that flickered with a ghostly cold light, devoid of a shred of emotion, only icy mockery remained as he said indifferently, "Your Majesty, may I borrow your place to kill someone? No problem, right?"


    Luo Feng laughed heartily, "Xiao Yi, do you really think yourself on equal footing with His Majesty? Asking to borrow his place to kill someone��do you realize that even the elders of the Nantian sacred sites wouldn''t dare to speak to His Majesty in such a manner��"


    The gazes of everyone around Xiao Yi carried a hint of ridicule.


    Clearly, they too thought Xiao Yi was too full of himself.


    Asking Nantian Wen for a place to kill someone.


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    However��


    When Nantian Wen spoke, the smiles on their faces could no longer be maintained, turning into stunned disbelief and open-mouthed shock.


    One could only hear Nantian Wen say carelessly, "Go ahead!"


    With these words,


    the strong characters sitting around were petrified, frozen and dumbfounded on the spot.


    Luo Feng was particularly astonished, his face filled with disbelief as he looked at Nantian Wen, "Your Majesty, you must be joking, right? I am, after all, an Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse of the Nantian Dynasty. How could you possibly... "


    "Enough noise!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand impatiently.


    A force innate to the beginning spat out from the palm of his hand, and in the void, it condensed into a cold, blue giant hand that covered the skies and seemed to command creation itself, furiously smashing down from above.


    "No..."


    Luo Feng only felt the world turn dark.


    Immediately following...


    Boom!


    The giant hand mercilessly crashed down.


    A blue light surged, and when it receded, nothing remained but a pile of mangled flesh and blood on the ground.


    The Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse Luo Feng had died under Xiao Yi''s single palm strike.


    The surrounding powerhouses were as quiet as cicadas in winter, afraid of offending Xiao Yi and thus bringing down a catastrophe upon themselves.


    Monk Xue''s heart skipped a beat, and he silently breathed a sigh of relief: "Fortunately, Luo Feng, this brute, rushed ahead. Otherwise, if I rashly made a move against Xiao Yi, I would likely be the one lying on the ground now. It seems to take down Xiao Yi, I can only ask for the old abbot''s intervention!"


    The hall was silent.


    Clearly, no one had expected Xiao Yi to truly dare to execute Luo Feng in front of Nantian Wen.


    Let alone imagine...


    Nantian Wen was completely indifferent to Xiao Yi''s thunderous attack and the bombing of a Nantian Dynasty''s Earth Venerate powerhouse.


    Before this.


    Although the three major forces had signed a covenant and stood as a tripod, there were still many who had reservations about Xiao Yi becoming the third giant.


    Until now.


    They finally understood that Xiao Yi had already gained the recognition of Nantian Wen and others.


    Otherwise, how could Nantian Wen have allowed Xiao Yi to kill in front of him?


    The gazes of the people looking at Xiao Yi were filled with a few more shades of reverence.


    Xiao Yi slowly withdrew his gaze and smiled at Nantian Wen, "I made Your Majesty''s place dirty, so in addition to the trillion silver for this treasure, I''ll gift Your Majesty a few trinkets!"


    As he said this,


    Xiao Yi flicked his finger, and a storage ring fell into Nantian Wen''s hand.


    Nantian Wen was taken aback, then smiled, "Why so formal? If it''s an auction, just pay what you offered to me, there''s no need for any extra gifts��"


    Xiao Yi''s smile held another meaning, "Are you sure you don''t want it?"


    "That''s right, I��"


    As Nantian Wen was speaking, his expression suddenly stiffened, and he looked at Xiao Yi incredulously, "You, you''re really gifting these items to me?"


    Aside from the trillion silver, there were also three fingernail-sized raw stones.


    Gulp!


    Nantian Wen swallowed hard.


    The value of these three raw stones already exceeded a trillion!


    Xiao Yi chuckled, "Didn''t you want to return them to me?"


    "What? I said that? You must have heard wrong��" Nantian Wen immediately pocketed the Storage Ring, adamant about not parting with it.


    This left the surrounding powerhouses exchanging glances, wondering what treasures they were that even Nantian Wen cherished them so much?


    Unfortunately��


    They were destined never to find out.


    "Xiao, this treasure is now yours," Dugu Li handed the metal fragment to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s expression was unreadable as he took it and casually placed it into his storage ring.


    His heart, however, was filled with immense excitement.


    He had only caught a fleeting glimpse, but what was marked on it was unmistakably the information about the coordinates of the Hall of Longevity.


    This transaction had been a massive gain for him!


    Xiao Yi, keen to examine the metal fragment, declined Nantian Wen''s invitation to stay and said with a smile, "There will be other days, Your Majesty; there''s no need to keep me."


    "So be it, when I have some free time, I''ll come looking for you," Nantian Wen said with a hint of regret.


    Xiao Yi nodded and, calling Little Lin, headed toward the palace gates.


    They left the imperial capital behind them.


    Flying high in the sky, crossing mountains and rivers.


    After traveling several hundred miles, Xiao Yi and Little Lin both stopped, slowly turned around, their faces bearing a cold expression, and said indifferently, "You''ve followed me all this way, don''t you think it''s time to show yourself?"

 Chapter 881 - 879 Tian Yun Temple, Demon Arhat

    "Amitabha Buddha!"


    With the echo of the Buddhist chant, a monk dressed in a blood-red kasaya, with a kind face and benevolent eyes, walked out with a grin, full of admiration, "Truly worthy of Director Xiao, even with the monk''s extra caution, you still discovered me!"


    "Hmph!"


    Little Lin snorted coldly, his disdain for monks profound, having seen the true nature of these so-called Buddhist monks at the Hanging Temple, and said icily, "Bald donkey, what are you following us for? Do you want to end up like Luo Feng?"


    Monk Xue''s face stiffened, a deep unease flashing in his eyes.


    The horrifying state of Luo Feng''s death was still vivid in his mind!


    Monk Xue hastily said with a smile, "Misunderstanding, a huge misunderstanding! The monk is nothing like that Luo Feng..."


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "What are your intentions for following me?"


    Monk Xue quickly said, "Director Xiao, do you know the purpose and origin of that metal piece?"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly, fixing his gaze on Monk Xue, "Could it be that you know?"


    Monk Xue smiled proudly, a hint of arrogance in his voice, "Of course I know a thing or two. This object is part of a map, indicating the path to the Hall of Longevity! Moreover, there are a total of eight pieces, and the one in Director Xiao''s possession is indeed the fifth map fragment..."


    Monk Xue looked at Xiao Yi expectantly, as if he anticipated a shocked expression from him.


    However...


    Faced with this news, which could stir up a commotion among all the powers in the Qingtian Realm, Xiao Yi remained as calm as a still well, a serene tranquility on his face, and said lightly, "Are you done?"


    "Ah?"


    Monk Xue nodded subconsciously.


    Xiao Yi uttered, "Since you''re done, then scram. If you appear before me again, you''ll meet the same fate as Luo Feng!"


    He gestured to Little Lin with a wave and turned to leave.


    "..."


    This left Monk Xue completely dumbfounded. Wasn''t it unreasonable? Who in this world could resist the temptation of the Hall of Longevity?


    Watching Xiao Yi and his companion getting further away, Monk Xue was as anxious as ants on a hot pan. With a resolute heart, he blurted out, "My Tian Yun Temple possesses the first map fragment..."


    Xiao Yi and his companion halted abruptly.


    Monk Xue only saw the pair become blurs before they turned into two streaks of rainbow light, appearing instantly before him as swift as thunder and not giving time to cover one''s ears.


    As their eyes met...


    Xiao Yi''s gaze, as if it could pierce through hearts, made Monk Xue''s heart pound rapidly.


    In just that brief moment of staring, beads of cold sweat the size of peas rolled down his forehead.


    Xiao Yi asked expressionlessly, "Why are you telling me all this?"


    There''s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.


    Nor would pies just fall from the sky.


    He certainly didn''t think Monk Xue was so idle as to follow them all this way just to share this intel.


    Huff!


    Huff!


    Monk Xue took a few deep breaths before he could force out an awkward smile and said, "Our temple''s Abbot has dedicated his life to studying the Hall of Longevity, trying to locate it. Therefore, upon learning the news of this map fragment, the monk managed to enter the auction through the Crown Prince''s connection. I never expected such a treasure to end up in Director Xiao''s hands in the end, but the monk couldn''t bear to see the Abbot disappointed, so I followed you all the way here. I hope that Director Xiao would accompany me to Tian Yun Temple and lend this map fragment to the Abbot to peruse..." S��arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi remained silent.


    But Little Lin, not sparing any face, scoffed with irony, "Who do you think you are? Such a treasure, and you think you can just borrow it?"


    "No no no, you misunderstand!"


    Monk Xue shook his head hastily, his face obsequiously saying, "It''s not a loan for nothing! The monk is willing to trade it for the map fragment from my Tian Yun Temple, only to allow the Abbot to study it briefly before naturally returning it! What do you think?"


    "Trade?"


    Little Lin blinked in surprise, looking at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi touched his chin, the corners of his mouth curling up ever so slightly with a subtle cold smile, and said lightly, "Well then, let''s take a trip with you!"


    Monk Xue was overjoyed, "Thank you for your great kindness, Director Xiao. This poor monk will never forget it! Please, follow me..."


    A party of three soared through the air, heading straight for the Tian Yun Temple.


    ...


    Tian Yun Temple.


    Situated within the Tianyun Mountain Range, it was said that the old abbot of Tian Yun Temple was once a disciple of the Supreme Buddha Sect in the Western Province. He later fell into the demonic path and became a demonic monk, which led to his expulsion by the Buddha Sect.


    He eventually ended up in the Southern State and founded the Tian Yun Temple.


    Although the way of the demonic monks was taboo in the Western Province and intolerable to the Supreme Buddha Sect,


    it encountered no such opposition in the Southern State.


    Instead, many with sinister dispositions were drawn to the demonic monks'' rapid cultivation methods and powerful techniques.


    As a result, the current Tian Yun Temple has also become a top force in the Nantian Dynasty.


    It holds more power than even the top-tier families, by more than a slight margin.


    Especially that old abbot at the Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm, who is enough to make other powers extremely wary.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Amidst the urgent sounds of slicing through the air,


    Xiao Yi and his party of three entered the Tianyun Mountain Range and could see, from afar, the temple nestled within the middle of the mountain range.


    The entire temple was resplendent with gold; its walls, both inside and out, were coated with dazzling gold paint.


    Within the Great Buddha Hall at the center of the temple, there sat a colossal Buddha statue, a hundred meters tall, made entirely of gold. The statue''s august aura was imposing and majestic.


    However, beneath it was not a golden lotus seat but a black lotus platform emitting a strange aura.


    This was the Black Lotus Buddha �C the deity worshipped by the demonic monks!


    Dong, dong, dong!


    A series of loud, resounding bell tolls emanated from the temple, echoing throughout the Tianyun Mountain Range.


    A radiant light burst from the depths of the temple, soaring skyward �C myriad beams of light and thousands of auspicious streaks mingled with the mist of celestial clouds, creating a scene akin to an Immortal Realm.


    Eighteen figures ascended simultaneously.


    Each was clothed in blood-colored kasayas, some wielding Subdue-Demon Staffs, others holding Jingang Wheels, or carrying purple-gold bowls...


    Each was surrounded by a halo of Buddha''s light, their divine bearings like high monks on the path to enlightenment.


    These eighteen were all experts from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Monk Xue, with a look of pride on his face, said to Xiao Yi with a smile, "It looks like the old abbot has sensed your arrival and has specially sent the eighteen Demon Arhats to welcome you two!"


    Monk Xue gave a knowing glance to the eighteen figures before him.


    The eighteen Demon Arhats immediately understood.


    Each one of them radiated intense Buddha''s light, especially the two leading Demon Arhats, known for subduing dragons and tigers, who had images of demonic dragons and tigers roaring behind them, emitting earth-shaking roars and deafening howls.


    Their presence was tremendous!


    Such powerful aura was enough to deter all around.


    With a smiling face, Monk Xue said, "Director Xiao, these eighteen Demon Arhats of my Tian Yun Temple are quite remarkable, aren''t they?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and said without expression, "Where is your temple''s old abbot?"


    Not even eighteen Earthly Honor Realm powerhouses before him could make Xiao Yi flinch.


    What would he care for these measly eighteen Human Venerate Realm Demon Arhats?


    "..."


    Monk Xue''s face stiffened.


    He had hoped to intimidate Xiao Yi and showcase the power of Tian Yun Temple, but once again, his plans came to naught.


    "You wretched thing, keep smirking for now. Just wait until later, when I''ll have you kneeling and begging this poor monk..."


    Monk Xue thought viciously to himself, but his face bore a radiant smile as he said, "The old abbot is within the temple. Please, follow me!"


    The group headed straight into the depths of the Tian Yun Temple...

 Chapter 882 - 880 Master Tianyun

    Deep within the Zen monastery.


    In a resplendent golden palace.


    Above, on a meditation cushion woven from golden silk and encrusted with numerous precious gems, radiating with lustrous light, an old monk sat in serene repose.


    This person was none other than the venerable abbot of Tian Yun Temple��Master Tianyun!


    A formidable figure at the Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm!


    He sat on the cushion, his fingers threading through a string of white Buddha Beads, each bead surrounded by countless inscriptions.


    These were the Ninth Layer Yuanbing Saint Devil Buddhist Beads!


    "Boss, those Buddha Beads..." Little Lin stared at the beads, his expression filled with a hint of uncertainty and awe.


    Xiao Yi gently shook his head, his eyes also filled with solemnity and wariness.


    Each bead on the string was polished from the skull of a warrior from the Earth Venerate Realm.


    Though it appeared surrounded by a Buddhist glow, it was actually steeped in Demonic Qi.


    Furthermore, the string threading the beads was not made of ordinary material but was crafted from the sinews of a Heaven Venerate Realm warrior!


    Beads made from Earth Venerate Realm warrior skulls, strung on the sinews of Heaven Venerate Realm warriors.


    What formidable craftsmanship!


    "Disciple pays respect to the Venerable Abbot!" Monk Xue greeted respectfully.


    In the realm of Buddha.


    Once one entered the Heaven Venerate Realm, they could be addressed as "Venerable."


    As long as the Primordial Spirit of a Heaven Venerate Realm warrior remained indestructible, they achieved eternal reverence, generation after generation!


    Hence, they were called the "Venerable!"


    Master Tianyun slowly opened his eyes, the seemingly murky orbs emitting a brilliance far surpassing that of the sun and moon. The Buddha Beads in his hands continued to rotate slowly, and though he did not open his mouth, a voice resonated throughout the great hall, "Xue Tu, you failed to bring back what I needed, yet you have brought two donors here, why is that?"


    Master Tianyun''s words were calm.


    But for Monk Xue, it was as a thunderbolt from the blue, causing his face to turn deathly pale.


    With a thud, he knelt on the ground.


    Monk Xue, terrified and anxious, said, "Venerable, please calm your anger; this matter is all Xue Tu''s fault for his incompetence..."


    While bowing continuously, Monk Xue explained the situation.


    When he mentioned that a piece of the map had ended up in the hands of Xiao Yi, Master Tianyun''s indifferent gaze swept over the two.


    Just that one look noticeably dropped the temperature of the entire great hall.


    Despite being accustomed to both heat and cold, Xiao Yi and Little Lin both felt a bone-chilling cold.


    Though the sensation was fleeting, it made Xiao Yi even more cautious and wary of the seemingly kind and benevolent Master Tianyun before him.


    "Venerable, that is the situation!"


    Monk Xue stated solemnly, "Xiao also wishes to exchange observations with that piece of the map!"


    "Oh?"


    Master Tianyun raised an eyebrow, "Xiao, do you truly wish to exchange with me?"


    Xiao Yi said, "Not an exchange, but rather a mutual observation, and let''s limit it to one month. After one month, regardless of whether we have gained anything or not, we must return the other''s piece of the map, agreed?"


    Master Tianyun pressed his palms together, chanting a Buddhist mantra, his eyes full of compassion as he said, "Amitabha, then we shall do as Xiao proposes, one month it is!"


    As he spoke,


    Master Tianyun, with a flick of his hand, sent a glittering piece of golden metal flying from his storage ring into the ledger.


    It was a map fragment that marked the coordinates to the Hall of Longevity, extremely similar to the one in Xiao Yi''s possession.


    However,


    the piece in Master Tianyun''s hand was the first fragment, while the one in Xiao Yi''s was the fifth.


    Swoosh!


    Swoosh!


    Both of their map fragments flew out and landed in each other''s hands.


    "You may spend this time in the monastery to contemplate, Xiao," said Master Tianyun, his hand clutching the map fragment trembling slightly with excitement. He brought his hands together as if to pray to conceal it, and spoke in a deep voice, "Xue Tu, have someone take Xiao to Mara Hall for his contemplation."


    "Your disciple obeys the command devoutly!"


    Immediately, Monk Xue led Xiao Yi and another to Mara Hall, settling them in before retreating, "Director Xiao, it will be a tough month living here temporarily."


    Xiao Yi nodded and stepped into the other courtyard.


    Inside the courtyard,


    Little Lin looked at Xiao Yi with concern, "Boss, that old man clearly didn''t seem reliable. Aren''t you worried about exchanging the map fragment with him?"


    "Master Tianyun appears to be a virtuous monk, surely he wouldn''t deceive us��"


    While saying so loudly, Xiao Yi made a gesture to Little Lin to keep quiet, whispering, "The walls have ears!"


    Startled, Little Lin then realized, still worried, "I hope so!"


    After a moment,


    both Xiao Yi and his companion breathed a sigh of relief, as the covert surveillance had left. Xiao Yi said sternly, "Little Lin, from now on you will be my protector; I need to focus fully on understanding this map fragment!" S��arch* The N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The runes on the map fragment were extremely profound and complex, and even though Xiao Yi could understand ancient text, deciphering the fragment''s meaning quickly still posed some challenge.


    Little Lin nodded and responded, "Don''t worry, boss, I''ll make sure not even a fly gets in!"


    Xiao Yi hummed in acknowledgment.


    Sitting cross-legged on a cushion.


    With a flick of his finger, hundreds of God Devouring Ants quietly emerged on the floor, bowed respectfully to Xiao Yi, and then, soundlessly, they left the other courtyard, dispersing throughout the Zen monastery.


    With these God Devouring Ants covertly surveilling, Xiao Yi could keep a close watch on every movement within Tianyun Zen Monastery.


    At the same time,


    in the grand hall where Master Tianyun was, Monk Xue returned and reported with great reverence, "Worldly Honor, as you predicted, Xiao Yi is deeply engrossed in studying the map fragment without any suspicion!"


    "He is still young, getting a bit cocky with some strength��"


    Master Tianyun scoffed derisively, then fondly toyed with the map fragment in his hand, his eyes flashing a cold gleam, "But this young man indeed possesses substantial strength, and since he is closely associated with Nantian Wen, it''s not yet time to move against him. However, once it''s in my possession, there are no rules about giving it back. I''ll have the Kanan Mara Arhat make an identical piece immediately!"


    "Are you planning to swap the real for the fake, Worldly Honor?"


    Monk Xue was momentarily taken aback, then burst into a hearty laugh, "It''s just like you, Worldly Honor�� With Kanan''s skills, creating another perfectly deceptive piece will be no issue. After a month, we''ll switch them back, and by the time he realizes it''s fake, it will be too late!"


    "You''re right�� When he finds out it''s fake and comes back to cause trouble, I''ll have an excuse to eliminate him directly. Since he came challenging me, even Nantian Wen won''t be able to use it as an excuse to target us��"


    Master Tianyun laughed triumphantly, his hesitation to strike at Xiao Yi primarily stemmed from fearing Nantian Wen would retaliate against Tian Yun Temple, "Exactly, be it Xiao Yi''s exceptional talent or formidable strength, he''s still just a plaything in my hands! Hahaha��"


    However, unbeknownst to them,


    as they conversed, an exceedingly tiny God Devouring Ant quietly slipped away��

 Chapter 883 - 881: Night Exploration of the Treasury?

    Inside the annex.


    Xiao Yi was intensely focused on the first piece of the map he held in his hands.


    This piece was the first of eight, its contents far simpler than the fifth piece that Xiao Yi had mastered.


    Although he had only one month, that was more than enough time for Xiao Yi to thoroughly understand it.


    Tinkle.


    A spine-chilling sound suddenly filled the air, and a crimson God Devouring Ant quietly crawled inside.


    It landed on Xiao Yi''s shoulder.


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi slightly frowned, then opened his eyes and removed the God Devouring Ant from his shoulder.


    Squeak, squeak, squeak!


    The God Devouring Ant opened its mouth, emitting a series of hoarse noises.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a cold smile, "Interesting, trying to deceive me with a fake piece of map? Once I discover the falsification and confront Tian Yun Temple, they would have a justified cause to slay me�� Hahaha, indeed a clever plot! Master Tianyun? Since you''ve been ruthless first, don''t blame me for being unrighteous!"


    Little Lin knew that something must have changed the moment the God Devouring Ant returned.


    At this moment, he stared at Xiao Yi with wide eyes, full of questioning.


    Xiao Yi spoke solemnly, "Little Lin, I''m giving you a task now. Collect all these materials for me in the shortest time possible!"


    While speaking,


    Xiao Yi listed the materials needed to create a fake map piece to Little Lin.


    With Little Lin''s capabilities, he could leave the Tianyun Zen Monastery without anyone noticing, reach the capital of the Nantian Dynasty, find these materials, and return silently.


    Little Lin''s eyes lit up, he nodded and said, "Don''t worry, boss, I''ve got this!"


    Afterward,


    Little Lin reverted to his original form and continuously shrank his body.


    Like a strand of hair, he quietly burrowed into the ground and fled far away.


    With Little Lin''s speed, reaching the capital would take only half a day, even considering the time spent collecting materials, he would surely return within three days.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, "Three days is more than enough for me to master the contents of the first map piece. The remaining time must not be wasted. Isn''t Master Tianyun from the Supreme Buddha Sect of Western Province? I wonder if he brought any treasures back from the Supreme Buddha Sect..."


    The vast Western Province, where everyone adored Buddhism, even many of the mystical creatures in the province were Buddhist entities.


    The Supreme Buddha Sect was the unrivaled ruler of the Western Province!


    Their resources were even richer and more potent than those of the Nantian sacred lands; after being expelled from the monastery by the Supreme Buddha Sect, Master Tianyun still managed to establish such a splendid Tian Yun Temple in Southern State and trained strong figures like Monk Xue/Demon Arhats, his own power reaching the Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm.


    Xiao Yi was certain...


    Master Tianyun must have brought back many treasures from the Supreme Buddha Sect.


    However...


    Xiao Yi stroked his chin, a playful cold smirk appearing on his face, "Master Tianyun, hope you''ve hidden those treasures well, otherwise, once Little Lin returns, they''ll no longer belong to you!"


    Time flew.


    In the blink of an eye, three days passed, and Little Lin returned on time, bringing with him the materials Xiao Yi needed, "Boss, I''ve already informed Nantian Ao about our situation here in the capital over these days; that old man is quite interested in Tian Yun Temple!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Tian Yun Temple was one of the rare powers within the Nantian Dynasty that scarcely took orders from Nantian Wen.


    Nantian Wen had long wanted to eliminate them.


    However...


    Since Master Tianyun was a Fifth Layer Heaven Venerate powerhouse, even Nantian Wen hesitated to act against him,


    letting Tian Yun Temple roam free until now.


    Now that Xiao Yi intended to act against Tian Yun Temple, given Nantian Wen''s knowledge of Xiao Yi, he would definitely not undertake a risky venture, naturally happy to stir up the situation at this time.


    For Xiao Yi, having the support of Nantian Ao and others would greatly relieve the pressure.


    It was a win-win situation.


    Why not go for it?


    Of course.


    Since action was necessary, the benefits would naturally need to be distributed.


    However, in Xiao Yi''s view...


    He was dealing with Tian Yun Temple to help Nantian Wen eliminate adversaries. How could Nantian Wen still have the face to discuss benefits with him? After destroying Tian Yun Temple, all the benefits would naturally belong to him!


    "Boss, when do we make our move?" Little Lin asked eagerly.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said, "No hurry, it''s not justified for us to act now. We must wait for them to strike first, then our response will be justified."


    Although Xiao Yi had killed many, he had never wantonly killed the innocent.


    If Master Tianyun hadn''t tried to strike at him first, he wouldn''t have thought about dealing with Tian Yun Temple.


    If others do not offend me, I will not offend them.


    If others offend me, I will surely retaliate!


    That was Xiao Yi''s principle of action!


    Little Lin gave an "Oh," feeling somewhat dispirited that they couldn''t immediately take action.


    Xiao Yi glanced at him and smiled, "Don''t be discouraged. Although we truly need to wait for them to act first, we can still collect some ''interest'' in the meantime!"


    "Interest?"


    Little Lin was startled and looked perplexed.


    Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and said, "I have already discerned the layout of Tian Yun Temple through the God Devouring Ants. Their treasure vault is right beneath the Black Lotus Buddha..."


    "Treasure vault?"


    Little Lin was startled, then quickly understood Xiao Yi''s intentions. His plump little hands rubbed together excitedly, "Let''s go, let''s go. Treasure vaults are my favorite. Boss, let''s act now..."


    "No rush, let''s at least wait until it''s dark..."


    Xiao Yi pointed to the bright sun outside, his face expressing disbelief.


    Who would sneak into someone''s treasure vault in broad daylight?


    Isn''t that asking for trouble?


    Little Lin scratched his head, gave a sheepish smile, but the excitement and anticipation in his small eyes had not dispersed at all.


    ...


    The night was dark and windy, the stars and moon dim.


    Two figures quietly arrived at the Great Buddha Hall, where the God Devouring Ants had inadvertently discovered Master Tianyun entering the treasure vault.


    However, as beings of the Heaven Venerate Realm were too sensitive, Xiao Yi had not allowed the God Devouring Ant body to follow too closely, so he only knew this was the entrance to the vault and was not aware of what specifically lay inside.


    "The entrance mechanism is located at the ninth petal of the Black Lotus Throne, just push it to open the entrance!" Xiao Yi said in a low voice, pressing down on the ninth black petal.


    Click-click!


    Beneath the black lotus platform, a stone relief panel more than a meter high slowly unfolded.


    "Let''s go!"


    They both entered one after the other.


    The relief panel closed back up, as if no one had ever been there, leaving no trace.


    This was a narrow, dark passage.


    As they walked, they felt bursts of cold wind sweeping through.


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi paused his steps and gestured for silence. From ahead, faint sounds of a child''s cry could be heard: "Wuu, please don''t hit my brother, I will behave, please don''t hit him anymore..."


    "Sister... don''t come over here..."


    "Have the guts to kill me then! Come on..."


    Sets of hysterical screams ensued.


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin exchanged glances, Little Lin said in a low voice, "Boss, are you sure this is really the treasure vault?"


    "It should be!"


    Xiao Yi was somewhat uncertain as well, as the God Devouring Ants had not followed inside, but this part of the Tianyun Zen Monastery was indeed the most fitting location for a vault! S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The two moved stealthily forward.


    At the end of the passage lay an unexpected haven, and when the two saw the scene before them, a chill rushed straight to the crown of their heads...

 Chapter 884 - 882: I Am Willing to Be the Demon, Slaughtering You, the Hypocritical Buddha!

    Watching the scene before them.


    Xiao Yi and his companion felt a chill surge straight to their crowns, making their pores explode open.


    Huff! Huff!


    Little Lin was gasping for breath, his eyes in an instant covered with a layer of blood-red veins, his tightly clenched fists throbbing with veins as he gritted his teeth and said, "Boss, I want to kill them..."


    "Good!"


    Xiao Yi nodded forcefully.


    In their line of sight...


    Ahead there was a world of its own, a subterranean cavern.


    At the center of the cavern.


    Sat a Buddha statue hundreds of zhang tall, made entirely of gold.


    This statue was cast and forged entirely of gold.


    Looking at its shape and features.


    This was unmistakably a statue of Master Tianyun himself!


    But what incensed Xiao Yi and his companion beyond bearing, what made them want to kill, was not the statue but the dozen or so huge furnaces around it. These furnaces were each a hundred zhang tall, filled with countless streams of molten gold, churning incessantly under the heat of the Earth''s fire, large bubbles of gold bursting open, and the splattering gold juice emitted a sizzling sound as it hit the ground.


    It made one''s scalp tingle!


    In front of the dozen furnaces, a metal ladder was erected.


    At this moment...


    Hundreds of ferocious-looking monks were herding young boys and girls up the ladder, some wielding whips, some holding magic wands, and some carrying wooden rulers, all with a vicious look as they herded the children. If anyone dared to resist, they were met with a merciless beating from a throng of monks.


    The cries Xiao Yi had heard before were from a brother and sister resisting.


    Atop that ladder, the Long-browed Arhat with his snow-white eyebrows hanging like willows and a benevolent appearance, was holding up a lovely little girl by one hand over the furnace. With the other hand, he pinched together a Buddhist salute and chanted, but his words were extremely venomous, "Amitabha, the Bodhisattva once cut flesh to feed the eagles with great mercy. Yet you refuse to even perform this simple act of kindness? To sacrifice yourself and become part of the statue of the Supreme Venerable is something you should be proud of, not resist foolishly..."


    "Bald donkey, let go of my sister..." S��arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A young boy, covered in blood and full of wounds, was being stepped on by another monk with feet as big as wash basins. His hands clutched desperately at the ground, oblivious to the sharp stones cutting through his fingers, and he bellowed through gritted teeth, "If you want to cast that old evil monk''s statue, have the guts to use your own flesh and blood. Why should we be the ones to die..."


    "Silence!"


    The Long-browed Arhat let out a cold snort, looking at the boy, "We, as the Arhats bathed in the Buddha''s light, naturally expand the territories for the Buddha in this world. And you are just ants. To offer your flesh to cast the living Buddha statue is your honor. Ungrateful wretches, you dare to resist, committing unforgivable grave sins. Let this Arhat grant you sinners the opportunity for salvation!"


    As he spoke.


    The Long-browed Arhat fiercely let go of his hand, throwing the little girl into the roaring furnace.


    The churning molten gold erupted with scorching heat.


    Let alone the body of a mere mortal girl, even a master of the Golden Core Realm falling into it would be burned to ashes, merging with the molten gold.


    A group of monks from Tian Yun Temple laughed heartily.


    To this, they had long been accustomed.


    However...


    Just as the girl was about to be consumed by the molten gold, a figure suddenly flashed by, a streak of red light lifting the girl out of the furnace.


    The Long-browed Monk: "..."


    The laughing monks: "..."


    "Who?"


    The Long-browed Monk snapped back to reality, his icy gaze sweeping across, as sharp as a blade.


    Little Lin''s figure slowly appeared.


    Holding the girl beside him, his bloodshot eyes glaring red with fury, he stared down the Long-browed Monk, "Your grandpa, me!"


    "Hmm?"


    The Long-browed Monk''s brows, like willow twigs, fluttered, recognizing Little Lin''s identity, a flicker of cold light passed in his eyes, "You are the young man brought by Brother Xue Tu? How could you be here?"


    Little Lin coldly said, "I came here to kill all you sanctimonious beasts!"


    ```


    "Dammit, who are you calling a beast?"


    "We are the Buddha''s children bathed in the Buddha''s light, how dare you insult us as beasts?"


    "Men, come! Slay him for me!"


    The Long-browed Arhat roared angrily, and suddenly around him, dozens of Tian Yun Temple monks took to the air.


    Each held Buddhist instruments, yet not a trace of mercy was shown.


    Instead, their faces were contorted with ferocity.


    Like Shuras.


    "Be careful, big brother..." The girl beside Little Lin gripped the hem of his robe tightly, crying out in alarm.


    With an effortless push,


    An innate force wrapped around the girl and hurled her to the side as a cold gaze swept toward those monks who had flown into the air. Xiao Yi spoke chillingly, "One after another, you speak of compassion and mercy, yet behind closed doors, you engage in such despicable and venomous deeds, what kind of Buddha are you? If all Buddhas in the world are like you, hypocritical and pretentious, I''d rather be a demon and exterminate all of you, you sham Buddhists!"


    As his voice faded,


    Little Lin''s body erupted in a golden radiance, and with a whoosh, he transformed into his true form.


    A colossal body hundreds of yards long shone with a golden light; scales that seemed forged from gold clinked resoundingly as he twisted his body. He violently opened his maw, and within it, a black light emerged, morphing into a massive black vortex. An unparalleled terrifying force of devouring emanated from within the whirlpool.


    "No..."


    "Lord Buddha, save me..."


    "This is hell; I don''t want to die..."


    One by one, the monks were swallowed whole by Little Lin, followed by a crunching mastication, before spitting out piles of crushed bones.


    It was merely a single encounter,


    And already, over a hundred monks died at the hands of Little Lin.


    "Evil creature, how dare you slaughter my Buddhist disciples before this Arhat! Witness how my Long-browed Demon-Subduing Skill will subdue you..."


    The Long-browed Arhat leapt forward, his two grizzled brows lashing out, creating a fierce wind. His eyebrows, like the tail of a divine dragon, grew longer and longer as they hurtled toward Little Lin. Suddenly, the eyebrows exploded, each strand transforming into a spear capable of slaying gods.


    Sharp and peerless, they cleaved through the air.


    The cultivation of this Long-browed Arhat was also extraordinary, possessing Eighth-layer Human-Honored Realm Cultivation.


    An essential pillar of strength in any faction.


    Alas...


    He met Little Lin today!


    As Little Lin assumed his true form, his combat power soared more than tenfold, enough to rival the strength of a Seventh-layer Earthly Honor Realm powerhouse. Despite the barrage of white eyebrow spears crashing down on him, they only produced a tinkling sound, like scratching an itch, unable to even leave a mark on his scales.


    "This is impossible..."


    The Long-browed Arhat wore an expression of shock.


    Little Lin sneered coldly, and with a fierce flick of his massive body, his tail, covered in a golden glow, lashed out straight at the Long-browed Arhat.


    "Damn it... block it!"


    The Long-browed Arhat''s face changed drastically, his hands coming together in prayer as Buddha''s light shimmered around him.


    His long brows twitched and wove into a white Azure Dragon that roared angrily as it collided with Little Lin.


    However...


    How could a false dragon contend with a true one?


    Moreover,


    Little Lin''s bloodline was even nobler than that of a true dragon; he was the Supreme Venerable of the Dragon Clan!


    Boom!


    The white eyebrow Azure Dragon exploded, and the Long-browed Arhat was struck to the ground by Little Lin''s tail. With a wail, he collapsed onto the ground, his bones completely shattered by the strike; Little Lin then condensed into a beam of spiritual light landing in front of him, his eyes icy as he looked down.


    Murderous intent was laid bare!


    ...


    Sensing Little Lin''s intent to kill, the Long-browed Arhat hastily cried out, "Mercy, young hero, mercy! I possess a sacred relic brought from the Western Province by a Supreme Venerable; I am willing to exchange it for my life..."


    ```

 Chapter 885 - 883 Buddhas Relic

    "I am willing to trade this for my life!"


    Long-browed Arhat looked at Little Lin with a pleading face.


    At that moment, where was the might of one of the eighteen Demon Arhats?


    Better to live poorly than die!


    He now only wanted to escape and preserve his life.


    Little Lin slightly frowned, looking toward the void, "Boss..."


    Xiao Yi slowly descended.


    Upon seeing Xiao Yi arrive, a slight tremor ran through Long-browed Arhat''s heart. From beginning to end, he hadn''t noticed that Xiao Yi was right beside him. This meant Xiao Yi''s strength far surpassed his own.


    Seeing Little Lin also taking cues from Xiao Yi, Long-browed Arhat hastily spoke, "This, this respectable person, as long as you spare my life, I am willing to offer Buddha''s relic..."


    Before he could finish,


    A flash of cold light swept across, and with a "plop," both legs of Long-browed Arhat were severed.


    Aah��


    Long-browed Arhat let out an inhuman scream, his eyes wide open, bloodshot, and his breathing extremely rapid. He looked at Xiao Yi in terror, "Gr, gr, great one, you, you..."


    "How could someone disgusting as you, who is less than a beast, possess any right to negotiate with me?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Little Lin and admonished, "In the future when facing such garbage, do not give them a chance to speak a second time, just cut them down!"


    "Stop, stop!"


    Long-browed Arhat endured the intense pain. Xiao Yi''s words left him feeling icy cold, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as he hurriedly said, "Two, two honorable ones, please hear me out. The Buddha''s relic, I will trade Buddha''s relic for a life��"


    "Buddha''s relic?"


    Xiao Yi and his companion exchanged a glance, both surprised.


    A high-ranking monk concentrates this essence of energy within his body!


    Generally, Buddha''s relics appeared only in supremely venerable Buddhas, although exceptionally monstrous Buddhist talents could also condense relics at the Heaven Venerate Realm and achieve the Buddha status.


    Buddha is not a cultivation level but a status attained through profound practice of Buddhist Law.


    Shariputra symbolizes attaining the Buddha status.


    Seeing the two still unmoved, Long-browed Arhat darkly threatened, "Gentlemen, it''s Buddha''s Shariputra! If you kill me, not only will you not get the Shariputra, but once it''s revealed that you infiltrated this place, Supreme Venerable will not spare you, and you too will meet a dead end��"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi slapped him across the face, shattering his jaw.


    Forcing Long-browed Arhat to only stare helplessly, weakly making hoarse sounds.


    Xiao Yi said unhurriedly, "Master Tianyun made his Buddha statue from gold, using the flesh and blood of young boys and girls. If I''m not mistaken, he did so to harness the power of devout faith to refine that Shariputra, thereby stepping into the state of Buddha��"


    With each word from Xiao Yi, Long-browed Arhat''s forehead broke out in even more cold sweat.


    "Thus��"


    Xiao Yi casually pointed at the colossal statue of Master Tianyun, particularly toward the red mole at the brow, stating lightly, "You indeed have clever techniques, to have hidden the Buddha''s relic within the ruby that serves as its Brow Mole, exposed for all to see. However, it''s also true that the most dangerous place is often the safest�� who would think you''d place such a precious Shariputra in such a conspicuous spot��"


    "��"


    Long-browed Arhat turned deathly pale, too shocked to speak.


    The Shariputra was indeed inside the ruby serving as the brow mole.


    However, Long-browed Arhat until his death didn''t understand how, despite personally overseeing the casting of the Buddha statue, he only discovered this secret by chance.


    How did Xiao Yi see through it all upon arrival?


    Sadly��


    He would never have the chance to understand the reason behind this.


    Puh!


    Little Lin smacked down, smashing him into a pile of flesh.


    Thud!


    Thud...


    A series of kneeling sounds came, shockingly from the surviving two hundred monks. Watching the Long-browed Arhat of the Human Venerate Realm being so easily killed, they didn''t even have the courage to flee.


    They continually kowtowed, pleas for mercy overlapping, "Spare us, great one, spare us..."


    "We were forced..."


    "We are innocent, great one, spare us..."


    Watching those monks with pleading faces, seemingly truly remorseful, Xiao Yi curled the corners of his lips, displaying a disdainful cold sneer.


    Forced?


    Innocent?


    When they cruelly forced each innocent boy and girl to jump into the blazing furnace earlier, did they show any hesitation or mercy?


    When harming those innocents, they did not look the least bit forced or innocent!


    Xiao Yi glanced around at the thousands of boys and girls, each face filled with bitterness and hatred, glaring fiercely at the monks.


    The hatred and resentment in their eyes were startling.


    Heaven knows what they''d been through!


    To find these boys and girls, Tian Yun Temple not only brought them here and treated them cruelly, but many of their families and loved ones were also slaughtered by the monks of Tian Yun Temple.


    If this suppressed resentment and hatred were not vented, it would eventually destroy these children completely.


    Upon this thought, S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi casually waved his hand, condensing into numerous God Devouring Ants, tens of thousands of them. They buzzed their wings and flew, wrapping around those monks.


    The toxin of the God Devouring Ants was extremely potent, instantly depriving the monks of their ability to resist.


    Xiao Yi''s calm gaze turned to the boys and girls as he said solemnly, "Take your revenge, let out all the hatred and resentment in your hearts..."


    The group of boys and girls hesitated to move.


    Xiao Yi was not in a hurry, just quietly watching.


    Until the boy with a bloody, bruised head cautiously picked up a Magic Wand and walked tremblingly towards the monk who had just hit him.


    The monk looked terrified, "No, don''t kill me, please don''t..."


    "Die!"


    The boy roared angrily, fiercely lifting the wand taller than himself, and with a loud bang, smashed the monk''s head. Blood splattered, covering his entire face.


    The boy wiped the blood off his face, the resentment and hatred in his eyes somewhat faded, and he let out all the accumulated grievances in his chest with a long howl.


    The surrounding boys and girls could no longer hold back, swarming in groups.


    Beating, gnawing, biting, tearing...


    The hundreds of monks were left with no remains under the frenzied revenge of the thousands of boys and girls.


    Of course.


    Xiao Yi did not stop this; his intention was to let them vent their grievances, allowing the boys and girls to retaliate as they pleased. He then flew to the statue, casually drawing over the Ruby enclosing the Buddha''s relic.


    With a bang, he crushed the Ruby.


    A golden, walnut-sized Buddha''s relic fell into his palm, the whole Shariputra shimmering with golden light, adorned with mysterious Buddhist patterns.


    This was a rare Heaven Venerate level Buddha''s relic!


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, turning to Little Lin, "Congratulations in advance for breaking through to the Heaven Venerate Realm!"

 Chapter 886 - 884: Somethings Wrong with This Map!

    "Heaven Venerate?"


    Little Lin was startled and looked at Xiao Yi, puzzled.


    Xiao Yi raised the Buddha''s relic in his hand and waved it in front of Little Lin, smiling, "This is the Buddha''s relic of a Heaven Venerate Realm expert. It''s more than enough to allow you to step into the realm of Heaven Venerate."


    Gulp!


    Little Lin swallowed hard.


    His cultivation was comparable to that of the seventh layer in the Earth Venerate Realm, and he had thought it would take a long time to step into the Heaven Venerate Realm.


    Never had he imagined that the relic in Xiao Yi''s hand, modest in appearance and the size of a walnut, could allow him to step into the Heaven Venerate Realm. It should be known that, with Little Lin''s bloodline talent, once entering the Heaven Venerate Realm,


    His power would undergo earth-shattering changes.


    However...


    After the initial excitement, Little Lin said in a deep voice, "Boss, if this Buddha''s relic can allow me to enter the Heaven Venerate Realm, then if you consume and refine it, you should be able to improve even more, right? Let''s leave it with you!"


    Since his birth, he had depended on Xiao Yi for life.


    In Little Lin''s heart, Xiao Yi was the only family he had in this world.


    Whenever there was anything good, his first thought was naturally to offer it to Xiao Yi.


    Just as when Xiao Yi got something good, the first person he thought of was Little Lin.


    Warmth filled Xiao Yi''s heart; he gently rubbed Little Lin''s head and said with a smile, "Don''t worry, the energy contained in this Sealing God Leaf is overwhelmingly abundant. It''s enough for both you and me to make a breakthrough��"


    "Really?"


    Little Lin tilted his head skeptically, looking at Xiao Yi, afraid that Xiao Yi was bluffing to give the relic to him.


    Tap!


    Xiao Yi gently knocked on his head and said with a laugh, "What? Could I possibly deceive you?"


    "Hehe!"


    Little Lin chuckled, his smile brighter than ever, his eyes rolling around. He looked at the thousands of young boys and girls and showed a worried expression, "Boss, what about these people?"


    The entire temple had turned into something akin to purgatory.


    Hundreds of monks had been torn to shreds by these boys and girls and slaves; corpses lay scattered everywhere, blood flowing like rivers.


    Xiao Yi also glanced over.


    At this moment, all of the boys, girls, and slaves looked at him with eyes filled with nervousness and awe. Before this, they had endured inhumane torture and had nearly been thrown into the furnace to be melted into flesh and blood for gold.


    Though they had now secured their freedom, they were still clearly at a loss.


    They didn''t even know where they were!


    Many of them, seized while their families and kin had been slaughtered, had no homes to return to. Now, Xiao Yi, their savior, had become their pillar of support.


    The last straw that could save their lives!


    Xiao Yi rubbed his temples. It wasn''t suitable to take them away now, and considering there were many of them, he also couldn''t settle them well, especially since this place was not part of the Daqian Dynasty.


    At that thought.


    Xiao Yi said solemnly, "Everyone, you are now free. But for now, you cannot leave this place. However, please rest assured, I guarantee to take you out of here within a month!"


    "Benefactor, we trust you!"


    "We will follow your instructions��"


    The crowd spoke in unison.


    Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction, then left some supplies for everyone. He and Little Lin searched the temple but found no trace of a treasury. Having no other choice, they left.


    Upon leaving, he particularly left a group of God Devouring Ants guarding the entrance to prevent anyone from coming in and discovering the situation here.


    With these God Devouring Ants standing guard, even if someone noticed something, they would be able to hold them off.


    He too would be able to act in time.


    After taking a look around the Great Buddha Hall to make sure he hadn''t left any traces, Xiao Yi released some God Devouring Ants to surveil Master Tianyun and Monk Xue, then the two of them returned to their own private courtyard.


    He casually set up an Array to shield their presence.


    Within the Array, Xiao Yi and Little Lin sat down, took out the Elixir of Life furnace to smelt the Buddha''s relic, and both sat beside the furnace, circulating their mystical powers simultaneously to absorb the energy released after the smelting of the Buddha''s relic.


    Little Lin transformed into his true form, a Glutton, and mercilessly devoured the energy that surged towards them.


    The Buddha''s relic was the essence of a Buddha''s lifelong cultivation and realm.


    Their cultivation levels climbed incessantly.


    Time flew by. Sear?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One day.


    Two days.


    Three days...


    In the blink of an eye, it was almost the one-month deadline Xiao Yi had agreed upon with Master Tianyun. Both Xiao Yi and Little Lin''s cultivation had leaped significantly, especially Little Lin, whose cultivation had formally stepped into the Heaven Venerate Realm.


    Although it was only the First-layer Human Venerable Realm, if Little Lin fought in his true form, he could completely match a practitioner in the Third-layer Heavenly Venerable Realm.


    Xiao Yi had given most of the energy to Little Lin, so his own increase in cultivation wasn''t significant, but the number of Sealing God Leaves on the Divine Sealing Tree had risen to 2.16 million.


    "1.08 million Sealing God Leaves is equivalent to the First-layer Heaven Honor Realm, 2.16 million... I''m now comparable to the cultivation of the Second Layer Heavenly Venerable Realm, and at full strength, I could even hold my ground against a practitioner in the Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm!"


    Xiao Yi looked at the Buddha''s relic within the Elixir of Life furnace, which by now was almost completely smelt, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a cold curve, "Master Tianyun? Now I''m rather looking forward to you making your move..."


    Just then...


    Monk Xue''s voice came from outside: "Xiao, the World Honored One invites you over!"


    "Coming!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes brightened, and he glanced at Little Lin, who had also opened his eyes, and said with a smile, "Our guest has already shown up at the door, let''s go!"


    "Alrighty!"


    Little Lin grinned, revealing a particularly brilliant sharp tiger tooth.


    The two walked out of the room side by side, looking towards Monk Xue, "Lead the way!"


    "Uh..."


    Monk Xue was taken aback; his instincts told him that something had changed with Xiao Yi and Little Lin since a month ago, but he couldn''t sense the exact nature of the change.


    In addition, with Xiao Yi already taking the lead, he had no choice but to follow without much thought.


    They made their way to Master Tianyun''s private courtyard.


    Master Tianyun looked at Xiao Yi with a face full of regret and said with a wry smile, "I didn''t expect a month''s time to be so short. I''m afraid I haven''t been able to comprehend much from this fragment of the map. Xiao, I wonder what you have gained?"


    Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders with a helpless expression, "I''m really limited in my abilities, I haven''t gained anything either!"


    "Alas, the ancient text on this map fragment is really too difficult to understand..." Master Tianyun shook his head with apparent regret and took out the fifth piece of the map fragment, "Although I really want to keep it, after all, it should be returned to its rightful owner. Here you go!"


    "If we have a chance in the future, we can still exchange insights!"


    Xiao Yi also politely responded, took out the first piece of the map fragment, and handed it over to Master Tianyun with an air of reluctance.


    The two exchanged map fragments.


    Master Tianyun did not notice anything unusual, and casually stored the map fragment away, clearly believing that Xiao Yi and Little Lin had been in Tian Yun Temple the whole time, and thus had no opportunity to create a fake map fragment.


    As Xiao Yi was about to put away the map fragment, the corners of Master Tianyun''s mouth rose slightly, carrying a hint of a cold smile as if his plot had succeeded.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s movements halted slightly, and he feigned surprise, "Old monk, there''s something wrong with this map!"

 Chapter 887 - 885: Old Monk, Its Your Turn!

    "Elder monk, this map is incorrect!"


    Xiao Yi''s calm voice struck the ears of Master Tianyun and Monk Xue like a bolt from the blue, deafening, causing both of their expressions to change.


    Monk Xue''s anxious gaze turned to Master Tianyun.


    Master Tianyun frowned slightly but still maintained a compassionate and kind demeanor, feigning confusion as he asked, "The map is incorrect? Xiao, you must not speak recklessly��this map fragment is exactly the one you gave to me that day..."


    Monk Xue also nodded and said, "Xiao, we monks should not tell lies. You must not speak recklessly and slander the purity of Buddhist disciples!"


    Observing the righteous demeanor of the teacher and disciple pair,


    Xiao Yi''s lips slightly curled. Had he not already seen through their true faces, he might have been deceived by their seemingly innocent appearances.


    He raised the map fragment in his hand, displaying it before the two.


    His grip suddenly tightened, and the map fragment he was holding exploded with a bang, turning into pieces scattered on the ground.


    Xiao Yi, with a thick sneer, chided, "Are you sure this is real? Give me all your map fragments and let me try if they also crumble so easily!"


    Uh...


    Monk Xue and his companion exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of panic in each other''s eyes.


    They had not anticipated the fake map fragment crafted by Kanan Arhat to be so fragile. Xiao Yi had not used any innate power; merely the strength of his palm caused it to burst.


    Even an ordinary seventh-tier weapon should not be so frail,


    let alone a map fragment inherited from Ancient Times!


    Related to the Hall of Longevity from the same era, how could it possibly be so fragile?


    "Sire..." Monk Xue turned to Master Tianyun.


    Master Tianyun gently shook his head, his eyes squinted into slits. Although annoyed that the fake map crafted by Kanan Arhat was so fragile, causing them to be extremely passive,


    they would rather die than admit the map was fake!


    Otherwise...


    All their schemes would come to naught!


    All of this happened in a mere instant. Master Tianyun placed his palms together, reciting "Amitabha Buddha", with a face full of compassion for the world: "Xiao, the map fragment is indeed the one you gave to me. I can swear on my Buddhist spirit that I have never tampered with it."


    Swear by Buddhist spirit?


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow but didn''t expect Master Tianyun to be so bold.


    However, for someone following the path of the demon monk like Master Tianyun, the Buddhist spirit meant nothing to him. He never had a heart for Buddhism; where, then, does the Buddhist spirit come into play?


    Xiao Yi scoffed, "Elder monk really has no shame. To think that a high monk of the demon path would speak to me of Buddhist spirit?"


    Faced with Xiao Yi''s mockery, Master Tianyun remained expressionless, still showing a compassionate facade: "Benefactor, you repeatedly insult me��aren''t you afraid that I will suppress you with the Buddhist Law?"


    The threatening words contrasted sharply with his compassionate appearance.


    They were ready to tear off the mask!


    Xiao Yi was delighted inside. He wasn''t afraid of the elder monk''s anger; he was more worried he might endure like a millennia-old tortoise. Xiao Yi leaned slightly forward, his mocking gaze meeting the monk''s, as if he could see through souls, pausing with each word, cutting deep: "Elder monk, if you have nothing to hide, then let me try that piece of the map in your hands. What is there to fear? Could it be that you are only outwardly decent but internally full of thievery and debauchery, afraid to show your true face?"


    Bang!


    The cushion under Master Tianyun suddenly exploded.


    A chilling murderous intent surged to the skies.


    Violently flipping the roof of the outer court building.


    The noise here immediately caught the attention of the powerhouses in Tian Yun Temple, with seventeen figures breaking through the sky and hovering above the courtyard. These were seventeen of the eighteen Demon Arhats, only Long-browed Arhat was missing.


    However, everyone''s attention wasn''t focused on that.


    Pairs of icy eyes locked onto Xiao Yi under the aura filled with murderous intent.


    A great battle was imminent.


    Master Tianyun squinted his eyes, his face wearing a smile that wasn''t quite a smile, as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, earlier I asked you to leave, yet you aggressively refused to go. Now, even if you want to leave, it won''t be so easy!"


    Xiao Yi pointed to the seventeen figures in the sky, "Just because of them?"


    "No, no, no!"


    Master Tianyun slowly rose, his hunched figure under the blood-red Kasaya visibly swelling at a speed visible to the naked eye, his muscles bulging like lead blocks, a sinister black aura swirling around him, "With your strength, Xiao, naturally they can''t stop you. However, do you think I personally couldn''t keep you here in Tian Yun Temple forever?"


    Crackle!


    A burst of violent sparks exploded from within him.


    Streams of innate power like lightning and thunder continuously moved across his body, colliding with each other and producing loud crackling sounds, whipping up a fiercely sharp wind.


    Each wind blade was as sharp as a blade, scratching the face with a pain like slicing swords.


    Monk Xue mocked coldly, "Xiao, earlier, I advised you to leave, but you didn''t heed the advice. Now, you can''t leave even if you wish!"


    "Ha ha ha��"


    Xiao Yi suddenly burst into a long laugh, his laughter thick with sarcasm.


    The laughter caused Master Tianyun and Monk Xue''s faces to twitch.


    "What are you laughing at?"


    Monk Xue was extremely annoyed, "You have thoroughly infuriated the Holy Buddha, not even the mighty emperor could save you now, and yet you find time to laugh here?"


    Xiao Yi''s smile stopped, his eyes squinting as he looked at Monk Xue, "Are you threatening me?"


    "I am threatening you, what can you��" Monk Xue responded instinctively.


    But��


    His words abruptly stopped mid-sentence.


    Monk Xue''s eyes bulged out fearfully, his eyeballs protruding from the sockets, the milky whites veined with blood. His abdomen tightened, his upper and lower body surging forward, his mouth spewing a mix of fresh blood and bile.


    By his side��


    Xiao Yi appeared alongside him without anyone noticing, his right fist firmly pressed against Monk Xue''s abdomen.


    "In your next life, if you can still be human, remember to keep your eyes open, some beings aren''t meant to be provoked! Threaten me, and you will pay the price!"


    Boom!


    A beam of silver light pierced through Monk Xue''s abdomen, shooting out from his back, the light reaching a thousand meters.


    Along its path, buildings collapsed, the ground sank, and vegetation turned to dust.


    Within a kilometer radius.


    Not a single tile was left intact!


    No blade of grass grew!


    Thump!


    The body of Monk Xue fell to the ground, Xiao Yi casually flicked the blood from his palm, his cold gaze turning towards the grim-faced Master Tianyun, as he hooked his finger: "Old monk, it''s your turn now!" S��ar?h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 888 - 886: Are You Still Alive?

    "Old monk, it''s your turn!"


    Xiao Yi casually flicked the blood from his palm and turned his icy gaze toward the grim-faced Master Tianyun, curling his finger in a beckoning motion.


    The battle fire in his eyes morphed into blood-red pupils, shooting out like a tangible force.


    Master Tianyun snorted coldly.


    Beneath that seemingly compassionate exterior, a cold, murderous demon heart was thoroughly activated, his sneer unrelenting, "Amitabha, the Buddha said if not me, who will enter hell. Xiao, today this monk shall liberate you with the Buddhist Law!"


    Xiao Yi scoffed and shook his head, "The Buddha was talking about himself entering hell, not others; in your mouth, it''s become wrongful speech for liberating others. You''re truly talking nonsense. Do you even dare to call yourself a disciple of Buddhism?"


    "Amitabha!"


    As Master Tianyun spoke, he slowly brought his hands together in front of him. Waves of golden Buddha light burst forth from within him, as if a myriad of auroras blessed his body.


    His countenance was solemn,


    Like a living Buddha!


    Master Tianyun''s voice boomed, resonating like a great bell, deafening, "The Buddha said... saving one life surpasses building a seven-story stupa. Xiao, take this Stupa Palm!"


    Buzz!


    With Master Tianyun''s gaunt palm strike.


    Around the palm, the void vibrated, and amidst the humming tremors, scriptures coalesced into the Buddha''s seal within the palm. Accompanying this, a mountainous golden palm descended from the skies.


    Xiao Yi raised his hand and delivered a sky-reaching punch.


    At that moment,


    He seemed to transform into an invincible War God.


    Whoosh!


    A chaotic energy storm gathered around his iron fist, booming as it struck fiercely against the palm. The Invincible King Fist met the Stupa Palm, and a wild energy storm instantly swept aside in both directions.


    Amidst the thunderous booms,


    Clouds within a hundred miles burst apart.


    In the void,


    Seventeen Demon Arhats exchanged glances. Among them, a cold gleam passed through the Demon Dragon Arhat''s eyes. His palm condensed a sphere of black sharpness��a poisoned, cold Crossbow Arrow.


    The Crossbow Arrow aimed directly at Xiao Yi''s back.


    Just as he was about to strike...


    A violent force surged head-on. It was Little Lin sweeping through the air, landing a fierce punch on the Demon Dragon Arhat''s face. With a cracking sound, the Demon Dragon Arhat''s head burst like a melon struck by a sledgehammer.


    Gory remains scattered chaotically.


    The mighty Demon Dragon Arhat of the eighteen Morohans had his head blown to pieces by that punch.


    This left the remaining sixteen Demon Arhats looking at each other in dismay.


    Little Lin''s expression was stern as he faced the sixteen Demon Arhats, speaking deliberately, "If you want to lay a hand on my boss, get past me first!"


    "Arrogant!"


    "Kill him!"


    The sixteen Demon Arhats surged forward.


    Little Lin grinned wildly, his eyes blazing with brilliance. He had now entered the Heaven Venerate Realm, and this was his first time striking with the cultivation of the Heaven Venerate Realm.


    The outcome was self-evident...


    As Little Lin was severely suppressing and relentlessly pummeling the sixteen Demon Arhats, Xiao Yi and Master Tianyun also fell into an intensely heated battle.


    Master Tianyun tread upon the air, exchanging blows with Xiao Yi, punch for punch, with flesh-rending force and heart-piercing palm strikes.


    "Vajra Finger!"


    "Invincible King Fist!"


    The two striked simultaneously.


    Boom!


    A terrifying energy fluctuation instantaneously spread across dozens of miles, shattering the cloud mass that covered the sky above.


    "Om Mani Padme Hum, you do possess some techniques, indeed. Since that is the case, I shall show no mercy anymore!" Master Tianyun said coldly with a smile. He and Xiao Yi were both confident in their assessments of each other''s strength.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and laughed boisterously, "If you want to fight, then let''s fight!"


    Whoom!


    The two of them ascended into the sky simultaneously.


    Facing each other, they released a succession of punches and palms.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    "All Swords as One!"


    "Invincible King Fist!"


    "Buddhist Light Shines Everywhere..."


    Their attacks were endless, and with each clash, they were propelled dozens of meters upwards into the holy sky.


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi closed the distance, retracted his fist to his waist, and then rapidly released it. A resonant hum echoed as a black light converged on his forearm, swirling in rings as he violently smashed it down.


    With this punch came,


    Those black spiral halos, layer upon layer, clanged with a massive sound.


    Before the fist even arrived,


    The mere might of the punch had already caused Master Tianyun''s face to twitch and distort, his body covered with grisly bloodstains. Master Tianyun remained expressionless, still maintaining a posture of deep compassion for all beings.


    With hands joined in prayer,


    The Buddha beads in his hands vibrated with a buzz. Under the flaunting black light, the beads expanded continuously, swelling to an immense size. Like an Azure Dragon spiraling forth, it let out a roar to the heavens and charged straight up into the clouds.


    Rumble!


    Thunderous sounds echoed in the void.


    Indistinctly,


    The "scales" on the Azure Dragon were not dragon scales but fierce, resentful heads.


    "Abi Hell!" S��ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From the pitch-black pupils of Master Tianyun shot two silver lights. As he thrust his palms forward with joined hands, the Azure Dragon with ghastly heads for scales viciously collided with Xiao Yi.


    Boom!


    The black light from the fist suddenly exploded, completely incapable of stopping the ghastly-faced Azure Dragon.


    "Om Mani Padme Hum..."


    Master Tianyun brought his hands together in a Buddhist gesture of respect.


    The Azure Dragon once again expanded in size, like an apocalyptic dragon.


    Opening its gaping maw, it tore towards Xiao Yi with a bite. With a thunderous boom, the colossal Azure Dragon swallowed Xiao Yi whole into its belly.


    Immediately after...


    The dragon tore through the void and plunged into the depths of the Tianyun Mountain Range with a roar.


    Rumble!


    Where the Azure Dragon passed, the earth collapsed, Shanchuan shattered, rivers reversed their course.


    It was as if it was the end of the world.


    Filled with relentless destruction and a cold intent to kill.


    Not a blade of grass remained.


    Not a single tile was left intact!


    Stretching for miles, the land was utterly flattened.


    Dust clouds roiled, birds and beasts of prey were startled into the sky, and pair after pair of terrified eyes turned towards the rolling dust at the end. In the hearts of all the strong was a single thought: "Is Xiao Yi still alive?"

 Chapter 889 - 887: Slaying the Buddha Demon with the Sword

    "Is Xiao Yi still alive?"


    People stared at the huge area of dust and smoke ahead, where sand and stones were whipped into the high skies, forming a massive gray mushroom cloud.


    Within several miles along the way, mountain peaks were shattered, the earth subsided, forming a large depression.


    Master Tianyun floated in midair, his body radiant with Buddhist light, his noble presence solemn, and his majestic voice echoed between heaven and earth: "Amitabha Buddha!" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Inside Master Tianyun.


    A group of powerful figures looked at each other, their shiny bald heads radiating fervor: "Buddhist Law is boundless!"


    "The mercy of Buddha eradicates demons to save all beings under heaven!"


    In front of Little Lin, where the Demon Arhat was being swept away, now only ten remained, the other seven having become souls under Little Lin''s command.


    At this moment, seeing Xiao Yi defeated by Master Tianyun, they sensed an opportunity to turn the tide and laughed loudly: "You little brat, your boss is already dead, when the Grand Master frees his hands, your death will come!"


    Taming Tiger Arhat laughed wickedly, his eyes flashing with fiery desire: "If you don''t want to die, then immediately submit to me. As long as you become the mount of this Arhat, you''ll be the guardian spirit beast of our Demon Buddha sect, not only will your life be spared, but you can also ascend from the ground and achieve great heights!"


    Watching a group of Demon Arhats mocking and threatening.


    Little Lin rolled his eyes and said indifferently: "Are you guys dreaming? How could my boss be defeated by this old monk?"


    "The Great Master''s Buddhist Law is boundless, his achievements in the demonic path are also vast as the abyss, to suppress Xiao Yi is as simple as crushing an ant..."


    "With such a terrifying attack, even if he''s not dead, he must be severely injured, with no chance of turning over!"


    While everyone was speaking.


    Suddenly, a bright light burst into the sky from the rolling mushroom cloud.


    Within that pillar of silver light, Xiao Yi, dressed in black and smiling, appeared untainted by dust, walking on air.


    Where he passed.


    The rolling dust and flying sand automatically dispersed, unable to get close to him at all.


    "Xi-Xiao Yi isn''t dead?"


    "This is impossible... to directly bear such a terrifying attack from the Grand Master, how could he be completely unharmed?"


    The confident experts from Tian Yun Temple simultaneously changed expressions, their initial triumph turning into astonishment.


    Even Master Tianyun couldn''t help but raise his eyebrows, fully confident in his own strength.


    Especially with that recent move, Master Tianyun was absolutely sure it would annihilate any first-layer Human Venerable Realm warrior.


    Yet Xiao Yi emerged without a scratch?


    Xiao Yi flicked his shoulders, his lips curling up as he looked at the grim-faced Master Tianyun, smiling: "As expected of a Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm expert, if it were a month ago, I would certainly not be your match. But now, your Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm strength is far from enough to kill me��"


    "Arrogant!"


    Master Tianyun roared in fury, baring his teeth, bellowed, "It seems you won''t cry until you see your coffin, today I will show you what the power of Buddha and Demon is like!"


    One hand in a Buddhist salute, the other hand making a demonic gesture.


    Suddenly, chants of Buddha and demonic sounds echoed around Master Tianyun, half of his body radiating golden light, while dark Demonic Qi rose on the other side. The golden Buddhist light gradually converged into his body, adorning that half with golden Buddhist patterns.


    The Buddhist patterns gave an aura of solemn dignity.


    Demonic Qi condensed, forming frightful black demonic patterns.


    Half golden Buddha body, half dark Demon King form.


    The ultimate State of Perfection��Buddha and Demon in one!


    "Buddha arrives!"


    "Demon descends!"


    Master Tianyun''s voice, blending Yin and Yang, indistinguishable between male and female, shouted as two massive figures emerged behind him. It was a shining golden Buddha statue and a demon king swirling with Demonic Qi.


    "Endless Sea of Suffering!"


    "Asura Demon Domain!"


    Both hands struck out, producing a sea of golden light and a zone of darkness in the void simultaneously.


    Within the golden light was a golden ocean, in which stood a massive celestial stone with the glittering gold words "Sea of Suffering" inscribed.


    Within the dark realm of demons appeared face after face of ferocious Asuras with green faces and sharp teeth.


    Every Asura face was extremely fierce, their giant fangs flashing cold light, appearing ready to devour any living being entering the Demon Domain.


    The golden Sea of Suffering and dark Asura Demon Domain simultaneously enveloped Xiao Yi''s body.


    Immersed within the suffering sea of the demon realm.


    On one side, the sound of Buddha chants rolling like millions of mouths whispering "turn back to find the shore" near one''s ear, while on the other side, the aura of ghosts prevailed and killing intent was pervasive, with countless deadly attacks suspended in the air.


    The most terrifying tactic of the unified practice of Buddha and demons is precisely their co-cultivation.


    The Buddhist path bewilders all beings.


    The demonic path decisively slaughters!


    Once one''s will is not firm, drowning in this golden sea of suffering, the way back is not to the shore but to the Boundless Demon Domain. And once one falls into the Demon Domain, endless killing awaits him.


    It is by this move that Master Tianyun slaughtered countless masters of the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Among them was even a powerful being from the Heaven Venerate Realm!


    Gold and black intertwined, Master Tianyun bore a smile of both compassion and evil, appearing exceedingly bizarre, with one hand formed in a Buddhist gesture grasping into the air.


    The Buddhist stele above the sea of suffering suddenly shone brightly.


    Golden specks continuously converged to form numerous monks radiating golden light, with kind eyebrows and benevolent eyes, akin to living Buddhas in this world. These monks, with hands clasped together and a benevolent air, chanted Buddhist hymns which grew louder and resounded through the void.


    "Suffering is endless, turn back to find the shore!"


    "Suffering is endless..."


    "Turn back to find the shore..."


    The sounds of Buddha chants roared, continually echoing by the ear.


    If it previously seemed like tens of thousands of monks chanting simultaneously, now it seemed like millions, even tens of millions of monks were muttering together.


    These incessant Buddha chants could brainwash.


    Those whose minds were not firm enough might indeed be bewitched by these sounds, thus stepping back and entering into the Endless Hell.


    Once inside the Endless Hell.


    Infinite Asura Death Gods awaited him, it was a bottomless vortex, once devoured, there would no longer be a chance to see daylight ever again!


    Master Tianyun''s face showed a sinister smile, his venomous eyes staring fixedly at Xiao Yi: "Aren''t you dead yet?"


    However��


    Xiao Yi, situated in the middle of the sea of suffering, suddenly lifted his head.


    His pitch-black eyes were calm throughout, the gaze harboring a sharp cold light, instantly bursting forth, a shocking gust of wind swept through the upper heavens.


    With a loud bang.


    The golden runes around Xiao Yi suddenly burst, disappearing into the void.


    In the turbulent golden sea of suffering, the Buddhist stele exploded with a bang, the surrounding Buddhist hymns suddenly vanished, and Xiao Yi''s figure transformed into a streak of light, momentarily shooting out of the golden sea of suffering.


    "Not good��"


    Master Tianyun''s face turned deathly pale instantly, vomiting a mouthful of fresh blood.


    Almost simultaneously��


    The golden Buddha statue behind him also burst amidst a series of cracking sounds, completely shattering, Xiao Yi with the Demon Sword Cuts Moon crossed through the air, appearing before Master Tianyun.


    Longsword raised high, he slashed from mid-air: "Sword Twenty-Three!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    A sky full of sword shadows crisscrossed in the void, myriad sword lights coming from all directions, furiously slashing towards Master Tianyun.


    The terrifying power of the sword, under a cascade of silver light, bathed Master Tianyun in the silver radiance.


    Half of his Buddha body was destroyed.


    At this moment, with Demonic Qi filling the heavens, Master Tianyun''s eyes spit out vengeful cold light: "Demon Lord''s Protection!"


    Buzz!


    Behind him, a Demon King manifested stepping forward, blocking in front of him, with pieces of black Scale Armor bursting forth from within the manifestation. Instantly covering his entire body, protecting Master Tianyun behind the manifest figure.


    "My Demon Lord''s Protection can withstand attacks from beings of the same realm, it''s impossible for you..."


    However��


    Master Tianyun''s words abruptly ceased.


    A loud bang was heard, the silver sword light, in an instant, pierced through the giant demon shadow. Countless sword lights like falling meteors passed through before him, Master Tianyun''s body violently shook.


    Under the endless assault of the sword lights, with a bang, he crashed within the temple yard.


    His fate unknown...

 Chapter 890 - 888: Supreme Venerable Descends

    In the vast expanse of Tian Yun Temple,


    countless bald monks stood agape, watching the rubble and rolling dust where the temple had collapsed. In their eyes, Master Tianyun was the supreme living Buddha.


    A living Buddha, supreme and immortal.


    But now...


    As the rolling dust gradually dispersed, they saw no sign of Master Tianyun emerging unblemished from the dust as Xiao Yi had before.


    At the same time,


    Little Lin had already slain all the Demon Arhats. With his current cultivation at the Heaven Venerate Realm, dealing with these Demon Arhats was as easy as picking something out of a bag.


    The remaining tens of thousands of Tian Yun Temple monks were silent as cicadas in winter, kneeling on the ground, not daring to resist at all.


    Even the strongest Master Tianyun and the eighteen Demon Arhats had perished.


    Tian Yun Temple existed in name only! S��ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Big brother, is that old man still not dead?" Little Lin came to Xiao Yi''s side, glancing at Master Tianyun who was becoming visible to everyone as the dust settled.


    Master Tianyun lay in a massive pit, his bones shattered, like a lump of mud.


    Blood covered his body.


    Master Tianyun followed the path of both Buddha and Demon, cultivating the Primordial Spirit in Buddhism and the physical body in Demonism. Now, his physical body was almost completely shattered, utterly devoid of the strength to fight again.


    His Primordial Spirit had also suffered a devastating blow when Xiao Yi powerfully shattered the Sea of Suffering illusion.


    Now, even his Primordial Spirit couldn''t leave his body.


    His eyes, filled with blood and malevolence, glared fixedly at Xiao Yi, he gritted his teeth and said, "Xiao... Xiao Yi, you will not die a good death... You and your family, all of you will pay the price for today''s actions..."


    "A price? From you, a dying man?" Little Lin scoffed.


    Master Tianyun gave a cold, mocking laugh that pulled at his wounds, causing him to grimace in pain.


    Blood gushed from his mouth.


    After struggling to catch his breath, Master Tianyun continued, "Do you really think I am a traitor to the Western State Buddhist Sect? If that were true, how could I have survived up to this point?"


    Xiao Yi frowned slightly.


    The Western State Buddhist Sect was indeed very powerful, unlike the Southern State which had both the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Land competing with each other. All beings in the Western Province were believers of Buddhism, and even the Holy Land of the Western Region was the fabled Buddhist Holy Spirit Mountain.


    If Master Tianyun were truly just a traitor to Buddhism, the Western State Buddhist Sect could easily dispatch a senior Heaven Venerate to eliminate him with ease.


    And the powers of the Southern State would definitely not interfere!


    Master Tianyun chuckled sinisterly, his laugh grating to the ears, "I am merely a piece laid by the Buddhist Sect in the Southern State. You have killed me and destroyed Tian Yun Temple; the Buddhist Sect will definitely not let you off. Hehe, even if I go ahead, it won''t be long before you join me in the netherworld, hahaha..."


    "You''d better walk the path to the underworld alone!"


    Little Lin huffed coldly.


    Opening his mouth, a mass of black light surged out, a vast black vortex directly enveloping Master Tianyun.


    The black light grew smaller and smaller.


    With a whoosh, it entered his mouth.


    The light around Little Lin reverberated, and moments later, ten crystal-clear Dragon Origin Stones and the true fifth piece of the map fragment appeared in his palm.


    Little Lin excitedly placed the Dragon Origin Stones and the map fragment before Xiao Yi, "Big brother, this old guy actually managed to refine ten Dragon Origin Stones, each filled with immensely abundant energy..."


    Xiao Yi took the map fragment, rubbed Little Lin''s head, and smiled, "Keep these Dragon Origin Stones for yourself..."


    Before he could finish,


    Xiao Yi''s expression suddenly changed, and he quickly looked towards the direction of the Great Buddha Hall.


    Boom!


    Above the Great Buddha Hall, a wave of golden light soared into the sky, forming a colossal column that connected heaven and earth. Within the vast pillar of light, the shattered Great Buddha Hall turned into countless fragments, all of which were propelled straight into the firmament under the pull of the light column.


    The ground below erupted violently, and a gigantic figure slowly emerged from underneath.


    It was indeed the golden Buddha statue Xiao Yi had seen in the Buddha Hall below the Great Buddha Hall.


    "A golden Buddha statue?"


    "Boss, how come this statue suddenly moved..." Little Lin stared at Xiao Yi in shock. They had seen this statue before; it was from the brow of this very Buddha that the Buddha''s relic, which led Little Lin into the Heaven Venerate Realm, had been retrieved!


    He had never noticed that the statue could move before!


    Xiao Yi''s brows were tightly knitted as he said in a deep voice, "It seems we were mistaken in our previous speculations; this statue was not built by Master Tianyun for himself. If I''m not wrong, this must be a statue created for a great being of the Western State Buddhist Sect!"


    "A great being of the Buddhist Sect?"


    Little Lin shivered, suddenly recalling a memory of a secret technique related to the Buddhist Sect. He said in a deep voice, "Boss, do you mean that this statue serves as a vessel for the descent of the Western State Buddhist Sect''s great being?"


    Xiao Yi nodded gravely.


    Hiss!


    Little Lin took in a breath of cold air.


    The brothers looked at the massive Buddha statue with deep wariness in their eyes.


    One possessed the inheritance of the Eternal Veneficus Tome and had received the legacies of many powerful beings. The other held inherited memories. They were both very clear about the methods of the Buddhist Sect''s great beings, especially this Descension Skill, which was a profoundly mysterious technique within the Buddhist Sect.


    Though it was said that the strength of a Buddhist Sect''s great being after descending mostly depended on the strength of the vessel.


    But...


    Only those above the Supreme Venerable level were capable of performing the Descension Skill.


    Ordinary Heaven Venerates could at most use the power of their Primordial Spirit to condense an avatar of consciousness, with strength not even a tenth of their own. For instance, the Po Jun Elder in the Daqian Dynasty had once exhibited an avatar of consciousness.


    However, if the vessel for the Buddhist Sect''s Descension Skill was strong enough, it could potentially unleash a hundred percent of its battle power!


    And it might even be more difficult to deal with than the original body!


    After all...


    The original body is still cautious of injury, but the vessel can recklessly fight to mutual destruction.


    For the descending great being, at most it would mean losing some of the Primordial Spirit''s strength.


    Just resting for a period would allow a full recovery!


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was also full of regret, having previously assumed that the statue had been created by Master Tianyun for himself, without considering it as a potential vessel for descent. Now that the other party had already initiated the Descension Skill, it was unstoppable.


    One must know...


    This statue, cast through and through out of the blood and gold of boys and girls, was considered mid to high-grade material. If it had been complete, it could have unleashed seventy percent of the descending great being''s battle power.


    Fortunately, the most critical "Buddha mole" embedded with the Buddha''s relic had already been taken by Xiao Yi.


    This made the vessel purely a half-finished product.


    At most, it could withstand ten percent of the opponent''s battle power!


    Of course.


    Even if it was just ten percent of the battle power, Xiao Yi and Little Lin dared not take it lightly. After all, this was ten percent of a Supreme Venerable-level being''s battle power!


    At that moment...


    The huge Buddha statue suddenly shook, and the golden column connecting to the sky dispersed with a crash. Amidst the drifting golden light rain, the statue''s eyes snapped open, emanating an icy chill to the extreme.


    The supreme being of the Buddhist Sect, using this statue as a vessel, descended upon the Southern State!


    The gigantic statue, a hundred zhang tall and cast in blood and gold, radiated an overwhelming golden radiance. Its icy gaze fixed intently on Xiao Yi and Little Lin as it spoke coldly, "You have disrupted my grand undertaking; you shall die!"

 Chapter 891 - 889: Brothers Unite to Battle the Supreme Venerable!

    "Damn it, you ruined my big plan!"


    A huge Buddha statue spouted two golden beams from its eyes.


    As the beams broke through the air with a swoosh, they instantly formed two hundred-zhang-long pillars of light, resembling two golden true dragons swinging their massive bodies, sweeping towards Xiao Yi.


    Swoosh!


    Swoosh!


    Xiao Yi and his companion dodged immediately.


    Almost at the same time...


    The beams had swept over their initial standing position, creating a terrifying sonic boom that formed circular shockwaves, rushing in all directions.


    Boom!


    The shockwave enveloped the entire Tian Yun Temple.


    Under this shockwave, large sections of the temple''s buildings continuously collapsed and were destroyed, turning into ruins.


    Most of Tian Yun Temple turned into ruins, with smoke billowing everywhere.


    The two golden beams disappeared, but the huge Buddha statue showed no face of compassion, its golden lips opening and closing: "Tiny ants dare to ruin my great Buddhist affair, they must be exterminated..."


    The Buddha statue stretched its right hand forward.


    Its golden arm extended out a hundred meters, the huge palm shaped like a mountain, condensing a "Ten Thousand Characters Buddha Seal" in the center.


    The Buddha Seal shone brightly with golden light, emitting sharp brilliance.


    With a whoosh, the sound of breaking through the air.


    Like a meteor falling from the sky, this Buddha Seal tore through the void, chasing after Xiao Yi and his companion.


    The Ten Thousand Characters Buddha Seal did not hit the ground.


    It was still hundreds of zhang up in the air.


    But the terrifying energy brought by the Buddha Seal formed an immense oppressive force in an instant, causing the mountains within several miles around Xiao Yi to tremble violently and fracture, with web-like cracks spreading across the entire mountain.


    Finally, with a loud bang.


    The entire mountain peak completely exploded.


    Rocks flew through the air, the earth trembled.


    Xiao Yi''s face darkened, the increasingly large Ten Thousand Characters Buddha Seal also made him feel a threat of death, and he glanced at Little Lin. Little Lin instantly understood, and with a roar, exploded with dazzling, blinding golden light.


    This golden light enveloped Xiao Yi, shooting up into the sky.


    Within the golden light, Little Lin''s true form manifested.


    A hundreds of zhang long colossal creature fiercely swung its massive tail, and with a thud, fiercely whipped the Ten Thousand Characters Buddha Seal, causing the rapidly falling Buddha Seal to violently shake and hover in mid-air for a moment.


    But soon...


    The descending momentum of the Ten Thousand Characters Buddha Seal increased as the huge golden hand of the Buddha statue relentlessly pressed down, making the pressure from the Buddha Seal even more terrifying.


    As they were about to be suppressed by the Ten Thousand Characters Buddha Seal.


    Xiao Yi, who was proudly standing atop Little Lin''s head, suddenly looked up, his pitch-black eyes flashing with two cold glints, and with a clang of a crisp sound, he unsheathed his longsword. The demonic Moon-Slaying Sword traced a beautiful arc in the air, finally swooshing into Xiao Yi''s hand.


    Holding the hilt of the Moon-Slaying Sword with one hand, an incomparably terrifying Sword Qi instantly erupted.


    Sword Qi condensed into raging waves.


    Xiao Yi''s eyebrows furrowed, and at the same time, his longsword traced a mysterious pattern in front of him, and just as they rose, they heard two whoosh sounds. The longsword gathered all the chaotic Sword Qi around it onto the blade, forming a ten-zhang-long sword light.


    "One Sword Shocks the Heaven!"


    This sword, a deadly one!


    Sword comes, shock the realm; sword falls, shock the heaven!


    Boom!


    The silver sword edge collided with the huge Buddha palm, and two entirely different energies erupted simultaneously.


    A terrible storm swept around in an instant.


    Storm, Sword Qi, Buddha Seal...


    These were all the most terrifying destructive forces.


    With Xiao Yi and the Buddha statue at the center, two horrendous energy storms formed, spraying out in opposite directions.


    Wherever the storm passed, everything vanished into thin air.


    "Little Lin, go!"


    Xiao Yi held his swords in both hands, the pressure from the ten-thousand-character Buddha Seal becoming overwhelmingly strong, causing the Moon-Slaying Sword to buzz and tremble, as if it might break free from his grip at any moment. Xiao Yi clenched his teeth and roared lowly, while Little Lin beneath him roared angrily.


    The scales around his body clanked like a golden shield, swiftly dodging the ten-thousand-character Buddha Seal.


    Its arms wrapped around the golden Buddha statue and moved upward,


    Coiling around and around,


    The massive body suddenly tightened, with a creaking noise, the entire right arm of the golden Buddha statue continued to dent inward.


    "How dare you, sinful obstacle, damage my Dharma body? Die!"


    The golden Buddha statue stood with furrowed brows and its robust left hand, blessed by Buddha''s light, fiercely grabbed towards Little Lin.


    "Not good!"


    Xiao Yi''s face changed dramatically, he roared, "Little Lin, run!"


    Little Lin''s face also changed, but after glancing at Xiao Yi''s condition, he did not escape immediately. Instead, he tightened his body even more. The golden scales on his body turned into saw-teeth, bringing up a burst of dazzling sparks amid loud clanging.


    Under Little Lin''s relentless grind, the golden right hand of the Buddha statue was about to break.


    This thoroughly enraged the Buddhist powerhouse descended upon the statue; it let out a heaven-shaking bellow: "Seeking death!"


    The left hand suddenly clawed, seizing Little Lin tightly.


    Little Lin screamed tragically as the huge left hand of the golden Buddha statue clamped on his body like iron tongs, with cracking sounds, scales exploded one by one.


    Xiao Yi, while resisting the ten-thousand-character Buddha Seal, roared anxiously: "Little Lin, get away..."


    "No..."


    There was stubbornness in Little Lin''s eyes, he knew that once he let go, the falling ten-thousand-character Buddha Seal alongside the right hand would either kill or severely injure Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were split with anger.


    "How dare you, sinful obstacle, destroy the Buddha body, I will send you to Rebirth Hell!"


    The Buddha statue''s mouth rolled with chanting sounds.


    The left hand continuously struck down, with heavy thudding sounds, repeatedly hitting Little Lin.


    Although this statue could only withstand one-tenth of his power,


    But he is a mighty Supreme Venerate Realm expert!


    One-tenth of the power.


    Enough to kill anyone at the Heavenly Venerate Peak!


    Not to mention Xiao Yi and another...


    With each strike, scales exploded off Little Lin''s body, flesh blurred, and blood flowed. However, he did not relax at all; amid a roaring growl, his body radiated golden light and forcefully twisted the right arm off. S��arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Buddha statue without the right arm violently trembled.


    The light from the ten-thousand-character Buddha Seal dimmed.


    Seizing this crucial opportunity, Xiao Yi merged the Moon-Slaying Sword with his entire body, transforming into a shocking sword light under the unity of man and sword: "Slash!"


    Infinite sword light gathered from all directions,


    Forming a thousand-zhang giant sword.


    Like countless gathered rays of light, it leaped high into the sky and then ferociously slashed down towards the Buddha statue.


    The Buddha statue instinctively raised its left hand to block.


    But Little Lin, dragging his heavily injured body, tangled up the right arm again, firmly binding it, leaving it completely unable to block.


    Thus, this sword struck down head-on!


    With a flash,


    The sword light chilled the nineteen provinces!


    Amid the dazzling, blinding light, the demonic Moon-Slaying Sword cleaved the Buddha statue right from the top, splitting it in two!


    The entire Buddha statue violently trembled, the light in the statue''s eyes gradually dimmed, and the unwilling and angry roar of the Buddhist Supreme Venerable echoed through the void: "Insects, you two insects dare to ruin my great cause, I will never let you off..."

 Chapter 892 - 890: The Eight Sons of the Heavenly Dragon, Pointing Swords towards Southern State!

    Western Province.


    Central Buddhist Nation.


    Every being in the entire Western Province is a follower of Buddhism; there are no secular royal powers or family sects, only temples large and small as well as the Central Buddhist Nation.


    But whether it is the temples or the Buddhist Nation, all are under the jurisdiction of the holy Buddhist Spirit Mountain.


    Central Buddhist Nation, Nancheng.


    Here lies a vast Buddhist monastery, known as Celestial Dragon Temple!


    At this moment.


    The silence within the Celestial Dragon Temple is suddenly broken by the ringing of resonant bells.


    The sonorous, booming peals echo between heaven and earth, awakening all the monks inside the Celestial Dragon Temple, whether they are chanting sutras, meditating, or undergoing arduous closed-door cultivation; upon hearing the bell, they all cease what they''re doing.


    And gather in front of the Great Buddha Hall. S��arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The monks look at one another, "What on earth happened?"


    "The Celestial Dragon Bell has been silent for hundreds of years without a stir; why is it suddenly ringing now? Could it be that some major event is happening?"


    "I heard that the Celestial Dragon Bell was personally forged by the Celestial Dragon Supreme and placed here to bolster the Buddhist fate of the Celestial Dragon Temple. Unless it heralds an imminent event critical to the life and death of the Celestial Dragon Temple, there''s only one other possibility..."


    "What possibility?"


    The crowd''s eyes turn towards the majestic and luxurious Great Buddha Hall, as the old monk swallows hard and articulates word by word: "The Supreme Venerable manifests, and the Celestial Dragon Bell tolls..."


    Hiss!


    Supreme Venerable manifests?


    Within the entire Western Province, there are openly eighteen supremes, each a Buddha with a fruit position in the Holy Spirit Mountain. And the only one who could manifest in the Celestial Dragon Temple is its founder, who now has a Buddha fruit position on Holy Spirit Mountain �C the Celestial Dragon Supreme!


    "Silence!"


    A monk adorned in a white Kasaya commands with a soft admonition, bringing complete quietness before the Great Buddha Hall.


    On his left and right stand seven other monks, all wearing white Kasayas.


    These eight are the most distinguished eight disciples once under the Celestial Dragon Supreme, known as the Celestial Dragon Eight.


    The Celestial Dragon Eight.


    The strongest among them is a formidable being of the ninth rank in the Heaven Venerate Realm.


    "We humbly welcome the arrival of the Supreme Venerable!" The Celestial Dragon Eight shout in unison.


    The monks from the Celestial Dragon Temple join in the chorus.


    Hum!


    A golden beam shoots up from the interior of the Great Buddha Hall, with specks of golden light coalescing in the void into a vast and majestic figure. His dark thick eyebrows are as sharp as blades, his eyes emit a dazzling cold light, as if they capture the sun and the moon within.


    Upon his golden Kasaya, a Celestial Dragon winding through auspicious clouds shows its fangs and claws ferociously.


    This dragon is not embroidery!


    It''s an actual dragon!


    Subdued by the Celestial Dragon Supreme and sealed within this Celestial Dragon Kasaya.


    "Disciples pay respects to Master!" The Celestial Dragon Eight kneel in unison, showing utmost respect.


    "We have seen the Supreme Venerable..."


    The other monks also kneel down one after another, looking up at the Celestial Dragon Supreme with sincere and reverent eyes.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme''s dignified aura is surrounded by Buddha''s light, obscuring his expression; his icy voice echoes in the ears of the Celestial Dragon Eight: "My Buddhist incarnation has been destroyed, your junior brother has been killed..."


    Hiss!


    The expressions of the Celestial Dragon Eight change as they exchange looks, seeing the shock on each other''s faces.


    This is the venerated Supreme.


    Even his weakest Buddhist incarnation would have ten percent of his fighting power, and yet it was destroyed by someone?


    The voice of Celestial Dragon Supreme came again: "Celestial Dragon Eight, make a trip to Southern State. Anyone related to Xiao Yi is of the demonic path��send them to Nine Serene Underworld, to be redeemed by Ksitigarbha Buddha-Dharma..."


    "Disciple obeys the Buddhist command!"


    "Master, rest assured, eliminating demons and evildoing is the sacred duty of us Buddhist disciples..."


    The Celestial Dragon Eight responded with utmost respect.


    "Go now!"


    A fervent gleam burst forth from the eyes of Celestial Dragon Supreme, "I have already communicated with those in Southern State, they will not stop you. Perhaps, this will be an opportunity for our Buddhist sect to take control of Southern State and spread the Buddhist Law. After success, there will be divine fruits for you all..."


    The Buddhist sect already dominates Western Province, with no force capable of shaking their rule over it.


    But...


    As the Buddhist sect grows stronger, they are increasingly dissatisfied with the current state.


    This is precisely why.


    A thousand years ago, Celestial Dragon Supreme set a trap that exiled Master Tianyun, causing him to flee to Southern State to establish Tian Yun Temple. After a millennium of development, Tian Yun Temple has become a powerful force with a significant say in the Nantian Dynasty.


    Furthermore, they secretly ordered Master Tianyun to craft a Flesh and Gold Buddha Statue with blood and gold, for him to use the Secret Technique at a critical moment, paving the way for the Buddhist sect to enter Southern State.


    But now...


    Not only did Xiao Yi destroy the Flesh and Gold Buddha Statue, but he also demolished Tian Yun Temple and killed Master Tianyun.


    The Buddhist sect''s thousand-year plan was ruined in an instant.


    Now, within Holy Spirit Mountain, he faces confrontation from a few other Supreme Venerables of the sects, using this incident as an excuse to create difficulties everywhere, seriously threatening his status.


    The only way is to kill Xiao Yi and use this as an opportunity to allow the Buddhist sect to settle in Southern State.


    Only by doing this can he maintain his position.


    Swoosh!


    The silhouette of Celestial Dragon Supreme silently vanished.


    In front of the Great Buddha Hall.


    The Celestial Dragon Eight stood up first, exchanging glances, with a fervent look in their eyes.


    That''s the divine fruit of Buddha!


    Without becoming a Buddha, it would all be in vain!


    Every disciple of the Buddhist sect ultimately aims to become a Buddha...


    Now the hope lies before them.


    The people exchanged looks: "Follow us, the Eight Divisions of Celestial Dragon Temple, to Southern State..."


    ...


    Southern State, Nantian Dynasty, the capital.


    Xiao Yi, Little Lin, Nantian Wen, Nantian Ao, Qiu Yiyun, and others were gathering together. But the atmosphere in the hall was exceptionally tense, even oppressive, with nobody taking the initiative to speak. They could all clearly hear each other''s breathing.


    Whew!


    It wasn''t until Xiao Yi exhaled a deep breath that the silence was broken. With a relaxed smile on his face, he looked over the group: "It''s merely a small matter. Why be so nervous?"


    "A small matter?"


    Nantian Ao glanced at him, speaking in disbelief, "That''s a Supreme Venerable we''re talking about. Although there has been an agreement that Supreme Venerables must not leave their holy lands casually, Celestial Dragon Supreme has already declared his intent, and we, along with the holy lands, cannot stop them. People from the Buddhist sect will soon come looking for you..."


    After learning that Celestial Dragon Supreme will send someone to execute Xiao Yi and that the holy lands of Southern State must not intervene.


    Qiu Yiyun was the first to come to notify Xiao Yi.


    A look of concern crossed Qiu Yiyun''s face; the source stone Xiao Yi gave him benefited him greatly, bringing him closer to the Heaven Venerate Realm, so naturally, he did not wish to see Xiao Yi in trouble, and thus advised, "Dean Xiao, why don''t you leave Southern State for now? Western Province is a distance away from here; they need at least half a year to reach us, you have plenty of time to escape..."


    Nantian Ao said: "Elder Qiu is right; you could head north and seek refuge with Baiyu!"


    "Nantian Ao is right; isn''t the Holy Maiden of Baiyu your wife? With that relationship, they are unlikely to stand by idly..." Qiu Yiyun said excitedly.


    "There''s no need to say more!"


    Xiao Yi raised his hand to interrupt them, his dark eyes blazing with warlike zeal, and he spoke with measured emphasis, "The mere Buddhist sect is nothing for me to handle alone!"

 Chapter 893 - 891: Man Triumphs over Nature

    "You alone will suffice?"


    "Xiao, this is no joking matter; that is the Western State Spiritual Mountain we are talking about, far more powerful than the Nantian Holy Land!"


    "Now is not the time to put on airs. With the power of the Western State Buddhist Sect, even though the Supreme Venerables will not intervene due to the rules between holy places, the opponents will have at least a Ninth Layer Heaven Honor, or even figures at the Heavenly Venerate Peak!"


    Everyone tried to persuade him.


    Even Nantian Wen, who was extremely optimistic about Xiao Yi, showed a serious expression at this moment and said, "Xiao Yi, you must not underestimate the Heavenly Venerate Peak just because you have slain Master Tianyun. Even a Ninth Layer Heaven Honor compared to the Heavenly Venerate Peak has an incredibly terrifying gap!"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and looked at Nantian Wen with a trace of fiery battle intent in his eyes, "Your Majesty, if I''m not wrong, your realm is at the Heavenly Venerate Peak, right?"


    Nantian Wen once slew a Heaven Honor from the Nantian Holy Land with a single blow; his combat power is absolutely dominant among the Heaven Honors.


    However, it''s clear that Nantian Wen has not stepped into the Supreme Venerable Realm.


    Otherwise...


    He wouldn''t still be subject to the Nantian Holy Land in many respects.


    Xiao Yi thus speculated that Nantian Wen''s cultivation level should be at the Heavenly Venerate Realm Peak.


    Nantian Wen was taken aback, then nodded, "Yes, indeed I am at the Heavenly Venerate Peak!"


    Qiu Yiyun looked at Nantian Wen with a trace of awe and said solemnly, "Your Majesty''s strength is incredibly strong. The Saint Lord once said that in the vast Southern State, Your Majesty is the foremost personage under the Supreme Venerable!"


    Sss!


    Everyone was shocked.


    The Saint Lord!


    That was the leader of the Nantian Holy Land, a Saint Venerable level existence. Even Xiao Yi and Little Lin, who had guessed that Nantian Wen was very strong, were incredibly shocked to hear Qiu Yiyun''s words.


    They, too, hadn''t expected Nantian Wen to have received such praise from the Saint Lord of the Nantian Holy Land.


    Nantian Wen''s expression was impassive.


    As if being called the first person under the Supreme Venerable by the Saint Lord of the Nantian Holy Land meant nothing to be pleased about to him.


    Xiao Yi eagerly proposed, "Your Majesty, would you grant me a battle?"


    "Uh?"


    Nantian Wen was startled, looking at Xiao Yi with slight surprise, then said in realization, "You want to fight me to understand how far you are from the Heavenly Venerate Realm Peak?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Nantian Wen couldn''t help but smile wryly, "Xiao Yi, I admit your talent is unparalleled in my lifetime, and even at the same realm, I couldn''t achieve what you have. But the idea that you can grow enough in merely half a year''s time to be on par with the pinnacle of the Tian race is simply impossible..."


    Despite the fact that Xiao Yi was able to slay Master Tianyun of the Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm, this astonished Nantian Wen for a long time.


    But...


    The idea of growing from the Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm strength to the Heavenly Venerate Peak in just half a year''s time was outright impossible, mere fanciful dreams.


    Nantian Ao lamented with a smile, "Let alone half a year, even fifty years, five hundred years might not be enough time!"


    Qiu Yiyun earnestly advised, "Xiao, it''s better to listen to us and leave Southern State immediately!"


    Phew!


    Xiao Yi shook his head, his eyes determined and resolute as he said, "Leaving is easy for me, but what''s to become of the Daqian Dynasty? What about the Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    "But you can''t just throw your life away for nothing." S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That''s the Heavenly Venerate Peak we''re talking about!"


    "You have no hope..."


    The crowd voiced their concerns.


    Xiao Yi smiled and said confidently, "How can there be no hope? More than three years ago, when I said I''d surpass Xiao Tianjiao, everyone thought I was delusional, that it was impossible. Now, Xiao Tianjiao has long turned into dust..."


    "That''s different... Xiao Tianjiao is nothing. What you''re facing now is the Heavenly Venerate Realm Peak��" Qiu Yiyun said.


    "I see no difference!"


    Xiao Yi said indifferently, "Two years ago, if I said I could make the Daqian Dynasty on equal footing with the Nantian Dynasty, did you think it was possible? I said I could make the Xiaoshanhe Institute the strongest Martial Arts Academy in Southern State, did you think that was possible at that time?"


    "..."


    The group exchanged looks, unable to find the words to say.


    Xiao Yi continued, "In my view��man is destined to overcome destiny!"


    "..."


    Everyone fell silent.


    Reflecting on Xiao Yi''s journey, it seemed that all the challenges he faced appeared utterly hopeless at the time, declaring his future to be shrouded in darkness was not an exaggeration.


    But what was the outcome?


    Step by step, Xiao Yi shattered one impossibility after another, forging new possibilities!


    Half a year''s time.


    It would be an impossible challenge to break through to match the pinnacle of Heavenly Venerable in such a duration.


    But then again...


    Who could guarantee that Xiao Yi wouldn''t turn the impossible into possible once more?


    Upon this thought.


    Nantian Wen burst into laughter and said, "Excellent, excellent, a man destined to overcome destiny! Xiao Yi, I accept your challenge!"


    "Thank you, Your Majesty!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes blazed with passion as he gave a cupped fist salute to Nantian Wen.


    Nantian Wen made a welcoming gesture and led everyone deep into the palace, where a vast black pagoda stood. Pointing at the pagoda, Nantian Wen said, "This pagoda is known as Xumi Pagoda, containing a space within that can withstand battles between the Heavenly Venerables. Only here can we fight unrestrained. Let''s enter the pagoda for a bout!"


    The power of the Heavenly Venerable tier could only be described as earth-shattering and heaven-destroying.


    Just like Xiao Yi''s last battle at Tian Yun Temple.


    The vast Tianyun Mountain Range turned into complete ruins.


    If they were to fight in the imperial capital, it would level the entire city to the ground!


    The two immediately entered the Xumi Pagoda.


    Little Lin, Nantian Ao, and Qiu Yiyun anxiously waited outside the pagoda.


    Suddenly, Qiu Yiyun asked, "How long do you think Xiao can hold on?"


    Nantian Ao pondered for a moment and said, "The battle will be resolved within ten breaths!" After a pause, he continued, "Five years ago, the number one talent of Nantian Holy Institute battled His Majesty inside Xumi Pagoda and lasted ten breaths!"


    Qiu Yiyun nodded in agreement: "I also think the battle will be decided within ten breaths."


    Little Lin, however, sneered and puffed out his chest, "Ten breaths? You guys are seriously underestimating my boss, I think he can last at least the duration of an incense stick..."


    "An incense stick''s time? Impossible!"


    "The gap is too vast..."


    As the three discussed, inside Xumi Pagoda, Xiao Yi and Nantian Wen saluted each other and stood face to face.


    Nantian Wen raised his right hand, making an inviting gesture, "Five years ago, the top individual from Nantian Holy Institute sparred with me. I only used one hand, and he lasted ten breaths; I hope you can surpass him!"


    "Ten breaths?"


    Xiao Yi paused, then chuckled and shook his head, subsequently raising two fingers.


    Nantian Wen paused, frowning, "What? You plan to last twenty breaths?"


    "No!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, enunciating each word, "Force you to use both hands!"


    "Uh..."


    Nantian Wen''s expression froze, followed by a hearty laugh, "Youngsters indeed have spirit, but you''re underestimating me. If I were truly to use both hands, I will bestow upon you an extraordinary opportunity against the natural order..."


    "Since Your Majesty insists, I would be disrespectful to decline!" Xiao Yi grinned.


    Hmph!


    Nantian Wen snorted coldly, "Let''s speak after the battle!"


    "Fight!"


    Both of them growled simultaneously, and their figures disappeared within Xumi Pagoda...

 Chapter 894 - 892: I Won! [Third Update]

    "Battle!"


    Xiao Yi and another person vanished simultaneously within the Xumi Pagoda.


    Only the sound of booming explosions echoed through the void, accompanied by the hearty laughter of Nantian Wen: "Excellent, excellent, Xiao Yi! No wonder even Master Tianyun of the Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm died by your hand, you really do have some skills. However, you''re still not strong enough to make me use both hands!"


    "Not strong enough? Then let''s add a bit more!"


    Xiao Yi was equally exhilarated.


    Sparring within the Xumi Pagoda, they could fight without any reservations.


    Their battle grew increasingly fierce.


    The booming sounds continuously resonated within the Xumi Pagoda, as the energies they unleashed clashed, creating deafening explosions.


    "Sword Twenty-three!"


    Sword Qi burst forth from Xiao Yi''s body, coalescing into two sword diagrams in the void.


    One heaven, one earth.


    One Yin, one Yang!


    The two sword diagrams complemented each other, bolstering one another. Terrifying sword Qi intertwined with the sword diagrams, forming a vast domain of swords, trapping Nantian Wen inside with the swiftness of thunder.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Nantian Wen struck repeatedly, yet he was unable to shake the domain of swords.


    Xiao Yi stood suspended outside the sword domain: "Use both hands!"


    "Hmph, these tricks are still not enough to make me use both hands..."


    Nantian Wen was a born emperor, his every move exuding supreme imperial authority. With one hand at his waist, a golden light circulated around his body. The innate power within him turned wildly violent, bursting forth from his body.


    It spiraled along his arm.


    This infinite innate power transformed into a golden Azure Dragon, coiling around his arm.


    The ferocious and majestic dragon head was positioned right over his fist.


    "Xiao Yi, open your eyes wide and see clearly the gap between you and the Heavenly Venerate Peak..."


    Nantian Wen''s eyes slitted, his pupils bursting forth with a brilliance as bright as the sun and the moon, illuminating the entire Xumi Pagoda, "Azure Dragon Shakes the Heaven!"


    Roar!


    The golden Azure Dragon swooshed along with his punch.


    Twisting its massive body.


    Where the huge dragon body passed, those vivid golden Scale Armors turned into sawtoothed blades, continuously slicing through the domain of swords.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The domain of swords shook wildly, finally exploding with a loud boom.


    Nantian Wen laughed heartily: "Xiao Yi, you lose..."


    But just at that moment...


    Nantian Wen''s words abruptly stopped, his face changed color, and in front of him, Xiao Yi''s figure was nowhere to be seen.


    As Nantian Wen was shocked, his face suddenly changed again, his heart thudded: "Not good!"


    Subconsciously turning back.


    A silver light suddenly burst from behind, it was the Demon Sword Yue Yi, thrusting towards Nantian Wen''s rear shoulder.


    Swoosh!


    Nantian Wen turned and grabbed at Yue Yi.


    Clang!


    As the sword tip met the hand, a burst of blinding sparks flew.


    Terrifying power along with Nantian Wen continued pushing him back, his figure kept retreating, yet he still couldn''t break free from Nantian''s hand that clamped down on the longsword, unable to advance any further.


    "Mere trifles, you..."


    A sudden surge of icy chill swept over from behind.


    "Sword Twenty-two!"


    ```


    Between the chilling roars, sharp Sword Qi converged behind him, forming a shocking sword net that rapidly stabbed towards Nantian Wen. The terrifying sound of air being torn was dense and close at hand.


    "Damn!"


    Nantian Wen''s complexion suddenly changed, intending to dodge but restrained by Yuan Moon, he could only grit his teeth and raise his other hand to strike behind him.


    Whooosh!


    Countless innate powers surged out from his palm, forming a gigantic golden hand of innate power. With a loud bang, the myriad sword lights were shattered.


    The momentum of the golden giant hand did not diminish; this was Nantian Wen''s instinctive counterattack, with no holding back.


    The countless sword glows were forcefully shattered.


    One palm carrying terrifying destructive power rushed straight at Xiao Yi.


    This made Nantian Wen''s complexion change dramatically: "Not good... Xiao Yi, dodge quickly!"


    However...


    The power of this palm was terrifying!


    Although it was just a palm strike, Xiao Yi found himself completely immobilized as if the void in all directions was sealed.


    Bang!


    The gigantic hand heavily struck him.


    Wow!


    Xiao Yi fell like a shooting star, crashing into the ground with a loud thud.


    Blood spurted wildly from his mouth.


    "Xiao Yi, are you alright?" Nantian Wen''s face changed dramatically, flashing beside Xiao Yi. S��arch* The n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi grinned, saying, "I won!"


    "Huh?"


    Nantian Wen was stunned, seeing the blood on Xiao Yi''s mouth as he pointed at his right hand, which made Nantian Wen''s expression freeze, then a bitter smile appeared, "You maniac..."


    He finally understood.


    Xiao Yi had intentionally forced him to use both hands.


    "Alright, alright, indeed I used both hands, I lose this bet. Fair is fair, you heal up first, and after your injuries are better, I will grant you an opportunity for transformation..." Nantian Wen was also a magnanimous person, shaking his head and smiling as he helped Xiao Yi up.


    Xiao Yi raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, chuckling, "Then thank you, Your Majesty!"


    "Thank my ass!"


    Nantian Wen glared at him fiercely, he had not expected Xiao Yi to force him into action in such a dangerous way, but such a Xiao Yi had once again earned his recognition, saying, "From now on, don''t call me Your Majesty. If you don''t mind, just call me Nantian as a brother!"


    "Nantian?"


    Xiao Yi widened his eyes, giving Nantian Wen a strange look, "At your age, you could be my ancestor..."


    "Get lost..."


    Nantian Wen''s face darkened, saying irritably, "Call me that if you want or don''t!"


    Many in this world wished to claim brotherhood with him, but very few of Xiao Yi''s age truly earned his recognition!


    Xiao Yi grinned, clearly realizing that he had truly earned Nantian Wen''s recognition.


    Nantian Wen supported Xiao Yi walking towards the Xumi Pagoda, and asked, "Do you now realize the gap between yourself and the Heavenly Venerate Peak?" Pausing, he added faintly, "Just now, I used about thirty percent of my strength."


    Thirty percent?


    Even though he anticipated it, Xiao Yi couldn''t help but gasp.


    Merely thirty percent of his strength left him unable to resist!


    How strong would a full-powered Heavenly Venerate Peak be?


    "What? Realizing the gap between yourself and a peak Heavenly Venerate makes you lose confidence?" Nantian Wen asked with a half-smile.


    Xiao Yi grinned, saying, "Not really losing confidence, just feeling a bit pressured!" He gently stretched his limbs, producing crackling sounds, yet the fire of battle in his eyes did not diminish by a bit, "But to rise to match the Heavenly Venerate Peak within half a year, it seems ordinary methods won''t do!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Nantian Wen spoke softly, "Actually, you currently possess the combat strength of a Heavenly Venerate, but not the realm. Besides increasing your cultivation, the priority is to enhance your realm. The opportunity I''m giving you, if you can seize it, still holds a chance to make up for your realm''s shortcomings..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes lit up: "Brother Nantian, what exactly is this opportunity you speak of?"


    Nantian Wen looked at him, pausing with each word, "Reincarnation Realm!"


    ```

 Chapter 895 - 893 Reincarnation Realm

    "Reincarnation Realm?"


    Xiao Yi looked puzzled at Nantian Wen who was supporting him. These three words had appeared several times in the legacies of figures like Zhao Wuji and the Twin Star Taoist.


    It is said...


    That during the Ancient Times, the Reincarnation Realm was located within the Hall of Longevity as a place for trials.


    Once one enters the Reincarnation Realm, it is as if plunging into reincarnation, possessing a brand new life.


    Moreover.


    There are six parts to the Reincarnation Realm, each corresponding to one of the six cycles of rebirth.


    For example, entering the Beasts Tao means experiencing a life as livestock.


    Or entering the Asura Tao, one becomes an Asura...


    However, since the disappearance of the Hall of Longevity, the Reincarnation Realm also vanished into the long river of time. Xiao Yi hadn''t expected that the Nantian Dynasty would still have control over the Reincarnation Realm?


    Nantian Wen was not surprised that Xiao Yi knew about the Reincarnation Realm. He nodded and continued, "The Reincarnation Realm under my control is the Human Path Reincarnation Realm; upon entering, you will obtain a brand new life, losing all memories as if undergoing reincarnation. Unless you can awaken your memories within the Reincarnation Realm, you will be forever lost in reincarnation."


    Lost in reincarnation.


    It meant no chance of ever waking up again.


    Nantian Wen solemnly said, "Your current cultivation is already strong, but what you lack is realm. To advance from the Earth Venerate Realm to the Heaven Venerate Realm, you must elevate your realm to the point where your Primordial Spirit coalesces and you connect with the celestial. Experiencing another life in the Reincarnation Realm is the quickest way to increase your realm!"


    What is realm?


    Besides being an understanding and mastery of Martial Tao Realm, it is also a kind of experience.


    Humans have life experiences.


    Martial Artists have experiences of Martial Tao.


    That''s why...


    Many high-level Martial Artists choose to settle after a sudden rise in the early stages. Nantian Wen smiled and said, "Back when I was at the Earth Venerable Peak, I also faced this bottleneck and entered the Reincarnation Realm. Do you know what role I played during that life within the realm?"


    Xiao Yi shook his head.


    "I became a fool despised by everyone, a good-for-nothing... I was lost in that world for fifty years in the Reincarnation Realm, seeing the warmth and coldness of human relations, and the complexities of family matters that neither a prince nor emperor ever sees..."


    The two had reached the exit of Xumi Pagoda. Nantian Wen paused slightly, his face seeming to acquire a hint of melancholy and reminiscence, and slowly said, "Those fifty blurry years enabled me to transcend. The moment I awakened my memories, I successfully ascended to the Heavenly Venerate Realm! You might not believe it, but the happiest and most relaxed days of my life were those fifty years..."


    Swoosh!


    They stepped out of Xumi Pagoda.


    None mentioned what Nantian Wen had just said.


    They were met by the anxious gaze of Nantian Ao and others. Nantian Ao asked, "Your Majesty, about this..."


    "Director Xiao, how did you get injured?"


    "Big brother, are you alright?"


    Faced with everyone''s concerned gaze, Xiao Yi grinned and said, "I''m fine, feeling really great!" But this smile stressed his wounds, causing him to grimace in pain.


    Little Lin glared fiercely at Nantian Wen, "Your Majesty, as a high-class expert at the Heavenly Venerate Peak who has cultivated for thousands of years... My boss has only cultivated for such a short time, wasn''t that strike too harsh?"


    Nantian Wen defensively said, "What do you know, kid? If I hadn''t used my full strength, I would have been the one injured!"


    Hiss!


    Several people''s expressions changed, showing disbelief as they looked at Nantian Wen.


    Nantian Ao and Qiu Yiyun had previously assured that Xiao Yi could last only ten breaths at most, but now, Nantian Wen was saying that he had barely avoided injury? Doesn''t that mean, Xiao Yi has the capability to hurt him?


    You should know...


    Even the top talent of the Nantian Holy Institute could only withstand ten breaths under Nantian Wen''s hands.


    Xiao Yi actually had a chance to hurt him?


    The difference in strength was clear at a glance!


    Little Lin was also stunned but then laughed proudly, a provocative look in his eyes as he stared at Nantian Ao and the other, "Haha, you two lost, right? I''ve been saying, that so-called top talent of the Nantian Holy Institute doesn''t even qualify to carry my boss''s shoes!"


    The two exchanged glances, their expressions complex as they looked at Xiao Yi.


    They thought they had rated Xiao Yi highly enough but only now realized his strength and talent far surpassed their expectations!


    Nantian Wen turned back to Xiao Yi: "Have you made up your mind?"


    Everyone was confused.


    Made up his mind about what?


    Xiao Yi knew Nantian Wen was asking about whether to enter the Reincarnation Realm, and without hesitation, he nodded: "I''ve thought it over, I''m willing to give it a try!"


    "Hmm, then you have three days..."


    Before Nantian Wen could finish, Xiao Yi, puzzled, interrupted: "Why wait three days? These injuries of mine would only need a moment to recover!"


    Nantian Wen gave him a glance and said irritably: "Do you think the Reincarnation Realm can be activated just by speaking? That thing needs Source Stones to be activated; just to open it once for you would consume a hundred Source Stones. Even I would need to file a request to the clan elders behind the royal family."


    Ever since the Hall of Longevity vanished, Source Stone mines had fallen into the hands of various sacred places.


    Even though Nantian Wen controlled the entire Nantian Dynasty, his stock of Source Stones was not large; each stone was a strategic reserve, and using a hundred Source Stones at once was no minor matter.


    Xiao Yi was taken aback, now understanding that the three days were meant for gathering Source Stones.


    His gaze towards Nantian Wen grew more grateful.


    If Nantian Wen did not truly acknowledge him, he would definitely not use so many Source Stones just to let him enter the Reincarnation Realm. With this thought, Xiao Yi smiled, "If it''s for the Source Stones, you don''t need to waste this time. I can afford a hundred Source Stones!"


    "You can produce a hundred Source Stones?" Nantian Ao widened his eyes.


    Qiu Yiyun was also shocked: "Are you joking? Even with my current strength, I can only get one Source Stone every ten years from the sacred place..."


    Source Stones are really too precious!


    Xiao Yi did not elaborate; he flipped his hand and handed a hundred Source Stones to Nantian Wen, saying solemnly, "Here are a hundred Source Stones, Big Brother Nantian, this should be enough, right?"


    "This..."


    Nantian Wen, looking at the pure Source Stones in his hand, couldn''t help but lose his composure, even with his broad experience.


    After a moment of silence,


    Without pursuing where Xiao Yi got these Source Stones, Nantian Wen chuckled and shook his head, "The opportunities you get, even I am envious..." After a pause, he continued, "You should adjust your condition while I request from the clan elders; with your own Source Stones, they will surely agree!" sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi nodded: "Thank you!"


    "You''re welcome!"


    Nantian Wen immediately departed.


    "Reincarnation Realm, I hope it won''t disappoint me!"


    Xiao Yi took a deep breath and then started to recover from his injuries cross-legged, and within an hour he had fully recovered. However, Nantian Wen had not returned yet, which gave Xiao Yi an uneasy feeling��

 Chapter 896 - 894: The Struggle for Slots

    Deep within the imperial palace.


    Here lies a hidden realm.


    Residing here are the royal elders, each one a being of the Heaven Venerate level, and even includes three terrifying elders of the Supreme Venerable level. These three enjoy the treatment of retired emperors.


    Even in their presence, Nantian Wen must behave with the courtesy due a junior.


    However. S��ar?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These three retired emperors rarely show themselves, with the day-to-day affairs primarily managed by two powerful individuals of the Heaven Venerate Realm, who are none other than Nantian Wen''s elder brother, Nantian Hou, and his younger sister, Nantian Yun.


    "How does my imperial brother find the time to come here amidst his myriad duties?" Nantian Yun asked with a smile.


    Beside her, Nantian Hou was expressionless, simply glancing at him before no longer uttering another word.


    In the past, the two brothers had contended for the throne.


    He, the rightful crown prince, should have been the one to ascend, yet it was Nantian Wen who ended up sitting in that position. Despite the many years, he still harbored resentment in his heart.


    Nantian Wen spoke indifferently: "I''m here to apply for the usage rights of the Reincarnation Realm!"


    "The Reincarnation Realm? Is imperial brother here for Yu''er as well?" Nantian Yun was taken aback, inquiring intuitively.


    "Yu''er?"


    Nantian Wen was momentarily startled.


    The Yu''er she mentioned is none other than Nantian Yan, the foremost Tianjiao of the Nantian Holy Institute, and incidentally, Nantian Hou''s son.


    Among the younger generation of the Nantian Dynasty''s royal family, Nantian Yan was the strongest.


    Already at the peak of the Earth Venerate Realm.


    Merely a step away from attaining the Heaven Venerate Realm.


    Hearing this, Nantian Hou''s expression softened slightly, and after glancing at Nantian Wen, his hoarse voice resonated with a deep tone: "His Majesty is indeed considerate, knowing that Yu''er is currently petitioning our ancestors for the use of the Reincarnation Realm. With His Majesty''s support, I believe our ancestors will agree to Yu''er''s request!"


    "..."


    Nantian Wen''s face stiffened, unaware that Nantian Yan was also applying for the usage rights of the Reincarnation Realm. Had he known this, he most certainly would not have come now, but upon seeing the gazes of Nantian Hou and the other, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "I haven''t come for Yu''er..."


    The smile on Nantian Hou''s face disappeared in an instant, replaced by a coldness.


    Nantian Yun also felt a tinge of awkwardness, and she smoothed things over with a smile: "It seems imperial brother is unaware that today, our grand elder brother came with Yu''er to request our ancestors for the qualifications to enter the Reincarnation Realm. But it''s a fortunate coincidence you''re here; if you join in the request to our ancestors, I believe they will surely agree!"


    "This..."


    Nantian Wen opened his mouth, a wry smile on his face, and said, "To be honest, I have come to apply for the usage rights of the Reincarnation Realm as well."


    "Hm?"


    Nantian Hou was taken aback, his eyes narrowing as he sized up Nantian Wen, "You too wish to apply for the usage rights of the Reincarnation Realm? Currently, among the royal household, only Yu''er and Nantian Ao are at the peak of the Earth Venerate Realm. Are you applying on behalf of Nantian Ao?"


    Nantian Wen shook his head: "No, not him!"


    "Then who is it for?" Nantian Hou asked with a frown.


    Nantian Wen touched his nose, about to speak, when from ahead in the palace emerged a young man in green clothes. With sword-like eyebrows and stars in his eyes, the young man was handsome; however, his complexion was somewhat sullen and downcast.


    Nantian Hou asked anxiously: "Yu''er, how did it go?"


    Nantian Yan shook his head with a bitter smile, "Our ancestor says that opening the Reincarnation Realm requires one hundred source stones, and currently, the royal storerooms have a limited supply. He says that I am still young, and with a few more years, I may break through on my own..."


    "Damn."


    Although it was somewhat expected, Nantian Hou still found it difficult to accept. He clenched his fists tightly and cursed silently, about to leave but then, recalling Nantian Wen nearby, he said in a stern voice, "Your Majesty, please plead with our revered ancestor on Yu''er''s behalf so that he may use the Reincarnation Realm just once; I will owe Your Majesty a favor!"


    This was Nantian Hou softening.


    As long as Nantian Wen could help him to apply for the usage rights of the Reincarnation Realm, he would let go of past grudges completely, no longer making an enemy of Nantian Wen.


    Naturally, Nantian Wen was somewhat tempted, as resolving the enmity with Nantian Hou would enhance his control over the Nantian Dynasty like never before. Yet, when he thought of his promise to Xiao Yi, and that the one hundred source stones were all provided by Xiao Yi,


    Nantian Wen shook his head with a wry smile, "I''m sorry, I have already promised Xiao Yi..."


    "Xiao Yi? Xiao Yi from the Great Qian Dynasty?"


    Nantian Hou was momentarily stunned, his face instantly turning an iron blue, and he said through gritted teeth, "Nantian Wen, you are willing to apply for the Reincarnation Realm for an outsider, but not for your own nephew?"


    "Big brother, there''s more to this matter��" Nantian Wen opened his mouth but couldn''t tell the others that the Western State Buddhist Sect would come to the Southern State, nor could he reveal that Xiao Yi had provided Source Stones.


    He was very clear that once it became known to the public that Xiao Yi had Source Stones in his possession, it would surely attract the covetousness of countless powerhouses.


    Beside them, Nantian Yu''s face had already darkened as he said, "Father, stop asking him." His gaze was icy cold as he sarcastically added, "After all, he''s the Emperor. What are we? What right do we have to make him step in?"


    This remark made Nantian Hou''s expression even uglier, and he said with a darkened face, "Nantian Wen, do you truly disregard the affections of brethren?"


    "I''m sorry��"


    Just as Nantian Wen began to speak, the opposite Nantian Hou was already furiously enraged.


    Boom!


    A wild surge of energy swept across, charging ferociously towards Nantian Wen, the roar of the raging wind echoing loudly in all directions, forcing Nantian Wen to retreat several steps.


    Swoosh!


    Nantian Hou stretched out one hand in the air, condensing an immense sword of innate power, and exploded it towards Nantian Wen in a slashing motion.


    However��


    Just as the Longsword was about to strike, an invisible wave flew over with a whoosh, and with a loud bang shattered the Longsword. A voice, indifferent yet filled with anger, rang out, "What are you all doing?"


    "Elder Ancestor��"


    "Greetings to the Elder Ancestor!"


    The others hurriedly turned towards the figure with a darkened face approaching. Apart from Nantian Wen, who just performed a hand ritual, the others all bent over to perform their salutations.


    It was an old man dressed in a Gold Longrobe.


    His Qi-Blood was restrained.


    Seemingly ordinary.


    But merely by standing there, he exerted an insurmountable and terrifying pressure. This person was none other than one of the three Supreme Venerables of the Nantian Dynasty and also the grandfather of Nantian Wen and the others, Nantian Yan!


    Nantian Yan looked coldly at them, "What are you doing? Are you trying to rebel?"


    Nantian Hou spoke with a look of grievance, "Elder Ancestor, please give your grandson justice��" He exaggerated the previous events and angrily said, "In Nantian Wen''s eyes, my son is not even comparable to an outsider��"


    Nantian Yan looked at Nantian Wen and said indifferently, "I have already told Nantian Yu that the quantity of Source Stones stored by our royal family is not abundant, and in the short term, regardless of who makes the request, they cannot be used for the Reincarnation Realm!"


    Seeing this, Nantian Hou, though dissatisfied in his heart, was no longer as furiously angry as before.


    Although Nantian Yu could not use the Reincarnation Realm either.


    But Nantian Wen had also been denied!


    Nantian Wen said repeatedly, "Elder Ancestor, I do not need to use the royal reserves for my application for the Reincarnation Realm; I have already prepared the Source Stones!"


    While saying this.


    He took out a hundred Source Stones.


    Swoosh!


    From atop the Source Stones erupted a brilliantly dazzling light, the energy aura of the Source Stones filling the entire space before the palace. One hundred Source Stones��it was enough to leave even Nantian Yan with a shocked expression.


    "How do you have so many Source Stones?"


    "A hundred Source Stones, who would have thought Nantian Wen to be so wealthy?"


    All were astonished.


    Nantian Yan hesitated for a moment, then said with a grave voice, "Since the Source Stones are provided by yourself, then this opportunity for the Reincarnation Realm��"


    Before he could finish.


    Nantian Hou suddenly interjected, "Elder Ancestor, since the Source Stones are indeed sufficient, this opportunity could certainly be given to Yu''er! I believe His Majesty would definitely put the interest of the royal family first and not favor an outsider for no reason��"


    Nantian Yu was also excited, "Father is right; since the Source Stones are sufficient, naturally, this opportunity for the Reincarnation Realm should belong to me!"


    With these words.


    Everyone''s gaze fell upon Nantian Wen...

 Chapter 897 - 895: Forcibly Seizing and Robbing

    Nantian Wen''s expression suddenly changed.


    He hadn''t expected Nantian Hou and his son to be so shameless, targeting him for the origin stones after failing to acquire them through their ancestors.


    Nantian Yu''s eyes burned with fervor as he solemnly said, "Imperial Uncle, the royal family has limited stores of origin stones, which is largely due to the relationship between you and the Sacred Nantian Land deteriorating, causing the tightening on the flow of origin stones over the years. My inability to obtain the rights to use the Reincarnation Realm is also closely linked to you. Can''t you consider my position?"


    Nantian Hou''s tone was sarcastic, "Imperial Brother, surely you aren''t reluctant to part with them?"


    Faced with the father and son''s coordinated act, Nantian Wen was gloomily pondering his response.


    Unexpectedly, Nantian Hou turned to Nantian Yan, his face a picture of sorrow as he said, "Great Ancestor, Yu desires to borrow the Reincarnation Realm to strengthen our royal foundation. Moreover, with Yu''s talent, once he steps into the Heaven Venerate Realm, his combat power and future potential will surely surpass Nantian Ao. Please, Great Ancestor, make a decision for Yu and have Nantian Wen hand over the origin stones!"


    "Please make a decision, Great Ancestor!"


    Nantian Yu knelt on the ground with a pitiful look.


    This caused Nantian Yan to frown.


    By the order of seniority,


    Nantian Yu was his great-grandson, and indeed, in Nantian Yan''s view, Nantian Yu''s potential was far superior to Nantian Ao, advancing to the Heaven Venerate Realm would be more beneficial for the royal family.


    With this thought,


    Nantian Yan looked at the silent Nantian Wen and commanded, "Your Imperial Brother is right. Xiaoyu''s potential indeed surpasses Nantian Ao, hand over the origin stones to him! And as for Nantian Ao, just explain the situation to him, he will understand!"


    Nantian Hou and Nantian Yu showed ecstatic expressions.


    Both turned their gazes towards Nantian Wen.


    Nantian Wen sighed softly, and with a bitter smile said, "Great Ancestor, these origin stones were not meant for Nantian Ao��"


    "Not for Nantian Ao?"


    "Besides him, who else in our royal family needs to use the Reincarnation Realm?" The listeners were all taken aback.


    Nantian Hou coldly sneered, his eyes bloodshot as he gritted his teeth, "Nantian Wen, are you willing to lose face just to prevent my son from breaking through to the Heaven Venerate Realm? Alright, you say the origin stones are not for Nantian Ao, then tell us, who are they for?"


    Nantian Wen bitterly smiled, "They are prepared for Xiao Yi!"


    Hisss!


    Everyone sharply inhaled in shock.


    Even Nantian Yan looked at him in disbelief.


    Nantian Hou completely lost it, his hair standing on end like an enraged lion, "Nantian Wen, are you still the emperor of our Nantian Dynasty? You''re willing to spend hundreds of precious origin stones for a stranger, but not give this chance to your nephew?"


    "Ha ha ha��"


    Nantian Yu, with a face of grief, "So in Imperial Uncle''s eyes, I''m even less than a stranger?"


    Nantian Yun slightly furrowed her brows, reluctant to get involved, but now couldn''t help but speak up, "Imperial Brother, if that''s the case, you''ve indeed gone too far!"


    "What exactly is happening?" Nantian Yan''s face darkened as he asked.


    Anticipating everyone''s reaction, Nantian Wen knew he could no longer hide the truth and confessed, "This is what happened..."


    He recounted his battle with Xiao Yi at the Xumi Pagoda, where Xiao Yi forced him to use both hands and he lost the wager.


    Additionally...


    Nantian Wen further revealed, "As I have said, these hundred origin stones were provided by Xiao Yi himself. Great Ancestor, the origin stones of our royal family have always been under the control of the clan elders. Even I need the elders'' approval to take any single stone. Do you think I could have taken out a hundred stones by myself? Or do you think, in the vast Nantian Dynasty, anyone else could possess so many origin stones?"


    Everyone fell silent.


    Just as Nantian Wen had stated, aside from the royal family''s clan elders'' treasury, no one else or any other power in the entire Nantian Dynasty could possess a hundred origin stones.


    Nantian Yan''s white eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Since that is the case..."


    Before he could finish speaking,


    Beside him, Nantian Yu spoke up, "Ancestor, regardless of how Xiao Yi obtained these hundred source stones, even if they truly belonged to him, can they not be utilized by me? Xiao Yi isn''t a member of our royal family, his success or failure in becoming a Heaven Venerate has no bearing on us. However, if your grandson can make a breakthrough, it would greatly strengthen our royal family!"


    "You are correct, Yu!"


    Nantian Hou spoke righteously, "Xiao Yi''s Daqian Dynasty is in competition with us. Now, while he is not yet a Heaven Venerate, he already stands as an equal to our dynasty. If he enters the Heaven Venerate Realm, wouldn''t that be aiding our competitor?"


    Arms crossed in front of his chest, Nantian Yan pondered for a moment and then commanded, "They are right, these one hundred source stones should be used by Xiaoyu."


    "Ancestor, this absolutely cannot be done, these source stones are all Xiao Yi''s..." Nantian Wen anxiously said.


    "Enough!"


    Nantian Yan said displeased, "Since you are the emperor, you should prioritize the interests of our Nantian Dynasty above all else. As for Xiao Yi, he is just a lucky youngster. Just appease him by granting him the title of a first-class duke of the Nantian Dynasty. Now, give me the source stones immediately!"


    Nantian Hou quickly praised, "Ancestor is wise!"


    Nantian Yu also bowed respectfully, "Ancestor is sagacious!"


    "Ancestor, this..." Nantian Wen looked exceedingly distressed, is swapping a first-class duke for one hundred source stones merely trifling with a beggar?


    Those one hundred source stones, not to mention exchanging for a duke title, even fetching the title of Comrade King wouldn''t be nearly the value of the tip of those stones.


    Is this an exchange?


    It''s simply robbery!


    "Shut up!"


    Nantian Yan, with a somber expression, rebuked, "Having become the emperor, do you no longer regard this old man? Could it be that such a trivial matter requires disturbing the first and second elders for a decision?"


    Nantian Hou sarcastically said, "Some people, after being emperor for a few years, think they''re fully fledged!"


    Nantian Yu put on a bitter and helpless smile, "Well then, in someone''s eyes, I, the true heir of the royal lineage, am insignificant, not as important as an outsider. Ancestor, since His Majesty is unwilling, then let it be!"


    These words made Nantian Yan''s face change. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His gloomy eyes fixed on Nantian Wen, he extended his hand, and roared, "Aren''t you handing it over? Do you really want me to invite the two elders?"


    The scolding rendered Nantian Wen''s face pale.


    His hands clenched tightly, making cracking noises.


    But he was helpless...


    After all, this was the old ancestor.


    Even as the emperor, he dared not defy.


    Nantian Wen''s eyes struggled, and thoughts of all the intelligence he had gathered about Xiao Yi flashed through his mind. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "Ancestor, this matter should not be decided by us alone. I propose that Xiao Yi be summoned here, the ancestor can ask him face-to-face!"


    Upon hearing this,


    Everyone was stunned.


    Nantian Yan slightly furrowed his eyebrows.


    Beside him, Nantian Hou''s eyes shifted, secretly transmitting his voice, "Ancestor, since Xiao Yi was able to produce one hundred source stones, perhaps he has even more on him��"


    "Hm?"


    Nantian Yan was startled, cast an approving glance at Nantian Hou, a trace of greed flickering in his eyes, and he said solemnly, "Well, since you insist, let''s invite Xiao Yi over then!"


    PS: There are still five more updates tonight, Xiao Tian continues to write!

 Chapter 898 - 896: The Gambit

    Mount Sumeru Hall.


    This is the palace next to Xumi Pagoda, where Xiao Yi is currently sitting.


    He has fully recovered from his injuries.


    Robust as a dragon and fierce as a tiger.


    Merely waiting for Nantian Wen to take him to the Reincarnation Realm.


    "Big Brother, isn''t that old man Nantian Wen too slow? He said he''d be back in an hour, and it''s already been three hours. Why is there still no sign of him?" Little Lin, with legs crossed, was nibbling on a Spirit Fruit, his pitch-black eyes rolling around, glancing towards the entrance from time to time.


    Xiao Yi, who had been meditating with eyes closed, slowly opened them.


    As time passed, his unease grew stronger.


    His premonitions were always eerily accurate.


    Xiao Yi''s brow slightly furrowed as he said in a deep voice, "Let''s wait a bit longer!"


    At this moment��


    Nantian Wen hurried in from outside, accompanied by Nantian Hou, who entered with an air of arrogance, his contemptuous gaze sweeping over Xiao Yi before he indifferently said, "So you are Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yi''s brow twitched slightly as he turned to Nantian Wen, "Big Brother Nantian, who is this?"


    Nantian Wen gave Xiao Yi an apologetic look, then said, "This is my elder brother, Nantian Hou��" He paused for a moment before continuing, "Xiao Yi, I am sorry for the injustice��"


    "I''ll take it from here!"


    Nantian Hou interrupted impatiently, looking down on Xiao Yi with a superior demeanor and said coldly, "Xiao Yi is it? So you''re the one who wants to use our royal family''s Reincarnation Realm?"


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "Indeed, may I know��"


    "I didn''t ask you anything else, you only need to answer yes or no!"


    Nantian Hou rudely cut Xiao Yi off, then commanded, "My son, Nantian Yu, also needs the Reincarnation Realm, but activating it requires a hundred Origin Stones. Our royal treasury is running low on them lately. It just so happens that you can give up your hundred Origin Stones for my son''s use first. Of course, we won''t just take your Origin Stones for nothing. We will grant you a first-rank duke title as compensation..."


    ��


    The great hall fell silent.


    Xiao Yi''s brows were tightly knit.


    Little Lin stared dumbfounded. sea??h th�� n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nantian Ao and Qiu Yiyun also exchanged looks of disbelief.


    Nantian Wen''s face was full of shame, feeling his face burning with humiliation. Such blatant extortion was too disgraceful!


    Xiao Yi frowned, looking at Nantian Wen with displeasure, "Big Brother Nantian, is this what you mean?"


    Nantian Wen gave a wry smile and shook his head, about to speak, but Nantian Hou was already expressing his impatience, "What''s with all the nonsense? We''re not here to negotiate with you, just to inform you that we''ll be requisitioning those hundred Origin Stones. Oh, by the way, since you could produce so many Origin Stones at once, you must have more in reserve, right? Hand them over as well. As compensation, I might consider giving you a scroll of seventh-tier martial arts secrets. As the Daqian Dynasty has such limited resources, such a secret would be extremely rare for you��"


    "Enough!"


    Nantian Wen suddenly exploded with rage, his roar interrupting Nantian Hou.


    His face was grim as he glared at Nantian Hou, his teeth gritted in fury, "Nantian Hou, Xiao Yi is my honored guest, who gave you the authority to do this?" He paused, then turned to Xiao Yi, whose expression was somewhat ugly, "Xiao Yi, this is not as he described. The truth is��"


    Nantian Wen recounted his conversation with Nantian Yan and the others to Xiao Yi.


    After hearing his words, Xiao Yi''s expression softened somewhat.


    He had just begun to acknowledge Nantian Wen.


    If this matter was really Nantian Wen''s idea, or if he had not fought for himself rightfully, then Xiao Yi would never have anything to do with Nantian Wen again.


    As for those one hundred source stones, consider them as chips to clearly see Nantian Wen''s character.


    To him��


    One hundred source stones really meant nothing.


    Fortunately, Nantian Wen did not disappoint him.


    Nantian Wen said with a bitter smile, "Xiao Yi, whether you are willing to give up the source stones is entirely up to you. If you are unwilling, I will immediately return the source stones to you��"


    "Nantian, no need to say more��"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to indicate, looking playfully at Nantian Hou, "Is it your son who wants to snatch my source stones?"


    Nantian Hou snorted coldly, impatiently said, "What nonsense are you talking about? How is this snatching? We are exchanging them with the title of a top duke, our Nantian Dynasty''s royal family would not conduct forceful looting. If you really do not wish to, you can take your source stones and leave. However, from here to the Daqian Dynasty it is indeed a long way, fraught with myriad difficulties. I cannot guarantee your safety back to the Daqian Dynasty��"


    This statement was already a blatant threat.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved up slightly, revealing a playful, cold smile. He leaned slightly forward, gazing at Nantian Hou, "Since it''s an exchange, it should follow the principle of voluntary agreement. Then I can give you a clear answer now, I will not exchange!"


    "Hmm? Are you sure?" Nantian Hou''s face was gloomy.


    Xiao Yi nodded, neither servile nor overbearing, and firmly stated word by word, "I am naturally sure!"


    "Why? Aren''t you afraid you won''t be able to return?" Nantian Hou continued to ask.


    Xiao Yi revealed a grinning smile, with a tone of finality said, "Whether I can return or not is not for you to decide... As for why I am unwilling to exchange with you, it''s because your son is not worthy of using my source stones!"


    Hiss!


    With those words spoken, the temperature in the entire hall suddenly dropped by more than ten degrees.


    On the ground, between the columns, the surfaces of tables and chairs instantly frosted over.


    The ghostly white frost spread everywhere, sending shivers of piercing coldness.


    Kikikiki!


    Nantian Hou''s tightly clenched fists cracked loudly, he laughed in a sinister tone, "Very well, very well, such unworthiness."


    His eyes were already bloodshot, Nantian Yu represented his whole life''s effort, and his pride would least allow him to tolerate any insult, "I originally intended to give you some dignity for the sake of the source stones, but since you refuse to drink a toast and instead embrace the penalty drink, then don''t blame me for being rude. Today it''s not just those one hundred source stones I want, all the treasures on your person must be handed over to me, and you''ve got to crawl under my crotch to quell my anger. Otherwise, prepare yourself to spill blood in Mount Sumeru Hall!"


    Buzz!


    A frigid innate energy transformed into a gust of wind, filling the entire hall.


    This chill swept directly towards Xiao Yi''s face.


    The fight was on the verge of breaking out.


    "Stop!"


    Nantian Wen stepped forward to block between the two, he looked at Nantian Hou with a dark face, "Nantian Hou, don''t go too far. Xiao Yi is my honored guest, do you dare to make a move against him?"


    "Nantian Wen, did you not hear the insults he threw at Yu?" Nantian Hou roared, "A mere brat lucky enough to step in dog shit, what right does he have to insult Yu?"


    "Your ''Yu'' seems to be extremely outstanding?"


    Xiao Yi said with contempt, smiling, "In that case, if your ''Yu'' can defeat me, why not give him the source stones? But if he is no match for me, he does not deserve my source stones! Do you dare to let him fight me?"


    "Hmm? You want to challenge Yu?"


    Nantian Hou looked at Xiao Yi with an eye as if seeing an idiot, laughed loudly, "Since you seek death, why should I not oblige you? May it be as you wish, you fight Yu, but this fight will not determine the ownership of the source stones, victory decides life, the loser dies! Do you dare?"


    Xiao Yi let out a long howl to the sky: "If you want a battle, then let''s battle! What is there to fear?"

 Chapter 899 - 897: Cannot Withstand a Single Blow [Third Update]

    "You want to battle, then let''s battle!"


    Xiao Yi looked emotionlessly at Nantian Hou across from him, his eyes shooting out a tangible fighting spirit.


    A hundred origin stones were mere trivialities to him.


    Had the other party been willing to negotiate nicely, Xiao Yi would not have minded giving them a hundred origin stones, but instead they sought to rob and plunder, even resorting to insults and provocations.


    This Xiao Yi could not tolerate!


    If he could not endure, then there was no need to endure any longer!


    The duel was set in stone.


    This left Nantian Wen unable to say anything more, only casting a helpless and apologetic glance at Xiao Yi, saying in a deep voice, "Since a duel has been agreed, let us sign a contract then!"


    "A contract? Is there a need for that?"


    Nantian Hou frowned and said, "It will be easy for Yu''er to win against him in battle. Is there a need to waste time signing a contract?"


    Despite Xiao Yi''s impressive record in combat,


    In Nantian Hou''s eyes, Xiao Yi was definitely no match for his son Nantian Yu.


    Xiao Yi calmly said, "We must sign the contract, otherwise some people might refuse to acknowledge their loss when the time comes, leading to a lot of trouble!" While speaking, he looked at Nantian Hou with a faint smile, "What? Are you afraid you''ll lose and be unable to deny it?"


    "I will lose?"


    Nantian Hou laughed aloud as if he heard the funniest joke, and with a grand gesture said, "Prince Brother, bring out the contract. If we don''t sign it, people might think the Nantian royal family is afraid of him!" sea??h th�� N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nantian Wen did not respond.


    But with a flick of his wrist, a white scroll materialized in his hand.


    This was a common wagering contract.


    However...


    Nantian Hou was extremely dissatisfied, tossing aside the white scroll and then taking out a completely black scroll. The edges of the black scroll were edged with pale white, interwoven with strands of silver threads.


    Nantian Wen''s face changed dramatically, "Have you gone mad? This is a life-death contract..."


    A life-death contract.


    Once signed, it can only be concluded with the death of one party.


    This was a declaration of life and death!


    Signing such a contract meant the parties involved would not rest until death, leaving no room for turning back.


    Full of confidence, Nantian Hou said, "Yu''er is bound to win this battle, but this brat dared to humiliate Yu''er and even had the audacity to provoke me. How could I let him live as he wishes? We must sign this contract!"


    Swish swish swish!


    Nantian Hou quickly laid out the terms of the contract, releasing a drop of fresh blood, branding it onto the scroll.


    He then threw the scroll to Xiao Yi.


    Nantian Hou provocatively said, "If you''re scared, just kneel down and crawl between my legs, and I might let bygones be bygones!"


    "Idiot!"


    Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, flicking his hand to also send a drop of blood onto the scroll. The entire scroll vibrated with a hum, a trail of bloody light spreading out, tainting all the silver threads with a vivid red color.


    The black and red scroll exuded a chilling aura.


    Nantian Hou revealed a smirk as if his plot had succeeded, pointing at the scroll and then Xiao Yi, "Boy, you''ve been duped! Hahaha, Yu''er is just a step away from the Heaven Venerate Realm, and you can''t possibly defeat him." He paused, then looked at Nantian Wen, "Prince Brother, the life-death contract has been signed, even you cannot intervene in this battle!"


    Nantian Wen''s face was dark, unable to utter a word.


    Xiao Yi merely said, "Let Nantian Yu come out and battle me!"


    "Don''t rush!"


    Nantian Hou sneered as he walked ahead, "Follow me!"


    The group immediately followed Nantian Hou towards the secret space where the clan elders resided. Upon their arrival, Nantian Yan and Nantian Yu had already been waiting for quite some time.


    Nantian Wen said solemnly, "That is Nantian Yan, the third elder of the Supreme Venerables of the Nantian Dynasty, and the youth beside him is Nantian Yu. Although he is only at the Peak of Earth Revered Realm, his combat power is not to be underestimated!"


    "Hm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, his gaze sweeping over Nantian Yu.


    This fellow had a sharp aura of sword intent that was faintly discernible, definitely an exceptional swordsman!


    Among his peers.


    Aside from Chen Longxiang whom he had encountered before, this one was certainly the strongest.


    With an indifferent expression, Nantian Yan asked, "How is the negotiation going?"


    Nantian Wen brought out the scroll and said in a deep voice, "Ancestral Grandfather, Xiao Yi was unwilling to accept Nantian Hou''s conditions, and the two have settled on a life-death contract. A decisive battle to determine their fates!"


    "A life-death contract?"


    Nantian Yan was taken aback for a moment, frowning as he looked at that black-and-crimson scroll. His expression turned somewhat displeased. "What folly, for us the legitimate royal bloodline of the Nantian Dynasty, how can we possibly enter into a life-and-death contract with such a humble and base person?"


    Little Lin was suddenly enraged: "Old scoundrel, who are you calling of humble blood?"


    "Little Lin..."


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed. He was just about to take action, but then he saw Nantian Yan giving a cold snort. A peerless oppressive force transformed into an invisible shockwave and violently flung Little Lin away.


    Oof!


    Little Lin thudded to the ground, blood spurting from his mouth, his face immediately turning a shade of deadly pale.


    "You..."


    Xiao Yi was enraged, his eyes instantly turning bloodshot as he glared fiercely at Nantian Yan.


    Nantian Yan''s face was expressionless.


    Nantian Hou, with a look of schadenfreude on his face, said, "An ignorant fool who doesn''t know whether he''s dead or alive, dares to provoke the Supreme Venerable? That our ancestor did not kill him is already an act of mercy!"


    "Ancestor, please give me some face!" Nantian Wen stood in front of Xiao Yi and spoke in a grave voice.


    Nantian Yan said coldly, "Since the contract has been set, this battle shall proceed according to the contract!"


    "Ancestor, rest assured!"


    Nantian Yu swore confidently, "I won''t let the royal family lose face!"


    Xiao Yi helped Little Lin up and after checking him over, he felt relieved. Thankfully, he had warned Little Lin in time and Little Lin''s body was extraordinarily strong. This time, he had only suffered a bit of internal injury, which was not fatal.


    "B-Boss, that old man is very powerful..." Little Lin said, gritting his teeth.


    Xiao Yi hummed in acknowledgment.


    He also gained a deeper understanding of the powerful beings known as Supreme Venerables.


    Just now, it was only because Nantian Yan had not the intent to kill. If he had actually wanted to kill Little Lin, Xiao Yi would have been unable to stop him.


    Nantian Yu, growing impatient, urged, "Xiao Yi, is it? My time as Princely Heir is limited, I don''t have time to waste your precious cultivation time. The contract we have is a life-and-death one, this battle requires that one of us must die here, and no one is to interfere! Not even Uncle Emperor can step in to save you!"


    "Who needs others to interfere in our battle?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Nantian Yu expressionlessly and raised a finger, "For trash like you, one move is enough!"


    "What did you say?"


    Nantian Yu''s smile disappeared, replaced by extreme fury and ferocity, he sneered, "Well said, Xiao Yi. Since my birth until today, no one has ever dared to humiliate me like this. This day next year will be your death anniversary!"


    Boom!


    Nantian Yu dove forward, swinging his arms, and unleashing two simultaneous palm strikes.


    Whoosh Whoosh!


    The palm strikes came with a sky-splitting force, and the crisscrossing silver light was trapped in a series of metallic reverberations, enclosing Xiao Yi within it. Faced with Nantian Yu''s violent onslaught, Xiao Yi stood still and calm, as if he was a meditating monk unaffected by the chaos.


    Nantian Hou exclaimed with pride, "Brother Emperor, it looks like the outcome of this battle is predetermined!"


    Nantian Wen glanced at him and chuckled as he shook his head, "You''re celebrating too soon!"


    "Huh?"


    Nantian Hou was stunned.


    Just as he began to speak...


    Suddenly, Xiao Yi raised a finger and rapidly tapped the empty air. The crisp sounds of his fleshy finger shattering those incredibly sharp palm strikes filled the air.


    All of a sudden...


    Xiao Yi tapped the ground with his toe, shot out like a scorching meteor, swerving past the shattered palm strikes, a single finger piercing the air towards his foe: "Star-Breaking Finger!"


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh!


    Countless starlights scattered across the sky converged on the tip of his finger.


    Transforming into a silver river of stars.


    Swoosh!


    This river of stars instantly covered everything in sight, and even the haughty Nantian Yu found himself engulfed within the Xinghe. His body shook violently as bursts of crackling sounds erupted from him.


    With each crackling sound, a mist of fresh blood followed.


    As many as seventy-two clusters of blood fog spread densely.


    Under the stupefied gazes of the onlookers, the once haughty Nantian Yu thudded to the ground with a loud crash.


    "..."


    All around was silent.


    Nantian Yan, Nantian Hou, and even Nantian Wen were speechless, as if they were under a petrification spell.


    Only Xiao Yi remained expressionless, gazing down at Nantian Yu from his high vantage point, and spoke softly, "Pathetic!"

 Chapter 900 - 898: Double Kill with One Sword! [Fourth Update]

    "Pathetic!"


    Xiao Yi expressionlessly looked at Nantian Yu lying on the ground.


    Nantian Yu was really out of luck.


    His talents and strength were absolutely top-notch among the younger generation of the Southern State, and even when facing top geniuses from the Nantian Holy Land, he was not much weaker.


    Unfortunately...


    His opponent this time was Xiao Yi!


    With Xiao Yi''s current combat power, even a warrior of the Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm could be slain by him.


    Let alone Nantian Yu who was at the Peak of Earth Revered Realm?


    "You, you..."


    Nantian Yu tried to get up, only to find that all the meridians in his body were blasted open by a flick of Xiao Yi''s finger. Now, not to mention having the strength to fight again, it was extravagant for him to even take care of himself.


    He lay in a pool of blood like a lump of mud.


    The brilliance of the genius he once was had long vanished.


    All that was left were horror and disbelief.


    He simply couldn''t accept that he, who was once held high and hailed as a peerless genius, couldn''t even block a single finger from Xiao Yi. His pale face was filled with despair and resentment, staring deadly at Xiao Yi: "Impossible, you must have used some despicable means to sneak attack, I couldn''t possibly fail to block even one of your fingers..."


    "Sneak attack?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, then sneered and shook his head, "You might as well ask the few people here, did I really win by sneak attack?"


    Nantian Yu looked towards Nantian Yan and the others.


    Nantian Yan slightly narrowed his eyes, expressionless.


    Nantian Wen lightly shook his head.


    Only Nantian Hou had a grim expression, enough to drip water, and his eyes were completely occupied by crimson blood vessels, staring at Xiao Yi like a venomous snake lurking in the dark fixated on its prey.


    "Father, Father..."


    Nantian Yu spoke with difficulty. S��arch* The nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The expressions on their faces had already told him the answer.


    He had truly lost!


    He really couldn''t block even one move from Xiao Yi!


    "Impossible, I am of the royal bloodline, how could I lose to someone of such lowly lineage as you..." Nantian Yu desperately shook his head, his murmuring voice growing louder, eventually turning into a hysterical roar.


    Boom!


    A burst of blood light suddenly appeared around Nantian Yu''s body, as he completely burned his potential, and under the enhancement of a mad will, he regained control of his body.


    But it was a light of death''s door!


    Once this power dissipated, at best he would be completely crippled, at worst he would die on the spot!


    But now Nantian Yu couldn''t care about anything else, as the only thought in his mind was to kill Xiao Yi in front of him, to kill the man who brought him endless humiliation.


    "I want your life!"


    Nantian Yu''s voice was like thunder, deafening.


    This roar caused Xiao Yi''s ears to ring.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Silver sword lights flew out from his body, amazingly more than nine thousand long swords. Countless swords merged into a river of swords, swirling around him and finally converging above his head.


    Forming a silver vortex of sword light.


    "Sky-shattering Slash!"


    Nantian Yu held two long swords high above his head, his palms together, and the speed of the swirling sword light vortex suddenly increased tenfold, converging into a hundred-zhang long sword with a resonant sound, bursting forth with awe-inspiring sword intent, "Die for me!"


    Whoosh!


    The hundred-zhang long sword slashed directly at Xiao Yi.


    "Good, this is the true character of our royal bloodline that I expected to see!" Nantian Yan''s eyes shone brightly, he couldn''t stop praising Nantian Yu''s insane strike.


    Nantian Hou breathed a sigh of relief, with the resources of the Nantian Dynasty even if Nantian Yu was seriously injured there were ways to heal him, all that mattered now was for Nantian Yu to slay Xiao Yi, no matter the cost!


    "Kill him, kill him..." Nantian Hou clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with hysterical madness.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Blade intent condensed, bringing an unparalleled suppressive force.


    Xiao Yi''s feet shattered the ground beneath him, where under the terrifying pressure not even the wind moved but the surface was rushing towards the sky with whooshing sounds.


    Spiderweb-like cracks spread out from his feet in all directions.


    "Not good!"


    Nantian Wen''s face changed drastically, the power of this blade exceeded his expectations, "Xiao Yi definitely cannot withstand this move, he is surely doomed..."


    He was about to intervene.


    Beside him, Nantian Hou, who was already prepared, quickly blocked him, and with a grim face said, "Royal brother, they have signed a life-and-death contract. No one should interfere; don''t tell me you intend to break the contract!"


    "You..."


    Nantian Wen''s face stiffened, just as he was about to argue, Nantian Yan waved his hand calmly: "Stop arguing, since a life-and-death contract was signed, no one should intervene!"


    Although this statement seemed fair and impartial, it actually favored Nantian Yu.


    Nantian Hou''s lips curled up in smug triumph as he tilted his chin towards Nantian Wen.


    However...


    Nantian Wen simply ignored him, instead exclaiming in shock: "Damn, this kid..."


    "Hahaha, it seems Yu''er''s blade is truly formidable, even you couldn''t help but exclaim, Yu''er, show some mercy, don''t chop Xiao Yi into countless pieces..." Nantian Hou''s words abruptly halted.


    Within his line of sight...


    Faced with the sky full of blade light, Xiao Yi reached forward with his right hand, seizing the Demon Sword that descended into his palm amidst endless Hei Mang, merging man and sword into one.


    "Sword Twenty-Three!"


    Four words lightly spoken.


    Swoosh, swoosh!


    Two sword lights gathered between heaven and earth, transforming into a bifurcated Sword Array.


    The Sword Arrays interlinked and enticed each other.


    Forming a unity!


    Under the onslaught of countless sword rains, the blade light was completely shattered. The sword rain did not halt, tangling and morphing in the air, condensing into a dragon of sword light.


    The sword dragon, showing its fangs, charged directly at Nantian Yu.


    "Not good!"


    Nantian Hou''s face changed drastically, if he did not intervene now, Nantian Yu would surely be on a path of death.


    Nantian Wen blocked him: "We agreed that no one would intervene..."


    "Get out of the way!"


    Nantian Hou roared in fury.


    Just then, Nantian Yan coldly snorted, flicking his finger to create a silver wall of innate power that blocked Nantian Wen from the outside, preventing him from stopping Nantian Hou.


    Nantian Wen''s eyes were filled with disbelief as he looked at Nantian Yan: "Great Ancestor, didn''t you say no one could intervene? Why is this..."


    He tried to aid Xiao Yi, Nantian Yan decreed no intervention.


    Nantian Hou tried to aid Nantian Yu, and he blocked his own, giving a chance for Nantian Hou to intervene.


    How unjust is this?!


    Nantian Yan glanced at him lightly, his expression indifferent: "Royal bloodline, how can we allow inferior bloodlines to sully it?"


    "Foolish, Great Ancestor, you are being foolish..." Nantian Wen cries out in grief and anger continuously, "You are not saving them by doing this, but harming them! They are doomed..."


    "Hmm?"


    Nantian Yan was startled, yet scoffed dismissively, "Nonsense, with Nantian Hou personally intervening, even a Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm cannot harm him, him, dammit, this can''t be real..."


    Nantian Yan could no longer keep his calm, his last few words slipping out.


    J ust then, Nantian Hou rushed into the Sword Array, blocking in front of Nantian Yu, and the Azure Dragon Sword precisely struck down. With a loud boom, countless sharp swords pierced through Nantian Hou''s body.


    Blood sprayed wildly, his body covered with holes that one could see right through.


    And the sword''s momentum did not decrease.


    It covered Nantian Yu entirely below the sword rain.


    When all the sword light vanished.


    On the ground.


    Lay two corpses, facing each other, kneeling.


    One sword...


    Double! Kill!


    PS: Two more updates left!

 Chapter 901 - 899: The Supreme Venerable Submits [Fifth Update]

    A double kill with a single sword!


    Nantian Yu and his son knelt face to face on the ground, as their bodies were pierced through by countless sword lights.


    Even the Primordial Spirit of Nantian Hou did not escape this fate.


    Under the assault of Sword Twenty-Three, his Primordial Spirit was shredded, leading to death and the obliteration of his path.


    Nantian Hou, a formidable Fourth Order Heavenly Venerable Realm practitioner, faced Xiao Yi''s most powerful strike without any power to resist.


    Gulp!


    Nantian Wen swallowed hard.


    Even though he had long known of Xiao Yi''s strength, and was aware that he had slain Master Tianyun, a Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm practitioner, witnessing Xiao Yi killing Nantian Hou and his son with a single sword still left him utterly shocked. After all, he knew that even someone as talented as himself could not accomplish this feat at the same realm as Xiao Yi.


    "Dead?"


    Nantian Yan''s face turned extremely grim.


    He had never imagined that Nantian Hou and his son would die at Xiao Yi''s hand, let alone that someone would dare to assassinate the royal lineage right in front of him, the Supreme Venerable ancestor of the Nantian Dynasty!


    "Kid, you''ve gone too far!" An icy voice squeezed through Nantian Yan''s clenched teeth.


    Xiao Yi looked up at him.


    This was his first time directly facing a Supreme Venerable level powerhouse!


    But at this point...


    There was no fear in Xiao Yi, he replied with neither servility nor insolence, "Too far? I do not know where I have exceeded bounds?"


    "Daring to kill the legitimate bloodline of my imperial family right in front of me, is that not going too far?" Nantian Yan said.


    Xiao Yi sneered, "I had a life-and-death contract with Nantian Yu. Life and death are determined by fate, wealth and honor are in the hands of heaven, where is the wrong in that?"


    "Hmph!"


    Nantian Yan couldn''t refute and could only say coldly, "If Xiaoyu had a life-and-death contract with you and he died, only his lack of skill is to blame. But you should never have killed Nantian Hou as well..."


    "The terms of the contract clearly state no one shall interfere. Nantian Hou, however, disregarded the agreement and attempted to intervene in our conflict. Was I wrong to slay him?"


    Xiao Yi stood his ground confrontationally, stepping forward aggressively, "Should I simply stretch out my neck and wait for him to kill me without the right to retaliate? What kind of logic is that? Could it be that the third ancestor of the grand Nantian Dynasty is going to bully the weak, use his power to oppress, and seek revenge for the two of them?"


    "You, you..."


    Nantian Yan''s complexion alternated between shades of green and white, and even with his temperament, he was provoked by Xiao Yi to the point of speechlessness.


    Bullying the weak, using power to oppress.


    If he truly made a move with his Supreme Cultivation to suppress Xiao Yi, the fallout would ruin his reputation once the news spread. After all, the six great holy lands had an agreement that those above the Supreme rank should not interfere at will, let alone take action against Xiao Yi after a lost wager.


    Nantian Wen took a deep breath, compelled to defuse the tension, "Ancestor, Xiao Yi, both of you please calm down!"


    He never got along well with Nantian Hou.


    Nantian Hou''s death was virtually a great fortune for Nantian Wen.


    However...


    Before Nantian Yan, he could not show even a trace of pleasure, and said in a heavy tone, "Arguing now is futile... Since Nantian Yu is dead, Xiao Yi is the victor of the wager. Our Nantian Dynasty has always honored our words, so naturally, we will not pursue this matter further. What do you say, ancestor?"


    With a cold snort, Nantian Yan was silent for a moment, and then nodded, "You''re right, the royal house of Nantian can afford to lose!"


    Only after hearing these words did Xiao Yi silently breathe a sigh of relief.


    His tense nerves also relaxed.


    If Nantian Yan really intended to kill him, he had no confidence in escaping alive from a Supreme Venerable powerhouse''s hands!


    Nantian Wen felt a sense of relief as well and said, "Since that''s the case, let''s fulfill the terms of the wager and send Xiao Yi to the Reincarnation Realm for training!"


    "Bring the source stones!" Nantian Yan said with a dark face.


    He would have loved nothing more than to slap Xiao Yi to death, but firstly, it was indeed Nantian Hou who had broken the contract, and secondly, Nantian Wen was supporting Xiao Yi. After all, he was the emperor of the Nantian Dynasty, and even Nantian Yan had to show him some respect.


    Nantian Wen handed over a hundred source stones to Nantian Yan.


    Looking at the hundred source stones in hand, a glint of greed flickered in Nantian Yan''s eyes, but he quickly suppressed this covetous thought.


    Nantian Yan waved his hand, collecting the bodies of Nantian Hou and his son, then glanced coldly at Xiao Yi and said indifferently, "Follow me!"


    Nantian Wen gestured to follow. S��ar?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin trailed closely behind...


    A short while later.


    They arrived at the Reincarnation Hall in the Reincarnation Realm, where the hall, shaped like an octagon, subtly conformed to the positions of the Bagua in Qimen Dunjia.


    In the center of the grand hall.


    Atop a stone platform, an ancient-looking bronze mirror was placed.


    This is the Reincarnation Realm.


    Also known as the Reincarnation Mirror!


    Nantian Wen pointed to the bronze mirror on the stone platform and said in a deep voice, "Just place the origin stone within, and you can activate the passage to the Reincarnation Realm, allowing your consciousness to enter the Reincarnation Realm and acquire a random life."


    Nantian Yan still had a grim expression.


    After placing the origin stone on the stone platform, he formed several mysterious hand signs.


    Crack crack crack!


    The stone platform shook violently.


    The hundred origin stones quietly melted at a visible speed, turning into pure and refined energy, which was then completely absorbed by the Reincarnation Mirror. After absorbing the energy of the origin stones, the Reincarnation Mirror emitted a bronze glow that seemed to fleetingly reveal a myriad of worlds within the mirror.


    "Go then!" Nantian Yan said expressionlessly.


    Nantian Wen whispered, "Go ahead, I will protect you!"


    He was telling Xiao Yi that no one would be allowed to harm his body.


    Xiao Yi hummed in acknowledgment, took a few steps forward, paused with his foot planted, and turned back to look at Nantian Yan, "Great Protector, using the Reincarnation Realm this time has been troublesome for you. This junior here has a modest gift to show my appreciation!"


    Nantian Yan refused coldly, "No need, there isn''t much in this world that catches the eye of this old man, keep your trash for yourself!"


    "Uh..."


    Xiao Yi confirmed with an odd expression, "Senior is certain you don''t want it?"


    "No need!"


    Nantian Yan said coldly.


    Xiao Yi said alright then, and immediately tossed a palm-sized green bag to Nantian Wen, smiling, "Brother Nantian, since the Great Protector has no regard for my gift, I''ll give it to you!"


    Before he had finished speaking,


    Xiao Yi was already enveloped in the bronze light.


    His body unconsciously settled in a seated position before the stone platform, his eyes closed, yet his consciousness had already entered the Reincarnation Realm.


    At the same time...


    Nantian Wen opened the bag out of curiosity, his face stiffened as he muttered, "Damn, this kid is way too generous, isn''t he?"


    Nantian Yan looked at Nantian Wen with annoyance, scolding, "As the Nantian Dynasty''s emperor, how can you be so uncomposed?"


    "..."


    Nantian Wen wore a peculiar smile, opened the bag, and pushed it towards Nantian Yan, saying, "Ancestor, take a look..."


    "Hmph, what good things could that kid possibly give..."


    Nantian Yan scoffed, but his gaze inadvertently swept over the contents, and he could not move his eyes away.


    Inside the bag was, incredibly, a hundred origin stones!


    Hiss!


    Even with Nantian Yan''s disposition, he couldn''t help but gasp in shock, his face showing a mixture of laughter and tears as he looked at Xiao Yi''s back, expressing a look of amusement and frustration, "If I had known this youngster was so generous, why would I have bothered scheming so? Nantian Hou, oh Nantian Hou, if you had known this earlier, would you have given up your life for nothing?"


    At that moment...


    Both Nantian Wen and Nantian Yan couldn''t help but feel sympathy for Nantian Hou and his son.


    If only they had sought kindly counsel earlier.


    Would it have come to such an outcome?


    Now, they had lost their lives for nothing...


    "Ancestor, about this..." Nantian Wen pointed at the bag, probing.


    Nantian Yan glanced at him, sighed softly, "Since it''s given to you, keep it." He paused, his gaze growing complex as he looked at Xiao Yi, and said seriously, "You were right; this young fellow is indeed worth winning over. Once he returns from the Reincarnation Realm, you may reveal some information about that plan to him..."


    "That''s exactly what I''m planning!" Nantian Wen said.


    Nantian Yan hummed in affirmation, squinting his eyes, and muttered to himself, "The new waves of the Tianhe river push forward the old... Now, it really is the younger generation''s era..."


    Xiao Yi, having already entered the Reincarnation Realm, was unaware.


    A Supreme Venerable...


    Had been persuaded by him!


    At this moment...


    He was already in the Reincarnation Realm, embarking on a brand new, completely different life��

 Chapter 902 - 900 I Want to Practice Martial Arts!

    Within the Reincarnation Realm.


    Great Cang Country, Nanyun Province, Fuyun County.


    Nested at the foot of the Floating Cloud Mountain Range is a village known as the Xiao Family Village. As it is near the Floating Cloud Mountain, the villagers of the Xiao Family Village earn their living by hunting and have cultivated a robust and sturdy local culture.


    Among the neighboring villages within ten miles, it is considered one of the top.


    On this day...


    The village chief''s home in the Xiao Family Village was bustling with excitement. The village chief, Xiao Yunlong, was pacing back and forth outside the door, his face filled with nervousness and anxiety, occasionally looking towards the room.


    Approaching the door, he listened intently.


    Inside, the painful screams of a woman could be heard.


    This made Xiao Yunlong even more agitated, pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pan. Several times he raised his hand intending to push open the door but ultimately stopped himself. He had lost count of the number of times he had come to the door and was just about to push it open when suddenly, a loud cry rang out from inside.


    Waa...


    Waa waa...


    The crying was loud and ear-piercing.


    The midwife pushed open the door, holding a swaddled baby and joyfully announced: "Congratulations to the village chief, hearty congratulations, you''ve been blessed with a son!"


    "A son? I have a son? Quick, let daddy hold him..."


    Xiao Yunlong was stunned for a moment but quickly took the baby and teased him for a bit, then anxiously asked the midwife, "How is my lady? Is she alright?"


    "All is well, both mother and child are safe!" the midwife reassured repeatedly.


    "That''s good, that''s very good!"


    Xiao Yunlong breathed a sigh of relief, holding the baby as he entered the room. Seeing his wife Lin Ying''s weakened face on the bed, Xiao Yunlong said with heartache, "My lady, it is all this little rascal''s fault for tiring you out. If he grows up and isn''t filial to you, I''ll see if I don''t break his dog legs!"


    "You dare? If you lay a finger on my son, I''ll break your legs first!"


    Lin Ying glared back in response.


    Xiao Yunlong: "..."


    Lin Ying snorted and played with the baby in her arms, asking, "Husband, have you thought of a name for our son?"


    "I''ve already thought of the name. If it''s a daughter, we''d name her Xiao Piaoliang, if it''s a son, we''ll just casually name him Xiao Suiyi..." Before he finished, Xiao Yunlong was pinched hard by Lin Ying, which made him wince in pain.


    Lin Ying gazed at the baby in her arms: "Xiao Suiyi sounds too casual... Suiyi Suiyi... I think Xiao Yi suits him better!"


    "Xiao Yi?"


    Xiao Yunlong grunted and murmured under his breath, "Xiao Suiyi sounds better though..."


    ......


    Time flies like a shuttle.


    In the blink of an eye, eight years have passed.


    In the Xiao Family Village, on the training ground.


    A group of youths is enduring tough training under the scorching sun, led by the former hunting team captain of the Xiao Family Village, Xiao Yunhu. He is also Xiao Yi''s uncle, and a third-rate martial artist. Unfortunately, during one hunt, a demonic beast bit off one of his legs, rendering him unable to hunt in the mountains anymore.


    Thus, Xiao Yunhu stayed in the village to teach the local children.


    "The path of martial arts, from the unranked to the third-rate, second-rate, and first-rate martial artists, and then upwards to the legendary innate masters. Only by reaching the third-rate martial artist level can one be considered truly initiated, and those who achieve the second-rate level can walk sideways in Fuyun County without anyone daring to provoke them! First-rate martial artists, even in the capital of Great Cang Country, are treated as honored guests, and the legendary innate masters are supremely venerable figures! However..."


    Xiao Yunhu''s eyes swept over the crowd, "Without taking small steps, one cannot travel a thousand miles. To achieve success in the martial path, one must lay down a solid foundation from a young age. Now is the time for you to build that foundation, you must not slack, understood?"


    "Understood!"


    Dozens of children shouted back in response.


    Xiao Yunhu nodded with satisfaction: "Continue training!"


    Hah!


    Ha!


    The groups of children continued their arduous cultivation.


    Xiao Yunhu''s gaze, however, turned toward a spot not too far away��under the shade of the trees...


    A young man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, exuding an imposing aura, was lazily sitting under the tree shade, holding a large chicken leg in his hand and nibbling away with grease all over his mouth.


    This youth was Xiao Yi, situated within the Reincarnation Realm!


    For these eight years...


    Xiao Yi, being the sole son of the village head, was adored and spoiled like no one else in the Xiao Family Village.


    No worries about food or clothes, he led a life of leisure and ease.


    Xiao Yunhu frowned and walked under the shade of a tree: "Xiao Yi, you''re not joining the training again?"


    "Training? Why should I train?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Xiao Yunhu with a puzzled face, "With father and you uncles around, I have nothing to worry about, why should I train as hard as you all? I neither want to be a renowned hero nor aim to dominate Fuyun County, I just want to live quietly as a rich second generation��"


    "You��"


    Xiao Yunhu felt a wave of helplessness wash over him; he was utterly powerless when it came to his nephew who only wished to live a lazy life.


    He was about to say something persuasive when a commotion arose from the village entrance: "Something terrible has happened, the village head and the others have met with disaster��"


    "The village head and his team encountered a monster attack in the mountains, the hunting party suffered heavy casualties��"


    "The village�� the village head was also killed by the monster��"


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yunhu''s face changed dramatically, and with a leap, he dashed towards the village entrance like a tiger coming down the mountain, kicking up trails of dust.


    Xiao Yi still held a chicken leg in his hand.


    But his movement seemed as though it had frozen in place.


    It wasn''t until a gust of wind blew the dust stirred up by Xiao Yunhu into his face that he relaxed his grip, letting the chicken leg fall to the ground; he stared blankly in the direction of the village entrance: "Dad�� Dad is dead?"


    "It can''t be, Dad can''t be dead��"


    Eight-year-old Xiao Yi was pale as he scrambled and rolled toward the village entrance.


    When he got there,


    most of the Xiao Family Village''s residents were gathered, all with extremely grim expressions, the atmosphere was desperately oppressive. Among them, many women were wailing, including Xiao Yi''s mother, Lin Ying.


    In the crowd��


    Xiao Yi saw bodies and blood.


    These were bodies beyond recognition, as for his father Xiao Yunlong, only a head and half a torso remained, covered with a white cloth.


    But the blood stained the white cloth and continued to drip down relentlessly.


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yi''s mind went blank.


    Memories with his father, the meticulous care and affection over eight years, and now, the man who protected and tolerated him like a mountain, lay dead before him.


    Thump!


    Thump!


    The world seemed to have gone silent, with only the sound of his own heartbeat audible.


    "Wuwuwu�� The village head died protecting us, if not for him letting us escape, he wouldn''t have been killed by the monster��"


    "The village head met such a tragic death��"


    "That monster was too fierce!"


    Several hunters from the village, covered in blood, wept aloud.


    Xiao Yunhu''s face was grim, his fists clenched tightly, crunching in anger, he ground his teeth and said, "Why? Why am I so weak? If I were strong enough, I could fight side by side with my brother, fear no monster attacks, and protect everyone. My brother wouldn''t have died, why��"


    Weak? S~ea??h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Strong?


    Protect everyone?


    These words lingered in Xiao Yi''s mind, seemingly turning into a seed deep within his heart, taking root and beginning to sprout��


    This tragedy was like a dark cloud looming over the Xiao Family.


    But grief would eventually pass.


    Life still had to go on.


    Half a month later��


    The Xiao Family had once again returned to its usual peace, as if nothing had changed.


    The only difference was in front of Xiao Yunhu, where Xiao Yi was no longer loafing around, but instead looked at him with determination: "Uncle, I want to train in martial arts, I want to become strong��"


    PS: Today''s update is over! The diligent Xiao Tian is back, hope everyone continues to support Xiao Tian! Going to sleep for a bit now, and will continue tomorrow��

 Chapter 903 - 901: The Brink of War

    "Practice martial arts?"


    Xiao Yunhu looked at Xiao Yi in astonishment, unable to resist reaching out to touch his forehead, suspecting that his nephew might have a problem with his brain.


    For a long time,


    Xiao Yi''s biggest dream was to be a carefree, wealthy second-generation, living like a lazy fish.


    Neither Xiao Yunhu nor Xiao Yunlong could persuade him; he had no interest in martial arts.


    Gradually, they both gave up trying to convince him.


    Unexpectedly...


    Xiao Yi suddenly proposed to practice martial arts himself?


    "There''s no fever either!"


    Xiao Yunhu squatted down, looked at Xiao Yi in puzzlement, and asked, "Xiao Yi, could you tell uncle why you suddenly want to practice martial arts?"


    Xiao Yi was silent for a moment, looking in the direction of his home.


    White lanterns still hung there.


    He could faintly see his mother, who was becoming increasingly haggard due to missing his father; Xiao Yi clenched his small fists firmly, his tender voice resolute: "I want to become strong, to protect mother, villagers, everyone..."


    Buzz!


    Xiao Yunhu''s face drastically changed.


    He couldn''t believe his eyes; glimpsing shades of the deceased Xiao Yunlong in Xiao Yi, who was merging with his uncle''s image, as Xiao Yunlong had an unmatched prestige in the Xiao Family Village.


    The greatest reason wasn''t Xiao Yunlong''s strength, but because he used all his power to protect the villagers, to safeguard everyone.


    In the past. S��arch* The n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The county magistrate of Fuyun County had offered Xiao Yunlong the position of Deputy Commander of the city guard, but he had to refuse in order to protect his kin and loved ones.


    Until half a month ago, Xiao Yunlong died at the hands of a demon beast, while hunting in the mountains to gather supplies for the villagers to survive the winter.


    How similar is this moment''s Xiao Yi to Xiao Yunlong?


    Sigh!


    Xiao Yunhu took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, uncle understands your feelings. But the path of martial arts is extremely difficult and perilous, fraught with life-threatening dangers. Just like your father who was a second-tier martial artist, yet he ultimately perished by a demon beast. Do you really want to practice martial arts?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Yi nodded vigorously, his gaze incredibly determined: "I''m sure I want to practice martial arts, I want to become strong. To protect mother, to protect everyone..."


    "Alright, your uncle will help you!"


    Xiao Yunhu solemnly promised.


    From that day on...


    The villagers of the Xiao Family Village noticed that Xiao Yi, who had always been lazy and wished to be carefree, actually started practicing martial arts, and most diligently at that.


    Before dawn, he would begin practicing.


    After dark, he was still practicing.


    Day after day.


    Year after year.


    In the blink of an eye, seven years had passed, and Xiao Yi had grown into a handsome and remarkable young man with a tall stature nearly 1.9 meters high, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, carrying a sharpness.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The deafening roar came from the training ground, where Xiao Yi was practicing his boxing technique.


    His punches roared like a tiger in the forest.


    His retracting punches resembled lightning and thunder.


    The momentum was enormous.


    "Ha!"


    Xiao Yi leaps forward, pouncing toward a two-meter-tall boulder like a hungry tiger. His fists simultaneously strike the boulder, causing it to instantly shatter with a loud crack.


    The surrounding villagers watch in astonishment and exclaim, "Goodness, several strong men from our village carried that boulder here, and Xiao Yi broke it with a single punch? He must at least be a third-tier Martial Artist now, right?"


    "Definitely has stepped into the third-tier Martial Artist realm, did you see the smile bloom on Yun Hu''s face?"


    "Haha, our Xiao Family Village finally has another third-tier Martial Artist..."


    "Let''s see who dares to bully us now!"


    "Good!"


    Xiao Yunhu couldn''t help but stand up in excitement, his eyes filled with amazement: "Xiao Yi, congratulations! In just seven years, you''ve made it to the ranks of third-tier Martial Artists! From now on, you can join the hunting team and enter the mountains with them..."


    "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle!"


    Xiao Yi clenches his fists, his eyes brimming with ecstasy.


    It''s been seven years!


    He had finally reached the realm of third-tier Martial Artists, gaining the power to protect the Xiao Family Village.


    However...


    Xiao Yi looked at his fists, his eyes flashing with determination: "Third-tier Martial Artist? Not enough, far from enough. Dad was a second-tier Martial Artist and still died at the hands of that beast. I can''t relax; I need to become even stronger..."


    From that day on, Xiao Yi joined the hunting team and went into the mountains.


    With his addition as a third-tier Martial Artist, the Xiao Family Village hunting team''s yield greatly increased, and the whole village began to prosper.


    One year.


    Two years.


    Three years...


    In the blink of an eye, five years passed.


    Xiao Yi had grown into a twenty-year-old young man, who officially stepped into the second-tier Martial Artists'' ranks, half a year after becoming a second-tier Martial Artist.


    Xiao Yi ventured into Floating Cloud Mountain alone, in search of the beast that killed Xiao Yunlong...


    Twenty years passed in the Reincarnation Realm.


    But in the Qingtian Realm, it had only been the time it took for a stick of incense to burn.


    Little Lin, Nantian Wen, and Nantian Yan were all stationed in front of the Reincarnation Mirror, watching through the ancient bronze mirror how Xiao Yi spent those twenty years inside.


    As twenty years passed in the Reincarnation Realm and Xiao Yi showed no signs of awakening his memory, Little Lin looked worriedly at Nantian Wen: "Your Majesty Nantian, when will my boss awaken his memory?"


    "I... can''t say for sure," Nantian Wen said with a rueful smile.


    Nantian Yan, who had received benefits from Xiao Yi, also underwent a subtle change in attitude and spoke lightly: "Ever since the Reincarnation Realm came into the hands of our royal family, the longest someone has stayed there was three thousand years. That person persisted for three thousand years before awakening his memory and underwent a transformation, completely unlocking his potential..."


    "Three thousand years in the Reincarnation Realm?" Little Lin gasped.


    It''s only been twenty years for Xiao Yi!


    Little Lin puzzled: "The longer one stays in the Reincarnation Realm, the more benefits they gain?"


    "In theory, yes, but..." Nantian Yan said lightly, "It all depends on whether he can awaken!"


    Nantian Wen nodded and added: "Once one falls in the Reincarnation Realm, they can never return. Once, a supreme genius from our royal family stayed there for nine thousand years; he did not awaken his memory and died from lifespan exhaustion right in the Reincarnation Realm."


    Experiencing a completely different life in the Reincarnation Realm, if one cannot awaken their memory, and exhausts their lifespan inside, their consciousness and soul will assume they have perished.


    Naturally, they cannot awaken.


    Little Lin clenched his fists, his gaze resolute: "Just a mere Reincarnation Realm; there''s no way it can defeat the boss!"


    Meanwhile.


    On that ancient bronze mirror, after months of searching in the deep forests, Xiao Yi finally found the beast that killed Xiao Yunlong.


    Man and beast faced each other.


    A great battle was about to erupt!

 Chapter 904 - 902: Heaven and Earth Grow Old, Only I Remain Eternal!

    Within the Floating Cloud Mountain Range.


    Amidst the lush verdant trees, Xiao Yi clenched a long spear in his hand, his expression solemn as he stared at the wolf demon radiating silver light in front of him.


    With emerald-green eyes firmly fixed on Xiao Yi, the wolf demon growled low in its throat, saliva dripping between its lips, making its rows of serrated fangs look even more ferocious.


    Roar!


    The wolf demon dived forward, its body streaking like a silver bolt of lightning, appearing instantly before Xiao Yi.


    Raising its claw high, it then ferociously slammed it down.


    Claws, sharp as scythes, shot out from its palm, the silvery cold light dangerously chilling. The wolf demon was incredibly fast and immensely powerful; ordinary second-tier martial artists were no match for it at all, prompting Xiao Yi to brace his long spear before him.


    Clang!


    Amidst a deafening crash, the long spear was actually snapped in two.


    The sharp claw wind whooshed past his chest.


    Slit.


    Xiao Yi''s chest was brutally scored with five claw marks, blood instantly drenching his entire chest as he staggered back. The wolf demon, howling angrily, pursued him, its gaping jaws snapping towards Xiao Yi''s waist.


    "Seeking death!"


    A cold light flashed through Xiao Yi''s eyes. With one hand, he thrust the broken end of his spear into the ground, creating a deep trench but stopping his backward momentum. With this, he swiftly circled around the spear to face the wolf demon head-on.


    He thrust his long spear forward vehemently.


    Howl...


    A human-like terror flickered through the eyes of the wolf demon, the spear tip growing ever closer in its green eyes; unable to dodge while mid-air,


    It could only watch helplessly as the long spear pierced its forehead. sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As its head was penetrated by the spear, the wolf demon lost consciousness, but its massive body continued forward without pause, crashing both itself and Xiao Yi violently to the ground. Both beast and man tumbled over a dozen meters before coming to a halt.


    Lying in a pool of blood, Xiao Yi gasped for air, looking up at the sky: "Dad, I''ve avenged you!"


    To avenge Xiao Yunlong, Xiao Yi had been diligently cultivating for over a decade.


    Today, he finally succeeded!


    As he was immersed in his thoughts...


    His eyes suddenly narrowed into slits, catching sight of something huge moving across the sky amongst the clouds. That silhouette seemed to notice Xiao Yi as well; pausing briefly in mid-air, then a massive dragon head emerged from the clouds.


    The dragon head was as large as a small hill.


    Xiao Yi took a sharp breath in surprise, his heart seemingly ceasing to beat: "Dragon, a dragon?"


    A dragon!


    An actual living dragon!


    Gulp.


    Xiao Yi swallowed hard, daring not to move an inch, but then a deep voice came from the dragon''s head: "A mere secondary martial artist managing to kill this wolf demon? Little fellow, you''re quite capable..."


    Above the dragon''s head, a figure in a white robe slowly became visible.


    With sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, his body erect like a spear, imposingly so.


    The mountain-like massive dragon in the void turned out to be just a mount for this middle-aged man. His calm eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, "Young man, meeting by chance is fateful. I see you are gifted. This scroll of secrets will be bestowed upon you, and when you have cultivated it to its utmost, you may seek me at the Qingyun Sect!"


    Whoosh!


    A flicker of spiritual light entered Xiao Yi''s forehead.


    It was a secret manual called "Qingyun Skill."


    "Senior, are you..." Xiao Yi asked.


    The Azure Dragon had already soared into the clouds and vanished into the heavens, the husky voice of the middle-aged man echoing through the void: "I am Qingyunzi..."


    "Qingyunzi?"


    Xiao Yi watched the departing figure, riding the dragon and roaming the world in a way as carefree as if he were a true immortal of this world, and couldn''t help but feel a strong yearning.


    In the days to follow��


    Xiao Yi kept cultivating the Qingyun Skill. His talent was exceptional, and his cultivation progressed at a shockingly fast speed.


    Thirty-five years into his journey in the Reincarnation World, his mother Lin Ying also passed away from this world.


    With no more attachments, Xiao Yi left the Xiao Family Village.


    Within a year.


    Xiao Yi swept through Fuyun County after leaving the Xiao Family Village.


    Five years later.


    The number one expert of the Great Cang Country was defeated by Xiao Yi with one move.


    Ten years.


    A hundred years.


    A thousand years...


    Time flew by.


    In the blink of an eye, Xiao Yi had spent 2999 years in the Reincarnation Realm, with only one year left to reach the highest record for awakening memories in the Reincarnation Realm. At this time, Xiao Yi had long joined the Qingyun Sect, and had even become the direct disciple of Qingyunzi.


    But...


    He had still shown no signs of awakening his memory.


    Outside the Reincarnation Realm.


    Nantian Yan spoke seriously, his voice solemn, "There''s one year left... No one has ever awakened their memory after exceeding three thousand years. If Xiao Yi cannot awaken in the next year, the likelihood of him awakening will significantly decrease..."


    Nantian Wen nodded, his expression stern, "The final year, I hope he can awaken his memory! Otherwise..."


    The oppressive atmosphere turned Little Lin''s complexion somewhat pale.


    His fists tightly clenched, his gaze fixed intently on Xiao Yi within the Reincarnation Realm, his eyes filled with unwavering faith and trust, "Boss, I believe in you, you can definitely do it..."


    One year in the Reincarnation Realm was but a fleeting moment for them.


    In the blink of an eye...


    Three thousand years.


    Four thousand years.


    Five thousand years...


    Xiao Yi had long become the top existence in this world within the Reincarnation Realm, even leading the Qingyun Sect to dominate the entire world, unrivaled above and below the heavens. Yet even now, Xiao Yi still showed no signs of awakening his memory.


    As time passed, the energy of the source stones was gradually depleting.


    Xiao Yi''s chances of awakening grew dimmer and dimmer.


    Until the time within the Reincarnation Realm reached ten thousand years, and the last bit of energy from the source stones was about to be exhausted, the light on the Reincarnation Mirror grew increasingly dim, leading to an apocalyptic scene in the entire Reincarnation World.


    Heaven and earth collapsing, the void shattering, the entire sky filled with massive spatial rifts.


    Occasionally, huge void storms would surge out from those rifts.


    Once they touched the ground, they would take away a whole country''s worth of land.


    All living beings disappeared.


    Outside the Reincarnation Realm.


    Nantian Wen gave a bitter smile, "There''s no hope left. The energy of the source stones is depleted, the Reincarnation Realm is about to close, and the world inside will completely perish and shatter. Xiao Yi can''t possibly awaken now..."


    "He managed to persevere for ten thousand years, which is extremely rare, but it''s just unfortunate..." Nantian Yan shook his head and sighed, "No one can awaken their memory when the world of the Reincarnation Realm collapses..."


    At the time of this world''s collapse, what comes to mind is only despair and the instinct to survive.


    Where could there be any awakening of memory?


    Only Little Lin still firmly believed, "Boss, you will definitely wake up, I believe in you..."


    Inside the Reincarnation Realm.


    The collapse of heaven and earth had spread throughout the entire world.


    One realm after another vanished, countless beings perished, and without realizing it, the entire world was destroyed, leaving only Xiao Yi alive. His strength was incredibly vast, standing at the summit of this world.


    Even though heaven and earth were destroyed, he still existed!


    On this day...


    Xiao Yi stood at the end of the world, watching as the world faded to just a speck of faint chaotic light, his eyes revealing a hint of confusion, "Even though I possess mighty powers capable of shaking heaven and earth, even though heaven and earth have perished, I still exist eternally. But what''s the point? My family isn''t here, my lover isn''t here, what meaning is there in me being alive? What''s the point in becoming stronger?"


    He continuously questioned himself.


    The world was continuously devoured by darkness, and Xiao Yi''s figure also gradually became blurry.


    Once his figure completely disappeared, there would be no chance of waking up again.


    Xiao Yi''s consciousness was also gradually fading...


    Just as he was about to be completely consumed by the darkness, a sudden flash of enlightenment crossed Xiao Yi''s mind.


    Unnoticed by anyone, this enlightenment emerged from the depths of the Ancient Heavenly Tomb.


    Xiao Yi''s gradually fading consciousness suddenly snapped into clarity, and that almost negligible speck of light in front of him transformed into a seed, which then took root, sprouted, and robustly grew.


    It finally grew into a towering tree!


    On the tree...


    Spirit Fruits condensed, these fruits were actually faces that looked familiar.


    Fang Qingzhu.


    Little Lin.


    Yu Huaxian...


    And others...


    "They..."


    Xiao Yi trembled all over, the tree in front of him exploded with a bang, turning into spots of green light that entered his body, his past memories surged like a fountain into his mind. Xiao Yi abruptly opened his eyes: "I remember now, my name is Xiao Yi!"


    He finally awakened his memory at the last moment.


    Xiao Yi''s soul left the Reincarnation Realm and returned to his body.


    Almost simultaneously...


    A tremendously terrifying energy fluctuation emitted from his body...

 Chapter 905 - 903: Breaking Records Continuously

    Hummm!


    An incomparable energy emanated from inside Xiao Yi''s body, converging into a terrifying wave of energy fluctuations, like the roaring giant waves amidst a river.


    One after another, the energy shockwaves kept rushing in all directions.


    Gurgle!


    Gurgle!


    Gurgle...


    Wherever each energy shockwave passed, the ground would form an invisible whirlwind, stirring up billowing dust.


    Even Nantian Wen and the other two were caught by sudden alarm.


    Their eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, who was seated before the Reincarnation Realm, revealing an unparalleled shock in their gaze.


    Gulp!


    Nantian Wen swallowed hard and said, "Ten... Ten thousand years... after spending ten thousand years within the Reincarnation Realm, even as the heavens and earth collapsed and perished, he could actually awaken his memory?"


    Reincarnation Realm.


    This is a world completely entered by the soul and consciousness of the trial taker through the Reincarnation Mirror, thereby forming a brand new life. This is an entirely seamless life with no flaws, whether from the perspective of the soul or consciousness.


    The longer one stays in the Reincarnation Realm, the deeper the memories and life experiences are ingrained in the soul, making it harder to awaken memories.


    Each activation of the Reincarnation Realm, with a hundred Source Stones, can sustain for up to ten thousand years at most.


    When the energy of the Source Stones is exhausted.


    This Reincarnation World will also face collapse and destruction, turning into a desolate void. If one still cannot awaken their memory before the world is destroyed, then both the soul and consciousness will be completely dissipated.


    This is precisely why...


    Over the years since the Nantian Dynasty acquired the Reincarnation Mirror, the strongest genius before Xiao Yi also awakened their memory only after three thousand years.


    As for another who reached over nine thousand years, he stayed forever within the Reincarnation World as it collapsed with the depletion of the Source Stones'' energy.


    Be aware.


    It has been thousands of years since the Nantian Dynasty obtained the Reincarnation Mirror, and this is the first time someone managed to survive for ten thousand years within the Reincarnation Realm and smoothly awaken their memory after the Source Stones were depleted.


    Whoosh!


    Nantian Yan took a deep breath, looking at Xiao Yi with a complex expression as the heavy and solemn sounds of bells and drums seemed to emanate within him, and said to Nantian Wen in front of him, "If I''m not mistaken, you''re so protective of him because you want to include him in that plan, right?" sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yes!"


    Nantian Wen nodded his head, unswayed by the gale, his gaze on Xiao Yi growing hotter and more excited, "Before this, it was just some thoughts, but now, I have made up my mind, I must get him to join us!"


    Their conversation was conducted entirely through voice transmission.


    Even Little Lin, who was close at hand, didn''t perceive what was happening between the two.


    "Let''s wait a bit more, he''s not yet qualified... see if he can withstand a hundred rounds undefeated under your hand before we talk! After all..."


    Nantian Yan pondered for a moment, a sharp light flashing in his eyes, "This matter is just too important!"


    "Understood!"


    Nantian Wen replied solemnly.


    The two of them looked at Xiao Yi together, their eyes filled with solemnity and expectation.


    At that moment...


    Xiao Yi suddenly opened his eyes.


    The wild energy fluctuations around him converged above his head in an instant, forming an energy vortex that continuously rotated. Invisible energy from heaven and earth was seen gathering.


    Vaguely.


    Everyone felt an unparalleled majestic presence of Heavenly Dao!


    "This is the energy tide bestowed by the Heavenly Dao!"


    "Xiao Yi is about to condense his Primordial Spirit... when I condensed my Primordial Spirit, it took me a whole day and night; how long will it take Xiao Yi?" Nantian Wen mentioned his own experience of ten hours in condensing the Primordial Spirit with a bit of pride.


    The longer the time spent condensing the Primordial Spirit, the more energy one can absorb from the energy tide, and the stronger one will naturally become.


    Normally, to breakthrough from the Earth Venerable Peak, it takes about the time of a stick of incense, at most an hour to condense the Primordial Spirit. Nantian Wen''s breakthrough took a full day and night, which is unique in the thousands of years of Daqian Dynasty''s history!


    Nantian Yan stroked his chin, saying in a deep voice, "Looking at the size of this energy tide, it''s not small... I wonder if he could possibly match your record!"


    "My record is not so easily broken, is it?" Nantian Wen snorted, clearly not believing that Xiao Yi could break his record.


    However...


    Reality quickly slapped him in the face.


    In the blink of an eye, a full day and night had passed.


    The energy tide above Xiao Yi''s head showed no signs of fading and had already broken the record Nantian Wen took pride in.


    "This kid really is a freak..." Nantian Yan couldn''t help but exclaim in admiration.


    Nantian Wen grimaced: "I didn''t expect him to actually break my record... But, how long can he last? It is said that the one from the Nantian Holy Land lasted a whole three days and nights..."


    "That one eventually became a being of Saintly Honor. How could Xiao Yi compare with that?" Nantian Yan shook his head, that was a truly supreme existence in the Southern State, and he didn''t believe Xiao Yi could achieve the same.


    Time trickled away, second by second.


    Two days and nights.


    Three days and nights.


    Four days and nights...


    In the blink of an eye, seven days and nights had passed.


    From initial surprise to shock, to disbelief, Nantian Wen and the others were left numb and stunned...


    Seven days and nights!


    This duration had far surpassed the time taken by the Nantian Holy Land''s Saintly Honor to consolidate his Primordial Spirit, which meant that if Xiao Yi didn''t perish partway, he might very well achieve the same accomplishments in the future.


    Or even surpass them.


    You must understand...


    That was Saintly Honor!


    At this moment.


    Nantian Wen turned to Nantian Yan, who was equally stunned: "Ancestor, about that matter..."


    "We must win him over! We must!" Nantian Yan''s eyes were blood-red, his breathing became rapid, "Such a talent must be kept in our camp... Thus, I will immediately inform the First and Second Ancestors about this matter. Once Xiao Yi wakes up, you can use my Token to take him to the treasury to choose anything he desires. No matter the value of the treasures he selects, let him take what he wants. There''s just one condition �C he absolutely cannot leave the imperial capital before my return!"


    "Ancestor, are you serious?" Nantian Wen swallowed hard, incredulously asking.


    To open up the treasury for selection?


    Even him, the Emperor of the Nantian Dynasty, had never received such treatment!


    "Could it possibly be false?"


    Nantian Yan glared fiercely at him and tossed over the Token into Nantian Wen''s hands before hurrying off. "He must be kept here!"


    Nantian Wen watched Nantian Yan disappear into the distance, looked down at the Token in his hand, and finally broke into a wry smile: "Xiao Yi, oh Xiao Yi, you really keep surprising me again and again..."


    At first...


    They thought Xiao Yi would not be able to sustain his Primordial Spirit consolidation for too short a time, yet he ended up breaking Nantian Wen''s record.


    When they thought he had reached his limit.


    Xiao Yi broke the record again.


    This time...


    He broke the record even set by the supreme Saintly Master of Nantian Holy Land from back then.


    These consecutive shattered records completely conquered the prideful Nantian Yan, and Xiao Yi was now listed as one of the individuals who were not only untouchable but also must be won over!


    The energy tide above Xiao Yi''s head continued to spin unstoppably.


    Until the night of the tenth day...


    The energy vortex suspended above his head buzzed and dispersed, revealing at its core a nearly transparent Primordial Spirit that resembled a miniature version of Xiao Yi, suspended above his head.


    Buzz!


    The Primordial Spirit flashed and entered Xiao Yi''s body.


    Only at this moment...


    Did Xiao Yi finally open his eyes...


    PS: Got diarrhea, just got back home after being hospitalized. Xiao Tian will continue writing tonight, with at least four more updates!

 Chapter 906 - 904 Black Prison Mountain

    Xiao Yi slowly opened his eyes.


    Two blazing lights, like shooting stars, burst forth from within his eyes, which appeared as dark and profound as the sun and the moon, compelling one to avert their gaze.


    Primordial Spirit enters the body, advancing to Heaven Venerate!


    Today, not only is Xiao Yi''s battle strength comparable to that of a Heaven Venerate, but his realm has also officially broken through, stepping into the realm of Heaven Venerate.


    Prior to this.


    While Xiao Yi possessed the strength of a Heaven Venerate, he was unable to wield the capabilities of one.


    For example, harnessing the power of heaven and earth.


    Before condensing his Primordial Spirit, Xiao Yi could not accomplish this, but now, he was able to wield part of the power of heaven and earth.


    Generally speaking...


    A Heaven Venerate Realm can utilize up to thirty percent of the power of heaven and earth.


    The Supreme Venerate Realm can utilize sixty percent.


    As for Sacred Venerates...


    They can harness one hundred percent of the power of heaven and earth.


    This is why there''s the saying that below Longevity everyone is an ant, and after Longevity, each realm is a huge difference in heaven!


    The more power of heaven and earth one can wield, the more terrifying the power that can be unleashed. For example, the thirty percent of heaven and earth power wielded by a Heavenly Venerate can easily move mountains and sever rivers.


    The sixty percent wielded by a Supreme Venerable is capable of reversing the seas and mountains, causing nation-destroying earthquakes and kilometer-high tsunamis.


    And if one can master a full one hundred percent of the power of heaven and earth.


    Then effortlessly obliterating a continent or even causing the collapse of an entire realm is easily achievable.


    Just like Zhao Wuji...


    When he once obliterated the Hall of Longevity, causing the Azure Heaven Continent to fracture into several states, he stood at the peak of the Supreme Venerable Realm in the Longevity Secret Realm.


    With Xiao Yi''s current cultivation realm, the power of heaven and earth he commands has impressively reached fifteen percent!


    That''s enough to match an ordinary practitioner of the Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm.


    "Big brother..."


    Little Lin excitedly rushed over, looking at Xiao Yi with eyes filled with ecstasy and curiosity, "Big brother, how does it feel after breaking through to the Heaven Venerate Realm?"


    "It feels great!"


    Xiao Yi chuckled, with his current battle strength, he could easily annihilate a Sixth Layer Heaven Honor Realm practitioner, a significant improvement indeed. It is known that for ordinary Heaven Venerate Realm practitioners to break through even a minor level often requires hundreds or even thousands of years of arduous cultivation.


    Though he stayed for ten thousand years in the Reincarnation Realm, in the real world, it was only a few hours!


    This time''s favor owed was indeed huge!


    Xiao Yi sighed inwardly, looked up at the approaching Nantian Wen, and stood up to bow with clasped hands: "Thank you, brother Nantian, if you hadn''t generously provided the Reincarnation Realm for me, I might not have broken through so smoothly!"


    Nantian Wen waved his hand, not taking credit: "With your talent, breaking through was just a matter of time. Besides, letting you use the Reincarnation Realm was also because I lost a bet to you, even the source stones are yours�� By the way, there''s something to congratulate you on!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was slightly startled.


    Nantian Wen shook the dark yellow Token in his hand and chuckled: "This is the key to open the Nantian Treasury. Only the three great ancestors have it. The great ancestor has been thoroughly persuaded by you and specifically authorized you to enter the Nantian Treasury and select whatever you desire!"


    Select whatever you desire!


    These simple four words shook Xiao Yi to his core.


    If the Southern State''s wealthiest were mentioned, apart from the unfathomable Nantian Sacred Land, it would definitely be the Nantian Dynasty!


    And more than ninety percent of the wealth and treasures of the Nantian Dynasty''s royal family are gathered in the Nantian Treasury. It is the foundation of the rise of the Nantian Dynasty and also their most important place.


    Xiao Yi never expected that Nantian Yan would actually allow him to freely choose from the treasure vault?


    Gurgle!


    Xiao Yi swallowed hard and confirmed, "Nantian, are you sure I can choose at will?"


    "Of course!"


    Nantian Wen nodded, not surprised by Xiao Yi''s astonishment. After all, even he found it hard to believe that Nantian Yan would make such a decision. He waved his hand and said, "Let''s go, let''s take a tour in the treasure vault. Speaking of which, since my coronation, I haven''t visited the vault for many years!"


    Xiao Yi quickly followed with Little Lin.


    ......


    Nantian Treasure Vault. S~ea??h the N??eFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Built deep within the secret realm where the clan elders reside.


    Along the way, Xiao Yi sensed no less than ten Heaven Honor grade Primordial Spirit Consciousness sweeping over him, once again awed by the profound depth of the Nantian Dynasty.


    Compared to that, the Daqian Dynasty was indeed somewhat weaker!


    Sensing Xiao Yi''s thoughts, Nantian Wen said indifferently, "This is the foundation accumulated by our Nantian Dynasty over thousands of years. The fact that Daqian Dynasty has achieved such a state under your leadership in just a few years is already terrifying!"


    Xiao Yi hummed in acknowledgment, and in front of them appeared a mountain completely dark in color.


    The entire mountain was pitch-black, as if molded from a piece of black refined iron, shimmering with a cold metallic cold light.


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "This mountain��"


    "This is the Divine Weapon obtained from the Hall of Longevity by our first ancestor, called Black Prison Mountain. It is said that if one can make it recognize them as the master, it can freely change its size and unleash unparalleled terrible power. However, in the thousands of years since we acquired it, no one from our royal family has been able to make it recognize them as master, so eventually, it was used as a treasure vault for storing treasures..."


    While explaining, Nantian Wen led them to the foot of Black Prison Mountain, and took out the Token, "Mountain Guardian Elder, please open the doors to the treasure vault!"


    "Granted!"


    A slightly hoarse and vicissitudinous voice emanated from within Black Prison Mountain.


    Boom Boom Boom!


    With a series of loud noises, the mountain at the foot split in the middle, revealing a circular entrance.


    The group walked in.


    Not far inside,


    Xiao Yi saw a blind old man sitting cross-legged in front of a large bronze door, this person was the Mountain Guardian Elder of Black Prison Mountain. Also, he was a Heaven Honor mighty warrior of the Nantian royal family.


    The cultivation of the Mountain Guardian Elder was no less powerful than Nantian Wen.


    This was also a Heavenly Venerate Peak, just one step away from stepping into the Supreme Venerable Realm!


    "Mountain Guardian Elder!"


    Nantian Wen bowed towards him.


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin followed closely, bowing meticulously, "Elder!"


    "Hmm!"


    The Mountain Guardian Elder nodded, his pair of gray-white eyes moving, and though his eyes saw nothing, Xiao Yi and others always felt they were being scrutinized by sharp eyes.


    Nantian Wen secretly transmitted his voice, "Mountain Guardian Elder once cultivated in the Hall of Longevity and has been guarding Black Prison Mountain. His combat power is comparable to the Supreme Venerable Realm, do not offend him at any cost!"


    Xiao Yi and the other nodded slightly.


    The feeling of being observed suddenly disappeared, and the Mountain Guardian Elder slowly spoke, "Since Nantian Yan permits, you may enter! However, you only have half an hour to choose treasures, and you must leave the treasure vault when the time is up. Otherwise, you will be confined in Black Prison Mountain, and unless the three ancestors arrive together, no one can rescue you!"


    "Thank you for the reminder, elder. I will keep an eye on the time!" Nantian Wen said.


    Xiao Yi and Little Lin nodded.


    With a casual wave of the Mountain Guardian Elder''s hand, the massive bronze door slowly opened with a rumbling sound, and the three of them walked into the treasure vault together...


    PS: Owing four chapters from yesterday, today is the makeup!

 Chapter 907 - 905: Attack of the Buddhist Sect

    Black Prison Mountain Treasury.


    This Black Prison Mountain itself is a hidden paradise, with an immensely large treasury that is filled with dazzling treasures galore.


    Looking around...


    All that meets the eye are extremely rare and precious jewels.


    Nantian Wen said, "The entire treasury has four levels, holding any single elder''s Token allows one to freely enter and exit the first three levels, as for the fourth level, it requires the possession of Tokens from three elders to gain entry."


    Gulp!


    Little Lin swallowed hard, his inherent sharp sense for treasures kicked in the moment he entered the treasury, discovering many rare and exotic treasures: "Ten Thousand Years Dragon''s Beard Ginseng, Ten Thousand Years Polygonum Multiflorum, Ten Thousand Years Mandate Flower Herb... The herbs here are at least ten thousand years old, you guys are way too wealthy!"


    Ten years make a medicine, a hundred years a treasure, a thousand years for Spiritual Medicine, ten thousand years for Medicine King!


    Ordinarily.


    Encountering a thousand-year-old Spiritual Medicine is extremely rare, yet in this treasury, there are countless Ten Thousand Years Medicine Kings, just on Little Lin''s path alone he encountered over a thousand.


    Among them, there are even some everlasting medicines. Sear?h the N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everlasting medicines aren''t referring to those that make one live forever if consumed, but are Spiritual Medicines that have lived over a hundred thousand years.


    Each of these Spiritual Medicines is a treasure of this world, and just on the first level of the treasury, Little Lin already found no less than three. And this is merely the first level of the Nantian Dynasty''s treasury, deeper inside lie three more levels!


    One can only imagine...


    How wealthy the Nantian Dynasty is.


    Nantian Wen said with a bitter smile, "These are treasures accumulated over thousands of years by dozens of generations of our Nantian royal family. Many of them have been passed down and preserved since the Ancient Times��"


    Xiao Yi nodded, deeply moved.


    The Nantian Dynasty has unified the entire Southern State for nearly ten thousand years, during these lengthy years, aside from the treasures obtained by the powerful individuals of the Nantian Dynasty themselves.


    Each year, the subsidiary nations above Southern State have to tribute numerous treasures.


    Over time.


    The Nantian Dynasty has amassed this rich and substantial family foundation.


    "Xiao Yi, since the forefathers have promised that you can freely choose, don''t be polite. Just take any treasure you fancy��" Nantian Wen said generously, waving a big hand.


    Xiao Yi hummed a response and with a grin said, "Since Nantian big brother said so, I won''t be polite!"


    "Go ahead! Remember, you only have half an hour!"


    Nantian Wen waved his hand indicating that he wouldn''t follow, watching as Little Lin also ran off with Xiao Yi, he grabbed Little Lin by the neck, lifting and walking him toward the entrance, "Little guy, just come with me, I also have a little gift prepared for you!"


    "What gift?" Little Lin, who was struggling, paused and looked at him quizzically.


    Nantian Wen''s mouth curled up, revealing a scheming smile, chuckling, "Your leader is so strong yet he still practices without relaxation. But you are far too lazy in your cultivation attitude, I''ll take you to Xumi Pagoda to give you a good training!"


    Xumi Pagoda?


    Little Lin shivered all over.


    Wasn''t that the place where Xiao Yi and Nantian Wen had a big battle?


    Although no one dies there, the pain inflicted is real indeed!


    Little Lin started struggling wildly: "Let go of me, you old coot so crafty... Quick release me, I won''t go, won''t go��"


    Half an hour passed very quickly.


    Xiao Yi was alone in the treasury picking treasures, although Nantian Yan allowed him to pick at will, Xiao Yi also understood the principle of leaving a line when doing things.


    Debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay!


    He already owed too much to the Nantian royal family, he couldn''t use it all up in one go.


    Just for this reason...


    Despite the many treasures in the vault that greatly tempted him, he did not take those treasures, instead choosing some medicinal herbs and precious treasures that could quickly improve his cultivation level.


    An hour later.


    Xiao Yi punctually left the vault, openly showing the storage ring containing the treasures, and said to the Mountain Guardian Elder, "Senior, these are the treasures I have taken from the vault, please inspect them..."


    The Mountain Guardian Elder, with his gray and seemingly emotionless eyes, didn''t move and pointed towards the entrance of a cave beside Black Prison Mountain, "His Majesty has already arranged it. He has taken Little Lin for special training at Xumi Pagoda. Once you come out, head directly to the meditation chamber for cultivation! He has already informed the Daqian Dynasty about the matters of the Buddhist Law, and he will also keep an eye on the developments of the Buddhist Law, notifying you immediately if anything arises."


    "Special training?"


    Xiao Yi was stunned, and thought of Nantian Wen''s formidable strength, silently lamenting for Little Lin.


    He then bowed respectfully to the Mountain Guardian Elder and said, "Thank you, Senior. Since Nantian has made arrangements, I will go into seclusion for cultivation!"


    "Go ahead!"


    The Mountain Guardian Elder waved his hand.


    "This young man, being able to control his desires in front of so many treasures and know when to stop, is truly extraordinary!"


    After Xiao Yi entered the cultivation chamber near Black Prison Mountain, the Mountain Guardian Elder murmured, "However... those people from the Western Province are not so easy to deal with!"


    ...


    Time flies.


    It had been four months since Xiao Yi entered the meditation chamber for secluded cultivation, and his cultivation level was rapidly improving. Meanwhile, at the southwestern end of the turbulent sea, a huge warship sailed through the waves.


    This warship was entirely golden, radiating brilliant light.


    Inscribed with mysterious Buddhist scriptures along its body, as it sailed, the scriptures emitted golden light that soaked the sea surface, making the speed of the ship even faster.


    On the deck,


    The eight monks from Celestial Dragon Temple stood proudly, facing the fierce winds that dashed against them like knives, yet they were unaffected.


    Each wearing a magnificent kasaya.


    With faces showing compassion.


    Yet...


    The words they discussed were more poisonous than the most vicious curses in the world: "Big Brother, the thousand-year invasion plan of our Buddhist sect has been destroyed by Xiao Yi, and the arrival of the Buddha''s body sanctioned by our master has been thwarted. Our master and the Buddhas of Spirit Mountain are furious about this, which presents a great opportunity for our Celestial Dragon Temple..."


    "Second Brother is right, as long as we seize this chance and accomplish our tasks to satisfy the Buddhas of Spirit Mountain, our Celestial Dragon Temple can produce at least one more Buddha position!" Second Brother''s red tongue licked his lips, his face full of greed.


    Big Brother narrowed his eyes and asked, "Do you have any suggestions?"


    They looked at each other.


    Their faces, normally full of compassion, now revealed greed and malevolence akin to demons: "Our main target this time is to capture Xiao Yi and bring him back to Spirit Mountain to be dealt with by the Buddha."


    "But capturing only Xiao Yi is the poorest strategy. It would complete the task, yet not satisfy the Buddha or our master."


    "We should not rush to capture Xiao Yi. Instead, we should quietly infiltrate Southern State, gather all information related to Xiao Yi and his acquaintances. For those who have a general relationship with him, we use the Buddhist Law to liberate them, allowing them to ascend to paradise early."


    "As for those who have good relationships with him, the better the relationship, the more attention we must pay!"


    "Anyone closely related to him should be captured. Using the Buddhist Law to enlighten them, we make them followers of our Buddhist sect��"


    "What would Xiao Yi''s expression be like when he sees his brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends all turning against him, seeing him as a thorn in their sides?"


    "Not only that, I think it''s possible to make them commit fratricide right in front of Xiao Yi..."


    "Junior Brother, you''re wrong to say this. We, as people of the Buddhist sect, hold compassion in our hearts, how could we make them kill each other? We are merely using the sacred Buddhist Law to help them cleanse their own sins��"


    "Hahaha, Brother, you''re right!"


    Everyone''s gaze turned towards the monk in the white kasaya leading them, with his eyes slightly squinted, corners of his mouth slightly raised, "Just do as you all suggested, I believe the Buddha and our master will be satisfied with it. Amitabha..."


    "Our Buddha is compassionate��"

 Chapter 908 - 906: Leave No One Behind

    Chaotic Sea Region.


    Former stronghold of the Huang Family was almost destroyed due to the battle involving Xiao Yi and Li Yaofeng.


    Now, the great Huang Family has relocated to Beast Emperor City.


    While here, the remaining some parts of the Huang Family''s powerhouses still guard as a relay point between Beast Emperor Sea and Chaotic Sea Region, with less than a thousand people living above.


    Plus, they only need to handle communication between these two places.


    Thus...


    Life for the few hundreds of people left in the headquarters was extremely relaxed and free.


    Stationed here was Huang Feiying, the clan brother of Huang Feihu, who had reached the ninth level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm. His formidable strength was sufficient to guard this corner of the world.


    Today.


    The island had some uninvited guests.


    A massive warship slowly entered the port, immediately catching the attention of the Huang Family''s powerhouses: "This warship design is unseen before; it''s definitely not from our Southern State!"


    "The origin of these people is unknown; it''s best for everyone to be careful!"


    Huang Feiying took the lead, proudly standing amidst the fierce winds at the edge of the port, staring at the enormous warship in front, and loudly said, "May I ask who is aboard this ship? This place is under the territory of the Daqian Dynasty of Southern State, please reveal your identities!"


    "Big Brother, this place is indeed under the influence of the Daqian Dynasty!" A coarse voice came, it was Hui Chun, the eighth among the Eight Dragon Disciples.


    The Eight Dragon Disciples all belonged to the Hui generation; originating from the Pure and Tranquil Sea of True Suchness, embodying purity and simplicity.


    The eldest brother, Huiqing, followed in order by Huijing, Huizhen, Huiru, Huihai, Huizhan, Huiji, and Huichun.


    Hui Chun, with his Innate Divine Strength, was a muscular monk capable of immense force.


    At the moment.


    Hui Chun, standing proudly on the deck, held the Vajra Demon-Subduing Pestle in his hand with a string of dark Buddhist beads around his neck, each bead as large as a fist.


    After Hui Chun finished speaking, from inside the cabin came the cold voice of Huiqing: "The ones guarding here are mostly marginal figures. Leave someone in charge to force information out of them; send the rest to meet the Buddha!"


    "Yes!"


    Hui Chun formed a Buddhist seal with his hands, chanted a mantra of Amitabha, and his body suddenly leaped.


    Like a massive meteorite, he slammed down upon Huang Feiying and his men.


    "Not good!"


    Huang Feiying''s face changed drastically. With a loud yell, he pulled out a black long saber and roared, "Enemy attack, kill them!"


    "Enemy attack!"


    "Defend!"


    A series of roars spread across the whole island.


    However...


    How could they be opponents for Huichun of the Earth Venerate Realm?


    After a wave of completely overpowering massacre, besides blood and mutilated bodies, the only thing left was Huang Feiying, crushed into a mud-like mess in a pool of blood.


    Huff!


    Huff!


    Huang Feiying, his mouth full of blood, his face pale as paper, terrified, looked at the spotless Huichun before him: "You, you evil monk, how have we offended you? Why kill all my clansmen..."


    "Shut up!"


    Huichun snorted coldly, viciously said, "All of you are demons; as a disciple of the Buddha, it is my duty to exterminate demons and uphold righteousness. Moreover, these ants are fortunate to be personally sent by this poor monk to eternal bliss; you should be grateful to me instead of harboring resentment..."


    "You..."


    Huang Feiying spat out a mouthful of blood.


    Without a word, he had slaughtered all the Huang family members stationed here and even expected gratitude?


    Has this monk lost his mind?


    Amitabha!


    A gentle Buddhist chant drifted slowly from inside the ship''s cabin, Huiqing''s eyes, deep as the vast stars, gazed at Huang Feiying: "Donor, do you know where Xiao Yi currently is? And within Southern State, who are the most important people to Xiao Yi?"


    "What, what kind of people are you?" Huang Feiying asked cautiously.


    He already felt that they had come prepared.


    Seems like they are gathering information about Xiao Yi?


    "Elder brother, since this lad is not cooperating, why not hand him over to junior brother to deal with? Junior brother guarantees that before letting all his blood shine, we will make him honestly confess everything we want to know..." Huijing- his hands pressed together in front of his chest, smilingly said.


    Huiqing hummed affirmatively, saying: "Then leave it to second junior brother to solve!" Sear?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Amitabha, the mercy of Buddha!"


    Huijing smiled like a reincarnated Maitreya, his slightly squinted eyes filled with a radiant smile, seeming as profound as the night sky. At the gaze of those eyes, it felt like a bottomless abyss, falling into it unconsciously with just one glance.


    Huang Feiying only felt a haze over his consciousness, shaking his head fiercely, but when he looked towards Huijing again, his eyes were already clouded.


    Without a hint of spirit.


    Thud!


    Huang Feiying, involuntarily kneeling down, hands pressed together, face full of repentance: "Mercy of Buddha, a believer Huang Feiying accidentally disturbed the Buddha, I deserve death..."


    "Tell this venerable, within the Daqian Dynasty who are the most important people to Xiao Yi?" Huijing asked sternly, his Buddhist light shining forth.


    Huang Feiying numbly said: "Xiao Yi has a wife named Fang Qingzhu, residing in Baiyu, reportedly the Holy Maiden of Baiyu... Xiaoshanhe Institute is Xiao Yi''s foundation, the Daqian Dynasty was built single-handedly by him, he alone opposed the Nantian Dynasty for the citizens, his merits shaking the world..."


    "The Holy Maiden of Baiyu?"


    Huijing was stunned, frowning at Huiqing, "Elder brother, if Xiao Yi truly is involved with the Holy Maiden of Baiyu, should we..."


    "What is there to fear?"


    Huichun snorted coldly, his voice thunderous, "Should our Buddhist sect fear Baiyu?"


    Ignoring Huichun, everyone waited for Huiqing''s decision.


    Huiqing pondered for a moment, then flung his sleeves and returned to the ship''s cabin, his voice faintly heard: "Even if Baiyu holds us accountable, we have our master and Spirit Mountain to bear it. Our mission is to complete the master''s..."


    "Good indeed! Good indeed!"


    "Mercy of Buddha!"


    A group of monks recited the Buddhist chant together.


    Huijing nodded, glanced at Huang Feiying and said indifferently: "Buddha said, you are guilty!"


    "I am guilty!"


    "I am guilty..."


    Huang Feiying kept repeating this phrase, then his head thumped against the ground repeatedly, each impact with full force.


    The loud thuds echoed over the empty seascape.


    As that warship, adorned with Buddhist scriptures, sailed away into the distance, Huang Feiying''s head was already shattered, dying miserably in a pool of blood.


    The warship continued its voyage.


    Heading straight for Southern State.


    Several days later.


    They reached the waters near Beast Emperor City, observing the bustling commerce of the coming and going merchant ships, the flourishing Beast Emperor City. The Buddhist-scripture adorned warship rammed through, shattering all oncoming merchant ships into countless fragments that drifted over the Azure Sea.


    Subsequently...


    The warship anchored at the port of Beast Emperor City.


    Shortly after half an hour.


    The warship resumed its journey straight to Southern State, and that prosperous Beast Emperor City turned into a city of death.


    Not one of the millions of citizens was spared.


    Not a single survivor!


    The blood from within Beast Emperor City converged into rivers that flowed into the turbulent Beast Emperor Sea, the crimson blood dyeing the churning waters into a lasting red hue. Two days later, that warship, covered in Buddhist scriptures, arrived at the largest port of the Daqian Dynasty��Linhai.

 Chapter 909 - 907: Something Terrible Is Happening

    Linhai City.


    This largest port city of the Daqian Dynasty, bordering the Beast Emperor Sea, has always been extremely prosperous, especially after the three major heads signed an alliance agreement to jointly develop the tumultuous sea regions.


    The prosperity of Linhai City surpassed that of the past.


    The area of the city and port alone had expanded to about ten times that of the old days.


    This day...


    At the port, crowds were busily loading and unloading cargo.


    Those massive merchant ships, all returning fully laden, made the flow of people on the docks dozens of times greater than in the past.


    Although loading and unloading cargo was extremely laborious and hard work, the faces of the crowd still beamed with radiant smiles: "Thanks to Lord Xiao Zhenguo for signing the tripartite alliance, the volume of cargo we handle every day is now dozens of times what it used to be, and our income has increased substantially!"


    "Isn''t that the truth? We should all be thankful to Xiao Zhenguo. Before, our income was barely enough for food and drink, but now we can even afford to buy medicinal pills for our children..."


    "I''ve been continuously supporting my son''s cultivation, and just a few days ago, I bit the bullet and bought him a third-tier secret manual. Now we just wait for Xiaoshanhe Institute to recruit next year, and let that boy give it a try!"


    "If your son can get into Xiaoshanhe Institute, your whole family will surely soar to great heights..."


    At that moment...


    A series of muffled thuds suddenly rang out, drawing everyone''s attention.


    Out beyond the port, a colossal warship adorned with Buddhist scriptures and sheltered by a golden light shield formed by golden Buddhist characters, approached at lightning speed, heading straight for the merchant ships in the port.


    "Stop, stop quickly!"


    "Damn it, where did this ship come from? Charging in at this speed is asking for trouble..."


    A host of strong characters were simultaneously shocked and angered.


    Some even took to the air, trying to stop the warship.


    But how could they...


    The warship was indestructible, invincible against any attack.


    Along its path...


    The merchant ships exploded one after another.


    Boom boom boom!


    Amid the thunderous roars, the entire port was left in shambles. Apart from the near-complete destruction of the merchant ships, the surging waves and flying cargo also crushed many people, leaving the port in complete disarray.


    "Who dares to cause trouble in my Daqian Dynasty?"


    "Damn, come out here..."


    One strong character after another appeared in the air, staring angrily at the warship.


    "Amitabha!"


    "The compassion of Buddha!"


    Amid a chorus of compassionate Buddhist chants, Huichun appeared, wielding the Vajra Demon-Subduing Pestle. With a sweep of the staff, dazzling golden light slashed across the sky. An Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse unleashing an attack without reservation. How could these strongest characters, who were merely at the Dharma Manifestation Realm, withstand his assault?


    Rumble rumble!


    The heavens shattered, the city crumbled, and seawater poured backward.


    The vast Linhai City was transformed into a wasteland...


    Huichun hovered in the air, with Huiqing and others emerging behind him. Huiqing glanced at Huijing and said indifferently, "Huichun, you three come with me to Xiaoshanhe Institute... Huijing, you take another four to the imperial capital, I want the Daqian Dynasty taken down at the fastest speed!"


    "Don''t worry, brother, I''ll handle the imperial capital!" Huijing said with a smile.


    The Heavenly Dragon Eights split up into two groups, tearing through the sky and away.


    ......


    Imperial Dragon Mountain Range, Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Ever since learning that the strong characters from the Western State Buddhist Sect had rushed to the Southern State seeking revenge, Xiao Yi had made arrangements, instructing Nantian Wen to send a message to the Xiaoshanhe Institute and Yang Ling among others. Now, except for Yang Ling still defending the capital, all of the Daqian Dynasty''s top strong characters had gathered in the Imperial Dragon Mountain Range where Xiaoshanhe Institute was located.


    On the martial arts training field.


    Yang Zun and others were instructing the disciples in their cultivation.


    Shadow Demon, Bai Fa Sword Emperor, and other experts from the Longevity Secret Realm were personally providing guidance, a rare opportunity that excited many disciples of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    But...


    The Shadow Demons were weighed down with heavy thoughts.


    Suddenly.


    The face of Bai Fa Sword Emperor changed drastically, and he bellowed, "Activate the Formation now!"


    The expressions of the Shadow Demons and the others all changed.


    In an instant. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A group of masters from the Longevity Secret Realm acted at the same time. Beams of light entered the mountains, and a massive mountain chain rose with a thunderous roar, with eighty-one spectacular pillars of light. Each pillar was a Formation, all eighty-one Formations were the most powerful Arrays laid by Xiao Yi after his breakthrough in the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Even if a powerhouse at the Heavenly Venerate Peak were to descend, breaking through this Array would also require a significant amount of time.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    Under the cover of numerous light domes, the entire Imperial Dragon Mountain Range was enveloped by the Formation.


    Almost at the same time...


    Four figures stepped out from the void.


    It was Huiqing and the other three monks.


    Looking at the Imperial Dragon Mountain Range shrouded within the Formation, Huiqing''s face was expressionless as he glanced at Huichun next to him.


    Huichun, holding the Vajra Demon-Subduing Pestle in one hand and Buddha Beads in the other, laughed haughtily with disdain, "Formation? Hmph, can this little Southern State even have any Formation master? Such a simple Array, one strike from this monk would break it!"


    Boom!


    The enormous Vajra Demon-Subduing Pestle shone with a dazzling light, like a breathtaking mountain fiercely descending.


    However...


    As the huge Vajra Demon-Subduing Pestle smashed against the light dome, there was only a loud clang, ripples spread out over the dome. Surprisingly, there was no damage, and instead, Huichun was repelled and sent flying backward.


    Looking down, his palms were split open, fresh blood flowing down along the Vajra Demon-Subduing Pestle.


    Hiss!


    Huichun inhaled sharply, "This Formation..."


    Huiqing also slightly frowned.


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor and the others within the Formation all breathed a sigh of relief; even Bai Fa Sword Emperor himself, who was at the Earth Venerate Realm, wasn''t entirely confident he could withstand that strike. He said gravely, "It seems that these monks are from the Buddhist Sect, what a terrifying attack..."


    Outside the Formation.


    Huichun looked towards Huiqing with an ugly expression, "Big brother, this Formation is incredibly powerful!"


    "It doesn''t matter!"


    Huiqing, with an expressionless face, said, "No matter how strong a Formation is, it has its limits. Follow me and attack together; once the Formation is broken, it will be the day the Xiaoshanhe Institute people inside meet their demise!"


    "Yes!"


    The four attacked simultaneously.


    Terrifying attacks kept hitting the Formation.


    Rumble!


    The Formation''s radiance intensified, thundering continuously.


    Yet it was still firmly withstanding the opposing attacks.


    "Hahaha, as expected of the Formation arranged by the Dean, its power is truly fearsome! Even the combined efforts of the four high-ranking monks from the Buddhist Sect can''t even shake it..."


    "With this Formation here, we are temporarily safe..."


    "Surely the Dean will receive the message at the first opportunity; he will return as quickly as possible. All we need to do is hold on until the Dean comes back, and we can rest easy!"


    "Luckily the Dean notified us early and gathered everyone inside Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    "This is bad!"


    Among the crowd, Yang Zun''s complexion changed, and he darkly said, "Yang Ling is still in the imperial capital..."


    To avoid delaying official duties, Yang Ling would return to the imperial capital every morning and come back to Xiaoshanhe Institute before nighttime.


    Now...


    He was in the imperial capital.


    Everyone looked at each other with worried expressions on their faces as they looked towards the direction of the imperial capital...


    PS: Xiao Yi will soon emerge from his retreat, and the climax is approaching!!

 Chapter 910 - 908: Leaving? Its Already Too Late!

    Daqian Dynasty, Imperial Capital.


    Within the vast imperial city, Yang Ling was reviewing petitions. As the emperor, he had countless affairs to deal with every day.


    At his sides stood four officials dressed in official robes.


    These were the newly appointed Ministers of War, Revenue, Personnel, and Public Works. All four were close confidants left by Emperor Qian and had now become crucial aides to Yang Ling.


    "Your Majesty, there has been torrential rain in the Tianhe area today, which might lead to flooding. I earnestly request Your Majesty to allocate funds for building dikes, and at the same time, dispatch a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert to defend the area, to prevent the disaster from causing chaos and demons from emerging in Tianhe...", the Minister of Public Works stepped forward and said.


    The Minister of War volunteered: "Your Majesty, I wish to go and defend!"


    "With demons rampant in Tianhe, should the dyke indeed break, there is a risk of demon chaos. My dear official, it will be tough for you to run..." Yang Ling was speaking when suddenly, his expression drastically changed, and he quickly looked towards the door.


    Looking through the grand entrance,


    He saw four figures hovering in midair above the palace.


    Clang Clang Clang!


    A series of metal clashing sounds rang out, and the imperial city''s guards also reacted, watching the four in the sky with alertness.


    Led by Huijing, the four Heavenly Dragons from the monastery appeared in midair, looking down into the imperial city, still wearing warm smiles, saying gently, "Fellow disciples, looking at these people from here, what do you feel?"


    "A bunch of ants!"


    Huizhen coldly spoke.


    Huiji folded his hands in prayer, chanting "Amitabha," with a compassionate expression: "A bunch of ants, yet they dare confront us, the disciples of the Buddhist sect, with arms. They are all demonic ants, and must be eradicated!"


    "Second elder brother, let your disciple act and send these ants to hell!" Huizhan stuck out his tongue and licked his lips, his gentle smile at this moment turning extraordinarily hideous.


    "No, no, no!"


    Huijing gently shook his head, smiling, "Our Buddha is compassionate, how can we take action to kill?"


    The three monks rolled their eyes.


    When they slaughtered the Beast Emperor City and wiped out the Huang Family''s main clan, he didn''t seem compassionate then!


    The monks muttered quietly among themselves.


    Yet they still repeatedly praised Huijing for his compassion.


    With a smile, Huijing slightly raised his eyebrows, "It seems this person is the Emperor of the Daqian Dynasty... Elder brother said the others are hiding in Xiaoshanhe Institute, protected by a Formation, they can''t harm the people of Xiaoshanhe Institute for the time being. I thought everyone was hiding there, but I didn''t expect that the Emperor of the Daqian Dynasty would still remain here..."


    He had received a message from Huijing when he arrived at the imperial city, learning about the situation at Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    He thought this trip to the imperial city would also be fruitless.


    Unexpectedly, there was such an unexpected gain!


    Huizhan looked down at Yang Ling, revealing a subtle cold smirk, "According to what Huang Feiying said, this Emperor of the Daqian Dynasty has a significant relationship with Xiao Yi, indeed a big fish!" Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before the great hall.


    Yang Ling, protected by the four ministers and a group of imperial guards, walked out of the great hall, slightly raised his head, gazing at the four people in the void, his thoughts slightly heavy but his face still maintaining calm, he spoke: "Yang Ling of the Daqian Dynasty, greets the masters. May I know the purpose of the masters'' visit to our Daqian Dynasty?"


    "Little guy, this monk needs your help!" Huijing said.


    Yang Ling, well aware of the malign intent of the visitors, still maintained a calm exterior: "Please speak, Master!"


    Huijing spoke with a beaming smile: "Your Daqian Dynasty''s Minister Xiao Yi, where is he now?"


    "That..."


    Yang Ling feigned helplessness, bitterly smiling, "To be honest, Minister Xiao has always been elusive like a wild crane, hardly showing himself. I haven''t seen him for some days and do not know where he is now!"


    "Oh!"


    Huijing''s smile grew even broader, "Since you do not know where Xiao Yi is, then please help this monk with another matter! This monk comes from the Western State Buddhist Sect, and this trip to the Southern State was inspired by the reputation of Xiaoshanhe Institute. However, Xiaoshanhe Institute is protected by a Formation that prevents us from entering. Could you perhaps guide this monk for a visit to Xiaoshanhe Institute?"


    Indeed, the arrivals bear ill intentions!


    Yang Ling had long known about Xiao Yi''s feud with the Buddhist Sect and was aware of the formidable Array he had laid out.


    How could he not know that they were unable to break through the Array and were attempting to use him?


    Yang Ling gave a bitter smile and said, "Great Master jests, that Array was personally laid by Xiao Zhenguo himself, and no one but him can manipulate it. Perhaps the Xiaoshanhe Institute has activated the Formation because there is some significant matter that prevents outsiders from entering. Why not wait a few more days, and once Xiao Zhenguo returns, I shall introduce him to you?"


    Huijing smiled without saying a word.


    Behind him, Huiji sneered sarcastically, "Little Emperor, is this a case of refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty one?"


    "Why would the Great Master say such a thing?" Yang Ling asked.


    Huiji snorted coldly, "Little Emperor, let me tell you the truth... We are here to exterminate Xiao Yi, and if you know what''s good for you, you will obediently open the Xiaoshanhe Academy Formation for us. If you don''t, then don''t blame this poor monk for being rude!"


    "Not being polite?"


    The Minister of War snorted coldly, stepped forward, and angrily shouted, "Great monk, this is the Daqian Dynasty''s palace. I want to see how you dare be impolite to His Majesty! Where is the royal guard..."


    "The royal guard is here!"


    "Who dares to act against His Majesty, kill without mercy!"


    Tens of thousands of royal guards roared in unison. Massive horn-bow strings were pulled taut, and the cold arrowheads aimed at Huijing and others.


    "Not good!"


    Yang Ling''s face suddenly changed color; these four''s cultivation levels were all above his own, how could these royal guards withstand them?


    Alas...


    It was already too late for him to intervene.


    Huiji put his hands together, snorted coldly, "Buddha''s light shines everywhere!"


    He suddenly opened his palms.


    Between his palms, the golden light rippled, and this golden light condensed into streaks of Buddhist seals, like meteors falling from the sky. Amid rumbling sounds, countless Buddhist seals landed among the royal guards, causing a continuous thunderous rumble.


    Wherever the Buddhist seal''s golden light passed, the royal guards suffered heavy casualties.


    "Stop!"


    "Stop for me!"


    Yang Ling''s eyes purpled with fury; just from that strike, all four Ministers were severely injured, and tens of thousands of royal guards were more than halved in numbers. He soared into the sky, and behind him, the Martial Tao Skill loomed like towering mountains.


    His arms wide open, transforming into a golden dragon, soared across the sky.


    Boom boom boom!


    The golden dragon shattered the Buddhist seals.


    Shielding the royal guards behind him, Yang Ling glared coldly at the four people: "This is the imperial city of the Daqian Dynasty, my people, how can I allow you to slaughter them recklessly?"


    "Tsks tsks, what a responsible Little Emperor!"


    "Since you insist on protecting these ants, let this poor monk force you to kill them yourself, hahaha..."


    "The Daqian Dynasty harbored a demon like Xiao Yi; everyone in the nation is a devil, they should be sent to ultimate bliss. However, we monks of the Buddhist sect, being merciful at heart, cannot bear to strike; let you, the emperor, execute them yourself!" Huijing''s face carried a smile, but his words were like those of a devil.


    Hiss!


    Yang Ling trembled all over, a strong sense of unease in his heart.


    He suddenly turned around.


    Looking towards the royal guards, he bellowed, "Go, all of you quickly leave..."


    However...


    As he spoke, a ghostly voice from Huijing came from behind him: "Leave? It''s already too late!"

 Chapter 911 - 909: A River of Blood, Xiao Yi Descends!

    "Leave? It''s already too late!"


    Huijing flashed behind Yang Ling in an instant.


    His palm landed on Yang Ling''s shoulder without him noticing, like a current sweeping through his body, causing Yang Ling to tremble all over, as if he were under a Binding Spell. Huijing''s gentle voice echoed in his ears: "The most painful thing in this world is not to destroy what you cherish in front of you, but to watch yourself destroy everything you vow to protect while being utterly powerless to stop it!"


    "What, what do you want to do?" Yang Ling trembled, trying to resist.


    But he found that he couldn''t move his body at all.


    Huijing''s voice reverberated leisurely: "I have told you, you will personally send these demons to ultimate bliss!"


    "Don''t even think about it..."


    Yang Ling barely managed to utter when


    Huijing chanted a series of Buddhist mantras.


    The sound seemed to hold Magic Power, as Yang Ling felt his consciousness being stripped away and then sealed off. He completely lost control over his body, yet his consciousness remained fully awake.


    Huijing released his hand from Yang Ling''s shoulder and said with a light chuckle, "Go ahead!"


    "No, no..."


    Yang Ling''s consciousness was roaring in anger. He could foresee what was about to happen, but his body did not respond to his will.


    Whoosh!


    Yang Ling''s body swayed and appeared before the four ministers.


    The four exchanged glances.


    Seeing the familiar yet alien Yang Ling, they tentatively stepped forward: "Your Majesty, are you alright?"


    "Move, get away..."


    Yang Ling''s consciousness screamed in fury, watching them approach, attempting to ward them off with his angry roars, but his shouts went unheard.


    When the four ministers came close.


    Yang Ling suddenly struck.


    Plunk!


    His claw shot forth, and before the horrified and incredulous eyes of the Minister of War, he crushed his throat.


    "No..."


    Yang Ling''s consciousness shrieked hysterically.


    But his body showed no hesitation; with a palm strike, a punch, a finger jab, his mighty Human Venerate Realm strength made him unstoppable against the mere Dharma Manifestation Realm ministers!


    The four ministers were instantly slain by Yang Ling.


    Blood stained the golden dragon robe on him. S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His consciousness, observing his bloodied hands and the four corpses on the ground, was on the verge of collapse. With blood and tears in his eyes, he roared in anger and unwillingness: "Run, run..."


    "Get out of here..."


    "Run..."


    He roared at the imperial guards.


    But the guards watched dumbfounded as Yang Ling killed the four ministers and looked at one another in confusion.


    Although shocked by Yang Ling''s slaughter of the four ministers, their mission was to protect Yang Ling.


    To protect their emperor!


    After a moment''s hesitation.


    The guards snapped out of their daze: "It must be that damned monk controlling His Majesty, let''s kill him..."


    "Demon monk, release the emperor..."


    One after another, the imperial guard elites charged toward Huijing and the others.


    Huijing, floating in the air, appeared indifferent, simply waving his hand: "Yang Ling, these are all demon children trying to defile the disciples of Buddha. What are you waiting for? Kill them all!"


    "No..."


    "Don''t..."


    "Get away..."


    Yang Ling howled in despair and helplessness.


    But his body showed no hesitation, obeying Huijing''s command, whooshing up into the sky.


    In his hand...


    A silver spear, like a dragon soaring across the sky.


    Terrifying spear glimmers wove into a canopy of attacks in the air, with whooshing sounds of tearing through the atmosphere continuously resounding as a multitude of imperial guards, strong and mighty, perished under the spear. No matter how desperately Yang Ling bellowed in rage, he was utterly powerless to stop what was unfolding before him.


    Amidst a group of imperial guards, a Human Venerate Realm powerhouse is like a tiger entering a flock of sheep!


    Wherever he passed...


    Bodies were strewn everywhere, blood surged wildly.


    Yang Ling became an avatar of a god of slaughter, frenziedly massacring those imperial guards who had sworn to protect him to the death.


    "Your... Your Majesty..."


    "Why?"


    The guards, with faces full of confusion, died by his hand.


    "Don''t..."


    "I don''t want to kill you, stop, please..."


    "Ah ah ah..."


    Yet Yang Ling''s anguished roars did absolutely nothing to halt the frenzied slaughter.


    Tens of thousands of imperial guards were butchered by him in an instant.


    Within the entirety of the imperial palace, blood flowed like rivers, and the air was thick with the pall of death.


    At that moment.


    Only corpses remained, no survivors.


    Huijing landed before Yang Ling once more: "Little Emperor, are you now willing to tell this poor monk how to open the Xiaoshanhe Academy Formation?"


    Yang Ling''s eyes were crimson with fury as he glared and let out a hysterical roar: "Dream on, you''ll never get it from me... You hypocritical devil monks, Xiao Yi will not let you go, you''ll get your retribution!"


    "Clicking his tongue, still so unenlightened!"


    Huijing gently shook his head, pointing towards the city beyond the palace, "It seems we still have too many demon spawns. Go then, kill all the citizens in the city as well! If the size of one city is not enough, this poor monk will take you to slaughter a second, and if the second isn''t enough, we will continue to the third until you tell this poor monk..."


    "Madman, you''re a madman... May you be damned, Xiao Yi will never let you go..." Yang Ling screamed in blood and tears.


    With an emotionless face, Huijing waved his hand.


    Yang Ling, transformed into a monstrous demon, stormed into the imperial city.


    Boom!


    The thunderous roar!


    Where Yang Ling passed, not a single blade of grass grew, not a single tile was left intact.


    Millions of citizens in the massive imperial city, amidst the frenzied killing by Yang Ling, became mountains of corpses and rivers of blood. The rivers of blood that pooled together flowed out of the city, soaking the ground for miles around, causing the soil itself to emit wafts of blood stench.


    Yang Ling stood atop the city walls.


    Gazing upon the palace that had been reduced to ruins, smoke from fires billowing everywhere.


    The once prosperous imperial capital, utterly destroyed by his own hands��the hands of the emperor of the Daqian Dynasty, with countless innocent citizens dead.


    Looking at his hands, soaked with blood, his eyes filled only with despair...


    Huijing and his three companions landed before him, their faces still showing a visage of compassion: "Amitabha! Little Emperor, have you made your decision now?"


    "I will haunt you even as a ghost..." Yang Ling responded through gritted teeth.


    "Clicking his tongue!"


    Huiji chuckled coldly, and with a gesture, a wailing baby, a survivor, was pulled from the rubble. Huiji placed the baby in front of Yang Ling, smiling, "Buddha is compassionate. You''ve gotten tired killing so many demon spawns. Eat something to replenish your energy; then we can head to the next city!"


    "No, you can''t do this, you just can''t..." Yang Ling''s eyes almost bursting with fury, his consciousness howling in despair.


    But his body, under the control of Huijing, grasped the infant in his hand.


    Opening his mouth filled with blood.


    Biting towards the neck of the baby.


    Huijing and the others watched with interest, as if observing a clown''s performance.


    Just as Yang Ling was about to bite through the baby''s neck, at that moment, a flash of lightning streaked by. Snatching the baby from Yang Ling''s grasp, a figure materialized in midair, it was the grim-faced Xiao Yi.


    Looking down at the bloodied, crying infant, then at the numb Yang Ling, covered in blood.


    Then at the unconcerned, pristine, four monks radiating compassion.


    And at the imperial city, scorched by flames of war, rivers running red with blood.


    Xiao Yi''s expression turned extremely dark as he fixed his gaze upon Huijing and the others, uttering deliberately and firmly, "Unless the Buddha sect is eradicated, I, Xiao Yi, swear I will not rest!"

 Chapter 912 - 910: Crushed in One Hand

    "I shall not rest until the Immortal Buddhists are vanquished!" Xiao Yi declared with fiery eyes, envisioning the imperial city awash with flames and smoke, mountains of corpses and rivers of blood.


    Tens of millions of innocents!


    All slaughtered by Yang Ling under Huijing''s control.


    Between heaven and earth,


    it seemed as if even the wind had frozen in place.


    Only Xiao Yi''s deep, angry roar and the crying of the infant in his arms could be heard, an infant not yet a year old, still swathed in swaddling clothes. He should have been cherished by his parents, adored by his family, without a care in the world.


    But now...


    He was an orphan.


    Had Xiao Yi not arrived in time, this infant would have ended up as fodder for Yang Ling, manipulated by Huijing.


    Hehehe��


    Yang Ling, his face twisted grotesquely, stared at Xiao Yi, his consciousness, however, scream in helplessness and despair: "Help me... Xiao Yi, help me..."


    The Yang Family code states, ''Heirs guard the nation''s gates, the sovereign dies for the realm.''


    None among the emperors of the Daqian Dynasty were tyrants; though not all were wise rulers, they were kind. After ascending the throne, Yang Ling worked diligently, always empathetic to his people''s needs. If not for Xiao Yi''s brilliance overshadowing everything, he might well have been praised as a wise ruler.


    But now.


    His chief ministers, his staunchest defenders, and tens of thousands of guards who fought to protect him within the imperial city.


    And the tens of millions of innocents within the city��


    All were killed by his own hand.


    Even though it was all Huijing''s manipulating, Yang Ling''s consciousness had to watch, wide-eyed, as he slaughtered countless innocents, ruining the very imperial city he had vowed to protect and manage with his life.


    His consciousness was on the verge of collapse.


    Huijing and the other three were surprised by Xiao Yi''s arrival; after exchanging glances, Huiji coldly sneered, "So you are Xiao Yi? We thought you''d forever hide away. It''s surprising you dare to show yourself before us!"


    "You all will die!" Xiao Yi declared, emphasizing each word.


    When the Formation at the Xiaoshanhe Institute activated, Xiao Yi sensed it, knowing that Buddhist masters had descended to the Daqian Dynasty.


    He left meditation at once.


    Racing back with all his strength.


    Regrettably��


    He was still one step too late.


    "Die?"


    Huiji laughed loudly, shaking his head with contempt in his eyes, "Are all you Daqian Dynasty people so defiant? This little Emperor was also quite stubborn, refusing to disclose your whereabouts or cooperate with us to unlock the Formation of Xiaoshanhe Institute, and look what he became... this non-human, ghostlike entity..."


    Huijing pressed his palms together, chanting Amitabha Buddha softly, "Master Xiao, I see deep sins within you. Surrender and come with us to the Buddhist sanctuary, and await judgment from the Buddhas of Spirit Mountain."


    "Surrender now and live a bit longer. Resist, and this will be your fate!" Huiji pointed at the ruins behind him, the imperial city amidst roaring flames, then sneered sinisterly.


    "Courting death!"


    Xiao Yi suddenly spoke, uttering two words.


    "Not good!"


    Huijing''s face suddenly changed, hastily alerting Huiji beside him.


    Huiji confidently smiled, "No rush, Second Senior Brother, I want to see what he can do..."


    Whoosh!


    Huiji swiftly moved, flying towards Xiao Yi.


    Both transformed into streaks of light.


    In a muffled thud in the air, they brushed past each other.


    In passing,


    A Buddha face suddenly emerged behind Huiji, majestic and solemn, opening its mouth as a chain made of golden scriptures burst forth, clanging as it coiled towards Xiao Yi, nearly binding him completely.


    At this critical juncture,


    Xiao Yi did not even turn his head, but merely flicked his sword finger backward.


    Buzz!


    That seemingly ordinary finger suddenly gathered countless dazzling stars, converging at the fingertip and instantly turning into a shocking red light. This was the final move of the "Life-Stealing Thirteen Swords" from the notorious killer scholar.


    However��


    With Xiao Yi''s current cultivation and strength, the power of this move was absolutely terrifying.


    The chain collided with the sword finger in the void.


    Like the tip of a needle against a stalk of wheat.


    Instantly, a deafening roar erupted.


    Crack! Crack! Crack!


    Amidst a series of harsh crashing noises, the chain was effortlessly shattered, and the light from the sword finger unstoppable.


    Before Huiji could even react, he was already pierced through the chest by the finger. His entire chest was a gory mess, and one could even see the void behind through the hole in his chest.


    Agh!


    Huiji screamed horribly, blood spraying wildly from his mouth.


    His body rapidly plummeted towards the ground.


    Yet just before hitting the ground, a burst of Buddha light erupted from within Huiji, stopping his body half a meter from the earth. Clutching the bloody hole in his chest with one hand, his eyes filled with resentful poison, he stared dead at Xiao Yi, "You mongrel, it''s been countless years since anyone dared to make this monk bleed. I will surely slaughter you��"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi, expressionless, lifted his right hand into the air.


    Electricity coursed over his palm, crackling crisply.


    Simultaneously.


    Huiji''s fierce expression instantly vanished, replaced by a look of shocked fury mixed with disbelief. His cultivation was also at the Earth Venerate Realm Eighth Layer Peak, and his combat strength was definitely formidable. Although he didn''t control the power of heaven and earth, he was familiar with such force.


    The instant Xiao Yi raised his hand, Huiji instinctively felt murderous intent surging from all directions.


    The calm void suddenly bloomed with killing intent.


    This was the power of heaven and earth!


    "Not good!"


    Huiji''s expression drastically changed, intending to escape through the air, but found his body completely immobile.


    Following that��


    In the surrounding void, several purple-gold Thunderous Light Hands tightly grasped Huiji, who watched in despair as he was grabbed in the palm. Huiji''s complexion greatly changed, feeling the threat of death and roared, "Let me go, Xiao Yi, release me��"


    Huijing''s face was extremely ugly as he also said, "Xiao Yi, stop!"


    "Who do you think you are to order me around?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at Huijing with a cold smirk, then fiercely clenched his hand.


    The Thunderous Light Hand also instantly clenched into a fist.


    Boom!


    With a muffled sound.


    Huiji was literally crushed to death, and when the light hand opened again, a mist of blood and flesh drifted down from the air.


    At this moment��


    Above the imperial city.


    The only sounds were the soft sobbing of the innocent baby in Xiao Yi''s arms and the rustling sound of the blood and flesh rain hitting the ground, alongside death-like silence.


    A formidable being like Huiji was literally crushed to death by Xiao Yi.


    "With such a young age but already at the realm of Heavenly Honor, no wonder even the teacher''s descending Buddha body was destroyed by him!"


    "If this child is not eliminated, he will undoubtedly become a great menace to our Buddhist sect��"


    The three faces of Huijing looked at each other, all seeing the solemnity in each other''s eyes towards Xiao Yi, as well as the undisguised intention to kill��


    PS: Another update coming later! S��arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 913 - 911: What the Hell Does the Heavenly King Count For?

    Above the imperial city.


    The cold wind howls, blood rain drifts, and the air is filled with a thick, pungent stench of blood.


    Xiao Yi stands in the air, holding an infant with one hand; the crying baby in his arms, who just lost its parents, now has its eyes closed.


    Sleeping peacefully.


    Two sets of long, dark eyelashes tremble lightly, with tear stains hanging on them, shining with a bloody light.


    Xiao Yi looks expressionlessly at the three monks, Huijing.


    These monks appear full of compassion, but through his eyes, he sees through all their disguises, like three demons clad in human skin. In their eyes, any existence that threatens their interests is a heretic demon.


    The hypocrisy draped over these people is nauseating.


    "Amitabha!"


    Huizhen chants the Buddha''s name, looking at Xiao Yi with a solemn expression, and says gravely, "Second Brother, this person disregards everything and does not respect the Buddhist Law. Please allow me to strike and slay this fiend!"


    Even though Xiao Yi crushed Huiji, they only took him slightly more seriously.


    Among the Tianshan Eight Monks.


    Only Huiji and Huichun have reached the Earth Venerate Realm, but Huichun''s Innate Divine Strength allows him to rival the Heavenly Honor.


    Huiji is the weakest among them.


    Huizhen is fully confident he can easily annihilate Huiji, naturally not taking Xiao Yi seriously.


    Huijing squints, his wise Buddhist eyes flickering with light, his thoughts rapidly turning in his mind. Even now, he feels an indescribable sense of not being able to see through Xiao Yi.


    As if a layer of dim fog enshrouds Xiao Yi.


    Making it impossible to see his real strength.


    "Let''s not rush!"


    Huijing shakes his head; his thoughts are extremely cautious, otherwise, he wouldn''t be regarded as the brain of the Tianshan Eight Monks. His cold gaze sweeps over Yang Ling, who stands like a wooden man nearby, sneering sinisterly, "Fellow brothers, have you ever seen a dog-eat-dog scene?"


    "Uh?"


    "Dog-eat-dog?"


    The three monks, including Huizhen, are startled, then look at Yang Ling and Xiao Yi, and burst into laughter, "That must be a very interesting scene, Second Brother, why not let these two dogs fight each other?"


    Huijing casually waves his hand: "Kill him!"


    Swoosh!


    Yang Ling leaps up, instantly turning into a yellow streak of light shooting forth.


    The dazzling yellow light maneuvers through the air, instantly appearing next to Xiao Yi. He raises his hand for a palm strike, while his left hand grasps in the void, condensing a beam of silver light into a blade of light.


    Palm wind, light blade.


    In an instant, they fill the space between heaven and earth.


    Forming a dome in the sky, enveloping towards Xiao Yi.


    The frenzied attack stirs up violent winds, booming sounds echoing across the heavens and earth, with violent energy sweeping everywhere. Within a thousand miles, the winds howl, and clouds gather towards him.


    Buzz!


    A golden light bursts from his body, the Martial Tao Skill of Yang Ling.


    With the power of the Human Venerate Realm enhancing it.


    The Martial Dao Fasxiang grows immensely.


    Buzz!


    The Martial Dao Fasxiang merges into his assault, carrying the force to annihilate heaven and earth, pressing down like Tianshan collapsing on top of Xiao Yi''s head. With a loud bang, a terrifying dazzling energy sphere rises from the ground.


    The energy sphere, hundreds of meters high, is filled with destructive power.


    If this sphere were to hit the imperial city, it could completely flatten it.


    Huizhen nods, "Second Brother, this dog is not weak!"


    "Indeed, he has some capability, I wonder if Xiao Yi can withstand it��"


    Huijing gently shakes his head, his eyes flashing with sharp fierceness, saying solemnly: "He''s fine!"


    The moment the words fell.


    A sudden burst of wind appeared out of nowhere, pushing the orb into the sky ten thousand feet high, where it exploded with a bang. And at the site of the fierce battle between Xiao Yi and Yang Ling, Xiao Yi emerged unscathed and spotless.


    In contrast to Yang Ling...


    He was now being held by Xiao Yi like picking up a small dog, clutching his neck, having already lost the strength to fight again.


    "Indeed!"


    Huijing sighed inwardly. He had not really hoped that Yang Ling could kill Xiao Yi, but merely wanted to test Xiao Yi''s true strength. What he hadn''t expected was that Xiao Yi would remain unharmed under Yang Ling''s frenzied attack and even capture Yang Ling without harm.


    Clap clap clap!


    Huijing lightly clapped his hands, the crisp sound of the clap was somehow unnerving, and he smiled with a sinister curve on the corners of his mouth, saying, "Indeed, you have some skill, but if you think this is over, you''re celebrating too early!"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, suddenly feeling Yang Ling in his hand convulsing violently.


    His limbs were entangling Xiao Yi like an octopus, clinging desperately.


    Shhh!


    Crack!


    Crackling!


    Bursts of energy arcs traveled, making Yang Ling''s body suddenly swell, controlling him to self-destruct!


    "Run, hurry..."


    Yang Ling''s consciousness was roaring, his eyes already blood-red, but unfortunately, his voice couldn''t reach Xiao Yi''s ears.


    Only the wildly uncontrollable energy inside his body continued to rampage,


    And his face had become hideously distorted.


    Huijing let out loud laughter, a look of mockery on his face: "Earlier, you subdued him unscathed, but now, can you still save him? You now have two choices, either watch him explode with you, both perishing together. Or kill him directly, as long as you kill him, you won''t suffer the impact of the self-destruction. What will you choose?"


    "Hahaha, I bet he will definitely kill Yang Ling!"


    "A fellow daoist should not die for another''s poverty!"


    "Amitabha, this is his companion, can he really go through with it?"


    The three Huijing were provoking Xiao Yi with their words.


    Yang Ling''s internal energy had become extremely chaotic, his body expanded several times, and this internal energy rampage brought Yang Ling''s consciousness back to his body.


    However...


    Even with Yang Ling''s consciousness returning to his body, he was still unable to stop the rampaging energy. His eyes were blood-red as he hysterically shouted, "Kill me, Xiao Yi, quickly kill me..." sea??h th�� N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Xiao Yi, did you hear Yang Ling''s words? Aren''t you going to kill him?" Huijing spoke sinisterly, his voice carrying a magic power, capable of bewildering those of weak will.


    Yang Ling pleaded desperately, "Xiao Yi... I slaughtered millions in the imperial city, I can no longer face the ancestors of the Daqian Dynasty. You are the last hope of the Daqian Dynasty, I don''t want to drag you down, kill me, quickly kill me..."


    Huizhen clasped his hands together, smilingly said: "Xiao Yi, aren''t you going to act?"


    "You can''t save him, if you don''t kill him, you''ll perish together!"


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up, a thunderous roar turned into a tangible sound wave impacting violently on Huizhen. With a cry of agony, Huizhen was knocked back, blood spouting from his mouth.


    "This, this��"


    Huizhen and the others were incredulous.


    This was a power akin to a Heavenly Honor, yet Xiao Yi had injured him internally with just a roar?


    Xiao Yi looked down at Yang Ling, his face calm: "If I don''t let you die, then you won''t die!"


    "Xiao Yi, you are being too arrogant!"


    "Even if the Heavenly King came, he couldn''t save him��" Huizhen said through gritted teeth.


    "Heavenly King? What does he count for?"


    Xiao Yi sneered and shook his head, raising his hand over Yang Ling''s head. With a grunt, the wildly expanding energy within Yang Ling, which had already gone berserk, disappeared in the blink of an eye...


    What was once chaotic energy had returned to calm.


    Xiao Yi casually handed a medicinal pill to Yang Ling, who had returned to normal, handed the baby in his arms to the still stunned Yang Ling, looked up at the dumbfounded three Huijing, and slowly said: "Now, it''s your turn!"

 Chapter 914 - 912: Domineering Sweep

    "It''s your turn now!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes were ice cold as he looked toward Huijing and his two companions, hooking his finger with an overwhelming intent to battle.


    Huijing and his companions exchanged glances.


    Their eyes were filled with coldness and rage.


    The Heavenly Dragon Eight.


    Within the Western Zhou Buddhist Sect, they were the absolute rulers, and aside from the Holy Spirit Mountain, there were few who could stand against them. Even those few other rulers of the Western Province would not dare to provoke and belittle them thus.


    For the powerful,


    Especially for beings so concerned with face,


    Contempt


    Was the greatest provocation and the most intolerable humiliation.


    "Second senior brother, kill him!" Huizhen said with a venomously twisted face.


    Huizhan snickered, clenching his hands tightly. A purple-golden alms bowl shimmered lightly with movement in his grip, as if it contained other worlds within it, independently existing: "I shall capture him in this purple-golden alms bowl and burn him with the flames of Buddha until his bones turn to dust and scatter to the winds!"


    Huijing, with a somber face, nodded in agreement: "Agreed!"


    He had initially wanted to use Yang Ling''s self-destructive energy to disrupt Xiao Yi''s mind, aiming to seize control of him.


    But...


    He never anticipated that Xiao Yi could instantly absorb the frenzied energy released from Yang Ling''s explosion, preventing it from happening and allowing Yang Ling to regain control of his body.


    Now, they had lost the initiative.


    Their next step against Xiao Yi would have to be joining forces.


    Swoosh!


    Swoosh!


    Swoosh!


    The three attacked Xiao Yi from three distinct directions. Huizhen and Huizhan flanked him from left and right, while Huijing hovered above. His body radiated Buddha''s light, turning into nine golden Buddha wheels.


    One hand formed a Buddhist seal while the forefinger of his other hand pointed forward.


    The Buddha wheels shot out explosively.


    Under Huijing''s control, the Buddha wheels tore through the air, buzzing as they spun, sounding like the chant of myriad monks reciting scriptures together.


    Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuniye Svaha!


    The sounds of the scriptures surrounded his ears, causing Xiao Yi a trace of irritation.


    Huizhen glanced at Huizhan: "Second senior brother, use the Heart Disturbing Curse to confuse Xiao Yi. He can''t pay attention to anything else right now. Trap him in the purple-golden alms bowl and I will destroy his cultivation!"


    "No problem!"


    Huizhan nodded, cupping the purple-golden alms bowl in his palms, and with a push, radiant golden light glimmered from the bowl.


    The bowl, originally the size of a palm, suddenly expanded into a heaven-covering basin, its opening directly targeting Xiao Yi. With a sweeping sound that pierced the air, the light shot out.


    Xiao Yi was enveloped in the purple-golden light.


    The flickering light emitted a purple-golden radiance; this was no ordinary matter��it was the weighty sands of the River Ganges.


    Billions of these sand grains piled up��a Heaven Venerate would find it challenging to escape.


    Further disrupted by the Heart Disturbing Curse.


    Xiao Yi was numbed, standing dazedly in the midst of the purple-golden river of light, like a motionless target.


    "The Kanan Staff!"


    Huizhen pressed his palms together in front of his chest, his hands flickering like shadows rapidly forming seals.


    And from his mouth, he spat out a blood-red staff.


    The staff was covered in scriptures. It was the legendary staff blessed by the Kanan Buddha himself, who was said to have used it to vanquish demons and spirits and even slay Bodhisattvas and Buddhas with it.


    Although Huizhen''s cultivation was far inferior to that of the Kanan Buddha, the full power of this staff was not to be underestimated.


    Buzzing!


    The staff smashed down on Xiao Yi''s head, its blood-red rings clashing against each other, resounding with a thunderous clang.


    The blood-red glow reflected on Huizhen''s face, exacerbating the ferocity of his terrifying countenance: "Little bastard, once I destroy your cultivation, I''ll let the second senior brother control your body, and you''ll watch helplessly as you slaughter the entire population of the Daqian Dynasty, hahaha..."


    "That will be disappointing for you!"


    Xiao Yi, who had seemed frozen, suddenly lifted his head, corners of his lips turned upward with a playful, cold smile.


    "What? How could you possibly be unaffected by the Purple Gold Bowl and the Heart Disturbing Curse..." Huizhen''s face suddenly changed, but the momentum of his attack was already set, and it was too late to change strategies.


    "Damn it, all or nothing!"


    A sharp light burst from Huizhen''s eyes as he clenched his teeth fiercely.


    The Kanan Staff in his hand came crashing down with vengeance.


    Faced with the fierce onslaught of the Kanan Staff, Xiao Yi''s left hand shot up abruptly, a streak of golden light flashed by, turning his entire left arm into a golden color.


    Shining with golden splendor, as if cast from gold.


    He had long since practiced the arts of the Wind Thunder Holy Land to perfection, his left arm blocking horizontally with a thunderous ''boom'', the Kanan Staff smashing down upon it.


    The violent force turned into a spherical shockwave, surging outward in all directions.


    Within a hundred miles.


    In the imperial city, buildings collapsed one after another, reduced to ruins.


    And Xiao Yi...


    He remained motionless, not in the slightest harmed by the Kanan Staff.


    Hiss!


    Huizhen took a sharp intake of breath, his face drastically changing, his subconscious urging him to flee. But Xiao Yi would not allow him to escape at this moment, as his right hand reached out into the void, with a crackling surge of Wind-Thunder force.


    A purple-gold force of Wind-Thunder coalesced into a giant purple-gold hand in mid-air.


    Hand of the Heavens!


    After breaking through to the Heaven Venerate Realm, it was one of the numerous martial arts Xiao Yi had cultivated from Zhao Wuji, his palm covering the sun and moon, seizing Huizhen who turned to flee.


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    Huizhen, his face contorted in desperation, thought of death, but Xiao Yi gave him no chance to escape.


    With a fierce grasp.


    Bang!


    Huizhen''s Buddhistic body suddenly exploded, his Primordial Spirit also crushed by the Hand of the Heavens wielded by Xiao Yi.


    Almost simultaneously...


    Xiao Yi stepped forward.


    His body expanding continuously, covered in golden light, transforming into a towering figure tens of meters tall. He stomped towards the Purple Gold Bowl, a loud ''boom'', shattering the Buddha relic.


    Wow!


    Huizhan trembled violently, vomiting blood.


    The Purple Gold Bowl was his life-bound Buddha relic; with its destruction, he, too, suffered a severe backlash.


    "Quick, save me..." Huizhan bellowed.


    Huizhen''s face darkened, he maneuvered the golden Buddha Wheel, lifting the grievously wounded Huizhan and breaking through the air.


    Xiao Yi let out a cold chuckle, "Do you think you can leave without my permission?"


    "Sword, come!"


    A light scold echoed through the heavens.


    Among those clouds, countless strands of Sword Qi converged, and the sword Slash the Moon manifested out of thin air.


    Hum!


    A sword''s chill spread across nineteen provinces.


    When the sword light dissipated, the Buddha Wheel exploded with a bang, and Huizhan, located on the Buddha Wheel, was cleaved into two. Even his Primordial Spirit could not escape Xiao Yi''s supreme edge of the sword!


    For a moment.


    Of the Four Dragon Sons, only one remained!


    Huizhen''s face turned ashen, knowing the tide of battle had turned, that not even the three of them together were a match for Xiao Yi. And with his specialty being manipulation of others, how could he stand against Xiao Yi?


    Flee!


    The word surfaced in Huizhen''s mind, never to be erased.


    He looked at Xiao Yi with a venomous face, hissing viciously, "Xiao Yi, if you have the guts, chase after me. Once the eldest brother takes action, you will surely have only death awaiting you!"


    Swish!


    Huizhen, covered in the golden Buddha Wheel light, actually headed straight for the direction of Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    "The eldest brother?"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, leaping into the air to pursue Huizhen, his voice echoing long in the void, "Even the pits of hell do not scare me, why should I fear a few monks?"

 Chapter 915 - 913: Are You Worthy?

    In the void.


    Huijing was surrounded by eight shining Buddha wheels, carrying his Buddha body swiftly towards Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    These nine Buddha wheels were his Vajra Dharma Wheel Treasure.


    Each one was an eighth-layer advanced spiritual weapon.


    Once combined, they could exhibit the power of a ninth-layer spiritual weapon.


    However...


    Just now, Xiao Yi shattered one of the Buddha wheels with a single sword strike, eliminating the chance for this treasure to display its peak power. Now, under the augmentation of the Buddha wheels, Huijing was moving more than three times his usual speed.


    "With my current speed, Xiao Yi will definitely not be able to catch up. As long as I meet up with my senior brother, with his strength he can surely subdue Xiao Yi..."


    Huijing''s eyes were filled with coldness and resentment, "Damn Xiao Yi, forcing me into such a sorry state. Once senior brother subdues you, I will surely make you experience the agony of wishing for death!"


    Suddenly.


    The vicious smile on Huijing''s face abruptly retracted, disappearing in an instant.


    Replaced by a look of shock and disbelief.


    Behind him...


    A sharp sound of breaking the air approached rapidly, its speed leaving him far behind.


    As the sound got increasingly closer, Huijing felt a bone-chilling cold emerging from his tailbone and rushing towards his crown, causing his body hair to stand on end, and he gasped heavily, sneaking a glance behind.


    "Holy shit!"


    The sight took Huijing by surprise.


    Behind him, a silver sword light was breaking through the air, scaring Huijing into hastily propelling three Buddha wheels to his rear.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The three Buddha wheels interlocked, transforming into a shield of golden light.


    "This distance, the Buddha wheels should be able to block it, right?" Huijing thought, but suddenly he heard a crisp crack from behind, as the three Buddha wheels were cleaved in half by the silver sword light.


    Amidst the scattered golden fragments, Xiao Yi''s figure sharply emerged.


    Hiss!


    Huijing gasped in cold air, no longer daring to stay a moment longer, fleeing frantically while also managing to send a distress message to Huiqing: "Save me, senior brother, save me..."


    At the same time.


    Outside Xiaoshanhe Institute, facing the protective Array, Huiqing had already destroyed thirty-seven layers of it, when his expression suddenly changed. He stopped Huiji, who was about to continue attacking, and took out the communication token. Seeing the message, his face turned ominously dark, "Xiao Yi has appeared, Huiji, Huizhen, Huizhan all died in battle, and Huijing is being pursued by Xiao Yi..."


    "What?"


    "Xiao Yi killed Huizhan and the others? How is that possible? Are the four of them together not his match?"


    "Senior brother, what should we do?" Huiju and the others looked at Huiqing.


    Huiqing glared furiously at the heavily fortified Imperial Dragon Mountain, a hint of unwillingness and frost in his eyes as he declared, "Forget about this place for now, full-speed support for Huijing... As long as we capture Xiao Yi, this Xiaoshanhe Institute will be meat on the chopping board, unable to escape our grasp..."


    The four immediately transformed into beams of light, rushing towards Huijing''s location.


    Inside Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Watching the four masters bombard relentlessly, witnessing the Arrays being destroyed layer by layer, Bai Fa Sword Emperor and the others, gripped with trepidation, also noticed the sudden departure of Huiqing and his group.


    The group exchanged puzzled looks, "Why did they suddenly leave?"


    "Could it be..."


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s eyes lit up, joy spreading across his face, "It must be Principal Xiao''s return!"


    "The Principal is back?"


    "Definitely, otherwise they would never leave so abruptly..."


    "Hahaha, the Principal is back, these bald monks are doomed."


    The oppressive atmosphere inside Xiaoshanhe Institute disappeared entirely.


    Jin Feiyan cheered enthusiastically, "Let''s go, let''s quickly follow. I want to see Principal severely discipline these bald monks..."


    Everyone''s faces showed eagerness.


    Only Bai Fa Sword Emperor pondered for a moment before saying solemnly, "Don''t rush to leave, lest we are discovered en route. Let''s depart a little later!"


    "Sword Emperor is right!"


    "Let''s wait a bit longer..."


    Everyone nodded in agreement, Ye Heng clenched his fists, looking towards the direction of the palace, "Principal, it''s been more than half a year since we saw you, how strong must you be now..."


    ...


    On the road from the palace to Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    Huijing''s nine Buddha wheels were now reduced to a lonely single one, located beneath his feet, carrying him at double the speed, far from the pristine and lofty appearance he had upon first entering Southern State.


    That pure white kasaya was tattered beyond recognition, covered with fierce sword marks.


    Blood stained the kasaya.


    His hair was in disarray.


    Utterly disheveled.


    Behind him, Xiao Yi followed at a leisurely pace, striking him with quick sword attacks whenever Huijing tried to distance himself, and then allowing Huijing to widen the gap between them again.


    Along this path...


    Huijing had been cut over three hundred times by Xiao Yi.


    These three hundred cuts avoided vital points but landed in the most painful and awkward places on his body, including his buttocks, which were shamefully exposed to the air, where Xiao Yi carved the words "Mercy of Buddha!" with his slashing sword.


    "Master Huijing, you''re running quite slowly!" Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly rang out beside his ear.


    Startled, Huijing shuddered, almost falling off the Vajra Dharma Wheel.


    He hardly needed to look back.


    He knew Xiao Yi''s attack was incredibly close.


    This was the precious experience gained from being struck over three hundred times.


    "Buddha''s light shines everywhere!"


    Huijing clasped his hands together, his body radiating golden light, a golden lotus platform phantom appeared above him.


    duang!


    Amidst a deafening explosion,


    The lotus platform shattered violently, a brutal sword strike slammed into his body, creating a gaping sword wound that skewed his entire back. Flesh rolled under the fierce sword marks, blood spurted wildly.


    Ah!


    Huijing screamed miserably, falling hard onto the ground like a plummeting star.


    Thud...


    The ground trembled, dust billowed.


    When the dust settled,


    Huijing lay in the pit like sludge, while Xiao Yi gracefully floated down, unsullied, the slashing sword in his hand melding with his body. His gaze and the tip of his sword rested on the center of Huijing''s brow.


    In Huijing''s eyes was full of resentment, he stared fiercely at Xiao Yi: "Xiao, Xiao Yi�� do you really intend to eradicate me completely?"


    "Eradicate completely?"


    Scenes of a desolated wasteland, corpses everywhere, blood flowing into rivers in the Imperial City flashed in Xiao Yi''s mind, his gaze sharpening, "You have the nerve to speak these words to me? How innocent were the citizens of the Imperial City? Did you ever consider sparing them?"


    "Are those ants even worthy to be compared to me?" S��ar?h the nov��lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Huijing felt tremendously insulted, grinding his teeth, "They are just ants, while I am a high and mighty Buddhist disciple. Even if I kill them all, it is to send them to paradise, they should feel honored, they should be grateful to me��"


    "Ha, hahaha, hahahaha��"


    Xiao Yi laughed angrily.


    To massacre innocent people and then say they should feel honored?


    What absurd reasoning.


    Xiao Yi looked icily at Huijing: "As you said, dying by my hand should also be an honor for you. This is your glory!"


    "No, you can''t do this, you cannot��" Huijing, feeling Xiao Yi''s unabated killing intent, panicked completely, his face filled with fear as he pleaded.


    Xiao Yi said nothing, raising his slashing sword, ready to strike.


    At that moment...


    Four figures suddenly appeared in the void, it was Huiqing and his group.


    From a distance, Huiqing saw Xiao Yi about to strike with his sword, he immediately roared like a dragon: "Xiao Yi, stop!"


    "Stop?"


    Xiao Yi glanced back at him, his slashing sword not pausing, and with a thrust, it split Huijing in half, while his left hand pushed forward.


    Fire thunder surged in his palm.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Under the blaze of fire thunder, both the body and primordial spirit of Huijing were burned to ash!


    Hiss...


    The hurriedly arriving group of four, led by Huiqing, had faces dark as thunder, completely unprepared for Xiao Yi daring to kill Huijing in front of them. Huiqing''s face was extremely grim, but he maintained a shred of clarity.


    But the Innate Divine Strength-possessing Huichun was infuriated and stepped forward: "Xiao Yi, my senior brother has ordered you to stop, how dare you kill my brother Huijing?"


    "Order me?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, giving Huiqing a sidelong glance, sneering, "Are you even worthy?"

 Chapter 916 - 914: Life and Death Unknown

    "Are you even worthy?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Huiqing and the others approaching with a sneer.


    Now, the Divine Sealing Leaves on the Divine Sealing Tree within him had reached 7,560,000, granting him a cultivation comparable to that of the Seventh Layer Heavenly Venerate Realm, further augmented by the Ninth Turn of the Wind Thunder Holy Body and the divine power from the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill.


    Although he might still be inferior to super experts at the Peak of the Heavenly Venerate Realm, he had the confidence to slay even a ninth-tier Heavenly Venerate.


    Huiqing, who was just a ninth-tier Heavenly Venerate, didn''t intimidate Xiao Yi in the slightest!


    In mid-air.


    Huiqing''s face turned extremely gloomy, never expecting that Xiao Yi would dare to kill Huijing right before him after revealing his presence.


    His eyes narrowed into slits, with a cold light flickering within like thunder, he coldly said, "No one has ever dared to insult me like this, you... deserve to die!"


    His voice was thunderous, the sound shaking the heavens!


    That deep voice actually condensed into tangible Buddha Seals; each word was a Buddha Seal, shooting towards Xiao Yi like fiery meteors.


    The whooshing sound of cutting through the air was enough to make one''s scalp tingle.


    "Scram!"


    With a raised head and a low shout from Xiao Yi,


    Buzz!


    Sound waves rolled forth like raging rivers and crashing waves.


    The terrifying energy smashed into those Buddha Seals in an instant, the force like a raging river shattering each Buddha Seal to pieces. The void fell into utter silence.


    Huichun and the others exchanged looks, all revealing a grave expression: "This kid can actually contend with our eldest brother in the way of sound waves?"


    Sound Wave Martial Technique.


    This was an extremely rare method.


    Even within their Buddhist sects, there were only techniques like the Buddhist Lion''s Roar and the recently performed Buddhist Chant by Huiqing. The way to judge the strength and superiority of Sound Wave Martial Techniques was to see whose technique was more powerful with fewer words.


    Huiqing had uttered dozens of words, but Xiao Yi shattered all his Sound Wave Buddha Seals with just one word, "Scram."


    It goes without saying...


    Xiao Yi''s mastery of Sound Wave Martial Techniques greatly surpassed that of Huiqing.


    Huiqing''s shiny bald head reflected the sunlight, giving off a bright luster, as he gently turned the white Buddha Beads in his hand, the ferocity within him fading away somewhat, replaced by serenity and calm: "Amitabha, Xiao, the sea of suffering is boundless; turn back and the shore is at hand. Put down the butcher''s knife and you will attain immediate enlightenment!"


    Suddenly...


    Huiqing''s figure started to grow and shrink unpredictably, his voice sometimes present and sometimes absent.


    "The sea of suffering is boundless; turn back and the shore is at hand!"


    "Put down the butcher''s knife and you will attain immediate enlightenment!"


    "The sea of suffering..." sea??h th�� Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Buzz!


    Buzz!


    Buzz!


    To the naked eye,


    Huiqing seemed to split into thousands of avatars, each maintaining the gesture of hands clasped together, holding the Buddha Beads. Thousands of figures appeared around Xiao Yi, their voices echoing with a haunting, seductive power.


    "Is this the Illusory World Heavenly Sound? Brother Huiqing is really serious this time��"


    "Ha ha, even the experts at the Peak of the Heavenly Venerate Realm can''t resist Brother Huiqing''s Illusory World Heavenly Sound. Xiao Yi is as good as dead��"


    Huichun and the others all showed expressions of ecstasy.


    Once the Illusory World Heavenly Sound commences.


    It''s like thousands of Buddhas continuously chanting sutras in one''s ears.


    Even the most resolute of minds would struggle to resist the incessant brainwashing from thousands of mouths, likely getting lost in it. This is a common technique used by the Buddhist sects.


    What Huijing had used was a technique similar to the Illusory World Heavenly Sound.


    Bewitching all sentient beings.


    Controlling the will of people.


    Huiqing''s face was full of confidence. He had absolute faith in his Illusory World Heavenly Sound, which could even affect combatants at the peak of the Heavenly Venerate Realm.


    In his view...


    Xiao Yi was nothing more than a newbie to the Early Heavenly Venerate Realm, and naturally, could not withstand his Illusory World Heavenly Sound.


    "Now is the moment!"


    Huiqing watched as Xiao Yi displayed a confused and dazed state, a trace of elation flitting through his eyes, as the white Buddha Beads in his hand instantly transformed into a white longsword amidst a whooshing sound.


    With the longsword in hand, Huiqing charged forward, unrelentingly thrusting at Xiao Yi''s chest while a ferocious look appeared on his face: "Die!"


    "Xiao Yi is doomed!"


    "Brother Huiqing''s methods are indeed formidable; with just a minor ploy, he''s managed to put Xiao Yi in a deadly situation!"


    Huichun and the others showed a look of ease on their faces, already envisioning the scene of Xiao Yi being slain under this sword. After all, such scenes were all too familiar to them!


    However...


    They could never have imagined that this time, their judgement was amiss.


    Although Xiao Yi''s cultivation was indeed far inferior to that of a warrior at the peak of the Heavenly Venerate Realm, his willpower was even more resolute and stronger than that of an ordinary combatant at the peak of the Heavenly Venerate Realm.


    Furthermore...


    Xiao Yi was also guarded by the eternal Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill within his soul.


    How could he be affected by his Illusory World Heavenly Sound?


    As the white longsword drew near, about to pierce through Xiao Yi''s chest and claim his life at that instant, Xiao Yi''s seemingly groggy eyes suddenly snapped open, with a hint of thick mockery curling at the corner of his mouth.


    His right hand moved, two fingers pinching together.


    Clang!


    With a crisp sound of metal clashing, the white longsword was seized between Xiao Yi''s two fingers, unable to advance even slightly further!


    Hiss!


    Huiqing and the others simultaneously inhaled a breath of cold air, the look of assured victory on their faces completely vanished. Looking at each other in dismay, they were utterly baffled, unable to believe what was unfolding before them.


    Huiqing''s face dramatically changed: "Impossible!"


    "Nothing is impossible!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice echoed in their ears as he tightened his grip on the sword''s blade, causing a series of fine cracks to spread across the blade amidst a continuous snapping sound, the sword''s tip suddenly shattering.


    Amidst the shards of the broken sword, Xiao Yi launched a fierce punch.


    Before the brutal punch even hit, it had already whipped up the shattered pieces of the blade, turning them into dagger-like projectiles that whooshed through the air, slicing open gory wounds on Huiqing''s body.


    Blood spilling everywhere, Huiqing couldn''t even lower his arms to defend himself before Xiao Yi''s heavy punch sent him flying.


    Crack!


    As his body flew backwards through the air, his arms burst apart amid a series of snapping sounds.


    The bones in both arms completely shattered.


    Carrying Huiqing''s body, the punch propelled him several miles away, but Xiao Yi''s figure was even swifter, pursuing with a whoosh, his knee slamming ruthlessly into Huiqing''s waist.


    Boom!


    The strike was extraordinarily fearsome.


    Crashing into Huiqing, he sent him soaring towards the heavens, and as Xiao Yi gave chase once more and overtook Huiqing, he raised his fists high above his head and brought them down with the might of Tai Shan.


    Boom!


    That heavy blow smashed into Huiqing''s chest.


    Wow!


    With a scream, Huiqing violently spat out blood, his figure plummeting like a falling star from the sky and harshly crashing to the ground.


    On the ground...


    Dust and smoke billowed.


    A mighty Heaven Venerate.


    His fate unknown...

 Chapter 917 - 915: Overpowering the Buddha, Completely Succumbing to Demonic Influence!

    The massive pit churned with dust and flying sand and gravel.


    The gathered crowd all focused their eyes on the rolling dust, with Huichun and others exchanging worried glances, concerned: "Is the first senior brother alright?"


    Gurgle!


    Huiru swallowed hard: "He... He should be fine, right?"


    "The first senior brother is a ninth rank Heaven Venerate, just one step away from reaching the peak of the Heaven Venerate Realm. Even in the Western Province, unless it''s a Buddha making a move, there are few who can defeat him..."


    In their minds, they still looked down upon Southern State, a place where strong individuals have dwindled.


    If it weren''t for Xiao Yi truly being formidable, having first slain the four including Huijing,


    and now forcefully suppressing Huiqing!


    They wouldn''t have thought highly of Xiao Yi.


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    A series of dull thumps suddenly emanated from within the dust, each thud scattering the dust violently with its burst of fierce energy.


    Suddenly...


    A gigantic golden paw tore through the dust and stepped forward.


    Next followed another golden leg, cast like gold, then tens of thousands of golden lights ripped through the dust��revealing a hundred-meter-tall golden Buddha body.


    The Buddha''s body was majestic, lifelike.


    Wrapped around its body, a blood-red heavenly dragon.


    "Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Buddha?"


    "Did the first senior brother actually succeed in cultivating this secret technique? Hahaha, now unless a warrior at the Heavenly Venerate Peak descends, nobody can contend with the first senior brother, Xiao Yi is doomed!"


    Huichun and the others could not help but show ecstatic expressions.


    Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Buddha!


    This is a secret Buddhist technique, upon activation, transforms the body into a Heavenly Dragon Buddha, a hundred meters tall Buddha with the power to destroy heaven and earth, more importantly, that blood-red dragon is condensed from the power of incense.


    As long as the incense exists, the dragon will not perish.


    Between the eyebrows of the Buddha body, there was a blood-colored Buddhist mark with a distinct figure of Huiqing within.


    His eyes shone with dazzling golden light, flickering uncertainly, as his grand voice boomed across the skies like thunder: "Xiao Yi, having forced me to use this Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Buddha technique, even in the netherworld you can be proud!"


    The voice reverberated, audible for a hundred miles.


    Those just arriving, including Ye Heng and Bai Fa Sword Emperor, all looked horrified, gazing at the towering Buddha surrounded by an aura of holiness, then at the insignificant-looking Xiao Yi like a speck of starlight.


    All the strong ones from Xiaoshanhe Institute couldn''t hide their worry: "Does this bald donkey possess such a terrifying secret technique? Could the Dean be in danger?"


    "This Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Buddha is extremely horrific, this bald donkey''s combat power with this secret technique is comparable to the Heavenly Venerate Peak, I fear even the Dean might not be his match..." Bai Fa Sword Emperor said with deep concern.


    At the same time.


    Huiqing was already controlling the gigantic blood dragon, which spiraled into a circular blood-colored ring at his front, the head and tail joined, and dragon chants resounded deafeningly.


    All of a sudden...


    Huiqing uttered several grand syllables: "Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon, Earth Store Bodhisattva, all Buddhas of Prajna, Prajnaparamita Maha!"


    The blood-colored ring vibrated fiercely, and from within it, a colossal dragon head burst forth, followed by a huge dragon body.


    The bright red dragon body as if drenched in fresh blood, each scale vivid and dripping like a giant shield crafted from blood-colored metal.


    This lifelike blood dragon dove from the sky.


    Boom boom boom!


    Where the dragon passed, gods retreated.


    The violent pressure released from a hundred meters high in the air already collapsed the vegetation and ground within ten miles, shaking the mountains to their cores, completely shattering them.


    Xiao Yi''s surroundings on the ground continuously sunk amidst the booming sounds, leaving only a one-hundred-meter tall rock pillar where he stood alone, his hands clasped behind him, slightly tilting his head to watch the diving blood dragon expressionlessly.


    Behind him...


    The Demon Sword slashes the moon intensely trembling, breathtaking Sword Qi radiating brilliantly.


    "Heavenly Sword Path, I alone am honored����Sword comes!"


    Xiao Yi''s black robe billowed, his black hair dancing against the heavens, showing no visible movement. But between his eyes, sharp silver light shot forth.


    With a crisp piercing sound.


    Behind him...


    The Demon Sword slashes the moon soared into the sky.


    Though the moon-slicing sword light was brilliant, next to the hundred-meter dragon, it still appeared incredibly minuscule.


    But it was this tiny silver Sword Qi that, in the instant it collided with the blood-colored heavenly dragon, effortlessly tore through the dragon''s body.


    The silver sword light was unstoppable, wherever it passed, the blood-colored dragon''s body burst open.


    Bloodlights scattered, shooting in all directions.


    The Moon-slasher entered from the dragon''s head and exited from the tail.


    In just the blink of an eye...


    The formidable, majestic blood-colored heavenly dragon was pierced through by a single sword strike. Xiao Yi''s figure, too, merely flickered, as he caught up with the Moon-slasher, gripping the sword hilt with one hand, and with a slash across the void, exclaimed, "Destroy!"


    Buzz!


    The sword light surged out hundreds of meters, fiercely slashing towards the Buddha body.


    "Heavenly Dragon Protection!"


    Huiqing roared, swiftly bringing his hands together above his head with a crisp clang, catching the Moon-slasher between his palms. With a mocking sneer, Huiqing opened his arms wide, and bellowed, "Thousand-Handed Buddha!"


    Clang, clang, clang!


    Behind the golden Buddha body, dozens of thick arms suddenly shot out. S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dozens of arms ferociously slapped towards Xiao Yi.


    Some with fists!


    Some with palms!


    And some with fingers...


    The attacks were varied, their power equally astonishing.


    "Without this sword, let''s see how you contend with this venerable one!" Huiqing laughed heartily, his speech filled with pride and wild arrogance, believing Xiao Yi''s demonic sword, Moon-slasher, to be excessively sharp.


    Now that the Moon-slasher was lost, weaponless, Xiao Yi would surely not withstand his barrage.


    Unfortunately...


    Today, he had sorely underestimated Xiao Yi''s strength!


    "Wind Thunder Holy Body!"


    Xiao Yi merely roared, and storm winds and thunder swept around him, as the Wind Thunder battle armor, Thunder Divine Spear, and Hurricane Divine Shield appeared simultaneously. With the formidable defense of the Wind Thunder battle armor, he resisted several attacks.


    At the same time...


    The Hurricane Divine Shield stood before him, blocking the massive Buddha arms'' relentless barrage.


    The Thunder Divine Spear, unmatched in sharpness, under a gathering of golden light beams, thrust forth, obliterating everything. It pierced through several arms, and with a vigorous shake of the Wind Thunder Wings behind him, Xiao Yi broke through the dozens of arms obstructing him.


    In an instant, he appeared right in front of the Heavenly Dragon Buddha Honorific.


    At that moment, Xiao Yi''s body was enveloped in golden light, facing Huiqing barely meters apart.


    "Not good!"


    Huiqing''s face drastically changed.


    Xiao Yi slightly curved the corners of his mouth, conjuring a radiant smile, yet, in Huiqing''s eyes, it was like the smile of a demon: "Slayer of Gods, Seven Extinctions��"


    Xiao Yi used his spear like a sword, performing this famed Sword technique of Zhao Wuji''s!


    Thrilling Joy!


    Heaven''s Wrath!


    No Worries!


    Sever Thought, No Grief, Ban Fear, Death Shock!


    All seven strikes landed on Huiqing.


    Crack!


    Crack crack!


    Amid a series of crisp fracture sounds, the blood-colored gem-like Buddha marks exploded violently, Huiqing screamed wretchedly, as blood spurted from all his orifices.


    The giant Buddha body burst apart, pieces of blood and gold falling.


    Amidst the rain of flesh and gold, Huiqing screamed as he fell like a plummeting star.


    "Quick, save the eldest brother!"


    "You two tie up Xiao Yi, I''ll save him..."


    Huichun roared, with the aid of the other two, managed to rescue Huiqing. They quickly fed him several medicinal pills, Huichun''s face ashen: "Eldest brother, this demon is ferocious, let''s retreat!"


    "No, we can''t retreat... I, I still have a way��" Huiqing caught his breath, looking at the three surrounding him, eyes revealing intense unwillingness and a bloodthirsty frenzy.


    "What way?"


    The three were startled.


    But they saw a hysterical madness flash in Huiqing''s eyes as he suddenly bit into the unsuspecting Huichun''s neck, while his hands pierced through the equally unguarded other two, crushing their hearts.


    Countless streams of blood converged towards his mouth.


    Under the bewildered and desperate gazes of the three, Huiqing roared fiercely, his face twisted: "If as a Buddha I cannot suppress the demon, then let me become the demon! Practicing both Buddha and demon, I will definitely slay Xiao Yi�� Three junior brothers, aid me in becoming a demon��"

 Chapter 918 - 916: Who Can Stop Me from Killing You?

    Roar!


    Huiqing clamped his teeth onto Huichun''s neck, gulping down his fresh blood voraciously, while the hearts of the other two Huis were crushed in his grip, with their lifeblood continuously gushing into his mouth.


    In an instant...


    Huiqing''s body was shrouded in blood light, with blood-red patterns spreading all over him.


    It was as if countless blood handprints had been branded onto his body.


    This made him look exceptionally ferocious and terrifying, and as he devoured them, the bodies of the three Huis shrank incessantly. Their Primordial Spirits were swallowed by Huiqing almost immediately.


    In just the blink of an eye.


    The three bodies of Huichun had transformed into three empty husks, with all their flesh and energy devoured.


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Huiqing''s body violently trembled, as bursts of blood light exploded outwards, sending crimson, glaring blood arrows shooting in all directions. Covered by those blood arrows, Huiqing was enveloped in towering Demonic Qi.


    The terrifying energy fluctuations were climbing incessantly.


    The oppressive aura emanating from Huiqing was also becoming increasingly powerful.


    Snap, snap, snap!


    Within a hundred miles, the winds howled and clouds surged, converging to form clouds that blotted out the sky, dimming even the proud sun that shone upon all from the heavens above.


    The ground trembled continuously amidst the thunderous noise.


    The ground shattered, rocks were pulverized, and even the grass and trees ignited spontaneously.


    Everything seemed to herald the imminent birth of a formidable demon.


    "Did this monk actually devour his own companions?"


    "What horrific methods, this... this is turning from Buddha to demon��"


    The Bai Fa Sword Emperor and others, despite being hundreds of miles away, could still feel how terrifying Huiqing had become after his demonic transformation. Shock and concern were unmistakable on everyone''s faces.


    Positioned near Huiqing, Xiao Yi felt this most deeply. After devouring the three, Huiqing''s cultivation level had truly stepped into the peak of the Heavenly Venerate Realm!


    This was a being on the same level as Nantian Wen.


    Back then...


    Inside the Xumi Pagoda, Xiao Yi fought with Nantian Wen and managed to gain the upper hand only by luck, thus qualifying for the Reincarnation Realm''s cultivation.


    Moreover.


    It was also because Nantian Wen didn''t intend to kill him.


    Had he harbored the intent to kill, in a life-or-death battle.


    Not only would Xiao Yi be unable to advantageously win the wager, but he might also be unable to withstand even a full-force strike from Nantian Wen and would end up dying at his hands.


    But now...


    Xiao Yi had also changed!


    The current Xiao Yi''s cultivation was comparable to the Seventh Layer Heavenly Venerate Realm; if he were to unleash his full strength, he could hold his own against the peak of the Heavenly Venerate Realm, and if he were to spare no expense and use the Blood Explosion Skill.


    Even against the peak of the Heavenly Venerate Realm, he was confident he could slay them!


    However...


    After reaching the Zun Realm, using the Blood Explosion Skill would cost Xiao Yi the innate blood refined by the tides of the Heavenly Dao, which couldn''t be easily regenerated like mortal blood.


    That''s precisely why.


    Unless it was absolutely necessary, he was unwilling to use the Blood Explosion Skill!


    His thoughts flickered like lightning.


    Huiqing had completed the transformation from Buddha to demon, his exterior still bore the dignified appearance of a Buddha, but inside, a demon heart had taken deep root.


    Buddha and demon in one body!


    This was the ultimate path of the Celestial Dragon Temple, unknown to the world.


    In the Western Province... S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Buddhism flourishes, and naturally, they dared not practice the fusion technique of Buddha and Demon.


    But this place is the Southern State!


    As long as he kills all these people in front of him, no one will know his secret. While thinking, Huiqing revealed a sinister smile and spoke in a voice difficult to discern as male or female, "Xiao Yi, after all, I should thank you. If it weren''t for you, I would not have achieved this Buddha-Demon Body!"


    Even with the protection of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, he dared not take the final step in the Western Province.


    Even in this Southern State.


    Previously, with Huichun, Huijing, and others by his side, he had many concerns. But Xiao Yi''s slaying of Huijing and the others forced him into a dead end.


    This finally compelled him to take the last step!


    Just as Huiqing said.


    He could resolve to take the last step and achieve the Buddha-Demon Body, and Xiao Yi played a crucial role in this.


    "Hehehe..."


    As Huiqing stepped forward, the Buddha body that swallowed and spat out Buddhist light began to manifest blood-colored Demonic patterns, radiating piercing bloody light. His aura climbed several times over. The indistinguishable Yin and Yang voice gradually spread, "To express my gratitude, I will not let you die too easily. I will first destroy your cultivation, devour your blood and flesh, imprison your Primordial Spirit, and let you witness with your own eyes how the entire population of the Daqian Dynasty becomes my sacrifice. In the end, I will devour your Primordial Spirit, so you will never be reborn, hahaha..."


    "Go to hell, your grandpa..."


    Xiao Yi responded with a punch.


    Buzz!


    Like a comet, his fist shot towards his opponent''s face.


    However...


    The punch was halted a mere half-inch from his face, as a blood-colored light flashed around Huiqing and transformed into a giant blood-colored hand that firmly grasped Xiao Yi''s fist. The blood light, carrying a potent corrosive force, hissed unnervingly and Xiao Yi''s powerful fist strength was corroded away.


    It looked like even Xiao Yi''s fist could not be saved.


    Xiao Yi smoothly struck out with his palm.


    It seemed to be a plain palm strike, but in a blink, he unleashed tens of thousands of palm shadows, scattering the blood-colored light shield that appeared out of nowhere and slapped Huiqing''s face with a thunderous smack.


    Sending him flying.


    Xiao Yi then smoothly pulled his fist back and looked down at it, chunks of flesh had been corroded, revealing bone-deep wounds that surprisingly couldn''t heal in an instant.


    Heaven Venerate elites regenerate flesh and blood, and non-lethal wounds can heal by themselves.


    Now...


    If even the flesh on his fist corroded by a few pieces couldn''t recover quickly, it was imaginable how terrifying Huiqing''s blood-colored Magic Power was.


    No time to ponder further.


    Xiao Yi saw Huiqing, who had been slapped away, already circling back. Huiqing''s face was full of a fierce and cold laugh, and clearly, he had noticed Xiao Yi''s inability to heal the wounds on his fist.


    "Thousand-Handed Buddha!"


    Behind Huiqing emerged rows of blood-colored arms, akin to a Thousand-Handed Buddha, with dozens of arms swinging towards Xiao Yi.


    These arms stretched instantly, like dozens of blood-red pythons, crazily twisting with open fangs as they attempted to tear Xiao Yi apart.


    Huiqing wore a triumphant expression: "Xiao Yi, if you kneel and beg for mercy now, perhaps I can leave your whole corpse, hahaha..."


    "Idiot!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, his body shook, and amidst a crackling sound of thunder, the Wind Thunder battle armor clung to his body surface. The Thunder Spear merged with his arm, complemented by the unparalleled defense of the Hurricane Divine Shield.


    Boom!


    The Hurricane Divine Shield thrust forward, instantly releasing a myriad of fierce winds from the shield, abruptly gathering the numerous blood-colored Magic Powers into a cluster.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi''s Thunder Spear pierced out thousands of spear lights, with rays of the spear crossing the sky, clashing with the blood-red pythons amidst a hissing muffled sound, creating billowing black smoke.


    Thunder represents the most rigid, Yang, and righteous force between heaven and earth.


    It is the nemesis of all dark and demonic powers!


    Under the slaughter of the Thunder Spear, the terrible corrosive effect of the Magic Power couldn''t be brought into play.


    "This is impossible..." Huiqing''s face split with rage, the previous pride unable to remain for even a moment.


    Xiao Yi, with the Thunder Spear in one hand and the Hurricane Divine Shield in the other, augmented by the Wind Thunder battle armor, his body glinting with golden light and traced by lightning, looked down in contempt at the stunned Huiqing and declared loudly, "Be you Buddha or Demon, if I wish to kill you, who can stop me?"

 Chapter 919 - 917: Devouring Buddha and Demons, Stepping onto the Ninth Tier of Heavenly Venerable!

    "I want to kill you, who can stop me?"


    Xiao Yi''s whole body shone with golden light that pierced the heavens, standing proudly before Huiqing like an invincible War God.


    He had not expected the strength of the Wind Thunder Holy Body to control the thunder power, to actually cause such massive harm to the demon-infused Huiqing.


    However...


    This was also because Xiao Yi''s Wind Thunder Holy Body had reached the ninth transformation, had already obtained recognition from the origin of the thunder, and all the forces he commanded were that of the thunder origin power, which accounted for its immense might.


    If it were just ordinary thunder power, though it could also restrain magic power, it certainly wouldn''t be this effective.


    Huiqing''s face grimaced with ferocity, a reluctant roar sounded, "Impossible, this is absolutely impossible! What just happened must be a fluke; I am a Buddha-Demon Fusion, how could you possibly suppress me?"


    Buddha-Demon Fusion, the coexistence of good and evil.


    Such a fierce technique, even in the Western Province where Buddhism prevailed, was hard to find a method to restrain this power.


    He found it hard to accept that the powerful strength he gained in exchange for his disfigured appearance was as fragile as papier-mach�� in front of Xiao Yi, with blood surging wildly over his body. The terrifying, evil blood-red demon patterns emitted are continuously spreading.


    Crafted into sinister and eerie demonic symbols, branding on his body.


    His whole being was as if wearing a suit of blood-colored armor.


    On his shoulder, his flesh violently squirmed and then suddenly grew another head with a puff, this head had a green face and sharp fangs, looking hideously savage.


    One head shimmered with golden light, Buddha''s light shining brightly; the other was covered in bloodstained demonic patterns, equally fierce.


    Both heads bore Huiqing''s visage.


    Two mouths spoke at once, with both male and female voices echoing simultaneously: "This is the true form of Buddha-Demon Fusion, even if you can suppress the magic power, so what? I still have the power of Buddha, I would like to see how you suppress my entirety!"


    Om Mani Padme Hum!


    All demons worship!


    Both heads opened their mouths, making a thunderous roar.


    The golden Buddha light flourished, merging into a golden lotus platform, on which seemed to be the presence of eighteen Arhat Supremes guarding. It swept across the void and shot explosively towards him.


    From the gaping maw of the demonic head emerged a torrent of shadow demons, all sorts of ghouls and ghosts, skeletons and phantoms, fiends and evil spirits, congealing into a dark river of demons with an overpowering momentum.


    Buddha-Demon Fusion.


    Both righteous and wicked!


    Two vastly different energies, yet under Huiqing''s control, managed to perfectly merge with each other.


    Situated at the core of these colliding energies.


    Xiao Yi found the space before him warping under the conjoint influence of the two energies, with everything visibily distorting as if a piece of paper being folded dozens of times.


    "Buddha and demon coexist, the World-Ending Roulette, appear!"


    Huiqing''s both heads roared in unison, his hands coming together in front, with both Buddha power and magic power concurrently reaching their limits. Two drastically disparate energies converged and intertwined, pulling the shadow torrent and the Buddha light lotus together.


    A millstone with intertwined black and gold hues manifested in the void, hovering before Xiao Yi.


    World-Ending Roulette.


    One turn to slay men.


    Two turns to kill gods.


    Three turns to end the world...


    Hence it is called the World-Ending Roulette!


    "One turn!"


    Huiqing''s both hands rotated simultaneously, the gigantic World-Ending Roulette began to spin amid roaring sounds, the dreadful energy twisted the surrounding void around Xiao Yi, warping the entire space like twisted dough.


    The figure of Xiao Yi, too, started to contort within the naked eye.


    "The World-Ending Roulette, eh? It does have some uniqueness, but to think of killing me with it, you''re still far from sufficient!" Xiao Yi said with a light chuckle, only to see his shoulders tremble lightly.


    With a hum and a faint tremor.


    The continuously twisting space by his side suddenly shook violently, returning to normal.


    Hiss!


    Huiqing''s body trembled, both heads'' corners of the mouth spilling a trickle of fresh blood, his eyes furiously glaring, exuding a crazy intent to kill: "Indeed, you have some skill, to so effortlessly break through the first turn of the World-Ending Roulette, but let''s see if you can withstand the second turn!"


    As the words fell.


    Huiqing once again twisted the World-Ending Roulette.


    This time, already burdening himself with tremendous strain, while spinning the World-Ending Roulette, Huiqing''s body shook violently, blood uncontrollably spraying out of his mouth.


    Hum!


    The World-Ending Roulette, above and below, enveloped the void above Xiao Yi''s head and down at his feet.


    Simultaneously twisting left and right.


    Two turns to kill gods!


    The power of this strike was ten times that of the first turn.


    Even with Xiao Yi''s ninth turn Wind Thunder Holy Body, while resisting this move, he felt his body constantly being torn apart by countless powerful hands, as if they were trying to shred him alive.


    "When you''re down, I''ll take your life!"


    A cold murderous intent flashed in Huiqing''s eyes. He clenched his teeth hard, his muscles bulging on both arms, and his veins swelling like dragons, making two loud bangs as his arms burst open.


    Boom!


    The World-Ending Roulette began spinning wildly.


    The third turn of World-Ending!


    Although calling it "World-Ending" might seem an exaggeration, this energy of opposing forces, if dropped upon the land, could easily devour hundreds of miles of terrain.


    Crack crack crack!


    The void visibly collapsed at a rapid pace, transforming into a black vortex centered around the World-Ending Roulette.


    The vortex was pitch-black and bottomless.


    As if everything was swallowed up cleanly by it!


    The vortex, like a gluttonous beast, frantically devoured everything around it. Xiao Yi was at the very center of the vortex, about to be consumed by the endless black light.


    A crazed smile appeared on Huiqing''s pale face, the intense pain from his bloodied arms subconsciously ignored, as he howled with a grimace: "Hahaha, this is the fate of those who oppose me. It''s just a pity that under the power of the World-Ending Roulette, both your flesh and Primordial Spirit will be extinguished simultaneously. I can''t burn your Primordial Spirit with the fire of heaven and earth, nor can I make you witness the destruction of the Daqian Dynasty!"


    His venomous gaze swept towards where Bai Fa Sword Emperor and the others were.


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s face suddenly changed: "Not good! He''s targeting us, run..."


    With a wave of his hand, a myriad of sword shadows emerged in the void, intending to escape through the sky with everyone. But before he could move, countless blood-colored magical runes wove into a large net in the void, firmly ensnaring them.


    Huiqing''s sinister laughter echoed in everyone''s ears: "Hehe, without my permission, do you think you can leave?"


    "Damn monk..."


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor''s face was gloomier than ever, his white hair moving without wind, turning into sharp sword strands as he looked at Huiqing with a determined gaze, "I will hold him off; you all go first!"


    "No, we won''t leave!"


    "If we die, we die together..."


    Ye Heng and Shadow Demon said in unison.


    "Leave? None of you will escape!"


    Huiqing sneered coldly, his crimson tongue licked around his lips, and he said ominously, "Xiao Yi is dead, I will send you all to hell to accompany him. When you see him under the Nether Spring, do remember to relay a message from me, that I will send the entire Daqian Dynasty to accompany him..."


    However...


    His words had just ended.


    Behind him, there suddenly came a playful cold sneer: "No need for them to relay the message, you can tell me directly!"


    "Hm?"


    Huiqing shuddered, feeling ice-cold all over.


    That voice was Xiao Yi''s!


    A chill shot straight up to the crown of his head.


    "Go!"


    The only thought in Huiqing''s mind now was to flee, but he found his body immobilized, and as his eyes rolled upward, he saw two palms pressing down firmly on the top of his head. sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gulugulu!


    Huiqing swallowed saliva fiercely: "You, what do you want to do? I am the abbot of the Celestial Dragon Temple, my master is Celestial Dragon Supreme. If you dare to kill me, my master will not let you off, nor will our Western State Buddhist Sect..."


    "Buddhist Sect? Celestial Dragon Supreme? There''s no need for them to come to me, I''ll seek them out myself! But before that..."


    A flash of blood passed through Xiao Yi''s eyes. Behind him, the Divine Sealing Tree rose from the ground amidst dazzling green light, towering hundreds of feet with lush branches and Sealing God Leaves rustling.


    Countless vines sprang from the Divine Sealing Tree, ensnaring Huiqing tightly.


    "No..."


    "Don''t kill me..."


    "I don''t want to die, spare me, I am willing to be a beast of burden for you, spare my life..."


    Huiqing felt his life force and all energy within him rapidly dissipating. Desperation filled his eyes as he pleaded miserably. Yet, Xiao Yi was relentless, without any expression he controlled the Divine Sealing Tree to voraciously drain Huiqing of life.


    Bang!


    Huiqing turned into a dried-up corpse, dispersing in the wind, turning into dust in the sky.


    And on the Divine Sealing Tree behind Xiao Yi, the number of Sealing God Leaves had surged to a staggering 9.8 million, signifying that Xiao Yi now possessed a cultivation comparable to the ninth tier of the Heavenly Venerate Realm!


    Crackle!


    Xiao Yi casually clenched his fist, his unparalleled energy burst the void in his palm. With his current strength, even facing the peak figures of the Heaven Venerate Realm, he could kill with a single strike.


    Even when facing Supreme Venerate Realm powerhouses, Xiao Yi had the confidence to fight.


    His eyes became sharper than ever as he looked westward: "Western Province Buddhist Sect? Celestial Dragon Supreme? Clean your necks and wait; I will soon be coming..."

 Chapter 920 - 918: Southern State Trembles, Holy Land Pays a Visit!

    "Master..."


    "Headmaster!"


    "Esteemed Chancellor..."


    After the shock and consternation, Bai Fa Sword Emperor and Ye Heng, amongst others, became ecstatic and crowded around Xiao Yi.


    Each and every one of them looked at him with burning fervor.


    Beyond the previous solemnity and worship, there was now an added element of awe.


    They had all witnessed the formidable power of Huiqing with their own eyes.


    Had it not been for Xiao Yi''s timely intervention at the final moment to eliminate Huiqing, they would have faced certain death against the Buddha-Demon fusion of Huiqing, with no chance of survival.


    Xiao Yi glanced at the crowd. This battle had been a significant blow to them, making them realize that there are always stronger people out there, but it also transformed their mentality.


    Blessings and misfortunes go hand in hand.


    He believed that the formidable strength displayed by Huiqing and the others during this battle would deter them from any pride and arrogance due to their own achievements.


    Xiao Yi swept his gaze over Bai Fa Sword Emperor and said, "Bai Fa, you take people to clear the battlefield. Even the weakest of these individuals is at the Earth Venerate Realm, and the Western Province is much richer than our Southern State, I''m sure there will be a considerable harvest!"


    "Your subordinate understands!" Bai Fa Sword Emperor replied respectfully with a nod.


    Ever since Xiao Yi helped him step into the Earth Venerate Realm, he had clearly understood his role and would comply with every order from Xiao Yi without question.


    Xiao Yi turned to Ye Heng and the others, "After you return, you must diligently cultivate. Your master will ultimately have to leave one day, and not every time you encounter trouble can your master stand in front for you!"


    A shade of embarrassment flashed across Ye Heng''s face.


    He had indeed been somewhat prideful and self-rationalizing, feeling that with the great backer Xiao Yi present, he had become somewhat lax in his cultivation. Hearing Xiao Yi''s words now, he felt utterly ashamed and clenched his teeth, "Master, rest assured, your disciple understands!"


    "Master, I understand as well!" Jin Feiyan added crisply.


    Ruan Yunyi hummed weakly.


    His cultivation had never fallen behind.


    Xiao Yi scanned the crowd and noticed that Xiao Yun''s figure was nowhere to be seen, prompting memories of when Xiao Yun bravely warned him not to harm Zheng Cheng if encountered. However...


    On that day of the discipleship ceremony, Xiao Yi did not meet anyone named Zheng Cheng.


    Being preoccupied with alliances at the time, Xiao Yi had set the matter aside, but now, the absence of Xiao Yun reminded him of it, so he asked, "Why don''t I see Xiao Yun?"


    The others were taken aback.


    Ye Heng started to speak but hesitated.


    Xiao Yi frowned and pressed, "What exactly happened?"


    "Let me tell you," Jin Feiyan offered, glancing at the silent group, "Since the end of the Xiaoshanhe Institute''s discipleship ceremony, Brother Xiao Yun has become very quiet. When you went to Nantian Dynasty, he left Xiaoshanhe Institute by himself, and since then, we have not seen him again."


    Ruan Yunyi nodded, a somber look on his face.


    He had always been close to Xiao Yun but had no idea when Xiao Yun had left. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This weighed on his mind.


    Xiao Yi furrowed his brows, still puzzled over the identity of Xiao Yun. Everything from his behavior to his severe warnings about Zheng Cheng was extremely odd.


    But now...


    Since Xiao Yun had left, Xiao Yi couldn''t ask for clarity and could only say, "He left? Later, have the disciples keep an eye out, and if Xiao Yun returns, have him see me immediately." After a pause, Xiao Yi turned to Yang Zun, "This time the Western State Buddhist Sect''s experts have descended and manipulated Yang Ling, causing the imperial city to be destroyed in one fell swoop. The few of you go back and keep watch over Yang Ling, guide him well, and ensure that no further incidents occur!"


    "What? Manipulated Yang Ling and destroyed the imperial city?"


    "Damn the Buddhist Sect, I used to think they were compassionate. I never expected them to be such deceitful and malicious hypocrites..."


    "Not all those in the Buddhist Sect are like this..."


    Everyone looked toward Xiao Yi.


    Bai Fa Sword Emperor said solemnly, "Director, regarding the matter of the Buddhist Sect..."


    Xiao Yi waved his hand, his squinted eyes flashing with sharp cold light: "This account naturally has to be settled. The blood debt of the tens of millions of citizens in the imperial city cannot be written off just like that. However, the most important thing right now is to relocate the imperial city to the Imperial Dragon Mountain Range. With my Formation for protection and the strong ones from Xiaoshanhe Institute guarding by the side, even if strong enemies come again, the loss would not be as disastrous as this time!"


    Everyone nodded in agreement.


    Xiao Yi''s Array was incredibly strong. Even with Huiqing and the other three attacking together for half a day, they were not able to break through the Formation.


    If the imperial city had such a defensive Formation, Yang Ling would not have been controlled, and millions of people would not have been slaughtered!


    Yang Zun said gravely, "After we return, I will immediately take charge of the relocation of the capital!"


    "Mm!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, instructed everyone to continue cleaning up the battlefield, and then he himself returned to Xiaoshanhe Institute.


    After all, he had just made a breakthrough and he needed to thoroughly consolidate his cultivation.


    Besides...


    With combat strength comparable to the Supreme Venerable, Xiao Yi also wanted to try entering the third layer of the Immortal Tomb of Ages. After all, he was about to seek retribution against the Western State Buddhist Sect for their blood debt. Without sufficient assurance, it was not wise to risk going alone.


    Xiao Yi departed.


    The crowd split into two groups, one to clean up the battlefield and the other to head towards the imperial city.


    What they didn''t realize...


    In the void, a shadow quietly appeared, watching Xiao Yi with complicated expressions. If Xiao Yi was present at the moment, he would definitely recognize that this person was Xiao Yun, who now had an arm and a leg severed.


    "Master, please forgive your disciple for leaving without saying goodbye."


    Standing in mid-air, staring in the direction where Xiao Yi had left, Xiao Yun''s expression gradually turned resolute as he looked towards an enigmatic section of the void, "Even if it costs me my life, I must prevent that incident from happening!"


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Yun''s figure flickered, as he tore through the void, plunging into its depths.


    Ripping through space, wandering through the void.


    This was a method only a Venerable Saint could possess!


    However...


    No one noticed this scene.


    ...


    Nantian Dynasty.


    "Ancestor, Xiao Yi has slain the Eight Dragon Sons and is suspected to possess the combat power of the Heavenly Venerate Peak!" Nantian Wen''s face was filled with excitement as he spoke to Nantian Yan, his voice trembling.


    Even with his strength and status, when he received this news, he could not maintain his composure.


    "What?"


    Nantian Yan suddenly sat up, his old face full of shock.


    He was very clear about Xiao Yi''s previous level of cultivation, and even more aware of his combat strength.


    It had only been a few short months.


    Xiao Yi could already match the power of the Heavenly Venerate Peak?


    "This kid... this kid... I thought I had held him in high enough esteem, but it seems I still underestimated this youngster." Nantian Yan chuckled bitterly as he shook his head, then looked intently at Nantian Wen and said seriously, "You must go to the Daqian Dynasty personally and at all costs befriend Xiao Yi. Additionally, you can reveal our plan to him, as this youngster''s future is boundless..."


    "I understand!"


    Nantian Wen nodded solemnly before departing.


    Nantian Yan''s eyes gleamed sharply, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly with a smile that wasn''t quite a smile, "The old folks of the Nantian Holy Land must be panicking now like ants on a hot pan, huh?"


    At the same time.


    Within a mysterious space independent of the Southern State, a message dropped like a boulder into a calm lake, stirring up great ripples...

 Chapter 921 - 919: Out of My League

    Nantian Sacred Land.


    This place is an independent space located within the Southern State''s territories, yet it remains detached from the land of Southern State��a fragment among the countless spatial debris that drifted through the cosmos when Zhao Wuji shattered the Azure Heaven Continent.


    It was captured and refined by the first and greatest lord of Nantian Sacred Land, creating the Nantian Sacred Land as it is known today.


    After tens of thousands of years of operation and development, the secret realm where Nantian Sacred Land is located has long become a complete world in itself.


    Countless creatures live within.


    Rare and exotic beasts, heavenly and earthly treasures, as well as many from the Human Race.


    However...


    Within this martial sanctuary of the Southern State, even among the Human Race itself, there is a strict hierarchy of three-six-nine classes, and this class system is even more severe than in the Qingtian Realm.


    The lowest are the untalented ordinary people with no aptitude for cultivation, who are called human slaves within Nantian Sacred Land.


    They are mainly engaged in the lowest level of productive labor.


    As one goes higher up, those with stronger talent and power for cultivation who yet have not been accepted into the sacred land for training are known as commoners��ordinary humans of Nantian Sacred Land.


    And naturally, the highest class is composed of those gifted individuals who have joined Nantian Sacred Land, entering the core of the sacred land to cultivate��they are referred to as Celestials!


    Heavenly beings!


    Human slaves, commoners, Celestials!


    In this world where the law of the jungle and the survival of the fittest are carried to the extreme, if a Celestial is in a bad mood, it is not uncommon for them to kill tens to hundreds of thousands of commoners and human slaves.


    At this moment...


    The most central area of Nantian Sacred Land, which is also the heart of the sacred land.


    The entire core of the sacred land is situated upon the confluence of thousands of Ninth Grade Spirit Veins, a treasure land for cultivation, where the natural essence of heaven and earth is immensely dense, to the extent that even a common weed growing at the core of the sacred land possesses a toughness greater than usual refined iron.


    The entire core of Nantian Sacred Land is divided into nine regions: Heaven and Earth''s Primordial Yellow, the eight regions of the vast universe, and the holy domain where the lord resides. S��arch* The ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yellow Region.


    The likes of Yang Dingtian and Li Yaofeng once belonged to the Yellow Region lineage of powerhouses.


    At this moment...


    Loud disputes could be heard from within the palace of the Yellow Region lineage: "Qiu Yiyun, I really think you''ve been bewitched. How many of our Yellow Region''s experts did Xiao Yi kill? He disgraced our Yellow Region within the sacred land, and now he''s recklessly offended the Western State Buddhist Sect��it''s his own fault. Considering the alliance, it was already generous of us not to kick him while he''s down, and yet you still want us to lend him a hand?"


    "Qiu Yiyun, I can''t help but suspect you''ve received quite some benefits from Xiao Yi!"


    A group of powerhouses from the Yellow Region lineage looked at Qiu Yiyun with peculiar expressions.


    Qiu Yiyun''s face turned alternating shades of green and white. Indeed, he had received benefits from Xiao Yi, but more importantly, he had witnessed Xiao Yi''s strength firsthand, which led him to strongly advocate for building good relations with Xiao Yi.


    But...


    He never imagined that in the eyes of everyone from the Yellow Region lineage, he would be seen as advocating for Xiao Yi''s sake just for his own benefit.


    "Don''t slander me here. The reason I staunchly support Xiao Yi is that his strength and talent truly merit our utmost effort to recruit him..." Qiu Yiyun argued with reason.


    "Talent and strength? Our Nantian Sacred Land is teeming with geniuses; would we miss one of them?"


    "If he truly possesses such formidable talent and strength, merely against the Buddhist Sect, why would he need our help? He should naturally have the means to handle it himself..." someone sneered with sarcasm.


    Qiu Yiyun was furious, gritting his teeth as he said: "Adding flowers to brocade is easy, sending coal in the snow is hard. If we wait until Xiao Yi resolves the Buddhist Sect''s trouble on his own, it won''t be so easy for us to establish a good relationship with him!"


    "Ha ha, Qiu Yiyun, aren''t you joking? How strong is the Western State Buddhist Sect, do you and I not know? As far as I know, Xiao Yi has offended the Celestial Dragon Supreme, and each of his Heavenly Dragon Warriors is a top-notch fighter. If Xiao Yi could deal with the Heavenly Dragon Warriors on his own, I would twist off my head and let you use it as a night pot!" The Peak of Earth Revered Realm powerhouse who had just spoken with sarcasm, Zou Huai, said with a disdainful face.


    "You..."


    Qiu Yiyun was so angry that his eyes were bulging, but he didn''t know how to respond.


    At that moment...


    A figure rushed forward at high speed, this person''s cultivation was obviously that of the Ninth Grade of Heavenly Venerate Realm, it was Zou Shaolong, the master of the Yellow Region.


    "Greetings to the Domain Master!"


    Everyone quickly bowed in greeting.


    Zou Huai hurriedly approached with a smile, respectfully saying: "Grandfather, have you returned from the Holy Realm? What was the purpose of the Holy Master summoning the nine Domain Masters?"


    Zou Shaolong did not answer his question but instead looked at Qiu Yiyun and others and asked: "What are you arguing about? I could hear you from a great distance..."


    Qiu Yiyun clasped his fists, with a bitter smile on his face, and said: "Domain Master, I am hoping that everyone could lend a hand to help the Daqian Dynasty resist the strong fighters from the Western State Buddhist Sect, but they..."


    Qiu Yiyun recounted the previous argument of the people present.


    Zou Huai glanced at him, held his head high, and scoffed with conceit: "Grandfather, do you think Qiu Yiyun''s brain has been pinched by a door? He actually thinks that Xiao Yi, that little beast, can repel the Buddhist Sect''s masters. This is simply the most ludicrous thing in the world, how could that little mongrel possibly..."


    Slap!


    Zou Shaolong turned around and slapped him across the face.


    The slap left Zou Huai seeing stars, with a dumbfounded expression on his face as he looked at Zou Shaolong, unable to believe it, he said: "Grand... Grandfather, you... you hit me?"


    "Hitting you is getting off lightly!"


    Zou Shaolong glared at him fiercely and snorted coldly, "Aren''t you curious about why the Holy Master gathered us? I''ve received news that Xiao Yi has slain the Heavenly Dragon Warriors and is suspected to possess the combat power of the Peak of Heavenly Venerate Realm. You call him a little beast, a little mongrel, who should I hit if not you?"


    "What? Xiao Yi killed the Heavenly Dragon Warriors? Suspected to be at the Peak of Heavenly Venerate?" Zou Huai was dumbstruck, forgetting the burning pain on his face, with a bewildered look he stared at Zou Shaolong.


    Zou Shaolong snorted coldly: "Do you think I would lie to you?"


    "I... I..."


    Zou Huai''s mouth agape, he was at a loss for words for a moment.


    He felt the other side of his face also starting to throb with piercing pain, dozens of times more painful than the slap he had just received from Zou Shaolong, muttering bewilderedly: "How is this possible? It hasn''t been long since he broke through to the Longevity Secret Realm, and now he has the combat power of the Peak of Heavenly Venerate?"


    The surrounding powerhouses also exchanged looks, unable to conceal the astonishment on their faces.


    Only Qiu Yiyun recovered from his initial shock and was then pleasantly interrupted by the praise of Zou Shaolong. Zou Shaolong patted his shoulder and said: "Yiyun, the Holy Master has now entrusted me with the task to make amends with Xiao Yi. I know you have a good relationship with Xiao Yi, so for the upcoming trip to the Daqian Dynasty, you will lead the way and accompany me!"


    Hisss!


    Everyone couldn''t help but gasp in shock.


    The Domain Master himself is making the move, all for the sake of establishing good relations with Xiao Yi?


    This was unprecedented in the entire history of the Nantian Holy Land!


    For a moment...


    Everyone finally understood, the Xiao Yi they had previously looked down upon had already grown into an existence beyond their reach...

 Chapter 922 - 920: Supreme Venerable of the Buddha Dao!

    Daqian Dynasty, Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    Within the Blood Qi Tower.


    Xiao Yi sat cross-legged, floating in mid-air. Behind him stood the Divine Sealing Tree, with its verdant Sealing God Leaves swaying gently.


    Occasionally, a few green, sparkling specks fell like green stars, forming ribbons of green, encircling Xiao Yi.


    Floating and sinking between moments,


    Those beams of green light, entering his body.


    By now, Xiao Yi had completely stabilized the Divine Sealing Tree, possessing a cultivation that could rival the ninth layer of the Heaven Venerate Realm. As for battle power, he was on par with a warrior of the Second Layer Supreme Realm.


    Even in the entire Qingtian Realm, his strength ranked among the top echelons.


    Aside from those within the holy lands and reclusive superpowerful warriors, Xiao Yi''s combat capabilities allowed him to traverse with utter freedom!


    Buzz!


    Suddenly, the Divine Sealing Tree behind Xiao Yi trembled and merged into his body, and he vanished into thin air. When he reappeared, he was inside the Ancient Tomb of Eternity.


    He had reached the deepest part of the second layer, but even with his current Supreme-level battle power, he faced an invisible barrier preventing any further advance into the third layer.


    "Even Supreme battle power can''t enter the third layer? I refuse to believe this..." A fierce glint flashed through Xiao Yi''s eyes, and as he raised his hand, the Demon Sword Zhan Yue materialized in his palm.


    With a shake of his arm, Zhan Yue trembled, its blade issuing an ear-deafening roar.


    Sword Twenty-Three!


    Swish!


    A silver sword light that shocked the heavens surged upwards, slashing towards the fog shrouding the third layer.


    Boom!


    The entire fog shook violently, ripping open a crack.


    "Success!"


    A wild joy flashed through Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    But just then...


    From within that crack, a bronze tombstone flashed by, and almost simultaneously, a deep roar emerged from within the tombstone: "Scram!"


    A single simple word "scram."


    Yet it formed an unimaginably terrifying force, seemingly transforming into a tangible "Scram" that charged fiercely forward, and with a bang, collided with the sword light, instantly shattering the concentrated sword beam.


    Thud thud thud!


    Xiao Yi staggered back in retreat, his chest heaving violently. A wound had appeared in the palm of his hand. He gasped in shock: "Who exactly is buried in the third layer? Just a low roar, and it nearly injured me?"


    His battle power was on par with a Second Layer Supreme Realm warrior!


    Yet with just a low roar, the other party had shattered his sword light and split open his palm from afar.


    Such battle power was far beyond his own.


    "It seems that to step into the third layer, I would have to wait until breaking through to the Peak of Supreme Realm, or even to Saint Realm," Xiao Yi muttered to himself. Not the least bit discouraged, his fighting spirit was instead ignited.


    The stronger the warriors buried in the Ancient Tomb of Eternity, the more powerful the heritage he would receive once he subdued them in the future.


    "Since I can''t enter the third layer, it seems I can only search for targets in the second layer. My current attacking methods are too limited. Next, I''ll be heading to Western Province; after all, it is the heartland of the Western State Buddhist Sect, and I must be fully prepared."


    With this thought in mind, Xiao Yi began to search for targets within the second layer.


    He previously thought he could enter the third layer, so he hadn''t spent much time searching for targets in the second layer.


    Suddenly...


    Xiao Yi saw at the deep corner of the second layer, near the entrance to the third layer, a nondescript small grave. The headstone of the grave was a severely weathered green stone, with the name "Shakya" barely visible.


    "Shakya? Is this the surname or the given name of the tomb''s occupant?" Xiao Yi walked towards the small grave.


    As he approached,


    He suddenly felt his heartbeat quicken, his blood boiling.


    As if something within this tomb was drawing his attention, Xiao Yi''s eyes lit up. There were numerous burial grounds within the Ancient Tomb of Eternity, and countless strong warriors laid to rest, but the number of strong warriors he could suppress and seal was limited.


    He couldn''t waste any spots.


    The tomb in front of him unexpectedly made him feel a resonance. At this thought, a flash of brilliance swept through Xiao Yi''s eyes, and he struck out with a palm towards the tomb.


    Boom!


    The tomb exploded with a loud bang.


    Before the dust had settled, a golden light burst forth from within, and a monk emerged. The monk had slightly curled hair and a beard, yet his body was exceptionally sturdy.


    He was dressed in a somewhat loose, gray monk''s robe, holding a withered wooden walking stick.


    His golden eyes stared intently at Xiao Yi, one hand resting on the walking stick, the other performing a Buddhist gesture as he chanted "Amitabha Buddha": "This humble monk is Supreme Shakya. May I ask who you are, patron, and why I have come to this place?"


    "Supreme Shakya? A Buddhist supreme venerable?"


    Xiao Yi''s pupils contracted slightly, not expecting to have found the grave of a Buddhist supreme venerable.


    Is it known by the Tomb of Ages that I''m heading into the heartland of the Buddhist sects?


    Although he didn''t have much respect for those hypocritical Buddhist disciples, the various methods and secret techniques of the Buddhist sect were indeed eye-catching, many of which were incredibly powerful.


    Furthermore...


    If Xiao Yi could master the secret techniques of the Buddhist sect, his actions would be more convenient upon his arrival in the Western Province.


    "Patron?" Supreme Shakya looked puzzledly at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi came back to his senses and said indifferently, "This is the Tomb of Ages, and I am its master, Xiao Yi, the contemporary God-General of Heavens."


    "The God-General of Heavens? The Tomb of Ages?"


    Supreme Shakya''s face changed abruptly, and greed flashed in his eyes, "I never thought the legend was true��that there exists a grand tomb in the world that buries countless experts, and whoever possesses this tomb could have the opportunity to challenge all realms. Patron, this humble monk feels that the Tomb of Ages is predestined with our Buddhist sect, a treasured fate of Buddha, so I kindly ask you to return it to our Buddhist sect."


    Xiao Yi: "..."


    Damn it!


    I always knew the Buddhist sect had no shame.


    But to be this shameless?


    You''ve been dead for so many years, just climbed out of your grave without even knowing what place this is, and now it''s suddenly fated with your Buddhist sect?


    Watching Xiao Yi remain silent, Supreme Shakya pressed on: "Patron, it is our Buddhist sect''s mission to redeem all living beings. Within this Tomb of Ages, countless powerful beings are buried and should be enlightened through the Buddhist Law. Do you intend to keep it for your own selfish interests, unwilling to give these innocent souls the chance for liberation?" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi gave Supreme Shakya a strange look, and with a smirk said, "Great monk, there is something on you that is fated with me. Would you be willing to exchange it with me for the Tomb of Ages?"


    "What thing?" Master Shakya was like a question mark.


    Xiao Yi smiled faintly and deliberately pronounced, "Your life!"


    "What?"


    Supreme Shakya''s face changed, revealing a ferocious look, and he immediately launched a palm strike towards Xiao Yi: "Great Compassionate Hand!"


    Countless golden lights converged on his palm, transforming into a Buddha shadow behind him, as the gigantic palm, like a mountain, slammed down on Xiao Yi. The Buddha''s palm print was surrounded by golden light, brilliant and dazzling, and it possessed the power to destroy heaven and earth.


    Where is the compassion in that?


    Xiao Yi smiled, raised his hand casually, and the Divine Sealing Tree appeared behind him, countless green vines rattling and shooting out. Under the impact of the green tendrils, the golden Buddha palm exploded with a loud bang.


    "This is impossible..." Master Shakya''s face turned pale.


    One Buddhist divine skill after another was activated.


    The Bodhi Thousand Leaves Hand.


    The Eight-Part Heavenly Dragon Fist.


    The Mahavairocana Hand...


    Yet within this Tomb of Ages, Xiao Yi was the supreme king, with the Divine Sealing Tree suppressing everything. The countless vines shattered Supreme Shakya''s attacks, tightly binding his body. Xiao Yi pointed a finger and uttered, "Seal!"


    Buzz!


    Black light fluctuated, and endless black chains tightly bound Supreme Shakya, a layer of black light covering his body.


    With a roll, he was integrated into the Divine Sealing Tree.


    The formidable Buddhist supreme venerable was directly sealed and suppressed by Xiao Yi!


    At the same time.


    Countless Buddhist secret techniques flowed into his mind, including some long-lost secrets of the Buddhist sect; it was no exaggeration to say that even the Buddhist traditions within the Holy Spirit Mountain of the Western State Buddhist Sect might not be as complete as the ones Xiao Yi now possessed.


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth lifted slightly, "I wonder what expression Celestial Dragon Supreme will have when I use the Buddhist secret techniques to destroy the doctrine of Celestial Dragon Temple?"

 Chapter 923 - 921: Are You Teaching Me How to Do Things?

    "I wonder what the Celestial Dragon Supreme''s expression will be when I use the Buddhist Secret Technique to destroy the lineage of his Celestial Dragon Temple?"


    Xiao Yi revealed a playful look on his face.


    Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    Not only did he allow Master Tianyun to cause harm to innocent beings in the Southern State, using their flesh and Gold to construct Buddha statues as embodiments for his descent, but he also sent the eight scions of the Celestial Dragon to Southern State, causing the deaths and injuries of tens of millions of innocents.


    This is a debt of blood that cannot be settled without death!


    A blood debt must be repaid with blood!


    Subsequently...


    Xiao Yi began to cultivate the Buddhist Secret Technique he acquired from Supreme Shakya in the Blood Qi Tower. There were a total of seventy-two secret techniques and thirty-six secret methods, each with formidable power.


    If it were an ordinary Buddhist monk practicing, any one of these secret techniques or secret methods would require a lifetime of dedication to research and comprehend to reach the transformative stage.


    But Xiao Yi did not need to do so.


    He had received the legacy of Supreme Shakya, which was not merely about the secret tomes of secret methods and techniques but also included the experience and insights of cultivation. With Xiao Yi''s talent, he had digested all these inheritances in just a few short days.


    And just at this moment...


    The experts from the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Land had already arrived at Imperial Dragon Mountain.


    "Master, His Majesty Nantian Wen, the Emperor of the Nantian Dynasty, and Zou Shaolong, the Domain Lord Huanyu from the Nantian Holy Land, have come to visit!" Ye Heng respectfully reported from outside the secret chamber of the Blood Qi Tower, his face full of pride.


    Once upon a time.


    Xiaoshanhe Institute was an insignificant force within the Great Qian Dynasty, almost being expelled from the list of top ten sects; let alone the Nantian Dynasty and the Nantian Holy Land, it was a place despised by everyone within the Daqian Dynasty.


    But now...


    Even the ruler of the Nantian Dynasty and the esteemed Supreme Venerate Realm Domain Lord of the Nantian Holy Land personally came to visit.


    And all of this was because of Xiao Yi''s emergence.


    As the chief personal disciple under Xiao Yi, Ye Heng naturally shared in the glory!


    Boom!


    The stone door opened.


    Xiao Yi walked out, nodding calmly: "Lead the way!"


    ...


    Inside the hall.


    Nantian Wen and Zou Shaolong were seated on the left and right sides respectively.


    Nantian Ao stood behind Nantian Wen, bowing his head, silent.


    Little Lin was sitting lazily next to Nantian Wen, squatting on a stool with both legs, holding a Spirit Fruit in both hands and munching with juice all over his mouth, looking quite content.


    Behind Zou Shaolong were Qiu Yiyun and Zou Huai.


    Zou Huai, having been slapped hard by Zou Shaolong for mocking Xiao Yi, harbored resentment in his heart. He shamelessly followed Zou Shaolong here, thinking of seeking a chance to cause trouble for Xiao Yi.


    This was because Zou Shaolong was unaware of his thoughts; otherwise, he would have slapped this fool of a grandson to death.


    After waiting a long time.


    Zou Huai, quite impatiently, said: "Grandfather, isn''t this Xiao Yi too arrogant? It''s one thing for him not to appear and greet us immediately upon the joint arrival of you and Emperor Nantian, but to actually keep us waiting here for so long..."


    Zou Shaolong glanced at him with slightly furrowed brows but did not say anything more.


    Even though Xiao Yi indeed possessed Supreme Venerable combat strength and his talent and potential future were worth courting by the Nantian Holy Land.


    But in his view...


    The greatest of geniuses are still just geniuses after all.


    And let''s not even mention his cultivation at the Supreme Venerate Realm; just by virtue of being the Domain Lord of the Yellow Region, one of the nine domains of the Nantian Sacred Land, Xiao Yi should have come to greet him at the first opportunity.


    Little Lin, who had been nibbling on a Spirit Fruit, paused and looked up at Zou Huai, replying indifferently, "If you can''t wait, you can roll out!"


    "Who do you think you are? How dare you talk to me like that?" Zou Huai''s face changed as he fixed a cold and stern gaze on Little Lin.


    Little Lin snorted coldly.


    Standing aside, Nantian Wen was the first to speak out: "Little Lin is right, Xiao Yi did not invite you. You came on your own initiative to pay a visit, and you don''t allow for the possibility that the master of the house could be delayed by other matters? The people of your Nantian Sacred Land are really all cut from the same cloth, all equally arrogant and dismissive of others..."


    "Nantian Wen, what do you mean by that?" Zou Shaolong''s eyes narrowed as he asked coldly.


    Nantian Wen shrugged his shoulders, saying indifferently, "I mean exactly what I said! Why? Can''t someone as great as a Supreme Venerable even understand these simple words? Do you want me to order the eunuchs from the cleansing room to explain it to you?"


    "You..."


    Zou Shaolong''s face grew dark, and just as he was about to speak, he abruptly turned to look towards the rear hall.


    There was an aura approaching that made him feel oppressed. Nantian Wen, similarly drawn by it, saw a trace of shock cross his eyes. Not until Xiao Yi''s figure appeared in front of him did Nantian Wen take a deep breath, "Goodness, it''s only been half a year, and he''s already nearly as strong as me..."


    Recalling six months ago...


    In the Xumi Pagoda, Xiao Yi was unable to withstand even a single move from him and only won by being clever.


    Now, he already felt threatened by Xiao Yi''s presence. S��arch* The Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Such talent...


    Even Nantian Wen couldn''t help but feel envious!


    Zou Shaolong was also sizing up Xiao Yi, incredulous at the aura of authority emanating from him, which made him feel a hint of pressure. His eyes narrowed into slits as he marveled internally, "It seems the reports were accurate, Xiao Yi truly possesses the fighting strength of a Supreme Venerable!"


    "Big brother!"


    Little Lin cheered and leaped in excitement, instantly appearing by Xiao Yi''s side.


    Xiao Yi, who had sensed the activation of the Xiaoshanhe Academy Formation, had rushed back immediately without informing Little Lin. As a result, Little Lin stayed in the Nantian Dynasty, coming over with Nantian Wen.


    "Look at your messy appearance, how will you find a wife in the future?"


    Xiao Yi casually wiped the fruit juice from the corner of Little Lin''s mouth and then looked up at Nantian Wen, clasping his hands in greeting, "Nantian big brother, you''ve had a hard time taking care of Little Lin these past few days!"


    Nantian Wen''s mouth curved slightly upwards, a gratified smile on his face, as it was clear that Xiao Yi had not forgotten their friendship despite his advancements in cultivation. He laughed and said, "What are you talking about? Little Lin is your brother; he is naturally also my brother. Besides, the palace is full of rigid and cold rules, and having this little guy by my side brings me lots of joy!"


    Little Lin stuck his tongue out at Nantian Wen.


    But indeed, his unrestrained nature made Nantian Wen, who was used to the strict palace rules, feel very comfortable.


    "Hmm!"


    Zou Shaolong gave a light cough from the side, feeling somewhat displeased that Xiao Yi had completely ignored him.


    Xiao Yi still acted as if he hadn''t seen him, continuing to chat with Nantian Wen, "Haha, if Nantian big brother likes this kid, then let him keep you company in the palace more often!"


    "No, no! I''ve tried all the tasty things in the palace, it''s not interesting..."


    Little Lin shook his head fervently like a rattle drum, leaving Nantian Wen between laughter and tears.


    While the group was chatting and enjoying themselves, Zou Shaolong and his son were so angry they could burst. Zou Shaolong, due to his status, restrained himself from saying too much, but Zou Huai snorted coldly and said with a sarcastic tone, "A brat is still a brat, with no manners whatsoever. Can''t you see my father waiting here? Why aren''t you coming over to pay your respects?"


    As soon as the words fell.


    The whole hall fell silent.


    The smile on Xiao Yi''s face gradually faded as he turned to look at Zou Huai, "You, are you teaching me how to do things?"

 Chapter 924 - 922: The Sacred Lands of the Dynasty Visit Together, Competing to Please Xiao Tian!

    "Are you teaching me how to do things?"


    Xiao Yi turned around and looked towards Zou Huai.


    "Not good!"


    Zou Shaolong''s face changed dramatically, and he hurriedly spoke out: "Xiao Yi, stop��"


    Before he could finish his sentence.


    Zou Huai, standing behind him, already let out a scream as if a kite with a broken string, flying backwards into the distance, and fiercely smashed onto the ground with a bang.


    A cold hand formed by the power of divine sealing firmly pressed on his face.


    Pinning his entire head to the ground.


    Zou Huai''s face was covered in blood, turning extremely pale, his pupils contracted intensely showing more fear and terror.


    Hiss!


    A gasp of cold air suddenly swept through the hall.


    With Xiao Yi''s combat power comparable to a Supreme Venerable, it was no surprise not just in punishing Zou Huai, but even silently killing him would not astonish anyone. However, Xiao Yi pinning Zou Huai to the ground, severely injuring him at the same time.


    And yet, he caused no damage to the hall.


    This meant that Xiao Yi''s control over his power had reached an almost perfect realm.


    This was something that even Zou Shaolong, who had stepped into the Supreme Venerate Realm for hundreds of years, couldn''t achieve.


    "Domain Lord Zou, I merely disciplined your son slightly, you wouldn''t mind, right?" Xiao Yi said with a smiling gaze towards Zou Shaolong.


    How could he not mind?


    That''s my own son!


    However...


    Zou Shaolong took a deep breath, a forced gentle smile appeared on his rigid face, and he lightly said, "My foolish son was disrespectful and offended Head Xiao. Even if Head Xiao hadn''t taken action, I would have severely disciplined him myself. However, I hope Head Xiao can forgive him this once on my behalf..."


    Nantian Wen, watching Zou Huai being slapped to the ground by Xiao Yi while the rather arrogant Zou Shaolong was forced to accept it, felt immensely pleased.


    The people of Nantian Sacred Land were always extremely arrogant.


    Zou Shaolong was among the strongest of them, and now even he had to bow down to Xiao Yi.


    This made him even more grateful that he had previously befriended Xiao Yi.


    "Head Xiao!"


    Qiu Yiyun had long disliked Zou Huai''s demeanor, watching his bloodied miserable state as he was pinned down by Xiao Yi filled him with schadenfreude, yet due to his status he still had to speak out, "Zou Huai meant no harm, I request Head Xiao, on account of the Domain Lord, to not take this matter to heart!"


    Zou Shaolong looked at Qiu Yiyun with a grateful gaze and hurriedly said, "Head Xiao, what do you think..."


    Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Since Domain Lord Zou and Elder Qiu have pleaded on his behalf, I will give this face. However, he dared to insult my brother as a beast, death penalty can be spared but the living penalty cannot be avoided. Let him kneel at the entrance, and let him leave after our discussion ends!"


    "This..."


    Zou Shaolong''s face changed, Zou Huai being his son and also a Earth Venerate Realm powerhouse of Nantian Sacred Land, represented the face of Nantian Sacred Land.


    Having him kneel publicly outside.


    This was undoubtedly a slap in the face of Nantian Sacred Land!


    Nantian Wen spoke out to persuade: "Domain Lord Zou, my brother Xiao Yi didn''t directly kill him, this is already showing great face to Nantian Sacred Land."


    Whimpering...


    Lying on the ground, Zou Huai was ghostly pale, the divine power from Xiao Yi''s palm constantly tormenting his body, repeatedly feeling close to death.


    At this moment, he had lost all previous arrogance and recklessness.


    Only left with reverence and fear of death.


    At this moment, where he dared to insult Xiao Yi anymore, constantly signaling to Zou Shaolong with his eyes, just begging to end this torment of brushed with death, as for the matter of face...


    Nothing in life is bigger than death!


    Zou Shaolong took a deep breath, and said in a resolute voice, "Forget it, my foolish son has offended Head Xiao, let''s follow Head Xiao''s arrangements!"


    Swish!


    Xiao Yi casually waved a hand, a flash of silver light swept by.


    Carrying Zou Huai like an arrow released from its bow, he instantly rushed out of the hall, and with a thump, knelt outside the hall.


    Despite the bloodstained face.


    Despite kneeling in full public view.


    But...


    Breathing in the free air, Zou Huai couldn''t help but sigh that being alive is truly wonderful!


    .....


    Inside the hall.


    Xiao Yi took the seat of honor, his calm gaze fell on Zou Shaolong for the first time, he had already known Zou Shaolong''s identity from Nantian Wen. One of the nine domains of Nantian Sacred Land, Domain Lord Huanyu.


    A grandmaster of the Supreme Venerate Realm.


    Definitely one of the top giants in Southern State.


    Xiao Yi indifferently said, "Domain Lord Zou, I know you have traveled thousands of miles to Xiaoshanhe Institute, what brings you here?"


    Zou Shaolong said, "We three parties are allies, and this visit serves three purposes. First, to strengthen our cooperation; second, due to previous incidents involving Yang Dingtian and Li Yaofeng that caused misunderstandings among us, we are also here to clear up these misunderstandings. As for the third aspect, we are here by the order of our Holy Master to congratulate Xiao on his ascension to the realm of Supreme Venerate!"


    While he was speaking,


    Qiu Yiyun stepped forward, holding a storage ring in both hands and placed it in front of Xiao Yi.


    Zou Shaolong said with a smile, "Inside this ring are five Eternal Spirits and five hundred origin stones. The five hundred origin stones are intended as an apology, in hopes of clearing up the misunderstandings between us. As for the five Eternal Spirits, they are gifts to congratulate Xiao on his ascension to the realm of Supreme Venerate!"


    Even a person like Nantian Wen couldn''t help but gasp upon hearing the gifts being presented.


    Not to mention how precious the five Eternal Spirits were.


    Just the five hundred origin stones alone were worth a fortune, even he could not bring out so many treasures!


    Seeing Nantian Wen''s shocked expression, Zou Shaolong couldn''t help but feel smug.


    This is why Nantian Holy Land has dominated Southern State for tens of thousands of years.


    They control the richest resources in Southern State!


    Zou Shaolong looked towards Xiao Yi, thinking to himself, "No matter how talented you are, you''ve never seen so many treasures like these, have you? I believe you''ll understand whose side you should be on!"


    However,


    Facing these treasures, Xiao Yi just hummed indifferently, letting Little Lin take the storage ring.


    Little Lin casually took away the storage ring filled with treasures that made everyone marvel and covet.


    It looked as if he was just collecting a very common stone.


    "What''s going on? Why aren''t they excited at all?"


    Zou Shaolong frowned, having thought that Xiao Yi would be ecstatic upon seeing these treasures! But the outcome was completely beyond his expectations; Zou Shaolong could only console himself by thinking, "They must not recognize the value of the origin stones and Eternal Spirits, otherwise, they couldn''t possibly remain so composed. It must be so..."


    This is because Xiao Yi does not possess the Mind Reading Technique and does not know Zou Shaolong''s thoughts, otherwise, he might be laughing his head off!


    Such gifts, in the eyes of people like Nantian Wen or Zou Shaolong, indeed are tremendously generous. But to Xiao Yi, these things were trivial. S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Eternal Spirits?


    He could easily substitute Spirit Vein with origin stones and refine them using the Eternal Cauldron.


    As for the origin stones...


    Although he had used ninety percent of the origin stones acquired from the far south, he still had nearly ten thousand pieces left, naturally, he wouldn''t care much about these gifts.


    "Country bumpkins will be country bumpkins. Even if they are lucky enough to possess such great power, they can''t change their true nature. They don''t even recognize these treasures��" Zou Shaolong thought viciously.


    Nantian Wen stepped forward and said, "Xiao, brother, I too am here to congratulate you on entering the realm of Supreme Venerate. However, I don''t have the luxury like Nantian Holy Land. Before, I saw that the weapon you used had just entered the Eighth Grade, so my ancestors specially gave you his personal sword, the Red Sky Sword, which is a high-tier Ninth Grade elemental weapon!"


    "Ninth Grade high-tier elemental weapon? Hmph, how can it compare to origin stones and Eternal Spirits?" Zou Shaolong scoffed disdainfully.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s eyes sparkled with excitement, and he laughed heartily: "Nantian, brother, this really is a heartfelt gift!"


    As his strength improved, the Moon-Cleaver no longer suited him as well.


    And now...


    Nantian Wen had given him the Red Sky Sword, a Ninth Grade high-tier elemental weapon, which was just like a pillow for a napping person.


    "Hahaha, I''m glad you like it!"


    Nantian Wen laughed and handed the Red Sky Sword to Xiao Yi.


    The sword was red with colorful pearls and Jiuhua jade adorning it; its cold light was intimidating, and its blade as frosty as snow, with the name Red Sky clearly engraved on the blade. A Ninth Grade high-tier elemental weapon, it felt oddly familiar in hand.


    A precious sword for a hero!


    Xiao Yi, a grandmaster of the sword path, once the Red Sky was in his hands, it recognized its new master.


    "What? Just for a Ninth Grade high-tier elemental weapon, he''s this excited? Surely, he''s an uncultured country bumpkin. My gifts were five hundred origin stones..." Zou Shaolong felt almost unable to hold back, ready to rise and tell Xiao Yi about the value of the origin stones.


    But at that moment...


    Xiao Yi, smiling, said, "Since both of you have given me such generous gifts, I naturally cannot be stingy." With a flick of his finger, two storage rings fell into Little Lin''s hands, who then handed them over to the two men respectively.


    Xiao Yi continued with a smile, "As the saying goes, courtesy demands reciprocity. I hope these modest tokens will help us continue to uphold our alliance to advance or retreat together, sharing honor and disgrace!"


    "Of course!" Nantian Wen laughed.


    "Xiao, actually, about those origin stones..." Zou Shaolong still wanted to explain the value of the origin stones to Xiao Yi.


    Suddenly, Nantian Wen gasped, "Holy smokes, Xiao, isn''t your return gift a bit too precious?"


    "Haha, it''s just a little plaything that''s not worth much, brother. I''m glad you like it!" Xiao Yi laughed.


    "A precious gift?"


    Zou Shaolong was stunned, and also instinctively glanced at the storage ring. At that look, he felt as if struck by lightning, completely dumbfounded, inside the storage ring quietly lay a thousand origin stones...


    At that moment.


    Zou Shaolong felt his throat dry, and his face painfully hot.


    That was quite a slap in the face!


    Xiao Yi''s lips slightly curled, looking at Zou Shaolong with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Domain Lord Zou, what were you saying about origin stones?"


    "..."


    Zou Shaolong was utterly mortified, wishing he could dig a hole and bury his head in it...


    PS: The third update is here, Xiao Tian has to go to work now, and will continue writing after work!

 Chapter 925 - 923 Pointing Towards the Western Province [Fourth Update]

    Zou Shaolong was unable to hold his face, flushed red with embarrassment.


    Thinking back to the moment he proudly presented five hundred Source Stones and five Longevity Spirits, he thought highly of himself, assuming Xiao Yi and his companions were inexperienced in the ways of the world.


    But then, observing Xiao Yi''s casual and effortless gift in return��a thousand Source Stones.


    The Source Stones lying within the ring were like an invisible palm fiercely slapping his face, sending a burning, stinging pain to both cheeks. It felt as if a beggar was flaunting a Silver Ingot found from the trash in front of the richest of the rich!


    It was truly a shameful debacle!


    On the other hand, Nantian Wen already knew of Xiao Yi''s wealth, aware that he possessed many Source Stones, and burst into laughter, saying, "Brother Xiao, your return gift is far more valuable than my Red Sky Sword. Looks like I have taken a bit of advantage from you, but what can I do if you''re such a prosperous lad..."


    As the two interacted more, Nantian Wen also revealed his true character.


    With his supreme sovereignty in the Nantian Dynasty, every action observed, he had to suppress his real self. But in front of Xiao Yi, he didn''t need to conceal anything, and this sense of freedom indeed made him genuinely appreciate Xiao Yi.


    Otherwise,


    Nantian Wen would not have fought so persistently for Xiao Yi, contesting for a spot in the Reincarnation Realm.


    Xiao Yi, grinning, responded, "Brother Nantian jokes." After a pause, he continued, "Brother Nantian, do you know much about the Western Province?"


    He was soon to travel there.


    Yet, he knew nothing about it.


    Nantian Wen paused, about to speak, when he noticed Zou Shaolong signaling him with his eyes.


    Nantian Wen, sharp as always.


    He immediately understood that Zou Shaolong wanted to show off in front of Xiao Yi to gain his favor. Nantian Wen secretly sneered: Now you realize that my brother Xiao is the real deal!


    Nantian Wen chuckled, "Why don''t we let Lord Zou explain this? He''s more familiar with the situation in the Western Province!"


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, also seeing through Nantian Wen''s intentions. After all, he just needed information about the Western Province; it didn''t matter to him whose mouth it came from.


    Moreover, Xiaoshanhe Institute and the Daqian Dynasty were ultimately in Southern State; to continue expanding, they couldn''t bypass the mighty mountain that was Nantian Holy Land.


    As long as Nantian Holy Land didn''t provoke him, Xiao Yi was quite willing to cooperate with them.


    With this thought.


    Xiao Yi decided to help Nantian Wen out by taking advantage of this opportunity. He turned to Zou Shaolong, smilingly asking, "Lord Zou, could you talk about the situation in the Western Province?"


    "Of course, certainly!"


    Zou Shaolong sent a grateful glance towards Nantian Wen, then said solemnly, "This Western Province is dominated by a single Buddhist sect; no sovereign states exist there, everything is under control of various temples, which are all governed by the Western Region Holy Land of Spirit Mountain��"


    With Zou Shaolong''s introduction, Xiao Yi gained a general understanding of the Western Province.


    Aside from the transcendental Holy Spirit Mountain in the whole Western Province.


    The real authority was held by the Four Great Temples alliance which led the Four Great Buddhist Nations��not actual countries, but alliances formed around the four temples of Vajra Temple, Shaolin Temple, Celestial Dragon Temple, and Hanging Temple.


    Among these Four Great Buddhist Nations, Shaolin Temple and Vajra Temple were the most powerful.


    Hanging Temple and Celestial Dragon Temple are hardly different.


    Zou Shaolong said, "Although you have slaughtered the Celestial Dragon''s eight disciples, and the strength of Celestial Dragon Temple has greatly diminished, as long as the Celestial Dragon Supreme is still around, the status of Celestial Dragon Temple remains unshakable!"


    "So it is!"


    Xiao Yi nodded to himself, quite agreeing with Zou Shaolong''s analysis.


    Previously, Zou Shaolong only thought about befriending Xiao Yi and did not consider too much. Now he regained his senses, showing a puzzled expression, and asked, "Xiao, why do you ask so much about the matters of the Western Province?"


    Xiao Yi laughed: "It''s nothing... As the saying goes, know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be in peril. Now that I have killed the Celestial Dragon''s eight disciples, the Celestial Dragon Supreme might not be willing to let it go. Knowing more about them allows me to prepare in advance!"


    "Don''t worry, since you have killed the Celestial Dragon''s eight disciples, the Celestial Dragon Supreme definitely won''t provoke you easily anytime soon. Moreover, with your current strength, unless the Supreme Venerable takes action, who could be your opponent? As for the Supreme Venerable, you are even less to worry about..."


    Zou Shaolong waved his hand, speaking nonchalantly, "There is an agreement among Holy Lands that forces beyond Supreme Venerable are not to intervene in other Holy Lands. Even if the Celestial Dragon Supreme had ten times the courage, he wouldn''t dare to easily step foot into our Southern State territory..."


    Xiao Yi smiled and nodded: "That would indeed be for the best. Lord Zou, Nantian, you have come from afar; I will have a dinner prepared, and tonight we should have a good drink!"


    "Haha, well said, well said!" Zou Shaolong laughed heartily.


    Nantian Wen smiled and nodded, indicating no problems.


    However...


    His gaze towards Xiao Yi carried a hint of strangeness.


    That night.


    Xiao Yi and the others clinked their cups back and forth, and under the outpouring of Spiritual Wine, Zou Shaolong quickly fell into drunkenness. Only Xiao Yi, Nantian Wen, and Little Lin continued drinking, fiercely gulping down several mouthfuls of strong liquor.


    The wine, entering the throat, sliced madly like knives.


    "Great wine!"


    Nantian Wen praised loudly, then looked sideways at Xiao Yi, seemingly asking mischievously, "When will we set off?"


    "Indeed, you''ve seen through it!" Sear?h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi''s hand, holding the wine jar, paused slightly, and his face gained a hint of a smile, saying to himself, "Let''s set off in three days! During my absence, I''ll have to ask Big Brother to keep an eye on Daqian Dynasty and Xiaoshanhe Institute!"


    Nantian Wen smiled ambiguously: "Aren''t you afraid that I might take the opportunity to swallow Daqian Dynasty whole?"


    Xiao Yi glanced at him: "Would you?"


    "..."


    Nantian Wen opened his mouth and finally formed a bitter smile, poured out some liquor to wash his face, and seriously said, "Western Province is the Buddhist heartland, and though there may be internal conflicts within the Buddhists, they are always united against outsiders. You killed the Celestial Dragon''s eight disciples, and the Celestial Dragon Supreme will see you as a thorn in his side. If he knows your location in Western Province, the consequences are unimaginable. Have you really thought this through, are you truly determined to go to Western Province?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Nantian Wen''s voice also became much deeper: "Can''t you wait longer? Your strength is already comparable to the Supreme Venerable. If given another five or ten years, when you possess enough power, wouldn''t it be better to go then?"


    Gurgle, gurgle!


    Xiao Yi said nothing, merely tilted his head and drained the strong liquor from the jar, exhaling a long breath full of alcoholic fumes, then seriously said: "I indeed can wait, but the tens of millions of innocent souls who perished in Daqian Dynasty cannot. They are still waiting for me to use the head of the Celestial Dragon Supreme to comfort their spirits in heaven!"


    Buzz!


    A sword light, invisible to the naked eye, burst forth from his body, its cold blade pointing directly towards Western Province��

 Chapter 926 - 924: Meeting an Old Friend Above the Azure Sea

    Above the vast ocean.


    Huge waves surge, creating line after line of chaotic tides, forming a massive barrier with no top across the entire Azure Sea.


    Splitting the entire sea surface in half.


    Within those rolling giant waves.


    A black figure, riding a red longsword, cuts through the waves.


    The speed of the black figure is incredibly fast, standing proudly on the longsword that emits red sword light, the surging seawater in front frantically retreats to all sides like encountering a deadly nemesis, forming a white pathway.


    This pathway goes straight through the Azure Sea.


    Cutting a huge opening through the wave wall without any hindrance, crossing this chasm-like barrier.


    On the longsword is Xiao Yi.


    Little Lin, transformed into his original form, lazily lies on his shoulder, slightly lifting his head and flicking his tongue, puzzled, he asks, "Boss, how far are we from the Western Province?"


    It has been four months since they left the Southern State.


    This long, monotonous flight had long tested his patience.


    Xiao Yi, hands behind his back, surrounded by howling winds and huge waves unable to approach him, looks forward calmly and says, "It took the Celestial Dragon''s disciples half a year on the Buddhist war boat, our speed is much faster than that boat, so it should take about half a month more to arrive!"


    "Another half a month? This is utterly boring!"


    Little Lin helplessly rolls his eyes, they whirl, and he says cheerfully, "Boss, I''ve always heard that deep within this chaotic sea region, there are countless powerful monsters and the legendary Dragon Clan. Can I go explore the depths of the sea? Anyway, we have a tight connection between us, no matter how far I go, I can find you!"


    Xiao Yi hesitates, looking at the excited and expectant Little Lin, he helplessly shakes his head.


    Little Lin indeed has a carefree nature.


    Having him follow for over four months was indeed a bit tough.


    Xiao Yi pats his head, smiling, "Go ahead! But remember to keep a low profile, many monsters in the chaotic sea region have survived from the Ancient Times, if you encounter an unbeatable opponent, flee immediately and notify me!"


    "Yeah, I know!"


    Little Lin chuckles, his form blurs, and covered in golden light, he transforms into a hundred yards long body and with a boom dives into the sea.


    His huge body on the vast Azure Sea seems extremely tiny.


    Like a golden yellow flat boat.


    Little Lin raises his head and waves his paw back at Xiao Yi, "Boss, I''m off!"


    Xiao Yi hums a response.


    Boom!


    Little Lin''s body swings, his huge tail violently strikes the sea surface, splashing a massive water column, and instantly disappears into the endless sea.


    In an instant, his form vanishes.


    "Western Province? Half a month, it should be about right," Xiao Yi mutters to himself, a cold sharpness flashing through his eyes.


    After leaving the Southern State.


    He discovered...


    The destruction by the Celestial Dragon''s disciples was not just the imperial capital, but also dozens of cities along the route from Linhai to the imperial capital, including the Beast Emperor City and the Huang Family''s main base in the chaotic sea region, where none were spared. Huang Baitao, Huang Yuwei, Huang Tianfang, and others were neither seen alive nor found dead.


    This made Xiao Yi hate the Western State Buddhist Sect, especially the Celestial Dragon Temple, to the extreme.


    Wishing he could immediately storm the Celestial Dragon Temple and completely eradicate the teaching of the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    With this thought.


    Xiao Yi accelerates the Red Sky Sword, bursting forth at an even faster speed, heading swiftly towards the west.


    Sailing along, another ten days quickly passed.


    Seeing that Western Province was now within reach, needing only two or three more days to arrive, it was at this precise moment that Xiao Yi received a distress signal from Little Lin. Hovering above the raging waves of the Azure Sea, Xiao Yi looked down at the communication token in his hand, from which Little Lin''s anxious voice came through: "Boss, come and save me..."


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi''s expression changed slightly.


    For someone at Little Lin''s First-layer Heaven Venerate Realm, only those at least of Heaven Venerate status could pose a threat to him.


    Without a second word, Xiao Yi, relying on the bond formed by their contract, hastily flew towards the direction where Little Lin was.


    On a deserted island devoid of human presence.


    The entire island was in ruins, with barely any green plants growing; only the volcano in the middle of the island continually spewing thick black smoke seemed to be the most active presence on this barren island.


    At this moment...


    At the foot of the volcano, hidden in a secluded cave,


    Little Lin was hiding there with a few people.


    If Xiao Yi were here, he would certainly recognize these people to be Huang Baitao, Huang Yuwei, and Huang Tianfang. S��ar?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As it happened,


    Huang Baitao had once obtained a Random Teleportation Scroll by chance.


    At that time, when the eight sons of Celestial Dragon massacred Beast Emperor City, Huang Baitao, taking Huang Yuwei and Huang Tianfang, escaped the massacre with the power of the scroll, only to be teleported to this part of the sea. Just as they arrived here, they were attacked by a powerful oceanic demon beast, which Huang Baitao killed at the cost of severe injuries.


    In the past few months, the three of them had been hiding in this cave to heal their wounds.


    Two days ago,


    when Little Lin was roaming nearby, he encountered Huang Tianfang and Huang Yuwei, who were being attacked by a group of monks while hunting outside.


    Little Lin intervened to rescue them.


    Unexpectedly...


    These monks turned out to be from the Western State Buddhist Sect, also hunting demon beasts in the vicinity.


    During the confrontation over the demon beasts, a battle broke out between the monks and the two members of the Huang family.


    Just as Huang Yuwei and the other were facing a desperate situation, Little Lin stepped in to save them.


    Unexpectedly, among the monks was an old monk at the Heaven Venerate Realm, who immediately recognized Little Lin''s extraordinary nature, seeking to capture him as his mount.


    Little Lin, exhausting all his strength, managed to escape with the two from the old monk''s pursuit.


    "Little Lin, why won''t you listen? Quickly tell Xiao Yi not to come here. That old monk is terrifyingly powerful. If Xiao Yi encounters that old monk on his way here, the consequences are unimaginable..." Huang Yuwei, with a worried face, said to Little Lin.


    Huang Tianfang took a deep breath, pinched his orchid fingers and combed his hair: "Nevermind, to prevent Xiao Yi from falling into that old monk''s hands, let me draw the old monk away."


    Little Lin: "..."


    He simply ignored Huang Tianfang.


    This guy, who has always coveted Xiao Yi''s "body" and wanted to have an affair with Xiao Yi, Little Lin feared he might not be able to refrain from beating him down if he looked any longer!


    Little Lin said seriously: "Don''t worry, that old monk is no match for the boss!"


    "How can he not be?"


    Huang Tianfang shouted back angrily, his voice becoming shrill, "Xiao Yi is truly strong, but he is still too young. Do you know what level that old monk is? He is a Heaven Venerate, do you understand what it means to be a Heaven Venerate?"


    Little Lin rolled his eyes, about to reply.


    But just then...


    An emotionless voice suddenly came from outside the cave: "Amitabha, little benefactors, you have indeed given this poor monk quite the chase!"

 Chapter 927 - 925: The Heavenly Venerate Submits

    "Little benefactor, you''ve really given this poor monk quite the search!"


    The emotionless voice came from outside the cave, causing Little Lin and the others to change expressions.


    Huang Baitao''s face was pale, large beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he chuckled bitterly: "You three should dig a tunnel from here and escape. Leave this old monk to me!"


    "No, I can''t leave you here alone..." Huang Yuwei said, her eyes turning red with stubbornness.


    Huang Baitao fondly ruffled her head, then suddenly karate-chopped the back of her neck, knocking her unconscious. He then turned to Little Lin and Huang Tianfang: "Please take good care of Yuwei!"


    "Uncle, you..."


    Huang Tianfang caught Huang Yuwei, his face filled with deep worry.


    Huang Baitao waved his hand and said with a carefree smile: "I was supposed to die with the Huang Family in the Beast Emperor City. It''s already a grace from the heavens that I could live a few more months." He paused, then looked at Little Lin, "Little Lin, if you manage to escape and see Xiao Yi, please tell him to take good care of Yuwei for me!"


    Little Lin felt a sourness at the tip of his nose due to the sadness of parting in life and death.


    Just as he was about to speak...


    The old monk''s voice came from outside the cave again: "Little benefactor, if you don''t come out now, don''t blame this poor monk for being merciless!"


    "Go, you all must go quickly..."


    Huang Baitao gritted his teeth.


    Little Lin sighed lightly, knowing they could not delay any longer. In a flash, his body radiated a golden light. The golden light enveloped Huang Yuwei and Huang Tianfang like a cocoon, and they rushed deeper into the cave.


    Boom boom boom!


    Little Lin was digging the tunnel at an extraordinary speed.


    Huang Baitao took a deep breath, and two long knives appeared between his hands, his eyes flashing with determination.


    He gripped the knives tightly, cautiously watching the direction of the cave entrance.


    If that old monk dared to come in.


    He would strike immediately.


    However...


    After all, Huang Baitao was only at the Nirvana Realm Peak and couldn''t comprehend the might of a Heaven Venerate.


    The old monk''s Primordial Spirit Divine Sense had already enveloped the whole island.


    Perceiving that Little Lin was digging a tunnel to escape with Huang Yuwei, a thick sneer appeared on the monk''s face: "How naive. If you could escape like that, I would have lived these thousands of years for nothing."


    He crossed his hands in front of his body.


    Between his palms, the Buddhist light ebbed and flowed.


    "Buddhist Nation in Palm!"


    The old monk struck out with a palm, and a giant golden hand covered the sky above. That giant hand was so vast that it enveloped the entire island.


    If one looked closely...


    One could vaguely see a huge nation within that palm.


    Boom!


    Under the suppression of the enormous golden palm, the volcano rumbled, shaking the whole island. The ground thundered, and lightning rolled across the sky. Gigantic cracks appeared on the island, spreading across the mountain, and with a booming sound, countless streams of red magma erupted forth.


    Little Lin, who had just broken open a hole in the tunnel, was blasted high into the air by the surging magma.


    "Damn it..."


    Little Lin''s face changed color. Although the magma couldn''t harm him, it exposed all three of them in mid-air. The cave where Huang Baitao was also instantly filled with scalding magma. With no choice, Huang Baitao had to emerge from the tunnel, rushing towards Little Lin and the others in mid-air.


    The four of them converged, standing side by side, watching the old monk with cautious eyes.


    The old monk wore a gray kasaya, with a shiny bald head and a white beard on his cheeks. He pressed his hands together in front of his chest, his face beaming with a bright smile: "Amitabha... little benefactor, are you unharmed?"


    "Baldy, what exactly do you want?" Little Lin gritted his teeth.


    The old monk smiled, not angered by Little Lin''s address, but rather looked at Little Lin with shining eyes, increasingly pleased and excited, and said cheerfully: "I''ve said before, if the little benefactor submits to me and becomes my spirit beast, I naturally won''t trouble your friends."


    "Be your mount? You wish, you big monk!"


    Little Lin snorted coldly, full of disdain, "Old monk, I''d advise you to run away as far as you can. If my boss comes here, you won''t be able to leave even if you want to!"


    "Oh? Your boss?"


    The old monk was startled and then laughed stroking his beard, "Let alone your boss, even if your family''s ancestors came, they couldn''t prevent you from becoming my mount!"


    "That remains to be seen!"


    As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yi''s figure emerged in the void.


    Little Lin and the others showed ecstatic expressions.


    Little Lin raised his head towards the direction where Xiao Yi came flying from and laughed heartily, "Old monk, now you really have a hard time getting away! My boss is already here!"


    "Xiao Yi brother..."


    Huang Tianfang''s eyes sparkled as he watched Xiao Yi, who was riding his sword. With his hands cupped in the shape of a flower beneath his chin, his eyes seemed to dance with hearts.


    At this moment, Xiao Yi was backlit by the sun.


    The golden sunlight scattered, reflecting off the sea and emitting a rainbow of colors.


    It''s like he''s riding on colorful auspicious clouds!


    Huang Tianfang''s heart blossomed, and he screamed, "I once had a dream that my destined one would be a peerless hero; he would come wearing golden armor, riding on colorful clouds. Xiao Yi brother is truly my fated one, Xiao Yi brother, I love you..."


    Little Lin: "..."


    Old monk: "..."


    Huang Baitao: "..."


    Even Xiao Yi nearly stumbled and fell off his Red Sky Sword.


    He looked at Huang Tianfang and the others with a confused face: "Why are they here?"


    Before he could think any further.


    The old monk was already frowning. In his perception, Xiao Yi''s aura was extremely restrained. Although he was able to ride his sword with impunity over the chaotic sea, which indicates undeniable strength, the old monk failed to see any threat Xiao Yi posed to him. He frowned at Xiao Yi, "Where does the benefactor hail from? Are you aware of who I am?"


    Xiao Yi did not even glance at the old monk.


    A mere Fifth Layer Heaven Honor, in his eyes, was nothing more than an opponent that could be settled in a single move.


    Xiao Yi looked towards Little Lin and noticed he had only sustained minor injuries, which greatly relieved him. However, seeing the weakened Huang Baitao, a cold light flashed across his eyes: "Huang, are those injuries on you the work of this bald donkey?"


    Huang Baitao also came back to his senses. He was deeply shocked by Xiao Yi''s entrance and quickly shook his head: "Not from him. These injuries were from a powerful demon beast''s attack when I was escaping from Beast Emperor City." He paused and said with a bitter smile, "Xiao Yi, you shouldn''t have come. This old monk is very powerful..."


    Little Lin ferociously said, "Boss, this bald donkey wanted to forcefully take me as his mount..."


    "Oh?"


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and gave the old monk a sidelong glance, "You want my brother to be your mount? Do you think you''re worthy?"


    The old monk''s face darkened.


    After all, he was a respected Heaven Venerate Realm master. Even after many years of Buddhist practice and learning to let go of many things, he was very displeased by such contemptuous mockery and provocation. He sneered, "I am the abbot of White Tiger Temple, a powerful Fifth Layer Heaven Honor practitioner. Do you think I''m not worthy?"


    "A mere Fifth Layer Heaven Honor, can''t even block one of my moves, what right do you have to ask my brother to be your mount?" Xiao Yi sneered.


    "Not even block one move?"


    The old monk was also infuriated to the point of puffing out his beard and glaring, grinding his teeth and saying, "Isn''t the benefactor being too arrogant? Not to mention one move, even if you had a hundred moves, I would be unafraid."


    Little Lin shouted, "If my boss really can defeat you in one move, what then?"


    The old monk patted his shiny bald head, anger flaring up, "If he truly can defeat me in a single move, I am willing to be your mount!"


    "Are you serious?"


    Little Lin''s eyes shone; having a Heaven Venerate monk as a mount would indeed be a matter of great face!


    The old monk huffed, "A monk does not utter lies!"


    "Deal!"


    Little Lin chuckled and looked back at Xiao Yi, "Boss, I want this old monk as a mount!"


    "You, you... This kind of sanctimonious bald donkey should be killed outright; why keep him as a mount and trouble yourself?"


    Xiao Yi helplessly rolled his eyes. He had intended to kill the old monk with a single palm, but since Little Lin wanted him as a mount, Xiao Yi naturally wouldn''t refuse. He then looked towards the old monk, "Old monk, take my one finger!"


    "Amitabha!"


    The old monk''s body shook, the sound of a great bronze bell seemed to echo around him, and golden Buddhist patterns started to move, forming a golden bell around him. This was the Buddhist ultimate skill, the Golden Bell Shield, his face filled with confidence, "I have practiced this Golden Bell Shield for thousands of years, achieving profound mastery. I want to see how you can beat me!"


    "Golden Bell Shield? Easily broken!"


    Xiao Yi sneered, pointing a finger out.


    Endless starlight converged on his fingertip, forming a huge finger dense with starlight.


    With one point.


    The world was shocked, the sun and moon were hidden, the rivers were still, and the winds and clouds silent!


    His finger landed on the golden bell, only to hear a crisp snap, and the immensely strong Golden Bell Shield exploded under the astonished gaze of the old monk. The huge finger, unstoppable, rolled straight towards the old monk''s bald head.


    "Holy shit!" sea??h th�� Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The old monk trembled, beads of cold sweat rolled down, and he immediately thudded to his knees, shouting loudly, "I submit, I submit, I am willing to serve..."


    PS: Second update, more to come!

 Chapter 928 - 926: Impossible is not in my dictionary!

    "I surrender, this monk is willing to surrender..."


    The old monk fell to his knees with a plop, drenched in cold sweat, not a trace of the demeanor of an enlightened monk remained.


    Boom!


    That starry and dazzling finger stopped steadily a hair''s breadth away from his shiny bald head. The sheer pressure emanating from the finger alone made the old monk truly feel the threat of death.


    Xiao Yi casually dispelled the giant finger and said expressionlessly, "Since you''re willing to submit, then form a master-servant contract with Little Lin!"


    Little Lin jumped out cheering and hopping.


    There was a thick look of smugness on his face as he flicked out a rune, which was the master-servant contract from his inherited memories.


    Watching the master-servant contract rune floating in front of him, the old monk''s facial muscles twitched, and he felt like crying but no tears would come!


    Just moments ago...


    It was he who had forced Little Lin to become his mount.


    Now, it was he who had become Little Lin''s mount, truly a twist of fate!


    The old monk sighed softly but dared not show any sign of defiance, very compliantly allowing the rune to land on his forehead. With a shudder, the old monk felt his life now lay completely in Little Lin''s hands.


    Life and death, all in his thoughts.


    The old monk was utterly disheartened.


    The abbot of the White Tiger Temple, a Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm master, was once a famous figure even in the Western Province.


    Now, he had fallen to become a mount for a magical beast.


    "Buddha, please forgive me!" the old monk repented in his heart.


    Little Lin chuckled and jumped onto the old monk''s shoulder.


    His legs dangled in front of the old monk''s chest.


    Little Lin patted that shiny bald head and said, quite dissatisfied, "This bald head is too slippery without even a grip, and your neck is so stiff, it really affects the riding experience!"


    The old monk felt an unbearable shame and really wanted to shake Little Lin off his neck.


    However, seeing Xiao Yi watching him with a half-smile, any rebellious thought in his mind vanished immediately, and he laughed awkwardly, "My, my lord, this monk''s bald head has been this way for thousands of years, it can no longer grow any hair..."


    "It''s alright if you can''t grow hair; it just so happens that I have a hat that would suit you perfectly!"


    Little Lin''s eyes spun around and under the old monk''s despairing gaze, pulled out a green hat and put it on his head.


    The hat was of fine material, silky smooth, with two ox horns on either side.


    Green hair with ox horns!


    This was awesomely green!


    Little Lin grabbed the ox horns with both hands and nodded in satisfaction, "Excellent, this hat really enhances the riding experience!" He paused and then asked, "Bald donkey, what''s your name again?"


    The old monk said with a mournful face, "This, this monk''s Dharma name is Jie Se!"


    Everyone: "..."


    Little Lin blinked, "Are you very lustful?"


    "..."


    Monk Jie Se, on the verge of tears and his face turning red, explained weakly, "It''s the ''emptiness of lust'' from ''form is emptiness and emptiness is form'', not the ''lust'' of being lecherous..."


    "Oh, oh!"


    Little Lin seemed to half-understand but waved his hand indifferently, "Jie Se doesn''t sound good; I''ll just call you bald donkey!"


    Monk Jie Se: "..."


    On the side, Huang Tianfang and others, watching the horned green hat on top and the despondent face of Monk Jie Se, felt the gloom on their faces swept away.


    Xiao Yi turned to Huang Baitao, "Lord Huang, how did you end up here? And how did you come across Little Lin..."


    Huang Baitao hastily explained, "This is what happened..."


    "Using the Random Teleportation Scroll we were teleported here, and immediately we were besieged by demonic beasts. Although we killed the beasts, I too suffered severe injuries. I have been recuperating ever since, until I met Little Lin today��"


    Huang Baitao''s eyes were already a deep crimson, as he thought of the innocent citizens of Beast Emperor City tragically slaughtered by the hands of Celestial Dragon''s chosen warriors. Huang Baitao fell to his knees with a thud, "Lord Xiao, you must avenge the innocent members of Beast Emperor City and the Huang Family who have died!"


    Xiao Yi raised his hand in an imaginary gesture to help Huang Baitao up and said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, I have already killed the chosen warriors of the Celestial Dragon. My purpose here is to head to the Western Province and seek revenge against Celestial Dragon Temple and the Celestial Dragon Supreme!"


    Monk Jie Se, who was nearby, listened to the conversation between the two, his eyes filling with disbelief, "Lord Xiao, did you, did you just say you killed the chosen warriors of the Celestial Dragon?"


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi was taken aback and looked at Monk Jie Se, "You know of the chosen warriors of the Celestial Dragon?"


    "Know of them? Many years ago, my White Tiger Temple and the Celestial Dragon Temple belonged to the same Buddhist Nation, and there was peace between us. It wasn''t until the Celestial Dragon Supreme emerged from the Celestial Dragon Temple that they turned on us, constantly harming the masters of my White Tiger Temple and seizing our followers."


    In Monk Jie Se''s eyes were deep resentment and hatred as he gritted his teeth, "A hundred years ago, they even slandered my White Tiger Temple for cultivating the path of the Buddhist Demon, not only destroying the lineage of my White Tiger Temple but also exiling us from the Western Province, leaving us to wander and suffer in this chaotic sea area..."


    Little Lin perched on his neck blinked, raised an eyebrow and said, "Bald donkey, are you saying that you also have a deep-rooted hatred with the Celestial Dragon Temple?"


    "I wish to tear them limb from limb!" Monk Jie Se said through clenched teeth.


    Little Lin''s eyes sparkled, and he chuckled, "Congratulations, your chance for revenge has arrived!"


    "Hmm?"


    Monk Jie Se was startled, and then thinking of Xiao Yi''s grudge against the Celestial Dragon Temple, a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly extinguished, as he bitterly smiled, "Master, do you know how difficult it is to destroy the lineage of the Celestial Dragon Temple? Even though Lord Xiao has killed the chosen warriors, as long as the Celestial Dragon Supreme lives, his followers persist, and the lineage of the Celestial Dragon Temple cannot be eradicated. The Celestial Dragon Supreme is one of the eighteen Supreme Venerable Buddhas of the Holy Spirit Mountain��"


    In his view...


    Even with Xiao Yi''s formidable strength, at best he was merely a warrior of the Seventh or Eighth Layer Heaven Honor Realm.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme is not just a Supreme Venerable, but also a superpower with the Buddha''s fruit rank.


    How could Xiao Yi possibly be his opponent?


    "What''s so great about a Supreme Venerable?"


    Little Lin said nonchalantly, "My boss also has the strength of a Supreme Venerable, isn''t that enough to obliterate their lineage?"


    "What? Lord Xiao has the strength of a Supreme Venerable?" Monk Jie Se was flabbergasted.


    He sized up Xiao Yi and could certainly see that Xiao Yi was no more than in his early twenties.


    A Supreme Venerable in his early twenties?


    Such a being had never been seen in the vast Western Province! S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little Lin raised his head proudly and said, "How about it? Now do you believe that my boss can annihilate the Celestial Dragon Temple?"


    "This..."


    Shock painted Monk Jie Se''s face, but he still shook his head and said, "It''s challenging, really too challenging. Master, do you know what it takes to eradicate a Buddhist Nation''s lineage?" Seeing Xiao Yi and Little Lin shaking their heads, he continued, "To eradicate the lineage of a Buddhist Nation there are only two methods: one is to kill all of their strong warriors, and without a figure to have faith in, the lineage naturally falls apart."


    "Let alone the unbeatable power of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, being a Buddha, he wouldn''t easily leave the Holy Spirit Mountain. To want to kill him one would have to enter the Holy Spirit Mountain, but Lord Xiao, are you confident in killing him at the Spirit Mountain?" Monk Jie Se looked at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi shook his head.


    The Holy Spirit Mountain is guarded by the Holy Venerable powerhouses!


    To think of going in to kill the Celestial Dragon Supreme, it''s likely that he would be slapped to death by the Holy Venerable powerhouses the moment he entered.


    Little Lin asked, "And the second method?"


    Monk Jie Se pondered for a moment, then resentment gleamed in his eyes, and through gritted teeth, he said, "The second method, as the Celestial Dragon Temple did to us back then. They framed our White Tiger Temple for cultivating the Buddhist Demon path, leading our White Tiger Temple to be abandoned by followers. Additionally, by exiling many masters of the White Tiger Temple, the White Tiger Temple''s presence in the Western Province naturally withered. But to make all the followers of the Celestial Dragon Temple abandon them, that''s almost impossible��"


    "Boss, what should we do now?" Little Lin asked unwillingly.


    Everyone''s gaze turned to Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi rested his chin on his palm and pondered for a moment. His lips slightly lifted, staring intently at Monk Jie Se, "Jie Se, do you wish to personally bring about the downfall of the Celestial Dragon Temple?"


    "I dream of it, but..."


    Monk Jie Se smiled bitterly, "It''s simply impossible!"


    Xiao Yi shook his head, a confident smile on his face, "The word ''impossible'' does not exist in my dictionary!"


    PS: Third update, Xiao Tian carries on!

 Chapter 930 - 928: Swept Away【Fifth Update】

    "Who''s so bold to cause trouble at Shaolin Temple?"


    A surging tide of Qi-Blood rushed forth.


    The one who came was indeed a strong Fifth Layer Human Venerable Realm warrior, the temple''s protector from Shaolin. He was like an Azure Dragon emerging from the sea, instantly landing in front of Xiao Yi.


    His spirited Qi-Blood surged continuously; with each breath, there seemed to be gales howling faintly.


    This was a master of Physical Nirvana, trained relentlessly.


    "Wu Qing pays his respects to Protector Kong!" Wu Qing clasped his hands together in a Buddhist salute, greeting him respectfully.


    Protector Kong nodded his head, his face gloomily turning towards Xiao Yi. His expression turned even grimmer as his gaze swept over the characters on the white banner behind Xiao Yi. "Amitabha, if you don''t provide an explanation for placing such a banner at the front gates of our Shaolin Temple, don''t blame this poor monk for being merciless!"


    Xiao Yi looked up at Protector Kong, his expression unchanged by the other''s Human Venerate Realm might, and with a taunting cold smile, he said, "What explanation do you want?"


    "Defiling the sacred grounds of our Buddhist temple, you should have your cultivation disabled, limbs severed, kneeling at the temple gate in penance and regret!" Protector Kong''s eyes emitted a cold glint. Shaolin Temple''s status was extraordinary, never challenged in such a way.


    As one of the guardians of the temple gate, he naturally had to make an example of Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi pointed his thumb at himself, speaking indifferently, "I''m right here, come at me as you please. If you can defeat me, no need for more words, I will disable my own cultivation and sever my limbs to kneel here in repentance. If you cannot, find someone more capable!"


    "Damn you!"


    Protector Kong gave a cold snort. A chilly gleam flickered in his eyes as he raised his hand for a strike, "Vajra Demon-Subduing Hand!"


    Clang clang clang!


    As the palm struck, it was like metal colliding, conjuring a gold giant hand in the void.


    Protector Kong, like a Wrathful Vajra, smashed his palm from above.


    The force of the Vajra Demon-Subduing Hand was enormous and destructive. Even a majestic mountain could be shattered by it, let alone the body of an ordinary mortal?


    "Amitabha��" Wu Qing brought his hands together, closed his eyes, unwilling to witness the forthcoming bloody scene.


    However��


    The expected sound of flesh and bone shattering did not arrive after a moment.


    While Wu Qing opened his eyes in confusion,


    A sudden agonized scream of Protector Kong reached his ears: "Aow..."


    "Huh?"


    Wu Qing was startled and opened his eyes to see.


    Protector Kong was sent flying backward like a broken kite, skimming the ground. A golden palm was pushing his body across the horizon.


    In its wake��


    Everything turned to dust.


    With a thunderous boom, Protector Kong was forcefully smashed into the mountain, disappearing from sight.


    In contrast, Xiao Yi.


    He remained seated in his original spot, with a tranquil expression as if nothing had happened.


    Hiss!


    Wu Qing drew in a breath of cold air, staring at Xiao Yi in disbelief, "You, you, you actually defeated Protector Kong? How did you do it? He''s a mighty warrior from Longevity Secret Realm, how could it be possible..."


    Xiao Yi chuckled lightly, "A mere Fifth Layer Human Venerable Realm, not to mention defeating, killing him is no difficulty either."


    "You��"


    Wu Qing opened his mouth at a loss for words, and said with a bitter smile, "You''ve stirred up big trouble. The powerful warriors of Shaolin Temple will not let you off!"


    Almost simultaneously.


    Protector Kong, who was smacked into the mountain, finally struggled out, hovering in the air at some distance from Xiao Yi, not daring to approach again.


    Protector Kong raised his head to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth.


    Even now, he did not understand how Xiao Yi had not only dissolved his Vajra Demon-Subduing Hand but also managed to counter-attack and send him flying. However, this did not prevent his desire for retaliation and hatred.


    His eyes filled with rage and resentment, shimmering with an eerie bloodlust, he gritted his teeth and said, "No wonder you dare to block the mountain gate of Shaolin Temple; you do have some skills. However, Shaolin Temple is not without others besides me!"


    Protector Kong flicked his fingers.


    A bronze bell floated before him, his palm forcefully striking the bronze bell.


    Dong!


    Dong!


    Dong...


    Three deafening booms tore through the void, spreading throughout Mount Shaoshi.


    Wu Qing''s face slightly changed, sympathy and pity filled his eyes as he looked at Xiao Yi: "You''re finished. The protector Kong has struck the Sky-shocking Bell. Soon, the elders atop Mount Shaoshi will be alerted..."


    In the Shaolin Temple.


    A Human Venerate can become a protector, an Earthly Honor a senior elder, and a Heavenly Venerate sits as the head of each hall, with the abbot being at the Heavenly Venerate Realm Peak!


    In Wu Qing''s eyes, no matter how strong Xiao Yi was, he couldn''t possibly be a match for the Earthly Honor elder.


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh!


    Successive sounds of tearing air came, followed closely by hundreds of figures traversing the void, and a series of low roars: "Who dares to cause trouble on my Mount Shaoshi?"


    "It seems our Shaolin Temple has been too low-profile these years, that someone would dare to provoke us?"


    Aside from protectors and senior elders, among the hundreds of figures were also Shaolin Temple disciples.


    Pair after pair of sharp eyes, glaring menacingly at Xiao Yi.


    Protector Kong burst into hearty laughter, looking at Xiao Yi with a face full of triumph: "Kid, you know fear now, don''t you? My Shaolin Temple isn''t a place where just any tomcat or mongrel can stir trouble. If you kneel now and beg for mercy, in view of my Buddha''s compassion, you might be spared a dog''s life. Otherwise..."


    "Why waste words with him? He dared to block the gate of Mount Shaoshi and insulted us with words and provocations. Break his limbs first!"


    "Amitabha, esteemed elders, should your hands be dirtied? Let the disciples handle this!"


    "Is that Brother Wuhai? He''s a Human Venerate Realm Peak True Disciple, with his strength, he will surely defeat this man before us..." The crowd discussed amongst themselves.


    Wuhai squinted his eyes towards Xiao Yi, raising a finger: "To deal with you, one move is suff... ugh..."


    A palm shining with golden light appeared out of nowhere, interrupting Wuhai''s speech.


    This was precisely the Vajra Demon-Subduing Hand displayed earlier by protector Kong.


    The palm, emitting brilliant golden light, pressed onto Wuhai''s face, pushing his head directly into the ground, forming a large crater as the golden palm dragged along.


    Wuhai was pushed dozens of meters away.


    Hiss!


    The monks looked at each other in disbelief: "How do you know the Shaolin Temple''s Vajra Demon-Subduing Hand?"


    Protector Kong''s eye twitched, equally shocked: "This Vajra Demon-Subduing Hand is even more profound than this poor monk''s, it has reached the State of Perfection. Who, who exactly is this boy?"


    "Damned thief, not only did you steal our Shaolin Temple''s secret techniques, but you also had the audacity to flaunt your presence here. Do you really think our Shaolin Temple has no one?"


    "Someone, take him down for me!"


    A venerable elder monk with white eyebrows looked stern, and with a wave of his hand, dozens of strong fighters launched an attack on Xiao Yi.


    In that moment.


    Various Shaolin secret techniques were deployed.


    Great Compassionate Hand.


    Arhat Subduing Tiger Fist. S~ea??h the N??elFir��.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thousand Leaves Bodhi Hand...


    Faced with the assault of numerous strong opponents, Xiao Yi responded to each one using their own techniques, easily defeating them. He turned into a whirlwind, leaving monks sprawled on the ground wherever he passed.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Lying before Xiao Yi were hundreds of bald monks, with the Eighth-layer Earth Revered Realm''s Jueming also clutching his stomach, kneeling on the ground, saliva uncontrollably dripping from his mouth.


    Beside, Wu Qing trembled, his face full of astonishment as he looked at Xiao Yi.


    He never expected...


    That hundreds of protectors, senior elders, and True Disciples together would be so swiftly defeated.


    Xiao Yi strode past the group of monks, looking up towards the peak of Mount Shaoshi: "Is there really no one in the mighty Shaolin Temple who can fight me?"


    "You arrogant and ignorant youngster, let me meet with you..."


    From the lofty peak of Mount Shaoshi, there suddenly echoed a frigid shout, like a dragon''s roar, vibrating the vast sky. Within a hundred li, clouds dispersed, as a burly figure shrouded in a golden dragon''s silhouette, swooped down from the high skies...

 Chapter 931 - 929: Arhat Overturning Sky Seal

    Boom!


    The towering figure wrapped in a golden dragon shadow dove from the sky, appearing before Xiao Yi in the blink of an eye.


    A tempestuous energy storm swept through the area in an instant.


    Wherever the dragon shadow passed, fierce winds howled and sand and stones tumbled.


    This overwhelming momentum was unbearable.


    The crowd of defeated Shaolin Temple powerhouses lying around scrambled away from Xiao Yi, their faces filled with wild elation. Protector Kong looked at Xiao Yi with glee and said, "This is the head of the Discipline Hall, Fa Yan, a super-powerhouse of the Seventh Layer Heavenly Venerate Realm. Kid, let''s see how you keep up your arrogance now..."


    Head.


    This was a position in Shaolin Temple second only to the abbot.


    The Discipline Hall was one of the most authoritative departments in Shaolin Temple, and Fa Yan''s combat power as its head was definitely not to be underestimated.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils narrowed into slits, his eyes revealing a hint of admiration��Shaolin Temple rightfully deserved to be the foremost of the four great Buddhist Nations. Just the head of the Discipline Hall alone wielded the cultivation of the Seventh Layer Heavenly Venerate Realm.


    One should know...


    That among the Celestial Dragon Temple''s revered Celestial Dragon Eight, only two or three were of the Heaven Venerate Realm.


    However...


    Xiao Yi''s lips curled slightly upward, a radiant smile spread across his face: "The Seventh Layer Heavenly Venerate Realm is indeed not weak, but in front of me, it still falls short by a lot!"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    Xiao Yi fiercely drew back his fist, and the ground around him suddenly exploded, forming a crater. Then, an overwhelming surge of energy instantly spread throughout his body, like a flood assaulting the dam.


    Boom!


    With a muffled sound.


    The energy within Xiao Yi''s body burst forth uninhibitedly.


    It transformed into waves of golden energy currents that hit outwards, and on his body''s surface condensed into a dragon shadow as splendid as gold, identical to the one on Fa Yan''s body.


    The only difference was that Xiao Yi''s dragon shadow was even more defined, lifelike and vivid.


    "This, this is the Arhat Dragon Fist, one of the thirty-six secret techniques of Shaolin Temple? How could he possibly know it?"


    "This is absolutely impossible. Even Fa Yan, the head, only qualified to learn this secret technique after becoming a Heaven Venerate; it was never taught to outsiders... Who on earth is this kid?"


    Protector Kong was drenched in cold sweat, his voice trembling: "Have you not realized... this kid seems to be proficient in all seventy-two unique skills of Shaolin Temple? Now he''s also that skilled in the thirty-six secret techniques, who exactly is he?"


    In the void. S��ar?h the n?vel_Fire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fa Yan was also startled by this scene, his pupils contracting slightly, a determined look crossing his eyes: "We must capture this kid first, then force him to reveal how he knows so many of Shaolin Temple''s unique skills and secret techniques!"


    Hum!


    Fa Yan''s body shone increasingly bright with golden light, like a War God sculpted from gold.


    Imposing!


    The massive dragon shadow, wrapped around his fist, charged straight at Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi, undaunted by the imminent danger, stood against the wind, fist ready to strike.


    With a thud.


    The golden dragon on his body also writhed its huge frame and opened its mouth to let out a thunderous roar, surging into the clouds to meet the dragon shadow of Fa Yan''s punch in midair. The two collided fiercely.


    It was only a momentary clash, but the victor was immediately clear!


    Mournful...


    Within a tragic dragon''s lament.


    The punch shadow urged on by Fa Yan was utterly smashed to pieces.


    The golden dragon shadow continued its relentless pursuit, swiftly enveloping Fa Yan and tightly wrapping around his body. Following that, the dragon''s body shook and soared straight towards the clouds, while Xiao Yi''s legs fiercely pushed off the ground.


    His body shot upwards like an arrow released from its bowstring, whooshing up into the sky.


    In an instant, he caught up with the motionless Fa Yan, who was wrapped up by the golden dragon. As their eyes met, Fa Yan felt a sudden chill, "What... what are you going to do?"


    Xiao Yi gave a toothy smile and slowly spoke, "Let me show you the true secret techniques of Shaolin Temple��"


    "Huh?"


    Fa Yan was taken aback.


    Just as he was about to speak.


    A terrifying surge of energy suddenly erupted from Xiao Yi, followed by his hands swiftly forming various seals in front of his chest. The ever-changing seals sent chills down Fa Yan''s spine, and a sense of despair and disbelief overwhelmed him, "This�� this�� this is the Arhat Overturning Sky Seal created by one of the three ancestors of Shaolin Temple, Supreme Shakya? Even our abbot doesn''t know this secret technique, how could you possibly..."


    His words were cut off by a violent gale that forced its way into his mouth, silencing him.


    All that could be heard was a whistling sound.


    Followed by...


    Xiao Yi struck out with a golden Dharma Seal emblazoned with a true dragon coiling around it, a square base beneath it. It was the Arhat Overturning Sky Seal, one of the top five secret techniques among the thirty-six secret techniques of Shaolin Temple!


    Boom!


    The Arhat Overturning Sky Seal viciously crashed down onto Fa Yan.


    Swoosh!


    Like a falling star, Fa Yan traced a golden arc through the void, then slammed onto the ground with a thunderous crash. The ground trembled violently, shaking Mount Shaoshi incessantly.


    In that moment,


    Inside and outside of Shaolin Temple, all were startled by the terrible commotion.


    Even Fa Kong, the abbot of Shaolin who was meditating in the deepest part of the monastery, opened his eyes abruptly, uncertainty flickering within, "This is the aura of the Arhat Overturning Sky Seal? Since Ancestor Master Shakyamuni disappeared, our Shaolin Temple lost the transmission of this technique. Even a monk like me has mastered merely a mere thirty percent, who could this be?"


    Meanwhile.


    Outside the meditation quarters of Fa Kong, multiple figures appeared one after another.


    They were the heads of the eight major halls of Shaolin Temple, equal in status to the Discipline Hall, including Dharma Hall, Arhat Hall, Reception Hall, Prajna Hall, Medicine King Hall, Scripture Pavilion, Bodhi Hall, and Enlightenment Hall.


    Each one of them was of a high Heavenly Venerate Realm.


    "Abbot Brother, we felt the aura of the Arhat Overturning Sky Seal. Only you received a portion of this technique''s transmission in our Shaolin Temple; do you know who the person might be?" The speaker was Fa Tian, the head of Dharma Hall, a Ninth Layer Heavenly Venerate Realm practitioner, second only to Fa Kong.


    Fa Yin, the head of Bodhi Hall, with a red mole between his eyebrows and tight sword brows, asked, "Abbot Brother, could this person be your disciple?"


    "Not my disciple!"


    Fa Kong''s voice came through, as he stepped out of his meditation quarters, his face marked with confusion and gravity, "The mastery of this person in the Arhat Overturning Sky Seal far exceeds mine..."


    Hiss!


    A group of powerful monks looked at each other, their faces revealing disbelief.


    Fa Tian exclaimed in amazement, "No one in this world knows the Arhat Overturning Sky Seal better, except for Ancestor Shakyamuni back in the day, and only our master and the abbot received part of the transmission. How could there be someone with a deeper grasp of it than you? Who in the world is this person?"


    "Could it be a disciple left behind by Ancestor Shakyamuni in the outside world?"


    "Or perhaps, a stroke of fate allowed them to receive the Ancestor''s teachings?"


    The monks exchanged words among themselves, engaged in a heated discussion.


    Fa Kong took a deep breath, his expression serious, "Brothers, let''s not panic. Follow me down the mountain to investigate!"


    Fa Tian nodded, his narrowed eyes flashing with a cold glint, "I''d like to see who dares to cause trouble on our Mount Shaoshi, thinking there''s no one here?"


    "Capture him first, then coerce the secrets of the Arhat Overturning Sky Seal out of him!"


    "Hold on, if the person really is a descendant of our Ancestor, we should be cautious in how we approach them!"


    The group of monks glanced at each other and transformed into nine streams of light, flying towards the foot of Mount Shaoshi...

 Chapter 932 - 930: Returning to Ancestral Roots?

    At the foot of Mount Shaoshi.


    The ground was covered with thick dust and smoke, dense and lingering like clouds.


    Amidst the dust,


    A figure scrambled out in a very embarrassing manner, amazingly it was Fa Yan, the head of the Discipline Hall.


    But now...


    Where was the spirit and vigor of Fa Yan, the head of the Discipline Hall, as usual? His hair tousled, face dirty, and clothes ragged, he was in a complete mess.


    Like a dog that has lost its home.


    Huff!


    Huff!


    Fa Yan was breathing heavily; his shiny bald head reflecting the sun, casting a silver gleam, his serious eyes staring intently at Xiao Yi: "Who exactly are you? Why do you know so many secret techniques of our Shaolin Temple?"


    "Who am I? You are not qualified to know yet!"


    Xiao Yi, with his hands behind his back, responded indifferently and then fell silent.


    Beneath the mountain foot, the cold wind howled.


    Only Xiao Yi stood out alone, proud among a group of Shaolin Temple''s strong martial artists.


    In front of him, including Fa Yan, all the experts of the Shaolin Temple were easily swept aside; even a powerful being like Fa Yan could not withstand more than three moves against him.


    This caused all the strong martial artists of Shaolin Temple to be apprehensive.


    They didn''t dare to come forward anymore.


    "Hmm?"


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows suddenly and looked up towards the sky above Mount Shaoshi, his lips curling up slightly, "Finally, they are here!"


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Sounds of breaking the air swept through, and nine figures subsequently landed in front of Xiao Yi.


    For a moment.


    Including Fa Yan, all the strong martial artists of Shaolin Temple let out a sigh of relief, but at the same time, they were shocked by the arrival of these strong individuals: "The abbot? Apart from head Fa Yan, the other eight heads have all arrived?"


    "Are these not the peak mightiest warriors of our Shaolin Temple, and they all have been alarmed?"


    "Ha ha, this arrogant boy is doomed!" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The eyes of the Shaolin Temple''s strong martial artists were filled with wild joy.


    Shaolin Temple''s authority runs deep, always overpowering others; when have they ever been attacked on their home ground?


    Furthermore, to have their several hundreds of warriors defeated?


    It was simply a great humiliation!


    Earlier, when Fa Yan was defeated by Xiao Yi, they felt a wave of despair, but now it looked like a turning point, finally seeing hope to defeat Xiao Yi.


    Fa Kong and others scanned the surroundings, looking at the Shaolin Temple''s martial artists lying scattered about, their expressions were not pleasant.


    Especially the lingering aura of the Arhat Overturning Sky Seal in the air, even though the attack had dissipated long ago, the violent aura and its terrifying destructive power seemed vividly before their eyes.


    They couldn''t afford to take it lightly, their expressions serious as they looked towards Xiao Yi.


    Fa Kong took a deep breath, his sharp eyes seemingly able to pierce through everything, but on Xiao Yi''s body he only saw impenetrable fog; the whole person looked like a deep whirlpool.


    A glance not only failed to clear anything up but even gave an illusion of being devoured by endless darkness.


    Huff!


    Fa Kong took a breath.


    Just that single look brought cold sweat on his forehead.


    Fa Kong was shocked internally: Who exactly is this young man? So young yet so profound that I can''t see through him, we must not act recklessly without clarifying his identity!


    The surrounding heads also saw through Fa Kong''s thoughts, similarly shocked and exchanging looks: "Even the abbot can''t see through this person?"


    "Let''s leave it to the abbot to handle!"


    "Let''s just wait and see..."


    They all understood each other''s thoughts with just a glance.


    Each kept silent.


    After pondering for a moment, Fa Kong looked at Xiao Yi: "Amitabha, I am Fa Kong, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, I have seen the young hero. May I ask how the hero is addressed? And why have you come to Mount Shaoshi? Could it be that there is something on Mount Shaoshi that has offended you?"


    Fa Kong quietly used the Buddhist Lion''s Roar as he spoke.


    The sound was like thunder, deafening to the ears.


    Yet Xiao Yi remained unfazed and responded with the same Buddhist Lion''s Roar: "My name is Xiao Yi, the living successor of Supreme Shakya, the head of the Buddhist heritage! I am here by the Supreme''s last wish, to return to Shaolin Temple and reclaim my ancestry!"


    Boom!


    Xiao Yi''s words were like thunderclaps on a clear day.


    They exploded in the minds of Fa Kong and the others, leaving the group of senior monks looking at each other, temporarily at a loss for words.


    "The successor of Supreme Shakya?"


    "It was rumored in our Shaolin Temple that there were five ancestors with the Buddha''s status, known as the Five Ancestors of Shaolin. Among them, the first was Supreme Shakya, but he disappeared thousands of years ago, and now suddenly a successor has appeared..."


    "If he is not the successor of Supreme Shakya, how could he command our Shaolin Temple''s 72 vital techniques and 36 secret techniques..."


    "Even mastering the Arhat Overturning Sky Seal, a secretive technique, this man might truly be a successor of Supreme Shakaya��"


    Including Fa Kong, a group of strong ones already half-believed him.


    The senior monks from Shaolin Temple, looking towards Xiao Yi, no longer harbored the initial vigilance and hostility.


    Naturally, Xiao Yi did not miss their gazes.


    Everything was under his control.


    This was exactly why Xiao Yi had forcefully blocked Mount Shaoshi. He wanted to create enough commotion to draw out people like Fa Kong. Even at the foot of the mountain, he displayed almost all of Shaolin Temple''s 72 vital techniques and 36 secret techniques.


    To obliterate the lineage of Celestial Dragon Temple with his own strength was not so simple.


    The simplest method was to use someone else''s hand!


    With the heritage of Supreme Shakya obtained at the Eternal Heavenly Tomb, Xiao Yi also knew that Supreme Shakya was one of these Five Shaolin Ancestors, and he joined Shaolin Temple as a direct disciple of Supreme Shakya.


    That would make him the first generation grand-disciple under the Five Ancestors.


    His status was much higher than that of Fa Kong and the others.


    Strictly speaking��


    Even Fa Kong should respectfully call him ''Ancestor''!


    Even when meeting those four Supreme Buddhas who long resided at the Holy Spirit Mountain, Xiao Yi only needed to call them ''Elder Uncle'' as he joined Shaolin Temple with such status and position.


    Using Shaolin Temple to eliminate Celestial Dragon Temple, wasn''t this easily done?


    If handled properly,


    It might even be possible to pit those four Supreme Buddhas against Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    Fa Kong''s face showed deep contemplation.


    He did not want to acknowledge Xiao Yi''s identity, as the four Supreme Buddhas of the current Shaolin Temple were far away in Spirit Mountain and traditionally did not get involved in the administration of Shaolin Temple, entirely leaving it to him.


    If he acknowledged Xiao Yi''s identity, then this little ancestor would be riding on his head!


    He certainly did not want a mere youth to domineer over him.


    With this thought,


    While Fa Kong appeared to be in deep thought, he was also secretly messaging the nine chief seats: "What are your thoughts, gentlemen?"


    How could the others not understand Fa Kong''s intentions?


    Fa Tian blandly responded: "Supreme Shakya has been missing for many years, and the four ancestors have searched for thousands of years without any news, I do not believe he is still alive!"


    "But the techniques and secret techniques he possesses are indeed ours from Shaolin Temple��" Fa Yan, who had personally experienced Xiao Yi''s power, hesitated somewhat.


    Fa Yin, expressionless, said: "Knowing these techniques and Secret Techniques doesn''t prove he is the Supreme''s successor. He could just be a thief who stole our Shaolin secrets��"


    "Fa Yin is right, I think he looks exactly like a thief!"


    "Whether he is a thief or not, isn''t it up to us to decide?"


    "I certainly do not want to be domineered by a greenhorn!"


    Listening to everyone''s responses, Fa Kong''s lips curved slightly, showing a faint smile of satisfaction. When he looked back at Xiao Yi, his eyes were tinged with a hint of coldness, and he spoke coldly: "Audacious thief, daring to impersonate a Supreme of our Buddhist heritage, who instructed you to do so? If you confess honestly, I will only cripple your cultivation and overlook your past deeds. If you are stubborn, do not blame me for being ruthless!"


    "Confess honestly, and you''ll be spared!"


    "If you resist stubbornly, there''s only a dead end!"


    The nine chief seats subtly spread out, encircling Xiao Yi.


    As Xiao Yi''s eyes swept over them, feeling the icy killing intent, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted, his crimson tongue licked his lips, and he lightly clenched his fists: "As expected... to deal with these hypocritical bald monks, fists are still the most useful!"


    PS: Xiao Tian, continue!

 Chapter 933 - 931: In the vast Shaolin, is there no one who dares to fight?

    "Indeed, fists are still needed!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed into slits, a cold light flashing across them.


    He had long thought of those accustomed to being high above, like Fa Kong who fully controlled Shaolin Temple, definitely not willing to let a newly emerged ancestor surpass them.


    But...


    Even Xiao Yi did not expect that the reaction from Fa Kong and the others would be so intense.


    It''s not just about refusing to acknowledge his identity.


    It''s more about wanting to coerce out the legacy of the Supreme Shakya from him while also erasing him to prevent future trouble!


    This can already be called betraying and annihilating one''s ancestors!


    "Boy, how dare you pretend to be a descendant of our Shaolin ancestors, what is your true intention?"


    "If you are sensible, hand over all the Shaolin Temple''s secret techniques you''ve stealthily learned, then surrender; just confess honestly about the secret techniques you''ve learned, and you may still be spared..."


    The looks in the eyes of the various heads when they looked at Xiao Yi, were all filled with eagerness and greed.


    The vast Shaolin Temple.


    With a complete set of seventy-two ultimate skills and thirty-six secret technique inheritors, only the Supreme Shakya, missing for thousands of years.


    Even the four Supreme Buddhas at Holy Spirit Mountain don''t possess all one hundred and eight legacies; otherwise Fa Kong, as the abbot, wouldn''t have failed to fully master the Arhat Overturning Sky Seal.


    All this time.


    Shaolin Temple has been striving to make up for the full one hundred and eight legacies. S��ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now the opportunity was right in front of them.


    Naturally, they did not want to miss it!


    Once they completed the one hundred and eight legacies, not only could they leave a significant mark in the history of Shaolin Temple but also gain the favor of the four great Supreme Buddhas and clinch a Buddha fruit position.


    Xiao Yi raised his index finger, pointing sequentially at Fa Kong and the others, then shook his finger slightly, chuckling, "You guys are not worthy to make me hand over those legacies!"


    "Arrogant!"


    "Since you refuse the wine of respect and choose the wine of penalty, don''t blame us!"


    "Fellow brothers, help me capture this thief!"


    Abbot Fa Kong invoked the Buddhist Lion''s Roar, the sound booming like thunder. The surrounding forest trembled violently under his roar, with vegetation splintering and the earth sinking.


    Shua, shua, shua!


    Fa Kong, together with the nine great heads, simultaneously attacked Xiao Yi.


    Numerous Buddhist secret techniques poured down like a violent storm.


    Mahavairocana Palm!


    Great Compassionate Hand!


    Thousand Leaves Subduing Demon Seal...


    Shaolin Temple truly deserved to be the foremost among the four great Buddhist nations of the Western Province, such that even a typical Second Layer Supreme Realm warrior would falter under the combined force of these ten, and could easily be suppressed if careless.


    Xiao Yi''s current combat power was only comparable to a Second Layer Supreme Realm warrior, infinitely close to the level of a Third-layer Supreme Realm expert.


    But...


    He possessed the complete legacy of the Supreme Shakya.


    To him, the myriad exquisite and unparalleled techniques and secret arts of Shaolin Temple were full of flaws.


    "The Mahavairocana Palm is not used like this..." Xiao Yi coldly chuckled, swinging his hand in a palm strike towards Fa Tian, the infinite golden light seemingly manifesting a grand Mahavairocana Dharma body.


    The giant Buddha Palm slammed down fiercely.


    With a loud boom.


    The Buddha hand driven by Fa Tian exploded instantly, and he too was sent flying by Xiao Yi''s palm.


    At the same time...


    Xiao Yi, carrying a disdainful cold sneer, looked at Fa Yan: "Ignorant of death, I was just showing mercy. You still dare to strike at me now? Then go to die!"


    Hum!


    Great Compassionate Hand.


    Named for compassion, yet it''s a palm strike decisive in killing.


    The same move, when performed by different people, brought about vastly different powers.


    Xiao Yi''s palm swept through the heavens, shattering the clouds above ten thousand feet with its force, destroying Fa Yan''s fierce offensive in one blow, while the giant hand grasped through the air.


    Like a dragon-shaped hand, it firmly grasped Fa Yan within.


    "Spare me, spare me..." Fa Yan''s eyes were split with desperation, filled with despair.


    He had already sensed the icy killing intent in Xiao Yi''s eyes.


    "Begging for mercy now? It''s too late!"


    Xiao Yi''s face was emotionless, he clenched his fist fiercely.


    Bang!


    Blood exploded, and a mist of blood drifted down from the sky.


    The mighty Seventh Layer Heaven Venerate Realm Fa Yan was crushed to death by Xiao Yi''s grip, his physical body destroyed, leaving only his Primordial Spirit, which transformed into a streak of golden light trying to escape.


    "Think you can leave without my permission?" Xiao Yi sneered.


    He released streams of purple-golden thunderstorms.


    This was the power of the thunderstorm''s origin!


    It enveloped the Primordial Spirit in a sea of thunder, relentlessly bombarding it until Fa Yan''s Primordial Spirit from the prestigious Discipline Hall was completely eradicated without a trace left.


    After severely wounding Fa Tian and killing Fa Yan.


    Fazhen and other Shaolin Temple''s experts were completely stunned, each of them no longer daring to approach Xiao Yi, instead they began distancing themselves from one another.


    Their eyes fixed on Xiao Yi with wary and awe-filled gazes.


    Fearing they would be the next to die tragically!


    "Head Brother, what should we do?" Dharma Seal asked with a grave expression and a face as dark as coal.


    Fazhen''s face was somber, no longer maintaining his previous light-hearted demeanor: "Head Brother, this man has mastered all of Shaolin Temple''s ultimate secret techniques, we are no match for him!"


    At this moment.


    Many felt deep regret.


    Had they known Xiao Yi was so powerful, they would never have harbored malicious thoughts, let alone take action against him.


    But now...


    Regretting it was already too late.


    Fakong clenched his teeth hard, his eyes filled with intense reluctance and resentment, he had thought that with the strength of Shaolin Temple, dealing with Xiao Yi would be more than sufficient, but reality proved he was terribly wrong.


    Not to mention that Xiao Yi had mastered all of Shaolin Temple''s powerful martial arts inheritances.


    Just his own strength alone had already completely crushed all the high monks of Shaolin Temple.


    Huff!


    Fakong exhaled a turbid breath heavily, clearly reluctant to give up just like that, but if the battle continued, he might be defeated one by one by Xiao Yi, eventually leading to a total loss.


    Xiao Yi hovered in the air, looking at the cowering Shaolin Temple experts, his mouth curved upwards and he sneered with disdain: "What''s the matter? Does the great Shaolin have no one who dares to fight me?"


    "Arrogant!"


    "Kid, you are too presumptuous..."


    "Our Shaolin Temple has vast resources, with hundreds of ways to kill you, what do you have to be arrogant about?"


    Fakong''s gaze on Xiao Yi passed a fierce glint of cold light, he placed his hands together and hovered in the air, assuming a dignified and sacred posture, and spoke: "It seems we can only request the Supreme Buddha Statue to descend now!"


    In the early days of establishing Shaolin Temple.


    Including Supreme Shakya and the other four Shaolin ancestors, each of them created a Buddha statue based on their likeness, which could be summoned in times of crisis to lend their aid!


    Each Buddha statue possesses ten percent of the combat power of those old ancestors!


    You should know...


    That''s the power of the Supreme Realm.


    Even ten percent of their power is enough to instantly eliminate most of the peak Heaven Venerate realm fighters, not to mention those who are just entering the Supreme Realm could not possibly contend against the Buddha statues.


    "Aye!"


    "I agree too..."


    Everyone nodded their heads, showing their agreement. Seeing no opposition, Fakong nodded heavily: "Fellow disciples, please protect me while I summon the Supreme Buddha Statue!"


    "Head Brother, quickly invite the Supreme Buddha Statue!"


    "As long as the Supreme Buddha Statue descends, this kid is undoubtedly doomed..."


    A group of monks with venomous gaze full of chilling murderous intent, all focused on Xiao Yi��

 Chapter 934 - 932: The Supreme Venerable Kneels, The Monks Are Terrified!

    Supreme Buddha Statue.


    It is located at the peak of Mount Shaoshi, totalling five statues.


    Specifically, the central Supreme Sakyamuni Buddha Statue, and the other four Supreme Buddha Statues, each crafted in the likeness of a martial arts expert at the Supreme Venerate Realm.


    Activating them requires the expenditure of vast amounts of energy.


    At least��


    Within Shaolin Temple, the only one who can control a Supreme Buddha Statue alone is the abbot Fa Kong.


    Even someone as powerful as Fa Tian would require the combined effort of two Chief Seat masters in order to mobilize a Supreme Buddha Statue.


    At present, with Fa Yan dead in battle, only Fa Kong and the eight Chief Seats remain.


    Fa Kong glanced at the others and transmitted his voice: "Fazhen, you and Fa Zhen control the Sakyamuni Supreme Buddha Statue together, while the rest each control one Supreme Buddha Statue. I refuse to believe that, with the power of our five Supreme Buddha Statues, we can''t suppress this lad��"


    "Abbot brother, rest assured, united, no one can rampage in Shaolin Temple!"


    "You go first, I will cover for you, holding back this lad!"


    As Fa Kong''s voice fell, Fa Tian and others had already transformed into eight beams of light, flying toward the peak. Meanwhile, Fa Kong faced Xiao Yi alone, scoffing, "Lad, aren''t you claiming to be the descendant of Supreme Shakya? Dare to accompany me for a walk?"


    "Afraid of you? I am not," replied Xiao Yi with a proud laugh, following closely behind Fa Kong.


    Moments later.


    When Xiao Yi also reached the summit of Mount Shaoshi, he saw five beams of light soaring to the sky.


    Within those beams of light that connected heaven and earth.


    He saw the gradual rise of five vast figures, which were the statues of the five Shaolin ancestors, each crafted from pure gold, brilliant and gleaming.


    The statues were carved with lifelike precision; even the expressions and individual facial hairs were depicted with astonishing realism.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The five Supreme Buddha Statues appeared concurrently, each step they took resonated with a sonorous boom akin to a great bell, and the sounds of a raging torrent issued from the mouths of the statues, though it was Fa Kong''s voice that spoke: "Amitabha, Xiao Yi, you dared to secretly learn the unique skills of Shaolin Temple, and even cruelly killed Chief Seat Fa Yan. Today, we invoke the power of the Supreme Buddha Statues, determined to forever suppress you under Mount Shaoshi!"


    "Abbot brother, why waste words with him? Direct suppression is the way to go!"


    "Brothers, remember to be gentle when you strike, don''t kill this lad outright, it won''t be fun then!"


    Fazhen, controlling the Sakyamuni Supreme Buddha Statue, said peculiarly: "Lad, if you obediently give up the secret techniques you stole from Shaolin Temple, I can plead for you, only crippling your cultivation, and not taking your life!"


    Xiao Yi laughed in disdain: "You keep saying I stole Shaolin''s secret techniques, yet you want me to hand them over to you. If your Shaolin Temple really has these secret teachings, then why do you need mine?"


    "You��"


    "Hmph, it seems you really prefer punishment over toasting��"


    Fazhen, irked by Xiao Yi''s retort and struggling to answer back, his face grew extremely unsightly, and with a cold snort said, "Since you''re hell-bent on seeking death, don''t blame me for being merciless. This Buddha Statue left by Supreme Shakya has enough power to unleash the might of the Supreme Venerate Realm. Five Buddha Statues represent five supremacies, let''s see how much longer you can remain brazen!"


    Boom!


    Under their control, the Sakyamuni Supreme Buddha Statue launched an attack mighty as thunder.


    The large statue moved with incredible agility; when it threw a punch, a sound like evening drums and morning bells reverberated. On its golden fist, rings of golden light circulated, exploding with even more terrifying force.


    Tathagata Apocalypse Fist!


    One of the supreme arts of the Supreme Shakya.


    With just one punch.


    It possessed the might to obliterate the world.


    Truly reaching the destructive power of the Supreme Venerate Realm, even Xiao Yi dared not meet it head-on, conjuring the Red Sky Sword in his hands and placing it horizontally above his head.


    Boom!


    A muffled sound of metal clashing echoed, as Xiao Yi was driven into the ground.


    Almost simultaneously��


    Fa Kong''s controlled Supreme Buddha Statue suddenly stomped its foot, sending a circular shockwave clinging to the ground in all directions��a Buddha of supreme power that walked the path of earth power.


    He was indeed capable of controlling the power of the earth.


    With one stomp, the mountains trembled, an earth dragon rolled forth, forcibly splitting open the ground.


    The terrifying energy caused sharp spikes to emerge from the ground, and then the earth dragon, formed by the shockwave, swept up Xiao Yi who hadn''t been smashed into the ground and burst forth with a loud bang.


    Amidst the whirlwind of sand and stones, Xiao Yi''s figure was revealed to everyone''s eyes.


    "Earth''s Roar!"


    The Buddha Statue controlled by Fa Kong, dignified and majestic like a Wrathful Vajra, raised its finger. A giant earth-yellow dragon shot out from beneath the ground and, while soaring and spinning in the air, turned into dragon-shaped chains.


    Clanging sounds accompanied as Xiao Yi was bound mid-air.


    Almost at the same time...


    The Supreme Buddha Statue controlled by Fa Tian grasped a hundred-meter-long giant longsword, which in an instant was pulled out, its silver blade glittering with a dazzling and cold light.


    Dazzling enough that one would not dare meet its gaze.


    "Exorcise Evil!"


    Fa Tian''s voice echoed between heaven and earth, forming a silver moonlight-like sword beam in an instant, full of golden Buddhist scripture runes.


    During a humming boom,


    The longsword slashed down.


    With a bang,


    The earth dragon that was entangled around Xiao Yi burst apart, and the sword light swallowed Xiao Yi in an instant.


    "Three Supreme Buddha Statues attack him at once, and he''s still not dead?"


    "Damn it, are you guys being too harsh? If you directly kill him, how can we force out the secrets of the 72 Movement Techniques and 36 Secret Techniques?"


    "Don''t worry, our attacks are measured. We aim only to destroy his flesh, and certainly will not extinguish his Primordial Spirit. Fa Yuan, Fa Ming, you two get ready to restrain his Primordial Spirit..." Fa Kong commanded confidently.


    However...


    Before he could finish speaking,


    Laughter suddenly echoed from the void: "No need to bother!"


    "Hm?"


    "Who''s talking?"


    While they were confused,


    Xiao Yi emerged from the rolling dust and debris, spotless and unhurt.


    The casual and comfortable demeanor caused Fa Kong and the others'' expressions to change drastically: "Damn it, this kid didn''t take any injuries?"


    "Under such a fearsome attack, how could he remain unharmed?"


    "Let''s all make a move together, no more holding back!"


    At Fa Kong''s command, five Supreme Buddha Statues made their move simultaneously.


    Watching the five gigantic Buddha Statues release their attacks, Xiao Yi''s lips slightly curved upward, and in his pupils, the Sakyamuni Supreme Buddha Statue controlled by the Dharma Seal raised its giant palm, ready to strike down.


    A cold glint flashed through Xiao Yi''s eyes: "Even Shakya himself has been suppressed by me, and you, just a mere statue, dare to strike at me? Kneel down!"


    "Hahaha, you really think the Sakyamuni Supreme Buddha Statue would kneel to you? That''s a fool''s dream!"


    "You must have hit your head just now and gone insane, right?" S~ea??h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fa Kong and the others jeered without end.


    But the next second.


    They could no longer laugh.


    They saw the aggressive, overwhelmingly powerful Sakyamuni Supreme Buddha Statue, under Xiao Yi''s command, knelt with a thud onto the ground, immobile.


    The grand Supreme Buddha Statue, had actually kneeled to Xiao Yi?


    A crowd of mighty beings stood as if they had been hit with the Binding Spell, their faces filled with shock and terror, and Mount Shaoshi, in this moment, became so still that not a sound could be heard...

 Chapter 935 - 933: Taking Over Shaolin, Titled Buddha King! [Third Update]

    "..."


    The vast expanse of Mount Shaoshi was eerily silent, devoid of any sound.


    All the monks were stunned, staring at the youth who stood proudly in the void, receiving worship from the enormous and supreme Sakyamuni Supreme Buddha Statue.


    Since the founding of Shaolin Temple,


    the five ancestors of Shaolin have been the most revered entities for every monk of the temple.


    Every monk at Shaolin Temple had to recite and memorize the Buddhist scriptures left by the Shaolin five ancestors before they could practice the secret techniques of the Buddhist martial arts.


    Each and every monk at Shaolin Temple knew how important the five ancestors of Shaolin were to the temple.


    And at the same time��


    They also knew the exalted status that Supreme Shakya held among the five ancestors of Shaolin.


    But today��


    The supreme and omnipotent Sakyamuni Supreme Buddha Statue, left by their revered Supreme Shakya, was forcibly brought to its knees by a low roar from Xiao Yi.


    This was akin to tossing their steadfast beliefs and faith onto the ground and trampling them viciously underfoot.


    "How�� how could this be possible?"


    "How could the Supreme Shakya''s Buddha Statue, the most exalted of all, truly kneel just because of a word from Xiao Yi?"


    "I do not believe, I refuse to believe..."


    Fa Kong''s face shifted between light and dark as he roared at the Sakyamuni Supreme Buddha Statue, "Dharma Seal�� Dharma Seal, what are you doing? Do you realize what you''re doing? Get the statue back up, control the statue to get up..."


    A voice of despair coming from inside the statue reached out, "Abbot brother, I�� I''ve already tried my best! But the statue simply won''t obey my commands, it�� it�� it��"


    Dharma Seal''s voice came to an abrupt halt.


    Xiao Yi was seen stepping through the void, eventually standing atop the head of the Buddha Statue.


    "How dare you act so recklessly?"


    "Get off the statue''s head immediately, you are desecrating the Supreme��"


    The Shaolin Temple monks were furious, their eyes nearly bursting. This was one of the Shaolin five ancestors whom they worshipped daily with incense, how could they tolerate Xiao Yi trampling it underfoot?


    Unmoved, Xiao Yi snapped his fingers lightly.


    The Buddha Statue respectfully rose to its feet, facing the other four Supreme Buddha Statues, while Xiao Yi spoke calmly, "This is your last resort, isn''t it? If you have no other tricks up your sleeve, it''s my turn now!"


    "Xiao Yi, contain your arrogance!"


    "Though we do not know by what means you have subdued the Sakyamuni Supreme Buddha Statue, here we still have four Supreme Buddha Statues. Do you truly think you are the Buddha King, able to cover the sky with one hand?" Fa Kong''s voice was trembling.


    A tinge of regret was beginning to loom over him.


    If only he had not been blinded by greed, and the unwillingness to see a young man rise above him,


    he would have already accepted Xiao Yi''s identity as the heir of Supreme Shakya.


    And now��


    Not only could Shaolin Temple have avoided the loss of top experts like Fa Yan, they would have also gained a strong fighter comparable to the Supreme Venerate Realm.


    But there are no pills for regret in this world.


    From the moment he made a move against Xiao Yi, trying to capture him and force out the secret scriptures, the outcome was already sealed.


    "Buddha King? That title isn''t too bad. Once I''ve taken charge of Shaolin Temple, my title shall be Buddha King!"


    Xiao Yi gently stroked his chin, his lips curling up in a faint, radiant smile. However, before this, he would have to completely defeat Fa Kong and the others, bringing them to total submission!


    He had no intention to kill Fa Kong and the others.


    His purpose was to use Shaolin Temple to deal with Celestial Dragon Temple and the Celestial Dragon Supreme. Naturally, it was best to keep the strength of Shaolin Temple as intact as possible.


    Of course.


    If Fa Kong and the others continued to resist stubbornly to the end, Xiao Yi wouldn''t mind slaughtering them all.


    "You all want to obtain the legacy of my secret technique, don''t you? Open your eyes wide and look carefully��this is the legacy you have been dreaming of acquiring��"


    Xiao Yi''s voice suddenly echoed throughout the heavens and earth.


    Following that��


    A golden light burst forth from the tip of his foot, being the energy of the Supreme Shakya sealed within the Divine Sealing Tree, and as this energy merged into the Buddha Statue,


    Instantly.


    The entire Buddha Statue seemed to come alive.


    Rays of golden runes burst from its buddha eyes and rapidly withdrew back into the pupils, converging toward the center of its forehead. Eventually, they formed a golden vertical eye��behold, the Heavenly Eye!


    "The Heavenly Vision ranked seventh among the thirty-six Secret Techniques?"


    "Did he, he actually managed to bestow the Heavenly Vision upon the Buddha statue?"


    "What kind of monster have we provoked?"


    Fa Kong and the others felt an icy chill all over their bodies.


    Heavenly Vision!


    One of the thirty-six Secret Techniques of Buddhism.


    Once cast, it pierces through the veils of the world.


    Hum!


    A silver light burst forth from that third eye, striking the Supreme Buddha Statue where Fazhen stood. The statue shuddered violently, and Fazhen and his companion were forcibly drawn out by the Heavenly Vision.


    They stood before the statue, utterly bewildered.


    Without Fazhen and his companion''s control, the statue lost its divine radiance and stood there, frozen like a mere carving.


    Following that...


    Xiao Yi once again controlled the statue, launching numerous attacks.


    Each one was the strongest among the seventy-two peerless skills or the thirty-six Secret Techniques, also long-lost techniques of Shaolin Temple. Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ksitigarbha Reincarnation Fist!


    Thousand-Hand Guanyin Skill!


    Mahavairocana Mantra...


    Under this barrage of attacks.


    The four Supreme Buddha Statues were completely stripped of their splendor, and Fa Kong and his peers were all forcibly extracted from them, standing rigidly like wooden statues under the command of the Heavenly Vision.


    Though their consciousness remained clear, they were utterly unable to control their own bodies.


    They could only watch as Xiao Yi approached them.


    Xiao Yi''s hands clasped behind his back, his calm gaze sweeping over the individuals before him, his mouth curling into a faint smile. His serene eyes finally rested on Fa Kong, and he spoke lightly, "Fa Kong, there are two paths before you now..."


    Fa Kong''s expression was grave as he watched Xiao Yi, saying nothing.


    Xiao Yi smiled slightly, holding up a finger, "The first path, you continue to resist stubbornly, and I won''t mind slaughtering you all. As long as the four Celestial Dragon Supremes remain, Shaolin Temple''s status in the Western Province won''t waver at all, and besides, I am confident I could persuade the four Celestial Dragon Supremes to endorse my succession!"


    The expressions on Fa Kong and his companions'' faces changed at once.


    Fa Kong even scoffed, "Do you truly believe in such a fantasy? Would the four Supremes heed you?"


    Xiao Yi replied indifferently, "With my mastery of the complete lineages of one hundred and eight gates, if I agree to offer all these lineages, do you think the four Supremes would support me?"


    "You..."


    Fa Kong''s face turned exceedingly ugly. Although he was very reluctant to admit it, he understood that if Xiao Yi truly decided to hand over the lineages, the four Celestial Dragon Supremes would undoubtedly support him without reservation.


    After all.


    In the eyes of those four Supremes, as long as the doctrine of Shaolin remained unextinguished, it didn''t matter who presided over it.


    Fa Kong''s face turned starkly grim, yet he had to suppress the fury in his heart and said through clenched teeth, "What''s the second path?"


    Xiao Yi was inwardly pleased.


    As long as the other party spoke, he was nearly successful by a large margin!


    Obviously...


    Between being wiped out and living, Fa Kong and his companions knew how to choose.


    After all.


    No one who could cultivate to this realm would be a fool.


    Xiao Yi raised a second finger, "The second choice, acknowledge me as king, with Shaolin Temple looking to me as the leader. In return, not only will I not kill you, but I will also pass on the exclusive techniques of Buddhism to you without reservation!"


    Hum!


    With these words, Fa Kong and his peers found it hard to remain composed.


    Why did they attack Xiao Yi?


    Wasn''t it because they feared another young master lording over them? Wasn''t it because they worried that Xiao Yi would not hand over the lineage?


    With this in mind.


    Fa Kong and the eight exchanged glances, brought their hands together in a salute, and reverently chanted Amitabha, saying in unison, "We greet you, Buddha King!"


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curled up slightly, his eyes sparkling brightly, "I am one step closer to leveling the Celestial Dragon Temple and severing their lineage!"

 Chapter 936 - 934 Framing and Entrapment? Im Good at That! [Fourth Update]

    "We pay our respects to the Buddha King!"


    Led by Fa Kong, the strong ones of Shaolin Temple all submitted.


    Regardless of Xiao Yi''s strength or the benefits he offered, they found no reason to refuse, and Fa Kong with the other eight lined up neatly, paying their respects with utmost reverence.


    Buddha King!


    The king of the Buddhist sects!


    From this moment on...


    Xiao Yi formally took control of Shaolin Temple, the foremost of the four great Buddhist kingdoms of Western Province, and became the Shaolin Buddha King!


    It brought him one step closer to his goal of leveling the Celestial Dragon Temple and slaying the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    "Buddha, Lord Buddha King..."


    Fa Kong looked at Xiao Yi nervously, voicing his inner doubts, "Now that you have taken control of Shaolin Temple, may I ask if Lord Buddha King has any plans?"


    Fa Tian and others also looked at Xiao Yi anxiously.


    What they feared most was Xiao Yi riding on their heads and acting tyrannically.


    However...


    What they could never have imagined were the words that Xiao Yi would speak next.


    Xiao Yi pointed to Mount Shaoshi below his feet: "Since ancient times, it has been said that the Western State Buddhist Sect begins with Shaolin. However, the Western Province is now teeming with Buddhist temples. Besides Shaolin, there are also Celestial Dragon Temple, Vajra Temple, and Hanging Temple standing side by side. And these three temples do not recognize Shaolin Temple as the orthodox Buddhist sect..."


    Fa Kong and the others were all stunned.


    Although there was indeed a saying that the Western State Buddhist Sect begins with Shaolin, since the emergence of Holy Spirit Mountain and the conceptualization of the Buddhist Nation in Western Province, there began a hundred-school rivalry, with sects competing against each other.


    Vajra Temple, Hanging Temple, and Celestial Dragon Temple were the victors of that continuous strife.


    They did not understand the significance of what Xiao Yi was saying.


    Xiao Yi spoke lightly: "I am a disciple of Supreme Shakya, and you should know that it was Supreme Shakya who proposed that the Western State Buddhist Sect begins with Shaolin!"


    Everyone nodded.


    Indeed, because Supreme Shakya had proposed that the Western State Buddhist Sect begins with Shaolin, and had once suppressed Western Province alone with his power, even the Holy Spirit Mountain did not dare to offend in front of Supreme Shakya.


    So...


    The entire Shaolin Temple, even the four great Buddha Supremes, revered Shakya!


    "Why would Lord Buddha King bring up this matter?"


    "Could it be..."


    Fa Kong suddenly looked up at Xiao Yi, his eyes flickering crazily with disbelief and, apart from shock, there was also a trace of excitement and agitation in the depths of his gaze.


    Just as Fa Kong had thought, Fa Tian and others also guessed the intent behind Xiao Yi''s words.


    Even with their temperaments, they couldn''t help but get excited.


    Who does not wish to be above all but one?


    Who does not wish to be revered alone across the realm?


    But...


    Previously, Shaolin Temple did not have the strength, and Holy Spirit Mountain would definitely not allow Shaolin Temple to dominate alone.


    They could only deeply bury these thoughts and ambitions in their hearts.


    Now.


    Xiao Yi was the one who dug out this deeply buried ambition in their hearts and ignited the flames of desire, his gaze sweeping over each of them, his smile at the corners of his mouth growing brighter, he spoke word by word: "I could have been carefree and untroubled, but I once promised Master Shakya to fulfill his grand ambition. Let Western Province, revere only my Shaolin!"


    "In Western Province, only our Shaolin is revered? Yet, our Shaolin Temple is now also the leader of the four great Buddhist Nations..." The crowd hesitated to speak.


    Xiao Yi continued, "Leader of the Buddhist Nation? Do the other three great Buddhist Nations recognize this? Don''t you desire to be the sole authority in the Western State Buddhist Sect? Don''t you wish that in the future, all worshippers would pay homage only to you? Don''t you dream that within those gold and glittering temples, your Buddha statues would be the ones revered? Don''t you aspire to sit at the same level as the Supreme Buddha, high above all? Truly, don''t you wish for this?"


    Hiss...


    A series of piercing questions made Fa Kong and the others blush red.


    One after another, they couldn''t help fantasizing about Shaolin Temple becoming the only Buddhist authority in Western Province, themselves becoming the Buddhas worshipped in the temples, the supreme beings in the hearts of the followers.


    The Buddhist doctrine preaches the purity of the six roots?


    But if one truly practiced detachment, then why build temples?


    Why seek offerings of incense?


    After all...


    Even Buddha is human!


    And humans have ambitions and desires!


    Seeing the heavy breaths and the reddened eyes of the crowd, Xiao Yi knew his goal had been achieved. With a flick of his fingers, a divine force containing the origin power of Supreme Shakya entered the Buddha statue behind him.


    Boom!


    The statue of Supreme Shakya behind him seemed to come to life, quivering intensely, enveloping Mount Shaoshi with an incredibly terrifying energy in an instant.


    That overwhelming aura allowed the millions of monks within Mount Shaoshi to feel as if the chains within their hearts had been utterly unlocked, and their stagnant cultivation levels found some degree of loosening and improvement.


    "Is this, the spirit of our ancestral master manifesting?"


    "Supreme Shakya manifests, bestowing Buddha''s light, giving us a glimpse of breakthrough hopes..."


    While Fa Kong and others were in shock, Xiao Yi''s voice, laden with intense bewitching power, exploded in their minds: "In the Western State Buddhist Sect, only our Shaolin reigns supreme!"


    "In the Western Zhou Buddhist Sect, only our Shaolin reigns supreme!"


    "Our Shaolin is the cradle of the Western State Buddhist Sect. Why should Vajra Temple, Hanging Temple, and Celestial Dragon Temple be on equal footing with us?"


    "We must flatten them..."


    The monks'' eyes were fierce, their desire for battle intense.


    Fa Kong, leading the group of senior monks, looked eagerly towards Xiao Yi, their voices loud, "Lord Buddha King, please lead our Shaolin brethren to unify the Western State Buddhist Sect!"


    "I''ve been sick of those thieves at the Hanging Temple who keep yelling about being the true Buddhist orthodoxy..."


    "The folks at Vajra Temple are shameless, claiming our Shaolin Temple is just a branch of theirs..."


    "What is Celestial Dragon Temple? Without the Celestial Dragon Supreme, they''re not even fit to carry shoes for our Shaolin Temple, why should they be considered equals?"


    "Lord Buddha King, just give the word, what should we do?" sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Please enlighten us, Lord Buddha King!"


    Pairs of fervent eyes stared at Xiao Yi.


    Human desires are like a riverbank; once a crack forms, desires pour out like a breached dam, growing larger and uncontrollable.


    These senior monks'' ambitions and desires had been thoroughly unleashed by Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi spoke, "To dominate Western Province, the first task is to deal with the other three great Buddhist Nations. The nearest is the Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom, but with Holy Spirit Mountain and the Celestial Dragon Supreme, they won''t stand by while we take down their kingdom. Therefore, before we act, we must find a legitimate reason..."


    "A legitimate reason?"


    "Although there are some conflicts between Celestial Dragon Temple and our Shaolin Temple, it''s not enough to initiate a war over religious doctrine..."


    "If we can''t find a reason, then let''s create one!"


    The head of the Scripture Pavilion, Fa Jing, who had been silent until then, spoke emotionlessly, face revealing a cold smile as everyone looked at him; he clasped his hands together towards Xiao Yi, saying with a smile, "Lord Buddha King, leave the reason for the war to this humble monk! Framing and deceiving are my specialties..."


    Seeing the confident smile on Fa Jing''s face, Xiao Yi involuntarily looked in the direction of the Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom, muttering, "Celestial Dragon Temple, you''re in for some trouble!"

 Chapter 937 - 935: Street Rat, Everyone Shouts to Beat! [Fifth Update]

    Luo Feng Slope.


    This place is located within the territory of the Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom, originally the location of the Falling Phoenix Temple entrance.


    However, a thousand years ago, Falling Phoenix Temple offended Heavenly Dragon Temple, drawing death upon itself. Under the joint hands of the eight descendants of Heavenly Dragon, the millennium-old Falling Phoenix Temple was completely massacred.


    Compared to Heavenly Dragon Temple, which had the support of Celestial Dragon Supreme, the strongest of Falling Phoenix Temple was only at the Earth Venerate Realm, naturally possessing no ability to resist.


    Not even a single person raised a voice of injustice as the whole temple was massacred.


    On this day��


    Several figures appeared on Luo Feng Slope.


    Little Lin, a delicate and pretty youth, tilted his head and looked at Xiao Yi beside him, confusion in his eyes, "Boss, what place is this? Why did we come here?"


    Monk Jie Se whispered softly, "Master, this place is called Luo Feng Slope, there used to be a temple called Falling Phoenix Temple here. However, a thousand years ago, it was destroyed by Heavenly Dragon Temple��"


    "Falling Phoenix Temple?"


    Little Lin blinked.


    Xiao Yi rubbed his head and did not answer but instead turned to look at Fa Jing, who stood with his hands crossed in front of him, hands deep into his sleeves, "Fa Jing, you brought us to Luo Feng Slope, what exactly are we supposed to do?"


    Fa Jing grinned, saying, "Your Majesty, Wang, don''t you want a legitimate reason to mobilize troops against Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom? We''re right now in search of that reason!"


    "Oh? What do you plan to do?" Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.


    This Fa Jing was the chief of the Shaolin Scripture Pavilion.


    Always taciturn.


    But a cunning man, full of schemes.


    Fa Jing sneered sinisterly, and with a wave of his palm, several steles emitting a chilling Demonic Qi landed before the group. These steles were engraved with demonic inscriptions, each emitting a malevolent aura.


    "Demonic inscriptions?"


    Jie Se''s pupils shrunk sharply, looking with caution at Fa Jing, "Are you a follower of the demonic path?"


    Fa Jing glanced at him, annoyed, "You are the demon!" He paused, seeming worried that Xiao Yi might misunderstand, and voluntarily clarified, "Wang, these demonic inscriptions are recorded in some ancient texts in the Scripture Pavilion, I have never cultivated demonic Cultivation Techniques!"


    In Western Province, where Buddhist temples are numerous, the most taboo thing is engaging in the demonic path.


    Once connected to the demonic path.


    Even if as powerful as the four Buddhist Nations, it would become a target of public criticism.


    Even the Supreme Venerable of Holy Spirit Mountain, if associated with the demonic path, cannot escape unscathed.


    That''s also why Celestial Dragon Supreme feigned ejecting Master Tianyun from Western Province, having him establish Tian Yun Temple in the Southern State and cast Buddha statues with flesh and Gold.


    Xiao Yi naturally didn''t care whether Fa Jing had cultivated demonic Cultivation Techniques; he was not planning to be a Buddhist King in Shaolin Temple for life. As long as he could deal with Heavenly Dragon Temple, what did the method matter?


    "I naturally believe you!"


    Xiao Yi patted Fa Jing''s shoulder, pointing at the steles covered in demonic inscriptions, "How do you plan to use these demonic inscribed steles to implicate Heavenly Dragon Temple?"


    Fa Jing sneered sinisterly, "It''s well known that back then it was Heavenly Dragon Temple that destroyed Falling Phoenix Temple. But no one knows why Heavenly Dragon Temple openly chose to annihilate them, and this is our first step in dealing with Heavenly Dragon Temple!"


    "You mean�� link the reason Heavenly Dragon Temple destroyed Falling Phoenix Temple to the demonic path?" Xiao Yi frowned.


    Beside him, Jie Se shook his head, "You''re thinking too simplistically. When Falling Phoenix Temple was destroyed, experts from Holy Spirit Mountain came to investigate and found no clues��"


    "No, the monk never thought that just a few demonic steles could bring down the Celestial Dragon Temple; as I said, this is only the first step��"


    Fa Jing''s squinted eyes flickered with astute light, his lips slightly curved in a confident smile, "We start by using these demonic inscribed steles as a foundation to establish a demonic refining ground at Luo Feng Slope. As for the second step, that requires Lord Wang to make a move��"


    "What do I need to do?" Xiao Yi frowned.


    Fa Jing chuckled slyly, making a throat-slitting gesture: "Murder!"


    "Murder?"


    Everyone was momentarily stunned.


    Fa Jing continued: "Lord Wang is proficient in Shaolin''s seventy-two ultimate skills and thirty-six secret techniques, among which there is a Minor Wuxiang Skill that can mimic almost all Buddhist martial arts techniques. Do you master this secret technique, Lord Wang?"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    "As long as Lord Wang uses the Celestial Dragon Temple''s martial arts techniques to kill a few dozen masters from the Jingang Temple and the Hanging Temple, and then have the chief monk silently exfiltrate some bodies of the masters from these two Buddhist nations, hiding all here��"


    A grotesque smile appeared on Fa Jing''s gaunt face, his lips retracting to reveal large yellow teeth: "At that moment, we can let it be known that Celestial Dragon Temple destroyed the Falling Phoenix Temple years ago to turn this place into a demonic refining ground to lure masters from Jingang Temple and Hanging Temple here. Once they discover the bodies of their ancestors and those missing masters, all within the demonic refining ground at Falling Phoenix Temple about to be refined into demonic corpses, Celestial Dragon Temple will be caught with dirt on its trousers��literally in deep shit!"


    Hisss!


    All faces turned to each other, showing a look of shock.


    Especially when looking at Fa Jing, their eyes filled with vigilance and caution.


    This guy really plays a deadly game without paying the price!


    The reason why Celestial Dragon Temple exterminated Falling Phoenix Temple had always been a mystery. If at this time a demonic refining ground appeared at Luo Feng Slope, and there were bodies of masters and ancestors from Jingang Temple and Hanging Temple to be turned into demonic corpses,


    They would never let Celestial Dragon Temple off easily! Sear?h the Nov��l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once Celestial Dragon Temple gets connected with the demonic path, Shaolin Temple could rally everyone under the banner of eradicating demons to safeguard the faith, launching a war to obliterate Celestial Dragon Temple!


    Xiao Yi looked at Fa Jing with a peculiar expression, secretly sighing in his heart: "The Buddhist community, truly filled with talents!"


    Over the following half-month.


    Fa Jing devoted himself entirely to establishing the demonic refining ground.


    While Xiao Yi and Fa Kong took different routes.


    One used the Minor Wuxiang Skill to mimic various unique skills of Celestial Dragon Temple, such as the Heavenly Dragon Eight Steps, Eight Trigrams Heavenly Dragon Fist, Dragon''s Roar Reaches Nine Heavens, to kill the strong ones from Jingang Temple and Hanging Temple.


    Fa Kong, relying on his control over the Earth''s forces and ability to perform the Earth Escape Skill, sneaked into the Nirvana Pagodas of Jingang Temple and Hanging Temple, stealing the bodies of the venerable monks worshipped by these two temples.


    In just half a month.


    Jingang Temple and Hanging Temple lost the bodies of venerable monks, and many disciples were brutally murdered��the news spread throughout the Western Province.


    Moreover, with Xiao Yi using the Minor Wuxiang Skill to mimic the Celestial Dragon Temple''s unique skills to kill several masters from the two Buddhist nations.


    Especially in the lands of the Western Province, a message began to subtly spread.


    The reason why Celestial Dragon Temple suddenly exterminated Falling Phoenix Temple years ago was to establish a demonic refining ground, and the bodies of recently missing masters and ancestors from the two temples were actually stolen by Celestial Dragon Temple, aimed to be delivered to the demonic refining ground to be refined into demonic corpses.


    This message became more and more intensified.


    Combined with those battles and several "fortuitously escaped" powerful figures knowing that the opponent used Celestial Dragon Temple''s unique techniques, the rumors were further validated.


    For a time��


    Celestial Dragon Temple had become a rat crossing the street, everyone shouting to strike it down!

 Chapter 938 - 936: Gathering at Shaolin!

    Upon the land of the Western Province. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The news about Celestial Dragon Temple harboring filth and sheltering many demonic cultivators spread like a plague, from high-ranking Buddhist masters to ordinary believers.


    Every conversation over tea and meals revolved around the ties between the Celestial Dragon Temple and the path of demons.


    Meanwhile...


    As the masters from Vajra Temple and Hanging Temple headed to Luo Feng Slope, they indeed discovered a site for demonic cultivation.


    They also found the bodies of ancestors from various temples and the recently and mysteriously vanished masters hidden at the demonic cultivation site, along with confessions from "survivors" who claimed that their assailants used the unique skills of the Celestial Dragon Temple.


    Almost everyone began to suspect the involvement of the Celestial Dragon Temple with the demonic path.


    And at this time...


    Shaolin Temple, always claiming to be the leader of the Buddhist Nation, suddenly issued a Buddhist invitation, calling for the heads of Vajra Temple and Hanging Temple to meet at Mount Shaoshi.


    Among the four major Buddhist Nations, three heads gathered.


    Only Celestial Dragon Temple was omitted.


    This news, once spread, made the situation of Celestial Dragon Temple even more delicate...


    ...


    Celestial Dragon Temple.


    Since the death of the Eight Celestial Dragons, they immediately relayed the news to the Celestial Dragon Supreme at the Holy Spirit Mountain.


    The death of the Eight Celestial Dragons also greatly shocked the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    After all.


    From his past encounters with Xiao Yi, he firmly believed that Xiao Yi had not even reached the Heaven Venerate Realm.


    For this reason.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme had sent out the Eight Celestial Dragons, believing that with their strength, as long as Nantian Holy Land remained uninvolved, they could easily overpower the vast Southern State.


    But the result was the total annihilation of the Eight Celestial Dragons.


    This not only infuriated the Celestial Dragon Supreme but also forced him to temporarily abandon dealing with Xiao Yi.


    Among the Eight Celestial Dragons, Huiqing, who was at the Heavenly Venerate Realm Peak and just a step away from the Supreme, was a top-tier master.


    Even he perished at the hands of Xiao Yi.


    Under the rule that a Supreme must not leave their native soil casually, he had no way to deal with Xiao Yi and had to temporarily put the matter aside. Meanwhile, to secure the position of Celestial Dragon Temple as one of the four major Buddhist Nations, the Celestial Dragon Supreme had no choice but to dispatch masters from Holy Spirit Mountain to preside over Celestial Dragon Temple.


    There were three masters sent to station at Celestial Dragon Temple.


    These three were disciples taken by the Celestial Dragon Supreme at Holy Spirit Mountain after becoming the Buddha Supreme.


    Though their time with the Celestial Dragon Supreme was not as long as Huiqing''s, their combat power far surpassed that of Huiqing and the others, especially the eldest disciple Hui Tian, who had reached the Half-Step Supreme Realm.


    As for the second disciple Hui Di, and the third disciple Hui Ren, they were also at the Heavenly Venerate Realm Peak.


    With the strength of these three disciples, they could easily suppress all the forces in the Western Province.


    Of course.


    This refers to normal circumstances.


    But this time...


    It was clear that even the three of them were struggling to cope.


    Inside Celestial Dragon Temple.


    The three brothers, Hui Tian, were sitting on meditation cushions, obviously with Hui Tian as the lead, while Hui Di and Hui Ren sat on two cushions directly opposite him, side by side.


    In the dull and oppressive atmosphere.


    Hui Tian was the first to speak, "Junior brothers, since our master has entrusted Celestial Dragon Temple to us, the troubles faced by the temple naturally fall upon us to resolve. Now, the rumors circulating in the outside world are very disadvantageous to our Celestial Dragon Temple. What are your views on this?"


    "There is no doubt, this is definitely a frame-up!" Hui Di said with an ominous expression.


    "Even though we know it''s a frame-up, what can we do? Vajra Temple, Hanging Temple, and Shaolin Temple, we have no clue which among them is framing us, not to mention..."


    Hui Ren said with a bitter smile, "The most urgent matter right now is not to find out who framed us, but that Shaolin Temple has actually called together the heads of Hanging and Vajra Temples. I''m afraid the visitors have ill intentions!"


    Hui Tian nodded, "Junior brother Hui Ren is right. The top priority is to figure out the purpose behind their meeting. Junior brother Hui Di, this matter shall be handled by you��"


    "Brother, rest assured, I have already employed our planted agent within Shaolin Temple, and I believe news will arrive very soon!" Hui Di played with the Buddha Beads in his hand and responded indifferently.


    Hui Tian emitted an ''Mm'', narrowing his eyes into slits, "Our master entrusted Celestial Dragon Temple to us; this is a show of his trust, as well as the highest honor we could receive. We must ensure no mishappenings befall Celestial Dragon Temple!"


    His gaze then turned in the direction of Shaolin Temple.


    For some reason��


    He felt as if over that region of the sky, clouds were rolling in, brewing a tremendous storm.


    ��


    A thousand miles away from Mount Shaoshi.


    The sky was azure blue, like a crystal clear, pure blue gem, occasionally dotted with wispy clouds.


    Above the silent skies, a golden Buddhist vessel was traversing through the void.


    Onboard the vessel were the powerhouses of Vajra Temple and Hanging Temple.


    Vajra Temple''s peak Heaven Venerate Realm master, Guang Liang, and Hanging Temple''s abbot, Xuan Cang, were both present. Apart from Guang Liang and Xuan Cang, there naturally were other top experts from the two temples.


    Though all evidence pointed to Celestial Dragon Temple being the true assassins and grave robbers of the strong from both temples, Shaolin Temple had suddenly invited them at this critical juncture.


    Even as individuals of the peak of Heaven Venerate Realm, they too had to tread carefully.


    After all.


    The power behind Shaolin Temple was not to be underestimated!


    "Brother Guang Liang, Shaolin Temple inviting us at this critical moment, I don''t know what they''re plotting?" Xuan Cang feigned confusion.


    Guang Liang was a straightforward monk.


    His face worn a gentle smile, as if no matter what happened, everything was always light and breezy for him, he said, "Shaolin Temple''s actions have always been unpredictable. However, this time they''ve convened you and me, but notably absent were people from Celestial Dragon Temple. If I''m not mistaken, it should be to deal with Celestial Dragon Temple!"


    "Celestial Dragon Temple has indeed gone too far over some matters, regardless of whether the demon refining grounds are really connected with them. This admonishment must proceed! But only��"


    Xuan Cang''s eyes narrowed, and a substantial chill emitted from them, "Merely dealing with Celestial Dragon Temple, with you and I joining forces, is almost certain. As for Shaolin Temple, if they cooperate with us smoothly, after taking down Celestial Dragon Temple, we''ll share some benefits with them. If they don''t obey, with the power we command, there''s nothing to fear from them."


    Guang Liang laughed heartily, "Exactly, exactly, in that case, let all arrangements be guided by Abbot Xuan Cang!"


    The two looked at each other and laughed triumphantly.


    Moments later.


    The giant Buddhist vessel entered the territory of Mount Shaoshi.


    The group disembarked at the foot of Mount Shaoshi, and there to greet them was the head of the Reception Hall, Fazhen. Holding Buddhist etiquette, Fazhen nodded towards them and chanted ''Amitabha'', "Welcome dear guests who have traveled far, our Buddha King has been awaiting you for a long time!"


    "Buddha King?"


    "Fakong was doing fine as an abbot, did he crown himself as Buddha King now?"


    The two exchanged glances, showing a hint of confusion.


    Fazhen smiled slightly, shaking his head, "No, no, our Buddha King is not brother Fakong." pausing, he wore a mysteriously smiling expression on his face, saying, "When you reach the place, naturally you will meet our Buddha King, no need to waste effort guessing!"


    "This��"


    Guang Liang appeared hesitant, intensely stared at Xuan Cang, waiting for his decision.


    Xuan Cang also hesitated for a moment, finally gritting his teeth, he said, "You and I joining forces, unless it''s the Holy Spirit Mountain, there''s nowhere we cannot go! I want to see just who this Buddha King of Shaolin Temple really is!"

 Chapter 939 - 937: All of You, Attack Together!

    At the summit of Mount Shaoshi, the Great Buddha Hall.


    Here, the supreme Buddha and Bodhisattva of the Buddhist Holy Land are enshrined, flanked by the statues of the five ancestors of Shaolin on both sides.


    At the moment...


    Xiao Yi sits upright in the foremost meditation cushion, his back facing the direction of the Great Buddha Hall''s entrance.


    Little Lin and Monk Jie Se stand to his left and right, silent; yet upon close inspection, it becomes apparent that Little Lin is already on the verge of sleep.


    Monk Jie Se, however, maintains a devout posture, being a true person of the Buddhist faith, with an identity and mindset wholly different from that of Xiao Yi.


    To their left and right sit Fa Kong and the nine leading figures, each manifesting an earnest demeanor.


    "Shaolin Buddha King, Master Guangliang of Vajra Temple, and Master Xuancang of Hanging Temple seek an audience!" Fazhen''s respectful voice came from outside.


    Fazhen, capable of serving as the head of Reception Hall, is indeed tactful and excels in understanding people''s hearts. Within Shaolin Temple, he was the first to express his loyalty to Xiao Yi.


    In front of the gate.


    Master Guangliang and Master Xuancang exchange glances, both seeing astonishment and shock in each other''s eyes,


    for they naturally saw Fa Kong, who is now seated at a lower position.


    As abbots from one of the four great Buddhist nations, they are extremely familiar with Fa Kong�� an entity who controlled Shaolin Temple for thousands of years, whose cultivation even surpasses theirs.


    They also understand the true nature of Fa Kong�� despite his compassionate appearance, he is an entity that truly devours without spitting bones.


    If he obediently sits at a lower position, it must mean that the Buddha King indeed possesses formidable methods, truly making him submit.


    "Enter!"


    Xiao Yi''s indifferent voice echoes in the empty hall.


    Fazhen gestures towards the two, "Please, come in!"


    Whoosh!


    Master Guangliang and Master Xuancang look at each other and step shoulder to shoulder into the Great Buddha Hall.


    Swoosh! Swoosh!


    Two meditation cushions fly forward, landing in front of the two masters.


    This causes both masters to squint their eyes, a hint of shock flashing deep within.


    After all, they are existences at the Heavenly Venerate Realm Peak.


    But...


    Just now in the hall, they hadn''t detected any energy fluctuations, yet the meditation cushions had landed right in front of them.


    Had the other''s target been to kill them, it would undoubtedly have been done without heaven or earth being aware.


    At this thought.


    Both of them couldn''t help but feel cold sweat roll down their backs.


    "Please, take a seat!"


    Xiao Yi turns to face them and makes a welcoming gesture.


    Suppressing the shock in their hearts, they sit on the meditation cushions, yet their gaze is in sync as they scrutinize Xiao Yi.


    "You are the Shaolin Buddha King?" Master Guangliang inquires.


    Xiao Yi nods with a smile.


    Hiss!


    Even though they had already known the outcome, the fact that Xiao Yi admits it openly still sends a shock through them.


    At such a young age, he was able to suppress the traditionally dominant Fa Kong, becoming the Buddha King of Shaolin Temple, the leader of the four great Buddhist nations of the West Continent.


    This is truly unprecedented in the history of the West Continent!


    Master Xuancang ponders for a moment before asking, "May I ask the Buddha King, what is the purpose of inviting us here?"


    How Xiao Yi became the Buddha King is, after all, an internal affair of Shaolin Temple.


    Besides feeling shocked, they had no other thoughts.


    Xiao Yi''s smile lingers as he looks right at Master Xuancang, recalling Fa Kong''s evaluation of Xuancang.


    This man is undoubtedly a talented leader!


    Under the guidance of his late master, Hanging Temple was already on the decline, on the verge of being replaced by Azure Cloud Temple and losing its status as one of the four great Buddhist nations.


    It was Master Xuancang who took over Hanging Temple in times of crisis and single-handedly reversed its misfortunes, rescuing it from peril.


    Under Master Xuancang''s leadership, Hanging Temple has not only maintained its status among the four great Buddhist nations but has also surpassed Vajra Temple and Celestial Dragon Temple, second only to Shaolin Temple.


    Furthermore, as Master Xuancang once saved Master Guangliang, Vajra Temple has always looked up to Hanging Temple.


    To have them cooperate, convincing Master Xuancang would be sufficient!


    With this in mind.


    Xiao Yi speaks, "I heard Master Xuancang plans to make a move against Celestial Dragon Temple?"


    Master Xuancang frowns slightly and glances at Master Guangliang, signaling him to stay calm, and replies with composure, "That is so. Why? Does the Buddha King wish to mediate?"


    Xiao Yi waves his hand, "Master Xuancang, you may have misunderstood. I do not wish to reconcile, but rather seek to cooperate with you both."


    "Cooperation?"


    Guang Liang was taken aback.


    Master Xuancang''s eyebrows also tightly knit, his eyes showing a hint of confusion: "What kind of cooperation do you have in mind?"


    Xiao Yi tapped his fingers lightly against his knee, soundless, yet with each tap, an invisible force seemed to strike at the hearts of those present.


    It felt as if someone was gripping their hearts.


    Breathing, heartbeats, everything seemed to be led by the nose.


    This made Master Xuancang''s face slightly change; the sensation of having everything under someone else''s control was seriously unsettling. Just as Master Xuancang almost couldn''t help but erupt, Xiao Yi suddenly stopped tapping his fingers and said: "Three parties join forces, to flatten Celestial Dragon Temple!"


    Buzz!


    With these words, the atmosphere inside the Great Buddha Hall instantly solidified.


    Destroy the Celestial Dragon Temple?


    The Celestial Dragon Temple was regarded as one of the four great Buddhist Nations alongside them.


    Even though the Celestial Dragon Temple had become involved with the demonic path and a demonic refining ground had been discovered within the territory of the Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom, they had not considered destroying the Celestial Dragon Temple.


    They only wanted to force the Celestial Dragon Temple to make concessions, to yield sufficient benefits and interests to them.


    After all.


    Behind the Celestial Dragon Temple, there was a Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    If the Celestial Dragon Temple were truly annihilated, completely enraging the Celestial Dragon Supreme, the consequences would be more than they could bear.


    Exactly because of this.


    They had never imagined...


    That Xiao Yi invited them to Shaolin Temple for the purpose of flattening Celestial Dragon Temple?


    Master Xuancang stated coldly: "I apologize, but we of Hanging Mountain have never considered flattening Celestial Dragon Temple; Buddha King, please refrain from mentioning this again!"


    "Same goes for my Vajra Temple!" said Guang Liang indifferently.


    The two then stood up.


    Master Xuancang gave a cupped fist salute to Xiao Yi: "Buddha King, we have other matters to attend to, so we will take our leave now..."


    "Farewell!"


    The two of them promptly stood up and were about to leave.


    However...


    There were several figures dashing in front of them, it was Monk Fakong leading a group of Shaolin Temple masters, effectively blocking their way out.


    Master Xuancang''s face turned grim, looking towards Xiao Yi: "Buddha King, what is the meaning of this?" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi rose up slowly, his gaze level with the two men: "As long as you agree to cooperate with me, to flatten the Celestial Dragon Temple, sever its lineage, and seize its followers. My Shaolin Temple doesn''t want a single grass or tree from the Celestial Dragon Temple, all benefits will belong to you..."


    "This..."


    The expressions on their faces changed slightly.


    How substantial could the benefits of a Buddhist Nation be?


    As the rulers of their own Buddhist Nations, they naturally understood this very well.


    If they truly could absorb all the benefits of the Celestial Dragon Temple, their power would rise to another level; even they couldn''t help but be somewhat tempted. However, the thought of an enraged Celestial Dragon Supreme made them shake their heads emphatically.


    Guang Liang said: "My Vajra Temple cannot agree to cooperate with you!"


    "Buddha King, the Celestial Dragon Supreme backing the Celestial Dragon Temple is not someone to be trifled with. If you wish to seek death, do not drag us into it..." Master Xuancang spoke emphatically and with resonance in his words.


    Merely subjugating the Celestial Dragon Temple, demanding accountability and compensation for the demonic refining grounds, would not make the Celestial Dragon Supreme go berserk.


    But to annihilate the lineage of the Celestial Dragon Temple.


    That would mean a bitter, unending feud!


    However...


    Facing their repeated rejections, Xiao Yi smiled slightly, leaning forward, laughing: "You''re worried about the retaliation of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, but aren''t you afraid of angering me?"


    "You?"


    The two were startled.


    Master Xuancang laughed loudly: "Buddha King, perhaps you indeed have formidable strength, having even brought the Abbot Fakong to his knees. However, I don''t mean any offense, but compared with the Celestial Dragon Supreme, you are like the clouds in the sky to the mud on the ground, there is simply no comparison!"


    That''s the Celestial Dragon Supreme!


    One of the Supreme Venerables among Buddhas.


    In contrast to Xiao Yi...


    He doesn''t even possess Supreme Cultivation!


    Xiao Yi let out a light sigh: "I, Xiao Yi, have always been one to conquering hearts with virtue. I''ve never been one to resort to violence lightly, however, since you doubt my strength, I suppose I can no longer keep concealed..."


    "Hm?"


    Master Xuancang frowned, "What? Buddha King, do you wish to fight me?"


    "No, no, no!"


    Xiao Yi laughed lightly, shaking his head, then pointed at them with his finger, and calmly said, "Both of you, come at me together!"

 Chapter 940 - 938: Celestial Dragon Temple, Finished!

    "You all, come at me together!"


    Xiao Yi beckoned Zhao and Zhao Wuji with a hooked finger, his face wearing a playful smile.


    Both Xuan Cang and Guang Liang were beings at the peak of the Heaven Venerate Realm. With their combined strength, even if they faced a stronger adversary at the First-layer Supreme Realm, they would wield the power to fight.


    Moreover, they both presided over a Buddhist Nation.


    When had they ever encountered such provocation?


    Xuan Cang''s complexion turned gloomy enough to drip water, as he coldly laughed while looking at Fa Kong: "I''ve long heard that Shaolin Temple holds nothing in regard, completely ignoring the other three major Buddhist Nations. Now it seems truly so."


    Guang Liang spoke thunderously, emphasizing each word: "Brother Xuan Cang, let me have the pleasure of experiencing the methods of the Shaolin Buddha King!"


    Xuan Cang had once saved Guang Liang''s life.


    He had always looked up to Xuan Cang with great respect.


    Now, seeing Xiao Yi show such contempt towards Xuan Cang, his benefactor was insulted, and Guang Liang naturally stepped forward.


    Xuan Cang nodded solemnly, advicing: "Be cautious!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Guang Liang laughed heartily as he stepped forward, with each step golden Buddhist glyphs flew from his body, transforming into golden skin that branded his body''s surface.


    By the time he approached Xiao Yi, Guang Liang''s body was already enveloped in a layer of golden hue.


    His body, glimmering with brilliant golden light, appeared robust and sturdy.


    The sound of clashing metal, reminiscent of iron striking iron, also emitted from him: "Doesn''t Shaolin Temple always claim to be the representative of Western State Buddhist Sect? Let this venerable one see whether your Shaolin Temple''s Golden Bell Shield or our Hanging Temple''s Vajra Buddha Body is stronger!"


    His fists collided fiercely in front of his chest.


    Thud!


    The deafening noise resounded like two hammers striking each other.


    The terrifying sound waves radiated in all directions, shattering the vases in the hall to pieces.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, smiling: "Vajra Buddha Body? Indeed, it has its unique points. However, this Transverse Refining Kung Fu, which is far inferior to the Golden Bell Shield, I fear won''t even block a single finger of mine!"


    "Arrogant!"


    Guang Liang glared with eyes full of fury, his body radiating golden light, "I will stand right here and see how you dare to defeat me with one finger!"


    "Annoying!"


    Xiao Yi casually flicked a finger.


    Endless silver light converged at the fingertip. At that moment, it seemed as if all the light in the world was overshadowed, leaving only that strand of silver on his fingertip.


    Swoosh!


    A sharp piercing sound sliced through the air.


    The silver glow swirled, resembling a dazzling finger condensed from the galaxy, and with a pang, it struck Guang Liang''s body.


    Ahh...


    Guang Liang trembled all over, the golden radiance around him shattering like glass, and as the golden light faded from his body, he fell to the ground with a loud thud.


    His hands covering his stomach, he curled up on the ground, unable to move.


    Xiao Yi looked towards Xuan Cang, the silver glow still throbbing at his fingertip. The pure silver light reflected on his face, making his already handsome face even more chiseled, his lips slightly curling as he said, "Now it''s your turn!"


    Hiss!


    Xuan Cang sucked in a breath of cold air, his complexion turning a shade paler.


    His strength was indeed a notch above Guang Liang''s.


    But...


    Even if he attacked with all his might, at most he could suppress Guang Liang, but he would never achieve what Xiao Yi did��defeating Guang Liang, who had activated the Vajra Buddha Body, with just a single finger.


    Realizing this.


    Xuan Cang forced a smile, "Amitabha, this monk is no match for the Buddha King."


    The proud abbot of Hanging Temple, a being at the peak of the Heavenly Venerate Realm.


    He didn''t even have the confidence to make a move against Xiao Yi.


    However...


    Within the vast Great Buddha Hall, not a single person scoffed at him.


    After all.


    The powerful figures present had all personally experienced Xiao Yi''s terror and strength, even Fa Kong, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, had been taught a lesson in humanity by Xiao Yi!


    "Amitabha!"


    With prayer beads in hand and a gentle smile on his face, Fa Kong said, "Xuan Cang, Guang Liang, you''ll soon realize how wise your decision is!"


    "Hm?"


    Xuan Cang was startled, then chuckled bitterly, "With the Buddha King''s strength, if the Celestial Dragon Supreme does not step in, flattening the Celestial Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom would naturally be effortless. However, there''s something Xuan Cang doesn''t understand!"


    "But why would we need to cooperate with you given Shaolin Temple''s strength? Crushing the Celestial Dragon Temple would be a walk in the park for us," Xiao Yi said with a smirk, revealing the doubt in Xuan Cang''s heart.


    Xuan Cang nodded.


    That was the very point he could not comprehend; they did not wish to provoke the Celestial Dragon Supreme and would not vow to fight the Celestial Dragon Temple to the death.


    But Shaolin Temple would not fear such confrontation!


    Xiao Yi smiled without a word, merely glancing at Fa Kong beside him.


    Fa Kong said softly, "Junior Brother Xuan Cang, the Buddha King is compassionate. He''s acting this way simply to avoid a great slaughter!"


    "A great slaughter?"


    Xuan Cang was taken aback and frowned, "What does that have to do with a great slaughter?"


    Little Lin, picking his teeth, said with a playful smile, "What our Shaolin Temple aims for is not just the destruction of the Celestial Dragon Temple, but to unify the entire Western State Buddhist Sect. If you don''t see eye to eye with us, then we would have to eliminate three Buddhist Nations. Since you are willing to cooperate with us, naturally we only need to destroy one�� the Celestial Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom!"


    "..."


    Xuan Cang and Guang Liang exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock.


    Gulp!


    Xuan Cang swallowed hard, his face colored with disbelief: "You��you��you want to unify the Western Province''s Buddhist Sect? Have you considered the consequences? How could Holy Spirit Mountain allow this to happen?"


    Chanting "Amitabha," Fa Kong said indifferently, "I forgot to tell you, the Buddha King also has another identity. He is the successor to our Shaolin Temple''s Supreme Shakya. He holds all the inheritances of Shaolin Temple''s seventy-two arts and thirty-six Secret Techniques..."


    Buzz!


    The faces of Xuan Cang and the other changed rapidly.


    Since the disappearance of the Hall of Longevity, and after Zhao Wuji shattered the Azure Heaven Continent, numerous forces lost their complete inheritances.


    Today''s Shaolin Temple has only one-third of its 108 inheritances left, and yet, even this one-third is enough to maintain Shaolin''s position as the leader among the four great Buddhist Nations.


    If all 108 inheritances were intact, how strong would Shaolin Temple be?


    And more so.


    These 108 complete inheritances could fully persuade the four Supreme Buddhas behind Shaolin Temple to stand firmly on Xiao Yi''s side. Even if Holy Spirit Mountain wanted to protect the Celestial Dragon Supreme, they would have to consider whether those four exalted Buddhas would permit it!


    If the support of the Supreme Buddhas behind Vajra Temple and Hanging Temple were also included.


    Even if they flattened the Celestial Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom, the Celestial Dragon Supreme would not dare to utter a word of protest!


    At this thought. sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Both Xuan Cang and his companion breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that submitting to Xiao Yi was not so hard to accept after all, and their gazes toward Xiao Yi now contained a sense of awe.


    Xiao Yi''s gaze remained on the two of them.


    Watching their every move closely.


    Obviously, Xuan Cang and his companion were truly convinced by his strength, as well as the words of Little Lin and Fa Kong, so the cooperation that followed would naturally flow smoothly.


    Xuan Cang asked, "Buddha King, do you have any plans for dealing with the Celestial Dragon Temple?"


    They had originally thought to take advantage of the refining demon grounds to send troops to the Celestial Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom, seize a portion of the disciples, and extort some benefits.


    But now...


    Since they planned to annihilate the Celestial Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom, they naturally had to follow Xiao Yi''s arrangements.


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved up slightly, and he raised a finger, slowly pointing forward. Numerous strands of silvery innate energy swirled before everyone, converging into a map that was the very geography of the Celestial Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom. Xiao Yi pointed to an area on the map: "We''ll start from here��"


    "What? The first target is to be this place?"


    Everyone looked in the direction he indicated, as if they could already see the doomsday shadow looming over the Celestial Dragon Temple, each showing a look of pity, "The Celestial Dragon Temple is finished!"


    PS: First update, there will be no less than 5 updates today! Four more to go, Xiao Tian continues to work hard!

 Chapter 941 - 939: Greetings to Xiao Buddha King! [Second Update]

    Ten Thousand Dragons City.


    Located within the Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom, this Buddha City earned its name because a Buddha was born here.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme of the Heavenly Dragon Temple was born in Ten Thousand Dragons City.


    Because of this��


    After the Heavenly Dragon Temple became one of the four great Buddhist nations, it poured a vast amount of resources into Ten Thousand Dragons City. Especially among the devout followers of the Heavenly Dragon Temple, over thirty percent were residing in Ten Thousand Dragons City.


    Without any exaggeration.


    Apart from the Heavenly Dragon Buddha City where the Heavenly Dragon Temple is located, Ten Thousand Dragons City is the most important city within the Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom.


    Within the entire Ten Thousand Dragons City, from the precious homes of nobles to the common street peddler, the most frequently mentioned topics were the Celestial Dragon Supreme and matters related to the Heavenly Dragon Temple.


    Moreover.


    Whenever these were mentioned, praises were generously bestowed.


    However today��


    Some different voices emerged in Ten Thousand Dragons City: "Have you heard about the demonic cultivation site at Luo Feng Slope? They say it''s the pride of our Ten Thousand Dragons City; the Celestial Dragon Supreme personally set it up for the cultivation of demonic arts!"


    "Don''t talk nonsense. The Celestial Dragon Supreme is the Supreme Venerable Buddha of the Holy Spirit Mountain; how could he possibly cultivate demonic arts?"


    "There''s no smoke without fire! If the rumors were truly unfounded, then explain the demonic cultivation site at Luo Feng Slope? My kin is a disciple of the Heavenly Dragon Temple. Based on his words, both Vajra Temple and Hanging Temple are now preparing to launch an attack on our Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom!"


    "Although those two Buddhist nations are formidable, our Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom is not afraid of them. As long as Shaolin Temple does not intervene, there''s basically nothing to worry about!"


    At this moment��


    From the direction of Ten Thousand Dragons City''s gates, suddenly a thunderous boom resounded.


    Rumble!


    A plume of thick smoke surged into the sky, forming a massive mushroom cloud.


    Within the mushroom cloud, thunder rolled, and lightning flashed across the sky. Purple-golden lightning weaved into a vast net of light, crackling as it echoed above Ten Thousand Dragons City.


    Instantly attracting everyone''s attention.


    "What happened?"


    "Could it be that Vajra Temple and Hanging Temple have launched an attack?"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    A series of loud and urgent bell tolls suddenly spread throughout Ten Thousand Dragons City. Powerful and fearsome auras soared into the sky from within the city.


    Merely the Earth Venerate Realm experts had already amounted to five, with even a Seventh Layer Heavenly Venerate Realm expert amongst them.


    This Heavenly Venerate expert was the city lord of Ten Thousand Dragons City, Iron Fulu.


    Also��


    He was a staunch follower of the Heavenly Dragon Temple.


    Iron Fulu''s roar was earthshattering, expressing boundless rage: "Xuan Cang, Guang Liang, do you truly seek a fight to the death with my Heavenly Dragon Temple?"


    "Xuan Cang and Guang Liang? Aren''t they the abbots of Vajra Temple and Hanging Temple? They really have come to attack?" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh my heavens, these two great Buddhist nations launching an assault on our Ten Thousand Dragons City, this is indeed the onset of a war that could annihilate nations��"


    "Damn it, they''re going too far, how could our Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom fear them?"


    "Slay them all��"


    "Defend the Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom��"


    Within Ten Thousand Dragons City, making up three-tenths of the Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom''s believers, nearly eighty percent of the residents were followers of the Heavenly Dragon Temple. Naturally, they would not easily abandon their faith, nor would they doubt their revered Buddha because of external rumors.


    For a moment.


    Numerous powerful beings within the city soared into the sky, or took up their weapons, swearing to defend the honor of the Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom to the death.


    Above the city gates.


    Feeling the rising number of powerful allies behind him, a confident smile appeared on Iron Fulu''s face. Although his cultivation was far inferior to Xuan Cang''s and Guang Liang''s, he was not at all intimidated: "Xuan Cang, Guang Liang, this Venerable gives you ten breaths'' time to retreat; I shall forgive the offense of breaking my city gates. Otherwise, the several tens of millions of followers of my Ten Thousand Dragons City will certainly not let you off!"


    "Humph, Celestial Dragon Temple is nothing but a bunch of filth-hiding hypocrites who have been deceiving these believers with their false pretenses. Today, we are here to break through Ten Thousand Dragons City and rescue these bewildered followers!" Xuan Cang declared righteously.


    Amitabha!


    Guang Liang pressed his palms together, his body bathed in the light of Buddha, holy and noble, exuding an inviolable majesty, "Iron Pagoda, the fact that a mere believer like you could cultivate to such a realm is all thanks to the resources bestowed by Celestial Dragon Temple. I can''t help but suspect that you, like those phony monks of Celestial Dragon Temple, are outwardly virtuous but have long been corrupted by the demonic path inside. If you continue to obstruct us, don''t blame us for being impolite!"


    What?


    Iron Pagoda''s face was an ashen blue. He had become a demon head as well?


    What a huge smear!


    Iron Pagoda sneered coldly, "Accusing me baselessly and you think you can defame me? You deserve to die! All believers of Celestial Dragon Temple, would you allow these malicious slanderers to defame our temple?"


    "Absolutely not!"


    "Kill them!"


    The crowd of followers roared with frenzy.


    This made both Guang Liang and Xuan Cang break out in a cold sweat on their foreheads. As they exchanged a glance, each could see in the other''s eyes a shared hope: let''s hope the plan of Xiao Buddha King is foolproof!


    Every Buddhist Nation has its own fanatical believers.


    Ten Thousand Dragons City is especially a gathering place for Celestial Dragon Temple''s followers. If it wasn''t for Xiao Yi designating Ten Thousand Dragons City as the first target for attack and assuring them of a foolproof plan, they would never choose to attack this place.


    Taking a deep breath, Xuan Cang sneered, "Iron Pagoda, you still dare claim your Celestial Dragon Temple hasn''t blinded its followers? Look at them, all brainwashed into mindless killing machines. All monks of Hanging Temple listen, the believers inside Ten Thousand Dragons City are innocent, once we breach the city we shall only kill the evil monks of Celestial Dragon Temple and must not harm the innocent believers..."


    "All of Vajra Temple, do not harm the innocent believers!" Guang Liang also declared loudly.


    Iron Pagoda chuckled coldly, "Foolish, thinking you can shake the faith of Celestial Dragon Temple''s followers with such tactics? It''s simply wishful thinking. Today, unless you wipe out every single person in Ten Thousand Dragons City, you shall not get past us!"


    Boom boom boom!


    Banners from both sides fluttered wildly, murder intent soared through the sky.


    The great battle was on the edge of breaking out.


    But just then...


    A gentle voice suddenly rang out, echoing between heaven and earth, "Everyone, please hold your hands."


    "Huh?"


    People looked toward the source of the voice.


    They saw Xiao Yi, accompanied by Fa Kong and others, arriving through the air.


    He led the way, sitting upon a golden lotus pedestal, body shining with Buddha light, and behind his head, a golden Buddha halo pulsed with light. On each side of him were the nine great abbots of Shaolin Temple, led by Fa Kong, with only Little Lin and Monk Jie Se missing.


    The group, all high monks, had scriptures reverberating in the void, sutras floating up and down.


    As if Buddha himself descended to the mortal world.


    "Is that Fa Kong, the abbot of Shaolin Temple?"


    "And the nine great abbots? Why are they following that young man with such respect?"


    Iron Pagoda himself was stunned, a strong unease gripping his heart: Could it be, Shaolin Temple is also going to make a move against my Celestial Dragon Temple?


    Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Iron Pagoda asked with a serious tone, "Who might you be?"


    In the face of Iron Pagoda''s inquiry, Xiao Yi smiled without a word. Standing behind him, Master Fa Kong brought his hands together, chanting in a booming voice, with Buddha light shining all around him, turning the scriptures into tangible text swirling around him.


    With a majestic presence as if Buddha came to the world.


    Under the focus of many eyes, Fa Kong employed the Buddhist Lion''s Roar, a solemn and mighty voice resonating above Ten Thousand Dragons City, "This person here is the newly appointed Buddha King of Shaolin Temple, Xiao Yi!"


    "Buddha King Xiao Yi? I''ve heard of the World Honored One of Buddhism, I''ve heard of the Supreme Venerable Buddha, but I''ve never heard of any title of Buddha King..." Iron Pagoda snorted coldly, not taking Xiao Yi seriously, whose presence seemed only comparable to the Human Venerate Realm.


    However...


    Before he could finish speaking.


    Both Xuan Cang and Guang Liang simultaneously brought their palms together and respectfully saluted Xiao Yi, their greetings meticulous and reverent, "Xuan Cang of Hanging Temple (Guang Liang of Vajra Temple), pays respect to Buddha King Xiao! Great Buddha King, your Buddhist Law is boundless..."


    What?


    Watching the once haughty Xuan Cang and others show such respect to Xiao Yi, the just scoffing Iron Pagoda was left dumbfounded...

 Chapter 942 - 940: A Misstep Turns Out Right?! [Third Update]

    Lord Tie fumbled with confusion.


    Indeed, he had never heard of any "Buddha King" title within Buddhism. Yet now, seeing Xuan Cang and Guang Liang��who once seemed invincible and haughty��showing such great respect towards Xiao Yi.


    For a moment,


    It felt to him as if he had been slapped multiple times across the face.


    "Both leaders of major Buddhist Nations hold such reverence for this Buddha King, and yet Lord Tie knows nothing?"


    "Maybe it''s not that he doesn''t know, perhaps his faith isn''t truly with Buddhism, so he simply doesn''t care about a so-called Buddha King?"


    "Not caring about the Buddhist faith? Could it possibly be that he truly is from the Demonic Path?"


    Lord Tie was oblivious to the fact that within the crowd, a child and a hunchbacked old man were quietly spreading rumors. Having sparked this speculation among the congregation of Ten Thousand Dragons City, the duo then vanished without a trace.


    These two were naturally Little Lin and Monk Jie Se.


    Both were not inferior in power to Lord Tie, and they had long infiltrated Ten Thousand Dragons City.


    At this moment.


    In the narrow alley leading to the lord''s mansion in Ten Thousand Dragons City, Little Lin and Monk Jie Se exchanged glances: "We must hurry to the lord''s mansion, the boss hasn''t given us much time!"


    "Don''t worry, master, this old monk has already found out everything!" Monk Jie Se earnestly said.


    The two then quietly disappeared.


    At the same time��


    The whispers among the crowd grew louder and louder, causing Lord Tie to notice the discussions. His face turned extremely unsightly, filled with indescribable grievance: Am I from the Demonic Path? Have your brains been kicked by a donkey? I am a staunch follower of Celestial Dragon Temple, blessed by the Celestial Dragon Supreme''s grace. How could I possibly belong to the Demonic Path?


    And this Buddha King, I really haven''t heard about it at all!


    "How dare you, Lord Tie! Seeing the Shaolin Buddha King and you won''t salute?" Xuan Cang said with a stern voice.


    Amitabha!


    Guang Liang placed his palms together, chanting the Buddha''s name: "Xiao Buddha King is a paragon of Buddhism, a beacon of righteousness, a noble existence comparable to Buddha Supreme. Lord Tie, is this how Celestial Dragon Temple treats the Buddha King?"


    A paragon of Buddhism?


    A beacon of righteousness?


    A noble existence comparable to Buddha Supreme?


    Lord Tie was dumbstruck, looking at the resolute expressions of Xuan Cang and Guang Liang, even beginning to doubt himself: "Could it be, the Buddhism I believe in is a fake? Otherwise, why have the monks from Celestial Dragon Temple never mentioned the existence of a Buddha King to me?"


    However,


    As a staunch follower of Celestial Dragon Temple, he naturally wouldn''t waver in his faith easily, shaking his head: "Impossible, Celestial Dragon Temple is definitely the orthodox Buddhism. This Buddha King must not be an orthodox title of Buddhism; otherwise the monks would definitely have informed me!"


    At that moment��


    Xiao Yi joined his palms together, smiled gently: "Amitabha, these are just empty titles, Lord Tie need not mind. Abbot Xuan Cang, Abbot Guang Liang, you should not blame Lord Tie for this!"


    "Following Buddha King''s edict!" Xuan Cang and Guang Liang hurriedly responded respectfully.


    Lord Tie''s face showed a tint of shame: "I showed not an ounce of respect towards the Buddha King, yet he is actively exculpating me. Truly deserving as a paragon of Buddhism, a beacon of righteousness. And here I was doubting his very identity? That''s simply�� lower than pigs and dogs..."


    If Xiao Yi were aware of Lord Tie''s thoughts, he would certainly burst into laughter.


    This silly fellow!


    The title Buddha King was just coined by him casually. There isn''t a second Buddha King in Buddhism. Moreover, Xiao Yi''s effort to absolve Lord Tie was merely to make actions more convenient later on.


    Who would have imagined that Lord Tie might nearly waver in his faith because of this?


    Amitabha!


    Xiao Yi joined his palms together, lamenting for the people compassionately: "Xuan Cang, Guang Liang, and Lord Tie... My arrival here as the Buddha King is to advise against stirring unnecessary disasters. The disputes between Buddhist and Daoist sects are merely differences in perspective, yet if they provoke wars that annihilate nations, the innocent believers will be the ones who suffer most. You must restrain any destructive thoughts!"


    Within Ten Thousand Dragons City.


    Millions of followers became teary-eyed: "Look, this is indeed a true paragon of Buddhism, a beacon of righteousness! He doesn''t seek his own benefits nor cares about the propagation of Buddhism, but considers us insignificant followers?"


    "From now on, Xiao Buddha King will definitively be one among the Buddhas I hold faith in!"


    "This is indeed a true Buddha, seeking no rewards, yet dedicating his heart for us all..."


    Conversations among the followers whispered on.


    Every gaze towards Xiao Yi was filled with gratitude and sincerity.


    Lord Tie showed a look of shame, joined his hands in a Buddhist gesture, and responded while speaking apologetically: "Xiao Buddha King is right, indeed we should not involve innocent believers!" Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xuan Cang nodded and said: "Hearing a single word from Xiao Buddha King surpasses a hundred years of Buddhist practice, Xuan Cang admits his mistake!"


    Guang Liang also adopted a humble and repentant demeanor.


    Xiao Yi hummed in response and cast an inexplicable look towards Xuan Cang.


    Xuan Cang got the hint and said: "Xiao Buddha King, although it''s true that we have erred by initiating a war that leads to a nation''s destruction. However, we did so because we cannot tolerate how Celestial Dragon Temple outwardly preaches the Buddhist path while misleading followers, and secretly engages in despicable demonic practices..."


    Guang Liang righteously said: "Brother Xuan Cang is right, all of us are doing this for the believers, for Buddhism..."


    "Indeed, I have heard about Celestial Dragon Temple practicing demonic arts in secret, but after all, there is no concrete evidence, and the mere presence of a demonic cultivation site at Luo Feng Slope is hardly convincing!" Xiao Yi said with a troubled expression.


    Xuan Cang spoke: "Please be assured, Xiao Buddha King, naturally we would not just connect Celestial Dragon Temple with demonic paths because of one cultivation site!"


    "Oh? So, Abbot Xuan Cang, you have obtained new evidence?" Xiao Yi raised his eyebrow.


    "Exactly!"


    Xuan Cang nodded firmly, pointing angrily at Lord Tie, "The evidence lies within the mansion of Lord Tie. I''ve received information that Celestial Dragon Temple has turned Ten Thousand Dragons City into a gathering place for believers to cover up the demonic practices they execute in secret. They have set up a huge demonic cultivation site underground in the mansion!"


    "Nonsense, I have been stationed in Ten Thousand Dragons City all this time and never discovered any demonic cultivation site..." Lord Tie said furiously, his face turning red and his eyes flashing with rage.


    He was sincerely aggrieved!


    Lord Tie was a true hardcore Buddhist follower, firmly believing that Celestial Dragon Temple had absolutely nothing to do with demonic paths.


    Xiao Yi said: "Abbot Xuan Cang, how about this..."


    Xuan Cang spoke emphatically, word by word: "Xiao Buddha King, I, Xuan Cang, dare to pledge with my life and Buddhist soul that there indeed is a demonic cultivation site beneath the mansion of Ten Thousand Dragons City. If this statement has even the slightest falsehood, may the Buddhist thunder strike me and shatter my Buddhist soul..."


    Hiss!


    That was indeed a grave oath!


    Above the sky, clouds churned and thunder boomed.


    This made the powerhouses of Ten Thousand Dragons City reveal shocked expressions, and they couldn''t help but believe it a bit.


    Such was an oath on one''s Buddhist soul and life!


    Who would dare to gamble with their life if they weren''t completely sure?


    Xiao Yi''s expression became serious as he looked towards Lord Tie, whose expression was fluctuating.


    Lord Tie''s face changed continuously.


    He was sure of his innocence, absolutely uninvolved with demonic paths, but... Xuan Cang''s dire oath left him uneasy; who would dare to use their life for an oath if not truly confident?


    "Lord Tie, it''s said that one can know faces but not hearts, and what more for a colossal entity like Celestial Dragon Temple? Perhaps, some tactics they conduct in secret are unknown to you..." Guang Liang said in a low haunting voice.


    This made Lord Tie shudder: Right, I''m indeed innocent, but who knows if those people from Celestial Dragon Temple are all clean? If they really were hiding a demonic cultivation site in Ten Thousand Dragons City without my knowledge, and I vouched with my life, wouldn''t I be wronged if I died?


    At that thought.


    Lord Tie spoke: "I, too, dare to swear with my life, I, Lord Tie, am guilt-free and have never been involved with demonic paths. However, to demonstrate my innocence, I am willing to let Xiao Buddha King inspect Ten Thousand Dragons City to prove that Celestial Dragon Temple has absolutely nothing to do with demonic paths..."


    He hadn''t finished speaking.


    But at that moment...


    Suddenly, from the direction of the mansion, there came a booming sound that shook the heavens, instantly spreading throughout Ten Thousand Dragons City, followed by the underbelly of the land rolling like a burrowing dragon.


    The ground roared, and huge rifts spread all over the city.


    Buildings collapsed one after another.


    Amid the rolling dust,


    a towering Demonic Qi shot straight into the sky.


    Faintly visible, two figures in utter disarray burst out from the dust, led by Little Lin, who ran towards Xiao Yi, dragging a mouthful of blood and Monk Jie Se in a sorry state.


    While running, Little Lin yelled: "Oh my god, there''s really a demonic cavern underground, boss, save me..."


    In the void.


    Xiao Yi, watching the demonic Qi filling the sky, said blankly: "There''s really a demonic cavern underground? Did we hit the mark unintentionally? Damn�� Celestial Dragon Temple, and Celestial Dragon Supreme, it seems heaven wants to destroy you!"

 Chapter 943 - 941: Demon Lord Emerges, Effort in Vain? [Fourth Update]

    "Oh fuck, is this the end of Celestial Dragon Temple!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes twitched frantically, his emotions indescribable.


    He had originally planned for Little Lin and Jie Se to secretly bury a demon refining site covered by an Array in Ten Thousand Dragons City, then have Xuan Cang and others enter the city and publicly expose this demon refining site.


    Once a demon refining site was found in Ten Thousand Dragons City, where three-tenths of the followers of Celestial Dragon Temple were gathered.


    It would be like having mud on the crotch of your pants��it''s not shit, but it might as well be!


    Then...


    No matter how Celestial Dragon Temple and Celestial Dragon Supreme try to explain, they won''t be able to disassociate themselves from the Demonic Path.


    That being so.


    Shaolin Temple would also be able to justifiably join the crusade, and with the combined force of the three Buddhist Nations, they could annihilate Celestial Dragon Temple in no time.


    However...


    What Xiao Yi never expected was that beneath Ten Thousand Dragons City, there truly lain a giant demon?


    "Boss, there is a huge demon beneath us, you need to do something..." Little Lin''s cry for help snapped Xiao Yi back to reality. He saw a massive demonic hand covered in black hair emerging from the billowing Demonic Qi below, reaching for him and Jie Se.


    This palm was colossal, covered with endless black hair.


    Each strand of black hair was condensed from Demonic Qi.


    This was definitely a Great Demon.


    Tie futu and the believers of Celestial Dragon Temple were flabbergasted. They were no longer considering how Little Lin and Jie Se came out of the city lord''s residence, nor why they knew Xiao Yi.


    At this moment...


    Everyone was captivated by the overwhelming demon hand and towering Demonic Qi.


    Meanwhile...


    The news that there was a giant demon underneath Ten Thousand Dragons City also hit these followers of Celestial Dragon Temple hard, almost shattering their faith!


    "It''s not possible, this must be an illusion, an illusion..."


    "Celestial Dragon Temple is a righteous Buddhist sect, how could it be related to demons?"


    "What, what have we been believing in all these years? Demons?"


    "Damn it, Celestial Dragon Temple, actually related to demons, we''ve been living with demons..."


    The indestructible faith of the followers of Celestial Dragon Temple was continuously crumbling.


    Even Tie futu, the most hardcore believer, was bewildered at this moment: "The Ten Thousand Dragons City that I have guarded for a thousand years, actually harbors a demon lord? Is this, this raised by Celestial Dragon Temple?"


    Just as Little Lin and another were about to be injured by the massive demonic claw, Xiao Yi''s body was enveloped in golden light, and a hundred-yard tall Buddha shadow formed behind him.


    "Mahavairocana Mantra!"


    Xiao Yi shouted loudly, and the immense Buddha shadow fiercely slapped out with a palm.


    Buzz!


    Countless Buddhist scriptures circulated, condensing into a gigantic golden hand.


    The palm was as massive as a mountain, with clearly visible lines, and at the center of the palm bloomed a brilliant golden light from a swastika Buddha seal, like a proud sun embedded in the heart of the palm.


    Buzz!


    With one palm strike.


    Heaven and earth shook, the sun and moon lost their light.


    It collided fiercely with the seething giant demonic claw.


    Boom!


    A huge and dull sound thundered, causing visible ripples in the surrounding void, and from the midst of the hissing sounds rose towering black mists.


    Roar!


    A deep and angry roar came from beneath the ground.


    The massive demonic claw exploded with a loud bang. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, the Demonic Qi beneath the ground did not weaken at all; instead, it became even more terrifying, like the suppressed magma in an active volcano about to erupt.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom...


    The ground shook wildly, as black streams of Demonic Qi transformed into enormous tornadoes, bursting forth from the underground. They shredded buildings mid-air and swept countless devout followers into the sky.


    Xiao Yi shouted, "Xuan Cang, Guang Liang, save the people first!"


    Xuan Cang and the other finally snapped back to reality.


    They had thought this was a ploy arranged by Xiao Yi to pin on Celestial Dragon Temple.


    But now it seemed...


    This was not Xiao Yi''s scheme at all; it was really a true Great Demon beneath Ten Thousand Dragons City!


    "Truly worthy of being Xiao Buddha King, he must have long known that Celestial Dragon Temple indeed had connections with demonic paths, thus he was so confident in having us strike at Ten Thousand Dragons City!" Xuan Cang and the other looked at Xiao Yi with not only reverence but also genuine admiration.


    Who could have expected that a true demon lord was hidden beneath Ten Thousand Dragons City?


    Their awe for Xiao Yi''s tactics intensified.


    If Xiao Yi knew what they were thinking, he would certainly have commented sarcastically, I didn''t know anything! All of this is just a coincidence, okay?


    Xuan Cang took the lead, rushing forward, a sweep of his hand releasing a golden Buddha light that repelled Demonic Qi and saved thousands: "All from Hanging Temple, follow me to save people!"


    "Amitabha, saving a life surpasses building a seven-tiered pagoda; all from Vajra Temple follow me to act..." Guang Liang''s Buddha Beads rolled out, also saving thousands.


    Iron Pagoda repelled the incredibly powerful Demonic Qi while rescuing civilians.


    Seeing monks from Hanging Temple, Vajra Temple, and Shaolin Temple around him saving people, his eyes were filled with gratitude, but also resentment towards Celestial Dragon Temple: "This is true Buddhist mercy, unlike those hypocritical monks from Celestial Dragon Temple..."


    Everyone simultaneously resisted the overwhelming Demonic Qi and saved one follower after another.


    It seemed to thoroughly enrage the Great Demon underground.


    Countless streams of Demonic Qi dissipated, followed by an even more terrifying demonic force erupting from beneath the ground. It transformed into a giant column of Demonic Qi tens of miles in diameter, pitch black, shooting straight into the clouds.


    The black column of Demonic Qi connected heaven and earth.


    Boundless dark Qi spread out, centering on the column of Demonic Qi, covering a thousand miles in overwhelming Demonic Qi.


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Thud!


    In the drum-like footsteps, a giant demonic shadow, several tens of meters tall, emerged from underground. He was wrapped in black chains, his body covered with layers of dark Scale Armor, surrounded by soaring demonic flames, his eyes brighter than the sun and moon.


    His blood-red hair moved without any wind.


    His blood-colored eyes swept towards Xiao Yi and others, emitting bursts of bloodthirsty laughter: "Hahaha, I''ve finally freed myself, you damned monks, all of you shall become sacrifices for my liberation! And that Celestial Dragon Supreme, who dared suppress me in the past, now that I''m free, I shall annihilate your entire Celestial Dragon Temple..."


    "Wait, was the Demon Lord suppressed and sealed by Celestial Dragon Supreme?"


    "Could it be that we misunderstood Celestial Dragon Supreme?"


    Everyone was stunned.


    The faces of Xuan Cang and Guang Liang changed drastically. If this demon was really suppressed under Ten Thousand Dragons City by Celestial Dragon Supreme, then all their efforts were in vain!


    Could it be that all their efforts were for naught?


    Both turned their gazes quickly to Xiao Yi.


    Iron Pagoda and the other powerful figures from Celestial Dragon Temple also looked towards Xiao Yi.


    Standing behind Xiao Yi, Fa Kong and others appeared calm on the surface, but were panicky inside, wondering what to do now?


    Facing the gazes of the crowd.


    "Don''t panic, leave everything to me!"


    Xiao Yi secretly transmitted his voice to Xuan Cang, Fa Kong, and others, yet maintained a deadpan expression, and sneered: "..."

 Chapter 944 - 942: Not Convinced? Fight Until You Are! [Fifth Update]

    Xiao Yi looked at the giant demon before him without any expression and said coldly, "What a demon king, with just a single sentence you''ve made it clear that you have cut off all ties with Celestial Dragon Temple. However, do you not think that what you''re doing is a bit too deliberate?"


    "Hm?"


    The giant demon was stunned and looked at Xiao Yi in confusion, "Me, distancing myself from Celestial Dragon Temple?"


    The giant demon was somewhat baffled.


    Did he have anything to do with Celestial Dragon Temple in the first place?


    Back when Celestial Dragon Supreme had not yet reached the Supreme Venerate Realm, he chanced upon the giant demon. At that time, Celestial Dragon Supreme was not strong enough to kill him completely and coveted a secret hidden within the giant demon.


    So, Celestial Dragon Supreme suppressed him here secretly without anyone knowing.


    This had always been the case.


    The giant demon refused to reveal that secret, and Celestial Dragon Supreme, reluctant to kill him yet fearing he might be discovered by other Buddhist experts, decided to seal him underneath Ten Thousand Dragons City.


    More than thirty percent of the adherents from the Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom gathered in Ten Thousand Dragons City, and nobody would suspect that there was a giant demon sealed underneath.


    Moreover,


    Even if other Buddhist experts discovered the demon''s traces, they would not dare to make a move against him, risking offending Celestial Dragon Temple.


    In the eyes of Celestial Dragon Supreme, suppressing him beneath Ten Thousand Dragons City was absolutely foolproof!


    It''s just that Celestial Dragon Supreme never expected that Little Lin, by sheer coincidence, would be the one to unlock the seal and release the giant demon at this critical moment. Hence, this current scene unfolded.


    As Xiao Yi sneered, a thunderous voice echoed above Ten Thousand Dragons City, "If indeed it was Celestial Dragon Supreme who sealed you here, the first thing you should do after breaking free would be to go on a rampage to avenge your imprisonment. But the first thing you did after escaping was to assert your identity and distance yourself from Celestial Dragon Temple and Celestial Dragon Supreme, isn''t such deliberate behavior actually an attempt to divert our attention?"


    Buzz!


    As soon as these words came out,


    The surrounding powerhouses all nodded inwardly, "Xiao Buddha King is right; we were almost convinced by his words!" S��arch* The N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Just now, after listening to the words of this demon, I also thought he was an enemy rather than a friend of Celestial Dragon Supreme, but now it seems there are indeed many doubts..."


    "Damn it, I was almost deceived by those bald donkeys from Celestial Dragon Temple again..."


    This time, even the staunch believer Ti Fu Tu kept silent.


    The appearance of the giant demon was too coincidental.


    Just when everyone was about to investigate Ten Thousand Dragons City, to see if there really was a demon king or a demon refining site below the city, he broke free at this moment.


    And immediately drew a clear line with Celestial Dragon Temple.


    When all the coincidences came together,


    That became intentional!


    Ti Fu Tu clenched his fists tightly, his eyes blazing red with anger, "Damn Celestial Dragon Temple, despicable and shameless Celestial Dragon Supreme... How dare you hide such a demon under Ten Thousand Dragons City. If it weren''t for Xiao Buddha King forcing this demon into revealing himself, I would still not be able to clear my name even if I jumped into the Chaotic Sea Region..."


    "Wait a minute..."


    The giant demon''s eyes, spitting flames, were full of anger; he hated Celestial Dragon Supreme the most, yet Xiao Yi and the others were linking him with Celestial Dragon Supreme. To him, this was a blatant provocation, "I have nothing to do with Celestial Dragon Temple. You insist on lumping me together with the filthy Celestial Dragon Temple, are you provoking me, thinking I won''t kill you?"


    "Hmph, if you truly have no connection with Celestial Dragon Temple, you should be taking the initiative to claim that you were placed here by them. Only then would we suspect that you want to frame and harm Celestial Dragon Temple, but now you keep trying to sever ties with Celestial Dragon Temple. Don''t tell me you''re a demon who has principles and never lies..."


    Xiao Yi''s words were extremely sharp, leaving the giant demon at a loss for words.


    And they made the surrounding believers of Celestial Dragon Temple nod in agreement, "If he really was suppressed by Celestial Dragon Supreme, then he should hate Celestial Dragon Supreme, but now he''s continuously helping Celestial Dragon Temple and Celestial Dragon Supreme."


    "Such hypocrisy to the extreme, how did I become so blind to believe in them?"


    "If it weren''t for Xiao Buddha King showing us the truth, we wouldn''t know how long we''d been kept in the dark..."


    Everyone was filled with righteous indignation.


    As the saying goes, seeing is believing.


    Plus, with demon refining sites previously discovered, along with Xiao Yi arranging for Little Lin and others to spread words among the crowd, it left a subconscious impression that Celestial Dragon Temple had an ambiguous connection with demons.


    Now, looking at the demon in front of them, linking the two together had turned into an undeniable truth.


    At this moment, at least thirty percent of the adherents had completely abandoned their faith in Celestial Dragon Temple.


    The remaining seventy percent were mostly shaken in their beliefs.


    This scene made Xuan Cang and others look at each other, feeling dry-mouthed but also secretly relieved, "Thank goodness we didn''t confront Xiao Buddha King to the end, who could withstand this?"


    "If the same tactic was used on us, it''d be good if we could even keep half of our adherents..."


    Guang Liang and Xuan Cang both saw the relief in each other''s eyes.


    And on Shaolin Temple''s side...


    Fa Kong and the others were overjoyed, "As expected of Xiao Buddha King, with just a little strategy he caused significant harm to Celestial Dragon Temple! By closely following Xiao Buddha King, our Shaolin Temple truly has the chance to become the sole overlord of the Western Province!"


    "Motherfucker..."


    The giant demon erupted in anger; demons are straightforward by nature, and he saw Xiao Yi''s insistence on linking him with his nemesis as a blatant provocation. He roared, "You''re talking nonsense, I told you I have nothing to do with Celestial Dragon Temple..."


    "Now that the evidence is conclusive and you still refuse to admit it? If that''s the case, I can only use Buddhist Law to judge you and reveal the truth to everyone!" Xiao Yi interrupted the giant demon with a cold snort.


    The giant demon was extremely annoyed, his ferocious face with fanged teeth filled with a bloodthirsty killing intent, "Cursed ants, I don''t need your dogshit Buddhist Law. Watch as I tear you to shreds..."


    Buzz!


    The giant demon''s body trembled violently, his terrifying demonic flames shooting straight into the sky: "Demon King''s Heaven-Opening Palm!"


    Under the convergence of infinite demon flames, the void in front of Xiao Yi twisted violently, forming a giant hand that eclipsed the sky and ferociously slammed down. This demon''s combat power was comparable to the Second Layer Supreme Realm, even stronger than Xuan Cang and the others by a notch.


    With that one palm, cracks appeared throughout heaven and earth.


    Within the Void Rift, a fierce wind howled, and in the pitch-black depths of the void where no bottom could be seen, countless demon shadows flickered.


    Xiao Yi let out a cold smile, carrying the inheritance of the Supreme Shakya, he had numerous methods to deal with the demon. Snapping his fingers, a golden light flowed around his body: "Lustrous Buddha Body!"


    Swish!


    Bathed in the brilliance of brilliant glazed light, Xiao Yi took a step forward and crushed the gigantic hand with one stomp.


    At the same time, he struck down with his palm: "Tathagata Demon Annihilating Hand!"


    Boom!


    The giant palm ferociously smacked the demon to the ground, pinning its head with a massive golden palm: "Do you submit or not?"


    "Not submitting..."


    "Not submitting? Then I''ll hit you until you do!"


    Bang bang bang!


    Xiao Yi punched away, and after a round of beatings, he asked again: "Do you submit now?"


    "No..."


    Bang bang bang!


    He beat him ruthlessly once more.


    The demon''s face was beaten to a swollen mess, its dozens of feet of demonic figure brutally reduced to merely two feet in size, pitiable and utterly dejected. Xiao Yi coldly asked: "Have you submitted now?"


    "I submit, I submit... your venerable one has submitted..." the demon despairingly responded.


    Xiao Yi''s mouth curved upwards slightly, and he said: "Now that you''ve submitted, spill it... What exactly is your relationship with Celestial Dragon Temple and the Celestial Dragon Supreme?"


    "I, your venerable one, was sealed by Celestial Dragon Supreme..." the demon began to speak subconsciously.


    Xiao Yi sighed: "It seems I''ve still been too lenient with you, still desperately trying to sever your connections even now..."


    "I..."


    The demon just started to explain and immediately faced a barrage of dark fist shadows.


    Bang bang bang!


    Under the relentless bombardment of fist shadows, only a ball of Primordial Spirit was left floating above Xiao Yi''s palm, the light flickering and on the verge of dissipating. Trembling under Xiao Yi''s intense gaze, the demon''s Primordial Spirit hurriedly cried out: "I''ll confess! I''ll tell you everything... the Celestial Dragon Supreme commanded your venerable one to hide beneath Ten Thousand Dragons City, and he would regularly provide humans to be my blood meals, saying that they were heretics who defied the Celestial Dragon Temple..."


    These words were not lies from the demon. Over the years, the Celestial Dragon Supreme would occasionally bring human who did not believe in the Celestial Dragon Temple for the demon to consume, attempting to extract that secret.


    Boom!


    As soon as these words were spoken, the powerhouses of Ten Thousand Dragons City were all shocked.


    There were also die-hard believers refusing to believe: "You''re lying..."


    "Celestial Dragon Supreme is not that kind of person..."


    The demon''s Primordial Spirit was filled with resentment. If not for the Celestial Dragon Supreme, how could it have fallen to such a state? It roared furiously: "If you don''t believe it, you can go inspect the demon''s lair for yourself. There are still human bones left from my feast..."


    Swish swish swish!


    Several figures immediately rushed toward the demon lair.


    Moments later.


    Pushed forward by Tie Futu and a group of fanatic believers, they indeed emerged with countless skeletons, each showing an expression of grief and despair: "Celestial Dragon Supreme, Celestial Dragon Temple, I will be your sworn enemy from now on!"


    "Damn Celestial Dragon Temple, if I believe in you again, I''d rather not be human!"


    Amidst the roars of rage.


    Over ninety percent of the countless tens of millions of Celestial Dragon Temple believers in Ten Thousand Dragons City chose to abandon their faith in the Celestial Dragon Temple.


    Joining the ranks of those denouncing Celestial Dragon Temple and the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    Xuan Cang and others exchanged glances; they knew the Celestial Dragon Temple was finished.


    Not to mention the loss of this thirty percent of believers.


    Just the spread of Ten Thousand Dragons City''s news alone by these believers was likely to leave less than one in ten adherents remaining.


    Having lost these believers.


    Celestial Dragon Temple and the Celestial Dragon Supreme were disgraced and ruined.


    Their bid to overthrow the Celestial Dragon Temple''s doctrine was now as simple as picking something out of one''s bag...


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth curved slightly, his goal having been achieved, he naturally wouldn''t keep the demon any longer: "You are no longer of use. Now, let me use Buddhist Law to ascend your soul to heaven!"


    "No, you can''t do this, I, I can exchange a shocking secret with you. The reason why Celestial Dragon Supreme did not kill me was to obtain this secret..." the demon''s Primordial Spirit hastily said.


    Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow: "What secret?"


    The demon hastily said: "Swear not to kill me first!"


    "You don''t have a choice..." Xiao Yi closed his hand, Buddhist flames engulfing it, burning the demon''s Primordial Spirit so it howled in agony.


    Faced with the formidable Xiao Yi, the demon''s Primordial Spirit had no room for choice but with a mournful face said: "This secret concerns Holy Spirit Mountain. If you obtain this secret, you might have the chance to become the Master of Spirit Mountain..."

 Chapter 945 - 943: Disgraced and Defamed, the Supreme Venerable Vomits Blood! [First Update]

    "This secret is related to whether one can become the master of Spirit Mountain!"


    The giant demon''s Primordial Spirit looked at Xiao Yi with apprehension, sensing an unhesitating murderous intent from him. He was absolutely certain that if he couldn''t produce something that would move Xiao Yi''s heart, the next second would be when he was obliterated into ashes.


    Left with no choice...


    The giant demon could only reveal the secret he had guarded for thousands of years to Xiao Yi at high speed.


    If the Celestial Dragon Supreme were to find out that the moment he resolved to kill the giant demon, the demon would get a premonition and spill the dreamt-of secret he had waited thousands of years for, just to save his own life.


    He would probably cough up blood in frustration!


    Over these past thousand years.


    To draw out this secret, he would feed the giant demon living human blood meals, attending to him like a grandson serving his ancestor.


    But not only did he fail to extract the secret, it was because of the giant demon that his painstakingly built reputation was ruined overnight. Even the millions of believers in Ten Thousand Dragons City had completely abandoned the Celestial Dragon Temple.


    And in the end, Xiao Yi got the windfall.


    Truly, stealing a chicken only to lose the rice used to lure it.


    Xiao Yi raised his eyebrow: "Become the master of Spirit Mountain?"


    Spirit Mountain.


    That is the holy land of the Western State Buddhist Sect.


    In terms of overall strength, Spirit Mountain is undoubtedly a stronger existence than Nantian Holy Land. To truly become the master of Spirit Mountain would mean having control over a sanctuary.


    Once becoming the master of a holy land.


    Who could stop him and Fang Qingzhu from being together? sea??h th�� N?velFire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even the Holy Lord Baiyu would have to address him as an equal!


    After all.


    Xiao Yi had not forgotten the divination Fang Tianmiao performed for him: three years later, Fang Qingzhu would be in a state of one body with two lives, and Xiao Yi himself would fall into the demonic path, causing a devastating disaster for the Qingtian Realm.


    If he could control the Holy Spirit Mountain, he could surely provide Fang Qingzhu with the best protection.


    And avert the tragedy.


    The giant demon''s Primordial Spirit flickered uncertainly, and from between his brows flew out a beam of spiritual light, which turned out to be a Buddha''s Relic the size of a walnut, radiating a purple-golden luster!


    Once the Relic was in hand, faint chanting of the Buddha could be heard around his ears.


    After detaching the Relic.


    The giant demon''s Primordial Spirit also visibly weakened quite a bit: "This Holy Buddhist Relic is what the current Buddha of Holy Spirit Mountain left behind when entering Nirvana, obtained by chance by this lowly demon... Just take the Holy Buddhist Relic to Spirit Mountain, and you can inherit the Buddha Fruit Position of the current Buddha..."


    Holy Buddha!


    This is a position even above the Buddha himself.


    At the same time...


    This is also the highest position in Spirit Mountain, with the three positions being those of the Past Buddha, the Present Buddha, and the Future Buddha.


    Currently presiding over Spirit Mountain are the Past Buddha Ancestor and the Future Buddha Mother.


    But the two of them never intervene in affairs; if one could truly seize the Buddha Fruit Position of the Present Buddha, there would be absolutely no problem in taking charge of Spirit Mountain.


    "Buddha, Buddha King Sir, this insignificant demon has imparted this secret to you, can you let me go now?" The giant demon looked at Xiao Yi with trepidation, tentatively asking.


    "No problem!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, loosening his palm.


    The giant demon''s Primordial Spirit was overjoyed, continuously giving thanks, but in his lowered eyes was nothing but ferocity and hatred, thinking to himself: The Shaolin Buddha King, is it? Just you wait, once I escape, I''ll spread the news of you obtaining the Holy Buddhist Relic far and wide. Then, in this vast Western Province, you will have no place to stand...


    However...


    As soon as the giant demon turned around, he was enveloped by a pitch-black light; he only had time to see a delicate and pretty porcelain doll-like young boy opening his mouth wide, swallowing him whole.


    Gulp!


    With the demon''s Primordial Spirit swallowed, Little Lin let out a satisfied belch and cheerfully said, "Boss, this demon''s Primordial Spirit is quite nourishing. Once I refine it, I can advance one or two minor realms!"


    Xiao Yi patted Little Lin on the head and put away the Holy Buddhist Relics, then turned his gaze towards the ruins of Ten Thousand Dragons City. At this moment, the high monks from the Vajra Temple, Shaolin Temple, and Hanging Temple were purifying the Demonic Qi of Ten Thousand Dragons City and helping the common people repair their homes.


    Witnessing the monks from the three Buddhist Nations helping them rebuild their homes, they realized that all this was because the Celestial Dragon Temple had hidden a demon under Ten Thousand Dragons City, and the Celestial Dragon Supreme even fed living people to the demon as blood food.


    The followers of the Celestial Dragon Temple completely lost their temper: "Damn the Celestial Dragon Temple, if I believe in them again, may my whole family go to hell!"


    "Sanctimonious and utterly hypocritical, what right does the Celestial Dragon Temple have to receive our incense offerings?"


    "And that Celestial Dragon Supreme, actually using living people as food for the demon, inhuman..."


    "If it wasn''t for Buddha King revealing the true face of the Celestial Dragon Temple, we would still be kept in the dark. We must not let Celestial Dragon Temple continue to deceive innocent believers, we have to expose them..."


    Tiefutu''s face was flushed with rage as he roared, "Brothers, from now on we will follow Xiao Buddha King to save those believers who have been blinded and deceived by the Celestial Dragon Temple..."


    "Uncover the true face of the Celestial Dragon Temple!"


    "The Celestial Dragon Supreme is an executioner..."


    The believers were filled with righteous indignation.


    At this moment...


    The reputation of the Celestial Dragon Temple and Celestial Dragon Supreme had truly been destroyed, and they faced complete abandonment. Moreover, as the news from Ten Thousand Dragons City spread, aided by the propagation by tens of millions of believers.


    The Buddhist Nation that the Celestial Dragon Temple had painstakingly cultivated for thousands of years was on the brink of collapse!


    Xiao Yi looked westward: "Celestial Dragon Supreme, you should have heard the news by now..."


    ...


    Holy Spirit Mountain, Spirit Mountain.


    Buddhist chants surrounded the area, celestial aura wafted through, and thousands of rays of rainbow light encircled the scene, splendid and magnificent.


    The entire Spirit Mountain floated mid-air with giant, splendid palaces built upon it; from bottom to top, the higher the palaces, the larger and more luxurious they became.


    Atop Spirit Mountain, there were only three grand halls left.


    To the left and the right were the Buddhist halls of the Past Buddha and the Future Buddha Mother, while the palace shining with white-gold radiance in the center was the Buddhist hall of the Present Buddha.


    However...


    The Present Buddha''s hall had always been vacant.


    Halfway up the mountain, there were eighteen magnificent palaces, residences of the Buddha Supremes.


    Inside Heavenly Dragon Hall.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme was seated on a cushion, in a five-hearts-to-heaven position, with Buddhist light emerging behind his head; faint mystical Buddhist sounds enveloped him, creating an interaction between Heaven and man.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme''s cultivation was about to step into the sixth rank of the Supreme Venerate Realm.


    Among the eighteen Buddha Supremes of Spirit Mountain, he ranked among the top ten.


    "In another ten years or so, when the incense and faith offerings accumulated by the Celestial Dragon Temple can be harvested again, it should be enough to allow me to step into the sixth rank of the Supreme Venerate Realm. Once I achieve the sixth rank, I can use the Universal Salvation Magic, and with it control the demon to hand over the Holy Buddhist Relics to me, so I can make a breakthrough for the Present Buddha position..."


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme''s eyes burned with fervor. The position of Present Buddha, one of the three great Buddhas, was what every Buddha Supreme dreamt of, "Just ten more years. Once I become the Present Buddha, I can disregard the rules that prevent a Supreme Venerate from leaving their domain. My first target will be to go to the Southern State, to eliminate Xiao Yi and all related to him..."


    However...


    At this moment.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme suddenly widened his eyes, veins shot through his eyeballs as he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his presence swiftly weakened.


    Roar!


    Roar...


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme gasped for breath, his eyes full of disbelief and an unmistakable trace of panic: "The foundation of the Celestial Dragon Temple''s teachings is shaken, the power of faith has almost disappeared by a third? What, what has happened?"

 Chapter 946 - 944: Abandoned by All, Vomiting Blood Again! 【Second Update】

    "What exactly is going on?"


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme wore an extremely grim expression.


    Just moments before.


    He was fantasizing that if he could wait just another ten years, the Celestial Dragon Temple could accumulate enough faith and incense offerings. At that time, by absorbing all the power of faith, he would be able to successfully advance to the Sixth Order of the Supreme Venerate Realm.


    Absorbing the power of faith and incense offerings.


    This was a special ability brought by the Buddha Fruit Position, and also a privilege of being a Buddha.


    Harnessing the power of faith for cultivation advancement was much faster than self-cultivation and made breaking through realms much smoother.


    However��


    What he did not expect was that, in the blink of an eye, the faith and incense offerings of the Celestial Dragon Temple had decreased by a whole 30%.


    It should be known.


    Ever since he destroyed the White Tiger Temple and made the Celestial Dragon Temple the supreme temple in the Buddhist Nation. sea??h th�� ��ovelFire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The power of faith at the Celestial Dragon Temple had been increasing, and this was the first decline in hundreds of years��and by a terrifying 30% no less. This was not just affecting his breakthrough, but was also shaking the very foundations of the Celestial Dragon Temple''s doctrine!


    This was undermining the roots!


    "What exactly are Hui Tian and the others even doing? The Celestial Dragon Temple has been run flawlessly by the Heaven Dragon Guard for a thousand years, and just a few months after they took over, they let the power of faith decrease by 30%? Simply useless��"


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme was furiously enraged, chanted Buddhist mantras, and performed the Descent Technique.


    At the same time.


    Inside the Celestial Dragon Temple.


    Hui Tian, Hui Di, and Hui Ren, the three powerhouses, were equally dumbfounded as they watched the main hall of the Celestial Dragon Temple shake and tremble, and the Buddha light condensing on the statues rapidly weakened.


    The three of them were utterly bewildered.


    Hui Ren swallowed hard, "It''s over, totally over��"


    "Something happened in Ten Thousand Dragons City. I didn''t expect the Supreme Venerable to really have placed a demon there. Now more and more believers are abandoning us��"


    Hui Di said with a worried frown, "Brother Hui Tian, what should we do?"


    Hui Tian bitterly smiled, "What can we do? This is beyond our capability now, we need to report this to the Supreme Venerable..."


    At that moment.


    The Buddha statue of the Celestial Dragon Supreme radiated a dazzling spiritual light, and his suppressed, furious voice echoed in the hall: "You three idiots, what have you done? You''ve allowed the Celestial Dragon Temple''s power of faith to decrease by 30%? If you don''t give me an explanation, prepare to die as your apology!"


    The terrifying pressure descended like mountains, forcing the three to kneel on the ground.


    Their knees smashed into the floor, creating several large pits.


    Loud creaking noises filled the entire hall.


    It seemed like it might collapse at any moment.


    "Supreme Venerable, calm your anger, please calm your anger!"


    "This situation was not caused by us three brothers, it was all thanks to Shaolin Temple, Vajra Temple, and Hanging Temple��"


    "Please discern the truth, Supreme Venerable��"


    The frightened Hui Tian and the others spoke.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme was stunned, "Shaolin Temple, Hanging Temple, and Vajra Temple? What have they done? Even if they instigated a war to destroy the nation, it shouldn''t have caused a 30% decrease in the Celestial Dragon Temple''s faith power in such a short time��"


    With a mournful expression, Hui Tian replied, "Your Venerableness, Ten Thousand Dragons City has fallen��"


    Buzz!


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme''s entire body shuddered, and the huge Buddha statue cracked with loud cracking sounds, revealing cracks like spider webs covering the entire statue.


    Just one sentence, "Ten Thousand Dragons City has fallen."


    He then understood, the matter of him hiding a demon under Ten Thousand Dragons City was exposed.


    However��


    What the Celestial Dragon Supreme could not comprehend was, even if the news of the demon sealed under Ten Thousand Dragons City had leaked, it should not have resulted in a 30% loss of faith!


    Hui Tian didn''t wait for him to ask and took the initiative to say: "Ten Thousand Dragons City was broken, and the demon hiding underneath was released. If it hadn''t been for the Shaolin Buddha King who killed the demon, the entire Ten Thousand Dragons City would have been leveled to the ground. Before dying, the demon revealed that it was you who hid him under Ten Thousand Dragons City, and that you provided him with living humans as blood food at regular intervals��"


    Buzz!


    A chill ran through the body of the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    He finally understood why the faith in the Celestial Dragon Temple had sharply decreased by 30%; he had originally made Ten Thousand Dragons City the main faith city to cover the sealing site of the demon, gathering the most elite 30% of the Celestial Dragon Temple''s believers.


    Now that a demon was hidden under Ten Thousand Dragons City, and the news that the mighty Celestial Dragon Supreme personally provided living humans as blood food for that demon came out.


    Not to mention the hardcore devotees.


    Even if the monks from the Celestial Dragon Temple witnessed all this, I''m afraid their faith would collapse.


    Bang bang bang!


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme, unable to contain his anger, caused the statues within the hall to shatter one after another. Countless shards flew everywhere, puncturing the entire temple hall like a sieve.


    "Supreme Venerable, the three major Buddhist Nations are now attacking our Celestial Dragon Temple under the pretext of our association with demons. Moreover, the believers who escaped from Ten Thousand Dragons City are everywhere slandering our temple, causing a continuous loss of followers. What should we do?" Hui Tian was extremely respectful, not daring to overstep in the slightest, lest he provoke the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme said grimly, "I will send the Heaven Dragon Guard to support you. You must withstand their attacks. I will contact the Supreme Buddhas behind those three major Buddhist Nations as swiftly as possible. As long as they are persuaded, the three nations will inevitably stop their assaults. Just let me catch my breath, and there will be opportunities for revenge..."


    "Yes!"


    Hui Tian and the others knelt respectfully before the statue of Buddha.


    After waiting for dozens of moments.


    Only after they were certain the Celestial Dragon Supreme had left did they dare raise their heads, exchanging looks of helplessness.


    Hui Ren spoke solemnly, "Senior Brother Hui Tian, with the power of those three parties, I''m afraid we won''t be able to wait for the Heaven Dragon Guard to arrive!"


    "What else can we do?" Hui Tian rolled his eyes, speechless.


    With the attitude of the Celestial Dragon Supreme at that time, challenging him would undoubtedly lead to a dead end!


    Hui Di hesitated before saying in a deep voice, "Senior Brother Hui Tian, I think the situation of the Celestial Dragon Temple is already hopeless. I heard that the Shaolin Buddha King has won the support of the four Supreme Venerables of the Shaolin Temple. His future is boundless. Should we not consider defecting to him?"


    "Are you insane? Defect to the Shaolin Temple?" Hui Tian''s face instantly changed.


    Hui Di glanced at Hui Ren.


    After a moment of hesitation, Hui Ren said gravely, "I think Senior Brother Hui Di is right... The Celestial Dragon Supreme personally sending a living sacrifice to that giant demon��this news isn''t widely known yet, but if it spreads, do you think Celestial Dragon Temple and the Celestial Dragon Supreme will have any foothold in Western Province? They might even be banished from Holy Spirit Mountain. If the Celestial Dragon Supreme is expelled by Spirit Mountain, it''ll be too late for us to defect to the Shaolin Temple then!"


    "The power of the Celestial Dragon Supreme is ending, and Celestial Dragon Temple is bound to become a target for public criticism. Defecting to the Shaolin Temple now is turning from darkness to light, this is our only chance!" Hui Di said.


    Hui Tian''s expression shifted uncertainly.


    Seeing him hesitate, Hui Di added fuel to the flames, "Senior Brother Hui Tian, given the temper of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, once we fail to hold back the united attack of the three major Buddhist Nations, you know what will happen to us!"


    Hiss!


    A flash of fear crossed Hui Tian''s eyes.


    They had personally witnessed the ruthless tactics of the Celestial Dragon Supreme. If they really failed to hold off the joint forces of the three major Buddhist Nations, once the Celestial Dragon Supreme metes out punishment, even seeking death would be difficult!


    Hesitation vanished from Hui Tian''s eyes, he gritted his teeth and declared, "The three of us brothers will rise and fall together, and gain honor or disgrace together. Let us all defect to the Shaolin Buddha King!"


    Hui Di and the others exchanged glances, both relieved.


    Following that...


    Led by Hui Tian and the others, they led a large majority of the monks and believers of Celestial Dragon Temple to defect to Xiao Yi.


    Only leaving behind some staunch followers of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, who also immediately passed the news to the Celestial Dragon Supreme far away in Holy Spirit Mountain.


    At the same time...


    Within Holy Spirit Mountain in the Heavenly Dragon Hall, the Celestial Dragon Supreme, having been turned away by the four Supreme Buddhas of Shaolin Temple, the Vajra Supreme from Vajra Temple, and the Hanging Sky Supreme from Hanging Temple, returned to Heavenly Dragon Hall only to discover that monks from the Celestial Dragon Temple were calling for him.


    "Could it be that the Heaven Dragon Guard has already encountered them?" The Celestial Dragon Supreme slightly furrowed his brow, his thoughts heavy with concern.


    Inside the temple hall...


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme, looking at several unfamiliar monks kneeling on the ground, frowned and said, "What is the reason for summoning me like this? And where have Hui Tian and the others gone?"


    The monks kneeling on the ground shivered, their faces full of mourning as they said, "To report to the Supreme Venerable, Hui Tian and the others, along with the majority of our monks and believers, have defected to the Shaolin Buddha King..."


    "What did you say? They defected to the Shaolin Temple?"


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme trembled all over.


    A roar filled with boundless fury, not holding anything back, the terrifying roar directly caused several monks in the temple to bleed from their seven orifices.


    And several were directly killed by the shock.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme, unable to contain his anger, saw his Buddha statue breaking inch by inch, his eyes filled with resentment and hatred. Truly, abandoned by all! Not long ago, he was still fantasizing about advancing to the sixth level of Supreme Venerate Realm, striving for the current position of Buddha Fruit.


    How much time has passed since then?


    His reputation ruined.


    Deserted by kinsmen.


    All of this had fallen on him in a mere moment.


    Roar!


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme let out an angry, mournful howl as his Buddha statue in the temple suddenly exploded amidst rising dust.


    At the same time...


    Inside Holy Spirit Mountain, in the Heavenly Dragon Hall.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme let out a wretched scream, once again gushing blood due to anger, his complexion turning alternately green and white, his eyes exuding a venomous sharpness, "Shaolin Temple, I shall be irreconcilable with you..."

 Chapter 947 - 945: The Ingenious Xiao Buddha King! [Third Update]

    "Shaolin Temple, I am irreconcilably at odds with you!"


    The eyes of the Celestial Dragon Supreme turned a blood-red hue as his furious roar echoed throughout the grand hall.


    Were it not for the fact that each grand hall was incredibly vast and protected by Arrays, his roar alone would have sufficed to spread across the entire Spirit Mountain.


    However...


    Even though the words of the Celestial Dragon Supreme did not escape, the intensely fluctuating aura was still detected by the numerous powerful experts atop Spirit Mountain.


    The four grand palaces of the Shaolin Temple''s Four Buddha Supremes were connected in succession.


    At this moment.


    The Four Buddha Supremes of Shaolin Temple��Veda Supreme, Thousand Leaves Supreme, Prajna Supreme, and Bodhi Supreme��all converged in the palace of the Bodhi Supreme. Aside from these four ancestors of Shaolin,


    Inside the Buddha palace, there were also Vajra Supreme and Hanging Sky Supreme.


    The six Supremes gathered together.


    They naturally sensed the intense fluctuation in the aura of the Celestial Dragon Supreme. With a glance exchanged between the six, they each saw the mirth in the others'' eyes. Vajra Supreme frowned and said, "Qianye, we have fulfilled our promise to you and disregarded the plea of the Celestial Dragon. Now, can you give us the thing you promised?"


    "And mine as well!"


    The figure of Hanging Sky Supreme remained suspended midair. According to Hanging Sky Supreme, he had envied the birds that could fly freely since childhood, and therefore, after gaining the ability to fly, his feet had never touched the ground again. sea??h th�� ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This time.


    After Xiao Yi became the Buddha King, he contacted the four ancestors of Shaolin through Fa Kong and replenished all the missing Secret Techniques and legacies of Shaolin Temple.


    Because of this.


    The four ancestors gave such strong support to Xiao Yi''s actions.


    They even went so far as to pay a heavy price to ally with Hanging Sky Supreme and Vajra Supreme to confront the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    Thousand Leaves Supreme took out two Storage Rings and handed them to the two men, each filled with a thousand Source Stones. Hanging Sky and Vajra Supreme examined the Source Stones in the Storage Rings and nodded in satisfaction, "The Source Stones are all accounted for. However, you promised us that after getting rid of Celestial Dragon Supreme, you''d give us the extra Buddha Supreme fruit position that becomes available!"


    Vajra Temple and Hanging Temple have always been as close as branches on the same tree.


    Yet, both their sides only possess two Buddha Supremes, while Shaolin Temple has as many as four.


    And with the elimination of Celestial Dragon Supreme, that vacant Buddha Supreme position was another bargaining chip in their deal.


    Bodhi Supreme nodded and said, "Rest assured, the four of us brothers would not stoop to deceiving you over such a matter!"


    "We, of course, trust the four of you!" Vajra Supreme nodded in assent.


    "Since it''s settled, the two of us will take our leave first!"


    Hanging Sky Supreme bowed toward the four and walked a few steps; his feet slightly paused before he turned back, "I advise you to remain wary of Celestial Dragon; his relationship with the future Buddha Mother is far from simple!"


    "Thanks for the reminder!" Veda Supreme, with two lumps on his head, nodded with a smile.


    "Farewell!"


    Vajra and Hanging Sky Supremes left immediately.


    Remaining in the grand hall were only the Four Buddha Supremes of Shaolin Temple.


    The smile faded from Veda Supreme''s face, and his expression bore a hint of worry as he looked at Prajna Supreme, "Elder Brother, Xiao Yi asked us to leave Celestial Dragon Supreme to him; could there be any problem?"


    Celestial Dragon Supreme was a Fifth Layer Supreme Realm power.


    Even among the four of them, only Prajna Supreme and Veda Supreme were absolutely confident in winning against him; the other two were merely on par.


    Prajna Supreme stated expressionlessly, "Does it matter?"


    "Hmm?"


    Veda Supreme was taken aback.


    Beside him, Thousand Leaves Supreme spoke with a hint of mockery, "What Elder Brother means is, whether Xiao Yi can handle Celestial Dragon is utterly unimportant. In the end, whoever wins or loses, it''s us who will have the last laugh."


    "It''s merely a dog being used to fight a wolf. If the dog can kill the wolf and remain obedient, we can keep the dog. Even if the dog fails to defeat the wolf, as long as they wound each other, we can step in to reap the wolf. Isn''t that the best of both worlds?" Bodhi Supreme toyed with his Buddha Beads, letting out a sinister laugh.


    Veda Supreme frowned, hesitating, "But after all, he is Shakya''s disciple..."


    "Shut up!"


    Prajna Supreme glared coldly at him, expressionless, "Dare to mention that name before me again, and do not blame me for disregarding brotherly affection!" He turned to Thousand Leaves Supreme, "I will enter seclusion first. Wake me when Buddha Realm opens. The rest is yours to handle!"


    "Giving proper respect to Elder Brother!" Thousand Leaves Supreme and Bodhi Supreme quickly responded.


    Prajna Supreme''s figure flickered and vanished before their eyes.


    Sighing, Qianye Supreme looked at Veda Supreme, who seemed somewhat aggrieved, and said with a wry smile, "Brother Veda, I know you feel guilty about the affairs of the past concerning Brother Shakya. But what happened in the past is beyond resolution, and no one knows whether Xiao Yi''s arrival in the Western Province is for the sake of avenging his master. Moreover, nowadays, Brother Prajna is the foremost figure in Shaolin, so it''s best not to provoke him!"


    "I understand��"


    Veda Supreme sighed, his expression revealing a touch of despondency as he turned to leave, yet no one noticed the chilling gleam in his eyes, "Brother Shakya, back then I was powerless, could only watch you being expelled from the Western Province. Now that your disciple has returned, this time, I will definitely help him!"


    ...


    The core of the Heavenly Dragon Temple Buddhist Kingdom��The Heavenly Dragon Temple.


    Black clouds enshrouded the area, and fierce winds whistled, bending the grasses of the entire mountain range.


    In the midst of these lofty mountains.


    A temple stood tall and imposing, stretching across the land, this was the Heavenly Dragon Temple.


    The whole Temple was built along the mountainside, like an Azure Dragon coiling atop the mountain range.


    The Western Province was vast and rich in resources but had far less population than the Southern State.


    Even though the Heavenly Dragon Temple was one of the four great Buddhist Nations, the population within its borders was only about one billion, and only a tenth of those could be regarded as devout disciples.


    And half of them were gathered in the Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range.


    On this day.


    Xiao Yi led the armies of Shaolin Temple, Vajra Temple, and Hanging Temple to the borders, the massive Buddhist forces, together with tens of millions of devout followers from Ten Thousand Dragons City, created a human sea.


    The terrifying oppression brought by their presence made the whole Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range sink into a particularly oppressive atmosphere.


    Xuan Cang pointed towards the continuous expanse of the Heavenly Dragon Temple in the distance and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Buddha King, the Heavenly Dragon Temple lies within this Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range. As long as we take this place, we can go straight to the heart and sever the very foundation of the Temple''s lineage!"


    "However, I heard that the Celestial Dragon Supreme previously sent three top masters to the Temple, so taking it down may not be so easy!" Guang Liang furrowed his brow and expressed his worries.


    The Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range was rugged and perilous, easy to defend but hard to attack.


    To completely sever the lineage of the Heavenly Dragon Temple was indeed not an easy task.


    Seeing the atmosphere getting somewhat heavy, Xiao Yi laughed and said, "With the combined forces of our three Buddhist Nations, this mere Heavenly Dragon Temple is nothing to worry about. Besides, after the Buddhist monks of the Heavenly Dragon Temple see the true hypocritical nature of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, they may choose to renounce darkness for light!"


    "Renounce darkness for light?"


    "Surrender without a fight? That''s almost impossible, right?"


    "There has never been a Buddhist Nation in the history of the Western Province that surrendered without a fight..." Xuan Cang and the others all shook their heads, thinking Xiao Yi was being overly optimistic.


    However...


    Just as they had finished speaking.


    They saw a dense crowd surging forth from within the Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range. Leading them was Hui Tian and his two companions, who upon seeing Xiao Yi and the others, hurried towards them at an increased pace.


    "So the Heavenly Dragon Temple really intends to resist to the end!"


    "Enemy attack, prepare for battle!"


    Xuan Cang, Fa Kong, and others looked cautious and ready.


    But at that moment...


    Charge-leading Hui Tian and his companions shouted, "Hold your hand, Xiao Buddha King, we have seen the true nature of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, and we choose to renounce darkness for light, coming here especially to surrender!"


    "..."


    Xuan Cang and the others were flabbergasted, exchanging looks of confusion.


    Then looking at Xiao Yi, who appeared calm and collected as if holding a winning hand, everyone became respectful and admired, "Not only is Xiao Buddha King a role model for the Buddhist path, a light of righteousness, but he also calculates brilliantly like a prophetic strategist, truly the child of fortune!"


    "No wonder Xiao Buddha King doesn''t show the slightest bit of nervousness. It turns out he predicted the surrender of the people inside the Heavenly Dragon Temple in advance!"


    "Prophetic strategist Xiao Buddha King, indeed a role model for us all..."


    The gazes of all the strong figures towards Xiao Yi were filled with even greater fervor and reverence.


    But what they didn''t know...


    At that moment, Xiao Yi himself was baffled; he had merely spoken casually to ease the tense atmosphere, who the fuck knew that Hui Tian and his men would actually come over to surrender?


    I really just said it casually.


    Why did you all take it seriously?


    I really can''t tell fortunes!

 Chapter 948 - 946 Big Trouble [Fourth Update]

    Hui Tian stood with clasped hands in front of Xiao Yi.


    The three of them lowered their heads, attempting to sneak glances at Xiao Yi with their eyes, but seeing Xiao Yi not saying a word, they were also exceedingly anxious.


    They also saw that the Celestial Dragon Supreme''s power was already waning.


    Furthermore, the brutal nature of the Celestial Dragon Supreme made them worry that once they could not resist the advance of Xiao Yi and his people, the Celestial Dragon Supreme would vent his anger on them after the fact, which led them to choose to bring people to join Xiao Yi.


    If Xiao Yi refused to accept their allegiance, then they would truly be doomed.


    Their fate would definitely be exceedingly miserable!


    During the three''s anxious moment.


    Xiao Yi spoke: "Why do you wish to align yourselves with me?"


    Xuan Cang and Fa Kong were also watching them intently, their gazes burning.


    Should any of them show the slightest hint of impropriety, Xuan Cang and the others would choose to swarm them, directly slaying the three.


    Fortunately, the three were indeed wholeheartedly pledging their loyalty.


    Hui Tian respectfully bowed to Xiao Yi, then said, "Not to conceal from Xiao Buddha King, we three brothers had just recently recognized the true face of the Celestial Dragon Supreme and discerned that the Celestial Dragon Temple is actually a place that harbors filth and dwells in collusion with the demonic path. Whereas Xiao Buddha King has always been a paragon of the Buddhist community, and known as the light of righteousness, after much pondering, we three brothers decided to pledge ourselves to you!"


    Hui Di quickly nodded and said, "Elder brother is right, Xiao Buddha King''s great renown is as clear as thunder. Only by following you can we be on the right path!"


    "Exactly what my older brothers expressed are my own thoughts..." Hui Ren asserted righteously.


    A twitch appeared at the corner of Xiao Yi''s mouth.


    He had never expected that his persona as a paragon of the Buddhist community, and the light of the righteous path, would actually have such an effect.


    To subdue someone''s forces without fighting.


    And they were the revered experts of the Celestial Dragon Temple.


    This was indeed a pleasant surprise.


    Anxious that Xiao Yi might not accept him and his companions, Hui Tian pointed to the massive group of strong followers who came with him and passionately stated, "Xiao Buddha King, these brothers all have seen the true face of Celestial Dragon Temple and, like us three brothers, wish to leave the darkness for light. From now on, we shall be Shaolin Temple''s disciples, strictly following Xiao Buddha King''s lead!"


    "Xiao Buddha King, please accept us!"


    "The Celestial Dragon Supreme has actually been secretly fostering demons and even using living people as blood food, truly demonic acts we disdain to associate with!"


    Countless strong voices shouted together, the impact of the scene was truly hard to imagine unless being present.


    Xuan Cang and the others looked at each other, and while they were shocked, their reverence towards Xiao Yi increased: "We never imagined that Xiao Buddha King''s call to arms would be this formidable!"


    "In the past, only if the Supreme Venerable Buddha himself descended, would such a scene be possible!"


    "Xiao Buddha King, the momentum is set!"


    Fa Kong and the others were visibly excited.


    Of the over thirty million staunch devotees in Ten Thousand Dragons City, more than half had chosen to follow the Shaolin Temple, and now here were another several thousand devotees in front of them.


    With this battle, Shaolin Temple''s prestige has risen to a higher level.


    This was beyond his expectations.


    Fa Kong felt secretly fortunate in his heart that he had ultimately chosen to submit, rather than stubbornly resist Xiao Yi to the end. His gaze towards Xiao Yi in front of him, he muttered to himself, "Perhaps Xiao Buddha King can really lead our Shaolin Temple to the summit!"


    "Hui Tian, right? You did well. You were able to turn back from the precipice, not blindly following Celestial Dragon Temple, and also brought these innocent devotees from darkness to light, this is indeed a huge meritorious deed!"


    Xiao Yi gently patted Hui Tian''s shoulder, his gentle voice and words of praise almost moved Hui Tian to tears.


    Having served under the Celestial Dragon Supreme for so many years, he had been either beaten or scolded.


    How had he ever received such treatment?


    "Amitabha... From now on, I, Hui Tian, will solely devote myself to believing in Xiao Buddha King!"


    Hui Tian secretly swore, and amidst his excitement, he also revealed the secret he had been keeping: "Xiao Buddha King, the Celestial Dragon Supreme has already sent the Heaven Dragon Guard here, and his own person is applying for the Secular Order at Holy Spirit Mountain. His real body might also descend. We must, before his arrival, completely sever the lineage of the Celestial Dragon Temple..."


    Holy Spirit Mountain, self-proclaimed as a mountain transcendent to the world, isolated from society.


    Especially the Supreme Venerate level experts, to leave Holy Spirit Mountain, must obtain the Secular Order.


    It signifies the token to enter the secular world!


    Without the Secular Order, even the Supreme Venerate cannot leave Holy Spirit Mountain without authorization.


    Xiao Yi nodded and looked towards Fa Kong and others: "Fa Kong, Xuan Cang, Guang Liang, take action!"


    "By the decree of the Venerable King!"


    "Kill!"


    The three Buddhist Nation''s allied forces attacked towards the Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range.


    In an instant.


    The heavens shattered, the earth split, and the sun and moon lost their light.


    Under the joint attack of the powerful figures from the three Buddhist Nations, the Celestial Dragon Temple was retreating at every step, and in merely a short two hours, they had already breached the main hall of the Celestial Dragon Temple. After the previous venting of fury by the Celestial Dragon Supreme, the main hall was also severely damaged.


    Inside the ruined Great Buddha Hall, a giant golden Buddha statue was seated.


    This Buddha statue was surrounded by nine Celestial Dragons, precisely the Buddha image of the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    Across the entire Buddha statue, numerous fine cracks spread.


    Xuan Cang''s expression was complicated: "This is the foundation of the doctrine lineage of the Celestial Dragon Temple. As long as this Buddha statue is destroyed, the foundation of the Celestial Dragon Temple''s doctrine will be completely obliterated. The Celestial Dragon Temple will also be expunged from the lands of the Western Province!"


    Jie Se, carrying Little Lin on his shoulder, had eyes completely red, his hands clenched into fists, excitedly said: "Ancestors of White Tiger Temple, do you see this? The foundational root of the Celestial Dragon Temple''s doctrine is about to be destroyed, our White Tiger Temple''s vengeance is finally about to be avenged!"


    Hundreds of years ago.


    He had watched helplessly as the doctrine lineage of the White Tiger Temple was obliterated by the Celestial Dragon Supreme, and now, he finally had his revenge.


    Little Lin gently patted his shoulder: "Don''t be sad, just follow me and the boss from now on, no one will dare to bully you!"


    Jie Se hummed heavily.


    Fa Kong, standing beside Xiao Yi, sighed: "It''s just a pity we aren''t Supreme Venerables and without the Buddha''s fruit position, we can''t draw in and refine this power of faith, it''s indeed a waste to destroy it like this!" S��ar?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi was stunned, a sharp gleam suddenly flashed in his eyes: "Right, how could I forget about the power of faith?"


    Power of faith.


    Indeed, others needed a Buddha''s fruit position to absorb and refine it, but he possessed the Divine Sealing Tree, capable of devouring all pure energy between heaven and earth, thereby condensing the Sealing God Leaf.


    "Holding the accumulated power of faith from the Celestial Dragon Temple for hundreds of years, I wonder how many Sealing God Leaves it could condense if I devour them?" Xiao Yi''s eyes sparkled, ready to make a move.


    But just then.


    Several severe fluctuations suddenly transmitted through the void, as a hundred-person team approached from the horizon.


    These hundred were all experts from the Longevity Secret Realm.


    Leading them was a third-layer Supreme Realm expert, the terrifying Evil Qi emanating from him, his pair of blood-red eyes fixated on Xiao Yi.


    Hui Tian''s face suddenly changed, exclaiming: "Venerable King, this is terrible, the Heaven Dragon Guard has arrived!"

 Chapter 949 - 947: Sweeping Swordstrike [Fifth Update]

    "Heavenly Dragon Guard is here!"


    Hui Tian''s face changed dramatically, his pupils contracting severely with fear and terror.


    Heavenly Dragon Guard.


    The personal guard of the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    Each one of them is an expert above the Human Venerate Realm, especially the leader of the Heavenly Dragon Guard, Xue Luo, who is an expert of the Third-layer Supreme Realm. He has been following Celestial Dragon Supreme since childhood, sharing life and death experiences, unparalleled in loyalty.


    There were rumors.


    The fruit of Buddha''s achievements of Celestial Dragon Supreme originally belonged to Xue Luo, but out of consideration for old times, Xue Luo gave it up to Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    Over the years.


    Xue Luo has always followed by the side of Celestial Dragon Supreme, serving as the leader of his guard.


    "Third-layer Supreme Realm? Even stronger than that giant demon..." Xiao Yi murmured to himself.


    Xuan Cang''s face darkened, and even though they admired Xiao Yi''s strength, they did not believe Xiao Yi had the capability to defeat an expert of the Third-layer Supreme Realm. After all, the gap between each small realm after the Zun Realm is as vast as the skies and the earth.


    Furthermore, the opponent is from the same era as Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    Boom!


    Heavenly Dragon Guard landed above the Great Buddha Hall.


    A pair of blood-stained eyes stared dead at Xiao Yi and the others, especially after seeing the ruined Celestial Dragon Temple, Xue Luo''s eyes narrowed into slits as he said coldly, "Are you the Shaolin Buddha King?"


    "It''s me!"


    Xiao Yi nodded.


    Xue Luo pointed to the statue of Celestial Dragon Supreme below, and said expressionlessly, "Kneel before the Supreme Buddha Statue and take your own life."


    "Hah?"


    Xiao Yi was startled, and after clearing his ears, turned to look at Fa Kong beside him, "Whose dog isn''t leashed, barking madly in broad daylight?"


    Fa Kong: "..."


    Xuan Cang and the others all had twitching corners of their lips: "..."


    To think that someone would call a fearsome Third-layer Supreme Realm expert a dog?


    Truly, Xiao Yi is one of a kind!


    "How audacious!"


    An Earth Venerate Realm expert among the Heavenly Dragon Guard darkened his face and scolded, "Who gave you the courage to insult the great leader like this? Get on your knees immediately..."


    "Shut up!"


    Xiao Yi waved his hand to interrupt the Earth Venerate Realm expert''s words.


    Just a wave of the hand.


    But it caused Xue Luo''s face to change dramatically; he raised his hand and sent out a sharp gust of palm wind, the wind was so solidified and matchless, like an actual tornado whirling out.


    A loud boom negated Xiao Yi''s attack.


    His face showed a thick scorn, "Daring to act violently in front of me, you really are audaciously self-confident. However, with me here, don''t even think about moving a single hair on any of my Heavenly Dragon Guard..."


    "Really?"


    Xiao Yi looked at Xue Luo with a playful expression, his eyes filled with ridicule and teasing.


    "Huh?"


    Xue Luo was taken aback, suddenly turned his head. S��ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.��et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He saw that the Earth Venerate Realm Heavenly Dragon Guard who had just been shouting, a fresh red appeared on his neck, followed by that fresh red blood turning into a string wrapped around the neck.


    As more blood spilled out.


    The head plopped down.


    An Earth Venerate Realm expert, in that seemingly careless wave of the hand, had his head severed!


    Hiss!


    All experts could not help but inhale a breath of cold air, feeling a chill on their backs: "How did he do it?"


    "The attack of Xiao Buddha King was all blocked by Xue Luo, how did he kill that man..."


    "What a terrifying method..."


    Killing invisibly, that''s what people dread and fear the most.


    Xue Luo only felt a burning sting on his face; he had just vowed that no one could lay a finger on his Heavenly Dragon Guard, and yet he was immediately disproven by Xiao Yi by beheading one of them.


    This was a blatant slap to the face.


    "What a Shaolin Buddha King Xiao Yi, indeed you have some skill!"


    Xue Luo said darkly, a boundless Evil Qi radiated from his body condensing into a field of killing intent; the dense blood-colored Evil Qi formed clouds, making this part of the world seem like a Blood-colored Asura hell, "Out of Buddhist mercy, I wanted to grant you a quick death. But since you are hell-bent on seeking death, I can only comply, letting you experience what it means to seek life and not get it, to seek death and be unable..."


    Just as he finished speaking.


    The terrifying Evil Qi released by Xue Luo condensed at a visibly rapid rate, turning into a blood-colored domain. It turned out he had been setting up ever since he started talking.


    This person was able to be born and die with Celestial Dragon Supreme all the way, and still lives until now, the most important thing is his meticulous mind.


    From the silent beheading of that Earth Venerate Realm expert by Xiao Yi.


    Xue Luo already had an approximate understanding of Xiao Yi''s strength; he does not like to fight to the death, but prefers to plan before acting, minimizing the cost to put the opponent to death.


    "Asura Purgatory��Rise!"


    Xue Luo''s hands were wrapped in blood light, and he lifted them up to the sky with a thrust.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Booming rumble...


    Pillars of blood-colored light burst forth from the ground, shooting into the sky, instantly connecting heaven and earth.


    The pillars connected to each other, forming a massive blood-colored Asura Purgatory.


    Within this Asura Purgatory.


    All energies between heaven and earth were blocked, with only endless Evil Qi available for use.


    For typical Buddhist and Taoist Martial Artists, these Evil Qi could only continuously deplete the pure Buddhist power within their bodies; they could be considered the bane of skilled Buddhist practitioners.


    But...


    For Xue Luo, this was energy that could greatly enhance his combat power.


    Standing amidst the blood-colored purgatory.


    Xue Luo licked his crimson tongue against his lips, revealing a venomous expression: "Since the day I mastered Asura Purgatory, no one has ever walked out of here alive."


    "Is that so? Then I shall take the honor of being the first to do so!"


    Xiao Yi said with a faint smile.


    "Arrogant!"


    Xue Luo snorted coldly, his hands forming Buddhist seals, repeatedly pressing forward.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Within the blood-colored purgatory, blood light soared into the sky, transforming into blood dragons that opened their gaping maws, tearing towards Xiao Yi. With a fierce punch, Xiao Yi shattered the blood dragons, only for them to turn into blood-red chains that immediately wound around his arms.


    A kick shot out.


    The blood dragon shattered in response, but again transmuted into chains, re-binding Xiao Yi''s left leg.


    Clang clang clang!


    Hands and feet now bound.


    Xiao Yi was rendered immobile.


    Xue Luo sneered: "Asura Demon-Slaying..."


    He spread his hands to either side and then brought them together in front of him.


    Buzz!


    Countless streaks of blood light converged before him, forming into a colossal blood-colored sword, sending out astonishing Sword Qi, cleaving down toward Xiao Yi''s head.


    The strong warriors of the Heavenly Dragon Guard exclaimed excitedly: "Xue Luo''s Asura Demon-Slaying Sword can even wound the Supreme Venerable Buddha, no one can evade this sword!"


    "The Shaolin Buddha King? Not much after all!"


    "Is he not about to be slain by a single strike from Xue Luo?"


    But in the next second.


    These Heavenly Dragon Guard could no longer laugh.


    Only to hear a resounding clang.


    The blood-colored Longsword actually fell upon Xiao Yi''s head, unable to drop any further, while the terrifying recoil instead shattered the Asura Demon-Slaying Sword.


    Amidst a network of fine cracks, it exploded with a bang.


    "This is impossible��" Xue Luo growled in disbelief.


    His Asura Demon-Slaying Sword was a powerful Buddhist weapon.


    It could even wound the Supreme Venerable Buddha.


    Yet it couldn''t even pierce Xiao Yi''s scalp?


    "The Supreme Guard? Is this all you''ve got?"


    Xiao Yi chuckled lightly, shaking his head, his eyes full of disdain and mockery, "Open your eyes and see clearly, this is the essence of swordsmanship!"


    As his words fell.


    Xiao Yi shook his entire body, Sword Qi rushing to the sky, his thunderous energy shattering all the blood-colored chains binding him. Red Sky Sword vibrated with a hum, turning into a rainbow streak, cleaving the blood-colored purgatory in half with a swift motion.


    Ah!


    Xue Luo was sent soaring backward, blood gushing from his mouth.


    Within those blood-colored pupils.


    Xiao Yi rose into the air, sword in one hand, slashing downward: "Sword without limit��"


    Buzz!


    A Yin Yang Sword diagram emerged in the void, rushing forward following the direction of the sword''s edge.


    In an instant, it enshrouded Xue Luo within.


    Endless Sword Qi wreaked havoc.


    Streaks of blood light filled the sky.


    When the sword diagram dissipated.


    The figure of Xue Luo was nowhere to be seen in the world...


    Hiss!


    A crowd of strong warriors was completely dumbfounded.


    A third-layer Supreme Realm master couldn''t withstand a single sword strike from Xiao Yi?


    Xiao Yi scanned the Heavenly Dragon Guard warriors, issuing a command to Xuan Cang and the others: "Kill them!"


    "Kill!"


    "Spare none!"


    Xuan Cang and the others surged forward, fiercely attacking the Heavenly Dragon Guard.


    And Xiao Yi landed in the Great Buddha Hall, looking at the Supreme Buddha Statue of the Celestial Dragon Supreme before him, the corners of his mouth slightly curving upward: "Celestial Dragon Supreme? The power of the faith you''ve accumulated for hundreds of years, now belongs to me��"

 Chapter 950 - 948: None of You Can Leave! [First Release]

    Celestial Dragon Temple, Great Buddha Hall.


    Xiao Yi stood before the statue of the Celestial Dragon Supreme. As his palm touched the statue, it suddenly burst into dazzling bright light.


    The gold-crafted statue''s eyes fiercely emitted a tangible cold glow.


    Like a Wrathful Vajra.


    The furious voice of the Celestial Dragon Supreme erupted from the statue: "Xiao Yi? Is it really you? This little bastard has actually come to Western Province? Damn it, little bastard, I will crush your bones to dust, ensuring you never reincarnate��"


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme was utterly furious.


    His Buddha consciousness sensed someone coveting the power of faith and chose to descend immediately.


    However...


    What he never expected was that the one coveting the power of faith was Xiao Yi, the person he loathed to the core.


    "Oh, Celestial Dragon Supreme? We meet again!"


    Xiao Yi looked up at the Buddha statue resembling a Wrathful Vajra, his lips curling slightly with a hint of playfulness and provocation, "I''m really sorry, the lineage of your devoutly managed Celestial Dragon Temple has been entirely trampled by me. Moreover, the faith you''ve accumulated over hundreds of years is about to become mine too. Oh, also the demon under Ten Thousand Dragons City has been killed by me. Do you like the gifts I''ve prepared for our reunion?"


    "..."


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme was so furious he was lost for words.


    Like?


    Could he possibly like these things?


    Whether it was the destruction of the Celestial Dragon Temple lineage, the power of faith accumulated over hundreds of years he intended to use when advancing to the sixth stage of Supreme Venerate Realm, or the sealed and suppressed demon, each was part of his plans and strategies built over thousands of years.


    It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say all these were the culmination of his life''s efforts.


    But what about the results?


    All were personally destroyed by Xiao Yi, someone he had never considered a threat.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme was uncontrollably furious, wishing he could devour Xiao Yi''s flesh and drink his blood, his eyes filled with blood-red glows: "Little bastard, just you wait, if I don''t kill you, I swear I am no longer human!"


    "I''ll be waiting!"


    Xiao Yi''s lips slightly lifted, and with a casual flick of his hand, he shattered the Array protecting the statue.


    As Xiao Yi laid his palm on the statue.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme sneered coldly: "Fool, who do you think you are? Without the fruit of Buddha, you cannot absorb and refine the power of faith. What you are doing is futile��"


    "You will soon know whether it is futile or not!" Xiao Yi grinned with a meaningful smile.


    That profoundly meaningful smile stirred a strong unease in the heart of the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    Soon...


    He would understand why he felt uneasy.


    For the power of faith, which had been accumulated on that Buddha statue for hundreds of years and which he had been unwilling to draw from, waiting instead to utilize when advancing to the sixth stage of Supreme Venerate Realm, was now rapidly draining away.


    Like a breached dam, the torrents of faith frenziedly surged toward Xiao Yi.


    Blustering loudly!


    Endless streams of faith power wildly flooded into Xiao Yi''s body, directly absorbed by the Divine Sealing Tree within him. The Divine Sealing Tree, capable of absorbing all pure energy between heaven and earth, transforming it into Sealing God Leaves. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n��t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was the most heaven-defying aspect of the Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill.


    While other powerful beings need to comprehend the grand avenues of heaven and earth, Xiao Yi only needed to gather enough Sealing God Leaves to continuously elevate his realm. Moreover, with the presence of the Divine Sealing Tree, Xiao Yi''s comprehension of the avenues of heaven and earth was doubly efficient.


    Without exaggeration...


    His cultivation speed was tens to hundreds of times faster compared to peerless geniuses in the same realm.


    Blustering loudly!


    Endless faith power flowed into the Divine Sealing Tree, and bright green Sealing God Leaves kept condensing on the branches, rapidly elevating Xiao Yi''s cultivation level.


    "It''s impossible, you don''t have the fruit of Buddha, how could you possibly absorb the power of faith?" The Celestial Dragon Supreme exclaimed in bewildered astonishment, unable to accept that Xiao Yi could refine the power of faith, especially after the immense hardships he endured to obtain the fruit of Buddha.


    "You can''t do it doesn''t mean I can''t! Besides..."


    Xiao Yi gave a cold smile, his words laden with intense irony, "If everyone could perform miracles, what would be the need for geniuses?"


    "You..."


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme''s face turned a ghastly pale, utterly powerless to counter Xiao Yi''s mockery.


    As the power of faith dissipated, the cracks on the statue grew denser, already beginning to fail in bearing the descent of the Celestial Dragon Supreme''s Buddhist thoughts.


    At the moment when the Buddhist thoughts faded,


    the Celestial Dragon Supreme let out a final resentful roar: "Xiao Yi, you wait for me, I will soon descend to the secular world, I swear I will tear you to pieces..."


    Buzz!


    The statue shuddered and explosively shattered.


    The endless power of faith transformed into streams of pure white light, rapidly fusing into the Divine Sealing Tree.


    The rate at which the Sealing God Leaves increased grew faster.


    The entire Divine Sealing Tree''s Sealing God Leaves became even more lush, verdantly green, resembling exquisitely pure jade fashioned into the shape of leaves, hanging upon the Divine Sealing Tree.


    The count of Sealing God Leaves climbed from nine hundred and eighty thousand upwards,


    One million.


    One million and ten thousand.


    One million and ten thousand...


    As the quantity of Sealing God Leaves continued to increase, Xiao Yi was enveloped in a layer of dark green light, this light coalescing into an green eggshell-like light barrier protecting him.


    Within the light barrier, Xiao Yi was immersed in continuously refining the power of faith.


    In the blink of an eye, three days passed.


    During these three days, the green light sphere around Xiao Yi had grown even more dense, the dark green light barrier utterly opaque, with none of the scenery inside visible.


    Fa Kong, Xuan Cang, Little Lin, and others, who had already taken control of the Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range, continued to guard outside the Great Buddha Hall,


    Fearing they might disturb Xiao Yi''s cultivation.


    "Little Lin, how much longer before Xiao Buddha King finishes his retreat?" Xuan Cang glanced at the huge green light sphere, a strong unease flashing in his eyes as he spoke.


    The lineage of the Celestial Dragon Temple had been completely extinguished.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme was already furiously enraged and could receive the Secular Order at any moment, allowing him to leave Holy Spirit Mountain.


    With the horrific power of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, once he left Holy Spirit Mountain, he would definitely appear in the Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range immediately. By then, wouldn''t all those who helped obliterate the Celestial Dragon Temple be doomed?


    "I don''t know either..." Little Lin shrugged his shoulders, a helpless look on his face.


    "Simply waiting like this isn''t a solution. If the Celestial Dragon Supreme appears, we''ll all have to face the consequences here..."


    "Shall we leave first?"


    Facing the suggestion made by someone, Little Lin was the first to object: "If we leave, who could stop the Celestial Dragon Supreme from attacking my boss?"


    If disturbed during retreat,


    At the lighter end, one might fall into deviation.


    At the severe end, one could die on the spot!


    "What can we do then? Wait here for the Celestial Dragon Supreme to descend?"


    "How about we evacuate some at least..."


    Seeing that Fa Kong and Xuan Cang among others were determined to withdraw, Little Lin knew forcing them to stay might not be beneficial, reluctantly nodding in agreement: "Alright then, you guys go first!"


    Everyone showed a trace of relief.


    Just as they were about to leave,


    at that moment...


    A cold sneer from the Celestial Dragon Supreme suddenly echoed throughout the void: "Without my permission, none of you can leave!"

 Chapter 951 - 949: Sorry, Im Late! [Second Update]

    "Without my consent, none of you can leave!"


    A cold voice came from the sky.


    Everyone looked towards the source of the voice.


    In the azure void, round ripples suddenly appeared and then, with a ripping sound, the void was torn apart from the middle.


    A figure stepped out from the Void Rift.


    The person was clad in a white monk''s robe.


    On the robe, nine silver Celestial Dragons were embroidered using dragon silk, shining with a blinding silver light, as if they were alive, ready to break free and soar across the heavens.


    Barefoot, he stood in the void, which trembled slightly under his feet.


    It seemed unable to bear the power of his steps.


    Above his head, instead of the usual shaved scars, there was a blood dragon tattoo spiraling around, making his appearance extraordinarily fierce.


    He was the Celestial Dragon Supreme!


    "Celestial Dragon Supreme?"


    Fa Kong, Xuan Cang, and others drastically changed their expressions. Watching the Celestial Dragon Supreme who walked on air, they were all soaked in cold sweat. At this moment, no one thought of resisting, and no one thought of escape.


    They knew that facing a Supreme Venerate Realm powerhouse with a Buddha''s fruit position, they didn''t even qualify to run.


    Just as what the Celestial Dragon Supreme said earlier, without his consent, none of the people present could leave!


    "It''s over, it''s over. The Celestial Dragon Supreme has really descended personally, and we all are going to die here..."


    "We annihilated the Celestial Dragon Temple, as if the Celestial Dragon Supreme would ever let us off!"


    "I told you earlier we should leave, but you insisted on waiting for Xiao Buddha King. Now look, we all have to be buried with Xiao Buddha King, damn it, ''deadly'' Buddha King, a total disaster-maker..."


    The faces of the powerful individuals all showed despair.


    In the crowd.


    Hui Tian and his two companions were drenched in cold sweat, never expecting that after Xiao Yi destroyed Celestial Dragon Temple, he would choose to close off in retreat right here at Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range!


    Now, seeing the Celestial Dragon Supreme appearing before them, the three exchanged glances.


    Hui Tian transmitted a message: "We can''t just sit here and wait for death... The Supreme will surely punish us first..."


    "Hui Tian brother, what should we do?" Hui Di and Hui Ren asked, staring at him intently.


    Hui Tian steeled his heart and stepped forward, his face a mix of servility and elation: "Supreme, you''re finally here. You know, in order to preserve the foundation of Celestial Dragon Temple, I had no choice but to pretend to align with Xiao Yi. Although it was just a pretense, the guilt in my heart has constantly tormented me, but thankfully you are here..."


    "Hui Tian brother is right, Supreme, we''ve finally waited for your return!" Hui Di said.


    Hui Ren, crying tears, said: "Supreme, please take our side!"


    "Damn, do you three even have any shame?" Fazhen rolled his eyes disdainfully at them.


    Xuan Cang clasped his hands together, smiling wryly: "A person without a face is invincible. You three, truly have the assets of the invincible..."


    Even though they felt helpless and desperate in front of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, they never thought of such a shameful act to preserve their lives.


    But the trio of Hui Tian,


    Having betrayed the Celestial Dragon Supreme to join Xiao Yi; now seeing the Celestial Dragon Supreme descending personally, they changed their allegiance back to the Celestial Dragon Supreme, selling out Xiao Yi directly.


    Indeed, a person without a face is truly invincible!


    However��


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme was not so easily fooled, he coldly smiled and pointed at Guang Liang, Xuan Cang, and Fa Kong, "Didn''t you falsely align with Xiao Yi? Then kill all these people for me..."


    ...


    The corners of Hui Tian and the others'' mouths twitched fiercely.


    Damn!


    These were all formidable fighters; how could they kill them all?


    However��


    Facing the order of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, even knowing they were no match, they had to give their utmost effort, otherwise, before they acted, the Celestial Dragon Supreme would put them to death.


    With this thought


    Hui Tian and his two companions rushed directly towards Little Lin: "This little thing is addressed as brother by Xiao Yi. As long as we capture it, Xiao Yi will definitely hesitate to strike. At that time, won''t we have the final say?"


    "Brother Hui Tian, you handle that kid, and we will stop the others..." Hui Di''s arms shook, and two earth-yellow colored heavy hammers landed in his hands, clashing against each other with a loud booming sound.


    Holding the double hammers, Hui Di and Hui Ren blocked Fa Kong and others who wanted to come to Little Lin''s aid.


    Although they weren''t a match for Fa Kong and his companions, their wild and aggressive fighting style still caused a lot of trouble for everyone.


    In a moment.


    Within the Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range, terrifying booms and vibrations echoed.


    Though Little Lin and Jie Se were not weak, facing Hui Tian of the Heavenly Venerate Realm Peak, they were still somewhat out of their league. Both were continuously forced to retreat, and seeing the opportunity, Hui Tian suddenly thrust his sword.


    Swoosh!


    The cold sword point went straight for Little Lin''s chest. The sword stroke was so fast that Little Lin couldn''t dodge in time.


    But at that moment��


    Jie Se suddenly lunged forward, shielding him with his body, and a gush of blood sprayed as Jie Se''s back was sliced open with a deep, bone-visible, ferocious wound. Blood instantly stained his robes, and the pain caused Jie Se''s face to turn ashen, grimacing terribly.


    "Jie Se..." Little Lin hugged Jie Se and retreated continuously, looking worriedly at the large bald head in front of him.


    Jie Se gasped heavily, his pale face showing relief: "Master, master, you''re alright�� that''s good��"


    "Quickly take this pill to stabilize your injuries!"


    Little Lin took out the healing pill Xiao Yi had prepared for him and threw it to Jie Se, his face grim as he glared at Hui Tian, "Damn turncoat, how dare you seriously injure Jie Se, I''ll never forgive you!"


    "Hahaha, little guy, do whatever you think you can! I''ll stand right here; if you can make me take a step back, I accept defeat and submit to any punishment��" Hui Tian confidently sneered.


    "Alright, those are your words!"


    Little Lin snorted coldly, his body flickered, and under a cover of golden light, he transformed back into his original form.


    His massive body suddenly opened its mouth, and countless storms appeared around Hui Tian, quickly converging into a black vortex, from which a terrifying devouring force was emitted.


    On the ground, vegetation shook violently, and in the sky, clouds scattered.


    Hui Tian clasped his hands over his chest, chuckling coldly, "Is that all? You''re also too��"


    Before he could finish.


    Hui Tian suddenly felt his body jerk uncontrollably as the formidable devouring force seemed to be pulling him by thousands of oxen, flying towards the vortex.


    "Not good��" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hui Tian''s complexion changed dramatically, shouting, "Supreme Venerable, save me!"


    "Useless trash!"


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme scoffed, stretched out a hand in the air, and an endless storm of energy converged within the void, forming a giant energy hand. With a loud bang, the hand forcefully slapped Little Lin to the ground.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    Amidst the sound of metal clashing.


    The giant palm turned into a silvery palm-shaped Five Finger Mountain, pinning Little Lin beneath it.


    The terrifying devouring force disappeared immediately.


    Hui Tian, feeling as though he had a new lease on life, laughed heartily at the suppressed Little Lin, his face contorted, "You little mongrel, weren''t you acting all wild? Weren''t you going to devour me? Try swallowing now!"


    He directly pulled out a purple-golden Buddhist whip and furiously lashed it around, whipping Little Lin repeatedly.


    Smack!


    Smack!


    Smack!


    Each strike caused Little Lin''s skin to split and flesh to burst, and with a smug look on his face, Hui Tian sneered, "You little mongrel, did you really think I truly joined that bullshit Buddha King? I was just feigning submission. In my heart, only the Celestial Dragon Supreme is the paragon of Buddhism, the light of the righteous path��"


    Ptui!


    Little Lin spat a mouthful of blood-soaked saliva onto his face, disdain written all over his face: "Trash��"


    "You bastard! Are you seeking death?"


    Hui Tian''s face was filled with resentment, and the golden Buddhist whip in his hand trembled violently, turning from a limp state into a tight, hard one, transforming into a golden sharp sword that slashed towards Little Lin''s neck.


    But just as the longsword was about to behead Little Lin, a fair hand suddenly appeared out of nowhere, catching the golden sharp sword. A detached voice echoed throughout the Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range at the same time: "Sorry, I am late!"

 Chapter 952 - 950 Beating Up the Celestial Dragon Supreme [Third Update]

    "Sorry, I''m late!"


    The pale palm firmly grasped the golden longsword, preventing it from striking Little Lin''s neck.


    Little Lin''s body was covered in wounds.


    He grimaced in pain.


    But he still managed to muster a brilliant smile, proudly saying, "I knew Boss wouldn''t let me down, hiss..." He winced in pain as he aggravated his wounds, "Boss, you have to avenge me!"


    "Don''t worry!"


    Xiao Yi nodded, gripping the longsword tightly, twisting his wrist in an instant.


    A terrifying force spread throughout the entire golden longsword.


    It twisted the golden longsword into a twisted shape, and the rotating force also twisted Hui Tian''s entire arm, shattering his bones with cracking sounds.


    The broken bones pierced through the flesh and skin, blood gushed out, causing Hui Tian to howl in agony.


    He thought about letting go of the longsword, but there seemed to be an incredibly terrifying attraction on the longsword, making it impossible for him to release. Holding the longsword, his entire body was lifted into the air, spinning wildly.


    Like a spiraling dart.


    Xiao Yi took the opportunity to lift and slam Hui Tian, along with the sword, onto the Five Finger Mountain that was pressing down on Little Lin.


    Boom!


    The formidable Heavenly Venerate Peak Hui Tian, along with the longsword, collided against the Five Finger Mountain, a thunderous sound like a mountain torrent bursting came from the mountain. The peaks exploded and the mountain body was penetrated.


    The vast Five Finger Mountain burst open, freeing Little Lin.


    As for Hui Tian...


    He was turned into a pile of broken flesh and blood along with the Five Finger Mountain.


    Xiao Yi shook his hand, tilting his head to look at the Celestial Dragon Supreme, who was standing proudly high in the sky with his arms crossed, always in an attitude of watching a show, and casually smiled, "Celestial Dragon Supreme, since we parted in Southern State that day, it has been almost a year since we last met!"


    Strictly speaking, the two had not actually met face-to-face, but this was their third encounter.


    The first time.


    At Tian Yun Temple in Southern State, Xiao Yi had not yet entered the Heaven Venerate Realm, but he had slain Master Tianyun and destroyed the Fleshly Golden Body that the Celestial Dragon War Supreme had been planning for a millennium.


    The second encounter.


    In Celestial Dragon Temple, Xiao Yi had not yet stepped into the Supreme Venerate Realm, yet he forcefully took away the faith power accumulated by Celestial Dragon Temple for hundreds of years.


    Now the third meeting...


    Xiao Yi had now gathered 1,080,000 Sealing God Leaves, possessing cultivation on par with the First-layer Supreme Realm, and his combat power was dozens to hundreds of times stronger than before.


    At least.


    With Xiao Yi''s current combat strength, facing the Fifth Layer Supreme Celestial Dragon Supreme, he felt no great pressure!


    "It''s hard to believe that someone who was seen as an ant in my eyes could achieve so much in just one year," Celestial Dragon Supreme looked at Xiao Yi, his expression extremely complex.


    Besides shock, there was even a hint of jealousy.


    You should know...


    It has been a thousand years since Celestial Dragon Supreme obtained the Buddha fruit, and he only broke through from the First-layer Supreme Realm to the Fifth-layer Supreme Realm.


    Looking at Xiao Yi?


    From not reaching the Heaven Venerate Realm when he destroyed Tian Yun Temple, he had already reached the cultivation of the First-layer Supreme Realm.


    Such a rate of cultivation is terrifying!


    "I managed to achieve so much in such a short time, thanks to you, Celestial Dragon Supreme!" As Xiao Yi spoke, he slowly rose into the air, meeting the Celestial Dragon Supreme at an equal level.


    "Thanks to me?"


    Celestial Dragon Supreme squinted, a trace of confusion in his eyes.


    Xiao Yi''s smile gradually faded, and his figure suddenly shook, transforming into a streak of rainbow light. A flash of bright light passed through the void, and before Celestial Dragon Supreme could react,


    a cold fist suddenly appeared, striking him squarely in the face with a bang.


    Wow!


    Celestial Dragon Supreme''s head jerked back violently, two streaks of blood spurted from his nostrils, and he heard Xiao Yi''s cold voice, "This punch, is for those innocent children who were captured by Tian Yun Temple and refined into fleshly golden bodies..."


    "You..."


    Just as Celestial Dragon Supreme regained his senses, glaring angrily, about to speak, but Xiao Yi''s open hand pressed on his face, forcibly stuffing the words back into his mouth.


    Swoosh!


    Xiao Yi grabbed the face of the Celestial Dragon Supreme with one hand, speeding towards the ground like a falling star.


    Boom!


    With a single press of his hand.


    Xiao Yi forcefully smashed the Celestial Dragon Supreme''s head into the ground, causing it to explode with a loud bang, rocks flew through the air and the ground shattered with thunderous noise.


    He pressed half of Celestial Dragon Supreme''s head into the ground, continuing to rush forward.


    Charging straight through everything in his path.


    For miles.


    Crashing into mountains and crossing waters, using the Celestial Dragon Supreme''s head to clear the way.


    Carving a miles-long trench on the ground''s surface.


    Following a loud bang, Xiao Yi, along with the Celestial Dragon Supreme, smashed into a thousand-feet high peak. Only then did a momentary peace return to heaven and earth, before the ground and mountains started roaring and violently shaking.


    A multitude of powerful beings watched, dumbstruck, as the mountain split apart from the center, scattering in all directions.


    Boom!


    The first to burst out of the mountain was the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    But his posture was extremely bizarre.


    Flying backward like an arrow that had left its bow, with Xiao Yi following closely behind, throwing punch after punch furiously onto the Celestial Dragon Supreme. With each punch, accompanied by his roaring, "This punch is for the innocent members of the Huang Family who died..."


    "This punch is for the millions of citizens of Beast Emperor City..."


    "This punch is for the innocent citizens of Linhai..."


    "This punch is for the citizens of the imperial city..."


    Boom boom boom!


    His punches landed solidly, showing no mercy.


    The muffled sound of heavy punches hitting flesh reverberated between heaven and earth, making the powerful beings around the Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range look at each other with eyes full of fear and astonishment.


    Gulp!


    Xuan Cang swallowed hard: "Is this Xiao Buddha King so fierce? Even the Celestial Dragon Supreme is no match for him?"


    "I must be seeing things, that''s the Celestial Dragon Supreme, one of the Supreme Venerables of Buddha, completely suppressed by Xiao Buddha King without a chance to fight back?"


    "No, the Celestial Dragon Supreme never fought back from the beginning, it seems like Xiao Yi has the upper hand, but truly the Celestial Dragon Supreme hasn''t shown his full power yet!"


    Everyone''s gaze turned simultaneously towards the sky.


    Under the glaring sunlight, Xiao Yi swiftly caught up to the Celestial Dragon Supreme, clenching his fists and with a terrifyingly powerful blow, smashed into the back of Celestial Dragon Supreme: "This punch, for those innocent lives you took to feed the ogres!"


    Thud!


    A heavy punch sent the Celestial Dragon Supreme plummeting from the sky.


    With a sharp and piercing sound cutting through the air.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme fell from the sky and with a loud bang, smashed into the ground, causing the entire earth to collapse and shake as if a dragon were tumbling underground.


    Dust filled the air, obscuring the condition on the ground.


    And Xiao Yi, after severely beating the Celestial Dragon Supreme, showed no sign of triumph but hovered in mid-air, staring coldly at the rolling dust, and spoke chillingly, "Such level of attack can''t possibly kill you, how long do you plan to feign death?"


    "..."


    There was no response from the dust.


    Xiao Yi slightly frowned, his fingertips gathering a bit of cold starlight, and he said emotionlessly, "If you don''t make a move soon, I might not be so courteous!"


    "Heh. Heh heh..."


    A sinister laugh suddenly came from the dusty haze, the Celestial Dragon Supreme tore through the rolling dust and sand, wiping the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, raising his head with a venomously cold and sinister smile towards Xiao Yi, pronounced each word, "It has been a long time since someone made my Sovereign self bleed, Xiao Yi, to express my gratitude, I''ve decided to personally send you to hell!" Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Send me to hell?"


    Xiao Yi replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Let''s see if you have the ability!"


    Crackle!


    Both their eyes emitted substantial beams, colliding in the void, creating dazzling sparks.


    A great battle.


    Was about to erupt��

 Chapter 953 - 951: Buddha King Fights the Heavenly Dragon!

    Whoosh!


    The cold wind blew over the Heavenly Dragon Mountain Range.


    A slightly cold wind carried traces of blood in the air, causing people to involuntarily frown, and the roadside leaves rustled under the gentle breeze.


    The wind in the air gradually became more violent, carrying edges as sharp as blades.


    Swoosh!


    The wind blew through the crowd.


    Some felt a piercing chill and couldn''t help but tighten their collars; others felt a slight coolness on their faces, and upon touching, found a cut on their cheeks, their palms stained with fresh blood.


    Whoosh!


    A strand of black hair suddenly fluttered in the wind, floating up and down.


    This strand of hair drifted towards Xiao Yi and Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    Everyone present was a martial arts master; their vision and perception razor-sharp, they immediately noticed the fluttering black hair, all eyes fixating on it.


    Suddenly.


    The black hair landed right in the middle of Xiao Yi and Celestial Dragon Supreme as they locked eyes.


    Ssh!


    A flash of fire suddenly sparked from that strand of hair.


    Under the flames, the hair instantly turned into ashes.


    This burning strand of hair, like a battle drum, marked the moment Xiao Yi and Celestial Dragon Supreme shifted their positions without moving.


    Swoosh!


    Swoosh!


    Both left a trail of afterimages, followed by a thunderous boom.


    Their elbows collided, eyes still locked.


    Xiao Yi and Celestial Dragon Supreme had already rushed to each other''s faces with a speed hard to catch with the naked eye, positioning themselves about half a meter towards Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    Clearly, in this initial clash of speed, Xiao Yi had the upper hand!


    Boom!


    The ground under their feet suddenly sank, followed by second and third loud crashes. The ground continued to collapse under the simultaneous grinding and impact of their power.


    One meter.


    Three meters.


    Five meters��


    The entire circular pit had now sunk ten meters deep, confined only to the area where the two stood.


    This showed how exquisitely they controlled their power.


    "It''s unexpected, a year ago, you were just an ant that I could crush with a single finger, and now you can actually stand on equal footing with me in terms of power and speed!" Celestial Dragon Supreme''s blood-red tongue licked his lips, revealing a bloodthirsty gleam.


    Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless, speaking lightly, "There are many things you can''t imagine, like��"


    As soon as he finished talking.


    Xiao Yi suddenly lifted his knee, striking directly towards the abdomen of Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    However��


    Celestial Dragon Supreme reacted incredibly fast, his knee striking at the same time, creating a thunderous boom and two circular shock waves spreading towards the surrounding soil.


    On the ground.


    Many powerhouses were wondering why there was sudden silence between the two.


    Suddenly, the ground trembled violently.


    "What''s happening?"


    "What''s going on?"


    "Could it be an earthquake?"


    While everyone was filled with doubts.


    Boom!


    Rumble!


    A series of loud noises suddenly came from underground.


    Centered on the pit created by their combat, mounds of earth rose in circles, towering and then bursting open.


    Dirt and rocks flew everywhere, the ground splitting open, dust billowing.


    Terrifying cracks spread in all directions, with continuous loud booms, the deepest cracks hundreds of meters deep and tens of meters wide, appeared on the earth like fierce wounds.


    This range covered a full hundred miles radius.


    The destructive power generated by the two''s attack is truly terrifying.


    "Run!"


    "This is a Supreme Venerable level battle, if we don''t run away now, we will be caught in the crossfire..."


    One by one, the powerful beings sped away into the distance.


    Fearing that the innocent may suffer as well.


    In fact, it was indeed the case...


    A casual strike by a Supreme Venerable could shatter mountains and rivers, let alone between Xiao Yi and Celestial Dragon Supreme, this was a fight to the death.


    Even those at the Human Venerate Realm could barely protect themselves!


    Only those above the Earthly Honor could afford to watch the battle from a close distance.


    Above the firmament.


    Xuan Cang''s expression was solemn as he turned to look at Fa Kong: "Master Fa Kong, do you think Xiao Buddha King can match the Celestial Dragon Supreme?"


    Fa Kong had yet to speak.


    Little Lin confidently interjected: "Be confident, remove that ''may''! My boss has never been defeated; this so-called Celestial Dragon Supreme is definitely no match for him!"


    Little Lin had almost blind faith in Xiao Yi.


    Fa Kong and others exchanged glances.


    Just as they were about to speak...


    A gold and a black terrifying energy suddenly surged out from the pit, turning into two heavenly pillars of light connecting heaven and earth. The pillars were so dazzling that even Earthly Honors couldn''t help but squint.


    Using innate power to protect their eyes, they could only then see clearly inside the pillars of light.


    Within those two pillars connecting heaven and earth...


    Xiao Yi and Celestial Dragon Supreme both soared into the sky.


    As they ascended, they clashed, abandoning complex moves and Secret Techniques, and engaged in a true brutal close combat.


    Punch after punch to the flesh.


    Each palm strike was lethal!


    Boom boom boom!


    Bang bang bang!


    A series of either dull or earth-shattering loud noises swept between heaven and earth.


    They rose a thousand feet into the sky.


    The two simultaneously landed a palm on each other''s chest, both grunting at the same time, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood, the terrifying impact sending them both flying backward.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme''s back fiercely smashed into the ground, with a series of loud booms, the ground violently shook, and the Celestial Dragon Supreme was forcefully driven thousands of meters underground.


    Xiao Yi''s figure was thrown tens of miles away.


    Along the way... S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He crashed into mountains, sending boulders flying; struck rivers, sending water spouts surging into the sky; even the clouds in the sky were torn apart.


    For a moment.


    Apart from the fierce howling wind, there was not a single sound across heaven and earth.


    Hiss!


    Little Lin and others gasped in shock, staring at the now calm Heavenly Dragon Mountain. At this moment, Heavenly Dragon Mountain was shattered and in ruins due to their clash.


    They either looked at the huge hole in the ground or in the direction where Xiao Yi had disappeared.


    Gulp!


    Amid a series of heavy swallows, someone gasped, "Is this the power of a Supreme Venerable?"


    "No wonder they say everyone under Supreme Venerables are mere ants, even the residual waves of their aura during combat feel unbearable to me..."


    "Who, who knows who won this battle?"


    Just then...


    A long triumphant laugh suddenly came from beneath the earth, echoing mightily into the void, overpowering the thunder. The ground rumbled loudly, countless earth and stones burst apart, and with a loud boom, the Celestial Dragon Supreme burst out of the ground.


    Boom!


    Celestial Dragon Supreme''s body was surrounded by golden electrical currents, crackling loudly, his eyes shooting out electric lights, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shouted with excitement: "Thrilling, so thrilling, it''s been a long time since I''ve had such a thrilling fight! Xiao Yi, if you''ve rested enough, come and meet your end!"


    Just at this moment...


    Xiao Yi''s voice also came from the distance: "You old bones are quite durable, now that you say so, I can fully unleash myself!"


    PS: Sorry, my kid had hand-foot-and-mouth disease, got delayed because of taking care of her. Updating now!

 Chapter 955 - 953: Such a Buddha, I Might as Well Not Be!

    "Spare him under your sword!"


    A dignified yet icy voice suddenly came forth.


    In the void.


    An invisible palm materialized, pinching the sword light with the gesture of orchid fingers, causing Xiao Yi''s sword to be unable to advance even the slightest bit with just two fingers pinching it.


    Xiao Yi''s face changed slightly.


    At the moment this voice appeared, he felt that the space surrounding his body was completely sealed, rendering him immobile.


    Even his eyeballs could not be moved.


    A trace of cold sweat rolled down from his forehead.


    After assimilating the power of faith accumulated over hundreds of years by the Celestial Dragon Temple, Xiao Yi had stepped into a cultivation akin to the First-layer Supreme Realm, his combat strength more than enough to crush a Fifth Layer Supreme champion.


    But now...


    The opponent had merely used a voice to rob him of his ability to move.


    The strength of the comer far exceeded that of the Fifth Layer Supreme Realm.


    It was very likely a master of the Supreme Realm Peak, or even someone surpassing the Supreme Venerable to the Sacred Venerate Realm!


    As if to confirm Xiao Yi''s speculation.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme, who had almost died under Xiao Yi''s sword, showed an ecstatic look on his blood-covered face, filled with madness and triumph, and laughed loudly: "Hahahaha, Xiao Yi, aren''t you very arrogant? Didn''t you want to slay me? I am standing right here, come and kill me if you dare, can you kill me? Hahahaha..."


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme bellowed in self-indulgence.


    Xiao Yi''s face turned ice-cold, his eyes filled with unwillingness as he gritted his teeth fiercely and managed to utter: "Who''s there?"


    Buzz!


    Behind the Celestial Dragon Supreme, the void trembled slightly.


    A ripple emerged.


    A crack in the void suddenly appeared within the ripple, dazzling and blinding light blossomed from within the crack, followed by the slow emergence of a golden lotus platform.


    Seated upon that lotus platform was a majestic figure.


    The person was one of the two Supreme Venerables from Holy Spirit Mountain, known as one of the twin founders of Buddhism, the Buddha Mother!


    Though called the Buddha Mother, he was not a woman.


    But a pure man!


    The Buddha Mother was not bald; the black hair on his head was coiled into several protruding bumps, like a cluster of densely-packed black grapes atop his head. Below his thick eyebrows, a pair of bright and translucent Buddha eyes shone with dazzling radiance. Sear?h the ��ov��lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On his open chest, a shining golden swastika Buddha seal emanated blinding golden light.


    When the Buddha Mother appeared, the Buddha seal came forth on its own.


    Wherever he passed, golden flowers filled the sky.


    Beneath his lotus platform, specks of golden light fell, and upon touching the earth, all things sprung to life; lush woods and grass grew on broken mountains, and dry rivers began to churn with raging waves again.


    "The Buddha descends to the mortal world, everything springs to life, is this, this the Buddha Mother?"


    "The Mother of all Buddhas, to think that the Buddha Mother himself has personally made an appearance?"


    "That''s not right; there are rumors that the Buddha Mother has thousands of avatars, this is just one of them."


    "What? Just one avatar possesses such terrifying power, then, then if the Buddha Mother himself were to descend in his true form, how powerful must he be?"


    For a moment.


    It seemed as if every creature in heaven and earth was touched, all kneeling on the ground, worshipping the holy saint of Buddhism before them with fear and reverence.


    The Buddha Mother was shrouded in Buddha light, his visage solemn.


    He glanced at the Celestial Dragon Supreme with his Buddha eyes, and a shower of golden light fell upon him, healing the Celestial Dragon Supreme''s wounds at a speed visible to the naked eye.


    "Thank you, Buddha Mother!" the Celestial Dragon Supreme said respectfully.


    The Buddha Mother nodded slightly.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme gave a sinister smile, his cold eyes turning towards Xiao Yi as he suddenly appeared before Xiao Yi. He threw a fierce punch straight into Xiao Yi''s abdomen.


    Wow!


    Xiao Yi''s complexion instantly turned deathly pale, fresh blood spurted from his mouth.


    "Boss..."


    Little Lin''s eyes were filled with rage as he attempted to step forward.


    But the Celestial Dragon Supreme merely glanced over with indifferent eyes, and Little Lin shook violently, blood spewing from his mouth as he was sent flying for miles like an arrow loosed from a bow.


    "Hahaha, you little bastard, weren''t you quite arrogant? You still want to kill me? Let''s see how you act arrogantly now..." sneered the Celestial Dragon Supreme with a ferocious smile, reaching out with one hand.


    He firmly grabbed hold of Xiao Yi''s neck.


    His fist turned into a series of afterimages, raining down incessantly upon Xiao Yi.


    Bang bang bang!


    Fist to flesh, no mercy was shown.


    With each punch thrown, an energy of utmost ferocity accompanied it, causing Xiao Yi to bleed from all seven orifices.


    "Stop it..."


    Little Lin regained his senses and charged back in.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme glanced over: "You little brute dare to be rampant before me? Just watch obediently as your boss dies by my hands!"


    Bang!


    Little Lin was knocked flying again.


    "Son of a bitch, let go of my boss..."


    Bang!


    Knocked back once again.


    Xiao Yi charges time and again, only to be mercilessly swept aside by the attacks of Celestial Dragon Supreme. Little Lin has returned to his true form at this point, his golden armor shattered and bloodied all over.


    Yet Little Lin keeps charging time and again. This time, he unleashes his greatest speed, evading the attack of Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    His mouth full of sharp fangs clamps down on the arm of Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    With a howl of pain, Celestial Dragon Supreme cries out and loosens the grip on Xiao Yi''s hand, allowing him to fall to the ground. Celestial Dragon Supreme then grasps Little Lin by the neck and crushes it with force, a series of crisp cracking sounds abruptly breaking the air.


    It''s the sound of Little Lin''s bones being crushed alive.


    Blood gushes from Little Lin''s mouth like a fountain.


    A mad look surfaces on Xiao Yi''s face as he lands. The hot blood from Little Lin''s mouth splashes onto his face, the thick, metallic taste of blood filling his mouth.


    "Phew... phew..."


    Xiao Yi opens his mouth wide, his throat churning wildly, but his body is utterly suppressed by Buddha Mother, unable to utter even the word "no".


    "Keke, such deep brotherly love, eh? Claiming to be the Buddha King, eh? Seeking to destroy the lineage of Celestial Dragon Temple, eh? Then watch carefully as your brother dies right before your eyes!" Celestial Dragon Supreme sneers with a ferocious grin, pulling Little Lin taut with both hands.


    The sound of Little Lin''s scale armor clashing together rings out sharply. Blood seeps from the depths of the armor, trickling down, and drop by drop, a trail of blood falls to the ground.


    Roar!


    Little Lin cries out in anguish towards the sky.


    Celestial Dragon Supreme casually wipes a swatch of fresh blood, squats next to Xiao Yi, and repeatedly slaps his face, the bright blood staining it.


    Celestial Dragon Supreme looks at Xiao Yi, whose eyes are bloodshot with rage and murderous intent, and chuckles weirdly, "Tsk tsk, look at that fierce gaze. You must wish to shred me into a thousand pieces, right? Unfortunately for you, I stand before you while you can''t even harm a single hair on me. However, I can torture your brother before you as I please. Your brother there, a mutant beast, even I cannot discern his lineage. Such rare, premium flesh and blood, I shall feed it to you..."


    "No..."


    Xiao Yi lets out a howl of despair from his throat, veins across his body bulging, his hysterical voice shattering his throat as blood spurts from his mouth.


    Celestial Dragon Supreme looks coldly indifferent.


    A finger pierces into Little Lin''s back.


    Awooo...


    Little Lin''s body shudders violently, going rigid for a moment, letting out a scream of sheer despair.


    Celestial Dragon Supreme uses a finger as a knife, forcibly tearing a piece of flesh from Little Lin''s body, casually tossing Little Lin to the ground and stepping on his head with force. Squatting in front of Xiao Yi, Celestial Dragon Supreme grabs Xiao Yi''s jaw, forcing the piece of Little Lin''s flesh into his mouth, a hysterical madness spreading across his face, "Swallow it for me, swallow..."


    Little Lin struggles in agony.


    Xiao Yi fiercely resists, refusing to swallow the flesh.


    Celestial Dragon Supreme''s face twists viciously as he forcibly chews the piece of Little Lin''s flesh in Xiao Yi''s mouth.


    The scene is too harrowing to look upon...


    "Buddha Mother, Buddhism is supposed to be compassionate, how can you stand by and watch all this happen? This cannot be..." Jie Se flies out from the crowd, kneeling in front of Buddha Mother with tears streaming down, pleading loudly.


    Fa Kong and the others hesitated for a moment, exchanged glances, and also stepped forward one after another.


    Even though they had not spent much time with Xiao Yi.


    They could not stand by and watch everything that was happening in front of them.


    One by one, they knelt before the Buddha Mother: "Buddha Mother, please save Xiao Buddha King!"


    "We can''t do this, it goes against the Buddhist way of utmost goodness..."


    "Buddha Mother, please don''t do this..."


    However...


    The Buddha Mother high above maintained a gentle smile on her face, but her words were as chilling as falling into an ice cellar for thousands of years: "The sea of suffering is endless, turning back is the shore! Celestial Dragon is only guiding him to convert to Buddhism, there is no malice. You all need not to be so nervous..."


    Guiding him to convert to Buddhism?


    Guiding my ass!


    Is that how you convert someone? By driving them to their death?


    Fa Kong said, "But..."


    The Buddha Mother gave him a cold glance, and Fa Kong swallowed the words he was about to speak, changing his tone to say: "Amitabha, the Buddha Mother is most correct!


    The Buddha Mother nodded, satisfied.


    Beside her, Jie Se was completely furious, and released a series of cynical, miserable cold laughs: "Haha, haha... guiding him in the wicked ways of Buddhism? What a way to convert to Buddhism, using the life and death of his brother as a threat, forcing him to consume the flesh and blood of his brother, is this called guiding people? If Buddha truly converts people in this way, how is it any different from demons?"


    "Jie Se, mind your words..." Fa Kong said urgently.


    "Mind my words? Why should I mind my words? If they dare to do it, why can''t I speak of it? Buddha is inherently good, without desire or demand, yet you indulge Celestial Dragon Supreme''s cruel methods for your personal vengeance, what right do you have to sit in the position of the Mother of Ten Thousand Buddhas?"


    Jie Se''s face was full of mockery, and he fiercely tore open the scars of his vows on top of his head, with blood sliding down from his scalp. Jie Se gave a sorrowful cold laugh and stated word by word, "Such a Buddha, I''d rather not be!"


    "Jie Se..."


    Fa Kong roared, about to speak.


    But...


    The Buddha Mother had already smiled indifferently: "Amitabha, Jie Se, you have been corrupted by the demonic path, abandoning Buddhism, falling into the ways of demons. To speak such words of great treason and heresy, if I do not punish you, where will the might of Buddha stand?"


    As soon as the words fell.


    The Buddha Mother pointed a finger, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, Jie Se was forcibly restrained.


    The space around tightened continuously, twisting Jie Se''s body, blood spurted from his seven orifices, and his skin was covered in bloodstains, as if he could be crushed to death at any moment.


    The surrounding powerhouses remained silent as if chilled to the core.


    The Buddha Mother was still radiant and bright, Buddha''s light shining upon all.


    Celestial Dragon Supreme wore a ferocious cold smile, still forcing Xiao Yi to gnaw on Little Lin''s flesh and blood.


    But no one noticed...


    The thoroughly rage-filled Xiao Yi, within his body, the eternal heavenly tomb suddenly trembled, a ray of golden light burst from inside the tomb and entered the towering Divine Sealing Tree...

 Chapter 956 - 954: If I am a Demon, There are No Buddhas in the World!

    Buzz!


    Inside the ancient Eternal Tomb, deep within the golden tomb.


    Suddenly, a terrifying golden light burst forth like a golden meteor slicing through the sky, entering Xiao Yi''s body and merging directly into the Divine Sealing Tree.


    Buzz!


    The Divine Sealing Tree shuddered violently.


    On the towering Divine Sealing Tree, leaves as green as emeralds radiated dazzling light.


    On the trunk of the Divine Sealing Tree, glowing golden runes gradually appeared.


    Golden runes covered the entire trunk.


    In an instant.


    Xiao Yi''s Divine Sealing Tree vibrated intensely and miraculously pulled the Holy Buddhist Relics from Xiao Yi''s storage ring through the air, suspending it in front of the tree.


    Rustle rustle!


    Emerald vines shot out wildly, entwining the Holy Buddhist Relics.


    Gurgle gurgle!


    In front of the Divine Sealing Tree, the Holy Buddhist Relics had no resistance at all and were thoroughly refined. Countless pure energies flowed into the Divine Sealing Tree through the vines.


    Rustle rustle!


    The Divine Sealing Tree trembled violently, and the number of emerald Sealing God Leaves rapidly increased.


    Fifteen million.


    Twenty million.


    Twenty-five million��


    In a blink of an eye.


    After the Holy Buddhist Relics were completely refined, the number of Sealing God Leaves on the Divine Sealing Tree had soared to fifty-eight million leaves, and Xiao Yi had attained a cultivation comparable to the Fifth Layer Supreme Realm.


    At this moment.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme extended two fingers aimed at Little Lin''s eyeballs ruthlessly spoke, "Xiao Yi, come taste your brother''s eyeballs! Hahaha, biting into them will be crisp!"


    Little Lin closed his eyes in despair.


    Everyone present couldn''t bear to watch.


    But just as the Celestial Dragon Supreme''s fingers were about to touch Little Lin''s eyes, a blood-covered hand grabbed his wrist.


    "Hmm?"


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme''s face changed drastically, and following the hand, he saw Xiao Yi, surrounded by swirling qi and disorderly flowing hair without wind, coldly smiling at him.


    Hiss!


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme''s face changed dramatically, screaming in disbelief, "Impossible, how could you have broken free from the Buddha Mother''s shackles?"


    "Nothing is impossible!"


    Xiao Yi coldly spoke, his icy gaze fixed on the Celestial Dragon Supreme in front of him, "You like feeding people flesh, right? Here, let me feed you!"


    "Feed your damn self!"


    Enraged, the Celestial Dragon Supreme, confident with the Buddha Mother present, threw a punch at Xiao Yi.


    However��


    His fist was firmly caught by Xiao Yi.


    "This is impossible��" The Celestial Dragon Supreme''s pupils dilated in shock.


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly, and clenched his fingers tightly.


    Awww...


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme let out a painful scream.


    His entire fist was crushed by Xiao Yi, who then yanked forcefully, tearing off his entire arm amid a spray of blood. Flinging the severed limb aside, Xiao Yi then clutched the Celestial Dragon Supreme''s shoulder with one hand, and with a fierce tug like a falcon''s talon.


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme''s shoulder, along with dripping blood, flesh, and broken bones, was brutally torn apart.


    Aww!


    Awww!


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme turned pale, covered in blood, his screams echoing one after another.


    "Can''t take it already? Don''t forget, how you treated Little Lin just now, this is just the beginning!" Xiao Yi''s face was expressionless as he flipped his hand and broke another finger of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, twisting them one by one, entangling all five fingers of the palm like twisted dough.


    The sound of bones breaking could send shivers down one''s spine.


    "Save me... Holy Mother, save me..." The Celestial Dragon Supreme desperately yelled, but as soon as his words fell, they were blocked by gushing blood, turning into sobbing whimpers.


    Hiss!


    At this moment, all the watching powerhouses were dumbstruck.


    Even the nearby Holy Mother showed a look of astonishment.


    She didn''t expect Xiao Yi to be able to break through his spatial blockade; with the Celestial Dragon Supreme''s cries for help ringing in his ears, the Holy Mother slightly frowned and said, "How audacious, Xiao Yi, you dare to maim the Supreme figure of my Buddhist fraternity right before me, do you not know the severity of your crime?"


    "I know your ass..."


    Xiao Yi coldly glanced at the Holy Mother, and smoothly gouged out both eyeballs of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, stuffing them into his mouth.


    Covering the mouth of the Celestial Dragon Supreme, watching him swallow his eyeballs alive, Xiao Yi sneered and said, "When the Celestial Dragon Supreme did this to me, didn''t you say he was enlightening me into becoming a Buddha? Now I am enlightening him into becoming a Buddha too, how come it turns into maiming the supreme figure of the Buddhist fraternity when it comes to your lips? Fine, since you say I am maiming the supreme figure of the Buddhist fraternity, I will do as you wish..."


    As his voice fell.


    Xiao Yi''s body shook, and the Divine Sealing Tree floated behind him.


    Vines entwined around the Celestial Dragon Supreme.


    In just an instant...


    The Celestial Dragon Supreme was completely devoured, turning into a dry corpse.


    And the surging power within the body of Celestial Dragon Supreme was all consumed by Xiao Yi''s Divine Sealing Tree, transforming into countless pieces of Sealing God Leaf. The number climbed again, and after devouring a Fifth Layer Supreme, the Sealing God Leaf broke through to sixty-four million eight hundred thousand pieces.


    Xiao Yi now held the cultivation comparable to a Sixth Layer Supreme.


    "You, you��"


    The Holy Mother trembled with rage, her body surrounded by fluctuating golden light, and for the first time, a ferocious expression emerged on her usually serene face, "How dare you kill the Celestial Dragon Supreme right before me, you truly are possessed."


    "Possessed?"


    Xiao Yi pulled Little Lin close to his chest, his figure slowly rising.


    Waves of air surged around him, a fierce wind enveloping his body.


    A head of black hair danced wildly with the wind.


    His figure rose slowly.


    His robe fluttered loudly.


    The cold light in his eyes sharper than the edge of swords, he firmly stared at the Holy Mother surrounded by Buddhist light and said distinctly: "The venerable Buddhist Mother herself does not distinguish right from wrong, does not discern black from white. Since you declare me a demon, then today, right before your eyes, Xiao Yi shall become a demon!" sea??h th�� novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If I am to be a demon..."


    "There shall be no Buddha under heaven!"


    With a thunderous roar spreading across heaven and earth.


    Above the sky, clusters of Black Clouds suddenly appeared, turning tens of thousands of clear skies into a night in an instant.


    Endless thunder, purple-gold lightning flashed incessantly within those clouds.


    Loud roaring sounds deafened the ears.


    Bright flashes of lightning dazzled the eyes.


    Columns of thunderous dragons crazily plummeted down, striking Xiao Yi, his Wind Thunder wings instantly unfolded behind him. But the originally brilliant gold of the Wind Thunder wings was slowly turning dark.


    His black robe fluttered noisily.


    Black hair moved without the wind.


    Longsword laid across the sky.


    Eyes shining with golden light!


    As his immense black wings spread behind him, they seemed to cover thousands of miles.


    Whoosh!


    The black wings shook violently.


    Gusts of wind rose, whipping up the dust; rows of trees were uprooted, turning into fierce arrows shooting towards the Holy Mother.


    The sky was filled with trees and boulders covering everything.


    The Holy Mother, surrounded by flowing Buddhist light, casually waved her hand, halting the overwhelming onslaught in mid-air.


    A pair of cold Buddhist eyes emitted a glint of cold light: "A mere Supreme dares to behave atrociously before me? If you claim to be a demon, and there shall be no Buddha under heaven? Hmph, I would love to see how you plan to exterminate the myriad Buddhas across the heavens��"

 Chapter 957 - 955: Huoyun Child

    "I want to see how you would obliterate my Buddhist sect!"


    A cold voice emanated from the mouth of the Buddhist Mother, and with a fierce thrust of his palm, a golden light condensed into a dazzling swastika Buddhist symbol.


    Swoosh!


    The Buddhist seal shot out.


    Like a relentless mountain, it mercilessly crushed everything in its path.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The numerous attacks initiated by Xiao Yi, which resembled a storm of trees and boulders, exploded under the impact of the swastika Buddhist seal.


    A rain of fragments fell from the sky.


    With a cold smirk, the Buddhist Mother waved her hand, intending to clear the dust in the air, but just then, a streak of cold light burst forth.


    The Red Sky Sword transformed into a shocking swan, as if it was going to split the heaven and earth in two.


    Swoosh!


    With one strike, the swastika Buddhist seal was sliced into two halves.


    Heading straight for the Buddhist Mother.


    "Trivial tricks!"


    The Buddhist Mother coldly snorted, and from her Buddha eyes, a burst of golden light shattered the sword''s energy.


    The Buddhist Mother, surrounded by golden light, pinched her fingers in a lotus gesture and gently flicked.


    On the golden lotus platform.


    Immediately, two beams of golden light erupted, turning out to be two lotus seeds.


    The lotus seeds swept across the air, and golden ripples spread over them, visibly beginning to sprout roots at an observable speed. In just a moment, they transformed into two figures.


    Both figures resembled children, with small bald heads, dressed in martial monk robes.


    One held two Vajra bracelets.


    The other stood on a cloud of fire, holding a Fire Cloud Spear wreathed in blazing flames.


    "These are the Buddhist Mother''s Dharma Guardian Children!"


    "Xiao Buddha King, be extremely careful!"


    Xuan Cang and the others all felt anxious for Xiao Yi.


    Through their interactions over these days, they had come to accept Xiao Yi and wanted to help, but remembering the fate of Jie Se, they had no choice but to suppress their impatience.


    The Buddhist Mother''s methods were simply too terrifying!


    The Buddhist Mother watched Xiao Yi with icy eyes, her gaze filled with intense mockery and ridicule: "Little fellow, if you want to spar with me, you must first get past these two Dharma Guardian Children!"


    The Dharma Guardian Children, one on the left and one on the right, simultaneously attacked Xiao Yi.


    The Fire Cloud Spear, like a volcano in his hands, continuously erupted with scorching heavenly fire; the fiery waves, as if sentient, relentlessly pursued Xiao Yi.


    Xiao Yi moved agilely, narrowly dodging the blazing flames time after time.


    He pushed his Green Bat Skill to the extreme.


    And with the pitch-black wings on his back, his entire being resembled a black bat, flexibly shifting his position in the air.


    "Vajra Subdues Demons!"


    The Jingang Child coldly snorted as the Vajra bracelets in his hands clanged, one transforming into two, two into four... Layers of Vajra bracelets, amidst a golden light, formed a Vajra wall.


    Blocking Xiao Yi''s path.


    "Break for me!"


    Xiao Yi swept his Red Sky Sword horizontally, the sword light filled the sky, turning into endless sword beams.


    However...


    These terrifying sword beams, upon landing on the Vajra wall, could not even slightly shake this barrier.


    The Jingang Child smirked: "This Vajra bracelet of mine is refined from Buddha''s bones, and is the number one Buddhist artifact for trapping and defending under the Holy Venerable. Even the Supreme Buddha wouldn''t dream of breaking through; You simply cannot escape!"


    The Huoyun Child, holding the Fire Cloud Spear, pressed forward step by step.


    His Fire Cloud Spear constantly spat out searing heavenly fire, making the surroundings fall into a state of crimson, his face icily foreboding, "The Fire Cloud Spear, refined from the heavenly fire stone at the ends of the heavens, contains flames so mighty that none below the Holy Venerable can withstand my attack! Demon Xiao Yi, meet your end!"


    The path ahead was obstructed, with pursuers close behind.


    Seeing there was no way forward or back.


    At this critical moment...


    A sharp glint flashed across Xiao Yi''s eyes, and under the astonished gaze of the crowd, he chose not to retreat but advanced, charging straight towards the Vajra wall formed by the Vajra bracelets.


    "Is he giving up and seeking death?" The Vajra Child was utterly astounded.


    The murderous intent on Huoyun Child''s face grew even fiercer: "This is the fate of a demon!"


    Both of them intensified their attacks and closed in on Xiao Yi.


    Seeing the distance narrowing.


    The blazing Fire Cloud Spear and the indestructible Vajra wall were about to squeeze Xiao Yi in between them. Xiao Yi''s lips curled into a sly cold smile, and with his hands in front of his eyes, he bellowed: "Great Sun Tathagata!"


    It was one of the thirty-six Secret Techniques from Shaolin Temple, the Great Sun Tathagata!


    Swish!


    A golden sun appeared behind Xiao Yi''s head, its blinding light instantly spreading across the heavens and earth.


    Hiss!


    Ah...


    Vajra Child and Huoyun Child both screamed in pain, being so close, the sudden burst of strong light temporarily blinded them. Not just them, but even powerful beings like Buddhist Mother were blinded at this moment.


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    Xiao Yi''s figure swiftly dodged.


    Instantly evading the attack from Huoyun Child.


    And at the very moment he dodged...


    The wild attack of Huoyun Child collided with the Vajra wall of Vajra Child. One boasted to be the first in defense under the Saintly Venerable, and the other the first in attack.


    The two children''s attacks collided in the void.


    Like a contradiction contest.


    Boom!


    A terrifying explosion resounded between heaven and earth.


    The equally matched forces violently shook both of them, causing them to spit blood.


    At this moment...


    Vajra Child and Huoyun Child had regained their vision, and seeing each other''s miserable state, murderous intent filled their eyes: "Damn Xiao Yi, dare to play us like this?"


    "Xiao Yi, where do you think you can run..."


    "I will tear you to pieces!"


    "To keep you eternally in hell, without reincarnation..."


    The two children, furious, pursued murderously.


    But Xiao Yi had long since left the area, his black wings vibrating intensely as he exhausted all his strength to escape into the distant sky, his eyes full of resolution: "Buddhist Mother, since you wish to drive me to death, blame me not."


    His gaze was fixed towards the direction of Vajra Temple.


    After this battle.


    Not to mention the Buddhist Mother, even those two children were extremely tricky.


    Now, if he wanted to leave the Western Province alive.


    The only way was to quickly enhance his strength, and the fastest way to do this was to absorb the power of faith.


    Among the four Buddhist Nations.


    Shaolin Temple had accumulated the most power of faith, but it was the furthest.


    Vajra Temple was the closest.


    Xiao Yi set his sights on Vajra Temple.


    "Celestial Dragon Temple is the youngest among the four Buddhist Nations, the accumulation of faith over hundreds of years is enough for me to step into the Supreme Venerable Realm. If I could devour the faith power accumulated by the Vajra Temple, Hanging Temple, and Shaolin Temple, I could at least reach the Peak Supreme Realm, or even break through to the Saintly Venerable Realm..."


    Xiao Yi clenched his fists, the images of the two relentlessly pursuing children and the supremely condescending Buddhist Mother flashed in his mind, a cold sharpness flitted through his eyes, "Once I achieve my power, it will be time to take your head!"

 Chapter 958 - 956: Youre Late! [First Update]

    Above the sky of the Western Province.


    On the road from Celestial Dragon Temple to Vajra Temple, countless powerful beings sensed three terrifying auras chasing each other in the air.


    Xiao Yi pushed himself to the limit, his speed comparable to a full sprint by a Peak of Supreme Realm expert.


    Huoyun Child and Jingang Child, however, were much slower.


    Yet, they still relentlessly pursued.


    Both of them had reached the Ninth Layer Supreme Realm, only lacking the Buddha Fruit Position. But in terms of strength alone, among the eighteen Supreme Venerables of Buddha, they could rank within the top three.


    "We must catch up to him. As long as we kill this boy, we will have established great merit before the Buddhist Mother!" Jingang Child''s feet had two Vajra bracelets constantly rotating, carrying him as he chased Xiao Yi at the highest speed.


    Huoyun Child''s eyes shone, and he nodded heavily, "Now that the Celestial Dragon Supreme has died in battle, his position is vacant. If we brothers can win the favor of the great Buddhist Mother, she will definitely bestow the Buddha Fruit Position of the Celestial Dragon Supreme upon us!"


    "You''re right, big brother!"


    Jingang Child nodded, his eyes glowing fervently, "We brothers are as one, no matter who gets the Buddha Fruit Position, our strength will greatly increase. Then, we can join forces to plot against another Buddha Supreme, and we both can become Buddha."


    Holy Spirit Mountain, the position of Buddha is fixed!


    Apart from the three holy Buddha Fruit Positions of past, present, and future.


    There are only eighteen Buddha Supremes.


    Even though the brothers are deeply favored by the Buddhist Mother, she wouldn''t rashly act against a Buddha Supreme. Otherwise, if every Buddha felt endangered, who would serve her?


    Not only would the Buddhist Mother and the Buddha himself refrain from casually targeting a Buddha Supreme''s position, but they also strive to maintain the relations amongst Buddha Supremes. Even if there is deception among them, it could be tolerated.


    But casualties that could harm the Buddhist power are absolutely not allowed.


    However...


    It was different for Jingang Child and Huoyun Child.


    They had the Buddhist Mother behind them!


    As long as one of them first becomes a Buddha Supreme, even the Buddha himself would have to think thrice before acting against them.


    "Second brother, speed up! I always feel that Xiao Yi is not merely fleeing because he dares not confront us��" Huoyun Child interrupted Jingang Child''s fantasy, speaking in a deep voice.


    "Don''t worry, big brother. With us brothers joining hands and the Buddhist Mother''s constant blessings watching over us, what waves could that boy possibly make?" Jingang Child spoke carelessly.


    Upon hearing this.


    Huoyun Child also nodded his head, not saying anything more.


    At this moment...


    They did not know that it was exactly this complacent thought that caused them to miss the long-awaited Buddha Fruit Position!


    ...


    Vajra Temple.


    After racing tens of thousands of miles, Xiao Yi finally arrived at his first destination, Vajra Temple. All of Vajra Temple''s top experts had followed Guang Liang to attack the Celestial Dragon Temple.


    At this moment, the Vajra Temple was virtually unguarded.


    With a swoosh, Xiao Yi appeared above the Vajra Temple.


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh!


    Several figures rose into the air, all being the strong warriors left to guard the Vajra Temple, the strongest among them being Guang Sheng at the Peak Earth Honor level. Guang Sheng pressed his palms together, a serious expression on his face as he addressed Xiao Yi: "Amitabha Buddha, may I ask why Xiao Buddha King has come to our Vajra Temple?"


    Xiao Yi responded with a Buddhist gesture, saying, "I wish to borrow the faith and offerings of your esteemed temple!"


    "What?"


    Guang Sheng stunned, then burst out laughing, "Xiao Buddha King must be joking. The faith and offerings are the accumulation of thousands of years and cannot be lent out randomly. Moreover, you are not a Buddha Supreme. Even if borrowed, you cannot assimilate it; so of what use is it to you?"


    Guang Sheng, having preached in the Buddhist community for many years, was still merely a chief.


    Xiao Yi, so young, had already become the Shaolin Buddha King and sat at equal standing with the abbot.


    He had long harbored jealousy.


    Now, seizing the opportunity to make things difficult for Xiao Yi, he naturally did not want to let it pass.


    Xiao Yi frowned and said, "I do not wish to be enemies with Vajra Temple. Lend me the power of your incense faith, and there will be thanks in the future!"


    "Thanks?"


    Guang Sheng scoffed, shaking his head, "Sorry, Vajra Temple lacks nothing!"


    Hu!


    Xiao Yi exhaled a deep breath and said solemnly, "Since that is the case, I will have to offend!"


    "Hmm?"


    Guang Sheng was taken aback, about to speak, but his face suddenly changed.


    He felt the surrounding void tremble violently, as if countless invisible hands were pressing tightly on his body, making him completely lose control over his body.


    "This, this..."


    Guang Sheng''s face showed panic. The last time he met Xiao Yi at Shaolin Temple with Xuan Cang, he could still discern some clues from Xiao Yi, but now he could not see through him at all.


    Just one look from Xiao Yi made him lose control of his body.


    If Xiao Yi wanted to kill him now, it would be as easy as reaching into a bag.


    Fortunately, Xiao Yi had no intention of making enemies with Vajra Temple. He merely brushed past Guang Sheng and charged straight into the Great Buddha Hall.


    As Xiao Yi entered the Great Buddha Hall, Guang Sheng found that he had regained control over his body. His expression solemn, he looked in the direction of the Great Buddha Hall with a cold sneer: "Hmph, no matter how strong you are, if you''re not the Supreme Buddha, you ultimately cannot refine the power of incense faith..."


    However...


    Before he could finish his words,


    There was suddenly a tremendous roar from the Great Buddha Hall, as a vast amount of incense faith power began to rapidly dissipate.


    "This, this, this can''t be... He can actually refine the incense faith power?" Guang Sheng''s face drastically changed. Recalling his previous mockery and confidence towards Xiao Yi, he suddenly felt his face burning with pain.


    He was absolutely certain that Xiao Yi could not refine the incense faith power.


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    The rapidly disappearing incense faith power seemed like an invisible slap, harshly striking his face.


    Inside the Great Buddha Hall.


    Xiao Yi was enveloped in the endless incense faith power. The faith power of Vajra Temple, accumulated over a thousand years and much stronger than Celestial Dragon Temple due to a far greater number of followers, was several times more potent here.


    Behind him.


    A towering tree hovered, its verdant Sealing God Leaves rapidly increasing.


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!


    The entire Divine Sealing Tree''s branches and leaves frantically swayed, the lush Sealing God Leaves trembling madly, coalescing an unrivaled surge of energy, feeding back into Xiao Yi''s body.


    Allowing his power to soar at a breakneck pace.


    "Faster, even faster!"


    Xiao Yi clenched his teeth, pushing the Divine Sealing Tree to its limits.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The Divine Sealing Tree radiated thousands of lights, forming a vortex on it, swallowing the incense faith power like a bottomless pit. The endless incense faith power, much faster than before, merged into the Divine Sealing Tree.


    Thousands of lights, a myriad of brilliance, converged above Vajra Temple.


    Guang Sheng and other monks of Vajra Temple were all dumbfounded when above the sky, two figures like shooting stars came blasting towards them.


    It was Huoyun Child and Jingang Child.


    Both of them looked at the colorful cloud formation above Vajra Temple and their expressions changed simultaneously: "This, is this Xiao Yi''s aura?"


    "Damn it, is he devouring the incense faith of Vajra Temple?"


    "We must stop him!"


    Their expressions drastically changed as they finally remembered why Xiao Yi had desperately rushed towards Vajra Temple. However, just as they arrived above Vajra Temple.


    Inside the Great Buddha Hall, Xiao Yi''s cold voice came out: "Sorry, you''re too late!"


    PS: Two more updates tonight!

 Chapter 959 - 957: What Does the Buddha Mother Count For?

    "I''m sorry, you''re too late!"


    Xiao Yi''s voice came from the Great Buddha Hall.


    In the void, golden flowers were scattered everywhere, and auspicious clouds of various colors dazzled brilliantly. Between heaven and earth, one could faintly hear the continuous echoes of heavenly music.


    Behind Xiao Yi, the Divine Sealing Tree radiated dazzling light, trembling constantly. On the branches, numerous bright green Sealing God Leaves dazzled the eyes.


    Seven hundred and eighty million Sealing God Leaves.


    It indicated that Xiao Yi''s cultivation had also stepped into the seventh layer of the Supreme Venerate Realm.


    The further one progresses in the Supreme Venerate Realm, the more difficult it is to advance in cultivation.


    The faith accumulated by the Celestial Dragon Temple over hundreds of years could allow him to break the fetters between the Heavenly Venerate and Supreme Venerate, stepping into the path of the Supreme Venerate. And that Holy Buddhist Relic allowed him to leap through five minor realms.


    From the First-layer Supreme Realm, he had catapulted up to the sixth layer.


    Now...


    The thousand-year accumulation of Vajra Temple could only help him make one more breakthrough.


    From this one could see.


    How terrifying the strength of a Supreme Venerable must be!


    The energy contained in a single Holy Buddhist Relic far surpassed the collective faith gathered by Celestial Dragon Temple and Vajra Temple over thousands of years. If a Supreme Venerable at their peak were to act,


    How formidable would their combat power be?


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    All this was yet to come.


    At this moment...


    Having broken through to the seventh layer Supreme Realm, Xiao Yi was no longer powerless when facing the two Huoyun Children, who were comparable to the Ninth Layer Supreme Realm.


    Crackle and pop!


    The aura of the three simultaneously erupted, colliding in the air, and exploded with thunderous roars that deafened the ears.


    Streams of energy dispersed.


    Falling into the Vajra Temple.


    Boom!


    Where this violent energy passed, nothing grew, and not a single tile remained. In just an instant, it was submerged in a raging sea of fire, with thick smoke billowing into the sky.


    Guang Sheng and other strong figures of the Vajra Temple couldn''t help but flee in disarray, not daring to linger within the vicinity of the Vajra Temple.


    They stopped tens of kilometers away from the Temple.


    Looking at the temple shrouded in aura and surrounded by colorful auspicious clouds, Guang Sheng took a deep breath, his facial expression uncertain: "Those two just now seemed to be the Huoyun Child and Jingang Child under the Buddhist Mother''s command, actually pursuing Xiao Buddha King? What on earth is going on? No, this monk must immediately contact the abbot..."


    Meanwhile.


    Thousands of miles away from Vajra Temple in the void, Xuan Cang and others were tracking Xiao Yi''s aura all the way.


    All their expressions were extremely serious: "Jingang Child and Huoyun Child are both pursuing Xiao Buddha King. I wonder if he can escape unscathed..."


    "Brother Guang Liang, this seems to be the direction toward your Vajra Temple. What are they doing there?"


    Guang Liang himself was puzzled, shaking his head, his expression suddenly changed.


    Everyone saw the change in Guang Liang''s expression and stopped, looking at him with confusion.


    Huh!


    Guang Liang took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, clearly articulating: "Xiao Buddha King came to my Vajra Temple and absorbed all the faith amassed over a thousand years. Now, both Huoyun and Jingang Children have reached Vajra Temple and are besieging Xiao Buddha King..."


    Hiss!


    Everyone gasped in shock, their faces showing alarm: "How is that possible? Xiao Buddha King is not a Supreme Buddha, how could he refine the faith?"


    "Who exactly is this Xiao Buddha King?"


    "Let''s hurry to Vajra Temple and find out. If we can also learn this method to refine the faith, why bother ardently pursuing the position of Buddha?"


    The eyes of a group of strong figures all showed fiery desire.


    Why could Spirit Mountain become a holy Buddhist site?


    Isn''t it because they hold the position of Buddha? Isn''t it because only by holding the position of Buddha can one absorb and refine the faith to enhance one''s cultivation?


    If they could, like Xiao Yi, devour the faith while not being a Buddha,


    Why should they painstakingly pursue the position of Buddha?


    Why should they follow Spirit Mountain''s directives?


    For a moment.


    The group accelerated at top speed toward Vajra Temple...


    ......


    The sky above Vajra Temple, already transformed into a vast sea of fire, was subjected to intense flames. The surrounding mountains were melting, turning into scorching magma that surged wildly in all directions.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Three figures clashed in the void, causing tremendous roars that shook the heavens and earth.


    It was Xiao Yi battling fiercely with two acolytes of the Buddha Mothers.


    Before this.


    Xiao Yi could barely hold his own against the two, but now, he was gradually gaining the upper hand.


    With the black Wind Thunder wings fluttering on his back, one hand wielding the Red Sky Sword chaotically slashing through the air, and the Invincible King Fist exploding continuously. Fist shadows and sword light intertwined like an army of thousands of horses, constantly attacking the two acolytes.


    Huoyun Child''s Fire Cloud Spear in his hand was strong, but now facing the Red Sky Sword, it still struggled to hold up.


    The shaft of the spear was covered with numerous sword marks, and the flames spitting from the spear tip flickered dimly.


    It seemed as if they might dissipate at any moment.


    Jingang Child''s Vajra Bracelet was hit repeatedly by Xiao Yi''s Invincible King Fist, the so-called invincible Vajra Bracelet was covered with fist imprints.


    "Invincible King Fist!"


    "One Sword Shocking Heaven!"


    Xiao Yi sent Jingang Child flying with a punch while the Red Sky Sword hit the Fire Cloud Spear precisely, like a needle against wheat awn, opposing each other fiercely. The overwhelming force bent the Fire Cloud Spear severely.


    Following a massive boom.


    The Fire Cloud Spear flew out of hand, and with no obstruction the frenzied sword light wrapped around Huoyun Child.


    "No..."


    Huoyun Child screamed tragically, and under the endless slaughter of the sword light, he disintegrated into the sky like scattered dust.


    "Brother..."


    Jingang Child''s eyes split with rage, filled with resentment and madness, "How dare you kill my brother, Xiao Yi, I will be irreconcilable with you!"


    "Clamor!"


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly.


    Surrounded by sword light that soared into the sky, transforming into hundreds of millions of sword shadows, countless sword shadows converged on the Red Sky Sword in his hand.


    "Sword Without Limits!"


    The silver sword patterns on the Red Sky Sword burst forth with dazzling brilliance, like mercury pouring down, and like a galaxy falling from the ninth heaven. The pervasive sword light momentarily spanned between heaven and earth.


    At the ends of heaven and earth, as if boundless.


    "Vajra Shield!"


    Jingang Child supported the heavens with both hands, his Vajra Bracelets linking into a great Vajra net with a clang, and upon a thunderous sound, that unparalleled terrifying sword light fiercely fell upon the net.


    However...


    After a burst of golden light, the sword light could no longer advance even an inch.


    Jingang Child smugly said, "I told you, you cannot break through my defense��"


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi''s lips curved slightly upward, just pointing downward with a finger.


    Bang!


    The net-like light immediately exploded upon impact.


    Terrible sword light, with a boom, hit right at the chest of Jingang Child, opening a horrific sword mark on his chest, with blood and internal organs continuously spilling out.


    Severely injured, Jingang Child''s physical body was destroyed, leaving only his Primordial Spirit rushing out, attempting to escape into the distant sky.


    However��


    Xiao Yi simply lifted a finger, and the power of the Divine Sealing converged into a vast heavenly net, directly trapping Jingang Child''s Primordial Spirit within it. As Jingang Child''s Primordial Spirit tried to escape, touching the Divine Sealing power net caused intense heart-piercing pain.


    The Primordial Spirit appeared as if it might disperse at any moment.


    The threat of death stripped Jingang Child of his previous arrogance and madness, and he pleaded bitterly, "Xiao, Xiao Buddha King, spare my life, I can beg the Buddha Mother for mercy, to leave you a way to live!"


    "Idiot!"


    Xiao Yi sneered coldly.


    He and the Buddha Mother had already completely fallen out, a feud unto death.


    Where was there any possibility of holding back?


    Xiao Yi tightened his fingers suddenly, the Divine Sealing power abruptly contracted, and amid sizzling sounds, Jingang Child''s Primordial Spirit was utterly annihilated. A cold gleam flickered across Xiao Yi''s eyes, "Buddha Mother? What does Buddha Mother count for? Once I devour the faith power of the Shaolin Temple and Hanging Temple, I will personally ascend Spirit Mountain��"

 Chapter 960 - 958: Lotus Buddha Mother, Murderous Intent Everywhere!

    Holy Land, Spirit Mountain.


    Located within the Buddha Mother''s Hall at the summit''s peak.


    Seated amidst the clouds, the Buddha Mother abruptly opened her eyes, her Buddha eyes exuding strands of compelling brilliance, like solid beams able to shatter this world with the sharpness of swords.


    A fury born of towering wrath glinted in her eyes, fiercer than heavenly fire, as a deep and emotionless voice resonated within the hall: "Good, very good Xiao Yi, daring to exterminate two of my disciples, truly commendable!"


    Swoosh!


    With a wave of the Buddha Mother''s hand.


    Before her, materialized the same Buddha figure that had previously appeared above Celestial Dragon Temple.


    This was one of the many avatars of Buddha Mother��Lotus Buddha Mother Dharma Body!


    Seated on a golden lotus dais, hands clapped together, she greeted formally: "I pay homage to my true self!"


    The Buddha Mother, expression serene, devoid of any emotions: "Kill Xiao Yi."


    "Your will be followed!"


    Lotus Buddha Mother nodded in response.


    A beam of golden light burst forth from beneath the lotus dais, wrapping around Lotus Buddha Mother in golden bands, and within moments, her figure vanished from sight.


    At this moment.


    A radiant light flickered before Buddha Mother in the void, coalescing into a giant head.


    This head bore a compassionate visage.


    Its eyes shone like stars, staring at Buddha Mother, and said in a deep voice: "Junior brother, personally going to Western Province to deal with a minor Supreme Venerable seems a bit much!"


    This person was one of the dual saints of Holy Spirit Mountain, known as the Past Buddha.


    Buddha Mother, her face expressionless, replied: "The majesty of a saint is not to be desecrated. This child dared to kill my disciples, a direct challenge to me, how can I tolerate this?"


    Buddha Mother''s character was extremely dominant, intolerant of even the slightest disrespect.


    Xiao Yi had slain Celestial Dragon Supreme before her, and then executed Jingang and Huoyun, two disciples, clear provocations against her dignified stature.


    Past Buddha frowned and finally sighed: "This child is exceptionally talented, likely to achieve a saint''s station, potentially becoming a comrade fighting alongside us in the future, why must you��"


    "Enough!"


    Buddha Mother, clearly impatient, cut off Past Buddha''s words, expressionless, "Achieving the saint''s seat is not so easy! How many extraordinary beings from past till now have been stuck at the gates of the saint''s path? Elder brother, better you return; it''s still a hundred years till you resume your post. During this time, I am the master of Western Province!"


    "You��"


    Past Buddha''s expression darkened, he had come at the behest of news that the successor of Supreme Shakya had reappeared in Western Province, hoping to persuade Buddha Mother to spare Xiao Yi''s life.


    He had not expected Buddha Mother to be so dismissive.


    Buddha Mother waved her hand expressionlessly, making the giant face disappear completely.


    Buddha Mother scoffed lightly, "Xiao Yi? Even if Heavenly Emperor shows up, don''t expect to save you!"


    The power of her Lotus Buddha Mother Dharmakaya was comparable to the Peak Supreme Realm, such combat strength in these sacred lands, barring those hidden saints, was invincible.


    In her opinion��


    With the power of Lotus Buddha Mother Dharmakaya, exterminating Xiao Yi was more than sufficient.


    Meanwhile.


    In the deepest bounds of Qingtian Realm, a region forbidden to all lifeforms below Supreme Venerable, where even Supreme Venerates struggled for survival.


    Within this endless darkness.


    There floated seven islands mid-air, each island immense, all crafted from Yuan metal, the texture sending shivers down the spine.


    Silently suspended in mid-air.


    Upon each island stood a massive steel fortress.


    Every fortress bore countless battle scars and dark red bloodstains, as if having endured through aeons and weathered great calamities.


    On one of these islands, within that dark steel fortress.


    A towering figure suddenly opened his eyes wide. This person was one of the Twin Sages of Holy Spirit Mountain, the Buddha Ancestor, showing a hint of helplessness on his face. He gently shook his head and sighed, "Shakya, I have already tried my best..."


    He then retracted his sorrowful emotions.


    The Buddha Ancestor looked up, peered through the towering city walls, gazing into the endless darkness far beyond, a look of solemnity and worry appeared on his face.


    At that moment...


    A figure walked in from outside the door - a person clad in silver armor, which was covered with sky-shattering Evil Qi. Between his eyebrows, there was a third eye which, when opened and closed, seemed to gather the light and brilliance of the sun and moon.


    The silver-armored figure placed his right hand on his chest and gave a military salute, solemnly saying, "My lord, news has come from the Tower of Soldiers; two youngsters have passed the 18th floor of the tower. General Jidian is leading them back on their way here!"


    "Oh? The 18th floor of the Tower of Soldiers?"


    The Buddha Ancestor''s eyes lit up. Being able to conquer the 18th floor of the Tower of Soldiers was indicative of possessing the potential to achieve sainthood. This news somewhat alleviated the Buddha Ancestor''s worries. He said in a deep voice, "Let General Jidian bring the people here. I want to personally guide them!"


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    The silver-armored figure then immediately left.


    The Buddha Ancestor muttered to himself, "Such talents are still too few..."


    ...


    Western Province.


    Hanging Temple.


    The Hanging Temple, among the four major Buddhist Nations, was second only to Shaolin Temple in terms of its heritage history and strength.


    The vast Hanging Temple was a temple suspended in mid-air, grand and luxurious. In the void, a beam of golden light shot up to the sky �C it was the arrival of the Lotus Buddha Mother Dharmakaya.


    However...


    When she saw the Great Buddha Hall which had already lost all its power of faith incense, the face of the Lotus Buddha Mother suddenly changed. With a wave of her hand, a monk from the Hanging Temple was drawn up into the high sky.


    This person was the junior brother of Xuan Cang and the head of the Discipline Hall of Hanging Temple, Xuanming.


    Xuanming, with a nervous face, said, "Xuanming pays respects to the Buddha Mother!"


    The Lotus Buddha Mother, expressionless, asked, "Has Xiao Yi ever been here?"


    "He has!"


    Xuanming quickly nodded, then continued, "Xiao Buddha King borrowed the two thousand years of accumulated power of faith incense from our Hanging Temple, and then he left!"


    "The power of faith incense is the foundation of establishing a temple, why did you agree to lend it to him?" the Lotus Buddha Mother asked coldly.


    Xuanming was stunned, then replied, "Xiao Buddha King is a model of Buddhism, a light of the righteous path. He promised to return it twofold in the future. After discussing with the abbot, we agreed to lend him the power of faith incense��"


    ...


    The Lotus Buddha Mother''s corner of the eye twitched fiercely, her anger uncontainable, "A fool who is more trouble than he''s worth, why should I keep you?"


    "Buddha Mother..."


    Just as Xuanming began to speak, a terrifying oppressive force came from all directions, so powerful that he couldn''t resist at all. He watched helplessly as his striving body twisted under the pressure of the space.


    Bang!


    Xuanming exploded into pieces.


    To his death, he couldn''t understand why one of the Twin Sages of Holy Spirit Mountain, the Buddha Mother, would want to kill him!


    "This Xiao Yi is not the Supreme Buddha, yet he can absorb the power of faith incense to enhance his strength. If I can acquire this technique, my lineage can become the Supreme of Spirit Mountain!"


    The eyes of the Lotus Buddha Mother shimmered with a fierce light, filled with a sense of ruthlessness and coldness, "If he willingly hands over the technique, I might consider sparing his life. If he refuses to cooperate, then I will destroy his physical body, capture his Primordial Spirit, and slowly force out information!"


    With that thought...


    The Lotus Buddha Mother paused, transformed into a golden light, and flew towards Shaolin Temple.


    Simultaneously...


    Xiao Yi had already arrived at Shaolin Temple.


    However...


    In front of him, four figures appeared, blocking the entrance to the Great Buddha Hall��

 Chapter 961 - 959: The Fourth Ancestor Submits [First Update]

    Shaolin Temple, Mount Shaoshi.


    The majestic Great Buddha Hall radiated a Buddha''s light that reached the skies, with the faint sound of Buddhist chants enveloping it, sacred and solemn.


    At this moment...


    This temple, with the longest history in the Western Province and also the most profound heritage, was under an unparalleled divine oppression.


    A terrifying sense of oppression enveloped the entire Mount Shaoshi, forming a black cloud that shrouded the sky above the mountain.


    Four figures stood side by side, blocking in front of Xiao Yi.


    The Veda Supreme, Qianye Supreme, Prajna Supreme, and Bodhi Supreme, they were the renowned Four Ancestors of Shaolin throughout the entire Western Province!


    Each of these four individuals existed during the same era as the Supreme Shakya.


    Upon seeing them,


    Xiao Yi could instinctively feel violent fluctuations emitting from the Supreme Shakya sealed within the Divine Sealing Tree, as if he had encountered the murderer of his father.


    If Xiao Yi''s cultivation had not been significantly improved compared to the past, it might have been possible for the Supreme Shakya to break free from the Divine Sealing Tree.


    "What''s going on? Isn''t Supreme Shakya known as one of the Five Ancestors of Shaolin with them? Why is there such strong hatred?" Xiao Yi thought to himself, expressionless on the surface but highly vigilant inside.


    After all, he had infiltrated Shaolin Temple posing as a disciple of Supreme Shakya.


    If Supreme Shakya were truly enemies with these four, they might very well have malicious intentions!


    "Amit��bha!"


    The Veda Supreme clasped his hands together and recited the Buddha''s name, his gentle eyes looking towards Xiao Yi with a smile, "It is quite unexpected that Brother Shakya has taught such a remarkable and extraordinary disciple. Truly a blessing for our Shaolin!"


    Thousand Leaves Supreme had a calm gaze, quietly looking at him: "Xiao Yi, upon meeting us four senior brothers, shouldn''t you come forward and bow in salute?"


    This Thousand Leaves Supreme once presided over the Discipline Hall of Shaolin Temple, heavily emphasizing these Buddhist rituals.


    Xiao Yi slightly furrowed his brows. Though he was extremely reluctant in his heart, now was not the time to start a conflict with them, thus he performed the salutations meticulously: "I pay my respects to the four Supremes!"


    "Hm?"


    Thousand Leaves Supreme slightly furrowed his brows, showing a displeased expression.


    Although the Buddhist community does not highly regard these superficial formalities,


    the relationship between them and Supreme Shakya was not harmonious; Supreme Shakya''s departure from the temple many years ago was largely due to disparate philosophies with these four.


    A massive ideological clash ensued, which ultimately led to the four of them joining forces to expel Supreme Shakya from Shaolin Temple.


    Now that Xiao Yi had returned as a disciple of Supreme Shakya, these four had been wary of him seeking revenge. It was for this reason that when Xiao Yi proposed action against the Celestial Dragon Temple, these four initially chose to stand by Xiao Yi''s side.


    At the same time...


    When Xiao Yi faced threats from the Buddha Mother''s Dharma Body and the Celestial Dragon Supreme, they chose to stand by and watch.


    Prajna Supreme raised a hand to stop Thousand Leaves Supreme, his eyes now filled with greed as he looked towards Xiao Yi, saying in a deep voice: "Xiao Yi, I have heard that you have refined the faith energy accumulated over a thousand years by the Vajra Temple and the Hanging Temple?"


    Upon hearing this,


    the other three also showed excitement, turning their gaze to Xiao Yi en masse.


    Their eyes blazed with heat, like a lecher ogling a naked beauty.


    Xiao Yi took in a sharp breath, thinking to himself that he was indeed faced with malice!


    Ever since he had suppressed Supreme Shakya, he knew all too well how crucial faith energy was for those above the level of Buddha Supreme. Once one''s cultivation reached beyond the Supreme level, advancing even a small realm could take hundreds to thousands of years. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And faith energy was the shortcut to improve within the Supreme Realm.


    However,


    each Buddha Supreme could only refine the faith energy obtained from their own Buddhist Kingdom. Shaolin Temple happened to have four Buddha Supremes, meaning that the faith energy collected by the Shaolin Temple Buddhist Kingdom had to be divided into four parts.


    As a result, even though Shaolin Temple was more powerful and ancient compared to the other three Buddhist Kingdoms, the cultivation of Veda Supreme and the others was not even comparable to Jingang and Huoyun.


    After all,


    those two had the vast resources bestowed by Buddha Mother.


    If they could obtain the method Xiao Yi used to refine other temples'' faith energy, they were confident that they could reach the Peak Supreme Realm at the fastest speed.


    And perhaps in the near future, they could even contend for the current seat of the Buddha!


    Bodhi Supreme spoke indifferently: "Xiao Yi, as you are a disciple of Brother Shakya, you are also part of Shaolin Temple. The method you used to refine the faith energy must have been taught by Brother Shakya, so it is a precious treasure of our Shaolin Temple."


    "Bodhi Brother is not wrong!"


    Prajna Supreme''s eyes shone with unabashed fervor and greed, "Xiao Yi, since you are the Buddha King of Shaolin Temple and the successor of Shakya, it would be best to surrender this Secret Technique that can strengthen our Shaolin Temple!"


    "Xiao Yi, we are a collective; you cannot be so selfish!" said Thousand Leaves Supreme.


    Watching the dignified Four Ancestors of Shaolin request the Secret Technique without any pretense, Xiao Yi couldn''t hide the mockery and disdain in his heart, "To put it bluntly, you all just want the method to refine the power of faith and incense, right?"


    "That''s right!"


    No sooner had Thousand Leaves Supreme spoken than Veda Supreme glared at him fiercely.


    Taking a deep breath, Prajna Supreme said with righteous indignation, "Xiao Yi, we are not asking for this Secret Technique for ourselves, but for the entire Shaolin, for the orthodox Shaolin to flourish and prosper. I believe your master must have had this in mind as well..."


    "Yes, yes, yes, Prajna brother is right; you must consider the greater good!" Bodhi Supreme chimed in.


    Looking at the greed in their four eyes.


    The corners of Xiao Yi''s mouth turned up slightly, revealing an open sneer as he said indifferently, "Wanting this Secret Technique is not a problem; however, this technique can only be passed on to our own people. As for you all..."


    "Aren''t we our own people?"


    "We are all members of the Shaolin Temple!"


    "Don''t forget who strongly supported you in taking action against Celestial Dragon Temple��" The four hurriedly spoke.


    Narrowing his eyes and leaning slightly forward, Prajna Supreme threatened, "Xiao Yi, hand over the Secret Technique, and you remain the Buddha King of Shaolin Temple. Should you fail to recognize this favor... don''t forget, the Buddha Mother''s Dharma Body is already en route..."


    Xiao Yi''s eyes narrowed, and he smiled at Prajna Supreme, yet his expression turned as if it was frosted, "Are you, threatening me?"


    Not to mention that the ability to refine the power of faith and incense comes from the ''Divine Enthronement Heaven Subduing Skill'', which fundamentally cannot be passed on to others. Even if it were a Cultivation Technique created by Supreme Shakya, it would still depend on whether Xiao Yi was willing to pass it on to them.


    But now...


    Prajna Supreme and the others turned from seduction to threats?


    Could Xiao Yi possibly tolerate their threats?


    Taken aback, Prajna Supreme saw that Xiao Yi had no intention of surrendering the Secret Technique and openly tore off the pretense, saying coldly, "I am indeed threatening you. What can you do about it?"


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    A punch suddenly appeared in front of Prajna Supreme, and with a thud, Prajna Supreme screamed in agony.


    His entire head was blown to pieces.


    Blood splattered in all directions.


    The steaming blood splashed onto the faces of Thousand Leaves Supreme and the other two, leaving them dumbfounded. Among the three of them, Prajna Supreme was ranked second in cultivation, just below Veda Supreme.


    Yet he couldn''t even withstand a single punch from Xiao Yi?


    His head was directly shattered?


    Hiss!


    The three inhaled sharply, and as they looked at Xiao Yi, hands stained with blood and black robes fluttering without wind, any trace of contempt in their eyes was replaced by deep dread and awe.


    Before Xiao Yi...


    Prajna Supreme''s Primordial Spirit slowly floated out from his body, gazing in horror at the young man watching him with an icy stare, trembling violently, pleadingly kneeling on the ground, "Spare me, Xiao Buddha King, spare my life..."


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The other three Supremes, too, knelt down one after another, their faces filled with panic, "Spare us, Xiao Buddha King!"


    If even Prajna Supreme couldn''t withstand a single punch from Xiao Yi, how could they dare resist in the slightest?


    Despite being exalted as Supreme Buddhas.


    Ultimately...


    They were still human!


    And humans, when faced with death, nine times out of ten will choose to submit!


    Xiao Yi looked at the Four Ancestors of Shaolin without any expression, and said indifferently, "Honestly defend the Great Buddha Hall for me as protectors. Should you dare to be disloyal, upon my return from seclusion, your physical and spiritual forms shall be annihilated!"


    "We understand!"


    "Please be assured, Buddha King!"


    The Four Ancestors of Shaolin kneeled in unison, responding respectfully.


    Xiao Yi snorted coldly and strode into the Great Buddha Hall...


    PS: Sorry, these past few days my kid had hand-foot-and-mouth disease so I''ve been preoccupied with caring for them, really swamped. Starting today, Xiao Tian will resume normal updates, starting with five chapters and no upper limit! No need for everyone to scold me, if there are fewer than five chapters, Xiao Tian will livestream eating feces...

 Chapter 962 - 960: You Think You Can Kill My Dog? [Second Update]

    Inside the Great Buddha Hall.


    Xiao Yi sat in meditation among the Buddha statues. There were a total of five Buddha statues here, but the statue of Supreme Shakya, despite being more numerous, merely symbolized significance and did not gather any power of devotional faith.


    After all. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had left the Western Province thousands of years ago and had never cultivated his own followers.


    Instead, the power of devotional faith on the other four ancestral Buddha statues was exceedingly robust, with the four combined on par with the aggregate strength of devotional faith of the three great Buddhist nations of Celestial Dragon Temple, Vajra Temple, and Hanging Temple.


    "The Shaolin Temple truly deserves its reputation as the foremost Buddhist Nation in the Western Province; their foundation and strength are indeed terrifyingly strong!"


    Xiao Yi''s eyes shone brightly, filled with ecstatic joy, "If I devour all the devotional faith power here, the number of Sealing God Leaves should be able to break through a hundred million, right? I wonder if after breaking through a hundred million Sealing God Leaves, I''ll have the power of the Sacred Venerate Realm..."


    The Sacred Venerate!


    This is the pinnacle existence in the entire Qingtian Realm.


    The Holy Masters who preside over the several Holy Lands of the Human Race are of this realm.


    Once one could become an existence at the level of a Sacred Venerate, the vast Qingtian Realm would be a place where ''the sky is high enough for birds to soar and the sea is wide enough for fish to leap''. At that time, Xiao Yi, arriving at any of the Holy Lands, would receive the highest level of treatment.


    "After resolving the troubles in the Western Province, I can go to Baiyu to bring Qingzhu back!"


    Xiao Yi''s mind conjured the prophecy made by Fang Tianmiao; in three years, Fang Qingzhu would experience a birth-giving crisis, and he, as a result, would fall into the demonic path, becoming a calamity that would overturn the Qingtian Realm.


    "I absolutely will not allow anyone to harm you!" Xiao Yi clenched his fists tightly and murmured to himself.


    Then he closed his eyes.


    The Divine Sealing Tree hovered behind him, and verdant vines burst forth, entwining around the Buddha statues and beginning to devour the power of devotional faith.


    Meanwhile.


    Outside the Great Buddha Hall.


    Thousand Leaves Supreme and the other two were blessing Prajna Supreme''s Primordial Spirit with Buddhist Law. Even for beings at the Supreme Venerate Realm, their Primordial Spirits could not achieve true eternal indestructibility.


    Prajna Supreme said with a mourning face, "Brothers, you must think of a way for me!"


    He was in urgent need of a powerful body to possess and be reborn.


    Otherwise.


    As time went by, his Primordial Spirit would become weaker and weaker.


    Until it burned out like a lamp deprived of oil.


    Thousand Leaves Supreme said with a bitter smile, "Veda Brother, we have no solution either! Now, the Buddha King is refining the power of faith, and he has designated us as protectors. Who dares to abandon their post?"


    "The might of the Buddha King, you have experienced firsthand. We dare not provoke him!"


    They said one after another.


    The terrifying power of Xiao Yi, along with his ruthlessness to kill at the slightest disagreement, was imprinted deeply within their souls like a nightmare.


    How could they dare to disobey?


    "The methods of the Buddha King are truly too ruthless!"


    "Prajna Brother merely threatened with a few words, and his physical body was destroyed. I really don''t know where Shakya Brother found such a disciple..."


    "Ruthless?"


    Veda Supreme, on the side, could only bitterly smile. He originally disagreed with making a move against Xiao Yi, but as the other three were all intent on seizing the Secret Technique, he was forced to go with the flow. Now that Xiao Yi displayed his formidable power, destroying Prajna Supreme''s physical body and deterring the other two Supremes, he no longer concealed his thoughts and lightly said, "If his strength were inferior to ours, to extract the Secret Technique by force, would we have been any gentler than him? Strictly speaking, the Buddha King has been quite merciful!"


    They were all taken aback, speechless.


    Just as Veda Supreme had said...


    If Xiao Yi did not possess the power to instantly kill Prajna Supreme and thus deter the three of them, then once Xiao Yi refused to hand over the Secret Technique, the four of them would have struck him down with the force of thunder.


    And as for how to force out the Secret Technique, there were countless malicious means at their disposal.


    But one thing was for certain.


    Those means would definitely not be more merciful than Xiao Yi shattering Prajna Supreme''s head.


    Bodhi Supreme contemplated and said, "Veda is right, the Buddha King has indeed been merciful. Actually, when we first discussed things amicably, the Buddha King did not intend to act. It''s just that..."


    "Enough, we are all from Shaolin Temple. As long as we don''t cross the line, he shouldn''t target us!" Supreme Qianye said in a deep voice.


    Only Supreme Prajna had a face full of anger but was helpless.


    At this moment...


    Above the firmament, a cold voice came: "Prajna? How did one of the four ancestors of Shaolin Temple have his head shattered on his own turf and now only a Primordial Spirit is left?"


    Hiss!


    The faces of the four ancestors of Shaolin changed simultaneously, looking in the direction of the voice with solemn expressions.


    In the void.


    Beams of light emerged from nowhere, and a towering golden figure appeared before everyone.


    It was one of the myriad Dharma Bodies of the Buddha Mother��The Lotus Buddha Mother!


    "We pay our respects to the Buddha Mother!" The four ancestors of Shaolin got up to greet her at once.


    One of the two saints of the Holy Spirit Mountain.


    They had no choice but to revere her.


    Lotus Buddha Mother had a kind smile, surrounded by Buddhist light, with a pleasant demeanor, yet the four ancestors of Shaolin knew all too well not to be deceived by her exterior.


    This Lotus Buddha Mother Dharma Body was one of the Buddha Mother''s Dharma Bodies with extremely ruthless means.


    With a mere gesture from Lotus Buddha Mother, the four were made to rise; they couldn''t resist at all, since their strongest was only at the Eighth-layer Supreme Venerable Realm after all.


    Lotus Buddha Mother glanced over the Great Buddha Hall behind them and said indifferently: "Is Xiao Yi inside?"


    "Yes!"


    The four nodded.


    Xiao Yi was inside the Great Buddha Hall; there was no way to hide it, so they admitted it directly.


    "Good."


    Lotus Buddha Mother nodded, still wearing a gentle smile on her face. She slowly spoke: "The Evil Demon Xiao Yi is cruel, destroying Celestial Dragon Temple, strangling the Celestial Dragon Supreme, and even poisoning two boys under my command. His sins are monstrous; he should be condemned to the eighteenth layer of hell, step aside!"


    The four looked at each other, and Supreme Veda stepped forward with a stiff scalp and said: "Replying to the Buddha Mother, the matter of Celestial Dragon Supreme and Celestial Dragon Temple was a decision made collectively by the four of us, as well as Vajra Supreme and Hanging Sky Supreme. Regarding the deaths of the two boys, Huoyun and Jingang, we were not aware, let''s wait until Xiao Buddha King exits his meditation to discuss it!"


    "Now that Xiao Buddha King is in meditation, it is indeed unsuitable for us to disturb him!" Supreme Qianye also said.


    Although Supreme Prajna and Supreme Bodhi did not speak, they too stood together with the other two.


    "Oh? Meditation not suitable for disturbances?"


    Lotus Buddha Mother chuckled lightly, that smile was extremely warm, giving a feeling as if bathed in the warmth of spring. Yet the words that followed instantly plunged one from the warm heavens into a deep hell, "When has my conduct ever required the permission from you ants? Get out of the way��"


    A golden palm suddenly lifted.


    Streaks of Buddhist light gathered on the palm, like thunder and lightning serpents coiling erratically over it.


    "Not good!"


    "Great Compassion Thousand Leaves Hand!"


    "Four Symbols Prajna..."


    "Bodhi Bright Mirror!"


    "Weituo Demon Subduing Cloak��"


    The four ancestors of Shaolin simultaneously summoned their defensive techniques, but their power was fragile like paper in front of Lotus Buddha Mother. During the thunderous rumbling, all four were knocked flying.


    Lotus Buddha Mother''s gaze turned icy as she pointed towards Veda Supreme: "Dare to obstruct me, die!"


    Whoosh!


    A beam of golden light, bolstered by the Buddhist patterns, transformed into a god-slaying sharp blade, seemingly about to completely annihilate Veda Supreme. But at this moment, a terrifying wave of energy suddenly surged from the Great Buddha Hall and shattered the Buddhist patterned golden light.


    At the same time.


    A cold and deep voice, accompanied by the rumbling of the earth and thunder, came forth: "Even when striking a dog, one should look at the owner. Is my dog something you can kill?"

 Chapter 963 - 961: Battle Between the Buddha King and the Buddha Mother [Third Update]

    "My dog, you think you can just decide to kill it?"


    Xiao Yi''s voice emanated from the Great Buddha Hall, accompanied by a resplendent radiance that shot forth from within the hall straight up to the sky.


    An unparalleled energy storm dispersed in an instant.


    Utterly obliterating the attack momentum of the Lotus Buddha Mother.


    For a moment,


    That sacred white light became the focal point of convergence, like a pillar supporting the heavens, bridging earth and sky.


    Within the column of light,


    Xiao Yi''s figure slowly rose into the air, his black battle robe covered in a layer of sacred white light, his black hair moving without wind, and the fluttering hem of his robe sounding like a blood-stained banner snapping in the air.


    When his figure had risen to midair,


    The immense column of light gradually retracted, the sacred white light entered Xiao Yi''s body.


    The moment the white light vanished,


    Around his body formed several white electric arcs, crackling crisply as they moved across his skin, and a sharp wave of energy also burst forth from within him.


    With a resounding boom,


    A terrifying circular shockwave radiated out in all directions.


    Where it passed...


    Grass and trees were uprooted, rocks shattered in response, even the plummeting waterfall trembled violently, its cascade like a Milky Way falling from the heavens unexpectedly surged back upwards, as if to flow back into the clouds above.


    Behind him, the Divine Sealing Tree shone with a brilliant green light.


    Its lush Sealing God Leaves were densely packed.


    It was impossible to count just how many Sealing God Leaves there were.


    Xiao Yi, however, was very clear that there were exactly one hundred million Sealing God Leaves hanging upon the Divine Sealing Tree behind him.


    Not one more, not one less.


    And as the Sealing God Leaves reached one hundred million, Xiao Yi too possessed a cultivation comparable to the Ninth Layer Supreme Realm, coupled with the power of the Divine Seal which far exceeded innate force.


    His actual cultivation rivaled that of a Peak Supreme Realm powerhouse.


    Facing the Lotus Buddha Mother once more, sea??h th�� NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Yi was no longer as before, unable to do anything but accept her manipulation, but now he possessed the strength to battle her, his eyes brimming with fervent combat desire, locked onto the Lotus Buddha Mother.


    "Buddha King..."


    "Is this, is this the oppressive presence of the Peak Supreme Realm? Has Xiao Buddha King already reached the Peak Supreme Realm?"


    "How is this possible? When, when did he break through?"


    The four Veda Supremes looked at Xiao Yi with faces full of shock, their expressions shifting between disbelief and astonishment. After all, when Xiao Yi had first arrived in the Western Province and became the Shaolin Buddha King,


    Xiao Yi''s cultivation was merely at the Heaven Venerate Realm.


    How much time had passed since then?


    Gulp!


    Thousand Leaves Supreme swallowed hard, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with a fear-stricken face: "It''s, it''s a good thing we didn''t recklessly act against the Buddha King. Such speed in cultivation is simply monstrous��"


    One must know,


    The youngest among them, Bodhi Supreme, was already over five thousand years old.


    How old was Xiao Yi?


    Prajna Supreme''s Primordial Spirit flickered uncertainly, a cold chill sweeping through his entire body, silently relieved, "Fortunately, I heeded Veda''s advice and didn''t harbor thoughts of revenge, otherwise, with his current strength, extinguishing me would be as simple as squashing an ant!"


    At this moment,


    Prajna Supreme no longer dared to harbor the slightest thought of revenge.


    Of course...


    The most shocked of all had to be the Lotus Buddha Mother. Just a few days ago, he could incapacitate Xiao Yi with a single glance. And now, Xiao Yi had managed to pose a threat to him?


    "It''s simply impossible for anyone in the Qingtian Realm to reach such a level at this age, unless they come from that place..."


    The lotus Buddha Mother''s pupils shrunk dramatically as she looked at Xiao Yi with a fiery gleam in her eyes, "If this child truly comes from that place, then he must be harboring secrets that transcend the Saint Venerate. I must capture this child, even if it means annihilating the entire Western Province!"


    At this thought.


    The Lotus Buddha Mother took a deep breath and enunciated each word, "Xiao Yi, to possess such strength in such a short time, in terms of cultivation speed, you truly are the first in the Qingtian Realm. However, cultivation speed does not equate to strength, you think too simply if you believe you can be an enemy of this venerable self!"


    "If your true self were here, I might actually fear you a bit. But this is just one of your myriad incarnated bodies, thinking to take me down with just an incarnated body, you''re dreaming!" Xiao Yi sized the Lotus Buddha Mother up and down and let out a slightly cold laugh.


    "Youngster, overestimating yourself, let this venerable self show you that there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens!"


    A flash of gold.


    Beneath the Lotus Buddha Mother, the lotus platform bloomed with blades of golden lotuses, swirling as if autumn winds sweeping fallen leaves, the sheets of golden light swept towards Xiao Yi. Each golden lotus rotated on its own, surrounded by Buddha patterns, and sharpness surpassing the edge of knives and Sword Qi.


    Even the void showed tiny cracks under the stirring of the golden lotuses.


    A terrifying storm erupted from within these rifts.


    For a moment.


    The area between Xiao Yi and the Lotus Buddha Mother had completely turned into a vacuum.


    Xiao Yi''s pupils narrowed slightly.


    His hands clasped behind his back, seemingly motionless, yet countless Sword Qi were whirling around him. The solidified Qi collided incessantly with the golden lotuses, erupting in a series of clangs as if metal clashed against metal.


    Sparks flew in all directions, and sword radiance shocked the heavens.


    Making it impossible to discern what was happening in front of them.


    All of a sudden...


    Black wings unfurled behind Xiao Yi, bringing darkness over this part of the world, and under the pitch-black night sky, Xiao Yi turned into a dark light, dashing in front of the Lotus Buddha Mother in a flash.


    The Red Sky Sword emitted a heaven-shocking sword cry.


    Like a red dragon suddenly bursting out amongst the clouds, its bloody maw wide open, it charged at the Lotus Buddha Mother with a slash.


    "Mu!"


    The Lotus Buddha Mother suddenly looked up, her golden mouth as if hanging a golden bell, emitting a chime. A series of circular golden sound waves layered upon one another, surging forth.


    These golden sound waves wrapped around the red dragon.


    As the Lotus Buddha Mother sealed her mouth shut sharply.


    The sound waves instantly turned into golden chains, snapping tightly around the red dragon. Clicking and cracking, the red dragon burst explosively.


    The Lotus Buddha Mother''s lips curled up slightly, revealing a brilliant smile, "Even if you have the talent to dominate an era, a genius who hasn''t grown up is still just a genius. In front of true power, you''re still too green!"


    "Is that so?"


    Xiao Yi suddenly revealed a devilishly charming smile.


    "Hm?"


    The Lotus Buddha Mother was taken aback.


    Suddenly...


    Within the now-golden sound wave-restricted red dragon, there was a fleeting glimpse of red Sword Qi, making this flicker of red sword light extremely subtle under the encirclement of the golden sound waves.


    So much so that the Lotus Buddha Mother had not noticed it.


    By the time she noticed the trajectory of that sword light, it was already approaching.


    Too late to dodge.


    For the first time in many years, panic emerged on the face of the Lotus Buddha Mother, who had never been pushed to such a limit by someone whose cultivation was far less than hers.


    "Buddha Light Protects!"


    The Lotus Buddha Mother bellowed, as countless golden lights sprang forth from the lotus platform, forming a golden shield enveloping her body.


    "Buddha Light won''t protect you!" Xiao Yi sneered devilishly.


    Crack!


    The red longsword penetrated effortlessly, shattering the golden shield as if slicing through an uninhabited realm, and with a loud boom, it cleaved upon the top of the Lotus Buddha Mother''s head...


    PS: A mistake was made in the previous two chapters, accidentally writing Prajna Supreme as Veda Supreme; it has been corrected, and I sincerely apologize!